Vocalist Mikkel Sandager of the Danish metal band MERCENARY has issued the following update:

"I am sitting with the new [MERCENARY] disc ['Architect of Lies'] in my hand (limited edition, of course ) and I have to say that getting your new CD in your hand never changes. It is one of those things that feels like Christmas when you were a kid ... It simply makes me feel proud.

"So many things have happened over the last couple of weeks that blow my mind completely. Standing alongside Dave Mustaine hearing crazy MEGADETH stories is not the least of them.

"I gotta say that the bonus disc is pretty damn cool... and quite funny as well.

"All the pre-orders went out today so everyone at least in Denmark should have them on Monday along with shirts and so on. The LPs haven't arrived yet but they are due next week.

"Oh, for the Danish readers, you have to tune in to P3 on Sunday (don't know the exact time) for an hour interview with a couple of the guys... Yeah, they will talk about lots of issues, including CENSORSHIP IN THE MEDIA and PEOPLE'S RIGHT NOT TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE OR HEAR!!! (More about this later, I promise)...

"Well, the disc is released in Denmark on Monday.... I am excited... Damn excited…"

BIOMECHANICAL's live setup has now changed into a four-piece comprising of vocals, guitar, bass and drums. The decision came after guitarist Chris Van Hayden left BIOMECHANICAL as work on his own band CHAOSGENESIS intensified.

Commented BIOMECHANICAL frontman John K: "I think it makes sense having one guitarist as on both 'The Empires of the Worlds' and especially 'Cannibalised', we only had Chris Webb playing the rhythm guitars. So the feel was coming from one guitarist and this will be better reflected now on the live setup."

He added: "It's really unfortunate [Chris] left but I completely understand where he is coming from. I had the same problem with BALANCE OF POWER. I really enjoyed being with them but it meant that I had to give less than 100% to BIOMECHANICAL and I couldn't have that. Chris is an extraordinary guitarist and I'm sure he is destined for great things."

BIOMECHANICAL won't be looking for a new guitarist and will carry on with axeman Gus Drax as the only guitarist in the band.

With the framework for the Armageddon of Man firmly laid with the band’s
2007 full-length release, "Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part I", ICED EARTH are set to launch the next installment of Jon Schaffer's "Something Wicked" saga with the release of their new single, "I Walk Among You", on the following dates:

Germany - June 13
Rest of Europe - June 16
USA/Canada - June 17

The full-length studio follow-up to "Something Wicked Part I" is due for release in fall of 2008.

The new single and proceeding full-length studio album mark the return to the band of longtime frontman Matt Barlow, whose dark and sinister tones are the perfect fit to narrate the intense and viscous annihilation of mankind set in motion with the birth of the story’s main character, "Set Abominae", in "Something Wicked Part II". The single will allow fans to get a glimpse of the bright future for the band, and the perhaps not-so-bright future for humanity as we now know it.

The single will feature three songs, an exclusive version of the song "I Walk Alone" and a few tracks from "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)" with new vocal performances by Matt Barlow. Due to the re-tracking of the lead vocals these tracks have been remixed and remastered. There will be an iTunes-exclusive version of the single "I Walk Among You" that features "A Charge To Keep" which has also been re-sung by Matt, remixed and re-mastered.

The video for "I Walk Alone" is being filmed in early April.

All tracks were recorded at Jon Schaffer's studio, Soaring Eagle Sound, and mixed and mastered at Morrisound. The single, and following full-length platter will be released by Steamhammer/SPV.

"I Walk Among You" (cover artwork) track listing:

01. I Walk Alone
02. Setian Massacre
03. The Clouding
04. A Charge to Keep (exclusive iTunes track)

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET, the new Swedish band featuring former THE CROWN vocalist Johan Lindstrand, has issued the following update:

"We want to thank all of those who sent their guitarist applications to us. There were like 50 people applying for the job but of course there can be only one. Cool dedicated people from all around the globe showed interest. You know who you are!! THANK YOU!!!

"Although it seems like the whole planet wants to play with us we have decided to get a guy that lives nearby and is able to hang out with us as well as rehearse on regular basis. A guy that we knew from before and that has helped us out on several occasions with different ARMY-related stuff. The guy is named Mattias Bolander and is a great choice for us. He is extremely talented as well as a great friend and is 110% dedicated in what we do. May he be happy and healthy in the ARMY for a long long time."

Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) has offered a "brief synopsis" of the lyrical ideas for the 10 working songtitles that are set to appear on his upcoming solo CD:

* "House of Insanity": "About going nuts, basically."
* "Shame": "About crooked politicians...yup...we have those in abundance!"
* "Fight The Fleas": "About critics."
* "Sorry": "About accepting and admitting you are wrong...even when you are not or may not be."
* "Schizophrenia": "Instrumental. Planning on many guest solos, including Glen Drover, Jeff Loomis, Alex Skolnick and more!!"
* "Seasons Change": "About getting of and rising above bad elements in your life."
* "Back's To The Wall": "About being under a lot of pressure...basically how I feel writing this CD!"
* "Solitaire": "About working alone...other things as well, multi meanings."
* "Winter in Hamburg": "About how much differently the world views the U.S. after 9-11 [and] the Iraq war compared to the first time I was in Europe in 1990 when the wall fell."
* "No Matter What": "About a foreign refugee escaping and trying to get to America, his fear of dying trying. No one around who cares. Family or the U.S.!"

Caffery plans to record the new album between May and July for an October release.

According to Chris, he will tour "a lot in 2009" in support of the new CD. Some shows will take place this year, but there will be "no serious touring."

Vocalist Daniel Gildenlöw of Sweden's PAIN OF SALVATION has issued the following update:

"We are putting together a nice DVD for you, with some nice bonus material for those who crave it. Problem right now is we haven't decided on the title yet, but we have a bunch of good ones to choose from. 'Sub Par', 'Briefly Described', 'Insert Random Word-Joke Containing the Word 'LIVE'', 'Not A Concept' and 'Want Your Name Here?' are just a few of them. We'll see what comes down when we have shaken it long enough.

"Most of you know that Léo Margarit from France is the new drummer of the band. We are rehearsing new material now and learning to know each other musically as well as personally — and he is also in the process of moving to Sweden.

"We visited Moscow, Russia, some weeks back, and we had a great time. The crowd was great, and we had a good time with [the] organizers, press and fans. We hope to come back as soon as possible. We need to see the Red Square in daylight (with less Disney vibe) and personally I really want to visit the Museum Of National History.

"For those who have not yet seen the clips on YouTube (why do we even bother to make DVDs when we can have lousy recordings released anyway and not even have to bother about getting paid for it?), we did a nice rendition of 'Ashes' together with a nice Russian singer named Kiril (see clip below). We performed sitting in a ring on stage, playing on three balalaikas and spoons, I might add. Now that's a scenery SYMPHONY X will never offer you!"

Vocalist Ben Goreskin of the UK extreme metal act act GOREROTTED has issued the following update:

"The boys have literally just entered Parlour Sounds Studios with producers Russ Russell and James Dunkley to begin production on 'Get Dead Or Die Trying', and I'll be joining them in a few weeks to lay down some vocals. We're incredibly excited to be working with these reputable gentlemen and also to lay down our most accomplished, diverse and strongest material to date."

GOREROTTED recently parted ways with drummer John Rushforth. His replacement is Nate Gould of UK weirdoes SCREAMIN' DAEMON.

STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki has issued the following update on his recently completed classical rock opera, "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island":

"I'm very happy to see how many people are actually downloading 'Saana' from my webshop as MP3/FLAC version. It completely supports my current theory that there are people who are willing to pay for MP3's as long as they are DRM-free, reasonably priced and good quality and have something extra in them. Thanks for proving that right with your downloadings. I think new times have finally started and we will see more and more artists directly selling their products and with a good price. Also finally the artists have a chance to get the majority of the money and not the record companies and retail sellers/shops. Sometimes during my career I have thought that these people have forgotten that without us musicians, none of these companies would even exist. And without you people, we musicians would not exist.
So once again, big thank you for your support regarding 'Saana'. It means a lot to me."

EVERGREY singer/guitarist Tom S. Englund has issued the following update:

"After a couple of turbulent weeks we have now finally mastered our [new] album. When we listened to the finished product for the first time we all agreed that we were beyond satisfied with the result and can’t wait for you to hear it! We have also decided to post video teasers for you to enjoy, there will be a new 'trailer' every month [first one is available below] up until we release the damn thing, and oh, the title for it is 'Torn'!

"Complete tracklisting will be presented here as soon as we have decided what songs will end up on special editions and/or bonus tracks for singles etc. Other than that I am glad to read that all of you seem to love our new EVERGREY 'EY' logo. It will look pretty cool on a shirt that’s for sure.

"Tomorrow we play a show in Mariestad with our friends from ALL ENDS so those of you who have the chance please stop by.

"Summer festivals and tours for the fall are being booked as I write so be sure to check this area for all official confirmations. We will start rehearsing songs from 'Torn' next week so MAYBE, and I mean maybe, we will play some of them in Finland in two weeks. Playing Finland is always a blast and it’s nice to be with people that can keep up with us on the booze. Both me and Jari [Kainulainen, bass] have lot’s of relatives and friends coming out to the shows so that should be fun. Tampere on the 19th and Helsinki on the 20th be sure to join in if you have the chance.

"So enjoy the music [see first trailer below] combined with the fantastic photos courtesy of our friend René Asmussen — an award-winning Danish photgrapher who have graced us with his work which will be used in the booklet for 'Torn'. That alone will be worth the money. Please let us know your feelings, ideas expectations after hearing what you now will hear."

EVERGREY's last CD, "Monday Morning Apocalypse" was recorded at Division One Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden by the experienced production team of Sanken Sandquist and Stefan Glaumann, who have previously worked with such artists as RAMMSTEIN, BON JOVI, BRITNEY SPEARS and DEF LEPPARD.

The Pulse of Radio reports: SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian has been added to the lineup of this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, scheduled for April 25-27 at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California. With SCARS ON BROADWAY, the new band featuring SYSTEM guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan, previously announced for the festival, it's likely that speculation will start about whether the musicians will get together for a surprise SYSTEM reunion. The band has been on hiatus since the fall of 2006, with Tankian releasing his first solo album, "Elect the Dead", last fall. The SCARS ON BROADWAY debut is due out this summer.

Also added to the Coachella lineup this week was APHEX TWIN, GOLDFRAPP, REDD KROSS and several others. The ninth annual event will also feature appearances by ROGER WATERS, JACK JOHNSON, THE VERVE, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, THE RACONTEURS, THE BREEDERS, PORTISHEAD and many more.

Malakian recently told MTV.com that SYSTEM's hiatus may be permanent, saying, "If anyone's holding their breath for a SYSTEM record, they're going to turn blue and pass out. It's a long ways away, if it ever even happens."

According to La Crónica de Hoy, several hundred Mexican heavy metal, "skate punk" and alternative rock fans joined forces last Friday (March 7) in the in the center of Querétaro, Mexico to confront a group of "emos" (followers of the "emo" subculture, which is short for "emotional") who regularly use the city center as a gathering place. Four people were injured and 28 persons were arrested (22 of them minors) when more than a thousand youths clashed in the area of Jardín Guerrero, Plaza de Armas (front of the Government Palace).

Authorities in Mexico are reportedly concerned that similar incidents could happen in other cities, especially Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

An Internet campaign is reportedly being waged to launch attacks against "emos" in other parts of the country, with various web postings portraying emos as "homosexuals" who give a "bad image" to tourists who visit their towns.

German epic/pagan metallers WOLFCHANT have issued the following update:

"After Nattulv decided to leave the band for personel reasons we are on the search for a new bass player. Coming gigs are not imperilled. He will continue playing bass till a worthy substitute is found. Interested musicians please contact norgahd@wolfchant-metal.com. Please no amateurs or musicians without live expiriences. Furthermore you should live in or near lower Bavaria and be extrovert, mobile and dedicated."

WOLFCHANT's second full-length album, "A Pagan Storm", was released on April 6, 2007 through CCP Records.

Metal Blade will release a special edition of FATES WARNING's 1989 LP "Perfect Symmetry" in June. The package will include:

* Remastered Audio
* A bonus disc of "Perfect Symmetry" demos
* DVD with over 90 minutes of live footage

Stay tuned for more information, including a possible video preview, as it becomes available.

"Perfect Symmetry" was recorded and mixed between April 1989 and May 1989 at Carriage House Studios, Stamford, CT. The CD was produced by Roger Probert for Major Productions and was mixed by Phil Magnotti and Max Norman. It was the first album to feature Mark Zonder on drums.

The Pulse of Radio reports that BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE singer Matt Tuck almost had to be replaced before recording began on its new album, "Scream Aim Fire", according to an interview with FMQB.com. Guitarist Michael "Padge" Paget revealed that Tuck was having problems with his voice and ultimately needed surgery, adding, "After that he had to teach himself how to sing in a different way because he couldn't sing in the way he used to be able to. It was kind of weird and scary. We even considered getting a new singer because he couldn't sing like he used to. But he had the operation and got healthy and retrained himself...His singing is better than ever, so something worked!"

Tuck told The Pulse of Radio he was very frustrated and angry when his throat began acting up because the band's management and record label did not immediately take the problem seriously. "Just the straw that broke the camel's back really was just one tour too many, which set us back nearly nine months," he said. "So it was just thinking I wasn't ever gonna be able to sing again really, which is a devastating feeling."

One of the songs on "Scream Aim Fire", "Deliver Us From Evil", was inspired by Tuck's experience.

"Scream Aim Fire" has sold more than 120,000 copies in the United States since arriving in stores on January 29.

The band made its national U.S. television debut last week on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", where it performed the title track from the new disc.

The digipack version of TIAMAT's new album, "Amanethes", will contain the exclusive bonus track "Thirst Snake".

The cover artwork for "Amanethes", can be viewed at HeavyLaw.com. Due in Germany on April 18 via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was produced by Johan Edlund, recorded mainly at The Mansion in Greece, and additionally recorded at Studio Mega in Sweden and Cue in Greece. The album was mixed and mastered by Siggi Bemm in Woodhouse Studios, Germany in January 2008.

"Amanethes" track listing:

01. The Temple Of The Crescent Moon
02. Equinox Of The Gods
03. Until The Hellhounds Sleep Again
04. Will They Come?
05. Lucienne
06. Summertime Is Gone
07. Katarraktis Apo Aima
08. Raining Dead Angels
09. Misantropolis
10. Amanitis
11. Meliae
12. Via Dolorosa
13. Circles
14. Amanes
15. Thirst Snake (digipack bonus track)

Swedish death metal "supergroup" BLOODBATH has issued the following update:

"The first and so far only concert with BLOODBATH will finally see the dawn (of the dead) as a live CD/DVD digipak entitled 'The Wacken Carnage' on Peaceville April 21st. Almost three years have passed since this carnage took place in Wacken, but worry not — we were already past our best 'expiration date' back when we started the band, so this concert will consequently prove our old school principled death metal values remain timeless. The elegantly brutal artwork was created by Travis Smith."

"The Wacken Carnage" track listing:

01. Intro
02. Cancer Of The Soul
03. So You Die
04. Soul Evisceration
05. Ways To The Grave
06. Ominous Bloodvomit
07. Like Fire
08. Bastard Son Of God
09. Breeding Death
10. Outnumbering The Day
11. Brave New Hell
12. Furnace Funeral
13. Eaten

Finnish metallers KALMAH have finalized the track listing for their fifth full-length album, "For the Revolution", due on April 2 via Spikefarm Records. The CD was recorded at Tico Tico studio in Kemi, Finland with producer Ahti Kortelainen and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Sweden.

"For the Revolution" track listing:

01. For the Revolution
02. Dead Man's Shadow
03. Holy Symphony of War
04. Wings of Blackening
05. Ready for Salvation
06. Towards the Sky
07. Outremer
08. Coward
09. Like a Slave

KALMAH will embark on the Canadian "For the Revolution" tour in April. Support on the shows will come from Montrea's TALAMYUS.

According to NME.com, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich has announced that the group's follow-up to 2003's "St Anger" will be released this September.

The band has been recording the as-yet-untitled record in Los Angeles with producer Rick Rubin.

Speaking to IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson on the March 7 edition of Bruce's weekly BBC 6 Music radio show, Ulrich said: "We're just finishing up a record, we've got six weeks left and it should be out in September, that's the idea right now."

He added: "I like what I've heard so far. I'm not one of the great sellers of 'the new record's the best thing we've ever done and it shits all over the last record and it's way heavier'. I'm not a great believer in all that horseshit."

"I like it and I'm one of METALLICA's harshest critics. So far it feels pretty good but there's still plenty of time to fuck it up, so let's see what happens."

A new chapter in the legendary career of multi-platinum rockers JOURNEY — Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Arnel Pineda (vocals) — will begin on June 3 with the highly anticipated release of "Revelation", a three-disc CD and DVD package to be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North America.

The first disc will consist of 11 re-recorded classics, the second is filled with 11 new songs, and the third is a live, in-concert DVD. All of the music on "Revelation" was produced by Kevin Shirley (who previously worked with JOURNEY on their platinum-certified "Trial By Fire" album).

A brand new WALLS OF JERICHO track, entitled "Addicted", has been posted online at this location. The song comes off the Detroit band's forthcoming EP, "Redemption", which will be released on April 29 via Trustkill Records. Produced by Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) at his Iowa home studio, the CD features "acoustic instruments, fleshed out arrangements, and Taylor's voice on several songs," including the aforementioned "Addicted".

"Redemption" track listing:

01. Ember Drive (feat. Corey Taylor)
02. My Last Stand (feat. Corey Taylor)
03. No Saving Me
04. House Of The Rising Sun
05. Addicted (feat. Corey Taylor)

Austrian symphonic metal band EDENBRIDGE will release its sixth studio album, "MyEarthDream", Napalm Records on the following dates:

April 25: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
April 23: Finland
April 28: Rest of Europe
May 13: North America

The cover art was created by Anthony Clarkson, who has previously worked with BLIND GUARDIAN, among other artists.

"MyEarthDream" track listing:

01. The Force Within
02. Shadowplay
03. Remember Me
04. Adamantine
05. Paramount
06. Whale Rider
07. Undying Devotion
08. Fallen From Grace
09. Place Of Higher Power
10. MyEarthDream Suite (For Guitar And Orchestra)
11. MyEarthDream

Germany's NIGHT IN GALES has posted a medley of the band's new four-song promotional CD on the group's MySpace page. The tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Lars Dietrich (CALIBAN, THE ABSCENCE).

The track listing for the promotional CD is as follows:

01. To The Morgue And Back
02. Bloodsong
03. Holehearted
04. Five Tongues And A Funeral

NIGHT IN GALES is planning to release its fifth album before the end of the year. Also in the works are reissues of the band's first two albums: "Towards the Twilight" (1997, Nuclear Blast Records) and "Thunderbeast" (1998, Nuclear Blast Records).

Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI have issued the following update:

"We promised you another video while waiting for the 'Korven Kuningas' album. This pure Finnish folk metal video was created according to the ideas of our webmaster and friend Sami Rämä. Without his huge dedication this party video would never have existed. A big thanks to you, Sami, and to all who made this video possible."

Watch the clip below.

An audio preview of "Korven Kuningas" is available on the band's MySpace page.

"Korven Kuningas" is scheduled for release on March 21, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records. Check out the cover artwork at this location.

"Korven Kuningas" track listing:

01. Tapporauta
02. Metsämies
03. Keep On Galloping
04. Northern Fall
05. Shall We Take A Turn?
06. Paljon On Koskessa Kiviä
07. Ali Jäisten Vetten
08. Gods On Fire
09. Kipakka (Japan bonus track)
10. Kantaiso
11. Kipumylly
12. Suden Joiku
13. Runamoine
14. Syntykoski Syömmehessäin
15. Korven Kuningas
16. Nuolet nomalan (digipack bonus track)

Formed by Jonne Järvelä (vocals, guitar), KORPIKLAANI ("Woodland Clan" in Finnish) released two albums under its previous moniker, SHAMAN. In contrast to SHAMAN, which recorded songs in the original Sami language, KORPIKLAANI's material is writen mostly in English, but also in Finnish.

Swedish metallers PAIN, the band fronted by HYPOCRISY's Peter Tägtgren, has recruited René Sebastian (photo) from ICONDEMN to play guitar on the second leg of PAIN's European tour as the support act for NIGHTWISH.

Commented PAIN: "We're looking forward to meet [René] for the first time on the plane to Hamburg on Sunday. You will meet him on stage on Monday. René has promised us total f*kin mayhem on stage and I'm sure that's what you'll get. We'll try to soften him up with a couple of beers for you.

"The last eight days have been really relaxing and recharging for us. Now we are eager to go out on this second leg of the tour and kick your asses again (and maybe someone will kick ours again). Twenty-five shows remain and we're really looking forward to play in France (again), Spain, Portugal and Great Britain etc. Last mentioned is untouched ground for us which makes it even more exciting. Kick ass!!!"

To celebrate the April 15 release of "Lead Sails Paper Anchor 2.0" CDVU, Orange County's ATREYU has launched its new "Falling Down" video game. Fans can play the new game at UGOplayer.com. The exciting new game consists of five mini-games, one for each of the guys in the band. Alex's game slaughters "cute stuff" and leaves a bloody trail of teddy bear parts behind, Brandon takes a trip into hell in search of some ice cream, Dan tests your fast finger work, Marc goes "ghostbusting" with his bass and Travis grills up a remake of the arcade classic Burger Time. The jam-packed game follows up the popular "Becoming The Bull" interactive game launched last fall.

"Lead Sails Paper Anchor 2.0" CDVU comes packed with new video profiles of the band, behind the scenes footage from the road, tons of never-before-seen photos, a digital booklet, and three new studio songs.

The Pulse of Radio reports: NINE INCH NAILS is launching an online film festival showcasing short films made by fans to accompany music from the new NINE INCH NAILS album, "Ghosts I – IV". According to a press release, the NINE INCH NAILS channel on YouTube, which went live on Thursday (March 13h), will begin accepting submissions immediately through May 1. Music from "Ghosts I – IV" will be available for filmmakers starting on April 1 through YouTube's AudioSwap channel. Submissions will be personally reviewed by Trent Reznor, who will host a festival featuring the best entries at a later date.

Reznor released "Ghosts I – IV" online on March 2. The two-hour collection of 36 untitled instrumental tracks was made available in various high-quality DRM-free formats at different price levels. According to a press statement, a total of 781,917 copies of the project were transacted at NIN.com in the first week of release, including paid and free downloads, plus pre-orders for physical editions of the set. The total gross earned was reported as $1,619,420.

By contrast, the top-selling CD on the Billboard album chart this week, a new record from country star Alan Jackson, sold 119,000 copies.

Reznor's announcement of the sales figures was in contrast to RADIOHEAD, who did not release sales figures for their "pay-what-you-want" digital version of their latest effort, "In Rainbows". Reznor will not, however, release traditional sales figures to SoundScan, which provides numbers for the Billboard chart.

The expensive "ultra-deluxe" limited edition of "Ghosts I - IV" sold out almost instantly despite a steep $300 price tag. A digital version is available for five dollars, along with a $75 limited edition "deluxe" package. A $10 double CD version and a $39 vinyl edition will be available at U.S. retail on April 8.

Meanwhile, Gigwise.com reported that Reznor criticized RADIOHEAD for the "low quality" of the download version of "In Rainbows", saying, "What they did was a cool thing; I think the way they parlayed it into a marketing gimmick has certainly been shrewd. But if you look at what they did, though, it was very much a bait and switch to get you to pay for a MySpace-quality stream as a way to promote a very traditional record sale."