As BLABBERMOUTH.NET exclusively reported earlier today, former JUDAS PRIEST/ICED EARTH singer Tim "Ripper" Owens has now officially joined YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's band. The legendary Swedish guitarist announced the news to the Guitar World staff today when he came to the magazine's New York headquarters for an exclusive interview and photo shoot.

Malmsteen and Owens are hard at work on a new CD, which is currently scheduled for a July release.

Owens and Malmsteen previously collaborated on a cover of OZZY OSBOURNE's "Mr. Crowley", which appeared on the "Flying High Again: The World's Greatest Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne", released in March 2006 via Magick Records. Listen to the track on YouTube.

Owens recently worked with QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton on demo recordings for the new SOULBENDER album (Wilton's side project). One of the demo cuts can currently be heard on the SOULDBENDER MySpace page.

Owens's predecessor, Doogie White, was a member of Yngwie Malmsteen's band for six and a half years. Doogie joined Malmsteen's band in September 2001 and recorded two albums with the legendary Swedish guitarist: "Attack" (2002) and "Unleash the Fury" (2005).

"I had a long chat with Yngwie today and it is clear that he wants to move musically in a new direction," Doogie said in a statement that was released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET earlier today. "It's great news that he will be expanding on his undoubted talents both as a writer and guitarist. I just want to thank, publicly, Yngwie and the many band members past and present that I have worked with. It seems appropriate that we started our working relationship in South America in September 2001 and finished in South America in December 2007. Now, anyone need a singer??"

STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki has issued the following update in his ongoing dispute with Italy's Frontiers Records over the fate of his recently completed classical rock opera, "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island":

"Due to the unfortunate events around 'Saana' during the last days have made me to issue a more clarifying statement regarding this.

"To start with, I have put five legal documents to www.timotolkki.com for those who are interested to see how things really are legally. You might have to press 'refresh' to see the new content.

"I signed the contract with Frontiers in good faith. I had and have a very strong belief that 'Saana' is the most important work that I have ever done. I went into the composing process with free hands, like I always do. I cannot write music if somebody is trying to impose restrictions to it. This is what has happened all the time during the last four months. It has been one constant fight about everything possible from graphic designs to the music. It is very difficult to work under those kind of circumstances and I have always had the principle that nobody tells me what to do regarding my art. Now I believe that this principle has been under constant and systematic attack from Frontiers Records.

"Those who are interested can read my arguments for terminating the contract with Frontiers from www.timotolkki.com, but I sum them up here:

"Frontiers REJECTED the production master that I sent them and sent them back to me. This is exactly the same record that they are now 'proudly presenting' and selling on their homepage. They tried to get me to go back to the studio to write more 'metal songs' and to quote them 'just insert them in between somewhere there.' Needless to say, after 2500 hours of work and a clear concept of two-album storyline, including a filmed format, doesn't allow anything like that and neither would I do it because for me, freedom of expression in art is a necessity to be even able to create any music plus that both parts of 'Saana' represent a whole and a concept that is evolving up until the 'Finale' in part 2.

"Frontiers presents in their letters things like the music is not what I 'promised' them. I cannot 'promise' any music, I am not a jukebox. The music style in the contract is detrmined as 'rock opera.' I first wrote the story and then the music around it. I have never written music for anyone else but myself. I appreciate and honor the support of my fans greatly, but at the end of the day, I am expressing myself through my music, not through Frontiers Records.

"They go on stating that the album has 'drum loops' and drum machines, which they don't tolerate. The album has real live drums played by Mirka Rantanen of THUNDERSTONE. It hasn't got any drum machines and it has one loop that lasts 20 seconds.

"My production company, Goldenworks, is responisble for producing the sound production master (you manufacture CDs from this) and graphic master (you manufacture the booklet, cd design from this). I have since last October numerous times asked Frontiers to deliver me the cataloque number of 'Saana' and a barcode, which are both necessary elements for any record store to take the CD for sale. Frontiers have insisited that it is them who is doing it, not Goldenworks. Contractually, I pay for the graphic master and am therefore resposible to produce the graphic master. But I haven't been able to do so because of above-mentioned facts. I also suspected that they would alter the artwork because I sent an early version of the cover to the director of Frontiers, who freaked out and said it's horrible. He also SENT the jpeg to some people, including some journalists, which was an insane thing to do at that point of production.

"They claim that the album should not contain any instrumental music and that the album is 'mostly instrumental music.' Keeping in mind the storytelling nature of a rock opera or musical, I challenge you to find a piece that doesn't have instrumentals. Out of 16 tracks, 11 tracks contain vocals.

"Frontiers continues by stating that the album should be 45 minutes long, according to the contract. The album is 44:10 long. This doesn't really need any comment…

"Frontiers claims that I delivered the master late. This is true, but I notfied them about this already in August 2007 and they approved it and were systematically preparing for a May 2008 release. I can prove this by email traffic.

"Frontiers also claims I was unavailable for discussions for compromise. This is also not true. After some email exchanging they proposed a settlement compromise, which I gave to my lawyer to check. Frontiers was hurriying me and my lawyer to sign this document to the point that my lawyer became very irritated and said to me that I should always be very careful with any company that is hurrying you to sign. After reviewing what my lawyer said, I terminated the contract by his recommendation.

"Despite of this, Frontiers Records seems to be releasing 'Saana' according to their website. I know most of their distributors personally and none of them has this album in their release schedule.

"Frontiers Records hasn't got the necessary parts to be able to produce a CD in the way that it is of high quality. Yet, they seem to intend to manufacture CDs out of MP3 files and booklet from two low-resolution jpegs they have. They don't have lyrics or any information regarding the album details.

"I have designed 'Saana''s 24 page booklet in the way that each page has its own graphic layout and is very necessary for understanding the unfolding story. Only the booklet took one month to make.

"We shot 25 hours of footage for the bonus DVD videos and the sales DVD story.

"Therefore it is really sad to see that they are doing this and I think it says a lot about this company what it is willing to do.

"There is a touch of irony in first rejecting the master because of the things I have explained and then when I terminate the contract, instead of taking Goldenworks to court, what do they do? They 'proudly present' the new rock opera from Timo Tolkki.

"Needless to say, Goldenworks will take legal actions against Frontiers Records if they will release the 'Saana' album. I doubt they are able to do that, at least via their normal distribution channels. Maybe only through their online shop, but the quality of that product will be less than adequate. The 'cover' they have sent to some media is an early version of the final cover.

"I rest my case. I have spent one year of my life working this music and I believe it is a truly unique and innovative concept. I never wanted any of this fuss, but I will defend my art against a corporate attack if I have to and I am not afraid to stand in court and say what I have to say about my artistic right to express myself."

Canadian tech-thrashers NEURAXIS will enter the studio February 19 with producer Jef Fortin (of fellow Canadians ANONYMUS) to record their fifth studio album. The recording process will be completed by late March, after which the effort will be mastered by Alan Douches (MASTODON, CONVERGE, SHADOWS FALL). The CD will feature artwork by Dennis Sibeijn of Damnengine Art (JOB FOR A COWBOY, CHIMAIRA). The as-yet-untitled LP is tentatively scheduled for release in July through Prosthetic Records.

"We feel this album will be something monumental for NEURAXIS," says guitarist Rob Milley. "With the new lineup and the energy we have created in the writing sessions, it's something that is new and refreshing, yet still retains a lot of the essence of what NEURAXIS has built since day one."

The new album will be the first studio release to feature new vocalist Alex Leblanc and guitarist William Seghers, who previously appeared on the "Live Progression" CD (Galy Records).

"Live Progression" is the live follow-up to NEURAXIS' last studio album, 2005's "Trilateral Progression".

Polish extreme metallers DECAPITATED — whose drummer, Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka, died on November 2 in a Russian hospital from injuries sustained in a road collision — have issued the following update:

"Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to each and every person due to the overwhelming response followed by the tragic events of last October.

"The friends and families of Covan [DECAPITATED singer Adrian Kowanek, who was also hurt in the accident] and Vitek will do their best in keeping you up to date with news on DECAPITATED and everything pertaining to the Vitek and Covan charity fund.

"The auction and tribute shirts have been temporarily delayed — but they are still in the works and should be up and running in the near future. We are also waiting on a statement from Covan's family about his current condition. As far as we know, he is stable and on his way to a full recovery. We have high hopes for the future.

"Thanks again to everyone for your amazing show of support. It really means the world to us."

Canadian extreme metal titans CRYPTOPSY have been forced to cancel their recently announced tour of South America in March after drummer Flo Mounier broke his kneecap. Mounier had completed the drum tracking process for the group's new album prior to the incident, so it did not affect the recording. The tour of South America is expected to be re-scheduled later in 2008.

CRYPTOPSY is currently putting the finishing touches on its sixth full-length, "The Unspoken King", which will surface through Century Media this summer. The group recently announced the addition of new frontman Matt McGachy (3 MILE SCREAM) and keyboards/samplist Maggie Durand (HOWLING SYN) to its lineup.

Alex Auburn (guitar) states: "Right now the band is plunged deeply into the production of the new album and so far everything is going well. Fans will be amazed by the diversity and open minded vision of extremes for this particular entity. Some song titles we've been working on are 'Worship your Demons', 'Resurgence of An Empire' and 'Silence the Tyrants'."

Having completed more than 220 shows in order to promote the acclaimed
"From Mars to Sirius" album, French metallers GOJIRA are putting the finishing touches on their new material which they plan to include on their new much-anticipated full-length offering, tentatively due in the fall. The as-yet-untitled new CD will be recorded between April and June and will be released through the French label Monslip/Warner in France and Listenable Records and various licensors in other parts of the world. The band will immediately embark on a series of major tours in Europe and throughout the U.S. right after the release.

LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — has announced that its stage set for the group's upcoming appearance at this year's installment of the Wacken Open Air festival — scheduled to place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany — will include the Viking ship designed by the group's tech Leebee. The ship was previously for the band's concert on October 20, 2007 at the Metal Female Voices Fest in Wieze, Belgium. That show was filmed for a DVD, due later in the year. Fan-filmed video footage from the gig can be viewed below.

Commented LEAVES' EYES male vocalist Alex Krull: "We are all looking forward playing this special concert at the Wacken Open Air this year! It is totally awesome and my birthday as well! We don't spare any costs to put up a great show for our fans in Wacken!"

LEAVES' EYES will perform at the Mandragora's Fest on March 1 in Mexico City. This concert will mark the group's live debut with new drummer Nick Barker (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH) and session bassist Alla Fedynitch (ex-PAIN, ENEMY OF THE SUN, EYES OF EDEN).

The cover artwork for "Master of Illusion", the new album from UK melodic power metallers POWER QUEST, can be viewed at this location. The CD will be issued on the following dates:

March 26 - Japan/Southeast Asia (via Marquee/Avalon)
April 25 - Europe (via Napalm)
May 13 - USA (via Napalm)

The album, which was mastered on February 13, features guest appearances by keyboardist Richard West from the UK progressive metal band THRESHOLD and Jorn Viggo Lofstad from the Norwegian power metal act PAGAN'S MIND. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Human Machine", "Hearts and Voices", "The Vigil", "The Right Place and the Wrong Time", "Count My Sins" and "The Tragedy Suite".

HATESPHERE was honored in the "Hard Rock" category at the annual Danish Music Awards (the Danish Grammy Awards equivalent). The 40th Danish Music Awards show was held earlier tonight (Saturday, February 23) at Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark and was broadcast live on MySpace.

The nominees in the "Hard Rock" category were as follows:

HATESPHERE - "Serpent Smiles And Killer Eyes" (SPV)
MNEMIC - "Passenger" (Nuclear Blast)
THE PSYKE PROJECT - "Apnea" (Bonnier)

Spinner.com reports that Australian hard rock icons AC/DC are getting closer to ending an eight-year drought of new music. "God, I'm ready," bassist Cliff Williams, who was in L.A. to participate at the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp, tells Spinner.com. To that end, the group will hit the studio March 1.

Almost as long as the wait for new music is the band's absence from the stage. Tour plans, however, aren't as firm. "If we go out again or when we go out again," Williams said. "You just never know. We've been around a long time, so we're going to get together and get in the studio and I fully expect we will [tour.]. I don't mean to be so negative about that. [When] the last tour ended in early '01, you'd see kids on their dads' shoulders. And these kids were like 10, 12 years old. It will be tremendous to see that again. And it's very cool — younger kids getting into older music."

Italian symphonic metal band IVORY MOON has parted ways with female vocalist Cecilia Serra. According to a press release, "There are no hard feelings involved, Cecilia has decided to focus on her family and studies. IVORY MOON wants to take the opportunity to thank Cecilia for all her great work in the band the last years, and wish her all the best for the future."

IVORY MOON's new female vocalist is Elisa Pezzuto (photo), who is said to be "a very talented singer that has been inloved in musical activities in all her life, in everything from medieval music, gospel to modern rock."

The band's latest album, "Human Nature", was released last September via Sweden's Ulterium Records (Europe) and Nightmare Records (USA). The CD was engineered, mixed and mastered by Christian Ice at the Temple of Noise Studios in Rome, Italy.

Mesopotamian metal masters MELECHESH have fulfilled their three-album recording contract with Osmose Productions. The band has decided not to renew the agreement with Osmose will soon announce a new label home.

Comments founding member Ashmedi: "After circa eight years with Osmose Productions, we feel this is the right time to move on. This does not change our high opinion of this cult record company who truly does good old-fashioned A&R work and builds bands over the course of time. I, on behalf of MELECHESH, extend our best wishes to Osmose Productions and their staff, especially Herve and Nicolas, who have become with the years people we can call our friends; we also extend our regards and appreciation to The End Records, the exclusive licensee label in USA, for their efforts on the North American continent."

Norway's RED HARVEST will release "The Red Line Archives" on April 14 via Indie Recordings. The CD contains "something new, something old, something borrowed, something cold," according to the band.

"The Red Line Archives" track listing:

01. Move Or Be Moved (Full Version Mix 2008)
02. Dead (Sick Transit Gloria Mundi - 2002 :: ReFactor 2008)
03. Last Call (Cold Dark Matter - 2000)
04. Abstract Moral - Junction Mix (Internal Punishment Programs - 2004, Remix 2008)
05. Synthesize My DNA (Internal Punishment Programs - 2004)
06. Bleed (1996/2008)
07. 4418 (Internal Punishment Programs - 2004)
08. Desolation (Sick Transit Gloria Mundi - 2002)
09. Technocrate (Dunkelheit Version 2008 Mix)
10. Cyborg Era / Dead End (Remix 2008)
11. The Central Sun - Part 1 (1996)

ASSAILANT, the Umeå, Sweden-based band featuring guitarist Oscar Norberg ("little brother" of Emil of PERSUADER/SAVAGE CIRCUS fame and Nils Norberg of NOCTURNAL RITES), will release its sophomore album, "Wicked Dream", on March 24 via Dockyard 1. According to a press release, the new CD "is not only more mature than its predecessor but it shows a band that has clearly found its own path in metal, very melodic yet really hard, sprinkled with influences of rock, death metal and thrash. Crown of the album is the ballad 'Eternal'."

PAIN members Peter Tägtgren (guitar/vocals), Johan Husgafvel (bass) and David Wallin (drums) were assaulted last night (Friday, February 22) in Leipzig, Germany during a day off on the band's European tour as the support act for NIGHTWISH. As a result, the group was forced to cancel tonight's concert in Leipzig, with possible further cancellations to follow.

Commented Wallin: "We arrived here [in Leipzig] yesterday and three of us spent the evening of our day off at some local bars. When we had enough we walked out on the street to find a taxi back to the bus and three assholes decided to kick us down and hit me in the head with a wine bottle. Some guy who recognized us helped us in his car to a nearby hospital. Peter's got a really black eye and was given 10 stitches on his cheek. I have a concussion, eight stitches on the side of my head and glass in my hands. Johan has a broken nose and bruses all over. We're really sorry for canceling tonight's show but it just wasn't possible. We're gonna do our best to get back in the saddle again and continue the tour without further interruption. Everything tastes better with blood in your mouth."

PAIN members Peter Tägtgren (guitar/vocals), Johan Husgafvel (bass) and David Wallin (drums) were assaulted Friday night (February 22) in Leipzig, Germany during a day off on the band's European tour as the support act for NIGHTWISH. As a result, the group was forced to cancel Saturday's concert in Leipzig, but the bandmembers quickly picked themselves up and were back on stage on Sunday.

"We did the best we could," Tägtgren said of the post-attack gig, according to Sweden's The Local.

"We were the wrong people at the wrong place at the wrong time," explained Peter, who required ten stitches for cuts to his face.

As it was their day off, the singer, Husgafvel and Wallin spent the evening at some local bars.

While they were walking down the street looking for a taxi, three men attacked them from behind.

"Sometimes things like this happen. We have no idea who they were, but it was really dodgy," Tägtgren told The Local.

The bandmembers, who were taken completely by surprise, were left severely beaten and bruised.

Afterwards a passerby recognized them and drove them to the hospital.

Husgafvel suffered a broken nose and Wallin, who was hit in the head with a wine bottle, ended up with concussion and stitches to the side of his head.

"The body gets a shock. Johan is full of kicks and bruises. David and I are dizzy as hell," Tägtgren told The Local.

Check out a photo of Peter Tägtgren taken on the hospital bed following the assault. A picture of Wallin on the operating table can be seen at this location.



"First of all, this is the last [statement] that will mention last Friday's mishap. We've got a lot of messages and read tons of comments on the Internet. Some good, some bad. And we would like to point out that what happened has nothing to do with Germany. These fuckers that jumped us exist in every country. We were just at the wrong place in the wrong time. We never spoke to them so they couldn't have known that we were from another country. Right now we're just glad that things went so 'well' so that we can continue the tour. If we would have been sober or if we would have known that they were coming I'm sure that I wouldn't have been able to write this [message] right now. Thanks for all your nice coments, but as I wrote before this is behind us and now it's just almost full speed ahead. Everything tastes better with stitches!"

PAIN was forced to cancel Saturday's concert in Leipzig, but the bandmembers quickly picked themselves up and were back on stage on Sunday.

Husgafvel suffered a broken nose and Wallin, who was hit in the head with a wine bottle, ended up with concussion and stitches to the side of his head.

Check out a photo of Peter Tägtgren taken on the hospital bed following the assault. A picture of Wallin on the operating table can be seen at this location.

PAIN's video for the track "Zombie Slam" is available for viewing at this location. The clip was shot in February 2007 in Los Angeles by Ralf Strathmann. Ralf previously worked as a director for artists like CHILDREN OF BODOM, APOCALYPTICA and SOILWORK. He is also a photographer for such bands as H.I.M., AEROSMITH and BLINK 182, to name but a few.

CIRCLE II CIRCLE, the band led by ex-SAVATAGE singer Zak Stevens, will release a new four-track single on March 28 via AFM Records. Entitled "Every Last Thing", it will include a non-album and a live video clip. A new full-length studio CD, "Delusions of Grandeur", will follow on April 25. The album will be issued as a regular jewel case, a limited edition featuring bonus material, and on picture vinyl.

An audio sample of the new MIDNATTSOL song "Northern Light" is available at this location. The track comes off the group's forthcoming second album, entitled "Nordlys" (translated: Northern Light), which will be released via Napalm Records on the following dates:

Mar. 26 - Finland
Mar. 28 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden
Mar. 31 - Rest of Europe
Apr. 01 - USA/Canada

The CD was mixed by Tue Madsen and was mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland with Mika Jusilla.

"Nordlys" track listing:

01. Open Your Eyes
02. Skogens Lengsel
03. Northern Light
04. Konkylie
05. Wintertimes
06. Race Of Time
07. New Horizon
08. River Of Virgin Soil
09. En Natt I Nord
10. Octobre (limited-edition bonus track)

BLABBERMOUTH.NET can reveal the cover artwork (by Eliran Kantor) and track listing of TESTAMENT's forthcoming album, "The Formation of Damnation", due in North America on April 29 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The band recorded the effort in part with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE) at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California.

"The Formation of Damnation" track listing:

01. For The Glory Of
02. More Than Meets The Eye
03. The Evil Has Landed
04. Formation Of Damnation
05. Dangers of The Faithless
06. The Persecuted Won't Forget
07. Henchman
08. Killing Season
09. Afterlife
10. F.E.A.R.
11. Leave Me Forever

A "video presentation" for "Collision Course - Paradox II", the new album from the Denmark-based hard rock band ROYAL HUNT, can be viewed below.

"Collision Course - Paradox II" is scheduled for release on March 14 via the following companies: Frontiers Records (Europe), Marquee/Avalon (Japan and Southeast Asia), Magna Carta (North America), CD Maximum (Russia and C.I.S). The CD, which is said to be the conceptual follow-up to the 1997 release "Paradox", marks the recorded debut with the band of new vocalist Mark Boals, who has previously played with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE, BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB and RING OF FIRE, among others. Guest singers on the album include Doogie White (RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), Ian Parry (ELEGY, CONSORTIUM PROJECT), Kenny Lubcke (NARITA) and Henrik Brockmann (ex-ROYAL HUNT, EVIL MASQUERADE).

"Collision Course" (cover artwork) track listing:

01. Principles of Paradox
02. The First Rock
03. Exit Wound
04. Divide and Reign
05. High Noon at the Battlefield
06. The Clan
07. Blood In Blood Out
08. Tears of the Sun
09. Hostile Breed
10. Chaos A.C.

Commented keyboardist André Andersen: "It's such a great feeling to finally be able to hold your new 'baby' in your hands (weird at the same time… looking at this tiny CD, knowing how much time and money went into its creation). And a bit sad at the same time — we had such a blast making it, there's been tons and tons of great moments in the process: countless barbeques and other assorted 'nights out,' a bunch of dear friends/guests who joined us along the way and even the fact that all of us — for almost six months — had this album as a cornerstone of our lives, the goal which we were working so hard to achieve — as a unit. I know, I know it sounds sentimental but there's always that bittersweet feeling than the job is done and you're looking back at the process… But now it's all history — for us, at least. For you there's another album to discover and — hopefully — to enjoy, and we all wish you the latter… in spades."

The lyrical concept is as controversial as the original "Paradox" — this time concentrating on a "collision course" of modern Western world and "a new breed," grown on Eastern religious movements. Musically you'll have it all — the album runs in a "non-stop" fashion (all songs are chained together): there are huge epics, intricate progressive arrangements and all good things metal with killer melodies… and there will be videos… and a concert tour.

Audio samples from the CD, which has a running time of 52 minutes, are available at this location.

Upcoming ROYAL HUNT shows:

May 12 - HU-Budapest - A38
May 13 - CH-Pratteln - Z7
May 16 - BE-Vosselaar - Biebob
May 17 - NL-Nieuw Vossemeer - Borstrock & LOL Festival
May 18 - NL-Weert - De Bosuil
May 19 - UK-London - Underworld
May 24 - RU-St.Petersburg - DK Lensoveta
May 25 - RU-Moskau - Apelsin Club
May 27 - RU-Krasnodar – [to be announced]
Jun. 03 - J-Tokio - Shibuya O-East
Jun. 04 - J-Osaka - Shinsibashi Quattro
Jun. 6-7 - SE-Slövesborg - Sweden Rock Festival
Jul. 25 - PT-Algarve - Lagoa Burning Live Festival

After issuing two critically acclaimed albums nearly a decade ago — "Domus Mundi" (1999) and "With Vilest Of Worms To Dwell" (2001) — Austrian symphonic extreme metal outfit HOLLENTHON is set to return this spring with the release of a new full-length CD. Entitled "Opus Magnum", the new effort will be made available via the Austrian record label Napalm Records will feature eight songs and a cover version, plus a video.

"Opus Magnum" tentative track listing (in no particular order):

01. Ars Moriendi
02. Of Splendid Worlds
03. Once We Were Kings
04. To Fabled Lands
05. Dying Embers
06. Misterium Babel
07. On The Wings Of A Dove
08. Son Of Perdition
09. The Bazaar (THE TEA PARTY cover) (limited edition only)
10. Son Of Perdition (video) (limited edition only)

Prophecy Productions continues its march forward with Prophecy North America by confirming three more new releases: MOURNING BELOVETH's "A Disease for the Ages" and DORNENREICH's "In Luft geritzt" and "Her von welken Naechten". All three releases are slated for domestic release on May 13.

MOURNING BELOVETH are widely considered as the new leaders of European doom/death metal. Their latest, "A Disease for the Ages", is a record that could only be written by an Irish band, as it contains some of the bleakest music ever to come from these islands — and what makes it so inherently Irish is that they seem to be enjoying it. Five epic songs of bone-crushing doom/death with no extra frills like keyboards or female vocals.

DORNENREICH have justifiably built up a cult reputation in Europe with some of the darkest, most unique music to ever come from a metal background. And DORNENREICH continue to defy expectations with "In Luft geritzt", the duo of Eviga and Inve combining the organic feeling of acoustic music with the mysterious, spellbinding art that only they can produce. To celebrate the new album's release in North America, Prophecy North America will also make available for the first time domestically DORNENREICH's classic "Her von welken Naechten".

Prophecy Productions continues its march forward with Prophecy North America by confirming three more new releases: MOURNING BELOVETH's "A Disease for the Ages" and DORNENREICH's "In Luft geritzt" and "Her von welken Naechten". All three releases are slated for domestic release on May 13.

MOURNING BELOVETH are widely considered as the new leaders of European doom/death metal. Their latest, "A Disease for the Ages", is a record that could only be written by an Irish band, as it contains some of the bleakest music ever to come from these islands — and what makes it so inherently Irish is that they seem to be enjoying it. Five epic songs of bone-crushing doom/death with no extra frills like keyboards or female vocals.

DORNENREICH have justifiably built up a cult reputation in Europe with some of the darkest, most unique music to ever come from a metal background. And DORNENREICH continue to defy expectations with "In Luft geritzt", the duo of Eviga and Inve combining the organic feeling of acoustic music with the mysterious, spellbinding art that only they can produce. To celebrate the new album's release in North America, Prophecy North America will also make available for the first time domestically DORNENREICH's classic "Her von welken Naechten".

he official web site of legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) has been updated with the following message:

"If you've been wondering what Ronnie is up to, wonder, no longer: After taking some well-deserved time off after last year's monster HEAVEN AND HELL world tour, Ronnie will be heading off to the UK in March to begin writing the new HEAVEN AND HELL record with the guys. Tony Iommi [guitar] will then travel to L.A. to reunite with Ronnie, Geezer [Butler, bass] and Vinny [Appice, drums] to continue working on the record during April and May. Then Ronnie will take a break during the summer to play a few special up-close-and-personal dates for the DIO fans."

German death metallers DEBAUCHERY will release their new album, "Continue To Kill", on April 4 via AFM Records.

According to a press relase, "Continue To Kill" is "the fifth album from DEBAUCHERY and the fantastic follow-up to their successful blood-spattered platter 'Back In Blood': more evil, more brutal, much faster. With the dynamic and powerful production of Dennis Ward (ANGRA, KROKUS, PINK CREAM 69) leant to a much heavier genre, 'Continue To Kill' is on its way to finally signaling a breakthrough for these German blood-busters. With guest musicians such as Tom Naumann (ex-PRIMAL FEAR), Schmier (DESTRUCTION, HEADHUNTER) and Tomasz (ex-BELPHEGOR), this record takes on a new slant."

A total of four audio clips from the forthcoming MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (MSG) album, "In the Midst of Beauty", have been posted online at the Studio-Zwei.de web site:

"Night to Remember": Audio
"I Want You": Audio
"Competition": Audio
"Wings of Emotion": Audio

Tentatively due in April, the CD features returning MSG singer Gary Barden, drummer Simon Philips (THE WHO, TOTO), bassist Neil Murray (BLACK SABBATH, WHITESNAKE) and keyboardist Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, OZZY OSBOURNE).

Century Media Records has set a March 31 European release date for STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's "1994-2006 Chaos Years" CD+DVD set.

The track listing for the two-disc collection is as follows:

CD:

01. S.Y.L.
02. In The Rainy Season
03. Velvet Kevorkian
04. All Hail The New Flesh
05. Oh My Fucking God
06. Detox
07. Relentless
08. Rape Song
09. Aftermath
10. Imperial
11. Skeksis
12. Shitstorm
13. Love?
14. You Suck
15. Wrong Side
16. Almost Again
17. Satan's Ice Cream Truck

DVD:

Live At The Download Festival In Donington, UK, 2006:

* Imperial
* Velvet Kevorkian
* All Hail the New Flesh
* Wrong Side
* Aftermath
* Love?
* Polyphony/The New Black
* In The Rainy Season

More Live Footage:

* S.Y.L. (Live At The Roxy In Hollywood, LA, 2001)
* Detox (Live At The Roxy In Hollywood, LA, 2001)
* Home Nucleonics (Live At The Commodore Ballroom In Vancouver, Canada, 2004)
* Love? (Live At The Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ, 2005)
* All Hail The New Flesh (Live At Zeche Carl In Essen, Germany, 2005)
* Skeksis (Live At The Flame Fest In Bologna, Italy, 2006)

Promo Videos:

* S.Y.L.
* Detox
* Relentless
* Love?
* Zen
* Wrong Side
* Almost Again

Swedish one-man black metal project ELVIRA MADIGAN will release its new album, "Regent Sie", on April 11 via Black Lodge Records.

According to a press release, "It took half a decade to make this album and it was well worth the wait! Metal without boundaries and a true concept album the way concept albums should really be like. For fans of CRADLE OF FILTH, SABBAT and BATHORY."

"Regent Sie" was mastered at Masters of Audio under the supervision of Henrik Jonsson.