German power metallers RAGE performed the song "Straight to Hell" on Germany's late night talk show "TV Total" on Thursday, February 21. Watch the performance below.

An orchestral version of the RAGE song "Lord of the Flies", which also appears on the German group's new album, "Carved in Stone", will be featured in the new computer game Windchaser, due in May. According to the band, the new version of the track features "a bombastic arrangement and a great number of top-class guest musicians. With a well-rehearsed, classic team, the Lingua Mortis Orcherstra from Minsk, which [previously made an appearance] on [RAGE's] 'Speak of the Dead' album, and which supported RAGE at various gigs, this special orchestra version of 'Lord of the Flies' sounds like [it is being] played by a 50-member-strong rock band with classic instruments! The recordings took place in January 2008 at the Inspector Studio in Minsk (Belarus), homeland of guitarist Victor Smolski, who is responsible for arrangement and mix of the song."

NIGHTWISH's latest album, "Dark Passsion Play", has been certified quadruple-platium in Finland for sales in excess of 120,000 copies. The has also been certified platinum in Switzerland, and gold in Germany, Sweden, Austria and Poland.

NIGHTWISH was honored with an Echo award in the "Rock/Alternative (International)" category last Friday night (February 15) in Berlin, Germany. The other nominees in that category were FOO FIGHTERS, KAISER CHIEFS, MARILYN MANSON and WITHIN TEMPTATION.

The cover artwork for the new TIAMAT album, "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

TIAMAT's last studio album, "Prey", was released in 2003 through Century Media.

German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER have issued the following update:

"We are back from our first songwriting session from the Graveyard studios in Holland. The chemistry with Thilo was really cool and we were very creative that seven song structures have come out. METAL. Now we just have to file in these ideas before we go back to the Graveyard studio in April again.

"With the new album we will finish the concept of the 'Trilogy' which we started with 'Rheingold' and continued with 'Liberty or Death'.

"Next week we are visiting the U.S. for our promo shows in New York. As far we know, the advance sales are running very well and therefore we are planning to play in the 'wild west' as well.

"We are also on stage in South America and they will stretch from July 29, 2008 through August 4, 2008. Confirmed shows are up till now August 2 in Sao Paulo at Citibank Hall."

GRAVE DIGGER's latest album, "Liberty or Death", entered the German Media Control chart in January 2007 at position No. 30. This is the second highest chart entry in GRAVE DIGGER's history.

Having released her "My Winter Storm" album last November, then followed this up with her first solo mini-tour in support of the CD, former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen has confirmed that her new single will be the rousing "Die Alive". Produced by Daniel Presley and taken from "My Winter Storm", "Die Alive" will is backed up by a suitably dramatic video (shot by director Uwe Flade, whose previous credits include RAMMSTEIN, DEPECHE MODE and FRANZ FERDINAND) plus a freshly remixed version of album track "Lost Northern Star"; the remix was done especially for this release by celebrated producer/performer/musician Peter Tägtgren — a man whose Abyss Studios now stands as a veritable magnet for international hard rock talent.

Tarja rounded off 2007 in style with a couple of major award nominations — at the Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammy equivalent) and the Echo Awards in Germany — and plans are now underway for a run of European headline shows this spring, including a visit to the UK, as a way of building on the success of her introductory live work last year

Veteran metallers METAL CHURCH have issued the following update:

"Due to personal reasons, Jay Reynolds [also of MALICE] has left METAL CHURCH. We thank him for his contributions to the band, and wish him all the best in future endeavors.

"Jay's replacement has not been decided upon yet, but it will be announced when a decision has been reached."

Professionally filmed video footage of METAL CHURCH performing the classic song "Gods of Wrath" at the Wacken Open Air 2005 festival in Wacken, Germany can be viewed below.

METAL CHURCH's latest album, "A Light in the Dark", was released in June 2006 via SPV. The CD includes a new version of the classic "Watch the Children Pray" as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005.

METALLICA has issued the following update:

"This time in English... we're psyched that our friends in MACHINE HEAD have said 'yes' to more fun and games following the good times that were had by all at Wembley last summer. They will play with us in Chorzow, Poland and Prague, Czech Republic for the two headlining shows on the first part of our summer European vacation. The remaining dates in May and June are festivals with tons of other cool bands. As usual, there's more to come..."

Upcoming METALLICA shows:

May 28 - Chorzow, Poland - Slaski Stadium
May 30 - Landgraaf, Netherlands - Pinkpop
May 31 - Madrid, Spain - Electric Weekend
Jun. 03 - Prague, Czech Republic - Slavia Stadium
Jun. 05 - Lisbon, Portugal - Rock In Rio Lisboa
Jun. 07 - Nürburgring, Germany - Rock Am Ring
Jun. 08 - Nürnberg, Germany - Rock Im Park
Jun. 13 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
Jul. 16 - Bergen, Norway - Koengen
Jul. 18 - St. Petersburg, Russia - SKK Hall
Jul. 22 - Bologna, Italy - Parco Nord
Jul. 25 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Vassil Levski Stadium

Canada's pioneering metal band VOIVOD will enter the studio this spring to record its final album using songs left behind by founding guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, who died in August 2005 from colon cancer.

An official band statement reads as follows: "There remain 13 songs that Denis D'Amour (Piggy) had written with the band that have yet to be recorded. Michel Langevin (Away) and Denis Belanger (Snake) will track the last songs this spring bringing all the past and present members together to participate in a homage to the guitar legend of Piggy and the legacy of 25 years of a brotherhood forged by exploring metal, rock and punk ethics with an other worldly premise. Jean-Yves Theriault (Blacky) and Eric Forrest (E-FORCE) have eagerly agreed to contribute bass tracks along with Jason Newsted (Jasonic). The End Records and Nuclear Blast will release this final record once completed. VOIVOD may play select shows after the release as a thank you to the fans and to bring closure to a great career."

VOIVOD won the "Best Metal/Hardcore Album" award for their 2006 LP "Katorz" last September at the annual Quebec Independent Music Awards (GAMIQ) in Montreal, Quebec. Other nominees were GHOULUNATICS ("Cryogénie"), UNEXPECT ("In A Flesh Aquarium"), ANONYMUS ("Chapter Chaos Begins"), and LES ÉKORCHÉS ("Les Ékorchés").

Swedish progressive death metallers SKYFIRE have entered Powernest Studios to begin recording its as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2004's "Spectral", due later in the year via Florida's Pivotal Rockordings. Mixing and mastering will be handled by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY) at Black Lounge Studios (SONIC SYNDICATE, SCAR SYMMETRY, THE ABSENCE, ZONARIA).

Commented the band: "Rhythm guitars, bass, drums, keys, and some new elements that we're keeping under wraps for now are recorded for four tracks. There will be approximately 10 songs on the new album so we should be finished in a few months once vocals and lead guitars (including guitar solos from Johan) are done. This album will probably take longer than expected to complete because of the new additions to the SKYFIRE sound, but we hope that you'll appreciate how much work went into making it once you've got the album in your hands.

"As far as the material itself goes; it's sounding most in common with our first album (although we've tried to incorporate some of the aggressive and energetic sound that we used on 'Spectral') , but with longer and more epic tracks (one of them will be approximately 8 minutes long).

'We've got an album title picked out and very awesome and mind-blowing cover art that supports the theme of the title is being painted as we speak by Pär Olofsson. We've seen two rough sketches of the cover and all we can say is that we're really impressed by his work so far."

SKYFIRE bassist and founding member Martin Hanner previously stated about the upcoming CD, "Expect the traditional SKYFIRE sound, but also expect some new elements that we have never experimented with before. We also cannot wait to work with Jonas Kjellgren, who will be mixing and mastering the new record. He is one of the most talented up and coming producers in metal right now, and we are certain that he will take SKYFIRE's sound to the next level!"

Vocalist Moa Holmsten of MELDRUM — the Swedish/American band led by former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum (wife of EUROPE axeman John Norum) —will have her February 16, 2008 solo concert at Teater Scenario in Stockholm, Sweden filmed for an upcoming DVD. She has also announced plans to shoot a video for the song "Bulldozer" at the end of February. According to the singer, "the idea is brilliant! I ain't gonna be pretty...you'll see!"

Holmsten recently posted new versions of her solo tracks "Bulldozer" and "Dance Sing Dream Smell Taste Fuck" on her MySpace page. According to Moa, these songs "have never sounded this fucking good ever! My band's gotta be the best band in the word! Kick back and enjoy those lullabyes straight out of my nightmares diary."

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have issued the following update:

"It is with great pleasure we confirm that SATYRICON will be back in Russia after the awesome trip in October 2006. This time a show in Kiev, Ukraine has been added as well and this will be our first visit there ever. Our Russian friends have a tendency of showing up in great numbers and we hope for just the same in Ukraine!"

Upcoming SATYRICON shows:

Mar. 08 - Katowice, POL - Metalmania (Spodek)
Mar. 21 - Oslo, NOR - Inferno Festival
May 16 - St Petersburg, RUS - Club Port
May 17 - Moscow, RUS - Club Tochka
May 18 - Kiev, UA - [to be announced]
Jun. 21 - Nantes, FRA - Hellfest
Jul. 19 - Spital am Semmering, AUT - Kaltenbach Open Air
Aug. 16 - Oulu, FIN - Jallometalli Festival

SATYRICON is currently writing material for the follow-up to 2006's "Now, Diabolical", tentatively due late 2008 via Roadrunner Records.

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen has issued the following update:

"Hello, my friends, and regards from Antigua, the land of the sea and sun!

"I only heard nice stories about Antigua, so I came to this beautiful Caribbean island 10 days ago searching for some warmness and peace.

"I feel that the island has more to offer to me than only the relaxing feeling of being on holidays. I think I have fallen in love with it.

"Seriously, the locals are very friendly, the landscapes including amazing amount of gorgeous beaches are wonderful, the underwater world is enchanting and the positive energy on the island makes me feel very good. I am gathering around some ideas to be able to spend more time here in the future…

"The other reason to visit the island beside the geography was that my friends from Ibiza, Torsten and Angela, are now living here! This creative couple is making music for many artists, both locals and international.

"We have already written together 'The Reign' and 'Damned And Divine' so I decided to start the process for the follow-up to 'My Winter Storm' album NOW.

"I have some ideas already for it and I am sure I am able to put them together with the help of Torsten and Angela. I am very happy to be able to start working for the next album already, even though there are still many concerts to come during 2008 to present 'My Winter Storm'.

"Next week I will continue doing more promotion for 'My Winter Storm' and now is the time for USA and Japan where the album will be released very soon.

"Thanks to my Finnish fans that made 'My Winter Storm' reach platinum sales [30,000 copies] in my homeland Finland! Is a very successful debut album that I am very proud of.

"The video that we filmed in the show we performed in Kuusankoski last year is ready now and we'll figure out the way to show it to you all soon."

Turunen will release her new solo album, "My Winter Storm", in the U.S. on February 26, 2008. The CD will be made available in two exclusive U.S. versions via Fontana: the standard and deluxe editions (the latter featuring extra tracks not released elsewhere, as well visually stimulating bonus DVD content).

"My Winter Storm" was produced by Daniel Presley (FAITH NO MORE, JEWEL, THE BREEDERS), who has been joined in the studio by a truly stellar line-up of musicians: Doug Wimbish on bass (LIVING COLOUR, ANNIE LENNOX, JOE SATRIANI, JEFF BECK, MADONNA, ROLLING STONES), Alex Scholpp on electric guitars (FARMER BOYS) and Earl Harvin on drums (SEAL, PET SHOP BOYS, AIR), a player personally selected by Tarja after she saw him stealing the show at a SEAL concert. Keyboards and programming, meanwhile, are being provided by Torsten Stenzel, whose previous credits include NELLY FURTADO, MOBY, TINA TURNER, VANESSA MAE and more.

Veteran death metallers DEICIDE have uploaded a preview of the song "In the Eyes of God", taken from the forthcoming album "Till Death Do Us Part", to the band's MySpace page.

Due on April 28 in Europe and May 13 in the U.S., "Till Death Do Us Part" sees DEICIDE delivering "a bludgeoning set of tunes that should easily cement their position at the pinnacle of the extreme death metal scene," according to a press release. "Lyrically fueled by Glen Benton's well documented anti-religious views, and musically driven by drummer Steve Asheim's hyperspeed blast mania," the CD proves that fans "DEICIDE have not mellowed at all."

"Till Death Us Do Part" track listing:

01. The Beginning of the End
02. Till Death Do Us Part
03. Hate of All Hatreds
04. In the Eyes of God
05. Worthless Misery
06. Severed Ties
07. Not As Long As We Both Shall Live
08. Angel of Agony
09. Horror in the Halls of Stone
10. The End of the Beginning

A number of Gothenburg, Sweden-based artists were asked to paint self-portraits to be auctioned, with all funds going the Red Cross in Sweden. Paintings by IN FLAMES (guitarist Jesper Strömblad), MUSTASCH, THE HAUNTED and many more go on sale at noon on Saturday, February 24 at Auktionskompaniet in Göteborg. Click here for more information.

Finnish warlords TURISAS have issued the following update:

"We hereby announce that we have been forced to hire a step-in accordion player to replace Lisko on all announced upcoming tourdates. We have an important show this Friday at Finnish Metal Expo (FIN) and two lengthy tours in UK/Europe and USA just around the corner — but no accordion player.

"The thing is, we played a cool show in Groningen, Netherlands on 11th January and everything was cool. Then the next day, before the flight, some of us decided to check out Amsterdam really quickly, by train. Lisko had behaved in a bit hazy way during the trip, but it was nothing that weird (considering he is Lisko); however, he never showed up back at the airport. We got an interesting phone call, where he told that due to 'special' reasons he wouldn't fly in the same plane with us. This alone was pissing us off a bit, but we decided he could do it on his own expense. However, after returning to Finland, despite our attempts, there has been practically no communication with the guy, apart from a couple of interesting SMS's (so apparently he's alive): no rehearsals, nothing. We don't even know if he's back in Finland at the moment.

"This puts us in a difficult situation: with a lot of pre-arrangements like flights and visas to be done, and with all our upcoming responsibilities we have no other option than to release Lisko from his duties for an undetermined time period, starting from today. Luckily for us, we already managed to get a replacement for him on such a short warning time: the step-in accordionist for spring 2008 will be Netta Skog, who also helped us out with the latest European tour in October-November. No permanent accordion player will be added to the current line-up at this point. TURISAS also wants to point out that NO shows will be affected by the small change in the line-up."

TURISAS is set to invade North American shores this upcoming spring as part of Paganfest 2008, which also features their fellow countrymen ENSIFERUM, TYR and ELUVEITIE. This Metal Maniacs-sponsored trek, which kicks off in April, is in support of the group’s critically acclaimed new album, "The Varangian Way".

Danish metallers RAUNCHY have set "Wasteland Discotheque" as the title of their fourth album, due on June 30 via Lifeforce Records. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Straight to Hell", "Recovery", "Heavy Burden", "To the Lighthouse", "Destroyer", "Somewhere Along the Road", "Thieves", "Western Gutter", "A Dead Epic", "Black House, Glass City", "To Shatter Bliss" and "Get Fighted".

Commented singer Kasper Thomsen: "Lars' [Christensen, guitar] artwork is stunning as hell, very original and not the usual metal artwork you'll see these days, but still in the tradition of what we're all about and known for, hence the album title too."

Kasper Thomsen previously described the new material as "dirty, melodic, thrashy, epic, melancholic and... drum roll... heavy. We are experimenting a lot this time around, with vocals, arrangements and musical expression, but we're not gonna change radically — don't worry! But as a wise man once said: there's no point in writing the same record twice, right?"

Swedish death/thrashers IMPIOUS have issued the following update:

"Unfortunately the festival in Belgium on April 5th has been cancelled. No further info has been given to us. This means there will be no shows in the Benelux region that weekend. We are very sorry for that. A lot of people especially from Belgium have been writing to us and letting us know they looked forward to seeing the show. We hope you people will get a new chance after this summer. Or you will simply have to take a short trip to Holland in February/March.

"We also wanna thank all the people who supported us in Osnabrück the other weekend! We didn't expect much, but you proved to be a very cool crowd indeed!!!

"In other news, the new songs are taking shape and we even have a working title for the album. Are you ready? We're probably gonna call it 'Numbers'. Why? Well, we don't feel like explaining ourselves right now. And besides, it might change 10 times by the time the album is out. As far as the music goes it will be the hardest IMPIOUS album by far. No more bullshit. This one will simply rip you apart like a pissed oversized pitbull on drugs. Oh yes my friends, you will see. Enough said."

IMPIOUS's latest album, entitled "Holy Murder Masquerade", was released in January 2007 via Metal Blade Records.

Keyboardist Sami Boman of the Finnish atmospheric doom metallers SILENTIUM has issued the following update:

"It's about time to get busy again. The new material for the next SILENTIUM album is starting to get its final shape. Still much training to do, but the writing is almost done. By the end of this year we all should have a complete album in our hands. I have to say I'm more pleased with the new material, than I have ever been before. In my opinion the most relevant thing is that I don't have to carry all the weight of the composing on my own shoulders anymore.

"I'm really thrilled and excited by the fact that Juha [Lehtioksa, guitar] has returned to writing new material for the band and is by the way responsible for the most part of the new compositions. That means killer riffs and extremely moody passages. The good old days are back! I'm also happy, that Riina [Rinkinen, vocals] has written her own material, that will be heard on the album too. All this has enrichened the band's sound to a completely new level. Now I don't have to arrange by force every single idea (even the more poor ones) that comes to mind to suite the new album but we are able to choose only the most shimmering jewels that will end up on the final cut.

"I think this will take the level of the songs through the clouds. So really much to wait for. We'll do our best. Try to hang on with us. I promise we'll reward your patience."

SILENTIUM's "Seducia" album was released in January 2006 via Dynamic Arts Records. The CD was the sequel to the "Frostnight" single, which came out in October 2005. According to a Dynamic Arts press release, the album "delivers bombastical, cold atmospheres" with a total running time of 48 minutes.

ICED EARTH singer Matt Barlow has entered the studio to record his vocals for the upcoming PYRAMAZE album, entitled "Immortal". The vocal sessions are being helmed by producer Jim Morris, who has worked with ICED EARTH on the group's last few releases. The CD will be mixed in March, as the band will once again be utilizing the talents of producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, INVOCATOR, MERCENARY).

Commented the group: "Matt is doing a fantastic job and the songs are coming out epic and heavy as ever. This will no doubt be our masterpiece."

Barlow — who in December 2007 returned to front ICED EARTH as the replacement for Tim "Ripper" Owens — will perform on the upcoming PYRAMAZE album but will not be able to continue on with the band in a full-time position as previously planned.

"PYRAMAZE is an extremely talented group of musicians, whose work is well known in the progressive metal community and will be in high demand in a short time," Barlow said in a statement. "I am happy to say that I will be working with them, if only in a limited term."

PYRAMAZE entered the studio on October 1, 2007 in Haderslev, Denmark to begin recording the follow-up to "Legend of the Bone Carver".

Barlow originally joined PYRAMAZE as the replacement for Lance King who left the band in November 2006.

PYRAMAZE's latest CD, "Legend of the Bone Carver", was released in 2006 via Massacre Records (Europe) and Nightmare Records (USA and Canada).

Britain's ANATHEMA has issued the following update:

"We have taken all of our recording equipment to a house in England where we have built a studio and begun the first of two records to be released this year. The recording has been going very well.

"This first record is a semi-acoustic recording of many of our most loved older tracks. This will be released on Peaceville Records. The working title is 'Temporary Peace'.

The songs to be included on 'Temporary Peace' are:

01. Angelica
02. Leave No Trace
03. Inner Silence
04. One Last Goodbye
05. Are You There
06. Fragile Dreams
07. A Natural Disaster
08. Temporary Peace
09. Flying

"The record will be a substantial work, arranged by Danny [Cavanagh] and performed and produced by the band, recorded and engineered by our own Les Smith, who was responsible for the recordings of 'Everything' and the other new songs released online last year. This will also feature the cello of Dave Wesling, who previously toured with Vincent and Danny in 2004 and is featured on the DVD 'A Moment In Time'. It may also include a reworking of one or two classic tracks from the very early days of ANATHEMA.

"In late winter/early spring, immediately following the recording of this semi-acoustic album, we will enter a studio to record the next full-length ANATHEMA album, which be produced by ANATHEMA and mixed by Steven Wilson, independently from a record company. Upon completion, the new album will be licensed around the world, giving us artistic and creative control and keeping the rights to the music in our own hands.

"All being well, you will see the release of two records from ANATHEMA this year. A semi acoustic classic tracks album, and a full-length new album.

"Then touring…"

EMIGRATE, the side-project of RAMMSTEIN guitarist Richard Z. Kruspe, will release a new single, "Temptation", in Germany on March 7. In addition to the title cut, the CD will include the previous radio singles "My World" and "New York City", along with videos for both tracks, as well as the non-album songs "Face Down" and "I Have A Dream".

In a recent interview with MTV.com, Kruspe stated that EMIGRATE allowed him to explore new artistic avenues on his own and take on the role of lead singer as well as guitarist.

"At the time I did these songs, I felt like something was missing in RAMMSTEIN," Kruspe said. "To work for that band is almost like working for a soundtrack. You have to work with no vocals because those are the last things that will appear on the song. For EMIGRATE, I started to work more as a traditional songwriter. Also, I was singing and writing lyrics in English, which allowed me to experiment with all these things I had never explored before. Basically, that allowed me to balance myself out again so I could go back to RAMMSTEIN and be the happy guitar player."

Finnish warmongers TURISAS are set to invade North American shores this upcoming spring as part of Paganfest 2008, which also features their fellow countrymen ENSIFERUM, TYR and ELUVEITIE. This Metal Maniacs-sponsored trek, which kicks off on April 25, is in support of the group's critically acclaimed new album, "The Varangian Way". The critically acclaimed disc is going to be re-released on April 29 and this special tour edition package features a bonus DVD jam-packed with live performance footage.

"The Varangian Way" bonus DVD content:

01. Rasputin (video clip)
02. Battle Metal (live) (recorded at Rock Hard Festival 2007)
03. To Holmgard And Beyond (live)
04. In The Court Of Jarisleif (live)
05. Battle Metal (live) (filmed live at Download Festival
06. Battle Metal (live) (recorded at With Full Force 2007)

Central to "The Varangian Way" is the group's concept of a journey through the East European river route through the lands of modern day East Europe. The Northmen who traveled this path in the 9th-11th centuries were called Varangians. Key to the album's concept is a search for self and identity, both of which are explored by the protagonist in "The Varangian Way"'s eight songs. Truly a display of the band's dedication to the conceptual elements of the album, TURISAS made sure to include cultural influences from the lands the Varangians would have traveled through.

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

"I would like to inform you about the following things regarding 'Saana': Due to the fact that Frontiers Records hasn't fullfilled its contractual obligations regarding 'Saana', I have terminated the contract between my production company Goldenworks and them. Regardless of that, they have notified me by email today that they are going to release 'Saana' anyway without my permission even though they don't have the material to be able to produce the CD at all. They only have MP3 files which are not adequate to produce a high-quality CD. Also they have absolutely no graphic material for the booklet, information regarding the songs or even the lyrics.

"I would like to remind you that the ONLY OFFICIAL place where you can buy 'Saana' is www.theground.com. As soon as their new layout is ready, you will be able to make pre-orders of 'Saana' from that site. They deliver to the whole world fast and reliably.

"The official release date of 'Saana - Warrior Of Light Part 1' is March 3, 2008. The configurations available to you are:

1. MP3/FLAC Album without copy protection (includes 24-page digital booklet and video) 7.77 ?
2. Jewel Box CD (with 24-page booklet) 13 ?
3 Jewel Box CD with bonus DVD (with 24-page booklet, three videos, in-depth interview of Jennifer Sowle, in-depth interview of Timo Tolkki and photo gallery) 18 ?
4. DVD (Includes the filmed story of 'Saana' album with Dolby Digital
5. 1 surround sound, making of documentary, interviews and photo gallery. No region code. May release) 20 ?

"I would like to ask you to boycott the possible Frontiers release of 'Saana' because it is not the official version of the record and its quality is likely to be extremely poor."

Tolkki wrote, mixed, produced and played all instruments (except drums, which were handled by Mirka Rantanen).

"Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island" track listing:

01. Saana Mountain
02. Saana's Theme
03. The End
04. Sadness of The World
05. 3 at 7
06. Silence of the Night
07. Sunrise at Saana Mountain
08. Journey to Crystal Island
09. Crystal Island
10. Freya's Theme
11. You've Come a Long Way
12. The Letter
13. Who Am I?
14. Freya's Teachings
15. Warrior of Light
16. Journey to the Azores

Norwegian progressive power metallers COMMUNIC have posted several video blogs from the recording sessions for their new album. Check them out below. The drums for the eight-song CD were recorded at Gimlekollen Studio in Kristiansand, Norway while the rest of the album was done at Jacob Hansen Studio in Ribe, Denmark, where the band's last two LPs were recorded. A May/June release via Nuclear Blast Records is expected.

COMMUNIC previously stated about the direction of the new material, "We are confident that we have some great slabs of metal ready for you. We have not changed — it's maybe more heavy, still long songs even though they are a tad shorter then we have done before."

The band last year toured Europe as the support band for UK progressive metallers THRESHOLD. Also appearing on the bill were MACHINE MEN and SERENITY.

COMMUNIC's sophomore effort, "Waves of Visual Decay", entered the German chart at position No. 66 back in May 2006.

COMMUNIC has been confirmed for the Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 15-17 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire England.

AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry was the featured guest on Eddie Trunk's "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM last night (Friday, February 15). Some highlights:

* Joe is doing two shows with his sons' band TAB THE BAND. They will play deep AEROSMITH cuts ("Combination"), some JOE PERRY PROJECT stuff, some covers, and more. These special shows take place at the Hard Rock in Boston on February 29 and Hard Rock Café in New York City on March 1. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.

* AEROSMITH has had many starts and stops on a new CD. They will start very seriously recording a new CD in a month or so. Perry feels the band is better than ever as players and is ready to make a great new CD.

* Joe spoke about the value and chemistry of bands having original lineups. Making the point that AEROSMITH and CHEAP TRICK are the only two from the '70s still intact.

* Perry said he can understand why Eddie Van Halen would want to play with his son, but can not understand how they would not have had Michael Anthony back in VAN HALEN when they were that close to a true reunion and they could bury the axe with David Lee Roth.

PAIN, the Swedish band featuring HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren, is currently on the road in Europe as the support act for NIGHTWISH. The band has launched a tour blog at this location where the bandmembers promise to "keep you updated with news and share whatever happens during the tour. Everything you read or see on this blog is exclusively uncensored. Similarities with now living persons is total coincidence."

As previously reported, guitarist Marcus Jidell (ROYAL HUNT, HOUSE OF SHAKIRA) is once again part of PAIN's touring lineup.

IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers makes a guest appearance on two songs on PAIN's latest album, "Psalms of Extinction".

CHILDREN OF BODOM's video for the new single "Blooddrunk" can be viewed here. The clip, which was produced by Katapult Filmproduktion, was shot in the former Nazi barracks in Krampnitz in the vicinity of Berlin, Germany, where the Russian army was stationed before the German reunion.

Check out pictures from the video shoot at this location.

Spinefarm Records will release a digipack version of CHILDREN OF BODOM's new album, "Blooddrunk", on April 9. The set will include a bonus DVD featuring the songs mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound, the "Blooddrunk" video, a "making-of-the-video" segment, and a photo gallery. In addition, the CD will feature CHILDREN OF BODOM's cover of STAN JONES' "Ghost Riders In The Sky" as a bonus track.