"We Rock", the new video from Finnish metallers NORTHER, can be viewed below.

Commented the group: "We shot our new video some time ago. It's looking damn good and will be something a way cooler than we've ever done before. We did the video with [the Helsinki-based] Tunne Productions. I must say that besides being really pro guys they were also really nice and everything went smoothly."

"We Rock" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "N", which will be released through Century Media Records on the following dates:

Feb. 13 - Finland
Feb. 22 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, BeNeLux
Feb. 25 - UK, France, Denmark, Greece, Norway
Feb. 26 - Spain, Portugal
Feb. 29 - Sweden, Hungary

The CD was recorded and produced by longtime partner Anssi Kippo (CHILDREN OF BODOM) at Astia Studios and mixed by Fredrik Nordström (DARK TRANQUILLITY, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES) at Studio Fredman in Sweden.

According to a press release, "N" sees NORTHER "perfecting their mix of ripping riffs, aggressive vocals and epic melodies and will be premiered live at the well-known Finnish Metal Expo on February 16, 2008 in Helsinki. With the release of the massive metal anthem 'We Rock' as Finland-only single plus a new video currently in the works NORTHER are destined to induce 2008 with a metallic kick-off par excellence."

"N" track listing:

01. My Antichrist
02. Frozen Angel
03. Down
04. To Hell
05. Savior
06. Black Gold
07. We Rock
08. Always & Never
09. Tell Me Why
10. If You Go
11. Self-Righteous Fuck
12. Forever And Ever
13. Sabotage (Japanese Bonus Track)

"N" will be available as a CD and limited edition digipak including three bonus tracks.

Swiss hard rockers SHAKRA have been forced to cancel their previously announced tour as a result of singer Mark Fox coming down with laryngitis. "Due to Mark's [illness], we couldn't even think about playing a show or rehearsing for the tour, so we thought it's the best decision to cancel the upcoming tour dates," the group said in a statement. We are sorry about this and we will keep everyone updated regarding new tour dates."

SHAKRA released its sixth album, "Infected", in the U.S. on September 11, 2007 via Locomotive Records.

Reactivated California-based metallers LIZZY BORDEN have released the video for their song "Tomorrow Never Comes". The clip, which was shot in September 2007 on location in downtown Los Angeles with director Kevin Mcvey, was previously described as "a haunted little tale."

Commented frontman Lizzy Borden: "We had an amazing cast of characters performing in this mini-film, along with a great crew guiding us through our goal of over 90 shots. I think you all are going to love this tale of 'the lost one' in a 'Twilight Zone' episode."

Watch the video below.

"Tomorrow Never Comes" is the first video from the band's latest album, "Appointment with Death", which was released in the U.S. on October 30 via Metal Blade Records (November 5 in Europe). Appearing in the clip are bandmembers Lizzy Borden, Joey Scott, Marten Andersson and Ira Black.

"Appointment with Death" was produced by Lizzy Borden and Joey Scott. It was recorded at the Zanzibar studios in N. Hollywood CA and was mixed by Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, ex-MORBID ANGEL) at Mana studio in Florida.

Thirty-five years ago today — January 30, 1973 — KISS performed its very first concert at Popcorn (The Coventry) in Queens, NY. The band played two sets at the club that night for a crowd of under 10 people.

Earlier this week, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons recalled how that show came about: "1973 was the beginning. WICKED LESTER [pre-KISS] had just finished its album for Epic Records. There were five members in the band, including Paul [Stanley] and myself. Though we had a real recording contract with a major label, and though we had finished an entire album, we were depressed. It just wasn't what we had envisioned. So, we started again. We tried firing the other three guys in WICKED LESTER, but some wouldn't leave. So, we quit. We started again with a vision. 'Let's put together the band we never saw on stage' We got a manager named Lou Linet, who managed JF MURPHY AND FREE FLOWING SALT and DIANA MARCOVITZ (or something like that)...and when he heard the newborn baby — KISS. He thought it was the worst crap he had ever heard. Needless to say, he was gone immediately. So, we were managerless. I put together a bio kit while I worked at the Puerto Rican Interagency Council as assistant to the director. Peter's [Criss] friend owned a printing press and printed up our invites. But where to play? We didn't have a manager. We didn't have an agent. We never had. I made a phone call cold to a place called Popcorn in Queens, NY and on the phone convinced the guy to hire a band, who would soon be changing their name from WICKED LESTER to KISS. We got the gig — three nights — Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the sum total of $150. That was the beginning."

Century Media Records has set a February 22 German release date for "Slave to the Dark", a comprehensive box set featuring all featuring 14 CDs plus a DVD covering the band's years as a Century Media recording artist. The set includes the following titles:

* Iced Earth (1990)
* Night of the Stormrider (1991)
* Burnt Offerings (1995)
* The Dark Saga (1996)
* Days of Purgatory (1997)
* Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998)
* Alive in Athens (Live) (1999)
* Melancholy (2001)
* Horror Show (2001)
* Dark Genesis (2001)
* Tribute to the Gods (2002)
* The Blessed and the Damned (Best Of) (2004)
* Alive in Athens (DVD) (2006)

According to a posting on the CHILDREN OF BODOM fan site Scythes Of Bodom, 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.

"Blooddrunk" digipack details:

CD:

01. Hellhounds On My Trail
02. Blooddrunk
03. LoBodomy
04. One Day You Will Cry
05. Smile Pretty For The Devil
06. Tie My Rope
07. Done With Everything, Die For Nothing
08. Banned From Heaven
09. Roadkill Morning
10. Ghost Riders In The Sky

DVD:

01. Blooddrunk (video)
02. Making of the Video
03. Hellhounds On My Trail (Surround Sound)
04. Blooddrunk (Surround Sound)
05. LoBodomy (Surround Sound)
06. One Day You Will Cry (Surround Sound)
07. Smile Pretty For The Devil (Surround Sound)
08. Tie My Rope (Surround Sound)
09. Done With Everything, Die For Nothing (Surround Sound)
10. Banned From Heaven (Surround Sound)
11. Roadkill Morning (Surround Sound)
12. Photo Gallery

Frontiers Records has set an April 11 European release date for the new DOKKEN album, entitled "Lightning Strikes Again". The CD will be issued in North America via Rhino Records.

Audio samples of two more tracks from "Lightning Strikes Again" are available on the band's revamped web site. The songs "This Love Is Dyin'" and "It Means" were recently mixed and mastered by Wyn Davis and are available in Windows Media format on the band's "Music" page at www.dokken.net.

Finnish folk/pagan metal band MOONSORROW will release a new EP, entitled "Tulimyrsky" (Firestorm), on March 26 through Spinefarm Records. The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Tulimyrsky (new song)
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls (METALLICA cover)
03. Taistelu Pohjolasta (from the "Tämä Ikuinen Talvi" demo)
04. Hvergelmir (from the "Metsä" demo)
05. Back To North (MERCILESS cover)

IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers has commented on the knee injury which forced him to play the band's January 27 concert at B1 Maximum in Moscow, Russia while sitting on a chair.

Swedish writer Martin Carlsson, who accompanied IN FLAMES on their mini-tour of Russia, told BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "We went to the Red Square [on Jan. 27] for a photo shoot. The ground was very icy and Peter slipped. He dislocated his knee and went to hospital, but played the show."

Commented Peter: "Hey. I'm fine now, but it truly sucked a few days ago. What happened was that I slipped on some ice on the Red Square and dislocated my knee, hurt like a motherfucker to say the least. I went to a Russian hospital to drain blood from the knee and to get an x-ray — where I also got support for the leg. Then I took a lot of painkillers, and went to sleep for a few hours before the show, which I performed while sitting down. Weird, but doable. When I got back home, the doctor told me to bend my knee as much as possible and move it but not put weight on it. I should be fine in a few weeks, [about] a month or so, but I won't be lifting a lot of stuff in the nearest future... I never thought that something could hurt that much though — I don't recommend it."

Portugese metal/goth rock band HEAVENWOOD has set "Redemption" as the title of its third album, due in September via Recital Records. The group has tapped Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, AMON AMARTH) to mix and master the effort in April at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The initial recording sessions for the CD will take place at Ultrasound Studios with Daniel Cardoso and Ricardo Dias.

HEAVENWOOD's forthcoming album will feature a guest appearance by singer Tijs Vanneste of the Belgian progressive metallers OCEANS OF SADNESS.

After the departure in 2004 of main songwritter and guitarist Ricardo Dias, HEAVENWOOD went on a lengthy hiatus. Now Ricardo Dias has returned along with new drummer Luiz Ferreira (ex-SECRECY from Portugal).

HEAVENWOOD 2007 is:

Ernesto Guerra - Vocals
Ricardo Dias - Guitars and Vocals
Bruno Silva - Guitar
Luiz Ferreira - Drums

HEAVENWOOD previously relelased two albums — "Diva" and "Swallow" — and played shows with IN FLAMES, ATROCITY, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY and LAKE OF TEARS, among others.

Veteran German melodic hard rock band BONFIRE — led by singer Claus Lessmann and guitarist Hans Ziller — will release a new album, "The Räuber", on February 15 via LZ Records. The CD is a rock opera based on "Die Räuber", a play by Friedrich Schiller.

"The Räuber" track listing:

01. The Räuber
02. Bells of Freedom
03. Refugee Of Fate
04. The Oath
05. Blut und Tod
06. Love Don’t Lie
07. Black Night
08. Hip Hip Hurray
09. Do You Still Love Me
10. Let Me Be Your Water
11. Lass die Toten schlafen
12. The Good Die Young
13. Time
14. Father’s Return
15. Love Don’t Lie (Acoustic Mix)
16. Do You Still Love Me (Acoustic Mix)
17. Hip Hip Hurray (dt. Version)

BONFIRE is:

Claus Lessmann - Lead Vocals
Hans Ziller - Lead Guitar
Jürgen "Bam Bam" Wiehler – Drums
Uwe Köhler – Bass
Chris "Yps" Limburg - Rhythm Guitar

Lucem Fero recently published an exclusive email interview with AT THE GATES/THE HAUNTED guitarist Anders Björler, conducted by Welsh interviewer Anthony Morgan. Topics of discussion included how the AT THE GATES reunion became possible, whether erstwhile guitarist Alf Svensson would feature in the group's reunion shows, and why the group originally split. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

On the relationship between members immediately following AT THE GATES split:

"It wasn't just the split; it was also during the touring in support of 'Slaughter of the Soul'... Too much alcohol was the biggest factor. We were just kids back then, and were roughly in our early twenties. I guess we couldn't cope with touring that well. Following the split, I think the other guys were shocked about our decision to leave. Today though, I guess they understand why."

"THE HAUNTED felt like a relief, and a break from all the things that had happened in the past. Finally, I was back in the rehearsal room having fun. We never dreamt of taking THE HAUNTED to where we are today."

On the vibe within AT THE GATES compared to the early to mid-Nineties:

"Back in those days, we were close. For years, we rehearsed every day — we almost lived in the rehearsal room. Today, we have our other main groups and families that are our main priority. Actually, we haven't really met that much nowadays; so far this year, we have had one sit down. It's difficult to get everybody together as a result of our touring agenda, and the fact that Adrian (Erlandsson, drums) lives in the UK. When we met though, it was within a very relaxed (but determined) atmosphere."

On whether AT THE GATES have a lot to live up to with the reunion shows:

"After eleven years of silence, it's always difficult when you return. When we split up, AT THE GATES became an entity and continued growing on its own. I'm not worried about the live shows, and think we're pretty relaxed in terms of what we do. We can't control people's expectations (and everybody has different expectations too); we just play in our style, and hope people will appreciate it."

"Well, if you expect pyro technique and a laser light show, then you're on the wrong track. AT THE GATES was never about that; we're a death metal band, and the focus is the music. We'll pick up where we left off — people who saw us performing live in the old days will know what I mean."

On what personal favorite tracks will feature in the group's 2008 setlist:

"We all have different favorites, so we'll have a difficult time composing the setlist. We'll play songs from all the releases, and that's the only thing I know. Some of my favourite tracks are the following: 'The Swarm', 'Windows', and 'Primal Breath'. Every song has something unique, though it's hard to analyze further."

On whether former guitarist Alf Svensson will feature as part of the live shows:

"We all want Alf to be part of the reunion shows. Right now though, I can't talk more about it."

On whether AT THE GATES will play further shows after 2008's summer:

"It's just the initial statement, alongside the Blabbermouth interview, that left that 'uncertainty' vibe. It's definitely going to be the 'last-ever thing' with AT THE GATES."

On how he would like the legacy of AT THE GATES to be remembered:

"Hopefully with respect."

Ryszard Nowak, who heads the All-Polish Committee for Defence against Sects, has reportedly registered an official complaint with the authorities in Poland regarding a BEHEMOTH concert that took place in the Polish city of Gdynia in September 2007 that included the destruction of a Bible by the band's leader, vocalist/guitarist Adam "Nergal" Darski. During a break in the show, Nergal apparently called the Catholic Church "the most murderous cult on the planet" before tearing up the Bible, stating, "they call it the Holy Book, I call this the book of lies. Fuck the shit, fuck the hypocrisy."

Fan-filmed video footage of the incident can be viewed below (the Bible-tearing takes place around the 45-second mark).

Nowak is no stranger to controversy, having previously compiled a list of artists who allegedly "promote Satanism" through their music and distributed it to various Polish officials in an attempt to get the artists banned from performing in Poland.

It is not presently clear if any action will be taken against Nergal, who previously stated about Nowak's efforts to get BEHEMOTH banned from performing in the group's home country, "I am shocked; this must be some kind of joke. We've been touring around the whole world — United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Russia — and we've not had any problems anywhere. I am surprised that we are being judged by our appearance and that no one even took the time to contact us and ask us what our music is all about. Other than that, come on — there are enough serious matters to be dealt with in Poland! The authorities would be better off spending their time on things that really need to be improved and taken care of."

LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington has posted the following message on his official web site:

"We are starting to shoot our new video for 'Given Up' and I think it's going to turn out really good. The band has decided to go with a live video and I think it's perfect for the song. We always do really big expensive videos and it's nice to take a break from that."

According to The Pulse of Radio, LINKIN PARK will offer fans attending its upcoming tour the chance to purchase a "Digital Souvenir Package" with their tickets, in which they will receive an audio download of the concert they attend, exclusive photos and a digital tour program. Co-frontman Mike Shinoda said in a recent conference call with reporters what makes the offering unique. "The best part about it, to me, is that our live mixer, our official mixer who mixes our show every night, you know, finishes his night with us, then goes back to his hotel or bus or backstage and mixes the show for you," he said. "It's intended to be played, you know, in your headphones and in your car, and it's done by our official guy."

Shinoda's partner on the mic, Chester Bennington, added that the recordings offer numerous possibilities for fans to trade and collect them. "For those who get this thing, you know, our sets change, we play songs maybe one night that we don't play the next, and so if you want to get those songs, you know, we encourage our fans to go on and trade them and kind of get to know each other and communicate and share and exchange things with each other, and this is one of those things that we would really like our fans to kind of do that with," he said.

LINKIN PARK will sport a brand new stage production when the band heads out on its North American tour, which begins on February 12 in Omaha, Nebraska.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA and CHIODOS will be the opening acts on the tour, which wraps up in mid-March.

LINKIN PARK's latest album, "Minutes to Midnight", was recently certified double platinum for sales of two million copies since its May 2007 release.

Former EMPEROR vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn has set "angL" as the title of his second solo album, tentatively due mid-spring via Mnemosyne Productions/Candlelight Records. "I'm currently doing the final mixes for this album, and hope to have everything ready for mastering within a couple of weeks", says Ihsahn. "Musically this album can be seen as a natural progression from 'The Adversary' [2006], but with a somewhat heavier touch."

"The Adversary" entered the Norwegian album chart at position No. 33. The CD was written and recorded over a one-year period at Symphonique Studios in Norway and features a guest appearance by Garm from ULVER on one song. All music and lyrics for "The Adversary" were written and performed by Ihsahn with exception of drums, which were played by Asgeir Mickelson (BORKNAGAR, SPIRAL ARCHITECT). A video for "Invocation", the opening track from "The Adversary", can be viewed below. The clip was shot and produced in Notodden, Norway by a local production company. "I think the video reflects both the direct and solitary expression of the album," Ihsahn said. "It was my intention to keep everything as pure and intense as possible, yet staying true to metal tradition."

APOCALYPTICA's Eicca Toppinen was honored with the Finnish movie award Jussi in the "Best Music" category for his work on the soundtrack to the Finnish movie "Black Ice".

As previously reported, APOCALYPTICA has had the U.S. release date of its new album, "Worlds Collide", pushed back once again — this time to April 15. The CD, which entered the Finnish chart at position No. 8 and also landed on both the German and Swiss charts at No. 10, was made available in standard and "deluxe" versions, the latter of which is described as "truly a work of art both in its artwork and its content." The "deluxe" edition contains two bonus tracks — "Ural" and "Dreamer" — as well as a DVD. The DVD contains the "I'm Not Jesus" video along with the "making of" footage, plus an interview from the listening session in Berlin and a photo gallery.

APOCALYPTICA is in the process of booking a U.S. tour, to take place in the spring. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

In other news, APOCALYPTICA has been nominated in the following categories at the Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammy equivalent):

* Metal Album Of The Year
* Band Of The Year
* Song Of The Year ("I'm Not Jesus")

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe recently checked in with MTV.com's Metal File about the Virginia metallers' next studio effort, which he said they'll begin work on this year. "We're going to be writing a new record," he confirmed of the yet-untitled LP, adding that he's going to jet to Japan in February to "kick it with the wife" before putting his nose to the grindstone. "[I'm going to] try and take a deep breath for a few months before we start writing a new record," he said. "I figure we'll start heading into the ... practice space in late March or something." Blythe also revealed that he's been working on a side project with Steve Zing, a founding member of Glenn Danzig's SAMHAIN act. "I saw him and Danzig recently, and I'm going to do something kinda creepy with [Zing]," Blythe said.

Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT have scheduled two dates in Russia in June:

June 01 - Moscow, Russia - Shadow Club
June 03 - Saint-Petersburgh, Russia - Port Club

In other news, fellow Bay Area metallers DEATH ANGEL, who were scheduled to perform with TESTAMENT on their Southern California/Las Vegas dates, have dropped off the bill. The following dates will go ahead with TESTAMENT and LAAZ ROCKIT:

April 10 - Santa Ana, CA - The Coach House
April 11 - Las Vegas, NV - The Canyon Club
April 12 - Hollywood, CA - The Key Club

TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson recently spoke to Decibel magazine about the group'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 album is very traditional-sounding," Peterson told Decibel. "The ideology of what we're doing is like 'The Legacy' [1987]. But the musicianship's a lot better, so it's like 'The Gathering' [1999]. As most bands record their first, second and third albums, they're developing, developing, developing… until they've got their sound. Then they get worse. As a rule, you get good when you're starving and start slipping as soon as you're eating well. We never really made it to the big time. But, then again, we didn't fail. Because we've always been on that borderline, we've never had to make the kinds of compromises that end up killing so many bands. As we see it, we're better off doing what we do best, especially since things seem to have turned full circle. Kids even have long hair again."

TESTAMENT recently recruited Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN, SYSTEMATIC) to play the drums on new CD. The group was previously rehearsing and writing new material with British drummer Nick Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR), but Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and international work visa issues have prevented Barker from continuing to be involved in the project.

Bostaph, who was a member of TESTAMENT for a brief period starting around February 2004, had previously played several live dates with the group in 1992 and appeared on the band's 1993 live EP, "Return to the Apocalyptic City". He also toured with TESTAMENT in 2006.

"Endzeit", the new video from Germany's groundbreaking death metal and hardcore fusionists HEAVEN SHALL BURN, can be viewed below.

While filming the clip with director Philipp Hirsch, the band was temporarily arrested during their subversive activities. Guitarist Maik Weichert explains: "While we were shooting the video for 'Endzeit', me and Marcus were dressed as service technicians and installed several cameras in the pedestrian and other public areas of Leipzig’s city centre. Of course it was fake cameras, but they looked pretty real. While we were preparing the observation of the local branch office of a well-known fast food company, four police officers approached us and asked us what we were doing. Apparently worried citizens had called the cops telling them something suspicious was going on. I asked them if those 'worried citizens' really meant us as there are many suspicious people walking around in the city of Leipzig! One of the policemen thought this was funny, another was seriously pissed off and the remaining two cops did not seem to get the joke, I think. Afterwards they got a little rougher and threatened to take us into custody. We were basically left with two options: Either we could shoot them down and bail, or simply solve the situation by showing them the camera man's press card, what we eventually did. After the officers had contacted the police station and double-checked with their chief they let us go. Of course we were smart enough to secretly film the incident and it will always be a highly entertaining part of our private video collection. Unfortunately, we can not post it, but anyway once again we were almost arrested, but you have to take risks if you want to be metal!"

"Endzeit" comes off the band's new CD, "Iconoclast (Part 1: The Final Resistance)", which was released in Europe on January 28 through Century Media Records. Artist extraordinaire an up-and-coming visionary for cutting-edge art Bastian Sobtzick created the artwork for "Iconoclast".

Long-running UK extreme metallers BENEDICTION have issued the following update:

"The [new BENEDICTION] album ['Killing Music'] is coming along nicely.

"Here's a few songtitles: 'Killing Music', 'Dripping With Disgust', 'Rats In The Mask (Controlopolis)', 'They Bleed', 'I Am The Betrayer' and 'Dissembler'.

"As you can see, the subject matter of these songs are all nice and lovely sounding and about flowers in springtime and cooking!!! Or maybe not.

"At the moment, there will be a mini-tour of the Balkans in June and a full European tour in September and October to promote the 'Killing Music' album, with a few festival shows in between. Specific dates will follow shortly."