Extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY will join SYMPHONY X and EPICA for a month-long North American trek next spring. The tour, which kicks off on April 4, will mark the start of the worldwide touring cycle for the much anticipated new INTO ETERNITY album.

Guitarist/vocalist Tim Roth of the Canadian extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY has issued the following update:

"It's a new year now and we are almost done all the music in demo form for our new album. Stu [Block, vocals]has actually come over to my house and belted out his first vocal for a new track.

"We are demoing on my computer, so my living room is now a studio.

"The new songs are sounding really good and really heavy! We are hoping to get into the studio in mid-February. I also am putting up some more live show dates, so check them out. We'll be back on the road soon!"

INTO ETERNITY will join SYMPHONY X and EPICA for a month-long North American trek this spring. The tour, which kicks off on April 4, will mark the start of the worldwide touring cycle for the much anticipated new INTO ETERNITY album.

INTO ETERNITY's "The Scattering of Ashes" campaign saw the band embark on five North American tours, with highlights including an appearance on Gigantour, performing alongside MEGADETH and LAMB OF GOD, but it was this past summer's tour alongside DREAM THEATER that really saw the band reach out to a new audience.

Dutch guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET that he has resurrected his late '80s/early '90s death metal outfit PESTILENCE with a brand new lineup, featuring Patrick on vocals and guitar, Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC) on bass and Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, NON-HUMAN LEVEL) on drums. Patrick is reportedly working on new material which he has described as a modern fusion of "Testimony of the Ancients" (1991) and "Spheres" (1993), but even more technical and brutal. The group's new album will tentatively be recorded by Danish producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, INVOCATOR) and produced by Patrick himself, and will be issued through Holland's Mascot Records.

Speaking to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding his decision to bring PESTILENCE back from the dead, Mameli stated, "It's not a reunion, because I will not be playing with any of the old lineup guys, except Tony Choy [who played on 'Testimony'], of course so...

"I always stated there WILL NEVER BE a reunion, and there won't be, since I never look back at the past and I refuse now to play with people that are not on the same musical level as I am.

"I sang on 'Testimony' and 'Spheres' (two albums later from 'Consuming Impulse' [1989]!!), so no need for [original PESTILENCE frontman] Martin [Van Drunen]. This because of the above statement I just made. Furthermore, Martin is doing other things. Good for him.

"So now you have two members that were in PESTILENCE before and one new guy.

"The reason why I bring PESTILENCE back to life is that people/fans keep asking me for this. The time is right now and Mascot is giving me the opportunity to do so.

"As you know, I have always been the driving force behind PESTILENCE, writing all the music and so forth, so that I can state: I will bring back PESTILENCE to life. More tech and way more brutal than ever before."

Mameli's C-187 project, which also features Tony Choy, Sean Reinert (drums; CYNIC, ex-DEATH) and Tony Jelencovich (vocals; M.A.N, ex-TRANSPORT LEAGUE, MNEMIC), released its debut album, "Collision", last year via Mascot Records. The CD was recorded at Spacelab Studios in Oedt/Moers (near Düsseldorf), Germany and was mixed by Jacob Hansen.

Former VISIONS OF ATLANTIS singer Melissa Ferlaak — who is based in Minnesota — has issued the following update:

"Do you want to learn classical technique singing? Maybe you just have a song you would like to work on for an upcoming event? Thanks to technology, location doesn't matter anymore when it comes to getting a voice teacher. So if you are in a far off country, we can still make it work.

"Interested? Message me here and we can talk about how this all works!

"Lessons will begin in March."

Melissa Ferlaak and her boyfriend, guitarist Wolfgang "Wops" Koch, left VISIONS OF ATLANTIS late last year due to "musical differences." As a result, the band's previously announced participation in the upcoming KAMELOT European tour has been cancelled. Koch has since been replaced by the returning guitarist Werner Fiedler, who was responsible for much of the songwriting on the group's first two records.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS's latest album, "Trinity", was released in May via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded at Dreamscape Studios and was mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland. The CD's cover artwork was created by Anthony Clarkson, who has previously worked with BLIND GUARDIAN, HYPOCRISY and EXODUS, among others.

Swedish metallers STEEL ATTACK have set "Carpe DiEnd" (cover artwork) as the title of their new album, due on February 22, 2008 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train studio and it was mixed at Solnasound by Mike Wead (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND).

STEEL ATTACK last year parted ways with Anden Andersson (bass), Tony Elfving (drums) and Johan Jalonen Penn (guitar) and replaced them with Johan Löfgren (LACK OF FAITH), Peter Morén (TAD MOROSE) and Simon Johansson (MEMORY GARDEN, ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA), respectively.

STEEL ATTACK's video for the song "Invisible God" can be viewed here. The track comes off the band's latest CD, "Diabolic Symphony", which was released in April 2006 via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Enslaved" was recorded at Black Lounge Studio in Sweden with engineer Jonas Kjellgren.

Quality technical metal connoisseurs and open-minded music lovers in general will be delighted to hear that Florida's legendary CYNIC have returned to creative power after a successful European re-union tour in the summer of 2007 and will soon be recording a new album, their second after 1993's genre-shattering "Focus" debut.

CYNIC founding members Paul Masvidal (guitars / vocals) and Sean Reinert (drums), who both gained reputation and praise while performing alongside Chuck Schuldiner and DEATH in the recording and touring lineup for the milestone album "Human", are currently in Sanford, Florida, working on the mix for three new demo tracks together with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER, etc.) at his own Audiohammer Studios. The three new tracks are entitled "Integral Birth", "Evolutionary Sleeper" and "Adam's Murmur", but Masvidal and Reinert have already written a full album's worth of new material and the band will use the demo to begin talks with record companies about a 2008 release.

Masvidal comments, "I'm amazed that we're here again, and that is a testament to the unpredictable beauty of the creative process. We received so much inspiration during last summer's reunion tour that a flood of new material has since poured out of us. There must be a default metal root in us from childhood that insists on being watered and loved, so we're just trying to keep up with ourselves — the CYNIC sirens are screaming inside and won't let up! Our policy has always been about surrendering to what feels most organic and staying in the flow. To put it mildly, this last year has been a creatively abundant and productive period. We're intoxicated about now and the future."

An e-card for "The Scarecrow", the new album from AVANTASIA — the solo project of EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet — can be accessed at this location.

"The Scarecrow", which will be released on January 25 as a standard CD as well as rare picture (double) vinyl.

"The Scarecrow" track listing:

CD:

01. Twisted Mind
02. The Scarecrow
03. Shelter From The Rain
04. Carry Me Over
05. What Kind Of Love
06. Another Angel Down
07. The Toy Master
08. Devil In The Belfry
09. Cry Just A Little
10. I Don't Believe In Your Love
11. Lost In Space
+ Media Player

DVD:

* "The Scarecrow" - interview
* "Carry Me Over" - video clip
* "Carry Me Over" - making of
* "Lost In Space" - Electronic Press Kit
* "Lost In Space" - video clip
* "I Don't Believe In Your Love" - alternate version *

* Original version, lead vocals by Tobias Sammet only (audio only!!!)

AVANTASIA's video for the song "Carry Me Over" can be viewed here.

Steamhammer/SPV will release UFO's "Showtime" DVD as a state-of-the-art HD-DVD on February 25, 2008. This entertaining two-DVD set features UFO's concert filmed in Wilhelmshaven Pumpwerk, Germany on May 13, 2005 and the 16 live songs span much of UFO's lengthy career. The inclusion of a six-song, live session filmed in Peppermint Park Studios on May 26, 2005 gives fans a whopping 22 UFO classics to enjoy.

This High Definition release is not only outstanding in the quality of the images and audio, it also features additional bonus material that was not included in the original release, such as "picture-in-picture" interviews and "on-the-fly" menus, which can be operated while viewing the film.

The many bonus features include a "making-of-the-DVD" piece, interviews with the band and crew members, slideshow, discography, a making of studio songs feature, footage from Rockboat performance and footage from the band's 2004 US tour.

The lineup on the DVD includes original bandmembers, singer Phil Mogg, bassist Pete Way and guitarist Paul Raymond. They are joined by American guitar virtuoso Vinnie Moore, and Jason Bonham, who while best known for being son on legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham, has proved his credentials by playing with such rock luminaries as Paul Rodgers (ex-FREE, BAD COMPANY), Slash (GUNS N' ROSES), Richie Sambora (BON JOVI) and Jeff Beck, as well as LED ZEPPELIN themselves at their 2007 reunion.

"Showtime" HD DVD contains:

Concert Track Listing:

01. Intro
02. Mother Mary
03. When Daylight Goes To Town
04. Let It Roll
05. Out On The Streets
06. This Kidds
07. The Wild One
08. Fighting Man
09. Only You Can Rock Me
10. Baby Blue
11. Mr. Freeze
12. Love To Love
13. Too Hot Too Handle
14. Lights Out
15. Rock Bottom
16. Doctor Doctor
17. Shoot Shoot

Studio Songs:

01. Pack It Up And Go
02. Try Me
03. Love To Love
04. Slipping Away
05. Cherry
06. Profession Of Violence

Bonus Material:

* Making Of DVD
* Slideshow
* Discography
* Making Of Studio Songs
* Rockboat (Documentary)
* USA 2004 (Documentary)
* History (Interviews)
* Bonus Statements (Interviews)
* Credits

Finnish folk/pagan metal band MOONSORROW has entered the studio to begin recording a new EP, entitled "Tulimyrsky" (Firestorm). The effort is tentatively scheduled for release on March 26, 2008 through Spinefarm Records. More information will be made available soon.

MOONSORROW has been confirmed for the Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 15-17, 2008 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire England. This will be the band's only UK festival appearance of 2008.

MOONSORROW released its latest album, "Viides Luku – Hävitetty", in North America in April 2007 via Unruly Sounds/The End Records. The CD — 56 minutes of music comprised from two songs — continues to place the group as one of the forerunners of the folk/viking metal scene due in part to their extensive use of folklore and pagan elements in their music and imagery.

Released in Europe in January 2007, "Viides Luku - Hävitetty" entered the German national chart at position No. 72. The CD was recorded between May and August 2006 at Tico Tico and The Stable studios and was mixed by Ahti Kortelainen and Henri Sorvali. Mastering duties were handled by Mika Jussila.

The new drummer of ATROCITY and LEAVES' EYES is Nick Barker, who has previously played with CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR and TESTAMENT. Says ATROCITY/LEAVES' EYES vocalist/producer Alex Krull, "It's with great pleasure that we can announce Nick Barker is joining the ATROCITY and LEAVES' EYES family! We always were great fans of his way of drumming, and we are happy that we will kick some ass in the future together! Nick was our No. 1 choice! When we heard he would join us, we invited him right away!"

Here's a short interview with Nick Barker about his decision to join the two bands:

Q: Nick, how long do you know Alex and the guys of ATROCITY and LEAVES' EYES?

Nick: "I've known ATROCITY for many years, I think the first time we met was on the DEICIDE/ATROCITY tour in 1992 when I was the drum tech for support band CANCER, and since that time we've always ran into each other on the European summer festival circuit during the years that followed. Whenever I would play in the Stuttgart area with any of my previous bands, some of the guys would always be there and show their support."

Q: How did it come about that you joined the two bands now?

Nick: "Alex approached me at the Metal Hammer award ceremony in London last June (2007) and said that he was looking for a drummer that could handle the complexity and savagery of ATROCITY as well as the softer, more groove-laden beauty of LEAVES' EYES, and he thought I could be the right man to do both jobs. I had some prior commitments and obligations to fulfil at that time, but we spoke over the Christmas period and arranged for me to come to Stuttgart and audition; everything was fantastic both musically and from a social and personal aspect."

Q: How do you like the music of both bands? They are quite different from each other.

Nick: "I absolutely love the diversity of both bands. With ATROCITY, you have such brutal songs from the 'Atlantis' album such as 'Reich Of Phenomena', 'Apocaplyse' and 'Clash Of Titans', which I can't wait to play live and sink my teeth into. Then, on the other hand, you have LEAVES' EYES, which for me is something very new and very exciting as a drummer coming from a mainly black/death metal background. Liv has the most beautiful voice in the whole world within this genre, and the music is very moving, beautifully crafted and almost spiritual."

Q: You just jammed the first time with the guys at Mastersound Studio. How was it? What are your impressions?

Nick: "When I first arrived at Mastersound Studios, my first impression was 'WOW!!!' I had no idea of the sheer scale of dedication, time, money and professionalism that had been invested into the studio itself. Over the years, I have been in many first-class recording studios myself, but I have to say, Mastersound is a cut above the rest.The whole band were extremely friendly and there was an overwhelming sense of 'family' among them all, which made me feel very relaxed and at ease almost immediately. We jammed some classic songs by METALLICA, SLAYER and MORBID ANGEL to warm up before concentrating on the more serious matters of LEAVES' EYES and ATROCITY, and like I said earlier, everything was fantastic, both musically and socially."

Q: What are you going to do next with the two bands?

Nick: "Next up is a video shoot with ATROCITY in Berlin next month for the 'Werk 80 II' album, and then in March, LEAVES' EYES will play in Mexico City. April we will be working our asses off writing songs for the new LEAVES' EYES record in the brand new, relocated Mastersound studios. In May, LEAVES' EYES and ATROCITY will tour Asia (China, Taiwan, etc) for the first time ever. Upon our return from the Orient, we will continue to work hard on the new record, which is planned for an autumn 2008 release."

Finnish melodic black metal act CATAMENIA has issued the following update:

"Our forthcoming album is titled as 'VIII'. We will enter the studio as soon as possible and during the recordings, a studio diary will also be provided."

CATAMENIA last fall uploaded the "Cataventures Part III" video as part of a series of clips chronicling the band's adventures touring through Europe. You can check out all three parts on the group's official web site.

CATAMENIA's latest album, "Location: COLD", was released in August 2006 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Mastervox Studios by Kakke Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen. The cover artwork was created by Anthony Clarkson.

Finnish metallers INSOMNIUM have issued the following update:

"This spring in INSOMNIUM camp will be dedicated on writing and rehearsing new material which will become fourth INSOMNIUM album. We might do some festival gigs in the summer or might not. However, the new material and the new record will be our main concern and top priority for this year. We have already tried out few new songs, and the things are starting to look promising. Still, we don't want to rush with things but deliver as good album as possible."

British death metal veterans BOLT THROWER have issued the following update:

"If you're wondering why there hasn't been a lot of BOLT THROWER news for a while, that's because we are still in writing mode for the new album, which we plan to record in the summer. And during the break between the recording and mixing of the album, we will play our only festival of the year."

BOLT THROWER has been confirmed for this year's Party.San Open Air festival, set to take place August 7-9, 2008 in Bad Berka, Germany.

HELLOWEEN's Japanese record label, JVC Victor, will release a special two-CD version of the band's latest album, "Gambling with the Devil", on January 23.

Disc One will contain the regular LP — complete with the Japan-only bonus track "We Unite" — while the second CD will include the European bonus cut "See the Night" and the previously unreleased demo version of "As Long As I Fall".

SPV/Steamhammer will also release "Gambling with the Devil" on two-LP gatefold vinly on February 8.

In other news, HELLOWEEN has issued the following update:

"The second part of the Hellish Rock Tour started into the new year with two double show in the French capital Paris. Added to the in advance sold-out concert in the Elysee Montmartre on January 6th the concert on January 5th has almost been sold out and presented the three bands — AXXIS, GAMMA RAY and the headliners HELLOWEEN in a great shape. The package went on to Tilburg in the Netherlands and has performed in the 013. A perfect performance of all the three bands in the legendary London concert hall Shepherds Bush Empire has definitely been the first highlight of the second leg of the tour. Following a performance in the Hof Ter Lo venue in Antwerp/Belgium, the bands returned to Germany and performed together with WITHIN TEMPTATION, PARADISE LOST and EPICA on the second Knock Out Festival in Karlsruhe. Next on the plan is Oberhausen in Germany. From there the three bands will leave to Spain and play five concerts in Spain which will close the European part of the tour."

REFLEXION, the Finnish band featuring vocalist Juha Kylmänen (FOR MY PAIN…, ex-TO/DIE/FOR), will release the "Weak and Tired" digital single on January 18 via the Musicload webstore.

An audio clip is available on the group's MySpace page.

"Weak and Tired" is the title track of the band's new album, which will contain the following track listing:

01. Non-stop Glorious Ride
02. Embrace of Wrath
03. Twilight Child
04. Dancing in the Air
05. Dead Without You
06. Weak and Tired
07. Black is the Color of Your Life
08. The One With No Name
09. Forever Got Too Long
10. The Thousand Nails in My Heart
11. Just One Word (Goodbye)

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES will release their new full-length CD, "A Sense of Purpose", in Europe on April 4 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Come Clarity" was recorded at the band's own IF Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. The group received assistance during the vocal-recording sessions from producer Daniel Bergstrand, who previously produced the vocals on "Reroute To Remain", "Soundtrack To Your Escape" and "Come Clarity". All artwork for the album was created by Alex Pardee for ZeroFriends. Alex also created the artwork for the first single, "The Mirror's Truth".

"A Sense of Purpose" track listing:

01. The Mirror's Truth
02. Disconnected
03. Sleepless Again
04. Alias
05. I'm the Highway
06. Delight and Angers
07. Move Through Me
08. The Chosen Pessimist
09. Sober and Irrelevant
10. Condemned
11. Drenched In Fear
12. March To The Shore

"We are extremely happy with the end result and so proud of what we have achieved with the new album and can't wait for you all to hear it," the band says in a statement.

IN FLAMES will release a the "The Mirror’s Truth" single on March 7 via Nuclear Blast Records. The European-only release will contain the following tracks:

01. The Mirror's Truth
02. Eraser *
03. Tilt *
04 Abnegation *

* Exclusive non-album tracks

Negative's longtime guitarist Sir Christus is no longer in the band, Negative will start recording their fourth album as a five-piece.

“We decided that it’s best to continue without Sir Christus. This is not a hasty decision, we’ve talked about this many times and this is really the best thing for all of us. There’s no hard feelings on either side”, says lead singer Jonne Aaron.

“It’s just like any long-lasting relationship, people can grow apart and end up wanting different things. Negative will of course keep going on, no doubt about that, this will not affect our future plans”, Jonne continues.

Negative will start the recording sessions for their fourth album with producer Mikko Karmila (Nightwish, Children Of Bodom) in February. “We feel very confident about the new songs, and the mood inside the band is relaxed and relieved. We’re concentrating 100% on the new album now, and we’ll bring in the new guitarist on the gigs following the release of our new record. We’ll let you know more when we have something to tell you”, Jonne says.

The new CRADLE OF FILTH song "Devil To The Metal", taken from the forthcoming "Thornography - Harder Darker Faster" special-edition MVI (Music Video Interactive) — which is set to be released in the U.S. on February 5 (one day earlier internationally) — is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

The album comes as a high-quality DVD Audio with plenty of extra tracks, videos, mobile content, MP3s and plenty of interactive bonus content.

"Thornography - Harder Darker Faster" special-edition MVI track listing:

Album (DVD Audio):

01. Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan
02. Dirge Inferno
03. Tonight In Flames
04. Libertina Grimm
05. The Byronic Man
06. I Am The Thorn
07. Cemetery And Sundown
08. Lovesick For Mina
09. The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking
10. Rise Of The Pentagram
11. Under Huntress Moon
12. Temptation

"Harder, Darker, Faster...":

01. Murder In The Thirst
02. The Snake-Eyed and The Venomous
03. Halloween III - Season Of The Bitch (MISFITS cover) (remix)
04. Courting Baphomet
05. Stay (SHAKESPEARS SISTER cover)
06. Devil To The Metal

Videos:

01. Tonight In Flames
02. The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking
03. Temptation

Extra content includes:

* "The Making Of The Video" for "The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking"
* MP3s of entire album (same tracklisting as DVD audio)

The following tracks come in U Myx format which allows you to remix the tracks:

a) Dirge Inferno
b) The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking

* Mobile Content
* Wallpapers, photos and truetones

Most of the new songs featured on "Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster" were written during the "Thornography" sessions but were completed at a later date.

Dani Filth recently recorded vocals for the theme song to Dario Argento's latest horror/suspense opus "Mother of Tears: The Third Mother". The song, entitled "(She's) The Mother of Tears" was composed by Claudio Simonetti. Simonetti, a veritable legend among horror film scores, is also noted for penning music to such classics as "Dawn of the Dead", "Suspiria", "Phenomena" and several episodes of the popular series "Masters of Horror".

„The Shape Of Things To Come“ already showed a bit of what could be expected, but we have to wait until 29 february when the Mexican duo of Hocico will release their new album "Memorias Atrás“, their first full length album since three years. It is expected to take the clubs by storm. Next to the regular CD release there will be a limited edition with bonus cd. Erk Aicrag and Racso Agroyam however haven't said anything about the second cd, but some remixes seem to be guaranteed.

Owen Gibson of The Guardian reports: The loud and proud return of LED ZEPPELIN was the most lucrative event of the year for the touts and fans at the centre of a heated row over the resale of tickets online, according to figures published yesterday.

One of the leading online ticket resellers, Seatwave, said the average price for tickets sold through the site for LED ZEPPELIN's comeback gig at London's O2 arena was £7,425 (approximately $14,700).

Online resellers have effectively created a rolling market for high-profile gigs and sporting events.

There is no legislation covering the resale of concert tickets and sporting events other than football matches but the culture, media and sport select committee will this week release a hotly anticipated report on the matter.

Desperate LED ZEPPELIN fans were willing to risk thousands on tickets sold through sites such as Seatwave. The tickets had a face value of £125 (approximately $250).

KORN kicked off its European headlining tour earlier tonight (Sunday, January 13) at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Intro
02. Right Now
03. Starting Over
04. Love Song
05. Adidas
06. Hold On
07. Falling Away From Me
08. Coming Undone / We Will Rock You (QUEEN)
09. Here To Stay
10. Faget
11. Throw Me Away
12. Trash
13. Helmet In The Bush
14. Freak On A Leash
15. Bottled Up Inside
16. Kiss
17. Evolution
18. Ass Itch
Encore:
19. Blind
20. Haze
21. Ever Be
22. Got The Life

KORN's current touring lineup includes guitarist Shane Gibson, who was also a member of KORN frontman Jonathan Davis' solo band. Davis told The Pulse of Radio that not only is Gibson a great guitarist, but he reminds Davis of original KORN axeman Brian "Head" Welch. "Amazing shredder, can just do the most crazy, crazy, crazy stuff," he said. "And he really, really reminds me of Head. Not in his playing, more about just his presence and how he's so introverted and how he walks across the room and just everything seems to fall over. And it's kind of cool to have that energy back 'cause I miss that so much, 'cause I miss Head so much."

Gibson took over for guitarist Clint Lowery, who toured with KORN throughout 2007 but left late last year due to family issues.

Gibson is joined on KORN's European trek by touring drummer Ray Luzier, formerly of the DAVID LEE ROTH band and ARMY OF ANYONE. Luzier takes over for Joey Jordison, who has also been touring with KORN but is now regrouping with SLIPKNOT to begin work on that group's next effort.

Germany's STORMWARRIOR will release its third studio album, "Heading Northe", on February 22 via Dockyard 1. The CD was recorded at the group's own Thunderhall Studios and was mixed with Piet Sielck (SAVAGE CIRCUS, IRON SAVIOR) before it was mastered at Tommy Hansen's (HELLOWEEN, HAMMERFALL, PRETTY MAIDS) Jailhouse Studios in Denmark.

"Heading Northe" track listing:

01. And The Horde Calleth For Oden
02. Heading Northe
03. Metal Legacy
04. The Holy Cross
05. Iron Gods
06. Ragnarök
07. The Revenge Of Asa Lande
08. Remember The Oathe
09. Lion Of The Northe
10. Into The Battle
11. And The Valkyries Ride

Check out the cover artwork here.

STORMWARRIOR is known for its unique combination of "true metal" anthems with lyrics that are rooted in Nordic mythology.

After the release of its "Northern Rage" CD, STORMWARRIOR was invited to play all the biggest festivals like Wacken Open Air, Bloodstock, MANOWAR's Magic Circle and Earthshaker. The band also collaborated with Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, HELLOWEEN) by performing HELLOWEEN classics during select live appearances.

STORMWARRIOR is:

Vocals, Guitar: Lars Ramcke
Guitar: Alex Guth
Bass: Yenz Leonhardt
Drums: Falko Reshöft

Finnish power metallers KIUAS have issued the following update:

"Alright, the new album is now mastered, and hence the long months of work with it are finally over. The third KIUAS record will be called 'The New Dark Age' and date of release is the 5th of March (in Finland, other countries to be announced).

The tracklist is as follows:

01. The Decaying Doctrine
02. Conqueror
03. Kiuas War Anthem
04. The New Dark Age
05. To Excel and Ascend
06. Black Rose Withered
07. After the Storm
08. Of Sacrifice, Loss and Reward
09. The Summoning
10. The Wanderer's Lamentation
Bonus track for Japan release:
11. Towards the Hidden Sanctum

"The cover art is the product of the visionary artist/musician Niklas Sundin (Cabin Fever Media). The picture is an original drawing in the style of reneissance woodcut illustrations, and portrays the members of KIUAS as the four — or in this case five — horsemen of the Apocalypse with a dismal landscape that combines ancient and modern times. Check the awesome cover art at this location!!!

"The song 'Of Sacrifice, Loss and Reward' will also be released as a single in Finland in February. The single will feature two other songs as well including the Japan bonus track which won't be otherwise available to fans in Finland.

"A video for the song 'Conqueror' will be shot on the 18th of February. The very experienced and talented Owe Lingwall (Village Road Film) is responsible for the script and direction.

"KIUAS will tour Finland intensively in March and April. The tour dates will be announced soon, so keep checking the 'live' section for updates. Meanwhile, be prepared for the KIUAS performances at the Finnish Metal Expo 2008 (16th February) and Tuska Open Air 2008 (28th June), both in Helsinki. For fans in the UK, be sure to attend the Spinefarm UK launch event at Astoria with CHILDREN OF BODOM and MOONSORROW."

KIUAS' second full-length album, "Reformation", was released in May 2006.

KIUAS is:

Ilja Jalkanen - Vocals
Mikko Salovaara - Guitars
Markku Näreneva - Drums
Atte Tanskanen - Keyboard
Teemu Tuominen – Bass

Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL entered Antfarm studios in Denmark earlier this month with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD) to begin recording the follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" for a tentative late spring/early summer release via SPV.

Commented vocalist Fernando Ribeiro: "'Night Eternal' will be the title of the new MOONSPELL album. The recording sessions will take place between the 7th and the 31st of January 2008 in Denmark's finest metal studio, Antfarm. Tue Madsen, who worked with the band on the 'Under Satanae' project, will be producing MOONSPELL's new opus.

"The band has revealed some of their song titles already: 'Shadow Sun', 'Night Eternal' (title track), 'At Tragic Heights', 'Scorpion Flower', 'Spring of Rage', 'Hers is the Twilight', among others songs that will take part of this new work. Further into the concept it was disclosed that it refers to the 'wear and the tear of the Earth,' how we are consuming its energy and its vital force and how it will take its revenge upon us.

"'Memorial''s musical line was taken a step further and 'Night Eternal' will be a quite intense album itself, darkly atmospheric yet really heavy and catchy. In 'Night Eternal' expect nothing but great guitar riffs, breathtaking songs and epic atmospheres.

"The exact release date will be announced soon yet the album is coming out in May. The band is totally enthusiastic and eager to release it and to present it to the fans and hopes to be able to post some songs online on Moonspell.com and myspace.com/moonspell as soon as the promos are ready for the press, around one and a half month before the record is released. A studio diary will be posted regularly just like it was for 'Memorial' on both site and MySpace.

"Live shows are now being booked for 2008 and the band is already confirmed for festivals in Czech Republic, Spain, and Germany and a US tour as well as a Euro tour will be announced as well as visits to other territories, some of them for the first time."

MOONSPELL's last release was the "Under SatanÆ" CD, which consisted of re-recordings of the band's legendary EP "Under the Moonspell" (1994) as well as their first demo "Anno SatanÆ" and their sole track as MORBID GOD, "Serpent Angel". All songs were re-arranged and revamped in order to "underline their revered distinction as underground classics but now with a mature dark energy and class," according to a press release. The CD was recorded at Antfarm with Tue Madsen and charted in the band's home country, where the group played the album in its entirety at a one-off show at the Lisbon Coliseum in front of 3,500 fans.

Vocalist Patrik Johansson of the Swedish melodic metallers LION'S SHARE has issued the following update:

"Me, Lars [Chriss, guitar] and Sampo [Axelsson, bass] are currently working our asses off, writing new songs for the upcoming LION'S SHARE album. Almost all the songs are written now and hopefully we can enter the studio in February starting the vocal sessions. This album will be nothing but a Metal Beast! The lyrics on this one will be linked together and in that perspective this CD will be something of a concept album. We'll give you a more detailed studio report when the time is right, so stay tuned!"

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. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Son Of Perdition" and "On The Wigns Of A Dove".

The reunited HOLLENTHON has already performed in Vienna and at the Arnhem Metal Meeting in Holland. Next up are shows in Latvia, Germany and Belgium as well as appearances at various summer festivals, including Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium with IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST. More shows are currently being scheduled.

EXMORTEM, which is said to be "probably Denmark’s oldest and most loyal death metal band," has issued the following update:

"EXMORTEM is right now in the studio recording their new album. So far all drums and guitars have been recorded. Bass and vocals etc. will be recorded in January. You can see a detailed studio blog at this location.

Songtitles set to appear on EXMORTEM's upcoming CD include "Funeral Phantom", "Black Opium", "Slow Death Regimes", "Salvation", "A View To A Death In The Morning" and "Conquisitor". An early summer 2008 release via Mighty Music is expected.

The band previously described the new material as "nothing short of unique in its own dark and morbid way. The material will include almost CELTIC FROST/ENTOMBED-like slow songs, more mid-paced 'Blessed Are The Sick'-sounding [MORBID ANGEL] tracks, and not to forget a bunch of fast and extreme tunes to spice up the symphony."

EXMORTEM 2007 lineup:

Martin Thim: Guitar
Simon Petersen: Vocals
Andreas Schubert: Guitar
Kim Nielsen: Bass
Morten Siersbæk: Drums

Vocalist Kvohst of Norway's DØDHEIMSGARD (DHG) has issued the following statement:

"After a pretty tough month and some deep contemplation, I have decided to call it a day and check out of the DØDHEIMSGARD asylum. The reasons for my departure are personal and I'd like them to stay that way. My work in DHG and on 'Supervillain Outcast' has been a labour of love but, unfortunately, love, as Bukowski once said, can often be like trying to carry a full garbage can on your back over a rushing river of piss. I can only thank the rest of the band, especially Vicotnik, and the fans, for their total support and dedication and for some of the best years of my life. As a fan of the band since I was young, I will continue to support DHG and I hope that you will do the same."

"Supervillain Outcast" was released last April via Moonfog/The End Records. The CD was the follow-up to the critically-acclaimed 1999 release "666 International", a sonically-charged rollercoaster ride of avant-garde chaos and intense black metal drive and atmosphere. The album, which ended up on many critics' Top 10 lists, helped inject the black metal music scene with something unique and groundbreaking the year of its release.