Swedish metallers FALCONER have entered KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Gothenburg to begin recording their sixth album for a fall 2008 release via Metal Blade Records.

FALCONER guitarist Stefan Weinerhall previously stated about the upcoming CD. "The lyrics will all be about Swedish medieval life and episodes. Not a concept album really but still something in that direction. What I decided early on what that it wouldn't become 'Northwind Pt. 2'. 'Northwind' is as good as it can be, therefore we'll make things a tad different this time."

FALCONER recently extended its deal with Metal Blade for another four albums.

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN today announced they have renewed and extended their historic 28-year recording relationship with EMI for the world excluding USA.

MAIDEN's manager Rod Smallwood commented: "We've had three tremendous decades working with EMI and have many friends there. Through many 'regimes,' EMI have always given us their full support and our relationship with their companies worldwide has always been excellent. We've got some great plans for 2008 and beyond, and I can't wait to get back on the road next year on a tour which appropriately celebrates the band's formative years."

Tony Wadsworth, Chairman & CEO, EMI Music UK said, "Since the early Eighties MAIDEN has been a flagship band for EMI and we have enjoyed a fantastic long-term relationship. Now that we can work with and support them in their broader music activities, our goal is to help build on the foundations already in place for an even more successful future."

On February 5, 2008 MAIDEN will release the highly anticipated DVD of "Live after Death" and to tie in with this will play songs mainly from their classic '80s albums on this forthcoming tour. The stage production will also feature a production-based on the Egyptian-themed "Powerslave Tour" which was featured on the original 1985 video release of "Live after Death".

POISONBLACK, the Finnish band featuring former SENTENCED frontman Ville Laihiala, has entered Soundmix Studio in the group's hometown of Oulu with producer Kari Vähäkuopus to begin recording its third album, entitled "A Dead Heavy Day".

Commented drummer Tarmo Kanerva: "On the one hand, there is going to be some really melodic songs, and on the other hand, the heavy stuff is heavier than anything we have ever done before. Still, you won't need to be afraid of dramatic changes. It'll be the typical POISONBLACK sound."

POISONBLACK last year entered the Finnish national album chart with its sophomore CD, "Lust Stained Despair", at position No. 2.

Former ANGRA/SHAAMAN frontman André Matos has inked a deal with SPV for the European release of his solo debut, "Time to be Free". Due on February 25, 2008, the CD — which came out in Japan on August 22 via Avalon/Marquee Inc. — was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST) and Sascha Paeth (KAMELOT, EDGUY, RHAPSODY, FREEDOM CALL) between November 2006 and February 2007 at Ultra Sonica and Brainless Brothers Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany.

"Time to be Free" track listing:

01. Menuett
02. Letting Go
03. Rio
04. Remember Why
05. How Long (Unleashed Way)
06. Looking Back
07. Face The End
08. Time To Be Free
09. Rescue
10. A New Moonlight
11. Endeavour
12. Separate Ways (World Apart) (Japanese bonus track)

MIDNATTSOL, the German-Norwegian band featuring vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes (the younger sister of LEAVES' EYES singer Liv Kristine), will release its second album, entitled "Nordlys" (translated: Northern Light), on March 28, 2008 via Napalm Records. The CD will be mixed by Tue Madsen while the mastering will be handled by Mika Jusilla at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

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

THERION mainman Christofer Johnsson has issued the following update:

"Today the 20 year anniversary tour starts where we will perform the entire 'Theli' album. We therefore have printed a lot of 'Theli'-related merchandise plus some other old designs from the 'Lemuria'/'Sirius B' era that we never ended up using using back then. Some designs will be available also through THERION Store after the tour, others may be if there's a remaining stock, if not they will be unique for the tour. We'll also offer super deals on some remaining stock from the last tour as long as it lasts.

"Apart from that we have built a special stage for this event and prepared a special show to ensure you to get the best THERION show you've ever seen. So be there or be sorry!

"There will be a DVD recorded from the tour. However, due to DVD releases of the classical show in Hungary last year and the show we recorded in Poland in January, a DVD from the tour we're doing now will be put in the vaults for quite some time, not to flood our potential buyers with products. We're making a new album in 2009 and will release it and tour on it in 2010, so earliest would be to sync that, if the record label prefer it to be in a time with no other releases, then we'll push it to 2011."

THERION's latest studio album, the dual-disc "Gothic Kaballah", was released in North America on February 6 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Norwegian black metallers 1349 have issued the following update:

"As many of you might already know, Frost [drums, also in SATYRICON] recently had an accident where he fell and broke his leg. He is currently in hospital. In the meantime, the rest of the band will continue to work on the things that don't require Frost to be present, and wish him a quick recovery."

1349 has been confirmed for next year's installment of the Inferno metal festival, set to take place March 19-22, 2008 at the Rockefeller and John Dee venues in Oslo, Noway.

A rough-mix version of a brand new DOKKEN track, entitled "Oasis", is available for streaming on the band's Myspace Page. The song comes off the group's upcoming CD, "Lightning Strikes Again", due in March/April 2008 via Rhino Records in the U.S. and Frontiers Records in Europe. The follow-up to 2004's "Hell to Pay" will feature the lineup of Don Dokken (vocals), Jon Levin (guitar, ex-WARLOCK), Barry Sparks (bass, TED NUGENT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, MSG) and Mick Brown (drums).

"It will be a very heavy progressive record," Dokken told Deb Rao of KNAC.COM earlier in the year. "Just some cool songs, some dark songs, and some medium tempo. Some of the best work that I have done in years. I am not looking for any kind of sound. I am just writing whatever spiritual inspiration comes to me. You could say the sound is very heavy, like 'Kiss of Death'."

Rhino Records in March revisited DOKKEN's early days with a pair of releases packed with previously unissued material. The first release, a CD entitled "From Conception: Live 1981", captures DOKKEN in an early, previously unseen concert recorded before the band signed with Elektra. The second release is the DVD debut of the band's first home video, the platinum-certified "Unchain the Night", which is expanded with unreleased videos and new extended interviews with the band.

Swedish metallers DREAM EVIL have issued the following update:

"So what happened in the DREAM EVIL camp the last six months? For family reasons our lead guitarist Mark Black unfortunately left the band and we now have a new (hairy and scary) axe swinger called Dannee Demon (aka Daniel Varghamne).

"DREAM EVIL will release a CD with some new songs and some old songs (which earlier only have been released as bonus tracks in Japan) combined with a live DVD recorded November 25, 2006 in Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg. The preliminary release date is now set to March/April 2008. The album will be called 'Gold Medal In Metal'.

"We are all working in our metal factories on making new splendid unbloody serious farmer metal anthems that hopefully will show up on our next studio album. We also hope that the upcoming live shows section will be filled with gigs in the near future near you."

Roadrunner Records has set a February 5, 2008 release date for the MVI (Music Video Interactive) version of CRADLE OF FILTH's "Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster". This special edition will include the following:

* The full "Thornography" album plus six all-new bonus tracks in incredible DVD-Audio and MP3 formats
* Three music videos: "Temptation", "Tonight In Flames", "The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking"
* Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Footage
* Remixable Tracks
* Customizable Ringtones
* Exclusive downloadable wallpaper and AIM icons
* All-New Original Artwork

Plus new, exclusive updates featuring new unreleased music, videos and unparalleled access into the world of CRADLE OF FILTH.

"Thornography Deluxe – Harder, Darker, Faster" track listing:

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
13. Murder In The Thirst
14. In The Snake-Eyed And Venomous
15. Halloween II (MISFITS cover) (remix)
16. Courting Baphomet
17. Stay (SHAKESPEARS SISTER cover)
18. Devil To The Metal
19. The Making Of The Video for "The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking"

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.

BBC's "Newsnight" program aired a professionally filmed clip of the classic LED ZEPPELIN track "Black Dog", recorded earlier tonight (December 10) during the band's reunion concert at London's O2 arena. Watch the footage below. Another BBC report, featuring more footage from the concert, can be viewed at this location.

The setlist:

01. Good Times, Bad Times
02. Ramble On
03. Black Dog
04. In My Time Of Dying
05. For Your Life
06. Trampled Under Foot
07. Nobody's Fault But Mine
08. No Quarter
09. Since I've Been Loving You
10. Dazed and Confused
11. Stairway To Heaven
12. The Song Remains the Same
13. Misty Mountain Hop
14. Kashmir

Encore:

15. Whole Lotta Love
16. Rock and Roll

he Associated Press reports that the death last month of Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for the 1980s heavy metal band QUIET RIOT, has been ruled an accidental cocaine overdose.

Clark County coroner spokeswoman Samantha Charles confirmed the cause Monday (December 10) after toxicology results were received.

Dubrow was found dead Nov. 25 at his Las Vegas home. He was 52.

QUIET RIOT was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of "Cum on Feel the Noize". The song, featuring Dubrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album "Metal Health" — which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

Regain Records has launched a special DISMEMBER MySpace page featuring a streaming version of the track "Europa Burns", taken from the Swedish death metal veterans' forthcoming eighth, self-titled album, due in Europe on February 18, 2008. The CD was recorded at B.A.S. studios with producer Nico Elgstrand (MURDER SQUAD, KRUX, MERCILESS, ENTOMBED). The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Death Conquers All
02. Europa Burns
03. Under A Bloodred Sky
04. The Hills Have Eyes
05. Legion
06. Tide Of Blood
07. Combat Fatigue
08. No Honor In Death
09. To End It All
10. Dark Depths
11. Black Sun

DISMEMBER will team up with HATESPHERE and FALL OF SERENITY for the "Europa Burns Tour 2008" beginning in early February.

Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST filmed their December 8, 2007 concert in Athens, Greece for an upcoming DVD.

According to Metalzone.gr, the group's setlist was as follows:

01. Intro
02. The Sign Of Prime Creation (Theogonia)
03. Keravnos Kivernitos (Theogonia)
04. Athanatoi Este (Sanctus Diavolos)
05. Enuma Elish (Theogonia)
06. King Of A Stellar War (Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers)
07. The Fifth Illusion (Non Serviam)
08. Archon (Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers)
09. The First Field Of The Battle (Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers)
10. Shadows Follow (Trirchy Of The Lost Lovers)
11. The Sign Of Evil Existence (Thy Mighty Contract)
12. Coronation Of The Serpent (Thy Mighty Contract)
13. The Old Coffin Spirit (Passage To Arcturo)
14. The Mystical Meeting (Apokathilosis EP)
15. Thou Art Blind (Khronos 666)
16. Morality Of A Dark Age (Non Serviam)
17. You My Cross (Sanctus Diavolos)
18. Saturn Unlock Avey's Son (Non Serviam)
19. Exiled Archangels (Thy Mighty Contract)
20. Sorrowfull Farewell (A Dead Poem)
21. Among Two Storms (A Dead Poem)
22. After Dark I Feel (Sleep Of The Angels)
23. In Domine Sathana (Genesis)
24. Nemecic (Theogonia)
25. Under The Name Of Legion (Genesis)
Encore:
26. Societas Satanas (THOU ART LORD cover)
27. Non Serviam (Non Serviam)

Swiss hard rockers SHAKRA have parted ways with bassist Oliver Linder due to "private reasons." According to the group, Oliver will stay in the band until his bandmates find a new bass player.

In a statement announcing his departure from the group, Oliver wrote: "We split on amicable terms. There were no musical or personal differences and I left the band because of private reasons only."

You can read Linder's entire statement at www.shakra.ch.

Bassists interested in applying for the vacant position in SHAKRA can contact the group at shakra@gmx.ch.

A live recording of the DEVILSIZE track "Explode" featuring the very John Bush-esque vocals of the rumored new ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson is available for streaming at this location (click on "Explode" in the audio player).

In addition to DEVILSIZE, Dan Nelson (photo) is a former member of the Lindenhurst, New York band ME, MY ENEMY. He is 31 years old.

In an October 2007 interview with MTV.com, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian said that he, drummer Charlie Benante and bassist Frank Bello have spent most of this year writing and fine-tuning a batch of new songs, which Ian said are along the lines of the band's critically acclaimed 2003 album, "We've Come for You All". "We know that we want to make a proper follow-up to 'We've Come for You All', which we all loved," he said. "But we want it to be even better: heavier, faster, hookier. As songwriters, you try to improve on your craft. And fortunately, we've got the time to make that happen. We have no deadline at all because we've got no label deal, so my attitude is, 'Let's make the most metal record we've ever made in our lives,' and I would have to say that's coming to fruition."

Scott Ian declined to comment on ANTHRAX's current singer situation when contacted by BLABBERMOUTH.NET this past Thursday (December 6).

Swedish metallers WOLF have issued the following update:

"We are now in writing mode for the next album. We've come up with some killer tunes that will sure carry the name WOLF with pride. It's too early to reveal any details but we're excited to have started writing and trying out stuff at rehearsals. We're aiming on a summer recording session and details will follow soon.

"We've been having a great 2007 with great tours and awesome festival gigs. We've met a lotta friends (fans) and made a lotta new ones that we hope to run into in the future."

WOLF recently announced the addition of bassist Anders "Tornado" Modd to the group's ranks.

CRYPTOPSY drummer Flo Mounier and guitarist Chris Donaldson have begun recording with indie rapper Roman for an upcoming album called "The Roman Empire". Musically it is said to be "a [mixture of] CRYPTOPSY, PRIMUS and PUBLIC ENEMY that deals with various topics such as paranoia, fear, the 911 truth movement, alien conspiracies, lust, death and the human ability to survive in these chaotic times that we live in delivered with a dark sense of humor through rap cadences and heavy vocals combined." The CD, which will also feature appearances by ILL BILL and CAGE KENNYLZ, "is like nothing you've ever heard before!" according to a press releases.

CRYPTOPSY recently announced the addition of singer Matt McGachy (3 MILE SCREAM) and keyboardist/samplist Maggie Durand (HOWLING SYN) to the group's ranks. The band will enter the studio mid-December to begin recording its sixth album for an early 2008 release.

According to Reuters, the SEX PISTOLS will follow up their recent brief reunion tour of Britain by returning to the road next summer, guitarist Steve Jones said on Wednesday.

Speaking on his Los Angeles radio show, Jones did not give any specifics, other than to say that the punk rock icons might play a charity show at London's Royal Albert Hall organized by THE WHO vocalist Roger Daltrey.

After a break of several years, the SEX PISTOLS last month played five shows at London's Brixton Academy, and an arena show each in Manchester and Glasgow. Jones said two of the London concerts were recorded by producer Chris Thomas and shot by documentary filmmaker Julien Temple for a DVD.

KING DIAMOND has received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the group's latest album, "Give me Your Soul… Please".

Commented the band's leader and namesake: "It's a great honor to be picked as a nominee; it's totally shocking and unexpected. We do feel as a band that this is the best album we have ever done. Hopefully there will be many more albums and tours to come. We feel that we have at least another good 10 years in us! This nomination is a testament to our legion of loyal fans and our thanks go out to them for the endless support and all of the kind words."

Metal Blade owner and CEO Brian Slagel commented: "All of us at Metal Blade Records are extremely honored to have two of our artists, AS I LAY DYING and KING DIAMOND, nominated for Grammy Awards. They both truly deserve this honor for the great artistry they have accomplished on these tremendous releases."

KING DIAMOND's latest album, "Give Me Your Soul ... Please" entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 28. The CD also landed at No. 58 on the Danish chart (the second highest new entry on the chart behind VELVET REVOLVER).

"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 174 on The Billboard 200 chart.

San Diego's AS I LAY DYING has received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for "Nothing Left", the first single from the band's newest release, "An Ocean Between Us".

"I thought someone was pulling my leg when I first heard that we're nominated for a Grammy this year," says vocalist Tim Lambesis. "I'm completely honored! Who would have thought you could play metal and still make your parents this proud? Now I'll have to go out and rent a tux to wear for the third time in my life. I knew I should have just bought one the first time…"

"Best Metal Performance" Grammy nominees:

AS I LAY DYING - "Nothing Left"
KING DIAMOND - "Never Ending Hill"
MACHINE HEAD - "Aesthetics Of Hate"
SHADOWS FALL - "Redemption"
SLAYER - "Final Six"

The 50th annual Grammy Awards will be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday, February 10, 2007.

PAIN mainman Peter Tägtgren (also of HYPOCRISY) has issued the following quick update:

"We had a looooong tour/party (October 11th-December 5th) and it's been a lot of fun (hick!). Met a lot of people, drank alot of drinks and we wanna thank you all for coming to the gigs. We were also one of the first non-Russian bands to do a real Russian tour, which was one of the highlights in my music career with PAIN. So much craziness in a positive way and I hope it wasn't the last time. Now it's time to write new songs... and get ready for the NIGHTWISH tour in February 2008. I'm sure it will be science-fiction. Thank you once again and see you soon."

Russia's Darkside e-zine has posted video footage of PAIN performing the song "Bitch" on November 24, 2007 at Club Shadow in Moscow. Watch the clip below.

PAIN's current touring lineup includes guitarist Marcus Jidell (ROYAL HUNT, HOUSE OF SHAKIRA).

A few days before the gig, PAIN's latest full-length album, "Psalms of Extinction", was issued in Russia by Mazzar/Mystic Empire Records. This version is said to be "the fullest and most interesting for collectors," as, apart from the original album's 12 tracks, it includes the Japanese bonus track "Behind the Wheel", as well as an exclusive song, "Here Comes the Hero".

IN FLAMES bassist Peter Iwers makes a guest appearance on two songs on "Psalms of Extinction". A video clip of PAIN performing the track "Zombie Slam" on the Swedish morning show "Nyhetsmorgon" on TV4 on April 17 has been posted online at this location.

Nebraska-based power metallers CELLADOR have posted a pre-production recording of a new song, entitled "Blind Faith", on their MySpace page.

CELLADOR's new album will tentatively be recorded early next year in Tampa, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (MORBID ANGEL, HATE ETERNAL). It will be mixed by Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER, BURY YOUR DEAD).

CELLADOR's debut CD, "Enter Deception", was released in June 2006 via Metal Blade.

Guitarist Lou St. Paul of the long-running Ohio metallers WINTERS BANE has released the following statement:

"There have been rumors of Tim 'Ripper' Owens (BEYOND FEAR, ICED EARTH, and ex-JUDAS PRIEST) singing on next WINTERS BANE album. I wanted to let everyone know exactly what's going on.

"Tim and I have been talking for some time, off and on, about recording a sequel to 'Heart of a Killer', our 1993 release. In the last month or so, Tim and I both agreed that if the right conditions were met, like the right label, contract, tour support and other details, we would put forth our best effort, making, of course, another 'Killer' album, and do a major tour. At this point Wendy Dio (Niji Management) is still accepting offers from labels and will continue to do so until the beginning of next year.

"We've had some ideas for the making the follow-up for some time. We have both been busy in other projects and until recently have been fortunate enough cross paths again. So keep your fingers crossed and you might have another WINTERS BANE/Ripper album in 2008."

German melodic hard rock masters JADED HEART have released the video for their song "Hero", taken from the group's latest CD, "Sinister Mind". Watch the clip below.

"Sinister Mind" was released on October 19 via Frontiers Records. According to a press release, "the sound on the album is definitely heavier and more in your face, still keeping intact the elements that has created the recognizable and well-known JADED HEART sound. Production was handled by some of the most [in-demand] guys in the German hard rock scene: Michael Voss (MAD MAX, VOICES OF ROCK), Chris Lausmann (ex-BONFIRE, VOICES OF ROCK) and Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69) and you can definitely hear a sound that has the 'million-dollar-bucks' trademark!"

AXEL RUDI PELL will release a new double DVD, "Live Over Europe" (cover artwork), on February 25, 2008 via SPV. The set will contain a full show recorded at this year's Rock Hard Festival in Germany plus a bonus DVD containing "bootleg" footage from the Wacken Open Air and Bang Your Head!!! festivals, among others.

According to a press release, the 75-minute Rock Hard Festival concert "presents the AXEL RUDI PELL band in a generous mood, performing haunting versions of their most important tracks, among them 'Strong As A Rock', 'Tear Down The Walls', 'Mystica', 'Rock The Nation' and 'Fool Fool'. The release will include an additional bonus DVD featuring select footage from the years 2004 to 2006 from Pell's private vaults, including the 2005 Wacken Open Air, the same year's Bang Your Head!!!, the 2004 Sweden Rock Festival and shows in the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, and his local club, the Zeche in Bochum."

With a total playing time of over three and a half hours, "Live Over Europe" is a comprehensive document highlighting the impressive live qualities of a band which has quite a few things up its sleeve for next year. Pell says: "There will be a new studio album in 2008, plus a number of festival shows, and a headliner tour in autumn."