W.A.S.P. has posted the following message on its official web site:

"Dear fans, please DO NOT bring any cameras into the shows this fall as it is strictly prohibited to take pictures or recordings of the performance of W.A.S.P.! Security personnel at every venue will confiscate any cameras (including digital cameras and mobile phones with ability to record) from you before entering the venues. Please respect this request and enjoy the evening with 'The Crimson Idol'.

"Inquiries have been made as to whether 'The Crimson Idol' will be performed only in select locations. 'The Crimson Idol' event will be performed every night in each of the cities in the tour schedule. After 'The Crimson Idol' has been performed, the band will take a ten minute intermission and return to perform all the great W.A.S.P. classic you know and love."

Upcoming W.A.S.P. shows:

Oct. 26 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Idrogios
Oct. 27 - Athens, Greece - Gargarin 205
Oct. 29 - Glasgow, Scotland - Garage
Oct. 30 - Liverpool, UK - Cavern Club
Oct. 31 - Dudley, UK - JB's
Nov. 01 - Manchester, UK - Academy
Nov. 02 - London, UK - Astoria
Nov. 03 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
Nov. 04 - Leeds, UK - Rio's
Nov. 05 - Newcastle, UK - Academy
Nov. 09 - Trondheim, Norway - Samfundet
Nov. 10 - Jevnaker, Norway - Venue TBA
Nov. 11 - Bergen, Norway - USF
Nov. 13 - Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller
Nov. 14 - Stavanger, Norway - Folken
Nov. 16 - Ostersund, Sweden - Eventhuset
Nov. 17 - Karlstadt, Sweden - Nöjesfabriken
Nov. 18 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Trädgarn
Nov. 24 - Riga, Latvia - Sapnu Fabrika
Nov. 25 - Tallin, Estonia - Rock Café
Nov. 30 - Chemnitz, Germany - Hellraiser E.V.
Dec. 01 - Zlin, Czech Rep. - Hala Novesta
Dec. 02 - Budapest, Hungary - Wigwam
Dec. 05 - Santiago, Spain - Capitol
Dec. 06 - Bergara, Spain - Sala Jam
Dec. 07 - Madrid, Spain - La Riviera
Dec. 08 - Murcia, Spain - Sala Gamma
Dec. 09 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2
Dec. 12 - Treviso, Italy - New Age
Dec. 13 - Milan, Italy - Rainbow
Dec. 14 - Charleroi, Belgium - Le Coliseum
Dec. 15 - Düsseldorf, Germany - Philipshalle
Dec. 16 - Augsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
Dec. 17 - Trier, Germany - Europahalle
Dec. 18 - Berlin, Germany – [to be announced]
Dec. 19 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
Dec. 20 - Bremen, Germany - Aladin
Dec. 21 - Speyer, Germany - Halle 101
Dec. 22 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7

The Pulse of Radio reports: Late NIRVANA frontman and founder Kurt Cobain will be the subject of a new film from Universal Pictures, according to Variety. The yet-to-be-titled film will reportedly be based on the book "Heavier Than Heaven", a biography of Cobain written by Charles Cross. Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, and her attorney, Howard Weitzman, are listed as executive producers on the film, which has led to online speculation that Love will influence the way Cobain's story is told.

Casting and a starting date for production have yet to be announced.

Cross had access to Cobain's unpublished diaries and talked with family and friends for his book.

A film called "Kurt Cobain: About A Son", in which images of the places where the singer and guitarist lived are set to actual recordings of his voice, is currently playing in limited release.

Cobain shot himself to death in April of 1994.

A trip towards knowledge, the discovery of reality as an illusion, the classical world meeting rock, a symphonic orchestra and a progressive band for a new, exciting rock opera with major international guests.


New rock opera with a progressive origin. The encounter of different worlds and atmospheres fascinated Giancarlo Trotta and Luca Contegiacomo (the former a classical musician, a prog musician the latter), both from Battipaglia (Salerno); thus the idea of a rock opera was born, something that allowed the coexistence of a 100 elements symphonic orchestra and a rock band, lyrical and pop vocals, classic arias and rock rhythms.


“Heroes Temporis” is a complex opera, focused on the knowledge and purification travel of the main character, who will find out that reality is illusion. The duo is supported by great international professionals such as John Macaluso and Randy Coven, by the young Italian guitar-hero Marco Sfogli, by tenor Francesco Napoletano and by the renowned Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra directed by Giacomo Simonelli.


The result? Lyrics in Italian and Latin but with an international depth, a cultured approach and a scratching sound, great melodies and rock dynamics for an opera that will be talked about.

Band:


Francesco Napoletano : vocals (tenor - Fondazione Arena di Verona).
Ivana Giugliano: vocals (Giovanni Mauriello & NCCP).
Giancarlo Trotta and Luca Contegiacomo: piano, keyboards, moog, fx, programming.
Marco Sfogli (James La Brie, John Macaluso, NCCP): guitars.
Randy Coven (Steve Vai, Mountain, ARK, C.P.R., Yngwie Malmsteen): bass.
John Macaluso (Yngwie Malmsteen, Vitalij Kuprij, Alex Masi, ARK, George Lynch):drums.
Roberto D’Aquino (Edoardo Bennato, Gigi D’Alessio): bass, Stick.
Simone Gianlorenzi : acouostic guitar in “Sai cos’è”
Matteo Salsano: narrator.
Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra Sif. 309 directed by M. Giacomo Simonelli.
Composition of the literary part: Prof. Pietro Ruggiero.





Notes about “Heroes Temporis”:
· Rock band with orchestra and choir (100 members)
· Orchestra directed by M. Giacomo Simonelli
· Concept, arrangements and production: Giancarlo Trotta and Luca Contegiacomo
· Internationally renowned guest musicians (John Macaluso, Randy Coven, Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra Sif. 309)
· Tenors and pop vocals (Francesco Napoletano e Ivana Giugliano)
· Young Italian talents (Marco Sfogli, Roberto D’Aquino)
· Choirs in the Latin language
· Narrator: Matteo Salsano (director, actor - compagnia Luca De Filippo)
· Recording Studios: Studio Splash (Napoli), Bulgarian National Radio (Sofia – Bulgaria)
· Mixing studios: Mulino Recording (Acquapendente – VT)
· Mastering: Nautilus (Milano)
· Sound engineers: Marco Streccioni, Vladislav Boyagjiev e Francesco Luzzi
· Mastering engineer: Antonio Baglio
· Concept about dream travel, knowledge and purification
· Lyrics edited by Prof. Pietro Ruggiero (teacher, graduated in Ancient and Modern
Literatures)
· Suggested to whoever likes Dream Theater, PFM, Pink Floyd, Symphony X, Savatage, New Trolls, Nightwish
· From the 24th of April, available for paid download on all the international portals (iTunes, eMusic, MSN, Digital Tunes, Japan Listen etc.)

Official websites & stores :
www.magnianimiviri.com
www.mavsite.com
www.mavband.net
www.heroestemporis.com


MAV on My Space :
www.myspace.com/mavsite

Italy's DOPE STARS INC. has issued the following update:

"We are sorry to announce that Alex Vega [guitar] decided to leave DOPE STARS INC. for personal reasons. We send all our best wishes for his future.

"The new lineup that will be working on the next third album will be announced soon. However, we want to assure everyone the upcoming tour and all our next shows are confirmed. We are ready to rock as always and Victor [Love] will be performing live vocals and guitars back again."

DOPE STARS INC.'s latest album, "Gigahearts", was released in November 2006. The CD was produced by Victor Love and includes "11 tracks to kick your ass very bad but also to satisfy your desire of melodies and electronic exploration," according to a posting on the group's web site.

Swedish gothic doom metal band DRACONIAN has completed work on its fourth album, tentatively due in January 2008 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded at Fascination Street Studio (KATATONIA, OPETH) in Örebro, Sweden with producer Jens Bogren and features "raw doom elements combined with the soft vocals of female vocalist Lisa (Johansson) and the ethereal melody lines well-known to fans of the band," according to a press release. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include 'Seasons Apart', 'The Failure Epiphany' and 'Morphine Cloud'."

DRACONIAN released its special "bonus" album, titled "The Burning Halo", in September 2006 through Napalm Records (October in the U.S.). The CD features three new songs, new versions of several demo songs and three covers.

AYREON, the brainchild of Dutch guitarist/composer Arjen Lucassen, has revealed the identities of the three guitarists who play solos on the group's new album: Lori Linstruth, Arjen Lucassen himself, and Michael Romeo (SYMPHONY X).

AYREON, has set "01011001" as the title of its new CD, tentatively due in January 2008. More information, including soundclips, is available at this location.

"01011001" will feature guest appearances by Daniel Gildenlöw (PAIN OF SALVATION), Hansi Kürsch (BLIND GUARDIAN), Steve Lee (GOTTHARD), Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Anneke van Giersbergen (THE GATHERING), Jonas P. Renske (KATATONIA), Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Ty Tabor (KING'S X), Magali Luyten (VIRUS IV), Simone Simons (EPICA), Liselotte Hegt (DIAL), Phideaux Xavier, Floor Jansen (AFTER FOREVER), Wudstik (a Dutch hip hop and soul artist), and Marjan Welman of the Dutch band ELISTER.

AYREON's last CD, "Ayreon: The Human Equation", was released in 2004. It contained guest appearances by a number of acclaimed vocalists, including James LaBrie (DREAM THEATER), Mike Baker (SHADOW GALLERY), Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH), Eric Clayton (SAVIOUR MACHINE), Devon Graves (DEADSOUL TRIBE, ex-PSYCHOTIC WALTZ) and Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD).

Pacific Northwest band AGALLOCH will finally release "The White EP" through Vendlus Records in early 2008. It is the follow-up to 2004's "The Grey EP" and completes a dichotomy of releases for the label. "The White EP" contains seven dark folk and ambient works written and recorded over the past three years.

"The White EP" track listing:

01. The Isle Of Summer
02. Birch Black
03. Hollow Stone
04. Pantheist
05. Birch White
06. Sowilo Rune
07. Summerisle Reprise

In other news, AGALLOCH has two European gigs confirmed for next year. The ban says, "We will be playing the fifth edition of the annual Ragnarök Festival in Germany alongside NEGURA BUNGET, SKYFORGER, MENHIR, HAGGARD, SEAR BLISS, UNLEASHED, and several others. This will be followed by a headlining gig in Belgium with MOURNING BELOVETH (UK) and IN AGE AND SADNESS (Holland). Of course, a couple gigs in our native Pacific Northwest will be played before we head off to Europe. More info regarding that will be forthcoming."

Also on the AGALLOCH front, the band parted ways with drummer Chris Greene and has replaced him with Aesop from LUDICRA.

AGALLOCH released its critically acclaimed album, "Ashes Against the Grain" in August 2007 via The End Records.

According to the Daily Star, James Bond producers have tapped HIM frontman Ville Valo to record the theme for 2008's "Casino Royale" follow-up flick.

Ville, 30, was approached by the Bond team at the BMI Awards dinner at London’s Dorchester Hotel, where he scooped a gong for his hit "Wings of a Butterfly".

A Daily Star source stated: "[Longtime 007 soundtrack writers David Arnold, 45, and Don Black, 69] were in deep conversation with Ville on the night.

"They love the song that won him an award. They think he has just the right ear to write a classic Bond hit with them." After their discussion, Ville even pulled a few suave 007 poses at his dinner table, aiming an imaginary finger gun at pals.

Former AUDIOSLAVE/SOUNDGARDEN frontman Chris Cornell was the first man since Paul McCartney to sing a James Bond theme song when he recorded his throaty, epic ode to 007, "You Know My Name", for Daniel Craig's debut turn as Bond in "Casino Royale".

"They wanted a voice that fit well with his persona," Cornell said last year. "They were looking for a singer who was unapologetically male, someone with introspection in his voice but not afraid to be masculine."

Cornell cited two of his predecessors as inspirations: McCartney, who wrote and performed the theme to "Live and Let Die" (1973), and Tom Jones, who sang the theme to "Thunderball" (1965).

"I decided that I was going to sing it like Tom Jones, in that crooning style. I wanted people to hear my voice," Cornell said. "And 'Live and Let Die' is a fantastic song. Paul McCartney wouldn't have written it if not for that movie. I [also] wanted to write a song in its own universe. I knew I'd never have it again — a big orchestra — so I wanted to have fun with it."

Foued Moukid has stepped down from his drums wielding duties after three years in THE OLD DEAD TREE. Foued has decided to devote himself to his other band ARKAN in "full-time" mode, and also to other personal projects.

"We had been working in this band together for almost three years and we shared some unforgettable experiences together all over Europe," the band said in a statement. "We will obviously remain friends and this 'breakup' has been on very good terms from both sides. We would like to thank our friend and wish him the best of luck with his future ventures!"

Please note that all previously announced gigs — except Portugal — will go ahead as scheduled. A session drummer will replace Foued until his successor has been found.

Due to Foued Moukid's decision to leave the band, THE OLD DEAD TREE is now looking for a new drummer. If you are interested, please write to info@theolddeadtree.com with details about yourself, like your musical influences, bands you are/were involved in, live and studio experiences, etc, and of course the reason why you would like to join the band.

All information about the auditions will be given in due time once THE OLD DEAD TREE has received your e-mail and details.

A four-minute European tour report from Nick Holmes and Greg MacIntosh of the UK-based doom/gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST can be here.

PARADISE LOST recently released the video for the song "Praise Lamented Shade", taken from the band's latest CD, "In Requiem", which was issued via Century Media Records in May 2007. The clip was filmed during PARADISE LOST's April 2007 show at Koko in London (a concert which was filmed for an upcoming DVD) and was directed by Dash Productions (who worked with people such as STEVEN SEAGAL, GARY NUMAN, LEVEL 42, PAUL RODGERS, RICK ASTLEY, HEAVEN 17, THE DAMNED, MARC ALMOND, DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS and many more).

"In Requiem" is finally available on vinyl again. As the limited 4 x 7" box (2,000 copies) was sold out in the first week of release, Century Media Records and PARADISE LOST have decided to release the album as a vinyl LP, too. It contains the regular album tracks and comes in heavy cardboard gatefold cover, including a newly designed poster.

UK melodic power metallers POWER QUEST have inked a deal with Napalm Records. The band will enter Remaster Studio in Vicenza, Italy on October 25 to begin recording its fourth album, tentatively titled "Master of Illusion", for a spring 2008 release. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Hearts and Voices", "The Vigil", "The Right Place and the Wrong Time", "Count My Sins" and "The Tragedy Suite".

POWER QUEST recently had their first two albums re-released as double-disc sets with bonus DVD material. The band's debut, "Wings of Forever", was released in 2002 and features "Far Away", a real favorite download track among the fans. For the first time ever the album includes two of the group's original demo tracks — never before released, making this reissue a real collector's item. "NeverWorld" hit the streets in 2003 in Japan and 2004 in Europe. The catchy title track is the storming encore of most live appearances whilst the DVD gives you a chance to catch POWER QUEST at one of their earliest live appearances in 2004. These twin re-releases have been repackaged with extended sleeve notes and new artwork. They are available through Majestic Rock and their European distribution channels or the POWER QUEST online store.

Norwegian symphonic metal band TRISTANIA has announced the addition of Italian singer Mariangela "Mary' Demurtas to the group's ranks.

Commented TRISTANIA in a statement: "[Demurtas possesses] a voice and talent that will not only complement the bands music, but give it an entirely new dimension. She is sure to usher in a new age of TRISTANIA.

"Mariangela Demurtas, aged 25, from the island of Sardinia, Italy, is the singer TRISTANIA was looking, but did not dare hope, for.

"The band was focusing on voice and talent when they went out looking for a new singer half a year ago. After a thorough search and many audtions, little did they know they would get all that, and more, in the form of Mary.

"She's all about music — and metal to the bone. She has performed with several Italian bands, before finally joining up with TRISTANIA. She lists her musical influences to include Janis Joplin, Diamanda Galas, Lisa DalBello, Lauryn Hill, Skin, Chris Cornell and Jeff Buckley.

"An educated linguist, she has already moved to Norway and settled in TRISTANIA 's home town of Stavanger. Although this is not her first time living abroad (she studied for a year in the Dominican Republic at the age of 16), it's living proof of the dedication she brings to TRISTANIA.

"Mary brings a whole new dimension to the old as well as the new TRISTANIA material. She is also a creative force, and the band will certainly find itself with yet another bright head when they work on new material.

"She brings temperament and aggressiveness to the stage, sure to complement Østen nicely. She has experience from the theatre, in addition to having been in sports since she was but a child, both aspects which will surely add character to her stage persona.

"Mary has arrived — and she cannot wait to meet the fans on tour."

Watch Mariangela "Mary' Demurtas video presentation here

Vocalist Jarno "Jape" Perätalo of the Finnish gothic metal band TO/DIE/FOR has issued the following update:

"Today we will travel to Russia (Moscow) by train. We are on same train with CHARON so... It's gonna be blast and we do not know are we still alive after that trip.

"Anyway, this is our last confirmed show and we really do not know what will happen for us then. We still do not have a new label, we haven't recorded new demos yet etc. So our future is wide open... maybe we will release sixth album someday, maybe we don't. Who knows?

"Now there is gonna be other projects going on... Joonas [guitarist Joonas "Jope" Koto] is recording next MALPRACTICE album and there will be other 'side-projects' coming too... If we will get a new label which would be ready to do real work for us then we will continue. Otherwise we do NOT. So let's put our future this way: anything can happen."

Guitarist Brandon Patton of the California-based, female-fronted progressive metallers ECHOES OF ETERNITY has issued the following update:

"We are using the time before the next tour [with TRAIL OF TEARS and CELLADOR, among others] to write our next album. So far we have a ton of ideas. It's going to be a darker, heavier and more beautiful album that we know you will love."

ECHOES OF ETERNITY's North American tour with TRAIL OF TEARS, CELLADOR and UNEXPECT will kick off on January 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

THERION mainman Christofer Johnsson has vowed to carry on with the group's North American tour even if vocalist singer Snowy Shaw (who shares the vocal duties with Thomas Vikström and two female singers) is forced to sit out a few dates due to his passport being stolen in San Francisco.

In a statement sent to BLABBERMOUTH.NET earlier today, Johnsson said, "Just want to correct was was just posted by Snowy. There is no risk at all that we will be canceling shows. He may lose a few shows, but we will carry on those without him with Thomas doing his vocal parts. Promoters and fans that travel far can be sure the shows will take place and the only reliable source for possible cancellations of shows is the official THERION web page."


THERION singer Snowy Shaw — who shares the vocal duties with Thomas Vikström (CANDLEMASS) and two female singers — has sent the following statement :

"As soon as THERION left the South American leg of the world tour and arrived at the hotel in the ghetto-like area Tenderloin, San Francisco, we all went to Taco Bell at the corner of the block where, after a big fat meal, I was stupid enough to forget my shoulder bag. In my bag was my passport including Japan visa, U.S. visa etc., 800 euros, Mac laptop, cell phone, iPod and in-ear monitor system besides all other stuff. I returned to the resturant 10-15 minutes later, but the staff hadn't seen anything. I talked to the big black security guy by the door who told me he saw two ugly mutherfuckers take off on a bicycle right after our posse left, and suggested I go down the street looking for them. which I did and discovered two guys in the dark by a garbage bin going over my bag… Seconds later, I ended up fighting the guys and while I wrestled one of them the other took off with my stuff. I then made a police report with minimal chances of recovering my belongings, and this of course caused a fucking disaster since I had my Japanese visa and U.S. visa in my passport. Now the whole remaining part of the tour is in jeopardy.

"The Swedish embassy/consulate in San Francisco has been more than helpful and got me a new temporary passport and hours before we left I managed to get a working visa for Japan.

"Last night we arrived in Tokyo to do Loudpark festival together with MARILYN MANSON, HEAVEN AND HELL, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD among many others. While the rest of THERION return to USA on Sunday, I have to remain in Tokyo and try to get a new U.S. working visa in order to continue the rest of the tour. If not, I have to buy a one-way ticket home to Sweden and THERION will probably have to cancel the remaining shows."


THERION's video for the song "Son of the Staves of Time" has been released and can be viewed below. The track comes off the Swedish band's latest studio album, the dual-disc "Gothic Kaballah", which was released in North America on February 6 via Nuclear Blast Records.

THERION and THE VISION BLEAK will team up for a European tour in December.

THERION earlier in the year announced the departure of vocalist Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE), which took effect prior to the band's appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival in early August. His replacement in the group is Thomas Vikström, who is best known to metal fans as the voice behind CANDLEMASS' "Chapter VI" album (1992).

Austria's HOLLENTHON, which features in its ranks PUNGENT STENCH guitarist/vocalist Martin Schirenc, is recording new tracks at Schirenc's studio for a brnad new full-length release, to be made available in March/April via Napalm Records. According to the label, "the new material is much heavier, but on the other hand, also contains bombastic orchestral and ethnic elements for which HOLLENTHON is known. A cover version of THE TEA PARTY and artwork by Ralph Manfreda (BELPHEGOR) complete this exciting and long-overdue package."

HOLLENTHON's last album, "With Vilest of Worms to Dwell", came out in 2001 via Napalm.

Night of the Vinyl Dead Records has announced its 20th vinyl release: THERION's "Lemuria - Sirius B".

The two splatter vinyls come in a deluxe triple gatefold cover with double booklet.

This double album (released on CD through Nuclear Blast Records, in 2004) is a limited edition of 500 hand-numbered copies only.

The track listing is as follows:

"Sirius B" (yellow splatter vinyl):

Side A:

01. The Blood of Kingu
02. Son of the Sun
03. The Khlysti Evangelist
04. Dark Venus Persephone
05. Kali Yuga, Part 1
06. Kali Yuga, Part 2

Side B:

01. The Wondrous World of Punt
02. Melek Taus
03. Call of Dagon
04. Sirius B
05. Voyage of Gurdjieff (The Fourth Way)

"Lemuria" (blue splatter vinyl):

Side A:

01. Typhon
02. Uthark Runa
03. Three Ships of Berik Part 1: Calling to Arms and Fighting the Battle
04. Three Ships of Berik Part 2: Victory!
05. Lemuria

Side B:

01. Quetzalcoatl
02. The Dreams of Swedenborg
03. An Arrow From the Sun
04. Abraxas
05. Feuer Overtüre / Prometheus Entfesselt

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metal band WITHIN TEMPTATION has released the video for its latest single, "All I Need". Watch it below.

The "All I Need" singe (cover artwork) will be released in Europe on November 5. The track listing for the different formats is as follows:

Five-track digipack:

01. All I Need (single version)
02. All I Need (album version)
03. The Last Time (demo version) (new song)
04. Frozen (demo version)
05. Our Solemn Hour (demo version)

Two-track single:

01. All I Need (single version)
02. All I Need (album version)

WITHIN TEMPTATION will be joined by the Dutch Metropole Orchestra for a special concert at the Ahoy Stadium in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on February 7, 2008.

British drummer Nick Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR) has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding his departure from the veteran San Francisco Bay Area metal band TESTAMENT:

"As you all know after yesterday's post here on Blabbermouth.net, I am with great disappointment and deep-filled sadness no longer involved in the making of the much-anticipated, eagerly awaited new TESTAMENT album, to be released on Nuclear Blast Records in the spring of 2008.

"Let me fill everyone in on my situation surrounding this and quash any rumours/speculations before the fork-tongued, venomous Blabber gossip-mongers start talking their usual shit.

"In July of this year, after returning back to the U.S. from a very enjoyable and successful appearance at Waldrock open-air [festival] (Burgum, Holland) I was refused entry into the United States (in Minneapolis en route to San Francisco) due to not having the appropriate visa required by an international artist/entertainer like myself which enables me to enter the country and do my thing, which, of course, in this case was to make music and perform on American soil.

"So that was pretty much why I was unfortunately not on the East Coast shows (Sounds Of The Underground, etc.) in late July and Paul Bostaph [ex-SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN, SYSTEMATIC] stepped in.

"Due to the expense and processing/turn-around time required for such a visa under these circumstances, it is with regret simply impossible for me to be where I need to be right now (in California) with the TESTAMENT guys putting the finishing touches to the album/songs/drums and preparing to record. So it makes perfect sense all round to utilize the incredible services of drumming powerhouse Paul Bostaph who is already in the Bay Area, done time with TESTAMENT and is a longtime friend of the band.

"Paul is a phenomenal drummer and will absolutely deliver the goods ten-fold when it comes to the new record. He's also a good friend too and I wish him nothing but the best.

"YOU RULE, BRO!!!! Can't wait for the FORBIDDEN reunion too — I am SO there....

"On a closing note i would like to sincerely thank from the bottom my heart Chuck [Billy], Eric [Peterson], Alex [Skolnick], Greg [Christian] and all of the TESTA-crew for such a fantastic, fun-filled, very memorable time spent on the road and in the studio. It was truly an honor and a pleasure to share a stage with you guys and travel the four corners of the world (Australia, Brazil, China, Korea, U.S., Europe, etc) as your drummer and fellow comrade.

"I can honestly say to the Blabber readers out there that the new album is simply gonna kick major-league ass and will show all these wanna-be pretenders to the throne TESTAMENT IS THE REAL DEAL!!!!"

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.

TESTAMENT's current lineup is rounded out by Chuck Billy on vocals, Alex Skolnick on lead guitar, Eric Peterson on rhythm guitar and Greg Christian on bass.

Swedish thrashers DARKANE have announced the addition of Jens Broman (CONSTRUCDEAD, THE DEFACED) as the group's new leada vocalist.

According to DARKANE guitarist Christopher Malmström, Jens — who will also continue to sing in CONSTRUCDEAD and THE DEFACED – "grew up in Glumslöv, south of Helsingborg (a good friend of Björn Strid from SOILWORK), but now lives in Stockholm. His live debut with us will take place in three weeks at the ProgPower Scandinavia festival in Copenhagen, Denmark on November 10.

"We've been rehearsing hard lately and are very excited to work together with Jens. He has a huge vocal diversity and we are pretty sure that DARKANE fans won't be disappointed.

"We had our interests set on Jens at a very early stage and would like to thank all the people who showed their interest in joining DARKANE as our vocalist. We wish you all the success in the future, and we’d also like to congratulate Peter [Wildoer, drummer] and [his longtime girlfriend] Erika for getting engaged a few weeks back."

DARKANE drummer Peter Wildoer revealed last month that the band would start recording its fifth record this winter. "We have about nine songs ready," he said. "We were hoping to enter the studio earlier but in typical DARKANE bad luck, our studio got flooded and badly damaged. So now we're looking for a new location for the studio and as soon as we find that we need to rebuild the studio which takes a lot of time. Hopefully we will start recording around Christmas (fingers crossed)."

Check out a new band photo at this location

Video footage of former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach performing ONYX's "Slam" on the eighth and final episode of MTV's new weekly competition show "Celebrity Rap Superstar" is available for viewing at www.mtv.com.

Sebastian Bach was eliminated from winning the "Celebrity Rap Superstar" competition on the show's seventh episode, which aired last week.

"Celebrity Rap Superstar" kicked off on August 30. Bach was one of eight celebrity contestants culled from the worlds of music, film, TV and sports who were paired with their own rap mega-star mentor — Sebastian's was Kurupt from THE DOG POUND — who shared their respective knowledge and skills to prepare the contestants with the technique they needed to be a master rapper. With help from his personal tutor, Bach performed covers of some of the biggest rap songs of all time, created original raps and was tested in freestyle rap competitions, all in front of a live audience.

In other news, Sebastian will get the cover of his new CD, "Angel Down", tattooed on his arm by tattoo artist extraordinaire Kat Von D on the October 23 episode of "LA Ink".

Metal Blade Records has launched a special PRIMORDIAL MySpace page featuring streaming versions of two tracks — "Empire Falls" and "Heathen Tribes" — from the Irish dark metal masters' sixth album, "To The Nameless Dead", which will be released in Europe on November 19.

According to a press release, the group's second CD for Metal Blade "is a timeless statement and an ode to their forefathers which lives and breathes the ancient spirit mixed with anger, pain and despair. . . 'To The Nameless Dead' is defiantly at odds with a modern metal scene that often seems to place banality, mediocrity and safety above passion, honesty and truth."

Harsher and faster than its predecessor, "To The Nameless Dead" wasn't recorded digitally — just analog to keep the sound old school and powerful.

The album will be available as a limited first edition in a digibook (cover artwork), featuring another design, 40 pages and a bonus DVD of PRIMORDIAL's performance at the Rock Hard Festival.

"To The Nameless Dead" (jewelcase cover artwork) track listing:

01. Empire Falls
02. Gallows Hymn
03. As Rome Burns
04. Failures Burden
05. Heathen Tribes
06. The Rising Tide
07. Traitors Gate
08. No Nation On This Earth

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

Commented Johannes Axeman Losbäck: "Anders was the first and only choice for WOLF, since he's such a professional and talented bassplayer, and we're happy that he wanted to be a part of the metal madness that is WOLF."

WOLF was recently forced to cancel its appearance at the UK's Hard Rock Hell festival due to "reasons beyond our control." The band added, "We really tried to get everything to work but it just didn't go our way. We hope we can return to the UK soon and give our best show yet and make some new friends as well as thrashing with the ones we know."

WOLF has just released its latest album, "The Black Flame", on vinyl. According to the band, the 12" vinyl is limited to 500 copies and is exclusively signed on a poster.

MACBETH's video for the song "Without You" can be viewed below. The clip was filmed in Italy with director Mirco Andreis.

"Without You" comes off the Italian band's new album, "Superangelic Hate Bringers" (cover arrtwork), due on November 16 via Dragonheart Records. The CD was recorded in two different studios, including a private studio in Reykjavik, Iceland and New Sin studios in Italy, where the band also mixed and mastered the album.

According to a press release, "Superangelic Hate Bringers" is "the brilliant new and ambitious album by MACBETH that features ten pieces which go well beyond the confines of pure gothic metal." The album's first single, "Without You", and "To My Falling Star" are said to "offer a new interpretation of gothic metal" while tracks like "Watch Us Die" and "H.A.T.E." are "evidence of how much more aggressive the new sound is." The digipack version of "Superangelic Hate Bringers" will also include the "Without You" video.

"Superangelic Hate Bringers" track listing:

01. Don't Pretend
02. To My Falling Star
03. Without You
04. Watch Us Die
05. Don't Include Me In Your Dreams
06. Veils
07. H.A.T.E.
08. Grey Skies
09. Break the Circle
10. (The World) In My Mind
11. Without You (video) (extended version)

Long-running Florida-based death metallers OBITUARY have tapped comic book stalwart and director Hart D. Fisher to helm the group's new video for the song "Evil Ways". "We're shooting in Florida, and I'm going to take this far further than just a bunch of assholes on stage playing their guitars," says Fisher. "They want to go dark, go mean, and take this all to the horror movie level. There's going to be cameos from a ton of death metal guys also."

SAXON's video for the song "I've Got To Rock (To Stay Alive)", featuring guest appearances by Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD), Angry Anderson (ROSE TATTOO) and Andi Deris (HELLOWEEN) can be viewed at this location (Real Media). The clip is featured on the British heavy metal veterans' upcoming double DVD, "To Hell And Back Again", due on November 19 (Germany: November 16; U.S.: November 20) via SPV. "To Hell And Back Again" comes in a top-quality digipak featuring over five hours of playing time and is a perfect example of an excellent price/performance ratio. The double DVD will be released in a 16:9 image format and 2.0 Dolby Digital & 5.1 Audio sound formats.