Inspired by the success of the platinum-certified, best-selling "Monster Ballads" collections and last year's surprise Christmas hit, TWISTED SISTER's "A Twisted Christmas", Razor & Tie Entertainment is proud to announce a must-have for any rock and roll fan — "Monster Ballads Xmas". Featuring such hair metal icons as WINGER, QUEENSRŸCHE, DOKKEN, TWISTED SISTER and many more, the album contains rockin' versions of Christmas favorites – both old and new. New recordings by SKID ROW, WINGER, NELSON, QUEENSRŸCHE and members of CINDERELLA and WARRANT are available for the first time ever on this super-charged Christmas collection.

"Monster Ballads Xmas" is co-executive produced by TWISTED SISTER guitarist Jay Jay French, a man who knows a thing or two about metal. French commented, "'80s bands are more popular than ever. The 'Monster Ballads Xmas' CD will bring the party vibe into the holiday season with enough hairspray to further enlarge the hole in the ozone layer above the North Pole." "Monster Ballads Xmas" is available in stores beginning September 11.

"Monster Ballads Xmas" (this location) track listing:

01. "Jingle Bells" - SKID ROW
02. "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" - WINGER
03. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - Jani Lane of WARRANT
04. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" - TWISTED SISTER with Lita Ford
05. "White Christmas" - QUEENSRŸCHE
06. "Run Rudolph Run" - L.A. GUNS
07. "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" - FIREHOUSE
08. "Naughty Naughty Christmas" - DANGER DANGER
09. "Blue Christmas" - Tom Keifer of CINDERELLA
10. "Jingle Bell Rock" - NELSON
11. "Silent Night" - FASTER PUSSYCAT
12. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - DOKKEN
13. "Happy Holiday" - ENUFF Z'NUFF
14. "Winter Wonderland" - STRYPER
15. "Christmas Love" - BILLY IDOL

Anticipation continues to build for the August 28 release date of "Xecutioner's Return", the new album from death metal legends OBITUARY. The limited box version of the record has already sold out its worldwide pressing of 10,000 units with pre-orders for the album continuing to come in daily. Britain's Kerrang! magazine recently said "Xecutioner's Return" finds "form not witnessed since the early '90s... the distorted sludge and swampy groove that made OBITUARY one of the most distinctive of death metal's first wave are well and intact." Gracing the cover of Metal Maniacs' October issue (hitting newstands tomorrow August 21), the band have been overwhelmed by media accollades and international support.

"Evil Ways", the lead single from the album is currently available as an advance single exclusively from iTunes. Sirius Satellite Radio has been spinning the track as a companion promotion for the single's availability. iTunes subscribers can purchase the track by visiting the official iTunes store.

Liechtenstein-based romantic gothic metal band WELTENBRAND will utilize no less than three singers on its next album, which is tentatively due in early 2008 via Napalm Records. "Manjy 'Tyrae' Gückel will form a vocal trio with Dina Falk and Ritchie Wenawasser," according to a Napalm update. "The band is working on new material, which will be heavier than that heard on 'The End of The Wizard' [2006], but continue to omit the use of electric guitars. A string ensemble and a few experimental arrangements will add to the unique sound. The lyrical subject matter will find its inspiration in both Glarner's 'Book of Sagas' and the last European witch burnings that took place in the band's hometown."

WELTENBRAND released its fifth album, "The End of the Wizard", in August 2006 via Napalm. The CD was issued as both a regular jewel case and a limited-edition digipack, including two bonus tracks.

Belgian death metallers PREJUDICE recently returned to Excess studio in Rotterdam, Holland to resume recording their fourth full-length effort, due later in the year via Greece's Sleaszy Rider Records. "The album recordings are finished and everything turned out just great! Just the mastering has to be done," the band writes on its web site.

The new CD will be entitled "Megalomanic Infest" and will contain the following 11 songs (in no particular order):

01. Improved Chaos
02. Exanimate
03. Compulsive Leech
04. Beneath The Flesh
05. Lack Of Comprehension
06. Stigmatized – Impassive
07. Terminal
08. Profane
09. Darkened
10. Prejudice
11. Die!

Artwork and layout will be handled by Pär Olofsson.

PREJUDICE's re-releases of its previous albums (1996's "Broken Promises" [featuring the band's demo as bonus], 2001's "Reality" [which was remixed] and 2003's "Dominion of Chaos" [re-mastered]) through Sleaszy Rider Records have been delayed until later in the year.

FOZZY, the band featuring vocalist Chris Jericho (of WWE wrestling fame) and members of STUCK MOJO, has released a collection of never-before-heard demos, early mixes and instrumental versions taken from guitarist Rich "The Duke" Ward's personal library. The track listing is as follows:

01. To Kill A Stranger (Instrumental)
02. Happenstance (Instrumental)
03. With The Fire (Instrumental)
04. Crucify Yourself (Instrumental)
05. It's A Lie (Instrumental)
06. Lazarus (Instrumental)
07. All That Remains (Rough mix featuring Rich Ward's guide vocals)
08. Enemy (Rough mix featuring Rich Ward's guide vocals)
09. End of Days (Instrumental)
10. Feel the Burn (Instrumental)
11. Metal Gods (Rough mix featuring Rich Ward's guide vocals)
12. Metal Gods (Instrumental)
13. Don't You Wish You Were Me (Rich Ward's original writing demo)

German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell has posted the third MP3 snippet from his upcoming "Diamonds Unlocked" covers album.

Commented Axel: "'Love Gun' is one of my favorite KISS tracks and I was wondering why they didn't include it on their unplugged album a few years ago. It's an excellent hard rock track but is also working as a ballad. We played that ballad version live since a few years now and therefore it was very easy to choose that track for the cover album too. It wasn't very easy to get the permission from the original American publishing company and Paul Stanley to re-arrange that song as a ballad, but after a few weeks we finally got the OK,' after they had heard our version. So I guess they must like it!"

Download the "Love Gun" one-minute sample at this location

The cover artwork for EXODUS' upcoming album, "The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A", can be viewed at this location. Due in late October via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California with producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY).

"The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A" track listing:

01. A Call To Arms
02. Riot Act
03. Funeral Hymn
04. Children Of A Worthless God
05. As It Was, As It Soon Shall Be
06. The Atrocity Exhibition
07. Iconoclasm
08. The Garden Of Bleeding
09. Bedlam 123

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have issued the following update:

"In true DARK TRANQUILLITY fashion, Bloodstock [Open Air in the U.K.] and Summer Breeze [in Germany] were ravaged last weekend, spelling an end to the festival season of 2007. This was probably our most active summer ever, and while our sweaty bodies are recovering from the mayhem, preparations for the upcoming tours are being made. We've raided the rehearsal room for leftover merchandise, so on the upcoming 'Scandinavian Fiction' tour we'll be offering some rare and out-of-print shirts as well as other goodies for those who are interested."

Backed by the impetus of their successful "Keeper Of The Seven Keys – The Legacy" world tour which saw the band perform 93 shows in 34 countries around the globe — impressively documented on the double live DVD "Live On 3 Continents" — German metallers HELLOWEEN are about to release their twelfth studio album, "Gambling With The Devil". The new offering is scheduled to arrive at the stores on October 23, 2007 (USA), October 26, 2007 (Germany) and October 29, 2007 (rest of Europe) and will see the five musicians — Andi Deris (vocals), Michael Weikath (guitar), Sascha Gerstner (guitar), Markus Großkopf (bass) and Dani Löble (drums) — unleash their full zest and experience. "Some of the numbers were written during the tour. The fans' positive reactions and the great responses to 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys – The Legacy' really inspired us. We were rearing to go," Andi Deris describes the extremely positive atmosphere among the band members, adding: "It's been years since I had so much fun composing."

Under the direction of producer Charlie Bauerfeind, HELLOWEEN recorded a total of 16 songs at the Mi Sueno studios in Tenerife. Except for two or three tracks, these new compositions are all included on "Gambling With The Devil", among them the impressive intro, featuring "Crack The Riddle", with Biff Byford (SAXON) as a guest speaker. The focal point of this diverse album is a three-part epos consisting of the chapters "The Bells Of The Seven Hells", "Falling To Pieces" and "I.M.E.", which represent the ambiguous album title that thematically covers all the songs. "At the end of the day, life is a gamble with the devil," Deris explains. The first single release (download only) will be "As Long As I Fall", supported by a video clip which will be shot in Munich at the end of August. The cover artwork was designed by Martin Häusler ("Keeper Of The Seven Keys – The Legacy" and "Live On 3 Continents") again, and the booklet will include a scratch card puzzle, giving fans a chance to win a lucrative prize: a concert ticket for a show during the band's upcoming tour of South America, including flight and accommodation. The album will also be released as a limited-edition digipak in a slipcase with a bonus disc, including two unreleased songs, a video and lots of enhanced material.

The "Hellish Rock" tour of Europe is scheduled to start in mid-November 2007, supported by top act GAMMA RAY. Apart from a few festival appearances, this will be the first joint tour by HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY. So here's hoping that GAMMA RAY mastermind Kai Hansen, a former HELLOWEEN member himself, will join his ex-colleagues in a jam session featuring HELLOWEEN classics.

CHAIN COLLECTOR, the Norwegian band featuring guitarist Gøran Bomann (CARPATHIAN FOREST), drummer Anders Kobro (CARPATHIAN FOREST, GREEN CARNATION, LAST CALL INC), guitarist Kjell Jacobsen (NEON GOD) and vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (TRAIL OF TEARS, GREEN CARNATION), will release its second album, "Unrestrained", in Europe on October 22 via Sublife Productions (October 19 in Germany). A preview of the CD's artwork (created by Niklas Sundin of DARK TRANQUILLITY) is available at this location. Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Your Halo of Thorns", "Bringer of Sins", "The Letter I", "Dominant" and "As the Play Unfolds".

CHAIN COLLECTOR released a very well-received debut album, "The Masquerade", through Sound Riot/Massacre Records. The group also announced that Runar Hansen, formerly of TRAIL OF TEARS, has been added as its second guitarist.

CHAIN COLLECTOR will make its live debut at the Norwegian metal festival Southern Discomfort in September.

AYREON, the brainchild of Dutch guitarist/composer Arjen Lucassen, has posted an audio sample of the next guest singer who will appear on the the band's upcoming album, tentatively due late 2007/early 2008: former MASTERPLAN frontman Jorn Lande. Other vocalists scheduled to appear on the CD include Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Ty Tabor (KING'S X), Magali Luyten (VIRUS IV), Simone Simons (EPICA) and Liselotte Hegt (DIAL). A total of fifteen singers have been confirmed to guest on the album, with more to be added.

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).

Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS filmed their 20th anniversary concert on March 31, 2007 at Stockholm's Kolingsborg for an upcoming DVD, tentatively due in October/November via Snapper/Peaceville. CANDLEMASS performed with no less than seven (!) different vocalists — including the band's former singers Johan Langquist and Tomas Vikström, plus the group's latest addition, Robert Lowe of SOLITUDE AETURNUS.

The complete list of vocalists that performed with the band is as follows:

Johan Langquist (ex-CANDLEMASS)
Tomas Vikström (ex-CANDLEMASS)
Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH)
Mats Levén (KRUX, THERION, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN)
Robert Lowe (CANDLEMASS, SOLITUDE AETURNUS)
Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH)
Janne Christoffersson (GRAND MAGUS, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS)

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. The Dying Illusion (Tomas Vikström)
02. Bewitched (Tomas Vikström)
03. Dark are the Veils of Death (Tomas Vikström)
04. Where the Runes Still Speak (Tomas Vikström)
05. Ebony Throne (Tomas Vikström)
06. Well of Souls (Janne Christoffersson)
07. Black Dwarf (Mats Levén)
08. At the Gallows End (Mikael Åkerfeldt)
09. [New Song] (Robert Lowe)
10. Samarithan (Robert Lowe)
11. Mirror Mirror (Robert Lowe)
12. Crystal Ball (Johan Langquist)
12. Demon's Gate (Johan Langquist)
13. Under the Oak (Johan Langquist)
14. A Sorcerer's Pledge (Johan Langquist)
Encore:
15. Witches (Tony Martin)
16. Bullfest (Tomas Vikström)
17. Solitude (Langquist/Vikström/Lowe)

In addition to the concert footage, the DVD will include interviews with all the vocalists from that evening as extra material.

Finnish metal cellists APOCALYPTICA have made their new single, "I'm Not Jesus", available for listening via their official web site. In addition to the title cut, this "premium single" also contains the title song from the band's upcoming "Worlds Collide" album, an instrumental version of "S.O.S. (Anything But Love)" and the video clip to the first "premium edition" version of "I'm Not Jesus".

"I'm Not Jesus" single track listing:

01. I'm Not Jesus (audio)
02. Worlds Collide (audio)
03. S.O.S (Anything But Love) (Instrumental) (audio)
04. Burn (audio)

Due to an error at the pressing plant, the new album from the legendary German progressive thrash outfit MEKONG DELTA, entitled "Lurking Fear" (AFM Records), has had its release date pushed back to August 31 from the previously announced August 24. The CD will be available as a standard jewelcase as well as a double vinyl album. The limited-edition digipack will include a bonus DVD containing the band's December 21, 1991 concert in Frankfurt, Germany.

"Lurking Fear" (cover artwork) track listing:

01. Society In Dissolution
02. Purification
03. Immortal Hate (Accepting Prayers Of Supremacy)
04. Allegro Furioso (taken from "Five Fragments For Group & Orchestra")
05. Rules Of Corruption
06. Ratters (Among The Dead)
07. Moderato (taken from "Five Fragments For Group & Orchestra")
08. Defenders Of The Faith
09. Symphony Of Agony
10. Allegro (from "Symphony Nr. 10" by Dimitri Schostakowitsch)

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman will release the "Exhibit B - Live in Japan" DVD and "Exhibit A - Live in Europe" CD simultaneously in Japan on August 22 by Avex. These feature different setlists, but with the same band members: Jeremy Colson (drums), Ron Jarzombek (WATCHTOWER, SPASTIC INK; guitar) and Chris Catero (bass). The details are as follows:

"Exhibit A - Live in Europe" CD (cover artwork):

01. Theme From Namida (Tears)
02. Elixir
03. Anvils (Celluloid Revenge Ending)
04. Gimme A Dose
05. Street Demon
06. It's The Unreal Thing
07. Fuel Injection Stingray
08. Stigmata*Addiction
09. Tibet
10. Angel
11. Paradise Express
12. Ripped
13. Cheer Girl Rampage
14. Thunder March
15. Ballad Of The Barbie Bandits
16. Hound Dog

"Exhibit B - Live in Japan" DVD (cover artwork):

01. Strange Gods And Suspicious Angels (intro)
02. Theme From Namida (Tears)
03. Elixir
04. Anvils (Celluloid Revenge Ending)
05. Gimme A Dose
06. Street Demon
07. It's The Unreal Thing
08. Fuel Injection Stingray
09. Stigmata*Addiction
10. Devil Take Tomorrow
11. Asche Zu Asche / My Oh My (Mutation Medley)
12. Paradise Express
13. Ripped
14. Salt In The Wound
15. Cheer Girl Rampage
16. Thunder March
17. Ballad Of The Barbie Bandits
18. Dragon Mistress / Io Che Non Vivo (Senza Te) / Be
19. Hound Dog

U.D.O./ex-ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider makes a guest appearance on the new STURM UND DRANG track "Forever", taken from the Finnish band's new album "Learning to Rock". The song is available for free download at this location (click on "Web Access", enter your name and e-mail address and click on "login").

To listen to the entire "Learning to Rock" CD, go to this locatoin

X-WORLD/5, the new band featuring KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque alongside ex-HAMMERFALL bassist Magnus Rosén and PAGAN'S MIND vocalist Nils K.Rue, is close to signing a deal with Germany's AFM Records. The group, whose mission is to "bring heavy metal into the future," is scheduled to complete its debut album this fall for a February 2008 release.

X-WORLD/5 is:

Magnus Rosen (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
Nils K.Rue (PAGAN'S MIND) - Vocals
Big Swede - Drums
Reeves Gabrels (TIN MACHINE, DAVID BOWIE) – Insane Guitars
Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) – Heavy Guitars

A brand new AVA INFERI track, entitled "Pulse of the Earth", has been made available for download at this location. The song comes off the Portugese metallers' second full-length album, "The Silhouette", due on October 15 in Europe and October 23 in the U.S. via Season of Mist.

Commented the band: "The first version of this song had a totally different character. The overall feeling is probably the same but the rhythmic structure was completely different. It had an almost floating, ambient kind of vibe to it and was generally more avant-garde than what it turned out to be. We feel that the new version has all the elements that makes AVA INFERI something different, and it's also one of the most powerful songs we have composed up to this point in our career. A true and powerful declaration. The lyrics on 'Pulse of the Earth' are strongly influenced by nature and the forces therein, and furthermore, they paint a vision of the interactions between man and nature. Note that 'The Silhouette' in itself is partly devoted to the elemental aspects of our world and that this song represents the earth element, if any doubt... On this particular song we also use different types of rhythmic or native (diverse) instruments to recreate and achieve a kind of ritualistic feeling. To bring out the message and its essence to the fullest. We also believe that every song presented on 'The Silhouette' has its own strength and mission. That each song has its own peculiar twist. An album full of surprises!"

Polish death metallers VADER will release their third DVD in October via Metal Mind Productions. Entitled "And Blood Was Shed In Warsaw", the DVD will feature footage from the band's February 12, 2007 concert at Stodoła Club in Waraw, documenting the final stop of the group's tour in support of their latest album, "Impressions in Blood". The show was filmed with seven cameras and includes a guest appearance by Orion, a member of two other great Polish metal acts: VESANIA and BEHEMOTH.

The DVD is scheduled for release on October 15 in Europe and November 5 in USA (via MVD). It will also include: a fully animated menu, band bio, discography, interview with frontman Peter, the brand new video clip "Sword of the Witcher" (taken from the forthcoming RPG game "The Witcher"), desktop images, photo gallery, weblinks, and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. "And Blood Was Shed In Warsaw" DVD will be also available in a special DVD+CD limited swing case edition!

"And Blood Was Shed In Warsaw" (cover artwork) track listing:

01. Intro
02. ShadowFear
03. Sothis
04. Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead)
05. Warlords
06. Silent Empire
07. Blood of Kingu
08. Intro: Out
09. Out of the Deep
10. Carnal
11. Dark Age
12. Black to the Blind
13. Intro: Para Bellum
14. This Is the War
15. Lead Us
16. What Colour Is Your Blood
17. Epitaph
18. Cold Demons
19. Predator
20. Wings
21. Wyrocznia (feat. Orion)

Bonus video:

* Interview with Peter
* Video clip "Sword of the Witcher"
* Other features to be confirmed

Also includes:

* Photo gallery
* Desktop images
* Biography
* Discography
* Weblinks
* Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

CD (only available in limited swing case edition!):

01. Intro
02. ShadowFear
03. Sothis
04. Helleluyah!!! (God Is Dead)
05. Warlords
06. Silent Empire
07. Blood of Kingu
08. Intro: Out
09. Out of the Deep
10. Carnal
11. Dark Age
12. Black to the Blind
13. Intro: Para Bellum
14. This Is the War
15. Lead Us
16. What Colour Is Your Blood
17. Epitaph
18. Cold Demons
19. Predator
20. Wings
21. Wyrocznia (feat. Orion)

OPETH's "The Roundhouse Tapes" will be released as a high-definition-filmed DVD in early 2008. This will also feature lots of fan interviews, band interviews, soundcheck footage and live photos, along with exclusive menu music written by mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt and keyboardist Per Wiberg.

The cover artwork for OPETH's upcoming "The Roundhouse Tapes" double CD has been posted at this location. Due on October 22 via Peaceville, "'The Roundhouse Tapes' contains a captivating OPETH performance from the Camden Roundhouse, London, UK, on November 9, 2006, and sees the band in scintillating form churning out a selection of classics from their illustrious career," according to a press release. "You know what to expect from OPETH: unrivalled composition; seamless progressive dynamics and boundless atmosphere from the mellow to the incredibly heavy, all sealed with the unmistakable vocal presence of mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt."

Commented Åkerfeldt: "The Roundhouse concert will always be a very memorable gig for us for many reasons, but most importantly it caught the band at the peak of the 'Ghost Reveries' tour. I must say we're quite tight after 18 odd months on the road supporting the record. I'm extremely pleased we got it documented and I hope it will please our beloved fans as well. As an extra bonus we've decided to collaborate with one of our past labels for this release, the legendary Peaceville Records. Here's a toast to Hammy and Lisa for helping us back in the day as well as to the new team for preserving this pleasurable memory for today's music lovers as well as for generations to come."

"The Roundhouse Tapes" tracklisting:

CD1:

01. When
02. Ghost Of Perdition
03. Under The Weeping Moon
04. Bleak
05. Face Of Melinda
06. The Night And The Silent Water

CD2:

01. Windowpane
02. Blackwater Park
03. Demon of the Fall

ATREYU's video for its new single, "Becoming the Bull", has been released. The clip was directed by Kevin Kerslake, who has previously worked with THE USED and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, among others. The song comes off the group's new album, "Lead Sails Paper Anchor", due on August 28 via Hollywood Records. The band is currently previewing select songs from the highly anticipated album during the Family Values Tour, where ATREYU is sharing the stage with KORN, HELLYEAH and EVANESCENCE, among others.

ATREYU recorded "Lead Sails Paper Anchor" this spring with producer John Feldmann (THE USED, GOOD CHARLOTTE) who worked with the band to create their most infectious, ambitious and musically challenging disc yet. While the band's juxtaposition of hardcore-influenced chaos and rock-influenced melody is still present, the gulf between the two styles is diminished, making the passages flow in a smoother and more naturalistic manner. "Lead Sails Paper Anchor" was mixed by Andy Wallace (NIRVANA, SLIPKNOT, LINKIN PARK).

"When we did this record, everything was clicking in terms of how the songs would come together when we were writing them," says singer Alex Varkatzas. "And then when we sat down with John to work on them it felt so natural and organic, and each song had its own vibe."

In addition to the band's trademark rhythms and thunderous beats, there's a jubilant sense of exploration. Triumphant guitar passages draw inspiration from range of music styles including classic rock, psychedelia, pop and even alt-country. Electronic embellishments imbue the songs with modern flair and a previously unexplored range of vocal techniques from Varkatzas and drummer Brandon Saller.

"I screamed for three records straight, so I've been working really hard at getting better at more clean styles of vocals," Varkatzas says. "We wanted to push everything further and it was just so natural for these songs to sound the way they do."

"Becoming The Bull" starts with a vicious metal lick and develops into an insistent number layered with angular riffs and a sing-along chorus. "Falling Down" combines a shuffling beat charged guitars with radio-ready vocals and celebratory trumpet blasts. "Blow" is pure testosterone-pumped rawk fueled by a simple, driving rhythm, unapologetic '80s metal guitars and raging, snotty vocals.

"Lead Sails Paper Anchor" track listing:

1. Doomsday
   
2. Honor
   
3. Falling Down
   
4. Becoming the Bull
   
5. Slow Burn
   
6. Two Become One
   
7. No One Cares
   
8. Can't Happen Here
   
9. Lose It
   
10. Blow
    
11. Lead Sails (and a Paper Anchor)
    

Reunited seminal grindcore/extreme metal outfit BRUTAL TRUTH has begun writing for a new full-length album. The troupe has crafted six brand new songs so far, each one faster and more brutal than the one before it.

BRUTAL TRUTH's Danny Lilker elaborates: "We have six new songs in varying stages of evolution that are shaping up to be some of the most intense shit we've ever written. After eight years it feels damn good to write some really psychotic grind, and we've jumped right into the deep end of the pool. Stylistically it seems to pick up where 'Sounds of the Animal Kingdom' left off with the main difference being we're also incorporating some of the old-school type riffing from 'Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses' but at a much faster tempo."

BRUTAL TRUTH drummer Rich Hoak adds, "Help, I just can't stop playing faster and faster and faster and faster!!! My arms are gonna fall off of my body!! Totally psyched for total fucking grind!!!"

BRUTAL TRUTH recently wrapped up a Summer European headlining tour that included a number of festival appearances (Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting, Trashfest, Obscene Extreme, and more). The band has also seen the reissue of their heralded 1997 masterpiece "Sounds of the Animal Kingdom". The remastered and repackaged version comes complete with the preceding "Kill Trend Suicide" mini-CD (1996), bonus video footage in the form of the band's "Dead Smart" video, extensive and exhaustive liner notes from the band, and a foreword from "Choosing Death" author Albert Mudrian.

The cover artwork for DOWN's third album, "III - Over the Under", has been posted at here. Due on September 25 through ILG/Warner Music Group, the CD features the following track listing:

01. 3 Suns And 1 Star
02. The Path
03. N.O.D
04. I Scream
05. On March The Saints
06. Never Try
07. Mourn
08. Beneath The Tides
09. His Majesty The Desert
10. Pillamyd
11. In The Thrall Of It All
12. Nothing In Return (Walk Away)

Having already tapped Warren Riker, who produced DOWN's second release, "II - A Bustle in Your Hedgerow", the band demoed some 18 songs in Nodferatu's Lair, vocalist Philip Anselmo's studio in the swamps of Folsom, LA, with engineer David "Puma" Troia. In February of 2007, the band commenced recording on their third and most committed record to date. Recorded in Los Angeles between February and July, with a Canadian tour with HEAVEN AND HELL thrown in just for good measure, 15 songs were ultimately cut for "Over the Under". The result is over 60 minutes of genre-defying music further solidifying their place at the forefront of heavy rock as only DOWN can do.

Sundsvall, Sweden-based death metallers IN BATTLE have posted a new song, entitled "The Dead Shall See", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's fourth album, "Kingdom of Fear", due on September 3 via Nocturnal Art Productions/Candlelight Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Welcome to the Battlefield" was recorded at Epidemic studios in Sundsvall and was mixed by UNLEASHED's Fredrik Folkare at Chrome studios in Stockholm. The CD contains "11 songs of raw trashy death metal," according to a press release. Two video clips for the album have already been filmed: "Kingdom of Fear" and "The Dead Shall See".

IN BATTLE's new album will honor the memory of the group's former drummer, Otto Wiklund, who passed away last August. Wiklund appeared on IN BATTLE's first two albums — "Lost in the Shadows Gray" (1997) and "The Rage of the Northmen" (1998) — and was also the session drummer for SETHERIAL, with whom he recorded the "Lords of the Nightrealm" album (1997).

IN BATTLE's last album, "Welcome to the Battlefield" (2004, Cold/Metal Blade Records), was recorded at Courthouse Studio in Östersund, Sweden and at Necromorbus Studio in Stockholm, Sweden. The CD was mixed and mastered at Erik Rutan's (HATE ETERNAL/ex-MORBID ANGEL guitarist) Mana Recording Studios in Tampa, Florida with engineer Shawn Ohtani. Rutan also laid down a guest solo on the album.

Vocalist Bernhard Weiß of the German metallers AXXIS has issued the following update:

"In 2006 AXXIS supported HELLOWEEN on a few gigs in Italy, Switzerland and Belgium. It was a great releationship and both bands got a lot of fun. In the end of 2006 AXXIS got the offer to join the autumn 2007 tour with HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY. Immediately we said YES! And we organized everything (like the release date etc.) to let this tour happen. With GAMMA RAY it's a perfect package for the fans...in my opinion! For us, you must consider, this is our first regular European tour, we will do since BLACK SABBATH in 1989 on their 'Headless Cross' tour! Now we are really happy that everything works so well... and we're looking forward to present our new CD 'Doom of Destiny'!"

German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell has cancelled the three remaining dates (Heidelberg, London and Zürich) on the second leg of the "Mystica" tour. "We had different reasons for [the cancellation]," Axel explains. "First it wouldn't make sense to fly Johnny [Gioeli, vocals] over [from the U.S.] for just three dates and we couldn't play other cities with the same 'Mystica' program again. The other main points are that I'm recently doing promotion for the 'Diamonds Unlocked' cover album and working simultaniously on a probable DVD release. Also I'm already working on a few ideas for the next studio album, which we will record sometime in the spring next year. I will fully concentrate on the songwriting only from October on till next year. We will definately play some big festivals in Europe again next year and it is planned to have the next real bigger tour in the fall of 2008, so I hope that you understand the situation.'

In other news, Axel has posted the third MP3 snippet from his upcoming "Diamonds Unlocked" covers album. "I first heard [the song 'Stone'] the very first time when listening to one of my favorite singers Paul Rodgers' side project called THE LAW back in 1991," says Axel. "So it wasn't the original version from Chris Rea who inspired me to cover this great song."

Download the "Stone" one-minute sample at this location

Danish metallers IRON FIRE, who are fronted by FORCE OF EVIL singer Martin Steene, have parted ways with drummer Jens Berglid. The group's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"After three years and two albums Jens B has decided to leave IRON FIRE due to family issues. We have known this for quit some time now, but we did not want to go official with the news before we were sure to have the right replacement for Jens.

"After months of auditions, we found the Danish metal machine with the German name Fritz Wagner. He will be the new drummer of IRON FIRE and we are really exited to have some new energy in the band. Now we can finally focus on writing new songs and get ready for the 'Tour of Triumph' that will hit the road later this year.

"We wish Jens the best of luck in the future with his family and his other bands and welcome Fritz Wagner into the brotherhood."

IRON FIRE released its fourth album, "Blade of Triumph", in June via Napalm Records. The CD is the follow-up to "Revenge", which was released in March 2006 via Napalm.

IRON FIRE issued two full-length albums through the Sanctuary/Noise label prior to signing with Napalm: 2000's "Thunderstorm" and 2001's "On the Edge".