Vocalist Mikkel Sandager of the Danish metallers MERCENARY has issued the following update:

"Well, first of all, the new album is really progressing rapidly. We are in writing mode and it feels really good to be creative again. I guess I didn't realize how much I had piled up inside because I find myself writing and writing.

"Can't comment on any titles or songs yet but I am really exited about everything I have heard so far. It is going to be very nice to have René [Pedersen; bass/vocals] in the process as well as he is able to give us the harsh vocals that I couldn't do on 'The Hours That Remain'.

"On another note, I am starting to look very much forward to playing the next show. I guess I have become quite addicted to doing shows and I feel pretty strange to not play any for two or three months.

"We will start recording the new album in late October and hope for a spring 2008 release but no date has been set yet."

Medieval Rock perfection promises the new SALTATIO MORTIS album Aus der Asche, which will hit the streets on 31 August . To celebrate the release with their fans, SAMO will embark on an exclusive acoustic tour, followed by a major tour in support of the album. For details, visit their official site: www.saltatio-mortis.com.
Pre-Listening of the COMPLETE new Album Aus Der Asche: on August 26, for 24 hours on www.heavylaw.com

OPETH will release "The Roundhouse Tapes" on October 22 via Peaceville. According to a press release, "'The Roundhouse Tapes' contains a captivating OPETH performance from the Camden Roundhouse, London, UK, on November 9th, 2006 (a gig which also featured PARADISE LOST), and sees the band in scintillating form churning out a selection of classics from their illustrious career. 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. Thw Night And The Silent Water

CD2:

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

U.K. epic progressive metallers BIOMECHANICAL have announced the addition of guitarist Gus Drax from Greece to the group's ranks. Gus started playing at the age of 14 and has been influenced by DREAM THEATER's John Petrucci, SYMPHONY X's Mike Romeo, Steve Vai, NEVERMORE's Jeff Loomis, former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman, and many more.

Commented BIOMECHANICAL frontman John K. (a.k.a. Yiannis Koutselinis): "This guy has a great future. I am absolutely thrilled he has joined BIOMECHANICAL and can't wait to get together and gig [in support of the upcoming BIOMECHANICAL CD] 'Cannibalised'!

CLAWFINGER's video for the song "Prisoners" has been posted online at here. The track comes off the Swedish rap/metal combo's new album, "Life Will Kill You", which entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 89.

On the topic of the new CD's lyrical direction, frontman Zak Tell recently said, "Paedophilia, addiction, death, suicide bombers, self-esteem issues and misers are a few of the topics I've chosen to write about this time around. Not very uplifting stuff, I guess, but hey that's just me and it's not as if I actually plan it, it just happens, I promise! There are a few positive lyrics as well so it's not all gloom, doom and troubled thoughts. A majority of the tracks are though.

"Anyway, I guess there are a few different reasons as to why I chose to write about the stuff I do, the logical one being that the music we play is of a slightly aggressive nature and therefore inspires darker lyrics, although that's not entirely true as we also have softer and less serious songs and I sometimes also break free from the given formula. Most of the time I don't, though, out of fear of getting lost! The second reason is that it's simply my outlet for all the less pleasant things that go through my head. My everyday life is fairly normal and family-orientated so to get some sort of balance I use CLAWFINGER as my frustration ventilator or whatever you want to call it!

Danish metalcore act AS WE FIGHT has released its video for the song "Annihilation". The track comes off the Danish metalcore act's sophomore full-length album, "Midnight Tornado", which was released last October via Dockyard 1 Records.

"Midnight Tornado" was recorded by Jacob Bredahl of HATESPHERE and was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, HIMSA, SICK OF IT ALL).

AS WE FIGHT will team up with MNEMIC and THE PSYKE PROJECT for the "MTV Headbanger's Ball Tour" of Denmark beginning on September 6 in Aarhus.

AS WE FIGHT's full-length debut, "Black Nails and Bloody Wrists", was issued in April 2004 via Goodlife Recordings. The CD was produced by Tue Madsen at Antfarm and featured artwork by Michael Lauritsen Dahl.

MYSTIC PROPHECY, the melodic power metal band featuring VALLEY'S EVE vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis, ex-STORMWITCH bassist Martin Albrecht and SACRED STEEL drummer Mathias Straub, will release its new album, "Satanic Curses", on October 19 via Armageddon Music. A single, entitled "Dark Forces" (cover), will precede the full-length CD on August 24.

MYSTIC PROPHECY's last CD, "Savage Souls", was mixed and mastered at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden and features guest appearances by Chitral "Chity" Somapala (AVALON, FIREWIND) on backing vocals and Marios Iliopoulos (NIGHTRAGE) on lead guitar.

SHAMAN (formerly SHAAMAN) — the revamped Brazilian band featuring drummer Ricardo Confessori alongside guitarist Leo Mancini, vocalist Thiago Bianchi and bassist Fernando Quesada — has posted its new single, "In the Dark", at this location. The group shot a video for the song on August 11.

"In the Dark" comes off the group's upcoming album, "Immortal", due later in the year via AFM Records. The track listing for the effort is as follows:

1. Renovatti
   
2. Inside Chains
   
3. Tribal by Blood
   
4. Immortal
   
5. One Life
   
6. In the Dark
   
7. Strenght
   
8. Freedom
   
9. Never Yield
   
10. The Yellow Brick Road
    

Sweden's DREAM EVIL has announced plans to release a CD containing several new cuts and songs that were previously only available in Japan as bonus tracks, combined with a live DVD recorded on November 25, 2006 at Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg. Entitled "Gold Medal in Metal", the set will tentatively be issued in November/December.

DREAM EVIL's latest CD, "United", hit the Swedish official album chart at position #24, the Swedish metal chart at #3 as well as the Greek album chart at position #41.

ARCH ENEMY will release the first single — "Revolution Begins" — off its upcoming album "Rise of the Tyrant" August 31 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, September 3 in Greece and September 5 in Sweden and Finland.

"Revolution Begins" track listing:

01. Revolution Begins (4:11)
02. Blood on your Hands (4:40)
03. Walk in the Shadows (3:07) [QUEENSRŸCHE cover version] *
04. I Am Legend / Out For Blood (5:36] [Live 2007] *

* Non-Album Tracks

Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS have posted the cover artwork (created by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio) for their upcoming DVD, entitled simply "Live", at this location. The audio portion of the DVD was mixed at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with Jason Suecof (CHIMAIRA, TRIVIUM, BURY YOUR DEAD, DEVILDRIVER).

Due in October via Prosthetic, the DVD will feature live performances from the band's recent show at Theater of the Living Arts in Philadelphia, as well as from their concert in Baltimore at The Recher Theatre on July 12. ATR fans will also be treated to tons of bonus goodies on the new DVD, including behind-the-scenes footage, band and fan interviews, a live photo slideshow and all of the band's videos.

Australia's ALCHEMIST has issued the following update:

"ALCHEMIST have completed work on their sixth studio album, 'Tripsis' (cover artwork). Recorded by the band over three years and mixed at Backbeach studios in May 2007. 'Tripsis' is the darkest and heaviest music the band has produced with a tighter more focused song writing style and heavy integrated psychedellia. 'Tripsis' will be released in early October for the rest of the world (via Relapse) and late August for Australia (via Chatterbox Records through MGM)."

"Tripsis", as described by ALCHEMIST guitarist, vocalist Adam Agius (the band is rounded out by guitarist Roy Torkington, drummer Rodney Holder, and bassist John Bray), is "the most consistently heavy album since 'Spartech' with all the ALCHEMIST trademarks — psychedelic, atmospheric, packed with crushing riffs intertwined guitar melodies and groove. 'Tripsis' is also the fastest album delivered by ALCHEMIST with a few songs taking the 'Surfthrash' sound to new heights." Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Wrapped in Guilt", "Degenerative Breeding", "Grasp The Air", "Substance for Shadow", and "Tongues and Knifes".

Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM will enter the studio this week with producer/guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais to begin recording their new album, "Prevail". The recording process will last five weeks, with vocalist Maurizio Iacono scheduled to record his vocals in September.

Commented Maurizio: "The album is done and ready to go. Although it was a breeze to write this album as things came so naturally, on the lyrics end, I worked the hardest I have in years making sure everything is where it should be. At times it was real difficult but the end result will speak for itself. I'm truly convinced this album will take no prisoners. As you know we don't repeat the same record twice; this album stands on a league of its own. And I'm not saying it's our best album, because only the fans have the right to say whether it is or not. All I'm saying is I listen to the songs and I wanna punch the fucking wall. That means we are on to something good."

KATAKLYSM has recruited producer Jason Suecof (CHIMAIRA, TRIVIUM, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) to mix the album in early January. "Prevail" will also feature some guest appearances to be announced at a later date.

The album is scheduled for May 23, 2008 release via Nuclear Blast Records.

On September 18, Eagle Rock Entertainment will re-release one of its most popular DVDs, DEEP PURPLE's "In Concert With The London Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Paul Mann". According to a press release, the disc "has this most classic of classic rock bands blowing the roof off the famed Royal Albert Hall in London, England a full 30 years after their first symphonic project. Keyboardist Jon Lord, singer Ian Gillan, drummer Ian Paice, guitarist Steve Morse and bassist Roger Glover perform 13 tracks in two hours, with heavy accents on improvisation and even a guest shot by the legendary Ronnie James Dio!"

Former HELLOWEEN frontman Michael Kiske has commented on his guest appearance on the third installment of EDGUY singer Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project, entitled "Lost in Space Part 1 and Part 2".

Asked what the AVANTASIA project has been like this time around, Kiske replied, "I like it this time a lot more. Tobi gets better and better as a songwriter and also a little braver to break down barriers. All music scenes need that more than anything! Especially 'Lost in Space' is really good and my type of material..."

In addition to Kiske, the new AVANTASIA album will feature guest appearances by SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker, rock legend Alice Cooper, Sascha Paeth, Henjo Richter, Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER), Miro, Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), Bob Catley and Amanda Somerville.

According to Black-Sabbath.com, the release date of the special-edition box version of HEAVEN AND HELL's upcoming "Live At Radio City Music Hall" has been pushed back to September 25. The limited set is available exclusively via Rhino.com and is being released in a divinely deluxe three-disc edition — two CDs and one DVD — for $66.66. Bonus features of this special, collectible set are a tour program, glossy photos of the band and HEAVEN AND HELL memorabilia, including a patch, concert ticket and backstage laminate.

HEAVEN AND HELL "Live From Radio City Music Hall" will be available at regular retail outlets on August 28 both as a two-disc CD set and as a DVD for a suggested list price of $19.98 and $19.99 respectively.

A brand new track from German black metal band ENDSTILLE, entitled "Endstilles Reich", has been made available for download at this location. The song is the title cut of the group's new album, due on October 15 via Regain Records. The CD was recorded at JAKs-Hell studio, like all previous ENDSTILLE albums, and it contains 10 tracks with a running time about 50 minutes.

"Endstilles Reich" (cover artwork) track listing:

01. Among Our Glorious Existence
02. Endstilles Reich
03. Der Ketzer
04. Vorwärts! (Sturmangriff II)
05. I Am God
06. No Heaven Over Germany
07. The One I Hate
08. Scars
09. Erase
10. Endstille (Realität)

ENDSTILLE's fourth full-length album, "Navigator", was released in August 2005 via Twilight-Vertrieb. The follow-up to 2004's "Dominanz" contained 10 tracks with a running time of 43 minutes.

ENGEL, the Gothenburg, Sweden-based quintet featuring guitarists Marcus Sunesson (ex-THE CROWN) and Niclas Engelin (PASSENGER, ex-GARDENIAN, IN FLAMES), drummer Mojjo (RELEVANT FEW, DRACENA), vocalist Mangan Klavborn, and bassist Michael Håkansson (ex-EVERGREY), has set "Absolute Design" as the title of its upcoming demo album, tentatively due this fall via SPV. IN FLAMES frontman Anders Fridén helped his old friend Niclas (both played together in PASSENGER) record demos and assisted in the production of the CD at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala with Daniel Bergstrand (producer of IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH). Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Casket Closing", "In Splendour", "The Paraclet", "Propaganda" and "Seven Ends".

Already touted as one of the "Best Unsigned Bands 2006" by the readers of Metal Hammer U.K. and crowned winners of Rock Hard Germany's "Demo Contest" 2006, ENGEL is set to take the metal world by storm. Hailing from Sweden's famous breeding ground for riffs and groundbreaking bands — Gothenburg — the members of ENGEL have years of combined experience and a uniquely mesmerizing heavy-as-hell melodic sound to take over the world's metallic hearts and minds.

PAIN, the Swedish band featuring HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren, has issued the following update:

"We are sorry to anounce that PAIN has cancelled the Summer Rocks Open Air festival 2007 [in] Istanbul [Turkey on] 19th August due to the [fact that the] promoter didn't pay the deposit and didn't even contact our booking agency, Helter Skelter, [to explain] why this happened. Helter Skelter cancelled PAIN. We hope that we can come back on tour later this or next year and we hope the PAIN-heads in Istanbul will understand."

PAIN's fifth full-length album, "Psalms of Extinction", entered the national chart in the band's home country at position No. 21.

DEAD TO THIS WORLD, the speed/thrash/black metal project led by former IMMORTAL bassist Iscariah, has posted a new song, entitled "Shadows of the Cross", on its MySpace page. The track comes off the group's upcoming debut album, "First Strike for Spiritual Renewance", due on November 19 via Dark Essence Records. The CD was produced by Bjørnar E Nielsen at Nielsen's Conclave Media Studios in Bergen.

Nielsen, who has produced albums by bands such as HELHEIM, SULPHUR, DEATHCON, AMPERA and VULTURE INDUSTRIES (of whom he is also a member), recently built a new studio with ENSLAVED members Herbrand Larsen and Arve Isdal.

DEAD TO THIS WORLD was originally founded by Iscariah (NECROPHAGIA, ex-IMMORTAL) as a solo project, but was expanded to a full lineup, releasing a three-track demo in 2005. Following the departure of their drummer, Iscariah recently announced that former GORGOROTH member Kvitrafn (SIGFADER, WARDRUNA, JOTUNSPOR, ex-SAHG) would be joining the band to record the new album.

EMPIRE, the brainchild of German guitarist Rolf Munkes (MAJESTY, RAZORBACK, VANIZE), has finished recording its fourth album for a November release via Metal Heaven/Soulfood. More details will be made available soon.

EMPIRE's third CD, "Raven Ride", was released in May 2006. The follow-up to 2003's "Trading Souls" (Lion Music) featured guest appearances by singer Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH), drummer Andre Hilgers (AXXIS, SILENT FORCE, RAZORBACK) and bassist Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE, BLACK SABBATH, M3). Martin and Murray had both appeared on "Trading Souls", which featured additional contributions from DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Don Airey and current HAMMERFALL/ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN drummer Anders Johansson.

SAVAGE CIRCUS members Jens Karlsson (vocals), Emil Norberg (lead guitar) and Piet Sielck (guitar, bass, backing vocals) has issued the following statement:

"After the recent events at the Rengsdorf Rock & Blues Festival and the Rock Am Schloss Festival the band sees no perspective any more to go on with our drummer Thomen Stauch [ex-BLIND GUARDIAN]. Therefore we immediately release him from all duties.

"Even though we are aware of his personal situation we cannot ignore the fact anymore that he is still not able to carry out his duties for SAVAGE CIRCUS.

"Already in summer 2005 Thomen started to cancel most of his all planed out promotional activities. In 2006 he canceled the Japanese shows and wasn't part of any other activity for the whole year. We gave him this entire year to solve his situation because we deeply hoped that he would be able to recover and to get back into pace again. But instead in spring this year Thomen almost canceled the CIRCLE II CIRCLE tour. Now he canceled two festival shows with extremely short notice again...

"We are very sorry, but we cannot take this any more. We supported and backed Thomen up for over 2 1/2 years by now, but as sad as it is we must face that it is just not going anywhere. Even though we still do have a lot of understanding for his situation, we cannot allow the unintended but yet serious damage he is doing to the band in which all of us invest so much energy and work. We do want SAVAGE CIRCUS to happen, but we cannot see it happen with Thomen any more.

"We are not looking back in anger, we'd rather like to look into the future. The production of the 'Dreamland Manor' follow-up is not dramatically affected by this, but we will need some time to decide and work in a worthy replacement, who will be anounced shortly. Therefore the release date will move to early 2008.

"We wish Thomen well and hope, that he will find his way."

SAVAGE CIRCUS recently released a DVD, entitled "Live in Atlanta", through Dockyard 1. The live footage was filmed last year at the ProgPower USA VII festival in Atlanta, GA.

Guitarist/vocalist Martin Schirenc (a.k.a. Don Cochino) of the long-running Austrian extreme metallers PUNGENT STENCH has released the following statement:

"You probably have noticed that I didn't [release] any updates on our forthcoming album for the last four weeks and now I have a sad announcement to make:

"Due to band internal disputes, both personal and business-related, we came to the point where it's impossible to continue making music together. All upcoming shows have been cancelled and there won't be any further live activities in the future, at least not with the current lineup.

"This wasn't an easy decision and, speaking strictly for me, I wish we could have worked things out. Unfortunately, we couldn't come to a compromise settlement. However, I'll do everything in my power to release [the recently completed PUNGENT STENCH] album, since I believe it's too good to be trashed and mostly because we owe it to you, our loyal fans! I will also continue making music together with El Gore, who had a big bearing on the new album and is a great musician and friend.

"I hope you understand my position and I would be pleased to see you at a show of my future musical projects, because I ain't done rockin', yet!

"Thank you for your abiding support and sympathy, but the time has come for me to move on and break new ground."

PUNGENT STENCH's new album will tentatively feature the following track listing:

01. Opus Dei – Glorified Be Pain!
02. The King Of Smut
03. Devil's Work & Our Contribution
04. Aztec Holiday (Heartless In Tenochtitlán)
05. Planet Of The Dead
06. Persona Non Grata
07. Suicide Bombshell
08. Me, Gonzo
09. Brute
10. I Require Death Sentence (We Must Clean House!)

PUNGENT STENCH's latest album, "Ampeauty", was issued in September 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Certainly one of the most electrifying performers of any decade, Sebastian Bach is set to release "Angel Down" on November 20, his first solo album in eight years. The 14-song "Angel Down" was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, ROB HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST), and recorded in July and August 2006 at Sound City Studios in Hollywood, CA. The CD will be released via a joint venture between Merovingian Music, Ltd. (MRV) and Bach's Get Off My Bach Productions, and distributed worldwide through Caroline/EMI Music Group.

Joining Bach in the studio for "Angel Down" were guitarists "Metal" Mike Chlasciak and Johnny Chromatic, and Bobby Jarzombek on drums, all longtime members of Bach's touring band, as well as Steve DiGiorgio on bass. Rob DeLuca has been handling the bass duties for Bach during the past few months and will once again join the group on the road in support of the new CD.

Nine of the 14 songs on "Angel Down" were written or co-written by Bach including the first radio track, "(Love Is) A Bitchslap" (co-written with Roy Z). While more than two weeks away from its official "add" date (September 4), "Bitchslap" is already being played at powerhouse rock radio stations like KUPD in Phoenix and Boston's WAAF. Bach and Roy Z also co-wrote "You Don't Understand", "By Your Side", and "Our Love Is A Lie", while Bach teamed with Desmond Child for "Falling Into You". In addition, the band covered the Steven Tyler/Joe Perry classic "Back In The Saddle". Other tracks include "Stabbin' Daggers", "Take You Down with Me", "Negative Light", "Live & Die", "American Metalhead", "Stuck Inside" and "You Bring Me Down".

The cover art for "Angel Down" is an original painting by Bach's late father, the celebrated Canadian artist David Bierk who died in 2002. The painting, entitled "David Watching", was created in 1990 and is an emotional choice for Bach. Bierk also created the cover artwork for SKID ROW's 1991 album "Slave To The Grind", which Rolling Stone voted one of the top 5 album covers of the year. His paintings have been exhibited in art galleries all over North America.

"Angel Down" also represents a reunion of sorts — 20 years ago, Jack Ponti (then a successful songwriter and record producer, now MRV's CEO) worked with Jason Flom (then A&R rep at Atlantic Records, now Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group) who signed the Sebastian Bach-fronted SKID ROW to Atlantic Records. With MRV dedicated to supporting and developing artist-owned, management-owned and independent labels, and Flom calling the shots from EMI, a dynamic triumvirate has realigned.

KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque recently moved his studio (formerly known as Los Angered Recording) to Varberg, Sweden (which is located 40 minutes south of Gothenburg) and has renamed it Sonic Train. Check out the studio's web site at this location. Artists scheduled to work at Sonic Train this summer/fall include GRIFFIN (Norway), TEARS OF GLORY (Colombia), IMAGIKA (USA), SOTHIS (USA), FALCONER (Sweden).

La Rocque's other band, X-WORLD/5 — which also features Magnus Rosén (HAMMERFALL) on bass, Nils K. Rue (PAGAN'S MIND) on vocals, Big Swede on drums and Reeves Gabrels (TIN MACHINE, DAVID BOWIE) on guitar — is expected to release its debut album in February.

KING DIAMOND's latest album, "Give Me Your Soul ... Please" recently 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.

According to MTV.com, MINISTRY has set "Cover Up" as the title of its upcoming CD of covers — some new, some old. The disc will feature numerous guests, including STATIC-X's Wayne Static (singing "I Want You [She's So Heavy]" by THE BEATLES); CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander (singing GOLDEN EARRING's "Radar Love"); FEAR FACTORY's Burton Bell (ROLLING STONES' "Under My Thumb"); and MINISTRY/PRONG guitarist Tommy Victor and MOUNTAIN guitarist Leslie West (MOUNTAIN's "Mississippi Queen"). "Cover Up" will also include previously released covers of BLACK SABBATH's "Supernaut", BOB DYLAN's "Lay Lady Lay", THE DOORS' "Roadhouse Blues" (which is on MINISTRY's upcoming all-new studio CD, "The Last Sucker") and MAGAZINE's "The Light That Pours Out of Me".