FREEDOM CALL's video for the song "Far Away" has been posted at SPV.de (Real Media). The track comes off the German melodic metal band's latest album, "Dimensions", which was released in April via SPV Records. Most of the CD was recorded at the FC studios in Nürnberg. The drum parts were cut at the Area 51 in Celle by Daniel Zimmermann with the help of Tommy Newton (HELLOWEEN, KAMELOT, VICTORY), who also mixed and mastered "Dimensions". The cover artwork was designed by Paul Raymond Gregory (SAXON, MOLLY HATCHET, BLIND GUARDIAN).

FREEDOM CALL will spend most of the fall touring Europe with NOCTURNAL RITES, PINK CREAM 69 and NIGHTMARE (in three separate legs).

The exclusive artwork for the Japanese version of vocalist ROB ROCK's (ex-IMPELLITTERI, DRIVER, JOSHUA) new solo album, "Garden of Chaos", has been posted at this location. This artwork, created by Liza Rock Designs, is only available in Japan/Asia via JVC/Victor Records. The album's regular artwork can be seen here.

Due in Japan on August 22 via Victor Entertainment/JVC Music, in Europe on September 23 through AFM Records and in North America on October 23 through Candlelight Records USA, "Garden of Chaos" was produced by ROB ROCK guitarist Carl-Johan Grimmark and co-produced by Roy Z (JUDAS PRIEST, BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD) and Rob Rock. Rob wrote seven of the 11 tracks with longtime partner Roy Z, and the other tracks were co-written by Rob with Gus G. (FIREWIND), Carl-Johan Grimmark, Bob Rossi, and Liza Rock. The album was mixed and mastered at Hansen Studios in Denmark by Jacob Hansen.

"Garden of Chaos" track listing:

01. Garden of Chaos
02. Satan's Playground
03. Savior's Call
04. This Time Is the Last Time
05. Only a Matter of Time
06. Spirit in the Sky
07. Metal Breed
08. Millennial Reign
09. Unconditional
10. Ride the Wind
11. Ode to Alexander

The cover artwork for ROB ZOMBIE's first-ever live album, entitled simply "Live", has been posted at this location. Due on September 18 via Geffen, the CD was recorded over several nights during the band's "Educated Horses" tour and will include a 36-page super-deluxe book of never-before-seen live pictures and a DVD of live footage and animated videos. It was mixed by Zombie and producer Scott Humphrey. The track listing is as follows:

01. Sawdust in the Blood
02. American Witch
03. Demon Speeding
04. Living Dead Girl
05. More Human than Human
06. Dead Girl Superstar
07. House of 1000 Corpses
08. Let It All Bleed Out
09. Creature of the Wheel
10. Demoniod Phenomenon
11. Supercharger Heaven
12. Never Gonna Stop
13. Black Sunshine
14. Superbeast
15. The Devil's Rejects
16. Lords of Salem
17. Thunder Kiss
18. Dragula

The artwork for MEGADETH's upcoming box set, "Warchest", has been posted online at this location. The 4-CD+DVD collection features more than six hours of digitally remastered content, hand-selected by Mustaine, including 30 audio and video tracks making their global release debuts, and an additional three tracks that have never before been released in the U.S. "Warchest"'s October 2 release caps Mustaine and Capitol/EMI's in-depth MEGADETH catalog remastering and restoration campaign, which has encompassed the band's Capitol studio albums, while also adding new audio and video collections to the band's arsenal.

Armed with digitally remastered career-defining album cuts, soundtrack and compilation sides, unreleased live and studio performances and interview clips spanning more than 20 years, "Warchest" is the ultimate MEGADETH compendium. Included in the trove are a full 75-minute live set from a night on the 1990 "Clash of the Titans" tour and a DVD of highlights from a 1992 stop supporting "Countdown To Extinction" — two historical shows, both making their release debuts on "Warchest". The set's custom "vac-u-form" packaging showcases a 3-D ammo belt on its front and a 36-page booklet with an essay by Ian Christe and a comprehensive discography, complemented by an array of photos and images.

Dave Mustaine says, "This is, by far, the best and most comprehensive look at all-things-MEGA if you had to get a crash-course in metal! With some of the most famous, and infamous, shows and any of the fluid, or flammable, line-ups, listening to this box set when it was all done was an adrenalin surge. I have got to hand it to my past band mates, they played great for how turbulent times could get in the blink of an eye, and I absolutely love every moment of this collection."

"Warchest" track listing:

Disc One:

01. Killing Is My Business ... And Business Is Good!
02. The Skull Beneath The Skin
03. Peace Sells
04. Wake Up Dead
05. Devils Island
06. Set The World Afire
07. Into The Lungs Of Hell
08. Anarchy/Problems [session take] *
09. Hook In Mouth
10. Liar
11. In My Darkest Hour
12. No More Mr. Nice Guy
13. "dark themes ..." *
14. Holy Wars ... The Punishment Due [Casey McMackin demo] *
15. Tornado Of Souls [demo] *
16. Five Magics [demo] *
17. Hangar 18

Disc Two:

01. "keeping score ..." *
02. Symphony Of Destruction
03. Go To Hell
04. Foreclosure Of A Dream
05. Architecture Of Aggression [demo] ^
06. Skin O' My Teeth [live at Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 5/23/92]
07. High Speed Dirt [live at Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 5/23/92]
08. Ashes In Your Mouth [live at the Cow Palace, S.F., CA 12/4/92]
09. Sweating Bullets [live at the Cow Palace, S.F., CA 12/4/92]
10. Breakpoint [session take] *
11. Angry Again
12. Train Of Consequences
13. Reckoning Day
14. New World Order
15. The Killing Road
16. Strange Ways
17. Paranoid
18. Diadems
19. A Tout Le Monde

Disc Three:

01. Trust
02. Almost Honest
03. Use The Man
04. She-Wolf
05. A Secret Place [live at Woodstock, NY 7/25/99]
06. One Thing ^
07. Duke Nukem
08. Insomnia
09. Crush 'Em
10. Kill The King
11. Dread And The Fugitive Mind
12. Never Say Die
13. Moto Psycho
14. 1000 Times Goodbye
15. Coming Home ^
16. Kick The Chair
17. Of Mice And Men

Disc Four:

All tracks recorded live at Wembley Stadium, London, England 10/16/90

01. Intro/Rattlehead
02. Wake Up Dead *
03. Hangar 18 *
04. Hook In Mouth *
05. The Skull Beneath The Skin *
06. The Conjuring *
07. In My Darkest Hour *
08. Lucretia *
09. Devils Island *
10. Take No Prisoners *
11. Peace Sells *
12. Black Friday *
13. Holy Wars ... The Punishment Due *
14. It's Electric *
15. Anarchy In The U.K. *

Disc Five [DVD]

All tracks recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England 9/30/92

01. Intro/Holy Wars ... The Punishment Due *
02. Wake Up Dead *
03. Hangar 18 *
04. Lucretia *
05. Sweating Bullets *
06. In My Darkest Hour *
07. Tornado Of Souls *
08. Ashes In Your Mouth *
09. Peace Sells *
10. Anarchy In The U.K. *

* previously unreleased
^ previously unreleased in the U.S.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD has revealed the track listing for its new, self-titled album, which will follow up the band's breakthrough 2005 effort, "City of Evil". Due on October 16, the CD is the California metalcore act's first attempt at self-producing.

"Avenged Sevenfold" track listing:

01. Critical Acclaim
02. Almost Easy
03. Scream
04. Afterlife
05. Gunslinger
06. Unbound the Wild Ride
07. Brompton Cocktail
08. Lost
09. A Little Piece of Heaven
10. Dear God

Watch a short teaser for the album below.

AVENGED vocalist M. Shadows told MTV.com last month that the band had no problem producing the CD themselves. "We met with a lot of different producers and felt that we would be going more in their direction, rather than doing what we wanted to do," Shadows said. "We wanted to make our record. We've spent a lot of time in the studio, and we've learned how to do everything. It was the only way we would be able to get our ideas across, 100 percent, to our fans."

A limited-edition version of OVERKILL's new album, "Immortalis", will include a bonus DVD containing footage from the band's August 2, 2007 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. More information will be made available soon.

As previously reported, Bodog Music has set an October 9 release date for "Immortalis". The group's collaboration with Bodog reunites OVERKILL with Jonny and Marsha Zazula, previous owners of Megaforce Records, the label responsible for putting metal on the map and bringing OVERKILL's New Jersey thrash metal to the world. The Zazulas are now a part of the Bodog Music team in the United States.

EYES OF EDEN, the new band featuring Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., DESPAIR), will release its debut album, "Faith" (Century Media), on the following dates:

Friday, Aug 17: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux
Monday, Aug 20: UK, France, Denmark, Norway, Rest of Europe
Wednesday, Aug 22: Sweden, Finland, Hungary
Tuesday, Aug 28: Spain, Portugal
Friday, Sep 14: Italy

"Faith", is described in a press release as "an exciting orchestral masterpiece of gothic rock/metal. The band is not only profiting from Sorychta's outstanding producer and songwriter skills, but also his gift to discover a young talent like [singer] Franziska Huth." The CD also features a guest appearance on drums by Gas Lipstick of H.I.M. fame.

"Faith" track listing:

01. Winter Night (3:35)
02. When Gods Fall (3:37)
03. Star (3:47)
04. Pictures (4:09)
05. Dancing Fire (3:15)
06. Sleeping Minds (3:59)
07. Daylight (4:03)
08. Man In The Flame (4:21)
09. From Heaven Sent (4:16)
10. Not Human Kind (10:01)

Three songs from the album are available for streaming at this location

A brand new track from the resurrected symphonic black metal masters LIMBONIC ART, entitled "Lycanthropic Tales", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the group's comeback CD, "Legacy of Evil" (cover), due on September 27 via Nocturnal Art Productions. According to a press release, "LIMBONIC ART strike back with full force, more intense and malevolent than ever. This is a well-crafted black metal massacre, with heart and soul!'

Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL have posted the new version of their song "Tenebrarum Oratorium (Andamento I/Erudit Compendyum)" on their MySpace page. The song comes off the band's upcoming CD "Under SatanÆ", which consists of re-recordings of the band's legendary EP "Under the Moonspell" (1994) as well as their first demo "Anno SatanÆ" and their sole track as MORBID GOD, "Serpent Angel". All the songs were re-arranged and revamped in order to "underline their revered distinction as underground classics but now with a mature dark energy and class," according to a press release. "The full-length CD (eight songs and around five instrumental compositions) was recorded at Denmark's Antfarm Studios with Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ROB HALFORD) and will be released in early October via SPV worldwide.

"Under SatanÆ" track listing (not in final order):

01. Halla alle halla al rabka halla (Praeludium/Incantatum Solistitium)
02. Tenebrarum Oratorium (Andamento I/Erudit Compendyum)
03. Interludium/Incantatum Oequinoctum
04. Tenebrarum Oratorium (Andamento II/Erotic Compendyum)
05. Opus Diabolicum (Andamento III/Instrumental Compendyum)
06. Chorai Lusitânia! (Epilogus/Incantatam Maresia)
07. Intro
08. Goat on Fire
09. Ancient Winter Goddess
10. Wolves From The Fog
11. Outro
12. Serpent Angel

The band is also in the process of writing material for the follow-up to "Memorial", which will go into production before the end of the year at the Woodhouse Studios with producer Waldemar Sorychta. A "best of" collection from MOONSPELL, entitled "The Great Silver Eye", was recently released through Century Media.

Italian folk/power metal band ELVENKING has released the video for its song "The Divided Heart". The clip was shot with director Mirco Andreis (ELDRITCH, MACBETH, DISARMONIA MUNDI). Watch the video below.

"The Divided Heart" comes off ELVENKING's new CD, "The Scythe", due in Europe on September 14 via AFM Records. The album was mixed at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland. The mastering took place on April 10 at Finnvox Studios with Mika Jussila and Nino Laurenne.

"The Scythe" track listing:

01. The Scythe
02. Lost Hill of Memories
03. Infection
04. Poison Tears
05. A Riddle of Stars
06. Romance & Wrath
07. The Divided Heart
08. Horns Ablaze (digipack bonus track)
09. Totentanz
10. Death and the Suffering
11. Dominhate

Former ANGRA/SHAAMAN frontman André Matos will release his debut solo album, "Time to be Free", in Japan on August 22 via Avalon/Marquee Inc. The CD was produced by Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, JUDAS PRIEST) and Sascha Paeth (KAMELOT, EDGUY, RHAPSODY, FREEDOM CALL) between November 2006 and February 2007 at Ultra Sonica and Brainless Brothers Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany.

"Time to be Free" (http://www.andrematos.net/news_fotos/news13.jpg) track listing:

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

Paragon Records has announced its latest two signings: DARKESTRAH and AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS.

DARKESTRAH has been playing its brand of innovative black metal since 1999, releasing three acclaimed albums: "Sary Oy", "Embrace of Memory" and "Epos". While DARKESTRAH is now based in Germany, the band formed in the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan.
Previous works have been described as a spiritual, almost pre-historic journey, using pagan themes in a very unique way, often paying homage to the bands Shaman roots. Great melodic parts were paired with traditional instruments like Kyl-kyjak, Komuz or Sygyt. Female black metal vocals and singing that created the atmosphere of the spiritual shamanic people.

DARKESTRAH's brand new album will be out in early 2008 through Paragon. More information, clips, and photos on can be found on the band's web site.

Hungary's AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS plays fast and raging black metal inspired by the old masters DISSECTION, RAGNAROK and countrymates TORMENTOR. Sole member Arkhorrl regards his band as a salute to the black metal ancestors, and edifying the Hungarian black metal scene. AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS previously released three full-length albums and has established itself as one of the standouts of the thriving Hungarian black metal scene. The group's fourth album, "Viziok", will be available in early autumn through Paragon. More information, soundclips, photos can be found on the AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS web site

EDGUY/AVANTASIA frontman Tobias Sammet recently underwent appendix surgery and is currently recovering in a German hospital.

Sammet has confirmed via his official web site that SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker and rock legend Alice Cooper will appear on the third installment of his AVANTASIA project, entitled "Lost in Space Part 1 and Part 2" (the "Scarecrow" working title has now apparently been scrapped). Other guests confirmed to appear on AVANTASIA's new CD include Sascha Paeth, Henjo Richter, Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER), Miro, Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN), Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), Bob Catley and Amanda Somerville.

AVANTASIA will perform at next year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany. Also scheduled to appear are IRON MAIDEN (headliners), CHILDREN OF BODOM and KREATOR.

NIGHTWISH's video for the group's new single, "Amaranth", debuted on MTV Finland early this morning (Saturday, August 11) and has since gone into regular rotation. The clip will receive its official online premiere on Monday, August 13 at 8:00 a.m. CET via the Nuclear Blast Records web site. The video, which was shot in Los Angeles with director Antti Jokinen (BEYONCÉ, WYCLEF JEAN, KORN, MISSY ELLIOT, STRATOVARIUS, SHANIA TWAIN, CELINE DION), has surfaced on YouTube and can be viewed below.

NIGHTWISH shot two videos in Los Angeles with Antti Jokinen, reportedly at a cost of 270,000 euros (approximately $362,000). "We saved time and money by doing two videos in one session," NIGHTWISH leader Tuomas Holopainen told the Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat.

Behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the new NIGHTWISH video, "Amaranth", has been posted at Nightwish.com.

Swedish black metal band VANMAKT has posted its video for the track "Förkastelse Av Jesu Tro" on YouTube. The song comes off the group's debut album, "Vredskapta Mörkersagor" (cover), which has just been released through Pulverised Records. The CD features guest appearances by Jonas Renvaktar (SPAWN OF POSSESSION) on the song entitled "Open the Gates" and Hebbe from SKALD on the track "En Mardröm, En Strid, Ett Helvete".

"Vredskapta Mörkersagor" track listing:

01. The First Key
02. Sanguine Craving
03. Förkastelse Av Jesu Tro
04. My Darkest Hate
05. Diaboli Iubeo
06. Para Vindicta
07. Open The Gates
08. Death Upon Death
09. En Mardröm, En Strid, Ett Helvete
10. Prince Mephisto
11. A New Satanic Era

Check out audio samples at the band's MySpace Page

German metalcore act MAROON has posted a three-minute video clip featuring footage from the recording sessions for the group's new album, "The Cold Heart of the Sun". Watch the video here.

"The Cold Heart of the Sun" is scheduled for release in Europe on October 22 via Century Media Records. The drums were recorded at the Hansen Studios in Denmark by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, NEAERA, FEAR MY THOUGHTS, VOLBEAT), who also handled the mixing and mastering duties. The other instruments and vocals were laid down at the Rape Of Harmonies studio in Germany with Ralf Müller, Patrick W. Engel and Alexander Dietz (HEAVEN SHALL BURN).

"The Cold Heart of the Sun" track listing:

1. [Reach] The Sun
   
2. Only The Sleeper Left The World
   
3. Steelbath Your Heart
   
4. My Funeral Song
   
5. Black Halo!
   
6. The Cold Heart Of The Sun
   
7. For Those Unseen
   
8. As Truth Becomes Vain
   
9. The Iron Council
   
10. Fear The Most Them Who Protect
    
11. Some Goodbyes Are Farewells
    

MAROON will embark on a European tour in September alongside AS I LAY DYING, DARKEST HOUR and HIMSA. The band will also play a few headlining shows, including a gig at Matrix in Bochum, Germany on September 13.

Acclaimed Australian atmospheric/gothic/doom metal band THE ETERNAL has issued the following update:

"After an enjoyable and successful European tour we are back home! After the European tour, singer/guitarist Mark Kelson went on to do six weeks touring in the USA as a session guitarist for VIRGIN BLACK, so the rest of THE ETERNAL had a well earned break.

"We would like to thank all those that made our time in Europe very enjoyable, Musketeer of Death, Negative Art and Nemesis Promotions most of all for making all the shows happen, and of course all our fans that made it to the shows! With any luck you will see us again next year with a new album under our belts! To celebrate our return we will be doing a hometown show on August 17 at The Arthouse in Melbourne with TEARGAS, THRESHOLDS OF VENGEANCE and IMMERSION. We will not be doing to many shows for the rest of the year, so that we may focus on recording our new album. So please come down and spend an evening with us!

"Well, pre-production for the new album, with the working title 'Kartika' is almost complete. 16 songs are written and at this stage it looks if the band will be using Adelaide engineer Ian Miller alongside Mark Kelson to handle production duties. The band aim to head to Adelaide by November to lay down drums and should be tracking the rest of the album in Melbourne, Australia. At this stage we have not decided what label we will work with for 'Kartika'."

THE ETERNAL recently uploaded a new demo track to its MySpace Page. "Without Reason" was engineered late last year by Endel Rivers and Mark Kelson and was mixed by Endel. "Every one of the 16 tracks we have written [for the upcoming album, tentatively titled 'Kartika'] [is] quite different from each other, so what you will be hearing is just a small taste of what is to come!" the band previously said. Other songs set to appear on the CD include "Silence", "Brighter Day", "Blood", "I've Seen The Dream Through Someone Else's Eyes", "Sunshine" and "Inside The Grey".

THE ETERNAL released its sophomore album, "Sleep of Reason", in 2005 through Firebox Records to critical acclaim, with stunning artwork provided by renowned artist Travis Smith.

VIOLENT STORM, the new band formed by ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/BLACKMORE'S NIGHT bassist Mick Cervino, has announced the addition of drummer Stet Howland (W.A.S.P., TEMPLE OF BRUTALITY) to the group's ranks.

Back in June, VIOLENT STORM cancelled the remaining dates on its European tour "due to unforseen circumstances beyond our control," according to a statement released by the group's management. No further details were provided.

VIOLENT STORM's latest album, "Storm Warning" was produced by JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing (his first production credit outside of PRIEST), and features guest appearances by Downing, Malmsteen and Roy Z (HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON). The CD was released in the U.S. on July 17 via Gold Storm Records. An October 2006 interview with Downing conducted by "Pandora's Rock Box" for U.K.'s Radio Caroline station about about his involvement with VIOLENT STORM is available for download in MP3 format at this locationn

Polish black/death metal band DARZAMAT will release its first-ever live DVD, entitled "Live Profanity (Visiting the Graves of Heretics)" (cover), in North America on August 28 via Metal Mind Productions (the DVD was released in Europe on July 30). The disc was recorded at the 21st edition of the Metalmania Festival, which took place on March 24 in Katowice, Poland, and contains material comprised mostly of songs from the band's latest album, "Transkarpatia". Also included is the group's surprise performance of the song "Diabelski Dom" by the cult Polish metal band KAT, featuring a guest appearance by KAT leader Roman Kostrzewski. The DVD also includes additional footage from the Winternachtstraum Festival, which took place in February 2007 in Arnsberg, Germany, two unreleased tracks, video clips, and an interview with Flauros and Nera.

"Live Profanity (Visiting the Graves of Heretics)" track listing:

Metalmania 2007:

1. Intro
   
2. Labyrinth of Anxiety
   
3. The Burning Times
   
4. Fistful of Ashes
   
5. Hallucinations
   
6. Blackward
   
7. Vampiric Prose
   
8. The Old Form of Worship
   
9. Recurring Yell
   
10. Demise
    
11. Diabelski Dom cz.II
    

Winternachtstraum Festival 2007:

1. Intro
   
2. Blackward
   
3. Vampiric Prose
   
4. Era Aggression
   
5. Labyrinth of Anxiety
   
6. Hallucinations
   
7. The Burning Times
   
8. Fistful of Ashes
   
9. The Old Form of Worship
   
10. Storm
    

Bonus video:

• The Burning Times
  
• Era Aggression
  
• In Red Iris
  

Bonus audio:

• Equinox
  
• Storm 2005
  

Also includes:

• Photo gallery
  
• Band history
  
• Discography
  
• Desktop images
  
• Weblinks
  
• Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
  

"Labyrinth of Anxiety" preview clip is available here.

South German melodic metal outfit SAIDIAN will enter the studio on September 3 to begin recording its third, as-yet-untitled album for a March 2008 release via Metal Heaven/Soulfood in Europe. The Japanese version of the album, which is also due in March, will include a bonus track.

SAIDIAN recently posted its video for the song "Burn Down the Night" on Myspace. According to the band, the clip features, "besides live footage, some backstage impressions from our 2005 European tour with JON OLIVA'S PAIN."

Former SAVATAGE/current JON OLIVA'S PAIN frontman Jon Oliva and SINNER/ex-PRIMAL FEAR drummer Klaus Sperling made guest appearances on the sophomore album from SAIDIAN, entitled "Phoenix". Released in September 2006 via Metal Heaven, the disc was produced by former SANVOISEN singer Vagelis Maranis at Maranis Studios in Backnang (near Stuttgart), Germany. Sperling reportedly plays drums on the entire album, while Oliva joined the group to sing a verse in the song "Crown of Creation".

U.S. progressive rock label ProgRock Records has just released the debut CD by AMARAN'S PLIGHT, the new band featuring vocalist DC Cooper (ex-ROYAL HUNT, SILENT FORCE), guitarist Gary Wehrkamp (SHADOW GALLERY), drummer Nick D'Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD, KEVIN GILBERT, TEARS FOR FEARS, GENESIS) and bassist Kurt Barabas (UNDER THE SUN). Entitled "Voice in the Light", the CD has been receiving rave reviews from fans and music critics worldwide.

The album was recorded in 2006 at Gary Wehrkamp's New Horizon Studios and described as textbook symphonic progressive metal. It combines the soaring vocals of DC Cooper with the master riffs and melodies of Gary Wehrkamp, backed by the sonic, dynamic and explosive rhythm section of D'Virgilio and Barabas.

Gary Wehrkamp and DC Cooper are no strangers to working together. Gary is the keyboardist, guitarist and producer of veteran progressive rock ensemble SHADOW GALLERY. DC Cooper appeared on their 1999 conceptual piece "Tyranny" as a guest vocalist on the epic track "New World Order".

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has confirmed via his official web site that SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker and rock legend Alice Cooper will appear on the third installment of his AVANTASIA project, entitled "Lost in Space Part 1 and Part 2" (the "Scarecrow" working title has now apparently been scrapped).

Commented Tobias: "I am really proud and grateful to have Rudolf and Alice as guests on the album. I am glad Rudolf finally managed to do it as the SCORPIONS have been so busy promoting their new album 'Humanity – Hour 1' which I think is their best since 1987. We had to re-schedule the session once and finally we worked things out catching up backstage in Slovakia during a SCORPIONS/EDGUY show. And what can I say about Alice Cooper? He is a unique American legend! Everybody knows him and all I can say is: I ain't worthy, I ain't worthy! The role he's sung suits him perfectly! Both Rudolf and Alice did great performances and I am truly blessed to have won them as special guests for my album!" Other guests confirmed to appear on AVANTASIA's new CD include Sascha Paeth, Henjo Richter, Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER), Miro, Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN), Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), Bob Catley and Amanda Somerville.

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet announced at a press conference at Wacken Open Air earlier today that his solo project AVANTASIA will perform at next year's installment of the festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany. Also scheduled to appear are IRON MAIDEN (headliners), CHILDREN OF BODOM and KREATOR.
Drummer Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER) revealed during a recent interview with rock and roll comic C.C. Banana at the 21st annual NY/NJ Kiss Expo that Alice Cooper has recorded a guest appearance on "The Scarecrow", the third full-length release from AVANTASIA. According to Singer, Michael Schenker (ex-UFO, SCORPIONS) and Michael's brother Rudolf (SCORPIONS) will also appear on the album, which features Eric on drums, Tobias on bass, and former MASTERPLAN/ARK frontman Jorn Lande and Amanda Somerville (the American singer-songwriter and vocal coach who is better known for her collaborations with various European metal bands, including EPICA, AFTER FOREVER and EDGUY) on additional vocals. More guest appearances are expected to be announced soon.

Regarding Kiske's contribution to the new AVANTASIA CD, Sammet said, "I love Michael's voice, he is the singer that made me want to become a singer myself twenty years ago. I am happy and proud that he is part of AVANTASIA again."

AVANTASIA will perform at next year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany. Also scheduled to appear are IRON MAIDEN (headliners), CHILDREN OF BODOM and KREATOR.

In a recent interview, Sammet described the music on the new AVANTASIA CD as "diversified, pomp metal with some classic rock elements, Classic orchestrated moments and Celtic stuff, a big timeless production and so on and so forth. It's going to consist of many different elements. Bombastic kick-ass music with a lot of heart and depth."

Check out photos from the recording sessions at this location.

The new AVANTASIA album will be a concept album featuring different singers singing different characters in a story. But the concept itself won't be a sequel to the first two AVANTASIA albums.

"Lost in Space Part 1 and Part 2" is scheduled for release on October 19.

AVANTASIA's last release was the two-part epic called "The Metal Opera" (issued in 2001 and 2002), which featured an impressive array of guest vocalists playing the various characters of the opera, including Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY), André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN), Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS), Rob Rock (WARRIOR), and others.

DEATH ANGEL guitarist Rob Cavestany has issued the following update:

"Just finished an awesome mastering session with Ken Lee at his studio in Oakland. He is a master masterer for damn sure! The disc sounds great! Scheduled for release on September 4, 2007. I'll keep ya posted as the date draws near. For now, let me interest you with this...

"The full-length CD includes 10 songs and will be initially released as a limited-edition digipack for the first 1,000 units. The record features my bros Andy Galeon on drums and Gus Pepa on guitar. Just us vibing out and getting deep. Here is the track listing:

01. Heal In Time
02. Bittersweet
03. Lines On The Road
04. This Life
05. Slip Away
06. Winter Welcome
07. Stuck On a Stepping Stone
08. Comet
09. Won't Stop
10. Naturally

"I posted five of them for your listening pleasure but something is screwed up and they are not loading correctly as of now. Hopefully by the time you read this they are up and running and making their way into your lives.

"By the way, DEATH ANGEL is in the thick of pre production for our upcoming record and we will be in the studio laying down tracks very soon!"