Long-running Italian black-thrash metal heroes NECRODEATH will release their new album, "Draculea", in October via Scarlet Records. Artwork duties will be handled by renowed artist/director Chad Michael Ward (who previously worked with MARILYN MANSON, FEAR FACTORY, BILLY IDOL, ALLHELLUJA among others). The final track listing is as follows:

1. V.T.1431
   
2. Smell Of Blood
   
3. Party In Tirgoviste
   
4. Draculea
   
5. Fragments Of Insanity
   
6. Countess Bathory
   
7. The Golden Cup
   
8. Impaler Prince
   
9. V.T.1476
   

NECRODEATH drummer Peso previously stated: "Immediately after the recording sessions for '100% Hell' [2006] I began composing some new material, but it was in November 2006 that I realized that NECRODEATH had to come back with a new record, some new material capable to improve our sound without losing our typical trademark. That's why I had the idea to write a concept based on Vlad Tepes' life, finding the inspiration on some books I've been reading recently. Every song will have its particular meaning and there will be a wide range of influences upon this new record. Pier from LABYRINTH will be handling the guitar duties, with us being still in search for a permanent guitar player, and, of course, this means that the whole record will be influenced by Pier's extraordinary style, with lots of great solos, for the first time in the band's career. Flegias and John are also putting a lot of efforts in this record, you can be sure that everybody will notice that."

NECRODEATH's sixth studio album, "100% Hate" was recorded at Outer Sound studios in Rome and features a guest appearance by VENOM frontman Conrad" Cronos" Lant. The CD was described in a press release as "the most diverse NECRODEATH album to date, containing 10 furious tracks spanning from the fast thrashing assault of the mid-eighties to the groove-oriented sonic holocaust displayed with the latest efforts."

German dark/symphonic gothic metal band ATARGATIS has revealed the cover artwork of its upcoming album, "Nova", which will be released on October 26 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded and produced at the Helion Studios (DARKSEED, EQUILIBRIUM) in Munich, Germany. The complete layout and design was created by Katja Piolka (PRIMAL FEAR, RAGE, LEAVES' EYES, DESTRUCTION). In addition to the cover design, the band worked with Katja Piolka on their newest promo pictures.

"Nova" contains ten songs, including a cover of ARMY OF LOVERS' "Crucified". The album includes a guest appearance by Matthias Hechler (Matze) from the German gothic metal heroes CREMATORY. The CD will also be available in digipack format (including two exclusive bonus tracks).

Former THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen will release the debut album from her new band AGUA DE ANNIQUE, entitled "Air", on October 30 via The End Records. Currently available for streaming on the band's official web site (in the "Listen" section) are two full-length tracks — "Day after Yesterday" and "Beautiful One". A "beautiful" animated music video for the song "Day after Yesterday" is also in the works.

"Over the last 10 years I have turned many dreams and experiences into songs," Anneke previously said in a statement. "I started recording a selection of the very personal ones during the past six months. We've laid down the basic tracks at the Waterfront Studios in Rotterdam and recorded overdubs at The Void in Eindhoven, as well as in the comfort of my own home studio. I'm excited to send these songs off into the world and share them with [everyone]!

"I have formed a band called AGUA DE ANNIQUE to help me voice these songs. We will release an album called 'Air' in the fall of 2007.

"Besides the wonderfully talented people in the band, a few of my friends will make appearances on this album. The lovely Kristin Fjellseth will sing additional vocals, Jeffrey Fayman has made a string arrangement for a song called 'Ice Water'. Heleen de Witte plays the flute and Timothy Conroy provided some killer trumpet work. The album is mixed by Jon Anders Narum."

AGUA DE ANNIQUE is:

Anneke van Giersbergen - Vocals/Piano
Joris Dirks - Guitars/Vocals
Jacques de Haard - Bass
Rob Snijders - Drums

Anneke van Giersbergen's final appearance with THE GATHERING took place on August 4 at the Ankkarock festival in Finland.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's enigmatic guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz has been forced to leave the band in the middle of its successful run as stand-out performers on the Vans Warped Tour due to health reasons. Adam underwent back surgery in early 2007. In order to fully recover, his doctors have advised leaving the tour and continuing with daily physical therapy. The group will continue on as a four-piece, with their guitar tech Josh Mihlek filling in for Adam on select songs. After playing with this lineup on the July 31 Milwaukee and August 1 Cincinnati Warped dates, the band feels confident that this solution works well and will allow them to finish the tour.

According to TAAKE's record company, Dark Essence Records, the group's frontman, Hoest, is currently serving a prison sentence for undisclosed offenses. A statement from the label says, "He will be out in a couple of months, and will then finish the work on the new TAAKE release."

Hoest (photo#1, photo#2, photo#3) found himself at the center of controversy in March after he appeared on stage in Essen, Germany with a swastika symbol drawn on his chest. According to an article published in the March 26 edition of the Norwegian newspaper Bergens Tidende, TAAKE's record label, Dark Essence Records, has indicated that it may terminate its relationship with the band as a result of TAAKE's behavior at the Essen concert.

TAAKE's third album, "Doedskvad", was released in 2005 via Dark Essence Records. The band had previously released two albums on the Wounded Love label: "Nattestid..." (1999) and "Bjoergvin" (2002). "Doedskvad" is the last installment in this trilogy.

Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA have issued the following update:

"As many already know, our guitarist Jani Liimatainen has been absent from the lineup this spring and summer. The reason was his messing around with his compulsory military/civil/prison duty, or rather, complete failure to take care of it.

"This matter, and everything that goes with it, caused a split between Jani and the other band members. This split was impossible to mend without Jani's help and co-operation.

"Therefore we would like to make known the following: During fall of '06 and spring of '07, Jani's personal matters and actions drove us to a situation where we had no option but to ask Jani to leave the band.

"Jani was notified of this in May, and the separation was amicable. We wanted to give Jani the chance to get his life together before making this public, which is why we didn't make this announcement earlier. We wish Jani well on his chosen path.

"'Show must go on,' so, facing the facts, we hereby humbly announce that Elias Viljanen is from this day forward a full and official member of SONATA ARCTICA.

"Throughout this summer, on many occasions, Elias has shown himself to be able to fill the big boots Jani left behind.

"We hope our friends and our fans understand that this was the only choice left for us to make so that our band could continue. SONATA ARCTICA has always been, and always will be, more than the sum of its parts. The band has become for us a way of life, a lifeline that simply can not be cut off.

"A long 'Unia' tour lies in front of us.

"We extend Elias a warm welcome to the SONATA family, and we hope the fans will, too. SONATA ARCTICA is whole again.

"See you on the road!"

Swedish metallers AMON AMARTH have issued the following update:

"We are happy to announce that our DVD, 'Wrath of the Norsemen', has officially sold gold in the USA. [This comes out to around 16,000 copies sold due to the fact that the set consists of three discs; gold certification for a single-disc release is 50,000 copies.]

"We want to thank Metal Blade Records, and especially Michael Trengert, for making this DVD happen. We also want to thank our friends 'Die Jomswikinger', our crew, and the Roax film team for an excellent job. Last but not least we want to thank all our American fans who have supported us and bought the DVD. You kick ass, America!"

Released in June 2006, "Wrath of the Norsemen" DVD entered the Swedish Music DVD chart at position No. 2. A three-disc set, it was released in a deluxe 10-page digipack with special gold-laminated slipcase. The main body of the DVD is the Cologne show from 2005 — filmed with 11 cameras, this was the longest show AMON AMARTH have ever played (23 songs!). Bonus footage includes interviews, behind-the-scenes of the DVD recording and other stuff filmed around the Cologne show. Discs 2 and 3 feature professionally filmed shows from Summer Breeze 2005, the Metal Blade Rrroooaaarrr 2005 (a show with a really unusual setlist!), Wacken Open Air 2004 and the release show for "Fate of Norns" in Ludwigsburg (Germany) in 2004.

Swedish "death-rockers" HELLTRAIN — whose members have spent time playing with such acclaimed outfits as SCHEITAN, THE EVERDAWN, GATES OF ISHTAR, DEFLESHED, BATTLELUST, THE MOANING, and RAISED FIST — have finished recording their second album, due later in the year via Jimmy Franks Recording Company. More information will be made available soon.

HELLTRAIN's debut album, "Route 666", was released in 2004 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The band's lineup includes Pierre Törnkvist (vocals, guitar), Oskar Karlsson (drums, guitars), and Patrik Törnkvist (guitars, organ, piano, bass).

Belgian death metallers FLESHMOULD have announced the addition of bassist Didier Vancampo to the group's ranks. "Until we find a great drummer to complete our ranks we gladly abuse the awesome skills of SUHRIM drummer Kevin Deleener, who is kind enough to help us out," the band writes on its web site. "Even now it feels like we're better than ever and we're very eager to show it."

FLESHMOULD's latest album, "The Lazarus Breed", was released in June 2006 via Shiver Records. The recordings took place at the ShumCot Soundlab and the mastering was done at the CCR Studio.

FLESHMOULD previously released an EP, entitled "Apocalyptus Rexx".

Danish extreme metallers ILLDISPOSED have issued the following update:

"We are no longer part of the Roadrunner family. Roadrunner didn't pick their third option with us — and honestly that was what we hoped for. We had a great time with Roadrunner, but it was a big problem to us that they refused to release our albums in the U.S. and other important territories. Their company structure and way of working doesn't fit a death metal band; we're not mainstream enough for that. But they did open a lot of doors for us and we're grateful for that.

"Anyway, we've spent the last months negotiating with other labels and we will present our new label within the next few weeks. I can tell that this time we will be priority and that the new album will be out everywhere."

ILLDISPOSED guitarist/songwriter Jakob Batten previously announced that the group's new album would be recordeded with longtime producer Ziggy and mixed at Studio Fredman in Sweden with Fredrik Nordström.

Regarding the new material, Batten said, "Heavy stuff, heavy sound, membrane-shredding tunes is what you can expect. It will be killer! . . . This time we're going in a more old-school direction, more heavy bass-drum parts and way less electronics."

ILLDISPOSED's latest CD, "Burn Me Wicked", entered the Danish album chart at position No. 58 in June 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "1-800 Vindication" was recorded at ZigZound Studio during November/December 2005 with producer Ziggy and was mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm studio.

BROTHER FIRETRIBE, the Finnish AOR/hard rock band featuring NIGHTWISH guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, is hard at work with its second album. A total of 10 songs were demoed for the CD and drums for the entire LP have already been recorded. Guitars have been completed for eight songs, five five of which also have their final keyboard parts. The rest of the keyboard, guitar and bass recordings will be completed in August, and the vocals will be laid down in September. Finally, the album will be mixed and mastered in October.

BROTHER FIRETRIBE's second album will contain the following tracks:

01. Runaways
02. Out of My Head
03. Heard It on My Radio
04. Wildest Dreams
05. Who Will You Run To Now
06. Play It from the Heart
07. Game They Call Love
08. Heart Full of Fire
09. I Am Rock
10. Chasing the Angels (Mike Reno song from "Iron Eagle II")

A single, "Runaways", will precede the album. In addition to the title cut, the single will include the song "Chasing the Angels".

Anette Olzon of NIGHTWISH will share the singing duties with BROTHER FIRETRIBE vocalist Pekka Ansio Heino on the "blazing hot" track "Heart Full of Fire".

The band has several dates scheduled for the rest of the summer, including an appearance at the Thunderground Festival will in Nottingham, England on August 18.

Lead guitarist Cédric "Cede" Dupont of the German/Swiss melodic power trashers SYMPHORCE has recorded a couple of guest appearances during the recent months. "I played some lead stuff in June for my DARK AGE buddies up in Hamburg," he says. "I just love their music and it's always a cool thing to contribute something to a cool record of a cool band! The album will be mixed next week, and will hopefully come out soon. Then some while ago, I did play some leads for a Brazilian newcomer band called TEMPLE OF SIN.

SYMPHORCE has announced its first headlining show for this fall/winter season. The concert will take place on November 17 at Rock City in Uster, Switzerland.

SYMPHORCE's "Become Death" album was released on February 23, 2007 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and February 26, 2007 (rest of Europe) via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at the House Of Music Studios in Winterbach (near Stuttgart), Germany with producer Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69). Mastering duties were handled by Achim Köhler (BRAINSTORM).

The End Records has set an October 2 North American release date for the new album from Norway's ULVER, entitled "Shadows of the Sun".

The CD serves as the follow-up to 2004's "Blood Inside", the critically-acclaimed album that showcased the band's vibrant musical progression masterfully scripted amongst their unique vision, style and sound.

To view a large version of the "Shadows of the Sun" artwork, go here.

In regards to the direction of the new album, the band recently posted on its official site: "Many of you have been waiting for sound, and we are sorry for the silence. We needed to be alone, without the hustle and bustle of the living. We are uncomfortable with the world, the industry and our place. We have been working, sluggishly, well aware we could end up with nothing. Nonetheless we believe we have succeeded in giving our fears some kind of form. We feel it is our most personal record to date. Low-key, dark, and tragic. As we are."

The full track listing for the album is:

01. Eos
02. All The Love
03. Like Music
04. Vigil
05. Shadows Of The Sun
06. Let The Children Go
07. Solitude
08. Funebrae
09. What Happened?

EPICA's new video, "Never Enough", has been played here. The song comes off the Dutch symphonic metal band's new album, "The Divine Conspiracy", due in North America on August 28 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD will be issued in in Europe on September 10 (September 7 in Germany). Check out the CD cover artwork at this location.

Nuclear Blast will release a limited deluxe CD edition in Europe of "The Divine Conspiracy", featuring the bonus tracks "Higher High" and "Replica" (FEAR FACTORY cover), video clips and a "making-of" enhanced section. A gatefold vinyl edition will also be issued containing the same two bonus tracks.

According to a posting on the band's web site, "The Divine Conspiracy" "will be EPICA's first full length concept album. This concept deals with the theory that, as a test, God created all kinds of different religions and released those upon humanity to see if they would be able to find the true nature of them, realizing that in all religions it is actually the same. But there's more to it; it also concludes the 'Embrace That Smothers' concept that could already be found on 'The Phantom Agony'."

"The Divine Conspiracy" was mixed by Sascha Paeth and features a session appearance by GOD DETHRONED drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek. EPICA has yet to name a full-time drummer following the departure of Jeroen Simons in 2006.

EPICA's June 21, 2007 concert at The Underground in Cologne (Köln), Germany was filmed as part of the WDR TV network's "Rockpalast" series. The footage will air on August 6.

As previously reported, EPICA has been confirmed as the support act for SONATA ARCTICA on their upcoming European tour in November.

A brand new THE OLD DEAD TREE track, entitled "Dive", has been posted online at this location. The song comes off the Parisian goth metallers' new album, "The Water Fields", due on September 17 via Season of Mist. The CD was recorded at Stage One Studio in Germany with producer Andy Classen.

Speaking about the new CD, vocalist/guitarist Manuel stated, "The band went further again, reaching a new stage in terms of songwriting and maturity. This album is much heavier and darker, but also more diverse and full of sheer emotion! Even the production of Andy Classen outdoes the job on our previous material."

"The Water Fields" track listing:

01. Start The Fire
02. Don't Wake Me Up (Those Who Never Wear White)
03

PRO-PAIN has parted ways with guitarist Eric Klinger and has replaced him with Marshall Stephens. "We would like to thank Eric for his years of dedication and friendship, and we wish nothing but the best for him and his family," the band writes in a statement. "At the same time, we are very pleased to welcome our new rhythm guitarist Marshall Stephens into the PRO-PAIN lineup. Marshall and JC [Dwyer, drums] are old friends, and have been in several bands together over the years (GONEMAD, SHRILL, etc...). This past weekend [July 21-22], we rehearsed with Marshall for the first time, and we are very happy to report that PRO-PAIN have never sounded better!! We could have literally played a gig the first night, as Marshall played the entire live set flawlessly!! We look forward to bringing our new lineup to the stage this September, and we once again thank Eric Klinger for all of the good times and great performances."

Finnish metallers AMORAL have announced the departure of bassist Erkki Silvennoinen. "No big drama behind the scenes; he is simply involved in too many projects to keep up with our hectic pace," the band writes in a statement. "And especially now, with a new album coming out and tons of gigs and promotion to do, we need every member's undivided attention on AMORAL. Not one gig will be cancelled because of this: we have a few qualified bass players in line to help us out if needed, and already some very potential candidates for a permanent band member. Though we are gonna take our sweet time before making anyone an official member of the band, that's for sure. You don't just walk right in the AMORAL famiglia, you have to earn it... Erkki will play his last gig with us at Jalometalli, Oulu on August 17th. We wish him all the best with his future projects."

U.K. extreme power metallers DRAGONFORCE will re-release their debut album, "Valley of the Damned", in October. Entitled "Valley of the Damned - Remixed & Remastered", the new set will include a bonus DVD. The remixed debut and DRAGONFORCE's second album, "Sonic Firestorm", will also be available for the first time on picture disc vinyl.

Commented guitarist Herman Li: ""For some time now we've been thinking about how great it would be that one day we could remix and remaster the 'Valley of the Damned' album and re-release it. I still remember the amount of time and effort we spent recording that album, and financing it myself! Ignoring all the deadlines that were set for the delivery of the master tapes, we went into a lengthy recording period only to finally run out of money which meant we didn't have the time to give the songs the mix and production sound they deserve.

"Although many people thought the original release had a great production, it is uncomparable to the massive production sound on the albums 'Sonic Firestorm' and 'Inhuman Rampage'. To tell you the truth, the original release was mixed in only 36 hours as we spent most of the time working on capturing the best performances and improving the songs as much as possible.

"Now, after 18 months on the road, three times around the world for the 'Inhuman Rampage Tour', our wish is granted with a bigger budget, better gear, more time and more experience to bring new life to 'Valley of the Damned'.

"I know many old fans still consider 'Valley of the Damned' to be our classic album. It is an album full of great songs that a lot of our new fans still haven't discovered yet unless they see us live since we have included songs from our debut album in all of our shows.

"We have spent the last three weeks with producer Karl Groom remixing all the songs and giving more attention to detail than we previously had a chance to do. The final result is exactly what we want now, and beyond what was possible when we first finished 'Valley of the Damned' four years ago. We are including a DVD in this package because we want to give you, the fans, as much as possible on this re-release. One thing is for sure, this jam-packed DVD took way longer than I initially thought and I definitely under estimated the time it takes to put so much archive footage on it. This DVD will give you a feel of what was happening before we started to spend our lives on tour buses and airplanes!

"For the November/December UK and European tour we intend to play a few more songs from 'Valley' that we haven't played for a long time, so hopefully we'll see you at one of the shows. I think all you diehard fans will love this package which will be released worldwide in early October and who knows, we might even get a few new fans along the way!"

"Valley of the Damned - Remixed & Remastered" track listing:

Disc 1 – CD:

01. Invocation of the Apocalyptic Evil
02. Valley of the Damned
03. Black Fire
04. Black Winter Night
05. Starfire
06. Disciples of Babylon
07. Revelations
08. Evening Star
09. Heart of a Dragon

Disc 2 – DVD:

* Interviews
- Interviews with the band members and producer reflecting on the "Valley of the Damned" period and the remix
* "Valley of the Damned" Live
- Previously unreleased professionally filmed live video recording from their first Japanese tour.
- Commentary version from Herman and Vadim
- Commentary version from ZP and Karl
* Backstage Footage
- DRAGONFORCE home videos. See through the eyes of Sam and ZP in Japan on the day of the show.
* Recording "Valley of the Damned"
- Footage from the drum recording session in Denmark
- Commentary version from Herman and Vadim
* Remixing "Valley of the Damned"
- Get technical with Herman, Vadim and producer Karl Groom. See how they remixed the album.

Colorado metallers SILENCER have issued the following update:

"SILENCER welcomes Justin Ferrarello on bass guitar! It feels good to be full strength again and we're now rehearsing to play soon in anticipation of the new record. We look forward to making Justin load all the gear each night, sell merch and take the shitty driving shifts on the road too! Heh heh."

SILENCER's follow-up to "Death of Awe" is tentatively due later in the year.

"Death of Awe" is available in the U.S. through The End Records distribution and mail-order. The album was released in Europe through Mausoleum Records.

Powerhouse heavy metal vocalist ROB ROCK (ex-IMPELLITTERI, DRIVER, JOSHUA) will release his new solo album, "Garden of Chaos", in Japan on August 22 via Victor Entertainment/JVC Music. The CD will be issued 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

ROB ROCK's lineup consists of the following musicians:

Rob Rock (vocals)
Carl-Johan Grimmark (guitar)
Andreas Johansson (drums)
Andreas Olsson (bass)

Guest musicians on new CD:

* Mistheria - keyboards
* Liza Rock - keyboards, backing vocals
* Roy Z - guitar, bass
* Gus G - guitar solo on "Ride The Wind"
* Bob Rossi - guitar solo on "Metal Breed"
* Peter Hallgren - guitar solos on "Savior's Call" and "Millennial Reign"
* Bobby Jarzombek - drums on "Ride The Wind" and "This Time Is The Last Time"

JVC/Victor Entertainment Japan released ROB ROCK's last CD, "Holy Hell", with four bonus tracks on September 22, 2005: "Ride the Wind", featuring a Gus G. (FIREWIND) guitar solo; "Lost in a World", originally recorded and mixed during the "Rage of Creation" (2000) sessions; "I’m a Warrior" (alternate mix) and "First Winds of the End of Time" (alternate mix) (alternate mixes by Roy Z).

Legendary Finnish rockers HANOI ROCKS have revealed the artwork for their "Street Poetry" album, due on September 5 in Finland by WolfGang Records and in Europe by U.K.-based Demolition Records. The Japanese pressing via Victor Entertainment/JVC Music will contain bonus tracks. The special edition will include a bonus skull bandana and three-fold box design. A new single, "This One's For Rock 'n' Roll", will precede the album on August 8.

"Street Poetry" track listing:

01. Hypermobile
02. Street Poetry
03. Fashion
04. Highwired
05. Power Of Persuasion
06. Teenage Revolution
07. Worth Your Weight In Gold
08. Transcendental Groove
09. This One's For Rock'N'Roll
10. Powertrip
11. Walkin' Away
12. Tootin' Star
13. Fumblefoot And Busy Bee

Japan bonus tracks:

14. Self Destruction Blues
15. Worldshaker

All songs written by McCoy, Monroe, except:

1., 5. and 10. by Bloom, McCoy, Monroe
11. by Alimo, Bloom, McCoy, Monroe
12. by Bloom, Christell, McCoy, Monroe
13. by Bloom, McCoy
15. Varonen, Taskinen, McCoy, Monroe

HANOI ROCKS' most recent single, "Fashion", entered the Finnish chart at No. 1 back in May. The promotional видео for "Fashion" has been posted online here. The clip was directed by Kusti and Jaakko Manninen.

Frontiers Records has set an October 19 European release date for the new album from German melodic hard rock masters JADED HEART, entitled "Sinister Mind".

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

"Sinister Mind" track listing:

01. Hero
02. Justice Is Deserved
03. Sinister Mind
04. Going Under
05. See The Light
06. Open Your Eyes
07. My Eager's Red
08. Always On My Mind
09. Heavenly Devotion
10. To Please And Give In
11. Hellucinate
12. Crush That Fear

Check out audio samples at this location.

Swedish metallers SOILWORK will film a video for the song "Exile" in Gothenburg, Sweden. According to the group's vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid, the clip "has a pretty trippy script. I'm sure it's gonna turn out awesome!"

"Exile" comes off SOILWORK's new album, "Sworn to a Great Divide", due on October 19 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The vocals for the new CD were recorded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with the help of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind Devin Townsend. The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Sworn To A Great Divide
02. Exile
03. Breeding Thorns
04. Your Beloved Scapegoat
05. The Pittsburgh Syndrome
06. I, Vermin
07. Light Discovering Darkness
08. As The Sleeper Awakes
09. Silent Bullet
10. Sick Heart River
11. 20 More Miles

Check out the cover artwork at this location.

Romanian female-fronted symphonic metal band MAGICA has inked a deal with AFM Records. The group's third album, "Hereafter", is scheduled for release on October 19. The cover artwork was created by Jean Pascal Fournier, who has previously worked with EDGUY and AVANTASIA, among many others. A video for the song "All Waters Have the Colour of Drowning", which will be included on the forthcoming CD, is available for viewing below.

MAGICA's second album, "Lightseeker", was released in 2004 via Underclass Music.

MAGICA is:

Ana Mladinovici - Vocals
Bogdan Costea - Guitar
Emi Burcea - Guitar
Vali Zechiu - Bass
Cristi Birla - Drums
6 Fingers - Keys

Swedish metallers ASTRAL DOORS, who feature in their ranks LION'S SHARE vocalist Patrik Johansson, have finalized the track listing for their new album, "New Revelation", due in Europe and the USA in September 2007 via Locomotive Music and in Japan in October 2007 through King Records. The CD was recorded at Big Turn Studio and at The Darkside in Borlänge, Sweden and was mixed at the Abyss Studios in Sweden by Peter Tägtgren and ASTRAL DOORS.

"New Revelation" (view cover at this location) track listing:

01. New Revelation
02. Freedom War
03. Pentecostal Bound
04. Bastard Son
05. Waiting for the Master
06. Planet Earth
07. Quisling
08. Cold War Survivor
09. The Gates of Light
10. Shores of Solitude
11. Mercenary Man
12. Lament of the East (bonus track Japan)
13. 21st Century Medieval (bonus track Japan) *

RIDE THE SKY, the new band featuring ex-HELLOWEEN drummer and MASTERPLAN founder Uli Kusch alongside ex-TEARS OF ANGER/BEYOND TWILIGHT singer Bjørn Jansson, guitarist Benny Jansson, bassist Mathias Granås (XSAVIOR) and keyboardist Kaspar Dahlqvist (DIONYSUS, STORMWIND), filmed a video for the song "New Protection" in Umeå, Sweden with director Owe Lingvall of Village Road Film. The track is the title curt of the group's debut album, which is scheduled for release in Europe on August 24 via Nuclear Blast. An e-card for the effort can be found at this location.

"New Protection" (artwork) was recorded and mixed by Benny Jansson at Zinkens Studio in Stockholm, Sweden and was mastered by Christofer Stannow at Cosmos Mastering. The track listing is as follows:

01. New Protection
02. A Smile From Heaven's Eye
03. Silent War
04. The Prince Of Darkness
05. Break The Chain
06. Corroded Dreams
07. The End Of Days
08. Far Beyond The Stars
09. Black Cloud
10. Endless
11. Heaven Only Knows
12. A Crack In The Wall
13. Make The Spirit Burn (limited edition bonus track)
14. Trail Of Flame (bonus track for Japan)

Magna Carta Records has set a September 12 release date for the new solo album from DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess, entitled "The Road Home". Having been influenced by classic progressive acts such as GENESIS, YES and GENTLE GIANT, Rudess revisits some of the great songs from those bands with his own special Jordan Rudess touch. He is assisted on the CD by a great group of guests, such as Nick D'Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD), Kip Winger (WINGER), Rod Morgenstein (WINGER), Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES), Bumblefoot (GUNS N' ROSES), Marco Sfogli (JAMES LABRIE), Ricky Garcia (LAFEE) and several others.

"The Road Home" track listing:

01. Dance On a Volcano
02. Sound Chaser
03. Just The Same
04. JR Piano Medley
05. Piece of The Pi
06. Tarkus

The Pulse Of Radio (formerly Launch Radio Networks) reports: A new list of the 20 Greatest Guitar Solos has been compiled by the staff of Britain's Q magazine, naming David Gilmour's solo in PINK FLOYD's "Comfortably Numb" the greatest guitar solo in rock. Coming in at No. 2 was Brian May's lead work on QUEEN's "Killer Queen", with the third greatest guitar solo being tied between Jimmy Page's solo on LED ZEPPELIN's "Stairway To Heaven" and JIMI HENDRIX's "Purple Haze".

The Top 20 Greatest Guitar Solos according to Q magazine are:

01. PINK FLOYD - "Comfortably Numb"
02. QUEEN - "Killer Queen"
03. Tie: LED ZEPPELIN - "Stairway To Heaven" and
03. THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - "Purple Haze"
04. STONE ROSES - "Love Spreads"
05. MICHAEL JACKSON with guest appearance by Eddie Van Halen - "Beat It"
06. GUNS N' ROSES - "Sweet Child O' Mine"
07. THE BEATLES with guest appearance by Eric Clapton - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
08. STEELY DAN - "Reelin In The Years"
09. MUSE - "Knights Of Cydonia"
10. FLEETWOOD MAC - "Go Your Own Way"
11. TELEVISION - "Marquee Moon"
12. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - "Bullet In The Head"
13. PRINCE - "Purple Rain"
14. NEIL YOUNG AND CRAZY HORSE - "Like A Hurricane"
15. AC/DC - "Let There Be Rock"
16. THE BYRDS - "Eight Miles High"
17. THE SMITHS - "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others"
18. DAVID BOWIE - "Moonage Daydream"
19. RADIOHEAD - "The Bends"
20. THE WHITE STRIPES - "Ball And Biscuit"

ROB ZOMBIE's first-ever live album is scheduled for release 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