According to a posting on OPETH's official web site, the group's frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has started writing material for what is supposed to be the ninth OPETH record, tentatively due before the end of the year. In addition, he is working on an as-yet-unnamed side-project. More information will be made available soon.

OPETH filmed its November 9 show at the Roundhouse in London for a possible DVD.

Italian/german gothic black metal band GRAVEWORM will enter Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany on January 6, 2007 with producer Andy Classen (DEW-SCENTED, CALLENISH CIRCLE, TANKARD, OCCULT) to begin recording its sixth album, tentatively due next spring via Nuclear Blast Records.

GRAVEWORM's latest CD, "(N)utopia", was released in 2005 via Nuclear Blast. The band earlier in the year completed a North American tour with KATAKLYSM, DESTRUCTION, THE ABSENCE, and VADER.

Long-running Oakland, California-based industrial/alternative/metal pioneers NEUROSIS are about to Electrical Audio studio in Chicago with producer Steve Albini to begin recording their new album for an early 2007 release. The first tone goes to tape on December 27, and the CD will be wrapped up before the live dates in California in mid-January. "[We are] forging some strange, noisy psychedelic territory that is pretty disturbing," guitarist and singer Steve Von Till recently told MTV.com.

Finnish death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM entered Southeast Studios in Karhula, Finland on November 6 with producer Teemu Aalto to begin recording their third album, entitled "Stuck Here On Snake's Way". Due on April 2 via Candlelight Records, the CD will contain the following track listing:

01. The Snake And The Way
02. Into Sea
03. Dysnomia
04. A-Part Of God
05. Undertaker
06. Bastard-O
07. The Third Flame
08. Just Signs
09. Truth
10. Drudgery
11. In Sane World
12. Spiritual

The mastering took place on December 28 at Chartmakers in Helsinki.

Norwegian metallers NOCTURNAL BREED have posted three more tracks from their upcoming album, "Fields of Rot", on their MySpace page. Check out the songs "Iron Bitch", "Invasion of the Bodythrashers" and "Wicked, Vicious and Violent" at this location.

NOCTURNAL BREED recently parted ways with Painkiller Records. The group's already completed follow-up to "The Tools of the Trade" (Holycaust Records) is currently being shopped to interested labels.

NOCTURNAL BREED previously announced the addition of guitarist A.E. Rattlehead (COCKROACH CLAN, CREST OF DARKNESS, HAMMERHEART) to the group's ranks. Rattlehead joins the band as the replacement for T. Thrawn (real name: Tom Kvålsvoll), who left the group in 2005 due to "internal conflicts."

NOCTURNAL BREED last year released a five-disc box set, entitled "The Remasters", through Painkiller Records. Limited to 1,000 copies, the set includes all of their previous releases, plus bonus tracks and demo recordings.

STRATOVARIUS mainman/guitarist Timo Tolkki has issued the following update:

"[My new solo album] 'Saana - Warrior of Light' is a work in progress.

"[For the past] two years I have had this idea in my head and it won't leave me be. It will be a rock opera, but not in a sense that many of the records using 'rock or metal opera' are. All the singers in this are carefully chosen and I have been auditioning singers already six months. So it's not just that I invite some famous names to sing something. The character that sings the part really has to fit and feel the meaning of the music and lyrics. I have spent quite some time with the top candidates to get to know them personally. This is very important when I will write the music. And I prefer them to be new talents.

"During Christmas I have been writing the story and it just pours out of me. I am writing it in Finnish, but I will translate it in English after it's ready. I have been negotiating with several record companies about this release and the interest has been very good. There will be a press release in about a month and a website dedicated for this project. Then the cast will be revealed as well.

"There have been some rumours about Tarja Turunen (ex-NIGHTWISH) playing the main role but those are untrue. Although I first wanted a Finnish person for the main role, the story has evolved so much that it is not necessary anymore."

Tolkki and STRATOVARIUS drummer Jörg Michael recently completed the basic demos in Germany for the band's new album (whose title consists of two separate words that both start with "R"). The actual album recordings are expected to begin on February 25, 2007 at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland for a tentative late 2007/early 2008 release.

ARENA: Please note that The Cage [The Official Worldwide Arena Community] has a new web address - it has moved from www.the-cage.org to www.welcometothecage.com- please remember to change your bookmarks & favourites!

Writing on the seventh Arena album has tentatively begun. Clive comments: 'It's a slow process, but it has started. I've got a handful of ideas, and we'll be meeting up soon for a writing session. We're not in a hurry for this seventh studio album... we'll just see how it goes.'

In the meantime, to commemorate their tenth anniversary, Arena have released a best of album entitled Ten Years On. It features new artwork by David Wyatt, liner notes with an overview of ten years of Arena and contains the following tracks:

01: Smoke and Mirrors
02: Skin Game
03: Hanging Tree
04: Butterfly Man
05: Chosen (live)
06: Empire Of A Thousand Days (vocals Rob)
07: Crack In The Ice
08: Salamander
09: Bedlam Fayre
10: Solomon

Finnish melodic death/doom metallers WITHERING has parted ways with vocalist Lasse and bassist Ville. "The chemistry in the band has been more or less questionable for quite a while now," reads a posting on the group's web site. "The decision was made in mutual understanding and WITHERING will continue as a three-piece act for now. This lineup is without a doubt the most creative in our history. There will be a day for a new vocalist and a new bass player, but we are in no hurry to look for more musicians right now."

WITHERING released its debut album, "Gospel of Madness", in 2004 through Firebox Records. The CD was recorded at Tico Tico Studio by Ahti Kortelainen and was mastered at Finnvox studio. A four-song promotional EP was completed in September 2005 but was apparently never officially released.

ICED EARTH guitarist/mainman Jon Schaffer has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Again I have to apologize for the delay in updates. I've been extremely busy with writing and preproduction for the new ICED EARTH CDs.

"I also lost the one person that was my true mentor and inspiration throughout my life, which was very difficult. My father, Tom Schaffer, died unexpectedly of a massive stroke in October. He was 67, and died two weeks before his 68th birthday. It's hard to imagine what my life would have been like without my Dad's influence. I would not be who I am today, that's for sure. Fortunately, he was able to travel with the band a few times, and he really enjoyed meeting and talking with the fans. He was there for the 'Alive in Athens' recording and was dubbed Papa Earth by some of the fans in Greece. I will miss him very much.

"Obviously, this had a huge impact on me and brought the writing to a halt for about a month.

"I'm back on track and we are going to start recording on February 1st. We will be releasing a single/EP in June '07 that will feature the 'Something Wicked' trilogy re-recorded and a track that will be an alternate edit of a song that will be on 'Something Wicked Part 2' that now has a working title of 'Come What May'. The label was wanting me to do something with the original trilogy to reintroduce the story. So, what we have in store for you is very cool. You will hear 'Prophecy', 'Birth of the Wicked', and 'The Coming Curse' in a new way that will be a very killer way to kick off this massive epic.

"I don't want to give you any details to spoil the surprise, but trust me, it's going to be awesome.

"'Something Wicked (Part 1)' will be released in the September/October '07 time frame and Part 2 will follow in January/February '08.

"This is by far the most epic task I've ever taken on as a songwriter and I really feel like it will be worth all the sacrifice when it's finished. I've been working nonstop for over a year now and it's coming together in a very special way. I've just about finished all the musical arrangements and am now focusing on writing the lyrics/vocal melodies. I'm in the final stretch now...

"Tim Mills has contributed a few really cool pieces of music and has shown a real interest in the whole 'Something Wicked' story, and a real passion for being involved with the band. All this while owning and operating his own company (Bare Knuckle Pickups). I'm impressed, it's a rare quality, believe me.

"Also, the bass player on the next record is a local boy from Indianapolis whose name is James 'Bo' Wallace. Bo is a killer player and a great personality. I went to see him perform several months ago and was impressed with his abilities, energy and passion. He played with MA KELLEY for many years and released several records on a few different independent labels. Without a doubt, Bo is a great bass player and I'm happy to have him working with ICED EARTH.

"Here's a list of working titles for the upcoming epic. There will likely be changes but this gives you an idea of where things are going."

"Something Wicked - Part 1"

01. Overture
02. Something Wicked (Part 1)
03. Invasion
04. Man's Motivation
05. The Setian Massacre
06. Ghost Dance Ritual
07. Reflections
08. Ten Thousand Strong
09. Execution
10. Order of the Rose
11. The Clouding
12. Infiltrate and Assimilate
13. Retribution From the Shadows
14. Something Wicked (Part 2)
15. The Domino Decree
16. The Division of Religion (Man Needs God)
17. Novo Ordo Seclorum (Cycle Of A New Age)

"Something Wicked - Part 2"

01. The Sacred Flames
02. Behold the Wicked Child
03. Minions of the Watch
04. A Gift Or A Curse?
05. I Walk Among You
06. My Burden, My Honor
07. Ancient Rage of the High Priest
08. A Gathering Threat
09. Time Marches On
10. Sacrificial Kingdoms
11. Something Wicked (Part 3)
12. Divide Devour
13. Conspiracy / A Charge to Keep
14. Come What May (Mankind Is Lost)

BROTHER FIRETRIBE, the Finnish AOR/hard rock band featuring NIGHTWISH guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, will release a new single, "I Am Rock" (cover), in Finland on January 10, 2007 via Spinefarm Records. The complete track listing for the single is as follows:

01. I Am Rock
02. Love Goes Down (acoustic)
03. One Single Breath (video)

BROTHER FIRETRIBE's debut album, "False Metal", entered the Finnish chart in at position No. 22 back in May 2006. A video for the song "One Single Breath" was shot on July 2 at Nosturi in Helsinki.

World Entertainment News Network reports: SYSTEM OF A DOWN insist they are not splitting up — but admit the band has an uncertain musical future.

John Dolmayan, Daron Malakian, Serj Tankian and Shavo Odadjian announced their hiatus from the band earlier this year to work on separate projects.

And frontman Tankian believes the break was long overdue.

He says, "I've wanted to make my solo record for years, but I just haven't had the time. For the last 11 years we've all been wedded to this band, and now we want to take a break.

"I honestly don't know if SYSTEM OF A DOWN are over or no. Maybe in a few years we'll want to make another album. It's impossible to tell right now. It'll be later down the line that we'll be able to tell what might happen."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN is featured in a new documentary called "Screamers", about the history of genocide throughout the 20th century. The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 8 and will expand to other cities in January.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN's last two albums, "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize", were released in May and November 2005 respectively. Both debuted on The Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 and have sold a combined total of three million copies in the U.S.

German death/thrash metal act BURDEN OF GRIEF will release its fourth full-length album, "Death End Road", on March 30, 2007 via Remedy Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Fields of Salvation" was recorded at Krachgarten Tonstudio in Kassel, Germany and was mixed at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark with producer Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, PRETTY MAIDS, HATESPHERE).

"After some important line-up changes during that last year we have finally found our self-confidence again, and we can't expect to release our new record," the band previously wrote on its web site.

"Death End Road" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Death End Road (instrumental)
02. Vita Reducta
03. Swallow The Sun
04. The Game
05. Running Scared
06. The Killer In Me
07. Drown In Sorrow
08. Schizophrenic
09. Passion Of The Night
10. Road Of Visions
11. Smashed To Pieces '07 (bonus track)
12. Immense Infinity '07 (bonus track)

U.K. progressive metallers THRESHOLD have finished recording their new album, "Dead Reckoning", for a March 23, 2007 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by guitarist Karl Groom and keyboardist Richard West at Thin Ice Studios. The track listing is as follows:

01. Slipstream
02. This Is Your Life
03. Elusive
04. Hollow
05. Pilot in the Sky of Dreams
06. Fighting For Breath
07. Disappear
08. Safe To Fly
09. One Degree Down

Commented Richard West: "It's great to finally be finished. It felt like we could keep working forever, but Nuclear Blast gave us a Christmas deadline and that helped us focus on finishing. We started writing over the summer with the intention of modernizing our approach with a darker heavier sound. But once the writing starts the songs sometimes take over, so alongside the heavier tracks like 'Slipstream' and 'Hollow' there's a 10-minute progressive epic called 'Pilot in the Sky of Dreams', a huge PINK FLOYD-esque ending to 'One Degree Down', and the last song we wrote is a power ballad called 'Safe To Fly' which proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle.

"While Karl was busy tracking drums and guitars at Thin Ice Studios, I was recording vocals and keyboards at Bray Studios. It was a nice place to work; everyone from IRON MAIDEN to CLIFF RICHARD were there rehearsing for tours, and I had a steady stream of musicians and crew popping in for coffee. I'd like to think it was to see me, but it was most likely the coffee; I get it freshly roasted to order from www.justcoffee.co.uk and it's probably the best coffee in the country — I strongly recommend the Guatemalan!"

"At one stage we were going to call the album 'Pilot in the Sky of Dreams', but in the end it was more suitable as a song title; it didn't sound solid or powerful enough to represent the overall sound of the album.

"Our fans were great. They started posting their own artwork for the 'Pilot' title on our forum, based on everything from the HAMMERFALL artwork (their new album is called 'Threshold') to Dastardly and Mutley (cartoon characters). Our cover artist for the last few years has been Thomas Ewerhard and he did a great design for 'Pilot', but with the new album title 'Dead Reckoning' came a new artist called Davide Nadalin who has done a wonderful cover for us, which we'll reveal in the New Year. Thomas's artwork won't be wasted though; we hope to use that for something next year."

"We've started announcing our live shows for 2007. Originally we were going to tour before the summer, but now it looks like we'll start the summer with some festivals and tour after that."

THRESHOLD drummer Johanne James has been named drummer of the year by the Classic Rock Society. The award was presented to him by the legendary Carl Palmer and CRS president Martin Hudson at their annual awards ceremony. As well as drumming for THRESHOLD, Johanne fronts and drums for KYRBGRINDER, whose debut album, "Defiance", is due for release in January.

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has confirmed via his official web site that he is currently working on the third installment of his solo project AVANTASIA. "Again it's going to be a conceptual album with different musicians and singers," he writes.

"You ask why I am doing it? Because I can! Because I am dying to go for it! And because the time has come that I feel ready and strong enough to start something big, bombastic and monumental again! Believe me: you won't find any other man on the face of the earth who has got more work and stress right now — and who's yet as happy as I am. It's so exciting to see another dream of mine take shape."

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.

According to MelodicRock.com, long-running Swedish-American melodic hard rock band TALISMAN — which revolves around former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN members Jeff Scott Soto (vocals; now in JOURNEY) and Marcel Jacob (bass) — will hit the road in Europe for the last time in April 2007. Originally slated for October 2006, the trek was postponed due to Soto being drafted in to cover for Steve Augeri on JOURNEY's recent U.S. tour, and April 2007 will follow on from the JOURNEY dates recently released for the U.K. and mainland Europe. All in all, TALISMAN will hit eight countries on a whirlwind tour comprising 14 dates plus a couple of "warm-up" gigs in Sweden.

Commented Soto: "The latest [TALISMAN] album was discussed as our last before the JOURNEY gig came about. Even when I was there as a 'fill- in,' TALISMAN has basically run its course as most of us are pursuing other areas. It's not to say we'll never address this band again or that my working relationship is done with Marcel, but as we speak today, '7' is our swan song as are the tour dates being booked through Europe after the short JOURNEY run in the spring."

Armageddon Music has set a February 16, 2007 release date for the new ROSE TATTOO album, entitled "Blood Brothers".

As previously reported, ROSE TATTOO has posted its video for the track "Black Eyed Bruiser" at YouTube.com. The song is the first single from "Blood Brothers", which was produced by veteran Australian producer Mark Opitz (INXS, COLD CHISEL, KISS). "Black Eyed Bruiser" was written by the band's original production team, Harry Vanda and George Young, who also were AC/DC's producers.

ROSE TATTOO was due to start recording "Blood Brothers" in Sydney on May 1 but put back the recording following guitarist Pete Wells' passing until July. The band was very hopeful of having Pete play on this album before he got too ill.

ROSE TATTOO will embark on a European tour in early March. The band will also play select dates with SAXON and MASTERPLAN.

Liechtenstein-based gothic metal group ELIS — whose lead singer, Sabine Dünser, who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on July 7, 2006 during rehearsal and passed away the following day in hospital — has issued the following update:

"Now the time has come to disclose the secret about our new singer! Sandra Schleret will do the vocals for ELIS in the future! Sandra comes from Innsbruck (Austria) and stood behind the microphone for various bands, among others for DREAMS OF SANITY and SIEGFRIED. She did also guest appearances for SAMAEL. She impressed us with her voice and her personality and we guess that she fits perfect to ELIS! You will find more information in the 'Biography' section of our homepage.

"We want to thank all of the candidates once again dearly and we wish all of you the best of luck on your further path!"

ELIS's latest album, "Griefshire", was released in Europe on November 24 via Napalm Records (the U.S. will receive the album on January 16). The recordings for the CD were completed prior to the death of Dünser, who came up with the original concept for the album.

ELFONÍA, the Mexican band featuring STREAM OF PASSION vocalist Marcela Bovio, has issued the following update:

"In the past five years working with ELFONÍA we've been through a lot: amazing experiences, fun moments, lots of challenges, hard times. This band saw us all grow as musicians and performers, something we're very proud of. It has been an honor and a pleasure to count with the support of all our fans and loved ones; we'll be forever thankful to you all!

"Some of you must have guessed it by now, but the band is from a while now taking an indefinite break... We still haven't decided if this break will be final or not, but so far we have no plans to continue writing songs or perform live. Each of us is focusing on different projects, going different places.

"Once again, thank you all for your unconditional support! We hope the future brings the best for everyone."

STREAM OF PASSION's debut album, "Embrace the Storm", was released in Holland in October 2005 via Sony/BMG Benelux. The CD was issued in the rest of Europe and the U.S./Canada via InsideOut Music.

Swedish "heavy doom progressive" metallers MORGANA LEFAY have completed work on their new album, "Primal Chaos", at Soundcreation studio in Bollnäs, Sweden for a March 2007 release via Black Mark Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Grand Materia" will feature the following track listing:

01. Delusions
02. Make a Wish
03. The Rush of Possession
04. Depression
05. Caught in the Treadwheel
06. Reflections of War
07. Face of Fear
08. Where I Rule
09. In Shadows I Reign
10. Aberration of Mind
11. Vultures Devouring
12. Over and Over Again

Check out audio clips of "The Rush of Possession" and "Reflections of War" at this location.

Swedish multi-instrumentalist/producer Dan Swanö's SECOND SKY, a sequel of sorts to his UNICORN project, has finished recording two new tracks, entitled "Always Tomorrow" and "The Way".

Commented Dan: It feels nice to record some stuff for this magnificient album again. The tracks sound amazing with some muscular bass added to them and it feels like this album will end up a lot harder than I expected. Still very pomp but with a bit more dirt under the nails than I thought! Amazing!! We have another session booked for early January 2007 where we expect to nail at least three songs. I'm soooo excited!!!!"

Regarding his songwriting/recording approach to SECOND SKY, Dan stated, "The thing about the SECOND SKY album is that there is a lot at stake, more from a psychological point. It is for me, in many ways, the first album I ever make. These songs are 100% from the heart and there are no compromises made whatsoever. Every line of lyrics must be perfect in so many ways and mean so much for me to fit the song...and I have re-written one of the lyrics three times already... Some days I believe this album will never be finished. It's like an old friend that I need by my side to stay sane. Something that can never be finished because it is 99% chance that it won't be all that I expect it to be. Other days I work with it and feel.... 'Hey, it's gonna be perfect. Don't be a pussy, just finish the goddamn thing.' Then there is the sound aspect. Find the perfect sound for all the instruments, the ultimate grand piano sampling library etc. etc. But we will start doing the bass soon and I will also start doing the backing vocals for the songs where the lyrics feel great..."

SECOND SKY's album is tentatively scheduled for release in 2007-2008.

Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SOUL SIRKUS) has been officially named the new lead singer of JOURNEY. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with DEF LEPPARD shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.

"We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to JOURNEY," says JOURNEY in a joint statement. "We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring.”

Steve Augeri states: "Singing for JOURNEY these last eight years have been the most challenging and the most rewarding of my career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the band, and especially the fans, for the privilege of being part of a musical legacy that has touched so many hearts and souls. I wish my fellow bandmates success and happiness as they continue to make great music in the future, as I will strive to do the same myself."

Jeff Soto also adds, "With delight and pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with JOURNEY now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping JOURNEY continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive JOURNEY into the next stage of this band's future."

Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, "In the Moment", due out the summer of 2007. He's also putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated follow-up to the AOR classic TALL STORIES album, launching early next year.

JOURNEY — Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals) — are currently mapping out plans for 2007.

SCARIOT, the Norwegian band led by Død (a.k.a. Daniel Olaisen; BLOOD RED THRONE), has posted the cover artwork for its new album, "Momentum Shift", at this location (artwork by Asgeir Mickelson). Due in February 2007 via FaceFront Records, the CD was mixed at Top Room studios in Norway. Drumming duties on the album were handled by Asgeir Mickelson (SPIRAL ARCHITECT, BORKNAGAR) while the bass tracks were laid down by Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS, SEBASTIAN BACH).

SCARIOT's last studio album, "Strange to Numbers", was released in 2003.

Deutsch Nepal is one of the few more Industrial bands that found a sound of its very own right from the start - which in this case was as early as 1990, the warm psychedelic tribals has always had an unsettling and hypnotic twist, and also become the bands trademark. The spellbounding feeling known from the numerous live performances has finally made the way into the studio and I dare to say this is the best Deutsch Nepal to date. Never has the sound been more accurate, never has the vocals been stronger.
Deutsch Nepal, is Lina B Doll, a well-known cult-phenomenon in the industrial underground scene, with several worldwide tours and collaborations with notorious artists such as Der Blutharsch, Brighter Death Now, Raison d'être he is just as famous as he is infamous. With several respected releases on various labels such as CMI (of course), Hauruck, Staalplaat and Old Europa Café, it is now with great pleasure we are finally able to present a completely new studio album. On Erotikon Deutsch Nepal blooms in full decadence. Dark seductive psychodelic industrial songs - it is retro all the way back to the Nico influences, it's addictive in every sexual way - and it leaves you with a complete new experience and a sensational taste of bodily fluids. Lubrication saves!

Tracklist:
1. U.R. Blackhouse / 2. Heartbomb / 3. I Jast fokos an maiself / 4. At the Court of Saba / 5. Blowjob Parasite / 6. Permobile Erotomatik / 7. Rapist Park Junktion / 8. Menage a troi...cent / 9. Erotikon / 10. M/S Elusive Pain

REDEMPTION, the Los Angeles-based progressive metal band led by guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter Nicolas van Dyk and featuring vocal legend Ray Alder of FATES WARNING, has revealed the artwork and track listing for its third CD, "The Origins of Ruin", tentatively due in March/April 2007 via Inside Out Music.

Injecting traditional progressive metal with an uncommon degree of heaviness and melody, REDEMPTION's new CD follows up 2005's breakthrough release "The Fullness of Time", the band's first with Alder, which generated tremendous critical and popular acclaim. With Bernie Versailles (guitars, AGENT STEEL), Chris Quirarte (drums, PRYMARY) and new bass player Sean Andrews (who performed on Henning Pauly's CHAIN project), REDEMPTION is one of the most prominent up-and-coming progressive metal bands.

"The Origins of Ruin" (view cover here) track listing:

01. The Suffocating Silence (download mp3)
02. Bleed Me Dry
03. The Death of Faith & Reason
04. Memory
05. The Origins of Ruin
06. Man of Glass
07. Blind My Eyes
08. Used to Be
09. Fall on You
10. Precious Things (TORI AMOS cover)
11. Love To Love (UFO cover)

BLOODBOUND, the new Swedish metal band featuring Fredrik Bergh (STREET TALK; bass, keyboards and backing vocals) and Tomas Olsson (lead and rhythm guitars), has issued the following update:

"We are finally in the studio recording the new album which will be released around April 2007. The new album is going to be heavier and more diverse than 'Nosferatu', yet with all the traditional bloodbound elements. The complete new lineup will also be announced shortly." Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Book of the Dead", "Vampires", "Into Eternity", "Turn To Stone" and "The Tempter".

BLOODBOUND recently parted ways with with singer Kristian Andrén (MEMENTO MORI, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, TAD MOROSE) after only a few weeks of working together. A replacement vocalist has not yet been announced. The band also named Tomas' younger brother Henrik Olsson the group's new rhythm guitar player.

"Nosferatu" was released in Europe in February via Metal Heaven. The CD was recorded and produced by Tomas Olsson and Fredrik Bergh.

German metallers METALIUM have posted the cover artwork for their sixth album, "Nothing to Undo – Chapter VI", at this location. Due in February 2007, the CD will feature the following track listing:

01. Spineless Scum
02. Spirits
03. Mindeless
04. Straight Into Hell
05. Mental Blindness
06. Heroes
07. Way Home
08. Dare
09. Follow the Sign
10. Show Must Go On (QUEEN cover)
11. Way Home – Orchestral (Japanese bonus track)

A complete album preview can be heard and or downloaded at this location.

Commented the band: The lyrical themes are about the deepest innerside of a human being…. Lies, betrayal, false friends… but also about honour, loyalty and blind understanding. In general, the most direct and dramatic lyrics of METALIUM so far and more related to reality than the other chapters. Once more, the lyrics were written by Lars [Ratz, bass] and Michael [Ehre, drums] and we feel that we are getting more and more closer with our style of writing, even though both writers kept definitely their own style, as always."

In other news, METALIUM has announced that it is giving the group's fans a free complete "metal ringtone collection" with unique and special excerpts of the recordings sessions. The collection includes "signals, separated from the other instruments like: screams, chorus lines, guitar riffs, drum fills, bass runs, choirs, shouts, keyboards and as well complete edited choruses." Previews for free download (wma format) and use in your mobile phone can be found at this location.

METALIUM released a DVD, entitled "Metalian Attack – Part 2", in May. The four-hour disc includes footage from the band's Sept. 23, 2005 concert at the Jahnhalle in Nordenham, Germany plus material from the group's appearance at the Bloodstock festival in the U.K., where the group reportedly performed for more than 2,000 people. Also included are interviews, picture galleries, plus in-the-studio and behind-the-scenes footage.

METALIUM's fifth studio album, "Demons of Insanity - Chapter Five", was released last year via Armageddon Music (Crash Music, Inc. in the U.S.). The CD was recorded at Jumpower studios in Mallorca and Tornado studios in Hamburg with producer/bassist Lars Ratz. Guesting on the album, once again, was legendary keyboardist Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE).

German power metallers WIZARD will release their new album, "Goochan" (cover artwork), on February 23, 2007 via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Magic Circle" was produced by Dennis Ward at House of Music studio and will contain the following track listing:

01. Witch of the Enchanted Forest
02. Pale Rider
03. Call to the Dragon
04. Children of the Night
05. Black Worms
06. Lonely in Desertland
07. Dragons Death
08. Sword of Vengeance
09. Two faces of Balthasar
10. Return of the Thunderwarriors

An audio sample of "Sword of Vengeance" is available for download at this location.

WIZARD was formed back in 1989 and is often called "Germany's answer to MANOWAR." The band was previously signed to Limb Music.

ANATHEMA mastermind Daniel Cavanagh has issued the following update:

"We are well aware that for one reason or another, it has taken a long time for ANATHEMA to get to this place, but now we are ready. The album tracklist is decided. The rehearsals are going very well. Everything, quite literally, is falling into place.

"What I love about this record is the character it seems to have. The songs belong together. There is purpose and focus. And it shines. Brightly.

"The message is one of hope. Of the absolute certainty that there is a better way. There is always a better way. There is always a solution, a purpose. It only remains for us to be open to it. To bring ourselves back into harmony with a larger system. That harmony begins by bringing ourselves back into balance within ourselves. All the ancient sages and wise people have said it. Change starts with the individual.

"Some of these songs are a little more melancholy, and some of them are euphoric. They all have one thing in common in that they are all very much from the heart, and they are dripping with emotion.

"This is the greatest record we have ever made. I know it in my heart. All we need do now is find the right engineer/producer and the right studio? And to remain focused. To this end, we have decided to hire a house in the country for the first month of next year to 'live' this record before we record. We will play every day and we will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of brilliance. Of a new way to express these feelings.

"I put my faith that the greater mind can bring everything into place for us to make this record. A record that will certainly affect some people. I do not wish to sound pretentious but I know it will change lives. This is what music does. It moves people in a way no other form of art does.

"Because our inspiration is of a pure source, and because our intentions are genuinely to reach people and open them up to new ways of feeling and thinking, I have every faith that whatever we need to make this happen will come to us."

"Everything" track listing:

01. Thin Air (Ann Further)
02. Bricks (working title)
03. Lightning Song
04. Sunlight
05. Get Off. Get Out. (working title)
06. Angels Walk Among Us
07. Everything
08. A Simple Mistake
09. Voodoo (working title)
10. No One Is Free (working title)
11. Paradigm Shift
12. Hindsight

Added Daniel Cavanagh: "There will be another free song online before the release, not from the album, and we are looking into ways to thank all the people who kindly made donations for dowloading the other tracks. This small but not insignifcant amount of money will pay for our rental of a house to complete the writing and other little expenses. Thank you all. We will not let you down."

Metal Mind Productions released a new ANATHEMA DVD, entitled "A Moment in Time", on June 19 in Europe (July 18 in the U.S.). The main part of DVD was recorded in Poland at the famous Metal Mania Festival 2006 (the biggest hard rock/metal festival in Eastern Europe). The set list included their best songs plus a cover of PINK FLOYD's "Comfortably Numb". The guest performance was done by a string quartet. Bonus material includes live video footage, video clips, and a documentary. The DVD will be available also in a limited edition with bonus audio CD.

ANATHEMA is currently unsigned as a result of having been dropped by BMG/Zomba after its previous label, Music For Nations, was folded into parent company Zomba Records Group (the world's largest independent music group).