RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski is working on a compilation CD to celebrate Nuclear Blast Records' 20th anniversary. Smolski composed, recorded and produced about 10 songs for various metal artists that are part of the Nuclear Blast history, including a track that is being recorded and performed by his own band. He has issued the following update on the project via his official web site:

"It's a great honor for me working at a large contract, a compilation CD for the 20th anniversary of Nuclear Blast. It will be an album with 10 songs of various metal bands of Nuclear Blast history, inclusive a new RAGE song, for which I composed, produced and recorded all guitars, keyboards and bass. I got support by Andre Hilgers (drums) and Peavy Wagner (lyrics). Except some vocal parts, all songs were recorded at VPS studio in Hamm, where Charly Czajkovski again did a great job.

"During composing I tried, making all songs stylistic, and concerning the pitch of the voice, much comfortable for the singer (e.g. that Schmier [DESTRUCTION] sounds real 'schmierig') I didn't figured out, that, beside hearing out the different styles of the bands, the composing and arranging, I had lots of stress while doing clerical work as mailing and phoning. Thanks a lot to all singers for good cooperation. I think, this compilation CD is a real special and important project for Nuclear Blast. Special thanks also to Andy Siry, Jaap Wagemaker and Achim Köhler for support."

The details of the first five songs are as follows:

* Title: "Terrified"
Vocalist: Peavy Wagner (RAGE)

Victor: "Especially recording a new RAGE song together with Peavy was great fun. There are lots of fast double-bass parts, but also many groovy stuff and great melodies in chorus at 'Terrified', the title of the song. Again, I tuned down the guitars to 'C,' as I did at 'Straight To Hell'. The song really worked out well. The lyrics are describing an inner relief."

* Title: "Bloodsucker"
Vocalist: Schmier (DESTRUCTION)

Victor: "Real trashy number with 200 double-bass. The song deals with the current crisis in Iraq war and their causes (failed U.S. politics)."

* Title: "A Perfect Day"
Vocalist: Andy Deris (HELLOWEEN)

Victor: "Straight HELLOWEEN-style metal song with a catchy chorus. The song deals with the incalculability of life and the associated fact that our end can overtake us any time."

* Title: "Ruling the World"
Vocalist: Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA)

Victor: "Straight metal number with several voices and and keyboard arrangements. The song is about the arrogant power politics of the western great powers."

* Title: "Eternally"
Vocalist: Oddleif Stensland (COMMUNIC)

Victor: "Very slow ballad — heavy and modern. It's about suicide. Too often, especially young people in crisis decide to end their life, without getting straight about the irreversibility of this act."

Check out pictures from the sessions at this location

STRATOVARIUS frontman Timo Kotipelto has set "Serenity" as the title of his third solo album, tentatively due in early 2007 via his own label, High and Loud Records. The CD was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland and was mixed by Mikko Karmila. A video for the album's first single, "Sleep Well", has been posted online at YouTube.com.

Commented Kotipelto: "The song will be on a Finnish movie 'Vares 2' which will have its premiere January 12th, 2007. The song is a main theme and can be heard when the credits are scrolling at the end of the movie. The music video include[s] clips from the movie. Some of the actors who are playing the characters on these clips are my personal friends and are very well known in Finland."

The "Sleep Well" single is scheduled for release in Finland on January 10, 2007.

The video for "Ain't Crying For The Moon", the title track from KINGDOM COME's new studio album, has been posted online at Youtube.

"Ain't Crying For The Moon" was released in Europe on October 20 via Frontiers Records.

"After having done a lot of experimenting with 'Perpetual', I thought it was the time to take out the axe again and rock the house," said Lenny Wolf, the mastermind behind KINGDOM COME. The new CD [is] one of my heaviest recordings ever. I was trying to build 'walls of guitars' in combination with that typical KC moody and spacey approach. It does not have the typical 'blues' factor anymore, which many of you may remember from the first records. I have transported my roots into the year 2006."

DAWN OF DEMISE, self-described as "one of Denmark's most brutal bands," has posted two new tracks on its Myspace. The songs "Degrading the Worthless" and "Malice – Kill to Conform" come off the group's debut album, "Hate Takes Its Form", which was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, VOLBEAT, MERCENARY, MNEMIC) at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark. "We chose these two songs because they represent what we are all about — heaviness, brutality and energy," the band writes in a press release.

Currently unsigned, DAWN OF DEMISE was formed in the fall of 2003 with one sole purpose — to play extremely heavy New York-style death metal. After one demo, "…And Blood Will Flow", and successful gigs all over Denmark, the band entered the studio to record its full-length debut.

DAWN OF DEMISE lineup:

Scott Jensen (ex-INFERNAL TORMENT) - Vocals
Bjørn Jensen - Bass
Jakob Nyholm (KOLDBORN) - Guitar
Martin Sørensen - Guitar
Kim Jensen - Drums

CORNERSTONE, the Danish/British melodic metal band featuring YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/ex-RAINBOW frontman Doogie White and ex-ROYAL HUNT bassist Steen Mogensen, has uploaded two audio samples from its upcoming album, entitled "Two Tales and One Tomorrow", at the band's official web site. Check out the songs "One Man's Hell" and "Mother of Mercy" at this location.

Due in Europe on February 23, 2007 via Massacre Records, the follow-up to 2003's "Once Upon Our Yesterdays" will include such additional cuts as "Prey", "Requiem", "Wicked" and "Two Tales and One Tomorrow". The album artwork can be viewed at this location.

CORNERSTONE's live album, "Cornerstone In Concert", was released in July 2005 in Japan via Yamaha Communications and in Europe through Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at several shows on the group's debut tour of Europe in January/Febuary 2005. Included in the package is a video clip of live and backstage footage from the band's private archives.

Swedish power metal act MOONLIGHT AGONY has inked a deal with Dockyard Records. The group's second album, "Silent Waters", is scheduled for release in February 2007. The follow-up to 2004's "Echoes of a Nightmare" (Massacre Records) was recorded at Division One Studios with engineer Arnold Lindberg (EVERGREY).

"Silent Waters" track listing:

01. Leaving Solitude
02. You Betrayed Me
03. Soulless
04. Through the Desert Storm
05. The Dark Era
06. I'm Alive
07. Room 101
08. Different Stories
09. Bloodred Sails
10. Solemn Waters
11. [Japanese bonus track]

Guitarist Guido Wehmeyer has left the German metallers AXXIS. According to a posting on the group's web site, "The band did know his decision since September 2006 and wanted to say thanks for the great time, the great productions and the wonderful gigs with him. For AXXIS it's not an easy situation but everybody accepted Guido's plan for his own future. In Karlsruhe/Germany was the last gig with him and AXXIS presented a large cake for their long-time colleague during their private party. The goodbye was not easy ...you can see it on the pics. The band tries to find a good alternative and if someone thinks that he's able to do this job he can sent and mail with bio and fotos to axxisworld@aol.com."

EMI Electrola released the "Best Of" album from AXXIS on November 17.

EMI Electrola originally asked AXXIS for its co-operation in releasing a "best of" collection from the band several years ago, but the group was reluctant to release a compilation of material that was already available on the market.

Featuring previously unreleased material, remixed songs, and special acoustic versions of older tracks recorded earlier this year at Soundworxx studio, "Best Of" is a double CD containing ballads on the first disc and acoustic recordings on the second disc.

Rock/metal producer and PINK CREAM 69 bassist Dennis Ward's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"Damn! Only six days left to Christmas!!! Where has the year gone?

"Anyway, news from Camp Ward is that yes, you have guessed it, Dennis is busier than Santa Claus this time of the year. The one exception being that the fat bearded one has helpers!

"Dennis has just completed a partial production on the new SYMPHORCE album 'Become Death'. He is currently mixing the new ALLEN/LANDE record as well as the debut solo album of his PINK CREAM 69 colleague David Readman.

"Talking of things PINK CREAM 69, the new album recording sessions are well underway. Also in the pipeline is the new KHYMERA album, where once again Dennis will handle lead vocals, and the mixing of the debut album from a killer new melodic rock band, EDEN'S CURSE. The news from AFM Records reports that the new SILENT FORCE album, 'Walk The Earth', will be released on 16th February 2007."

Reactivated Swedish black metallers SHINING will film their February 3, 2007 concert at Diezel in Halmstad, Sweden for an upcoming DVD, entitled "Fy Fan För Livet!" In addition to the live footage, the disc will consist of a two-hour "road movie" and the promotional video for the new song "Låt Oss Ta Allt Från Varandra". SHINING's setlist will span the band's entire career and will mark the group's first appearance with the new frontman "Ghoul." Support at the show will come from the Norwegian cult black metal band DHG (DØDHEIMSGARD).

Cleveland's CHIMAIRA has announced the track listing for its new album, "Resurrection", due in the U.S. on March 6 via Ferret Music. The CD will be issued in Europe via Nuclear Blast Records.

CHIMAIRA began recording "Resurrection" on October 2 with the production team of Jason Suecof and Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY). The band filmed a video for the title track off "Resurrection" on December 6-7 in the Los Angeles area. The group will headline "Chimaira Christmas 7" on Wednesday, December 27 at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio. Also scheduled to appear are DEMIRICOUS, FOREVER IN TERROR and BOWEL.

"Resurrection" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Resurrection
02. Pleasure In Pain
03. Worthless
04. Six
05. No Reason To Live
06. Killing The Beast
07. The Flame
08. End It All
09. Black Heart
10. Needle
11. Empire

German-Romanian dark power metal band POWERWOLF will enter Woodhouse studios in Hagen, Germany on January 2 to begin recording its second album, tentatively due in April 2007 via Metal Blade Records Europe. The follow-up to 2005's "Return in Bloodred" will be mixed in February at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with Fredrik Nordström.

"After some exhausting weeks of composing and decomposing tunes of blood and madness we're now almost finished with the songwriting," the band writes on its web site. "Two or three songs need to get final treatments, and then the wolves are ready to unleash hell in studio!"

According to an article on the Dutch web site Metalfan.nl, the title of the forthcoming AFTER FOREVER album will be simply "After Forever" and NOT "Energized", as was previously reported. The song "Discord" will feature the Prague Symphonic Orchestra, while vocalist Doro Pesch can be heard dueting with AFTER FOREVER frontwoman Floor Jansen in the track "Who I Am". ANNIHILATOR guitarist Jeff Waters reportedly makes an appearance on a track that had a working title of "De-Energized", although it is not clear if the cut will be re-named before the final product is released on March 23 via Nuclear Blast Records. Other songs set to appear on the CD include "Evoke", "Transitory", "Equally Destructive", "Withering Time", "Cry With A Smile", "Envision", "Who I Am" and "Empty Memories".

AFTER FOREVER's last album was "Remagine", which came out in 2005. The follow-up to 2004's "Invisible Circles" was recorded at Excess studio in Rotterdam, Holland and was mixed by Sascha Paeth and Philip Colodetti at the Gate studio in Wolfsburg, Germany.

AFTER FOREVER's former record label, Transmission Records, recently issued a two-disc compilation album containing the best songs from the band's first ten years of existence, plus previously unreleased material, non-album tracks, alternate takes, rarities and previously unreleased remixed versions. The set, which includes collaborations with such guest musicians as Sharon den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Arjen Lucassen and Damian Wilson (AYREON) and Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH), entered the Dutch national album chart at position No. 69 upon its release in June.

Karlshamn Sweden's BLINDED COLONY has posted the video for its first single, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", at YouTube. The song comes off the band's forthcoming album, "Bedtime Prayers", due on January 9 via Pivotal Rockordings. The clip was filmed in the band's hometown of Karlshamn and was produced by director Thomas Tjäder (IN FLAMES).

Commented guitarist Tobias Olsson, "As you can see, we released our official video for 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy' today. It was originally recorded in late 2005, but re-edited once again by Thomas Tjäder (IN FLAMES). Some of you may have seen the old version of the video with 'demo' version of 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy', but we encourage you to not watch that one since it is now outdated. Check out the new one, spread it to your friends, and enjoy it!"

BLINDED COLONY will hit the road with Hungary's EKTOMORF for an extensive European tour in February and March.

Italian metallers SOUL TAKERS have pushed back the projected release date of their recently completed second full-length album, "Flies in a Jar", to the spring (March/April) from the previously announced January 2007. The follow-up to 2005's "Tides" (Northwind Records) was recorded at Luigi Stefanini's New Sin Studio in Loria (TV), Italy and will be issued through Dragonhearts Records/Audioglobe. The album cover will be designed by Brazilian artist Felipe Machado.

"Flies in a Jar" track listing:

01. Heaven's Pillars
02. Icon
03. Belied
04. Chasing Clouds
05. The Chasm
06. Thin Walls
07. My Subjective Shell
08. The Silent Empire
09. Floating
10. Staring Eyes
11. Another World

German death metallers DISBELIEF have completed work on their seventh CD, "Navigator", for a February 26, 2007 release via Massacre Records. The album was recorded at MX studio in Buchen, Germany with producer Michael Mainx. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include Sacrifice", "The Thought Product", "Selected" and "Navigator". A video for the title cut was also shot. Check out photos from the recording sessions at the band's MySpace.

DISBELIEF recently amicably parted ways with guitarist Oliver "Olly" Lenz. The group is currently seeking a replacement. Interested parties can contact Karsten "Jagger" Jäger at Jagger@disbelief.de.

DISBELIEF re-signed with Massacre Records after issuing their last CD, "66 Sick" (2005), through Nuclear Blast Records.

Roadrunner Records has announce a U.S. license arrangement for rock powerhouse WITHIN TEMPTATION. One of The Netherlands' biggest selling bands is hard at work recording their first album for Roadrunner USA, due out in 2007.

WITHIN TEMPTATION was formed in The Netherlands in 1996 by Robert Westerholt (guitars) and Sharon den Adel (vocals) and is rounded out by Jeroen Van Veen (bass), Stephen van Haestregt (drums), Martijn Spierenburg (keyboards) and Ruud Jolie (guitar). Stated the band, "We are very excited to work with Roadrunner Records in the United States. Roadrunner has already done a tremendous job for us in the U.K., Japan and Australia, and we look forward to expanding this to the United States."

Their latest album, "The Silent Force", sold over 650,000 copies in Europe, earning the band gold and platinum certifications in many countries, including The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Spain. "Mother Earth", which the band released prior to "The Silent Force", was certified platinum in the Netherlands and gold in Belgium. In addition to the success of both albums, the band has sold 1.1 million records and DVDs worldwide. WITHIN TEMPTATION has received this year's Dutch "Pop Prize," awarded annually to the group that has made the most significant contribution to Dutch pop music.

The first single, to be released next spring in the U.S., "What Have You Done", features a duet with Keith Caputo of LIFE OF AGONY. Other songtitles from the forthcoming album include "The Howling" and "Final Destination".

"WITHIN TEMPTATION has been a success in every territory they've tackled," says Mike Gitter, Director of A&R, who brought the band to the label. "Through hard work and touring, they spread the story out from their native Holland to mainland Europe and the U.K. There's no reason to believe that the U.S. will be any different."

WITHIN TEMPTATION is currently holed away in a Stockholm studio mixing with Stefan Glaumann, known for his work with RAMMSTEIN.

U.K. progressive metallers THRESHOLD have changed the projected title of their new album to "Dead Reckoning" from the previously announced "Pilot in the Sky of Dreams".

On the change of album title, keyboardist Richard West commented, "We decided that the working title 'Pilot in the Sky of Dreams' was more suitable as a song title — it didn't sound solid or powerful enough to represent the overall sound of the album."

"Dead Reckoning" was produced by Karl Groom and 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

THRESHOLD recently confirmed that its new CD artwork will be created by Thomas Ewerhard, whose credits include KING'S X, VANDEN PLAS and ASIA. Thomas Ewerhard has been responsible for THRESHOLD's artwork since 1998, including the iconic "Hypothetical" and "Subsurface" covers.

"Dead Reckoning" is scheduled for release on March 23 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The cover artwork of the new MASTERPLAN EP, entitled "Lost and Gone", has been posted online at this location. Due on January 26 via AFM Records, the CD is the first release to feature the group's new lineup — left to right in pictures: Roland Grapow (guitar), Jan S. Eckert (bass), Mike Terrana (drums; YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, AXEL RUDI PELL, METALIUM, RAGE), Axel Mackenrott (keyboards) and Mike DiMeo (vocals; RIOT, THE LIZARDS). An audio sample of the EP's title cut has been posted online at this location (audio player in upper right-hand corner).

MASTERPLAN's third album is due on February 23. A European tour in support of SAXON will follow in February-May.

Belgium masters of brutality ABORTED have posted "The Chondrin Enigma", a new track taken off their upcoming fifth full-length "Slaughter & Apparatus: A Methodical Overture", at their MySpace.

Commented vocalist Sven De Caluwe: "Yes, here it is, the first MP3 released off the new record, 'Slaughter & Apparatus: A Methodical Overture', entitled 'The Chondrin Enigma'. This is also the opening track for the record. We shot a video last week for the track with OneOone (who also did our DVD) and from what we saw as previews so far, this is going to be a killer video! Hope you guys enjoy the song, more will follow in the coming weeks!"

Set for release on February 19, 2007 via Century Media, the new album "shows ABORTED's rapid development from a pure underground phenomenon to one of the most promising international acts in the field of extreme music," according to a press release. "Slaughter & Apparatus: A Methodical Overture" "skilfully combines the technically flawless blasting ferocity ABORTED are known and dreaded for with epic leads and majestic melodies adding up to a diverse, astonishing effort that is likely to become one of 2007’s highlights for all lovers of extreme sounds!"

Polish female-fronted metal/alternative band DELIGHT — the first act from Poland to land a record deal with Roadrunner Records — has posted its new video for the track "Divided" at this location. The song, which is said to be a new version of the band's cut "Anew", is set to appear on DELIGHT's new album, "Breaking Ground", due in Germany on January 19.

Commented the band: "'Breaking Ground' is very varied, so you'll be getting some ballads and some heavier stuff, and a lot of good tunes overall."

Produced by Rhys Fulber (FEAR FACTORY, PARADISE LOST, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY), "Breaking Ground" (view cover here) will contain the following track listing:

01. Divided
02. Sleep With The Light On
03. In Too Deep
04. Reasons
05. Fire
06. Every Time
07. Emotune
08. More
09. Juliet
10. All Alone
11. Your Name
12. Bare Tree

DELIGHT will support the Italian band EXILIA in Switzerland, Germany and Austria beginning January 17.

Reunited Austrian black metallers ABIGOR have announced plans to release a strictly limited 7" demo box featuring the demos "Ash Nazgh...", "Lux Devicta Est", "Promo-Tape II/94" and "Moonrise". The band is currently searching for reviews, interviews and articles from this period to include in the packaging... If you own, or know someone who could help the band with this, contact them via their MySpace.

As previously reported, ABIGOR has inked a deal with End All Life Records. "There [are] different reasons for our decision, but at least we're still rooted in the lungs of hell, and not one major/underground label/distribution could offer us a deal similar to End All Life," the group wrote in a statement.

ABIGOR's "Orkblut - The Retaliation" mini-CD, which was originally issued in 1994 via Napalm Records, was released on vinyl and as a limited-edition picture disc in early November through France's Chaos Sacrum Records. The details are as follows:

* 400 copies in black heavy vinyl / 12 EUR
* 100 copies in white heavy vinyl with black splatters /14 EUR
* 250 copies in picture vinyl / 15 EUR
+ applicable postage

ABIGOR's current lineup includes mainman Peter Kubik and co-founding member T.T.

Swedish death metallers GODHATE (formerly THRONEAEON) have issued the following update:

"We are right now looking for a new bassist to replace Clabbe [Ramberg]. Clabbe has for a long time suffered from problems with his back and it hasn't been much better. He's still in the band and will help us out until we find the right person to replace him with. If you know how to handle a bass and wish to give it a try, get in touch! info@godhate.com."

GODHATE last year issued their debut four-song EP, entitled "Anguish". The CD was recorded at Fast Forward Studio with Johan Green and the Kuusisto brothers from CARNAL FORGE at the helm.

Swedish power metallers AXENSTAR have parted ways with bassist Magnus Ek and drummer Pontus Jansson. Replacing them in the group's current formation are Henrik Sedell and Thomas Ohlsson, respectively.

AXENSTAR's fourth album, "The Final Requiem", was released in Europe on September 8 via Germany's Massacre Records. According to the band, "it is by far the heaviest release in the history of AXENSTAR. We are all extremely happy with the result."

AXENSTAR was previously signed to the Arise label.

Finnish "fantasy metal" band BATTLELORE will release its fourth album, "Evernight", in North America on March 13, 2007 via Napalm Records. The CD will be issued in Europe on February 26, except in Finland (February 14) and Germany/Austria/Switzerland (February 23).

The follow-up to 2005's "Third Age of the Sun", "Evernight" was recorded at MusicBros Studio and was produced by Miitri Aaltonen, who previously worked with the group on their first two CDs, "...Where The Shadows Lie" (2002) and "Sword's Song" (2003). The mastering duties were handled at Finnvox Studios.

DIMENSION ZERO — the Swedish band featuring IN FLAMES guitarist Jesper Strömblad (on bass), ex-MARDUK vocalist Joakim "Jocke" Göthberg, LUCIFERION/DIABOLIQUE drummer Hasse Nilsson, and PATHOS guitarist Daniel Antonsson — has finished recording its third album, tentatively due in early 2007. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The Was", "Is", "Deny", "I Can Hear The Dark", "Red Dead Heat" and "He Who Shall Not Bleed".

Check out new photos from the recording studio at this location.

DIMENSION ZERO's sophomore full-length album, "This is Hell", was released in October 2003 through Regain Records. The CD — the band's first to feature Antonsson — was recorded at Phlat Planet studios in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer/IN FLAMES frontman Anders Fridén.

DIMENSION ZERO has been confirmed for the Close-Up Båten festival/day-long cruise, set to take off from Stockholm, Sweden on February 15, 2007. Also scheduled to appear are TIAMAT, DARK TRANQUILLITY, PAIN, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR and NECROPHOBIC.

Strömblad is sitting out IN FLAMES' current European tour with SLAYER, LAMB OF GOD and CHILDREN OF BODOM due to "personal issues." Filling in for Jesper is longtime friend Niklas Engelin, who previously toured with IN FLAMES in 1997-1998.

Chicago dark metal act NOVEMBERS DOOM has posted the video for "Autumn Reflection" (off 2005's "The Pale Haunt Departure") and some live footage of its recent European tour on YouTube at this location. The band also recently posted a tour diary on its official MySoace.

NOVEMBERS DOOM has set a February 20, 2007 release date for its forthcoming album, "The Novella Reservoir", for The End Records. The artwork and an MP3 of the song "Drown the Inland Mere" can be found at this location.

The CD — recorded with Chris Djuricic, mixed by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH) and mastered by James Murphy (TESTAMENT, DEATH) — is the follow-up to 2005's "The Pale Haunt Departure".

About the album, singer Paul Kuhr says, "The only way to describe 'The Novella Reservoir' is natural progression. With each CD we release, we evolve in style. This time, we took a step forward in speed and aggression, while maintaining the same sound we've had over all six CDs. 'The Pale Haunt Departure' was so well received, we knew writing the follow up would be a challenge, and I feel we've successfully created a worthy release."

"The Novella Reservoir" track listing:

01. Rain
02. The Novella Reservoir
03. Drown the Inland Mere
04. Twilight Innocence
05. The Voice of Failure
06. They Were Left to Die
07. Dominate the Human Strain
08. Leaving This