Finnish melodic death/thrash metallers MORS PRINCIPIUM EST have finalized the track listing for their third album, "Liberation = Termination", due in early 2007 via Listenable Records. The follow-up to "The Unborn" was recorded at Astia Studio in Finland and was mastered at Imperial Mastering in Concord, California.

"Liberation = Termination" track listing:

01. Orsus
02. The Oppressed Will Rise
03. The Animal Within
04. Finality
05. Cleansing Rain
06. Forgotten
07. Sinners Defeat
08. The Distance Between
09. It Is Done
10. Terminal Liberation
11. Lost Beyond Retrieval

MORS PRINCIPIUM EST's debut album, "Inhumanity", was reissued in February through Listenable with completely new artwork and with three bonus songs. The band's most recent CD, "The Unborn" was recorded at Tico Tico studio (SONATA ARCTICA, SENTENCED, FOR MY PAIN…, ALTARIA) in Kemi, Finland. The album cover was designed by Mattias Norèn.

Swedish death metal act INSISION has completed work on its third album, entitled "Ikon", at Black Lounge studios (SCAR SYMMETRY, CENTINEX) in Avesta, Sweden. Mick Usher, who also worked on INSISION's last album "Revealed & Worshipped", has designed the cover.

Commented the band: "After nailing the last songs on the third and upcoming album entitled 'Ikon', We are back from Black Lounge studio for a well-deserved rest. There [is] still no real 'done deal' for this record and we are keeping our eyes open, but without telling to much we have some interesting offers to look at."

"Ikon" track listing:

01. A Ravenous Discharge
02. Unbind My Hands
03. By Habit
04. Depleting The Non-Being
05. Into The Cold
06. Breathing The Black Dust
07. Doubt Denied
08. Entangled In Thorns *
09. The Magnet Soul

* A remake of the song from the "Promo 2000" demo

INSISION recently parted ways with Earache/Wicked World Records and is currently seeking a new label home. "Just like ENTOMBED and MORBID ANGEL before us, it [is] now time for INSISION to leave Earache in order to go ahead," the band said at the time.

Frontiers Records has announced the signing of German/British melodic hard rock outfit PINK CREAM 69. The band is currently working on the follow-up to 2004's "Thunderdome", tentatively titled "In10sity" (a reference to the fact that this is PC 69's tenth regular studio album), for a March 2007 release.

PINK CREAM 69's lineup of David Readman (vocals), Alfred Koffler (guitar), Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) recently added a new guitarist, Uwe Reitenauer, who has been part of the band's live shows since 2003.

"The new song material is definitely more powerful with the two-guitar attack, but still keeping the trademark of catchy melodies and strong choruses," said drummer Kosta Zafiriou.

According to a press release, "fans of melodic hard rock can expect a mixture of the strongest elements in the PC 69 style, combined with a state-of-the-art production by Dennis Ward."

A video clip of Norwegian black metallers KEEP OF KALESSIN performing the song "Come Damnation" on September 26, 2006 in Paris, France has been posted online at this location (Windows Media).

KEEP OF KALESSIN features in its ranks Obsidian C. (a.k.a. Arnt Grønbech). The band performed a one-time, unique show with the duo MONOLITHIC on September 1 at the Trondheim Jazzfestival. The performance was previously described as "a concert where extreme metal meets jazz at an insanely high tempo."

KEEP OF KALESSIN's latest album, "Armada", entered the Norwegian national album chart at position No. 20 upon its release earlier in the year. The CD is the group's first with vocalist Thebon, who made his live debut with the band during their live shows in 2005, including the Eastern European tour with EXODUS and HYPOCRISY in December.

Season of Mist has set a February 19, 2007 European release date for the third full-length album from Swedish black metallers WATAIN. A European tour will follow.

After the release of the highly acclaimed "Casus Luciferi" album in 2003 and the tour with DISSECTION in 2004, WATAIN has been forging and wielding material that clearly reveals their true potential as craftsmen of lethal black metal magic. The recording of the album is taking place at the infamous Necromorbus Studio (FUNERAL MIST, MALIGN, OFERMOD, etc).

According to a press release, "Those who experienced WATAIN on stage can witness of a blood-soaked, rusty metallic machinery embodying every aspect of the traditional Satanic black metal cult, re-living and taking further the sinister legacy of VENOM, HELLHAMMER and MAYHEM. But believe us when we say 'you have seen nothing yet!'"

Long-running New York death metallers IMMOLATION will enter Millbrook Sound Studios in Millbrook, NY with producer with Paul Orofino any day now to begin work on their seventh full-length CD. The new material is described in a press release as "very aggressive and much more intense" than the band's past work. "The songs are shorter, but pack more of a punch; definitely a darker, meaner album."

Commented guitarist Robert Vigna: "We are really excited about the new material. It is really a powerful bunch of songs. They kick you hard right from the start and leave you pummeled by the end! I think the fans are going to go apeshit when they hear these tracks!"

Added vocalist/bassist Ross Dolan: "The new stuff definitely has a very dark feel, but does not let up on the heaviness or intensity at all. There is a hint of both the last two records, 'Unholy Cult' and 'Harnessing Ruin', in the new songs, but they are coming from a completely different approach. They are going to knock you on your ass!"

IMMOLATION will head out to Holland directly after the studio to play the Arnhem Metal Meeting festival with ARCH ENEMY before traveling to Paris to shoot a video for the upcoming album.

Listenable Records will release an IMMOLATION EP in February — the band's first ever — which will also contain a live DVD, a complete show from one of the group's most recent performances at the B.B. King club in New York City. The video was shot by Evil Eye Productions and really captures the feeling of the night. "The way they shot it was great — really cool angles and camera work,…you will feel like you're in the front row!" the band said.

IMMOLATION's new full-length album will be out in April through Century Media and Listenable Records in the U.S. and Europe respectively. Look out for the band to hit Europe for an extensive tour in May 2007.

REVOLTING COCKS guitarist Sin is currently collaborating with MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen on the final MINISTRY album, entitled "The Last Sucker". "It should be done by May 1st and released by mid-September 2007," Sin writes in an online posting. "So far it's BLAZING!"

In a May 2006 interview with Billboard.com, Jourgensen said that like its two predecessors — 2004's "Houses of the Mole" and this year's "Rio Grande Blood" — the final MINISTRY album will be politically minded blast at the administration of President George W. Bush.

"It's a trilogy," Jourgensen said. "The next one's going to be called 'The Last Sucker', and it's also about this corrupt administration. That seems to be my muse; everyone seems to think I write real shitty music when a Democrat's in office. So we'll do that one, and then me and George Bush go riding off hand-in-hand, into the sunset."

Regarding his decision to put MINISTRY to rest, Jourgensen said, "I've got other things to do. I just started a label (13th Planet Records), and I want to sign some bands and really build it up like I did with WaxTrax in the '80s, not just a vanity label. I think it's time — and I'll be leaving on the top of my game instead of hanging on too long and doing crappy AEROSMITH and ROLLING STONES albums 30 years later."

Guitarist Thomas Youngblood of the American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT has issued the following update:

"I am flying back from some intense and very productive recording sessions with producer Sascha Paeth in Wolfsburg, Germany. We are flying over one of nature's most beautiful sites, a crystal clear view and fly over of Greenland. We can see glaziers and mountains for miles, no human presence seems to be seen anywhere. Breathless!

"The new album is going killer, folks. Casey [Grillo] is due to finish drums in the next two weeks. He returns to Gate Studios for the first time since the 'Karma' album.

"After months of work, the new DVD and live CD is finally out [in Europe]! Thanks to all the help we got from Patric Ullaeus and the various artists that help with the packaging and content."

Due to "production issues," the North American release date for KAMELOT's first-ever DVD and double live CD, entitled "One Cold Winter's Night", was moved from October 24 to December 4.

Finnish metallers PAIN CONFESSOR have uploaded audio samples of two recently recorded demo tracks — "Without Redemption/Without Remorse" and "Ne Plus Ultra" — at this location. The band made an eight-song pre-production recording on November 17-19 in preparation for its upcoming third album, "Purgatory of the Second Sun", which the group plans to record beginning mid-December at Fantom Studio with producer Samu Oittinen. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Mercenaries", "Last of Forever", "Dreamcrusher", "Second Sun", "My Last Words" and "End". According to a posting on the group's web site, "the forthcoming album will be the heaviest and most brutal PAIN CONFESSOR album yet." An early March release is expected. A single will precede the album in February.

PAIN CONFESSOR's sophomore album, "Fearrage", was released in March via Megamania. The follow-up to 2004's "Turmoil" was recorded and mixed by Janne Saksa at Studio Sound Supreme and was produced by Janne Saksa and PAIN CONFESSOR.

Former DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW singer Joe Lynn Turner is busy writing and recording his new studio album, tentatively due before next summer via Frontiers Records. According to a press release, the direction of new CD will once again follow the melodic hard rock vein that characterized Joe Lynn Turner's last studio effort, "The Usual Suspects".

"The Usual Suspects" was released last year via Frontiers Records. The album was produced by Bob Held and Joe Lynn Turner and features a host of well-known faces such as Al Pitrelli (MEGADETH, SAVATAGE) and Karl Cochran (ACE FREHLEY, NUCLEAR ASSAULT) on guitar, David Z on bass, John O'Reilly on drums, Paul Morris and Andy Burton on keyboards, with Nancy Bender helping out with some background vocals.

Swedish black metal titans NAGLFAR have finished recording their new album, "Harvest", tentatively due in early 2007 via Century Media Records. The band has issued the following update:

"Of course there were plenty of problems, including a broken guitar amp. But finally the guitars and vocals are done, thus making us ready for the mixing of the album. We'll start with this on Monday the 26th of November. Some changes and additions have been made in the songs so the final and offical tracklist will be posted [on the band's official web site] soon."

"Harvest" will tentatively include the following "attacks of audial terror" (in no particular order):

01. Into the Black
02. Prayer of Cain
03. The Way of the Rope
04. Harvest
05. Feeding Moloch
06. The Mirrors of My Soul
07. Wargod
08. Plutonium Reveries
09. Odium Generis Humani

NAGLFAR's latest album, "Pariah", is available now on Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Sheol" was previously described in a Century Media press release as "a flawless work of iniquitous hell-spawned art filled with raging guitar riffs, bludgeoning drums, demonic vocals, that combine with haunting melodies to capture hell's eternal depravity."

British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH have recruited Czech drummer Marthus (real name: Martin Škaroupka) to replace Adrian Erlandsson. Martin was born on January 20, 1981 in the Czech Republic and has previously played with GALACTIC INDUSTRY and INNER FEAR, among other bands. "A fine gent whose skills are second to none," Martin "will be continuing to play on the rest of the tour," CRADLE OF FILTH writes in a statement. "Those of you who have already seen us you will know that Martin is more than qualified for the job!"

Erlandsson announced his departure from CRADLE OF FILTH on Wednesday (Nov. 15), citing his desire to focus on other projects, including NEMHAIN (which is fronted by Erlandsson's wife, fetish model Morrigan Hel; a.k.a. Amber England).

Commented Adrian: "I have enjoyed my time with CRADLE but it is now time to move on. I feel I am going out on a high as 'Thornography' is definitely our best album to date."

Over the course of the last few months, rumors of Adrian's departure have been gaining strength, with several "in-the-know" parties claiming that Adrian was fired from the group just days before they were to sign a new publishing deal. As a result, it was reported (but not officially confirmed) that Erlandsson was relegated to the status of a "session" member (whereby he was paid only for time worked and was not entitled to any publishing or artist royalties), a situation which was rumored to have strained his relationship with the band's frontman Dani Davey (a.k.a. Dani Filth).

MERCYFUL FATE was presented with the "honor award" at the Danish Metal Awards 2006, which were held last night (Saturday, November 18) at Amager Bio in Copenhagen, Denmark. Original members Michael Denner (guitar), Hank Shermann (guitar), Timi "Grabber" Hansen (bass) and Kim Ruzz (drums) appeared in public together for the first time in 22 years to accept the award (vocalist King Diamond was unable to attend the event due to the fact that he is currently working on the new KING DIAMOND album in Dallas, Texas).

MERCYFUL FATE will always be remembered for their unquestionable mark on the history of metal, with their new innovative sound, complex arrangements, memorable melody, and their influence on bands that later took the genre to new heights, according to Wikipedia.

In 1998, METALLICA paid tribute to MERCYFUL FATE by recording a medley of classic MERCYFUL FATE songs on the album "Garage Inc." Entitled "Mercyful Fate", the medley included parts from "Satan's Fall", "Curse of the Pharaohs", "A Corpse Without Soul", "Into the Coven" and "Evil".

Lars Ulrich of METALLICA (a fellow Dane) played drums on a new version of "Return of the Vampire" on the "In the Shadows" album, which came out in 1993.

During SLAYER's recent "Unholy Alliance" tour stop in Helsinki, Finland, the group's drummer Dave Lombardo took part in a recording session with Finnish cello-rockers APOCALYPTICA for their upcoming album, tentatively due in early 2007.

Lombardo's appearance on the new APOCALYPTICA CD will mark the third time he has played on an APOCALYPTICA album, having previously performed on 2003's "Reflections" and then again on 2005's "Apocalyptica".

"Many bands have asked me to play on their records but I prefer groups who have some really original and even strange ideas," Lombardo told Finnish journalist Timo Isoaho back in 2004. "APOCALYPTICA's concept is pretty unusual and I was flattered when Eicca (APOCALYPTICA) asked me to guest on [the song 'Betrayal/Forgiveness', which appears on 'Apocalyptica']."

APOCALYPTICA and Lombardo have known each other since 1998 when Lombardo played the "Mandatory Suicide"/"South of Heaven" medley with APOCALYPTICA at Holland's Headbanger's Heaven festival.

"We liked each other from the beginning and Dave told us to call him if we ever needed a drummer [for a recording session]," Eicca explained in 2004.

THE PROJECT HATE, the Swedish band featuring Lord K. Philipson (GOD AMONG INSECTS, ex-LEUKEMIA), Jörgen Sandström (ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE), bassist Michael Håkansson (ENGEL, ex-EVERGREY), guitarist Petter S. Freed (2 TON PREDATOR) and singer Jo Enckell (IGNORANCE BLISS), has posted the following message on its official web site:

"We are moving onwards slowly with the recording of the new album. Since we have absolutely no deadlines, or even a record label for that matter, we are going to take our time with this piece. A lot of things are happening in the HATE camp but it's too early to say much about it. As soon as shit is confirmed we'll inform you here, as always. But if everything works out as we want them to, this will be quite some interesting recording. Two and a half tracks are completely nailed as far as guitars go and while recording those we are also writing the lyrics for the tunes. Expect nothing but some blasphemous insanity. You know us by now."

The follow-up to 2003's "Hate, Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate", THE PROJECT HATE's latest album, "Armageddon March Eternal (Symphonies of Slit Wrists)" was released in Europe in October 2005 via Threeman Recordings. The CD was produced by Dan Swanö.

MANNHAI, the Finnish group whose current lineup includes singer Pasi Koskinen (ex-AMORPHIS, AJATTARA), has issued the following update:

"MANNHAI has a brand new PENTAGRAM tribute 7" split single with Finnish doom metallers REVEREND BIZARRE out! Both of the bands do one PENTAGRAM cover song on this vinyl released by The Church Within Records. Jürgen Hendlmeier has produced MANNHAI's version of the '70s classic 'Forever My Queen' at Kick out the Jams! studios.

"'Under the Sign of the Wolf' single is sold at least at Doom-Dealer and of course at forthcoming MANNHAI gigs. Only 1,000 copies printed, so be quick!"

MANNHAI's latest CD, "Hellroad Caravan", was released in continental Europe on June 26 via Dockyard 1. The CD, which was issued in Finland on February 15, was recorded at Jive Studios in Helsinki and was described by the band as "heavier and more guitar-driven" than the group's previous album, 2004's "The Exploder".

MANNHAI's "Spaceball" single entered Finland's national single chart at position No. 1 back in January.

Dutch symphonic metal act EPICA has rejected as false a report published in the Finnish weekly celebrity gossip magazine Katso that NIGHTWISH leader Tuomas Holopainen and the group's manager Ewo Rytkönen have been in contact with EPICA singer Simone Simons about her possibly taking over the frontwoman position in NIGHTWISH. The Katso report included a rumor that Tuomas and Ewo became convinced that Simone was capable of of being the next NIGHTWISH vocalist after seeing Simone perform with EPICA at this year's Tuska Festival in Helsinki.

In a posting on EPICA's official web site, the Dutch band addressed the latest rumors with the following statement:

"The last few months there have been a lot of rumors about Simone, implying she would leave EPICA to join NIGHTWISH as their new vocalist. With this rumor being published in a Finnish celebrity gossip magazine we are again getting a lot of questions whether or not this is true, so once again: Simone is not in contact with NIGHTWISH nor their management and will not be leaving EPICA. Don't believe everything you read, specially not in gossip magazines:-)"

EPICA recently parted ways with drummer Jeroen Simons and is currently seeking a replacement. Interested parties can contact the group at info@epica.nl.

As previously reported, EPICA's previously announced live DVD, which was filmed on May 4, 2006 at Paradiso in Amsterdam, Holland, has been delayed until next year.

EPICA is currently working on material for its third full-length album, which they expect to release sometime in early 2007.

Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have finished mixing their new album at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producers Fredrik Nordström and Patrik J. Sten for an early 2007 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The group's guitarist, Silenoz, has issued the following update on the recording/mixing process:

"After what we can call a pretty mellow and relaxed mixing session (at least from a dimmucratic point of view), 'In Sorte Diaboli' is now mixed and ready for mastering! Ooops…happened to mention the album title there.

"Anyways, mastering duties will be done pretty soon courtesy of Russ Russell at an undisclosed location in the U.K.

"We'd especially like to thank Fredrik and Patrik for the great work they've done helping us creating such a great sound! Would you really expect anything else? Not only that but also for putting up with our bullshit for over a month. Trust me when I say there are just a few out there capable of doing that...

"Meeting Patric Ullaeus and discussing the new video was satisfying as well. There are some really nice ideas brewing at the moment! More about that later…"

Mythmaker" is the newest album for Skinny Puppy after 2004's "The Greater Wrong Of The Right". On this album the Vancouver duo of Ogre (voice) and cEvin Key (synthesizers / electronics / percussion) are assisted by Mark Walk. The tracklisting for the album is as follows: 01. magnifishit, 02. daL, 03. haZe, 04. pedafly, 05. jaHer, 06. politikiL, 07. lestiduZ, 08. pasturN, 09. ambiantz, 10. ugLi. Out on Synthetic Symphony on January 29th.

German metallers METALIUM have finalized the track listing for their sixth album, "Nothing to Undo – Chapter VI", due in February 2007.

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."

"Nothing to Undo – Chapter VI" 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.

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.

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET, the new Swedish band featuring former THE CROWN vocalist Johan Lindstrand, has had the European release date of its sophomore album, "Error in Evolution" (Nuclear Blast Records), pushed back a week to March 9, 2007.

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET entered Deadline studios on October 18 with engineer Valle Adzic to begin recording the follow-up to the band's debut, "21st Century Killing Machine". The track listing will be as follows:

01. Mine for the Taking
02. The Supreme Butcher
03. Such a Sick Boy
04. Knights in Satan's Service
05. Battlefield Paradise
06. Heaven Knows No Pain
07. Nightmare in Ashes And Blood
08. The Sun Never Shines
09. He's Back (The Man behind the Mask)
10. See Them Burn
11. Silencer
12: Hail the King

Regarding the band's decision to record a cover of ALICE COOPER's "He's Back (The Man behind the Mask)", Lindstrand previously said, "It's a song which we all can relate to in one way or another. We were young and it was in the middle of the '80s. 'Friday the 13th Part 6 - Jason Lives' [was] circulating in the underground community 'cause Sweden had huge problems with censorship. We had to find it in the black market and since we first saw this slasher, this song really got stuck in our heads and I guess the only way to get it out is to play the god damn song. It will be heavy!"

MORTIIS' long-out-of-print (previously released by Cold Meat Industry) albums "Ånden Som Gjorde Opprør" (1994) and "Keiser Av En Dimensjon Ukjent" (1995) will be reissued in North America on January 9, 2007 by Projekt Records. These albums have been out of print since the late '90s and will be reissued as digipaks with updated ("Keiser Av En Dimensjon Ukjent") and completely new artwork ("Ånden Som Gjorde Opprør").

MORTIIS earlier in the year parted ways with Earache Records and has yet to announce a new label home. In an interview with Blastwave webzine, Mortiis said of his label situation, "Right now, I'm between labels and making demos for new songs. There's some really cool stuff that [we played on the recent U.K. tour]. I'm too old to sign another crappy deal. I'm just gonna step back and see what happens. I've also been talking to one director about doing some soundtrack work."

The cover artwork for the forthcoming SINNER album, "Mask of Sanity", has been posted online at this location. Produced by mainman Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR) and engineered by Achim Köhler, the CD features additional performances by guitarist Tom Naumann and keyboard player Frank Rössler. Former PRIMAL FEAR drummer Klaus Sperling, who has played a number of live dates with SINNER, is now a full-fledged member of the group, as is TRACEELORDS guitarist Christof Leim. In addition, the album features guest appearances by Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM), Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR) and Martin Grimm (MYSTIC PROPHECY).

Due on January 19, 2007 via MTM Music (February 20, 2007 in the U.S. through Crash Music), "Mask of Sanity"'s initial limited-edition pressing will include two bonus tracks: a video for the song "Diary of Evil" (written by Mat Sinner with Roy Z) and the THIN LIZZY cover version "Baby Please Don't Go".

"Mask of Sanity" track listing:

01. The Other Side (4:00) (mp3)
02. Diary of Evil (4:33)
03. Badlands (3:50)
04. Black (3:58)
05. Thunder Roar (5:14)
06. The Sign (4:25) (mp3)
07. Revenge (3:33)
08. Under the Gun (3:41)
09. Cant Stand The Heat (3:40)
10. No Return (4:38)
11. Last Man Standing (3:28)
12. Baby Please Don't Go (4:29) (bonus track)
13. Diary of Evil (bonus video track)

According to The Rock Radio, "Greatest Hits I" by QUEEN is officially the best-selling album of all time in the U.K.

The compilation, which was first released in 1981, has sold a staggering 5,407,587 copies and has spent a record 20 years in the album charts. Other artists in the top ten were THE BEATLES, PINK FLOYD and DIRE STRAITS.

Surprisingly THE ROLLING STONES, LED ZEPPELIN and BOB DYLAN didn't feature in the top 10.

Positions have been determined by basing sales on data ranging from current sales figures to handwritten till receipts from the 1950s.

The top ten looks like this:

01. QUEEN - Greatest Hits (5,407,587)
02. THE BEATLES - Sgt Pepper (4,803,292)
03. OASIS - What's The Story Morning Glory (4,304,504)
04. DIRE STRAITS - Brothers In Arms (3,946,931)
05. ABBA - Gold Greatest Hits (3,932,316)
06. PINK FLOYD - The Dark Side of The Moon (3,759,958)
07. QUEEN - Greatest Hits II (3,631,321)
08. MICHAEL JACKSON - Thriller (3,570,250)
09. MICHAEL JACKSON - Bad (3,549,950)
10. MADONNA - The Immaculate Collection (3,364,785)

Norwegian black metallers CREST OF DARKNESS will travel to Outer Sound Studios in Rome, Italy on Monday (Nov. 20) to begin recording their fifth full-length album, "Give Us the Power to Do Your Evil", with producer Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Your Demons", "Revenge Complete" and "Death and Pleasure". An early 2007 release via My Kingdom Music is expected.

In other news, CREST OF DARKNESS has announced that it has parted ways with guitarist Akke due to "personal reasons" and has replaced him with Rebo from bassist/vocalist Ingar Amlien's hometown of Gjøvik.

CREST OF DARKNESS' fourth album, "Evil Knows Evil", was released in early 2004 through My Kingdom Music. The follow-up to 2000's "Project Regenration" was recorded at MLP Studio in Gjvik, Norway with co-producer/engineer Nils H. Mhlum. Mastering took place at Outer Sound with Giuseppe Orlando.

Finnish melodic death/doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN have uploaded audio samples of three songs from their forthcoming third album, "Hope", due on February 7, 2007 release via Spinefarm Records. Check out the tracks "Hope", "These Hours of Despair" and "Too Cold for Tears" at this location.

The follow-up to 2005's "Ghosts of Loss", "Hope" was recorded at Seawolf Studios in Helsinki and was mastered on Oct. 16 at Finnvox studios with Minerva Pappi.

"Hope" track listing:

01. Hope
02. These Hours of Despair
03. The Justice of Suffering
04. Don't Fall Asleep
05. Too Cold For Tears
06. The Empty Skies
07. No Light, No Hope
08. Doomed to Walk the Earth

According to the band, "The album will feature vocal appearance by Jonas Renkse of KATATONIA on 'The Justice of Suffering'. A single of 'Don't Fall Asleep' will be released prior to the album release, and it will include a cover of TIMO RAUTIAINEN AND TRIO NISKALAUKAUS song 'Alavilla mailla', with AMORPHIS singer Tomi Joutsen on vocals."

"Ghosts of Loss" entered the official Finnish album chart at position No. 8.

CELTIC FROST's new video clip for the song "A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh" will be featured as part of the program of the 42nd edition of the renowned Solothurn Film Festival in Switzerland, January 22 -28, 2007. The clip will be shown in the category "Sound & Stories".

"A Dying God Coming into Human Flesh" was taken from CELTIC FROST's first album in 14 years, "Monotheist", and the clip was directed by Jessie Fischer (no relation to CELTIC FROST's Tom Gabriel Fischer), and filmed in Zurich, Switzerland mid-August 2006. View the clip at this location.

Finnish metallers PAIN CONFESSOR have posted the following message on their official web site:

"PAIN CONFESSOR will play a one-off gig December 2nd at Länkkäri, Vantaa, Finland before entering Fantom Studio to record 'Purgatory of the Second Sun'. Studio session will begin mid-December and end around January 2007. A single will be released in February and full album early March.

"During the Nov. 17-19 weekend, a demo of album songs was recorded at PAIN CONFESSOR HQ and we will probably put a few clips and pics on the site for you to check out."

PAIN CONFESSOR's third album, "Purgatory of the Second Sun", will be produced by Samu Oittinen. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Without Redemption/Without Remorse", "Ne Plus Ultra", "Mercenaries", "Last of Forever", "Dreamcrusher", "Second Sun", "My Last Words" and "End". According to a posting on the group's web site, "the forthcoming album will be the heaviest and most brutal PAIN CONFESSOR album yet."

PAIN CONFESSOR's sophomore album, "Fearrage", was released in March via Megamania. The follow-up to 2004's "Turmoil" was recorded and mixed by Janne Saksa at Studio Sound Supreme and was produced by Janne Saksa and PAIN CONFESSOR.

Polish female-fronted metal/alternative band DELIGHT, who are said to be the first Polish band to land a record deal with Roadrunner Records, will release their new album, "Breaking Ground", 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