German power metallers SYMPHORCE, featuring BRAINSTORM frontman Andy B. Franck, are preparing to enter House of Music studios in Winterach, Germany with producer Dennis Ward to begin recording their new album, "Become Death", due in February/March via Metal Blade Records. According to the band, the upcoming CD will be their "most intense, heaviest album EVER." The cover artwork will be handled by Thomas Ewerhard.

"Become Death" tentative track listing:

01. Ancient Prophecies
02. In The Hopes Of A Dream
03. Towards The Light
04. Suffocation
05. Darkness Fills The Sky
06. Condemned
07. Death Has Come
08. No Final Words To Say
09. Lies
10. Lost But Found

SYMPHORCE recently announced the addition of drummer Steffen Theurer to the group's ranks.

SYMPHORCE's last album, "GodSpeed", was released in September 2005 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Twice Second" was recorded at House of Music studios and features 10 tracks. A limited-edition version of the album includes a bonus DVD of approximately 45 minutes of "live and backstage" footage and the video clip for "Cause of Laughter". The cover artwork was designed by Travis Smith (ICED EARTH, NEVERMORE).

Spinefarm Records has revealed the track listing for new album from Finnish epic/pagan metallers MOONSORROW, entitled "V: Hävitetty". it is as follows:

01. Jäästä syntynyt varjojen virta
02. Tuleen ajettu maa

The cover artwork for "V: Hävitetty" can be viewed here (artwork created by Travis Smith). The CD is scheduled for release on January 10, 2007 via Spinefarm Records.

Karsten "Jagger" Jäger of the German death metallers DISBELIEF is putting the finishing touches on the vocals for the group's seventh CD, "Navigator", due on February 26, 2007 release via Massacre Records. Mixing sessions are scheduled to begin next week.

DISBELIEF's new album is being recorded MX studio in Buchen, Germany with producer Michael Mainx. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Sacrifice", "The Thought Product", "Selected" and "Navigator".

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.

A video clip of CRADLE OF FILTH performing the track "Tonight in Flames" on Sunday, November 12 at at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands has been posted online at the group's official website.

CRADLE OF FILTH's new album, "Thornography", has sold around 25,000 copies in the United States since its October 17 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The follow-up to 2004's "Nymphetamine" was recorded at Lincolnshire, England's Chapel studios with producer Rob Caggiano (BLEEDING THROUGH, ANTHRAX) and was mixed at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, England by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, SKINLAB, NEVERMORE).

German thrashers DEW-SCENTED have issued the following update:

"We just returned from Jörg Uken's Soundlodge studio [GOD DETHRONED, OBSCENITY, MANDRAKE] [in Northern Germany] where we finished recording 12 new tracks and some bonus material for our next album. It's sounding killer already in its rough version, so we are really looking forward to seeing how this will turn out."

The follow-up to "Issue VI" will be mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD, KREATOR, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, etc.) at his Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, England.

"Issue VI" was released in Europe in June 2005 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was recorded at Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany with producer Andy Classen (CALLENISH CIRCLE, TANKARD, OCCULT).

REVEREND has released a limited number of photographs of its recording sessions with Grammy Award-wining producer Joe Trevino of Blue Cat Recording Studios at the band's official MySpace. According to a press release, discussions are underway as to what the new CD will be titled, with the current possibilities being "Resurrected", "Resurrection" and "Crossing Over".

REVEREND's upcoming CD will include the last lyrics penned by late REVEREND/METAL CHURCH singer David Wayne, titled "With This Needle I Thee Wed". "This song will no doubt be a controversial song, but is aimed at the addictions of life, and how it changes people forever," the band explains in the press release. Songtitles set to appear on the album include (in no particular order):

01. In the End
02. Epitaph
03. Prelude
04. Darkened Horizon
05. Ships of Illusion
06. Visions
07. With This Needle I Thee Wed
08. Universal Metal
09. River of Hate (Styx)
10. Unconscious Suicide

The upcoming CD will be the group's first with new frontman Michael Lance (ex-ANCIENT CROSS), who replaced David Wayne earlier in the year.

Wayne died on May 10, 2005 due to complications from injuries he sustained in a head-on automobile accident several months earlier. He was 47 years old.

Drummer Ricardo Confessori has announced plans to carry on with the band SHAAMAN (formerly SHAMAN) despite the recent departures of André Matos (vocals), Luis Mariutti (bass) and Hugo Mariutti (guitar). Confessori is currently seeking "young, promising players" to join him in the revamped group, whose split was previously attributed to "personal and musical differences."

SHAAMAN released its sophomore album, "Reason", in May 2005 via AFM Records. The 10-song follow-up to 2002's "Ritual" was mixed and mastered at Heaven's Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth, who previously worked with such acts as KAMELOT, EDGUY, RHAPSODY and FREEDOM CALL. A DVD, entitled "RituAlive", came out in 2003.

Berlin-based hard rock band SOUL DOCTOR has inked a long-term record deal with Munich-based label Metal Heaven. The band is currently in the studio working on their as-yet-untitled new album, tentatively due next summer.

SOUL DOCTOR has released three successful studio albums since 2001 and established a massive fan base both in Europe and Japan due to their astonishing live performances with DIO, KINGDOM COME, AXEL RUDI PELL, ALICE COOPER and BOB CATLEY and at various festivals such as Wacken Open Air and own headlining shows.

SOUL DOCTOR is:

Tommy Heart (vocals)
Chris Lyne (guitars)
Jogy Rautenberg (bass)
Michael Wolpers (drums)

Vocalist/band leader Björn Lodin of the Swedish melodic hard rockers BALTIMOORE has issued the following update:

"Since Thomas [Larsson, guitar] and Weine [Johansson, bass] didn't find it possible to take BALTIMOORE to their hearts, I decided to release them from their touring obligations. To replace them for the remaining tour I've engaged the fabulous brothers, Pelle and Lars Karlsson (bass and lead guitar). It's a true pleasure to have them on board, they truly kick serious ass..."

BALTIMOORE release its tenth album, entitled "X", on October 29 via BLP Music, the label set up by Björn Lodin (which also saw the band's latest offering, "Kaleidoscope", released in April 2006).

"X" marks the return to the band of original lead guitarist Thomas Larsson (GLENN HUGHES) who has previously performed on four BALTIMOORE albums since the bands formation in the late 1980s. The band's current lineup is rounded out by rhythm guitarist Magnus "Mankan" Sedenberg and drummer Hempo Hildén (DON DOKKEN, JOHN NORUM).

Garden of Exile Records will release the vinyl version of the new ANAAL NATHRAKH album, "Eschaton", on January 8, 2007. The LP version will be packaged in a deluxe gatefold sleeve and be pressed on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl in the colors black, red and black/red. Pre-orders are being taken in the label's webstore and the LPs will be shipped around Christmas time.

Pressing info:

Red/black (marble) vinyl - 100 copies
Red vinyl - 200 copies
Black vinyl - 300 copies

"Eschaton" includes guest appearances by Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH) and Attila Csihar (MAYHEM).

Finnish death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM entered Southeast Studios in Karhula, Finland on November 6 with producer Teemu Aalto to begin recording their third album, tentatively titled "Stuck Here On Snake's Way". So far, the drums have been recorded, according to a posting on the group's web site. A studio diary following the band's progress has been launched at this location.

OMNIUM GATHERUM recently inked a deal with Candlelight Records. The band recently uploaded two new tracks to its Myspace. The songs — "A Part of God" and "Undertaker" — are taken from the group's latest promotional recording, which the band used to procure its new record deal. The demo marks the first material recorded with brand new OMNIUM GATHERUM vocalist Jukka Pelkonen, who joined the group in May.

OMNIUM GATHERUM parted ways with Nuclear Blast Records last year. The band's latest album, "Years in Waste", was released in the U.S. in March 2005. The follow-up to 2003's "Spirits and August Light" was recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Nino Laurenne and engineer Teemu Aalto.

Norwegian/British hard rockers TNT have revealed several songtitles that are set to appear on the group's first album with new vocalist Tony Mills (ex-SHY). The CD, which is being recorded in Toten, Norway with producer H.P. Gundersen, will contain the cuts "Something Special", "I Cant Go on with This Feeling", "Golden Opportunity", "Fountain of Love" and "Are You Blind", among others.

Mills previously stated about the material: "[it] has all the diversities that I personally had hoped for, with the balls of TNT and the elegance of QUEEN and the post-perspective of various '70s production attitudes. 'Something Special' rocks from top to bottom with complicated backing arrangements and 'I Cant Go On With This Feeling' smacks of the same colour and underlying power. The album will be completed in February with the direction of the producer H.P. Gundersen, who to me seems like a modern-day Andy Warhol … George Martin. A very talented guy who can seem to create unthinkable arrangements and follow them through to their completion with great ease. An important find. Discussions are underway with various record companies for the release of the album with some labels already committed to the project."

Nuclear Blast Records has set a February 6, 2007 North American release date for the new THERION album, entitled "Gothic Kabbalah". The CD was recorded and mixed in Stockholm by Stefan Glaumann (RAMMSTEIN, EVERGREY, EUROPE) and features Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND, DREAM EVIL) sharing the vocal duties with Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KRUX, AT VANCE) and two female singers — Katarina Lilja on solo and choral vocals; and Hannah Holgersson on solo, choral, and soprano vocals.

"Gothic Kabbalah" track listing:

CD 1:

01. Der Mitternachtlöwe
02. The Gothic Kabbalah
03. The Perrennial Sophia
04. Wisdom And The Cage
05. Son Of The Staves Of Time
06. Tuna 1613
07. Trul
08. Close Up The Streams

CD 2:

01. Wand Of Abaris
02. Three Treasures
03. The Path To Arcady
04. TOF - The Trinity
05. Chain Of Minerva
06. The Falling Stone
07. Adulruna Rediviva

THERION will play with a full symphonic orchestra, choir and international opera stars on December 9, 2006 at the Palace Hall in Bucharest, Romania. A full-blown European tour with GRAVE DIGGER and SABATON will kick off mid-January. A complete list of tour dates can be found at the THERION web site

Polish progressive rock/metal band MOONLIGHT has posted an edited verion of its new track "Reset" on the Metal Mind Productions Myspace. The song comes off the group's new album, "Integrated in the System of Guilt", which is scheduled for release on November 27. The CD was recorded in August at the Fonoplastykon studio with engineer Marcin Bors and marks the group's first release with new drummer Krzysztof "Bialy" Medrala (BODY MIND RELATION).

Commented guitarist Andrzej Kutys: "The album is heavy and powerful but also lyrical, psychedelic and disco-like; it is full of noises as well as beautiful melodies. The songs interleave, thus creating a musical whole. Also, you are in for a big surprise as, for the first time in the band's history, we have a guest on the album! Adam Sypula from CTRL-ALT-DEL joined Maja on vocals in one track. In our opinion, it is the best MOONLIGHT album."

"Integrated in the System of Guilt" track listing:

01. Slice
02. Recovering
03. Come With Me
04. Noom
05. For Better Days
06. Not My Politics
07. Reset
08. Redrum

Swedish metal band SONIC SYNDICATE will enter Black Lounge Studios in Avesta, Sweden on November 20 with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY guitarist) to begin recording its second album, tentatively due in April 2007 on Nuclear Blast Records. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Psychic Suicide", "Blue Eyed Fiend", "Callous" and "Presence of Mind".

SONIC SYNDICATE landed a deal with Nuclear Blast Records in July after taking part in a "band contest" which was originally launched last summer. A jury consisting of the Nuclear Blast staff and representatives for such magazines as Metal Hammer (Germany, Metal Hammer (Spain), Metal Hammer (Italy), Rock Hard (France), Inferno (Finland), Scream (Norway) and Close-Up (Sweden) went through more than 1,500 submissions and selected three winners who competed for the following prizes: A deal with Nuclear Blast, a download cooperation and a gig with a Nuclear Blast band.

SONIC SYNDICATE's dedbut album, "Eden Fire", was recorded at StudioMega (THE CROWN, LAKE OF TEARS, BESEECH), and was released on September 13, 2005 through the Florida-based record label Pivotal Rockordings.

DOWNLORD, the Danish death metal band featuring ex-BOLT THROWER/BENEDICTION vocalist Dave Ingram and former members of INIQUITY, DAEMON, and SUPERFICIAL, has released a "teaser trailer movie" for the artwork of their debut album, "Random Dictionary Of The Damned", due out in January on Open Grave Records. The artwork was supplied by Christian Hall, who has previously worked for tours and bands such as MARDUK, DANZIG, DIMMU BORGIR, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, VADER and DARK TRANQUILITY.

To view the movie, click here.

DOWNLORD will team up with NECRODEMON, CLOUDS TURNED BLACK and A DARK TOMORROW for a U.S. tour between March 6, 2007 and April 3, 2007. Booking is being handled by Connecticut-based Dragons Wing Entertainment and Booking.

German melodic thrash powerhouse FEAR MY THOUGHTS will release its new album, "Vulcanus", in Europe on January 15, 2007 via Century Media. Helmed by acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, COMMUNIC, MAROON, HATESPHERE, MERCENARY), "Vulcanus" contains 12 new tracks covering a wide variety of styles, incorporating influences from death and thrash metal to Seventies hard and progressive rock. A personal highlight for the band was the guest appearance on "Accelerate Or Die" by DESTRUCTION frontman Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer and guitarist Mike Sifringer. A video for the song "Blankness" will be shot in December.

Pat (guitars and back up vocals) commented: "FEAR MY THOUGHTS has always been about diversity, about combining our musical tastes that range from A like ANTHRAX to Z like ZAPPA. We think this is the first time we have succeeded in this self-applied mission: to worship the old heroes back from the days and to be conscious about the possibilities and advantages of modern technologies."

The first pressing of "Vulcanus" will be a limited edition digipak enriched by various video enhancements including an in-depth "making of" feature, photo gallery, wallpapers and more.

"Vulcanus" track listing:

01. Accompanied By Death
02. Blankness
03. Culture Of Fear
04. Accelerate Or die
05. Stamp Of Credence
06. Survival Scars
07. Vulcanus
08. Soul Consumer
09. Both Blood
10. Gates To Nowhere
11. Lost In Black
12. Wasteland

After supporting their labelmates THE HAUNTED and MERCENARY earlier this month and successful past shows with such renowned acts as EXODUS, CALIBAN and HYPOCRISY, as well as festival appearances at With Full Force and Pressure Festival, FEAR MY THOUGHTS will embark on the Road To Devastation Tour in early 2007 with KATAKLYSM and NEAERA.

Candlelight Records has uploaded a video from CROWBAR to its official Myspace (in the "Videos" section). "Slave No More" will be included on the band's upcoming DVD, "Live: With Full Force", due in North America on January 23. Filmed at the popular German open air festival of the same name, "Live: With Full Force" was captured on CROWBAR's world tour supporting their 2005 release "Lifesblood for the Downtrodden". The live performance DVD also includes candid backstage footage plus the band's second (and previously unavailable) promotional video for "Lifesblood for the Downtrodden" album track "Slave No More".

"Live: With Full Force" track listing:

01. Self-Inflicted
02. I Am Forever
03. The Lasting Dose
04. Burn Your World
05. New Dawn
06. High Rate Extinction
07. Planets Collide
08. All I Had (I Gave)
09. Slave No More (video)

CROWBAR is planning a series of dates in 2007 while continuing work on new material for their next album (expected early 2008).

Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have finished recording 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 process:

"Finally! I guess this time is as good as any to say we're ready for mix! Although there are actually still a few bits and pieces left to do on keys, at this stage in the process we'd like to think of them as minor details. We're all going home for a few days to clear our heads and ears, except for Fred and Pat as they will begin to mix pretty much right away. We'll join them again by the end of next week. We'll then also meet up with director Patric Ullaeus and Revolver Film Company to discuss and throw around ideas for the new video!"

Silenoz previously told Revolver magazine that the songwriting and recording process for the group's long-anticipated follow-up to 2003's "Death Cult Armageddon" involved none of the intensive pre-production of their last two discs, no demos, and no gallinvanting around with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. "It's definitely going to sound way more epic and bigger than we thought, because Mustis [keyboards] has also contributed with his keyboard ideas," said Silenoz. "I have to admit that some of the keyboard things on 'Death Cult Armageddon' sound better on the demo version than [their symphony versions] on the album. I probably shouldn't say that, but it's true."

This will be DIMMU's first "concept album," a story set in always-epic Medieval Europe that also serves as a treatise on the modern-day political and social abuses of organized religion. "There's this dude that works as a priest's assistant, and after a while he just discovers that he has nothing to do with Christianity," said Silenoz of the storyline, which he conceived in full before even a note of music was composed. "He just sort of has this awakening and realizes that he has different abilities and different powers and is leaning more to the dark side."

SNAKEGOD, the Finnish melodic metal band featuring current MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP singer Jari Tiura, has issued the following update:

"At long last, SNAKEGOD are very proud to reveal to you that the first three songs of the forthcoming album have now been honed to perfection at the studio. Judging by those three, we're looking at a phenomenal album. Still, first things first: Jari is off to Japan to perform his duties as the MSG lead singer. Naturally, he will pack the SNAKEGOD songs — 'Remember Me', 'Temple of the Sun' and 'You Won't Shoot Me Down' — in his rucksack to alleviate his homesickness. The next step will be to choose the most suitable distributor to spread the word to the world! Plans for a tour in the spring are also well under way."

SNAKEGOD's debut album, "Invitation", was released in 2001 via MTM Music.

METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"The lights go down, the last strains of AC/DC fade out and METALLICA are about to step foot on stage, but not until 'Ecstasy of Gold' plays. The very familiar composition from the classic film 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' has been opening METALLICA shows for over two decades, and now the band will honor its composer Ennio Morricone by contributing their recording of the song to a tribute album coming out in the spring of 2007.

"Morricone, the internationally acclaimed composer of over 400 film and television scores, will be celebrating his 78th birthday tomorrow as he prepares to make his on-stage debut in North America at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on February 3, 2007. He will be conducting a 200-piece orchestra and choir performing songs from some of his best known scores. The subsequent tribute album will also feature Andrea Bocelli, Yo-Yo Ma, Bruce Springsteen, and Celine Dion and more."

AFM Records has set a January 22, 2007 European release date for "Thrash Anthems", a collection of reworked/re-recorded versions of the band's classic tracks (the album will be issued in North America on January 23 via Candlelight Records). The CD was recorded at House of Music Studio in Germany) and Little Creek Studio in Switzerland with almost the same team that worked on the group's "Inventor of Evil" CD: DESTRUCTION's live sound engineers Gerd Krenz, Franky Winkelmann and GURD/POLTERGEIST mastermind VO Pulver. The tracks will be mixed by one of the best metal producers in Europe — Jacob Hansen, the Danish producer and INVOCATOR singer and guitarist.

"Thrash Anthems" track listing:

01. Deposition (Your Heads Will Roll) *
02. Invincible Force
03. Release from Agony
04. Mad Butcher
05. Sign of Fear
06. Death Trap
07. Life Without Sense
08. Total Desaster
09. Bestial Invasion
10. Reject Emotions
11. Tormentor
12. Unconscious Ruins
13. Curse the Gods
14. Cracked Brain
15. Profanity *
16. Eternal Ban (Bonus Track)

*brand new songs

Commented DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer: "The intention of this album was to give the old classics — many of them still being a big part of our [setlist] — some fresh energy and the aggressive production of today, without losing the 'old-school' atmosphere. Some of the old recordings have a rather poor sound and we didn't wanna do another 'best of' album with those (old recordings) 'cause it has been done before and won't be exciting at all. But after more than 17 years it was time for another 'best of' album."

"This album will feature 13 classics of the pre-reunion era (1984-1990). Some of those songs we haven't played in ages, and the fans have been demanding them in our live set for a long time too. From the dark/punky/thrashy early days to the later technical periods featuring songs from the albums 'Release from Agony' and 'Cracked Brain' (a song that was never before released with Schmier's vocals!)."

As a special bonus there will be two brand new songs on this 70-minute-plus masterpiece — "Deposition (Your Heads Will Roll)" and "Profanity", which the band wrote after returning from their North American tour earlier in the year. The cover art (front, back) will feature the "Mad Butcher" among images of other classic DESTRUCTION covers. The CD will also feature a guest appearance by former DESTRUCTION guitar player Harry Wilkens and Jacob Hansen (INVOCATOR).

Veteran German hard rockers SCORPIONS arrived in Los Angeles last monthto begin recording their new album with songwriter/producer Desmond Child. Child, who has worked with such high-profile pop/rock artists as AEROSMITH, BON JOVI, ALICE COOPER, KISS, RICKY MARTIN, CHER, MICHAEL BOLTON and BONNIE TYLER, recently worked with Michael Beinhorn, Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman as co-producer on MEAT LOAF's "Bat Out Of Hell 3: The Monster Is Loose" CD, and has also been mentioned as MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil's likely collaborator on Neil's new solo album.

Commented the band: "The new album is taking shape and right now we are recording the basic tracks. We enjoy working with Desmond Child, James Michael and the whole team very much. As always, California rocks!"

SCORPIONS' latest album, "Unbreakable", was released in the U.S. in June 2004 through Sanctuary Records. The CD was recorded at Peppermint Park Studio in Hannover, Germany and was mixed at Wisseloord studios in Hilversum, Holland.

Finnish folk-influenced melodic death metal band ENSIFERUM entered Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki last week with producer Janne Joutsenniemi to begin recording its third album, "Victory Songs", for a February 21 release via Spinefarm. A CD single will precede the album on February 7.

ENSIFERUM earlier in the year entered the Music DVD chart in their home country at position No. 2 with their "10th Anniversary Live" (Spinefarm) effort. The disc was recorded at the band's 10th-anniversary celebration concert, which took place December 31, 2005 at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland.

ENSIFERUM, who feature in their ranks NORTHER frontman Petri Lindroos, released an EP, entitled "Dragonheads", in February via Spinefarm.

ABC News reports that Christopher Walken has agreed to play Ozzy Osbourne in "The Dirt", a movie based on MÖTLEY CRÜE's controversial 2001 autobiography.

CRÜE lead singer Vince Neil told ABC News Radio in an exclusive interview that the 63-year-old Oscar-winning actor will make a cameo appearance as Osbourne in the film, which is now in preproduction and is expected to be released in 2008 by Paramount and MTV. It's been billed as a true-life version of "This Is Spinal Tap".

"How funny is that going to be," Neil told ABC's Al Mancini at the opening of Vince Neil Ink, the singer's new tattoo parlor in Las Vegas.

Neil said that other stars are going to appear in the film as rock stars, including Val Kilmer as David Lee Roth. "We're doing big, giant cameos with those people," he said.

As for Neil and his CRÜE, they'll be played by unknowns.

"The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band" set new limits in tell-all confessionals. The 448-page tome catalogues the drug and alcohol abuse, nasty infighting, and sex parties of Neil and band mates Tommy Lee, Mick Mars and Nikki Sixx.

MEKONG DELTA guitarist Peter Sjöberg (also known as Peter Lake from THEORY IN PRACTICE) has finished the basic guitar parts for the band's upcoming album and will now concentrate on solos and add-ons. The vocal arrangements are ready, but the legendary German progressive thrash outfit has not yet found a suitable singer and will be holding auditions starting at the end of this week.

In other news, MEKONG DELTA mainman/bassist Ralf Hubert has revealed that the band will record an adaptation of the classical piece "Allegro" from the 10th symphony by Dimitri Schostakovich for the upcoming CD.

MEKONG DELTA's current lineup is completed by drummer Uli Kusch (ex-MASTERPLAN, HELLOWEEN).

Zardoz Music last year released a two-CD, 22-song compilation, entitled "The Principle of Doubt", containing selections from various MEKONG DELTA albums.

According to a posting on CRADLE OF FILTH's official web site, the band re-visited Backstage studios in Derbyshire, England recently with producer Andy Sneap to finish off mixes on a few leftover tracks from the "Thornography" sessions, set for release sometime next year. Check out pictures from the studio at this location

"Thornography" has sold 18,000 copies in the United States since its October 17 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The follow-up to 2004's "Nymphetamine" was recorded at Lincolnshire, England's Chapel studios with producer Rob Caggiano (BLEEDING THROUGH, ANTHRAX) and was mixed at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, England by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, SKINLAB, NEVERMORE).

Tabu Recordings has announced that recently signed Norwegian cult doom band FUNERAL has just lost one of its two founders. Guitarist Christian Loos was found dead in his flat on Saturday, October 28. He was 31.

FUNERAL had recently got back on its feet — emerging from a four-year hiatus after the passing of original bassist, Einar Frederiksen in 2002, and recording a new album, "From These Wounds" with a new lineup, featuring amongst others, MINAS TIRITH's Frode Forsmo on vocals.

Drummer Anders Eek, now the only remaining founder of FUNERAL and a close friend of Christian, released this statement on behalf of the band: "It's with utter sadness and shock that I'm here, having to announce that my dear friend and band mate, Christian died in his home last Saturday. A goldsmith by profession, Christian was very passionate about both FUNERAL and our side-project, FALLEN, and actively participated in the writing process of both bands' recordings. He was a dedicated and creative musician and was very enthusiastic about the fact that FUNERAL had finally signed a proper deal with Tabu Recordings."

On the imminent release of the band’s album, "From These Wounds", Eek stated. "Christian would have wanted us to continue as a band. Music was a driving force in his life and he loved the new record, 'From These Wounds'. The album is a tribute to Einar and Christian's friendship and craftsmanship throughout the years. Their legacy lives on with this forthcoming album and all that FUNERAL will do in the future."

"From These Wounds" will be released on December 4 in Norway and on January 29 in the rest of Europe.

Vocalist Tony Mills of the Norwegian/British hard rock veterans TNT has issued the following update on the recording sessions for the band's new album:

"Well, recording commenced nearly two weeks ago in Toten, Norway for the new TNT album. The material has all the diversities that I personally had hoped for, with the balls of TNT and the elegance of QUEEN and the post-perspective of various '70s production attitudes. 'Something Special' rocks from top to bottom with complicated backing arrangements and 'I Cant Go On With This Feeling' smacks of the same colour and underlying power. In all, six songs will be complete within the next week and mixing will commence in Denmark before December. The album will be completed in February with the direction of the producer H.P. Gundersen, who to me seems like a modern-day Andy Warhol … George Martin. A very talented guy who can seem to create unthinkable arrangements and follow them through to their completion with great ease. An important find. Discussions are underway with various record companies for the release of the album with some labels already committed to the project."

Mills joined TNT as the replacement for longtime singer Tony Harnell, who left the group in April.

Harnell's final release as a member of TNT was the "Live in Madrid" DVD, which came out in September via MTM Music. The set, which was filmed on April 1, 2006 in Madrid, Spain, was accompanied by an 82-minute audio CD plus booklet liner notes from Harnell about his work with the group as well as an additional tour documentary by Darren Paltrowitz.