Frontiers Records has announced the details of the European release of FAIR WARNING's reunion album, which has a working title of "Brother's Keeper".

The band, which currently consists of singer Tommy Heart, guitarist Helge Engelke, bassist Ule W. Ritgen and CC Behrens on drums, started working on the new songs in the fall 2005. The new album, according to Ule W. Ritgen, is going to be "the most powerful we have done so far" and even if "we have tried to be heavier this time, we wanted to keep our melodic approach intact. By the first feedbacks we're getting, it worked out really well!"

The album will include the following tracks (in no particular order):

01. All I Wanna Do
02. All Of My Love
03. Don't Keep Me Waiting
04. Generation Jedi
05. In The Dark
06. No Limit
07. The Cry (working title)
08. Once Bitten Twice Shy
09. Push Me On
10. Rainbow Eyes
11. Tell Me Lies
12. The Way
13. Wasted Time

In addition to this highly anticipated CD — scheduled for release in Europe on August 25, 2006 — Frontiers Records has announced the re-release of three back-catalog FAIR WARNING items. On July 9, reissues of FAIR WARNING's first two albums — the self-titled debut and "Rainmaker" — will hit the streets in Europe in their original artwork and track listing.

In addition to these long-out-of-print reissues, Frontiers Records will release the "Call Of The East – Live in Japan" DVD, containing an entire show held at the Club Citta in Kawasaki, Japan, on April 18, 1993. This DVD will be released in NTSC region free format and shall include the following tracklisting:

01. Sunset (intro)
02. Out On The Run
03. Longing For Love
04. When Love Fails
05. Eastern Sun
06. Crazy
07. Take Me Up
08. Long Gone
09. Take A Look At The Future
10. Children’s Eyes
11. Hang On
12. The Eyes of Rock
13. One Step Closer
14. A Little More Love

Extra tracks:

15. The Heat of Emotion
16. The Call of The Heart
17. In The Ghetto
18. Sukiyaki
19. Mickey’s Monkey

Finland's TAROT, the group led by NIGHTWISH/ex-SINERGY bassist Marco Hietala, have just released their long-awaited new single, "You", in Finland. The single contains two tracks: A straight-forward classic heavy metal song "You", taken from the upcoming full-length TAROT album, and a BLUE ÖYSTER CULT cover, "Veteran of the Psychic Wars". The as-yet-untitled new TAROT album is expected to be released during the fall.

TAROT recently released remastered versions of their first five studio albums along with the "To Live Again" live album previously released in Japan. Each CD includes special bonus track(s).

TAROT feature Hietala on bass/vocals, his brother Zachary on guitar, Janne Tolsa on keyboards, and Pecu Cinnari on drums.

QUEENSRŸCHE's video for the song "The Hands" has been posted online at WindowsMedia.com. The track is the second single off the group's latest CD, "Operation: Mindcrime II", which has sold 83,000 copies in the United States since its April 4 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

As previously reported, Rhino Records has set an August 29, 2006 release date for the reissue of QUEENSRŸCHE's 1999 effort, "Q2K". The new CD will include 3-4 bonus tracks, the details of which will be announced soon. Limited-edition signed copies and a free "Q2K" cap will be included in the new package.

QUEENSRŸCHE's top-selling album by far is 1990's "Empire", which was certified triple-platinum in October 1994 for sales in excess of three million copies in the United States. The original "Operation: Mindcrime" release (1988) attained platinum status in August 1991, while 1994's "Promised Land" reached the same plateau in December 1994.

KATATONIA's video for the track "Deliberation" has been posted online at YouTube.com. The was once again shot and directed by Charlie Granberg, who also worked with the group on their "My Twin" clip. According to a posting on the band's web site, "The direction of the ['Deliberation' video] takes a more abstract turn this time, so be sure to expect a dark mixture of reality and animation."

"Deliberation" is the second single from KATATONIA's new album, "The Great Cold Distance". Released this past Monday (May 15), the single also includes two new exclusive tracks: a complete remake of "In the White", now stripped down with acoustic guitars in a contemporary approach for a true urban lullaby sound; and a previously unreleased song from "The Great Cold Distance" sessions entitled "Code Against the Code".

AFTER FOREVER's former record label, Transmission Records, has announced plans to release 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. Included you will find collaborations with such guest musicians as Sharon den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Arjen Lucassen and Damian Wilson (AYREON) and Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH).

Entitled "Mea Culpa" (view artwork here), the double-album has been divided into two chapters. The first chapter covers the period with guitarist/composer/lyricist Mark Jansen (now in EPICA), while Chapter 2 contains songs which the group recorded after Jansen's departure; a period during which AFTER FOREVER masterfully spread their wings and proved themselves to be one of the most interesting and powerful female-fronted metal bands in the world.

AFTER FOREVER's fourth full-length album, "Remagine", was released last year on Transmission. 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.

The French label Prikosnovenie is often named the Fairy World label and in fact this label brings us the most extraordinary sounds and voices from all over the world, and beyond!

Prikosnovenie now releases an album of the band Artesia on a new subdivision label entitled Nove. The aim of Nove is to release debut cd's of talented new bands.

Artesia is a new French female duet who comes to us as big surprise, they show obvious great talent! Walking on the roots of bands such as Dark Santuary, Stoa or Arcana, the two sweet sirens use a bed of velvet soft keyboard patterns and romantic violin as base for their odes to the nature, mixed with melancholy, sadness and forlorn daydreams. ‘Hilvern’ could be an ideal accompaniment for the ceremony of retirement of the elves of Lothlorien. Far from mere copies of other Ethereal goth bands, they express sad feelings and solemnity based on deep talent. Romanticism, beautiful enchanting female voices and supreme melancholy are the ingredients of this marvelous gothic opus!

TRACKS:
1 Une nuit en Hilvern
2 L'autre chemin MP3
3 Rencontre avec la Dame
4 La clairière des fées
5 Une ancienne légende
6 Barenton
7 Prière au mortel MP3
8 Les hommes ne se rappellent plus mon nom
9 Eveil et desespoir
10 L'abandonnée

Raleigh, North Carolina's BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME have completed work on their covers album, "The Anatomy Of". The CD, which was produced by Jamie King (THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD), is scheduled for release on June 13 via Victory Records. The complete track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. METALLICA – "Blackened"
02. MÖTLEY CRÜE - "Kickstart My Heart"
03. SOUNDGARDEN - "Day I Tried to Live"
04. QUEEN - "Bicycle Race"
05. KING CRIMSON - "Three of a Perfect Pair"
06. PINK FLOYD - "Us and Them"
07. SMASHING PUMPKINS - "Geek USA"
08. EARTH CRISIS - "Forced March"
09. SEPULTURA - "Territory"
10. BLIND MELON - "Change"
11. FAITH NO MORE - "Malpractice"
12. DEPECHE MODE - "Little 15"
13. PANTERA - "Cemetary Gates"

Check out BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME's cover of METALLICA's "Blackened" at this location.

Roadrunner Records has officially announced the signing of MEGADETH.

Recognized as one of rock's most forward-thinking bands, MEGADETH and its frontman Dave Mustaine have cast a long shadow on the metal and hard rock landscape with millions of records sold worldwide and an undeniable influence echoed in scores of young bands today.

"We are proud to be working with one of the chief architects of modern hard rock and metal: Dave Mustaine," says Roadrunner A&R man Mike Gitter. "MEGADETH and Roadrunner have led parallel careers on the cutting edge of metal for years now. The combination of the two is bound to be lethal."

Mustaine says of his new home, "It is exciting to be some place you are respected, understood and appreciated. The truth is there's a lot of people I've known there over the years. I'm stoked we're all coming back together again to work on this project."

MEGADETH has begun work on its as-yet-untitled Roadrunner debut under the watchful eye of Mustaine and co-producer Jeff Balding. The studio sessions — held at Sarm Studios, outside of London — were filmed by director Michael Sarna (ANTHRAX, OBITUARY) and are available at Megadeth.com to fan-club members.

Greek heavy metal band INNERWISH have announced the track listing for their new album, "Inner Strength", due on May 19 via Limb Music Products. The follow-up to 2004's "Silent Faces" was recorded at the Music Factory Studios with producer R.D. Liapakis. The cover artwork will be done by the renowned artist Axel Hermann, who is well known for his work with ICED EARTH, SODOM, MYSTIC PROPHECY, CASUS BELLI and various other artists.

"Inner Strength" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Trivial
02. Travellers in Time
03. Far Away
04. Lonely Lady
05. Bleeding Soul
06. Feel the Magic
07. Eye of the Storm
08. Final Prophecy (mp3)
09. Never Let You Down
10. Dreamer of the Night
11. Inner Stength
12. Gates of Fire

INNERWISH will be supporting MANOWAR, RHAPSODY, HOLYHELL and BATTLEROAR on November 25 at the Fencing Building, Olympic Center in Elliniko, Greece.

METAL CHURCH have announced the track listing for their new album, "A Light in the Dark", due in Europe on June 19 (June 16 in Germany) via SPV and U.S. on June 27. The album will include a new version of the classic "Watch the Children Pray" as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005.

Guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, who doubled as sound engineer and producer during the recordings, promises an offering featuring all the important trademarks of typical METAL CHURCH tracks. "Before our new drummer Jeff Plate joined the band, I would have claimed that the new album will be a traditional heavy metal album through and through," he said. "Now I'm not so sure; we may end up experimenting with the odd unusual idea, but we'll stay within the framework defined by the band's history. 'A Light in the Dark' will represent what the name METAL CHURCH has been standing for for the last twenty years."

"A Light in the Dark" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Light in the Dark
02. More Than Your Master
03. Disappear
04. Pill for the Kill
05. Mirror of Lies
06. Light Machine
07. Blinded by Life
08. Beyond All Reason
09. Under the Gun
10. Caught Up
11. No Remainds
12. Watch the Children Play (tribute)

METAL CHURCH's current band line-up consists of Vanderhoof (guitar), Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), Steve Unger (bass) and new addition Jeff Plate (drums).

Unfortunately we have to report that NEVERMORE guitarist Steve Smyth has been recently diagnosed with end stage kidney failure, the result of a congenital birth defect.

Smyth comments: “I have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and have been advised to preserve my health as much as possible at this time, as I am facing ‘complete renal failure’ within six months, and ultimately, a transplant. Due to my recently diagnosed condition, I have decided not to join the band on the In Flames US tour. I want to be fair to the fans, and be able to give them a show I know I can deliver night after night. I will, however, join Nevermore on all four of the European festivals on our itinerary in early June: Gods of Metal, Rock Hard, Rott Fest, and Sweden Rock, after which, the doctors should have some news about the next step in my treatment. I will say this: I will fight this, and I will be back!”

Jag Panzer guitarist Chris Broderick will fill in for Smyth on the upcoming US tour, after which Smyth will rejoin the band for the aforementioned European festival dates. For more from Smyth about his health situation and future career plans, please visit www.stevesmyth.com

German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN have confirmed "A Twist in the Myth" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in September via Nuclear Blast Records.

"A Twist in the Myth" (view cover here) track listing:

01. This Will Never End (5:07)
02. Otherland (5:14)
03. Turn the Page (4:16)
04. Fly (5:43)
05. Carry the Blessed Home (4:03)
06. Another Stranger Me (4:36)
07. Straight through the Mirror (5:48)
08. Lionheart (4:15)
09. Skalds and Shadows (3:13)
10. The Edge (4:27)
11. The New Order (4:49)

BLIND GUARDIAN recently released a single, "Fly", containing two exclusive tracks: an acoustic version of "Skalds and Shadows" and BLIND GUARDIAN's version of the IRON BUTTERFLY classic "In A Gadda Da Vida" (previously covered by SLAYER).

BLIND GUARDIAN's upcoming CD is their first with drummer Frederik Ehmke, who replaced Thomen Stauch last year.

German guitar hero Axel Rudi Pell married his longtime girlfriend Christina on May 5 in their hometown of Bochum. The party with over 130 guests took place at a nearby castle (Wasserschloss Kemnade) and lasted the entire night. Check out a picture of the happy couple at this location.

AXEL RUDI PELL's new album, "Mystica", is scheduled for release on August 25 in Germany and August 28 in the rest of Europe through SPV Records. The North American release date has yet to be announced.

STREAM OF PASSION, the new band featuring AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen, will release their live double CD and DVD, entitled "Live in the Real World", on the following dates:

Benelux: June 15
Germany: June 16
Rest of Europe: June 19
USA: July 18

The live recordings were made on February 17, 2006 at the Lucky & Co. venue in Rijssen, Holland during the band's "Embrace the Storm" tour. The double CD set contains the full concert and a booklet featuring live photos. The DVD contains the full concert shot with seven high-definition cameras and mixed in both 2.0 and 5.1.

"Live in the Real World" DVD/CD (view artwork here) track listing:

01. Intro
02. Spellbound
03. Passion
04. Waracle
05. Wherever You Are
06. Computer Eyes
07. Calliopeia
08. Valley Of The Queens
09. Haunted
10. The Charm of the Seer
11. Deceiver / Songs of the Ocean
12. Day One: Vigil
13. Day Three: Pain
14. Nostalgia
15. Out in the Real World
16. The Castle Hall
17. Into The Black Hole
18. When The Levee Breaks
19. Day Eleven: Love

Bonus DVD Features:

* Live in Concert (Dolby 2.0 and 5.1)
* Behind the Scenes
* Photo Gallery
* Video Clip: "Out in the Real World"
* Making of the Video Clip
* Tour Diary

TNT have announced the addition of singer Tony Mills from Birmingham, England. Tony is one of Europe's most respected hard rock singers, mostly known for his work with U.K. melodic rock act SHY and his solo releases of recent years. Tony has worked along side such names as CINDERELLA, DOKKEN, COZY POWELL, MEATLOAF, THE SWEET and many more and will add a new and exciting dimension to TNT as the band enter a new era.

The new TNT lineup will perform at Z Rock 06 at JB's in Dudley, England on September 24, 2006. Also scheduled to appear are FIREHOUSE, TOBY JEPSON, BOB CATLEY, SNAKERYDER, LOST WEEKEND, DANTE FOX and EDEN.

"Tanssit On Loppu Nyt" is the 4th full lenght album from one of Sweden's most respected Martial/Industrial acts: Karjalan Sissit. Quoted from Markus Pesonen himself "This is my personal W.A.R. against everything that reveals my hate! You are the enemy!"...

So you can expect a logical follow up to his last album where Anti socialism, Bitterness, Alcoholism and his Finnish roots are still at the center stage of his purpose and where harsh industrial passages, aggressive vocal lines and soft ambient textures collide with intense bombastic outbursts.

The album was again exquisitely produced by Peter Bjärgö at Erebus Odora. The first 1500 copies come in an A5 textured book.

Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We are all happy to announce to all of you that the upcoming album by legendary Norwegian black metalists MAYHEM will once again be handled and crafted by the one and only Season Of Mist. This unholy alliance has been fighting together for more than seven years already and yet there is no end in sight. 'Ordo Ab Chao' will then be MAYHEM's three full-length on the French label. The band also states that 'after the troubled 'Chimera', some conditions and issues have changed for the better. We are very focused and eager to record our first album (since'93) with Attila Csihar back behind the microphone. The beast has never been stronger."

Csihar joined MAYHEM in November 2004 as the replacement for departed singer Maniac (real name Sven Erik Kristiansen).

MAYHEM's last studio album, "Chimera", entered the Norwegian album chart at position No. 28 upon its release in March 2004.

IMPELLITTERI mainman Chris Impellitteri has posted the following update at his official web site:

"I am still in the studio finishing the writing process for my next record. The CD working title is 'Good and Evil'. It will be a return to the sound of IMPELLITTERI with influences from my 'Screaming Symphony', 'Crunch', and 'System X' recordings. The music will feature lots of shredding guitar solos and screaming vocals with the usual fat production. At this time I have ten tracks written. They are fast and furious tracks mixed with good songwriting. Also, there is an instrumental song very reminiscent of Bach or Mozart on steroids. Both the metal community and the musicians should enjoy this disc.

"I have been using my original 1970 Fender Stratocaster, 1958 Gibson Les Paul, and Marshall modified amps in the demo process and my guitar tone and playing are definitely maturing very nicely. I am definitely trying to take my guitar playing into the next realm (shred, taste, orchestration, and writing etc...). It is too early to say how the music will turn out, but I hope and pray that this recording makes our longtime fans pleased. I am definitely doing this disc for you!!!"

IMPELLITTERI's most recent album, "Pedal to the Metal", was released last year via SPV Records. The follow-up to 2002's "System X" marked the recording debut with the group of vocalist Curtis Skelton (ex-SPEAK NO EVIL).

Drummer Peter Stjärnvind has left the long-running Swedish metallers ENTOMBED in order to concentrate on his membership in the Swedish cult act NIFELHEIM.

NIFELHEIM guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt (a.k.a. Vengeance from Beyond; also in NECROPHOBIC) has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "No bad breakup or anything personal between him/us and the guys in ENTOMBED, but heavy touring didn't fit his situation right now," Ramstedt said. ENTOMBED are currently utilizing the services of session drummer Olle Dahlstedt (ALPHA SAFARI, ex-MISERY LOVES CO.) for all of their upcoming European gigs. Stjärnvind and his wife recently welcomed their first child, a daughter.

ENTOMBED will release a new EP, "When in Sodom", on June 6 via Threeman Recordings. A full-length album, "Serpent Saints", will follow on September 18.

ENTOMBED's new album was recorded at Soundland studio in Upplands Väsby, Sweden. The CD will be the group's first without the contributions of guitarist Uffe Cederlund, who left the band in September 2005.

A rare NAILBOMB music video for the track "Wasting Away" has been posted online at this location.

NAILBOMB was the short-lived side project of then-SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera and FUDGE TUNNEL's Alex Newport, formed between the recording of SEPULTURA's "Chaos A.D." and "Roots" albums. This video includes extremely rare footage that was nearly burnt in a fire that nearly killed Max Cavalera's family friend.

Max Cavalera's current main band, SOULFLY, are continuing to tour in support of their latest album, "Dark Ages", available now on Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Prophecy" was produced by Max and was mixed by Terry Date, who has previously worked with PANTERA and DEFTONES, among others.

Following on from the chart success of their latest single "Our Truth", LACUNA COIL are now set to unleash their second single to be taken from the critically acclaimed album "Karmacode". "Enjoy The Silence" is due to be released in the U.K. on Monday, June 26.

LACUNA COIL have created an intense and mesmerizing reworking of the classic DEPECHE MODE track and made it their own, with Marco Coti Zelati, the band's bassist, adding new arrangements and vocal parts to make it the perfect LACUNA COIL song.

"Enjoy The Silence" will be available in the following formats:

"Enjoy The Silence – Vol. I" (CD Single Digipack + Poster)

01. Enjoy The Silence
02. To The Edge (live)
03. Fragile (live)
04. Enhanced video interview

"Enjoy The Silence – Vol. II" (CD Single)

01. Enjoy The Silence
02. Virtual Environment (non-album bonus track)

"Enjoy The Silence - Vol II" (7 Blue Coloured Vinyl)

01. Enjoy The Silence
02. Silence

Season of Mist and THE OLD DEAD TREE are sad to announce that guitarist Nicolas Chevrollier is to leave the band soon. A founding member of the band, Nicolas has decided to focus on his family duties, as he will soon become a father. He went through a hard time making this decision, due to the strong friendship binding the members of the band. Here are Nicolas' words:

"My long term adventures with THE OLD DEAD TREE are coming to an end. I have made the hardest decision in leaving the band, since my family life is about to change with the soon birth of my son Adrien, due next July. This great event thus induced me in making that choice, after having made up those last nearly ten years in THE OLD DEAD TREE, my other family.There were so many changes since February 1997, when Manuel and I made the decision to create the band and act for our passion, building up our dream. We went through really hard times, especially with the demise of Frederic, whom I'm thinking about now, but we also shared many moments of joy, happiness and emotion. I'm also very proud to have contributed to make THE OLD DEAD TREE be recognized and respected for all those years, and to have led it where it is now. The band is now ready for its international big break, and I sincerely hope it will make it, because it deserves it.

I also wanted to thank all our fans, old and new, all of those who follow and support us. Our music touching you is, for us musicians, the most beautiful reward. Thanks also to those who have been part of the band's life and history - you know who you are! And, of course, my last thoughts go to my three brothers in arms, music and riffs: my Manu, my Vincent and my Foued. This unique human adventure will be part of my life forever. Nicolas Chevrollier"

Nicolas will play on gigs scheduled until late June. A session guitarist will then replace him until his successor has been found.

Guitar shredder Ron Thal of the New York City-based alternative metal project BUMBLEFOOT has joined GUNS N' ROSES as the replacement for Buckethead.

GUNS N' ROSES played their first show in more than three years Friday night/Saturday morning (May 12-13) at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. The two-hour, 15-minute set kicked off at roughly 11:00 p.m. with the opening 1-2-3 punch of "Welcome to the Jungle", "It's So Easy" and "Mr. Brownstone", and featured a guest appearance by former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach, who traded off lead vocals with Axl Rose in "My Michelle". The much-rumored appearance by ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin never materialized.

GUNS N' ROSES setlist – Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City - May 12, 2006:

01. Welcome to the Jungle
02. It's So Easy
03. Mr. Brownstone
04. Better
05. Live and Let Die
06. Sweet Child O' Mine
07. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
08. Madagascar
09. You Could Be Mine
10. Dizzy Solo
11. The Blues
12. Out Ta Get Me
13. Bumblefoot Solo
14. November Rain
15. My Michelle (with Sebastian Bach)
16. Chinese Democracy
17. T.W.A.T. (There was a Time)
18. Patience
19. I.R.S.
20. Nightrain
21. Robin Finck Solo
22. Paradise City

OPETH have posted the following message at their official website:

"After several months away from his drumming duties in Opeth, Martin Lopez has permanently decided to leave the group. After being plagued by illness and anxiety attacks Lopez decided he wanted to concentrate fully on his own project, currently unnamed. His replacement will be Martin "Axe" Axenrot (WITCHERY, BLOODBATH) who's been filling in for the last five tours and who also recorded with the band during the recent BBC sessions.

Frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt comments: "However sad I and the rest of the band feel in light of Lopez departure, I want to thank him for his incredible work with Opeth and immense dedication to the band. We recorded some classic stuff together and he obviously had an enormous impact on our sound. I now feel very excited to hear the material of his own band. In the meantime Opeth fans can rest assured that we'll continue jamming it out with Axe and we all have high expectations about our coming musical ventures."

NIGHTINGALE, the Swedish progressive-metal band headed by Dan Swanö, will enter the studio on June 12 to begin recording their new album, "White Darkness", tentatively due later in the year. About 75 percent of the material for the forthcoming CD was composed by Dan Swanö's brother Dag (a.k.a. Tom Nouga). The record will reportedly be very 1970s-inspired.

In other news, NIGHTINGALE have launched a new homepage with much audio and video material, including a three-hour recording of Dan Swanö hosting a radio show, and the original version of "Game Over" by Dag Swanö (a.k.a. Tom Nouga), which was later re-written for the album "I". Still available from Tom Nouga's homepage are two songs from their recent concert in Moscow, "Deep Inside Of Nowhere" and "Into the Light".

NIGHTINGALE's collection of re-recorded songs from the group's first three releases, entitled "Nightfall Overture", was made available last year.

Finnish melodic death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM have parted ways with vocalist Antti Filppu.

"This is very unfortunate, but everyone considers this as the only way if OMNIUM GATHERUM is going to continue as a band," the group write on their web site. "Other members of OMNIUM GATHERUM thank Antti for all these years and great times. We hope that Antti will continue to do his 'thing' and wish him the best possible luck! The name of the new vocalist will be announced later. The ball continues rolling immediately, that's for sure!"

Antti Filppu has sent the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding his departure from the group:

"Nothing dramatic, just wanted to correct an error concerning my departure from OMNIUM GATHERUM. I did not leave the band. They wanted to continue without me, and there were no negotiations about it. Nobody asked me, they simply told me I'm out. Even though this is perfectly fine, I saw no crisis with the OMNIUM GATHERUM future like the other members saw, I would have been very glad to be a part of it."

In other news, "OMNIUM GATHERUM is composing and demoing new stuff at the moment and it´s sure that the new album will definitely be the best one yet! The new album have been planned to record this year, but OMNIUM GATHERUM is seeking a new label home at the moment, as the band parted ways also with their former label Nuclear Blast while ago... So, interested labels feel free to take contact!"

The cover artwork for the new DEICIDE album, "The Stench of Redemption", has been posted online at this location. The follow-up to 2004's "Scars of the Crucifix" was recorded at Morrisound in Tampa, Florida and marks the first recording with the new DEICIDE lineup following the departure of the Hoffman brothers. Joining frontman Glen Benton and drummer Steve Asheim in the new formation are guitarists Jack Owen (ex-CANNIBAL CORPSE) and Ralph Santolla (ex-ICED EARTH, DEATH).

As previously reported, DEICIDE have confirmed an all-ages CD release show commemorating 06/06/06 (June 6) and the release of "The Stench of Redemption". The concert will take place at the Iliff Park Saloon in Aurora, Colorado, near Denver. The will also be embarking on a full U.S. tour beginning around September 20 and running through October 31. Plans also exis for DEICIDE to head over to Japan before the end of the year.

Progressive metallers SYMPHONY X have been forced to cancel their previously announced European festival appearances in June (Lorca Rock in Spain and Sweden Rock) due to "severe illness."

Commented SYMPHONY X bassist Michael LePond: "I have been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (an inflammatory bowel disorder). This has caused an obstruction in my small intestine, making it impossible to digest solid foods. Currently, I am hospitalized where they can feed me through an I.V. unit supplemented with a liquid diet.

"But, there is some good news. The doctors tell me that with a surgical procedure, they will have me back to 100 percent in about six weeks, and although it is a chronic disease, this procedure will make it much easier to control its effects in the future.

"I want to thank the band, the crew, the fans and everyone else involved for your understanding and support during this tough time. You will all make my healing process much easier and I'll be back on the bass in no time."

All "get well" wishes for Mike can be sent to getwellmike@symphonyx.com. The messages will be printed out and sent to him until he's able to access the mailbox himself.

SYMPHONY X are currently working on the follow-up to 2002's "The Odyssey", tentatively due this fall. The band expect to return to the road shortly after the release of the new CD.