Portuguese avantgard maniacs THANATOSCHIZO have signed a deal with the Mexican label Divenia Records for the release of their first album, "Schizo Level", on the American continent. The CD, which garnered attention due to its combination of "schizoid black metal, saxs, trumpets and ethereal doom passages," will be issued through Divenia in May. The group are now rehearsing and writing material for their fourth album, with plans to enter the studio in November. A summer 2007 release is expected.

For more information, visit www.thanatoschizo.com.

Swedish metallers SATARIEL are putting the finishing touches on their new mini-CD, tentatively titled "Chifra", for a spring release in Europe and Asia via Pulverised Records. A U.S. release for the effort has yet to be announced. Once again, the group used producer Daniel Bergstrand and Dug-Out Studios (IN FLAMES, MESSHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) in Uppsala, Sweden for parts of the production. Lyrically, the CD is said to be "a sort of ending of the concept which was the basis" for SATARIEL's third album, "Hydra", according to a statement from the band.

SATARIEL are still signed to Cold/Regain Records for their next full-length album, which will most likely be recorded sometime in late summer/early autumn.

"Hydra" recently received its long-awaited U.S. release via Candlelight Records. A full-length MP3 of the track "Vengeance Is Hers", taken from "Hydra", can be downloaded at this location.

SATARIEL released their sophomore CD, "Phobos & Deimos", in 2002 through the now-defunct Dutch label Hammerheart Records.

Metal Axe Records will release a limited 180-gr vinyl edition of the latest MYSTIC PROPHECY album, "Savage Souls", on March 20. The album will be limited to 666 copies and will include a folding cover. The LP can be ordered from the Metal Axe homepage. The first 50 orders will receive a signed copy by the whole band. The price will be 16.99 euros plus shipping and handling.

MYSTIC PROPHECY is the melodic power metal band featuring VALLEY'S EVE vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis, ex-STORMWITCH bassist Martin Albrecht and SACRED STEEL drummer Mathias Straub. "Savage Souls" was mixed and mastered at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden and features guest appearances by Chitral "Chity" Somapala (AVALON, FIREWIND) on backing vocals and Marios Iliopoulos (NIGHTRAGE) on lead guitar.

New York-based death metallers SKINLESS have completed work on their new album for Relapse Records. Entitled "Trample The Weak, Hurdle the Dead", the CD is the band's first to feature new vocalist Jason Keyser. The follow-up to 2002's "From Sacrifice To Survival" was recorded with longtime engineer Brett Portzer at his Max Trax Studios and will be mastered by Scott Hull at Visceral Sound. "Orion at Relapse has a sick album cover and layout coming along," founding SKINLESS guitarist Noah Carpenter writes in a statement. A June 13 release is expected.

"Trample The Weak, Hurdle the Dead" track listing:

1. Overlord
   
2. A Unilateral Disgust
   
3. Deviation Will Not Be Tolerated
   
4. Trample The Weak, Hurdle The Dead
   
5. Sycophant
   
6. Endvisioned
   
7. Execution Of Reason
   
8. Wicked World (BLACK SABBATH cover)
   

According to the online Inmate Information Center of The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, former DIO/RAINBOW bassist Jimmy Bain (full name: James Stewart Bain) was arrested in Hollywood, California on December 16, 2005 — just three days shy of his 58th birthday — on charges of driving while under the influence. Bain was released from jail in the early morning hours of December 17 after posting $5,000 bail. More information is available at this location.

In an interview with The Cutting Edge web magazine believed to have been conducted sometime in 2003, Bain spoke openly about his battle with drug and alcohol abuse and his efforts to get cleaned up. An excerpt from the chat follows:

The Cutting Edge: Not everyone knows you’ve had quite a battled with drug and alcohol abuse yourself. How has your life change since you've cleaned up?

Bain: "The most important thing is that I've got my family back. My mother and father both passed away in the last three years but they were able to see me clean. I have a wonderful woman in my life and my beautiful daughter. I was happy that they were able to see that I could do it. I've come to appreciate life more on a day-to-day basis. Every day that I have, as long as I stay clean, is positive for me. I'm very active now in helping others. I visit hospitals and jails and I do panel discussions to help others recover. Not as a member of DIO but as a guy whose been through it and can shed some light on the recovery. You do it because you want to help people who are in the same position you were at some point."

The Cutting Edge: What was it for you that turned you around?

Bain: "A judge. He saved my life. When you're taking drugs you are spiritually bankrupt. You're like the walking dead. You're not committed to anything accept getting high. Since I got clean I feel I'm a better writer and player now. I can focus. I've recorded over 60 albums and only made two clean. The last two."

A brand new track from Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON, entitled "K.I.N.G", has been made available for download at this location. The song comes off the group's upcoming album, "Now, Diabolical", due in Europe on April 24 (via Sony/BMG in Norway and Roadrunner Records in the rest of the continent) and the U.S. on June 13 via Century Media Records.

"Now, Diabolical" was mixed in Vancouver, Canada with Mike Fraser (METALLICA, AC/DC) and is described by SATYRICON mainman Satyr as "a deeper dive in the abyss than ever before. [The album] is a catchy and aggressive record with a pitch-black heart. I think this is the kind of record that we and our supporters in America need to help steer the direction that no one has really set yet 'over there.' America has produced some of the greatest metal bands of all time, yet black metal has very much been a European phenomena until now. It is gradually tightening its grip on the American metal scene and we want to be a part of it just like we were when it started in Europe."

"Now, Diabolical" track listing:

1. Now, Diabolical
   
2. K.I.N.G
   
3. The Pentagram Burns
   
4. A New Enemy
   
5. The Rite Of Our Cross
   
6. That Darkness Shall Be Eternal
   
7. Delirium
   
8. To The Mountains
   

The vinyl version of the album will include a bonus track called "Storm (of the Destroyer)".

SATYRICON's last album, the acclaimed "Volcano" (2002), received the Norwegian Grammy for "Best Metal Album", the Alarm Award for "Song Of The Year" (for track "Fuel For Hatred") plus "Metal Album Of The Year", and also the Oslo Award for "Best Overall Album". "Volcano" debuted at #4 on the Norwegian national album chart.

CANNIBAL CORPSE will release their new album, "Kill", on March 24 in Germany/Austria/Switzerland (March 27 in the rest of Europe).

There will be a limited luxury package available, including a bonus DVD, featuring a complete live show (approximately 77 minutes in length) with great sound, professionally filmed on April 8, 2004 at La Laiterie in Strasbourg, France.

"Kill" CD track listing:

1. The Time To Kill Is Now
   
2. Make Them Suffer
   
3. Murder Worship
   
4. Necrosadistic Warnings
   
5. Five Nails Through The Neck
   
6. Purification By Fire
   
7. Death Walking Terror
   
8. Barbaric Bludgeonings
   
9. The Discipline Of Revenge
   
10. Brain Removal Device
    
11. Maniacal
    
12. Submerged In Boiling Flesh
    
13. Infinite Misery
    

Bonus DVD track listing: "Hammer Smashed Laiterie" (Live in Strasbourg 2004)

1. Shredded Humans
   
2. Puncture Wound Massacre
   
3. Fucked With A Knife
   
4. Stripped, Raped And Strangled
   
5. Decency Defied
   
6. Vomit The Soul
   
7. Unleashing The Bloodthirsty
   
8. Pounded Into Dust
   
9. The Cryptic Stench
   
10. They Deserve To Die
    
11. Dormant Bodies Bursting
    
12. Gallery Of Suicide
    
13. Pit Of Zombies
    
14. The Wretched Spawn
    
15. Devoured By Vermin
    
16. A Skull Full Of Maggots
    
17. Hammer Smashed Face
    

ATREYU's video for "Ex's and Oh's" will premiere at AOL Music on March 17. The clip was shot with director Jay Martin (JACK'S MANNEQUIN, THRICE).

"Ex's and Oh's", has been made available for streaming at this location. The song comes off the group's upcoming third album, "A Deathgrip on Yesterday", due on March 28 via Victory Records. The follow-up to 2004's "The Curse" was produced by Josh Abraham (STAIND, COAL CHAMBER) and is a mere nine songs long.

"A Deathgrip on Yesterday" projected track listing:

1. Creature
   
2. Shameful
   
3. Our Sick Story
   
4. The Theft
   
5. We Stand Up
   
6. Ex's And Oh's
   
7. Your Private War
   
8. My Fork In The Road
   
9. Untitled Finale
   

Greg Prato of Billboard.com is reporting that VOIVOD are scheduled to release their new album, "Katorz", in June via The End Records. It will be the group's first CD since the passing of co-founding guitarist Denis D'Amour (a.k.a. Piggy), who died last August after a battle with colon cancer.

"It came about in unfortunate circumstances, but the result is mind-blowing," drummer Michel "Away" Langevin told Billboard.com. "Right before his departure, Denis explained to me that he had recorded all the tracks that we had been working on with [bassist] Jason [Newsted] and [vocalist] Snake [Belanger] for the past two years. He had recorded that on his laptop with ProTools, and even though he would have preferred to re-do the whole thing in a real studio, there was a chance that we could use the tracks. We built the album based on the guitar tracks, which was difficult, because normally, we go the other way around — we start with the drums, and then add stuff on top. But it sounds amazing."

"'Katorz' means 14 — it's the 14th effort of the band," Belanger added. "The first time Piggy put it together and gave us the demo was on CD, [and he had written] 'Katorz,' which is not the right way to write it. Of course [there is] an emotional side to it, so we took the demo, and the design of it will be his handwriting."

Read more at Billboard.com.

A video clip of the Swedish hard rock band THE POODLES — consisting of vocalist Jakob Samuel (THE RING, ex-TALISMAN, JEKYLL & HYDE), guitarist Pontus Norgren (THE RING, ex-TALISMAN), bassist Pontus Egberg (ex-LION'S SHARE), drummer Christian Lundqvist and Mats Levén (KRUX, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, AT VANCE, THERION) on backing vocals — performing their '80s-style anthem "Night of Passion" during a qualifying round in the Swedish Eurovision song contest has been posted online at this location.

THE POODLES are one of ten finalists in the running to become Sweden's official representative at the Eurovision song contest in Athens, Greece on May 20. The Swedish final will be held in Stockholm on March 18.

"Night of Passion" was co-written by Matti Alfonzetti, former vocalist in JAGGED EDGE and SKINTRADE.

German power metallers ANGEL DUST have announced the addition of bassist Christian Pohlmann to the group's ranks. Based out of Essen, Germany, Pohlmann joins the band as the replacement for Frank Banx, who left the group in October 2003.

ANGEL DUST recently recruited ex-EVERFLOW vocalist Carsten Kaiser as the replacement for the band's previous singer, Dirk Thurisch. The group are scheduled to enter the studio this month to begin recording the follow-up to 2002's "Of Human Bondage". According to guitarist Bernd Aufermann (also of RUNNING WILD), the new material will be a return to the sound on ANGEL DUST's "Enlighten the Darkness" album (released in 2000). "I'm VERY satisfied with the way the guitar will approach in the music and the material is, in my opinion, the best we'd ever written," Bernd wrote in a recent online posting. A tentative late summer 2006 release is expected.

Sweden's NOCTURNAL RITES have uploaded the second video from their "Grand Illusion" album, "Still Alive", at their official web site. The clip was once again directed by the group's drummer, Owe Lingvall. Check it out at this location (.ZIP file, 46 MB).

"Grand Illusion" was released in September 2005 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2004's "New World Messiah" was recorded and mixed at Toontrack Studio in Umeå, Sweden and features guest appearances by Stefan Elmgren (HAMMERFALL), Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS), Henrik Danhage (EVERGREY), Kristoffer W. Olivius (NAGLFAR) and the Swedish cross-country skiing world champion, Per Elofsson.

Portland-based progressive metallers NICODEMUS have wrapped up the filming of a long-form conceptual video for the track "Next In Nocturne" from their current release "Vanity Is A Virtue" (Sonic Age Records). The video was directed by Joni DeRouchie, a Northwest-based independent filmmaker who has worked on projects such as "Remote Control" and "Bigger Than Jesus". DeRouchie is a critically acclaimed director whose previous work has been selected for prestigious international film festivals. The concept for the video is gothic noir mixed with performance footage and features a large cast of actors, actresses, and extras including a cameo by publishedgothic novelist, Jemiah Jefferson, whose works include "Voice of the Blood", "Wounds", and "Fiend". The video is now in the editing stage and should see a release in late March. It will be available at the band's website, www.nicodemus.us.

As previously reported, NICODEMUS released their third album, titled "Vanity Is A Virtue" through the Greek label Sonic Age Records in June of 2005. The album decidedly owes more to the progressive sound than previous NICODEMUS releases, 2000's "Tales of the Lovelorn and Necromantic" (Dark Throne Music) and 2003's "The Supernatural Omnibus" (Dark Symphonies), which saw the band focusing on a goth/black metal-based sound with progressive elements.

Denis Gulby, founder and owner of Sentinel Steel Records, has confirmed that the highly anticipated new album from the U.S. cult metallers ATTACKER will be released on classic vinyl lp on Saturday, April 8 in Europe and on Tuesday, April 11 in the U.S. courtesy of Eat Metal Records. The release date will coincide with the CD version, which will see its worldwide release through Sentinel Steel. The LP will have the same number of tracks as the CD version and will be limited to 500 copies in a gatefold design. Eat Metal Records will also be sponsoring ATTACKER's European tour, which kicks off on Saturday, September 16 at the Swordbrothers Festival in Andernach, Germany. The trek will also include appearances in Italy, Greece and Belgium.

ATTACKER's album-release show for "The Unknown" will take place on Saturday, April 29 at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey. Showtime has been finalized for 8:30 p.m. Also on the show will be HALLOW'S EVE, RAVENSTHORN, MAGUS BEAST and ICARUS WITCH. No advance tickets will be sold for this event so get their early as the doors will open at 7:30 p.m.

Log on to MP3.com right now for a chance to hear SEPULTURA's new album, "Dante XXI", in its entirety before it hits stores this Tuesday, March 14.

As previously reported, SEPULTURA made their "live" debut with drummer Roy Mayorga on Saturday, March 11 on the Brazilian TV show "Altas Horas". Download video clips of the band's appearance on the program: "Breed Apart" (video), "Territory" (video), "Convicted in Life" (video).

Mayorga is standing in for founding member Igor Cavalera, who is taking a break from the group's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their new son (who was born in January). Mayorga, who played with Igor's brother Max for several years in the late '90s and again in 2001-2003, has been enlisted for SEPULTURA's European tour with IN FLAMES (which kicked off March 12 in Oslo, Norway), with the possibility that he will stick around for further touring activities beyond the spring.

SEPULTURA's current European tour is not the first time that the band have performed without Igor Cavalera. Back in April 2005, SEPULTURA completed a short tour of Mexico with the help of roadie Guilherme Martin (ex-VIPER, TOYSHOP) after Cavalera was unable to make the dates.

EMPIRE, the brainchild of German guitarist Rolf Munkes (MAJESTY, RAZORBACK, ex-VANIZE), will release their third album, "Raven Ride", on May 12 via AOR Heaven Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Trading Souls" (Lion Music) will feature guest appearances by singer Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH), drummer Andre Hilgers (AXXIS, SILENT FORCE, RAZORBACK) and bassist Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE, BLACK SABBATH, M3). Martin and Murray had both appeared on "Trading Souls", which featured additional contributions from DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Don Airey and current HAMMERFALL/ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN drummer Anders Johansson. A 90-second audio sample of the "Raven Ride" title track is available at this location: http://www.germusica.com/mp3/Empire-RavenRide-edit.mp3 .

The Associated Press is reporting that veteran rocker Henry Rollins says he still harbors the anger of his punk roots but has found new ways to channel it off stage.

"My anger is more civically rooted," Rollins, 45, told The Associated Press Sunday (March 12) in an interview at the South by Southwest Interactive festival. "To be an American without some anger, you're sleeping on the job."

A vocal critic of the Bush administration and the Iraq war, Rollins said he supports the troops, and he has met many while touring with the USO, the private organization that entertains U.S. troops overseas.

"These people are incredibly human. They're like, 'I have a job to do sir and I really miss my wife,' and that's when it becomes very personal," he said.

The former BLACK FLAG frontman now hosts his own film-focused television show on the Independent Film Channel, aptly called "The Henry Rollins Show". He also hosts a radio show in Los Angeles.

He's not so sure music has the power to change the world anymore.

"What does change things is people voting," he told The Associated Press.

Mick Stingley of KNAC.COM recently conducted an interview with TYPE O NEGATIVE frontman Peter Steele. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

KNAC.COM: [On the upcoming DVD, "Symphony for the Devil (The World of Type O Negative)", due in the U.S. on March 14] Are you proud? Are you comfortable? Are you happy with the results?

Steele: "(pauses) Ah, you know, there is… there are some things in there that I feel should not, maybe, have been portrayed to the public. But everyone else in this band, we kind of like, voted on each other's behavior and stuff. And it was kind of known that, if everyone goes, 'That's funny, that's great! Leave it the fuck in! We don't care what YOU think!' then it stayed. There were things that Johnny did, and Kenny and Josh that they weren't really too happy about, but… 'Fuck you, we're gonna use it anyway!' So what's good for the goose is good for the gander."

KNAC.COM: I don't even know where to begin, but the concert footage… it was shot on the "October Rust" tour, or just after?

Steele: "This was shot in '99. Now I'm gonna have to back up and explain to you that when we started to formulate this video, with various footage, which, I would imagine was around 2000 or 2001, we were just gonna do a home, like a home-movie-type thing. And this footage from this show in Germany, from '99, was not even considered at the time. So it's really… it's a home movie with live footage. It's not live footage with outtakes. Simply because the video came to our attention right before we were actually gonna finalize the home video. We did some research and we found out that we could buy it; and it was 5.1 digital, and there were three cranes and twelve cameras and all this other stuff and we looked fairly, reasonably well-preserved at that time… so we said, 'All right, let's throw this in.' The entire concert was actually going to be a separate disc and then there was going to be this home movie. But then it got into cost-effectiveness of putting two or three discs into a package and all this other stuff. So we decided that, for people like me with ADD, to have a constant sensory assault, and to keep on cutting the footage and going to different things just to keep the average viewer's attention. Because I have no attention span anyway."

KNAC.COM: Well, I think that you guys have this incredible sense of humor, that Brooklyn sense of humor… I mean, you've talked about this. But I guess it gets misconstrued to a lot of people.

Steele: "It does, you know? Because we are so used to being sarcastic to each other, like even within this band. We have guests that come up on to the bus and they're horrified. 'How can you talk to each other like that?' And I'm like, 'You know what? Fuck you too!' (laughs) I've known these guys for over thirty years. I have five older sisters and I always wished that I had brothers, and God gave me these three brothers, Kenny, Josh and Johnny. But after thirty years of beating each other up and cheating on each other's girlfriends and playing hockey in the street and playing football, you know, fuckin' each other over and getting drunk and having great times — there's nothing to talk about!"

KNAC.COM: (laughs)

Steele: "There's NOTHING to talk about. Everybody has their own little corner of the tour bus, and that's it. So, you know… Brooklyn is a very sarcastic place. I like to think that I have a sense of humor and I like people with a sense of humor because one of the greatest feelings I get out of life is actually laughing at myself. Also I like laughing at other things, too; comedies, juvenile pranks and slapstick. Which of course, you saw much of that in the video. So that whole adolescent attitude really comes to the forefront with this DVD."

KNAC.COM: Jumping around again, "The Profit$ of Doom" — that was the working title for the last record, was it not?

Steele: "Yeah. I mean, I lie about everything, so you can't believe me. But it is the working title for right now. I don't have any titles for the songs, but I can say that the album sounds like a mixture of… let's just say… BLACK SABBATH, PINK FLOYD, THE BEATLES, DISCHARGE, THE CULT, THE CURE, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, PSYCHEDELIC FURS, DEVO and LAIBACH. So prepare to be confused."

KNAC.COM: Well… but I don't know. I feel… as a TYPE O NEGATIVE fan who has been following you guys since forever… I feel that, that description would suggest any of your records.

Steele: "It does actually, it's just that… the songs for this next album… you see it's really hard for me to be objective because I'm the songwriter. So, it's like, no mother ever thinks that her newborn baby is ugly. You know? And by that I mean it's hard for me to step outside and say what I think, but I will try. The songs are somewhat shorter, they're faster… I'm asking the other guys to actually do more of the vocals — not because I'm losing any nonexistent talent anyway — but the fact is that the other guys have really good voices and I think that they should be utilized. And, also, I've been making calls to see if people like Glenn Danzig or Phil Anselmo would want to do guest vocals or something."

KNAC.COM: Wow.

Steele: "Because Johnny's very tight with Glenn, because he goes out (on tour) with DANZIG and hopefully, Glenn wouldn't have a problem with that. And (I'll try to) get a hold of Phil. And there's a female vocalist, her name is Jacqueline, she plays in this band called OTTO'S DAUGHTER from Germany, and she's got a really good voice. And some of the stuff that I've written, I believe might call for a feminine touch. So I've been speaking to her about possibly coming in and doing some vocals. But, you know… speaking of CARNIVORE… after this album is done and in the can, I just might be doing a real short CARNIVORE tour…"

KNAC.COM: You're kidding…

Steele: "… but not… with… uh… it's the original members, but it will be, like… somewhat… well-known… rock-and-rollers… that are going to be a part of this…"

KNAC.COM: Wow. Who?

Steele: "(pauses) That I can't mention right now. There's going to be down time… I don't know when this next (TYPE O) album is set to be released. I would imagine that if it's done by May 1st, the label really wants six months of “set-up” time… which I think is somewhat excessive; but when you change jobs, you know, there's a whole set of unwritten rules that nobody tell you, you just have to learn them by making a dick out of yourself. You know? And nobody tells you, like you're not supposed to piss in that toilet you supposed to shit in that toilet. Which is how jail was…"

Read the entire interview at KNAC.COM.

DYING FETUS have posted the following message on their official http://www.dyingfetus.com/:

"We know everyone is concerned about the drummer spot, our new album, touring, etc. First off, we want to say we are anxious to record and tour after nearly a year off. The demos are going well, and we are spending extra time finalizing the music and composing the lyrics. Our tentative date to enter the studio to record the new album is mid-summer. Secondly, we encourage anyone who is interested in auditioning for the drummer spot to get in touch with us as soon as possible — although we have been holding out to find a permanent member, the show must go on and we have a contingent plan to hire a session drummer if necessary. As far as touring, for now we can only say that we have accepted some very interesting options for later in the year. We will announce names and dates once the details are confirmed!"

Songtitles set to appear on the upcoming CD include "Parasites of Catastrophe", "Unadulterated Hatred", "Raping the System" and "The Ancient Rivalry".

Finland's MANITOU, who feature in their ranks members of OMNIUM GATHERUM, MALPRACTICE and KAIHORO, have posted their video for the track "Fools in Control" at their official web site (.MPG file, 29 MB). The "Fools in Control" single, which entered the Finnish single chart last month at position No. 2, also features a cover of MICHAEL JACKSON's "Beat It".

MANITOU's second full-length album, entitled "Deadlock", will be released on March 22 via Firebox. The material on the CD is being described as a mixture of IRON MAIDEN, ANNIHILATOR, QUEENSRŸCHE, OZZY OSBOURNE, DIO, EVERGREY and JUDAS PRIEST."

MANITOU's debut album, "The Mad Moon Rising", came out in 2004 on the now-defunct Rage Of Achilles Records.

GOD AMONG INSECTS, the Swedish "old-school" death metal band featuring vocalist Emperor Magus Caligula (DARK FUNERAL), guitarist Lord K (a.k.a. Kenth Philipson) (THE PROJECT HATE), bassist Tomas Elofsson (SANCTIFICATION) and drummer Tobias Gustafsson (VOMITORY), have uploaded 30-second clips of all 10 tracks that are set to appear on their upcoming sophomore album, "Zombienomicon", due on April 17 via Threeman Recordings (he label co-owned by members of ENTOMBED). Check out the samples at www.godamonginsects.se.

"Zombienomicon" (view cover here) track listing:

1. The First House
   
2. F(wh)oreplay
   
3. Zombie Torture
   
4. They Came in Thousands
   
5. Toth' Tauun
   
6. Marching into War
   
7. 12th Dimension
   
8. Fucked by the Dead
   
9. Weaklings
   
10. The Bashing of Skulls
    The follow-up to "World Wide Death" was recorded at Abyss studios in August 2005 by Tommy Tägtgren.

Swedish black metallers NECROPHOBIC have posted this message on their official website:

"In the beginning of this month, the album (Hrimthursum) got mastered, which basically means that it runs through a big equalizer and exportated to be able to create CDs and vinyls from a master recording. It was mastered at Tailor Maid Production here in Stockholm (Sweden), by Peter In de Betou.

A short correction: The studio we've recorded our album in is House of Voodoo Studio and nothing else."

As previously reported, the titles of the recorded songs on Hrimthursum will most likely be (not the running order): ‘Slaughter Of Baby Jesus’, ‘Branded By Light, Enlightened By Darkness’, ‘Eternal Winter’, ‘The Crossing’, ‘I Strike With Wrath’, ‘Vril’, ‘Sitra Ahra’, ‘Bitter Cold Blizzard’, ‘Serpents (Beneath The Forest Of The Dead)’, ‘Age Of Chaos’, ‘Death Immaculate’, ‘Black Hate’.

Regain Records will issue the album this spring.

VELVET REVOLVER are scheduled to enter the studio on April 10 to begin recording their sophomore album, the group's bassist, Duff McKagan, revealed during an interview earlier today (March 10). While singer Scott Weiland has said he wants to make a concept album for VELVET REVOLVER's second release, McKagan was hesitant to confirm it, according to MTV.com. "I think a lot's been said, but when it comes down to it we have to make the best record all of us collectively, and separately, ever made," he said. "Now we know who each other are and who we are as a band. The first record was really just us coming together and being straight in the studio, but now it's gonna be deeper and bigger and all that. Concept record? I don't know, but it's gonna be killer."

VELVET REVOLVER's debut CD, "Contraband", has sold appxoximately 1.85 million copies in the United States since its June 2004 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

According to GHPG.net, legendary vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes has set "Music for the Divine" as the title of his new solo album, tentatively due in June.

Commented Hughes: "The title is very important to me. When you hear the music, you'll understand the meaning. The title speaks to me, as all the previous ones have. Divine is goodness and is a statement to the fans that really understand my music.

"The album has deep lyrical and spiritual meaning and once again is where I'm at, at the present time. I do not wish to tread into the past and so this album is a major step forward to me. This is my most honest and artistic album. I am very glad to know that things have continued to grow along spiritual lines.

"Because of the amazing changes in my life, that have happened since 'Soul Mover', it has given me a creative output and encouragement to make this new album. When I was growing up in England, my favourite bands & artists were always growing and morphing and continually reinventing themselves and this CD, I believe, has captured all of those elements."

Hughes recorded his new solo CD with the aid of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith (who is also producing the CD) and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist John Frusciante. Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Oil and Water", "Frail", "Black Light", "Stepping On" and "The Valiant Denial". Also playing on the set is guitarist J.J. Marsh, who has appeared on Hughes' last several solo releases.

After three successful albums and an "Anthology" on Sanctuary, the all new Ministry album "Rio Grande Blood" is to be released on May 2nd 2006. The release is set to coincide with their 60-date North American tour / European festival dates. This new album was recorded in Ministry's own studio in El Paso / Texas and features Paul Raven (Killing Joke), Tommy Victor (Prong), Mark Baker and guest appearances by Jello Biafra and Sgt.Major. The CD is out on the band's very own label 13th Planet and delivers Ministry style material with their trademark inflamatory political subtle-as-a-sledgehammer lyrics.

TOOL have announced the final track listing of their new album, "10,000 Days", due on May 2 via Volcano. The 77-minute, 11-song prog-metal odyssey, which is said to be "packed with plenty of eight minute-plus twisted riff-a-thons, odd-tempo polyrhythms and the band's trademark, eerie interludes" (according to Kerrang! magazine), is the follow-up to 2001's "Lateralus", which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 2.3 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"10,000 Days" track listing:

01. Vicarious
02. Jambi
03. Wings For Marie (Pt 1)
04. 10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)
05. The Pot
06. Lipan Conjuring
07. Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)
08. Rosetta Stoned
09. Intension
10. Right In Two
11. Viginti Tres

Finnish metallers DREAMTALE have uploaded a sample of a pre-production version of a new song, entitled "Yesterday's News", at this location. The track is expected to appear on the band's follow-up to their third album, "Difference", which was released in April 2005 via Spinefarm Records.

DREAMTALE recently announced the addition of singer Nils "Nisse" Nordling to the group's ranks. Nordling joined the group as the replacement for Jarkko Ahola, who left DREAMTALE in April 2005 to concentrate on his other band, TERГ„SBETONI.

The follow-up to 2003's "Ocean's Heart", "Difference" was recorded at Timo Tolkki's (STRATOVARIUS) Goldenworks studio with Tolkki producing and was mixed at Finnvox studios by Mikko Karmila.

Sweden's TAD MOROSE have announced the addition of singer Joe Comeau (ex-ANNIHILATOR, LIEGE LORD, OVERKILL) to the group's ranks. "A new era has begun for us and the next release will be by far the most powerful we have ever done," the band write on their web site.

Commented Comeau: "What can I say? Obviously, I am very honored to be the new vocalist for the great TAD MOROSE! I would first like to thank all the TAD guys for bringing me on board. Work has already begun on awesome new TAD MOROSE material and I am psyched as hell to move ahead on creating a killer new CD with these guys. I am also looking forward to our upcoming shows so I can meet all the TAD faithful and friends alike! Make sure you come and have a drink with us. See ya soon!"

TAD MOROSE parted ways with singer Urban Breed (now in BLOODBOUND) in December 2005. Urban joined TAD MOROSE in 1995 following the departure of previous singer Kristian "Krille" Andrén. Breed appeared on the group's last four studio albums: 1997's "A Mended Rhyme", 2000's "Undead", 2002's "Matters of the Dark" and 2003's "Modus Vivendi".