IFinnish extreme metallers IMPALED NAZARENE have finalized the track listing for their ninth studio album, "Pro Patria Finlandia", due in Europe on March 28 through Osmose Productions (March 22 in Finland on Dynamic Arts). The CD will be issued in North America on April 18 via The End Records.

"Pro Patria Finlandia" was recorded and mixed at Sonic Pump studio with producer Tapio Pennanen and was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox studios. Cover artwork was handled by Ritual. The group had previously described the new material as "fast, brutal as fuck, in-your-face IMPALED NAZARENE."

"Pro Patria Finlandia" final track listing:

1. Weapons To Tame A Land
   
2. Something Sinister
   
3. Goat Sodomy
   
4. Neighbourcide
   
5. One Dead Nation Under Dead God
   
6. For Those Who Have Fallen
   
7. Leucorrhea
   
8. Kut
   
9. This Castrated World
   
10. Psykosis
    
11. Contempt
    
12. I Wage War
    
13. Cancer
    
14. Hate – Despise – Arrogance
    

Total playing time 38:11

IMPALED NAZARENE will be undertaking a 63-date, 10-week European tour covering no less than 22 countries. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

German thrash metal legends SODOM are scheduled to release their self-titled new album in Germany on April 21, in Europe April 24 and in the USA May 9.

"Every band needs a self-titled album at least once in their career," band mastermind Tom Angelripper points out, adding that the twelve new tracks will contain pure thrash metal in its most dynamic incarnation. "We have to apologize to our fans that the album didn't come out sooner, but the work on our DVD, 'Lords of Depravity Part I', was so time-consuming that things took a little longer than expected." However, the band featuring singer/bass player Tom Angelripper, guitarist Bernemann and drummer Bobby Schottkowski will make the long wait worthwhile for their fan community with an offering that could hardly be more straightforward or determined. "We wanted to prove to the world what we can do, that's why we decided to roll up our sleeves and pool our strengths."

The current SODOM lineup has proved to be the most consistent in the band's history. "The team Angelripper/Bernemann/Schottkowski will celebrate its anniversary this year: We've been together for ten years," explains Tom, who is determined to continue to sail into the wind with his band in an increasingly short-lived world, not deviating from his present course when it comes to SODOM's lyrics. "I've always written about things that go on in the world, the injustice and mistakes that happen everywhere. I know that you can't change anything politically, but I would at least like to make clear where I stand and raise people's awareness of those deplorable states of affair."

"Sodom" was recorded and mixed at the premises of an old friend: Andy Brings. The former SODOM guitarist produced the new album at his Midas Twins studios in Hagen, Germany, together with sound engineer Haan Hartmann, bringing out the best in the musicians. "Andy did a great job and really lured the optimum performance out of me," states Tom. "Our new album proves that you don't necessarily have to go to an American studio to get a good sound." "Sodom" was mastered by Eroc, drummer with German rock cult band GROBSCHNITT.

"Sodom" track listing:

1. Blood On Your Lips
   
2. Wanted Dead
   
3. Buried In The Justice Ground
   
4. City Of God
   
5. Bibles And Guns
   
6. Axis Of Evil
   
7. Lords Of Depravity
   
8. No Captures
   
9. Lay Down The Law
   
10. Nothing To Regret
    
11. The Enemy Inside
    
    Bonus track for Japan:
    
12. Kamikaze Terrorizer
    

SODOM are scheduled to tour Eastern Europe as early as April 2006, and Angelripper promises an extensive tour of Germany and Europe this coming autumn: "It's high time we celebrated a real thrash metal party again with our fans."

Veteran German thrashers TANKARD have completed work on their new album, "The Beauty and the Beer", with producer Andy Classen at Stage One studio in Bühne, Germany for a May 26 release via AFM Records.

"The Beauty and the Beer" is the follow-up to 2004's "Beast of Bourbon", which was recorded at Stage One with Classen and featured cover artwork by Sebastian Krüger, who had previously worked for the magazine Spiegel.

TANKARD's first double DVD, "Fat, Ugly And Still (A)Live", was issued last October. The set contains a full live show that was recorded at the band's favorite location, the Batschkapp club in Frankfurt, and more than two hours of bonus material, including the following:

• All four of the band's promotional video clips
  
• Interviews
  
• Photo gallery
  
• Concert outtakes
  

Swedish "gothic metallers" BESEECH are working on new material and are planning on entering the studio in April to record a new demonstration CD for shopping purposes. The band are currently unsigned, having fulfilled their contractual obligations to the Napalm label with the release of their fifth album, "Sunless Days", which came out last September.

In other news, BESEECH have been confirmed for this year's Metalmania Festival, set to take place March 4 at Spodek in Katowice, Poland. Also scheduled to appear at the festival are SOILWORK, THERION, ANATHEMA, MOONSPELL and U.D.O., among others. BESEECH will also play in Varberg, Sweden at the Theatre on February 18 with TRENDKILL and DODGE.

The follow-up to 2004's "Drama", "Sunless Days" was recorded at StudioMega in Varberg, Sweden and includes a a cover of the DANZIG track "Devil's Plaything" as well as a re-recording of the song "Manmade Dreams" (on the digipack version only) from BESEECH's second album, "Black Emotions".

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

"We wanted to update you from the studio, but there was no time and now we have finished the album, which is for sure the most important thing to all of us. The new album is scheduled for release Monday the 24th of April all over Europe via Sony/BMG in Norway and Roadrunner Records international in the rest of Europe. No American date is set yet, but it should not be too long after. . . Live dates are being set every day, mostly in Norway for the time being, but we obviously aim to hit the summer festivals in Europe hard. The first confirmed show is Oslo, Rockefeller 13th of May. but there will be many shows before that. We hope to reveal the album cover and have some music ready for you on this site next week already."

SATYRICON have been in Vancouver, Canada this month mixing their first new studio album since 2002 with Mike Frasier (METALLICA, AC/DC). Titled "Now, Diabolical", it will contain the following 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.

Norway's MORTIIS has begun writing for a planned 2006 follow-up to "The Grudge". The legendary eccentric artist has been collaborating with well-known producer Rhys Fulber (FEAR FACTORY, DELERIUM, FRONTLINE ASSEMBLY, PARADISE LOST) and is currently demoing material.

"On the new songs, we are focusing more on what I think got a bit lost last time, which is songwriting and continuity," said Mortiis. "Last time I was trying to make a really angry and abusive record, and I wanted to do everything at the same time because I wanted all this noisy stuff to happen. The distorted noise, electronics, and samples are still there, but these songs are more focused and have a more coherent interaction between the programmed and the organic. They are definitely a lot more organic, and I am putting a lot of weight on guitars this time."

Some of the working song titles include: "The Ugly Truth", "Doppelganger", "Hard to Believe", "Zeitgeist", "Scolding the Burnt" and "Great Deceiver". In other news, guitarist ?ge Troite has replaced ?smund Sveinunggard for live duties with MORTIIS. European and North American dates are being worked on at this time.

MORTIIS recently released his first DVD, entitled "Soul in a Hole". The disc was filmed in 2004 in London during the two-month "The Unlimited Grudge Tour" with SUSPERIA. The DVD contains bonus videos, photo galleries, interviews, and other extras, in addition to live footage.

German modern rock/industrial metal band MEGAHERZ will release their fifth album, entitled "5", in the United States through Eclipse Records on February 21.

With their new single "Gott Sein '04" the band has redefined their sound and musical vision as more dynamic, more vivid, and better than ever before. Produced by Ralph Quick (DIE HAPPY, H-BLOCKX), "5" was recorded in the Lundgaard Studios in Denmark. The outcome is "an outstanding album that satisfies even the most difficult-to-please listeners — somewhere between industrial metal, modern rock, and electronica, with pummeling grooves," according to a press release. "An album that rocks and speeds along, in the vein of RAMMSTEIN, but also one that doesn't ignore the sensitive, down-tempo ballads." A full-length MP3 of "Gott Sein '04" is available for download atthis location.

Polish death metallers HATE have announced the addition of drummer Hexen to the group's ranks after parting ways with Hellrizer in December 2005. The reason for the change was Hellrizer's involvement in his own project and his "weakening dedication to HATE's" activities, according to a press release.

Commented HATE vocalist/guitarist Adam The First Sinner: "This is the end of problems we had had with Hellrizer for quite a long time. It started just after finishing 'Anaclasis' album when his priorities changed completely in favor of his new project. After several fruitless talks with the guy, we decided to give chance another drummer — Hexen — a young, educated musician completely devoted to extreme metal. Only a few rehearsals with Hexen convinced me that the change would be for much better. He mastered all 'Anaclasis' album in just two weeks to a degree Hellrizer never did. I must say he's the best drummer I've ever had in the lineup and that means we will be able to make significant progress with next material. Now I'm looking forward to the concerts we're playing very soon."

HATE's current lineup is:

• Adam The First Sinner - guitar, vocals
  
• Hellbeast – guitar
  
• Cyprian – bass
  
• Hexen – drums
  

In other news, HATE have cancelled their previously announced participation in the KRISIUN headlining tour. The band hope to make another tour announcement during the coming months.

Commented Adam The First Sinner: "We tried our best to be on the tour with KRISIUN but it just didn't work for us from the beginning. The booking agency seems to be organizing it at the last moment and they just didn't take care of proper transport for supporting bands; moreover they changed the conditions at the last moment quite a bit and now they're just unacceptable. To raise your spirits I can tell you that we're working on some other tour options at the moment. We want to play a REAL tour in Europe this year, with some major band as a headliner. We'll keep you posted as soon as the deal is done. IN DARKNESS WE SHALL BURN!!!"

METAL CHURCH are scheduled to release their new album, "A Light In The Dark", in Germany on May 26, 2006, in Europe on May 29 and in the USA early June, reanimating the zeitgeist of their first two releases, "Metal Church" (1984) and "The Dark" (1986).

"It's almost twenty years ago that we shook up the international metal scene for the first time with these two recordings," recalls guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof. "Just the right moment to bring that era to mind with a brand-new album and the same sort of energy that we had back then." METAL CHURCH are currently at the studio, recording over a dozen new tracks. It remains to be seen how many of these will make it onto the new album. One thing, however, is certain: the album will include a new version of the classic "Watch The Children Play" as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005.

Vanderhoof, who doubles 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. 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."

The current band line-up consists of Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar), Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), Steve Unger (bass) and new addition Jeff Plate (drums). "I've known Jeff since my solo tour with SAVATAGE," Vanderhoof recalls. "And during the 2005 METAL CHURCH tour, when he drummed with opening act Chris Caffery's band, we also got on really well. So it suggested itself to ask him whether he wanted to join METAL CHURCH."

The band have been at the studio since January, and Ronny Munroe is currently recording his vocal parts. "A Light In The Dark" is scheduled to be mixed in early March, and METAL CHURCH will tour Europe a week after the release, presenting their new material.

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Hello from a hotel room in Madrid. Everything is going great so far, almost every show has been sold out or was at least close.

"Yesterday in Italy there was a weird thing going on. Around midnight, I guess it wasn't even ten in the morning, Italian police officers disturbed our beauty sleep on the tour bus asking for money. Weird, I thought the days of corruption in the civilized world were long gone. Half asleep I replied, 'It's not Manni, it's Tobi!' Then one of the sheriffs asked me for drugs. I mean, even if I took drugs and had some, I wouldn't share them with a corrupt police officer, would you?! I was tempted to ask if he couldn't maybe specify what he was in need of exactly. But it seemed they weren't in a funny mood. I mean: We don't do drugs and I told him that all we had was some whiskey and beer. His answer was, 'Den I come widda dog!' Yes, to each his own, there's people who like to come with dogs.

"Anyway, the whole procedure took 45 minutes and they turned the bus upside down. We neither had a hostage by the name of Manni, nor did we have drugs. All we finally had was a bad mood and dog's hair everywhere and a terrible smell. Our lighting engineer said it was his first time having been woken up by a dog's asshole on his face. Weird shit happens!!! Anyway, the Italian fans have been worth it! Even a dog's ass on Holgi's face. It was a female dog anyway.

"This tour is great fun and it feels great to be out to see you guys!"

EDGUY are touring in support of their latest album, "Rocket Ride", which entered the German national album chart at position No. 8 upon its release in late January. The CD also came in at No. 8 in Sweden and No. 25 in Finland.

MÖTLEY CRÜE have just issued a two-disc live album set taken from their sold-out North American "Carnival of Sins" tour. These releases are exclusively being sold exclusively through the Wal-Mart chain.
The discs, recorded at Banknorth Garden in Boston, on December 9 and December 10, 2005, are issued as "volumes" 1 and 2, at $9.88 each, and contain the same audio as the "Carnival Of Sins" DVD release.

"Carnival Of Sins – Live: Volume 1" track listing:

01. Shout At The Devil
02. Too Fast For Love
03. Ten Seconds To Love
04. Red Hot
05. On With The Show
06. Too Young To Fall In Love
07. Looks That Kill
08. Louder Than Hell
09. Live Wire
10. Girls, Girls, Girls
11. Wild Side

"Carnival Of Sins – Live: Volume 2" track listing:

01. Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
02. Primal Scream
03. Glitter
04. Without You
05. Home Sweet Home
06. Dr. Feelgood
07. Same Ol' Situation
08. Sick Love Song
09. If I Die Tomorrow
10. Kickstart My Heart 11. Helter Skelter
12. Anarchy In The UK

After a short but intense period at the now defunct label Dying Culture with a debut album, "Seemless", the US act Inure is back with the new album "Subversive", the EP "Disillusion" and a new label, Alfa Matrix. On this Belgian label they join Front 242, Glis, Unter Null and many others. Inure anno 2006 consists of the two founding members Adam Moore and Robert Vogel plus Sam P. from Pulse Legion and Imperative Reaction fame. Produced by Ted Phelps from Imperative Reaction, Inure's new material is a mix of dark, malevolent, heavy and layered material with even more straight-forward synthwork and punchy beats. Also included on the band's comeback album is a stunning cover of the Alice In Chains track "Would?". Fans of Skinny Puppy, Fortification 55 and early Abscess will dig this material for sure. Audio previews of the complete album are available below but especially for the Side-Line readers the band offers and exclusive download of the track "Subversive", the album edit of the band's newest EPCD ! A band to keep an eye on for sure. A limited 2CD box of the band's newest album is also available including a bonus disc with extra remixes.
http://media.alfa-matrix.com/sidelineexclusive/inure_subversive.mp3

Danish metallers MERCENARY are currently in pre-production for their as-yet-untitled fifth full-length album, tentatively due late summer via Century Media Records. "So far 10 songs have been written," the band write on their web site. "MERCENARY will enter Hansen studios [in Ribe, Denmark] in March to record the album which will be mixed in May, also by Jacob Hansen [HATESPHERE, INVOCATOR, RAUNCHY]."

In other news, MERCENARY's fourth full-length album, "11 Dreams", will be released in Brazil on March 20 through Overload Records. The CD, which was released in the U.S. in February 2005 via Century Media, was produced by Jacob Hansen and includes a cover version of KENT's hit single "Music Non Stop". Artwork duties were handled by Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY).

MERCENARY will be supporting KING DIAMOND on the following dates:

Jun. 10 - De Lantaarn – Hellendoorn, NETH
Jun. 11 - 013 – Tilburg, NETH

Irish rockers THERAPY? have set "One Cure Fits All" as the title of their follow-up to 2004's "Never Apologise Never Explain". "It's in the final mixing stages right now and the artwork should be done in the coming week," the band write on their web site. "If all goes well, we're looking at a late April/early May release date."

THERAPY?'s new album is being produced by Pedro Ferriera, who has previously worked with COLOUR OF FIRE, THE DARKNESS and TOKYO DRAGONS, among others.

JUDAS PRIEST management co-ordinator Jayne Andrews has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"All of the band took a well deserved break over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Having been touring for nearly two years, they were badly in need of recharging their batteries! Now they are raring to go and are starting work on their new studio album. For this reason, they have decided not to do any touring this year but to work straight through on the new album! Once we are further down the line with it I'll give you some updates!

"We have just heard from Burrn! magazine in Japan that JUDAS PRIEST have swept the polls!

The Best Group of the year: JUDAS PRIEST
The Best Album of the year: JUDAS PRIEST 'Angel Of Retribution'
The Best Live Performance in Japan: JUDAS PRIEST
The Best Album Cover: JUDAS PRIEST 'Angel Of Retribution'
The Best Vocalist of the year: Rob Halford/JUDAS PRIEST

"Needless to say we are all very happy about these results — they are fantastic! So a big thank you to JUDAS PRIEST's Japanese fans!!"

Dutch rock act THE GATHERING will release their new album, "Home" (view cover at this location) on April 18 via The End Records in North America.

Ever since their inception 15 years ago THE GATHERING have continued to evolve, never settling on one set style and rarely ever duplicating themselves. They have embraced change along the way and used it as a tool to feed their ongoing creative process.

Like their previous groundbreaking releases — their classic "Mandylion" (1995), the electronic dabblings of "How to Measure a Planet?" (1998) or the trip-hop/atmospheric warmth of "Souvenirs" (2003) — their latest album "Home" finds the band heading back to a bit more of rock vibe, yet still maintaining the delicate nuances and passages that fans worldwide have grown to love.

But the momentum here is not entirely based on emotional highs, as the band still manages to capture the dark spirit that most human beings have had to deal with from time to time. Variation has always been the key, case in point the diverse offering of such numbers as "In Between", "Shortest Day", "A Noise Severe" and the powerfully moving title track.

"Home" track listing:

1. Shortest Day
   
2. In Between
   
3. Alone
   
4. Waking Hour
   
5. Fatigue
   
6. A Noise Severe
   
7. Forgotten
   
8. Solace
   
9. Your Troubles Are Over
   
10. Box
    
11. The Quiet One
    
12. Home
    
13. Forgotten Reprise
    

THE GATHERING will make their debut at this year's South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas on March 16, 2006 at Lava Lounge. Also participating are fellow lablemates GREEN CARNATION, UNEXPECT and GIANT SQUID. The band will also venture out for a small U.S. tour as part of their Homelands world tour to promote their upcoming album.

Norwegian metallers NOCTURNAL BREED will be teaming up with DEMONIZER for a European mini-tour between May 25 and June 3. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

NOCTURNAL BREED are continuing work on their follow-up to "The Tools of the Trade" (Holycaust Records), tentatively due in May. Entitled "Code of Conduct", the CD will feature the following track listing (in no particular order):

1. Code of Conduct
   
2. Fields of Rot
   
3. Man-Skinner
   
4. The Dead
   
5. In Sickness and in Hell
   
6. Behind the Front
   
7. Scything Harrow
   
8. Too Damned to Conquer
   
9. Iron Bitch
   
10. Wicked, Vicious, Violent
    
11. Metal Church
    

Check out studio pictures at this location. Two recently recorded live video clips can be viewed bu clicking here.

NOCTURNAL BREED recently announced the addition of guitarist A.E. Rattlehead (COCKROACH CLAN, CREST OF DARKNESS, HAMMERHEART) to the group's ranks. Rattlehead joins the band as the replacement for T. Thrawn (real name: Tom Kvålsvoll), who left the group last summer due to "internal conflicts."

NOCTURNAL BREED recently released a five-disc box set, entitled "The Remasters", through Painkiller Records. Limited to 1,000 copies, the set includes all of their previous releases, plus bonus tracks and demo recordings.

Drummer Adam Sagan has officially left Saskatchewan-based progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY. Sagan's statement on the matter reads as follows:

"I'm very sad to announce to all of you that I am no longer a member of INTO ETERNITY. This is not what I wanted, but the simple truth is, for personal and professional reasons, I cannot continue to play in INTO ETERNITY at this point in my life. I have nothing bad to say about Tim, Rob, Stu and Troy. They are truly wonderful people and some of my best friends. We've been through some tremendous experiences, and I can't thank them enough for the amazing times we've had and the incredible opportunities that they've given me. It's been absolutely humbling playing with such ferocious, capable and professional musicians. Thank you gentleman. I wish you nothing but the best. I also want to send a huge THANK YOU to all of the incredible fans and friends I've met and gotten to know so well, along with the truly gracious promoters that always treated INTO ETERNITY so well, particularly the Brazilian Pride (you know who you three are), Sean 'The Captain' Cipriano at The Pound in San Francisco, Noel at Inertia, Stephan and all of BCI, Jay Nedry and co. at Jaxx, and the whole crew of BB King's in NYC. An extra special thank you goes to all of the wildly dedicated and insane INTO ETERNITY fans up in Regina. You all truly know how to support your scene! And of course, horns up to all the guys in AMORPHIS, BEYOND THE EMBRACE, GRAVEWORM, HATE ETERNAL, KRISIUN, OPETH, NEVERMORE, KATAKLYSM, and all of the other incredible bands with whom we've shared a stage (or gazebo) in the last 18 months. THANK YOU!!"

At the time of Sagan's departure, INTO ETERNITY were working on their new CD — the group's first with singer Stu Block of Vancouver's OMEGA CROM. The band's third album, "Buried In Oblivion", was released in February 2004 through Century Media Records. As was the case with their previous two albums, "Buried In Oblivion" was recorded at Touchwood Studios in Regina with ex-bassist Scott Krall, Grant Hall and Johnny "Sixpack" Gasparic handling the majority of production duties.

SPV Records has set an April 21 German release date for the new MOONSPELL album, entitled "Memorial". The CD was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Waldemar Sorychta (LACUNA COIL, TIAMAT, GRIP INC.) and will contain around 8 to 10 new songs, including "Once It Was Ours!", "Blood Tells", "Sanguine", "Finisterra", "Upon the Blood of Men" and "At the Image of Pain". The material is being described by the group as "the best music we ever wrote together" and "an homage to the Nineties scene and bands," of which they became a strong symbol of. A DVD, entitled "Lunar Still/13 Years of Doom", is expected to surface via Century Media later in the year.

Upcoming MOONSPELL shows:

• Mar. 02 - Budapest, HUN @ Petofi Hall (Metalmania)
  
• Mar. 04 - Katowice, POL @ Spodek 4 (Metalmania)
  
• Mar. 10 - St. Petersburg, RUS @ Port Club
  
• Mar. 11 - Moscow, RUS @ Tochka Club
  
• Jun. 03 - Casablanca, MOR @ COC Stadium
  
• Jun. 23 - Dessel, BEL @ Graspop Metal Meeting
  
• Aug. 17-19 - Abtsgmünd, GER @ Summer Breeze Festival
  

German thrashers KREATOR shot a video for their song "Enemy of God" on February 6 in Berlin. The clip was directed by Jörn Heitmann, known for his work with RAMMSTEIN ("Keine Lust") and THE RASMUS.

"Enemy of God" is the title track of KREATOR's latest album, available now on SPV Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Violent Revolution" was recorded and mixed at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, England with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, SKINLAB, NEVERMORE). ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott makes a guest appearance on lead guitar on the track "Murder Fantasies".

KREATOR will be embarking on the "Enemy of God II" North American tour with NAPALM DEATH beginning in late February.

World Chaos Productions has set a Febraury 28 release date (February 20 in Japan) for the debut album from PANTHEON I, the Norwegian extreme metal band featuring vocalist/guitarist AndrГЁ Kvebek (1349) and guitarist John Espen Sagstad (ABIOTIC). Entitled "Atrocity Divine", the album's artwork was handled by Kjell Age Meland, who was also responsible for the art on the band's seven-inch single.

PANTHEON I recently parted ways with drummer Eirik Renton (SARKOM). His has since been replaced by Dan Theobald from U.K. black metallers TWISTED AUTUMN DARKNESS."

PANTHEON I had previously released a four-song demo, titled "MMIII", in April 2003. A limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single — which includes the tracks "Is This A Prophecy?" and "Transparent" — was made available via the group's official web site last year. A live video for the track "Is This a Prophecy?" — which is doubling as a "trailer" for the PANTHEON I DVD (containing the group's entire concert at Betong in Oslo on March 5, 2004, plus backstage footage and a "making of" report on "Atrocity Divine") — can be found at this location.

A brand new MYSTIC CIRCLE track, entitled "The Bloody Path of God", has ben posted online at here.

"The Bloody Path of God" is the title track of the German "dark Satanic metal" band's seventh full-length album, due on February 20, via Dockyard 1, the new company formed by Dirk Putzke, Christine Stephan (both ex-Sanctuary/Noise Records) and Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR). The new CD was recorded at State of the Arts studio in Ludwigshafen, Germany with producer Alex Koch and contains 13 songs, including a cover version of CELTIC FROST's "Circle of the Tyrants".

"The Bloody Path of God" track listing:

01. Psalm of the End (intro)
02. The Bloody Path of God
03. Doomsday Prophecy
04. Nine Plagues of Egypt
05. The Grim Reaper (intro)
06. The Grim Reaper
07. Riders of the Apocalypse
08. Hellborn
09. Church of Sacrifice
10. The Forgotten
11. Unholy Terror
12. Memento Mori (outro)
13. Circle of the Tyrants (CELTIC FROST cover; bonus track)

Commented MYSTIC CIRCLE guitarist Ezpharess: "We're taking one step back to our early black metal roots with 'The Bloody Path of God'. We used keyboards again, to provide the haunted atmosphere songs like 'Doomsday Prophecy', 'Riders of the Apocalypse', 'The Forgotten' or 'Unholy Terror' deserve. Also singer Graf Von Beelzebub is screaming again, and doesn't use the death-metal-alike growls of 'Open the Gates of Hell' anymore."

MYSTIC CIRCLE issued a "best of" album, entitled "Mystic Circle Unholy Chronicles 1992–2004", in November 2004 via Massacre Records. The CD, which contains 18 songs spanning the group's entire career, includes a bonus DVD, featuring concert and backstage footage, as well as interviews and a video clip.

Since the album 'Perpetual Desolation' (2000) Norwegian Gothic Metal Band The Sins of thy Beloved stopped existing. Or at least it seemed they did! Their never-updated website went offline, and everybody thought that the band was gone. Last year rumours about a reunion flew around, and their record company Napalm Records confirmed that the band was recording again.
A fan now set up an alternative for the band's official website, with all the latest gossip about the group. Napalm Records will release a new album by the band this year, so keep an eye on their website and the fansite!

Norwegian extreme metallers ENSLAVED are putting the finishing touches on their new album, "Ruun", tentatively due on May 8 via Tabu. "The final mixes are being made at this very moment in Propeller Studio in Oslo," the group write on their web site. "The band produces the album themselves, with Mike Hartung as leader of the pack. Mastering will take place in Sweden immedeatly after the mix is finished. Later in February the band will make not one, but two videos from 'Ruun'."

Commented guitarist Arve Isdal: "We're very happy with the result, and the feedback from the few chosen ones who had a sneak listening has been awesome! The songs needs time to get into, but we hope you will take that time. Keep it up, loonies!"

According to a posting on ENSLAVED's web site, the band are "confirmed for more festivals. The guys especially looks foreward to play on the Øyafestivalen in Oslo, Norway the 8th or 10th of August. It's a big outdoor festival and one of the bigger events in Norway during the summer. Apart from that, this weekend the band will play two shows in Tromsø, Norway during the By:Larm festival and an exclusive unplugged session live on Norwegian radio. No amps, no drums, just pure acoustic music."

The recordings for the follow-up to the band's Norwegian Grammy- and Alarm award-winning album "Isa" (2004) began in early January at Amper Studio in Oslo, Norway. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Path of Vanir" and "Essence", both of which the band are planning on shooting videos for.

ENSLAVED will be teaming up with KHOLD and VREID for a European tour in the fall. More information will be made available soon.

Danish doomsters SATURNUS have set "Veronica Decides to Die" as the title of their third full-length album, tentatively due this spring via Finland's Firebox Records. The follow-up to 2000's "Martyre" was once again recorded at Sweet Silence Studios in Denmark with producer Flemming Rasmussen (METALLICA, ARTILLERY) and features a guest appearance on one track by MERCYFUL FATE guitar legend Michael Denner. Check out the cover artwork by Travis Smith at this location.

San Francisco power/thrash metallers IMAGIKA have finalized the track listing for their new CD, entitled "My Bloodied Wings", tentatively due late spring/early summer. The follow-up to last year's "Devils on Both Sides" was recorded at Trident Studios in Pacheco, California and was mixed at Los Angered Recording in Gothenburg, Sweden with Andy LaRocque of KING DIAMOND fame.

"My Bloodied Wings" track listing:

01. The Tongue of Nyx
02. Hunter's Moon
03. Second Coming
04. Throw the Horns
05. Heart of Icarus
06. Weaken
07. The Darkest of All Secrets
08. Inhuman
09. One More Day
10. Forever Darkened
11. My Bloodied Wings

IMAGIKA released "Devils on Both Sides" in the U.S. via Mausoleum Records. The End is handling distribution for the release. The album was issued in most European territories last March.