British black metal pioneers VENOM have set "Metal Black" as the title of their new studio album, due in March 2006 via Castle Records/Sanctuary Group.

According to an official press release, "Metal Black" "sees original founder band member Cronos creating a new masterpiece of metal together with [drummer] Antton and [guitarist] Mykvs. With 14 brand new roaring and vital tracks, VENOM are again taking the goat by the horns and reinventing their own original style . . . 'Metal Black' [is] an album that harkens back to the writing style of the '80s VENOM with a powerful production to incinerate any sound system, truly demonic in every sense and with the delivery of a charging beast."

Commented Mykvs: "The album has a very raw feel. The intensity of the songs is awesome. We recorded the album as a live band, three demons bleeding for the heaviest metal we could create, and our new album will show that VENOM keeps getting stronger and heavier. Lay down your souls, muthafuckers, we have returned."

Acclaimed Swedish prog-metal band ANDROMEDA will release their third album, "Chimera", in Japan on January 21, 2006 via Marquee/Avalon. A release date for North America, Europe and the rest of the world will soon be announced.

"Chimera" track listing:

01. Periscope
02. In the End
03. The Hidden Riddle
04. Going Under
05. The Cage of Me
06. No Guidelines
07. Iskenderun
08. Inner Circle
09. Blink of an Eye

ANDROMEDA's debut album, "Extension of the Wish" (2001), was re-released in Europe via New Hawen/Century Media. The new version features vocals by new singer David Fremberg, a new mix and two bonus tracks, previously only released in France by NTS. The title of the re-release is "Final Extension (Re-Release of 'Extension of the Wish')".

In the December/January issue of the Swedish magazine Close-Up, a number of heavy metal/hard rock musicians list their favorite albums of 2005.

Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA):

BIOHAZARD – "Means to an End"
CLAUSTROPHOBIA – "Fulminant"
EXODUS – "Shovel Headed Kill Machine"

Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES):

NINE INCH NAILS - "With teeth"
10 YEARS – "The Autumn Effect"
COHEED AND CAMBRIA – "Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV – Volume One…"

Leif Edling (CANDLEMASS)

OPETH – "Ghost Reveries"
ARCH ENEMY – "Doomsday Machine"
SPIRITUAL BEGGARS – "Demons"

Nergal (BEHEMOTH):

SYSTEM OF A DOWN – "Mezmerize"
NEVERMORE – "This Godless Endeavor"
NINE INCH NAILS – "With Teeth"

Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD):

SYSTEM OF A DOWN – "Mezmerize"
GOD FORBID – "IV: Constitution of Treason”
CHIMAIRA – "Chimaira"

Angela Gossow (ARCH ENEMY):

OBITUARY – "Frozen in Time"
GOJIRA – "From Mars to Sirius"
SPIRITUAL BEGGARS – "Demons"

Tuomas Holopainen (NIGHTWISH):

CHILDREN OF BODOM – "Are You Dead Yet?"
EPICA – "Consign to Oblivion"
MOONSORROW – "Verisäkeet"

John Tardy (OBITUARY):

MADBALL – "Legacy"
RED CHORD – "Clients"
SCUM – "Gospels for the Sick"

Anders Nyström (KATATONIA):

OPETH – "Ghost Reveries"
STRAPPING YOUNG LAD – "Alien"
SOILWORK – "Stabbing the Drama"

Attila Csihar (MAYHEM, ex-ABORYM, TORMENTOR):

CODE – "Nouveau Gloaming"
ARCTURUS – "Sideshow Symphonies"
HYPOCRISY – "Virus"

Jörgen Sandström (VICIOUS ART, ex-GRAVE, ENTOMBED):

TRAUMA – "Determination"
LOST SOUL – "Chaostream"
MUSTASCH – "Powerhouse"

Roger Miret (AGNOSTIC FRONT):

MADBALL – "Legacy"
AGNOSTIC FRONT – "Another Voice"
ROGER MIRET AND THE DISASTERS – "1984"

Nils Eriksson (NOCTURNAL RITES):

MASTERPLAN – "Aeronautics"
SOILWORK – "Stabbing the Drama"
JOURNEY – "Generations"

Casey Chaos (SCUM, AMEN):

DEATHSPELL OMEGA – "Kenose"
1349 – "Hellfire"
TURBONEGRO – "Party Animals"

Peter Dolving (THE HAUNTED):

MODERN LIFE IS WAR – "Witness"
RINGWORM – "Justice Replaced by Revenge"
EARTH – "Hex: Or Printing in the Infernal Method”

Oscar Dronjak (HAMMERFALL):

NOCTURNAL RITES – "Grand Illusion"
JUDAS PRIEST – "Angel of Retribution"
PRIMAL FEAR – "Seven Seals"

Fred Estby (DISMEMBER):

GRAND MAGUS – "Wolf's Return"
THE HELLACOPTERS – "Rock & Roll is Dead"
CANDLEMASS – "Candlemass"

Dutch female-fronted metallers AFTER FOREVER will perform a special gig with a wind orchestra, Orpheus, on Thursday, December 22 at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands.

Founded in 1864, the Tilburg-based Orpheus will start off the evening with a special set consisting of six classics from the history of rock music. After this, Orpheus will be joined on stage by AFTER FOREVER and together they will perform a set of nine songs spanning AFTER FOREVER's entire career. The arrangements for this were made by Ron Antens.

AFTER FOREVER have issued the following report on the first rehearsal sessions with the Orpheus orchestra:

"On Sunday [November] 27th we went to Tilburg (The Netherlands) to do a rehearsal with Orpheus. Orpheus is the orchestra where we will do a very exclusive and special show with in 013, Tilburg on the 22nd of December.

"This was the first time the orchestra and AFTER FOREVER played together. A very exciting moment!!! You can check out some pictures of the rehearsal at our photogallery.

"There were about 60 people from Orpheus and of course the 6 members of AFTER FOREVER, all in one hall. It was quite a challenge to get the sound good, despite the fact that the orchestra outnumbered AFTER FOREVER, they couldn’t win it with the volume because we had to play electric and the orchestra was all acoustic. After a few try-outs, we found the right mix and started playing the songs we will perform together from the AFTER FOREVER material. There are 9 songs we'll play together. Before that, AFTER FOREVER will play some songs without the orchestra.

"The rehearsal was very successful, the sound of AFTER FOREVER and Orpheus together was amazing, something you don't want to miss!!!"

AFTER FOREVER's fourth full-length album, "Remagine", is available now on Transmission Records. 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.

Veteran Swiss hard rockers KROKUS have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We were greeted in Moscow by the first snow of the year as we arrived outside this huge hotel opposite the old Kremlin. Trying to read the menu in Russian made us realise how helpless we were without our interpreter. Our first night ended early the next morning after endless Vodka toasts and energetic dancing to the music of retired friendly Cossacks in the pub. The 'Tochka' is the oldest rock club right next to Gorky Park. Our 'debut' gig was received with loud enthusiasm but it was a pity that we had a train to catch or we would have done a 'meet & greet' which we had grown so accustomed to in the United States.

"The scene at the crowded train station so late at night reminded me somehow of the epic film 'Doctor Zhivago'. The Trans-Siberian Express whisked us away into a snow covered desert and dropped us off in St. Petersburg the next morning. This city's majestic architecture is something one can't help admire, and the way those canals flow through under the many bridges! I will definitely do the historical tour next time round.

"Here too, the fans' emotions were so unbridled and honest that it made one want to give them a little bit more than his all… St. Petersburg rocks!

"I'm happy to say that our promoter has promised us a festival sometime next year and I imagine that once we make the ride it will be worth adding on a few more dates to round it up nicely.

"Rock on, Russia."

Veteran Swiss hard rockers KROKUS have parted ways with drummer Patrick Aeby. Patrick's departure "was amicable and the whole KROKUS family sincerely wishes him the best of luck for the future," reads posting on the group's web site. A replacement drummer has yet to be announced.

KROKUS recently spent time in the studio working on the follow-up to 2003's "Rock the Block", tentatively due in early 2006. The group's current lineup includes frontman Marc Storace, Mandy Meyer (guitar), Patrick Aeby (drums), Dominique Fave (guitar) and Tony Castell (bass).

DOPE STARS INC. are really proud to announce the release of 3 brand new remixes that will blast your ears plenty once again! The Industrial Dance seducers XP8 provided a special "Industrial beats meets Trance-Core attitude" version of 10.000 Watts. The Antipodean cyberpunk hard men, NOVAkILL joined the Remix Party working on another amazing version of 10.000 Watts. But it was not enough cause the industrial troops of T3CHN0PH0B1A, coming directly from planet Sidera, provided a Re-Infected version of the Rock'n'Roll hit "Infection 13" that will kick your ass in the Cyberspace with no compromises. Get them now into Dopestars Inc. DOWNLOADS section!

Legendary vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) has posted the following message on his official web site:

"I spent the afternoon yesterday with John [Frusciante, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist] and Chad [Smith, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer] at Chad's home. We had a funky good time writing and going over a couple of songs for my [upcoming solo] album. John Frusciante is an absolute one-of-a-kind. His vision and depth amazes me, and like Chad, he is extremely beautiful. Look forward to creating my next adventure in the New Year."

Check out a picture of Hughes, Frusciante and Smith at this location.

Hughes's latest solo album, "Soul Mover", was released eaelier in the year on Sanctuary Records. The CD was recorded live at Sound Image Studios in Los Angeles in the spring of 2004 and features Smith, JJ Marsh on guitar and Ed Roth on keyboards. The album also contains a special guest appearance by ex-RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and JANE'S ADDICTION guitarist Dave Navarro on the title track.

Hughes's most recent full-length release was a collaboration with BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi on Iommi's solo album "Fused". Joining Iommi and Hughes on "Fused" was former JOHN MELLENCAMP drummer Kenny Aronoff, who has also played sessions with the likes of THE ROLLING STONES, BOB DYLAN, ROD STEWART, ALICE COOPER, BOB SEGER, LYNYRD SKYNYRD and countless others.

"Cocked And Loaded" is the title of the new REVOLTING COCKS album, which will be released in Europe early march 2006. It is the first album of this Ministry sideproject since 1993. The following guests can be heard on this album: Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Gibby Haynes (Butt Hole Surfers), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Billy Gibbons (ZZ-Top), Stevie Banch (Spyder Baby), Phildo Owen (Skatenigs). Al Jourgensen describes the record like this: "a trashy synthesis of the most extreme industrial noise, the silliest pop culture, and classic art rock."

Members:
Al Jourgenson
Luc Van Acker
Richard 23

Finnish metallers NORTHER have announced the addition of drummer Heikki Saari (VIRTUOCITY) to the group's ranks.

NORTHER have set "Till Death Unites Us" as the title of their new album, due on January 25, 2006 via Spinefarm. A single, entitled "Scream", will precede the album before the end of the year.

NORTHER's last release was an EP, entitled "Solution 7". The band's third full-length album, "Death Unlimited", was issued last year through Spinefarm Records.

After Norwegian black metal legends EMPEROR split up in 2001, frontman Ihsahn's main focus has been on his more experimental band, PECCATUM, and he also started his own label, Mnemosyne Productions, in 2003.

"Mnemosyne Productions is not just a label," Ihsahn explained to Terrorizer magazine, "it's also a production company, it's a base for what Ihriel and I do, but we're also interested in releasing other artists. We have our own studio called Symphonique Studio, and we're co-owners of an exclusive studio here in Notodden, which only contains old analog equipment. We want to work with our own projects and others, where we can be producers."

Ihsahn has also worked for quite some time on a solo album, which he will release under the name we know him by the best. Here, he will do most of the recordings himself, but Asgeir Mickelson from BORKNAGAR will play drums.

"I've done pre-production on all the songs now, and Asgeir has started to record the drum tracks," he says, "and I'm planning to mix the album in January. I'll probably do that in the analog studio.

"When I'm doing an Ihsahn solo album, I have to build on my musical upbringing, and the majority of that is metal with a progressive and experimental leaning," he told Terrorizer. "With PECCATUM we've tried out as much as we could both musically and artistically, but with this I wanted to do a metal album. I allowed myself to work with two guitar tracks, piano and programmed drums while I made this album. Actually, I worked without these limitations and the material went everywhere. Then, early in 2005, I wrote the basics in a couple of months after I made some restrictions for myself. But musically I've tried to sum up my experiences with metal music on this album, and it sounds the way I see the metal genre in 2006."

"I can tell you that I'm extremely satisfied with all the songs on this album, and there will be no fillers on it. Lyrically, it's a very angry album and everyone gets a slap in the face."

CRONIAN (formerly ION), the Norwegian/Swedish project featuring BORKNAGAR members Oystein G. Brun (guitars and programming) and Vintersorg (vocals and programming), have signed a worldwide three-album deal with Century Media Records.

Regarding how the project came together, CRONIAN said in a statement, "Already back in 1999 we had plans to do a project together, something beside respective bands like VINTERSORG and BORKNAGAR. The idea floated around for a few years in our minds, but in 2002 we started the actual process of constructing a musical expression, then under the name ION. We had a mutual agreement to only proceed with the band if we managed to establish a unique and original sound. That's what we have done and that's what we prepare to show the world....

"The debut album will be released early next year, a more specific date will be announced soon. The title of the album will be 'Terra' and the album will contain 9 songs. Some songtitles are: 'Cronian', 'The Alp', 'Iceolated' and 'Nonexistence'. The nature of the music is cold, atmospheric (eerie!) and catchy. So beware!"

Norwegian singer Liv Kristine (LEAVES' EYES, ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY) shot her first solo video clip on November 19. The song in question, "Fake a Smile", will appear on Kristine's forthcoming solo album, "Enter My Religion", tentatively due in early 2006 on Roadrunner Records. "The visual realization of the romantic ballad was set into a magical concept — we see Liv Kristine as a fairy character lost in our modern world," reads an official press release. "The shooting was quite tough for the singer: Liv had to pose nearly 24 hours in freezing temperatures at different locations — an antique bathhouse and at a lake of the city park in Nuremberg. The clip [was] produced by AVA Studios (also worked for SARAH CONNOR, JEANNETTE), directed by Alexander Diezinger. At the moment, AVA are busy with the post-production." The clip will begin airing in January.

As previously reported, Kristine recently recorded a duet with NIGHTWISH bassist/vocalist Marco Hietala for one of the tracks on the upcoming album from DELAIN, the new project of WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboardist Martijn Westerhold. Liv appears on two songs on the DELAIN CD, which will be released in 2006 via Roadrunner Records. Kristine's recordings were laid down at Mastersound Studio with producer (and Liv's husband) Alexander Krull.

LIVING LOUD — the new "supergroup" consisting of Bob Daisley (OZZY OSBOURNE, RAINBOW, URIAH HEEP) on bass, Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE, KANSAS, DIXIE DREGS) on guitar, Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW) on keyboards, Lee Kerslake (URIAH HEEP, OZZY OSBOURNE) on drums and Jimmy Barnes (COLD CHISEL) on vocals — will release their self-titled debut in the U.S. on January 10, 2006 via Capitol EMI. The track listing is the same as the European release but with two added bonus tracks: "Crazy Train" (live) and "Good Times" (live). The group's "Live & Loud" DVD will be issued on the same date, featuring the following bonus footage: documentary, "In the Name of God" (film clip), TV commercials, photo gallery, biographies.

The cover artwork for the upcoming IN FLAMES album, "Come Clarity", has been posted online here.

As previously reported, "Come Clarity" will include a free bonus DVD featuring the band performing the album in full in a rehearsal room, akin to what METALLICA did with initial versions of their "St. Anger" album. In addition, one of the album's songs — "Dead End" — features the vocals of Swedish singer/songwriter Lisa Miskovsky.

"Come Clarity", is scheduled for a February 7, 2006 North American release through Ferret Records. The CD will be issued in Europe on February 6, 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The follow-up to 2004's "Soundtrack to Your Escape", "Come Clarity" was mixed at Tonteknik studio in Umeå, Sweden and is "the best one we've ever done," according to IN FLAMES guitarist Jesper Strömblad. A video for the album's opening track, "Take This Life", was shot late last month with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL).

"Come Clarity" track listing:

01. Take This Life
02. Leeches
03. Reflect The Storm
04. Dead End
05. Scream
06. Come Clarity
07. Vacuum
08. Pacing Death's Trail
09. Crawling Through Knives
10. Versus Terminus
11. Our Infinite Struggle
12. Vanishing Light
13. Your Bedtime Story Is Scaring Everyone

Eight dates have been announced for IN FLAMES' upcoming North American headlining tour in support of their highly anticipated new album, "Come Clarity". Support at the shows will come from Orlando's TRIVIUM, California's DEVILDRIVER and Greensburg, Pennsylvania's ZAO.

Belgian black metal pioneers ANCIENT RITES have inked a deal with Season of Mist. The band are currently at Spacelab studio in Germany recording their long-awaited follow-up to 2001's "Dim Carcosa" under the guidance and supervision of veteran producers Oliver Phillips and Christian Moos. The album will most likely be released before the summer of 2006, after which ANCIENT RITES — now a septet since the return of former members Domingo Smets and Raf Jansen last year — will once again play live to spread their new music. Concerts all over Europe and the U.K. are currently being negotiated and arranged, so expect the band to be out there in full blast next year.

Swedish death metallers NECROPHOBIC have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Today [Friday, November 25] we started the recording of the new, fifth full-length album. We will try to run a regular update regarding the progress of the recording process right here on the website. No titles of either the album or any songs will be released at this moment, but as soon as it's time for it, you will get the information here.

"There are a lot of new things happening right now. The studio we're using for this album is a total unknown studio. It's called Dark Voodoo Studio and we will work with new persons as well. The engineering parts will be done by Anders Bentell and Fredrik Folkare (the latter known for being guitarist and producer of UNLEASHED).

"Apart from that, we will also have a new record label for this new album. We recently ended the deal of any forthcoming new albums with Karmageddon Media (ex-Hammerheart Records). More revelaling stuff regarding this matter later on, as well as a possible release schedule/release date."

NECROPHOBIC's follow-up to 2002's "Bloodhymns" is expected to include the track "Blinded by Light, Enlightened by Darkness", which the band performed at the Party.San Open Air festival in Germany.

CADAVERIA, the Italian band featuring former OPERA IX vocalist Cadaveria and ex-OPERA IX drummer/NECRODEATH vocalist Marçelo Santos (a.k.a. Flegias), have finished writing ten new songs their third album, tentatively due next year via Scarlet Records. The recordings for the new CD will begin in early 2006.

CADAVERIA's sophomore album, "Far Away From Conformity", was released in early 2004. The follow-up to 2002's "The Shadows' Madame" was recorded and mixed at Capitan Woofer Studio in Italy and was mastered at the Mastering Room in Sweden.

Two brand-new photos of MINISTRY taken during the recording sessions for their new album, "Rio Grande Blood", at Sonic Ranch studios in Tornillo, Texas have been posted online: Photo#1 (left to right: Tommy Victor [PRONG, ex-DANZIG], Al Jourgensen, Paul Raven [KILLING JOKE]), Photo#2 (left to right: Raven, drummer Mark Baker, Jourgensen, Victor).

As previously reported, rumors continue to abound that SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison will be sitting behind the kit for MINISTRY on their upcoming North American tour, which is scheduled to kick off in early May. Joey is expected to join a touring lineup that will include Jourgensen, Victor and Raven. "Rio Grande Blood" is scheduled for release in April 2006 via Jourgensen's newly launched 13th Planet label.

MINISTRY's MasterBaTour 2006 will consist of 60 dates scheduled throughout the U.S. and Canada beginning on May 6. Support on the trek will come from Al's other band, REVOLTING COCKS. European dates are currently being booked for August and September 2006.

Spinefarm Records has set a February 22, 2006 release date for the new album from Finland's KALMAH, entitled "The Black Waltz". The follow-up to 2003's "Swampsong" is currently being mixed at a studio in Finland and will contain the following ten tracks (in no specific order):

01. Bitter Metallic Side
02. Defeat
03. The Groan of Wind
04. One from the Stands
05. The Black Waltz
06. With Terminal Intensity
07. To the Gallows
08. Time Takes Us All
09. Mindrust
10. Man of the King

A bonus cover track was also laid down during the sessions and will be included on various releases.

Check out pictures from the studio at this location.

Earlier in the year, KALMAH inked a new deal with Spikefarm Records (a division of Spinefarm). Demo samples of the new songs "Bitter Metallic Side" and "Infernal Death" are still available for download at this location.

KALMAH last year announced the addition of keyboardist Marco Sneck (POISONBLACK) to the group's ranks. The group's current lineup is as follows:

Pekka Kokko - Guitar, Vocals
Antti Kokko - Lead Guitar
Janne Kusmin - Drums
Timo Lehtinen - Bass
Marko Sneck - Keyboards

MOTÖRHEAD's video for the track "Whorehouse Blues" has been posted online at Yahoo! Music Germany. The clip was shot in June and features an appearance by MELDRUM frontwoman Moa Holmsten along with "some fine-looking women and 'worldwide celebrities."

"Whorehouse Blues" comes off "Inferno", MOTÖRHEAD's first album of new material since 2002's "Hammered", which was released in the U.S. in June 2004 through Metal-Is Records, a division of the Sanctuary Records Group (the CD was issued in Europe via SPV/Steamhammer Records).

Swedish black metallers MARDUK have finalized the track listing for their new live album, "Warschau", due on December 5 (postponed from the previously announced November 27). Limited to 10,000 copies on CD worldwide, the album will also be released as limited-edition double LP and double picture disc (each limited to 500 copies). Layout for the vinyl edition is being created right now and will be available a few weeks after the CD release.

"Warschau" (view cover here) track listing:

01. The Hangman of Prague
02. Seven Angels, Seven Trumpets
03. Slay The Nazarene
04. Azrael
05. Burn My Coffin
06. Panzer Division Marduk
07. Blutrache
08. Bleached Bones
09. The Black...
10. Steel Inferno
11. On Darkened Wings
12. With Satan and Victorious Weapons
13. Throne of Rats
14. To the Death's Head True
15. Sulphur Souls
16. Warschau
17. Wolves

As previously reported, MARDUK have been confirmed for the 2006 edition of the Inferno Festival, set to take place April 13-15 at the Rockefeller Music Hall and John Dee venues in Oslo, Norway. Also scheduled to appear at the festival are the reunited black metal legends EMPEROR along with 28 other bands that have yet to be announced.

MARDUK will appear with a song from the latest album, "Plague Angel", in the upcoming Swedish movie "Murder Island". The song will also be included on the film's soundtrack, which is set to be released in February 2006. The band are right now sifting through other movie offers. More information will be made available soon.

According to a posting on the Tarja Turunen Fan site, former NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen will have small role in the upcoming Finnish TV production "Pääroolissa". Turunen will reportedly play the part of a "bad mother." The show will begin airing later this year via Finland's TV1.

As previously reported, Turunen will perform Christmas tour, which is scheduled to kick off December 1 in Savonlinna, Finland:

The new AXXIS release PARADISE IN FLAMES will be released in 20th January 2006. With the nice female singer LAKONIA the band recorded a wonderfull album again. The new songs were mixed by Dennis Ward (PC69) and mastered by Jürgen Lusky from the House of Audio studios in Karlsdorf/Germany.

Before the release I was really happy to take a listen to the new material and I've never expected such a great amount of power and amazing melodies.

The bonus material is far better than only a bonus. With the song Break your soul in the background, AXXIS produced "the Making of"-Videoclip with funny impression during the production... You can see them in their own Soundworxx-Studio,in the bathroom,playing table soccer etc.

Tracklist (cover here):

1. Paradise In Flames (Intro)
2. Dance With The Dead
3. Tales Of Glory Island
4. Take My Hand
5. Will God Remember Me
6. Talisman
7. Don `t Leave Me
8. Lady Moon
9. Icewind
10. Stay By Me
11. Gods Of Rain
12. Passion For Rock
* ADDS: Screensaver, Video (The making of Paradise in flames etc.)
* Bonus song: Break your soul, Tales of glory Island (extended version)

OSI (OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INFLUENCE), the project featuring FATES WARNING guitarist Jim Matheos, ex-DREAM THEATER keyboardist Kevin Moore and DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Jim, Kevin and Mike were at Carriage House Studios in Connecticut on November 18-20 tracking drums for the forthcoming OSI album. Jim and Kevin are now tracking guitars and vocals, and mixing will take place in January. More information will be posted on this site (track listing, release dates, etc.) as it becomes available."

OSI's debut album, which came out in 2003 via InsideOut Music, also included former CYNIC bassist Sean Malone.

A rough-mix version of a brand-new KATAKLYSM track, entitled "Like Angels Weeping (The Dark)", has been posted online at this location. The song comes off the Canadian death metallers' upcoming album, "In the Arms of Devastation", due on February 20, 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was mixed in Denmark by acclaimed producer Tue Madsen.

As previously reported, KATAKLYSM have tapped director Maurice Swinkels from LowlifeMedia (EXODUS, ABORTED, GOREFEST) to film the band's video for the track "Crippled & Broken", from the upcoming album. The conceptual clip will be shot in Amsterdam, Netherlands in early March, shortly prior to the band's European co-headlining tour as part of the No Mercy festival.

Long-running German metallers PARADOX will play their first show in five years at the Keep It True VI festival, set to take place April 8, 2006 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. Also scheduled to appear at the event are RIOT, EXCITER, ROSS THE BOSS (performing a set of early MANOWAR material) and SOLITUDE AETURNUS, among others.

PARADOX mainman Charly Steinhauer (vocals, guitar) is currently writing material for the group's long-awaited new studio album, tentatively due in 2006. The band's current lineup consists of the following:

Charly Steinhauer - Vocals, Guitar
Kai Pasemann - Guitar
Fabian Schwarz - Guitar
Andi Siegl - Bass
Chris Weiß – Drums

Steinhauer recently contributed his vocals to "Fate Is Calling", the debut album from MAJESTY mastermind Tarek "MS" Maghary's solo project DAWNRIDER.

Finland's WALTARI have inked a deal with Dockyard 1, the new company formed by Dirk Putzke, Christine Stephan (both ex-Sanctuary/Noise Records) and Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR). The band's new album, "Blood Sample" (view cover here), is scheduled for release in March 2006. The 79-minute effort features the following track listing:

Part I:

01. Helsinki
02. Not Enough
03. Too Much Emptiness
04. Never
05. New York
06. I'm In Pain
07. All Roads Will Lead To Rome
08. Digging Inside

Part II:

09. Fly Into The Light
10. Shades To Grace
11. Aching Eyes
12. Back To The Audio
13. Pigeons
14. Exterminator Warheads
15. Darling Boy
16. Wide Awake
17. Julia