ANGTORIA, the new Swedish/British orchestral/metal band formed by female singer Sarah Jezebel Deva (CRADLE OF FILTH, THERION, MORTIIS), composer Chris Rehn (ABYSSOS) and Tommy Rehn (MOAHNI MOAHNA), have inked a deal with France's Listenable Records. The group's debut album is tentatively scheduled for release in the spring. A full-length MP3 of the ANGTORIA demo track "Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough" has been made available for download here. Other songtitles expected to appear on the upcoming CD include "Confide In Me" (KYLIE MINOGUE cover), "Little Girl", "Deity Of Disgust" and "I Cried Alone".

A full-length MP3 of a new SOLITUDE AETURNUS pre-production/demo track, entitled "Sightless", is available for download at this location. A re-recorded version of the cut is expected to appear on the long-running Arlington, Texas-based doom metallers' new studio album, "Alone", due in early 2006 via Massacre Records. Other songtitles set to appear on the group's first studio album since 1998's "Adagio" include "Waiting for the Light", "Scent of Death", "Essence of Black", and "In Hell I Burn".

HATE PROFILE, the new "cold, eerie and chaotic" black metal project featuring Amon 418 (HORTUS ANIMAE, OPPOSITE SIDES) and GroM (ANCIENT, HORTUS ANIMAE, ex-DOOMSWORD, PSYCHORDER), will release their debut album, "The Khaos Hatefile", on December 20 via Cruz del Sur Music. The CD was produced by Amon 418 for Era Vulgaris Musick and the first pressing will be a limited-edition digipack featuring artwork by Fabban of ABORYM. The album is being described by the band as "a truly heart-taking project that moulds the old-school black metal feel with the new world, a must for those who seek a stylish album that dwells in the roots of the genre without fearing experimentation...and some damn good riffs!"

Amon is also engineering the forthcoming HATE PROFILE/DEFIXIO split CD, which features GroM handling the drums for both bands. Era Vulgaris Musick is taking care of the production and visuals creation.

A full-length video of ARCH ENEMY performing the track "Nemesis" live at the UNSW RoundHouse in Sydney, Australia on November 5 has been posted online at HailMetal.com (free registration required). Also included are the clips for "My Apocalypse" and "Taking Back My Soul". A very comprehensive gig review is available at this location.

As previously reported, ARCH ENEMY have recruited Fredrik Åkesson as a replacement for Chris Amott (guitar) for the continued "Doomsday Machine" touring campaign. Åkesson has lent his awesome guitar talent to such varied artists such as TALISMAN, JOHN NORUM, KRUX, TIAMAT and his own (now defunct) group, SOUTHPAW.

ARCH ENEMY's latest album, "Doomsday Machine", entered the official German Top 100 chart at position No. 34. The CD was co-produced by the band and Rickard Bengtsson at Slaughterhouse Studio in Sweden and was mixed by Andy Sneap at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, U.K.

A brand-new DRAGONFORCE track, entitled "Through the Fire and Flames", is available for download at this location.
The song comes off the London-based "extreme power metal" band's upcoming third album, "Inhuman Rampage", due on January 9, 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "Sonic Firestorm" was recorded at Thin Ice Studios in Virginia Water (Surrey) and guitarist Herman Li's own studio in West London between April and September, while production duties were shared between Li, fellow axeman Sam Totman and keyboard player Vadim Pruzhanov.

"Inhuman Rampage" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Through the Fire and Flames
02. Revolution Deathsquad
03. Storming the Burning Fields
04. Operation Ground and Pound
05. Body Breakdown
06. Cry for Eternity
07. The Flame of Youth
08. Trail of Broken Hearts

The album will be released on CD and picture vinyl, with the CD featuring an enhanced section and other surprise goodies.

DRAGONFORCE recently parted ways with bassist Adrian Lambert and are currently seeking a replacement. Former HEAVENLY/current MALADAPTIVE guitarist Frederic Leclercq will fill in on a temporary basis for their upcoming shows in the U.S. and Canada during November.

Former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider and ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick will be making guest appearances on the new LORDI album, entitled "The Arockalypse". Dirkschneider will visit the band in the studio this week and is expected to contribute his distinctive voice to a song called "They Only Come Out at the Night".

"Udo has my absolute favourite heavy metal voice," said LORDI leader Mr. Lordi. "I saw U.D.O. on the 'Animal House' tour in 1998. I was there in the first row, and since that I've been to every single U.D.O. and ACCEPT gig in Finland. His voice has influenced me a lot. I'm sure that some fans may have noticed how I sometimes desperately try to imitate his singing style," Mr. Lordi laughed.

Bruce Kulick, KISS's lead guitarist for 12 years and a member of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, UNION and ESP, will play a solo in a song called "Snowing in Hell".

"We are all huge KISS fans, so to co-operate with a legend like Mr. Kulick is the greatest honor we could get!" LORDI guitarist Amen said. "I remember when I was a kid and I saw KISS's video 'Who Wants to Be Lonely' where Bruce Kulick is playing a solo in a shower. Well, of course I wanted to be like him! Me and my friends went to my parents' garden, and while the others spurted water all over me I was playing a guitar — it was a lot of fun! This is something I never could have imagined, even in my wildest dreams. To play guitar on the same track with Bruce Kulick is just unbelievable."

"Without KISS, we wouldn't have our little band", added Mr. Lordi. "I grew up in the '80s, and I grew up with KISS with Bruce in the group. So, for me personally in some way, Bruce Kulick is the 'real' lead guitarist of KISS! Also, KISS's musical influence on LORDI comes primarily from the Eighties lineup."

"The Arockalypse" is tentatively scheduled for release early next year.

ANTIMATTER's Mick Moss has recently wrapped up the writing for the group's fourth album, entitled "Leaving Eden". A tentative track listing is as follows:

01. Leaving Eden
02. The Freak Show
03. Another Face In A Window
04. Ghosts
05. Fighting For A Lost Cause
06. Redemption
07. Conspire
08. The Immaculate Misconception
09. Too Late

Recording should take place sometime in spring 2006 at Studio 33 ("Planetary Confinement"). Confirmed guest musicians on the CD include Danny Cavanagh (ANATHEMA) and Chris Phillips (drums; "Planetary Confinement").

Check www.antimatter.tk where there is still a free four-track live video available for download, including full artwork to print off. "Antimatter 06 06 03" was filmed during their 2003 tour and features live acoustic renditions of "The Last Laugh", "Going Nowhere/Destiny", "In Stone" and "Empty".

In July of 2005 the band released to rave reviews "Planetary Confinement", an mesmerizing and stripped-down collection of songs that further extended the band's emotional journey of sorrow and pain. Around the same time of the release date founding member Duncan Patterson (ex-ANATHEMA) decided leave the band to pursue his solo project ION.

INCANTATION's video for the track "Dying Divinity" has been posted online at this location (.AVI file). The song comes off the Pennsylvanian death/grind heavyweights' most recent CD, "Decimate Christendom", which came out in Europe in August 2004 via Listenable Records.

INCANTATION are currently working on the material for a new studio album, to be recorded in the spring of 2006. A summer/fall release via Listenable (Century Media in the U.S.) is expected.

German power metallers FREEDOM CALL have announced the addition of bassist Armin Donderer to the egroup's ranks. "He convinced us mainly with his great musical abilities," drummer Daniel Zimmermann (GAMMA RAY) writes on the group's web site. "With him, the band sounds more compact and groovy. He is a nice guy and fits very well into our band."

FREEDOM CALL's latest studio album, "The Circle of Life", was released in March via SPV Records. A live album, entitled "Live Invasion", came out in May 2004. The disc, which was recorded on the band's tour with BLIND GUARDIAN, came with a special bonus CD featuring the "Tears of Taragon" EP plus two tracks that were previously only available in Japan.

The Gothenburg, Sweden-based metal band EVERGREY are prepating to enter the studio to record their sixth studio album, tentatively due in April 2006 via InsideOut Music. The production duties will be handled by the experienced team of Sanken Sandquist and Stefan Glaumann, who have previously worked with such artists as RAMMSTEIN, BON JOVI, BRITNEY SPEARS and DEF LEPPARD.

Commented EVERGREY mainman Tom S. Englund: "It feels amazing to work with such an experienced team and we are convinced that they are able to lift us even higher than before."

EVERGREY recently signed a new one-album deal with InsideOut Music. The band will also participate at the kick-off party for the Sweden Rock Festival at Annexet in Stockholm on December 3, 2005. Also scheduled to appear are SAXON, CLAWFINGER and KROKUS.

EVERGREY's "A Night to Remember" DVD topped the official Swedish music DVD chart in its first week of release last May.

"A Night to Remember" was filmed on October 9, 2004 in Gothenburg, Sweden with 15 high-definition cameras by video producer Patric Ullaeus (LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR) and includes all six of the group's videos to date. A second DVD disc includes backstage material, in-depth interviews with each of the members, gear-talk, live material from the beginning of their career, festivals, old demo songs and tons of pictures.

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

"GRAVE will perform at this year's Arnhem Metal Meeting [in Holland]. Sharing the stage with DISMEMBER, DESTRUCTION and CANDLEMASS will be a night to remember. Also added are the dates for the upcoming European 'The Domination Tour 2006'. Be sure to check out the dates for your chance to see CRYPTOPSY, GRAVE, DEW-SCENTED, ABORTED, VESANIA and HURTLOCKER. Probably one of the most brutal packages ever put together...

"We are currently writing new material for our upcoming album. Seven songs are finished and more are in progress. Two of the tracks have been recorded as a studio tryout and also to get an idea of what it will sound like as finished tracks."

GRAVE's latest album, "Fiendish Regression", was released in August 2004 through Century Media Records. The group's sixth full-length effort was recorded and mixed at Abyss studio with producers Tommy and Peter Tägtgren. 11 tracks were recorded for the album, including nine brand new songs, a cover version of the SAINT VITUS classic "Burial At Sea" and a re-recording of a old GRAVE song "Autopsied", which was originally written and recorded for promotion in 1989.

Former NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen will take part in a press day in Berlin, Germany on Monday, November 14 to discuss her split from the group and her future plans.

As previously reported, Tarja's final performance with NIGHTWISH — which took place on October 21 at the Hartwall arena in Helsinki, Finland — was filmed professionally for an upcoming DVD, "End of an Era", tentatively due in late 2006.

A 30-second video clip of NIGHTWISH's final performance with frontwoman Tarja Turunen, which took place on October 21 at the Hartwall arena in Helsinki, Finland, has been posted online. Check it out: Real Media, Quicktime. The concert was filmed professionally for an upcoming DVD, "End of an Era", tentatively due in late 2006. The group's setlist for the show was as follows:

01. Dark Chest Of Wonders
02. Planet Hell
03. Ever Dream
04. The Kinslayer
05. Phantom Of The Opera
06. The Siren
07. Sleeping Sun
08. High Hopes
09. Bless The Child
10. Wishmaster
11. Slaying The Dreamer
12. Kuolema tekee taiteilijan
13. Nemo
14. Ghost Love Score
Encore:
15. Creek Mary's Blood
16. Over The Hills And Far Away
17. Wish I Had An Angel

NIGHTWISH fired Turunen via an "open letter," which was given to the singer immediately following the Helsinki show. The group are currently seeking a replacement vocalist before entering the studio in September 2006 to begin recording the follow-up to 2004's "Once", tentatively due in mid-2007.

Swedish power metallers AXENSTAR have inked a long-term deal with Massacre Records. The grup recently parted ways with guitarist Peter Johansson and Thomas Eriksson due to "personal reasons." The three remaining members will continue with the help of new lead guitarist Joakim Jonsson (SKYFIRE, THE MIST OF AVALON).

AXENSTAR will enter the studio in April to record their fourth album, tentatively due in late 2006. The band were previously signed to the Arise label.

DISFEAR, the Swedish "crust rock" outfit featuring former AT THE GATES/THE CROWN vocalist Tomas Lindberg and ex-ENTOMBED guitarist Uffe Cederlund, have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Dear friends. We finally have some news from you. Last month we moved to a new rehearsal room and this change has meant a huge boost in inspiration for us. We have started rehearsing big time and some new songtitles for the upcoming album are 'Phantom', 'Sharpen the Knives', 'One-Way Communication', 'Deadweight' and 'The Furnace'. These are still working titles and they may change. There might be a chance we will hit the Swedish road for a couple of dates to try some of this new stuff out, but more on this soon."

DISFEAR's follow-up to 2003's "Misanthropic Generation" is expected to surface next year via Relapse Records.

LACUNA COIL frontwoman Cristina Scabbia recently spoke to Decibel magazine about "Karmacode", the group's long-awaited follow-up to their 2002 breakthrough album "Comalies".

"The album is a trip through different spiritualities, not specific religions," Cristina said. "We wanted to analyze how religion and spirituality can in our day coexist. Look at the title — we mix something generally spiritual like 'karma' with 'code,' which is modern and recent concept. The word is modern and spiritual at once."

"The music is the same and we did not change or become a different kind of band. It's an evolution, and it's precise. We spent three years on the road, visiting new territories, like the U.S., so we took different American influences and we mixed them with our European sound. We take the power of American bands and blend it with the romanticism and passion from Europe, so it's an interesting combination."

Scabbia insists that LACUNA COIL are in the most positive headspace of their career and that the recording was relatively relaxed.

"I think that the wrong thing for a band to do is to feel pressure from the label or even the fans," she said. "You have to be creative and do what you feel comfortable with. There is no set recipe for a successful album, so you don't stress about it. If you think you have to do this or that, it will never work. You have to be honest and put out the music you like. At the end of the day, we don't care. We're satisfied."

LACUNA COIL recently presented six songs from "Karmacode" to members of the world music press at the Galaxy Studios in Mol, Belgium. The band worked in the studio with Grammy award-winning mastering engineer Darcy Proper, whose previous credits include PORCUPINE TREE's "Deadwing".

The highly anticipated CD was co-produced once again by Waldemar Sorychta and was mixed by Ronald Prent (RAMMSTEIN, H.I.M., IRON MAIDEN). Songtitles set to appear on the album include "What I See", "Fragile", "In Visible Light", "Fragments of Faith", "Within Me" and "Our Truth".

"Karmacode" is tentatively scheduled for release in March 2006 via Century Media Records.

Danish metallers ILLDISPOSED have entered Combi Sound Studio in Aarhus, Denmark with producer Ziggy to begin recording the follow-up to last year's "1-800 Vindication", tentatively due in Europe in early 2006 via Roadrunner Records. A U.S. release has yet to be confirmed. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Case of the Late Pig", "Nothing to Fear...Do It", "Master and Servant", "The widow Black", "Back to the Street", "Shine Crazy" and "Our Heroin Recess".

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on September 12, veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers VICIOUS RUMORS have now confirmed that vocalist James Rivera (HELSTAR, SEVEN WITCHES, KILLING MACHINE) has officially joined the band. The group have also announced the addition of guitarist Brad Gillis (NIGHT RANGER, OZZY OSBOURNE) to their ranks. A posting on VICIOUS RUMORS' web site reads as follows:

"Brad Gillis returns to metal and beyond with VICIOUS RUMORS for the next studio CD and tour. Brad blew everyone away when he took over for the late Randy Rhoads touring with Ozzy in '82 and '83 and did all the guitar work on the 'Speak of the Devil – Live' and then went on to platinum success with NIGHT RANGER. His mind bending guitar playing is perfect for the VICIOUS RUMORS guitar team and is sure to provide some scorching riff exchanges!

"James Rivera joins VICIOUS RUMORS, bringing soaring vocals and a true metal spirit to the band. James has performed, recorded and toured with many legendary metal outfits. He brings a powerful sound and creativity. A true pro, James has the tools to carry on in the VICIOUS RUMORS legacy."

Commented VICIOUS RUMORS guitarist Geoff Thorpe: "This is truly a new and exciting time in VICIOUS RUMORS. I look forward to unleashing this new animal on the next CD and tour! The chemistry between the five of us is wicked!"

The recording sessions for the new CD will start in January 2006. A tour in support of the album will kick off next spring/summer.

A full-length MP3 of a new GREEN CARNATION track, entitled "Alone", has been made available for download at this location (3.4 MB). The track comes off the Norwegian band's upcoming release, "The Acoustic Verses", due in North American on January 24, 2006 via The End Records.

"The Acoustic Verses" finds the sextet successfully maneuvering through acoustic realms, peppered with passionate guitar riffs and eloquent melodies. It's a distant step from their prog metal/hard rock ways of previous material, but in many ways, it's what you’d expect from a band like GREEN CARNATION. Never one to stand still.

"The Acoustic Verses" track listing:

01. Sweet Leaf
02. The Burden is Mine... Alone
03. Maybe?
04. Alone
05. 9-29-045 (3 parts)
- My Greater Cause
- Homecoming
- House of Cards
06. Childs Play part III
07. High Tide Waves

THE GATHERING DVD "A Sound Relief" is now available in the shops! The DVD is available through Psychonaut Records in Europe and you can also order it via the Gathering e-shop. There are plan to have the DVD released by other licensers, such as Irond for
Russian market, but it will take some time.

Since a couple of days, we have video "Alone" available in streaming on http://www.gathering.nl, you can view it in high or low resolution and you'll have to make sure your browser accept popup windows from the website! Please
note it can take up to a minute for the streaming to start, this is normal.

The Gathering has now started the recording of their 8th full-length album with producer Attie Bauw ["How To Measure A Planet?"].

According to an interview Anneke gave for the website Vampire magazine, the album could be released at the end of the winter 2006: " I think the new album will be out in March 2006, don’t quote me on that but it should be around that time. And we would like to kick off the tour right after the release until the end of the year."

Until then you'll have to patient with the beautiful DVD "A Sound Relief" and for the people with nostalgia, Century Media is going to release 2 CDs edition of "Mandylion" featuring the regular "Mandylion" album, a new booklet
and a 2nd CD with demo version of the songs, which are the first recordings ever with Anneke on vocals! Let's hope it will feed your appetite until the next records comes out!

U.K.-based black/death quintet BAL-SAGOTH have issued the following update on the recording proces for their long-awaited sixth album:

"The musical instruments for the sixth BAL-SAGOTH album have finally been recorded after a long delay. The vocal session can now begin imminently, which will be followed by the final mix. Fans who are impatiently awaiting the much anticipated sixth album can understand that the band always seeks to ensure their work is of the absolute highest standard, and to achieve that standard sometimes takes a considerable amount of time. But finally, the album is almost complete and the wait is almost over!

"Just some of the highlights fans can look forward to on the sixth album are:

1) The thrilling second chapter of the epic 'Obsidian Crown' saga, which began way back on the second BAL-SAGOTH album 'Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule' from 1996! Fans who have waited almost ten years to find out what happens next in this thrilling story will finally get their wish!

2) The best and most dynamic organic orchestral synth sounds ever heard! Much time and effort has been put into refining the famousBAL-SAGOTH keyboard sound to its ultimate level, and every advance in modern audial technology has been taken advantage of. On the sixth album fans will experience amazing symphonic sounds which exceed every other release, sounding totally and uncannily genuine. Real orchestra! Real choirs! Real metal!

3) Incredible new artwork and expansive lyric booklet! The lyric booklet for the sixth album will be the biggest and most elaborate one yet. Multiple full colour pages, in depth text and amazing new artwork by renowned fantasy artist Martin Hanford. The packaging for the sixth album will be the best publication so far."

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"What a freakin' busy week! I have spent almost every day sorting out my studio area, as well as the tremendous amount of work that is happening out of L.A. at Benchmark Entertainment, EMI, William Morris, Sony Signatures (merchandise company), wrapping up our year of touring with Haber Corp., and all of our Lampstand guys from the road returning and storing all of our gear from all over the world until the next tour.

"I am one week away from starting the actual tracking process of the next record's pre-production, and have quite a lot of other projects (some super top secret) to keep me busy in the meantime. Next week I have a few trips up the coast to review the Gigantour DVD that is in progress, as well as meet with EMI, and try to stop by Sensei Benny's to find a trainer down here in Fallbrook, which is actually in San Diego County. I also have my coveted Argentina live CD to review. And let us not forget, we close the contest for the Christmas card on the 7th of this month. We will decide and crown our winner that day and notify all our friends here.

"We should find out some time this month who some of our confirmed acts are going to be for Gigantour 2006, as well as where we are going outside of the U.S. and Canada. No rest for the wicked!

"Lastly, I have been lurking, as you have prolly noticed, and I must say that there is a girl who is making my snarl face in her avatar and I love it! Also, if people are new here, the MEGADETH topics board is pretty tame, and I prefer it like that for people who are getting to know us, or for younger Droogs who are coming here for their first time. So if you have something else to get off yer chest or whatever you prefer to call it, try the Bitch Board, Total Anarchy, or the PW Boards.

A video clip of OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt teaching the crowd how to growl death metal-style at the band's October 30 show in Worcester, MA has been posted online at this location.

OPETH are currently touring in support of their new album, "Ghost Reveries", available now on Roadrunner Records.

OPETH utilized the services of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD drummer Gene Hoglan during the bulk of this summer's Sounds of the Underground tour after the group's regular skinsman, Martin Lopez, went back to Sweden for treatment of a rare blood disorder he's had for most of his life. The band have since enlisted Martin Axenrot (BLOODBATH, WITCHERY, NIFELHEIM) to take over Lopez' duties until he's fully recovered.

Swedish technical death metallers ANATA have revealed the track listing for their new album, "The Conductor's Departure", due in early 2006 via Wicked World/Earache Records. The follow-up to last year's "Under a Stone with No Inscription" was recorded at StudioMega in Varberg, Sweden.

"The Conductor's Departure" track listing:

01. Downward Spiral into Madness
02. Complete Demise
03. Better Grieved than Fooled
04. The Great Juggler
05. Cold Heart Forged in Hell
06. I Would Dream of Blood
07. Disobedience Pays
08. Children's Laughter
09. Renunciation
10. The Conductor's Departure

ANATA's next live appearance will take place on November 25 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Also appearing on the bill will be VOMITORY. The group's previously announced show on November 5 has been postponed until a later date.

Swedish melodic power metal band INSANIA will enter Studio Underground in Västerås, Sweden at the end of November for a three-week recording that will culminate in the creation of the band's fourth album. Entitled "Agony - Gift of Life", the CD will be produced by Pelle Saether and is tentatively set for an April/May 2006 release through Black Lodge Records. The band's latest album, "Fantasy - A New Dimension", was mixed by Mikko Karmila at Finnvox Studios and was released in February 2003.

"Agony - Gift of Life" projected track listing (not final order):

01. Facing My Destiny
02. Hope
03. Dreams
04. Gift of Life
05. Fight for Life
06. One Day
07. Time Passes By
08. To Live Another Day
09. Alive
10. Valley of Sunlight
11. Time of Glory
12. How Does It Feel

German power metallers ANGEL DUST have recruited ex-EVERFLOW vocalist Carsten Kaiser as the replacement for the band's previous singer, Dirk Thurisch. As a result of this lineup change, the recordings for the group's new album have been pushed back to March 2006. According to guitarist Bernd Aufermann (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.

ANGEL DUST's most recent album, "Of Human Bondage", came out in 2002.