Veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS have finalized the track listing for their new album, "Shovel Headed Kill Machine", due on October 5 via Nuclear Blast Records. Recorded at Trident studios in Pacheco, California and mixed by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY), the follow-up to 2004's "Tempo of the Damned" is the band's first to feature new members Lee Altus (guitar; HEATHEN, ex-DIE KRUPPS), Paul Bostaph (drums; ex-SLAYER, FORBIDDEN) and Rob Dukes (vocals).

"Shovel Headed Kill Machine" track listing:

01. Raze
02. Deathamphetamine
03. Kharma's Messenger
04. Shudder To Think
05. I Am Abomination
06. Altered Boy
07. Going Going Gone
08. Now Thy Death Day Come
09. 44 Magnum Opus
10. Shoevel Headed Kill Machine

Check out the album artwork at Rockdetector.com.

EXODUS recently parted ways with longtime guitarist Rick Hunolt due to Rick's desire to concentrate on his family life.

Swedish black metal titans NAGLFAR have uploaded their video for the track "The Perpetual Horrors" at their official web site. Download it at Naglfar.net. The clip, which was directed by Roger Johansson (DARK TRANQUILLITY, NAPALM DEATH, SAMAEL, HAMMERFALL, THE HAUNTED), can also be found at CenturyMedia.com.

"The Perpetual Horrors" comes off NAGLFAR's new album, "Pariah", available now on Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Sheol", "Pariah" is described in a Century Media press release as "a flawless work of iniquitous hell-spawned art filled with raging guitar riffs, bludgeoning drums, demonic vocals, that combine with haunting melodies to capture hell's eternal depravity."

Polish black metal masters VESANIA, featuring Orion (BEHEMOTH) and Daray (VADER), have posted the following message on their official web site:

"After a month of everyday work, we've finally finished the rehearsals with new guitarist. Now we can easily and surely inform you all, that the new musician is Valeo, known from the bands SAMMATH NAUR and MORTIS DEI. He'll be with us on upcoming tours, which we start in January 2006. Working with him, preparing the material for live performances, was really smooth. We can now say, that he's a skilled musician and a person, with which we're having good relation. There's a few months break in rehearsals coming at the moment, but in December we're meeting again, to arrange the very last details before the tours."

VESANIA released their sophomore album, "God the Lux", on July 25 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Firefrost Arcanum" was recorded between September 2004 and January 2005. Drums, guitars and vocals were laid down at Hendrix studio in Lublin with engineer Arkadiusz "Malta" Malczewski, while the bass tracks were recorded at Kokszoman studio in Warsaw with engineer Marecki. The keyboards were tracked at Siegmar's home studio.

"God the Lux" was mixed and mastered in February 2005 at Hertz studio in Bialystok, Poland by Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawski and VESANIA.

Danish metallers ILLDISPOSED have announced the addition of guitarist Martin Thim to the group's ranks. "Martin is known for his longtime work with the Danish death metallers EXMORTEM, and he has been a friend of ILLDISPOSED for many years," ILLDISPOSED write on their web site.

"Martin begins in the band immediately, both playing live and participating in creating the next album. Therefore we are aiming to give some of the new songs a more hard and brutal twist. The next album will be out on Roadrunner Records early 2006."

As previously reported, ILLDISPOSED will enter the studio in November to begin recording the follow-up to last year's "1-800 Vindication". "1-800 Vindication" was produced by Ziggy and was mixed at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark with Tue Madsen.

Long-running German thrashers DESTRUCTION have announced the following worldwide release dates for their new album, "Inventor of Evil":

Europe – August 22 via AFM Records
Japan – August 24 via King Records
South America – September 30 via Laser
North America – October 25 via Candlelight Records

DESTRUCTION recorded "Inventor of Evil" with producer Peter Tätgtren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN), V.O. Pulver (GURD) and their live engineer Franky Winkelmann at studios in Germany and Switzerland. The mix was done by Tätgtren at the Abyss Studios in Sweden. A "making of" studio clip, featuring an unmastered rough-mix recording of the song "Soulcollector", is available at this location.

"Inventor of Evil" (view cover here ) track listing:

01. Soul Collector
02. The Defiance Will Remain
03. The Alliance of Helloundz
04. No Man's Land
05. The Calm Before the Storm
06. The Chosen Ones
07. Dealer of Hostility
08. Under Surveillance
09. Seeds of Hate
10. Twist of Fate
11. Killing Machine
12. Memories of Nothingness

Bonus tracks (digipack):

13. We are the Road Crew (MOTÖRHEAD cover)
14. The Alliance of Hellhoundz (Schmier vocals only)
video clip + wallpapers

Japanese version bonus tracks:

13. Eternal Ban (re-recording)
14. The Alliance of Hellhoundz (karaoke version)

DESTRUCTION tapped nine diferent world-renowned metal singers from all different heavy metal styles to make a guest appearance in their track "The Alliance of Hellhoundz", to be included on "Inventor of Evil". The confirmed guest musicians are as follows:

Biff Byford (SAXON)
Doro Pesch
Shagrath (DIMMU BORGIR)
Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK)
Paul Di'Anno (ex-IRON MAIDEN, KILLERS)
Messiah Marcolin (CANDLEMASS)
Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL)
Peter "Peavy" Wagner (RAGE)
Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN)

Commented DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, "The all-star song 'The Alliance of Hellhoundz' will make metal history: from Paul Di'Anno to Messiah, we'll have the best metal singers in ONE fuckin' song!"

DESTRUCTION recently completed a video for 'The Alliance of Hellhoundz'.

The first sound clip from GREEN CARNATION's forthcoming album, "Acoustic Verses", is now available online.

The band has been working hard on the album all summer — in between multiple shows and festival appearances. The short, 45-second clip (still untitled) has been made available to the public for the first time. The material is so fresh it hasn't even been mixed or mastered yet.

The sample is short, but as GREEN CARNATION's singer Kjetil Nordhus points out, "You could see it as a teaser for those interested in the band."

"Acoustic Verses" is to be released later this year on newly launched label, SubLife Productions.

The GREEN CARNATION clip and accompanying artwork for the album, along with clips of other future SubLife releases can be found at www.sublifeproductions.com.

THE PROJECT HATE, the Swedish band featuring Jörgen Sandström of ENTOMBED/GRAVE fame on lead vocals, have uploaded one-minute audio samples of all the cuts from their upcoming album, "Armageddon March Eternal (Symphonies of Slit Wrists)", at their official web site. Check them out at this location. A full-length MP3 of the album cut "At the Entrance to Hell's Unholy Fire" is available for download here.

"Armageddon March Eternal (Symphonies of Slit Wrists)" is scheduled for release on October 5 via Threeman Recordings. The follow-up to 2003's "Hate, Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate" was produced by Dan Swanö and features a special guest appearance by EVERGREY bassist Michael Håkansson, who completed his tracks at his studio in Gothenburg before the entire recording was shipped off to Swanö to be mixed and mastered.

Commented the band in a posting on their web site: "We are so satisifed with what we have achieved together with Dan Swanö and Michael of EVERGREY and really look forward to have you fuckos understand the Domination that is this piece of coming plastic."

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's video for the song "Unretrofied" has been posted online at this location(Windows Media).

"Unretrofied" is the third music video from the group's sophomore full-length album, "Miss Machine", available now on Relapse Records. The band are asking fans to vote for the video on Fuse TV's web site.

The follow-up to 1999's "Calculating Infinity", "Miss Machine" was recorded at New York's Mission and Water recording studios with Steve Evetts (HATEBREED, THE CURE, SEPULTURA, etc) and was mixed at New York's Quad Recording Studios.

DILLINGER's last video, "Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants", was filmed on location in Union City, NJ with director Dale Resteghini (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL).

DEEP PURPLE frontman Ian Gillan recently spoke to Rockdetector.com's Garry Sharpe-Young about his upcoming album "Gillan's Inn" — a celebration of Ian's 40th year on the road, featuring remakes of tracks spanning Ian's entire career. An excerpt from the chat follows:

Rockdetector.com: Ex-SCORPIONS man Uli Jon Roth, a genius on the guitar but not one to usually step outside of his own bubble [makes an appearance on the album]. How did you come to work with Uli?

Ian Gillan: "That one was just down to good timing actually. Uli came down to see us playing in Plymouth and, as often happens, musicians say to each other, 'If ever you need me…' Most times these conversations don't go anywhere beyond the pleasantry, but this time I could fire straight back and say, 'Actually, Uli…' So, Uli gave me two marvelous solos for the record. Wait until you hear them, they are just wonderful."

Rockdetector.com: I was going to ask you if you considered any of the DEEP PURPLE catalogue too sacrosanct but that question became redundant as soon as I saw "Smoke on the Water", "Speed King" and "Demon's Eye" listed.

Ian Gillan: "Well, 'Smoke on the Water' is a big, big part of my history and a big part of why I'm here and able to do what I do. I couldn't really ignore that, but at the same time, you have to recognize that a lot of those songs, [like] 'Smoke…', 'Child In Time', 'Highway Star', etc. are snapshots in time and cannot be improved. They are what they are. It would be foolish to try and recapture that magic, because you can't. So, what I did with 'Smoke on the Water' was to treat it respectfully, it's a fairly regular version, but use it as a showcase for some of the guitarists to work with. On there you have Jeff Healey, Steve Morse, Joe Satriani… The talent there is incredible."

Rockdetector.com: Now, with BLACK SABBATH's "Trashed" I sense your wicked sense of humor coming out. I remember distinctly the 1983 "Born Again" version of BLACK SABBATH, which you fronted, quickly being branded "Black Purple" by a scathing media. Now, two decades later you’re having the last laugh by truly creating "Black Purple" with yourself, Tony Iommi, Roger Glover and Ian Paice.

Ian Gillan: "How could I resist? Look, I love that record and have nothing but great, great memories of my time with BLACK SABBATH. Tony was really busy but got his solos to me at the last minute as he promised and they are just fantastic. I think BLACK SABBATH fans will be over the moon when they hear what he's done. As for Roger and Ian, well, they just sound great on this song so it really did become 'Black Purple'. Personally, I love the irony of it all."

Read the entire interview at Rockdetector.com.

SPV Records has announced the signing of BEYOND FEAR, the brand new hard-hitting metal outfit founded by current ICED EARTH and former JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens. The band is preparing to enter the studio with producer Jim Morris (ICED EARTH, DEATH) to record their debut album for a 2006 release. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "I Don't Need This", "And You Will Die", "It Is Me", "Telling Lies", "The Faith", "The Human Race", "Your Time Has Come" and "My Last Words".

"It feels great to sign with SPV," Owens commented. "I have been with them for quite some time now with ICED EARTH, so I know what they can do. It is always nice to have a label that makes you feel like family, and that's what SPV does for you!"

The band is off to a fast start, having recently announced their participation in a series of American dates with SAVATAGE leader Jon Oliva (JON OLIVA'S PAIN) and SAVATAGE axeman Chris Caffery. The tour kicks off on September 9, 2005 in Cleveland OH, with remaining dates pending.

Never one to sit still for long, Owens began forming BEYOND FEAR last year during breaks in the ICED EARTH touring schedule. The band also features John Comprix (SPAWN, 13 FACES) on lead and rhythm guitar, Dennis Hayes (ex-WINTERS BANE, SEVEN WITCHES) on bass, Dwane Bihary (MISSING SKIN) on rhythm guitar, and drummer Eric Elkins (CRYPTKICKER, ALL YOU FEAR). "This band means a lot to me and I'm having the time of my life doing it," continued Owens. "It's fun when you finally get to do what you want. That being said, let's get this machine called BEYOND FEAR out there for the world to hear and see."

SPV Managing Director, Manfred Schuetz, explains, "Tim is one of the five best singers in metal. He will deliver an album that will convince everyone. SPV is excited about the worldwide commitment."

A radio-broadcast-quality MP3 of CHILDREN OF BODOM's cover of the BRITNEY SPEARS hit "Oops I Did It Again", which appears on CHILDREN OF BODOM's "In Your Face" single, is available for download at this location.

The "In Your Face" single, which is scheduled for release in Finland on August 17 via Spinefarm, will contain the following track listing:

01. In Your Face
02. Oops I Did It Again
03. In Your Face (censored version)

A total of two cover songs were recorded during the recording sessions for the group's new album, "Are You Dead Yet?". The second cover song, POISON's "Talk Dirty to Me", will be used as bonus track for the Japanese version of the album.

"Are You Dead Yet?" is scheduled for release on September 14 in Finland and September 19 in the rest of the world.

BLIND GUARDIAN singer Hansi Kürsch has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"Here is a short update about what is going on at the moment: Frederik [Ehmke, new BLIND GUARDIAN drummer] did some kick-ass drum arrangements for the new songs and now Oliver Holzwarth has started working on the bass arrangements. At the same time André, Marcus and I are fixing final arrangement issues but basically we have finished the biggest part of composing. We are going to start the production for the new album somewhere during the last days of August. As you can imagine everyone is highly motivated, excited and of course ready to go."

BLIND GUARDIAN's "very rough" schedule for the next months:

Late August - End of November:
*Recording [and] mixing of the first single
*Video shoot

December 2005/January 2006:
*Mixing

February/March 2006:
*Promotion
* Release of the first single

April/May 2006:
*Release of the album and warm-up shows

June – August 2006:
*Warm-up shows
*South America
*Japan
*Release of the second single

September – October 2006:
*Europe

November 2006:
*Japan
*Australia

December 2006 – February 2007:
*USA, Mexico and Canada

BLIND GUARDIAN recently replaced drummer Thomen Stauch, who left the band in April after 20 years. The new man behind the kit is fellow German Frederik Ehmke, who is said to be "fairly unknown in the world of metal."

German power metallers PARAGON have parted ways with drummer Marcus "Big M" Corby. According to a posting on teh group's web site, Marcus "had to leave the band because of serious problems with his left arm. He has a trapped nerve similar to a tennis arm syndrome and has not constantly been available for rehearsals. To ensure a successful autumn tour we have engaged a replacement drummer, Christian Gripp, also drummer of our labelmates TORMENT. He will play the [upcoming European] tour and following gigs and then we will see."

PARAGON have begun writing material for the follow-up to this year's "Revenge", tentatively due in 2006.

Former ICED EARTH frontman Matt Barlow — who is currently employed a police officer in the Georgetown Police Dept. in Georgetown, Delaware — has resurfaced as the lead singer of the FIRST STATE FORCE BAND.

According to a posting at FirstStateForce.org, FIRST STATE FORCE BAND "was comprised of law enforcement members from different departments throughout the State of Delaware. These law enforcement members through their dedication, performed concerts several times a month to the children of Delaware using music to stress the importance of staying drug free and to stay away from violence. The band was on a serious mission. The first three years the band had performed for every school district in Delaware."

Check out a recent photo of Matt Barlow at this location. Pictures of the entire band can be found here .

Seminal avant-garde metal pioneers CELTIC FROST have announced the completion of their new studio album, tentatively titled "Dark Matter Manifest", their first in 13 years and the culmination of some three and a half years of songwriting and recording work. Although the album was largely produced by the band themselves and financed by their own production company, CELTIC FROST enlisted HYPOCRISY/PAIN mastermind Peter Tägtgren to co-produce with them the final recording and mixing sessions at Horus Sound Studio in Hanover, Germany, in August/September 2005. Negotiations with a variety of labels are currently underway, and the album is scheduled for a release in early 2006.

Having declined innumerable reunion show propositions over the years, CELTIC FROST once again deemed it essential to manifest themselves creatively with a new album before embarking on the live circuit next year.

Original CELTIC FROST members Tom Gabriel Fischer (voice and guitars) and Martin Eric Ain (bass) are joined by Erol Unala (guitar) and Franco Sesa (drums).

Century Media Records has set an October 18 release date for the new album from OLD MAN'S CHILD, entitled "Vermin". The follow-up to 2003's "In Defiance of Existence" was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden and contains eight new songs plus a re-recording of the old track "Born of the Flickering" (which originally appeared on the 1996 album of the same name).

Commented OLD MAN'S CHILD guitarist Galder (also in DIMMU BORGIR): "I have done an 'ill-natured...' method on this album so every instrument is done personally except for the [drumming], which [was handled] by the Danish [drummer] Reno Kiilerich [DIMMU BORGIR, EXMORTEM, VILE], who, by the way, did a killer job behind the drums. So all in all I must say I'm very happy with the album."

Norwegian symphonic black metal masters DIMMU BORGIR have extended their record deal with longtime label Nuclear Blast Records. The group's next release will be a revamped version of their "Stormblåst" CD, which originally appeared in 1996. The CD was re-recorded earlier in the year, augmented with bonus tracks and produced by Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY). A November 7 release is expected.

DIMMU BORGIR are scheduled to begin writing material for their next studio album this fall for a tentative late 2006 release. The CD, which will feature a guest appearance by MAYHEM's Hellhammer on drums, will be "a full story/concept album," according to a posting on the group's web site.

Swedish gothic doom metal band DRACONIAN have posted the following message on their official web site:

"Due to personal setbacks, keyboardist Andreas Karlsson can’t participate on the band's show at the [Summer Breeze festival in Abtsgmünd, Germany on August 20]. Since a while back, DRACONIAN have rehearsed with session member Sanne Karlsson for a temporary replacement concerning live shows abroad. She will fill in for Andreas as long it is necessary. Her commitment to DRACONIAN is highly appreciated and we send her our everlasting gratitude.

"Peter Lautsen, bass player of Swedish death metal acts such as COLD EXISTENCE and MALEFICIO, will contribute with his services on Summer Breeze and upcoming performances later on this year. If he will become a permanent DRACONIAN member, replacing Jesper Stolpe, is a question yet to be solved."

Check put pictures of the session members at this location.

DRACONIAN's sophomore album, "Arcane Rain Fell", was released in January 2005 through Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Where Lovers Mourn" was recorded at Studio Underground in Västerås, Sweden and contains more than 60 minutes of music, including the 16-minute epic "Death, Come Near Me" (previously released on the 2002 demo "Dark Oceans We Cry").

As widely expected, veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS have now officially announced the addition of guitarist Lee Altus (HEATHEN, ex-DIE KRUPPS) to the group's ranks.

"Lee has been a great friend of mine for many years and is also one of the greatest guitarist I've had the pleasure of knowing," EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt said in a statement. "He was not only the best guy for this job, he was the only one. No one else was ever considered. His leads are totally ripping on the new album and I am looking very much forward to working with him on new music soon. He is a rhythm crusher as well as a shred machine so things are going to be heavy as hell! We start rehearsals Wednesday and I can't wait. My moving is done and I am chomping at the bit to get the show on the road."

EXODUS recently parted ways with guitarist Rick Hunolt due to Rick's desire to concentrate on his family life.

As previously reported, EXODUS have set "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" as the title of their upcoming album, due on October 5 via Nuclear Blast Records. Recorded at Trident studios in Pacheco, California and mixed by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY), the follow-up to 2004's "Tempo of the Damned" is the band's first to feature Altus, ex-SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph and new singer Rob Dukes.

In a recent interview with Metal Temple magazine's Orpheus, guitarist/singer Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, DOCTOR BUTCHER) spoke about his solo career and the current status of SAVATAGE, among other topics. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow:

Metal Temple: Tell us a few things about your future material. Is a next album also going to be released via Black Lotus Records? Will that be anytime in 2006?

Caffery: "I am looking to release the next CD in June of 2006. Black Lotus has been very supportive of me. I am fortunate to have found them! We are talking about releasing some of my budget this year so I can get a head start. I may mix the next CD in Athens!"

Metal Temple: The TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA tour dates for 2005 were announced just a couple of days ago. How does it feel for Chris Caffery every time you're out there with TSO? What's TSO to you? Obviously something completely different from SAVATAGE and your solo band, I guess.

Caffery: "I love TSO. It is completely different than the others. I am proud of what it has accomplished. Sometimes it does not even seem real when we are out there because the thing is so popular. It is very surreal to play three sold-out shows in a 10,000-seat arena in one city. It is a bit odd at times when you think that there is another TSO playing that same night somewhere else, I — if anything — wish there was only one. I miss touring with Al [Pitrelli] and Johnny Lee [Middleton]. It is an amazing experience, I only wish it was a bit more spontaneous at times. But the production is so big and everything is choreographed technically so we have to rehearse one show and stick with it. I miss some of the 'Spinal Tap' moments that we get with SAVATAGE and my solo things, but it is an honor to be working with such a class organization."

Metal Temple: Is there any interesting bit of information you'd like to share with us, concerning SAVATAGE's future, be it good news or bad news?

Caffery: "How about no news? That is what I have, really! Nothing different than what I said last time we spoke [about a year ago]. We are planning on doing an anniversary CD...when, where, who... all of this will be answered in time! I guess you need to ask Jon [Oliva] and Paul [O'Neil] 'cause I dont make the decisions when it comes to SAVATAGE."

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell has uploaded several audio samples from his upcoming solo album, "Two Sides of If", at www.viviancampbell.com.

"Two Sides of If" is scheduled for release on September 6. Campbell will be joined on the blues-oriented album by ZZ TOP's Billy Gibbons, singer Joan Osbourne, and former FRANK ZAPPA and MISSING PERSONS drummer Terry Bozzio. "Two Sides of If" features a collection of Campbell's favorite blues songs, including WILLIE DIXON's "I Ain't Superstitious" and "Spoonful", FLEETWOOD MAC's "Like It This Way", RORY GALLAGHER's "Calling Card", and MEL LONDON's "Messin' With The Kid".

"Two Sides of If" track listing:

01. Messin' With the Kid
02. I'm Ready
03. Calling Card
04. Come On In My Kitchen
05. The Hunter
06. Like It This Way
07. I Ain't Superstitious
08. Spoonful
09. Reconsider Baby
10. Good or Bad Times
11. 32/20 Blues
12. Willin' for Satisfaction

With regards to his reasons for recording a blues album, Campbell writes on his web site, "The question has been raised as to why, when known as a rock player, I choose to make a blues record. What's more, the record is a collection of blues standards with the only 'new' track being a Billy Gibbons original, 'Willin' For Satisfaction' (so new, in fact, that Billy just finished writing the lyrics five minutes before we tracked it!) I wrote a brief explanation as to 'why blues' that is printed on the CD booklet.

"Why standards? Well, I believe in the reverence of the blues, and I don't subscribe to the misconception that just because you can play guitar you can play the blues. It can be especially woeful to hear rock guitar players play blues with bags full of technique but hearts devoid of soul. I also believe that as simple as the blues can seem, there's a certain intangible that can't simply be written into the three-chord formula, and as such I wish to bide my time and take the path to learning more about that intangible and hopefully, in due course, I'll write within the genre myself. Still, there's always been plenty of room for interpretation of roots music, and that is all I attempted to offer with this record."

SEVEN WITCHES have changed the title of their recently completed sixth album to "Amped" from the previously announced "Metal Nation". The follow-up to last year's "Year of the Witch" is the group's first album to feature new singer Alan Tecchio, formerly of HADES and WATCHTOWER. The band recently shot a video for the track "Sunnydale High".

"Amped" track listing:

01. West Nile
02. Sunnydale High
03. Dishonored Killings
04. Moto GP
05. Be
06. Fame Gets You Off
07. Flesh For Fantasy (BILLY IDOL cover)
08. Red
09. Widows and Orphans

Check out audio samples from "Amped" at SevenWitches.net. Also available at the same location is a video interview with Tecchio and SEVEN WITCHES mainman Jack Frost.

"Amped" is scheduled for release in the fall via Sweden's Regain Records.

Danish modern metallers RAUNCHY will begin mixing their third album on Monday, August 15 at Antfarm studios in Aarhus, Denmark for a tentative early 2006 release through an as-yet-undetermined label. Among the songtitles being considered for inclusion on the CD are "Hope Divider", "The Automation of Emotion", "Days Forever", "This City We Ride", "Hysteria Burn", "Farewell to Devotion", "The Dark Hush", "Phantoms", "I Will Avenge", "Rise Phoenix Rise" and "Red are the Flames of Hell".

RAUNCHY split with Nuclear Blast Records in January after releasing two albums through the label (2002's "Velvet Noise" and 2004's "Confusion Bay"). The upcoming CD will mark the recording debut with the group of new singer Kasper Thomsen, who replaced Lars Vognstrup last year.

RAUNCHY's previously unreleased cover version of FAITH NO MORE's "From out of Nowhere" has been made available for download at this location. The song was originally recorded during the sessions for the band's latest CD, "Confusion Bay".

Veteran Dutch thrashers DEAD HEAD have uploaded the cover artwork for their long-awaited fourth album, "Haatland", at this location.

Commented the band: "The very dedicated and patient Wicliff Wolda has provided us with great artwork for the CD. This is an actual DEAD HEAD stained glass window that Tom photographed in an old church in England."

As previously reported, "Haatland" is scheduled for release in September/October via Extremity Records/GMR Music Group. The album will contain 10 songs with a total playing time of 43 minutes.

"Haatland" tentative track listing:

01. Faust II
02. Montana
03. Phantom Palace
04. Supreme Forgery
05. Last Server Down
06. Serial Divorce
07. Mesfeken
08. Dog God
09. Desire
10. Nosferatu

Formed in 1989, DEAD HEAD recorded "Haatland" at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, INVOCATOR). Check out the songs "Desire" and "Mesfeken" from the upcoming CD at DeadHead.nl. A 10-inch vinyl EP, "Dog God", featuring two songs from "Haatland", the IRON MAIDEN cover "Total Eclipse" and a re-recording of an older track, was released late last year via Fadeless Records.

Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL have posted the following message on their official web site:

"On Monday, August the 8th, after a three-week break, we will finally return to Dug-Out Studio [in Uppsala, Sweden] and resume the work on our new, yet untitled full-length album. We expect to have our new Satanic Symphony mixed and mastered within the next two weeks. More information to be announced as soon as it's completed!"

DARK FUNERAL's new album is being produced by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, IN FLAMES, BEHEMOTH) for a late 2005 release via Regain Records. The CD will feature a guest appearance by former MESHUGGAH bassist Gustaf Hielm.

DARK FUNERAL's live album, "De Profundis Clamavi ad te Domine", was released in the U.S. on May 31 via Candlelight USA/Regain Records. The CD was recorded during the band's successful 2003 tour of South America (including stops in Brazil, Chile and Colombia) and features a selection of material that spans the band's decade-long career.

DARK FUNERAL currently features vocalist/bassist Emperor Magnus Caligula, guitarist Lord Ahriman, guitarist Chaq Mol, and drummer Matte Modin.

Finnish goth-metallers TO/DIE/FOR have lined up the following dates during the coming weeks:

Sep. 02 - St Petersburg, RUS @ Red Club
Sep. 09 – Kouvola, FIN @ Rytmikatti
Sep. 10 – Lahti, FIN @ Cumulus
Sep. 29 – Athens, GRE @ Open Theater of Papagou
Oct. 01 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ESP @ Recinto Ferial de Caraias
Oct. 29 – Kajaani, FIN @ Rocktober Fest

TO/DIE/FOR recently parted ways with guitarist Juppe "J.P." Sutela and replaced him with SOULRELIC axeman Antza Talala.

TO/DIE/FOR are continuing to support their latest album, "IV", available now on Spinefarm Records/Soulfood. The follow-up to 2003's "Jaded" was recorded at Sonicimage studios in Kouvola, Finland and was mixed at Finnvox studios in Helsinki with Mikko Karmila.

The current TO/DIE/FOR lineup once again features vocalist Jarno "Jape" Perätalo, who allegedly decided to reclaim the TO/DIE/FOR name for his TIAGA project after being offered a record deal by Spinefarm Records. Joining Perätalo in the new TO/DIE/FOR formation are ex-NEW DAWN FOUNDATION drummer/ex-TO/DIE/FOR drum tech Santtu Lonka, guitarist Mika "Alli" Ahtiainen, ex-H.I.M./NEW DAWN FOUNDATION keyboardist Juska Salminen, and bassist Jarkko "Josey" Strandmann (ex-NEW DAWN FOUNDATION).

Dutch melodic thrash/death outfit FUELBLOODED (formerly SACRAMENTAL SACHEM) have uploaded two audio samples from their upcoming album, "Inflict the Inevitable", on their web site. Check out the songs "Dissector of Souls" and "The Hangman's Burden" at www.fuelblooded.com.

"Inflict the Inevitable" was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, MERCENARY, INVOCATOR). A fall 2005 release through an as-yet-undetermined label is expected.

Upcoming FUELBLOODED shows:

Sep. 17 - W2 - Den Bosch, NETH
Oct. 15 – Jonosh – Asten, NETH

George Kollias, drummer for NILE and SICKENING HORROR, has launched a new official web site, www.georgekollias.com. The site features videos and audio from both NILE and SICKENING HORROR, plus tips and contact.

NILE's "Annihilation of the Wicked" album was released in late May via Relapse Records. A video for the album track "Sacrifice Unto Sebek" was shot on location in Atlanta, GA by director Chad Rullman (MASTODON's "March of the Fire Ants", THE AGONY SCENE) for Supercollider Films. The band are confirmed to make a special appearance amongst the headlining acts of the 2005 Hellfest, set to take place August 19-21 in Trenton, NJ. NILE will perform on Friday, August 19.

Massachusetts-based death metallers BANE OF EXISTENCE have announced the addition of vocalist Dusty Lyon and guitarist Chris Farmerie (both formerly of ACEPHALUS and DESPOILMENT) to the group's ranks.

BANE OF EXISTENCE is a five-piece band based in Rockland, on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Continuing to play live and increase their fan base, they combine the musical styles of such bands as MALEVOLENT CREATION, DYING FETUS, DEVOURMENT, SKINLESS, INCANTATION, VITAL REMAINS and IMMOLATION. In the meantime, the band is currently perfecting their existing songs of pure hatred as well as putting together new material.

BANE OF EXISTENCE's full-length debut, "Humanity's Splintered Salvation", was recorded in 2002 at Ultrasound Productions in Hanson, MA and was released in 2004 via Spain's Fleshfeast Records. The group's next live appearance will take place September 16 at the Dee Dee's Lounge in Quincy, MA.