As most of you know, drummer Marty O'Shea amicably split with THE ETERNAL to be replaced by the hard-hitting Pete Marin. Pete earned Marty's hearty seal of approval after seeing him play at Pete's first show in December of last year. Pete has fit exceptionally well into the band. Also, THE ETERNAL has made a video clip from their second album 'Sleep of Reason' for the track 'Everlasting'. It is on-line at their website. THE ETERNAL's album 'Sleep of Reason' is set for release in Australia in the not too distant future.
Danish extreme metallers PANZERCHRIST have commenced the recording sessions for their new album, "Batallion Beast" — the group's first release with newly recruited drummer Bent Nyeng (also of DIE) and keyboard player Dea Lillelund (also in FAIRYTALE ABUSE). The lyrics to the follow-up to 2003's "Room Service" (Mighty Music) will apparently be completely in German, according to a posting on the band's web site.
PANZERCHRIST's new album is being recorded at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen. An spring/summer release through Neurotic Records is expected.
SAATTUE, the Finnish band featuring former and current members of such underground acts as YEARNING, LET ME DREAM, ULTRAMAYHEM ORGANISATION and BRAINDRAIN, have completed work on a new three-song promotional CD containing the cuts "Luutarhuri", "Ikiuneen" and "Kaaosmaa".
SAATTUE have undergone several lineup changes since the release of their last EP, "Kivisydän", but musically the band "keep on producing the same doomy metal with Finnish lyrics as earlier," according to a press release. A full-length MP3 of the song "Luutarhuri" can be downloaded at this location.
Drummer of MENTAL DEMISE left the band few days ago. He will be replaced by Alexander Silver, who played in DISORDER DEFECTION, BRILLIANT COLDNESS and CATALEPTIC.
French progressive metallers ADAGIO will release their new album, "Dominate", in France on March 27 through a new label called Double Vision (via Sony/BMG distribution). A French tour will follow beginning in Paris on June 28 or June 29 and will continue in September. "Dominate" was released in Japan in December via Avalon/Marquee. The CD was produced by Stephan Forté and Kevin Codfert, and was mixed at House of Audio Studios in Germany by Dennis Ward. "Dominate" is ADAGIO's first CD with new frontman Gus Monsanto. The band parted ways with singer David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) in July 2004 due to "professional differences." As previously reported, ADAGIO will open for former LED ZEPPELIN frontman Robert Plant on March 24 in Tunis, Tunisia as part of the "International Mediterranean Guitar Festival".
Finnish vanguard black/doom masters DOLORIAN will release their new album 'Voidwards' in the near future on Avantgarde Records. Recently, their website has been updated and several samples of songs from the new album have been put online. Click on the link below to visit the site and get a taste of the new material.
Also, Lake of Depression signed a contract with the new Russian label Endless Desperation Prods. for the release of a four-way split CD of 100% Funeral Doom along with Nocturne, Quasar, and Source of Deep Shadows. This will be a limited edition release of 500 copies of which Lake of Depression will themselves have several for distribution. This split is scheduled for release in late February or early March 2006.
"......Mike from YOB here. As many of you know Isamu and Travis left YOB in July of 2005. Many people have contacted me wanting to try out for the band, and I did try some people out. At the end of the day, the thing that feels best to me is to call it a day with YOB. The only way I feel I can move forward musically is to let YOB`s history stand on it`s own and move on with a new band.
This band will be called Age and I will be recording demos to submit to labels within a few months. This music will be very much in the vein of YOB, with new vibes and twists... and always utterly DOOMED......"
The upcoming album 'Risus ex Mortuus' will be released by the Russian label Endless Desperation Records. The album is a re-recording of the bands first demo and subsequent initial self-release, which did not recieve widespread distribution. The album will also include a previously unreleased track and a cover of "God of Thunder" by KISS. Anticipated release date is late February or early March.
Belgian doomsters Thee Plague of Gentlemen have signed a deal with France's Listenable Records. The band's second full-length album, 'SerpentCult' is scheduled for release later in the year. Thee Plague of Gentlemen will also appear as themselves in the upcoming Herman Brusselmans film "Ex Drummer" and have a song on the movie's soundtrack. "Ex Drummer" is expected to receive a theatrical release in Belgium and The Netherlands in December 2006.
Second part of WolfSong Compilation has been released by underground label Wolfsong Productions (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) 14 tracks are present there: most of them belong to ukrainian groups. here they are: Flying (melodic death), Grimfaith (gothic/doom), Stormhold (death/thrash), Vae Solis (sympho black), Neophyte (death), Brilliant Coldness (brutal death), Capitollium (sympho black), Dragobrath (black), Kroda (folk/black), Gates of Hate (slavonic black), Crash Syndrom (death), Dusk Chapel (death/black), Datura (brutal death/grind), Berserk (death).
YYRKOON track, entitled "From the Dephts", has been made available for download at ' . The song comes off the French death metal band's new CD, "Unhearthly Opera", due February 20 via Osmose Productions. The album's cover artwork can be found at this location. The follow-up to 2004's "Occult Medicine" was recorded at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark and features a guest appearance by KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy LaRocque on the song "Horror from the Sea".
"Unealthy Opera" track listing: 01. Something Breathes 02. Unhealthy Opera 03. From the Depths 04. Avatar Ceremony 05. Temple of Infinity 06. Abnormal Intrusion 07. Screaming Shores 08. The Book 09. Horror from the Sea 10. Lair... 11. ...Of Madness 12. Injecting Dementia
A limited digipack edition containing a bonus track called "Signs" will also be available.
YYRKOON is the main band of ABORTED guitarist Stephane Soutey
Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have finalized the track listing for their new album, "Storm", due in Germany and Switzerland on Friday, March 24 via AFM Records. The rest of Europe will follow on Monday, March 27. A U.S. release date will be announced later. The CD was produced by Rico Darum and mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FEAR FACTORY, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY, etc.) at The Green Jacket studios in Richmond, B.C., Canada. A single, "Storm", is scheduled for release on February 24 via AFM Records/Soulfood. In addition to the title cut (check out audio sample at this location), the single will include a club remix of "Storm", another album track ("Begin and End"), and an exclusive song that will only be available on this single, entitled "Beauty in Deconstruction". A video for "Storm" will be shot in the near future.
"Storm" track listing: 01. Storm 02. Silence 03. Ashes and Dreams 04. Voices 05. Fade 06. Begin & End 07. Senseless 08. Exile 09. Disintegration 10. Debris
The limited edition will have one bonustrack called "Highlights". More soundclips will follow soon.
Dynamic Arts Records has set a January 27 Finnish release date (March 24 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland) for the new album from Finnish atmospheric doom metallers SILENTIUM, entitled "Seducia". The CD is the sequel to the "Frostnight" single, which came out in October. According to a Dynamic Arts press release, the album "delivers bombastical, cold atmospheres" with a total running time of 48 minutes.
"Seducia" is the group's first full-length release to feature vocalist Riina Rinkinen, who joined the group in July 2004.
"Seducia" track listing:
01. Hangman's Lullaby 02. Serpentized 03. Dead Silent 04. Unbroken 05. Frostnight 06. Children Of Chaos 07. Empress Of The Dark 08. Seducia
MY DARKEST HATE, the German death metal band featuring former PRIMAL FEAR drummer Klaus Sperling and members of SACRED STEEL, have uploaded the cover artwork for their fourth album, "Combat Area", at this location (artwork by Ahmet Meran Karanitant).
"Combat Area" is scheduled for release on March 24 via Massacre Records. The band recorded the follow-up to 2004's "At War" at Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany with producer Andy Classen (CALLENISH CIRCLE, TANKARD, OCCULT). "Andy did an awesome job — the result is just a real killer!!!" the group write on their web site.
"Combat Area" track listing (not final order):
01. Enter Combat 02. When Smoke Has Settled 03. Bow Before Me 04. Nothing Lasts Forever 05. They Shall Fall 06. Number Seven 07. Fall of Eden 08. Under My Wing 09. The Principle of War 10. Under One Flag
Finnish "stoner rockers" MANNHAI, whose current lineup includes singer Pasi Koskinen (ex-AMORPHIS, AJATTARA), have posted an audio sample of their new single, "Spaceball", at this location. The song comes off the group's new album, "Hellroad Caravan" due in Finland on February 15. The "Spaceball" single will precede the album on Wednesday, January 18. "This is the first release from the upcoming full-length album, and will also include a fine and an exclusive bonus track, 'The Rocketeer'," the band write on their web site.
"Hellroad Caravan" track listing: 01. Shellshock 02. Fuzzmaster 03. Spaceball 04. Dambuster 05. Better Hate Yesterday 06. Back in the Red 07. Mojo Runner 08. Overdaze 09. Rock in a Cradle 10. Hall of the Dead
As previously reported, MANNHAI's new album was recorded at Jive Studios in Helsinki. The band describe the material as "heavier and more guitar-driven" than that on the previous CD, 2004's "The Exploder".
MASTERPLAN vocalist Jorn Lande (ex-ARK, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) will release his fourth solo album, "The Duke", shortly through Germany's AFM Records. The CD was produced by Lande and PAGAN'S MIND guitarist Jörn Viggo Lofstad, and was mixed at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark by Tommy Hansen. Recording musicians include:
Jorn Lande (vocals) Jörn Viggo Lofstad (PAGAN'S MIND) - Guitar Tore Moren (CARNIVORA) - Guitar Morty Black (TNT) - Bass Willy Bendiksen (COMPANY OF SNAKES) -Drums
Also featured on drums is Stian Kristoffersen of PAGAN'S MIND and FIREWIND, who appears on a newly recorded version of "Starfire", from Lande's debut, and the tracks "Stormcrow" and "After the Dying".
"The Duke" track listing:
01. We Brought the Angels Down 02. Blacksong 03. Stormcrow 04. End of Time 05. Duke of Love 06. Burning Chains 07. After the Dying 08. Midnight Madness 09. Are You Ready (THIN LIZZY cover) 10. Starfire (2005 version) 11. Noose (Japan only)
Norwegian extreme metallers ENSLAVED have set "Ruun" as the title of their new album, tentatively due on May 8 via Tabu. The recordings for the follow-up to the band's Norwegian Grammy- and Alarm award-winning album "Isa" (2004) began a week ago at Amper Studio in Oslo, Norway and the band Сalready feel confident that this will be a monumental album!" according to a posting on the group's web site. "The drums are finished, and the guitars are being recorded at this very moment."
"Ruun" will be mixed at Propeller Studios in Oslo by Mike Hartung and mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Path of Vanir" and "Essence", both of which the band are planning on shooting videos for.
Former HIRAX guitarist Glenn Rogers has officially joined ONCE DEAD, the Christian metal band featuring former members of VENGEANCE RISING. "Glenn, as most of you know, was one of the original founding members of VENGEANCE, and had written many of the songs with us prior to Roger Martinez, Larry Farkas and Glen Mancaruso joining the group," guitarist Doug Thieme writes on the band's web site. "Glenn left our group to join DELIVERANCE, and then later joined HIRAX.
"The addition of Glenn offers us an incredibly talented guitarist, an awesome song writer, as well as a longtime friend. We are very excited about Glenn joining us and we look forward to working with him on the upcoming album.
Sweden's THE QUILL have set "In Triumph" as the title of their fifth album, due on April 7 via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was recorded at Area 51 studios in Celle, Germany with producer Tommy Newton (VICTORY, UFO, HELLOWEEN).
"In Triumph" track-listing: 01. Keep The Circle Whole 02. Yeah 03. Slave/Master 04. Broken Man 05. Man In Mind 06. Merciless Room 07. Trespass 08. Black 09. No Light On The Dark Side 10. In The Shadows 11. Down
DARKTHRONE have dedicated a new song on their upcoming album The Cult Is Alive (out Feb. 27th, 2006 on Peaceville) to fallen guitar hero Denis D'Amour (aka Piggy) and his pioneering metal band VOIVOD.
Danish/Swedish prog-metallers BEYOND TWILIGHT have completed work on the vocal recording for their new album, tentatively due later in the year. "Everything went easy and well," the band write on their web site. "The vocals was recorded in just a couple of days. Björn [Jansson, singer] has made the most outstanding vocals. Pulling it off in just a couple of days he showed he is made of the same thing as the rest of the band. The band met in the weekend and had a great time together. Only thing left now is the mixing sessions which has already started."
Björn Jansson joined BEYOND TWILIGHT in early January as the replacement for Kelly Sundown Carpenter (also of OUTWORLD).
BEYOND TWILIGHT's most recent album, "Section X", was issued in 2005 via Massacre Records.
VREID, the new Norwegian band formed by former WINDIR members Hváll (bass), Steingrim (drums) and Sture (vocals, guitar), have posted the following message on their official web site:
"We have been working in our dungeon (studio 1184) with our second album since September. The recordings were finished by late November, and we have now been mixing the album for a couple of weeks. The mixing of the album was done at Subsonic Society studio together with Lars Klokkerhaug. Working with Lars was a pleasure as always. We feel that we have really found the formula and the right sound for this album; raw, powerful and grooving as hell. The last step of the process is the mastering of the album. On the 20th of January we will go to Tailor Maid studio in Stockholm and put the last make up on this beast. Release is set [for] March 27, 2006 through Tabu Records and worldwide distribution by Candlelight Records."
Entitled "Pitch Black Brigade", the album will contain the following eight songs:
01. Då Draumen Rakna 02. Pitch Black 03. Left To Hate 04. The Red Smell 05. Hengebjørki 06. Our Battle 07. Hang ‘Em All 08. Eit Kapitell For Seg Sjølv
BATTERED, the new Norwegian band featuring former EINHERJER members Frode Glesnes (a.k.a. Grimar, vocals/guitar), Aksel Herløe (guitar) and Gerhard Storesund (a.k.a. Vivar, drums), have uploaded a preview of the cover artwork for their upcoming self-titled debut album at this location (artwork conceived by Terje Johnsen).
"Battered" was recorded at Sifa Lydstudio and was mixed at Top Room Studio with producer Børge Finstad. The CD is scheduled for release in Norway on February 25, in Europe on March 13 and in the U.S. on April 14 via Candlelight Records.
BATTERED recently teamed up with producer Rome Ramsies of Vision Valley to shoot a video for the song "Not One" from the group's debut album. "The whole video was shot in bluescreen and the CGI will be done in Australia," the band write on their web site. The clip is expected to premiere in February.
BATTERED's current lineup is rounded out by bassist Ole Moldesæther and vocalist Sigurd Olaisen (HEADBLOCK).
Tentative track listing for BATTERED's debut album (in no particular order):
01. Oblivion Awaits 02. New Lament 03. Industrial Killing 04. The Flagellant 05. Not One 06. Perfect Illusion 07. The Dig 08. Demagog 09. Parasight 10. Derelict
This message has been posted on KAMELOT's official website:
"KAMELOT is pleased to announce their first Live DVD filming this February 11th, 2006 at Rockefeller Music Hall, in Oslo, Norway. The shoot will be handled by acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus and promises to be full of surprises for all the fans. "This has been in the works now for more than 2 years and we are very pleased to have all the gears in motion now. This will be a very, very special event for us and all the fans of the band" - states guitarist Thomas Youngblood. According to lead singer Roy Khan the crew is already in full swing preparing for the show in Oslo, most certainly destined to be another milestone in the career of the band.
More details are expected for this much anticipated DVD, including track listings, bonus footage and special guest appearances. Release date is scheduled for Summer/Fall 2006 via SPV Records."
The MetalList just got exclusively the information, that Ukrainian black metal band Nokturnal Mortum guitarist parted ways with the group, due to his chemical researches. This was the source of a cobflict. Due to this loss, band will stop their concert activity for some time (but next fue gigs will be played with this guitarist).
More information to be posted soon. Wait for the interview with Nokturnal Mortum on The MetalList!
DARK MOOR has begun writing new material for their next album, wich is planned to be recorded by the second half of this year 2006. Right now, the band is looking for a new label through his management agency Metallian, after the ending of their contract with Arise Records.
As most of you know, drummer Marty O'Shea amicably split with THE ETERNAL to be replaced by the hard-hitting Pete Marin. Pete earned Marty's hearty seal of approval after seeing him play at Pete's first show in December of last year. Pete has fit exceptionally well into the band.
Danish extreme metallers PANZERCHRIST have commenced the recording sessions for their new album, "Batallion Beast" — the group's first release with newly recruited drummer Bent Nyeng (also of DIE) and keyboard player Dea Lillelund (also in FAIRYTALE ABUSE). The lyrics to the follow-up to 2003's "Room Service" (Mighty Music) will apparently be completely in German, according to a posting on the band's web site.
SAATTUE, the Finnish band featuring former and current members of such underground acts as YEARNING, LET ME DREAM, ULTRAMAYHEM ORGANISATION and BRAINDRAIN, have completed work on a new three-song promotional CD containing the cuts "Luutarhuri", "Ikiuneen" and "Kaaosmaa".
Drummer of MENTAL DEMISE left the band few days ago. He will be replaced by Alexander Silver, who played in DISORDER DEFECTION, BRILLIANT COLDNESS and CATALEPTIC.
French progressive metallers ADAGIO will release their new album, "Dominate", in France on March 27 through a new label called Double Vision (via Sony/BMG distribution). A French tour will follow beginning in Paris on June 28 or June 29 and will continue in September.
YOB have disbanded; 
The upcoming album 'Risus ex Mortuus' will be released by the Russian label Endless Desperation Records. The album is a re-recording of the bands first demo and subsequent initial self-release, which did not recieve widespread distribution. 
Belgian doomsters Thee Plague of Gentlemen have signed a deal with France's Listenable Records. The band's second full-length album, 'SerpentCult' is scheduled for release later in the year.
"Unealthy Opera" track listing:
Finnish "stoner rockers" MANNHAI, whose current lineup includes singer Pasi Koskinen (ex-AMORPHIS, AJATTARA), have posted an audio sample of their new single, "Spaceball", at this location. The song comes off the group's new album, "Hellroad Caravan" due in Finland on February 15. The "Spaceball" single will precede the album on Wednesday, January 18. "This is the first release from the upcoming full-length album, and will also include a fine and an exclusive bonus track, 'The Rocketeer'," the band write on their web site.
MASTERPLAN vocalist Jorn Lande (ex-ARK, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) will release his fourth solo album, "The Duke", shortly through Germany's AFM Records. The CD was produced by Lande and PAGAN'S MIND guitarist Jörn Viggo Lofstad, and was mixed at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark by Tommy Hansen. Recording musicians include:
Norwegian extreme metallers ENSLAVED have set "Ruun" as the title of their new album, tentatively due on May 8 via Tabu. The recordings for the follow-up to the band's Norwegian Grammy- and Alarm award-winning album "Isa" (2004) began a week ago at Amper Studio in Oslo, Norway and the band Сalready feel confident that this will be a monumental album!" according to a posting on the group's web site. "The drums are finished, and the guitars are being recorded at this very moment." 
Danish/Swedish prog-metallers BEYOND TWILIGHT have completed work on the vocal recording for their new album, tentatively due later in the year. "Everything went easy and well," the band write on their web site. "The vocals was recorded in just a couple of days. Björn [Jansson, singer] has made the most outstanding vocals. Pulling it off in just a couple of days he showed he is made of the same thing as the rest of the band. The band met in the weekend and had a great time together. Only thing left now is the mixing sessions which has already started."
VREID, the new Norwegian band formed by former WINDIR members Hváll (bass), Steingrim (drums) and Sture (vocals, guitar), have posted the following message on their official web site:
This message has been posted on KAMELOT's official website:
DARK MOOR has begun writing new material for their next album, wich is planned to be recorded by the second half of this year 2006. Right now, the band is looking for a new label through his management agency Metallian, after the ending of their contract with Arise Records.