New York's PSYCHOMANTHIUM, which features former and current members of NEGLECT, ARKHAM 13 and SHALLOWS OF THE MUNDANE, has inked a deal with No Joke Records. The group's debut album, "Blueprint for Murder", will be released on July 1.
"Blueprint for Murder" track listing:
01. Ravenous 02. Cast Out 03. Reborn From Darkness 04. Till I Bleed 05. Blueprint for Murder 06. 40 Days 07. The Confession 08. Bloodshed 09. Tree of Woe 10. Evil Dead 11. Virulent Disention 12. From the Shadows 13. The Zero Hour 14. Enter the Psychomanthiumn
HeavyMetalSource.com conducted an interview with Matt DeVries and Rob Arnold of CHIMAIRA on February 2, 2008 at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. ' .
CHIMAIRA's latest album, "Resurrection", sold 16,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release back in March 2007 to debut at position No. 42 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The band's "Resurrection" video was directed by Todd Bell and features an appearance by Mixed Martial Arts fighter Mavrick.
Finnish folk/pagan metal band MOONSORROW will release a new EP, entitled "Tulimyrsky" (Firestorm), on March 26 through Spinefarm Records. The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Tulimyrsky (new song) 02. For Whom The Bell Tolls (METALLICA cover) 03. Taistelu Pohjolasta (from the "Tama Ikuinen Talvi" demo) 04. Hvergelmir (from the "Metsa" demo) 05. Back To North (MERCILESS cover)
Chicago-area psychedelic black metal group NACHTMYSTIUM has posted a new song, entitled "Your True Enemy", on the band's ' . The track comes off NACHTMYSTIUM's new album, "Assassins", due this spring via Candlelight Records in Europe and Century Media in the rest of the world. According to the band, "the [recording] session [for the new CD] was the perfect combination of productive and destructive, and the proof is the music itself."
"Assassins" was recorded at Volume Studios in Chicago with producer Sanford Parker (MINSK, YAKUZA, BIBLE OF THE DEVIL). The CD features a guest appearance on drums by Tony Laureano (DIMMU BORGIR, ANGELCORPSE, NILE).
Finnish progressive metallers ADAMANTRA have posted the song "Shattered" on their ' . The track comes off the group's debut album, which was recently mixed by Mikko Mustonen (best known for his work with NORTHERN KINGS, a band consisting of members of NIGHTWISH and SONATA ARCTICA, among other groups).
ADAMANTRA is about to start the first round of label negotiations for the release of the album.
According to ADAMANTRA's official bio, the group's influences include the progressive metal greats SYMPHONY X, DREAM THEATER and SHADOW GALLERY as well as the traditional power metal bands BLIND GUARDIAN and RHAPSODY.
"The Scarecrow", the new album from AVANTASIA — the solo project of EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet — has registered the following first-week European chart positions:
"The Scarecrow" is being streamed in its entirety at ' .
An e-card for the CD can be accessed at ' .
"The Scarecrow" was released on January 25 as a standard CD as well as rare picture (double) vinyl.
"The Scarecrow" features guest appearances by the following artists:
Alice Cooper (vocals) Amanda Somerville (vocals) Bob Catley (MAGNUM; vocals) Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN; vocals) Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY; guitar) Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN; vocals) Oliver Hartmann Roy Khan (KAMELOT; vocals) Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS; guitar)
Polish avantgarde/metal band ETERNAL DEFORMITY will release its next album, "Frozen Circus", on February 29 via Code666. The CD will be distributed by SPV in Germany and Aural Music in all other territories.
"Frozen Circus" was recorded at Zed Studio with help from Tomasz Zalewski.
The track listing for the album is as follows:
01. Retrospection 02. The Force of your Heart 03. Unholy Divine 04. Little 15 05. Crime 06. So Silent 07. Thor's Message 08. Endless Night 09. Lovelorn
Check out the song "Lovelorn" on the ' .
ETERNAL DEFORMITY was founded in 1993 and has released four records so far: "Forgotten Distant Time" (1994), "Nothing Lasts Forever" (1998), "In The Abyss Of Dreams... Furious Memories" (2000), and "The Serpent Design" (2002).
"01011001", the new rock opera from AYREON — the brainchild of Dutch guitarist/composer Arjen Lucassen — has entered the Dutch "alternative chart" at position No. 1 and the overall Dutch album chart at No. 2 — the highest Dutch chart positions so far for any AYREON release! The album also entered the German album chart at number 18, which is the highest ever for AYREON and for any InsideOut Music release. It also entered the Swedish album charts at number 54, and the French charts at number 90 — again the band's highest positions ever in those countries.
In other news, "01011001" will be released on vinyl. The details and artwork are still being finalized, but you can look forward to a triple album on colored vinyl.
The complete list of musicians who appear on the album is as follows:
Vocalists:
Daniel Gildenlöw (PAIN OF SALVATION) Tom Englund (EVERGREY) Hansi Kürsch (BLIND GUARDIAN) Anneke van Giersbergen (AGUA DE ANNIQUE, THE GATHERING) Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA) Bob Catley (MAGNUM) Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN) Floor Jansen (AFTER FOREVER) Steve Lee (GOTTHARD) Magali Luyten (VIRUS IV) Ty Tabor (KING'S X) Simone Simons (EPICA) Liselotte Hegt (DIAL) Phideaux Marjan Welman Wudstik Arjen Lucassen
Instrumentalists:
Arjen Lucassen: Guitar, Keyboards, Synths, Bass Guitar, Programming Tomas Bodin (THE FLOWER KINGS): Keyboards Derek Sherinian (PLANET X): Keyboards Joost van den Broek (AFTER FOREVER, STAR ONE): Keyboards Michael Romeo (SYMPHONY X): Guitar Lori Linstruth (ex-STREAM OF PASSION): Guitar Ed Warby (GOREFEST): Drums Jeroen Goossens (FLAIRCK): Flute Ben Mathot (DIS): Violin David Faber: Cello
Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based metallers DIVINITY recently flimed a video for the song "Plasma" with director Doug Cook. Check out pictures from the video shoot at ' .
"Plasma" comes off the group's debut album, "Allegory", due on March 28 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Check out audio samples at ' .
DIVINITY is:
James Duncan - Guitars Brett Duncan - Drums Sacha Laskow - Lead Guitars, Vocals Nick Foster - Bass, Vocals
Holland's Sworn Records has announced the signing of the Ukrainian dark metal act CAPITOLLIUM.
According to a press release, "CAPITOLLIUM were formed in the year 2000 in Lviv. They have to date released four albums on Eastern European labels. Their upcoming album, 'Bloodfall of Flesh', will be their first with global distribution.
"The album features nine tracks of symphonic dark metal, most comparable to a mix of SEPTIC FLESH and more black metal-orientated bands such as ROTTING CHRIST and DIMMU BORGIR. The album furthermore features female backing vocals performed by a professional opera singer!"
"Bloodfall of Flesh" is scheduled for release in May. A preview MP3 is available on the ' .
An e-card for DEATH ANGEL new album, "Killing Season", can be accessed at ' . Due on February 26, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was recorded at Studio 606 in Northridge, California with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has previously worked with FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH, VELVET REVOLVER, SHADOWS FALL and STONE SOUR, among other acts.
"Killing Season" track listing:
01. Lord of Hate 02. Sonic Beatdown 03. Dethroned 04. Carnival Justice 05. Buried Alive 06. Soulless 07. The Noose 08. When Worlds Collide 09. God vs God 10. Steal the Crown 11. Resurrection Machine
Swedish viking metal act MANEGARM will play Russia for the first time in April. The dates are as follows:
April 19 - Moscow, RUS @ Gorod April 20 - St.Peterburg, RUS @ Arktika
MANEGARM recently recruited drummer Jacob Hallegren for its upcoming live appearances. Jacob made his live debut with the band on December 7 at Hedon in Zwolle, Holland.
MANEGARM's latest album, "Vargstenen" ("The Wolfstone"), entered the Swedish chart at position No. 59 back in May 2007. The CD was recorded at Studio Underground with producer Pelle Saether.
The new CD is MANEGARM's first for Black Lodge after a ten-year collaboration with Displeased Records.
Swedish progressive metal titans OPETH have set "Watershed" as the title of their forthcoming album, due out on June 3 via Roadrunner Records (one day earlier internationally). The CD, recorded in the band's native Sweden and produced by frontman/guitarist Mikael Akerfeldt and Jens Bogren, is a masterwork that follows the time-honored OPETH tradition; its modern yet timeless, progressive yet paying homage to the sounds of classic rock.
According to a press release, "Watershed" is truly one of those special records that cycles through a variety of moods, speeds and textures, complete with lots of subtleties and nuances of sound. Because of its expansive scope, "Watershed" is destined to land the album atop many "best-of" lists. Album opener "Coil" is a gorgeous acoustic number, featuring local folk vocalist Nathalie Lorichs, while "Heir Apparent" will knock listeners unconscious with its blunt force metal. Always one to defy the rules, OPETH posits sung vocals over artillery-like blast beats on "The Lotus Eater", cementing their reputation as innovators and redefiners.
"Watershed" combines elements of modern metal, prog rock, free jazz and hints of European folk music, all of which come together for a seamless, unique collection of songs that will leave an indelible mark upon all who listen.
The follow-up to 2005's "Ghost Reveries" is the first OPETH release to feature new guitarist Fredrik Akesson and drummer Martin Axenrot and is the band's second effort for Roadrunner Records.
Legendary British drummer Nicholas Barker (DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH, LEAVES' EYES, ATROCITY, BRUJERIA) has laid down the drum tracks for the debut album from the Venezuelan black/death metal band NOCTIS IMPERIUM. Barker arrived in Caracas on January 18 to record his parts for "Glorification of Evil: The Age of the Golden Down", which will be released later in the year via Ariah Records.
NOCTIS IMPERIUM is: Aeneas Inferno: Vocals/Guitars Hephaestion: Bass Aegrimonia: Guitars
For more information on NOCTIS IMPERIUM, go to the ' .
FOLKEARTH, an international music project created by musicians playing folk and Viking metal, is preparing to release its fourth album, "Father of Victory" (' ), via Stygian Crypt Productions. The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. The Forlorn Knight (3:34) 02. The Purest Breed (4:26) 03. Sleipnir (4:45) 04. What Glory Remains (3:57) 05. Dawn in Tir Na N'Og (4:07) 06. The Will of Odin (5:52) 07. Father of Victory (3:08) 08. Charles Martel (5:17) 09. Wallachian Warlord (4:28) 10. The Iron Wolf (4:12) 11. Heroes in the Sky (4:01) 12. Carmina Bellica (3:32)
Check out audio samples at the ' .
FOLKEARTH was established in 2003 as a musical forum representing over 20 established folk and metal musicians joined together from all parts of the world. FOLKEARTH is made up of members from Sweden, Austria, USA, Germany, Lithuania, England and several other countries. This unique worldwide collaboration also features members from bands like YGGDRASIL, FOREFATHER, URUK HAI and THE SOIL BLEEDS BLACK. All of the musicians involved offer up traditional instrument recordings which are then edited and mixed with heavy metal sonorities, hence offering the most unique and concise folk metal atmospheres ever recorded.
Former CONSTRUCDEAD/current GODSIC frontman Peter Tuthill has issued the following update:
"In November I got the opportunity to try out for the Swedish metal band CARNAL FORGE as singer! Having been a fan of their music since they released their debut, there was no hesitation from my part to try out. I went to Sala and did a couple of auditions, and shortly after I got the job!
"This has been secret up 'till now, so I couldn't tell you all earlier. In March-April CARNAL FORGE will hit the road and do a European co-headline tour with the legendary British thrashers ONSLAUGHT! The band will also play numerous festivals this summer, and more tours are on the horizon. For the time being I need to focus all my energy on CARNAL FORGE, so the last recordings for the GODSIC album [Peter's solo project] will unfortunately have to be put on hold for the time being. I will have this album out sometime during this year though, but at this point I can't say when. Hope to see some of you on the tour!"
CARNAL FORGE's tour with ONSLAUGHT is scheduled to kick off in April. A list of dates can be found ' .
Vilnius, Lithuania-based pagan metallers OBTEST have inked a deal with Osmose Productions for release of their new album, entitled "Gyvybes Medis". The CD will be distributed in music shops and via independent retailers worldwide, including Japan, Canada, Australia, USA and all of Europe. Ledo Takas, the group's longtime label, has secured an exclusive right to release and distribute new OBTEST album in the Baltic States.
"Gyvybes Medis" will be made available in three different formats: digipak compact disk, picture vinyl record and collectors' A5-sized CD book. An April 4 release is expected.
Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR were honored in the "Best Video" category at the 36th annual Spellemann awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards) for their ' . The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show was held Saturday night (February 2) at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway and was broadcast live on the Norwegian channel TV2.
The "The Serpentine Offering" video was shot by Swedish director Patric Ullaeus (LACUNA COIL, KAMELOT) of Revolver Film Company AB and was DIMMU BORGIR's first promotional clip for their most recent album, "In Sorte Diaboli".
The nominees in the "Best Video" category were as follows:
DIMMU BORGIR - "The Serpentine Offering" (Nuclear Blast) HEROES & ZEROS - "A Strange Constellation" (Nightliner/Universal) MY MIDNIGHT CREEPS - "Don`t Let’Em Bring You Down" (MMC Records) TURBONEGRO - "Do You Do You Dig Destruction" (Scandinavian Leather Recordings) WE - "Hurdy Gurdy" (Nun Music)
DIMMU BORGIR was also nominated in the "Metal" category for its "In Sorte Diaboli" CD, but lost out to MAYHEM, who won the award for "Ordo Ad Chao".
Nocturno Culto of the long-running Norwegian black metallers DARKTHRONE has issued the following update:
"We have recorded four songs for the next album, 'Dark Thrones And Black Flags'. We sort of tried to keep the title 'hidden,' but my mouth ran over talking to Metal Hammer (damn!!!), so anyways, that's the title, and NO, it's not punkish you bastards, it's METAL TO THE BONE!!! I tell ya, what we allow ourself to do these days.... riff-wise, I mean. IT'S A BLOODY FEAST!!!! The plan is to have the final recordings ready in July at latest. I know, I know, this album comes fast, but not to worry, we'll use just a tad more time on the album after that."
DARKTHRONE's latest album, "F.O.A.D.", was released in September 2007 via Peaceville. An EP, "NWOBHM" (New Wave Of Black Heavy Metal), preceded the full-length CD on July 23.
Legendary Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM were honored in the "Metal" category at the 36th annual Spellemann awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards) for their latest release, ' . The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show was held earlier tonight (Saturday, February 2) at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway and was broadcast live on the Norwegian channel TV2.
The nominees in the "Metal" category were as follows:
AUDREY HORNE - "Le Fol" (Indie Recordings) DIMMU BORGIR - "In Sorte Diaboli" (Nuclear Blast) MAYHEM - "Ordo Ad Chao" (Season Of Mist) RED HARVEST - "A Greater Darkness" (Season Of Mist)
"Ordo Ad Chao" entered the Norwegian album chart at position No. 12, the band's highest position ever.
"Ordo Ad Chao" was also nominated in the "Metal" category at Alarmprisen 2007 (Alarm Awards), which was held on October 27, 2007 at Sentrum Scene in Oslo, Norway (the award eventually went to DIMMU BORGIR).
Another new DISMEMBER track, entitled "Death Conquers All", has been posted on a special DISMEMBER MySpace page launched by Regain Records. The song comes off the Swedish death metallers' forthcoming self-titled album, due in Europe on February 18 via Regain. The CD was recorded at B.A.S. studios with producer Nico Elgstrand (MURDER SQUAD, KRUX, MERCILESS, ENTOMBED).
"Dismember" (' ) track listing:
01. Death Conquers All 02. Europa Burns 03. Under A Bloodred Sky 04. The Hills Have Eyes 05. Legion 06. Tide Of Blood 07. Combat Fatigue 08. No Honor In Death 09. To End It All 10. Dark Depths 11. Black Sun
Swedish progressive death metallers SKYFIRE have entered Powernest Studios to begin recording its as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2004's "Spectral", due later in the year via Florida's Pivotal Rockordings. Mixing and mastering will be handled by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY) at Black Lounge Studios (SONIC SYNDICATE, SCAR SYMMETRY, THE ABSENCE, ZONARIA).
Commented the band: "Drums, rhythm guitars, keys, and something we can't yet reveal to you are done for two songs. Two more songs will probably be finished by the end of this week! Unfortunately at this point it is too early to tell how many songs will be on the album because we have a lot of material written and we are even doing some last-minute writing in the studio."
SKYFIRE bassist and founding member Martin Hanner previously stated about the upcoming CD, "Expect the traditional SKYFIRE sound, but also expect some new elements that we have never experimented with before. We also cannot wait to work with Jonas Kjellgren, who will be mixing and mastering the new record. He is one of the most talented up and coming producers in metal right now, and we are certain that he will take SKYFIRE's sound to the next level!"
PAIN/HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren has issued the following update:
"We wanna thank everybody that voted for PAIN on the Swedish Metal Awards and made our album the 'Best Metal Album Of The Year' 2007.
"I'm working on the new [PAIN CD] and it will see the light in September 2008, with a lot of bonus from the shows we did in 2007.
"Michael Bohlin [PAIN guitarist] will sit out the NIGHTWISH tour because of work, but he will be back for the festivals. Niclas [Engelin] from ENGEL will help us out on this one."
PAIN will support NIGHTWISH on their European tour beginning on February 17 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
AFM Records has set a March 7, 2008 release date for AVANTASIA's "The Metal Opera - Gold Edition", a two-CD set containing the first two AVANTASIA albums, "The Metal Opera" (2001) and "The Metal Opera Pt. 2" (2002). The package will come in a luxury digibook with golden CDs, 40-sided booklet, liner notes, previously unpublished photos and bonus material.
Drummer Hans Rutten of Holland's THE GATHERING has issued the following update:
"Century Media is about to release 'Sand and Mercury', a 10-CD [!] box with all our Century Media releases gathered in a nice box for a fair price (around 30/35 euros). I wrote liner notes for every album. The box set is limited to 3,000 copies.
"This year it's 10 years ago we released 'How To Measure A Planet?', so you figure out what will be Century Media's next special release.
"Another special release: Vic Records will re-release 'Downfall - The Early Years' this spring. It contains the 'Downfall' CD as well as an interesting six-track demo we did for 'Almost A Dance' with former vocalist Bart Smits. Recorded at the beginning of 1992, this demo was the last recording we did with Bart. Very interesting material.
"The owner of Vic Records, Roel, is an old school mate of me and Bart and kindly asked us to do a re-release, as the original 'Downfall' CD isn't available anymore.
"This release is a true revival of the old-school demo tape days. More info at www.vicrecords.com.
"And back into the present: We were asked by ProductieHuis & MusicLab Brabant to write music for a dance ensemble. This cross-over combination of music and dance will be called 'Arr. 2'.
"And yes, we are working on new material. Trust us and don't worry. You will hear new GATHERING songs in 2008."
JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the band led by SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, has revealed the cover artwork for its upcoming album, "Global Warning", due in Europe on March 21 via AFM Records (Locomotive Records in the U.S.).
"Global Warning" features a guest appearance by guitarist Ralph Santolla (OBITUARY, ex-DEICIDE, DEATH, ICED EARTH) on two songs: "Adding the Cost" and "You'll Never Know".
Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM have revealed the track listing for the new album, "Blooddrunk", due in Europe on April 7, 2008 via Spinefarm Records (two days later in Finland).
"Blooddrunk" was recorded and produced by Mikko Karmila at Petrax and Finnvox studios in Finland during October, November and December 2007, except vocals, which were recorded by Peter Tägtren, and keyboards, which were recorded by Janne Wirman at Petrax studios, Finland, during October, November and December 2007. The CD was mixed at Finnvox by Mikko Karmila in November 2007 and it was mastered at Finnvox by Mika Jussila in December 2007.
"Blooddrunk" track listing: 01. Hellhounds On My Trail 02. Blooddrunk 03. LoBodomy 04. One Day You Will Cry 05. Smile Pretty For The Devil 06. Tie My Rope 07. Done With Everything, Die For Nothing 08. Banned From Heaven 09. Roadkill Morning
CHILDREN OF BODOM will release a new single, "Blooddrunk", in Finland on February 27, 2008 (March 3 in the rest of Europe).
The band recently traveled to Germany to film two videos, both of which were produced by Katapult Filmproduktion.
Speaking to Revolver magazine, CHILDREN OF BODOM frontman Alexi Laiho stated about the songwriting process for "Blooddrunk", "This time we wanted to make things more difficult. So I've been including some progressive sounds. Not in an annoying way, though; if we do progressive music, we want people to actually listen to it. We won't become a DEPECHE MODE cover band. If we ever get tired of playing metal. That's the end of CHILDREN OF BODOM."
According to Revolver magazine, two PANTERA fans — Houston's Joey Riordan and Toronto's Mangra — are trying to get a commemorative "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott statue erected in his hometown in Dallas. As inspiration, they cite existing monuments to Jimi Hendrix (in Seattle), Elvis Presley (in Memphis), and THIN LIZZY frontman Phil Lynott (Dublin, Ireland). "Getting Dimebag Darrell a statue in Dallas matters," Riordan tells Revolver. "That was, his memory will live on."
According to Kerrang! magazine, former 3 COLOURS RED / THERAPY? / SKYCLAD drummer Keith Baxter has passed away.
Baxter, who shot to fame with 3 COLOURS RED in the '90s, died of liver failure in hospital on January 4, 2008, surrounded by family and friends. He was 36 years old.
Baxter was born in Lancaster, Lancashire, UK. As a teenager he became a founding member of SKYCLAD, recording five albums with them before leaving in 1995 to join 3 COLOURS RED, with whom he recorded two UK top 40 albums ("Pure" and "Revolt") which included six Top 40 singles.
Following 3 COLOURS RED's split in 1999, he formed ELEVATION with former 3 COLOURS RED bandmate Pete Vuckovic. The group signed with Sony but was dropped a year later. He briefly played with the Northern Irish band THERAPY? in 2002.
3 COLOURS RED reunited to record a third album ("The Union of Souls") in 2004, but split up again the following year.
HeavyMetalSource.com conducted an interview with Matt DeVries and Rob Arnold of CHIMAIRA on February 2, 2008 at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. ' .
Finnish folk/pagan metal band MOONSORROW will release a new EP, entitled "Tulimyrsky" (Firestorm), on March 26 through Spinefarm Records. The track listing for the CD is as follows:
Chicago-area psychedelic black metal group NACHTMYSTIUM has posted a new song, entitled "Your True Enemy", on the band's ' . The track comes off NACHTMYSTIUM's new album, "Assassins", due this spring via Candlelight Records in Europe and Century Media in the rest of the world. According to the band, "the [recording] session [for the new CD] was the perfect combination of productive and destructive, and the proof is the music itself."
Finnish progressive metallers ADAMANTRA have posted the song "Shattered" on their ' . The track comes off the group's debut album, which was recently mixed by Mikko Mustonen (best known for his work with NORTHERN KINGS, a band consisting of members of NIGHTWISH and SONATA ARCTICA, among other groups).
Polish avantgarde/metal band ETERNAL DEFORMITY will release its next album, "Frozen Circus", on February 29 via Code666. The CD will be distributed by SPV in Germany and Aural Music in all other territories.
"01011001", the new rock opera from AYREON — the brainchild of Dutch guitarist/composer Arjen Lucassen — has entered the Dutch "alternative chart" at position No. 1 and the overall Dutch album chart at No. 2 — the highest Dutch chart positions so far for any AYREON release! The album also entered the German album chart at number 18, which is the highest ever for AYREON and for any InsideOut Music release. It also entered the Swedish album charts at number 54, and the French charts at number 90 — again the band's highest positions ever in those countries.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based metallers DIVINITY recently flimed a video for the song "Plasma" with director Doug Cook. Check out pictures from the video shoot at ' .
Holland's Sworn Records has announced the signing of the Ukrainian dark metal act CAPITOLLIUM.
An e-card for DEATH ANGEL new album, "Killing Season", can be accessed at ' . Due on February 26, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was recorded at Studio 606 in Northridge, California with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has previously worked with FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH, VELVET REVOLVER, SHADOWS FALL and STONE SOUR, among other acts.
Swedish viking metal act MANEGARM will play Russia for the first time in April. The dates are as follows:
Swedish progressive metal titans OPETH have set "Watershed" as the title of their forthcoming album, due out on June 3 via Roadrunner Records (one day earlier internationally). The CD, recorded in the band's native Sweden and produced by frontman/guitarist Mikael Akerfeldt and Jens Bogren, is a masterwork that follows the time-honored OPETH tradition; its modern yet timeless, progressive yet paying homage to the sounds of classic rock.
Legendary British drummer Nicholas Barker (DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH, LEAVES' EYES, ATROCITY, BRUJERIA) has laid down the drum tracks for the debut album from the Venezuelan black/death metal band NOCTIS IMPERIUM. Barker arrived in Caracas on January 18 to record his parts for "Glorification of Evil: The Age of the Golden Down", which will be released later in the year via Ariah Records.
FOLKEARTH, an international music project created by musicians playing folk and Viking metal, is preparing to release its fourth album, "Father of Victory" (' ), via Stygian Crypt Productions. The track listing for the CD is as follows:
Former CONSTRUCDEAD/current GODSIC frontman Peter Tuthill has issued the following update:
Vilnius, Lithuania-based pagan metallers OBTEST have inked a deal with Osmose Productions for release of their new album, entitled "Gyvybes Medis". The CD will be distributed in music shops and via independent retailers worldwide, including Japan, Canada, Australia, USA and all of Europe. Ledo Takas, the group's longtime label, has secured an exclusive right to release and distribute new OBTEST album in the Baltic States.
Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR were honored in the "Best Video" category at the 36th annual Spellemann awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards) for their ' . The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show was held Saturday night (February 2) at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway and was broadcast live on the Norwegian channel TV2.
Nocturno Culto of the long-running Norwegian black metallers DARKTHRONE has issued the following update:
Legendary Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM were honored in the "Metal" category at the 36th annual Spellemann awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards) for their latest release, ' . The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show was held earlier tonight (Saturday, February 2) at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway and was broadcast live on the Norwegian channel TV2.
Another new DISMEMBER track, entitled "Death Conquers All", has been posted on a special DISMEMBER MySpace page launched by Regain Records. The song comes off the Swedish death metallers' forthcoming self-titled album, due in Europe on February 18 via Regain. The CD was recorded at B.A.S. studios with producer Nico Elgstrand (MURDER SQUAD, KRUX, MERCILESS, ENTOMBED).
Swedish progressive death metallers SKYFIRE have entered Powernest Studios to begin recording its as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2004's "Spectral", due later in the year via Florida's Pivotal Rockordings. Mixing and mastering will be handled by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY) at Black Lounge Studios (SONIC SYNDICATE, SCAR SYMMETRY, THE ABSENCE, ZONARIA).
PAIN/HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren has issued the following update:
AFM Records has set a March 7, 2008 release date for AVANTASIA's "The Metal Opera - Gold Edition", a two-CD set containing the first two AVANTASIA albums, "The Metal Opera" (2001) and "The Metal Opera Pt. 2" (2002). The package will come in a luxury digibook with golden CDs, 40-sided booklet, liner notes, previously unpublished photos and bonus material.
"Century Media is about to release 'Sand and Mercury', a 10-CD [!] box with all our Century Media releases gathered in a nice box for a fair price (around 30/35 euros). I wrote liner notes for every album. The box set is limited to 3,000 copies. 
JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the band led by SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, has revealed the cover artwork for its upcoming album, "Global Warning", due in Europe on March 21 via AFM Records (Locomotive Records in the U.S.).
Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM have revealed the track listing for the new album, "Blooddrunk", due in Europe on April 7, 2008 via Spinefarm Records (two days later in Finland).
According to Revolver magazine, two PANTERA fans — Houston's Joey Riordan and Toronto's Mangra — are trying to get a commemorative "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott statue erected in his hometown in Dallas. As inspiration, they cite existing monuments to Jimi Hendrix (in Seattle), Elvis Presley (in Memphis), and THIN LIZZY frontman Phil Lynott (Dublin, Ireland). "Getting Dimebag Darrell a statue in Dallas matters," Riordan tells Revolver. "That was, his memory will live on."