Swedish vocalist Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE) has commented on his decision to leave THERION prior to the band's appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival in early August. His replacement in the group will be Thomas Vikström, who is best known to metal fans as the voice behind CANDLEMASS' "Chapter VI" album (1992).
Said Levén: "Yep, now it's official that I won't play anymore with THERION after Hellfest in June.
"The reason is simply that since we started to use four lead vocalists on tour, I found myself doing more backing vocals and guitar playing etc. than actual lead vocals. In the beginning I tried to tell myself that I would get used to it, but I didn't really...
"I gave all I had during the few numbers I sang lead and it was especially great to feel the fans' response during 'Son of the Staves of Time' (that the THERION guys were kind enough to let me write on 'Gothic Kabbalah'). Still, when I got off stage — something just didn't feel right. It felt too much like a job, and that's not a good sign.
"I will now focus on my own projects including the S&M album [collaboration with drummer/songwriter Snowy Shaw (THERION, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME)].
His replacement in the group will be Thomas Vikström, who is best known to metal fans as the voice behind CANDLEMASS "Chapter VI" album (1992).
German power metallers PARAGON have announced the addition of bassist Dirk Seifert to the group's ranks. According to a press release, Dirk is "a longtime acquaintance of the band; [he] was in a band with Martin [Christian, guitar] back in the early '90s and has worked on the pre-production of "Law of the Blade", "Dark Legacy" and "Revenge". He is familiar with the material and knows the band for a long time. We are sure he will be an reinforcement as he is a multitasker who can play bass, drums and guitar. We are busy rehearsing for the July concerts and are looking forward to presenting a new lineup and new material from the forthcoming CD "Forgotten Prophecies"."
PARAGON recently revealed the track listing and artwork for their new album, "Forgotten Prophecies", due in June. The artwork was created by Dirk Illing, who also worked on the band's "The Law of the Blade" and "The Dark Legacy" CDs.
"Forgotten Prophecies" track listing: 01. Hammer of the Gods 02. Arise 03. Face of Death 04. Halls of Doom 05. Revelations (instrumental) 06. Forgotten Prophecies 07. Agony 08. Souleaters 09. Gangland 10. Wargods 11. Deny the Cross (OVERKILL cover)
A limited edition (artwork) will be released as well, featuring a bonus DVD with live footage recorded at the Metal Bash Open Air 2005 and Metal Bash Road Kill Tour in Hamburg (Markthalle) in 2005. The track listing for the bonus DVD is as follows:
Metal Bash Open Air 2005: 01. Legacy 02. Traitor 03. Impaler 04. Revenge 05. Across the Wastelands 06. Palace of Sin 07. Armies of the Tyrant 08. Thunderstorm
Hamburg (2005): 09. Deathsquad 10. Beyond the Veil
PARAGON parted ways with bassist Jan Bünning due to "musical differences."
A track called "Dirty Wings" (featuring EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet), taken from the upcoming compilation CD to celebrate Nuclear Blast Records' 20th anniversary, entitled "Into the Light", has been posted online ' .
"Into the Light" features 10 songs composed, recorded and produced by RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski, with guest appearances by various metal artists that are part of the Nuclear Blast history, including a track that was recorded and performed by Victor's own band.
"Into the Light" will be released as double-CD, featuring a bonus disc with classics, rare tracks and brand new songs. Also, watch out for "Into the Light"'s dark twin "Out of the Dark", coming in the second half of 2007.
"Into the Light" track listing:
CD: 01. Dirty Wings (feat. Tobias Sammet) 02. Terrified (feat. Peter Peavy Wagner) 03. Ruling The World (feat. Tony Kakko) 04. Death Is Alive (feat. Mats Leven) 05. Bloodsucker (feat. Marcel Schmier Schirmer) 06. Slaves To The Desert (feat. Hansi Kürsch) 07. A Perfect Day (feat. Andi Deris) 08. Eternally (feat. Oddleif Stensland) 09. Inner Sanctuary (feat. Marco Hietala) 10. In The Picture (feat. Tarja Turunen)
Bonus CD: 01. HAMMERFALL - Hearts on Fire 02. HELLOWEEN - The Madness Of The Crowds (Japan-Bonus 'Dark Ride' album) * 03. GOTTHARD - El Traidor (Anytime, Anywhere Spanish version) * 04. AFTER FOREVER - Sweet Enclosure * 05. RIDE THE SKY - New Protection (new band of Uli Kusch) * 06. THUNDERSTONE - Forevermore 07. THRESHOLD - Slipstream 08. AMORPHIS - The Smoke 09. CANDLEMASS - Devil Seed (brandnew song) * 10. SIRENIA - The Other Side
* new song or rare bonus track.
Lineup: Victor Smolski - Songwriting, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards Andre Hilgers, Volker Schultz - Drums Jan-Michael Keller - Bass Andreas Dirksmeier - Keyboards Mario LeMole, Jen Majura - Backing Vocals
German black/death/gothic metallers AGATHODAIMON have announced the addition of Jonas Iscariot (vocals) and Jan Jansohn (guitar) to the group's ranks. "After a bunch of rehearsals with the new guys, we feel that we now have the strongest lineup ever and can't wait to hit the stage again!" the band said in a statement.
AGATHODAIMON 2007 is: Felix Ü. Walzer (keys) Till Ottinger (bass) Jonas Iscariot (vocals) Matthias Rodig (drums) Sathonys (guitars) Jan Jansohn (guitars)
Check out a photo of the new lineup at this location.
AGATHODAIMON last year announced the addition of bassist Till Ottinger (ex-MISANTHROPIC) to the group's ranks.
AGATHODAIMON's last album, "Serpent's Embrace", was released in 2004 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Germany's AT VANCE will release its new album, "VII", on June 29 via AFM Records. The group's seventh effort marks the debut of new singer Rick Altzi and features the band's "very own interpretation on neo-classical power metal that crosses elegantly with the true spirit of '80s hard rock," according to a press release.
"VII" track listing: 01. Breaking The Night 02. Shiver 03. Cold As Ice 04. Victory 05. Friendly Fire 06. Golden Leaves 07. Answer Me 08. Shine 09. Truth 10. Lost In Your Love
TESTAMENT's previously announced Russian dates, which were scheduled to take place in early July, have been postponed. The new dates have not yet been announced.
TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy, bassist Greg Christian, and guitarists Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson, alongside ex-DIMMU BORGIR and CRADLE OF FILTH drummer Nick Barker, have finished writing more than half a dozen songs for the group's long-awaited follow-up to 1999's "The Gathering". Tracking is scheduled to begin in June. "Working hard with Nick on some new ideas and some cool old-school styles [that are] coming together really killer," Peterson said in a statement. "It's been a long time coming," Billy added. "This new album is like a good wine: You throw in the grapes and crush."
Finnish cello-rockers APOCALYPTICA have just finished filming a video in Los Angeles with director Tony Petrossian (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, RISE AGAINST, SLIPKNOT) for the song "I'm Not Jesus". Making a guest appearance in the track and the clip is STONE SOUR/SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor.
"I'm Not Jesus" is expected to be included on APOCALYPTICA's new studio album, tentatively due in September/October.
APOCALYPTICA will support METALLICA on July 15 at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland. Also scheduled to appear are fellow Finns H.I.M.
Q: „Mabool” was the last album that was released in 2004. Since then, there hasn't been any news coming from you. I know you are working on a new album called "The Neverending Way Of ORwarriOR". Would you say that the new album will mark the path to entering into a new Orphaned Land Universe?
A: I wouldn't know that now. I think that what may do the trick for this album is our work with Steven Wilson who produced Opeth and did wonders with his own project Porcupine Tree. Other than that most of the material is ready and we already recorded the first sketches. Let's wait and see where this album will take us.
Q: As far as I remember the release of „Mabool” was also postponed a little bit in 2004.Why has there been such a long delay in releasing it? Has the political situation in Israel affected the whole situation or are there also musical reasons?
A: No man… the political situation was the last thing that could have postponed the release of mabool. I don't know how it is you look at Israel, but the only effect the political situation can have here, is in the worst case putting a security guard in the entrance to the mall, or having a patrol car around bus stations. We don't let the terror here stop our lives, because this would mean surrendering to it, and we won't let this happen, and I'm sure that any sane nation would do the same. If there had been any delays with the release of Mabool after we recorded it, they might have been some minor technical issues that our label, Century Media, might have had, or other minor technical issued, that's all.
Q: One important aspect for the „Mabool” is that we're not only talking about a very good album, just musically speaking, but there's also a depth in the lyrics and also, the sound is a little changed: Mabool seems less „aggresive” than your previous releases and you have many influences either from your local music or from oriental music patterns. What lead you to this 2004 change and most of all, are you gonna continue with the same style or should we expect some other changes once a new Orphaned Land will be released?
A: I think that a change should never be feared and that it is always a good thing. Though the next album will continue many lines Mabool and its formers have paved, it will also take many other directions in many ways. The next album will continue our "Orienal" approach towards metal, and there will be still complex and less complex guitar melodies, and we will also try to stay a little bit progressive with our approach, and there will be also a concept story behind the lyrics. But we have expanded it musically more than Mabool, and I also think that Steven's touch to things will take everything in a very interesting direction.
SONATA ARCTICA's "Paid in Full" single has entered the Finnish chart at position No. 1. View the chart ' .
"Paid in Full" tracklisting: 01.Paid in Full (radio edit) 02.Out in the Fields * 03.Paid in Full * Gary Moore cover
SONATA ARCTICA's video for "Paid in Full" is available for viewing at ' . The track comes off the group's new album, "Unia" (Finnish for "Dreams"), due in North America on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was mixed at Finnvox studio in Helsinki and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden.
WYKKED WYTCH has posted the cover artwork for its upcoming album, "Memories of a Dying Whore" on its web site. The album artwork and booklet were designed by Alexandra V. Bach, based on a concept by WYKKED WYTCH.
OZZY OSBOURNE will perform on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" at the end of May (exact date to be announced).
The final artwork for OZZY OSBOURNE's new album, "Black Rain", is available for viewing at this location.
"Black Rain" track listing: 01. Not Going Away 02. I Don't Wanna Stop 03. Black Rain 04. Lay Your World on Me 05. The Almighty Dollar 06. 11 Silver 07. Civilize the Universe 08. Here For You 09. Countdown's Begun 10. Trap Door
On October 27th NUCLEAR BLAST will celebrate its 20th anniversary and therefore throws a nice party. For 45 euros only (excl. Pre-sale fee) you will be able to see BLIND GUARDIAN, DIMMU BORGIR, SUBWAY TO SALLY, KATAKLYSM plus one more top act and several special guests and surprises. The party will take place at Stuttgart ´s Schleyerhalle and the first 1000 people ordering a ticket via http://shop.nuclearblast.de will get a limited festival shirt for free. There will also be the festival-page www.nuclearblast-festival.de shortly on air, where you can read all news and all infos you need.
Candlelight Records has set a September 11 U.S. release date for the forthcoming album from death metal legends OBITUARY. Recording of the currently untitled album is already underway with the CD's completion expected for June 1.
For the recording to their first live DVD at Metal Female Voices Festival, LEAVES´EYES had a very special idea. Instead of playing on a regular stage, they have opted to build a 10-meter long Viking ship, in accordance to the theme of Vinland Saga & Legend Land. On this ship, the band will perform their live-show.
MAYHEM's latest CD, "Ordo Ad Chao", has entered the Norwegian album chart at position No. 12, the band's highest position ever, reports Norwegian music industry weekly "Faro Journalen". MAYHEM has only once before been on the Norwegian charts, when the band's last album, "Chimaira", reached No. 28 in 2004.
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metal band EPICA has signed a deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
Formed by guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Mark Jansen (ex-AFTER FOREVER) in 2002, EPICA has so far released three albums, among them a full-length soundtrack in the vein of Hollywood composers Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman. The Dutch metallers have already played in 24 countries, and have completed successful tours in Europe, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and the USA.
EPICA will embark on a North American headlining tour in September. Support at the shows will come from the Austrian/American "epic metal" band VISIONS OF ATLANTIS.
EPICA is currently recording its new album at Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany. The CD, which is being produced by Sascha Paeth, will feature a session appearance by GOD DETHRONED drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek. EPICA has yet to name a full-time drummer following the departure of Jeroen Simons in 2006.
EPICA's previously announced live DVD, which was filmed on May 4, 2006 at Paradiso in Amsterdam, Holland, has been delayed until later this year, according to a posting on the group's official web site. The band's latest album, "Consign to Oblivion", was recorded in early 2005 and features a guest contribution from KAMELOT vocalist Roy Khan.
May, 26 - presentation of the new concert program of Russian metal band ARKONA.
"Ot Serdtsa K Nebu" ("From Heart To Sky") - it's the name of ARKONA's 4th album, which will be started to record after the show day (26.05) is Moscow club "Relax". Band will play new songs!
For the true fans of ARKONA, musicians will play then songs "Ìàðåíà", which won in the poll on www.arkona-russia.com for the first and last time!
Ukrainian thrash metal maniacs HELLION have finished the work on their first video for song "Hear the Voice" from debut album "Strong Enough". Director is Viktor Priduvalov.
WYKKED WYTCH has issued the following update: "Here is an update on the current status of the release of our new album "Memories of a Dying Whore". The album was completed in December and we are currently seeking a new label to release the album. After parting ways with our label SixSixSix Records, we had a couple of deals that didn't happen and this has caused the delay in the release." WYKKED WYTCH last year posted the uncensored video for the track "Awakened" at YouTube.com. A new edit of the video, including fresh audio, will be included as a multimedia file on the upcoming album.
We have just opened our brand new Gathering webshop! The shop is welcoming you at ' You will find a fine selection of CDs, LPs, DVDs and other merchandising items and we will try to keep our prices as low as possible!
To celebrate this, we have a special offer that is running till end of July 2007! Come check it out on the shop!
We hope you will visit it soon! Cheers, the Gathering & TG webteam!"
The brazilian death metal band SODAMNED posted their demo On The Gallows for download. It was released in 2003 and has the following track list:
01. Hanged 02. Sodamned 03. Dreams and Tears 04. Graveyard of Secrets
Mp3 files of all the songs and also the artwork are available for download. The links of the files, hosted by Nitro Sound Solutions (www.nitross.com) are available in the band's ' as the new song, Locked in the Garret, which will be part of their next release.
The traditional heavy metal band HEREGE posted new versions of the songs "Call Me Herege" and "Flag of the Metal", originally released in the 2003 demo Rise of the Fair, Fall of the Church.
About the new songs the guitarist Dalton Castro, responsible for remastering them, comments: "...since those songs are really good and when we recorded them the production quality was low, I decided to add some details which make them to sound with more energy. Right now we decided to make these versions exclusive for Internet instead of adding as bonus, but maybe we do it in future editions."
The new versions are available in the ' and ' .
Actually Herege is finishing their debut full length and will give more information about it soon.
Jens Ryden, one man army of PROFUNDI (ex Naglfar vocalist) seems to be into collector's items. He designed a special ltd. 100 metal box version of the "The Omega Rising" album containing a ltd. patch, shirt and a special ltd. inlay handnumbered and signed by himself.
As for ordering please go the ' . Hurry, these will be sold out fast!
If you prefer checking out the sound of this release please ' to the PROFUNDI ecard.
According to the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS), Tomi Putaansuu (a.k.a. Mr. Lordi; LORDI), Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT), Janne Joutsenniemi (SUBURBAN TRIBE), Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA) and Jarkko Ahola (TERÄSBETONI) are among the metal musicians who will contribute material to the upcoming debut album from the winner of the Finnish national TV talent competition "Idols", 22-year-old heavy metal singer Ari Koivunen. The CD will be produced by Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE) and Pasi Heikkilä (45 DEGREE WOMAN) and is tentatively scheduled for release in Finland on June 6.
.: Main .: News .: Concerts .: Live Reports .: Interviews .: Reviews .: Magazines Reviews .: Soc. Polls .: Competitions .: 
Swedish vocalist Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE) has commented on his decision to leave THERION prior to the band's appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival in early August. His replacement in the group will be Thomas Vikström, who is best known to metal fans as the voice behind CANDLEMASS' "Chapter VI" album (1992).
"Forgotten Prophecies" track listing:
Metal Bash Open Air 2005:
01. Dirty Wings (feat. Tobias Sammet)
German black/death/gothic metallers AGATHODAIMON have announced the addition of Jonas Iscariot (vocals) and Jan Jansohn (guitar) to the group's ranks. "After a bunch of rehearsals with the new guys, we feel that we now have the strongest lineup ever and can't wait to hit the stage again!" the band said in a statement.
"VII" track listing:
TESTAMENT's previously announced Russian dates, which were scheduled to take place in early July, have been postponed. The new dates have not yet been announced.
Finnish cello-rockers APOCALYPTICA have just finished filming a video in Los Angeles with director Tony Petrossian (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, RISE AGAINST, SLIPKNOT) for the song "I'm Not Jesus". Making a guest appearance in the track and the clip is STONE SOUR/SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor. 
Q: „Mabool” was the last album that was released in 2004. Since then, there hasn't been any news coming from you. I know you are working on a new album called "The Neverending Way Of ORwarriOR". Would you say that the new album will mark the path to entering into a new Orphaned Land Universe?
"Paid in Full" tracklisting:
WYKKED WYTCH has posted the cover artwork for its upcoming album, "Memories of a Dying Whore" on its web site. The album artwork and booklet were designed by Alexandra V. Bach, based on a concept by WYKKED WYTCH.
"Black Rain" track listing:
On October 27th NUCLEAR BLAST will celebrate its 20th anniversary and therefore throws a nice party. For 45 euros only (excl. Pre-sale fee) you will be able to see BLIND GUARDIAN, DIMMU BORGIR, SUBWAY TO SALLY, KATAKLYSM plus one more top act and several special guests and surprises. The party will take place at Stuttgart ´s Schleyerhalle and the first 1000 people ordering a ticket via http://shop.nuclearblast.de will get a limited festival shirt for free. There will also be the festival-page www.nuclearblast-festival.de shortly on air, where you can read all news and all infos you need. 
For the recording to their first live DVD at Metal Female Voices Festival, LEAVES´EYES had a very special idea. Instead of playing on a regular stage, they have opted to build a 10-meter long Viking ship, in accordance to the theme of Vinland Saga & Legend Land. On this ship, the band will perform their live-show.
MAYHEM's latest CD, "Ordo Ad Chao", has entered the Norwegian album chart at position No. 12, the band's highest position ever, reports Norwegian music industry weekly "Faro Journalen".
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metal band EPICA has signed a deal with Nuclear Blast Records. 
May, 26 - presentation of the new concert program of Russian metal band ARKONA.
Ukrainian thrash metal maniacs HELLION have finished the work on their first video for song "Hear the Voice" from debut album "Strong Enough". Director is Viktor Priduvalov.
WYKKED WYTCH has issued the following update:
Message from THE GATHERING:
The traditional heavy metal band HEREGE posted new versions of the songs "Call Me Herege" and "Flag of the Metal", originally released in the 2003 demo Rise of the Fair, Fall of the Church. 
Jens Ryden, one man army of PROFUNDI (ex Naglfar vocalist) seems to be into collector's items.
According to the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS), Tomi Putaansuu (a.k.a. Mr. Lordi; LORDI), Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT), Janne Joutsenniemi (SUBURBAN TRIBE), Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA) and Jarkko Ahola (TERÄSBETONI) are among the metal musicians who will contribute material to the upcoming debut album from the winner of the Finnish national TV talent competition "Idols", 22-year-old heavy metal singer Ari Koivunen. The CD will be produced by Nino Laurenne (THUNDERSTONE) and Pasi Heikkilä (45 DEGREE WOMAN) and is tentatively scheduled for release in Finland on June 6.