Former ACCEPT and current U.D.O. frontman Udo Dirkschneider will join Finnish monster hard rockers LORDI for at least one song during their appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which is scheduled to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany.
Dirkschneider makes an appearance on the song "They Only Come Out At Night" (listen to the audio below) on LORDI's latest album, "The Arockalypse", which came out in March 2006.
Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT were honored with the "Album of the Year" Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for their latest album, "The Formation of Damnation". TESTAMENT beat out the other worthy contenders in this category: ATREYU, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, CHILDREN OF BODOM and DOWN.
The Metal Hammer Golden Gods 2008 awards ceremony was held earlier tonight (Monday, June 16) at the IndigO2 (O2 Arena) in London, UK
Norway's ULVER has posted a cover version of PRINCE's "Thieves in the Temple" on its official ' . "Thieves in the Temple" was originally released on PRINCE's 1990 "Graffiti Bridge" album, with the song hitting No. 6 on the U.S. single chart.
For the cover, ULVER collaborated with female soul singer and WYCLEF JEAN protégée Siri Stranger. The boys downplay their own participation and relation to Prince with the following statement: "Prince is not our familiar, but we appreciate his spirituality and sensibility, manifest in this song. We are thieves in his temple."
Their song is part of a massive 81-track, five-CD tribute titled "Shockadelica: 50th Anniversary Tribute To The Artist Known As Prince" (C+C Records).
Guitarist Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) entered the studio at the end of April to begin recording his new solo album for an October release. According to Chris, "[We] entered Ultimate Music Studios in Cortland, NY today to begin the recording of drum tracks.
"Mr. John Macaluso [drums] unveiled his brand new kit and we made some serious progress. We spent some time getting sounds together and two of the songs are finished 100%. Tomorrow we will hope to make it through another five or six and Wednesday we should finish the 13.
"It is so cool to watch John work in the studio. There is a new life and serious groove to everything he plays.
"I can't wait for you all to hear this music. I will finish the drums and hope to have bass and all lead guitars done by the end of next week. I should be able to start mixing some stuff by next weekend!
"I know everyone always feels their newest CD is the best stuff they have done...so, I will refrain from the usual comments...but I believe you will be quite pleasantly surprised when you hear this CD."
Caffery recently revealed that this next solo album will include "a really cool metal cover of 'Get Up, Stand Up' by BOB MARLEY." He added, "It is actually a cool metal anthem!" Other working songtitles set to appear on the CD include "House of Insanity", "Shame", "Fight The Fleas", "Sorry", "Schizophrenia", "Seasons Change", "Back's To The Wall", "Solitaire", "Winter in Hamburg" and "No Matter What". The instrumental track "Schizophrenia" will contain "many guest solos," including those from Glen Drover (ex-MEGADETH), Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE) and Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA).
Chris Caffery's latest solo album, "Pins and Needles", was released in Europe in March 2007 via Metal Heaven Records. The CD arrived in North America on June 5 via Locomotive.
We announce a start of project allukrainian metal magazine and about looking responsible authors in team.
Metal House - edition is devoted heavy music. Among the directions a magazine reviews you will find interesting information, beginning from hard & glam metal and concluding heavy brutal death & black. Our basic principle is to carry the most newest and claimed information to the reader.
In a magazine you will find: last news in the world of heavy music, reviews on the novelties (and not only) of CD and DVD of releases, intrevews with the known musicians, playbills of forthcoming concerts and music measures, reviews of music instruments, reports from concerts and also a posters www.metalhouse.com.ua
Rock legend ALICE COOPER will release his new album, "Along Came A Spider", through SPV/Steamhammer on the following dates:
Germany, Austria, Switzerland: July 25 Rest of Europe: July 28 North America: July 29
Check out the CD artwork below.
"Along Came A Spider" was co-produced by Greg Hampton and Danny Saber in Los Angeles. It reportedly features guest appearances by Ozzy Osbourne, who plays harmonica on a track he co-wrote with Cooper, and Slash, who plays guitar on the record as well.
Alice recently told Billboard.biz that his forthcoming LP is "a real 'Alice' album. Conceptually, it's going to be pretty interesting."
Cooper wouldn't reveal too many details, but said the album is based on a fictional serial killer named Spider, who wraps his victims in a silk web. "Every song is sort of a letter to the police," he explains. "They think they're investigating it from the outside, but he's actually woven them into the whole thing."
"Along Came A Spider" track listing (in alphabetical order): 01. Catch Me 02. Hungry 03. I Am The Spider 04. I Know Where You Live 05. (In Touch With) Your Feminine Side 06. Killed By Love 07. Salvation 08. The One That Got Away 09. Vengeance Is Mine 10. Wake The Dead 11. Wrapped In Silk
Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA will take part in a special concert dubbed "Classical Conspiracy" on June 14 at the Miskolc International Opera Festival in Hungary. The band will perform classical pieces from Mozart, Dvorak, Verdi, Orff, Prokofiev, Grieg, Vivaldi as well as symphonic versions of its own songs.
EPICA celebrated the five-year anniversary of the release of its debut album, "The Phantom Agony", by performing the CD in its entirety on May 16 at Tivoli in Utrecht, The Netherlands. After the regular set, EPICA returned for a four-song encore: "Veniality", "Sancta Terra", "Fools of Damnation" and "Consign to Oblivion".
Commented the band: "The shows we did the last two weekends were amazing. Almost every one of them was sold out. It was great to be rocking the stage with Simone [vocals] again and we are looking forward to the upcoming shows a lot!
"At the moment we are working very hard to complete the preparations for the Classical Conspiracy show. As posted earlier, the choir and the orchestra have started their rehearsals as well."
Kscope has set an August 25 release date for the new semi-acoustic album from ANATHEMA entitled "Hindsight". The LP will be available to download from August 18.
"Hindsight" features old and new favourites from the band's career, with new arrangements utilizing acoustic, electrical and orchestral instruments to construct the deep, emotional landscapes ANATHEMA have become renowned for.
This album will also feature the beautiful cello playing of Dave Wesling from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. A close friend of the band, Dave previously toured with the band in 2004 and is featured on the DVD "A Moment In Time". The record has been arranged, recorded, performed and produced solely by the band.
"Hindsight" track listing: 01. Fragile Dreams 02. Leave No Trace 03. Inner Silence 04. One Last Goodbye 05. Are You There? 06. Angelica 07. A Natural Disaster 08. Temporary Peace 09. Flying 10. Unchained (Tales Of The Unexpected)
A video trailer for "Holographic Universe", the third CD from Swedish metallers SCAR SYMMETRY, can be viewed ' . A track from the CD, "Morphogenesis", can be heard on the band's ' .
Due on June 20 via Nuclear Blast Records, "Holographic Universe" will feature the following track listing:
01. Morphogenesis (3:54) 02. Timewave Zero (5:13) 03. Quantumleaper (4:09) 04. Artificial Sun Projection (4:00) 05. The Missing Coordinates (4:37) 06. Ghost Prototype I (Measurement of Thought) (4:35) 07. Fear Catalyst (5:03) 08. Trapezoid (4:17) 09. Prism and Gate (3:46) 10. Holographic Universe (9:05) 11. The Three-Dimensional Shadow (3:57) 12. Ghost Prototype II (Deus Ex Machina) (6:03)
Norwegian black metal pioneers DARKTHRONE will release a three-CD box set entitled "Frostland Tapes" on June 23 via Peaceville Records.
For the past 21 years, DARKTHRONE has been one of the leaders of the black metal scene. To coincide with this anniversary, Peaceville Records will release "Frostland Tapes", a fascinating trip into the earliest years of the band and the first official release ever to contain all four of DARKTHRONE's demos in one place. "Frostland Tapes" also includes a rare live recording from Denmark in 1990 (one of only a handful of live appearances that DARKTHRONE has ever made) and, perhaps most significantly, the previously unreleased version of the infamous 1991 "Goatlord" rehearsal session. These songs were intended to feature on the proposed second album before the band changed direction and the tapes were confined to the vaults. Vocals were subsequently added in the mid-Nineties, but they are presented here as the recording sounded in 1991 — instrumental genius, showing the complexity and intricacy of a band with a great future ahead of them. The set comes in a rigid digibook featuring an interview with the band, chronicling their early days, ambitions and inspirations.
Disc 1:
"Land Of Frost" Demo (1988)
01. Land of Frost 02. Winds of Triton 03. Forest of Darkness 04. Odyssey of Freedom 05. Day of the Dead
"A New Dimension" Demo (1988)
06. Intro: Twilight Dimension 07. Snowfall
"Thulcandra" Demo (1989)
08. Eon 09. Thulcandra 10. Archipelago Extra track: "Soria Moria"
Disc 2:
"Cromlech" Demo (1989)
01. The Watchtower 02. Accumulation of Generalization 03. Sempiternal Past/Presence View Sepulchrality 04. Iconoclasm Sweeps Cappadocia
Live From Denmark 1990:
05. Cromlech 06. Sunrise over Locus Mortis 07. Soulside Journey 08. Accumulation of Generalization 09. Sempiternal Past/Presence View Sepulchrality 10. Iconoclasm Sweeps Cappadocia 11. Neptune Towers
Disc 3:
"Goatlord" – Rare Instrumental Version (1991)
01. Rex 02. Pure Demoniac Blessing 03. (The) Grimness of which Shepherds Mourn 04. Sadomasochistic Rites 05. As Desertshadows 06. In his Lovely Kingdom 07. Black Daimon 08. Toward(s) the Thornfields 09. (Birth of Evil) Virgin Sin 10. Green Cave Float 11. A Blaze In The Northern Sky 12. Fenriz Drum Solo
Los Angeles tharshers SLAYER have issued the following update:
"Due to production reasons, we need to postpone our show in Moscow this summer from June 25th to November 29th. All tickets for the June 25th show are valid for entry on the rescheduled November 29th date."
Upcoming SLAYER shows:
Jun. 20 - Kobetasonik - Bilbao, Spain Jun. 22 - Hellfest - Le Mans, France Jun. 24 - Tasmajdan Arena - Belgrade, Serbia Jun. 27 - Bratislava - Tropfest, Slovakia Jun. 28 - Gods of Metal - Bologna Parco Nord, Italy Jun. 29 - Tuska - Helsinki, Finland Jul. 01 - Tallinn Exhibition Hall - Tallinn, Estonia Jul. 03 - Arvika - Arvika, Sweden Jul. 04 - Werchter Rock Festival - Werchter, Belgium Jul. 05 - Waldrock - Waldrock, Holland Jul. 06 - Roskilde - Roskilde, Denmark Jul. 09 - Super Bock Super Rock - Lisbon, Portugal Jul. 11 - La Plata - Merida, Spain Jul. 12 - Metalway Festival - Zaragoza, Spain Nov. 29 - B1 Club - Moscow, Russia
Brazilian death metal veterans KRISIUN will release their new album, "Southern Storm", in Europe on July 21 via Century Media Records. The CD was once again recorded at Stage One Studios in Borgentreich, Germany with producer Andy Classen (TANKARD, ROTTING CHRIST, DEW-SCENTED), who previously worked with the group on 1999's "Conquerors Of Armageddon" and 2006's "AssassiNation". According to a press release, the CD "offers everything the band's rabid fan base loves since day one: ferocious high-speed blasting, infectious double bass-driven grooves, razor-sharp riffs, devastating leads and a unique feel for combining catchiness with technicality. Tracks like the massive opener 'Slaying Steel', 'Combustion Inferno' or the band's rendition of the SEPULTURA classic 'Refuse/Resist' are nothing but crushing death metal hits!"
"Southern Storm" track listing: 01. Slaying Steel (4:11) 02. Sentenced Morning (3:59) 03. Twisting Sights (4:05) 04. Minotaur (3:51) 05. Combustion Inferno (4:23) 06. Massacre Under The Sun (4:43) 07. Bleeding Offers (3:24) 08. Refuse / Resist (SEPULTURA cover) (3:00) 09. Origin Of Terror (4:05) 10. Contradictions Of Decay (4:08) 11. Sons Of Pest (4:47) 12. Black Wind (0:48) 13. Whore Of The Unlight (4:23)
Swedish black metallers MARDUK have been confirmed for VADER's 25-year anniversary gig, scheduled for August 30 at Stodola Club in Warsaw, Poland. Meanwhile, Brazil's KRISUN has been forced to cancel its participation in the event due to "some technical issues," according to a posting on VADER's web site.
The billing for the show is as follows:
DISMEMBER ENTOMBED GOREFEST GRAVE MARDUK NILE ROTTING CHRIST SAMAEL SEPTICFLESH VADER
VADER will play a two-hour-plus set, featuring songs from old demo tapes as well as the more popular tracks from the group's recent studio albums. The show will be filmed for an anniversary DVD, tentivately titled "XXV" (to be released in 2009). The band will prepare not only a special live set, but also a special stage design and other surprises.
Swedish dark, melodic metal act EVERGREY has unveiled the cover artwork and track listing for its new album, "Torn", which will arrive at the stores at the beginning of September via the band's new label, Steamhammer/SPV.
"Torn" track listing: 01. Broken Wings 02. Soaked 03. Fear 04. When Kingdoms Fall 05. In Confidence 06. Fail 07. Numb 08. Torn 09. Nothing Is Erased 10. Still Walk Alone 11. These Scars
THE GATHERING have posted an update on their official website's forum about the new material they are currently working on. "Dear all, Sorry it has been a while since you've heard from us. We apologize for this. It actually means that we have been really busy with the band. During the last couple of months we created a lot of new ideas that lead to the first songs of our upcoming CD. Yes, we are working on a new album! Or actually, two new albums! Many of our new songs are very rock and guitar orientated and will end up on a heavy rock album for sure. The second album will be filled with more 'shoe gaze', dreamy tracks.
We can imagine if you are very curious about new vocalists. Currently, we are working with several. It feels very refreshing and interesting to work with different voices and it adds beautiful new colours to our music. Names will be presented as soon as our ideas become more concrete. As promised you will hear new material by the end of this year. The release of our new album is planned for Spring 2009.
Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) has finished mixing and mastering his new solo album, "The Man Who Would Not Die", with former WOLFSBANE guitarist Jase Edwards at Jase's studio in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England. Due on July 7 via the singer's own independent label (with additional licensing to various countries), the CD was engineered by James Dunkley, produced by Blaze Bayley and it promises to take Blaze in new songwriting directions, ushering in a new phase of an already renowned career. It is also the first recorded showcase for Blaze's new lineup.
"The Man Who Would Not Die" track listing: 01. The Man Who Would Not Die 02. Blackmailer 03. Smile Back At Death 04. While You Were Gone 05. Samurai 06. A Crack In The System 07. Robot 08. At The End Of The Day 09. Waiting For My Life To Begin 10. Voices From The Past 11. The Truth Is One 12. Serpent Hearted Man
Finnish doom metal band REVEREND BIZARRE will have its 2005 classic album "Crush the Insects" re-released in the UK on August 4 via Spinefarm. The UK reissue comes complete with a slipcase plus an enhanced section featuring the video for "Doom over the World".
Finnish metallers KALMAH will release their fifth studio album, "For The Revolution", in the UK on July 14 via Spinefarm.
For the UK version of "Revolution", selected bonus audio/visual content has been added to the mix, along with a slipcase bearing exclusive new artwork. The bonus audio track is a cover of SEPULTURA's "Arise", while on the visual side, "The Groan Of Wind" (a song from 2006's "Black Waltz") has also been included as an enhanced video.
Former STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki has posted another song from his new band, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, on the group's MySpace page. Check out the track "I Did It My Way" at this location.
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's current lineup also includes Brazilian drummer Bruno Agra and keyboardist Mike Khalilov.
The band's debut album, "New Era", will be released on June 6 via Frontiers Records. According to a press release, the CD "is a masterpiece of melodic power metal, taking the listener straight back to the 'Visions'-era STRATOVARIUS. In fact, 'New Era' is the album that was meant to be the next STRATOVARIUS album.
"Timo called a few friends for the recording sessions and the album features all the lead vocals from such legends as Michael Kiske [HELLOWEEN] and Tobias Sammet [EDGUY, AVANTASIA], along with Timo's blistering lead guitar lines and melodic power metal anthems that made him one of the pioneers of the style and trademark performers of the style. REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE witnesses a rebirth, a new era for Timo Tolkki and his music."
Other musicians that reportedly appear on "New Era" include Pasi Rantanen (vocals; THUNDERSTONE), Mirka Rantanen (drums; THUNDERSTONE) and Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 DEGREE WOMAN).
"Revolution Renaissance" track listing: 01. Heroes (Sammet) 02. I Did It My Way (Kiske) 03. We Are Magic (Rantanen) 04. Angel (Kiske) 05. Eden Is Burning (Rantanen) 06. Glorious And Divine (Sammet) 07. Born Upon The Cross (Rantanen) 08. Keep The Flame Alive (Kiske) 09. Last Night On Earth (Kiske) 10. Revolution Renaissance (Kiske)
Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have issued the following update:
"Finland/Russia/Ukraine rocks...
"Another successful tour has come to an end. Thanks to everyone that attended the gigs to show their support and make this such a memorable trip for us.
"Finland was amazing, with a devoted and dedicated audience that didn't disappoint one bit. The highlight was the nearly-sold-out Tavastia show, which marked our first headline gig in Helsinki since 1996, when we played in the now legendary Lepakko club, supported by a young HIM. (!)
"Russia and Ukraine was everything we expected and more, and it's no exaggeration to state that the performance in Moscow deserves a spot in the Top 5 list of the best shows ever. We've been waiting for so many years to get over there, and other bands have spoken highly of the great reception they've gotten, but our sky-high expectations were surpassed.
"Finally, a huge thanks to everyone involved in the promotion/organization of these shows for their great professionalism and hospitality."
Amazing American modern metal band DEVILDRIVER is going to appear in Eastern Europe finally. For a first time band will play one gig in Estonia and two exclusive gigs in Russia in May 2008. Band will be supported by leading Eastern European modern metal act RASTA, who is going to present their new maxi single called “Meridium”.
03.05 – Tallinn (Estonia) “Holywood” 05.05 – St. – Petersburg (Russia) “Orlandina” 06.05 – Moscow (Russia) “Tochka”
American thrash metal monsters TESTAMENT finally confirmed their Russian shows for june with THE FLAMING ARTS Agency. TESTAMENT will be supported by Russian GRENOUER – one of the most respected bands from Russia, who is going to present their new album “Lifelong Days” will be released in june by Locomotive Records in Europe. 17.06.08 – St-Petersburg “Orlandina” 18.06.08 – Moscow “Tochka”
According to a posting on the CHILDREN OF BODOM fan site Scythes Of Bodom, Spinefarm Records will reissue the band's "Something Wild", "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Tokyo Warhearts" (live) albums on April 30. The three studio LPs will contain the original songs plus the following bonus material:
"Something Wild": 01. Children Of Bodom (original single version) 02. Mass Hypnosis (SEPULTURA cover) 03. Deadnight Warrior (video)
"Hatebreeder": 01. No Commands (STONE cover) 02. Aces High (IRON MAIDEN cover) 03. Downfall (video) (not yet confirmed)
"Follow the Reaper": 01. Hate Me! (original single version) 02. Hellion (W.A.S.P. cover) 03. Everytime I Die (video)
Swedish melodic black metallers SIEBENBÜRGEN have finalized the track listing of their new album, "Revelation VI", due on May 30 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Studio 301 in Stockholm and Sonic Train in Varberg and is the group's first to feature guitarist Joakim Ohlsson and vocalist Lisa Bohwalli Simonsson. Singer Marcus Ehlin previously stated, "Our first decision was to exclude the female parts in our music, but after hearing Lisa's voice, we changed our minds."
"Revelation VI" track listing: 01. Awaken 02. Rebirth Of The Nameless 03. Infernaliia 04. Revelation VI 05. Grimheim 06. After The Wolf (Do Dead Men Follow) 07. S.I.N. 08. The Oaken Throne 09. The Soulless 10. Enter Omega (digipack bonus track) 11. In Sanctum 12. Fire Leaps High 13. At The End Of Twilight
On April 22, Swedish metallers OPETH will release the album version of "Porcelain Heart". You can buy the track from Amazon.com. The band recently filmed a promotional video for an edited version of the song. The clip was directed by Lasse Hoile (PORCUPINE TREE) and shot in Vaxholm, Sweden at the marvellous Bogesund castle, built in the 1640s. The edit was done by Jens Bogren and Mikael Åkerfeldt.
Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT were honored with the "Album of the Year" Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for their latest album, "The Formation of Damnation". TESTAMENT beat out the other worthy contenders in this category: ATREYU, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, CHILDREN OF BODOM and DOWN. 
Norway's ULVER has posted a cover version of PRINCE's "Thieves in the Temple" on its official ' . "Thieves in the Temple" was originally released on PRINCE's 1990 "Graffiti Bridge" album, with the song hitting No. 6 on the U.S. single chart.
Guitarist Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) entered the studio at the end of April to begin recording his new solo album for an October release. According to Chris, "[We] entered Ultimate Music Studios in Cortland, NY today to begin the recording of drum tracks. 
We announce a start of project allukrainian metal magazine and about looking responsible authors in team.
"Along Came A Spider" track listing (in alphabetical order): 
Jonas Kjellgren - New producer of russian SCARTOWN
"Hindsight" track listing:
01. Morphogenesis (3:54)
Norwegian black metal pioneers DARKTHRONE will release a three-CD box set entitled "Frostland Tapes" on June 23 via Peaceville Records. 
It will be after the show in Apelsin club on may 25th. Please take only official band production.
Los Angeles tharshers SLAYER have issued the following update: 
Swedish black metallers MARDUK have been confirmed for VADER's 25-year anniversary gig, scheduled for August 30 at Stodola Club in Warsaw, Poland. Meanwhile, Brazil's KRISUN has been forced to cancel its participation in the event due to "some technical issues," according to a posting on VADER's web site.
"Torn" track listing:
THE GATHERING have posted an update on their official website's forum about the new material they are currently working on. "Dear all, Sorry it has been a while since you've heard from us. We apologize for this. It actually means that we have been really busy with the band. During the last couple of months we created a lot of new ideas that lead to the first songs of our upcoming CD. Yes, we are working on a new album! Or actually, two new albums! Many of our new songs are very rock and guitar orientated and will end up on a heavy rock album for sure. The second album will be filled with more 'shoe gaze', dreamy tracks.
"The Man Who Would Not Die" track listing:
Finnish doom metal band REVEREND BIZARRE will have its 2005 classic album "Crush the Insects" re-released in the UK on August 4 via Spinefarm. The UK reissue comes complete with a slipcase plus an enhanced section featuring the video for "Doom over the World".
Finnish metallers KALMAH will release their fifth studio album, "For The Revolution", in the UK on July 14 via Spinefarm. 
"Revolution Renaissance" track listing:
Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have issued the following update: 
American thrash metal monsters TESTAMENT finally confirmed their Russian shows for june with THE FLAMING ARTS Agency.
According to a posting on the CHILDREN OF BODOM fan site Scythes Of Bodom, Spinefarm Records will reissue the band's "Something Wild", "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Tokyo Warhearts" (live) albums on April 30. The three studio LPs will contain the original songs plus the following bonus material:
"Revelation VI" track listing:
On April 22, Swedish metallers OPETH will release the album version of "Porcelain Heart". You can buy the track from Amazon.com. The band recently filmed a promotional video for an edited version of the song. The clip was directed by Lasse Hoile (PORCUPINE TREE) and shot in Vaxholm, Sweden at the marvellous Bogesund castle, built in the 1640s. The edit was done by Jens Bogren and Mikael Åkerfeldt.