According to a posting on HANKER's official web site, the Quebec City-based power/thrash metallers have finished writing 13 songs for the group's new album, tentatively due in the fall.

HANKER's latest CD, "Web of Faith", was released in August 2004 via Skycraper Music. The album was produced by Jean-François Dagenais (KATAKLYSM) and HANKER and was recorded at Victor Studio and JFD Studio.

Guitarist/vocalist Bart Frydrychowicz of the Canadian technical metallers QUO VADIS has issued the following update:

"I just wanted to thank all the fans who showed up at the Ontario shows [in late December]. In the end, we made it to Hamilton [on Dec. 28] seven hours late due to mechanical problems with our bus. We were told 3/4 of the people had already left not believing we could make it, and the rumor was made more believable since the Toronto show got cancelled due to the venue being shut down by the feds.
We did everything we could to load and set up and we ended up starting around 2:15 a.m. and got cut off at 3:00 a.m. To all the diehards who stayed behind, we salute you! To the other couple of hundred who couldn't make it, we'll be back and put together a special show for you guys.

"The London show [on Dec. 29] made it all up for Hamilton, cheers to everyone from Toronto and Hamilton who drove a few hours to come and see us in London! Cheers to everyone we met, we had a blast and we'll be back.

"Finally, the Toronto show [on Dec. 30] was cancelled; we only found out while on the road and had no way of updating the site with this info, apparently the venue was shut down by the government due to some permit issues. We heard there that no note or announcement was made at the venue and a couple dozen fans waited in the cold with no sign of life inside. The promoter had told us he had spread the word and made announcements everywhere, however it turned out that tickets were still being sold online and there was no note at the venue. We will try to find out more and let you know what happened.

"Again, many thanks to all that came out to see us; we will be back with full force!"

QUO VADIS will support KATAKLYSM on their "The Road To Devastation" European tour beginning on January 4 in Arnhem, Holland. Also scheduled to appear are NEAERA and FEAR MY THOUGHTS.

QUO VADIS in 2005 issued a triple-DVD, entitled "Defiant Indoctrination". The set was filmed on May 7, 2005 at the Medley in Montreal. The band peformed their third album, "Defiant Imagination", in its entirety as well as songs from their previous releases.

Finnish death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM entered Southeast Studios in Karhula, Finland on November 6 with producer Teemu Aalto to begin recording their third album, entitled "Stuck Here On Snake's Way". Due on April 2 via Candlelight Records, the CD will contain the following track listing:

01. The Snake And The Way
02. Into Sea
03. Dysnomia
04. A-Part Of God
05. Undertaker
06. Bastard-O
07. The Third Flame
08. Just Signs
09. Truth
10. Drudgery
11. In Sane World
12. Spiritual

The mastering took place on December 28 at Chartmakers in Helsinki.

OMNIUM GATHERUM recently uploaded two new tracks to its MySpace profile. The songs — "A Part of God" and "Undertaker" — are taken from the group's latest promotional recording, which the band used to procure its new record deal with Candlelight. The demo marks the first material recorded with brand new OMNIUM GATHERUM vocalist Jukka Pelkonen, who joined the group in May 2006.

OMNIUM GATHERUM parted ways with Nuclear Blast Records last year. The band's latest album, "Years in Waste", was released in the U.S. in March 2005. The follow-up to 2003's "Spirits and August Light" was recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Nino Laurenne and engineer Teemu Aalto.

According to a posting on OPETH's official web site, the group's frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has started writing material for what is supposed to be the ninth OPETH record, tentatively due before the end of the year. In addition, he is working on an as-yet-unnamed side-project. More information will be made available soon.

As previously reported, OPETH will be IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson's guests on Saturday, January 6 during Bruce's weekly BBC 6 Music radio show, aptly named "Rock Show". Listen to the program live via the Internet between 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight) U.K. time (between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST) at BBC.co.uk.

OPETH filmed its November 9 show at the Roundhouse in London for a possible DVD.

The special-edition deluxe version of OPETH's "Ghost Reveries" CD was released on October 31 via Roadrunner Records. Bonus material on the set includes the band's cover of DEEP PURPLE's "Soldier of Fortune", a 40-minute documentary about the making of the record complete with the band's own private tour footage, the video for "The Grand Conjuration", liner notes, photos, an enhanced 24-page booklet, deluxe sleeve, and 5.1 surround exclusive mix of the record made by original mixed/engineer Jens Bogren.

Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press reports:

The reality TV show is over for ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA. Now there's just the reality of turning a made-for-TV group into a real rock band.

And judging from the foursome's opening show New Year's Eve, there's plenty of work left to do.

Led by Toronto singer Lukas Rossi, SUPERNOVA delivered a wildly uneven show before some 2,000 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

SUPERNOVA chugged through the show like a car on its last legs, occasionally speeding up only to lose power and fall back. It was one step forward and two back for most of the eighty-minute, 13-song performance that started at 11:20 p.m. after a performance by opening act LUNA HALO, a fivesome from Nashville.

The band's musical hiccups weren't helped by a sophomoric "Girls Gone Wild" mentality throughout the show, with drummer Tommy Lee digging into the MÖTLEY CRÜE vault for the "titty-cam" to encourage women in the audience to bare their breasts for the big screen.

No stranger to using a camcorder, Lee should know better.

And any style points the band received for using a four-woman string section for three songs were lost by the decision to have two dancers in lingerie, denim chaps and boots gyrate on several others. All that was missing was the pole, but it's early days on tour.

Rossi was welcomed by a vocal Canadian contingent, with Maple Leaf flags and at least one Leafs jersey with the name Rossi stitched on the back.

All of them must have cringed when guitarist Gilby Clarke introduced Rossi "from the great state of Toronto, Canada."

Read the rest of the article at this location.

Mark Carras of RockMyMonkey.com recently conducted an interview with SIX FEET UNDER bassist Terry Butler. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Rock My Monkey: What can SIX FEET UNDER fans expect from the new album? With the last album there was definitely a slight style change. Is that progression still going to continue in that direction?

Terry Butler: I would say, if I had to describe the new style, it would be "Maximum Violence" meets "Haunted".

Rock My Monkey: Okay.

Terry Butler: I'm really psyched about it. I really liked it. We had a good writing experience. We wrote all the music in the studio and it just flowed through. It's pretty upbeat the whole time, but there's some really catchy, groovy riffs. I think SFU fans are going to like it a lot, especially some of the older, the people who've been around for a long time listening to us, it will satisfy them. The last couple records we've kind of, I don't want to say gotten off our style, but we've always tried to be a little bit different. We didn't want to always just put ten records that sounded like "Haunted". So we just kind of, I don't want to say experimented, but we just kind of messed around a little bit, certain styles, but I think this is kind of back to what our fans would expect.

Rock My Monkey: So some of the fans that might have been disappointed in the last album will actually probably embrace this album a little bit more?

Terry Butler: I think so. It's, like I said, it's "Haunted" mixed with "Maximum". It's got the patented doomy, groovy stuff that we do. Some good vocal hooks in it. I'm pretty excited about it.

Rock My Monkey: Now there was a little bit of tension with Metal Blade towards the end of the last album cycle. Have those issues been ironed out, and is SIX FEET UNDER still going to stay with Metal Blade?

Terry Butler: Yeah, we're still with Metal Blade. It's just, you have to ride the wave of whatever music is popular right now. What's popular right now is the AS I LAY DYING, UNEARTH, stuff is really popular. Two years from now it might not be popular anymore. You just have to ride that wave. And sometimes you might get stuck on the backburner a little bit, because obviously they're going to go with what's cranking at the time, you know what I mean?

Rock My Monkey: Right, right, right.

Terry Butler: But we're dedicated, they're dedicated to us. The promotion and support's been great. You just have to ride the cycle through.

Rock My Monkey: So the tension came more from too much of a focus at a certain point being with the latest wave, as opposed to some of the more long-term, established artists?

Terry Butler: Yeah, that's the kind of feeling I have. I understand that.
It's a business thing, and you got to go with the hot band at the moment.
But we're always consistent, and we're always there. We don't really change to just to satisfy a trend or anything. We just kind of do our thing, and hope the cycle comes back around to us.

Check out the entire interview in text and MP3 format at www.rockmymonkey.com.

RIOT/THE LIZARDS vocalist Mike DiMeo, who recently replaced Jorn Lande as the singer of MASTERPLAN, has issued the following statement:

"In response to all the mail I have been receiving about my status with RIOT.... I have had many great years with the band, and I am tremendously proud of all the work I have done with them, especially [the latest CD] 'Army of One', but at this point in my life and career, I prefer to forge ahead with a new path musically. I look forward to a new creative beginning with MASTERPLAN, who are an incredibly talented and motivated group of guys!! I wish RIOT the best of luck in the future and will always consider them brothers."

RIOT's latest album, "Army of One", was released in Europe in October via Metal Heaven. The CD was issued in Japan on July 17 via the Toshiba-EMI label.

RIOT's current touring lineup includes singer Mike Tirelli (MESSIAH'S KISS, HOLY MOTHER, BURNING STARR), who has been filling in for DiMeo due to DiMeo's previous commitments with THE LIZARDS (also featuring drummer Bobby Rondinelli of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT/BLACK SABBATH/RAINBOW fame).

As previously reported, the cover artwork of the new MASTERPLAN EP, entitled "Lost and Gone", has been posted online at this location. Due on January 26 via AFM Records, the CD is the first release to feature the group's new lineup — left to right in picture: Roland Grapow (guitar), Jan S. Eckert (bass), Mike Terrana (drums; YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, AXEL RUDI PELL, METALIUM, RAGE), Axel Mackenrott (keyboards) and DiMeo. An audio sample of the EP's title cut has been posted online at this location (audio player in upper right-hand corner).

MASTERPLAN's third album is due on February 23. A European tour in support of SAXON will follow in February-May.

MASTERPLAN's original singer, Jorn Lande, left the band in May, citing "musical differences" between the vocalist and the rest of the band. During the songwriting process for the group's third album, it became increasingly apparent that the other members of the band had different visions and plans for the group's musical direction. While Jorn wanted MASTERPLAN to follow a more melodic path, the rest of the band wanted to return to the metallic roots of their debut album.

Veteran German thrashers SODOM were joined by the band's former guitarist Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik during their December 28, 2006 appearance at Zeche in Bochum in Germany. Blackfire performed the track "Sodomy and Lust" with the group and also joined SODOM on stage for the backing vocals on "Ausgebombt". The 17-song set was filmed by German TV (WDR) and was also shot for use in the band's upcoming second volume of the "Lords of Depravity" DVD. Check out pictures from the show: Photo#1, Photo#2, Photo#3.

As previously reported, SODOM have been confirmed for next year's installment of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 2-4, 2007 in Wacken, Germany.

SODOM's self-titled album was released in Germany on April 21, 2006 in Europe April 24, 2006 and in the USA May 9, 2006 via SPV Records. The band issued its "Lords of Depravity - Part I" DVD in the U.S. on February 21, 2006 via SPV. The first of two double-DVD sets contains the SODOM history from 1982 to 1995 plus live footage from concerts in Sofia and at the With Full Force, Wacken Open Air and Rock Hard festivals.

(Thanks: Hans in The Netherlands)

German power metallers RAGE have announced the addition of drummer André Hilgers (AXXIS, SILENT FORCE) to the group's ranks. "During [the recording sessions for] the Nuclear Blast anniversary album, we were very surprised how perfectly André's style matched our new song, 'Terrified'," the group writes on its web site. "So it was obvious that we jammed through the RAGE classics and the sparks flew immediately. André had a lot of new ideas that fitted perfectly our style and the understanding among us was harmonically. He brings a lot of fresh blood and power to the band and we have loads of fun again playing our music.

"Andre's 32 and he's from our area, what makes work a lot easier. With him he brings meanwhile 16 years of experience in studio and live work. He, as a metal fan from the beginning, followed the career of RAGE from its start, so he's perfectly into our material (even the old stuff). Though he's got extraordinary musical abilities, he never lost touch and stayed based in all his musical projects he focused more on playing for the songs and bands than to boost his ego."

RAGE's latest addition, André Hilgers, commented: "Surely I was very happy regarding the request of the guys [to join the band], and it's a great honor, belonging to RAGE now after drummers like Jörg Michael, Efti or Mike Terrana, lambasting the kettles. The studio job for the anniversary sampler for Nuclear Blast was so much fun, that I really look forward for the teamwork with Victor and Peavy, as it's also a challenge for me to work with such versed blooded musicians like Vic or an inherent part of the German metal scene... namely Peavy. Meanwhile, we've started rehearsal and we will present you a great show in Illingen with some real highlights out of the RAGE history.

"I would like to wish Mike good luck with MASTERPLAN and his next projects, as for me, he's still a great drummer, putting an levelling bar for me! I also would like to clarify that I remain part of AXXIS and SILENT FORCE."

Check out a photo of the new RAGE lineup at this location.

As previously reported, RAGE filmed its show in St. Petersburg, Russia earlier in the year in front of 15,000 fans for an upcoming live DVD, tentatively due on February 23, 2007 via Nuclear Blast. Entitled "Full Moon in St. Petersburg" (cover), the double DVD will contain the complete concert in St. Petersburg, Russia, plus a lot of behind-the-scenes footage and material from personal archives. More information is available at this location.

German stoner rockers DUSTER 69 have signed a deal with Greece's Sleaszy Rider Recods for all territories except Germany, Switzerland and Austria (where their records will be made available via Decibell). The group's new full-length album, "Angel King", will be released on February 23.

In related news, Sleaszy Rider has ended its worldwide distribution arrangement with EMI. EMI Greece will still be the label's distributor for Greece and Cyprus, but the company will soon announce its new distribution partners around the world. Sleaszy Rider has also announced that Kyra Bartkiewitz (Skydra Management, ex-Century Media), taken over the European Sleaszy Rider business effective December 2006. Bartkiewitz will take care of the promotion and distribution for most European countries, as her base is in Germany.

The SE Paul Allender guitar, which pays tribute to CRADLE OF FILTH lead guitarist Paul Allender's Private Stock guitar, is one of eight new PRS Guitars models for 2007 that will debut at the January Winter NAMM Show January 18-21, 2007 in Anaheim, California. The Paul Allender SE signature artist model guitar is based on the SE custom and features a mahogany body, a maple cap and a quilted maple veneer. Other features include a set-in maple neck with a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard and Paul Allender's "Bats in Flight" inlay. The guitar is available with tremolo only, gold hardware and a purple to black "Allender Burst."

CRADLE OF FILTH's new album, "Thornography", has sold more than 30,000 copies in the United States since its October 17 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The follow-up to 2004's "Nymphetamine" was recorded at Lincolnshire, England's Chapel studios with producer Rob Caggiano (BLEEDING THROUGH, ANTHRAX) and was mixed at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, England by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, SKINLAB, NEVERMORE).

THE CURSED, the new band featuring vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (OVERKILL) and former HADES guitarist Dan Lorenzo, has posted audio samples of the tracks "Leven Als God in Frankrijk" (Living like a God in France) and the single "Evil, In The Bag" on its MySpace page.

THE CURSED, which also features bassist Job The Raver (MURDER 1) and drummer Mike Cristi (NON-FICTION), recently finished the recording of its Screaming Ferret Wreckords debut, tentatively titled "Room Full of Sinners". The CD was completed at Crystal Studios in New Jersey, before and after OVERKILL's successful stint on the Gigantour, which also featured MEGADETH and LAMB OF GOD. Mike Koenig from Crystal Studios engineered.

"Room Full of Sinners" tentative track listing:

01. Sweeter
02. Evil, in the Bag
03. Breaking Her Down
04. Best of the Worst
05. Native Tongue
06. Serpentine Slither
07. All's Right
08. Leven Als God in Frankrijk
09. One Time
10. Queen of the Down
11. Generate Her

"I can't wait for people to hear this CD," said Lorenzo. "People have never heard Blitz sing like this, he has some Bon Scott and Steven Tyler in him."

Lorenzo continued, "Our upcoming single, 'Evil, In The Bag', is real catchy and there are some really heavy songs on this CD, but there are a couple songs that will surprise people. The entire disc is solid."

Shockwaves Podcast #7 — featuring interviews with former FEAR FACTORY and current ASESINO guitarist Dino Cazares and metal photographer Kevin Estrada — is available for download at this location (17 MB). Also included are classic interview segments from current ROB ZOMBIE guitarist John 5 and the late, great METAL CHURCH/REVEREND vocalist David Wayne.

An exclusive interview with British author Joel McIver, who just released his brand new book "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", is featured in Shockwaves Podcast #6, which can be downloaded at this location (20 MB). Also included: a classic Ozzy Osbourne interview segment from 1996 and Shockwaves European correspondent Fredrik Hjelm reports from the IRON MAIDEN show outside the Globe arena in Stockholm, Sweden. And test your metal wits once again with 10 classic metal riffs and leads!

German "viking metallers" EQUILIBRIUM have been confirmed for the 2007 edition of the Up From The Ground festival, set to take place August 24-25 in Gemünden, Germany. Headlining the event on the Saturday night (August 25) will be veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT. More acts will be announced soon.

For more information, visit www.uftg.de.

EQUILIBRIUM recently signed a multi-album deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The Munich-based group developed an impressive fan base with their last album, "Turis Fratyr", which came out in 2005.

EQUILIBRIUM will enter the studio later this month to record its next album, entitled "Sagas". An early summer release is expected.

For more information, visit www.equilibrium-metal.de.

Finnish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have uploaded a new video blog, featuring footage of the band at Abbey Road Studios in London, England working with arranger Pip Williams and conductor James Shearman on the orchestral parts for the group's new album, due later in the year. Check it out at this location. Photos from the sessions can be found here.

NIGHTWISH is accepting demo submissions until January 15, 2007 for its vacant singer position. More information is available at this location.

NIGHTWISH fired its original singer, Tarja Turunen, via an "open letter," which was given to the singer immediately following their final concert together, which took place on October 21, 2005 at the Hartwall arena in Helsinki, Finland. The Helsinki show was filmed and recorded for the "End of an Era" DVD and CD, which entered the German chart at a No. 3 and has been certified gold for sales in excess of 25,000 copies. "End of an Era" was also certified gold in Finland the day after its release. In addition to the live footage, the DVD includes a slideshow of pictures from the Hartwall show and a 55-minute documentary, "A Day Before Tomorrow", featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the band in the 15 days prior to the Hartwall Show. The documentary was edited by Timo Halo, who also edited and directed the "From Wishes To Eternity - Deleted Scenes" and "End of Innocence" movies that were released on previous NIGHTWISH DVDs.

Dave Harvey of the Hot Springs, Arkansas-based Christian metal act 3:16 has joined Dallas, Texas' PHANTOM-X as the group's new guitarist.

For more information on 3:16, visit www.316rocks.com.

PHANTOM-X, which features in its ranks OMEN singer Kevin Goocher, released its sophomore album, "Storm Riders", in September via Mausoleum Records.

DEATH's official web site is currently offering the 2007 Girls of Metal Calendar, with proceeds going to the American Brain Tumor Association in memory of late DEATH/CONTROL DENIED mastermind Chuck Schuldiner. The calendar includes monthly metal facts and trivia, two photos and a bio of each girl every month. More information is available at www.myspace.com/girlsofmetal.

As previously reported, the latest issue of the Greek edition of Rock Hard magazine features a tribute to Chuck Schuldiner, including statements and stories from many of the people that played with Chuck — such as Kam Lee, Chris Reifert, Terry Butler, Steve DiGiorgio, Richard Christy and Paul Masvidal — plus music industry notables who dealt with Schuldiner, and other musicians, among them Michael Amott (ARCH ENEMY), Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY), Donald Tardy (OBITUARY), Alex Webster (CANNIBAL CORPSE), Trym (EMPEROR), Dan Lilker (NUCLEAR ASSAULT), Kelly Shaefer (ATHEIST), and Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC). Read excerpts from the article, which came out in Greece on December 27, at this location.

Schuldiner passed away on December 13, 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor. He was 34 years old.

RE:IGNITION, the San Francisco Bay Area band which features in its ranks SKINLAB members Steev Esquivel (guitar) and Snake (bass), will record its January 6 show at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco for an upcoming live EP. More information will be made available soon.

RE:IGNITION is currently putting the finishing touches on the "Head On" video with Shawn Sparks. The song comes off the group's debut album, "Empty Heart Loaded Gun", which was released in November via Corporate Punishment Records. The CD features guest appearances by guitarist Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD, ex-VIO-LENCE) and vocalist Brock Lindow (36 CRAZYFISTS).

RE:IGNITION will team up with INDORPHINE and INVITRO for a number of West Coast dates in January. More information is available at www.myspace.com/reignition.

RE:IGNITION is:

Dave Moore (ex-MINDBENDER) - Vocals
Steev Esquivel (SKINLAB, ex-DEFIANCE) - Guitars
Tim Howell (ex-FUELED, SACRILEGE B.C.) - Guitars
Snake (SKINLAB) - Bass
Mark Hernandez (ex-TECHNOCRACY, TORQUE) - Drums

A 23-minute video clip of former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's December 19, 2006 press conference in St. Petersburg, Russia has been made available for download at this location.

As previously reported, Turunen's Christmas album, "Henkäys Ikuisuudesta" (Breath from Heaven), has been certified platinum in Finland for sales in excess of 30,000 copies. The singer also entered the Finnish single chart at position No. 5 with her latest solo release, "You Would Have Loved This".

"You Would Have Loved This" was written by Cori Connors who has also composed for the legendary Linda Ronstadt. The single contains two songs: "You Would Have Loved This" and "Walking in the Air" by Howard Blake. These versions are only available on this single as the album versions of "You Would Have Loved This" and "Walking in the Air" are different.

Commented Tarja: "I found the song 'You Would Have Loved This' from America. The story in the lyrics fits perfectly in this album. It's about the loss of a dear one. With this in mind we did an even more intimate version for album than for the single. It has very touching and beautiful melody."

A video interview (in Finnish, with English subtitles) with Tarja Turunen about her Christmas album can be viewed at this location.

Legendary bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) — whose home in Los Angeles was broken into and burglarized last month — has posted the following message on his official web site:

"Firstly I want to thank all of you who have sent messages to me this last week. We are all okay and we really appreciate all your kind thoughts.

"We spent Christmas eve with Chad [Smith, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer], Nancy [Chad's wife] and Cole [Chad and Nancy's son] in Malibu and we just laughed our asses off. We were driving around in a golf cart looking for Santa.

"I hope you all have a fabulous 2007.

"Once again, I want to thank my higher power for giving me one more day on this earth. I count my blessings, I surround myself with loving people and I get completely lost in my music.

"As you probably know, I am writing all the time. It is my music that sustains me. My sobriety and the gift of music that God has given to me are the greatest gifts.

"I will be playing in many countries in 2007. They will be posted soon.

"I will see you on my journey.

"Please remember to love one another.

"Peace, brothers and sisters."

Glenn Hughes' latest solo album, "Music for the Divine", will receive its long-awaited U.S. release on January 30, 2007 via Demolition Records. The CD, which is available now in Europe on Frontiers Records, was recorded in Chad Smith's house in Los Angeles and again features Smith on drums and longtime Glenn Hughes collaborator JJ Marsh on guitar. Also featured are RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist John Frusciante and Mark Killian, who has provided the string arrangements and keyboards.

Glenn recently announced his new touring band as Jeff Kollman on guitar, Mark Mondesir on drums and Anders Olinder on keyboards.

Germany's SOLEMNITY has set a January 11 release date for its limited-edition 10-inch vinyl containing a classical version of BATHORY's "One Rode to Asa Bay" backed with a cover of LIZZY BORDEN's 'There will be Blood Tonight'.

SOLEMNITY recorded "One Rode to Asa Bay" with the help of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra at the Ulmer Münster Cathedral in Ulm, Germany, which is said to be the highest Catholic church on earth. "This was the place to call on the ancient Gods and show Quorthon and all the Ases in Valhalla that they triumphed at last," the band said in a statement. "You will hear the original medieval church organ, string quartets, female and male choirs, timpanis, mouthdrums and things you can't imagine. All LIVE from the Ulmer Münster on 64-tracks!!"

Check out the "One Rode to Asa Bay" artwork at this location. The vinyl is limited to 500 copies.

In other news, SOLEMNITY recently shot a video for the song "Axe Attack". The band will also record a song for the upcoming science-fiction movie "Captain Ridiculous". More information will be made available soon.

SOLEMNITY's third album, "Shockwave of Steel", was released in 2005. An EP, entitled "Another Bloody Sabbath", followed in April 2006.

Guitarist Colin Davis of the Californian brutal death metallers VILE has issued a follow-up message elaborating on his previous announcement that the group's forthcoming recorded output "will not focus on death anymore":

"A lot of people messaged about this and I really appreciate the thoughts [everyone has] offered. They make me think and I'm glad [they] are helping me to think this through. But let me add a couple comments that might clarify some things.

"[People] are right about how this music is used as a release. I also find it facinating how this process works differently with each person. And I want to say that I am not thinking that this music should not exist, or its 'brutality' in a musical or sonic sense should lessen. What I am thinking is that this music can evolve into something that still allows people to release angst and negativity, but then actually gives something back. Instead of feeding into a negative field, it should be possible to actually channel this but not build it up higher. I also want to say that most people do not know how powerful they are. They have been purposely misled to believe that they have very little power to effect themselves and others. They have been taught that scholars, doctors, religious leaders or political leaders are more capable people. That we should leave the more important matters to them. And that what they say is real or valid, we should believe.

"I say 'jump in a lake.' They are not leaders, they are mis-leaders. We have to understand the subconscious mind. They do! We have to understand that what we see and think with out aware ego-brain is only 5-10 percent of what we actually perceive. Our subconscious mind picks up every word, it analyzes them forward and backwards and compares every word in our vernacular to them for relations. It takes anagrams and backwords words and turns them around. We also have a genetic memory that is millions of years old. It also resonates with words, sounds, colors, terms, pictures, symbols. All of this goes into us and helps to change what we are as a whole. This is why thinking can change everythng around you. And this is why when others think negatively in your direction, you are molded by those thoughts. But this can be mitigated if we are aware of how we work and how others try to manipulate us. And this all comes back to my original blog about how we are responsible for everything we do, say, think and also how we are changed by what others do or say or think. This is where I have to take personal responsibility and use some thought to try to change this music from something that serves one or two purposes to something that serves many more."

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee performed with his ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA band at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas Sunday night (Dec. 31). When an interviewer asked Lee how he planned to party on New Year's Eve in Vegas, he responded, "Naked."

The interviewer followed up with, "Who do you kiss at midnight?"

Lee answered, "Everybody," drawing a distinctly feminine cheer from the crowd.

ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA — whose lineup is completed by vocalist Lukas Rossi, guitarist Gilby Clarke (ex-GUNS N' ROSES) and bassist Johnny Colt (BLACK CROWES, TRAIN) — released its self-titled album on November 21 via Burnett/Epic Records. The band lost ex-METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted after an accident that resulted in a torn anterior labrum in his left shoulder and a rotator cuff and bicep tear in the right. Newsted suffered the injuries while trying to catch a 90-pound bass head that had fallen from atop his amp. The combination of surgery and a lengthy rehab assignment could leave him sidelined for up to nine months.

The cover artwork for ROB ZOMBIE/ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5's upcoming third solo album, "The Devil Knows My Name", has been posted online at this location. A video teaser for the CD can be viewed at YouTube.com.

As previously reported, John 5 has tapped ROB ZOMBIE bassist Piggy D (a.k.a. Matt Montgomery) to design the sleeve inlay for "The Devil Knows My Name", which is due on April 3 via Shrapnel Records. "I'm very excited about how it's turning out and I know [the fans] will dig it too," Piggy previously said. "This is the first time I've designed an entire package for a record, and already have more on the books to do! I took lots of photos on the last ROB ZOMBIE tour that will be included in the design. That's all I want to say about [it]. I want it to be a surprise!"

"The Devil Knows My Name" will feature guest appearances by Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), Joe Satriani, Tommy Clufetos (ROB ZOMBIE, ex-ALICE COOPER), Jim Root (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR), Piggy D. (ROB ZOMBIE), and Matt Bissonette (DAVID LEE ROTH), among others.

John 5 will be the featured guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" airing Monday, January 29. The live show begins at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET, and fans are encouraged to call in with questions during the program at (800) 344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you, check out www.rocklineradio.com.

John 5's second solo album, "Songs for Sanity" (2005), featured guest guitar solos from Steve Vai and Albert Lee. John also worked with KISS frontman Paul Stanley on Stanley's second solo album, "Live to Win", which was released in October.

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD guitarist Jed Simon has finished tracking the rhythm guitars for the debut album from his TENET project, "Sovereign", tentatively due later in the year via Century Media Records. "It was a killer session and a hell of a lot of fun," Simon writes in an online posting. "Drums are being tracked now, and we will be continuing with the rest in February."

In other news, Simon has uploaded a couple of new TENET demo tracks — "Indulge Me" and "Unnameable" — to the the project's MySpace page. "These are new demos that I did as practice so I would have my chops up when I hit the studio," Jed says. "No vocals, no bass, but I think they are a little better than the older demo stuff that was up."

TENET features in its ranks Simon, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD/ex-DEATH drummer Gene Hoglan and SACRIFICE frontman Rob Urbinati.

Jed will appear at the Bernie Rico Jr. Guitars booth during this year's NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention, which is going to be held in Anaheim, California in late January. "I'll be there representing Bernie, and you can check out one of my new BRJ customs, as well as some of his amazing custom creations," says Simon. "Gary Holt (EXODUS) and Jerry Only (MISFITS) will also be there representing Bernie."

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's latest CD, "The New Black" was released in July 2006 via Century Media.

SAVATAGE/TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA guitarist Chris Caffery will take part in signing sessions for GHS, TKL, Spectraflax and Seymour Duncan at this year's NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention, which is going to be held in Anaheim, California in late January. He will also play one song with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA violinist Mark Wood during Mark's annual performance at the event. More information will be made available soon.

Caffery recently completed work on his new solo album, "Pins and Needles", tentatively due later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined label. The follow-up to 2004's "Faces" and 2005's collection of bonus tracks and new compositions, "W.A.R.P.E.D.", was originally scheduled to be released through Greece's Black Lotus Records, but after the company closed its doors last year, Caffery was forced to seek a new label home.

SINNER — the German band featuring PRIMAL FEAR bassist Mat Sinner, his FEAR bandmate Tom Naumann (guitars), Frank Rössler (keyboards), former PRIMAL FEAR drummer Klaus Sperling and second guitarist Christof Leim (THE TRACEELORDS) — was joined by PRIMAL FEAR frontman Ralf Scheepers on lead vocals for renditions of the songs "Metal Is Forever" and "Metal Gods" during SINNER's appearance at the Metal Forever festival on December 30 at the Sporthalle in Böblingen, Germany. Check out pictures from the show at this location.

As previously reported, SINNER will embark on the "Mark of Sanity" European tour in March 2007. Support at the shows will come from VENGEANCE and CHINCHILLA.

The cover artwork for the forthcoming SINNER album, "Mask of Sanity", has been posted online at this location. Produced by mainman Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR) and engineered by Achim Köhler, the CD features guest appearances by Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM), Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR) and Martin Grimm (MYSTIC PROPHECY).

Due on January 19, 2007 via MTM Music (February 20, 2007 in the U.S. through Crash Music), "Mask of Sanity"'s initial limited-edition pressing will include two bonus tracks: a video for the song "Diary of Evil" (written by Mat Sinner with Roy Z) and the THIN LIZZY cover version "Baby Please Don't Go".

"Mask of Sanity" track listing:

01. The Other Side (4:00) (mp3)
02. Diary of Evil (4:33)
03. Badlands (3:50)
04. Black (3:58)
05. Thunder Roar (5:14)
06. The Sign (4:25) (mp3)
07. Revenge (3:33)
08. Under the Gun (3:41)
09. Cant Stand The Heat (3:40)
10. No Return (4:38)
11. Last Man Standing (3:28)
12. Baby Please Don't Go (4:29) (bonus track)
13. Diary of Evil (bonus video track)

Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA are currently recording their new studio album for a tentative late spring release. The group's keyboardist Henkka Klingenberg has issued the following update (taken from the band's online studio diary):

"From the 20 songs we started recording we've now more or less decided to drop a few ones and concentrate on the ones that fit together best. Obviously we can't put all of the rest on the album either, but rest assured that the upcoming record will be pretty long with a lot of stuff for you to digest. So far we're on schedule and the record will be out before the summer.

"Touring-wise, we just announced some dates for the fall tour in the U.S. There will be more to come as soon as we get them confirmed. We're doing some summer festivals as well. Those will be announced as soon as the festivals release their programs. In addition to this, there will be some shows in Finland this spring, also [to be announced] in the near future."

The new single from SONATA ARCTICA, "Replica" — containing a new version of the title cut, which originally appeared on the band's 1999 debut, "Ecliptica", plus the songs "Draw Me" (instrumental) and "Respect the Wilderness" — entered the Finnish single chart in November at position No. 1.

The new version of "Replica" is included on SONATA ARCTICA's "best of" collection, entitled "The Collection 1999-2006", which entered the Finnish album chart at No. 16. In addition to material from the band's studio albums, the CD contains a new version of the song "My Land", which also originally appeared on "Ecliptica".

For more information on the "Replica" single and the "The Collection 1999-2006" CD, go to this location.

Finnish melodic metal act MACHINE MEN has posted the cover artwork for its new single, "No Talk without the Giant", at this location. The band shot a video for the title cut on December 17, 2006. The single, which will be released on January 17, will include two non-album bonus tracks.

"No Talk without the Giant" comes off the group's new album, b>"Circus of Fools", due in February 2007 via Century Media Records. The exact release dates are as follows:

Finland: Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Germany / Austria / Switzerland / Benelux: Friday, February 16, 2007
U.K. / France / Spain / Denmark / Norway : Monday, February 19, 2007
Sweden / Hungary: Wednesday, February 21, 2007.
Italy: Friday, February 23, 2007

Vocalist Antony recently had the following to say about the "No Talk without the Giant" video shoot: "The other guys woke up 3am on Sunday morning — I didn't sleep at all 'cos I was on the road with some Satanic Christmas band. I sat two hours in a train and the guys drove 300km from our hellish hometown Suolahti to Helsinki. The shooting place was a really big and old train hall — really cool and cruel place. The video will be for the punkrockheavy single song 'No Talk without the Giant' and I really can't wait to see it. I think my neck is broken 'cos we banged our heads about 10 hours and we really hope you'll enjoy the video."

The video will be premiered shortly before the single release on the band's MySpace page where you can listen to the album's title track and watch a video of the band performing the song "Falling" on a Finnish TV show.

MACHINE MEN will team up with FINNTROLL, TAROT, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and AFTER FOREVER for the Earthshaker Roadshock tour in April/May 2007.

U.D.O., the band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, has been confirmed as the headliner of Borstrock 2007, a two-day festival set to take place May 18-19 in Nieuw-Vossemeer, in the south of the Netherlands. Also scheduled to appear are VENGEANCE, SOMEWHERE ON STAGE (IRON MAIDEN tribute) and SCRUM. More acts will be announced soon.

As previously reported, U.D.O. has set a May 4, 2007 release date for its new album. No further details are currently available. U.D.O.'s official web site has also been updated with a photo from the Sweden Rock Festival kick-off party, which was held on December 2, 2006 at Nalen in Stockholm. The event featured a performance by a one-off all-star band featuring the following musicians (from left to right in photo):

* Mia Coldheart (CRUCIFIED BARBARA)
* Nalle "Grizzly" Påhlsson (TREAT, ZAN CLAN)
* Janne Stark (OVERDRIVE, LOCOMOTIVE BREATH, MOUNTAIN OF POWER)
* Ian Haugland (EUROPE)
* Ryan Roxie (ROXIE 77, ALICE COOPER, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, ELECTRIC ANGELS)
* Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., ACCEPT)
* Oscar Dronjak (HAMMERFALL)

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Metal Gods (JUDAS PRIEST)
02. School's Out (ALICE COOPER)
03. Independence Day (U.D.O.)
04. Son Of A Bitch (ACCEPT)
05. Balls To The Wall (ACCEPT)

U.D.O. supported LORDI on September 28 at the Live Music Hall in Cologne. Dirkschneider makes an appearance on the song "They Only Come Out At Night" on LORDI's latest album, "The Arockalypse".

U.D.O.'s last album, "Mission No. X", was issued in September 2005 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2004's "Thunderball" marked the recording debut with the group of new drummer Francesco Jovino. Jovino joined the band last year as the permanent replacement for Lorenzo Milani, who left the group for "personal reasons."