Finnish melodic death/doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN will be teaming up with BEFORE THE DAWN for a European tour beginning in early January. SWALLOW THE SUN's itinerary is shaping up as follows:

Dec. 14 - Club Teatria - Oulu, FIN (w/ ANATHEMA, CHARON, ICONCRASH)
Dec. 15 - Henry's Pub - Kuopio, FIN
Dec. 25 - Nosturi - Helsinki, FIN (w/ MAJ KARMA, NAKED)

European Tour 2006 w/ BEFORE THE DAWN:

Jan. 06 - Baroeg - Rotterdam, NETH (w/ INBORN SUFFERING)
Jan. 07 - Podium - Hoogeveen, NETH (w/ THE WOUNDED, OFFICIUM TRISTE)
Jan. 08 - 013 - Tilburg, NETH
Jan. 09 - Locomotive - Paris, FRA
Jan. 11 - Logo - Hamburg, GER
Jan. 12 - Lades Kaelder - Copenhagen, DEN
Jan. 13 - Cafe 14 - Stockholm, SWE
Jan. 14 - Tavastia - Helsinki, FIN (w/ RAPTURE)

Feb. 09 - Torvi - Lahti, FIN (w/ MOMENT AFTER SCARLET)
Feb. 17 - Finnish Metal Expo - Kaapelitehdas - Helsinki, FIN (w/ U.D.O, AMORPHIS, AJATTARA)

SWALLOW THE SUN's second album, "Ghosts of Loss" (Firebox Records), entered the official Finnish album chart at position No. 8 in early September.

Irish metal titans PRIMORDIAL have been confirmed for the next installment of the Ragnarök festival, set to take place April 7-8, 2006 in Lichtenfels, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

BLACK MESSIAH
CREATURE
EQUILIBRIUM
FALLEN YGGDRASIL
GERNOTSHAGEN
HELHEIM
KORPIKLAANI
MENHIR
MOONSORROW
ODROERIR
ORLOG
PRIMORDIAL
SKYFORGER
SYCRONOMICA
THRUDVANGAR
XIV DARK CENTURIES

More information is available at www.ragnaroek-festival.de.

TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider and guitarist Jay Jay French will be making guest appearances on the new album from Finland's LORDI, entitled "The Arockalypse". The CD, which is tentatively due in Germany on March 3, 2006 via Drakkar, will feature additional guest appearances by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider (on "They Only Come Out at the Night") and ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick (on "Snowing in Hell"). More information will be made available soon.

In other news, while LORDI are busy preparing for the release of their third album, the band's drummer Kita and guitarist Amen have found time to work with other projects as well. Kita is producing a new EP for JÄRJESTYSHÄIRIÖ, a Finnish group that he had previously collaborated with on their first album. The EP will come out in February 2006 and will include four songs. Meanwhile, you can hear Amen and his guitar perform on a PC action game called "Shadowgrounds" by Frozenbyte. "I was asked to add some live and loud guitar into the game's music and I didn't even have to think about it for a minute," he explained. "With the 'Shadowgrounds' music composer, Ari Pulkkinen, we had a great time in the studio and I really do believe that we got some real action into it!"

For more information on the "Shadowgrounds" game, visit www.shadowgroundsgame.com.

British classic metal act REKUIEM, who feature in their ranks current DIAMOND HEAD drummer Karl Wilcox, have just shot two promotional videos for "Nightmare" and their "Ozzy- and Sharon-approved" cover of BLACK SABBATH's "Paranoid", according to a press release.

The band — whose line-up also includes guitarist Steve Slater, bassist Gordon Denny and former TREDEGAR vocalist Paul Parry — will release their debut album, "Time Will Tell", on January 23, 2006 in Europe and January 25, 2006 in Japan through Majestic Rock. The Japanese edition of the album carries the exclusive bonus track "Death Row".

The Big Day Out has announced Henry Rollins — one of true originals of contemporary pop-culture, singer-turned-author, activist, actor, publisher and spoken word performer — as a special guest of the 2006 Big Day Out tour (all shows).

The prolific Rollins will visit New Zealand shores to deliver his inspired and ingenious spoken word performances for Big Day Out audiences at the Auckland event — just the second time Rollins has performed spoken word to a dedicated rock crowd.

Renowned for his unrelenting passion, wit and intelligence, Rollins delivers performances that blur the lines between storytelling, standup comedy and political activism. Touted as a profane camp counselor telling stories round the campfire, Henry Rollins shares fascinating and riotously funny tales from the road with energy and enthusiasm to burn.

Having previously shied away from performing his spoken word shows at music festivals, Henry bit the bullet and performed "Breakfast With Henry Rollins" at this year's Download festival in the U.K., going down a storm with 5000+ heavy metal fans — so much so that he has been booked to perform spoken word at a series of European rock festivals throughout the summer.

With a no-holds-barred attitude to life, Rollins continues the musical legacy of the seminal punk band BLACK FLAG with THE ROLLINS BAND, as well as running a publishing company, a record label, working as a film critic, radio DJ, writer, political activist — you name it, he does. And if he hasn't done yet, you can bet your ass he'll do it soon!

New York-based old-school death metallers MUCOPUS have amicably parted ways with guitarist and co-founder Ernie Rau. "It's been fun, but it's time to move on to new things," Rau said in a statement. Ernie and ORGAN HARVEST drummer Rob Nudo have started work on a new project entitled TENTACLES. MUCOPUS plan to continue on as a four-piece, although the addition of a second guiatrist has not been ruled out.

In other news, the rest of MUCOPUS have kept busy over the past months with separate projects. Guitarist Justin Knipper recently joined WASTEFORM and completed a European tour with the band this past October while bassist Corey Hall joined ORGAN HARVEST and has been performing with the band in various parts in the Northeast. Vocalist Jason Keyser has been hard at work completing the recording sessions for SKINLESS' fourth full-length album, entitled "Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead", for Relapse Records.

MUCOPUS' debut full-length, "Mulch?!?", is out now on Amputated Vein Records. A follow-up EP is slated for a fall/winter 2006 release.

HeavyMetalSource.com has posted a video interview with TRIVIUM's Matt Heafy conducted on December 10, 2005 at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. During the interview, Matt talks about having six songs ready for the new album, "The Crusade", coming out next year; the upcoming "Dying in Your Arms" video shoot in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and his contributions ot the "Roadrunner United: The All-Star Sessions" CD. He also reveals that he will be singing a FEAR FACTORY song, half a MACHINE HEAD track, a TRIVIUM song and "The End" (from the "Roadrunner United" CD) at the Roadrunner 25th anniversary concert on Thursday, December 15 in New York City. In addition, Matt speaks about the upcoming tour with IN FLAMES and how they will headlining their third U.K. tour in March with GOD FORBID and BLOODSIMPLE as support acts. He also says that it is an honor to play Dimebag's guitars on tour and says the band will continue to play PANTERA's "Domination" and "Walk" as part of their set until the end of the tour.

To check out the interview, visit www.heavymetalsource.com.

Midwest power metalers JACOBS DREAM are in the studio working on the follow-up to 2005's "Drama of the Ages". This will be the group's fourth release on Metal Blade Records and the second release with new vocalist Chaz Bond. Songtitles set to appear on the as-yet-untitled CD include "Angry Day", "Dont Talk to Me about Love" and "To Live Again". A spring 2006 release is expected.

JACOBS DREAM just returned from Mexico City where they were one of the headliners for the Revolution Metal Fest. "Mexico was awesome. We will be headed back there with the next tour for sure," said bassist James Evans.

For more information, visit www.jacobsdream.us.

Canadian technical metallers QUO VADIS have uploaded two video samples from their brand-new triple-DVD, "Defiant Indoctrination", at their official web site. Check out the songs "Dead Man's Diary" (Windows Media) and "To the Bitter End" (Windows Media).

"Defiant Indoctrination" 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. A detailed list of the DVD's contents and a product description can be found at this location.

A recent audio interview with LIVING COLOUR singer Corey Glover, conducted by Chris "Uncle Daddy Longlegs" Czynszak of NashvilleRock.net, has been posted online at this location.

As previously reported, a teaser video for LIVING COLOUR's long-awaited live DVD can be viewed at NWCMediaGroup.com (Quicktime 7 required).

Due in early 2006 via Sanctuary/Sony/BMG, the DVD was directed by Kwame Yao Anku and produced by Fouché in coordination with the New World Culture production team. Live performances throughout Europe and South America were filmed for the set, including this visually arresting performace at Estadio Obras in Buenos Aires, Argentina for over 4,000 fans.

LIVING COLOUR's latest studio CD, "Collideoscope", was released in September 2003 through Mayan Records/Sanctuary.

THE BLACK LEAGUE, the Finnish band fronted by former SENTENCED vocalist Taneli Jarva, have posted their video for the song "Same Ol' Fuckery" at this location. The track comes off the group's fourth full-length album, "A Place Called Bad", which was released in Finland in October via WolfGang Records/MajorLeidén Productions.

The follow-up to 2004's "Man's Ruin Revisited", "A Place Called Bad" was recorded at Seawolf Studios in Suomenlinna (just outside Helsinki). The band have undergone several major lineup changes in the last few months, resulting in the departure of both drummer "Sir" Kimmo Luttinen and basist Mikko "Florida" Laurila. Relocated in Helsinki, Jarva and guitarist Maike Valanne have enlisted Heavy Hiltunen (guitar), Rale (drums) and I.T. (bass), while also bringing in original guitar player Alexi Ranta to play guest lead guitar on one song.

THE BLACK LEAGUE 2005 is:

Taneli Jarva - Vocals
Maike Valanne - Guitar
Heavy Hiltunen - Guitar
Rale - Drums
I.T. - Bass

(Thanks: Siria / www.konzi-tip.de)

DRAGONFORCE will be holding a press meeting and a guitar clinic with Herman Li for Ibanez guitars on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at Mannys's Music Store in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The details are as follows:

17:00 - Press Meeting
18:00 - Guitar clinic with Herman Li and keyboardist Vadim Pruzhanov
19:00 - Signing session

In addition, a DRAGONFORCE "meet-and-greet" with Herman Li and Vadim Pruzhanov will be taking at the Blackmore Rockbar in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 23:00.

As previously reported, DRAGONFORCE's third album, "Inhuman Rampage", is scheduled for release on January 9, 2006. The follow-up to 2004's "Sonic Firestorm" was recorded at Thin Ice Studios in Virginia Water (Surrey) and Herman Li's own studio in West London between April and September, while production duties were shared between Li, fellow axeman Sam Totman and keyboard player Vadim Pruzhanov. The album will be released on CD and picture vinyl, with the CD featuring an enhanced section and other surprise goodies.

DRAGONFORCE recently parted ways with bassist Adrian Lambert and are currently seeking a replacement.

The Streets metal webzine recently conducted an interview with EDGUY guitarist Jens Ludwig. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

The Streets: First of all, congratulations on your coming album, "Rocket Ride", your 7th one, that is released on the 20th January. I've already heard it and it's a great album, I love it! What do you think, are you happy with the result?

Jens Ludwig: "Yes, I'm pretty happy with it. I think everyone in the band is pretty happy with the result. Because it's some songs that did surprise even us, and I think it's very good to still have the ability to surprise people and to include new elements in the music and just don't copy yourself all the time. We're pretty comfortable with the new album, and so far the reactions are good as well, so I can be pretty satisfied."

The Streets: Personally I think "Rocket Ride" has that distinctive EDGUY sound, but still it seems less power metal and more heavy metal, do you agree with that?

Jens Ludwig: "Well, I would say it's maybe less speed tunes than in 'Hellfire Club', but if you compare it to albums like 'Mandrake', we had already there only 3-4 up-tempo songs, so well, I don't know, maybe we got a little bit bored of making only fast tracks. And we changed a lot of things concerning the way of recording and producing the album."

The Streets: Yes, that leads me on to my next question. The production is excellent, I love that '70s sound! Tell me a bit about how you recorded it.

Jens Ludwig: "Well, it's actually a way that was very common in the '70s. 'Cause we recorded the basics (bass, drums and rhythm guitar) of the songs live, and it came somehow by accident. This time was the first time that we worked with an external producer, Sascha Paeth, and when we were in his studio to record demo versions of the songs, just to show him what the songs are all about and work on the stuff, he recorded the stuff we played live and he just came into the recording room and said, 'Hey, guys, this is sounding awesome!' It had so much more energy than if you do it step by step, and he asked us if we wanted to do the whole recording live. Actually we were not prepared for doing this, but on the other hand we are a band that rehearses a lot, that means we're doing all the song writing in the rehearsing room, so for us it didn't make such a big difference if we're playing the songs in the rehearsing room or in the studio. We did that and that's maybe why it sounds so fresh and more down to earth. Besides that we also took a step back concerning technology, we recorded everything on analogue tapes, which in the digital century is not particularly common nowadays. It adds a certain warmth to it, it sounds somewhat deeper. And that was actually something we wanted to achieve."

Read the entire interview at www.streetswebzine.com.

(Thanks: hot_turkey_ed / www.metalsetlists.com)

Members of KORN and LINKIN PARK are among the stars from the worlds of action sports, television and music that will be taking over Sirius Satellite Radio's Faction channel 28 on a weekly basis, when the new Faction program "Hostile Takeover" launches on Friday, December 16.

The special guests can spin any tunes they like for Sirius' nationwide audience, take calls from listeners, and talk about whatever they're into, in a completely uncensored environment.

Scheduled to host the first four weeks of "Hostile Takeover" are skater-turned-actor Jason Lee, star of the acclaimed new NBC-TV comedy "My Name Is Earl" and his partner in the Stereo brand of skateboards, Chris Pastras; BMX bike rider Dave Mirra, the most decorated medalist in X Games history and host of MTV's "Real World/Road Rules Challenge"; southern California punk icons PENNYWISE; and multi-platinum rock band KORN.

Future scheduled guest hosts of "Hostile Takeover" include punk legends BAD RELIGION, punk band THE OFFSPRING's Dexter Holland, Mike Shinoda of Grammy-winning rock band LINKIN PARK (along with his new band, FORT MINOR), emo-punk band TAKING BACK SUNDAY, Spike TV's Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champ Chuck Liddell, pro skater Mike V, and the voices behind the characters of Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" series.

"Hostile Takeover" launches on Friday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET and will be heard every Friday at that time, exclusively on Sirius' Faction channel 28.

Faction 28 is the commercial-free, uncensored music channel created by Sirius to focus on the action sports lifestyle. Faction presents a mix of punk, rock, metal and hip-hop, and weekly radio programs hosted by MTV's Bam Margera, skate legend Tony Hawk, pro cyclist Lance Armstrong, pro surfer Kelly Slater, pro skier Bode Miller, Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley, and others.

MTV.com is reporting that AUDIOSLAVE drummer Brad Wilk married his girlfriend of 10 years, singer Selene Vigil of SEVEN YEAR BITCH, on Saturday, December 10. According to a spokesperson for AUDIOSLAVE, the wedding was an "intimate" affair, attended by the couple's immediate family and held at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, California.

AUDIOSLAVE are currently working on material for their third album with producer Brendan O'Brien, who's produced or mixed most of the major rock bands of the past 20 years, including SOUNDGARDEN and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. The group have 20 songs written and will return to the studio in early January to finish recording them.

AUDIOSLAVE's sophomore album, "Out of Exile", has sold 888,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Its predecessor, 2002's "Audioslave", has shifted 2.92 million copies so far.

Norwegian "viking" metal band GALAR have inked a one-album deal with Germany's Heavy Horses Records. The group's debut album will be released in the fall of 2006. GALAR have also added a drummer to the lineup, which now consists of Slagmark (vocals, guitars, bass), Fornjot (clean vocals, bassoon, keyboards), Tordenskrall (drums) and Smaug (lyrics). An MP3 of the band's demo track "Slagmarkens Fallende Sjeler" can be downloaded at their official web site, www.galar.no.

Relapse Records has announced the signing of seminal instrumental super-rock outfit DON CABALLERO. The Pittsburgh-based band is currently recording their as-yet-untitled Relapse debut full-length with longtime producer Al Sutton (THE LAUGHING HYENAS, BIG CHIEF) at Sutton's Rustbelt Studios in Detroit, MI. Some early track titles include "World Class Listening Problem", "And And And, He Lowered the Twin Down", "Palm Trees in the F**king Bahamas", and "Theme From Bricktop Clowns". A release date has not yet been determined.

DON CABALLERO, which is spearheaded by founder and drummer extraordinaire Damon Che, has expanded to a four-piece and also includes CRETA BOURZIA guitarist and bassist Jeff Ellsworth and Jason Jouver as well as guitarist Gene Doyle. This lineup has completed several North American tours in recent years and the forthcoming record will be the unit's first recorded work together.

DON CABALLERO has previously released four critically-acclaimed and highly influential full-length recordings as well as an extensive singles collection via its previous label Touch and Go Records.

METALLICA fan site Inter Sandman is reporting that Lycos, a media destination for creators and consumers of quality content, today announced The Lycos 50's eagerly anticipated annual list of top 50 search terms for the year 2005.

While METALLICA didn't break the overall top 50 — they came in at No. 83 — the band popped in as the No. 3 most searched for band — not bad for a group that had most of the year off. Only GREEN DAY and SLIPKNOT had higher band searches than METALLICA.

As previously reported, METALLICA were due to begin rehearsals for their ninth studio album two weeks ago, according to an interview with drummer Lars Ulrich in Danish newspaper B.T.. Ulrich, a native of Denmark, flew back to the San Francisco area from New York on November 29, after which the band were to commence working. Ulrich said about the project, "I wouldn't say that I have a plan or an idea of where we're headed, but to kick start METALLICA once again makes me happy like a kid."

Despite the fact that their latest studio album, "Another Hostile Takeover", has just been released via the U.K.'s Demolition Records, Finnish rock 'n' roll legends HANOI ROCKS have already commenced the songwriting process for their next CD. The band's guitarist, Andy McCoy, has written eight new tracks for the upcoming album and fellow axeman Conny Bloom (ex-ELECTRIC BOYS) has worked on a couple of tunes as well. According to McCoy, the as-yet-untitled effort will be as "loud, raw and live" as possible.

HANOI ROCKS are currently touring Scandinavia in support of the "Another Hostile Takeover" album, which was issued in Finland last spring. The CD is the group's first album to feature Bloom, who joined the band last year. HANOI ROCKS' current lineup also includes a second ex-ELECTRIC BOYS member, bassist Andy "A.C." Christell. Plans exist for the group to embark on a North American tour sometime in early 2006.

HANOI ROCKS' next live appearance will take place on Tuesday (Dec. 13) in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Associated Press has issued the following report:

A judge set a May 1 trial date for one of three men charged in a 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 people.

Daniel Biechele, the former tour manager for the rock band GREAT WHITE, faces 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter. He lit the pyrotechnics display that ignited flammable foam lining the ceiling and walls of The Station nightclub in West Warwick.

Biechele is being tried separately from club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, who are also each charged with 200 counts of manslaughter.

No trial date has been set yet for the brothers.

If convicted, the three could face up to 30 years on each count. Half of the 200 involuntary manslaughter counts in the indictment allege criminal negligence; the other half deal with misdemeanor manslaughter.

ION, the brainchild of Duncan Patterson (also known for his involvement in ANTIMATTER and ANATHEMA), will release their debut album, "Madre, Protégenos", in February 2006 via Portugal's Equilibrium Music. The recording process for the CD is taking place at The Barn, Longford, Republic of Ireland. Guest musicians include Emily Bly (flute/clarinet/vocals), Keith Horan (percussion), Michael Cronin (drums), Aine Oneil (harp), Marcela Bovio (vocals), Johnny Cronin (vocals) and Shane Wearen (mandolin/viola). Many other guests from around the world have participated with spoken words, making it a global album to match the global concept behind it.

"Madre, Protégenos" track listing:

01. Madre Protegenos
02. Samhradh
03. III
04. Believe
05. Learpholl
06. Father, Forgive Me
07. Goodbye Johnny Dear
08. Fe, Esperanza, Amor
09. Beyond The Morning

Formed in 2005, ION is primarily a solo project, although a number of guest musicians are involved in this new venture by the Ireland-based musician, which explores a more acoustic and organic side to his composition.

"Ion" is the Gaelic word for 'pure," and the music and lyrics reflect that purity.With folk, classical, ambient and celtic influences, Patterson regresses deep into his roots including a version of Irish emigrant classic "Goodbye Johnny Dear", which was penned by his great-grandfather, Johnny Patterson, in the 1800s.

MANES, the Norwegian band featuring members of THIRD AND THE MORTAL, ATROX and CHTON, have completed work on their new EP, entitled "[view]" . The CD will include two new original tracks and two cover songs recorded at Godt Selskap studio (NECROPHAGIA, KEEP OF KALESSIN, BLOODTHORN, CHTON, etc), plus three remixes (two of which were done by U.S. noise guru Cordell Klier and the third one by DJ Don Tomaso from Trondheim, Norway).

"[view]" will be released by Aural Music (a division of Code666) in early February 2006 as a limited digipack release (999 copies). It will mark the band's final release for Aural Music/Code666, as the band are currently free to sign with a new label.

"[view]" track listing:

01. Cinder Alley
02. Terminus Rmx
03. The Neoflagellata Revision
04. Terminus Deconstructus
05. Knife & Kleenex
06. Title
07. Terminus dei Profundis

In other news, the third MANES demo, "Til Kongens Grav De Døde Vandrer", will be re-released on vinyl in a strictly limited edition. This demo was originally released in less than 50 copies, but will now re-surface in February 2006.

MANES is currently in pre-production for two new seperate albums, tentatively titled "Invention - or How the World Came to an End and Why We Did It" and "Be All//End All".

Return To The Pit has uploaded more than 500 photos taken at the at the Montreal Metal Massacre Fest, which took place on Saturday, December 10 at the Spectrum in Montrea, Quebec, Canada. Included in the gallery are pictures of the following:

AGGRESSION (79 pics)
ANVIL (97 pics)
DBC (79 pics)
EXCITER (96 pics)
LYING TRUTH (63 pics)
PILEDRIVER (88 pics)
Random Shots (6 pics)
RAZOR (84 pics)

Check out the photos at ReturnToThePit.com.

ANTIMATTER mainman/lyricist/singer Mick Moss has been working hard over the last few months on the group's follow-up to 2005's "Planetary Confinement", entitled "Leaving Eden" (to be released via The End Records).

Commented Moss: "The album is written in its entirety now. If anything, there's minor fine-tuning to be done. I can say that it contains both the heaviest and lightest parts from any previous ANTIMATTER release. There's certainly a sense of spreading the wings either side, going from what hopefully will turn out to be a ball-ripping segment to an almost country-and-western-style track, yet still retaining that sense of identity that is ANTIMATTER.

"The album will be recorded at an unspecified date in the first half of 2006."

"Leaving Eden" tentative track listing:

01. Leaving Eden
02. The Freak Show
03. Another Face In A Window
04. Ghosts
05. Fighting For A Lost Cause
06. Redemption
07. Conspire
08. The Immaculate Misconception
09. Too Late

Recording should take place at Studio 33 ("Planetary Confinement"). Confirmed guest musicians on the CD include Danny Cavanagh (ANATHEMA) and Chris Phillips (drums; "Planetary Confinement").

According to the band's booking agent, EXODUS will be teaming up with CRYPTOPSY and IMMOLATION for the following East Coast dates:

Apr. 27 - West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
Apr. 28 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
Apr. 29 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium
Apr. 30 - New York, NY @ B.B. King's

EXODUS will be playing additional U.S. shows, but not with CRYPTOPSY and IMMOLATION, the booking agent has told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

EXODUS are continuing to tour in support of their latest album, "Shovel Headed Kill Machine", which was released in October via Nuclear Blast Records. Recorded at Trident studios in Pacheco, California and mixed by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY), the follow-up to 2004's "Tempo of the Damned" is the band's first to feature new members Lee Altus (guitar; HEATHEN), Paul Bostaph (drums; ex-SLAYER, TESTAMENT, FORBIDDEN) and Rob Dukes (vocals).

Swedish metallers PREY have parted ways with drummer Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, STORMWIND). "Patrick . . . has no plans on leaving the USA for a long time, [so] we had no other choice [but to] find another skinbeater," the band write on their web site. "Lucky for us we found him in our own hometown. . . We are proud to announce 21-year-old Robert Baeck as an official member of PREY."

PREY released their debut album, "The Hunter", in September via Mausoleum Records. Production duties on the effort were handled by Anders "Theo" Theander, who has previously worked with LAST TRIBE, PAIN OF SALVATION, CLOUDSCAPE and COURAGEOUS, among others.

Otilia Haraga of the Bucharest Daily News is reporting that former NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen's December 16, 2005 concert in Sibiu, Romania has officially sold out. With this performance, the soprano will close her Christmas tour which started on December 1 in Finland. Turunen will arrive in Sibiu from Barcelona, where she will perform on December 12. The Finnish soprano will be accompanied by a quartet of strings, piano, and flute formed of members of the Sibiu Philharmonic.

Before beginning her European tour, Turunen said she was looking forward to meeting her fans with whom she wants to share the beauty and warmth of traditional Christmas carols. "Christmas for me is a time for being close to my family and those close to me. We go to church every year on Christmas morning," she told the Bucharest Daily News.

Although she has gone through difficult times since her split with NIGHTWISH, Turunen did not want to call off her Christmas tour. "I am used to having concerts this time of the year. I have sung at Christmas many times in Finland, especially in churches. Music is my way of speaking to people about this very special time of the year," she said.

The series of concerts also represents the debut of the artist's solo career. "At this moment I am planning my future solo career but the real work for my first album will begin next year."

San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT are currently offering a new "bootleg" in DVD format for sale in the "Merch" section of the group's official web site. "Testament - Live at the Warfield - San Francisco, CA (Practice What You Preach Tour 1990)" was filmed by Walter Morgan of Deadly Embrace Productions and features the band's original lineup of Chuck Billy (vocals), Alex Skolnick (guitar), Eric Peterson (guitar), Greg Christian (bass) and Louie Clemente (drums). It also includes a special guest appearance by the Oliva brothers (Jon and late guitarist Criss) of SAVATAGE, who join TESTAMENT on stage to perform a rendition of AEROSMITH's "Nobody's Fault", a song TESTAMENT rarely played live.

The video is available for $18.00 in the U.S. or $23 overseas (+ $5.00 shipping & handling in U.S., $8.00 shipping & handling overseas).

For more information, click here.

MTV.com is reporting that AUDIOSLAVE have already tracked a few songs for their third album with producer Brendan O'Brien, who's produced or mixed most of the major rock bands of the past 20 years, including SOUNDGARDEN and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE.

"We've all worked with him before in our previous bands and we've already actually recorded a couple of songs with him for the new record and it was great," singer Chris Cornell said.

"He's an amazing guy, a great musician," added bassist Tim Commerford.

AUDIOSLAVE have 20 songs written and will return to the studio in early January to finish recording them.

Launch Radio Networks reports: TOOL has entered the mixing stage on its new album, according to sources close to the band, and is looking at an April or May release for the disc, its first since 2001's "Lateralus". As is typical for TOOL, few details have emerged about the project since the band reconvened earlier this year to begin recording. TOOL drummer Danny Carey told Launch that while the new music was hard to describe, he thought fans would have no problem recognizing it. "All I can say is you should probably just look at the past TOOL records," he said. "It's just kind of the next stage of development. Some of the tunes are pretty heavy on this one. It's still gonna be weird time signatures and all that stuff. It's just what comes out of us, you know. We just try to be true to our chemistry when we're in the little room in here together jamming, and what comes out comes out."

As reported last week, TOOL will release two mini-DVDs on December 20, both for tracks from "Lateralus". The discs, for the songs "Schism" and "Parabola", feature the videos for both tunes, commentary tracks from the members of TOOL and previously unreleased remixes. The group also reportedly has a live DVD in the works, although when that will be released remains undetermined.

TOOL singer Maynard James Keenan is preparing to release the first wines from his own personal vineyard. Three 2004 red wine blends will debut in the spring of 2006, with more information available at caduceus.org.