Swedish melodic death metallers ETERNAL OATH have parted ways with original singer Joni Mäensivu. "The band thinks that their musical development over the past few years has been such that traditional death metal vocals no longer feel appropriate," reads a posting on the group's web site. "Replacing Joni vill be Timo Hovinen."

In other news, "ETERNAL OATH is currently writing material for the follow-up to 2005's 'Wither' and musically it will not deviate too much from previous work," the band write on their site. "Ten brand new songs are ready for the moment and another three to four are under construction. There are preliminary plans for entering the studio some time this autumn."

ETERNAL OATH recently announced plans to release their first two albums on one CD. The set, entitled "Re-Released Hatred", includes the band's debut mini-CD, "So Silent" (1996), as well as its follow-up, "Through the Eyes of Hatred" (1998), both of which have been hard to come by for several years. In addition, it features a bonus track: a "mind-blowing" cover of AT THE GATES' "The Fevered Circle". All tracks have been re-mastered with greatly enhanced sound and the CD also includes a completely new, re-designed booklet.

ETERNAL OATH's third full-length album, "Wither", was released in March 2005 via Black Lodge Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Righteous" was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg and was mastered at Polar studios in Stockholm.