The Catholic church's lawsuit against ANCIENT CEREMONY founder/vocalist Chris Anderle over a series of "blasphemous" photos posted on the German black metal band's web site has been given a new court date: May 26 at Landgericht Trier. Lawyers for both parties are currently working towards a possible out-of-court settlement.

The band are said to be "rather pissed off with this soap opera", and are concentrating on finishing up their new mini CD, "P.uritan's B.lasphemy C.all (Ruf-Mord)" . The highly controversial album, which is being observed by the German censorship authorities even before its release, is tentatively scheduled for release in June on Irond Records. A full-scale European tour will follow.