DARK MOOR will enter New Sin Studios in Venice, Italy in September with producer Luigi Stefanini to begin recording their new album, tentatively due in early 2007. Prior to tracking at New Sin, DARK MOOR will record the choir parts for the upcoming CD at a Madrid studio beginning mid-August. For the occasion, DARK MOOR will utilize a professional choir composed for two tenors, two sopranos, two altos and two bassos.

The as-yet-untitled album will also include a guest appearance by the Dutch singer Manda Ophuis of the band NEMESEA.

Source:	dark-moor.com
Band profile:	Dark Moor

Modern Heavy Metallers Machine Men will be entering Fantom studio, in Tampere to start recording a new album. The band have already written all the songs for the new release, they will just have to record it all. The recording process will start on the 14th August and the band will hit the road for some shows halfway through their sessions. Then they will return to complete the album. Machine Men will also have a studio diary posted on their official website.

Here is a small comment by Machine Men vocallist Antony Parviainen: "We have been in a local bar all days watching football and drinking beer. And we have also wrote the songs ready for the next album! We will keep you updated with a studio diary and all kind of bullshit. Have a nice summer and see you on the tour!"

Source:	machinemen.net
Band profile:	Machine Men

Previously unseen footage of SLAYER in the studio recording their upcoming album, "Christ Illusion", has been made available at the Warner Bros. web site:

Quicktime:
200k (http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_220.mov)
450k (http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_450.mov)
700k (http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_700.mov)

Windows Media:
220k (http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_220.wvx)
300k (http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_300.wvx)
450k (http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_450.wvx)
700k (http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/slayer/071006/slayer_vocals_700.wvx)

"Christ Illusion" is SLAYER's first new studio album since 2001, and the first recorded by the band's original line-up - Kerry King (guitar); Tom Araya (bass, vocals); Jeff Hanneman (guitars); Dave Lombardo (drums) - since 1990's "Seasons In The Abyss". "Christ Illusion" was produced by Josh Abraham and executive-produced by Rick Rubin. The album is scheduled for release on August 8, 2006 via American Recordings/Warner Bros. Records.

Read more ››

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Slayer

Finland's HardcoreSounds.net recently conducted an interview with Arch Enemy drummer Daniel Erlandsson. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

HardcoreSounds.net: You have had the chance to tour almost everywhere. Which show has been the most memorable to you so far?

Daniel: "We have done so many shows so it's quite hard but quite recently we visited Mexico and we did two shows for the first time there. Mexico City was the second show and that was one of the best shows I have ever done."

HS: Why was it so special? Where there a lot of audience?

Daniel: "We played to a full house. We played for like something in between 2,500-3,000 people and we had an amazing crowd response. The whole place was jumping all the time. I was blown away."

HS: And maybe next year we will hear new material from you guys?

Daniel: "Definitely. That's the plan too. We will start recording the new album in February and hopefully we will get it released sometime in the summer or fall of next year. We have already started writing music and we have tons of ideas."

HS: Do you have any finished songs yet?

Daniel: "We have a lot of ideas which loosely fit together so we are gonna start making songs really soon instead of just jamming with riffs. Making an album is like a big puzzle where you try to add all the pieces into the puzzle while songs."

HS: Where do you see the band in five years?

Daniel: "That's really a difficult question. If you judge Arch Enemy from the last five years from 2001 to this day the band has progressed with every album they have made, became bigger and bigger. If that continues we are going to be pretty big in 2011 and that's what I really wish."

Read the entire interview at HardcoreSounds.net.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

Studios Booked!
We will start the recordings of our new album on the 17th of July. We have chosen a somewhat different solution this time, and will record altogether in 3 different studios. This is a solution that we feel can add something new and different to our sound, as well as keeping the essential basics of Sirenia. First we will track the drums in Jailhouse studios in Norway with engineer Hans Eidsgard, then we proceed to Sound Suite Studios in France to record everything else, together with Terje Refsnes. And finally we will mix and master the album at Antfarm studios in Denmark with Tue Madsen. We look forward to work with Hans and Tue for the first time, and of course we are eager to work with Terje again, who's been a part of our team for many years. The recordings will be completed the 1st of October.

Source:	sirenia.no
Band profile:	Sirenia

According to a very brief video-blog at the official Nightwish website, the band have finished writing the material for their next album. They are now preparing to record pre-production versions of the songs, after which they will be edited and arranged. To check out the video-blog go here

The band are currently seeking a replacement for departed singer Tarja Turunen before entering the studio in September 2006 to begin recording the follow-up to 2004's "Once", tentatively due in mid-2007.

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Source:	nightwish.com
Band profile:	Nightwish

Solitude Aeturnus have entered Nomad Recording studio (Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Absu, Usurper) in Carrolton TX on June 1st to begin recording their new album for Massacre Records. The album will be entitled "Alone" and will be the first to feature the bands new line-up which includes founder/guitarist John Perez, vocalist Robert Lowe, guitarist Steve Moseley and new members Steve Nichols on drums and James Martin on bass. Engineering and co-producing the album is Sterling Winfield, best known for his work with Pantera and more recently the "Rebel Meets Rebel" release. Massacre Records will release the album in late September/early October. According to guitarist John Perez the album will be a fist in the face to all trend metal and will stay true to the bands original vision of heaviness and melody with a willingness to push the boundaries of Heavy Metal music without losing its sense of tradition. A North American release is also planned but no label has been named as of yet. The band also wishes to give monstrous amounts of gratitude and thanks to all the great people that made their recent mini tour in Greece/Germany/Italy such a great success. The Greek shows were some of the best the band had played in years and the Keep it True festival was another highlight. More apologies are in order to all of those that attended the Doom Shall Rise festival as Robert Lowe was unable to attend due to unforeseen problems with his passport. The band made the best of the situation and played on with gracious help from a few other vocalists; Erico from Dantesco, Timmy from Doomshine and Gerrit from Dawn of Winter.

Source:	eternalsolitude.com
Band profile:	Solitude Aeturnus

Swedish Viking metallers AMON AMARTH have started recordings for their sixth full length album at Fascination Street studio (OPETH, SOILWORK - www.fascinationstreet.se) in their home country Sweden. The band have posted the following studio report at their official website:

"Around noon (yesterday - May 23rd) Ted (Lundström) finished all bass lines and added another level of heaviness to the production and, just to show his appearance, Thor brought on a little thunderstorm yesterday. It changed our bbq plans for the evening a bit, but we don't mind. Next up is Johan (Hegg) adding his powerful grunts. We have divided the vocals recording into two sessions so we will start with two or three days first. After that we take five days to lay down lead guitars and will continue with the vocals after that. This to make it easier for Johan's voice to last, since screaming 8-10 hours straight per day is not the easiest task!"

Amon Amarth's as-yet-untitled album is scheduled for release mid to end of September.

Source:	thegauntlet.com
Band profile:	Amon Amarth

Norwegian metallers Susperia are scheduled to enter the studio in August to begin recording their new album, tentatively due in early 2007. The follow-up to 2004's "Unlimited" will reportedly contain 10 "very diverse individual songs with a lot of variation." One of the tracks that will appear on the CD, entitled "More", was performed during the band's recent appearance at the Inferno Festival in Oslo, Norway.

Susperoa's most recent release was an EP entitled "Devil May Care". The band entered the single chart for the first time in their career in October when the EP made its debut at No. 21 on Norway's official "Hit List."

Source:	darksoul7.com
Band profile:	Susperia

The following was posted on the band's official website

"14.5.2006
3rd Insomnium album finally mixed!

We finally finished the mixing of forthcoming Insomnium album today! This time we really feel that we succeeded in the studio and the songs sound just amazing to our ears. Album will be mastered in the famous Finnvox studios in the beginning of the June and released later in the fall (9th of October) by Candlelight Records. We will also shoot new video from the song "Mortal Share" on next Tuesday. Stay tuned for more updates. Here's the complete tracklist:

Insomnium - Above the Weeping World

1. The Gale
2. Mortal Share
3. Drawn to Black
4. Change of Heart
5. At the Gates of Sleep
6. The Killjoy
7. Last Statement
8. Devoid of Caring
9. In the Groves of Death"

Source:	insomnium.net
Band profile:	Insomnium

Hammerfall has now entered the studio to record their sixth album. The location and producer chosen are the same as last time, Lundgård Studios in Denmark and Charlie Bauerfeind respectively. The session will continue for two months, during which time eleven tracks will be laid down.

As usual, Oscar will write a studio diary. It will be posted on the myspace blog initially, and on this site as well eventually. Check it out at:

http://blog.myspace.com/hammerfall

Source:	hammerfall.net
Band profile:	HammerFall

Shane Embury (Napalm Death's bassist) commented concerning the plans of the bands: "we will rehearse our 17th and final track for our new album,then practise like crazed lunatics before heading into the studio on the 13th of may to start recording our 12th full length album."

Source:	enemyofthemusicbusiness.com
Band profile:	Napalm Death

Daniel Gildenlöw has posted the following message on the official website :

"The drums have now been recorded for "Scarsick". Me and Johan went down to Orebro and the Fascination Street Studio (previously Studio Kuling) for the recording. As usual, Jens was a true pleasure to work with. And, as usual, Johan pulled everything off with ease. The whole album was done in less than five days."

"I guess we are a bit old school when it comes to music. We still want the album to be played rather than trigged, fixed and quantized. This could slow things up, but on the other hand you are forced to learn to play and in the end you will be more effective after all. If we are to believe Jens, he hasn't been as relaxed and had such confident in a drummer since his school days, and no album recording had apparently focused so much on real playing for at least three years. I allow myself to be a bit cynical when I consider that, by a coincident, that happens to be just about the time when we were there the last time for the "BE" drum recording."

"Now, I am only longing to get the new drum files into my studio computer and start building the real album up. Only bad thing, as usual, is that in the coming process I am going to have to recreate all the mistakes from the demo recording since, by now, I have come to love them and would miss them if they were left out. As usual."

Source and pictures from the recording sessions : http://www.painofsalvation.com

Band profile:

Pain Of Salvation

Gaia Epicus have posted the following message on their official website :

"12th of July Gaia Epicus will enter Top Room Studios to record their 3'rd album which will be called "Victory". The band will have the album finished by the time they go to the USA, and hope to make some good promotion for the album at the Minneapolis Mayhem Fest. The band have already received some offers from record labels that wishes to release this new album, but nothing have been
decided about this yet. The cover painting for the album will be done by famous J. P. Fournier, who also did the bands first album cover "Satrap" in 2003."

"Victory" track listing (in no particular order):

01. New Life
02. Iron Curtain
03. The Sign
04. Revenge Is Sweet
05. In Memory
06. Awaken the Monster
07. Rise of the Empire
08. When Darkness Falls
09. Fortress of Solitude
10. Through the Fire
11. Victory

Source : http://www.gaia-epicus.com

Band profile:

Gaia Epicus

Johnny Hedlund (bass & vocals) posted the following message on Unleashed's offcial website:

"Unleashed are currently in the studio, completing the preproduction of our 8th full length album. We have more qualified songs to choose from than ever before, and I am very confident that this will be the best Unleashed album ever.

Our mission is to create one of the most memorable records in the history of Death Metal!!!

This one will be slightly faster than Sworn Allegiance. The songs will be anthems in the true traditional Unleashed way and will have you screaming along with the choruses.

The guitar sound will be taking a step towards brutality and grind. The drums are the closest we have ever come, to recording a "live" kind of intensity. The vocals?... well, not far away from Sworn Allegiance... Just add a little harshness and a slightly deep aggression to that sound and you'll get the picture right there.

Expect nothing but one of the most memorable records in the history of Death Metal."

Source:	unleashed.se
Band profile:	Unleashed