Veteran German hard rockers SCORPIONS have set "Unbreakable" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in April. An as-yet-undisclosed single will precede the album in March. The band are also working on a DVD which should be released later in the year.

As previously reported, SCORPIONS - who recently announced the addition of Polish bassist Pawel Maciwoda (SECTION 31, URBANATOR) to the group's ranks - completed the recordings for "Unbreakable" at Peppermint Park Studio in Hannover. The album is expected to feature a return to the band's classic hard rock sound following a foray into a more dance-inspired direction on their last studio release, 1999's "Eye II Eye".

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Former STRATOVARIUS vocalist Timo Kotipelto has finalized the track listing for his second solo album, "Coldness", due this spring through Century Media Records.

Joining Timo during the recording sessions for the follow-up to 2002's "Waiting For The Dawn" (which was issued under the KOTIPELTO banner) were the following world-class musicians:

Janne Wirman (CHILDREN OF BODOM - keyboards)
Jari Kainulainen (STRATOVARIUS - bass)
Mirka Rantanen (THUNDERSTONE, TUNNELVISION - drums)
Mike Romeo (SYMPHONY X - guitars)
Juhani Malmberg (TUNNELVISION - guitars)

"Coldness" track listing:

01. Seeds Of Sorrow
02. Reasons
03. Around
04. Can You Hear The Sound
05. Snowbound
06. Journey Back
07. Evening's Fall
08. Coldness Of My Mind
09. Take Me Away
10. Here We Are

The recording sessions for "Coldness" were completed this fall/winter under the production guidance of Kotipelto. Mikko Karmila mixed the effort at Finnvox studios in Helsinki. The album's first single/video, "Reasons", will precede the full-length CD sometime this spring.

Saying that he doesn't like the term "solo album" because "I'm not playing any fucking solos ? it's just album of heavy metal!" Kotipelto added: " 'Coldness' sounds more modern compared to my first album. Of course, you can hear my early influences (IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH, QUEENSR?CHE) here and there, but I still absolutely think it sounds like my album.

"Musically, it's again traditional heavy metal ? not power metal or something like that. I also sing slightly differently compared to the way I did on the STRATOVARIUS albums. On my new album, my voice doesn't reach falsetto ."

Regarding the lyrics on the CD, Kotipelto said, "It was always my dream to release a concept album... I couldn't do that with STRATOVARIUS, so I fulfilled that dream with my first album, 'Waiting For The Dawn'. As some of you might know, it was the album about the Egyptian culture and so on. But the new lyrics on 'Coldness' are very far away from the 'warmness' of Egypt. I would say that new album's feeling is absolutely 'freezing' and it reflects my not-so-warm feelings from the past months and weeks."

"Of course, the cover art of the 'Coldness' and the pages of the CD booklet are all connected to the album title. The cover is 'freezing' and there is snow and things like that. Not such a typical heavy metal album cover ? there are no swords, fire or things like that."

Spanish death metallers AVULSED have inked a deal with Metal Age Productions.

According to an official press release, "after summer 2003 the band was pretty disappointed with AvantGarde's work and decided to break their contractual obligations with them and started to search for a new label. Four options were seriously considered (Crash, Blackend, Code666 & Metal Age) and after meticulously thinking about it, AVULSED decided to sign a deal with Slovakian label Metal Age Productions for the release of the band's fourth album. This decision might surprise everybody, since this label is the smallest one of the four considered, but at the same time it's the most involved one in the underground and has a vast experience with over 50 titles released so far and a growing and very promising future in front!!

"Actually, the band feels stronger than ever and after the big success of their latest work 'Yearning For The Grotesque', AVULSED is now working on 11 new songs to be recorded in July 2004 for an scheduled September release through Metal Age Productions. The new stuff is sure the most brutal, fastest and intense material ever done by AVULSED!! Shorter and more direct songs, but with the killer melodies that always characterized the band's style."

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Band profile:

Avulsed

The surviving members of the Norwegian black metal band WINDIR have issued a statement confirming reports that vocalist Terje "Valfar" Bakken was found dead on Saturday, January 17.

"Terje left his home Wednesday , when he did not return his family got worried and contacted the police. Saturday our greatest fear was confirmed. Terje was found dead at Reppastølen in the Sogndal valley. It seemed as if Terje was on his way to the family cabin at Fagereggi. Due to the cold weather and deep snow the trip became much harder than Terje expected. When he realized that he would not be able to reach the cabin, he tried to make his way back down. Unfortunately he did not make it. Terje was found just above Reppastølen. Forensic evidence says that Terje died of hypothermia. This tragic accident has made these times extremely difficult for his family, band members and friends.

"Terje was buried at Stedje church Tuesday .

"We hope you will respect his memory and let Terje's closest mourn in peace.

"A great man has passed away, but his music lives forever.

"Hváll, Steingrim, Sture, Strom & Righ."

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ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer recently spoke to Russia's Darkside e-Zine about the group's split with vocalist Matt Barlow during the recording sessions for their new album, "The Glorious Burden". Asked about Matt's official statement announcing his departure band ? in which he cited the tragic events of September 11, 2001 as a major factor in his decision ? Schaffer said, "I think that was really more of an excuse. There's no doubt that September 11 had a profound effect on all of us, but I think that was more of an excuse than anything. Things were going down for a few years with Matt, he was figuring out that he was not really comfortable with who he was pretending to be. Obviously that does not make for a strong partnership, which is the big difference between Tim and Matt. Tim is who he is, he is very comfortable with who he is, the life that he has chosen, he likes what he does, that's big difference. Matt was never like that, he was a pretty insecure person. Basically, I almost stopped after 9/11, I almost said, 'Fuck this!' The music business is a big fucking lie, it's a gigantic lie, that's what it is. It's an illusion, it's all bullshit, all this rock star fucking crap, the guitar hero crap, whatever, that's all it is. If you look at it from that standpoint, that is like, 'OK, yeah, that is just a big lie to meet the market that sells somebody's image or somebody's concept of the band or his own vision of the band, it's not very fulfilling.' To me, I decided that the whole reason that I do this is because I'm a songwriter, and my songs have had a profound impact on a lot of people's lives. I talk to the fans and they've told me about it. Let's put it this way: if I was just a guitar player, if I was just a performer, I would not do this, because there's nothing very gratifying about the music business. And as the songwriter, I get something out of it. I don't take the guitar very seriously, guitar is just a tool to write songs, ICED EARTH is a vehicle for my songs, that's all it's ever been from the beginning. So I decided, 'You know what? I'm gonna keep it going, because I have the songs.' Matt didn't have that, he wasn't a songwriter, he knew he wasn't a songwriter, he didn't have it in him. Matt didn't even come up with vocal melodies in the band, it was always me. So when you go out on stage and you're playing this rock star guy, it's a pretty shallow way of life. A lot of people may go, 'Oh, this is so great!' It's not so great, you know. You live out on the suitcase, you work hard, it's not easy and it's not always fun. If you're not getting anything out of it like that creative drive or creative outlet of being a songwriter, I wouldn't do that easier.

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Band profile:

Iced Earth

Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have issued an official statement confirming the departure of drummer Nick Barker.

Their statement reads as follows:

"Nicholas has been removed from the line up of DIMMU BORGIR. A session drummer will be used in the future. Don't waste your time speculating why, we have already moved on. See you on the road very soon!"

Band profile:

Dimmu Borgir

Finnish goth-metallers THE 69 EYES are currently in pre-production for the follow-up to 2002's "Paris Kills", tentatively due late summer/early fall.

THE 69 EYES' "best of" CD, "Framed In Blood - The Very Blessed Of The 69 Eyes", and the group's first-ever DVD, "Helsinki Vampires", were issued on the same day last September. "Framed In Blood - The Very Blessed Of The 69 Eyes" is a compilation CD featuring THE 69 EYES' "goth 'n' roll classics," while "Helsinki Vampires" includes a live performance filmed at Tavastia in Helsinki in November 2002 along with all of the band's promo video clips and other extra material.

Band profile:

The 69 Eyes

DEATH ANGEL guitarist Ted Aguilar has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Hello to all the DEATH ANGEL fans out there. Happy New Year (better late than never, right).

"We've been locked away at SF Soundworks in San Francisco recording a new album. We've been in here since Jan. 3rd & we are almost done with basic tracking) with a few days off before we start mixing it all down). We have 13 complete songs (one being an instrumental). Here are some titles (which we been showcasing live): '5 Steps of Freedom', 'The Devil Incarnate' & 'Prophecy'. But one song that really sticks out for me is 'Thrown to the Wolves'. Man, this song is so INSANE!!! It sounds like it would have been off 'The Ultra Violence'.

"Brian Joseph Dobbs is doing a OUTSTANDING job producing this album. The tones are HUGE & the vibe is all good. Brian really pushes us to do our best & to capture the best performances from us. Right on Dobbs!!!!

"That's it for now. I will update you all when we start mixing. Along with more pics and maybe the title of the album (which is very close to being finalize). For now, enjoy these pics from the basic tracking days. Can't wait for all of you to hear this album."

DEATH ANGEL's their first CD since 1990's "Act III" is tentatively due this spring through Nuclear Blast Records.

ANTHRAX have announced the list of winning tracks to be recorded for the group's collection of Joey Belladonna/Neil Turbin-era songs sung by current vocalist John Bush, dubbed "Metallum Maximum Aeturnum". The songs, which were selected by the fans via the band's official homepage as part of ANTHRAX's 20th Anniversary Celebration, are as follows:

01. Anthrax *
02. Panic **
03. Metal Thrashing Mad
04. Death Rider
05. A.I.R.
06. Madhouse
07. Lone Justice
08. Among The Living
09. Caught In A Mosh
10. Indians
11. N.F.L.
12. Be All, End All
13. Now It's Dark
14. In My World
15. Keep It In The Family
16. Belly Of The Beast

* substituted for "Antisocial" (no cover songs)
** substituted for "Got The Time" (same reason as above)

As previously reported, the recording session for the album took place Monday (Jan. 26) at Avatar Studios in New York City and was attended by 25 lucky winners and their guests.

ANTHRAX filmed their sold-out Dec. 5, 2003 show at the Metro in Chicago for an accompanying DVD, due later in the year.

Band profile:

Anthrax

Sweden's ENTOMBED have issued an official statement confirming the departure of bassist Jörgen Sandström.

According to the statement, "Jörgen has decided to quit touring and left the band on good terms. this does not mean that Jörgen will leave the music business as he is still a member of the bands THE PROJECT HATE & KRUX and will still be involved with the Threeman label and the ENTOMBED homepage."

The statement also confirms our previous report that Jörgen's replacement in the band will be Nico Engelstrand, formerly of TERRA FIRMA. Nico was involved with the band before in the producer/engineer capacity for such albums as "Uprising" (2000) and "Morning Star" (2001).

Nico's live debut with the band will take place this Sunday, February 1 at the Zodiac in Oxford, U.K.

Band profile:

Entombed

The dynamic European melodic death/metalcore quintet HEAVEN SHALL BURN recently inked a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. HSB have been called a musical hybrid of such genre defying bands as Earth Crisis, At The Gates and Bolt Thrower, which underlines the fact that they are basically about unifying the extremes of death metal and hardcore styles into an indestructible musical assault, while lyrically exposing their very dedicated, socially aware and politically engaged philosophies.

After an EP entitled In Battle… and a split LP with Fall of Serenity, HSB signed to Lifeforce Records/Impression Music for their 2000 debut album, Asunder. The label also released a split LP/CD with their long-time friends Caliban and 2002's album Whatever It May Take, which earned the band extreme praise from media and fans within both the metal and hardcore scenes. The group has just completed their third full-length recording, Antigone, which is currently set for a late spring release.

Marcus (vocals) and Maik (guitars) further describe their excitement over signing with Century Media Records:

"I am extremely excited to have signed to the label that is home to plenty of my favorite bands. 2004 promises to become a really challenging year for HSB. Full force ahead." Marcus

"I am very happy about the new deal with Century Media. It was a really important step forward to take as a band, but even more important was to make it together with a partner who doesn't only understand how to promote and market HSB's music, but who also has the ability and attitude to support the political and socio-critical dimension of the band. Furthermore, it means a lot to us that we didn't only find a good new home, but that will also manage to continue the co-operation with Lifeforce Records. There still won't be any compromises for the future with HSB! Everything that needs to be said will be said, and everything that needs to be done will be done!" Maik

"Antigone" CD / LP Track-List:

1. Echoes (Intro)

2. The Weapon They Fear

3. The Only Truth

4. Architects Of The Apocalypse

5. Voice Of The Voiceless

6. Numbing The Pain

7. To Harvest The Storm

8. Rìsandi Von (Outro)

9. Bleeding To Death

10.Tree Of Freedom

11.The Dream Is Dead

12.Deyjandi Von (Outro)

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Band profile:

Heaven Shall Burn

IRON MAIDEN may possibly not be able to play their fourth and last New York City show on Tuesday due to a double-booking by the venue, here's the statement Bruce made in tonight(Monday)'s show, paraphrased by a fan:

"XEROX Inc. scheduled a convention to go on at Hammerstein Ballroom on 1/27/03. The schedulers, DOUBLE-BOOKED Hammerstein Ballroom. And now, XEROX and IRON MAIDEN's managers are in court, waiting for a judge to decide what should go on. Bruce himself said, Iron Maiden scheduled a show, and tickets were sold...so you figure it out. I know as much as you do."

Band profile:

Iron Maiden

Swedish power metallers EVERGREY will re-issue special versions of their albums "The Dark Discovery" and "Solitude*Dominance*Tragedy" through InsideOut Records on March 16th. Both albums will feature new and extended artwork with bonus videos.

Band profile:

Evergrey

Norweigan's GREEN CARNATION is turning away from the plan of making a MCD, instead the band already started making pre-production demos of new songs for a coming new full length album which will be recorded from late August '04. A pre-production sample of one new song will be featured on the upcoming DVD which will be recorded in Poland in the end of January 2004.

Band profile:

Green Carnation