A stament and a little interview in Vanishing Point site have been post explaining the situation of the singer and some info on the upcoming album:

On the morning of August 16th, only hours from celebrating his 30th birthday, Silvio Massaro was admitted to St. Vincent Hospital, Melbourne Australia, for surgery on his sinus'. We asked him for the reason why this surgery was done. We sent in our little reporter Linda Fiorentino to ask the important questions.

LF: Could you start off by telling everyone why you went into surgery?
SM: Well for years now I have been suffering from massive headaches which would literally render me being locked up in a dark room, curled up in a ball, till the pain went away. I'd get a huge build up of congestion in my sinus' which would be the main problem of it creating so much pressure being built up, making my head throb! After numerous x-rays and tests we found out my sinus' was the main reason why I was getting these bastard headaches all the time.

LF: How long were you in for? What did they have to do to you?
SM: I was only in over night and in for most of the following day. They reconstructed my whole sinus by taking out parts of my skull behind my nose and scarping out cartilage. I have never been in so much pain as I am in now. I feel like someone has swung a baseball bat across my face!

LF: How long will you be out action?
SM: Well my doctor assures me that the worst will be over in a couple of weeks.

LF: Off the subject a bit here but when are we going to see the new CD from VP?
SM: Haha! Good question... Well all will be revealed very soon I hope. There has been a chain of events as of late, which I can't get into for legal reasons, but we will issue some press releases in the next couple of weeks. It's been so frustrating for us lately knowing we have a killer album to release but can't release just yet. We understand and sympathise with our fans' frustrations and for that were sorry. I know they won't be disappointed with the new CD. So I can say with confidence that it's definitely worth the wait!

LF: Well thanks for taking the time out to chat to me Silvio and we really hope that you have a speedy recovery.
SM: No probs, thank you.

http://www.vanishing-point.com.au/

Band profile:

Vanishing Point

We have confirmed our studio time for the next release. The studio will take place from 1st of November to 10th of December, so the sixth release can be waited to be on stores in early of 2005. Estimated time for release is February / March '05.

http://www.catamenia.net/

The Texas doomers are working in new material to their new album that will be called "Alone"

Band profile:

Solitude Aeturnus

A little update on www.yngwie.org says that the guitar heroe is working on his next (rock) album, but also is taking care for a new "classical" opus.

Band profile:

Yngwie Malmsteen

Huge update about KEKAL's upcoming full-length album! The album will be entitled "Acidity". "Acidity" will be the band's strongest and most exciting album yet so far. Former members Leo and Newbabe also contribute in the recording (Leo contributes in the songwriting as well), making "Acidity" to be the first official reunion album for KEKAL! Leo, Newbabe, and the band's curent additional/live guitarist Didi will be on the band line-up alongside Jeff and Azhar, making KEKAL as a 5-member band during recording the new album!
Track Listing of "Acidity":
1. Characteristicon
2. Strength in My Weakness
3. Thy Neighbor's Morality
4. A Dream for A Moment
5. Broken
6. Envy and Its Manifesto
7. The Way of Thinking Beyond Comprehension
8. Romanitika Destruksi
9. Blessing in Disguise
10. Empty Space

http://www.kekal.cjb.net/

Band profile:

Kekal

"TABU Recordings is proud to present the label's new world wide signing: ENSLAVED

It's with great pride we announce that two time Grammy Nominee ENSLAVED, has signed a recording contract with TABU Recordings.

From their base camp in Bergen, ENSLAVED has given Norwegian extreme metal diversity and depth since 1991. The pioneers in ENSLAVED have through strong musical craftsmanship shown a remarkable will and ability to continuingly twist their musical expression into new directions in a dynamic and challenging way.
The critically acclaimed Below The Lights (Osmose Productions) was honoured with nomination for both Grammy and the Independent Alarm Award in Norway. The band has strong traditions as a hardworking live band, and some of their performances are considered as legendary. KERRANG! salutes ENSLAVED's Inferno performance with a KKKKK-review in their iss#1002. Quote: "It's Enslaved who steal the show with a gloriously ambitious set bolstered by a dizzying light show that has "should have been headliners" written all over it" (Dom Lawson).
Enslaved is currently working on confirming the recording schedule in Grieghallen Studios (last two Enslaved albums, Mayhem, Emperor) and the mix will be done subsequently in Duper Studios (last two Enslaved albums, Kaizers Orchestra, Jaga Jazzist) by Sir Duperman. The production team for the album will consist of the powertrio Jørgen "Sir Duperman" Træen, Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin and Enslaved. Prepare for armageddon.
You have a chance to witness ENSLAVED"s stunning live performance at the following places this summer:
18.06 Haugesund N O R
10.07 Kr.Sand Quart Festival N O R
17.07 Tønsberg Slottsfjell N O R
20.08 Bergen Hulen N O R
04.09 Oslo Rockefeller N O R"

http://www.tubarec.com/

Band profile:

Enslaved

"CHAOSTREAM: new album is ready!!!
Our new effort is ready and wait impatiently for the release. The album will contain nine following cuts:
1. Word of Sin
2. Godstate
3. Death Crowns All
4. Shameful Race
5. The Hidden Law
6. Mortal Cage
7.Christian Meat
8. Angel's Cry
9. The Birth of BABALON
We are going to shoot a video for one song from the album. Visit our site regularly for more info about the album, scheduled for release on 5th of December (Poland only). The European release date has not been confirmed yet. One song from this masterpiece soon to be published at our website! At the moment We are preparing for October "Blitzkrieg II" tour along with VADER. "

http://www.lostsoul.metal.pl

"WIZARD are currently working on the songs for the successor of their 2003 released concept-album "Odin" and will start with the pre-production soon. According to the band, the lyrics will be "Wizard style" again and just as the fans expect them to be. The recording of the album is planned to take place in January/February of 2005 with the release set for May.

On a private note, two anticipated "releases" -or captures?- are taking place within the next few days. Guitarist Michael Maass will be the last of the Wizards to let go of his bachelor's life. His new marital duties are not the reason for him to take a break though. Extension studies and the resulting lack of time will cause him to quit for a while. Standing in for him will be his former Vebrifuge bandmate Dano Boland, who will also be recording the new album with the band.

Last but not least, shouter Sven D' Anna and his beautiful wife are eagerly expecting their first child. We here at the LMP camp do wish both couples ALL THE BEST!!!"

http://www.limb-music.de

"Here's some news about what's going on in the CARNAL FORGE camp. Jonas Kjellgren has left CARNAL FORGE after 7 years and five albums. He left the band just a few days ago, so they have focused immediately on getting someone to replace him instead of writing explanations to everyone. Because of the up coming European tour with Pro-Pain, it's been really hectic for CARNAL FORGE trying to find a new vocalist, but finally they can announce that Jens C. Mortensen (former Slapdash and Revolver) will be the new vocalist in CARNAL FORGE.

Jens has rehearsed with CARNAL FORGE just one time yet, but it sounded great as hell. Now he has at least 12 new songs to learn before the tour. Good luck J...
The Band comments the change:
"Everyone in CARNAL FORGE welcomes Jens to the family and hopes that our fans will enjoy Jens vocals as much as we already do and we wish Jonas the all the best in the future and thank him for all the great times we had together. Cheers!!!!!!" .
You can check out CARNAL FORGE's new singer Jens live on the up coming tour with Pro-Pain. Have a look at the tour section for all dates!

Jonas (former singer) comment:
"I quit the band because I want to focus on my guitar playing and my studio. I love the guys in Carnal Forge and I wish them all the best in the future!!! It has been 7 years of pure joy. I have only good memories from those years. When I was asked to join the band in -97, I thought I was going to play the guitar, but no I was handed a microphone. At the first rehearsal they played Sweet Bride and The Other Side.... Oh man I was totally blown away, they were so goddamn fast and tight, I knew I wanted to be in this band even if I didn't play guitar! I think Carnal Forge is the best death-thrashmetal-act in the world, and they will continue to get better for every album they release. OK! Thanks to all maniacs out there! And thanks Carnal Forge for everything!!!"
Jonas Kjellgren

Jens (new singer) comment:
"Um... what? Comment? Well what can I say?
As for me joining and why. I've known the guys for quite a while and I've worked with 'em in the past so I guess I was the "natural" choice for replacing Jonas on such a very short notice. And I do mean short, I heard through the grapevine that Jonas had left on Friday, got the call on Monday and we just had our first rehearsal Wednesday.
I wish him the very best of luck and hope that he'll find whatever it is he's looking for.

Read more ››

Band profile:

Carnal Forge

"Six months after the release of the majestic milestone "Mabool - The Story Of The Three Sons Of Seven", we are about to offer our first ever video clip "Ocean Land". Vocalist Kobi Farhi:

"Hello everyone and Shalom from the Orphaned Land of Israel! Finally after many years we filmed a video clip, to the song "Ocean Land" from our latest album "Mabool", it's our first video clip ever! It was a very hard day of working and we were on set for 18 hours. We had two different locations:

1. In the sea (where we bumped into hundred of Medusa jellyfish! It was very tough and we remained brave, but got wounded)

2. Underwater shots in a swimming pool - I had to sing for hours under the water, I drank so much pool water, yuck! We also filmed Matti playing a guitar solo under the water.

We were working with a very famous theatre actress named Hila Vidor and she was unbelievable, it was an inspiring adventure to work with her. If you ask me, she is the Queen of the sea! I think that it's a great video and it's about time that you will all be able to watch it and judge for yourself very soon." "

http://www.orphaned-land.com/

Band profile:

Orphaned Land

System of a Down have set the release of their new album to be in the fall of this year, according to a
message in their website http://systemofadown.com/comingsoon/

"With regards to the recording process guitarist Daron Malakian said in the statement, "We'll play a song through and record it, listen to it and decide what could make it even better ? repeat a chorus, simple rearrangement, we all spark off of each other. Some of the new songs have really great moments ? we want to make the entire song a really great moment."

According to Malakian, some surprising influences can be heard in SYSTEM's new work. "The influences range from KRAFTWERK to DARKTHRONE to the ZOMBIES to the BEACH BOYS, but it all fits together," he said. "It works" "

www.blabbermouth.net

Band profile:

System Of A Down

The british stoner/doom band is recording their new sixth album, it will be called "Seeds of Decay", these are some titles of the new songs: "Oro The Manslayer", "Corpsecycle", "Sabbadaius Sabbattum", "Eripmav Moon", "This Body Thy Tomb", "Everything Is Dying" and "Upon Azraels Wings". Moreover, Dave Patchett will be in charge of the art work (who have already made some covers for Cathedral).

Band profile:

Cathedral

After the different personal projects and issues, the members of Hammerfall focus again on the band for the recording of a new album. The recording will be done in Denmark with producer Charlie Bauerfeind, the release of the album is already planned on 07/03/2005. Also, they plan to release a single in January, Oscar Dronjak revealed some names of the songs of the new album: "The Templar Flame", "Born To Rule" and "Fury Of The Wild".

Band profile:

HammerFall

The projet from Burning Point singer "Ghost Machinery" has completed the debut album called "Haunting Remains" that will be released at 11/08/2004 through Sound Riot Records.

To hear some samples of this new album go here:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/1/ghostmachinerymusic.htm

Band profile:

Ghost Machinery

After the colombian tour, the argentinian heavy metalers enter in the studio to the recording of the new album, it will be recorde in Buenos Aires, in a study closed, exclusive to the band.
The album is expect to be out in november, and it will be produced by guitarrist Walter Giardino.

Band profile:

Rata Blanca