The following update was posted on Soilwork's official Myspace site:

"As many of you may have noticed, we have a new session guitarist in our ranks - none other than Mr. Sylvain Coudret of Scarve! Sylvain's doing an amazing job so far and it's a blast to have him around. He is with us for our last three fests: Germany's Summer Breeze, Brutal Assault (in rainy Czech Republic from where I'm writing this) and Bloodstock in Derby, UK... so come and enjoy a little round of Soilwork live annihilation this weekend!"

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Soilwork

Swedish Heavy Metallers Dream Evil has revealed the details behind their forthcoming 2CD & DVD retrospective package, "Gold Medal In Metal" which can be viewed below.

Gold Medal In Metal (Alive & Archive) DVD+2CD:

Gold Medal Disc - DVD (100:45):
Live Maerd (67:45)
1. "United"
2. "Blind Evil"
3. "Fire! Battle! In Metal!"
4. "In Flames You Burn"
5. "Crusaders' Anthem"
6. "Back From The Dead"
7. "Higher On Fire"
8. "The Prophecy"
9. "Made Of Metal"
10. "Heavy Metal In The Night"
11. "Let Me Out"
12. "The Chosen Ones"
13. "The Book Of Heavy Metal"
14. "Chasing The Dragon"
15. "Children Of The Night"

Video Clips (14:16)
- "Fire! Battle! In Metal!"
- "Blind Evil"
- "The Book Of Heavy Metal"
- "Children Of The Night"

Interview (18:44)

Silver Medal Disc - Alive CD (67:00):
Audio live-album with same tracklisting as Live Maerd DVD section.

Bronze Medal Disc - Archive CD (63:36):
1. "Dominator" (3:23) *
2. "Fight For Metal" (3:52) *
3. "December 25th" (4:16) *
4. "Pain Patrol" (3:14) **
5. "Lady Of Pleasure" (3:27) **
6. "Chapter 6" (4:03) ***
7. "Gold Medal In Metal" (3:11) #
8. "Point Of No Return" (3:52) ##
9. "The Enemy" (3:15) ***
10."Hero Of Zeroes" (4:30) ###
11. "Bringing The Metal Back" (3:43) #
12. "Betrayed" (4:01) +
13. "Evilized" (4:56) +
15. "Take The World" (4:09) +++
14. "Dragonheart" (3:35) ++
16. "Crusader's Anthem" (4:03) °
17. "Touring Is My Life" (1:56) °°

* Brand new, exclusive and previously unreleased studio tracks from 2007.
** Japanese bonus tracks from "United" album. Unreleased elsewhere.
*** Japanese bonus track from "The Book Of Heavy Metal" album. Unreleased elsewhere.
# From "The Book Of Heavy Metal" sessions. Previously unreleased.
## From "The Book Of Heavy Metal" sessions. Previously only released on the "The First Chapter" CD-Single.
### From "The Book Of Heavy Metal" album sessions. Previously only released on the "New Found Power" Compilation CD
+ From "Evilized" sessions. Previously only released on the "Children Of The Night" MCD.
++ Previously only released on the "Children Of The Night" MCD and on the Japanese version of the "Dragonslayer" album.

Read more ››

Source:	dreamevil.se
Band profile:	Dream Evil

Italian metallers Ephel Duath have updated their myspace page with news regarding their upcoming album. The band has just completed recording their album entitled "Through My Dog's Eyes," which took place in Rome at Outer Sound Studio with producer Giuseppe Orlando (Novembre, Klimt 1918).

Giuseppe Orlando states:

"Ephel Duath's new work is fkin awesome.... it's the best example for intense, precise and focused songwriting. A very power and forceful statement of the band. I'm very happy and proud to being part of this album!".

The album will be mastered by Mika Jussila (HIM, Nightwish) at Finnvox Studios, Finland.

Through My Dog's Eyes tracklist:

01. Gift
02. Promenade
03. Breed
04. Silent Door
05. Bella Morte
06. Nina
07. Guardian
08. Spider Shaped Leaves
09. Bark Loud

Read more ››

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Ephel Duath

Norwegian metallers Gorgoroth have posted the following update:

"Gorgoroth will enter the studio in their home town of Bergen, Norway on August 25, 2008. Eight new tracks composed by King will be recorded for an as yet untitled new album. Along with Gaahl, King and Frost on drums, the full recording line up will include Teloch and Ice Dale . Enslaved's Herbrand Larsen will once again produce Gorgoroth in the studio."

Read more ››

Source:	gorgoroth.org
Band profile:	Gorgoroth

Canadian metallers Beneath The Massacre have posted a new song, entitled ''Our Common Grave'', on their MySpace page.

The song comes off the band's forthcoming album, which is called ''Dystopia''. The album was recorded again with St-Amand (Despised Icon, Ion Dissonance, Neuraxis) and featuring artwork from Felix Rancourt.

''Dystopia'' will be released on October 28th via Prosthetic Records.

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Beneath The Massacre

Power metallers DragonForce have their upcoming album "Ultra Beatdown" available for streaming on their MySpace page.

The album is scheduled to be released on 26 August in North America and on 27 August for a worldwide release via Roadrunner Records.

Album tracklist:

01. Heroes Of Our Time
02. The Fire Still Burns
03. Reasons To Live
04. Scars Of Yesterday
05. Heartbreak Armageddon
06. The Last Journey Home
07. Inside The Winter Storm
08. The Warrior Inside

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	DragonForce

Swedish metallers Amon Amarth have posted new track entitled "Twilight Of The Thunder God" for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song is the title cut of the band's new album and it features a guest appearance by Children Of Bodom guitarist Roope Latvala.

"Twilight Of The Thunder God", will be released on September 19 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy; September 22 in the rest of Europe; and September 30 in North America. The album was recorded at Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden.

Read more ››

Source:	amonamarth.com
Band profile:	Amon Amarth

Swedish band Engel have split with bassist Michael Håkansson.

Michael Håkansson states:

"To all you great people out there who has shown your big support and interest in my participation in Engel. I am sad to announce my departure from Engel. It hasn't been an easy decision for me to make... It was a really hard one but at this time I felt it was the right one for me to make. I am not leaving for another band or for any personal or business related issues within the band. Not at all!

It's been a blast to be a part of this fantastic band and one part of me would still like to be a part of Engel's future. For I see nothing but success for Engel, the potential has no limits with these guys. I've been given a once in a life-time offer that I just couldn't say no to. I am now leaving my other big dream in life.

I want to thank the wonderful guys in the band... Niclas, Mojjo, Marcus and Mangan… you guys rule! Thanks for 2 fantastic years together and all the fun we had during the recording of the album and the tours we did together.

And last but not least... Maria Ouelette of SPV, Nasrin, Peter, and Sascha of Pirate Smile. Thanks for great times together!"

The band comments:
"Final comment from us... We totally respect Michael's decision and wish him the very best in his future endeavors. Thanks for those years and all the laughs. Of course it's sad to lose a member but rest assured the Engel machinery is working on like before. "

Source:	engelpropaganda.com
Band profile:	Engel

American progressive metallers Suspyre have announced the addition of April Sese to the group's ranks:

"It didn't occur to me at the time to ask them if they needed a keyboardist, but as soon as I saw the audition bulletin on MySpace a year later, I jumped at the opportunity," April said, "Everything happened so quickly. It still feels like a dream. I can't believe I'm actually performing the keyboard and orchestral parts I only fantasized about playing a year ago. The guys are great. They're so talented, original and creative. Not to mention it's so easy to get along with them. They definitely know how to get a musician to evolve."

Vocalist Clay Barton comments:
"We are very grateful to have April in the band because she is an amazing keyboardist with a diverse musical background. The song "April in the Fall" and others mean so much more having keyboards behind it for our live performances so we are extremely happy to have an official keyboardist now."

Background information on April:

April Sese photo] was born into a musical family. Her grandfather founded a professional 7 piece band in the 70s that included her mother on drums, father on guitar, aunt on vocals, uncle on sax and keys, plus family friends on bass and male vocals. Her family exposed her to a wide range of musical genres. Needless to say, she has been an eclectic music lover her entire life. She began her classical training on piano at the age of 7 and continued on for thirteen years under Yoomi Choi from the Manhattan School of Music. During high school she accompanied choral groups, sang for jazz band and participated in various music-related competitions and events. She currently takes private music theory lessons at The Collective in New York City under Hernando Fernandez and Bob Quaranta.

April has a deep appreciation for originality and integration of various musical elements and genres, which is what drew her toward Suspyre like a moth to a flame. Ironically, April first discovered Suspyre through her friend's radio show in the summer of 2007 with the song "April in the Fall." Shortly after looking them up on MySpace and leaving comments about the "awesome keys" and bizarre parallels between her and the character April in A Great Divide, she met with Gregg Rossetti and Rich Skibinsky, with other fans, over dinner.

Read more ››

Source:	sayitdigital.com
Band profile:	Suspyre

Swedish metallers The Haunted have posted a new song online entitled, "Moronic Colossus". You can check it out on the bands official Myspace page. The song comes from the bands forthcoming new album, "Versus" which is scheduled to be released on the following dates:

Sweden: Wednesday, September 17th
Germany / Austria / Switzerland / Benelux / Italy: Friday, September 19th
UK / France / Greece / Denmark / Norway / Rest Of Europe: Monday, September 22nd
Spain / Portugal: Tuesday, September 23rd
Finland / Hungary: Wednesday, September 24th

The album was recorded in part at PUK studio in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (Heaven Shall Burn, Dark Tranquillity, Moonspell, etc), who previously worked with the band on its two recent LP's, "rEVOLVEr" (2004) and "The Dead Eye" (2006).

"Versus" tracklisting:

01. Moronic Colossus
02. Pieces
03. Little Cage
04. Trenches
05. Ceremony
06. Skuld
07. Crusher
08. Rivers Run
09. Iron Mask
10. Faultline
11. Imperial Death March

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	The Haunted

Paradise Lost drummer Jeff Singer has posted the next statement on the bands official site:

"I guess no one would have seen this coming but as of the end of August I will no longer be drumming for Paradise Lost. I have decided to hang up my sticks altogether. It is an incredibly hard decision to have had to make as drumming has been my life for as long as I can remember and through good and bad has been my living for nearly 20 years. It is going to be very difficult I am sure and after four and a half years I will miss Nick, Aaron, Steve, Greg (and Milly) very much but in my heart I know that it is the correct thing for me to do.

So why am I leaving, well, to be honest it is a difficult thing to explain in a few paragraphs, but here goes.

I am sure you are aware that the record industry is struggling and I for one have become increasingly disillusioned with the music business as a whole. I feel incredibly lucky to have travelled so much in my career. I have so many fantastic memories and have had a ton of priceless experiences. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and I wouldn't change anything. However to have survived in this business for so long has meant great sacrifice and I have had to move the goalposts over the years to help make things happen and try and survive through some pretty hard times. More and more is being taken away and it is getting harder and harder to make excuses for why I do this.

We toured so hard this past year, we were basically away for five out of six months and are still out as we speak. In past years I wouldn't be bothered but as a 37 year old man with a family now for me it has just been too tough. My sons are 1 and 3 and being away from them has just been too painful. I asked myself if I could see myself leaving them again for a three month stretch and the answer was no; I couldn't. I realised there was no point in having a family if I wasn't there and that is how it has to be. Sad as it is, losing my brother two years ago showed me that there is no point in having regrets or feeling that you should have said more or done more. Carpe Diem and all that.

Coincidentally whilst I was thinking about my future I confided in my best friend who ended up offering me a job which will provide me with a good career and future which for a 37 year old man with nothing but drumming behind him was an offer too good to pass up.

I appreciate the timing of my departure is terrible but September 1st was the start date for the job and I must go through with that.

Read more ››

Source:	paradiselost.co.uk
Band profile:	Paradise Lost

Dutch metallers Magnacult have posted a new video for the song "Identity 676" on their YouTube site. The footage was shot during the band's European tour with Devildriver and Ill Nino at their own headlining shows in Holland.

Magnacult is currently writing material for its as-yet-untitled sophomore album, tentatively due in early 2009. "We are very excited to enter the studio again and record our new material," says drummer Bionic. "A few songs are already finished and others are still in progress but it will be a hard-hitting record again."

Read more ››

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Magnacult

Decapitated guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka has recently posted a blog regarding the future of the band:

"I would like to inform everyone interested in knowing about the status of the band that we are on indefinite hiatus for now. It is too early to continue or try to continue without Vitek and/or Covan at the moment.

Regarding Covan. He's recovering now and needs all the time in the world to comeback to a normal life. So I want to wait for him, so we could both decide what the future will hold for Decapitated.

I definitely want to keep on playing and touring as it's very important for me to keep on playing music. While we have this break with Decapitated, I'd like to mention that I'm open to explore options regarding joining or touring as a session player. Given the seriousness of the project I could work on dedicate as much time as possible to it.

I also want to express my respect for everyone who's supported Vitek's and Covan's families since the accident on any kind of way."

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Decapitated

The new album of Australian Doomsters The Eternal, "Kartika", will see its first release on Firebox Records 12 November. This will be for Finland only, Europe will follow shortly after. "As for the rest of the world, we are currently negotiating the release in several different territories, so expect an update soon", added the band.

The artwork for "Kartika" was done by Italian designer Diego Maniscalco at Unspire. The album was mastered by John Ruberto at Crystal Mastering. The first pressing of Kartika will come with a limited bonus disc, featuring unreleased demos & remixes; over 95 minutes of new material from The Eternal. The final track listing is as follows:

01. Silence (6.04)
02. Without Reason (4.47)
03. Lost Our Way (4.33)
04. Self Inflicted (3.59)
05. Blood (9.37)
06. A Pale Reflection (5.03)
07. Sunshine (4.02)
08. Illuminate (4.11)
09. Walk Beside You (4.55)
10. Kartika (2.30)
11. Means For An Ending (4.20)
12. Brighter Day (7.07)

Bonus Disc:

01. Frozen Sun (Unreleased demo) (6.16)
02. July (Unreleased demo) (6.09)
03. Inside The Grey (Unreleased demo) (4.29 )
04. Last Embrace (Unreleased demo) (5.02)
05. Inflicted Self (Self Inflicted Remix) (3.19)
06. Blood (Draconian Drone / Dark Insight Demix) (9.09)

Read more ››

Source:	the-eternal.com
Band profile:	The Eternal

Irish doom metallers Mourning Beloveth have posted the following statement:

"Forgive me Father it's been a while since my last confession and alot has happened in that time.

As you know by now the tour we had planned for March had to be cancelled and those who know us know the reasons why but we will not go in to them here. For a band who has never cancelled a gig, let alone a tour it was a big decision but one that had to be made.

The next few months should see us make up for that in some small way with a few festival dates followed by gigs in October in Italy and Belgium Facade Of Funeral Fest III]. The festival dates will see us play for the first time in Lithuania Ferrum Rust Festival] and Romania and we are really looking forward to it. July sees us play Day Of Darkness in Ireland for a record breaking fourth time and it will be the first airing of the new songs and if rehearsals are anything to go by it should be an intense experience.

The album was finally released after months of agonising wait with delays in the artwork to label delays but it is finally out and that is all that matters. Reviews for the album have been overwhelming and far beyond our expectations and hopefully this will open the door for a few more festival appearences next year.

Also coming soon is the LP version of "Dust" to be released through Sentinel Records. it is the original artwork, nothing added, nothing taken away. We also have a split 10" with Wreck Of The Hesperus planned on Sentinel by the end of the year and we are rehearsing something special for this release."

Read more ››

Source:	mourningbeloveth.com
Band profile:	Mourning Beloveth