Arkansas exploratory sludge-metal band Rwake are working on their next album, which is scheduled for release later this year. Titles include "The Lure of Light," "The Finality" and "Fire and Flight." The group's last disc, If You Walk Before You Crawl You Crawl Before You Die, came out in 2004.

North Carolina gloom-metal band Daylight Dies will release their second disc, Dismantling Devotion, March 7. The follow-up to the band's 2002 debut No Reply, was mixed by Jens Bogren. Tracks include "A Life Less Lived," "Dead Air" and "All We Had." Daylight Dies will open for Emperor on their four U.S. reunion/farewell shows in July.

Swedish death-metal veterans Dismember will release their seventh full album, The God That Never Was, March 7. The disc was recorded at Dug Out Studios and produced by drummer Fred Estby. Tracks include "Shadows of the Mutilated," "Autopsy" and "Into the Temple of Humiliation." The band's entire back catalog was recently reissued with bonus tracks

Emperor frontman Ihsahn is nearly done with his debut solo record, The Adversary, tentatively scheduled for release April 18. The enigmatic Norwegian wrote all the songs for the album, which he recorded at Symphonique Studios in Norway. Ihsahn also played all the instruments on the disc, except drums, for which he recruited Borknagar member Asgeir Mickelson. "He has been the perfect drummer for this album," Ihsahn said in a statement. "He has really brought to life the patterns I programmed in pre-production."

Jawsh Mullen has left Denver's Cephalic Carnage, trading in his bass for the books. "I have decided to retire from the road," he wrote in a post on the band's Web site. "This has not been an easy decision to make, trust me, however, where I want to be in 10 years requires sacrifice. I'm gonna go back to school. But right now I have to work and save to get there."

Mullen's last gig with the band is set for February 24 at Denver's 3 Kings Tavern. Cephalic are in need of a bassist. E-mail them at info@cephaliccarnage.net for details

Fans waiting to hear Dimebag Darrell's posthumous guitar playing on the upcoming Rebel Meets Rebel will have to wait a little longer. The album's been bumped from April 4 to May 2. The disc, a metal-country hybrid recorded between 1999 and 2002, features country-music maverick David Allan Coe, Dime and Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul and bassist Rex Brown. Tracks include "Nothin' to Lose," "No Compromise," "Rebel Meets Rebel" and "One Night Stand."

THE GATHERING, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, LIV KRISTINE and GOD'S ARMY (featuring members of FIREWIND and AT VANCE) are among the artists confirmed for this year's German gothic music festival Wave Gotik Treffen, set to take place June 2-5 in Leipzig. More than 55 acts have been confirmed so far, with more yet to be announced.

SAVATAGE guitarist Chris Caffery will be entering the studio in New York City on February 8 to begin the recording his next solo CD, entitled "Pins and Needles". An October release via Greece's Black Lotus Records is expected. Songtitles set to appear on the album include "The Temple", "S.A.D", "Worms", "Mettle Eastern", "The Sign of The Crossed" and the title track, "Pins and Needles".

Commented Caffery: "This time around I am going to musically punch everyone in the face for about an hour...no concept, single CD, just straight forward blistering metal agression! A few twists and turns, but would you expect anything different?"

Caffery's backing band on the CD will include once again Jeff Plate on drums, Paul Morris on keyboards, Nick Douglas from DORO on bass and some very special guests.

Due to an unfortunate accident involving MANOWAR guitarist Karl Logan, all upcoming European dates of the "Demons, Dragons and Warriors World Tour" will be postponed until further notice. This postponement will include the performances of RHAPSODY and HOLYHELL.

Logan was injured on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 in a motorcycle accident. He sustained severe injuries to his left arm, which will prevent him from performing for an as-yet-unknown period of time.

More information, including an updated tour schedule, will be released as it becomes available.

MANOWAR were previously scheduled to release a brand new single, "The Sons of Odin", on February 27.

MANOWAR have sold over eight million records worldwide. The last studio album "Warriors of the World" was a critically-acclaimed chart topper throughout the world, reaching gold status in Germany.

The upcoming MANOWAR album will be released on the band's own label, Magic Circle Music.

BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has issued the following update on his monthly "Rock 50" radio show, which airs on WPMD, a college radio station at Cerritos College in California:

"I wanted to check in with some info about the February 11th radio show. In January, we played excerpts from the new IN FLAMES CD, street date U.S.A. February 7, 2006. On the February show, we're continuing with the IN FLAMES interview and will be playing full-length tracks off their new CD. I also played VERMIN last month, and as of today, February 1, 2006, I may play another VERMIN track on the next show. Again, we have great bands for the February line-up: SOILWORK, FEAR MY THOUGHTS, IN FLAMES, DARKEST HOUR, DETONATION, WATERDOWN, DEFTONES, CHIMAIRA and FEAR FACTORY. Check the show out if you can. It's mostly hardcore, in-your-face metal. Sometimes, I play classic metal, and I'll throw in a few curves for the ride like DYLAN or PAVAROTTI."

The organizers of the Inferno Festival officially announced the complete lineup for this year's event during a kickoff party at John Dee in Oslo Friday night (Feb. 3). The festival, which will take place April 13-15 at the Rockefeller Music Hall and John Dee venues in Oslo, Norway, will feature performances from the following bands (in alphabetical order):

BLOODTHORN / BOLT THROWER / BORKNAGAR / CARPATHIAN FOREST / CATHEDRAL / DEMONIZER / DISIPLIN / DISMEMBER / EMPEROR / ENDSTILLE / FACE DOWN / FUNERAL / IMBALANCE / KEEP OF KALESSIN / KHOLD / MANNGARD / MARDUK / NIGHTRAGE / RIMFROST / SAGH / SCUM / SUSPERIA / SYSTEM:OBSCURE / THE DEVIANT / THE LEGION / USURPER / VESEN / WAKLEVOREN / YATTERING / WITCHCRAFT

PINK CREAM 69 frontman David Readman has inked a solo deal with Frontiers Records. "I am now working on a few extra songs to bring song writing to an end," he writes on his web site. "In March will be the release of the project that I did with Andre Andersen from ROYAL HUNT... So looking forward to that. I sang on five songs which were recorded in my own studio, Emerald Studios.

"And a bit more news, I have decided to bring the DAVID READMAN BAND back to life, which will have a whole new line up and set list. Looking forward to playing a club near you!"

As previously reported, Readman will be joined on the upcoming solo CD by drummer Dirk Brunneburg (ex-ADAGIO) and bassist/guitarist Paul Logue (CRY HAVOC).

Century Media Records has set a May 30 North American release date for CELTIC FROST's long-awaited new album, "Monotheist" (one day earlier internationally).

CELTIC FROST's first album in 13 years, "Monotheist" features 11 songs all produced by the band with Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN).

"Monotheist" track listing:

01. Progeny / 02. Ground / 03. A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh / 04. Drown In Ashes / 05. Os Abysmi Vel Daath / 06. Obscured / 07. Domain Of Decay / 08. Ain Elohim

Triptych:

09. Totengott / 10. Synagoga Satanae / 11. Winter (Requiem, Chapter Three: Finale

The album will be released simultaneously in all territories in three different configurations including a limited-edition digipak containing the bonus track "Temple Of Depression" and a vinyl LP with another bonus title, "Incantation Against You".

U.K.'s Checkout magazine is reporting that Unilever UK Foods is launching a TV campaign for its "I can't believe it's not Butter" brand featuring Ozzy Osbourne and impersonator Jon Culshaw.

The 7-million-pound campaign goes live this month and is designed to support the relaunch of the product, which has a new recipe, and a new pack design.

The campaign will also include press and poster advertising.

Brand manager Noam Buchalter said: "The aim of the activity is to communicate the improvements made to the spread and to highlight the new packaging."

Jon Culshaw impersonates Ozzy Osbourne in the TV ad, which plays upon the fact that it is as difficult to tell the two Ozzies apart as it is to distinguish between "I can't believe it's not Butter" and butter.

"'I can't believe it's not Butter' now tastes so much like butter that the two Ozzies can't tell the difference," added Buchalter. "'I can't believe it's not Butter' has always been a great impersonator of butter and proud of it. Who better to star in the ads than the U.K.'s best impersonator? Jon and Ozzy make a great double act and their infectious personalities will have a great impact on consumers."

The new pack design features bold blue and yellow lettering and imagery and communicates the brand's new extra buttery taste.

British "folk metal" act SKYCLAD have inked a deal with Greece's Black Lotus Records. The band are currently working on a special EP that will be released in time for the band's tour dates in April. The CD will feature a brand new recording of the instrumental track "Jig-a-Jig", along with the songs "The Roman Wall Blues", "They Think It's All Over - Well Is It Now?" and "Mr Malaprope" from the "A Semblance Of Normality" sessions. This EP will not be available in any record stores — it will only be available from the band's webshop and on tour. Meanwhile, SKYCLAD are also working on a new album which is to be recorded over the summer and released before the end of the year.

EMBEDDED (Germany), GUT (Germany), INFECDEAD (Germany) and PREJUDICE (Belgium) are the latest confirmed bands for the 2006 edition of the Fuck the Commerce festival, set to take place May 25-27 at MZA (Mehrzweckhalle) in Luckau, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

DAWN OF DISEASE (GER) / DECAPITATED (POL) / DEFLORATION (GER) / DEMOLITION (AUT) / DERANGED (SWE) / DRILLER KILLER (SWE) / EMBEDDED (GER) / EXTREME NOISE TERROR (UK) / F.U.B.A.R. (NETH) / FLESHGORE (UKR) / FORLORN LEGACY (CRO) / GOREZONE (GER) / GRIND INC. (GER) / GUT (GER) / INFECDEAD (GER) / ISACAARUM (CZE) / KEITZER (GER) / LAY DOWN ROTTEN (GER) / MENTAL HORROR (BRA) / PREJUDICE (BEL) / PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT (NETH) / RESURRECTURIS (ITA) / SUFFERAGE (GER) / THE LUCIFER PRINCIPLE (NETH) / TOTENMOND (GER) / VITAL REMAINS (US)

More bands will be announced soon.

For more information, visit www.fuck-the-commerce.com.

JUDAS PRIEST's Glenn Tipton will be BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi's guest this week on his "Black Sunday" radio show on Planet Rock. Tipton will be choosing his five favorite classic rock tracks during the last half hour of the show. The two-hour radio show kicks off Sunday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. U.K. time and is available to listen online worldwide at www.planetrock.com. Listeners in the U.K. can also tune in via DAB Digital Radio and via Sky Channel 861, NTL channel 680 or Telewest Channel 924.

Planet Rock had previously issued the following description of Iommi's program: "Each week, Tony will be joined by colleagues and friends from all walks of life who indulge in a common passion for rock music. He will also share his experiences from over 30 years at the top table of rock’s aristocracy, and reveal the stories behind BLACK SABBATH's most famous songs. Tony will also invite unsigned bands to send in their demos and will play his pick on air."

As previously reported, Rhino Records has set a March 7 release date for the forthcoming reissue of Tipton's solo debut, 1997's "Baptizm of Fire", and the collection of Tipton's recordings with the late, great THE WHO bassist John Entwistle and drummer Cozy Powell (RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH), entitled "Edge of the World".

METAL CHURCH have issued the following statement:

"Due to health complications from years of struggling with diabetes, Kirk Arrington has stepped down as METAL CHURCH's drummer. He will be missed and we wish him only the best.

"We are pleased to announce that filling Kirk's shoes is the 'one and only' Mr. Jeff Plate (SAVATAGE, CHRIS CAFFERY, TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA).

"We are very honored to have a musician of Jeff's caliber working with us and we know that he will do a fantastic job in METAL CHURCH."

For more on Jeff, visit his web site at

www.jeffplate.com.

METAL CHURCH are currently working on the follow-up to 2004's "The Weight of the World", tentatively due later in the year via SPV Records. The band's current lineup is completed by guitarists Kurdt Vanderhoof and Jay Reynolds (ex-MALICE), vocalist Ronny Munroe (ex-ROTTWEILLER), and bassist Steve Unger. A short European tour is scheduled for June.

Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM drummer Craig Nielsen are featured on the new album from THE ALIEN BLAKK, a predominantly instrumental project led by Boston-based guitarist Joshua Craig. The music on the CD, entitled "Modes of Alienation", is described as "a frenetic mix of FRANK ZAPPA meets MESHUGGAH with a hint of GUNS N' ROSES." The styles range from metal, latin-jazz, country, rock, classical then back to a wall of acoustically composed arrangements. All music on "Modes of Alienation" was produced, written, arranged and recorded in three diffrent locations by Joshua Craig and was mixed at Steve Vai's The Mothership recording studio. A March 2006 European release is expected (May in the U.S.).

Rare Axl Rose (GUNS N' ROSES) recordings made while he was a member of the early '80s band RAPIDFIRE are still reportedly being mixed in Los Angeles and the CD covers are being designed in preparation for their release.

The tapes, which were purportedly recorded in May 1983, have been in storage in the original eight-track format for more than 20 years. The songs featured on the tape are as follows:

01. Ready To Rumble / 02. All Night Long / 03. The Prowler / 04. On The Run / 05. Closure

RAPIDFIRE's lineup was as follows:

Axl Rose - Vocals / Kevin Lawrence - Guitar / Mike Hammernik - Bass / Chuck Gordon – Drums

According to Lawrence, Axl's voice on the RAPIDFIRE recording sounds a bit "more Rob Halford"-ish compared to his vocals on "Appetite for Destruction". In addition, the CD's packaging will reportedly include "plenty of pre-tattoo Axl pictures." More information is available at Rapidfire1983.com.

The doom metal band Desolate Ways is recording their second full length, after the debut Eternal Dreams (2003), in Arroba Studios. This new cd is being produced again by Adriano Sperandir and will have the following tracks: "Alone", "Cold Embrace", "Cry No more", "Drowned in Tears", "Echoes", "Falling Down", "Forgive Me", "I Try to Forget", "My Pain", "Sacred Mortals" and "Tearful".

According to the guitar player Elizeu Hainzenreder: "Probably we will finish the recordings in the end of February. The fans can expect a more melancholic album, but still heavier. We are anxious for the final result, mainly because the return of Rodrigo to the band. We believe that untill April the album will be in the stores."

Recently the bass player Rafael Giordano left the band, being replaced by Rodrigo Fernandes, which played with the band before. According to the band the reason for this change was "musical incompatibilities". More informations will be published soon in the band's website:

www.desolateways.com

Finnish "fantasy metal" band BATTLELORE have been confirmed for this year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 3-5 in Wacken, Germany. The billing is now shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

ABORTED / AMON AMARTH / ATHEIST / BATTLELORE / BLOODTHORN / BORN FROM PAIN / CANNIBAL CORPSE / CELTIC FROST / CHILDREN OF BODOM / DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER / EKTOMORF / EMPEROR / END OF GREEN / FINNTROLL / GAMMA RAY / IN EXTREMO / KORPIKLAANI / METAL INQUISITOR / MINISTRY / NEVERMORE / ORPHANED LAND / PRIMAL FEAR / SIX FEET UNDER / SOILWORK / SUBWAY TO SALLY / WINTERSUN

BATTLELORE are currently writing material for their fourth album, tentatively due before the end of the year. The group's third CD, "Third Age of the Sun", entered the Finnish album chart at position No. 38 back in August 2005. The follow-up to 2003's "Sword's Song" was recorded at SoundSuite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes (TRISTANIA, MORGUL, TURISAS). Mastering duties were handled at Finnvox studios in Helsinki.

BEYOND FEAR, the new band featuring former JUDAS PRIEST and current ICED EARTH frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens, have been confirmed as the opening act for ANTHRAX on their upcoming European headlining tour.

As previously reported, a short audio sample of the track "Scream Machine", taken from BEYOND FEAR's upcoming self-titled debut album, has been posted online at www.timripperowens.com (audio comes on once the page loads).

BEYOND FEAR features in its ranks Owens alongside guitarist John Comprix (SPAWN, 13 FACES), Dennis Hayes (ex-WINTERS BANE, SEVEN WITCHES) on bass, Dwane Bihary (MISSING SKIN) on rhythm guitar, and drummer Eric Elkins (CRYPTKICKER, ALL YOU FEAR).

"Beyond Fear" is scheduled for release on May 9 (one day earlier internationally) via SPV Records. The CD was recorded at the legendary Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida, under the direction of producer Jim Morris. The album consists of fourteen haunting metal numbers, which, according to Owens, "show unmistakably where my musical roots lie: in the classic heavy metal of the Eighties. However, I've transported that traditional metal style into the present, lending it its own touch."

EXODUS members Gary Holt and Paul Bostaph (ex-SLAYER, TESTAMENT) will be the featured guests on this weekend's edition of MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball", airing on Saturday at 10:00 p.m. EST. The program will also include the "Headbanger's Ball" premiere of the new EXODUS video, "Now Thy Death Day Come", which can be viewed online at NuclearBlast.de. The song comes off the band's latest CD, "Shovel Headed Kill Machine", which was released on October 4, 2005 via Nuclear Blast Records. Recorded at Trident studios in Pacheco, California and mixed by Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY), the follow-up to 2004's "Tempo of the Damned" is the band's first to feature new members Lee Altus (guitar; HEATHEN), Paul Bostaph (drums; ex-SLAYER, TESTAMENT, FORBIDDEN) and Rob Dukes (vocals).

As previously reported, EXODUS will support Sweden's THE HAUNTED on their March 2006 tour of Australia. U.S. dates with CRYPTOPSY and IMMOLATION will follow in April/May.

Robin Eaglestone (ex-CRADLE OF FILTH, CRIMINAL) will be playing bass for GRIMFIST on their upcoming No Mercy Festivals European tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE, KATAKLYSM, FINNTROLL and LEGION OF THE DAMNED. "I have only played a few shows with GRIMFIST to date so understandably I am pleased to hear that I am to do this tour," Robin writes in an online posting. "Let's hope this is one of many."

With regards to his IMPERIAL BLACK project, Eaglestone writes, "I have gone through many highs and lows regarding the inspiration needed to create a strong album since my departure from U.K. black metal, but in short, I have had to rediscover what is important to me as a musician. I have decided to streamline the songwriting profile and stay true to my roots, writing as much as I can on my own with only the additional help of close friends."

Long Island, New York's BORGO PASS have just announced that they have been selected to open for W.A.S.P. on Wedneday, March 8 at Mulcahy's in Wantagh, NY. BORGO PASS have also joined forces with Skateboard Marketing on a nationwide radio campaign after moving over 2,000 copies of their new full-length record, "Nervosa". Skateboard Marketing has represented the likes of AC/DC, BLACK SABBATH and METALLICA.

BORGO PASS are currently in the process of shopping for a record deal.

Soulless Web Update

Greetings freaks and ragers!

We've slapped a new skin on our web site. I think it's pretty cool. You should check it out.

www.soullessdomain.com

Head to the site for skull crushing mp3's and all kinds of other stuff...drop us a line to say hello or send a thinly veiled threat.

We're continuing to work on our new album, but a decent amount of work remains...so buy our betray the light 7" ep to tide you over. It's got rippin' thrash and some truly demented artwork by the amazing Mark Riddick. Metal.

That'll do it for now...go to hell.

Hails!

Soulless

P.O. Box 347417, Parma, Ohio 44134

www.soullessdomain.com

Nightmare Crimson- A new Revelation in Gothic Melodic Metal

I like to Introduce us.

We are Nightmare Crimson, a gothic metal band based in the Denver /Loveland Colorado area. We have a metal sound toned with a powerful gothic vampire theme. In efforts to create a unique sound that stand apart from many underground bands we have carried out a diffrent approach to our writing to present something truly enchanting , haunting ,and powerfully unforgettable.... Have I roused any curious impulses? If you have not heard us before we invite you to listen to our tracks we have posted on our websites:

"Cycles of Tears", "Nightmare Crimson", and "Autumns Twilight".

Let us know your thoughts.

http://www.freewebs.com/nightmarecrimson

click "melodies"

www.myspace.com/nightmarecrimson

The New York Daily News has issued the following report:

If you invite MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil to perform at your charity fundraiser, better get him onstage before his inner demons take over.

I hear that Neil, 44, was fine during the afternoon rehearsal and sound checks before Saturday's black-tie "Puttin' on the Ritz" gala in Miami, which raised $2 million for a school that rehabilitates juvenile offenders.

But some time between then and showtime — around 10:30 p.m. — the wheels came off.

According to multiple witnesses, the rocker swaggered through the high-powered crowd of South Beach denizens, judges and lawyers — including star defense attorney Roy Black, whose wife, Lea, chaired the event — brandishing a microphone and spewing profanities.

"F— you!" he shouted at another entertainer, drag queen Elaine Lancaster. "I bet you'd like to!" Lancaster retorted.

Then Neil attempted to lead his stunned audience in a spirited chant of f-words. "I was disgusted," said a Lowdown spy.

Finally, Lea Black intervened, gripping him tightly to steer him onstage, and persuaded him to sing. "I was just so grateful that he agreed to do this," Black told me yesterday. "He's a big-hearted guy who meant well."

SICKSDEEP announce new lineup

We just want to let everyone know that we officially have a new lineup...Kelly Abe, Nick Andrews, Mike Zamir and new bassist Shane Boulos (check the new SD Lineup pic attached to this email)! Gavin is no longer playing with SD, but he is definitly still our boy and we wish him the best in all his future endeavors. Check out at myspace.com/sicksdeep and sicksdeep.com for new band pix, bio, info, updates, etc.

-SD

February 3rd

No News...Couldn't Get Online.

February 2nd

ATTACKER's Record Release Show Changes Venues.

The US cult Metallers wish to announce that their record release show for "THE UNKNOWN" on Saturday April 29th has re-located to another venue.

The event will now take place at DINGBATZ 620 Van Houten Ave. Clifton, New Jersey. Go to the clubs website for more information at www.dingbatznj.com

All other important information remains the same, but as a reminder, here is the great line-up for what promises to be an outstanding event for all fans of Heavy Metal:

ATTACKER, HALLOW'S EVE, RAVENSTHORN, ICARUS WITCH and MAGUS BEAST

Doors Open 8:00 PM. Show Begins 9:00 PM.

*NO ADVANCE TICKETS WILL BE SOLD FOR THIS EVENT*

BONEDADDY on MySpace.Com

We just want to let y'all know that BoneDaddy now has a MySpace account to go along with our official web-site. The mySpace page can be found by clicking on the following link:

http://www.MySpace.com/BoneDaddyUSA

You can find the latest show dates there, connect with other BD fan and even listen to the 'BoneDaddy Mega Mix', which is a short 'medley' of tunes that we do.

Lots of gigs are scheduled for the coming weeks ahead, starting with one at our home base, THE BULL in Piscataway, on Friday, 17 February. More on that again soon.

Cheers, CJ w/BoneDaddy

http://www.BoneDaddyUSA.com

http://www.MySpace.com/BoneDaddyUSA

According to Ohioans For Concealed Carry, the National Rifle Association has named Columbus Police Officer James D. Niggemeyer — who is widely credited for saving lives more than a year ago when he entered a local nightclub without backup and killed a crazed gunman responsible for blowing away four people, including PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott — its 2005 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

A little after 10:00 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2004, 911 operators began receiving multiple panic-stricken calls from the Columbus nightclub Alrosa Villa. During a DAMAGEPLAN concert, a man had rushed the stage and fired shots at the band. In moments, seven people were wounded, four fatally.

Officer Niggemeyer, patrolling just blocks away, was the first officer to arrive on the scene, less than three minutes after the first 911 call was received. Niggemeyer entered the building through the rear; five more officers arrived momentarily and entered through side doors. Dead and wounded citizens lay on the floor, shots were still being fired, and several hundred people were trying to escape.

Despite the chaos, Officer Niggemeyer was able to spot the gunman quickly, near the rear of the stage. Retreating from the other officers, the suspect had grabbed a hostage, immobilized him in a headlock, and was holding a gun against the man's temple. Positioning himself about 20 feet from the suspect, Niggemeyer, armed with a 12 gauge Remington 870, was able to get off one well-placed shot, killing the gunman instantly and ending the carnage. The gunman still had 35 rounds of ammunition when Niggemeyer shot him.

Commenting on Officer Niggemeyer, NRA 1st Vice President John C. Sigler, a retired police captain and now an attorney practicing in Maryland and Delaware, said, "It isn't every day that an officer is faced with a decision like this. NRA's Officer of the Year made the right decision under the most adverse conditions and relied on his training and experience to save the life of an innocent civilian victim. No one can doubt his dedication to duty or his willingness to take responsibility for his actions. In today's society, law enforcement officers of this caliber must be recognized and commended. NRA commends this officer for a tough job well done."

Adding to his accolades was Niggemeyer's immediate supervisor, Columbus P.D. Sergeant Jeff Leesburg, who said, "There is no greater example of police service than placing oneself between the threat and the innocent."

BIOMECHANICAL and SEND MORE PARAMEDICS are the first of 14 bands to be confirmed for the second instalment of Damnation Festival, set to take place October 15, 2006 across two stages at Jilly's Rockworld and Music Box in Manchester, England.

Commented organizer Gavin McInally: "We never even dreamed that our first year would be so successful; selling out, huge crowds for the opening bands through to the headliners, and a great response from fans and bands alike. And to start 2006 with bands of the quality of BIOMECHANICAL and SEND MORE PARAMEDICS is a huge boost. We cannot thank our community enough for the belief and support they have shown us from the beginning and we aim to thank them by putting on two of the finest stages of metal the country will see this year."

Tickets for Damnation Festival 2006 will be priced £15 and will be on sale in April.

For further information about the event, visit www.damnationfestival.co.uk.

IRON MAIDEN has confirmed the U.S. release date of their much-anticipated DVD release "Death on the Road" for February 21, 2006 through Sanctuary Records. This will initially be available as a limited-edition special digipack.

The DVD package contains the full performance of their "Dance of Death Tour" in December 2003. Filmed at the Westenfalenhalle Arena, Dortmund, the show has been personally edited by founder band member Steve Harris, to fully capture the magnificent stage production and to cut right to the heart and the electricity of the band's performance. Over a four-month period, Steve made thousands of edits, thus ensuring he was personally happy with every single shot included!

Says Steve Harris, "We realize that the fans have been made to wait a little longer than planned for the DVD to come out but as they know — we won't settle for anything but the best and the extra time and effort spent in the final production of this DVD should be apparent. I can safely say that when people see songs like 'Paschendale' and 'Dance of Death' their jaws will hit the floor as mine did when I saw the final product on my TV at home. With visuals like this and the show played in 5.1 on a decent system it's just like being in the front rows of the show."

To ensure top quality and to avoid any compromise in reproducing the very best possible sound and picture quality, the band have taken the unprecedented step of making the full concert available on two separate discs — one with full traditional stereo soundtrack and the other with specially mixed 5.1 sound by Kevin "Caveman" Shirley — which along with the special features disc makes three discs in all.

Says Harris, "I felt it important that this was done as we didn't want to be restricted. By having two seperate discs I was happy in knowing that neither picture nor sound quality would be compromised in any way. We are aware that many fans don't yet have access to 5.1 sound and still use stereo but if you put both sound beds on one disc with the concert a fair amount of visual quality can be lost due to the massive amount of information that needs storing. As this was quite a dark and theatrical show we refused to allow this to happen! However, so our fans aren't paying extra for a disc they may never use, we have arranged with EMI that the pricing will be the same as 'Rock in Rio' which was a 2-disc package. This way everyone gets the best possible quality show visually with the sound fully compatible for their system at no extra cost at all."

The special features disc contains an exclusive documentary directed by Matthew Amos, who also directed the band's award-winning "Early Days" documentary. It's an insight into the production of the "Dance of Death" album from its writing and recording through to the detail in what it takes to get a massive show like MAIDEN on the road.

Says manager Rod Smallwood, "The documentary is something quite special for the fans as it really is a very revealing portrait of how MAIDEN work together during recording, and it took me weeks to persuade them to let the cameras into the recording studio. Previously they'd never allowed any of this to be filmed but this time we decided to have a camera floating around to try and capture the MAIDEN recording process. A lot of it was filmed by Kevin Shirley and the band themselves. I think it's a great representation of the talent, effort and humour of a MAIDEN recording session. The documentary also covers what it takes to set up a major world tour and has various interviews with our Killer Krew and hopefully it will be as insightful and interesting as the well received 'Early Days' documentary footage which Matthew also directed.

"As usual, we have crammed as much as possible into the DVD with a host of extras including all of the promo videos from the album, background interviews with members of the production crew and fans during the tour, artwork, design sketches and photo galleries. Many hours of MAIDEN mayhem with a total running time of over three hours — and that's just the special features."

"Death on the Road" track listing:

Disc 1:

01. Wildest Dreams / 02. Wrathchild / 03. Can I Play With Madness / 04. The Trooper / 05. Dance Of Death / 06. Rainmaker / 07. Brave New World / 08. Paschendale / 09. Lord Of The Flies / 10. No More Lies / 11. Hallowed Be Thy Name / 12. Fear Of The Dark / 13. Iron Maiden / 14. Journeyman / 15. The Number Of The Beast / 16. Run To The Hills

Disc 2:

01. Wildest Dreams / 02. Wrathchild / 03. Can I Play With Madness / 04. The Trooper / 05. Dance Of Death / 06. Rainmaker / 07. Brave New World / 08. Paschendale / 09. Lord Of The Flies / 10. No More Lies / 11. Hallowed Be Thy Name / 12. Fear Of The Dark / 13. Iron Maiden / 14. Journeyman / 15. The Number Of The Beast / 16. Run To The Hills

Disc 3:

01. "Death On The Road" Documentary (Approx. 75 Mins) / 02. "Life On The Road" Documentary (Approx. 45 Mins) / 03. "The Fans" - Interviews With The Fans (Approx. 30 Mins) / 04. Promotional EPK / 05. Promo Videos – "Rainmaker", "Wildest Dreams". Plus Design Sketches And On-set Photos. / 06. Photo And Artwork Galleries

The band are now taking a well deserved break following their hugely successful touring schedule last year, having headlined virtally every major festival in Europe including Reading and Leeds in the U.K., as well as taking the USA by storm on last year's Ozzfest bill. Preparations for the next studio album (their 14th) will begin in February with recording commencing in the spring of 2006.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the opportunity to experience "Death on the Road" during an exclusive Theatrical Premiere Event on its release date — February 21. This is the first time IRON MAIDEN has been presented on the big screen and in 5.1 Surround Sound. There will be a special introduction from Bruce Dickinson as well as videos from Reading that can only been seen in the theater.

Drummer/author/educator Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, CACTUS, BECK/BOGERT/APPICE, ROD STEWART) ahs signed a 10-year agreement with Alfred Publishing to distribute a line of educational percussion books. (Alfred, on December 24, 2005, bought Warner Bros. Publications, one of the world's largest publishers of printed music, from the Warner Music Group.) Under the new agreement, Alfred retains rights to existing Appice drum education books, plus they will publish all future Appice book projects.

Appice's hugely popular "Ultimate Realistic Rock" has been a steady seller since 1972. Since then, "Realistic Rock For Kids", "Rudiments To Rock" and "Ultimate Play-Along Drum Trax: Carmine Appice Guitar Zeus", all featuring two CDs within each book, have been favorites for fans and students alike. The accompanying CDs feature numerous cuts, minus drum tracks, which are replaced by drum charts, so aspiring rock stars can drum up a storm. The "Zeus" title features music from Carmine's upcoming solo album, "Ultimate Guitar Zeus" (Escapi Records) to be released this spring, which will feature such six-string luminaries as Steve Morse, Yngwie Malmsteen, Slash, Ted Nugent, Brian May, Richie Sambora and Zakk Wylde.

"Carmine is a legendary drummer with amazing talent and great vision," says Ron Manus, Alfred's Executive Vice-President. "We've had some incredible discussions and brainstorms together and we're blown away to be working with him. He's a great guy and a blast to hang out with!"

GAMMA RAY, THYRFING, CARNAL FORGE, LEGION OF THE DAMNED and GOJIRA have been confirmed for this year's installment of the Summer Breeze festival, set to take place August 17-19 in the Ostalbkreis district in Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

APOSTASY / ASP / BLOODFLOWERZ / CARNAL FORGE / FEAR MY THOUGHTS / FINNTROLL / GAMMA RAY / GOJIRA / HEAVEN SHALL BURN / KREATOR / LEGION OF THE DAMNED / LENG TCH'E / LUMSK / MOONSPELL / NEAERA / NECROPHAGIST / POTENTIA ANIMI / PSYCHOPUNCH / REBELLION / REGICIDE / SALTATIO MORTIS / SCARVE / THE OTHER / THYRFING / TOTENMOND / TRAIL OF TEARS / TURISAS / UNDERTOW / UNLEASHED / VISIONS OF ATLANTIS / VOLBEAT

GREAT WHITE's former tour manager Dan Biechele, 29, will plead guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the 2003 Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people. Biechele, who triggered the pyrotechnics that set fire to the foam lining the Station club's ceiling and walls, had claimed that the venue's owners had given him permission to set off the display -- a claim they have denied. In exchange for the plea, he will not serve more than ten years in prison. Biechele will formally enter his plea in court next Tuesday. Great White guitarist TY LONGLEY was among those killed by the fire. The band has yet to be charged with any wrongdoing.

Swedish metallers ASTRAL DOORS are the sixth and final band to be confirmed for the Metalbåten festival, set to take place March 23-24 on the Silja Festival ferry (which traffics the Baltic Sea between Stockholm, Sweden and Turku, Finland). The complete lineup is as follows:

RAGE / MARDUK / FREEDOM CALL / DISMEMBER / HELLFUELED / ASTRAL DOORS

As of today, there are approximately 300 tickets left.

Commented the festival organizers: "We have the coolest raffle on our homepage: One lucky person will win a free (!) tattoo inspired [by] any of the bands playing on the event. The tattoo will be made in the ferry! The winner is chosen from the best or strangest graphic idea for the tattoo."

For more information, visit www.metalbaten.se.

ASTRAL DOORS have been confirmed as the special guests on the upcoming European tour of BLIND GUARDIAN, set to take place in September/October (25 gigs in 40 days).

ASTRAL DOORS' third full-length disc, "Astralism", was recently completed and is scheduled for release in March. "Astralism" is described by the band as "another slab of old school hard rock with a touch of metal — something you can't help loving."

ASTRAL DOORS' most recent album, "Evil Is Forever" came out in early 2005. An EP, entitled "Raiders Of The Ark", followed in October 2005.

Tickets are now available for Chicago Powerfest 2006 via www.ChicagoPowerfest.com. The two-day passes are $50, and there will only be 600 made available to the public. Accepted methods of payment will be Paypal or money order. Tickets will also be made available at select Chicagoland locations for local attendees within the next couple weeks.

The fourth annual festival, which features both veteran and up-and-coming bands from various sub-genres of metal, will take place on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8 at Mr. Kelley's Music Box (18+ event) in Chicago Heights, IL.

Each night's schedule is as follows:

Friday, April 7:

ELDRITCH 12:00 - close

BIOMECHANICAL 10:30 - 11:40

AGENT STEEL 9:20 - 10:10

GRACEPOINT 8:20 - 9:00

WITHERING SOUL 7:30 - 8:00

Saturday, April 8:

MORGANA LEFAY 12:10 - close

NOCTURNAL RITES 10:20 - 11:50

ION VEIN 9:20 - 10:00

TWELFTH GATE 8:20 - 9:00

MIRROR BLACK 7:30 - 8:00

Audio samples, hotel information and additional event details can also be found at www.ChicagoPowerfest.com.

According to a posting on the CHILDREN OF BODOM fan site Scythes-Of-Bodom.com, the the Swedish film company Revolver, led by the director Patric Ullaeus, will film the band's February 5 gig in Stockholm, Sweden for an upcoming DVD release. The "Trashed, Lost & Strungout" promotional video was filmed by Revolver and the company's most recent works include "Take This Life" by IN FLAMES and "Sorgens Kammer del II" by DIMMU BORGIR.

In other news, CHILDREN OF BODOM guitarists Alexi Laiho and Roope Latvala and bassist Henkka T. Blacksmith will hold a clinic during the Finnish Metal Expo in Helsinki on February 17. On the same day, the annual Finnish Metal Awards will be presented. COB are nominated for the Best Album and the Best Band, while Alexi and Roope are both nominated in the Best Musician category.

Also on the CHILDREN OF BODOM front, the band's "In Your Face" single, taken from the "Are You Dead Yet?" album, has hit the No. 1 position on Britain's official Top 40 Rock Singles chart, ahead of such acts as GREEN DAY, NIGHTWISH, FOO FIGHTERS, THE DARKNESS, BLINK 182, H.I.M. and SYSTEM OF A DOWN.

Reuters is reporting that five Satanic cult members received heavy prison sentences on Tuesday for killing the singer of their amateur heavy metal band and two other women in brutal ritual murders that shocked Italy.

Nicola Sapone, one of the leaders of the Beasts of Satan heavy metal cult, was sentenced to life behind bars for the double homicide in 1998 of singer Fabio Tollis and his girlfriend Chiara Marino.

The group had apparently believed that Marino, who was stabbed to death under a full moon, was the personification of the Virgin Mary. She was 19.

Tollis, 16, took a fatal hammer blow to the head after trying to prevent her murder.

Sapone covered Tollis's mouth with a chestnut husk to silence him and also slit his throat in what Italian media called "an orgy" of bloodletting. The band pushed the dead bodies into a pit and urinated on them.

Four other followers of the band received sentences of between 24 and 26 years.

The convictions were the latest for members and followers of Beasts of Satan, and followed the high-profile conviction of band leader Andrea Volpe, who received a lighter, 30-year sentence after leading authorities to the bodies and confessing to the killings.

Band members were also convicted for murdering Volpe's ex-girlfriend Mariangela Pezzotta in 2004. She was shot in the mouth and her body mutilated.

The Satanic killings sparked fears in Italy of a spread of devil cults, and the Vatican last year started a course for Roman Catholic priests on Satanism and exorcism in response to what the Church said was a worrying interest in the occult, particularly among the young.

The complete schedule has been announced for this year's edition of the Atarfe Vega Rock festival, set to take place March 10-11 at Nave Medina Elvira in Atarfe, Granada, Spain. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Friday, March 10:

BRAINSTORM 17:00

VIRGIN STEELE 18:20

IMPALED NAZARENE 19:40

VICIOUS RUMORS 21:00

HYPOCRISY 22:20

W.A.S.P. 23:55

TESTAMENT 01:50

Saturday, March 11:

MOONSORROW 13:00

TO/DIE/FOR 14:20

TEN 15:40

MASTERPLAN 17:00

BEHEMOTH 18:20

NUCLEAR ASSAULT 19:50

CREMATORY 21:10

GAMMA RAY 22:45

IN EXTREMO 24:40

TWISTED SISTER 02:25

HELLOWEEN's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"The two original HELLOWEEN members, Michael Weikath and Markus Grosskopf, teamed up with Metal Express Radio for an in-depth discussion about the history of the band. Michael and Markus cover topics such as the genesis of HELLOWEEN and various line-up changes throughout the years, and provide their personal spin on HELLOWEEN's album catalogue. These power metal pioneers revisit the hard times as well as the happy days all the way up to the release of the new album 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys – The Legacy'. The duration of this Rockumentary is one hour, and also intermixes songs from many of the HELLOWEEN releases.

"The HELLOWEEN Rockumentary will air on Metal Express Radio on February 2nd at 15:00 and 21:00 Central European Time (9 a.m. and 3 p.m. New York City time). To tune into Metal Express Radio, visit www.MetalExpressRadio.com and click the TUNE IN HERE button in the upper right corner. To connect to the radio stream, listeners need an OGG VORBIS compatible player. Winamp or Foobar 2000 are recommended, however, many players will work and are listed on the site."

German melodic metallers HELLOWEEN have announced the following festival appearances this summer:

Jun. 23-24 – Balingen, GER @ Bang Your Head

Jul. 15-17 – Vizovice, CZR @ Masters Of Rock

Aug. 04-05 – Hultsfred, SWE @ Gates of Metal

As previously reported, HELLOWEEN filmed their sold-out headlining concert on January 29, 2006 at the 5,000-capacity crowd at the Winter Palace Of Sports in Sofia, Bulgaria for a planned live CD/DVD package. Two other shows will be recorded for the upcoming CD/DVD — Tokyo, Japan on March 1 and Sao Paulo, Brazil on March 25. More details will be announced soon.

HELLOWEEN are continuing to tour in support of their latest album, "Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy", available now on SPV Records. The lineup on the record includes singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Großkopf and drummer Dani Löble (ex-RAWHEAD REXX). Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HALFORD, RAGE), "Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy" was released as a high-quality digipack with six flaps.

February 1st

A recent attempt by company to register the MAN O'WAR mark for golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, and various other items of golf equipment was refused by The Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences after the Board found a likelihood of confusion with the registered mark MANOWAR — owned by Joey DeMaio, leader of the heavy metal band MANOWAR — for t-shirts and hats.

New York metal legends RIOT were accompanied by Katagory V's very own bassist Dustin Mitchell for two songs

at their Saturday January 28th show in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Yes, the rumor has been floating around out there, and it is confirmed - Dustin did indeed stand in on a few songs during Riot's live performance in Salt Lake City. Due to a very unfortunate accident with Riot's bassist Pete Perez, the band ended up performing both their Las Vegas and Salt Lake City dates without a bassist. However, at a moments notice, Dustin stepped in and joined them at the end of the night in his hometown of Salt Lake City for two classic Riot songs, "Flight of the Warrior" and "Thundersteel".

Dustin took a moment to comment on how that evening went down.

"Good god! Did that really just happen? Wow, 48 hours later and I think it's actually starting to sink in! Riot has been one of my favorite bands, a band that I would put up there alongside Iron Maiden or Rush when it comes to legendary status and longevity. I thought I was just going to see a show; playing live was the last thing I thought would ever happen."

"In short, I got a call from my friend JB (of JB entertainment - Riots booking) on Friday and he told me that Pete had been seriously hurt somehow and was in the hospital. He asked me if I knew a few Riot songs. at first I thought he was messing around with me, but I could tell quickly he was dead serious. Fear began to sink in and I told him 'No, not really' and he began to persuade me into at least doing a few songs. I told him to talk to the band to be sure they were cool with it and that I would think it over some more and to call me back. By Saturday afternoon - the day of the show - I had taken a couple of hours and learned two songs from my favorite Riot album in hopes they were going to play those live. You can imagine my surprise to know they were indeed in the set list! "

"Looking back it seems all so surreal. Frank (Gilchreist) ran through the songs with me after he got his drums set up at sound check, and before the other guys showed up, and gave me a few quick points on what they do live with these particular songs and what to watch and listen for. He was very patient and a tremendous help, and I was glad I got to jam with him before hand. The guys seemed a bit on edge and possibly a little unsure about having me up there as I made my way on stage, but, after a few bars into "Flight of the Warrior" it all seemed to wash away, even my being extremely nervous. Of course I hit a few odd notes in the beginning, but I synched up pretty quick. I remember Mike (Tirelli) having the biggest grin on his face the whole time and Mark & Mike (Flyntz) stepping over to me, playing a few counter point jams, and then all three of us getting up together during the long neoclassical guitar run after the solo in "Thundersteel". My legs were shaking so hard, I thought I was going to pass out. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven."

"I want to thank all the guys in RIOT - Mike T., Mark, Frank, and Mike F. -for letting me get up with them and jam some of my all-time favorite RIOT songs with the originators. It's still blows my mind I did! Thank you for your warm welcome, kind words, and making me feel at home, I'll remember this forever. Another big thanks to JB and Damon for their patients and trust, it meant a lot to me, and finally a big GET WELL SOON to one of the most amazing bassist on this planet, Pete Perez, whom I wish was there that night. The guys sounded great as a four-piece, but it would have been 100% perfect with Pete on stage; I was really looking forward to seeing him live and hopefully meeting him as well. My heart and prayers go out to him and I hope he heals up quickly and toughs it out 'through the storm'."

You can view a few photos of Dustin with Riot on stage taken buy a local Riot fan here:

http://katagory5.com/web/images/zoom/SZHHRL/riot1.jpg

http://katagory5.com/web/images/zoom/SZHHRL/riot2.jpg

http://katagory5.com/web/images/zoom/SZHHRL/riot3.jpg

http://katagory5.com/web/images/zoom/SZHHRL/riot4.jpg

January 31st

Former adult film and wrestling star Jasmin St. Claire has reinvented herself once again, this time as host of "The Metal Scene TV Show", L.A.'s hottest new heavy metal television show.

St. Claire's early interviews will include profiles of such bands as CHILDREN OF BODOM, WICKED WISDOM and GOD FORBID, among others. Jasmin will also release her highly-anticipated, tell-all authorized autobiography this summer.

East Coast can watch over the net www.kcat.tv @ 7:30 this saturday

hail crazy metalheads!

Witchcurse is a new band from Greece total influenced of the NWOBHM sound. Our first release is a rehearsal tape named "Rehearsal 18/12/2005".this release includes 1 intro and 3 songs.every band,label,distro,zine,metalfucker is intersted in this release just call me back!!! We wait your Heavy Metal answers!

HEAVY METAL NEVER DIES!!!!!! NO FUCKIN' RIP-OFFS!!!

c/o possessed

I.Goura 9

54352

Thessaloniki

GREECE

Birmingham's fathers for Grindcore, NAPALM DEATH, whose latest release, The Code Is Red… Long Live The Code was called "end-of-the- world-heavy" (New York Waste) will be embarking on North America's `The Enemy Of God II' Tour in late February with Kreator. Vocalist for the band / institution Barney Greenway had this to say, "Hello everyone, looks like we're coming back to North America to make a load of noise again. The Code Is Red… was such a well- received album, and we're disappointed that this is only the first time that we're getting to a lot of places, but we try our best, you know. What are the shows going to be like? Well, we will totally go for it, as ever, and hopefully you'll all enjoy. It'll be chaotic, spasmodic and hopefully a beautiful thing. There should be quite a bit of The Code… stuff in there as well.

"There's also the small matter of the follow-up to The Code…, which we are each working on in our own little corners of the world. I have a few songs ready to go lyrically but nothing concrete to share with you right at this moment unfortunately. I've been thinking about the general theme of the album a lot and what I'd like to project in this age of being dragged down paths of religious oppression is the spirit of free-thinking. I mean, believe what you want to believe if it makes you happy, but I still don't believe that mass governance via religious theories is wise, especially when the world is so fragile. The whole idea, just for example, of stickering school textbooks that try to explain the scientifically proven evolution of mankind with stickers that say `this is not necessarily the truth' is entirely counter-productive. Anyway… we hope to hit the studio mid-May for a late-year release. See you all soon stateside. Peace, love, equality."

Beheaded's Ominous Bloodline has been nominated for best death metal album for 2005 in the famed Metalstorm Zine, amongst the ranks of Bolt thrower, Hate Eternal, Obituary, Immolation and Gorefest plus other heavy weights of the scene. You can visit the following link:

http://www.metalstorm.ee/awards/categories.php?cat_id=1

Please help us out by registering in the Metal Storm and vote for Beheaded. Much Appreciated!

Thanks & Regards:

Omar

www.beheaded.net

MISERY INDEX have announced that they've signed to Relapse Records. Their new album will be released through the label in May.

SATHANAS released their new cd ENTERING THE DIABOLIC TRINITY on Pulverised records. check out info at www.sathanas.net

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton told Greg Prato of Billboard.com that the band will reconvene next month to begin writing the follow-up to 2005's "Angel of Retribution", which was the band's first album with singer Rob Halford since 1990's "Painkiller".

"We've had a break — we've been out for almost two years," Tipton said. "We all decided to take January off, and then we're going to start writing the new album in February. We are doing a charity show for the Teenage Cancer Trust at [London's] Albert Hall in April, and we are talking about some summer festivals [in Europe]. But our main priority is to write the next JUDAS PRIEST album — that'll be the number one thing on our agenda."

Regarding the upcoming reissue of his 1997 solo album "Baptizm of Fire" and the release of a collection of recordings made with THE WHO bassist John Entwistle and veteran session drummer Cozy Powell, Tipton said, "At the time I was with Atlantic, and in their words, they thought [the Entwistle/Powell recordings were] 'a bit old-school. They wanted me to work with some younger guys, and mix and match the tracks. I went to L.A. and worked with some young guys," including ex-DAVID LEE ROTH bassist Billy Sheehan and METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo.

"A really great album came out of it, but what it did was leave all these other tracks that I'd done with John and Cozy," Tipton said. "I always knew that Cozy was a great drummer, but I never realized what good a bass player John was, until he came down to the studio and started to play. I always felt that these tracks were valuable tracks, and deserved to see the light of day."

January 30th

Ruptured Silence Records proudly presents it`s new signing.

The americans Solace of Requiem come from Virginia beach, Virginia and play technical very high leveled death metal in 1990s style. One can hardly believe that the band just consists of three members, because they achieve to give the impression of a five or six men combo that reads the Riot Act. In the moment the band is still working on new songs for their upcoming album next year and playing on several of Americas most famouse festivals.

Ruptured Silence Records

Inh. Richard Pöschel

Bonhoefferstr. 6

54296 Trier / Germany

Office : + 49(0)651/99 36 32 5

Mobile : + 49(0)171/310 87 58

www.rupturedsilence.com

>>> IGNORANTS? <<<

hey assholes, finally we are back with new songs, the name of the new cd-r is "volta" and have 14 tracks. so go to media section, click on the sounds link and try download the songs. for all the zine makers please write a review and send it for me put online in the site. thanx.

ignorants666@yahoo.com.br

www.ignorants.r8.org

TIME BEFORE TIME Records

newsletter, 30 Jan 2006

OUT NOW:

SABBAT "Geionslaught 1986" CD, excellent live recording of this cult Japanese band, perfect sound! It was recorded in 1986!!! CD is limited to 500 copies only, get it now!

REVELATION OF DOOM "Unholy Goatwhore" CD, new face of Polish old school Black/Death Metal underground. Recommended for all fans of Witchmaster, Hellborn and Throneum! Amazing album full of wrath, evil and death!!!!!!! Philippe

http://nobordertour.hautetfort.com/

Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings will release the two-CD set "The Essential Judas Priest" on April 4.

JUDAS PRIEST rocketed out of the tough steel town of Birmingham, England, more than three decades ago, and the 34 songs collected here form nothing less than the very backbone — the pure essence — of heavy metal. This uncompromising style of rock 'n' roll has earned a remarkably loyal fan base worldwide and no other band defines heavy metal better than JUDAS PRIEST.

The core of vocalist Rob Halford, lead guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing and bass guitarist Ian Hill worked with several drummers in the earlier years, with longtime current member Scott Travis rounding out the definitive lineup due to his incredible power and versatility. JUDAS PRIEST knows that what matters is the music, and its ability to blend unforgettable melodies with atomic-bomb power has never been equalled.

All the songs on "The Essential Judas Priest" are the complete original studio album versions featuring the Halford/Tipton/Downing/Hill axis — from the 1976 landmark "Sad Wings Of Destiny" through the astonishing 2005 reunion platter "Angel Of Retribution".

The track listing is as follows:

Disc 1:

01. Judas Rising ("Angel Of Retribution" - 2005) / 02. Breaking The Law ("British Steel" - 1980) / 03. Hell Bent For Leather ("Hell Bent For Leather" - 1979) / 04. Diamonds And Rust ("Sin After Sin" - 1977) / 05. Victim Of Changes ("Sad Wings Of Destiny" - 1976) / 06. Love Bites ("Defenders Of The Faith" - 1984) / 07. Heading Out To The Highway ("Point Of Entry" - 1981) / 08. Ram It Down ("Ram It Down" - 1988) / 09. Beyond The Realms Of Death ("Stained Class" - 1978) / 10. You've Got Another Thing Comin" ("Screaming For Vengeance" - 1982) / 11. Jawbreaker ("Defenders Of The Faith" - 1984) / 12. A Touch Of Evil ("Painkiller" - 1990) / 13. Delivering The Goods ("Hell Bent For Leather" - 1979) / 14. United ("British Steel" - 1980) / 15. Turbo Lover ("Turbo" - 1986) / 16. Painkiller ("Painkiller" - 1990) / 17. Metal Gods ("British Steel" - 1980)

Disc 2:

01. The Hellion ("Screaming For Vengeance" - 1982) / 02. Electric Eye ("Screaming For Vengeance" - 1982) / 03. Living After Midnight ("British Steel" - 1980) / 04. Freewheel Burning ("Defenders Of The Faith" - 1984) / 05. Exciter ("Stained Class" - 1978) / 06. The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) ("Hell Bent For Leather" - 1979) / 07. Blood Red Skies ("Ram It Down" - 1988) / 08. Night Crawler ("Painkiller" - 1990) / 09. Sinner ("Sin After Sin" - 1977) / 10. Hot Rockin' ("Point Of Entry" - 1981) / 11. The Sentinel ("Defenders Of The Faith" - 1984) / 12. Before The Dawn ("Hell Bent For Leather" - 1979) / 13. Hell Patrol ("Painkiller" - 1990) / 14. The Ripper ("Sad Wings Of Destiny" - 1976) / 15. Screaming For Vengeance ("Screaming For Vengeance" - 1982) / 16. Out In The Cold ("Turbo" - 1986) / 17. Revolution ("Angel Of Retribution" - 2005)

"The Essential Judas Priest" liner notes were written by respected veteran rock journalist Geoff Barton.

Sony Music's Legacy Recordings divison has issued the best-selling, critically acclaimed "Essential" series of compilations from many of the greatest popular-music recording artists in history.

German melodic metallers HELLOWEEN filmed their sold-out headlining concert on January 29, 2006 at the 5,000-capacity crowd at the Winter Palace Of Sports in Sofia, Bulgaria for a planned live CD/DVD package. Two other shows will be recorded for the upcoming CD/DVD — Tokyo, Japan on March 1 and Sao Paulo, Brazil on March 25. More details will be announced soon.

HELLOWEEN are continuing to tour in support of their latest album, "Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy", available now on SPV Records. The lineup on the record includes singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Großkopf and drummer Dani Löble (ex-RAWHEAD REXX). Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HALFORD, RAGE), "Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy" was released as a high-quality digipack with six flaps.

Ballet Deviare will be performing the piece "...And the Devil Knows Why" as the support for OPETH's "Chronology MCMXCIV - MMV A live observation by Opeth" concert on February 23 at the Town Hall Theatre in New York City.

January 29th

IT'S OFFICIAL : HAMMERFALL HAVE MADE THE CHEESIEST VIDEO IN HISTORY!

HAMMERFALL recently joined forces with the Swedish women's Olympic curling team to shoot a new video for their track "Hearts On Fire", a song from the group's 2002 album, "Crimson Thunder". The track has been reissued as a single in Sweden to give a "boost" to the team as they prepare for the Winter Olympics next month in Turin.

"In preparation for the Olympic Games in February, we joined forces with one of Sweden's brightest hopes for a gold medal," said HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak in a statement posted on the band's web site. "With heavy metal as a source of strength, the girls can now focus on bringing home the gold."

According to ChartAttack.com, the video features the team led by Anette Norberg pitted against the metalheads, who have few curling skills but know how to have a good time. Mayhem ensues when rocks and brooms go flying and a drum kit appears on the ice. By the end of the video, the athletes have turned in their team uniforms for the leather and studs duds that inexplicably remain popular among rockers.

"The video was a blast to record, an attitude shared by everyone involved. The result is an amusing and, for us, a little unusual video," stated Dronjak.

An audio interview with former IRON MAIDEN and current BLAZE frontman Blaze Bayley will air next Saturday, February 4 on the "Wolf Bayley Rock Show" on WSYC-FM 88.7 (Shippensburg University's non-commercial FM radio station broadcasting out of Shippensburg, PA). According to a press release, the interview will contain "40 minutes of news about [Blaze's] band as well as other madness. The interview will also reveal some info that is exclusive to the 'Wolf Bayley Rock Show'!"

The "Wolf Bayley Rock Show" show can be picked up via the Internet at www.wsyc.org between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST. Click the "Listen Live!" feature to bring up the show. You will need either Winamp, Windows Media Player, or Real Player.

BLAZE are currently working on material for their fourth album, tentatively due this spring. The most recent release, "Blood & Belief", was issued in Europe in April 2004. The follow-up to 2002's "Tenth Dimension" was recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, England with producer Andy Sneap (NEVERMORE, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY).

SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva has posted the following message on his official web site:

"I know that I personally don't post here much.....ever. I can't type!!! But, I wanted to get on here and let everyone know that things in the studio are really going great!

"This [JON OLIVA'S PAIN] record is different from the last, very versatile, with lots of things going on, everything from heavy metal to progressive metal, to just all kinds of stuff. We're experimenting with lots of different things and all of us, the whole band, are really excited about it. Everyone has contributed music and ideas and it's just been a lot of fun! I know you guys will be blown away!

"Now, with the update of the 'goings on' in the studio taken care of, there's something else I'd like to address before false stories and rumors begin to spread. I want to take this opportunity to get the story straight.

"Last year Jerry Outlaw was hired to go on tour with the band and to fill the position of additional guitarist, which I believed would take the band to another level. Jerry did an outstanding job, fulfilling every expectation. His abilities are incredible. There is however, an enormous difference between touring and being in a studio environment.

"For the past 2 years I've been playing with John [Zahner, keyboards], Chris [Kinder, drums], Kevin [Rothney, bass] and Matt [Laporte, guitar] and we've developed a 'formula,' one that had proven to be a successful one with the release of the last album. My theory is 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' However, when we returned from the last tour in Europe and began working on creating the new album, it became apparent that there were distinct differences in the process that Jerry was used to in the studio, as opposed to how the band had done things the previous year and wanted to continue doing. We tried to make some changes to make the situation adaptable and comfortable for Jerry, but unfortunately, it became clear that it was just not something that was going to work. So, last week Jerry was let go from the band. Understand that this is not to say that Jerry was not capable of handling the guitar duties, actually, quite the opposite. What it does mean is that Jerry's way of doing things was different from mine and the rest of the band's. He was having difficulties with our process in the studio and creative differences began to emerge. I felt it was better to move on before actually entering into the studio to begin final recordings.

"All of us would like to thank Jerry for his contributions and for the incredible job he did while he was on tour with us. We wish him lots of luck and all the best in his future endeavors."

JON OLIVA'S PAIN's as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2004's "'Tage Mahal" is tentatively scheduled for release in May via SPV Records.

In addition to their previously announced European tour as the support act for KING DIAMOND, Norwegian melodic metallers THUNDERBOLT will be opening for ex-IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno for one show in late April and ex-BLACK SABBATH frontman Tony Martin for two dates in early March.

Check out the new SATHANAS cd "Entering The Diabolic Trinity". Our site is www.sathanas.net

Merch is also available.

Photographs of Norway's 1349 are featured on the recently relaunched site of renowned New York photographer Peter Beste. The band's latest album, Hellfire, is in stores now and is their fastest selling record to date. Recorded at Studio Studio in Nyhagen, Norway, Hellfire is 1349's third album. The video for lead track, "Sculpture of Flesh," was recently accepted by Headbangers Ball; air date to follow.

Decibel Magazine says of the album, "Hellfire roils and roars with something approaching bloodlust... every hellish note bears down on your psyche with the fierce jag of military-grade amphetamines." Metal Maniacs says, "an incineration event of the highest order."

Formed in 1997, 1349 features vocalist Ravn, guitarists Tjalve and Archaon, bassist Seidemann and drummer Frost. Their Candlelight debut, Liberation, was released in 2003. Returning in 2004, the band recorded Beyond the Apocalypse. With Hellfire, a priority for for Candlelight through 2006, 1349 are sure to open their already respectable fanbase.

Photographer Peter Beste spent 6 months in Norway photographing black metal musicians. This unique subculture in the context of Norway's magical landscape, mythological background, and strong sense of culture has been the focus of this on going documentary project. His first photography book Norwegian Black Metal was published in Japan in 2005.

More recently, Beste has been working on a photo book about the ghettos, black nightclubs, and lifestyles of hustlers and rappers in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Images span from intimate and personal to violent and over the top. Building strong relationships with his subjects, Beste gives us an honest, raw, and uncompromised portrayal of life in their world.

Beste has had solo exhibitions in London, New York, San Francisco, Austin, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Osaka, Oslo, and Bergen. His work has appeared in Spin, American Photo, Vice, The Face, London Observer, Dazed and Confused, Graphic, XXL, Mass Appeal, Revolver, and many others.

MEGADETH has teamed with Capitol Records/EMI Music Catalog Marketing to unleash "Arsenal of Megadeth", a new comprehensive two-disc DVD collection available March 21. A visual career anthology containing 32 previously unreleased clips, "Arsenal of Megadeth" chronicles the rise and evolution of the band, providing fans with a heavy metal armory of music videos, interviews, home video shot by MEGADETH's own Dave Mustaine and hidden tracks. Clocking in at almost three hours, "Arsenal of Megadeth"'s tracklist was personally compiled by Mustaine, ensuring the ultimate head-hammering MEGADETH experience.

Following the 2005 release of MEGADETH's "Greatest Hits: Back to the Start" CD and deluxe CD/DVD collections of singles and fan favorites, "Arsenal of Megadeth" provides fans with the most in-depth look ever provided into the band's storied history. In addition to 20 of the band's music videos, "Arsenal" contains a bevy of career-spanning previously unreleased material, including behind the scenes audition footage, a 1995 band appearance on MTV's "Most Wanted", a clip of Dave Mustaine's guest appearance on "The Drew Carey Show", and concert footage from 2005's Gigantour — essential cuts for every Megafan.

In 2005, MEGADETH was the headbanging, headlining act of Dave Mustaine's Gigantour, a tour founded on the principles of "fan-friendly" pricing and accessibility to the music. Mustaine's vision for Gigantour was to "put together a festival that consisted of positive bands that play heavy music in a high energy environment." 2005's inaugural Gigantour did just that and was an immense international success. "Arsenal of Megadeth" contains previously unreleased concert footage from the tour, including a live performance of MEGADETH's metal anthem, "Peace Sells".

MEGADETH was formed in 1983, and in the words of "The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years" director Penelope Spheeris, "[have] always been intelligent and uncompromising; they gave an entire generation a new perspective on our troubled world."

MEGADETH members Dave Mustaine, Glen Drover (lead and rhythm guitar), James MacDonough (bass) and Shawn Drover (drums) keep themselves engaged with their fanbase by regularly posting to the official MEGADETH web site (www.megadeth.com). The site connects fans to the MEGADETH eBay auction site and fan forums, and provides up-to-date official information on all things MEGADETH.

"Arsenal of Megadeth" (DVD)

Disc 1:

01. "Peace sells..." film excerpt from "Talk Radio" / 02. "Peace Sells" broadcast music video / 03. Interview, 1986* compiled interview excerpts / 04. "Wake Up Dead" broadcast music video / 05. Penelope Spheeris intro* "Cutting Edge Happy Hour" interview / 06. "In My Darkest Hour" broadcast music video / 07. "So Far, So Good..." compiled interview excerpts w/ video rushes / 08. "Anarchy In The U.K." music video — version without sound effects / 09. "No More Mr. Nice Guy" * broadcast music video w/ film footage / 10. Marty Friedman audition* [hidden track] unreleased audition footage / 11. "Rust In Peace"* TV spot for album / 12. On the "Clash Of The Titans" tour, 1990* compiled tour footage excerpts / 13. "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" * broadcast music video — MTV edit / 14. "Mission Megadeth: Headbanger's Ball", 1991* compiled excerpts from 5/18/91 broadcast show / 15. "Hangar 18" music video — longform unedited version / 16. "Go To Hell" broadcast music video — guitar version / 17. "Countdown To Extinction"* TV spot for album / 18. "Rock The Vote" 3 compiled promo clips / 19. "Symphony of Destruction" broadcast music video / 20. "Symphony of Destruction" (Edited Gristle Mix) music video / 21. "Skin O' My Teeth"* broadcast music video; new edit / 22. "High Speed Dirt" broadcast music video / 23. "Foreclosure of a Dream" broadcast music video / 24. "A Day in the Life of Hollywood", 1992* broadcast piece / 25. "Sweating Bullets"* broadcast music video /

Disc 2:

26. "Evolver" [excerpt] excerpts from "Evolver" home video / 27. "Train of Consequences" broadcast music video / 28. Raw footage from "Train" video shoot* [hidden track] "making-of" footage shot on set / 29. "Youthanasia" * TV spot for album / 30. Interview, 1994* interview excerpt (Nick on album cover) / 31. "Night of the Living Megadeth", Halloween 1994* broadcast interview excerpts & live performance / 32. "MTV Most Wanted", 1995* broadcast performance on 3/28/95 show / 33. Interview, 1994* interview excerpt (Dave on "A Tout Le Monde") / 34. "A Tout Le Monde"* broadcast music video / 35. Interview, 1994 contd.* interview excerpt (Dave/Nick on shows & touring) / 36. "Reckoning Day"* broadcast music video / 37. "Cryptic Writings"* TV spot for Album / 38. "Trust" broadcast music video / 39. "Trust" music video rushes* [hidden track] rushes from video shoot / 40. "Cryptic TV"* EPK for "Cryptic Writing" Album / 41. "Almost Honest"* broadcast music video / 42. "A Secret Place"* broadcast music video (no bouncing balls version) / 43. Argentina, 1998* backstage/interview/distant live shots from arena / 44. "The Drew Carey Show", 1998* broadcast show — Mustaine appearance / 45. "Risk" teaser film * promotional "teaser film" / 46. "Insomnia"* broadcast music video / 47. "Sweating Bullets" (live at Gigantour, 2005)* live concert footage / 48. "Peace Sells" (live at Gigantour, 2005)* live concert footage / 49. "Youthanasia" album cover shoot* raw footage of babies from album cover shoot

*Previously Unreleased