German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN have updated their official web site with the following message:

"After finishing the first part of their studio recordings [for the new RAMMSTEIN album] successfully, RAMMSTEIN have started to put the final touches to their new songs. For example, they're thinking about the usage of strings and choirs. Therefore, the band sat down with the orchestra arranger Sven Helbig last week. Aside from the last musical changes, the final lyrical changes are being made, too. We're highly awaiting the next steps of the album production: the mixing of the songs. It is supposed to start mid-March and will take about six up to eight we ...

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Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND), Juan Garcia and Bernie Versailles (AGENT STEEL), Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT), and James Rivera (HELSTAR) make guest appearances on "Cult Of Sin", the new album from Belgian metallers AFTER ALL, due on March 23 via Dockyard 1 in Europe (Locomotive Records in the U.S.). The CD was mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (BLOODBATH, HAIL OF BULLETS, NOVEMBERS DOOM) at Unisound in Örebro, Sweden and features the artwork of Gabriel Bueno (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, LAMB OF GOD, UNEARTH).

"Cult Of Sin" track listing:

01. Another False Prophecy
02. My Own Sacrifice
...

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Long-running Italian technical Death Metallers GORY BLISTER will release their new album, "Graveyard of Angels", on April 6 via Mascot Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Skymorphosis" contains nine tracks that "reach a very technical Death Metal made with old-school anger," according to the band.

Commented guitarist Raff: "This new record is the natural prosecution of GORY BLISTER's goal to mix old-school aggression, technical skills and progressive music into classic Death Metal. The sound has acquired a lot more personality; you'll always experience originality both in riffs and lyrics. As for the lyrics, they're written from a point of view inspired ...

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THE GATHERING is currently mixing their 9th studio album which is due to be released in April/May 2009! The new album will be called 'The West Pole'.

The band's former singer Anneke van Giersbergen left THE GATHERING in 2007, and the band has since been working on new songs with different singers to complete the new line up. THE GATHERING have now found a new (female) vocalist, and will also have two (also female) guest singers on 'The West Pole'.

Hans Rutten (the band's drummer) had this to say about 'The West Pole': ’We have now started the mixing process and I can tell you we are very, very proud and we feel we have made ...

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Audio samples of all 12 tracks that appear on QUEENSRŸCHE's upcoming album, "American Soldier", are available for streaming at Rhino.com.

QUEENSRŸCHE's twelfth studio release, the epic concept album "American Soldier", will be available from Atco/Rhino on March 31 for a suggested list price of $18.98 (CD) and $9.99 (digital). The ambitious album encompasses a dozen songs inspired by numerous interviews with veterans conducted by Geoff Tate, the group's singer and chief songwriter, who was intent on telling their story using their words. After speaking with soldie ...

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On Monday, February 16, Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH entered Radio Gdansk studio in Poland to begin work on the follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2007 album, "The Apostasy". Daniel Bergstrand from Sweden's Dugout Productions (MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES, DARK FUNERAL) has joined the band in the studio to produce the drums on the record.

Commented Bergstrand: "The drums from beyond hell are miked up and ready to get whipped. I'm super happy with what we got so far...a lethal Polish bulldozer! I'm sure you guys will dig it! The drums are going to be tracked here in Radio Gdansk during next two weeks and after that I will start mixing them and get ...

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Powerhouse American Heavy Metal vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) will release his first solo album, "Play My Game", in May via SPV/Steamhammer. The offering consists of around a dozen brand-new tracks that Owens composed himself or together with renowned friends, such as Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT) and John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).

The list of guest musicians featured on Owens' solo debut is even more spectacular:

Guitar:
Bob Kulick
Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TR ...

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The results from the team on Albums and surprises of the Year 2008 are now online. In the new site, you simply need to click the new menu item called Awards. On the old website, there is a link under the left side menu called Award 2008, you can access it there.

Enjoy

The MetalReviews Team

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People awards results are now online, click the link below to access them.

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Jeff would like to stress that he is not retiring permanently, but would look for an opening if one presents itself. He will think about how he can help and work with the site if the opportunity presents itself under his current circumstances. Jeff has issued a small statement himself:

I have enjoyed my time with Metal Reviews. I feel I have contributed a lot to the site. The team has changed drastically over the last few years. I will still contribute, but not as a team member. There are a lot of new guys now. The output is great. I wish I could have gotten to know some of you more. The site is better than ever. Out with the old and in with the new. I won’t let the door hit m ...

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