GREEN CARNATION mastermind Tchort (a.k.a. Terje Vik Schei, ex-EMPEROR, SATYRICON, EINHERJER) has commenced the songwriting process for what might become "Light of Day, Day of Darkness" Part II and III. Commented Tchort: "I never thought about continuing on the path set with [2001's] 'Light of Day, Day of Darkness' - until now. Lately I have gotten new ideas that excite me a lot. It might just be the weather and all the light-dressed girls outside lately that makes me feel this way, but it also might be a rush of genuine inspiration that such work as making a second and third part would require".

In other news, The End R ...

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German rivet-heads SACRED STEEL have finished recording their new album, Iron Blessings, which is due to be released on July 19th through Massacre Records. The 11 track slab of pure metal was recorded at House Of Music Studios in Stuttgart and produced by Achim Köhler, a long time associate and friend of the band.

Word has it that singer Gerrit P. Mutz is once again experimenting with deeper, cookie-monster type vocals amongst his usual high end attack on Iron Blessings due to the success of the band’s previous album, Bloodlust.

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It saddens me to convey that Alex Nelson, guitarist for metal band Lizzy Borden, perished in a head-on collision the afternoon of May 17th, 2004.

Alex Nelson joined Lizzy Borden, after replacing Tony Matuzak, on guitar before the recording of The Murderess Metal Roadshow. Alex maintained his place in the band and went on to tour with Lizzy all over the world. He loved the music and loved the band, but most of all he loved life.

Alex will be truly missed by all that had the gift of his friendship. We shall miss him dearly, as he was just starting his new life with his wife Angel Nelson. Recently moving to Palm Springs , the couple had purchased their ne ...

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EVERGREY guitarist Henrick Danhage recently spoke to KaffeineBuzz.com about the group's new CD, "The Inner Circle", and their current North American tour with ICED EARTH and CHILDREN OF BODOM, among other topics. Asked if they are trying to come across as "a more emotional power metal band instead of having a science fiction backdrop," Henrick replied, "I don't compare us as a power metal or a progressive metal band. I want to make a point about that - I think we're really different from all those bands. I'm not badmouthing any other bands, 'cause I believe what they play is what they want to do. But I don't want to get caught up in that prog ...

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Former BALANCE OF POWER vocalist Lance King has joined forces with Danish/American prog-power metal band PYRAMAZE. The group's debut album, "Melancholy Beast", is scheduled for release on May 31 through EMI/Toshiba in Japan, NTS Records in Europe and Canada and Nightmare Records in the U.S.

Recorded at Hansen Studios in Denmark and at Nightmare Studios in the U.S., "Melancholy Beast" (view cover here) features production by Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, INVOCATOR) and artwork by Rob Alexander. The complete track list ...

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MOTÖRHEAD's official web site, www.imotorhead.com, has uploaded the cover artwork for the group's upcoming album, "Inferno". The cover design has once again been provided by esteemed cover artist Joe Petagno.

As previously reported, "Inferno" is due in North America on June 22 through the Sanctuary subsidiary Metal-Is Records (the album will arrive in Europe on June 21 via SPV/Steamhammer Records). The complete track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Terminal Show (feat. Steve Vai)
02. Smiling Like A Killer
03. In The Year Of The Wolf
04. Life's A Bitch
05. Keys To The Kingdom
06. Down On Me
07. Fight
08. In The Name Of Tragedy
09. Suicide
10. The Killers
11. I'm In The Black
12. Whorehouse Blues

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Alex Wilson of the Australian Associated Press is reporting that KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has caused an uproar among Australia's Muslim community by launching an attack on Islamic culture while in Melbourne.

Simmons, who is currently touring Australia with KISS, launched an attack on Muslim extremists during an interview on Melbourne's 3AW radio.

"Extremism believes that it's okay to strap bombs on to your children and send them to paradise and whatever else and to behead people," he said Thursday (May 13).

The Israeli-born U.S. musician went on to say Islam was a "vile culture" that treated women worse than dogs ...

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RUSH will be releasing an eight-song, all-covers EP on June 29 through Atlantic Records. Titled "Feedback" (view cover here), the CD's complete track listing is as follows:

01. Summertime Blues (EDDIE COCHRAN)
02. Heart Full Of Soul (THE YARDBIRDS)
03. The Seeker (THE WHO)
04. For What It's Worth (BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD)
05. Mr. Soul (BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD)
06. Shapes Of Things (THE YARDBIRDS)
07. Seven & Seven Is (LOVE)
08. Crossroads (CREAM)

"[Bassist] Geddy [Lee], [guitarist] ...

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Massachusetts-based thrash metal quintet SHADOWS FALL have set "The War Within" as the title of their fourth full-length release, tentatively scheduled for an early September release through Century Media Records. The new album, produced again by Zeuss (HATEBREED) at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts, will feature the tracks "The Power Of I & I" and "Enlightened By The Cold" - both of which the band premiered live recently - along with such offerings as "Eternity Is Within", "The Timeless Practice Of Elevation" and "Stillness".

SHADOWS FALL will follow up the recording sessions for the new album with a ...

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Guitarist Wojtek Lisicki (a.k.a. Transcendental Protagonist) has rejoined Sweden's LOST HORIZON. This was confirmed by the band's promoter, M-Production, in a phone call to Sweden Rock magazine late Monday night (May 10). No further information was given, but according to the promoter, an official statement containing more details will be posted on the band's web site later this week. Wojtek will be on stage with the band when they perform at the Sweden Rock Festival on June 12.

Lisicki originally left LOST HORIZON last July due to "personal reasons." The group's second full-length album, "A Flame To The Ground Beneath", was released in February 2003 through Music For Nations Records.

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