Tarot Productions, the label run by Proscriptor McGovern (a.k.a. Russ R. Givens), leader of the Texas-based mythological occult metal outfit ABSU, has just released "726", the latest excursion from Proscriptor. According to a press release, "this is visionary esoteric music that remains unpredictable yet magic(k)al. Psychedelic and ethereal eccentricities merge against a fluent beat reminiscent of '70s krautrock, spacerock and new age. Unlike his occult metal commands in ABSU, Proscriptor pushes the threshold of eclectic music and expression and proves it through '726'. This is the first and only instrumental album by Proscriptor. Most ...

---

Italian power metal band RHAPSODY OF FIRE (formerly known as RHAPSODY) has issued the following update:

"First of all, thank you for all the patience you had in these last times despite the lack of news regarding the band.

"We wanted to inform you that we are in the middle of a hard legal fight with MCM [MANOWAR's Magic Circle Music] and [the company's] main representative Mr. Joey De Maio [MANOWAR bassist/leader]. That's the reason why in the last months we had to keep all strictly confidential and could not release any official declaration that could obviously be used against us from the opposite side. And that's also the reas ...

---

Guitarist Gary Holt of the veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS has issued the following update:

"While anxiously awaiting our return to Europe for the festival run, we have been quietly working on the 'Bonded By Blood' re-recording in our time off. Rob [Dukes, vocals] is currently doing vocals in New York, Lee [Altus, guitar] is doing his solos and I have some touch-ups to do on July 4th. Everything sounds crushing! Guitars are brutal, Tom's [Hunting] drumming is sick, Rob sounds heavier than ever. I am totally stoked. While working on this, I have been securing the talent for the 25th anniversary versio ...

---

Virginia-based technical death metal outfit ARSIS has parted ways with drummer Darren Cesca. According to lead guitarist/vocalist James Malone, "the reasoning behind this decision is simply differences in personalities and an overall difference in direction. Darren is an amazing musician and we harbor no ill feelings towards him. We wish him all the best." He continues, "We are most excited to announce that Alex Tomlin, a longtime friend of ours and an outstanding drummer, will be replacing Darren. His first shows with us will be on the 'In Thrash We Trust' tour starting this Wednesday [June 4]. Come out and support ARSIS and the n ...

---

Former EMPEROR vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn has posted two songs from his forthcoming second solo album, "angL", on his MySpace page. Check out the tracks "Misanthrope" and "Emancipation" at this location.

An e-card for "angL" is available at this location.

Mnemosyne Productions/Candlelight Records has set a May 27 North American release date for "angL".

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Misanthrope (04:59)
02 ...

---

Canada's technical death metal warlords NEURAXIS have posted a new track, "Darkness Prevails", on their MySpace page. The song comes off the group's forthcoming Prosthetic Records debut, "The Thin Line Between", which is scheduled for release on July 22. The album was recorded by Jeff Fortin (ANONYMUS) and the band in February and March of this year and features guest vocals from Luc Lemay (GORGUTS). The CD artwork was created by Dennis Sibejin (CHIMAIRA, JOB FOR A ...

---

METALLICA kicked off the European leg of its current tour earlier tonight (Wednesday, May 28) at Slaski Stadium in Chorzow, Poland.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Creeping Death
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls
03. Ride The Lightning
04. Harvester Of Sorrow
05. The Unforgiven
06. ...And Justice For All
07. Devil's Dance
08. Disposable Heroes
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. Master Of Puppets
11. Whiplash
------------
12. Nothing Else Matters
13. Sad But True
14. One
15. Enter Sandman
------------
16. Last Ca ...

---

Swedih metallers WOLF have announced Richard "Raptor" Holmgren as their new official drummer. According to a press release, "Richard is a well-known musician [who has] previously played in several bands such as APOSTASY and HATERUSH."

Check out Richard "Raptor" Holmgren's video introduction below.

Former STRATOVARIUS mainman/guitarist Timo Tolkki has recruited ex-ADAGIO singer Gus Monsanto for his new REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE band.

Commented Tolkki: "I'm writing this from Hong Kong overlooking the amazing bay. It is a great pleasure to announce the new singer of REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE I have chosen from over 400 vocalists that sent me their MP3s. Thank you so much for sending all those...all together I have received over 1500 applications and I have listened through them all. I am sorry for those who were not chosen, but I can tell you that you should NEVER give up. Follow your heart and you will get there eventually. Don't think a ...

---

TRISTANIA's male vocalist Østen Bergøy has issued following update:

"After a turbulent year with injured drummers and runaway female singers, we thought that our worst struggles belonged to the past. It is with regrets I must announce that we were wrong.

"Putting a last hand on the preparations for [the Wave Gotik Treffen festival in Leipzig, Germany] and the upcoming tour in Latin America, we learned that Svein Terje [Solvang, guitar] had decided to jump the ship. The timing could not be worse, because it was way too late to replace him for the upcoming shows. I am not sure concerning the reasons — I hope for his own sake that they are v ...

---