Swedish thrashers CARNAL FORGE have confirmed that they have parted ways with Jari Kuusisto (rhythm guitar) and Jens C. Mortensen (vocals). "We are sorry not to have the guys on board anymore, and we wish them all the best for the future," the group writes in a statement. "We want to thank them for all their work and efforts in the band and all the crazy times we've shared through the years... Cheers!!!"

The band continues: "The good news is that we have found two new members to replace Jari and Jens: Dino Medanhodzic (SOULBREACH) on lead guitar and Peter Tuthill (ex-CONSTRUCDEAD, and also in GODSIC) on vocals.

Swedish death metal supergroup BLOODBATH has issued the following update:

"So the time has come for BLOODBATH to once again poison the scene with a contagious doze of über brutal death metal. An old acquaintance in this zombified bloodline has once again re-visited his old home. We can now announce that the vocalist on the new mini-CD is none other than Mikael Åkerfeldt courtesy of OPETH.

"Second deathster to join the elite is Mr. Per 'Sodomizer' Eriksson (ex-21 LUCIFERS, ex-GENOCRUSH FEROX). Sodomizer's brutal death metal songwriting approach as well as guitar shredding is a highly welcomed element in the legacy of ...

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Evidently Jani Lane has returned to the WARRANT fold, given that his photo is now included with the rest of the band members' pictures, at guitarist Erik Turner's MySpace page. Meanwhile, rumors have been circulating that a Jani Lane fronted Warrant will perform at the second annual Rocklahoma festival, to be held in Pryor, Oklahoma July 11th -13th. Stay tuned for updates on this as details surface.

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Guitarist Bill Hudson has quit the Nebraska-based extreme power metal babd CELLADOR. His statement on the matter reads as follows:

"After thinking about it for a long time and after a very relaxing holiday season, which included appearances at the NAMM show in Anaheim, I have decided that it's best for me if I part ways with CELLADOR.

"I'll be flying back to Omaha tomorrow, but the band is already aware of my decision. I'm really only going back to take care of the last details, before I move to L.A. permanently.

"CELLADOR and I did great things together, and a good fan-base was built. I played some of the most insane shows of my lif ...

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West Virginia's forward-thinking thrashers BYZANTINE have issued the following update:

"As of today, BYZANTINE is no longer a functioning band. Due to various circumstances the band will not be touring or performing together.

"We would like to first thank everyone that has supported this band throughout the years. You are the people that really made everything worthwhile and we are amazed at the wonderful response we have had from all of you. Because of you, we were part of something special and without you none of this would have been possible. Next, we would like to thank all the kick-ass bands that we have played shows with and hung out with. These were good ...

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AVIAN, the melodic metal band featuring singer Lance King and guitarist Yan Leviathan, has been confirmed for the Nightmare Metal Fest, a brand new festival set to take place March 21-22 at Bourbon Street in New Port Richey, Florida. Also scheduled to appear are WARMACHINE, CAGE, DISASTERPEACE (the new band featuring singer Wade Black [CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES, LEASH LAW, BLACK REIGN, LEATHERWOLF], former KING DIAMOND guitarist master Pete Blakk, renowned drummer Jesse Martillo [CRIMSON GLORY] and bassist Chris Baylor), X-THIRTIEN, ORDER OF NINE, ...

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Swedish death metal veterans UNLEASHED have set "Hammer Battalion" as the title of their ninth full-length album, due later in the year via SPV Records. According to the band, "The result of the pre-production of the new album is very satisfying. . . The new UNLEASHED album will continue in the same victorious spirit as our previous album 'Midvinterblot'."

Fan-filmed video footage of UNLEASHED's November 27, 2007 concert at Bolwerk in Sneek, Holland can be viewed below (courtesy of "letthemetalflow").

UNLEASHED's eighth full-length album, "Midvinterblot", was released in the U.S. on October 10, 2006 via SPV Reco ...

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Portuguese metallers MOONSPELL entered Antfarm studios in Denmark earlier this month with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD) to begin recording the follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" for a tentative late spring/early summer release via SPV.

Commented vocalist Fernando Ribeiro: "'Night Eternal' will be the title of the new MOONSPELL album. The recording sessions will take place between the 7th and the 31st of January 2008 in Denmark's finest metal studio, Antfarm. Tue Madsen, who worked with the band on the 'Under Satanae' project, will be producing MOONSPELL ...

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Swedish metallers LOST HORIZON have issued the following update:

"Almost five years have passed since the release of 'A Flame To The Ground Beneath' and after the turbulence the band experienced. The remaining members now realize this period was necessary to regain the energy, strength, motivation and inspiration needed to continue with the unearthly creations.

"Only, this time things will be done a lot different than before.

"While continuing the search for the voice, which will be embraced by our music, the recording of the new material will be carried through independently of that and immediately, with start on January 2008. All instruments will be succe ...

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