WHITESNAKE has signed to Frontiers Records. The band is writing a new album.

The American CYNIC will release a brand new EP called Re-Traced in May. It features “reinterpretations” of four songs from the band’s Traced In Air album plus several previously unreleased songs.

KIJU has a new demo. It is called Ignite The Revolt.

MASTERPLAN, again featuring singer Jorn Lande, has picked Time To Be King as the title for its new album. It is due on April 16th.

Spinefarm Records has reissued Alley Of The Damned and Sonic Firestorm the first two full-lengths from DRAGONFORCE. Both titles feature updated packaging and bonus audio and DVD content.

CATHEDRAL will release its next full-length album, The Guessing Game, on March 26th through Nuclear Blast. The CD was recorded at the Chapel Studio in the U.K. and was produced by Warren Riker (DOWN and CROWBAR).

Inspired by KEEL? The new ACCEPT, featuring American vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK), will appear live for the first time on May 8th at New York City's Gramercy Theatre. The band has recorded an album tentatively called Blood Of The Nations with Andy Sneap and is seeking a label. The band has been booked for the Rock Hard festival in Germany and is performing ‘secret’ and not so secret shows in Europe.

POWERWORLD, the band of former FREEDOM CALL and MOON'DOC bassist Ilker Ersin, has recruited former THRESHOLD singer Andrew "Mac" McDermott. The latter man had disappeared from the scene and THRESHOLD without notice. For more information see the THRESHOLD interview on Metallian.

Daniel Zimmermann has left FREEDOM CALL due to scheduling conflict with his other band, GAMMA RAY. GAMMA RAY is touring Japan next month.

GUNS N' ROSES played a surprise show on Thursday, February 11th at a private party for fashion designer John Varvatos at his New York City store at the old CBGB location as part of NYC Fashion Week. Reportedly, Axl Rose was three hours late to the show.

ADAGIO has asked its Finnish singer Christian Palin to leave the band. The band has quickly recruited vocalist Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION and TREAT) at least for its upcoming European tour as the support band for KAMELOT.

AMORPHIS will release a live DVD, Forging The Land Of Thousand Lakes, in June through Nuclear Blast to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. The footage stems from November 20th, 2009 at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland.

London, England’s FURNAZE has grabbed an opening slot for OBITUARY and is planning North American shows. The band is temporarily using Adrian Erlandsson of CRADLE OF FILTH, THE HAUNTED, PARADISE LOST, etc. on drums following the departure of PICTHSHIFTER’s Jason Bowld who was too busy elsewhere. The band is set to announce new distribution for its No Stairway To Heaven demo.

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY is calling it a day. The band’s last show is on October 2, 2010 in Stavanger, Norway, which is exactly 17 years after the band’s inception.

After years of acrimony, lawsuits and vows to the contrary bassist Dave Ellefson has returned to MEGADETH. The band is touring the US as the twentieth anniversary of the Rust In Peace album, which featured Ellefson. No word if guitarist Marty Friedman is also returning. Bassist James Lomenzo is out of a gig.

Tony Turunen, who is the brother of former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen, has joined Finland’s CELESTY.

Chilean metal band SIX MAGICS has a new album, Behind The Sorrow, released by Coroner Records.

Guitarist Pasi Sipilä was asked to leave CHARON. The band had reportedly been unable to progress or write music with him. The band is still aiming to enter the studio in March. In the meantime, singer Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto has contributed vocals to the song Reflections by the Portuguese band KANDIA.

He was a swell guy! DIRTY LOOKS' new bassist, Gregory Pianka, was killed in a bar stabbing on February 5th in the US. The band is working on its next album, I.C.U.

Guitarist Jesper Strömblad has permanently quit IN FLAMES. He said in a statement, "I have decided it is best for me to leave IN FLAMES and to quit the band permanently. Jesper had spent much of last year in rehabilitation fighting alcoholism.

He was a swell guy! Former TWISTED TOWER DIRE singer Anthony "Tony" Taylor was killed in a motorcycle accident when he lost control on February 6th Naples, Florida. He was 42 years old.

HELSTAR has parted ways with drummer Russell De Leon and replaced him with Mikey Lewis. The new man had already been playing with the band since the summer.

Classical rock band THERION is completing its new album, Sitra Ahra, which will be mixed at the Polar Studio in Stockholm. This album features former CANDLEMASS vocalist Thomas Vikström.

HALCYON WAY is working on a new album for Nightmare Records. It features the debut of new vocalist Steve Braun. The band has confirmed tour plans with FOZZY in the UK in May, 2010. The tour will have the band performing four shows over three days in Scotland and England. The last day will feature a 2:00pm matinee and a 7:00pm evening show.

O.M.T. (OUR MALEVOLENT TYRANNY) has issued its debut album, Anamantium, through the Rising Records label. The album was originally scheduled for a European release in late 2009, but was delayed due to the collapse of SPV. A new distribution agreement for the world (excluding Japan) with Plastic Head Distribution (PHD) has enabled the CD to become available in all major territories around the globe. Anamantium' was recorded, mixed and mastered by Mark Daghorn (CRADLE OF FILTH and MARILLION) at New Rising Recording Studio in the UK.

MANTRIC, featuring former members of EXTOL, will release its debut album The Descent on April 26th through Prosthetic Records. The album was recorded in Norway with Tue Madsen mixing in Denmark.

EMERGENCY GATE will release a new album, entitled The Nemesis Construct, on April 30th through Twilight Zone Records.

US metal band SATAN'S HOST has had singer Harry ‘Leviathan’ Conklin rejoin it. The band will issue an album through Moribund Cult Records this year.

MAGIKA has recruited guitarist Robert Kolowitz of HELLHOUND.

After much rumour and the original line-up getting together on stage last year the ‘80s ensemble of DOKKEN is only possibly getting together again. George Lynch confirmed and quickly retracted as premature such an announcement. A new album is due later this year.

KINETIC is in pre-production for songs for the band’s newest recording, Human Horror Industry. The follow-up to Corrosion will be produced by Nick Glykiotis.

Sweden’s CRASHDÏET performed its debut album, Rest In Sleaze, in its entirety at the annual Rest In Sleaze festival, which took place on February 6th at Fryshuset in Stockholm, Sweden. Rest In Sleaze was initiated in 2007 as a tribute to CRASHDÏET singer David Hellman who committed suicide in January of 2006.

Drummer Craig Nunenmacher has left BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. The band recently re-signed with Roadrunner Records and is due to issue an album this summer. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY recruited drummer Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE, STATIC-X, STUCK MOJO and TOMMY LEE) to play on the band's upcoming album and tour.

Bassist Simon Holzknecht has left EDENBRIDGE "due to personal reasons." The band is seeking a replacement in Austria and can be reached at info@edenbridge.org. The band’s Solitaire album is still due in May.

Scarlet Records will issue WUTHERING HEIGHTS’ Salt album in April. Sensory has picked up the album for the USA. The album was recorded in Sweden and Denmark.

MASTERS OF REALITY is a Swedish BLACK SABBATH cover band featuring singer Mats Levén (KRUX, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and THERION), guitarist Stefan Bergström (SKINTRADE), bassist Michael Höglund (THUNDER) and drummer Jejo Perkovic (INFINITE MASS and CANDLEMASS).

Finland’s KIUAS will release its fourth album, called Lustdriven, on March 31st through Spinefarm Records. The album was produced at Sonic Pump Studio in Helsinki by Janne Joutsenniemi.

Finland’s KINGS OF MODESTY - described as in the vein of QUEENSRŸCHE, DREAM THEATER and KAMELOT - has its full-length debut, Hell Or Highwater, issued through Escape Music.

ANTHENORA will release an album called The Ghosts Of Iwo Jima on the 26th of March through My Grave Yard Production.

BLITZKRIEG, SATAN and AVENGER singer Brian Ross has a new band called Metalizer. The band will cover old NWOBHM cuts and features Glenn S. Howes (BLITZKRIEG and TYGERS OF PAN TANG) on guitar and Alan Ross on second guitar and Huw Holding (AVENGER) on bass. A drummer is being sought.

AEROSMITH is reporting that Steven Tyler is back with the band after a short hiatus in rehabilitation.

Canadian writer Blair Gibson has completed a self-published book called SALUTE TO HEAVY METAL BAND NAME ORIGINS. The book features 500 bands. For more information head to www.myspace.com/metalsalute.

Former HEIR APPARENT drummer Jeffrey McCormack has joined FIFTH ANGEL.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD, whose drummer James 'the Rev' Sullivan tragically died in December of 2009, is recording a new album with DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy. Apparently, Sullivan was a fan of Portnoy.

MYSTIC PROPHECY has parted ways with short-term drummer Matt C. who will now focus on CHAOSANCT and SOLSIKK. The man drummed for the group during the tour as opener for STRATOVARIUS. Interested replacements in Germany can contact the band through rdlia@aol.com.

So much “pride" on the metal scene. Every band is “proud” to be on every label and every label is “proud” to have signed every band.

CURIMUS – HUMANITY... FOR SALE
Thrashy band from Finland equals Meshuggah, right? Not far from the truth in Curimus’ case but add a bit of Lamb Of God too. This quartet has been around since 2004 and claims to work continuously to develop their style. The three songs - Havoc Mind, Masked Reality and Bleeding For Nothing - however don’t win much praise for originality but channel a good deal of anger. Perhaps predictably the majority of the anger originates from the mouth of Marko Silvennoinen. There is some melody and catchiness there and accompanied by the slow, clunky rhythm that is present throughout. Look out for more from this Loimaa-based band and contact them via www.curimus.net. - Anna Tergel

CONCRETE - ZEMENTER
This is a debut five-song demo courtesy of these Austrians. One rather unusual aspect of this release is that all lyrics and cover art is by Fatima Wollgast who is otherwise not a member of the band. Musically the songs are short of any heaviness, partially but not fully due to the production. The pace and drumming don’t particularly go anywhere either and the resulting product is a rather unconvincing thrash and death metal mix. The 18-minutes or so are spent jamming around as if the band is trying to discover itself. At times they seem to have settled on Sepultura for inspiration, especially in the vocal department, and Pestilence but Zementer is otherwise not noteworthy. Check the band out at www.myspace.com/concreteplanet. - Anna Tergel

WIZARDRY – Same
What an obvious name for a metal band and somewhat surprising that another group had not taken it and toured the world with it already. These five guys hail from New York. The style is metal stoner heavy doom and what a sound it is too. It harks back to Trouble, Candlemass, Black Sabbath and ‘80s metal, but with a difference. Borrowed riffs are used in the songs, but ultimately this is upbeat doom metal. Sure, an irony, but what a great band.
The disc starts with a full-length instrumental track to set the mood. It is like the old days when bands would place a kicking instrumental at the start to show off their ability to compose and establish their sound. Drink From The Chalice (strange because the wizard on the cover is drinking from a bowl) is one hell of a heavy metal song. It is a chaotic song with particularly the drumming beating hard in its own untight manner. Mercyful Fate’s Come To The Sabbath easily comes to mind. The lead solo is heartfelt and the singer Aaron Ashby puts a lot of feeling into his voice. The organic and honest production just tops it all off perfectly. Wizardry is strangely honest in its sound. The tracks, once again, merge into one another and the following song Under The Wizard’s Sleeve comes along as another good, yet accessible cut. Wayfarer wades into the psychedelic realms and is glum. The bass sound rules, while the singer shows off his range again. Much better is The Good Witch with the energy level going up again. This one kicks off with a patented Candlemass riff and reverts to the Swedish lords of epic doom metal again and again. Sadly, the band has deemed it necessary to insert an orchestral fluff part into the song too. Death Rides On Tuesday is fascinatingly good. The Wizardry sound lets in a little Iron Maiden too, but overall the song itself is quality material and extraordinarily mature for such a young band.
This is one demo disc to check out. The cursive and elongated font is reflected on the mailing envelope, but here is the information you need. Wizardry, 522 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211 USA or visit www.myspace.com/wizardrylives or e-mail wizardrylives@yahoo.com. - Anna Tergel

STEVE BIFFORD – THE BURDEN OF MR. UNDERHILL AND TWO OTHER TALES
Steve Bifford is a Canadian guitarist based in Kelowna in British Columbia. It is a cool feeling receiving this disc from the guitarist who has credits in Empyria and Thor. For one, the album is inspired by Steve’s seventh or eighth reading of Lord Of The Rings. Who knew anyone in Kelowna reads? Isn’t it a trashy yahoo town? Not only that, the town hosts an accomplished guitarist. Now, this is barely hard rock let alone metal, but Steve impresses with his command of both lead playing and supporting rhythm. Both the electric and acoustic rhythms are rock-solid. Bifford has also supplied the bass, keyboards and drums and the best word for his playing is ‘fluid.’ He really does not miss a beat on instrumental tracks like the title track with its fusion sound or Wake Of The Orcs or March Of The Ents. The lone vocals appear courtesy of an Emily Jones on Fields Of Gold, which is a cover version of the Gordon Sumner (a.k.a. Sting) song. The actual cover again points to the lack of metallic content in favour of showcasing Bifford’s abilities. The aforementioned March Of… is probably a tad heavier than the rest of the tracks. Think of Bifford’s creations as the instrumental cousins to King’s X. Check him out at www.stevebifford.ca or www.myspace.com/stevebifford. - Anna Tergel

UNSOULED – START OVER
Unsouled is a thrash metal band from Spain and, like several other recent imports from that country, quite professional by historical standards of that country. The band’s full-length demo is mature and has the benefit of a decent production. The core of the music is not bad at all, but a certain something is missing and after much reflection that something is a mix of originality and real heaviness. The group sounds like a light version of Exodus, inclusive of the solos, mixed with Torque and Machine Head. None of the songs assert extra heaviness with the vocalist concentrating on higher notes. Old Metallica is also hinted at here and there. The sixth track is called She and is a lighter note amidst the thrashing, but that leads quickly to the regular fare of Coldness. Often, the music is just too simple and indifferent to mean anything emotionally.
Unsouled calls itself “progressive thrash metal,” but perhaps modern thrash metal is a better title. The vocalist needs a little more projection and the band’s music could use an infuse of pounding heaviness; otherwise there is nothing wrong with this act. It is an acquired taste. E-mail this band at unsouled@unsouled.es or visit www.unsouled.es. - Ali “The Metallian”

ELDORADO – Same
Eldorado is a huge surprise. The band hails from Spain and sounds authentically British. Moreover, the young band has travelled across the ocean to record in Toronto, Canada, which must have been cost-prohibitive for an independent band, and achieved a spectacular sound courtesy of someone called Richard Chycki.
The first few moments of the opening track, The House Of The 7 Smokestacks, is anything but promising. The voice and drum ensemble and rhythm are distinctively rock-oriented and if there is one thing one dislikes at Metallian Towers that thing is rock music. The album is anything but however. Eldorado is sheer banging hard rock and a very good one at that. The first few notes are either a case of making bad choices or an attempt to lure in hapless mainstream rock fans. All the same, this song and its follow-up, The Rocket Song, are very good hard rock tunes that establish the band’s overall affinity to British hard rock in general and UFO in particular. Atlantico is slower, but equally hard-hitting. The song begins with a melody not unlike Supertramp’s Breakfast In America before settling into a Led Zeppelin-ish Kingdom Come groove that lasts most of the song. The song is up and down and the guitar work is beyond expectation. The fantastic guitar solo ascertains the musicians’ playing ability. Falling Falling is more more groovy groovy and slow slow. It is a good cut, but not as good as I Don’t Need No Doctor. Not only its title reminds one of UFO, but also the song itself is very reminiscent of Phil Mogg and crew. During the ‘70s style jam the singer make a positive impression. Similarly impressive is Free (A Chain Reaction), especially given its vintage MSG guitar work. The vocals and rhythm section are solid, but it is those extraordinary guitars that hit the spot.
Eldorado, the CD, has a couple of weaker and less consequential cuts as well, but they are not about to deter the listener. The full-length demo is an impressive display of how hard rock needs to be done in the new century. Visit the pretty useless www.elodoradorockband.com website or reach the band through natalia@dejamedecirte.es. - Ali “The Metallian”

STAREBLIND – Same
Too bad for these gentlemen that this style of nü went out of business a couple of years ago. Not that anyone in the Metallian magazine crew actually listens to Linkin Park, Mudvayne or Incubus, but Stareblind does a fine job of mixing its breakdowns, choppy drumming, aggressive guitar tones and layered emotional and clean singing. The production is nearly top-notch and the riffs are big. Too bad that it’s so pretentious. Mixing metal with Nickelback and mallcore vocals as on Hollow or quieting down for the softer On With The Cowards may make the gang more palatable for the Much Music crowd, but we wouldn’t know anything about that here.
A couple of additional notes are needed. The biography calls the demo CD Something Left Unexplained as in the third song on the disc, but this does not appear anywhere on the cover. The same sheet also tells the reader that Stareblind was initially a side-project. Whose is again omitted. That is corporate. The band’s own website is a page on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/stareblindonline or go to www.stareblind.net and more information can be had throughashermedia@gmail.com. - Anna Tergel

AAEN ANIMA - EP 1 PÝCHA A SVÉHLAVOST
It is simultaneously difficult and simple to review this disc. Well, the band is as underground as they come. The DIY package and write-up as well as the uneven composition and recording are a testament to that. It says ‘composition,’ because there is only one track on this disc. Yes, it is 12 minutes long and probably a composition made of several parts, and as asserted by the biography, features several styles under one roof (on one disc?). The composition is by and large instrumental although the occasional harsh scream flares up from the abyss to roar aggression. It/he sounds like a dying witch gone berserk. Amidst the cacophony rawness, fierceness and a melancholy violin dance in tandem. What are the chances these guys are not on drugs? The band has a home at aaen-anima.ic.cz and can be reached at aaen@seznam.cz signifying its Czech origin. – Ali “The Metallian”

AAEN ANIMA - EP 2 NIKDY NEPŘEDCHÁZEJÍ PÁD
For all its assertions to metal the second simultaneous EP – so described as it was released as one with part 1 and only later separated – is mostly quiet and acoustic. While cries of anguish and rancour emit from the disc on the very rare occasion most of the thirty minutes of this demo is filled with acoustic strumming, slow guitar picking and instrumental solitude and even Led Zeppelinish moments. The guitar playing isn’t half bad, but way too quiet or subdued to be appointed heavy or metal. The focus is at least on guitars and not strings or keys, but the material is obscure and wandering nonetheless. This is the son of Master’s Hammer. Check them out at aaen-anima.ic.cz. – Ali “The Metallian”