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 ...

---

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 ...

---

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 ...

---

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

---

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

---

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 ...

---

Candlelight Records today confirms the extension of their cooperation with Chicago-based Battle Kommand Records. Founded by Nachtmystium vocalist/guitarist Blake Judd in 2004, Candlelight will now look after the noted underground label’s catalog around the globe; previously the deal was in place for only England and the European continent. Nachtmystium’s highly regarded catalog will be the first to find reissue under the new deal. In stores April 21, each of the band’s early recordings, namely Reign of the Malicious, Nachtmystium, The First Attacks, Demise and the highly acclaimed Instinct: Decay, will again be available for the band’s ...

---

The official Roadrunner Records web site has been updated with top-album picks for 2008 from a number of artists that are signed to the label, including members of MACHINE HEAD, MEGADETH, DEVILDRIVER, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE

As some of you may have already noticed, the 2008 Reader's Choice Voting Threads are up and running. These threads are located as "Sticky" at the top of each genre sections in the Forum. Besides individual genres (where we ask you to vote for Top 5), there is also Top 5 Surprises, Top 5 Disappointments and Top 15 overall to be found as "Sticky" in the General Music Discussion forum. Please read the guidelines at the top of each thread, and feel free to ask if there are any questions. Above all, have fun and let your vote be heard!

---

The metal community has lost one of its strongest advocates with the passing of Adrian "The Energizer" Bromley. He was just 37 years old. Adrian was the editor and one of the founders of the heavy metal magazine Unrestrained! He had been a metal journalist for many years, and was also a founder of one of the first metal webzines, Chronicle Of Chaos. Until recently Adrian worked in promotion for The End Records and his latest ventures were his promotion company Ixmati Media and record label Absurdist Records.

I've known Adrian for the past few years. I can't believe he is gone, being a year younger than me. It is a shock. I have never met him personally, but always enjoyed a brief ...

---