Esteban Parra of The News Journal reports that former ICED EARTH guitarist Ernie Carletti (mug shot, promotional photo) declined to show remorse this morning before being sentenced to 33 years in prison for kidnapping, raping and torturing a University of Delaware student in 2003.

"I feel, your honor, that anything I say is not going to be able to contribute," 32-year-old Carletti told S ...

---

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 ...

---

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 ...

---

Metal Blade Records has inked a North American deal with Polish extreme metalers BEHEMOTH. The band recently finished up an extremely successful year which saw the band as direct support to headliners HATEBREED on the second stage at Ozzfest and a co-headlining spot on the Radio Rebellion tour alongside now labelmates JOB FOR A COWBOY. BEHEMOTH played over 150 shows in 2007 and has no plans on slowing down for 2008. Expect to see a new release in the form of an EP out in the summer/fall of 2008 along with a Stateside tour in the spring.

Commented Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel: "We are honored and very excited to work with < ...

---

Reunited hardcore legends EARTH CRISIS have scheduled a number of U.S. shows in February/March alongside TERROR, SWORN ENEMY, SHAI HULUD, DOWN TO NOTHING and RECON. So far the following dates have been announced:

Feb. 29 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Mar. 01 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
Mar. 02 - Pittsburgh, PA - The School
Mar. 03 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
Mar. 04 - Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium
Mar. 05 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Underground
Mar. 06 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
Mar. 07 - Logan, UT - Club NVO
Mar. 08 - Boise, ID - The Boise
Mar. 09 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
Mar. 10 - Portland, OR - ...

---

Just as the melancholic depths of Black Metal reflect the pain and uselessness of life, so Metal Reviews sets the krieger section of its readership at each other's pathetic human throats with a competition! Italian label ATMF has produced some of the best underground Black Metal to hit our ears over the course of 2007, and we're offering six lucky winners the chance to get their hands on some of their finest output, completely free of charge! So if you think that you're kvlt enough, and would like to get your hands on an extremely special and limited copy of Locus Mortis - Voust, Forgotten Woods - Race Of Cain or Janvs - Fvlgvrs, then all that you have to do is email Zadok@metalreviews.com explaining (in 100 words or less) not just why you deserve to win, but why everyone else doesn't.

Winners will be picked by merit alone. Closing date for entries is midnight 21st January, winners will be announced on the 22nd January.

---

Guitarist Shannon Hamm (DEATH, CONTROL DENIED) has issued the following update:

"Jonathan Lee (THE AUTUMN OFFERING, ex-ACHERON; ex-DEATH drum roadie for Richard Christy on DEATH's 'The Sound of Perseverance' tour), Scott Clendenin (bass on DEATH's 'The Sound of Perseverance' album), Bobby Koelble (guitarist on DEATH's 'Symbolic' album), and myself (guitar) have begun the writing process for a new metal project which is sure to be revolutionary! At this point we've not yet decided on a name, however, we are currently accepting demos, recordings, promos, or whatever fro ...

---

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 ...

---

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on December 22, MEGADETH has now officially revealed the lineup for this year's North American edition of Gigantour, which will kick off mid-April and run through the end of May. Joining MEGADETH on the bill will be IN FLAMES, CHILDREN OF BODOM, JOB FOR A COWBOY and HIGH ON FIRE.

Commented MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine: "The breaking news is we are going to have five bands this year, instead of eight. The decision to drop it down from eight bands to five was ...

---

QUEENSRŸCHE's web site has been updated with the following message:

"Who wants to rock with the RŸCHE in the New Year?

"Here's your once-in-a-lifetime chance to join the band on stage during their 2008 tour and ultimately win an opportunity to perform on the band's forthcoming CD to be recorded during the year.

"Beginning in Aspen, Colorado on January 22, the band will embark on a U.S. tour covering over two dozen cities nationwide in support of their new CD, 'Take Cover', on Rhino Records.

"Released on November 13th, 'Take Cover' features eleven of the band's favorite cover songs.

"What's your favorite song?