Narnia - At Short Notice

Proto-Kaw - The Wait of Glory

Pyramaze - Legend of the Bone Carver

River Bomma - I am God

Seven Angels - Faceless Man

Veni Domine - 23:59

The best way to describe 23:59, the latest effort from Sweden's Veni Domine, would be a musical continuation of its excellent 2004 release The album of Labour. The album, for example, finds the band distancing itself even further from the progressive metal leanigs of its earlier recordings such as Fall Babylon Fall and Material Sanctuary and moving in a direction reflective of a more epic doom-like vibe not unlike that of fellow Swede's Mirador.

News Briefs

• Bombworks Records has announced the signing of an exiting new band out of Brazil by the name of Adiastasia. Playing a technical form of power metal not unlike Helloween and Gamma Ray, Adiastasia will later this year be releasing it's 11 track full length debut entitled Life War. Stay tuned for specific release date and review once it hits the shelves. Weblink: www.adiastasia.com.

• Rivel Records has also been busy as of late. Recent releases include a new self-titled album from Laudamus in which the and re-recorded all the material from its full length debut Unlimited Love in addition to the songs on its first vinyl single. Bonus tracks include the songs making up its hard to find 1992 EP "Ready or Not". Also of interest are the re-issues of the second and third albums, Taxfree and Extended Empire, by Swedish hard rockers XT. As many of you know, XT is a collaboration between vocalist Sonny Larsson (Motherlode) and guitarist Bjorn Stigsson (Leviticus) that lasted just three albums (the bands self-titled debut came out in 1992). It is also worth noting the Taxfree and Extended Empire, which were not originally licensed for distribution outside of Europe, are available as a limited pressing of only 300 copies each. Bluesy hard rockers Heartcry have also put out a new album entitled Firehouse. Look for reviews of all these in our August update. Weblink: www.rivelrecords.com.
  

• Exciting news out of the Bride camp - the band is hard at work on a new CD entitled Against All That Matters. Look for  a July 2nd release date. Further details: www.bridepub.com.
  

•  Stairway is in the process of completing its most recent album The Other Side of Other Midnight. While a release date has not been determined, the band promises that it will be their heaviest effort to date. Additional Information: www.stairwayonline.co.uk.

• Tormant Maxt is currently in the studio recording its new album entitled The Problem of Pain. Weblink: www.tormanmaxt.com .
  

•  In the positive metal department, Ohio's Magnitude 9 has a new CD in the works! The band is currently working on material for its new album which will be tentatively released either later this year or in 2007. While Magitude 9 does not yet have a working title for the project, it will be using the same line that recorded Decoding the Soul.
  

•  Wingdom provides the following update to its upcoming album over at its slick new website:

I thought to give you a brief update of what's going on: Markus and Jarno are now recording in Fantom studio - some serious drum'n bass, be aware folds. They started their session and Monday and on Sunday everything should be done - a lot of work... Pictures fro the studio will be posted to the gallery in near future. Yesterday I set up my recoding setup. Today I'll tweak (change strings, set intonation and so on) the guitars to be ready for the session. Guitars will be (actually Has to be) recorded in June. Vocals will be recoded also in June. So the new album is starting to take shape - bit by bit (actually 24-bit, in case you're interested). Further information: www.wingdom.org 

•  Theocracy is making good progress on its new album. Matt Smith had the following to say recently at the Theocracy message board:

  We actually were able to track drums for the last remaining song, so drums are totally done as far as the recording is concerned. That's great for me, because I don't have to work around anyone's schedule anymore and can just work around the clock. I got the drums edited for 3 songs as well, and got most of the vocals for the cover song done. This week will be more editing, and lead vocals .
  
  

  Matt hopes to have the album out later this year by the time of ProgPower USA festival in September. Full details: www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/theocracy.