Finntroll has now finished recording their 6th album, 'Blodsvept', which will be released via Century Media Records on March 25th in Europe and March 26th in North America! Recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, 'Blodsvept' features cover artwork by the band's own guitarist Skrymer (who also did the artwork for the band's previous releases). This painting perfectly visualizes the musical aura of Finntroll that combines influences of Black and Death Metal with Folk music, ska, Latin music, psychobilly, and Klezmer in a unique and insane sonic assault.

'Blodsvept' Track Listing:

Finnish Folk Metal merchants, Ensiferum, are pleased to announce their return to North American soil as headliners of the fourth edition of Paganfest America. The epic jaunt will commence March 30th in Denver and pillage through 21 cities and includes a slot on this year's New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts. Among the strongest Paganfest lineups assembled thus far, support will be provided by Týr, Heidevolk, Trollfest and Helsott.

Comments the band: "Finally, Ensiferum will to return to North America! It's been way too long since we shared wild Paganfest nights with our brothers and sisters across the ocean. We will not come to pillage your cities alone; it's a great honor to join forces with Týr, Heidevolk, Trollfest and Helsott for this once-in-a-lifetime tour."

Paganfest America IV Dates:

Battle metallers Turisas have officially started recording their upcoming 4th studio album. The band is currently recording drums at Atomic Spa Studio in Helsinki, Finland, and they will continue the recordings in different locations until the end of January. This follow-up to 2011's 'Stand Up And Fight' is scheduled for a worldwide release in May 2013 via Century Media Records.

Turisas has also announced a few line-up changes in conjunction with the band entering the studio. After spending 15 years with Turisas behind the kit, original member, Tuomas "Tude" Lehtonen, has decided to part ways with the band. Lehtonen explains the reasons behind his decision:

"I can't tell you how hard it feels to step away from the path we've been walking together for the last 15 years - and to start a new era in my life without the band. There are many reasons for me to quit the band. The stress from the years spent on the road and different artistic visions have lead to a mutual decision for me to step back and hand over the drumsticks to the next guy. In any case, it has been a great experience and all the memories from being on the road are something that I will always cherish. The biggest thanks go to all of the past and present members of the band, not to forget all the technicians and fellow drummers I've met on shows and on tour - and, of course, especially to all the fans that have allowed us to grow to the level that Turisas are at today. Good luck and lots of success to all my bandmates - I feel that I will never be straying too far away from the band. I shall always be proudly carrying the heart of Turisas wherever I go. The man can leave the band but the band will never really leave the man. Battle Metal!"

Along with Lehtonen, Turisas' current tour bass player, Jukka-Pekka Miettinen, will part ways with the band as he needs to focus on his own musical projects. The relationship with both members remains friendly and amicable. Their official farewell party will happen at Turisas' special New Year's Eve show on December 31st, 2012 at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland.

In light of Lehtonen's and Miettinen's departure, Turisas is proud to welcome two new members to the band: their new drummer, Jaakko Jakku, who has already started recording his drum parts for the upcoming album, and their new bassist, Jesper Anastasiadis. Both are excellent musicians with great personalities, and the rest of the band is already looking forward to the upcoming shows.

After the new album is finished at the end of January, Turisas will appear on the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, which kicks off on January 28th in Florida; then they'll head out on their headlining Guards Of Glory Tour throughout North America and Latin America. Support in North America will come from Firewind, as well as Stolen Babies.

Finnish metallers Children Of Bodom have commenced the songwriting process for their new album, tentatively due in early 2013 via the band's new label home (excluding Japan), Nuclear Blast Records. The group's drummer, Jaska Raatikainen, writes on his Facebook page, "We have some songs ready and I must say that they really sound great - very inspiring, dark and also little 'black' [metal]-ish. We have been joking about [Children Of Bodom guitarist/vocalist] Alexi [Laiho], that one day he will come to rehearsals with corpsepaint :-) ! So dark the songs have been."