Apollo Papathanasio sits out Firewinds European tour

ACCEPT New album Stalingrad

ACCEPT have set "Stalingrad" as the title of their next album, due in April 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD is once again being helmed by British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY), who worked on the band's critically acclaimed comeback effort, "Blood Of The Nations".

Symphorce call it quits

SYMPHORCE, who feature in their ranks guitarist Cédric "Cede" Dupont and singer Andy B. Franck, have officially called it quits.

Commented Franck: "Seven albums, 12 years and thousands of enthusiastic fans don't make that decision easy, but after long thoughts and lots of talks we decided together to call it a day and dissolve SYMPHORCE. The heads are dead, the timetables of our main bands packed with dates, so we feel a lack of inspiration and no possibility to record more albums, play more shows with the passion and commintment needed therefore.

"SYMPHORCE will always stand for an absolute independent type of metal, but with our latest (and last) album, 'Unrestricted', we had to recognize that we have said everything we wanted musically. It was an unbelievable, intense and fantastic time!

Scorpions Comeback

 
SCORPIONS will release "Comeblack", a collection of re-recorded versions of the band's classics songs, on November 4 via Sony. The effort will be made available as a CD and on double vinyl.

KISS zinfandel and beer

KISS and wine distributor Rewine today announced the signing of a European licensing deal to create rare rock and roll vintages of KISS-themed Zin Fire Wine and Destroyer Beer. The private-label liquors, which feature customized KISS packaging, will be available in Europe this fall.

KISS Zin Fire is a bold and fruity 2010 California Zinfandel — the result of a cool, long growing season that promoted fantastic flavor, acidity, and color.

KISS Destroyer Beer is an easy-to-drink beer in the best German tradition. A careful brewing process creates its great head of foam and a balanced flavor, like an original "Pils."

AMARANTINE changes name to CLOCKWORK SPIRIT

AMARANTINE, the Helsinki, Finland-based metal band featuring members of AJATTARA, KIUAS, LIE IN RUINS and HANGING GARDEN, have changed its name to CLOCKWORK SPIRIT to coincide with the release of its self-titled debut album. Due on October 28