Holland's DANSE MACABRE, featuring ANCIENT RITES vocalist/bassit Gunther Theys and ex-LACRIMOSA/TWO WITCHES guitarist Jan "Цrkki" Yrlund, have signed a record deal with Well of Urd, a division of Hammerheart Records, and will enter Spacelab Studios later this month to record a new album, which is due for release in the fall. In related news, Jan's side-project SINMASTERS, which features ex-members of TWO WITCHES and LOVE LIKE BLOOD, has just released a single, and will be following it up shortly with a full-length album. More info can be obtained by visiting: www.actcom.fi. Source: BLABBERMOUTH.NET

Ancient Rites recently finished the recordings for their long-awaited follow-up to their outstanding "Fatherland"-album. The new album was recorded and mixed in Spacelab Studios in Germany. The new album is titled "Dim Carcosa" and features 11 tracks. Release of the album is scheduled for May 21st. With this brilliant album Ancient Rites will finally reach the ranks of the absolute elite in the extreme metal music-scene.

Ancient Rites has left Mascot Records. Due to the changed label politics of the label, Ancient Rites felt there are no more chances left for the band to grow on this label and decided to bring out their fourth full length album through another record company. Everything has happened in a friendly co-operation between the former and the new label Hammerheart Records. The studio for the upcoming new album is planned for December/January and the release is set for Spring.