Germany's KINGDOM COME, led by frontman Lenny Wolf, have completed work on their new album, entitled Independent, at Hamburg's Impuls studio for an October 14th release through new label UlfTone Music (based out of Berlin).

METALIUM/ex-KINGDOM COME drummer Mark Cross is strongly rumored to have joined HELLOWEEN as a replacement for the recently departed Uli Kusch, who is presently playing in a new band with ex-HELLOWEEN guitarist Roland Grapow. At the time of his alleged departure from METALIUM, Cross had been working with the band on their upcoming third full-length CD, tentatively titled Chapter III, which is scheduled for an early 2002 release through Locomotive Music. No official statement has yet been issued by either camp. Source: BLABBERMOUTH.NET