Franz Ferdinand have completed work on their third album, set for release in early 2009. According to frontman Alex Kapranos, the as-yet-untitled effort will be “dance-influenced and slightly slower” than it’s “fast and furious” predecessor “You Could Have It So Much Better” (2005)… Franz Ferdinand – “Walk Away” (live)

The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti has finished work on the debut album by his side-project Little Joy. The self-titled CD (view cover in the left) shall surface on November 4 via Rough Trade. Little Joy – “Keep Me In Mind“

OnВ October 18В the Domino Club in Sofia, Bulgaria shall host the so-called Independent Fest, featuring sets by She Was Asking for It, O.H., Avril in Blood, I.T.S.I, Overdawn, Collapso, New DiseaseВ and Kernel Zero.The start shall be given at 7 p.m., with tickets costing 15 leva.

JustВ to remind you – Crematory shall play in Sofia, Bulgaria for the first time ever this Saturday, September 27. Venue – the 3,000-capacity Hristo Botev Sports Hall. Start – 6 p.m.

Canadian thrash metallers Exciter shall joinВ Germany’s Haggard and Remember Twilight at Sofia’s Blue Box ClubВ on November 20, 2008. Exciter – “In Mortal Fear” (live)

Always-thirsty German thrashers Tankard have completed work on their 13th studio album. Entitled “Thirst“, the effort was recorded at Stage One Studio in August, and is slated for a December 19 release via AFM Records.

While the search for a new Velvet Revolver singer is still going on, Slash doesn’t waste time ans is hard at work on his first ever entirely solo album. The latest news revealed by the guitar icon about it that he will bring in different singers for every song, though he won’t name them yet…

Chimaira have chosen Zeuss, known for his wirk with dozens of bands, a.o. Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, Agnostic Front, Madball, Staind, Throwdown, God Forbid and Unearth, to mix their new, as yet untitled album. The follow-up to “Resurrection” (2007) is being produced by Ben Schigel, who has worked with the band on “The Impossibility of Reason” […]

Britain’s heavy metal legends Saxon shall release their new studio album, entitled “Into the Labyrinth“, on January 12, 2009 via SPV. The effort was recorded at Blind Guardian’s studio Twilight Hall in Krefeld, Germany, under the direction of Charlie Bauerfeind. It features 13 tracks, with one of them – “Live to Rock” – available as […]

No kidding. Australia’s Aborigines & Torres Strait Dance Theater Descendance shall do three performances in October. Tickets go on sale tomorrow via ticketpro.bg, and here are the dates: October 17 – Sofia October 19 – Plovdiv October 20 – Varna Descendance