Surround Records has announced a late-April arrival for its debut Blu-ray multichannel audio release, 'Grieg: Piano Concerto.'

Taking inspiration from Norwegian folk-art and poetry, 'Grieg: Piano Concerto/Symphonic Dances/In Autumn' features a trio of the famed composer's performances presented in an "Acoustic Reality Experience," designed to give listeners a realistic representation of the acoustic spaces in which performances originally took place.

The street date for the Blu-ray is April 25.

Carrying on the tradition of its past HD DVD releases, Surround Records presents 'Grieg' in remixed 7.1-channel DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio high-resolution surround (24-bit/96k), along with an accompanying video track that features multimedia artwork and visuals encoded in 1080p/VC-1. Retail price for 'Grieg: Piano Concerto/Symphonic Dances/In Autumn' on Blu-ray has been set at $34.98.

No-Man’s sixth studio album, 'Schoolyard Ghosts', is scheduled for release on KScope/Snapper Records on 12th May 2008 as an double CD/DVD-Audio package with 5.1 surround sound.

Compared to its predecessor (2003's atmospheric ‘Together We're Stranger’) ‘Schoolyard Ghosts’ shows the band moving towards an altogether purer and more personal place, far removed from the art pop/indie dance experiments of its acclaimed 1993 One Little Indian debut release, ‘Loveblows & Lovecries’.

A new two-disc edition of OPETH's "Still Life" album will be released on March 31 via Peaceville Records. The set features a remastered stereo mix of the album on CD, plus a DVD with a new 5.1 Surround Sound mix and performance footage of "Face Of Melinda" filmed live in London. The artwork has been re-worked by original designer Travis Smith.

"Still Life" was OPETH's first outing for Peaceville. Like "My Arms, Your Hearse" before it, "Still Life" was originally recorded under the watchful eye of engineer Fredrik Nordström at Gothenburg's Studio Fredman and Maestro Musik and has now been remastered and remixed by Jens Borgen.

A special mini-site for the release can be accessed at this location.

OPETH has set "Watershed" as the title of the band's forthcoming album, due out on June 3 via Roadrunner Records (one day earlier internationally). The CD, recorded in the band's native Sweden and produced by frontman/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and Jens Bogren, is a masterwork that follows the time-honored OPETH tradition; its modern yet timeless, progressive yet paying homage to the sounds of classic rock.

"Watershed" track listing:

01. Coil
02. Heir Apparent
03. The Lotus Eater
04. Burden
05. Porcelain Heart
06. Hessian Peel
07. Hex Omega

All the songs were written by Åkerfeldt apart from "Porcelain Heart", which was co-written with new guitarist Fredrik Åkesson. One additonal track, "Derelict Herds", was also recorded and this was written by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Per Wiberg. On top of this, three cover songs were recorded. "Bridge of Sighs" from ROBIN TROWER's 1974 LP of the same title, "Den Ständiga Resan" (sung in Swedish) by MARIE FREDRIKSSON as well as the classic ALICE IN CHAINS song "Would?"

The album was recorded at Fascination Street studios during November 1 and December 13. Some additional recording was done between January 3 and January 7.

Says Mikael Åkerfeldt: "I've worked so hard with these songs for quite some time now, I've listened to 'em a zillion times. I don't hate them just yet! The album sounds great sonically and I think I can hear us evolving as the record plays on. It is taking us somewhere musically and I don't know where. It's very exciting to say the least! I can't remember having enjoyed a recording this much ever before."

The cover was (as usual) designed by Travis Smith in co-operation with Åkerfeldt.

Blue Man Group’s How to be a Megastar Tour has played to sold out crowds around the world, taking audiences through a satirical “workshop” on how to create “the perfect rock concert experience.” The double disc DVD/CD HOW TO BE A MEGASTAR LIVE! was filmed in front of over 40,000 fans during a two-day stop at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.

This first-ever Black Sabbath compilation spotlighting the legendary band's Ronnie James Dio-fronted era just got a whole lot heavier with its release as an enhanced Music Video Interactive (MVI) Disc. Spanning 1980-2006, the sixteen thundering tracks that appeared on the original CD release of this collection (which is included as a bonus disc) are now also presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital and Advanced Resolution PCM Stereo mixes. Videos and other interactive bonus content make BLACK SABBATH - THE DIO YEARS (MVI) an experience that truly rules.

MVI is an innovative DVD-based music format that, in addition to offering all the benefits of an audio disc, delivers leading-edge video and interactive extras, plus a one-click capability to save digital music files onto a hard drive. Choice video content on BLACK SABBATH - THE DIO YEARS (MVI) includes footage of live performances of “Neon Nights” and “Die Young” from 1980 and a promo clip for 1992's “TV Crimes.” The MVI Disc also features the URTone ringtone application and ringtones for “Heaven And Hell” and “The Mob Rules,” plus a photo gallery, buddy icons, wallpapers, weblinks/ROM and a complete booklet PDF.

  

When Ronnie James Dio took over lead vocals for Black Sabbath in 1979 after Ozzy Osbourne's departure, he'd already won fans worldwide as front man for Elf and Rainbow. The creative spark ignited by Dio's arrival - joining original Sabbath members Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice - delivered the 1980 metal masterpiece Heaven And Hell. A Top 40 album considered one of group's finest, its title became the name of the reunited Dio-fronted Sabbath that toured internationally to sold out crowds throughout 2006. 1981's The Mob Rules followed, continuing Sabbath's resurgence before Dio left for solo superstardom.

A decade later, Dio's one-off return to Sabbath, 1992's Dehumanizer, whetted fans' appetite for more, something not realized until THE DIO YEARS, featuring the best of Black Sabbath's past Dio incarnations, plus three tracks recorded in '06: "The Devil Cried," "Shadow Of The Wind," and "Ear In The Wall." Vintage classics include "Neon Nights," "Lady Evil," "Children Of The Sea," "The Mob Rules” and “Heaven And Hell.”

Rhino's upgrade of the HEART OF CHICAGO as a Music Video Interactive (MVI) disc makes this decades-spanning retrospective an even harder habit to break. Originally released in 1997 as a 15-track survey of hits and fan favorites from the band's first thirty years ('67-'97), the compilation's MVI reissue now helps ring in Chicago's 40th anniversary in true 21st century style. The group's timeless music is presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital and Advanced Resolution PCM Stereo mixes, and the disc is also loaded with videos, ringtones and other interactive bonus features and applications.   

 MVI is a DVD-based music format that, in addition to all the benefits of an audio disc, delivers higher fidelity and advanced mixes, leading-edge video and interactive extras. It also offers a one-click capability to save digital music files onto a hard drive. On HEART OF CHICAGO-the band's first title to get an MVI make-over-signature songs including “Satuday In The Park,” “You're The Inspiration” Hard Habit To Break” and the #1 hits “Look Away” and the GRAMMY®winning “If You Leave Me Now” will be richly enhanced sonic experiences. 

  

 Bonus video content to make you smile includes a new interview with Chicago, videos for “Hard Habit To Break” and “Will You Still Love Me?” plus live performances of “Make Me Smile” and “Beginnings” from A&E Live By Request. 

  

 The MVI Disc also features the URTone* ringtone application and ringtones for “25 Or 6 To 4,” “Call On Me,” “Saturday In The Park” and “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” (URTone only works in the U.S.). There's also a link to make your own mix of “Free” with NU-MYX, a photo gallery, buddy icons, wallpapers, Weblinks/Rom and a booklet PDF. 

  

 Formed in its namesake city in 1967, Chicago is the first American band ever to propel albums into Billboard. HEART OF CHICAGO (MVI) continues Rhino's celebration of that milestone and the band's enduring popularity.

Tigermoth Records are proud to announce the release of Metamorphosis, the fourth studio album from Magenta on April 21st.

The album, will retail at Ј10 with free postage anywhere in the world. All pre-orders placed via the Magenta shop will be despatched from 22nd March, prior to the album’s general release on April 21st. A North American edition released via will come out on May 6th.

Sound clips of the album will shortly be available from our website at www.magenta-web.com or via the Magenta Myspace page.

We also pleased to announce that we have a special treat for Magenta fans. The Metamorphosis Collection DVD contains over 3 hours of fascinating material filmed over the last few months during the making of the album, including a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound mix of the entire album. The DVD contains the following:

1. Making of Metamorphosis Documentary. (52.55)
This includes footage filmed during the recording of the CD and interviews with the album’s key contributors
2. Inside the Mix with Rob Reed (55.34)
Rob Reed behind the mixing desk revealing what makes each track tick.
3. Interview with Rob and Steve Reed (21.00)
Rob and lyricist Steve Reed talk about the origins and concept behind the album
4. Interview with Steve Reed (9.09)
Steve Reed talks about the lyrics and concepts behind each track
5. Complete Dolby 5.1 Surround Mix (53.00)
The whole album presented exclusively in glorious Dolby 5.1 surround sound
6. Prekestolen Video (3.43)
Studio Montage video of the Prekestolen track

The DVD will be in one format – NTSC – and will cost Ј13, with free postage worldwide. For the time being it will ONLY be available via The Magenta Shop prior to a general release later in the year. The DVD can be pre-ordered now, and will be despatched from 22nd March, at the same time as the album.

New Ringo Starr album will be released by Koch Records on March, 3, 2008 on DVD-Audio with 5.1 multichannel sound, mixed under artist's personal control. The DVD Disc features audio content only and plays on all DVD players, in DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. To access advanced resolution DVD-Audio option a DVD-Audio Player is required.

Tracklist:
01. Fading In and Fading Out
02. Never Without You
03. Choose Love
04. Imagine Me There
05. Oh My Lord
06. Memphis In Your Mind
07. Give Me Back The Beat
08. Love First, Ask Questions Later
09. Don't Hang Up
10. Eye To Eye
11. Some People
12. Elizabeth Reigns
13. I Really Love He

EMI Music Japan has announced that they will release the Yumi Matsutoya film 'Yuming Spectacle Shangrila III' for Blu-ray on March 5th, day-and-date with the DVD release. A total of 40 high definition cameras were used to give a 3D view of the stage for the recently held concert. The two disc set will also come with the bonus DVD (from the DVD set) and feature both 5.1 and 2.0 PCM tracks.

This will be the first Blu-ray release from EMI Music Japan, which up until June of last year was known as Toshiba EMI. No HD DVD has been announced at this time, and it appears to former Toshiba Corporation subsidiary will not be supporting the format.