As previously reported, RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski is working on a compilation CD for Nuclear Blast's 20th Anniversary. Smolski composed, recorded and produced about 10 songs for various metal bands of Nuclear Blast history, including a new Rage song. He has issued the following update on the project:

"Hi friends, Victor here,

It's a great honor for me, working at a large contract, a compilation CD for the 20th anniversary of Nuclear Blast. It will be an album with 10 songs off various metalbands of Nuclear Blast history. I got support by Andre Hilgers (drums) and Peavy Wagner (lyrics). Except some vocal parts, all songs were recorded at VPS studio in Hamm, where Charly Czajkovski again did a great job.

During composing I tried, making all songs stylistic, and concerning the pitch of the voice, much comfortable for the singer (e.g. that Schmier (Destruction) sounds real 'schmierig'). I didn't figured out, that, beside hearing out the different styles of the bands, the composing and arranging, I had lots of stress while doing clerical work as mailing and phoning. Thanks a lot to all singers for good cooperation. I think this compilation CD is a real special and important project for Nuclear Blast. Special thanks also to Andy Siry, Jaap Wagemaker and Achim Köhler for support."

Peavy (RAGE):

Song Title. 'Terrified'

-- "Especially recording a new Rage song together with Peavy was great fun. There are lots of fast double bass parts, but also many groovy stuff and great melodies in chorus at 'Terrified', the title of the song. Again, I tuned down the guitars to C, as I did at 'Straight To Hell'. The song really worked out well. The lyrics are describing an inner relief."

Schmier (DESTRUCTION)

Song Title: 'Bloodsucker'

-- "Real trashy number with 200 double bass. The song deals with the current crisis in Iraq war and their causes (failed US politics)."

Andi Deris (HELLOWEEN)

SongTitle: 'A Perfect Day'

-- "Straight Helloween style Metal song with a catchy chorus. The song deals with the incalculability of life and the associated fact, that our end can overtake us any time."

Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA)

Song Title: 'Ruling The World'

-- "Straight metal number with several voices and + keyboard arrangements. The song is about the arrogant power politics of the western Great Powers."

Oddleif Stensland (COMMUNIC)

Song Title: 'Eternally'

--"Very slow ballad - heavy and modern. It's about suicide. Too often, specially young people in crisis decide to end their life, without getting straight about the irreversibility of this act."

Smolski will reveal details of the remaining five songs on the compilation soon.