Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) has sent BW&BK; the following update:

"Hello to all!

Just wanted to give an update... I have finished my vocals on the new Yngwie CD and it's gonna be a killer CD, I had a blast in the studio with him... good times!

We will be starting a world tour real soon (in a few weeks) I have also been real busy myself, I've been locked away working on songs the last month or so, and before that I flew out to LA and worked on some songs there as well! I also Just got back from John Comprix's house where we worked on a few tunes! SO things are rolling along... I will have some kick ass info real soon

Also... I get asked about the new (Judas Priest) and (Iced Earth) all the time... let me say this, GREAT JOB to both, I have only heard a few tracks but they sound kick ass, good luck to both of them and I hope to see you on the road for a beer! (Ken and Glenn, I will take a Carling)

I would also like to throw in a great job to Matt on that PYRAMAZE CD, man I heard a few tracks on that as well, those are some kick ass vocals, nicely done!

A nice story is out this week (cover story) in the Cleveland Scene mag, written by Denise Grollmus... thanks to Denise, now let's get that book deal.

So thanks to all... and don't forget to check out all the merch and CDs on my pages... some new stuff on there!

Keep it heavy, Ripper."

As previously reported, Owens will be attending the first-ever Montréal Metal Convention on November 15th, 2008. There will be a Q&A;, autograph session, live performances and much more. More info will be available soon.

Yngwie Malmsteen's as-yet-untitled upcoming album is due out in Japan on July 9th. A first-run limited edition features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (fully compatible with standard CD players) plus bonus DVD featuring interviews with Yngwie Malmsteen discussing the songs on the album and more.

Yngwie Malmsteen tour dates:

June

27 - Graspop Metal Meeting - Dessel, Belgium
28 - Bang Your Head Festival - Balingen, Germany
29 - Gods Of Metal Festival - Milan, Italy

July

7 - Oxford Carling Academy - Oxford, UK
8 - Bristol Carling Academy - Bristol, UK
9 - Glasgow Carling Academy - Glasgow, UK
10 - Birmingham Carling Academy - Birmingham, UK
11 - London Shepherds Bush Empire - London, UK
12 - Manchester, Manchester Academy 2 - Manchester, UK
13 - Sheffield Carling Academy - Sheffield, UK
14 - Newcastle Carling Academy - Newcastle, UK
16 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Trädgårn
17 - Stockholm, Sweden - Berns
19 - Rockperry Festival - Vaasa, Finland