The new Talisman CD is in the can and the title of their new offering is "Cats & Dogs".

The advance promo CD contains 15 new awesome rocking songs from the masters of melodic rock. No firm release date has been set at this time.

Legendary Swedish/American hard rock act Talisman, featuring former Yngwie Malmsteen members Jeff Scott Soto (vocals) and Marcel Jacob (bass), have just issued a new album, "Live At Sweden Rock Festival", via Empire Records in Scandinavia.

The complete track listing for the effort is as follows:

Legendary Swedish/American hard rock act Talisman, featuring former Yngwie Malmsteen members Jeff Scott Soto (vocals) and Marcel Jacob (bass), are reportedly in pre-production for the group's next studio album, which will not include any contributions from guitarist Pontus Norgren, who is said to have had a huge falling out with Jacob following the group's performance at Stockholm's Pub Anchor in early May.

According to a message posted via Soto's official web site, "To clarify the latest gossip surrounding Talisman & Humanimal, the real deal is there will no longer be Humanimal. Jeff has issued the statement that Humanimal in a way was a retooling of sorts in where the direction of Talisman should & would go, now reuniting the band with drummer Jamie Borger for a possible spring release.

The band are now in preproduction with the new songs & should get recording started by September. The long awaited Live At Sweden Rock album recorded last summer will also be out in the next couple of months, more info to come soon. No labels are confirmed for either release at press time.

In related news, tentative plans exist for Soto to embark on a full solo tour in November following the release of his second solo album, entitled Prism.

According to the singer's web site, "There's even talk that Jeff and Frontiers Records will do their best to have the Eric Martin Band along during the European dates. Jeff is hoping to cover a vast majority of Europe, South America, Japan & possibly Australia. Jeff has even hinted that he would like the show to be 'tailored' to what each territory would like to hear from the archives of his past in which we may posting a poll of 'What JSS songs would u like to hear at a JSS show?'. A ballot of Jeff's many songs will be posted for you all to choose what you'd like to hear most & chosen by popular demand as a 'give the people what they want' gesture."

Also on the Soto front, Jeff plans to shoot two videos from his new album, which will be added to the Prism CD as an enhanced multimedia release. The titles "Eyes Of Love" and "Holding On" were chosen for the videos, which will be directed and edited by Gary Schutt. The shoots will take place simultaneously sometime in mid-July.

Talisman are en route 2 record the new album in Italy next week.

Talisman will also be appearing at the Europe Convention in Parma, Italy with Ian Haugland sitting in on drums as a special guest (Jaime has to return to Sweden prior to the show).

Frontiers Records are pleased to announce the signing for a multi album worldwide deal of the legendary Swedish/American hard rock act Talisman, featuring former Yngwie Malmsteen members Jeff Scott Soto (vocals) and Marcel Jacob (bass)

The band is currently in pre-production for the next studio album, which will not include any contributions from former guitarist Pontus Norgren.

Frederik played guitar with Talisman from Genesis (1992) until the Life album, leaving in 1995 to be replaced by Pontus Norgren himself. Singer Jeff Scott Soto had to say about it: It was the obvious choice being he was a favourite among fans & has a history with us already.

The album yet untitled - will be recorded under the supervision of Jeff and Marcel during late Summer / Autumn 2002 in an Italian studio based in Acqui Terme, near Turin.

According to singer Jeff Scott Soto: "To clarify the latest gossip surrounding Talisman & Humanimal, the real deal is there will no longer be Humanimal. Humanimal in a way was a re-tooling of sorts in where the direction of Talisman should & would go, now reuniting the band with drummer Jamie Borger for a possible spring release".