Indonesian president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will file a report with the country's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the METALLICA "Master Of Puppets" box set he received from Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Since the gift technically constitutes a form of gratification, it must legally be reported to the KPK, according to Coconuts Jakarta.

The law is to prevent politicians from receiving gifts that could be considered a form of bribery.

"The President is planning to report the gift of the METALLICA vinyl records to the KPK," presidential spokesperson Johan Budi said.

Back in May 2013, Widodo was forced by KPK to turn over his autographed METALLICA bass guitar to the government, while authorities determined whether the instrument was merely a gift or a violation of ethics rules. Widodo received the bass from METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo, but had to give it up to the state within 30 days, according to laws regarding gifts to state officials.

Rasmussen presented Jokowi with the "Master Of Puppets" box set during a state visit on Tuesday (November 28) at the Bogor Palace in Indonesia. In return, Jokowi, gave Rasmussen a rencong (traditional dagger from Aceh).

Jokowi's copy of the "Masters Of Puppets" box set came with the signature of METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich, who said he was thrilled Jokowi had accepted the gift.

"This is way cool… I signed [a 'Master Of Puppets'] box set for Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to give to Indonesian president Joko Widodo who is well known as a huge fan of rock music and came to see us in Jakarta in '13," Lars wrote on Instagram. "Music really does connect people!"

The 56-year-old Widodo, who served as governor of Jakarta before being elected president in 2014, attended METALLICA's August 2013 concert in the city — 25 years to the day after the release of the band's fourth album, "…And Justice For All", and more than 20 years after their tumultuous first show in Indonesia.

Widodo has also professed love for other heavy metal bands like MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD and NAPALM DEATH in the past.

This is way cool… I signed an MOP box set for Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to give to Indonesian President Joko Widodo who is well known as a huge fan of rock music and came to see us in Jakarta in ‘13… music really does connect people!!! ???? @larsloekke @jokowi #masterofpuppets

A post shared by Lars Ulrich (@larsulrich) on Nov 28, 2017 at 9:56am PST

Indonesia’s president @jokowi seemed eager to dig into his diplomatic gift from Denmark: A #MasterOfPuppets box signed by #heavymetal fans’ all-time favorit drummer @larsulrich @metallica pic.twitter.com/Epcq2paywh

— Lars Løkke Rasmussen (@larsloekke) November 28, 2017

According to Billboard, six songs from Australian hard rock legends AC/DC have landed on the Hot Rock Songs chart following the death of the band's co-founder and longtime rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young.

"Thunderstruck" is at No. 6, with 6,000 downloads sold (up 73 percent) and 4.1 million U.S. streams (up 33 percent) in the week ending November 23, according to Nielsen Music; "Back in Black" is at No. 11 with 3,000 downloads sold and 3.1 million U.S. streams; "You Shook Me All Night Long" is at No. 15 with 3,000 sold and 2.5 million streams; "Highway To Hell" is at No. 18 with 3,000 sold and 2.5 million streams; "T.N.T." is at No. 23 with 2,000 sold and 1.6 million streams; and "Hells Bells" is No. 24 with 2,000 sold and 1.5 million streams.

Meanwhile, AC/DC's "Back In Black" sold 7,000 equivalent album units in the week ending November 23. Of that total, 3,000 are from pure album sales, an increase of 127 percent.

Malcolm was remembered as "quiet, humble and understated" at his funeral in Sydney, Australia on Tuesday (November 28), according to ABC News. Hundreds of people gathered at St. Mary's Cathedral for the service, including AC/DC guitarist and Malcolm's brother Angus Young, former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd and ex-AC/DC bassist Mark Evans. Eulogies were read by Bradley Horsburgh and David Albert, who described Young as a "quiet, humble and understated man."

The Albert family had managed AC/DC for more than four decades.

One of Malcolm Young's guitars was carried into the church for the service, while guitar picks inscribed with his date of birth and death were handed out with the official funeral programs.

After the service, a pipe band played a medley of songs as the funeral procession left St. Mary's, including the guitar solo from AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top", as well as "Waltzing Matilda" and "Road To Gundagai".

Malcolm, who co-founded AC/DC with Angus in 1973, died on November 18 at the age of 64 after suffering from dementia and failing health for several years.

Malcolm and Angus's older brother George passed away earlier this month, while original AC/DC singer Bon Scott died in 1980.

An unfinished demo song that will be included on the forthcoming 13th album from MALEVOLENT CREATION can be streamed below. The disc will feature the band's current lineup, consisting of founding guitarist Phil Fasciana alongside new additions Lee Wollenschlaeger (vocals, guitar), Phil Cancilla (drums) and Josh L. Gibbs (bass).

Fasciana stated about MALEVOLENT CREATION's latest incarnation: "After receiving so many great videos and songs from singers wanting to take over the vocal position after the departure of original vocalist Bret Hoffman, I finally have found the right man for the job.

"I received a few songs from Lee Wollenschlaeger and his solo project IMPERIAL EMPIRE and was so impressed that after a lot of conversations and hearing his own compositions and demos of him singing MALEVOLENT CREATION songs, I could not deny his talent.

"The demo song posted below is one of his songs that I really liked and told him we could work with his song for the next MALEVOLENT CREATION album and let people hear our new vocalist and his talent. He is also playing guitar in the band, which makes us now a four-piece.

"To prove my commitment to him that he is now the vocalist, I posted this demo song that he wrote and that is being re-recorded as we speak so he can re-write the lyrics and I can lay down a couple guitar solos for this song.

"We will be posting some more music with Lee Wollenschlaeger singing MALEVOLENT CREATION songs, and between the music i have written for the next album and his music, as well as our bassist and drummer who both write music as well, we now have a band that is dedicated to record the heaviest MALEVOLENT CREATION album yet.

MALEVOLENT CREATION's new lineup:

Phil Fasciana - GuitarLee Wollenschlaeger - Vocals/Guitar Phil Cancilla - Drums Josh L. Gibbs - Bass

MALEVOLENT CREATION's latest album, "Dead Man's Path", was released in 2015 via Century Media.

Fan-filmed video footage of HIM's entire November 26 concert at Stadium in Moscow, Russia can be seen below.

The band's setlist was follows:

01. Buried Alive By Love02. Heartache Every Moment03. Your Sweet Six Six Six04. The Kiss Of Dawn05. The Sacrament06. Tears On Tape07. Rip Out The Wings Of A Butterfly08. Gone With The Sin09. Soul On Fire10. Wicked Game (CHRIS ISAAK cover)11. Killing Loneliness12. Poison Girl13. Bleed Well14. Heartkiller15. Join Me In Death16. It's All Tears (Drown In This Love)17. In Joy And Sorrow18. Right Here In My Arms19. The Funeral Of Hearts

Encore:

20. Rebel Yell (BILLY IDOL cover)21. When Love And Death Embrace

HIM is continuing its farewell tour, closing the final chapter on the band's 26-year career.

"After quarter of a century of love and metal intertwined, we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored," said HIM frontman and main songwriter Ville Valo. "We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you."

Formed in 1991 by Valo, guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström and bassist Mikko "Migé" Paananen, HIM truly stand out as one of the rock world’s most unique acts. Beautifully blending metal, goth and hard rock with deep, thoughtful and moving lyrics, HIM offered the world a new take on the metal genre, which became known as Love Metal (also the title of their fourth album).

Over the course of eight studio albums, HIM captured the hearts and minds of fans across the globe, drawn by their irresistible and inimitable style. Under the banner of their Heartagram logo – a potent symbol encapsulating the juxtaposition of the light and dark, the fierce and forlorn, and the evil and love found in their music — HIM filled venues and crashed charts the world over, collecting numerous awards, gracing countless magazine covers and becoming the first Finnish act to achieve gold status in the USA.

Now, four years after the release of the band's last studio album, "Tears On Tape", HIM is saying farewell, taking in 14 countries across 35 shows for its final goodbye.

HIM in 2015 parted ways with its longtime drummer, Mika Kristian Karppinen (a.k.a. Gas Lipstick), and replaced him with Jukka "Kosmo" Kröger (formerly of HERRA YLPPÖ & IHMISET).

San Francisco Bay area metallers MACHINE HEAD will release their ninth studio album, "Catharsis", on January 26, 2018 via Nuclear Blast. The effort will be made available in several formats, including a CD/DVD digipak edition which contains footage of the band's 2015 concert at San Francisco's Regency Ballroom.

A performance clip of the song "Now We Die", taken from the above-mentioned 21-track DVD, can be seen below.

The follow-up to 2014's "Bloodstone & Diamonds", "Catharsis" was produced by MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn and recorded, mixed, and co-produced by Zack Ohren (FALLUJAH, ALL SHALL PERISH) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California. Mastering was handled by Ted Jensen (HATEBREED, ALICE IN CHAINS, DEFTONES) at Sterling Sound in New York. Cover photography was created by Seanen Middleton.

Flynn told Jason Ellis of SiriusXM that "Catharsis" is a simpler and more straight-forward effort than some of MACHINE HEAD's past outings. "I've been telling everybody, 'Keep your expectations low for the heaviness,'" Robb said. "It's a very grooving, very melodic record, and it's kind of freaked people out — understandably, I guess."

Asked how "unheavy" "Catharsis" really is, Flynn said: "It's got some pretty melodic moments, man. This isn't us at our heaviest. To me, if 'The Blackening' was us at our most thrashing and most heavy, this is probably us at our most grooving and most melodic. And it's still heavy, it's great songs, it's just… it's a new trip, and I dig it, man."

According to Flynn, MACHINE HEAD had "no plan" while composing the songs for "Catharsis". "We just start writing," he explained. "There's never a plan. We just started writing, and it came out the way it came out, and it was just cool. That was the shit that got our dick hard, and we were, like, 'Fuck! Let's go with it.'"

He added: "To me, Keith Richards summed it up best. We're just a vessel and we're just channeling what's going through us."

Pointing out that "Catharsis" is a 15-song collection of music with a running time of around 75 minutes, Flynn admitted that "it's a big commitment" for the listener. But, he added, "The majority of the record is short songs. And it was nice. It was just, like, the first two songs we wrote were just short and sweet and heavy, and we were, like, 'Fuck! It doesn't need to go on for six more minutes or have 20 other changes.'"

As for what brought about the slight change in direction for MACHINE HEAD's new album, Flynn said: "I don't listen to a whole lot of metal — I'm being straight with you. To me, a lot of it doesn't interest me, a lot of the lyrics don't interest me. I listen to a lot of hip-hop. I grew up on a lot of hardcore, punk rock, hip-hop, and I just love… Love it or hate it, I love just the fucking direct, ignorant-ass lyrics of hip-hop. It's very clear, it's very blunt; there's no metaphors. Metal's full of metaphors. We've been singing about the same shit now for 30 fucking years and I get a little bored with it. And with this record, I really wanted to just strip it down and make really clear, really simple, really blunt… Especially my choruses, just really clear… Like, you know what the fuck I'm talking about exactly when I'm talking about it. And it's cool. Like real vulgar language and coarse language, and it's a good vibe, man."

Flynn went on to say that he was inspired by the idea of changing up the formula and taking MACHINE HEAD down a new path without veering too much from the band's established sound.

"How the fuck do you blow people away? How do you say something different?" he asked rhetorically. "'Cause there's the two sides — there's the type of bands that are, like, 'We wanna be AC/DC. Never change. It's always the same.' And then there's THE BEATLES, which is probably the most evolution that's ever happened over the course of 10 years in music history. And I don't wanna say we've changed that much, 'cause I never think that we have, but I love the evolution. I love trying to find some new thing that keeps you going."

"Catharsis" track listing:

01. Volatile02. Catharsis03. Beyond The Pale04. California Bleeding05. Triple Beam06. Kaleidoscope07. Bastards08. Hope Begets Hope09. Screaming At The Sun10. Behind A Mask11. Heavy Lies The Crown12. Psychotic13. Grind You Down14. Razorblade Smile15. Eulogy

The album is available for pre-order at this location.

MACHINE HEAD recently filmed the official video for the "Catharsis" title track. The clip is expected to make its online debut on Friday, December 8.

The North American tour in support of "Catharsis" will kick off on January 25 in Mesa, Arizona.

Swedish black metal band Grafvitnir have announced the December 15th Carnal Records release of new album Keys To The Mysteries Beyond. A promo video for the album's opening track, "Nidhögg," is available below.

The driving force behind the band is, and has always been, Occultism and the never-ending quest for the enigmatic emerald of Lucifer. Just like razor sharp claws of a Werewolf move and twists against whirling moonlit Night Skies, the ice-cold blades of Occultism will tear the illusion of the demiurg's false Creation apart and fiercely widen the cracks and crevices to the ancient kingdom of Beyond. 

With the band's fifth album, Grafvitnir are back from the frostbitten shadows of Scandinavia to eternally ignite the concealed spiritual Fire of the descendants of the Serpent, and to obtain the ancient Keys To The Mysteries Beyond.

Tracklisting:

“Nidhögg”
“Keys To The Mysteries Beyond”
“Vargavinter”
“Crossing The Abyss”
“Eternity’s Glistening Black”
“Journey Into Storms”
“Unleash The Storm Of Nothingness”
“Eye Of Lucifer”
“Whispers Of The Primordial Sea”
“Glimpses Of The Unseeable”

“Nidhögg”:

"For No Master", a brand new song from the legendary death metal unit MORBID ANGEL, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's ninth studio album, which will be released on December 1 via Silver Lining Music and JVC in Japan. Titled "Kingdoms Disdained", the record reunites founding guitarist Trey Azagthoth with bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker. Just one play of "Kingdoms Disdained", and you'll realize that this is the only true current aural document of a world sinking into uncharted despair. "The album title says it all," says Tucker. "Everybody's fed up and nobody can figure out how to fix it. We've got all these miniature wars in neighborhoods, cities, countries, and we've got people with varying opinions causing chaos, yet everyone is doing what they feel is right. Which all makes it feel like the world has reached a point of utter madness and confusion." As if fate constructed the moment, these forefathers of death metal found themselves witnessing the storm's eye as they prepared to create "Kingdoms Disdained", deciphering it with their ferocious music via long-held Sumerian-based beliefs. "It's been written but nobody pays attention, because we erase our history," adds Tucker. "We don't understand much about the Sumerian texts because things got erased, buried, and broken up. And for years, Trey and I talked a lot about the idea of those Gods waking up and coming back to show us that they're angry." Recorded at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and produced by MORBID ANGEL with Erik Rutan (CANNIBAL CORPSE, HATE ETERNAL, SIX FEET UNDER, BELPHEGOR), Azagthoth, Tucker and drummer Scotty Fuller (ANNIHILATED; formerly of ABYSMAL DAWN) created eleven pieces of devastatingly dynamic death metal. Compositions such as "Garden Of Disdain", "Architect And Iconoclast" and "The Pillars Crumbling" supremely illustrate Azagthoth's incredible creative alchemy with Tucker as well as his own incomparable guitar work. "We're always trying to paint pictures; to create images," notes Tucker, "and I think this album is a fair image of the world today, but taken from a different perspective; the perspective of those Gods who built this, who may be resting now but are starting to wake up." "Kingdoms Disdained" features artwork courtesy of Irish mixed-media artist Ken Coleman, who created a series of pieces that further augment the stories being told. The effort will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats. "Kingdoms Disdained" track listing:

01. Piles Of Little Arms 02. D.E.A.D.03. Garden Of Disdain 04. The Righteous Voice 05. Architect And Iconoclast 06. Paradigms Warped 07. The Pillars Crumbling 08. For No Master09. Declaring New Law (Secret Hell) *10. From The Hand Of Kings11. The Fall Of Idols

* Not available on the vinyl format

MORBID ANGEL in January announced the addition of Dan Vadim Von (guitarist/frontman of the American death metal band VADIMVON) to the band's lineup on second guitar. He joined the group as the replacement for Norwegian guitarist Destructhor (a.k.a. Thor Anders Myhren), who left the band two years ago.

Former MORBID ANGEL frontman David Vincent recently joined forces with several other musicians — including ex-MORBID ANGEL drummer Tim Yeung — to perform classic MORBID ANGEL songs under the I AM MORBID banner.

MORBID ANGEL's controversial 2011 album, "Illud Divinum Insanus", marked the group's first CD to feature Vincent since "Domination".

Italy's Cadaveria have revealed the cover artwork and the release date of the 2017 edition of Far Away From Conformity, the second album of Italian horror metallers, originally released in 2004. The album will be out on December 8th, in all digital stores and on CD, with a new graphic design. It comes out in deluxe digipack version with a twelve-page booklet via Sleaszy Rider Records. The colored vinyl version will be released via Shadows Records in a limited edition of 300 hand-numbered copies worldwide. The vinyl LP will be out on January 12th, 2018, exactly 14 years after the first release. 

This is not just a reprint: the nine songs of Far Away From Conformity, including Blondie's cover “Call Me”, have been completely remixed and remastered for the occasion. In addition, a bug in the backup of the original recordings made in 2003, had caused the loss of some vocal tracks and it requested Cadaveria’s recent effort to re-record her voice for the songs “Blood And Confusion” and “The Divine Rapture”. 

Preorders available at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Blood And Confusion”
“Eleven Three O Three”
“Irreverent Elegy”
“The Divine Rapture”
“Omen Of Delirium”
“Call Me” (Blondie cover)
“Out Body Experience”
“Prayer Of Sorrow”
“Vox Of Anti-Time”

 

Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen presented Indonesian president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo with a signed box set of METALLICA's seminal third album "Master Of Puppets" during a state visit earlier today (Tuesday, November 28) at the Bogor Palace in Indonesia. In return, Jokowi, gave Rasmussen a rencong (traditional dagger from Aceh), according to The Jakarta Post.

"Prime Minister Rasmussen understands my favorite [music]," Jokowi said of the "Masters Of Puppets" expanded reissue, which was made available earlier in the month.

The LP has been remastered for the most advanced sound quality and was made available in various physical configurations, including Standard LP, Standard CD, three-CD Expanded Edition, and Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set. It was also made available available digitally as a Standard CD, a three-CD Expanded Edition and a Digital Deluxe Box Set.

Bonus content in the set ranges from previously unreleased demos, rough mixes, interviews and live tracks to a 108-page hardcover book, DVDs, handwritten lyrics and more.

Jokowi's copy of the "Masters Of Puppets" box set came with the signature of METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich, who was born in Denmark. The album itself was recorded in Copenhagen between September and December 1985.

The 56-year-old Widodo, who served as governor of Jakarta before being elected president in 2014, attended METALLICA's August 2013 concert in the city — 25 years to the day after the release of the band's fourth album, "…And Justice For All", and more than 20 years after their tumultuous first show in Indonesia.

"I am happy and satisfied with the concert," Widodo said after the performance. "No one got out of control. We showed them that Jakarta citizens are all dignified. We could rock the night away in an orderly fashion."

Back in May 2013, Widodo had to turn over his autographed METALLICA bass guitar to the government temporarily, while authorities determined whether the instrument was merely a gift or a violation of ethics rules. Widodo received the bass from METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo, but had to give it up to the state within 30 days, according to laws regarding gifts to state officials.

Widodo has professed love for heavy metal bands like METALLICA, MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD and NAPALM DEATH in the past.

Indonesia’s president @jokowi seemed eager to dig into his diplomatic gift from Denmark: A #MasterOfPuppets box signed by #heavymetal fans’ all-time favorit drummer @larsulrich @metallica pic.twitter.com/Epcq2paywh

— Lars Løkke Rasmussen (@larsloekke) November 28, 2017

According to TMZ, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash sold his mansion in the Mulholland Estates, a guard-gated community in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles, to rapper Big Sean for $8.7 million.

Slash put the house on the market in June 2015 for $10.995 million, but that price came down in April 2016 by half a million to $10.495 million and in August 2016 by another million to $9.499 million.

The 10,971-square-foot, three-story Tuscan Villa-like home on Clerendon Road offers complete privacy and luxury, and is an entertainer's dream come true. Interior features include a dramatic two-story entry, state-of-the-art theater, massive double center island kitchen, amazingly unique lower level nightclub/entertainment room with an elevated DJ booth and custom LED lighting, and a soundproof recording studio that can be easily converted back to a guest suite. Boasting explosive canyon and city light views, it also provides a private balcony, tremendous walk-in closet and an awesome bathroom with steam shower and a custom over-sized spa tub with special unique lighting. You will also find a huge bonus/game room, library and more. The family room has a large walk-in wet bar, custom beamed ceilings and French doors that open to backyard.

Slash and his then-wife Perla bought the home in 2009 for $7.3 million. Their neighbors at the time reportedly included Vanna White, TV judge Greg Mathis, reality TV queen Paris Hilton, British pop star Robbie Williams and actor Charlie Sheen.

Slash filed for divorce from Perla in December 2014 after 13 years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." He asked for joint custody of their two sons, 15-year-old London and 13-year-old Cash.

The reunited GUNS N' ROSES, featuring Slash, singer Axl Rose and bassist Duff McKagan, will complete a North American arena tour tomorrow (Wednesday, November 29) at The Forum in Los Angeles.

Tanith is a new four piece band based in Brooklyn NY, featuring Satan guitarist Russ Tippins on vocals and guitar. 

"With two singers and twin guitars we play old-school heavy rock influenced by the sounds and imagery of the 1970s such as BOC, Wishbone Ash and Uriah Heep,” says the band.

 

Tanith's debut 7" “Citadel” can be streamed via the Bandcamp player below; the vinyl version will be available soon.

CITADEL by Tanith

(Photo by: Hugh Pool)

Australia’s Thy Art Is Murder released their latest album, Dear Desolation, last August via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Today, the band has released a unique playthrough video for the album's title track. Watch guitarist Sean Delander shred through the song below:

The Depression Sessions EP featuring Thy Art Is Murder, The Acacia Strain and Fit For An Autopsy, is available for the first time on CD for Record Store Day last week. Fans can also order online here. The pressing will be limited to 2,000 copies worldwide, so get yours before they're all gone.

The Depression Sessions tracklisting:

Thy Art Is Murder - “They Will Know Another”
The Acacia Strain - “Sensory Deprivation”
Fit For An Autopsy - “Flatlining”
Thy Art Is Murder - “Du Hast” (Rammstein cover)
The Acacia Strain - “Black Hole Sun” (Soundgarden cover)
Fit For An Autopsy - “The Perfect Drug” (Nine Inch Nails cover)

MASTODON, MESHUGGAH, AUGUST BURNS RED, BODY COUNT and CODE ORANGE are among the nominees for the 60th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York Cit and broadcast on CBS at 7:30 p.m. ET.

METALLICA's " Atlas, Rise!", AVENGED SEVENFOLD's "The Stage", FOO FIGHTERS' "Run" and NOTHING MORE's "Go To War" were also nominated in the "Best Rock Song" category, while MASTODON's "Emperor Of Sand", METALLICA's "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", NOTHING MORE's "The Stories We Tell Ourselves" and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's "Villains" were nominated in the "Best Rock Album" category.

CHRIS CORNELL's "The Promise", FOO FIGHTERS' "Run" and NOTHING MORE's "Go To War" were nominated in the "Best Rock Performance" category.

Best Metal Performance

AUGUST BURNS RED - "Invisible Enemy"BODY COUNT - "Black Hoodie"CODE ORANGE - "Forever"MASTODON - "Sultan's Curse"MESHUGGAH - "Clockworks"

Best Rock Performance

LEONARD COHEN - "You Want It Darker"CHRIS CORNELL - "The Promise"FOO FIGHTERS - "Run"KALEO - "No Good"NOTHING MORE - "Go To War"

Best Rock Song

METALLICA - "Atlas, Rise!"K. FLAY - "Blood in the Cut"NOTHING MORE - "Go To War"FOO FIGHTERS - "Run"AVENGED SEVENFOLD - "The Stage"

Best Rock Album

MASTODON – "Emperor Of Sand"METALLICA - Hardwired... To Self-DestructNOTHING MORE – "The Stories We Tell Ourselves"QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – "Villains"THE WAR ON DRUGS – "A Deeper Understanding"

Any category with more than five nominees means there was a tie.

The Grammys are voted on by approximately 13,000 Recording Academy members, who are comprised of artists, songwriters, producers and engineers. More than 22,000 recordings were submitted for Grammys consideration this year. For 2018 awards, music must have been released between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017 in order to be eligible.

Tuomas Holopainen's three-track demo earned him his first record deal with his freshly founded band NIGHTWISH back in 1996. Today, 20 years later — with over 2,000 shows played and more than eight million records sold — NIGHTWISH is the biggest European symphonic metal band. Reason enough for Nuclear Blast to celebrate this huge anniversary by releasing a 2CD compilation titled "Decades" on March 9, 2018. This release will be accompanied by a nine-month tour across the globe. After kicking off with 34 concerts in North America in March-April, the journey will continue with dozens of European festival and headline shows. On this tour, NIGHTWISH will also be presenting a special se list, featuring rare material from the early years of their career. That's why these evenings will not only be special events for the fans, but also for the band themselves. Be prepared to hear a lot of old school material!

Tuomas states: "July 6th, 1996 was the exact date marked on my family's summer cabin guestbook. On that date, by a campfire, a decision was made to form a band of three members, playing atmospheric acoustic music led by a female voice. 15 months later, this group would release its debut album, and more than two decades later, it would release a compilation including songs from eight studio albums and from the very first demo which gave the band its name.

"The infinite freedom and potential I found from songwriting back in the days took me right back home, offering a place to feel free and meaningful. So the roller coaster ride begun, adventures from all sides of the spectrum ahead, making a pit stop at this place and age from where we're greeting you now. Looking back, the voyage has been nothing short of spectacular.

"The best part of it all, though, are the people. The fellowship of the band, past and present, the crew and the management. The relationships created, whether it's the fans in the front row, guest musicians, other bands, promoters, media, record label staff, or even your own heroes you never thought you'd meet. I've met my best friends through music, as well as faced the most unfortunate ordeals, but it's all been for the love of life and adventure, for learning, and for a meaning. The sense of privilege I feel looking into the past, the present, and future is immeasurable by words. It's something that can only be expressed through poetry and music. A journey of two decades has taken our wonderful Edema Ruh this far, and the beauty of the future is, that it remains an untold story.

"In a few months, we'll celebrate the journey so far in the form of a nine-month nostalgia tour, including material from all of our eight studio albums. We shall meet you all soon, and it will be wondrous as never before!"

"Decades" European tour:

Nov. 02 - S - Gothenburg - Partille ArenaNov. 05 - D - Berlin - Max-Schmeling-HalleNov. 06 - D - Hamburg - Barclaycard ArenaNov. 07 - B - Antwerp - Lotto ArenaNov. 09 - D - Oberhausen - König-Pilsener-ArenaNov. 10 - F - Paris - AccorHotels ArenaNov. 11 - CH - Geneva - ArenaNov. 13 - SK - Bratislava - Incheba Expo ArenaNov. 14 - D - Munich - OlympiahalleNov. 16 - D - Leipzig - ArenaNov. 17 - PL - Krakow - Tauron ArenaNov. 20 - H - Budapest - ArenaNov. 22 - CH - Zurich - HallenstadionNov. 23 - D - Nuremberg - ArenaNov. 24 - D - Stuttgart - Schleyer-HalleNov. 27 - D - Saarbrücken - SaarlandhalleDec. 04 - I - Milan - Medionalum ForumDec. 05 - D - Frankfurt - Festhalle

Former CANDLEMASS singer Messiah Marcolin joined the Chilean doom metal band PROCESSION on stage on November 20 at Nambucca in London, England to perform the CANDLEMASS classic "Solitude". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below. Messiah previously performed the same song with PROCESSION in 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Marcolin exited CANDLEMASS for the presumably final time in 2006, one year after the release of the band's self-titled album. He was later replaced by Robert Lowe (SOLITUDE AETURNUS), who sang on the band's "King Of The Grey Islands" (2007), "Death Magic Doom" (2009) and "Psalms For The Dead" (2012). CANDLEMASS's frontman for the past five years has been Mats Levén, who previously recorded and toured with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and THERION.

Messiah told Metal Rules that he was "very honored" by new bands who cite CANDLEMASS as an influence on their music. "If anyone wants to be inspirited by CANDLEMASS, it is the most respectable thing what a band ever can get," he said. "I love WITCHFINDER GENERAL which are very BLACK SABBATH influenced and PENTAGRAM, which is fucking great. The first PENTAGRAM album is great, and, of course, TROUBLE is influenced by BLACK SABBATH, and CANDLEMASS is also influenced by BLACK SABBATH — the whole fucking world is influenced by BLACK SABBATH. But, I mean, CANDLEMASS made its own style — we don't sound exactly the same, but the heaviness is the same, but the music is different. We created our own style, doom metal stuff and all the other bands which have taken it after, it is a great honor."

Swedish death metallers THE CROWN have returned to Metal Blade Records for a multi-album deal. The band has just finished recording its new, as-yet-untitled album at Studio Fredman, and the record promises to be one of the biggest surprises of the upcoming year. A return to death metal speed and darkness in full glory!

Metal Blade will release "Iron Crown", the first single from the upcoming album, as a limited seven-inch single on January 12.

A video teaser for the song can be seen below.

The B-side features the exclusive new song "Ride The Fire", which will not be featured on the long-player.

The "Iron Crown" seven-inch single will be released in these colors: black (300 copies), silver (200 copies), red transparent (100 copies).

Comments THE CROWN: "We are very honored to be back working with the label that supported us through many albums. The biggest 'steps' during our career have been thanks to Metal Blade. We have always had a strong mutual will to make the best possible albums. Now let's fire up this death metal engine again!"

THE CROWN is:

Johan Lindstrand - VocalsMagnus Olsfelt - BassMarko Tervonen - GuitarRobin Sorqvist - Lead guitar and backing vocalsHenrik Axelsson - Drums

Photo credit: Roger Dunder

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR are back in the studio working on their next album, "Apocalypse". 12 brand new crushing heavy metal songs have been selected, out of 30 newly written tracks, which will be produced by PRIMAL FEAR bassist Mat Sinner and engineered and mixed by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios in Denmark. The album is tentatively scheduled for release in mid-2018 via Frontiers Music Srl. New songtitles include "Apocalypse", "New Rise", "The Hounds Of Justice", "King Of Madness", "The Beast", "Blood, Sweat & Fear" and the 10-minute extravaganza "Eye Of The Storm". Stylistically, the new tunes follow the same path that started on the most successful PRIMAL FEAR album so far, "Rulebreaker". Said PRIMAL FEAR singer Ralf Scheepers: "I don't know where it comes from and how we do it, but we seem to have a real flow in writing some cool heavy metal tunes since quite a while. And again, nothing will be released which we are not 100 percent satisfied with. You can trust the seal of the brand PRIMAL FEAR." Added Sinner: "I'm really surprised about the creativity in the band. Every band member contributes on the song writing and I'm super happy about the chosen songs and the production so far. You can expect a full energy driven metal album with a maximum attitude and raw power!" PRIMAL FEAR will support the new album release with an extensive summer festival tour in 2018, followed by a world tour.

PRIMAL FEAR released a new collection, "Best Of Fear", on November 10. The set includes a cover of HEART's "If Looks Could Kill".

"Best Of Fear", as the name implies, is a new "best-of" compilation. This double album culls together the best material from PRIMAL FEAR's last ten years of work — including the albums "New Religion", "16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)", "Unbreakable", "Delivering The Black" and "Rulebreaker" — plus four brand new songs recorded specifically for this release.

This comprehensive overview of PRIMAL FEAR's body of work over the past ten years is aptly split into two records which showcases the magnificence (and constantly maturing) songwriting abilities of these heavy metal lifers. The first album encompasses the heavier and more straight-ahead material, while the second shows the more involved and epic side of the band's songwriting. PRIMAL FEAR is:

Ralf Scheepers - Lead VocalsTom Naumann - GuitarAlexander Beyrodt - GuitarMagnus Karlsson - GuitarFrancesco Jovino - DrumsMat Sinner - Bass, Vocals

Photo credit: Alex Kuehr

Washington, DC’s Genocide Pact are set to unleash their raging sophomore full-length and Relapse debut, entitled Order Of Torment.

Recorded by Kevin Bernsten (Full Of Hell, Code Orange, Magrudergrind) in Baltimore, MD at Developing Nations and featuring cover art from the legendary Joe Petagno (Motorhead, Autopsy, Marduk, Pink Floyd), Order of Torment features eight tracks of pulverizing, relentless death metal that harkens to the greats while pushing the genre to chaotic new realms of possibility. Stream the opening track, “Conquered And Disposed” via the YouTube clip below, and all streaming services here.

Order Of Torment is due out February 2nd on CD/LP/Digital via Relapse Records. Physical packages and digital order are available via Relapse.com here, and all digital retail outlets here.

Order Of Torment tracklisting:

"Conquered And Disposed"
"Decimation Grid"
"Spawn Of Suffering"
"Pain Reprisal"
"Ascendancy Absolved"
"Structural Dissolution"
"Authoritarian Impulse"
"Blood Rejection"

"Conquered And Disposed":

Tour Dates:

February
2 - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel (with Mammoth Grinder)
3 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter (with Mammoth Grinder)

Sweden-based metal outfit Methane have released a live music video of their song “Scars And Bars”. The song comes off of their debut record The Devil’s Own released on Sony’s Dark Star Records in early 2017.

"We love playing live, it’s onstage where the music comes to life." said bassist/vocalist Tim Scott about the clip. "This song has a deeper meaning for me and means a lot to have recorded this at home and our home crowd, maybe the person who inspired the anger in the text."

The video was recorded live with soundboard quality sound at Liljan in Methane’s home town Borlänge Sweden, September 19th on The Devil’s Own European tour. “Scars And Bars” is the first in a series of live videos to be released from the tour.

Ammunition, featuring Norwegian singer Age Sten Nilsen (ex-Wig Wam), will release their self-titled album on January 26th. The first track from the upcoming release is “Freedom Finder”. An official video for the track can be found below.

Ammunition was founded in 2014 by the songwriting duo Age Sten Nilsen and the multi-talented Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T., Nordic Union). They released their debut album, Shanghaied, in 2015 on their own label. Teaming up with former TNT and Jack In The Box bassist Victor Cito Borge, keysman Lasse Finbråten (Circus Maximus), skinsman Magnus Ulfstedt (Eclipse), and the exceptional guitar player Jon Pettersen, Ammunition has made a name for themselves as an incredible live act.

Åge Sten Nilsen states: "We formed this band to enjoy making the music we love and have a real good time. And I really think this album reflects just that! It was fun and easy to write and record... and it's simply enjoyable to listen to. As a rock producer Erik Mårtensson has proven that he's one of the best around for many years. But I think on this album he has reached an even higher level.... If you’re into physics you'd love to be on Einstein’s team. I'm into rock music, and I'm on Erik’s team... pretty much the same!"

The first taste of music from this self-titled album was released earlier in 2017. "Wrecking Crew" (written by Nilsen and Mårtensson) landed on top of the Norwegian charts, taking Ammunition to the Norwegian Eurovision grand finale where they reached an astonishing second place. The full length, original version of the song will be included on the forthcoming album, produced and mixed by the band's guitar player and co-writer, Erik Mårtensson.

A Limited Edition 180g grey vinyl version of the album is available only on the Frontiers' webstore, limited to 100 copies worldwide. Get it here.

Tracklisting:

"Time"
"Freedom Finder"
"Virtual Reality Boy"
"Guns Ho (I Told You So)"
"Eye For An Eye"
"Tear Your City Down"
"Caveman"
"Wrecking Crew"
"Miss Summertime"
"Bad Bones"
"Klondike"

"Freedom Finder" video:

Lineup:

Age Sten Nilsen - lead and backing vocals
Erik Martensson - guitars, backing vocals
Victor Cito Borge - bass
Jon Pettersen - guitars
Lasse Finbråten - keyboards
Magnus Ulfstedt - drums

Producer / engineer Richard Chycki has checked in with a brief update:

"Mixed Dream Theater’s Budokan live show celebrating Images, Words & Beyond for broadcast by wowow."

The show took place on September 11th, 2017 at the Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.The tracklist for the package is available below. More details will be revealed soon.

Disc 1 
"Opening (The Colonel)"
"The Dark Eternal Night" 
"The Bigger Picture" 
"Hell's Kitchen"
"The Gift of Music"
"Our New World"
"Portrait of Tracy" (John Myung solo) 
"As I Am"
"Breaking All Illusions"

Disc 2
"Pull Me Under" 
"Another Day" 
"Take the Time" (extended outro with John Petrucci guitar solo)
"Surrounded"
"Metropolis Pt. 1" (with Mike Mangini drum solo)
"Under a Glass Moon" 08. 
"Wait for Sleep" (with extended keyboard intro)
"Learning to Live"

Disc 3
"A Change of Seasons"

The funeral for AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young was held on Tuesday (November 28) in Sydney, Australia. Malcolm, who co-founded AC/DC with his brother Angus in 1973, died on November 18 at the age of 64 after suffering from dementia and failing health for several years.

Hundreds of people gathered at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral for the service, including Angus Young, former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd and ex-AC/DC bassist Mark Evans. Also in attendance were ROSE TATTOO's Angry Anderson, concert promoter Michael Chugg and Sony Music CEO Denis Handlin.

Eulogies were read by Bradley Horsburgh and David Albert, who described Young as a "quiet, humble and understated man," according to ABC. The Albert family had managed AC/DC for more than four decades.

One of Malcolm Young's guitars was also carried into the church for the service.

Guitar picks inscribed with Young's date of birth and death were handed out with the official funeral programs.

Following the service, a pipe band played a medley of songs as the funeral procession left St Mary's, including the guitar solo from AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top", as well as "Waltzing Matilda" and "Road To Gundagai".

More photos of the service can be found at Daily Telegraph.

Malcolm retired from AC/DC in 2014 after it was made public that he was suffering from dementia.

Singer Brian Johnson was forced to leave the band in 2016 midway through the touring cycle for its latest album, "Rock Or Bust", when told by doctors that he faced total hearing loss if he continued to perform live. His replacement for the balance of the dates was GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose.

Johnson told Rolling Stone that he still recuperating from "nine fucking operations" on his ears, saying, "You got to take it like a man, but when it hurts, you know that's it — you're done, pal."

With Angus now the sole original member left in AC/DC, and no members left from the band's classic "Back In Black" lineup, he has not revealed whether he intends to keep the band going.

Pix: Malcolm Young Funeral https://t.co/5f6mc01KrM pic.twitter.com/07Jw0DvrWH

— AAP Multimedia (@aap_multimedia) November 28, 2017

Malcolm Young has been farewelled at a funeral in Sydney, remembered as a ‘musical mastermind’ and a ‘humble’ man. #acdc #7News pic.twitter.com/Yqazlufm1s

— 7 News Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) November 28, 2017

Guitar picks are being handed out with programs at the funeral service for AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young in Sydney. pic.twitter.com/KjUm7Z7ncg

— Nour Haydar (@NourHaydar) November 28, 2017

Farewell #MalcolmYoung: #ACDC legend led from #StMarysCathedral #Sydney by pipers playing #WaltzingMatilda. #7News pic.twitter.com/mAMYUYI72j

— Paul Kadak (@PaulKadak) November 28, 2017

AC/DC guitarist's Malcolm Young's funeral procession pic.twitter.com/yxDeT4vIve

— Rosemary Bolger (@rose_bolger) November 28, 2017

Drum-cam footage of SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph performing the song "Born Of Fire" during the band's July 21 concert at St. Augustine Amphitheatre in St. Augustine, Florida can be seen below.

Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band, rejoined SLAYER in 2013 after the group's original drummer, Dave Lombardo, was effectively fired from the band due to a contract dispute with the other members of the veteran California-based thrash metal act.

In an interview with Fuse, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King stated about Bostaph: "Paul, I mean, he's a machine. I don't worry about him at all. He never would have been out of SLAYER if he didn't quit twice. It was never over anything personal — he was always my friend — so it was very easy for him to come back and be a part again."

Speaking to Loudwire about Bostaph's contributions to SLAYER's latest album, "Repentless", King said: "I think it's just making the unit whole, more than anything. Of course, Paul can play the shit out of the drums. I didn't realize — and I don't mean this in a detrimental way to Paul — I never realized Paul had so many niche SLAYER fans who are just Bostaph fans; I didn't realize that, and a lot of people had mentioned that to me since Paul has been working on the record. And I think that's great. I used to say 'God Hates [Us All]' was his 'Reign In Blood' — Bostaph's. The new one is his 'Reign In Blood'. The new one's… I would play any song live."

"Repentless" debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200, having shifted 50,000 equivalent album units in the week ending September 17, 2015.

The album was released on September 11, 2015 via Nuclear Blast.

Photo credit: Andrew Stuart

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi says that his cancer is still in remission six years after he was diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma.

Iommi revealed his cancer diagnosis in early 2012, shortly after SABBATH announced a reunion tour and album. He underwent treatment throughout the recording of the disc, titled "13", and the subsequent tour to promote it.

Nine months after BLACK SABBATH brought its farewell tour to an end in the band's hometown of Birmingham, England, Iommi told Guitar World that "healthwise, I seem to be all right for the moment. It's still in remission," he said. "I continue to have my regular checkup every six weeks, and it's a bit easier for me now that I'm not touring. The doctors were concerned about all the flying I was doing, because it isn't good for the blood. But I'm on top of it, and I'm eating the right things… although sometimes I still eat the wrong things. [Laughs]"

Iommi originally revealed that his cancer was in remission during an August 2016 plaque unveiling at Spire Parkway Hospital's Specialist Care Centre in Solihull, England, where he had been receiving treatment for lymphoma.

Earlier this month, a documentary focusing on SABBATH's last-ever concert, "The End", was made available in home video and audio packages, featuring footage of the entire historic show.

Tony, who oversaw the mixing of the DVD, told Guitar World about his future plans: "I'm not sure. I'm still involved with SABBATH to some degree, because we've been very involved with the film and how it sounds. I'm still going to write, and I'm quite excited about the future because it's a mystery."

Iommi said in 2016 interview that "the lowest moment" for him was being diagnosed. He explained: "You automatically wind yourself up saying, 'That's it then,' but that is not always the case. When they tell you, you think, 'Oh God.' That was a low time. I have had a few low times in my life like everybody has, but that was one that stuck in the head."

SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne told The Pulse Of Radio in 2014 that Iommi never let his condition slow him down: "My hat goes off to him 'cause he really is Iron Man. I mean, that chemotherapy knocks you sideways, you know. I mean, when my wife had cancer a few years back, she was having three chemo things a month and it would knock the life out of — literally every time she'd have a treatment, she'd have a seizure. It's scary stuff. But he came down, plugged in and carried on. He's my hero, I swear to God he is."

The BLACK SABBATH guitarist successfully underwent an operation in January 2017 to remove a noncancerous lump from his throat.

Long-running San Francisco Bay Area thrashers SADUS are working on their first new music in over a decade.

Guitarist/vocalist Darren Travis tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "I have been working on new material for quite sometime with drummer Jon Allen in his personal studio in Texas.

"I am going to record again in Trident Studios in the next few weeks for two/three new tracks. Guitars and voice. Teasers will be posted on Facebook via YouTube links. Then full songs soon."

SADUS's last album, titled "Out for Blood", was released in North America in May 2006 via The End Records. The CD was issued in Europe in February 2006 through Holland's Mascot Records.

The follow-up to 1997's "Elements of Anger", "Out for Blood" was recorded at Trident Studios in California with producer Børge Finstad (MAYHEM, BORKNAGAR, VINTERSORG, EXTOL), engineer Juan Urteaga and manager Rob Lewis. The album featured a guest appearance on one track by TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy.

SADUS bassist Steve DiGiorgio rejoined TESTAMENT in 2014 following the departure of Greg Christian.

Steve previously played with TESTAMENT on "The Gathering" (1999) and "First Strike Still Deadly" (2001) albums.

A 23-minute video recap of Blaze Bayley's North American tour can be seen below. The footage was filmed and edited by Nicolas Houbre.

The British heavy metal vocalist, who was previously the frontman of both IRON MAIDEN and WOLFSBANE, will release the third album in his "Infinite Entanglement" trilogy on March 2, 2018.

The new disc, called "The Redemption Of William Black", is the highly anticipated third part of the trilogy, bringing the sci-fi concept to a conclusion.

This will be the tenth album of Blaze's solo career, following his rise to global fame as singer with IRON MAIDEN (1994-1999). He was chosen for the MAIDEN role after coming to notice with his first band WOLFSBANE, based around home city of Birmingham, England, which is now the location for the recording of all his more recent solo releases.

The past three or four years has been an exciting period in Blaze's career, with a real sense of purpose, increased sales and media attention, not least with the recent front cover of Powerplay magazine (November 2017 issue), together with a three-page tour report from North America. Blaze received further recognition when voted by fans as the 67th best singer of all time in Sweden Rock Magazine, while a guest performance with DISTURBED at the U.K.'s premier music festival Download was another highlight.

"The Redemption Of William Black" has been co-written with Chris Appleton of fellow British metal band ABSOLVA. Chris, who also co-produces the album, is lead guitarist and backing vocalist in Blaze's band for recording and touring, together with his ABSOLVA bandmates Martin McNee (drums) and Karl Schramm (bass and backing vocals).

Special guests on the album include FOZZY singer Chris Jericho, also of WWE fame, for whom Blaze has specially created a character within the "Infinite Entanglement" story. Also, on choir duty is Luke Appleton (ICED EARTH bassist and ABSOLVA rhythm guitarist), as well as Michelle Sciarrotta (choir/voice actor), Jo Robinson (choir), Mel Adams (choir), Liz Owen (backing vocals/choir), Aine Brewer (voice actor) and Rob Toogood (choir/voice actor).

"The Redemption Of William Black" world tour begins at the end of February in Glasgow and the European leg completes on May 25 and May 26 when a live DVD and CD will be recorded over two nights at Chez Paulette, near Nancy, France. After a small number of festival shows in the summer, plus a short second run of U.K. shows to be confirmed, the tour heads to USA and Canada in September, on the back of the success of the North America tour of 2017. Then, in the first half of 2019, the schedule takes the tour to Latin America and again to the USA to return to those territories not covered in 2018, by which time the live DVD and CD will be ready for release.

Special guests on the U.K. shows (except Hammerfest) will be Manchester-based hard rockers FAITH IN GLORY, while in Europe from April 1 to the completion of the European leg on May 26, the special guest will be Luke Appleton (ICED EARTH, ABSOLVA) with his solo acoustic show.

Pictured below (from left to right): Martin McNee (drums), Chris Appleton (lead guitar and backing vocals), Blaze Bayley (lead vocals), Karl Schramm (bass and backing vocals)

Austrian symphonic metallers EDENBRIDGE will release a new live album, "Live Momentum", on November 29. Limited to 1,000 copies worldwide, it will only be available through the band's webstore without any label support.

"Live Momentum" track listing:

01. The Force Within (Intro)02. Mystic River03. Alight A New Tomorrow04. Skyline's End05. Shiantara06. The Moment Is Now07. Return To Grace08. Star-Crossed Dreamer09. The Die Is Not Cast10. Remember Me11. The Invisible Force12. Solitaire13. The Greatest Gift Of All/The Bonding14. Higher

The official video for the song "The Die Is Not Cast" can be seen below.

EDENBRIDGE's latest album, "The Great Momentum", was released in February through SPV/Steamhammer.

Like its predecessor "The Bonding" (2013), "The Great Momentum" was produced by guitarist/composer Lanvall and again mixed by Karl Groom (THRESHOLD) at his Thin Ice Studio in Surrey, England. The mastering was taken care of by Mika Jussila (STRATOVARIUS) at the renowned Finnvox Studios. Among the featured guests on the album are vocalist Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE, W.E.T., NORDIC UNION) and the Junge Philharmonie Freistadt orchestra.

Lanvall told HardrockHaven.net about the making of "The Great Momentum": "Right after our last studio album, 'The Bonding', I wanted to do something different musically. In 2010, Sabine [Edelsbacher, vocals] and I played a short acoustic showcase in Hanoi (Vietnam), just piano and vocals. This was really inspiring, so we founded VOICIANO, the acoustic project. Only acoustic instruments were allowed to use, so no drums, electric guitars and keyboards. I recorded most of the piano parts live without click tracks and then everything followed. In 2014, we released our first album 'Everflow'. After that, I had the idea to do a history DVD about the first 15 years of our career. In the end, I sat over one year in the cutting room and out came a nine-hour documentary on six DVDs called 'A Decade And A Half… The History So Far'. In spring 2015, I immediately started writing the new studio album 'The Great Momentum', which also took me one year in the writing and arranging process. In June [2016], we recorded the drums and after that, I spent the whole summer of recording in my own studio. That all was a very relaxing process this time and made a lot of fun. After a three-weeksholiday break, I went to England to Karl Groom for the mix, which was a great process again. It is the fifth album we have been done together now and the collaboration is always awesome. Finally, Mika Jussila put the final touches on the album on mastering in Finnvox."

Legendary British metal gods Judas Priest have unveiled the artwork and an audio snippet from their upcoming album, Firepower, which was produced by Andy Sneap and Tom Allom and is due in March 2018.

The Judas Priest: Firepower 2018 Tour will kick off on March 13th in Pennsylvania, and wrap up on May 1st in Texas and will feature the lineup of singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. Support comes from Saxon and Black Star Riders.

All dates will be running a Judas Priest Fan Presale starting Wednesday, October 25th at 10 AM local time with the password: FIREPOWER that fans can use to purchase tickets in advance. Check the local venue for additional information.

There are few heavy metal bands that have managed to scale the heights that Judas Priest have during their 40 year career - originally formed during the early '70s in Birmingham, England, Judas Priest is responsible for some of the genre's most influential and landmark albums (1980's British Steel, 1982's Screaming For Vengeance, 1990's Painkiller, etc.) and for decades have been one of the greatest live bands in the entire heavy metal genre including an iconic performance at Live Aid in 1985 - they also brought metal to the masses by their appearance on American Idol in 2011 - plus Judas Priest were one of the first metal bands to exclusively wear leather and studs - a look that began during this era and was eventually embraced by metal fans throughout the world! And in 2017, the band was nominated for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

And come 2018, North American headbangers will get the opportunity to experience the mighty Priest on a nearby concert stage!

Confirmed tour dates:

March
13 - Wilkes Barre, PA - Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
15 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Centre
17 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum
18 - Washington, DC - The Anthem
20 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
22 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
25 - Ottawa, ON - The Arena at TD Place
27 - London, ON - Budweiser Gardens
28 - Oshawa, ON - Tribute Communities Centre
30 - Orillia, ON - Casino Rama
31 - Detroit, MI - Detroit Masonic Temple

April
3 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater
5 - Green Bay, WI - Resch Center
8 - Bloomington, IL - Grossinger Motors Arena
10 - Casper, WY - Casper Events Center
11 - Loveland, CO - Budweiser Events Center
15 - Kent, WA - ShoWare Center
17 - Portland, OR - Veterans Memorial Coliseum
19 - San Francisco - The Warfield
22 - Los Angeles, CA - Microsoft Theater
24 - Phoenix, AZ - Comerica Theatre
26 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center
28 - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory
29 - Sugarland, TX - Smart Financial Centre

May
1 - San Antonio, TX - Freeman Coliseum