Icelandic death metal group Cult Of Lilith recently completed the recordings of their debut EP Arkanum, which is set for release on January 22. “Abaddon”, the first track to be revealed from this EP is streaming below.

Spewing forth five crushing slabs of technical death metal, Arkanum was mixed and mastered by Manuele Pesaresi at Dyne Engine Studios and features Alessandro Vagnoni from Italian death metal group Dark Lunacy on session drums.

The artwork was created by Ultrabat Illustrations:

“Abaddon”:

Formed in early 2015, Cult Of Lilith is a technical death metal project helmed by Icelandic guitarist and composer Daniel Thor Hannesson. Together with vocalist Jon Haukur Petursson and session drummer Alessandro Vagnoni from Italian death metal group Dark Lunacy, Hannesson recently recorded a five-track EP entitled Arkanum, which is set for release on January 22.

Mixed and mastered by Manuele Pesaresi of Dyne Engine studios, Arkanum underlines the band’s aim of unleashing technical and powerful death metal upon the masses.



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Treviso, Italy power metallers Burning Black have released the second single from their latest album, Remission Of Sin, with the video “Love Me” that the band re-recorded ex novo with the new lineup. The new lineup included the additions of Richard Holmes on bass and Jack Allen on drums. The song has a special guest on the keyboards with Vision Divine’s Alessio Lucatti. The video was directed by Francesco Sogaro (Elvenking, Serenity).

Singer and frontman Dan recently commented: “Burning Black never were in such good shape as right now, new life-blood brought by Richard and Jack created a unique alchemy in the band, this is the truth. With new found enthusiasm we decided to work on new material, but of course it takes time and dedication. Anyway we were anxious to let everybody listen to the quality and power of the new lineup and we decided to re-record our latest album's tracks 'ex novo'. I recommend everybody stay tuned on the band's channels, you'll see!”

“Far Away” lyric video:

About the new release, to order CDs or official merchandise, mp3s, to find live dates, news and all about Burning Black, head to this location.



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DEEP PURPLE, CHEAP TRICK, N.W.A., CHICAGO and Steve Miller will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on April 8, 2016 during a ceremony at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center, with tickets on sale to the public in February. HBO will broadcast the show in the spring.

To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2016 nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1990.

The DEEP PURPLE members that are being inducted are: Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice. Asked if he thinks that makes sense to bring in those people, Paice told Rolling Stone: "I suppose it does. Realistically, you'd like to think that anyone who was ever in the band made a contribution and should really be listed. It doesn't matter if they were there for an album or two; everyone who was in the band actually contributed to the fact we're still there. All these people, from the very beginning to the current lineup, [have] helped maintain PURPLE as a viable touring entity that a lot of people around the world really enjoy. So to pick some over others, I wouldn't have done it that way."

Paice also agreed that part of the problem why it's taken so long for DEEP PURPLE to get inducted is the fact that so many voters are in America and DEEP PURPLE was never quite as big in the U.S. as the band was overseas. He said: "Of course, that does effect what people are aware of. If you're not seen on the U.S. touring circuit very often, then why would U.S. voters pick you? It's not a criticism. It's just a reality of life. Certain parts of the world have different musical tastes now. I'm not saying there aren't a lot of rock and roll fans in the States, but what is covered by the media and what is thrown in front of people by TV, like the flavor of the month, segregates things quite badly."

He continued: "We'll do a show where we'll have a wonderfully mixed audience of kids in the front, then people that are slightly older until you get right to the back. In other countries, you just have an audience of more mature people or just kids. It's been broken up in a way, which is so sad. The best shows are where everybody, of whatever age, are experiencing the same thing and getting the same buzz out of it. You need the kids to kickstart it, and once they get it going, the old folks remember why they went to a rock and roll show in the first place. It's a wonderful feeling when it all kicks off like that. In the U.K. and the States, the media has cut the generations in half away from each other. It's very sad."

Paice added that any decision regarding a possible performance at the induction ceremony will have to be made with the blessings of all the current members. "We don't have salaried guys with [keyboardist] Don [Airey] and [guitarist] Steve [Morse]. They are fully accredited members of the band and they share in everything, and into decisions as well. They will have to be consulted and see how they feel about anything that the three of us originals think we would or wouldn't like to do."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone last year that he still hoped DEEP PURPLE would eventually get recognized by the Hall. "I'm not gonna get into the politics or all that stuff, but I got two words to say: 'DEEP PURPLE,'" he said. "That's all I have to say: DEEP PURPLE. Seriously, people, 'DEEP PURPLE,' two simple words in the English language. But definitely, NIRVANA is a no-brainer for the first year and I'm glad that KISS [got] the long-overdue recognition that they deserved for everything that they pioneered, and then I got two words, 'DEEP PURPLE!' Did I say that already?"

At their own induction in 2009, METALLICA's James Hetfield included PURPLE on a list of acts they wanted to see in the Hall. "We're somewhat of a heavy band and we have a small list that we'd like to also put some nods out and maybe plant a little seed, it's a band called DEEP PURPLE, THIN LIZZY, TED NUGENT, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD... who we would love to invite through the door now."

Spanish legendary brutal death metal act Reincarnation have released their very first official music video. “The Streets Never Sleep” is the chosen song and it opens up their new album The Beginning Of The End.

The album is the band’s first in 18 years and was released on December 1 via Xtreem Music.

The album cover was painted by Jeff Kahn, vocalist and guitarist in Skeleton Of God, the production was handled by the band while the mastering was made by Dave Rotten at Sanctuary Studios. 

Tracklisting:

“Intro”
“The Streets Never Sleep”
“Hell Over Hell”
“The Beginning Of The End”
“Reincarnation”
“Tattooing Soul”
“The Reflection Of Hate”
“Fuck The System”
“Memories Of A Lifetime”

“Tattooing Soul”:



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South Asian thrash/groove metal heavyweights, Zygnema, wreaked havoc on our collective eardrums with their new studio album after almost 5 years, What Makes Us Human Is Obsolete. They have released a new lyric video for the track “The Phoenix Effect”:

Consisting of vocalist Jimmy Bhore, guitarist Siddharth Kadadi, bassist Leon Quadros and drummer Mayank Sharma, Zygnema cashed their chips into what has been a productive year for Indian metal music (Demonic Resurrection’s The Demon King and Inner Sanctum’s Legions Awake released earlier this year). Prepare to have your cochleas assaulted by the lean, mean and thrashy sound of What Makes Us Human Is Obsolete.

 



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The 2016 edition of Australia's Soundwave festival has been canceled a month before it was scheduled to get underway due to "poor ticket sales."

The three-day, three-city event was scheduled to take place in Brisbane on January 23, Sydney a day later and Melbourne on January 26.

In a series of Twitter posts, Soundwave head honcho AJ Maddah said: "I am devastated to have to announce the cancellation of Soundwave 2016 due to poor ticket sales. I am very sorry. I tried my best."

He went on to say: "Thank you to all the fans, bands and people who supported the event for the last 12 years. I wish we could have ended it on a better note."

Maddah added: "Great triumph for the Internet hate squad and the trolls. Congratulations, guys. Only thing is, you are now fast running out of targets."

Maddah told fans to seek refunds from the point of purchase and accused ticketing companies Eventopia and Ticketek of refusing to release finances from ticket sales to fund the festival and help pay artists booked for the event. However, main ticket retailer Eventopia has directed fans back to the promoter, saying he is "responsible for all ticketing funds that were advanced." In an e-mail sent to ticketholders shortly after after Maddah's tweet announcing the festival was canceled, the company said it had met all its contractual obligations. "Throughout the onsale period, Eventopia complied with all of its obligations under its ticketing services agreement with the Soundwave festival promoter, Hounds Of Hell Pty Ltd.," the e-mail read. "In line with our ticketing sales agreement, the festival promoter is responsible for all ticketing funds that were advanced, and is directly liable to all ticket purchasers for issuing customer refunds."

Rumors of Soundwave's cancelation circulated earlier this week when L7 announced it would not be appearing at the festival. In addition, both BRING ME THE HORIZON and NOFX were reportedly waiting for their deposits to be paid.

Maddah explained in ean earlier tweet: "Essentially, here are the brief facts. Eventopia were supposed to give Soundwave a scheduled advance to pay deposits to NOFX and [BRING ME THE HORIZON]. Their CFO changed her mind and decided not make the advance but didn't tell anyone. So we (Soundwave and bands) waited and waited for money.

"If they had informed us that scheduled funds were cancelled, we could have made other arrangements."

Other acts who were scheduled to due appear at the 2016 event included DISTURBED, DEFTONES, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and PUBLIC ENEMY.

Industry publication CX earlier in the month cited a report prepared by administrator Deloitte claiming Soundwave owed debts of $25.8 million to 186 creditors — including artists, staging, lighting, and sound production — following the collapse of World Stages Pty Ltd. The report also claimed Maddah and company owed the Australian Taxation Office over $6 million.

Tickets to Soundwave 2016 cost more than $150.

London based metallers Karybdis announced earlier this month that they'll release their sophomore album Samsara on February 19th, 2016 and in anticipation have given fans a sneaky taster of what's to come next year via a lyric video for their jaw-shattering melo-death grandeur track “Rorschach”.

A press release states: “Modern metal needs new heroes. As it becomes harder to spot diamonds twinkling in a murky, generic swamp of mimics and copycats, bands with the power, intelligence and style to drag the genre forward are more precious than ever. London’s Karybdis have long had something special about them: that hard-to-define essence of something better, something beyond.” 

“Our previous album From The Depths got brilliant reviews in the press and online but we don't feel like enough people got to hear it and that's something we can't let happen with Samsara,” says bassist Jay Gladwin. “We are going to try and be everywhere in the UK next year and will be forcing ourselves down people's throats whether they like it or not. We believe we've written a very special album and now we need to make sure everyone hears it.”

Karybdis are set to enter 2016 in the form of their lives, with a brand new album that deserves to propel them to the forefront of the UK scene and beyond. This is metal made for the love of creativity and the thrill of heavy music’s ageless power. These are songs with brains, brawn and a huge heart. 

Tracklisting:

“Rorschach”
“Forsaken”
“Constellations”
“Ascendancy”
“Mermaids”
“Samsara”
“Summon The Tides”
“Monster”
“Avarice”
“Absence”

“Rorschach” lyric video:

 



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After a period of relative silence, Italy’s Lenore S. Fingers are ready to come back with a very ambitious album - more mature, complex, decadent and professional than what the debut, Inner Tales, represented.

It will be titled All Things Lost On Earth, an Ariosto's quote from the poem Orlando Furioso, and it will be released in the fall of 2016. Most of the songs have been composed and arranged and expect to release some demo extracts soon.

As confirmation of the ambitions of the band and My Kingdom Music, who will release the album, they have announced that Lenore S. Fingers will work with someone very special: Anna Murphy from Eluveitie (pictured below). She will play keyboards and will produce the entire album at her Soundfarm Studio in Lucerne.

More details to follow.



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Imperative PR announce the return of My Silent Wake to their roster – this time for a twelve month management and consultancy deal.

Says Imperative PR: “We were proud to be given the opportunity to promote the band’s last album, the truly magnificent Damnatio Memoriae and are excited to extend our working relationship further.”

My Silent Wake have just celebrated 10 years in existence and during the last decade they have released a dark host of enthralling albums and EPs, becoming one of the most respected figures in British doom.

The band have recently recruited keyboard player Simon Bibby, who played in Seventh Angel, the band from whose ashes My Silent Wake were first formed. This is the first time in their history that My Silent Wake have had a dedicated keyboard player in their ranks and Simon’s arrival opens even more doors for the band, particularly in terms of their live performance. Now, with Imperative PR by their side and their lineup complete, My Silent Wake can begin a whole new chapter in the band’s history.

Your first opportunity to check out the new My Silent Wake lineup live will come on January 22nd, when the band appear as very special guests at the Retribution Club Night, at the 12 Bar on Holloway Road in London, England. Also appearing will be Die Kur, Morktar, Helgrind and Near Ruin.

An event page can be found at this location.



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Fan-filmed video footage of JUDAS PRIEST's December 16 performance at Vorst Nationaal in Brussels, Belgium can be seen below.

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford recently told the Q104 radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada about the band's plans to record the follow-up album to 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls": "Well, you know, in rock and roll, you've gotta kind of strike while the iron is hot, and that iron has been burning hot for decades for PRIEST now. It doesn't show any sign of cooling off, I can tell you that. The cool thing about where we're at right now is, of course, having Richie [Faulkner, new PRIEST guitarist] with us and having gone through that first writing experience together [on 'Redeemer Of Souls']. We were so motivated to keep writing as we were going along, but our label had a time schedule for us to keep, so we had to put the brakes on and start recording the songs that we'd written. And with that in mind, we're raring to go again, and I'm sure there'll be another PRIEST record in the not-too-distant metal future."

Asked whether he feels that "the clock is ticking" on JUDAS PRIEST's recording and touring career, Rob said: "Yeah, the clock is ticking, [but] we’re trying to hold it back. [Laughs] But it's great, man. I've gotta tell you, this band is having the time of its life, and we're very excited to be back out on the road after a short break from our last show, in Wacken in Germany at the big heavy metal festival there in front of eighty thousand heavy metal maniacs. So we're still bringing the fire and the metal with us wherever we go."

"Redeemer Of Souls" was released in July 2014. The follow-up to 2008's double-disc concept album "Nostradamus" was billed as a return to JUDAS PRIEST's heavy-metal roots.

"Redeemer Of Souls" sold around 32,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider, who earlier in the year became known as the only rocker willing to let Donald Trump use one of his songs at campaign events, says that being friends with the Republican presidential hopeful isn't easy. He tells Canada's The Globe And Mail: "I've never been a guy who only wants to hang out with people who are the same as me. I have all sorts of different kinds of friends who I enjoy for a lot of different reasons.

"I don't think anyone would have expected Donald Trump and I to be friends. I didn't."

He continued: "As is the case with a lot of my friends, we tend to stick to that old saying about not discussing religion or politics. I admit that more and more it's something I'm struggling with. It's becoming difficult to ignore the sorts of sentiments and ideologies he is provoking in the American people. It's upsetting and it in no way represents how I feel."

Snider added: "When I gave him permission to use 'We're Not Going To Take It' in his campaign, it was never about endorsing his politics. That song is about shaking things up, challenging the status quo, and that is certainly Trump. Honestly, though, what is happening now is worrying."

After recent developments in Trump's campaign, Snider told CBC that he may tell the controversial candidate to stop playing "We're Not Gonna Take It". He said: "I strongly don't agree with his extremist positions. I know the man's not a racist. He's a friend of mine. When you've got white supremacy groups aligning themselves with you and you don't denounce them ... that's a problem for me."

Trump has gained endorsements from far-right and racist groups, but has been slow to distance himself from them.

Snider was fired by Trump on NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice" in 2013.

Earlier this month, Trump drew condemnation from world leaders over his call to bar all Muslims from entering the United States.

Swedish death metallers, Insision, have premiered the new single, “Cold Air”, featured on the band’s upcoming new album, Terminal Reckoning.

Listen to “Cold Air” below and stay tuned for details on the new album, Terminal Reckoning, coming soon.

 



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ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has once again commented on the events of November 13 in Paris, France, when more than 129 people were killed in seven coordinated terrorist attacks.

The greatest number of deaths took place at the Bataclan, a French music venue where EAGLES OF DEATH METAL were performing when terrorists began a siege that ended with 89 people in the club either shot to death or killed in explosions.

During a chat at the headquarters of ANTHRAX's European record label, Nuclear Blast, Ian was asked why ANTHRAX and SLAYER chose to continue their tour following the Paris attacks. He responded (see video below): "Unless we were told we couldn't play, because it would be a safety concern for our fans and the bands, obviously, involved, unless the promoters came to us and said, 'We can't put the shows on,' that's the only way we would have stopped playing. But that didn't happen. The choice was given to us and SLAYER: 'Do you wanna carry on?' And [the answer] was a resounding 'Fuck yes! We're not going home.'"

He continued: "It's what we do. This is what we do. And I know it sounds so cheesy to say it, but, you know, if we just walk away and go home, then [the terrorists] win. That phrase gets overused so much, but there's truth to it. They've struck a chord of fear in a place that had never been struck before — the fact that a music venue was attacked and it happened to be a hard rock band playing there. So it does definitely hit closer to home, certainly, but at the same time, we're not gonna stop what we're doing, unless we're told we can't do it, [unless we're told] there's nowhere for us to possibly play because… for the safety of everyone involved. But other than that, we're just gonna continue on and do what we do."

Ian added: "Look, we're here to entertain people. The show shows up in your town and for three to four hours every night, it takes you out of that shitty bubble that everyone has to deal with every day and what's going on on the planet. And you get to come to the ANTHRAX / SLAYER show and vent and let all that aggression out and have a catharsis and have fun and leave with a smile on your face. And I think that's really important in times likes these, to be able to do that. And it's important for us to do it too, 'cause every night we get to play, we feel good about it. So that's why. There was no way we were gonna stop."

The attacks in Paris led to a military response by France against the radical Islamic organization ISIS, as French jets bombed a series of targets in Syria.

The murders have stepped up worldwide concern over ISIS, as well as a debate in the U.S. over whether to accept Syrian refugees.

ANTHRAX's new album, "For All Kings", will be released on February 26, 2016 via Nuclear Blast in Europe and Megaforce in the U.S.

Drummer Ian Paice of legendary British hard rockers DEEP PURPLE — who have been eligible for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for two decades now — has told Classic Rock magazine that a hypothetical induction of the band's surviving members "could end in a punch-up."

PURPLE was recently nominated for Hall Of Fame inclusion for a third time, having been passed over in both 2013 and 2014.

The inductees to the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame will be announced on Thursday, December 17, four months prior to the induction ceremony, which will take place in New York City this coming April.

Paice tells Classic Rock about the possibility of his band finally getting inducted: "Well, who would they induct? There have been so many members of this band, even if they say it will be core members, who would it be?

"You also have to bear in mind, that if some people are inducted together, it could end in a punch-up. I don't need to tell anyone certain key members and former members of this band do not get on. Personally, I think they would be better off inducting us individually. That avoids the problem."

According to Paice, there could be additional problems if DEEP PURPLE is asked to perform at the ceremony.

He says: "As for playing live, again who would be involved? You'd have the same situation as for an induction. This one won't play with that one — it could be a mess.

"The Hall Of Fame should be embarrassed for not inducting us already. Look at some of the non-entities who've got in. I won't name them, but just have a look at some of those names, and you'll know who I mean. What have they ever done for rock 'n' roll? Nothing. Having these artists in before DEEP PURPLE undermines what it is supposed to represent."

DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan recently called the people who run the Hall Of Fame organization "bloody arrogant and rude." He told Classic Rock magazine: "I have no respect for them. They're the kind of people that having seen 'A Hard Day's Night' decided that THE MONKEES would be America's equivalent to THE BEATLES. They've no idea what goes on in the big, wide world outside of their self-arbitrating surroundings. To me, those people are bloody arrogant and rude."

He continued: "I've heard that somebody on their committee dismissed us as one-hit wonders. I couldn't figure out whether that hit was 'Hush', 'Kentucky Woman', 'Black Night', 'Strange Kind Of Woman', 'Child In Time', 'Perfect Strangers', 'Knocking At Your Back Door' or perhaps even 'Smoke On The Water'."

Gillan added: "I'm very grateful for the other bands and artists that stood up for us with a view to our induction — that's nice of them. But I wish that the Hall Of Fame had had the discretion to ask us first. It's now become a debate in which we are too late to have the final word."

The last time PURPLE was denied entry, they were passed over for the likes of pop singer-songwriter Randy Newman and R&B singer Donna Summer.

To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2016 nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1990.

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of a new project that sees an alliance between two old friends and legends in the melodic rock world. Singer David Glen Eisley and guitarist Craig Goldy, both formerly of GIUFFRIA, have joined forces again in EISLEY/GOLDY, a partnership which will see the two artists bring back the signature sound that launched their careers in the early '80s. David Glen Eisley, who went on hiatus after releasing his solo effort in 2001, said: "My dear friend of many years, guitar virtuoso Craig Goldy made a surprise visit up to my house [around October 2014], knocked on the door and simply stated, Enough of this, my friend. Time for you to get up off your ass and come back to work!' He was so adamant I relented and agreed to join him on a small stage in the San Diego area. It all seemed to go well, and the next thing I knew, a year later we were in Nottingham, England playing together again in front of a crowd."

He continued: "We had been discussing writing some material for a potential album during this past year. But where to take it? Assuming we were to actually do one, that left a big question... But a simple answer. The BEST rock and roll label left on the planet that understood who we were and who we are today. That was Frontiers and our friends Serafino and Mario!! A deal was struck and we both are happy to say EISLEY/GOLDY and friends will be working hard to bring you a new record sometime in 2016. Funny how things happen in this crazy world of rock and roll!!” EISLEY/GOLDY is another in a string of successful sonic unions brought to you by Frontiers Music Srl, including SWEET & LYNCH, NORDIC UNION, RESURRECTION KINGS, FIND ME and REVOLUTION SAINTS, just to name a few.

FEAR FACTORY was involved in a bus crash on November 25 while en route to the band's next concert in Munich, Germany during their European headling tour. Speaking to Alan Daly of Myglobalmind online magazine, FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares stated about the incident: "We never really got the true story [of what happened to cause the crash]. We don't know what happened, really. Our bus driver said he choked on a piece of candy and he hit another car. But he could have been texting, he could have fallen asleep. We don't know."

He continued: "[The rest of us] were all asleep [at the time of the accident]. [The bus driver] hit another car, and it literally stopped the bus. It wasn't a car, actually; it was a road service truck. It was a big Sprinter van. They were picking up traffic cones off the road, and he hit that. And those things have really big reflectors and lights. So I'm thinking he fell asleep. That's just me saying that. But I don't know. He hit that and it completely stopped the bus. So everybody went forward and our feet hit the wall, and then everybody tried to run downstairs, but there was all glass so we had to put our shoes on. Everybody was okay, just a little shaken up. A couple of guys didn't even get up; they just stayed asleep. A couple of hours later, we got a new bus and the show must go on."

FEAR FACTORY's European trek saw the band playing the "Demanufacture" album in its entirety. They also showcased songs from their new CD, "Genexus", which came out on August 7 via Nuclear Blast.

Dino Cazares photo credit: Olga Kuzmenko

Former QUEENSRŸCHE and current OPERATION: MINDCRIME singer Geoff Tate was recently interviewed by the IconFetch.com web site. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

Speaking about his recent comment that he never wanted to be part of another band again, Tate said: "Well, I guess, since I said that, a lot of people have talked to me about that statement. It's a bit misunderstood. For me, in my situation, with my experience, a band is a group of people that are tied together financially, economically, with legal papers and shares and corporations and all that; it's a business. And you're kind of stuck together. You have to work together, even though you may not like each other, or you may not… maybe you've grown apart, musically speaking; that's very common with artists. You need to move on and do different things, but yet you can't because you're locked into this agreement with these other people. And I did that, and it was a real interesting situation that I feel very fortunate to have been a part of for many years. But it ended, and I'm not interested in repeating that. I wanna have a more open concept of creating work and touring and all that. I wanna work with a number of different people. I like the input. I like the collaboration. I don't wanna be tied to a person or a group of people, and I don't want them to be tied to me either, other than, 'Hey, would you like to get together and play this?' You know, that kind of thing. More back to the handshake deal."

Tate also talked about the agreement he made with his former bandmates in QUEENSRŸCHE about which songs from the group's catalog can be performed live at upcoming QUEENSRŸCHE and OPERATION: MINDCRIME concerts. He said: "I can play anything from the catalog, and, of course, I'm gonna play all the music I wrote. It's just they — the other guys, the QUEENSRYCHE camp — they can't play 'Operation: Mindcrime' [parts] I and II in its entirety live." He went on to say that the arrangement is "so ridiculous" before pointing out to the interviewer that this example clearly illustrates his previous point about not wanting to be involved with any more bands.

"The Key", the first album of an ambitious trilogy from OPERATION: MINDCRIME, sold around 2,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was made available on September 18 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Joining Tate on "The Key" are a hard-hitting cast of familiar faces and new collaborators: bass players David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and John Moyer (DISTURBED, ADRENALINE MOB), drummers Simon Wright (AC/DC), Scott Mercado (CANDLEBOX) and Brian Tichy (BILLY IDOL, OZZY OSBOURNE), guitarists Kelly Gray (QUEENSRŸCHE) and Scott Moughton (Geoff Tate's solo band), keyboardist Randy Gane (MYTH) and vocalist Mark Daly (THE VOODOOS).

Interview (audio):

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recently completed a European tour on which the band canceled several dates due to security concerns, including one in Milan, Italy that was rumored to be on a list of potential ISIS targets obtained by the hacktivist group Anonymous. That threat came in the aftermath of the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, where 89 of the 129 people killed were slain at a concert by EAGLES OF DEATH METAL.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory told The Pulse Of Radio that the November 13 tragedy will probably have long-range repercussions for live shows. "This unfortunately changed the way people go and see concerts probably forever," he said. "And every time now, we are booking up, you know, next year and all the shows and this is the number one question: security. You know, unfortunately, that's the reality but, you know, you have to take it seriously."

Regarding the cancelation of the show in Milan that was allegedly threatened, Bathory recently told Metal Hammer: "We talked with the local security, and then realized that they can't really provide the security we required for this… Even if it's 90 percent safe, is that safe enough?"

Bathory also defended other groups — including LAMB OF GOD, PAPA ROACH, FOO FIGHTERS and DEFTONES — who chose to cancel their European tours in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. He said: "Would you [want to] be the band who were warned, were threatened, and you ignored it and you still did the show, and when something happens, then it's all your fault. So it's kind of like all these bands are in the 'I'm damned if I do it, I'm damned if I don't,' because if you don't do it, [people will say], 'Oh, those pussies.'"

He continued: "The sound guy and the light guy and the merch guy, they're out there with their backs to the door. I have to ask my sound engineer to sit there. If I can't promise him an absolute 100 percent safety, how can I ask him to do that? Or any band… PAPA ROACH, LAMB OF GOD — how can they possibly ask their crew to sit out there after we all lost people we knew and we were friends with in Paris? How can I ask them, like, 'Hey, is it your turn to sit down there and chance it?' No. it has to be a hundred percent."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has been touring behind its most recent album, "Got Your Six", which came out in September.

The band will headline or appear at several major U.S. festivals in late April and May, including Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion, Fort Rock and Welcome To Rockville.

Finland-based thrashers, Lost Society, have announced that they will be playing as main support alongside Exodus on their upcoming 2016 European tour.

Frontman Samy Elbanna on the announcement: "We can't even begin to tell you all how stoked we are to announce that we'll be hitting the road with the almighty Exodus at the end of February! We're so happy to finally return to Europe and hit our favourite countries and cities. We'll be playing some tracks off of Braindead for the first time ever, and of course songs off of the first two records. One thing is for sure, Exodus and Lost Society will tear down every single venue, and we expect you all to go crazy and scream your lungs out! Make sure you get your tickets right away, this is gonna be legendary!
Europe BEWARE: Lost Society and Exodus comin' atcha!”

Tour dates are listed on the tour poster below:

Lost Society will release their third record, Braindead, on February 12th via Nuclear Blast. Check out a new music video for the album’s lead track, “I Am The Antidote”, streaming below.

The Braindead artwork was created by Jan Meininghaus (Bolt Thrower, Sick Of It All, UDO, Holy Moses, Debauchery).

Tracklisting:

“I Am The Antidote”
“Riot”
“Mad Torture”
“Hollow Eyes”
“Rage Me Up”
“Hangover Activator”
“Only (My) Death Is Certain”
“P.S.T.88”

Bonus:
“Terror Hungry” (Californian Easy Listening Version)

“I Am The Antidote” video:

Studio video Part 1:

Studio video Part 2:

You can pre-order the exclusive NB-Mailorder Editions of the new album here.

 



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Baroness will release their new album Purple on December 18 via Abraxan Hymns and BraveWords has partnered with the Savannah, GA progressive rockers for the premier of their new song “Chlorine & Wine”. #findpurple

The band comments: “Our new record comes out in a few days. We’d like to take a moment now to recognize and give thanks to some of our friends who helped us transform our new album Purple, from a collection of songs we wrote in a basement in Philadelphia, into something more internally meaningful than we had anticipated. It was not a simple process, and we most definitely could not have created this without the extreme dedication and help from some of our incredibly talented friends. Today we’d like you to meet Marald van Haasteren, an incredibly talented visual artist, who we have the great fortune of calling a true friend. He created all the internal drawings for Purple, and all of the images accompanying our YouTube tracks. There are even some which won’t be revealed until next year, when we have some special occasions to release them . . .”

With the release a few days away, Baroness continues to share behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the ten-song album. The latest clip, titled “Tarbox Aliens” (Making Purple), focuses on the band’s decision to work with producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, MGMT).

“We could have gone with a more obvious, heavy producer,” explained drummer Sebastian Thomson, “but that just seems kinda, a little bit boring.”  

John Baizley added, “Being that Baroness considers itself an artistic outlet, then we should try to approach each record as its own individual piece of art. He is a producer with a track record of unique records, and as I’ve said, very adventurous records, and that’s what I’ve come to expect out of this band and that’s what our audience has come to expect.”

Pre-order packages for Purple, which feature an instant download of “Chlorine & Wine” as well as a limited edition colored vinyl version of the new album, two picture discs, t-shirts and other unique items are available now at this location. Digital pre-orders, which also include an instant download of “Chlorine & Wine,” are available via iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

Purple tracklisting:
 
“Morningstar”
“Shock Me”
“Try to Disappear”
“Kerosene”
“Fugue”
“Chlorine & Wine”
“The Iron Bell”
“Desperation Burns”
“If I Have To Wake Up (Would You Stop The Rain)”
“Crossroads Of Infinity”

"Morningstar":

“Shock Me”:

“Ultraviolet" (Making Purple):

Artwork time lapse video:

Baroness launched their first US tour in support of the ten-song album with a round of intimate performances on November 27th at the Ace Of Cups in Columbus, Ohio.

“We’ve been off tour for too long,” said John Baizley. “It’s time for Baroness to start playing shows in the US again. We’re doing a short run through the eastern half of the States, in small clubs, getting our new songs stage ready for 2016. Who knows, maybe we’ll even throw in a few songs from the very early EPs and albums. See you soon.”

The band have scheduled the following in-store performances:

December
19 - Manayunk, PA - Main Street Music
20 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade

Dates for the band’s US tour are listed below:

December
15 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
16 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
18 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery
19 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
20 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus Bar
 
(Photos - Jimmy Hubbard)

 



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SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell has commented on the events of November 13 in Paris, France, when more than 129 people were killed in seven coordinated terrorist attacks.

The greatest number of deaths took place at the Bataclan, a French music venue where EAGLES OF DEATH METAL were performing when terrorists began a siege that ended with 89 people in the club either shot to death or killed in explosions.

A number of artists halted their European treks in the wake of the Paris attacks, including LAMB OF GOD, FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES and others.

Speaking to Rolling Stone Australia, Cornell was asked if the Paris attacks "struck home" emotionally, in light of the fact that he used to live in the city. He responded: "Yeah, I have a hard time talking about it onstage especially, because I've played this acoustic show in that venue [Bataclan]. And how do I bring it up to an audience that's in pretty much the same environment that those people were in? And with the realization that this could happen right now! How closely are we paying attention, and if we are paying attention really closely, what can we even do about it anyway?"

He continued: "It's been really difficult to stand on a stage and speak about it, I haven't felt comfortable if for no other reason that I haven't felt like it's an appropriate moment to remind everybody of how horrendous [it was], just to entertain that. I think we all have pretty good imaginations, we know that it really happened, and we can imagine everything that could have unfolded from the first sounds and your brain trying to make sense of it and tricking you into thinking it's something else. It ended with a lot of people dying and a lot of people being injured and a lot of family members who probably will never heal from it."

The attacks in Paris led to a military response by France against the radical Islamic organization ISIS, as French jets bombed a series of targets in Syria.

The murders have stepped up worldwide concern over ISIS, as well as a debate in the U.S. over whether to accept Syrian refugees.

Ashmedi, frontman for Sumerian black/thrash pioneers MELECHESH, was recently arrested for assault in his hometown of Jerusalem.

As rumors about the incident have spread over the past two weeks, he has decided to speak out on the situation.

He says in a statement: "While on vacation in Jerusalem, I was arrested for beating up somebody in a bar fight. After three days in jail and a 3000-dollar bail plus 18000-dollar contingent guarantee, I was placed under house arrest for the last seven weeks and will remain under house arrest until the court sets a date for a trial. Then the judge will decide what will happen next.

"I was having a nice night out at a friend's bar. After several verbal provocations and then verbal death threats to me, I acted in what to me seemed self-defense and finished it. Normally, people know me, I often stop fights and buy people drinks to calm them down — this time shit hit the fan....

"Well, it was a stupid bar fight, which is not my style, really, yet things got out of hand and the vacation turned into a nightmare, three days jail and now I am still under house arrest for the last seven weeks 'till a yet-unknown court date. The fortunate news, however, is that I will be given permission to do the MELECHESH concert in Jerusalem, so I can go out for a few hours to rehearse with my guys and the next day naturally perform with MELECHESH."

Ashmedi was granted permission to rehearse with the rest of the band who are flying to Israel for tomorrow's concert in Jerusalem. The show will mark MELECHESH's first appearance in the city since the summer of 1998.

MELECHESH is continuing to support its latest album, "Enki", which was released in early 2015 via Nuclear Blast.

David Ingram (ex-BOLT THROWER, BENEDICTION) will front Dutch old-school death metallers HAIL OF BULLETS for their appearance at next year's Maryland Deathfest, set to take place on May 28, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Says HAIL OF BULLETS: “This will be the only HAIL OF BULLETS show until the summer of 2016. We're happy to have David on board and we will see and announce what the future brings us after the Maryland Deathfest show. And yes, we intend to start working on new material next year."

HAIL OF BULLETS recently parted ways with vocalist Martin Van Drunen (PESTILENCE, ASPHYX) due to "personal" differences. The band explained: "The main reason for starting this band eight years ago was our mutual love for real death metal and to have fun playing our favorite kind of music and we did not want to lose this 'fun' part."

HAIL OF BULLETS features GOREFEST drummer Ed Warby, THANATOS guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens and former HOUWITSER bass player Theo van Eekelen.

HAIL OF BULLETS' third album, "III: The Rommel Chronicles", was released in October 2013 via Metal Blade Records.

On December 18, Rhino will release a new boxed set and single-disc PANTERA compilation, "The Complete Studio Albums 1990-2000", consisting of "Cowboys From Hell" (1990), "Vulgar Display Of Power" (1992), "Far Beyond Driven" (1994), "The Great Southern Trendkill" (1996), and "Reinventing The Steel" (2000). Two versions of the collection will be released, one a five-CD set and the other a limited edition five-LP set on colored vinyl. The LP version of the studio albums box also includes a seven-inch single with two rare, non-albums tracks making their vinyl debut. The first is "Piss", a song that debuted in 2012 on the 20th-anniversary edition of "Vulgar Display Of Power". The second is "Avoid The Light" from the "Dracula 2000" soundtrack.

An unboxing video for "The Complete Studio Albums 1990-2000" can be seen below.

Speaking about PANTERA's commercial success following the release of the band's 1990 major-label debut, "Cowboys From Hell", bassist Rex Brown told the "Do You Know Jack?" radio show: "Everything was kind of changing at that point. All the hair bands and all that kind of stuff. Everybody was kind of stale. If you think about just songs in general, there were some pretty good songs that the look kind of took away from all that, 'cause you got lumped in with all that kind of crap. I'm not saying we did. But we just came around at a time that we saw a crack and we slipped through it, and we put a lot of hard work and a lot of touring [into it]."

He continued: "Those first two records ['Cowboys From Hell' and 1992's 'Vulgar Display Of Power'], we toured nonstop. We had 32 days off on the 'Cowboys From Hell' tour, and that was the total time period between 18 months on, and then directly back in the studio."

Brown added: "We just came in at a time when people needed us. We would stay out in the parking lots until six in the morning signing autographs. I think that really made a big, huge difference between us and other bands that were just, you know, 'go on the bus and bye.' You know, you meet one guy, and he goes, 'Man, those guys were cool.' And he tells another friend, and it gets around like that.

"We were the biggest underground band of the '90s. We didn't have a lot of MTV [support], we didn't have any radio play. Now you go to any sporting event and hear one of our songs at a football game, which is great, but they wouldn't touch it back then. So we just kind of [flew] by the seat of our pants and kind of D.I.Y., and just toured our butts off and worked really, really hard."

Late PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney in 2011 called on ex-PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and singer Philip Anselmo to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag, who was shot and killed by a crazed gunman while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at a Columbus, Ohio rock club in December 2004.

Vinnie, who is Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo have not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie indirectly blamed Philip for Dimebag's death, suggesting that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.

Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have set "Incarnate" as the title of their seventh album, tentatively due out in March on Roadrunner Records.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach told Revolver about the band's new CD title: "The definition of incarnate is 'in the flesh.' And this record is who we are right now. Whereas [2013's] 'Disarm The Descent' was sort of my 'comeback' album, and was about us feeling out the new vibe. But now, after spending a few years traveling the world together, I think we're all in a really comfortable place. We definitely have a strong sense of self as to who we are as a band."

"Incarnate" will incude the song "Strength Of The Mind", for which KILLSWITCH ENGAGE recently filmed a video with the direction team of Ian McFarland and Mike Pecci (MESHUGGAH, FEAR FACTORY).

"The video visually captures a bit of the anxiety and chaos that the song touches on lyrically," said Leach. "It is almost a bit surreal and dream-like with the camera effects, called 'whacking.'"

He continued: "It is always a pleasure to work with McFarland and Pecci, as they are both artists who give it their all with no shortcuts. Watching Mike work the camera live, while Ian paces around and directs, is a very involving and creatively satisfying experience."

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE drummer Justin Foley recently told Louder Noise that the band's follow-up to "Disarm The Descent" will "definitely [be] a little different record than last time. Last time, it was really, really fast the whole way through. This one doesn't have quite the same speed to it, but has a different kind of heaviness to it, I think — a little bit of moodiness to it. I don't really know how to describe it yet."

He also talked about "Strength Of The Mind", which the band has been performing live. He said: "I think that one is a good representation of stuff that we do. But I also think it's a song that would sound good live. It's a song that wasn't crazy, crazy fast, it wasn't crazy different from any of our stuff, so I think it was a good song to kind of ease into new material. I think live, it was the kind of thing that we could get it to sound tight fairly quickly, which is helpful, 'cause we didn't have a whole lot of time to get it ready for [the last] tour. So that kind of helped us influence picking that song."

"Disarm The Descent" sold around 48,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on April 2, 2013 via Roadrunner Records.

"Disarm The Descent" was KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's first album with Jesse Leach at the vocal helm since 2002's now-classic, genre-defining "Alive or Just Breathing".

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE contributed another new song, "Loyalty", to the mixtape for HBO's hit fantasy series "Game Of Thrones".

The official lyric video for the song "Deeply Ordered Chaos" from THE CULT can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's tenth studio album, "Hidden City", which will be released on February 5, 2016 via Cooking Vinyl. The follow-up to 2012's "Choice Of Weapon" was written by singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy and was produced by Bob Rock, who has previously worked with METALLICA and MÖTLEY CRÜE.

The final installment in a trilogy of recordings, completing 2007's "Born Into This" ("The Fall") and 2012's "Choice Of Weapon" ("Dark Night of the Soul"), "Hidden City" is a tightly woven series of experience and visions with underlying themes of redemption and rebirth threaded through THE CULT's visceral music. Astbury's signature baritone and blood-soaked lyrics paired with Duffy's smouldering, textured guitar tones, create a musical environment that is fearless and peerless.

From the sonic assault of the opening track "Dark Energy", "Hidden City" launches quickly into the dark underbelly of its subject matter. Stemming from the Spanish phrase "La Ciudad Oculta" or "hidden city," the album reflects an awakening of consciousness through its tone and complexity.

"Hidden City is a metaphor for our spiritual lives, our intimate interior lives," explains Astbury. "I find today's gurus are trying to peddle some cure, product or insight as if it's a new phenomenon. My place is to respond, not react, to observe, participate and share through words and music. There is no higher authority than the heart."

"Hidden City" track listing:

01. Dark Energy02. No Love Lost03. Dance The Night04. In Blood05. Birds Of Paradise06. Hinterland07. G O A T08. Deeply Ordered Chaos09. Avalanche Of Light10. Lilies11. Heathens12. Sound and Fury

THE CULT played its first show with new bass player Grant Fitzpatrick on October 28 at Stubb's Bar-B-Q in Austin, Texas.

"Choice Of Weapon" sold around 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was made available on May 22, 2012 via Cooking Vinyl.

THE CULT is Ian Astbury (vocals), Billy Duffy (guitars), John Tempesta (drums), Grant Fitzpatrick (bass), Damon Fox (keyboards, rhythm guitar).

Photo credit: Tim Cadiente

ALL THAT REMAINS guitarist Oli Herbert has commented on the events of November 13 in Paris, France, when more than 129 people were killed in seven coordinated terrorist attacks.

The greatest number of deaths took place at the Bataclan, a French music venue where EAGLES OF DEATH METAL were performing when terrorists began a siege that ended with 89 people in the club either shot to death or killed in explosions.

A number of artists halted their European treks in the wake of the Paris attacks, including LAMB OF GOD, FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES and others.

Speaking to All Access Live, Herbert was asked how ALL THAT REMAINS's feelings about touring in general have been affected by the recent concert tragedy. He said (see video below): "Well, it's pretty frightening. We've been at festivals with EAGLES OF DEATH METAL specifically — this year, actually, in Switzerland. And that could have been us up there. It hits our world pretty hard. Never mind the fact that if it hit anybody, it would still be horrible as well, but specifically [a rock band that we've shared stages with]."

He continued: "I tend to be an optimist and try not to worry about those types of things happening. I mean, if things are gonna happen, they're gonna happen; there's nothing I can do to stop them. I'm not gonna crawl into some cave and hide. You know, I need to work."

The attacks in Paris led to a military response by France against the radical Islamic organization ISIS, as French jets bombed a series of targets in Syria.

The murders have stepped up worldwide concern over ISIS, as well as a debate in the U.S. over whether to accept Syrian refugees.

RUSH bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee has confirmed the longstanding rumor that he almost produced METALLICA's classic 1986 album "Master Of Puppets". He told Noisey: "It's sort of true. There was some discussion with [METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich], back in the day, about working with them. This was before 'Master Of Puppets' came out, I think. There was talk, you know. I was friends with their management, and I met Lars back in England. I remember going to see them here in Toronto when they played at the Masonic Temple. That's when the original bass player [Cliff Burton] was still happening. You know, before that tragedy. And, you know, we talked about it, and I liked their band a lot at that time. But it just never came together."

During the same interview, Lee admitted that he isn't much of a heavy metal fan.

"I don't listen to a lot of metal," he said. "Even though there's an aspect of our sound that can be quite metal, I sort of attribute it more to early metal, in the way that [LED] ZEPPELIN were metal and in the way that BLACK SABBATH were metal, and BLUE CHEER were metal. And that's the sort of tradition of metal that we took on."

He continued: "I like METALLICA. I've got great respect for them. But you won't hear too much speed metal or death metal in my house."

"Master Of Puppets" was the last album to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a tour bus crash in September 1986 and was replaced by Jason Newsted. It was METALLICA's first album to go gold, for sales of more than half a million copies. Many songs from the disc, including "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", "Battery", "Leper Messiah" and the title track are still part of the band's live set to this day.

As previously reported, METALLICA is collaborating with an author named Matt Taylor on a book about the making of the band's classic 1986 album "Master Of Puppets". Taylor, who wrote an acclaimed and extensively detailed book on the making of the movie "Jaws", contacted the band with a proposal to create a definitive history of the band's third album.

The book is expected to arrive next year to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the album's release, which will take place in February 2016.

In early 2016 Heaven And Hell Records will be releasing the first official CD release of New York ‘80s heavy metal warriors Takashi’s long out of print EP Kamikaze Killers.
 
Takashi formed in 1982 in New York City, New York with vocalist Danny Stanton, guitar duo Craig Khoury and Bob Simonson with rhythm section Tom Cangemi on bass and drummer Chuck Khoury. The band would quickly become a familiar name in the local hard rock/heavy metal circuit. The buzz quickly grew and soon the band was recording their debut that would be released on a small up starting label.
 
In 1983 New York’s Mongol Horde Records released a handful of EPs from bands such as Thor and Virgin Steele, and like those bands the label would go down in cult metal history for its contribution to the US metal scene – and it all started with Takashi Kamikaze Killers.
The release of Kamikaze Killers would help the band’s name to grow and now internationally as they began to gain more and more press in such publications as Hit Parade and Kerrang. As their popularity increased the band would land supporting slots for acts like Twisted Sister and Anthrax. A couple of more scattered recordings on compilation albums would follow before Takashi would disappear like a spirit wind.
 
Now after 33 years the sun will rise again and shed light on a cult classic with this upcoming re-issue of Kamikaze Killers. The release will include; the original EP tracks “Strangler”, “Kamikaze”, “Mad Max”, and “Playboy Girls”. Additional tracks include: “Kill Or Be Killed”, “Live To Rock”, “No Pay Toll” (Live In ‘85) and “Ninja Warrior” (30th Anniversary Remix)  All songs re-mastered by Jamie King at The Basement Studios. A eight page booklet including lyrics, essay, and full of flyers and never before seen pictures will only add to this first time ever CD release, Note: the release will be limited to only 500 pressed so don’t miss it.



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The Great Metal Debate conducted an interview with KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood before the band's November 15 concert in Louisville, Kentucky. You can now listen to the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the songwriting process on KAMELOT's latest album, "Haven", compared to the making of 2012's "Silverthorn":

"'Silverthorn' was the crucial first album with the new lineup, so we didn't want to mess around too much with the chemistry or the songwriting style. I think with 'Haven', we were able to kind of open that up a little more and give Tommy [Karevik, vocals] a little bit more personality into what he normally does. And I think it's a good template of what we can expect for the future records."

On KAMELOT's relationship with new label home Napalm Records:

"It's been good. I like it where I'm able to communicate directly with the heads of the label, whether it be the new CEO over in Austria or the guy that works here in New York. And that kind of direct contact is really important for me, because I like to have instant feedback when it comes to certain things. So, yeah, it's been great so far. We're ahead, I think, of what we projected for 'Haven' in terms of sales. We're hoping to also do a couple of more videos. We've already done two videos, and we're looking at hopefully doing at least two more. So it's also a cool thing that a lot of bands don't get to do, which we're fortunate. And that was part of… When we decided to go with them, we had some other labels involved with negotiations and stuff, and they really showed the most initiative to sign the band."

On KAMELOT's plans for the follow-up to "Haven":

"In terms of the next record, we're not even thinking about that right now. We have all of next year to tour. We're actually gonna do South America, Asia… go back and do Europe in April… Summer festivals next year. And then probably after the summer, we'll start working on new songs. So we're looking at another year and a half minimum for the next record. But we have a lot more places to tour, and we have more videos coming out to keep promoting the album. The album just came out in May, but it seems like it's been a year already. And I think one of the things that's even more exciting is when we start thinking about the next record, we already have a lot of cool ideas that we're gonna pack into it. But for now, it's all 'Haven' on the brain right now."

"Haven" sold around 7,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

The CD was made available on May 5 in North America and May 8 in the rest of the world (excluding Asia) via Napalm Records as part of an exclusive licensing deal through the band's Kamelot Music LLC.

Produced by Sascha Paeth and mastered by Jacob Hansen, "Haven" features guest appearances by Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY, ex-THE AGONIST), Troy Donockley (NIGHTWISH) and Charlotte Wessels (DELAIN). The g cover and artwork was created by Stefan Heilemann and additional art/layout was done by Gustavo Sazes.