Agoraphobic News conducted an interview with vocalist Tomas Lindberg of Swedish metallers AT THE GATES at this year's edition of the Exit festival, which was held July 7-10 in Novi Sad, Serbia. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked if the members of AT THE GATES see themselves as the founding fathers of melodic death metal music, Tomas said: "No. [Laughs] We just try to be ourselves, really. There are a lot of other bands that have more sense of melody, maybe. There's DISSECTION, you have EUCHARIST… A lot of those old bands have maybe a more melodic feel than AT THE GATES had. We were a little bit more brutal, actually, I think."

Regarding whether there are any plans for AT THE GATES to release a follow-up to 2014's "At War With Reality" album, Tomas said: "We don't know that yet. I mean, this is the last summer on this record. And then we're gonna take a break to see where we are and what we wanna do, really. I mean, we are five friends for a long time, so let's see what happens. But… Yeah, I can't answer that question right now. [Laughs]"

"At War With Reality" was released on October 28, 2014 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media. The CD, which sold 7,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 53 on The Billboard 200 chart, was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg and was mixed at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, KREATOR).

AT THE GATES completed a short U.S. tour after its appearance on the 2016 edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise. The trek also featured THE HAUNTED and DECAPITATED (direct support) and HARMS WAY.

Kaaos TV conducted an interview with vocalist Marco Aro and guitarist Ola Englund of Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED prior to the band's July 8 concert at the Jalometalli festival in Oulu, Finland. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the progress of the songwriting sessions for THE HAUNTED's follow-up to 2014's "Exit Wounds" album:

Ola: "It's some sort of limbo, where we don't know. [Laughs] Nah. I mean, we're on our way. We have all the songs. It's just that there's a need for us to get together, because every one of us lives in different places. Marco and I live in Stockholm, but we're still pretty far away from each other. But the other guys live in… One guy lives in Helsinki, one guy lives in London, and Jonas [Björler, bass] lives in another remote place in Sweden. So just for us to get together like this and plan ahead is something that's pretty challenging. So that will be the next step, and we haven't gone there yet, but we're on our way, for sure. I mean, it's ramping up to be something really cool, I think."

Marco: "The songs that are written now that I've heard, it's really good stuff — really, really good stuff."

On whether the upcoming THE HAUNTED album will pick up where "Exit Wounds" left off, musically speaking:

Ola: "I think that with 'Exit Wounds', there was a lot that THE HAUNTED needed to prove, because it was some kind of a comeback album, in a way. And I think the pressure of that album, we don't have that with this one, so with this one, we can take more time, we can focus more on maybe quality. And we don't have to do everything super fast or play super-fast songs. I think for the dynamic of the album, it will be a lot better this time than 'Exit Wounds'. 'Exit Wounds' was just a head-on, super-intense album from start to finish, and I think with this one, it's way more dynamic sounding. I mean, from the songs that we've written so far. So it's gonna be interesting."

On whether they felt they were rushed during the making of the "Exit Wounds" album:

Ola: "Not necessarily rushed, but it was stressful for us [during] the recording. I mean, we had a deadline, and we were basically late on that deadline a couple of times. If we had gotten more time, we could have put a lot more effort into that album. But everyone was waiting for the album, and we had to do something. But we're still happy with the album."

Marco: "[Now] the people understand that we're back and we're around, so we don't have to try to catch a window where we need to fit in there. So, as Ola said, we can keep it a bit more relaxed and more thoughtful."

On THE HAUNTED's plans for the coming months:

Marco: "We have [the] Wacken [Open Air festival] coming up [in early August], [and] that's the last show that we're doing before [recording] the album. And then, after that, it's the studio, getting it out there and trying to go back on the road and do what we do."

On a possible release date for THE HAUNTED's next album:

Ola: "We have [a date in mind] when we want it to be released, but we're still not putting anything set in stone, because then we'll get into the same situation as we [were in] with 'Exit Wounds'. So this time we're very much more careful with setting anything or saying a specific date or anything like that. So we have an idea, but we don't wanna let you know."

Marco: "Because this is such an important album to put out, so we really want to make sure that it gets the right reception and the right work that it needs."

THE HAUNTED in February completed a short run of North American dates as the support act for AT THE GATES.

"Exit Wounds" was recorded with THE HAUNTED's longtime producer Tue Madsen at Denmark's Antfarm Studio (DARK TRANQUILLITY, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SICK OF IT ALL).

Legendary hard rockers AC/DC have made Forbes magazine's annual list of top-paid celebrities, pulling in a reported $67.5 million over the past year.

The band's take from June 2015 to June 2016 earned them a No. 17 ranking.

FOO FIGHTERS, who finished an intense, nearly three-year period of activity at the end of 2015, earned $48.5 million to come in at No. 45.

Forbes magazine editor Zack O'Malley Greenberg said that live entertainment continued to be a major source of revenue.

"From soccer games in Spain to concerts in China, fans are willing to shell out to see big names — and this is driving the celebrity economy to ever greater heights," he said in a statement.

The totals were compiled with the help of "numbers from Nielsen, Pollstar, Box Office Mojo, Songkick and IMDB, as well as interviews with industry insiders and many of the stars themselves," Forbes said. "The result is the definitive index of who’s making what in the global business of fame… Fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted."

AC/DC previously made concert trade publication Pollstar year-end list for 2015's tours with a $180 million gross, which the band amassed despite an average ticket price just under $78.

The rescheduled dates of AC/DC's North American tour — which will be the band's first concerts here with Axl Rose on lead vocals — will kick off in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 27, just five days after Rose completes his summer stadium run with GUNS N' ROSES.

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor will guest on KORN's upcoming twelfth album.

KORN guitarist James 'Munky' Shaffer tells U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine: "We have Corey singing on one track and it's going to be a fan favorite because he really lets loose."

The as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2013's "The Paradigm Shift" is tentatively due later this year and marks the second KORN album since the return of guitarist Brian "Head" Welch.

"On a heaviness scale of one to ten, with ten being the 1994 self-titled, this album is a definite nine," Munky said.

"When Head came back to us on the last record, it was our way of getting the wheels greased. Now everything is well-oiled and the machine works really well.

"When Head and I start writing riffs together, we have this endless stream of creativity — we're like KORN's yin and yang."

Welch recently told HardDrive Radio about KORN's upcoming album: "I would definitely describe the new KORN music as intense. Every song, I think, is a live song. And so it's gonna be hard to choose which ones we play live, because that's how the whole record's written. And Jonathan [Davis, KORN singer] just… He always digs deep and shares painful stuff, but I feel like he grabbed his soul and ripped it open for this record again, like he used to do, and people are gonna feel that."

KORN will hit the road this fall for the "Nocturnal Underground Tour" where they will share co-headlining duties with BREAKING BENJAMIN and will be joined by special guests MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and SILVER SNAKES.

The "Nocturnal Underground" arena tour will kick off on September 24 at Scheels Arena in Fargo, North Dakota, taking KORN deep into the heart of America through late October. On this trek, the band will pass through such markets as Omaha, Cedar Rapids, Charlotte, Biloxi, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tulsa and beyond. In between, KORN will appear at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky on October 2.

HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES played their first show since Joe Perry's recent health scare Tuesday night (July 12) at Fraze Pavillion in Kettering, Ohio. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

The AEROSMITH guitarist, who did not perform with the VAMPIRES in Kettering, is said to be stable condition after being forced to leave the stage Sunday (July 10) while playing a cover of SPIRIT's "I Got A Line On You" with HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES during their Brooklyn gig at the Coney Island Amphitheater.

HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES canceled Monday night's scheduled performance on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert", but is expected to play the remaining dates on its summer U.S. tour, which hits Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on Wednesday.

The exact nature of Perry's illness has not been revealed, although unconfirmed reports suggest the 65-year-old rocker suffered a heart attack.

Joining Perry, Alice Cooper and actor Johnny Depp in the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES are their rock-star musician friends Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, THE CULT) on drums, Robert DeLeo (STONE TEMPLE PILOTS) on bass, Tommy Henriksen (ALICE COOPER) on guitar, and Bruce Witkin (THE KIDS) on piano, percussion and guitar.

Kaaos TV conducted an interview with NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen prior to the band's June 30 concert at Provinssi in Seinäjoki, Finland. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On NIGHTWISH's upcoming 20th-anniversary show on August 20 at Himos Park in Jämsä, Finland:

Tuomas: "First of all, it's like an official anniversary show; it just happens to be almost to the month of twenty years after the birth of the band. But we're not promoting the show as the 20th anniversary of the band. But there will be a couple of little surprises there… Let's just wait and see. It's gonna be a good night."

On whether the Himos Park concert will be filmed for NIGHTWISH's upcoming DVD:

Tuomas: "It's not gonna be filmed for that, because it's a bit late. I mean, we're already in the final processes of editing the shows, doing the audio. The cover booklet is already in print, because the aim is to release the DVD before Christmas this year. So everything that's gonna be included on the DVD — I cannot reveal the specifics just yet — but everything has been filmed. And I was just doing the video editing yesterday all day, and it's looking pretty good."

On whether it will be difficult to stay away from working on new music during NIGHTWISH's planned year-long break in 2017:

Tuomas: "If the music comes, then it comes. I mean, if I feel like, 'Okay, let the songs come,' I don't mind… It's not like I don't want to do anything for a year. But just the idea that you don't have to do anything; I don't force it. And if comes to that, I can just stay at home and take care of the garden all year. Just the idea of that really gives to goosebumps, and that's what I'm looking forward to. But, of course, you have to keep your mind occupied somehow, so whether it's gardening, whether it's writing a book, doing crossword puzzles, whatever, there will be a lot going on. The idea is just to give myself and give the whole band a well-deserved breather for a year.

"It's a peculiar feeling, because throughout the twenty years [of NIGHTWISH's existence], I've never felt like this, that you really, really need to step away for a while. And it's not really fatigue — it's not like we're burning out or anything — it's just the inspiration or the passion of starting to do a new album, it's just not there. And we are fortunate enough to be in a position that we can actually take a year off, and that's a huge privilege for us. So we're just taking advantage of that."

NIGHTWISH released a strictly limited special tour edition of its current album, "Endless Forms Most Beautiful". The tour edition came with a bonus DVD of live performances, documentary footage and promo videos as well as a huge photo gallery.

NIGHTWISH's most recent headlining tour of North America launched on February 19 in Sayreville, New Jersey and closed out in Tampa, Florida on March 23. Support on the trek came from Dutch symphonic metallers DELAIN and Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA.

Philip Anselmo has once again commented on the possibility of a hypothetical PANTERA reunion with Zakk Wylde filling in for the late "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott on guitar.

During a question-and-answer session on June 26 at the Diamond Pub Concert Hall in Louisville, Kentucky, the former PANTERA and current DOWN singer was asked if he thought Wylde could fill Dimebag's shoes in PANTERA. Anselmo responded (see video below): "Zakk is such a badass fucking player, but I just think he's a different player, man — different style. And also, you've gotta remember, tonality comes into it — he has a different tone than Dime, you know? So there would be, I guess, so many things to tweak about what [Zakk] does to not fill [Dimebag's] shoes but actually play PANTERA parts. 'Cause there ain't no filling them fucking shoes."

Anselmo continued: "Make no mistake: Zakk Wylde is a fucking awesome motherfucker, down to earth, cool as shit, and can rip his fucking ass off. But I even said something to him after a show. I said, it's that grip. Nobody had Dimebag's fucking grip on that fucking axe — nobody."

Talk about a possible PANTERA reunion intensified when Anselmo regularly joined Wylde's BLACK LABEL SOCIETY to perform PANTERA's song "I'm Broken" during DOWN's 2014 stint on the "Revolver Golden Gods Tour". That buzz only got stronger after former PANTERA bassist Rex Brown joined the jam on May 23, 2014 when the tour swung through Texas.

Former PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott has consistently shot down any talk of a hypothetical PANTERA reunion, telling Brazil's Wikimetal back in 2014: "The bottom line is they call it a reunion, and that means to bring the original members back, and we can't bring Dime back, and he was such a huge part of PANTERA. I don't wanna damage or tarnish the legacy of him or the band. We had 14 amazing years together and it's time for everybody to move on. And I have definitely moved on in my life. I don't live in the past. I like to live for today and what's coming up tomorrow, and I love what we're doing with HELLYEAH. And that's my focus and that's my goal, man."

Vinnie Paul later weighed in even less enthusiastically on the subject, telling Revolver magazine: "If you had an ex-wife, and it was a pretty bitter split, you might not ever want to talk to her again. Who cares if everybody in the family and your friends want you to say hello again? It's your choice whether you want to do it or not. And I think a lot of people are selfish. They say, 'Oh, he oughta just kiss and make up with Phil and everything will be cool. And then they can go get Zakk Wylde and everything's gonna be great.' No, everything's not gonna be great."

Dimebag's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney in 2011 called on Vinnie and 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.

Haney told the producers of "Behind The Music Remastered: Pantera" that she forgave the singer after they found themselves unexpectedly face to face at a concert in California.

45 years into its career, Pentagram is ecstatic to announce its first ever promotional video for the title track from the acclaimed album Curious Volume, streaming below.

The video for "Curious Volume" was produced by David Hall, known for his work with The Melvins, Pig Destroyer, Phillip H. Anselmo and the Illegals, Venom, Brutal Truth, Ken Mode and more, with the live footage shot on tour March - April 2016 by Jerry Moore, Chris Navarro, Joe Shuerger and Dan Lively.

Pentagram frontman Bobby Liebling said of the video: "We wanted our first ever video to, in-a-way, be a connection to the past as well as the present. The song can be interpreted as a personal and collective journey that we've been on for close to half a decade. It's a trip that's both physical and mental and I feel that Dave's end result illustrates that for us and everyone. The video stands as both an escape and an introduction to us as artists and people. You can feel the rigors and rewards of tour life through the visuals. We love the stardust and psychedelics as well as the raw rock-n-roll energy felt throughout the song and video alike. We hope you connect with it like we do."

Featuring 11 classic heavy metal compositions with catchy hooks from core band members Victor Griffin, Greg Turley, and Bobby Liebling (Pete Campbell on the drums completes the band's line-up), Curious Volume was recorded with Swedish producer Mattias Nilsson at studios located in Maryland and Virginia. Additional recording took place in Tennessee with Grammy-nominated producer Travis Wyrick, who also produced Pentagram's previous album, Last Rites. The album's cover artwork was provided courtesy of Richard Schouten.

Curious Volume released in August 2015 on Peaceville Records.

Adverse Portrait from melodic blackened metallers Withering Soul is out now on Mortal Music. BraveWords has teamed up with the band to premier Withering Soul's newest video, "The Hour Of Obstinacy". 

The band comments about the video: “Hour Of Obstinacy is the second and final video track that we decided to cut from Adverse Portrait. From the moment the clean guitar intro starts, there is an eerie and all-encompassing atmosphere that sets the tone for the rest of the song, but not without some dramatic hooks and transitions to keep things interesting. The video was directed in a way to give the viewer a sense of isolation and the paranoia of being watched. Visually, we borrowed some inspiration from Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow and the Evil Dead movies. Lyrically, it is a lesson about betrayal and retribution in its most primitive form and how one's downfall becomes the inevitable.”

Adverse Portrait, which features guest vocals from Steve Sagala (ex-Enforsaken) on "No Longer Within", was engineered and mixed by Chris Wisco at Belle City Sound, and mastered by Dennis Israel at Clintworks Audio. Cover art is by Pierre-Alain D of 3mmi Design.

Adverse Portrait tracklisting:

 

“Vestige”
“No Longer Within”
“The Dreadful Echo”
“Awakening”
“Hour Of Obstinacy”
“Hex Illusion”
“Shadow Path”
“In Absence”

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the return of RIVERDOGS. Featuring original members Rob Lamothe (vocals, guitars), Nick Brophy (bass, vocals) and Vivian Campbell (lead guitar; DEF LEPPARD, LAST IN LINE). along with drummer Marc Danzeisen, the band has already started writing songs which will end up on its fifth album, due in early 2017. A video message from the band taken at the recording studio can be seen below.

Campbell ended up joining RIVERDOGS after being tapped to produce their first demo. As an official member of the group, he would contribute to their eponymous debut album in 1990.

Though fans and critics gave the LP a warm reception, lack of support from their record label eventually led the band to go independent, with Campbell departing the lineup. Releasing another two albums in Europe, the group continued to pick up fans before eventually disbanding.

RIVERDOGS gathered in 2003 to record new material and play a few reunion shows. Those new songs were recorded as demos, but never completed.

In 2010, MelodicRock Records approached band manager Paul Liszewski about a possible release of these songs. The band liked the idea so much an agreement was reached and over the course of a few week-long get-togethers, the lineup of Rob Lamothe (vocals), Campbell, Nick Brophy (bass) and Danzeisen recorded final versions of the 2003 tracks as well as writing a couple of brand new songs. Added to the new "World Gone Mad" album was one live cut from the band's 2004 reunion shows, a cover of the BADFINGER classic "No Matter What".

Campbell, along with bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Vinny Appice, was part of the original DIO lineup, which reunited in 2012 alongside singer Andrew Freeman to form LAST IN LINE.

LAST IN LINE's debut album, "Heavy Crown", was released on February 19 via Frontiers Music Srl.

After the release of the free digital single "Altered Divination" on June 3rd, legendary death metal veterans Mercyless are now revealing further details about their new, sixth, studio full-length, Pathetic Divinity.

This new effort is set for an October 7th release and marks the second step of the band's 30th anniversary celebrations, which started one month ago and will last throughout the end of 2016 and the whole of 2017.

The album, produced by Philippe Reinhalter at the Psykron Studio (Putrid Offal, Division Alpha) and mastered by Frédéric Motte at the Conkrete Studio (Anata remasters, Otargos), will be available for pre-orders on August 29th, on the following physical supports:

CD:
 - Digi CD: 1,000 copies limited edition first print three panels Deluxe DigiSleeve CD with matte lamination featuring three bonus tracks
 - Boxset (exclusive to the artist and label): 100 hand-numbered copies collector Deluxe Boxset with exclusive alternative artwork coming with the above DigiSleeve CD, a 36x24cms poster, a 12x12cms autographed band picture, a 12x12cms vinyl sticker, a silkscreened 12x12cms patch and a guitar pick
    
Vinyl:
 - 300 hand-numbered copies limited edition Deluxe red and black gatefold 12" vinyl LP
 - 50 copies (exclusive to the band and label) of the above coming with a 36x24cms autographed poster
    
Cassette:
 - 100 collector copies cassette tapes,

And, last but not least, three ultra collector bundles with the above Boxset CD, gatefold marbled vinyl with poster, cassette tape, t-shirt / girlie and an autographed test pressing copy of the album.

The album will obviously also be available as digital download and streaming and the release accompanied with a new line of textile merchandising including t-shirts, girlies, male and female tank tops and sweat-shirts.

Mercyless are currently working on European tours to celebrate both the album and their 30th anniversary so expect them to bring the unholy Metal ov Death on a stage near you in the near future.

Tracklisting:

“Blood Of Lambs”
“Pathetic Divinity”
“A Representation Of Darkness”
“My Name Is Legion”
“Exhort The Heretic”
“Left To Rot”
“Eucharistic Adoration”
“Christianist”
“How Deep Is Your Hate?”
“Liturgiæ”
“Bless Me Father” [2015 version] *
“Probably Impure” [2015 version] *
“Eucharistic Adoration” [2015 version] *
    
* CD first print bonus tracks taken from the 2015 split vinyl with Crusher

“My Name Is Legion”:

Band lineup:

Max Otero - guitars & vocals
Gautier Merklen - guitars
Matthieu Merklen - bass
Laurent Michalak - drums

To coincide with TesseracT touring the US with Gojira in September, Kscope will be releasing a 2-disc tour edition of their studio album Polaris on September 16th.

The new 2016 edition of Polaris will be released with a bonus second disc Errai which features four re-worked tracks from Polaris – “Survival”, “Cages”, “Tourniquet” and “Seven Names”. The tracks have been re-imagined by the band’s long time live producer and sound engineer Aidan O’Brien. Along with the new song interpretations the cover art of new edition of Polaris has been given a 2016 make-over by artist Dan Mumford. “Survival” (Re-imagined) is streaming below.

He says on being asked to work on the project, "I've been lucky enough to contribute to various bits of TesseracT material since the Perspective EP back in 2012, but it was a thrill and an honour to be asked to have a much more involved role in working on reimagining four of the tracks from Polaris. Being given the chance to offer my interpretations of the songs at the core of these wonderfully nuanced and complex arrangements, as well as the chance to work closely with such talented musicians, was hugely exciting and I'm extremely proud of the results. It's still unmistakably TesseracT, but from an angle I think a lot of people won't have heard before."

TessaracT vocalist Dan Tompkins comments, “It's been fantastic to re-visit & re-work the vocals to some of the Polaris tracks from a different angle and with the benefit of time and space. The normal process of writing TesseracT songs starts with the creation of the music followed by the lyrical content; this time Acle and Aidan have stripped away the music and re-created the songs based around the vocals. As a result this has allowed much more breathing space between both and also highlighted much more detail in the performance.”

Tracklisting:

Disc 1
“Dystopia”
“Hexes”
“Survival”
“Tourniquet”
“Utopia”
“Phoenix ”
“Messenger”
“Cages”
“Seven Names”

Disc 2 – Errai EP
“Survival” (Re-imagined)
“Cages” (Re-imagined)
“Tourniquet” (Re-imagined)
“Seven Names” (Re-imagined)

“Survival” (Re-imagined):

The Polaris Tour Edition will be released as a 2 CD set, with Errai being released as a stand-alone 180g heavyweight clear vinyl with enclosed download code.

TesseracT dates with Gojira:

September
21 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore Silver Spring
22 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
24 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
25 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
26 - Orlando, FL - Plaza Live
27 - Tampa, FL - Ritz Ybor
29 - Austin, TX - Emo’s
30 - Houston, TX - House of Blues

October
1 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live!
3 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
4 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theatre
6 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
7 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
9 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
10 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
11 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
13 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
14 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre
16 - Minneapolis, MN - Myth Live
17 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Ballroom
19 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore Detroit
20 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
21 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
22 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
23 - New York, NY - Terminal 5

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY will release their eleventh full-length album, "Atoma", on November 4 through Century Media Records. The CD is being recorded at Rogue Music in Gothenburg, the studio owned by DARK TRANQUILLITY keyboardist Martin Brändström. Mixing duties will be handled by David Castillo, known for his work with bands such as KATATONIA, OPETH and CANDLEMASS. The cover artwork was once again created by the band's guitarist Niklas Sundin. Says the band in a statement: "That's right! We're more than halfway done with the recording of the upcoming album, and it's shaping up to be a diverse and challenging affair that will feature a lot of different aspects of the DARK TRANQUILLITY sound. It's hard to be more specific while still immersed in the creative process, but we're incredibly excited about the material and can't wait to share the results with all of you soon." The touring cycle for "Atoma" will start with a headline North American run in November, featuring SWALLOW THE SUN, ENFORCER and STARKILL as support acts. A European tour is planned for early 2017.

DARK TRANQUILLITY vocalist Mikael Stanne recently told Kaaos TV about the recording process for the band's upcoming album: "We actually decided to start recording in January, and then we realized, 'Nah, we're not really ready. We need to work on this stuff a bit more.' And then a bit more and then a bit more. And finally, it was, like, 'Fuck it! We need a deadline. We need to finish this.' And now we do, and now we're kind of in deep into the recording. So finally it happened. But for a while there, I just couldn't see it. Like, 'It's not even close.'"

Asked why it was so difficult for DARK TRANQUILLITY to come up with a new album's worth of material that they were happy with, Mikael said: "This is gonna be our eleventh album, [and] for yourself, you feel, like, 'My God! We don't wanna repeat ourselves. We don't wanna do the same thing over and over again. We wanna do something new.' It has to feel fresh, and it has to feel different. And how do you find the inspiration and stuff like that? It is kind of tough. But we got started, and eventually, it's, like, 'Holy shit! We're on to something here.' And it started feeling really good, and now it feels awesome. Some of the songs are incredible. I've recorded vocals for five songs already. We have tons more. And I can't wait to finish it. It's gonna be so much fun. There's basically just keyboards and guitar solos and vocals left. So it's gonna be a couple of more weeks, I think. So it's gonna come out in November."

Regarding how DARK TRANQUILLITY's recent lineup change affected the songwriting process for the new album, Mikael said: "[Bassist] Martin Henriksson left the band in January, and that was a big blow. I mean, he used to write tons of stuff for the band, but in the last couple of years, he has kind of focused on other things. He's more like a manager for he band — he arranges all the festivals and trips and everything like that — and he just kind of fell out of love with touring and writing and playing, so now he's a full-on manager and stuff."

Mikael also talked about how the songwriting process was different this time around. He said: "Anders [Jivarp, drums] has written most of the songs, I think, or most of the material, and then Martin [Brändström, keyboards] and Anders kind of structured it and put it together. And then Niklas wrote two or three songs, and Martin [Brändström] wrote two or three songs, stuff like that. It's becoming really diverse. Like some of the stuff that Anders has done is really different, and the stuff that Niklas has done is really different and the stuff that Martin [Brändström] has done is really, really kind of out there in a way. So I'm super excited. The album is shaping up to be fantastic."

Formed by an all-star cast of scene veterans, heavy metal force Sumerlands burst out of the gates with a fully-formed sound on their Guardian demo in 2014. The band's sound is one that calls to mind the most learned heavy metal ancestors and the most forward-thinking newcomers: one that sounds old but it feels new.

Now, Relapse Records join forces with Sumerlands for the release of their self-titled debut album of classic heavy metal. Inspired by the timeless guitar-driven sound of the 70's & 80's, Sumerlands feature former Hour Of 13 / Atlantean Kodex vocalist Phil Swanson as well as renowned producer Arthur Rizk (Inquisition, Power Trip, Pissgrave) on guitars and behind the boards. Powerful guitar riffs and galloping rhythms meld flawlessly together with soaring vocals and pristine production to create strong, hook-filled, moody anthems. This is a new wave of American heavy metal at its finest.

Additionally, Sumerlands features artwork by the legendary Jos. A. Smith, the renowned and prolific artist who originally created the Bathory goat in the 70s. The album is due out this September 16th on CD/LP/Digital. Physical pre-orders and packages are available via Relapse.com here, and digital pre-orders can be placed at the band's Bandcamp page here. Hear the first single "The Guardian" below.

Sumerlands tracklisting:

“The Seventh Seal”
“The Guardian”
“Timelash”
“Blind”
“Haunted Forever”
“Spiral Infinite”
“Lost My Mind”
“Sumerlands”

“The Guardian”:

Sumerlands' debut live performance will be held this October 1st at Union Pool in Brooklyn, NY with Eternal Champion, Crypt Sermon, and Chain. Check out the flyer below.

Sumerlands lineup:

Phil Swanson - Vocals
Arthur Rizk - Guitar & Synths
Justin De Tore - Drums
John Powers - Guitar
Bradd Raub - Bass

"Splendor And Agony", the new video from from SINSAENUM, the project featuring Frédéric Leclercq, virtuoso bass player of London-based power metallers DRAGONFORCE, and Joey Jordison, formerly of SLIPKNOT and currently of VIMIC, can be seen below.

The self-titled two-song EP from SINSAENUM was released on June 6. The ten-inch vinyl version of the effort features an embossed logo on the album cover and comes with an exclusive signed inner sleeve.

Having worked on some material that owed more to death metal than the power metal of his day job as far back as 1998, Fred had long been concocting a plan to put together an extreme metal project. Having secured the involvement of Stéphane Buriez, a French scene icon with LOUDBLAST for 30 years, it was only after an unexpected message from the U.S. when things began to really take shape. Fred explains: "Joey Jordison sent me an SMS to ask what I was up to, so I told him about those death metal songs." After the former SLIPKNOT drummer had heard the demos, he wanted to know whom Frédéric had recruited to beat the skins. As there was nobody yet, he eagerly suggested adding his own ferocious style. Joey also had the idea for the name SINSAENUM, a fitting combination of the words "sin" and "insane." When it came to choose a voice for the trio’s godless tunes, it actually ended up with two, the main criterion being "death metal with a clear enunciation." The first was no other than Attila Csihar from Norwegian black metal legends MAYHEM and drone masters SUNNO))), another long-time acquaintance of Leclercq's and Jordison's, notorious for his many registers ranging from tortured screams to throat singing. Sean Zatorsky from NWOAHM titans DÅÅTH and CHIMAIRA became the other vocalist. With another countryman of Frédéric's — Heimoth, the brain of eclectic extremists SETH — completing the picture on bass, the material for SINSAENUM's full-length was rounded off and perpetuated at different places. The end result is titled "Echoes Of The Tortured" and was mixed in Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden, where Jens Bogren (OPETH, KREATOR, DEVIN TOWNSEND) put the finishing touches to 21 tracks that are — in one word — expansive. "Echoes Of The Tortured" will be released via earMUSIC on July 29.

Jordison's other band called VIMIC will release its debut album, "Open Your Omen", later in the year via Roadrunner Records. Joey is joined in that group by singer Kalen Chase Musmecci, who has toured with KORN as a backing vocalist and percussionist, and Joey's former SCAR THE MARTYR bandmates Jed Simon (guitar), Kyle Konkiel (bass) and Matthew Tarach (keyboards).

The first "Metal Meltdown" concert series event kicked off at The Joint at the world famous Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas on May 30, 2015. Legendary, selling rockers TWISTED SISTER performed an explosive 90-minute concert of their biggest hits spanning their 40-year career. The show was dedicated to the honor of TWISTED SISTER's iconic drummer A.J. Pero, whose tragic, sudden death just two months prior to the filming of this event shocked the music world. The band announced that not only were all the remaining concerts being performed in 2015 dedicated to the memory of A.J. Pero, but that 2016 would mark the 40th and final year of the band's legendary live performances. They recruited renowned drummer and friend of A.J. Pero, Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) to take the reins, and his very first TWISTED SISTER appearance was captured by the "Metal Meltdown" camera crew. TWISTED SISTER fans will now get to witness that special concert produced by the award-winning production company Rock Fuel Media in association with Loud & Proud Records. Directed by Brian Lockwood (BON JOVI, METALLICA, MÖTLEY CRÜE), "Metal Meltdown - Featuring Twisted Sister Live At The Hard Rock Casino - Las Vegas" features that complete concert, as well as "Rockshow", a bonus documentary that takes fans through the band's 40-year ride from local club outcasts to world domination with exclusive interviews, archive footage from the '80s, photo gallery. It was mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound. Set for release July 22, the retail package includes both Blu-ray and DVD formats as well as an audio CD.

A performance clip of the song "We're Not Gonna Take It", taken from "Metal Meltdown - Featuring Twisted Sister Live At The Hard Rock Casino - Las Vegas" can be seen below. As TWISTED SISTER guitarist Jay Jay French explains: "The decision to continue performing all the summer shows in 2015, not to mention the concert that this performance celebrates, was in jeopardy over the days immediately following A.J.'s sudden death. We needed time to re-group and re-focus. Everyone was great. All the promoters of the huge European summer festivals that we were set to headline and Barry, the producer of this concert, said, 'We understand. You all (meaning the band) have to do what makes you comfortable. Whatever the band decides has to be honored and respected.' "In the end, I believe we did what A.J. would have wanted us to do and Mike Portnoy was a very big part of that decision in both an emotional and artistic way. This performance captured herein just two months after A.J.'s death really was about our way to help memorialize the great A.J. Pero. The front four (Dee, Eddie, Mark and I) have had no one but A.J. behind us since 1982. This concert has A.J.'s influence permeating through our bloodstream in ways that I will never forget and when we cut to A.J.'s drum solo on the rear projection screen, We were all emotionally overwhelmed. Not since our reunion for New York Steel in 2001 (to honor and raise money for the families of the NYC police and fire department who died on 9/11) have I been moved to tears." Award-winning producer Barry Summers of Rock Fuel Media commented: "TWISTED SISTER was the first live club band I ever saw in 1979 at Emmett's Inn in New Jersey, and they literally blew my mind. We actually revisited Emmett's and filmed a scene for the 'Rockshow' documentary. It has been a real dream come true to produce this amazing concert film for such an iconic and influential band. The tribute to A.J. Pero makes this film that much more special. We're excited to give the fans the highest quality concert film and live recordings ever released in the year of TWISTED SISTER's final farewell.” Other bands filmed in Las Vegas as part of the "Metal Meltdown" include EXTREME, SKID ROW and GREAT WHITE. Stay tuned for details on those releases. "Metal Meltdown - Featuring Twisted Sister Live At The Hard Rock Casino - Las Vegas" track listing: 01. What You Don't Know02. The Kids Are Back03. Stay Hungry04. The Beast05. Shoot 'Em Down06. You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll07. I Believe In Rock 'N' Roll08. Under The Blade09. I Am (I'm Me)10. We're Not Gonna Take It11. The Fire Still Burns12. The Price13. Burn In Hell14. A.J. Pero Tribute15. I Wanna Rock16. Come Out and Play17. S.M.F.

German black/thrash/death metal  band, Asenblut, will release their new album, Berserker, on August 19th via AFM Records. A lyric video for the track “Drachenborn” can be found below.

Tracklisting:

“Berserkerzorn”
“Titanenerbe”
“Offenbarung 23”
“Helden Des Ewigen Sturms”
“Auf den Feldern Von Flandern”
“Drachenborn”
“Des Alchemisten Elixier”
“Bittere Wacht”
“Berserkers Ruhmeserinnerungen”
“Schatten Über Arkham”
“Horizonte”
“Auf Grauen Schwingen”

Bonus track:

“Berserker Rage” (English lyric version)

“Drachenborn” lyric video:

Oakland, California punk/hard rock outfit DOPESICK is a fresh name for many, but the band's members charge forward with quite the resume behind them. DOPESICK frontman/guitarist Adam Albright originally formed the band nearly two decades ago with the intention of touring while still performing with Bay Area post-thrash band SKINLAB, but this dream was abruptly cut short by a prison sentence. After being released from prison and joining a brief SKINLAB reunion, Albright decided to launch the first incarnation of DOPESICK (a term he learned from a cellmate in prison). The band cut their teeth for several years by gigging relentlessly in the Bay Area and releasing an EP in 2002, "Vendetta", produced by SKINLAB's Scott Sargeant. After some personal conflicts with other members and more time off for Albright while touring with Sebastian Bach's solo project (and penning the title track for Bach's 2007 album, "Angel Down"), DOPESICK seemed to be on hold indefinitely. Fast forward to 2016: Albright recently enlisted drummer Aaron Rossi (MINISTRY, PRONG) and bassist Mandi Martyr (MINISTRY) to play on the upcoming DOPESICK release — and this time it's sticking. To give listeners a taste of what to expect from DOPESICK, the band has revealed the brand new music video for "Ride The Night", the first single from their upcoming album, "The Love And Terror Cult", set for release this winter. Featuring Jahred Gomez of (HED) P.E., the track is a cool summer party banger — mixing reggae vibes and metal hooks. "I had this song in mind for a minute... the whole time I was thinking Jarhed would klll it," states Albright on working with Gomez. "I sent him the basic stuff, he sliced n' diced and it, and it came back sick! The video was easy — Jahred flew into L.A. very early. We started smoking and shooting in Venice Beach and wound up at the Rainbow in Hollywood! The filming was super cool, a lot of fun... and I did NOT go to jail!" The "Ride The Night" video was directed and edited by Matt Zane (WAYNE STATIC, JOHN 5, ORGY). The track on the video was mixed by Eddie Wohl (ANTHRAX, FUEL, ILL NINO) and mastered by Augustus Cryns (STITCHED UP HEART, THE DEAD RABBITTS, THE ACADEMY IS). DOPESICK is currently finishing recording with Patrick Burkholder at Pawnshop Studio in Van Nuys, California.

Chicago-based Dethbeds will issue their debut recordings through their independent release of Dungeon Scum early this fall.

A newly-formed outfit, Dethbeds unites a host of influence from a wide array of musical backgrounds, resulting in a volatile concoction of angular metallic, punk-fueled hardcore. Formed in Owosso, Michigan where vocalist Zac LeDuc, guitarist Patrick Dignan, and drummer Ray Knipe grew up together, the outfit united with Dave Stach who joined on bass, after which the band transplanted to Chicago where Stach was based, a city in which they had communed and performed together with their prior acts. Collectively hailing from a varied range of experiences within Midwest metal, punk, hip hop, and psych scenes, Dethbeds marries this diversified collective's most explosive tactics into a relentlessly energetic, spastic brew of music heavily influenced yet far from limited to the output of influential acts like Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Refused, Botch, and others.

The majority of Dethbeds' newly completed Dungeon Scum debut LP was written in Michigan, before the band was a fully realized project. Following their migration to Chicago, the band fine-tuned the tracks and recorded the album with Adam Stilson at Decade Music Studios, an amazing studio actually located inside of a DIY music venue called The Observatory, after which the album was mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room, and completed with cover art by Tom Jenkins at Black Eagle Press. The record's seven-track attack takes place within a seventeen-minute spread, resulting in a rabid, explosive delivery.

Dethbeds will independently release Dungeon Scum on 12" vinyl, CD, and digitally on October 14th. Audio samples, an official video, pre-order info, and further details on the album will be issued in the coming weeks.

With a hometown record release show and a more extensive run of tour dates being planned to take place in conjunction with the release of Dungeon Scum, in the meantime Dethbeds will be appearing with Like Rats in August, Ghost Bath in September, and more.

Dungeon Scum tracklisting:

“Snake Charmer”
“Night Ripper”
“Portal”
“Destroyer”
“Ungoliant”
“Dungeon Scum”
“Into The Void”

“Into The Void”:

(Photo - Adam Crombleholme)

In the new video below, Dutch classical guitarist Thomas Zwijsen (Nylon Maiden) performs Iron Maiden’s “Reach Out”, arranged for acoustic/classical solo guitar. The performance was filmed at Antwerp Tall Ships Race.

Nylon Maiden’s Preserved In Time is Zwijsen’s ultimate Iron Maiden tribute album. It makes the classical guitar world a bit more metal by adding 16 Iron Maiden songs (and two Bruce Dickinson songs) to its repertoire.

Zwijsen’s long-time collaborator Blaze Bayley is one of the returning guest musicians on this album, performing two tracks from his Iron Maiden days, as well as a unique version of “Blood Brothers” off the Brave New World album! This is the first time Blaze performs an Iron Maiden song from the post-Blaze era. It gives Iron Maiden fans an idea of what it would have sounded like if Blaze had stayed with the band.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1
“If Eternity Should Fail”
“Stranger In A Strange Land”
“Judgement Of Heaven” (with Blaze Bayley & Anne Bakker)
“Ghost Of The Navigator”
“Powerslave” (Thomas & band)
“Burning Ambition”
“Tears Of The Dragon” (Bruce Dickinson song)
“Blood Brothers” (with Blaze Bayley)
“When The Wild Wind Blows” (Thomas & band)

Disc 2
“Afraid To Shoot Strangers”
“Como Estais Amigos” (with Blaze Bayley & Anne Bakker)
“Wrathchild”
“Tears Of A Clown”
“Jerusalem” (Bruce Dickinson song)
“For The Greater Good Of God”
“Reach Out”
“Fear Of The Dark”
“Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” (Thomas & band)

Zwijsen comments: “In our attempt to choose the best tracklisting for the most fulfilling, surprising and complete Iron Maiden tribute album, we simply couldn't fit all the songs on a single CD, so we decided to make it a double CD this time. Many of the songs were requests from people on YouTube. If this were to be the setlist at an Iron Maiden concert, I’d be very happy!”

“Rime Of The Ancient Mariner”:

“When The Wild Wind Blows”:

“Powerslave”:

“If Eternity Should Fail”:

"Afraid To Shoot Strangers”:

“Tears Of The Dragon”:

“Ghost Of The Navigator”:

Inner Wound Recordings released Warsaw, Poland-based prog band Votum’s new album, :KTONIK:, back in February. Now, the band have recorded the video track "Satellite" as an acoustic 360º video. This new technology allows for the viewer to watch the performance from any angle they want (as the name of the technology obviously states). Watch below:

Votum combines dark and vibrant atmosphere with metal traditions, bringing both force and ambience to play. The band is no stranger to musical diversity with subtle cinematic frailty and modern electronica. Dealing in powerful guitars and acoustic ballads Votum creates a very specific blend of fresh and unusual approach to progressive rock and metal.

:KTONIK: was recorded and mixed by David Castillo at Ghost Ward (Katatonia, Opeth, Bloodbath).

Tracklisting:

“Satellite”
“Greed”
“Spiral”
“Blackened Tree”
“Simulacra”
“Prometheus”
“Horizontal”
“Vertical”
“Last Word”

“Spiral” lyric video:

“Satellite” video:

“Vertical”:

Upcoming Votum tour dates:

September
23 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Forbrændingen
26 - London, UK - Garage
27 - Paris, France - La Boule Noire
28 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
29 - Munich, Germany - Backstage

October
14 - Bucharest, Romania - Maximum Rock Festival

Votum is:

Bartosz Sobieraj - vocals, accustic guitar
Piotr Lniany - guitar
Adam Kaczmarek - guitar
Zbigniew Szatkowski - keyboards
Bartek Turkowski - bass
Adam Lukaszek - drums

Swedish heavy metal heroes Sabaton will release their new album The Last Stand on August 19th via Nuclear Blast. A third video trailer for the new album, once again produced by Peter Tägtgren (Pain, Hypocrisy), has been released. All three trailers can be seen below:

Trailer #1

Trailer #2:

Trailer #3:

The Last Stand album details follow:

CD+DVD tracklisting:

CD
“Sparta”
“Last Dying Breath”
“Blood Of Bannockburn”
“Diary Of An Unknown Soldier”
“The Lost Battalion”
“Rorke’s Drift”
“The Last Stand”
“Hill 3234”
“Shiroyama”
“Winged Hussars”
“The Last Battle”

Bonus:
“Camouflage”
“All Guns Blazing”

DVD - Live @ Stereolux, Nantes (France)
“Intro (The March To War)”
“Ghost Division”
“Far From The Fame”
“Uprising”
“Midway”
“Gott Mit Uns”
“Resist And Bite”
“Wolfpack”
“Dominium Maris Baltici”
“Carolus Rex”
“Swedish Pagans”
“Soldier Of 3 Armies”
“Attero Dominatus”
“The Art Of War”
“Wind Of Change”
“To Hell And Back”
“Night Witches”
“Primo Victoria”
“Metal Crüe”

CD tracklisting:

“Sparta”
“Last Dying Breath”
“Blood Of Bannockburn”
“Diary Of An Unknown Soldier”
“The Lost Battalion”
“Rorke’s Drift”
“The Last Stand”
“Hill 3234”
“Shiroyama”
“Winged Hussars”
“The Last Battle”

Earbook tracklisting:

CD
“Sparta”
“Last Dying Breath”
“Blood Of Bannockburn”
“Diary Of An Unknown Soldier”
“The Lost Battalion”
“Rorke’s Drift”
“The Last Stand”
“Hill 3234”
“Shiroyama”
“Winged Hussars”
“The Last Battle”

Bonus:
“Camouflage”
“All Guns Blazing”
“Afraid To Shoot Strangers”

DVD - Live @ Stereolux, Nantes (France)
“Intro (The March To War)”
“Ghost Division”
“Far From The Fame”
“Uprising”
“Midway”
“Gott Mit Uns”
“Resist And Bite”
“Wolfpack”
“Dominium Maris Baltici”
“Carolus Rex”
“Swedish Pagans”
“Soldier Of 3 Armies”
“Attero Dominatus”
“The Art Of War”
“Wind Of Change”
“To Hell And Back”
“Night Witches”
“Primo Victoria”
“Metal Crüe”

Live CD - Live @ Stereolux, Nantes (France)
“Intro (The March To War)”
“Ghost Division”
“Far From The Fame”
“Uprising”
“Midway”
“Gott Mit Uns”
“Resist And Bite”
“Wolfpack”
“Dominium Maris Baltici”
“Carolus Rex”
“Swedish Pagans”
“Soldier Of 3 Armies”
“Attero Dominatus”
“The Art Of War”
“Wind Of Change”
“To Hell And Back”
“Night Witches”
“Primo Victoria”
“Metal Crüe”

2LP - 45 RPM tracklisting

Side A
“Sparta”
“Last Dying Breath”
“Blood Of Bannockburn”
“Diary Of An Unknown Soldier”
“The Lost Battalion”

Side B
“Rorke’s Drift”
“The Last Stand”
“Hill 3234”
“Shiroyama”

Side C
“Winged Hussars”
“The Last Battle”

Side D (Bonus)
“Camouflage”
“All Guns Blazing”

“The Lost Battalion” lyric video:

The album can be pre-ordered in various formats here, or digitally here.

The Last Stand will be available in the following editions:

- CD+DVD-DIGI (incl. live DVD)
- CD
- Box (incl. Earbook, 2LP PIC, 12″ photo card, 12″ poster, three plectra)
- 2LP (black, clear, gold, yellow/blue)
- Special Edition (Sabaton tank + box)
- Digital

The Last Tour is the biggest tour of Sabaton yet and is scheduled to kick off January 7th at König Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany. Very special guests are none other than heavy metal legends Accept. Find Sabaton’s complete tour itinerary at this location.

Fan-filmed video footage of BLACK SABBATH's July 7 concert at the Monsters Of Rock festival in Helsinki, Finland can be seen below.

BLACK SABBATH has announced that it will play its last show ever in the U.S. on November 12 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The gig will take place nearly five years to the day that the legendary act announced their reunion.

San Antonio is also home of the Alamo which is a significant place in Ozzy Osbourne's legend since he was arrested for public urination and intoxication at the landmark in February 1982. He revisited it and apologized, again, for his upcoming series on History.

The group has also added two more headlining shows to its North American trek, on November 8 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma and November 10 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

These dates and the previously announced headlining slot at at the Ozzfest Meets Knotfest weekend event on Saturday, September 24 in San Bernardino, California come at the end of the band's North American tour, which kicks off on August 17 in Wantagh, New York.

SABBATH is currently on tour in Europe for a mix of summer headlining and festival performances. They will make their final visits to Mexico and South America at the end of the year as they wind down their farewell tour.

Bassist Geezer Butler told The Pulse Of Radio that it's a melancholy feeling visiting some countries for the last time. "It's sad, especially when we're in Australia or New Zealand, I was just thinking, 'I'm never gonna come to these places ever again,'" he said. "It's too far to go on holiday. But yeah, it is sad. It's like, you enjoy it."

SABBATH will bring its storied career to a close in the band's native England, with seven shows booked there in January and February. The last two, on February 2 and February 4, will take place in SABBATH's hometown of Birmingham and will likely be their final shows.

The original lineup of SABBATH came together in 1969 with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums. That lineup recorded and toured through 1978, and periodically reformed through the '90s and 2000s for live work.

They regrouped again in late 2011 for a new album and tour, although Ward dropped out after just a few months. The remaining trio issued the "13" album in 2013 and backed it with a successful world tour — despite Iommi being treated for lymphoma since 2012.

According to Sweden's Aftonbladet, Ozzy Osbourne attended an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting in Stockholm Friday evening, ahead of BLACK SABBATH's concert in the city.

Immediately following BLACK SABBATH's performance in Helsinki, Finland Thursday night (July 7), Ozzy boarded a plane to Stockholm, where he checked into the Grand Hotel. The rocker spent nearly all day on Friday in his hotel room, but came out through the main entrance at approximately 6:40 p.m., accompanied by two bodyguards.

Ozzy, who despite the summer heat was wearing a long, black coat, jumped into a black car and was driven to an address near Odenplan in the Vasastan neighborhood of Stockholm. There he went down a flight of stairs and took part in an English-language Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, which lasted over an hour and a half, according to PO Sännås, Aftonbladet's photographer on location.

It is not the first time Ozzy attended an AA meeting in Sweden. In 2013, he went to one such meeting near the Mariatorget square in Södermalm, Stockholm.

In a 2013 interview with NME, Ozzy admitted it was difficult to attend AA meetings because he was recognized by many other recovering addicts. He said: "I went to one and this guy came up and said, 'I've always wanted to be at a meeting with Ozzy Osbourne.' So I said to him, 'Hey, when I'm in this room, I'm no better than you, because if we go out and have a drink, we're fucking both dead, so let's leave it at that.'"

The BLACK SABBATH singer also said that he regularly refused to take photographs with fellow AA attendees who happened to be fans because he felt it was inappropriate. Ozzy explained: "If someone asks for a photograph, I'll say no, because I'm not there to do photographs — I'm there to save my fucking life! I feel like an asshole, but if you do one, you've got to do 15. It's not my ego, it's my life."

Ozzy admitted in a 2014 interview that that he hated attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and that he only went along for the sake of his family. He told The Sun newspaper: "Alcoholism is an illness. I don't like going to the meetings, but if I don't go, I know I will drink again. And I worry about losing everything, so I just don't want to drink anymore."

Osbourne in May denied that a relapse with his alcohol addiction had anything to do with his reported split with his wife Sharon. He told E! News: "I have been sober for three and a quarter years. I have not touched drugs or alcohol in that time. Any reports that I am not sober are completely inaccurate."

BLACK SABBATH is currently on its farewell tour. The band will play at the Monsters Of Rock festival in Stockholm Saturday night (July 9).

Ozzy Osbourne's estranged wife Sharon has told The Sun that she is still having a hard time coming to grips with his alleged affair with a celebrity hairstylist.

"Can I ever trust him again? I don't know," she said. "I'm now questioning every statement — every move. The lies and intrigue still hurt.

"I don't want to hurt him. I admire and respect him. And that's what I expect back: respect. I didn't get that. It's very hurtful when you don't get that respect and consideration from your partner.

"I'm seeing a therapist on a regular basis. When my husband is here we see a couple's therapist together. My husband is doing therapy alone. So we are all talking to people.

"And I'm seeing what it's like living on my own."

Sharon reportedly kicked Ozzy out of their home after discovering evidence of the affair — and possibly others — back in May, although he has since returned and she has reportedly moved elsewhere.

Sharon has not made a decision yet on whether she will seek a divorce or reconciliation with her husband, even as she continues to manage his career.

“Ideally I would love for my husband to deal with his issues and work at the problems that he has now," Sharon told The Sun. "And be honest and open … to be able to come back to us with honesty and respect for the family. That's what I really wish."

Ozzy resumed a year-long farewell tour with BLACK SABBATH last month and announced plans in May for SABBATH and SLIPKNOT to headline a combined festival, Ozzfest Meets Knotfest, this September in San Bernardino, California.