BRING ME THE HORIZON's video for the song "Avalanche" can be seen below.

"This is the first time we've worked on filming and editing the whole project," says Tom Sykes, brother of BRING ME THE HORIZON frontman Oli Sykes, who worked on the video with the band. "Having creative control over every aspect from start to finish was great. It was a lot of work, but extremely rewarding! We enjoyed working on it together so much that we've decided to start a collaborative company called Fun Blood so we can work on projects together in the future."

Oli Sykes said in a recent interview with BBC Radio One that the band's recent shift toward a more commercial sound isn't a case of "selling out" because the group was always headed in that direction. Sykes explained: "We always wanted to be the catchiest, heaviest band. It wasn’t intentional to become an A-list radio band. It was just the music we like. We like pop music. We like catchy songs. But we also like heavy songs. None of it feels forced — none of it feels like we’re selling out. It’s real, and it’s good."

Sykes told The Pulse Of Radio that BRING ME THE HORIZON's musical progression goes hand in hand with their growth as people. "It's got to be true to where we are at," he said. "I think some bands at this age, when you get into fifth album and stuff as well, are still trying to sing about the same things and stuff to make the kids happy that used to listen to them. But if it's not true to what you are, it's not where you're at in life, it's gonna look transparent. I think that's why we've managed to carry on as a band, because we've always evolved and we've always made music that we still really, really love. It's not music that we used to love."

Sykes added that the band's evolution hasn't cost them any fans, saying: "That's why people from the scene still respect us, and new people are getting into it — it doesn't feel like something we’re doing for any other reason than because we love it."

"Avalanche" is taken from BRING ME THE HORIZON's fifth album, "That's The Spirit", which debuted last September at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The lead single from the set, "Throne", topped the Active Rock radio chart in November.

The band will be touring Europe for the rest of the summer.

Swedish metallers EVERGREY are celebrating their 20th anniversary with the strongest album of their career, "The Storm Within", to be released on September 9.

While this may come off as music industry lip service in honor of the quintet, anyone who has followed EVERGREY will find it impossible not to become completely enthralled by the music on "The Storm Within" within the space of the first listen. The band's trademark progressive, dark and melancholic elements are as strong as ever, the album ranks as one of the most progressive record they've created in terms of performance, but EVERGREY managed to put it in a package that is more accessible and direct compared to any of their nine previous outings. Frontman/founder Tom S. Englund credits EVERGREY's learning-by-doing over the past two decades for the feel of "The Storm Within", in particular their all-important "Hymns For The Broken" record from 2014, which saw a revitalized EVERGREY lineup return with a new energy.

"We went from having no intention of making an album at all to having all the inspiration in the world on 'Hymns For The Broken'," says Englund. "Honestly, we've never felt better. 'The Storm Within' is a massive album. There are no fillers on it and we've never been about that. I think the inspiration speaks for itself."

EVERGREY's lyrics have always matched the depth and intensity of their music, and the concept behind "The Storm Within" is no exception. Englund considers the storyline behind the lyrics to be one of the biggest concepts EVERGREY has ever tackled, based on something that everyone can relate to; having someone, losing them, and having to pick yourself up and move on. He goes so far as to call it the band's first "love" album, but it's not a subject that should be taken lightly in the EVERGREY universe.

"As usual, the lyrics are based on someone or some event in my life," says Englund. "When we were making this album a lot of these relationship issues were going on around me; people losing a partner or a loved one and grieving. 'The Storm Within' is about a search for identity, trying to make yourself full when you feel half empty, and I placed that storyline in an interstellar world."

Musically, "The Storm Within" plays to EVERGREY's trademark prog metal attack but it's loaded with double-take moments. Lead-off track "Distance" is a surprise lead single (and first video), the melodically and lyrically stunning "Passing Through" is destined to become a fan favourite, "My Allied Ocean" is one of EVERGREY's most aggressive songs to date, and the epic title track makes for the perfect album closer in the tradition of Devin Townsend or RUSH. The addition of NIGHTWISH vocalist Floor Jansen on "In Orbit" is the icing on an already filling cake.

"That was actually my wife (Carina Englund) thinking for me," Englund says of Jansen's involvement. "Floor is a personal friend and major EVERGREY fan, so it was over a glass of wine between her and my wife, who asked her if she wanted to do the song. 'In Orbit' is a powerhouse of a song and it would be easy to make it the first single, but it's not the first impression we want to make. That said, it would be stupid not to release it as a single, and if we could get Floor to do the video, that would be a home run."

Speaking of Englund's better half Carina, she reprises her ongoing role as EVERGREY's secret weapon on every album since they began, contributing vocals this time out to the song "The Paradox Of The Flame". In addition, EVERGREY renewed their partnership with critically acclaimed video director Patric Ullaeus for "The Storm Within", fulfilling the band's vision of creating the most cinematic album in their catalogue. Three stellar clips were shot and, in a huge promotional push, are slated to hit the internet leading up to the official album release.

Englund is proud to have "The Storm Within" represent EVERGREY's all-important 20th anniversary, although he freely admits he didn't take note of the landmark occasion until the album was well underway.

"I had a goal when I started EVERGREY; I wanted to make 10 albums and that would fulfill my life plan. That's not something I ever thought I would accomplish. It's quite an amazing thing to be a band for 20 years and release albums that aren't sub-par. When I realized we'd done 10 albums in 20 years, it was mind-boggling. I'm proud to say that out of all the albums we've released over the last 20 years, we've never released one that we didn't feel was the best we could do at that time. That goes for every song, every note, everything. That's why we don't do anything half-assed."

"The Storm Within" track listing:

01. Distance02. Passing Trough03. Someday04. Astray05. The Impossible06. My Allied Ocean07. In Orbit (feat. Floor Jansen)08. The Lonely Monarch09. The Paradox Of The Flame10. Disconnect11. The Storm Within

EVERGREY is:

Tom S. Englund - vocals, guitar Henrik Danhage - guitar, backing vocals Rikard Zander - keyboard, backing vocalsJonas Ekdahl - drums Johan Niemann - bass, backing vocals

Central Pennsylvania old-souled, dirty groove rock quartet CROBOT has unveiled the official lyric video for its latest single, "Not For Sale" as the first sneak peek to its upcoming album, "Welcome To Fat City". From start to finish and in true CROBOT fashion, this ripper doesn't stop twisting and turning like a hard rock tidal wave. It gives you just enough time to come up for air, only to get pummeled back into the groovy undertow.

Talking to Noisey, CROBOT frontman Brandon Yaegley noted that, "Not For Sale" "takes you into orbit around the sonic spectrum of our latest album and is an anthem for all of us who work hard enough to make our own luck. It's a cry to hold on to our own humanity, never letting anyone else manipulate our destiny. Who paid your debt to be here? No one...and my soul is not for sale."

"Welcome To Fat City" is a highly anticipated follow-up to CROBOT's debut album, "Something Supernatural", which saw the four-piece dominate the U.S. and European live scene. Recorded with producer Machine (CLUTCH, LAMB OF GOD, EVERY TIME I DIE) and mixed by engineer Alan Moulder (FOO FIGHTERS, NINE INCH NAILS, THEM CROOKED VULTURES, LED ZEPPELIN), the disc is due for release on September 23 via Wind-Up Records.

California's technical death metal purveyors DECREPIT BIRTH have signed a European record deal with Agonia Records. The band is currently working on its fouth studio album, tentatively due in late 2016.

DECREPIT BIRTH decided to move to Agonia after the expiration of the band's previous European deal with Nuclear Blast. The latter will continue its work with the band for the North American territory.

On the signing to Agonia and the upcoming album, DECREPIT BIRTH commented: "We are very excited to work with Agonia. We feel that it will be a great partnership and give us the exposure we've needed in Europe.

"The new DECREPIT BIRTH will be the heaviest and best album the band has recorded to date.

"A huge thank you to Agonia Records. We look forward to working with them in the years ahead!"

Officially formed in 2001, DECREPIT BIRTH released three studio albums to date. Their music, infused with technical and progressive twists, managed to forge a very solid international fan base and continues to forge their path into the future as one of the genre's finest bands.

DECREPIT BIRTH's latest album, "Polarity" (2010), was well received by critics and entered the Billboard's Heatseekers chart at #18, selling well over a thousand copies in its first week of release in USA. The record was supported by the Summer Slaughter tour, which saw the band play with acts such as DECAPITATED, THE FACELESS, ALL SHALL PERISH, VEIL OF MAYA and ANIMALS AS LEADERS.

DECREPIT BIRTH's current lineup includes founders Bill Robinson (ex-SUFFOCATION) on vocals and Matt Sotelo on guitars, together with Sean Martinez (ex-RINGS OF SATURN, ex-DECAPITATED) on bass and Sam Paulicelli (ex-ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, ex-GOATWHORE) on drums.

A guitar playthough video for "White Flag", a brand new song from U.S. progressive metal pioneers FATES WARNING, can be seen below. The clip features multi-angle cams of guitarist and songwriter Jim Matheos as well as guest lead guitar parts by longtime FATES WARNING member Frank Aresti and the band's current touring guitarist Mike Abdow.

Matheos stated about the song: "With 'White Flag', I wanted to do something a bit heavier then what we've done in the recent past, but also to feature counterpoint type guitar parts, where the guitars are playing around and in between each other rather than in strict unison throughout. I also wanted to provide solo spots for Frank Aresti and Mike Abdow. Their contributions are one of the highlights in the song for me."

"White Flag" is taken from FATES WARNING's much-anticipated 12th studio album, "Theories Of Flight", which will be released on July 1 via InsideOut Music. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Michigan artist Graceann Warn.

Performed by the FATES WARNING lineup that returned to form with 2013's acclaimed "Darkness In A Different Light" release, "Theories Of Flight" was produced by guitarist Jim Matheos and mixed/mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (OPETH, SYMPHONY X).

FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder stated about the album: "We began writing the music for 'Theories' while we were still touring for [2013's] 'Darkness In A Different Light'…

"I believe that the anticipation to write another record was due to the fact that we were once again touring and playing new material after nine years of playing the same songs.

"It was exciting to be on stage again and we looked forward to getting back in the studio. I also believe that our fans were happy to finally having something new to listen to.

"I/we are very happy with the way that 'Theories' turned out. Jim and I collaborated practically every day on the new album for over a year until we actually went into the studio. There were many different versions of the songs until they were finally complete, and I believe it shows in the final product.

"I think that Jim did an excellent job producing the new album. The material is, I believe heavier than what people are used to from us, as well as my vocal style. We wanted something different than 'Darkness' but something that still carried a lot of melody."

Matheos had this to say about the title and the artwork for the "Theories Of Flight" album: “The working title for the album was 'The Ghosts Of Home' and the song with that name was first called 'Home Again'. When I started searching for artwork, I came across the piece that's now the cover and it was called 'Theories Of Flight'. In fact, the title you see on the cover is part of the original art, not something we added. There's a loose theme running through a lot of the lyrics, and this developed organically and separately, where Ray [Alder, vocals] and I are often writing about various uprooting, escapes….flights. So I was immediately drawn to that phrase as being a better description of what some of the songs are about."

"Theories Of Flight" track listing:

CD 1

01. From The Rooftops (6:52)02. Seven Stars (5:33)03. SOS (4:34)04. The Light And Shade Of Things (10:14)05. White Flag (5:20)06. Like Stars Our Eyes Have Seen (5:13)07. The Ghosts Of Home (10:31)08. Theories of Flight (4:00)

CD 2 (Acoustic Bonus Disc):

01. Firefly (3:15)02. Seven Stars (4:25)03. Another Perfect Day (3:25)04. Pray Your Gods (TOAD THE WET SPROCKET cover) (3:45) 05. Adela (JOAQUIN RODRIGO cover) (2:25) 06. Rain (URIAH HEEP cover) (4:03)

Frank Aresti contributed a couple solos on the new record, but due to his current work commitments, he will not be able to tour with FATES WARNING for the foreseeable future. Matheos stated; "[Frank] remains part of the extended FATES WARNING family and the door is always open for him to return anytime his schedule permits."

Added Frank: "I absolutely love 'Theories Of Flight', and I'm proud to be a part of it. I'll continue to do as much as I can, as often as I can, with the band. Meantime, they're in good hands with Mike Abdow, a great guitarist and a great guy. I wish them the best of luck, and look forward to sitting in on a song (or two)."

Napalm Records has announced the signing of Los Angeles-based thrash metallers WARBRINGER.

Started in 2004 by high school metalheads, WARBRINGER has made its way up through the metal scene. After four releases and an endless succession of tours with ARCH ENEMY, EXODUS, SUICIDE SILENCE, MEGADETH, NAPALM DEATH, ICED EARTH and KREATOR, to name just a few, this hard-working five-piece is ready to take the next step together with Napalm. WARBRINGER frontman John Kevill comments: "We have been writing for the last couple months, the riffs are flowing and the new material is sounding goddamn lethal.

"We are planning to record at the end of summer and release it early next year, followed by a full worldwide touring campaign.

"The writing is being led by longtime members drummer Carlos Cruz and guitarist Adam Carroll, as well as myself, and we are being joined by Chase Becker on the lead guitar and Jessie Sanchez dropping the bass-hammer. "I've been on a mission to make this record for three years since 'Empires...' was released, and it's great to see it finally coming to fruition.

"Thank you all the people at Napalm Records for their interest in the band, and thank you to the fans for your continued and undying support. We'll see you out there next year." Sebastian Muench, A&R at Napalm Records, states: "I have been following WARBRINGER's progress throughout the last four fantastic releases and am extremely confident that with the band's first release under the Napalm banner WARBRINGER could step in the footsteps of thrash metal titans like EXODUS, KREATOR or TESTAMENT! We will work our asses off to make the album a success! Welcome to the Napalm family!" WARBRINGER is:

John Kevill - VocalsAdam Carroll - GuitarChase Becker - GuitarJessie Sanchez - BassCarlos Cruz - Drums

"Make A Little Time", the new video from veteran British metallers TANK, can be seen below. The clip was filmed in the desert hills just outside the town of Mojacar in Southern Spain and the production was handled by MGV Productions. TANK guitarist Cliff Evans comments: "We didn't want to make the usual low-budget, derelict warehouse-style video that so many bands seem to go for these days, so in order to do the song justice, we decided to find a more interesting location. We contacted Dale Webb at MGV, and he found the ideal backdrop that provided the essential vibe that goes so well with the song. Unusually for this part of Spain, the weather was stormy and overcast but that added a great atmosphere to the performance. The video really captures the raw energy but also the laid-back side of the band. We like nothing better than playing our own brand of rock 'n' roll and drinking beer together!" Adds TANK guitarist Mick Tucker: "We're so pleased with the amazing response that we've had for our 'Valley Of Tears' album which was released at the end of last year. We wanted to portray the songs visually, so we decided to invest in making a couple of top-quality videos for our fans to enjoy and share the experience of what we're doing. We only had one day to film everything we needed, so it was hard work but we had plenty of cold Estrella beer close to hand to keep us going." A second video filmed for the title track of the album, "Valley Of Tears", is scheduled for release later this summer.

Joining Tucker and Evans on "Valley Of Tears" are former DRAGONFORCE frontman ZP Theart, who has been a member of TANK's touring lineup for the past three years. Also featured are new recruits Bobby Schottkowski, formerly of SODOM, on drums, and current BLIND GUARDIAN member Barend Courbois on bass.

Regarding the recording process, Evans stated: "Bobby recorded the drum tracks in Germany with his producer, Waldemar Sorychta, whose previous work includes albums for LACUNA COIL, TIAMAT and SODOM, to name but a few. The drums are the backbone of the album and they seriously kick ass! Barend laid down the bass guitar in Holland a couple of days before heading out on a sold-out world tour with German metal legends BLIND GUARDIAN. The guitars were recorded in London under the guidance of producer Phil Kinman who is the master at capturing the sound of a Les Paul through a Marshall amp. No frills. Just awesome power! The album was mastered by Ade Emsley, who undertook the task of remastering the entire IRON MAIDEN catalogue for 24-bit iTunes release."

He added: "The title comes from the famous tank battle during the 1973 Yom Kippur War where one side was massively outnumbered but fought on regardless and against all odds secured a heroic victory.

"We feel that our style of metal is slowly disappearing and now we must also fight against the odds to keep it alive.

"We hope 'Valley Of Tears' will inspire other bands and fans alike to never forget what real metal is all about."

Video footage of DIRKSCHNEIDER, the band fronted by former ACCEPT and current U.D.O. singer Udo Dirkschneider performing at the pre-party for this year's edition of the Graspop Metal Meeting, which was held June 17-19 in Dessel, Belgium, can be seen below.

Dirkschneider will embark on a North American tour in January 2017 during which he will perform ACCEPT songs one last time before he closes the chapter for good.

Asked about his decision to perform classic songs from ACCEPT for the last time under the DIRKSCHNEIDER banner, Udo told rock journalist Mitch Lafon: "A lot of people ask me, 'Why do you do this?' And I said… Always people are asking, 'Oh, can you play this ACCEPT song and this ACCEPT song and this ACCEPT song?' I mean, I have fifteen U.D.O. albums out, and, for me now, U.D.O. is U.D.O. Of course, I know that the people like to hear ACCEPT songs with my voice, but I wanna close something — I wanna close, like a book, and say, 'Okay, that's it. I read it.' Sometimes you have to come to an end with something. I wanna close up everything with ACCEPT. And this will be the last time. And I said, okay, I'll do one more tour. It will be a world tour. And yeah, that will be the last time that you… When we are on tour with U.D.O., we'll never play any ACCEPT songs again."

He continued: "I also wanna stop to be compared with… Now ACCEPT is still on tour, and they have a new singer, and they are doing also 'Balls To The Wall' and they are doing also 'Metal Heart', they do 'Princess Of The Dawn'. And I don't wanna be always compared and have to say, 'What do you think about this and this and this?' This is also another reason. I wanna close the ACCEPT chapter. I mean, it was a great… I mean, in a way, I was creating this band, you know. Sometimes you have to say, 'Okay, that's it.' I have enough U.D.O. songs, so I can play more U.D.O. songs and be U.D.O. I can say without being arrogant, U.D.O. has its own fan base now. Sometimes you have to say, 'Okay, that's it.'"

To those fans that still want to experience the classic ACCEPT songs performed live, Udo has this message: "There is a band called ACCEPT. And please, if you wanna hear these songs, please go then to [see] ACCEPT. [Laughs] So that's the only thing I can say. Now you'll have the chance [this] year to hear it with the original voice, but Mark [Tornillo, current ACCEPT singer] is doing a — I would say — really good job on it, so please go there and listen then to ACCEPT and U.D.O. is then U.D.O."

Regarding what makes the classic ACCEPT songs so special, Udo said: "I don't know what is special. You never can tell it, really. Like [DEEP PURPLE's] 'Smoke On The Water', in a way, something like this. Sometimes there's a song that, in a way, that stays forever."

The April 2 DIRKSCHNEIDER concert at Kaminwerk in Memmingen, Germany was professionally filmed and recorded for a DVD and CD release later this year.

DIRKSCHNEIDER is:

Udo Dirkschneider - lead vocalsFitty Wienhold - bassAndrey Smirnov - guitarKasperi Heikkinen - guitarSven Dirkschneider - drums

ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann will release his second solo album, titled "Headbangers Symphony", on July 1 via Nuclear Blast.

The second trailer for the CD is available below.

Wolf Hoffmann has a passion. His life-long love and dedication to heavy metal music is documented in dozens of albums spanning four decades with his long time heavy metal band ACCEPT. But beyond heavy metal, Wolf has an incessant craving for the classics, yes, the ones written decades and centuries ago.

Classical music has always been an influence — albeit limited — on ACCEPT's Teutonic approach to rock and heavy metal. However, it wasn't until 1997 during a extended hiatus from ACCEPT, that Wolf Hoffmann finally had the chance to fully explore and fulfill this interest by recording his first astounding solo album "Classical", a record filled with his rock-guitar-driven interpretations of some of classical music's most loved compositions.

"I have always incorporated classical music in my songwriting with ACCEPT, especially with 'Metal Heart', but I constantly felt there was so much more that I could do and I did not want to overload ACCEPT or force it in any way," he said. "I always knew I could make a whole record of it and that's how the first record 'Classical' was born. Even today, fans tell me that they are still listening to it, that's why it is so fantastic now to do another one."

"Headbangers Symphony" track listing:

01. Scherzo (L. v. Beethoven) 02. Night On Bald Mountain (M. Mussorgsky) 03. Je Crois Entendre Encore (G. Bizet)04. Double Cello Concerto In G Minor (A. Vivaldi)05. Adagio (T. Albinoni)06. Symphony No. 40 (W. A. Mozart )07. Swan Lake (P. Tchaikovsky) 08. Madame Butterfly (G. Puccini)09. Pathétique (L. v. Beethoven)10. Meditation (J. Massenet)11. Air On The G String (J. S. Bach)

You can now listen to Wolf's interpretation of Ludwig van Beethoven's "Scherzo" in the YouTube clip below.

Continued Hoffmann: "I am just so excited about 'Headbangers Symphony'. It has taken a long, long time but here we are, it's done, finally!" Wolf is just bursting with vigor as he talks about his latest labor of love. But why now? "It's truly coincidental," he said. "After we completed the last ACCEPT tour, I finally had the time to finish it. I started this a few years ago. The early recordings have been sitting in my archives in my home studio for years, almost completed. The reality was that with the continued success of ACCEPT, I was only able to work on it when ACCEPT was not recording or touring."

The prevalent early challenge was to pick the most suitable compositions. This was an exploratory process that only increased Wolf's adoration for the classics. "I always listen to classical music; it's always playing throughout my house," he said. "I have a huge collection of classics and as I listen — often at random, I take notes if something truly strikes me. When I notice that this or that could work in a translation to rock or heavy metal, I remember it and I pursue it! This has been going on for a long time!"

There are several reasons for the necessary experimentations that faced Wolf. Most classical compositions were written to be performed by a full orchestra. The fluid timing, those multiple, complex layers and sections that stretched out for lengthy periods, classical music was simply never designed to be played to the rigid beat so prevalent in rock 'n' roll.

"Headbangers Symphony" showcases an overabundance of highly skilled improvisations. Wolf took the main pieces, and then wrote riffs that fit them. Lastly, in the grand hard rock tradition, he layered a guitar solo over it. He shaped the sound into a quite adventurous elegance, but the key themes of the originals remained.

The first volume had a focus on the better known pieces; the second, "Headbangers Symphony", takes a similar approach. "In general, it does follow the same path," admitted Wolf, "but this time I did try to add a couple lesser known compositions. Mostly though, listeners will say, hey, I know that melody… so it's pretty much the same path as the 'Classical' record. It was my desire to record melodies I like and melodies people recognize."

Now that the album is done, Wolf is proud looking back and is pleased with this true labour of love; something he has wanted to do since the first record, "Classical", came out almost twenty years ago. While ACCEPT's Peter Baltes added several impressive bass lines, and other notable guest musicians made an appearance as well, the bulk of the work was completed by himself and Italian musician and arranger Melo Mafali.

"There are two major categories," Wolf elaborated. "First, the heavier stuff like Beethoven, the bombastic, full force epics on which you can simply shred along. Of course then there are the ballads, slower compositions that bring out the deeper feelings in each listener."

The highlights on "Headbangers Symphony" are plentiful and easy to pinpoint. The album kicks off with "Scherzo" from the well-known "9th Symphony" by Ludwig v. Beethoven. Many listeners might recognize the opening riff from the ACCEPT song "Teutonic Terror". "Back in 2009," Wolf explained, "when we started working on the songs for the 'Blood Of The Nations' album, I played the classical demos to our producer Andy Sneap. He liked that riff a lot and insisted on using it for the album. So we wrote 'Teutonic Terror' using this 'borrowed' riff."

Other highlights follow in rapid succession: "Night On Bald Mountain" by Russian composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is a very dramatic dark song on the theme of a witches' Sabbath, a perfect fit for Wolf's "metal treatment." "Symphony No. 40" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will be immediately recognizable. "It's a little more uptempo, pretty happy, typical for Mozart. Not mean and heavy as most of the other stuff," Wolf pointed out. Additional highpoints include Wolf's interpretations of such masterworks as Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake", "Pathétique" also from Ludwig v. Beethoven, "Méditation" from the opera "Thais" by French composer Jules Massenet, and, of course, the aforementioned "Madame Butterfly".

All in all, the eleven compositions on "Headbangers Symphony" paint the perfect portrait of Wolf's lifelong passion for the classics and his adoration for heavy metal. "I worked so much and so long on this until I felt it was ready," he said. "Now it is and I am thrilled and proud. This is my baby, my labor of love, ready for me to set it free."

Former SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison recently spoke to Metal Hammer magazine about the top 10 drummers who inspired him to pick up the sticks, a list that includes John Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), Neil Peart (RUSH), Keith Moon (THE WHO), Bill Ward (BLACK SABBATH), Lars Ulrich (METALLICA), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Brann Dailor (MASTODON), Danny Heifetz (MR. BUNGLE), Hellhammer (MAYHEM) and Dave Lombardo (SLAYER).

Regarding Ulrich, Jordison said: "A lot of people give this guy shit, but they need to shut their fucking mouths because Lars Ulrich is probably one of the best and most innovative drummers ever. I got to tour with the guy and I watched him play every night from behind the kit, and his double bass was completely on point. He's also one of the best businessmen that keeps this type of music going; he's the heart of the whole fucking community, because METALLICA are the kings. There'll never be anybody that will match them, and Lars is a huge, huge part of that. Without that guy, and the influence of that band, I wouldn't even be sitting here talking to you. Lars is one of my gods and he always will be. That guy fucking rules, period. So when I got the call asking if I'd fill in for him at Download festival [in the U.K.], of course I knew everything because he's one of my hugest influences. I remember playing to his shit all the time growing up and trying to be as good as him. Our technical abilities are way different but I'll still never be as good as that guy, and getting to sit in his stool was one of the biggest fucking dreams come true. What an honor. I love that dude."

On the topic of Benante, Jordison said: "I grew up listening to ANTHRAX, and Charlie Benante is still on fucking fire. Most people can't catch up to that dude; he is absolutely on point at all times. I busted my ass trying to learn the double bass parts to 'A Skeleton In The Closet' as a kid, and I'd drive my parents crazy playing it over and over again trying to catch up to his speed. He's hugely responsible for training me while I was growing up, and he's absolutely one of my biggest heroes of all time. And he still looks fucking good and he's still in great shape, and he's playing better than ever right now. I was listening to 'Among The Living' in 1987 when I was in seventh grade, and I'm fucking 40 now and he still rules. That's what I call influence; people like that do not lose the fire, man."

Joey was also full of praise for Lombardo. "Dave Lombardo is the fucking master," he said. "I've said this in a couple of interviews, but in 1986 all I wanted was SLAYER's 'Reign In Blood', and I got it in my fucking Easter basket — that's how cool my parents were. Now, that record is the best fucking speed metal/thrash metal hybrid of all time. It will never be beaten, period. Lombardo is the fucking speed metal god of drums. He will never be matched. His intensity still to this day blows my mind. I got to tour with the guy, and not only that but he's one of my fucking friends now, and he's one of the sweetest guys on earth. And the reason he can play the way he does is because he has no ego. He goes up on stage and he becomes the drums; he doesn't play the drums, he is the drums. He's my ultimate influence as far as this type of music goes. FANTÔMAS are the ultimate supergroup, too. When I first heard about them I was like, 'That's my dream band right there. Mike Patton, Buzz Osbourne, Trevor Dunn and Dave Lombardo; it doesn't get any better than that.' I watched them play live at The Troubadour [legendary nightclub in West Hollywood, California] when we were making the first SLIPKNOT record, and I can't even put into words what I saw that night. It was the most insane fucking show I've ever seen; it was magic. You always see one show in your life that you think, ‘I wish I could go back and relive that', and that's the show I wish I could go back and see, at The Troubadour in 1998. Of course I've seen SLAYER live a bunch of times, and SLAYER are one of my favourite bands of all time, but that FANTÔMAS gig showed me that no one can touch that man. So Lombardo is my ultimate drum hero."

Jordison was a founding member of SLIPKNOT and one of its main songwriters for 18 years.

His new band, called VIMIC, will release its debut album, "Open Your Omen", later in the year.

Drummer Arin Ilejay says that he was "totally shocked and scared" after being fired by AVENGED SEVENFOLD in 2014.

Ilejay's exit from AVENGED SEVENFOLD after four years was announced last July even though he had been out of the band for a year. He has since been replaced by Brooks Wackerman, who had previously played with the veteran punk act BAD RELIGION.

Ilejay told Rolling Stone that he was dismissed from AVENGED SEVENFOLD over the phone. "I was totally shocked and scared out of my mind when [AVENGED guitarist] Synyster Gates called me to let me go," Ilejay said. "I was like, 'Oh my God! My wife is about to have a baby. How am I going to support my family now?'"

Ilejay quickly moved on to a gig in ISLANDER, which reached out to the drummer after learning of his departure from AVENGED SEVENFOLD online.

"I used to joke around with him all the time: 'Hey, whenever we need a fill-in drummer, I'm gonna call you,'" ISLANDER vocalist Mikey Carvajal said. "Finally, I called him and I wasn't joking at all. I said, 'You have to come play with us.'"

Although he initially faced the new milestone in his life with a sense of trepidation, Ilejay was excited about the prospect of being involved in the creative process with ISLANDER.

"I realized if I joined ISLANDER, I would have an opportunity to help write songs and build something, instead of being on the inside but, at the same time, really be on the outside the way I was with AVENGED," the drummer said.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD singer M. Shadows spoke about the band's split with Arin in a November 2015 interview with the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast. He said: "It just became increasingly difficult to be on the same page, not only touring, but with writing and just where we want to take things." Shadows continued, "We said, 'Listen, we can ride this thing out the way it is right now and we'll be fine or we can shake the nest a little bit and we want to fire on all cylinders again. We want to be the baddest band on the planet. We want to just dominate onstage.' And I came up with the idea that I really want to talk to Brooks and see if there's any chance and see where he's at in his life right now."

Ilejay was the second drummer to sit behind the kit for AVENGED SEVENFOLD since the death of founding member James "The Rev" Sullivan in December 2009.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD recorded its 2010 effort "Nightmare" with ex-DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, who was Sullivan's favorite drummer.

Portnoy toured for several months with the band, but by early 2011, he was out. The group brought in Ilejay, who started out as a touring member but played on 2013's "Hail To The King", AVENGED's second straight No. 1 album.

ISLANDER's new album, "Power Under Control" — the group's first with Ilejay — will be released on August 5. The official video for the first song from the disc, "Darkness", can be seen below.

MEGADETH took part in a press conference on June 19 at Hellfest in Clisson. France. You can watch video footage of the question-and-answer session below.

Asked about MEGADETH's previously announced plan to stage a tribute concert to their late drummer, Nick Menza, featuring past and present members of the band, MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine said: "When we heard about Nick passing away, it wasn't… We weren't gonna use that for publicity or anything like that. It was a feeling of wanting to do something for Nick's family, his legacy. And we found out… David [Ellefson, MEGADETH bassist] had told me that [Menza's family was] already doing something [to raise funds for Nick's kids]. So then I said, 'Great. If they want our help, great. If they don't need our help, we're here, if they change their minds.'"

Mustaine added: "Nick meant a lot to us, and I think Nick meant a lot to everybody that's a MEGADETH fan too. A lot of metal drummers were influenced by Nick. So… he's sorely missed."

Mustaine told EonMusic last week that he "had no idea how much [he] loved" Nick until he broke down following the dedication of a song to his former bandmate at the Rock 'N Derby festival on May 22. Dave said: "Yeah, [my emotional reaction] came out of nowhere. I didn't know what it was, because it was very [well known] how much Nick did not like me, in the things that he was saying [in the press]. And I was not going to retaliate because I loved him, and I think that was evident when we dedicated the song to him. I couldn't finish it, and I usually don't let things stop me from doing by job, but I was overwhelmed with emotion."

Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack after the third song of OHM:'s set on May 21 at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital. He was 51 years old.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of natural causes. The cause of Menza's death was listed as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Menza had reportedly dabbled with drugs in the earlier part of his career but had been completely sober for eight years.

Menza joined MEGADETH for the 1989 recording "Rust In Peace" and for the next nine years became associated with the band's "classic" and most profitable era.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer were one of the most successful, innovative and ground breaking British groups of the golden age of progressive rock. As well as creating spectacular ‘live’ shows that incorporated advanced technology and showmanship, they also recorded a cascade of powerful albums that sold in millions around the world. During 2016 and 2017 the band’s musical legacy will be celebrated by BMG with an important and comprehensive re-issue programme that will put the spotlight on ELP’s nine studio albums as well as their ‘live’ recordings and compilations. The trio’s remarkable style, combining original compositions with rock, jazz, folk and classical influences, was performed with passion and integrity by the founder members:

Keyboard maestro - the late great, Keith Emerson
Singer, guitarist and bass player - Greg Lake
Drummer and percussionist - Carl Palmer

Their phenomenal mix of melodic songs, dynamic arrangements, brilliant musicianship and electrifying sound broadened the audience for progressive rock and guaranteed ELP massive international appeal, as they headlined stadium tours throughout the 1970s and 1990s and achieved sales of over 40 million albums. ELP also enjoyed two major hit singles with “Lucky Man” and “Fanfare For The Common Man”, and their 21 minute epic track “Tarkus” is hailed as a milestone in prog rock history.  

New and old generations of fans will now be able to enjoy ELP’s music afresh, as their albums are released in a range of different formats, from CD and freshly cut vinyl LP to digital download, high definition digital and mastered for iTunes. Vinyl connoisseurs will be pleased that following a special request from Greg Lake, the LPs will be presented on 140 gm vinyl to ensure a superior high quality sound. LP inner bag features an explanation of this by Greg.

The Albums:

The group’s first three albums are scheduled for re-release on Friday, July, 29th.

All the CD version booklets will feature authoritative liner notes and interviews conducted in 2016 with Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, by legendary rock journalist Chris Welch.

The band’s debut album, Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970) will be available as a 2 CD set with CD1 comprising the original album in its 2012 remastered edition. CD2 offers an Alternate Album in a 2012 Steven Wilson stereo mix, with bonus tracks. The LP version will be the original album, newly cut for the first time from 24 Bit/HD 2012 remasters. The Standard Digital Download will comprise the remastered 1970 album and an Alternate Album (2012 Stereo remix) with bonus tracks. The same contents will be available on MFiT  and HD digital formats, all taken from the 2012 remasters.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer was first released after the group’s critically acclaimed debut show at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, when they performed to 600,000 people. Its dynamic original compositions and classical adaptations are brimful of Keith Emerson’s superb piano and Moog synthesizer work, Greg Lake’s magnificent vocals, bass and acoustic guitar playing and Carl Palmer’s lightning fast drumming.

Bartok’s “The Barbarian”, together with originals “Take A Pebble”, “Knife Edge”, and the three part suite “The Three Fates” are followed by “Tank” and Greg Lake’s ballad “Lucky Man” which was the band’s debut single and a huge UK and US hit. The Alternate album has 12 tracks peppered with bonus items notable an informal “Rave Up”, a Carl Palmer ‘Drum Solo,’ and alternate versions of “Take A Pebble”, “Knife Edge” and “Lucky Man”.

The band’s second album, Tarkus (1971) saw ELP take a new direction with yet more complex keyboard sounds. The title track took up the whole of side one of the original LP, and defined the band’s exultant, bombastic approach. “Jeremy Bender”, “Bitches Crystal”, “The Only Way (Hymn)”, “Infinite Space (Conclusion)”, “A Time And A Place”, and the rocking “Are You Ready Eddy?” complete this #1 UK album that also shot to #9 in the US charts.

CD1 comprises the 1971 album remastered in 2012 by renowned rock remastering engineer Andy Pearce. CD2 is the Steven Wilson Stereo Mix of the 2012 remaster, with bonus tracks taken from the original recording sessions. They are “Oh My Father”, “Unknown Ballad” and an alternate take of “Mass” from the extended piece Tarkus. The LP version is newly cut from the 2012 remaster, with original gatefold sleeve and artwork faithfully reproduced. The three Digital versions are also taken from the 2012 remasters.

ELP’S third album, Pictures At An Exhibition (1971) has been credited with inspiring many young musicians to embrace and study classical music. Based on the group’s enthusiastic interpretation of the famous work by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, it was a major hit and reached #3 in the UK and #10 in the US album charts. Pictures was recorded on March 21st, 1971 at Newcastle City Hall, where Emerson made use of the hall’s thunderous pipe organ.

The LP and Disc 1 of the CD comprises an excellent new remaster of the Pictures album from the original master tapes. On the 2CD set, tracks on CD1 include “Promenade”, “The Gnome”, “Promenade”, “The Sage”, “The Old Castle”, “Blues Variations”, another reprise of “Promenade”, “The Hut of Baba Yaga”, “The Curse of Baba Yaga”, “The Hut of Baba Yaga”, “The Great Gates of Kiev” and encore number “Nut Rocker” a hit by B.Bumble & The Stingers. Bonus tracks are a medley of ‘Pictures’ recorded ‘live’ at the Mar Y Sol Festival, Puerto Rico, on December 4th, 1972.  Disc 2 has another live performance of the extended work, recorded at the Lyceum Ballroom, London, on December 9th, 1970, complemented by live performances of ELP favourites “The Barbarian”, “Knife Edge”, “Rondo” and “Nut Rocker”.

Accompanying these three albums is a special 3 CD and Download release Emerson, Lake & Palmer - The Anthology. Produced by Greg Lake, this superb, career-spanning set has 39 tracks from the years 1970 to 1998, the choice of material approved by all three band members. It is presented in special ‘casebound’ book packaging with detailed, informative sleeve notes by Chris Welch, illustrated with rare band photographs.

The songs are selected from the albums Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Tarkus, Pictures At An Exhibition, Trilogy, Brain Salad Surgery, Welcome Back My Friends To the Show That Never Ends, ‘orks Volume 1, Works Volume 2, Works Live, Love Beach, Live At Nassau Coliseum ‘78, Black Moon, In The Hot Seat, Live At The Royal Albert Hall 1993 and Then & Now.

Among the highlights are the band’s performance of Copland’s “Hoedown”, and their version of “Jerusalem” by William Blake and Hubert Parry. CD3 includes the stirring “Fanfare For The Common Man”, Keith Emerson’s hit rendition of the famed “Honky Tonk Train Blues”, Greg Lake’s 1975 solo hit “I Believe In Father Christmas” and the group’s menacing interpretation of the TV theme Peter Gunn. “Tiger In A Spotlight” is another live track, recorded at the group’s comeback show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Subsequent batches of important original ELP albums will be released by BMG later in 2016. They are Trilogy, (1972), Brain Salad Surgery (1973) and the unique triple live album Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends (1974).

Footnote: All these albums now serve as a fitting memorial to Keith Emerson, who died aged 71 on March 10th, 2016. When speaking about ELP’s career and achievements for the re-issue project he said: “Emerson, Lake and Palmer are very proud to have brought this great music to a new generation of musicians and fans.”

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor has been ordered by doctors to refrain from headbanging and jumping when the band kicks off its summer tour later this month.

SLIPKNOT was forced to postpone the first two weeks of its North American trek with MARILYN MANSON after Taylor underwent what he described as "an unplanned spinal surgery." The trek, which also includes OF MICE & MEN in the opening slot, was supposed to kick off on June 9 in Salt Lake City but will now begin on June 28 in Nashville.

In a brand new tweet, Corey revealed that his "follow-up appointment" with the doctor went "great," but added that "for now," there will be "no headbanging" or "jumping" for him for the foreseeable future. He went on to say: "But I'll sing my ass off." He also offered that he expects to be "back to 90 percent" within the next four to six months, and "100 percent" in a year.

The summer trek is likely to be SLIPKNOT's last U.S. tour in support of its latest album, ".5: The Gray Chapter", which was released in October 2014.

Following the tour, SLIPKNOT and BLACK SABBATH will co-headline the combined Ozzfest Meets Knotfest, a two-day festival scheduled for September 24-25 in San Bernardino, California.

Neck Update: follow-up appt w/ Dr was great! For now, no headbanging, jumping. But I'll sing my ass off. Back to 90% 4-6 months, 100%/year.

— Jalapeno Throat, LLC (@CoreyTaylorRock) June 22, 2016

Progressive death metal unit, Destroying The Devoid, which features Craig Peters of Deeds Of Flesh and formerly Arkaik, will unleash its debut full-length via Unique Leader Records on August 19th, 2016. Titled Paramnesia, the seven-track offering was engineered and produced by Craig Peters at Carnivale Nocturno Studios with all mixing and mastering handled by Zack Ohren (Deeds of Flesh, Arkaik, Suffocation) at Castle Ultimate Productions.
 
"Society is constantly plagued by a world telling them what it is to be beautiful, successful. and what they essentially need to 'be happy,' while taking advantage of the weak for their own selfish benefit," Peters says. "Paramnesia, while not a concept album, plays off of different themes related to perception and how we are effected by the world around us. The three-part song 'Beyond The Dark Veil' also deals with the emotional effect of death from three different perspectives."

 
Paramnesia tracklisting:
“Chasm Of Existence”
“The Endless Cycles Of Lunacy”
“Carnivale Nocturno”
“Paramnesia”
“Beyond The Dark Veil”
“Part I: The Co-Existing Gaze”
“Part II: Into The Darkness Beyond”
“Part III: Beneath The Boughs”
 
Destroying The Devoid was forged in 2014 by Peters as an outlet to compose material beyond the traditional confines of technical death metal. "The song writing started back in the Summer of 2012," relays Peters, "At first it just began as a couple of songs that eventually evolved over time. Being a huge fan of orchestral music and film scores I definitely wanted the music to have a deep and emotional impact. These songs are dark, aggressive and very thematic. While at the music's core has a very progressive death metal sound, the songs flow in and out of many stylistic changes ranging from blackened death metal to more melancholic and ethereal passages and some very intense instrumental sections that will leave your head spinning."

Below you can see the explicit cover artwork for Mondoscuro, the upcoming EP co-starring Cadaveria and Necrodeath, both as distinct bands and as authors of new songs, composed and played together.

In detail, the EP will contain six tracks: two brand new and co-written songs, two covers (one of The Beatles and one of Type O Negative) and two unusual “exchange of roles”, that will see Cadaveria reinterpreting a classic by Necrodeath and Necrodeath performing a Cadaveria hit.

Among the other surprises of Mondoscuro, there is the participation of Lindsay Schoolcraft from Cradle Of Filth, as special guest on vocals.

The Mondoscuro cover artwork was designed by Italian-Venezuelan digital artist Paolo Perrotta Mazza.

The release of Mondoscuro via the Black Tears Of Death label is expected late this summer. Stay tuned for updates.

MERCYFUL FATE guitar lengends Michael Denner and Hank Shermann will release their new DENNER / SHERMANN full-length album, "Masters Of Evil", on June 24 via Metal Blade Records.

The music video for the album track "Son Of Satan" can be seen below. Swedish director Owe Lingwall shot the clip entirely at studio 1646 in Umeå in Northern Sweden.

"We chose this song to be the first video because musically, it is a song that really captures the entire essence of what this band is becoming," Denner comments. "The lyrics are also very vivid, and it fills your imagination with dark, sinister images and visions that Swedish director Owe captured perfectly."

"Shooting this video was a great time, and I felt that all of us being together there, bonding as a band during the filming process, was important and something I will always remember," adds vocalist Sean Peck.

The album cover was painted by Swedish artist Thomas Holm, who also created the "Satan's Tomb" artwork, and who is very well known amongst fans for his standout pieces over the past three decades! The mixing was once again handled by Arnold Lindberg at Sound Industry Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden. Mastering was done once again by Maor Appelbaum in Los Angeles, California. The vintage sound on the new record harkens one back to the days of two-inch tape machines, long nights in dark studios, and huge consoles glowing under dim incandescent light.

"Masters Of Evil" contains eight new Denner / Shermann tracks that continue right where the EP left off. Building upon the musical foundation of the "Satan's Tomb" EP, these songs cover the entire gamut of heavy metal nuances and take the listener down a mysterious path where tales of dark, supernatural fantasies are told, transporting you to places that can only be found in the most vivid, blood curdling nightmares.

"Masters Of Evil" is fully loaded to satisfy the old fans with just what they would expect — and also injected with menacing, sinister, new surprises that could only come from the sonic DNA of Michael Denner and Hank Shermann.

"After 'Satan's Tomb', we continued aggressively writing and recording ideas, except for the short break we took to do all the press for the release of the debut. We are very excited with the outcome, and the full-length album is ready to be unleashed this summer," says Shermann.

Vocalist Sean Peck comments: "This record really has it all, I think. Working with Hank and Michael and the guys creating this record was the ultimate metal thrill ride for me! I can't wait to hear the fan reaction to this sinister sonic salvo of savagery!"

Denner adds: "This new record really shows how the five of us have grown as a band and bonded as songwriters. It contains the kind of compositions I believe our fans would expect from us. I think this release will serve as kind of a tribute to our incredible fans worldwide, as we recognize and acknowledge their die-hard loyalty over the years."

With the upcoming DENNER / SHERMANN release comes live touring. Ever since the first announcement that this guitar duo was reforming, many show requests have been received from all over the world. Now with a full complement of original songs to draw from, look for the group to bring those to a city near you very soon.

"Masters Of Evil" track listing:

01. Angel's Blood02. Son of Satan03. The Wolf Feeds At Night04. Pentagram And The Cross05. Masters Of Evil06. Servants Of Dagon07. Escape From Hell08. The Baroness

DENNER / SHERMANN is:

Michael Denner - GuitarHank Shermann - GuitarSean Peck - Vocals Snowy Shaw - Drums Marc Grabowski - Bass

Fan-filmed video footage of GHOST's June 18 performance at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium can be seen below.

GHOST recently announced the "Popestar" U.S. headlining tour — a 35-city run that will include two rituals at The Wiltern in Los Angeles this coming October. Tickets purchased for select shows will include a digital download of new music that will be made available the day their fall rituals begin. Check out Ghost-Official.com for participating dates and details. VIP packages are also available. GHOST has completed work on a new EP for a fall release via Loma Vista. The effort, which consists primarily of covers, was helmed by English producer Tom Dalgety, who has previously worked with ROYAL BLOOD and KILLING JOKE, among others.

GHOST won the Grammy for "Best Metal Performance" during the pre-telecast ceremony at the 58th annual Grammy Awards. GHOST was nominated for the song "Cirice" from the band's latest album, "Meliora".

"Cirice" recently reached the Top 10 at rock radio, the first song from the band to get significant airplay in the U.S.

Technical death metal juggernauts, Mindscar, have released a video for "When the Soul Dies", a new track taken from their forthcoming album, What's Beyond The Light. Watch the clip below, and stay tuned for new album details, coming soon.

Mindscar is a three-piece metal band from Orlando, Florida originally formed by Richie Brown (vocals/guitar) and Mike Radford (drums) in 1998. In 2001, the band made a powerful impact throughout the Central Florida region performing numerous gigs, self-released demos/EPs, a television performance, international airplay and publicity. In 2002, Matt Heafy (Trivium) joined the band on guitar and backup vocals. After internal issues due to the age of its band members, Mindscar was unable to tour and the band disbanded for almost 10 years.

In 2012, Richie Brown and Mike Radford reunited in the studio to record “Thornz Ov Ill Lechery” and “Blind Masses”. The two tracks led to performing and touring opportunities. Richie decided to resurrect the band in March 2013 and the first live performance in over a decade took place alongside Massacre in Tampa, Florida at the legendary Brass Mug. Soon after Mindscar embarked on their first tour supporting Vader and Vital Remains on the Back To The Black US Tour 2013.

In 2014, Mindscar began tracking their debut full-length album titled Kill The King. After embarking on the Southern Scorcher US Tour 2014 with Infinite Earths, Richie asked Terran Fernandez(Infinite Earths bassist) to join Mindscar. Terran has since become an essential part of the band. Matt Heafy contributed clean vocals for a few songs and a guitar solo for a song called “Asmodeus” that was premiered in September of 2014.

Mindscar independently released “Kill The King” on January 8th, 2015 followed by a sold out hometown show with Andrew W.K., a headline show in Puerto Rico and a US tour with Ulcer. After returning home from this tour, Mike Radford left the band for personal reasons and passed the torch to long time friend and drum extraordinaire Robbie Young (Nailshitter/Double Veteran). Shortly after Robbie joined the band, Mindscar completed their most successful tour to date: Golden Gods of Death US Tour 2015.

In February 2016, Mindscar recorded their sophomore full-length album titled What’s Beyond The Light with Rob Caldwell (Six Feet Under/Cannabis Corpse/Iron Reagan). The album also features a guest speech from US Senate candidate Augustus Invictus. The cover artwork is a large painting made entirely of vocalist/guitarist Richie Brown’s blood and semen. What’s Beyond The Light will be released this August.

Mindscar is:

Richie Brown - Main Vocals, Guitar
Robbie Young - Drums, Vocals
Terran Fernandez - Bass, Vocals

A trailer has been posted online for the authorized biography of TOOL and PUSCIFER frontman Maynard James Keenan, which will be published on November 8 through Backbeat Books. Titled "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things", the 284-page tome was written by Keenan's longtime friend Sarah Jensen and Keenan himself was heavily involved in its creation.

The trailer features Keenan watching scenes of his own life, done as a slideshow.

Keenan told The Pulse Of Radio that Jensen was actually around for many of the formative events of his life. "She met me when I was doing music, which was in high school of course. High school plays, choir, all those performances. She saw me, you know, when I was going into the military, she saw me in all the sports activities that I was involved in, a lot of the poetry that I used to write back in high school, some of the publications that I was involved in back then...so she's seen all of that progression."

According to a press release, the book chronicles Keenan's "journey from his Midwest childhood to his years in the Army to his time in art school, from his stint at a Boston pet shop to his place in the international spotlight and his influence on the disparate fields of contemporary music and regional winemaking."

The press release added that the book "presents the outtakes, the scenes of disappointment and triumph, and the events that led him to take one step after the next, to change direction, to explore sometimes surprising opportunities. Included throughout are passages in Keenan's own words, often humorous anecdotes that illuminate the narrative. There is also commentary by his family members, friends, instructors, and industry colleagues." Also included are eight pages of never-before-seen photographs.

TOOL will be playing a number of festivals and headlining dates this fall, although there is still no word on when the band intends to release its long-awaited fifth album.

"Divided.. Conquer Them", a brand new song from the Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based metal act NONPOINT, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "The Poison Red", due on July 8 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was recorded at Uptown Recording Studio in Chicago with producer Rob Ruccia.

Commented NONPOINT frontman Elias Soriano: "Our fans appreciate the variety in what we do and the difference in how we do it. We write songs that have meat on the bones and stick to your ribs. "I'm trying to empower people and that's it," he continued. "It's because I'm trying to empower myself. I'm trying to be a better person. I don't want to be a 'good' man, I want to be the best man, the best guy that I can be. I want to always get better."

"The Poison Red" is the first NONPOINT album to feature lead guitarist BC Kochmit, whom Soriano has described as "Eddie Van Halen's illegitimate child."

"The Poison Red" track listing:

01. Generation Idiot02. Foaming At the Mouth03. Bottled Up Killer Bees04. Rabbit Hole05. Chasing White Rabbits06. Standing In the Flesh07. Divided.. Conquer Them08. Radio Chorus09. Spanish Radio Hour10. El Diablo11. No Running Allowed12. Promises13. Be Enough14. My Last Dying Breath

Soriano added about their new disc: "This record tells a lot of stories: going from guts to glory; chasing impossible dreams down the rabbit hole; harsh and honest words with consequences attached; uncovered rules for the weak, made by the wicked and heartless; recalling fight or flight moments with a deep breath. And it all starts with a warning to all the world's generations past, present and future to look up, look forward and live their lives loose from social media shackles, online bullying, the devaluation of art and music, and to not be absorbed by the dramatic, megalomaniacal side of politics. Life is right outside of your phone and newsfeed. Go live it and play this record while you do. It'll all start to make sense."

From their 2000 debut, "Statement", through 2014's "The Return", NONPOINT have stayed the course, continuously crafting smart rock anthems with the kind of hooks that take up residence in your brain for days. The band is a staple performer at all the core U.S. festivals, such as Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion, and Rocklahoma, and has enjoyed several Top 20 rock radio singles. NONPOINT's 2014 single, "Breaking Skin", was the most played track of the year on SiriusXM’s Octane channel.

Ex-SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison says that the way he was fired from the band was "cowardly," revealing that he was let go because the other members thought he was on drugs.

Jordison and the members of SLIPKNOT had been silent and evasive about the reasons for his dismissal from the band in December 2013, but Jordison finally spoke about it last week while accepting an award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in London, England. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with a rare disease of the nervous system which left him unable to play the drums properly and he had to be carried to the stage during his final run of shows with SLIPKNOT.

Speaking to Metal Hammer, the drummer claimed that he was fired over e-mail. "No band meeting? None," he said. "Anything from management? No, nothing. All I got was a stupid fucking e-mail saying I was out of the band that I busted my ass my whole life to fucking create.

"That's exactly what happened and it was hurtful. I didn't deserve that shit after what I'd done and everything I'd been through.

"They got confused about my health issues and obviously even I didn't know what it was at first," he continued. "They thought I was fucked up on drugs, which I wasn't at all.

"I've been through so many things with those guys and I love them very much. What's hurtful is the way it went down was not fucking right. That's all I want to say. The way they did it was fucking cowardly. It was fucked up."

However, Jordison also said that he would sit down with the band to discuss the possibility of him rejoining. He explained: "Honestly, I'm not trying to be dramatic, but if that was brought up, what I'd want to do would be to get together. I'd want to see them, just hug it out and feel that energy that we had when we were fucking young and hungry and all that shit."

The drummer added about the possibility of seeing his ex-bandmates again: "We'd hug and talk and do shit like we used to do... It'd have to be in person. If it happened, that would be fucking awesome, but only time will tell."

Jordison also praised SLIPKNOT's latest album, ".5: The Gray Chapter", which features his replacement, Jay Weinberg, as well as new bassist Alessandro Venturella. He said: "I listened to the whole record multiple times. And I think it's great. It's fucking cool and I'm glad they moved on."

SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that the band has gotten very comfortable with its current rhythm section. "It was interesting at first, but it's just gotten better and better with every show to the point where, you know, we feel very comfortable with them now, and they bring like a different kind of energy out of us, you know. So we kind of resigned ourselves to the fact that it would never be the same, but it's different, and sometimes different is okay."

Jordison was a founding member of the band, one of its main songwriters and drummer for SLIPKNOT for 18 years.

His new band, called VIMIC, will release its debut album, "Open Your Omen", later in the year.

SLIPKNOT will begin a summer North American tour with MARILYN MANSON on June 28 in Nashville. The trek's start was postponed by three weeks after Corey Taylor underwent neck and spine surgery.

EMIL AND DARIEL ROCK CELLOS, the teenage rock cello sensation which gained worldwide exposure on the NBC nationally syndicated program "America's Got Talent", took part in an interview and live performance of the GUNS N' ROSES classic "Sweet Child O' Mine" on NBC 6 South Florida's "6 In The Mix". You can now watch the segment below.

EMIL AND DARIEL ROCK CELLOS' 2014 performance of "Purple Haze" on "America's Got Talent" went viral and garnered over three million views on YouTube. The boys finished as finalists and became a part of "America's Got Talent" live shows in Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas.

The brothers last year released their debut self-titled album, which is now available on iTunes and features many high-profile guest vocalists. The 16-track album showcases high-energy cello duets from some of the most beloved songs in rock history. The disc includes the iconic Jimi Hendrix song "Purple Haze"; LOVERBOY's "Working For The Weekend" featuring Mike Reno of LOVERBOY; "Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo" featuring rock legend Rick Derringer; JEFFERSON STARSHIP's "We Built This City" featuring STARSHIP lead vocalist Mickey Thomas; Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" featuring world-renowned electric violin pioneer Mark Wood; GUNS N' ROSES' "Sweet Child O' Mine" and more.

Since the age of four, Emil and Dariel have been playing the cello and continue to explore new and undiscovered techniques for this string instrument. Their long hours of rehearsal have been under the strict guidance of their grandfather who instilled hard work, dedication and passion in the pursuit of their musical career. The teens credit their success to their grandfather, also an accomplished cellist, along with years of disciplined commitment to their craft.

Solidifying their position as a band to watch in 2016, rising progressive metal band Oni saw their breakout moment earlier this year with the release of their blistering new track, "Eternal Recurrence". Showcasing the band's ability to meld chaotic progressive time signatures with blazing solos and heavy grooves (with the unique inclusion of "xylo-synth"), "Eternal Recurrence" soars as the band's first of several planned singles cut from their upcoming full-length album, Ironshore, scheduled to hit stores this fall.

Today marks the release of the band's new music video for "Eternal Recurrence". Directed by Abraham Roofeh and filmed in vocalist Jake Oni's home locale of the Cayman Islands, the video depicts a man running from a mysterious masked assailant - but is this assailant really a stranger? Watch the video below.

Oni frontman Jake Oni states, "It was a pleasure filming the video in the Cayman Islands. It's very convenient working from home, although the performance was brutal at times. When the guys and myself were done filming, we couldn't even walk the next day! After headbanging for what felt like an eternity, there was nothing better than laying on the ground!

“When we first saw the treatment for the video, it was hard to imagine how it would turn out, however it exceeded all of our expectations. The sunny island felt more dystopian than anything else and our director captured the meaning of the song and the look of the band perfectly. Overall, it was a blast to work on and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!"

Formed in 2014, Oni mastermind Jake Oni's initial vision for the band was "to be the band he never got to see". One that was deeply rooted in progressive metal but that had a feel all of its own, one that would rise above a genre that continues to churn out new groups with a similar sound. Oni's sound comfortably situates them among the genre's heavy hitters, demonstrating spastic technicality and fast-paced verses like Protest The Hero and Arsis, with melodic progressive hooks echoing Between The Buried in Me. But while those artists are still positioned on one end of the metal spectrum, Oni digs even deeper with resonating groove-oriented guitars and mathematic rhythm patterns resembling artists like Lamb Of God and Gojira.

The band's upcoming new album, Ironshore, is packed full of contrasts and contradictions, grace and violence, and with the band disinterested in churning out endless soundalikes, each has a distinct character of its own - or more accurately characters of its own, since they refuse to limit themselves to a single mood or tone.

With Jake Oni handling vocal duties, Martin Andres and Brandon White on guitar, Chase Bryant on bass and Joe Greulich on drums, they are also perhaps the first metal band to feature a xylo-synth player, in the form of Johnny D, which adds an interesting and intriguing dynamic.

Stay tuned for much more coming from Oni in anticipation of their upcoming album release this fall.

It’s been said that lightning never strikes the same place twice. However, it does in the case of Tesla. The band has announced the release of a live recording of their classic album, Mechanical Resonance, Live!, celebrating the original multi-Platinum record’s 30th birthday in style.

With a few surprises up their sleeve, including the single “Save That Goodness” written and produced by Phil Collen of Def Leppard, the album will be released in Europe on August 26th. The record is being released in conjunction with Tesla’s US summer tour opening up for Def Leppard, where they will perform in front of over half a million fans.

Said Frank Hannon, “30 years later and the songs on our first album still rock! Making this new live album of Mechanical Resonance was a reminder of the innocence and creative beginnings of Tesla.”

Added Brian Wheat, "It was a lot of fun to re-visit some of the songs we hadn't played in decades and had a great time recording it. "

Over the course of their thirty-year career, which started in 1986, the iconic Sacramento melodic hard rock quintet - Frank Hannon [guitar], Brian Wheat [bass], Jeff Keith [lead vocals], Troy Luccketta [drums], and Dave Rude [guitar] - has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide and played to sold out crowds across the globe, their three albums that followed Mechanical Resonance all went multi-Platinum in the US. To say Tesla live is absolutely bombastic is an understatement, they are a hard rock band to beat all hard rock bands.

The 21st century has become something of a renaissance for Tesla. Most recently, 2014’s Simplicity bowed at #14 on the Billboard Top 200. The group ignited ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! in addition to scorching stages at festivals such as Rocklahoma, Graspop Metal Meeting, and Sweden Rock Festival as well as the cruise Monsters of Rock. As they prepare to cut their ninth full-length album with Phil Collen in the producer’s chair, Tesla takes another monumental leap forward as they glance back on Mechanical Resonance, Live!

Mechanical Resonance, Live! tracklisting:

“Rock Me To The Top”
“Ez Come Ez Go”
“Gettin’ Better”
“Comin’ Atcha Live”
“Changes”
“Before My Eyes”
“2 Late 4 Love”
“We’re No Good Together”
“Love Me”
“Cover Queen”
“Lil Suzie”
“Modern Day Cowboy”
“Save That Goodness” (Studio Track)

Tour dates:

June
22 - Boston, MA - Xfinity Center
24 - Bangor, ME - Darling's Waterfront
25 - Quebec City, QC - Videotron Centre
27 - Syracuse, NY - Lakeview Amp
29 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Park Stadium

July
1 - Indianapolis, IN - Klipsch Music Center
2 - Chicago, IL - Hollywood Casino
5 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
6 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
8 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavillion
9 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
11 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach
13 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
15 - Detroit, MI - DTE Music Theatre
16 - Toronto, ON - Molson Canadian Amphitheater

August
6 - Madison, WI - Alliant Energy Center
8 - Evansille, IN - Ford Center
10 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Center
12 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheater
13 - Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Amphitheater
15 - Tampa, FL - MidFlorida Credit Amphitheater
17 - Birmingham, AL - Oak Mountain Amphitheater
19 - Austin, TX - Austin 360
20 - New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center
22 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Pavilion
24 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
26 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
27 - ST. Louis, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
29 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
31 - Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake PAC

September
14 - Billings, MT - Metra Park
16 - Salk Lake City, UT - USANA Ampitheater
17 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
19 - Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Amphitheater
20 - Phoenix, AZ - Ak-Chin Pavilion
22 - Irvine, CA - Irvine Meadows Amphitheater
24 - Sacramento, CA - Toyota Amphitheater (no Tesla)
25 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
28 - Boise, ID - Taco Bell Arena
30 - Eugene, OR - Matthew Knight Arena

October
1 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Dome
4 - Omaha,NE - CenturyLink Center
5 - Minneapolis, MN - Xcel Center
7 - La Crosse, WI - La Crosse Center Arena
8 - Toledo, OH - Huntington Center
10 - Cedar Rapids, IA - U.S. Cellular Center

Fan-filmed video footage of SLAYER's June 21 performance at Doornroosje in Nijmegen, The Netherlands can be seen below.

As previously reported, SLAYER will join forces with special guests ANTHRAX and DEATH ANGEL this fall for a seven-week North American beat down. The dates start in Cleveland on September 9 and will hit both major and secondary markets across the continent.

Said SLAYER's Kerry King: "It's always super fun for us to tour with ANTHRAX. Frank [Bello] is one of my best friends in the biz!! Put that together with DEATH ANGEL, and fans will probably see the best package this year. See you there!"

Fans will hear their favorite SLAYER songs from the band's 30-plus-year discography, as well as a few of the newer songs from "Repentless", named "The Metal Album of the Year" by Guitar World. SLAYER and ANTHRAX stormed through Europe together last fall, amassing a string of sensational live reviews, so North American fans, this will be a night of metal music that should not be missed.

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

Rob Zombie's video for the song "Medication For The Melancholy" can be seen below. The track is taken from his latest album, "The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser", which debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard 200, having shifted 41,000 equivalent album units in the week ending May 5. It's the sixth solo Top 10 album for Zombie.

"The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser" was released on April 29 via UMe/T-Boy Records.

Regarding his decision to keep the new album and songs short, Rob told Rolling Stone magazine: "Whenever I go through records that I love and I listen to over and over and over, I go, 'Man, this record's short. That's why I loved it so much.' It's, like, thirty minutes, so I've listened to it nine thousand times, whereas you have other records where you go, 'Yeah, I know that record's great, but it's, like, seventy-five minutes long, or the tracks are, like, six minutes long.' Like, I'd go back and look at BEATLES records and go, like, 'These songs are like a minute-and-a-half long. They don't feel a minute-and-a-half long.' Even when… Later, on 'Magical Mystery Tour', I used to think, 'Oh, well, these songs are much longer.' But they're not really; they're still short songs, but they seem epic. I love long songs, but if you're gonna write a song that long, it's better be 'Freebird' or 'Stairway To Heaven' or something. It'd better be worth my time."

"The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser" was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris and features Zombie alongside guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D and drummer Ginger Fish.

Australian hard rockers AIRBOURNE will release their fourth studio album, "Breakin' Outta Hell", this fall via Spinefarm. The disc's title track will also serve as the first single and video.

"Breakin' Outta Hell" was produced by Bob Marlette, who helmed AIRBOURNE's "Runnin' Wild" debut in 2007, and was engineered and mixed by Mike Fraser, who has previously worked with AEROSMITH, VAN HALEN, METALLICA and more.

In other news, AIRBOURNE has announced a headline tour of North America for September and October. The trek kicks off in San Diego on September 12 and concludes in Baltimore on October 14, taking in 21 shows along the way. Driven by a formidable work hard, play hard ethic, the Australian outfit (led into action by brothers Joel and Ryan O'Keeffe, vocalist/lead guitarist and drummer, respectively; guitarist David Roads and bassist Justin Street complete the lineup) has spent the past ten years establishing itself as a true force of nature: living on the road, selling out major venues and appearing on bills with some of rock's most legendary names, and this latest North American run will only add to their reputation for incendiary live performances — maximum energy, maximum entertainment. The full list of North American headline shows is as follows.

Sep. 12 - San Diego, CA - House of BluesSep. 13 - West Hollywood, CA - Roxy TheatreSep. 14 - San Francisco, CA - IndependentSep. 16 - Seattle, WA - TractorSep. 17 - Vancouver, BC - CommodoreSep. 20 - Victoria, BC - SugarSep. 22 - Kamloops, BC - Cactus JacksSep. 23 - Calgary, AB - GatewaySep. 24 - Edmonton, AB - Union HallSep. 25 - Saskatoon, SK - Saskatoon Events CenterSep. 28 - Winnipeg, MB - PyramidSep. 29 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple RockSep. 30 - Chicago, IL - Bottom LoungeOct. 01 - Detroit, MI - SmallsOct. 04 - Waterloo, ON - Maxwell'sOct. 05 - London, ON - London Music HallOct. 07 - Toronto, ON - Opera HouseOct. 08 - Montreal, QC - Corona TheatreOct. 11 - Boston, MA - The Middle EastOct. 12 - New York, NY - GramercyOct. 14 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage