Video footage of former RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE singer Joe Lynn Turner performing on May 27 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California can be seen below. Joe's backing band at the show consisted of Steve Brown (TRIXTER) on guitar, Sean McNabb (DOKKEN, GREAT WHITE) on bass, Matt Starr (MR. BIG) on drums and Eric Ragno on keyboards.

Turner recently slammed Ritchie Blackmore for the guitarist's decision to go out and perform classic DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW material with a new group musicians instead of reforming RAINBOW with a more "authentic" lineup.

The singer said: "I feel that I wasted my time in trying to make an authentic RAINBOW reunion happen, and I was betrayed. What he's doing now, it's a cover band, you know. I don't know why he calls it RAINBOW, 'cause it's not RAINBOW, you know. And, to me, he doesn't give anything, really, to the fans. Of course, you go see Ritchie play, but so what? That's it. And I think a guitarist of his stature — he's an icon, he's brilliant, etc. — he sort of had the best way possible to return to some rock and roll. And I don't think he's making a good decision by doing this. But, you know, that's all I can say about it. Ritchie has the right to do what he wants. But I think he's making a mistake in so doing."

Joe was the singer of RAINBOW between 1980 and 1984 and he sang on the album "Difficult To Cure", which featured the band's most successful U.K. single, "I Surrender".

During Turner's time with RAINBOW, the band had its first USA chart success and recorded songs that helped define the melodic rock genre.

1990 saw reunited Turner with RAINBOW leader Ritchie Blackmore in a reformed DEEP PURPLE for the "Slaves And Masters" album.

Stoner power doom and sludge metal outfit High Fighter have unveiled a first music video from their upcoming debut album Scars & Crosses for the track “Blinders”.

Formed in the summer of 2014 by former band members of A Million Miles, Buffalo Hump and Pyogenesis, this band is a volatile cocktail of heavy as hell riffs fueled by beer and the mighty weeding riffs. Add a heavy dose of the blues and these deadly schizophrenic vocals, and these guys and girl offer something special to the Sludge, Blues and Stoner Scene. After their debut EP The Goat Ritual released end of 2014, followed by numerous shows over Europe including UK dates, festivals, several tours and shows with bands such as Ahab, Mammoth Storm, Crowbar, Corrosion of Conformity, The Midnight Ghost Train and many more, High Fighter will release their first full-length album Scars & Crosses on June 10th with Svart Records!

While the band follows their DIY- attitude, the self-produced video for “Blinders” was filmed and edited by High Fighter's bassist Constantin Wüst. Vocalist Mona Miluski tells The Obelisk: 

“This shot was fun, 100%-DIY. I also think this track perfectly represents one of the main issues we deal with on our debut record. Scars & Crosses is about a dark past, about the wounds and scars of your soul that life may have given you. It's about your inner demons, and especially people in society or in any relationships will find your scars as a bad attitude, a bad character. You often need to be a 'Blinder', change yourself until you will be accepted, liked or loved. On this album we say no, having your scars are not a bad character and you should not change yourself or try to ignore these scars until you're ‘worth’ to be loved. Learn to also love those who have their scars, we all have them...these darkest days, moments and demons in life, your entire history, our scars engrave us, they belong to you as much as the good sides.”

Scars & Crosses was recorded live at RAMA Studio in Mannheim, Germany (Ahab, The Hirsch Effekt, Fjørt) by Jens Siefert, and is mixed and mastered by Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Big Business) in Los Angeles. Again the band worked with artist Dominic Sohor from the UK, who has already been responsible for the stunning artwork of The Goat Ritual back in 2014, on the band's upcoming album:

Tracklisting:

“A Silver Heart”
“Darkest Days”
“The Gatekeeper”
“Blinders”
“Portrait Mind”
“Gods”
“Down To The Sky”
“Scars & Crosses”

"Blinders" video:

Teaser #2: “Darkest Days”:

After the band formed in the summer of 2014 and in one band year only, High Fighter heavily toured across Europe including UK dates, shared the stages with bands such as Ahab, Mammoth Storm, The Midnight Ghost Train, Corrosion of Conformity or Greenleaf, and played festivals in 2015 such as Stoned from the Underground, Sonic Blast in Portugal, Red Smoke Poland, Hamburg Metaldayz and an exclusive press showcase live at Wacken Open Air 2015.

(Photo by: Peter Kupfer)

According to Mirror, two members of the British metalcore band HUNG have created hilarious new video with tips on making the perfect cup of tea.

Barnaby Oakley and Paul Benford shot the clip called "How to make a METAL cup of tea, with Barnaby roaring: "Take your sacred bag of tea, one's all you need not two or three. Pour your boiling water in. Burn its body and wait for a min."

Barnaby wrote on his Facebook page: "Me and Paul Benford are here to teach the world how to make a brutal cup of tea... with the aid of metal music."

He added: "I'm sick of seeing people slaughter this beautiful British beverage, help us educate the public and share this around."

According to The Washington Post, tea consumption in the United Kingdom per person has fallen considerably in the past four decades, dropping from almost 68 grams per week in 1974 to only 25 grams per week in 2014. The huge decrease is being blamed largely on the fact that tea drinking has fallen out of favor with younger people who don't have the time or the interest to prolong the tradition.

"Officer Downe", the new film directed by SLIPKNOT's M. Shawn Crahan, will receive its word premiere as part of the Nightfall competition at the 22nd Los Angeles Film Festival, which begins next week in Culver City.

This year's edition of the fest runs from June 1 until June 9 at the newly opened ArcLight Culver City. Regal L.A. LIVE in downtown hosted LAFF for the last several years.

"Officer Downe" Los Angeles Film Festival screenings:

* Friday, June 3 at 11:15 p.m. at Arclight Cinemas Culver City (world premiere)* Tuesday, June 7 at 9:10 p.m. at Arclight Cinemas Culver City

Passes for the festival are on sale to Film Independent members and the general public.

For more information visit link text.

"Officer Downe" stars Canadian actor Kim Coates — who is best known for playing Tig Trager on the FX series "Sons Of Anarchy" — as an L.A. supercop who is killed in the line of duty but who is repeatedly resurrected and sent back onto the streets. "Officer Downe" is based on the "Man Of Action" imprint/Image Comics graphic novel written by Joe Casey — who also penned the film's screenplay — and illustrated by Chris Burnham.

The film, which also features Tyler Ross, Lauren Velez, Reno Wilson and Bruno Gunn in the cast, is produced by Man Of Action Entertainment, Skip Williamson, Cole Payne, "Crank" co-director Mark Neveldine and SLIPKNOT manager Cory Brennan.

Coates told Entertainment Weekly about working with Crahan: "He's crazy. We hit it off from the get-go. We had dinner, and he truly believes that we've worked together before in some other universe. Sure, alright, sure. He was ready to learn and share, and he had an incredible kinetic energy. He's ferociously talented."

Regarding his vision for the film, Crahan told the 103.9 The Bear radio station in South Bend, Indiana: "I follow the story. That was my biggest thing. Everybody needs to know… I wanted to represent the story. That was my first prize — to make sure that it has justice. That people that are in love with the comic book and in love with the writer watch the movie and go, 'Yup. That was the story. And Clown brought the visual and brought these crazy outfits and this crazy way of acting and these techniques.' So I think the world's gonna like it."

Back in February, Neveldine declared on "The Movie Crypt" podcast that "Officer Downe" is "better than any Marvel movie or DC movie ever made." And Casey recently told Entertainment Weekly that the film "makes 'Crank' look like 'The English Patient'."

Crahan told The Pulse of Radio a while back that he's been working his way toward directing a feature for a long time. "I've been preparing myself with art my whole life, and preparing myself for directing and scriptwriting, and this is what I've been doing for 10 years, is learning and studying and taking it in," he said. "You know, I honestly believe that, you know, we are gonna create the next 'Clockwork Orange' and I'm gonna die trying because that's my life."

Crahan has directed a number of music videos, concert DVDs and behind-the-scenes featurettes for SLIPKNOT.

He and SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor founded a film production company called Living Breathing Films in 2012, although it has yet to release anything.

Taylor made his acting debut in the horror movie "Fear Clinic", which was released on home video in February 2015.

DEATH ANGEL took part in a live performance and signing session on Thursday, May 26 at the Amoeba Music record store in San Francisco, California. Video footage of the band's five-song set can be seen below (courtesy of Walter Morgan).

DEATH ANGEL's new album, "The Evil Divide", was released on May 27 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was once again recorded at AudioHammer studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, DEICIDE), who previously worked on 2010's "Relentless Retribution" and 2013's "The Dream Calls For Blood". Mastering duties were handled by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City. The cover artwork was created by Tyrrell.

DEATH ANGEL guitarist Rob Cavestany told I Probably Hate Your Band about how "The Evil Divide" compares to "Relentless Retribution" and "The Dream Calls For Blood": "'The Evil Divide' is an evolution and departure from those two albums. Initially, it was going to be a Part 3, but the album went in its own direction, and there was no point in trying to force a connection, so we let it become its own monster, and I'm very happy it became that way."

Cavestany also talked about DEATH ANGEL's continued working relationship with Suecof. He said: "We get along great, both personally and in a working relationship. Our co-producing team seems to be quite a fine match, and we figured we would be able to outdo what we had done before, because we're used to it, and everything about our chemistry is on fire. So, yeah, we set out to outdo what we had done before."

Regarding the songwriting process for "The Evil Divide", Cavestany said: "I [got] the chance to write at home more. But part of it was written on the road, and practically all of it was influenced by the road. I wrote some of it at home after we finished 'The Dream Calls For Blood', then wrote a bit while we were out on tour for that album, and mostly decided to soak up the inspiration from being on tour and travelling. Then in the final six weeks before entering the recording studio, I cranked out the second half of the album."

During a brand new interview with Goldmine magazine, TWISTED SISTER guitarist Jay Jay French once again reiterated his belief that fans are not interested in hearing new music from veteran rock artists. He said: "Let's be honest. Any classic band that releases a new record is an idiot for playing it. I mean, they can justify it all they want but no one cares. Let me tell you, you're a bunch of stupid fools if you think that anyone gives a shit. They don't. They say they do, but they don't. Which is why most of these classic bands make a new album, go out on a tour, start out with five songs from the new record, after a few weeks there are two songs and then they just want to play that one new song and get it over with. Because no one knows it and no one gives a shit about it, and they're delusional to think they do. Another delusional thing is, let's alter the arrangements and be hip. No one gives a shit about that either. If you're a great entertainer, you'll give them exactly what they want to hear, exactly how they want to hear it. That's what great entertainers do. Idiot entertainers don't do that."

French also talked about TWISTED SISTER's decision to call it quits after a final round of dates, dubbed "Forty And Fuck It - The Final Tour". He said: "Whether you like it or not, once you reach a status of 'classic,' you really start to understand people — if you really truly want to understand why people like you. You can make new product, it's all well and good, but when someone spends 200-300 bucks for a ticket, they expect certain songs, they expect the songs played correctly, they expect you to be proficient, on time and professional — that's what an entertainer is. And I will tell you that the club scene taught us an enormous amount of discipline."

He continued: "You know, I can't emphasize it enough. Dee [Snider, TWISTED SISTER singer] became one of the greatest frontmen in the world because he learned how to do it on the club scene. We learned how to be great entertainers in the bars and we followed through. And I think the band just wants to say that we reached a point where we can't do it anymore in the manner that we feel we need to do it and we should probably be respected for that. Because I don't want to takes someone's money that I don't earn. And it's hard for some people to understand that. They want to keep you hermetically sealed in a jar with their memories forever. Which I get. I do get it. But I think at some point this year will be our last show, and I'll turn around to the other guys in the band and that'll be it."

Most of TWISTED SISTER shows in 2016 are featuring the core lineup of Dee Snider (vocals), Jay Jay French (guitar), Mark Mendoza (bass) and Eddie Ojeda (guitar), along with drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, ex-DREAM THEATER).

TWISTED SISTER's movie, "We Are Twisted F***ing Sister!", was released on February 23 on DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, and digital formats, with an included two hours of bonus material and director commentary.

House Speaker Paul Ryan has weighed in on AC/DC's decision to use Axl Rose as the the lead singer of the band's current tour, calling it "a little weird."

Ryan — who is known for his far-right positions on both economics and social issues — was previously described as a huge rock music fan whose playlist "starts with AC/DC and ends with [LED] ZEPPELIN."

Asked by Politico's Glenn Thrush for his thoughts on Rose stepping in for Brian Johnson, who was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss," Ryan said (hear audio below): "[It's] a little weird. The AC/DC voice is just so iconic, so known, it's strange.

"[The] Brian Johnson [era of AC/DC] is the one that most of us grew up with. Now, 'Dirty Deeds', I have that album… My kids love a couple of songs on that album. But the raspy voice of most of what people think of AC/DC — 'Whole Lotta Rosie', 'It's A Long Way To The Top', all the 'Back In Black' stuff — that is not Axl Rose. But you have to understand, that's what younger people think of AC/DC."

Ryan went on to express his doubts about whether Rose could do the job as Johnson's replacement. "Has he put gravel in his voice?" the House Speaker asked. "I mean, the question is, can he…? He's got more range in his voice… If he smoked a couple of packs a day for the last ten years, maybe he'd be better. And it [would] sound like AC/DC."

The former vice presidential running mate of Mitt Romney in 2014 denied that he was a huge fan of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE after he became the butt of jokes when his supposed fandom was flatly denied by the band's guitarist, Tom Morello. Ryan told the New York Times: "They were never my favorite band. I hate the lyrics, but I like the sound. LED ZEPPELIN has always been my favorite band. Again, these urban legends get going."

Two years earlier, Morello wrote an op-ed piece for Rolling Stone calling Ryan "the embodiment of the machine that our music has been raging against for two decades. Ryan claims that he likes RAGE's sound, but not the lyrics. Well, I don't care for Paul Ryan's sound or his lyrics."

The guitarist went on to criticize Ryan for his "rage" against "women… immigrants… workers… gays… the poor… the environment" and support for "the super rich."

"But RAGE's music affects people in different ways," Morello admitted. "Perhaps Paul Ryan was moshing when he should have been listening."

UK metallers, Haken, have released a bass playthrough video for the track “Earthrise”, featured on their fourth full-length studio album, Affinity. The follow-up to their 2013 album The Mountain was released on April 29th.

Since releasing their Restoration EP in 2014, Haken have been making waves on the live circuit, including appearances at high-profile festivals such as Hellfest, Ramblin' Man Fair, Be Prog! My Friend and Cruise to the Edge as well as supporting the likes of Between The Buried & Me and The Neal Morse Band, a double headline UK tour with Leprous, and their first North American headline tour.

Recorded during the winter months of 2015, Affinity marks a new approach to the song-writing process for Haken, as vocalist Ross Jennings explains; "It is the most collaborative we have ever been on an album. We wanted to develop and expand our sound by having every member contribute initial ideas from the very beginning of the process. It naturally takes longer to filter through the mass of material and fit it all together coherently, but this approach has helped to create something completely fresh whilst maintaining the core elements of Haken's sound."

The band once again called upon Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Between The Buried And Me) for mixing and mastering duties. "He is a wizard in this department! We are always confident his mix will bring out the best from our performance and this is no exception," remarks keyboardist Diego Tejeida.

Like much of Haken's previous music, Affinity is full of surprises and “The Architect”, the album's centrepiece, is no exception. Blasting through a dizzying array of instrumental insanity coupled with down-tempo atmospheric tenuity, Haken welcomes friend and Leprous frontman Einar Solberg mid-song for a spot of guest vocals! Just one of many twists and turns throughout this 60-minute musical lobotomy, Haken's Affinity will open up a new dimension in this UK sextet's trajectory.

Affinity is available on Limited Edition Digipak (incl. bonus disc with instrumentals), 180g Gatefold 2 LP Edition (incl. album on CD), Standard CD Jewel Case, Digital Download and Deluxe Digital Download (incl. instrumental version of the album as bonus).

Tracklisting:

“affinity.exe”      
“Initiate”
“1985”
“Lapse”
“The Architect”
“Earthrise”
“Red Giant”
“The Endless Knot”
“Bound By Gravity”

“Earthrise” video:

“The Endless Knot” lyric video:

“Initiate” video:

The band have confirmed their first European tour dates:

May
27 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij
29 - Paris, France - Divan du monde
30 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
31 - Lyon, France - Marché Gare

June
2 - Barcelona, Spain - Razz 2
3 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol
4 - Spain - Minnuendo Festival
6 - Milan, Italy - Legend Club
7 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
8 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
9 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos Saal
10 - Berlin, Germany - Maschinenhaus
11 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresija
14 - Stockholm, Sweden - Bryggarsalen
15 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee
16 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Spillestedet Stengade
17 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
18 - Cologne, Germany - Gebäude 9
19 - UK - Stone Free Festival

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich spoke to Metal Forces about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic" album. He said: "We're now coming towards the end of the musical creative process and we're starting to look ahead and the process of how we're gonna share this record with the universe."

He added: "The month of June is basically when we're gonna sit down and figure what we're gonna do with it all; what we're gonna call it and what's gonna be on it."

The new METALLICA album is being recorded at the band's headquarters in San Rafael, California with producer Greg Fidelman, who engineered and mixed "Death Magnetic".

"Greg Fidelman is 24/7 on this record and has been since last summer," said Ulrich. "He's doing an insanely great job and has been putting his heart and soul in it pretty much every waking moment of his life in helping us engineer and produce this record."

Although Ulrich was hopeful that METALLICA's new album would arrive in 2016, he was careful not to make any promises. "If the record doesn't come out this year, then it won't be because it's not done," he stated. "It will be because there's some sort of cosmic reason that it would be smarter to hold onto it until next year. But the record will be done this summer."

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett told Alternative Press that the "hardest part" of recording a new album was coordinating the band members' schedules, saying, "Life has its demands. We're trying to make an album and go on tour, trying to be a band, but we all recognize that if someone has a family situation, that takes priority over everything."

The group's headlining show at Minneapolis' new U.S. Bank Stadium on August 20 sold out all 66,000 tickets in less than ten minutes two months ago. Joining METALLICA at that show will be AVENGED SEVENFOLD and VOLBEAT.

METALLICA's classic 1986 album "Master Of Puppets" is among the records that have been selected for induction into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. Every year 25 recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and at least ten years old are selected.

BLACK EARTH — the new project featuring former and current members of ARCH ENEMY performing material from ARCH ENEMY's first three albums live on stage — kicked off its seven-date Japanese tour on May 17 in Tokyo.

Fan-filmed video footage of BLACK EARTH's May 23 concert in Osaka can be seen below.

BLACK EARTH's setlist for the Japanese tour was as follows:

01. Black Earth02. The Immortal03. Dead Inside04. Pilgrim05. Sinister Mephisto06. Diva Satanica07. Tears Of The Dead08. Let The Killing Begin09. Angelclaw10. Bury Me An Angel11. Dark Insanity12. Eureka13. Idolatress14. Cosmic Retribution15. Demoniality16. Transmigration Macabre17. Time Capsule18. Fields Of Desolation

Encore:

19. Aces High (IRON MAIDEN cover)20. Beast Of Man21. Silverwing22. Bridge Of Destiny

BLACK EARTH is:

Michael Amott - guitarChristopher Amott - guitarJohan Liiva - vocalsDaniel Erlandsson - drumsSharlee D'Angelo - bass

Michael Amott told Kansai Scene about BLACK EARTH: "We thought it was a great idea to celebrate [the 20th] anniversary [of ARCH ENEMY's 'Black Earth' album] and the early years of ARCH ENEMY this way. Judging by the reactions we are getting from the Japanese fans, I think we have made the right decision to book these seven concerts across Japan."

He added: "We [are] playing the debut ARCH ENEMY album, 'Black Earth', in its entirety, of course, as well as a cross-section of songs from the second and third albums, 'Stigmata' and 'Burning Bridges'…and dare I say some pretty cool surprises too!"

Asked if BLACK EARTH is a short-term or long term-project and whether it will have any effect on the future of ARCH ENEMY, Michael said: "BLACK EARTH has no impact on the ARCH ENEMY schedule. ARCH ENEMY will return with a new studio album and world tour when the time is right. For now, BLACK EARTH is only existing for the Japan tour in May! I doubt that we will pursue this project any further after the tour. We are, however, all extremely excited to perform these special concert in Japan for the fans — it's going to be a unique and cool experience for both us and the audience."

ARCH ENEMY was rejoined by the band's original members Johan Liiva and Christopher Amott for their appearance at last year's edition of the Loud Park festival on October 10-11, 2015 at Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan.

Speaking about his 2000 exit from ARCH ENEMY, Liiva told LoudTV.net in a 2015 interview: "Actually, I wasn't that angry. I was just kind of shocked and kind of disappointed, because I wasn't expecting it. But you just have to deal with it and accept what happened. Then, a few years later, I realized, 'Okay, this is what it's like. It's the music business. [ARCH ENEMY mainman/guitarist Michael Amott] wants to make a living from his music, he wants to make the band like that.' And, honestly, at the end, I wasn't putting too much of my energy into the band; I had so many other things on my agenda, unfortunately. So it was like a mixture of all these things. I was not focused, maybe. So I totally understand it. But then again, many fans were really angry and they all supported me, and I thanked them so much for that. And now they see me doing this show in Loud Park and they wonder what the fuck is going on. You know what I mean? That I don't stand for my values or… But it's not like that. It was a very difficult thing back then."

Asked how his guest appearance with ARCH ENEMY at Loud Park came about, Liiva said: "It was Michael [that asked me to do it]. We're old friends and we speak every now and then on the phone. So he said, soon it's twenty years ago, you know — it's an anniversary for the band. And also it's an anniversary for the Loud Park festival. So he was, like, 'Would you like to do this?' And I was, like, 'Ehhh…. Yeah. Yeah, of course I want. For the fans.'"

ARCH ENEMY recorded three albums with Johan Liiva: "Black Earth" (1996), "Stigmata" (1998) and "Burning Bridges" (1999).

Liiva was replaced by German singer Angela Gossow as ARCH ENEMY's lead vocalist in 2000. Gossow exited the band in 2013 and was succeeded by former THE AGONIST frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz, while remaining as the group's manager.

Christopher Amott first left ARCH ENEMY in 2005, only to return to the group two years later. His second, and apparently final, departure came in March 2012.

DIO DISCIPLES, which pays tribute to Ronnie James Dio and is fully supported by Dio's widow/manager, Wendy, performed three new, original songs during the band's May 22 appearance at the "Ride For Ronnie" motorcycle rally and concert for Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund in Encino, California. Fan-filmed video footage of one of the tracks, which is apparently called "'Till The End Of Time", can be seen below.

DIO DISCIPLES' lineup for the "Ride For Ronnie" event consisted of the following musicians:

* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) - Vocals * Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB) - Vocals * Craig Goldy (DIO) - Guitar * Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Bass * Scott Warren (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) - Keyboards * Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, OPERATION: MINDCRIME) - Drums

Some of the recent DIO DISCIPLES shows have also included singer Joe Retta (SWEET, HEAVEN & EARTH). Joe hails from Rochester, New York and and was raised on '70s R&B and rock during an era when, as he describes it, "music had more soul and was more diverse." His influences include such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Steve Marriott, Paul Rodgers, Robert Plant and, of course, Ronnie.

Speaking to Hek82 at the "Ride For Ronnie" event, Owens stated about DIO DISCIPLES' plans to record and release original music (see video below): "Craig has really been instrumental in getting these songs written and trying to get it going on. And Joe and Oni [have] been doing a lot of shows with DIO DISCIPLES. I hadn't been with DIO DISCIPLES for over a year, and they asked me to come do this [event]. They're really trying to push DIO DISCIPLES to put some music out — Wendy's been pushing it, and Craig's been pushing it — so these three we have here was three good ones we've already recorded. So it makes it special and it makes it even cooler that DIO DISCIPLES is gonna do our own thing."

In a recent interview with Myglobalmind, Goldy stated about the formation of DIO DISCIPLES: "You see, the band DIO was run like a family. So when your family member dies, the other members of the family that are left behind often try to do things to keep their loved one's memory alive. So that's where the DIO DISCIPLES came from. Wendy and Simon [Wright, sometime DIO DISCIPLES drummer] called me and said, 'We should really do something.' Because there were all these tributes going on for Ronnie; some of them were just trying to cash in on his passing and some of them were legitimate. However, we said, 'We are his family we should do something.' So that is where DIO DISCIPLES came from."

Goldy told Music Life Magazine that DIO DISCIPLES live performances are unique experiences. He said: "At every DIO DISCIPLES concert, there is a moment when the audience and band really connect. I am getting chills just talking about it. There are people in the audience looking up to the sky and singing at the top of their lungs with tears in their eyes, singing to Ronnie in heaven saying they miss him. It's just beautiful, and that's what the project was for."

Drummer Mikkey Dee spoke with Rock Overdose about Motörhead, the loss of Lemmy Kilmister and much more. Read an excerpt below:

Rock Overdose: After Lemmy's tragic loss what was the reaction from the rock community ?

Mikkey Dee: “Although Lemmy’s health was an issue the past few years, many people believed that he would live forever – the world was shocked. The respect and the love from the international music community has been amazing. He was honoured in so many ways and he deserved every single tribute.”

Rock Overdose: What is your opinion about Lemmy's loss?

Mikkey Dee: “Everyone that ever knew him was heartbroken and saddened – he was a very special person.”

Rock Overdose: I had the pleasure to meet Motörhead in 1988 at President hotel in Athens, Greece. I met all the members of the band, and especially Lemmy himself. We stayed all night long drinking beers and smoking cigarettes at the hotel's roof garden. I remember that Lemmy was such a 'real' person with good sense of humor. So simple man. What's your opinion about him?

Mikkey Dee: “Lemmy enjoyed the simple things in life – yet, one can find a lot of information about him in the lyrics he wrote, he was an honest, loyal man.”

Rock Overdose: Motörhead was forced to cancel a number of concerts last year. Will you manage to hit the road under the label of Motörhead sometime or has this 'chapter' been closed forever?

Mikkey Dee: “Motörhead was touring up to the end – this chapter is over. Motörhead as the band does not exist anymore.”

Read more at RockOverdose.gr.

Forty years since the release of the Jailbreak album, and 30 years since Phil Lynott’s passing, Thin Lizzy have announced their first 2016 / 2017 anniversary shows, which will feature Mikkey Dee behind the drum kit.

Thin Lizzy is one of rock music’s most recognizable names. The fiery Dublin band exploded onto the scene with a fresh sound, look and attitude. Lead by the incomparable Phil Lynott, the band reached many peaks and influenced generations of musicians with classic tracks such as “Jailbreak”, “The Boys Are Back In Town”, “Still In Love With You”, “Cold Sweat”, “Emerald” and “Don’t Believe A Word” between 1969 and 1983.

2016 is a year that includes a couple of important anniversaries in the history of Thin Lizzy. On March 26th, 1976, Thin Lizzy released the iconic Jailbreak album to the world, featuring such classic rock staples as “The Boys Are Back In Town” and the title track, “Jailbreak”, and it become one of the most important albums of that era. Now we are 40 years on since the release of that milestone and it is time to celebrate it.

2016 also see’s 30 years since Phil Lynott passed away (January 4th, 1986) and the world lost a rock legend. But his legacy lives on and celebrating that legacy is what is in store. In the summer of 2016 going into 2017, Thin Lizzy will stage a handful of special shows to commemorate these important milestones.

The Thin Lizzy lineup is vocalist Ricky Warwick, guitarists Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson, Darren Wharton on keyboards, and Mikkey Dee on drums.

Scott Gorham: “With Black Star Riders taking some time off the road to work on their third album, I thought it would be really cool to do some Thin Lizzy shows as it’s an anniversary year, to have some fun and to re-live the good old days. We will only do half a dozen or so dates to keep them special. For personal reasons Brian Downey won’t be with us but we have the incredible Mikkey Dee on the drum stool, which we are all very excited about. We will announce who is on bass shortly.”

Mikkey Dee: “It’s an honor to be asked to play with Thin Lizzy on these dates, being a life long fan I am so happy and excited to playing with the band on these shows. It’s going to be great!”

The first announced shows are:

July
23 - Ashford Kent, UK - Ramblin’ Man Fair

January
19-23, 2017 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rock Legends Cruise V

Thin Lizzy lineup:

Scott Gorham – Guitar
Damon Johnson – Guitar
Ricky Warwick – Lead Vocals / Guitar
Darren Wharton - Keyboards
Mikkey Dee – Drums

Born Of Fire announce the release of their new single, a rendition of the 1976 Kansas classic “Carry On Wayward Son”.

Says the band: “To accompany this single we have put together a very cool unique style video with some fantastic artistry and visuals. This is definitely a very different type of video from what you would typically see from us but we feel this unique artistry style gives it that epic throw back feel this classic song deserves.”

Born Of Fire continue: “The band wanted to put out a single before starting the writing process for the next album and to show our support to the fans we are offering the song as a free download on our website. We sincerely hope you all enjoy the song and the video. Most importantly thanks to everyone around the world for your support!!”

Get your free download of the track at this location.

Fan-filmed video footage of Zakk Wylde's (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) May 26 performance at Le Cabaret Sauvage in Paris, France can be seen below.

Wylde recently announced new U.S. and Canadian tour dates in continued support of his new LP, "Book Of Shadows II". Wylde will hit over 40 cities spread out across the U.S. and Canada this summer including a performance at Heavy Montreal festival in Montreal on August 7, a first for him as a solo artist.

"Book Of Shadows II" was released on April 8 via Entertainment One Music (eOne Music). Zakk's first solo release in 20 years is the follow-up to 1996's "Book Of Shadows", a classic album Wylde released between his work with Ozzy Osbourne that has since become a fan favorite.

Wylde, as always, has been on the road nonstop. He wrapped up a buzzworthy stint on Steve Vai's "Generation Axe" tour in Red Bank, New Jersey and prior to that served as a marquee artist on the "Hendrix Experience" tour with the likes of Billy Cox and Buddy Guy. This is the first time Zakk has toured as a headliner in the U.S. and Canada since last year's "Unblackened" tour.

Lacuna Coil manager Adam Sewell has checked in with the following update:

"Woke up to the fantastic news about the brand new Lacuna Coil album Delirium on the American iTunes Charts... #1 Metal album, #3 Rock album, and #10 album overall !!!!

Congratulations to the band for delivering such a fantastic album. 

To everyone in the worldwide Century Media / SONY family who have worked tirelessly around the clock to push the album. And to all of the fans worldwide who have supported the band with a passion and dedication rarely seen, or felt anymore. Seriously, you guys rule."

Lacuna Coil are streaming the track “Ghost In The Mist” from their new album Delirium, which is set for a May 27th release through Century Media Records. Listen below. Marco "Maki" Coti-Zelati created the artwork for Delirium, which is based on an atmospheric session captured by Italian photographer Alessandro Olgiati.

Delirium tracklisting:

“The House Of Shame”
“Broken Things”
“Delirium”
“Blood, Tears, Dust”
“Downfall”
“Take Me Home”
“You Love Me 'Cause I Hate You”
“Ghost In The Mist”
“My Demons”
“Claustrophobia”
“Ultima Ratio”

“Ghost In The Mist”:

“Delirium”:

“The House Of Shame” lyric video:

Tour dates:

May
31 - Chicago IL - Bottom Lounge

June
1 - Minneapolis MN - Mill City Nights
3 - Lawrence KS - Granada
4 - Denver CO - Cervantes
6 - Columbia MO - Blue Note
7 - Nashville TN - Exit / In
9 - New York NY - Gramercy
10 - Norfolk VA - The NorVa
11 - Raleigh NC - Lincoln Theatre
12 - Atlanta GA - Masquerade

# direct Support to Halestorm - LC Only
* no Butcher Babies
^^ no support

Festival dates:

June
24 - Parabiago (MI), Italy - Rugby Sound Festival

July
1 - Piazzola Sul Brenta (PD), Italy - Postpay Sound
9 - Les Remparts De Longwy, France - Rock’n’Roll Train Festival
22 - Vinci (FI), Italy - Festa Dell’Unicorno

August
13 - Graz, Austria - Metal On The Hill Festival

Coffee Jingle Records today release a charity album in aid of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, available to order here, with all proceeds going to the charity.

The aims and objectives of the Charity are as follows: To create a lasting legacy to Sophie. To provide educational group-works that will challenge the prejudice and intolerance towards people from alternative subcultures. To campaign to have the UK Hate Crime legislation extended to include people from alternative subcultures or lifestyle and dress.

The murder of Sophie Lancaster occurred in the United Kingdom in 2007. The victim, along with her boyfriend, was attacked by a number of males in their mid-teens while walking through Stubbylee Park in Bacup, Rossendale, in Lancashire.

Tracklisting:

Naomi Rush - “Curious Breed”
Cradle Of Filth - “Blackest Magick In Practise”
Arch Enemy - “You Know My Name”
Delain - “We Are The Others”
Devilment - “Summer Arteries”
Die So Fluid - “What A Heart Is For”
BirdEatsBaby - “The Bullet”
Evil Scarecrow - “Flight of the Dragons”
DiElle - “Sapphire Tears”
There Is No Us - “Angels Face”
Dead Happy - “This Fine Art Of Making Ghosts”
LeapFrogTown - “Fear”
Vice Squad - “Little Red Gloves”
The Dead Soul Communion - “My Beautiful Mistake”
First Wave - “All Bleed Red”
Brassick - “Same Sound”
Hawka - “Ballad”
Bigfoot - “The Other Side Of Paradise”
Between Waves - “PaperChain”
Voodoo Diamond - “Standing In The Rain”
Silas - “Negative One”
System Of Hate - “Insanity”
Ravenous - “Alone”
The Amplifires - “Grace And Danger”
Shotgun 21 - “Sinister Sister”

Owner of Coffee Jingle Records Martin Wake said the following about getting the opportunity to put the album together; "It was one of the first things I wanted to do when I started up the record label, I then finally was in the position to help the charity last year and set about asking bands and artists if they wanted to perform on it, and in return bands and artists were asking me if they could be on it, so I set about putting the album together."

Ben Bruce of ASKING ALEXANDRIA has responded to former vocalist Danny Worsnop saying the band has "lost its artistic integrity." The guitarist told "Loudwire Nights" host Toni Gonzalez (see video below): "What's really annoying about [Danny's comment] is one, [Danny and I] just a spoke a few days prior, on good terms. And what's really annoying about it is 'artist integrity'… He's an Englishman — from England, obviously; Hull, England — singing country music with an American accent. Where's your integrity? What are you talking about? We've done what we've always loved to do since Day One. We didn't change. He did. So, for the fact that he can sit there and say that, I think it's bullshit. It's not true."

Worsnop slammed ASKING ALEXANDRIA in an interview with Alternative Press, saying: "My priority always lies with my art, and that has never changed and will never change. I ended up leaving [ASKING ALEXANDRIA] because it lost the art to me. It lost its artistic integrity in my eyes. It was just selling out and that's not what I do."

Worsnop and ASKING ALEXANDRIA parted ways over the band's musical direction and tension over Worsnop's side project WE ARE HARLOT. Ben Bruce admitted that some lyrics on ASKING ALEXANDRIA's latest album, "The Black", were written out of frustration with Worsnop, saying: "Danny just stopped caring about ASKING ALEXANDRIA; his heart wasn't in it anymore."

ASKING ALEXANDRIA has moved on with new vocalist Denis Stoff, while Worsnop is preparing to release a solo album that shifts away from hard rock and has more of a country sound to it.

Worsnop recently released "Out Without You", the first single from his upcoming solo disc, "The Prozac Sessions".

The two guitar heroes Mika Vandborg and Soren Andersen (Glenn Hughes, Mike Tramp, D-A-D), aka Electric Guitars, are keeping themselves busy. After 50+ gigs in 2015, the Brothers Of Passion DVD and the release of their second album, String Fever, the band continues to grow and work hard.

Last year Soren Andersen stepped in as temporary bass player in D-A-D and a bond was made between D-A-D- and Electric Guitars in various ways. The two bands have played several big shows together and D-A-D guitarist Jacob  "Cobber"  Binzer is now on board as producer for Electric Guitars.

The first results is ready now in the shape of the new single "Swagman" – the, no doubt, heaviest song ever written by Electric Guitars. The song is taken from the upcoming third studio album to be released in fall 2016.

The "Swagman" single and video are released today, May 27th. Check out the video below:

Electric Guitars lineup:

Soren Andersen – Guitars & vocals
Mika Vandborg – Guitars & vocals
Morten Hellborn – Drums
Peter Kjøbsted - Bass

The official lyric video for the song "Moonshine", from FOUR BY FATE, the band featuring John Regan, Tod Howarth, Rob Affuso and Patrick James Gasperini, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's debut album, "Relentless", which will be released on June 3 via Amazing Record Co. in Europe and The End Records in America.

The seeds for the group's formation were planted in 1986 when Regan and Howarth were on tour together; Regan playing bass with John Waite and Howarth singing and playing keyboards with CHEAP TRICK. The tour brought the pair together as friends and musicians and many months later Regan asked Howarth to join him in FREHLEY'S COMET, a band fronted by Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, the legendary KISS guitarist/singer Ace Frehley.

In 2014, Regan and Howarth joined forces again on a new project — FOUR BY FATE. Enter Gasperini, a New York guitarist/singer and prolific songwriter. With a solid East Coast resume, he adds ripping guitar hero presence and big tunes. Shortly after, the band invited powerhouse percussionist Rob Affuso (SKID ROW) to complete the final foursome.

Adding further rock pedigree, other contributors to the FOUR BY FATE story include Stet Howland (drummer for W.A.S.P.), Sean Kelly (guitarist for HELIX and Nelly Furtado) and AJ Pero (drummer from TWISTED SISTER), who recorded six tracks on the album before he tragically passed away in early 2015.

Says the band, "We have traveled a long road that had more than its share of challenges...but we stayed the course, and that road has led us home. We are proud to announce our alliance with Andreas Katsambas and his brilliantly creative team at The End Records as our partners. Andreas is a visionary who shares our passion for music and independence, and to be a part of this family and its great roster of artists is very exciting. We are looking forward to bringing you our debut album, 'Relentless', this June."

Lions Pride Music has announced the signing of melodic hard rock act Wild Souls. The band is preparing their second album, Game Of Love, due for release this fall.

Founded back in July 2010, by the guitarist Kostis Tsiligiris, Wild Souls formed their basic member line-up a year later with George Nikolaou as a leading vocalist and followed by Dimitris Mazarakis on the keyboards. With Tasos Karapapazoglou (Bass) and Nikos Tsiligoudis (Drums) they recorded and released their first single entitled “Brokenheart”, in September 2011.

The success of the song was followed by several gigs around the country, while the band was tirelessly working towards the completion of their first full-length album. Their passion for the ‘80s hard rock scene and their music performance was proved before a live audience as they supported onstage in October 2012 the band Steam Roller, founded and led by guitarist Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio, Burning Rain). This gig led to a great collaboration between Doug Aldrich and Wild Souls, as the first flew to the city of Kavala, Greece, in order to compose and record the guitar solo for one of the band’s songs, entitled “On The Road”.

Their first album was named after this song, and it was released in 2013 from Final Touch Records (distributed in stores by Cobalt). 

On March 2014 Wild Souls began working on their second studio album with even more inspiration, while gigging around the country sharpening their craft. Unfortunately during the recordings the band’s keyboarder Dimitris Mazarakis decided to retire from the band and Wild Souls had a minor setback. This did not last for long however, as Wild Souls continued with an even stronger will and passion to compose and record their next album.

Months later, on December 2015 the band welcomed a new member. Nikos Karagiannis, a talented guitarist, found his place amongst the band and with his addition Wild Souls were now stronger than ever. With their new member, the band shot their first Video Clip for a new song that will be included in the second studio album.

Soon after, and by the mark of the new year, the recordings where finally complete and the band’s second studio album emerged with very promising songs and masterful compositions.
Wild Souls are now performing gigs while planning the release of their album that is sure to leave a mark.

Teaser video of upcoming single “Dirty Mind”:

The Embodied will release their new album Ravengod on July 15th via Pure Legend Records.

Back in 2011, The Embodied, from Sweden, released its self-titled debut album through Pure Legend Records. Now they are back with the brand new title Ravengod.

Here is what the guitarist, Jon Mortensen, had to say regarding this new album: “The Embodied returns with a second album of fast riffing guitars and thundering drums. Following the well-received debut album and intensive touring, the new opus will reveal the band’s potential even more. It’s more of everything – heavy riffs, melodies and fast-paced drums. These eleven tracks tell a story only to be found and interpreted by the listener. They express a wide range of influences from all genres of metal: power, death, heavy and also the Scandinavian folk music. Stay metal and be The Embodied!"

Tracklisting:

“Bleed”
“Vengeance”
“Praetor Sorrow”
“The Exorcist”
“Land Of The Midnight Sun”
“Awaiting The End”
“I Suffocate Of Anger”
“Art Of Hunting”
“Battle Of The Mind”
“Death By Fire”
“Vallfaerd Till Asgaard”

Line-up:
Marcus Thorell – vocals
Agust Ahlberg – bass
Chris Melin – guitars
Jon Mortensen – guitars
Axel Janossy – drums

The German folk/power metal heroes Winterstorm are set to release their fourth studio album, Cube Of Infinity, on August 19th via NoiseArt Records. The artwork was created by guitar player Michael Liewald.

The band states:

"Just like in the album itself the cover artwork centers the Cube Of Infinity. It combines myth and darkness to an epic structure of metal. Hard riffs and hard edges. We, Winterstorm, tried to upgrade our style with new elements. In our opinion the result is the best and hardest Winterstormalbum so far. Old and new fans can be looking Forward to (will be pleased about) the upcoming storm!"

Cube Of Infinity shows that Winterstorm by far haven't reached the end of their journey. Once more, their highly diversified songs lure the listeners into a Fantasy World that becomes a thrilling adventure thanks to the high quality of the musical background. Catchy rhythms, enthralling melodies, and elating refrains make Cube Of Infinity a model of how power metal should sound in the year of 2016 thay will fascinate not only fans of bands such as Blind Guardian, Rhapsody, and Orden Ogan.

Winterstorm again skillfully succeed in uniting folk elements and power metal to form a unique and kitsch-free mixture of their own. Cube Of Infinity is in schedule to offer a cooling summer storm in the heat of August, drying the sweat of fans with a huge portion of passion and fresh wind.

Psychoprism will release their new album Creation on July 22nd via Pure Steel Records.

A press release states:

“Pure Steel Records are proud to finally be able to present a US metal band in the classical sense again. Finally there is a glimmer of hope in the starving territory of the most beautiful music that gave us the last over 30 years of heavy metal. Finally, the listener can bang his head to shredding guitars, cheer chants which contain amazing highs and lows and thereby enjoy a musical heaviness that is second to none. The New York / New Jersey band Psychoprism makes all this possible. On their debut record (Creation) they present the true mix of heavy metal. From fast power metal songs about real hymns ('Chronos') to powerful ballads ('Friendly Fire') the material contains everything the heart of the banger pleased. The guitars shred like in their best times late ‘80s and the music is more than just a wet dream for anyone who has viewed the crowning of US metal in such glorious groups like Crimson Glory, LordBane and Queensryche. From the first note to the last, a nonstop musical adventure.”

Tracklisting:

“Alpha”
“Creation”
“Shockwaves”
“The Acclaimed”
“Chronos”
“Friendly Fire”
“Against The Grain”
“Defiance”
“The Wrecker”
“Stained Glass”

Lineup:
Erick Hugo – bass
Jess Rittgers – vocals
Bill Visser – lead guitars
Kevin Myers – drums
Adam Peterson - keyboard

The flagship of the Belgian metal scene, After All, are going to release their new thrash metal hammer, Waves Of Annihilation, on June 10th via NoiseArt Records. A second trailer for the album has been released. Watch both trailers below:

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

The band will officially launch Waves Of Annihilation with a live performance at Skullfest in Wervik, Belgium, on June 11th.

Waves Of Annihilation is After All’s ninth full-length album. As on the previous two, Dan Swanö once again delivered a crushingly heavy, yet open production. No loudness war on this one.

Artery Recordings has announced the signing of Auckland, New Zealand groove/progressive metal outfit Set On End. The band's debut full-length, The Dark Beyond will be available through Artery on July 15th. The video for "Dissent” is streaming below.

Originally formed in 2005, Set On End took a break in 2009 after releasing their debut EP. Fast forward to 2016 and they've returned with renewed energy, a revamped lineup, and their first full-length album. The LP was recorded between their own studio, Mindset, and Zorran Mendonsa Productions in Auckland, mixed and engineered by Zorran Mendonsa (New Way Home, Saving Grace) and mastered by Ermin Hamidovic (Periphery, Plini) at Systematic Productions in Melbourne.

The band comments: "The album explores humanity's journey as a species and as individuals, striving for a better world, striving to further our knowledge of who and where we are. Sometimes the path we should take is obvious, and at other times we simply wander into the dark, reaching out for the unknown."

Preorders are available at Artery Recordings.

Tracklisting:

“The Wayfarer”
“Dissent”
“Cimmerian Shade”
“Glass Eye”
“Claw At The Throne”
“Iconoclast”
“Dark Beyond”
“Sanctuary”
“Nexus”
“Endeavour”

“Dissent” video:

Set to unleash their debut full length album, The Fallen Sun, officially on June 10th, Toronto, Canada’s Sludgehammer are streaming the album’s lead track, “Demons From The Woodwork”. Listen below:

The album was self-produced by the band and mixed by guitarist Tyler Williams and mastered by world renowned producer and engineer Lasse Lammert (Gloryhammer, Alestorm, Teramaze) at LSD Studio in Germany.

Tracklisting:

“Demons From The Woodwork”
“Intestines Entwined”
“The Black Abyss”
“Ectogenesis”
“Carrion Eater”
“Consuming Afterbirth”
“Carnivorous Forest”
“Utopian”
“Revolting”
“Organ Harvester”
“Casualties”

“Carrion Eater” video:

(Photo - Hayden John Wolf)

Katatonia, the Swedish purveyors of dark progressive rock/metal, are streaming their new album, The Fall Of Hearts, out now via Peaceville Records. As an added bonus, the stream features an extra track of clips of the three The Fall Of Hearts bonus songs released across the various formats of the album. The stream can be found below.

The official follow-up to 2012’s Dead End Kings was recorded at Stockholm’s Studio Gröndahl & Tri-lamb Studio, and was self-produced by Anders Nyström & Jonas Renkse. Mixing and mastering duties were carried out by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Ihsahn, Devin Townsend) at Fascination Street Studios, with Karl Daniel Lidén (Switchblade, The Ocean, Greenleaf) brought in as engineer.

The dramatic yet desolate artwork was created by long time Katatonia designer and illustrator Travis Smith.

Tracklisting:

“Takeover”
“Serein”
“Old Heart Falls”
“Decima”
“Sanction”
“Residual”
“Serac”
“Last Song Before The Fade”
“Shifts”
“The Night Subscriber”
“Pale Flag”
“Passer”

Bonus Tracks:
“Vakaren” (CD/DVD & Deluxe Edition)
“Sistere” (LP & Deluxe Edition)
“Wide Awake In Quietus” (Digital & Deluxe Edition)

Album stream:

“Serein” lyric video:

“Old Heart Falls” lyric video:

Katatonia have spent the past four years since the release of Dead End Kings touring the world, as well as expanding their fanbase through two special albums on Kscope, the sister label of Peaceville. 2013 saw the release of Dethroned & Uncrowned which exploded the core of the songs on Dead End Kings creating new moods and textures. In 2015, they released the live acoustic album and concert film, Sanctitude. Both releases illustrate the band’s journey toward this, their current more progressive sound.

The Fall of Hearts is the first record to feature new drummer Daniel ’Mojjo’ Moilanen and with the addition of their recently recruited guitarist Roger Öjersson (Tiamat), who came in just in time to sprinkle some blistering solos on the album, Katatonia will continue to push their musical boundaries beyond their roots in the metal scene while drawing in new fans from across the musical spectrum like peers such as Opeth and Anathema have also done, cementing Katatonia’s place as one of the most revered and cherished of all bands in the world of modern heavy music.

Katatonia comment on The Fall Of Hearts: "This album is probably everything we unknowingly ever dreamed of to release. It's a bleak but adventurous journey through our elements, we haven't held back, we have pushed to get forward and backward in the ever spiralling night of our musical legacy."

Order The Fall Of Hearts at this location.

Katatonia have confirmed the following festival appearances for 2016:

June
19 - Clisson, France - Hellfest

July
3 - Helsinki, Finland - Tuska Festival
9-10 - Bouckenborgh, Belgium - Anterwerp Metal Festival

August
5 - Corroios, Portugal - Vagos Open Air Festival,
17-20 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze Festival

October
1 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013 (Epic Metal Fest)

In September 2015, over the course of four sold-out shows, Ayreon's legendary progressive rock concept album, The Human Equation, was brought to life as a full-blown musical production at the Nieuwe Luxor theater in Rotterdam. This limited run of performances was witnessed by die-hard fans from across the world, but now Arjen Lucassen's story can be witnessed by all, as a recording of the final night of those special evenings is being released as both a DVD and Blu-Ray package on June 17th.

Watch the first full clip from the production, “Day Two: Isolation”, streaming below:

The Theater Equation will be available as a deluxe artbook version including Blu-Ray, 2DVDs & 2CDs, as well as a special edition 2CD & DVD digipak, standalone blu-ray & digital audio download. You can now pre-order signed copies of the release here.

Watch the full trailer for The Theater Equation below:

Arjen comments: "Even today as I write this, I am amazed and touched by how hard everyone worked and how much love and care they generously gave to make it all happen. Sometimes the dream becomes reality!"

The stage show stars Dream Theater frontman James Labrie in his original roll as "Me" and features nearly the entire cast of vocalists from the original 2004 album. The main cast is supported by a specially put-together 19-strong Epic Rock Choir. This is a unique document of an undertaking that was surely once in a lifetime.

Cast:
James LaBrie as 'Me'
Devon Graves as 'Agony'
Heather Findlay as 'Love'
Eric Clayton as 'Reason'
Magnus Ekwall as 'Pride',
Marcela Bovio as 'Wife'
Irene Jansen as 'Passion'
Anneke van Giersbergen as 'Fear',
Jermain van der Bogt (Wudstik) as 'Best Friend'
Mike Mills as 'Rage/Father'
Nienke Verboom as 'Nurse'
Peter Moltmaker as 'Doctor'
Anita van der Hoeven as 'Mom'

Band:
Ed Warby: Drums
Jeroen Goossens: Flutes and woodwinds
Johan van Stratum: Bass
Maaike Peterse: Cello
Ben Mathot: Violin
Marcel Coenen: Guitars
Freek Gielen: Guitars
Erik van Ittersum: Keyboards/synths
Ruben Wijga: Keyboards/synths
Epic Rock Choir

The Human Equation story:

After a mysterious single-car accident, the victim - a man in his late 30s - lies comatose in the hospital. Before the accident he was a powerful businessman, wildly successful by any measure but also known for his cutthroat business tactics. Now he finds himself trapped in a prison that took him a lifetime to build: the prison of his own mind.

Guarding the prison are his emotions, which have taken on vivid personas inside his mind. Some are friends, some are foes, and they all have their own agendas. Some aim to trick him or dominate him, others to comfort or inspire him. But the one objective they all share is to force him to face up to the demons of his past and the deep truths about who he is and how he's lived his life, all of which he's conveniently ignored until now. Fear, Rage, Agony, Love, Passion, Reason and Pride take turns engaging the man in this emotional warfare.

Two people hold vigil at the man's bedside: his wife and his best friend. They are desperate to understand how the accident happened and to see even the tiniest sign that the man will regain consciousness. But the man's recovery is not their only concern: is it possible that he somehow found out their secret, and that the "accident" wasn't really an accident at all? Would he ever be able to forgive them?

Will the man have the strength to face the truth about himself and the ones he loves? The story unfolds over his twenty-day emotional struggle with Fear, Rage, Agony, Love, Passion, Reason and Pride, in which each day of coma is represented by a song.

Three decades of Doro - three unforgettable nights - forever captured on three DVDs and two Blu-rays; including an two-hour plus, great music movie, which delivers deep insights behind the scenes and inside the heart of Doro. Nuclear Blast releases this incredible DORO anniversary package on June 24th, Strong And Proud - 30 Years Of Rock And Metal.

Watch “Bad Blood” featuring Lordi from the upcoming release:

Once again, the packaging was drawn by Doro's favorite artist, Geoffrey Gillespie. Strong And Proud - 30 Years Of Rock And Metal will be released in the following formats on June 24th:

- 2Blu-ray-Digi
- 3DVD-Digi
- CD
- Earbook
- 2LP (black) in gatefold
- 2LP (blue) in gatefold (Mailorder + wholesale)
- 2LP (silver) in gatefold (Mailorder-exclusive)
- Earbook in tote bag (Mailorder-exclusive)

Pre-orders can be found on Nuclear Blast.

Tracklisting:

DVD 1 – 30 Years Anniversary Show – Wacken Open Air
“Intro”
“Wacken Anthem (We Are The Metalheads)”
“Burning The Witches”
“East Meets West” (feat. Chris Boltendahl)
“Raise Your Fist In The Air”
“Hellbound”
“Revenge”
“Earthshaker Rock”
“Breaking The Law” (feat. Phil Campbell)
“All We Are” (feat. Eric Fish, Joakim Broden, and Corvus Corax)

30 Years Anniversary Show – Classic Night
“Touch Of Evil”
“On The Run”
“Fear Of The Dark” (feat. Blaze Bayley)
“The Night Of The Warlock”
“You’re My Family”
“Above The Ashes”
“Beyond The Trees”
“Hero”
“Princess Of The Dawn” (feat. Udo Dirkschneider)
“Dancing With An Angel” (feat. Udo Dirkschneider)
“Hard Rock Hallelujah” (feat. Lordi)
“Love Me In Black”
“Für Immer” (Mix Clip Classic Night/Rock Night)

30 Years Anniversary Show – Rock Night
“Raise Your Fist In The Air”
“Save My Soul”
“Running From The Devil”
“Without You”
“East Meets West” (feat. Sabina Classen)
“Rock Till Death” (feat. Hansi Kursch)
“Bad Blood” (feat. Lordi)
“Denim And Leather” (feat. Biff Byford)
“Out Of Control”
“Wacken Anthem (We Are The Metalheads)”
“Metal Racer”
“Herzblut”
“Burn It Up”
“Balls To The Walls” (feat. Udo Dirkschneider)
“All We Are”

DVD 2 – Behind The Curtain, Inside The Heart Of Doro (Documentary)

DVD 3 – Bonus Concert Movie

30 Years Anniversary Show – Classic Night
“Celebrate”
“Burn It Up”
“Breaking The Law”
“All We Are”
“Metal Racer”

30 Years Anniversary Show – Rock Night
“True As Steel”
“Evil”
“Egypt (The Chains Are On)” (feat. Chris Caffery)
“Revenge”
“Hellbound”
“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ (feat. Biff Byford)
“Fight”
Drum Solo
“Ich Will Alles” (feat. Andy Brings)
“Metal Tango”
“Unholy Love”

30 Years Anniversary Show – Wacken Open Air
“Metal Tango” (feat. Eric Fish and Frau Schmitt)
Drum Solo
“Fur Immer” (feat. Uli Jon Roth)

Rock Hard Festival 2015
“Hellbound”
“Fur Immer”

Russia Tour 2015
“Touch Of Evil”
“I Rule The Ruins”

CD/Digital
“On The Run”
“Save My Soul”
“Raise Your Fist”
“Fear Of The Dark”
“Revenge”
“Earthshaker Rock”
“Without You”
“Rock Till Death”
“Egypt (The Chains Are On)”
“Fur Immer”
“Hellbound”
“Balls To The Walls”
“You’re My Family”
“All We Are”

Blu-Ray 1 – 30 Years Anniversary Show – Wacken Open Air
“Intro”
“Wacken Anthem (We Are The Metalheads)”
“Burning The Witches”
“East Meets West” (feat. Chris Boltendahl)
“Raise Your Fist In The Air”
“Hellbound”
“Revenge”
“Earthshaker Rock”
“Breaking The Law” (feat. Phil Campbell)
“All We Are” (feat. Eric Fish, Joakim Broden, and Corvus Corax)

30 Years Anniversary Show – Classic Night
“Touch Of Evil”
“On The Run”
“Fear Of The Dark” (feat. Blaze Bayley)
“The Night Of The Warlock”
“You’re My Family”
“Above The Ashes”
“Beyond The Trees”
“Hero”
“Princess Of The Dawn” (feat. Udo Dirkschneider)
“Dancing With An Angel” (feat. Udo Dirkschneider)
“Hard Rock Hallelujah” (feat. Lordi)
“Love Me In Black”
“Für Immer” (Mix Clip Classic Night/Rock Night)

30 Years Anniversary Show – Rock Night
“Raise Your Fist In The Air”
“Save My Soul”
“Running From The Devil”
“Without You”
“East Meets West” (feat. Sabina Classen)
“Rock Till Death” (feat. Hansi Kursch)
“Bad Blood” (feat. Lordi)
“Denim And Leather” (feat. Biff Byford)
“Out Of Control”
“Wacken Anthem (We Are The Metalheads)”
“Metal Racer”
“Herzblut”
“Burn It Up”
“Balls To The Walls” (feat. Udo Dirkschneider)
“All We Are”

Blu-ray 2 – Behind The Curtain, Inside The Heart Of Doro (Documentary)

30 Years Anniversary Show – Classic Night
“Celebrate”
“Burn It Up”
“Breaking The Law”
“All We Are”
“Metal Racer”

30 Years Anniversary Show – Rock Night
“True As Steel”
“Evil”
“Egypt (The Chains Are On)” (feat. Chris Caffery)
“Revenge”
“Hellbound”
“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ (feat. Biff Byford)
“Fight”
Drum Solo
“Ich Will Alles” (feat. Andy Brings)
“Metal Tango”
“Unholy Love”

30 Years Anniversary Show – Wacken Open Air
“Metal Tango” (feat. Eric Fish and Frau Schmitt)
Drum Solo
“Fur Immer” (feat. Uli Jon Roth)

Rock Hard Festival 2015
“Hellbound”
“Fur Immer”

Russia Tour 2015
“Touch Of Evil”
“I Rule The Ruins”

Official trailer:

“Raise Your Fist In The Air”:

Doro will hit the road in the US once again later this year, with shows booked for September and October. Her schedule is currently as follows, with more shows to be announced soon.

September
27 - Tupelo Music Hall - Londonderry, NH
28 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY
30 - Palace Theatre - Stafford Springs, CT

October
1 - Fish Head Cantina - Halethorpe (Baltimore), MD
2 - Rock Carnival - Lakewood, NJ

Fan-filmed video footage of AC/DC's May 26 performance at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Rock Or Bust02. Shoot To Thrill03. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be04. Back In Black05. Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder06. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap07. Rock 'N' Roll Damnation08. Thunderstruck09. High Voltage10. Rock 'N' Roll Train11. Hells Bells12. Given The Dog A Bone13. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)14. Sin City15. You Shook Me All Night Long16. Shot Down In Flames17. Have A Drink On Me18. T.N.T.19. Whole Lotta Rosie20. Let There Be Rock

Encore:

21. Highway To Hell22. Riff Raff23. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

According to The Pulse Of Radio, AC/DC guitarist Angus Young said in a new interview with NDR.de that he's not really sure what AC/DC will do after wrapping up its current touring commitments with Axl Rose on lead vocals. Young remarked: "We were committed to finishing this tour, so that's been our main goal, and Axl's helping us. I know he's very excited. He keeps saying, can he do more? But we don't really know at the end how we will [proceed]. But we wanna get [through] this tour, which we were committed to doing. We wanna finish it."

Rose took a break from the GUNS N' ROSES reunion to fill in for Brian Johnson after the longtime AC/DC singer was diagnosed with a potentially career-ending hearing problem. Although Rose started the tour seated on a specially made chair every night while he recovered from a broken foot, he's been gradually leaving the seat behind. Bassist Cliff Williams explained, "[Axl has] done a fabulous job, and he's almost out of his chair now. He's mobile, and he's enjoying himself. It's been really good."

The European tour ends back in Germany on June 15 and despite initial fan trepidation, Axl has gotten generally good reviews for his performances so far. Angus Young said: "I mean, under the situation that we had, it was very good that he volunteered and said, 'Hey, if I can help, let me try.' So he's been very good. And he had to learn a lot of songs very quickly, and he's done a great job."

Cliff Williams revealed that he has spoken with Brian Johnson about Axl taking over, with Williams saying that Johnson was "happy" with the choice.

Johnson met with an audio expert this week to see if some newly invented in-ear monitors could help combat his hearing loss.

After a period that has seen AC/DC lose founding guitarist Malcolm Young to dementia, drummer Phil Rudd to legal problems and now possibly Johnson, Angus was asked if he had thought about retiring the group. He replied: "Yes, sure, sometimes. Every thing that comes towards you is hard. But my brother Malcolm always said you have to go on. This he has always believed. It was his idea, his creation. He always said, you have to just go with it."