British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN have uploaded a two-minute video in which "Mayan temple expert and Killer Krew member" Ashley Groom explains how the band's "The Book Of Souls" stage set gets built.

IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith recently told David "Devo" Oosthuizen of South Africa's The Blacklist about the band's current setlist: "It's a balance [between the new album and the classic songs]. The thing is, with the Internet now, as soon as you play one show, everyone knows the setlist. Because the show is so theatrical, there's a lot of cues in it, so it's not like we just get up there and play and change songs every night. It's a coordinated show, so we [aren't] changing much. It's a good balance of [the classic tracks and] our favorite of the new songs, from the new album, 'cause we wanna promote the new album, 'cause we're very proud of it. As a band, as musicians, we like to be moving forward and be creative. That’s always been the biggest buzz for me."

Asked if it is ever frustrating that the fans expect MAIDEN to keep playing songs the band wrote decades ago when MAIDEN has released so many other albums since then, singer Bruce Dickinson told Noisey: "I don't mind, because the new record's really good; it stands up a hundred percent on its own. To an extent, we can always tweak the set list. We'll see how the new record goes down, we'll get some ideas from fans, what they think about it, what tracks they super super love, what tracks they'd really like to see. But I think that there's three or four, maybe five, songs off the new album which would be terrific to play live. And that's half the album, you know? That's 45 minutes!"

Regarding whether there are any songs he would never want to play live, Dickinson said: "Ah, no, it's not that there are songs that we don't necessarily like, but the one that would be the biggest problem in the context of a regular IRON MAIDEN show would certainly be 'Empire Of The Clouds', because it would be so different. On the other hand, it could be really, really cool to perhaps do it in a different context, just because it is so different, you know? Just do something special for it, but that special thing might not even be MAIDEN, you know? It could be that you just do a special event based around it. I don't know though, that's all speculation."

IRON MAIDEN's world tour, in support of the band's latest album, "The Book Of Souls", kicked off on February 24 in Sunrise, Florida (a suburb of Fort Lauderdale).

A video for “Powerslave” from Nylon Maiden’s upcoming double CD, Preserved In Time, can be seen below. Nylon Maiden is headed up by Dutch classical guitarist Thomas Zwijsen - known for his acoustic renditions of some of metal’s greatest songs and arrangements of Iron Maiden tracks.

Nylon Maiden’s Preserved In Time is due for release in June. Thomas has gained almost 10 million views on YouTube with his arrangements of Iron Maiden songs for classical guitar, making this his most anticipated album to date.

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

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

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

People who pre-order the album get some cool extras:

- Their names printed in the booklet of the album, preserved in time!
- The album signed by Thomas
- A free specially designed stainless steel Nylon Maiden dog tag.

"Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" preview video:

“If Eternity Should Fail”:

"Afraid To Shoot Strangers”:

“Tears Of The Dragon”:

“Ghost Of The Navigator”:

“Powerslave” bass solo preview:

On November 20th and 21st 2015, at the Zenith in Munich, Germany, UDR Records made the decision to record the very last live shows ever recorded by Motörhead, following the death of leader Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister on December 28th, 2015 - four days after his 70th birthday - in Los Angeles from an extremely aggressive cancer. Titled Clean Your Clock, the live album will be released on May 27th. Check out the video for “Overkill” below:

Clean Your Clock will be available in the following formats:

* Coloured Double Vinyl in Gatefold with Pop-up Art
* Standalone Audio CD
* DVD of the show with audio CD
* BluRay of the show with audio CD
* Boxset which contains the Coloured Double Vinyl in Gatefold with Pop-Up Art (incl. Download Card), DVD of the show with audio CD in Mini-Gatefold with Pop-Up Art, Blu-ray of the show and the Motörhead Metal Pin
* A limited edition boxset will be available through the UDR shop and will contain the Motörhead Pin in Silver or Gold

They were the Kings of the Road. They lived on it. They loved it and the fans loved them!

Never was the spirit of Motörhead more alive than when they were on tour, shake, rattle and rolling audiences to within an inch of their lives thanks to that indomitable cocktail of power, purpose and head-crunching volume. In fact, after four decades of bone-pulverizing duty, Motörhead were still enjoying sold-out gigs worldwide.

On November 20th and 21st 2015, at the Zenith in Munich, Germany, UDR Records made the decision to record - what happened to be the very last live shows ever recorded - and Motörhead proceeded to deliver two storming sold out shows. Where there had once been almost too-fast breakneck pace, there was measured yet still thunderous rock’n’roll served up only as they could, Phil Campbell playing better and better, and Mikkey Dee elevating the art of drumming to the superlative heights which made him one of metal’s most coveted skinsmen.

Tracklisting:

“Bomber”
“Stay Clean”
“Metropolis”
“When The Sky Comes Looking For You”
“Over The Top”
Guitar Solo”
“The Chase Is Better Than The Catch”
“Lost Woman Blues”
“Rock It”
“Orgasmatron”
“Doctor Rock”
“Just 'Cos You Got The Power”
“No Class”
“Ace Of Spades”
“Whorehouse Blues”
“Overkill”

“When The Sky Comes Looking For You” video:

“Bomber” video:

 

 

 

 

getSURREY reports that Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell played a special performance of his band’s hit “Ace Of Spades” with music students in Guildford, UK this week.

The legendary musician played at the Electric Theatre on Wednesday (May 18th) as part of the Academy of Contemporary Music masterclass sessions. Hosted by the ACM’s head of creative industry development and Skunk Anansie guitarist, Ace, Campbell took to the stage with ACM band, One Click Malice.

Read more, see more photos, and check out video footage at getsurrey.co.uk.

Phil Campbell's All Starr Band has announced a pair of one-off gigs for this summer as well as a string of UK tour dates for November. Check out the schedule below.

For additional information and updates go to the official Facebook page for Phil Campbell's All Starr Band here.

Campbell and Motörhead bandmate Mikkey Dee will join Saxon when they headline the Swedish racing series V8 Thunder Cars final, the Lemmy 500 at Ljungbyhed on September 24th. Saxon will give the Swedish audience a full concert to honour the legendary frontman of Motörhead, Lemmy Kilmister who passed away recently. Saxon will also team up with Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell to make a one-off musical tribute to Lemmy performing some of Motörhead’s greatest hits.

”It’s going to be great to come back and see all our Swedish fans! This event is something special an unique. We have never before made a concert at a racetrack on a raceday and also to do a tribute to our long time friend and rock icon Lemmy along with Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell”, says Biff Byford, the lead singer of Saxon, whose latest album Battering Ram reached #13 on the Swedish charts.

”This is going to be a night to remember! Playing some of Motörhead’s greatest hits together with our friends Saxon is going to be a great tribute to our former friend and band member. The Lemmy 500 will go down in history as the rockiest race championship final ever!”, says Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee.

The Swedish national championship racing series V8 Thunder Cars has been given the go-ahead to name its final race in honour of Lemmy – the winner of the Lemmy 500 and the championship will be crowned on stage before the concert starts.

”There will be no other race more prestigious to win than the Lemmy 500 in Sweden,” says Alexander Graff, runner up in the championship last year and one of the favourites for the title this year.

”It will be one hell of a final, a true party of rock ’n roll and racing mixed together. Both Saxon and Motörhead are huge here in Sweden and we will make sure the spectators will feel right at home in our paddock – we are quite a rowdy but friendly bunch and definitely more rock ’n’ roll than the glamour that is so often associated with motorsports.”

Tickets are on sale via ticketmaster.se.

German metal band, Rage, will release their new album, The Devil Strikes Again, on June 10th via Nuclear Blast Records. The band have released the third official album trailer. Watch three trailers below:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

The Devil Strikes Again will be released in various formats: CD / Digibook (2CD)/ Deluxe Digibook (3CD) / 2LP. Pre-order the new album at this location.

Tracklisting:

CD/LP:
“The Devil Strikes Again”
“My Way”
“Back On Track”
“The Final Curtain”
“War”
“Ocean Full Of Tears”
“Deaf, Dumb And Blind”
“Spirits Of The Night”
“Times Of Darkness”
“The Dark Side Of The Sun”

Bonus (Digibook/ Deluxe / LP)
“Bring Me Down”
“Requiem”
“Into The Fire”
“Bravado” (Rush Cover)
“Slave To The Grind” (Skid Row Cover)
“Open Fire” (Y&T Cover)

CD Live 2016 (Deluxe only)
“Black In Mind” (live)
“Sent By The Devil” (live)
“End Of All Days” (live)
“Back In Time” (live)
“Down” (live)
“My Way” (live)
“Until I Die” (live)
“Don't Fear The Winter” (live)
“Higher Than The Sky” (live)

“Spirits Of The Night” lyric video:

“My Way” video:

Studio trailers:

Part 1:

Part 2:

 

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.

An official trailer for the upcoming release can be seen below:

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”

“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

Last weekend in Las Vegas, Doro received her well-deserved award, acknowledging her decades-long dedication, passion and love of music. She was met with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation by the crowd when she received the "Metal Goddess" Legends Award at Vegas Rocks Hair Metal Awards in the Casablanca Event Center of Eastside Cannery Casino.

Doro: "It was incredibly nice, the people celebrated endlessly and everyone in the hall stood up and clapped for me - even my colleagues couldn't rest on their chairs."

Doro paid tribute to Ronnie James Dio with a cover version of the Dio classic "Rainbow In The Dark" at the ceremony. Joining her for the performance was bassist Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Dio), guitarist Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), guitarist Alex Skolnick (Testament) and drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne). Check out fan-filmed video below:

Doro received her third Legend Award in Las Vegas - she has already been honoured with two "Living Legend" awards; at the awards shows of prominent magazines in London and Berlin in 2013.

"The first two award shows were already phenomenal, but how the Americans celebrated the evening here in Vegas, that's unbeatable," Doro explains after her return to Dusseldorf.

Three classic Axel Rudi Pell albums will be re-released on vinyl through Steamhammer / SPV on June 3rd.

Magic (original release 1997) contains the classics "The Clown Is Dead" and the title track and will be available the first time ever on vinyl.

Oceans Of Time (original release 1998), the first album with singer Johnny Gioeli, contains the classics "Carousel" and the title track and is also available the first time ever on vinyl.

The Crest (original release 2010) contains the fan favourites "Too Late" and "Dreaming Dead" and contains one live bonus track.

All albums are limited to 1,000 units wordlwide and come in a double gatefold version with 180 g black vinyl, printed inner sleeves and a CD in paper bag.

Axel Rudi Pell’s live schedule can be found at Axel-rudi-pell.de.

Guitar legend Paul Gilbert will release his newest record, I Can Destroy, on May 27th via earMUSIC on CD Jewel and digital. A snippet of the new song “Adventure And Trouble” is streaming below:

From platinum album sales and number one chart success as a founding member of Mr. Big, to frightening the guitar community with new levels of ferocious picking technique with shred-pioneers Racer X, to exploring punk, pop, classical, blues, jazz, and progressive instrumental styles in his solo career, Paul Gilbert has recorded a massive amount of stunning guitar music, all while circling the globe to play sold-out arenas from Japan to Jakarta.

Gilbert’s style stands out for its rare combination of accuracy, creativity, and power – all which are balanced with Paul’s sense of humour and pure love of music.

Although Paul is best known for his work with Mr. Big and Racer X, he has also toured with Joe Satriani’s G3, played in a host of tribute concerts with legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, and been integral in the design of his signature Ibanez PGM and Fireman guitars.

Paul’s legacy as a guitar instructor began when he was eighteen, when he was hired to teach at Hollywood’s Guitar Institute of Technology. His groundbreaking “Intense Rock” videos and DVDs have inspired legions of guitarists to improve their accuracy, speed, and phrasing. Years as a columnist for Guitar Player magazine, and most recently, Premier Guitar magazine, along with giving countless clinics, private lessons, and serving for five years as the dean of MI Japan, have given Paul Gilbert deep experience in the art of communicating music to all levels of guitarists.

Over 25 years in the music business have only increased Paul’s passion to explore the possibilities of music and the art of playing the guitar. Whether he’s playing to 10,000 fans or jamming one-on-one with a student, Paul Gilbert is living his childhood dream of taking the sounds in his head and bringing them into reality – on the electric guitar.

I Can Destroy is Paul’s next solo-masterpiece and will be his 18th solo album. The album features 13 very diverse rock-tunes. With Kevin Shirley producing, and an amazing band of Freddie Nelson and Tony Spinner on guitars and vocals, Kevin Chown on bass, and Thomas Lang on drums, Paul rocks with more power and emotion than ever before.

Tracklisting:

“Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal”
“I Can Destroy”
“Knocking On A Locked Door”
“One Woman Too Many”
“Woman Stop”
“Gonna Make You Love Me”
“I Am Not The One (Who Wants To Be With You)”
“Blues Just Saving My Life”
“Make It (If We Try)”
“Love We Had”
“I Will Be Remembered”
“Adventure And Trouble”
“Great White Buffalo” (Bonus Track)

“Make It (If We Try)” snippet:

"Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal" video:

“I Can Destroy”:

KING CONQUER have shared the following update regarding their next release:

“We just wanted to give everyone an update on this upcoming album/ep/double disk whatever happens. We just want to say first and foremost, thank you to anyone that has ever supported us as a band or as an individual. Thank all of you so much. With everything that has been going on in our personal lives, it just seems we need to put something down so badly…but we don’t want it to be some quickly put together prefabricated bullshit…we want it to be its own in a way that it will be a part of each one of us to all.

We want this album to move you both physically and mentally. Something just insane, something real for everyone. Derick, James and I (Adam) are both writing for the album now and have been for awhile. Chris and Jesse are writing together as well. Personal issues, other projects and responsibilities that come with being human and in a metal band still barely making it just kind of halted us for a bit…but that’s ok.

We are planning on getting together soon and putting everything together that we have been working on these last few years for us and for you guys. From the bottom of our fucking hearts, thank you all so much for all the love, support and patience over the years. The things that are put in front of us are always a mystery but what we do with these things, will determine our futures. Bout to bring the heavy back, from the bottom of our nut-sacks.

–KING CONQUER“

Former SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison has launched a brand new extreme metal supergroup called SINSAENUM. Joining him in the new project are MAYHEM and SUNN O)))'s Attila Csihar along with former DÅÅTH and CHIMAIRA vocalist Sean Zatorsky, DRAGONFORCE bassist Frédéric Leclercq on guitar and SETH's Heimoth on bass.

SINSAENUM's debut album, "Echoes Of The Tortured", will be released on July 29.

The band's video for the track "Army Of Chaos" can be seen below.

Leclercq tells Metal Hammer: "I've been a death metal fan ever since and wrote some of these songs already in 1998, so it's something I always wanted to do. There was never the right time though, nor did I find the proper people to pull it off.

"Joey sent me an SMS to ask what I was up to, so I told him about those death metal songs."

Regarding "Echoes Of The Tortured", Leclercq said: "I wish to take the listener on a journey. Everything is interconnected, so you may pick particular songs, but it's meant to be listened to as a whole.

"Today with iTunes and whatnot, people are choosy, whereas this is supposed to be an all-encompassing experience, forcing you to take it in as one piece of art, which is because I come from a time when you still put on a record and stuck to it until it was over."

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

SLIPKNOT announced in December 2013 that it had parted ways with Jordison, one of the band's founding members and key songwriters. SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor told Metal Hammer that firing Jordison after 18 years was "one of the hardest decisions" the group ever made, adding that Jordison is "in a place in his life" which is "not where we are." SLIPKNOT's new drummer is Jay Weinberg, son of longtime Bruce Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg.

KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch spoke to Alternative Press about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's twelfth studio album, due out later this year. He said: "[The new material] is awesome. It's mainly James ['Munky' Shaffer, guitar] and I. We really wanted to go into what KORN does guitar-wise. James, Ray [Luzier, drums] and I started riffing back in June of last year. Then we'd go on tour, come back and spend a week or two just jamming out. We started getting ideas pretty quickly once we started going into bigger studios and everything. It just went in that direction of the heavier sound. It's the most intense KORN music in a long time vocally [as well]."

He continued: "We were thinking about the live show when we were writing the songs. The last record had good songs on it, but we only played like two or three of them live, because not all of them really translated live. This album has more of that quiet/loud dynamic but also sounds current. The whole band is pretty happy with it. We'll be announcing the album title, song titles, release date and some new partnerships soon."

Welch also spoke in more detail about the importance of making music that will translate well in a live environment. "It was easier to [pick songs from] the last album [to play in concert] because a lot of the songs just didn't work live," he said. "It will be harder with this one because I can think of at least five of the songs that would be slammin' in a set. I would love to play at least four of them to push the new album."

He continued: "I think [the new songs] are going to go over well, but people have their memories of certain songs and they want to hear them when they come to see you live. My hope is that as people get excited about the new album and the word spreads that it's a kind of back-to-basics KORN album, the core fans will really like it and we can play more of the material live and get a good reaction. But you do always have to play certain songs. Sometimes we'll get bold and [skip] some of the big ones and people usually aren't happy about that. [Laughs] 'What? You guys didn't play 'Freak On A Leash'?!'"

Regarding the possibility of playing the entire new album live, Welch said: "To me, that's scary to do that on the first tour for a new record. I would like to do that after a couple of arena tours because then people have had a chance to get to know the songs. Going right out with it — 'Hey, here's a new song, you've had the record for a week!'"

Welch said in a 2015 interview with "Do You Know Jack?" that touring with SLIPKNOT in 2014 inspired KORN to get back to a heavier sound, saying, "I think it sparked and reminded everybody in the band what KORN started out to be."

KORN last fall completed a North American tour on which the band performed its debut album in its entirety at every stop.

In a brand new interview with U.K.'s The Guardian, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons was asked if it's correct to say that he will vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. He responded: "That's totally inaccurate. I've known the man over the years, but that doesn't mean I'm going to vote for him."

He continued: "To be quite honest, I wish celebrities would shut up: I don't like the idea of celebrities announcing who they're for and not for, because a number of their fans will be voting just because their favourite band said to do so. That takes away the honesty of the democratic process. I'm totally against advertising who I want to vote for, and I haven't made up my mind, quite honestly. Celebrities should shut up and keep it private."

Asked if he thinks there's a place for artists to speak up over issues such as North Carolina's discrimination law, Gene said: "I do — but that's not a political issue, that's a human rights issue. Discrimination of any kind ... Well, I don't agree with Donald Trump on his views on, say, Mexico – I would certainly speak up over the border."

Simmons, a former contestant on Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice" show, recently told People magazine that he likes how the real estate mogul is shaking up the current presidential race.

"The important thing about Trump, and I'm not saying whether I'm voting for him, or Hilary [Clinton], or anybody else, is that he has changed the game," he said. "He doesn't want your money. This guy funds his own campaign, and he is going to say things that tens of millions of people actually say quietly because politically it's 'incorrect.'"

Cradle Of Filth wrap up their current tour of Russia tonight (May 20th) in Krasnodar. Backing vocalist / keyboardist Lindsay Schoolcraft recently posted the following update from the tour:

"The last time we toured Russia it was, no pun intended, quite rushed and as a vegan I was totally not prepared. But this time I am on my A game (thanks to Vega) and we’ve actually had a chance to breathe between gigs. And when I say 'breathe' I mean shower, sleep, and text Mother.

I do have to send out an apology to some of the fans who we’ve rushed by to get to the bus after our gigs. It breaks my heart not being able to say hello, but sometimes our travel schedules don’t work in our favour. I swear we’re not a bunch of jerks!

The shows have been so memorable. Hearing the crowd singing along to every word in 'Blackest Magick', 'Nymphetamine', and 'Cradle to Enslave' is really surreal, but so humbling. We’re half way through our trek now with three shows left to go. Xandria have been such a solid live opening act. It’s really nice to finally share the stage with them. I have been a fan of their music for a quite awhile now and catch myself singing along through out their set.

Dani has been teaching me the ways of old school black metal for a good portion of this trip. From Satyricon to Emperor and Mayhem, we’ve been listening to it all. His commentary is pretty comical too. Pinkies up. Between those chats we’ve also been trying to discuss better strategies on how to work from home, which we both do and apparently are pretty shit at. Who knows, maybe we’ll be more productive after this tour. Or not. Creative minds working from home? Absolute disaster. Sometimes we do need some structure in being told what to do. Only time will tell if we smarten up."

Read more at this location.

A piece of black metal history has been lying dormant for over two decades, deep in the shadowy abyss of dust-ridden, musty vaults. The authors of this forbidden rite decided the world was not quite ready for its offering in 1995, and thus locked it away from the light. But the years passed, and gradually it's power grew too strong. Freed from its vault by genre-defining creators Cradle Of Filth and the recently resurrected extreme music label Cacophonous, the two have joined forces to finally unshackle the unreleased sophomore album Dusk… And Her Embrace: The Original Sin as a CD and digital album on July 8th. A vinyl LP version will be available later this year.

“The wait is over. The original Dusk… And Her Embrace is dragged kicking and screaming into the world, and people can finally hear for themselves what a true masterpiece it is.” – Neil Harding, Cacophonous Label Head

Tracklisting:

“Macabre, This Banquet”
“Nocturnal Supremacy”
“Heaven Torn Asunder”
“Dusk And Her Embrace”
“A Gothic Romance”
“The Graveyard By Moonlight”
“Funeral In Carpathia”
“Beauty Slept In Sodom”
“The Haunted Shores Of Avalon”
“Carmilla’s Masque”
“A Gothic Romance” (Bonus Demo Track)
“Nocturnal Supremacy” (Bonus Demo Track)

Trailer:

Cradle Of Filth signed to Cacophonous in 1994, releasing their debut album, The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh on an unsuspecting world, consequently landmarking themselves at the forefront of the extreme music movement. With their writing becoming more fluid, more confident, Dusk… And Her Embrace: The Original Sin is the precursor to the band’s sound as it is today, and a must-have for any extreme music fans.

Dusk… And Her Embrace: The Original Sin will be available to pre-order from May 30th.

Louder Noise has uploade a new episode of "Vinnie Paul's True Metal Stories" in which former PANTERA and current HELLYEAH drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott talks about how a chance meeting with Rob Halford in the early 1990s led to PANTERA touring Europe with JUDAS PRIEST. The clip, which was animated and directed by Máté Szabó, can be seen below.

Said Vinnie Paul about Halford: "[Rob is] one of the most unbelievable, sincere people that you'll ever meet. He's an artist, but he's like myself. You get those artists that have egos and attitudes and they're difficult. But then you get those artists that are fans and love music and love people and love doing what they're doing, and Rob's one of those kind of people. He's just the most sincere, unbelievably loving, cool dude that you'll ever meet, man. He's awesome."

Back in 2004, Halford talked about his first meeting with PANTERA. He said: "I first met [late PANTERA guitarist] Dime ['Dimebag' Darrell Abbott] in 1991. I was in Toronto preparing for the 'Painkiller' tour. I had MuchMusic TV on and saw this guy talking about metal and wearing a 'British Steel' shirt. From what he was saying and the PANTERA video that aired I knew right away that this man was a guitar god!

"I called MuchMusic and spoke to Dime and that night went to a club and hung with the band. We jammed 'Metal Gods'. From that point on, he and the rest of the band became solid friends. My gut feeling was that this band would be huge.

"So PANTERA toured with PRIEST all over Europe. Many a night I would stand off stage and watch them tear up city after city leaving everyone stunned by their intense performances. It was a thrill to watch and hear Dime invent and advance with his playing. Soon the world became Panterarized!"

Newly reformed from the ashes of Spirit Caravan, mainstay guitarist/vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich and the pair of musicians who rounded out the former (and current) trio, have signed to Relapse Records for the first new Obsessed disc since The Church Within, which was issued via Columbia back in 1994. Tentatively entitled Sacred (the name of a Spirit Caravan tune that has since been usurped by The Obsessed), the timetable for said album is encumbered by the current tour. More news when it's available.

Wino announced The Obsessed's return back in March:

Wino: “I have been waiting for the right combination of ability, attitude and personality to accomplish this goal. From this day forward The Obsessed is myself, Dave Sherman (Spirit Caravan - bass) and Brian Costantino (Spirit Caravan - drums) who have proven to be dedicated, fearless and unwavering in their love of this music.”

See his full statement below, and stay tuned for updates from The Obsessed.

The Obsessed is currently on the road with Karma To Burn and The Atomic Bitchwax. Remaining dates are as follows:

May
20 - Huntington, WV - V Club
21 - Indianapolis, IN - 5th Quarter Lounge
22 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
23 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
24 - Rock Island, IL - Rock Island Brewing Co.
25 - St. Louis, MO - Fubar
26 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
28 - Denver, CO - 3 Kings
30 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
31 - Portland, OR - Dante's

June
2 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
3 - Los Angeles, CA - Complex
4 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
5 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Red
7 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog
8 - Ft. Worth, TX - Tomcats West
9 - Houston, TX - Walter's
10 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
11 - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn

Los Angeles thrashers Mindwars have posted the official video for the title track of their new studio album, Sworn To Secrecy. The album was mixed and mastered by the legendary Bill Metoyer and was released on April 29th by Punishment 18 Records. Check out the video below.

Tracklisting:

“Sworn To Secrecy”
“Cradle To Grave”
“Lies”
“Twisted”
“Helpless”
“Scalp Bounty”
“Rest Now (For Tomorrow Comes)”
“No Voice”
“Prophecy”
“Release Me”
“Transporting”

(Photo - Robert Orsa Photography)

During a brand new interview with RockRevolt Magazine, CINDERELLA frontman Tom Keifer was asked if the band is now officially "done." He responded: "Well, the truth of the matter is, there have been some issues with CINDERELLA, within the ranks of CINDERELLA, for years now… going back decades. They came to a head in 2012. We took some pretty extreme measures to right the ship and fix things, and we made a pact as a band in 2012 that we would not do anything as a band until the issues were resolved. That's how much it came to a head. The issues are unresolved, so that's all I can say about that."

Although CINDERELLA hasn't released a new studio album since 1994's "Still Climbing", the band started playing sporadic shows again in 2010 but has been largerly inactive for the last few years while Keifer focuses on his solo career. Earlier this year, CINDERELLA bassist Eric Brittingham told the "Talk Toomey" podcast that he didn't think Keifer was coming back to the band. Eric said: "If [Tom] wants to do a tour [with CINDERELLA], I'm in. I'm glad that I didn't hold my breath. I'd be blue now. [Laughs]."

Keifer and his solo backing band (Tony Higbee on guitars and vocals, Billy Mercer on bass and vocals, Paul Simmons on drums and vocals, Paul Taylor on keyboards and vocals, Savannah Keifer on vocals, percussion and piano, and Kendra Chantelle on vocals and percussion) recently entered a Nashville studio to record with four-time Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Vance Powell (ELLE KING, CHRIS STAPLETON, JACK WHITE). The new tracks will be featured as bonus material on an expanded, deluxe edition of Tom's solo debut, "The Way Life Goes", set for release later this year. The package will also include the original album that was remastered by Richard Dodd (KINGS OF LEON, JASON ALDEAN, LADY ANTEBELLUM), a bonus DVD with video extras, a documentary about the creation of the bonus tracks, and exclusive interviews with the band filmed during the new recording sessions. "The Way Life Goes" sold 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 78 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on in April 2013 via Merovee Records (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group).

Although Paul Stanley was at odds with both Gene Simmons and his wife Shannon Tweed over Simmons's admittedly callous remarks regarding Prince's death — Stanley is taking his partner's side and lashing out at Nikki Sixx. On Sixx's radio show, the MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist slammed Simmons — who's since apologized — saying: "His heartless and uneducated remarks about Prince's death shows why he's not my hero anymore or anybody's. I think that he is an overrated, lucky guy that dresses like a clown. He wrote some good songs, but hasn't in a long time, and loves to brag about himself."

Stanley responded on his Facebook page, knocking Sixx by saying, "Jesus Christ, Nikki Sixx! Would you please shut up, find another way to be in the news and get off your self-inflated pedestal? Regardless of some things Gene Simmons has said that I may take issue with, his influence on musicians (you included) is undeniable and will continue. More importantly, his work, generosity and monetary contributions to numerous causes and charities for those less fortunate makes your ongoing rant, in the scheme of things, the unimportant but annoying squeak it truly is. Move on."

Sixx responded by saying: "Looks like good old Paul doesn't like that someone called out his buddy Gene again. I will give him a standing ovation for calling out Gene himself publicly and then trying to hold my feet to the same fire, but you can't save him. If the press wants to run with a story, they got legs and we all know they need fresh content. I have to admit calling the next KISS album 'Move On' would be a clever idea though. Love to the Starchild. We all give to charities and support our troops etc because that the right thing to do with our success. Telling a depressed kid to kill themselves etc. etc. etc. etc. is not. So don't confuse issues."

Stanley told The Pulse Of Radio that Nikki Sixx seems to be scooping up free publicity at Gene Simmons's expense. "Ah, it's just silly stuff, honestly," he said. "It's one thing to call somebody out and to have a point of view on somebody's quotes, but then to just harp on it is just, you have to be suspect of the motive. And honestly, whatever questions I have of about whet Gene has said is one thing; but to beat the issue is, it's self-serving. It gets annoying."

Stanley, who was the first to slam Gene for calling Prince's alleged death from prescription drugs "pathetic," thinks that Sixx is feigning outrage to keep the story alive in an effort to score ratings. "Look, I think what Gene said was questionable, and I certainly took offense to some of it," Paul told The Pulse Of Radio. "But, y'know, I think he sometimes speaks without giving, y'know, full thought to what he's saying and then comes to regret it afterwards. But, y'know, that being said, for other people to just harp on it is just not something that I want to sit by and listen to. Y'know, when someone starts to denigrate or take pot shots at your contributions, or your band, or, y'know, anything else — if you consider the source, it gets a bit ludicrous."

Neoclassical virtuoso and Metal Method instructor Dan Mumm has released a music video for "Synchronicity", the lead single off of his latest instrumental album Peering Through The Lens Of Time. The video was shot and directed by Hellion guitarist Maxxxwell Carlisle and was filmed on location in the desolate Nevadan desert. 

Known as a "guitarist's guitarist", Mumm has made the guitar tablature and backing track for "Synchronicity" available for download on Sellfy.

 

 

"Silvera", the new Drew Cox-directed video from French progressive metallers GOJIRA, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's brand new studio album, "Magma", which will be released on June 17 via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2012's "L'Enfant Sauvage" was recorded at GOJIRA frontman Joseph Duplantier's Silver Cord Studio in Queens, New York.

"Magma" track listing:

01. The Shooting Star02. Silvera03. The Cell04. Stranded05. Yellow Stone06. Magma07. Pray08. Only Pain09. Low Lands10. Liberation

The cover artwork for "Magma" can be seen below.

Joseph told RollingStone.com that GOJIRA worked on twelve songs for the album before ultimately deciding on ten. "We want a short album," he said. "Something less epic than what we usually do. People's attentions are shorter now. So a lot of the songs are four minutes."

Joseph and his brother, GOJIRA drummer Mario Duplantier, who make up the band's songwriting core, were forced to put the sessions for the new album on hold when their mother got sick and eventually died last summer.

"I felt physically, mentally exhausted," Joseph told RollingStone.com. "At the same time, though, the way it happened was beautiful. We were all around her. We had to cancel a few shows when she died, but it was very enriching at the same time. We learned a lot about death."

"When you read Joe's lyrics, for me, I cry right away," Mario said. "They're very deep and to the point. No bullshit. We recycle our sadness and depression in the music."

"Mario was recording drums, and I was playing guitar with him, just trying to help him know where he's at in the song, and both of us would start crying at the same time," Joseph added.

"The songs were half-written while she was sick," he said. "After she died, I still had to finish them. So one song was like, 'You're going to make it,' but the second verse is 'You didn't make it.'"

GOJIRA's fifth album, "L'Enfant Sauvage", sold almost 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart.

In March 2015, GOJIRA released "Les Enfants Sauvages", a limited edition 5" x 7", 60-page hardcover photo book chronicling the band's journey around the world over the first two years since the release of "L'Enfant Sauvage". The images were taken around the globe, spanning over 150 shows on three continents, and were hand-selected by Joseph and Mario. The package also included a live CD and DVD capturing the band's performance at the legendary Brixton Academy in London, England.

Back in October 2015, San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD went into Trident Studios in Martinez, California to record a new song called "Is There Anybody Out There?" A video for the track has just been filmed, and several photos from the set can be seen below.

MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn revealed during an appearance on a of HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta's official podcast, "The Jasta Show", that "Is There Anybody Out There?" will be released as a standalone track. He said: "It's just gonna be digital. It's gonna be just a single song. It's gonna be a... just on Spotify and probably iTunes, but not any physical product around it."

"Is There Anybody Out There?" will mark MACHINE HEAD's first new release since the arrival of the band's latest album, "Bloodstone & Diamonds", which sold around 18,200 copies in the United States in its first week to debut at position No. 21 on The Billboard 200 chart. Issued on November 10, 2014 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the CD was produced by Robb Flynn and Juan Urteaga, and like the last seven of eight MACHINE HEAD albums, was mixed by Colin Richardson. Additional tracking, editing, and mixing was done with Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, TESTAMENT, ARCH ENEMY) and Steve Lagudi.

Akron, Ohio's If These Trees Could Talk will release their third full-length, The Bones Of A Dying World, on June 3rd worldwide via Metal Blade Records. Featuring 9 instrumental tracks of the quintet's signature post-rock, The Bones Of A Dying World can be pre-ordered in various formats at this location. The new track “Berlin” is streaming below.

Formed in 2005, If These Trees Could Talk has grown tremendously since their humble origins in drummer Zack Kelly's basement as an instrumental project in college. After self-releasing their If These Trees Could Talk EP (2006) and two full-lengths, Above The Earth, Below The Sky (2009) and Red Forest (2012), the group garnered buzz from the global music community, and consequently sold out a three-week European tour in 2012. Music from the band's catalog has also been heard in Sony PS3 titles, and on NBC, MTV, VH1, the NFL, in videos for Vans, and for projects on the Sundance Film Festival. Cumulatively, If These Trees Could Talk has sold over 20,000 copies for their efforts, with 3,000 on vinyl alone across all of their albums. Their upcoming third full-length, The Bones Of A Dying World, promises to be another landmark achievement in the band's career.

"We feel this album 'steps up the sound' in a way that could only come after Red Forest and not before," Mike Socrates (guitar) comments. "The songs were constructed in a much more deliberate and cautious approach. A lot of time was spent on small parts and transitions in order to maximize the full effect of the song as a whole. In a way, we feel like this is the perfect continuation from Red Forest."

Recorded over the past year at NE Meadow Studios in Akron, OH, The Bones Of A Dying World was once again produced and engineered by the band's own Zack Kelly (drums). Mixing duties were handled by Zack Kelly and Freddie DeMarco while the final master was completed by Alan Douches at West West Side Music. For the album artwork, If These Trees Could Talk called upon long-time designer Charlie Wagers, who worked with the band on their past two releases. After four years of fine-tuning these audio and visual components, the quintet is now ready to unleash their Metal Blade Records debut this summer.

The Bones Of A Dying World tracklisting:

“Solstice”
“Swallowing Teeth”
“Earth Crawler”
“After the Smoke Clears”
“The Here and Hereafter”
“Iron Glacier”
“The Giving Tree”
“Berlin”
“One Sky Above Us”

“Berlin”:

“Earth Crawler”:

“Solstice”:

After The Bones Of A Dying World's release, If These Trees Could Talk will play two special album release shows in their home-state of Ohio (see below for details), with a full US tour planned for September. Stay tuned for more news and dates coming soon.

If These Trees Could Talk album release shows:

July
8 - Rumba Cafe - Columbus, OH
9 - Musica - Akron, OH

If These Trees Could Talk lineup:

Zack Kelly - Drums
Tom Fihe - Bass
Jeff Kalal - Guitar
Cody Kelly - Guitar
Michael Socrates - Guitar

Kiss star Gene Simmons says there's a "special place in hell" for child abusers
Gene Simmons has described paedophilia as "an incurable condition" to which "death is the only answer."

The Kiss bass player is the subject of a regular feature called The Gospel According To... in the latest issue of Classic Rock magazine, in which he tackles everything from politics and drugs to religion and paedophilia.

Simmons says: "Paedophilia is an incurable condition – death is the only answer, apart from sending them to the gulags of Siberia.

"And priests who are paedophiles are the lowest of the low. If you put on a priest's collar and use your influence to command someone to suck your cock, there's a special place in hell for you."

Last year, Simmons' Los Angeles home was raided by officers from the city's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with the musician saying his internet connection was "used by some very bad people to do porn of a certain kind – the worst kind.”

Simmons was away on tour at the time the alleged offences took place.

Also in The Gospel According To Gene Simmons article, he insists he doesn't believe Islam is a violent culture and says he advocates marriage, but only for older men as "males of all ages are actually 16-year-old horny toads."