QUEENSRŸCHE has tapped Chris "Zeuss" Harris (pictured below; ROB ZOMBIE, HATEBREED, SOULFLY, SHADOWS FALL) to produce the band's new album, due later in the year via Century Media. The CD is being recorded at Uberbeatz Studio in Washington.

A video message from QUEENSRŸCHE about the upcoming album can be seen below.

In an interview with Metal Nation Radio, QUEENSRŸCHE singer Todd La Torre spoke about what fans can expect to hear on the band's follow-up to 2013's self-titled album. He said: "When you've got five guys that, everyone has different musical backgrounds… I mean, we all have a common likeness for a style and sound… But, you know, I'm always pushing for… It's a fine line, because I'm always pushing for heavy. And it has to be QUEENSRŸCHE; it can't be over-the-top heaviness… I don't wanna change the dynamic. Nobody in the band wants to change the real core sound and dynamic and style of the band. With that being said, QUEENSRŸCHE's never been afraid to try new things."

La Torre added: "The songs that we have right now are, I would say, melodic. There are some heavy tunes on there that are just, like, really rocking. I mean, some of the songs remind me, again, of 'Rage For Order', '[Operation:] Mindcrime'… We'll probably slip in something that's got a commercial… Not that we're trying to… Something with a more commercial appeal, like the song 'In This Light' did on the record that I did before. But, overall, I'm hopeful that, when it's all said and done, this record will have a really good drive, great, melodic choruses, great guitar parts, very dynamic... A little more prog… There's a little more proggy elements…

"When you've got two years [between albums], you don't want [people] to say, 'Wow, that's the best they could come up with?' You never want that. You always want, 'Hell yeah! This is another great QUEENSRŸCHE record.' And that's all that you can really hope for. But it's definitely going to have, again, what I consider all of the elements that the true QUEENSRŸCHE fans will enjoy: great drumming, solid foundation, bass driven, great guitar work and harmony things… Vocally, there's some things where I get into the upper register pretty good.

"I always wanna keep that metal… [Laughs] Sometimes I think [the other guys in the band] get sick of hearing me saying that. I'm, like, 'I wanna melt their fucking faces off.' [Laughs] But I have to do what the music calls for. And, overall, it's been a great process. It's always a learning experience.

"I'm finding, as a songwriter, what my stylistic things are, musically. I love ALICE IN CHAINS harmonies; they always had these interesting harmonies in their music. And I always find myself, when I'm writing and I'm recording, doing new things, I kind of lean on those types of harmonies. So I'm finding out things about myself as a writer that I didn't know before. And so it's a lot of fun."

QUEENSRŸCHE's securities attorney, Marc LoPresti, spoke to The Seattle Times about the band's attempt to raise $2 million by selling stakes in what he calls a "new holding company for all things QUEENSRŸCHE" that will receive the revenues from its tours, merchandising, album sales and digital downloads.

For a minimum investment of $50,000, fans who pass an independent accreditation process can purchase an equity ownership stake from a private consolidated holding company that entitles them to "a fixed percentage" of future revenue. "Traditionally, a band would not go into their personal pockets to [bankroll and controll a recording-and-touring effort]," LoPresti said. "They would go to Capitol Records" or the like, which would dictate the project and give them an advance but "also take a huge swipe of the money," he added. "By disintermediating the labels, we're leaving more money on the table both for the band and people who invest."

QUEENSRŸCHE's stock deal utilizes a provision of the 2013 JOBS Act that allows promoters to publicize a private stock placement, though only "accredited investors" are eligible to invest.

"If it's successful, which we expect it to be, we may do it again with other bands," LoPresti said.

An internal board of directors comprising drummer Scott Rockenfield, bassist Eddie Jackson and guitarist Michael Wilton and band counsel Thomas Osinski will oversee the corporation.

A PledgeMusic campaign, "Building The Empire", has been launched that will act as a pre-order campaign for QUEENSRŸCHE's next album. Eddie Jackson, Todd LaTorre, Parker Lundgren, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton are offering fans various unique experiences to bring them closer to the band than ever before. The band is offering everything from limited-edition vinyl and merchandise to the actual instruments played on the upcoming album and a chance to hang with the band in their hometown of Seattle.

QUEENSRŸCHE's latest, self-titled album sold around 13,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on June 25, 2013 via Century Media Records.

Swedish metallers SOILWORK will release their first live DVD/Blu-ray, "Live In The Heart Of Helsinki", on March 13 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was recorded during the band's special show on March 21, 2014 at Circus Club in the Finnish capital and features guest appearances by Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH, REVAMP) and Nathan J. Biggs (SONIC SYNDICATE).

The performance clip of the song "Bastard Chain", taken from "Live In The Heart Of Helsinki", can be seen below.

Commented SOILWORK frontman Björn "Speed" Strid: "We're very proud to present the artwork for our upcoming live DVD/Blu-ray! Once again we collaborated with Mircea Gabriel Eftemie to create visuals that would perfectly capture the unique vibe of this very special evening.

"'In The Heart Of Helsinki' is somewhat of a testimony of our career and the live action shots are mixed with a blast from the past, including a collage of SOILWORK memorabilia.

"I've always loved collages, especially on the inner sleeve of a vinyl.

"As for the cover, we wanted to capture that melancholic wintery feel that the Swedes and Finns have in common — not just emotionally but also culturally.

"It was appropriately cold during the big night and Mircea did a fantastic job recreating that eerie, magical feeling.

"Last but not least, don't forget to read the liner notes! They tell the story of where we came from and where we are today. It will help you understand why it's taken so long for us to finally get a live recording out. But hey, it's only a matter of weeks now! We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do!"

The DVD was produced by Jouni Markkanen and directed by Ville Lipiäinen, who also worked on the most recent NIGHTWISH DVD, "Showtime, Storytime".

"Live In The Heart Of Helsinki" will be made available as DVD/2CD and Blu-ray/2CD and will contain the following tracks:

DVD/Blu-ray/CD:

01. This Momentary Bliss02. Like The Average Stalker03. Overload04. Weapon Of Vanity05. Spectrum Of Eternity06. Follow The Hollow07. Parasite Blues08. Distortion Sleep09. Bastard Chain10. Let This River Flow (feat. Floor Jansen)11. Long Live The Misanthrope12. Tongue

CD 2

13. Nerve14. The Chainheart Machine15. The Living Infinite I16. Rise Above The Sentiment17. Late For The Kill, Early For The Slaughter18. Rejection Role19. Black Star Deceiver (feat. Nathan J. Biggs)20. As The Sleeper Awakes21. Sadistic Lullabye22. As We Speak23. Stabbing The Drama

DVD/Blu-ray bonus material:

Documentaries:

01. Spectrum Of Eternity: A Brief History Of Soilwork02. Behind The Scenes Of The Living Infinite

Drumcam Videos:

01. Long Live The Misanthrope02. Rise Above The Sentiment03. Spectrum Of Eternity04. Tongue

SOILWORK's ninth studio and first dual-disc album, "The Living Infinite", sold around 7,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 60. The effort also landed at No. 11 on the Independent Albums chart, and No. 2 on the Hard Music chart. "The Living Infinite" entered the iTunes Metal Top Albums chart at No. 1 and was the No. 1 most added album on the CMJ radio chart.

"The Living Infinite" was produced by Jens Bogren (OPETH, AMON AMARTH, BLOODBATH) and boasts artwork by MNEMIC's Mircea Gabriel Eftemie. The CD features Justin Sullivan — lead singer of the English band NEW MODEL ARMY — as a guest vocalist on the track "The Windswept Mercy" and also marks the recording debut of longtime SOILWORK touring guitarist David Andersson (also of THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA).

Hurt Yourself And The Ones You Love is the title of the new album by Italy's notorious purveyors of black/doom metal, Forgotten Tomb. The band's 8th studio opus is scheduled for release via Agonia Records, on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America. Check out the album’s title track via the video below:

The new album is a "mix of melancholy, groove and pure malignancy" - as put by the band's leader, Ferdinando "Herr Morbid" Marchisio. "We kept the sound very organic and natural, kinda old-fashioned but still very fresh. The new songs are heavy as fuck and they feature our classic trademark plus some new elements. I can't wait for people to listen to it, 'cause it's a really special album for us and probably the most extreme we did in quite a while, both musically and conceptually".

Marchisio also referred to working with producer Terje Refsnes (Carpathian Forest, Novembre, Gehenna, Destroyer 666) for the first time: "We worked really hard, like never before. Terje Refsnes is a really experienced producer and he managed to get the best out of us. We are extremely proud of how this new album came out".

Hurt Yourself And The Ones You Love was recorded and mixed in Sound Suite Studios (Marseille, France) with mentioned Terje Refsnes behind the knobs. Brad Boatright of Audiosiege Studio (Corrosion Of Conformity, Nails, Vallenfyre, Beastmilk, High On Fire) took care of the mastering in Portland, Oregon.

 

 

The forthcoming installment will be available in:
- Digipack CD;
- Box CD with jewelcase CD, bullet pendant and armband with band's logo (limited to 500 numbered copies);
- Picture disc (limited to 300 hand-numbered copies);
- Transparent white vinyl with red splatter (limited to 150 hand-numbered copies);
- Black vinyl;
- Digital formats.

Tracklisting:

“Soulless Upheaval”
“King Of The Undesirables”
“Bad Dreams Come True”
“Hurt Yourself And The Ones You Love”
“Mislead The Snakes”
“Dread The Sundown”
“Swallow The Void”

Pre-orders are being taken at AgoniaRecords.com.

 

Tanzan Music and "Tony Iommi Fan-Tastic" team of Iommi supporters together with Facebook communities "Tony Iommi The Man The Master The Legend" and "Global Black Sabbath Convention" have announced the release of the compilation tribute in honor of BLACK SABBATH's true heart and soul, legendary riffmaster Tony Iommi. Due on May 4, the first-ever tribute to Iommi, titled "Great Lefty: Live Forever - Tribute To Tony Iommi, Godfather Of Metal", is an act of solidarity towards Tony from pals and fans. The tribute includes participations of well known artists, best BLACK SABBATH tribute bands from all around the world, and the bands and solo artists "children of Iommi" as having Iommi's music as their major influence. All the songs are kindly donated for the cause. The profits from compilation sales will be destinied to Macmillan Cancer Support. Some of the artists participating are:

* Dario Mollo (TONY MARTIN, VOODOO HILL)* Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DIO DISCIPLES, DOKKEN)* Mario Parga (GRAHAM BONNETT, FORCEFIELD, COZY POWELL'S HAMMER)* Victor Griffin (PENTAGRAM, DEATH ROW)* Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH)

Also appearing is a young talented artist Kyle Cousins, singer and songwriter, huge Iommi fan, who also happens to have autism. He began his journey with autism at two years old by losing all his language. Through years of intensive interventions, he has made continual progress; so much so that now he loves nothing better than to express himself onstage through his music.

Cousins champions the autism awareness movement, being a source of hope and inspiration for the autism community.

Kyle Cousins expresses his love and admiration to BLACK SABBATH's guitar legend with producers Damon Elliott and Michael Politz, performing a song with Vinny Appice (former BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL drummer), Barry Goudreau (guitarist for BOSTON), Hugh McDonald (David Bromberg, ALICE COOPER, BON JOVI, LITA FORD). Disc 1 01. DARIO MOLLO Featuring MARK BOALS - Never Say Die (3:54);02. MANIAC RISE - Time Is Mine (5:05);03. KYLE COUSINS - Heaven And Hell (6:16);04. MARIO PARGA - Scarlet Pimpernel (5:13); 05. CHILDREN OF THE GRAVY - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (5:40);06. IRONLUNG Featuring WIZARD OF OZZ - Electric Funeral (5:03);07. TANZAN MUSIC ACADEMY - Neon Knights (4:45); 08. NICK DIDKOVSKY - Orchid (1:38);09. DARKING - Law Maker (3:35);10. INTO THE VOID - Loner (4:40); Disc 2 01. REKUIEM - Paranoid (3:17);02. PLACE OF SKULLS Featuring VICTOR GRIFFIN - You Won't Change Me (6:43);03. BLACK SABBATH/DIO Tribute CZ - I (5:10);04. PHIL JAKES - Behind The Wall Of Sleep (2:47);05. GIUNTINI - Anno Mundi, featuring Tony Martin (6:14);06. TONY REED - Live Forever (4:44);07. KILL VAN KULL - No Stranger To Love (5:13);08. APLANADORA Featuring SANTIAGO CABAKIAN - Hole In The Sky (4:20). 09. BLOOD SABBATH - Snowblind (5:33);10. PHENOMENA - The Wizard (4:10); Check out audio samples at this location.

UK-bashers Xerath have covered the Steve Vai song "Dirty Black Hole", taken from Vai's 1993 album Sex & Religion. Vocals on the original version of the song were laid down by Devin Townsend. Check out the clip below:

Xerath released their III album in 2014. Recalling the recording process of III, drummer Michael Pitman notes, “towards the end of the recording when we started piecing together all the elements, there was a special moment when we all looked at each other and thought we had genuinely made something special. There’s no doubt about it.” 

III tracklisting: 
“I Hold Dominion” 
“2053” 
“I Hunt For The Weak” 
“Autonomous” 
“Bleed This Body Clean” 
“Death Defiant” 
“Sentinels” 
“Passenger” 
“Ironclad” 
“Demigod Doctrine” 
“The Chaos Reign” 
“Veil Pt. 1” 
“Veil Pt. 2” 

Album teaser:

 

For more info visit Facebook.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has reunited with its onetime guitarist and vocalist Pepper Keenan in 2015 to record a new studio album and embark on a tour.

The band's first European trek with Keenan back in the fold since 2006 will take place later this month and will include six U.K. shows.

More video footage of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's February 28 rehearsal for the upcoming trek can be seen below (filmed by Randy Ada).

The upcoming dates will mark the first time the "Deliverance" lineup of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has played together since 2001.

Bassist Mike Dean says: "This is all about going out and celebrating some of the classic material, and at the same time it's about tuning up the chemistry and the energy to possibly create a new album or two with this lineup."

Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m. via Live Nation.

Keenan, who has been focusing on DOWN in recent years, is still considered to be a member of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY but was not involved in the reunion of C.O.C.'s "Animosity" lineup, which was resurrected in 2010 and has been recording and touring ever since.

A new posting on the DOWN Facebook page reads: "DOWN guitarist Pepper Keenan will be returning to CORROSION OF CONFORMITY for a tour of the UK and most likely more. Pepper has not left DOWN by any stretch. Don't worry about that."

In a recent interview with INDY Week, drummer Reed Mullin said about the prospect of collaborating with Keenan again: "Pepper and I were talking the other day, and we've got some riffs left over from that era that I never used for C.O.C. stuff, and he didn't use for DOWN. They've just been sitting around from when we used to do demos at Jag Studios. He was, like, 'Man, I found a couple cassettes. Remember those cassettes we used to do with [John] Custer down at Jag?' So, yeah, he found a cache of some good riffage in his house down there in New Orleans that I guess he had packed away. And, for some reason, I can remember a lot of the riffs those guys write. Like, there's a song on the new C.O.C. album, the three-piece, and the music is music Pepper and I had jammed back in 1989, and I ended up just putting lyrics to it. Me, Woody [Weatherman] and Mike [Dean] recorded it. It's called 'Tarquinius Superbus', after the last Roman king. For some reason, I remember a lot of the stuff they do, so I'm kind of like an encyclopedia of a lot of their riffs."

He continued: "I think the first shows that we're going to do with the four-piece are going to be in March. Before then, I guess we're going be working on the new album. Woody's going to have a baby in April, I think, so we're going to take a little time off in there, and then I guess, get back to touring with Pepper. He's taking time off from DOWN and, you know, he makes so much damn money doing DOWN, we've got to get him while we can get him. He's really excited about it, and we're awful excited to do it. It's been a while. It's been I think 2000 since I played with him. I mean, we've done songs here and there, at festivals overseas and things, as a four-piece, but as a tour, it's been a long time since this entity, this four-piece has been out on the road. It's going to be a blast."

Regarding whether the four-piece version of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY will play any new material on the upcoming tour, Mullin said: "I don't know how much new stuff we'll play on the road. Nostalgia seekers are going to want to hear as much of 'Deliverance' and 'Wiseblood' and 'Volume Dealer' and 'In The Arms Of God' as they can. So we'll have four albums, pretty much, to go off of. And maybe later in the year, we'll add a couple new songs. Hopefully by the end of the year, we'll have an album out."

He continued: "I think [releasing a new CD later in 2015] doable. If we start working in January… Like I said, we've got to use Pepper while we can get him!

"It's cool of him to do this, because, you know, he's got his set-up in New Orleans. He's got a bar, and he's got a little girl, so he doesn't go out for that much touring, anyway, so for him to do C.O.C. and more DOWN stuff next year is awful cool of him."

Keenan joined CORROSION OF CONFORMITY in 1990, but he did not become the band's lead singer until the recording of "Deliverance", which came out in 1994.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's most recent studio album with Keenan, "In The Arms Of God", came out in 2005 on Sanctuary Records.

C.O.C.'s reunited "Animosity" lineup released its new album, "IX", on July 1, 2014 via Candlelight Records.

Finland's Santa Cruz will release their second studio album, Santa Cruz, on March 10th via Spinefarm Records. The self-titled album follows 2013's Screaming For Adrenaline. Listen to the new track, "6(66) Feet Under”, below:

The riff-driven new album features the singles "We Are the Ones to Fall" and "Wasted & Wounded". The record is powered not only by sweat and booze, but by mind-boggling guitar skills manifested by these supremely talented young turks from Finland.

 

 

Santa Cruz tracklisting:

"Bonafide Heroes"
"Velvet Rope"
"My Remedy"
"6(66) Feet Under"
"Bye Bye Babylon"
"We Are The Ones To Fall"
"Wasted & Wounded"
"Let Them Burn"
"Vagabonds (Sing With Me)"
"Can You Feel The Rain "

 

 

Watch the video for "Wasted & Wounded" to get another taste of Santa Cruz:

 
The "Shred 'Till You Drop Vol.2: Shred Or Die!" clip below features frontline duo, Archie and Johnny, burning up those fretboards and basically wearing the fingerprints off their hands:

Catch Santa Cruz on tour with Amaranthe and I Prevail:

May
13 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
14 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
15 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
16 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero Theatre
17 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
20 - Joliet, IL - Mojoes
23 - Calgary, AB - Republik
24 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
26 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
27 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
29 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater

June
2 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
3 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia

 

 

 

Fan-filmed video footage of Gus G. — well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND — performing the OZZY OSBOURNE classic "Crazy Train" on March 5 at Kulturbolaget in Malmö, Sweden can be seen below. Joining Gus at the show on vocals was Jeff Scott Soto, who has previously sung for TALISMAN, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, JOURNEY and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN.

A special expanded edition of Gus' solo album, "I Am The Fire", was released in Europe on November 3, 2014 (digitally in North America on November 4). This limited CD + DVD digipak features four bonus tracks and a 62-minute bonus DVD (including the album's four official video clips so far, plus three live tracks, six guitar tutorials, as well as an EPK and track-by-track commentary).

"I Am The Fire" entered the official chart in Greece at position No. 27. The CD sold around 700 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

"I Am The Fire" was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER) and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus' home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to Gus G.'s soulful playing.

Ron Fauth Rockography has uploaded video footage of JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE, which features Jack Russell on vocals alongside former GREAT WHITE bassist-turned-guitarist Tony Montana (as a guitar player and keyboardist), bassist Chris Tristram, lead guitarist Robby Locher and drummer Dicki Fliszar, performing on March 4 at the Rock Against MS benefit concert at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. Check it out below.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE has released a new song in the style of the bluesy hard rock stomp that made Russell a rock icon in the first place. Available for purchase as a digital single on iTunes, "Hard Habit" is taken from the band's forthcoming studio album, "The Gauntlet", which is scheduled for release later this year.

Says Russell: "With the ever-changing climate of the music industry, we've decided that we will be releasing several digital singles throughout 2015. 'Hard Habit' is the first in a series of singles the band will put out this year. Be on the lookout for our next single in the coming months!

"We are really proud of this song and we plan on playing it live as well as some other new tunes and, of course, all the classic JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE songs you know and love." Regarding the musical direction of what will eventually be released as the JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE debut, Russell told SleazeRoxx.com: "We want the new material to blow people's ears back. It has the elements of the best GREAT WHITE music ever written, but there's an edge. Tony brings that validity, while Robby and Dicki add a new life. It's going to surprise people."

Added Montana, "It's got the classic sound. The first element is Jack's voice.

"No other band sounds like this one ever did or does now.

"When I was 17 years old, I remember walking around the UCLA campus listening to the band's first EP. I was a fan before I ever joined the band. We're going to maintain that same integrity going forward."

He continued: "The band was always a standout from the era it came from. It was never a hair band. Listen to the music, and that's evident. Everything was based in blues. We want to add to that legacy with new material preserving those timeless elements."

Russell concluded, "This is fun, first and foremost. I feel like I'm 27 again. I hope it sounds like GREAT WHITE — but for [2015]."

In support of the album, JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE will be on the road non-stop in 2015.

In March, 2012, Russell sued his former bandmates Mark Kendall, Michael Lardie and Audie Desbrow over their continued use of the GREAT WHITE name after Russell had taken a leave of absence from the band for medical reasons. The band countersued, and the parties were involved in contentious litigation for more than a year. After three days of closed-door mediation before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carla Woehrle, the parties reached a comprehensive agreement. While many of the terms of the agreement remain confidential, it was revealed in August 2013 that the current GREAT WHITE band would continue to use the name GREAT WHITE and Russell would perform under the name JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE.

Brazilian power metallers Angra have launched their very own beer, Angels Cry. The official product description reads as follows: 

The weeping of angels of black wings. They are born of fire, from the bottom of the soul. A cry bitter springs on Earth. As a cry for help, red in the foam, in seeds of ages. A glass of blood, quenches and nurtures the body cries, lava and warms, quenches thirst of the soul.

The beer Angra Angels Cry has a dark amber colour and reddish nuances. Its aroma brings together toasted and candied toffees with an intense presence of herbal hops. Full-bodied and velvety in flavor, it has an alcohol content of 6.5%. Optimal temperature of consumption between 6 and 8 degrees. Get yours by clicking here.

 

 

 

Considered to be a pioneer of the shred guitar genre, Michael Angelo Batio is set to release his first-ever career retrospective, entitled Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio. The new album is slated for release on April 14th via Rat Pak Records.

 

 

Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio not only highlights Michael’s best work to date, but also brings together many nationally renowned musicians from the hard rock and heavy metal genres. The album features some of Michael’s most memorable performances including a dynamic version of Rush’s “What You’re Doing,” which features Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre, Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric, Metal Church/TSO drummer Jeff Plate and guitarist Craig Blackwell. An official audio stream of “What You’re Doing” can be found below.

There is also a cover of Deep Purple’s ”Burn” with Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre and Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti. The album also consists of Michael’s tributes to Eric Clapton (“Slowhand”), Randy Rhodes (“RRR”) that features Rudy Sarzo on bass, and a new version of MAB’s unique tribute (“Diamond”) to the late great Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott of Pantera, that features guitarist Michael Wilton of Queensrÿche.

The album also includes some of MAB’s most notable instrumental tracks such as, “8 Pillars Of Steel” with guest appearances by Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch, Andrea Martongelli and Craig Goldy, “Juggernaut” showcases ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and Michael Romeo. Michael Angelo Batio’s Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio is a must have for all fans of the shred guitar genre! Pre-order bundles are now available at this location

“I feel that Shred Force 1 is the culmination of my best musical work,” exclaims Batio. “These are some of my personal favorite performances along with an army of featured guest stars pulled together by an amazing record company to bring it all into focus!”
 

 

Tracklisting:
 
“Hands Without Shadows” (featuring Bobby Rock and William Kopecky)
“Burn” (featuring Todd LaTorre and Mark Tremonti)
“Juggernaut” (Featuring Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and Michael Romeo)
“What You’re Doing” (featuring Todd LaTorre, Kurdt Vanderhoof, Chuck Garric, Jeff Plate and Craig Blackwell)
“8 Pillars of Steel” (featuring Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch, Andrea Martongelli, Craig Goldy)
“Call To Arms” (featuring Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky and John Mrozek)
“2X Again”
“Slowhand” (Featuring Warren Dunlevy Jr.)
“Diamond” (featuring Michael Wilton, Elliott Dean Rubinson)
“Rainforest”
“Gotta Run” (featuring Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky and John Mrozek)
“No Boundaries”
“RRR” (featuring Rudy Sarzo and Bobby Rock)
 
Bonus Tracks (Digital Version Only)
“I Pray The Lord”
“Peace”
 

Prosthetic Records has announced the signing of Gutter Instinct – raw, atmospheric and blackened buzz-saw Swedish death metal at its finest.

Gutter Instinct was founded in 2012 by Oscar Persson, Hannes Hellman and Thomas Ernemyr in Helsingborg, Sweden, after having played together in various bands over the years. The aim was to unleash a unique combination of grinding death metal – no compromise, no remorse. Starting out, major musical influences included bands like Verminous, Necrovation, Death, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Rotten Sound and Napalm Death.

 

 

After writing and rehearsing four revolutionary and unholy songs, the band entered Studio Mangelrum to record their first demo tape, Obedience. Oppression, anti-religion and total rejection of the establishment were the leading themes. The demo was self-released by the band in 2013. After some various role changes in the rhythm section, the lineup became Ernemyr (vocals), Persson (guitar), Hellman (guitar), Simon Isakssn (bass) and Ola Håkansson (drums).

Gutter Instinct will release a new EP this spring; stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, get a taste of the band in the below teaser video:

When socks are used as rags, they’re liable to go insane. These socks have reached their tearing point. Now they’ve snapped and formed the ultimate garage band, Socknot.

 

 

The band is made up of misfit socks that have been all but used up. Frayed by the constant abuse, they have channeled that insanity into their hit single, “Wait In Bleach”. This mosh pit of insanity hits you like a washboard and doesn’t let up.

Sock Puppet Parody takes iconic bands and glorifies their undergarments by making high quality music videos featuring socks. This release is SPP’s tenth video and plan to pump out more videos to come.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has appealed to Indonesian president Joko Widodo to spare the lives of the two Australians who were sentenced to death in 2006 for trying to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia.

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, the ringleaders of the so-called Bali Nine group, were arrested at Denpasar airport in April 2005 and have been refused clemency by Widodo as part of a hardline stance on the death penalty for convicted drug criminals.

Iommi's letter to Widodo, which was reportedly translated and delivered to the president's office in Jakarta on Wednesday morning by Australian officials, read in full:

"The President of lndonesia

"3rd March 2015

"Your Excellency,

I am writing to appeal to you to grant clemency to Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

"I understand and respect your efforts to combat drug abuse in lndonesia, this is something that all countries are having to deal with.

"lndeed, I have seen first hand the negative impacts that drugs can have on people and their families. That is why I understand your strong views on this issue. The lndonesian prison system has had great success in transforming Andrew and Myuran.

"I appeal to you, as a forgiving man, to take note of their transformation. They are now reformed men who are making a positive difference to the lives of their fellow prisoners.

"That they have been transformed so much is a real credit to the lndonesian authorities. For this reason, I would ask that you stop the execution of Andrew and Myuran.

"Please allow them to serve out life sentences where they contribute to the wellbeing of lndonesia and make good for the error of their previous ways. I do hope you will consider this personal appeal.

"Yours sincerely,

"Tony IommiGuitarist, Black Sabbath."

Widodo, who has professed love for heavy metal bands like METALLICA, MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD and NAPALM DEATH, was declared the winner of Indonesia's presidential election in July 2014 after receiving 53.13 percent of the vote.

The 53-year-old Widodo, who served as governor of Jakarta from 2012 to 2014, attended METALLICA's August 2013 concert in the city — 25 years to the day after the release of the band's fourth album, "…And Justice For All", and more than 20 years after their tumultuous first show in Indonesia.

Back in May 2013, Widodo had to turn over his autographed METALLICA bass guitar to the government temporarily, while authorities determined whether the instrument was merely a gift or a violation of ethics rules. Widodo received the bass from METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo, but had to give it up to the state within 30 days, according to laws regarding gifts to state officials.

NAPALM DEATH frontman Mark "Barney" Greenway also recently wrote a letter to Widodo, asking the president to "please spare the lives of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran." He continued: "As a follower of our band NAPALM DEATH, you would appreciate that our lyrics and ethos challenge the unbroken cycle of violence in the world, whether it comes from a state or as an individual. If these things are not challenged and ultimately changed, I believe we will never truly move forward as humankind.

"I understand that you are standing as a leader determined to change things for the better, and so I believe granting clemency would be a major step forward in this pursuit of betterment. I appreciate that heroin can be damaging on many levels, but I believe that this is a much deeper issue that cannot be changed or altered by simply taking away the lives of people.

"Again, I respectfully ask that you make a real difference and overturn these sentences."

Former CARCASS guitarist Carlo Regadas has joined forces with drummer Ian Treacy (ex-BENEDICTION, MEATHOOK SEED, ABSOLUTE POWER) and vocalist Tony Glover (ex-DEVOID) in a new band called MONSTRANCE.

Regarding the formation of MONSTRANCE, Carlo said: "After CARCASS and BLACKSTAR, I always continued to write and record music, it's something I can't help doing. Around 2005, I acquired some recording software and just started recording these songs, playing all instruments, over the course of a couple of years. A lot of these riffs and ideas were knocking around from my CARCASS / BLACKSTAR days, some even predate that. I never intended doing anything with the material; it was just to keep myself busy, really.

"A couple of years ago, I moved to Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands. On returning back to the U.K. to live, I thought about those songs I'd recorded but realised that I no longer had them. I asked Tony if he still had them and lo and behold, he still had them on his iPod. I listened to the stuff and actually really enjoyed hearing it again after all these years. I sent a couple of tracks to a couple of Facebook friends who'd been interested in what I'd been up to during my 17-year musical hiatus and the response was astounding! I was urged to send the tracks to labels because people were sure the material was very strong. The response from the labels has been nothing short of staggering, too. I then set about looking for guys who I thought would like to do this with me.

"Vocals was easy, Tony is my best friend and I've always wanted to do something with him, since our time in DEVOID together. Tony has a great dynamic range and powerful delivery, he's singing far better than he did with DEVOID, not that his vocals for DEVOID were lacking in, anyway. His new approach and delivery suits the music perfectly; he's a powerhouse!

"Both Tony and myself knew Ian from old; DEVOID had played with BENEDICTION back in the day and Tony actually stayed at Ian's house, Ian sold the drummer from DEVOID some drums etc, so it just seemed the obvious choice.

"Everything about this band has been done very carefully and with a lot of thought. There was never any intention of looking for huge, well-known musicians from the genre, it was more important to find good people, rather than look for credentials, the same goes for the live members, Steve and John. They are great lads who just happen to be great musicians.

"Hopefully, once pen is put to paper, we can set about recording the debut album.

"I've been asked a lot, 'is it death metal?' To me, it's just metal, albeit with downtuned guitars and extreme vocals. I guess if it is going to be categorised, it will probably be labelled as melodic death metal or something like that.

"I'm not interested in genres and I never have been, I'll leave that stuff to the journos. To us, it's just metal. We don't feel the need to attach a prefix to it, suffice to say; it is as crushingly heavy as it is melodic and catchy.

"Hopefully, we can get in the studio [as soon as possible] and unleash the album that metal world has been missing for the last 20 years!"

Regadas replaced Michael Amott in CARCASS's lineup prior to the recording of the band's last pre-reformation studio album, 1996's appropriately titled "Swansong".

For more information on MONSTRANCE, click here.

Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe has taken to Randonesia page on Tumblr once again, updating the fans on various projects he currently has in the works. Two video clips are available below.

Blythe: “The first is ‘Twinkle, Twinkle A Needle in Your Eye,’ which I wrote, performed and recorded in its entirety with my friend Sam Haycroft while I was on Phillip Island recently. It’s a VERY SERIOUS piece of work that I am sure is gonna make the two of us millions and famous as all get out.”

Blythe: “The other link is ‘Inventory Trailer,’ which has a looped sample from one part of the piece I composed for the Richmond Ballet’s upcoming New Work’s Festival later this month, as well as a short bit from another part of the composition. My friend @mfrain1 is the choreographer and made a short and sweet video trailer from footage of the dancers in rehearsal learning the choreography and posted it on YouTube, so there’s a little taste of two parts of the music on it.”

Nergal, frontman for Polish metal overlords Behemoth, recently spoke with the Broward/Palm Beach New Times and addressed topics including Satanism, their latest album The Satanist, and the future of the band. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

Q: Do you see yourself making a solo statement entirely your own in the future?

Nergal: "I'm actually working on a project now, but I don't want to let much out about it yet. I'm always creating. I always do stuff on the side, and some of it's not suitable for Behemoth, and I've got some other projects that will eventually see the light of day. Or not. Nothing is for certain (laughs)."

Q: Without giving too much away, would you be willing to tell us a little of what we might expect from a Nergal solo project? 

Nergal: "Very stripped down and simple. The most primitive, acoustic-based stuff. That's what I'm really into."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Behemoth are officially headlining this years installment of the legendary Inferno Festival in Oslo, Norway on April 2nd.

Commented singer/guitarist Nergal: "Festival season 2015 couldn't start in a better way! We have long history with Inferno Festival and we've always been embraced by Norway but this is the first time we are headlining this festival! Bringing on full artillery and pyro! After doing countless tours in support to our latest album The Satanist, you can expect a well oiled machine! You have been warned!"

On another note, the next day, April 3rd, Nergal will host a signing session for the English release of his autobiographical book, Confessions Of A Heretic. A press conference will be held, too.

The European Satanist Tour 2015 Part II (with Bolzer, Thaw) will include the following dates (venues to be announced):

April
10 - Lichtenfels, Germany
11 - Salzburg, Austria
12 - Romagnano Sesia, Italy
13 - Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
14 - Bologna, Italy
15 - Rome, Italy
17 - Athens, Greece
18 - Thessaloniki, Greece
19 - Skopje, Macedonia
20 - Sofia, Bulgaria
21 - Bucharest, Romania
22 - Timisoara, Romania
23 - Budapest, Hungary
24 - Zlin, Czech Republic
25 - Glauchau, Germany

Behemoth: Devil's Conquistadors by Lukasz Dunaj serves as the definitive Behemoth biography. This book, officially blessed, or rather damned, by Behemoth, serves as an in depth look at the history of the events that materially influenced the band.

As Dunaj points out in the intro, this isn't "Poland's response to Motley Crue's biography The Dirt." Simply put, Behemoth: Devil's Conquistadors is the story of Behemoth, their music, and their rise to the upper echelon of metal and becoming a household name in their native homeland, Poland.

Behemoth: Devil's Conquistadors is a 490 page, hardcover tome that is being released by Metal Blade Records in February 2015. The book includes quotes and anecdotes from current and former members that provide context and details in addition to the author's narrative, plus interviews with Tomas Krajewski, Rob Darken, Graal, Havok, and more. The artistically presented pages are splattered with old photos of the band, flyers, lyric sheets, etc. Pre-orders are available now at this location and include a bundle with an exclusive shirt available ONLY with this pre-order.

The passages below serve as previews of the book...

From the foreword by Krzysztof Azarewicz: "If, as a cultural anthropologist, I were to point to a single cosmic force which Behemoth's music expresses, I would name it not Satan but Dionysus. A deity that represents not only the intoxicating influence of cosmic energies and earthly benefits, but also their benevolent healing properties. A deity of strength and pride. A deity of creative might."

Nergal discusses the acquisition of his first electric guitar: "The first communion was a very important moment for me. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it's true. Of course, not as a religion experience - I didn't understand anything and couldn't care less. Same as all the other kids. We all stood there with our votive candles and waited for one thing. Cash. The first communion must be one moment when you get the most money you're ever going to get as a child. And for this money, I bought myself my first electric guitar. Not a bike, no Legos - a guitar."

Behemoth recently checked in with the following update:

"We are proud to announce the English version of Nergal's book, Confessions Of A Heretic: The Sacred And The Profane - Behemoth And Beyond. The book has its premiere on March 19th and the pre-order launch in our webstore NOW! Only in our store each book will be hand signed by Nergal!! Pre-order here.

The book, originally written in Polish by Adam Nergal Darski, Krzysztof Azarewicz and Piotr Weltrowski, now will be available in English thanks to Mark Eglinton, a bestselling author and ghostwriter. Specialising primarily in memoir and non-fiction, his books include Official Truth: 101 Proof—The Inside Story Of Pantera with bassist Rex Brown, widely acclaimed as one of the most honest music memoirs of recent years.

The book will be issued by Jawbones Press."

Bassist Terry Butler (OBITUARY, ex-DEATH, MASSACRE) and vocalist Ed Webb (ex-MASSACRE) are forging ahead with an as-yet-unnamed project which will feature Greg Gall (SIX FEET UNDER) behind the drum kit. Butler states: "It's in the infancy stage at this time, but will be up and running soon. I'm not making any promises on direction or style. Just know it will be HEAVY AS HELL!!!"

In other news, Butler (pictured) has released the following statement: "Ed Webb and I would like to express our disappointment that MASSACRE are not on the DTA European 'Symbolic' tour. We were very much looking forward to this high-profile tour to help get MASSACRE's music and message to fans old and new. Unfortunately, that was cut short by a series of events that could not be overlooked. It is a shame because you the fans suffer the most.

"'Back From Beyond' is a great record and Ed and I are very proud of how it turned out.

"Thank you for your support.

"MASSACRE are once again and forever dead!!! Que será, será. "I have also set up a merch store for all the leftover MASSACRE merch. The merch is from our recent U.S. tour. I want to give those fans that didn't get merch the chance to get some. Follow this link and see what we have." MASSACRE's "comeback" album, "Back From Beyond", was released on March 24, 2014 in Europe and April 1, 2014 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded and mixed by Tim Vazquez of CGM Studios in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The cover artwork was created by Toshihiro Egawa (CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN, DEVOURMENT).

South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE have commenced recording guitars for their upcoming album, tentatively due this summer.

In a recent interview with Australia's "Rabid Noise" podcast, NILE drummer George Kollias stated about the progress of the songwriting and recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2012's "At The Gate Of Sethu": "[We'll] release the album around June. And we have a European tour with SUFFOCATION in September/October, and we're talking about a U.S. tour, maybe, [starting in] mid-November."

Asked about a possible title for the new NILE CD, George said: "We're not sure yet, so I can't really tell. But if the one we have right now… I mean, we have a title, but, seriously, it's not the final one. But if that's the final one — I mean, if this is gonna be the title — it's one of our songs which is the most difficult song I've ever played in my life. Like, seriously, it's so hard to play. We were working on this song for three days. This has never happened with NILE — working on one song for three days. It's never happened. It's a song that, if you're a drummer, and you wanna play it, or a guitar player as well, you're gonna have troubles. [Laughs] It's not that long. I think it's around six minutes or something… But it's crazy. Totally crazy."

NILE's seventh full-length album, "At The Gate Of Sethu", sold 3,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 131 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 2 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Get Bronx", the new video from New York hardcore legends SICK OF IT ALL, can be seen below. The clip was filmed by Dirk Behlau in Europe earlier this year during the EMP Persistence Tour.

Says SICK OF IT ALL drummer Armand Majidi about the song and video: "'Get Bronx' is a hard-hitting groove with a message of defiance against the modern powers of oppression.

"This video serves to show people across the world that, as gritty and unpretentious as hardcore music is, it still translates to the big stage and doesn't need a tiny, intimate atmosphere to work. When a big club pulsates like that, the spirit of hardcore is kept alive." On April 5, SICK OF IT ALL will begin another European run, with support from ANGEL DU$T, right after playing three U.S. shows.

SICK OF IT ALL's new album, "The Last Act Of Defiance", was released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on September 29, 2014, and in North America on September 30, 2014 via Century Media. The eye-catching cover artwork for the CD was created by Ernie Parada, who has already designed posters, merchandise and album art for numerous bands and artists from the punk and hardcore scene such as HATEBREED, PROPAGANDHI, RANCID and THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM.

"The Last Act Of Defiance" was helmed by SICK OF IT ALL's longtime friend and producer Tue Madsen, who recorded the album at Nova Studio in Staten Island, New York and mixed it at his own Antfarm Studio in Denmark.

Danish thrash metallers HateSphere have begun work on their next album.

The band states: “We have started the song writing for our next album. Hitting the studio in August and releasing it late fall of 2015; we can’t wait to get this thing out to the fans. We will post videos, pics and updates along the way, so visit our pages once in a while to keep yourself updated. So far, things are sounding good!”

HateSphere will be hitting the road with Finntroll and Profane Omen for the continuation of the Nattfödd Ten Year Annivesary Tour.

Tour dates:

March
13 - Rouen, France - Le 106
14 - Limoges, France - CC John Lennon
15 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
17 - Marseille, France - Le Moulin
18 - Barcelona, Spain - La [2] de Apolo
19 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Caracol
20 - Porto, Portugal - Hard Club
21 - Santiago, Spain - Sala Capitol
22 - Bilbao, Spain - Kafe Antzokia
24 - Toulouse, France - Le Metronum
25 - Bordeaux, France - Le Krakatoa
26 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Kao
27 - Monthey, Switzerland - Pont Rouge
28 - Metz, France - Gueulard Plus

Heartburn Music is re-releasing their legendary The Sickness Within on vinyl on the year of its ten year anniversary. It will be released in a limited splatter version and a regular black version.

John Corabi, former lead singer of MÖTLEY CRÜE, THE SCREAM and UNION, says that he plans to collaborate again with MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars after the completion of the CRÜE's "The Final Tour".

Corabi originally joined CRÜE in 1992 as the replacement for the group's original singer, Vince Neil, who was fired due to personal differences. With Corabi on vocals, MÖTLEY CRÜE released one critically acclaimed full-length CD, which ended up being a commercial failure in the wake of grunge despite a Top-Ten placing on the album chart. When Neil returned to the fold in 1997, Corabi was left on his own and formed the band UNION with ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.

In a 2012 interview, Mars stated about MÖTLEY CRÜE's 1994 self-titled album: "I thought that was probably… To me, and I can only speak for me, I think that was probably the best album we've done. Musical-wise, the songs, I felt, were strong. And just musically, to me, it was, I guess, my BEATLES 'White Album'; that's kind of how I feel about that one. I'm not saying that any of my other albums are crummy or anything like that — I love every album that we did — but that one just has a special thing for me."

Asked if there are any plans for him to work with Mars again, Corabi told Jack Antonio of the "Do You Know Jack?" radio show (hear audio below): "Yeah, actually I was just talking to him the other day. A lot of people already know about it, but as soon as he's done doing this next tour, Mick and I have had some discussions about possibly going in and doing some writing together and doing a record, and maybe going out and doing some shows. So we'll see how that works."

Corabi also talked about what it was like playing guitar for MÖTLEY CRÜE during the tour in the support of the band's self-titled album and being the guy that Mars could "bump ideas off." He said: "Mick's a great player. He really doesn't need anybody to bump ideas off of. I just basically… Me being able to play [guitar], and play as well as I do, allowed Mick to do… Mick didn't have to worry about, 'Okay, I've gotta play the rhythm here.' 'Okay, I've gotta [break into] the solo,' 'Now I've gotta get back to the rhythm.' He had the freedom to just be the lead guitar player, and I was able to cover up and do whatever rhythms he asked me to do that gave him freedom to be that lead guy. And I think he enjoyed it."

Corabi previously told Philadelphia's 93.3 WMMR radio station about the possibility of collaborating again with Mick Mars on the MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist's forthcoming solo album: "I don't know what he wants to do musically, but at the end of the day, I love Mick Mars — he's one of the sweetest human beings you'll ever meet in your life — and anything I can do to help him with his solo record, I would be more than happy to do. I appreciate the fact that Mick has been just stupidly supportive of what we did in the past, and I appreciate Mick's talent as a guitar player; I think he's totally underrated. And anything I can do to help him, he's more than willing to help me with what I wanna do. So we'll have to see where it goes from there."

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED — the band led by VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan — played its first show in two years on March 3 at Slim's Last Chance in Seattle. The concert was a benefit event for DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED guitarist Mike Squires's mother, who is battling cancer. Video footage of the performance can be seen below.

McKagan will perform with two other former GUNS N' ROSES members, Slash and Gilby Clarke, this coming Saturday, March 7, when DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED shares the stage in Buenos Aires, Argentina with SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS and Clarke's solo band.

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED's latest album, "The Taking", sold 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 12 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The group's previous album, "Sick", opened with around 1,400 units back in April 2009 to debut at No. 43 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart.

Released in April 2011 via Eagle Rock Entertainment, "The Taking" was recorded at a Seattle-area studio with veteran rock producer Terry Date (SOUNDGARDEN, PANTERA, DEFTONES).

Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith will debut his new mask — featuring legendary rocker Alice Cooper — during Thursday night’s throwback game against the Vancouver Canucks.

The mask was designed by artist David Arrigo and features a coyote on the front, the old Coyotes logo on the side, and Cooper on the back.

Says Arrigo: "With EVERY mask I work on with Smitty, there will be… let's say, some locking of the horns and this piece was no different.

"Smitty was looking for a clean break all around, including the backplate. In contrast, I push as much as possible to have something on the mask that have people look twice. He wanted the Coyotes moon logo vs. I was looking for something more entertaining and had a punch. Enter Alice Cooper, rock star, Arizona resident and Coyote fan.

"What is more retro than Alice Cooper!

"I thought the image of Alice's unique look on the backplate would really make this a conversation piece (not to mention I think it would look cool as heck!). For once I got my way! I think it worked out well."

For more information, visit DavidArrigo.com.

Guitar virtuoso Joe Stump (Reign Of Terror, HolyHell) has checked in with the following update:

"Picture and video footage from recent tour in Mexico City (February 27th - March 1st ). As always, the shows were rocking and the fans were great, five shows in three days."

Stump released his latest instructional book, Metal Guitar Chop Shop, in early 2014. He reveals licks, techniques, and exerises to build your guitar technique. Learn licks and techniques comon in rock/metal sytles, and commit them to finger memory. The online audio tracks include drum tracks for exercise practice, and backing tracks for Joe's technical etudes/solo transcriptions, which are notated in both tablature and traditional notation. For more details and to order click the widget below.

Germany's Aeverium recently completed work on their full length debut album, Break Out, produced by Sander Gommans (HDK, ex-After Forever) and Amanda Somerville (Trillium, Kiske/Somerville, Avantasia). Cover artwork, the tracklist and a video teaser can be viewed below:

"Break Out"
"Distrust"
"Departed"
"Heaven´s Burning (Harvest Time)"
"Endless Space"
"Do You Remember"
"The Ground Beneath Your Feet"
"Rest in Peace"
"The Other Side"
"What are You Waiting For?"
"To Live Forever"

Acoustic EP (Deluxe Edition only)
"Distrust" 
"Heaven´s Burning (Harvest Time)"
"The Ground Beneath Your Feet"

Pre-order the album at this location. Official release is March 15th.

Aeverium have been tapped to support Xandria for four shows on their Sacrificium European tour. Aeverium's schedule is as follows:

April
7 - Frankfurt, Germany - Nachtleben
8 - Augsburg, Germany - Spectrum
9 - Heidelberg, Germany - Schwimmbad Club
10 - Oberhausen, Germany - Zentrum Altenberg

BraveWords has teamed up with Montreal, QC power metal band Elderoth to premiere the first single "This Shadow By My Side" from their forthcoming sophomore release Mystic due out April 28th to follow up their 2012 self-titled debut. Check it out at this location.

Founding member and mastermind behind Elderoth comments:

""This Shadow By My Side' has been a song that I did a lot more work with than the rest of the album. I had gone through several versions until I was completely satisfied with the final product. I wanted to really make the song something very unique and tasteful for the fans to enjoy. The process of writing this song itself has helped me develop more of my own style in which will be very beneficial for my songwriting on future material."

Engineering a unique style of metal music with oriental instruments from East Asia, Elderoth intertwine modern North American and European styles in a must-hear album with each track flowing across to the next to create a dynamic taste for fans. Featuring intense guitar licks, complex keyboard arrangements and powerful rhythms, Elderoth delivers a challenging sound that is catching the attention of metal aficionados, guitarists and professional musicians around the world for its pinnacle of musicianship, composition and technical ingenuity.

The band’s 2015 lineup features founding member Collin McGee on guitars and vocals with Xavier Sperdouklis on bass, Vincent Harnois on guitars and Jessy Normand on drums. Mcgee, the man behind the vision of Elderoth is the primary author, composer, lead guitarist, and singer. Through his years of being self-taught, studying music theory and composing endlessly, McGee has mastered composition on guitar and other instruments at a world-class level, along with writing lyrics and developing his vocals to a professional level that stands out in the audio mix both live and in the studio.

Last month, Denver blackened doom trio, Primitive Man, released the diseased sounds of their Home Is Where The Hatred Is EP upon blameless masses. Spewing forth four vicious slabs of confrontational, feedback-drenched sonic severity, Home Is Where The Hatred Is was tracked at Flatline Audio by Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage, Catheter, Cobalt) and is currently available as special 12" via Relapse Records.

In conjunction with its release, the band has issued the video for “Bag Man”. Co-directed and created by Marcos Morales and Neil Barrett of Novel Concept TV and produced and conceptualized by Primitive Man's Ethan McCarthy, "Bag Man" is a disturbing, seven-minute glimpse into the "American dream." Comments McCarthy bluntly, "Die slow."

Warning: Video is NSFW:

Primitive Man will demolish stages throughout the US this spring and summer on a lengthy run of live incursions which will include an appearance at this year's Maryland Deathfest. Slated to commence on May16th in Omaha and accompanied by Canadian grindcore perpetrators, Wake, on select dates, the band will consume eleven cities with their traumatic odes, with the run coming to a halt in Colorado Springs on May 30th. From there the band will join up with French metallers Celeste, and raze nineteen more cities through June and early July before uniting with Birmingham, UK misery troupe, Opium Lord, and heading east to level ten more locales. The final leg of the tour finds Primitive Man paired with Milwaukee sludge slingers, Northless, for bout of dates out west. The epic journey follows the band's UK takeover with Sea Bastard and European dates with Fister as well as a special one off show opening for stoner metal icons, Sleep.  

For complete tour dates, head to Facebook.

Upland, CA progressive metallers I, Omega have decided to disband.

The band posted the following message on their Facebook page:

“We apologize for the recent silence that has overtaken the I, Omega social media outlets. We’ve all been taking a step back and reevaluating what is important to each individual member at this current period of our lives. We have come to the conclusion that we can’t keep I, Omega alive under the individual circumstances each of us are facing. This decision has not come easy nor has it been made in haste; but I, Omega, as an artistic collective, have decided to disband to ensure that we stay amicable as brothers and to not further deteriorate our lives outside of the band.

“We cannot express how much these past years have meant to us. I, Omega was never more than a bunch of friends trying to create and perform. With that notion in mind, we feel we accomplished much more than we ever anticipated when we started sharing our creations outside of our inner circle. We owe so much to our manager Jim, Josh from Bullet Tooth, and to anyone else who gave us a chance along the way. We are talking about a final show(s), but nothing is set in stone. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. – Clay (Nevels, vocals)/Ryan (Cano, guitar)/Tommy (Borboa, guitar)/Andrew (Slane, drums).”