KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch spoke to Music Radar about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's twelfth studio album, due out later this year.

"Being back in KORN is just incredible," he said. "Being back in the band for [2013's] 'The Paradigm Shift' was awesome. It meant so much to me to be back in the band and I enjoyed making that album; it was a slightly different sound for KORN. But then nothing satisfies me more than this new record that we're doing right now, though. It feels like who we are, but it feels like on this record we're working on now, it feels like we've come back to what KORN started out as."

Elaborating on the new record's musical direction, Welch said: "There's a lot of aggression on this new album. We just had fun, we sat down together in a studio and jammed out for six to eight hours a day. We just wrote together in the studio. It feels like we're at a really great point in our career. It just feels like KORN."

Welch previously told Billboard.com that he and fellow KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer "wanted to go heavier on the [next] record, because we're the guitar players and KORN was a guitar-heavy band. The last record that we did was me coming back. I saw them at a show, played one song with them, and a few weeks later, was in the studio with them writing new songs. We didn't have any time to hang out. To live with everyone on the road and to function in the band, with the fans and business together for three years, we really connected and felt comfortable."

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.

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has weighed in on the strange situation regarding AC/DC and singer Brian Johnson. The legendary Australian rock band postponed the last ten dates of its recent North American tour after doctors told Johnson he faced "total hearing loss." AC/DC has since announced that it will use GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist" for all remaining shows this year, with Johnson apparently not returning to the band at all.

During the question-and-answer portion of his May 8 solo show at Koko in London, England, Taylor was asked to give his opinion on the Rose-AC/DC pairing. He responded (see video below): "That's an interesting question. You're not the only one to ask me that."

He continued: "There are several ways to look at that situation. There are AC/DC fans who are, like, 'You know what? I just wanna see them play for, like, the last eight, nine shows and then see what happens.' There are other people who are, like, 'Fuck that! I don't like the way they handled the whole Brian situation,' which I can totally see. However, none of us are behind the scenes. None of us know what's been going on. None of us know anything. And I learned that lesson with the GUNS N' ROSES thing. I mean, I'm talking about… I'm a huge GUNS N' ROSES fan. So when [the classic GN'R lineup] started to kind of come back together, I was, like, 'Meh.' But then, talking to some of them, I really saw the whole picture and was, like, 'Okay, I can get behind this.'"

Taylor went on to say: "So I don't know enough about what is going on behind the scenes [in the AC/DC camp]. I can certainly appreciate the fact that Angus [Young, AC/DC guitarist] wants to finish those shows. 'Cause here's the thing you've gotta understand: he's been doing gigs since he was 17 years old. He has been giving everything — and I mean everything he's fucking got — night after night after night after night for fucking fifty years.

"Who are we, who are we to decide when it's time for AC/DC to be done or not? Am I fucking right, or am I fucking right?"

Corey added: "Is it gonna be the same? No! Nothing's ever the same. I don't think it was the same after fucking Phil [Rudd, former AC/DC drummer] left. So it's never gonna be the same. You know what I'm saying?

"For me… The biggest bumout for me is that Malcolm [Young, retired co-founding AC/DC guitarist] won't be a part of those shows; that's the saddest part of that. I mean, I feel bad for Brian, as a singer, but the saddest part of that is that Malcolm won't be a part of those last eight shows, and he fucking should be. That man has written every fucking song they did. So that's me. That's me. I can go either way with it, but because I don't know a lot about it, I'm not gonna make any judgments."

According to a Billboard.com source, Rose initially met with AC/DC members in Miami and Atlanta back in March. It was then that the decision was made to have Rose join AC/DC on tour. There was also talk of having other singers alternate with Rose, including ex-SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach and Nic Cester of the Australian band JET.

Rose made his live debut with AC/DC on Saturday night (May 7) in Lisbon, Portugal, and by all accounts delivered a triumphant vocal performance as fill-in for Johnson even if he was still confined to a chair onstage due to the broken foot he suffered during a GUNS show last month.

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has apologized for the comments he made about Prince's death.

Simmons made headlines earlier today when he told Newsweek about Prince's passing: "His drugs killed him. What do you think, he died from a cold?"

Simmons added that he still holds Prince in high regard as a musician. "I think Prince was heads, hands and feet above all the rest of them," he said. "I thought he left [Michael] Jackson in the dust. Prince was way beyond that. But how pathetic that he killed himself. Don't kid yourself, that's what he did. Slowly, I'll grant you — but that's what drugs and alcohol is: a slow death."

After Gene's comments were picked up by various news organizations, the rocker issued a statement in which he explained that his "big mouth" led him to not "express [himself] properly,” and that it came from seeing too many people in the music industry throw away their talents by abusing drugs.

Simmons's statement in its entirety:

"I just got such shit from my family for my big mouth again. I apologize - I have a long history of getting very angry at what drugs do to the families/friends of the addicts. I get angry at drug users because of my experience being around them coming up in the rock scene. In my experience they've made my life, and the lives of their loved ones, difficult. I was raised in a culture/crowd where drug addicts were written off as losers, and since that's the narrative I grew up with, it's been hard to change with the times. Needless to say, I didn't express myself properly here - I don't shy away from controversy, and angry critics really don't bother me at all. If I think I'm right, I'll throw up a finger and dig my heels in and laugh. But this time, I was not. So, my apologies.

"PS: What I will say is that there is part of this that is journalists quote-mining things lve said in the past and applying it to new situations. This, too, happens often, and not just to me. So, quote mining, too, is wrong. It doesn't make my past quotes any more tactful, but still - be wary of click bait. The uglier they can make it seem, the more views they will get."

Initial toxicology tests showed the painkiller Percocet was present in Prince's body at his time of death, but autopsy and toxicology results aren't complete, and the artist's cause of death remains unknown.

pic.twitter.com/OvpB6pvES8

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) May 11, 2016

CHEAP TRICK singer Robin Zander, who recently expressed interest in filling in as AC/DC's frontman while Brian Johnson is battling hearing loss, was asked in a brand new interview with Radio.com if he is curious to hear what the legendary Australian hard rockers sound like with Axl Rose. Zander responded: "Uh, yeah, I'm curious, because I've known AC/DC for so long, but I wouldn't have done it if Brian was opposed to it. Brian's my neighbor, he's a friend of mine. But the thing is, I love the music, I love what they do, and if they were hard pressed, I would probably do it, but I would certainly pass it by him first, and if he was opposed to it, nah, I wouldn't do it."

Shortly before the GUNS N' ROSES frontman was announced as the temporary singer for AC/DC for their European and North American tour dates, Zander was enthusiastic about the prospect of stepping in for Johnson. He told Rolling Stone: "I'd love to do that. But I'd want the blessing of Brian. I wouldn't go there as a slap in the face to him. But if he said, 'Go ahead,' I would do it. And I'd donate the money to somebody. They're AC/DC. People want to hear those songs. Sure, they want to hear them with Brian. But if Brian isn't there, they can get someone else. I don't know what else to say, but I know I'd be heartbroken if something happened to me and I couldn't sing in CHEAP TRICK."

Rose made his live debut with AC/DC on Saturday night (May 7) in Lisbon, Portugal, and by all accounts delivered a triumphant vocal performance as fill-in for Johnson even if he was still confined to a chair onstage due to the broken foot he suffered during a GUNS show last month.

Rose was recruited for twelve European dates and ten North American concerts. AC/DC's North American shows will likely take place later this year, after Rose completes his summer tour with the reunited lineup of GUNS N' ROSES.

During an interview with BBC 6 Music, Rose stated about his future plans with AC/DC: "There's makeup dates in the States, and if I don't get thrown out before then, I'm looking forward to doing [them]. I think after that, it's about what they wanna do. I'm in if they want me in, and we'll sort it out, but right now that's getting ahead of ourselves with everything else that's on the table."

CHEVELLE has set "The North Corridor" as the title of its next studio album, tentatively due in July. The CD was helmed by Joe Barresi, the American record engineer and producer who has previously worked with bands such as KYUSS, MELVINS, TOOL and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. The first single from the effort, "Joyride (Omen)", is expected to arrive later this week.

It's not clear at the moment how the band will be releasing the new album. "La Gargola" was the last on its original contract with Sony Music, and frontman Pete Loeffler told The Pulse Of Radio at the time he was not sure how the band would proceed after that. "You know, in a perfect world, we'd like to just do it all on our own," he said. "I think that's what every band probably, after five or six records, probably wants to do. I mean, you want more control — I mean, I do. Hey, I'd love to put out my own music. If that can be possible, we would probably do it."

CHEVELLE has sold more than four million copies of its seven studio albums in the U.S. and scored 13 Top 10 hits at rock radio, including the chart-toppers "Send The Pain Below", "Vitamin R", "Face To The Floor" and "Take Out The Gunman".

KISS frontman Paul Stanley has taken to Twitter to distance himself from comments that his bandmate, Gene Simmons, made about Prince.

Simmons made headlines earlier today when he told Newsweek about Prince's death: "His drugs killed him. What do you think, he died from a cold?"

Simmons added that he still holds Prince in high regard as a musician. "I think Prince was heads, hands and feet above all the rest of them," he said. "I thought he left [Michael] Jackson in the dust. Prince was way beyond that. But how pathetic that he killed himself. Don't kid yourself, that's what he did. Slowly, I'll grant you — but that's what drugs and alcohol is: a slow death."

After Gene's comments were picked up by various news organizations, Stanley tweeted: "Embarrassed by cold clueless statements re Prince's death. Without all the facts better to say nothing. My apologies." He also added a link to the Newsweek article containing Gene's quotes.

Initial toxicology tests showed the painkiller Percocet was present in Prince's body at his time of death, but autopsy and toxicology results aren't complete, and the artist's cause of death remains unknown.

Embarrassed by cold clueless statements re Prince's death. Without all the facts better to say nothing. My apologies https://t.co/Arb5XQ4o7l

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) May 10, 2016

Femme Fatale is releasing their long awaited second album, One More For The Road, on FnA Records this spring.  The album was recorded back in 1989/'90 with the original band members and has never seen the light of day…until now. One More From The Road picks up right where the debut release left off.

In 1988, Femme Fatale made some big noise on radio and MTV with two very popular songs and videos - “Waiting For The Big One” and “Fallin’ In And Out Of Love” from their first release on MCA Records. There was a US tour with Cheap Trick and dates in the UK and heavy rotation for the videos.
MCA was ready for a second release from the band and had them writing with outside writers and rehearsing once they got back from the tour.

“Yeah, it was all really exciting to think we were going to get back in the studio since we had really cut our teeth out on the road,” says Lorraine Lewis – singer and songwriter for the band. “I was having writing sessions with some really great L.A. songwriters like Wes Arkeen (considered the 6th member of Guns N’ Roses who co-wrote “It’s So Easy” with Duff McKagan) and Jack Conrad (Heart, John Waite). There were big plans for this baby band and an industry buzz had been established primarily from Femme Fatale’s popular videos and their live shows.

“When we thought we had written a good number of songs we liked, we booked some time at a rehearsal studio in the valley to record our demos for the label,” says Lewis. “The boys had been working hard on arrangements & I was busy spending my time hanging out with Sunset Strip bands like D’ Molls & Poison, and Rock City Angels. We asked our friend Toby Wright, also from Albuquerque to come down to help with the recording.”

Toby was the engineer for “heavy hitters”- Ron Nevison (Heart) and Mike Clink (Guns N’ Roses). The result of this studio time was a bunch of rough demos that the band was going to present to MCA records, to show them where Femme Fatale was heading.  With a changing musical landscape and new record personnel, the band was ultimately dropped from the label. Move twenty-five years forward and those demos were still closely guarded by Lorraine, stored away in between the pages of To Kill A Mockingbird.  

Lorraine Lewis states, “Thanks to FnA Records, this long time lost gem is finally seeing the light of day! These recordings are raw, rough, and have a live feel to them. They have been mastered by F n A Records and it is important to note that even though the quality is not perfect, these recordings were made over a quarter of a century ago with the original members of Femme Fatale!”

One More For The Road, contains 14 blistering tracks with obvious Femme Fatale hits like “Lady In Waiting”, “Don’t Mean Nothin’” and “Til It’s Shot” and the power ballad “Buried Alive”.  Additionally, we hear Lorraine Lewis’ voice on her mesmerizing version of Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart.”

One More For The Road tracklisting:
“Don't Mean Nothing”
“Lady In Waiting”
“I Know”
“One More for the Road”
“Buried Alive”
“The Alley”
“Fallen Child”
“Til It's Shot”
“Ain't Nothing Better”
“Another Piece of My Heart”
“I’m Back”
“Sacred Bible”
“Stiffed”
“Lost Generation”

For audio samples visit this location.

Femme Fatale on this recording were:
Bill D’Angelo – lead guitar
Mazzi Rawd – rhythm guitar, keyboards, back up vocals
Rick Rael – bass, back-up vocals
Bobby Murray – drums, back up vocals
Lorraine Lewis – lead vocals, back up vocals

After a three-year hiatus from the music world, forer HINDER singer/songwriter Austin John Winkler is back with the release of his highly anticipated solo EP titled "Love Sick Radio".

Having sold millions of albums, with numerous hits under his belt, including HINDER's breakthrough hit "Lips Of An Angel", Winkler is ready to share with the world what he's doing musically now.

Winkler's lyrics, distinctive voice and passion for music is stronger than ever with his new modern twist on rock and roll. The six-song EP, featuring guest appearances by Sophie Summers and country star Jessie James Decker, was released on April 22.

"It's a very exciting time for me", says the Oklahoma City native. "It's been a long time in the making and I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised at the musical direction I took when I stepped into the studio to make this record. It's quite a bit different from HINDER or anything that I've ever done."

After parting ways with HINDER in 2013, Winkler began to take a different approach to songwriting. Instead of trying to adapt what he thought his fans wanted to hear, Winkler decided to take some risks and embrace his creative freedom as a solo artist. Winkler started his solo project with a clean slate and one thing in mind, "To be as open and honest as I can be with nothing to lose!"

Winkler dove into this project wearing all of his musical influences on his sleeve and never looked back. He grew up listening to everything from THE ROLLING STONES, AEROSMITH, GUNS N' ROSES, HEART and Elton John to SUBLIME, Michael Jackson, Biggie Smalls and Eminem, just to name a few.

"I hope people love the new sound and songs I've written...but no matter what, I am proud of these songs and hope they in some way connect with my fans both old and new," he says. "These songs really helped me get through some tough times and I hope they can also help anyone who can relate to these topics."

"Love Sick Radio" track listing:

01. Clique 2 Follow02. The Plague (feat. Sophie Summers)03. Carry You04. Howlin' (feat. Jessie James Decker)05. Road To Paradise06. Hate That I'm Loving You

Roadrunner Records group, Kvelertak, are streaming their new album Nattesferd at Rolling Stone.

The band recently debuted their official music video for “1985”. Directed, written and edited by longtime collaborator Fredrik S. Hana, the video for “1985” follows the tracks narrative of a cold dystopian future.

Hana commented on the video stating, “In my third collaboration with Kvelertak, I wanted to make a music video where the story and characters took the center stage. The video revolves around a micro-community, a four man cult, where a deep and twisted friendship lies beneath it all. They don’t see themselves as a part of the normal society and decide to honor their differences in a unique fellowship. We follow the character’s growing addiction to push limits, and in the end, their incompetence to see any real consequences with their actions. I wanted to get across the fantastic feeling of being a part of something, but also the dangers of not daring to take a stand, to just swim along with the current.”

Pre-orders for Nattesferd are available now at Kvelertak.com with all orders receiving an instant grat download of “1985”. Nattesferd arrives everywhere May 13th (album art below).

"Berserkr":

"1985":

Recorded live in Oslo, Norway’s Amper Tone Studio, Nattesferd is produced by Kvelertak and mixed / engineered by Nick Terry (Lindstrøm, Turbonegro, The Libertines). It is the first of Kvelertak’s albums to be recorded in their home country of Norway.

Tonight Kvelertak begin their North American headline tour, which includes special guests Torche and label mates Wild Throne. The dates will see the band traversing west through early May (tour itinerary below). Tickets for all dates are on sale now. For more information visit this location.

Tour dates:

April
12 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall
13 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
14 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
15 - Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar
16 - Washington, DC - DC Brau
17 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East – Downstairs
19 - Montreal, QC - l’Astral
20 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House
21 - Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar*
22 - Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom*
23 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
24 - Minneapolis, MN - Mill City Nights
25 - St. Louis, MO - The Ready Room
26 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre
28 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
29 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
30 - Boise, ID - Neurolox

May
1 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
2 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
3 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre**
5 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
6 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater

* - No Torche / Mutoid Man is support
** - Support is TBD

Party Smasher Inc., the multi-faceted collective founded by Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA), has announced a global partnership with Cooking Vinyl.

A network for cultural saboteurs of various disciplines — music, art, fashion, and beyond — Party Smasher was established by Weinman in 2009 as a way to unite and empower creative people doing things their own way. He explains: "I was well into my twenties, with a college degree and a corporate job, playing music with no intention of generating money or some massive fanbase. Before I had even realized it, I was making 100% of my living creating art. How did this happen? Because we ignored 'the rules.' It wasn't until I started living my artistic life with that mindset that I became a responsible creator — one who could move people through honest expression. And that is what Party Smasher Inc. is all about. We are here to celebrate the artists that are following their own path, undeterred by the trends."

One of the many ventures currently in motion under the Party Smasher Inc. umbrella is a record label with three heavy-hitting releases in 2016:

* GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA (GTO) is the brainchild of William DuVall, lead singer of rock superstars ALICE IN CHAINS; Brent Hinds, lead guitarist of heavy metal giants MASTODON; and Ben Weinman, founder and lead guitarist of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN. The band plays its inaugural live shows at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the U.K. this August, and releases its debut album this year via Party Smasher Inc.

* With five studio albums and countless tours around the globe, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN have ascended from the underground to become one of the biggest names in metal and hardcore, all while maintaining a strong DIY ethic. With coverage in mass media from Rolling Stone to The New York Times, Billboard chart status, performances on network television such as "Late Night With Conan O'Brien", and tours with the likes of NINE INCH NAILS, SOUNDGARDEN, and DEFTONES, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN is often cited as one of the most important bands to have emerged over the last decade and a half. The band is at work on its sixth album now, to be released this year on Party Smasher Inc.

* One of the definitive up-and-coming bands in today's Brooklyn scene, post-hardcore outfit PRIMITIVE WEAPONS' new, sophomore album, "The Future Of Death", was released digitally by Party Smasher Inc in April, with CD and LP versions coming this summer. An 8.0 review on Pitchfork hails "The Future Of Death" as "a balance of brains, brawn, and heart"; NPR Music has declared, "the New York band is adept at mixing metallic violence with eerie, melodic sweetness."

Founded in London in 1986, now in its 30th year, Cooking Vinyl has evolved into one of the world's leading independent labels, with a current roster boasting Marilyn Manson, Billy Bragg, THE CRANBERRIES, THE PRODIGY, and more. The partnership between Cooking Vinyl and Party Smasher Inc. will help the label expand into new realms, and to continue to be one of the top tastemaker indie labels.

Rob Collins, director of Cooking Vinyl, expressed his excitement for the deal: "We share the vision that Party Smasher has. They bring the art, we bring muscle. I couldn't be more excited about this partnership."

Howie Gabriel, of the newly launched Cooking Vinyl America, shared in the sentiment: "We're excited to have Party Smasher Inc.'s DIY ethic, along with Cooking Vinyl's independent focus, to bring both labels to a larger global audience."

DEVIL YOU KNOW, the band fronted by former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones, has recruited drummer Nick Augusto (ex-TRIVIUM) to sit behind the kit for the group's upcoming tour with HATEBREED and DEVILDRIVER starting this Friday, May 13.

DEVIL YOU KNOW guitarist Francesco Artusato states: "We are very excited to start this next tour with Nick. I toured with him in the past and I'm really looking forward to play some great shows with him.

"We also are just wrapping up our first nationwide headlining tour with ONI, which has been going extremely well. We are red hot and firing on all cylinders, so we can't wait to join up with the mighty HATEBREED and DEVILDRIVER to play in front of some new faces, as well as many familiar ones. Be sure to come by our merch booth after the set to check out all new items and hang with us. Let's do this."

Augusto adds: "I'm honored to be on board as DEVIL YOU KNOW's touring drummer for this massive HATEBREED and DEVILDRIVER tour. As being a fan of everyone in the band's previous projects, I feel like my style will add another piece to the already growing expansion of their big, heavy and catchy sound. I am very excited to play their material live and see the reaction of their fans, and what kind of energy surfaces from these upcoming shows! Come out and have a good time with us. See you out there."

DEVIL YOU KNOW recently launched a live performance music video for the song "Consume The Damned", which features all footage from the band's 2015 European fall tour with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and PAPA ROACH. The track is taken from DEVIL YOU KNOW's sophomore album, "They Bleed Red", which was released on November 6, 2015 via Nuclear Blast.

Produced by Josh Wilbur (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, LAMB OF GOD, KILLER BE KILLED), "They Bleed Red" is a breakneck paced trip through DEVIL YOU KNOW's broken psyche, struggles with anxiety, and ultimate triumph against adversity, all laid upon a foundation of high-level artistic achievement and vitriolic full throttle heavy metal fury.

In a recent interview with Australian Musicians Network, Jones stated about "They Bleed Red": "With the first album… We wrote and recorded that album without ever having played in the same room together, so it's kind of unique. But yeah, we've been spending a lot of time together on the road, planes and just doing our thing… getting to know each other well. And I remember [saying on] the first tour, 'We've gotta make a heavier album this time,' That was definitely the plan. Just also make songs that are fun to play live and that we are really happy with, that are a challenge to write and craft — whether they are heavy or not as heavy, even though, most of the album is pretty heavy. We wanted songs that would be easy to listen to, easy to enjoy, and fun to play."

He added: "Spending time on the road together, sitting on a plane, and sitting inside a smelly van, watching TV on a bus together, hanging out in each other’s houses and things like that, you get to know each other and you get this bond. And it definitely made things easier. One difference is that I was so much more prepared before I went into the studio for this one. And getting to know each other, and knowing exactly what direction we want to take with the album."

Corners Of Sanctuary (COS) has announced the official release of their latest music video "Tomorrow Never Comes". The song appears on their current album, Metal Machine, released via Metalizer Records from Germany. The new video is the third installment in the album's film campaign following last December's "Left Scarred" and March's "Wrecking Ball" releases.

Corners of Sanctuary guitarist Mick Michaels has checked in with the following comment: "It has been such a positive experience for us, as a unit and as individuals, to work in a medium that visually creates a new interpretation and perspective to the music. Videos like these offer an artist yet another outlet to present their craft to a wider audience while at the same time elevating the creative prospects for future endeavors".

"Tomorrow Never Comes," as with the two previous videos, was produced and directed by Philadelphia-area Indie filmmaker Zen Say who stated: "’Tomorrow Never Comes’ centers on the entire group this time around. The previous films focused primarily on Frankie, at the request of the band, as a way to highlight his role as the front person. But this time we spaced things out."

When asked of his experience working with the band on three successive projects, Zen Say offered the following, "Having the honor and opportunity to work on a consecutive trilogy of music videos with Corners of Sanctuary has created a unique artistic experience for me and my medium," he continued. “They bring as much visually to the table as they do musically.”

COS bassist James Pera stated: The video was filmed on various historical outdoor locations within Montgomery County, located in the band's home state of Pennsylvania, over the course of a two-day guerrilla type shoot setting. Portions of the video were filmed under one of the county's oldest and tallest arch bridges. "There's uniqueness to the landscape here in PA... so much history. The energy is inspiring."

COS vocalist Frankie Cross added: "I simply love the fact that this video is another chapter in the COS Metal Machine book. The song itself is a darker rocker… heavier in substance, reflective and poignant… sometimes dealing with the juxtaposition of choice, fate and consequence. Making this video proved challenging. The desolate, unstable terrain proved to be the right setting, but presented its obstacles such as falling rocks, thorns and thistles, wild beasts, a roaring river, threatening natives… felt like the Road Warrior meets the Hungry Like the Wolf video. For art sake, we persevered. My band of warriors fought the good fight and at the end of the shoot, we patched our wounds, collected our dead and realized history was made!”

Corners Of Sanctuary is currently supporting Metal Machine with the Wrecking Ball Tour including a Midwest US excursion in May, along with performing as part of this summer's Metal Eternal Fest Tour followed by a US West Coast string of shows in the fall. A new crowdfunding page has been created to assist in supporting the band’s efforts and is now live, here.

Fans’ financial support is being gifted with several Official COS Metal Machine Merchandise Packages which include autographed photos and CDs, concert shirts, patches and supporters having their names listed on the COS website.

Dates:

May
12 - The Wire - Berwyn, IL
13 - The Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN
14 - New Dodge Lounge - Hamtramck, MI
21 - Diane’s Cafe - Pittston, PA
28 - Metal Eternal Fest Tour - Ardmore, PA

June
14 – Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
21 – The Fire – Philadelphia, PA
23 – Metal Eternal Fest – The Depot – Baltimore, MA
30 – OpiumFest – The Bar – New Bedford, MA

August
6 – Metal Eternal Fest – The Oddity Bar – Wilmington, DE
20 – The New Penny – Scranton, PA

September
9 – Cherry Street Station – Wallingford, CT

"Tomorrow Never Comes" video:

“Left Scarred” video:

Winnipeg-based dark metal band Noire have announced they will be releasing their new EP, The Tracks Of The Hunted this summer. The EP consists of five tracks that blend dark, acoustic based music with black metal. More details, including a specific release date, will be revealed about the new EP in the coming weeks. The album's artwork can be seen below:

The band has also announced that they will be embarking on a Western Canadian tour this summer which will include an appearance at the legendary Armstrong Metal Fest.

Dates:

July
2 – Winnipeg, MB – The Windsor Hotel
6 – Calgary, AB – Distortion Live Music
7 – Edmonton, AB – Brixx
8 – Vancouver, BC – The Astoria
9 – Penticton, BC – The Legion
10 – Victoria, BC – Logan’s Pub
11 – Nanaimo, BC – The Cambie
14 – Prince George, BC – The Art Space
15-17 – Armstrong Metal Fest
21 – Red Deer, AB – The Vat
23 – Regina, SK – TBA 

Illinois-based downtempo/groove metallers, Yüth Forever, have announced the release of their sophomore effort, Skeleton Youth Forever, on June 3rd via Prosthetic Records. A new single, "Wrath", is streaming below.

Featuring 13 songs of groove-laden, dark electronic, angst-filled mood metal, Skeleton Youth Forever is a collection of jarring contrasts between sullen, somber honesty and energetic, emotional aggression. The album is an experience that embodies what it is to live and grow - introspective, intense and honest from start to finish, Skeleton Youth Forever is an album for the Youth, by the Yüth.

Skeleton Youth Forever will mark the bands sophomore effort, following 2015's debut Freudian Slip, and was produced by longtime friend, Sam Bottner (Barrier).

Vocalist Devin MacGillivary commented, "We chose him [Bottner] because he produced 10 Code and Extortion and he absolutely KILLED it on both of those. Also, because he's one of our best friends, and it only felt right (for nostalgic purposes) to go with someone we were so close with and who had already spent so much of his time helping us further our band.”

MacGillivary also gave insight on what listeners can expect from the new material, “I think this is a good combination of our previous releases sprinkled with a lot of new innovation in terms of what we did with the songs. There are a lot of weird or funky parts that I wrote because I was really into disco music at the time. To me, a lot of the record just makes me want to dance.”

Get a taste of Skeleton Youth Forever and take a listen to the stream of the albums debut single "People Pleaser" in the below lyric video. Grab a digital pre-order of Yüth Forever's new album via Bandcamp and you'll receive an instant download of "People Pleaser". You can also pre-order a copy on CD here.

Tracklisting:

“Suicidal Pistol Grip Pump”
“People Pleaser”
“SYF”
“Love”
“Bitterromantic Pt. 3”
“Do You?”
“Growing Pains”
“Warmth”
“Inseperable”
“The Song I Wrote For You”
“Innocence”
“Villains”
“Forever”

"Warmth":

“People Pleaser” lyric video:

Yüth Forever will perform a series of headlining gigs at the end of the month with support from Minneapolis' Roads of Glass. Previously the band has been seen alongside the likes of Reflections, Barrier, Toothgrinder, The Browning, This or the Apocalypse, Kingmaker, Demolisher, Structures, Betrayal, Counterparts, Gift Giver, Dark Sermon and Monuments.

Catch them at one of their upcoming shows listed as follows:

May
23 - Chicago, IL - The Fallout
24 - Lacrosse, WI - The Warehouse
25 - Burnsville, MN - The Garage
26 - Omaha, NE - The Lookout Lounge

Yüth Forever is:

Devin - Vocals
Reese - Guitars
Trevor - Guitars
Eric - Bass
Zack - Drums

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons spoke to Newsweek about the recent deaths of music legends of David Bowie and Prince. He said: "Bowie was the most tragic of all because it was real sickness." As for Prince, "his drugs killed him," Simmons explained. "What do you think, he died from a cold?"

Initial toxicology tests showed the painkiller Percocet was present in Prince's body at his time of death, but autopsy and toxicology results aren't complete, and the artist's cause of death remains unknown.

Simmons added that he still holds Prince in high regard as a musician. "I think Prince was heads, hands and feet above all the rest of them," he said. "I thought he left [Michael] Jackson in the dust. Prince was way beyond that. But how pathetic that he killed himself. Don't kid yourself, that's what he did. Slowly, I'll grant you — but that's what drugs and alcohol is: a slow death."

The 66-year-old KISS rocker, who claims to have "never been high or drunk," says he will never understand why so many iconic musicians fall into drug abuse. "The one question I have is: When we all start out and we have these big dreams and you finally get your wish. You have more money than God and fame. What is that insane gene in us, well, a lot of us, that makes us want to succumb to the cliché of clichés: drugs and alcohol?"

Simmons also said that he is planning on being around for a while. "At some point, my hair and teeth are gonna fall out," he said. "At some point, you'll see pathetic Gene Simmons at 80 years old with a colostomy bag and a wheelchair. I'll grant you it'll be a studded wheelchair and I'll have a hot nurse wheeling me around. … I really enjoy getting up every day. If it means at the end I become a pathetic version of what I am, so be it. My gravestone will not say: 'I wish I woulda, shoulda, coulda.'"

Banger TV has uploaded an interview with vocalist/bassist Schmier of German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked what still motivates him to write aggressive music thirty years into DESTRUCTION's career, Schmier said: "I think it's either in you or it's not in you. Of course, when you go out and do crazy tours — we've just been two weeks in Mexico — I think it's a big motivation to continue when you see all those fans and being able to see the world. I think that's one of the greatest gifts of what we do is to go at the end of the world, and you could not imagine that there's metalheads there, and then at night, there's, like, one thousand fucking crazy metalheads showing up, and you're, like, 'What the fuck?' So I think it's a huge motivation."

He continued: "Of course, we all have our days when we're, like, 'Why the fuck am I still doing this?' Because you will never get rich with fucking thrash metal unless you're METALLICA or maybe SLAYER. If you're rich, then you're not hungry anymore, I think you can't do this anymore, because then you have all you want. You're not hungry anymore? It doesn't work. That's what I think, especially for aggressive music. And, of course, I'm still pissed off. I see what's going on in the world, with the corruption and fucking politicians never learn. The wars are starting back. We didn't learn from the Second World War, it seems. It still motivates me to write aggressive music and write about those things."

DESTRUCTION's new album, "Under Attack", will be released on May 13 via Nuclear Blast. The band started recording the CD after the summer festivals last year and tracked segments in various studios between September 2015 and January 2016. They completed the drum recordings with Martin Buchwalter at Gernhart Studios in Germany, and mixed and mastered with VO Pulver at Little Creek Studios in Switzerland.

Leading up to the release of not only one but two upcoming new studio albums by former Nightwish vocalist Tarja in June and August, the queen of heavy rock recently premiered the official music video for her first single, “No Bitter End”. New behind-the-scenes footage from the video is now available. Watch the new footage and the official video below:

Behind-the-scenes:

“No Bitter End” video:

More behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot, as well as the photo shoot with Tim Tronckoe, can be seen below:

While waiting for August 5th and the release of Tarja's new album, The Shadow Self, the queen of heavy rock has yet another surprise for her fans: Tarja and earMusic proudly announce the release of the new album's prequel, entitled The Brightest Void. With over 50 minutes of new music, the extra album will sweeten the wait until August.
 
Tarja explains: "Surprise, surprise! I genuinely hope that The Brightest Void is a pleasant surprise to each and every one of you. During the long process of recording the songs for my new studio album The Shadow Self, I realised that there were so many tracks, too many too dear to me, for just one album. So this time I decided to keep nothing for myself and to share all my favourite new songs with you, the fans, who have shown such passionate and constant support."

She continued, "The Brightest Void gives more than a first taste of The Shadow Self; it is a full album filled with nine songs! I am sure that everyone will immediately discover how much The Brightest Void and The Shadow Self are entwined with each other. But at the same time, they are two independent records which stand on their own. I hope the release of the prequel sweetens the wait until August and that you will like the songs as much as I do. I will present songs from both albums already in summer festivals and in my headliner tour later this year."
 
"As always, keep your eyes open. There might be further surprises down the road."
 
The Brightest Void will be released on June 3rd via earMusic.
 
The Brightest Void features not one but three incredible guest artists: fellow Finnish star Michael Monroe, icon of the glam rock scene and former front man of inspiring band Hanoi Rocks; Chad Smith (who doesn't need any further introduction); and a new mix of Within Temptation's collaboration "Paradise (What About Us)" carried out with Tarja and world renowned sound engineer and producer Tim Palmer.

The prequel presents Tarja's new single "No Bitter End" as the album opener and furthermore shakes you with an incredible cover of Sir Paul McCartney's overlooked gem "House of Wax" and adds a new twist to Dame Shirley Bassey's James Bond main theme hit "Goldfinger".

 
The tracklist for The Brightest Void is as follows:

"No Bitter End"
"Your Heaven And Your Hell" (with Michael Monroe)
"Eagle Eye (with Chad Smith)
"An Empty Dream"
"Witch Hunt"
"Shameless"
"House of Wax"
"Goldfinger"
"Paradise (What About Us)" (new mix of the Within Temptation and Tarja collaboration)

The Shadow Self is due for release on August 5th via earMusic.

"I am very excited to finally be able to share the first details of my new heavy rock album with all of you," Tarja previously stated. "The Shadow Self is full of songs that are very dear to me. I cannot wait for you to hear the record that I believe is one of my heaviest albums to date. Keep your eyes open as there will be many surprises along the way to the album release on August 5th. I really mean it. Surprises will follow very soon."

With the release of her fourth rock album, the versatile singer is following up on the success of the multi-platinum and gold-awarded previous records: My Winter Storm (2007), What Lies Beneath (2010), and her most recent album, Colours In The Dark (2013), which charted all over the globe, including four Top 10 entries.

The Shadow Self is now available for pre-order in various formats, including CD Standard, Special Edition CD+DVD. Head to this location.

Tarja will perform songs from her upcoming album for the first time on festival dates this summer. All dates can be found on Tarja's official website.

Apocalyptica have released a video for their cover of Metallica’s “Battery”. The track is available instantly with iTunes pre-orders for the upcoming remastered edition of the band’s Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos, due for release on July 22nd. Watch the new video below:

Apocalyptica are currently a US tour. Remaining dates are listed below.

May
10 - San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theatre
11 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live!
13 - New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues
14 - Tampa, FL - The Ritz Ybor
15 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
16 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
17 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
19 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
20 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
21 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
22 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero

Apocalyptica is coming to The Baltic Princess. On this once in a lifetime cruise, which sails from Turku to Stockholm on June 9th, you get to enjoy the band's music in two different gigs, both electric and unplugged.

The cruise program features Apocalyptica-themed content including a game show with a grand prize of a meet and greet with the band. Check out the video announcement:

The cruise program is as follows:

Day Of Departure:

7.30 PM (UTC +03:00) M/S Baltic Princess sets off from Turku
8.30–11.30 PM Heavy metal karaoke (at Iskelmä Bar)
8.30–11.30 PM Troubadour (at Pubi)
9.30–11.30 PM Rock DJ’s Sändi & Aleksanteri K. (at Starlight Palace)
11.30 PM Apocalyptica (at Starlight Palace)
1.30–3.00 AM Tres Hooliganes (at Iskelmä Bar)
2.00–3.30 AM ROCK DJ’s Sändi & Aleksanteri K. (at Starlight Palace)
1.00–3.30 AM Ship DJ (at Klubi)

Day Of Return:

10.30–12 AM Apocalyptica quiz (at Starlight Palace)
12.00 AM–1.00 PM Apocalyptica Bingo (at Starlight Palace)
1.00–3.00 PM Apocalyptica Meet & Greet (TBA)
2.00–3.45 PM Troubadour (at Pubi)
2.00–3.30 PM Rock DJ’s Sändi & Aleksanteri K. (at Starlight Palace)
3.30–4.30 PM Apocalyptica Unplugged (at Starlight Palace)
4.45–5.30 AM Los Bastardos Finlandeses (at Iskelmä Bar)
6.05pm (UTC +03:00) M/S Baltic Princess arrives in Turku

Further information can be found here; book your spot aboard the boat at this location.

Official video footage of GUNS N' ROSES' April 8 concert at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas can be seen below.

Only singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan from GN'R's "Appetite For Destruction"-era lineup took part in the first Las Vegas gig and the five official reunion shows that followed (one in Las Vegas, Nevada and a pair each in Mexico City and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. They were joined by keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus and drummer Frank Ferrer. Also appearing with them was second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

For the shows, Rose performed on what was apparently the same custom throne Dave Grohl used last year for FOO FIGHTERS shows after breaking a leg. Rose told the audience before GN'R launched into "Rocket Queen" on April 8: "I wanna thank Dave Grohl for this; it was very nice of him."

GUNS N' ROSES got a reported $8 million for its two appearances at Coachella and will make an average of $2.75 million per show on the "Not In This Lifetime" tour, which kicks off on April 23 in Detroit, Michigan.

Rose launched his stint as guest vocalist with AC/DC on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal. Axl is also slated to perform ten rescheduled North American shows with AC/DC, with the dates yet to be announced.

Fathom Events, Eagle Rock Entertainment and 10th Street Entertainment are excited to bring "Mötley Crüe: The End" to the big screen for an incredible one-night event on Tuesday, June 14.

The bad boys of rock have celebrated a career that has seen them sell millions of albums and perform thousands of concerts. In January 2014, MÖTLEY CRÜE held a press conference announcing their final tour ever, complete with a "cessation of touring" agreement prohibiting all future live engagements. "The Final Tour" ended up being comprised of 164 concerts over two years, all ending with a hometown gig at Los Angeles's Staples Center. This New Year's Eve Celebration was filled with hits like "Kickstart My Heart", "Girls Girls Girls", "Home Sweet Home" and many more. Now, for only one night, this last ever performance event gives fans front-row access.

Known for their over-the-top production, MÖTLEY CRÜE did not disappoint on New Year's Eve: from massive, cutting edge pyro, including Nikki Sixx's bass guitar spitting fire over 30ft in the air, and Tommy Lee's "Crüecifly" drum roller coaster, amongst many other spectacular elements. While the "Crüecifly" experienced a technical hiccup halfway through his drum solo, perhaps signifying the coaster too had also run its course, it didn't derail the band from giving it their all to their devoted fans cheering them on all night through. Lead singer Vince Neil delivered an emotional, teary-eyed "thank you" speech to the audience, while the band supplied next-level, high-octane fueled energy, ringing in the New Year on stage with thousands of balloons raining down on the crowd. The band's grand finale of the show included a blow-out performance of "Kickstart My Heart" with Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil floating above the audience in far reaching "cherry-pickers." Leaving fans in tears, the band finished up the show with an emotional encore rendition of "Home Sweet Home" from the second stage riser in the center of the audience.

Produced and distributed by Live Alliance, Christian Lamb directed the concert portion of the film, while Jeff Tremaine, creator of the "Jackass" series, directed the documentary segment.

Following the big-screen premiere, the film will be made available on pay-per-view in all cable/satellite/digital formats, with a DVD set to be released later on.

Fans can check out a sneak peek of the film below. In addition to the live-concert film, MÖTLEY CRÜE is planning to release a major box-set of music down the line, as well as "The Dirt" feature film based on the band's best-selling 2001 autobiography, also to be directed by Tremaine, in the near future.

Sepultura has published a third video report from their new album recording sessions in Sweden. Eloy Casagrande has finished his work on the drums in the Stockholm studio and Andreas Kisser, Paulo Jr. and Derrick Green are moving to Örebro to record guitar, bass and vocals. Watch below:

Watch the first two parts of the studio diary below:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Sepultura recently released the video below, in which they offer info about the upcoming album, the follow-up to their 2013 album The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart, expected later this year via Nuclear Blast.

Updates to follow. In the meantime, check out photos from the sessions at this location.

Under My Skin - A Sepultura Documentary is a six part mini-series, filmed over four days during Sepultura's 30th Anniversary Tour. A trailer for the documentary, produced by Her Name Is Murder Productions, can be seen below:

A new trailer for the second "Inside Metal" title "LA Metal Scene Explodes" is available below. . This is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed debut "Inside Metal" film "Pioneers of LA Hard Rock And Metal". This title focuses on the monumental era of the L.A. metal scene, from 1981 to 1986, when local hard rock and metal bands took Los Angeles by storm, featuring in-depth exclusive interviews with over 60 metal icons and pivotal players including musicians, managers, journalists and label execs highlighted by rare archival concert footage, photographs and music from the influential artists of that groundbreaking era.

"Inside Metal: LA Metal Scene Explodes" is a two-volume DVD set featuring narration by John Bush of ARMORED SAINT. DVD 1 will be released worldwide on June 10, with DVD 2 to be released in early August.

"Inside Metal: LA Metal Scene Explodes" features:

* Lars Ulrich (METALLICA)* Stephen Pearcy (RATT)* Carlos Cavazo (QUIET RIOT, RATT)* Jack Russell (GREAT WHITE)* Don Dokken (DOKKEN)* Dave Meniketti (Y&T)* David Ellefson (MEGADETH)* Chris Holmes and Randy Piper (W.A.S.P.)* John Bush and Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT)* Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS)* Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENT, DETHKLOK)* Ron Keel (STEELER, KEEL)* LEATHERWOLF* Bruce Bouilett (RACER X)* Betsy Weiss (BITCH)* Jaime St. James (BLACK 'N BLUE)* LIZZY BORDEN* Marty Friedman* Marq Torien (BULLETBOYS)* Joe Floyd (WARRIOR)* Ann Boleyn (HELLION)* Steve Plunkett (AUTOGRAPH)* Nadir D'Priest (LONDON)

The Los Angeles screening for the second "Inside Metal" title "LA Metal Scene Explodes" will take place Thursday, June 2 in Hollywood, California at the Attic (formerly Cinespace) and Monday, June 6 at The Regency Theaters Valley Plaza 6 in North Hollywood, California.

Two screening dates are set for Los Angeles. Several of the featured artists will be on hand at both screenings as will the directors and producers of the film. Both volumes of the movie (80 minutes each) will be screened, with a 20-minute intermission, so please prepare for a three-hour screening.

For tickets, press inquiries and guest list information, please contact:

Bob Nalbandian at [email protected]/* */

Thursday, June 2, 2016. Showtime 7 p.m.The Attic (formerly Cinespace)6356 Hollywood Blvd, 2nd level Hollywood, CA 90028(323) 817-3456*Corner of Hollywood Blvd. & Ivar*Full Bar / Full Menu / Wine & Champaign Bottle Service*After Party Monday, June 6, 2016. Showtime 7 p..mRegency Theatres Valley Plaza 66355 Belliingham Ave.North Hollywood, CA 91606(818) 760-8444*Off the 170 Fwy and Victory Blvd.(Corner of Victory Blvd. & Laurel Canyon)*Food & Drink Concession (no alcohol)

For more information, click here.

Swedish old-school death metallers Centinex will release their new album, Doomsday Rituals, on July 8th via Agonia Records. Along with the street date, the band has revealed the first new song, “Exist To Feed”, which is available for streaming below.

Centinex originated in 1990 as a riff-oriented part of the classic Swedish death metal movement and disbanded in 2005 after releasing eighth full-length albums. In 2014 they surprisingly resurfaced with a refreshed line-up of Martin Schulman (Demonical) on bass, Sverker Widgren (Demonical, Diabolical) on guitars, Alexander Högbom (October Tide, Spasmodic) on vocals and Kennet Englund (Interment, Centinex 1999-2003) on drums. Year 2014 also saw the release of their come-back record, Redeeming Filth.

The band doesn’t want the fans to be kept waiting another near-decade for a new album. Titled Doomsday Rituals, the record is a natural follow-up to Redeeming Filth.

Martin Schulman (bass) commented: "Heavy riffing, deep brutal vocals, everything from slow via mid-tempo to faster stuff, a perfect mix of the early 90's Florida and Stockholm sound.”

Doomsday Rituals was recorded at Wing Studios with Sverker Widgren (Centinex, Demonical, Diabolical) behind the knobs. The cover artwork was made by Bahrull Marta of Abomination Imagery.

Tracklisting:

“Flesh Passion”
“From Intact To Broken”
“Dismemberment Supreme”
“Generation Of Flies”
“The Shameful Few”
“Doomsday”
“Exist To Feed”
“Death Decay Murder”
“Sentenced To Suffer”
“Faceless”

Available formats:

- Digipack CD
- Regular Black LP
- Orange LP (limited to 150 copies)
- White, Grey and Black T-shirts
- Regular "Doomsday Rituals" Black T-shirt
- Digital

Pre-orders at the following links: Digital, Physical.

Centinex live dates:

May
27 - Baltimore, OR - Maryland Deathfest

July
2 - Barcelona, Spain - Move Your Fucking Brain Extreme Fest
9 - Scharnstein (Bäckerberg), Austria - Sick Midsummer Fest

August
18 - Barth, Germany - Barther Metal Open Air

October
29 - Turku, Finland - Turun Kuolema II Festival (headlining with Angelcorpse)

LEAVES' EYES' video for the new version of the song "Edge Of Steel" — featuring the band's latest addition, singer Elina Siirala — can be seen below.

The new version of "Edge Of Steel" will appear on the earbook tour edition of LEAVES' EYES' latest album, "King Of Kings", which will be released in June. There will also be a U.S. edition of "King Of Kings" with the new version of "Edge Of Steel" as a bonus track.

Siirala, a Finnish vocalist who lives in London, England, made her live debut with LEAVES' EYES on April 17 at the Hammersonic festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The remaining members of LEAVES' EYES and their former singer, Liv Kristine, have offered different accounts of the circumstances behind their split, with LEAVES' EYES claiming the decision to part ways was amicably made in January and Liv saying she was dismissed from the group on April 6.

LEAVES' EYES said: "We understand that many fans and friends are surprised and shocked about the change in our band. We all know Liv had an important role for the band in the past, and we understand people are sad as it was not an easy decision for every one involved. But since a lot of hateful and disrespectful comments are in the social media, we would like to take the opportunity to make some points very clear: LEAVES' EYES has always been a band, and not a project, nor a Liv Kristine solo project at all. We always worked as a team in LEAVES' EYES. In the last decade Tosso [guitarist Thorsten Bauer] and Alex [Krull, LEAVES' EYES' co-vocalist and Liv's husband] wrote the music for LEAVES' EYES and Liv took care of the lyrics.

"Liv's solo project is called 'Liv Kristine.' We supported Liv also in her solo career, writing music, recording and producing albums and doing management in the past.

"The decision to part ways with Liv was taken by all LEAVES' EYES members, including Liv. A mediator — a friend of Liv and Alex — was at the band meeting who can witness that the decision of parting ways was agreed by all members. Liv was happy to have the opportunity to plan changes in her future life and she does not have to go on tour so much anymore. The idea to go separate ways came up already in January. Elina was not part of this decision or process. It was also agreed to help Liv for her solo project 'Liv Kristine' and record her new demo songs and her further projects at the studio just like in the past."

Shortly after the LEAVES' EYES statement was posted on April 16, Liv took to her personal Facebook page to thank the fans and to say: "I was told a bit longer than a week ago that I am not preferred as the band's singer for further tours and recordings anymore. I asked for the situation concerning Indonesia and the soon-to-happen upcoming shows. The answer was 'no.' I asked if there's a replacement and I got no clear answer."

She added: "I can't believe this process happened behind my back, parallel to a huge disappointment in my private life.

"A few days later, there certainly was a replacement. I must say — that was 'quick'!

"I still see LEAVES' EYES as 'my baby' and I will miss playing these gigs, feeling the good vibes, sensing the real Norwegian Viking power with the audiences. Inside my heart I will always treasure LEAVES' EYES for all the good music, tunes, themes, concept and true Viking power. The melodies I used to sing will always stay alive in my ears."

Powerwolf's history of success truly is a metal fairytale: Thanks to lifeblood, passion and talent the band has gathered an enormous amount of followers with until now six albums and uncountable captivating live gigs. Two albums in the Top 3 of the German album charts, sold-out headliner shows, frenetically celebrated festival gigs all over Europe – there is just one thing missing… a DVD / Blu-Ray which brings the glorious metal mass on your TV. Now the band unveil the first details and announce the release of their first DVD / Blu-Ray titled The Metal Mass Live, coming out July 29th via Napalm Records.

Powerwolf do it again in style and have assembled a truly opulent package for their loyal fans. The Metal Mass Live contains three complete live shows with which you can enjoy the irresistible hook lines and great metal hymns of Powerwolf with live recordings from the Masters Of Rock, the Summer Breeze and the Oberhausen gig from the Wolfsnächte tour.

Apart from that all the previous videoclips and two documentaries are included – fans will surely appreciate to witness the hilariously maverick sense of humour of the band members.

The Metal Mass Live will be presented in a beautiful valuable packaging that will make collectors' hearts beat faster: With about 7 hours material, the first DVD / Blu-Ray release of one of the most successful German metal bands will be coming out on Mediabook with 2-DVD / Blu-ray + Live-CD, Earbook with 2-DVD and 2 Live-CDs, a live CD and as Gatefold-Double-Vinyl.

It's about time to finally enjoy the inimitable live feeling of a Powerwolf gig on your couch. Pre-order The Metal Mass Live here.

The sophomore album from First Signal, entitled One Step Over The Line, will be released on June 3rd. The album track “Karma” is available for streaming below.

In 2010, a marriage made in melodic rock heaven between Canadian singer Harry Hess and producer Dennis Ward launched the First Signal project. The concept developed when Frontiers' President Serafino Perugino presented Hess some melodic rock songs that harkened back to the magic of the early Harem Scarem sound, who at the time were on an artistic hiatus. The project was met with excellent reviews and interest from the melodic rock crowd and even when Harem Scarem re-launched with their album Thirteen (one of their strongest to date), Harry was still wanting to go back and sing some excellent melodic rock songs that he had from various songwriters under a different moniker.

So, the idea of another First Signal album started to float around and with the help of Swedish producer Daniel Flores (Find Me, The Murder of My Sweet, etc.), the new record started to take shape. Once again, the inspiration behind the songs are the first two Harem Scarem albums, two absolute classic melodic rock releases. But once again, we have some new twists and interpretations, with songs covering everything from AOR to arena hard rock.

Harry says, “I am very excited to be a part of the new First Signal release. I was pleasantly surprised with the positive reaction surrounding the first CD, so it was an easy decision to be a part of the new recording. Between Serafino, Daniel and myself we gathered some great songs that I'm sure the AOR fans will love. Daniel Flores did a fabulous job and put in a ton of effort to make this happen. We met many years ago on a writing trip to Sweden where I immediately noticed his work ethic and dedication to making music. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's reaction to the new album on June 3rd!”

Musicians on the album include the outstanding new talent Michael Palace on guitars and bass, Daniel Flores on drums and keyboards, and background vocals from Hess' Harem Scarem bandmate (and Red Dragon Cartel singer) Darren Smith, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Nigel Bailey, Daniel Flores, Rolf Pilotti and Angelica Rylin.

One Step Over The Line tracklisting:

“Love Run Free”
“Love Gets Through”
“Still Pretending”
“Broken”
“Karma”
“Minute Of Your Time”
“She Is Getting Away”
“December Rain”
“Weigh Me In”
“Pedestal”
“One Step Over The Line”

“Karma”:

“Love Run Free”:

“Love Gets Through” lyric video:

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.

AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler says that he is worried that he could one day end up dying like Prince.

It was recently reported that the powerful painkiller Percocet was present in the legendary music icon's body when he was found dead late last month. But it is not yet clear if the substance played a role in his death.

The AEROSMITH lead singer, who has admitted to a decades-long struggle with substance abuse as well as a more recent relapse into prescription drug addiction, expressed his sadness over the loss of prince, whom he called "a saint" and "a musician who spoke my language."

Tyler told People magazine: "We're going to miss him and his music, but I think it's deeper than that."

Although he managed to stay sober for 12 years after a successful recovery in 1988, Tyler fell off the wagon into painkiller addiction following foot surgery, which led to him declaring doctors the new drug dealers.

"You know, I am very aware of taking too much of something," he told People. It got me in rehab many, many times. As a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, I get that. In the '80s, I fell to my knees with my addictions."

The rocker continued: "Doctors are the new pushers. All of America isn't strung out on street drugs, they're strung out on prescribed drugs.

"I'm hoping whoever brought him [Prince] to the hospital that night will have something to say... I hope it's not drugs. But if it is, this didn't have to happen... I was fortunate enough to have someone who said, 'You're going to Betty Ford [rehab clinic], again.'"

In a new interview with DuJour magazine, Tyler said: "I think Prince died so I could live. I think we both have the same disease. Today I'm sober and alive. Will I be dead tomorrow? I don't know."