Metal Recusants conducted an interview with bassist Ted Lundström of Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH on January 22 at Colchester Arts Centre, United Kingdom. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked if AMON AMARTH has commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2013's "Deceiver Of The Gods", Ted said: "Yeah, we just started very recently. We have some ideas for songs and lyrics, but we haven't really sat down to put it together yet. But after this tour, that will be our main focus, just to work on the album 24/7. So hopefully we can record it after the summer. That's the plan. But we don't have any finished songs yet."

Regarding when fans should expect to see the new AMON AMARTH album, Ted said: "I would hope that we can release it early next year. But it depends on so many factors: record label and release schedule and touring and studio time and all that. But hopefully early next year [we can get it out]. That would be our plan."

Ted also made it clear that AMON AMARTH will stay off the touring circuit throughout 2015, and will focus on making the new studio album instead.

"The plan is to stay out of shows," he said. "We will see. If something really interesting shows up, we might do something. But our plan is to not do any festivals whatsoever this year."

AMON AMARTH's latest album, "Deceiver Of The Gods", sold around 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on June 25, 2013 via Metal Blade Records.

Recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, and produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (OPETH, MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), "Deceiver Of The Gods" delivers ten fiery battle hymns made of buzzsaw riffs and epic harmonies all driven by vocalist Johan Hegg's commanding Viking roar and absorbing accounts of Norse crusades and treachery.

At long last, the Warmaster returns! For the past 15 years, Satanic Warmaster has remained a highly revered name in the black metal underground: seemingly doing no wrong with converts, but forever riling detractors.

Helmed by the tyrant Werwolf - whose involved in the black metal scene stretches back 20-some years, as the original vocalist of Horna - Satanic Warmaster have released classic album after classic album, from early essentials like Strength and Honour and Opferblut to relatively more recent monuments like Carelian Satanist Madness and Nachzehrer, and always at their own pace. Longtime supporters of the band, Hells Headbangers (in conspiracy with Werewolf Records) is proud to handle the worldwide release of Satanic Warmaster's fifth album, Fimbulwinter, set for international release on April 7th on CD, LP, and cassette tape formats.

 

 
It's been five long years since Nachzehrer, and although the band's been busy with a handful of 7" EPs and splits in the interim, Fimbulwinter is the first full-length to document Satanic Warmaster's development during that time. Highly anticipated to say the very least, Fimbulwinter sees the band expanding into more epic 'n' triumphant waters, but ones that are icier than ever. One could say it's a travelogue across both Satanic Warmaster's now-vast discography and also across the history of classic '90s black metal. Granted, the band have largely shaped the paradigm of modern Finnish black metal - itself one of the most prolific and immediately identifiable in the world - but forever an iconoclast AND purist, Satanic Warmaster has the innate ability to take well-worn tropes and shape them to his own, diabolic design. Bolstered by full-bodied production - by far, the best the band have had to date - and a further integration of mystical, night-sky synths, Fimbulwinter is a fresh blast of ancient, mildewed stench. Feel the force of Fimbulwinter and submit to its majesty! Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
 

 

 

 

Fimbulwinter tracklisting:

"Fimbulwinter's Spell"
"Funeral Wolves"
"Korppi"
"When Thunders Hail"
"Dragon's Egg"
"Nuin-Gaer-Faun"
"Winter's Hunger"
"Silent Call of Moon's Temples"

 

 
A statement from Satanic Warmaster founder Werwolf reads: "I'm proud to present this album to the hordes worldwide in conspiracy with Hells Headbangers. May you find a spark to seek your own path through my music in this putrid world and to wander deeper into realms beyond!"
 

 

Nev Pearce of Australia's "Rabid Noise" podcast recently conducted an interview with Mikko Sirén of Finnish cello rockersnAPOCALYPTICA. You can now listen to the chat using the Spreaker widget below.

Asked what his favorite song is to perform is from the forthcoming APOCALYPTICA album, "Shadowmaker", Mikko said: "We haven't played those songs in, maybe, four months. We rehearsed them a lot and then we recorded them, and ever since, we haven't been playing even together. We've been just, like, recording individual parts. Now the album's gonna be… I think there's two songs more to be mixed. So we're actually having our first band rehearsals now this Saturday, and then we're gonna rehearse for the next week. And the week after that as well. So I really cannot say what is the favorite track to play, because they have changed also during the recording process. So it's exciting."

He continued: "I really like [the title track] 'Shadowmaker', which we have kind of put out for people to stream, which is this song which has got so many different styles within one song, so that's fun for that occasion. But there are a couple of really epic, mellow tracks — [with an] almost PINK FLOYD [-like] vibe. Very dark, very deep things which I expect that we can also do great justice [to] also live."

The official video for the "Shadowmaker" title track can be seen below. The CD will be released in April via Eleven Seven Music Group in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and South East Asia.

APOCALYPTICA's new album was helmed Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES, MASTODON). APOCALYPTICA's Eicca Toppinen stated: "Nothing better could have happened than Nick being on board for this record. The pre-production time we spent with him in late August gave us so much confidence and input for the new songs. We are all excited and overwhelmed by his energy and creativity."

Having collaborated with artists like Gavin Rossdale (BUSH), Dave Lombardo (SLAYER) and Ville Valo (HIM) on past studio albums, APOCALYPTICA have now taken on a new musical challenge: For the upcoming LP, the band worked with Franky Perez as exclusive singer on the vocal tracks — this time not only during production, but for the whole cycle, including the tour. Perez released his debut in 2003, later teaming up with SYSTEM OF A DOWN's Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan as SCARS ON BROADWAY. In 2009, Perez handled vocals for Slash's solo band, followed by collaborations with Dave Kushner (VELVET REVOLVER) as well as Scott Shriner (WEEZER), Joey Castillo (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) and Dave Warren ("The Simpsons") as PUSHER JONES. After being honored as vocalist for THE DOORS at the L.A. Sunset Strip Music Festival, he released his latest solo album, "Addict", in 2013.

Before APOCALYPTICA presents the new album, along with a new production on an extensive European headline tour later next year, fans will get a glimpse of the new material when the band supports SIXX: A.M. for their long-awaited North American dates in the spring.

According to AP.com, Denis Shaforostov, formerly of Ukrainian metalcore act MAKE ME FAMOUS, is rumored to have joined ASKING ALEXANDRIA as the replacement for recently departed singer Danny Worsnop.

AP.com has listed several reasons why Shaforostov would make the ideal candidate to step in for Worsnop. Firstly, MAKE ME FAMOUS was stylistically similar to ASKING ALEXANDRIA, to the extent that they were at times accused of copying the British act's sound. Secondly, Shaforostov's new band, DOWN & DIRTY, is signed to Sumerian Records, which is also the label home of ASKING ALEXANDRIA. And lastly, the day before Worsnop announced his departure, Shaforostov posted the following message to Instagram: "There's such thing as karma and magic in this world. The hardest work will always pay off no matter how many of these fucks have ever tried to bring you down on your way. You never know when and how but trust me, your door will open and the future will be yours for the taking — just wait and see."

Worsnop announced his departure from ASKING ALEXANDRIA on January 22, explaining in a statement: "Over the last eight years together, we've done some amazing things and created something truly special. I now, same as then, want what's best for the band and at this point in time, that isn't me. ASKING ALEXANDRIA will continue to tour throughout the year and will be working on a new album." Worsnop added, "I will always support and love ASKING ALEXANDRIA and cannot wait to see what the future holds for them."

ASKING ALEXANDRIA guitarist Ben Bruce wrote at the band's Facebook page, "ASKING ALEXANDRIA will not be slowing down. We are going to tour harder than ever and we are going to write the greatest record of our career . . . This isn't the end, this is the start of a whole new chapter. This is where we come together and make history."

Worsnop's departure comes just days after it was announced that his other band, WE ARE HARLOT, will release its self-titled debut album on March 31.

Worsnop admitted last year to Kerrang! magazine that his involvement with WE ARE HARLOT had caused some friction with the members of ASKING ALEXANDRIA, saying, "Back when it started, there were maybe concerns and stress and bitterness from the guys. But over time they've realized that it's not detrimental to ASKING in any way."

"Moving On", the latest single from ASKING ALEXANDRIA's 2013 album "From Death To Destiny", is No. 8 on the rock radio chart.

French progressive rock group Klone have revealed the very first track from their upcoming fifth full-length album, Here Comes The Sun, due out on March 9th via Klonosphere Records.

“Immersion” is one of ten tracks to appear on Klone’s forthcoming new album. and can be enjoyed below:

The Poitiers quintet have launched a crowdfunding campaign on ulule.com to help fund the recordings and release of this new effort. The campaign is running until February 10th and the band is still looking to raise a total of 6.000€ from online supporters to fund the recordings, mastering and pressing of the album. If you wish to assist Klone in accomplishing their goal, click here to contribute.

Check out the album cover, created by Joel Robison Photography, below along with the complete tracklist.  

"Immersion"
"Fog"
"Gone Up In Flames"
"The Drifter"
"Nebulous"
"Gleaming"
"Grim Dance"
"Come Undone"
"The Last Experience"
"Summertime"

Nearly two years following the release of their fourth album, The Dreamers Hideaway, and two European tours with Gojira and Orphaned Land, Klone now return with their most ambitious and inspired work to date. Produced by the band, mixed and mastered by Francis Castes at Studio Sainte-Marthe in Paris, Here Comes The Sun sees the five-piece determined to push their songwriting to the next level, masterfully blending modern progressive overtones close to Porcupine Tree with '70s elements reminiscent of  Pink Floyd and King Crimson.  

 

During the recordings of the Within Y album Silence Conquers, vocalist Andy Solveström called his longtime friend Niclas Bergstrand and asked if was interested in recording vocals on a couple of tracks for the album. A few days later the idea of Camodi was born.

With Niclas´ Tool-influenced vocals and melancholic melodies mixed with Andy's metal-influenced riffs and growls a perfect chemistry was found. Camodi has the melancholic choruses from bands like Alexisonfire and the powerful riffs from genres as rock, punk and metal. As topping you 
get the distinct drumming of Morten Loewe Sorensen (Amaranthe, Mercenary, Submission).
  
Dead As Yesterday is recorded and produced by Andy Solveström, mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen for Hansen Studios, Ribe Denmark. The EP will be released digitally worldwide on January 28th.

The tracklist is as follows:

"Broken Wings"
"Dead As Yesterday"
"Weakened"
"Together As One"
"Drowning"

Go to Camodi's official Facebook page here for more information.

"Unholy Savior", the third studio album from Finnish female-fronted metallers BATTLE BEAST, has registered the following first-week chart positions:

Germany: #39Switzerland: #71France: #166

Commented BATTLE BEAST guitarist/vocalist Anton Kabanen: "After the extremely painful birth of 'Unholy Savior', to be rewarded with the first place on the official charts in our home country feels unbelievable, since at some point I wasn’t even sure will this album ever see the light of day. A thousand thanks to our fans and everybody who believed in BATTLE BEAST!"

"Unholy Savior" was released on January 9 in Europe and January 13 in the U.S. via Nuclear Blast.

"Unholy Savior" track listing:

01. Lionheart02. Unholy Savior03. I Want The World….And Everything In It04. Madness05. Sea Of Dreams06. Speed And Danger07. Touch In The Night08. The Black Swordsman09. Hero's Quest10. Far Far Away11. Angel Cry

The "Madness" video can be seen below. The clip was directed by Ville Lipiäinen, who has previously worked with NIGHTWISH and HYPOCRISY, among others.

"I thirst to go further as a human being and the music on this album represents a part of the ongoing spiritual journey — that's what I tend to I call it — which is my road onward," says BATTLE BEAST guitarist and vocalist Anton Kabanen. "Music-wise, the songs have been expanded to a wider area as an effort to call out emotions close to those I myself had during the times of birth of these songs."

He adds: "Like always, I wrote songs about the series 'Berserk', as well, and the reason behind writing songs about that particular series is that I can strongly relate to that, especially to certain characters and to their way of thinking and feeling."

Regarding the song "Touch In The Night", for which a lyric video can be seen below, BATTLE BEAST bassist Eero Sipilä said: "'Touch In The Night' is probably the farthest away from typical BATTLE BEAST sound we've ever went. It really sums it up, that in the pre-production phrase went under the nickname 'Alphaville.' If JUDAS PRIEST covered 'Big In Japan', I believe this is where they would end up."

He added: "True metal fans hold on to your hats — there'll be more blast beats for you later!" BATTLE BEAST will embark on a European tour with Swedish metallers SABATON later this month.

BATTLE BEAST's self-titled sophomore album entered the official chart in the band's home country of Finland at position No. 5.

BATTLE BEAST in 2012 parted ways with lead singer Nitte Vänskä and replaced her with Noora Louhimo.

Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler has checked in with the following:

"New music! Here is a brand new song called 'Curtain Closed'. I tried doing some more complex chord structures and harmonies on this one, hope you like it!"

Curtain Closed by Owl Stretching

Bieler recently released yet another five song Owl Stretching EP, this one entitled Led By Voices. It features four previously released singles and the brand new title track:

LED BY VOICES EP by Owl Stretching

The tracklist is as follows:

"Led By Voices"
"The Darkness"
"Ring The Alarm"
"Ten Long Years"
"Orbit"

This brings Bieler's EP count to four. Go to the official Owl Streching Bandcamp page here for the complete catalogue.

p>Bieler recently issued the following update:

"Rockers, music fans and good people of Owlville. The music just keeps coming and I cannot begin to tell you how much fun I have been having creating it! I have said it before but your support both via words and $ has been humbling. This experiment really counts on you to participate, there is no label, no distributor, no PR department, no agents, managers or horrid internet marketing folks. It is really just you and me and a few musical guest along the way...which is what makes it so awesome and special. So all I ask is please support via purchase when you can and if you can't just continue to help spread the music one person at a time...it does make a huge difference over time. Thanks!"

Norwegian black metal pioneers Mysticum have launched a music video for the track "The Ether," taken from its 2014 release, Planet Satan. In the true spirit of Mysticum, do not expect the typical kind of video, but instead a dark and cosmic trip - a powerful glimpse into the all-conquering Mysticum universe.

In addition, the band has also announced its highly-anticipated return to the stage after 19 years, with a main performance at Finland's esteemed (and final) Black Flames of Blasphemy festival on November 14th. Expect pure hell!

A work of intense and otherworldly black metal power injected with Mysticum's strong cosmic, satanic and psychedelic overtones, Planet Satan welcomes Mysticum to the new millennium with full and unrelenting force, whilst retaining the core elements which made the Norwegian band a pioneering legend of industrial black metal. Both infernal and nihilistic, as well as apocalyptic in its scope and execution, Planet Satan is a new milestone for the genre in its sublime, chaotic ferocity. Primitive minor-chord riff patterns and tortured vocals mixed with the band's manic and often unconventional programmed drum beats makes this an eerily hypnotic work of the darkest order. A band that achieved almost mythical status in black metal lore, Planet Satan follows Mysticum's debut release, 1996's In the Streams of Inferno. It was recorded and mixed at Fias Co. Studios with producer Sverre Dæhli and mastered by Tom Kvålsvoll at Strype Audio in Oslo.

In other Mysticum news, a themed restaurant called Planet STN had its grand opening in Guadalajara, Mexico. Under construction for many months, the Planet STN restaurant notably includes a range of Mysticum-spiced delicacies from its menu, an endeavor brought about by the owner's (undeniable) love for the band, mixed with themes of astronomy and ancient ET civilizations (Annunakkis). The menu mainly features Italian cuisine with an entire burger selection compiled of Mysticum-inspired names, including the irresistible and mouth-watering sounding Annihilation LSD Burger! Reports of Black Magic Mushrooms being included are yet to be confirmed. Check out Planet STN on Facebook.

 

 

 

Vocalists Tim "Ripper" Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Michael Vescera (ex-Loudness, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen), Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., ex-Accept) and Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden) recently wrapped an 8-show South American tour under the Metal Singers 2015 banner, performing material from their respective catalogues. 

Each night was capped off with a jam that featured the following setlist:

"Man On The Silver Mountain" (Vescera, Dirkschneider)
"Long Live Rock N' Roll" (Vescera, Bayley)
"Wrathchild" (Bayley, Owens)
"Balls To The Wall" (Dirkschneider, Owens)
"Living After Midnight" (Owens, Bayley, Vescera, Dirkschneider)

Fan filmed video is available below:

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider is the guest of honur on the newest episode of One On One With Mitch Lafon. In the extensive interview, Dee discusses the new music he's prepping for release later this year,why Twisted Sister haven't put out an album of all new music in decades, his wife Suzette Snider, the Heavy Montreal festival, "We're Not Going To Take It" and much more.

Dee also exclusively reveals titles to the three new songs he's recorded so far for release in 2015; they are: "Rock N Roll Ain't Dead", "Soul Lady", and "To Hell And Back". Hear for yourself via the audio player below:

Currently, Twisted Sister has festival dates booked in Norway, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Spain; complete details are available at this location.

 

 

Guitarist Glen Drover (Megadeth, King Diamond, Eidolon) is holding a contest for artwork on his new, upcoming single "Seven Spirits". Submit your artwork ideas and the winner gets to have their artwork on Glen's new single, coming out soon. Email your artwork submissions to: gdslessons767@gmail.com

Glen, and his brother (drummer) Shawn Drover both joined Megadeth in 2004. In 2008 Glen quit the band; unexpectedly Shawn recently left the band along with guitarist Chris Broderick, who was Glen's replacement. Glen has since taken to Facebook with the following statement:

"I'm very sorry, but to those who want to see me back in Megadeth, that will never happen. Other cool things coming up. Again, sorry, but there is NO chance I would ever do that. Now saying all of that, thanks a ton for all of your awesome support and it was fun while I was there playing all those cool shows and meeting a lot of you!"

 

Faith No More have confirmed their first North American shows since 2010, with a spring outing kicking off April 15th in Vancouver, BC.

The announcement comes as the Bay Area band wraps up work on their follow-up to 1997’s Album Of The Year. The as-of-yet untitled album is due this May via the band’s newly formed imprint, Reclamation Recordings, which is distributed by Ipecac Recordings. Faith No More founder and bass player, Bill Gould is overseeing production.

“Here we go,” said Gould. “First North American tour dates, some in cities we haven’t played in over 17 years. We are armed with the new material and ready for whatever comes our way.”

 

 
Preceding the tour is the release of a second single from the forthcoming album, “Superhero”, which will be available as a limited edition 7" single on March 17th followed by a digital release on March 31st.

 

North American tour dates:

April
15 - Vancouver, BC - PNE Forum
16 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater
17 - Portland, OR - Keller Auditorium
19 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield
20 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield
23 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
24 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
25 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory

May
7 - Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
8 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
9 - Toronto, ON - Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
11 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
13 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
14 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
15 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory

Tickets for all shows are on-sale this Friday, January 30th, at 10 AM, local time. A fan club pre-sale will be made available on Wednesday, January 28th with more details to be found on FNM.com and via the band’s social media pages.

Heavy Montreal, presented by Molson Canadian, is the can’t-miss rendezvous of rock and heavy metal lovers. Festival organizers have announced the first band of their 2015 programming. Californians Faith No More will be performing at Heavy Montreal, which will be presented in Montreal, QC from August 7th to 9th.

 

 

In November 2014, Faith No More released "Motherfucker", their first new song in 17 years. The band is currently working on a new album, due in April. For their new tour, fans can expect an explosive show with a collection of their best hits and a selection of new songs.  It’s a long awaited comeback from a band that was formed in 1981. Listen to "Motherfucker" below:

 

 

(Photo - Dustin Rabin)

Multinational blues rock superstars, Blues Pills, have announced the release of a special and very limited live album, entitled Blues Pills Live.

The album was recorded during the band's headlining show at last year's Freak Valley Festival which marked a special event for the group. With releasing Blues Pills Live, they say thank you to the person and festival that paved the way for what is today known as the hottest band in classic/blues rock, Blues Pills.

"To the lovely freaks, Freak Valley creators, our dear friend Jens Heide.

For us this moment and this day was really special. It felt like all the puzzle pieces came together up until one moment, this experience at Freak Valley festival. This was our first ever apperience at Freak Valley and our first ever headline show on an outdoor festival. We've known about Jens and his freaks for a long time. He gave the name to our band and been supporting us since day one, before our demos where public or even recorded, before when there was only a young and naive dream of playing for any crowds or getting record deals, before we even played a single show - before devil man even was written and before the band was fully formed, before when it was just the beginning of an idea. This show is a magical moment for us - this is where the circle connects with its other half. This record will only be released on vinyl and cd - the cover is made by our favorite artist Marijke Koger-Dunhamn. Recorded LIVE at one of Europes coolest and loveable festivals of our time - FREAK VALLEY FESTIVAL. Thank you freaks, Freak Valley pioneers and Jens for this experience and for your support. We won't forget, ever.

Love, Blues Pills"

Blues Pills Live will be released March 20th via Nuclear Blast. The album will be out on vinyl (various colors) and as lavish digibook CD. No digital version will be made available. The release will be strictly limited and won't be reprinted once it is sold out.

The stunning artwork by Marjke Koger-Dunham (The Beatles, Cream) who also created the cover for the incredibly successful self-titled debut album can be found below.

Rock veterans chalk up a total of 500 weeks in UK album listings

Status Quo have spent a total of 500 weeks in the UK Official Albums Chart, it’s been confirmed.

The rock veterans released acoustic album Aquostic (Stripped Bare) in October. And, with their 31st studio outing sitting at no.34 in this week’s official album chart, it means the band join a select group of just 50 artists who have racked up 500 weeks or more in the charts.

Mainman Francis Rossi tells the Official Charts Company: “To be celebrating 500 weeks in the Official Album Chart – that's almost 10 years – feels incredible. It's almost surreal that this band that we formed all those years ago could reach this point. It's a tangible achievement though, and a milestone we're very proud of.

"Aquostic (Stripped Bare) is itself our highest charting album for 18 years and has just been certified Gold, so it's not been a bad few weeks. I rarely believe in looking backwards though, we're by no means done yet – 2015 will be another interesting year for Quo.”

The band’s first success in the album charts came in 1973 when they reached no.5 with Piledriver. They’ve since had 23 top 10 albums, including four number ones: Hello!, On The Level, Blue For You and 1982.

Queen have spent the longest time in the UK album charts with 1457 weeks, followed by the Beatles (1406) and Elvis Presley (1364).

Former Megadeth drummer, Shawn Drover, has checked in with the following update on his new band with Megadeth bandmate, guitarist Chris Broderick, and ex-Scar The Martyr vocalist Henry Derek Bonner:
 

 

"I am leaving on Saturday for Hartford, CT, to begin drum tracks on the new record I am doing with Chris Broderick, Henry Derek and our new bass player, Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall). I have known Matt for 15 years now and he is a great musician, songwriter, singer and all around GREAT person. To say I’m jacked up about having Matt with us is an understatement!

All the songs have shaped up nicely and there is a lot of metal dynamics on these songs, overall. Some of them are flat out thrash-speed metal, others are up tempo, but I can assure you it is all 100% HEAVY METAL. Those who know me know I have always been an advocate for the more aggressive metal stuff, so if you’re expecting anything to the contrary on this record, you would be dead wrong.

Anyways, Matt Bachand will be in the studio with me, as he lives not too far from the studio, as does the Producer/Engineer who will be recording drum tracks with me. As I write this I cannot reveal WHO he is yet, nor the record company we are signing with, etc. That’s for the press release, which you will all see very soon. Believe me, this dude is a full on METAL PRODUCER/ENGINEER (I would never have anybody but that to do this kind of music).

That’s about all for the moment, ALOT more information is coming your way real soon."

Italy's SpazioRock.it recently conducted an interview with bassist and co-vocalist Troy Sanders of Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked about the fan response to MASTODON's latest album, "Once More 'Round The Sun", Sanders said: "We're very happy with the result of the new record, 'Once More 'Round The Sun'. The four of us in the band are very, very happy with it, and that's the most important thing. But it seems like a handful of people around the world seem to like it too, and that's wonderful."

He continued: "Every record that we do is gonna sound different, because we always want to evolve and create our own musical path. And every record will be different. We do not wanna write the same record twice. And it's a musical journey that the four of us are on. And to any fans that we've ever had before, we want them to embrace it and grow with us, but we don't expect people to. We just write what we love, and we love what we write. And that's the path that it takes."

Regarding the fact that there are more memorable choruses on "Once More 'Round The Sun" compared to some of MASTODON's previous albums, Sanders said: "We've tried to incorporate more melody — not only guitar-wise, but vocal melodies and vocal harmonies and vocal patterns that really are catchy; you know, like, hooks that bring you in and make a song more memorable. So we did spend more time and effort on trying to find those right vocal moments for this new record without cheating the song's music itself."

He continued: "You can find vocal patterns that are catchy and meaningful to the song without just being cheesy about it and singing for the sake of not screaming. We're always trying to be better songwriters, and just continue to evolve and make songs that don't sound like the last song we wrote."

"Once More 'Round The Sun", sold around 34,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on June 24, 2014 via Reprise Records.

"Once More 'Round The Sun" was recorded in Nashville with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz, who is known for his work with RUSH, DEFTONES, FOO FIGHTERS and ALICE IN CHAINS.

X Japan drummer/founder Yoshiki recently spoke with TeamRock.com for the latest issue of UK magazine Metal Hammer. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

Q: You’ve spoken before about how Kiss were the first Western rock band you fell in love with: what was it about that band that so captivated you?

Yoshiki: "I first discovered Kiss with the Love Gun single, and then I bought the live album, Alive. Then I got the chance to see their show, and I was like 'What the hell is going on?' At the time I was studying classical music, so to see Kiss play was a big shock. I encountered the band first by accident. I was in a record shop and saw this record with crazy make-up and four people standing and I thought 'What is this?' so I asked the people in the shop to play it. And it was like 'Wow!'"

Q: Did discovering this new world offer an escape from your reality at the time?

Yoshiki: "I think so. My father committed suicide, so at the time I was very sad, crying every day and angry. When someone takes their own life there are lots of thoughts: 'How about my mother? My brother? Our family?' You think about those things. But rock music absorbed my anger, especially. And Kiss was my entrance to that world. I remember listening to Led Zeppelin, and when I first heard Stairway To Heaven that really affected me too. It was rock music, but it was so beautiful. And then another real big turning point for me was Iron Maiden: I bought the first album and Killers, with Paul Di’Anno, and then of course Number Of The Beast when Bruce Dickinson joined the band. Those three albums changed me: they had beautiful melodies but were still very heavy. And when we started our own band we wanted to be even faster and heavier!"

Click here for more and to order the latest issues of Metal Hammer UK.

X Japan have released a Greatest Hits album, entitled The World, commemorating their 25th Anniversary. It features remastered versions of their most popular songs and includes a live version of the song "Without You" never befoer released on CD. The limited edition bonus DVD features a World Tour Trailer from 2009 to 2011 and a photo book

The tracklist is as follows:

Disc 1
"Silent Jealousy"
"Rusty Nail"
"Scars"
"Endless Rain"
"Week End"
"Kurenai" (strings intro)
"Forever Love"
"Dahlia"
"Amethyst" (The Last Live version)
"X" (The Last Live version)
"Without You" (live version)

Disc 2
"Art Of Life"

Disc 3 (DVD)
Exclusive Trailer: World Tour 2009 - 2011

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Video footage of Swedish sleaze rockers HARDCORE SUPERSTAR performing on January 24 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California can be seen below.

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR in October released a brand new single called "Glue". The track is expected to appear on the band's next studio album, due in early 2015. The CD is being mixed by Joe Barresi, who has previously worked with SLIPKNOT, QUEENS OF STONE AGE and SOUNDGARDEN, among others. HARDCORE SUPERSTAR hit the road in Europe with GOTTHARD last fall.

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR's latest CD, "C'mon Take On Me", was released in Europe on March 1, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Split Your Lip" was produced by the bandmembers themselves and mixed by Randy Staub (METALLICA, MÖTLEY CRÜE, THE CULT).

Scott Weiland says that he was never a member of ART OF ANARCHY despite the fact that he recorded a debut album with the supergroup, and says that his main focus is his solo band THE WILDABOUTS.

"I was never in [ART OF ANARCHY]," the former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER singer told Billboard.com. "It was something I did when I wasn't doing anything. I was asked to write some lyrics and sing some melodies on this project, but it's not a band I'm in. This is my band," he added, nodding to SCOTT WEILAND AND THE WILDABOUTS.

In addition to Weiland, the recording lineup for ART OF ANARCHY's first CD included GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and DISTURBED bassist John Moyer. The rest of the lineup is filled out by Jon Votta on guitar and Vince Votta on drums. The group's debut disc will arrive this spring.

In an exclusive statement to Rolling Stone, Thal wrote that "ART OF ANARCHY is not competition or a threat or interference to what any of us are doing — it's a complement, an addition, one I'm proud of creatively."

He continued: "[There is] no need to minimize or undermine or devalue a project we all worked on together over the course of two years.

"I enjoyed working with Scott. And I'm looking forward to [the SCOTT WEILAND AND] THE WILDABOUTS album release, the Bumblefoot album release, and the ART OF ANARCHY album release. The more music the better, it's what we do, right? :) Artists do collaborations and a month later, their own album comes out. This is normal stuff. All good. :)"

Thal added: "The five of us made an album together. Scott is currently the singer of the band. It's in writing; no confusion. But yes, Scott's solo album and tour are his priority and we're all on the same page about getting another vocalist if ART OF ANARCHY hits the road. But we don't need to cross that bridge just yet. Taking everything as it comes, one step at a time, letting it evolve organically. Where it goes from here (and with who!) is yet to be seen."

ART OF ANARCHY is the brainchild of Thal and the Votta brothers, who have been friends for 18 years dating back to their days on the New York music scene.

Thal also serves as producer and engineer on the album.

Weiland is no stranger to supergroups, having formed VELVET REVOLVER with several former members of GUNS N' ROSES more than a decade ago.

He was dismissed from that band in 2008, rejoining STP until they also fired him in early 2013. He and THE WILDABOUTS will put out a new album in March.

Thal has been with GUNS N' ROSES since 2006, playing on the 2008 album "Chinese Democracy". He has also released a number of solo CDs.

Moyer has been DISTURBED's bassist since 2004. The band has been on an extended hiatus since late 2011.