Incite, the Arizona based metal outfit led by Richie Cavalera, will release their new album, Oppression, on April 22nd via Minus Head Records. The band’s new video for the album track “No Remorse” can be found below.

"The video for "No Remorse" will definitely have viewers on the edge of their seats," states Richie Cavalera. "We brought back director Robert Sexton, who always tries to push boundaries, and he surely did on this one. We wanted a video that showcased powerful women killing men and doing it with no remorse. Each member of the band is killed a different way. The video ends with a final bloodbath as all four women hold their kill for the world to see. You'll definitely watch it over and over again trying to catch all the subtle details in each murder."

Pre-orders for the new album are up at Bandcamp. Oppression was recorded at the Omen Room Studios, Garden Grove, CA with producer Steve Evetts (Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicide Silence, Every Time I Die).

Richie Cavalera states, “The shredding and ferocity on this record will surely fire up all metal heads. It's by far, darker and faster than anything we've released before. The man chosen to take this ride through hell and back with us is no other than producer Steve Evetts.”

Tracklisting:

“Never Surrender”
“Lost Reality”
“Stagnant”
“No Remorse”
“Oppression”
“Life’s Disease” (feat. Connor Garritty)
“Forced Into Life”
“Worse Of Me”
“I Want It All” (feat. Jose Mangin)
“Silenced”

"Stagnant":

Incite tour dates with DevilDriver, Holy Grail and Hemlock are listed on the poster below:



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THE JELLY JAM — featuring DREAM THEATER's John Myung, DIXIE DREGS/WINGER's Rod Morgenstein and KING'S X's Ty Tabor — will release its epic new album, "Profit", on May 27 via Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group.

"Profit" is a glorious and affecting cinematic experience; full of suspense, the record follows the heroic yet daunting journey of The Prophet who, inspired by a deep sense of responsibility embarks on a mission to try and save the world, to open the eyes of Those Who Will Not See.

When asked about collaborative efforts of THE JELLY JAM, Tabor describes John as "the forefather of the band" and enthuses that "playing with Rod has been a lifelong dream. I was a huge fan of his right out of high school and the DIXIE DREGS transformed my idea of what a band could do. Rod was a huge part of the insanity on all of those early DIXIE DREGS albums. It's just a joy to get to play with him."

THE JELLY JAM's first album, "The Jelly Jam", was released in 2002, followed by 2004's "The Jelly Jam 2". The members' work with DREAM THEATER, WINGER and KING'S X kept the band away from the studio until the critically acclaimed "Shall We Descend" in 2011 marked a triumphant return for the trio.

Tabor describes the album's concept as "a fight between progress and jobs at all cost and not thinking about any future payment that are going to have to be made." Adding further that, "Each JELLY JAM album is very different and we are most definitely discovering new ground. The first album was pretty straight ahead in its nature and vibe. The second album was more about the songwriting and had a very different feel. By the time we got to 'Shall We Descend', we were all at different musical places. It had more of a darker edge to it, but we finally realized that we had tapped in to something that was unique to us. There really is no JELLY JAM 'sound'.

"In order to make 'Profit' the strongest album, we recorded a lot of excess music and chose songs that work together towards the general story idea. Musically and sonically, we started experimenting a lot further than we had before. It stands on its own as an album beginning to end with a purpose. It's not just a bunch of songs thrown together. It's an entire journey through a story."

THE JELLY JAM will support "Profit" with a full tour (dates to be announced). As Tabor explains: "This album is without a doubt the most special moment the band has ever had together and we must make touring real this year to support this album."

"Profit" track listing:

01. Care02. Stain On The Sun 03. Water 04. Stop 05. Perfect Lines (Flyin')06. Mr. Man 07. Memphis 08. Ghost Town 09. Heaven 10. Permanent Hold 11. Fallen 12. Strong Belief

METALLICA's classic 1986 LP "Master Of Puppets" is among the albums that have been selected for induction into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.

Under the terms of the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Librarian, with advice from the Library's National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB), annually selects 25 recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and are at least 10 years old. The selections for the 2015 registry bring the total number of recordings on the registry to 450, only a minuscule portion of the Library's vast recorded-sound collection of more than 3 million items.

"These recordings, by a wide range of artists in many genres of music and in spoken word, will be preserved for future listeners," acting Librarian of Congress David S. Mao said in a statement. "This collection of blues, jazz, rock, country and classical recordings, interspersed with important recordings of sporting events, speeches, radio shows and comedy, helps safeguard the record of what we've done and who we are."

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the world's largest library. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library's rich resources can be accessed through its web site at www.loc.gov.

METALLICA recently collaborated with an author named Matt Taylor on a book about the making of "Master Of Puppets".

Taylor, who wrote an acclaimed and extensively detailed book on the making of the movie "Jaws", contacted the band with a proposal to create a definitive history of the band's third album.

"Metallica: Back To The Front" is due in the fall.

"Master Of Puppets" was released on February 24, 1986 and was the first album METALLICA recorded after signing a major label deal with Elektra Records.

The set only reached No. 29 on the Billboard album chart but has sold over six million copies in the U.S. since.

It is the last record to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who was killed later that year in a tour bus crash.

Several songs from the album are still staples of METALLICA's live set, including "Battery", "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" and the title track.

Many fans consider it METALLICA's finest album, a fact that the band acknowledged by playing it in its entirety on a European tour in 2006.

"Master Of Puppets" continues to sell almost four thousands copies a week in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

In a brand new interview with SF Station, SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph was asked if it gets any easier replacing the band's original drummer, Dave Lombardo, now that he has done it several times over the course of the last couple of decades. He responded: "No, it doesn't get any easier. I think all the preparation I've done in the past, learning the material and trying really hard to be authentic as possible, I don't really need to do that now, though now there's a whole bunch of other songs I never played with the band. It never gets easy. Let's face it, Dave is one of the top drummers. It's not easy to try and emulate what he does. Just do your homework, and if you do it well, you'll be prepared."

Regarding what the major differences are about being in SLAYER now and how it was back in the early '90s, Bostaph said: "We're all a little more mature.; a little bit wiser. Some of us go to bed earlier than we used to. We don't burn the candle at both ends, and guys have families. Twenty years ago maybe they didn't, and now they've got children growing up, graduating from high school. We're not little kids anymore."

Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band, rejoined SLAYER in 2013 after Lombardo was effectively fired from the band due to a contract dispute with the other members of the veteran California-based thrash metal act.

In an interview with Fuse, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King stated about Bostaph: "Paul, I mean, he's a machine. I don't worry about him at all. He never would have been out of SLAYER if he didn't quit twice. It was never over anything personal — he was always my friend — so it was very easy for him to come back and be a part again."

Speaking to Loudwire about Bostaph's contributions to SLAYER's latest album, "Repentless", King said: "I think it's just making the unit whole, more than anything. Of course, Paul can play the shit out of the drums. I didn't realize — and I don't mean this in a detrimental way to Paul — I never realized Paul had so many niche SLAYER fans who are just Bostaph fans; I didn't realize that, and a lot of people had mentioned that to me since Paul has been working on the record. And I think that's great. I used to say 'God Hates [Us All]' was his 'Reign In Blood' — Bostaph's. The new one is his 'Reign In Blood'. The new one's… I would play any song live."

"Repentless" debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200, having shifted 50,000 equivalent album units in the week ending September 17, 2015.

Legendary German guitarist Michael Schenker will play a very special show, Michael Schenker Fest, at this year's Sweden Rock Festival, set to take place June 8-11 in Sölvesborg, Sweden. The concert will feature appearances by three MSG singers: Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley. They will be joined by Ted McKenna on drums, Chris Glen on bass and Steve Mann on guitar/keyboards.

Combined, these men are responsible for such albums as "Michael Schenker Group" (1980), "Assault Attack" (1982) and "Save Yourself" (1989), so fans can expect a multitude of classic tracks to be performed.

Michael Schenker will play at Sweden Rock Festival on June 11.

In a 2014 interview with Songfacts, Schenker stated about his "Assault Attack" album: "Well, 'Assault Attack' was basically the time after Gary Barden. Peter Mensch was managing me. He suggested I should have a different singer, so that's what he confronted me with. And so, who? He came up with David Coverdale and Graham Bonnet. And I decided Graham Bonnet. I think also it had to do with Cozy Powell, because he had joined the band, too, and maybe he would prefer to have a different singer. So somehow we ended up with Graham Bonnet and we did the recording with Martin Birch, who was doing IRON MAIDEN at the time. When we had our first concert in Sheffield, Graham got kind of... weird. And that was it. It was like 15 minutes of life with Graham Bonnet, and that was the end. And then two days later we had a concert in Reading, a headliner at a festival, and we asked Gary to help out. So then I carried on with Gary and I kind of slipped from Peter Mensch, and then I did a last album with Gary in '83, 'Built To Destroy', and Gary was actually not doing very well anymore. And then Chris Glen, the bass player, he kind of disappeared. I said to myself, 'It was time for something new.'"

Asked about he possibility of writing new music with Bonnet, Schenker said: "You know what? It would be interesting to see if we can put something together live, because 'Assault Attack' never got toured. It was an idea if Graham was well enough and the opportunity and the moment in time would allow something like that to happen, it would maybe be a creative thing to do. But at this point we never quite got to it."

ASKING ALEXANDRIA's new album, "The Black", will be released on March 25 via Sumerian Records.

A two-and-a-half-minute video clip featuring behind-the-scenes footage from "The Black" recording sessions can be seen below.

Life is all about how quickly you get back up. In January 2015, everything changed for ASKING ALEXANDRIA. The chart- topping, gold-selling U.K. hard rock outfit parted ways with singer and founding member Danny Worsnop. On the outside, the future might've seemed uncertain — even grim — to some, but Ben Bruce (lead guitar, vocals), James Cassells (drums), Cameron Liddell (rhythm guitar) and Sam Bettley (bass) dusted themselves off, lifted their chins, and got right back up. "We hadn't reached our destination yet, and Danny had," admits Bruce. "I think it was necessary. When it happened, I was devastated. I lost my best friend. We even started referring to this part of our career as 'the black period.' It was the darkest time, but we weren't going to give up. If he hadn't left, I don't think we would've been as inspired as we were. I also don’t think ASKING ALEXANDRIA would still be around. Instead, we're more excited than ever about this band." In order to properly do that, the band actually turned to a fan. Ukrainian singer Denis Shaforostov gained notoriety posting ASKING ALEXANDRIA covers on YouTube and consequentially inked a deal with Sumerian in his band DOWN AND DIRTY. Bruce shot him an e-mail one night. The next day, a new ASKING ALEXANDRIA song had vocals and a new era in the band's history took form.

"The Black" track listing:

01. Let It Sleep02. The Black03. I Won't Give In04. Sometimes It Ends05. The Lost Souls06. Just A Slave To Rock N Roll07. Send Me Home08. We'll Be Okay09. Here I Am10. Gone11. Undivided12. Circled By The Wolves

After exploding on to the death metal scene in 2015 with their "Leprosy"-inspired full-length debut "Savage Land", death metal wrecking crew GRUESOME — featuring current and former members of EXHUMED, POSSESSED, MALEVOLENT CREATION and DERKETA — returns in 2016 with a new EP titled "Dimensions Of Horror". Produced by the band and co-produced and recorded by Jarrett Pritchard at New Constellation RMP Studios in Orlando, Florida, "Dimensions Of Horror" is a gruesome salute to DEATH's iconic "Scream Bloody Gore" and once again features cover art by the legendary Ed Repka (DEATH, ATHEIST, MASSACRE). A six-song slab of grisly, bone-breaking death metal jams, "Dimensions Of Horror" continues the development of GRUESOME's homage to the founding fathers of the genre and proves that no matter the decade, old-school death metal is always relevant, always savage, and always irresistible. "Dimensions of Horror" is due on May 20 via Relapse. Physical pre-orders via Relapse.com can be found here, and digital pre-orders via GRUESOME's Bandcamp page are available at this location.

"Dimensions Of Horror" track listing:

01. Forces Of Death02. Raped By Darkness03. Amputation04. Hellbound05. Seven Doors06. Dimensions Of Horror

Over the past year, GRUESOME has performed at numerous festivals worldwide, including Full Terror Assault Fest, Obscene Extreme America and Netherlands Deathfest. The band has also been confirmed for Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore this coming May.

GRUESOME is:

Daniel Gonzalez - Guitar
Matt Harvey - Guitar, vocals
Robin Mazen - Bass
Gus Rios - Drums

Former SEPULTURA members Max Cavalera (guitar, vocals) and Igor Cavalera (drums) will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the band's classic album, "Roots", by performing the LP in its entirety at this year's edition of the Amnesia Rockfest. Interestingly enough, the current lineup of SEPULTURA — which includes the other two members of the band that played on "Roots", guitarist Andreas Kisser and bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. — is also scheduled to appear at the two-day event, which will take place June 24-25 in Montebello, Quebec, Canada.

Max spoke to Holland's FaceCulture about how he looks back on the "Roots" album twenty years later. He said: "Yeah, [the personal stuff around the band] was chaotic, but musically, it was good. I think 'Roots' is an excellent record. It's a very brave record. It's a very fearless record in terms of saying, 'We're gonna do this. No matter what people say, we're gonna do it.' And we did it. And it was a huge risk. Not many bands take that risk. And we stuck to our guns and put the album out. And I think it was a very interesting record, because I think it was the beginning of my experiences in world music, which I really love, and bringing metal… making metal different. You can combine indigenous sounds and stuff with metal and make something cool with it. So I think 'Roots' was the blueprint for all that; it was like the first one that was like that. We went to the Xavantes tribe and recorded with them. It was killer. It was an amazing experience."

Asked in a December 2013 interview with DeadRhetoric.com if he was a proponent of the down-tuned guitar approach, like Max was, around the time when bands like KORN and the DEFTONES were just beginning to take off in terms of popularity, SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser said: "At the beginning, not much. I was skeptical of the low tuning because bands like KORN or the DEFTONES, they don't have the fast pace of SEPULTURA's music. I was concerned to lose that kind of fast ability and the picking, the heavy picking on sloppy, low strings. But there are so many possibilities of using heavier-gauge strings, which give that kind of tension, and you don't lose that ability to play fast. 'Trauma Of War', the song that opens the [new SEPULTURA] album ['The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart'], it's in low tuning, but it's a very fast song, but we don't lose that kind of ability. I learned how to do deal with that, and you open a lot of worlds in music, but yeah, at the beginning I was a little skeptical."

Speaking to Live-Metal.net in 2009, Max admitted that he drew inspiration from some of the so-called early "nu metal" bands during the songwriting process for "Roots". He explained: "SEPULTURA did [take] a little bit of an influence from KORN and DEFTONES in some areas. And the funny thing is that we influenced those bands from when they started out. I talked to the KORN guys and they said they listened to 'Chaos A.D.' religiously when they started — it was like one of their favorite records. So it's kind of a 360 degrees kind of influence — back and forth."

"Roots", along with 1993's "Chaos A.D.", is considered SEPULTURA's most commercially successful release, having been certified gold in 2005 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for U.S. shipments in excess of 500,000 copies.

In 1996, Max exited SEPULTURA after the rest of the band fired Max's wife Gloria as their manager.

Igor left SEPULTURA in June 2006 due to "artistic differences." His departure from the band came five months after he announced that he was taking a break from SEPULTURA's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their new son (who was born in January 2006).

"Invoking The Hunter", the new Athina Tousia-directed video from Greek symphonic death metallers DIMLIGHT, can be seen below. The song is taken from the female-fronted band's latest album, "The Lost Chapters", which came out in February via Sliptrick Records.

According to a press release, "The Lost Chapters" "delivers death metal tracks, blended with dark symphonic elements. Aggressive guitars, pounding bass lines, sharp vocals but also deep and eerie brutal shouts. The production was made at Sound Flakes Studios and the engineer behind the solid outcome was John Mcris who was responsible for both mixing and mastering. The cover was an inspiration of the mighty Pierre Alain Durand (3MMI DESIGN)."

"The Lost Chapters" is a concept album — a novel put to music and vice versa. The story narrated in the disc is the origin story of the Egyptian goddess Hathor. Drawing inspiration from the oldest Egyptian myths, Hathor is portrayed not as a goddess of love, joy and fertility as most people today generally consider her, but as bringer of bloodshed and vengeance upon mankind who strayed from the path of the gods into blasphemy. In truth, it's an elaborate mythos of the horror/historical fantasy genre recounting the grim tale of Hathor's birth and her rampage through the lands of pre-Pharaonic Eygpt.

Before the dynasties of human / mortal Pharaohs of recorded history, the gods reigned over Egypt with Osiris at the throne. But Osiris had grown old. His skin was gradually turning into gold, his hair into lapis lazuli, his eyes into emeralds — he was turning into a statue, for that is how age affects the gods. Mortal men would no longer respect his authority or fear him for he had no more spells/words of power to maintain his former strength. So they turned from him and became blasphemers. Osiris, wishing to chastize them, uses the last of his magic to create Hathor, a newborn beautiful goddess, with one sole purpose: to chastize mankind.

During the recording sessions for "The Lost Chapters", DIMLIGHT worked with the following musicians: narrator in the album was Jean Baptiste (RANDOMAWALK); Maya (ΜEDEN AGAN) did the operatic vocals in "Clash Of Immortals" and "Fields Of Carnage"; Maria Melissanthi Routi (KINETIC) did the operatic and ethnic vocals in "Fields Of Carnage"; and Alfred Shtuni on live strings.

After a period of inactivity since 2007’s The Blue, which involved the departure of longstanding member Giuseppe Orlando, Novembre returns with a new set of potent and poignant tracks, effortlessly transitioning between soothing, epic, melancholy and intense, from what is one of the originators of the whole atmospheric death/doom scene. URSA will be released on April 1st via Peaceville Records. The album track “Bremen” is streaming below.

Headed by founding member and writer Carmelo Orlando, and with a reinvigorated musical alliance with Massimiliano Pagliuso, the lineup is completed by Fabio Fraschini (previously bassist on the Materia album), and David Folchitto on drums. There is also a special guest appearance from Anders Nyström of the Swedish Doom masters Katatonia, adding his own unique ‘cold’ touch to the album’s single track, “Annoluce”.

URSA was recorded at Blue Noise Studio, and PlayRec studio by Massimiliano Pagliuso, then mixed and mastered at Unisound Studios by Dan Swanö (Opeth, Katatonia, Bloodbath). Cover art comes courtesy of Travis Smith.

Tracklisting:

“Australis”
“The Rose”
“Umana”
“Easter”
“URSA”
“Oceans Of Afternoons”
“Annoluce”
“Agathae”
“Bremen”
“Fin”

“Bremen”:

“Umana” lyric video:

Carmelo Orlando comments on URSA: ”This album is a very important step in my life. It got me closer to what some may call ‘maturity’. I’ve been able to delve even deeper into the chasm of the subconscious and unearth gems I didn’t think existed. Lyrically and conceptually I explored new shores. I moved my ever-inwards headlights, and for the first time I dared to point them outwards, against the squalor of this Orwellian apocalypse we’re committing towards the Earth and its sons, on a daily basis, in quasi-total indifference. The album is indeed called URSA (the acronym for “Union des Républiques Socialistes Animales”), which was the title initially chosen for the French translation of George Orwell’s masterpiece novel Animal Farm.”

URSA is available to pre-order on CD & LP at this location. Pre-orders from the Peaceville Store receive a free 3-track EP including an alternate version of “Annoluce”, plus two exclusive tracks.

The seeds of Novembre were originally planted in September 1990 in Rome, Italy. Then known as Catacomb, their early recordings of unusual gothic doom metal were to quickly gain the band interest. It was around 1993 that the band decided that a name change was in order, and Novembre was born, evolving into one of the premiere European atmospheric doom bands.

Watch out for Novembre on tour in 2016.



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Progressive metal titans, Intronaut, have released a new video for "Sul Ponticello". The ominously heavy track comes off of the band's newest effort, The Direction Of Last Things, which was released last year via Century Media. The art driven video can be viewed below.

Intronaut are currently on a headlining tour in North America, accompanied by Scale The Summit and North. A full list of remaining dates for the tour can be seen below.

Tour dates:

March
22 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog
23 - Houston, TX - Walters
24 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
25 - Tampa, FL - Orpheum
26 - Jacksonville, FL - 1904 Music Hall
27 - Charlotte, NC - Rabbit Hole
28 - Washington DC - Rock And Roll Hotel
29 - New York, NY - Marlin Room at Webster Hall
30 - Boston, MA - Middle East
31 - Montreal, QC - Bar Le Ritz

April
1 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace
2 - Detroit, MI - Loving Touch
3 - Chicago, IL - Reggies Rock Club
4 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theatre
5 - Winnipeg, MB - Goodwill
6 - Regina, SK - Exchange
7 - Edmonton, AB - Skylite
8 - Calgary, AB - Dickens
9 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
11 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile
12 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
13 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom Of The Hill



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Finland’s psychedelic folk rock shooting stars Hexvessel are on tour across Europe with New Keepers Of The Water Towers. The band have released a video for the song “When I’m Dead”, taken from their third studio album, When We Are Death, released via Century Media in January.

Singer Mat McNerney comments on the new video and the tour: "Nature prevails. We never die, we just change our form. We're billion year old carbon on a journey through space on an ancient rock. As we leave our beloved Finland, heading out into Europe on tour, this video represents our view of the universe and our strong connection to the cycle of life and death. It's an existential question that only the forest can answer. You must go on a journey into space to know this. Where will you be when I am dead?"

On Friday, March 25th a new online single of the video track will be released, containing the track “Shaman You”, taken from the limited US edition of the album.

Tour dates:

March
22 - Beta * - Copenhagen, Denmark
24 - Underground * - Cologne, Germany
25 - Rock Cafe * - Hamburg, Germany
26 - Beatpol * - Dresden, Germany
27 - Musik & Frieden * - Berlin, Germany
29 - Minoga * - Poznan, Poland
30 - Cross Club * - Prague, Czech Republic (Free Show)
31 - Chelsea * - Vienna, Austria

April
1 - A38 * - Budapest, Hungary
2 - Shelter * - Cluj Napoca, Romania
3 - Control * - Bucharest, Romania
4 - Live & Loud - Sofia, Bulgaria
5 - tba - Belgrade, Serbia
6 - Channel Zero * - Ljubljana, Slovenia
7 - 1210 * - Stuttgart, Germany
8 - Alte Hackerei * - Karlsruhe, Germany
10 - Het Bos * - Antwerp, Belgium
11 - Brudenell Social Club * - Leeds, United Kingdom
12 - 100 Club * - London, United Kingdom
13 - The Prince Albert - Brighton, United Kingdom
14-15 - Roadburn - Tilburg, Netherlands

* With New Keepers of The Water Towers



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Scarblade is a Greek female-fronted heavy metal band, founded in May of 2012 in Athens as Ruthless Steel. Their debut EP, titled Die In The Night, came out in 2013, and included four tracks that can be labeled as traditional heavy metal, inspired by such classic acts as Judas Priest, Warlock, Riot and Accept.

After several live shows and two compilation appearances, in 2015 the band changed its location to Gothenburg, Sweden, and as the lineup changes followed as well, the band changed their name to Scarblade.

The debut album The Cosmic Wrath, scheduled for release on May 13th, has been produced and recorded at the Aspiotis Studio by George Aspiotis, known from cooperation with acts such as Warlord, Spitfire and King Dragon.

Watch the "Die In The Night" video below and stay tuned for updates.



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Milano, Italy-based death metal act, Onirik, will release their debut album, Ab Initio, on March 25th via The Spew Records (a division of Punishment 18 Records). The album was produced by Maurizio Ferrero (Necromega, Drown My Day). You can see the cover artwork below, as well as a new teaser video.

Tracklisting:

“Panopticon”
“Heral Of Pestilence”
“New Local Order”
“The Absolute Scourge”
“In Umbra Pugnabimus”
“Onirik”
“Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”
“Randezvous With Rama”

Teaser:



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Connecticut-based hardcore/metal masters HATEBREED will release their new album, "The Concrete Confessional", on May 13 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The follow-up to 2013's "The Divinity Of Purpose" was produced by longtime collaborator Chris "Zeuss" Harris (ROB ZOMBIE, SUICIDE SILENCE, WHITECHAPEL) and mixed by Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD, MEGADETH). The artwork was created by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER).

A two-minute trailer for HATEBREED's forthcoming tour, featuring audio samples of three songs from "The Concrete Confessional" — "A.D.", "Looking Down The Barrel Of Today" and "The Apex Within" — can be seen below.

Regarding the "The Concrete Confessional" artwork, HATEBREED vocalist Jamey Jasta said: "I think da Vinci said it best when he said painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. Marcelo was able to capture a feeling that will accompany our musical and lyrical vision and he put together a striking piece that speaks volumes."

"The Concrete Confessional" track listing:

01. A.D.02. Looking Down The Barrel Of Today03. Seven Enemies04. In The Walls05. From Grace We've Fallen06. Us Against Us07. Something's Off08. Remember When09. Slaughtered In Their Dreams10. The Apex Within11. Walking The Knife12. Dissonance13. Serve Your Masters

In support of "The Concrete Confessional", HATEBREED will embark on a North American headlining tour. Joining them on the trek are modern metal stalwarts DEVILDRIVER, Nuclear Blast labelmates DEVIL YOU KNOW and Metal Blade recording artists ACT OF DEFIANCE (featuring former MEGADETH members Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover).

HATEBREED's last album, "The Divinity Of Purpose", sold 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 20 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Historical Italian psycho-thrash metal band, Schizo, have released a teaser video for their new album, Rotten Spiral, set to be released on March 25th via Punishment 18 Records.

The band recorded at New Sound Studio under the attentive guide of Tommy Vetterli (Coroner), who will also guest on the album. Artwork by Daniele Cascone.

Tracklisting:

“Leaders Of Deception”
“Skeptic Flesh”
“Neurotic Propaganda”
“Rotten Spiral” (feat. Tommy Vetterli)
“Deathwire”
“Freikorps”
“Hysterical God”
“Final Warning”

Teaser:

“Rotten Spiral” lyric video:

The Rotten Spiral release party will take place at Circolo Colony in Brescia, Italy on April 23rd. Many surprises are planned for the night.



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Lionheart, the 2004 album by the legendary stalwarts of the original NWOBHM, Saxon, will be presented on a truly stunning picture disc for the first time for Record Store Day 2016. The record will be imited to 1,500 copies worldwide. Check out an unboxing video below.

Tracklisting:

Side A
“Witchfinder General”
“Man And Machine”
“The Return”
“Lionheart”
“Beyond The Grave”
“Justice”

Side B
“To Live By The Sword”
“Jack Tars”
“English Man O’War”
“Searching For Atlantis”
“Flying On The Edge”

Record Store Day takes places on Saturday, April 16, 2016 and this special release will only be available at participating independent record stores. To find your local store visit RecordStoreDay.com.



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Brisbane, Australia’s Caligula's Horse have released a new music video, for the track “Turntail”, featured on the band’s third record, Bloom, released through InsideOutMusic last October.

Filmed at GC Studios on the Gold Coast, Caligula's Horse further collaborated with one of Australia's most promising video clip filmmakers in Adrian Goleby, who also worked on the band's videos for “A Gift To Afterthought” and “Firelight”. The aim was to create a video that was uplifting, but also one that conveyed a strong political message.
 
In “Turntail”, a dancer is brightly coloured but trapped in darkness by an external force, and her own fear. She grasps her restraints, fighting against them, and learns to control and harness that fear. The colour gradually returns to her as she stands against the outside force, free and powerful.
 
“Turntail” has a message of rebellion, of fighting for freedom, of standing your ground against an oppressor. In Australia, we are engaging in an act of utter cowardice by our treatment of refugees. This is a song of courage, and the most courageous act in a time like this is compassion.
 
Caligula's Horse frontman, Jim Grey says of the video: ““Turntail” is exactly what Caligula's Horse is about - It's powerful, energetic, melodic and forthright - this is a song about taking a stand, about fighting for freedom in whatever way you can. Considering the atrocious political climate in Australia and worldwide, I don't think we could be releasing this single at a more appropriate time."

Watch the new video below.

Bloom tracklisting:
 
“Bloom”
“Marigold”
“Firelight”
“Dragonfly”
“Rust”
“Turntail”
“Daughter Of The Mountain”
“Undergrowth”

“Turntail” video:

“Firelight” video:

Trailer:

 
Bloom follows 2011's debut Moments From Ephemeral City, and 2013's dark narrative concept album The Tide, The Thief & River's End.

"Bloom is very special to all of us - it's an album full of colour and life, vibrancy and energy, but one that breathes in and out with a natural ebb and flow," says lead vocalist Jim Grey. "It's exactly what we hoped to achieve with Caligula's Horse. To us, this album has a life of its own."

The band posted a special video message, telling you a little bit about the album and introducing the band:



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"Kumari Kandam", a brand new song from French modern metallers ETHS, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track is taken from the band's forthcoming album, "Ankaa", which will be released on April 22 via Season Of Mist.

ETHS guitarist Staif Bihl comments: "I am glad to introduce a third new track from our forthcoming album.

"The lyrics of 'Kumari Kandam' were written by me with the help of my friend Faustine Berardo (LA NÉBULEUSE D’HIMA), who is also singing some parts of this song together with Sarah Layssac of ARKAN.

"Kumari Kandam is a legendary continent that is said to be lying at the bottom of the sea south of the Indian subcontinent. The lyrics deal with human civilizations, and how they vanished due to force of nature or just of their own doing — as a warning for future generations. Of course, this story also applies to our own civilization, which seems to be working as hard as possible speed up its own downfall."

"Ankaa" track listing:

01. Nefas02. Nihil Sine Causa03. Amaterasu04. Seditio05. Nixi Dii06. Vae Victis07. HAR108. Sekhet Aaru09. Kumari Kandam10. Alnitak11. Alnilam12. Mintaka

The album can be pre-ordered at this location.

"Ankaa" manages to keep the essence of ETHS, guided by mastermind and guitarist Staif Bihl, who also produced the album. Yet with new frontwoman Rachel Aspe and other changes in the lineup, there are new elements in the sound of the French act. The new album sounds more diverse and generally a touch darker. Electronic patterns find as easily a fitting place as a beautiful Arabic chant by guest vocalist Sarah Layssac (ARKAN). For this recording, SOILWORK drummer extraordinaire Dirk Verbeuren stepped in and delivered a massive yet intricate pounding.

ETHS in 2014 released an EP, "Ex Umbra In Solem", with its new vocalist, Rachel Aspe. The EP's title track was a new song recorded, produced and mixed by ETHS guitarist Staif Bihl. It was backed by three classic ETHS tracks, recorded live on October 24, 2013 at the Divan du Monde in Paris, mixed by Nikhertz at Studio Phantom. Last but not least, the EP included three songs from the "III" album, re-recorded with Rachel's vocals.

ETHS in 2012 recruited Virginie Goncalves (KELLS) and Nelly Wood-Hasselhoff to handle lead vocals at the group's shows following the departure of Candice Clot.

Aspe made headlines in France in November 2012 when she performed the SYBREED song "Emma-0" on an episode of "La France À Un Incroyable Talent", the French reality television series which is part of the global British "Got Talent" franchise. Her death metal vocal styling stunned the judges and crowd before going viral and being seen by millions of people.

"It has always been my goal to be part of a band," Aspe told Rock Overdose. "One of the reasons I went to this TV show was to find one. [The show] was [taped] three months before I met ETHS, and [it originally aired shortly] after Candice left the band. So things came very fast for me. I had a job and it was hard to work on my vocals so quickly. I didn’t expect this success for the video; many bands contacted me, I did some [guest appearances] since that. People are continuing to share and comment on it."

Clot played her final show as a member of ETHS on October 13, 2012 at L'Arcade in Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon, France.

ETHS is:

Staif Bihl: guitarRachel Aspe: vocalsDamien Rivoal: bassR.U.L.: drums (live)Dirk Verbeuren: drums (album)

Photo credit: Nicolas Delpierre

Earlier this month, Vorterix radio conducted an interview with bassist Steve Harris of British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN prior to the band's concerts in Argentina. A few excerpts from the chat follow below (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET from audio kindly provided to this site by Catalina Bonadeo of Vorterix).

On how he feels when he looks back on IRON MAIDEN's career:

Steve: "I tend not to look too much back; I tend to look forward. So, I suppose, I know, I've had probably most of my life, and there's less going forwards than there is going back, but I prefer to look in the future. But, yeah, I mean, yeah, we've had a fantastic career, so if it ended tomorrow, it's been amazing, and I can live with that. But, obviously, we'd like to carry on longer, so hopefully we can carry on a bit more."

On whether he still has any goals he wants to achieve with IRON MAIDEN:

Steve: "Yeah, I think we still wanna make at least one more album, and we still wanna do some more touring. We're enjoying ourselves at the moment. We're just really happy to be here [after] what happened with Bruce [Dickinson, IRON MAIDEN singer] and everything, so it's just a privilege to play and just to be here. 'Cause a year ago, we didn't even know if we were gonna be able to tour anymore. So it's just a pleasure to be on stage."

On whether Bruce Dickinson's cancer battle made him think about a possible end to IRON MAIDEN:

Steve: "Yeah, I mean, I think at this stage of our career, I really don't think we would have looked to another singer, that's for sure. We didn't even consider it. I mean, there's no point. We can't really replace Bruce anyway, so we wouldn't try at this stage in our career, I don't think so. But, thank God, we didn't need to, and he's fine. The main thing is that he's okay, and he is okay. But the second thing is, obviously, now we can tour and we can make albums, and I'm sure he's gonna be fine in the future. So, you know, he seems really well, and he's singing well, so… Thank God that we are still together."

On whether he has ever imagined his life without IRON MAIDEN:

Steve: "Well, you know, you have to… I think you have to kind of get your head used to the fact that some day it's gonna happen. I mean, it took me a long while to realize that I wasn't gonna play football on a regular basis anymore. I still play once in a while, but that took me a long while to adjust. And I think, obviously, with the band, it's gonna be even worse, so I'm not looking forward to that. But, you know, you just have and try and focus and do other things, so you have your mind on something else."

On whether it's easier to compose a song that is, let's say, twelve or fourteen minutes long, than a song that has a running time of only five minutes:

Steve: "Well, these days I seem to be having problems writing anything [of] five minutes [in length] — I don't know — so the answer to that at the moment is that it's easier to write long ones, I suppose… I don't know… I don't really time 'em. I mean, I'd like to write more songs, and write more songs on my own too. And I've still got loads of ideas — too many ideas, probably — but I think that's a nice problem to have. I'd rather have that problem than run out of ideas."

On how he picks which other members of IRON MAIDEN to write songs with, when he is not composing alone:

Steve: "It depends. I think sometimes it just depends on who's available and who's ready to do stuff. I think usually Adrian [Smith, guitar] is usually ready first with some stuff, and so I tend to go to him first. Obviously, with Janick [Gers, guitar], and then just take it from there, really. And Davey [Murray, guitar] will come in with something towards the end sometimes — or not, as the case may be — and then I'll work with him. But I enjoy working with all of 'em. It means that I go in a different direction with stuff, because it's not something that I would necessarily come up with myself in the first place. And that's the way it's been going the last three or four albums — certainly since Adrian's come back — just because there's been lots of ideas. But that doesn't mean I haven't got my ideas of my own — I've got loads of ideas of my own. I'm not frustrated about that, because I think it's important that the band goes in different directions, and so I think what has been done has been the right thing to do. That's what I felt was the gut instinct was the right thing to do. If I thought the material of theirs wasn't strong enough, then I'd tell 'em. But it is what it is, and I think it's been good [getting] different directions happening. So, I don't know… We'll see what happens in the future, and if everyone carries on writing. The good thing is, if they dry up, I've got loads of ideas, so it's not gonna be a problem."

On whether he composes all the songs on the bass:

Steve: "On the bass, yeah. I mean, there's only been a couple of songs over the years I wrote on an acoustic guitar, really. I mean, the first one, really, was 'Strange World'. I wrote 'Prodigal Son' off the second album on an acoustic guitar — some of it, anyway — so it's pretty unusual for me to write on an acoustic. Usually I write on a bass. Sometimes I write on an acoustic bass, but always the bass, yeah — well, these days, anyway."

On what the benefit is of writing songs on a bass as opposed to a guitar:

Steve: "I think I just have a different style, and when I write on a bass, it's different to what someone would write with a guitar. So… It's hard to say, really. I mean, I don't know… I think it makes it different, but… That's what I like to think."

On being considered an influence on so many heavy metal bands around the world:

Steve: "I take it as a compliment. I think it's a fantastic compliment. We've been around for so long that we've got many people who have said that they're influenced by the band, and that's nice. But I just hope that they're influenced by many bands and not just one, because I was influenced by many, many different bands. And I think you can kind of learn bits from all of them. If you're just influenced by one band, then maybe you'll end up sounding like that band. So I think it's important to take information from everywhere."

On what the key is to keeping the band together seventeen years after Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith rejoined IRON MAIDEN:

Steve: "I think everybody's grown up. I think everyone's matured and we don't argue about stupid things anymore. Not that we used to argue that much anyway — we didn't really argue that much — but I think when you're younger, sometimes trivial things, you know, they just get to you. And I think, as you get older, you get more experience and [become] hopefully a bit wiser, and you don't really make a big deal out of silly things."

Ritchie Blackmore is being sued by the Frontiers record label over what the Italian company claims is the legendary DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW guitarist's "failure to comply with his promotional obligations" related to the release of "All Our Yesterdays", the tenth studio album from BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, the renaissance-inspired rock band formed by Blackmore and his wife Candice Night.

According to the complaint, which was filed on March 16 in a Manhattan federal court, Frontiers and Blackmore entered into a license agreement in May 2015 granting Frontiers "the right to manufacture, distribute (either physically or digitally), sell, sublicense and market" "All Our Yesterdays" for a term of three years, starting from the first release date of the album anywhere in the world.

In return for the grant of rights, Blackmore received a $220,000 advance and "guarantee[d] full support to the promotion surrounding the release of the album."

The promotion clause provided that Blackmore was to use "[his] reasonable best efforts to help and support all the activities and promotions (including but not limited to interviews as settled by the [Frontiers] and its representatives)" to aid the label in its promotion, marketing and distribution of the album.

Despite his obligations under the agreement, and despite the receipt of the advance, Blackmore "has failed and continues to fail to carry out his obligations, and particularly to comply with the terms of the promotion clause," Frontiers claims.

His "failures to comply with his promotional obligations pursuant to the agreement have severely impaired the promotion of the album with a resulting diminution ofsales and revenues," the complaint reads.

Frontiers writes in the lawsuit: "In July 2015, while [BLACKMORE'S NIGHT] was in France in connection with a show scheduled for Paris, Frontiers employed local publicists to arrange media exposure and publicity. Those local publicists thereafter arranged for fourteen face-to-face interviews for the band, with several magazines and websites.

"Despite his obligations under the agreement, [Blackmore] resisted making the band or its members available for the face-to-face interviews, seeking instead to have them conducted by email. [Blackmore] did so despite the fact that the band’s management had previously requested that face to face interviews be arranged in conjunction with the band's Paris appearance.

"Frontiers made it clear to [Blackmore] that it wanted the band to participate in face-to-face interviews, and that the band had to make itself available for such promotions.

"Despite [Blackmore's] obligations, the band participated in only four of the fourteen proposed interviews, thereby severely impacting Frontiers' promotional efforts. Similarly, while the band was in Germany as part of the 2015 tour, [Blackmore] refused to appear for six television appearances and refused to cooperate in the release of between 25 and 30 'yellow press' and tabloid media stories. [Blackmore] also refused to appear for two interviews set with Bild magazine during his time in Germany. [Blackmore] did so despite Frontiers having stressed to [the guitarist] the importance of the Bild magazine interviews, with Frontiers reminding [Blackmore] that Bild magazine was Germany's leading national publication. While an article eventually appeared in Bild magazine based on an interview conducted in the United States, significant promotional opportunities were missed as a result of [Blackmore's] failure to cooperate while in Germany.

"In addition to the failures [described] above, throughout the 2015 tour, and onreturning from the 2015 tour, [Blackmore] refused to make the band available for promotional opportunities in multiple countries, including in the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Each of these four countries had been designated 'main territories' for promotion pursuant to the promotional clause of the agreement.

"After returning from the 2015 tour, [Blackmore] refused an interview that had been arranged with Young Guitar magazine. Young Guitar is an influential rock magazine in Japan and the interview that was refused was a significant promotional opportunity.

"No permissible excuse was provided by [Blackmore] for the band's failure to participate in the arranged promotional opportunities in Japan.

"During the 2015 tour, and after returning from the tour, [Blackmore] refused numerous promotional opportunities in the United Kingdom. [Blackmore] refused interviews and features with Mojo and Uncut, the two leading British music magazines. [Blackmore] also refused interviews with Guitarist and Total Guitar, two other national magazines, and with both The Chronicle and Northern Echo newspapers. [Blackmore] similarly refused interviews that Frontiers had arranged with the following websites: Metalexpressradio.com, Musicradar website, RealXS Radio, Penwith Radio Cornwall, EKR.net radio and Future Radio, among others.

"During the 2015 tour, and after returning from the tour, [Blackmore] refused to participate in a major promotional opportunity that Frontiers had arranged in Sweden. Significantly, [Blackmore] refused to participate in an interview with Sweden Rock Magazine, an influential rock magazine that had offered to write a substantial article on the band and the album.

"After returning from the tour, [Blackmore] refused to participate in a significant promotional opportunity in Italy, where Frontiers is based. Specifically, [Blackmore] and the band refused to appear on a 'prime time' evening show, 'Gazebo', which aired on RAI TV, the principal national Italian television network.

"In addition to his failings in the overseas market, [Blackmore] failed to use his 'reasonable best efforts' to support Frontiers' efforts to promote the album in the United States.

"Beginning as early as August 2015, when the band returned to the United States,[Blackmore] repeatedly failed to comply with Frontiers' request that [the guitarist] coordinate with Frontiers' digital marketing campaign, including Frontiers' requests that postings be made on [Blackmore's] and the band's social media sites, and certain promotional graphics and materials be used on those social media sites.

"On several occasions, [Blackmore] and his management failed to post promotional messages entirely, and on others, [the guitarist] posted incorrect or untimely information about the album release date.

"[Blackmore] failed on several occasions to include information and links to purchase the album from Frontiers on the band’s social media sites. [Blackmore's] failure to include payment information prevented customers from purchasing the album digitally, and thus directly affected the sales of the album by Frontiers.

"[Blackmore] also failed to respond to numerous requests from Frontiers and its local promotional partners regarding marketing of the album at medieval fairs being held in the United States.

"Medieval fairs are popular venues for the band's fans, and thus promotion of the album at such fairs was a major promotional opportunity to increase public awareness of the album.

"On multiple occasions, [Blackmore] refused to participate in arranged promotional activities based on [his] position that he would only participate jointly in interviews with Night if they were 'major' interviews. [Blackmore] also imposed other conditions on his participation in promotional efforts, including such demands as requiring that his interview be a 'cover'story, and that any story or interview be given prominence in the publication or broadcast.

"Throughout 2015 and 2016, [Blackmore's] refusals to participate in Frontiers' numerous promotional efforts on his behalf harmed the sales of the album. In the absence of a viable promotional campaign, many potential customers were unaware of the new album, and album sales suffered.

"Compared to past albums released by Blackmore, 'All Our Yesterdays' failed to hit critical sales markers in the first months after its release, despite [Frontiers'] sustained efforts to publicize the release. Both digital and traditional formats of the album were available for purchase, but both categories suffered due to the lack of publicity occasioned by Blackmore's failure to use his 'reasonable best efforts' to promote the album in each international territory.

"On December 18, 2015, Frontiers sent a letter [Blackmore] detailing a number of his failures to promote the album and notifying him that he was in breach of the agreement. The December letter requested a response from [Blackmore] within 20 days. [Blackmore] failed to respond, in writing or otherwise, to the December letter."

Frontiers is seeking a minimum of $150,000 in damages.

According to the New York Post, a lawyer for Blackmore denied the allegations, calling them "ludicrous."

Comedian Jim Breuer is continuing to change his tune regarding comments he made on his podcast about AC/DC singer Brian Johnson telling him he felt "kicked to the curb" when the band announced it will reschedule shows without him. AC/DC recently postponed the last ten shows on its latest North American trek after it was reported that Johnson's doctors advised him to come off the road or face "total hearing loss."

On the latest installment of his "The Metal In Me" podcast, Breuer attempted to further explain his comments and revealed his embarrassment over revealing details of his private conversations with the singer.

Asked whether he thought the members of AC/DC were angry at him, Breuer said: "No. I think a little bit of… invasion of privacy. I apologized… I talked in a conversation, not realizing it would be that crazy. It was a very intimate, private conversation that I kinda put out there."

The comedian went on to admit that he felt "like an asshole" for what he said and made it clear that the "kicked to the curb" quote had come from him and not Johnson. "[It was] not fabricated, but, you know … I also left out a lot, you know," he said. "Like Brian going on about how great [AC/DC guitarist] Angus [Young] is, and he's the messiah and all this jazz. I just didn't know it would be that crazy. I didn't even read anything. I was too mortified that I kinda invaded their privacy, and… I felt really bad. I still feel really bad. I feel awful. I should have called and said, 'Hey, man, I was talking on a podcast and I kinda mentioned some things.'"

Breuer added: "I was talking as a friend and a fan. I was, like, 'What the hell, man?' I just felt terrible. But it's not my right to do that, you know what I mean? It's not my right to go out and say, 'Hey, heres what happened, and here's the official word, and here's what's going on.'"

In his original comments, Breuer said he saw Johnson in Sarasota, Florida on March 11, where the singer told him that his doctor had confirmed some hearing loss during the first, mostly outdoor, leg of AC/DC's world tour. Breuer said at the time that Johnson told him: "The doctor said, 'Now you're gonna go out and do indoor shows? I do not put my name on this. You're a grown man. You make a decision, but I would not mess around with this at all.'"

Johnson then went to Angus Young and AC/DC management to explain the situation, according to Breuer, who said: "Brian said that he called and let AC/DC and Young know, 'Hey, this is what the doctor said, but let's try to figure this out. I don't think it's as bad as he said it is.' Literally the next day in the press, it was 'Brian Johnson, tour canceled, he's losing his hearing.'"

Breuer continued: "Johnson said he just called and gave that information. He didn't say he wanted to quit. He didn't say he was done. He called with that information, and two days later, he read in the papers and heard on Twitter and everywhere else, 'Brian Johnson going deaf canceling tour.' A day later, and it was, 'Oh, we're gonna have guest singers.'"

Shockingly, Breuer added that Johnson suspected that he has already been replaced in AC/DC. Breuer said: "He feels like he heard from someone that they already hired somebody, it just hasn't been announced yet."

Breuer said that Johnson still felt like a "hired gun" after 36 years, and that Angus Young as the band's youngest member wants to keep going for another decade and at least one more album and tour.

Johnson has been the band's singer since 1980, when he replaced the late Bon Scott. He made his recording debut with the group on the classic "Back In Black".

AC/DC has been on the road since last year in support of its 16th studio album, "Rock Or Bust". The band has said it will make up the postponed dates, possibly with a "guest vocalist."

Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) was interviewed on a recent edition of the SiriusXM show "Dirty Sexy Funny" with host Jenny McCarthy. You can now listen to the chat below.

Asked if he has spoken to Ozzy about possibly playing together again, Zakk said: "Well, my relationship with [Ozzy]… He's the godfather of [my] oldest son, so I mean… And Sharon [Ozzy's wife and manager], I love her like a mother. So, our relationship is bigger than the music. If they called me up and asked me to come over, bring some eggs and milk over to the house and clean the dog run 'cause they had company coming over, I'd do it. But if Ozz ever wants to do anything, we'd do it. But Gus [G.], who plays guitar with him now in the solo band, I'm buddies with Gus, and Gus is a phenomenal, shredding, awesome guitar player and awesome dude. But, nah, I mean, Gus is the guitar player now, but if Ozz ever asked me… Like I said, if Gus's wide was pregnant and they were having kids and he was, like, 'Gus is gonna be down for three months, 'cause he wants to be home. Can you come out on the road?' I'd do it. That's the way we roll."

In a 2010 interview with Metal Insider, current Ozzy guitarist Gus G. said that he "wouldn't be surprised" if Ozzy one day felt like playing with Zakk again. He said: "For me, when I was growing up, Zakk was there. The first time I ever saw on TV, Zakk Wylde was on guitar. From my generation, Zakk Wylde was the man. As a fan above all, I know these guys, they're like family more than just a team. So I definitely wouldn't be surprised if one day he would jam again with Ozzy. I know these guys love each other."

He continued: "Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way, but as a fan, trying to look from the outside, I mean I grew up watching Ozzy and Zakk together and that's all I'm saying. I also know that Zakk's been in and out of the band as well a couple of times. But with all that said, I'm very happy and feel very honored that I have this position right now and am there doing it."

Since leaving Ozzy's band in 2009, Zakk has played a number of shows — including a 2012 European festival run — with his former employer as a guest guitarist.

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

Glenn Danzig's NSFW (not safe for work) video for his cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "N.I.B." can be seen below. (***Warning: The clip contains partial female nudity.***) The track is taken from Glenn's covers record, "Skeletons", which came out last November in North America via Nuclear Blast Entertainment/Evilive Music.

A labor of love that dates back to 1979, "Skeletons" sees Danzig pulling back the curtain behind his influences with a collection of ten covers spanning artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, ZZ TOP, and AEROSMITH to BLACK SABBATH, THE TROGGS, THE EVERLY BROTHERS, and more. Recording intermittently between 2012 and 2015 in Los Angeles, he reveals the bone structure for his own style.

"These are my skeletons," he affirms. "You may or may not know that I dig these songs. You could say that some of this music is the actual basis and skeleton of what I listened to growing up — ultimately informing the kind of music I like. It's the foundation. If you took Elvis and SABBATH out of my life, I probably wouldn't be the Glenn Danzig you know! I'm glad both sides are represented on this record."

Among the tracks, he takes Presley's "Let Yourself Go" from the film "Speedway" and transforms it with a swinging distorted stomp and bluesy vocal crescendo. "I thought it was a song I could do something really cool with," he says. "It's also something that I didn't think anyone would necessarily expect. When you tell them you're going to do an Elvis cover, they expect something they know. Not a lot of people know this one. It's actually on the ''68 Comeback Special', and it's worth going back to."

He also "Danzig-ized" SABBATH's "N.I.B.", beginning with just guitar, vocals, and half-beat drums bolstered by ominous church bells. Meanwhile, AEROSMITH's "Lord Of The Thighs" grows exponentially heavier in his hands with a swell of pinch harmonics and robust riffing.

"People might be surprised I like that second AEROSMITH record, 'Get Your Wings'. There are tracks on there, especially 'Lord Of Your Thighs', that stand out to me. However, if you hear theirs and then you hear ours, ours is much heavier," he grins.

A rousing cover of THE LITTER's "Action Woman" opens a window into his pre-punk and garage roots, while Danzig brings a blast of intensity to ZZ TOP's "Rough Boy", turning it into a metallic freight train. "I always thought it was such a great song," he continues. "I wanted to make it more linear and run all the way through."

THE TROGGS' "A Girl Like You" becomes a punkified juggernaut in his hands with its fuzzed-out guitars, pounding drums and the trademark Danzig sing-a-long choruses.

He captures the rebellious spirit of the sixties outlaw biker films with a punked-out take on "Devil's Angels" from the "Devil's Angels" soundtrack complete with his old school MISFITS Dallas Arbiter Jumbo-Fuzz Pedal. Then, Danzig adds a countrified spark to "Satan" from "Satan's Sadists", which, he assures, "You might be surprised, but I didn't change any of the lyrics. I didn't have to!"

Danzig's interpretation of "Crying In The Rain" from THE EVERLY BROTHERS instantly captivates. Accompanied only by piano, guitar, and tympani, he accomplishes the mission of making it more "ethereal, sparse, dark, and haunting."

Ultimately, "Skeletons" sparks the next phase for Danzig. Helping catalyze his next full-length offering, it's yet another revolution. "I hope people dig it," he leaves off. "I also hope it gives everybody a little bit of insight into the music I listen to and maybe an insight into how I did the songs. If you enjoy it, that's great."

"Skeletons" track listing:

01. Devil's Angels (DAVIE ALLAN & THE ARROWS cover)02. Satan (theme from "Satan's Sadists")03. Let Yourself Go (ELVIS PRESLEY cover)04. N.I.B. (BLACK SABBATH cover)05. Lord Of The Thighs (AEROSMITH cover)06. Action Woman (THE LITTER cover)07. Rough Boy (ZZ TOP cover)08. With A Girl Like You (THE TROGGS cover)09. Find Somebody (THE RASCALS cover)10. Crying In The Rain (THE EVERLY BROTHERS cover)

The "Skeletons" cover artwork, featuring Glenn and model Kayden Kross in "Skullface," can be seen below.

According to Glenn, the full skull makeup which he wore for the first time since his MISFITS days nearly 40 years ago for the "Skeletons" photo shoot was inspired by legendary singer-songwriter David Bowie.

"One of my favorite covers records is David Bowie's 'Pinups' and I wanted to do a take on that and the record is called 'Skeletons' so I decided I'd do the skull face," he told OC Weekly.

Photo credit: Paul Brown

Heavy Metal Bands Info recently conducted an interview with FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Heavy Metal Bands Info: You are about to tour the U.S. again in April with your "Demanufacture" twentieth-anniversary show.

Dino: "We will be playing 'Demanufacture' in its entirety. We did it in Europe and we did it in Australia a couple of years ago and now it's going to be America's turn. We wanna commemorate and celebrate a really good album — actually, one of our greatest albums. It's the album that really took us to the next level. A lot of people discovered us on that record. It's definitely one of the fans' favorites. It came up on twenty years last year and now we can't wait to do it live. We love it. Australia is the first country that 'Demanufacture' went gold in. It was the first country. Then, of course, it was England and other countries to follow and so on and so on."

Heavy Metal Bands Info: You have always been quite innovative. [FEAR FACTORY's latest album] "Genexus" is no exemption. Where do you get your inspiration from these days?

Dino: "I think it's something that's in us. I think something you love to do is gonna show. For us, we still love going on the road, we still love going to other countries, we still love playing music, and it shows. When we were making that record, we thought, 'How do we stay relevant?' The band is together for twenty-five years now. How do we stay relevant? How do we create something that is still pushing the boundaries forward? For us, the inspiration came from some of our past music. We looked into what makes FEAR FACTORY what it is. Let's go back and try to re-live — in our memories — what it was like to create the first album and 'Demanufacture'. What was it like creating these great albums? Mentally, we got into a mindset of turning all those great experiences into something new. Basically, we didn't want to change our sound but concentrate on writing good songs. We took our time in the writing process and in the studio to let the songs marinate. We listened to the songs over and over again. Then we found out the good parts and the bad parts. This is how you create well-crafted songs. Then it turns out to be an amazing record. That's what we did. Some people said that it reminds them of 'Demanufacture'. I kinda have to agree with all of that. There are elements of our past but I think the main thing that's in there is the energy of the past. To create such an album, you have to have the passion. That's what we have. We still have that passion. We still have that drive to do FEAR FACTORY and tour the world."

Read the entire interview at Heavy Metal Bands Info.

A list of all upcoming FEAR FACTORY tour dates can be found at FearFactory.com

Lizzy Borden has spent over three decades creating some of the most theatrical metal in existence, releasing classics such as "Love You To Pieces" (1985) and "Master Of Disguise" (1989), while obliterating audiences worldwide with a stage show that rivals that of Marilyn Manson and Alice Cooper. For his efforts, he has become nothing short of a metal icon. Now, to take the next step in furthering his career, Lizzy Borden has signed a worldwide solo artist deal with Metal Blade Records — the label that helped to launch him to commercial success over 30 years ago. Ready to once again captivate both veteran and adolescent metal fans alike, Lizzy Borden plans to release a new album in 2016 and tour the world in support of it, with a reinvigorated band backing him up.

Lizzy Borden comments: "I am extremely happy to re-sign with the same label we started with all those years ago . I'm excited to be working with Brian Slagel and all the Metal Blade family again. It's been my home for all six of our (full-length) studio albums — with the new record being the seventh, and the start of a new series of albums to come.

"My focus for the last several years has been performing live and exposing my brand of American metal to countries all over the world. Now I feel is the right time to step back and push the re-start button. Time to get back to the art of creating new music.

"Touring around the world and having new fans discover Lizzy Borden for the first time has been rejuvenating, and so a new album seems like the perfect way to bridge the past with the future.

"I will take this part of my journey and these next series of albums as a solo artist, as I have for some of the past Lizzy Borden records and tours.

"I look forward to working with many different established musicians and friends, as well as some undiscovered talent like we have been lucky enough to unearth in the past.

"To all of our fans that have followed Lizzy Borden from the beginning and all the new younger fans who have just discovered us, I hope you will come along with me for this next chapter. I am inspired, excited and ready to begin again."

Lizzy Borden has spent the past few years working on material for the follow-up to 2007's "Appointment With Death" album.

Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" recently conducted an interview with legendary hard rock vocalist Graham Bonnet (RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, ALCATRAZZ, IMPELLITTERI). You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the state of the music business:

Graham: "I think it's gone down the shitter, basically. The music business right now is nonexistent. If you don't go out and play, nobody knows you exist. Nobody buys CDs anymore; everybody's downloading and listening to music through little tiny… those little earphones that don't really give you the true vibe. The music business… If I was in it now, I would get out; I really would. 'Cause it's non-productive. Everything is Auto-Tuned and plastic and disco. I don't really like what's going on right now; there's nothing new. The new rock bands that are around now, there's nothing I've heard that makes me kind of go, 'Wow, that's different or good.' It's all rehashed, sort of LED ZEPPELIN copy bands. It's…. I don't know… just not very inspiring. That's why I'm looking forward to actually doing something new with [GRAHAM BONNET BAND]."

On what advice he would give to his younger self:

Graham: "Don't do it! [Laughs] Get a real job. Yeah, look after… [I would tell myself to] look after the business side more than I did. Because I'm not Mr. Businessman at all. From the word 'go,' when I was 19 years old, back in the '60s, when we first started to record, my cousin and I, everything was taken care of — our tax, our housing, our blah blah blah… everything! I never signed a check ever, or anything, so I was totally shielded from the real world. And to this day, I'm still a baby when it comes to the biz, 'cause I don't know what to do. You know, taxes… What do you mean? What do I do? What form? I don't know what they are. I know people that are my age that are the same. And they don't drive. I don't drive. Ritchie [Blackmore, RAINBOW leader] didn't drive until, probably, twelve years ago. He didn't drive either, because there's always someone to take you wherever you're doing. I was spoiled, like all the other brats back then; I was one of them. So the business side is something that, I think, kids now actually do look at; they're more business savvy than I was."

In 1979, Bonnet auditioned for the frontman position in RAINBOW. With his James Dean image, the choice of Bonnet to replace Ronnie James Dio was subject to some questions. However, once the band heard Bonnet sing, they knew they had their man. With Bonnet at the mic, they recorded the "Down To Earth" LP, which became one of RAINBOW's most successful releases.

Graham moved on from RAINBOW in the early '80s to work on his solo career. He also played with MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, recorded several albums with ALCATRAZZ and had a short stint with IMPELLITTERI.

Judas Priest guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner recently spoke with Guitar World about their new live release, Battle Cry. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

Q: When you went into to do the Wacken show, were you planning to do a DVD or did the footage dictate that it should be released?

Faulkner: "We were aware it was being filmed. We weren’t aware of how it was going to turn out, obviously. Wacken films the headliners, if not most of the bands. When the footage became available and we saw it, we thought it was a no-brainer. We saw the production, the crowd, the energy and we thought it would be a great thing to put out. We thought it was a great performance to give to Tom Allen and mix properly and put out to the fans around the world."

Q: Does it make it more interesting to you as a player to play some of the new material?

Tipton: "It is and particularly this time with 'Halls of Valhalla', 'Dragonaut', 'March of the Damned' and sometimes four or five songs off of the new album. It’s a lot, really. The kids want to hear their old favorites and they may not be that familiar with the new stuff at that point in time. Everyone asks us if we get fed up playing 'Another Thing Coming', 'Hell Bent for Leather' or 'Living After Midnight' and the fact is that the kids want to hear them. As soon as you strike them up in front of an audience it is like the first time you ever played it. It’s so enjoyable and the audience is singing along. Our concerts are a union with Judas Priest and the audience. When we play numbers that fans can sing along with the atmosphere is so electrifying that you never get fed up with these songs."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

On March 25th, Judas Priest will release Battle Cry. Recorded live on August 1st, 2015 at Germany's Wacken Festival in front of an audience of 85,000 people, Battle Cry is available on a 15-track CD, with the entire show on Blu-Ray and DVD (running over 94 minutes), as well as digital audio and video formats. The DVD and Blu-Ray also contains three bonus tracks shot in Poland on December 10th, 2015 at The Ergo Arena in Gdansk.

Check out “Halls Of Valhalla” from the upcoming release, streaming below:

"The Priest is back! Bringing you molten metal mayhem captured live, we're coming at you in full force on Battle Cry. This is Priest burning up and delivering the goods for all our metalheads around the world like never before - so hold tight and turn it up as we roar you through a night of screaming heavy-metal magic keeping the faith alive!"

Battle Cry CD sequence:

“(Intro) Battle Cry”
“Dragonaut”
“Metal Gods”
“Devil’s Child”
“Victim Of Changes”
“Halls Of Valhalla”
“Redeemer Of Souls”
“Beyond The Realms Of Death”
“Jawbreaker”
“Breaking The Law”
“Hell Bent For Leather”
“The Hellion”
“Electric Eye”
“You’ve Got Another Thing Coming”
“Painkiller”

Battle Cry DVD / Blu-Ray sequence:

“(Intro) Battle Cry”
“Dragonaut”
“Metal Gods”
“Devil’s Child”
“Victim Of Changes”
“Halls Of Valhalla”
“Redeemer Of Souls”
“Beyond The Realms Of Death”
“Jawbreaker”
“Breaking The Law”
“Hell Bent For Leather”
“The Hellion”
“Electric Eye”
“You’ve Got Another Thing Coming”
“Painkiller”
“Living After Midnight”

Bonus tracks:

“Screaming For Vengeance”
“The Rage”
“Desert Plains”

"The Hellion" / "Electric Eye“:

"Breaking The Law”:

“Metal Gods“:



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"Send Me Home", a brand new song from ASKING ALEXANDRIA, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "The Black", which will be released on March 25 via Sumerian Records.

Life is all about how quickly you get back up. In January 2015, everything changed for ASKING ALEXANDRIA. The chart- topping, gold-selling U.K. hard rock outfit parted ways with singer and founding member Danny Worsnop. On the outside, the future might've seemed uncertain — even grim — to some, but Ben Bruce (lead guitar, vocals), James Cassells (drums), Cameron Liddell (rhythm guitar) and Sam Bettley (bass) dusted themselves off, lifted their chins, and got right back up. "We hadn't reached our destination yet, and Danny had," admits Bruce. "I think it was necessary. When it happened, I was devastated. I lost my best friend. We even started referring to this part of our career as 'the black period.' It was the darkest time, but we weren't going to give up. If he hadn't left, I don't think we would've been as inspired as we were. I also don’t think ASKING ALEXANDRIA would still be around. Instead, we're more excited than ever about this band." In order to properly do that, the band actually turned to a fan. Ukrainian singer Denis Shaforostov gained notoriety posting ASKING ALEXANDRIA covers on YouTube and consequentially inked a deal with Sumerian in his band DOWN AND DIRTY. Bruce shot him an e-mail one night. The next day, a new ASKING ALEXANDRIA song had vocals and a new era in the band's history took form.

"The Black" track listing:

01. Let It Sleep02. The Black03. I Won't Give In04. Sometimes It Ends05. The Lost Souls06. Just A Slave To Rock N Roll07. Send Me Home08. We'll Be Okay09. Here I Am10. Gone11. Undivided12. Circled By The Wolves

A Tribute To Peter Criss And KISS - Faith And Will Vol. 1 will be released on April 4th in both digital downloads and physical CD formats. Also a limited edition deluxe package containing a bonus autographed 8x10 from all the musicians on the CD, a pair of commemorative “Catman” drumsticks and more. This 16 song disc release is packed with some greatest hits, B-side favourites and deep KISS Kuts for the most die hard fan.

Jéan "Boomer" Grenier (Bottoms Up, Scarab, and formally of The Hounds Of Hallelvander with Joe Hasselvander of Raven) and Vinny Nault (Close Range) decided to record some KISS songs but for a purpose. They both have dealt, and are still dealing with the devastating and horrible disease of cancer in their families as well as everyone that participated in this project. They wanted to do something that could help make a difference no matter how big or small. The effort is what counts...right? They decided that since the music of KISS has helped them though their own lives and made an impact, maybe they could help others with these classic songs that their rock heroes created. As the recording process continued the light bulb goes off. Two of the most influential drummers in KISS have both dealt with cancer. Unfortunately Eric Carr lost his battle but Peter Criss has since won. They decided to make the first CD with all classic renditions of classic KISS songs and as tribute to a legend who fights for a cure and continues to draw awareness to this disease.

Peter Criss has been extremely instrumental in their, and all the musicians on this CD's music careers. More importantly and inspiration to never give up and always fight. Wether it be for a small life accomplishment, a dream, or cure of a disease to continue life.. Peter has expressed all of this openly and publicly through his voice and his music. They all wish Peter and all those who battle against this dreaded disease continued success in their fight. To all of those (KISS fans or not) that have been affected by someone that continues the battle against cancer or for those that have passed.... This CD is for you!

Please consider helping with the cause to raise money for cancer research and hopefully a cure. 100% of the proceeds of this CD will be donated to a worthy cancer foundation in the name of The KISS Army or to individuals directly!! All the artists on this effort thank you for your support and hope you enjoy what is on the CD, and the versions of their favourite songs. Hopefully some of them will be your favourites as well.

Again, 100% of the sales of this CD will go to help cancer victims and their families in their battle against this horrible disease everyone knows to well. We all know or have been directly affected by a cancer story, a friend or family member who are fighting or that have been taken from us. We believe in strength in numbers, and that can help make this CD and project a success to help the cause. Please join us and spread the word to KISS fans and music fans everywhere. We all know KISS fans are the greatest and loyal fans in the world. Please help us to help others.

Tracklisting:

“Strange Ways”
“Take Me”
“Deuce”
“Love Her All I Can”
“Larger Than Life”
“Getaway”
“I Want You”
“Plaster Caster”
“All American Man”
“100,000 Years”
“Detroit Rock City”
“Watching You”
“Love Gun”
“Hard Luck Woman”
“Almost Human”
“Black Diamond”

“Strange Ways”:

Check out this interview with Jéan "Boomer" Grenier, talking about the project from the 2016 NAMM Show:

For more info on this CD and ordering info, head here.



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