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

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

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

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

–KING CONQUER“

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more at this location.

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

Trailer:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wino announced The Obsessed's return back in March:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

(Photo - Robert Orsa Photography)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

"Magma" track listing:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Bones Of A Dying World tracklisting:

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

“Berlin”:

“Earth Crawler”:

“Solstice”:

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

If These Trees Could Talk album release shows:

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

If These Trees Could Talk lineup:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose played his fifth show as the temporary frontman for AC/DC on Thursday night (May 19) at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, Austria.

For the Vienna concert, Rose was only partly confined to a throne after snapping his metatarsal bone while singing during GUNS N' ROSES' Troubadour reunion show on April 1. It is the same custom throne Dave Grohl used last year for FOO FIGHTERS concerts after breaking a leg.

The setlist for the Vienna show:

01. Rock Or Bust02. Shoot To Thrill03. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be04. Back In Black05. Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder06. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap07. Rock 'N' Roll Damnation08. Thunderstruck09. High Voltage10. Rock 'N' Roll Train11. Hells Bells12. Givin' The Dog A Bone13. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)14. Sin City15. You Shook Me All Night Long16. Shot Down In Flames17. Have A Drink On Me18. T.N.T.19. Whole Lotta Rosie20. Let There Be Rock

Encore:

21. Highway To Hell22. Riff Raff23. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

Rose told NME in a new interview that he didn't speak with Brian Johnson before temporarily replacing the latter as frontman for AC/DC, saying it was only because he didn't have enough time. Rose explained: "I have not spoken with Brian. We haven't spoken much about Brian. There hasn't been any negative talk with the guys or anything — it's just the time schedule of having to get things together for the shows, while I also had GUNS N' ROSES commitments, and then breaking the foot."

Rose took over the mic in AC/DC after Johnson was warned by doctors that he would face a total loss of his hearing if he stayed on the road. Rose is slated for now to play AC/DC's current run of European shows as well as ten postponed North American gigs.

Rose also spoke about his injured foot, saying: "The day I found out it was broken I left the hospital to rehearse. My only day off was the surgery day, and the next day was back to rehearsals."

The singer said he had "about twenty rehearsals" with AC/DC, adding, "If I really screw up, they can blame me for that, because I did have good rehearsals."

Rose reached out to AC/DC himself after hearing about Johnson's misfortune. Guitarist Angus Young said: "A lot of people were putting people forward. You get a lot of people. The modern world being what it is, everyone's, 'Well, I can sing a song.'" AC/DC did audition at least two tribute band singers during their search.

Rose recently indicated that he's willing to continue with AC/DC past the 22 shows he's contracted for. He will have to take a break from them this summer, however, for his North American stadium run with GUNS N' ROSES.

On Jeff Beck's forthcoming studio album "Loud Hailer", his first in six years, the legendary guitarist combines fluid fretwork with topical lyrics to make a powerful statement about everything from the love of power, to the power of love. "Loud Hailer" will be available on Atco Records, an imprint of Rhino Entertainment, on July 15 on CD ($18.98), LP ($21.98), and digitally. "Loud Hailer", which is another name for a megaphone, is a suitable moniker for an album that isn't shy about speaking its mind. The two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer explains: "I really wanted to make a statement about some of the nasty things I see going on in the world today, and I loved the idea of being at a rally and using this loud device to shout my point of view." The album's first single, the riotous rocker "Live In The Dark", will be unleashed soon. To help him write the 11 tracks on "Loud Hailer", Beck enlisted two fierce young females from London: singer Rosie Bones and guitarist Carmen Vandenberg. It was a chance meeting with Vandenberg last year at a birthday party for QUEEN drummer Roger Taylor that eventually led to the trio's collaboration. "She invited me to one of their shows, and I was blown away," the guitarist recalls. "When we got together in January, I explained the subject matter I had in mind, we sat down by the fire with a crate of Prosecco and got right to it. The songs came together very quickly; five in three days." Beck produced "Loud Hailer" with Filippo Cimatti, who also works with Rosie and Carmen. In addition to the core trio, the album also features drummer Davide Sollazzi and bassist Giovanni Pallotti, who were both recruited by Cimatti. Bones lends her powerful voice to nine of the 11 songs on "Loud Hailer", including the intense album opener "The Revolution Will Be Televised", the reflective ballad "Scared For The Children", the funk-infused "O.I.L." and the tranquil album closer "Shrine". The album is rounded out by two signature Beck instrumentals in "Pull It" and "Edna". A few days after the album's release, Beck will launch a summer tour of the U.S. with blues legend Buddy Guy. And on August 10, Beck, with special guests to be announced shortly, will make his Hollywood Bowl debut for a very special, career-spanning concert that celebrate 50 years of "dynamic music making." "It will be head teacher Beck in a gown and mortar board in front of the class giving everyone a history lesson," he jokes. The show will also include an orchestra. Over the course of Beck's illustrious 50-year career, the trailblazing guitarist has earned many accolades. He has twice been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame — first as a member of THE YARDBIRDS in 1992 and then again, as a solo artist, in 2009. Rolling Stone ranked him as one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and he has earned a total of eight Grammy Awards during his long career. In addition, Beck has been a guest performer at scores of sessions with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Buddy Guy to Tina Turner and Mick Jagger. Throughout his career, Beck routinely makes the fantastically difficult sound effortless. In addition to recording "Loud Hailer", Beck has been hard at work on his first official book, "BECK01" (Genesis Publications). Available on July 12, this signed, limited edition book explores Beck's passions for hot rodding and rock 'n' roll. Inspired by the sleek curves, luxurious finish and iconic imagery of the hot rods he builds, "BECK01" is hand-bound in leather and aluminum with every book numbered and personally signed by the author, Jeff Beck. The guitarist's handpicked selection of more than 400 rare and unseen photographs and items of memorabilia is narrated with an original manuscript of nearly 20,000 words, making "BECK01" the definitive visual and historical record of the dynamic musician. Included is an eloquent foreword by John McLaughlin that begins, "Jeff Beck is my all-time favourite guitarist, what do I say after that?" Indeed. "Loud Hailer" track listing: 01. The Revolution Will Be Televised02. Live In The Dark03. Pull It04. Thugs Club05. Scared For The Children06. Right Now07. Shame08. Edna09. The Ballad Of The Jersey Wives10. O.I.L.11. Shrine

Inquisition are streaming a track off their forthcoming new album, Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith. The song, titled "Wings Of Anu" can be heard via the YouTube clip below.

Regarding the track, guitarist/vocalist Dagon comments: "Anu is the god of all gods, the cosmos, the all. His seeds were dropped to the soil of earth and life was spawned. His wings represent those who came here and seeded the earth. Still today those wings continue to return and are at times seen in the skies in various forms in the most unnatural forms transcending through interstellar portals to earth."

Bloodshed Across... will be released by Season Of Mist worldwide on August 26th. The artwork and tracklisting can be found below. Pre-orders across several CD and LP formats, including several limited edition bundles, are available at the Season of Mist e-shop.

Their first new record in three years,Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith was recorded at the legendary London Bridge Studios in Seattle (Alice In Chains, Queensryche, Soundgarden) with long time engineer Arthur Rizk (Prurient, Power Trip).

Regarding the album, Dagon adds: "Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith represents a multi layered theme beginning with the universe as an infinite space of war between the cosmic gods of our creation, transcending into the spirit of our inner space which is an extension of the gods, and the connection between our species, our spirit, and the absolute universe as a whole as a result from the interstellar warfare. Inspired by the forces before creation, its mechanics and the ancient question/reason as to what placed us here as the most recent ruling species in such an instantaneous window of time."

"Intro: The Force Before Darkness"
"From Chaos They Came"
"Wings Of Anu"
"Vortex From The Celestial Flying Throne Of Storms"
"A Black Aeon Shall Cleanse"
"The Flames Of Infinite Blackness Before Creation"
"Mystical Blood"
"Through The Divine Spirit Of Satan A Glorious Universe Is Known"
"Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith"
"Power From The Center Of The Cosmic Black Spiral"
"A Magnificent Crypt Of Stars"
"Outro: The Invocation Of The Absolute, The All, The Satan"
"Coda: Hymn To The Cosmic Zenith"

 

 

Gruesome are streaming their Dimensions Of Horror EP in it’s entirety. Listen below. The EP is out tomorrow, May 20th, on CD, LP, cassette and digitally worldwide. Pre-orders are available at Relapse Records.

Self-produced by the band and recorded with Jarrett Pritchard at New Constellation Studios in Orlando, FL, 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.

Tracklisting:

“Forces Of Death”
“Raped By Darkness”
“Amputation”
“Hellbound”
“Seven Doors”
“Dimensions Of Horror”

EP stream:

“Dimensions Of Horror” video:

Trailer:

Check out "Revocation Of Humankind" - the opening track from the upcoming Blood Red Throne album entitled, Union Of Flesh And Machine, to be released in July by Spinefarm Records.

Tracklisting:

"Revocation Of Humankind"
"Proselyte Virus"
"Patriotic Hatred"
"Homicidal Ecstacy"
"Martyrized"
"Union Of Flesh And Machine"
"Legacy Of Greed"
"Exposed Mutation
"Primal Recoil"
"Leather Rebel"
"Mary Whispers Of Death"

 

"Tied Up", a brand new song from Long Beach, California's RIVAL SONS, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Hollow Bones", due on June 10 via Earache

RIVAL SONS' fifth studio album features nine brand new tracks of electrifying rock 'n' soul, including a breathtaking cover of "Black Coffee".

With a huge range of "Hollow Bones" products available, including limited-edition gold, silver and transparent vinyl, plus ultra-limited signed CD and vinyl editions, there's something for everyone from the casual fan to the die-hard collector.

Once again recorded with two-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb, "Hollow Bones" follows the release of RIVAL SONS' chart-hitting 2014 album "Great Western Valkyrie". Since then, the band has appeared on "Later... With Jools Holland" in the U.K. and "The Late Show With David Letterman" in the USA, performed at the iconic Glastonbury and Isle Of Wight festivals and sold out countless headlining shows.

Always a band who feel artwork is as much a part of the album experience as the music, their first outing was a collaboration with legendary artist Storm Thorgerson, known for many iconic album covers from the likes of PINK FLOYD and LED ZEPPELIN. This time they have teamed up with artist Martin Wittfooth, whose intensely allegorical paintings all suggest the future of the human condition — without showing a single person — on a piece called "Rainsong". Guitarist Scott Holiday commented: "I discovered Martin Wittfooth about halfway through making 'Hollow Bones'. I was immediately drawn into his work. I loved his imagery with animals and felt it was calm and unnerving all at the same time. I also loved the touch of whimsy and beautiful psychedelic overtones he used. First time I saw his work, I immediately felt it was right for this album.

"I won't try to overly interpret the album cover or explain in detail why I believe it works perfectly with the album… but I can safely say I think this just might be my favorite cover of ours yet."

Having recently supported the legendary BLACK SABBATH on "The End" world tour, and with the upcoming release of yet another jaw-dropping record, 2016 looks set to be RIVAL SONS' best year yet.

In the words of frontman Jay Buchanan: "Each record we've made has been part of a distillation toward revealing the band's essence. This record finally is the release of the unapologetic, wild beast that has long lived within the ribs of RIVAL SONS howling to be freed."

Brian Rademacher of RockEyez recently conducted an interview with CRASHDÏET guitarist and SWEET CREATURE frontman Martin Sweet. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Speaking about vocalist Simon Cruz's sudden departure from CRASHDÏET in January 2015, Sweet said: "Well, he left the group when we were in Tokyo [Japan]. We had two shows to play — two shows in a row; like maybe Saturday and Sunday, or something like that. We were opening for EUROPE. And after the first show, he left home to Sweden without announcing anything. But he had been acting weird for some time before."

He continued: "We've been through some rough times, with our manager dying in the midst of our world tour. And I don't know… He changed after Michael Sundén died, and he seemed to be having a lot of personal stuff going on. And we actually wanted to cancel the Japanese tour, 'cause we didn't think he was fit for it, but he was stubborn, as he is, and he went to Tokyo anyway. So we did what we could. I mean, we did a whole show; we did like an hour set, and it was fine. Then he left the morning after."

According to Sweet, Cruz's exit from CRASHDÏET came at a time when the band was already working on material for the follow-up to 2013's "The Savage Playground". "We had plans for the next album, and demos were being made," he said. "We had plans, but it just didn't work out. And then when [Simon] left, we kind of lost the spirit for a while."

Despite the fact that CRASHDÏET has been inactive for nearly a year and a half, Sweet insists that the band still has a future. "A lot of people are talking about, you know, they ask, 'Is CRASHDÏET over?' Fuck no!" he said. "CRASHDÏET is my main band, you know. And when the time is right, we will start the search for a new singer."

Martin does stress, however, that fans shouldn't expect to hear new music from CRASHDÏET for quite a while. "I don't think we have the energy to start a huge campaign about searching for singers right now," he said. "We get e-mails every now and then — or quite often, actually — [from singers offering their services] so we look at all of them and listen. But we're not actively searching for a new singer right now. We're just kind of trying to recoup and trying to get our lives together."

Cruz, who was previously a member of the Stockholm act JAILBAIT, joined CRASHDÏET in 2009 as the replacement for H. Olliver Twisted (now in RECKLESS LOVE).

Former CRASHDIET singer David Hellman (a.k.a. Dave Lepard) was found dead on January 20, 2006 at his apartment in the Swedish city of Uppsala, north of Stockholm. It was reported in several places that he hanged himself, although this was never officially confirmed.

"The Savage Playground" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 2. The CD was released in January 2013 via Frontiers.

CRASHDÏET released a DVD titled "Shattered Glass And Broken Bones – Three Years Of Generation Wild" on December 4, 2012. The disc featured three hours of live and behind-the-scenes footage complied by the band with Bear Productions.

THE APOCALYPSE BLUES REVUE (formerly BLUE CROSS BAND), the new project from GODSMACK's Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola, has inked a deal with Provogue. The band's debut album will be released later in the year.

THE APOCALYPSE BLUES REVUE, whose lineup is rounded out by frontman Ray Cerbone and bassist Brian Carpenter, honors blues traditions, while etching their stamp on the genre in blood. "As far as blues goes, APOCALYPSE BLUES REVUE is a little heavier, a little darker, and has some punk rock attitude in the lyrics," affirms Shannon. "We wanted to make something deep that will provoke thought. It had to be evil, though. We're not trying to make it happy. It's called blues for a reason! It was also an opportunity to show the world what a phenomenal guitar player Tony is." Shannon witnessed Tony's knack for the style firsthand while writing together for GODSMACK's 2010 offering "The Oracle". Burnt out on metal and hard rock, the pair would loosely jam without boundaries. During one impromptu session in their Southwest Florida rehearsal spot, the drummer laid down a slow, simmering groove, and another side of the guitar player reared its head. "I couldn't believe it," smiles Shannon. "I didn't even know he was into blues or could play the way he does. My reaction was immediate. We had to officially start a blues band.” Provogue/Mascot Label Group's CEO Ed van Zijl was equally impressed when he heard the band for the first time: "This is a very cool band and they made a very cool record," he says." Melodic and groovin' blues rock with touches of Hendrix and THE DOORS. The whole album sounds very organic and natural, great songs and vibe as if they have been playing together for a long time. I love it!"

Talking about joining the label, Larkin adds: "We looked at Mascot's roster and track record, and made the decision on the spot. We didn't feel we needed to shop the band to any other labels; it just felt too perfect."

Southern California’s Nails will release You Will Never Be One Of Us on June 17th via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Today, the band has released a music video for the track “Savage Intolerance”. Check it out below:

You Will Never Be One Of Us was recorded, mixed and produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge, High On Fire). Artwork was created by WHTHD. Pre-order the album in CD or vinyl format, with or without several bonus items, from the Nuclear Blast web shop. Pre-order the album digitally right now through iTunes or Amazon and receive the title track instantly.

You Will Never Be One Of Us tracklisting:

“You Will Never Be One Of Us”
“Friend To All”
“Made To Make You Fall”
“Life Is A Death Sentence”
“Violence Is Forever”
“Savage Intolerance”
“In Pain”
“Parasite”
“Into Quietus”
“They Come Crawling Back”

“You Will Never Be One Of Us” video:

Making-of documentary videos:

Part 1:

Part 2:

In support of their new album, Nails has announced several worldwide tour dates. Confirmed shows are listed below.

Tour dates:

June
11 - Sound and Fury Festival - Regent Theater - Los Angeles, CA

June (with Full Of Hell, God’s Hate, Eternal Sleep)
17 - The Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
18 - The Loving Touch - Femdale, MI
19 - Hard Luck - Toronto, ON CANADA
20 - Les Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QC CANADA
21 - Middle East - Cambridge, MA
22 - Marlin Room at Webster Hall - New York, NY
23 - Underground Arts - Philadelphia, PA
24 - Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
25 - Strange Matter - Richmond, VA

July (with Terrorizer, Freedom, Nomads)
20 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
21 - Constellation Room - Santa Ana, CA
22 - The Roxy Theatre - West Hollywood, CA
23 - Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA (no Terrorizer)

August
5 - This Is Hardcore Festival - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA

October
21 - Southwest Terror Fest - 191 Toole - Tucson, AZ

November (with Full Of Hell)
4 - Cathouse - Glasgow, Scotland
5 - Damnation Festival - Leeds, England
6 - The Fleece - Bristol, England
7 - Underworld - London, England
8 - Point Ephemere - Paris, France
9 - Trix - Antwerp, Belgium
10 - Underworld - Cologne, Germany
11 - Aalborg Metal Festival - Aalborg, Denmark
12 - Babel - Malmo, Sweden
13 - Hafenklang - Hamburg, Germany
14 - Musik & Frieden - Berlin, Germany
15 - Futurum - Prague, Czech
16 - Arena - Vienna, Austria
17 - Hansa 39 - Munich, Germany
18 - Keller Club - Stuttgart, Germany
19 - Doorroosje Indoor Fest - Nijmegen, Netherlands

(Photo - Jimmy Hubbard)

"Hated", a brand new song from Columbus, Ohio's BEARTOOTH, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Aggressive", which will be released on June 3 via Red Bull Records.

In the two short years since their debut album was cooked up in frontman Caleb Shomo's basement, BEARTOOTH has catapulted into heavy music's stratosphere. They have collected over ten million views on YouTube, trekked around the globe sharing the stage with SLIPKNOT, PIERCE THE VEIL, BRING ME THE HORIZON and SLEEPING WITH SIRENS and playing festivals like Reading and Leeds, Download and the Vans Warped Tour.

For "Aggressive", Shomo again retreated to his home studio to write, perform and produce the album's twelve tracks, re-teaming with John Feldmann (THE USED, BLINK-182) for a bit of songwriting contribution and enlisting David Bendeth (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, PARAMORE) to mix the release. The resulting songs have as much in common with stomping metalcore as old-school punk, vintage screamo and harder-edged pop punk, combining circle pit-inducing bangers with soaring choruses and bridging raw authentic intensity with accessibility.

"Aggressive" track listing:

01. Aggressive02. Hated03. Loser04. Fair Weather Friend05. Burnout06. Sick Of Me07. Censored08. Always Dead09. However You Want It Said10. Find A Way11. Rock Is Dead12. King Of Anything

Italian thrashers Extrema are preparing for the release of The Old School EP, set for May 27th by Punishment 18 Records. The EP will be released as digital version, CD and vinyl (250 copies limited edition), and will feature two powerful guests: Ralph Salati (Destrage) and Bob Capka (ex-Vicious Rumours).

A video for the song  “Carcasses”, featuring Ralph Salati, can be found below. The clip was filmed, directed and edited by Daniele Farina with additional filming from Jimmy Rey, Loris Marinoni and Nicole Alagna.

Guitarist Tommy Massara comments about the track and video: “”Carcasses" is the only track on the new EP that was never recorded before, even on a demo. I found the song on a rehearsal tape that was unheard and un-played since 1987. All we did was change up the lyrics for this EP.

“It was immediately clear to the whole band that this song was perfect for an in-your-face video. We contacted our close friend Daniele Farina to direct, film and edit the video, who also filmed and edited two of the videos from our 2013 album, The Seed Of Foolishness. The place he suggested to film it is currently abandoned, a totally dangerous place for us to be and I don't think we were even supposed to be in there. But it was incredible for the video - such a cool place. The results came out amazing."

The Old School EP embodies the spirit, immediacy and brutality of the years in which its tracks were originally written, accented by fresh, pummelling production. Recorded last year at Fear Studios in Alfonsine (Ravenna, Italy) with The Seed Of Foolishness producer Gabry Ravaglia, these tracks do not just prompt the "old school" cliché - they are the real deal - recorded in classic brutal fashion with only minimal writing tweaks.

All five tracks were originally written in 1987, shortly after the release of Extrema’s We Fuckin ' Care EP. Only one of these songs saw the light on an album - "Life" was originally released in 1993 on the band's first full-length album Tension At The Seams. The track has been re-recorded for The Old School EP in addition to tracks the band is known for performing live-only or releasing as raw demos on rare tapes, including "Child Abuse", the instrumental "M.A.S.S.A.C.R.O", "Tribal Scream" and "Carcasses". The idea came to guitarist Tommy Massara while tidying Extrema’s audio archives. He began listening to a tape on which there were no notes or text records of any kind.

In addition to those tracks, The Old School EP will feature two bonus tracks, including live versions of "Life" and Motörhead's "Ace of Spades", both recorded in Rome, Italy.

Tracklisting:

“Life”
“Carcasses”
“Tribal Scream”
“Child Abuse”
“M.A.S.S.A.C.R.O.”
“Life” (Live in Rome)
“Ace Of Spades” (Live in Rome)

Extrema will perform an EP showcase presentation on May 21st at Legend Club in Milan, Italy.