According to Billboard.com, FILTER will release its seventh studio album, "Crazy Eyes", on April 8 via Wind-Up Records. The follow-up to 2013's "The Sun Comes Out Tonight" was produced by FILTER mainman Richard Patrick. The CD's first single, "Take Me To Heaven", can be streamed below.

"'Take Me To Heaven' was written after my dad just died, and where I'm coming from is I'm trying to find if there's an afterlife and I'm trying to believe in it," Patrick told Billboard.com. "It's very hopeful. There's no more authentic and real that I could have gotten as a singer and lyricist."

Regarding the overall musical direction of "Crazy Eyes", Patrick told Billboard.com: "This record is more experimental and crazy. It's where I am today. I wanted to go to some scary, weird places instead of doing that big-ass guitar sound again."

He continued: "On the last record, there was another guy at the label who signed us, and I felt a responsibility to him. He wanted a big rock sound so I let the guitars be the main focus. With this record I said, 'Let me focus on being the kind of artist I was when I was at Warner Bros.,' and Wind-Up was way into that. It's way more of what we used to be and so much of where we are.”

Joining Patrick during the recording sessions for "Crazy Eyes" were guitarist Oumi Kapila, bassist Ashley Dzerigian, drummer Chris Reeve and keyboardist Bobby Miller. Patrick told Uproxx: "Chris Reeve is probably the best drummer I've ever seen. He’s just a tremendous talent. Our new bass player, Ashley Dzerigian, worked with CeeLo and Adam Lambert, and she's amazing. She plays like John Entwistle. We have a keyboardist, Bobby Miller — DJ Rotten Bobby. We call him a DJ because we know what era we live in. And Oumi Kapila, another Aussie, is a virtuoso on guitar. These kids are great. We've been playing a few dates here and there, and the energy they bring to the shows really forces me to be that much better."

Among the tracks set to appear on "Crazy Eyes" is "Nothing In My Hands", which was written around Ferguson and the Michael Brown shooting, but it could be applied to any of the many race-related tragedies involving police brutality that have swept the country in recent years.

"This shit is happening all the time… All these black kids getting killed, and for what?" Patrick said. "It's not just something to sing about because it's dark: not one fucking rock band is reflecting this stuff. I want to write songs about social matters. I have to say something about what's going on in this corrupt world we live in."

French progressive metallers GOJIRA have uploaded new video footage from the recording sessions for their forthcoming follow-up to 2012's "L'Enfant Sauvage" album. The latest clip, which includes footage of GOJIRA frontman Joseph Duplantier recording a flute part for the new CD, can be seen below.

In a 2015 interview with Rocksverige.se, Duplantier stated about the progress of the songwriting sessions for GOJIRA's next CD: "We record demos, we jam, we work really hard… super hard on the songs. We wanna put out our greatest album. We do things a little differently. We dump songs, we dump riffs, which we never did before. [In the past] we would prepare 12 songs, get in the studio and record them just exactly as they are on the demos. We decided to do it differently this time. So [on previous albums] we would push each song to its maximum until it becomes really good. But this time we wanna select them right away. [If we come up a riff that sounds slightly] boring [from the start], we [get rid of it] instead of [spending time] trying to make it more interesting. So we have at least 20 songs — like, the main ideas, the core of each one. But we still need, now, to work on putting all the stuff together, but we have a lot of material that we really love this time. It's kind of challenging for us, also, 'cause the style is changing a little bit. We have some PANTERA-ish kind of riffs, which is kind of new for us. But we wanna… Because we want to… We want [the riffs] to be a little punchier sometimes."

Asked if GOJIRA will cut down those 20 song ideas to 12 or 13 complete tracks before recording the next album, Duplantier said: "Even to less than that. I want a short, very dynamic kind of album. But we have so much material; we could release three records or something. We believe in simplicity. When we release a record, we do it the old-school way. We could release a song once in a while and that's it. It would be better for these days to do it this way. I think that's what bands will do in the future. I think albums are dying. I think bands are going to work for a week at the end of a tour, release a song and go back on tour. And here you go — the fans are excited… But we're so old school. We still wanna have that big chapter in our career that we call albums that are so important. It's like a personal Bible that we're writing; it's very intense."

Duplantier also revealed that he is producing the next GOJIRA album himself. "I have to do it myself somehow," he said. "It makes me feel great. I love it. That's what I do. It's what I like. I wanna do it. So everybody's, like, 'Oh, you should work with a big producer.' I don't think so. It could be a very personal sound, it could be a very direct dialog with the fans, without the interaction of anyone. Even if it's a great person, this person is still between us and the fans."

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 GOJIRA guitarist/vocalist Joseph Duplantier and his brother, drummer Mario Duplantier. The package also includes a live CD and DVD capturing the band;s performance at the legendary Brixton Academy in London, England.

Portland-based label Rise Records has announced the signing of Salt Lake City deathcore juggernauts CHELSEA GRIN. The band joins the label's impressive roster that includes some of rock's most innovative acts like OF MICE & MEN, MEMPHIS MAY FIRE, MISS MAY I and SLEEPING WITH SIRENS. "Rise is very excited to welcome accomplished metal band CHELSEA GRIN to the family and to work with them as they start the next chapter!" says the label in a statement. Adds the band: "CHELSEA GRIN is very excited to join the Rise Records family. Following the release of 'Skin Deep', we are fired up to bring our most aggressive release to date. With this new partnership, we feel a new level of excitement and plan on giving our fans the CHELSEA GRIN record they need to hear." CHELSEA GRIN got its start in 2007 and quickly became an unrelenting force in the metal scene with two EPs and three full-length records, including "Desolation Of Eden" (2010), "My Damnation" (2011) and "Ashes To Ashes" (2014). Over the years, they've toured with everyone from ATTILA, SUICIDE SILENCE and EVERY TIME I DIE to PARKWAY DRIVE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and OF MICE & MEN, amassing a legion of diehard fans along the way. In February, CHELSEA GRIN will embark on a headlining North American tour where they'll perform their coveted record "Desolation Of Eden" in its entirety. Support will be provided by OCEANS ATE ALASKA, LORNA SHORE and WAGE WAR.

Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has set a February 23 release date for "Lita Ford - Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir". In this 272-page hardcover book, which was originally expected in 2014, the former lead guitarist of THE RUNAWAYS opens up about the '70s and '80s music scene, and her extraordinary life and career.

Lita Ford lived her dreams, until her life turned into a nightmare. She left home at age sixteen to join the world's first all-female rock group, THE RUNAWAYS — a band whose legend was sealed by the 2010 hit movie starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning — and went on to become the first woman hard rock guitarist, a platinum-selling star who gave Ozzy Osbourne his first Top Ten hit, a bare-ass, leather-clad sexy babe whose hair was bigger and guitar licks were hotter than any of the guys. She is also the mother of two sons whose harrowing tale of her catastrophic marriage to a metal rocker makes Ike and Tina Turner sound like life at the country club.

But in the end, Lita's story changes from a music story to a woman's story — a wrenching, desperate drama of human bondage and a mother's love, a life-and-death struggle over her own soul. Trapped in an increasingly terrifying marriage, systematically stripped of her connections to the outside world, Lita Ford became a prisoner in her own life, a slave to her husband's demands, living like a captive. She plotted her escape and her freedom cost her the boys she stayed in the marriage to protect. Her graphic, explicit story will terrify and horrify readers, but they won't be able to put it down.

"Living Like A Runaway" will shock people with the candor that Lita Ford shines on her dramatic life story. At ease as a woman in the previously all-male world of rock, Lita shares with her male counterparts an unvarnished directness when it comes to topics such as sex, drugs, money or fame. No female rock star of Lita's stature has ever before told the real story of women in rock. With unprecedented rawness and honesty, "Living Like A Runaway" reminds us that Lita Ford is not only one of music's greatest pioneers, but also one of its fiercest survivors.

In a January 2014 interview with PureGrainAudio.com, Ford stated about her upcoming book: "It's an autobiography about, well, my life, the paths I've taken, all the different musical eras. It's got all my favorite stories in it. It covers everything really from me growing up to THE RUNAWAYS to Lita and all the things I've been through and experiences I've had."

She added: "The hardest thing was how things kept popping out and I'm going crazy thinking, 'Hell, I've got to include that... oh no... that needs to go in as well and... hey, do you remember that time...' — every time I think I've got everything, one of us remembers something else and we're back where we started. It's never-ending."

Asked how writing a book is different from composing music, Lita told PopCultureMadness.com: "It's completely two different animals. Just trying to come up with something that captures the reader and keeps the interest flowing. You don't wanna lose the reader's interest. So I think I did that; I think I was able to do that on this book. It starts off in a time in a period and you have to get into it a little bit, and once you do, you can't put it down — you can't put it down. What happens next? You can't wait for the next chapter. It's really cool."

Regarding whether it was hard to revisit certain episodes in her life while writing the book, Lita said: "Well, things are emotional. There's deaths, there's divorce, there's things that are so goddamn funny that you can't help it but cry laughing. It's just a very emotional book. And you have to really go there mentally — you have to go there in order to be able to put it down on paper and in a book for people to read. So it was a challenge. And you really don't have a choice as to when… 'I don't feel like doing it right now.' Fuck that! Go there. You have to go there [and] get it done. So it was tough."

Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH have released a humorous teaser video for their upcoming single, "First Kill". The three-minute clip, dubbed "Keyboard Warrior", can be seen below.

"First Kill" will be the first single/video from AMON AMARTH's forthcoming tenth studio album, due later in the year via Metal Blade.

AMON AMARTH has not yet announced a replacement for drummer Fredrik Andersson, who left the band in March 2015 after 17 years.

Asked if recording new albums has become less important for AMON AMARTH than touring, bassist Ted Lundström told Metal Rules: "No. I mean, you need to make albums to be able to tour. 'Cause if you don't come out with new albums, you can't go on tour that much. But today, with the business, the music industry, basically, you really have to tour to keep the band running financially. And we love to tour. We don't mind touring a lot. As soon as we're done with an album, we're looking forward to a year and a half, two years of touring."

He continued: "When we have time off, we have real time off, since we don't have any normal 9-to-5 jobs anymore. So when you're actually home, you can relax more. But we're on the road pretty much all the time."

AMON AMARTH's latest album, 2013's "Deceiver Of The Gods", sold around 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, and produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (OPETH, MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE).

2016 is a year that includes a couple of important anniversaries in the history of THIN LIZZY. On March 26, 1976, THIN LIZZY released the iconic "Jailbreak" album to the world, featuring such classic rock staples as "The Boys Are Back In Town" and the title track, "Jailbreak", and it became one of the most important albums of that era. Now we are 40 years on since the release of that milestone and it is time to celebrate it. 2016 also sees 30 years since Phil Lynott passed away (January 4, 1986) and the world lost a rock legend. But his legacy lives on and celebrating that legacy is what is in store.

In the summer of 2016 going into 2017, THIN LIZZY will stage a handful of special shows to commemorate these important milestones.

The THIN LIZZY lineup for these concerts will consist of vocalist Ricky Warwick, guitarists Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson, and Darren Wharton on keyboards. As special guest, they have recruited season drummer Mikkey Dee from MOTÖRHEAD.

Says Scott Gorham: "With BLACK STAR RIDERS taking some time off the road to work on their third album, I thought it would be really cool to do some THIN LIZZY shows as it's an anniversary year, to have some fun and to re-live the good old days. We will only do half a dozen or so dates to keep them special.

"For personal reasons, Brian Downey won’t be with us but we have the incredible Mikkey Dee on the drum stool, which we are all very excited about. We will announce who is on bass shortly."

Adds Dee: "It's an honor to be asked to play with THIN LIZZY on these dates. Being a lifelong fan I am so happy and excited to playing with the band on these shows. It's going to be great!"

THIN LIZZY 2016 is:

Scott Gorham - GuitarDamon Johnson - GuitarRicky Warwick - Lead Vocals, GuitarDarren Wharton - KeyboardsMikkey Dee - Drums

The first announced shows are:

Jul. 23, 2016 - Ashford Kent, UK – Ramblin' Man Fair Jan. 19-23, 2017 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rock Legends Cruise V



(Thanks NJthrasher)

Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM have announced the addition of guitarist Daniel Freyberg (NAILDOWN, NORTHER) to the group's ranks. The band says: "Look for him on all upcoming tours!"

CHILDREN OF BODOM last year recruited Antti Wirman, the younger brother of the band's keyboardist Janne Wirman, to handle second-guitar duties for their recent shows.

Antti, who has been a member of Janne's band WARMEN since 2001, made his live debut with CHILDREN OF BODOM on May 30, 2015 when the group played a surprise six-song set at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland.

CHILDREN OF BODOM's first official concert with Antti took place on June 4, 2015 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

CHILDREN OF BODOM in May 2015 announced the departure of the band's guitarist of ten years, Roope Latvala.

Speaking about Roope's exit from CHILDREN OF BODOM, frontman Alexi Laiho told Artisan News: "Well, without going into too many details, you know, I think that… Well, basically, what it was… was that, you know, we had… We were at a phase where we wanted to, sort of, have a new beginning and reinvent ourselves, on a certain level. And everybody — all four of us — were pushing it harder and putting more effort on the band and just working extra, extra hard. And he wasn't quite there with us, you know, as far as the level of work ethics and, you know, stuff like that. So we felt like everyone's better off if we part ways at this point, and that's what happened. And, yeah, it [happened] three days before we hit the studio [to record the new CHILDREN OF BODOM album, 'I Worship Chaos'], but it was not… I mean, it was something that everybody was sort of anticipating already. And I had… To be honest, I had decided, a month or so before that, that I was gonna do all the guitars on the album. Because, like I said, it wasn't just working out with him."

He continued: "I don't wanna talk shit or anything; it's just that that happens. It's life. And you can't dwell on it. It sucks. It really does, man. He was around for twelve years, and, for us, the band, it really is a family, and losing a member, it's a big deal for us. 'Cause we're not the type of band [where] we change members every other week. But, you know, you've gotta move on. And that's that, really."

Following a trip on the high seas as part of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise (February 4-8), CHILDREN OF BODOM will start a headline run of North America on February 9 in Tampa, Florida, which will run through February 19 in Austin, Texas. The following night, February 20, CHILDREN OF BODOM will join up with MEGADETH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and HAVOK in Houston, Texas as part of the "Dystopia" world tour.

In addition to the shows with MEGADETH, CHILDREN OF BODOM will play select headline dates. HAVOK will provide direct support to CHILDREN OF BODOM on their headline dates.

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will release a 12-inch vinyl picture disc of their non-album track "White Walker" on February 19 via Warner Bros. Records.

Side A features "White Walker", which was originally released digitally last winter as part of the "Game Of Thrones" mixtape "Catch The Throne: The Mixtape Volume II". The track was commissioned by the show's producers when the band appeared on the show as extras. Welsh illustrator Richey Beckett designed the artwork, which was inspired by the show.

The B-Side of the 12-inch single features an a cappella version of "White Walker", the original idea for the song recorded by Brann Dailor on his phone in his kitchen. The artwork is a still from the episode in which the band members appeared as murdered "wildlings" who are brought back to life by White Walkers.

The MASTODON "White Walker" picture disc will be pressed in very limited quantities and will be available for pre-order beginning today and in retail stores beginning February 19. Do not hesitate as these will sell out fast.

The reunited GUNS N' ROSES — featuring singer Axl Rose alongside guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan — will be one of the first acts to play the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, set to open April 6. They will play at the venue on April 8 and April 9.

Tickets for the shows will become available to the public starting this Saturday, January 23, but members of the official GN'R fan club, Nightrain, have an exclusive first shot at tickets and VIP packages starting today.

A trailer video for the Las Vegas dates can be seen below.

Ahead of April's headlining slot at the Coachella Music And Arts Festival, GUNS N' ROSES is also rumored to be planning a secret show in the Los Angeles area next month as a warm-up.

Upcoming GUNS N' ROSES shows:

April 08 - T-Mobile Arena - Las Vegas, NVApril 09 - T-Mobile Arena - Las Vegas, NVApril 16 - Coachella Music Festival - Indio, CAApril 23 - Coachella Music Festival - Indio, CA

GUNS N' ROSES is reportedly negotiating with promoters to play as many as 25 stadiums in North America this summer. For the tour, GN'R is said to be asking as much as $3 million per show, with tickets topping out in the $250 to $275 range.

Meanwhile, The Pulse Of Radio reports that the instrumental members of GUNS N' ROSES — including Slash, McKagan and more recent drummer Frank Ferrer — are rehearsing for the upcoming reunion shows without Rose. The frontman has yet to join the group in the rehearsal studio and it's not clear at the moment which other members are also present, if any.

Slash told The Pulse Of Radio a while back how his relationship with Axl disintegrated during the final years of the classic GUNS lineup. "His sort of m.o., as far as the band was concerned, over time got so exaggerated in the rock star sense or whatever and he became such a dictator and this and that and the other, that it was impossible for me to work with him, because I'm not the kind of person that takes orders, you know," he said.

Although neither Slash nor Duff McKagan played on the 2008 GUNS album "Chinese Democracy", songs from that set are reportedly being rehearsed and will be performed.

"Angels Of Mercy", the new video from German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Rulebreaker", whicih will be released on January 29 via Frontiers Music Srl. The effort will be made available in CD, deluxe CD/DVD and — in collaboration with Soulfood Music in Germany — on vinyl and a special super-limited vinyl edition featuring an eagle head on the vinyl.

Comments PRIMAL FEAR producer/bassist Mat Sinner: "'Angels Of Mercy' is the album opener of the 'Rulebreaker' album and represents the entire album in a great way. PRIMAL FEAR trademarks updated for the year 2016 and a sexy video clip. Keep the metal alive!"

"Rulebreaker" combines the strongest PRIMAL FEAR moments ever, with a well-balanced typical PRIMAL FEAR trademark riff vibe, crushing songs and some very ambitious musical journeys.

PRIMAL FEAR recently parted ways with Brazilian drummer Aquiles Priester (HANGAR, ANGRA) and replaced him with Francesco Jovino (U.D.O.). In addition, founding PRIMAL FEAR guitarist Tom Naumann — who has been touring with the group for the past couple of years years — has now officially rejoined the band as a full member. Singer Ralf Scheepers says: "We have so much energy, fantastic melodies and a hell of a drum groove on each and every song. There is no doubt that the fans will love it as much as I do! And again we have achieved to combine bombastic and atmospheric orchestral sounds with soaring heavy metal riffs and licks, together with ear-splitting screams and also emotional sequences. We have kept the promise of being a heavy metal band with all the trademarks for which people love PRIMAL FEAR." After the massive "Delivering The Black" world tour, PRIMAL FEAR started the songwriting in spring 2015 and recorded at Hansen Studios in Denmark, with producer/bassist Mat Sinner and engineer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PRETTY MAIDS, AMARANTHE). Mat Sinner adds: "We learned a lot during the 'Delivering The Black' sessions and the following world tour. We tried to put this know-how and all the positive energy into the songs and production of 'Rulebreaker'. Working the second time with Jacob Hansen and even recording in his studio, gave another dimension to our sound, plus the recording comeback of founding member Tom Naumann was the right move." Classic and ultra-fresh PRIMAL FEAR have created riff-rockers like the album opener "Angels Of Mercy", and groove monsters "The End Is Near" and "Bullets And Tears", which hit the bulls-eye from the beginning. The album features another untamed speed killer "In Metal We Trust" and the metal anthem and title track "Rulebreaker". The melodic and unique ballad "The Sky Is Burning" shows a different side of PRIMAL FEAR with a new vibe and a monster chorus. And of course, PRIMAL FEAR included again an 11-minute-plus prog metal tour de force entitled "We Walk Without Fear", spiced with big orchestral arrangements and complex sound designs. "Rulebreaker" track listing:

01. Angels Of Mercy02. The End Is Near03. Bullets & Tears04. Rulebreaker05. In Metal We Trust06. We Walk Without Fear07. At War With The World08. The Devil In Me09. Constant Heart10. The Sky Is Burning11. Raving Mad12. Final Call (bonus track; deluxe edition only)11. Don't Say You've Never Been Warned (bonus track; deluxe edition only) DVD (deluxe edition only):

* The End Is Near (video clip)* Angels Of Mercy (video clip)* Making Of "Rulebreaker" PRIMAL FEAR is:

Ralf Scheepers - VocalsAlex Beyrodt - GuitarMagnus Karlsson – Guitar, KeyboardsTom Naumann - GuitarFrancesco Jovino - DrumsMat Sinner - Bass, Vocals

Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will release their seventh album, "Incarnate", on March 11 via Roadrunner. The cover art for the CD can be seen below.

Pre-orders for "Incarnate" will be available at iTunes and KillswitchEngage.com on January 29.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will embark on a North American headline tour shortly after the new album's release. They will be joined by MEMPHIS MAY FIRE and 36 CRAZYFISTS for the trek, with an opening act to be named shortly. The tour runs from March 16 in San Antonio, Texas to April 24 near Charleston, South Carolina.

The dates are as follows: Feb. 11 - Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Cafe (Radio Contraband Convention)*Mar. 16 - San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec TheaterMar. 18 - Dallas, TX @ House of BluesMar. 19 - Kansas City, MO @ Uptown TheaterMar. 21 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music WorksMar. 23 - Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room @ Old National CentreMar. 24 - Clive, IA @ 7 FlagsMar. 25 - Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway TheatreMar. 26 - Milwaukee, WI @ The RaveMar. 28 - Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon TheatreMar. 30 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The ComplexApr. 01 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SODOApr. 02 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert HouseApr. 03 - Vancouver, BC @ Vogue TheatreApr. 04 - Portland, OR @ Roseland TheaterApr. 06 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Concert HouseApr. 07 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of SpadesApr. 08 - Pomona, CA @ Fox Theater PomonaApr. 09 - Tempe, AZ @ The MarqueeApr. 11 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond BallroomApr. 12 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's NightclubApr. 14 - Cleveland, OH @ House Of BluesApr. 15 - Binghamton, NY @ Magic City Music HallApr. 17 - Buffalo, NY @ Town BallroomApr. 19 - London, ON @ London Music HallApr. 20 - Grand Rapids, MI @ The IntersectionApr. 21 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart'sApr. 22 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange PeelApr. 24 - Ladson, SC @ Exchange Park (WYBB Rockfest)*

* No MEMPHIS MAY FIRE or 36 CRAZYFISTS

A special BLABBERMOUTH.NET presale will take place on Tuesday, January 19 from 2:00 p.m. until Thursday, January 21 at 10:00 p.m. local time. When prompted, type in the presale code "KSE2016" to access tickets before the general public. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, January 22 at 10 a.m. local time.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist and producer Adam Dutkiewicz recently told Revolver magazine that the band's lead singer, Jesse Leach, "hit a wall with ideas" during the songwriting process for "Incarnate" after completing the first three or four songs in the studio. "He couldn't find lyrics he was really stoked on," Adam explained. "But Jesse's a great lyricist and a great songwriter, so I just told him, 'Keep writing, and when you hit on something that inspires you, bring it to me.'"

Leach, for his part, admitted that he struggled for a bit. "It did take me a little longer," he said. "But we're at this stage now with our band where we can't be phoning it in. If you really care about your music and you care about your career and your fans, you've gotta give 'em everything you've got. And so I came to a point where this album literally drove me crazy. My wife can attest to that. There were a good couple of weeks where I wasn't myself. I just got lost in the process, because I wanted this record to be everything it could be. I was losing sleep, not sleeping at all, and waking up in the middle of the night and sitting down and writing pages and pages and pages of words. By the time all was said and done, I probably had 80 pages of lyrics. I just wanted to give it everything I could, vocally and lyrically."

Songtitles set to appear on "Incarnate" include "It Falls On Me", "Upraised", "Until The Day I Die", "The Burden And The Noose" and "Strength Of Mind", the video for which can be seen below. The clip was filmed with the direction team of Ian McFarland and Mike Pecci (MESHUGGAH, FEAR FACTORY).

Leach told Revolver about the "Incarnate" title: "The definition of incarnate is 'in the flesh.' And this record is who we are right now. Whereas [2013's] 'Disarm The Descent' was sort of my 'comeback' album, and was about us feeling out the new vibe. But now, after spending a few years traveling the world together, I think we're all in a really comfortable place. We definitely have a strong sense of self as to who we are as a band."

"Disarm The Descent" sold around 48,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on April 2, 2013 via Roadrunner Records.

"Disarm The Descent" was KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's first album with Leach at the vocal helm since 2002's now-classic, genre-defining "Alive or Just Breathing".

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SOUNDGARDEN is officially back in the studio. The band started work on a new album last year, but took a break while singer Chris Cornell toured through the fall in support of his latest solo effort, "Higher Truth". With that trek completed, Cornell posted a brief message on Twitter saying, "Back in the studio!" The new album will the seventh full-length studio set from the Seattle veterans and first since 2012's "King Animal".

SOUNDGARDEN reunited in 2010 after a 13-year layoff, touring and then eventually writing new material that became the basis for "King Animal", its first new studio album in 16 years.

Drummer Matt Cameron told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the band's approach to making music hasn't changed that dramatically since its early days. "We started out very humbly here in the Northwest and I don't think we've ever really gone too far from those sort of ideals, which were, you know, real do-it-yourself, kind of '80s underground ideals," he said. "And it just feels good to lock up in a room together and write music together and play together that is uniquely our own thing."

In addition to "King Animal", SOUNDGARDEN has also issued a live CD, a greatest hits compilation and a two-disc collection of B-sides, outtakes and rarities.

"Higher Truth", meanwhile, was Cornell's fourth studio solo set and contains the Top 5 rock radio single "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart".

Back in the studio! pic.twitter.com/mu6WZSCqTv

— Chris Cornell (@chriscornell) January 16, 2016

Members of SLIPKNOT, MÖTLEY CRÜE, JUDAS PRIEST, STRYPER, QUEENSRŸCHE, NONPOINT and NICKELBACK are among the rock musicians and scores of other artists who reacted on social media to the passing of EAGLES guitarist Glenn Frey, who died earlier today (Monday, January 18) at the age of 67.

The surviving members of EAGLES posted a statement on their Facebook page citing "complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia" as the causes of Frey's death.

"Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community & millions of fans worldwide," said the statement.

EAGLES were forced to pull out of attending the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony last November because Frey required major surgery.

Frey's longtime EAGLES collaborator Don Henley said in a separate statement: "We were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction. But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the EAGLES were dissolved. Glenn was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn't quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven."

EAGLES' first best-of collection, "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975", is among the best-selling albums of all time, having sold more than 26 million copies. It was the first album to be certified platinum (one million sold) by the Recording Industry Association Of America, which introduced that classification in 1976.

Dale Griffin, the drummer and co-founder of the British glam-rock band MOTT THE HOOPLE, has died at the age of 67 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He passed away in his sleep on Sunday night, said Peter Purnell from Dale's record label Angel Air.

Born in Ross-on Wye, Herefordshire, Griffin attended Ross Grammar school and played in a number of local bands with his lifelong friend Overend Watts and it was during this time he gained the nickname "Buffin." Among Dale's bands were THE SILENCE, CHARLES KINGSLEY CREATION and THE DOC THOMAS GROUP. Changes to that lineup occurred in 1968 and keyboard player Verden Allen joined the band and changed its name to THE SHAKEDOWN SOUND. In 1969, they moved to London and came to the attention of record producer Guy Stevens. Ian Hunter was chosen as their lead singer and MOTT THE HOOPLE was formed.

Following the departure of Hunter in 1974, Griffin, along with Watts and Morgan Fisher, formed MOTT with Ray Majors and Nigel Benjamin. In 1976, following the departure of Benjamin, the remaining members regrouped as BRITISH LIONS with former MEDICINE HEAD singer songwriter John Fiddler until their demise in the late '70s when punk hit with a vengeance.

During the '80s, Griffin and Watts formed a production company and produced albums for HANOI ROCKS and THE CULT as well as hit singles such as DEPARTMENT S's "Is Vic There?". Dale then joined the BBC as a producer and produced numerous BBC Radio 1 John Peel sessions from 1981 to 1994, including PULP, SMASHING PUMPKINS, NIRVANA and ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK. In the early 21st century, Dale oversaw the re-release of MOTT THE HOOPLE's entire back catalogue from both Island and CBS period, producing remastered versions and excellent informative sleeve notes.

At the age of 58, Dale was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease just as he had worked tirelessly over the years to bring about the reformation of his beloved MOTT THE HOOPLE. In 2009, the band reformed for a five-night sellout Hammersmith Apollo 40th-anniversary concerts of the original five founding members. Having been just diagnosed, Dale only performed during the band encores with THE PRETENDERS drummer Martin Chambers, also from Herefordshire, and a friend playing the set and also covering for Dale on the 2013 MOTT THE HOOPLE tour.

Dale is survived by his longterm partner Jean Smith.

Photo provided by Angel Air Records

DuskMachine / former Annihilator bassist Russ Bergquist recently resurfaced with a new project, Touch The Sun. According to a press release issued by the band, Touch The Sun is a Vancouver-based project that started two years ago with drummer Rob Wade, guitarist/vocalist Alex Roque, and guitarist Cam Jarvis writing an album's worth of material with the objective of releasing a full length album void of today’s commercial restrictions and formulas. During the recording process, Bergquist was brought in to record all the bass tracks and  complete the core of the line-up. 
Check out the band's video for "Be My Enemy", released earlier this month. For updates go to the band's official Facebook page.

Bergquist was a part of the Annihilator line-up twice, from 1999 – 2003 and again from 2005 – 2007. In 2013, DuskMachine released their self-titled second album, which features three former Annihilator members: Bergquist, drummer Randy Black and vocalist Joe Comeau. The line-up is rounded out by guitarist Nikolai Wurk.



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Swiss groove metal deviants The Erkonauts are streaming their energetically eclectic debut, I Did Something Bad, in its entirety via the SoundCloud audio player below.

The Erkonauts signed with Kaotoxin Records in August 2015 for the worldwide release of I Did Something Bad, which was originally debuted as a DIY effort a year ago. The album was mixed and mastered by Samael's Drop, who lent his little-known ukulele skills to the recording.

The demand for the album was so high, the band had to repress it twice. The band, which features two ex-members of Sybreed, has toured across Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

The Kaotoxin Records reissue of I Did Something Bad features two brand new tracks not included on the original release and drops February 12th.

For pre-orders and additional merch, visit this location.

The Erkonauts bring something fresh to the table with a sound that lies somewhere between mid-'90s Suicidal Tendencies, early System Of A Down, and Primus, with a smart, progressive, alt-rock / metal / punk fusion of their very own.

Tracklisting:

"The Great Ass Poopery"
"Tony 5"
"All The Girls Should Die" 
"Nola"
"Dominium Mundi"
"Hamster's Ghosthouse"
"Gog"
"Your Wife"
"9 Is Better Than 8"
"Machine"
"Culbutos"

 

 



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Italian speed metal cult Baphomet's Blood are streaming the entirety of their new album, In Satan We Trust - set for international release on January 25th via Iron Bonehead Productions - via the SoundCloud audio player below.

The band's first album in nearly seven years, In Satan We Trust shows that Baphomet's Blood have not lost an ounce of power nor perversity in the interim. Forever hailing the ancient ways, the quartet offer obeisance to the unholy trinity of old Motorhead, Venom, and Bulldozer - with a touch of equally old Razor, Iron Angel, and Exciter on the side - and thunder forth with full-on scuzz and locomotive overdrive. It's a hellish, headbanging good time, but it never loses sight of the original impetus behind true heavy metal: ever-eternal evil. And although '80s-styled speed metal has been on the rise in recent years, Baphomet's Blood have been fighting the good heavy metal fight for over a decade now, with members also serving in cult favorites Blasphemophagher, and they have the back catalog to prove it - and one overflowing with lust, filth, and sleaze. So if it's a Satanic metal attack you need, then In Satan We Trust and drink deep Baphomet's Blood. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

"Command Of The Inverted Cross"
"In Satan We Trust"
"Hellbreaker"
"Underground Demons"
"Triple Six"
"Infernal Overdrive"
"Whiskey Rocker"
"Eleg" (Farao cover)

 

Greek alternative metallers Serenity Broken have premiered a brand new track from their second (forthcoming) album, due later this year. "Boom!" was performed exclusively for TV War Live Sessions, originally airing on Mad TV on January 17th.

The clip was recorded at Artworks Studio in Athens, Greece. It was directed, filmed and edited by John Kaimakamis, with Costas Gavakos handling the mix and master.

For further details on Serenity Broken, visit their official website.

 



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German Wolf metallers, Varg, have unleashed a video for the song "Achtung", from their newly released album, Das Ende Aller Lügen, available now via Napalm Records.  

Already the opener, which will be an established monument of the Germans' live set within a very short time, presents Varg’s new direction: The political leaders of the world exposed as false prophets and seducers, Varg invokes the united resistance. Uncompromisingly, the herd chants together as a solid, massive structure to conjure up the “Revolution” – a track that not only pushes forward with both anthemic and martial character, but also encourages revelry, a sound that carries throughout the entire album.

Although Varg are more monstrous than ever, “Das Ende Aller Lügen” is perhaps one of the best examples that the calm always comes before the storm, how the calming moments that tend to emphasize the coming thunder and accentuate it. This concept is perfectly executed in “Achtung” and “Dunkelheit”, which are rumbling monsterous epics that somehow surprise you with their very menacing and grim undertones. “Streyfzug” is solemn, and even tenuto in some places, with an almost hymn-like melancholy, while “Totentanz” with its seductive two-part vocal harmonies are reminiscent of the mating calls of the “Erlkönig” – and inevitably lead down to everything that creeps, deep down into the musty earth. The proud “Einherjer”, who had to fight his way through clinking-harsh “Wintersturm” and acrid “Ascheregen” knows what he is talking about …

With their fifth album, Varg prove that offense is often the best defense – and how impulsivity and unpredictability always makes the best generals. In this battle you will need the best and only the best, those who surreptitiously allure one into the trap, but are also open minded for the frontal attack. In this battle you need the brute force that is called Varg, and this force alone.

German and English versions of the new music video for “Dunkelheit” are streaming below. Says the band: “The videos for “Dunkelheit” and “Darkness” are a visual journey into the abyss of the human soul. Naked, cold and brutal. Accompanied with the probably darkest track that Varg ever unleashed upon mankind!"

Tracklisting:

“Der große Diktator”
“Das Ende aller Lügen”
“Revolution”
“Streyfzug”
“Achtung”
“Dunkelheit”
“Totentanz”
“Einherjer”
“Wintersturm”
“Ascheregen”

Varg have announced tour dates in Germany and Switzerland for early 2016. Catch this chance to see the wolves live on the road together with their label mates Nachtblut, Eisregen, We Butter The Bread With Butter and more.

March
4 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
5 - Berlin, Germany - K17
17 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
18 - Geiselwind, Germany - Musichall
19  - München, Germany - Backstage

April
1 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
8 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
9 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA
10 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7

 

 



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Havoc, the new album from Circus Maximus, is due for release on March 18th. A deluxe edition of the album will be released, including a bonus live CD. The live tracks were recorded in Japan in 2012. The deluxe editon will be available in both CD and digital formats. More details below.

Havoc is Circus Maximus' fourth studio album and one that will certainly make a huge impact on the progressive metal scene.

The band's musical formula is not easy to pull off. Take jaw-dropping musicianship, singer Michael Eriksen with a voice from the heavens and put it together with hooks, anthemic melodies, and enough groove and heavy riffing to satisfy any prog metal fan, and you've got the Circus Maximus sound.
 
"The theme on this new album is about moments and experiences in life that lead to love and hate," says guitarist and producer Mats Haugen. "Metaphorically, it's about succumbing to fire and striving to cope with the aftermath of decisions when overshadowed by the love we have for others and ourselves."
 
Musically the band offers the usual mixture of very heavy moments intertwined with extremely accessible melodies. Songs like "Pages", the opener "The Weight", "After The Fire" and "Remember" show the full range of the Circus Maximus sound. Still, the album has very heavy songs ("Havoc") and slow and melodic moments ("Loved Ones") too.

Havoc tracklisting:

“The Weight”
“Highest Bitter”
“Havoc”
“Pages”
“Flames”
“Loved Ones”
“After The Fire”
“Remember”
“Chivalry”
“Loath” (bonus track, deluxe edition only)

CD2 (Deluxe Edition only):

Forging (live)
Namaste (live)
The One (live)
Arrival Of Love (live)
Abyss (live)
Alive (live)
Game Of Life (live)
Last Goodbye (live)

The band is set to tour heavily in support of this new release with shows in Europe, US (they are already confirmed for the ProgPower Festival) and more territories to come.

Circus Maximus lineup:

Michael Eriksen - Voice
Mats Haugen - Guitars, backing vox and programming
Truls Haugen - Drums,backing vox and percussion
Lasse Finbråten - Keyboards, samples, programming
Glen Møllen - Bass

 



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Hammerheart Records and Brazil’s Rebaelliun present the cover art for the band’s upcoming album, The Hell’s Decrees. The album cover was created by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco, well known for working with bands like Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Vader, Machine Head and more.

Rebaelliun is in the studio at the moment recording their first album after almost 15 years. Produced by guitarist Fabiano Penna, The Hell’s Decrees is set to be released in spring 2016 via Hammerheart Records.

All the people who have witnessed Rebaelliun’s first attack on the scene 15 years ago know what to expect: death metal madness, unheard of before and after. Updates to follow.

 



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On January 25th, My Kingdom Music will release Deathrising, the new Motus Tenebrae full-length album, the fifth in their 15-year career which signals the return of singer Luis McFadden. A new lyric video for the album track “Our Weakness” can be seen below.

The album was mastered at the well-known Imperial Mastering Studio in California by Colin Davis and represents a new chapter in their vision of Gothic doom metal, expanding the essence of dark music to a new level.

The artwork was created by Falaschi.

Tracklisting:
 
“Our Weakness”
“Black Sun”
“For A Change”
“Light That We Are”
“Faded”
“Deathrising”
“Haunt Me”
“Grace”
“Cold World”
“Cherish My Pain”
“Desolation”

“Our Weakness” lyric video:

"Deathrising" video:



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On January 29th, West Virginian dark occult rockers Brimstone Coven will release their debut full-length, Black Magic, via Metal Blade Records. The album track “Slow Death” can be found below.

Formed only four short years ago in Wheeling, West Virginia, Brimstone Coven self-released Brimstone Coven and its follow-up II in 2013, before Metal Blade inked a deal and packaged both releases as a single set, entitled Brimstone Coven (2014). Inspired by the Appalachian's darkness and mysticism (such as the Mothman, a winged creature that emerged in the '60s; Screaming Jenny; and the Phantom Of Flatwoods), the quartet's heavy rock also pushes the atmospheric envelope when the mood fits.

Brimstone Coven explains, "What sets Black Magic apart to me is the genuinely eerie aura it invokes. We strove for a sound that makes you feel like you're wandering through a shroud of mist, unable to see your own hand in front of your face. We want you to feel equally excited and creeped out, letting your imagination run wild and get the best of you."

Tracklisting:

“Black Magic”
“Black Unicorn”
“Beyond The Astral”
“As We Fall”
“Upon The Mountain”
“Slow Death”
“The Seers”
“The Plague”
“Forsaken”
“The Eldest Tree”

“Slow Death”:

“Beyond The Astral”:

Inner Wound Recordings will release Warsaw, Poland-based prog band Votum’s new album, :KTONIK:, on February 26th in Europe and North America. A new video for the album’s lead track, “Satellite”, can be found below.

Votum combines dark and vibrant atmosphere with metal traditions, bringing both force and ambience to play. The band is no stranger to musical diversity with subtle cinematic frailty and modern electronica. Dealing in powerful guitars and acoustic ballads Votum creates a very specific blend of fresh and unusual approach to progressive rock and metal.

:KTONIK: was recorded and mixed by David Castillo at Ghost Ward (Katatonia, Opeth, Bloodbath).

Tracklisting:

“Satellite”
“Greed”
“Spiral”
“Blackened Tree”
“Simulacra”
“Prometheus”
“Horizontal”
“Vertical”
“Last Word”

“Satellite” video:

Teaser:

Votum will tour Europe with Kingcrow in February and March. Below you'll find the first confirmed dates, more to be announced soon.

February
26 - Progresja - Warsaw, Poland
27 - Exit-US - Prague, Czech Republic

March
3 - Boerderij - Zoetermeer, Netherlands
10 - Barrio's Cafe - Milano, Italy

Votum is:

Bartosz Sobieraj - vocals, accustic guitar
Piotr Lniany - guitar
Adam Kaczmarek - guitar
Zbigniew Szatkowski - keyboards
Bartek Turkowski - bass
Adam Lukaszek - drums



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Essence Of Sorrow have announced that vocalist Germán Pascual (ex-Mind's Eye, Narnia, Empire 21) is the new member of the band. Germán follows vocalists Mats Leven and Christian Palin, who left the band after the promotional tour for the Reflections Of The Obscure album (2006).

Essence Of Sorrow, the Finnish/Swedish based band founded by Jani Stefanovic (Solution .45, Miseration), released their debut album Reflections Of The Obscure in 2006 featuring both Mats Leven (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Gus G., ex-Therion, Candlemass) and Christian Palin (ex-Adagio) on vocals.

Due to Mats’ busy schedule, Christian Palin was set to take care of the live duties. The band got off with a promising start doing shows in Scandinavia and northern parts of main Europe. Although the band had a promising future ahead it would not be without bumps which sadly ended with putting the band on ice.

The plan was always to put the band up in motion again just waiting for the right time. That time has come and after a few years of silence the band is back in business. Essence Of Sorrow has a new lineup and is working on new material, planned to hit the market in 2016. Essence Of Sorrow is joining forces with the talented Germán Pascual on vocals and Jaakko Nikko on bass.

Essence Of Sorrow is:

Germán Pascual - Vocals
Jani Stefanovic - Guitars
Tom Gardiner - Guitars
Rolf Pilve - Drums
Jaakko Nikko - Bass

 



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Wishing Well are a hard rock band hailing from Helsinki, Finland. “Hippie Heart Gypsy Soul” is the first single taken from the Chasing Rainbows debut album, to be released on February 5th via Inverse Records. For the single the band joined forces with legendary hard rock vocalist Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz) and came up with a catchy and melodic hard rock song.

“We wanted something extra to boost the album and when we wrote “Hippie” we instantly realized that Graham would be a perfect vocalist for the song in many ways. I’m a lifelong fan of Graham myself and it’s fantastic that we made it at the end of the day. Pete (vocalist Peter James Goodman) had no problem with it since he’s a big fan too! I’m proud and pleased with the result and it’s just amazing that at 68 he’s still delivering the goods”, says Anssi Korkiakoski, the song writer and guitar player of Wishing Well.

Graham Bonnet band will play live in Finland on April 21st after his Australian tour. “The guys got in touch and after I heard the song I was immediately ready to give it a go. It’s a catchy tune and perfect for my range. I like the lyrics too. We recorded my vocals in LA and the guys took care of the rest of it in Finland. I’m always ready to cooperate if it’s a serious band with a good song. I wish the guys all the best.”

The band is now promoting the single and CD with plans to play live as much as they can later on this year. The band consists of Anssi Korkiakoski (guitars), Rip Radioactive (drums), Richard Becker (bass) and Peter James Goodman (vocals), all experienced musicians who have cut their teeth in many other bands before Wishing Well.

“Hippie Heart Gypsy Soul”



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Death Toll Rising / Into Eternity drummer Bryan Newbury has posted two video clips featuring a sneak peek at some drum tracks for the Death Toll Rising's forthcoming album. Check them out below:

Back in August 2015, Death Toll Rising premiered their new video "Scorched Earth Policy" in support of their latest album, Infection Legacy. 

"We are beyond excited to be releasing our first ever music video," comments guitarist Drew Copland. "This is one of the thrashers off our most recent album, Infection Legacy and always proved to be a fan favorite, so it was a no brainer to do this track. We were lucky enough to work with our good friend and director Lindsay Robinson on this project and he pretty much nailed everything we had in mind, it looks sick! It was a great experience and we were able to have a ton of our friends out to party and be in the video, which made it all the more motivating for us. It was cold, it was late, and it was exhausting, but in the end completely worth every minute!"

Photo by Metal Maiden Inc.



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In a brand new interview with LA Weekly, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine was asked how he spent the bus ride back from New York to California after being fired by METALLICA in 1983. He responded: "I was looking out the window. A lot. And it was excruciatingly painful... Because, remember, I was living with them, had no job, no income, no money. They'd put me on the bus with no money. So I had no food money. No nothing. And I got on the bus and off I went for a four-day journey with nothing to eat, nothing to drink. So that whole journey was a four-day fucking hell. Learning how to panhandle. How to get people to buy you booze so you could sleep through the night on the bus. [Laughs] When you go into the bus station and the bus would stop and wait for another driver and you just pray to God you don't sleep through the connection and shit like that. Because I'd never done anything like that before in my life. It's different if you know what to do and where to go. And if you have money. Money's the key to all your problems. But if you can't even make a phone call? It's pretty fucked up."

Mustaine was also asked which of the four songs he is credited with co-writing on METALLICA's 1983 debut album, "Kill 'Em All", was his favorite. He said: "My favorite? Hmmm. Interesting. Good question. You know, I like 'Phantom Lord' and 'Metal Militia' because they are very interesting songs. But I think if you were going to go for my favorite METALLICA song that I wrote, it would probably have to be ['Ride The Lightning' instrumental] 'The Call Of Ktulu'. It stands on itself. And when you have a song that can stand on itself without words, that's a big statement."

Mustaine, who was the original lead guitarist of METALLICA, was dismissed from the band by drummer Lars Ulrich in 1983. He was replaced by Kirk Hammett and went on to form MEGADETH and achieve worldwide success on his own.

Mustaine feuded with the members of METALLICA for more than two decades before finally patching things up over the last few years. He has jammed with his ex-bandmates on several occasions during "Big Four" shows and at METALLICA's 30th anniversary concerts in 2011.

The MEGADETH leader apologized to Hetfield in May 2012 for publicly discussing the fact that Dave wanted to assemble a "supergroup" combining Mustaine and MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson with Hetfield and Ulrich.

Hetfield laughed off talk of a possible collaboration between members of his band and members of MEGADETH in an interview, calling it "crazy" talk on the part of Mustaine.

Hetfield told So What!, METALLICA's fan club magazine, "I see [Mustaine] healthier now. I see him as less of a bitter guy. But I do see a lot of stuff in the press with him talking about jamming with us and making an album. All this other crazy stuff. I read it and say to myself, 'Hold on. This is the Dave that we kind of wanted to forget about. You know, the big-mouth that wants to just go-go-go."

Hetfield added, "But there is an authenticity about him when he speaks. He doesn't think too much before he does. He just goes off the cuff. Plus, when he says stuff like that, it's well-intended."

Mustaine joined his former METALLICA bandmates on stage on December 10, 2011 for the fourth and final intimate show at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of the group's week-long celebration of its 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only.

Former SLIPKNOT member Donnie Steele makes a guest appearance on "Waiting (For The End Of Man)", the debut album from the Des Moines, Iowa five-piece hard rock/heavy metal/groove metal band MURDER EARTH. The CD was recorded by Griffin Landa at The Establishment Recording in Des Moines.

MURDER EARTH's lineup consists of Ben Murphy (also of HANGOVER, ex-BARTYR IN BLOOD, ex-THE FALLEN) on vocals, Tim "Dominic" Flor (ex-DREDGE, ex-PAINFACE, ex-PYGWALK, ex-SHEDD) on rhythm guitar, Jim Stockham (ex-DAWN OF DESTRUCTION, ex-FACECAGE) on lead/rhythm guitar, Rick Stuber (ex-ALL THAT CRAWLS, ex-NOTHING, ex-PYGWALK, ex-TRIPWIRE, ex-VICE GRIP THROTTLE) on bass, and Jared Albertson (ex-ABSOLUTE POWER, ex-CANNOT JUSTIFY, ex-MARS ON FIRE) on drums. Jim doesn't appear on the album, having joined MURDER EARTH after the departure of previous lead/rhythm guitarist Ryan Thornton (ex-CALOUS, ex-NOTHING, ex-PYGWALK).

Steele stepped in on lead guitar to finish the recording of "Waiting (For The End Of Man)" after Thornton's exit.

SLIPKNOT's original guitar player, Steele returned to play bass for the band for a couple of years after the Corey Taylor-fronted outfit resumed touring in 2011 following the death of Paul Gray.

For more information on MURDER EATH, visit the band's Facebook page.