ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott was interviewed on the August 14-16 edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. You can now listen to the chat using the Podbean widget below. A couple of excerpts follow.

Full Metal Jackie: Michael, it's been a year since the [release of "War Eternal", the] first album with [singer] Alissa [White-Gluz]. How will the bonding of this past year together make the next album different?

Amott: Oh, well, I don't really know. But, yeah, there's been some bonding going on [laughs], and we're having a lot of fun and it's just really gelled into a really great friendship and a really healthy working environment. Yeah, I mean, it's too early to say what's gonna happen on the next album. But I think we're all really excited about… whenever we do get back together to do that. We'll probably take some time off [after] this touring [cycle]… 'Cause, I think, once we've wrapped up this tour, it's gonna be, like, a two-year tour that we've gone all around the world. And I think we'll need some time to, kind of, just collect our thoughts, have some real time off and, kind of, get hungry again. And then we'll be back at it, writing new music and putting all that together.

Full Metal Jackie: What's been the biggest way that [the addition of former NEVERMORE guitarist] Jeff Loomis has affected the band?

Amott: Just his wonderful, flowing blond locks are just a pleasure to be around. [Laughs] Other than that, I'd say… I've known the guy for, I think, 16 years and he's just a really good friend. And we get on fanatically on stage and off stage, which is equally as important. He's just come in with a really positive attitude and a real… He's just a great, accomplished guitar player, of course, as everybody knows. He's just got such a nice way about him as well. He's a world-class musician with virtually no ego and just a very relaxed attitude. And we're having so much fun, and… I don't know... It's just been very uplifting to have him around.

Full Metal Jackie: How much do you think about the next album and write music on the road?

Amott: We do a lot of jamming backstage, and we stumble across little fragments of ideas that we record immediately and, kind of, hold on to for the future. But, you know, we don't really write whole songs [on the road]. I have written what would be the skeleton of two songs, and I actually demoed those as well with our drummer, Daniel [Erlandsson], but that's the only, sort of, thing that we have at the moment. There's not a whole lot right now that's, like, finished music. And we don't do a lot of serious writing [while on tour]. I'd rather get to that a bit later on, once we have time off. I just like to separate it. We're very much in tour mode right now, and that's what we're focusing on.

To see a full list of stations carrying the program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.

ARCH ENEMY is headlining the 2015 installment of "Summer Slaughter". This tour marks the band's second North American run on this album cycle — but the first stateside trek to feature Loomis.

"War Eternal" sold around 8,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 44. The CD was released on June 10, 2014 in North America via Century Media Records. The cover artwork was created by Costin Chioreanu. ARCH ENEMY in November 2014 parted ways with guitarist Nick Cordle and replaced him with Loomis. Loomis made his live debut with ARCH ENEMY on the band's fall 2014 European tour.

Interview (audio):

Welsh "ragga metal" act SKINDRED's documentary that was 17 years in the making titled "Rude Boys For Life", is an exclusive bonus DVD for the band's limited edition of "Volume", due out on October 30 via Napalm Records.

"Rude Boys For Life" looks at life on the road, its ups and downs, celebrations, festival appearances and headline shows, studio access and their Polish Woodstock headline show where the band played to over one million people.

Directed by SKINDRED's Dan Sturgess, "Rude Boys For Life" offers a revealing and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of rock music's best live bands. Taken from over 1000 hours of footage filmed by the band over its 17-year career, "Rude Boys For Life" chronicles the band's rise: through the making of all six studio albums, including the new album, "Volume", to exclusive, unseen, behind-the -scenes footage of five world tours; through the early days — touring the USA in a van, to the birth of the now infamous Newport Helicopter at Download festival 2011, culminating in their headline set to a million people at Polish Woodstock. It is a must for any SKINDRED fan, offering unparalleled access to the band's life on the road, with SKINDRED members talking candidly about the highlights, the pitfalls, and how they've maintained inter-band relationships over the course of their career.

"Volume" was recorded at The Strongroom studio in East London and was produced by longtime collaborator James "Lerock" Loughrey, who has previously worked with WHITE ZOMBIE, DEPECHE MODE and MANIC STREET PREACHERS.

"Volume" track listing:

01. Under Attack02. Volume03. Hit The Ground04. Shut Ya Mouth05. I06. The Healing07. Sound The Siren08. Saying It Now09. II10. Straight Jacket11. III12. No Justice13. Stand Up14. Three Words

SKINDRED has announced a full U.K. headline tour in November. After a sold-out arena run with STEEL PANTHER, a remarkable Camden Rocks performance, two sold-out Hit The Deck headline slots and a host of European festival shows (including Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany with FOO FIGHTERS and SLIPKNOT), SKINDRED will be hitting the road with CROSSFAITH, YASHIN and HED PE as support.

SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell's new single, "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart", has exploded on the radio airwaves, becoming the most added track this week at the active rock, mainstream rock and adult alternative formats. The song is taken from Cornell's fourth solo studio album, "Higher Truth", which arrives on September 18.

Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio that the album, which is mostly acoustic in nature, was inspired by the solo acoustic tours he's done over the past few years. "It has been such a rewarding thing to do that I wanted to write an album of new material that essentially supported that and make it a living thing, as opposed to it being nostalgia, you know, and just going out and playing songs from yesterday," he said.

The deluxe version of "Higher Truth" will contain four bonus tracks.

The new disc follows up Cornell's last solo studio effort, 2009's urban pop-tinged "Scream". The Timbaland-produced set sharply divided fans.

Cornell will begin a tour in support of "Higher Truth" on September 18 in San Diego, winding down on November 4 in Phoenix.

The singer has also started working on material for the next SOUNDGARDEN album, which will follow up 2012's "King Animal".

"Higher Truth" track listing: 01. Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart02. Dead Wishes03. Worried Moon04. Before We Disappear05. Through The Window06. Josephine07. Murderer Of Blue Skies08. Higher Truth09. Let Your Eyes Wander10. Only These Words11. Circling12. Our Time In The Universe Bonus tracks: 13. Bend In The Road14. Wrong Side15. Misery Chain16. Our Time In The Universe (Remix)

AC/DC kicks off the North American leg of its 2015 world tour this weekend (August 22) with a spectacular light show using technology from Philips, the global leader in lighting. The veteran rock band's explosive sound is matched by an electrifying light show of vivid effects and colors as its "Rock Or Bust" tour arrives in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The tour has already wowed fans at 28 gigs across Europe this summer and continues with 14 dates in the U.S. and Canada in the coming two months. The Australian band will have played to 2.5 million people across 20 countries when the tour ends in New Zealand in December. The group's lighting designers Patrick Woodroffe and Cosmo Wilson pulled out all the stops to create a spectacle that would enthrall the 60,000-strong crowds attending AC/DC's 55 tour dates.

Among their computer-controlled light system are 120 Philips Vari-Lite fixtures and 272 Philips Entertainment lamps due to their high brightness and innovative features. Also fixtures with Philips MSD Platinum lamps, MSR Gold FastFit and MSR Gold double-ended bulbs were used to ensure sharp beams, high brightness and consistent bulb temperature. The lighting provides more concentrated beams and generates less heat on stage which is welcomed by the performers. The cutting-edge technology allows the lighting designers to create a multitude of lighting effects to complement every note of the band's hit-laden 150-minute set.

Photo credit: Ralph Larmann

LED ZEPPELIN's Jimmy Page has just finished overseeing the release of deluxe expanded versions of the band's three final albums — "Presence" (1976), "In Through The Out Door" (1979), and "Coda" (1982). With some time finally on his hands, he shared what the future may hold. According to The Pulse Of Radio, Page told Ultimate Classic Rock, "Well, yeah, yeah, because I've been over the last number of years, concentrating on LED ZEPPELIN product. I really felt passionately that all of this studio information should come out and should be there. It's finished."

He added: "Playing the guitar, that's what it is. I'll have the time now to be able to put that passion and energy and focus into playing the guitar."

Page further explained: "Well, I'm going to work on the guitar or guitars plural, because I'm known to play in so many different styles and that's what I am, so I just want to get there and just basically reconnect with all of these things and see what happens. Now that all of the ZEPPELIN stuff has come out, I have the freedom to be able to make new music, manifest new music and be seen to be playing, as opposed to just rumored to be playing."

During the interview, Page was also asked what was his favorite ZEPPELIN song. He said: "They're all favorites. They honestly are, because that's how they were, they were all sort of crafted and they went on the albums because they were all favorites at the time and all very, very different. In the context of everything, I guess 'Good Times, Bad Times', first album, first track, side one, it's going to change everything overnight. You know, it changes drumming, it changes recording processes."

Swedish heavy rockers SISTER SIN recently took part in an interview and live performance at the studios of iRockRadio.com. Check out video footage below.

SISTER SIN's fifth studio album, "Black Lotus", was released on October 27, 2014 via Victory.

SISTER SIN singer Liv Jagrell told Examiner.com about "Black Lotus": "We always grow a little bit more into the metal scene for each record we do. But that's our roots. It's the really old kind of metal stuff. But also we get some inspiration from newer bands like ARCH ENEMY and IN FLAMES and stuff like that too."

She continued: "I feel that we tried to get heavier on this record than the previous record. Also, the production of it we draw to the heavier kind of sound, and I really like that because I'm into the heavy kind of music."

Regarding the recording process for "Black Lotus", Jagrell said: "We had limited time in the studio comparing to previous records. We had to find a way to make it work in the short amount of time that we had. So instead of doing the drums first, then bass, the guitar, and the vocals last, we actually did… well, we did do the drums first, of course, but then we kind of did vocals; and guitars we sometimes put after the vocals, and for us that was new. We had like two studios, so we worked simultaneously. I think it was good that we did some of the guitars after the vocals, because then we could actually work the guitars with the vocals better than we've done on the previous records. So that was kind of new."

Pop superstar Lady Gaga has told CR Fashion Book magazine that she would rather be called the next IRON MAIDEN than be compared to pop veteran Madonna.

"They're one of the greatest rock bands in history, in my opinion," Gaga said about IRON MAIDEN. "Some people really don't know the importance of metal and the scope of it. Those guys were filling stadiums, and they still are. And it's because of the culture of the music, the poetry that's so powerful, that whenever the fans come together they unite in the essence of what IRON MAIDEN is all about. I always used to say to people, when they would say, 'Oh, she's the next Madonna.' No, I'm the next IRON MAIDEN."

Gaga graces the cover of the latest issue of CR Fashion Book, which will arrive on newsstands on September 3. The publication contains photos of Gaga in two different wedding dresses, including a goth-punk black piece underneath which she is wearing an IRON MAIDEN "The Number Of The Beast" t-shirt.

Lady Gaga previously spoke about her love for IRON MAIDEN and BLACK SABBATH. The singer also appeared in photos with Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Alice Cooper and ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante.

Back in May 2011, Gaga said: "I just saw IRON MAIDEN on their 'Frontier' tour and it totally changed my life. It was my first MAIDEN experience and I just realized in that moment in the show that that was the kind of artist I wanted to be. I didn't want people 30 years from now coming to see my show to see if I've still got it. But rather I wanted them to be fully unified, fists in the air, wanna hear every song. IRON MAIDEN's a lifestyle and those fans live and die by MAIDEN."

Legendary singer Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) stars in the documentary "Street Of Dreams", due on August 20 worldwide via Musicfilmweb.tv.

"Street Of Dreams" tells the story of Jan Erling Holberg, a bass player and songwriter from a small town in Norway. Jan Erling has just turned 47, he has a beautiful family and a steady job, but his childhood dreams of becoming a touring rocker have not faded away — they've only grown stronger. After enduring a major mid-life depression, he realizes that now is the time to take one last shot at achieving his goal. Aiming straight for the top, Jan Erling takes a shot in the dark, reaching out to his lifelong musical hero: Joe Lynn Turner. Impressed by Jan's demos, Joe Lynn flies to Norway to join his biggest fan to record an album and embark on a club tour. Will Jan Erling's dream finally come true, or is it just a rock 'n' roll fantasy? "Street Of Dreams" was filmed between January 2011 and August 2012, and was initially screened only by Norwegian national broadcaster NRK and at select festivals. Finally, it's available worldwide via music documentary on-demand service Musicfilmweb.tv for streaming rental or download.

The official video for the track "Dying Song" from METAL ALLEGIANCE — the all-star metal band consisting of a rotating cast of musicians, including members of MEGADETH and TESTAMENT — can be seen below. The concept clip was directed by Vicente Cordero of Industrialism Films.

"Dying Song" features Philip H. Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN, SUPERJOINT) on vocals, Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT) on guitar, Mark Menghi on bass and Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS) on drums.

"It's always my pleasure to jam with such esteemed musicians and brothers, and my contribution to this project is further proof of that fact. Hail to all heavy metalers the world over!" states Anselmo.

"Dying Song" is taken from METAL ALLEGIANCE's self-titled debut album, which will be released on September 18 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

Brought together by METAL ALLEGIANCE principal partner Mark Menghi, the project's original material came together from the creative minds of David Ellefson of MEGADETH, Mike Portnoy of THE WINERY DOGS, and Alex Skolnick from TESTAMENT, alongside Menghi. The four writers then reached out through their metal rolodexes to a diverse lineup of performers, each adding their own personal musical stamp to the collection of nine original songs.

"Metal Allegiance" contains appearances by:

* Philip H. Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)* Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)* Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)* D. Randall Blythe (LAMB OF GOD)* Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN, KILL DEVIL HILL)* Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES)* Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD)* Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY)V* Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)* Gary Holt (EXODUS)* Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED)* Chris Jericho (FOZZY)* Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA)* Misha Mansoor (PERIPHERY)* Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL)* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH)* Doug Pinnick (KING'S X, KXM)* Troy Sanders (MASTODON)* Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL)* Steve "Zetro" Souza (EXODUS)* Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN)

The standard edition CD of "Metal Allegiance" will feature the nine original songs. A digipak edition will be available that features an all-star tribute to Ronnie James Dio with a cover of his classic song "We Rock" as well as a 45-minute behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the album. A double vinyl version will also be available that will feature all 10 songs as well.

"Metal Allegiance" track listing:

01. Gift Of Pain

Vocals: D. Randall BlytheLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Gary Holt

02. Let Darkness Fall

Vocals: Troy SandersLead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums & Percussion: Mike PortnoyAdditional Bass: Mark Menghi & Rex BrownAdditional Screams: D. Randall Blythe

03. Can't Kill The Devil

Vocals: Chuck BillyLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Phil Demmel & Andreas Kisser

04. Dying Song

Vocals: Philip H. AnselmoLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: Mark Menghi Drums: Mike Portnoy

05. Scars Vocals: Mark Osegueda & Cristina ScabbiaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick Bass: David EllefsonDrums: Mike Portnoy

06. Destination: Nowhere

Vocals: Matthew K. HeafyLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Matthew K. Heafy

07. Wait Until Tomorrow

Vocals: Doug Pinnick & Jamey JastaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums, Percussion & Additional Vocals: Mike Portnoy

8. Triangulum I. Creation II. Evolution III. Destruction

Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Misha Mansoor, Ben Weinman, Charlie Benante, Phil Demmel, Matthew K. Heafy & Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

09. Pledge Of Allegiance

Vocals: Mark OseguedaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Charlie Benante, Gary Holt & Andreas Kisser

10. We Rock (DIO cover) (deluxe edition only)

Vocals: Mark Osegueda, Chris Jericho, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Chuck Billy & Steve "Zetro" SouzaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Andreas Kisser, Phil Demmel & Gary Holt

25 september

25 years of Gamma Ray – 25 years of heavy metal from Hamburg: what started out in spring 1990 with the release of their debut album Heading For Tomorrow has achieved international fame a quarter of a century later. Tours around the globe with sold-out shows in the US, Canada, South America, Asia and the whole of Europe plus appearances at the most renowned festivals worldwide – vocalist/guitarist Kai Hansen’s band has long taken the world by storm. Their success is based on more than two dozen recordings, among them eleven studio albums, a number of live releases, DVDs, EPs and singles, which have earned Gamma Ray high chart positions on a regular basis. So it comes as no surprise that the group’s ever-growing fan base turns out in hordes wherever they play. And of course the top 15 position of their current release “Empire Of The Undead” and an album-of-the-month nomination in Metal Hammer and Rock Hard magazines prove unmistakably: Gamma Ray continue to be on the top rung!
In view of this impressive stocktaking on the occasion of their anniversary, there’s a special reason to rejoice for their international fan community: the band’s full back catalogue will be rereleased over the course of a year. All albums will be available as premium-quality digipaks including newly designed cover artwork. To cut a long story short: Gamma Ray are celebrating their anniversary in style, and all their fans are invited!
When Gamma Ray started to work on their second studio album Sigh No More in spring 1991, the international heavy metal scene had just been plunged into their first and at the same time most serious crisis to date. Grunge was the flavour of the day and musicians sporting checked shirts and a grubby street look were fast becoming the new stars. At the beginning of September 1991, Nirvana’s hit ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ arrived on the scene and Kurt Cobain became the icon of a new musical genre. The old heroes were considered outdated, or at least so it seemed for some time.
Gamma Ray’s sophomore album “Sigh No More” sure didn’t sound outdated.
The Gamma Ray line-up consisting of Hansen, Ralf Scheepers, Dirk Schlächter, Uwe Wessel & Uli Kusch rented a holiday cottage on the Danish island of Rømø. They took only their “hand luggage”, i.e. drums, just a few guitars/bass guitars and small amps, as well as – to be able to record their ideas – two microphones and an ADAT recorder, a kind of predecessor of today’s digital studio programs.
Back in Hamburg, they continued to polish their ideas and started to look for the right producer. Gamma Ray had already enlisted the ideal choice for the mix of their 1990 debut Heading For Tomorrow: Tommy Newton.
During the preproduction, the band initially set about working on the songs full steam at the Karo studios in Brackel near Hamburg. Newton contributed his extensive experience to turn Sigh No More into a powerful and harmonious album and even tried new and unusual approaches.
When the album was released on 21 September 1991, the highlights were soon identified: the opener ‘Changes’ became a Gammy Ray classic, just like ‘Dream Healer’, the longest track on the album, and ‘One With The World’, supported by the first Sigh No More video clip, shot in the sand dunes on Rømø. ‘Rich And Famous’ was extremely popular, and the initially slightly inconspicuous ‘The Spirit’ developed into an insider’s tip among fans.
The 2015 anniversary re-release of Sigh No More includes, along with the ten original tracks, perfectly remastered by producer/sound engineer Eike Freese (Dark Age, Deep Purple), a number of previously unreleased recordings from the re-recordings with Kai on vocals, home demos and the pre-production at the Karo studios (among them ‘Heroes’, which later became the opener ‘Changes’), plus a number of selected live cuts.
Tracklist
CD1 – Studio album
The original studio album including its B-Sides. Remastered in 2015 by Eike Freese.
1. Changes
2. Rich And Famous
3. As Time Goes By
4. (We Won't) Stop The War
5. Father And Son
6. One With The World
7. Start Running
8. Countdown
9. Dream Healer
10. The Spirit
11. Sail On (Live)*
12. Changes (Live)
*Japanese Bonus Track
CD2 – Bonus CD
Including previously unreleased demo versions, alternative versions, instrumentals, live songs...
1. One With The World (Live at Wacken 2011)
2. Dream Healer (Live in Montreal 2006)
3. Changes (Blast From The Past version)
4. Rich And Famous (Blast From The Past version)
5. One With The World (Blast From The Past version)
6. Dream Healer (Blast From The Past version)
7. Heroes (Preproduction) **Alternative version of "Changes"
8. Dream Healer (Preproduction)
9. As Times Goes By (Preproduction – Kai on vocals)
10. (We Won’t) Stop The War (Preproduction – Kai on vocals)
11. Dream Healer (Demo – Kai on vocals)
12. Rich And Famous (Demo – Kai on vocals)

25 years of Gamma Ray – 25 years of heavy metal from Hamburg: what started out in spring 1990 with the release of their debut album Heading For Tomorrow has achieved international fame a quarter of a century later. Tours around the globe with sold-out shows in the US, Canada, South America, Asia and the whole of Europe plus appearances at the most renowned festivals worldwide – vocalist/guitarist Kai Hansen’s band has long taken the world by storm. Their success is based on more than two dozen recordings, among them eleven studio albums, a number of live releases, DVDs, EPs and singles, which have earned Gamma Ray high chart positions on a regular basis. So it comes as no surprise that the group’s ever-growing fan base turns out in hordes wherever they play. And of course the top 15 position of their current release “Empire Of The Undead” and an album-of-the-month nomination in Metal Hammer and Rock Hard magazines prove unmistakably: Gamma Ray continue to be on the top rung!
In view of this impressive stocktaking on the occasion of their anniversary, there’s a special reason to rejoice for their international fan community: the band’s full back catalogue will be rereleased over the course of a year. All albums will be available as premium-quality digipaks including newly designed cover artwork. To cut a long story short: Gamma Ray are celebrating their anniversary in style, and all their fans are invited!
Following a thoroughly promising career start, their debut Heading For Tomorrow having caused an international stir and netted phenomenal sales figures in February 1990, Gamma Ray embarked on a major tour only a few months after the album release.
As Heading For Tomorrow turned into a commercial success particularly in Asia, Gamma Ray were still on their European tour when they received invitations to Japan: a total of four shows in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. This offer inspired their record company to have producer Steve Payne accompany the band members and their crew to the Land of the Rising Sun to record the two shows in Tokyo for a live DVD (back then, sound and image storage media were still called VHS cassettes).
Japan welcomed the new act with open arms.
During the four shows in Japan, the new Gamma Ray line-up proved to be a homogenous unit and dynamic live act. They played two nights in a row in Tokyo in front of more than 3,000 fans each and delivered the hoped-for first-rate material for their live DVD Heading For The East, which arrived at the stores in December 1990. The show’s set list consisted mainly of tracks from the debut album Heading For Tomorrow as well as the Helloween tracks ‘I Want Out’, ‘Ride The Sky’, ‘Save Us’ and ‘Freetime’, a composition which vocalist Ralf Scheepers had brought with him from his former band Tyran’ Pace.
Thanks to the 2015 anniversary re-release Heading For The East, the legendary Tokyo concert from 1990 is now available on CD for the first time, perfectly remastered by producer/sound engineer Eike Freese (Dark Age, Deep Purple).
Tracklist
Over 80 Minutes of music. For the first time as audio!
CD1
1. Intro
2. Lust For Life
3. Heaven Can Wait
4. Space Eater
5. Free Time
6. Who Do You Think You Are?
CD2 - Live
1. The Silence
2. Save Us
3. I Want Out
4. Ride The Sky / Hold Your Ground
5. Money
6. Heading For Tomorrow

"Blind Leading The Blind", the new video from Florida metallers TRIVIUM, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Silence In The Snow", which will be released on October 2 via Roadrunner. The follow-up to 2013's "Vengeance Falls" was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (SLASH, ALTER BRIDGE, THE AMITY AFFLICTION) and was mixed by Josh Wilbur (GOJIRA, LAMB OF GOD).

Long known as one of modern metal’s most potent live acts, TRIVIUM will celebrate "Silence In The Snow" with an epic worldwide schedule highlighted by the upcoming 2015 HardDrive Live Tour. The dates — which see TRIVIUM co-headlining alongside TREMONTI — get underway September 9 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida's Culture Room and then continue through mid-October. The band will then head straight to San Bernardino, California for an October 24 main-stage performance at the upcoming Knotfest, headlined and curated by TRIVIUM's labelmates SLIPKNOT. TRIVIUM's seventh studio album, "Silence In The Snow" stands as a long gestating creative milestone for the acclaimed band. The collection had its genesis moment back in 2007 and was directly influenced by the time TRIVIUM spent touring alongside the legendary HEAVEN & HELL that year. Ultimately, it would take eight years before they felt equipped to tackle the challenging work of weaving their classic influences into a modern record. Fueled by the inspiration of true classic metal — spanning BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW, IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST, PANTERA and SLAYER, MEGADETH and METALLICA — TRIVIUM challenged themselves to attain similar levels of greatness, taking on vocal coaches and guitar lessons to further their creative evolution. The result is extraordinary, bridging the history of hard rock and metal while simultaneously powering it forward into the future on tracks like the epic "Blind Leading The Blind" and the upcoming first single "Until The World Goes Cold". "Silence In The Snow" track listing:

01. Snøfall02. Silence In The Snow03. Blind Leading The Blind04. Dead And Gone05. The Ghost That's Haunting You06. Pull Me From The Void07. Until The World Goes Cold08. Rise Above The Tides09. The Thing That's Killing Me10. Beneath The Sun11. Breathe In The Flames

TRIVIUM in May 2014 parted ways with drummer Nick Augusto due to personal differences. Stepping in for him on TRIVIUM's most recent dates and on the new album was the band's drum tech, Mat Madiro.

TRIVIUM's last album, "Vengeance Falls", sold 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The record — which was produced by David Draiman (DISTURBED, DEVICE) — arrived in stores on October 15, 2013 via Roadrunner.

"Enemies In Fidelity", a brand new song from Sweden-based melodic death metal experts SOILWORK, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's tenth studio album, "The Ride Majestic", which will be released worldwide on August 28 via Nuclear Blast.

Vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid states: "'Enemies In Fidelity' is indeed a very melodic and atmospheric beast. This was one of the first songs that I wrote for the new album and it holds a lot of surprises. The chorus almost sounds as if SIMON AND GARFUNKEL started a black metal band. That's the way we like it — playful, dark, intense and melancholic. It definitely stands out, but also gives you an overall idea of what SOILWORK currently is about. The lyrics deal with whether you should escape or succumb to the suffering that you might experience in your life in order to find new strength. The ambivalence. The guilt and the respect towards your own existence. Being awakened and finding satisfaction through frustration and anger, to a point where it almost becomes addictive."

"The Ride Majestic" track listing:

01. The Ride Majestic02. Alight In The Aftermath03. Death In General04. Enemies In Fidelity05. Petrichor By Sulphur06. The Phantom07. The Ride Majestic (Aspire Angelic)08. Whirl Of Pain09. All Along Echoing Paths10. Shining Lights11. Father And Son, Watching The World Go Down12. Of Hollow Dreams (bonus track)13. Ghosts And Thunder (bonus track)

Asked how "The Ride Majestic" celebrates 20th anniversary of the band’s existence, Strid told Bloody Disgusting: "It is kinda hard to grasp. I think both 'The Living Infinite' and our new album sums up our career very well, both musically and lyrically. There's a certain existential feel running through those albums and especially 'The Ride Majestic', brings up the darker existential aspects. As pretentious as it may sound, I also feel that we've left certain things behind and have entered a new era, where we let us be driven by spontaneity and emotion."

Regarding whether there are any tracks that stand out to him as being deeply important on a personal level, Strid said: "I think they all gradually become more important with age. However, some of the early more primal teenage angst oriented lyrics are harder to relate to today. One of the best lyrics I've ever written comes from the new album, 'Death In General', that captures the feeling of the very last moments with somebody close, who's on their death bed. Father and son, watching the world go down is from a very realistic dream that I had about the last moments on earth with my dad and the realization of the end."

Joining SOILWORK on tour in support of the effort will be new bassist Markus Wibom, formerly of Helsingborg hardcore group HEARTS ALIVE. Wibom replaces longtime bandmember Ola Flink, who has amicably left the group to focus on other endeavors. Wibom has been a personal friend of the band for many years and has previously toured with SOILWORK as a guitar tech and lighting designer. Wibom made his live debut with SOILWORK in Stockholm on April 30. Catch Wibom out on tour with SOILWORK on the band's upcoming European headline tour, dubbed "The Tour Majestic", with support from HATESPHERE. The European dates will follow SOILWORK's upcoming U.S. tour with SOULFLY, DECAPITATED and SHATTERED SUN.

The official performance video for the song "The Essence Of Silence" from Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA can be seen below. The clip, which was filmed earlier this year at the band's sold-out show at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium, was shot and edited by Jens De Vos and his team at Panda Productions. The show was recorded by Ace Zec and mixed by EPICA producer Joost van der Broek.

This fall, EPICA and Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE will join forces to co-headline across North America. This trek, sponsored by Revolver magazine, also has Canada's THE AGONIST supporting on all dates. EPICA frontwoman Simone Simons says the following about the upcoming tour: "We are ecstatic to finally return to North America. It is time to nurture our long-distance relationship with our fans over in North America. We'll have a wonderful time together and will perform songs spanning our entire discography. You guys better be ready for us." This will mark EPICA's long-awaited return to North America after the band's tour with MACHINE HEAD in late 2014 got canceled. It will also be the group's first North American run in support of their latest album, "The Quantum Enigma", which hit the charts all over Europe and beyond. For more information, visit www.epica.nl.

"The Essence Of Silence" is taken from EPICA's sixth studio album, "The Quantum Enigma", which sold around 3,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 110 on The Billboard 200 chart.

In an interview with Aux Portes Du Metal, EPICA guitarist mark Jansen stated about the lyrical themes covered on "The Quantum Enigma": "'The Quantum Enigma' means that in quantum physics we can't observe little particles without influencing them. It's been proven in a very famous experiment called the dual slit experiment. As we are all made out of an infinite amount of particles, what does all of this mean for the world as we know it? Is the world still there when we're not watching? Or is it a holographic projection coming from ourselves in a way? What is real and what is an illusion? The 'solid' matter as we know it isn't that solid after all. It's all energy which is spinning and turning in a way that it gives us the illusion of being solid.

"'The Quantum Enigma' is pointing out such questions which are dealing about, thoughts, dreams, illusions of the mind. 'The Second Stone' talks about Alzheimer; people who get this disease die mentally for a first time, then after a while they die physically for a second time. 'Victims Of Contingency' talks about taking responsibilities for your deeds, and the power to learn from mistakes in order to grow as a human being. 'Chemical Insomnia' talks about the sleeping pill culture that goes totally out of proportions these days."

"Just A Memory", the new video from ESCAPE THE FATE, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Hate Me", which will be released on October 30 via Eleven Seven Music.

When a band has had as storied and, at times, controversial a first decade in the limelight as ESCAPE THE FATE, there is often a temptation to focus on that past, rather than concentrating on the future. Yet as they stand on the cusp of releasing their fifth, and arguably most significant studio album to date, the upcoming chapters of the Vegas quartet's career not only look bright, but are set to resolutely be their best yet. "This new album is, without any question in my mind, the best thing that has ever borne the ESCAPE THE FATE name by a distance,"enthuses frontman Craig Mabbitt with no hint of hesitation. A remarkable statement given the last two ESCAPE THE FATE records gatecrashed the Billboard Top 30. "Sonically we've always been a diverse band who have everything from ballads to really heavy songs — and our fans expect that — but I think on this album we've gone full force with it. The heaviest songs are the heaviest we've ever written, and the poppy songs are the poppiest we've ever done. We came to this kind of ‘Who cares what people think of us'realization this time around — we're amplifying everything that we love about this band in all directions and it has been incredibly liberating." Indeed, with the group (completed by drummer Robert Ortiz and guitarists Thomas "TJ" Bell and Kevin "Thrasher" Gruft) now blessed with the most stable and creatively fertile lineup they've enjoyed in years, ESCAPE THE FATE are gearing up to show the world the scale of the talents that, in truth, they have long possessed. "We wrote probably 50 or so songs in total," explains Thrasher. "There are songs on this record that I've worked on in private for years but have only just come to fruition. There's probably half a decades work wrapped up in this thing!" "It has bee a real team effort this time around," continues Mabbitt. "We have all worked on lyrics, all contributed to the songwriting process. We're the most unified as a team I think we've ever been, certainly in my history in the band. I actually wish we hadn't done a self-titled album already because I think this is our most definitive statement yet." A significant part of fine-tuning statement has been the introduction of Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson (PAPA ROACH, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, MÖTÖRHEAD) to proceedings. "He pushed us incredibly hard to expand ideas beyond where we initially thought they could go," says TJ. "He's a master at looking at a song and picking out the smallest details of what could be improved but doing so in a way which makes sense for the overall tone of the record." "He challenged me more than anyone ever has in a studio environment," concurs Thrasher. "From technique to tone he fine tuned everything we were doing and made sure we were giving 110%. I won't lie, it was stressful at times but he is a great producer — you only need to look at his track record to see that!" Indeed, for new new blood Thrasher — both playing and writing extensively on his first ESCAPE THE FATE album, it has been an opportunity to really earn his stripes. "I wanted to show exactly what I can do," explains the axeman. "Having been a session player for years but always loving this band's output, there was a responsibility on my shoulders to prove myself. I tried to take everything I'd learnt over all the years of playing and pour it all into these songs. And what's great is that the guys gave me all the support I needed — it's been one of the most free and enjoyable writing environments I've ever enjoyed." The end result of this hard-fought creative battle is a collection of songs spilling over with stadium-wrecking hooks, as well as significant slice of the jackhammer punch fans of the band have come to know and love. Perhaps most crucially though, there is an abiding sense that this is ESCAPE THE FATE at their most bruisingly motivated. "Lyrically, a lot of these tracks are based around the hate we've received over the years and just embracing that and using it to our own advantage," says Mabbitt. "I've had to step up to the plate lately, for the fans as much as anything else, because they take the name ESCAPE THE FATE very seriously and I owe them something for that, for all the support they've shown us over the years. It's very humbling for me to be able to listen to this collection of songs and think about where we've come from and what we've been through to get to this point." To that end, first single, the anthemic "Alive", comes replete with a lead-heavy dual guitar attack and a sky-scraping solo, underpinned with a soul-baring vocal performance that underlines, emboldens and italicises both the band's survival instinct and their indefatigable determination to emerge victorious. From there, the lung-bursting chorus of "Remember Every Scar" serves as a powerful lament to life at the bottom of the bottle while the likes of "Breaking Me Down" and "Let Me Be" revel in a dynamic rise and fall which sees the band on taking their sound to a place that is sure to raise the eyebrows of both fans and critics alike. Naturally, those with a penchant for the heavier stuff are amply catered for too, "Just A Memory"'s thrash-and-burn-a-circle-pit-starting sonic landmine to match anything in the band's catalogue to date: truly, this is a group at their most diverse and powerfully self-assured. "Like I say,"smiles Thrasher, "I think there genuinely is something in there for everyone." And so, what we are about to witness is a re-incarnated, reborn, rejuvenated ESCAPE THE FATE firing on all cylinders once more. With a stint on this summer's Warped Tour already under their belts and the promise of a global touring schedule to come, this is a band who, after a ten-year tenure, are still as hungry as they've ever been. "It's the start of a new era for us,"confirms Mabbitt. "We're getting back on our feet, putting our middle finger up to the world and proving ourselves individually and collectively. Everyone in this band now wants the same thing: we want to play our music for as many people as possible and be a unit, a gang. We've been envious of bands who have always had that but now we have that and it's a wonderful feeling." The message from the ESCAPE THE FATE camp is louder and clearer than it has even been in the past: "We're coming for everyone and we aren't taking any prisoners," concludes Mabbitt.

"Hate Me" track listing:

01. Just A Memory02. Live For Today03. Remember Every Scar04. Breaking Me Down05. Alive06. Get Up, Get Out07. Hate Me08. Les Enfants Terribles (The Terrible Children)09. I Won't Break10. Let Me Be

METAL ALLEGIANCE — the all-star metal band consisting of a rotating cast of musicians, including members of MEGADETH, TESTAMENT — which debuted on MOTÖRHEAD's Motörboat cruise last year, and performed at this year's NAMM show and on the ShipRocked cruise, will release its self-titled debut album on September 18 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

Brought together by METAL ALLEGIANCE principal partner Mark Menghi, the project's original material came together from the creative minds of David Ellefson of MEGADETH, Mike Portnoy of THE WINERY DOGS, and Alex Skolnick from TESTAMENT, alongside Menghi. The four writers then reached out through their metal rolodexes to a diverse lineup of performers, each adding their own personal musical stamp to the collection of nine original songs.

"Metal Allegiance" contains appearances by:

* Philip H. Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)* Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)* Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)* D. Randall Blythe (LAMB OF GOD)* Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN, KILL DEVIL HILL)* Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES)* Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD)* Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY)V* Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)* Gary Holt (EXODUS)* Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED)* Chris Jericho (FOZZY)* Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA)* Misha Mansoor (PERIPHERY)* Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL)* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH)* Doug Pinnick (KING'S X, KXM)* Troy Sanders (MASTODON)* Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL)* Steve "Zetro" Souza (EXODUS)* Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN)

The seventh studio webisode for "Metal Allegiance", which covers the recording of the track "Wait Until Tomorrow" (featuring KING'S X's Doug Pinnick and HATEBREED's Jamey Jasta) is available below.

From the blistering opening of album starter "Gift Of Pain" to the final notes of closer "Pledge Of Allegiance", it is clear this collective have created something special. The diversity of the individual tracks is apparent through each musical collaboration.

The standard edition CD of "Metal Allegiance" will feature the nine original songs. A digipak edition will be available that features an all-star tribute to Ronnie James Dio with a cover of his classic song "We Rock" as well as a 45-minute behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the album. A double vinyl version will also be available that will feature all 10 songs as well.

"Metal Allegiance" track listing:

01. Gift Of Pain

Vocals: D. Randall BlytheLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Gary Holt

02. Let Darkness Fall

Vocals: Troy SandersLead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums & Percussion: Mike PortnoyAdditional Bass: Mark Menghi & Rex BrownAdditional Screams: D. Randall Blythe

03. Can't Kill The Devil

Vocals: Chuck BillyLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Phil Demmel & Andreas Kisser

04. Dying Song

Vocals: Philip H. AnselmoLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: Mark Menghi Drums: Mike Portnoy

05. Scars Vocals: Mark Osegueda & Cristina ScabbiaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick Bass: David EllefsonDrums: Mike Portnoy

06. Destination: Nowhere

Vocals: Matthew K. HeafyLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Matthew K. Heafy

07. Wait Until Tomorrow

Vocals: Doug Pinnick & Jamey JastaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums, Percussion & Additional Vocals: Mike Portnoy

8. Triangulum I. Creation II. Evolution III. Destruction

Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Misha Mansoor, Ben Weinman, Charlie Benante, Phil Demmel, Matthew K. Heafy & Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

09. Pledge Of Allegiance

Vocals: Mark OseguedaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Charlie Benante, Gary Holt & Andreas Kisser

10. We Rock (DIO cover) (deluxe edition only)

Vocals: Mark Osegueda, Chris Jericho, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Chuck Billy & Steve "Zetro" SouzaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Andreas Kisser, Phil Demmel & Gary Holt Stemming from an initial idea in 2011, METAL ALLEGIANCE was born as a way to unite a collection of hard rock and heavy metal's most notable musicians in a setting born under one ideal, a love of music and performing. In 2015, that ideal still holds true and has become the foundation for everything METAL ALLEGIANCE; furthered with the release of the upcoming debut album. While the lineup may change, the passion, the energy and the emotion all remain the same. METAL ALLEGIANCE is more than just a record or a concert, it’s an experience and a lifestyle.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA's video for the song "You Got Spirit, Kid" can be seen below. The clip, an homage to '80s teen movies, was directed by DJay Brawner (REFUSED, GROUPLOVE) and follows the band as they take down a group of school bullies through a series of pranks.

"Our video for 'You Got Spirit, Kid' gave us a chance to showcase a relaxed side of the band's personality," said COHEED AND CAMBRIA frontman Claudio Sanchez. "With our love for '80s nostalgia, we decided to approach the treatment in a John Hughes or Steven Spielberg-type fashion, allowing the spirit of youth and camaraderie to shine in each frame."

"You Got Spirit, Kid" is taken from COHEED AND CAMBRIA's new album, "The Color Before The Sun", which is due on October 16 via 300 Entertainment. Digital pre-orders for the disc, which include an instant download of "You Got Spirit, Kid", are available via iTunes, Amazon Music and Google Play. A limited-edition, deluxe box set featuring two hardcover books, four different pieces of music housed in a die-cut slipcase and a bevy of exclusive content is available while supplies last at CoheedAndCambria.com. While the most conceptually abstruse COHEED records have always had a foundation in reality, "The Color Before The Sun" marks the first time Claudio Sanchez is exposing his raw feelings, narrated from his own perspective — the anxiety of fatherhood, the disorienting feeling of losing a home, the reflections had during early-morning walks. His own story is told through big, bright, driving, colorful songs that beam like power-pop, crunch like vintage '90s emocore and float with the expansive feel of space-rock.

DEEP PURPLE has premiered the live clip of "Black Night" from their upcoming "From The Setting Sun… (In Wacken)" release.

DEEP PURPLE will release two separate live albums, "From The Setting Sun… (In Wacken)" and "…To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo)", on 2CD+DVD, DVD, Blu-ray (Tokyo performance), Blu-ray 3D (Wacken performance) and 3LP Gatefold on September 18 via earMUSIC.

"From The Setting Sun… (In Wacken)" has been filmed by nine HD cameras at Wacken Open Air festival 2013. For the first time in DEEP PURPLE's history, the band will release a 3D version of their performance on Blu-ray, filmed at Wacken.

"…To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo)" has been filmed by twelve HD cameras at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo in April 2014. The audio of both shows has been mixed in Hamburg, Germany by Eike Freese and Alex Dietz (HEAVEN SHALL BURN) with the supervision of DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover.

Says Glover: "One band, two crowds, two countries — a tale of two cities indeed. From Germany's Wacken Open Air festival, one of the biggest metal festivals in the world — and a city unto itself — to Japan and the stately Nippon Budokan, the most revered venue in Tokyo. Each with its own distinct personality.

"Wacken is a success story beyond par, starting out humbly by two friends in a field in rural Germany and becoming one of the best organized and attended metal festivals ever. We were most impressed by the facilities, security, backstage, camping… in fact the whole production was superb. As was the crowd, an awesome sight from the stage, generating a palpable sense of occasion. In the sunset, we were treated to a great welcome from the sea of tattoos and black leather facing us. "Festival crowds are unique because most people are there for the occasion itself rather than for any particular band. For us that is always a welcome challenge and a chance to connect with many who may never have seen us before. But the real stars are all in the audience. Thank you, Wacken. "By way of contrast, the Budokan is a temple of peace (except for the infamous occasion when all the seating was destroyed). 'Made In Japan' was partially recorded there and we've played there many times since. For such a large space, the acoustics are excellent; this special building never ceases to impress.

"On this particular evening, we came in at the back door, climbed the cool, marble staircase and entered the familiar dressing room. Feeling like we're the only people in the building, it's hard to believe there's even an audience out there.

"But there is, young and old, sitting patiently or chatting quietly — the embodiment of civility. It's almost like the respectful hush one might find in a cathedral. But they're here to rock. And rock they do. They may be quiet while they're waiting but far from shy during the show. They gave us an unforgettable evening. Thank you, Tokyo."

HALESTORM performed its entire third album, "Into The Wild Life", last night (Tuesday, August 18) at Koko in London, England. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

"Into The Wild Life" was released on April 14. Singer Lzzy Hale told The Pulse Of Radio that making the record was a satisfying experience for her and the band. "It was a lot of fun," she said. "It was such a freeing process 'cause it really didn't feel like we were — 'we're recording an album now, guys!' It just — we were in this big, overhauled church, you know, so it didn't feel like we were in a studio and there was just every instrument everywhere. There was a piano and everything was all set up so it's like, whatever you wanted to do, you could just do."

HALESTORM recently tied THE PRETTY RECKLESS's record for the most No. 1 songs on by an act with a female vocalist on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart.

HALESTORM's "Amen" last month tied the mark established by THE PRETTY RECKLESS when "Follow Me Down" became its third No. 1 on the chart dated May 2.

Previous HALESTORM chart-toppers were "Apocalyptic" (March 28) and the 2013 single "Freak Like Me".

HALESTORM and THE PRETTY RECKLESS are the only two female-fronted bands to lead Mainstream Rock Songs since Alannah Myles's "Black Velvet" topped the chart in 1990, according to Billboard.com.

Fan-filmed video footage of THE LOCAL BAND, the Finnish covers act featuring Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM), Jussi69 (THE 69 EYES), Olli Herman (RECKLESS LOVE) and Archie Kuosmanen (SANTA CRUZ), performing on August 14 at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland can be seen below. The group's setlist consisted of 1980s "hair metal" classics, including tracks originally written and recorded by GUNS N' ROSES, BON JOVI and MÖTLEY CRÜE.

THE LOCAL BAND made its live debut in December 2013 and has been playing sporadic shows ever since.

CHILDREN OF BODOM's ninth studio album, "I Worship Chaos", will be released on October 2 via Nuclear Blast. The artwork for the CD was created by Finnish artist Tuomas Korpi.

"I Worship Chaos" was once again recorded at Helsinki, Finland's Danger Johnny Studios and was produced by CHILDREN OF BODOM and Mikko Karmila, who worked with the band on their earlier albums "Halo Of Blood", "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Hate Crew Deathroll". The CD was mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

RECKLESS LOVE's third album, "Spirit", was released in September 2013 via Spinefarm Records (August 30, 2013 in Finland through Universal Music). The CD was produced by Ilkka Wirtanen, with mixing duties divided between Ilkka Wirtanen, Juha Heininen and Petri Majuri.

MEGADETH has announced an headlining tour of Australia with special guests CHILDREN OF BODOM.

The dates are as follows:

Oct. 16 - Perth - Red Hill AuditoriumOct. 18 - Sydney - Hordern PavilionOct. 19 - Melbourne - Festival HallOct. 21 - Brisbane - Eatons Hill

MEGADETH fan club presale begins Friday, August 21 at 10:00 a.m. EST. All tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 24 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler will pull double duty on the band's upcoming U.K./Ireland tour with MEGADETH, CHILDREN OF BODOM and SYLOSIS, having recent been recruited by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine following the departure of Shawn Drover.

Adler recently said he hoped to be able to work with MEGADETH as much as possible, but that he would never leave LAMB OF GOD. "If ever it came to a point where there was a question of 'this or that,' it's gonna be LAMB OF GOD," he explained. "LAMB OF GOD is my baby. Being in MEGADETH is kind of like I'm helping babysit somebody else's kid. I love being there, but it's not… that's not where home is, for me."

MEGADETH's 15th album is due out in late 2015 or early 2016, while CHILDREN OF BODOM's ninth studio CD, "I Worship Chaos", will arrive on October 2 via Nuclear Blast.

Following the impressive main-stage performance of Zak Stevens with SAVATAGE and TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA in front of 80,000 people at Wacken Open Air festival 2015, Zak and his band CIRCLE II CIRCLE will release their new album, "Reign Of Darkness", on October 16 via earMUSIC.

earMUSIC/Edel and Zak Stevens have enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success together over the years with SAVATAGE albums like "Edge Of Thorns", "The Wake Of Magellan" and "Dead Winter Dead" (true milestones of hard rock and metal and some of the biggest charts metal successes of the '90s) and CIRCLE II CIRCLE albums such as "Seasons Will Fall" alike.

CIRCLE II CIRCLE is a band that has been reinventing itself through the years, but maintaining that signature sound that fans around the world love. "Reign Of Darkness" is no exception to that attitude, bringing out the very best CIRCLE II CIRCLE has to offer. Needless to say, "Reign Of Darkness" overshadows what has been done before.

Says Stevens: "You might say that 'Reign Of Darkness' represents a musical reinvention for us, but the minute you hear each song you know right away that it's CIRCLE II CIRCLE. We wanted to pay homage to the past, but we also wanted to create a musical renaissance within our genre that is fresh and energetic. This is an album that will positively pave the way for our future."

"Reign Of Darkness" features the powerful metal sound, strong hard rock riffs, both emphasizing Zak Stevens's passionate melodic rock vocals. Again, the band has created something new, something fresh and vigorous. And the artwork definitely sets new standards.

"Reign Of Darkness" track listing:

01. Over-Underture02. Victim Of The Night03. Untold Dreams04. It's All Over05. One More Day06. Ghost Of The Devil07. Somewhere08. Deep Within09. Taken Away10. Sinister Love11. Solitary Rain

CIRCLE II CIRCLE is:

Zak Stevens (SAVATAGE) - VocalsMitch Stewart - Bass/VocalsBill Hudson (POWER QUEST, CELLADOR) - Guitars/VocalsChristian Wentz - Guitars/VocalsHenning Wanner (WHITE LION, JADED HEART) - Keyboards/VocalsMarcelo Moreira (ALMAH, SYMBOLICA, MARMOR) - Drums

Down Among The Dead Men featuring Dave Ingram (ex-Bolth Thrower) has released a new split 7" with Miseo. Visit the Brutal Arts Records Facebook page here for information on how to order your copy.

This limited edition vinyl is available in three different colours:

- Soiled White
- Rancorous Red
- Mucus Green

The Down Among The Dead Men tracks featured are "The Faceless" and "Cyber Tomb".

The band's second full-length album, Exterminate! Annihilate! Destroy!, will be released later this year on Cyclone Empire Records.

Back in 2013 Ingram discussed the self-titled debut album by Down Among Dead Men, his new project with Rogga Johansson and Dennis Blomberg both from Paganizer and Ribspreader.

On the band’s mix of death metal and punk, Ingram says, “I’ve been wanting to do a metal and punk crossover for a very long time. The raw energy of punk, along with its simplistic riffing style, fits harmoniously together with the crisp crunch of death metal, especially if there’s a Scandinavian edge to that metal, too! It seems hard to swallow, but Down Among The Dead Men have captured the sound I had in my mind for the project perfectly.”

The complete interview with Ingram is available at this location.

Down Among The Dead Men’s debut album was released November 22nd on Cyclone Empire. Check out the band's official Facebook page here.

Seventeen year-old rocker Gabbie Rae has checked in with the following update:

"Huge thank you to California Rock News for capturing a very unexpected and amazing performance.

So... this is how it went down. Julia Lage, Sam Bam Koltun and myself were invited to open a recent Ultimate Jam Night with an acoustic set. We had all our song selections in place and ready to go and at the very last minute Sam strummed an Adele chord and we decided to go for it. Wasn't sure what the crowd would think - but seems they liked it. Was a great night and always an honor to share the stage with Julia and Sam!"

Gabbie Rae recently issued the following announcement:

"Just wanted to stop by with some love. As some of you may know, amazing and huge news was announced last night. I have signed a management deal with the incredible Wendy Dio. I want to thank you all for your encouraging messages and your constant support. This would not have been possible without your love and dedication since Day 1! I promise to make you all proud!

I also want to thank my family and friends for standing by my side every day. We did it!"

Back in November 2014, Gabbie Rae spoke with BraveWords scribe Carl Begai about her rise to popularity within the rock and metal community. An excerpt from the story is available below:

Gabbie Rae: "I met Michael Sweet when I was 10 years old. Stryper played the House Of Blues in Myrtle Beach and I was at the show with my parents. I was holding up this huge Stryper sign and he saw it, and after the show security came over and said Michael Sweet had invited us backstage. We met and I told him I was a singer, and I ended up singing a song for the guys backstage. That was the first time I met him; it was like a movie (laughs). I kept seeing him over the years and we became friends. About a year-and-a-half ago he invited me to sing ‘Always There For You’ with him and Oz Fox at an acoustic show at the Whisky (in Los Angeles), so of course I said yes. I did the song and there was an industry person in the audience that was connecetd to Michael and is now connected to me. If it hadn’t been for that night I doubt I’d be where I am right now. I wouldn’t have been on the cruise, I wouldn’t have gotten to know Todd La Torre, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. I give so much credit to Michael Sweet for this.”

Go to this location for the complete story.

Queensrÿche vocalist Todd La Torre spoke with BraveWords about Gabbie Rae and he offered the following:

"Gabbie Rae is a rising star in her own right and has continued to garner respectable attention among her peers, which include some of the biggest names in rock history. We've talked about doing some collaborative songwriting together in the future, I've got some of my own original material that her voice would really bring to life with her tone and texture. It's wonderful to see her talent inspire so many people through her music, I truly believe in her."

For information and updates on Gabbie Rae go to her official website here.

She recently released a new single entitled "Scream". The official video for the track can be viewed below:

Digital Tour Bus has uploaded episode #87 of Tour Pranks, this time with Septicflesh and Moonspell. Each episode of Tour Pranks features an artist telling one, or more, of their favorite prank stories from being on tour. In this episode, the metal bands, Septicflesh and Moonspell, talk about pranking on the road, while on the Conquerors Of The World III Tour with Deathstars.

Septicflesh, made their way to North America this past April, when they embarked on the third edition of the Conquerors Of The World tour. After kicking off the four-week trek with a special headlining date in Mexico City, the quartet continued to rampage across the continent with support from Moonspell and act Deathstars. The tour – the group's third Stateside tour behind their album Titan – also saw the North American live premiere of new drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner (Decapitated, Behemoth).

Aeons In Tectonic Interment is the new studio offering from Finnish funeral doom duo, Tyranny. Slated for release via Dark Descent Records next month, the band's first proper recording in a decade spews forth five sickly psalms of slow, tortured, epically soul-consuming grimness.

Aeons In Tectonic Interment was penned, performed and tracked by members Matti Mäkelä and Lauri Lindqvist with additional percussion by Jussi-Pekka Manner and mastered by D. Lowndes at Resonance Sound Studio (Absu, Pallbearer, Profetus, Sigh, Wodensthrone). Simultaneously spiritual and ominous, with Aeons In Tectonic Interment, Tyranny manages to manifest a traumatic, fifty-one-minute sound apocalypse where misanthropy, suffering and imminent ruin become one achieving purification through sonic decay. A new track, “Sunless Deluge” is streaming below.

Tracklisting:

“Sunless Deluge”
“A Voice Given Unto Ruin”
“Preparation Of A Vessel”
“The Stygian Enclave”
“Bells Of The Black Basilica”

"Sunless Deluge":

Teaser:

 
Aeons In Tectonic Interment will see release via Dark Descent Records on CD, double LP and digitally on September 18th, with pre-orders and track samples to be revealed in the coming weeks.

(Photo - Peter Troest)

The release date of the Lancelot album But I Just Can’t Stay Behind on CD is September 4 via Karthago Records. The preorder phase will start on August 21.

Saarland/Germany is not very famous for its hard rock scene. In the early ‘80s Lancelot was the No. 1 export from this small German country. The album But I Just Can’t Stay Behind was their only release, apart from four singles which go back to the year 1979; then they went to America to try their luck under another name and with a style more fitted for the American market. Now all their releases finally are available on one CD!

From the beginning, the band was only interested in their potential to create a hit. And they managed it to write several ones. “Stop Man”, "Blinded" and "Stargazer" just to name a few were catchy and showed the big songwriting ability of the band. And the really fine vocals convince even after 30 years.  

Lancelot played bombastic rock, for sure no heavy metal, but quite extraordinary. For those who only like hard songs, Lancelot is probably not the right band. If you are looking for jewels of German (hard-) rock music, you will definitely find some with Lancelot. This band is an exception in the Heavy Metal Classics series, because it is - strictly speaking - no heavy metal. But sometimes it is “heavy” and it is always definitely good music.

But I Just Can’t Stay Behind tracklisting:

“Stop Man”
“Home Again”
“Struck Down”
“Stargazer”
“Treat Me Right”
“But I Just Can’t Stay Behind”
“Killer Machine”
“All Right Now”
“Rock’n Roller”
“Tribute To F.J. Haydn Abjfv”
“Little Jane”
“Lancelot”
“Far Away”
“Miss You”
“Pretty Thing”
“Blinded”

Line-up:

Albert Jochum – vocals, guitars
Franky R. - bass
Bernardi Ferone - guitars
Joachim Hammerschmidt - drums
Volker Herschban - keyboards

US melodic/power/progressive thrash band, Chaos Frame, will release their sophomore album, Paths To Exile, via Nightmare Records on September 4th.

Virtuosic performances balanced with captivating songwriting and a strong focus on melody, Paths To Exile features eight new studio tracks which will appeal to fans of Symphony X, Pagan's Mind, Beyond Twilight, Wintersun, Pyramaze and Therion.

The album was mixed by Carlos Alvarez for Dirty Viking Audio (Divine Disorder, Noble Beast, Shadowdance, Judicator) and mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studios (Ayreon, Pain of Salvation, Megadeth, Devin Townsend Project).

Paths To Exile tracklisting:

“Painful Lessons”
“Paths To Exile”
“Derceto”
“Terra Firma”
“Paper Sun”
“Giantkiller”
“Doomed”
“The World Had Two Faces”

“Paper Sun” lyric video:

Teaser:

Chaos Frame lineup:

Dave Brown - Lead Vocals
Matt Hodsdon - Guitar/Bass/Keyboards
Andy Xiong - Guitar
Pat Ruhland - Drums (tracks 2-8)
Steve Bergquist - Drums (track 1)

Cinematic progressive metal/film nerds Opensight are streaming the new track “The Chase”, from their upcoming Ulterior Motives release. The release date for physical and digital versions is set for September 4th.

Ulterior Motives tracklisting:

“Alibi”
“The Chase”
“Vanishing Point”
“Ulterior Motif”
“Antagonist”

“The Chase”:

Trailer:

Opensight have revealed the final details for the launch gig for their upcoming EP, Ulterior Motives.

The concert, in conjunction with Chaos Theory Music, will take place on September 4th at The Black Heart in Camden, London. Headliners are the post-metal soundscapes of Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster (who are launching their third album), and opening the show are the hotly-tipped progressive metal act Sumer.

More details here. Tickets are available here.

Opensight are:

Ivan David Amaya - vocals/guitars
Genia Penksik - guitars
Danni Stanner - bass
Redd Reddington - drums

 

Australian powercore metal pioneers A Breach Of Silence have just premiered their new music video for a very special acoustic version of the song “Vultures”. The video (see below) features footage of the band shot while on tour, and memorable moments of the band hanging out with fans before and after the shows.

“The acoustic version of “Vultures” is something we have been wanting to record for quite some time now. We really wanted to do something special for our fans to show what they mean to us” states guitarist Mat Cosgrove. “We believe the feel and emotion of this acoustic version really brings that to the table.”  

Lead vocalist Rhys Flannery continues, “As musicians, we want people to see that we’re not just another metal band. This acoustic version of “Vultures” shows people that we can do things differently, think out of the box, and show another side of the band which people didn’t previously know existed.”

 
The “Vultures” single contains the new acoustic version, original album version, and an instrumental (karaoke) version as well.  It was released worldwide on August 14th, and is available for download via iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, eMusic, and streaming on Spotify, Rdio, and YouTube.
 
A Breach Of Silence recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to help get the band back to North America for another run of 30+ tour dates. The campaign, available online here, offers several unique perks, including a FREE Vultures digital booklet, autographed merch, poker night & bbq with the band, signed guitars, and more. Money raised during the campaign will assist bringing the band back to North America for their second US tour.