BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass) reunited with their estranged drummer Bill Ward to accept the Lifetime Achievement award at this year's Ivor Novello Awards, held earlier today (Thursday, May 21) at London, England's Grosvenor House.

Iommi picked up the trophy on SABBATH's behalf, and confirmed the band will embark on its "final tour" next year.

SABBATH accepted the award from QUEEN's Brian May.

Ward stated: "It's been a good 40 years. At least, I think it has."

Asked where SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne was, Iommi said: "I don't know, I think he's got a hospital appointment or something."

Speaking to the press backstage after accepting the award, Ward said it was great to see Iommi and Butler again, but admitted he felt "very uncomfortable" knowing they had been touring and recording without him since reforming the band in 2011. He added: "I hope that can change."

Check out pictures at GettyImages.com.

Given each year, The Ivors, presented by the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters in association with The Performing Rights Society (PRS), are given to celebrate British songwriting and acknowledge the music of the previous twelve months. Now in its 60th year, is the only British awards ceremony which specifically honors the songwriter.

Ward insisted in a recent interview with Rolling Stone that he is "quite capable" of playing a full concert with BLACK SABBATH, despite the bandmembers themselves saying the opposite. Ward stepped away from the SABBATH reunion in early 2012, while the group hinted that he was not in good enough physical shape to either record or tour. After posting an open letter on Facebook in which he demanded that singer Ozzy Osbourne apologize for some of those remarks, Ward was asked by Rolling Stone if he could physically play a complete SABBATH concert right now. Ward replied: "Absolutely, yeah. I have no doubt in my mind. I know that they've suggested that I played half the gig, and I don't want to play half the gig. I'm quite capable of playing a complete fucking BLACK SABBATH set."

Ward added, "It's true that I have heart disease, and it's true that I did get sick a couple of years after the fact. But when the health card is being thrown around, the bottom line is that I really tried to take care of myself… I'm much harder on me than those guys could ever be."

Addressing Ozzy's claim that he was "incredibly overweight," Ward responded, "The truth is that I was overweight for playing onstage, but I wasn't overweight for the studio. I could cut tracks with the weight that I arrived at. All of those guys know that I have a really rigorous exercise regimen."

Ward revealed his terms for a "signable" contract with SABBATH, telling Rolling Stone magazine: "I wanted to earn some better money than we had been (paid) in the past for festival gigs. I think it was somewhere like $80,000 for the festivals, which I can hear everybody gasp now, but $80,000 is not a lot of dough when you're playing festivals."

The drummer said he also wanted to receive some publishing money from the group as well as a "secure contract" for the use of his name and likeness.

Asked if he was still legally a member of SABBATH, Ward said, "I wonder myself actually. I don't know. I'd probably have to ask my legal department. [Laughs] I'm actually not sure."

Ozzy responded to Ward's letter last month, saying, "Bill, stop this smokescreen about an 'unsignable contract' and let's be honest. Deep down inside, you knew you weren't capable of doing the album and a 16-month tour."

Brad Wilk played drums on SABBATH's 2013 reunion album, "13", while Tommy Clufetos was behind the kit for the group's world tour.

Chicago's District 97 has just released a trailer for their impending third studio full-length, In Vaults, which showcases the album's cover art, photos, and clips from several tracks found on the release.

Their third album for Laser's Edge, In Vaults boasts more than an hour of District 97's unique brew of prog rock, metal, alternative, classical, pop and jazz influences with nine brand new tracks. The album was recorded at IV Lab Studios in Chicago, engineered by Chris Harden with additional engineering by Shane Hendrickson, mixed by Rich Mouser and Jeff Fox at The Mouse House Studio and mastered by Bob Katz at Digital Domain, and features brilliant cover art designed by Björn Gooßes.

Listen for singles from In Vaults including an official video and more to be leaked in the coming weeks as the album nears official release on June 23rd.

In Vaults tracklisting:

“Snow Country”
“Death By A Thousand Cuts”
“Handlebars”
“A Lottery”
“All’s Well That Ends Well”
“Takeover”
“On Paper”
“Learn From Danny”
“Blinding Vision”

Trailer:

Revocation are back on the road right now supporting Veil Of Maya. The Matriarch Tour began on May 20th in Detroit, MI, and winds its way through the east coast, the south, and up into western Canada for a final show on June 14th in Winnipeg. A trailer for the tour can be seen below.

In celebration of the tour dates, Revocation have prepared a series of lyric videos with fellow guitarist and director/animator Nick Hipa. This week the band unveils a clip for "Madness Opus”:

The "Labyrinth Of Eyes" lyric video is streaming below:

Deathless debuted on the Billboard charts last month, beating their previous album by more than 30 spots to land at #124 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. Deathless also debuted at #10 on the Billboard Hard Music Albums Chart (Current), #114 on the Billboard Top Current Albums Chart and #1 on the Billboard New Artist Chart. This is Revocation's second straight debut on the top 200 chart.

New Haven-based progressive ensemble, Earthside, has launched some behind-the-scenes studio footage from the recording process of its upcoming debut album, A Dream In Static. The inherently collaborative cross-continental project, due to release later this year, was recorded in Stockholm, Sweden under the watch of renowned producer and mix engineer, David Castillo (Opeth, Katatonia, Bloodbath), and additional mix and mastering engineer, Jens Bogren (Opeth, Soilwork, The Ocean, Devin Townsend).

Earthside guitarist Jamie van Dyck commented on the recording experience: "New surroundings and collaboration are two of the best catalysts for inspiring creative energy. Living in Stockholm and recording with David Castillo was the opportunity of a lifetime for us. We were immersed in such a vibrant musical space and passionate group of people that ultimately made this record what it is. That inclusive spirit in working with David and the guest musicians on the record brought out that energy in each of us."

The band recently unveiled the first single from A Dream In Static, "The Closest I've Come," which can be streamed below:

 
Through organic layers of living, breathing orchestra (courtesy of the Moscow Studio Symphony Orchestra), and an eclectic arsenal of world music-influenced instrumentation, Earthside fashions an ever-changing sound that is equally engrossing alongside a work of cinematic art as it is resonating throughout a densely packed concert venue.

A Dream In Static, the group's conceptual mission statement, is a story of purposeful sacrifice and existential yearning told across sweeping instrumental movements, interwoven with adventurous vocal compositions featuring premier voices from across the rock and metal worlds.

A teaser video for the album can be seen below:
 

Live dates and additional album details will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more information.

The latest full-length studio installation from experimental outfit, Locrian, has been completed, as the longstanding trio prepares to release Infinite Dissolution through Relapse Records in late July. In addition to the expansive album's release date, tracklisting, cover artwork and pre-order links, a trailer containing samples of several of the record's movements has also been issued to the public.

2015 marks ten years since the formation of Chicago/Baltimore-based Locrian, who over the past decade has left a smoldering mass of well over twenty recordings in their wake, many of them self-released, many others through labels including Utech, Fan Death, Bloodlust!, Small Doses, At War With False Noise, and the group's private label Land of Decay before signing with Relapse Records in 2012 for the release of their The Clearing/The Final Epoch 2xCD. The band's experimental/avant approach unifies post-industrial and black metal persuasions in a crushing alloy of organic and mechanical elements, having earned them widespread media praise from countless underground and mainstream media outlets and journalist worldwide.

Locrian now return with Infinite Dissolution, another dark and cinematic work of exceptional aural artistry. More epic and foreboding than anything in the prolific trio's catalog, Infinite Dissolution was recorded at Steve Albini-owned/operated Electric Audio, produced by Greg Norman (Pelican, Russian Circles), and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege, and is a multi-part concept album dealing with the struggle of human extinction. A seamless and harrowing blend of dark ambience, drone, black metal, post-rock, and experimental electronics, Infinite Dissolution is the perfect manifestation of modern, forward-thinking experimental music.

Having now been set for North American release on July 24th on CD, LP and digital formats, preorders for Infinite Dissolution have been released - including colored vinyl, merch bundles and more - alongside a visual trailer including the record's track listing and cover artwork, created from photos of a massive physical installation by sculptor David Altmejd.

View the trailer for Infinite Dissolution below. Find physical pre-order options here, and pre-order digitally via BandCamp here or iTunes.

Infinite Dissolution tracklisting:

“Arc Of Extinction”
“Dark Shales”
“KXL I”
“The Future Of Death”
“An Index Of Air”
i. Divinations”
ii. Air Structures”
iii. Watcher Of The Clouds”
“KXL II”
“The Great Dying”
“Heavy Water”
“KXL II”

Trailer:

Locrian lineup:

André Foisy - Guitars, Electronics, Piano
Terence Hannum - Vocals, Moog Little Phatty, Moog Minitaur, Moog Source, MicroKorg, Arp Avatar, EDP Wasp, Mellotron M400, Samples
Steven Hess - Drums, Percussion, Electronics

(Photo - Jimmy Hubbard)

Author & Punisher (aka Tristan Shone), the one man doom outfit that’s both man and machine, release Melk En Honing, the outfit’s Housecore Records’ debut on June 30th. The album track “Callous And Hoof” is streaming below.

““Callous And Hoof” is a track that encapsulates the aura of the album for me; the push/pull between urban dystopian fantasy, real fear, and sentiment towards a physical/medieval lifestyle,” explained Shone of the nearly seven minute song. “We are not using our hands and muscles anymore and this track seeks to counter that notion with intensity, speed and unharnessed tumult. Performing this track live really sucks the life out of me, I hope it does the same for some others as well.”

The eight-song album Melk En Honing was produced by Housecore Records’ Phil Anselmo, who said, “Tristan Shone is the epitome of what Housecore Records stands for, and looks for in musical expression: absolute originality and innovation. It is our complete pleasure to facilitate such a fantastic, artistic mind and expression of bombastic works. There is no pigeonholing this man's art.”

Melk En Honing was recorded at Nodeferatus lair in North Shore, LA. Physical pre-orders for the album are available now at this location. Physical pre-order bundles include t-shirts, vinyl versions of the album and CD.

 

Florida's 21st Century rock outfit, Message To Venus, has launched a music video for its latest single, "Over And Done”, directed by Andrés Ramirez Molina. The track will appear on the band's upcoming debut album, Victims & Villains, out later this year.

 

 

Vocalist/guitarist, Jandre Nadal, commented: “”Over And Done” is a song about the internal struggle we all go through at some point in life - an escape from yourself, from being your own enemy."

Video:

Lyric video:

Message To Venus began 2015 with a successfully crowdfunded new album, Victims & Villains, and several tours already in the books. Fans who contributed to the Indiegogo campaign last year have already received their copies of the new record, along with other crowdfunding 'perks' including a limited-edition Message To Venus comic book and more.

"We're blown away by all the support we received through our Indiegogo campaign," said guitarist John Feliciano. "Fans really embraced the new album and comic book projects. We can't thank everyone that contributed enough!"

 

 

Victims & Villains was recorded in the band's native San Juan, Puerto Rico with producer, Leo Alvarez.

An additional Victims & Villains track, "Hollow”, can be streamed below. "Hollow" can be purchased on iTunes.

 
The upcoming album follows the 2011 EP, The Envelope, which, along with lead single, "Universal You”, drew praise from established artists such as Godsmack and Halestorm while receiving weekly spins at SiriusXM Octane, MusicChoice and more.
 

Sweden has been a fertile ground for metal of all varieties for multiple decades, and there appears to be no sign that this will change anytime soon. The variety and quality of bands is staggering, and Metal Blade Records is prepared to help add The Great Discord to the list of one of Sweden's finest new groups. Duende will be available worldwide via Metal Blade Records on June 2nd in North America, June 1st in the UK / Europe, and May 29th in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

 

 

The band's cornerstone is with the enigmatic vocals of Fia Kempe. Her tone and delivery is immensely emotive and is augmented by a band whose sound is impossible to describe. It's technical, heavy, and yet not so much to overwhelm those not anointed in metal. What's important is that The Great Discord offer a truly unique twist on both metal and what is to be expected from a female-fronted band.

One of the most unique things about The Great Discord is their visual presentation. This has been showcased so far in a series of four video teasers that can be viewed below.

Today the band further expands upon their intriguing and mystifying visuals with a new video for the song "The Aging Man". The video was directed by Philip Kullgren and edited by Joakim Sjöholm, both from Pellen Productions.

"The video is a mix of a presentation of our band, and a visualisation of the concept behind our song, “The Aging Man”. The idea is that a man, facing his mortality, struggles with his impending death, here personified by Fia's stage persona. Acting as a sort of inverted Saint Peter, or Charon, she is a gatekeeper, a guide, challenging his thoughts and beliefs about what is going to happen, and forces him to face his demons and his regrets. The game of chess is a symbol for this struggle. Welcome to The Great Discord,” says the band about the video.

Teasers:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

“L'homme Mauves”:

"Eigengrau”:

The relationship between Kempe and drummer Aksel Holmgren has stood for many years, connecting on a deep personal level when it comes to music, though it was only when they came together to form The Great Discord in 2013 that their collaboration began. Sharing an interest in progressive music, they count the likes of Genesis and King Crimson as well as contemporary acts such as Meshuggah and The Dillinger Escape Plan among those who have inspired them.

While music pundits and critics will fall over themselves trying to label the unique and intriguing sounds contained within Duende the band are more interested in presenting their music to the world, with the hope of making a profound musical connection with the likeminded. Having been working toward the completion of the record for nearly two years the band have perhaps only just arrived at the beginning, and the ambitiousness of their music is further reflected in their goals. "We obviously want to take over the world," Kempe smiles. "We really believe in our vision, we really believe in the concept behind everything that we do. We want to entertain people. We want them to come to our shows and experience everything that we have visualized for this band, and we want them to relate to the emotion that we're putting into our songs, to be able to find something in The Great Discord that they cannot find anywhere else."

Swedish hard rockers Degreed will release their third album, Dead But Not Forgotten, on June 19th via Sun Hill Production.

Robin Ericsson (vocals/bass) stated: “We’ve been writing songs for this album on and off since the release of We Don’t Belong in 2013. I think we had 16-17 songs that we chose from, and recorded 14. The funny thing is that we ended up putting all 14 songs on the album because they’re all so freakin’ good! This album is different from the previous two because we produced it ourselves this time, and Mats engineered, mixed and mastered it. Someone once said that we don’t sound like any other band. He described our sound as the “Degreed sound“, and if there’s such a sound, this is it! This is Degreed all the way…”

Tracklisting:

“The Scam”
“Face The Fact”
“Madness”
“Shame On Me”
“Better Safe Than Sorry”
“Love Me Love Me Not”
“Drama”
“Kill Your Darlings”
“Touch Of Paradise”
“Forgive You”
“Start Again”
“Firefly”
“The Final Ride”
“Turn Around Don’t Back Down”

Degreed are:

Robin Ericsson - Bass/Vocals
Daniel Johansson - Guitar
Mikael Jansson - Keys
Mats Ericsson - Drums

Degreed was founded in 2005 and blend vocal extravaganza of Swedish Idol finalist Robin Ericsson with keyboard/guitar synchronization wizardry into melodic rock heaven. They have released two albums - Life, Love, Loss in 2010 and We Don’t Belong in 2013.

In 2014 the band was opening for Dan Reed Network on their Sweden tour, played Väsby Rock Festival and were invited as Special Guests to Machinae Supremacy’s European tour in Poland, Czech Republic and Germany. And 2015 started off with the return to UK for a tour in March.

Finland-based symphonic metal storytellers, Nightwish, have released the 18th episode from their album making-of series, talking about the North American and Canadian shows during the first part of their Endless Forms Most Beautiful world tour. Watch below:

Nightwish have announced their 26-date headlining tour of North America for 2016, launching in Sayreville, New Jersey on February 19th, hitting six Canadian cities plus Pittsburgh, Anaheim, and New Orleans, then closing out in Tampa, Florida on March 23rd.  Opening for the tour will be Dutch symphonic metallers, Delain.

 

 

Checking in from the first leg of the North American Tour, Nightwish shared the following about the second leg of the tour in 2016: "The first one was so brilliant that we just gotta come back!"

Advanced tickets for the confirmed tour dates are now on sale exclusively at EnterTheVault.com. A limited number of VIP Meet & Greet tickets (which include a poster signed by the band + a tour program) are available for each show for purchase. Tickets will go on sale June 6th at all other outlets.

Tour dates:

February
19 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
20 - Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
21 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC
22 - Music Hall - London, ON
24 - Carnegie Music Hall - Pittsburgh, PA
25 - LC Pavilion - Columbus, OH
26 - Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak, MI
27 - Rave - Milwaukee, WI
29 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN

March
1 - Burton Cummings Theatre - Winnipeg, MB
2 - O’Briens Events Center - Saskatoon, SK
3 - Winspear Center - Edmonton AB
5 - MacEwan Hall Ballroom - Calgary, AB
6 - Wilma Theatre -Missoula, MT
7 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA
8 - Knitting Factory - Boise, ID
10 - Knitting Factory - Reno, NV
11 - City National Civic of San Jose - San Jose, CA
12 - The Grove - Anaheim, CA
14 - Rialto Theatre - Tucson, AZ
15 - City Auditorium - Colorado Springs, CO
16 - Uptown Theater - Kansas City, MO
18 - Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
19 - Aztec Music Hall - San Antonio, TX
20 - New Orleans Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA
21 - Iron City Live - Birmingham, AL
23 - The Ritz - Tampa, FL

Nightwish recently released their new single, “Endless Forms Most Beautiful”, as a limited edition MCD, 10“ vinyl and as a download. A new lyric video for the track can be seen below.

 

 

“Endless Forms Most Beautiful” tracklisting:

“Endless Forms Most Beautiful” (album version)
“Sagan” (instrumental) previously unreleased
“Endless Forms Most Beautiful” (alternative version)
“Endless Forms Most Beautiful” (radio edit) previously unreleased

The long-awaited Nightwish movie, Imaginaerum, will finally be released in North America on June 16th via Nuclear Blast Records.

 

 

Imaginaerum tells the story of an elderly composer, Tom, who suffers from severe dementia. As he has had the disease for years and has regressed into childhood, he remembers practically nothing from his adult life. His music, friends, all his past including the memory of his daughter are a blur in his fragile mind. All he has left is the imagination of a ten year old boy. As he drifts away into coma, it seems impossible to get back what he has lost. Or is it?

Imaginaerum creates a musical fantasy world in the vein of David Lynch, Neil Gaiman, and Tim Burton. The movie is an innovative mixture of story-telling and music, an extraordinary tale of the power of imagination and  life itself - a true emotional rollercoaster ride!

There are some questions we must ask ourselves before entering the world of Imaginaerum. What is most important in life? Can the power of memories protect us during our last moments? Will our imagination help us find the spark of life in the deepest darkness? Can we still find love after bitter forgiveness?

 

 

Shot and post-produced in Canada, the movie was directed by Stobe Harju and produced by Solar Films, and features appearances by Nightwish members. The screenplay is based on a wild vision that Tuomas Holopainen, the mastermind of the band, devised after the album Dark Passion Play came out in 2007.

“I thought of how we could take our expression that had already became pretty ambitious and grandiose to the next level, and that’s when I knew I wanted to tell a story, and to tell it with love and piety.”

According to Holopainen, finishing the movie has been an eventful and challenging journey that has sometimes demanded superhuman dedication from the production crew.

“I want to already thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. Together we’ve managed to create something innovative, strange, and timeless”, Holopainen states.

Pre-order your Blu-ray + DVD combo pack of Imaginaerum from the Nuclear Blast USA Online Shop at this location.

 

Italian death metallers, Disarmonia Mundi, will release their new album, Cold Inferno, on June 9th via Coroner Records. Check out the track “Stormghost”, streaming below.

The album was produced, engineered, recorded, mixed and mastered by Ettore Rigotti at The Metal House. As for previous Disarmonia Mundi releases Björn Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra) appears on guest vocals.

 

 

Cold Inferno tracklisting:

“Creation Dirge”
“Stormghost”
“Behind Closed Doors”
“Coffin”
“Oddities From The Ravishing Chasm”
“Slaves To The Illusion Of Life”
“Blessing From Below”
“Magma Diver”
“Clay Of Hate”
“Toys Of Acceleration”

“Stormghost”:

"Oddities From The Ravishing Chasm" preview:

“Coffin” preview:

"Behind Closed Doors" preview:

 

Belgium thrashers, Evil Invaders, have released a brand new live video for the track “Fabulous Disaster“, a very well done cover version of the classic from thrash metal giants, Exodus.

 

 

Singer Joe states: “Playing this Exodus song at our last headlining show was one of our most intense moments on stage so far! It's hard to describe what happens to you when tons of adrenaline are pumping through your veins when over 600 fans are going completely INSANE together with you. Afterwards we even heard that people got carried away because of the madness in the crowd. This is the way speed/thrash metal shows should be like! It's all about the adrenaline, the intensity and maniacs going completely WILD!  We're currently touring throughout Europe so hopefully a lot of thrashers will show up and join the party haha!”

Tour dates:

 

    
May (with Skull Fist)
21 - Marburg, Germany - KFZ
22 - Arnhem, Netherlands - Willemeen
24 - Almelo, Netherlands - Naxt Stage
26 - Pforzheim, Germany - Kupferdächle
27 - Winterthur, Switzerland - Gaswerk
28 - Milan, Italy - Blue Rose Saloon
29 - Dornbirn, Austria - Schlachthaus
30 - Vienna, Austria - Escape
31 - Budapest, Hungary - Dürer Kert

 

June (with Skull Fist)
2 - Innsbruck, Austria - Weekender
3 - Tannheim, Germany - Schwarzer Adler
4 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
5 - Geiselwind, Germany - Out & Loud Festival
6 - Gera, Germany - Sächsischer Bahnhof
7 - Plsen, Czech Republic - Metalfest CZ
8 - Cracow, Poland - Fabryka
9 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
10 - Gdansk, Poland - Atlantic Club
12 - Berlin, Germany - K17
13 - Hamburg, Germany - Bambi Galore

Swedish rockers Greenleaf have announced that they have signed a worldwide deal Napalm Records.

Greenleaf on the signing with Napalm Records: “We’re happy to announce that the next Greenleaf album will be released on Napalm Records! After many great years with Small Stone Records and especially Scott Hamilton we want to say THANK YOU! With Napalm Records we found the perfect partner to make the next step. It's an honour to be on the same label as great bands as Monster Magnet, My Sleeping Karma, Brant Bjork, John Garcia and Vista Chino.The progress of recording the first album starts in the end of May. The songs are ready and we’re really stoked about putting it down on tape!”

Sebastian Muench, A&R Napalm Records: “Napalm Records is proud to announce the worldwide signing with Greenleaf! The 2014 album release of Trails & Passes has been celebrated in the rock/stoner community as a true masterpiece! If you had not had a chance to see Greenleaf live than you can catch them share the stage with Clutch, Weedeater or various other headline shows! Greenleaf will also play Crumble Fight Fest, Stoned From The Underground, Red Smoke Festival, Rock im Wald, Krach am Bach, Lake on Fire and many more! Welcome to the Napalm Family!!"

More news on the upcoming album will be unveiled soon.

Tour dates:

June
6 - Crumble Fight Fest, Montaigu, France                 
7 - Heretic Club, Bordeaux, France
9 - Den Atelier, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
10 -Kinski, Zurich, Switzerland
11 -Le Brin De Zinc, Chambery, France
12 - Warmaudio, Lyon, France
13 - Le Volume, Nice, France

July
3 - Peace & Love Festival, Borlänge, Sweden
8 - La Casa, Cottbus, Germany
9 - Stoned From The Unerground, Germany
12 - Red Smoke Festival, Pleszew, Poland
15 - Chmury, Warsaw, Poland
16 - Stonamite, Gdansk, Poland
17 - Devilstone Open Air, Anyksciai, Lithuania
24 - Rock im Wald, Neuensee, Germany
25 - Krach am Bach, Beelen, Germany

August
7 - Lake on Fire, Waldhausen, Austria
8 - Out in Gurin, Sargans, Switzerland
14 - Aquamaria Festival, Plattenburg, Germany
29 - Iris Festival, Öland, Sweden

Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM recently entered their own studio in Helsinki to begin recording ten new tracks for their ninth album, due later in the year via Nuclear Blast.

A video message from CHILDREN OF BODOM's Alexi Laiho and Janne Wirman about the new CD sessions can be seen below.

CHILDREN OF BODOM's last CD, "Halo Of Blood", was certified gold in Finland for sales in excess of 10,000 copies. The effort, which sold 8,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, was made available in June 2013 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover art was created by Sami Saramäki, who was responsible for the artwork on previous CHILDREN OF BODOM albums "Follow The Reaper", "Are You Dead Yet?" and "Hate Crew Deathroll".

"Halo Of Blood" was recorded at Danger Johnny Studios in Helsinki. For the recording of the LP, CHILDREN OF BODOM teamed up with recording engineer Mikko Karmila, who worked with the band on their fan-favorite albums "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Hate Crew Deathroll", as well as Swedish producer Peter Tägtgren (MARDUK, AMON AMARTH), who oversaw production of both vocals and keyboards on the record. The album was mixed at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki.

Audio snippets of the song "Karma After The Storm" from MONSTRANCE, the new band featuring former CARCASS guitarist Carlo Regadas, drummer Ian Treacy (ex-BENEDICTION, MEATHOOK SEED, ABSOLUTE POWER) and vocalist Tony Glover (ex-DEVOID), can be streamed below.

MONSTRANCE is the brainchild of Regadas, former lead guitar player with grind gods CARCASS, post-CARCASS outfit BLACKSTAR and DEVOID. Following his tenures with CARCASS and BLACKSTAR, Carlo continued to write and record music, mainly for his own enjoyment.

In 2013, after a stint living in the Canary Islands, Carlo returned to the U.K. and met up with old friend and former DEVOID bandmate Tony Glover. Tony had recently unearthed some never-released material of Carlo's, some of which was penned during his tenure with CARCASS. Upon hearing this material again and realizing the strength of the songs, Carlo sent the material to some trusted, musically minded friends for their opinion, and the response was nothing short of astounding!

On the back of this enthusiasm, although reluctant at first, Carlo was urged to send the material to several established record labels, who also responded extremely positively and were very keen to hear more.

Carlo decided to approach some old friends and fellow musicians from the original death metal scene and decided to put together a full lineup, although at first, the intention was just to record an album as a studio project. Such was the friendship, camaraderie and enthusiasm for the project, the decision was quickly made to become a full-time band.Carlo's focus in recruiting band members was not to look for big-name musicians from the genre with previous credentials but rather to source like-minded individuals who were also very accomplished musicians.

The vocal position was immediately filled by Tony, building on their long-standing friendship, previous experience with DEVOID and long-held ambition to do a further project together. Tony has honed his vocal delivery since the DEVOID era, now projecting a unique blend of power, clear diction and articulation. Such is the power of Tony's delivery, the mic level during the vocal demo sessions had to be backed off by -20db!

Ian Treacy, another old friend from the '90s death metal scene, was drafted in for his previous drumming prowess with grind veterans BENEDICTION, MEATHOOK SEED and ABSOLUTE POWER. Ian needs absolutely no introduction at all; a highly respected extreme metal drummer, with an enviable back catalogue of groundbreaking and genre-defining releases.

Belgrade-born Aleksandar Kokai, from Liverpool band CRUSH DEPTH EXPERIMENT, was recruited on bass. A supremely talented and technically gifted bass player who will provide energy and heaviness to a rhythm section of dynamism and power.

The lineup is bolstered further with the addition of yet another old friend, and former ORNAMENT guitar player, Steven Hargraves, who completes the band's live lineup on second guitar. Carlo and Steven have worked closely together to forge a tight, melodic and crushing guitar duo, guaranteed to turn heads in the live setting.

Music-wise, MONSTRANCE cannot be easily pigeon-holed. As far as the band is concerned, it's just metal, albeit with downtuned guitars and extreme vocals. The music is as crushingly heavy as it is melodic and catchy. Carlo's original demos have now finally been completed with the addition of Tony's savage vocal attack, perfectly showcasing the quality and originality of the material.

MONSTRANCE is:

Tony Glover - VocalsIan Treacy - DrumsAleksandar Kokai - BassCarlo Regadas- Lead, Rhythm GuitarSteven Hargraves - Rhythm Guitar

For more information on MONSTRANCE, click here.

Denmark death metallers Undergang are streaming the new track “Kogt I Blod”, from the upcoming Dark Descent Records release Døden Læger Alle Sår. The band's third album will be released on CD and digital formats via Dark Descent Records on July 10. The vinyl version will be released on Me Saco Un Ojo Records.

Døden Læger Alle Sår was recorded at Earhammer Studio, California subsequent to Undergang's three-week US tour in July 2014. The new material is a blend of the suffocating and filthy heaviness heard on the band's previous two albums, Indhentet Af Døden (2010) and Til Døden Os Skiller (2012), whilst adding more twists and neck-breaking brutality to the mix. The new album will out just in time for Undergang's European tour with Stargazer.

Tracklisting:

“Døden Læger Alle Sår”
“Jomfrublodbad”
“Kronisk Betændelse i tarmene”
“Ad Ligbitum”
“Radbrækket”
“Lemlæstelsens Kunst”
“Kogt I Blod”
“Gravrust”
“Dødsfald”
“Det Gør Kun Ondt til du dør”

"Kogt I Blod":

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Band lineup:

A. Dødshjælp - Drums
K. Ondsind - Bass
D. Torturdød - Guitars / vocals

Fan-filmed video footage of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's May 19 performance in Nuneaton, United Kingdom can be seen below.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM made its live debut with new drummer Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL, ANTHRAX) on May 8 at Club Red in Mesa, Arizona.

The first leg of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's 2015 European tour kicked off on May 13 with four shows in Greece and moved to mainland Europe, consisting of club shows and a few festival appearances, culminating with the Fortarock festival in The Netherlands on June 6 alongside headliners HATEBREED, LAMB OF GOD and SLIPKNOT. The trek marks the band's return to Europe, coming off the heels of 2012's "Ugly Noise" album and last year's re-recording of the band's classic 1988 "No Place For Disgrace" LP. Joining FLOTSAM for the majority of the mainland European tour is the Belgian band BLIKSEM.

FLOTSAM's current linup includes Steve Conley on guitar and Michael Spencer (who previously contributed to the writing of the band's classic 1988 release, "No Place For Disgrace") on bass.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM recently entered the studio to begin recording its new album — the band's first to feature Bittner.

Spencer stated about the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM material: "There's a great, old-school thrash vibe going on with the direction of the songs and what originally influenced the band, mixed with a little of what we like about today's sound, in metal."

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM returned to Metal Blade Records for the release of "Ugly Noise".

Thrash veterans DEATH ANGEL will release "The Bay Calls For Blood - Live In San Francisco" on LP exclusively through Nuclear Blast mail-order on July 24. The release will also be made available in the digital format and as a bonus CD with the band's upcoming DVD called "A Thrashumentary". Artwork for the LP version was created by Joey James Hernandez and can be seen below.

"Joey James Hernandez has created designs for most of our tour merch over the past few years," commented guitarist Rob Cavestany. "We love his style and felt it the perfect fit with this record! "Joey is also creating original art for the back cover and poster that will be included. We want to give our fans the full old-school album experience with lots to look at while listening to the record, the way we used to check out music back in the day when it was quality over quantity! "We are a Bay Area band — and have always been proud of it. That's why we recorded the album here and wanted the art to reflect where we're from — in a brutal way, of course! It's a tribute to our hometown fans. The city has evolved so much since we were kids growing up here. Unfortunately, swarms of parasites have invaded SF like a disease and are sucking the life out of it in many ways. I envisioned an image depicting the aftermath of the eradication of these dot com techie scums! "The front cover depicts a disintegrated Bay Bridge while in the distance San Francisco lies in ruin. The ominous sky is the color of fire, the water blood red. The title is written in the blood of victims whose bodies have been dragged down to the second deck of the bridge, where their assailants plot the next attack..." Adds Joey James Hernandez: "I am not used to drawing atmospheres but when the boys at DEATH ANGEL asked me to do this, it was a no brainer to do it and challenge myself. Their visuals and music for this reminded and inspired me of Mad Max, Chernobyl Diaries, any bad dream or premonition we have of aftermath, strife and danger that still lurks in its ashes."

"A Thrashumentary" was directed, shot and edited by Tommy Jones (KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK, LAMB OF GOD, CARCASS, TESTAMENT) of Videohammer Studios. It will be released on July 24 via Nuclear Blast.

"A Thrashumentary" DVD chapter list:

01. Start02. We Grew Up In The Bay Area Thrash Scene03. The Original Lineup Of Death Angel04. Kill As One05. The Ultra Violence06. Frolic In The Park07. Act III08. The Accident09. The O10. Swarm11. Thrash Of The Titans12. I Like Everything About Ted13. The Art Of Dying14. Killing Season15. Relentless Revolution16. I'm Looking For Will Carroll17. And Then Damien Came In18. Relentless Retribution19. Impressions Of Suecof20. Relentless Touring21. Thrashers22. Death Angel Is23. The Last Song Of The Evening24. Credits

Extra:

25. Mistress Of Pain Live "The Bay Calls For Blood" bonus live album and individual LP track listing:

01. Left For Dead02. Fallen03. Buried Alive04. The Dream Calls For Blood05. Execution/Don't Save Me06. Truce07. Detonate08. Bored09. Caster Of Shame10. Territorial Instinct/Bloodlust

As previously reported, DEATH ANGEL will enter the studio on October 1 to begin recording its new album for an April 2016 release via Nuclear Blast.

Asked by Groovey of Groovey.TV what fans can expect from the follow-up to 2013's "The Dream Calls For Blood", DEATH ANGEL guitarist Ted Aguilar said: "It's gonna be DEATH ANGEL. In my personal opinion, I don't think we're gonna try to top ['The Dream Calls For Blood']. You can't recreate that moment in time. 'The Dream Calls For Blood' is 'The Dream Calls For Blood'. This next album we're writing… I mean, we've got some songs; [we're] four songs in. No lyrics yet, but… It's always gonna be heavy. The foundation of DEATH ANGEL is still there, but it's kind of hard to describe what direction we're going in until it's recorded, mixed and mastered. 'Cause the way DEATH ANGEL writes, we write a song, but it's always evolving — up until the point of recording. Even when it comes down to the mixing. It's just, like, 'Ah, let's change that up.'"

He continued: "'The Dream Calls For Blood', it's a great record. We're proud of it. And the next album, it's just gonna be DEATH ANGEL in our mindset today. I'm not gonna say, 'It's gonna be this,' and it ends up being a little different. Who knows what this album is gonna sound like? [But] it's gonna be good."

Asked if DEATH ANGEL has been writing any new material on the road, Ted said: "We've written some stuff on the road, and when we get back [home from the current tour], we're gonna write some more. Then we've got Europe in July and August, and we're gonna continue writing in Europe, on downtime and whatnot. 'Cause there's a lot of time on the road; plenty of hours go by, like right now. And then when we get home after Europe, in August, we're gonna spend a couple of weeks off, then all of September is honing in and doing pre-production, writing a little more and just fixing the loose ends."

DEATH ANGEL's seventh album, "The Dream Calls For Blood", sold 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, AUGUST BURNS RED, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ALL THAT REMAINS, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER), and once again features cover art by Brent Elliot White (JOB FOR A COWBOY, CARNIFEX, WHITECHAPEL).

Dutch modern progressive metalband Textures entered the studio last week to record the follow up for their 2011' album Dualism, which will be released via Nuclear Blast Records. This will be the band's first album with current guitarist Joe Tal, who completed the band as a six-piece again in 2013. Founding guitarist Jochem Jacobs, who has left the band in 2012, will also be a part of the process as he will be producing and mixing the upcoming album at Jacobs' Split Second Sound Studio. Besides the participation of Jochem, Textures will also be having Yuma Van Eekelen (Exivious, Pestilence) on board as co-producer/engineer at both Split Second Sound Studio as Bart and Yuma's own Final Focus Studio. 

This is what the band has to say: "We are thrilled to be back in the studio after such a long time. We know our fans are waiting for a while now as our previous album 'Dualism' has been released 4 years ago already. We have spent a long time making the songs really fit, so we can tell you this album will have something in store for every Textures fan out there and even more than that!!".

Textures already tried out one of the new songs live on their Polars 10th Anniversary Tour last October (see below), which has been well received by the fans. The new album by Textures is expected to be released early 2016.

Fin'amor was founded in the fall of 2008 by guitarist Julian Chuzhik, vocalist Benjamin Meyerson, and keyboardist/bassist Nodar Khutortsov, as an ambitious effort to manifest a sound inspired by the sorrow and down-tempo of doom, the atmosphere and orchestration of Goth, the versatility of progressive, and the strength and resolution of death. This fusion manifested itself as a breath of fresh air to the members: an independent style that bleeds passion and sets itself apart from popularized variants found in metal, while retaining the identity it garnered from its raw origins.

The band is set to venture from the New York scene in the summer, beginning with the release of their debut full-length album. The album Forbidding Mourning explores themes of hope, despite a despairing existence, the paradoxical nature of love, and the desolation of apathy. Moving forward, the collective expects to further evolve and introduce new elements into the polyphony during their continuous composition process.

Forbidding Mourning will be released on July 7 and is available for preorder bundle packages on Bandcamp.

Tracklisting:

“Bleed The Oceans”
“Oasis”
“I Am Winter”
“Memories Of Flesh”
“Natura”
“Porcelain Swan”
“Valediction”

“I Am Winter”:

Fin'amor lineup:

Benjamin Meyerson- vocals
Julian Chuzhik- guitar
Raphael Pinsker- guitar
Nodar Khutortsov- keyboard
Slava Morozov- bass
Eugene Bell- drums

A new song from BULLETBOYS called "Symphony" can be streamed at BulletboysOfficial.com. The track is taken from the band's first album of original material since 2009, "Elefanté", due on June 9 via Cleopatra/Deadline. According to a press release, "this long-awaited CD shows that the BULLETBOYS are unstoppable with their grinding hard rock. Singer Marq Torien's vocals hit every note with the power that is his trademark.

"Can't wait for our fans to hear this album," says Marq. "I put my heart and soul into this music. This album has sick peaks and valleys... it is NOT a linear album. A straight-out labor of love that I've dedicated to my amazing father, all of our families and our unfaltering BULLETBOYS fans and friends." BULLETBOYS' current lineup consists of founding member Marq Torien (vocals/lead guitar), Nick Rozz (guitar), Chad MacDonald (bass) and Shawn Duncan (drums).

"Elefanté" was produced by Matt Thorne (TRAPT, DISTURBED) and Torien, and was engineered by Ryan Greene (ALICE COOPER, LITA FORD, CHEAP TRICK, USHER). It was mastered by Anthony Focx (MILEY CYRUS, AEROSMITH, SANTANA, BUCKCHERRY).

"Working with the BULLETBOYS was an amazing experience," says Greene.

"Most singers from back in the '80's were pretty good, but I will tell you, Marq knocked it out of the park on this record. His power and passion was second to none and he can sing in tune! No Auto-Tune needed; he's the real freakin' deal.

"If you think for a second this is going to be some rehashed '80s record, you are completely wrong!" "Elefanté" track listing: 01. Rollover02. Tsunami03. Symphony04. The Villain05. Kin Folk06. Saving You From Me07. As Dumb As08. Superhuman Girl09. Drop Your Weapon10. Bitch Is Back11. Elefanté BULLETBOYS will embark on a three-month headlining tour this summer.

"Feel like I'm gonna jump out my skin," says Marq. "Can't wait to take this on the road with the fellas!! All year!!! Hell yeah!!! Let's do this!"

BULLETBOYS was one of the prominent bands in the flourishing Hollywood metal scene during the late 1980s, with numerous smash hits such as "Smooth Up In Ya", "For The Love Of Money" and "Hang On St. Christopher" off the group's platinum-selling classic self-titled debut and follow-up, "Freakshow", dominating both MTV and radio airwaves.

On the 87th episode of "Brutally Delicious", the world's most metal cooking show, your favorite host Bruce Moore is joined remotely by British heavy metal vocalist Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE). Watch the clip below and find out what Blaze has been up to, and learn how to cook some tasty fish finger curry.

The 51-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to join MAIDEN, with whom he recorded two studio albums — 1995's "The X Factor" 1998's and "Virtual XI" — before Bruce Dickinson returned to the group.

Bayley released a career-spanning double-disc collection, "Soundtracks Of My Life", on October 31, 2013.

The singer's latest studio album, "The King Of Metal", was released in March 2012. The CD was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy.

Asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for his next studio album, Blaze told Angel last November: "I'm working on it bit by bit. I absolutely don't wanna rush it. I want it to evolve the same way that 'Silicon Messiah' [2000] did and 'Blood & Belief' [2004] did and 'The Man Who Would Not Die' [2008]. Those albums all were really solid, because they evolved. We wrote things, we went back, we polished, we tried… we decided what to leave off and what to make the most of. So the next one, I've worked it out so I could do it when I want. It can come out [in 2015], or it can come out in 2016."

He continued: "I've got a few ideas for it. It's probably gonna be a concept album. And we'll see how it goes, really. The most important thing is that it must have some absolutely standout songs. I've kind of set myself the goal of I wanna write at least equal to the best songs I've ever written and hopefully stuff that will really, really come to life… I want something that will live on, really. 'Cause it seems to me that 'Silicon Messiah' has got a life and lived and breathed more than I ever thought it would. I was just making an album at the time. [I was trying] to get an album out after IRON MAIDEN, so I would still have a career."

In a brand new interview with RollingStone.com, the members of the Japanese teenage girl pop metal band BABYMETAL were asked why they play METALLICA's music over the P.A. before their live shows start.

"It's not only something for us, but the fans get excited when they listen to METALLICA and, with BABYMETAL, it keeps with the rhythm," BABYMETAL's Su-Metal said. "Before we joined BABYMETAL, we weren't that familiar with metal, but we learned a lot from METALLICA. Watching their shows and even meeting them, they were really nice to us."

Asked if they got any advice from METALLICA when they met them, BABYMETAL's Moametal said: "We never got any advice, but just watching their stage we learned so much. They separate who they are onstage and who they are backstage. That's something we learned from them and we hope one day we'll be able to reach that kind of level onstage that METALLICA has onstage. It feels like they do receive power from the metal gods when they're on because it's amazing."

As previously reported, BABYMETAL has signed with RAL/Sony Music Entertainment for the U.S. release of the band's 2014 critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. The CD features two bonus tracks and was made available digitally on May 12, with a physical release to follow on Tuesday, June 16.

"Babymetal" will be released via earMUSIC in Germany, Sweden, Finland and Spain on May 29, in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Switzerland, Norway and Denmark on June 1, and in Italy on June 2

The European release will be available as the standard edition as well as a deluxe edition that includes a bonus DVD compiling six music videos from BABYMETAL.

Since forming in 2010, BABYMETAL — the young trio of 17-year-old Su-Metal (vocal, dance) and 15-year-olds Yuimetal (scream, dance)and Moametal (scream, dance), backed by a four-piece band packing a heavy metal arsenal — has already achieved two major debut singles — "Ijime, Dame, Zetta!" and "Megistune", both of which ranked in the Top 10 Oricon Chart in Japan. Their first studio album, "Babymetal", also earned the #1 spot on Japan's album chart and Billboard's World Album Chart. The official live music video for their debut album's lead single, "Gimme Chocolate!!", has garnered over 24.5 million views on YouTube.

2014 saw BABYMETAL headline numerous sold-out shows from New York to London, including the 20,000-capacity Saitama Super Arena in Japan. They performed at major festivals in multiple countries such as the U.K.'s massive Sonisphere in front of 65,000 festival goers and supported Lady Gaga on her "Artrave: The Artpop Ball" tour.

Photo courtesy of BABYMETAL Facebook page

Mick Burgess at Metal Express Radio recently caught up with vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple) to discuss his upcoming UK tour and his origins with rock legends Rainbow. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

MER: You first came to prominence over here in the UK when you joined Rainbow although you had done a few albums with Fandango by then. When were you first aware of Ritchie Blackmore`s interest?
 
JLT: "It was towards the end of the Fandango period. We had four albums out and our equipment had just been stolen, thousands of dollars of customised guitars and amps. The wind was right out of our sails and RCA Records tried to help us out and buy us some new stuff but it was never the same. We were just so downhearted. Then it started to break apart. I ended up living in a one roomed flat with a mattress on the floor and no money when I got a call from Ritchie and my life totally changed. I thought someone was playing a joke on me."
 
MER: So things were pretty bleak for you at that time?
 
JLT: "I`d been going to auditions with my guitar and not getting anywhere as frankly I was better than the people holding the auditions, they thought I`d steal the show. I just wasn`t getting a break and thought I`d have to form my own band and that`s when I got the call from Ritchie."
 
MER: What was your audition like?
 
JLT: "I walked into the studio in Long Island and there was Ritchie and Roger at the desk. Ritchie said very few words. He just told me to go in there onto the mike. They started to throw these tracks at me. They asked me if I could write and I said I could so they threw some tracks at me and asked me to write something. I went into what Ritchie later called my 'magic bag' which is full of lyrics and ideas and I pulled out this one lyric that became 'Midtown Tunnel' Vison” and they loved it. We then worked on 'I Surrender' after which Ritchie came in with a couple of beers and said the job was mine if I wanted it. I said I didn`t just want it but I needed it and I was in Rainbow."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

The clip below features Turner being interviewed to KaaosTV before his show at Leipätehdas in Vaasa, Finland on April 24th. During the interview, Turner discussed his lengthy career as well as about the possible Rainbow reunion with Ritchie Blackmore happening in September. 

“The real talk is that it’s probable. We are talking, but we haven’t sat in the same room yet to discuss anything. We could get in this room and say ‘well there is nothing.’ Or we can get in this room and say ‘there is this, there is that, there is a reunion, or there’s just a Blackmore Turner album. Or there’s some remakes or there is nothing at all.’ So we haven’t gotten into that room yet.” 

In a brand new interview with The Aquarian Weekly, MASTODON drummer Brann Dailor was asked if he felt like it was "a miss" when his band was nominated for a "Best Metal Performance" Grammy for the song "High Road" but lost out to comedy duo TENACIOUS D.

"No, it's a Grammy, what else?" he replied. "It's not something I really think about that much, especially when we're making the kind of music we're doing.

"It's cool to be nominated, because, I mean, metal never really was a part of that whole world. METALLICA got so big and it wasn't a category but they couldn't ignore it anymore, so they had to put it in there. Now it's a staple but it's not televised."

He continued: "It's cool to be invited. It's cool to go and represent for heavy music and be the band that got picked to be there. It's nice to show 'we're musicians, too.' We're some of the most exciting people writing and recording their own music and pushing limits of their musicianship just as far as the jazz guys out there. It's cool to tell mom and dad, grandma and grandpa. It would be cool to get one just to show that this is still a possible thing. You can start out in a van and make songs with your friends, and you can play in VFW halls and basements and write all your own music, produce all your own albums, and you can win a Grammy! For us, you can get nominated for three Grammys, get invited to their show, and be a band that started off as the so-called 'American Dream.' It would be cool to show that's possible."

Dailor added: "METALLICA made it seem possible to me that you could be some kid, practice, jam out with your friends and you can achieve that much — you can touch people's lives with your music if you just work really hard."

MASTODON received its first Grammy nomination in 2006 for the single "Colony Of Birchmen", from the band's Reprise debut album, "Blood Mountain". The second Grammy nomination was for "Curl Of The Burl", the first single from MASTODON's 2011 CD, "The Hunter". MASTODON's third Grammy-nominated song, "High Road", was featured on last year's "Once More 'Round The Sun" album.

In an era teaming with bands led by virtuoso guitarists and fronted by a singer with killer pipes, RAINBOW stood head and shoulders above the crowd. Ritchie Blackmore's hugely influential guitar playing mixed baroque bombast with blues rock brilliance, and laid the perfect sonic foundation for the versatile vocals of the late, great Ronnie James Dio. When Dio left the band in 1978, Blackmore, along with drummer Cozy Powell, recruited another vocal powerhouse, singer Graham Bonnet, and together with other new recruits, including DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover and COLISEUM II keyboardist Don Airey, recorded what would be one of RAINBOW's greatest achievements, their breakthrough album "Down To Earth". Not only did that masterpiece spawn the band's first charting single, "All Night Long", it also contained the all-time classic, rock radio staple "Since You Been Gone". The subsequent "Down To Earth" tour became the stuff of legend with a groundbreaking light show and a set list packed to the gills with fan favorites like "Man On A Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock And Roll" but still plenty of room for Blackmore's own six-string pyrotechnics.

Now these incredible performances are being released for the first time with the pomp and pageantry worthy of these historic recordings, courtesy of L.A.-based Purple Pyramid Records. Available now is "Denver 1979", an extraordinary concert album pressed on vinyl in three different colors — red, green, or blue — and packaged in an eye-catching holographic foil gatefold jacket. And coming August 21 is a super deluxe 3CD box set featuring full-length concert recordings from Denver, Long Island, and Chicago each packaged in its own individual sleeve next to a whole boatload of classic rock goodies including a one-inch color button, embroidered fabric patch, a Ritchie Blackmore signature guitar pick, and a combo bottle opener/keychain — all beautifully contained in a gorgeous red-velvet lined box. For fans of this extraordinary band, there can be no bigger pot of gold!

Nuber of the Columbus, Ohio radio station 99.7 The Blitz conducted an interview with PAPA ROACH singer Jacoby Shaddix at this year's Rock On The Range, which was held May 15-17 at MAPFRE Stadium (formerly Crew Stadium) in Columbus. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about how PAPA ROACH has managed to maintain the same lineup since the band replaced original drummer Dave Buckner with Tony Palermo in 2007, Jacoby said: "It's a family. It's a brotherhood. You know what I'm saying?! That's what it is, dude. It's four dudes from a small town. I mean, we have a different drummer; it's the one member change we had, and that was very tough on the band, but I think it was necessary. But, you know, the core of us, man, the songwriting crew, it's just been the same dudes, and we love each other. As much as sometimes I wanna punch them in the face and put 'em in a headlock… You know, it's like brothers, man. You know what I'm saying?! Brothers fight, brothers battle, but at the end of the day, we're brothers."

He continued: "To be able to still inspire each other… We do that. It's like when I sit down in the back lounge [of our tour bus] and we're working on riffs for the new record already, stuff just gets me off, man; I'm excited. It lifts me up, man. It moves me, and it inspires me. I think that's why we're still here — because we still have that fire."

PAPA ROACH's latest album, "F.E.A.R.", came out at the end of January.

The band will join forces with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH for a North American co-headlining tour this fall. Also appearing on the bill will be IN THIS MOMENT and FROM ASHES TO NEW.

ANTHRAX is continuing to write and record material for its follow-up to 2011's "Worship Music", tentatively due in late 2015 or early 2016.

"We do have a lot of songs; it's not like we’re just working on 10 songs — we have 17 songs," ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian tells TulsaWorld.com. "So it's quite a bit of material."

"There's really no reason for us to put an end date or cap on the writing if you keep coming up with ideas," Ian said. "You just kind of go with it. We felt like we had a lot of really strong ideas. Certainly now on the back of that, having recorded a lot of it, I'm just glad we have so much great material."

According to Ian, the members of ANTHRAX want to make sure the album is exactly what they want before releasing it.

"When it's done and we're happy, then we'll make a decision [about a release date]," Ian said.

ANTHRAX's new album, which is once again being produced by Jay Ruston (STEEL PANTHER, STONE SOUR), will mark the recording debut for guitarist and newest bandmember Jon Donais.

ANTHRAX last month embarked on a six-week-plus North American tour with VOLBEAT, as well as appearances at five major outdoor festivals — Northern Invasion (outside of Minneapolis), Rock On The Range (Columbus, Ohio), Rocklahoma (Pryor, Oklahoma), and the San Antonio and Kansas City Rockfests. The band's setlist features the new song "Soror Irrumator (Lords Of The Rock)", ANTHRAX's contribution to the the second installment of "Catch The Throne: The Mixtape", for HBO's Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning series "Game Of Thrones".

San Diego-based deathgrind masters CATTLE DECAPITATION will release their new album, "The Anthropocene Extinction", on August 7 via Metal Blade. The CD was once again helmed by Dave Otero (ALLEGAEON, CEPHALIC CARNAGE), who worked on 2012's "Monolith Of Inhumanity".

"Dave is a bonafide producer," says CATTLE DECAPITATION vocalist Travis Ryan. "He's got a lot of great ideas and this time we heard him out pretty religiously because making 'Monolith' had worked out so well. We've always kind of co-produced our records with whoever we brought in, but these last two we did a lot more listening to what he had to say rather than just sticking with what we were saying. Sometimes we shot down his ideas and vice versa, but that discussion was always beneficial. He basically becomes the fifth member of the band at that point, and I think that kind of relationship is the best way to get anything out of anybody."

CATTLE DECAPITATION also enlisted a surprising array of guests to help achieve their vision. The one and only legendary Philip H. Anselmo lends his throat to "The Prophets Of Loss" while recent signee to his Housecore Records label, fellow San Diegan and friend of the band, AUTHOR & PUNISHER, brings forth the industrial damnation as an intro to the track "Plagueborne". Additionally, Germany's dark metal misanthrope, Mr. Jurgen Bartsch of the almighty BETHLEHEM, lends a spoken-word piece in his native tongue to the apocalyptic final track "Pacific Grim".

The record also sees the band extending their collaboration with illustrator Wes Benscoter, who's handled the artwork for every CATTLE DECAPITATION release since 2002's "To Serve Man".

"When we work with Wes, he becomes a member of the band," says Ryan. As always, Benscoter formulated striking imagery that conveyed the record's themes in unflinching style, the cover featuring a bloated and distorted corpse washed up on a beach, its torn abdomen disgorging a mass of waste plastic.

Whereas "Monolith Of Inhumanity" dealt with what could become of the earth and its life forms had humans continued their present course, with "The Anthropocene Extinction" we have been transported forward to man's last gasps, reminiscent of what is currently going on with the Laysan Albatrosses on the island of Midway Atoll. The birds and aquatic wildlife of the Pacific Ocean are mistaking the vast amounts of man-made plastic items for food, ingesting it and are dying in large numbers, rotting where they fall and exposing to the world what is happening to the ecosystems of the earth's oceans — the most unknown and unexplored part of our planet. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch of the North Pacific Gyre is just part of the problem — there are five gyres on planet earth and they're all filling with plastic waste outnumbering the plankton vital for the ocean's ecosystems. The breakdown of the earth's ecosystems has begun long ago due to human interaction as well as the domino effect that will surely seal the fate for our species: The Anthropocene Extinction.

The first taste of "The Anthropocene Extinction" comes in the form of opening track, "Manufactured Extinct", now available for public consumption below. "The Anthropocene Extinction" track listing:

01. Manufactured Extinct02. The Prophets of Loss03. Plagueborne04. Clandestine Ways (Krokodil Rot)05. Circo Inhumanitas06. The Burden Of Seven Billion07. Mammals In Babylon08. Mutual Assured Destruction09. Not Suitable For Life10. Apex Blasphemy11. Ave Exitium12. Pacific Grim

In related news, on Friday, July 11, fans can join CATTLE DECAPITATION at the Brick By Brick in San Diego, California where the band will be playing a special, advanced CD release show in honor of "The Anthropocene Extinction". Joining CATTLE DECAPITATION for this special occasion will be AUTHOR & PUNISHER, NOCTUARY and MORTUUS TERROR. Those in attendance will have a chance to win some killer prizes courtesy of Metal Blade and the band making this a show not to be missed.

CATTLE DECAPITATION is: Travis Ryan - VocalsJosh Elmore - GuitarDerek Engemann - BassDave McGraw - Drums