Legendary guitarist Joe Satriani will release his 15th solo studio album, "Shockwave Supernova", on July 24, making him one of the first to utilize the new "Friday, Global Release Day" for music.

It would be easy to call "Shockwave Supernova" a "masterpiece" or "the last word on guitar" from the world's most commercially successful solo guitar performer. Satch, however, sees it much more personally. He has consistently advanced the artistry of the instrument; an effort he dedicated himself to on September 18, 1970, the day his idol Jimi Hendrix died. Recorded late last year at Skywalker Sound in Lucas Valley, California, "Shockwave Supernova" features the dynamic trio of world-class musicians who had recently been part of Satriani's global tour; renowned keyboardist and guitarist Mike Keneally, a veteran of several Satch outings and recordings; along with drumming whiz Marco Minnemann and bass extraordinaire Bryan Beller. "I couldn't have asked for a better band to help bring these songs to life," says Satriani. The album also sees Satriani once again joining forces co-producer and engineer John Cuniberti. Satch and Cuniberti share production on "Shockwave Supernova", as they have on numerous albums — their shared history dates back to the guitar star's 1986 debut album, "Not Of This Earth" and its follow- up, the platinum-selling, critically acclaimed "Surfing With The Alien". Minnemann and Beller handle the bulk of "Shockwave Supernova"'s rhythmic duties, with the exception of four cuts — the driving "Keep On Movin'", full of wondrous Satch guitar wizardry and Keneally's playful piano; "In My Pocket", a deliciously greasy, souped-up take on Swing; along with "Crazy Joey" (a deliriously effervescent romp); and "Scarborough Stomp" (a relentless upbeat rocker) — find Satriani joined by another powerhouse rhythm section: the esteemed drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (whose work includes the likes of Frank Zappa, Sting, Paul Simon, among others) and JANE'S ADDICTION bassist Chris Chaney (whose resume includes Alanis Morrisette, Celine Dion and Rob Zombie, to name a few). Recently, during the final performance of his two-year "Unstoppable Momentum" tour, Satriani had an epiphany; he found himself, "playing the guitar with my teeth an awful lot. I thought, 'Why are you doing this?' It's as if something else, or somebody else, was driving me to do it." Satriani seized upon this moment of self-realization as the springboard and creative center for his alter ego "Shockwave Supernova", the outlandish and extroverted "performance side" of the normally shy and reserved guitar virtuoso. With this new persona as partner, Satriani launched "Shockwave Supernova". In a creative and engaging alternative venture, Satriani, a lifelong science fiction fan, has reached out to the future, through the medium of animation. Finally recognizing the on-stage symmetry with his alter ego allowed Satriani to also take a risk on this particular style of storytelling. He says, "Guitarist Ned Evett and I have created an animated series called 'Crystal Planet'. The actual Crystal Planet is our very own Earth, set billions of years in the future. The hero of the show uses music generated by a unique electric guitar to travel through time while the show's characters struggle to preserve the future and past of humankind." More information on "Crystal Planet" and how and where fans will view the series will be coming shortly. Fans are now able to pre-order the new album with an exclusive signed poster only at Satriani.com. Joe will be selecting art for the poster from fan submitted art — check Joe's Facebook page for more details. The album is available for pre-order on Amazon and iTunes and will also be available to order as 2-LP 120-gram vinyl.

"Shockwave Supernova" track listing: 01. Shockwave Supernova02. Lost In A Memory03. Crazy Joey04. In My Pocket05. On Peregrine Wings06. Cataclysmic07. San Francisco Blue08. Keep On Movin'09. All Of My Life10. A Phase I'm Going Through11. Scarborough Stomp12. Butterfly And Zebra13. If There Is No Heaven14. Stars Race Across The Sky15. Goodbye Supernova

Photo credit: Chapman Baehler

Jeff Scott Soto — one of today's premier rock frontmen and vocalists — and a union of hotshot young musicians bring you a slamming blend of melody and muscle in some of the freshest power metal to surface in years present. Together they are SOTO, and their debut album, "Inside The Vertigo", was released on January 30 via earMUSIC. The CD was described in a press release as "a neurotic blend of power metal, prog, groove-laden huge guitars, hooks and production."

The official video for the song "Break" can be seen below.

Jeff explains: "I've been in the game for a long time but my roots started more on the heavier side of the tracks, I thought it was about time I came home to visit the family and stick around for a while!"

SOTO is comprised of Jeff's most current solo band: Jorge Salan (lead guitar), BJ (keyboards, guitars), David Z (bass) and Edu Cominato (drums). Soto adds: "These guys come from different parts of the world and bring their own influence to make this band very special. From the U.S. to Europe to South America, we have an exciting mix of style and prestige that keeps us all on our toes."

Jeff adds: "The past five or more years have propelled me a plethora of anger and frustration; I'm actually quite pissed off about a lot of things. SOTO is my outlet to release some of this pent-up emotion.

"We realize there are a lot of folks young and old who may be sharing these thoughts, so this is especially for them, too.

"We're not reinventing the wheel here, we're just creating an outlet for where our hearts are both musically and mentally… I'm just not in a 'touch your golden hair' mood right now!"

Produced by Jeff Scott Soto, "Inside The Vertigo" features tracks co-written with his bandmates as well as a of his famous friends/colleagues. Collaborators include guitarists Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE), Jason Bieler (SAIGON KICK), Mike Orlando (ADRENALINE MOB) and Joel Hoekstra (NIGHT RANGER, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), all of whom perform on their penned tracks for the album. Others appearing as guests/co-writers are Casey Grillo (KAMELOT), Connor Engstrom, Tony Dickinson, Leo Mancini, Hugo Mariutti and Gary Schutt.

"Inside The Vertigo" was recorded during the latter months of 2013 and mixed/mastered in Boston by Soto's longtime engineer and friend John Ellis.

"Everyone from John to my amazing co-writers to some of my bandmates, especially Edu, who was extremely instrumental in helping me stay on course musically, get overall credit for creating this album," Jeff says. "I oversaw it as a whole, knowing the vision I wanted to capture, but I truly had a lot of help from my bros that appear on this masterpiece!''

The release of the album intentionally coincided with the birth date of Soto's fallen colleague and dear friend Marcel Jacob of TALISMAN.

"Inside The Vertigo" track listing:

01. Final Say02. The Fall03. Wrath04. Break05. Narcissistically Yours06. End of Days07. Inside The Vertigo08. When I'm Older09. Trance10. Jealousy11. Karma's Kiss12. Fall To Pieces

Below is the official music video for "In Black", the second single from the upcoming 7th To/Die/For studio album. The video was filmed and produced by Junkyard Films, the single recorded, mixed and mastered by Juho Räihä at SoundSpiral Audio. The video features all Miss Rock 2015 finalists.

On June 26th, Massacre Records will release Cult, the brand new album by Finnish gothic metal band To/Die/For. It features cover art created by Raziel Kainen at Dark-Prince Graphix.

Tracklisting:
"In Black"
"Screaming Birds"
"Unknown III"
"Mere Dream"
"You"
"Straight Up"
"Let It Bleed"
"End Of Tears"
"Dying Embers" - Demo 2001 (Only on Massacre Records digipack)

The video for "Screaming Birds" can be seen below.

 

 

Veteran Arizona metallers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM made their live debut with new drummer Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL, ANTHRAX) this past Friday, May 8 at Club Red in Mesa, Arizona. Video footage of the concert can be seen below.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM has announced the first leg of its 2015 European tour that is scheduled to start May 13 with four shows in Greece and move 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 will mark 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 will be 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 has entered the studio to begin recording its new album — the band's first to feature Bittner.

Spencer recently 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".

Canadian rock legends RUSH kicked off their "R40 Live" 40th-anniversary tour this past Friday night (May 8) at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The concert featured no opening act and contained a number of video vignettes created for the tour, including an animated sequence shown at the start of the show that displayed the progression of the trio throughout the years.

The official 40-second video recap of the Tulsa concert can be seen below.

"This is the very first show," bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee told the crowd after a few songs, according to TulsaWorld.com. "We're celebrating way too many years of music."

According to JamBase.com, the ten-song first set featured a run of five tunes that hadn't been performed on recent tours: "The Main Monkey Business" (last played in 2008) and "One Little Victory" (last played in 2008) from 2007's "Snakes & Arrows", "Animate" (last played in 2004) from 1993's "Counterparts", the title track from 1991's "Roll The Bones" (last played in 2004) and "Distant Early Warning" (last played in 2007) from 1984's "Grace Under Pressure". Aired during the second set were "Jacob's Ladder" from 1980's "Permanent Waves", which was performed for the first time in 35 years; "Cygnus X- 1 Book Two: Hemispheres - Prelude" (last played in 1994) from 1978's "Hemispheres" and "Cygnus X-1 Book One - The Voyage" (last played in 2002) from 1977's "A Farewell To Kings"; "Closer To The Heart" (last played in 2011) and "Xanadu" (last played in 2004), also from "A Farewell To Kings"; and the "2112" suite from 1976's "2112", including the first performance of "2112 Part IV: Presentation" since 1997. The encore consisted of "Lakeside Park" (last played in 1978) from 1975's "Caress Of Steel"; "Anthem" (last played in 1992) from 1975's "Fly By Night"; and "What You're Doing" and "Working Man" from RUSH's eponymous, 1974 studio debut.

The band's setlist was as follows:

Set 1

Intro video - The World is ... The World is

* Clockwork Angels* The Anarchist* Headlong Flight (with mini drum solo)* Far Cry* Main Monkey Business* One Little Victory* Animate* Roll The Bones* Distant Early Warning* Subdivisions

Intermission

Set 2

Intro video - No Country for Old Hens

* Tom Sawyer* Red Barchetta* The Spirit Of Radio* Jacob's Ladder* Cygnus X-1 Book Two: Hemispheres - Prelude* Cygnus X-1 Book One - The Voyage: Part 1* Drum Solo* Cygnus X-1 Book One - The Voyage: Part 3* Closer To The Heart* Xanadu* 2112 Overture/Temples of Syrinx/Presentation/Grand Finale

Encore

Intro Video: Mel's Rockpile starring Eugene Levy

* Lakeside Park* Anthem* What You're Doing* Working Man

Outro Video: Exit Stage Left

The "R40 Live" tour will wrap on August 1 in Los Angeles, California at the Forum.

Asked how he is feeling about the idea of retiring from the road, RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson told The Canadian Press: "I have such mixed feelings about it. In one way, I feel relief. I think that 40 years is a long time to be touring the way we tour. I really like being home with my grandkids. At 61, I don't feel there's anything we need to prove."

He continued: "I still love playing. But in [drummer] Neil's [Peart] case, for example, his job is really tough. Playing the way he does is very, very difficult on his body. He has chronic tendonitis in his arms and he's had problems with his shoulders.

"It's just getting to the point, no matter how much we love doing it, that it's much more demanding and much more difficult."

Lifeson added: "I've always hated the idea of being one of those guys who's just up there, old and barely able to move — just doing it for fear of not doing it, or not making an extra buck or whatever.

"If this is the last major tour that we do, [I want to] go out with flying colors, where everybody remembers the show they went to as the best RUSH they've [seen].

"That's a nice legacy to leave behind — rather than the worn-out shadow of something you once were." Out now is "R40", a RUSH video box set on six Blu-ray discs or 10 DVDs. The collection includes live footage from all four decades of the band's career, including over two hours of previously unreleased material, a rare performance of "2112" in its entirety, three previously unreleased tracks from 1974, and more.

The official five-minute video recap of LAMB OF GOD's March 6 performance in Manila, Philippines can be seen below.

Photos of the concert are available on the Inquirer.net web site.

LAMB OF GOD is currently working on material for the follow-up to the band's 2012 album, "Resolution", for a tentative late 2015 release.

During an interview with SiriusXM's Jose Mangin on Liquid Metal's "666-LIVE" call-in show, Adler stated about the progress of the songwriting sessions for LAMB OF GOD's next CD: "It's great. I guess the thing that I was overwhelmed with was the idea of us taking the year off of 2014 and then have us come together basically around now and start putting things together. But, as usual, everybody is a little antsy and wanting to jam, and it wasn't, like, oh, hey, Willie [Adler, guitar] has an idea and Mark [Morton, guitar] has this kinda cool solo thing he wants to add on top of it. Both of these guys came in with about fifty different song ideas. So what's been great is just going through all these ideas, which are all really good, and being able to say, 'Okay, we have this much material. Let's pick the top 10 or top 15 or 20, and just keep working on that. Then they get upset, because number 42 had their favorite part. So, okay, grab that favorite part from 42 and let's make song 6 way better. So it's been that kind of a process as we go along."

He continued: "I've noticed the guys are really writing the kind of stuff that I find myself kind of… I don't know… I don't wanna say 'singing along,' because there's no vocals on them yet, but the melodies of the ideas really stick with me, which is one of the things that, if I were to ever complain about more of the recent stuff that I've been buying music-wise… It's great while I'm listening to it, I'm impressed, it's over my head, it blows me away, but when I'm done with it, I couldn't tell you how it goes."

Adler added: "Our goal is, you know, that the guys that'll write the songs that stick with you are the guys that are gonna stick around. So I'm really impressed with what these guys have been doing on a songwriting level — stepping it up and writing stuff that kinda sticks with you."

During a May 2010 LAMB OF GOD show in the Czech Republic, 19-year-old concertgoer Daniel Nosek sustained a head injury that allegedly led to the fan's death. LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe was charged with manslaughter in the case, but was eventually acquitted.

"Resolution" sold around 52,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Wrath", opened with around 68,000 units back in March 2009 to enter the chart at No. 2. This figure was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by 2006's "Sacrament", which shifted around 63,000 units to debut at No. 8. It also represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, "Ashes Of The Wake", which premiered with 35,000 copies in September 2004.

Vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gentle Storm, The Sirens) has is currently on a solo acoustic tour through Greece. On May 9th she performed in  Kastoria for the first time ever. Fan-filmed video from the intimate gig is available below.

Anneke's schedule is now as follows:

May
12 - Mavri Trypa - Thessaloniki, Greece
14 - Mandragoras - Trikala, Greece
15 - Topos Tehnon Hora - Lamia, Greece
16 - Theater Trianon - Athens, Greece
17 - Metropolis - Patra, Greece

Anneke recently checked in with following announcement:

"Hey everybody! A beautiful 4CD box set collecting the four Agua De Annique albums will be released June 15th. This release also features additional photos and artwork as well as extensive liner notes collected by Carl Begai (BraveWords). When I started my solo career in 2007 I felt the sky was the limit. The four albums under the Agua de Annique tag (2007-2010) mark a very important part of my career and my life in general. The freedom to explore various musical styles and forms was super exciting. It also gave me the opportunity to collaborate with many artist friends. I am very proud of this wonderful box set and I have been actively involved in this creation. Mark Uyl is responsible for the cover picture and he also created this atmospheric short introduction video:"

The four Agua De Annique albums featured in the box set are as follows:

Air (including one bonus track)
Pure Air
In Your Room
Live In Europe

Following is an excerpt from the liner notes:

Anneke's solo sound is often referred to as pop-rock oriented but the first Agua de Annique record, Air, exhibited dark undertones similar to The Gathering's latter years with her behind the microphone. A song such as 'Witnesses', could have easily found a home on How To Measure A Planet?, or 'Sunken Soldiers Ball’ might have appeared on Nighttime Birds, but Anneke effectively turned the tables on any "copycat" thinking with stripped down tracks like 'My Girl', 'Asleep' and 'Yalin' or the dark rock contrasts of 'You Are Nice!'. Air offered an easily travelled bridge between Anneke's past and her new musical vision, making the single 'Day After Yesterday' a welcome first step out on her own.

"I was very, very excited," Anneke says. "To leave The Gathering was a huge step but I wasn't scared of the future because I had no idea what was going to happen. My thinking was 'Why should I be scared of that?' I had no idea what people were expecting. Some people thought I'd go in a completely different direction from The Gathering, other people thought I was just going to do the exact same kind of music. I didn't listen to anyone when I was writing the songs; I was focused on doing my own thing."

More details will be revealed soon.

Silverstein has released a brand new video for "Face Of The Earth", which is taken from their upcoming album I Am Alive In Everything I Touch, which will be released May 19th on Rise Records. The forthcoming album was recorded at the legendary Metal Works Studio in Toronto and is now available for pre-order via the Amazon widget below.

The tracklisting and artwork for I Am Alive In Everything I Touch, have also been revealed.

"Toronto" (Abridged)
"A Midwestern State Of Emergency"  
"Face Of The Earth" 
"Heaven, Hell And Purgatory" 
"Buried At Sea"  
"Late On 6th" 
"Milestone"
"The Continual Condition" 
"Desert Nights"
"In The Dark"
"Je Me Souviens"
"Toronto" (Unabridged)

 

 

The band is gearing up for a special run of album release show tour dates as well as in stores, which will kick off May 16th in Grand Rapids, MI. Joining Silverstein for this run will be special guests, Rarity. A copy of the band's album I Am Alive In Everything I Touch, will be included with each ticket purchase. To purchase tickets to the album release shows, visit this location.

Album Release Show Tour Dates:

May
16 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Stache
17 - Toronto, ON - HMV 333 Yonge St.
18 - Fords, NJ - Vintage Vinyl (acoustic)
19 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall
20 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
21 - Watertown, NY - Exhibition Hall
22 - Hamilton, ON - Absinthe
23 - Waterloo, ON - Maxwells

Silverstein is confirmed to perform all summer on the upcoming 2015 Vans Warped Tour. For a full list of dates and tickets, click here.

Also, Silverstein previously released the official music video for their song "A Midwestern State of Emergency":

 

 

Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, has finished recording his second solo album, "Brand New Revolution", for a summe release via Century Media in Europe, Australia and South America, Dismanic/eOne in North America and King Records in Japan.

Says Gus: "Once again I collaborated with some amazing musicians and songwriters on it, including singers Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TALISMAN, JOURNEY), Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TREAT, CANDLEMASS), Jacob Bunton (ADLER, LYNAM) while Jo Nunez played drums and Marty O' Brien (LITA FORD) played bass, while Jay Ruston (STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER, ANTHRAX) engineered the sessions.

"Most of the tracks were recorded live with me and the rhythm section jamming in a room.

"There's a certain energy about it that I hadn't previously done on a record before.

"The album is being mixed by the legendary Mike Fraser (METALLICA, AC/DC, AEROSMITH, VAN HALEN) in Vancouver, as I write these lines.

"The first few mixes I got sound crushing! I can't wait to share this with you all!

"In regards to the music itself, I can say that it's a continuation of the modern hard rock style I followed on my first album, although I think this one's a bit heavier. Needless to say, there's tons of guitar on it!"

Speaking about how different it is pursuing a solo career as opposed to running a band like FIREWIND, Gus told Metal Temple magazine: "Being in a band, it's a certain commitment that you need to keep everybody on the same page and everybody needs to be there and do things all together, and sometimes that doesn't go too well. Because, you know, this type of lifestyle is not for everybody; it can get tiring and all that. And I understand when members have to leave and do their own thing, and it's hard. Of course it's tons of fun being on that stage and playing, but that's, like, one hour or one and a half hour out of the whole day. The rest is… It can be tiring sometimes and [you are sometimes forced to travel] not under the best conditions."

He continued: "The whole idea of the solo thing is basically just… it allows me to collaborate with different friends, different musicians, co-write with different people, which is something I really love doing. And at the same time, it gives me the opportunity of playing… not having one set of fixed musicians for a tour. I have an American band for my American shows and a European band here. And I work with different singers, and it's also very cool. And, yeah, if somebody cannot do a tour, that's cool; we'll bring another friend in. And it's easy for everybody. There's no drama. There's no bad blood with anybody. It's all friends playing music."

Regarding why he decided to record a solo album at this point in his career, Gus said: "It's a refreshing thing for me. Being in a band and doing that for ten years and releasing seven albums and lineup changes and all this stuff… We felt we needed a break after our singer left, and just taking time out from FIREWIND and doing this was just something refreshing for me. That was really what I was looking for. It gave me the excitement again that I had when I was in my early 20s."

A special expanded edition of Gus' solo album, "I Am The Fire", was released in Europe on November 3, 2014 (digitally in North America on November 4). This limited CD + DVD digipak features four bonus tracks and a 62-minute bonus DVD (including the album's four official video clips so far, plus three live tracks, six guitar tutorials, as well as an EPK and track-by-track commentary).

Gus has already begun recording his second solo album, tentatively due before the end of the year. Like "I Am The Fire", the new CD will feature collaborations with and guest appearances by Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TREAT, CANDLEMASS) and Jacob Bunton (LYNAM, ADLER).

DEFTONES have tapped Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS) to lay down a guest guitar solo on the band's forthcoming album, tentatively due in September.

Speaking to 92.3 KOMP FM hosts Carlota and Sparks at this weekend's Rock In Rio USA festival in Las Vegas, DEFTONES singer Chino Moreno said: "Jerry is on the [new DEFTONES] album. I didn't know if he wanted anybody to know or not. But I guess I've just spilled the beans. But he came in… There's this one track that… in the demo stages of it, I was, like, 'There's this hole in there…'"

Moreno continued: "In DEFTONES songs, there's not really any guitar solos per se, but there was a section in there where [there was room for] not necessarily a typical solo, but it had an area where it could use something like what he does, especially… just his style and the way he plays guitar. So I sent him the track, and then he sent me a demo of it back, like, two days later. So, yeah, when we recorded the song [properly for the album], he came in and laid it down. And it's awesome. It's like you're hearing a DEFTONES song, but all of a sudden, a little bit of ALICE IN CHAINS seeps its way in there, and it's kind of neat. I mean, me, as a fan, I was just sitting back and a little tear came out of my eye."

Moreno also spoke about DEFTONES' general mindset while working on the follow-up to 2012's "Koi No Yokan". He said: "What we try to do, I think, with every record [is] not just follow any formulas that we've sort of learned through making records. Any time something sounds a little formulated, we sort of like to say, 'Okay, well, this is the easy way. We know this works. But why don't we try this?' And just doing so, it kind of keeps it interesting, I think, for us. The challenge of going into the unknown is what makes it fun for us to still make records."

Chino recently told RollingStone.com about the DEFTONES' next CD: "The songs are amazing, and we wrote them in a really cool way. We had all of us in a room together with one person expressing an idea and another person jumping on it. The songs are really built as a collective. We have five guys who have almost completely different takes on music, so when it works, it works great."

According to Moreno, sixteen songs were written for the new album, which was once again produced by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, CHILDREN OF BODOM, MONSTER MAGNET, WINDS OF PLAGUE).

"I think it's a little more of a heady record," Moreno said when asked how the DEFTONES' new material compares to that on "Koi No Yokan". "I feel like we've gone into the songs and really dissected them. If something sounded a little straight, we took a left turn and made things a little screwy. We just tried something completely opposite, not to sabotage it, but to challenge ourselves and try new things that we haven't done in the past.

"It definitely feels like we've taken a step from our last record," he continued. "But it's definitely a DEFTONES record, and it has all the elements that make us who we are. We're not going out there to change anything, other than just thinking outside the box."

Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3 conducted an interview with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH singer Ivan Moody and drummer Jeremy Spencer at the Lazerfest on May 10 in Des Moines. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's forthcoming album, Spencer said: "We're excited. It's called 'Got Your Six'. It comes out in probably… I don't know. Maybe late July [or] early August. We're not sure yet."

Commenting on FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's packed touring schedule in the coming months, Moody said: "I just bought a new house about three months ago, and I've spent four whole days in it. It never ends."

He continued: "I'm going back to Vegas with these guys to do touchups on [new] videos [in support of the forthcoming CD] and whatnot. But I live in Colorado, so I won't even get to see [my new house] until after I get back from Europe."

"Got Your Six" was once again helmed by Kevin Churko, the Canadian record producer/engineer and songwriter who currently lives in Las Vegas, where he works out of his private studio, The Hideout Recording Studio.

Spencer spoke about the band's new material in a recent interview, saying, "I'm digging it, man. It's actually more brutal, with more extreme dynamics. There are some really mellow parts and then some really brutal parts. So we're running the whole gamut of sounds."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH released its last effort, "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell", in two parts, with the first arriving in July 2013 and the second following in November 2013.

As previously reported, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and PAPA ROACH will head out on the road together this fall. Support on the trek will come from IN THIS MOMENT and FROM ASHES TO NEW.

San Francisco Bay Area thrash veterans DEATH ANGEL will release "A Thrashumentary" on July 24 via Nuclear Blast. The DVD was directed, shot and edited by Tommy Jones (KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK, LAMB OF GOD, CARCASS, TESTAMENT) of Videohammer Studios. The release will also include a full live album entitled "The Bay Calls For Blood". "It is with great excitement that I finally get to share this DEATH ANGEL news," comments vocalist Mark Osegueda. "'A Thrashumentary' is finally complete and ready for release this summer! The film tells the story of DEATH ANGEL from our inception to the present day. With many guest appearances by some of our peers and contemporaries who happen to be some of the most respected players in the genre, it covers the highs, lows and highs again of the band and the thrash metal movement. A must-have for any metal fan!

"The even better news is 'A Thrashumentary' will be accompanied by an official live album called 'The Bay Calls For Blood', which was recorded in our hometown of San Francisco! We are so proud of this recording and performance that we decided to release it as a live DEATH ANGEL record! Did I say record? Damn right, I did! Because it will also be available separately on limited-edition vinyl for all the true metal fans! Bleed for it!"

Adds director Tommy Jones: "What originally started out as a live music video for 'River Of Rapture' in 2010 has evolved into a full-scale historical documentary on the band and the thrash scene. This is the first time the band in its current lineup has been able to collectively sit down, and tell the story of how DEATH ANGEL came to be Mark, Rob, Ted, Will and Damien. Mixed with live footage I shot in the Philippines, Asia, Germany, Europe and North America, this project was a blast to produce. It became a true evolution from what we originally set out to do, while solidifying a lifelong friendship.

"I can't wait for the DEATH ANGEL fans worldwide to be able to sit back and throw on 'A Thrashumentary' and hear/see the band's story straight from their mouths. It's a project I'm very proud of. It's also something I would have never envisioned doing when I was a kid taking my guitar to my teacher to learn the solo of 'Bored'! Thrash on!"

"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).

DEVIL YOU KNOW — the creative union of Howard Jones (ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), Francesco Artusato (ALL SHALL PERISH) and John Sankey (DEVOLVED) —has completed pre-production for its sophomore album with renowned producer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD, ALL THAT REMAINS, KILLER BE KILLED). They will start the official recording process in early June for a late 2015 release via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

Says Jones: "We are all really excited, as 2015 is going to be a huge year for DEVIL YOU KNOW. I think spending quality time together sweating on stage and holding hands in vans, buses, planes, boats, trains and submarines has helped us become a true unit, and it's definitely showing in the new tunes.

"Josh Wilbur is super talented and he has a proven history of bringing out the best in bands, so we are excited, to say the least. Now it's time to stop showering and shaving so we can transform back into metal mode and get to work!

"More news to follow in the coming weeks, people... It's on."

DEVIL YOU KNOW's debut album, "The Beauty Of Destruction", sold around 6,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 45 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was produced by Logan Mader (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, GOJIRA, DEVILDRIVER, SOULFLY) and mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SOULFLY). Artwork for the album was created by noted painter and illustrator Travis Smith (OPETH, DEVIN TOWNSEND).

DEVIL YOU KNOW's most recent touring lineup was completed by guitarist Roy Lev-Ari and BLEEDING THROUGH bassist Ryan Wombacher.

Orphaned Land, the leaders of Middle Eastern metal, just finished their tour with Blind Guardian, as special guests on their Euro Tour 2015. The group has been busy after the latest studio album, All Is One, which was released in 2013: also re-releasing a year ago the 10th anniversary concept album for Mabool.

Metal Shock Finland’s Tarja Virmakari discussed all these topics and more with guitarist Chen Balbus last Tuesday, May 5th, when the pair met at Orphaned Land’s show in Milan. Chen revealed that the band is working on a new album, which is scheduled for release next year.

Listen to the interview at this location.

 

Swedish blues rock trio, Kamchatka, will release its sixth studio album, Long Road Made Of Gold, on May 22nd via Despotz Records. The album cut “To You”, can be heard below.

Long Road Made Of Gold was recorded in Kamchatka's own studio and rehearsal room, the "Kamchatka shelter”, and mixed and mastered by Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir).

 

 

"Even though our music is rooted in '60s and '70s music, it's important for us to have a contemporary sounding album," explained drummer Tobias Strandvik. "We don't want to repeat ourselves either, and having Russ Russell mixing and mastering certainly gives it the punch and power we wanted. Russ is mostly known for extreme metal like Napalm Death etc., but embraced this project with open arms and the sonic outcome is definitely our strongest to date."

Album artwork comes courtesy of Hippograffix, creator of all the Kamchatka graphics since day one.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Take Me Back Home”
“Get Your Game On”
“Made of Gold”
“Human Dynamo”
“Rain”
“Who’s To Blame”
“Mirror”
“Slowly Drifting Away”
“Long Road”
“To You”
“No One That Can Tell”
“Devil Dance”

“To You”:

 
“Get Your Game On”:

Kamchatka is:

Per Wiberg - bass/vocals
Tobias Strandvik - drums
Thomas "Juneor" Andersson - guitar/vocals

France’s nihilistic black metal act, The Negation, will release their sophomore album, Memento Mori, via Kaotoxin Records on July 7th in North America, July 10th for the rest of the world. It will be issued as a 500-copy limited edition deluxe three-panel DigiSleeve CD first press (followed by crystal / jewel box reprint) with 20-page booklet, as well as digitally. The artwork and tracklisting can now be seen below.

Produced at the Hybreed Studio (Temple Of Baal, Glorior Belli) and with artwork by Metastazis (Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Watain), Memento Mori features ten tracks of powerful, heavy, intense and extremely dark black metal. But don't expect straightforward Satan-praise here: there's far more than meets the eye with The Negation. Their lyrical conceptual is a call to resistance against the so-called élite who are making this world a living Hell. It's about a stand for liberty, free speech, and free will! Folks that got the chance to witness The Negation on stage during their recent tour with Marduk and Belphegor will testify their live performance is as extreme as their lyrical content is dark. You've been warned.

Tracklisting:

“Intro”
“The True Enemy”
“Sacrifice The Weak”
“Parasite Fall”
“A Prayer For The Ones I Will Have To Kill”
“Faith In God's Corpse”
“End Of Cycle”
“Visions Of Doom”
“Résistance”
“Outro”

Teaser:

The Negation will also take part in the second annual KaotoxinFest on December 5th in Lille, France. Until further details are announced, enjoy the official music video for the track "Red Wrath" taken from their debut full-length, Paths Of Obedience.

 

Akron, Ohio-based rock band, Red Sun Rising, has premiered their brand new song “The Otherside”. The band will also play the popular rock festival, Rock On The Range on May 15th and 16th. The infectious rock anthem is the first listen from their debut album, Polyester Zeal, which is scheduled for release on August 7th via Razor & Tie. “The Otherside” will be available for sale tomorrow - Tuesday, May 12th - via iTunes.

“The Otherside”:

Red Sun Rising is currently on tour with Seether and will join Nothing More and label mates Wilson this summer (tour dates below).

Polyester Zeal was produced by powerhouse producer Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Shinedown, Seether). “The Otherside” offers a glimpse of the band’s melodic and anthemic sound that features lead singer Mike Protich’s ferocious and unique vocals.

Protich explains the band’s sound, “Red Sun Rising is what rock was built on but is not today's rock, but a new rock alternative. Subtle touches of blues mixed with the dark minor tonality of today. Our music allows the listener to travel through a song that is anything but linear. With soaring vocals we strive to find melodies that convey the passion of our thought provoking lyrical content and push the boundaries that rock today has somewhat forgotten.”

Tour dates (with Nothing More):

May
12 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues Cleveland (with Seether)
13 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room*
15 - Columbus, OH - Rock on The Range MAPFRE Stadium
16 - Columbus, OH - Rock On the Range MAPFRE Stadium
31 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom

June
2 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s
6 - Columbus, OH - The A&R Music Bar
7 - Buffalo, NY - Studio at the Waiting Room
9 - Pittsburg, PA - Altar Bar
10 - Virginia , VA - Shakas Live
13 - Biloxi, MS - Kress Live
14 - Lafayette, LA - Nitetown
16 - Corpus Christi, TX - House of Rock
17 - Laredo, TX - Average Joe’s
19 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theater
22 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep

Denmark death dealers, Undergang, will release their third album, Døden Læger Alle Sår, on CD and digital formats via Dark Descent Records on July 10th. 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”

Undergang was formed in the early summer of 2008, with the intent of playing old styled, low tuned and extremely heavy death metal. Since the earliest breath of existence took place, the band has always kept pushing their limits and always stayed active, both in the studio and in live environments. The band has released two full length albums - Indhentet Af Døden (2010) and Til Døden Os Skiller (2012) ) - and several smaller releases and splits. They've also done several tours in Europe and the US, not to mention their exclusive opening slot for US death metal legends Autopsy, at their first show in New York after 19 years in May 2012. Since then several other tours were completed in Europe, America, Australia and Japan, thanks to the help of underground networking and various connections.

Band lineup:

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

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the release of the House Of Lords tenth studio album, aptly entitled Indestructible, on June 3rd in Europe and June 7th in North America. The band’s new video, for the album’s lead track, “Go To Hell”, is streaming below.

The new album shows once again what House Of Lords stands for: powerful and heavy songs, with major hooks and melodies and grandiose arrangements. “The name Indestructible was chosen because we all felt that we have been through a lot in our long careers and what better way to say, ‘Hey, I'm still here’, than by giving the CD a BOLD title,” says singer James Christian.

 

 

Indestructible features eleven brand new songs, which masterfully combine the best of heavy and melodic hard rock. “The album is heavier in the beginning, but we love songs that are both melodic and heavy” continues Christian, “and the idea was to fill the best of both on one cd without sounding like two different bands. I think we have accomplished that. A good example would be the song “Pillar Of Salt" especially gives a good representation of how the new album sounds: a combination of heavy, melodic, and thoughtful lyrics. This song is one of my favorites!”

Besides being House Of Lords tenth studio album, the new record sees the new lineup celebrating their first ten years together. “It is amazing to work with BJ, Chris and Jimi” tells James Christian, “they are all very aware of what House Of Lords represents and they are committed to making records that complement the history of the band. No matter which House Of Lords album you listen to, there is a common thread, which comes from the fact that the four of us are musically in sync. This is the real reason why we have been able to produce records of this calibre”.

House Of Lords will exclusively appear at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Trezzo (MI) next Sunday, April 12th and start a European tour in September, with a very special surprise show to be announced soon. More details soon.

 

 

Indestructible tracklisting:

“Go To Hell”
“Indestructible”
“Pillar Of Salt”
“100 Mph”
“Call My Bluff”
“We Will Always Be One”
“Die To Tell”
“Another Dawn”
“Eye Of The Storm”
“Ain't Suicidal”
“Stand And Deliver”

EPK:

House Of Lords lineup:

James Christian – Lead Vocals
Jimi Bell - Guitars
Chris McCarvill – Bass
BJ Zampa - Drums

 

Australian thrash/grind/punk misfits, King Parrot’s new album, Dead Set, will land on May 15th in Europe via Agonia Records, May 19th in North America via Housecore Records and May 15th in Australia via Rocket/EVP. The album was produced by Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down) in his Nodferatu’s Lair Studio (Down, Eyehategod, Superjoint Ritual). A full stream can be found below.

Dead Set will be available in Europe in:
- Slipcase CD,
- 12" black vinyl with insert and poster,
- 12" clear vinyl with insert and poster (limited to 100 hand-numbered copies),
- 12" picture disc with insert and poster (limited to 200 hand-numbered copies),
- Digital formats.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Anthem Of The Advance Sinner”
“Need No Savior”
“Hell Comes Your Way”
“Like A Rat”
“Tomorrow Turns To Blood”
“Home Is Where The Gutter Is”
“Sick In The Head”
“Punisher”
“Reject”
“Dead Set”

Album stream:

“Home Is Where The Gutter Is” video:

“Like A Rat” video:

The new instalment will be available in Europe in:

- slipcase CD,
- 12" black vinyl with insert and poster,
- 12" clear vinyl with insert and poster (limited to 100 hand-numbered copies),
- 12" picture disc with insert nad poster (limited to 200 hand-numbered copies),
- digital formats.

 

 

Pre-orders are available via the following links:

Europe
North America
Australia

 

 

King Parrot is:

Mr. White - Guitars
Squiz - Guitars
Slatts - Bass
Toddy - Drums
Youngy - Vocals

(Photo - Danin Drahos)

New Hampshire-based Vattnet Viskar are streaming the new track “Yearn” from their upcoming new album, Settler. The clip was made by multimedia artist, Josh Graham (ex-Neurosis, Soundgarden), who also created the band's "Breath Of The Almighty”, “Colony” and "Settler" videos.

Nick Thornbury (guitar/vocals) comments: "Once this song was written, we had a much more clear idea of where the album was headed.  A more grimy, riffy direction."

The album artwork was created by multimedia artist, Josh Graham (ex-Neurosis, Soundgarden), who also created the video for "Breath Of The Almighty", from the band's Sky Swallower album.
 

Settler tracklisting:

“Dawnlands”
“Colony”
“Yearn”
“Impact”
“Glory”
“Heirs”
“Settler”
“Coldwar”

“Colony”:

“Settler”:

 
Settler will be out June 16th in North America (June 29th in Europe) via Century Media Records. The album was recorded at Earth Analog Studios in Champaign, IL with producer Sanford Parker (Minsk, Voivod).

Before Settler's release, the band will embark on an east coast run, ending at Maryland Deathfest, where they will share the stage alongside Napalm Death, Triptykon, Amorphis, and more. See below for all upcoming dates.
 
May
16 - Milly's Tavern - Manchester, NH
17 - Parlour - Providence, RI
18 - Great Scott - Allston, MA
20 - Ortliebs - Philadelphia, PA
21 - Saint Vitus - Brooklyn, NY
22 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD (Maryland Deathfest)
 
Vattnet Viskar is:  

Nick Thornbury - Guitar/Vocals
Chris Alfieri - Guitar
Seamus Menihane - Drums
Casey Aylward - Bass

Lisbon, Portugal-based stoner powerhouse, Miss Lava, has entered the Pentagon Audio Manufacturers Studio to record their upcoming and third full-length album, under the supervision of Portuguese producer Fernando Matias. The follow-up to Red Supergiant is to be released later this year via American label Small Stone Records.

The album will be entitled Sonic Debris, which is, according Miss Lava, “a musical reflection of the new creative and collaborative songwriting process which led the band on a musical journey through their stoner rock roots and into unexplored cosmic territory”.

Some song titles set to appear on the CD include “The Silent Ghost Of Doom”, “Fortune And Vice”, “I’m The Asteroid”, “Twin Heads” and “Fangs Of Venom”.

In July, the band will play selected festivals in Portugal, giving the audience a taste of the Lava to come. Dates include:

July
3 - Hardfest - Marinha Grande, Portugal
11 - Soutorock - Barcelos, Portugal
17 - Woodrock - Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Check out “Ride” from the latest, Red Supergiant:

(Photo - Igor Ferreira)

Seattle, WA-based rockers, Awaken The Empire, will release their debut offering, Aurora, on July 24th via Another Century. View their new music video for the track “Insomniacs Unite” below.

Damien Lawson (vocals) states: “Awaken The Empire is more than just a band. We are a movement. We are here to inspire people to fight for their dreams, and fight to have their voices heard. Our new record, Aurora, is the product of that fight. We have been through an unbelievable amount of ups and downs in the years making this album, and we’ve had everything taken away from us, both physically, and emotionally. Through it all, the one constant for us, the light at the end of the tunnel, was this record coming out. The chance to have our message heard. We are here to make a statement, and Aurora is that statement. Aurora is that message."

 

Frontiers Music Srl will release of CHAOS MAGIC's self-titled debut album on July 3 in Europe and July 10 in North America.

CHAOS MAGIC is the new alliance between Finnish songwriter/producer Timo Tolkki (formerly of STRATOVARIUS) and Chilean singer Caterina Nix. Nix previously collaborated with Timo on the second chapter of the AVALON rock opera "Angels Of The Apocalypse", where she shared lead vocals on songs with such singers as Simone Simons (EPICA), Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), and Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH).

Caterina's career started by singing lead vocals for the Chilean metal band AGHONYA with whom she opened shows for such bands as AFTER FOREVER, EDGUY and WITHIN TEMPTATION.

"I met Timo in Chile some years ago, during one of his visits to the country with STRATOVARIUS," says Caterina. "I remember going to a meet-and-greet with the band, and Timo and I just started talking like we had known each other for ages. We developed a very nice sort of father-to-daughter friendship and we have been in contact ever since. One day I decided to send him my music, just to know his opinion about it, and thankfully, he was pleasantly surprised. That's how it all started, really."

The "Chaos Magic" album was written, performed and produced by Tolkki to develop the vocal talent of Caterina and shows a diverse side of Timo's musical talents.

"I feel the music Timo created for this project is very current, it's strong and also shows some more delicate moments, without losing its edge," says Caterina. "It was a joy for me to sing these beautifully contagious songs. I did my best to bring emotion and passion into the songs, which I guess wasn't so hard, since I was truly so excited."

She adds: "I hope this album reaches several layers of music listeners. It's quite captivating and nothing would make me happier than singing these songs live... giving myself to the audience and feeling that connection, which is truly priceless to me."

"Chaos Magic" track listing:

01. I'm Alive02. Dangerous Game03. One Drop Of Blood04. Seraphim05. From The Stars06. A Little Too Late07. Passionflow08. Dead Memories09. Please Don't Tell Me10. Right Now11. The Point Of No Return

CHAOS MAGIC is:

Caterina Nix - Lead VocalsTimo Tolkki - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, ProductionJami Huovinen - Drums

"Sol Invictus", influential alt-metal act FAITH NO MORE's long-awaited follow-up to 1997's "Album Of The Year", can be streamed in its entirety using the NPR widget below. The CD will be released on May 19 via the band's newly formed imprint Reclamation Recordings, which is distributed by Ipecac Recordings. FAITH NO MORE founder and bass player, Bill Gould, oversaw the production of the album. He said: "What I can say is that I think through our experience as musicians over the years, I think what we're doing reflects where we've gone since we made our last record as FAITH NO MORE. I think this kicks things up a notch. And I think there's parts that are very powerful and there's parts that have a lot of 'space.' Everything we do, with our chemistry, the way we play; it's always going to sound like us. It's just what we do, that makes us feel good."

"Sol Invictus" track listing:

01. Sol Invictus02. Superhero03. Sunny Side Up04. Separation Anxiety05. Cone Of Shame06. Rise Of The Fall07. Black Friday08. Motherfucker09. Matador10. From The Dead

Gould added: "When we split up, we explored what we could do on our own. During that time, we each developed what was a natural part of ourselves. Now, coming back, we have a wider perspective so we can do things we didn't even think of back in the day. If we were to decide to do country-western music, it would still sound like a FAITH NO MORE album. Together we have a strong collective identity, and when we work together it makes its own animal."

Asked why FAITH NO MORE decided to make its first new album since 1997, despite being adamant for years that it would never happen, keyboardist Roddy Bottum told Music Feeds: "We, kind of, as a band, did a lot of shows together a couple of years ago, and it was a little bit of a coming together as friends and collaborators, and we liked being together again. And it seemed like new material was the next logical step after a bunch of reunion shows that we did. We wanted to continue doing what we do."

Added drummer Mike Bordin: "There was no intention of doing an album when we started the [reunion] shows. As Roddy said, we just tried to get together and play and, honestly, see how it felt — see how it felt to be ourselves."

Continued Roddy: "Yeah, there was a conscientious decision at one point, I remember, amongst us, backstage, kind of deciding that we really didn't wanna do any more shows just playing the old material. So we felt like the place to go was… I mean, to make ourselves feel good, we needed to make a record and make some new songs, and that's what we did. And it wasn't material that we had sitting around from before. It was all stuff that was inspired by the moment."

Bottum also spoke about the musical direction of "Sol Invictus", which was described by the Music Feeds interviewer as having "more space" than some of FAITH NO MORE's previous efforts.

"It's kind of like a sense of maturity, in a way," Roddy said. "It sounds a little bit corny, but I think as people mature into their craft, it seems like oftentimes the most effect is achieved by stripping things down rather than throwing things on, and we had such a career of throwing things into the mix. We did that really well, but I feel a lot of it was just this crazy inundation of lots and lots and lots and lots and lots. And it feels like now, stripping things down… Like, I personally love to hear a solo instrument — like, put a piano and the voice togethera and nothing else. And that's a sign of maturity, to me, in a weird, corny way, but I like it an awful lot."

FAITH NO MORE is Mike Bordin (drums), Roddy Bottum (keyboards), Bill Gould (bass), Jon Hudson (guitar) and Mike Patton (vocals).

Los Angeles, California metallers ARMORED SAINT will release their seventh studio album on June 2 in North America via Metal Blade. Titled "Win Hands Down", the CD was produced by bassist Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, STONE SOUR).

The song "An Exercise In Debauchery" from "Win Hands Down" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

"Win Hands Down" track listing:

01. Win Hands Down02. Mess03. An Exercise In Debauchery04. Muscle Memory05. That Was Then, Way Back When06. With a Full Head of Steam07. In an Instant08. Dive09. Up Yours

A video for the "Win Hands Down" title track was recently shot by director Andrew Nethery and can be seen below.

States ARMORED SAINT singer John Bush: "When we began talking about a new record, I told Joey Vera [bass] to pretend we were a really huge band and that we could do anything we wanted. At least that was the mindset we should have, from the writing to the production. What came out was 'Win Hands Down', which is our first record in five years."

He continued: "There's everything from classic ARMORED SAINT rocker songs to epic songs and we all dug deep to deliver something special. If we weren't going to, then we shouldn't have bothered. I'm glad we did."

Bush added: "In May we are doing some shows in the States with SAXON. It's a great way to get the ball rolling."

Stated Vera: "We're very excited about our new record coming out in June!

"We've been writing over the past year and half and we feel like we've written some amazing music. We can't wait to share it!

"To get our whistle's wet, we're super excited about doing some warm-up gigs before the record release with the legendary SAXON this May!

"We're doing a total of six shows between the East Coast, Texas, West Coast and we couldn't think of a better way to start off the summer! See you all soon."

Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral