The official lyric video for HALESTORM's song "Dear Daughter" from the band's third album, "Into The Wild Life", can be seen below.

In a recent interview with RockSverige.se, HALESTORM singer Lzzy Hale stated about the track: "This is a subject that… I mean, obviously, [HALESTORM drummer Arejay and I] grew up with a very supportive mother. We decided to start a rock band, and she actually said, 'Yes! Do that! Go for it!' So, for me, this was… We get to speak to a lot of young girls, and a lot of them do have those supportive parents, but a lot of them don't. So I think this was my way — lyrically, at least — just passing that on… As in, like, if I were… if and when I were to have a daughter, I would be passing these words on to her… I don't know… It's a strange song."

Added bassist Josh Smith: "It's a strange song, but [with] a great message. And although it says 'Dead Daughter', that's just great advice for anyone… be it a young kid, or anyone in a spot where they're, like, 'Man, I'm in just the pits right now. What the hell's my life gonna be like in ten years?' So it's just good sound advice for anyone kind of trying to find their way."

"Into The Wild Life" was released on April 14. Lzzy Hale told The Pulse Of Radio that making the record was a satisfying experience for her and the band. "It was a lot of fun," she said. "It was such a freeing process 'cause it really didn't feel like we were — 'we're recording an album now, guys!' It just — we were in this big, overhauled church, you know, so it didn't feel like we were in a studio and there was just every instrument everywhere. There was a piano and everything was all set up so it's like, whatever you wanted to do, you could just do." Hale posted a message online in which she said about the record, "My insider advice, listen to the record front to back, 'cause in a day and age where everyone is freaking out about the state of the music business, we said, fuck it, and made an 'album.'"

Hale added, "We erred on the side of performance and making moments, rather than perfection, bridging the gap between what you've heard on previous records and what you see at a live HALESTORM show."

"Into The Wild Life" follows up HALESTORM's Grammy-winning 2012 sophomore effort, "The Strange Case Of…"

Profesionally filmed video footage of DOWN's entire August 1, 2014 performance at the Resurrection Fest, which was held in Viveiro, Lugo, Spain, can be seen below.

DOWN's latest EP, "Down IV - Part Two", sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart.

DOWN's previous EP, "Down IV Part I - The Purple EP", opened with around 12,000 units in September 2012 to land at No. 35.

"Down IV - Part Two" was released on May 13, 2014 via Down Records/ADA Music. Tracked at Nodferatu's Lair — Anselmo's home studio — and produced by Michael Thompson, Anselmo and DOWN, the EP was the eagerly anticipated sequel to "Down IV - Part One".

Regarding what he contributed to "Down IV - Part Two", Anselmo told Revolver: "I'm a riff-writin' motherfucker. But I will say, on this last DOWN record, honestly, it feels like this is the one that I've least been a part of, as far as writing too many riffs. But I did write a few riffs on this one. But shit, man, I’'m going to have to give riff of the record to Jim Bower [DOWN drummer] on 'We Knew Him Well' — that's a New Orleans swayin' motherfucker right there."

Professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA's May 9 performance at the Rock In Rio USA festival in Las Vegas, Nevada can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Fuel 02. Master Of Puppets 03. King Nothing 04. Disposable Heroes 05. Welcome Home (Sanitarium) 06. Lords Of Summer 07. The Unforgiven 08. Cyanide 09. Sad But True 10. Turn The Page (BOB SEGER cover)11. One 12. For Whom The Bell Tolls 13. Blackened14. Nothing Else Matters 15. Enter Sandman

Encore:

16. Whiskey In The Jar (cover)17. Creeping Death 18. Seek & Destroy

It's been nearly seven years since METALLICA last released an album, and while the band is now writing material for its next studio effort, guitarist Kirk Hammett admitted to something that may have slowed down the process a bit. Hammett said on "The Jasta Show" podcast, "I put riffs on my iPhone, but something very unfortunate happened to me about six months ago. I lost my iPhone (containing) 250 musical ideas. And I was crushed. It didn't get backed up. And when it happened, I was bummed out for about two or three days."

Hammett added, "I lost (the phone). I just plain lost it. I can't find it. I'm still looking for it to this day. I just set it somewhere and…It still might turn up. I'm hoping it will. To try to remember those riffs? I can only remember, like, eight of 'em. So I just chalked it down to maybe it just wasn't meant to be and I'll just move forward with it."

Hammett, a horror movie fan and collector, told The Pulse Of Radio that making a new METALLICA record can sometimes seem like a monster itself. "Whenever we go into the studio, it becomes such a huge sort of thing in our lives that it takes on monstrous proportions, you know," he said. "It takes up a lot of space in our lives, you know. You can look at it as something monstrous, for sure."

Asked what the new songs sound like, Hammett replied, "Let's just say that the stuff that's coming up is super riffy, super heavy... it's a lot similar to [2008's] 'Death Magnetic' but different in certain parts."

Hammett added, "There's a couple of songs that remind me of something on [1988's] '…And Justice For All', but the album doesn't sound like '…And Justice For All'."

METALLICA has not revealed when it plans to begin recording or tentatively release the new album.

METALLICA has spent a lot of time outside the studio in 2014, with activities that included a string of European all-request shows last summer, being guests of honor at a film festival, and playing a week-long residency on "The Late Show With Craig Ferguson".

As previously reported, METALLICA and Paul McCartney will headline this year's Lollapalooza, set to take place July 31 - August 2 at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.

Dubai-based death/thrash metal act Nervecell have confirmed a new European tour starting this summer before they enter the studio to record their upcoming album. The band has issued the following statement:

"As promised we will be back in Europe this summer hitting up these select shows in cities that we missed out on playing on our last European run. This will be the final dates for Europe before we head back into the studio and begin working on the new album. So if you haven't caught us live in the last three years supporting our latest album Psychogenocide, this is your last chance. Mark your calendars!"

The tour schedule is as follows:

June
5 - Metzingen, Germany - Riotous Rhino Mosh Fest
6 - Göttingen, Germany - Underground Remains Open Air
7 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Club dB’s
8 - Deinze, Belgium - Muziekcafé Elpee
9 - Volmerange-Les-Mines, France - No Man’s Land
10 - Liege, Belgium - Smile Café
12 - Mühlteich, Germany - Chronical Moshers Open Air
13 - Szczecin, Poland - AAAAAAARRGHH Szczecin Extreme Fest

With the re-release of their Psychogenocide full-length album earlier this year, Nervecell have unleashed a video for  "Amok Doctrine". The five-plus minute clip hurls fans head first into the sinister pandemonium of a Nervecell live performance.

Delray Beach, FL metallers Madsic have announced the return of drummer Shane Lamphier to the fold. They have issued the following update:

"Shane was our drummer in 2005, recorded with us on the Prison Of Hate CD, and filled in on many shows between 2007 and 2008. You can check Shane out in this video of Distance Of Hate taken while working on the Prison Of Hate CD. Shane will be joining us in the studio again as we record our new CD Death By Machine, looking forward to jamming with him again!

We are currently finishing up our next tune 'Lobotomee', and Raffi is starting vocal work on the next new MadSic tune, 'American Dilemma'. Will keep you posted, thanks again for joining us in the studio!"

Madsic recently announced a new singer in Rafael Merseguel. The band has been working with Merseguel and has uploaded a new version of “My Precious” with him on vocals:

 

Sell Music online at ReverbNation.com

Brazilian/American metallers SEPULTURA were joined by legendary guitarist Steve Vai on stage during their May 9 performance at the Rock In Rio USA festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can now watch professionally filmed video footage of his appearance below.

SEPULTURA recently recorded a new song called "DarkSide" for the Brazilian publisher DarkSide Books. The track was "inspired by the darker side of literature."

This is not the first time a member of SEPULTURA has collaborated with DarkSide Books. Back in 2013, SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser wrote the foreword to the BLACK SABBATH biography "Destruição Desencadeada".

As previously reported, SEPULTURA will celebrate its 30th anniversary by releasing a special tribute to their fans. The band has asked fans to contribute to the artwork for a new track, and the result is "Sepultura Under My Skin", which will be released on June 5 on colored vinyl. The artwork for this release was created using pictures of tattoos of SEPULTURA fans all over the world.

SEPULTURA will headline a North American tour in May with support from German thrashers DESTRUCTION and American melodic tech-deathsters ARSIS. The mayhem begins in Phoenix, Arizona on May 10 and ends on June 14 in Grand Junction, Colorado.

SEPULTURA's latest album, "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart", sold around 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD came out on October 29, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Andrew Haug, the head man of AndrewHaug.com, Australia’s only 24/7 rock/metal radio station has uploaded footage of Opeth covering Napalm Death’s “You Suffer” live from Melbourne, Australia on May 7.

 

Opeth are putting together a biography with Essential Works to be released later in the year and tells the whole story behind the band's career. As well as this, a separate coffee table photo book will be released featuring candid photos of band life on the road. More details will be revealed soon.

Opeth have announced details of two very special US performances celebrating the group’s landmark 25th anniversary. The unique shows, dubbed An Evening with Opeth, are set for October 22nd at New York’s Beacon Theater and October 24th at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theater and will see Opeth celebrating their remarkable career with two unique sets each night.

The progressive Swedes will perform 2005's much-lauded Ghost Reveries album in its entirety (which in turn is celebrating its 10th anniversary), plus a second set of classics from their 25-year career. For more details and ticket information visit this location.

 

 

Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt commented on the special performances saying, “The forces that be put up a very mystical and subtle little advert on the so called internet. Yes, we will celebrate 25 years of being Opeth in 2015 and this is reason enough to gather up the forces and play. For you.”

Opeth’s upcoming return to North America marks the group’s second tour of the states since the release of their new album Pale Communion which staked its claim on numerous Best of 2014 lists.

 

 

"Black Day In Paradise" a brand new video from Exorcism, has been released. The track is taken from the forthcoming EP World In Sin, scheduled for a release on June 1 and digital on June 15 via Dream Records.The limited edition EP of 666 copies will be made exclusively available through the band’s website. The album artwork was made by Gragoth.

 

The EP was produced, mixed and mastered by Zvekan with the help of Dominus at Total Master Sound in Spain. All lyrics melodies and music by Csaba Zvekan for Corvus Publishing.

Tracklisting:

“World In Sin”
“Black Day In Paradise”
“Virtual Freedom”
“Sahara”
“Black Star”

Teaser:

Exorcism continuing the path and legacy of bands like Black Sabbath and Dio, while Exorcism is taking a more modern approach. With a groovy rhythm and bass section added with spherical pads and the signature vertigo guitar riffs down we go the underworld. On top of it hovering is always Csaba Zvekan’s phenomenal work on vocals that have been nominated numerous time with the debut album I Am God for “the best record” last year.

 

Upon exiting the ranks of Megadeth, the world eagerly awaited news as to what was next for Chris Broderick (guitars) and Shawn Drover (drums). The duo recently announced their worldwide signing to Metal Blade Records for their new group, Act Of Defiance, which is rounded out by Henry Derek (ex-Scar The Martyr) on vocals and Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall) on bass. They are currently working on their debut offering with world renowned producer Zeuss (Rob Zombie, Hatebreed, Shadows Fall). Look for this album to be released sometime this summer.

Drover has checked in with the following update:

"So, this week has been all about 'finalizing' basically everything for the new Act Of Defiance record (artwork, CD booklet artwork, credits, thank you’s, etc. etc.) to have it all completed ASAP to hand over to Metal Blade Records. I haven’t really been this 'hands on' as it were, since the Eidolon days (my old band, also signed with Metal Blade back in the late 1990’s; funny how things come full circle, eh??!!) so this has been a lot of fun for me and the guys. I will breathe a sigh of relief when this is all 100%, so we can then focus on all the other great things that are on the horizon. None of which I can talk about quite yet, but of course all will be revealed in due time, believe me. 

We are all very excited about this heavy metal record we have created. We can’t wait for you to hear what we have created as well!

Until then...... STAY METAL!!!"

In the meantime, listen to a rough demo snippet of the track “Throwback” via the YouTube clip below.

Broderick previously stated: "I am so excited to finally be able to announce Act Of Defiance to the world. Shawn just finished tracking drums the first week of February and his performance and tones are simply incredible. I have started tracking rhythms and leads, as well as working with Henry to get final vocal takes while Matt will record bass at his studio. The final mix and mastering will also be handled by Zeuss. I am also very honored to announce that we have signed with Metal Blade Records. There is not a better label to be on than one where the employees (and owner) still understand and listen to METAL! They have shown a loyalty, backing and drive for their artists that few other labels have. As for our music, I am really enjoying the ability to create what is a killer mix of thrash and modern metal. It has a unique combination ranging from thrash to classical influences. I am very proud of what we have written and hope that you all dig it.”

Drover added: "Having our new band, Act Of Defiance, sign with Metal Blade Records is a real thrill for me. I started my musical career with Brian Slagel and the Metal Blade family many years ago, so to come full circle at this point is a real musical home-coming, of sorts. I couldn’t be happier about that. What thrills me the most is the fact that myself, Chris Broderick, Henry Derek and Matt Bachand all have in common is that from the get-go, we wanted this band to be 100% PURE Heavy Metal! No compromises, no ulterior motives other than making the best HEAVY METAL music we can. Metal Blade shares this vision, which really puts us all on the same page, musically.”

Bachand stated: "I couldn't be more excited to begin this new adventure with Act Of Defiance. The positive energy that has collected between the four of us in such a little amount of time has been nothing short of incredible. Writing bass lines is something new for me as well, and I am looking forward to the challenge. All the songs are coming together great and I can't wait for the world to hear this."

Derek commented: "I’m extremely honored and excited to be a part of AOD. Everyone has been super cool and supportive, which is always a huge plus. I know this is going to be an awesome musical experience and the fact that I’m embarking on this journey with good people means everything. Cheers."

Brian Slagel: “I am super excited to welcome Act Of Defiance to the Metal Blade family. I have known Chris and Shawn over the years and really admired their work. I am honoured to be able to work with these two legendary musicians. Really excited to work with all the guys on this exciting new band!"

Shawn Tyler Chavez, the former lead guitarist of Denver, Colorado thrashers HAVOK, Shawn Tyler Chavez, has passed away at the age of 30. He was a member of HAVOK from 2004 to 2010. An official cause of death has not been revealed.

HAVOK vocalist David Sanchez has posted thw following tribute to his former bandmate:

"It is with deep regret that I must inform fans, friends, and family of HAVOK that Shawn Tyler Chavez, the former lead guitarist of HAVOK, passed away on April 30th, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 30 years old.

"Shawn was the very first lead guitarist of HAVOK and helped forge the band's sound in the early years. Without Shawn's dedication during the first six years of the band, HAVOK would not be where it is today.

"Shawn entered HAVOK just in time for the band's first scheduled performance, a high school talent show. He was a founding member and gave the band its very first guitar solos and harmonies. He also contributed to many of the lyrics on the 'Burn' album. At one of the first meetings I had with him, I remember Shawn bringing a red Strat-style guitar into the rehearsal room with the word 'Shawnacaster' tagged onto the headstock in his swirly, graffiti-esque handwriting. Shawn used to wear a tie-dye shirt at least once a week and I will never forget the times we made tie-dye HAVOK shirts to fit his style.

"When he was being himself, Shawn was a riot. The guy was super funny and entertaining… He made me laugh a lot with his jokes, slang, witty comebacks, rhymes, and hilarious physical comedy accompanied by beat-boxing. I met Shawn when he was a 17 year old Jimmy Page lookalike, so it was quite interesting to see him grow from a shy young man into a flying V-weilding lead guitar player for a heavy metal band. He loved LED ZEPPELIN and could play just about any Page solo better than Page does on the records! He was an extremely talented blues player and it's obvious on songs like 'Path To Nowhere', 'Identity Theft', and 'To Hell'. Shawn was VERY smart and I learned a lot from him through our discussions about history, religion, politics, and music. Though we would argue at times, he was quick to let things go and move on with life. This is a quality I admired in him and I wish more people in the world possessed this quality. The usual icebreaker after an argument was a stupid joke that would make me laugh and ease any tension. People that knew him can remember his passion for meaningful debate and a desire to see ideas evolve to their best conclusions. The world would benefit from having more intelligent, funny, charming, kind, thought-provoking individuals like 'Shawnathan'.

"I would like to wish condolences to his family and those close to him. Shawn was a gentle, likable, sensitive, and well-spoken individual. He was one of my best friends during adolescence and he taught me a lot about an array of topics. It is sad to see him pass at such a young age. Shawn's contributions can be heard throughout the first HAVOK full-length album, 'Burn' and various other early recordings.

"May he rock in peace."

Shawn Tyler Chavez is pictured all the way left in photo below.

According to HardDriveRadio.com, Swedish occult rockers GHOST have set "Meliora" (Latin for "better") as the title of their third album, due on August 21. The follow-up to 2013's "Infestissumam" was helmed by Klas Åhlund, a prolific songwriter, producer and guitarist who is also a member of the Swedish rock band TEDDYBEARS, and was mixed by Andy Wallace (SLAYER, NIRVANA, SEPULTURA, LINKIN PARK, GUNS N' ROSES). Songtitles set to appear on the GHOST CD include "From The Pinnacle To The Pit", "Majesty", "Devil Church", "He Is" and the expected first single, "Cirice", which is tentatively due at the end of May or in early June.

GHOST's June 4 appearance at this year's Sweden Rock Festival will serve as the group's live debut with "new" singer Papa Emeritus III, the three-month-younger brother of GHOST's previous frontman, Papa Emeritus II (pictured).

The latest issue of Sweden Rock Magazine marked GHOST's final photo session with Papa Emeritus II before he was "fired" and succeeded by Papa Emeritus III.

GHOST is planning to return to the studio before the summer to record several cover songs, including one by Leonard Cohen and another by the '80s Swedish band IMPERIET.

GHOST's last release was a covers EP, "If You Have Ghost", which sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 87 on The Billboard 200 chart. Issued on November 19, 2013 via Loma Vista Recordings, the five-track EP was recorded and produced by Dave Grohl (FOO FIGHTERS, NIRVANA), and included cover versions of songs by ROKY ERICKSON, ABBA, ARMY OF LOVERS and DEPECHE MODE, plus a live version of the GHOST offering "Secular Haze", recorded in Brooklyn earlier that year.

"Infestissumam" was certified gold in Sweden last fall for sales in excess of 20,000 copies.

Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Sweden has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach gold status in the country twice in the last seven years — from the pre-2002 level of 40,000 to the current 20,000.

"Infestissumam" sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 28 on The Billboard 200 chart.

GHOST was forced to modify its name in the U.S. to GHOST B.C. for "legal reasons."

Canadian rock legends RUSH kicked off their "R40 Live" 40th-anniversary tour last night (Friday, 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.

"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.

Fan-filmed video footage of AC/DC's May 8 performance at Zeppelinfeld in Nürnberg, Germany can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Rock Or Bust 02. Shoot To Thrill 03. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be 04. Back In Black 05. Play Ball 06. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap 07. Thunderstruck 08. High Voltage 09. Rock 'N' Roll Train 10. Hells Bells 11. Baptism By Fire 12. You Shook Me All Night Long 13. Sin City 14. Shot Down In Flames 15. Have A Drink On Me 16. T.N.T. 17. Whole Lotta Rosie 18. Let There Be Rock (with Angus Young guitar solo)

Encore:

19. Highway To Hell 20. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

AC/DC's sixteenth studio album, "Rock Or Bust", has sold around 524,000 copies since debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart back in December.

It's the band's first album without founding guitarist Malcolm Young, who is suffering from dementia. He has been replaced by nephew Stevie Young.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was arrested last November at his home in Tauranga on charges of threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.

Although Rudd played on "Rock Or Bust", he did not appear in photos or videos for the disc.

One-time AC/DC drummer Chris Slade officially joined the band's lineup for its performance on the February 8 Grammy Awards telecast. Slade is also behind the kit for the group's current world tour.

The band will return to North America later this summer for 13 more tour dates, starting on August 22 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts and wrapping up on September 28 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Ex-FAITH NO MORE vocalist Chuck Mosley rejoined his former bandmates on stage last night (Friday, May 8) in Detroit, Michigan for a performance of the song "Mark Bowen". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

With Mosley at the helm, FAITH NO MORE became one of the '80s' leading underground bands on the strength of 1985's "We Care a Lot" and 1987's "Introduce Yourself". Despite exiting the group in 1988 under less-than-friendly circumstances, the Ohio-based Mosley is now friendly with most of his former FNM bandmates and had joined them on stage several other times in recent years.

Mosley released his first solo album, "Will Rap Over Hard Rock For Food", in August 2009 via the Cleveland-based label Reversed Image Unlimited. The CD featured guest appearances from John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON), Roddy Bottum (FAITH NO MORE, IMPERIAL TEEN) and Michael Cartellone (LYNYRD SKYNYRD). KORN frontman Jonathan Davis, who attributes Mosley as a massive influence, also made an appearance on the single "The Enabler".

FAITH NO MORE's two best-selling albums, 1989's "The Real Thing" and 1992's "Angel Dust", are being reissued in new editions featuring plenty of bonus rarities. The reissues will be available as either double-CD or heavyweight double-vinyl sets with the CDs available on June 9, one month after the band releases its first set of new music in 18 years, "Sol Invictus", on May 19.

Neither disc will contain any previously unreleased tracks, but both will collect hard-to-find rarities in the form of live cuts, remixes and other B-sides and bonus tracks.

Fan-filmed video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE's May 9 performance at the Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand as part of the band's "The Final Tour" can be seen below.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's "The Final Tour" kicked off last year and will end New Year's Eve at the Staples Center in Los Angeles after one more round of North American gigs.

MÖTLEY CRÜE first announced plans for "The Final Tour" by signing a Cessation Of Touring Agreement at a press conference in Los Angeles in January 2014, solidifying the end of their touring career for December 2015. Since the announcement, the band has been touring tirelessly to say goodbye to fans around the world, most recently playing their final shows in Japan.

After thirty-four years performing together, MÖTLEY CRÜE's 2015 leg of "The Final Tour" includes shows all across the globe. The band is currently in Australia and New Zealand in May for their last-ever shows there. June will see the band saying farewell to the European festival circuit with three massive performances at Download (UK), Sweden Rock (Sweden) and Nova Rock (Austria) festivals before taking their can't-miss show back to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico this summer.

The 2014 leg of "The Final Tour" was one of last year's top-grossing tours, selling close to a million tickets across 72 cities and grossing more than $45 million.

"MÖTLEY CRÜE's 'Final Tour' has been a massive global success and a true testament to the popularity of this legendary rock band," said Rick Franks, Live Nation's regional president of North American concerts. "New Year's Eve 2015 will mark the end of an era in rock history but there's no doubt that MÖTLEY CRÜE's music will influence generations of artists for years to come."

Three years after the release of their self-titled album, Canadian extreme metallers CRYPTOPSY will release a series of EPs titled "The Book Of Suffering". This approach will allow the band to put out new music more often while remaining true to their standards of quality.

After being on a record label for their entire career, CRYPTOPSY decided to go independent in 2012. Supported by their fans, CRYPTOPSY distributed and sold thousands of albums across the globe and had the opportunity to tour Japan, Western and Eastern Europe, the U.K., South America, Scandinavia and Canada. They are now embarking on a crowdfunding campaign that will allow them to give their fans more in terms of videos and enhanced live show production.

As of May 8, CRYPTOPSY's crowdfunding campaign is open with exclusive t-shirts, girly tank tops, hoodies, CDs and vinyls. In addition to the more traditional merchandise, they are offering signed Flo Mounier cymbals, online lessons with each band member, guest performances and a song mix by their guitarist and sound engineer Chris Donaldson. For those who are interested in memorabilia, they are offering stage banners that have been used since 2012. CRYPTOPSY's $20,000 goal will fund the recording, mixing and mastering of "The Book Of Suffering Tome 1", as well as produce artwork, a music video and stage banners. Additional rewards such as a play-through video, a tour documentary and more music will be unlocked for all backers if they surpass their goal.

CRYPTOPSY said in a statement: "We hope that every extreme metal fan will be exposed to 'The Book Of Suffering Tome 1'. We are extremely proud of the material; it is some of the most brutal, technical and fresh music we have ever created."

CRYPTOPSY will premiere a song from "The Book Of Suffering Tome 1" on the "Back To The U.S." 2015 tour with DISGORGE, ERIMHA, SOREPTION and THE CONVALESCENCE. The tour runs from May 14 to June 1.

Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED have commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2014's "Exit Wounds" album. Guitarist Patrik Jensen states: "Not known as a band that likes to rest on our laurels, we're pushing ahead with the follow-up to last year's 'Exit Wounds' album! We have most of the stuff written already, [and are] looking to record in August/September and to have it released before the end of this year."

He adds: "We're very excited about the new material and can't wait to give you the chance to hear it! Better nail down the roof in good time… and reserve the top spot on your X-mas wish list for this upcoming aural bad boy!"

In the meantime, THE HAUNTED is continuing to promote "Exit Wounds", which was released last August via Century Media Records. The band next travels starting this weekend take the group to China, Japan as well as to Australia, where they team up with Century Media labelmates INSOMNIUM for a string of shows. Furthermore, the band will appear at several European summer festivals, including Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium); Hellfest (France), Nord Open Air (Germany), Rock Harz (Germany), Brutal Assault (Czech Republic) and Metal Hammer Paradise (Germany).

Asked if going back to the old-school THE HAUNTED sound on "Exit Wounds" was a conscious decision, Jensen told EMP Rock Invasion: "The thing with THE HAUNTED is that we have always been five guys that have written music together; we were all like five generals. I mean, Marco's [Aro, vocals] from FACE DOWN, I had SÉANCE, the [Björler] twins had AT THE GATES, and so on. Every album has been written without us knowing what will happen. So we put our riffs in, and then everyone contributes, and we discover what the outcome will be. This is the same with 'Unseen'; we didn't know it was gonna sound like this. It was what happened. Same with 'Exit Wounds'. We didn't know what was gonna happen. We have never sat down and said that we have to make this kind of album. It's kind of logical that this album sounds the way it does, because we have the drummer from the first album, we have the singer from albums two and three, and me and Jonas have been in the band forever."

"Exit Wounds" was once again recorded with the group's longtime producer Tue Madsen at Denmark's Antfarm Studio (DARK TRANQUILLITY, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SICK OF IT ALL) and features THE HAUNTED's revamped lineup: founding members Jonas Björler (bass) and Patrik Jensen (guitar) along with with returning members Adrian Erlandsson (drums) and Marco Aro (vocals), and the band's latest addition, guitarist Ola Englund.

"Exit Wounds" features two special guests appearing on the song "Trend Killer": Jed Simon (SCAR THE MARTYR, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) on lead guitar and Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT) on vocals.

Rufus Taylor, the son of legendary QUEEN drummer Roger Taylor, has been named new drummer of British rockers THE DARKNESS.

Taylor's hiring comes just days after THE DARKNESS announced the departure of drummer Emily Davies in a Facebook post.

Rufus made his debut with THE DARKNESS at the Gibson release party for the band's upcoming album, "Last Of Our Kind", in London on April 24.

THE DARKNESS guitarist Dan Hawkins confirmed the replacement in an interview with Real Radio XS on April 25. He said (hear audio below): "We already have someone, and we actually played our first show with him last night. The 'drummist' will be known as Rufus Taylor, son of Roger Taylor."

THE DARKNESS's fourth album, "Last Of Our Kind", will be released on June 1 in partnership with Kobalt Label Services. The CD was penned in Ireland and was produced by Dan Hawkins.

The follow-up to 2012's "Hot Cakes" was recorded at Leeders Farm Studio in Norfolk, owned by Dan Hawkins. "The new album is brutal," singer Justin Hawkins told Classic Rock. "It's definitely stripped back — with the exception of some mandolins. But when you're doing medieval rock, you should have a mandolin on it. And while I wouldn't say that this is our 'Rainbow Rising', we're definitely exploring the myths of old. It's medieval rock, but it still sounds like THE DARKNESS. It's medi-urban, I suppose.…"

"Last of Our Kind" will be released on limited-edition color vinyl, compact disc and as a digital download.

The official performance video for "Road Of Resistance" (formerly referred to as "The One"), a brand new song from the Japanese pop-metal group BABYMETAL, can be seen below. The track, which was debuted during BABYMETAL's November 8, 2014 concert at the Brixton O2 Academy in London, England, is a collaboration between BABYMETAL's production team and guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman of British epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE, whose guitar playing can be heard in the studio version of the song.

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 will feature two bonus tracks and be available digitally on Tuesday, May 12 and physically 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.

Says Bill Richards, VP of Marketing at RAL/Sony Music Entertainment: "After witnessing the band's sold-out New York show, we knew we wanted to be involved. The core metal fans and metal press seem to get BABYMETAL, which shows how the language of music transcends boundaries. They hit all the entertainment buttons and are really fun to watch."

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.

The band will gear up for an equally busy 2015 when they kick off their "The Dark Knights Begin" world tour on May 9 in Mexico City. U.S. tour dates included a special one-off headlining show on May 14 at House Of Blues in Chicago, Illinois, followed by a festival appearance on May 16 at Rock On The Range in Columbus, Ohio.

"Babymetal" European release track listing:

CD

01. Babymetal Death02. Megitsune03. Gimme Chocolate!! 04. Line!05. Akatsuki06. Doki Doki * Morning07. Onedari Daisakusen08. Song 409. Uki Uki * Midnight10. Catch Me If You Can11. Rondo Of Nightmare12. Head Bangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!13. Ijime, Dame, Zettai

Bonus

14. Road Of Resistance (feat. Herman Li & Sam Totman of Dragonforce)15. Gimme Chocolate!! (Live at O2 Academy Brixton, London)

DVD - official video clips

- Doki Doki * Morning- Iine!- Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!- Ijime, Dame, Zettai- Megitsune- Gimme Chocolate!!

Greek extreme metal veterans ROTTING CHRIST have entered Devasoundz studios in Athens to begin recording their new album for an early 2016 release. The CD is once again being produced by the band's frontman, Sakis Tolis.

ROTTING CHRIST says in a statement: "We will work hard to not disapoint you."

ROTTING CHRIST's eleventh full-length studio album, "Kata Ton Demona Eaftou", was released in March 2013 via Season Of Mist. The band spent more than four months at Devasoundz crafting what it said was "its darkest and more mystical and occult outcome ever." The CD was mixed by Jens Borgen (AMON AMARTH, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA, OPETH) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden.

"Kata Ton Demona Eaftou" was made available as jewel case CD, double gatefold LP and limited-edition digibox, including a digipak CD with bonus track "Welcome To Hel", a pendant in velvet bag and a flag.

Frontiers Music Srl will release ASIA's new live audio visual release "Axis XXX Live In San Francisco MMXII" in two-CD/DVD and Blu-ray formats on July 3 in Europe and July 10 in North America.

Recorded on November 7, 2012 at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, this new ASIA live CD/DVD and Blu-ray captures once again the band, in the original lineup, in front of an ecstatic audience during one of the shows that ASIA performed in support of the "XXX" album and which was broadcasted by AXS TV in the USA.

With HD recording this new live album is truly a rewarding experience for all ASIA fans. After the recent DVD releases, this is ASIA performing one of the very last shows featuring the original lineup with Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton live on the road, in your face and for your viewing pleasure.

The setlist features songs from their first two albums and selected cuts from the reunion albums, including the single from the "XXX" album, "Face On The Bridge". This is a historical document of where the band was at the time and a snapshot of their musicianship, camaraderie and passion. This live CD, DVD or Blu-ray is an irreplaceable companion to the "XXX" studio album.

According to John Wetton, "Axis" is "a journey through ASIA's history, from 'Alpha' to 'Omega' and more, in the beautiful setting of the Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, California. Much newer material is aired, plus the band's vintage hit songs performed by all four original members of ASIA. A stunning recording, an unmissable treat for any ASIA fan, new or old."

Formed at the dawn of the MTV era, ASIA's first release was the best-selling album in the world in 1982 and sat at the No. 1 spot in the USA for 9 weeks, powered by the classic rock anthem, "Heat Of The Moment", and four other radio hits. ASIA's 1983 sophomore album, "Alpha", also went multi-platinum and enjoyed several hit singles, including the No. 1 smash, "Don't Cry". During the recording of its third disc, the band splintered, and by the 1990s, only Geoff Downes remained from the original lineup.

"Axis XXX Live In San Francisco MMXII" track listing:

CD1

01. Introduction02. Only Time Will Tell03. Wildest Dreams04. Face On The Bridge05. Time Again06. Tomorrow The World07. Ride Easy08. Pyramidology09. The Golden Mean10. I Know How You Feel11. Don't Cry12. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

CD2

01. Cutting It Fine02. Holy War/Drum Solo03. An Extraordinary Life04. Here Comes The Feeling05. Open Your Eyes06. Sole Survivor07. Heat Of The Moment

DVD / Blu-ray:

01. Introduction02. Only Time Will Tell03. Wildest Dreams04. Face On The Bridge05. Time Again06. Tomorrow The World07. Ride Easy08. Pyramidology09. The Golden Mean10. I Know How You Feel11. Don't Cry12. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes13. Cutting It Fine14. Holy War/Drum Solo15. An Extraordinary Life16. Here Comes The Feeling17. Open Your Eyes18. Sole Survivor19. Heat Of The Moment

You can check out a performance clip of the song "Face On The Bridge" below.

Colombian true living death metal legends Masacre have inked a deal with Xtreem Music for the European version of their latest album Brutal Aggre666ion, the fifth in their long career for this band formed back in 1988 that has built a truly incorruptible cult status as one of the most mythic South American bands ever.

First released only for the Colombian territory through the band's own label Mórbida Prod in October 2014, Brutal Aggre666ion is another solid step in the band's discography, showing a truly brutal form of death metal in their traditional style, empowered, once again, by the production skills of Hate Eternal/ ex-Morbid Angel's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Studios in Tampa, Florida.

Brutal Aggres666ion tracklisting:

“La Guerra”
“Mutilated”
“Bullets”
“War In Hell”
“Donde Habital El Mal”
“Satanic Peace Agreement”
“Reality Death”
“The Calm Before The Storm”
“Valle De La Muerte”

“War In Hell”:

Niagara Falls, ON's metalcore quintet Take The Throne have posted their new music video “Artificial Heart” in support of their latest release Guardian available on Bandcamp and iTunes.

"We are extremely excited to release our music video for 'Artificial Heart'. The video was shot by director and cinematographer Ben Dundas and visual effects, editing and color grading by Igor Omodei of the band Uneven Structure. We had a lot of fun developing the plot for this album and can't wait to see the response from our fans! Fun fact, Nick Xourafas of the band Structures played the role of the lead soldier in the video," comments guitarist Tom Jakobs.

Take The Throne live:

May
25 – St. Catharines, ON – Detour Music Hall
26 – Barrie, ON – The Foxx
29 – Regina, SK – Mercury Café
30 – Saskatoon, SK – Mazz Fest

June
1 – Calgary, AB – Skate Shack
3 – Edmonton, AB – DV8
4 – Red Deer, AB – Slumland Theater
5 – Lethbridge, AB – Moose Hall
6 – Brandon, MB – North Hill Inn
7 – Winnipeg, MB - TBA

Irish rockers Trucker Diablo have signed a worldwide deal with Off Yer Rocka Recordings.

OYR CEO Jonni Davis commented: "They're back and what an album we have in store for you! When the masters hit our desk, we knew instantly that it was exactly the sound that OYR were looking to sign! We've known Trucker for a long time, this is a huge musical thrust north, it's just a great FKN album and sits perfectly into what we're all about, can't wait to get this one out there."

Trucker Diablo's Tom Harte added

"When we decided to set up a pledge campaign for our new album, signing with a label was far from the agenda. When OYR got in touch it was like an old friend getting in contact. We have been friends with the guys for quite a few years now and have been lucky enough to be a part of the amazing festivals they host. So for us it’s an easy decision to make this next step into the OYR family and we trust our new album will find more ears through the great team they have working with them."

Rise Above The Noise will be available via all good record stores and platforms late June with a teaser EP out shortly before.

Blending a mirage of musical influences with a desire to create evocative music, Chicago's Kastasyde are set to unleash their third album Gnosis on June 2.  The band has produced an album that is the result of a decade of experimenting with different styles of metal, rock, and acoustic music coupled with touring and forging a dedicated fan base.

Gnosis was mixed and tracked by Chris Wisco at Belle City Sound in Racine, Wisconsin.  Drum tracking was done by Pete Grossman at Bricktop Recording in Chicago.  The album features a guest guitar solo by The Black Dahlia Murder guitarist Ryan Knight as well as lap steel guitar contributions by Justin Spring.

Featuring vocalist Jarrett Roberts, guitarists Eric Kornfeind and Jerome Marshall, bassist Dustin Roberts, and drummer Garry Naples (Novembers Doom), Kastasyde is a collaborative effort of diverse influences.  With new album Gnosis the band has taken ingredients from many different genres of music to create a cohesive and exciting recording.  Gnosis shows a band that is hungry to evolve their sound and defy categorization.  Groove, atmosphere, and style take precedence for Kastasyde and Gnosis is their newest evidence of that.

Gnosis tracklisting:

“Natural State”
“Burial In The Sky”
“Gnosis”
“In The Spiral”
“Blackheart”
“Never At Peace”
“Empyrean”
“Tiamat”

“Burial In The Sky”:

North Carolina’s occult hard rockers, Demon Eye, release their new full-length, Tempora Infernalia, today (May 8th) via Soulseller Records. The track “I’ll Be Creeping” can be heard below.
 
The album was recorded and mixed by Alex Maiolo at Seriously Adequate Studio in Carrboro, NC and mastered by Pete Weiss at Verdant Studio in Southern Vermont. The band's sophomore release after last year’s debut Leave The Light, is a blast of wicked riffery and skilled song craft that conjures apocalyptic visions of a world on the brink of destruction.

Cover artwork created by John Hitselberger, Raleigh, NC:

 

 

Tempora Infernalia tracklisting:

“End Of Days”
“Listen To The Darkness”
“I’ll Be Creeping”
“See The Signs”
“Poison Garden”
“In The World, Not Of It”
“Black Winds”
“Give Up The Ghost”
“Please, Father”
“Sons Of Man”

“I’ll Be Creeping”:

Lineup:

Erik Sugg – vocals, guitars
Larry Burlison - guitars
Paul Walz - bass
Bill Eagen – drums, vocals

(Photo - Don Oneil)

Gothenburg, Sweden-based melodic metallers, Rawburt, have released a video for the new track, “The Hunter”.

"The Hunter" was recorded in Sound Industry Studios in Mölndal, Sweden with producer Julien Fabre in early spring, along with three other tracks for an upcoming EP.

In February the band released the song ”Shallow Grave” (see below) with a video of the band performing. This time they wanted to do a more untraditional hard rock video with more of a story based on the lyrics.

The video was mostly filmed in the woods of Gothenburg by drummer Anders Östman (also a photographer/videographer) with the model Izabella as the star of the video. Watch below:

“Shallow Grave” video: