Back in February 2015, THE DEAD DAISIES got the chance to play some rock'n'roll in Cuba and it proved a revelation. The revelation became a revolution as the boys started conceiving their next album. The passion they'd experienced in Cuba was confirmation — the world needs to be reminded that classic rock is alive and kicking — and with the new album, THE DEAD DAISIES were going to deliver just that, a collection of classic rock, "Revolución".

The first track from the upcoming CD, "Midnight Moses" (originally by ALEX HARVEY BAND), with new singer John Corabi (MÖTLEY CRÜE, RATT) on vocals and featuring Cuban musician Yaimi Karell Lay on percussion, can be streamed below.

"'Moses' is a song I've always wanted to do," says Corabi. "So with the trip to Cuba, we all thought it would be cool to have some of the local musicians participate. As it turned out, the middle break in Moses allowed us to have Yaimi Karell Lay do some congas, and I think she nailed it beautifully!!"

The DAISIES were in Havana for 10 days as guests of the Cuban Ministry of Culture, Cuban Institute of Music and the Cuban Rock Agency. A number of Cuban outlets covered the cultural exchange, where the DAISIES performed acoustic sessions for press and sold-out shows for fans, jammed with Cuban musicians, visited schools to give lessons and conducted workshops. Somewhere in there they even found time to record tracks for "Revolución" at Abdala recording studios with producer Ben Grosse (MARILYN MANSON, SEVENDUST), who accompanied them on the journey. Additional recording took place in Sydney, Australia at Studio 301, with tracks being produced by THE DEAD DAISIES and Craig Porteils (GUNS N' ROSES, BILLY IDOL).

The entire Cuban adventure is being made into a documentary as well. Also titled "Revolución", the doc was shot by Katarina Benzova and Cuban videographer Karel Renzoly Green and will be edited by filmmaker Kenn Michael and produced by music and film producer Danny Sabre. View the documentary trailer below.

"Revolución" features bassist Marco Mendoza (THIN LIZZY, WHITESNAKE), keyboard player Dizzy Reed (GUNS N' ROSES), guitarist David Lowy (MINK, RED PHOENIX), lead guitarist Richard Fortus (GUNS N' ROSES, THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS), John Corabi (MÖTLEY CRÜE, RATT) on vocals, Brian Tichy (OZZY OSBOURNE, BILLY IDOL) on drums and additional drumming from Jackie Barnes (TIN LIDS, JIMMY BARNES), who is the son of Scottish-born Australian singer Jimmy Barnes. Also included on the album is Cuban musician Yaimi Karell Lay on percussion.

THE DEAD DAISIES are thrilled to announce their return to Europe touring with KISS on their 40th-anniversary tour this summer.

THE DEAD DAISIES are a powerful musical collective created by a rotating lineup that features some of the world's best rock musicians. Influenced by '70s and early '80s hard rock, THE DAISIES' sound is soulful and accessible-equal parts THE FACES, BAD COMPANY and FOREIGNER: muscular vocals, bluesy riffs, big choruses, powerful melodies and strong hooks. Whether it was inspired by Elvis or THE BEATLES, LED ZEPPELIN or Jimi Hendrix, it always started with the music, and that's what THE DEAD DAISIES are all about.

ACDC-Italia.com has uploaded a two-camera fan-filmed mix of AC/DC performing the new song "Baptism By Fire" on April 10 when the band headlined the first of two shows at the Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival in Indio, California. Check it out below.

Aside from two songs performed at the Grammy Awards in February, this also marked the first full appearance by the new AC/DC lineup, in which guitarist Stevie Young has replaced Malcolm Young and drummer Chris Slade has stepped in for Phil Rudd.

AC/DC's 20-song set kicked off with "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be", featured three songs from the band's latest album, "Rock Or Bust" album (the title track, first single "Play Ball", and "Baptism By Fire"), and ended with the band's staple show closer, "For Those About To Rock".

The setlist was as follows:

01. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be02. Shot Down In Flames03. Back In Black04. Rock Or Bust05. Shoot To Thrill06. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap07. Thunderstuck08. Play Ball09. The Jack10. Hells Bells11. Baptism Of Fire12. You Shook Me All Night Long13. Have A Drink On Me14. Sin City15. T.N.T. 16. Rock 'N' Roll Train17. Whole Lotta Rosie18. Let There Be Rock

Encore:

19. Highway To Hell20. For Those About To Rock

Vocalist Brian Johnson told the Los Angeles Times that he received words of support and encouragement earlier this week from Paul McCartney, who played Coachella in 2009. Johnson explained, "I ran into him downstairs [at the Four Seasons hotel in Los Angeles] this (past Tuesday) morning. He goes, 'Brian, you get on that stage and I'm telling you, you see all these kids looking for the hip-hop acts. Then they see you, and they're like, 'Who's he? Oh, yeah — me dad talks of him.' But he said it's great because you're doing your thing, and eventually all the kids go, 'He's cool, this dude!'"

Johnson added, "It kind of takes you right back to the start, when you had to win over an audience. I'm excited."

Johnson told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the band was confident its hardcore fans will always be there. "Yes, I would hope they would come back and see you again," he said. "I think we've put down a good foundation. We never take anything for granted, you know. How can you? Times change, things change, so you've just got to keep doing what you're doing, basically, and just hope that they'll come back for more."

Coachella, which takes place on both April 10-12 and April 17-19, is also headlined by Drake and Jack White in addition to AC/DC.

This year's headliners will possibly earn between $750,000 and $2 million each, according to Billboard.com.

AC/DC's sixteenth studio album, "Rock Or Bust", has sold around 513,000 copies since debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart back in December.

It's the band's first album without Malcolm, who is suffering from dementia. Rudd is out after being arrested last November on charges of threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.

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.

BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne has responded to an "open letter" by the band's original drummer Bill Ward in which Ward said he would not consider rejoining the band unless Ozzy publicly apologized for what Ward perceived as a series of insults.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Ozzy said: "I never wanted to discuss this in a public forum but Bill's statements left me no option to but to respond honestly.

"Wow, Bill, what the fuck are you on about? I cannot apologize for comments or opinions I may have made about you in the press during SABBATH's '13' album and tour — physically, you knew you were fucked. Tony [Iommi, guitar], Geezer [Butler, bass] and myself didn't think you could have done a two-hour set with a drum solo every night, so we made the decision to move on. With Tony's condition, we felt that time was not on our side.

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

"Unfortunately for you, our instincts were correct as you were in hospital several times during 2013. Your last hospitalization was for a shoulder surgery that you now say you've only just recovered from. This would have meant that our world tour would have been canceled. So how is all of this my fault? Stop playing the victim and be honest with yourself and our fans.

"Bill, we go back a long way, let's stop this now before it gets out of hand.

"God bless you.

"Love, Ozzy"

Although Ward was initially going to participate in the BLACK SABBATH reunion that came together in late 2011, he bowed out early and has not been on good terms with the band since.

Ward wrote in his open letter: "With a sad heart, I have to say I will not participate in any musical undertakings until a righting of the wrongs spoken against me has been achieved… I have little to no expectations of this happening, but in the order of first things first, I'm looking for an honest accountability of all of Ozzy's statements that I felt were untrue."

Ward did not state specifically what Ozzy had said that he wanted an apology for, only stating, "Because I was chastised publicly, I would want him to amend publicly in his words, and not through an Ozzy representative, the nature of the wrongs… that's what I want if I'm ever going to be his friend again."

Ozzy hinted in 2013 that Ward was too out of shape to record and tour with SABBATH, saying: "I don't think he could have done the gig, to be honest… A drummer has to be in shape. He's already had two heart attacks. I don't want to be responsible for his life."

It was speculated that SABBATH wanted Ward to play only part of its live shows because he wasn't fit to perform an entire concert.

Ozzy told The Pulse Of Radio at the time that he couldn't necessarily blame Ward for the way he felt about that. "I mean, if someone said to me, 'You should sing with this guy,' I'd be pissed off, you know," he said. "I mean, it's understandable, the way he feels. I'm not saying he's wrong or right, you know. But we had a mission to do an album, you know, and I mean, I think it would have taken twice as long as it did and that was long enough already, you know."

Ward said in his letter that while he had "neither severed nor discontinued" his relationship with SABBATH, he would need a "signable contract" in addition to the apology from Ozzy to make things right.

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

Ward concluded, "It's up to them. I have dearly missed playing with them and as people, I have been heartbroken over the loss of who I thought we were. And now you know where I stand."

Iommi revealed in January of 2012 that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma and had to return to England every six weeks for treatment throughout the course of SABBATH's year-long tour.

BLACK SABBATH is reportedly planning to record one more album and undertake a farewell tour later this year.

Original BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has released the following statement:

"I have not made any public statements regarding my relationship with BLACK SABBATH since February 2012. Today, I want to address that relationship in this formal statement. Thank you.

"I have neither severed nor discontinued my relationship with BLACK SABBATH. However, since 2012, the often inaccurate statements about me as a person and as a musician have caused me to be guarded and be especially detached emotionally and spiritually from Ozzy [Osbourne, vocals]. His rhetoric above all has brought me the most discord. The continuing misguided information about me has established a necessity on my part to confront these issues. And now, with the imminent release of a new BILL WARD BAND album, and the flurry of rumors about new SABBATH projects, I feel it appropriate to speak in a truthful and an un-cynical way.

"There is always speculation about a true, original SABBATH lineup for the next tour or record. With a sad heart, I have to say I will not participate in any musical undertakings until a righting of the wrongs spoken against me has been achieved. I must admit, I have little to no expectations of this happening, but in the order of first things first, I'm looking for an honest accountability of all of Ozzy's statements that I felt were untrue. I would want Ozzy to amend his opinions and exaggerations. I would want him to be forthcoming about his unrealistic viewpoints. And because I was chastised publicly, I would want him to amend publicly in his words, and not through an Ozzy representative, the nature of the wrongs. I would not want to continue on with him without this seemingly impassible dilemma being addressed.

"I don't think previously strong relationships can remain strong after dispute by just sweeping the offensive stuff under the carpet, or by saying a puny sorry, or 'oh, that's all over now.' It doesn't work like that for me. Righting of wrong works, and that's what I want if I'm ever going to be his friend again.

"Still undone and faraway is a 'signable' contract. I would require a 'signable' contract before moving one step toward a pathway that could lead to us all playing together again. I want a contract I can approve.

"That's my truth. That's my stand.

"I've listened to nothing but insults and false remarks, and if as a band or as individuals they wish to continue along the same lines, then any notion of an original BLACK SABBATH lineup will continue to fade away.

"Put simply, it's up to them.

"I have dearly missed playing with them and as people; I have been heartbroken over the loss of who I thought we were. And now you know where I stand.

"Very soon my band, BILL WARD BAND will release a new album ironically called 'Accountable Beasts'. I re-kickstarted it in May 2012, and in an off and on journey to record, we have reached our final destination — a good mix, and a well mastered record. At this time we are putting the final touches on the digital booklet.

"There are other multiple projects in different stages of progress, and I hope to bring more definitive news about them as things unfold this year.

"I have been very happy writing new songs, playing drums and working with other musicians. I have been blessed with musical visions and the ability to harness them. I'm moving into the future with an optimistic outlook.

"For our many SABBATH fans, I love you all dearly. You are extremely special people. You fucking rock.

"I have been in deep regret since January 2012 that a true union was denied. I've remained faithful to you and honest with myself. Had I not been honest throughout, I would have perished long ago. My hand is within yours, and I am encouraged to know you better. Stay safe and stay strong.

"Now it is time to meet the circumstances of my statement and attend to what else is ongoing and before me."

Ward was on board for the SABBATH reunion when it was first announced in November 2011, but backed out soon after. He later claimed that he sat out the recording and touring sessions because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn't physically up to the task.

SABBATH has used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on the band's comeback album, "13", which came out in June 2013.

It was rumored that SABBATH wanted to bring a second drummer on the road to share duties with Ward, which he allegedly balked at. Ward said in one interview that he "would never, ever show up for a commitment that I could not do physically."

Ward said he would return on one condition, that he "play all or nothing." It's been speculated that SABBATH wanted Ward to play only part of its live shows because he wasn't in shape to perform an entire concert.

Ozzy told the New York Daily News, "I don't think [Ward] could have done the gig, to be honest. He's incredibly overweight. A drummer has to be in shape. He's already had two heart attacks. I don't want to be responsible for his life."

In an interview with the Phoenix New Times, guitarist Tony Iommi stated about Bill's absence from the SABBATH reunion: "We were hoping Bill was going to do it.

"It was Bill who pulled the plug, it wasn't us. Bill decided on his own he didn't want to do this, because he didn't like things the way it was. But we still don't know exactly what that was, because Bill won't exactly talk to us about it. He got his lawyers to talk with our lawyers, and it went that way instead of talking to the band personally. It got to be a silly situation.

"It would have been nice to have had Bill on the album, but it was getting too complicated. It had been after a year of this stuff, and we just had to get on with it."

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell spoke to Canada's The Province about the band's forthcoming studio album, which is expected before the end of the year.

"The first thing we did was go into the studio and set up live," Campbell explained. "I know a lot of bands do it, but we haven't done it since 1996. Then we get analytical. It's tough for me and I wasn't around."

"There's a lot of talk before we make an album," Campbell said. "With this album there wasn't as much talking but there is an awful lot of experimentalism that goes on with a LEPPARD record. Once we find our direction, we're very quick.

"Everybody brings something to the table," he added. "I'm not as verbose as the other guys. I'd much rather be hands-on."

Campbell, who has been battling Hodgkin's lymphoma for the last couple of years, revealed: "I was there for the first session and I was there for the third. I missed the second session and, in a way, I'm glad I did. It was the toughest."

Regarding the musical direction of the new DEF LEPPARD CD, Vivian said: "It's diverse, but it all sounds like DEF LEPPARD. It's the best album we've made in 23 years."

He added: "If the band had continued to be a hard rock band it would have been successful. But we've been able to progress and still we've been true to our hard rock roots. We're one part AC/DC and one part QUEEN.

"Frankly, candidly, we could go year after year playing our hits. A record for us is kind of a loss leader. A new record is something we do for us."

A recent advertisement for DEF LEPPARD's upcoming U.K. tour with WHITESNAKE revealed that DEF LEPPARD's eleventh album will be a self-titled affair.

DEF LEPPARD will return to the road April 15 for a Canadian tour, followed by Europe in May and June. A U.S. tour with STYX and TESLA will kick off June 23 in Tampa, Florida.

"Shadowmaker", the new album from cello rockers APOCALYPTICA, can be streamed in its entirety using the embedded YouTube playlist below.

"Shadowmaker" will be released on April 21 via Eleven Seven Music Group's Better Noise imprint. The Finnish musicians — accompanied by their American lead singer Franky Perez — recorded the CD with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES, MASTODON).

In a recent interview with Australia's The Rockpit, APOCALYPTICA's Eicca Toppinen stated about "Shadowmaker": "It's always hard to talk about albums without being a nerdy musician. I think it's a totally new kind of record for APOCALYPTICA, especially because we have one singer on the whole album, and I think it's making the whole album more solid. It's more of a band record compared to the album that we have had guest vocalists, so I think it's more solid.

"We had a break when we stopped touring for '7th Symphony', we had one year off, we didn't write a single song for a record, nothing except for 'Wagner Reloaded', but for the regular stuff, nothing. And after the break, we came together and if we wanted to do something, we have to do exactly what we want to do and this record is the result of that, that journey.

"We wanted to challenge ourselves even more and we wanted to be tight as a band before the pre-production and the thing that Franky [Perez, vocalist] was part of the pre-production, we spent weeks with him in the rehearsal room arranging the songs and getting things more defined before we went into the studio.

"I think this album is full of attitude, it's a real attitude record."

Asked how APOCALYPTICA ended up hiring Franky Perez to handle the vocals on the entire "Shadowmaker" record, Eicca said: "It was actually the beginning of June last year when we made the decision to, 'Okay, there's no more guest vocalists on this record. We need to find a guy who makes the record and will tour with us for the record. It's like a puzzle where all the pieces of the puzzle are spread all over, they are not connected, and we need to get those pieces connected. And ways to have one singer to make the whole thing more understandable for people, to make the working circumstances more comfortable for us where things are not so dependant on people outside of the band — the guests, the managers and the label — so it's all about us."

He continued: "Our manager put a quiet request in the business, like, 'Okay, APOCALYPTICA searching for a singer for the record. Do we have any suggestions or any people who are great singers who do not have the right band yet?' And we got about 20-25 suggestions. We went through them, and asked five of them to make a recording and from those we picked out three and asked them to sing a little piece of 'Hole In My Soul' from the new album, and Franky was the obvious choice. So he came through the record company search. Somebody said at the American label that he's the guy, 'I've used him many times on session [recordings]. He's great. And he didn't have anything active going except his solo record, but nothing band-wise."

Eicca added: "I love Franky's voice. He's not just a regular singer. He has a very soulful sound and he's able to sing different styles, which is perfect for APOCALYPTICA, because our songs are not only heavy metal, it's a variety of different colors and different dynamics, and the singer needs to match that, and I think Franky is a perfect match."

Asked if APOCALYPTICA would consider keeping Perez permanently as a bandmember, Eicca said: "It's too early to think about it, but nothing is decided. Now we got the record done, and then we will have touring more or less for two years, and at the end of that time, or sometime during those two years, we will know. But it wouldn't be an impossible option to have Franky in the band, but it's too early to think about it. We have been through several concepts, and we still want the option to change the concept to do something different."

"Shadowmaker" track listing:

01. I-III-V- Seed Of Chaos02. Cold Blood03. Shadowmaker04. Slowburn05. Reign Of Fear (bonus track)06. Hole in My Soul07. House Of Chains08. Riot Lights09. Come Back Down (bonus track)10. Sea Song (You Waded Out)11. Till Death Do Us Part12. Dead Man's Eyes

A new video clip of drummer Chris Adler rehearsing a new MEGADETH song prior to laying it down in the studio can be seen at PledgeMusic.com.

PledgeMusic recently announced its partnership MEGADETH. The band has entered Lattitude Studio South in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee to begin recording its fifteenth album and the group wants to bring its fans along for the ride. For the first time, MEGADETH is going to bring you into the studio to be a part of the recording process, and give you a window into the world of guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, guitarist Kiko Loureiro, bassist David Ellefson and Adler.

Some of the exclusive items available when you pledge are a pre-order the album digitally, on CD or vinyl, a signed copy of Dave Mustaine's book, a signed copy of David Ellefson's book, a two-hour guitar lesson with Dave Mustaine, a day in the studio with MEGADETH, signed guitars, Chris Adler's drum kit, a disposable camera with one-of-a-kind photos from the studio, a jam session with the band and much more. No matter what you order, you will get access to a variety of behind-the-scenes content such as photos and videos from the writing and recording sessions. You'll get full access to the process in real time. Mustaine's message to MEGADETH fans about the campaign: "We've always wanted you to be 'a part of' and not 'apart from' us in the studio. Now, with PledgeMusic, you can be here with me and the guys and watch history being made with our fifteenth record. Check back often... you don't want to miss anything!"

In a statement, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine called Chris "a tremendous talent" and "an amazing person" who is "going to bring a new level of excitement and energy to MEGADETH that the fans are going to lose their minds over."

Adler was equally excited about playing with MEGADETH, saying: "I'm coming into this on fire. There is an incredible amount of respect, but the goal here is to make the very best thrash album we can — not just throw names in the CD booklet or be a 'yes' man. Together, I believe we can do something very special."

Fan-filmed video footage of the influential alt-metal act FAITH NO MORE performing two new songs — "Sol Invictus" and "From The Dead" — last night (Wednesday, April 15) at the first show of the band's North American tour can be seen below.

A review of the concert can be found at CTV News.

"Sol Invictus", FAITH NO MORE's long-awaited follow-up to 1997's "Album Of The Year", 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 CD. 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, the upcoming "Sol Invictus", 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).

"'Til the Dust Is Gone", the first video from ART OF ANARCHY, the new band featuring Scott Weiland (STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, VELVET REVOLVER) on vocals, John Moyer (DISTURBED) on bass, Jon and Vince Votta on guitar and drums, and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES) as co-guitarist and producer, can be seen below. The song is taken from ART OF ANARCHY's self-titled debut album, which will be released on June 2 via Century Media imprint Another Century.

Weiland recently denied that he was ever a member of ART OF ANARCHY, explaining that he was paid to contribute to the group's CD as a session musician and a songwriter.

"It was a project I did where I was just supposed to have written the lyrics and melodies for this band that I'd never heard of, and I was paid to do it," Weiland told The Daily Beast. "And so I did it, and did some production work on it, and the next thing I knew there were press releases that I was in the band. I mean, I did one photo shoot with them, 'cause it was part of the deal, but I'm not in the band."

He added: "I wish them all the best once they find a singer, I hope they do well, but [SCOTT WEILAND AND THE WILDABOUTS] is my band."

In addition to Weiland, the recording lineup for ART OF ANARCHY's first album included GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and DISTURBED bassist John Moyer. The rest of the lineup is filled out by Jon Votta on guitar and Vince Votta on drums. The group's debut disc will arrive this spring.

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Thal wrote that "ART OF ANARCHY is not competition or a threat or interference to what any of us are doing — it's a complement, an addition, one I'm proud of creatively."

He continued: "[There is] no need to minimize or undermine or devalue a project we all worked on together over the course of two years.

"I enjoyed working with Scott. And I'm looking forward to [the SCOTT WEILAND AND] THE WILDABOUTS album release, the Bumblefoot album release, and the ART OF ANARCHY album release. The more music the better, it's what we do, right? :) Artists do collaborations and a month later, their own album comes out. This is normal stuff. All good. :)"

Thal added: "The five of us made an album together. Scott is currently the singer of the band. It's in writing; no confusion. But yes, Scott's solo album and tour are his priority and we're all on the same page about getting another vocalist if ART OF ANARCHY hits the road. But we don't need to cross that bridge just yet. Taking everything as it comes, one step at a time, letting it evolve organically. Where it goes from here (and with who!) is yet to be seen."

ART OF ANARCHY is the brainchild of Thal and the Votta brothers, who have been friends for 18 years dating back to their days on the New York music scene.

Thal also serves as producer and engineer on the album.

Weiland is no stranger to supergroups, having formed VELVET REVOLVER with several former members of GUNS N' ROSES more than a decade ago.

He was dismissed from that band in 2008, rejoining STP until they also fired him in early 2013. He and THE WILDABOUTS will put out a new album in March.

Thal has been with GUNS N' ROSES since 2006, playing on the 2008 album "Chinese Democracy". He has also released a number of solo CDs.

Moyer has been DISTURBED's bassist since 2004. The band has been on an extended hiatus since late 2011.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich joined the British rock duo ROYAL BLOOD on stage last night (Wednesday, April 15) at Slim's in San Francisco, California to perform the final song of ROYAL BLOOD's set, "Out Of The Black". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

Ulrich previously hung out with ROYAL BLOOD last October when they played San Francisco, and ended up taking them to the famed house used in the Robin Williams 1993 comedy "Mrs. Doubtfire" after the gig.

ROYAL BLOOD's Mike Kerr told Hot Press last December about rubbing shoulders with the METALLICA drummer: "Lars Ulrich was a real surprise. I mean, he has two legs and two arms; he's a regular guy. And really good company."

Sworn In released their new studio album, The Lovers/The Devil, on April 7th via Razor & Tie. The album was produced Will Putney (Amity Affliction, For Today, Miss May I). Order the album here. A full album stream can be found below.

The album sold over 3,000 copies its first week in stores, landing at #7 on the Billboard New Artist chart and at #110 overall. Sworn In have released the cinematic and delightfully creepy video for the new song "Scissors”:

The Lovers/The Devil is the follow up to Sworn In's 2013 debut album, The Death Card, which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 chart. The Lovers/The Devil, in short, is a concept record delving into the darkness of a destructive relationship. The CD is split into two halves, the first dubbed "The Lovers" and the second called "The Devil."

The Lovers tells the story of the man feeling obsessed, psychotic, depressed, and drowning in unrequited love. This half of the CD covers the desperate romantic who lives inside his own head because the real world has become too unbearable. But such is life and this character reaches a breaking point. And with that, comes the split of the record.

The Devil charts the course of the role reversal, where the man snaps and becomes the cold, bitter, and numb person that drove him mad, while the female occupies the position the male just went through.

However, the record does not glorify self-destructive love; rather, it chronicles that situation and can be interpreted in any way that feels personal to the one listening.

 

 

The Lovers/The Devil tracklisting:

“Sweetheart”
“Sugar Lips”
“I Don’t Really Love You”
“Oliolioxinfree”
“Waltz”
“Pins And Needles”
“Lay With Me”
“Weeping Willow”
“Pocket Full Of Posies”
“Sunshine”
“Scissors”
“Sour”
“Love Drunk”

Album stream:

Sworn In has confirmed its appearance on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival this summer, which was announced earlier this week.
 
The world's biggest heavy music touring festival, the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival enters its eighth year with another fantastic heavy metal and hard rock lineup, featuring 13 bands performing on the Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage and the Victory Records Stage.

The Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage will feature some of the most ground-breaking heavy bands of all time, spanning the originating years of heavy metal to today! The main stage will feature five-time-nominated, two-time Grammy winning legends Slayer as headliner, as well as additional performances from King Diamond, Hellyeah, and The Devil Wears Prada. The Victory Records Stage will feature headliner Whitechapel as well as Thy Art Is Murder, Jungle Rot, Sister Sin, Sworn In, Shattered Sun, Feed Her To The Sharks, Code Orange and Kissing Candice.

Kerry King, guitarist of Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage headliners Slayer states, “I don't know if third time will be a charm, but it will definitely be hellish! Slayer and King Diamond on stage for the first time together in the States - NEVER has Mayhem been more evil. DON'T FUCKIN' MISS IT.”

Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage performer and heavy metal hellion King Diamond states, "This is going to be one hot and hellish summer! Slayer and King Diamond on the same stage - it does not get more devilish than this! We will be putting on a one hour set with the full King Diamond stage production. As for a set list, I'm not gonna reveal that here, but it will be built around "Dreams of Horror". The Puppet Master will be there with Grandma, and we will even go as far back in time as to 1777 (hint). You're all in for one hell of a show if you come to this Sabbath!”

“It has been eight years and it feels like it started just yesterday. We are so excited about this year’s lineup and having the mighty Slayer back in support of a new album. In addition, the first time for King Diamond and Hellyeah will be awesome, as well as The Devil Wears Prada’s first time on the Main Stage. The Victory Stage has amazing bands and will play throughout the day. Heavy music is thriving in America and we are excited to be a part of it,” state John Reese and Kevin Lyman, Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival producers.

Tickets for the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival go on sale beginning April 17th at 10 AM local time. Please note - Houston, TX tickets go on sale on April 24th at 10 AM local time. General Admission Festival and Lawn Tickets are only $19.99 including all fees for the first 72 hours of onsale (while supplies last).

The festival will kick off on June 26th at Sleep Train Amphitheater in San Diego, CA and ends at Gexa Energy Amphitheater in Dallas, TX on August 2nd. See below for all confirmed tour dates.

 

 

June
26 - San Diego, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheater
27 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater
28 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
30 - Auburn, WA (Seattle) - White River Amphitheater

July
1 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
3 - Phoenix, AZ - Ak-Chin Amphitheater
4 - Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Amphitheater
5 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks
7 - Council Bluffs, IA - Harrah’s Council Bluffs
8 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
10 - Noblesville, IN (Indianapolis) - Kilpsch Amphitheater
11 - Clarkston, MI (Detroit) - DTE Energy Amphitheater
12 - Tinley Park, IL (Chicago) - First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
15 - Toronto, ON - Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
17 - Camden, NJ (Philadelphia) - Susquehanna Bank Arts Center
18 - Burgettstown, PA (Pittsburgh) - First Niagara Pavilion
19 - Hartford, CT - Xfinity Theatre
21 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
22 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook (Bank of NH Pavilion)
24 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
25 - Boston, MA - Xfinity Center
26 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach
29 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood
31 - San Antonio, TX - Whitewater Amphitheater

August
1 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
2 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Amphitheater

* Lineups in each city may vary. Go to this location for full lineup details.

 

 

Last night (April 15th), Def Leppard kicked off their 2015 tour at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC with Styx and Tesla in tow.

Def Leppard's setlist:

“Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)”
“Animal”
“Foolin'”
“Promises”
“Paper Sun” (First live performance since 2000)
“Love Bites”
“Armageddon It”
“Rock On” (David Essex cover)
“Two Steps Behind” (acoustic/Joe only)
“Rocket”
“Bringin' On The Heartbreak”
“Switch 625”
“Hysteria”
“Let's Get Rocked”
“Pour Some Sugar On Me”
Encore:
“Rock Of Ages”
“Photograph”

Check out fan-filmed video below:

 

 

 

 

For all things Def Leppard including their upcoming itinerary visit Facebook.

 

Bay Area-based trio, Points North, will release their new self-titled album on April 21st. The band have premiered the new music video for the album track, “Ignition” (see below).

Points North is the self-titled, second album by this primarily instrumental rock band. Spearheaded by guitarist Eric Barnett (a finalist in Guitar Player magazine's Guitar Superstar competition), bassist Uriah Duffy (Whitesnake) and drummer Kevin Aiello, Points North stands on the shoulders of iconic artists Rush, Cream, The Police and Dixie Dregs - but expands upon these influences and clearly cuts its own artistic path.

Their new album has Points North introducing vocals for the first time (“Colorblind”) but their primary musical focus remains the same. Simply put, Points North is a leading light of modern instrumental guitar music, single-handedly helping to revitalize the genre through their technical prowess, superior musicality and compositional skills.

Building a following on the West Coast by playing higher profile shows over the last several years supporting a diverse set of artists including Eric Johnson, Blues Traveler, Michael Schenker, Al Di Meola and Pat Travers, Points North has showed a determination that very few other bands would be capable of. They are talented and driven to succeed. Points North understands what a band of their style needs to do. They write great songs, deliver high energy entertaining live shows, and are willing to work hard to validate the respect and popularity that they so rightly deserve.

 

 

Points North tracklisting:

“Ignition”
“Northstar”
“Child’s Play”
“Sky Punch”
“Rites Of Passage”
“Colorblind”
“Harlequin”
“Turning Point (La Villa De Villers)”
“Redeye”
“Foxes & Cougars”
“Killer Pounder”

“Ignition” video:

 

Following a brief hiatus, renowned metal guitar virtuoso, Xander Demos (James Rivera, Sabbath Judas Sabbath, XDB) has announced the tracklisting for his upcoming EP release, scheduled for late spring. Tentatively titled, Runways And Waterways, the EP will feature six tracks, including two original instrumentals, two original vocal tracks, and two vocal covers.

Tracklisting:

“Judas Rising” (Judas Priest cover)
“Screaming For a Love Bite” (Accept cover)
“The Awakening” (Instrumental original)
“Perspectives” (Instrumental original)
“Dreamgate” (Vocal original)
“Power Rises” (Vocal original)

 

 

Guest vocalists will be announced in the near future, along with mixing engineer(s). Like previous release Guitarcadia, Demos is producing the tracks in his Shark's Nest studios.

 

ViciSolum Productions has inked a record deal with the mythical Swedish heavy metal project, Master Massive, led by Jan Strandh. The concept album, The Pendulum, is set for worldwide release on May 29th.

The Pendulum provides 70 minutes of epic heavy metal of the highest caliber, musical firmly anchored in the eighties and conceptually in the 70s. The album is filled with guest artists such as: Peo Pettersson (Axia,Leviticus), Katarina Lilja (Therion), Erik Forsberg, Öivin Tronstad  (Jupiter Society), Tony Yoansson (Masquerade), Tony Niva (Niva, Lion´s Share), Petter Karlsson (Therion).

Two new tracks "Time Out Of Mind" and "Wishing Well" are streaming below.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“The Pendulum”
“Time Out Of Mind”
“Aadham, You Will Not Stand Alone”
“Four Dreams”
“The Monastery”
“I Am The Prior”
“Eye Of Silence”
“Dear Aadham”
“Sovereign Power”
“The Media Palace”
“The One Chosen By The Gods”
“Hymn To Yellowhawk”
“Wishing Well”
“Broken Hearts”
“Dark Prophecy”
“Showdown”
“Elegy”

The Pendulum by Master Massive

Jan Strandh about The Pendulum: “While working with The Pendulum we wanted to experience the anxiety that comes with the knowledge of the negative changes taking place in the world. Fear felt by common people far from the centre of power and therefore in no position to make major decisions and changes. This feeds the feeling of hopelessness of living in a non-working civilization where necessary political decisions are not possible to make. To seize power over our own fear and to get out of this relentless emotion we decided to create a personal legend in the form of an opera. In this opera – The Pendulum, one single individual is given the power to change the fate of the Earth. Impossible in real life, but totally viable within the aesthetic framework of opera as an art form. In our opera the human being chosen for the assignment is a normal person, not a hero character. His only weapon in the fight for the Earth’s survival is his ability to refrain from the thoughts, feelings and habits hitherto a natural part of him.”

The Master Massive biography goes as far back as 1993, when guitar player Jan Strandh released a 6-song cassette with singer Erik Forsberg, bassist Johan Wijkmark and drummer Petter Karlsson. Later that year, bass player Karl Nyhlin was recruited. The spot for a second guitar player was altered between Anders Ericson (Beyond Twilight, Sectu) and Yngve Frank (Zanity, Mean Streak). With the urge of doing something different, Jan initiated the idea of making a heavy metal opera. Together with Ninitha Maivorsdotter the libretto of The Pendulum was created.

With lineup Jan, Yngve, Petter and Karl and hosted by a long list of singers from the hometown of Skövde, the opera was recorded. Different constellations of the band have come and gone. Despite the bands medial obscurity and absence from the recording industry, Master Massive is well connected in the heavy metal community. Jan has been a member of both Twilight and Notre Dame and Anders has two other obligations in Beyond Twilight and Sectu. Petter went on to Therion. Karl changed his musical direction and is now a professional lutenist.

Present line-up:

Jan Strandh- lead guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Yngve Frank- guitar
Anders Ericson - guitar
Max Warnby - bass
Fred Warnby - drums

 

Dutch pagan/folk metallers, Heidevolk, have released a music video (see below) for “Urth”, a track from their new full-length album, Velua, out now via Napalm Records.

 

 

Says the band: "With Velua we have created a unique storybook that tells you the tales of the most beautiful part of nature in the Netherlands and namesake of this album, the Veluwe. It brings you the wondrous, gruesome and weird tales about murderous brigands, deceiving wraiths, cursed souls and evil-minded goblins that roam the woods at night. Along with this dark folklore it sings the praises of the undying beauty of nature and the embers of early pagan traditions!”

 

 

Velua tracklisting:

"Winter Woede"
"Herboren in Vlammen"
"Urth"
"De hallen van Mijn Vaderen"
"De Vervloekte Jacht"
"Het Dwalende Licht"
"Drankgelag"
"Velua"
"Een Met de Storm"
"Richting de Wievenbelter"
"In Het Diepst der Nacht"
"Vinland"
    
Bonus tracks:

"Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin cover)
"In The Dutch Mountains" (The Nits cover)
"Rebel Yell" (Billy Idol cover)

"Urth" video:

“Vinland” lyric video:

“Winter Woede” video:

Webisode #1:

Webisode #2:

 

Australian hard rockers, Massive, have premiered their brand new music video for the track "Ghost". The track is taken from Massive’s debut album, Full Throttle, which is available now worldwide on CD, vinyl and digital download.

Full Throttle was originally released independently in 2013 in the band's homeland of Australia, before being released in the rest of the world on Earache Records in 2014. The new version features four newly-recorded bonus tracks which weren't available on the original release, including two brand new original songs plus covers of AC/DC's "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" and Aerosmith’s "Rats In The Cellar".

 

 

 

D.M.K. (Dunbar, Merrill, Karl), the new group that features solo artist Scotty Dunbar, guitarist Ted Merrill (formerly of Mach 22) and drummer Brian Karl (formerly of Station), have just released a lyric video for their first single, “The Fire That Won’t Go Out”, from their debut EP, entitled 3, released worldwide digitally on March 24th and on CD on April 2nd.

D.M.K. celebrated the release of 3 by performing at the world famous Whisky A Go Go in W.Hollywood, CA on April 2nd along with Michael Sweet of Stryper and Mike Tramp of White Lion.

 

 

Dunbar stated: “As some people may or may not be aware is that I am a survivor of The Station Night Club Fire, which occurred on February 20th, 2003. I was in attendance that night along with my two buddies Derek Gray and Eugene “Gino” Avilez to see the band Great White. My two friends perished in the fire along with 98 other innocent lives.

The lyrics to “The Fire That Won’t Go Out” are pretty bold and in your face. I wrote the lyrics in regards to my recovery, acceptance and rising above such a tragic situation as the fire. So many of us go through dark valleys in life, I think that many people will be able to relate to the lyrics of this particular song. Musically It’s the heaviest song I’ve ever done. Ted & Brian really deliver BIG time on this track.”

Plasma Films are also set to release a documentary of the same title. The film tells Dunbar’s story of survival and his road to recovery. The film was directed by Brian Ouellette and is scheduled for a late-May release.

Trailer:

D.M.K. are now booking dates for summer shows. The following shows have been confirmed, with many more to follow:

May
14 - Mexicali Live - Teaneck, NJ (with Eric Martin of Mr.Big)
30 - Casino Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH (with Bret Michaels)

June
4 - Mardi Gras - Cranston, RI

 

Debemur Morti Productions are streaming the debut Akhlys album, The Dreaming I, in it’s entirety (listen below). Originally conceived in 2009 by Nightbringer founder Naas Alcameth, Akhlys unifies the terrifying elements of dark ambient with a regal and morose approach to black metal.

Their debut album The Dreaming I is a grandiose expression of the occult which consists of five otherworldly compositions inspired by vivid dreaming experiences and hallucinations.

The album will be released on April 20th on digipack CD and digital download. The vinyl edition, due to longer manufacturing lead times, will be out in May. Preorders are possible via Debemur Morti's webshop.

The album artwork was created by David Herrerias.

 

 

The Dreaming I tracklisting:

“Breath And Levitation”
“Tides Of Oneiric Darkness”
“Consummation”
“The Dreaming Eye”
“Into The Indigo Abyss”

The Dreaming I by AKHLYS

 

The Vintage Caravan have launched a third video trailer for their upcoming album, Arrival, scheduled for a May 15th release via Nuclear Blast. Arrival is available for pre-order here. See all three trailers below:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

The psychedelic cover by renowned American artist David Paul Seymour can be seen below.

Commented the band: "We are so excited for the release of the upcoming album. It's definitely a step forward for us musically and we are incredibly happy with how natural the recording process was and how well all of the songs turned out. Get ready for Arrival!"

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Last Day Of Light”
“Monolith”
“Babylon”
“Eclipsed”
“Shaken Beliefs”
“Crazy Horses”
“Sandwalker”
“Innerverse”
“Carousel”
“Winter Queen”

Bonus:
“Say Hello”
“Five Months”

“Babylon” lyric video:

The Vintage Caravan have announced live shows for the upcoming summer and festival cycle. Find the dates below.

 

 

Tour dates:

April
25 - London, England - Desertfest

May
31 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Baroeg

June
2 - Berlin, Germany - Bi Nuu
5 - Geiselwind, Germany - Out & Loud
6 - Netphen, Germany - Freakvalley
7 - Pilsen, Czech Republic - Metalfest
10 - Ulm, Germany - Ulmer Zelt
12 - Arnhem, Netherlands - Willemeen
13 - Waalre, Netherlands - Kempenerpop
13 - Retie, Belgium - Retie Rockt

July
5 - Montreux, Switzerland - Montreux Jazz Festival
11 - Eistnaflug, Iceland - Eistnaflug Festival
24 - Neuensee, Germany - Rock im Wald
25 - Flörsheim, Germany - Flörsheim Open Air

August
15 - Moledo, Portugal - Sonic Blast
23 - Essen, Germany - Turock Open Air

September
4 - Düsseldorf, Germany - Pitcher
5 - Rockenhausen, Germany - Metallergrillen
12 - Raismes, France - Raismes Fest

French metallers, Dagoba, will release their new album, Tales Of The Black Dawn, on June 22nd in France. Since you don't change a winning team, the band asked Logan Mader to do the mix once again.

Check out the album artwork below:

 

 

Until the release of this new album, Dagoba is still on the road in France and Europe, performing shows more and more massive, where the audience is bigger every day, gaining more fans at every show. They took part of the Disorder Tour alongside the bands Aqme and Black Bomb A and more tours will be announced soon.

 

 

Find the band’s live itinerary at this location.

METALLICA will celebrate Record Store Day this month with the release of an exact duplicate of the band's 1982 cassette demo tape, "No Life 'Til Leather". The limited-edition cassette will be available exclusively in independent record stores on April 18. It features artwork copies from drummer Lars Ulrich's own personal copy of the original demo, as well as his handwriting.

FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl, who was recently named as the official 2015 ambassador for Record Store Day, told Creative Loafing: "I hear that METALLICA is releasing their first demo tape — on cassette — and that is fucking rad! I bought the first METALLICA album on cassette from a mail-order catalog in 1983. I had never heard of them. I didn't know anything about them other than they had a cool name, and the description said 'thrash metal.' I didn't even know what that meant."

He continued: "I had listened to tons of punk rock music, and I loved MOTÖRHEAD, but thrash metal? That sounded scary and cool. So I sent them my $6 or $7 and a couple weeks later I get this tape in the mail. It was 'Kill 'Em All' and it blew my fucking mind. I will be a diehard METALLICA fan until the day I die because of that experience. It was like someone had sent me the Holy Grail. I was like, 'Ahhh! This is so killer!' So when I heard they were releasing their first demo, I thought, 'Kick-ass! And it's on a cassette, too!' That's going to be a lot of fun.”

Reminded that "No Life 'Til Leather" features METALLICA with Dave Mustaine (now in MEGADETH) on guitar, Grohl said: "Yeah, that's amazing. And what's really great is that you have one of the biggest bands in the world sharing those early experiences with a whole new generation of fans, which is important and cool."

In a statement announcing the "No Life 'Til Leather" release, METALLICA said: "In 1982 we recorded seven songs that became our initial calling card known as 'No Life 'Til Leather', and it led us to our first record deal. The rest, as you some of you may know, is history!" The band added about the new reissue, "We've been digging through the archives, gone to the original source material and re-mastered it to maximize the sound potential for 2015 without altering the original mixes in any way."

The band also promised that expanded editions of the demo, which has never before been commercially available, will arrive on CD, vinyl and in a collector's set later this year.

The seven-song tape was recorded with the first lineup of the band that appeared live as METALLICA, including Ulrich, frontman James Hetfield, Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney.

All the songs on the tape later appeared on the band's 1983 debut album, "Kill 'Em All", including "Hit The Lights", "Motorbreath", "Jump In The Fire", "Seek And Destroy", "Metal Militia", "Phantom Lord" and "The Mechanix", which was renamed "The Four Horsemen" on the album.

FOO FIGHTERS will begin a massive North American run in Washington D.C. on July 4 — the 20th anniversary of the release of the band's first album.

The band is hitting a mix of stadiums and arenas as it supports the release of its eighth album, "Sonic Highways".

Main songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Rasmus of Sweden's NEW KEEPERS OF THE WATER TOWERS has issued the following update regarding the upcoming third album from the stoner rock outfit:

"For the past year and a half we have been working in and out of the studio on this, our third, album. It's been a long process of developing and enriching our music with more genre defying sounds, dark lyrics about life and death, a lot of experimenting with musical directions and tinkering with richer harmonic arrangements. To put it bluntly, we've been recording an epic. None of us have ever put this much effort and emotion in to a piece of music so it means a lot to us and now that we are in the final steps of recording we feel very proud of what we have accomplished and I don't think there is any doubt in our minds that we have succeeded in creating the album we set out to record."

Song titles to be featured on the upcoming album include 'Visions of Death', 'Cosmic Child', 'He Who Greets With Fire' and 'The Great Leveler'. A spring 2013 release through Listenable Records has been scheduled for the album.

Video footage of the band performing 'Rise Of The Lizard King' at Roskilde Festival 2010 can be seen below:

More on New Keepers Of The Water Towers at this location.

Horror metallers Terror Universal have split with vocalist Chad "Rott" Armstrong and announce his replacement with the following update:

“First and foremost, we are very excited to welcome our new singer Plague (pictured above) to the Terror Universal family and introduce him to you all. He was actually on our short list of original candidates, to try out for Terror Universal back in October 2014. But at the time, other obligations prevented him from auditioning for the position.

After only 2 rehearsals, we are extremely impressed with Plague's work ethic, and performance at the Texas Independence Fest, this past weekend in Austin, TX. We are pleased to announce, that we will immediately continue writing new Terror Universal music, and move forward with finishing a full length, to be released in the next few months.

We truly appreciate all your support TU Maniacs!”

Terror Universal lineup:

Plague - vocals
Massacre - drums
Diabolic - lead guitar
Thrax - guitars

Frontiers Music Srl will release the second CAIN'S OFFERING album, "titled "Stormcrow", on May 15 in Europe and May 19 in North America.

CAIN'S OFFERING is the brainchild of Finnish guitarist/songwriter Jani Liimatainen, a founding member of SONATA ARCTICA.

Drawing its musical influence from the classic hard rock scene, the fast-paced European power metal and a very modern heavy metal sound, CAIN'S OFFERING is, just as expected, another perfect example of today's living and breathing Finnish music scene.

Joining Jani on the band's sophomore release, coming after 2009's acclaimed debut "Gather The Faithful", are STRATOVARIUS members vocalist Timo Kotipelto and keyboardist Jens Johansson, plus Jonas Kuhlberg on bass and Jani "Hurtsi" Hurula (PAUL DI'ANNO) on drums.

"I was approached about doing this second CAIN'S OFFERING album already a few years ago," explains Jani, "but back then I was way too busy with other projects to even consider taking the time to write an album worth of material. Last year, when I was approached about it again, I thought that the time might be right and felt like I could really focus all my energy on the album."

He continues: "I think musically the new album is a bit more focused and coherent. 'Gather The Faithful' was the first album where I wrote all the music and lyrics by myself, and in retrospect maybe I was a bit too ambitious, trying to prove that I can actually write really good, complex songs. It's been six years since the first one and I think that I have matured as a writer, not trying to prove anything anymore, just trying to write the best possible material. It's still very much vocal- and melody-orientated writing, since, to me, the melody is always the king, but I did try to keep things a bit more simple this time. Although I think Timo would still say some of the vocal melodies are quite complex!"

"Stormcrow" track listing:

01. Stormcrow02. The Best Of Times03. A Night To Forget04. I Will Build You A Rome05. Too Tired To Run06. Constellation Of Tears07. Antemortem08. My Heart Beats For No One09. I Am Legion10. Rising Sun11. On The Shore

The official lyric video for the song "I Will Build You A Rome" can be seen below.

Musicians:

Timo Kotipelto: Lead VocalsJani Liimatainen: GuitarsJonas Kuhlberg: BassJani Hurula: DrumsJens Johansson: Keyboards

According to TMJ4, the NBC-affiliated TV station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, PUDDLE OF MUDD frontman Wes Scantlin has been arrested on disorderly conduct charges stemming from an incident at the city's Mitchell International Airport.

PUDDLE OF MUDD's manager has informed BLABBERMOUTH.NET that Wes was released from police custody "the same day." In addition, PUDDLE OF MUDD's booking agency, Artists Worldwide, tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET that Scantlin "will be performing all shows, including this weekend and all upcoming shows."

The sheriff's office has not released any further details regarding the incident.

A TMJ4 video report on the arrest can be seen below.

PUDDLE OF MUDD is scheduled to perform tomorrow (Thursday, April 16) at Ziggy's By The Sea in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Scantlin was last arrested in January after taking what was described as a "joyride" on an airport baggage carousel at Denver International Airport. Scantlin ended up in the airport's restricted area before being taken into custody by local police.

According to The Pulse Of radio, 2014 was a relatively quiet year for Scantlin after several years in which the singer and guitarist seemed to be on an unstoppable downward spiral.

He did make news in April 2014 when he melted down onstage, threw a beer and microphone into the audience, and threatened several attendees with violence.

Scantlin was previously arrested on July 24, 2013 for allegedly vandalizing a neighbor's property with a buzz saw and a sledgehammer. Scantlin's house was foreclosed on by the bank last month after he fell behind in payments.

In May of that year, he was arrested twice within the space of a week — first on warrants stemming from his 2012 cocaine possession case, then on charges of domestic violence when he became physically abusive with his ex-wife Jessica outside a West Hollywood business.

Scantlin also had problems with back tax payments and an altercation on an airplane in addition to 2012's ugly divorce battle with Jessica.

PUDDLE OF MUDD did continue to tour in 2014 with Scantlin leading an all-new lineup. A single was released last September called "Piece Of The Action".