Brazilian metallers ANGRA have thrown their unwavering support behind their guitarist Kiko Loureiro, who has just been named the new axeman in MEGADETH.

Says ANGRA guitarist Rafael Bittencourt: "Oh boy! My spine is still giving me goosebumps!

"Kiko is in MEGADETH! Wow! What a feeling of pride!

"I have known Kiko for many years and he deserves this great opportunity more than anyone else.

"I usually say that we have a brotherhood's relationship, so we always wish the best for each other.

"Kiko has been tracking a very serious and talented career.

"I take to say this is also an amazing achievement for Brazilian metal.

"The beginning of this new epic stage is something we all should celebrate. It will be great for ANGRA and for all Brazilian bands, since it draws attention and highlights the talent of Brazilian musicians in general.

"Regarding the works with ANGRA, I believe he will comply with all activities that he has already committed to and he will always be part of our family. He will definitively not be able to turn his back for something he helped build with so much effort. I'm sure we will still make a lot together, either in or out of ANGRA.

"Brother, lots of luck and success to you! "

Adds ANGRA manager Paulo Baron: "We always work to be better than our own idols and so one day we reach the opportunity.

"Kiko worked hard for it and became a great Latin American pride so I think he deserves to be in this position now.

"I think ANGRA made the difference. Without it, perhaps he would not be chosen and it could be any other member of our group, because our band is great.

"If every American or English citizen had to go through what we have spent to build a career; from learning to speak a foreign language till buy a music instrument much more expensive than any American or British citizen would pay for it, we can already consider this a great victory to be highlighted.

"Kiko deserves it. He is a great example of nowadays professional musician and he is a successful example to be followed by many other Brazilian and Latin musicians who wish to achieve success in their life."

Says ANGRA bassist bassist Felipe Andreoli: "When I received the call from Kiko saying he was going to audition for MEGADETH, I was in awe! My friend and partner of 14 years joining a band that was part of my musical formation in a very intense way... It's not the kind of news that you get every day! Immediately my thought was, 'Wow, MEGADETH is in very good hands.'

"I really think that the extraordinary talent and the unique professionalism of Kiko Loureiro, with whom I have learned so much over the years, qualify him to enter any band in the world. Like ANGRA, now MEGADETH is lucky to have him. A world-class Brazilian talent.

"I am very proud of my friend and wish him nothing but the best!

"This is the beginning of an amazing journey where he walks with legends, a place he certainly deserves."

ANGRA's new album, "Secret Garden", was released on January 16 via earMUSIC. The CD was pre-produced by Roy Z (JUDAS PRIEST, BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD) and recorded and produced in Sweden by Jens Bogren (KREATOR, ARCH ENEMY, OPETH, DRAGONFORCE).

Photo credit: Henrique Grandi

The "Fox Rocks" show recently conducted an interview with original GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler at Loki Sonic studio in Burbank, California. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about his current band ADLER, Steven said: "[Our] album 'Back From The Dead' came out, actually, in November 2012. But because of the addiction problems I had, we were not able to tour the record in 2013. In 2014, I just took the whole year off and focused on my sobriety. I got into an AA program, I have a sponsor, I'm doing the steps. I'm doing the work, basically, and giving a big effort, and it's working out great."

He continued: "It's been such a joy to wake up in the morning. My life [just took] a complete 180[-degree turn]. Life's exciting again. And I love coming down to the studio and playing, even if it's just by myself. Sometimes I get bored, and I go, 'Well, it's time to get out of the house.' And I come out and I come and jam for a couple of hours, and it feels great."

ADLER is comprised of Adler, frontman Jacob Bunton (LYNAM, MARS ELECTRIC), guitarist Lonny Paul (ADLER'S APPETITE), and bassist Johnny Martin (CHELSEA SMILES).

ADLER recently returned to the studio with producer Jeff Pilson (FOREIGNER, DOKKEN) to record one new track, "Life Ain't Gonna, which will be premiered later this month. Bunton said in an interview this past January: "We went back in the studio and did one song. [We're] just kind of taking baby steps right now. But I don't know if we're planning on doing just that song, or doing an EP, or doing a record, or doing whatever."

Adler appeared on season two of on the "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" show and the first season of the spin-off program "Sober House" back in late 2008 and early 2009. Adler then went on to stints in real rehab centers after being ordered to by a judge as part of a DUI bust. He subsequently returned for Season 5 of "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" alongside Michael Lohan, Dwight Gooden and Bai Ling, among others.

"Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House" included footage of Adler being arrested on July 18, 2008 after he showed up at a sober-living home high and in possession of heroin.

Steven Adler was the drummer for GUNS N' ROSES from 1985 to 1990. He was eventually fired from the band due to his drug addiction, which caused him to spiral down into depression and more drug use.

Victor A. Nieto of DSD has uploaded video footage of Doro Pesch's March 15 performance at Ramona Mainstage in Ramona, California. Check out the clips below.

Doro recently told Metal Life magazine about when fans can expect to hear the follow-up to her 2012 album "Raise Your Fist": "We're in the middle of songwriting. We've got some great, ass-kicking ideas already. And we are doing the production for the DVD — it's the 30th-anniversary DVD, and we filmed all over the world. We started with Wacken, which looks awesome, and then we did a couple of things in my hometown, in Germany, in Düsseldorf, and in New York. And it will come out in autumn, and it will be a big package — like, two DVDs and one live album. Many more months it will probably take to do a new album, but songwriting is already going really great. And it probably takes another year to have a brand new album. But the DVD is coming out first… Good things always take longer than expected, and sometimes I wanna do it fast, and then two years go by, and I say, 'Wow!'"

Dubbed "50 minutes of expertly crafted Teutonic metal" by Outburn, which crowned Doro "...the classiest lady in metal," "Raise Your Fist" boasted guest appearances by MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister and OZZY OSBOURNE/FIREWIND guitarist Gus G., and artwork by British artist and longtime Doro collaborator Geoffrey Gillespie. An import version of Doro's "Raise Your Fist - 30 Years Anniversary Edition" is available via the Nuclear Blast webshop and includes new and rare tracks plus a bonus CD titled "Powerful Passionate Favorites" comprised of cover versions of DIO, LED ZEPPELIN, METALLICA and KISS songs.

PRETTY BOY FLOYD, the bad boys of Hollywood sleaze metal, take on the gods of New York glam on the bombastic tribute album "Kiss Of Death". Featuring 15 supercharged versions of KISS classics, including "Shout It Out Loud", "Detroit Rock City" and "I Love It Loud", the CD is a virtual wet dream for fans of both of these larger-than-life bands. PRETTY BOY FLOYD founding member Kristy Majors leads the attack with his razor sharp guitar alongside vocalist Steve Summers who together breathe new life into the classic metal anthems of Gene Simmons & Co.

"Kiss Of Death" is available now on CD and will be available on vinyl later this year.

From the very beginning, PRETTY BOY FLOYD wore their influences on their black fishnet sleeves. Even the name of their 1989 debut album for MCA Records, "Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz", was a "tongue-in-cheek tip of the hat to their glamorous heroes — SWEET, KISS, NEW YORK DOLLS — all the bands who believed that rock music wasn't just music; it was a show, a spectacle, a lifestyle."

PRETTY BOY FLOYD certainly carried the torch of theatrical rock with its Top 20 MTV videos "I Wanna Be With You" and "Rock And Roll Is Gonna Set The Night On Fire". Their debut album would go on to sell 750,000 copies worldwide, and laid the foundation for the career they've sustained over the decades. Trends have come and gone but these "boyz" have survived and thrived, recording new music for a loyal fan base and still touring the world.

"Kiss Of Death" track listing:

01. King Of The Night Time World02. Room Service03. I Stole Your Love04. I Love It Loud05. Goin' Blind06. Deuce07. Creatures Of The Night08. Detroit Rock City09. Firehouse10. Love Gun11. Shout It Out Loud12. Christine 1613. Strutter14. Let Me Go Rock N' Roll15. Black Diamond

San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT kicked off their "Dark Roots Of Thrash II" tour with EXODUS and SHATTERED SUN last night (Wednesday, April 1) at the Regency Ballroom in their hometown. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

TESTAMENT has spent the past few months demoing material for the follow-up to the band's 2012 album "Dark Roots Of Earth".

Speaking about the progress of the songwriting sessions for TESTAMENT's new CD, the band's guitarist, Alex Skolnick, told Metal Sanaz at this past January's NAMM show in Anaheim, California: "TESTAMENT takes our time writing music. We can't crank out a record every year. But we're also not gonna do a substandard record. I think it's gonna be good. And honestly, it's more than 50 percent written. And usually once we get to that next phase, it starts happening faster."

In a recent interview with Josh Rundquist (a.k.a. That Drummer Guy), TESTAMENT drummer Gene Hoglan stated about the band's material: "[It] is badass; it's killer, it's good shit. And TESTAMENT fans are gonna be, like, 'Fuck yeah!'… People will be, like, 'Shit, they mean business on this record.' It's heavy [and] fast, [with] a lot of thrash stuff."

He added: "I know that [vocalist Chuck Billy and guitarist Eric Peterson's] approach — and this has been stated in the press — they kind of wanna go back to 'The Gathering' [1999] kind of vibe, and I can see that. That had a lot of fast songs on it, and that's kind of their approach that they're taking. And that's cool; that was a great record. So [I think they're] trying to write a better version of that, so I think they're gonna do it."

Billy said in an interview that would like the new TESTAMENT CD to sound along the lines of "The Gathering", "because 'The Gathering', for me, was such a turnaround record for the band. I think we really found our style and place, and the songs on that, to me, are probably gonna be some songs that stand the test of time, for sure. I think, 'cause we started experimenting with blast beats and a different style of guitar rhythms and picking on the guitars, it was different for us, and I really like where that went. So we hope that's where it all kind of ends up, and that's what we're shooting for."

TESTAMENT in January 2014 announced the departure of bassist Greg Christian and return of Steve DiGiorgio.

Ante Turić of the Croatian metal web zine Perun.hr conducted an inteview with vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth of New Jersey thrashers OVERKILL prior to the band's March 11 concert in Zagreb, Croatia. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about the rumors that he was "near death" when he suffered a stroke on stage in Germany in June 2002, Ellsworth said: "It wasn't near death. It's what's called the TIA [Transient Ischemic Attack]; it's a small stroke. My mother gets it. It wasn't [caused by my] lifestyle. I was sober. I was sober for ten years on the road — 1995 to 2005. Not one drink, ain't no drugs… Nothing! It was just tobacco and coffee. And this is genetic, so it was something I could never see coming. It just happened then."

He continued: "The most damage that was done from it [was] I fell down a flight of stairs. I didn't just fall where the stroke happened. I knew something was wrong and I went to the side of the stage and I held and I lost my grip and I went down the stairs and knocked myself out. That's where the damage was; not the stroke. So [I] wasn't really near death."

Ellsworth added: "I read some great rumors afterwards — that I'd blown my brains out on a stage in Germany. This was some Brazilian magazine. [They] said that I'd pulled out a gun in the middle of this [venue] and [there was] like a 'Boom!'

"[After I had the stroke] I was up walking around. My son was on the road with me at the time. He was 18. I had a good friend in Nürnberg, and she took him to her apartment so that he had a place to go. So that was comfortable. I was going to meet my girlfriend in The Netherlands two days later. She was okay with it. I mean, it was no problem. I was on a train two days after that with my son going to The Netherlands. I was tired, but I wasn't… If I'd had a near-death experience, I [wouldn't have been released from] the hospital in two days."

Ellsworth also talked about the fact that he has been regularly receiving oxygen backstage during OVERKILL's current European tour. He said: "It's really simple. The [reason for the] oxygen treatment is that age happens. And if you watch the shows that we do, if you look at the guy who's singing up there, you say, 'This guy's not on an oxygen treatment. That's a fucking lie.' Well, the oxygen is something that instantly clears your head, clears your lungs, and gives you that super energy. So I take real high doses of it in real short periods. I don't need it all day; I don't need to have it. I need to just…"

He continued: "I'm 55. [Laughs] I'm 55, [and] I wanna play like I'm 25. I use everything I can that is healthy for me to do that: vitamins, oxygen… And it just helps. I started using it in very high elevations in South America. Bogota, Colombia is two kilometers in the mountains. You could walk with your suitcase up the stairs of a hotel, and you [start having difficulty breathing and you] go, 'What the fuck is that?' Well, you're two kilometers high. I talked to [our tour manager], and she goes, 'How about oxygen?' I said, 'Get oxygen. That'll be perfect.' So no doctor, no nothing. It's my trick."

As previously reported, OVERKILL has inked a new worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records. Previously signed to the label for Europe only, OVERKILL's first worldwide release on Nuclear Blast will be a special box set comprised of the band's entire back catalog, due out this fall.

OVERKILL and SYMPHONY X will join forces for a North American tour in September/October. The 24-date co-headlining trek launches at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 18, hits four Canadian cities, then wraps up with a very special night at Terminal 5 in New York City on October 17 — the first time in the bands’ combined histories that they'll play a show together in their own backyard.

Advanced tickets for the confirmed tour dates are on sale exclusively at EnterTheVault.com until April 15, when they go on sale everywhere. VIP packages include a meet-and-greet session with both bands and an exclusive poster.

A few weeks ago, the announcement that the most recent lineup of German power metallers RAGE was breaking up caused a furor within the metal scene. While RAGE co-founder Peavy Wagner decided to continue the band with new members, guitarist Victor Smolski set his mind on following his passion for neo-classical, orchestral metal and continue on the path that he began with the LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA CD "LMO". This marks the birth of new band called ALMANAC.

"ALMANAC is the continuation of the concept which I started back in 2013 with 'LMO'," says Smolski. "The well-known faces of 'LMO' stay the same: both female singers Jeannette Marchewka and Dana Harnge, as well as the Orquestra Barcelona Filharmonia. On top of that, I am proud to announce that we also have two outstanding male singers joining us: Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM) and David Readman (PINK CREAM 69)! All of them offer me the possibility to add more variety and a new musical dimension to the new tracks' arrangements."

Smolski will announce the bass player and drummer of ALMANAC at a later date, but the band's baptism of fire is close.

"I will present the whole new band on our first live appearance on the Musikmesse Frankfurt [music fair]," says Smolski.

ALMANAC will perform on April 16 at 17.30 CET on the Agora Stage. Furthermore, Smolski plans to enter the studio later this year to record the ALMANAC debut album.

It's been reported that AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler will be recording a country album, but the legendary rock star confirmed the news himself on Tuesday night (March 31) when he made a surprise appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Steven walked out on stage during Eric Paslay's performance to share the news. Earlier that day, he posted a photo on Twitter alongside Eric and another songwriter captioning it, "GROWIN SOME NEW SONGS WITH @lindseyleemusic AND @ericpaslay."

According to Billboard, Steven moved to Nashville in January and signed a deal with Big Machine Label Group. He's also been co-writing with Brett James, who co-wrote Carrie Underwood's "Cowboy Casanova" and "Jesus Take the Wheel", as well as Martina McBride's "Blessed"; CADILLAC THREE's Jaren Johnston, who co-wrote current hits as Keith Urban and Eric Church's "Raise 'Em Up" and Tim McGraw's recent No. 2 hit, "Meanwhile Back at Mama's".

Tyler revealed his interest in recording a country album last October during a video question-and-answer session with Twitter Music at Twitter's headquarters in San Francisco.

"I'm going down to Nashville [in] January, February, March, April to write and see what we get," he said at the time. Tyler added: "I grew up with the EVERLY BROTHERS. So even 'Cryin'''s got a little [sings with an exaggerated twang] 'There was a time when I was brokenhearted.' It started like that — of course I had to do it AEROSMITH-ish, which was more rocked out — but there's a piece of me that just loves country so much. And I'm not sure what kind of country that is, but it's got the fifth harmony, and anyone who knows who the EVERLY BROTHERS is — it's those kinds of melodies that are just so, so good."

Tyler recently revealed to RollingStone.com that he cut what he calls a "dark, smoky backroom rendition" of the band's classic track "Janie's Got A Gun" for "Jane Got A Gun", an upcoming American action-drama western film directed by Gavin O'Connor and written by Brian Duffield. The film stars Natalie Portman as Jane Hammond, Ewan McGregor as John Bishop and is scheduled for a September 4 release. Tyler in October 2014 signed with Larry Rudolph and Rebecca Lambrecht of Rudolph's ReignDeer Entertainment (BRITNEY SPEARS, MILEY CYRUS) for management.

The Guardian has uploaded a new clip from the forthcoming Kurt Cobain documentary "Montage Of Heck". In this clip, Cobain's diaries reveal some of the names NIRVANA toyed with before deciding on the moniker they'd use to define a musical era.

"Montage Of Heck", the first documentary about Cobain made with the authorization and cooperation of his family, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on January 24. According to The Pulse Of Radio, the film was praised in several reviews, with The Wrap calling it a "bold, generous portrait of a man who was clearly a tortured teenager before he was a tortured artist and a reluctant icon," adding that parts of the two-hour-plus film were "shockingly personal."

Badass Digest was more detailed in its review, noting that the film was "as much a tour of Kurt's mind as it is a retelling of his life," and revealing that it includes photos and recordings of Cobain and Courtney Love having sex among its more intimate materials.

The film relies less on straight documentary reporting and is constructed more like a collage of previously unseen home movies, interviews, animation, photographs and other artifacts, all accompanied by Cobain's music.

Kurt's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, is an executive producer on the film. She, Courtney Love, Kurt's parents and NIRVANA bassist Krist Novoselic all appear in the movie.

DirectorBrett Morgen was asked at the premiere why NIRVANA drummer and FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl did not appear in his film. Morgen explained that Grohl was interviewed but that there was not enough time to edit his segment into the movie before the Sundance screening.

"Montage Of Heck" will be shown in theaters in Los Angeles, New York and Seattle starting on April 24. It will be shown in 72 countries, beginning April 10, prior to its May 4 debut on HBO. A DVD release is scheduled for November.

VAN HALEN promoted the release of its new concert album, "Live: Tokyo Dome In Concert", with an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Thursday, April 2. Video footage of the "Jump" performance can be found at this location while "Dance The Night Away" can be seen here.

As previously reported, VAN HALEN frontman David Lee Roth bashed himself in the nose with a microphone stand just moments into "Panama", the opening song of the band's Monday night (March 30) performance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" According to The Pulse Of Radio, Roth told the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, I cut my nose on the microphone. I apologize," before he left the stage for nearly two and a half minutes to seek treatment for the injury.

The rest of the band jammed until Roth returned and they restarted their eight-song performance for a crowd of thousands on a closed-off Hollywood Boulevard. Two of the songs — "Panama" and "Runnin' With the Devil" — aired Monday night, while three more — "Eruption", "You Really Got Me" and "Hot For Teacher" — were broadcast on Tuesday's (March 31) show. The set also included "Dance The Night Away", "Unchained" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love".

The performance was VAN HALEN's first on national television since Roth rejoined the band in 2007.

The quartet will kick off a summer/fall North American tour on July 5 in Seattle, winding down on October 2 in Los Angeles. Tickets for the trek go on sale this Saturday (April 4) at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.

German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN are about to hit the road in support of their latest album, "Beyond The Red Mirror", which came out in Europe on January 30 and in North America on February 3 via Nuclear Blast. Today marks the start of the worldwide tour, which kicks off in the band's hometown of Krefeld, at the sold-out and legendary Kulturfabrik, the place where everything began.

BLIND GUARDIAN has posted a new tour trailer, featuring impressions from their rehearsals and with some comments about the upcoming shows. Check it out below.

Four and a half years in the making, the follow-up to 2010's "At The Edge Of Time" was recorded at Twilight Hall Studio in Grefrath, Germany and produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (SAXON, HAMMERFALL, HELLOWEEN). The CD showcases BLIND GUARDIAN's collaborative work with three different classical choirs: one from the Czech Republic (Prague), one from Hungary (Budapest), and one from the United States (Boston). Two grand orchestras — each featuring 90 musicians — also lend their brilliant talents to the new recordings with absolutely spellbinding results. Transporting listeners via a mysteriously powerful red mirror into an otherworldly dimension that includes tyrants, gods, and the Holy Grail, the ten songs comprising "Beyond The Red Mirror"'s story lines revolve around the young protagonist we first met twenty years ago in the 1995 tracks "Bright Eyes" and "And The Story Ends".

In the latest edition of Loudwire's "Wikipedia: Fact Or Fiction?" signature series, drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) was invited to prove and disprove what's written about him online. You can watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On whether it's true that he quit DREAM THEATER due to the fact that he wanted a five-year break from the band but the other guys in the group disagreed:

Portnoy: "Well, I mean, obviously, the fact that I left the band is a fact. But the five-year break thing is fiction. That's a… What is it called? Not a rumor… a myth… urban legend. The five-year thing is an urban legend. I never said five years. I just wanted to have a hiatus. Just 'cause we had been going 25 years — boom! boom! boom! — with no break. Write-record-tour, write-record-tour, and it was burning me out. It didn't mean I wanted to stop making music. One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left DREAM THEATER, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone was, like, 'We thought you wanted a break.' And it was, like, well, I didn't want a break from making music; I just needed a break from the DREAM THEATER camp. It was 25 years without a break in that camp, and I was just fried. I needed other people and other musical outlets in my life. But the five-year hiatus, I think… I had suggested hiatus of any length, it somehow got misinterpreted as a five-year… which, coincidentally, would have been now. So it would have been up by now, actually — if it was a five-year hiatus."

On whether it's true that he offered to return to DREAM THEATER shortly after quitting the band, but that his offer was rebuffed via DREAM THEATER's lawyer:

Portnoy: "Can I pass? Am I allowed to pass on any of these? I'll just say that there was… Once I left, there was a tremendous amount of legalities and technicalities, so I'll just say that I was doing whatever it would take to keep peace and keep things going smooth. And at that point, they were just only speaking through their lawyer. But it's a 25-year relationship coming to an end, so, obviously, it goes very, very deep, not only personally and emotionally, but also legally, and all the red tape that's involved with something like that. So it was a tough time, a tough period, and, luckily, we all got through it. But, yeah, I don't wish that kind of stuff on anybody in a band. It's tough."

On whether it's true AVENGED SEVENFOLD "severed ties" with him in December 2010, six months into the touring cycle for the band's "Nightmare" album:

Portnoy: "Well, I wouldn't put it that way. All I was ever committed for was that 'Nightmare'… you know, the first six months of the 'Nightmare' tour, ending in December of 2010. So that was all that they ever committed to, it was all I ever committed to, and we saw that through to its completion. Where we were gonna go from there, we didn't know. And I think once I left DREAM THEATER, it was so much drama and bullshit and the stupid headlines and all the bullshit, there was so much drama, I think it really turned the AVENGED guys off. And I was trying to… I never put out these press releases and was trying to be in the Blabbermouth headlines every day. But these web sites were just doing whatever they could to get the dirt. So I think AVENGED really wanted to stay away from all that controversy, and at that point, it was, like, 'All right, let's finish out what was agreed upon,' and then I'll go do my thing and they'll do their thing. I don't think they wanted to be held responsible for my decision to leave the band. I think there already was backlash in their camp, and I think that they were feeling that heat, and they didn't want controversy. They were still healing from [late AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer] The Rev's death and everything, so the last thing they wanted was all this DREAM THEATER bullshit. So I don't blame them. I get it."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Rob Zombie has announced that his crowdfunded new horror film, "31", has been picked up for North American distribution by independent company Alchemy. No release date has been established yet for the film, which is currently nearing the end of production. The film's cast includes Sheri Moon Zombie, Richard Brake, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Daniel Roebuck, Lew Temple, Meg Foster and Malcolm McDowell.

"31" follows five carnival workers who are kidnapped the night before Halloween and held hostage in a large secret compound known as Murder World.

Once there, they have 12 hours to survive a terrifying game called "31", in which murderous maniacs dressed as clowns and called "The Heads" hunt them down and kill them.

Alchemy CEO Bill Lee said, "Rob Zombie is a true artist and master filmmaker at the height of his game. With '31', he's creating yet another terrifyingly immersive and twisted world that will delight audiences."

Zombie said he was "thrilled to work with a company sharing the same vision for my film '31' as I have. Alchemy has committed to bringing the most intense experience possible to the screen."

Zombie launched a successful crowdfunding campaign online to raise the money for the film's budget. His previous film was 2012's "The Lords Of Salem".

Fan-filmed video footage of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' March 28 performance at the Arizona Bike Week in Scottsdale can be seen below.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS vocalist Chester Bennington was asked in a new interview with ArtistDirect.com about the progress of the band's next full-length album, which is due out this fall. Bennington replied, "We're really trying to take the musicality to a different level and to bring a lot of energy. We got super funky. This thing is as raw and real as it gets… It's fun to be a part of that and do it on that level this way. It's really interesting. I'm having a great time doing it."

STP bassist Robert DeLeo told The Pulse Of Radio that the band has never stuck to one formula when it comes to creating new songs. "There's no rules to writing music and that's what I enjoy about it, you know," he said. "You've always got ideas stored away somewhere, you know. There's those ideas and there's also ones that hit you at the moment and you realize that this could be something that we could all dig into and bite into, and that's really exciting when it's one of those."

Bennington also said that the band's new music is "pretty fucking insane, dude. We're rocking over here."

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS recently dropped the added "With Chester Bennington" from their name after settling their legal issues with former singer Scott Weiland.

The band began working with Bennington in May 2013 after firing Weiland three months earlier. So far it has released one EP called "High Rise" with Bennington on vocals.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS will kick off a U.S. tour on April 8 in Seattle.

Legendary guitarist Punky Meadows from the '70s band ANGEL has a brand new solo album in the works, with shows and a possible tour to follow.

Punky has not released any music in the 35 years since the breakup of ANGEL in 1980 and says he has found a new passion and is really excited about the new project, to be released via Mainman Records.

Punky recently teamed up with friend Danny Anniello (a.k.a. The Farrow of LORDS OF MERCY), with whom he has been collaborating and writing together for the past few months, with plans to start recording the new CD at the end of May. Danny says: "Punky is on top of his game and has never sounded better. The songs are coming along great and we will not let the fans down."

You can hear a brand new interview with Punky and Danny this Easter Sunday, April 5 between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on the "Electric Ballroom" show with host Keith Roth on 95.9 THE WRAT. The stream will be available to listeners workdwide by going to the station's web site and clicking on "Listen Live" in top right.

Kaotoxin has announced the inking of a multi-album deal with France’s nihilistic black metal act, The Negation.

Alongside Sidious, Colosus, Otargos and C.O.A.G., The Negation are completing the black metal family of the Kaotoxin roster with their heavy and massive nihilistic and supposedly orthodox approach of the genre. Orthodox? May be, at first listen, but there’s way more than meets the eye with The Negation and their soon to be unleashed second full-length will definitely prove that.

The band released its debut full-length, Paths Of Obedience (2013), a conceptual statement about their hate for mankind and its submissive behaviour, its total lack of consciousness and the fact it should end it all now. The new album is a scream of hate and anger and a call to resistance.

Influenced by the legendary acts they’ve been touring or sharing the stages with (Marduk, Belphegor, Inquisition) or by other acts such as Dark Funeral or DeathSpell Omega, The Negation will prove itself a world-class act with their second release, beware.

Joining the Kaotoxin artists roster, The Negation will also take part of the second annual KaotoxinFest on December 5th in Lille, France.

 

It's been quiet in the Eisregen camp, but don't worry, the band are still alive and kicking.
 
M. Roth has revealed that the band and keyboardist Dr. Franzenstein (aka Franziska B.) parted ways in early-2015. The spot will stay vacant and they plan to use samples live.
 
Eisregen are currently in the late stages of pre-production and expect to enter Klangschmiede E in May to record their 11th studio album, Marschmusik, with producer Markus Stock.
 
Possible song titles include: "Gott Der Panzer", "Leichensack", "Foltergeist", "Adlerhorst", "Panzerschokolade", "Mein Leben Auf Deiner Haut", "Blutkreis”, and  "Fleischbrand".
 
Eisregen plan to release a mini-CD, entitled Brummbär (that's how people referred to the Sturmpanzer IV), prior to the album's release. Starting April 3rd, Eisregen will play as special guests at selected dates on the Hatefest tour, along with their label mates Debauchery.
 
Eisregen's new album, Marschmusik is expected to be released in summer 2015 via Massacre Records. Stay tuned for updates.

 

Hurt Yourself And The Ones You Love is the title of the new album by Italy's notorious purveyors of black/doom metal, Forgotten Tomb. The band's 8th studio opus is scheduled for release via Agonia Records, on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America. The track “Bad Dreams Come True” can be heard below.

The new album is a "mix of melancholy, groove and pure malignancy" - as put by the band's leader, Ferdinando "Herr Morbid" Marchisio. "We kept the sound very organic and natural, kinda old-fashioned but still very fresh. The new songs are heavy as fuck and they feature our classic trademark plus some new elements. I can't wait for people to listen to it, 'cause it's a really special album for us and probably the most extreme we did in quite a while, both musically and conceptually".

Marchisio also referred to working with producer Terje Refsnes (Carpathian Forest, Novembre, Gehenna, Destroyer 666) for the first time: "We worked really hard, like never before. Terje Refsnes is a really experienced producer and he managed to get the best out of us. We are extremely proud of how this new album came out".

Hurt Yourself And The Ones You Love was recorded and mixed in Sound Suite Studios (Marseille, France) with mentioned Terje Refsnes behind the knobs. Brad Boatright of Audiosiege Studio (Corrosion Of Conformity, Nails, Vallenfyre, Beastmilk, High On Fire) took care of the mastering in Portland, Oregon.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Soulless Upheaval”
“King Of The Undesirables”
“Bad Dreams Come True”
“Hurt Yourself And The Ones You Love”
“Mislead The Snakes”
“Dread The Sundown”
“Swallow The Void”

“Bad Dreams Come True”:

“Hurt Yourself And The Ones You Love” video:

The forthcoming installment will be available in:

- Digipack CD
- Box CD with jewelcase CD, bullet pendant and armband with band's logo (limited to 500 numbered copies)
- Picture disc (limited to 300 hand-numbered copies)
- Transparent white vinyl with red splatter (limited to 150 hand-numbered copies)
- Black vinyl
- Digital formats.

Pre-orders are being taken at AgoniaRecords.com.

 

Despotz Records has announced its latest signing, Sweden's raucous rock 'n roll whirlwind, Thundermother, who will release its Despotz debut later this year. To celebrate, the band is streaming the upcoming album's first single, "It's Just A Tease”. Check it out below.

 

 

The band commented: "Thundermother is in good hands. We have now officially signed with the awesome Despotz Records! We are super stoked! The future is upon us! Watch this space!"

Ömer Akay (Despotz) commented: "We would like to thank Warner Music Sweden, who discovered and worked with Thundermother's debut album, Rock 'N' Roll Disaster. With this signing, we at Despotz have taken over the rights to their debut album which will finally be available worldwide; also, we will release the long awaited, yet unnamed album #2 this autumn. We thank Thundermother for the confidence to choose an indie before a major. Now we are going to work hard to make sure that everyone gets to see and hear this great band live. Horns up!"  

 

 

Forming in the summer of 2010, Thundermother consists of five ladies from all across Europe - Sweden, Ireland and Italy to be exact - who share a common love for one thing...rock 'n roll! Over the past five years, the electrifying act has performed with notable groups like Candlemass, Danko Jones, Clutch and more while releasing its debut album, Rock 'N' Roll Disaster, through Warner Music Sweden. The band will embark on a European tour later this year in support of the upcoming release.

Stay tuned for more information on Thundermother and its sophomore album, out this fall on Despotz Records.

Thundermother live:

September
8 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
10 - Warzaw, Poland - Hydrozagadka
11 - Prague, Czech Republic - Modra´ Vopice
12 - Wetzikon, Switzerland - Hall Of Fame
15 - Wien, Austria - Arena Vienna 3
18 - Wiesau, Germany - Stormcrusher Festival

October
2 - San Sebastian, Spain - Doka
3 - Vitoria, Spain - The Cool
4 - Santander, Spain - Rock The Beer
6 - Ubeda, Spain - Iroquai
7 - Estepona, Spain - King Creole
8 - Orihuela, Spain - La Gramola
9 - Zaragoza, Spain - La Ley Seca
10 - Pozal, Spain - Pabellón Municipal, Atalaya Rock
11 - Madrid, Spain - We Rock

Thundermother is:
 
Clare Cunningham - vocals
Filippa Nässil - guitar
Giorgia Carteri - guitar
Linda Ström - bass
Tilda Stenqvist - drums

Four-piece blues rock sensation, Zodiac, is ready to enthrall with a new masterpiece. A live album entitled Road Tapes Vol.1 will be available on April 17th at the Napalm Records webstore. A video for “Holding On” from the upcoming release can be seen below.

 

 

 Tracklisting:

“Swinging On The Run”
“Free”
“Holding On”
“Cortez The Killer”
“A Bit Of Devil”
“Rock Bottom Blues”
“Diamond Shoes”
“A Penny And A Dead Horse”
“Moonshine”
“Coming Home”

“Holding On” video:

“Diamond Shoes”:

 
Formats:

Limited Digipack + Tourposter Booklet, Vinyl Look Disc

Limited 2LP Gatefold:
Gold + Tourposter (limited to 100 copies)
Silver + Tourposter (limited to 100 copies)
Black

Pre-order at this location.

 

 

Finnish symphonic metallers, Amberian Dawn, announce that they've started working on a new studio album, to be released via Napalm Records. Together with AD's co-producer Mikko P. Mustonen, vocalist Capri and band’s composer Tuomas Seppälä, the band are hard at work right now in the studio polishing the vocal arrangements.

Tuomas had the following to say about the new album: “The new album is going to be the most vocal-driven one in AD's history. This album continues the style which Magic Forest started and takes it even further. Very melodic stuff coming up. I just realized that I've written over 60 songs for Amberian Dawn during these years and it's really amazing to realize that I haven't lost “The Flame” to do this. I feel like reborn with each and every AD album. This album is going to be the best so far, no doubt of it!!”

Amberian Dawn is also introducing new bass player Jukka Hoffren, a very experienced and talented Finnish musician (Adamantra, Epicrenel, Ragged Saints).

“Now it's official! Jukka isn't actually so new with us. He played all the base parts on our previous album Magic Forest as a session player. Now everyone will have a chance to meet Jukka on our next gig which is held on April 22nd at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland. Welcome to Amberian Dawn Jukka!!”

 

Dutch pagan/folk metallers, Heidevolk, have released a lyric video (see below) for “Vinland”, a track from their new full-length album, Velua, out now in the UK and available on April 7th in North America (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)

“Vinland” lyric video:

“Winter Woede” video:

Webisode #1:

Webisode #2:

 

Salt Lake City, Utah-based thrashers, Deathblow, will release their new EP The Other Side Of Darkness on April 21st. The sophomore release continues the scorched earth campaign launched with 2014 debut full-length, Prognosis Negative, upping the intensity level, sharpening the songwriting, and leaving any fan of true blue thrash metal in a state of pure bliss.

The Other Side of Darkness was recorded by Andy Peterson and Deathblow. Peterson also handled mixing and mastering duties. Cover art comes courtesy of Andreas Marschall. The new track “Means To An End” is streaming below.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Beyond Obsession”
“Means To An End”
“The Other Side Of Darkness”
“Headless Throne”
“Death Wish”

“Means To An End”:

“The Other Side Of Darkness”:

The Other Side Of Darkness by Deathblow

(Photo: Brock Grossl)

 

Cyclone Empire has announced the signing of the Swedish death metal act, Feral. The band’s second album will be entitled Where Dead Dreams Dwell, and is scheduled to be released at the end of May.

Says the band: "We are damn proud to have inked a deal with mighty Cyclone Empire! Them having released some of our favourite albums during the latest years, we are in good company to say at least. And to be releasing an album we have put so much time and effort into through this label, is something we are extremely satisfied with. Our upcoming album includes some of the most varied material we have written, but still feels more unified than ever. This will truly be one massive assault of death metal, and we could think of none better to handle it than Cyclone Empire.”

 

 

Feral lineup:

David Nilsson - Vocals
Viktor Eriksson - Bass
Markus Lindahl - Guitar
Roger Markström - Drums

Guitarist/vocalist Chris Caffery (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) has checked in via Facebook with the latest update on his forthcoming solo album, entitled Your Heaven Is Real:

"Things are moving along very well, so I should be fine to finish at my goal of May 1st. I at least have first mixes for nine of the 14 songs. This track listing is not final, however it's close. Time restrictions will decide if one or two of these songs have to go. If they do, they will most likely be one of the ones I previously released. Hard for me to say until I've seen a final running time and also found out exactly what my record company wants for the different world-wide releases. Me personally, I'd prefer just one. However the business sometimes prefers various versions for different countries and territories.

So, here is what I have. It is a lot of fun to finally be listening to this record in somewhat of a piece. I really think you will enjoy it a lot. Initial reaction has been so awesome.

"Your Heaven Is Real"
"Just Fine"
"Sick And Tired"
"I Never Knew"
"Too Soon To Be Too Late"
"Arm And A Leg"
"Death By Design"
"Hot Wheelz" (instrumental)
"Why"
"Damned If You Do, Dead If You Don't"
"My Light"
"2-26-15" (instrumental)
"Over And Over"
"Come Home"

I'm very excited for you all to hear this finished record. Not long my friends!Thank you again for all of your friendship and support!"

Caffery recently commented on Savatage's upcoming reunion show at the Wacken Open Air:

"Savatage will close the festival that night following TSO's first ever European festival appearance. I have been waiting for them to announce this for weeks. It was hard to keep it a secret! Yes, legion, our patience has finally paid off..."

Wacken Open Air 2015 will take place July 30th - August 1st in Wacken, Germany.

Acts confirmed for the 2015 edition of this legendary yearly event include: Trans-Siberian Orchestra (exclusive European show), Savatage (exclusive European show), Running Wild, In Flames, In Extremo, U.D.O. (orchestra show), Sabaton, Amorphis (special Tales From The Thousand Lakes show), Death Angel, Powerwolf, Ensiferum, Kataklysm, Cannibal Corpse, Sepultura, Thyrfing.

More details at Wacken.com.