Fan-filmed video footage of SLAYER's July 1 performance at Academy in Dublin, Ireland can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Hell Awaits02. The Antichrist03. Necrophiliac04. Mandatory Suicide05. Captor Of Sin06. War Ensemble07. Disciple08. Postmortem09. Hate Worldwide10. At Dawn They Sleep11. Die By The Sword12. Spirit In Black13. Implode14. Payback15. Seasons In The Abyss16. Dead Skin Mask17. Raining Blood18. Black Magic

Encore:

19. South Of Heaven20. Angel Of Death

SLAYER surprised the capacity crowd at this past April's Revolver Golden Gods awards in Los Angeles with an unannounced performance, kicking off the show with a three-song set that included the global premiere of "Implode", the band's first new studio recording in five years. Recorded in April at Henson Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Terry Date and co-produced by Greg Fidelman, "Implode" was made available as a free download as a "thank you" to the band's fans for their continued support.

Later this year, the two-time Grammy-winning SLAYER will begin recording a new album, tentatively set for an early 2015 release. The album will make SLAYER history as it will be released on Nuclear Blast Records through the band's own label imprint, closing out a 28-year relationship with Rick Rubin and American Recordings. No name for the imprint has been decided on yet. All future recordings on the band's label imprint will be released worldwide exclusively through Nuclear Blast. Joining bassist/vocalist Tom Araya and guitarist Kerry King during the sessions for SLAYER's new album are returning drummer Paul Bostaph, who replaced Dave Lombardo last year, and guitarist Gary Holt (also of EXODUS), who has been filling in for late SLAYER axeman Jeff Hanneman on tour for the past four years.

Bostaph was SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band — the gold-certified "Divine Intervention" (1994), the 1996 punk covers album "Undisputed Attitude", "Diabolus In Musica" (1998), "God Hates Us All" (2001) that received a Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance", as well as the DVD "War At The Warfield" (2001), also certified gold. In addition to SLAYER, Bostaph has been a member of FORBIDDEN, EXODUS, SYSTEMATIC and TESTAMENT.

Original SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo sat out the band's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group. Filling in for him was Jon Dette (TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX).

HALESTORM singer Lzzy Hale joined classical-rock crossover violinist Lindsey Stirling on today's edition of ABC's "Good Morning America" to perform the title track of Stirling's sophomore album, "Shatter Me". Check out video footage of her appearance below.

The studio version of the "Shatter Me" song — featuring Hale — was released as the first single and video from the CD, which debuted at an impressive No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 56,000 copies.

Stirling, who appeared on "America's Got Talent" in 2010, told rock journalist Gary Graff it wasn't a collaboration she envisioned prior to making the album. "I was looking for a singer who's just a powerhouse singer...women who can belt out those power ballads, "she said. "I started to dig into (HALESTORM) videos and thought, 'Wow, this girl is powerful,' almost a perfect mix between a little bit of (EVANESCENCE's) Amy Lee's style and the power of Hayley Williams from PARAMORE. So I reached out to (HALESTORM's management) and immediately they responded."

She added: "It was funny, because Lzzy had never heard of me and I'd never heard of Lzzy, but we immediately became fans of each other's music and respectful of each other. We have similar stories; they're a self-made band that paved their way through touring the world over and over again and working their records, where I did it through YouTube. It's just cool how we can have this respect for each other as self-made artists who did it their own way. And I absolutely loved Lzzy; she's one of my favorite people in the world."

Stirling's self-titled 2012 debut spent 37 nonconsecutive weeks atop the Classical Crossover Albums chart and two at No. 1 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart and sold more than 300,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.


"Shatter Me" video (featuring Lzzy Hale):


Studio footage from "Shatter Me" recording sessions:

Fan-filmed video footage of WARRANT's July 9 performance at Innsbrook After Hours in Glen Allen, Virginia can be seen below.

With over 10 million album sales spanning nearly two and a half decades, WARRANT came into the world spotlight when their debut album, "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich", reached multi-platinum stardom. Consisting of original bandmembers Erik Turner, Jerry Dixon, Steven Sweet, Joey Allen and Robert Mason now on lead vocals, they continue to tour worldwide and play in front of sold-out crowds. In 2011, the band released "Rockaholic", their latest CD, on iTunes, and their singles "Life's A Song" and "Home" videos received a huge amount of success, which prompted them to launch their 21st-anniversary "Cherry Pie" tour with FIREHOUSE and TRIXTER.

At the helm for "Rockaholic" was mega-producer Keith Olsen (OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, SCORPIONS), while the mixing duties were handled by Pat Regan (KISS, DEEP PURPLE, TED NUGENT).

Former WARRANT singer Jani Lane suffered from "acute ethanol poisoning" when he died in August 2011 at a Comfort Inn motel room in Woodland Hills, California.

The singer had battled alcoholism for years and also had a history of alcohol-related arrests.

Lane originally left WARRANT in March 1993 but rejoined the band in September 1994. The group went on to record the "Ultraphobic" (1995), "Belly To Belly" (1996) and "Greatest & Latest" (1999) albums and issued and collection of covers, "Under The Influence", in 2001. Jani quit WARRANT again in 2004 before reuniting with the group four years later.

"My Mind", the new video from former KYUSS and current VISTA CHINO frontman John Garcia, can be seen below. The song is taken from Garcia's self-titled solo album, which will be released on August 1 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded at Thunder Underground studios in Palm Springs, California with producers Harper Hug and Trevor Whatever.

"John Garcia" track listing:

01. My Mind02. Rolling Stoned03. Flower04. The Blvd05. 5000 Miles06. Confusion07. His Bullets Energy08. Argleben09. Saddleback10. All These Walls11. Her Bullets Energy

Audio samples of all the tracks that appear on "John Garcia" can be streamed below.

John Garcia's solo album features a guest appearance by guitarist Robby Krieger of THE DOORS.

Said Garcia: "To have Robby Krieger from THE DOORS play on my first-ever solo record was surreal. Not only was it surreal, but to be the first artist ever to record in his brand new studio, Horse Latitudes, in Los Angeles made it even more special. I am honored, and humbled by his professionalism and talent and will never forget that experience for the rest of my life... It truly made the song 'Her Bullets Energy' better, not to mention the entire record."

VISTA CHINO is the group comprised of two founding members of the legendary rock band KYUSS — Garcia and Brant Bjork — and guitarist Bruno Fevery.

VISTA CHINO's debut album, "Peace", was released on September 3, 2013 (one day earlier internationally) via Napalm Records. The cover artwork for the CD was created by the renowned California art collective The Date Farmers.

27 years after it was recorded, the "Journey Into Fear" album by the Canadian metal masters DEAF DEALER will finally see the light of day on September 26 on LP and CD via Cult Metal Classics Records.

"Journey Into Fear" was originally tracked in 1987 at the world-famous Toronto studio Metalworks with Dan Johnson and Scott Burns as producers, but for various reasons was never officially made available. A few cassette copies were circulated in the metal underground, and the LP eventually gained a cult status, with many fans going as far to call it "the greatest metal album never officially released."

"Journey Into Fear" features the distinctive bass playing of bass virtuoso Jean-Pierre Fortin, coupled with great guitar lines by Marc "Hayward" Brassard and Yves "Ian Penn" Pedneault along with classic vocal lines by Michel "Flynn" Lalonde. Combined with way-ahead-of-its-time power drumming by Dan "Mc Gregor" Gregoire, the effort definitely deserves a spot among the greatest heavy metal creations of the '80s.

Based in Quebec, DEAF DEALER started in the early '80s as DEATH DEALER, and made an appearance on the legendary compilation "Metal Massacre IV" in 1983 with the song "Cross My Way". A short time later, the original singer Andre Larouche was replaced by Lalonde and the band changed its name to DEAF DEALER. They released a highly acclaimed debut in 1986 under the title "Keeper Of The Flame" and in 1987 they recorded eight songs that were never released. Soon after the recordings were completed, the group disbanded.

When Richie Kotzen plays his guitar, you know it's him. The guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter possesses an inimitable style that's both instantly recognizable and immediately striking. This unique style courses through "The Essential Richie Kotzen", a career retrospective collection set for release September 2 on Loud & Proud Records. It encompasses this iconic talent's entire career of his most essential work and includes two CDs of classic material, acoustic performances, bootleg material and two brand new songs ("War Paint" and "Walk With Me"), and a DVD of music videos, acoustic performances and bootleg material. A three-song sampler, including the two new songs along with "Lie To Me", is being serviced to rock radio stations later this month.

Kotzen personally curated "The Essential Richie Kotzen" from his 18 solo albums in order to give listeners the most comprehensive, cohesive and concise introduction to his extensive body of work. "I've really changed and grown as an artist and as a person," he says. "I hand-selected songs so newcomers can get into my music and learn who I am as a recording artist."

"War Paint" builds from an opening bluesy riff into a bombastic chorus punctuated by Kotzen's gravelly delivery and impeccable lead playing. He explains, "It was a challenge to make a studio recording sound like a live band with only one musician playing all the instruments. I think I accomplished that on this track." At the same time, "Walk With Me" sees Kotzen evolving once more and incorporating a Theremin, an antique electronic instrument, into an emotive and engaging anthem. "There was a specific sound I was hearing in the song," he reveals. "I realized it was a Theremin, so I bought one. I spent a couple of weeks learning it. I used that where the lead guitar would normally go. It was a really rewarding departure for me."

With his guitar styles ranging from rock, blues, jazz and fusion to pop and soul, Richie Kotzen has built a remarkably diverse 20-year career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. During that span, Kotzen toured with his trio extensively outside the United States, building a loyal fan base and selling out shows throughout Europe, Latin America, and Japan. In 1996, Fender guitars honored him with not one, but two signature model guitars. His signature model Telecaster is available worldwide and continues to be a top seller for the brand. In 2006, Kotzen received one of his biggest personal honors when THE ROLLING STONES chose him to open up a string of Japanese shows, placing him in front of some of his biggest crowds to date. He has not only built an incredibly successful solo career, but has also found himself writing, recording and playing live with a variety of different artists, including jazz legends Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. He currently plays guitar and fronts the band THE WINERY DOGS with bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Mike Portnoy (the band's self-titled debut album debuted at #27 on The Billboard 200 chart).

With his 20th full-length solo album on the horizon for 2015 as well as countless gigs, Richie Kotzen's legacy is only continuing to expand. "When you perform, record or write, you go to a different place," he concludes. "It's another world. I love hearing people react to the music and lyrics. That's the ultimate reward."

"The Essential Richie Kotzen" track listing:

CD1:

01. War Paint *
02. Walk With Me *
03. Love Is Blind
04. Go Faster
05. Fooled Again
06. OMG (What's Your Name?)
07. Help Me
08. Bad Situation
09. Lie To Me *
10. Fear
11. You Can't Save Me
12. Doing What The Devil Says To Do
13. Remember (reprise)

* previously unreleased *

CD2:

01. What Is (2014)
02. High (2014)
03. Change (2014)
04. Special (2014)
05. Paint It On (acoustic version)
06. Holding On (acoustic version)
07. Until You Suffer Some (Fire And Ice) (acoustic version)
08. The Road (acoustic version)
09. Regret (original demo version)
10. Damaged (original demo version)

DVD:

01. Walk With Me (2014)
02. Paying Dues (2009)
03. 24 Hours (2011)
04. Larger Than Life (2009)
05. Losing My Mind (2005)
06. Help Me (2012)
07. Chase It (2008)
08. Player (2011)
09. The Shadow (2011)
10. My Angel (2011)
11. I Would (2008)

"Turn Away From The Light", the new video from thrash/punk crossover icons ENGLISH DOGS, can be seen below. The clip was helmed by Wes Orshoski, co-director/co-producer of "Lemmy", the acclaimed documentary examining the life and career of MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy Kilmister.

"Turn Away From The Light" is taken from ENGLISH DOGS' new album, "The Thing With Two Heads", which was released on July 8 via Candlelight Records. Clocking in at 42-minutes, it is the first newly recorded material by the group in over two decades.

Back in February, ENGLISH DOGS drummer/founding member Pinch called the nearly completed album "an angry bastard of a record." Featuring Pinch with vocalist Adie Bailey and guitarist Gizz Butt, the CD is a direct result of the successful 2012 North American tour. Decibel magazine interviewed the band just prior to the trek and questioned how the band felt about the supporting lineup — TOXIC HOLOCAUST, THE CASUALTIES and HAVOK — all heavily influenced by their music. Gizz noted: "You never know if anything you do will be considered important, and even if you have all the self-belief in the world, you cannot say if anyone will like it or not.

"It's amazing that we touched so many great bands. It means that occasionally what you do, when you take that gamble and step out for two or three years to make and promote an album, that you did the right thing." Reanimated on their return home from the 14-date tour, ideas started to circulate with snippets committed to tape on both sides of the Atlantic. Pinch shares: "We got back together because we felt like we had unfinished business.

"Tons of people ended up turning up to the gigs. We started to think maybe we are worth a fuck after all. We started writing and recording and it clicked immediately."

He continues: "'The Thing With Two Heads' is the missing link between 'To The Ends Of The Earth' and 'Forward Into Battle'. It's classic ENGLISH DOGS punk metal. It doesn't sound like anyone else, because it wasn't inspired by anyone else." Formed in 1981, ENGLISH DOGS was at the core of a new wave of English punk. A more aggressive and desperate sound was a critical characteristic of this new hybrid, a sound that would help inspire America's still-developing thrash scene. Alongside labelmates GBH and DISCHARGE, the band would release several recordings for Clay Records. "Mad Punx & English Dogs" and its follow-up, "Invasion Of The Porky Men", hit and maintained lengthy U.K. indie charts positions. "Forward Into Battle" (1985, Rot Records), and "Where Legend Began" (1987, Under One Flag/Music For Nations) would continue to see the band's international profile rise. An American tour in 1986 would see sold-out performances in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Baltimore, New York, Chicago and more. The band would go their separate ways by year's end. "The Thing With Two Heads" was recorded by producer Dean Pansy. The album's complete track listing is as follows:

01. Turn Away From The Light02. Freak Boy03. Gorgonized04. Hate Song05. Ghost Note06. Up From The Depths07. The Thing Will Arise08. Planet of the Living Dead09. Royal Flying Corpse10. Rectify11. Down With The Underdogs

According to the New York Daily News, UNLOCKING THE TRUTH — the heavy metal band from Flatbush, Brooklyn made up of three African American boys, 13-year-old guitarist Malcolm Brickhouse, 13-year-old bassist Alec Atkins and 12-year-old drummer Jarad Dawkins — has inked a deal with Sony. The group will reportedly receive $60,000 to record the first disc and possibly as much as $350,000 for the second disc. Sony also has an option to release four more albums from UNLOCKING THE TRUTH that could push the label's financial investment to around $1.7 million.

UNLOCKING THE TRUTH has already played the Coachella festival and has supported GUNS N' ROSES. In addition, the band has appeared in a national ad campaign for Verizon Wireless.

"It's so exciting. We're jumping over the moon," says Jarad's mother, Tabatha Dawkins. "What started out as play dates went to Times Square and now this. It's been one great thing after another."

An UNLOCKING THE TRUTH book about the band's rise to success will be released by Penguin around Christmas, and a documentary about the group's experiences is also in the works.

Derrick Green from SEPULTURA told SPIN magazine last year that he found UNLOCKING THE TRUTH on a blog and felt an immediate sense of connection. "When I was growing up, there weren't a lot of black kids listening to metal music or hardcore music," he said. "I would get harassed by other black people and questioned all the time about why I liked this style of music and why was I trying to be white. I was told that black people didn't listen to this style of music. Even back then, it sounded just as ignorant as it does now. I didn't hate them for their stupidity, but it only pushed me to be where I'm at today." Of UNLOCKING THE TRUTH's potential to be a mainstream success, Green said: "Kids can do anything. If they believe in something strong enough and have the passion and drive, yes."

Legendary BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi says that he would "like to do something with" Welsh singer Tom Jones — 26 years after such a collaboration was the subject of an April Fool's joke perpetrated by a British magazine.

The spoof news story, which was published in Kerrang!'s April 1988 issue, suggested that Jones had joined BLACK SABBATH for a concept album based on a mythical monster visiting a Welsh pit village on the road, and the accompanying Minotaur/Miner Tour.

Though the whole story was nothing more than a gag, it sparked a conversation between Iommi and Jones which led to the two men mulling the possibility of doing something together in the studio.

"I've met Tom a few times," Iommi told Classic Rock magazine, adding, "We were talking one day and he said, 'Did you ever see that thing in the press about me joining you guys?' I said 'Yes, I did,' and he said, 'It's not a bad idea, is it?'

"I like Tom, he's good. I'd actually like to do something with him. It could work."

Iommi has said that BLACK SABBATH's massive July 4 gig at London's Hyde Park could end up being the band's last because the touring can be tough on him. But in a recent video message, Iommi sounded more optimistic about the prospect of returning to the road, telling fans, "We'll see you on the next tour."

"13", the first SABBATH album since 1978 to feature Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler, was No. 1 in the U.S., the U.K. and nearly a dozen other countries.

Fan-filmed video footage of GHOST's entire July 3 performance at the Main Square festival in Arras, France as the support act for IRON MAIDEN can be seen in two parts below. (Note: The sound begins around the 2:20 mark in the first clip.)

A Nameless Ghoul from GHOST told Jägermeister about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to 2013's "Infestissumam" and the covers EP "If You Have Ghost": "Obviously, we have plans for pretty much everything. We are a very strictly planning band in that sense, that we have contingencies for basically everything. But I can say as much as there is a plan for everything, but at this point, there's still a long way to go."

He continued: "We are obviously very much in the process of making the next album, and we have come a long way with that. And we know what it's about, we know what it is, we know what the songs are, we know what the concepts are. The EP was very much a sort of a sideways step for us a little bit, with all the covers and all that, but it was a very deliberate thing to do. And it centers, obviously, around the session with Dave Grohl [FOO FIGHTERS, NIRVANA] and the time we spent with him at [his] Studio 606 [in California]. And we did a lot of different stuff there for us, whereas the next step is gonna be back to full-on, more traditional-type GHOST stuff.

"We're kind of finishing up the writing, actually. The conceptual stuff has been finished for a long, long time, so we know, basically, what we're gonna do with the next album and quite some time after that as well. So we have a very deliberate plan of doing things. But the actual album in terms of material and imagery and stage plots and everything is basically finished."

GHOST was honored in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" category at the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), which was held on February 19 at Cirkus in Stockholm. The bands were all nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2013. GHOST was also honored with the P3 Guld award (for "Infestissumam") from Swedish radio station P3 in the "Best Rock/Metal Album Of The Year" category. The winners were announced on January 18 during a live awards ceremony broadcast from the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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

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

A 30-minute video recap of the June 1 private screening of the "Inside Metal: The Pioneers Of Los Angeles Rock And Metal (1975-1981)" documentary on MetalRock Films can be seen below. Featured in the video are interviews with several rock/metal artists that attended the screening, as well as photos and video segments from the June 1 matinee screening.

Featured interviews:

* Monte Pittman (PRONG, MADONNA)
* Ely Santana (HOLY GRAIL)
* The Junkman (KNAC.com)
* Greg Leon (GREG LEON INVASION)
* Stephen Quadros (SNOW)
* Kurt Markham (OVERKILL L.A.)
* Marq Torien (BULLETBOYS)
* Craig Miller (A LA CARTE)
* Roger Romeo (LEGS DIAMOND)
* Betsy "Bitch" Weiss (BITCH)
* AUGUST REDMOON
* Bill Hale (photographer)
* Neil Turbin (ANTHRAX, DEATHRIDERS)
* Bernie K and Spacey T. (SOUND BARRIER)
* John Kornarens
* Ron Jeremy (adult film legend)

Years prior to MTV and decades before public Internet, there was an intransigent force of high-energy rock 'n' roll that dominated the city of Los Angeles. Lost in oblivion over the past 30-40 years, only a handful of stalwarts survived the new millennium yet these bands and artists set the blueprint for the hair metal, power metal and thrash metal bands that would soon follow and reign over Los Angeles and the entire global hemisphere throughout the '80s and into the 2000s. These artists were the groundbreakers and trailblazers that set the course of heavy metal history!! Yet, for some reason, very little is known about these founding fathers of hard rock and heavy metal music... until now!

Reality Entertainment takes you on a transcendental journey into heavy metal yesteryear in this compelling DVD, "Inside Metal: The Pioneers Of Los Angeles Rock And Metal (1975-1981)".

In the mid-'70s throughout the early '80s, cutting-edge hard rock bands such as SNOW, LEGS DIAMOND, SMILE, A LA CARTE, STORMER, AXIS, EULOGY, DANTE FOX, XCITER, THE BOYZ, LONDON, WOLFGANG, SUITE 19, AIRBORN, DETECTIVE, QUIET RIOT (the early incarnation with Randy Rhoads), SOUND BARRIER, MICKY RATT, STEELER, THE GREG LEON INVASION, MAX HAVOC, SORCERY, VENDETTA, THE SHARKS, PRETTY POISON, and many others (including a little-known band from Orange County called METALLICA and another band from Pasadena you may have heard of named VAN HALEN) ruled the Los Angeles and Orange County nightclubs such as The Starwood, The Whisky, Gazzarri's, The Woodstock, The Woodsound, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, The Stardust Ballroom, The Troubadour, The Fleetwood, Valley West, and backyard parties throughout the southland. This DVD features extraordinary interviews with many of the prime players of the late '70s L.A. rock scene and its surroundings, including:

* Carlos Cavazo (SNOW, QUIET RIOT, RATT)
* Jack Russell (DANTE FOX, GREAT WHITE)
* Don Dokken (AIRBORN, DOKKEN)
* Dave Meniketti (YESTERDAY & TODAY)
* Brian O'Brian (A LA CARTE)
* Stephen Quadros (ORANGE, SNOW)
* Greg Leon (SUITE 19, DUBROW, DOKKEN, GREG LEON INVATION)
* Joey Vera (SAPHIRE, GREG LEON INVASION, ARMORED SAINT)
* Roger Romeo (LEGS DIAMOND, FUNKIN MANIACS)
* Pat McKeon (BADMOON, MAX HAVOC)
* Scotty Waller (SMILE)
* Bernie K. (SOUND BARRIER)
* Frank Dimino (ANGEL)
* Paul Shortino (ROUGH CUTT)
* Ron Keel (STEELER, KEEL)
* Kelly Garni (QUIET RIOT)
* Ann Boleyn (HELLION)
* Marq Torien (Ratt, BULLETBOYS)
* Michael DesBarres (SILVERHEAD, DETECTIVE, CHECQURED PAST, POWER STATION)
* Steve Plunkett (WOLFGANG, AUTOGRAPH)
* Jon Hyde (HOKUS POKUS, DETECTIVE, FUNKIN MANIACS)
* Lars Ulrich (METALLICA)

Directed by Bob Nalbandian (The Headbanger fanzine), the DVD also features interviews of major supporters of the L.A. club scene of that era, including David Forest (promoter/manager of The Starwood and The Whisky), Malcolm Dome (U.K. journalist), Alan Wood (L.A. scenester), Kevin Estrada (photographer), Jon Sutherland (journalist), John Kornarens (journalist, scenester), and Brian Slagel (journalist, founder/CEO Metal Blade Records).

A trailer for "Inside Metal: The Pioneers Of Los Angeles Rock And Metal (1975-1981)" can be seen below.

Bob Nalbandian founded The Headbanger in early 1982 when he was just 17 years old, and released the inaugural issue later that year. The seminal fanzine featured articles and interviews that vividly captured the emerging heavy metal scene.

Jay Nanda of San Antonio Metal Music Examiner conducted an interview with THE IRON MAIDENS guitarist Nita Strauss, who recently joined Alice Cooper's touring band. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: How much of an influence was [Alice Cooper] on you growing up, musically?

Nita: Alice Cooper, I think, transcends anybody's influence. The cool thing about him is that, even today, there's not that many artists from that generation that are still so relevant and touring so much. Alice now tours with IRON MAIDEN and MARILYN MANSON and ROB ZOMBIE. He's touring with these artists that are a little bit newer. And definitely, also, Steve Hunter was, of course, a huge influence on me as a guitarist as well. I think their influences are more far-reaching than any of us really know.

San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: Having been in all-female bands THE IRON MAIDENS and with the revamped FEMME FATALE, your talent speaks for itself. But do you find yourself sometimes battling within some circles of the music industry to get people to focus on your guitar playing and musicianship. Or is it a case of, "Hey, the sex appeal doesn't hurt the cause"?

Nita: I think it's always going to be a give-and-take with the image thing. I had an interesting conversation yesterday about dressing to avoid people talking about your image and only focus on the guitar playing versus dressing to use your image as an asset. And I don't really see myself as doing either/or. Because first of all, I'm not going to dress myself; other people dress… [laughs] I'm a total tomboy at heart. If I don't have to be on stage or doing anything that day, I'm always in band t-shirt and yoga pants and sneakers. But at the end of the day, I'm a girl. I'm from Santa Monica. I'm going to look how I want to look and play how I want to play, and if people don't like it, then they don't like it. The awesome thing about this great country of America that we live in is that they're absolutely free to not like it. But I like it. If I go on stage and I think I look cool and I think I'm playing well, that's what it's all about, I think.

San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: You recently did an interview for Playboy Radio, so I'd be remiss if I didn't ask — did they offer you a pictorial?

Nita: They joked about it a lot. They didn't put an official offer on the table. But they definitely threw it out there. My joking response was, "Maybe with a strategically placed guitar." [laughs] I don't think it's actually in the future, but it's fun to joke about.

San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: Well, if you did something like that — with a strategically placed guitar — that wouldn't be too different from the Revolver [magazine] "Hottest Chicks" type of thing, would it?

Nita: Yeah. You know, for photos, we talk about the word "objectify." And, you know, it's subjective. If you want to look at the photos in Revolver and think, "This girl's trying to get attention because she looks the way she does," then that's fine. I'm still going to do my same practice regimen, and I'm still going to get on stage and do all my guitar set-ups and swap out my own pickups. I'm still going to do all that stuff too. People are always going to talk.

Read the entire interview at San Antonio Metal Music Examiner.

HELLYEAH's video for the song "Moth" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's fourth album, "Blood For Blood", which sold around 17,000 copies in its first week of release to land at No. 18 on the Billboard chart. The band's previous effort, 2011's "Band Of Brothers", opened with 19,000 copies back in July 2012 to debut at No. 19.

In an interview with Loudwire, HELLYEAH drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott stated about "Moth": "It's in different time signature. It's in 6/8. I don't think I've ever ventured onto anything in HELLYEAH with 6/8. It was a different mood.

"I remember when I first played the demo for Kevin [Churko, producer], just the music, he was, like, 'Man, there's something really special there.' It's really dark but it's also beautiful. That was the first song Chad [Gray, vocals] felt drawn to musically. He wrote the lyrics, sang the words to that song first. That was an odd choice even by Kevin. He was, like, 'Man, I thought for sure he was going to dig into the real heavy stuff out of the chute,' and he really felt drawn to that song.

"It's a song basically about — there are so many things in life that you know are wrong and you're going to get burned, but you have to give it a try, whether it's relationships, jobs, this, that or another. It's like a moth, it sees that flame and it's drawn to it even though it's made out of paper and he's going to get torched when he gets there. That's kind of what the song is all about."

Gray and HELLYEAH guitarist Tom Maxwell revealed in a separate interview with Loudwire that the band came close to breaking up before it finally parted ways with guitarist Greg Tribbett and bassist Bob "Zilla" Kahaha. Maxwell explained, "They just pretty much had a lot of other stuff going on in their life that just took the focus of the band away, and for us to continue, we had to part ways with them. It was a toxic situation that almost broke the band up. They just couldn't get it together and it was a very painful time for us, it was very emotional, but I think, you know, with the love we have for each other and the band, we needed to kind of do the worst case scenario and part ways with them."

Maxwell told The Pulse Of Radio that both Kahaha and Tribbett had their own specific issue that were hurting the group. "I don't think Bob ever really was as passionate about this band," he said. "He never became a full member or anything like that. It just didn't gel, so it was just time just to part ways, you know. And with Greg, I think he had just a lot of stuff that happened to him in his life in recent years that really affected him and became distracting for us and we just couldn't go forward."

Gray said that the recording sessions for the band's new album, "Blood For Blood", were emotionally volatile, saying, "This is such a heavy record on so many levels — it's not just the anger, the frustration, the angst, but its also the helplessness that we felt."

The new members of HELLYEAH are bassist Kyle Sanders and touring guitarist Christian Brady.

HELLYEAH is playing various festival dates over the summer before heading out on a North American tour in September as guests of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and VOLBEAT.

"Baring Teeth For Revolt", the new video from New Orleans, Louisiana's sons of American no-frills-black-metal-meets-death-'n'-roll GOATWHORE, can be seen below. The high-speed raging performance clip was shot at the infamous House Of Shock in New Orleans by videographer David Brodsky of MyGoodEye (HELLYEAH, WHITECHAPEL, CANNIBAL CORPSE) and wholly captures the band's bludgeoning live energy.

"Baring Teeth For Revolt" is taken from GOATWHORE's new album, "Constricting Rage Of The Merciless", which was released in North America on July 8 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded with producer Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida. This is GOATWHORE's fourth studio outing with Rutan at the helm, and to achieve an even more dark and powerful tone on this album, all drums, bass, and rhythm guitars were tracked to two-inch tape!

Erik Rutan commented on the recording sessions: "Working with GOATWHORE again for our fourth album together was amazing! It is through our experience and established trust and bond in the studio that allowed us to push each other to the limits, only to achieve the best performances and tones we could.

"This album came out so dynamic and huge, partly due to the fact that we recorded drums, bass, and main rhythm guitars to analog tape.

"GOATWHORE has a massive sound and we all felt recording to analog would be the best way to capture it, giving it a very unique quality and feel, built off of integrity and vibe.

"This is our finest moment working together and the guys did an incredible job creating and performing all the songs on this record.

"GOATWHORE fans, be prepared!"

"Constricting Rage Of The Merciless" track listing:

01. Poisonous Existence In Reawakening02. Unraveling Paradise03. Baring Teeth For Revolt04. Reanimated Sacrifice05. Heaven's Crumbling Walls Of Pity06. Cold Earth Consumed In Dying Flesh07. FBS08. Nocturnal Conjuration Of The Accursed09. Schadenfreude10. Externalize This Hidden Savagery

GOATWHORE's "A Haunting Curse" and "Carving Out The Eyes Of God" were pressed on vinyl for the first time ever. "A Haunting Curse" was printed in a double gatefold sleeve on clear gold vinyl. "Carving Out The Eyes Of God" is in a gatefold sleeve on clear vinyl. Both were officially released on April 1.

GOATWHORE will take part in the eighth annual Summer Slaughter Tour, which runs from July 17 through August 10. It also features MORBID ANGEL, DYING FETUS, THE FACELESS, THY ART IS MURDER, ORIGIN, DECREPIT BIRTH, WITHIN THE RUINS and FALLUJAH. The tour will stop at The House of Blues in Los Angeles on July 19 and Irving Plaza in New York on August 8, with VIP ticketing currently available now for both shows.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of ANTHRAX's debut album, "Fistful Of Metal", the band's former lead singer, Neil Turbin, and a backing group of musicians calling themselves DEATHRIDERS (not to be confused with Neil's long-running Los Angeles-based band of the same name) will perform the entire LP on their upcoming European tour.

The DEATHRIDERS team features:

* Gert Nijboer (HIGHWAY CHILE) - Guitar* Hans In't Zandt (PRAYING MANTIS) - Drums* Conrad Hultermans (X-TINXION) - Guitar* Kornee Kleefman (KROSSBREED) - Bass

Turbin and company will play all of "Fistful Of Metal" plus songs from ANTHRAX's "Armed And Dangerous" EP which have not been played live by Neil since 1984. Neil co-wrote and sang on "Fistful Of Metal" and co-authored most songs on "Armed And Dangerous", and a couple songs on "Spreading The Disease", which he performed live with ANTHRAX on their first North American tour in 1984.

DEATHRIDERS "Fistful Of Metal Alive" 30th-anniversary European tour dates:

July 19 - Dynamo – Eindhoven, NL July 20 - Sound Dog - Breda, NL July 21 - Café Die Twee – Bergen op Zoom, NL July 22 - Bar American – Middelburg, NL July 23 - Lauschbar – Itzehoe, DE (Headbangers Open Air warm-up show) July 24 - Headbangers Open Air Festival – Brande Hörnerkirchen, DE

The only ANTHRAX record to feature Turbin and bassist Danny Lilker — in addition to Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Charlie Benante (drums), and Dan Spitz (lead guitar) — the band's debut album, "Fistful of Metal", was originally released in January 1984, spawning such early classics as "Deathrider" and "Metal Thrashing Mad".

Asked in a 2009 interview about the reason for his departure from ANTHRAX, Turbin said: "I was a member of ANTHRAX from August 1982 up until August 1984. I was a member of ANTHRAX for exactly two years. The reason I left… well, there were a number of things, actually. The whole relationship started to deteriorate after a while, there was definitely backstabbing from certain people who chose to hang around with other people instead of focusing in the band. I was into metal… focused on music while Scott Ian and Charlie Benante formed an alliance and Dan Spitz just followed. In a matter of months, it was simply a case of them versus me. It was very difficult to deal with them, because it was obvious that we wouldn't get along and they were also more interested in other things than music… at least back then. We didn't establish a trusted friendship within the band… that's for sure."

The Los Angeles-based version of DEATHRIDERS is recording its debut album, "The Metal Beast", with a lineup that includes Turbin, Jonas Hornqvist (BLEED THE HUNGER, TREASURE LAND) on guitar, Howie Simon (ALCATRAZZ, NELSON) on guitar, and Matt Thompson (KING DIAMOND, SHAOLIN DEATH SQUAD) on drums.

On June 25, bassist Alex Webster of Florida death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE was interviewed by El Prezidente of 91.3FM WTSR's "The Chainsaw Symphony". You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Asked about CANNIBAL CORPSE's touring setup and how he navigates masturbating regularly on "a bus with a bunch of dudes," Webster said: "This summer [on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival] we're not [sharing a bus with any other bands]. Sometimes we share, sometimes we don't. It just really depends on what our budget is. When we have enough money coming in from the shows to be able to pay for the bus all by ourselves, that's generally the option we'll take, just to have that extra space."

He added: "I think with anything personal like that [masturbation], you just… you know… discretion. [laughs] I will leave it at that. [laughs] If somebody knows it's happening, then you blew it. [laughs] And I won't talk too much further about that. But yeah, man, anything like that, I think, yeah, discretion is very important. Nobody wants to know that kind of thing is going on right next to them, you know. [laughs]"

Webster also spoke about the CANNIBAL members' family situations and how having kids is affected by the touring lifestyle.

"I'm married — no kids — but yeah, me and my wife have been together, married in 2001, and we were actually seeing each other since 1997," Webster said. "So I've been very settled into that whole situation for a very long time now. The other guys… Like, George ['Corpsegrinder' Fisher, vocals] has been married a long time and has two daughters. Paul's [Mazurkiewicz, drums] married as well; he's got a daughter. Rob [Barrett, guitar] has a wife, [but] no kids.

"Me and my wife never wanted to have kids; that was something we both agreed on long before we even got married, as a matter of fact. It's the most important thing a person could ever do, so that decision shouldn't be taken lightly. You're creating a human being, so you have to really be in the right frame of mind for that. And my wife and I knew that we were never gonna be in the right frame of mind for that kind of a thing; it just wasn't something that we were inclined to do. But for some people, it's absolutely the right decision. You've gotta just think it over; it's an important thing."

CANNIBAL CORPSE will release its new album, "A Skeletal Domain", on September 16 via Metal Blade Records. The band switched gears for the new CD, opting to work with producer Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER) at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, after having tracked their previous three outings ("Kill", "Evisceration Plague", "Torture") with Erik Rutan.

On April 3, 1975 the Mk III line-up of DEEP PURPLE — guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, frontman David Coverdale, bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, keyboard player Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice — performed at the Liebenauer ice rink, located on the outskirts of mountain-cradled Graz, Austria's second largest city after Vienna. Enthused by DEEP PURPLE's arrival in town, the local press dubbed the concert "das Rockereignis des Jahres [the rock event of the year]." And it was — in more ways than one. Previously unreleased in its entirety, "Graz 1975" — will be released in North America on September 23 on earMUSIC / Eagle Rock Entertainment. After Graz, DEEP PURPLE would play just two more shows — in Saarbrücken, Germany and Paris, France — before Blackmore left to form his new band, RAINBOW. The remaining band members would regroup quickly with American guitarist Tommy Bolin in tow. In order to preserve Blackmore's final run of Mk III concerts for posterity, DEEP PURPLE's managers had brought THE ROLLING STONES mobile recording studio over to mainland Europe. And what a show it was! "Graz 1975" is absolutely electrifying and exhilarating. Indeed, it has long been regarded as the holy grail of concert recordings among Mk III connoisseurs. A performance that has never been available in its entirety until now. Kicking off with a blazing performance of "Burn", "Graz 1975" is a wild eight-track ride, firing on all pistons. Blackmore plays with controlled brutality. The vocal interplay between Coverdale and Hughes has never sounded so good. And, of course, stalwarts Lord and Paice give it a good kicking — and then some. The track listing, naturally, is weighted heavily in favor of Mk III recordings, with just two songs from DEEP PURPLE's previous incarnation with Ian Gillan on vocals and Roger Glover on bass: the iconic "Smoke On The Water" and the almost-as-iconic "Space Truckin'". Still, it's true to say that, from beginning to end, "Graz 1975" showcases DEEP PURPLE Mk III at the absolute top — and also, ironically, at the end — of their game. After almost 40 years the concert is still captivating. It is the perfect example that, for DEEP PURPLE, there is no need for extravagant video projections or expensive fire shows to play a unique and fascinating gig. All they need is their music. It is the love and passion for their music that makes every single show a unique experience. "Graz 1975" track listing:

01. Burn02. Stormbringer03. The Gypsy04. Lady Double Dealer05. Mistreated06. Smoke On The Water07. You Fool No One08. Space Truckin'

IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris has just taken his solo/side project BRITISH LION back out on the road with a 10-date European tour starting on July 8 in Norwich and rounding off with an open-air show at the annual International Motorcycle Convention at the Moto Clube De Faro, Portugal on Saturday, July 19.

Fan-filmed video footage of BRITISH LION's July 13 performance at Zaal Jagersborg in Maasmechelen, Belgium can be seen below. Comments Steve: "As most fans know, I have strong ties with the Portuguese Moto Clube through our mutual friend Manu DaSilva, now sadly departed, who for many years ran MAIDEN's Eddie's Bar in Santa Barbara de Nexe near Faro. In fact, the first-ever BRITISH LION live show we played was in the Clubhouse itself!

"When they invited us back this year, to play at the same festival MAIDEN headlined in 2011 in memory of Manu, it provided the perfect opportunity to schedule a few shows beforehand on our way down to Faro from the U.K.

"We're playing clubs again, same as we did last year, as we all really love the vibe and intimacy of getting up close and personal with the crowd.

"Although we would have liked to have visited more cities and countries on this run, it simply hasn't been possible time-wise. This is for a number of reasons, probably of interest to MAIDEN fans!" Remaining BRITISH LION tour dates:

July 14 - Divan Du Monde, Paris, France July 15 - Metronum, Toulouse, France July 17 - Shoko, Madrid, Spain July 18 - Custom, Seville, Spain July 19 - International Moto Clube de Faro Convention, Portugal

BRITISH LION's debut album sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"British Lion" was released in the U.S. on September 25, 2012 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). Mixed by Kevin Shirley — whose credits include IRON MAIDEN as well as Led ZEPPELIN, JOURNEY and RUSH, among many others — the CD, which features Harris alongside vocalist Richard Taylor, guitarists Graham Leslie and David Hawkins and drummer Simon Dawson, presents a different side of the bassist's musical visions.

"British Lion" comprises ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on between IRON MAIDEN tours and releases and is described by Harris as "'70s-influenced, British-sounding hard rock." "I'd say it's more mainstream rock than metal... and quite commercial… but good commercial," he said. "There's all kinds of stuff going on, with nods to THE WHO and UFO and some classic British rock bands, but it's not the progressive rock album some might be expecting."

"British Lion" track listing: 01. This Is My God02. Lost Worlds03. Karma Killer04. Us Against The World05. The Chosen Ones06. A World Without Heaven07. Judas08. Eyes Of The Young09. These Are The Hands10. The Lesson

23 years after their last record, and 19 months after the tragic loss of guitarist Mike Scaccia, Dallas, Texas speed/thrash metal veterans RIGOR MORTIS have announced the long-awaited release of their fourth and final studio album, "Slaves To The Grave", Due on October 7 via Rigor Mortis Records, the CD marks the band's first studio release in 23 years, and the first to feature the classic original lineup (Mike Scaccia on guitar, Casey Orr on bass, Bruce Corbitt on vocals, and Harden Harrison on drums), since RIGOR MORTIS' 1988 eponymous debut effort. Recorded less than a year before Mike's passing, "Slaves To The Grave" was to going to herald the band's long-overdue comeback.

In February 2012, RIGOR MORTIS entered MINISTRY's 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, and recorded the 10 tracks that would become "Slaves To The Grave". The artwork was created by Michael Broom and can be seen below.

When no labels were willing to release the record (after all, there would be no touring to support it, or follow-up record), they decided to release it themselves. With no money, they started a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo. They called in favors from their friends to get the record mixed and mastered just right and get the cover art just the way they envisioned it. They decided to add a behind-the-scenes "making-of" DVD to the initial pressing, and to release it on vinyl. They are all very proud of this record and the history that surrounds it. They have endeavored every step of the way to do justice to the RIGOR MORTIS legacy, and bring honor to Mike Scacciaʼs last recorded testament.

The subject matter hasn't strayed much. Twisted tales of horror and woe, monsters and madmen, warfare and plague abound. The tracks are fast and heavy as one would expect, but there is also a maturity and growth that only comes with age and experience. Musically, "Slaves To The Grave" draws from a legacy of brutal influence. The speed and thrash metal that RIGOR MORTIS cut their teeth on is evident throughout the record in the intensity and velocity of tracks like "Flesh For Flies", but also, one could argue, are influences such as Italian horror soundtracks by GOBLIN, as heard on the outro solo of "Poltergeist".

While "Slaves To The Grave" was very much a group effort, and all four came together like a fist to crush all doubt, it has to be said, of course, that the highlight of this record, and indeed RIGOR MORTIS as a whole musically, is Scacciaʼs incredible guitar playing. His freakish speed picking and beautiful sense of melody is mesmerizing. His solos are stupefying. Mike's style was much closer to Paganini, than to, say, Dave Mustaine or "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. He was unique.

Without question, this record contains some of Mike's finest work. In his zone and with no restraints, he delivered some absolutely stellar performances. His solo at the end of "Blood Bath", for instance, is absolutely breathtaking, exposing more heart and soul than precious few of his contemporaries possess.

"Slaves To The Grave" track listing:

01. Poltergeist (6:05)02. Rain of Ruin (4:21)03. Flesh for Flies (3:39)04. The Infected (3:51)05. Blood Bath (6:36)06. Ancient Horror (3:27)07. Fragrance of Corpse (3:13)08. Curse of the Draugr (3:34)09. Sacramentum Gladiatorum /10. Lududs Magnus (13:56) Fans in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texaswill be able to get the CD/DVD 10 days before the rest of the world at the "Slaves To The Grave" CD-release show on September 27 at the Curtain Club in Dallas. Texas metal legends and pioneers DEADHORSE will headline the event and the surviving members of RIGOR MORTIS will perform a set of RIGOR MORTIS songs under the name WIZARDS OF GORE. Opening the show will be Austin's premier metal band DEAD EARTH POLITICS.

WIZARDS OF GORE will also play at this year's Housecore Horror Film Festival at Emo's in Austin, Texas at the end of October.

Scaccia, who is best known for his work with MINISTRY, RIGOR MORTIS and the REVOLTING COCKS, died on December 23, 2012 of a sudden heart attack brought on by a heart disease (official cause of death: atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease), according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office. Officials ruled it a natural death. He was 47 years old.

Scaccia was performing with RIGOR MORTIS at The Rail Club in Fort Worth, Texas at the 50th-birthday celebration for RIGOR MORTIS singer Bruce Corbitt when the frontman reportedly asked for strobe lights to be turned off moments before the guitarist collapsed onstage and could not be revived. He was taken to the emergency room at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, where he was pronounced dead at 12:26 a.m., according to the medical examiner.

Mike is survived by his wife Jenny Rowen Scaccia, with whom he had two toddlers, and daughters Sarah Scaccia and Taarna Scaccia Hopkins.

"Back To The Front", the album that was recorded last year by four members of the most recent lineup of the legendary Swedish metal act ENTOMBED — Lars Göran Petrov (vocals), Olle Dahlstedt (drums), Nico Elgstrand (guitar) and Victor Brandt (bass) — will be released on August 5 via Century Media Records under the band name ENTOMBED A.D.

Petrov will only perform with ENTOMBED A.D. and will not take part in any upcoming shows announced under the name ENTOMBED. Says Petrov: "After a year of struggles, we are happy to finally get 'Back To The Front' out! There is no one stopping us this time from playing music, being on the road and headbang as metalheads do!"

"Back To The Front" original track listing (subject to change):

01. Kill To Live02. Bedlam Attack03. The Underminer04. Second To None05. Allegiance06. Waiting For Death07. Eternal Woe08. Digitus Medius09. Vulture And The Traitor10. Pandemic Rage11. Soldier Of No Fortune

The cover artwork for the CD was created by Zbigniew Bielak (WATAIN, VADER) and can be seen below.

The song "Vulture And The Traitor" can be streamed below. Another track called "Bedlam Attack" is available for free download at this location.

Says Petrov about "Bedlam Attack": "It was the first song we recorded for the album, fitting that it's the first one out! We had a hard time getting it right due to its somewhat unorthodox arrangement. Took its bloody time before everybody started to really like it. Now we do, though, and very much so, thank Satan! It's about losing one's mind in a mental hospital. Obviously you've lost it already since you're locked in. This is about when you really lose it and realize that you have to get out before things go completely tits up inside your head. All the while knowing deep inside that you will never get out." ENTOMBED A.D. is:

Lars Göran Petrov - VocalsNico Elgstrand - GuitarVictor Brandt - BassOlle Dahlstedt - Drums Original ENTOMBED members Alex Hellid (guitar) and Ulf "Uffe" Cederlund (guitar) joined forces with former ENTOMBED frontman Orvar Säfström to perform the band's classic second album, "Clandestine" (1991), on February 1 at Gävle Konserthus in Gävle, Sweden. They were backed by the 65-piece Gävle Symphonic Orchestra and a 40-piece choir.

Hellid did not participate in the writing and recording of "Back To The Front".

Century Media Records announced last fall that the release date of "Back To The Front" — which was originally supposed to be made available under the ENTOMBED moniker — was being pushed back to 2014 from the previously announced October 29, 2013 due to "unpredictable technical problems."

Asked in an interview with France's MetalChroniques.fr if the omission of Hellid's name from the ENTOMBED biography accompanying the original promotional copy of "Back To The Front" was a mistake on the record label's part, Petrov replied: "I do not want to speak publicly about this at the moment; this is something we want to keep internal and private for now. But this is not an error in the biography. Next question?"

Hellid, who did not accompany the Petrov-fronted lineup of ENTOMBED when the band performed at the Manizales Grita Rock festival in Colombia in August 2013, reportedly threatened his former bandmates with legal action if they continued to record and perform under the ENTOMBED name.

"Back To The Front" was recorded at Studio Bohus (ABBA, EUROPE) in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR). The CD's original cover artwork was painted by Zbigniew Bielak (WATAIN, VADER) and can be seen below.

A press release states: "Don't be afraid that it will sound like ABBA — it's 666% true to the ENTOMBED everybody loves. While not falling for total regression back to the early classics 'Left Hand Path' or 'Clandestine', expect a total bone-crushing opus that will have fans of 'Wolverine Blues', 'To Ride…' or 'Morning Star' cry tears of joy. From the morbid, pissed-off lyrics over detuned, massive riffs to the inimitable brick-heavy groove and L.G. Petrov's titanic roar, 'Back To The Front' has it all, so get ready for a stone-cold stunner!"

Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS officially entered the studio on Saturday, July 12 to begin recording their new album. The as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2012's "A War You Cannot Win" is being helmed by producer Josh Wilbur, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD and GOJIRA. A late 2014/early 2015 release via Razor & Tie is expected.

ALL THAT REMAINS singer Phil LaBonte told The Pulse Of Radio a while back how the band approaches a new record. "There's a lot of bands out there that are like, 'Oh, we went and we took a bunch of time and we were thinking about this and we were thinking about that,' and blah blah blah," he said. "ALL THAT REMAINS has never been that band. We've always been the band that's like, 'You know what? We've got to write a record, why don't we all just get together and come up with some ideas, and the stuff we like, we'll use, and the stuff we don't like, we'll throw away.' There's so many bands out there that are like, 'Oh, we want to change the world and we want to…' And it's like, 'Okay.'"

ALL THAT REMAINS had a No. 2 single on the rock radio chart earlier this year with "What If I Was Nothing", which marked a stylistic departure for the band. The song's accompanying video was directed by Rasa Acharya and Dan Kennedy of Little Sky Film (SAY ANYTHING, WE CAME AS ROMANS).

A previous single from "A War You Cannot Win", "Stand Up", spent three weeks at No. 1, making it the band's first -ever chart-topper fifth consecutive Top 10 rock single.

"A War You Cannot Win" debuted at Number 13 on the Billboard album chart and has sold over 115,000 copies to date.

Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes, who recently relocated to Cannes, France with his wife, is searching for musicians to join him in a new project called MEAN MAN. Speaking to Riff-Mag.com at last month's Hellfest in Clisson, France, Holmes said (see video below): "I left in February, L.A., I left — gone. I don't plan on going back. I'm gone. I ain't going back to America… At all. I left. Gone, History. I sold everything I had there. I left my dog there. I'm gonna send for him."

Asked why he decided to leave the USA, Holmes said: "Well, unless you're the opposite of me — a hip-hop artist or a rapper — you won't sell in America anymore. There's no rock magazines anymore. The black culture has really… The black culture has taken hip hop to white… The white culture and all the kids act like that; they wear their pants down. I think it's… I'm not 100 percent sure, but I when they go to school and they listen to hard rock, it's called 'pussy music.' [They are told] 'You need to listen to gangster rap.' I think that's what it is."

He continued: "I really looked at it in the last year and the way the culture has changed, and I don't wanna even be there. I had a hard enough time playing in a band in L.A., finding musicians. I'm tired of L.A., tired of the musicians there; they're stuck up. That's why I came to Europe. I like it here."

Holmes also offered an update on his studio and touring projects, telling Riff-Mag.com, "I just got done doing shows up in Finland with some friends of mine — I played the last one two weeks ago — and this project didn't go as long as I thought it [would], so I decided to come here to put my band together.

"I've got [a solo] album out. It's called 'Nothing To Lose', out right now. And then I've got one that's already recorded, all last year, 12 songs. It's called 'Shitting Bricks'. But it's not mixed. It's just gotta be mixed. So it's already in the can."

Holmes joined W.A.S.P. in 1982 and remained with the group until 1990. In 1996, Holmes rejoined W.A.S.P. and stayed with the band until 2001. Holmes has not played with W.A.S.P. since.

"The Race", a new song from WARMEN, the brainchild of CHILDREN OF BODOM keyboardist Janne Wirman, is available for streaming at PledgeMusic.com. The track is taken from WARMEN's forthcoming fifth studio album, "First Of The Five Elements", for the release of which a crowdfunding campaign was recently launched.

WARMEN started out in 2000 as Wirman's solo project with a bunch of hired guns helping him to put his musical inspiration to life. The band's debut album, "Unknown Soldier" (2000) was exactly that, but already on the group's second effort, "Beyond Abilities" (2002), WARMEN was becoming more like a real band.

Now after a five-year gap, Janne and WARMEN have completed work on a slamming fifth studio album, "First Of The Five Elements", which takes the listener from the potent vibrating rock of "The Race" to a straight punch in the face with "Suck My Attitude". Also included is a visit to some traditional WARMEN instrumental fury in he shape of the title track, "First Of The Five Elements", and, as always, they have managed to squeeze in a couple signature WARMEN-styled covers, ALICE COOPER's "Man Behind The Mask" and MADONNA's "Like A Virgin".

WARMEN celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a concert during the Helsinki Metal Meeting weekend in February 2010 at Dante's Highlight in Helsinki, Finland. The band's third live performance ever included guest appearances by Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM) on a cover version of ROCKWELL's "Somebody's Watching Me", Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS), Finnish pop/rock queen Jonna Kosonen (JONNA'S PROBLEM) and Pasi Rantanen (ex-THUNDERSTONE).

Spinefarm Records released a WARMEN compilation album entitled "The Evil That Warmen Do" on January 27, 2010.

WARMEN's fourth album, "Japanese Hospitality", entered the Finnish chart at position No. 36. The 10-song effort included two cover versions — "Separate Ways", originally recorded by JOURNEY, and "Black Cat" by JANET JACKSON, featuring a guest appearance by Jonna Kosonen. Other guest musicians that appear on the CD include Laiho, Rantanen, Kotipelto and Marko Vaara.

Photo by Studio Terhi Ylimäinen



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Former MEGADETH members Nick Menza (drums) and James Lomenzo (bass) have announced a working musical relationship that will lead into a full working, writing, recording and touring band at some point. Menza and Lomenzo's first jam session took place on June 25 at Menza's Disintegrator Studios in Studio City, California where they cracked through some of the old MEGADETH catalog along with some of their favorite METALLICA and LED ZEPPELIN songs. A cover version from the session of the METALLICA classic "Motorbreath", with a guest appearance by guitarist/vocalist Davor Garasic from the Croatian thrash metal band SUFOSIA, can be streamed below.

Says Menza: "James is a top-notch player with a killer sound and I'm totally pumped and looking forward to creating some heavy original material with him once we officially solidify the rest of the lineup.

"Things are still in the developing stages, [so as] soon as James fulfills his touring obligations with John Fogerty, we will sink our teeth into this project. Right now, we are having some fun and collaborating with other players from around the world via the Internet to see what's out there. Nothing is set in stone. Adds Lomenzo: "I've been a fan of Nick's drumming for a long time.

"Nick is a great guy and he's one of metal's standout drummers. It's an honor and a privilege to be making music with him and I look forward to what we'll create."

Menza joined MEGADETH for the 1990 recording "Rust In Peace" and for the next ten years became associated with the band's "classic" and most profitable era.

Following the reissue of the entire MEGADETH catalog, Menza was invited to reunite with the band in 2004. Days after a reunion was announced, Menza was fired and replaced with Shawn Drover. MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine said that this was because Nick "just wasn't prepared."

Lomenzo joined MEGADETH in 2006 and appeared on two of the group's studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame". He was fired from the band in 2010 and replaced with returning original MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson.

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe (pictured) has paid tribute to Tommy Ramone, the last surviving original member of the legendary New York punk quartet the RAMONES, who died Friday at his home in the Ridgewood, Queens, New York following treatment for bile duct cancer.

Writing on his Instagram account, Blythe said: "The last original Ramone, Tommy Ramone, has died, and with him the last of one of the main roots of all modern punk/hardcore/metal as we know it today.

"The importance of the RAMONES in the history of underground music cannot be overstated — before the SEX PISTOLS, THE CLASH, BLACK FLAG and waaaaaaay before any speed/thrash metal band, the RAMONES were blowing minds with LOUD, FAST, AGGRESSIVE music.

"Although to the calloused ears of modern youth who have grown up listening to crust punk/grind core/speed and thrash metal/and even some of the more aggressive music on commercial radio, the RAMONES might sound like fast pop, at the time they started playing out in New York City at CBGB/Max's Kansas City (1974), they were something that had never ever been seen or heard before.

"The first time my band played CBGB, I was completely emotionally overwhelmed: 'Man, the FREAKING RAMONES started out here!' I thought as I stood on stage; I almost started crying. Without that band, the tempo of underground music would have never reached the speed that it has today. There were a bunch of glam bands and hippies at that time, and (yeeeech) disco was big. The RAMONES came along and blasted everyone straight out of the water.

"No RAMONES = no LAMB OF GOD, or any of the other music most fans of my band listen to.

"Metal existed, but it was not until punk rock kicked it right square in the ass with a combat boot that things got FAST and AGGRESSIVE.

"Tommy passed away from cancer yesterday in Queens, New York City, at the age of [65].

"Rest in peace, bro, and thank you for helping to create the music that changed and saved my life.

"#BEATONTHEBRATBEATONTHEBRATBEATONTHEBRATWITHABASEBALLBAT!!!!OOOOOOOHYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHH,OHOHOOHHHHH!!!!!!"

RAMONES manager with Silent Partner Management confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that Ramone was 65 and not 62 (as widely reported elsewhere).

According to Radio.com, AS I LAY DYING singer Tim Lambesis is expected to return to court next week to argue that he deserves "custody credit" for the days he was on "house arrest" as he awaited sentencing for hiring a hitman to kill his estranged wife, Meggan.

"There will be a hearing on July 18th to determine if the time Lambesis spent on house arrest will count as credits towards his prison term," prosecutor Claudia Grasso stated in an email.

Lambesis and his attorney are scheduled to appear in San Diego's North County Superior Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. on July 18.

On May 16, Lambesis was given a six-year prison sentence without probation for his role in the murder-for-hire plot.

The 33-year-old musician was arrested in May 2013 after handing the "hitman" — really an undercover police officer — $1,000 in cash, along with his wife's address and gate security codes.

Lambesis spent 24 days in a local jail (and given credit at sentencing for 48) after his initial arrest before he paid $160,000 in fees to the bondsman who posted his $2 million bail. The singer was on house arrest at his parents' home in Del Mar, California, wearing a GPS monitor, from June 2013 until his sentencing in May 2014.

Two weeks before his sentencing, Lambesis gave an interview to a probation officer, who then prepared a report which includes the following quotes from Tim:

"There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish I could undo this….

"An apology to Meggan does not seem like enough to make it up to her. I don't have any animosity towards her and I have deep remorse….

"We had a difficult separation…. I was trying to fight for my kids through the courts but was not seeing any results. I felt helpless and I began to feel desperate….

"I was in a different mindset due to the separation and custody experience and my mind was altered due to the steroid use.

"My steroid use was affecting many decisions in my life.

"I am not a risk to her (Meggan) in the slightest way….

"If you look at the majority of my life, this was out of character for me. I don't have a history of violence. I have never been an angry person. Given the potential of my future, I feel that I can be an asset to others if I am allowed to remain in the community."

Tim's former AS I LAY DYING bandmates Jordan Mancino (drums), Nick Hipa (guitar), Phil Sgrosso (guitar) and Josh Gilbert (bass) of San Diego, California-based metal act AS I LAY DYING have teamed up with vocalist Shane Blay (previously lead guitar/clean vocals in OH, SLEEPER) to create the new band WOVENWAR.

AS I LAY DYING's sixth album, "Awakened", sold around 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in September 2012 via Metal Blade Records, the CD was produced by Bill Stevenson and was mixed by Colin Richardson.

ICED EARTH was recently forced to cancel a number of festival appearances and headlining shows this summer so that the band's guitarist and leader Jon Schaffer could undergo surgery to address continued pain from a neck injury he suffered nearly 20 years ago.

In a new message on the band's Facebook page, Schaffer writes: "I'm writing to let you know that I made it through the surgery and am steadily on the road to recovery.

"The surgeon informed us that everything went smooth during the operation and that I should be back in action within a few months.

"Thank you all very much for your support, you truly are the best fans any band could ask for."

Schaffer previously stated about his need to go back under the knife: "I underwent surgery on my neck in the year 2000, due to an onstage injury that occurred in 1996. Since that time, I have battled with this problem, and it has begun to accelerate in the past several months, causing additional issues that can no longer be ignored.

"In February, while on tour in Europe, I underwent highly specialized treatment in Germany from a doctor who has helped, among many others, Tony Iommi and Eddie Van Halen. This treatment helped sustain my ability to perform so that we could complete our Worldwide Plagues Tour. However, I am now forced to take further, more invasive action sooner than I intended in order to maintain my overall health.

"Surgery was originally planned to take place in September during our break, but I have now been advised to have the procedure completed sooner rather than later.

"As much as it pains me and everyone else in our camp to have to cancel these dates, this is something that cannot be put aside any longer."

ICED EARTH 's latest album, "Plagues Of Babylon", sold around 6,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 49 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios (KREATOR, IN EXTREMO, GRAVE DIGGER) in Senden, Germany and was mixed at NHow Studios in Berlin, Germany.

Jon Dette (SLAYER, TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX) sat behind the drums for ICED EARTH's most tour, taking over for Raphael Saini, who filled in during the summer 2013 festivals, the recording of ICED EARTH's new album, and the club leg of the VOLBEAT 2013 tour.

Dette made his live debut with ICED EARTH on November 6, 2013 at O2 World in Berlin, Germany.

ICED EARTH last year parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons."

Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD have tapped Dominique Laroche to play bass for the band following the departure of Jean-Yves Thériault (a.k.a. Blacky). Laroche, who has previously performed with blues musician Steve Hill, made his live debut with VOIVOD last night (Saturday, July 12) at Festival Jonquière En Musique in the group's former hometown of Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. A photo taken at the show can be seen below. Another picture is available at this location.

Prior to VOIVOD's performance at Festival Jonquière En Musique, Thériault (who did not attend the event), along with fellow founding VOIVOD members Denis Bélanger (a.k.a. Snake; vocals), Michel Langevin (a.k.a. Away; drums) and the band's late guitarist Denis D'Amour (a.k.a. Piggy), were honored as international ambassadors of La Ville de Saguenay (of which Jonquière is a suburb) and will have their names inscribed on a plaque describing the history of the group, to be installed permanently at the Nikitoutagan Square in Jonquière.

"You have thousands of fans who have travelled all around the world to see you perform for over 30 years," Saguenay Councillor Jonathan Tremblay said. "You are rock stars whose homeland is right here. We are extremely proud of you."

"I am very excited," Bélanger said about the honor. "It's amazing for us to experience this because we are not accustomed to receiving honors. But we are very touched and grateful to be recognized In this way."

Langevin reassured fans that VOIVOD will continue despite the departure of Thériault.

"Dominique Laroche will play with us at the Heavy MTL festival with METALLICA on August 9, and then we will write a new album, which will probably be released next year," he said. "In the meantime, we will continue playing shows."

VOIVOD on Friday released a statement claiming that Blacky "decided to leave the band for his own personal reasons."

Thériault played his first show with VOIVOD in 17 years in June 2008 in front of 22,500 fans as part of the Heavy MTL festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He spent the last few years touring with the band in addition to performing on VOIVOD's latest studio album, "Target Earth", which came out on January 22, 2013 via the group's own company, Iron Gang Factory, and Century Media.

Blacky originally left VOIVOD in 1991 for personal reasons, and went on to co-found The Holy Body Tattoo Dance Society, a now-defunct award-winning Canadian contemporary dance company, which existed from 1992 to 1999. He composed, produced and engineered the scores for "White Riot", "L'Orage", "Poetry & Apocalypse", and "Our Brief Eternity".

In a 2003 interview Metal Update, VOIVOD drummer Michel Langevin (a.k.a. Away) vowed that Blacky would never rejoin the band, explaining: "Unfortunately, we don't really get along with Blacky. He is the one who will never be back in the fold. I know that it would please the hardcore fans and everything, but it just won't happen. The circumstances of his departure were really hurtful. It has a lot to do with childhood friendship and broken trust. I don't think we can patch it up, actually. It's too bad. It really got to the bottom of the barrel with the 'Angel Rat' recordings. We were not too sure about the final result of the album, but our approach was just, 'Okay, let's keep going and next time we'll do better,' you know? But it didn't happen like that with Blacky, and the way he left the band was really, really awful. But it's something that we never discuss in the press and it's an obscure part of the VOIVOD story. It's just that the breakup was so sour."

During Blacky's time away from VOIVOD, the band recorded and performed with Eric Forrest and Jason Newsted (METALLICA, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM).