Fan-filmed video footage of EXODUS' July 12 performance at Antwerp Metal Fest in Antwerp, Belgium can be seen below.

Antwerp Metal Fest marked EXODUS' second show with singer Steve "Zetro" Souza since he rejoined the band a month ago; EXODUS played one day earlier at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany.

EXODUS has set "Blood In, Blood Out" as the title of its new album, tentatively due on late October via Nuclear Blast. The CD will be the band's first since the departure of EXODUS' lead singer of the past nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of his predecessor, Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

"I'm very excited to be back," Souza told Chile's Radio Futuro on Tuesday (July 8). "I'm really looking forward to this next adventure with my brothers in metal — these guys I spent 30 years with, on and off. So it's very exciting."

Speaking about how being in EXODUS is different today than it was when he first joined the band in the '80s and even a decade ago, Souza said: "I think everybody's matured quite some bit, and I think, as we all get older, we all realize things that we do wrong, especially myself, we realize our faults and our mistakes. And it's great that everybody can come to a meeting of the minds and be able to work forward and be mature enough to work forward."

He added: "The whole reception to me being back with the guys has been really, really great."

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt — who has been pulling double duty with SLAYER for the past four and a half years — shot down Internet speculation that the split with Dukes was motivated by financial reasons or that it was masterminded by EXODUS' new so-manager, TESTAMENT vocalist Chuck Billy, who co-founded the management company Breaking Bands LLC. "It isn't for the money [and] Chuck did not orchestrate this," Holt said. "There were issues behind the scenes and we came to a conclusion." The guitarist, however, refused to go into the details of EXODUS' decision to part ways with Dukes, explaining: "All will remain internal. I see no need to air the laundry for anyone."

Holt, who previously said that the decision to fire Rob and re-hire Zetro "was the most difficult decision of our lives, one the entire band made," was once again full of praise for EXODUS' former frontman, saying: "I wish nothing but the best for Rob, [and I] have nothing but love for the man. He will be a force for a long time and I am proud of him and how he went from a dude with a pink mohawk to a vicious thrash vocalist. He is a killer singer and we have total respect for him and love the music we made together."

Dukes joined EXODUS in January 2005 and appeared on four of the band's studio albums — "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" (2005), "The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A" (2007), "Let There Be Blood" (2008, a re-recording of EXODUS' classic 1985 LP, "Bonded By Blood") and "Exhibit B: The Human Condition" (2010).

According to Billboard.com, JUDAS PRIEST's 17th studio album, "Redeemer Of Souls", is likely to sell more than 30,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, resulting in the band's first-ever Top 10 effort in the U.S. The estimate was based on sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on July 8 via Epic. The chart will be unveiled on Wednesday, July 16.

JUDAS PRIEST's 2008 double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", shifted 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marked the band's highest-ever chart position in the U.S. In Canada, the CD opened at position No. 9 after moving close to 4,000 units.

JUDAS PRIEST's 2005 CD, "Angel of Retribution", premiered with 58,000 copies in the U.S. to debut at No. 13.

The following are the peak U.S. chart positions for the PRIEST catalog:

#11 - "Nostradamus" (2008)#13 - "Angel of Retribution" (2005)#165 - "Demolition" (2001)#82 - "Jugulator" (1997)#155 - "Metalworks" (1993)#26 - "Painkiller" (1990)#31 - "Ram It Down" (1988)#38 - "Priest Live" (1987)#17 - "Turbo" (1986)#18 - "Defenders of the Faith" (1984)#17 - "Screaming for Vengeance" (1982)#39 - "Point of Entry" (1981)#34 - "British Steel" (1980)#70 - "Unleashed in the East" (1979)#128 - "Hell Bent for Leather" (1978)#178 - "Stained Class" (1978)

JUDAS PRIEST's most successful album to date is 1982's "Screaming For Vengeance", which spent 53 weeks on the Billboard charts, receiving gold RIAA sales certification on October 29, 1982, platinum on April 18, 1983 and double platinum October 16, 2001. The album included the band's only U.S. top 100 hit single, "You've Got Another Thing Comin'".

Other million-seller RIAA certifications for JUDAS PRIEST are "Priest Live" (October 29, 2001), "Turbo" (July 24, 1989), "Defenders of the Faith" (September 26, 1988), "British Steel" (August 9, 1989) and "Unleashed in the East" (November 10, 1989).

JUDAS PRIEST also has gold albums certifications (500,000 sales) for "Stained Class" (November 10, 1989), "Hell Bent For Leather" (November 10, 1989), "Point of Entry" (November 10, 1989), "Ram It Down" (July 18, 1988) and "Painkiller" (January 2, 1991).

In the band's home country of the U.K., 1980's "British Steel" remains their most successful outing, peaking at No. 4 in the charts and launching three hit singles: "Living After Midnight", which peaked at No. 12; "Breaking The Law" No. 12 and "United" No. 26.

Speaking to the "Trunk Nation" show, which airs on SiriusXM's Hair Nation, singer Rob Halford stated about "Redeemer Of Souls": "When we finished [the] 'Epitaph' [tour], we just got so buzzed from the fans and the reaction wherever we went. Just to put the 'Epitaph' tour together, which was we tried to put a song from every record into the show, and we were living in the life of JUDAS PRIEST, all those decades, in one show, night after night on the world trek, and I think that really did something to us internally; as musicians, it should do when you tour. So we realized that this next record really had to be really strong, full of energy, because it's relentless, the tracks are relentless. The energy that you feel off 'Redeemer Of Souls' is replicated in that direction time and time and time again."

Asked what the band was looking to achieve artistically on this record, Halford told VH1.com: "We never ever sit down and kind of premeditate what we're going to do. That's the great purity of PRIEST's music. It does come from the heart. We just sit down with a bunch of guitars and the riffs start cranking and we put the vocal melodies together and so on. So it comes from a very pure source. I think this was an opportunity after 'Nostradamus', our first concept record, which we had an amazing time putting together, but enough time had passed from it to kind of want to reaffirm who we are, which is a classic British heavy metal band. So with that thought in mind the metal started roaring and we feel that all of these songs from 'Redeemer Of Souls' reemphasize that statement about what this band is trying to be in the heavy metal world." Guitarist Glenn Tipton added: "What we intended to do with this album is predominately create a live-sounding album. The guitars were all mic'ed up. The drums aren’t programmed, they're played. We stripped down Rob's vocals to a bare minimum of effects and just wanted to play. First and foremost, JUDAS PRIEST are a great live band and that’s what we wanted to achieve in the studio."

Regarding why there are five "bonus" tracks that are included on the deluxe version of "Redeemer Of Souls" and do not appear on the CD's regular version, Tipton said: "They are all great songs. The reason they are not on the album is because the 13 that we chose are very consistent with what we wanted to do, which was release an undisputable heavy metal album. The others, they are not lightweight by any chance, but they've got a different feel, a different texture. So it's not a case of trying to rip the kids off and trying to get more money for an extra album, it's just a case of, these five tracks seem to deserve to go on their own CD, and that's what we did."

Added Halford: "We didn't want to drop the energy. From the opening thunder-and-lightning on 'Dragonaut' right up 'till the end of 'Battle Cry', it's just full-on, it's relentless. It's great."

"Redeemer Of Souls" CD track listing:

01. Dragonaut02. Redeemer Of Souls03. Halls Of Valhalla04. Sword Of Damocles05. March Of The Damned06. Down In Flames07. Hell & Back08. Cold Blooded09. Metalizer10. Crossfire11. Secrets Of The Dead12. Battle Cry13. Beginning Of The End

Bonus tracks:

14. Snakebite15. Tears Of Blood16. Creatures17. Bring It On18. Never Forget

Fan-filmed video footage of BLACK SABBATH's entire July 4 performance at Hyde Park in London, England can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. War Pigs 02. Into The Void 03. Snowblind 04. Age Of Reason 05. Black Sabbath 06. Behind The Wall Of Sleep 07. N.I.B. 08. Fairies Wear Boots 09. Rat Salad 10. Iron Man 11. God Is Dead? 12. Children Of The Grave 13. Paranoid (with "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" intro)

BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Ozzy Osbourne (vocals) were presented with a platinum plaque before the Hyde Park concert for worldwide sales in excess of one million copies of the band's comeback album, "13". The CD was released in June 2013 via Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. and Vertigo in all other territories.

"13" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, the first SABBATH album to ever top the U.S. chart.

The disc features Ozzy, Butler and Iommi playing together for the first time in 35 years. Their last effort together was 1978's "Never Say Die!"

"13" has sold more than 368,000 copies in the United States since its release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

A contract dispute led drummer Bill Ward to sit out the reunion, which was also marred by Iommi's cancer diagnosis in early 2012.

Iommi has said that BLACK SABBATH's massive July 4 gig at London's Hyde Park could ended 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."

Osbourne and Butler recently seemed to have slightly different takes on whether the reunited band will record a follow-up to "13". Asked about Iommi's remark that the concert in Hyde Park could be their last, Ozzy told Guitar World, "If it's goodbye, we're ending it on a high note… But I'm up for another BLACK SABBATH album and tour. If we can, great. If not, I'll just carry on doing my own thing." According to The Pulse Of Radio, Butler, meanwhile, thinks that the threesome already have a head start on a new record, explaining, "We've still got four tracks left over from ['13']. So maybe we'll fill in the other four or five tracks and put out another album — if it's right. We wouldn't do it just for the sake of it, or the money or whatever. But yeah, maybe."

Ozzy added, "I never say never. I never thought after 35 years I'd [be back with BLACK SABBATH], have a No. 1 record and a sold-out tour."

BLACK SABBATH was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 56th annual Grammy Awards on January 26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. BLACK SABBATH was nominated for the track "God Is Dead?", from "13". BLACK SABBATH's "God Is Dead?" also picked up a nomination in the "Best Rock Song" category. In addition, "13" earned a nod for "Best Rock Album", alongside LED ZEPPELIN's "Celebration Day" and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's "…Like Clockwork", among others.

Video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's drum setup for "The Final Tour" from his point of view, as captured on July 8 at Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio can be seen below.

Dubbed "The Crüecifly", Lee's current drum stunt sees him bolted to a platform that moves on a rollercoaster-type track near the arena ceiling, passing the band's inverted-pentagram lighting rig and spiked disco ball and spinning him 360 degrees vertically, rendering him upside-down.

"The Final Tour", which features legendary rocker Alice Cooper in the support slot, kicked off on July 2 in Grand Rapids, and after the July 4 show in Milwaukee, Lee tweeted why "The Crüecifly" was absent. He wrote: "Hi guys! Want you to know certain venues cannot handle The Crüecifly! It's not our fault their roof cannot hang the rig! It's massive!"

Lee told Music Radar in a 2011 interview how the idea of mounting his drum kit on a giant roller coaster came about. He said: "Every tour we do, everybody's always wondering, 'What's Tommy Lee going to do next? What new, wild and crazy thing is he going to come up with?' And what's funny is, the thrill-seeker and the amusement park fan in me took over this time. Whenever I go on a roller coaster, I always say the same thing: 'Man, I have got to find a way to take the cars off this ride and put my drums on the track!' That's basically where it all started. One day, I drew a design for the whole thing on a cocktail napkin."

Asked how long it took him to get used to riding the roller coaster while performing a drum solo, Lee laughed: "I still don't know if I'm used to it! Everything to do with this is absolutely wrong. Playing upside down is insane. It's two or three times more difficult than what's normal. Your feet want to come off the pedals, your arms want to drop down — all of your body is fighting gravity. The only time it's comfortable is when you're in the down position; the rest of the time, everything's fucking out of control. The drum roller coaster is wild! [laughs]"

Lee's 360-degree roller coaster drum kit was officially "retired" in May 2013 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The kit, which was introduced during the band's 30-year anniversary tour with POISON and the NEW YORK DOLLS in 2011, was described by The Hollywood Reporter as "a revamped version of the percussive light show Lee used in tours during the late 1980s. The 360, also known as The Loop, had a passenger seat for one lucky fan to ride shotgun with Lee at each show. Lee usually performed one or two complete rotations on the roller coaster himself, along with numerous half-rotations as teasers, before taking on an audience member for an additional two or three turns."

Fan-filmed video footage of DIO DISCIPLES' July 4 performance at House Of Blues in Chihuahua, Mexico can be seen below.

DIO DISCIPLES, which pays tribute to legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) and is fully supported by Dio's widow/manager, Wendy, currently consists of the following musicians:

* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Vocals * Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB) - Vocals * Craig Goldy (DIO) - Guitar * Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Bass * Scott Warren (DIO,HEAVEN & HELL) - Keyboards * Simon Wright (DIO, AC/DC, UFO) - Drums

Goldy last year stated about DIO DISCIPLES: "After Ronnie's passing and a lengthy mourning period, Wendy Dio and the band that was left behind have decided it was time to honor and keep the memory and legacy of Ronnie James Dio alive in the most respectful way possible!

"There is something special that happens when a group of people gather together with the same heart, mind and spirit as one another... and that is what happens every night we (the DIO DISCIPLES) perform! I never know when... but I know that it will happen because it always does... some time during the concert, the audience and the band connect and become as one!

"And with the large speaker system, lights and special performances by past members of AC/DC, JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and LYNCH MOB... you don't want to rely on all the crappy little cell phone recordings that look and sound like shit posted on YouTube!

"I've never lied about anything to any DIO fan and I'm not about to start now! Every time we perform there's always several very special moments that just can't be defined into words! You just have to trust me and come experience it for yourselves! And I hope you do!"

For the past several months, the members of the Baltimore-based hard rock outfit CHARM CITY DEVILS — John Allen (lead vocals), Anthony Arambula (bass), Jason Heiser (drums), Nick Kay and Victor Karrera (guitars) — have been hard at work writing new music for their third full-length album, "Battles". Scheduled for release on September 23 via The End Records/ADA, the CD promises to delight fans with the return of Grammy-winning producer Skidd Mills (SAVING ABEL, EGYPT CENTRAL, 12 STONES), who also spearheaded production duties for the group's 2012 sophomore release, "Sins", which spawned the hit single "Man Of Constant Sorrow".

Allen states: "Working with Skidd was a no-brainer, really. He manned the board for our highest-charting single and always gets the sweetest tones! Plus, he's a good, down-to-earth dude; he's one of us.

"We are so excited about our new relationship with The End and ADA! We are looking forward to great things with our new label partners!"

In preparation for the release, fans can expect to see the band returning to the road this July with Slash and THE WINERY DOGS.

"Battles" track listing:

01. Tear It Apart02. Crucify03. Shots04. Everyday05. Want06. God's Gonna Cut You Down07. Lying To Yourself08. Rich N Famous09. Destiny10. Karma11. Let It Go

METALLICA's official YouTube channel Metallica TV has been updated with fly-on-the-wall footage shot by a MetOnTour.com reporter on July 3 in Werchter, Belgium. The 24-minute clip includes footage of METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich in the Met Club meet-and-greet, warming up in the Tuning Room and "The Unforgiven" and "Wherever I May Roam" from the show.

The band's setlist for the concert was as follows:

01. Battery02. Master Of Puppets03. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)04. Creeping Death05. The Unforgiven06. Lords Of Summer07. Wherever I May Roam08. Sad But True09. Fade To Black10. ...And Justice For All11. One12. For Whom The Bell Tolls13. Blackened14. Nothing Else Matters15. Enter Sandman

Encore:

16. Whiskey In The Jar17. The Day That Never Comes18. Seek & Destroy

As previously reported, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told Metal Hammer in a new interview that the band's new song, "Lords Of Summer", is going over well with fans hearing it live on the band's current "By Request" tour. Ulrich explained, "It's fun to play. It seems like the kids are enjoying it. There was actually somebody in the 'Snake Pit' the other day with a homemade 'Lords Of Summer' T-shirt on, which was very endearing."

Ulrich added, "It's a good song. Hey, listen, who knows by the time the next record comes out whether it will be in its same shape or format. But it's fun to play. And I think it's going down well, from what I can tell, from my little spot."

Ulrich said that in the past when the band has played fresh material live, sometimes the songs have not even had finished lyrics or titles. But he remarked that "Lords Of Summer" is "a little further along in terms of it being, sort of, together, so we're quite comfortable playing it. It's kind of written for this tour."

The drummer recently told "Metal Zone" about the band's next record, "I'm pretty convinced that 90 percent of the record is actually written, it's just gotta be kind of assembled between all those riffs. It's just a matter of connecting this to this and sort of shaping it into a song."

Frontman James Hetfield said something very similar when The Pulse Of Radio asked him a while back about the status of the band's new material. "We've come up with enough material for a record, for sure," he said. "We've gone through maybe one-tenth of the material that's on our riff CDs, but we've got enough for an album. We just haven't had the time to really focus on it and dial in and start whittling at these masterpieces, hopefully."

The "Metallica By Request" tour is hitting Europe this summer, with a single North American date confirmed in Montreal. The tour features the band playing 17 songs requested online by fans in each city, with the final slot in the set list taken by "Lords Of Summer".

Century Media Records has announced the signing of Denver, Colorado's HAVOK. The young thrash metal quartet has worked nonstop, releasing three albums and touring the world the past five years, and is poised to take its music and career to another level.

"We're so excited to sign with Century Media!" exclaims HAVOK guitarist Reece Scruggs. "Their reputation as a front running metal label is obvious. Timeless albums that have influenced us as individuals, and as a band, have been released through the label, and we aim to become a part of that tradition."

"I'm pleased to add HAVOK to our artist roster," says Century Media president Marco Barbieri. "I have watched the band evolve and progress musically and highly admire their work ethic and commitment to metal and their fans."

HAVOK just concluded extensive tours of Asia, South America and Canada and will be starting a month-long onslaught of European shows this weekend, including performing at many of the continent's prestigious festivals, as well as off-dates with SUFFOCATION and SKELETONWITCH.

"I can't wait to see what will be accomplished with Century Media behind our next album," states HAVOK singer/guitarist David Sanchez. "The next record is going to be the best yet, so you'd better start exercising those neck muscles!"

Tommy Ramone, the last surviving original member of the legendary New York punk quartet the RAMONES, died Friday at his home in the Ridgewood, Queens, New York following treatment for bile duct cancer. He was 62 years old.

Born Erdelyi Tamas in Budapest, Hungary, Ramone is survived by Tienan and an older brother. A private funeral service is planned.

When the RAMONES first came together, with Johnny Ramone on guitar, Dee Dee Ramone on bass and Joey Ramone on drums, Erdelyi was supposed to be the manager, but was drafted as the band's drummer when Joey became the lead singer and found that he couldn't keep up with the RAMONES' increasingly fast tempos. "Tommy Ramone, who was managing us, finally had to sit down behind the drums, because nobody else wanted to," Dee Dee later recalled.

Tommy remained as drummer from 1974 to 1978, playing on and co-producing RAMONES' first three albums, "Ramones", "Leave Home" and "Rocket To Russia", as well as the live album "It's Alive". He was replaced on drums in 1978 by Marky Ramone, but handled band management and co-production for their fourth album, "Road To Ruin"; he later returned as producer for the eighth album, 1984's "Too Tough To Die".

Dee Dee, in his books, expressed resentment towards Tommy for having it "together" more than anyone else in the band, being able to cook himself dinner and organize his life in a much more functional manner, without the psychosis or addiction problems that Dee Dee himself suffered from. In comparison to everyone else in the band, Tommy was seemingly "normal," though there are accounts of him partying with the band and driving them around in his car in the early days.

Tommy Ramone wrote "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" and the majority of "Blitzkrieg Bop" while bassist Dee Dee suggested the title. He and Ed Stasium played all the guitar solos on the albums he produced, as Johnny Ramone largely preferred playing rhythm guitar.

Legendary Anglo-Australian hard rockers AC/DC have completed work on their new studio album, due later in the year. The group's lead singer Brian Johnson revealed to TeamRock Radio earlier today that he and his bandmates have toyed with the idea of calling the CD "Man Down" in reference to guitarist Malcolm Young's health problems which have forced him to take a break from AC/DC.

AC/DC's new effort was laid down over a series of recording sessions with producer Brendan O'Brien in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. "It was brilliant over there," Johnson said.

"We're done. I'm very excited and we've got some great songs.

"I wanted to call the album 'Man Down'. But it's a bit negative and it was probably just straight from the heart. I like that."

AC/DC in April confirmed widespread reports that Malcolm Young was stepping down due to an undisclosed illness, with some outlets reporting that he suffered a stroke. The group has since enlisted Stevie Young, the nephew of guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young, to take Malcolm's place in the band for the recording sessions for their 16th studio album. Stevie Young played with AC/DC once before during a 1988 tour, while Malcolm stepped out to deal with his dependency on alcohol.

"We miss Malcolm, obviously," Johnson told TeamRock Radio. "He's a fighter. He's in hospital, but he's a fighter. We've got our fingers crossed that he'll get strong again.

"Stevie, Malcolm's nephew, was magnificent, but when you're recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn't well, it's difficult. But I'm sure he was rooting for us. He's such a strong man. He's a small guy, but he's very strong. He's proud and he's very private, so we can't say too much. But fingers crossed, he'll be back."

Johnson made his comments while he was being recognized at Northumbria University, Newcastle, England. He received an honorary doctorate during Northumbria's July graduation ceremonies alongside students graduating from Engineering and Environment degree program (see photos below).

Johnson last month said that AC/DC is "very likely" to tour before the end of the year.

The band was at one point expected to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year by playing 40 shows in selected cities around the world, which have not yet been announced.

THE BORIS KARLOFF SYNDROME (TBKS), the band founded by former CELTIC FROST and CORONER guitarist Oliver Amberg, is working on its first concept EP, "Kopophobia" (an abnormal fear of mental or physical exhaustion), for a late 2014 release. The effort will include seven songs and will be recorded in Dinhard, Switzerland and Munich, Germany. As a special feature, Thomas Ott will contribute illustrations to the CD's booklet; seven drawings exclusively for "Kopophobia". The mastering will be handled by Matt Colton (GARY NUMAN, MUSE).

"Kopophobia" will feature guest appearances by Tommy Vetterli (CORONER, 69 CHAMBERS), Gianni Pontillo (PURE INC., SOULS REVIVAL), Leif Gregory (SNAKE SIXX MUSIC) and Luca Leombruni (SOULS REVIVAL).

Vocalist Natalie Pereira Dos Santos (ex-ENVINYA) joined THE BORIS KARLOFF SYNDROME at the end of 2013.

The group's sound is described in a press release as "a wicked mixture of industrial, metal, rock, pop and soundtrack music." In a recent interview with Metal Empire, Amberg stated about his time with CELTIC FROST and CORONER, "I was a member of the very first CORONER lineup featuring Marquis Marky on drums. Back then, CORONER played a different style of metal. In 1989 I played with CELTIC FROST on 'Cold Lake' — an album not everybody enjoyed — and had the pleasure to tour with the band through the USA and UK."

THE PRETTY RECKLESS, the band led by actress-turned-singer Taylor Momsen, recently took part in an interview and acoustic performance on the "Out Of The Box" show, which airs on the New York classic rock station Q104.3. Check out the footage below.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS has unveiled a racy new video for the song "Messed Up World (F'd Up World)", the next single from the band's second album, "Going To Hell". Momsen co-directed the steamy clip with Jon J. and told The Pulse Of Radio all about it. "The video's something different," she said. "It's something that people haven't seen before from this band. I wrote the treatment for it. We played with sarcasm a lot in this video, which is something new. I'm wearing pink. Who knew? You know it's sarcastic when I've got pink on."

Momsen, previously an actress, also co-directed the video for the band's last single, the chart-topping "Heaven Knows".

"Going To Hell" was released in March and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard album chart.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS recently finished a run of festivals in the U.K. and is playing scattered events back home in the U.S. throughout the summer.

The band begins a lengthy North American headlining trek on September 5 in Lake Buena Vista.

Former SEPULTURA drummer Igor Cavalera joined SOULFLY, the band led by his brother, and fellow CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and ex-SEPULTURA member, Max Cavalera, on stage on July 4 in London, England to perform a few bars the BLACK SABBATH song "Symptom Of The Universe" and the SEPULTURA classic "Roots Bloody Roots". Fan-filmed video footage of Igor's appearance can be seen below.

In 1996, Max exited SEPULTURA after the rest of the band fired Max's wife Gloria as their manager.

Igor left SEPULTURA in June 2006 due to "artistic differences." His departure from the band came five months after he announced that he was taking a break from SEPULTURA's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their new son (who was born in January 2006).

After Max exited SEPULTURA, there was a rift between him and Igor, one that was eventually repaired through the redemptive power of music. Some time had passed and Max and Igor were unable to resist the musical pull in their magnetic fields and their musical collaboration was renewed. The duo are back for round two with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, which released its debut album, "Inflikted", in March 2008 and follow-up effort, Blunt Force Trauma", in March 2011.

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY's third album, "Pandemonium", will be released this fall via Napalm Records. The CD was produced by John Gray, who has previously worked with SOULFLY.

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY recently recruited Nate Newton of CONVERGE as its new bassist.

Max and Igor played together for the first time in 10 years at the 10th annual D-Low Memorial Festival on August 17, 2006 at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona.

Former NEVERMORE and current CONQUERING DYSTOPIA guitarist Jeff Loomis hopes to enter the studio before the end of the year to begin recording his third solo album for an early 2015 release via Century Media Records.

"I still have one record to do with Century Media in my contract with them, and I'm gonna start working on that after this [CONQUERING DYSTOPIA] tour [with [ANIMALS AS LEADERS]," Loomis told The Age Of Metal in a recent interview (see video below). And I really don't know what I'm gonna do yet, as far as the writing. It's gonna be a great record, of course, but I'm still working on ideas for it. So I'm hoping to be in the studio maybe the middle of fall — September or October, something like that."

CONQUERING DYSTOPIA is the new project featuring Loomis and Portland, Oregon studio musician Keith Merrow.

CONQUERING DYSTOPIA's self-titled debut album was mixed at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with Mark Lewis (ARSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER).

The recording lineup for "Conquering Dystopia" is completed by Alex Webster (CANNIBAL CORPSE) on bass and Alex Rüdinger (THE FACELESS) on drums.

The special tour edition of Loomis' latest album, "Plains Of Oblivion", was released on April 16, 2013 via Century Media Records.

"Plains Of Oblivion - Tour Edition" features three bonus tracks, in addition to the original "Plains Of Oblivion" disc that was released in 2012.

Loomis's second solo album, "Plains Of Oblivion", sold 2,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 179 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort landed at No. 2 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.

"Plains Of Oblivion" was released on April 10, 2012 in North America (one day earlier in Europe) via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES) and features cover artwork by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design, who has previously worked with ALL SHALL PERISH, THE END and XERATH.

Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM have spent the summer of 2014 on tour in Europe, and will also perform in Japan this winter. In the midst of bringing its melodic folk-infused attack to stages worldwide, the band has been crafting songs for its sixth studio album (their Metal Blade debut), and the writing process is nearing completion. They plan to record the new album in September and October of this year with producer Anssi Kippo at Astia Studio in Finland. The release date is tentatively scheduled for early 2015.

Comments ENSIFERUM bassist Sami Hinkka: "They say that time flies when you are having a good time and we couldn't agree more.

"We have been quite busy touring around the world since our previous album came out few years ago. Between tours, we have worked hard with new songs and now we are very proud to announce that ENSIFERUM will hit studio again right after summer festival season.

"On the new album, we will take everything to eleven. It's going to be fast, furious, epic and full of surprises, but, of course, there will be classic ENSIFERUM elements included.

"We will do the album with the one and only Mr. Anssi Kippo. Pre-production is already going really well and in few weeks we will record another demo of all new songs. Then it's time to continue twisting and turning all the details so that in early 2015 our fans on every continent can be sure to get in their hands the best folk metal album ever made."

ENSIFERUM's most recent album, "Unsung Heroes", was released on August 27, 2012 via Spinefarm. The CD was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED) at Petrax studio (CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH) in Hollola, Finland and other locations in the Hämeenlinna area.

ENSIFERUM is:

Petri Lindroos - vocals/guitarMarkus Toivonen - guitar/backing vocalsSami Hinkka - bass/backing vocalsJanne Parviainen - drumsEmmi Silvennoinen - keys/backing vocals

"All My People", the first single from DEVIL CITY ANGELS, the new band featuring guitarist Tracii Guns (L.A. GUNS), drummer Rikki Rockett (POISON), bassist Eric Brittingham (CINDERELLA), and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Brandon Gibbs (CHEAP THRILL), can be streamed below.

Rockett recently took to Twitter to complain that POISON couldn't hit the road this summer because a certain member of the glam-metal act was "making it a problem."

The Bret Michaels-fronted group last toured the U.S. in 2012 as part of the "Rock Of Ages" package with DEF LEPPARD and LITA FORD.

The last POISON album was 2007's covers set "Poison'd!", while the band's last collection of new, original music was 2002's "Hollyweird".

To celebrate POISON's 25th anniversary, 35 of the multi-platinum band's top hits and fan favorites were gathered for "Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits", a career-spanning 2CD and digital collection which was released in May 2011 by Capitol/EMI.

Tracii Guns, who in 2012 announced that he was retiring his version of L.A. GUNS, last year ruled out the possibility of a reunion with his former bandmates Phil Lewis (vocals) and Steve Riley (drums), saying that he has "played those songs enough" in his life.

CINDERELLA hasn't released an album since 1994, when "Still Climbing" came out, but continues to play sporadic shows.



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Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD have once again parted ways with bassist Jean-Yves Theriault (a.k.a. Blacky). No further details are currently available.

Blacky has confirmed that he will not perform with VOIVOD at the band's next live appearance, which is scheduled for this Saturday, July 12 at Festival Jonquière En Musique in Jonquière, Quebec, Canada.

Theriault 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 then 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 band'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).

It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has set a November 11 release date for "Lita Ford - Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir". In this 320-page hardcover book, the former lead guitarist of THE RUNAWAYS opens up about the '70s and '80s music scene, and her extraordinary life and career.

Lita Ford lived her dreams, until her life turned into a nightmare. She left home at age sixteen to join the world's first all-female rock group, THE RUNAWAYS — a band whose legend was sealed by the 2010 hit movie starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning — and went on to become the first woman hard rock guitarist, a platinum-selling star who gave Ozzy Osbourne his first Top Ten hit, a bare-ass, leather-clad sexy babe whose hair was bigger and guitar licks were hotter than any of the guys. She is also the mother of two sons whose harrowing tale of her catastrophic marriage to a metal rocker makes Ike and Tina Turner sound like life at the country club.

But in the end, Lita's story changes from a music story to a woman's story — a wrenching, desperate drama of human bondage and a mother's love, a life-and-death struggle over her own soul. Trapped in an increasingly terrifying marriage, systematically stripped of her connections to the outside world, Lita Ford became a prisoner in her own life, a slave to her husband's demands, living like a captive. She plotted her escape and her freedom cost her the boys she stayed in the marriage to protect. Her graphic, explicit story will terrify and horrify readers, but they won't be able to put it down.

"Living Like A Runaway" will shock people with the candor that Lita Ford shines on her dramatic life story. At ease as a woman in the previously all-male world of rock, Lita shares with her male counterparts an unvarnished directness when it comes to topics such as sex, drugs, money or fame. No female rock star of Lita's stature has ever before told the real story of women in rock. With unprecedented rawness and honesty, "Living Like A Runaway" reminds us that Lita Ford is not only one of music's greatest pioneers, but also one of its fiercest survivors.

In a January 2014 interview with PureGrainAudio.com, Ford stated about her upcoming book: "It's an autobiography about, well, my life, the paths I've taken, all the different musical eras. It's got all my favourite stories in it and we're just working on getting that together. It covers everything really from me growing up to THE RUNAWAYS to Lita and all the things I've been through and experiences I've had."

She added: "The hardest thing was how things kept popping out and I'm going crazy thinking, 'Hell, I've got to include that... oh no... that needs to go in as well and... hey, do you remember that time...' — every time I think I've got everything, one of us remembers something else and we're back where we started. It's never-ending."

Bulgaria's Tangra Mega Rock recently conducted an interview with vocalist Nick Holmes and guitarist Greg Mackintosh of British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST. You can now watch the chat below.

On the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to 2012's "Tragic Idol":

Nick: "We're about three quarters of the way through an album. We're getting there. The ball's rolling. And we've got another maybe four songs or so to go. So far, it's sounding pretty good."

On whether the band is planning to perform any of the new songs live before the next album is released:

Nick: "No, because when you play it live, you release it. So we don't wanna release it until we really have to. And it doesn't matter how good or bad it sounds, you basically are releasing it. So it's a case of wanting to hold back as long as we can."

On PARADISE LOST's upcoming performance with an orchestra on September 20 at the Roman theatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria:

Nick: "We thought it would be a good idea to play in Bulgaria with a real orchestra. It's something we've sort of thought about, but it's kind of quite hard to make it happen. I mean, a lot of our songs lend themselves very well to classical arrangements, so it's nice to have the oppottunity to give that a go. Yeah, it should be interesting."

For PARADISE LOST's one-off performance in Plovdiv, the band will be joined by the renowned Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra founded nearly 70 years ago and made up of over 100 highly qualified musicians. The orchestra has its roots in the hundred year old orchestral tradition in Plovdiv and over the years has launched the careers of many world-famous conductors.

The prestigious evening will be promoted by the Bulgarian independent radio station Tangra Mega Rock and orchestrated by conductor Levon Manukyan who wrote the first metal ballet and is the founder of the Levon Manukyan Collegium Musicum orchestra. During his career, Levon has given the classical treatment to rock and metal works by MARILYN MANSON, ALICE COOPER, DREAM THEATER, AC/DC, EVANESCENCE, GUNS N' ROSES, KISS, LED ZEPPELIN, NIRVANA and JUDAS PRIEST, and worked with world-famous soloists including ex-NIGHTWISH vocalist Tarja Turunen.

Said the band: "We have recorded elements of orchestration many times in the studio over the last two decades, as many of our songs lend themselves well to classical arrangement. However, we have never before had the chance to play with a real orchestra in a live situation, so it's very exciting to have the opportunity to play with Plovdiv Philharmonic and in such a prestigious location as the Roman theatre."

"Tragic Idol" sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 32 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.

Released in April 2012 via Century Media Records, "Tragic Idol" was recorded in part at The Chapel studios in Lincolnshire, England and features cover art by by Parisian designer Valnoir, who has previously worked with MORBID ANGEL, LAIBACH, ULVER and WATAIN, among others.

British progressive metallers THRESHOLD will release their new album, "For The Journey", on September 19 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2012's "March Of Progress" was produced at Thin Ice Studios in England by THRESHOLD members Karl Groom (guitars) and Richard West (keyboards) and was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox in Finland. Commented West: "'For The Journey' is one of our strongest albums and one of the most enjoyable to make. I've probably heard it a thousand times during the recording process, but now that's it's over, I still can't stop listening to it!" "For The Journey" track listing: 01. Watchtower on the Moon02. Unforgiven03. The Box04. Turned to Dust05. Lost in your Memory06. Autumn Red07. The Mystery Show08. Siren Sky Bonus tracks: 09. I Wish I Could (digipak, vinyl and digital versions)10. Lost in your Memory (acoustic version) (vinyl and digital versions) The cover artwork was created by Polish artist Leszek Bujnowski, whom THRESHOLD found on the Internet. "He's designed some beautiful pieces and we thought this was a perfect THRESHOLD cover," stated West. THRESHOLD's ninth studio album, "March Of Progress", was released on August 31, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Vocal duties on "March Of Progress" were performed by THRESHOLD's original frontman Damian Wilson (STAR ONE, HEADSPACE), who's been back touring with the band since the release of 2007's "Dead Reckoning".

On August 22, earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group, will release "Live At Wacken (Official Bootleg)", the first-ever live album from CIRCLE II CIRCLE, the band led by former SAVATAGE lead vocalist Zak Stevens. The CD is a recording of the band's August 2012 performance at Wacken Open Air in Germany, including a performance one of SAVATAGE's most successful albums, "The Wake Of Magellan", almost in its entirety.

Starting in 2011, CIRCLE II CIRCLE included more and more SAVATAGE songs in its live show, culminating in the decision to play "The Wake Of Magellan" at the 2012 edition of Wacken. One of the last albums Stevens recorded with SAVATAGE, the LP is considered to be the band's best work of the post-1993 SAVATAGE era. Narrated by Stevens' phenomenal voice and framed by deeply emotional and highly expressional compositions, the album has been described as a true rock opera. The combination of bombastic guitar riffs, epic keyboard sounds, and truly majestic vocal parts is pure enjoyment for any listener.

"Live At Wacken (Official Bootleg)" track listing:

01. The Ocean/Welcome02. Turns To Me03. Morning Sun04. Complaint In The System (Veronica Guerin)05. The Wake Of Magellan06. Anymore07. The Hourglass08. Blackjack Guillotine

CIRCLE II CIRCLE's sixth studio album, "Seasons Will Fall", was released on January 25, 2013 via earMUSIC.

Formed in 2001, CIRCLE II CIRCLE has always reinvented itself throughout the years, constantly maintaining the signature sound that fans around the world love. "Seasons Will Fall" is CIRCLE II CIRCLE's strongest album to date from both a musical and production standpoint. It blends Stevens' history and unique "SAVATAGE style" with the fresh sounds he developed with his current outfit.

"Space Invader", the first new solo album from original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley in five years, will be released in North America on August 19 from the via Entertainment One Music (eOne Music). The CD, which will be made available in Europe on August 18 (three days earlier in Germany and Scandinavia) through SPV/Steamhammer, will include 11 brand new original songs as well as a cover of Steve Miller's "The Joker". This album is the first release under Frehley's new universal deal on eOne Music.

"Space Invader" European track listings: Limited digipack CD including 2 bonus tracks and poster

01. Space Invader02. Gimme A Feelin' (radio edit)03. I Wanna Hold You04. Change05. Toys06. Immortal Pleasures07. Inside The Vortex08. What Every Girl Wants09. Past The Milky Way10. Reckless11. The Joker12. Starship

Bonus tracks:

13. The Joker (extended version)14. Reckless (different remix version) Standard Version

01. Space Invader02. Gimme A Feelin' (radio edit)03. I Wanna Hold You04. Change05. Toys06. Immortal Pleasures07. Inside The Vortex08. What Every Girl Wants09. Past The Milky Way10. Reckless11. The Joker12. Starship 2 LP gatefold version including 4 bonus tracks, coloured vinyl, printed innersleeves Side 1

01. Space Invader02. Gimme A Feelin' (radio edit)03. I Wanna Hold You04. Change

Side 2

01. Toys02. Immortal Pleasures03. Inside The Vortex04. What Every Girl Wants

Side 3

01. Past The Milky Way02. Reckless03. The Joker04. Starship

Side 4 (bonus tracks)

01. The Joker (extended version)02. Reckless (different remix version)03. Space Invader (radio edit)04. Gimme A Feelin' (explicit version)

Frehley has released the first single from "Space Invader". "Gimme A Feelin'" is now available on iTunes. You can also stream the song below (courtesy of RollingStone.com).

Asked what the songwriting process was like for "Space Invader", Frehley told Guitar World magazine: "You know, all my life I've never had a formula for writing songs. Sometimes it starts with a guitar riff, sometimes it's a lyrical idea or just a melody. Sometimes I wake up with an idea. There's no rhyme or reason. Sometimes I write on an acoustic, sometimes on a bass. There's a song on the new album called 'Into The Vortex'. It's a riff song, but I wrote it on a bass guitar. Why? Because I write differently with a bass guitar in my hand than an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar. When I feel creative, I just sit down and start playing."

Regarding whether he was writing differently in the early days of KISS, Ace said: "Yes, I wasn't as structured as I am now. Even though I am not really structured — I'm at least cognizant of what's going on. [laughs] Back then it was more hit or miss — and when I hit, I hit big. You know, I go back and listen to my 1978 solo record, and it still holds up. My whole body of work that I've created over the years has withstood the test of time. I know that I still have the goods. And when this record gets released, everybody's gonna say, 'Well, Ace did it again.'"

Ace also spoke about the recording process for "Space Invader", telling Guitar World: "I did most of the recording at my friend's studio in Turlock, California, called the Creation Lab. Turlock is in the middle of nowhere — it's like a farming community — and that's why I loved it. I have Attention Deficit Disorder, and there are absolutely no distractions when working at this place. You record for eight or 10 or 12 hours, then you go back to the hotel and go to sleep. You wake up and go back to the studio. There's nothing else to do there, which means it's the perfect place for me to record. Plus, I like working with the least amount of people, and this studio is great because it's quiet and there aren't all kinds of people walking through. I did most of this record with just me and a drummer, Matt Starr. For a couple of songs I brought in Chris Wyse from THE CULT to play bass."

On the topic of whether there were things about 2009's "Anomaly" that he wanted to change with "Space Invader", Ace said: "I know that everyone is hoping that this album is heavier than the last one, and it is. I'm also doing an instrumental this time, called 'Starship', that isn't slow. It's a departure from the 'Fractured Mirror' style. It's more fast paced and has a lot of transitions in it."

Frehley also explained his decision to cover Steve Miller's "The Joker", saying: "It was the record company's idea, to be honest. And I was a little resistant when it first came up. But then I thought back to my 1978 solo record, when [producer] Eddie Kramer's assistant said to me, 'Why don't you try this song?' And it was 'New York Groove'. At first I said, 'I don't want to do that,' and it turned out to be my biggest hit. So maybe history can repeat itself."

The "Space Invader" cover artwork was created by Frehley's longtime friend, artist Ken Kelly, who designed the iconic cover art for two of KISS' best-selling LPs "Destroyer" (1976) and "Love Gun" (1977). Ken said: "It was very exciting when I was approached with the idea of doing an album cover for Ace."

Kelly, who is also widely known for his paintings in the sword and sorcery and heroic fantasy subgenres, most notably for the Conan The Barbarian novels, continued: "I had spoken to Ace on a few occasions about the possibility, so I was delighted when it actually happened.

"I am very pleased with the results and proud to play a part of Ace's continuing successful career!"

Frehley added: "I've been talking with Ken Kelly since 2007 about painting a CD cover for me and it has finally happened! I couldn't be more excited about the new 'Space Invader' cover, and the music behind it is also going to rock your world!"

Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based melodic death metallers THE AGONIST will release their new album, "Eye Of Providence", on November 11 in North America (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media. The band's first CD with new vocalist Vicky Psarakis was recorded at The Grid studio in their hometown with producer Chris Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY). Vicky joined THE AGONIST as the replacement for Alissa White-Gluz, who left the band to focus on her new gig as the frontwoman of ARCH ENEMY.

The second in a series of video updates from the studio can be seen below.

THE AGONIST released a two-song digital single on April 29 via Century Media. These tracks were the first to feature Psarakis.

01. Disconnect Me02. Perpetual Notion Commented THE AGONIST guitarist Danny Marino: "Creating this album has been an amazing experience so far.

"Vicky has breathed new life into the songwriting process and we are so excited to share these first two tracks with the world! "The songs on this album represent a culmination of the past 10 years, as well as a new beginning for THE AGONIST. We're also thrilled to be back in the studio with our old friend and longtime engineer Chris Donaldson. "We can't thank our fans enough for their ongoing support in this new and exciting chapter of THE AGONIST!" The official lyric video for "Disconnect Me" can be seen below.

THE AGONIST's third album, "Prisoners", debuted at No. 19 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.

THE AGONIST 2014 is:

Vicky Psarakis - VocalsDanny Marino - GuitarChris Kells - BassSimon McKay - DrumsPascal "Paco" Jobin - Guitar

Polish death metallers DECAPITATED will release their sixth album, "Blood Mantra", on September 26 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2011's "Carnival Is Forever" was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland with producers Wojtek and Slawek Wiesawski. The CD cover artwork was created by the Polish artist Lukasz Jaszak, who previously worked with the band on "Carnival Is Forever".

Comments DECAPITATED guitarist and founding member Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka: "Extreme and groove — I think that's the best way to describe our new album.

"This time we feel that we have something totally crushing and huge.

"'Blood Mantra' is the most heavy and mature album we ever did in our carrier. I cannot wait to start to play songs live because riffs are soo deep and powerful."

DECAPITATED's forthcoming effort will mark the recording debut of the band's new drummer, Michal Lysejko, who joined the group in time for their tour with LAMB OF GOD in January. Vogg previously stated that the musical direction of the next DECAPITATED album: "We flirt with various tempos mixing death metal with grindcore and almost outright black metal atmosphere together with more, so to speak, 'crowd-puller' beats verging on groovy, almost stoner-rock climates. There are also a few more modern metal rhythmic riffs where we return to the climate of 'Organic Hallucinosis' album. I'm certain that the very fact we are again, after 9 years, in Hertz studio will evoke the spirit of that album. The vocals sound very promising. Rasta [Rafał Piotrowski] is a much more experienced vocalist compared to the 'Carnival Is Forever' album times. And his voice sounds more powerful and deeper."

"Carnival Is Forever" sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 11 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.

"Carnival Is Forever" was released in North America on July 12, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The Chuck Taylor All Star Black Sabbath collection features three new styles inspired by one of the most iconic bands of all time. The collaboration features highly acclaimed album artwork from BLACK SABBATH's classic records "Never Say Die!" and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", as well as iconic live photography. The collection marks BLACK SABBATH's third footwear collaboration with Converse.

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Black Sabbath collection will be available at Converse stores (converse.com) and Journey's (journeys.com) beginning today, Thursday, July 10, for $60.

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Never Say Die hi-top features the logo and cover art from BLACK SABBATH's last studio album with their original lineup, "Never Say Die!" The stitched tongue label features the same text font as the album cover. The album image is printed on the fabric upper.

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sabbath Bloody Sabbath hi-top features canvas uppers printed with cover art from one of BLACK SABBATH's heaviest and most beloved records, "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", which was conceived in the dungeons of the Clearwell Castle in England. The album artwork captures the mood and vibe of those recording sessions. The stitched "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" tongue label features the same text font as the album cover. The shoe's fabric upper features imagery from the cover art.

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Black Sabbath Live hi-top features an iconic black and white concert photo of Ozzy Osbourne giving a double peace sign while the band jams in the background on the fabric upper. The tongue label features the black stitched band logo.

San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans EXODUS have set "Blood In, Blood Out" as the title of their new album, tentatively due on late October via Nuclear Blast. The CD will be the band's first since the departure of EXODUS' lead singer of the past nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of his predecessor, Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

"I'm very excited to be back," Souza told Chile's Radio Futuro on Tuesday (July 8). "I'm really looking forward to this next adventure with my brothers in metal — these guys I spent 30 years with, on and off. So it's very exciting."

Speaking about how being in EXODUS is different today than it was when he first joined the band in the '80s and even a decade ago, Souza said: "I think everybody's matured quite some bit, and I think, as we all get older, we all realize things that we do wrong, especially myself, we realize our faults and our mistakes. And it's great that everybody can come to a meeting of the minds and be able to work forward and be mature enough to work forward."

He added: "The whole reception to me being back with the guys has been really, really great."

In a recent interview with Australia's "Blood, Sweat And Metal" podcast, Dukes said that he had not talked to any of his former bandmates in EXODUS about his departure from the band. "I haven't spoken with anyone but [drummer] Tom [Hunting]," Rob explained. "Tom called me… He called me and said, 'We're gonna go on with a different singer. We're gonna be going with Zet.' And that was it. It was about a 20-second phone call. And that was really all I got. That's it."

Asked if he had any comment on how Dukes' exit was handled by EXODUS and whether it was true that Rob was fired in a 20-second phone call, Souza told Radio Futuro: "You know, I know nothing about that, and with all due respect to all the fans, I really don't choose to get into that. I just wanna talk positive about the band and move forward. So, again, that was really nothing that I was… I wasn't even privy to that information, so I really don't have any comment on it."

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt — who has been pulling double duty with SLAYER for the past four and a half years — denied that EXODUS handled the dismissal of Dukes in an insensitive manner, saying "There were the calls to Rob preceding this, [so] how long should the final call be?

"20 seconds was not all this involved.

"[While I was] in Europe [with SLAYER, I] pretty much got the rundown on everything as we went through this."

He added: "Much time was spent on this."

Holt also shot down Internet speculation that the split with Dukes was motivated by financial reasons or that it was masterminded by EXODUS' new so-manager, TESTAMENT vocalist Chuck Billy, who co-founded the management company Breaking Bands LLC. "It isn't for the money [and] Chuck did not orchestrate this," Holt said. "There were issues behind the scenes and we came to a conclusion." The guitarist, however, refused to go into the details of EXODUS' decision to part ways with Dukes, explaining: "All will remain internal. I see no need to air the laundry for anyone."

Holt, who previously said that the decision to fire Rob and re-hire Zetro "was the most difficult decision of our lives, one the entire band made," was once again full of praise for EXODUS' former frontman, saying: "I wish nothing but the best for Rob, [and I] have nothing but love for the man. He will be a force for a long time and I am proud of him and how he went from a dude with a pink mohawk to a vicious thrash vocalist. He is a killer singer and we have total respect for him and love the music we made together."

Dukes joined EXODUS in January 2005 and appeared on four of the band's studio albums — "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" (2005), "The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A" (2007), "Let There Be Blood" (2008, a re-recording of EXODUS' classic 1985 LP, "Bonded By Blood") and "Exhibit B: The Human Condition" (2010).

EXODUS' next live appearance is scheduled for July 11 at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany.

Souza left EXODUS ten years ago on the eve of the band's South American headlining tour in September 2004 over what was described as long-standing business and personal differences. Holt subsequently issued a statement calling Souza "human crap" for pulling out the trek "only about twenty-four hours before were ready to leave." He added, "Yes, he did a killer job on the [then-latest] album [2004's 'Tempo Of The Damned'], but mainly because we did not allow him to fuck everything up with his stupid Bon Scott impersonations anymore. We made him sing more like [previous vocalist Paul] Baloff. I tried to make it work. More than you can imagine. But he was (is) the most miserable pile of crap to be around."

CINDERELLA guitarist Jeff LaBar will release his first solo album, "One For The Road", in late August through Rat Pak Records. Tracks on the CD range from classic, early CINDERELLA-style hard rock, to groove-laden blues rock, and everything in between. Jeff not only sings on this release, but also does a fantastic job of capturing the magic and spirit of the classic genre he helped create.

A teaser for "One For The Road" is available below.

In a June 2013 interview with Legendary Rock Interviews, LaBar stated about his upcoming solo album: "The way it started was, I've been threatening to do a solo album or years and at the end of [the summer 2012] CINDERELLA tour, my tour manager Larry Morand and my wife Debi called me on it. They said, Look, Tom's [Keifer, CINDERELLA frontman] solo album is coming out this spring, he'll probably tour on it through the summer. Now is the time, Jeff. It's time to get in the studio and start putting your money where your mouth is.' So, that's what I've been doing. Fred [Coury, CINDERELLA drummer] is not producing, but he is mixing everything I do. I'm in Nashville and Fred's in L.A. so I'm producing myself, singing and playing all the instruments. I am just getting guest drummers for the tracks. I am working with my engineer Ronnie Honeycutt here in Nashville and everything is going out to Fred to clean up and polish and make it sound good. [laughs]"

Asked how the direction of his solo material will be different from what he has done with CINDERELLA, Jeff said: "The first song I recorded could have been a CINDERELLA song, I think, but you know when you get guitar players putting out solo records, from what I've seen, they are very self-indulgent in terms of guitar playing or even sometimes, they're instrumental records. Mine is self-indulgent in the sense that it will cover a lot of different types of music. The first song I did is called 'No Strings' and like I said, it's a rock song, it could be a CINDERELLA song. The second song I recorded is a total blues waltz/shuffle. The latest song I've done is almost like a FLEETWOOD MAC-type ballad. I've also written a slow, chunky metal song, a blues slide song and a flat-out metal burner, fast song so I think I am really trying to explore all of my different influences. It's all me singing and playing everything but drums."

Asked if he enjoys singing, Jeff said: "Absolutely, I've been singing all my life. Since I started playing guitar at the age of nine or ten, I was also singing, sitting in my bedroom with [LED] ZEPPELIN and BEATLES songbooks. I didn't just learn how to play the songs I loved, but I learned how to sing 'em too. I actually started out as a drummer and aspired to be a guitar player, and then when I became a guitar player, I aspired to be a singer. [laughs] I got the chance to do a lot of background vocals over the years in CINDERELLA, but make no mistake, I see myself and believe in myself as a singer."

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS bassist Robert DeLeo has revealed via a pair of tweets that the band has spent time this week with LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington writing music for their next release.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS have kept a low profile since completing their first full tour with Bennington on the mic last fall.

STP's first foray into the studio with Bennington, an EP called "High Rise", came out last October and yielded the No. 1 single "Out Of Time".

Plans to record a new full-length disc, however, were put on hold late last year so that Bennington could work on a new album with his main band, LINKIN PARK.

Bassist Robert DeLeo told The Pulse Of Radio that STP has used the time constructively when Bennington is not around. "His main concern definitely is LINKIN PARK and, you know, when he's busy with them, it offers Dean [DeLeo, guitar] and Eric [Kretz, drums] and myself some time to really get some new music together. And when he's available, that's when we work, man, and we make the best of that time."

Bennington joined STP last year after the band fired original singer Scott Weiland.

STP and Weiland have launched lawsuits against each other, although the results of both legal actions are pending.




Spending the week writing new #STP material here at HOMeFRY... pic.twitter.com/aQorGanDAi

— Robert DeLeo (@STPRobertDeLeo) July 10, 2014



And having a blast... pic.twitter.com/d80oVijMEK

— Robert DeLeo (@STPRobertDeLeo) July 10, 2014

Finnish / Dutch / British symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have released the first in a series of video clips featuring footage from the making of the band's new studio album, due in the spring of 2015 via Nuclear Blast. Check it out below. Settled right in the middle of the beautiful wintery landscape of Eno, Finland, NIGHTWISH bandmembers and sound staff gather round the long table of "The Cabin" to discuss every aspect, relevant for the making of NIGHTWISH album No. 8, the first to feature Dutch singer Floor Jansen.

NIGHTWISH keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen recently spent two and half weeks in Hattula, Finland with the band's producer/crew member Tero "TeeCee" Kinnunen recording a demo of the songs that will appear on NIGHTWISH's next studio album. Commented Holopainen: "From the moment I start writing the song, I have the story in my head. I have a really clear vision how the songs should sound like at this point. Of course, they will change after band rehearsals and arranging. And they should change." Asked in a recent interview with Sweden's Metalshrine what Floor Jansen will bring to the next NIGHTWISH album, Tuomas said: "She [will] bring a lot of interpretations, some arrangements and positive energy for sure, but she [will] not [be] included in the songwriting process. She told me that the first time around, she has [her side project] REVAMP and Marco [Hietala, bass/vocals] and I will do just fine for now."

Speaking to Germany's EMP Rock Invasion at the end of last year, Floor stated about the songwriting process for the next NIGHTWISH album: "I think it's more like it's always been. So Tuomas is gonna start writing. And how it's gonna evolve later on, we'll see. But I don't feel the necessity of me being an active songwriting member, because the music is so good. It's about the songs and the music that goes first and not about my ego wanting to join like that. But if I can participate or add something with my creative input, of course I would love that. Of course, I have creative energy in me that needs to come out one way or another, but that's where REVAMP comes in."

Regarding whether she has any fears that, due to the band's troubled history with lead vocalists, her time with NIGHTWISH will not last very long, Floor told Finland's Radio Rock: "No. And whether this is in NIGHTWISH or in anything with anyone in everyone's lives, what guarantees do you have? So it's just about what you make of it and with the chemistry that you believe in. And I believe in the chemistry that we have today, 'cause it's been very strong since the beginning and grew to be better throughout the months. It's still a very recent thing. But what feels good now, that's where you should go from, and that's what I do."

NIGHTWISH released a new DVD, "Showtime, Storytime", on November 29 as a limited 2Blu-ray + 2CD digipack, limited 2DVD + 2CD digipack, limited 2CD digipack, 2LP (colored) in gatefold and an exclusive Nuclear Blast mailorder edition. The set NIGHTWISH's entire August 3, 2013 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. The show, which was played in the front of 85,000 screaming metalheads, was directed by Ville Lipiäinen, filmed with seventeen cameras and has a total running time of 85 minutes. The second disc consists of a 120-minute tour documentary, "Please Learn The Setlist In 48 Hours", also directed by Ville Lipiäinen. In addition, there are two music clips: "I Want My Tears Back" (live at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland) and "Ghost Love Score" (live in Buenos Aires).

The Wacken Open Air appearance was the first of the three final shows of NIGHTWISH's "Imaginaerum World Tour", which saw the band and their Jansen playing 104 concerts in 34 different countries, with a total audience of over 1.5 million fans around the globe.

Jansen made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on October 1, 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington following the abrupt departure of the band's lead singer of five years, Anette Olzon.

Tuomas Holopainen has known Jansen for more than 10 years already, having previously toured with her former band, AFTER FOREVER.