"Talk Shit, Get Shot", the new single from BODY COUNT, the metal band fronted by hip-hop legend, actor and director Ice-T, was premiered on the latest episode of the Ice-T's "Final Level" podcast (web site). You can now listen to the track in the YouTube clip below.

In a recent interview with Flama's D-Stroy of "Left Unattended", Ice-T stated about "Manslaughter": "People have been asking me to do some music, and I haven't really been inspired to do hip hop for a while, 'cause hip hop kind of got really pop to me. But my band always wants to play, so we decided to do an album. We got signed to Sumerian Records. We finished the album. It's called 'Manslaughter'. We shot the [first] video. We did the album cover. It'll be out June 10. And it's brutal. It's brutal."

BODY COUNT's current lineup includes guitarist Juan Garcia (a.k.a. Juan Of The Dead; AGENT STEEL, EVILDEAD), who made his live debut with the group in November 2013 at the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas. The band's set included first-time airings of new songs "Talk Shit, Get Shot" and the "Manslaughter" title track.

BODY COUNT 2014 is:

Ice-T - VocalsErnie C - Lead GuitarJuan Of The Dead - Rhythm GuitarVincent Price - BassIll Will - DrumsSean E Sean - Backup Vocals/Sampler

BODY COUNT will take part in this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which kicks off on July 5 in San Bernardino, California.

BODY COUNT's last album, "Murder 4 Hire", came out in 2006 via Escapi Music. Lyrically, the songs ranged from political ("The End Game"), personal ("You Don't Know Me [Pain]"), and religious ("The Passion Of The Christ"), to obsession ("In My Head"), armegeddon ("Dirty Bomb"), hate ("Lies") and relationships. A eulogy for fallen band member D-Roc was also included ("D Rocs [RIP]") as was a hilarious take on deep south rednecks ("Down In The Bayou"). The CD closed with "Mr. C's Theme", a show-stopping hard-rock instrumental.

Thrash metal outfit INDESTRUCTIBLE NOISE COMMAND (I.N.C.) has inked a deal with Ohio-based Ferocious Records. The band's new album, "Black Hearse Serenade", will be released this fall. Formed in 1985, Connecticut's I.N.C. began its recording career in 1987 with its debut album, "Razorback", on Giant Records. Critics and fans throughout the tri-state area were hammered over the head by what they heard. The band’s heavy, destructive style translated well to stage and to vinyl. I.N.C. released its third full-length album "Heaven Sent...Hellbound", through the U.K. record label Rising in Europe, and Candlelight in North America. Cclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström (AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, OPETH) helmed the CD, which reached No. 6 on the CMJ Loud rock charts. The group's second video, for the song "Swallowed", was released and has had over 150,000 views to date. Following this release, I.N.C. signed with Extreme Management Group, whose roster includes SUFFOCATION, ORIGIN, DECREPIT BIRTH, CATTLE DECAPITATION, CRYPTOPSY, THREAT SIGNAL and DISGORGE. In 2013, I.N.C. began recording its fourth full-length album, which led to the deal with Ferocious, an affiliate of CDS Records, LLC, which has released over 100 titles the past seven years. "When we heard the new record, it was a no-brainer to sign this extremely talented band and release their new material," said Ferocious chief Dylann DeAnna. Earlier this year, I.N.C. signed a deal with TKO Booking as the band's exclusive North American booking agency. TKO represents some of the biggest names in rock, pop and metal, including ANTHRAX, P.O.D., MOTÖRHEAD and BUCKCHERRY.

Danish death metallers MERCENARY have released the epic, crowd-sourced music video for "Welcome The Sickness", a track from their critically acclaimed 2013 release "Through Our Darkest Days". The clip was shot in just one day with director/producer Mircea Gabriel Eftemie (MNEMIC), who was also responsible for the album's mystic cover artwork.

Comments the band: "We're immensely proud to be able to present our new video for 'Welcome The Sickness'. It's been a great and fun experience making this possible through a crowdfunding campaign and interacting with the fans in a whole new way. We are very grateful for the support, as we would never have been able to finance a visit in Denmark's biggest greenscreen studio with professional lights and makeup followed by two months of post production on our own. Moreover, we are really really happy with the striking, atmospheric, and visually dramatic way in which director Mircea Eftemie made our musical universe come to life. Without an incredible amount of hard work on his behalf, this video wouldn't have been possible either, so please send a lot of kudos his way."

MERCENARY — which has long been one of the most active and successful proponents of Denmark's rising metal scene — has spent the past year on tour throughout Europe supporting "Through Our Darkest Days". The CD, which combines the band's traditional melodic and melancholic elements with a darker, heavier mindset, was recorded and mixed with Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, HEAVEN SHALL BURN) at Hansen Studios in Denmark and features nine tracks that take listeners on a journey through existential darkness while inspiring them to break through it.

WOVENWAR, the new band featuring the talents of Jordan Mancino (drums), Nick Hipa (guitar), Phil Sgrosso (guitar) and Josh Gilbert (bass) of San Diego, California based metal act AS I LAY DYING, and Shane Blay (vocals) of OH, SLEEPER, documented the recording process of its self-titled debut album. Hipa applied his finely honed video skills to this series of videos, as well as the videos already available for streaming at Wovenwar.com. The first studio clip features a candid looking at Mancino tracking his parts for the record. The CD, which is due later summer via Metal Blade Records, was recorded with producer Bill Stevenson (DESCENDENTS, BLACK FLAG), with mixing duties currently being handled by Colin Richardson (SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD, TRIVIUM).

Mancino reflects on the recording process for the new album: "It's weird to think that I finished tracking drums for this WOVENWAR record over five months ago.

"What an amazing and powerful experience it was being back in the studio creating and tracking with Nick, Phil, and Josh, and for the first time with Shane.

"Our past studio experiences together have always been done with the utmost efficiency and professionalism. With this WOVENWAR record, we carried that same dedication of efficiency, but with more room and purpose to create while in the studio.

"This being the first time in the studio with Shane, it was easy to tell that he shares the same dedication as the four us.

"Having Bill and Jason as producers, Daniel and Joseph as engineers, as well Colin and Carl for mixing, I couldn't have imagined a more epic team of dudes to be part of this record. The history we all have together set the tone and comfort for this recording process, but what was accomplished was much more than I ever imagined.

"I am honored to be part of this record and honored to stand alongside my fellow bandmates and production team as we begin this process of showing 'All Rise' to the world."

WOVENWAR has just released its first single, titled "All Rise", off the band's upcoming self-titled debut. Fans can now head over to the band's official web site, Wovenwar.com, to hear the very first material released by the band, which is the mastered version that will appear on the album — not the final mix as previously reported.

AS I LAY DYING singer Tim Lambesis in Febraury pleaded guilty to hiring a hit man to kill his estranged wife.

The singer remains free on $2 million bond until he is sentenced later this month.

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.

Former DEATH and current CYNIC members Paul Masvidal (guitar, vocals) and Sean Reinert (drums), who are both gay, have spoken out for the first time about their sexuality in the context of their music.

Masvidal, 43, who had come out to friends and family in 1991, and later began exploring drag bars and gay nightclubs while on tour, told the Los Angeles Times, "It's one thing to make out with your bandmates and just 'play gay' because it's edgy. It's another thing to actually live it."

Reinert, 42, who took a bit longer to come out, said: "I knew that, secretly, I wanted to go to those clubs too. But back then, my stereotype of how to be gay was wearing dresses and tank tops. I didn't have any masculine, metal role models who were gay."

He added: "I went on a date with this one awful guy who blogged about it on his web site. So for years, if you typed my name into Google, the second thing that came up, after 'Sean Reinert Drummer,' was 'Sean Reinert Gay.'"

Masvidal and Reinert admitted to the Los Angeles Times that they were nervous about coming out publicly. "There's definitely going to be a reaction, but it's important that we be truthful," Masvidal said.

"Gay people are everywhere, doing every job, playing every kind of music and we always have been," Reinert added. "It's taken me years to finally be brave enough to say, 'If you have a problem with that, then throw out our records. That's your problem, not mine.'"

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford, who revealed he was homosexual during a 1998 appearance on MTV, stated at the time about his decision to publicly discuss his sexuality: "I think that most people know that I've been a gay man all of my life, and that it's only been in recent times that it's an issue that I feel comfortable to address, and an issue that has been with me ever since recognizing my own sexuality. It's something that I've been comfortable with forever, something that I feel has a moment, and this is the moment to discuss it and to go into the reasons, and the whys and the wherefores as to the statement, the so-called coming out phase."

He continued: "A lot of homophobia still exists in the music world, in all kinds of music. I wouldn't say it's any more phobic in metal or rap or whatever this music is that I'm doing now, but that's just something that I think we all have to address in our own lives. If we have a problem with it, I think we should seek help and find out why we do have a problem with it."

In openly discussing his sexuality, Halford said that he hoped he would be helping others to do the same.

"I think it's difficult for everybody, you know, in making the decision to come forward and be who you are, based on peer pressure, especially if you're a teenager," Halford said. "That's where a lot of the anxiety begins, and so maybe people like myself and others that do step in front of a camera and let the world know, maybe it's of some help, where there's an individual that's been successful, that's been able to achieve dreams and visions and goals in life and not let the issue of sexuality be something to hold them back, so I think it's an important thing."

CYNIC — consisting of Masvidal, Reinert and bassist Sean Malone — released its new album, "Kindly Bent To Free Us", on February 14 via Season Of Mist.

Masvidal and Reinert are continuing to tour with DEATH TO ALL , which features former members of DEATH celebrating the life and music of Chuck Schuldiner. The band's current touring lineup includes the three surviving members of DEATH's "Human" lineup (Masvidal, Reinert and bassist Steve DiGiorgio), along with with special guest vocalist/guitarist Max Phelps of CYNIC/EXIST, performing material from DEATH's first four albums.

Perpetual Motion Of Deceit, the new full-length album from Italy's Any Face, is out now through Nadir Music, also available for download and streaming on all major music platforms worldwide.

Recorded and produced by Tommy Talamanca (Sadist) at italian famous Nadir Music Studios, this new album is already being heralded as one to mature and complete the band.
Trackisting:

"Twisted Motion Of Deceit"
"Fading In Confusion"
"Trapped In Yourself"
"The Hell Of Future (Wall Of Lies Around Us)"
"Perpetual Motion Of Deceit"
"Enduring Captivity"
"Locked Up"
"Desensitized"

"Locked Up":

North Carolina's Bloody Hammers have released the new video for 'Death Does Us Part', which can be found on their new album, Under Satan's Sun, out on May 30th (Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Finland/Benelux), June 2nd (UK/rest of Europe), June 4th (Spain/Sweden/Norway) and June 10th (North America) via Napalm Records/Spinning Goblin.
Under Satan's Sun will be available a regular CD, limited edition vinyl gatefold and digitally.
Under Satan's Sun tracklisting:

'The Town That Dreaded Sundown'
'Spearfinger'
'Death Does Us Part'
'The Moon Eyed People'
'Second Coming'
'Welcome To The Horror Show'
'Under Satan´s Sun'
'Dead Man's Shadow On The Wall'
'The Last Alarm'
'Necrommancer'

'Welcome To The Horror Show' video:
'The Town That Dreaded Sundown' lyric video:
Album teaser:
The first single, 'The Town That Dreaded Sundown' is available in limited edition 7". The A side features 'The Town That Dreaded Sundown' and the B Side is a non-album track called 'Glimpse' which will only be available on this release. The single is available in both white and red vinyl.

Finnish epic melodic deathsters Gladenfold have released their new full-length album, entitled From Dusk To Eternity, in stores and online at all major digital markets worldwide, via Buil2Kill Records/Nadir Music.

The band's style is melodic death metal with a twist of power metal. Grand and epic orchestral parts are a distinctive element in their music that can clearly be heard on this album.
Tracklisting:

"From Dusk…"
"Fate Escape"
"Game of Shadows"
"The Last Crossing"
"Where Fires Burn Frozen"
"Starforge"
"Six Soldiers Stand"
"The Final Embrace"
"Bloodfeather"
"Dementia"
"…To Eternity"

"Fate Escape":

Calgary, Alberta riff-rockers Chron Goblin have released a new video for "Blood Flow", complete with burglary, plate-smashing, revenge, riffs, and, of course, enough partying to keep up their tagline, "Smoke Beer!"

Chron Goblin are vannin' it down to the Pacific Northwest to bring their raucous live show on a first-ever US tour, making it their first international appearance since their Desertfest London 2013.
The band are touring in support of their infectiously heavy, groovy, second full-length LP, Life For The Living, which was self-released in September 2013 and hailed as a must-have in the stoner rock/heavy psych community ever since. Listen below:

Life for the Living by Chron Goblin

Tour dates:

May
2 - Seattle, WA - Waids Restaurant & Lounge (with Ancient Warlocks & Old Iron)
3 - Spokane, WA - Baby Bar
30 - Missoula, MT - The Badlander (with Swamp Ritual, Kadmin & Shramana)
31 - Great Falls, MT - Machinery Row (with Swamp Ritual & The Hellions)

Chron Goblin is:

Josh Sandulak - Vocals
Devin "Darty" Purdy - Guitar
Richard Hepp - Bass
Brett Whittingham - Drums

On April 26th in Selbu, Norway, Norwegian melodic metal outfit Nergard finally hits the stage in a big way with three internationally known singers in front: Tony Mills (TNT, Shy), Nils K. Rue (Pagan’s Mind) and Andi Kravljaca (Aeon Zen, Thaurorod).
Led by the mastermind of this project Andreas Nergård they pulled off a 2-hour long show packed with Nergard-material and rock/metal classics, uniting these three vocal giants on classics tunes such as “I Was Made For Loving You” (KISS), “Here I Go Again” (Whitesnake) and “The Show Must Go On” (Queen). This night also saw the first ever duet between Nils K. Rue and Andi Kravljaca on the Aeon Zen track “Time Divine”.
Setlist:

"Hell On Earth" (Nergard) - Andi Kravljaca/Nils K. Rue
"Nightfall" (Nergard) - Andi Kravljaca/Nils K. Rue
"The Haunted" (Nergard) - Nils K. Rue
"An Everlasting Dreamscape" (Nergard) - Andi Kravljaca
"Acrobat" (U2/Nergard) - Andi Kravljaca
"A Question Of God" (Nergard) - Tony Mills
"All I Ever Wanted" (Nergard) - Tony Mills
"Out In The Fields" (Gary Moore) - Tony Mills
"Break Down The Walls" (Shy) - Tony Mills
"Skydiving" (Shy) - Tony Mills
"I Don’t Believe In Love" (Queensryche) - Tony Mills
"Photograph" (Def Leppard) - Andi Kravljaca
"Paradise" (Coldplay) - Andi Kravljaca
"With or Without You" (U2/Nergard) - Andi Kravljaca
"It’s My Life" (Bon Jovi) - Andi Kravljaca
"Time Divine" (Aeon Zen) - Andi Kravljaca
"Pull Me Under" (Dream Theater) - Nils K. Rue
"Run To The Hills" (Iron Maiden) - Nils K. Rue
"I Want Out" (Helloween) - Nils K. Rue
"Jump" (Van Halen) - Nils K. Rue
"I Was Made For Loving You" (KISS) -Tony Mills/Andi Kravljaca/Nils K. Rue
"Here I Go Again" (Whitesnake) - Tony Mills/Andi Kravljaca/Nils K. Rue
"The Show Must Go On" (Queen) - Tony Mills/Andi Kravljaca/Nils K. Rue

Video from the event can be seen below:
(Photos - Bernt Kulseth)

Italian thrash metallers BURNING NITRUM recently signed a new deal with Punishment 18 Records. The label will release the band's debut full-length album before the end of the year. In 2012, the young band released a five song EP titled Pyromania.
Burning Nitrum's debut full-length will include the following tracklisting:

'Subversive Nausea (Intro)'
'Remote Of Death'
'Apocalypse Of Pain'
'High Speed Bangers'
'Lying Until The End'
'Falling Into Slavery (Intro)'
'Slave Of Lust'
'Sparkling Splatter'
'Nemesis, The Death Star' (instrumental)
'Turned to Ashes (Nothing Stands Still)'

Further details are forthcoming.

The Irish mob known as Dirty Diamonds will release their debut full length effort, Let's Get Loud in the UK via Vanity Music Group on May 5th. A heart pounding twelve song affair of melodic hard rock fury meant to take your head off, the album is the band's follow-up to their Leaving Town EP in 2013.

Let's Get Loud encompasses everything Dirty Diamonds love about rock and metal music. "We decided from the get go that it should be something that is reflective of all our influences," states lead singer Jonathan Ryan.

Songs such as "Want You To Want Me" and "Wakin' Up The Neighbourhood" are reminiscent of DEF LEPPARD and then you have tracks like "Crash & Burn" and "Against The Grain" which stray much further into the heavier territories of PANTERA and MEGADETH, and "Paradise & Tropicana" features FOO FIGHTERS and JOURNEY as influences.
"It wasn't that we were trying to please everybody it was more like there is so much more to rock n roll as a genre than just pedal to the metal straight ahead rock all the time and we are big fans of the genre."

The band is accompanying the release with the following dates:

May
2 - Dumfries, Scotland - The Venue
3 - Dumfermine, Scotland - Monty's Bar
4 - Glasgow, Scotland - 13th Note Cafe
5 - Edinburgh, Scotland - Bannermans
6 - Sunderland, England - The Corner Flag
7 - Newcastle, England - Dog & Parrot
8 - Manchester, England - Grand Central
10 - Nottingham, England - The Salutation Inn

Eagle Rock Entertainment has announced the release of Back to Front – Live in London from PETER GABRIELl on June 24th. Simultaneously available on DVD, Blu-ray and DVD / Blu-ray Deluxe Editions, this release captures the complete live performance of the So album from start to finish.

Back To Front includes the classics: 'Sledgehammer', 'Solsbury Hill', 'Don’t Give Up', 'Shock The Monkey', 'Big Time', 'Digging In The Dirt', 'Mercy Street', 'No Self Control', 'In Your Eyes', 'Biko', and many more. The stunning DVD / Blu-ray Deluxe Editions offer a 60-page hardback photobook which includes a second disc containing the theatrical version of Back To Front, featuring additional interviews and montage versions of 'Solsbury Hill' and 'Sledgehammer' utilizing footage from live shows across the years. The Deluxe Editions also contain a double CD of the complete Back To Front show.

This spectacular live concert, filmed at London’s O2 using the latest Ultra High Definition 4K technology, captures Peter Gabriel’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of his landmark album So. To mark the event Gabriel reunited his original So touring band from 1986/87 and for the very first time fans saw them play the multi-platinum selling album in its entirety. As a bonus, Back To Front includes ‘The Visual Approach’, a fascinating feature on the creation of the live show, the track 'This Is The Picture' as filmed by fans on the night, and a montage version of 'In Your Eyes'.

While the core of the performance is the So album, there is so much more to the concert with unfinished, previously unreleased and re-imagined songs sitting effortlessly alongside classic hits reflecting what a multi-dimensional artist Peter Gabriel is. With innovative lighting and staging, Back To Front – Live In London offers a visual and narrative feast that puts the viewer inside a concert like never before.
Tracklisting:

'Daddy Long Legs'
'Come Talk To Me'
'Shock The Monkey'
'Family Snapshot'
'Digging In The Dirt'
'Secret World'
'The Family And The Fishing Net'
'No Self Control'
'Solsbury Hill'
'Show Yourself'
'Red Rain'
'Sledgehammer'
'Don’t Give Up'
'That Voice Again'
'Mercy Street'
'Big Time'
'We Do What We’re Told (Milgram’s 37)'
'This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds)'
'In Your Eyes'
'The Tower That Ate People'
'Biko'

Guitarist Oli Herbert of Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS has confirmed that the band is working on the material for the follow-up to 2012's "A War You Cannot Win", tentatively due before the end of the year. Speaking to Artisan News at SESAC's 18th annual Pop Awards at The New York Public Library on Monday, May 5, Herbert said: "We're currently working on our new album. It'll be our seventh release. And hopefully we'll be in the studio soon and the album should be out later this year."

Pressed for more information about how the new ALL THAT REMAINS music is shaping up, Herbert said: "I can't really disclose any details. We're just writing right now, so… It's a painstaking process filled with, 'Oh, this is great,' and then the next day, 'Uh, no, this isn't so good.'"

Asked how the songwriting process works in ALL THAT REMAINS, Herbert said: "Usually, I write a lot of the guitar parts. A lot of times Mike [Martin, guitar] will have an idea or Jason [Costa, drums] will have some good drum ideas. You know, we bounce things off each other and arrangements come together. Phil [Labinte, vocals] takes care of all the lyrics. And there you go."

ALL THAT REMAINS had a huge single earlier this year with "What If I Was Nothing", which was very different for the group. Labonte told The Pulse Of Radio that not everyone in the band was on board with it at first. "There was definitely conflict in the beginning," he said. "There are people that come from, you know, a school of thought that like this is what you're supposed to do and that's what you do. But you either play inside the safe zone or you really push the envelope, and pushing the envelope is a risk. That's the thing about trying new stuff — you're not gonna know when it's gonna, you know, strike a chord with people. You have no idea."

The "What If I Was Nothing" video was directed by Rasa Acharya and Dan Kennedy of Little Sky Film (SAY ANYTHING, WE CAME AS ROMANS).

ALL THAT REMAINS' "Stand Up" single spent three weeks at #1 at Active Rock Radio. This marked ALL THAT REMAINS' first -ever #1 radio single and the group's fifth consecutive Top 10 single at the format.

"A War You Cannot Win" debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard Top 200 with over 24,700 units sold in its first week and has sold over 114,000 copies to date.

The Sarasota Police Department has released video footage (see below) of today's (Friday, May 9) press conference announcing 23 more arrests — including that of CRIMSON GLORY guitarist Jon Drenning (a.k.a. John Drenning) — as part of "Operation Sarasota Cartel II", targeting the hierarchy of drug dealers in the Sarasota, Florida area.

"This investigation had a ripple effect," said Jim Segada, group supervisor with the Drug Enforcement Agency, according to HeraldTribune.com. "It targeted the suppliers and the street dealers. It's very significant in that respect because we were able to take out an entire organization."

A majority of the most recent suspects are accused of "conspiring to obtain drugs for resale," Lt. Pat Ledwith said.

According to the web site of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Drenning was arrested on April 8 in Sarasota on charges of conspiracy to purchase cocaine (Schedule II substance) and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. The 48-year-old musician was released the following day after posting $10,000 bail on each charge.

In May 2012, the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigation Division began "Operation Sarasota Cartel II". This was a joint investigation between the Sarasota Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the State Attorney's Office for the 12th Judicial District.

In January 2014, the investigation culminated with a series of search warrants. This was able to be completed by the Sarasota Police Department with the help of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the State Attorney's Office for the 12th Judicial District, and the DEA Tampa District Office which included members from the Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The Sarasota Police Department, with the assistance of the DEA and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, completed Phase II of SRQ Cartel II ending in April 2014. Phase II resulted in the arrests of 24 individuals stemming from a long term investigation. The arrests were made as a result of surveillance, search warrants and future investigation of phone records as a result of a T-3 State wiretap.

SRQ Cartel II Investigation Facts:

* 33 individuals arrested* 5 individuals arrested were federally indicted by the DEA* 14 Kilos of cocaine recovered (street value more than $532,000 — based on average of $38,000 / kilo)* 5 automobiles seized under Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act* 9 Search warrants executed* 7 firearms seized

Singer Todd La Torre quit CRIMSON GLORY in February 2013, explaining in a statement that "the main reason for my resignation from CRIMSON GLORY is primarily due to its inertia status."

La Torre, who joined QUEENSRŸCHE in June 2012 as the replacement for Geoff Tate, became an official member of CRIMSON GLORY in April 2010 and played a number of shows with the band during the subsequent two years.

A "raw" version of a new CRIMSON GLORY demo track entitled "Garden Of Shadows" was released in September 2012 and was supposed to appear on the band's new concept record.

La Torre made his first public appearance with CRIMSON GLORY at ProgPower USA X as one of seventeen guest performers paying tribute to John Patrick Jr. "Midnight" McDonald, the band's original singer.

Midnight passed away in 2009 due to long-term health complications.

Veteran American metallers VICIOUS RUMORS will release a new live album, "Live You To Death 2 - American Punishment", via SPV/Steamhammer on June 11 in Scandinavia, June 13 in Germany, June 16 in the rest of Europe and June 24 in USA/Canada. The CD features 13 live tracks recorded on the "American Punishment Tour" in fall of 2013 in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Oakland and was produced by Geoff Thorpe and mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD. TESTAMENT) The album features VICIOUS RUMORS' new lineup performing classic songs never recorded live, like "Towns On Fire", "Mastermind" and "Worlds And Machines", along with new songs like "I Am The Gun" and "Electric Punishment".

"Live You To Death 2 - American Punishment" marks VICIOUS RUMORS' third live album — each one of them recorded on a different continent — and is the fourth album release in four years from the band.

In support of the new live album, VICIOUS RUMORS is back on tour from June 4 to June 28 in Europe. The "Live You To Death Tour: 35 Years Of Metal 1979 – 2014" will include festival stopsin Croatia, Belgium, Holland, Slovenia, Italy and the Czech Republic, sharing stages with such bands as ANNIHILATOR, NAPALM DEATH, METAL CHURCH, TRIVIUM, MASTERPLAN, TYGERS OF PAN TANG and many more, while other tour highlights will be concerts with amazing bands like NILE in the U.K. and ICED EARTH in Germany, as well as headline shows all over Europe.

"Live You To Death 2 - American Punishment" track listing: 01. Digital Dictator02. Minute To Kill03. Towns On Fire04. Lady Took A Chance05. Worlds And Machines06. I Am The Gun07. Electric Punishment08. You Only Live Twice09. Mastermind10. Don't Wait For Me11. World Church12. Hellraiser13. Soldiers Of The Night

The official video for the song "Worlds And Machines", taken from "Live You To Death 2 - American Punishment", can be seen below.

VICIOUS RUMORS is already working on material for a new studio album, to be released in 2015. In addition, the band will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the cult album "Soldiers Of The Night" with a massive world tour in 2015.

VICIOUS RUMORS in January announced the addition of singer Nick Holleman and bassist Tilen Hudrap to the group's ranks. They also welcomed back Bob Capka on guitar.

Nick, a native of Holland, has a powerful melodic voice with great range and tone. A natural talent with a high-octane stage presence and endless sustain. Nick's performance stunned VICIOUS RUMORS fans old and new during the band's last tour in the USA.

Nick was hired on the spot after VICIOUS RUMORS leader Geoff Thorpe saw a video on YouTube. "I just imagined him singing our songs and it works perfectly," Geoff said. "Once we met and the chemistry was right, I realized I found the right guy for the job."

Tilen is a native of Slovenia. After a series of auditions, Tilen was hired last summer to fill in on tour. The band liked his aggressive playing and monster stage presence so much that he was invited to join the band as a full-time member after his first show in July. Tilen already played two world tours with the band (Europe and USA, 50 shows) and appears in the newest video for the title track off the current album "Electric Punishment".

VICIOUS RUMORS is:

Geoff Thorpe - GuitarLarry Howe - DrumsNick Holleman - VocalsBob Capka - GuitarTilen Hudrap - Bass

Flint, Michigan's KING 810 has inked a deal with Roadrunner Records. The band's "Proem" EP is currently streaming in its entirety on RoadrunnerRecords.com and you can stream and download the track "Fat Around The Heart" now at KING810.com.

"Proem" will be made available on iTunes on May 13. This collection preludes the band's full-length debut slated for later this summer.

Flint, the forgotten city, is where KING 810 calls home and it's the dystopian dwelling that sets the backdrop for the "Proem". With no mayor to preside over the bereft community and a minuscule police force, Flint teaches its young to fend for themselves.

"Proem" is an embodiment of KING 810's life within this pressure cooker, a glimpse into the personal account of this disappearing metropolis where tree branches live longer than the children do. The EP traces the band's Midwest survival, stirred by frontman David Gunn's examination of his own existence and the dying kingdom around him.

KING 810 is set to debut new material at Columbus, Ohio's Rock On The Range on May 17, followed by a performance at the Download festival in the U.K. on June 15. KING 810 will then traverse the U.S. on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and release its Roadrunner debut album this August.

John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant came together in 1968 as LED ZEPPELIN. Over the next decade, the band would become one of the most influential, innovative and successful groups in modern music, selling more than 300 million albums worldwide. Their songs are some of the most celebrated in rock 'n' roll history that, to this day, resonate with fans young and old around the globe. Still, no matter how many times you may have listened to their music, you've never heard LED ZEPPELIN like this before.

With the June 3 release of deluxe editions of "Led Zeppelin", "Led Zeppelin II" and "Led Zeppelin III", the band will launch an extensive reissue program of all nine of its studio albums in chronological order, each remastered by guitarist and producer Jimmy Page. LED ZEPPELIN will also open its vaults to share dozens of unheard studio and live recordings, with each album featuring a second disc of companion audio comprised entirely of unreleased music related to that album.

"The material on the companion discs presents a portal to the time of the recording of LED ZEPPELIN," says Page. "It is a selection of work in progress with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions, and new material recorded at the time"

"Led Zeppelin", "Led Zeppelin II" and "Led Zeppelin III" will each be available June 3 from Atlantic/Swan Song in the following formats:

* Single CD - Remastered album packaged in a gatefold card wallet.

* Deluxe Edition (2CD) - Remastered album, plus a second disc of unreleased companion audio.

* Single LP - Remastered album on 180-gram vinyl, packaged in a sleeve that replicates the LP's first pressing in exacting detail. (For example, "III" will feature the original wheel and die cut holes.)

* Deluxe Edition Vinyl - Remastered album and unreleased companion audio on 180-gram vinyl.

* Digital Download - Remastered album and companion audio will both be available.

* Super Deluxe Boxed Set - This collection includes:

- Remastered album on CD in vinyl replica sleeve.- Companion audio on CD in card wallet.- Remastered album on 180-gram vinyl in a sleeve replicating first pressing.- Companion audio on 180-gram vinyl.- High-def audio download card of all content at 96kHz/24 bit. (Live tracks are 48kHz/24 bit).- Hard bound, 70+ page book filled with rare and previously unseen photos and memorabilia.- High quality print of the original album cover, the first 30,000 of which will be individually numbered.- "Led Zeppelin" will also include a replica of the band's original Atlantic press kit.

The LED ZEPPELIN legend began in January of 1969 with the group's eponymous debut. From the opening salvo of "Good Times Bad Times", on through to "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You", "Communication Breakdown" and "Dazed And Confused", the album introduced the band's unmistakable sound and left an indelible mark on the music landscape. "Led Zeppelin" has been certified diamond by the RIAA for sales over 10 million and was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2004.

The companion audio for "Led Zeppelin" features a previously unreleased performance recorded on October 10, 1969 at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. The nine-song set features seven tracks from the album, including an epic 15-minute version of "Dazed And Confused", as well as "Heartbreaker" and "Moby Dick", which would debut on "Led Zeppelin II" later that month.

The band wrote and recorded nearly all of "Led Zeppelin II" while touring relentlessly to support its debut album. Incredibly, the album was released just seven months after "Led Zeppelin" in October of 1969. "Led Zeppelin II" features some of the band's most beloved tracks including "Ramble On" and "Heartbreaker" as well as "Whole Lotta Love", considered by many to be one of the greatest rock 'n' roll songs of all time. The album is certified diamond by the RIAA with sales of over 12 million copies.

The "Led Zeppelin II" companion audio gives fans the first peek into the band's recording sessions, with alternate mixes of five songs from the album, backing tracks to "Thank You" and "Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)", and the previously unreleased track "La La".

Following the whirlwind success of their first two albums and near constant touring, Page and Plant took to the now famous Bron-Yr-Aur cottage in Wales in 1970 to start the early composition of "Led Zeppelin III". They later convened with Bonham and Jones for rehearsals before entering London's Olympic Studios to begin recording in May 1970. Fueled by classic tracks such as "Immigrant Song" and "Since I've Been Loving You", the album soared to the top of charts worldwide upon its release in October of 1970 and has since been certified six times platinum.

The nine tracks featured on "Led Zeppelin III"'s companion audio continue to offer a window into the band's recording process with seven studio outtakes of songs from the album as well as three previously unheard compositions: "Jennings Farm Blues" (an instrumental forerunner of "Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp"), "Bathroom Sound" (an instrumental version of "Out On The Tiles"), and their take on the blues classics "Keys To The Highway/Trouble In Mind".

LED ZEPPELIN continues to be honored for its pivotal role in music history. The band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1995, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, and a year later was awarded with the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm. Founding members Jones, Page and Plant — along with Jason Bonham, the son of John Bonham — took the stage at London's O2 Arena in 2007 to headline a tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun, a dear friend and Atlantic Records' founder. The band was honored for its lifetime contribution to American culture at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012. In January of 2014, the band won their first ever Grammy Award as "Celebration Day", which captured their live performance at the Ertegun tribute concert, was named "Best Rock Album."

"Led Zeppelin" track listing:

01. Good Times Bad Times02. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You03. You Shook Me04. Dazed And Confused05. Your Time Is Gonna Come06. Black Mountain Side07. Communication Breakdown08. I Can't Quit You Baby09. How Many More Times

Companion Audio Disc: Live At The Olympia - Paris, France October 10, 1969

01. Good Times Bad Times/Communication Breakdown02. I Can't Quit You Baby03. Heartbreaker04. Dazed And Confused05. White Summer/Black Mountain Side06. You Shook Me07. Moby Dick08. How Many More Times

"Led Zeppelin II" track listing

01. Whole Lotta Love02. What Is And What Should Never Be03. The Lemon Song04. Thank You05. Heartbreaker06. Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)07. Ramble On08. Moby Dick

Companion Audio Disc

01. Whole Lotta Love02. What Is And What Should Never Be03. Thank You04. Heartbreaker05. Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)06. Ramble On07. Moby Dick08. La La09. Bring It On Home

"Led Zeppelin III" track listing

01. Immigrant Song02. Friends03. Celebration Day04. Since I've Been Loving You05. Out On The Tiles06. Gallows Pole07. Tangerine08. That's The Way09. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp10. Hats Off To (Roy) Harper

Companion Audio Disc

01. The Immigrant Song02. Friends03. Celebration Day04. Since I've Been Loving You05. Bathroom Sound06. Gallows Pole07. That's The Way08. Jennings Farm Blues09. Keys To The Highway/Trouble In Mind

Video footage of the unboxing of the "Super Deluxe" edition of "Led Zeppelin II" can be seen below.

Page told The Pulse Of Radio that after all the success LED ZEPPELIN had, the real reward has been that the music has lasted so long. "The most satisfying, the most rewarding part of it, is having been part of music like that, which has stood up to the test of time," he said. "Every musician hopes that their music will hold up. And it's wonderful."

Page, who produced all of LED ZEPPELIN's live and studio albums, has served as the band's chief archivist and personally oversaw the remastering of the band's catalog back in the early '90s.

"Bloody Angel", the new video from Swedish metallers AVATAR, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Hail The Apocalypse", which will be released in North America on May 13 via eOne Music. The CD was recorded in Karma Sound Studios, Bang Saray, Thailand, mixed by Jay Ruston (STONE SOUR, ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER) and mastered by Paul Logus (VOLBEAT, CLUTCH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE).

"'Bloody Angel' is about shame and guilt," says AVATAR frontman Johannes Eckerström. "You look around and watch all the suffering and while you search for someone or something to blame, you end up in front of a mirror. Everything you touch, you break. Everyone you try to save you hurt and push further away."

AVATAR is described by many as a perfect mix between RAMMSTEIN, ALICE COOPER and SYSTEM OF A DOWN — something the band has now developed further with the video for "Hail The Apocalypse".

"Hail The Apocalypse" track listing:

01. Hail The Apocalypse02. What I Don't Know03. Death Of Sound04. Vultures Fly05. Bloody Angel06. Murderer07. Tsar Bomba08. Puppet Show09. Get In Line10. Something In the Way11. Tower

The visually stimulating "Hail The Apocalypse" album cover can be seen below. It vividly depicts the band steering their ship through a storm on the open sea with the apocalypse happening all around them. They're facing it, riding the waves and taking on whatever comes their way. To the band, it symbolizes the time in the darkness that made these songs.

Eckerström comments on the "Hail The Apocalypse" video, which can be seen below: "This is our best video to date. I play your friendly neighborhood doomsday prophet. You get to follow me facing the unbelievers and their reactions when chaos ensues. Good times all around and we are using some really amazing special effects to blow up the planet. Oh, and it's done like a silent movie."

AVATAR gained much attention when it comes to its creativity in videos, which are always produced by the bandmembers themselves.

Since the release of the band's last CD, "Black Waltz", AVATAR has had massive success all over the world. The singles "Smells Like A Freakshow" and "Let It Burn" peaked on No. 26 on U.S. commercial rock radio charts, where they also stayed for several weeks well ahead of more established bands in the scene. This was followed by extensive and successful U.S. tours. The biggest break through came when AVENGED SEVENFOLD personally picked AVATAR as support band on their sold-out arena tour in Europe late 2013. AVATAR got a reception far beyond expected by the crowds, which resulted in bookings on high profiled festivals such as Download festival and Rock On The Range in 2014, among own headline dates.

AVATAR is: Johannes Michael Gustaf Eckerström - VocalsJohn Alfredsson - DrumsKungen - GuitarTim Öhrstrom - GuitarHenrik Sandelin - Bass

"Bloody Angel" video:

METALLICA lead guitarist Kirk Hammett has recorded a cover of the 19th century pop standard "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built For Two)" for a compilation album featuring a number of well-known artists all covering the exact same song. The album, called "The Gay Nineties Old Tyme Music: Daisy Bell", also rounds up versions of "Daisy Bell" from "Weird Al" Yankovic, Tyler The Creator, Nick Cave, Katy Perry, DEVO's Mark Mothersbaugh, and ex-OINGO BOINGO mastermind/film composer Danny Elfman.

The official video for Hammett's version of "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built For Two)" can be seen below. According to The Pulse Of Radio, the song has been covered extensively since it was written more than a century ago, and might be best known as the tune that the supercomputer HAL 9000 sings as it is being shut down in "2001: A Space Odyssey".

The album was conceived by artist Mark Ryden, who has done cover art for records like the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' "One Hot Minute" and Michael Jackson's "Dangerous".

The disc will be printed in a limited run of 999 hand-numbered and signed copies on 180-gram red vinyl, costing $99 each.

Half the run will be sold at Ryden's "Gay ’90s" exhibit. which just opened at the Kohn Gallery in Los Angeles, while the rest will go on sale at his web site beginning May 13.

Proceeds from sales of the record will go to the music education non-profit initiative Little Kids Rock.

"Daisy Bell" was written in 1892 by English songwriter Harry Dacre.

It first became popular through live performances by Katie Lawrence in the U.K. and Jennie Lindsay in the U.S. It was first recorded in 1893 by singer Dan W. Quinn, whose version topped the charts for nine weeks.

It was also the first song ever sung by a computer, when an IBM 704 sang it in 1961 during a demonstration of Bell Labs' newly invented speech synthesis — an event referenced by the famous scene in 2001.

It has also been recorded by ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS and BLUR.

Fan-filmed video footage of DOWN performing the CORROSION OF CONFORMITY classic "Albatross" on May 9 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey can be seen below.

DOWN guitarist Pepper Keenan is still considered to be a member of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY but is not involved in the reunion of C.O.C.'s "Animosity" lineup, which was resurrected in 2010 and has been recording and touring ever since.

Keenan joined CORROSION OF CONFORMITY in 1990, but he did not become the band's lead singer until the recording of "Deliverance", which came out in 1994.

In a 2012 interview with Blistering.com, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY bassist/vocalist Mike Dean was asked if the band will ever do anything with Pepper again. "There's no firm plans, but there is a firm desire to make it happen," he said. "We had a really good time doing 'In The Arms Of God' and I'm really proud of that album. The only thing missing was Reed [Mullin]. I thought Stanton Moore did a great job. If you're not going to have your original drummer, then it's novel to get someone who's flamboyant to do their take on it. I thought that was a good move. I came away from that thinking that if we had this level of creativity and also had Mullin… that would be a bonus. But yeah, I hope we don't just get that lineup together for shows or 'Deliverance' nostalgia shows, but get it together with the idea of putting out a record. There's some controversy to doing the three-piece. People are like, "Oh my God, no Pepper!" People haven't even heard it and complain. I'm like, "Complain on, you'll see!" There's a good story behind this version, and there would be a good story behind doing the four-piece again."

Legacy Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment's catalog division, in 2010 released "Playlist: The Very Best Of Corrosion Of Conformity", a new CORROSION OF CONFORMITY best-of collection in the "Playlist" compilation albums series.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's most recent studio album with Keenan, "In the Arms of God", came out in 2005 on Sanctuary Records.

"Bleedthrough", the new video from Italian/Norwegian hard-industrial-electro extreme metallers ABORYM — who feature in ther ranks Fabban and Paolo Pieri (HOUR OF PENANCE) along with drummer Bård G. "Faust" Eithun (BLOOD TSUNAMI, MONGO NINJA, ex-EMPEROR) — can be seen below. The clip was directed and filmed by Andrea Mazzucca and the Victorlab crew and features the model-actress Tanya Mishchenko.

Fabban's mask used in the clip was created by Monica Mangioni and Alice Siracusano.

"Bleedthrough" is a perfect example of band's unique style: blistering riffage, unmistakably weird industrial wall, power screams and consolidated sonic madness combined in a form of an eye-popping videoclip.

ABORYM's sixth full-length album, "Dirty", was released on May 28, 2013 in Europe and June 11, 2013 in North America via Agonia Records. The 10-track double album (cover below) was made available in digipak, jewel case and gatefold double LP formats.

"Dirty" was recorded at the Fear No One Studios in Italy with Emiliano Natali, reprising his sound engineer role from the band's "Psychogrotesque" album, and was helmed by Marc Urselli of New York's Eastside Sound Studio, who previously worked with the likes of Mike Patton and Lou Reed. The electronic part of the album was engineered by D. Loop (KEBABTRAUME, LIMBO). R.G. Narchost (STORMCROW, DEMON'S SHADE, DROWNING ASHES) created "The Spiral Shaped Chamber" custom sounds library for the band. Artwork for the album is by ABORYM's Fabban.

The first CD of the album features new material, while the second CD features two tracks from previous albums, which have been completely re-arranged and re-recorded, covers of tracks by IRON MAIDEN, PINK FLOYD and NINE INCH NAILS, and a previously unreleased track performed by both musicians such as Agonia BV, Tamara Picardo, Samuel Heru Ra Ha MK, Hostis, Ulven, Mike Bizzini, David Cholasta, Tobias Dünnebacke, Jonathan Butcher, Jessy Lavallee, Thomas Hochstetler, Mary J. Rooks, Amanda Neilson and Mark Llewellyn, as well as several fans. The song was written by Alberto Penzin (CO2, ex-SCHIZO) and was spliced together from all the different sources.

On May 13, Eagle Rock will release DIO's "Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo" on DVD, Blu-ray, 2CD and digital formats.

Filmed at London, England's Hammersmith Apollo on December 12, 1993, this previously unreleased concert film captures the then newly reformed DIO band on the last night of their European tour in support of the "Strange Highways" album. With a lineup of Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Vinny Appice (drums), Jeff Pilson (bass) and Tracy G (guitar), the band delivered a blistering performance on tracks from the "Strange Highways" album, previous DIO classics and favorites from Ronnie's career with BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW.

"Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo" track listing:

01. Stand Up And Shout02. Strange Highways 03. Don't Talk To Strangers 04. Evilution 05. Pain (with guitar solo) 06. The Mob Rules 07. Children Of The Sea 08. Holy Diver 09. Heaven And Hell 10. Man On The Silver Mountain 11. Drum Solo12. Heaven And Hell (reprise) 13. Jesus Mary & The Holy Ghost 14. Hollywood Black 15. The Last In Line 16. Rainbow In The Dark 17. We Rock18. Here's To You

"Strange Highways" performance clip, taken from "Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo", can be seen below.

In a mid-1990s interview with Extreme magazine, Ronnie James Dio stated about the "Strange Highways" LP: "When we did that album, the record company just went, 'Whoa — we don't know what to do with this one, so we'll throw it against the wall and if it does something. We'll support it. If not — the hell with it!' They really did nothing. We were at the back end of getting ready to leave that label anyway; it just wasn't the place for us… But I must say I can't lay the blame on everybody else, that album perhaps sounded too dated — that might have been one of its problems too… We started writing in a different manner on the 'Strange Highways' album and it's carried on in that writing style to [1996's 'Angry Machines']. We've just taken it a few steps closer to the year 2000 rather than looking back and trying to be a reunion band and thinking, 'Gee, I think they're going to like this one — it sounds like 'Holy Diver'!' That's something I never wanted to do."

Ronnie James Dio, best known for his work with BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW and his own band DIO, died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.

Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer, who was recording and touring with SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.

"Splinters", the video for the title track of the second full-length album from VALLENFYRE, the U.K. death metal band featuring Gregor Mackintosh, songwriter and guitarist of PARADISE LOST, alongside members of MY DYING BRIDE, AT THE GATES and DOOM, can be seen below. Due on May 12 in Europe and on May 13 in North America via Century Media Records, the CD's simple-yet-striking cover artwork was created by Brian D'Agosta, who previously drew a logo for VALLENFYRE bassist Scoot's other band, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND, as well as artwork for many other bands.

In 2011, Mackintosh announced that he would go back to his death metal roots with his new band, VALLENFYRE. The level of expectation was set high with a lineup consisting of Hamish Glencross (guitar; MY DYING BRIDE), Scoot (bass; DOOM, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND), Adrian Erlandsson (drums; AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST, THE HAUNTED) local friend Mully (second guitar) — and, of course, Gregor on vocals (for the first time in his career!). Their debut, "A Fragile King", was a reference to Gregor's father's (lost) battle with cancer; the harrowing, crusty death-doom found on the album was hailed as "a beast of a record" (Terrorizer) and "a sonic force that bites deep and hard" (Decibel). Simply put, "A Fragile King" is "old school to the bone" (Rock Hard).

"VALLENFYRE was something I felt utterly compelled to do," Mackintosh said. "It was almost like I didn't have a choice.

"I was told by a bereavement counselor that I should write down and vocalize my feelings. I did just that and then everything just seemed to take a natural course."

In addition to being the main songwriter in PARADISE LOST, Greg stepped up to being the frontman for VALLENFYRE and sang for the first time, citing Karl Willetts (BOLT THROWER), Chuck Schuldiner (DEATH), Oscar Garcia (NAUSEA, TERRORIZER), Peter Steele (CARNIVORE, TYPE O NEGATIVE) as influences. "A Fragile King" turned out to be a heartfelt, cathartic and therapeutic release, which now finds it continuation on the even more abrasive and extreme second full-length, "Splinters".

Inspired by the likes of HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST, AUTOPSY, ANTISECT, DISCHARGE, NIHILIST, early NAPALM DEATH, early BATHORY and CONFLICT, VALLENFYRE digs deep into the roots of extreme music, yet due to Greg's infallible songwriting skills, as well as the organic and absolutely crushing sound courtesy of Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, BLACK BREATH, BEASTMILK), "Splinters" is far away from mere nostalgia.

VALLENFYRE is:

Greg Mackintosh (PARADISE LOST) - Vocals, GuitarHamish Glencross (MY DYING BRIDE) - GuitarScoot (DOOM, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND) - BassAdrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST, THE HAUNTED) – Drums

"I'm No Angel" , the new video from THE WINERY DOGS — the power trio featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB), legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, TALAS, DAVID LEE ROTH) and guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON) — can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's self-titled debut album, which sold around 10,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in North America on July 23, 2013 via Loud & Proud Records and in Japan on May 15, 2013 via Victor Entertainment, the CD was mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, ADRENALINE MOB, STONE SOUR and STEEL PANTHER.

THE WINERY DOGS released two new special versions of its self-titled debut album on April 15. "The Winery Dogs Special Edition" consists of two-CDs. Disc 1 is the standard album and Disc 2 is entitled "Unleashed In Japan 2013", featuring 10 songs recorded live in Japan during the band's July 2013 tour, including "Criminal", a track previously unavailable in the U.S., along with a 16-page booklet of live photos and lyrics. A deluxe package for die-hard fans was released simultaneously. "Dog Treats: The Winery Dogs Deluxe Special Edition" is sold in a box resembling a box of dog treats, and includes the "Special Edition" collection of music, a DVD featuring four music videos and interview footage, demos from the original recording sessions, a "studio diary" written by Mike Portnoy, as well as some unique merchandise unavailable elsewhere. "Bands like [LED] ZEPPELIN and THE WHO, THE [ROLLING] STONES, and THE BEATLES, CREAM, and [Jimi] Hendrix. I mean, I grew up with that stuff," Portnoy told Voice Of America. "And, although I've been able to pay tribute to it throughout my career with tribute bands and things like that, I've never been in an all-original band that was kind of playing classic rock power trio stuff. That's how I describe this band: just a straight-up rock band."

Regarding the songwriting process for THE WINERY DOGS' album, Portnoy said: "In all cases, the music was the very first element and from there, Richie would start melodies on top of it. Sometimes the final lyrics were there, coming up on the spot, and other times he would take the melodies and write lyrics later. There were a couple of examples of Richie having something and bringing it in. In those cases, like 'Damaged' and 'Regret', we just left them. Because in those two particular cases, the songs were great as they were."

Portnoy was full of praise for his THE WINERY DOGS bandmates, telling Voice Of America: "Billy Sheehan is my favorite bass player on earth and he has been for almost 30 years now. So to work with him and make music with him for me is an honor. And Richie is someone I have the utmost respect for as an artist. I mean, he is just so underappreciated, not only as a guitarist, but as a singer and a writer as well. I think for me, the most exciting aspect of this band is for people to discover Richie that aren't aware of what a musical genius he is."

Sweden's masters of melancholy KATATONIA performed at P60 in Amstelveen, The Netherlands on May 9 as part of their "Unplugged & Reworked" tour. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

The tour finds the revered doomsters adding another string to their sonic bow, presenting an intimate evening with the band each night performing tracks from last year's "Dethroned & Uncrowned" (itself an acoustic reworking of their "Dead End Kings" album), alongside atmospheric classics from their entire career, stripped down and reworked.

In announcing the tour last December, KATATONIA guitarist and founding member Anders Nyström commented: "Many people who appreciated how we 'dethroned' and 'uncrowned' [2012's] 'Dead End Kings' album have been hoping and even insisting the same would also be done to one or more of our older albums. Admittedly, not likely to happen many a moon ago, at least not with a studio album, we are excited to let you know that by bringing this show on the road the same possibility now opens up that door, with a live version. So expect to hear stripped and reworked songs from our entire career and have them come into equation by thriving on our atmospheric vision, the ambience of some highly unusual venues and last but not least with your presence and choir to set the mood for a soothing experience. We're already certain this will be the most different and remarkable thing we've ever done!"

Drummer Daniel Liljekvist last month announced his departure from KATATONIA. He explained in a statement: "It's got nothing to do with 'difference in views' or any other bullshit. I just cannot combine job, family and commit 100% to KATATONIA. Times for musicians are rough and I've decided to concentrate on my family and get a normal job that gets the bills paid."

KATATONIA recently parted ways with guitarist Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson due to "a difference in views on the band's current operative as well as last year's decision from Per to permanently live in Barcelona."

Hamilton, Ontario-based bashers VARGA, who released the first part of a two-part comeback album, Enter The Metal, on October 30th, 2013 are gearing up for the release of part 2, Return Of The Metal. The new song 'Three Section Staff' is currently available for free download at VargaHQ.com. Check out the song belowe:
Return Of The Metal will be released on May 24th through the band's own label, Vargantuan Music. Stay tuned for updates.

Comprised of members Joe Varga (bass & vocals), Adam Alex (guitar), Sean Williamson (guitar), and Dan Fila (drums), the veteran band - originally formed in 1989 - has built a large and loyal following of heavy metal fans, particular in their Canadian homeland, on the strength of such popular releases as 1994's Prototype (released via the Zoo label), which spawned the hits 'Freeze Don't Move' and 'Greed', even earning the band a thumbs up on the then-popular Beavis And Butthead program on MTV. After over a decade apart, Varga reunited in 2011 and issued their reunion effort, Enter The Metal,their first new studio album in 17 years.

The album was produced by long time friend and producer/engineer, Julius “Juice” Butty (ALEXISONFIRE, PROTEST THE HERO), and recorded at both Six Nations’ Jukasa Studio, and Butty’s own Silo Studios. As the band's leader, Joe Varga, states, “In this collection of music, you’ll hear a return to our metal and progressive roots with songs laden with heavy licks, crazy time changes and insane vocals.”

Varga recently posted the new song, 'Gamera' (found below) and have now launched a preview page featuring more songs from Enter The Metal. Check out the previews here.

Preview tracks include;

'Beginning Of The End'
'Gamera'
'Mad Scientist'
'Plane Crash'
'No More Clean Air'
'Shark Attack'