Portuguese technical death metal act Annihilation have released their new single, for the song "The Great Cycle". Available as a digital download on their Bandcamp, "The Great Cycle" is a taste of what you will hear on their forthcoming The Undivided EP.
You can hear and purchase the track at this location.

In addition to releasing the song as a digital download, the band has also premiered the song as a lyric video, which can be viewed below:
Annihilation lineup:

Fábio Silva - Rhythm Guitar / Vocals
Nuno Costa - Lead Guitar
Diogo Silva - Bass / Back Vocals
Ita dos Santos - Drums

Danish groove metallers ELECTRIC HELLRIDE (winners of the last Danish edition of W:O:A Metal Battle) release the Come Darkness, Come Light EP today, May 5th, through the band's own label, ElHell Records, on CD, vinyl and free download. Get the free download at this location.
The artwork for Come Darkness, Come Light was made by the Copenhagen-based illustrator and designer Tunguska, who stated the following about his collaboration with Electric Hellride:

"The band wanted a dark and gloomy atmosphere in a urban environment reflecting the track 'Grey Mass Depression'. The challenge with this was to make it visually interesting to avoid things seen way to many times before. The lighting and the different composition of the front and back were important elements in order to achieve a satisfying product".

Electric Hellride has expressed its views on cooperation with Tunguska: "Tunguska did a design for us that should be available on t-shirt soon and we liked that design so much that it was only natural to ask him to do the cover for the EP as well. He really nailed the atmosphere we wanted, so we are of course very satisfied. We are looking forward to show the vinyl version to the public as the large format only makes the artwork even better"

The follow-up to the debut album Hate.Control.Manipulate from 2012 (released on Mighty Music) was recorded in Grizzly Sauer Studio with Emil Buus Sauer.

Come Darkness, Come Light sees Electric Hellride evolving and changing the music into something more varied and diverse. This is also the primary reason for choosing to release an EP instead of a full length album. The band is working hard with the songwriting for the next album but wanted to make a little stop in the studio to try out some of the new stuff as well as to test the music on the fans and potential new fans.

Tracklisting:

'Master Inferno'
'Higher Profanity'
'Grey Mass Depression'
'Phosphorus'
In the Youtube clip below, Electric Hellride brings you inside the studio, where you can get a sneak peek of some new material.

Italian hard rockers Rustless have released their new album, Guardian Angel, in stores via Buil2kill Records/Nadir Music and online on all major worldwide digital markets.

Proud supporters of pure and genuine rock, these guys prove great skills and real passion for music when performing. A legendary career that speaks for itself: eight successful albums recorded under the aegis of Vanadium between the ‘80s and the early ‘90s.

These musicians come back on stage with unchanged energy, passion and this new project called Rustless. A video teaser can be found below.
Tracklisting:

"A New Beginning"
"Remember Your Name"
"I Do Not Care"
"Coming Home"
"One Day"
"Summer Rain"
"Guardian Angel"
"The Night Before The War"
"Trying Not To Fall"
"No Frontiers" (instrumental)
"Thoughts"
"Save Me"
"After The End"

Teaser:

The Hell have released a video for "Everybody Dies" a track from their new album, Groovehammer, out in North America on July 8th via Prosthetic Records.
Tracklisting:

"Take Me Out"
"Old Jacks, New Jacks"
"Groovehammer"
"Everybody Dies"
"Bangers & Mosh"
"We Love Dicks"
"Deal With It"
"Check This Out"
"Speed Shit Up 2"
"We Handle Shit"
"Battleship"
"Snakes"
"I'll Snap Your Fucking Head Clean Off"
(Plus Top Secret Track)

"Everybody Dies" video:
The Hell will bring the chaos to several of the summer's largest European festivals. Confirmed appearances include the following:

May
31 - London, UK - Camden Rocks

June
11-13 - Refshaleoen, DK - Copenhell Festival

July
4-6 - Knebworth Park, UK - Sonisphere

August
14 - Hasselt, BE - Pukkelpop
15-16 - Kent, UK - Hevy Fest

Toledo, Spain-based death metallers Dulcamara have released a video for "El Antagonista", the title track of their new album, El Antagonista. The video, directed by Miguel Angel Prieto, is streaming below.
El Antagonista tracklisting:

"La Eternidad Genética"
"Pariah"
"Cuestión de Honor"
"El Antagonista"
"Gehena"
"El Arte de la Degradación"
"Donde nacen las Pesadillas"
"Invencibles"
"Romance Mecánico"
"Ciudadano Ejemplar"
"Dioses Antiguos"

"El Antagonista" video:
In the words of Dulcamara: “This is definitely our most wild and complex album to date. We've experimented with new sounds , textures and forms of composition, adding new elements and taking a step beyond from those we used in previous works. Prepare to look into the eyes of The Antagonist."

El Antagonista was recorded, mixed and mastered between September and December of 2013 in Mágica Estudios with sound engineer Pepe Herrero.

Canadian metal band Shock have released the third video from their 2013 CD, Once Denied, for the song "Full Speed Ahead". The song is a straight on 80's thrash/speed/power metal tour de force and the video takes you around a race track in a GT3 at night from an onboard camera.

Singer/guitarist Tony V says: "This song just makes you want to drive fast", and bassis Player Steve Monette (who directed and edited the video) added, "It was a great way to combine two of my passions - metal and Porsches!"

Shock are currently preparing material to enter the studio at the end of 2014 to record the follow-up to Once Denied. Updates to follow.

NWOBHM legends AVENGER have inked a deal with Rocksector Records for the release of their third album, "The Slaughter Never Stops". Due on September 1, the band's first new release since 1985's "Killer Elite" was recorded at Blast Studios in Newcastle, U.K. and Leather Bear Studios in Sunderland, U.K. The effort was engineered and mixed by Dean Thompson.

"The Slaughter Never Stops" track listing:

01. Mace Imperial 02. Race Against Time 03. Fate 04. Fields Of The Burnt 05. Into The Nexus 06. Decimated 07. In Arcadia Go! 08. Killers (IRON MAIDEN cover) 09. Flayer Psychosis 10. Shot To Hell 11. Midnight Mass Destruction

The song "Fate" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

Brian Ross, Mick Moore and Gary Young founded AVENGER late in 1982 following the breakup of BLITZKRIEG. Their debut single, "Too Wild To Tame", followed in October 1983. Shortly after, lead singer Brian Ross left to join SATAN, while SATAN's singer Ian Swift made the opposite move to join AVENGER.

AVENGER's classic lineup released a debut album, "Blood Sports", in 1984 on Neat Records and toured Europe extensively. The band's second LP, "Killer Elite", was released in 1985, again on Neat, along with three music videos and later a tour of the United States, yet after returning to England, the band split, with Ian Swift joining ATOMKRAFT and Gary Young later hooking up with BLITZKRIEG.

After AVENGER's entire discography was re-released in 2002/2003 by Sanctuary Records, the band reformed in 2005 and has since toured Europe with U.S. rockers Y&T, also appearing alongside TWISTED SISTER, CANDLEMASS, SAXON, DIAMOND HEAD and RAVEN.

Now reunited with classic lineup vocalist Ian Swift, a new chapter begins with shows across Europe and a new album, "The Slaughter Never Stops".

Mark Appleton of Rocksector Records says: "Hooking up with AVENGER is an exciting step. On the one hand, the new album is, of course, a much-anticipated event from a band with history and heritage, but also when listening to the song 'Fate', available now as a free download, it's clear how relevant and vibrant this music remains."

AVENGER is:

Ian Swift - Lead Vocals Sean Jefferies - Guitar Liam Thompson - Guitar, Backing Vocals Ian Fulton - Bass, Backing Vocals Gary Young - Drums, Backing Vocals

Power Prog has announced the signing of Brazilian progressive power metallers Daydream XI. They have already gained their first
bigger international experiences through the participation at the latest "Progressive Nation At Sea" last February. Now our first common goal is the preparation of their debut longplayer for a release in late summer this year. The album was mixed by André Alvinzi and mastered by Jens Bogren (OPETH, KREATOR, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.
Daydream recently released a live video, featuring the song "Watch Me Rise", to be included on the band's upcoming debut album. The video, recorded at Gorila Studio in Porto Alegre, can be seen below:
Daydream XI are ...
Tiago Masseti (vocals/guitars)
Marcelo Pereira (guitars)
Tomás Gonzaga (bass)
Bruno Giordano (drums)

German thrash metal veterans ASSASSIN have parted ways with vocalist Robert Gonella and have replaced him with Ingo "Crowzak" Bajonczak (LORD OF GIANT, SUPERSOMA, NEW DAMAGE).

Comments ASSASSIN guitarist Michael Hoffmann: "We all were lying crippled on the floor, as, all of a sudden, this guy shows up! And he slapped us out of our delirium, with his voice!

"Ingo was not only able to fill in the blank, but, as he's an experienced guitarist, he's able to communicate with the rest of the band on a whole other level."

ASSASSIN is currently in the studio recording its new album, due later in the year.

ASSASSIN's latest CD, "Breaking The Silence", came out in February 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer Records. The effort was recorded with veteran metal producer Harris Johns, who has previously worked with VOIVOD, KREATOR and SODOM, among many others.

SPV/Steamhammer also reissued ASSASSIN's classic LPs, 1987's "The Upcoming Terror" and 1988's "Interstellar Experience".

ASSASSIN reunited in 2002 and performed at the 2003 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival.

XplicitConcerts has uploaded video footage of HELLYEAH's May 10 performance at the the Rise Above Fest in Bangor, Maine. Check it out below.

As previously reported, HELLYEAH has recruited Christian Brady as its new touring guitarist following the recent departure of Greg Tribbett (MUDVAYNE).

A former member of MAGNA-FI and FRANKY PEREZ & THE TRUTH, Brady met HELLYEAH drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott in Las Vegas, where Christian has been living and playing in bands for a while.

HELLYEAH's fourth studio album, "Blood For Blood", will be released on June 10 via Eleven Seven Music. The CD was helmed by producer Kevin Churko at his The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada. Churko is the Canadian musician, sound engineer, songwriter and record producer who has previously worked with OZZY OSBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and IN THIS MOMENT, among other acts.

Prior to the recording of the new album, HELLYEAH parted ways with Tribbett and bassist Bob "Zilla" Kakaha (DAMAGEPLAN). Kakaha has since been replaced by Kyle Sanders, a former member of BLOODSIMPLE and the brother of MASTODON's Troy Sanders.

Still in the lineup are Vinnie Paul Abbott, guitarist Tom Maxwell and singer Chad Gray.

A press release describes "Blood For Blood" as a "welcome return to form" for the band, adding that it "sounds like a recharged HELLYEAH, taken up many notches."

HELLYEAH's other albums include 2009's "Stampede" and 2011's "Band Of Brothers".

MUDVAYNE has not released an album since 2009 while Gray and Tribbett have been working with HELLYEAH.

Norwegian metallers Tomorrow's Outlook have revealed the artwork and tracklisting for their upcoming concept album, which is scheduled for an early 2015 release via the australian label Battlegod Productions. The front cover artwork was done by Slovakian artist Rado Javor.
Tracklist:

"Within The World Of Dreams"
"Descent"
"Through Shuttered Eyes"
"A Voice Unheard"
"Outlaw"
"The Choice"
"Times Of War"
"One Final Prayer"
"The Enemy"
"Fly Away"
"Nothing Shall Remain"
"From The Ashes"
"Cloudbreaker" (Remake)
"The Executioner" (Bonus)

A band update reads:

"The album is still in the works and recording will be finished during the summer. Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear/ex Gamma Ray) has recorded five vocal tracks so far.
Norwegian singer Tony Johannessen (THUNDERBOLT) has also recorded three tracks, and more singers will be heading into the studio over the next couple of months.

A month ago the british actor Danny Webb (probably most known for starring as character Robert Morse in Alien 3) recorded a narration for a song called 'Nothing Shall Remain', and sometime this month another actor called Jamieson Price will track some voice overs for a song called 'Times Of War'. Jamieson is best known for his deep and booming voice for numerous anime and video games, but a lot of you will also remember him as Captain Bordon in The Patriot.

The first 12 songs of the upcoming album follows the story, while 'Cloudbreaker' is a remake from the debut album (Liquid Scream) and 'The Executioner' is a cover song from a musical called Which Witch, written by Norwegian singers/composers Benedicte Adrian and Ingrid Bjørnov (Dollie Deluxe). 'The Executioner' which was originally very musical/orchestral-orientated has been stripped-down and rearranged to fit the melodic metal style of Tomorrow's Outlook. Below is the original live version of the song featuring norwegian singer Jahn Teigen (Popol Vuh) as the executioner."

Last night (May 3rd), Swedish black metallers Dark Funeral celebrated their 20th anniversary with a 20 Years Of Satanic Symphonies show at Klubben in Stockholm, Sweden. The show featured a reunion with former singer Paul "Themgoroth" Mäkitalo and guitarists Henrik "Typhos" Ekeroth and Matti "Dominion" Mäkelä, bassist Bennie "B-Force" Fors and drummer Robert "Gaahnfaust" Lundin.
Says the band; "A massive thanks to all you people who came out and made this to an unforgettable night of madness!"

20 Years Of Satanic Symphonies set-list:
"The Secrets Of The Black Arts"
"The Dawn No More Rises"
"When Angels Forever Die"
"Bloodfrozen"
"The Fire Eternal"
"Satan's Mayhem"
"Dark Are The Paths To Eternity"
"The Arrival Of Satan's Empire"
"Attera Totus Sanctus"
"Goddess Of Sodomy"
"Enriched by Evil" (with Typhos)
"666 Voices Inside"
"In My Dreams"
"An Apprentice Of Satan" (with Dominion)

Encore #1:
"Open The Gates" (with Themgoroth)
"Shadows Over Transylvania" (with Themgoroth)
"My Dark Desires" (with Themgoroth)
"In The Sign of the Horns" (with Themgoroth)

Encore #2:
"Vobiscum Satanas"
"My Funeral"

Check out fan-filmed video below:

Cadiz, Spain hard rockers have released a video for the track ‘Without You’. 'Without You' is available as a free download at this location.
The band comments: “Dear friends, We´ve been having hard times lately, but we have had enough time to think, create and dream about Handful Of Rain´s new album and, finally, we have the big pleasure to introduce you our new singer David Requejado, so here you have our new single, ‘Without You’. Enjoy it. This goes for all of you who still give us the energy to go on. Hugs.”
For more info visit Facebook.

For nearly a decade on the road, the heavy metal band FIRE SHADOW is certainly one of the most prominent names in Brazil nowadays.
So far, the band already released a demo, two singles and the self-titled debut album from 2007. Nevertheless, they played shows alongside world-renowned bands like ICED EARTH, GRAVE DIGGER, BLAZE BAYLEY, PAUL DI'ANNO and were the winners of Parana stage of Wacken Metal Battle 2011, which has accredited them to play at Roca 'N' Roll, one of the most important rock/metal festivals from Brazil.
Currently formed by Marco Lacerda (vocal), Bruno Quimelli (guitar), Francisco Kozel (guitar), Gustavo Adaeots (bass) and Leandro Zonato (drums), Fire Shadow now prepares for the release of the band's new effort, the Phoenix EP. Expected to reach the stores in July, Phoenix was recorded in Curitiba/Brazil at the Bunker Studio and will bring the tracks 'Scars', 'Inner Battle', 'Phoenix', 'From Darkness' and 'Unbreakable'.

Phoenix was produced by the band itself alongside the producer Alexandre Cegalla and promises to be a watershed moment in the band's career.

"With Phoenix we wanted to achieve a higher level in comparison with all we've done so far," says vocalist Marco Lacerda. "The band has matured a lot from all the years on the road, as well as our compositions. We got many things from our early work and we are proud of it, but we are sure that everyone who have been following us will be surprised with the quality of this new material."

Signed by the brazilian artist Carlos Fides (NOTURNALL, SHAMAN, ALMAH) the cover of Phoenix dialogues directly with the lyrics content.
"The idea of the cover is precisely reflect the concept of the album," adds Marco. "The main theme of 'Phoenix' is the self-overcoming, the struggle of an individual against external and internal obstacles, like a victorious journey that is made of ups and downs, as the cycle of the Phoenix (resurrection from the ashes). All songs talk about this issue."

Fire Shadow released recently the video clip for the song 'Scars', one of the tracks from Phoenix. Produced by Fabio Mazzardo and Marcelo Nassar, the video was filmed during the brazilian MMA event Power Night in Curitiba.

Although the band's recorded output has lain virtually dormant since 2004 when Dark Essence Record re-released their 2001 classic, The Pulse Of Decay, things are definitely starting to stir in the HADES ALMIGHTY recording front, so much so, in fact, that Dark Essence have renewed their contract and are planning to release a new album from the legendary Norwegians.
Formed in 1992 by guitarist Jorn (DOMINANZ, ex-OLD FUNERAL, IMMORTAL, AMPUTATION), and drummer Remi, Hades Almighty became a fully functioning band with the arrival of Janto on bass and vocals, and Nagel on guitar and the release of their first demo, Alone Walkyng. A series of further releases followed, but it was the appearance of Pulse Of Decay that really catapulted Hades Almighty to the forefront of the black metal genre, by demonstrating their ability to convey the real darkness that lies within human passion.
With today's lineup of Janto, Jorn and Remi, Hades Almighty have proved time and time again in the live arena that they are a force to be reckoned with, and that they rightly deserve to be called "the heaviest black metal three-piece in the world". With another two of the band's albums, ...Again Shall Be and Dawn Of The Dying Sun, being released on CD and vinyl in 2010, calls from fans for new material have been increasing, and with work on a new album progressing well, it looks like those calls will, at long last, be answered.
Stay tuned for updates.

Deathead has released the first new track from their forthcoming album Blessed In Blasphemy. The title track is now streaming below:

Learn how to put a song on itunes at ReverbNation.com

The release date has not been finalized yet as the album is still in the mixing stage.
Blessed In Blasphemy will include the following 10 tracks:

'Funeral Hymn'
'In Fear, Reborn'
'Blessed In Blasphemy'
'World Of Hate'
'The Thing In The Dark'
'Brutality Complete'
'Controlled By Chaos'
'Awakening'
'Hurt... Bleed... Die!'
'Pleasure In Pain'

After a two-year hiatus, Ohio technical grinding death metal peddlers Locusta will be embarking on a live takeover through the East Coast this spring.

Slated to commence on May 13th in Raleigh, North Caroline, Locusta will rape faces through Columbia, Knoxville, Columbus, Washington DC, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Providence, Portland, Philadelphia, Harrisonburg and Richmond with additional incursions to be announced in the coming weeks. The band will be joined by drummer Alex Tomlin (Battlemaster, Arsis, Witheredl).

Locusta is currently putting the finishing touches on their as-yet-untitled full-length tentatively scheduled to drop later this year. In the meantime, ravaging preview track, "Contaminant Remains", will appear on the band's forthcoming, four-track Dendromorphosis EP which also includes a molten rendition of Death's "See Through Dreams", and artwork by renowned designer Lucas Ruggieri (BlackTusk, Kylesa, Ghoul). Dendromorphosis will be available for purchase at all upcoming tour dates.

Comments the band of their forthcoming live offensive: "We're looking forward to hitting the road again after such an agonizingly long break from touring and to what we're anticipating will be some of the best shows we've ever played, both in respect to the caliber of the bands we're billed with and the fact that our live sets sound tighter than they ever have before. Our set lists will mostly contain songs from the new album, including the first track we've ever written that extends past the nine-minute mark, which is easily the darkest and most epic piece of music we've written so far. There is more grinding technicality than before, but the songs are also much more mature from a songwriting point of view than what you hear on our first album. We're excited to be sharing this time in the band with all of our new and old friends on the road, but...no survivors."
Live dates:

May
13 - The Maywood - Raleigh, NC (with Warhead)
14 - New Brookland Tavern - Columbia, SC (with Marrow Of Earth, Axattack, Waft)
17 - The Pilot Light - Knoxville, TN (with Red Necklace, Vomit Breath)
18 - The Carabar - Columbus, OH (with Ulcerate, Inter Arma)
20 - Smash Records - Washington, DC (with Exar Kun, Gloom)
21 - MDF Matinee @ Metro Gallery - Baltimore, MD (with Horrendous, Coffin Dust)
28 - The Paper Box - Brooklyn, NY (with Diocletian, Manticore, Goat Torment, Pissgrave, Unholy Spirits, Damnatum, Ominous Resurrection, Sacristy)
29 - The Black Box - Providence, RI (with Crypter, Orsus, Deathstate)
30 - Geno's Rock Club - Portland, ME (with Sylvia, Livver, Notox)
31 - The Millcreek Tavern - Philadelphia, PA (with Coffin Dust, Dridge)

June
1 - The Blue Nile - Harrisonburg, PA (with Earthling, Evicera)
3 - Strange Matter - Richmond, VA (with Eyehategod, Ringworm, Enabler, Gritter)

Following an extensive eight-year gap since their last full-length album, Polish death metal veterans Incarnated are back with their decimating third album, now nearing release this spring via Selfmadegod Records.

The follow-up to 2006's Pleasure Of Consumption LP, Incarnated's newest carnage comes by way of Try Before Die, a frenzied rampage featuring nine new tracks of unrelenting and heavy death metal in the vein of Penetralia-era Hypocrisy, Nirvana 2002, Nihilist and Vomitory. Try Before Die was recorded, mixed and mastered at Bloodline Studio, Bia?ystok, Poland 2013, engineered by Robert Pierscinski. Get ready for over thirty minutes of intense and uncompromising bloodbath in the old-school tradition.
Try Before Die trackisting:

"Zombieland"
"Second Side (Out Of Mind)"
"Dead Eyes See Nothing"
"My Brother Cain"
"Full Of Victims"
"Death Machine"
"Grave Is Where Your Heart Is"
"Bloody Hands"
"Madness"

"Dead Eyes See Nothing":

Try Before Die by INCARNATED

Hailing from Bialystok, Poland, Incarnated specializes in unapologetically grimy, intentionally filthy-sounding death metal, which they proudly describe as "Gorephobic Slaughtering Metal," as if there was any fear of gore in their gleefully disgusting compositions. Founded in 1992 by vocalist/guitarist Pierscien, Incarnated has released a rash of demos, MLPs, and splits with Dead Infection, Damnable, Parricide and Reexamine over the years, in addition to their previous two full-length albums; 2001's Human Flesh, 2006's Pleasure Of Consumption, also released via Selfmadegod.

Try Before Die will see a North American release on June 6th.

Professionally filmed video footage of MEGADETH's entire May 2 concert at Teatro Vorterix in Buenos Aires, Argentina can be seen below.

Commented MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine: "Glad you all got to see the amazing phenomenon of MEGADETH and Buenos Aires' love for each other. The problem, if there is one, is that this passion is contagious. Their brothers and sisters (all of our brothers and sisters, really) in Ecuador, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, and Colombia all have this 'mad' love for us too, and the South American nations have this fun rivalry of 'who can sing the loudest?' and thrash the hardest, and love us the most, and it has spread through the continent.

"After we streamed the show that night, the world got its first 'Megadethspanol' lesson. The first word was 'Aguante,' which simply means 'keep going...don't ever stop!' So, you understand now what 'Megadeth, Megadeth, Aguante Megadeth' means.

"I really appreciated the opportunity to play for you via the Internet, and I have a feeling we have not seen the end of this."

MEGADETH's setlist for the Buenos Aires concert:

01. Hangar 18
02. Reckoning Day
03. Wake Up Dead
04. In My Darkest Hour
05. Set The World Afire
06. Sweating Bullets
07. She-Wolf
08. Dawn Patrol
09. Poison Was The Cure
10. The Killing Road
11. Trust
12. Kingmaker
13. A Tout Le Monde
14. Youthanasia
15. Cold Sweat (кавер THIN LIZZY)
16. Peace Sells
17. Symphony Of Destruction

Encore:

18. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due

MEGADETH latest album, 2013's "Super Collider", sold 29,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart. "TH1RT3EN" opened with 42,000 units back in November 2011 to enter the chart at No. 11. The band's 2009 CD, "Endgame", premiered with 45,000 copies to debut at No. 9. This was slightly less than the 54,000 first-week tally registered by 2007's "United Abominations", which entered the chart at No. 8. 2004's "The System Has Failed" premiered with 46,000 copies (No. 18) while 2001's "The World Needs A Hero" moved 61,000 units in its first week (No. 16).

Mustaine was a featured soloist on April 12 with the San Diego Symphony. The classical special concert, billed as "Symphony Interrupted", took place at the 2,200-capacity Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego, California. The event saw Mustaine perform Richard Wagner's "Ride Of The Valkyries" with the orchestra, as well as solos of Vivaldi's concertos from "The Four Seasons", plus Bach's classic "Air".

Former TRIVIUM drummer Nick Augusto has thanked fans for their support following the announcement of his departure from the group, but has made it clear that the split was "not [his] decision."

TRIVIUM bassist Paolo Gregoletto released a statement yesterday (Wednesday, May 7) in which he stated about AugustoTwitter account earlier today, Nick said: "Thank you so much to all the fans, support throughout the years. This was not my decision but eternally grateful."

Stepping in for Augusto at TRIVIUM's current dates is the band's drum tech, Mat Madiro.

TRIVIUM's new album, "Vengeance Falls", made Top 10 chart debuts in Japan, Australia, Germany and Austria as well as a Top 15 debut in Canada and a Top 25 debut in the United Kingdom. This marked the acclaimed metallers' second consecutive Top 15 debut in the U.S. and highest-career debuts around the globe — including a No. 2 debut in Japan.

"Vengeance Falls" sold 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The record — which was produced by David Draiman (DISTURBED, DEVICE) — arrived in stores on October 15, 2013 via Roadrunner.




Thank you so much to all the fans, support throughout the years. This was not my decision but eternally grateful pic.twitter.com/FxyBnhm6AE

— nick augusto (@Nicktrivium) May 8, 2014

Bassist Paolo Gregoletto of Florida metallers TRIVIUM has released the following statement:

"To TRIVIUM fans, friends and family:

"I had asked everyone to make this statement regarding [drummer] Nick [Augusto], personally and on behalf of the band, because of the history we both have had together as friends and bandmates.

"There is no easy way to go about parting ways with someone; whether it's in a band or not, but if it is coming directly from one of us, I hope that it will be perceived out of our respect for him.

"This past Sunday, Matt [Heafy, guitar/vocals], Corey [Beaulieu], and I decided that it was best to part ways with Nick and to move forward as soon as possible. This decision was not one that we took lightly, given the fact that we are in the midst of a tour, and, more importantly, that Nick has been with us for almost three and half years. We spoke face to face for about an hour on the bus — first informing him of our decision to move forward, both discussing the situation and how to proceed with announcing it, as well as personally thanking him for being there when we needed him as a tech, and then as drummer.

"I made both those calls to Nick — I asked him if he would be willing to drop everything and come out and be apart of TRIVIUM at a moment's notice, and he did without hesitation. On stage we all fit well together — I believe we became a tighter and more unified band because of him.

"There was not a dramatic ending to this. Honestly, it was quite muted and I am happy to have been able to speak directly and calmly to one another.

"I believe we all agreed that what started out great 'off stage' in the beginning over time began to fray. It became obvious that things were not going to work out in the long run.

"We did not want to reach the point where the differences between us became apparent on stage.

"Being in a band is privilege afforded to us by all of you, and as much as we owe you guys the best show we can possibly give you, we also realize that being out here has to be enjoyable enough for us to continue to do so.

"We truly wish nothing but the best for Nick and whatever projects he becomes involved in. We will be rooting for him to succeed. I would like to add that as the one who championed Nick to become our drummer three and half years ago, I will be the first person to vouch for him as an incredible drummer and as an immense force and presence on stage. The last show together at Carolina Rebellion was a powerful one, and I am happy to say that we ended our time together on such a high and positive note.

"Lastly, I would like to thank our drum tech, Mat Madiro, for stepping up to the plate and learning our entire set in 24 hours, allowing us to continue this tour without a hitch.

"We have always tried to treat both band and crew as family, and the support for Mat from our other crew guys has been amazing. Thank you all — Eric, Joey, Sam, Jeremy, and Mike! Another HUGE thank you to VOLBEAT and their crew for giving us their entire soundcheck at the Niagara Falls show to allow us to run through the set with Mat. They have been a great band to tour with and this act only further solidified to us what standup guys they are on and off stage.

"Nick, thank you once again for the hard work with us. We will always be grateful for the time we spent together with you on the road and in the studio.

"Thank you all for your support and understanding."

TRIVIUM's new album, "Vengeance Falls", made Top 10 chart debuts in Japan, Australia, Germany and Austria as well as a Top 15 debut in Canada and a Top 25 debut in the United Kingdom. This marked the acclaimed metallers' second consecutive Top 15 debut in the U.S. and highest-career debuts around the globe — including a No. 2 debut in Japan.

"Vengeance Falls" sold 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The record — which was produced by David Draiman (DISTURBED, DEVICE) — arrived in stores on October 15, 2013 via Roadrunner.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, METALLICA is bringing back its legendary Snake Pit as part of the band's upcoming run of European festival shows. The Snake Pit is a section carved out of the middle of the band's stage where fans can stand and watch the band perform above and around them. The Snake Pit was last used on METALLICA's 2012 summer tour, but has been around almost as long as METALLICA has been using "in-the-round" staging at arenas.

Frontman James Hetfield told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that METALLICA prefers to perform as close to its fans as possible. "Whatever gets us as close to the audience as possible is preferred for us," he said. "Whether it's in the round or lower or in whatever configuration it takes. We want to get as close as possible and we've succeeded in getting closer and closer."

A post at the band's official web site announced, "It's not 1992 . . . it's not even 2012, but the Snake Pit is back for another run this summer and we want Met Club members to be right there closest to the stage!"Fan club members will be able to enter a contest until May 21 to win two passes to be in the Snake Pit at an upcoming METALLICA concert.

METALLICA is currently writing songs for its 10th studio album, which is now likely to come out sometime in 2015.

The group debuted a new song called "Lords Of Summer" on a recent South American tour. That tune or possibly another new one will be played on the upcoming European run, on which the band will play all-request sets in addition to one new track.

Legendary extreme metal drummer Nicholas Barker (LOCK UP, BRUJERIA, DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH) will take part in a unique musical collaboration in Berwick upon Tweed early next month.

Members of the Berwick RBL and Eyemouth RBLS pipe bands will perform a selection of traditional piping songs, played along to Barker's inimitable extreme metal drum beats.

This performance will take place in the Henry Travers Studio, The Maltings Theatre and Cinema on Friday, June 6 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance.

This collaboration is part of a project, "Metal Militia", by artist S Mark Gubb, part of the Gymnasium Gallery programme for Berwick Visual Arts. In the Gymnasium Gallery, a sound and light installation will bring together multiple heavy metal drum samples to create a powerful and immersive visual experience. The project draws on the events of March 1689, which led to the birth of The King's Own Scottish Borderers. On that day, in the space of two hours, a militia was raised to defend Edinburgh against the Jacobites. This was achieved by a man beating a drum to raise people's attention and, to this day, this regiment retains the unique right, by law, to raise a militia "by beat of drum."

The one-off live performance will be filmed to be included at a later date in the Gymnasium Gallery as part of the "Metal Militia" exhibition.

The project logo has been designed by Christophe "Lord Of The Logos" Szpajdel, the world's leading designer of black and death metal band logos. This will be reproduced as a limited-edition t-shirt to be given, free, to the first 50 people through the doors at the performance.

Additionally, Gubb is running a competition to win a limited-edition print of a Christophe Szpajdel work, signed by the artist, Barker and Szpajdel. There are around 100 samples used in the exhibition and the prize will be awarded to the first person to correctly identify all of them. If no one manages, the prize will be awarded to the person who identifies the most. A file containing the samples will be made available through the artist's blog as of May 31, so that anyone can take part. In the spirit of fair play, Gubb trusts that no one will use witchcraft/software to the identify the samples.

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett spoke to Guitar World magazine about the progress of the sonwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic", tentatively due next year.

"We totally want to make an album," Hammett said. "But we have all these other touring commitments, and we have families now. It's gonna be summertime soon, and it's hard to work because the kids are out of school."

"But we have a backlog of riffs in the riff bank," he continued. "Now it's about picking riffs out, putting them together and moving along. Later, we'll revisit it all and see where it goes. We've all said to each other that September is gonna be the time when we buckle down. I know I told everyone it was gonna be last January…but that's just the way it goes! [Laughs]"

METALLICA recently completed a South American tour where the band played a nearly all-request set, with 17 songs chosen online by fans prior to each gig and the last slot filled by the new track "Lords Of Summer".

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told RollingStone.com that "Lords Of Summer" "is fairly representative of where our creative headspace is at right now. It's one of those things that's like, 'Here, we're writing and we're creating.'" However, according to Hammett, even that track is still being refined.

"Because of everything we had going on, I didn't have time to work out the guitar solo in 'Lords Of Summer'," Hammett told Guitar World. "The solo that's on the demo track was all we had time to do. I barely knew what I was gonna do and didn't have time to really formulate anything. We told everyone that the song was a demo version…and the solo is really a demo version. [Laughs] If you compare the solo in the demo version to what I've been playing live at those South American shows, it's a lot better and more refined now."

The "Metallica By Request" tour will hit Europe this summer, with a single North American date confirmed in Montreal.

Ulrich admitted that there's no set timeline to record or release the new disc, but told Rolling Stone in April, "We're going to do these dates this summer and then really hone down. I'd say that right now, we're in the fourth inning."

Fans in South America picked mostly hits for the group to play, with Ulrich admitting, "To be totally honest with you, sometimes I wish they would vote on some of the really obscure songs. We love playing crazy stuff."

Ulrich said that U.S. fans might get to experience "Metallica By Request" either next year or in 2016, depending on when the new album is finished.

"The Lords Of Summer" official performance footage:

LED ZEPPELIN legend Jimmy Page told RollingStone.com that he will be playing guitar "daily for the foreseeable future" with a view towards "getting to a point where I could play some gigs." He added: "What those gigs are going to be, I don't know yet. I have ideas of what I want to do, but they're pretty complex. I would love to play live again. I love playing live. It's wonderful."

Page, who put out "Outrider", his one and only solo album, in 1988, revealed to RollingStone.com that he's "got lots of material I've written on acoustic guitar. Lots and lots. And right now I need to get myself up to speed, and that won't take too long. But I don't know what musicians I'd play with. I do have material and a passion for it. I need to work towards it, and now I can without all the other side issues going on."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Jimmy Page will be the commencement speaker on May 10 at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. The Associated Press reported that Page will address graduating seniors art the Agganis Arena, with the college also presenting honorary doctorates to Motown songwriter Valerie Simpson — best known for her string of classics written with her late husband Nick Ashford, including "Let's Go Get Stoned", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing", "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "Solid (As A Rock)".

Page, who's now 70, has been playing guitar since he was 12. The Pulse Of Radio asked him what originally attracted him to the instrument. "It was just that whole thing of the transmission of ideas through the tactile quality of playing an instrument, y'know, your steel, strings and wood, translating through the electric pickup through the amp, and that's really what it is for me," he said. "It's that, some magical quality, really. Some sort of alchemy, if you like."

Coming on June 3 will be deluxe editions of LED ZEPPELIN's first three albums: "Led Zeppelin", "Led Zeppelin II" and "Led Zeppelin III". The launch of the reissue program, which is being led by Jimmy Page, includes the band opening "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 albums are being issued in six different versions — the Super Deluxe Box; Deluxe Edition; Deluxe Edition Vinyl; Single CD; Original Album Vinyl; and Digital Download.

SPV/Steamhammer has announced the signing of the Swedish hard rock band BLACK TRIP for the European territory (excluding Scandinavia). The idea for BLACK TRIP goes all the way back to 2003. Peter Stjärnvind, a veteran of the Swedish metal scene, and a former drummer for (among others) ENTOMBED, NIFELHEIM and MERCILESS, was hanging out with his good mate and fellow drummer Daniel Bergqvist (ex-WOLF) when the two decided to start a new band and name it BLACK TRIP. They wanted this band to build on the musical heritage and sound of the bands they both grew up with. Stjärnvind traded in his drums for the guitar and set to writing and recording new tracks. Unfortunately, the whole project then came to a halt and nothing happened for several years. Fast forward to 2011 and backstage at a festival in Germany, Stjärnvind got to talking with Joseph Tholl, guitarist for ENFORCER and CORRUPT. They got to discussing who was their favorite NWOBHM singer of all time, and Tholl acknowledged that he'd long had ambitions to be the singer in a band. That was it! BLACK TRIP was alive again and Tholl was the new singer. BLACK TRIP recorded another demo and also released a seven-inch single. By this time, the band's sound had matured; Stjärnvind's raw and unpolished riffs and Joseph Tholl's amazing bluesy rock voice created the perfect canvas. The group was completed by Sebastian Ramstedt (ex-NIFELHEIM) on guitar, Johan Bergebäck (ex-NIFELHEIM) on bass and Jonas Wikstrand on the drums.

BLACK TRIP's debut album, "Goin' Under", will be released by SPV/Steamhammer on July 4 in Germany and July 7 in the rest of Europe (excluding Scandinavia) on CD, LP and as a digital download. All tracks were written by Stjärnvind and Tholl, and the influences couldn't be more clear; it's classic NWOBHM bands like IRON MAIDEN and SAXON, whose heavy riffs have always been paired with an impeccable sense of melody, but there's also a hint of the slightly bluesier sensibilities of THIN LIZZY and the dirty attitude of the '70s-era SCORPIONS.

BLACK TRIP is:

Peter Stjärnvind - GuitarJoseph Tholl - VocalsSebastian Ramstedt - GuitarJohan Bergebäck - BassJonas Wikstrand - Drums

SLAYER is taking a break from writing and recording its next album to hit the road on May 9 for a handful of dates intended to pummel devotees with a night of moshing and frenetic thrash-punk-metal. Joining SLAYER as special guests for these shows are SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and EXODUS, marking the first time SLAYER and SUICIDAL have toured together since the 1990 European "Clash Of The Titans" tour. Gary Holt, who continues to fill in for SLAYER's fallen guitarist Jeff Hanneman, is doing double-duty as guitarist in his primary band, EXODUS.

Fan-filmed video footage of SLAYER's performance at the tour's kick-off, which took place on Friday, May 9 at The Great Salt Air in Salt Lake City, Utah can be seen below. Photos of the show are available at SLTrib.com.

When the dates were first announced back in January, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King states about the trek: "Can't wait for this week of shows to happen. LOVE SUICIDAL, and haven't played with them in over 20 years! Everyone knows I'm a huge EXODUS fan also. I guarantee you I will be watching every show from the stage! Going to be awesome!!!" "It's been 24 years since SUICIDAL TENDENCIES played with SLAYER," added SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' Mike Muir, "so it's long overdue that we finally play some shows in the States together. I have lots of great memories from that tour, and know that there will be a lot more after these shows, for the band and the people. Can't wait!"

Gary Holt stated: "I am very excited EXODUS will be joining SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and the mighty SLAYER in May for a short trip ending at the Rock On The Range! Double duty will have never been so much fun! Looking forward to this one in a big way! Let the mayhem begin!”

The dates will culminate for all three bands at the May 17 Rock On The Range rock festival in Columbus, Ohio, where they will share the stage with artists including GUNS N' ROSES, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, and KID ROCK.

SLAYER's setlist for the Salt Lake City concert:

01. Hell Awaits02. The Antichrist03. Necrophiliac04. Mandatory Suicide05. Captor Of Sin06. War Ensemble07. Postmortem08. Altar Of Sacrifice09. Jesus Saves10. At Dawn They Sleep11. Die By The Sword12. Hallowed Point13. Seasons In The Abyss14. Chemical Warfare15. Dead Skin Mask16. Raining Blood17. Black Magic18. South Of Heaven19. Angel Of Death

Fan-filmed video footage of RED DRAGON CARTEL performing the OZZY OSBOURNE classic "Bark At The Moon" on May 10 at Salamandra in Barcelona, Spain can be seen below.

RED DRAGON CARTEL is the band led by former OZZY OSBOURNE and BADLANDS guitarist Jake E. Lee.

RED DRAGON CARTEL's self-titled debut album sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 69 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on January 28 via Frontiers Records, the CD was recorded at Las Vegas' The Hideout Recording Studio — owned and operated by Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, IN THIS MOMENT) — and was produced by R. Bernard Mann (a.k.a. Ronnie Mancuso) and Jake E. Lee, and executive-produced, mixed and mastered by Churko.

RED DRAGON CARTEL, which references the axeman's Japanese roots, also features Darren James "D.J." Smith of Canadian metallers WARMACHINE, on vocals, Ronnie Mancuso (BEGGARS & THIEVES) on bass and Jonas Fairley (BLACK BETTY) on drums.

Jake E. Lee is best known for his work in BADLANDS and as guitarist for OZZY OSBOURNE on "Bark At The Moon" and "The Ultimate Sin" albums.

"Red Dragon Cartel" also features various guest appearances from some of rock's most notable faces, including legendary CHEAP TRICK vocalist Robin Zander, former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno, KILL DEVIL HILL/ex-PANTERA bassist Rex Brown, Sass Jordan, Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz (SLASH) and IN THIS MOMENT frontwoman Maria Brink.

JAKE E. LEE'S RED DRAGON CARTEL's setlist includes new material like the singles "Feeder" and "Deceived", as well as major hits from Jake E. Lee's glorious past: "Bark At The Moon", "The Ultimate Sin" and "Rock 'N' Roll Rebel" (all originally recorded by OZZY OSBOURNE), as well as "Shine On" and "High Wire" (BADLANDS).

Fan-filmed video footage of Maryland rockers CLUTCH performing a brand new song, "Sidewinder", on May 6 at the Liquid Room in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom can be seen below.

CLUTCH — Neil Fallon (vocals, rhythm guitar), Tim Sult (lead guitar), Dan Maines (bass,), Jean-Paul Gaster (drums and percussion) —launched an overseas tour on April 22 in Newcastle, U.K. at the O2 Academy, taking them through the European festival circuit through June 29. In July, they'll return to the U.S. for a handful of shows before joining JANE'S ADDICTION, RISE AGAINST, GOGOL BORDELLO and HALESTORM at the Shindig Festival in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, September 27.

CLUTCH has teamed with producer J. Robbins (THE SWORD, COLISEUM) to record the new song "Run, John Barleycorn, Run". The track was released on April 19 via Weathermaker Music as a special split seven-inch single with labelmates LIONIZE as part of Record Store Day.

On June 10, CLUTCH will release a triple deluxe version of their acclaimed "Earth Rocker" album via Weathermaker Music. Released in 2013, "Earth Rocker" was tagged by Rolling Stone on the "Top 20 Metal Albums" list and hailed by the magazine for its fusion of "seething admixtures of jam-band chops, careening blues-punk riffs" (December 2013). The "Earth Rocker" triple deluxe album package will include: 1) the full record and brand new songs "Night Hag" and "Scavengers", 2) "Earth Rocker Live", a CD audio version of the album performed live; and 3) on DVD "Live In Denver" recorded with seven cameras in 1080i on November 14 at the sold-out Ogden Theatre show in Denver, two videos shot, directed and edited by actress Aisha Tyler: "Gone Cold" (unreleased) and "Crucial Velocity".

Produced, engineered and mixed by Machine (KING CRIMSON, LAMB OF GOD), "Earth Rocker"'s triple deluxe cover artwork was created by longtime CLUTCH art director Nick Lakiotis.

CLUTCH's classic 2005 album, "Robot Hive/Exodus", will receive a collector’s edition double vinyl release on Tuesday, June 10. The beautiful double LP is remastered and comes in a re-designed gatefold package boasting some of CLUTCH's best tracks.