Multi-camera video footage of BROTHER FIRETRIBE — the Finnish AOR/hard rock band featuring NIGHTWISH guitarist Emppu Vuorinen — performing on May 3 at Vigin Oil Co in Helsinki, Finland can be seen below.

BROTHER FIRETRIBE will release its third album, "Diamond In The Firepit", on June 3 in North America. The CD was issued on May 3 in the United Kingdom and May 2 in the rest of Europe via Spinefarm Records.

BROTHER FIRETRIBE singer Pekka Ansio Heino had the following to sat about the band's new release: "We're thrilled to be back in action after five years, which seems like a lifetime!

"We wouldn't be THIS thrilled if the new album hadn't turned out be exactly how we wanted it to be. It's just as bold, big, polished, hooky and sticky as we pictured it. A lot of hard work was spent making it happen, and now it's time for the best part of making music; taking it out and playing it live.

"We can't wait to meet our old friends again and hopefully make some new ones along the way.

"Hope you enjoy 'Diamond In The Firepit'. Thanks for still being there and sorry for the delay. Let's have some serious fun!" According to a press release, "Diamond In The Firepit" is chock-full of melodic rock ear candy; an unbroken string of eleven hits with glistening choruses, heavenly harmonies and lyrics brimming with larger-than life love. Sure enough, this album will be the soundtrack of the coming summer like its predecessors, for in times like these when the reality bites, the economy is down, people feel downtrodden and everyday life seems like a grind, we all need a shot of positive energy and a reminder that there's not a whole lot that can't be fixed with a smile and a song. "Diamond In The Firepit" track Listing:

01. Intro02. Love's Not Enough03. Far Away From Love04. For Better Or For Worse05. Desperately06. Edge Of Forever07. Hanging By A Thread08. Trail Of Tears09. Winner Takes It All10. Tired Of Dreaming11. Reality Bites12. Close To The Bone

"Heart Full Of Fire" entered the Finnish chart at position No. 6 back in May 2008. The CD has since been certified gold in Finland.

BROTHER FIRETRIBE released a concert DVD, "Live At Apollo", in February 2010 via Spinefarm. The disc was shot on April 15, 2009 at the Apollo in Helsinki and featured a guest appearance by then-NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon on the song "Heart Full Of Fire".

BROTHER FIRETRIBE is:

Pekka Ansio Heino - VocalsEmppu Vuorinen - GuitarTomppa Nikulainen - KeyboardsJason Flinck - BassKalle Torniainen - Drums

Chilean death metal legends ATOMIC AGGRESSOR has revealed that they have finished recording their comeback album, Sights Of Suffering. The album will not only be Atomic Aggressor’s debut album, but it will be the band’s first full-length for Hells Headbangers.

"The album is on its way," the band reports. "We have finished the recording sessions, and now start the mixing stage. Pablo 'Wawa' Gudiño is the engineer working with us and is doing a great job. Everything sounds great so far."

A fall release is planned by Hells Headbangers. Additionally the band has revealed the cover art and tracklisting to Sights Of Suffering, which are as follows:
‘Circle Of Evocation (Intro)’
‘Faceless Torment’
‘Spawn Of Doom’
‘Greed Supremacy’
‘Curse Of Creation’
‘Unbodied Rites’
‘Sights Of Suffering’
‘The Ancient Burial’
‘Lords Of The Abyss’
‘I Beheld’
‘Twilight Spectres’ (bonus track – vinyl only)

Between 1989 and 1992, Atomic Aggressor became one of the most important bands of the Chilean death metal scene, as well as the wider South American one, after the recording of two influential demos, 1989's Bloody Ceremonial and 1991's Resurrection. Then, perhaps prematurely, they broke up.

Fifteen years later, in 2007, Atomic Aggressor reunited to play a number of important metal festivals in Chile. Capitalizing on that momentum, a year later, the band released the Rise of the Ancient Ones demo compilation on Hells Headbangers. In 2013, a split 7" with DEATH YELL - entitled Blind Servants, and the band's first new recordings in five years - followed on Hells Headbangers as well the Live Ceremonial live CD on Rawforce Records.
Atomic Aggressor's current lineup includes two original members, vocalist/bassist Alejandro Díaz and guitarist Enrique Zúñiga, and two members that arrived after the reunion, guitarist Julio Bórquez (guitar) and drummer Álvaro Llanquitruf.

As tradition would have it in this metal world, three singers decided around a beer during summer 2012 to build a project which would be out of the ordinary. Along the same lines as bands like GODSMACK, SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR or even ALTER BRIDGE,PRAYER'S HATE innovates by showcasing a male lead voice and two female voices (Neo, Clem and Audrey).

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Prayer's Hate concept is artistic before everything and gravitates around many and varied musicians. Fab a death guitar player, Etienne a hard rock guitar player, Thom a grunge bass player, and Rémy a punk/metal drummer. The lineup was complete in January 2013 in order to enter the home studio to record the album, You're Special.

??La BAM Productions will release You’re Special this month. More details to follow.

THE OFFSPRING is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its iconic album "Smash" by playing the LP in its entirety on tour in Europe this May, June and early July before finishing out the summer with U.S. "Smash" dates.

Fan-filmed video footage of the first show of the "Smash" 20th-anniversary tour, which kicked off on May 3 at the at Groezrock festival in Belgium, can be seen below.

This August, Epitaph will commemorate the anniversary with a special 20th-anniversary edition of "Smash". "Smash" 20th-Anniversary Edition CD/Vinyl

Available now for pre-order via Offspring.com, this package will ship and be in stores in mid-August 2014 from Epitaph Records. The "Smash" 20th-Anniversary Edition will include the following:

* LP version containing the original 14 album tracks newly remastered on 180-gram vinyl* CD version containing the original 14 album tracks from the most recent remastering* Restyled album package artwork* Large-format 24-page booklet featuring never-before-seen archive photos by Lisa Johnson* Firsthand recollections and quotes from the band and others telling the story of that historic time In addition to special 20th-anniversary merchandise, the band is also offering a "collector's box" combo as a companion piece to the "Smash" 20th-anniversary edition. The box will feature both the CD/vinyl package and a curated collection of commemorative items including a custom wood box, art print, photo prints, pin, patch, replica pass and guitar pick. A pre-order for is available now via Offspring.com. "Smash" has sold over six million copies in the United States alone — certified 6x platinum by the Recording Industry Association Of America. Having shifted 11 million copies worldwide, "Smash" is the best-selling independent label album of all time. "Smash" was an impactful and immediate hit when released in 1994, making a place for the band in an exciting and significant time for alternative music. The album's first single, "Come Out And Play", hit No. 1 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The follow-up single, "Self Esteem", peaked at No. 4, and "Gotta Get Away" hit No. 6 on the Billboard Modern Rock Track Charts.

Swedish metallers THE DUSKFALL have inked a deal with Apostasy Records. The band's fifth album, which is currently being recorded at Tico Tico Studio in Kemi, Finland, will be released later in the year. According to a press release, THE DUSKFALL's forthcoming CD will contain "11 tracks of old-school, melodic metal,"and will be made available through pledges from the band's die-hard fans.

THE DUSKFALL's current lineup includes former ENGEL singer Magnus Klavborn.

The first instrumental teaser for THE DUSKFALL's upcoming album is available below. The band states: "[It was] recorded in our rehersal room, so nothing is how it will sound later. We just wanted to share what we have in store for you guys."

THE DUSKFALL 2014 is:

Magnus Klavborn - Vocals Mikael Sandorf - GuitarRonny Edlund - GuitarKim Bjäle - BassFredrik Andersson – Drums

THE DUSKFALL's fourth album, "The Dying Wonders of the World", was released in the U.S. in August 2008 via Locomotive Records. The CD, which came out in Europe in October 2007 via Massacre, was recorded at Uppsala, Sweden's Dugout Studios (drums, vocals and the mix) by Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, DEFLESHED, DARK FUNERAL, BEHEMOTH, SOILWORK) and Promile Studios (guitars and bass) by Michael Hahne. It was mastered by Achim Köhler at Indiscreet Audio in Germany.



Sell your beats online at ReverbNation.com

According to The Publican's Morning Advertiser, IRON MAIDEN's Trooper beer has sold 5 million pints since its launch in May 2013, with almost half of it brewed for the export market (Trooper is currently distributed in 40 countries).

As U.K. beer in general struggled to raise the bar, with sales dropping by nearly 5 percent last year, worldwide demand for Trooper ale has both stunned and delighted Robinsons.

Robinsons director of marketing David Bremner explains why he thinks Trooper is succeeding where others miss the mark: "Distinctiveness and authenticity is really important for us. If you look at the British beer market generally, it can be quite homogenous; although things are starting to change. Trooper has more to it than just taste it has its own unique character and personality that fans buy into, and this has been backed up by a complete marketing strategy utilizing tools such as social media to really drive interest around the brand. Trooper not only appeals to fans of IRON MAIDEN, it is appealing to a new group of customers who will try traditional British beer perhaps for the first time. On top of that, rather than appearing gimmicky, we are raising the profile of Robinsons and perhaps all traditional British brewers."

"I don't drink mainstream standard lager," IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson told beer writer Pete Brown last year. "If I was thirsty in a pub with no real ale, I'd rather have a lime and soda. But anyway, we haven’t positioned Trooper as a beer from a metal band — it’s a brand of beer brewed by Robinsons that we’ve developed with them. They've had six generations of brewers there, they've got some highly respected beers, and what they don’t want is a bunch of rock stars coming up and duffing up their reputation, because they’re still going to be there in another two or three generations."

He added: "I'm a big Belgian beer fan as well. I love the Trappist beers — they have such a great tradition over there. Their beers are unique as well, like our real ales. I just hate bland beers. I can't stand Budweiser. They're the Great Satan, and they’re trying to shut down one of my favourite Czech breweries. There’s something I instinctively dislike about Budweiser. I won't have it in the dressing room when we're touring."

"Pale Communion", the highly anticipated eleventh studio album from Swedish progressive metallers OPETH, has had its release date pushed back to August 26 (via Roadrunner Records) from the previously announced June 17.

"Many of you have heard the rumours already and we can now confirm that the release of 'Pale Communion' has indeed been pushed back to late August," commented OPETH guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt. "Several circumstances prevented the band from delivering essential tools to Roadrunner in time which are needed to set up the album release properly and release schedule conflicts made us mutually decide on August instead of June."

"Pale Communion", which was produced by Åkerfeldt and mixed by longtime collaborator and PORCUPINE TREE frontman/guitarist Steven Wilson, will be heralded by the lead single "Cusp Of Eternity" and available for pre-order starting Tuesday, June 3. Pre-orders for "Pale Communion" made via the iTunes Store will receive an instant download of "Cusp Of Eternity" as well as a second album track, to be released on July 15, with multiple configurations also available via both the Roadrunner Records webstore and O Merch.

"Pale Communion" track listing:

01. Eternal Rains Will Come02. Cusp Of Eternity03. Moon Above, Sun Below04. Elysian Woes05. Goblin06. River07. Voice Of Treason08. Faith In Others

In a recent interview with Noisey, Åkerfeldt stated about "Pale Communion": "Normally when I start writing for a record, I'm a bit nervous. You don't know whether or not you're going to be able to come up with something that you like or come up with something at all, to be honest. I was inspired because pretty early on, I wrote a song on the new album — the last song on there, which I ended up being really happy with. So I had some type of guidelines which was more melody, I think."

He continued: "[2011's] 'Heritage' was somewhat deliberately fucked up all over the place because I love fucked-up-all-over-the-place-type music, but I wanted to do something more melodic with this album, so there's stronger vocal melodies and more melodies overall for this album. I was pretty consistent with that frame of mind throughout the writing process, so at least I had a plan with this album, and I normally don't, to be honest."

Mikael added in a separate interview with Metal Assault: "['Pale Communion' is] the next album, so I guess it's closer to ['Heritage'] than, say, the first album. But I'd like to think there's an upgraded sound, and by that I don't mean a modern sound. We were looking at some of the late '70s and early '80s production, and that's what we were going for sound-wise and it's one of the reasons why we ended up recording at Rockfield Studios in Wales, which is a legendary studio where many of our favorite bands recorded. So, musically, I guess you could say it's similar to 'Heritage', but I'd like to think it's more hard rock and metal sounding. We also have something new that we didn't have before in certain songs. I don't really know what it is, which I like. I like to either recognize our sound or to hear something completely new, and I think we have both on the new album."

Asked if he thinks if it would be fair to say that people who liked "Heritage" will like this new album as much as, or even more than, the last OPETH CD, Mikael said: "Yeah, I hope so. I hope everybody will like it, of course. I think it's probably a bit easier to get into because it's a bit more melodic. There's definitely more attention to melodies and I wouldn't say it's an easy-listening album at all, but there's more melody than ever before, not just 'Heritage'. I'm hoping that people who liked 'Heritage' will like this one too and also fans who liked the old shit will hopefully like this one as well, and may be some new fans. You never know."

Doug Aldrich, WHITESNAKE's guitarist of the past 11 years, is leaving the band "to pursue a solo career," according to the group's founding singer and mainman, David Coverdale.

Aldrich has since issued the following statement regarding his departure from WHITESNAKE:

"Thanks to my big bro David for such a killer run together!! So many songs, tours, projects, always inspiring and pushing each other! Mostly I want to thank the loyal WHITESNAKE choir and fans around the world. You have been so amazing to me and it's been an honor to play for you with WHITESNAKE. I love you, guys, and I'll see you all again. Thank you so very much for your unending support.

"Also, not sure how or where the info started about a solo career, but this is not true or correct information. I have no plans at this time to go solo. I'm just not in the WHITESNAKE/David Coverdale band anymore.

"I'll let you guys know what I'm doing [as soon as possible] but for now please know I very much appreciate your support and will hopefully do a statement with my brutal brother [David Coverdale] shortly."

Aldrich played on the last two WHITESNAKE studio albums, 2008's "Good To Be Bad" and 2011's "Forevermore", and appeared on several live releases, including last year's "Made In Japan" and "Made In Britain/The World Records".

Asked in a 2013 interview with Classic Rock Revisited how he has been able to stay in WHITESNAKE so long considering how "tough on guitar players" David has been throughout the years, Doug said: "Honestly, I think he really cares about how hard I work and how much I care about his musical vision. I might make a mistake and overstep my bounds, now and then, but David knows I am only doing it because I really care. I think that is a part of it. My style fits in with him, as well. Reb [Beach, WHITESNAKE's other guitarist] and I really work well together for WHITESNAKE as well.

Doug added: "I think for me, [Coverdale] is at the point to where he does not need to prove anything to anybody, but he still wants to move forward, anyway. I love that. At the same time, I'm going, 'Let's try this!' I am not pushing him, but I am enthusiastic about our music. I love the guy and he is one of a kind and I have a lot of respect for the fact that he is still going for it. I love being in WHITESNAKE and David knows it. By the same token, if David said to me that he wanted to go back to any one of the past guitar players, I would absolutely respect that and I would be appreciative of everything that we've done together."

Regarding how he came to join WHITESNAKE, Doug said: "When David first contacted me about doing WHITESNAKE, I had heard he was going to reform the version of WHITESNAKE with John Sykes. I said, 'David, there is no reason for you to talk to me if you're thinking of getting back with Sykes. I have my own thing to offer and I am not going to be in a band with him.' David said,'No, no, no, I want you.' So I thought, 'Yes!' 'Okay, cool. Let's talk.'

"There was a period, in 2003, where he said that he might do something with previous members and he wondered if I would consider being a part of it. At the time, I said no because I hadn't put my mark on WHITESNAKE yet. It wouldn't have felt right to me at that early time. Now we have 30-plus songs together and I'm very proud of them. Now we jam with past members all the time and its fun. I am humble and inspired working with David and very thankful for our relationship."

Aldrich has spent the past few months performing with Raiding The Rock Vault — dubbed "the ultimate classic rock concert experience" — which plays the LVH Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas four or times a week. Boasting the ultimate set list, the show takes audiences on a magical musical journey, traversing the genre's history from the '60s through the '80s.

Raiding The Rock Vault features classic anthems from THE ROLLING STONES, THE WHO, THE DOORS, LED ZEPPELIN, JIMI HENDRIX, THE EAGLES, QUEEN, VAN HALEN, AC/DC, JOURNEY, FREE, BRYAN ADAMS, SUPERTRAMP, TOTO, DEEP PURPLE, and more.




It is with a heavy heart we bid adieu to super guitarist Doug Aldrich who is leaving WS to pursue a solo career. Fare Thee Well, My Brother!

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) May 9, 2014

Tuomas Holopainen — the keyboardist and main songwriter of NIGHTWISH — has composed a theme song for the Finnish Live Aid ULS2017 project. The aim is to collect 3 million euros for the construction of a new pediatric hospital in Helsinki. The project will culminate in a huge Live Aid ULS2017 concert in June 2015.

The official video for the song, entitled "Lohtu", which is performed by a group of today's most popular Finnish artists, can be seen below.

More information (in Finnish) is available at this location.

Holopainen spent most of 2013 writing and producing his solo album based on a graphic novel called "The Life And Times Of Scrooge McDuck", written and illustrated by Don Rosa.

"Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge - Written And Produced By Tuomas Holopainen" was released on April 11 via Nuclear Blast.

This 12-chapter book tells the life story of Scrooge, from his early years in the 19th century Scotland to his adventures all around the world until the 1950s. The story contains such immense depth, detail, wit and emotional power that the moment Tuomas read it nearly 20 years ago, it instantly became a story of profound personal interest and love for him. The initial spark of "coloring" this story with music, i.e. creating a kind of "soundtrack" for the book, came to him already in 1999, and has ever since haunted the back of his mind.

"Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge - Written And Produced By Tuomas Holopainen" contains 10 songs, with total duration of approximately 60 minutes. The music is said to be in the soundtrack / classical / folk genre in the vein of Vaughan Williams, Michael Nyman, James Newton Howard and Enya.

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen and acclaimed drummer Mike Terrana (TARJA, AXEL RUDI PELL, RAGE, YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN, MASTERPLAN) will release the classic-rock crossover live project "Beauty & The Beat" on May 30 via earMUSIC. The effort includes interpretations of classic music pieces ranging from Bach to Mozart to Rossini as well as rock classics from QUEEN, LED ZEPPELIN and Turunen.

The official trailer for "Beauty & The Beat" can be seen below.

"Beauty & The Beat" is something very different from your ordinary rock show, let alone your ordinary classic concert. It's music played in an unorthodox manner; it's the performance of a wide range of classical pieces and rock songs together with an orchestra and choir.

Originally planned as a one-time event — the first performance was already held in 2011 — the show was too successful with fans and critics to simply never happen again. In spring 2013, Turunen and Terrana again toured throughout the world, from Poland to Russia to Mexico.

The music of "Beauty & The Beat" ranges from immortal classic pieces by Bach, Strauss and Mozart to Rossini, but doesn’t neglect pure rock music like songs from LED ZEPPELIN, QUEEN as well as Tarja's own pieces. All combined with orchestra and choir with more than 100 musicians on stage, an enormous sound, energetic drums and Tarja's angelic voice Tarja and Mike complement each other musically. Whereas Mike bangs his drums with rock attitude, Tarja shines with her crystal clear voice and incredible stage presence; all lulled with the warm, full sound of an orchestra.

Turunen explains: "The idea of having a symphonic orchestra, choir and Mr. Terrana on drums was originally mine.

"Mike has done a recording with drums over classical pieces that I think it is great. I immediately imagined it performed live on a stage with a real orchestra as a part of a bigger concept.

"I believe this kind of combination of instruments, particularly playing mainly classical music, is very unique.

"I have been making collaborations with orchestras before and I could foresee a great outcome.

"Our main goal with these kind of concerts is that the younger audience experiences the beauty and power of a symphonic orchestra and choir. Hopefully it will serve as an introduction to classical music for some of our fans."

Terrana jokingly adds: "It's obvious that I provide the beat and Tarja provides the beauty."

CD track listing:

CD1

* Mike - Concert For Violin & Oboe (Bach)* Tarja - Blute Nur (Bach)* Tarja - Zueignung - Op. 10, No. 1 (Strauss)* Mike - Barber of Seville (Rossini)* Mike - New World Symphony (Dvorák)* Tarja - Song To The Moon (Dvorák)* Tarja - Vilja Lied (Lehár)* Tarja - O mio babbino caro (Puccini)* Mike - Can-can (Offenbach)* Tarja - I Feel Pretty (Leonard Bernstein)* Mike - William Tell Overture (Rossini)* Tarja - Mein Herr Marquis (Strauss)* Mike - Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart)

CD2

* Tarja - You Take My Breath Away (Queen)* Tarja & Mike - The Reign (Tarja)* Tarja & Mike - Witch-hunt (Tarja)* Tarja & Mike - Led Zeppelin Medley* Tarja & Mike - Swanheart (Nightwish)* Mike & Tarja - Fly Me To The Moon (Frank Sinatra)* Tarja & Mike - Into The Sun (Tarja)* Tarja & Mike - I Walk Alone (Tarja)

DVD/Blu-ray track listing:

First Part

* Orchestra - Carmen Overture* Mike - Concert For Violin & Oboe (Bach)* Tarja - Blute Nur (Bach)* Tarja - Zueignung - Op. 10, No. 1 (Strauss)* Mike - Barber of Seville (Rossini)* Mike - New World Symphony (Dvorák)* Tarja - Song To The Moon (Dvorák)* Tarja - Vilja Lied (Lehár)* Tarja - O mio babbino caro (Puccini)* Tarja & Mike - The Reign (Tarja)

Second Part

* Tarja - You Take My Breath Away (Queen)* Tarja & Mike - Witch-hunt (Tarja)* Tarja & Mike - Led Zeppelin Medley* Tarja & Mike – Swanheart (Nightwish)* Mike - Can-can (Offenbach)* Tarja - Mein Herr Marquis (Strauss)* Mike & Tarja - Fly Me To The Moon (Frank Sinatra)* Tarja & Mike - Into The Sun (Tarja)

Encore

* Mike - William Tell Overture (Rossini)* Tarja - I Feel Pretty (Leonard Bernstein)* Mike - Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart)* Tarja & Mike - I Walk Alone (Tarja)

* Bonus material* Photo Gallery

For more information, visit tarja-beautyandthebeat.com.

SMASHING PUMPKINS mainman Billy Corgan recently recruited MÖTLEY CRÜE's Tommy Lee to lay down the drum tracks on all nine songs that will appear on SMASHING PUMPKINS' new album, "Monuments To An Elegy", tentatively due in 2015.

It is not presently clear if drummer Mike Byrne, who joined SMASHING PUMPKINS in 2009, is still a member of the band.

Corgan explained how Tommy Lee came to be involved with SMASHING PUMPKINS' new studio album in the following statement:

"The notion to reach out to [Tommy Lee] came from The Shredder [SMASHING PUMPKINS guitarist Jeff Schroeder], who, in hearing me say ‘we really need to get someone like Tommy to play on this song,' said, 'Well, why don't we reach out to him?'

"And let me tell you something: I've had the fortune of being in the room with some of the all-time greats, and when you're that close to someone who is the best at what they do you gain insight into the way they are able to communicate to so many. Let's call it a universal language (which music is, obviously), and in applying it with heart/soul they present intangibles that give dimension and depth to a composition which otherwise would not be as kaleidoscopic.

"So on flying out a few weeks ago I presented [Tommy Lee] with the idea, played him all the songs that I'd worked hard to finish, and discussed the way we'd be most comfortable finding common ground in the studio. Which explains the rush to prepare the arrangements for him to drum on, and also our keeping the work under wraps; so that nothing and nobody could influence the process.

"I'm also happy to report that not only did we have a blast, but the nine 'Monuments' songs sound epic in a way that is indescribable. I guess I could toss off hyperbole after pronoun, but it would sell short what I like to call 'Supersonic Pumpkins,' which is a descriptor in itself.

"Tommy hits the drums in a crushing manner, but as many fans know, this is not without nuance or reaction; as he has a fantastic ear for music and plays with the songs in a means that only enhances excitement. The only other place I've heard this phenomena is with John Bonham of LED ZEPPELIN: where heavy drums can sound soft and expressive. Good company indeed!

"As for the connection, I first met Tommy way back in 1991 when he came to one of our shows, and through the years we've run into each other many times at various places. So the coupling is not as odd as some might assume, as he, like I, has pushed into embracing new technologies, electronics, etc., where it pertains to making new sounds. He is a wonderful, warm person to be around, and I wouldn't have come to him with this proposition if I didn't trust that this was something we'd both be proud of. So we expect to finish up the drums in a few weeks, seeing as we're in a rush to get this stuff out, and oh, yeah, Tommy's got this mega-CRÜE tour to do.

"Let me also add on a personal and public level that I'm truly excited, for there's an excitement in the music that is vital and necessary; especially when you consider what's dying on the vine out there. I believe this is soul music we're making, and I'm proud of who I'm stuck in the foxhole with. Attack, attack, attack…"

Corgan recently announced that he plans to complete the recording of two new PUMPKINS albums, "Monuments To An Elegy" and "Day For Night", by August 15.

"Monuments To An Elegy" will come first, with Corgan writing about the sound of the new disc, "Think guitars, guitars and more guitars."

Corgan also revealed the tentative track listing for "Monuments To An Elegy". It is as follows (all titles subject to change):

* Being Beige (World's On Fire)* Anti-Hero* Tiberius* Run To Me* One And All* Drum And Fife* Dorian* Monuments* Anaise

"Monuments To An Elegy" is being produced by Howard Willing, who first worked with SMASHING PUMPKINS during the "Adore" sessions

The PUMPKINS released their last studio album in 2012: "Oceania", which entered The Billboard 200 chart at No. 4, earned the No. 1 spot on the Independent Albums chart and garnered vast critical acclaim.

ROB ZOMBIE and ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5 (real name: John William Lowery) has announced the name of the first single from his new album, "Careful With That Axe", which he has been recording since earlier this spring. The track titled "Here is My Rifle", will come out in late July (as will the new album) and will be accompanied by a single with Coffin Case owner Jonny Coffin.

John 5 told Loudwire about "Careful With That Axe": "Well, it's coming out at the end of July and it's called 'Careful With That Axe' and it's just crazy, man. 'Careful With That Axe' and all the songtitles are related around axe murders and stuff, so it all comes around and makes sense." He also said this about the single: "It's really cool and I think people are going to just eat it up."

John 5 spoke to Metal Obsession about "Careful With That Axe": "It is crazy," he said. "If people liked my earlier work, you're going to be really excited about it. It's really intense. It's, like, when you listen to it, it's, like, 'What just happened?', which is one of the songtitles. It's really exciting. I can't wait for people to hear it."

In a September 2013 interview with Artisan News, John 5 stated about his next CD: "I've got Elton John's bass player doing stuff. I mean, I have a bunch of guest stars on this one, so it's gonna be really good."

Regarding how his upcoming album will be different from his last effort, 2012's "God Told Me To", John 5 said: "The last one was half acoustic, half electric and I always like to change it up, so this one, I'm just gonna have a bunch of guest stars. So I'm gonna start asking my friends for favors and all this stuff. 'Hey, come on in. I watched your house and I let your dog out that one time, so come play on my record.' So I'm gonna start my long list of people to come and play. I think it's fun."

He continued: "These albums are a lot of fun. I just do 'em for the love of guitar and to inspire a couple of people on the way… I just really enjoy doing that. It's great. It was one of the smartest things I've ever done. Right when I left MANSON, I was, like, 'OK, so I guess I'll finally make my instrumental record.' And it did really well, and I'm on my sixth one. And I don't do them for money or anything — I just do them for the love of the guitar — and I think the audience really can see that. I'll do something like a Chet Atkins song and then some crazy death metal-type song. So it's a very wide range of music; there's no format and there's no rules."

The cover artwork (by Rainer Kalwitz) for "Electric Wake", the forthcoming third solo album from METAL CHURCH frontman Ronny Munroe, can be seen below. Due in late June via Rat Pak Records, the CD will feature guest appearances by George Lynch (KXM, LYNCH MOB, ex-DOKKEN), Dave Rude (TESLA), Pamela Moore (QUEENSRŸCHE's "Sister Mary"), Paul Kleff (ex-FIREWOLFE), and more.

"Electric Wake" track listing:

01. Burning Time02. Ghosts 03. Electric Wake04. Turn To Stone05. My Shadow06. Not You Not Me07. Pray08. Ritual Damage09. Sleepless Mountain10. The Others (Long Live Heavy Metal)11. United

Bonus tracks

12. Tainted Nation13. Total Eclipse (IRON MAIDEN cover)

Speaking to the Auburn Reporter last year, Munroe stated about his musical upbringing: "I wanted to be a rock star from a very, very young age. I just had a love for music in general from a young age, as a baby."

Munroe said he decided to become a singer after being exposed to legendary metal frontman Ronnie James Dio's vocals on the RAINBOW song "Man On The Silver Mountain". "I heard it on KISW and took off my headphones, ran downstairs and called the station asking, 'Who is that singing?'" he said.

Ronny also spoke about how he landed the METAL CHURCH gig, telling the Auburn Reporter. "I originally tried out for Kurdt's [Vanderhoof, guitar] solo band, VANDERHOOF," he said. "But of course, my being a huge METAL CHURCH fan like everyone else, I was like 'Dude, how about METAL CHURCH? Why don't we do METAL CHURCH?' A couple of weeks later, Kurdt called me and said, 'OK, you want to do METAL CHURCH, let's do it.'"

"I thought that it was going to just be handed to me, but it took many years until I made it in 2003 when I got the gig in METAL CHURCH," he said. "I truly believe everything does happen for a reason, and it took me awhile to get where I wanted to be."

Although METAL CHURCH called it quits after "This Present Wasteland", the band reformed in 2012, this time with Munroe, Vanderhoof, Steve Unger on bass, drummer Jeff Plate and second guitarist Rick Van Zandt.

"METAL CHURCH is my main focus and will be for years to come, and my solo project," Munroe said. "So those are my main focuses. Will I do other projects? Yes, because I need to do that to survive. But I'm not searching any longer to be in a big name band. I'm home."

"Every time that I go up there, even now that we're back together, I do my job," he said. "I put my own stamp on the songs, but I also pay as much respect to [previous METAL CHURCH singers] Dave [Wayne, who died in 2004] and Mike [Howe] and the way they sang the original songs. There are always signature parts that the fans want to hear. So I do that, but I also put a little bit of me in there."

"I'm lucky to be doing what I'm doing and lucky there are people out there that like what I'm doing," he said. "There are people who don't. I'll never live down the David or Mike thing, but that's just how it is. Anybody coming into an established band and replacing somebody, you're never going to get rid of that. That's part of the band's history. So I really don't want that to go away. I'm a fan of the band and the first record too. And then I ended up becoming the singer."

Frontiers Records has announced the signing of BEAUVOIR/FREE for the release of a brand new album, due in 2015. BEAUVOIR/FREE sees a new cooperation between famed singer, songwriter and producer Jean Beauvoir (formerly of PLASMATICS, VOODOO X and collaborator of KISS, RAMONES and Little Steven, among others) and guitarist Micki Free (ex-SHALAMAR). The pair was responsible for penning the milestone debut "Crown Of Thorns" album, which was originally signed by Interscope Records and later released independently throughout Europe and Asia in 1994. With a tour supporting BON JOVI and VAN HALEN for three months throughout all of Europe, playing to over a million people, CROWN OF THORNS soon become one of the most acclaimed hard rock bands to emerge in the second half of the '90s. Free, however, had already left the band by the time CROWN OF THORNS' second album was released and was replaced by Tommy Lafferty. Free and Beauvoir are now reuniting with a promise to release their most exciting collaboration ever. Beauvoir says: "I truly look forward to this reunion and collaborating with Micki once again! Stay tuned 'cause it will rock!!!"

Free and Beauvoir played the Hard Rock Calling festival in the U.K. and two shows in Scandinavia during April and look forward to more shows in the coming months.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based metallers KOBRA AND THE LOTUS have been tapped as support for legendary bands KISS and DEF LEPPARD this summer on their massive North American summer tour.

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS takes to the road in support of its new album, "High Priestess", due out in North America on June 24 via Titan Music. Produced by the Grammy-nominated Johnny K (MEGADETH, DISTURBED, THREE DOORS DOWN), the CD delivers a blend of fiery vocals, heavy riff-laden melodies and ferocious musicianship. In an interview with Full Throttle Rock, KOBRA AND THE LOTUS vocalist Brittany Paige stated about the band's upcoming album: "The new album is really interesting, because it is absolutely eclectic, but there is still consistency, but you almost cannot figure it out all the time why it is inconsistent because there are that many different things. I mean, there are a lot of different expressions on this album. You have a lot of really traditional, in-your-face metal, you know, just straight-up heavy metal songs, but then we have some things that steer more towards Nordic-sounding and maybe even Canadian, which I do not even know what that means, but it just sounds different. [laughs] It is different from our last album, which is crazy, because you try not to be different, you do not want to change you sound or anything, but every time you write new music, it all has to do with what is just pouring out of you at that time. There is even some more rock/metal thing that goes back to more close to the roots of KOBRA AND THE LOTUS, when we first started, which was in between rock and metal; there is a little bit of that in there, too. So it is interesting. It is very heavy still, but it is eclectic and I cannot wait. There are some songs that I am not sure what to tell you it is, because I do not know what the label would be for it. It is still metal, [but] I do not know what kind of metal. [laughs]"

Regarding KOBRA AND THE LOTUS' overall sound, Brittany said: "We are definitely a kind of metal that is traditional, I would say. We do have that vibe and some off that nostalgic sound, with the riffs and the vocal style, but we also bring our own twist. I would not say it is a rebirth of that kind of music, but rather just turning the music forward that was of that style, where it included people from all different types of genres who could enjoy this kind of metal, no matter what kind of metal or rock they listen to, just like [bands like IRON MAIDEN, DIO and ICED EARTH]. [A band] like IRON MAIDEN is a really wide umbrella for people in the metal world; it really brings everyone together."

Brittany also spoke about her classical training and her jump to singing metal. "Actually it is not a very big jump," she said. "When I was 15, I saw JUDAS PRIEST play, and I had stopped being classical by then, because it was not for me anymore, and when I saw JUDAS PRIEST and I saw [Rob] Halford, I knew there was a place for me, but it did not have to be completely operatic or classical to be in metal. I think that is the two genres of music, classical and metal, that are actually pretty strongly correlated more than we know."

She added: "There are definitely similarities [between singing classical and singing metal] and there are a lot of things that have helped me be a stronger singer. Like the utilization of your breath. Knowing breath techniques, I think, is very important so you can get the notes better, especially when you are holding a note forever, but you want there to be power behind it and know how to not strain your voice, you know. You do not want to strain it because you have only got one voice and if you blow that you are dead in the water, so I think those things really help around the technique of protecting your voice and getting the most out of it."

"Cause & Effect", the new video from Austrian extreme metallers MASTIC SCUM, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's fifth album, "CTRL", which was released on December 6, 2013 via Massacre Records. The CD contains 11 tracks, including a re-recorded along from the band's 1994 demo. The effort was mixed at Metalforge Studio by Mike Kronstorfer. The artwork was designed by Isisdesignstudio.

Says the band: "The concept of the album depicts a futuristic vision of the technological evolution and development of society — the need to control and the inevitable collapse of a system!"

"CTRL" track listing:

01. Controlled Collapse02. Dehumanized03. Cause & Effect04. Brute-Force-Methode05. D1s3mb0d1m3nt06. Rebornation07. Perceptive Illusion08. Hyper-Detection 2.009. Create/Negate10. The Vortex Within11. Resurrection

MASTIC SCUM's previous album, "Dust", was released on November 13, 2009 via Twilight Distribution.

The band in 2009 parted ways with vocalist Will due to "musical differences" and replaced him with Maggo Wenzel (INZEST, TRISTWOOD, WATCH ME BLEED).

After months of blood, sweat and tears from Dutch symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION, the band's new album, "Hydra", is now on the road. While the group is on tour, singer Sharon den Adel is keeping a video diary of the trek that shows you what happens during and in between shows, and what it's like for the band to bring "Hydra" to the stage and see people respond to the new songs for the first time.

The ninth episode of the diary can be seen below.

WITHIN TEMPTATION's new album, "Hydra", sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.

WITHIN TEMPTATION's previous CD, "Unforgiving", opened with 12,000 units back in March 2011 to land at No. 50.

"Hydra" was released in North America on February 4 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the new U.S. partnership between Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger and former Roadrunner Records A&R chief Monte Conner. The album was made available in several luxury formats. The cover artwork was created by Romano Molenaar ("X-Men", "Batman", "The Unforgiving").

The digital premium album, complete with digi-booklet, was made available on iTunes and includes 18 audio tracks and a music video. The digital premium album features bonus "Evolution Versions" of four new songs, which contain audio commentary from guitarist Robert Westerholt and singer Sharon Den Adel and give you unique access to the development of the songs, their lyrical inspiration and the sound of the initial demos and vocals.

In a recent interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com, WITHIN TEMPTATION vocalist Sharon Den Adel stated about the songwriting process for "Hydra"": "A lot of bands were inspired by the '80s at the time we were writing 'The Unforgiving' album. There was a lot of music based on the '80s coming out and it had a lot of '80s flavors. With this new album, even though we're only a few years further up the road, you can feel that music has changed again. Music is not inspired on the '80s, but more like there are different influences in the music again. Music's always organic, and you feel things are changing comfortably."

She added: "When people asked us after 'The Unforgiving', 'Are you gonna make another 'Unforgiving' album?" we said, 'Of course.' Because we were really full of it in a positive way. We really like the album a lot and still do like it a lot but we really feel there's an '80s feel to the songs. When we started writing this album, again we felt like we were already knowing we were gonna go a different direction also."

UNISONIC, the band featuring former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske and guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen alongside guitarist Mandy Meyer (ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS), bassist Dennis Ward and drummer Kosta Zafiriou (both of Germany's PINK CREAM 69), will release a new EP, "For The Kingdom", on May 23 via earMUSIC/Edel. Produced by Ward, the EP contains the fast album track "For The Kingdom", the exclusive song "You Come Undone" (only available on this release) plus four previously unreleased live cuts: "Unisonic", "Never Too Late", "Star Rider" and "Souls Alive", all recorded at the 2012 edition of the Masters Of Rock festival in Czech Republic. The EP cover artwork was created by graphic artist Martin Hausler, who previously worked with UNISONIC on the band's debut album cover design.

"For The Kingdom" will be available on CD, strictly limited 12-inch vinyl and as a digital download.

The track listing is as follows:

01. For The Kingdom02. You Come Undone (EP exclusive track)03. Unisonic (live 2012; EP exclusive track)04. Never Too Late (live 2012; EP exclusive track)05. Star Rider (live 2012; EP exclusive track)06. Souls Alive (live 2012; EP exclusive track)

Audio samples of the songs "For The Kingdom" and "You Come Undone" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

UNISONIC's self-titled debut studio album was released in North America on May 22, 2012 via Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records. "Unisonic" was recorded at ICP Studios in Brussels, Belgium. The CD — which features 11 tracks, plus a bonus live version of HELLOWEEN classic "I Want Out", only available on the domestic edition, and cover art by Martin Häusler (MEAT LOAF, GOTTHARD, HELLOWEEN, MOTÖRHEAD) — marked the first full-length musical union between Kiske and Hansen in 23 years. UNISONIC released its debut EP, "Ignition" on January 27, 2012 via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort included the track "Unisonic" plus one demo song and a cover version of the HELLOWEEN classic "I Want Out", recorded live on October 15, 2011 at the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.

Hansen's position in GAMMA RAY is unaffected by his involvement with UNISONIC.

UNISONIC is:

Michael Kiske (vocals)Mandy Meyer (guitar)Kai Hansen (guitar)Dennis Ward (bass)Kosta Zafiriou (drums)

Frontiers Records has just digitally released "One Minute", the new single from URIAH HEEP, one of the pivotal hard rock groups to emerge from England in the late 1960s. The single is available for download (iTunes, Amazon, etc.) and legal streaming (Spotify, Deezer, etc.) on all digital platforms across the world. The new single is also available in a special version with German lyrics, called "Eine Minute".

"One Minute" is taken from URIAH HEEP's 24th studio album, and the first since 2011's "Into The Wild", "Outsider", which will be released on June 9 in the U.K., June 6 in the rest of Europe and June 10 in North America via Frontiers Records.

"We are very proud of our history," says URIAH HEEP founder/guitarist Mick Box, "but it is equally important to keep producing new material. This new album, 'Outsider', is very much a rock album in true HEEP style. It shows that we still have the same passion and energy for our music that we have always had."

From the opening chords of the album's hard-driving rocker "Speed Of Sound" to the more introspective closer "Say Goodbye", "Outsider" proves that URIAH HEEP has remained a musical powerhouse, and one that can effectively balance its legendary sound with a distinctly contemporary approach. The record, which was produced by Mike Paxman (ASIA, STATUS QUO), also introduces bassist Dave Rimmer, who joined the band last summer after the untimely death of long time member, Trevor Bolder.

Says Box of his late friend, Bolder: "We lost a world class bass player, singer, songwriter and friend. While Trevor was ill, he wanted us to continue working, so we used a bass player called Dave Rimmer, who Trevor approved of. It was only natural that Dave carried on with the band."

After major tours of Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and South America, upon the release of "Outsider", URIAH HEEP will launch a world tour that will take in many continents as the band promotes the new album to an international audience.

"Outsider" CD track listing:

01. Speed Of Sound02. One Minute03. The Law04. The Outsider05. Rock The Foundation06. Is Anybody Gonna Help Me?07. Looking At You08. Can't Take That Away09. Jesse10. Kiss The Rainbow11. Say Goodbye

"Outsider" LP edition:

Side 1:

01. Speed Of Sound02. One Minute03. The Law04. Can't Take That Away05. Rock The Foundation

Side 2:

01. The Outsider02. Is Anybody Gonna Help Me?03. Looking At You04. Jessie05. Kiss The Rainbow06. Say Goodbye

The "Outsider" cover artwork was created by Igor Morski and can be seen below.

The second studio trailer for the forthcoming self-titled fifth album from Anglo-Swedish modern metal powerhouse SONIC SYNDICATE is available below. The CD will be made available on July 4 via Nuclear Blast.

Commented SONIC SYNDICATE guitarist, main songwriter and founding member Robin Sjunnesson: "We decided to go with this one as a 'self-titled' release. Mainly because as an album, we have put everything we've got into it. All of our experience as musicians, the evolution of the music, the sound from all eras of the band, and also the road we have taken as people. This is us, this is SONIC SYNDICATE in all its beauty and destruction. It shows our strength, our love for melody, our scars, our energy. The cover art is a definite representation of that. In the background, a battle-torn city laid to waste, four figures emerging together with only each other to depend on in an environment so harsh, only those with a tough heart, body and soul can survive.

"The tone throughout this album is definitely darker, and as my Swedish family would say, 'with a red line running in the middle,' so we put this into the color scheme.

"We could not be more proud of this album, and we thank our fans for the support; it's because of them that we're here. This album is for you."

"Sonic Syndicate" will also feature a guest appearance by SOILWORK's gifted vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid on the track "Before You Finally Break".

Commented SONIC SYNDICAT singer Nathan James Biggs: "I'm honored to call Speed a friend.

"I've been a big SOILWORK fan for years. Those guys were a massive hand in crafting that trademark Swedish sound so it made perfect sense to ask Speed when we knew we wanted to do a song with guest vocals. Performance-wise, I think we have similar styles and execution, but at the same time we both have our own thing going on, so the voices complement each other to great effect. My idea was also to have a real battle between our vocals.

"I hate it when you have these 'featuring' songs and the guest just pops up for a chorus and then does backing vocals for a while in the verse or something. This is a real fight between us for the mic and I'm sure people are gonna appreciate that."

"Sonic Syndicate" will include a total of 11 tracks, while the limited edition digipak will feature no less than three bonus tracks.

"Sonic Syndicate" track listing:

01. Day Of The Dead02. Black Hole Halo03. Long Road Home04. My Revenge05. Before You Finally Break (feat. Speed/SOILWORK)06. Catching Fire07. Unbreakable08. It Takes Me09. See What I See10. So Addicted11. The Flame That Changed The World

Limited-edition bonus tracks:

12. Diabolical Work Of Art13. What We Shared14. Another Soldier Down

SONIC SYNDICATE bassist Karin Axelsson gave birth to her first child on October 12, 2012. The baby girl weighed in at 3.02 kilograms and measured 46 centimeters long.

SONIC SYNDICATE 2014 is:

Nathan James Biggs - VocalsRobin Sjunnesson - GuitarKarin Axelsson - BassJohn Bengtsson - Drums

SONIC SYNDICATE's latest album, "We Rule The Night", was released in Europe on August 27, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Bohus Sound studios in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Toby Wright, who has previously worked with KORN, SLAYER, MÖTLEY CRÜE, KISS, FEAR FACTORY, IN FLAMES, STONE SOUR and OZZY OSBOURNE, among others.

Drummer Zyon Cavalera will be forced to miss SOULFLY's upcoming shows in Russia with KORN, set to take place later this month. He states: "I broke two fingers and have a LODY KONG [Zyon's side band] recording coming up. But my friend Kanky Lora [who plays drums for SOULFLY guitarist Marc Rizzo's solo band] is filling in and should hold it down. He's a great drummer!! But I hope to see you all at the Euro festivals in July!"

SOULFLY's ninth album, "Savages", sold 4,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 84 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Enslaved", opened with 5,900 units in March 2012 to land at No. 82.

"Savages" was released on October 1, 2013 via SOULFLY's new label home, Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The CD was produced by Terry Date, who is known for his work with such acts as PANTERA, DEFTONES and SOUNDGARDEN, among many others. Guest vocal appearances on "Savages" include SOULFLY bass player Tony Campos, CLUTCH's Neil Fallon, NAPALM DEATH's Mitch Harris, Jamie Hanks of I DECLARE WAR and SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera's son Igor Cavalera (of LODY KONG).

The cover artwork for "Savages" was created by renowned artist Paul Stottler, who is best known for his work on SACRED REICH's legendary "Surf Nicaragua" cover.

Date previously mixed SOULFLY's "3" (2002), "Prophecy" (2004) and "Dark Ages" (2005) albums, but had never produced any of the group's CDs.

Vocalist Johan Hegg of Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH last year joined the cast of "Northmen - A Viking Saga". Hegg plays Viking warrior Valli in the film, which was shot for eight weeks primarily in South Africa, with some additional shooting in Germany.

The first trailer for "Northmen - A Viking Saga" can be seen below. The movie is set to receive a theatrical release in Europe on October 9.

Said Hegg: "The mythology behind our Viking heritage is engrained in everything we do and it is awesome to have the opportunity to be part of 'Northmen - A Viking Saga'. This is going to be one epic adventure."

Ralph Dietrich, chief executive officer, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group added: "It is an honor to have metal icon Johan Hegg set sail with us and we could not be more excited. Such a fitting addition, Johan's music, as the lead singer of AMON AMARTH, is synonymous with the Viking experience that we are bringing to life in 'Northmen - A Viking Saga'."

"Northmen - A Viking Saga"'s international cast also includes Tom Hopper ("Knights Of Badassdom", "Black Sails", "Merlin"), Ryan Kwanten ("True Blood", "The Right Kind Of Wrong"), Ken Duken ("Das Adlon", "Inglorious Basterds"), Charlie Murphy ("Philomena", "The Village"), Ed Skrein ("The Sweeney", "Ill Manors", "Game Of Thrones"), Anatole Taubman ("Quantum Of Solace", "The Tudors") and James Norton ("Rush", "Belle").

Directed by Claudio Fäh ("Sniper: Reloaded", "Hollow Man 2") and scripted by Matthias Bauer and Bastian Zach, the film is co-produced by Elite Filmproduktion AG, Two Oceans Production and Jumping Horse Film GmbH. The producers are Karin G. Dietrich, Ralph S. Dietrich and Daniel Hoeltschi for Elite, Giselher Venzke and Bertha Spieker for TOP and Marco Del Bianco, Frank Kaminski, Ulrich Stiehm and Rolf Wappenschmitt for Jumping Horse. VFX production is by Day For Night GmbH.

Nordmedia Fonds GmbH has subsidised the project's development, with production financing from Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen/Bremen. "Northmen" receives further subsidies from South African National Film And Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Department Trade And Industry (DTI).

The Salt Company (London) is handling worldwide sales and contracts have already been placed for major territories including the U.K., France, Scandinavia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.



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Arizona extreme metallers JOB FOR A COWBOY have begun mixing their fourth full-length album at Audiohammer studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof. This is the band's fourth consecutive project with Suecof, having previously worked with him on "Ruination" (2009), "Gloom" (2011), and "Demonocracy" (2012).

As previously reported, JOB FOR A COWBOY has enlisted Danny Walker to fill in as the studio drummer for the recording session for the band's new CD. Walker is known for his work in INTRONAUT, as well as having performed with EXHUMED, JESU, PHOBIA, MURDER CONSTRUCT, and more.

Commented Walker: "I'm thrilled to be working with these guys on this record! I look forward to challenging myself and contributing to a fresh and different outlet!"

Added JOB FOR A COWBOY bassist Nick Schendzielos: "Well, my friends, the time has come and [Jon 'The Charn' Rice] has officially decided to step off the JOB FOR A COWBOY train. Absolutely no hahd feelins or nothin! We love the dude, cherish the memories we made with him, and in all likelihood will be seeing him again very soon…which brings up the next awesome piece of news…

"Our phenomenally talented friend Danny Walker is going to grace our next full-length with his decidedly delicious drum tracks! We are seriously excited to hear what it's going to turn out like. Let the anticipation build!"

"Demonocracy" sold 4,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 87 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Ruination" opened with around 10,600 units back in July 2009 to land at No. 42.

SEPULTURA members Derrick Green (vocals) and Andreas Kisser (guitar) joined KORN on stage on October 19, 2013 at the Monsters Of Rock festival in São Paulo, Brazil to perform SEPULTURA's classic song "Roots Blooody Roots". Green wrote on Facebook afterwards: "What a cool surprise tonight rocking out 'Roots Bloody Roots' with KORN!! Too much fun!!"

A five-and-a-half-minute clip featuring behind-the-scenes footage of how this unique collaboration came about can be seen below.

KORN singer Jonathan Davis was featured as a guest on the track "Lookaway" — along with Mike Patton of FAITH NO MORE — on SEPULTURA's 1996 album "Roots".

Speaking to ARTISTdirect, former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera stated about the recording sessions for "Lookaway": "Mike Patton was on the song, and Jonathan's a huge FAITH NO MORE fan. He was actually freaking out that Patton was there. He was really nervous, which was actually kind of funny. He kept chewing on his hair the whole time he was in the studio. [Producer] Ross Robinson teased him at one point and told him to calm down. [laughs]"

He continued: "'Lookaway' came out of a jam. It's a really heavy riff. Patton started singing this Indian chant, and it gave me goosebumps in the studio when he did that. It was so intense. He showed up in the studio with a Samsonite briefcase. I was like, 'Mike, what's up with the briefcase?' He said, 'It's what I need to record.' It had an echo pedal inside for his voice and a bottle of wine. He opened the wine and we drank it. At one point, the three of us were on the floor of the studio going crazy and making weird noises and sounds! Jonathan took it to another level. He's singing about people with a fear of pussy, which is a crazy concept. It came out as a really cool, obscure song on 'Roots'."

"Electric Halo", the new Dylan Marko Bell-directed video from from the Southern California rock trio KYNG, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Burn The Serum", which was released on April 15 through Razor & Tie. The CD was produced by Andrew Alekel (FOO FIGHTERS, NO DOUBT, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, CLUTCH) and James A. Rota (FIREBALL MINISTRY) and was recorded at Grandmaster Recorders Ltd. and Sword & Shield in Hollywood, California, as well as at Studio 606 in Northridge, California.

On the band's second full-length album and first for Razor & Tie, KYNG harks back to the essence of heavy rock 'n' roll, forging thunderous percussion to lightning hot riffs driven by a divine vocal howl. At the same time, they keep their eyes wide open towards the future.

The Los Angeles outfit may only boast three members — Eddie Veliz (vocals/guitar), Pepe Clarke (drums), and Tony Castaneda (bass/backup vocals) — but their collective roar could easily tip the Southern California Richter Scale. Formed in 2008, KYNG broke out of the City of Angels in 2011 with the group's independent debut, "Trampled Sun". The album landed shining critical acclaim for its "California heavy" sound merging the metallic meanderings of SOUNDGARDEN and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE with the timeless scope of BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPPELIN. They hit the road with everybody from THE SWORD and CLUTCH to TRIVIUM and MEGADETH — even being picked to play at METALLICA's first-ever Orion Music + More festival.

KYNG last month launched a co-headlining tour with KILL DEVIL HILL and support act CROBOT.

Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral