This year, reunited grunge legends SOUNDGARDEN celebrate the 20th anniversary of this groundbreaking album "Superunknown" with a special reissue in two deluxe versions outlined below and available on June 3 via A&M Records/UMe. The Deluxe Edition is a 2-CD package featuring the remastered album along with disc two consisting of demos, rehearsals, B-sides and more. The Super Deluxe Edition is a 5-CD package featuring the remastered album, additional demos, rehearsals and B-sides and the fifth disc is the album mixed in Blu-ray Audio 5.1 Surround Sound. The Super Deluxe Edition is incredibly packaged in a hardbound book with a lenticular cover, liner notes by David Fricke and newly reimagined album artwork designed by Josh Graham. It also features never-before-seen band photography by Kevin Westerberg. A 2-LP gatefold of the original 16 vinyl tracks remastered on 200-gram vinyl in a gatefold jacket will also be made available. In addition, the "Superunknown" singles and associated b-sides with newly interpreted artwork sleeves by Josh Graham will be reissued on Record Store Day, April 19, as a set of five limited-edition 10-inch vinyl records.

"Superunknown - Deluxe Edition" 2CD track listing:

CD One - Remastered Album

01. Let Me Drown02. My Wave03. Fell on Black Days04. Mailman05. Superunknown06. Head Down07. Black Hole Sun08. Spoonman09. Limo Wreck10. The Day I Tried to Live11. Kickstand12. Fresh Tendrils13. 4th of July14. Half15. Like Suicide16. She Likes Surprises

CD Two - Demos, Rehearsals, B-Sides & More

01. Let Me Drown (Demo)^02. Black Hole Sun (Demo)^03. Half (Demo)^04. Head Down (Rehearsal)^05. Limo Wreck (Rehearsal)^06. The Day I Tried to Live (Rehearsal)^07. Like Suicide (Acoustic)08. Black Days III*09. Birth Ritual (Original Demo Version)10. Exit Stonehenge11. Kyle Petty, Son of Richard12. Jerry Garcia’s Finger13. Spoonman (Alternate Steve Fisk Remix)^14. The Day I Tried To Live (Scott Litt Mix)^15. 4th of July (Instrumental)^16. Superunknown (Instrumental)^

"Superunknown - Super Deluxe" track listing:

CD One - Remastered Album

01. Let Me Drown02. My Wave03. Fell on Black Days04. Mailman05. Superunknown06. Head Down07. Black Hole Sun08. Spoonman09. Limo Wreck10. The Day I Tried to Live11. Kickstand12. Fresh Tendrils13. 4th of July14. Half15. Like Suicide16. She Likes Surprises

CD Two - B-Sides & More

01. The Day I Tried To Live (Alternate Mix)^02. Spoonman (Alternate Steve Fisk Remix)^03. Beyond The Wheel (Live)04. Fell On Black Days (Live)05. Birth Ritual (Original Demo Version)06. Jesus Christ Pose (Live)07. Like Suicide (Acoustic Version)08. Kickstand (Live)09. My Wave (Live)10. Spoonman (Steve Fisk Remix)11. Exit Stonehenge12. Kyle Petty, Son of Richard13. Black Days III*14. Ghostmotorfinger**15. Jerry Garcia’s Finger16. Fell On Black Days (Video Version)

CD Three - The Demos (unreleased)

01. Let Me Drown (Demo)02. Fell On Black Days (Demo)03. Superunknown (Demo)04. Black Hole Sun (Demo)05. Spoonman (Demo)06. Fresh Tendrils (Demo)07. 4th of July (Demo)08. Half (Demo)09. Like Suicide (Demo)

CD Four - The Rehearsals (unreleased)

01. Black Hole Sun (Rehearsal)02. Bing Bing Goes To Church (Rehearsal)03. Half (Rehearsal)04. Head Down (Rehearsal)05. Kyle Petty, Son Of Richard (Rehearsal)06. Let Me Drown (Rehearsal)07. Limo Wreck (Rehearsal)08. My Wave (Rehearsal)09. Fresh Tendrils (Rehearsal)10. Like Suicide (Rehearsal)11. Ruff Riff-Raff (Rehearsal)12. Exit Stonehenge (Rehearsal)13. Spoonman (Rehearsal)14. The Date I Tried To Leave (Rehearsal)15. The Day I Tried To Live (Rehearsal)

Disc Five - Blu-Ray Audio 5.1 MIX

01. Let Me Drown (5.1 Mix)02. My Wave (5.1 Mix)03. Fell On Black Days (5.1 Mix)04. Mailman (5.1 Mix)05. Superunknown (5.1 Mix)06. Head Down (5.1 Mix)07. Black Hole Sun (5.1 Mix)08. Spoonman (5.1 Mix)09. Limo Wreck (5.1 Mix)10. The Day I Tried To Live (5.1 Mix)11. Kickstand (5.1 Mix)12. Fresh Tendrils (5.1 Mix)13. 4th Of July (5.1 Mix)14. Half (5.1 Mix)15. Like Suicide (5.1 Mix)16. She Likes Surprises (Int’l Vers & Us 12″) (5.1 Mix)

"Superunknown: The Singles" - Five 10-Inch Vinyl Set

1. SpoonmanFresh TendrilsCold BitchExit Stonehenge

2. The Day I Tried To LiveLike Suicide (Acoustic Version)Kickstand (Live)Limo Wreck

3. Black Hole SunJesus Christ Pose (Live)Beyond The Wheel (Live)Fell On Black Days (Live)

4. My WaveSpoonman (Steve Fisk Remix)Birth Ritual (Original Demo Version)My Wave (Live)

5. Fell On Black DaysKyle Petty, Son of RichardGhostmotorfinger **Fell On Black Days (Video Version)Girl U WantBlack Days III*

* Originally titled "Fell On Black Days (Demo – Early Version)"** Originally titled "Motorcycle Loop (Short Version)"^ Previously Unreleased

A demo version of "Black Hole Sun", taken from "Superunknown - Deluxe Edition", can be streamed using the SoundCloud eidget below.

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.

Fan-filmed video footage of HELLYEAH performing on April 13 in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada as the support act for AVENGED SEVENFOLD can be seen below.

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 was formed in 2006 by NOTHINGFACE guitarist Tom Maxwell and bassist Jerry Montano, MUDVAYNE singer Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett, and former PANTERA and DAMAGEPLAN drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott.

Montano left a week after the release of the band's self-titled debut album in 2007 and was replaced by Bob "Zilla" Kakaha, who had played with Abbott in DAMAGEPLAN.

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.

Former KORN touring guitarist Shane Gibson died yesterday (Tuesday, April 15) as a result of complications from a blood clotting disorder. He was 35 years old.

Gibson was most recently a member of STORK, the project featuring super drummer Thomas Lang (PAUL GILBERT), lead singer VK Lynne (VITA NOVA, Eve's Apple) and bassist Kelly LeMieux (BUCKCHERRY, GOLDFINGER).

KORN has released the following statement regarding Gibson's passing:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Shane Gibson's friends, fans and family following the passing of our dear friend.

"Shane Gibson was KORN's touring guitarist from 2007 to 2010 and a member of Jonathan Davis' solo band, THE SFA'S. He will be greatly missed."

Said KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch: "I've never had the pleasure of meeting Shane, but I'm honored he was able to fill my spot after I left KORN. He was an amazing guitarist. Hopefully we can jam together in the next life. RIP, brother."

Added KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer: "Shane Gibson, you were an amazing guitar player and an amazing person. Your kindness and talent will be missed. I'm very fortunate to have known you."

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release "Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings", a 15-CD library box housing the rock guitar virtuoso's most comprehensive anthology ever, on Tuesday, April 22.

"Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings" will also be available as a collectible limited-edition USB drive exclusively on Satriani.com.

Ahead of the release, Grammy.com has a first listen to the remastered techno mix of the ballad "Until We Say Goodbye". The original version of the track was featured on 2000's "Engines Of Creation". Listen to the track and read an interview with Satriani at this location.

One of the most influential and respected instrumental rock guitarists to emerge in the past three decades, Joe Satriani is that rare "musician's musician" who's crossed over into the mainstream with music sublime and complex, appealing to a wide variety of tastes.

A true master of the six-string, Satriani worked as a guitar teacher in his early career, with a number of his students — among them Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett (METALLICA), Larry LaLonde (POSSESSED, PRIMUS), David Bryson (COUNTING CROWS), Charlie Hunter and more — achieving their own considerable successes.

While in considerable demand as a sideman throughout his career — he's toured with Mick Jagger, DEEP PURPLE and many others — Satriani has pursued his own musical vision over the years through a series of instrumental rock albums (many of them Grammy nominated) which chronicle his evolution as an artist and his eloquence as a guitarist.

All 14 of Joe Satriani's landmark studio albums, from "Not Of This Earth" (his 1986 debut) through "Unstoppable Momentum" (2013's masterpiece), are included in the new collection alongside "Added Creations And Bonus Tracks", a newly curated anthology disc of rare compositions and performances falling outside the purview of Satriani's official album canon, and "Surfing With The Alien", 1987's platinum-selling breakout.

"When the good people at Legacy approached me with the idea of a comprehensive box set featuring my studio recordings in their entirety, plus bonus tracks, all remastered, I answered with a resounding, 'YES!,'" said Joe Satriani.

"The only person who could pull this all together logistically and sonically was mastering engineer John Cuniberti.

"John and I have recorded quite a bit of music together going way back to the early '80s. I've made more records with John engineering and co-producing than anyone else, so who better to help me put this box set together the right way? His attention to detail has made this project exciting, illuminating and ultimately awesome sounding."

"Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings" presents brand-new digital masters, overseen by Joe Satriani, with each CD packaged in a replica cardboard jacket. The library collection is housed in a specially designed clamshell box with a booklet filled with photos and memorabilia from across the decades.

"Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings" is the ideal audio accompaniment to "Strange Beautiful Music: A Musical Memoir", Satriani's autobiography, also coming in April.

A tireless performer who draws strength and inspiration from live shows, Satriani is consistently one of the world's top concert draws. He is a core member of the rock supergroup CHICKENFOOT (with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith) as well as founder of the highly successful G3 tours, each teaming Satriani with a pair of top-flight guitarists with shows often featuring special guest artists and other musical surprises. A nearly annual event, G3 launched in 1996 with Steve Vai and Eric Johnson and has showcased a wide variety of axemen over the years, including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Yngwie Malmsteen, Robert Fripp, John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Neal Schon, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, Steve Lukather and many others. Most recently, the G3 tour played South America in 2012.

Over his career, Joe Satriani has earned 15 "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" Grammy nominations alongside platinum ("Surfing With The Alien", "Flying In A Blue Dream") and gold ("The Extremist", "Time Machine") certifications for his solo recordings. He also racked up gold and platinum certifications for the DVD "Live in San Francisco" and two G3 DVDs, "G3 Live" and "Live In Denver".

Satriani is extending his decades-long relationship with Sony Music, signing a new multi-album deal with Legacy for future recordings.

"Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings" includes:

1986 - "Not Of This Earth"1987 - "Surfing With The Alien"1989 - "Flying In A Blue Dream"1992 - "The Extremist"1993 - "Time Machine"1995 - "Joe Satriani"1998 - "Crystal Planet"2000 - "Engines Of Creation"2002 - "Strange Beautiful Music"2004 - "Is There Love In Space?"2006 - "Super Colossal"2008 - "Professor Satchafunkilus And The Musterion Of Rock"2010 - "Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards"2013 - "Unstoppable Momentum"2014 - "Additional Creations And Bonus Tracks"

Swedish thrashers CARNAL FORGE will release a new single, "When All Else Fails", on April 30. It will include the tracks "Chemical Disincorporation" and "Bleed For Me", the latter of which features guest guitar solos from Per Nilsson from SCAR SYMMETRY and Mike Wead of KING DIAMOND and MERCYFUL FATE.

Both "Chemical Disincorporation" and "Bleed For Me" are now available for streaming below.

Joining CARNAL FORGE's founding guitarist Jari Kuusisto in the band's current lineup is Jens C. Mortensen (vocals), who sang on CF's latest full-length album, 2007's "Testify For My Victims", along with longtime members Lars Lindén (bass) and Petri Kuusisto (lead guitar) and the group's latest addition, drummer Lawrence Dinamarca (LOCH VOSTOK, BLEEDING UTOPIA). CARNAL FORGE is: Jens C. Mortensen - VocalsPetri Kuusisto - Lead GuitarJari Kuusisto - Rhythm Guitar Lars Lindén - BassLawrence Dinamarca - Drums "Testify For My Victims" was released in the U.S. in May 2007 via Candlelight Records.

Legendary Anglo-Australian hard rockers AC/DC have released the following statement:

"After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.

"In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family's privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music."

As previously reported, a musician who says he has been friends with AC/DC for "years" has corroborated reports that Malcolm Young is no longer able to perform with the band due to illness. Mark Gable, lead singer with the CHOIRBOYS, told ABC Radio Australia, "From what I understand, and it's even been confirmed in part by his son Ross… It would appear Malcolm is unable to perform anymore. It's not just that he is unwell, it's that it is quite serious. It will constitute that he definitely won't be able to perform live. He will probably not be able to record."

Australian journalist Darryl Mason wrote that Malcolm suffered a stroke last month. According to The Age, a source who knows the Young family has said that Malcolm's condition has deteriorated so badly that his wife Linda and family were investigating full-time care for the guitarist. It is believed that Malcolm is currently having in-home care at his home in the Sydney area. He is said to be having difficulty remembering familiar faces and having increasing problems communicating.

AC/DC singer Brian Johnson has shot down reports that the band is retiring, telling U.K.'s Telegraph that the band is about to begin work on its 16th studio album. "We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver," he said. "We're going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we'll record it."

While the members of AC/DC are notoriously private, Johnson did reveal in a 2012 interview and in a February 2014 one that an unnamed member of the group had been ill — but whether that was Malcolm remains unclear.

Asked about the prospect of retiring one day, Johnson told The Pulse Of Radio that he would know when the time had come. "You know, retirement is like anything," he said. "A good football or a good ice hockey player, they don't want to retire. But unfortunately, sometimes there's a time when you have to call it quits. I don't want to do it, and if we can get out another album and do another little short tour or something, and have a bit of fun, well. I'm your man. I'll be right there."

AC/DC's last album was 2008's "Black Ice", one of the group's most successful later albums, which was followed by a nearly two-year world tour.

The official lyric video for the song "Where Angels Weep" from Polish death metal veterans VADER can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Tibi Et Igni" (a Latin phrase which translates to "For You And Fire"), which will be released on May 30 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2011's "Welcome To The Morbid Reich" was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland with producers Wojtek and Slawek Wiesawski. The artwork was handled this time by a true legend of visuals, Joe Petagno (MOTÖRHEAD).

Commented VADER mainman Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek: "Joe is a legend! Not just because he created MOTÖRHEAD logo or breathtaking artworks for many outstanding albums. Joe is over all times and his imagination touches the Hell itself…. And this is enough reason to ask him for painting 'a Hellfire' for VADER's new music. He accepted it and… made me so proud!" Joe Petagno added: "They have been on my 'get in touch' list for years. Finally we managed it and for a killer album very appropriately titled: 'Tibi Et Igni'." "Tibi Et Igni" track listing: 01. Go To Hell02. Where Angels Weep03. Armada On Fire04. Triumph Of Death05. Hexenkessel06. Abandon All Hope07. Worms Of Eden08. The Eye Of The Abyss09. Light Reaper10. The End

Digipak Bonus:

11. Necropolis12. Des Satans Neue Kleider

Bonus 7" Vinyl:

Side A: NecropolisSide B: Przeklęty Na Wieki (Cursed Eternally) "Tibi Et Igni" will be made available as a standard jewelcase CD, digipak (with 2 bonus tracks), as colored vinyl with a bonus seven-inch EP (including 2 bonus tracks) and exclusively at Nuclear Blast mailorder as a limited digipak edition with a signed VADER tourbook.

VADER will release a special seven-inch single containing two tracks from "Tibi Et Igni". The single is titled "Go To Hell" and includes the following songs: Side A: "Where Angels Weep"Side B: "Triumph Of Death" The song "Where Angels Weep" will also be made available digitally.

The vinyl and the digital version are being released on April 18 via Nuclear Blast.

You can pre-order the single (red, white and black vinyl) at this location. VADER's forthcoming effort will mark the recording debut of British drummer James Stewart (DIVINE CHAOS), who replaced Pawel "Paul" Jaroszewicz in 2011.

VADER's latest album, "Welcome To The Morbid Reich", was released in Europe on August 12, 2011 and in North America on September 13, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland and features the cover artwork of Zbigniew Bielak (DESTRÖYER 666, WATAIN). The band laid down a total of 12 songs for the CD, which was mixed and mastered in May 2011.

German folk metallers NARRATOR live up to their name again. With their debut EP, Von Kreaturen und Kriegern, they already confronted the listener with tales about history and mythology. This is not only presented through the lyrics, but also through the music: hard guitars become a melodical event by their combination with bagpipes and flutes, and the voice of vocalist Julian brings the narrations to life with an unexpected intensity.
With their new video, for the song 'Stunde der Wölfe', taken from their upcoming album Schatten der Zeitalter, they prove again their ambition to present quality and entertainment.
Instead of shooting a "normal" music video, Narrator united with the production firm AVA Studios and director Oliver Sommer to shoot 'Stunde der Wölfe' on Schloss Virnsberg (near to Bad Winsheim) and to befittingly visualize the song. The leading role is played by nobody other than Prinz Hodenherz (FEUERSCHWANZ) who showed surprising talent as an actor.

"Pressure Point", the new video from Southern California's HEARTIST, can be seen below. The song is taken from from the band's debut full-length album, produced by David Bendeth (PARAMORE, OF MICE & MEN, BRING ME THE HORIZON), which will be out later this summer via Roadrunner Records. A second new track titled "Skeletons" will arrive on April 29.

HEARTIST spent the majority of 2013 grinding it out on the road in support of its debut EP, "Nothing You Didn't Deserve", and is currently supporting BLESSTHEFALL on its U.S. headline tour. The trek, dubbed "The Hollow Bodies Tour", features Roadrunner labelmates THE AMITY AFFLICTION as well as SILVERSTEIN and SECRETS, and is set to continue through mid-May where it will eventually wrap up at Mesa, Arizona's Nile Theater.

Regarding HEARTIST's sound, the band's vocalist, Bryce Beckley, previously said: "When we first joined together, we had a collective goal that we didn't want to get stuck in a specific scene; get locked in to where we could only play heavy shows and that kind of thing. We deliberately wrote our EP so that it was kind of a transitional sound, in between heavy rock and hardcore music, with breakdowns and stuff. And we did it that way so that if we made a transition in either direction, it wouldn't be super surprising to fans. [On the upcoming] full-length, and we're going for a much heavier, dark rock sound."

HEARTIST is:

Bryce Beckley - VocalsRobby Devito - GuitarTim Koch - GuitarMatt Marquez - DrumsEvan Ranallo - Bass

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Rob Zombie has issued a trailer for his first-ever concert home video, "The Zombie Horror Picture Show", which is due out on Blu-ray and DVD on May 20. Zombie, who directed the film himself, leads his band through longtime favorites like "Living Dead Girl", "More Human Than Human" and "Dragula" as well as newer songs like "Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga" and "Dead City Radio And The New Gods of Supertown".

A photo book by photographer Rob Fenn will be published as a companion piece to the Blu-ray and DVD.

"The Zombie Horror Picture Show" will feature footage filmed during stops on last year's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour in Houston on August 3, 2013 and Dallas on August 4.

"The Zombie Horror Picture Show" DVD and Blu-ray track listing:

01. Teenage Nosferatu Pussy02. Superbeast03. Super-Charger Heaven (originally by WHITE ZOMBIE)04. Living Dead Girl 05. We're An American Band (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD cover)06. More Human Than Human (originally by WHITE ZOMBIE)07. Sick Bubblegum 08. Never Gonna Stop 09. Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga10. Meet The Creeper 11. Mars Needs Women 12. House Of 1000 Corpses 13. The Lords Of Salem 14. Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Supertown 15. Thunder Kiss '65 (originally by WHITE ZOMBIE)16. Dragula

Zombie has never released a concert DVD before and told an Albany radio station that he always thought of doing one as a "huge nuisance," adding, "After the show is done, I don't care. I don't want to relive it… I never wanna hear about it again, I never wanna see it again. Like, I never watch anything — a TV show I've been on; I don't care. Once it's done, it's done. But I figured at least once we should film it."

Zombie's fifth solo album, "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor", came out in April 2013.

Zombie will kick off a 12-date run of shows on April 26 in Fort Myers, Florida at the Fort Rock festival, mixing other major rock festival stops with headlining shows before wrapping it up on May 10 in Camden, New Jersey.



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Post by Rob Zombie.

Chris Jericho (FOZZY) and Andy Biersack (BLACK VEIL BRIDES) joined STEEL PANTHER on stage this past Monday, April 14 at the House Of Blues in Hollywood, California to perform the SCORPIONS classic "Rock You Like A Hurricane". You can watch video footage of the performance below (courtesy of Heavy Metal Hill).

STEEL PANTHER is the '80s metal/hard rock tribute band formerly known as METAL SKOOL. Onstage, the band both pays tribute to and lampoons the heyday of '80s glam metal. The group's between-song comedy includes jests at conflict between bandmembers, discussions of drugs, sex, and improvised humor with the crowd.

Regarding naysayers that say STEEL PANTHER is a joke-metal band, the group's drummer Stix Zadinia told the South Bend Tribune: "Listen to our record and tell us that our songs aren't better than most of the bands out there. How funny is that? At the end of the day, it comes down to the songs. I think our songs — without sounding egotistical — I think our songs are great. When you hear the hooks in our songs, you hear the playing and you hear the vocals, you throw that up against any band in any era, and I think it stands up."

STEEL PANTHER's third album, "All You Can Eat", sold around 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 24 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on April 1 via Open E/KLS.

Regarding the new CD title, singer Michael Starr said: "We feel like STEEL PANTHER is like a buffet. You know what I mean?! There's a little bit of everything for everybody. And you can have as much of us as you want."

The not-safe-for-work version of the official "Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World" video includes celebrity cameos by "Jackass" star Steve-O, porn icon Ron Jeremy, "Breaking Bad" actor RJ Mitte and MMA fighter Chuck Liddell.

STEEL PANTHER's first-ever DVD, "British Invasion", sold 3,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release back in November 2012 to debut at position No. 2 on Billboard's Top Music Videos chart.

A friend of AC/DC's Malcolm Young says the guitarist will not be able to perform with the band again due to an unspecified serious illness. Speaking to ABC Radio (as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald), CHOIRBOYS singer Mark Gable, who has been friends with AC/DC "for years," said: "That is true, Malcolm is sick… From what I understand, and it's even been confirmed in part by his son Ross [Young]… It would appear Malcolm is unable to perform anymore. It's not just that he is unwell, it's that it is quite serious. It will constitute that he definitely won't be able to perform live. He will probably not be able to record."

However, Gable said that Young's illness may not necessarily stop the band from continuing with plans to celebrate its 40th anniversary by playing 40 shows around the world.

"There was speculation that they had this even tacit agreement that if no member currently was able to perform, AC/DC would cease," he said. "However Alex Young's son Stevie replaced Malcolm Young a few years back for a tour, and nobody knew the difference."

According to The Age, a source who knows the Young family has told Fairfax that Malcolm's condition has deteriorated so badly his wife Linda and family were investigating full-time respite care for the guitarist.

It is believed Young returned to Sydney with his family before Christmas and was having in-home care at his house in East Balmain. He is now said to be having difficulty remembering familiar faces and having increasing problems communicating.

"His memory loss is so bad it is consistent with Alzheimer's or dementia although we do not know that is what it is," the source said. "There has been talk about cancer too."

Australian music journalist Darryl Mason reported earlier in the week that Young suffered a stroke three weeks ago that has left a blood clot on his brain. The event reportedly happened just prior to the band reuniting at the start of April to begin rehearsals ahead of new album recording sessions planned for next month in Vancouver.

The new reports come just a day after rumors began circulating that AC/DC would be retiring.

The source of the original retirement rumor was an e-mail sent to Perth radio station 6PR from an anonymous tipster using the handle Thunderstruck. The station subsequently spread the word, setting off a flurry of reports first throughout Australia and then worldwide.

It should be noted, however, that the group's management and Columbia Records, its current label, have chosen not to comment on the matter, according to Billboard.com. In addition, Billboard.com quotes AC/DC "insiders" as insisting that there is no truth to these stories.

STEVE GRIMMETT'S GRIM REAPER, the revamped version of the cult '80s British metal act GRIM REAPER led by singer Steve Grimmett, performed in the USA for the first time since 1987 on April 5 at the Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse festival at Reggies bar in Chicago, Illinois. The band's set consisted of many of the classic GRIM REAPER tunes but also included new tracks from STEVE GRIMMETT'S GRIM REAPER's upcoming studio album, tentatively titled "From Hell", due out in the spring. Original GRIM REAPER guitarist Nick Bowcott joined STEVE GRIMMETT'S GRIM REAPER on stage for several songs, marking the first time Steve and Nick have performed together in more than 25 years.

Multi-camera video footage of Bowcott and STEVE GRIMMETT'S GRIM REAPER performing the song "Lust For Freedom" at Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse can be seen below.

STEVE GRIMMETT'S GRIM REAPER is:

Steve Grimmett - VocalsIan Nash - GuitarChaz Grimaldi - BassMark Rumble - Drums

The back catalog from GRIM REAPER was reissued in Japan in October 2008 via RCA/BMG. "See You in Hell" (1984), "Fear No Evil" (1985) and "Rock You to Hell" (1987) feature JVC K2 24-bit remastering and are available for order at this location.

Video footage of the Rockers Against Trafficking benefit concert, which took place this past Friday, April 11 at Paladino's in Tarzana, California, can be seen below (courtesy of Stephanie Cabral).

The musicians performing in the video clips are:

* Chris Broderick (MEGADETH) - Guitar* Dave Lombardo (SLAYER, PHILM) - Drums* Robert DeLeo (STONE TEMPLE PILOTS) - Bass* Keith St. John (MONTROSE) - Vocals

Veteran photographer Kevin Estrada has shot some of rock's biggest names over the years — including NIRVANA, KISS, REM and GREEN DAY — and now, he is using his connections in the world of rock for a good cause: helping to raise awareness of human trafficking, by creating the organization Rockers Against Trafficking.

"Besides being a photographer, I am a dad — that is my top priority in life," explains Estrada. "I have two young daughters that I care about and love very much.

"For the past few years, human trafficking has been on my radar as we see and hear more and more about this spreading sickness. Young girls, like my daughters, fall victim to this travesty every day — and that worries me."

Last year, Estrada had a birthday party at Paladino's, which resulted in plenty of his rock pals joining in the fun for jam sessions. This year, when talk of having another b-day bash came up, the photographer came up with an idea — make it a benefit to fight human trafficking.

"Our goal is to build awareness and raise funds to support the fight against human trafficking here in our own country and abroad," says Estrada.

"Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world today — second only to drug activity. This is tragically happening to nearly two million girls worldwide ever year, some of these girls are as young as 7 years old. This is happening all over the world, and it is also happening right here in our own backyards. Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego are hot spots here in California."

The proceeds from the show on April 11 are being used to rebuild the lives of these young victims with housing, medical assistance, legal aid, and job placement. These donations will also be used to build and set up border monitoring stations on the borders between countries that are known for human trafficking.

In addition to performances from members of HELMET, MEGADETH, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, FEAR FACTORY, SLAYER, MINISTRY, ARMORED SAINT and QUIET RIOT, among countless others , there were silent auctions and raffle giveaways — guitars donated by Schecter Guitars and Monster Energy / Fender Guitars, a DW Drums collector’s series snare drum, plus signed goodies raffled off from MOTÖRHEAD and THE CULT, and more.

Norwegian black metallers RAGNAROK have announced an amicable parting of the ways with their frontman Hans Fyrste. Fyrste, who has been with the band since 2005 and performed vocals on two of their seven full length albums - 2010's Collectors Of The King and the latest release Malediction - is cutting back on his musical activities due to other personal and job-related commitments, which had already affected his ability to tour with Ragnarok at the end of last year. His last live appearance with the band was at this year's Blastfest festival in February.
In a statement the frontman explained his decision: "The decision to leave Ragnarok has been an extremely hard one to make. Jontho and Brigge brought me in to the horde in 2005, and this still stands as my biggest achievement as a musician. Personal circumstances have made it so that I will not be able to dedicate myself to Ragnarok, as much as it requires. It is with a heavy heart that we have come to an agreement, and I am pulling out of the band. All words fall short compared to how grateful I am for have taken part in this journey. Over the years we have experienced so many great achievements, and I would never have been without any of them. Being able to tour around the world, from Siberia to Rio de Janeiro, with supporting, passionate and faithful friends and fans in every city, has been a humbling experience. Every step of the way has also brought with it impressions, educating me to be a stronger person. Also learning so many new things, evolving to be the vocalist and human being I am today. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has made this journey possible. Without all my great friends and fans out there, nothing of this could have ever happened. Thank you! And finally, of course, thank you Jontho, DezeptiCunt and Bolverk. Thank you for all the great times on and off the stage. Thank you for everything we have gone through together. Thank you for the brotherhood and support! I leave Ragnarok as a humble man, and wish my brothers all the best in the future.
Hans Fyrste…. "

Founder and drummer Jontho had this to say about Fyrste's departure: "After 20 years you come to expect these things as an inevitable part of being in a band. Sooner or later there comes a time when all musicians must take a hard look at their lives and take decisions based on family and work commitments. Hans Fyrste felt that he could not give the amount of dedication that Ragnarok asks of its members, and that it would be fairer all round to call it a day, and that is very much to his credit. He has been a real asset to the band. We have watched him grow over the years to become a great frontman and we wish him all the best for the future."

Formed in 1994, and celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, Ragnarok are unfazed by the departure of their frontman and have begun work on what will be their eighth full-length album. The band played their first North American show in November last year, and are scheduled to headline at the Sick Midsummer Festival in Austria in July and appear at the Norwegian Hellcamp festival in Germany in October. They have not yet disclosed who will replace Hans Fyrste in the lineup, which, aside from Jontho on drums, includes DezeptiCunt on Bass and Bolverk on guitars. "Let's just say that we are looking at various options, some of which might come as a bit of a surprise to Ragnarok fans, but we're not prepared to say more at this time," commented Jontho.

The official video for the title track from Collectors Of The King:

Chicago's melodic death metallers STARKILL have posted a video for 'Sword, Spear, Blood, Fire', taken from last year's debut album, Fires Of Life. The video was directed by Alan Collins of Elegy Films.
Singer/Guitarist Parker Jameson comments: "Check our new video for 'Sword, Spear, Blood, Fire'. We thought it'd be cool to release this video now, in April of 2014, to commemorate the one year anniversary of Fires Of Life being released.

Additionally, we are excited to announce that we will be entering Electrowerks Studio with producer, Chuck Macak (OCEANO, LETLIVE) this May to begin recording the next Starkill album. With most of the pre-production already done, we can say that this new material is our darkest and strongest to date. We've really found and nailed our signature style on this album. We can't wait to share it with the world. In the meantime, enjoy the new video, and keep an eye out for new updates!"
Fires Of Life was released on April 30th, 2013 to much acclaim and since then they have toured the world with bands such as WINTERSUN, TURISAS, AMORPHIS, FLESHGOD APHCALYPSE and KRISIUN. Expect a fall 2014 release for their next album as well as continued touring.

Brooklyn, New York's TOMBS have confirmed Savage Gold as the title of the band's third album on Relapse Records. The album is set for a June 10th release (North America), June 9th (UK/World), and June 6th (Germany/Benelux/Finland). A trailer for the release can be found below.

Savage Gold is available for pre-order now. The album will be available in the following formats: Limited Edition Deluxe Gold Vinyl 2XLP (with expanded 12 page booklet featuring the graphic art of acclaimed artist and tattoo artist Thomas Hooper), Standard Black Vinyl 2XLP, CD and digital formats.
Tracklisting:

'Thanatos'
'Portraits'
'Seance'
'Echoes'
'Deathtripper'
'Edge Of Darkness'
'Ashes'
'Legacy'
'Severed Lives'
'Spiral'

Trailer:
In support of Savage Gold, Tombs will hit the road for a West Coast run supporting PELICAN. The shows kick off June 12th in San Diego, CA and run through June 19th in Seattle, WA. A complete list of dates can be found below. In addition to their US dates, Tombs will be taking part in the Temples Festival at Motion in Bristol, UK on May 3rd. They will play alongside NEUROSIS, CONAN and MOSS.

Tour dates:

May
3 - Bristol, UK - Motion (Temples Festival)

June (with Pelican)
12 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah
13 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater
15 - San Francisco, CA - Slims
17 - Portland, OR - Branx
18 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw
19 - Seattle, WA - Neumos

Finnish funeral doom metal band TYRANNY have signed with Dark Descent Records for the release of the band's follow-up to 2005's Tides Of Awakening. The as-of-yet-untitled album is scheduled for release later this year.
The band comments: "Stirrings in the xenobathyal abyss, a star has shifted in the black gulfs of space, tectonic grinding releases another upheaval to foreshadow the third emanation of Tyranny - last performances before the release will be witnessed at Roadburn 2014"

Tyranny will make an appearance at Roadburn Festival 2014, taking place this week (April 10th - 13th) in Tilburg, The Netherlands. The band is scheduled to perform on Friday, April 11th at Het Patronaat. For more details, visit this location.

(Photo - Peter Troest, troest.nu)