FaceCulture recently conducted an interview with Dutch singer Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH, REVAMP, ex-AFTER FOREVER). You can now watch the chat in three parts below. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On what her role in NIGHTWISH is going to be now that she has been upgraded from a touring singer to a full-time/permanent member:

Floor: "I guess that's something that needs to be seen, how I can grow into my role within the band, because I have been a guest musician for the whole 'Imaginaerum' tour. So, of course, I knew I was gonna stay, but the whole concept of all that was already there. So for the upcoming album, I don't know how that will grow. I, of course, have my experience, and so do the guys, and I can't imagine myself, with my personality, sitting back and saying, 'Yeah, do whatever and I'll follow.' But on the other hand, they know exactly what they're doing — they've proven to be able to write great songs and to put out something that totally… where all the pictures match and where the whole concept is one. And I guess it's a process to see how I can add with my creativity and how my input is gonna be there. I can imagine, I have my feelings and ideas about stage outfits, but also with the songwriting, Tuomas [Holopainen, NIGHTWISH keyboardist] is definitely the master of the writing process, he's the guy in charge, but Marco [Hietala, NIGHTWISH bassist/vocalist] also writes and the whole band comes together and makes the puzzle work. So somewhere in that puzzle I'll get my share."

On whether she will be moving to Finland from The Netherlands in order to be closer to NIGHTWISH's home base:

Floor: "Out of practical reasons, I don't have to move to Finland. I mean, it's quite nearby, and you're there always for certain periods of time, for either a show or now for the recording period and there are facilities there where I can stay. But I'm studying Finnish, and it's one of the five most difficult languages in the world. And the more I learn, the more I realize that's definitely true. [Laughs] So I might move to Finland, at least for a while, to learn the language a bit better, 'cause you don't learn any language better than in the country itself."

On why she is studying Finnish:

Floor: "Well, imagine being in a group of 25 people. There are 20 Finnish people, there's one German, there's one Dutchie, and there's one… Or 20 people, let's say… And there are only two or three people who do not speak Finnish… whether it's a group of German people, Dutch people — wherever you're from. You always speak the language you hear most. So if there are 20 people, and 18 of them are Finnish, most people will speak Finnish amongst each other. Regardless of how well the NIGHTWISH guys and everyone involved speaks English, and they're very willing to translate, they still need to translate. And I feel if I wanna be part of the whole circus even more, be more involved, understand everyone better, even now that I'm studying, understanding the culture a bit better, in the long run, it's gonna make me feel like I fit in a little bit better. Even though they have welcomed me with open arms and I already feel at home — I call them my brothers and my family — I think being able to speak the language makes the unity even bigger."

The official three-minute collection of highlights of the fifth annual "Metal Masters" clinic, which was held on January 22 at the Anaheim, California House Of Blues, can be seen below.

The "Metal Masters 5" lineup was loaded with a star-studded cast of metal musicians. As in years past, the show started with a brief clinic offering some tips and tricks, and ended with an all-star jam session of metal cover songs.

Performers included:

* Kerry King (SLAYER)* Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)* Frank Bello (ANTHRAX)* Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)* David Ellefson (MEGADETH)* Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG)* Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS)* Gary Holt (EXODUS, SLAYER)* Chris Broderick (MEGADETH)* Philip Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)* Rex Brown (KILL DEVIL HILL, PANTERA, DOWN)* Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)* Steve Vai

The following songs were performed, among others:

* "Wrathchild" (IRON MAIDEN)* "Killers" (IRON MAIDEN)* "God Of Thunder" (KISS)* "Sargent D And The S.O.D." (STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH)* "Freddy Krueger" (STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH)* "Strength Beyond Strength" (PANTERA)* "I'm Broken" (PANTERA)* "Postmortem" (SLAYER)* "Raining Blood" (SLAYER)* "Mouth For War" (PANTERA)* "Mandatory Suicide" (SLAYER)* "Five Minutes Alone" (PANTERA)* "South Of Heaven" (SLAYER)* "Angel Of Death" (SLAYER)* "Fucking Hostile" (PANTERA)

"'Metal Masters' started out as two bassists teaching a clinic and has gone on to become a spectacle that includes some of the greatest musicians that defined a genre," says Samson's director of marketing and "Metal Masters" founder, Mark Menghi. "What better way to learn, than seeing these amazing performers up close and personal teaching their own personal techniques of the trade. 'Metal Masters' has always been about doing something special for the fans and that will never go away." King previously stated about his motivation for taking part in "Metal Masters": "The reason I still do it to this day is to get Phil involved, because I think the world misses him. He's good at what he does and I'm one of the few guys he looks up to to the point where he'd come out and do it. And I'm not blowing sunshine up my ass; it's just a fact. And everybody wants to see Phil. Everybody loves Phil. When I come out, it's a huge applause. When Phil comes out, it's like somebody came back from the dead; they're not expecting it. And it's cool."

In a recent interview with Full Metal Jackie, Anselmo stated about performing PANTERA songs at "Metal Masters": "I'm up there with guys that I've known since the '80s who have a good five, six years on me of playing music and being successful, people that I looked up to and still look up to… The thing is just being up there with those guys is overwhelming enough, but then playing the PANTERA songs, don't get me wrong, it feels great, it feels fantastic, and it does bring me back to a very powerful place, a very unique place in history. I guess, growing up and cuttin' my chops and growing up with the guys in PANTERA, we always played with a chip on our shoulder and you get that rush of memory when you're up there doing it, but it's a lot of emotions balled up into one, but they're all pretty damn good. For me, the most fun thing about it of all is just seeing the fan reaction. I've always said that PANTERA fans were the best in the world, and I truly meant that and I still mean it. That's why 'Metal Masters' keeps the pulse of the whole thing going."

Speaking to Artisan News prior to the "Metal Masters 4" event in September 2012, Sheehan and the other musicians spoke about what it was like for Billy to come in and play heavier stuff than he is used to.

"I've been prepped," said Sheehan. "And it's great. I actually love it. It's like being on another planet. It's like an adventure into another land, and it's really cool. It's challenging to play this stuff."

Added Bello: "It's great seeing [Billy] come into this world, and step up as he did. I mean, Billy Sheehan is playing [chuckles] he's playing SLAYER and EXODUS tonight — without a pick. Just think about those lines right there. He totally kicks ass in it, too. The guy stepped up to it, and you can't ask for more than that. So for these kids, seeing a treat like that, man, it's a good time."

Said Holt: "[If you had told me that] this guy here [pointing at Billy], who is one of the greatest musicians in rock history, would be standing there watching my fingers as I'm playing [EXODUS's song] 'Piranha', I would havee called you a stone-faced liar and said, 'Get outta here!'"

Setlist:



Highlights:

Death metal veterans INCANTATION have announced the departure of longtime guitarist Alex Bouks. The band states: "Over the last few years, there have been some rough waters that we have all been navigating. A hiatus is more desired, thinking this is the best thing to do to save the magic that we have all worked together on.

"With respect, we wish only the best to Alex and his work outside the band. He is truly an amazing musician and we are happy to have worked with him."

INCANTATION's latest album, "Vanquish In Vengeance", is out on Listenable Records. The band's follow-up to 2006's "Primordial Domination" features over 50 minutes of the band's trademark dark and unholy death metal. Recorded at the Mars Recording Compound with engineer Bill Korecky and mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE) at Unisound studios in Örebro, Sweden, the CD deals with the numerous counts of genocide in the name of religion our society has witnessed over a millennia.

"Vanquish In Vengeance" was also made available in a limited-edition box featuring a flag and an exclusive metal pin.

Although based in Pennsylvania, INCANTATION has enjoyed a 25-year musical career as one of the leaders the New York death metal scene along with SUFFOCATION, IMMOLATION and MORTICIAN.

INCANTATION and Listenable Records' working relationship resulted in "Decimate Christendom" (2004) and "Primordial Domination" (2006) albums.

Last week, QUEEN announced a summer tour with Adam Lambert but that's not all the band has going on. Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have been working on a biopic about singer Freddie Mercury and Brian gave VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner an update on how it's coming along.

"The movie is about to go," May said. "We will be shooting in May. At this point, Roger and I step backwards because we have a great team to put the film together under the leadership of Graham King, who is probably the greatest independent producer in films. We will let them do it and shoot it and hopefully it will be an interesting thing."

The movie has been in the works for years now and Brian spoke to VH1 Radio Network about what he's learned about the moviemaking process.

"I've learned a lot about films in this process," May said. "What you discover is films don't really tell history, films are an entertainment and that's an interesting journey to make. You realize that it cannot be absolutely true. What is the truth? The truth would be different for the people telling the story, but it will be a hell of an entertaining film I think."

Roger added his two cents about filmmaking.

"It seems like the wheels grind slowly in the movie word," he said. "I'm glad I'm a musician."

There is no word yet on when the film will hit theaters but the tour with Lambert kicks off in June.

Ben Whishaw — best know for his portrayal as Q in the recent James Bond thriller "Skyfall" and Keith Richards in "Stoned" — will star as the flamboyant singer. He replaces Sacha Baron Cohen, who was originally attached to play Freddie but left the project last summer. The film will be directed by Dexter Fletcher, whose work includes "Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels" and the HBO series "Band Of Brothers".

U.K. rock journalist Mark Taylor recently conducted an interview with former NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud player below. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow.

On whether she has had any contact with the other former NIGHTWISH singer, Tarja Turunen:

"We are on the same record label, and the only contact we've had was that I got her album... I asked the record label if I could have her new album since I do like her music a lot, and then I wrote on my blog that she made a really good album. And she thanked me on her Facebook, I think it was. So that was the first time we ever, you know, exchanged any blessings or greetings. But we haven't met personally. I am thinking, if I have the time, if I should go up and watch her show. She's coming to Gothenburg in May, I think. So if I'm at home and I have the time, maybe I'l ask if I could go and see her show, and maybe we could meet. I hope she would like to meet me; you never know what she thinks about me. But I think it would be a really nice thing to just say hello, you know. We have been singing in the same band and we have some history, so it would be nice. And she's done a really nice solo career, so maybe she has some good hints for me. [Laughs]"

On whether she will perform any NIGHTWISH songs when she tours with her solo project:

"No, I won't. For sure, I will not sing any NIGHTWISH songs. That is something I have decided. I've done that, you know. They have a new singer, Floor [Jansen], and I think she should do the songs now. And every era has its singer, and it's NIGHTWISH songs — they're not mine, even if I sang them for [five] years — it's Tuomas' [Holopainen, keyboards] songs and he owns them, so… I wish them good luck with the songs, and I will do my songs. [Laughs]"

Olzon's debut solo album, "Shine", will be released via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group, on the following dates:

Germany: March 28France: March 31Italy: April 1Benelux: March 31Poland: March 31Czech Republic: March 31Sweden: March 26Finland: March 28Norway: March 31Denmark: March 31Russia: March 28Spain: March 28UK: March 31USA: April 8

"Shine", which was co-produced by Anette Olzon and Johan Kronlund, is a collaboration with some of the most successful teams in rock and pop in Scandinavia: Stefan Örn (songwriter and producer of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest-winning track "Running Scared") and Johan Glössner. The album was mixed by Kronlund, Nicklas Flykt and Ronny Lahti (known for his work with Loreen and Roxette).

Olzon's "Lies" video from can be seen below. The clip was directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE, KAMELOT).

Regarding the CD's musical direction, Anette said: "In the end, it is a rock album. Well, a pop rock album, maybe, or would you call it pop metal?"

Olzon announced in April 2011 that she decided to push back the tentative release date of her debut solo album to after NIGHTWISH had completed touring in support of its then-yet-to-be-released new studio album, "Imaginarium".

Olzon worked on material for her solo CD in 2009 with Swedish producers Stefan Örn and Johan Glössner. The album was slated to be co-produced by Swedish producer/songwriter Anders Bagge, who has previously worked with MADONNA, CELINE DION, JANET JACKSON and JESSICA SIMPSON, among others. He was also one of judges on the Swedish TV talent competition "Idol" and a producer of the TV series "Made in Sweden".

Olzon in 2009 hired a personal manager — the Swedish management company Hagenburg Management, which also represents EUROPE and THE CARDIGANS.

Olzon was fired from NIGHTWISH in September 2012 in the middle of the band's North American tour.

Interview (audio):

The Pulse Of Radio reports that Ozzy Osbourne's mansion in Buckinghamshire, England has been ruined by flooding during one of the U.K.'s rainiest winters ever. According to the Mirror, the house, which sits on a seven-acre estate, is located in one of the hardest hit areas of the country and now needs more than half a million dollars worth of repairs.

Ozzy's wife and manager Sharon said the building was "destroyed," while Ozzy added, "It's been completely flooded. The rain has battered down the walls and seeped through everything. There is water everywhere… We can't even go about getting it fixed because apparently it's going to take nine months to dry out. The place is ruined."

The water damage is the latest incident to plague the Osbournes at their English countryside retreat. Others have included Ozzy's all terrain vehicle crash in 2003, two fires and a burglary.

While they wait to see if the house in England can be salvaged, the Osbournes will stay at their Los Angeles home — which itself was the site of a small fire in January 2013.

Ozzy begins a short North American tour with BLACK SABBATH on March 31 in Brooklyn, New York.

BROTHER FIRETRIBE — the Finnish AOR/hard rock band featuring NIGHTWISH guitarist Emppu Vuorinen — will release its third album, "Diamond In The Firepit", on May 2 via Spinefarm Records. The CD's first single and video, "For Better Or For Worse", will arrive on March 21.

The cover artwork for the "For Better Or For Worse" single can be seen below.

BROTHER FIRETRIBE will play an album-release show on May 3 at Virgin Oil in Helsinki.

In other news, Spinefarm Records will re-release BROTHER FIRETRIBE's previous two albums, "False Metal" and "Heart Full Of Fire". Due in April, the reissues will contain bonus tracks.

"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 Heino (LEVERAGE) - VocalsEmppu Vuorinen (NIGHTWISH) - GuitarJason Flinck (KINGS OF MODESTY) - BassTom Nikulainen - KeyboardsKalle Torniainen - Drums

Photo credit: Ville Juurikkala

As part of this year's Record Store Day on April 19, San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD will release a 10-inch vinyl single, with the A-side containing the "demo" version of a new song, "Killers & Kings". The B-side will be a cover version of the track "Our Darkest Days" from one of MACHINE HEAD's favorite bands, IGNITE.

Says MACHINE HEAD guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn: "I remember growing up in the thrash scene and always wanting to hear the demo version of songs. You searched them out. Thankfully, my buddy Jim was a big 'tape trader,' and through trading, we had both METALLICA demos, EXODUS demos, bootlegs of songs sometimes 'years' before they came out.

"I knew how to play every note of 'Pleasure Of The Flesh' by EXODUS easily two years before the record was out. I had SLAYER's 'Reign In Blood' three months before it came out. I remember it still had the hi-hat counts starting the songs!!

"My friends and I would debate the merits of each (the demo was always better, LOL!).

"It's so much cooler to hear it BEFORE the album is out!

"So we're gonna do that for you.

"I can't wait for you guys to hear this stuff. Then you can debate it, haha!"

This limited-edition 10-inch single will feature four alternate covers with two specific colors, each limited to 1,000 copies each.



"Killers & Kings" 10-inch single track listing:

Side One: Killers & Kings (demo version)Side Two: Our Darkest Days / Bleeding (IGNITE cover)

MACHINE HEAD entered GREEN DAY's Oakland, California's JingleTown Recording compound on February 9 to begin recording its new album for a late 2014 release via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

The first in a series of short segments regarding the production side of making MACHINE HEAD's new CD can be seen below.

Other songtitles set to appear on the new MACHINE HEAD album include "Beneath The Silt", "Eyes Of The Dead" (formerly "Ojos De La Muerte"), "Sail Into The Black", "How We Die" and "Night Of The Long Knives".

Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn stated about the band's new material: "It sounds like MACHINE HEAD! It's definitely moving forward, which I feel like we're probably always gonna do.

"We're not a band that ever looks back. We do our thing and try to take the life experiences that we have and the musicianship that we've evolved and try to use it. Obviously, we have our sound and we have the MACHINE HEAD patented harmonics, the downtuned riffs and I sing the way I sing.

"I think Bob Dylan said it best: 'You just find new ways to say the same thing.'"

Speaking about some of the specific tracks and the lyrical themes covered on the new album, Flynn said: "I've got some pretty cool lyrics ready. There's a song called 'Night Of The Long Knives', and it's pretty fucked! It's about the Manson murders, and the lyrics are really dark and vicious.

"We've found some new twists to give to the MACHINE HEAD sound and some new fire and excitement."

Asked what the band's main aims were when they started composing music for the new CD, Flynn said: "Well, it's nice to try and have a plan, but music has a way of unravelling over time! [Laughs] You've just got to roll with it.

"With [2007's] 'The Blackening', I'd love to say I had this grand vision of nine- and 10-minute songs, but the first four songs we wrote were the four shorter songs on the record. For months, there was no indication whatsoever that we'd have 10-minute songs. That stuff came later.

"Human nature wants to control and dictate where things will go, but you can't. It won't let you! The more you try, the more it goes, 'Fuck you.' It's going some other way!"

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the historic California Jam festival, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release DEEP PURPLE "Live In California 74" for the first time on CD and Digital Audio on April 1. By the mid-Seventies, DEEP PURPLE was one of the biggest-selling rock acts in America, and "Live In California 74" demonstrates exactly why. Taking place at the end of the band's 28-date tour promoting "Burn", the CD showcases the group performing before 200,000 people as the headliner of the California Jam festival. Closing their trek with a triumphant climax, the potent lineup of Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), David Coverdale (vocals), Glenn Hughes (bass), Jon Lord (keyboards) and Ian Paice (drums) pummel through an explosive set of songs from "Burn", as well as classics like "Space Truckin'" and "Smoke On The Water". 40 years later, this set still resonates as a concert for the ages. Previously released on DVD in 2006, the "Live In California 74" album is an absolutely must-have for any DEEP PURPLE fan's collection. "Live In California 74" track listing:

01. Burn02. Might Just Take Your Life03. Lay Down, Stay Down04. Mistreated05. Smoke On The Water06. You Fool No One07. Space Truckin'

HALESTORM's cover version of the DIO classic "Straight Through The Heart" is available for streaming below (courtesy of Loudwire). The song is featured on "This Is Your Life", the tribute to album to legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, which will be released on April 1 via Rhino.

Ronnie James Dio is one of the most beloved figures in rock history. His gifts, both as a singer and songwriter, are instantly recognizable, whether he was with RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, or leading DIO. Sadly, Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2010 but his towering voice and legacy live on.

To celebrate one of rock's most powerful voices, an all-star group of his friends and fans recorded 13 of their favorite tracks for a tribute album, 100% of proceeds from which will go to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund. Produced by his longtime manager and wife Wendy Dio, the album includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as METALLICA, MOTÖRHEAD, SCORPIONS, ANTHRAX, and Rob Halford, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years.

Although the songs featured on the album touch on the different eras of Dio's career, several spotlight his time with RAINBOW, including METALLICA's epic, nine-minute "Ronnie Rising Medley", which combines the RAINBOW songs "A Light In The Black", "Tarot Woman", "Stargazer" and "Kill The King". SCORPIONS add a scorching take on "Temple Of The King" while MOTÖRHEAD is joined by Biff Byford from SAXON on "Starstruck". Rob Halford teams with frequent Dio collaborators Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, and Scott Warren for "Man On The Silver Mountain". The final lineup of Dio's solo band — Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren — are joined by Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) for "Catch The Rainbow", a track from RAINBOW's 1975 debut.

ANTHRAX and ADRENALINE MOB honor Dio's memorable stint with BLACK SABBATH with their takes on "Neon Knights" and "The Mob Rules", respectively, as does a group, led by Oni Logan on vocals along with Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy, which performs "I" from "Dehumanizer".

"This Is Your Life" also includes songs from Dio's back-to-back platinum albums "Holy Diver" (1983) and "The Last In Line" (1984), with DORO's take on "Egypt (The Chains Are On)", HALESTORM tackling "Straight Through The Heart", Corey Taylor (STONE SOUR, SLIPKNOT) covering the classic "Rainbow In The Dark" and TENACIOUS D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) putting their signature spin on "The Last In Line". KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's cover of "Holy Diver", a hit in its own right when released in 2006, is also included here.

Fittingly, Ronnie James Dio provides the finale (and the album's title) with his moving performance of "This Is Your Life". Originally released on "Angry Machines" (1996), the song's lyrics explore mortality and are backed by a stark and beautiful arrangement that features Dio accompanied only by his longtime keyboardist Scott Warren on piano. The song serves as a poignant reminder that we will never hear a voice like Dio's again.

"I'm letting them pick what songs they wanna do in the way they wanna do it," Wendy told Artisan News in 2011.

"We reached out to Wendy Dio about wanting to be a part of the Dio tribute that's getting put together," METALLICA singer James Hetfield told U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine. "We're very honored to be a part of that, and to be a part of a celebration of Ronnie's life and his great contribution, man."

In an interview with Guitar International, former ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano stated that the band's cover version of "Neon Knights" "came out pretty smoking."

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, co-founded by Wendy Dio, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention when dealing with this deadly disease.

"This Is Your Life" track listing:

01. "Neon Knights" - ANTHRAX * 02. "The Last In Line" - TENACIOUS D * 03. "The Mob Rules" - ADRENALINE MOB 04. "Rainbow In The Dark" - Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher * 05. "Straight Through The Heart" - HALESTORM * 06. "Starstruck" - MOTÖRHEAD with Biff Byford * 07. "Temple Of The King" - SCORPIONS * 08. "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" - DORO 09. "Holy Diver" - KILLSWITCH ENGAGE 10. "Catch The Rainbow" - Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren * 11. "I" - Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy * 12. "Man On The Silver Mountain" - Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren * 13. "Ronnie Rising Medley" (featuring "A Light In The Black", "Tarot Woman", "Stargazer", "Kill The King") - METALLICA * 14. "This Is Your Life" - DIO 15. "Heaven And Hell" - STRYPER (Japanese bonus track) 16. "Stand Up And Shout" - DIO DISCIPLES (Japanese bonus track)

* Previously unreleased

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a privately funded 501(c)(3) charity organization which has already raised more than $600,000 in its short history. Monies raised to date have been committed to the cancer research work of the T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life.

Video footage of WITHIN TEMPTATION's recent acoustic performance in the studios of the U.K. digital radio station Planet Rock 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" first-week chart positions:

#1: Netherlands, Czech Republic#2: Finland, Switzerland#4: Germany, Poland#5: Austria#6: United Kingdom#9: France#11: Portugal#12: Sweden#16: USA#17: Norway#22: Japan#25: Canada#26: Australia#28: Spain

"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."

In the 10-minute clip below, a number of today's great artists discuss the enduring influence of British hard rock legends DEEP PURPLE, in particular the band's classic albums "Machine Head" and "Made in Japan". The video features interviews with ALTER BRIDGE's Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Steve Lukather, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's Zakk Wylde, MACHINE HEAD's Phil Demmel, Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) and DEF LEPPARD's Joe Elliott.

Universal Music has announced the deluxe release of DEEP PURPLE's seminal live album "Made In Japan" in multiple formats on May 19.

Together with LED ZEPPELIN and BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE has been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal" in the early to mid-Seventies. One of the most influential and important guitar bands in history, they have sold over 100 million albums worldwide.

"Made In Japan" was recorded live over three nights during August 15–17, 1972 at Festival Hall, Osaka and Budokan, Tokyo. Four of the tracks come from the band's 1972 "Machine Head" album. It featured what many consider the classic DEEP PURPLE lineup — Ian Gillan (vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Roger Glover (bass), Jon Lord (organ) and Ian Paice (drums). Originally recorded only for the Japanese market, the album has since become seen as one of DEEP PURPLE's seminal albums, and one of the greatest live albums of all time (A Rolling Stone magazine readers poll in 2012 voted "Made In Japan" as the sixth greatest live album of all time).

May 19, 2014 will see the album newly remastered and released in a number of special formats. The format options include previously unseen footage on DVD, bonus material and mixes, memorabilia and a hardback book.

The "Made In Japan" formats:

* Limited Edition Super Deluxe 4 CD+DVD+7" Boxed Set and Limited-Edition Super Deluxe 9LP Boxed Set* Deluxe Edition 2CD* 180g 2LP* Blu-ray Pure Audio* HD Download* MFiT* Standard Digital format

Resurrected 1990s Florida-based death metallers MASSACRE will release their long-awaited comeback album, "Back From Beyond", on March 24 in Europe and April 1 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded and mixed by Tim Vazquez of CGM Studios in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and features original MASSACRE members Rick Rozz (guitar; ex-MANTAS/DEATH) and Terry Butler (bass; OBITUARY, ex-DEATH/SIX FEET UNDER), as well as Ed Webb (vocals; ex-DIABOLIC/EULOGY) and Mike Mazzonetto (drums; ex-PAIN PRINCIPLE). The cover artwork was created by Toshihiro Egawa (CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN, DEVOURMENT) and can be seen below.

The video for the album's title track, directed by Doug Cook and animated by Nick Johnson and Ryder McLean, can be seen below.

Says Butler: "MASSACRE is very proud of the 'Back From Beyond' video. It has a nice campy horror vibe, yet at the same time is cutting edge, and we think it can connect with a variety of audiences. Doug Cook did an amazing job with this one!!!"

"Back From Beyond" track listing:

01. The Ancient Ones 02. As We Wait To Die 03. Ascension Of The Deceased 04. Hunter’s Blood 05. Darkness Fell 06. False Revelation 07. Succumb To Rapture 08. Remnants Of Hatred 09. Shield Of The Son 10. The Evil Within 11. Sands Of Time 12. Beast With Vengeance 13. Back From Beyond14. Honor The Fallen

Butler previously said about the album: "MASSACRE is very excited and proud of our new album, 'Back From Beyond'.

"We've worked hard over the past few months and we believe that the old-school and new-school fans will be pleased.

"Ed Webb and Mikey Mazzanetto are great additions to the band and did an amazing job on the album.

"This is Florida death metal at its best!

"We plan on making 2014 a busy year!!!"

The song "As We Wait To Die" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

MASSACRE released a seven-inch single, "Condemned To The Shadows", on July 30, 2012. The single, which is available as a regular black-wax version, a transparent wax limited edition and a yellow-wax limited edition, contains two brand new songs — "Succumb To Rapture" and "Back From Beyond" — that were recorded in February 2012 at CGM Studios in Altamonte Springs, Florida with Tim Vazquez at the helm.

"Conjuring The Cull", a brand new song from American death metal extremists MISERY INDEX, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track is taken from the band's fifth studio album, "The Killing Gods", which will be released on May 23 via Season Of Mist.

"The Killing Gods" was recorded at Wright Way Studios in Baltimore, Maryland and was engineered by Steve Carr (DYING FETUS, SLIPKNOT, SOILWORK). The drum parts were tracked with Scott Hull (PIG DESTROYER, AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED, BLACK TUSK, BRUTAL TRUTH) at Visceral Sound in Bethesda, Maryland.

Comments MISERY INDEX bassist/vocalist Jason Netherton: "After an extended writing and recording process we have finally completed 'The Killing Gods'. It is the longest, most diverse and most complete album we have ever created, and it represents the blood, sweat and beers of four dudes trying to make the best songs they can. We think we have succeeded and we hope you do as well. Look for this metal beast to drop in May!"

Having cemented a reputation as one of the most formidable live bands in the death metal scene, MISERY INDEX has toured the world over numerous times on the backs of four critically acclaimed albums. The Baltimore-based quartet has leveled venues in over 40 countries over 1000-plus live shows. With albums showcasing a disgust for everyday life and the ills of modern society, MISERY INDEX will continue to push its crushing take on pummeling death metal with the release of "The Killing Gods".

"The Killing Gods" track listing:

01. Urfaust02. The Calling03. The Oath04. Conjuring The Cull05. The Harrowing06. The Killing Gods07. Cross To Bear08. Gallows Humor09. The Weakener10. Sentinels11. Colony Collapse (feat. John Gallagher)12. Heretics13. Thieves Of The New World Order (MINISTRY cover; bonus track)

MISERY INDEX recently announced a special live date as part of this year's Maryland Deathfest pre-show on May 21.

MISERY INDEX is:

Jason Netherton: Bass, VocalsMark Kloeppel: Guitar, VocalsAdam Jarvis: DrumsDarin Morris: Guitar

Photo credit: Josh Sisk

Polish death metal veterans VADER will release a special seven-inch single containing two tracks from their upcoming album, "Tibi Et Igni" (a Latin phrase which translates to "For You And Fire"). 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 available digitally.

The vinyl and the digitally version will be released on April 18 via Nuclear Blast.

You can pre-order the single (red, white and black vinyl) at this location. Says VADER: "We are almost ready with final mix and master to 'Tibi Et Igni', new VADER album.

"To give you a little touch of what is coming at the end of May, we prepared two songs for special 7" vinyl even before we started to work with mixing process. This limited little 'fire breath' is called 'Go To Hell' and includes the tracks 'Where Angels Weep' and 'Triumph Of Death'. It will be available soon in April. Digital version — just one track — is gonna be available too. The mix and some details are different then all you will find on the album in May." "Tibi Et Igni" 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.

Other songtitles set to appear on "Tibi Et Igni" include "Abandon All Hope", "Bring Them To Me" and "Infernal Poetry".

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.

Iron Bonehead Productions has set May 16th as the international release date for LANDSKAP's debut album, I.

Although widely known for plumbing the filthiest excesses of the metal underground, Iron Bonehead is no stranger to doom. And now, the label unveils a towering, black-magickal tome of ultra-doom majesty: Landskap's I.

Hailing from the UK, the five-piece Landskap is heavily influenced by late '60s and early '70s rock and early doom bands, and features members from bands such as SERPENTCULT / THEE PLAGUE OF GENTLEMEN, FEN, PANTHEIST, DEAD EXISTENCE, FATHER SUN, and SKALDIC CURSE.

Landskap was formed in 2012 when George Pan and Frederic Caure met in a London pub on a rainy day in November. Sharing a mutual passion for music, both soon started jamming with Paul Westwood on drums. The first six months were spent just jamming to "get the groove going". In the summer of 2013, the band decided to write a few songs out of the jams, and were joined by Kostas Panagiotou on organ and keyboards and Jake Harding on vocals. The result is Landskap's debut album, simply titled I, a slowly entrancing, utterly bewitching work of true doom alchemists.

Tracklisting:

'A Nameless Fool'
'My Cabin In The Woods'
'Fallen So Far'
'To Harvest The Storm'

Landskap lineup:

Jake Harding: vocals
George Pan: lead guitars
Frederic Caure: bass and rhythm guitars
Kostas Panagiotou: organ and keyboards
Paul Westwood: drums

When MONDVOLLAND was formed in 2006, the musical emphasis was firmly orientated towards folk, but now, with two releases behind them and the completion of their sophomore full-length album, the band has very clearly developed and expanded its sound and direction to become an atypical black metal band that occasionally nods in the direction of avant-garde and post metal, but whose melodies are clearly defined and whose sound is immediate and accessible. Add to that vocals that are a mix of screams, deep grunts and varying styles of clean vocals, and you have a band that moves seamlessly and expertly through a number of extreme metal genres.

The new seven-track album, for which a label is currently being sought, will be called Kwade Vaart and was recorded at the E-Sound Studios by Asher de Vries (FLUISTERAARS), while mixing and mastering is by Mondvolland bassist/vocalist Mickeal. The title is the modern Dutch equivalent of “quade vaert”, which translated means “wicked” or “evil" journey”, and is inspired by local folk stories that explore the subjects of poisoning, death in battle, fratricide and witch hunts. The band's name itself is taken from the Dutch "mond volland", meaning "mouth full of earth", and comes from a local folk story that recounts how giants created the hills of Montferland in the Gelderland region of the Netherlands, the home of the band's original founders.

Kwade Vaart will be the third release from Mondvolland, whose lineup comprises Mickeal (session live musician in HEIDEVOLK, APOPHYS, SEMISTEREO) on bass and vocals, MJWW (WEDERGANGER) on guitar and vocals, Nico on drums and Bauke (AM TUAT) on guitar. The band's first full-length album, d’Olde Roop, appeared on Apollon Records in 2010 and has since sold out. This was followed in 2012 by the 3-track EP Pestvogel, in both digital and CD format.

Mondvolland will also feature on an international musical project initiated by DRUDUKH's Roman Sayenko which will be released on Season Of Mist. The split vinyl release will contain exclusive and previously unreleased tracks from ten bands in all, including Durdukh, PRIMORDIAL, KAMPFAR and WINTERFYLLETH amongst others. Whilst some of the tracks are renditions of traditional songs from the bands' respective countries, some are a personal exploration of their own heritage. Titled One And All, Together, For Home the release date has been set for May 23rd in Europe and May 27th in North America. Additionally Mondvolland will be taking part in an upcoming project titled Elemental Nightmares.

Mondvolland's Pestvogel EP can be heard below:

Pestvogel by Mondvolland

Fan-filmed footage of Mondvolland performing 'Lelijke Vent' during their recent appearance at the Aurora Infernalis Festival pre-party can be seen below:

MY NAME IS JANET, the international band featuring YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KING DIAMOND band members, have recorded a new album, Big Unveiling In The Town Of Dead.
The group's second album is again a conceptual piece. The clowns try to entertain the audience in a dead town. The songs are the dramatic action of the stage play... Big Unveiling In The Town Of Dead is a very purple album.

Vocal and keyboards by Jim AvivA, drums by Alexx (DREAMLAND), guitar by Mike Nebukin. The album features Bjorn Englen, the bass player with the grandiose background (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TONY MACALPINE, ROBIN MCAULEY, DIO DISCIPLES, ULI JON ROTH to name a few) and saxophonist Sammy Lukas.

The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Kristian Kohle Kohlmannslehner at Kohlekeller Studio. The cover artwork by Australian artist John Dicandia.

Audio samples:

THINE, the enigmatic UK dark rock/prog quintet has completed work on its third studio album, The Dead City Blueprint, which is due for release on Peaceville Records April 28th.
Thine entered the hallowed and legendary Academy Studios (PARADISE LOST, ANATHEMA, MY DYING BRIDE) to record the long overdue follow-up to the 2002 album, In Therapy, and sees the band building upon the sublime hooks and dark existential themes from prior works.

Commented the band: "We've been toiling away for over a decade on shaping our latest monster. It has been such a long and grueling process with countless collapses and relapses and a traumatic voyage on numerous levels, but this opus is finally in the flesh so to speak. It is an encapsulation of all those glorious tragedies we all find ourselves overcoming along the way, and essentially for us, a welcome catalyst. Sometimes the best art comes only through being unexpectedly forced through the city's darkest avenues, so hope you'll find us there."
Having formed in 1995 in Yorkshire, UK with the core trio of Alan Gaunt, Paul Groundwell and Daniel Mullins (currently handling drum duties with My Dying Bride), Thine initially burst onto the scene in 1997 with the release of the atmospheric prog/doom Journeys demo tape, with the debut album of boundary-warping metal noir, A Town Like This, appearing on Peaceville the following year. Thine's most accomplished work to date, In Therapy saw light of day a full four years later, and showcased a more sleek and immediate sound, bringing comparisons to other dark and emotional acts such as KATATONIA and Anathema. The band line-up is completed by Dylan Rhodes on rhythm guitar and Richard Swift on bass.

Stay tuned for more information on Thine and The Dead City Blueprint.

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions has signed old school death metal act GRIM LEGION and will release their debut album Unholy Resurrection on March 18th on CD and digital formats. Grim Legion originally formed in 1988 and the current line-up features John Paradiso of EVOKEN.

Old school death metal the way it was meant to be. Originally formed in 1988, Grim Legion was one of the pioneers of US death metal in the northeastern area, tearing up both the Jersey Shore and Staten Island scenes. After disbanding in the early 90's they have awakened from their ancient slumber with a powerful line-up that features John Paradiso of Evoken on guitar. Horror Pain Gore Death Productions will bring the long awaited debut full-length Unholy Resurrection, an album that embodies evil, blasphemy and torment.
Unholy Resurrection tracklisting:

‘Erebus’
‘Necromajesty’
‘Beyond The Grave’
‘Dark Ritual’
‘Through Godless Eyes’
‘Blood Addict’
‘Alien Predators’
‘Eternal Torment’
‘Unholy Resurrection’

‘Beyond The Grave’:
Preorders for the CD are being taken at HorrorPainGoreDeath.com and the digital preorder is being taken at Bandcamp.

Up-and-coming heavy metal band SHATTERED SUN has announced their signing with Breaking Bands LLC. Breaking Bands LLC is directed and founded by the powerhouse team of Adrenaline PR CEO Maria Ferrero, former MegaForce Records and Crazed Management owners Jon and Marsha Zazula, and TESTAMENT vocalist and co-manager Chuck Billy.
Formed in 2011 and hailing from the Corpus Christi, TX area, Shattered Sun’s style is a potent mix of heavy thrash and melodic metal— featuring impressive guitar riffs, gripping vocals, memorable hooks, and a magnetic, raw appeal that allows them to create truly unforgettable music. The band offers a consistently brutal sound, but succeeds in bringing a riveting melodic touch to each track.

Shattered Sun vocalist Marcos Leal states, “It is truly an honor to embark on this relationship between us, Maria, Chuck, Jon and Marsha of Breaking Bands LLC. The history between these individuals is something we respect a great deal, and needless to say it is a blessing to work with such an amazing team. We've been in the studio since late 2013 working on the release of our first album, Hope Within Hatred. This is just the beginning for Shattered Sun and Breaking Bands LLC.”

Jonny and Marsha Zazula add, “After spending time with Shattered Sun and hearing them both live and on record, all we can say is… it’s great to believe again.”

“When originally approached by the band to work their PR campaign via Adrenaline PR, within moments of listening, I realized that this is also a management opportunity. We could not book a flight to Texas fast enough to see if this was for real. IT IS. Let the games begin,” adds Maria Ferrero.

“When I first heard the two song demo of Shattered Sun, I thought their sound and songs were very catchy. The vocals had a lot of aggression and melody which caught my ear right away,” states Chuck Billy. “When I heard the rest of the songs I knew they were onto something. When we had the opportunity to fly to Texas to meet the guys in the band, I knew we wanted to work with the band in any way we could. Let the onslaught begin.”

Shattered Sun executes a truly exhilarating live show by bringing enormous amounts of force and energy to any and every venue they perform at. The band has effectively honed their performance craft based on their advanced ability to understand what their audience is truly craving in a live show.

You can catch Shattered Sun in the flesh at SXSW this year, as they perform at the Austin Metal Showcase at Dirty Dog Bar in Austin, TX on March 16th. The band goes on stage promptly at 8:45 PM. See the poster below for more information:
Shattered Sun is:

Marcos Leal - Vocals
Daniel Trejo - Guitar
Jessie Santos - Guitar
Joseph Guajardo - Bass
Robert Garza - Drums
Henry Garza - Keys/Samples

Fan-filmed video footage of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's March 9 performance at Effenaar in Eindhoven, The Netherlands can be seen below.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM released "No Place For Disgrace - 2014", a re-recording of the band's second album, "No Place For Disgrace", on February 14 in Europe and digitally on February 18 in North America via Metal Blade Records. The physical CD was made available in North America on March 4.

Comments FLOTSAM AND JETSAM: "We have re-recorded 'No Place For Disgrace' because we have had a lot of requests to remix this record.

"The master tapes have been very difficult to obtain so we decided to re-record the album and use some of today's technologies to recreate it. The aim was not really to change but to enhance it with the opportunity with the use of new tools. We have the time available as well, and it just seemed like a no-brainer.

"A lot of the die-hards are really nervous about it, but we think after the final result, they will embrace it. The sound quality is 100% better and more refined!"

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will play a special concert at the Keep It True XVII festival, set to take place April 25-26, 2014 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. The band's set will consists of songs only from their first two classics — "Doomsday For The Deceiver" (1986) and "No Place For Disgrace" (1988).

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's lineup for Keep It True XVII will consist of four of five original members — Eric "A.K." Knutson (vocals), Kelly Smith (drums), Ed Carlson (guitar) and Michael Gilbert (guitar). Playing bass at the show will be Michael Spencer, who replaced Jason Newsted in 1987 and did the first European tours with the band.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM recently returned to Metal Blade Records to release their new album, "Ugly Noise".

"Ugly Noise" is FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's eleventh full-length album, their first release on Metal Blade since 2001, and the follow-up to their 2010 album "The Cold". The record also heralds the return of original members Michael Gilbert on guitar and Kelly David Smith, who hadn't recorded with FLOTSAM AND JETSAM since "High" in 1997.

Funding for the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM album was aided by the PledgeMusic.com project, which encourages fans to contribute funds to the recording of albums and the artists themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising.

On Friday, March 7, Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE were awarded one of Switzerland's most prestigious recognitions in music: a Swiss Music Award in the category "Best Live Act National." ELUVEITIE was chosen to receive the honor after a highly competitive fan voting, marking the very first time ever for a metal band to receive this award.

Watch ELUVEITIE accept their award at the Hallenstadion stadium in Zurich during a massive two-hour show on live television at this location.

Commented the band: "Now that we have recovered from Friday night's events (although our minds are still blown), we would like to say a few words:

"Winning a Swiss Music Award for 'Best Live Act National' is certainly one of the highlights of our career, and an immense honor. However, it is not just our honor, but yours to share with us: this award goes out to all of you!

"The stage at the stadium in Zurich [Friday] night was as much yours as it was ours. It is also not simply a recognition of our most recent activities, but the result of many years of hard work and amazing times.

"We want and have to thank each and every one of the amazing people who have worked with us and supported us in any way during the last 12 years. There are many, and listing them here would exceed the scope of this message. Please take the time to visit our website, where we have tried our best at the futile attempt to list all their names:

"But most of all, we want and have to thank all of our amazing fans all over the globe, who stood with us, supported us and came to our shows. Our die-hard fans, our incredible fan clubs (in particular in Brazil, Poland, and France), all the members of our official forum and everybody who voted for ELUVEITIE, joining forces with us to show the whole music world how strong metal really is! This award is your award! You all rock!

"Even more motivated we now return to Tommy Vetterli's New Sound Studio, where recordings for our new album have started last week already. ELUVEITIE 2014 is going to be a big one!"

ELUVEITIE recently announced the addition of violinist Nicole Ansperger to the group's ranks.

ELUVEITIE's latest album, "Helvetios", sold 4,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Helvetios" was released in Europe on February 10, 2012 via Nuclear Blast RecordsNew Sound Studio in Pfäffikon, a municipality in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland, with producer Tommy Vetterli (a.k.a. Tommy T. Baron; CORONER/ex-KREATOR guitarist).

Frontiers Records will release TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON's sophomore album, "Angels of the Apocalypse" on May 16 in Europe and May 20 in North America.

Following the release of the debut album "The Land of New Hope", the "Metal Opera" was met with critical and fan acclaim, entering the national album charts in seven European countries, including a Top 10 entry in Tolkki's home country, Finland. In August 2013, Tolkki flew to Greece to seek the right inspiration for the follow-up album and upon his return he managed to develop a sound that is even more grandiose and symphonic and yet heavier and darker in direction as compared to the debut album.

"In August 2012, I planned to release a Metal Opera that had to be a trilogy," says Tolkki.

"I am following a specific storyboard in a musical format and this time the musical direction is heavier and darker than the previous AVALON. This was deliberate since the Apocalyptic scenes described in the lyrics demanded that".

As for the players on the album, Tolkki finally managed to reunite the legendary STRATOVARIUS "Dreamspace" lineup, calling Antti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassila to play keyboards and drums respectively. "It was really nice and brought good vibes and freshness to the album," says Timo. "Definitely the right move."

The amazing cast of vocalists appearing this time includes NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen — who takes care of the lead vocals on the first single, "Design The Century" — along with Simone Simons (EPICA), Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Zachary Stevens (ex-SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), plus Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) — who appears again after contributing to the first album — and the stunning Chilean singer Caterina Nix, who is working on her debut album, which is also produced by Tolkki.

"Some songs were written with a specific singer in mind, while for some others I decided based on the knowledge that I had on how he or she would perform," says Tolkki.

"I am particularly happy of how this record sounds especially two songs, 'You'll Bleed Forever' and the 10-minute title track, are among my favorite ever."

Once again the stunning artwork is provided by the French artist Stanis W. Decker and the first pressing of the physical edition will be available in a glossy digipak.

"Angels of the Apocalypse" final track listing:

01. Song For Eden02. Jerusalem Is Falling03. Design The Century04. Rise Of The 4th Reich05. Stargate Atlantis06. You'll Bleed Forever07. The Paradise Lost08. Neon Sirens09. High Above Of Me10. Angels Of The Apocalypse11. Garden Of Eden The first single, "Design The Century" (featuring NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen), will be released digitally worldwide on April 7. Musicians:

* Timo Tolkki: guitars, bass and keyboards* Tuomo Lassila: drums* Antti Ikonen: keyboards* Nicholas Jeudy: orchestration* Floor Jansen, Simone Simons, Fabio Lione, David DeFeis, Zachary Stevens, Elize Ryd, Caterina Nix: vocals

The debut album from the CYBERNAUTS, a collaboration between two members of DEF LEPPARD (Joe Elliott and Phil Collen), the former rhythm section of David Bowie's SPIDERS FROM MARS (Trevor Bolder and Woody Woodmansey) and keyboard player Dick Decent, will be digitally released for the first time sometime in the next year.

Originally issued in 2000, "Cybernauts Live" contains 22 tracks written by David Bowie, plus one by Jimi Hendrix, one by Lou Reed (THE VELVET UNDERGROUND) and one by Craig Fuller (PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE).

According to Darren's UK Def Leppard Site, Collen first mentioned a possible re-release of "Cybernauts Live" with bonus tracks during a KLOS radio interview in November 2013. Plans to play live again were ruled out following the deaths of both Dick Decent and Trevor Bolder.

But Joe now says he and Woodmansey are going to try to release material digitally for the first time.

"I've been talking to Woody Woodmansey, the drummer on that particular recording, and, of course, on the original version of that, which was from an album by David Bowie and the SPIDERS FROM MARS called 'Aladdin Sane'," Elliott said this past weekend during his weekly radio show. "We were talking about the fact that the CYBERNAUTS album is not available on iTunes and we're gonna go out of our way over the next year or so to try and get some bonus tracks put together and get the thing up on digital, 'cause it's about time it was."

In 2001, CYBERNAUTS released a two-CD set consisting of the live album plus the EP "The Further Adventures Of The Cybernauts", which contained studio recordings, via the U.K.'s Arachnophobia Records.

"If people are wondering why me and Phil are doing this, they should check out the original versions of these songs and see why we are who we are," Elliott said shortly before the CYBERNAUTS album's original release.

"There is so much good material on the original albums, you might understand why we are always going on about them.

"Mick Ronson was such a good guitar player, he is possibly the only guitarist that Phil would willingly copy, almost like a kid in his bedroom miming with the old tennis racquet!

"It's fair to say that my own musical career went in a totally different direction to the music of David Bowie and the SPIDERS FROM MARS, but that doesn't mean that I don't hold it dear to my heart.

"If I was going to be marooned on a desert island and was allowed to take ten CDs with me, Bowie would be a big part of it, and mostly all the stuff we're doing with the CYBERNAUTS right now."

"Metal From Hell", the legendary debut album of the U.S. heavy metal cult act SATAN'S HOST, which except guitar virtuoso Patrick Evil, features JAG PANZER and TITAN FORCE singer Harry Conklin (a.k.a. Leviathan Thisiren), will be reissued by Skol Records. This "ultimate reissue" will not only include "Metal From Hell" tracks remastered from the original tapes for the first time ever, but also six tracks from the mystical "unreleased album" from 1987, titled "Midnight Wind". Skol Records' CD, which will be limited to only 666 copies, will include deluxe booklet with many previously unseen photos, original artworks of both "Metal From Hell" and "Midnight Wind", and all lyrics. The album will be released on April 25 and will have its official premiere at the Keep It True festival in Germany (which is co-headlined by JAG PANZER).

In other news, SATAN'S HOST recently recorded cover version of the GRIM REAPER classic "See You In Hell", which will be featured on another Skol Records' release, "Harder Than Steel - The Official Keep It True Tribute Album" CD compilation, that will also include cover versions of heavy metal classics performed by acts such as ATTACKER, CRYSTAL VIPER, OSTROGOTH, DEADLY BLESSING, JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR and WITCH CROSS. The song was produced by Bart Gabriel (SACRED STEEL, JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR, MORTICIAN), who also remastered mentioned "Metal From Hell" CD reissue.

SATAN'S HOST's eleventh studio album, "Virgin Sails", was released on November 18, 2013 via Moribund Cult Records on CD. The vinyl version was made available via High Roller Records in January. The album was once again recorded at Flatline Audio with producer Dave Otero (CATTLE DECAPITATION, ALLEGAEON, CEPHALIC CARNAGE) and features cover artwork by Joe Petagno (MOTÖRHEAD, MARDUK).

Gothenburg, Sweden's MIASMAL has completed work on its second album, "Cursed Redeemer", for an April 28 European and May 13 North American release via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded by Fredrik Nordström in Studio Fredman (AT THE GATES, OPETH, WOLFPACK, AGRIMONIA, MARTYRDOD) and contains eight tracks of ruthless, straight-forward death metal. The cover artwork was created by Mattias Frisk (GHOST, VAMPIRE, VANHELGD). MIASMAL will present "Cursed Redeemer" at a special showcase in Gothenburg with labelmates MORBUS CHRON and VAMPIRE. To honor the special event, Century Media will release a limited seven-inch split EP that offers one exclusive new track from both MIASMAL and VAMPIRE. MIASMAL's self-titled full-length debut was released in 2011 on CD by Dark Descent Records and given the vinyl treatment through Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo.