AndrewHaug.com has uploaded video footage of members of DOWN and LIVING COLOUR taking part in a "James Brown" funk jam" on February 28 at the Melbourne stop of this year's Soundwave festival in Australia. Check it out below.

DOWN will release a new EP, "Down IV - Part Two", on May 13 via Down Records/ADA Music. Tracked at Nodferatu's Lair — iconic vocalist Philip H. Anselmo's home studio — and produced by Michael Thompson, Anselmo and DOWN, the new EP is the eagerly anticipated sequel to "Down IV - Part One". The new offering from DOWN is packed with the quintet's signature gargantuan riffs, swamp blues leads, crashing drums and hypnotic howls, upholding a certain tradition that countless fans celebrate, expanding their own musical mythos as they leave its pillars intact and untouched. In support of the upcoming record, DOWN will take their renowned live show on the road this spring, joining BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and DEVIL YOU KNOW on a North American tour. The tour, which also includes DOWN headlining shows and festival appearances, begins at Iron City in Birmingham, Alabama on May 2, and ends at Rocklahoma in Pryor, Oklahoma on May 25. The run also includes an appearance on May 24 at Emo's in Austin at the "Rock the Heart" concert, a benefit for the late Mike Scaccia's (RIGOR MORTIS, MINISTRY) "Heart Rock" foundation, with the goal of raising awareness about heart disease.

"The Chair In The Doorway" sold around 2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 159 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was written and recorded at Sono Studios outside of Prague in the Czech Republic during the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009. The results stretch from the modern soul anthem "Behind The Sun" to the politically-charged, heavy rock of "DecaDance" to the sacred steel blues of "Bless Those".

LIVING COLOUR's latest album, "The Chair In The Doorway", sold around 2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 159 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was written and recorded at Sono Studios outside of Prague in the Czech Republic during the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009. The results stretch from the modern soul anthem "Behind The Sun" to the politically-charged, heavy rock of "DecaDance" to the sacred steel blues of "Bless Those".

Las Vegas metallers FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH have uploaded behind-the-scenes and performance footage from the second show of this year's Soundwave festival on Sunday, February 23 in Brisbane, Australia. Check out the two-and-a-half-minute clip below.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recently selected its surprising cover of the classic folk song "The House Of The Rising Sun" as the next single from the band's recently released album, "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 2". The disc came out on November 19, 2013 and is the second half of a two-record set, with "Volume 1" coming out in July 2013.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH filmed a "gasoline and rocket-fuel-soaked video" for "The House Of The Rising Sun" in the desert.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, the original author of "The House Of The Rising Sun" is unknown and the song's roots may date back to the 16th century.

The oldest known existing recording is by Appalachian artists Clarence "Tom" Ashley and Gwen Foster, who recorded it for Vocalion Records in 1934.

The most successful commercial version was recorded by the English rock group THE ANIMALS in 1964, which was a No. 1 hit in the U.K., the U.S., Sweden, Finland and Canada.

The members of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH discussed in a recently released video clip how they changed up the classic song to give it a hard-rock vibe, most notably, by switching the song's time signature from 6/8 to 4/4.

"We had the idea to do this for a while," explained guitarist Zoltan Bathory. "The interesting thing about this song is that [it's] actually in a time signature of 6/8 which is a waltz… and rock music and waltz doesn't necessarily mix right."

He continued: "So basically the challenge was: 'How do we make this song work? How do we take away that goofy vibe and how do we make it into a rock structure?'"

"The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 2" sold 77,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The first half of "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard album chart, selling 113,000 copies in its first week of release.

Earache Records has announced the signing of Australian high-octane rockers MASSIVE to a multi-album recording deal which covers the world minus Australia. The band's debut album, "Full Throttle", will be released on May 19.

The four-piece formed in Melbourne in 2012 with the aim of making the loudest, fastest and ballsiest rock 'n' roll around that hits you hard and leaves you begging for more. Drawing on influences from the likes of GUNS N' ROSES and AC/DC, MASSIVE consists of notorious road dogs, having famously travelled over a thousand miles for a single show. In addition, they and were once kicked out of a Los Angeles hotel following a riotous show after inviting the whole crowd back for an impromptu after-party.

MASSIVE frontman Brad Marr comments: "We're pumped to be teaming up with Earache. The journey ahead is gonna be a fucking ripper!"

The video for the track "One By One", taken from "Full Throttle", can be seen below.

MASSIVE is:

Brad Marr (vocals, guitar)Ben Laguda (vocals, lead guitar)Aidan Mcgarrigle (backing vocals, bass)Jarrod Medwin (backing vocals, drums)

Big Machine Records, home to country superstars such as Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw has teamed up in a joint venture with Mötley Records and Eleven Seven Music for the summer 2014 release of a country music tribute to MÖTLEY CRÜE. Big Machine founder and CEO, Scott Borchetta, is among the legion of country music fans who love MÖTLEY CRÜE. The country tribute album will show off the band's quality songwriting with these fresh takes on their classic hit songs. Among the artists already confirmed to be featured on the country tribute album is Florida Georgia Line.

"This is a first for me, that's for sure," MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil told The Tennessean. "I think it was somebody's crazy idea that turned into reality."

Neil admitted that when he was first approached by management about the country-music tribute, he wasn't immediately sure it was a good idea.

"I was like, 'Eh, I don't know. Let me think about this one for a minute,'" he told The Tennessean. "The more I thought about it, the cooler it got, especially after Carrie Underwood did 'Home Sweet Home', and that was so good. I'm thinking to myself, 'How cool would it be to hear these other acts' renditions of the songs?'"

Until the country-music-tribute idea first came up, Neil hadn't heard of many of the artists who will appear on the set. "It's fun, because my girlfriend is a country girl," Neil said. "She's a barrel rider in the rodeo. When I showed her the names, she was like, 'Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.' I'm like, 'Tell me, tell me. Fill me in.'"

He added: "I'm an old classic rock and roll guy. The really cool thing is I think a lot of people have heard of the name MÖTLEY CRÜE, but don't put the music to the face. I think it's going to bring a lot of fans that aren't MÖTLEY fans in. It will make them go, 'Oh yeah, I've heard that song before.'"

American death metal extremists MISERY INDEX have set "The Killing Gods" as the title of their forthcoming full-length album. The band's fifth studio CD will arrive 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".

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

German rockers MEGAHERZ have inked a deal with the Austrian label Napalm Records.

Following their highly lauded breakthrough album "Kopfschuss" and subsequent critically acclaimed releases, the band is currently working on a new album, to be released this fall on Napalm Records.

Alexander Wohnhaas and Christian Bystron of MEGAHERZ commented on the signing: "This is an important step for us.

"Napalm Records is a partner with a lot of experience and will present great opportunities for us.

"For the next album, we absolutely want to go the extra mile and we already confident in a very good company like Napalm.

"It was important for us to sign with Napalm as they fully identify themselves with the band and we share the same goals. We're looking forward to a successful, long-term cooperation!" Napalm Records vice president Thomas Caser is very excited about the upcoming cooperation with MEGAHERZ: "We are unbelievable proud to welcome MEGAHERZ at Napalm Records. Napalm Records will be doing everything to get the band to the top, where such a talented and eclectic act simply belongs!"

Eagle Rock has set a May 12 release date for DIO's "Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo" on DVD, Blu-ray, 2CD and digital formats.

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

"Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo" track listing:

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

"The Mob Rules" performance clip, taken from "Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo", can be seen below.

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

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

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

German epic metallers EQUILIBRIUM are working on the follow-up to their acclaimed 2010 album "Rekreatur". In a few days, the band will enter Helion Studios in Munich to kick off the recordings with guitar player and producer René Berthiaume. Says the band in a statement: "The songs are written; 13 tracks are planned for the album.

"We can hardly wait to finally release another full-length record after four years!"In the past, we've written a lot, so that the record will be very varying. With some songs we return to our roots, others will be a sonic surprise.

"Next week Robse will hit the studio to record vocals and to give the songs life. Furthermore there are some other things planned for EQUI this year you can really look forward to!" EQUILIBRIUM's as-yet-untitled new album will be released this summer via Nuclear Blast. The band's first-ever EP, "Waldschrein", came out in August 2013.

POISON drummer Rikki Rockett says that it is unlikely the band will hit the road this summer because a certain member of the glam-metal act is "making it a problem."

The Bret Michaels-fronted group last toured the U.S. in 2012 as part of the "Rock Of Ages" package with DEF LEPPARD and LITA FORD.

During a January 25 interview with BackstageAxxess, POISON bassist Bobby Dall stated about the prospect of the group hitting the road this year: "We'll probably, more than likely, be going out this summer and playing 40 to 60 shows around the amphitheaters and different venues across the country."

However, in a February 27 tweet, Rockett dashes fans' hopes that POISON would actually manage to play any dates in the foreseeable future, writing: "Doesn't look good for Poison touring this summer.(Again!) Guess what member is making it a problem?"

In a 2012 interview with DelmarvaNow.com, POISON frontman Bret Michaels was asked if the fact that classic hard-rock bands like VAN HALEN and KISS seem to be spending more time in the studio working on new material than in recent years means that fans can also expect a new POISON studio album in the not-too-distant future. "Never say never," Bret replied. "We have no concrete plans for a new album at the moment, but the POISON guys are like family to me." He added, "I've been out all summer with them on the [2012] 'Rock Of Ages' tour [with DEF LEPPARD] and you never know what can happen."

The last POISON album was 2007's covers set "Poison'd!", while the band's last collection of new, original music was 2002's "Hollyweird".

To celebrate POISON's 25th anniversary, 35 of the multi-platinum band's top hits and fan favorites were gathered for "Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits", a career-spanning 2CD and digital collection which was released in May 2011 by Capitol/EMI.

"15", a brand new song from Finnish thrashers AXEGRESSOR, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track will appear on the band's upcoming third album, tentatively entitled "Last", the release for which the group is presently trying to secure a suitable record deal.

AXEGRESSOR's discography features one self-financed mini-CD (2008) and the full-length albums "Command" (2009) and "Next" (2011), both released by Dethrone Music.

In the past, AXEGRESSOR has shared the stage with such bands as LEGION OF THE DAMNED, MUNICIPAL WASTE, SOILWORK, MOONSORROW, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, LOST SOCIETY and TORTURE KILLER.

AXEGRESSOR is:

Aki Paulamäki - Bass, VocalsAtte Mäkelä - DrumsSeba Forma - GuitarsJohnny Nuclear Winter - Vocals

Photo credit: Petri Vilén

BLEEDING GODS, the Dutch metal band featuring former and current members of ALTAR, SINISTER, HOUWITSER and SUPREME PAIN, has inked a deal with Punishment 18 Records. The group will enter Soundlodge Studio in Rhauderfehn, Gremany in September with producer Jörg Uken to begin recording its debut album for a late November release. The artwork and layout will be designed by Italian master illustrator Marco Hasmann (FLESHGOD APOCOLYPSE, VILE).

BLEEDING GODS plays groovy, riffing and shredding metal with some thrash and death influences in it. The sound is inspired by bands like SLAYER, old METALLICA, LAMB OF GOD, BLACK SABBATH, OPETH and CHIMAIRA.

BLEEDING GODS lineup:

* Arnold Oudemiddendorp (ALTAR, DEVIOUS, VICTIMIZER) - Vocals* Ramon Ploeg (HOUWITSER) - Guitar* Erwin Harreman (SUPREME PAIN) - Guitar* Bart Van Wallenberg (SINISTER) - Bass* Edwin Van Den Eeden - Drums

Robert Reddy has uploaded quality video footage of METAL CHURCH's February 23 performance in Dallas, Texas. Check it out below.

"Generation Nothing", the tenth studio album from METAL CHURCH — Ronny Munroe on vocals, Kurdt Vanderhoof and Rick Van Zandt on guitar, Steve Unger on bass, and Jeff Plate on drums — sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was issued on October 22, 2013 via Kurdt's label Body Of Work Recordings in conjunction with Rat Pak Records.

"Generation Nothing" track listing:

01. Bullet Proof 02. Dead City 03. Generation Nothing 04. Noises In The Wall 05. Jump The Gun 06. Suiciety 07. Scream 08. Hits Keep Comin' 09. Close To The Bone 10. The Media Horse

According to Vanderhoof, "Generation Nothing" — which was recorded at Kurdt's English Channel studio in Washingtion — marks a "return to [METAL CHURCH's] classic metal sound. It has elements of the first album and 'The Dark', but still embraces the new sound of the band without chasing the past."

Munroe said in an interview with Metal Assault that the new METAL CHURCH effort would contain material that is "very reminiscent of the old days with some stuff that's very 'now.'" He added: "There's a bit of… I'm not going to say 'prog' because it's not, but there's a couple of elements in there that are a little bit progressive. For the most part, out of this batch of songs, they really sound more reminiscent of the early days than anything we've done before with this lineup. This excites me very much, and I think the fans are really going to dig it."

Regarding the circumstances that led to METAL CHURCH's breakup in 2009, Ronny said: "Well, in a nutshell, without going into a huge and long story here, it was certain aspects of things that had continued to happen to the band throughout its career. Not having the proper management and the proper people in place that were handling us. You know, we ended up taking some shows we shouldn't have taken and that just led to where Kurdt was really getting fed up and then we all kind of got that way. Basically, we figured before we end up disbanding because of other reasons such as maybe starting to fight with one another or whatnot, we decided to go ahead and end it then. We all ended up friends and we wanted to keep it that way. So I won't go into specifics, but we all know what the music industry is like now compared to what it was like back then. We just didn't have the right people in our camp."

Asked what the band is going to do differently this time around to avoid falling into the same trap, Ronny said: "This time around we're going to release this next record on Kurdt's label. Basically, Kurdt and the band and whatnot are taking a lot more control of the situation. Yes, maybe the downloading thing is even worse than 2009, but also on the other hand, if you know what you're doing and you use the Internet correctly, you can actually have success. Kurdt's been doing that with his prog band PRESTO BALLET and whatnot. In this day and age, the time is right to go and try something on your own. If it doesn't work, you can always end up going out and searching for a label or something. We're going to take a shot at it and see what happens and I think we're probably going to have some decent success."

In honor of her 30th anniverary as a performing artist, German metal queen Doro Pesch will celebrate with fans from all over the world with two separate-yet-unique shows on May 2 and May 3 at CCD Stadthalle in her hometown of Düsseldorf.

To coincide with Doro's anniversary concerts, Nuclear Blast will release "Raise Your Fist - 30 Years Anniversary-Edition", containing the re-release of the "Raise Your Fist" record and a bonus CD, "Powerful Passionate Favorites", featuring new and unreleased tracks, as well as Doro's cover versions of aongs by some of her favorite artists, such as LED ZEPPELIN, TINA TURNER, METALLICA and DIO. Another highlight is the French version of her hit "Raise Your Fist In The Air" as well as a new mix of "It Still Hurts", a duet along with MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister.

"Powerful Passionate Favorites" track listing:

01. It Still Hurts

The ballad featuring Doro and Lemmy, with a new mix from Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT)

02. Léve Ton Poing Vers Le Ciel

The French version of the single "Raise Your Fist In The Air"

03. Babe I´m Gonna Leave You

Doro's cover version of the LED ZEPPELIN classic

04. Nutbush City Limits Doro's cover version of the TINA TURNER classic

05. Only You

New version of the track, written by Gene Simmons (KISS) in the year 1990 for Doro

06. Egypt (The Chains Are On)

Cover version of Doro's favorite Ronnie James Dio song

07. Nothing Else Matters

Doro's cover version of the most popular METALLICA classic

08. Warfare

New song, to be featured in the movie "Anuk 2", in which Doro again stars as the warrior Meha.

09. NYC Blues

Home-recorded demo version of a new track, recently recorded at Doro's apartment in New York

"Raise Your Fist" landed at position No. 65 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.

Candlelight Records has set a March 18 North American release date for "Salvation Of Innocents", the label debut from hardcore/metal pioneers EARTH CRISIS. Mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (AGNOSTIC FRONT, TERROR, HATEBREED) the CD features twelve new tracks from the Syracuse-formed band. Production of the bold concept album offered the respected five-piece an extraordinary recording experience. Guitarist Scott Crouse shares: "The process for this album was new for us. We did most of it ourselves. The absence of pressure having to get things done by a certain time each day really gave us the freedom to try new ideas and critically listen to the songs. From the music, to the lyrical concept, to the comic book that brings the lyrics to life, we think we've created something pretty unique." The comic book Crouse mentions is the pairing of EARTH CRISIS with Black Mask Studios' Liberator comic. The hard-edged vigilante series will release its fifth edition simultaneously with the release of "Salvation". The Matt Miner-created comic brings its main character and the Salvation Of Innocents'' vivisection concept together in a commanding graphic landscape. Black Mask Studios co-founder Matt Pizzolo says, "It is crazy to me that it took twenty years for comics to produce a set of animal-minded vigilantes strong enough to roll with EARTH CRISIS. It is probably the most perfectly aligned superhero team-up ever." "Salvation Of Innocents" and Liberator will share original cover art from Chicago-based illustrator/painter Menton3. The comic will feature additional works by illustrators Rod Reis, Javier Aranda and Joaquin Pereyra. Liberator creator < Matt Miner says, "Working with EARTH CRISIS on the comic book side of 'Salvation Of Innocents' has been a dream project for me. Our styles, ethics, and ideologies are a fitting match and I'm super excited for folks to read the story."

"Salvation Of Innocents" track listing:

01. De-Desensitize02. Out Of The Cages03. Shiver04. The Morbid Glare05. Razors Through Flesh06. Depraved Indifference07. No Reason08. The Pallid Surgeon09. Devoted to Death10. Into Nothingness11. Tentacles of The Altering Eye12. Final Breath

The official lyric video for the song "Out Of The Cages" can be seen below. Talking candidly about the album's first single, "The Morbid Glare", Crouse says, "'The Morbid Glare' is a song that really challenged most of the band members mainly since it's the fastest tempo we've ever written at. Ian [Edwards, bassist] wrote the majority of the song, and we all had a common goal of trying new things on this record. This is certainly new territory for us. Working at this speed was uncomfortable at times," he says, "but we think the song really came out great in the end." No hardcore or metal fan can be unaware of EARTH CRISIS or the contributions the band has made to heavy music since their founding in 1989. Regardless of passing trends, the band has maintained their vision, dedication to their craft (and causes), and most importantly respected their fans. Media giants CNN, CBS and MTV have applauded the straightedge, vegan band that to date has released seven full-length albums, two EPs, and two live albums, their most recent, 2011's "Neutralize The Threat" (Century Media). EARTH CRISIS is vocalist Karl Buechner, guitarists Scott Crouse and Erick Edwards, bassist Ian Edwards, and drummer Dennis Merrick. Black Mask Studios was launched in spring 2013 by Matt Pizzolo (Occupy Comics) with partners Steve Niles (30 Days Of Night) and Brett Gurewitz (BAD RELIGION).

San Francisco Bay Area metallers KILL RITUAL will release their second album, "The Eyes Of Medusa", on April 4 via Golden Core Records / ZYX Music. The CD was recorded at Fossil Sound in San Jose, California and Fang Studio in San Mateo, California. Production and engineering was again handled by KILL RITUAL guitarist Steven Rice. The mix and mastering were completed by Steven Rice and Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND). The cover artwork was created by Jobert Mello of Sledgehammer Graphix (SABATON, PRIMAL FEAR) and can be seen below.

"The Eyes Of Medusa" track listing:

01. The Eyes Of Medusa02. Hair Trigger03. Never Get Me04. Ride Into The Night05. Weight Of The World06. Writing On The Wall07. Just Another Sin08. My Little Sister09. Unleashed10. Agenda 21

The "The Eyes Of Medusa" title track can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

KILL RITUAL's debut album, "The Serpentine Ritual", was released in October 2012 via Scarlet Records.

KILL RITUAL is:

Josh "Crimson" Gibson - VocalsSteven Rice (ex-IMAGIKA) - Guitar Danyael "Laughing" Bear (ex-DARK ANGEL) - Bass Gee Anzalone (BRAIN DAMAGE) - Drums

German progressive thrash metal veterans MEKONG DELTA will release their new album, "In A Mirror Darkly", in Scandinavia on April 23, in Germany on April 25, in the rest of Europe on April 28 and in the USA on April 29 through SPV/Steamhammer as CD, double gatefold LP with colored vinyl plus a CD in a cardboard sleeve and as a digital download.

MEKONG DELTA bassist/mastermind Ralf Hubert continues to stand for innovation and independence in 2014. All those looking for pure mainstream or mediocre muzak have to look elsewhere — MEKONG DELTA score again with their intelligence, unwillingness to compromise and courage.

"In A Mirror Darkly" and picks up, thematically, where its 2010 predecessor, "Wanderer On The Edge Of Time", left off.

"For me, music doesn't start with A and end with Z, it's an ongoing process," Ralf Hubert explains. "In this respect, you could call 'In A Mirror Darkly' the continuation of the 'Wanderer' theme, but it's no copy, it's an independent recording.

"Each MEKONG album sounds unique and forward-looking in the original sense of the term. As a composer, I consciously allow myself to drift to be able to consistently explore new horizons."

For almost thirty years, Germany's MEKONG DELTA has enjoyed an excellent reputation as an independent and exceptionally creative band in the world of progressive metal sounds. Albums such as "The Music Of Eric Zann" (1988) and "Pictures At An Exhibition" (1997) are considered classics of their kind. With their blend of prog metal, classical elements and thrash, the musicians are considered pioneers of a stylistic mix which has been emulated by a considerable number of epigones.

Martin LeMar (vocals), Ralf Hubert (bass), Erik Adam H. Grösch (guitar) and Alex Landenburg (drums) recorded a total of eight songs for "In A Mirror Darkly", including three instrumental numbers like the ingenious "Inside The Outside Of The Inside" with its diverse arrangements.

"Typically MEKONG DELTA, the new numbers all have a playing time of between five and seven minutes," says Ralf Hubert. "As far as I am concerned, that’s just the right time frame to gain sufficient stylistic depth without pushing the envelope or creating artistic ambiguities. I feel that we’ve once again found the right mix of complexity and uninterrupted leitmotiv."

"In A Mirror Darkly" track listing:

01. Introduction02. Ouverture03. The Armageddon Machine04. The Sliver in Gods Eye05. Janus06. Inside the Outside of the Inside07. Hindsight Bias08. Mutant Messiah

"Feel What I Feel", the new video from veteran Swiss rockers GOTTHARD, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "BANG!", which will be released on April 7 through PIAS. GOTTHARD has been at home touring the globe for over 20 years throughout Europe, North and South America and Asia on the back of 14 studio and live albums. They have collected multiple gold and platinum awards on the way, selling almost three million records and appearing at the biggest, most important festivals on the map of rock. The dynamic boogie groove of the "BANG!" title track is also new ground for the band, reflecting their unbridled energy and pure confidence. Also worthy of mention is a duet with the unknown (so far) American vocalist Melody Tibbits on a ballad entitled "Maybe". As is the blues excursion the band takes in "Spread Your Wings". The final "Thank You" is a veritable epic complete with orchestra and goosebumps, flowing against radio friendly convention to a length of more than ten minutes. Written as a tribute to the departed mother of guitarist Leo Leoni, it serves as a homage to mothers everywhere.

The first single from the new album is "Feel What I Feel", a perfect demonstration of the group's talent for combining melodic vocals with strong guitar hooks. These songs are set against a background of classic GOTTHARD rock tunes like "Get Up 'N' Move On", "Jump The Gun" and "My Belief", which traditionally grace every album by the Swiss combo. All told, "BANG!" presents a compelling mix that is sure to take its rightful place in the proud legend of GOTTHARD.

Recorded and produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and GOTTHARD's own Leo Leoni at Yellow House Studios in Lugano in the Swiss canton of Tessin, "BANG!" was then mixed at the Dutch Wisseloord Studios (Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner) by Ronald Prent, who has managed to keep the GOTTHARD sound but transport them into 2014. No wonder, after all Prent has worked in the studio with bands such as the SCORPIONS, 3 DOORS DOWN, DEF LEPPARD and WITHIN TEMPTATION.

Apart from a standard jewel case, the album will be available in digipack version, with two bonus tracks and also on vinyl.

GOTTHARD's last album, "Firebirth", entered the chart Switzerland at position No. 1 — the 14th time that a GOTTHARD CD has topped the Swiss chart in the group's career so far. In addition, the album landed at No. 9 on the German Media Control chart.

"Firebirth" was released in June 2012 via Nuclear Blast/Warner Music. The CD was produced at the band's own Yellow House Studios in Lugano, Switzerland, with guitarist/songwriter Leo Leoni and Paul Lani (who has previously worked with GOTTHARD on several of their earlier albums, including "G-Spot" and "Homerun") at the helm.

"Firebirth" marked GOTTHARD's first release with singer Nic Maeder, who was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, lived in Melbourne, Australia and grew up between Switzerland and "Down Under."

GOTTHARD's previous vocalist, Steve Lee, was killed on October 5, 2010 in what has been described as a freak road accident in Nevada.

Italian death metallers BLOODTRUTH have inked a deal with Unique Leader Records. The band's full-length debut will be released later this year. Titled "Obedience", the ten-track CD was engineered by Francesco Paoli and Cristiano Trionfera (both of FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE) at Sonic Hammer Studios, and was mixed and mastered by the Italian sound sorcerer Stefano Morabito (HOUR OF PENANCE, EYECONOCLAST, UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION, INHERIT DISEASE) at 16th Cellar Studios. The cover artwork was created by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design (EXODUS, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, KATAKLYSM). Initially forged in 2009 as the side project of FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE members Francesco Paoli and Paolo Rossi, and now featuring the updated lineup of vocalist Luigi Valenti, guitarist Stefano Rossi Ciucci, bassist Riccardo Rogari and drummer Giacomo Torti, BLOODTRUTH heaves forth a sonic fire ball of speed, brutality and unadulterated hate. Fusing the cryptic atmosphere of early '90s death metal, evocative Gregorian chant representing the band's homeland and history and methodical technicality, BLOODTRUTH is ceaseless in its ear-lacerating capabilities.