"Left For Dead", the new video from San Francisco Bay Area metallers DEATH ANGEL, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Tommy Jones, who has previously worked with SOILWORK and TESTAMENT, among others.

"Left For Dead" is taken from DEATH ANGEL's seventh album, "The Dream Calls For Blood", which sold 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart.

DEATH ANGEL's previous CD, "Relentless Retribution", opened with 2,700 units in September 2010. The band's 2008 effort, "Killing Season", registered a first-week tally of around 2,300. This number was in line with the performance of its predecessor, "The Art of Dying", which premiered with around 2,100 copies back in May 2004.

Released on October 11, 2013 in Europe (except for the U.K. where it arrived three days later) and October 15, 2013 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records, "The Dream Calls For Blood" was recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, AUGUST BURNS RED, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ALL THAT REMAINS, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER), and once again features cover art by Brent Elliot White (JOB FOR A COWBOY, CARNIFEX, WHITECHAPEL).

Comments DEATH ANGEL guitarist Rob Cavestany: "[The 'Left For Dead' video] is comprised of footage filmed at AudioHammer Studios in Florida during the recording of the album.

"Catch a glimpse into our world in the recording studio as we create, collaborate, lay down tracks and attempt to survive the insane madness of making a DEATH ANGEL album!

"Hope you enjoy this little morsel that we proudly serve up to you as an appetizer. Catch the main course when we hit your town on tour which kicks off this Thursday! Eight weeks across North America — plenty of chances to feast upon us...

"Bon appétit and see you in the pit!"

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett on "The Dream Calls For Blood": "DEATH ANGEL have gone big yet again and delivered an album that is so incredibly fast, brutal and blister burning heavy — it's a classic earspank, for sure! Every song is a slice of heavy metal heaven and I'm very impressed — it's the best album I've heard in 2013!"

Due to problems with the mastering and the need for more time to make a promotional video, the release date of "Shine", the debut solo album from former NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon, has been pushed back a month.

The CD 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

The final "Shine" cover artwork can be seen below.

"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).

The official lyric video for the song "Falling" can be seen below.

"I am so thrilled to finally release my first solo album," says Olzon. "I've been working on it for a long time by now...

"The album is very personal with songs I have started writing already in 2009 but also very recent songs.

"The overall message of the album is that life can be really dark and filled with hardship and sadness, but you can always choose to see some light coming through, to make you stronger and full of life — making you SHINE… no matter what."

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 in 2011 released two demo tracks that she recorded in 2009 for what was supposed to become her debut solo album. She said at the time, "The songs are not mixed or produced, just recorded in the moment, and therefore are very rough songs. But I still want you to hear them since I am proud of them and I think they show another part of me than you hear in NIGHTWISH." She added, "The first song is called 'Floating' and I call it the 'circus' song. It gives me a happy feeling and the vibe in it is happy and joyful. The second song ['Invincible'] is a song I wrote for my son and therefore it's very special to me."

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. She has since been replaced by former AFTER FOREVER and current REVAMP singer Floor Jansen.



Photo credit: Annicka Photography

British progressive metallers THRESHOLD entered the studio last November to begin recording the follow-up to 2012's "March Of Progress" for a late 2014 release via Nuclear Blast. According to keyboardist Richard West, "All the drum and bass parts have been recorded and work is now underway on guitars and keyboards."

Songtitles set to appear on the CD: * Watchtower On The Moon* Unforgiven* The Box* Turned To Dust* Lost In Your Memory* Autumn Red* The Mystery Show* I Wish I Could* Siren Sky

THRESHOLD's ninth studio album, "March Of Progress", was released on August 31, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Dead Reckoning" registerd the following first-week chart positions:

Germany: #28Switzerland: #30Sweden: #43Austria: #55Netherlands: #70France: #102

Vocal duties on "March Of Progress" were performed by THRESHOLD's original frontman Damian Wilson (STAR ONE, HEADSPACE), who's been back touring with the band since the release of "Dead Reckoning".

"March Of Progress" was made available in a limited-edition digipak, including a bonus track; a standard jewel case edition; as well as in a two-vinyl edition in two different colors, one of them exclusively available via the Nuclear Blast mail order.

Original ENTOMBED members Alex Hellid (guitar) and Ulf "Uffe" Cederlund (guitar) joined forces with former ENTOMBED frontman Orvar Säfström to perform the band's classic second album, "Clandestine" (1991), on February 1 at Gävle Konserthus in Gävle, Sweden. They were backed by the 65-piece Gävle Symphonic Orchestra and a 40-piece choir.

Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Several weeks prior to the show, Hellid stated about the prospect of once again sharing the stage with Cederlund and Säfström: "We will play 'Clandestine' where Thomas von Wachenfeldt has made orchestral arrangements and it will be the first time that I, Uffe and Orvar will be playing together since the time of ENTOMBED.

"We are extremely eager to get our heads into the project and the focus is on taking ENTOMBED to a whole new level.

"Since Gavle has opened its arms for ENTOMBED with such an opportunity give us inspiration to, once again, create something unique."

Original ENTOMBED drummer Nicke Andersson was also supposed to take part in the concert but was unable to make the gig due to touring commitments with his current project IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC.

ENTOMBED previously performed "Clandestine" in its entirety with the Nordic Chamber Orchestra on April 12, 2013 at Tonhallen in Sundsvall, Sweden.

"Back To The Front", the album that was recorded last year by four members of the most recent lineup of ENTOMBED — Lars Göran Petrov (vocals), Olle Dahlstedt (drums), Nico Elgstrand (guitar) and Victor Brandt (bass) — will be released this coming spring via Century Media Records under the band name ENTOMBED A.D.

Petrov will only perform with ENTOMBED A.D. and will not take part in any upcoming shows announced under the name ENTOMBED.

Hellid did not participate in the writing and recording of "Back To The Front".

Century Media Records announced last fall that the release date of "Back To The Front" — which was originally supposed to be made available under the ENTOMBED moniker — was being pushed back to early 2014 from the previously announced October 29, 2013 due to "unpredictable technical problems."

Asked in an interview with France's MetalChroniques.fr if the omission of Hellid's name from the ENTOMBED biography accompanying a promotional copy of "Back To The Front" was a mistake on the record label's part, Petrov replied: "I do not want to speak publicly about this at the moment; this is something we want to keep internal and private for now. But this is not an error in the biography. Next question?"

Hellid did not accompany the Petrov-fronted lineup of ENTOMBED when the band performed at the Manizales Grita Rock festival in Colombia in August 2013.

"Back To The Front" was recorded at Studio Bohus (ABBA, EUROPE) in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR). The cover artwork was painted by Zbigniew Bielak (WATAIN, VADER).

A press release states: "Don't be afraid that it will sound like ABBA — it's 666% true to the ENTOMBED everybody loves. While not falling for total regression back to the early classics 'Left Hand Path' or 'Clandestine', expect a total bone-crushing opus that will have fans of 'Wolverine Blues', 'To Ride…' or 'Morning Star' cry tears of joy. From the morbid, pissed-off lyrics over detuned, massive riffs to the inimitable brick-heavy groove and L.G. Petrov's titanic roar, 'Back To The Front' has it all, so get ready for a stone-cold stunner!"

On February 28, a THERION three-DVD package (limited edition including bonus DVD) called "Adulruna Redivia And Beyond" will be made available. The package will include two shows that were recorded live in Atlanta in 2011 and in Budapest 2007 as well as bonus material.

Commented the band: "The concert recorded in Hungary was a concert on the 'Adulruna Rediviva' 20th anniversary tour in December. The idea of the tour was to play the entire 'Theli' album plus a set consisting of songs that the fans had voted for on the band web page. Piotr Wawrzeniuk and our old friend Messiah Marcolin joined in to make this evening extra special. The concert in Atlanta was the band's only show in the USA since 2007 and was shot during the band's headline performance at the ProgPower USA festival 2011."

"Adulruna Redivia And Beyond" track listing:

DVD 1

01. The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah02. Son Of The Sun03. Midgård04. Asgård05. The Wine Of Aluqah06. Wisdom And The Cage07. Kali Yuga I08. Kali Yuga II09. Kali Yuga III10. Lemuria11. Via Nocturna12. An Arrow From The Sun13. Typhon14. Ginnungagap15. Preludium16. To Mega Therion17. Cults Of The Shadows18. In The Desert Of Set19. Interludium20. Nightside Of Eden21. Opus Eclipse22. Invocation Of Naamah23. The Siren Of The Woods24. Grand Finale / Postludium25. Adulruna Rediviva26. Black Funeral DVD 2 01. Sitra Ahra02. The Wine Of Aluqah03. Typhon04. Perennial Sophia05. Hellequin06. Nifelheim07. Clavicula Nox08. Voyage Of Gurdjieff09. Ljusalfheim10. Dies Irae11. Ginnungagap12. Kali Yuga III13. Call Of Dagon14. Siren Of the Woods15. The Wild Hunt16. Blood Of Kingu17. Lemuria18. Abraxas19. The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah20. To Mega Therion21. Quetzalcoatl Bonus DVD 3

01. 011 - An Adventure with Therion02. 011 - Documentary And Behind The Scenes03. Amazing Voice

Adds THERION: "011 is the name of a board game made by the italian game manufacturer Scribabs. In a very ambitious way to market the game, they made this fantastic short film, starring the band members as actors, playing their roles in the game. The main man behind the game and the film, Paolo Vallerga, is currently writing a novel on the story behind the game and there are even some plans for a movie."

"'Amazing Voice' is a Japanese TV program about great singers. This episode had Thomas Vikström as main focus and the TV team flew to Sweden to interview Thomas and record some live singing exclusively for the program."

Check out the "Wisdom And The Cage" performance clip from "Adulruna Redivia And Beyond" below. A new THERION studio album is scheduled for late 2014.

HALESTORM's video for the song "Mz. Hyde" can be seen below. The clip was directed by award-winning filmmaker Daniel E Catullo III and produced by the City Drive Entertainment Group. The video is a montage of live footage captured while out on a European tour with ALTER BRIDGE.

Lyrically, "Mz. Hyde" addresses HALESTORM singer Lzzy Hale's Jekyll/Hyde personality and wound up serving as the thematic glue that binds the band's latest album, "The Strange Case Of…" together.

"It was one of the later songs we wrote," Hale told Yahoo! Music in an October 2013 interview. "At one point, we were looking at a good chunk of 17 to 50 songs that were all over the place. The guys in the band were saying, 'Well, how can we put all these songs onto this record? We love them all, but there's no common theme.' So I came to them with this idea about this Mz. Hyde character. It was actually a personal thing because it was a character I invented that helped me come out of my shell when I was a kid. Growing up, I was a very shy and introverted, so I more or less had to invent Mz. Hyde in order to be the rock star I wanted to be onstage.

"For years, I've been writing about these two sides of myself, and I wanted to capture that in a song. So I brought this to the guys, and all three of them looked at me at the same time and said, 'Oh my God, that's it! Lzzy, you are Mz. Hyde! Once we put this song on the record, everything else makes sense because we have the soft side of you and then the harder side of you. That works because you're like a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing!' And I was like, 'Well, okay, I'm glad we were able to work that out, basically at my expense.'"

HALESTORM recently released "ReAniMate 2.0: The CoVerRs eP", a six-song EP features tracks originally written and recorded by JUDAS PRIEST, AC/DC, PAT BENATAR, FLEETWOOD MAC, MARILYN MANSON and DAFT PUNK.

"Mz. Hyde" is the latest single from "The Strange Case Of…", which has sold more than 300,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Fan-filmed video footage of WITHIN TEMPTATION's February 4 acoustic performance at HMV in London, England can be seen below.

WITHIN TEMPTATION's new album, "Hydra", was released in North America on February 4. The album is 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, is 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.

Aside from the digital premium version, "Hydra" was also released in a deluxe box set including exclusive items:

"Hydra" deluxe box set

* "Hydra" 18-track album including bonus tracks in the form of a media book with a hot foil print cover, featuring a 100-page booklet consisting of unique photos* Double gatefold black vinyl version of the album including bonus tracks* Instrumental version of the entire album* Songbook with sheet music of the songs of the album* "Hydra" guitar pick* Packaged in an especially designed LP-sized box

In a recent interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com, Sharon 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."

Arizona metal veterans FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will release "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 will be available in North America on March 4.

Fans can pre-order "No Place For Disgrace - 2014" at this location.

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!"

Re-recorded versions of the songs "The Jones", "Dreams Of Death" and "Misguided Fortune" can be streamed below.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will head over to Europe in February to support SEPULTURA and LEGION OF THE DAMNED. The tour begins on February 7.

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.

Fan-filmed video footage of former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's February 3 concert in Toulouse, France can be seen below.

Tarja's latest album, "Colours In The Dark", came out in Europe on August 23, 2013 via earMUSIC. The CD was made available in North America on August 27, 2013 through Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records.

The cover artwork for "Colours In The Dark" was created by Dirk Rudolph.

Despite her light and shiny personality, Tarja's music has always been dressed "in black" — the color of heavy rock, of mystery and elegance.

With Tarja's new album, fans will find out what happens when a splice of color is added to the mix. Or — better said — when the full-color spectrum enters the picture it does not cover the black but makes it shine through with many emotions and landscapes.

Mixed and mastered by Tim Palmer (PEARL JAM, U2) in Austin, Texas, the songs on "Colours In The Dark" do not shy away from taking a risk and surprising musical turns, introducing new sounds and new musical atmospheres. Still, they maintain a heaviness that will surely bring a big smile to the hardest of rockers. With its grand orchestra and choir arrangements, Tarja's next milestone emphasizes once again the impressive vocal range of the Finnish artist and shows her artistic growth.

Der gefeierte Auftritt von BLUTENGEL mit Symphonieorchester vor einem ausverkauften "Neues Gewandhaus Leipzig" auf dem ersten Gothic Meets Klassik Festival fühlte sich für alle anwesenden Beteiligten wie eine Offenbarung an. Gefühlvoll umarrangiert und durch den bombastischen Klangkörper eines vollen Orchesters getragen, entfalteten die Stücke der Berliner Erfolgsband eine emotionale Wucht, die auch den ältesten Fan die Musik völlig neu erleben und einfach niemanden kalt ließ.

Band-Kopf & Sänger Chris Pohl und Sängerin Ulrike Goldmann waren selbst völlig hin und weg von diesem Erlebnis und beschlossen sogleich, dass dieses ambitionierte Projekt keine Eintagsfliege bleiben dürfe. Ende 2013 realisierten sie deshalb eine Tour mit einem Kammermusikensemble, mit der sie mit neuen Arrangements das symphonische Erlebnis auf das Wesentliche reduzierten. Als logischer nächster Schritt gibt es nun das symphonische BLUTENGEL-Erlebnis als bombastische Studioproduktion mit dem vollen Klangkörper eines großen Orchesters in glasklarem Klang für die eigenen vier Wände auf dem neuen Album „Black Symphonies“.

Die 12 Stücke umfassen eine exquisite Selektion der besten BLUTENGEL-Klassiker und Hits, einige Band-Favoriten, sowie den epischen, neuen Song, „Krieger“. Das Album erscheint auch als deluxe Variante mit einer Bonus-live-DVD, welche eine Zusammenstellung der besten Momente aus dem legendären Konzert mit dem Symphonieorchester von Zielona Gora im "Neues Gewandhaus Leipzig" enthält, mit dem alles begann. Für echte Fans gibt es das Release auch als streng limitiertes Box-Set in einer exquisiten, schwarzen Holzkassette mit Golddruck, welche die deluxe CD/DVD-Version des Albums, die exklusive CD-Single „Krieger“, ein exklusives „Black Symphonies“-T-Shirt/Girlie Shirt, sowie ein „Black Symphonies“ Candle Cover, als Starterset mit einer roten Kerze enthält.

Als besonders edle Sammlerkomponente enthält die Box zusätzlich noch eine handnummerierte und von der Band handsignierte Replik der Orignal-Partitur von „Reich mir die Hand“. „Black Symphonies“ ist die unwiderstehliche Gelegenheit, die erfolgreichste Gothic-Pop-Band der Welt völlig neu für sich zu entdecken. Von Breitwandsound bis zum intimen Gänsehaut-Moment … Blutengels Musik nimmt den Hörer hier völlig von Neuem gefangen.

Track List CD:

01. Legend / Nachtbringer (Symphonic Version)
02. Krieger (Symphonic Version)
03. Soultaker (Symphonic Version)
04. Über den Horizont (Symphonic Version)
05. Deine Welt (Symphonic Version)
06. Behind The Mirror (Symphonic Version)
07. Kinder dieser Stadt (Symphonic Version)
08. Reich mir die Hand (Symphonic Version)
09. Die Zeit (Symphonic Version)
10. Seelenschmerz (Symphonic Version)
11. You Walk Away (Symphonic Version)
12. Monument (Symphonic Version)

Track List DVD: (Box Set and Deluxe Version)

Live from "Neues Gewandhaus Leipzig"
1. Soultaker
2. Ein Augenblick
3. Die With You
4. Reich mir die Hand


Track List “Krieger” CDS: (Box Set only)

1. Krieger
2. Krieger Lord Of The Lost Version feat. Chris Harms
3. Grey City

LIMITED HOLZ / WOODEN BOX (T-SHIRT) € 54,99

Inhalt / Content:
- Black Symphonies" Deluxe DigiCD/DVD
- "Krieger" CD-Single (exclusive)
- "Black Symphonies" T-Shirt (exclusive)
- "Black Symphonies" CandleCover + Kerze /+ Candle
- handnummeriertes Echtheits Zertifikat & handsigniert von Chris und Uli / hand numbered Ownership Certificate & hand-signed by Chris and Uli

Kentucky rockers BLACK STONE CHERRY will release their fourth album, "Magic Mountain", in Europe on May 5 via Roadrunner Records. The CD's lead single, "Mary Jane", is set to hit radio waves in mid-February to coincide with the band's sold-out series of intimate "fan-curated" U.K. shows.

Commenting on the making of the Joe Barresi-produced "Magic Mountain", BLACK STONE CHERRY said: "Not since before our first album have we felt the freedom and confidence that we felt while writing and recording this album.

"After touring the world behind three previous albums that we are extremely proud of, we feel this album best captures the live energy, honesty and vibe that encompasses our true musicianship."

Renowned as electrifying live, BLACK STONE CHERRY will hit the road hard in support of "Magic Mountain", kicking off the album cycle in the U.K. with a series of intimate — and already sold out — live performances dubbed "The Southern Hospitality Tour". Set for late February/early March, the dates will see BLACK STONE CHERRY creating each evening's set list from a list of fan requests, guaranteeing every night's performance will be completely unique. The boys will also break the lengthy set to answer fans questions during an audience question-and-answer session, marking the shows out as a really special evening.

BLACK STONE CHERRY's previous albums, 2008's "Folklore And Superstition" and 2011's "Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea", both topped the U.K. Rock Albums chart on their release and have since racked up silver sales certification status from the BPI (British Phonographic Industry).

BLACK STONE CHERRY is:

Chris Robertson - Vocals/GuitarBen Wells - Guitar/VocalsJon Lawhon - Bass/VocalsJohn Fred Young - Drums/Vocals

Owais "Vitek" Wani of Metal Wani recently conducted an interview with former SLAYER and current PHILM drummer Dave Lombardo. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below. A couple of excerpts follow.

On the status of the second PHILM album:

Lombardo: "The second album was being written as we were mixing the first album. So at this point, we already have the second album written, recorded and we're just waiting for a record company. Mike Patton [FAITH NO MORE singer and owner of Ipecac Recordings, which released the first PHILM album, 'Harmonic'], from the record company Ipecac, he's only putting out three albums this year, and it's unfortunate that this one isn't one of them. He just had to scale back. Of course, the music industry isn't what it was anymore, so he had to scale back his [release schedule]. Which is all good; I totally understand. So right now I'm just shopping the record to several other companies and we'll see what happens. Hopefully it can be released as soon as possible. I'm getting really anxious to put this album out, because it's uniquely different than the other one. It's not as experimental as the first one. This particular album, the new one, the songs are a little more concise and straightforward, so there's not a lot of improvisation or a lot of places where the band decides to take off musically and improvise. So we kept it together this time on this record. And right now, as I speak, this album's done and we already have, like, five songs for the [third] record. I've got some really talented musicians, and we could come up with music fairly easy. So I'm excited about this new group."

On BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward's recent kind words about Lombardo's playing:

Lombardo: "It made me feel really, really good. Bill Ward and I, we've established a very nice relationship. We keep tabs on each other. I always ask him how he's doing, and he's in communication with me as well. So we have a nice little thing going on. He's just a nice friend, and I'm very happy to have met him recently. The first time that I met him was in 2004 on a BLACK SABBATH reunion, JUDAS PRIEST reunion… I think that was the first time… It was, like, a festival that SLAYER played. I met him way back then; it was very brief. And then we re-met about a year ago."

On whether he has listened to the new BLACK SABBATH album, "13", and what his thoughts are on it:

Lombardo: "No, I haven't. I heard, like, one song. I don't know… I just can't listen to BLACK SABBATH unless it's with Bill… It's one of those things that you wanna hear it, you wanna get into it, but ahhh… it would have been soooo much better if Bill Ward was there. I mean, it's not the first time — I think there was an album Carmine Appice… no, not Carmine… that Vinny Appice played on — and that's a fantastic record, but that hit me at a different time. I was more open to the possible changes within bands. Right now, just knowing a little bit of the SABBATH situation, I just really didn't have the interest to listen to that album. But I will one day, eventually. It's gonna cross my path. I just haven't purchased it."

On late SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman being excluded from the list of faces and names showcased during Grammy Awards' "In Memoriam" segment this year:

Lombardo: "Yeah, that was disappointing. But they're notorious for that. That organization is predominantly rap- and country-driven. And they don't wanna hear rock; they don't care about rock and metal. Metal, I think, is music for misfits, and it's played by misfits. And what do they wanna do with this kind of music? We wanna get recognized? They're not gonna do it. Let it be. Let it be. We don't need a doorstop. Metal doesn't need a doorstop or an organization to recognize who we are. We have our fans. Let the voice of the fans show how big metal is."

On the most important lesson he has learned in his three decades as a professional musician:

Lombardo: "There is absolutely no friends when it comes to money. That's the number one lesson I've learned."

Greece's Metal Kaoz recently conducted an interview with ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

Asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for ANTHRAX's follow-up to 2011's "Worship Music" album, Ian said: "We're in the middle of writing right now. That's just basically all we've been doing, is working on songs. We're just hard, hard, hard at work, with the goal — hopefully — of before the summer, before we go to Europe to start playing festivals, we would love to be able to go into the studio and start recording it.

"We're going to Europe in the summer to play shows, and then maybe [we can get the] album [out] sometime later this year, but we don't have any definite schedule yet."

He added: "We're just gonna keep writing until we're happy, until we're ready. We're really happy with where we're at right now, and we've got about 12 songs written. Because it's going so well, we figure, why stop? We're gonna just keep writing, and if we have too many songs, then we can just pick what we wanna put on the record."

Regarding whether guitarist Jonathan Donais (SHADOWS FALL) — who joined ANTHRAX in January 2013 following the departure of Rob Caggiano — has been involved in the creative process so far, Ian said: "He hasn't contributed to the songwriting at this point, but he's writing leads, that's for sure."

ANTHRAX was nominated for a "Best Metal Performance" Grammy this year for its cover of AC/DC's "T.N.T." The track was featured on ANTHRAX's eight-track EP that pays tribute to the classic songs by some of the band's favorite acts from the 1970s. The CD was released in North America on March 19, 2013 (MRI/Megaforce), and on March 22, 2013 in Europe (Nuclear Blast).

"Worship Music" has sold more than 110,000 copies in the United States since its September 2011 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Interview (audio):

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx says that it's unlikely that the band will release another full-length album of new material and will instead make select tracks available via special projects in order to maximize their impact.

During a brand new interview with the Rapid City, South Dakota radio station 95.1 KSKY (hear audio below), Sixx was asked if there are plans for new CRÜE music to coincide with the band's upcoming "The Final Tour", which is scheduled to kick off in early July.

"We have music written, [but] it's not put together yet," Sixx replied. He added: "It's hard, to be honest with you, to spend six [or] nine months to write eleven songs — all those lyrics… everything… the vocals, the guitars, the bass, the sonics, the mixing, the mastering, the artwork… You put it out and nothing [happens], because now people cherry-pick songs. So we go, 'Why don't we write songs and find vehicles to get one, two or four songs to ten million people rather than eleven songs to a hundred thousand people. That's how we're thinking. I don't know if it's right or wrong, but that's how we're thinking."

MÖTLEY CRÜE in 2012 released a brand new song called "Sex" to coincide with the launch of the band's North American co-headlining tour with KISS.

Written when the group was together during their residency in Las Vegas in February 2012, "Sex" was the first studio track from the CRÜE since their June 2008 release of "Saints Of Los Angeles". The song was recorded at MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's studio called The Atrium in Calabasas, California.

"We happened to have this song everyone was really excited about, so instead of saying, 'Let's add it to the pile of songs we have and we'll sort 'em out later,' we were, 'Hey, let's finish this one up,'" Sixx told Billboard.com in August 2012. "We got it out there for the fans, for the tour, and it's exciting for the band to play something new. We love the classics and the hits, and I know the fans love that, too, but to be able to play something new is great. "We [initially] wanted to save that big push for when we do [another full-length album]," he added, "but the way the song is connecting with people feels like the way the music used to connect with people when we were a baby band and just had our first record out. The song really seems to work."

Speaking to VH1 Radio Network in 2012, Sixx stated about "Sex": "It sounds very much like it's off of the first record [1981's 'Too Fast For Love']. And that was definitely on purpose. I've been writing very simple riffs for the last year and focusing on how these riffs would work for Vince [Neil, vocals], basically, and took it in the studio with Tommy and Mick [Mars, guitar] and the thing just came alive."

In an interview with Noisecreep, Tommy said: "I think Nikki is partially right [about 'Sex'. "It's got a retro CRÜE kind of vibe to it — a simplistic riff. But I also think the song has a modern sound to it. There's some cool analog synths in it and a beat that is really funky and modern. So I guess you can say that it has a retro yet modern sound."

He added, "Overall, I think that 'Sex' sounds like 2012 and that makes me really happy. It turned out killer! Not that I'm not into some retro-sounding stuff, but it is 2012, kids — let's keep it moving. At the end of the day, it's a great summertime song that's going to have everybody screaming along to it on this tour."

SCORPIONS guitarist Matthias Jabs revealed in an interview with Classic Rock Revisited that his band is recording a cover version of RAINBOW's "Temple Of The King" for inclusion on the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album. The collection, which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio, will also tentatively include contributions from METALLICA, ANTHRAX, JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister, DEEP PURPLE's Ian Gillan, Alice Cooper, Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH), HALESTORM, Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW), Chris Jericho (FOZZY) and Dave Grohl (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS).

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

The Dio tribute album will see Grohl covering BLACK SABBATH's "The Mob Rules", Halford contributing a version of RAINBOW's "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" and HALESTORM delivering a rendition of "Straight Through The Heart".

"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."

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.

Norwegian progressive metal quintet FRAIL GROUNDS recently signed a deal with UK based indie label Hostile Media to see the release of the band's debut album, The Fields Of Trauma. Mixed by Øyvind Larsen (Lionheart Studios) and mastered by acclaimed producer Jens Bogren (Fascination Street Studios), The Fields Of Trauma was originally self-released by the band in 2012. This release sees the record getting proper distribution for the first time.
Frail Grounds formed late 2005 with a musical vision to create interesting and flowing soundscapes, merging elements from different genres ranging from traditional heavy, progressive and extreme metal, yet always maintaining a melodic baseline. The band released their debut record, an EP titled Corrosion, which led to many in the media earmarking the band as one to watch.

Most of 2010 was spent in the studio as the band began work on their concept debut album, The Fields Of Trauma. The story follows an expedition deep into Siberia, questioning how far a person might go under extreme circumstances in order to achieve a sense of resolution.

Vocalist Morten Andre comments, "We are very excited to be presenting The Fields of Trauma to the UK metalheads and beyond. The album took a long time to finish, but listening to it now we are confident it was worth the effort and time. There are so many details in between the musical layers; hopefully you will hear something new every time you listen to it. This musical endeavour is wrapped up by a faustian inspired conceptual horror story, which fits well with the musical theme. Enjoy! First time listeners, expect a chilling musical journey leading you through acoustic melancholic moments and into more brutal epics! Throughout this trip you will be treated with lots of melodies, guitar solos, heavy riffing and complexity leading up to the grand finale, the emberstorm!"
Tracklisting:

'Prologue: Arrival'
'The Expedition'
'Freeze Me'
'A Rural Trauma'
'The Sinister Road'
'Triptych'
'Origin'
'Deathlines'
'Siberian Nights'
'Emberstorm'
'Epilogue: Completion'

The Fields Of Trauma will be released on March 3rd.

ROGER DALTREY says he will reunite with his THE WHO bandmate PETE TOWNSHEND this year to make a new album. Speaking to NME as he announced the lineup for this March's annual series of Teenage Cancer Trust gigs, curated by Daltrey, he revealed that Townshend has been working on new material.
"Pete's got hundreds of songs," he said. "So the only question is whether we get around to it, but he wants to make an album and I'm always ready and raring to go. We'll see. I never know what I'm doing next, it's about what comes through my letterbox tomorrow, but I don't see why we wouldn't. My voice is still in good shape. The hearing isn't so great, but the voice is fine."
The album would be The Who's 12th, their first since 2006's Endless Wire. Daltrey, who has curated the Teenage Cancer Trust's annual concerts at the Royal Albert Hall since 2000, said he and Townshend won't be performing at the gigs this year as they have done during the past 14 years. Asked if the gap in the schedule on Friday, March 29th could be a slot for them, he said: "No, it's definitely not us. We have someone, but we can't announced them until this band has announced something else first."

Read more at NME.com.

EMPTY FLOWERS, the east coast post-rock band featuring front man Christian McKenna and former members of CABLE will release a collaborative collection of reworked Empty Flowers songs titled The Air You Found on February 18 via Translation Loss. The record will showcase all new versions of tracks from the group's debut LP Six and sophomore album Five with added instrumentation and contributions from members of TOMBS, GORGUTS, DYSRHYTHMIA, ISIS, PALMS, KHANATE, OLD, DÄLEK, THEOLOGIAN and more. Artwork for the album was created by artist Brian Azer (SUN KIL MOON, JESU).

The Air You Found will also be released on vinyl LP via Redscroll Records. The band has now premiered the band's team-up with James Plotkin (Khanate, OLD, LOTUS
EATERS), a re-imagined take on the Empty Flowers track "Quit" alongside the band’s original version.
The Air You Found tracklisting:

'Quit' (James Plotkin (KHANATE / OLD) Remix)
'I Get to Know Its Name' (Iconaclass / Deadverse Remix)
'Car Fires' (Justin K Broadrick Remix)
'Ice on Wings' (Crone Remix)
'Fünf' (Theologian Remix)
'Call a Priest' (Kevin Hufnagel (GORGUTS / DYSRHYTHMIA) Remix)
'Resonate' (Michael Hill (TOMBS) Remix)

Empty Flowers features Christian McKenna (vocals), Randy Larsen (bass), Bernie Romanowski (guitar) and Andre Galiffi (drums).

Oxford Mail's Andrew Ffrench is reporting that a historic hotel near Wallingford (UK) once owned by DEEP PURPLE rock legend Ian Gillan is to close.
The owners of The Springs Hotel say they can no longer afford to pay for the upkeep of the building and internet booking companies offering discounts are eating into any potential profits.

The 32-bedroom hotel in North Stoke will close in October although the golf club at the site, which has about 400 members, will continue to operate.

Directors Svenia and Paul Franklin have not yet decided what to do with the property, which features a guitar-shaped swimming pool installed by its musical former owner.
Read the full report at Oxfordmail.co.uk.

Symphonic metallers DELAIN will release their new album, The Human Contradiction, on the following dates:

Germany/Austria/Switzerland - April 4th
UK, Rest of Europe - April 7th
North America - April 8th

The band has announced THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz as a guest vocalist for the new album. An update from the band reads: “We are really excited about Alissa’s addition to our new record! Alissa needs no introduction: we love her great, versatile and powerful vocal style and after spending time on the road with Alissa on our tour with KAMELOT last fall, we simply needed her awesomeness Both Alissa’s clean vocals and signature screams are featured on the record’s finale ‘The Tragedy Of The Commons’. We can’t wait to share the song with you!”



Alissa states: "After a couple days of touring with Delain, I HAD to go buy a cd or two. This band blew me away with their intelligent songs, energetic yet extremely precise live show and overall charisma. Sure enough, after buying an album at their merch table and listening to it on repeat while working out, my suspicions were confirmed: DELAIN IS AN AWESOME BAND! I'm very flattered and honored to participate in their upcoming album. I see Delain going very far, I wish them nothing but success and I'm glad to contribute my share!”

Delain also recently announced NIGHTWISH vocalist Marco Hietala as guest vocalist. The band said: “"We are very excited about the much anticipated return of vocal force Marco Hietala on our upcoming record. After our collaboration with Marco on our first two albums we can’t help but hearing his voice in some of the songs we write! We love his contributions on The Human Contradiction: Marco adds greatly to the power of 'Your Body Is A Battleground' as well as to the melancholia of 'Sing To Me'."
Marco states: “I've done quite a few visitations on select albums during my career. Delain and their albums are among the most frequent. If you listen to their stuff, you´ll know why. Martijn and his group seem to have plenty to say both musically and lyrically. Keep it up mates!”
The Human Contradiction tracklisting:

'Here Come The Vultures'
'Your Body Is A Battleground'
'Stardust'
'My Masquerade'
'Tell Me, Mechanist'
'Sing To Me'
'Army Of Dolls'
'Lullaby'
'The Tragedy Of The Commons'

Marco Barbieri has returned to Century Media Records in the role of label president. He will oversee the creative content through marketing, artist development, relations and develop the core focus of Century Media.

Marco led the label from 1995 to 2007 and in that time, Century Media enjoyed some of its most profitable years, signing and developing a large number of bands.

"I am extremely happy to welcome Marco Barbieri back to being president of Century Media," states Robert Kampf, Century Media founder. "Marco is a passionate, music driven, creative leader who will catapult Century Media to new heights in rock and metal."

"I am very happy to return to Century Media," says Barbieri. "Some of my best memories are while working here and I look forward to collaborating with staff and artists to write the next illustrious chapter."

"We are very happy that Marco returns to the label. He already proved his ability to develop the label in the direction of success," adds Antje Lang, Century Media CEO.

In his time away from Century Media, Marco moved back to Las Vegas to work on his family's property management and investment business. He also managed several successful touring/recording acts and promoted local shows.

BABYMETAL — the heavy metal offshoot of the Japanese pop idol group SAKURA GAKUIN that performs a distinctly Japanese mix of schoolgirl J-pop and death metal — will release its debut album on February 26 via Toy's Factory. The effort will be made available in regular and limited editions. The CD includes five of BABYMETAL's singles that were released in 2011 - 2013, from "Doki Doki Morning" (digital single) to "Megitsune", their B-sides and three new songs.

BABYMETAL released its first-ever concert Blu-ray, "Live ～Legend I, D, Z Apocalypse～", on November 20, 2013 (the limited-edition DVD box was issued on October 19). The set contains footage of the band's performances at Shibuya O-East (October 2012), Akasaka Blitz (December 2012) and Zepp Tokyo (February 2013).

BABYMETAL's "Megitsune" single was released on June 19, 2013. The song is said to combine traditional Japanese instruments with metal overtones and an enka ballad to create a festive sound. The theme of the track is "women are born actresses." Four different versions were made available for fans to purchase: a limited "Tsu", limited "Ki", and a limited "Ne" edition, as well as a less expensive regular edition. The limited versions come with bonus videos from the BABYMETAL live events that were held from 2012 to early 2013.

BABYMETAL last year embarked on the "Death Match Tour 2013" and was accompanied by a "full metal band."

In the spring of 2013, Suzuka Nakamoto graduated from junior high school and therefore had to "graduate" from the group SAKURA GAKUIN (which consists of girls of up to junior high). However, it was decided by the management that BABYMETAL would not dissolve and would continue their activities as a band.

BABYMETAL released its first major single, "Ijime, Dame, Zettai", on January 9, 2013.

Razor TV conducted an interview with BABYMETAL when the band performed in Singapore in December 2013. You can now watch the chat below.

BABY METAL is:

Su-Metal - Vocals and DanceMoametal - Screamer and DanceYuimetal - Screamer and Dance

"My Enemy", the new video from Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED, can be seen below. The clip for the relentless, 58-second track features rehearsal-room footage.

THE HAUNTED released a new three-song single, "Eye Of The Storm", on January 20 in Europe and January 21 in North America via Century Media Records.

"Eye Of The Storm" was made available as limited-edition seven-inch EP (1,000 copies split as follows: 500 on black vinyl, 300 on red vinyl and 200 on white vinyl) and as digital single, featuring the new songs "Eye Of The Storm", "Infiltrator" and "My Enemy".

"Eye Of The Storm" track listing:

01. Eye Of The Storm02. Infiltrator03. My Enemy

The single marks the recording debut of THE HAUNTED's new lineup, which was announced last summer, featuring founding members Patrik Jensen (guitar) and Jonas Björler (bass), returning members Marco Aro (vocals) and Adrian Erlandsson (drums), as well as new guitarist Ola Englund.

Commented THE HAUNTED's founding member and guitarist Patrik Jensen: "We are sure fans have been anxious to know what the band sounds like today after all the turmoil and old members leaving and new members joining.

"We feel that these three songs represent the band perfectly.

"We are currently working on the new album, an album that will be filled to the brim with what we know to be THE HAUNTED.

"THE HAUNTED is back."

THE HAUNTED's 2014 lineup:

* Patrik Jensen - Guitar * Ola Englund (SIX FEET UNDER, FEARED) - Guitar * Marco Aro (THE RESISTANCE, FACE DOWN) - Vocals * Jonas Björler - Bass * Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST) - Drums

THE HAUNTED will embark on a tour of Scandinavia this spring, beginning with a show in Gothenburg, Sweden on March 28.

Says the band: "The reception of the three new songs from our newly released EP 'Eye Of The Storm' at 70000 Tons Of Metal was amazing, so expect them to be played, together with a truckload of other hard-hitters.

"We can't wait to get back out there playing shows again, and we'll make sure it has been worth your while sticking around for us through thick and thin. See you all somewhere along the road!"

THE HAUNTED's founding member and guitarist Patrik Jensen stated about the band's new lineup: "THE HAUNTED went through some difficult times last year. Losing three band members is a pretty huge blow to any band. Jonas and I agreed immediately that we wanted to continue with the band, but we wanted to take our time and not rush into anything.

"Some of you might recognize a few faces, some of you might not. Adrian Erlandsson is back on drums and Marco Aro is back on vocals. Adrian you might know from playing on our first album and Marco sang on 'The Haunted Made Me Do It', 'Live Rounds In Tokyo' and 'One Kill Wonder'. On guitar we also have Ola Englund bringing some pretty heavy chops to the band."

Vocalist Marco Aro (ex-FACE DOWN, also in THE RESISTANCE) was previously involved with THE HAUNTED for three acclaimed releases between 1999 and 2003 as well as for several worldwide touring campaigns. Drummer Adrian Erlandsson (also in AT THE GATES and PARADISE LOST) belonged to the original lineup of THE HAUNTED together the Björler twins after the demise of their previous legendary group, AT THE GATES. Together with Jensen, they launched THE HAUNTED's self-titled debut in 1998, an album which has been widely considered as the kick-start for a new era in the thrash metal movement and which, despite its initial underground status, climbed to be a massively inspirational record for a whole new generation of musicians and bands in the following decade. Guitarist Ola Englund is a highly talented young player from Sweden, who has recently been active as touring and recording member of U.S. death metal institution SIX FEET UNDER.

"The Stroy", the new video from legendary grindcore godfathers BRUTAL TRUTH, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's recent split with seminal, abrasive-noise terrorists BASTARD NOISE, entitled "The Axiom Of Post Inhumanity". Combining over four decades of grinding noise dominance, "The Axiom Of Post Inhumanity" is a long-overdue pairing of extreme music veterans that is sure to push the limits of even the most masochistic listeners. Available on CD, LP and digital formats, "The Axiom Of Post Inhumanity" was released on November 11, 2013 via Relapse Records. Both the CD and LP formats of the release contain entirely different sets of music from both bands while the digital version collects all of the tracks onto one compilation.

"The Axiom Of Post Inhumanity" track listing: LP track listing:

01. BRUTAL TRUTH - Control Room: Peace is the Victory Mix02. BASTARD NOISE - Preemptive Epitaph for the Living03. BASTARD NOISE - The Antenna Galaxies (ngc 4038-4039)04. BASTARD NOISE - Frack Baby Frack

CD track listing:

01. BASTARD NOISE - The Duel of the Ant and the Dragonfly02. BASTARD NOISE - The Horizon on Lynx03. BASTARD NOISE - Horned Beetle Conflict04. BASTARD NOISE - Mantis Colony05. BRUTAL TRUTH - Control Room: Smoke Grind and Sleep Mix06. BRUTAL TRUTH - The Stroy BRUTAL TRUTH drummer Rich Hoak commented on the collaboration: "Working with BASTARD NOISE has been an honor! Together we have created 'The Axiom Of Post Inhumanity' with the specific purpose of frying your brain, so please listen LOUD!!"