Finnish metallers PROFANE OMEN will release their fourth album, "Reset", on March 14 via Spinefarm. According to the band, the follow-up to 2011's "Destroy!" "is the fastest, angriest and tightest PROFANE OMEN recording by far so far."

The group added: "We've never been afraid to try out new things and this one will not make an exception. It'll be a fast piece of metal with all our strengths in use."

"Reset" track listing:

01. The Instigator02. Mind The Trap03. Trails04. Intruder05. Percules06. Incognito07. The Ego08. The Garden09. Sonic Wings

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

"Destroy!" was released on September 28, 2011 via Spinefarm.

PROFANE OMEN is:

Jules Näveri (THE NIBIRUAN, ENEMY OF THE SUN) - VocalsWilliami Kurki - GuitarAntti Kokkonen - Guitar, Backing VocalsAntti Seroff - BassSamuli Mikkonen - Drums

Victory Records has announced the signing of San Antonio's DARKNESS DIVIDED. The four-piece is quickly making a name for itself through heavy DIY touring — including major festivals such as Cornerstone and Sonshine.

DARKNESS DIVIDED vocalist Gerard Mora comments: "We are incredibly stoked to be a part of the Victory Records family!

"We've always been fans of Victory's roster, and it's a blessing to be included with the many talented bands that Victory has worked with over the years.

"We are currently writing our debut full-length, and we have some really cool tour opportunities on the horizon.

"We can't wait to show everyone what we've been writing and playing in a ton of new places very soon!"

DARKNESS DIVIDED will hit the road this spring before entering the studio to work on its Victory debut. A late summer release is expected.

A performance video of the song "Unfold" from Brazilian metallers EMINENCE can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's fourth full-length album, "The Stalker", which includes a guest appearance by SEPULTURA bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr.. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Viktor Koen. The effort was produced by Tue Madsen (DARK TRANQUILITY, HEAVEN SHALL BURN).

"[Tue] is a great producer and a good friend of the band," EMINENCE guitarist Alan Wallace told Revolver magazine. "We spent an entire year producing this album, and worked really hard together to make 'The Stalker' become a reality."

"The Stalker" track listing:

01. Self Rejection02. Unfold03. 3 Times 604. Atmosphere (intro)05. Veins Of Memories06. The Stalker07. Eyetricity08. Satellite (intro)09. Critical Path10. No Code11. Visions Of Hate

EMINENCE guitarist/founding member Alan Wallace also plays with Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. in the Brazilian metal project THE UNABOMBER FILES.

EMINENCE's previous CD, "The God Of All Mistakes", was released in March 2008 via Locomotive Records.

EMINENCE is:

Alan Wallace - GuitarBruno Paraguay - VocalsAndre Marcio - DrumsThiago Correa - Bass

Swedish hard rockers EUROPE will perform their 1984 album, "Wings Of Tomorrow" live on their Swedish tour in March. They will play the LP in its entirety, plus some new songs and other EUROPE hits.

Says EUROPE singer Joey Tempest: "'Wings Of Tomorrow' is one of our most liked albums and we are very excited to perform it live together with some new songs and the hits! This band has never done anything like this before and this will most likely be a once-in-a lifetime event.

"'Wings Of Tomorrow' opened the doors to the world for us. We got our record deal with CBS/Epic in New York based on this record.

"We have often been approached by both rock and metal bands who have claimed that this record really inspired and influenced them.

"It will be an honour to revisit and perform this record in its entirety.

"Holy underwear!!! This will be exciting!"

For the record: today's version of EUROPE is identical to the classic "The Final Countdown" lineup: Joey Tempest (vocals), John Norum (guitar), John Levén (bass), Mic Michaeli (keyboards) and Ian Haugland (drums).

EUROPE's latest album, "Bag Of Bones", was released in Europe on April 27, 2012 via earMusic/Edel. The CD, which features a guest appearance by blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), was produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, Joe Bonamassa, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK STONE CHERRY and JOURNEY, among others.

California rockers TESLA will enter the studio on Monday, February 3 to record eight or nine new songs, to be included on the band's forthcoming album. Right now, the band is going through each song, working on all the details of the parts, including the tempos, as you can the on the board in the photo below.

A new TESLA song, "Taste My Pain", was released last summer via iTunes and Amazon. The track was recorded during a two-day (June 5-6, 2013) session at J Street Recorders in Sacramento, with plans to include it on the upcoming CD. According to the group, "It's a heavier song with a hard-driving beat and TESLA trademark blazing guitars."

TESLA's latest album, "Twisted Wires And The Acoustic Sessions", was released in July 2011 via Scarlet Records. The CD featured six songs that were recorded back in 2005 at bassist Brian Wheat's J Street Recorders studio — which also served as the last recordings with original member Tommy Skeoch — and six newly recorded tracks, including acoustic remakes of songs from TESLA's entire catalog and two brand new songs, "Second Street" and "Better Off Without You".

TESLA released a live album, "Alive In Europe!", in Europe on April 23, 2010 via Frontiers Records.

TESLA's latest studio album, "Forever More", sold more than 16,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 33 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on October 7, 2008 on Tesla Electric Company Recordings. The European version of the album, which was made available on November 7, 2008 via Frontiers Records, contains two bonus tracks not found on the American version.

Reunited Swedish heavy rockers TRANSPORT LEAGUE will release a three-song EP titled "A Diezel Smelling Aftershock" on February 10 through frontman Tony Jelencovich's (DEATHDESTRUCTION, B-THONG, MASSIVE AUDIO NERVE, MNEMIC, ICON IN ME) Hoffa Communications. The EP will be released digitally but will also be made available in physical form as a 300-handnumbered-copies limited edition.

The Diezel Package containing the EP, an A2 poster, A6 aticker and a TRANSPORT LEAGUE pick can be ordered at this location.

Check out "A Diezel Smelling Aftershock" audio samples in the YouTube clip below.

TRANSPORT LEAGUE will hit the road to promote the EP beginning on February 13 in Stockholm.

TRANSPORT LEAGUE's latest album, "Boogie From Hell", was released digitally on May 20, 2013 via Hoffa Communications.

"Boogie From Hell" was tracked over a 17-month period and was mixed by Svein Jensen at Grand Recordings in Gothenburg, Sweden. The CD's sound is described in a press release as "groovy, shaky-boogie-rock 'n' roll metal … for the fans of CLUTCH, CATHEDRAL, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, MUSTASCH and even VOLBEAT."

TRANSPORT LEAGUE recently completed a short tour of Sweden and The Netherlands. Guitarist Peter Hunyadi was forced to sit out most of these shows due to "serious health problems." Filling in for him on the road was Dan Johansson (GENEROUS MARIA, MARY BEATS JANE).

Swedish death metal band CENTINEX has reformed after a nearly eight-year-long hiatus.

Led by bassist and founding member Martin Schulman, CENTINEX is currently working on a new album and has announced a "comeback" show, set to take place in September at the Kill Town Death Fest in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Comments Schulman: "After a few years in the making, it is now time for the rebirth of CENTINEX.

"Without interfering or affecting any of the other musical tasks we all have individually and collectively, we can't put aside the fact that a new CENTINEX album is something we want to do and something that has to be done.

"Picking up the spirit from the band's 1992 debut album and by doing a deadly travel from Stockholm to Florida around the same period — including a digression to the Ruhr area a few years earlier — we have our path and direction ready to be explored."

The new CENTINEX album will be recorded during the spring for a late summer release through an as-yet-undetermined label.

CENTINEX 2014 is:

Alexander Högbom (OCTOBER TIDE, SPASMODIC) - VocalsSverker Widgren (DEMONICAL, DIABOLICAL) - GuitarMartin Schulman (DEMONICAL, founding member of CENTINEX) - BassKennet Englund - (INTERMENT, CENTINEX 1999-2003) - Drums

Relapse Records has announced the signing of Portland, Oregon blackened death/doom quartet ATRIARCH. The band will enter the studio in June with producer Billy Anderson (SLEEP, EYEHATEGOD, AGALLOCH) to record its third full-length effort for a late 2013 release.

Says ATRIARCH: "It is an honor to be joining the ranks of Relapse Records. We are truly privileged to be able to stand along side so many great acts as peers.

"We are constantly evolving as artists and we want to do something new with each release. Having said that, it will always be dark and heavy and honestly reflect how we feel. ATRIARCH is a manifestation of our catharsis."

Formed in 2009, ATRIARCH has released two full-lengths albums — "Forever The End" in 2011 via Seventh Rule and "Ritual Of Passing" in 2012 via Profound Lore — plus a split with ALARIC on 20 Buck Spin.

Swedish metallers THE DUSKFALL have returned after an eight-year absence. The band, which features in its ranks former ENGEL singer Magnus Klavborn, is currently working on material for its fifth album. The CD will contain "11 tracks of old-school, melodic metal," according to a press release, and will be made available through pledges from the band's die-hard fans.

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

THE DUSKFALL 2014 is:

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

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



Sell your beats online at ReverbNation.com

U.D.O. — the German metal band fronted by former ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider — will play a very special show on February 20 in Tuttlingen, Germany where they will be joined on stage by a marine corps orchestra.

Video footage of the rehearsal sessions for this truly once-in-a-lifetime event can be seen below (courtesy of the German television channel NDR).

U.D.O.'s new album, "Steelhammer", was released on May 24, 2013 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by Dirkschneider and Fitty Wienhold.

U.D.O. in 2012 announced the addition of guitarist Andrey Smirnov to the group's ranks. He replaced Stefan Kaufmann, who left the group for health reasons.

Stefan will continue to work with U.D.O. behind the scenes and produce other bands at his Roxx studio.

Kaufmann was the drummer for ACCEPT on nine albums but was forced to give up drumming towards the end of the band's initial run due to health problems.

Stefan joined U.D.O. as a guitar player in 1996, following ACCEPT's second breakup, and has recorded nine albums with them.

"Live In Sofia", the new DVD+CD and Blu-ray+CD from U.D.O., entered the Music DVD chart in Finland at position No. 1 and in Germany at No. 4.

"Live In Sofia" contains footage of U.D.O.'s November 16, 2011 concert at Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria.

"Stratosphere", the new solo album from former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum, will be released in March via Rok Dok Recordings under the MATT SORUM'S FIERCE JOY banner.

The cover artwork for the effort can be seen below.

Sorum told RollingStone.com about his upcoming CD: "It's much more introspective than my usual heavy rock stuff. It's more of a singer-songwriter thing. I play acoustic guitar, and it's a little mellower kind of album."

In a January 2013 interview with Music Radar, Sorum stated about "Stratosphere": "I started writing it within the last couple of years. I went out to the desert because of Gram Parsons and all those guys — you know, the Joshua Tree, Palm Springs area — and I had an amazing time working there. I went to a trippy old hotel and wrote eight songs in five days.

"A lot of people don't know me as a songwriter, but I've always been a guitar player. I like to dabble with the acoustic. The stuff that I've written for VELVET REVOLVER — like 'Set Me Free' and 'Spectacle' and a few on the first record — those were done on an acoustic.

"I made a record with another guy called 'Hollywood Zen', and that was my first attempt to do my own thing. I was a bit nervous, though, so I can't really say that it was my record — it's a collaboration. My main goal on this record is to write everything myself.

"What's been happening with me is, I'm getting older, and I'm a different guy… I'm not on drugs and alcohol anymore. [laughs] I'm more spiritual. I'm thinking about the planet and caring about other people more, and I've got a charity… And that sparked a lot of lyrics. I have a song called 'Lady Of The Stone', which is about Mother Nature's perspective on what's happening to the planet. What would she say if she was watching?

"I wrote another song called 'Land Of The Pure'. I was very struck by what happened with the girl Malala [Yousafza] from Pakistan. I wrote it about the girls in Pakistan — young girls all over the world — who are not being allowed to be educated. I'm going to have a singer named Atif Aslam, who's from Pakistan, sing on it. That's very eclectic. There's going to be a lot of percussion and orchestration. People are going to trip to it."

"For the second part of my trip, I hung out on the beach. I stayed at a little hotel called the Surf and Sand Hotel — I used to go there in the early '70s with my grandparents. While there, I wrote a song called 'The Sea'. I remembered how much I loved the beach as a kid. Nothing seems to matter when you're on the beach.

"I wrote another song there called 'Blue'. I was thinking, Why does the word 'blue' always mean sadness? I wrote it as a positive thing — the sky, the water. It's a Tom Petty-meets-David Gray kind of song. It's pretty cool.

"And I wrote a song called 'Josephine', which is my grandmother's name. She and my grandfather were married for 69 years. The song is about him being in the orchestra pit, he was in the band, and her being a ballerina. They met in the 1920s. My grandmother just turned 100. The song is going to be all orchestra and piano. It's an ode to them."

Asked why he doesn't play drums on the album, he said: "I feel like it's not right for this record. I want to have a producer's perspective, so I don't want to sit there and analyze my drumming. I've been rehearsing the band, I put a great band together. I've got a drummer named Brian MacLeod, who's played with everyone from Sheryl Crow to Linda Perry — he's been on tons of records. He's got more of that gift. I'm a rock drummer, but I can play other styles. He can play more organic, singer-songwriter stuff. As light as I play, I have a sound that might be more rock."

Sorum played a brand new solo song entitled "The Sea" on November 18, 2013 at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. Fan-filmed video footage of performance — featuring Sorum on guitar and vocals — can be seen below.

Gear Gods — the only online destination for musicians in the heavy music community — has posted live footage of former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman performing at the Boss/Roland booth at this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, which was held January 23-26 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Check out the clips below.

Friedman's new solo album, "Inferno", will be released in May via Prosthetic Records. The CD will contain several collaborations with players influenced by Friedman, including Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM), REVOCATION guitar whiz David Davidson and the flamenco/metal acoustic duo RODRIGO Y GABRIELA. In addition, the album includes Friedman's first songwriting collaboration with Jason Becker since the pair played together in the pioneering duo of guitar mayhem CACOPHONY.

Friedman's first original material in four years, and his first album in more than a decade that will be released simultaneously worldwide, "Inferno" will feature what Friedman feels is the heaviest, most intense playing of his career.

"I'm extremely proud of the work I've done with CACOPHONY and MEGADETH, but I was never interested in stopping there," Friedman said. "'Inferno' is the album that fans of my work with those two bands have always wanted me to make. I've finally made it, and completely on my own maniacal terms."

He added: "On the guests' songs, each would write a song from scratch, and then I would arrange it and add my parts to it," Friedman said. "That way, we were both invested in it, and it’s a little bit of a deeper experience than just banging out a guest solo."

Make no mistake, though — "Inferno" is unquestionably a Marty Friedman album, and one he plans to tour behind extensively (including his first U.S. performances since 2003). Furthermore, it features what Friedman told Guitar World is "the most intense writing and playing I can do," with the goal of "go(ing) completely ape-shit and smok(ing) everything else I've ever done."

"I wanted to create a new landmark to which my future music will be compared," Friedman said. "That idea of just going completely balls-out — knowing what the full potential of my music and my playing could possibly be, and actually making it a reality — was what drove me through the whole process."

Maryland rockers CLUTCH have entered Magpie Cage Recording Studio in Baltimore, with producer J. Robbins (THE SWORD, COLISEUM) to record the song "Run, John Barleycorn, Run" for a seven-inch single, to be released as part of this year's Record Store Day on April 19.

Video footage from the studio can be seen below.

Founded in 2007 and officially kicked off in 2008 by METALLICA, Record Store Day normally takes place on the third Saturday of every April and brings together artists and independently owned record stores around the world to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and sold in independent stores.

CLUTCH's "Earth Rocker Live" was released on November 26, 2013 via Weathermaker Music.

"Earth Rocker Live" is a double-vinyl picture-disc set. The first LP is the studio version of CLUTCH's latest album, "Earth Rocker". The second LP consists of live versions of the same tracks in the same sequence as the original.

This is not a live recording of one show. The individual tracks of the live version were recorded at different shows throughout the band's May 2013 U.S. tour: Houston and San Antonio (Texas), Lincoln (Nebraska), Indianapolis (Indiana) and Fargo (North Dakota). The stunning artwork displays the four Indian heads from the original package in all their colorful beauty: one for each side. The most recent leg of CLUTCH's "Earth Rocker" world tour ran through November 23 in Detroit, Michigan. CLUTCH then hit the road for their annual holiday shows and continued on tour through January 18 in Huntington, West Virginia.

Candlelight Records has announced the signing of the black metal trio CHASMA.

The earliest incarnation known as CHASMA was born in fall 2008 by founding members Ryan Whyte and Aaron Schomaker. The original lineup immediately released a demo on French label Aural Offerings before a year-long hiatus due to the urgency of other musical pursuits involving the members. After an almost two-year break, a two-album deal was struck with American label Moribund Records. In 2011, the band released "Declarations Of The Grand Artificer" and immediately parted ways with the then-guitar player due to drug use issues. In late 2011, the group recruited Brandon Gordon to fill the guitar position, which shortly gave birth to the second full-length given the name "Codex Constellatia". After years of toil and countless stage performances with bands like THOU, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, FELL VOICES, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, VATTNET VISKAR, ASH BORER and JUNIUS, the band now joins the ranks of Candlelight Records on their newest full-length creation dubbed "Omega Theorian". "Having the opportunity to join the Candlelight family is an honor that is beyond description for us as a band and as long time metal fans in general," says CHASMA in a statement.

"This new band/label marriage marks a new, long-anticipated chapter in CHASMA that will give us the opportunity to communicate to our audience on a much wider scale from a very prestigious stage. Our fire burns brighter than ever."

On January 27, Don Jantzen of the KTBZ-FM (also known as 94.5 The Buzz) alternative rock radio station in Houston, Texas conducted an interview with METALLICA guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud widget below.

Asked when METALLICA fans in the United States can expect to see the band on the road here again, Hetfield said: "You know what? We keep going back to Europe for summer festivals. People keep offering us headline spots over there. [We're going to] South America this year."

He continued: "I don't know what's happening the States.

"The States has gotta step up and want their music.

"I'm not sure what's going on in the States as far as rock and metal goes and concert-wise, but there's not really any willingness to get a big show out there and make it worthwhile to actually get out there and play. You see other bands gathering up six different bands just to go out and play.

"It's pretty tough in North America."

He added: "Right now, it seems like metal is struggling a little bit in the States. Obviously, the Orion [Music + More] festival that we had tried to do the last couple of years has really not been… Gosh, it's been a disaster financially, and it's not able to happen again because of that. So it's a bummer. So, you know, we're doing what we can to keep being alive here. And I hope to get out and play in the States. It seems like forever since we've been out and about. You know, we've hit the coasts and we've done TV stuff and things like that. But it will happen again. So hopefully, to get your fix, you're able to get the ['Metallica Through The Never'] DVD and sit there and headbang with your friends."

Last June's Orion event at Belle Isle in Detroit drew at least 40,000 people over the course of two days to see METALLICA, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, DEFTONES, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, RISE AGAINST and more.

The band moved the event to Detroit after holding the inaugural edition in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 2012.

METALLICA was previously said to be contracted to host the band's Orion Music + More festival for two more years in Detroit, according to MLive.com. Drummer Lars Ulrich said last year in a radio interview, "Detroit was a great experience. We'd love to bring this thing back to Detroit. We've gotta sit down and look at the practical parts of it… It's not an easy thing to launch a festival, but we've had a lot of fun the last two years doing it, and we hope to bring it back to Detroit."

METALLICA surprised fans at Orion Music + More on June 8, 2013 by playing its 1983 debut disc "Kill 'Em All" from beginning to end on a smaller stage at the event. METALLICA was officially announced to play a headlining set on June 9 to close out the festival, but hit the stage at 4:30 p.m. one day earlier for a 10-song set that started with "Hit The Lights" and finished out with "Metal Militia".

The afternoon slot was officially taken by an "act" called DEHAAN — which METALLICA fans may have recognized as the name of actor Dane DeHaan, who is starring in the band's 3D movie, "Metallica Through The Never". Another hint was dropped when Hetfield posted a message on Instagram which read, "Don't miss Dehaan! #MUYA #mff #UwillRegretMissingThem #IfUdoUmightKillEmAll #winkWink #getIt?"

Hetfield came onstage first to introduce "DEHAAN," after which the rest of the members of METALLICA came out and began playing.

At the first Orion festival in 2012, METALLICA played both 1991's self-titled "black album" and 1984's "Ride The Lightning" in their entirety on separate nights.

Interview (audio):

Two years ago, "30th Anniversary - In The Power Of Now" saw HOLY MOSES close a chapter of its history; now the band is setting the course for the future: Germany’s most eminent thrash metal act is about to launch its latest studio recording, "Redefined Mayhem", on April 29 (one day earlier internationally).

The current HOLY MOSES lineup consisting of vocalist Sabina Classen, guitarist Peter Geltat, bassist Thomas Neitsch and drummer Gerd Lücking is ready to face new challenges in a permanently evolving metal genre.

"This is HOLY MOSES mark 2014, and 'Redefined Mayhem' defines a new chapter of our band history, proving also to our numerous young fans that we are one hundred percent in the here and now," explains Sabina Classen, adding: "We had to redefine ourselves as a band and gel as a team. There were people who voiced their doubts that it would work. But the new songs prove beyond all doubt that HOLY MOSES continue to be a force to be reckoned with." Last autumn, HOLY MOSES recorded a total of 13 new tracks at Sabina Classen and Thomas Neitsch's own studio (Neitsch also producing the album); "Redefined Mayhem" was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILITY, EXTOL) in Denmark.

Says Classen: "From the beginning, Tue really wanted to work with HOLY MOSES, he told us that our songs had provided the musical accompaniment to his adolescence and that he'd be proud to mix our new record." HOLY MOSES fans can expect a contemporary thrash metal offering which reflects the bandmembers' influence while skilfully forging an arch to the group's successful past with classics such as "Finished With The Dogs" (1987) and "The New Machine Of Liechtenstein" (1989). Classen says: "It's still first-rate thrash metal, fast-paced and powerful, chaotic at times but with a modern touch and amazingly multi-faceted guitars and drums."

Swedish/British metallers SONIC SYNDICATE have entered Bohus Sound studios in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, MUSTASCH) to record their fourth full-length album for a summer release via Nuclear Blast.

Commented SONIC SYNDICATE guitarist and main songwriter Robin Sjunnesson: "We've been writing songs for over a year now and it just feels sick to start laying these bad boys down.

"This album is feeling kind of dark, heavy and melodic which fits perfect with the January weather here in Scandinavia.

"We have Roberto Laghi sitting here in the driver's seat.

"Everything just feels perfect this time around.

"We've worked with Roberto in the past and have become good friends over the years, so this time around he'll be producing the album as well as mixing, which he's done with the last two albums.

"We have a few guests popping into the studio over the next two months, and for those who are interested, we'll be posting updates via all our social networks starting today, so join in the madness and hash tag our asses."

SONIC SYNDICATE will make appearances at various open-air festivals over the summer and will tour in the fall 2014, marking the band's first trek in over three years.

Finnish radio station Radio Rock recently conducted an exclusive interview with SONIC SYNDICATE's own Nathan J. Biggs to talk about the band's hiatus and the forthcoming glorious return. Check out the 10-minute chat in three parts below.

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

SONIC SYNDICATE 2014 is:

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

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

Fan-filmed video footage of legendary extreme-metal drummer Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENT, DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DETHKLOK) performing during the Bonzo Bash NAMM Jamm 2014 "The Ultimate Celebration To The Ultimate Drummer - John Henry Bonham Of Led Zeppelin" on January 23 at The Observatory, in Santa Ana, California can be seen below.

"Bonzo Bash" is the "celebration show" that John Bonham freak/worshipper/drum lifer Brian Thomas Tichy (WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER, OZZY OSBOURNE, BILLY IDOL) put together to pay tribute to the one and only drummer he has never stopped listening to and being inspired by since he was 10 years old.

In an interview with DRUM! magazine, Hoglan said: "The very first song I learned to play was 'The Rover' by LED ZEPPELIN. Not that I was a huge Bonham fan, but that drum beat at the beginning was a really cool drum lick."

To this day, Hoglan has never had a drum lesson in his life. The one time he did submit to a lesson, it turned into an embarrassment for the would-be instructor. "I did a few double-stroke rolls and he was like, 'Um, I can't even do that, so I don't think this lesson thing is going to work out.'"

In March, UMC/Mercury will issue THERAPY?'s 1994 tour de force, "Troublegum", as a superb 3 CD Deluxe Edition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album's original release. It will be released alongside a deluxe edition reissue of the following year's "Infernal Love". All of this will coincide with a short run of U.K. shows by THERAPY?, also in celebration of "Troublegum"'s 20th anniversary. The set on each night will feature "Troublegum" in its entirety plus a host of other musical treats from around the same era of their recording career, and will include rarely heard B-sides, the "ShortSharpShock", "Face The Strange" and "Opal Mantra" EPs.

The support on the tour will be hotly tipped British rockers LONELY THE BRAVE.

The tightly wound punk-metal of "Troublegum" propelled THERAPY? into the U.K. Top 5, sold 750,000 copies worldwide and spawned no less than five Top 40 singles ("Turn", "Nowhere", "Die Laughing", "Trigger Inside" and "Screamager", the lead cut from the 1993's "Shortsharpshock" EP), landing the band a Mercury Music Prize nomination in the process.

The black-hearted melancholia of 1995's "Infernal Love" was a radical departure for the trio. Bound together by Belfast-born DJ David Holmes' cinematic soundscapes, the album was a brooding, twisted, heroically unhinged affair.

More recently, THERAPY? has enjoyed success with its 2012 album "A Brief Crack Of Light", and has spent the last eighteen months touring mainland Europe, U.K., Ireland and beyond. Not content to sit on their laurels, they are currently working on a new studio album, due for release in late 2014.

U.K. hardcore outfit BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL will release its new album, "Suspension Of Consciousness", on April 7 via Siege Of Amida/Century Media. The band's fourth full-length CD will mark the recorded debut with the group of frontman Louis Gauthier and drummer Craig Reynolds, who joined the BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL cult during the international touring cycle for 2012's "Scatter The Ashes". Despite a bludgeoning live schedule which saw the band exporting their distinct and influential brand of down-tempo heaviness as far afield as Japan, Australia and Indonesia, BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL spent the majority of 2013 developing new material, eager to fully showcase the fresh blood in their ranks. November 2013 finally saw the quintet — completed by guitarists Ash Gray and Nick Rix and bassist Jordan Murray — enter the prestigious Monnow Valley Studios (BLACK SABBATH, LED ZEPPELIN, QUEEN).

As drummer Reynolds recalls: "We recorded through amazing vintage equipment.

"The entire album was tracked in just six days with the intensity of a live show; there was none of this computer reliant, digi-fix-this-fix-that shit that today's heavy scene has become so polluted with."

Once BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL's kinetic tracking session was complete, CONVERGE's Kurt Ballou was tasked with mixing duties, the veteran producer bringing his unique, inimitable snarl to a recording already bursting with feral aggression.

Brute force is far from all that "Suspension Of Consciousness" has to offer, with BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL drawing on a varied spectrum of influences this time around, from SLAYER and SLIPKNOT to BARONESS and CAVE IN, to bring new layers of depth and creativity to their sonic forge.

"This album is the first time we haven't held ourselves back in any way," says guitarist Ash Gray. "It still has some hallmarks of the classic BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL sound, but we also really pushed ourselves to progress and try new things, and no one more so than Louis — his performance really shines, and there are definitely some surprises throughout the record.

"The past year, culminating in this album, has been about much more than just a lineup change, this is a fresh start."

Following the successful release of their Prosthetic Records debut, "Blacklands", which earned the female-fronted doom trio a nomination for a Juno Award (Canada's Grammy equivalent) for "Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year," CASTLE will soon return to the studio to record a new album, with producer Billy Anderson (SLEEP, NEUROSIS) again overseeing the sessions.

Commented the band: "The next CASTLE record will be a culmination of the last two years of our life — a year and a half on the road in support of 'Blacklands' and the last six months holed up writing. The demos are done, the studio is booked and we were lucky enough to get Billy Anderson back to produce.

"The new record picks up where we left off with 'Blacklands' and, before that, 'In Witch Order'.

"There's a lot to sink your teeth into on the new record — killer riffs, big vocals — and if anything, it's about trying to harness the power that comes from playing night after night. It's going to sound huge and we can't wait to get it out."

The as-yet-untitled CD is expected to be released in the late spring.

CASTLE has also announced a Western European tour with U.K. doom group CONAN throughout April. Additional support will be added by Swedish rockers THE GRAVIATORS on select dates.

Since the release of "Blacklands" in 2012, CASTLE has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe, including appearances at Roadburn and Desertfest, in addition to playing alongside acts such as INTRONAUT, THE SWORD, DEMON LUNG and WITCH MOUNTAIN.

Originally conceived by guitarist, songwriter and producer Mat Davis as a solo project, CASTLE turned a meeting of hearts into the formation of a band. After meeting his wife Elizabeth Blackwell, who would become the group's vocalist and bassist, Davis also reached out to his longtime friend and musical collaborator Al McCartney from Toronto to play drums. The power trio released their debut album, "In Witch Order", via German label Van Records in 2011; it was revered by the press, including being named Metal Hammer Norway's "Album of the Year" in addition to leading the Roadburn festival to name the band "Newcomer of the Year." "Blacklands" earned similar acclaim, with Metal Hammer calling it "a tough alloy of purest classic metals — doom, thrash, epic and power — with dark, smoky lady vocals," and Exclaim! praising its "sinister sweetness" and "irresistible hooks."

Swedish grindcore powerhouse GADGET has entered the studio to record its third full-length LP and follow-up to 2006's "The Funeral March". The band is currently holed up in drummer William Blackmon's The Overlook Studios, recording and producing its first new material since 2010's split with PHOBIA. Guaranteed to be 100% true grindcore, the 18 songs were written sporadically since 2009 with the majority of new material manifesting in 2013. A fall 2014 release via Relapse Records is expected.

Guitarist Rikard Olsson commented: "Since it was so long ago we did an album, it still feels weird and kind of unreal!

"It's early to exactly say what the outcome will be like, but it's still the same four guys in the band, so it will be GADGET for sure. Perhaps a slightly more 'old-school' aproach to the songwriting (comes with age, I guess...), but we still have our death and doomy sludge parts thrown in the grinder!"

William added: "It's definitely more 'in your face' on this album — less death metal influenced, more old-school grindcore. Plus the mandatory doom parts, as Rikard mentioned."

British rockers CAGE THE GODS will release their full-length debut, "Badlands", in North America on March 25 via The End Records.

As featured in the recent issue of Classic Rock magazine 2014's "Hottest New Bands" double-page spread, CAGE THE GODS are new and exciting; they are British and young; they are cut from the same song writing die that has produced some of the biggest-selling and longest-lasting rock acts of a bygone era and who still manage to dominate a space in contemporary music culture today — THE ROLLING STONES, AC/DC, LED ZEPPELIN, FREE, BOSTON, THE BLACK CROWES, DEF LEPPARD, BON JOVI… the list, like the careers of the aforementioned, is endless and lasting.

Showcasing accomplished musicianship and well-crafted songs with a strong sense of modernity and relevance, the members of CAGE THE GODS share a common belief that above all else the songs and live performance should speak loudest. They revel on stage and perform with an explosive high-energy that exudes maturity and understanding of their craft well beyond their tender years.

In February, the group will tour Europe as main support to THE TREATMENT, with plans to hit U.S. shores this March for performances at SXSW in Austin, Texas.

"I can't wait to play in America, the home of rock 'n' roll, bourbon, buffalo wings and fake tits!...The real badlands!," says guitarist James "Jam" Moncur.

"Badlands" track listing:

01. Favourite Sin02. The Ending03. Sacrifice04. Badlands05. Trouble Reigns06. Bruce Willis07. Falling08. A Thousand Times09. One More Taste10. What's Left Of Me11. Promises12. Sacrifice (acoustic)13. Wake Up (bonus track)

The "Favourite Sin" video can be seen below.

Finnish composer/producer and guitar player Timo Tolkki has set "Angels Of The Apocalypse" as tht title of the follow-up to TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON's debut album, "The Land Of New Hope". Due in May via Frontiers Records, the CD will feature guest appearances by the following singers: * Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH, REVAMP, AFTER FOREVER)* Simone Simons (EPICA)* Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ANGRA)* David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE)* Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE)* Caterina Nix

Other musicians which will appear on the album include two other former members of STRATOVARIUS: Tuomo Lassila (STRATOVARIUS' founder) on drums and Antti Ikonen, the original keyboard player of STRATOVARIUS. Timo Tolkki has also announced a contest for guitar and keyboard players. Now you have the chance to play a solo with Timo Tolkki in one song of the album. Please send one MP3 that contains your solo playing to this email address: [email protected]
/* */
The winner will receive a backing track and will play his/her solos to this. The MP3s for the contest have to be received no later than February 16 to be considered.

Jansen sings lead vocals on the first single and promotional video from "Angels Of The Apocalypse". The single and the video will be made available in March.

The recordings for the new TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON CD are taking place at East Sound Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

Tolkki's sequel to his first metal opera will feature 11 tracks.

Fans can follow the progress of the making of the album, including writing and recording sessions and special cameos from the musicians and singers involved, from the new web site at this location.

To date, Timo Tolkki has sold over two million records in his career, has won a Finnish Grammy-equivalent and has been chosen by the readers of the American Guitar World magazine to Top 100 as "the fastest guitar player in the world" and "the most influential metal guitar player in the world." He has released 20 albums in his career and toured the world for over 3000 shows in 52 countries.

"King For A Day", the new video from German/Swedish power metallers PRIMAL FEAR, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's tenth studio album, "Delivering The Black", which was released on January 24 in Europe and January 28 in North America via Frontiers Records.

After some very intense songwriting sessions and pre-production schedule, the band started to record the new CD in summer 2013 at the House Of Music studios in Germany, with bassist/producer Mat Sinner and engineer Achim Köhler (EDGUY, MASTERPLAN). The band then moved to Denmark in September to finish the album, with acclaimed producer/engineer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PRETTY MAIDS, AMARANTHE) handling the mix at his Hansen studio in Ribe.

"Delivering The Black" combines the strongest PRIMAL FEAR moments ever, with a well-balanced typical PRIMAL FEAR trademark riff vibe, crushing songs and some very ambitious musical journeys. The centerpiece of the album are two epic tracks, "When Death Comes Knocking" and the 10-minute opus "One Night In December", spiced with big orchestral arrangements and complex sound designs.

Classic and ultra-fresh PRIMAL FEAR riff-rockers like the title track, the album opener "King For A Day" or the groove monsters "Alive And On Fire" and "Road To Asylum" hit the bulls-eye just like the untamed speed killer "Rebel Faction". The outstanding ballad "Born With A Broken Heart" shows a new side of PRIMAL FEAR with an acoustic guitar vibe and the addition of Liv Kristine (LEAVES' EYES) on backing vocals.

Says PRIMAL FEAR singer Ralf Scheepers: "We worked hard to create our best album ever. I already felt the vibe during the pre-production that we were working on something very special this time. And now the result is just an amazing metal album I'm extremely proud of!" Sinner adds: "The songs, the production, the sound — this album is a very special one for me and my career. In my view, everybody in the band just did a killer job and Jacob was fantastic choice to mix the album!"

The arrival of "Delivering The Black" was preceded by the release of the digital-only single/video "When Death Comes Knocking" on December 2 — a song which sets the pace for the outstanding quality of production and songwriting displayed on the full album.

"Delivering The Black" was made available in a regular CD edition, deluxe edition with two bonus tracks and — in cooperation with Soulfood Music — vinyl edition and DVD and limited edition (666 copies only!) of a super-deluxe version, including a metallic eagle.

"Delivering The Black" track listing:

01. King For A Day02. Rebel Faction03. When Death Comes Knocking04. Alive & On Fire05. Delivering The Black06. Road To Asylum07. One Night In December08. Never Pray For Justice09. Born With A Broken Heart10. Innocent Man *11. Inseminoid12. Man Without Shadow *13. When Death Comes Knocking (Single Edit) *

* Only available on deluxe edition

DVD (only available with deluxe edition)

* When Death Comes Knocking (video)* King For A Day (video)* Making Of The Album (video)

PRIMAL FEAR guitarist Magnus Karlsson is sitting out the band's touring activites during 2014 so that he can spend more time with his "little kids." Filling in for him is PRIMAL FEAR's founding member Tom Naumann.

PRIMAL FEAR will return to North America in the spring with a headlining run that is scheduled to launch April 29 in Baltimore, Maryland and wrap on May 24 in Rochester, New York.