New York hardcore legends SICK OF IT ALL have begun writing songs for their new album, tentatively due this fall via Century Media Records. Once again, the band will be teaming up with Danish producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, SUICIDE SILENCE) for what they describe as a "straight-up, old-school New York hardcore record."

While working on the follow-up to "Based On A True Story", SICK OF IT ALL will play Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, New Jersey on March 28 and United Blood in Richmond, Virginia on March 29. The band will also return to Europe in July and August for a festival run.

"Nonstop", an album of re-recorded SICK OF IT ALL classics, came out in October 2011 via Century Media Records.

After the release of the highly acclaimed "Based On A True Story" (2010), SICK OF IT ALL took a short break from relentlessly touring the record in early 2011 to hit Antfarm Studio again with Tue Madsen in order to celebrate their 25th anniversary with re-recordings of classic hits for "Nonstop".

The lyric video for the track "Words Of Wisdom" from Oklahoma hard rockers ANTI-MORTEM can be seen below. The song is taken from the group’s upcoming debut album, "New Southern", which was produced, recorded and mixed by Bob Marlette (BLACK STONE CHERRY, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, SHINEDOWN, ROB ZOMBIE). Look for "New Southern" on both physical and digital formats on April 18 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

"New Southern" track listing:

01. Words Of Wisdom02. New Southern03. 100% Pure American Rage04. Hate Automatic05. Black Heartbeat06. I Get Along With The Devil07. Path To Pain08. Wake Up09. Ride Of Your Life10. Stagnant Water11. Truckstop Special12. Jonesboro13. A Little Too Lose (bonus track; MR. BIG cover)
Formed in 2008 and fronted by vocalist Larado Romo, ANTI-MORTEM's lineup includes older brother-guitarist Nevada Romo, guitarist Zain Smith, bassist Corey Henderson and drummer Levi Dickerson. With over 300 shows to their name, these Chickasha, Oklahoma natives (aged between 18 and 22) spent their formative nights and weekends woodshedding their sound on the concert stage they built themselves in the Smith family barn (originally intended to store an old car collection).

While Zain's parents were away working on the weekends, ANTI-MORTEM would turn their barn rehearsal space into a makeshift venue and hone their chops by inviting friends and family in Chickasha over for an afternoon of gravel-throated vocals, crunch-laden riffs, thick grooves, and some good ol'-fashioned Southern hospitality.

Nuclear Blast Entertainment President Monte Conner states: "ANTI-MORTEM connect with a fist-to-the-face, combining the power of American heavy metal and the down-home flavor of the classic Southern rock and blues they were raised on. I've been watching them develop for the past two years and they are now ready to show the world how a good ass-kicking is delivered."

"We are beyond pumped to be signing with Nuclear Blast Entertainment and to have Monte Conner in our corner," shares ANTI-MORTEM vocalist Larado Romo. "We are looking forward to a very long worldwide career with Nuclear Blast and are excited to finally have the opportunity to spread our music and message."

ANTI-MORTEM's debut music video for "Stagnant Water" can be seen below. The track was produced by Provo Provenzano and the video was directed by Clark Deal — both fellow Oklahoma natives.

ANTI-MORTEM is:

Larado Romo - Lead Vocals 
Nevada Romo - Guitar
Zain Smith - Guitar
Corey Henderson - Bass
Levi Dickerson - Drums

For almost thirty years, Germany's MEKONG DELTA has enjoyed an excellent reputation as an independent and exceptionally creative band in the world of progressive metal sounds. Albums such as "The Music Of Eric Zann" (1988) and "Pictures At An Exhibition" (1997) are considered classics of their kind. With their blend of prog metal, classical elements and thrash, the musicians are considered pioneers of a stylistic mix which has been emulated by a considerable number of epigones. Now the German quartet is set to unleash its latest recording: "In A Mirror Darkly" will be out on April 29 (one day earlier internationally).

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

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

MEKONG DELTA recorded "In A Mirror Darkly" at the bandmembers’ respective home studios. The CD was produced by Hubert, while the spectacular cover artwork is expected to be borrowed from an animation created for the album.

Adds Hubert: "Thematically, the new recording will pick up where our 2010 release, 'Wanderer On The Edge Of Time', left off, although the new material is more loosely connected and only occasionally linked by little interludes."

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for the self-titled debut album from RED DRAGON CARTEL, the band led by former OZZY OSBOURNE and BADLANDS guitarist Jake E. Lee, can be seen below. Released on January 28 via Frontiers Records, the CD was recorded at Las Vegas' The Hideout Recording Studio — owned and operated by Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, IN THIS MOMENT) — and was produced by R. Bernard Mann (a.k.a. Ronnie Mancuso) and Jake E. Lee, and executive-produced, mixed and mastered by Churko.

RED DRAGON CARTEL, which references the axeman's Japanese roots, also features Darren "D.J." Smith of Canadian metallers WARMACHINE, on vocals, Ronnie Mancuso (BEGGARS & THIEVES) on bass and Jonas Fairley (BLACK BETTY) on drums.

Jake E. Lee is best known for his work in BADLANDS and as guitarist for OZZY OSBOURNE on "Bark At The Moon" and "The Ultimate Sin" albums.

"Red Dragon Cartel" also features various guest appearances from some of rock's most notable faces, including legendary CHEAP TRICK vocalist Robin Zander, former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno, KILL DEVIL HILL/ex-PANTERA bassist Rex Brown, Sass Jordan, Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz (SLASH) and IN THIS MOMENT frontwoman Maria Brink.

From the opening riff of "Deceived" to final sustained piano chord of "Exquisite Tenderness", it is clear RED DRAGON CARTEL has created a hard rock gem. Infectious songs such as "Shout It Out", "Wasted" and "Slave" showcase the band's ability to write memorable hooks and vocal melodies. Zander of lends his voice to the track "Feeder" and a lyric video for the song can be seen below.

"Red Dragon Cartel" track listing:

01. Deceived 02. Shout It Out03. Feeder (with Robin Zander)04. Fall From The Sky (Seagull)05. Wasted (with Paul Di'Anno)06. Slave07. Big Mouth (with Maria Brink)08. War Machine09. Redeem Me (with Sass Jordan) 10. Exquisite Tenderness

JAKE E. LEE'S RED DRAGON CARTEL's setlist includes new material like the singles "Feeder" and "Deceived", as well as major hits from Jake E. Lee's glorious past: "Bark At The Moon", "The Ultimate Sin" and "Rock 'N' Roll Rebel" (all originally recorded by OZZY OSBOURNE), as well as "Shine On" and "High Wire" (BADLANDS).

"Last Call For Alcohol", the new video from Swedish sleaze rockers HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest album, "C'mon Take On Me", which was released in Europe on March 1, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Split Your Lip" was produced by the bandmembers themselves and mixed by Randy Staub (METALLICA, MÖTLEY CRÜE, THE CULT).

"C'mon Take On Me" was made available as a CD in slipcase, as a digital download, on black vinyl and on strictly limited pink vinyl (only available at the Nuclear Blast mailorder).

Commented HARDCORE SUPERSTAR drummer Magnus "Adde" Andreasson: "We came up with the idea [for the 'C'mon Take On Me' cover] during the recordings of the album. It's just so sexy when a woman jumps into a drum kit — what could be more exciting? We discussed the concept with photographer Micke Johansson, who loved the idea. What we especially like about it is the combination of sex and bruises!"

E-FORCE, the band led by former VOIVOD frontman Eric Forrest, will release its third album, "The Curse…", on April 11 via Mausoleum Records.

"The Curse…" track listing:

01. Invitation02. Perverse Media03. Witch Wrk04. Serpent's Kiss 05. Awakened06. Psyclone07. Devoured08. Mass Deception09. Your Beloved Hate 10. Infexxxous11. The Curse Of The C**t

Audio samples are available at this location.

The current E-FORCE lineup features the return of Krof on drums, a member of the 2005 European touring lineup, and introduces Xav on guitar.

"The Curse…"'s lyrical concept attempts to explain "the power of women and what some guys (and some women) will do to get a piece of the action," according to Eric. He added, "I don t think man has changed in, say, the last 2,000 years. Say from Jesus Christ hanging with hookers to the Cleopatra/Caesar time to the modern-day dilemma of Tiger Woods, for example. The list goes on."

E-FORCE released its sophomore album, "Modified Poison", in February 2008 via France's Thundering Records. The CD, which was recorded at a studio in Toulouse, France with producer Patrick Freidrich, includes collaborations with Colin-Tocquaine as well as Tim and Kevin Guttierez of PROJECT: FAILING FLESH. Moreover, Eric decided to re-record/cover a song from the unreleased VOIVOD 2001 demo as a tribute to late VOIVOD guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour.

E-FORCE's debut album, "Evil Forces", came out in October 2003 via Season Of Mist Records.



Interview:

"Left For Dead", the new video from Southern California metallers WINDS OF PLAGUE, can be seen below.The song is taken from the band's fourth album, "Resistance", which sold around 2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 165 on The Billboard 200 chart. Issued on October 29, 2013 via Century Media Records, the CD was recorded with producer Will Putney, who has previously worked with SHADOWS FALL and SUICIDE SILENCE, among others.

WINDS OF PLAGUE's third full-length CD, 2011's "Against The World", sold 8,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 60 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"We wrote and recorded our fourth full-length record in late 2012," the band told AltPress.com in a statement. "For various reasons, we decided to wait until late 2013 to release it, not the least of which was to ensure that we had given enough time to listen to, analyze and absorb the record for ourselves. It was an extremely odd way to go about preparing for a record release, but it allowed us to be 100 percent certain that this was the record that best represented what we have become as a band.

"It's definitely a cliche these days, but after a year of listening to the record and anticipating its release, [we] can say with complete honesty that this is the best WINDS OF PLAGUE record to date.

"We are confident that old fans will be able to really dig into the new record and we're hopeful that new listeners can find this record and see something in WINDS OF PLAGUE that is new and fresh."

WINDS OF PLAGUE in 2012 parted ways with drummer Art Cruz due to creative differences. Sitting behind the kit during the studio sessions for the new album was Brandon Gallindo (ex-DEAD IN EXISTENCE).

Reunited '80s cult metal outfit SANCTUARY will enter Jack Endino's Soundhouse Studios in Seattle on Superbowl Sunday (February 2) with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SOULFLY, SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, MUNICIPAL WASTE) to begin recording its long-awaited band's "comeback" album, "The Year The Sun Died", due later in the year via Century Media Records.

In 2010, four of the founding SANCTUARY members — Warrel Dane, Jim Sheppard, Lenny Rutledge and Dave Budbill — came together for a few select reunion performances. At first, it was just going to be a handful of shows, but the response and chemistry on stage was so overwhelming that the guys changed their minds. Now, some 20 years after they left off, SANCTUARY will continue with their unique mix of U.S. power metal, hard rock and progressive elements and begin work on a new LP.

To complete the lineup, Brad Hull (FORCED ENTRY) will be filling in for former guitar player Sean Blosi. Commented Dane: "Having been with Century Media since 1995 with NEVERMORE, it was a very comfortable decision for SANCTUARY to sign with them. Century Media has a great team that always delivers for all of their bands. I've known most of them on a first name basis for many years and I look forward to this new chapter in history." Added Rutledge: "I can speak for every member of SANCTUARY when I say we are all excited to join the Century Media family. We now have the opportunity to work with the best metal record label on the planet. We are looking forward to creating great music with an awesome team behind us." SANCTUARY released the classic albums "Refuge Denied" and "Into The Mirror Black" during its short existence between 1985 and 1992. Following the band's split, Dane and Sheppard formed NEVERMORE. Asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for SANCTUARY's new CD, Dane told GetYourRockOut in August 2012, "We've got so much stuff written that it's hard to sort through, but we played two new songs [at the Bloodstock Open Air festival]. We played the one ballad, it's called 'I Am Low', and we played another one called 'The World Is Wired'. Some of the other stuff is a little heavier, but those songs, I think, are… Sometimes the stuff that isn't as heavy is stronger, so that's why we picked those."

He added, "I don't think anybody is gonna be disappointed, because I am involved in the creative process and I know what's going on and I know where we're going and I know it's gonna be killer."

Regarding how SANCTUARY's reformation came about, Dane told Rock My Monkey TV, "[SANCTUARY guitarist Lenny Rutledge and I] always talked to each other, but never really been friends again. And when the whole thing came about, that we were actually friends again, that's when we started talking more about doing it. And it definitely wasn't because NEVERMORE was imploding... which it was, at that point . . . We all just started talking with each other again. That was kind of the groundwork for it. And then we started saying, 'Well, gosh, let's make music again.' And my god! Lenny is writing some stuff that is so friggin great! Obviously, he's been bottling this up for years, because he really hasn't been doing anything... Well, he's had bands here and there. But he's really writing some great stuff that's really inspiring me, and making me fall in love with music again, with the creative process... everything that revolves around that. Really inspiring me to write really evil lyrics."

On the topic of the sound of SANCTUARY's upcoming studio album, Dane said, "This record is not going to sound like the other two. It might sound very similar to the second one ('Into The Mirror Black'). It's definitely not going to sound like the first one, because we're all a little bit older and I can't come up with a c-clamp for a scrotum and a helium tank . . . It's not going to sound like the old ones... it's 2011. It's still gonna be that good, I think, and there's gonna be high-pitched screaming. I'm making sure of that. With NEVERMORE, high-pitched screaming was never really called for. You know, with SANCTUARY... of course it is."

SANCTUARY's current lineup:

Warrel Dane - VocalsLenny Rutledge - GuitarBrad Hull - GuitarsJim Sheppard - BassDave Budbill - Drums

Photo credit: TKZ Photography

"The World Is Wired" (new song) performance:

The video for the song "An Endless Celebration" from Swedish death metallers DEMONICAL can be seen below. The clip was filmed in Bucharest, Romania during the band's "Darkness Unbound" European tour, which took place in October 2013. The track if taken from the band's fourth full-length album, "Darkness Unbound", which was released on September 20, 2013 in Europe via Cyclone Empire and November 12, 2913 in North America through Metal Blade Records. The CD, which was made available as a limited first-pressing digipack and LP, was once again recorded at Necromorbus Studios in Stockholm. It was mixed and mastered by the band's vocalist, Sverker Widgren, at Wing Studios in Stockholm.

"Darkness Unbound" track listing:

01. Darkness Unbound02. The Order03. An Endless Celebration04. Contempt and Conquest05. King of All06. The Healing Control07. Hellfire Empire08. Words Are Death09. Deathcrown10. The Great Praise 11. World Beyond (KREATOR cover) *12. Burned Alive (re-recording) **

* bonus track on the limited digi-CD and LP** bonus track on the limited digi-CD

DEMONICAL's new lineup is as follows (left to right in photo):

Daniel Gustavsson - GuitarJohan Haglund - GuitarSverker Widgren - VocalsÄmir Batar - Drums Martin Schulman - Bass

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich spoke to Hit Fix on the red carpet of the 56th annual Grammy Awards, which was held Sunday night (January 26) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. You can watch the chat, during which the 50-year-old musician was joined by his fiancée, 29-year-old model Jessica Miller, below.

Asked if METALLICA is going to make another movie following last year's "Metallica Through The Never", Ulrich laughed and replied: "One at a time." He then added: "The next thing we have to give birth to is another record, so that's the focus for '14 and '15."

Regarding whether METALLICA fans can expect to see the follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic" before the end of this year, Ulrich said: "I would say [it] definitely [will] not [be released] before '15."

Lars also spoke about how making the "Through The Never" movie got METALLICA re-energized to do what they do best: make music.

"[Working on the film] gave us a chance to experience a whole other way of being creative and having a creative outlet," he said. "We were very inspired by making that [movie], and now we're energized to make a record. The film was fun, but it's all about the next record."

Ulrich recently spoke to U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine about METALLICA's mindset going into the songwriting phase for the band's next album. He explained: "The only thing I can tell you is that there seems to be a consensus in the band that 'Death Magnetic' was a really good record that we're proud of, that had good legs on it — meaning that it still sounds really rocking five years later. And I can tell you that with most of the previous METALLICA records, I found any faults, I had any issues with them way, way sooner than five years. So the stuff that we've been jamming on is certainly not a million miles removed from where we left off from 'Death Magnetic'. But two years from now, when I sit and talk to you about the new record, it'll probably be a different story from the six-year-old looking for the ice cream shop."

A young hardcore/metal music fan has died after sustaining injuries during a stage dive that went wrong at a "Persistence Tour" concert in Switzerland last week.

According to the Solothurner Zeitung newspaper, the 28-year-old Solothurn man dove off the stage into the audience during the January 22 show, which was headlined by SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and featured additional performances by TERROR, STRIFE and EVERGREEN TERRACE. "Unfortunately, crowd members failed to properly catch him and he fell to the ground," said Pipo Kofmehl, head of the Kulturfabrik Kofmehl venue in Solothurn, where the event took place.

At first, it looked like a harmless incident. "A security guard responded immediately, helped the young man and our emergency unit reacted as well," said Kofmehl. The 28-year-old was seen walking around shortly after the fall and he reportedly washed his hands and expressed a desire to go home. "Our team decided, however, that he should immediately seek hospital care," Kofmehl added.

Apparently, that's when complications occurred. The 28-year-old had an epileptic seizure, according to Kofmehl, and died on Friday (January 24) at the Bern University Hospital.

"This is a huge concern for us," said Kofmehl, who has been in contact with the family of the deceased concertgoer.

"The whole thing is very, very tragic."

Thalia Schweizer, a spokeswoman for the State Police, confirmed that the tragic incident took place and said that the authorites had not learned about what happened until Thursday.

"It was an accident," said Schweizer.

The prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the incident, as is common for deaths under special circumstances.

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe was was found not guilty last year iin connection with the death of a fan in the Czech Republic four years ago.

Blythe was facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a May 2010 incident in which Daniel Nosek, who attended a LAMB OF GOD performance in Prague, died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.

Swedish metallers EVERGREY have inked a deal with AFM Records. The band, led by frontman Tom S. Englund, is currently working on a brand new studio album, to be released later this year.

Englund checks in from Division Two Studios, Sweden: "I am sitting here in what feels like the black heart of distorted guitars and heavy drums trying to sort what material to be chosen for the new EVERGREY album that will be brought to you by our new record label AFM!

"While the music might be the most contemplated and dark pieces we have written, and while the sheer amount of music we have the pleasure to choose from is more than ever, we are super psyched and pleased to have chosen a label that believes in EVERGREY!

"AFM are certain that we have a lot more to contribute to the world of music and we can promise you that they are right. On top of that, it is about damn time that our fans get some new and fresh metal!

"While we at this moment are hindered to speak about the new members — this will be totally understandable when we announce it — they are known to some people and some might never have heard of them, BUT we can tell you that they are as excited as the rest of us and have already brought in 50% of the material written so this album will be a 100% band effort!

"We will release two singles, one complemented with a video produced by our bud Patric Ullaeus and Revolver Film Company (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE, KAMELOT). We will also film our every step of the recording process for you to enjoy at a continuous and steady pace on our different social media channels, making this the most accessible album we have made to date. We will also arrange interviews with each and every member during the recording process together with some really cool ideas for the booklet of the CD itself. More on this soon!

"The album will be recorded in a few different studios and mixed in Denmark at Hansen studios by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, AMARANTHE, EPYSODE, PRETTY MAIDS, DORO and more).

"We are currently planning some cool release shows for different territories and honestly can't wait for YOU to hear our music, as we are thrilled, more than pleased and stoked with what we come up with!

"And oh, yeah, the title is also set and will be revealed soon!

"Watch out for A LOT more from us!"

EVERGREY released "A Decade And A Half", a two-disc greatest-hits collection, in North America in November 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer. This deluxe package contained previously unreleased songs, live tracks and an extensive booklet. EVERGREY's latest album, "Glorious Collision", sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 49 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

EVERGREY's most recent lineup included Englund and keyboardist Rikard Zander alongside new members Marcus Jidell (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums) and Johan Niemann (bass).

Skol Records will reissue the classic S.A. SLAYER ("San Antonio SLAYER") album "Go For The Throat" along with the "Prepare To Die" EP, on a "2 on 1" CD compilation.

"Go For The Throat" was recorded in 1984 and released on limited-edition vinyl LP four years later, while the "Prepare To Die" EP was recorded and released in 1983. The Skol Records release is the first-ever official CD reissue of this material, and will include original artwork, and thick booklet with all lyrics and many rare photos of the band. The album will be released on February 28 and will be available in North America via Shadow Kingdom Records. The initial pressing is limited to only 500 copies. "It's both honor and pleasure to make this reissue on Skol Records, as not only it's one of my personal favorites when it comes to U.S. metal, but it's also an absolutely legendary band," says Skol Records CEO Bart Gabriel. "Our mission is to bring back from the grave as many cult and classic '80s and '90s metal releases as possible, and S.A. SLAYER has always been at the top of the list." S.A. SLAYER started as SLAYER, but since there was already another SLAYER around — promoting their debut album "Show No Mercy" — the San Antonio-based act had to modify its name. Both bands played together on November 30, 1984, in San Antonio: bootleg LP from that show titled "Slayer X S.A. Slayer" sometimes show up on eBay, and usually reach prices ranging from $500 to $600.

S.A. SLAYER was active between 1982 and 1984, and featured in its ranks such musicians as Dave McClain (MACHINE HEAD, SACRED REICH), Don Van Stavern (RIOT, EVIL UNITED), Ron Jarzombek (WATCHTOWER), and singer Steve Cooper (known from JUGGERNAUT and NARITA, the project Mark Reale launched in the mid-'80s when RIOT was put on hold).

Detroit metalcore act ASSASSINS has signed a North American record deal with eOne Music/Good Fight Music. The band's new album, "War Of Aggression", will be released on March 18.

Comments ASSASSINS frontman Todd Jansen: "It is truly a humbling experience to have all of our hard work recognized, especially by those who I respect and have looked up to for a significant portion of my life.

"This news is just the beginning.

"The real work starts now.

"Working with Good Fight and eOne gives ASSASSINS the platform it needs to reach new heights and ambitions. We will make them proud of the trust they've decided to put into us.

"I am very much looking forward to seeing and meeting all of our fans on tour, because without them none of this would be possible.

"We are here are because of those who believe in us. Myself and the rest of the band do not take that for granted.

"I hope everyone is as stoked about this news, and our debut full-length as much as we are.

"I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us!" ASSASSINS will head out on the road this winter supporting CARNIFEX. Before that, the band will play a small batch of shows with BEYOND THE SHORE on the bill.

Formed in 2010, ASSASSINS uses its music to wake its audience up to the world they live in and find the balance between questioning authority and establishing self-identity by any means necessary. They've made their name known by touring the U.S. and sharing their message wherever it will be heard. "War Of Aggression" is the next step in the band's budding career, a release that is sure to be a staple in the band's growing catalog.

Guitarists Paul Allender and James McIllroy of British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH will both sit out the band's European co-headlining tour with BEHEMOTH due to "hugely important family matters" and "serious neck surgery," respectively. Filling in for them will be Ashok of Czech groups ROOT and INNER FEAR and Richard Shaw of English acts EMPEROR CHUNG and NG26.

Comments CRADLE OF FILTH vocalist Dani "Filth" Davey: "It is with considerable amount of sadness and some awful twist of fate that we announce the absence of both Paul and James as CRADLE OF FILTH guitarists on this forthcoming European co-headliner with BEHEMOTH. This horrible and unprecedented turn of events is due to Paul having some hugely important family matters arise and James having his forthcoming serious neck surgery appointment moved forward by a couple of months.

"Not wanting to pull the tour so late in the day (and with the awful spectre of the cancelled U.S. tour this time last year looming grimly over us), swift deliberation was made by Martin, Daniel, Lindsay, myself, band management and the Crewdle, to bring in two friends of the band who knew the material as temporary replacements. A long shot at first, this is actually going to keep the band on the road and firing at 100 per cent when we hit Europe at the end of next week.

"Paul apologises profusely for his absence, but wanted to let everyone know that he wouldn't desert a tour if it wasn't for something of the gravest importance to his family.And James sent this through to explain the insidious horror he faces…

'Hi Dani, I am heading towards the operation date for the nerve damage in my arm that has been f**king me up for the last few tours, especially the Asia-Australian one last year. I'm kind of ignoring it a bit, as it's a bit weird… Basically, they are slicing my neck open from the front (well, a minor incision) moving all the things in my throat to one side (windpipe, gloopy bits, everything you can imagine), and then replacing the broken disc in my neck with a spanking new plastic one. The same broken disc that has spilt out in to the nerve canal in my neck, quite possibly due to years of excessive onstage head-banging!!!

"'Tell everyone I am sorry but if I don't have this done now my head will probably fall off!'

"So there you have it! A proper f**king nightmare that we shall endeavour to resolve with all the resolve we can muster.

"Our thoughts are with our glum compatriots."

2014 marks the 20th anniversary of "The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh", the historic debut album from CRADLE OF FILTH on Cacophonous Records. To honor this momentous occasion, CRADLE OF FILTH is planning a whole smorgasbord of exciting stuff, including the first-ever CRADLE OF FILTH comic, the release of a career-spanning double disc best-of, and, of course, the subsequent touring.

The story for CRADLE OF FILTH's upcoming adult comic book was scripted by the comic writer Kurt Amacker (with assistance from the band's singer, Dani Filth). Several artists are in the process of mocking up some example pages for the prospective publishers. Dani previously stated about the project: "I am very excited about this venture, as it promises to be a very adult story woven straight from the CRADLE OF FILTH universe, featuring a liberated Oscar Wilde, the Demoness Lilith, nefarious sexual magickal practices and an errant Suffolk Lord who is in the unenviable process of being charged under 19th-century blasphemy laws, discovering himself engaged in a nightmarish occult netherworld."

CRADLE OF FILTH's tenth studio album, "The Manticore And Other Horrors", sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 96 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous full-length effort, "Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa", opened with 5,800 units in November 2010 to land at No. 99.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine will be a featured soloist with the San Diego Symphony in April in a program that will include Wagner's "Ride Of The Valkyries" from "Die Walküre", Vivaldi's "Winter" from "The Four Seasons" and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 (the "New World" symphony). The classical special concert, billed as "Symphony Interrupted" will take place at Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego, California on Saturday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m. Ticket are on sale now at SanDiegoSymphony.org.

In a brand new interview with Metal Sanaz conducted at this past weekend's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, Mustaine revealed that he will use a special instrument during the performance. "Dean Guitars has made a unique guitar for me that looks like a copy of a Stradivarius violin that had a baby flying V," he said. "And it's an amazing guitar."

Speaking to the Phoenix New Times last fall, Mustaine stated about the upcoming San Diego Symphony concert: "Yeah, that is pretty bizarre." He continued: "When we first started talking about that, it was kind of in passing. I was in England, actually, and someone said they would be interested in seeing my interpretation of the classics, because I'm very classically influenced. It's what I like to listen to, but it's not like I played it. It was tossed around and it went from me being someone who would do a narrative of classical stuff to someone actually playing it. I was pretty excited, but then they sent over their first two songs that they want me to play, which was some Vivaldi stuff, and as I listened to it I was, like, 'This is really difficult stuff.'

"When you're playing out of a guitar, it's a different mentality, and when you play it on a violin, the strings are tuned differently, so it's like going from playing tennis to handball. The same principle still, but a totally different finesse."

Mustaine also spoke about how his involvement with the San Diego Symphony might change perceptions about heavy metal musicians in general. "I think that it helps again, like in 1992, when I covered the Democratic National Convention, it really helps our genre," he said. "Because people don't really think very highly or widely, for another variable on that, when they think about heavy metal people. They think we're limited on the scope of how we are educated and what we're made up like. And I think doing this will be really great, because a lot of metal people are gonna see some really cool music, and a lot of stuffy old classical people will see some great guitar playing. I think it will be really weird seeing people in the audience with monacles and tuxedos and some guy will stand up and yell, 'Fuck yeah, Dave!' [laughs]"

Michael Sweet, frontman for the Chiristian hard rock band STRYPER, will release a new full-length solo album, "I'm Not Your Suicide", and his first autobiography, "Honestly: My Life And Stryper Revealed", on May 6 via BIG3 Records.

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

The future remains bright for Sweet, who has endured heartbreaking tribulations throughout his life and career, including the 2009 passing of his wife of more than 22 years, Kyle. In 2010, Sweet remarried to Lisa Champagne-Sweet, a woman he describes as "a Godsend and the one who fits perfectly by my side."

Sweet continues to record and tour with STRYPER, as well as touring and recording as a solo artist, all the while making frequent trips to Nashville where he is writing with some of the biggest music writers in the business.

"After 30 years in this business, I feel honored and blessed to be able to continue doing what it is I love, making music," said Sweet.

"I'm extremely thankful to have the greatest fans in the world.

"God has blessed me with this talent and I plan to continue on this path as long as I can draw breath."

Sweet's autobiography, "Honestly: My Life And Stryper Revealed", chronicles an amazing 30-year career and includes endorsements from Eddie Trunk, Dave Mustaine, Larry The Cable Guy, Jeordie White and Chris Jericho. Among the topics covered are:

* How Michael Sweet formed the first Christian rock band to hit #1 on MTV, paving the way for an entire genre of music.
* First-hand stories of the Sunset Strip, with never-before-told stories that include friends and musical peers such as POISON, MÖTLEY CRÜE, RATT, WHITESNAKE, METALLICA and more.
* How Jimmy Swaggart and Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker played a role in Michael's life.
* The temptations and ultimate low-points of a notable Christian rock star.
* Never-before-revealed stories of life behind the scenes in STRYPER.
* Why so many people have declared Michael Sweet a significant influence on their lives; from Larry The Cable Guy to professional wrestler Chris Jericho to Haitian musician and politician Wyclef Jean and more.
* Losing his wife to cancer and re-marrying shortly thereafter.
* An honest look at Sweet's often tumultuous family relationships.
* The unlikely relationship between Sweet and national radio personality Don Imus.
* What led to the decline and fall of STRYPER in 1992, and subsequent reunion and rebirth in 2001.

With the upcoming and long-overdue solo album, Sweet is finally delivering the project fans have been patiently waiting for. Produced by Sweet himself, "I'm Not Your Suicide" includes special appearances by Tony Harnell (TNT), Kevin Max (DCTALK, AUDIO ADRENALINE), Chris Jericho (FOZZY), Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE), Electra Mustaine (daughter of MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine) and STRYPER bandmates Robert Sweet and Timothy Gaines. Legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff (CHICKENFOOT) played on the record as well.

"I'm Not Your Suicide" track listing:

01. Taking On The World Tonight (featuring Tony Harnell)
02. All That's Left (For Me To Prove)
03. The Cause
04. This Time (featuring Kevin Max)
05. I'm Not Your Suicide (co-written with Blair Daly)
06. Coming Home
07. Miles Away
08. Strong
09. How To Live (featuring Robert Sweet and Timothy Gaines of Stryper)
10. Heart Of Gold
11. Anybody Else (featuring Chris Jericho and Doug Aldrich)
12. Unsuspecting
13. Heart Of Gold (featuring Electra Mustaine) (bonus Track)

MINDWARS was formed when Roby Vitari (drums; formerly of JESTER BEAST) contacted Mike Alvord (guitar/vocals; formerly of HOLY TERROR) about putting together a project in the vein of classic speed/thrash metal and NWOBHM.

Since leaving HOLY TERROR in 1989, Mike has been absent from the music scene with the exception of helping prepare the HOLY TERROR compilation "El Revengo". However, his love of bands like MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH, ANGEL WITCH, IRON MAIDEN and SLAYER never left him as he continued writing material in this vein. Roby's idea interested Mike and the two began sharing material through the Internet. Pleased with the results, they decided to launch a band. They settled on the name MINDWARS and solicited the efforts of Danny Z on bass to round out this power trio.

MINDWARS is set to release a full-length record in 2014.

MINDWARS is:

Mike Alvord: Guitar/VocalsRoby Vitari: DrumsDanny Z: Bass

Germany's IRON SAVIOR will release its new album, "Rise Of The Hero", on February 28 via AFM Records. The Japanese edition of the CD will arrive on February 19 through Avalon.

"Rise Of The Hero" track listing:

01. Ascendence (Intro) 02. Last Hero 03. Revenge Of The Bride 04. From Far Beyond Time 05. Burning Heart 06. Thunder From The Mountains 07. Iron Warrior 08. Dragon King 09. Firestorm10. The Demon 11. Fistraiser 12. Dance With Somebody (MANDO DIAO cover) 13. I've Been To Hell 2014 (Ltd. Ed)

The song "Burning Heart" can be streamed below.

IRON SAVIOR will play a special release show for "Rise Of The Hero" on February 27 at Hard Rock Café St. Pauli in Hamburg, Germany.

IRON SAVIOR likes to surprise its fans from time to time. Who would have expected a cover version of MANDO DIAO's "Dance With Somebody" from the Hamburg-based band? Well, whatever works is allowed. So frontman Piet Sielck admits that "Dance With Somebody" was originally recorded to become a bonus track for the limited edition of the new CD, "but we simply liked it too much and finally decided to make it a regular album track."

IRON SAVIOR's latest album, "The Landing", was released on November 18, 2011 via AFM Records.

"Numb And Sick", the new video from Hungarian extreme metallers EKTOMORF, can be seen below. The song, which features a guest appearance by ILL NINO vocalist Cristian Machado, is taken from EKTOMORF's new album, "Retribution", which will be made available on January 31 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2012's "Black Flag" is described in a press release as a "first-class fist-in-your-face album, displaying heavy grooves and sheer power in the best of ways. Refining and bringing things to perfection was the goal, and this has been achieved impressively."

According to a press release, "Numb And Sick" gives another new flavor to a record that clearly points out that EKTOMORF, even 20 years after its foundation in 1993, is still a raging, energetic force with the intensity of a bulldozer.

"Retribution" was again mixed and mastered by the band's longtime producer Tue Madsen (Antfarm Studios).

"Retribution" track listing:

01. You Can’t Control Me02. Ten Plagues03. Face Your Fear04. Escape05. Who The Fuck Are You06. Numb And Sick07. Lost And Destroyed08. Souls Of Fire09. I Hate You10. Watch Me11. Mass Ignorance12. Save Me13. Whisper14. Collapsed Bridge

EKTOMORF's lyrics reflect this situation and deal with discrimination, society, pain and anger but show a strong will to survive and overcome all problems. Their music combines the burning fire of the primal gypsy music with modern elements: groovy, downtuned guitar riffs and aggressive drums, supplemented by powerful and raw screaming vocals became their trademarks.

Legendary progressive rock innovators CYNIC — consisting of guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal, drummer Sean Reinert and bassist Sean Malone — will release their new album, "Kindly Bent To Free Us", on February 14 via Season Of Mist. The CD was produced by CYNIC at L.A.'s Perfect Sound Studios. The effort was engineered by Jason Donaghy (BAND OF HORSES, FEIST, ROB ZOMBIE, RYAN ADAMS), mixed by R. Walt Vincent (PETE YORN, LIZ PHAIR, TOMMY KEENE) and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (FATES WARNING, SEPULTURA, CATHEDRAL, INQUISITION, HALFORD).

The artwork for "Kindly Bent To Free Us" was created by longtime and sadly late CYNIC artist Robert Venosa.

"Kindly Bent To Free Us" track listing:

01. True Hallucination Speak02. The Lion's Roar03. Kindly Bent To Free Us04. Infinite Shapes05. Moon Heart Sun Head06. Gitanjali07. Holy Fallout08. Endlessly Bountiful09. Earth Is My Witness (deluxe CD book exclusive bonus track)

The official lyric video for the song "True Hallucination Speak" can be seen below. About the new material, Reinert said: "It's a bold new sound for CYNIC and marks a gigantic leap in the band's progression. We've had a lot of time to let this material develop and gestate, and it finally feels ready to be unleashed on the world. I've been in trio mode with Malone and Masvidal flushing out a zillion and one details, and couldn't be happier about what's happening with these songs. They are truly alive!"

In a February 2012 interview with Ireland's Molten magazine, Masvidal described the band's new music in the following way: "It's almost like, I don't know how to explain it, but if I had to put it in a box it's more sci-fi, futuristic and alien but at the same time very song-driven. It's kind of like, to me, coming into CYNIC's body more. It feels very modern and at the same time it just feels really cool. I'm big in the space. It's definitely new. It's not like anything we've done before. It's a new color, a new space. I think people will really take note of even the guitar stuff. I'm really shifting gears, I'm trying things in a different way and the way stuff is played. It's a new space for CYNIC, for sure. It definitely sounds like us, except completely new."

CYNIC's latest EP, "Carbon-Based Anatomy", was released in November 2011 via Season Of Mist. The CD artwork was designed by the great Robert Venosa, the artist behind the covers of CYNIC's previous releases "Focus", "Traced in Air" and "Re-Traced".

CYNIC was joined by Brandon Giffin on bass and Max Phelps on guitar and vocals during the group's North American and European tours in support of "Carbon-Based Anatomy".

German alcoholic thrashers TANKARD will enter Studio 23 in Frankfurt, Germany this eek to begin recording the follow-up to their acclaimed 2012 album "A Girl Called Cerveza". Entitled "R.I.B." (Rest In Beer), the new CD will be released in the summer of 2014 via Nuclear Blast.

Taking inspiration from the motto "never change a winning team," TANKARD is working with producer Michael Mainx (BÖHSE ONKELZ, DER W, D-A-D, DISBELIEF), who helmed the band's last effort. TANKARD has also chosen to use Patrick Strogulski, who created the artwork for "A Girl Called Cerveza" and is also a student of Sebastian Krüger, the artist that was responsible for TANKARD's previous album artwork up to the 2012 release.

Comments Mainx: "Three times is the charm — I'm totally looking forward to have my hands on the controllers for TANKARD for the third time in year 2 after the band anniversary! Only a few more days left before we will take off recording 'R.I.B.' at Frankfurt studio. This is gonna be interesting..."

Adds TANKARD vocalist Andreas "Gerre" Geremia: "We can hardly wait to be nailing down 10 new songs with Micha and are looking forward to a hopefully productive collaboration!"

Norwegian/American hard rockers TNT played their second official reunion show with singer Tony Harnell on January 18 at Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Harnell confirmed his reunion with TNT in October 2013, explaining in a statement: "After much discussion and lots of soul searching, I'm happy to officially announce that I'll be back behind the microphone with TNT.

"I'm very proud of all we accomplished over the years and proud to have written and recorded all those great songs with my brother from another mother, Ronni Le Tekrø.

"Sometimes it's just time to give the fans what they're asking for.

"2014 is the 25th anniversary of the successful 'Intuition' album and we thought it would be a good time to get out and relaunch this little machine for you guys!

"Can't wait to see you all on tour!"

In August 2013, TNT parted ways with its frontman of the past seven years, British vocalist Tony Mills (ex-SHY). He explained in a statement: "Maybe we did 500 shows or something like that, but not many out of Norway.

"It has been the most prolific live period in my career, and when I felt the stagnancy and the lack of desire to grow and develop any further, I knew my time was done with the band.

"I don't think it's sensible to expect new art from the band after thirty years, just a lot of re-living the past and reconstructions of old albums and performances.

"None of us are getting any younger, but I have a great desire to not stop creativity in my life. I hate wasting days and singing songs from the past to satisfy old fans.

"Nostalgia wasn't doing it for me.

"We were never close as friends or anything like that, so there is no great loss, and I have no doubt they will reform the original lineup and just do the whole thing all over again. I wish them good luck on that. I have other releases to come that excite me much more than that."

Harnell rejoined TNT on stage for their 30th-anniversary concert on June 2, 2012 at the Clarion Hotel in Trondheim, Norway. The group performed a special setlist while accompanied by the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra (Trondheim Symfoniorkester). Also making a special appearance with the band was TNT's original singer, Dag Ingebrigtsen.

After leaving TNT in 2006, Harnell was replaced by Mills, who has since appeared on three studio albums from the band: 2007's "The New Territory", 2008's"Atlantis" and 2010's "A Farewell To Arms".

Harnell's final release as a member of TNT was the "Live in Madrid" DVD, which came out in September 2006 via MTM Music. The set, which was filmed on April 1, 2006 in Madrid, Spain, was accompanied by an 82-minute audio CD plus booklet liner notes from Harnell about his work with the group as well as an additional tour documentary by Darren Paltrowitz.