Relapse Records has announced the re-release of YOB's psyche-doom metal classic Catharsis on vinyl. After being out of print on vinyl for over six years, Catharsis has been given the deluxe reissue treatment and will be released the way it was meant to be presented. Remastered from the original tapes by Tad Doyle, the reissue features stunning new artwork by Aaron Edge and brand new liner notes from guitarist / vocalist Mike Scheidt.

Catharsis will see its official vinyl rerelease on March 4th in North America, March 3rd in the UK/World and February 28th in Germany/Benelux/Finland. The vinyl includes a digital download of the full album and is being pressed on four limited color variations including gold, gold with black splatter (available exclusively at Roadburn), clear with black, bone white and gold splatter, and a special swamp green with purple and yellow splatter version that includes a black light poster available exclusively at Relapse.com.
Trailer:
Catharsis tracklisting:

‘Aeons’
‘Ether’
‘Catharsis’

Album stream:

Catharsis by YOB

Additionally, Yob will be headlining Roadburn Festival's official Afterburner party on April 13th in Tilburg, NL alongside TRIPTYKON, AVATARIUM, MORNE, BOLZER and many others.

Original Sound Version is the beyond-complete retrospective of DISCORDANCE AXIS' early years. It contains their debut album, Ulterior, along with the contents of their out of print split releases with Capitalist Casualties, Cosmic Curse, and Hellchild, plus demos, live recordings, and unreleased studio tracks.

There are 69 tracks in all; however, one of those is a live recording that actually contains 16 separate songs, bumping the total number of songs up into the mid-eighties.
Stream the release in full below. Order your copy at this location.

Original Sound Version 1992-1995 by Discordance Axis

Spanish metallers DIABULUS IN MUSICA have revealed the cover artwork and tracklisting for their new album, Argia, out April 15th in North America via Napalm Records
Argia tracklisting:

'Et Resurrexit (Libera Me)'
'From The Embers'
'Inner Force'
'Furia de Libertad' (feat. Ailyn Giménez)
'Maitagarri'
'Sed Diabolus'
'Spoilt Vampire'
'Eternal Breeze'
'Mechanical Ethos'
'Encounter At Chronos' Maze' (feat. Thomas Vikström)
'Indigo'
'Healing'
'Horizons'

Updates to follow.

SABBATH ASSEMBLY returns with their third album, Quaternity, set for international release on March 28th via Svart Records. It will be available on LP, CD, and digital download. The cover and tracklisting for Quaternity are as follows:
'Let Us Who Mystically Represent...'
'The Burning Cross Of Christ'
'Jehovah On Death'
'I, Satan'
'Lucifer'
'The Four Horsemen'

What is missing from the Christian concept of “trinity”? Carl Jung suggests that the fourth element is what many reject - the evil in our nature; or by another view, the feminine, which throughout Church history has been equated with evil and duly suppressed. To restore this element to the trinity creates Quaternity, which in William Blake’s Proverbs of Hell represents “the fourfold nature of man and his relationship to the divine.”

Side A of Quaternity the album begins with a look at the four deities worshipped in the theology of the Process Church of the Final Judgment - Christ, Jehovah, Lucifer, and Satan - each tune providing the deity with its own voice, unmediated by Christian prejudice. Lucifer is again the light bearer, Satan the source of primal strength, Jehovah the vengeful destroyer, and Christ the master of death.

Side B explores another four: the horsemen of the apocalypse of Revelations. This intricate, sidelong piece was conceived in anticipation of 12/21/12. For those who got the 7” last year, this is the full 20-minute version.

Quaternity is primarily acoustic in format, with an array of classical percussion and strings creating an entirely new sound for the band. Unlike its predecessors, Restored to One and Ye Are Gods, Sabbath Assembly's Quaternity offers a majority of original material with inspiration from the Process found primarily in the lyrics. One exception is the completely unpublished 'Lucifer', shared with the band over the telephone via former Processian Anthony D’Andrea, who had contacted the band complaining that they were not “getting the hymns right.” Thanks to Mr. D’Andrea, whose rendition can be heard in part at the top of the track.

Quaternity once again features Jamie Myers on vocals and Dave “Xtian” Nuss on percussion. Special guests on the album include Daron Beck of PINKISH BLACK accompanying Jamie on vocals, Kevin Hufnagel of GORGUTS on guitar, Mat McNerney and Marja Kontinnen of HEXVESSEL reciting sacred texts, liturgical chanting by Jessika Kinney of SUNN 0))), bass from Colin Marston of BEHOLD… THE ARCTOPUS, and organ from “Nameless Void” of NEGATIVE PLANE.

Boston post-rockers JUNIUS have revealed the second single, 'Battle In The Sky', from their forthcoming EP, Days Of The Fallen Sun, which can be streamed below.
Scheduled for release on February 18th via Prosthetic Records, Days Of The Fallen Sun was co-produced by the band along with Will Benoit, whose previous work includes Junius' 2011 full-length, Reports From The Threshold Of Death. The EP is described by the band as a prequel to their 2009 release, The Martyrdom Of A Catastrophist, and features four full-length tracks interwoven with hauntingly captivating interludes. The EP is currently available for pre-order via the Amazon widget below.
Junius will next be seen joining LONG DISTANCE CALLING on tour throughout Western Europe in early February before returning to the US for a short headlining run with A STORM OF LIGHT, confirmed shows are as follows:

February
6 - Zoetermeer, NL - Boederjj
7 - Dortmund, DE - FZW (Visions Party)
8 - London, UK - Barfly
11 - Madrid, ES - Caracol
11 - Madrid, ES - Shoko
12 - Barcelona, ES - Apolo 2
13 - Zurich, CH - Komplex
14 - Wien, AT - Szene
15 - Innsbruck, AT - Weekender
16 - Stuttgart, DE - Wagenhallen
17 - Munchen, DE - Backstage
18 - Berlin, DE - Lido
19 - Dresden, DE - Beatpol
20 - Esh Sur Alzette, LU - Rockhal
25 - York, PA - The Depot
26 - Columbus, OH - Kobo
27 - Chicago, IL - Reggies
28 - Erie, PA - The Crooked I

March
1 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Night Bazaar
2 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East

COFFINWORM are streaming the new track, 'Lust Vs. Vengeance', featured in the band's new album, IV.I.VIII, out March 18th via Profound Lore Records.
Four years after the release of When All Became None, the band return with an album that not only levels its predecessor, but a vicious statement of intent which producer/engineer Sanford Parker (CORRECTIONS HOUSE, TWILIGHT, YAKUZA, WOVENHAND, LORD MANTIS) claims as one of the most insane and craziest albums he’s ever been a part of.

IV.I.VIII is an album much more complex, lacerating, introverted, and ultimately devastating than anything the band has ever done previously, boasting six tracks of pure blackened unholy doom metal terror. Abetted by nightmarish cover artwork from Scott Shellhamer, this latest Coffinworm icon will once again serve as the soundtrack to the inevitable dark era that will ultimately befall the feeble mortal coil.

'Lust Vs. Vengeance':

Unleashing their new music video 'Between The Lines' last week, Hamilton, ON's hard hitting, heavy riffing melodic groove metal band DEATHPOINT announce guitarist Bill Elliot (BATTLESOUL), bassist Tiny Basstank (A SIN FOR A PRAYER) and drummer Steve "The Animal" Mitchell (BURNING THE DAY) to their touring line up.

Says bassist Brad Gold: "The band is extremely excited and pleased to have been able to assemble a solid line up of musicians for our upcoming headline shows. All three of these guys are great additions to our family and we have wanted to share the stage with each of them for a long time."
Tour dates:

February
7 - The APK - London, ON
8 - Canadian Anglo Club - Windsor, ON
14 - Red Papaya - Guelph, ON

'Between The Lines' video:

Milan, Italy natives DESTRAGE have released a brand new video for a track from their upcoming album, Are You Kidding Me? No. The video, which can loosely be described as a lyric video, features a pair of zombies making their way through the Warrior Dash in Italy as lyrics splatter onto the screen. Lyrically, the song examines why we as humans enjoy killing zombies so much, and visually, the video is an entertaining dose of absurdity, as fans of Destrage have come to expect! 'My Green Neighbour' was directed and edited by guitarist Matteo Di Gioia at The Jack Stupid.
Are You Kidding Me? No. will be released worldwide via Metal Blade Records on March 4th in North America and February 28th/March 3rd in Europe/UK.

Destrage recorded Are You Kidding Me? No. at RecLab Studios with Larsen Premoli and at Adrenaline Studio with Daniele Nelli. Mixing and mastering was done by Will Putney at The Machine Shop in New Jersey. The cover illustration was done by Marco Tafuri and the layout was completed by The Jack Stupid.
Tracklisting:

'Destroy Create Transform Sublimate
'Purania
'My Green Neighbour
'Hosts, Rifles & Coke
'G.O.D.
'Where the Things Have No Colour
'Waterpark Bachelorette
'Before, After and All Around
'(Obedience)'
'Are You Kidding Me? No.'

Trailer 1:
Trailer 2:
Destrage is:

Paolo Colavolpe - Vocal
Matteo Di Gioia - Guitar
Gabriel Pignata - Bass
Ralph Salati - Guitar
Federico Paulovich - Drums

British symphonic power metal band DAMNATION ANGELS check in with an update on their forthcoming new album:
"Our second album, The Valiant Fire, has been pushed back to September. This is due to the Europe Descends Into Darkness tour, which took place when we originally planned on recording. An April release was previously scheduled but we don't want to rush the album as we believe we are sitting on gold and it'll be worth the wait and extra time we have to develop it.

So The Valiant Fire is set to be released worldwide on Massacre Records this September... are you ready for it?!"

More details are forthcoming.

UK-based traditional metallers DARK FOREST are offering a free download of the track 'Sacred Signs', featured on their upcoming third long-player, The Awakening, out in Europe on February 28th, and in North America on March 11th via Cruz Del Sur Music on CD, LP and digital. Get your free download at this location (subscription to Cruz Del Sur Music's email newsletter required).
The Awakening tracklisting:

'The Awakening'
'Sacred Signs'
'Penda's Fen'
'Turning Of The Tide'
'Rise Like Lions'
'Immortal Remains'
'Secret Commonwealth'
'The Last Season'
'Sons Of England'

The album is recorded in 444hz instead of the standardized 440hz tuning. The decision was based by studying the lost "Solfeggio frequencies", original sound frequencies which were apparently used in Ancient Gregorian Chants and were believed to impart "spiritual blessings when sung in harmony" and also by studying the nefarious origins of 440hz. Tuning to 444hz corresponds to a "C" of 528hz on the Solfeggio Frequency Scale, the exact frequency used by genetic biochemists to repair broken DNA. This frequency is also believed to encourage "Transformation and Miracles."

A press release describes the album: “Dark Forest's innate sense of melody remains intact on The Awakening, as well as the band's trademarked epic twin-guitar dueling, but this time the album is permeated by a general sense of oppression and sorrow and sounds much more reflective than their previous works. Not by coincidence, The Awakening opens with the ending lines of Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem The Mask Of Anarchy and ends with the anthem ‘Sons Of England’. The awakening must be both spiritual and intellectual and through the rediscovery of our roots and a connection to nature, must lead all humanity to remember the truth - which we are infinite consciousness and we are one. This is the realization that will defeat the global control system of the elite and set humanity free.”
For more info visit Facebook.

Video footage of former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis' demo at the Schecter at this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, which is taking place January 23-26 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, can be seen below.

The special tour edition of Loomis' latest album, "Plains Of Oblivion", was released on April 16, 2013 via Century Media Records.

"Plains Of Oblivion - Tour Edition" features three bonus tracks, in addition to the original "Plains Of Oblivion" disc that was released in 2012.

Loomis's second solo album, "Plains Of Oblivion", sold 2,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 179 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort landed at No. 2 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.

"Plains Of Oblivion" was released on April 10, 2012 in North America (one day earlier in Europe) via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES) and features cover artwork by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design, who has previously worked with ALL SHALL PERISH, THE END and XERATH.

Singer Jill Janus of the Los Angeles-based, occult-themed traditional heavy metal band HUNTRESS has posted the following message on the group's Facebook page:

"My beloved Hamburg [Germany], tonight for the very first time got a brutal case of food poisoning. I suspect a lamb chop.

"I display my humility and honesty for your viewing. (See photo below)

"This is the reality of tour life. And those socks!

"Will someone help me out and get this sick bitch some decent socks?

"I'm out of mind (duh) but need you.

"The fans who came to see HUNTRESS tonight [as the support act for LAMB OF GOD], please know how much I LOVE YOU. I might barf all night, but I'm thinking of you inside my porcelain throne.

"Anyone who attended the show at the Rock Cafe tonight, e-mail me at [email protected]
/* */
and I will write you a personal note + send you a HUNTRESS patch.

"Now, back to the puke party."

HUNTRESS' sophomore album, "Starbound Beast", was released on June 28, 2013 in Europe and on July 2, 2013 in North America via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded at Hobby Shop Studios in Los Angeles with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, MUNICIPAL WASTE). The cover artwork for the effort was once again created by Vance Kelly (THE SWORD, GRAVEYARD, HIGH ON FIRE, PENTAGRAM, ALICE IN CHAINS, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, DEATH ANGEL), who previously worked on the group's debut album, 2012's "Spell Eater".

Italian metallers ANCILLOTTI will release their debut album, The Chain Goes On, on February 28th. The pre-order phase will start on February 14th.
Does anyone remember STRANA OFFICINA, probably the most legendary 80s metal band from Italy? Or the 90s project BUD TRIBE? Those of you who liked those bands will definitely be fascinated by Ancillotti. Founded by the eponymous Daniele “Bud” Ancillotti, who took on his brother Sandro as bass player and his son Brian as drummer. The first sign of life was in 2012 the four track EP Down This Road Together; this is now followed by the debut album The Chain Goes On.

The ten songs of the album are affected by very straight heavy metal, which reminds one of the earlier bands of the singer, but some part are arranged with more mid-tempo. This has sometimes a very special charm created by the rough but melodic vocals, but other passages are pounding in best ACCEPT manner. The catchy choruses are exactly on the point and are made for singing/shouting along (to give a few examples: the opener 'Band Your Head', 'Legacy of Rock' or 'The Devil Inside'), which is brought to perfection by the penetrating double bass-drumming. This rock n' roll firework show is completed by a powerful production.
Tracklisting:

'Bang Your Head'
'Cyberland'
'Victims Of The Future'
'Monkey'
'Legacy Of Rock'
'Liar'
'I Don’t Wanna Know'
'Devil Inside'
'Warrior'
'Sunrise'
'Living For The Night Time' (Bonus Track)
Ancillotti lineup:

Daniele "Bud" Ancillotti (Bud Tribe, Strana Officina) - vocals
Luciano "Ciano" Toscani (LISTERIA, ex-WYVERN) - guitars
Sandro "Bid" Ancillotti (Bud Tribe) - bass
Brian Ancillotti (SHABBY TRICK) - drums

Hammerheart Records has announced two new signings - Alpine black metal band RAUHNACHT, and German death sludge group SERPENT EATER.

Both outfits will release new albums on March 17th.

Rauhnacht will unleash their second album, Urzeitgeist. Serving as a follow-up to Vorweltschweigen, Urzeitgeist takes listeners into a world of ice, otherworldly creatures, blizzards and the mighty Alpine landscape.
Living on anger, Serpent Eater is fueled, not dispirited, by life’s experiences and struggles. As such, the lyrical concepts employed in their work mainly focus on the weirdness and deformations of the psyche as well as the emotions of a violated mankind in modern society. Expect heavy and somber atmospheres of despair and hopelessness infused with moments of calm, sadness and melodic doldrums, only to be interrupted by sudden outbursts of sheer fury.

BONZ, the new band led by original STUCK MOJO singer Bonz, was joined on stage by Lord Nelson, current STUCK MOJO vocalist, on January 16 at New Brookland Tavern in Columbia, South Carolina. Lord and BONZ ripped through MOJO classics "Rising", "(Here Comes) The Monster" and "Not Promised Tomorrow".

Check out a photo at this location.

In 2009, Bonz joined forces with Bobby Burns and Curt Taylor of PRIMER 55 and created KILLER IN THE WORKPLACE. The band would go on to record a full-length album and tour to support it. However, by 2011, it was obvious that it was not in the cards for the group to continue on. Bonz and Curt had developed a bond and musical chemistry that was undeniable, and after KILLER IN THE WORKPLACE, they decided to forge ahead and form the band BONZ.

BONZ is: Bonz - VocalsCurt Taylor - GuitarErin Stagg - DrumsDon Leslie - Bass

STUCK MOJO in 2010 parted ways with Austria's Napalm Records, the label that released the band's last two albums, 2007's "Southern Born Killers" (originally made available in 2005 as a free download) and 2008's "The Great Revival".

STUCK MOJO's 2010 "Here Comes The Monster" Europe featured Lord Nelson on the mic, Rich "The Duke" Ward on guitar, Sean Delson on bass and Frank Fontsere on drums.

Atlantic Records has announced the release of "(Acoustic Sessions)", the forthcoming EP from SMITH & MYERS, better known to rock fans everywhere as Brent Smith and Zach Myers of SHINEDOWN. The EP arrives on the iTunes Store and at all leading digital retailers on January 28.

"(Acoustic Sessions)" sees Smith and Myers tackling a half dozen classic songs by such legendary artists as THE CLASH, METALLICA, Otis Redding, Kenny Wayne Shepard — who makes a surprise cameo on the recording of his own "Blue On Black" — BLACK CROWES and SOUL ASYLUM, all selected by SHINEDOWN fans as the tracks they'd most like the band to cover. The stripped-down recording sessions were filmed in their entirety by SHINEDOWN's longtime collaborator, filmmaker Darren Doane, resulting in intimate companion videos for each of the EP's six tracks. The second and third songs/videos from the collection to be unveiled, OTIS REDDING's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" and PEARL JAM's "Black" (not included on the EP), can be seen below. Videos for each of the EP's remaining tracks will premiere there daily leading up to the collection's January 28 release day.

"This is for the fans," says Smith. "They picked the songs and we recorded them — it's as simple as that. And I must say that our audience has great taste."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SHINEDOWN initially planned to release an album of acoustic cover songs this year, but the original 10-song set turned into a six-track EP somewhere along the way. Smith told The Pulse Of Radio that the band's idea of posting videos on YouTube of them recording all 10 songs was what caused the problem. "Some of the artists were cool with letting us put them up, like basically on YouTube, and like show the video of the song being recorded," he said. "Some of the artists were cool with the video and some of the artists weren't cool with the video, and that's totally their decision. So the first six were approved and good to go and you could show the video with it and everything else, so those are the first six that we're gonna release."

The four songs left off the EP — which include BON JOVI's "Wanted Dead Or Alive" and ADELE's "Someone Like You" — will eventually surface without videos on iTunes.

In other news, January 22 will see the eagerly anticipated broadcast television premiere of SHINEDOWN's installment of "The Live Room" on Palladia. Filmed at the famed Henson Studios in Los Angeles, the exclusive set features electrifying versions of SHINEDOWN favorites like "Bully" and "I'll Follow You" — both featured on the band's chart-topping 2012 smash, "Amaryllis" — alongside a surprising and powerful cover of Carole King's "I Feel The Earth Move".

"The Live Room: Shinedown" debuts January 22 at 9 p.m. EST, with additional airings slated for the coming weeks (check local listings).

SMITH & MYERS - "(Acoustic Sessions)" EP track listing:

01. London Calling (originally performed by THE CLASH)02. Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (originally performed by OTIS REDDING) 03. Nothing Else Matters (originally performed by METALLICA) 04. She Talks To Angels (originally performed by BLACK CROWES) 05. Blue On Black (originally performed by KENNY WAYNE SHEPARD)06. Runaway Train (originally performed by SOUL ASYLUM)

Dutch symphonic rockers EPICA, who recently finished recording their sixth studio album, TQE, have checked in with the following update:
"Today we'll record some acoustic bonus tracks for the upcoming album! Besides that we'll have a listening session with the whole band to check out the very first mix, needless to say that we're very excited! Joost van den Broek (producer) adds: 'Kippenvel!'"

A previous message from Epica states: "We look back on 2013 with great joy. We celebrated our 10th Anniversary with an unforgettable Retrospect show, toured Asia and Australia for the first time and we released our first proper DVD/ Blu-Ray. As Simone had her first child, keyboardist Coen (Janssen) his second and to focus on the upcoming album, we didn't tour the second part of 2013.

We would like to thank all our fans worldwide for your support during 2013, we would like to wish you all an inspiring and healthy 2014!”

For more info visit Facebook.

According to Billboard.com, several of BLACK SABBATH's catalog of albums made their digital debut a week ago, thus sparking a return to the chart for two of their classic titles. Both "Black Sabbath" and "Paranoid", released in 1970, return to the chart this week. "Paranoid" re-enters at No. 121 with 2,935 (up 183%) and "Black Sabbath" returns at No. 184 (2,130; up 229%).

BLACK SABBATH's sales breakdown:

* "Paranoid"

This week: 2,935Last week: 1,038

* "Black Sabbath"

This week: 2,130Last week: 647

* "Greatest Hits 1970-1978"

This week: 1,973Last week: 372

* "Vol. 4"

This week: 1,498Last week: 751

* "Master Of Reality"

This week: 1,463Last week: 249

* "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"

This week: 887Last week: 205

* "Sabotage"

This week: 774Last week: 186

When Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Terry "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward formed BLACK SABBATH in 1969, they created a signature sound that set the blueprint for heavy music and influenced generations of disciples for years to come. For the first time, the full catalog from the original BLACK SABBATH lineup is now available digitally in the U.S. and has been mastered specifically for iTunes, ensuring the delivery of the music to listeners with increased audio fidelity, more closely replicating what the artists, recording engineers, and producers intended. Available exclusively on the iTunes Store worldwide, fans now have the ability to download all albums in one newly created bundle ("The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1978"), eight legendary studio albums, two classic compilations, or simply purchase each song individually.

"It's about fucking time the first eight BLACK SABBATH albums were made available on iTunes in the U.S.," said Ozzy Osbourne.

"Great news. [It's] been a long time trying to explain to fans why the music wasn't available," Tony Iommi commented.

"It's going to be great to finally have the catalogue accessible on iTunes," Geezer Butler noted.

"Black Sabbath: The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1978" features the band's collected studio works for Warner Bros. Records from the 1970s, including their iconic eponymous debut (1970), the multi-platinum landmark "Paranoid" (1970), the platinum albums "Master Of Reality" (1971), "Vol. 4" (1972), and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (1973), and the gold-certified "Sabotage" (1975), "Technical Ecstasy" (1976), and "Never Say Die!" (1978). Also available is their classic 1976 compilation "We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll" as well as 2006's "Greatest Hits 1970-1978", which was released in connection with their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Following wildly successful shows in North and South America, Australia, Asia and Europe, BLACK SABBATH will kick off another North American tour with dates starting March 31 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The trek will hit ten cities in Canada, including stops in Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton, before wrapping April 26 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. These dates will be part of the band's final shows of their 2013-2014 world tour in support of their first studio album in 35 years, "13", which entered the charts at #1 in 13 countries (including their first #1 in the U.S.). Another run of European festivals and headlining shows will follow this summer.

First formed in Birmingham, England, BLACK SABBATH's doom-laden sound pioneered a new kind of heavy rock music, a sound that would later influence hundreds of other bands. Many consider BLACK SABBATH to be the godfathers of heavy metal, but SABBATH were capable of surprising their fans with songs that showed other facets of their skills besides darkness and monstrous decibels. Thirty years after their initial impact, guitarists are still stunned by Tony Iommi's jaw-dropping riffs, Geezer Butler's swooping bass lines, and Bill Ward's thunderous drums. And, of course, in Ozzy Osbourne the band had one of the most magnetic and unpredictable front men ever in rock, with a maniacal voice like few others before or since.

BLACK SABBATH titles now available at iTunes:

* Black Sabbath (1970)* Paranoid (1970)* Master Of Reality (1971)* Vol. 4 (1972)* Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)* Sabotage (1975)* Technical Ecstasy (1976)* We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll (1976)* Never Say Die! (1978)* Greatest Hits 1970-1978 (2006)* The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1978 (2014)

Legendary BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward was presented with the "Lifetime Achievement" award at the Bonzo Bash NAMM Jamm 2014 "The Ultimate Celebration To The Ultimate Drummer - John Henry Bonham Of Led Zeppelin", which took place on Thursday, January 23 at The Observatory, in Santa Ana, California. You can watch video footage of his acceptance speech below.

Ward recently underwent surgery for perforated diverticulitis, a very serious gastrointestinal condition in which the walls of the intestine have become perforated. His operation was said to be successful, and he was expected to make a full recovery.

Ward revealed in an interview with Rock Cellar that he tried to listen to last year's SABBATH reunion album, "13", but had to stop after just a few minutes. Ward said, "The only thing I've heard from '13' is maybe 40 seconds of the first song, and then I turned it off. I haven't heard anything off that album at all. And to be quite honest, I don't care to either. It's too painful. If I want to rip my guts out, I'll put it on." Ward, the group's founding drummer, has played on and off with SABBATH over the years and had initially signed on for the original lineup's first album in 35 years and accompanying tour, announced in late 2011.

But he quit shortly before the writing and recording of the disc began, saying he was dissatisfied with the terms of the contract he had been offered.

Although he never specified what his issues were, the other members of SABBATH later hinted that Ward was not physically up to the task of performing live.

It was rumored that SABBATH wanted to bring a second drummer on the road to share duties with Ward, which he allegedly balked at.

SABBATH used RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE drummer Brad Wilk for the recording of "13", while Tommy Clufetos has been the live drummer.

Ward added that he remains "deeply touched" by the outpouring of support that many fans have shown him, saying, "It tears me up, you know. Even as I'm talking to you now, I'm not far away from a tear. I had to follow my heart under the most difficult circumstances."

SABBATH has been touring for much of the past year behind "13" and has dates lined up in North America in March and April.

Hailing from the four corners of the world, BLACKWELDER is a brand new metal experience featuring some of the top names in power prog metal today. One of the best singers in all of metal, Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR, ex-GAMMA RAY) fronts this extraordinary outfit at the top of his game, alongside guitar virtuoso Andrew Szus (SEVEN SERAPHIM). Bjorn Englen (DIO DISCIPLES, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) and Aquiles Priester (HANGAR, ex-ANGRA) round out this unstoppable team of what quite possibly could be one of the greatest lineups metal has ever seen.

BLACKWELDER is:

Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR, ex-GAMMA RAY) - VocalsAndrew Szucs (SEVEN SERAPHIM) - GuitarBjorn Englen (DIO DISCIPLES, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - BassAquiles Priester (HANGAR, ex-ANGRA) - Drums

BLACKWELDER began as the long-awaited follow up to SEVEN SERAPHIM's "Believe in Angels". Bit by bit, as the songs materialized, it became evident to mainman Andrew Szucs that this music should carry the banner of a new musical entity, emerging from a richer, darker source thus, BLACKWELDER was born.

Andrew began this musical journey alone, however, once he completed the framework for all of the songs, the band members began to fall into place like pieces of a puzzle.

Bjorn Englen was the first to climb aboard, expertly adding his bass lines to the songs. Bjorn would later go on tour with Tony MacAlpine alongside drummer Aquiles Priester, after which, it seemed only natural to keep this rhythm section in tact for BLACKWELDER.

Once Andrew's guitars were recorded, it became evident that a true powerhouse vocalist was needed to carry these songs to completion. Not just any voice would do. BLACKWELDER would need the stratospheric vocal stylings characterized by the rich tradition of European heavy metal, and who better to do that than the voice of PRIMAL FEAR: Ralf Scheepers. Like a dragon with its fire, Ralf's voice and lyrical themes are a natural fit to the songs of BLACKWELDER; blending and contrasting with the Marshall-based guitar tones in perfect harmony.

Topping off this powerful lineup is the unparalleled drumming of Aquiles Priester. Andrew and Aquiles agreed to finish the songs with Aquiles' unique pyrotechnic display of progressive metal drumming techniques and what a display it is.

BLACKWELDER is a winning formula of raw musical virtuosity that holds the listener's ears right from the start. This act is surely not one to be missed and cannot be denied!

Fan-filmed video footage of RED DRAGON CARTEL, the band led by former OZZY OSBOURNE and BADLANDS guitarist Jake E. Lee, performing a cover of the OZZY OSBOURNE classic "Bark At The Moon" on Friday, January 24 at the NAMM Jam 2014 at the Grove Of Anaheim in Anaheim, California can be seen below.

RED DRAGON CARTEL's self-titled debut album, will be 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".

"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).

Dutch modern metallers SELFMACHINE have announced a February 2nd digital release date via Wormholedeath, for their album Broadcast Your Identity.
The album track 'Miles Away' is streaming below:
The band stated: "We are very excited to have signed with Wormhole Death / Aural Music! For the last two years we have worked hard to write, record and produce our debut album and we can't wait to present it to the world.

The fact that our band, that has only been around for a few years, gets the chance to release its debut album worldwide through this great label is something we are extremely proud of. Wormhole Death clearly understands what our music is about and what we are trying to achieve. So hold on to your socks everybody, 'cause here we are, about to broadcast our identity!"

New track ‘Smother The Sun’:

RETRACE THE LINES have inked a deal with Art Gates Records. This six-piece combo born in Valencia, Spain is composed by members influenced by several music genres.

The band released their first EP, entitled The Broken Ones, at the beginning of 2013, leading them to start an extensive national tour, sharing stage with recognized artists such as DAWN OF THE MAYA and AS THEY BURN.
In words of Retrace The Lines: “We hope to grow as a band and have the opportunity to go as far as we can with our music and share stage with the bands that influenced us from our very beginning”.

Currently, the band is working in their debut album, which will be released in 2014.

CAMP FREDDY, the Los Angeles-based "jam" group featuring Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), Billy Morrison (ex-THE CULT bassist, current CIRCUS DIABLO vocalist), Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), Donovan Leitch (son of legendary folk singer Donovan), and Chris Chaney (JANE'S ADDICTION, ALANIS MORRISETTE), has officially called it quits. Navarro, Morrison, Leitch and Chaney will continue playing together in a brand new "all-star covers fun-times band" called ROYAL MACHINES in which they will be joined by frequent CAMP FREDDY collaborator, singer Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY), and acclaimed drummer Josh Freese (THE VANDALS, DEVO, A PERFECT CIRCLE).

ROYAL MACHINES wrote in an online posting: "We'll do our best to bring you another 10 years of ridiculously amazing rock shows."

Since its formation ten years ago when they rocked the opening of The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles at the invitation of Brent Bolthouse, CAMP FREDDY had performed on both coasts of America and on national television shows ("The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", "Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn", "Last Call with Carson Daly").

In an interview with Gibson.com, Navarro was asked if there would ever be a CAMP FREDDY album. "We talked about it for many, many years, but the logistics of something like that really doesn't translate to what we're about," he replied. "We're a live band and we're about the fun on stage and whoever's gonna get up with us — we don't know from night to night. And when you go into a studio to record songs that have already been recorded, it's difficult to recreate that kind of energy and spontaneity, so it's unlikely."

Swedish death metallers DECOMPOSED have issued their new album, Devouring.

Decomposed could've easily been formed way back in the early 90s as their music has no traces of anything modern or melodic. This is raw, crusty, vibrant, ripping, balls-out and in-your-face old school Swedish death metal with intricate riffing, attitude and power in the vein of NIHILIST/ENTOMBED, GOD MACABRE, CONVULSE, CEMETARY, DISMEMBER.
Tracklisting:

'Devouring'
'Bloodsoaked Disarray'
'Abysmal Descent'
'Voices Of Endless Decay'
'Boiling Blood'
'Ode To The End'
'From The Darkness'
'Decomposition'

'Devouring':

Drammen, Norway-based black metallers KOLDBRANN welcome new live bassist, Malphas.

Says Koldbrann: "Malphas (HAGL, ENDEZZMA, BEASTCRAFT live) will be joining Koldbrann for the upcoming live appearances at Hammerslagfestival Vinterblot in Tønsberg and Blastfest in Bergen.

Since the departure of longtime member S.G.J. (aka S. Johnskareng) last autumn, Mannevond has been handling the bass duties. With Malphas aboard, Koldbrann are once again ready to hit the stage as a furious five-headed beast!"
The band's live itinerary can be found here.

CALIBAN have released a trailer for the bonus DVD included with the band's new album, Ghost Empire.
Produced by Görtz in cooperation with Benny Richter, the Ghost Empire album will be released on the following dates via Century Media Records:

Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Australia /New Zealand: January 24th
Rest of Europe: January 27th
US/Canada: February 4th
Tracklisting:

'King'
'Chaos - Creation'
'Wolves And Rats'
'Nebel'
'I Am Ghost'
'Devil's Night'
'Your Song'
'Cries And Whispers'
'Good Man'
'I Am Rebellion'
'Who We Are'
'My Vertigo'

'Devil's Night' video:
'King' lyric video:
Caliban recently announced three exclusive record release shows for Ghost Empire. It is one of the few times you can catch the band in small, sweaty clubs in their native Germany.
Dates (with ANY GIVEN DAY) include:

January
23 - Berlin, Germany - Cassiopeia
24 - Cologne, Germany - Luxor
25 - Munich, Germany - Strom

You can buy your exclusive hard tickets at this location

Caliban have announced a string of Russian dates in February and March, in support of Ghost Empire.
Russian Ghost Empire Tour 2014 dates include:

February
6 - Kaliningrad, Russia - Kuri Bambuk Club
7 - Saint-Petersburg, Russia - Zal Ozhidaniya Club
8 - Moscow, Russia - Theater Club
9 - Kazan, Russia - Zheltaya Kofta Club
10 - Samara, Russia - Zvezda Club
11 - Saratov, Russia - Variete Club
12 - Volgograd, Russia - InRock Club
14 - Rostov-On-Don, Russia - Podzemka Club
15 - Krasnodar, Russia - Arena Hall
16 - Voronezh, Russia - 100 Ruchiev Club
17 - Orel, Russia - Sfera T
18 - Bryansk, Russia - Red Bar
19 - Smolensk, Russia - A Club
21 - Ryazan, Russia - Dom Kulturi Club
22 - Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia - MILO Concert Hall
23 - Yaroslavl, Russia - Avangard Club
26 - Chelyabinsk, Russia - Megachel Club
27 - Ekaterinburg, Russia - Nirvana Club
28 - Novosibirsk, Russia - Rock City Club

March
1 - Krasnoyarsk, Russia - Era Club
2 - Irkutsk, Russia - Megapolis Club
4 - Khabarovsk, Russia - Velicano Club
5 - Vladivostok, Russia - TKK Underground

In May, Caliban will be heading out on the next edition of the Progression Tour 2014. Don’t miss your chance to see Caliban on one billing with THE GHOST INSIDE, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN, and BREAKDOWN OF SANITY.

Dates include:

May
4 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
6 - Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall
7 - Hamburg, Germany - Grosse Freiheit 36
8 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys Neue Welt
9 - Leipzig, Germany - Werk 2
10 - Muenster, Germany - Skaters Palace
11 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn
13 - Nuernberg, Germany - Löwensaal
14 - Vienna, Austria - Arena
15 - Roncade, Italy - New Age Club
16 - Milan, Italy - Factory Club
17 - Zuerich, Switzerland - Komplex 457
18 - Munich, Germany - Theaterfabrik
20 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg

Singer Geoff Tate — who was fired from the Seattle progressive rock band QUEENSRŸCHE in 2012 after fronting it for three decades — and his former bandmates have once again requested more time to hammer out a settlement in their legal battle over the rights to the group's name.

King County Superior Court Judge Beth Andrus has signed a new stipulation and order continuing trial date, allowing the parties three more weeks to come to an agreement over the use of the QUEENSRŸCHE name and its associated trademarks. If they cannot reach an agreement during that period, the trial is set to begin on March 3, or the earliest date thereafter that is convenient for the Court.

Tate and his former bandmates previously requested two additional weeks in January to work on the details of their settlement agreement.

During an appearance earlier this monthg at the studios of the 98.7 The Gater radio station in West Palm Beach, Florida, Tate was asked for an update on the legal battle between him and his former bandmates over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name. "Actually, we're in settlement talks right now," Tate said. "I hope it doesn't [go to trial]. I'm kind of hoping that it will all be settled by the end of the month."

Pressed on how he thinks it will all play out, Tate replied: "Either way, it's in my favor. So I'm just waiting for the paperwork to be dry."

Tate and his wife, Susan, QUEENSRŸCHE's former manager, filed a lawsuit in June 2012 asking the judge to award them the rights to the band's name in exchange for Tate paying Eddie Jackson (bass), Michael Wilton (guitar) and Scott Rockenfield (drums) the fair market value for their interests in the QUEENSRŸCHE companies. Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson filed a countersuit against the Tates in which they accused Geoff of creative obstruction and violent behavior, and Susan Tate of questionable business practices.

While ruling against Tate, the presiding judge determined that there was no legal hurdle in Tate also using the name with an all-new lineup of musicians. "I don't see any reason that Mr. Tate can't have the benefit, if he gets other members, of whatever name he uses of using the brand," Superior Court Judge Carol A. Schapira said during the July 13, 2012 court hearing. "I think [doing that would be] inherently confusing, although I'm sure the market can get these things sorted out," she added.

Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson last year accused Geoff Tate of "continu[ing] to harm the QUEENSRŸCHE brand" since the Tates' original lawsuit was filed in June 2012. In a court document, they wrote: "The newest self-titled QUEENSRŸCHE CD release by the [Todd La Torre-fronted version of the band] entered the U.S. charts at #23 and continues to get 9-out-of-10-star reviews and is still selling very well on a weekly basis around the globe. In comparison, Geoff Tate released his own QUEENSRŸCHE CD in April of [2013] titled 'Frequency Unknown' and depicted as F.U. on the cover, which entered the charts at #82, received very bad reviews around the world, and has slowed to almost no more weekly sales. [The Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE's] new CD even outperformed the last two CDs of them with Geoff Tate, selling more in a month than the 'Dedicated to Chaos' CD has since its release in 2010, and charting much better than both that album and the previous one, 'American Soldier'. Thus, the return to the classic sound [Tate's former] bandmates have made with the new CD and live shows has been met with overwhelming success."

They added: "Geoff Tate also chose very poorly in hiring live musicians that have shown that they are not capable of representing the correct performances of the QUEENSRŸCHE music legacy, and he was constantly replacing them. He has been offering his low-quality version of QUEENSRŸCHE to the promoters at a much reduced rate, as low as $10,000 per night, when, in fact, [his former] bandmates have done their best to keep the authorized QUEENSRŸCHE at an average of well over $20,000 per show this entire year. However, this becomes harder and harder with Geoff Tate's sub-par band and cut-rate pricing that continues to be damaging to the QUEENSRŸCHE brand and legacy no matter who ultimately wins control after trial."

In an interview with The Oakland Press, Rockenfield said said that "negotiations are ongoing between Tate and the singer's former bandmates and "there's still time for anything to happen between now and [the start of the trial]."

"I think our confidence is pretty high," Scott said. "There's a lot of legal stuff you have to deal with, but we just feel good and look at it as a light at the end of the tunnel and keep playing shows and making music. I think when you do that, the right decision will be made in time."