20 years after its original release, preparations started for the ultimate anniversary edition of CLAWFINGER's classic album, "Deaf Dumb Blind", one of the most important crossover albums of the 1990s. "Deaf Dumb Blind" was turned into "Deafer Dumber Blinder" (which can be taken as a promise considering content of the extensive reissue):

CD 1: Original Album - Deaf Dumb Blind CD 2: The Best Of B-Sides (17 Tracks) CD 3: The Best Of Demos (20 Tracks) DVD: Live In Woodstock + Documentary, MTV Specials & more

"Deafer Dumber Blinder" will be released on March 7 in Europe and April 15 in North America via AFM Records.

Comments CLAWFINGER guitarist Bård Torstensen: "None of us would have thought in the early Nineties that we ould live our dream for almost two decades, travel the world and play for millions of people on three continents (Europe, America, Asia).

"Our anniversary box, 'Deafer Dumber Blinder', reflects pretty much what CLAWFINGER is all about.

"Enjoy the unreleased demotracks from early days up 'till 2005, a bunch of good B-sides, the classics from 'Deaf Dumb Blind', and have fun with a live DVD from Woodstock Festival Poland where we played in front of more than 100,000 people back in 2009. This DVD also contains bonus material. (2 Scandinavian documentaries, festival clips, MTV Most Wanted)."

Adds CLAWFINGER frontman Zak Tell: "'Deafer, Bumber, Blinder', the last and the tastiest piece of chocolate in the box is coming your way. It's a treat so sweet you just can't resist it. Demos, B-sides, Live footage, photos, the story of CLAWFINGER's humble beginning and more.

"This sucker comes with material no one has ever seen or heard before and it will be in stores shortly so be sure to keep your ears and eyes open and scream your heart out when it arrives.

"The kings are dead, long live the kings."

Says CLAWFINGER keyboardist Jocke Skog: "We've gone through a lot of stuff to make this a box worth owning.

"It's a tad late for an anniversary box since we released the first one back in 1993, but in this era where everything is online, it doesn't matter that much.

"Enjoy! I know I will."

CLAWFINGER's final studio album, "Life Will Kill You", was released in the U.S. in July 2008 via Locomotive Records. The CD, which entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 89 upon its European release in 2007, was recorded and produced at Sweden's Fear And Loathing Studios, a facility that CLAWFINGER runs along with the members of MESHUGGAH.

US power/heavy metal band NINTH CIRCLE have released a new video, for the song 'After The Rain', from the upcoming album, Legions Of The Brave.
Ninth Circle kicks off 2014 with their first show of the year with SCORPIONS great and German guitar legend ULI JON ROTH as part of the NAMM Show 2014 weekend. The band will be performing as special guests of the Uli Jon Roth Sky Academy along with very special guests Don Dokken and Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, KILL DEVIL HILL).

“It is a terrific opportunity to play alongside Scorpions’ legend Uli Jon Roth, Black Sabbath great Vinny Appice and the melodic vocal maestro Don Dokken”, expresses bassist Frank Forray. “We are kicking off 2014 the right way by performing with one of the most influential guitarist of all times, Uli Jon Roth.”

“We have met Uli a handful times and he always been incredibly warm, friendly and open about his career. A very close friend of ours provided Uli a rehearsal space on one of his last tours to the States and we were able to hang out with Uli and watch his show from the front row. He is a one-of-a-kind! We learned a lot from watching prepare and perform.”

Ninth Circle is preparing for the third release on German label Pure Rock Records. The new album, Legions Of The Brave, will see Ninth Circle take on the world with their world-wide release and bring melodic metal to the masses.

Ninth Circle schedule:

January
25 – Santa Ana, CA – Malone’s NAMM show (with Uli John Roth)

August
2 – Apple Valley, CA – Throwback Metal Fest

For more on the Ninth Circle event with Uli John Roth visit this location.

"Down The Ashes Rain", the new video from POISONBLACK — the Finnish band featuring former SENTENCED frontman Ville Laihiala — can be seen below. The song is taken from POISONBLACK's sixth studio album, "Lyijy", which was released on September 13, 2013. The CD was recorded at Sonic Pump studio in Helsinki and Victory Audio studio in Kokkola with producer Jonas Olsson.

The CD's opening track, "Home Is Where the Sty Is", was released as the first single and video.

"Lyijy" track listing:

01. Home Is Where The Sty Is02. Down The Ashes Rain03. The Flavor Of The Month04. The Absentee05. Maybe Life Is Not For Everyone06. Death By The Blues07. The Halfway Bar08. Them Walls09. Blackholehead10. Pull The Trigger11. Elämän Kevät

POISONBLACK's fifth CD, "Drive", entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 3.

Progressive-rock powerhouse BIGELF will release its fourth studio album, "Into The Maelstrom", on April 1 in North America via InsideOut Music.

"Into The Maelstrom" marks the BIGELF recording debut of drummer Mike Portnoy (TRANSATLANTIC, THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER), whose Progressive Nation At Sea cruise the band will perform on between February 18 and February 22, 2014, playing alongside such bands as TRANSATLANTIC, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, RIVERSIDE and ADRIAN BELEW POWER TRIO.

Comments BIGELF frontman and mastermind Damon Fox: "I think 'Into The Maelstrom' is the best BIGELF record yet and I believe it is a real game changer for the band. It's gonna put us over the top! Psychedelic cinematic landscapes and melodic prog-doom set the stage for the new album. I cannot wait for fans (old and new) to experience all of its apocalyptic color."

"Into The Maelstrom" will be available on a limited 2CD digipak which includes exclusive remixes and demo versions, as well as a gatefold 2LP vinyl edition which includes the full album on CD.

"Into The Maelstrom" track listing:

01. Incredible Time Machine02. Hypersleep03. Already Gone04. Alien Frequency05. The Professor & The Madman06. Mr. Harry McQuhae07. Vertigod08. Control Freak09. High10. Edge of Oblivion11. Theater of Dreams12. ITM: I. Destination Unknown / II. Harbinger Of Death / III. Memories

This spring, French progressive metallers GOJIRA will release "Les Enfants Sauvages", a limited edition 5" x 7", 60-page hardcover photo book chronicling the band's journey around the world over the last two years, since the release of their critically acclaimed Roadrunner debut, "L'Enfant Sauvage". The images were taken around the globe, spanning over 150 shows on three continents, and were hand-selected by GOJIRA guitarist/vocalist Joseph Duplantier and his brother, drummer Mario Duplantier. The package also includes a live CD and DVD capturing last year's performance at the legendary Brixton Academy in London, England. In addition to the CD/DVD/book, a bundle that includes an exclusive T-shirt is available. Pre-orders are available now for delivery by March 11.

"Les Enfants Sauvages" track listing:

01. Intro02. Explosia03. Flying Whales04. Backbone05. The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe06. L'Enfant Sauvage07. Toxic Garbage Island08. Wisdom Comes09. Jam10. Oroborus11. Drum Solo12. The Axe13. The Gift Of Guilt

A trailer for "Les Enfants Sauvages" is available below.

GOJIRA has also premiered a live performance of "Flying Whales" along with a gallery of images from "Les Enfants Sauvages" over at Noisey.

GOJIRA's fifth album, "L'Enfant Sauvage", sold almost 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The Way Of All Flesh", opened with 4,200 units back in 2008 to land at No. 138.

"L'Enfant Sauvage" entered the official chart in France at position No. 7 (No. 17 on the digital chart).

"L'Enfant Sauvage" (which translates to "The Wild Child") features 11 tracks of mind-bending, thunderous metal. The CD was recorded at Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City, New York with co-producer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD).

Fan-filmed video footage of former SLAYER and current PHILM drummer Dave Lombardo and his PHILM bandmate Gary Nestler performing a cover version of LED ZEPPELIN's "Since I've Been Loving You" during the Bonzo Bash NAMM Jamm 2014 "The Ultimate Celebration To The Ultimate Drummer - John Henry Bonham Of Led Zeppelin", on Thursday, January 23 at The Observatory, in Santa Ana, California can be seen below.

Asked if Bonham was an early inspiration on his playing, Lombardo told The Nervous Breakdown: "He showed me groove. He showed me dynamic by listening to his playing.

"When they played, it elevated. Although the tempo didn't build, there was something in the playing that just made it come up, and you're feeling, 'Oh man, that feels great,' and then they bring it down and groovy."

He continued: "I don't know, I think I feel music more than a lot of people do. You know, it's how you hit the drum. It's not the execution of the hit. It's not how many paradiddles you can do or how fast you can do it, it's how you execute the beat."

Lombardo sat out SLAYER's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group. Filling in for him was Jon Dette (TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX). Dave has since been replaced in the band by Paul Bostaph, who was SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the group.

During an appearance on "The Steve Austin Show - Unleashed!" podcast, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King stated about the band's latest split with Lombardo: "When Dave was in [the band] this last time, I figured I'd be on the stage with him until one of us fell off the stage, dead. Things change. He got some bad advice and listened to some bad advice, gave us an ultimatum ten days before we went to Australia [to do the Soundwave festival tour]. And I said, 'I can't have this over my head.' And I feel bad for Dave to this day; I really feel bad for him because he shot himself in the foot. Maybe he thought he had the upper hand, but you ain't gonna get me…. Before I got home, I knew exactly what I was going to do for Australia."

In March, Lombardo will take part in an Adelaide Festival concert in Adelaide, Australia with avant-garde musician John Zorn.

Lombardo will perform with John Zorn and Bill Laswell as part of the BLADERUNNER trio.

Fan-filmed video footage of ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante performing during the Bonzo Bash NAMM Jamm 2014 "The Ultimate Celebration To The Ultimate Drummer - John Henry Bonham Of Led Zeppelin" on Thursday, January 23 at The Observatory, in Santa Ana, California can be seen below.

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

Due later this year, ANTHRAX's next album will mark the recording debut with the band of lead guitarist Jonathan Donais (SHADOWS FALL), who replaced Rob Caggiano in January 2013.

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

Fan-filmed video footage of HATRIOT — the San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal band led by former EXODUS and LEGACY (pre-TESTAMENT) frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza — performing a cover version of EXODUS' "The Last Act Of Defiance" on January 18 at Spancky's in Cotati, California can be seen below.

HATRIOT's sophomore album, "Dawn Of The New Centurion", has had its release date pushed back to February 21 from the previously announced January 24 through Massacre Records. The band once again used producer Juan Urteaga and graphic artist Mark DeVito for the new effort, which will be made available on CD and digital download, as well as a limited-edition CD digipak with bonus tracks, and a limited-edition vinyl LP.

"Dawn Of The New Centurion" track listing:

01. From My Cold Dead Hands02. Your Worst Enemy03. The Fear Within04. Honor The Rise And Fall05. Superkillafragsadisticactsaresoatrocious06. Silence In The House Of The Lord07. World Funeral08. Dawn Of The New Centurion09. Consolation For The Insane

"Over the past year, HATRIOT has grown tighter as a band, and the songs on the new record will reflect that," said Souza. "The songs are longer and more melodic, while keeping the classic thrash metal feel that we are known for.

"'Heroes Of Origin' was our 'Kill 'Em All', and 'Dawn Of The New Centurion' is our 'Ride The Lightning'."

The first single from "Dawn Of The New Centurion" will be "The Fear Within".

HATRIOT's drummer is none other than Steve's son, Nicholas Souza. Nicholas auditioned for the band after the departure of Alex Bent and "proved himself to be the best choice," according to Steve.

HATRIOT's lineup also includes Zetro's son Cody, who got his first bass as a present from his father after Zetro bought it off current EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson.

Regarding HATRIOT's musical direction, Zetro said, "It's in the vein of typical Bay Area thrash, but these guys are a lot younger, so there's gonna be some blast-beats in there. There's gonna be some kind of death [metal] approach to it, a little bit. 'Cause these guys are new. They're raw, and they're fast, young, heavy, hard and aggressive, and I'm trying to convey that along as well."

He added, "These new kids seem to understand what we did in the '80s, but still bring a little bit of a new essence to it. We put that together with what I write vocally and it's turned out to be really, really killer. It's good stuff."

Lavadome has announced the signing of Long Island, New York's death metal unit DAY OF DOOM. The label will re-release band's third album, The Gates Of Hell, this spring. The Gates Of Hell was released by the band independently in 2013.
Tracklisting:
'The Gates Of Hell'
'Fathers Lies'
'Embrace Your Demise'
'Slaughter Of The Lamb'
'An Evil Demoncy (The Last Days Of Doom)'
'Circle Of Eternal Aftermath'
'The Vomitorium Angel'
'Feasting On The Flesh Of The Godly Ones'
'Reborn Through Oblivion Flames'
'Through Horrible Despair;
'Remnants Of The Spirits In The Cavern Of Displeasure'

Below you can stream the track 'Through Horrible Despair':

The Gates Of Hell by DAY OF DOOM

Professionally filmed video footage of the entire June 8, 2013 performance by the Swedish "punk ass rot 'n' roll" band HELLTRAIN at the Rock 'N' Sich festival in Kiev, Ukraine can be seen below. There are also plans to get the footage released as a physical DVD.

HELLTRAIN's latest album, "Death Is Coming", was made available in 2012. Physical albums were released by TPL Records (Scandinavia) and Metalism Records (Russia, Baltic states). The CD was finalized at Dugout Studio in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, BEHEMOTH, IN FLAMES) at the helm.

Ever since parting ways with Jimmy Franks Recording Company, the record label owned by BLOODHOUND GANG lead singer Jimmy Pop, HELLTRAIN has been working hard on establishing its own indepence. The group has built its own studio and is working with a model where fans can get HELLTRAIN's music for free.

Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DIO DISCIPLES) and Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ROYAL HUNT) are among the guest musicians who will appear on the new metal opera "The Legend Of Valley Doom". Also scheduled to appear are vocalists Artur Almeida (ATTICK DEMONS), George Tsalikis (ZANDELLE) and John Yelland (DISFORIA, JUDICATOR) and Elisa C. Martin (HAMKA, DARK MOOR, FAIRYLAND), bassist Giorgio Novarino (CRYSTAL EMPIRE, BEJELIT) and guitarist Kristian Tjelle (NOCUTURNAL ILLUSION).

The story takes place in a land called Valley Doom. There are rumors about the rising of a new great evil, and it is coming their way. It's fortold in the ancient scrolls that when Valley Doom's future and existence is at stake, thechosen one will rise. His name is the warrior king.

Part 1 of The Legend of Valley Doom is about the King and the wizard named Arigo's journey to find the Warrior King and fulfill the prophecy.

The Metal Opera is in three parts. There's also a fantasy book on the way that digs deeper into the story about Valley Doom.

The "Valley Doom" crew:

Marius Danielsen (DARKEST SINS) - Vocals, guitar Peter Danielsen (EUNOMIA, Darkest Sins) - Synth Esa Ahonen (CRYONIC TEMPLE) - Guitar Anniken Rasmussen (DARKEST SINS) - Bass Ludvig Pedersen (DARKEST SINS) - Drums

Dutch hard rockers VANDERBUYST have released a brand new seven-inch single entitled "Shakira / Little Sister" to coincide with the start of their extended European tour. The two tracks were recorded between Christmas and New Year with producers Danny Gras and Marcel Van De Vondervoort.

The song "Little Sister" was written by guitarist Willem Verbuyst for his little sister who is playing the main role in the accompanying home-video clip. Guest vocals on the track were provided by Farida Lemouchi (ex-THE DEVIL'S BLOOD).

Along with ENFORCER (Sweden), SKULLFIST (Canada) and GENGIS KHAN (Italy), VANDERBUYST will play 30 shows in 31 days in 13 different countries. The trek will kick off on January 30 at Melkweg in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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

"The Eyes Of Medusa" track listing:

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

An audio preview of the album is available using the SoundCloud widget below.

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

KILL RITUAL is:

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

Swedish heavy/power metal band AZORIA will release its debut album, "Seasons Change", on February 5 in Japan and February 28 in the rest of the world.

AZORIA was founded in early 2013 by the band leader and lead guitarist Alexander Oriz.

Oriz has spent the last few years working as a producer, songwriter, guitarist and technician. Oriz is also one of the guitar players in the power metal band REINXEED, which released a studio album, "A New World", in 2013.

In AZORIA, we also find Chris David, the bass player of retro rockers CAPTAIN CRIMSON and power metal acts REINXEED and ORIZ.

Chris came back from the U.S. in 2012 to join REINXEED after a year of studying and touring with the band SLEDGE LEATHER, which also features lead vocalist Leather Leone (CHASTAIN) and keyboard player Scott Warren (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL).

The CD features fantastic all-star team with different vocalists, just like AVANTASIA, to make the best possible result for each song.

On the opening track, "Just Like The Phoenix", and on the song "Inside My Heart", we find none other Tommy ReinXeed from the successful bands REINXEED and GOLDEN RESURRECTION on lead vocals.

Mikael Dahl from CRYSTAL EYES sings in a majestic way on the title track, "Seasons Change", while Mike Andersson from FULL FORCE, CLOUDSCAPE and AYREON can be heard on "Prophecy" and "To The Land Of Glory".

Snowy Shaw, who is known for his great work in SABATON, KING DIAMOND, DREAM EVIL, THERION and DIMMU BORGIR, sings on the songs "Peace Of Mind" and "Starlight". He also performs a cover version of ALPHAVILLE's "Big In Japan" that will be the Japanese bonus track on AZORIA's debut album.

AZORIA is:

Alex Oriz - Lead GuitarChris David - BassSimon J - GuitarEmil Eriksson - Drums

"Seasons Change" guest musicians:

Snowy Shaw - Lead VocalsMike Andersson - Lead VocalsMikael Dahl - Lead VocalsMark E Gunnardo - Lead VocalsTommy ReinXeed - Lead VocalsMatilda Eriksson - Lead Vocals

Swedish riff gods GRAND MAGUS have debuted a new trailer their upcoming seventh album, Triumph And Power, which will be released on January 31st in Europe, February 3rd in the UK, and February 4th in North America via Nuclear Blast.
Commented the band: “This is our strongest album yet, it has the northern feel, it has the power and the melody that has become our mark of excellence. Fans of true metal will take this album to their hearts. To top everything off, we have the striking and epic artwork of Anthony Roberts. The album cover perfectly captures the work on this album and Grand Magus as a band. Stay true!”
Triumph And Power tracklisting:

'On Hooves Of Gold'
'Steel Versus Steel'
'Fight'
'Triumph And Power'
'Dominator'
'Arv'
'Holmgång'
'The Naked And The Dead'
'Ymer'
'The Hammer Will Bite'

Bonus:
'Blackmoon'

'Steel Versus Steel':
'Triumph And Power' lyric video:
Trailer:

Grand Magus once again engaged with Nico Elgstrand as a producer, who already had his hands on the controllers for The Hunt, as well as the engineering force of Staffan Karlsson at Studio Sweetspot in Halmstad, who has worked with ARCH ENEMY and he mixed the most recent record of SPIRITUAL BEGGARS.
More on Grand Magus at Facebook.

MOTÖRHEAD has been forced to cancel its previously announced European tour, originally rescheduled from last fall.

"It is with great regret that MOTÖRHEAD has to announce the cancellation of their European tour, scheduled to start February, 2014," reads a statement from the band.

"Many concerted, diligent and focused efforts were made by founding member, and international icon Lemmy Kilmister to deal with a range of health issues relating to diabetes. While there has been undoubted progress, Lemmy and the band were advised by doctors that it was still too soon to resume full touring activities, and so for the good of the future, the band and Lemmy reluctantly agreed to cancel.

"No one is hurting more over this than Lemmy, and he feels the aggravation and inconvenience of every ticket, and every method of transportation, already paid for by loyal fans in anticipation of the tour. Being a road warrior of over 50 dedicated, non-stop years, it is equally distressing for him to be unable to occupy the top lounge of the trusty tour bus (his spiritual home) but Lemmy recognizes that his long-term health must win. It goes without saying that Lemmy profusely apologises for inconveniences caused, but he does want everyone to know that he is continuing on the road to a full recovery, and that the prognosis long term is very good."

Since being diagnosed with diabetes in 2000, Lemmy's had to have a defibrillator installed in his heart, and more recently suffered from an "unspecified hematoma," which led to the cancellation of several European shows last summer. Factor in a daily intake of smokes, speed and Jack and Coke for the last 40-plus years, and it's a wonder he's alive at all. After decades of invincibility, the cracks are finally showing. Lemmy has had to make some difficult adjustments. "I had to give up the Jack and Coke because of the sugar," he told Decibel magazine. "I miss it. I gave up smoking, too. I gave up bread. It's been a bit of a job, you know?"

Longtime MOTÖRHEAD manager Todd Singerman told Decibel: "[Lemmy's] been up and down. He's got a really bad diabetic problem, and it changes on a daily basis. A lot of it is just fighting the bad habits, the things that he's not supposed to do anymore. He's stopped smoking, but he probably sneaks Jack and Coke here and there. He'd be lying to you if he said he stopped. He's been trying to substitute it with wine, and I'm sure he's slowed down on the speed. He thinks wine's better than Jack, but it's still got tons of sugar, you know? He doesn't grasp that he's just trading one demon for the other. That was the compromise with the doctors, by the way — trade the Jack for the wine. But he doesn't tell them he's drinking two fucking bottles, either. These are the battles we're up against. Keep in mind, he's been doing all this stuff on a daily basis since Hendrix. And it's coming to roost. It's sad for him, because he's gotten away with this stuff for all this time.

"I made them cancel [last fall's European tour], because Lemmy's not ready," Singerman explained. "He didn't wanna cancel. But what was gonna go down is what happened in Europe over the summer. See, he fucked up in Europe. He was supposed to rest for three months, and he refused. He ended up doing that show [Wacken Open Air in August], which he wasn't supposed to do, and it ended up being 105 degrees "Out there. He's playing direct in the fucking sun. The only thing I'm proud of him for is stopping when it didn't feel good. That was smart of him. The bottom line is that he needs to find a balance and then live that balance for a few months. But we can't find the balance yet. He has great days and then he fucks it up. And when you fuck up, you go backwards."

Lemmy, who turned 68 years old in December, told Classic Rock he didn't expect to still be here at 30,

"I don't do regrets," he said. "Regrets are pointless. It's too late for regrets. You've already done it, haven't you? You've lived your life. No point wishing you could change it.

"There are a couple of things I might have done differently, but nothing major; nothing that would have made that much of a difference.

"I'm pretty happy with the way things have turned out. I like to think I've brought a lot of joy to a lot of people all over the world. I'm true to myself and I'm straight with people."

Asked if his illness last year has made him more aware of his own mortality, Lemmy said: "Death is an inevitability, isn't it? You become more aware of that when you get to my age. I don't worry about it. I'm ready for it. When I go, I want to go doing what I do best. If I died tomorrow, I couldn't complain. It's been good."

Finnish dark/ doom metal act HANGING GARDEN have released a video for 'Will You Share This Ending With Me', the digital bonus track from their new EP, I Was A Soldier, out via Lifeforce Records.
The video was directed by Ristomatti Rinne, who comments on the production: "After the cinematic implementation of the 'At Every Door' video we decided to use a somewhat different approach with 'Will You Share This Ending With Me'. We came up with an idea of a karaoke video, which comes to life and begins to tell its own story. The whole video was shot in one take although some editing has been made afterwards. All the events you see happen in real time."
I Was A Soldier EP tracklisting:

'Winter To Summer Adverse'
'I Was A Soldier'
'Will You Share This Ending With Me' (digital bonus track)

'I Was A Soldier' lyric video:
Teaser:
More on Hanging Garden at Facebook.

Ottawa, Canada's progressive rock sextet THE KINDRED (formerly known as TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE) will release their debut Sumerian Records full-length entitled, Life In Lucidity, on February 25th. They will also embark on a North American tour alongside BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME in February/March. The band has now released a video for ‘Everbound’.
Life In Lucidity tracklisting:

‘Wolvish’
‘Heritage’
‘Everbound’
‘An Evolution Of Thought’
‘Decades’
‘Millennia’
‘A Grand Debate’
‘Seekers & Servants’
‘Dreambender’
‘Like A Long Life’
‘Cimmerian Dusk’ (bonus track)

‘Heritage’:
Vocalist David Journeaux previously stated: “The album title, Life In Lucidity, relates to the concept of life being nothing more than a very lucid dream, wherein if you were to wake from it you may either wake in to another dream or in to true reality. It also toys with the notion that if you can realize you are dreaming within this world you can gain complete control over everything that happens within it; complete responsibility for the path your life takes. We are incredibly excited to get this album out to the public and to take the songs to stages across the globe. Being able to start the process with Between The Buried And Me is a bit of a dream-manifestation in itself, as a number of us have been big fans of the band for many years, and have always named them an act with whom we would love to tour one day."
Tour dates with Between The Buried And Me, INTRONAUT, and DEAFHAVEN:

February
20 - West Springfield, VA - Empire
21 - Huntington, NY - Paramount Theater
22 - Clifton Park, NY - Upstate Concert Hall
23 - Boston, MA - Royale Nightclub
24 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
26 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theater
27 - Quebec City, QC - Imperial De Quebec
28 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre

March
1 - London, ON - London Music Hall
2 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon
4 - Grand Rapids, MI - Intersection
5 - Palatine, IL - Durty Nellie's
6 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
7 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre
8 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room
10 - Reno, NV - The Knitting Factory
11 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro
12 - Pomona, CA - Glasshouse
14 - Lubbock, TX - Jake's Sports Café
15 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
16 - Grand Prairie, TX - South By So What?! Festival
18 - Sauget, IL - Pop's
20 - Ybor City, FL - The Ritz Ybor
21 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
22 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt
23 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall

The Kindred recently uploaded a new Volition Tour webisode, which is streaming below:
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Santa Cruz, CA death metal/grindcore misfits CRETIN have entered the studio to begin recording their long-awaited sophomore release. Due out this fall via Relapse Records, this will be the quartet's first new material in over 8 years. The album will be recorded at Compound Recordings in Santa Cruz, CA.
Bassist Matt Widener had this to say about the project: "We have entered Compound Recordings in Santa Cruz, CA to start recording our new album. As usual, we cretins are easily distracted and it takes us years to release anything, so we're excited to finally crest this stage of the album. Get ready for more cretanic song-stories and proto-grind, backwoods death metal - this time with extra women and a much bigger sound. With Freakery you grinded like it was ‘89, now you'll grind like it's, uh, ’91?"
More details on the album will be announced shortly.

London's DRIPBACK have released a lyric video for the track 'Profit Driven War', featured on their debut album release, due out January 20th digitally and March 24th on vinyl. Recorded with legendary audio wizard Russ Russell at Parlour Studios, Failed Futures features 13 tracks of uncompromising, loud, fast and furious metal with their trademark and undeniable London stamp all over," according to a press release.

“It’s been a long time coming but finally the Dripback album will see the light of day, and this is as pure as it gets,” says the band. “Direct from us to you, no labels, no bullshit. It’ll be on iTunes for the lazy cunts with their iPods and we’ll have a nice vinyl for people to get stuck into as well."

The full tracklisting is as follows:

'Wasted'
'Rest With The Dead'
'We Precede The End'
'Cessation Of Suffering'
'Profit Driven War'
'Shallow Lives'
'Seeing Without Eyes'
'Failed Futures'
'Victims'
'Stranglehold'
'Forgotten Code'
'Embodying Emptiness'
'Requisite For Refinement'

'Profit Driven War' lyric video:

On February 28th (delayed from the originally announced released date of February 21st), there will be two new releases from THERION, the deluxe edition CD plus DVD of their all-time classic Theli, as well as a three-DVD package (limited edition incl. bonus DVD) called Adulruna Redivia And Beyond. Check out the artwork for the latter below:
Theli was the fifth studio album of Therion, being released in August 1996. The successful album features Therion’s legendary hit To Mega Therion as well as the outstanding ten-minutes epos The Siren Of The Woods and the hymn Cults Of The Shadow. It features two different choirs and a.o. Dan Swanö from EDGE OF SANITY as a gust singer.

The deluxe edition of Theli has three more bonus tracks: 'In Rememberance', 'Black Fairy' and the SCORPIONS cover version 'Fly To The Rainbow' as well as a bonus DVD with the entire album performed live.

On top there will be a double live DVD + bonus DVD, limited edition Digipak called Adulruna Redivia And Beyond. The two shows were recorded live in Atlanta in 2011 and in Budapest 2007.

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

DVD 1:
'The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah'
'Son Of The Sun'
'Midgård'
'Asgård'
'The Wine Of Aluqah'
'Wisdom And The Cage'
'Kali Yuga I'
'Kali Yuga II'
'Kali Yuga III'
'Lemuria'
'Via Nocturna'
'An Arrow From The Sun'
'Typhon'
'Ginnungagap'
'Preludium'
'To Mega Therion'
'Cults Of The Shadows'
'In The Desert Of Set'
'Interludium'
'Nightside Of Eden'
'Opus Eclipse'
'Invocation Of Naamah'
'The Siren Of The Woods'
'Grand Finale / Postludium'
'Adulruna Rediviva'
'Black Funeral'

DVD 2:
'Sitra Ahra'
'The Wine Of Aluqah'
'Typhon'
'Perennial Sophia'
'Hellequin'
'Nifelheim'
'Clavicula Nox'
'Voyage Of Gurdjieff'
'Ljusalfheim'
'Dies Irae'
'Ginnungagap'
'Kali Yuga III'
'Call Of Dagon'
'Siren Of the Woods'
'The Wild Hunt'
'Blood Of Kingu'
'Lemuria'
'Abraxas'
'The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah'
'To Mega Therion'
'Quetzalcoatl'

Bonus DVD 3:
011- An Adventure with Therion
011 - Documentary And Behind The Scenes
Amazing Voice

A new Therion studio album is also scheduled for late 2014.

To coincide with the vinyl release of ASKA's Fire Eater album, the band who have been in action for two decades have debuted the video for 'Valhalla'.
Fire Eater will be released on vinyl on January 31st. The limited vinyl edition consists of 333 pieces (black/orange splatter) and comes in a gatefold sleeve. The pre-order phase will start on January 17th at the Pure Steel webshop.
Tracklisting:

Side A
'Everyone Dies'
'Dead Again'
'Vahalla'
'Son Of A God'
'Angela'

Side B
'Harlot Of Eden'
'Red Cell'
'The Ripper'
'Year Of Jubilee'
'The Last Message'
'Eye Of The Serpent'
BraveWords' Fire Eater review can be found here.

'Destroy The Angels' is the new video from Polish rock/metal band COCHISE, which can be found on the band's new album, 118, which is scheduled for release by Metal Mind Productions on February 24th in Europe and March 11th in North America (via MVD).
Tracklisting:
'Sweet Love Generation'
'Destroy The Angels'
'White Garden'
'Beautiful'
'Bleed'
'Inside Of Me'
'Dead Love'
'Part Of Me'
'Cold River'
'Before You Sleep (For Jeremy)'
'Dog In Blood'
'Help'
'Little Witch'

Teaser:
The band was formed in 2004 in Bialystok, Poland. The current line-up includes: Pawel Malaszynski on vocals (he is also a very successful movie actor in Poland), Wojtek Napora on the guitar, Radek Jasinski on the bass guitar and Czarek Mielko on the drums. So far, they have released a demo “9” plus two full-length releases - Still Alive in 2010 and Back To Beginning in 2012.

According to a press release, on their studio albums, Cochise perfectly blend energetic songs enriched with heavy, almost metal sounds with more delicate, atmospheric ones. And that’s exactly what you can expect from their forthcoming release 118. The new material will also prove that they can remain true to the rock tradition and still enrich their sound with fresh and original ideas.

"Coincidentally, the new album marks the band's tenth anniversary," Radek Jasinski, the band’s bassist, comments. “It will be our third release and, on the one hand, it will show how far we have gone since our very beginning and, on the other, it will prove that, despite the changing music trends, it’s still us - the same musicians who still love to play rock music”.

Pawel Malaszynski, the vocalist, reveals the meaning of the album’s title: "Due to my work as an actor, I spent the last two years of my life travelling. Different cities, different hotels, where I can also work on new music. For some reason, the hotel rooms I stayed in were al-ways number 118. For me, the room 118 means the exchange of energy. It’s really important who you're sharing it with. It’s a claustrophobic, intimate place, filled with emotional waste - which you could compare to a peeling wallpaper - that has seen everything our minds cannot understand. It’s a room where we sleep with our eyes wide open, hidden in the corners behind spider webs of doubts. It’s a rare type of insanity… still cherished and still wanted… buried behind the door to the room 118."

Cochise lineup:

Pawel Malaszynski - vocals
Wojtek Napora – guitar
Radek Jasinski - bass guitar
Czarek Mielko - drums
More on Cochise at Facebook

The new BLACK LABEL SOCIETY studio album, "Catacombs Of The Black Vatican", will be released in Europe on April 7 via Mascot Label Group and one day later in North America through eOne Music.

If you pre-order the CD on iTunes, you will get the new track "My Dying Time" instantly. The song is now available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

"Catacombs Of The Black Vatican" track listing:

01. Fields Of Unforgiveness 02. My Dying Time 03. Believe 04. Angel Of Mercy 05. Heart Of Darkness 06. Beyond The Down 07. Scars08. Damn The Flood09. I've Gone Away10. Empty Promises11. Shades Of Gray12. Dark Side Of The Sun (bonus track) 13. The Nomad (bonus track)

Check out the cover artwork below.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY recently amicably parted ways with longtime guitarist Nick Catanese and replaced him with Dario Lorina (LIZZY BORDEN).

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde recently told Guitar World magazine about Catanese's departure: "I had called Nick to tell him about the album and he told me that he was already knees deep into doing his own thing and wanted to stick 1,000 percent into it. I told him it was cool and that we loved him and that he'd always have a home here."

He continued: "The thing is no one ever gets kicked out or fired. If you want to go, you're always able. Now we've got [guitarist] Dario Lorina in the band, and not only is he a kick-ass guitar player who can shred, but he's also a really cool dude."

Asked how he hooked up with Dario, Zakk said: "We never do a cattle call or anything like that. With the amount of awesome players I know, it's more of a word-of-mouth kind of thing. I had him come out to the Vatican [Zakk's home studio] to meet him, and afterwards I said, 'Cool. If you want to do it, you're in.' It was as simple as that."

Wylde also spoke about what fans can expect to hear on "Catacombs Of The Black Vatican".

"I think everyone can expect a lot of fun and excitement," he laughed. "It was like what Chris Farley did in that one skit, where he was selling that hair-care product. Make sure you always use the word 'fun' when you describe it. [laughs]!

"Someone asked me what the difference was between this new record and the other nine. I told them that it's basically all of the songs we used on the other nine records, except they've got different titles now. [laughs] It's fun and exciting for the whole family!"

"Catacombs of the Black Vatican" is BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's first new studio album since 2009's "The Order Of The Black", which debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200 chart.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's new live DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Video, "Unblackened", was released on September 24, 2013 by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Wylde's label home, eOne Music, also released the audio version of the "Unblackened" DVD under the same name.

As part of this year's Record Store Day on April 19, San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD will release a 10-inch vinyl single, with the A-side containing the "demo" version of a new song, "Killers & Kings". The B-side will be a cover version of the track "Our Darkest Days" from one of MACHINE HEAD's favorite bands, IGNITE.

Says MACHINE HEAD guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn: "I remember growing up in the thrash scene and always wanting to hear the demo version of songs. You searched them out. Thankfully, my buddy Jim was a big 'tape trader,' and through trading, we had both METALLICA demos, EXODUS demos, bootlegs of songs sometimes 'years' before they came out.

"I knew how to play every note of 'Pleasure Of The Flesh' by EXODUS easily two years before the record was out. I had SLAYER's 'Reign In Blood' three months before it came out. I remember it still had the hi-hat counts starting the songs!!

"My friends and I would debate the merits of each (the demo was always better, LOL!).

"It's so much cooler to hear it BEFORE the album is out!

"So we're gonna do that for you.

"I can't wait for you guys to hear this stuff. Then you can debate it, haha!"

MACHINE HEAD will enter the studio in February to begin recording its new album for a late summer release via the band's new label, Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Other tentative songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Beneath The Silt", "Ojos De La Muerte", "Sail Into The Black" and "Night Of The Long Knives".

Says Flynn: "The new stuff is turning out better than anyone expected.

"We had THE breakthrough with the song formerly known as 'Back From The Grave'.

"I'd been working with the string section that played on 'Locust', Quartet Rogue, as well as multi-instrumentalist / keyboardist Rhys Fulber, and to quote [METALLICA drummer] Lars Ulrich (who was actually quoting Robert Trujillo), 'We're on some NEXT-LEVEL shit!!!'

"With that one song getting finished, I could totally see where the whole record is going. It opened up before my eyes.

"Nothing short of exciting!!!"

Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Flynn stated about the band's new material: "It sounds like MACHINE HEAD! It's definitely moving forward, which I feel like we're probably always gonna do.

"We're not a band that ever looks back. We do our thing and try to take the life experiences that we have and the musicianship that we've evolved and try to use it. Obviously, we have our sound and we have the MACHINE HEAD patented harmonics, the downtuned riffs and I sing the way I sing.

"I think Bob Dylan said it best: 'You just find new ways to say the same thing.'"

Speaking about some of the specific tracks and the lyrical themes covered on the new album, Flynn said: "I've got some pretty cool lyrics ready. There's a song called 'Night Of The Long Knives', and it's pretty fucked! It's about the Manson murders, and the lyrics are really dark and vicious.

"We've found some new twists to give to the MACHINE HEAD sound and some new fire and excitement."

Asked what the band's main aims were when they started composing music for the new CD, Flynn said: "Well, it's nice to try and have a plan, but music has a way of unravelling over time! [Laughs] You've just got to roll with it.

"With [2007's] 'The Blackening', I'd love to say I had this grand vision of nine- and 10-minute songs, but the first four songs we wrote were the four shorter songs on the record. For months, there was no indication whatsoever that we'd have 10-minute songs. That stuff came later.

"Human nature wants to control and dictate where things will go, but you can't. It won't let you! The more you try, the more it goes, 'Fuck you.' It's going some other way!" Regarding whether the songwriting process comes more easily after more than two decades as a band, Flynn said: "I just try and do my thing. With this record in particular, I've tried to discipline myself more with routine, writing a little bit every day, but for months I was in a riff rut. Every riff I wrote fuckin' sucked! Then we took a two-week break and I was writing my Facebook journals about the 'Through The Ashes Of Empires' [MACHINE HEAD's 2003 album] story, and that cleared my head. At the end of those two weeks, the floodgates opened and all hell of riffs poured out. I was so stoked! This torrent of riffs, this molten hot lava, was at my fingertips. It's such a good feeling." Flynn also revealed that MACHINE HEAD has "definitely got some ideas" for the artwork and imagery for the band's new album, but added: "It's weird, though, because who the fuck even buys albums anymore?

"An album cover is a necessary thing but for so many people it's justa little one-and-a-half-inch square on an iPhone.

"We're going to have a lot of worldwide special editions, so for the people who are still into that stuff, we'll have some next-level shit. Especially with our new label, Nuclear Blast, they can do all of that stuff. They're not afraid to do all these crazy, over-the-top special-edition things and big two-foot metal cases and all that.

"I'm a super-nerd collector and that shit rules to me!"

MACHINE HEAD's most recent studio release, 2011's "Unto The Locust", entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 22 — putting them in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's history.

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

Gear Gods — the only online destination for musicians in the heavy music community — live-streamed the fifth annual "Metal Masters" clinic this past Wednesday night (January 22) from the Anaheim, California House Of Blues. You can now watch professionally filmed video footage of the entire event below.

The "Metal Masters 5" lineup was loaded with a star-studded cast of metal musicians. As in years past, the show started with a brief clinic offering some tips and tricks, and ended with an all-star jam session of metal cover songs.

Performers included:

* Kerry King (SLAYER)* Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)* Frank Bello (ANTHRAX)* Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)* David Ellefson (MEGADETH)* Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG)* Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS)* Gary Holt (EXODUS, SLAYER)* Chris Broderick (MEGADETH)* Philip Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)* Rex Brown (KILL DEVIL HILL, PANTERA, DOWN)* Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)* Steve Vai

The following songs were performed, among others:

* "Wrathchild" (IRON MAIDEN)* "Killers" (IRON MAIDEN)* "God Of Thunder" (KISS)* "Sargent D And The S.O.D." (STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH)* "Freddy Krueger" (STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH)* "Strength Beyond Strength" (PANTERA)* "I'm Broken" (PANTERA)* "Postmortem" (SLAYER)* "Raining Blood" (SLAYER)* "Mouth For War" (PANTERA)* "Mandatory Suicide" (SLAYER)* "Five Minutes Alone" (PANTERA)* "South Of Heaven" (SLAYER)* "Angel Of Death" (SLAYER)* "Fucking Hostile" (PANTERA)

"'Metal Masters' started out as two bassists teaching a clinic and has gone on to become a spectacle that includes some of the greatest musicians that defined a genre," says Samson's director of marketing and "Metal Masters" founder, Mark Menghi. "What better way to learn, than seeing these amazing performers up close and personal teaching their own personal techniques of the trade. 'Metal Masters' has always been about doing something special for the fans and that will never go away." King previously stated about his motivation for taking part in "Metal Masters": "The reason I still do it to this day is to get Phil involved, because I think the world misses him. He's good at what he does and I'm one of the few guys he looks up to to the point where he'd come out and do it. And I'm not blowing sunshine up my ass; it's just a fact. And everybody wants to see Phil. Everybody loves Phil. When I come out, it's a huge applause. When Phil comes out, it's like somebody came back from the dead; they're not expecting it. And it's cool."

In a recent interview with Full Metal Jackie, Anselmo stated about performing PANTERA songs at "Metal Masters": "I'm up there with guys that I've known since the '80s who have a good five, six years on me of playing music and being successful, people that I looked up to and still look up to… The thing is just being up there with those guys is overwhelming enough, but then playing the PANTERA songs, don't get me wrong, it feels great, it feels fantastic, and it does bring me back to a very powerful place, a very unique place in history. I guess, growing up and cuttin' my chops and growing up with the guys in PANTERA, we always played with a chip on our shoulder and you get that rush of memory when you're up there doing it, but it's a lot of emotions balled up into one, but they're all pretty damn good. For me, the most fun thing about it of all is just seeing the fan reaction. I've always said that PANTERA fans were the best in the world, and I truly meant that and I still mean it. That's why 'Metal Masters' keeps the pulse of the whole thing going."

Speaking to Artisan News prior to the "Metal Masters 4" event in September 2012, Sheehan and the other musicians spoke about what it was like for Billy to come in and play heavier stuff than he is used to.

"I've been prepped," said Sheehan. "And it's great. I actually love it. It's like being on another planet. It's like an adventure into another land, and it's really cool. It's challenging to play this stuff."

Added Bello: "It's great seeing [Billy] come into this world, and step up as he did. I mean, Billy Sheehan is playing [chuckles] he's playing SLAYER and EXODUS tonight — without a pick. Just think about those lines right there. He totally kicks ass in it, too. The guy stepped up to it, and you can't ask for more than that. So for these kids, seeing a treat like that, man, it's a good time."

Said Holt: "[If you had told me that] this guy here [pointing at Billy], who is one of the greatest musicians in rock history, would be standing there watching my fingers as I'm playing [EXODUS's song] 'Piranha', I would havee called you a stone-faced liar and said, 'Get outta here!'"

Setlist:

As its tenth anniversary looms over the horizon, British post-punk band OCTOBER FILE is currently recording its fourth album at the acclaimed Orgone Studios with producer Jamie Gomez, known for his work with CATHEDRAL, ULVER, ALTAR OF PLAGUES and ELECTRIC WIZARD. Entitled "The Application Of Loneliness, Ignorance, Misery, Love And Despair - An Introspective Of The Human Condition", it is a concept effort based on the contents of the aforementioned title. Taking a look at the human state, what we see and what we feel in certain situations, and how we look at things totally uniquely. A May 26 release via Candlelight Records is expected.

Anger and belief. Power and persistence. OCTOBER FILE have earned a formidable reputation as one of the U.K.'s heaviest and most intensely original bands over their eventful career. This four-man post-punk hardcore crew, formed in 2003 by guitarist Matt Lerwill and bassist Steve Beatty, have doggedly redefined what it means to convey ferocity and fury through the art of riffs, rhythms and incendiary, politically-charged lyrics, amassing a substantial fan base from across the rock, punk and metal spectrum and garnering countless effusive and ecstatic reviews from all corners of the rock and metal media.

Inspired by a wide range of influences, from post-punk heroes like KILLING JOKE, AMEBIX, GODFLESH and GANG OF FOUR through to the greats of rock, punk, industrial and underground metal, OCTOBER FILE exploded into life with their 2004 debut album, "A Long Walk On A Short Pier", and the "How To Lose Friends And Alienate People" EP from the same year, both of which were released by U.K. imprint Golf Records. Embarking on a relentless slew of live performances which has seldom slowed since, the band — completed by vocalist Ben Hollyer and drummer John Watt — proved their dedication to playing in front of anyone and everyone and duly attracted the attention of the U.K. rock and metal press. Consolidating their notoriety with the EPs "Monuments" (2005) and "Hallowed Be Thy Army" (2006), which marked the band's upward shift to the prestigious Candlelight Records label, OCTOBER FILE made friends with KILLING JOKE frontman Jaz Coleman who then lent his vocal powers to the band’s second full-length album, "Holy Armour From The Jaws Of God", which emerged to widespread acclaim in 2007, adorned by the astonishing and unique artwork of revered artist Victor Safonkin.

Over the years that followed, OCTOBER FILE have performed at numerous high profile festivals in the U.K. and rest of Europe and have also toured with KILLING JOKE, PRONG, MINISTRY and FEAR FACTORY. The buzz around the band led to an association with GODFLESH/JESU mainman Justin Broadrick who offered to produce one of two distinct versions of their third full-length album, "Our Souls To You", which was again released with stunning artwork from Victor Safonkin amid a whirlwind of positive reviews in 2010.

More well-received shows and festival sets across the U.K. and beyond followed. Meanwhile, the band made a memorable appearance in comedy zombie flick "Zombie Driftwood", which was filmed in the Cayman Islands and released in 2010, contributing two songs — "Falter" and "Isolation" — to its soundtrack and joining the ranks of the undead in the process. Documenting the band’s triumphant show at Bloodstock in 2011, Candlelight Records released a limited edition CD and DVD set called "Renditions In Juxtaposition - Live At Bloodstock". It captures a unique band at the height of their collective powers.

Italian female-fronted melodic metal band RAVENSCRY is putting the finishing touches on its second album, "The Attraction Of Opposites", due later in the year. The CD is being mixed by Swedish producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA, ENTOMBED).

According to RAVENSCRY's official bio, the band's "style is deliberately modern and integrates influences of components very different from one another: rock, metal, but at the same time leaves room for new influences, such as electronics. The themes of the lyrics are numerous and strong: the base is a cry of protest against a system where meritocracy does not exist and the sacrifice has often an illusory purpose; difficult relationships between parents and children, but also finding themselves, physical pleasure and alienation. Nothing is left out, because music is life and should tell every aspect of it."

RAVENSCRY is:

Voice: Giulia StefaniGuitar: Paul RaimondiGuitar: Mauro PaganelliBass: Andrea "Fagio" FagiuoliDrums: Simon Carminati

As STONE SOUR brings its "House Of Gold And Bones" touring cycle to a close next month, singer Corey Taylor is turning his full attention to his other band, SLIPKNOT. With Jim Root, guitarist for both groups, back in Los Angeles writing and demoing material, Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio where things stand for the long-awaited record. "Me and Jim have been writing a lot of stuff, and it's really starting to kind of shape up really… I mean, we've got a nice chunk, and now we just kind of need to, you know, shape everything to that SLIPKNOT point of view, that SLIPKNOT way, that SLIPKNOT sound."

He added: "There's an excitement that we haven't felt in a while."

The new SLIPKNOT album will be its first since 2008's "All Hope Is Gone" and the first since the 2010 death of bassist Paul Gray and the recent dismissal of drummer Joey Jordison.

Root told The Pulse Of Radio late last year — before the news about Jordison broke — that he was feeling the urgency to make a new SLIPKNOT album. "You know, we haven't done a record since Paul's been gone and it's been pushing six years. And there's a lot of people in SLIPKNOT and a lot of fans and me myself kind of feel like it's time for that hurdle to be overcome. And for me, that's really like my number one priority and the most important thing for me right now."

SLIPKNOT has not disclosed the reasons for Jordison's exit, although the drummer issued a statement recently saying that he did not quit the band. A replacement has yet to be named.

Taylor and SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan have both indicated that 2014 will be a comeback year for the band.