US rockers LITTLE CAESAR have parted ways with guitarist Joey Brasler. A message from the band follows:
"Due to conflicts and complications in our upcoming tour schedule, Joey Brasler will no longer be a member of Little Caesar. We will be eternally grateful for his contributions over the last four years in creating great music.

Replacing Joey Brasler will be Joey Malone who has made music with the likes of STEVEN TYLER, MARILYN MANSON, JOHNNY DEPP, etc. The four other original members are excited about him joining our family for our upcoming UK and Europe tours as well as future recordings."

Little Caesar's live itinerary can be found at this location.

Swedish occult rockers GHOST are planning to enter the studio in the fall to begin recording their third album for a 2015 release. Asked by Andrew Haug of AndrewHaug.com, Australia's first-ever dedicated 24/7 rock and metal online radio station, if the next CD will — as has been suggested in recent interviews — be "more metallic" than the previous efforts, one of GHOST's Nameless Ghouls said (hear audio below): "What I've been trying to sort of make clear was that [2013's] 'Infestissumam' turned out to be quite a vocal record, which goes very well with the level of theatrics of our live show right now. Whereas in the future, when we plan to go even more elaborate when it comes to theatrics and live performances, we cannot really have Papa singing all the time, because a) that's not very good for dynamics; b) it's not very healthy to have a singer that sings all the time; and c) from an instrumentalist's point of view, as much as I like the current record, I think we wanna do a record that might be more instrumental and thus, with that saying that it might be more riff-based. But these are just general thoughts about this from our point of view. If it makes the record come out as more of a metal record or not, it's very hard to tell right now."

GHOST was honored with the P3 Guld award (for their criticially acclaimed "Infestissumam" release) from Swedish radio station P3 in the "Best Rock/Metal Album Of The Year" category. The winners were announced this past Saturday night (January 18) during a live awards ceremony broadcast from the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden.

GHOST's sophomore album, "Infestissumam", sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 28 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The CD topped the official chart in the group's home country after selling nearly five times as many copies as the No. 2 album, MISS LI's "Wolves".

GHOST was forced to modify its name in the U.S. to GHOST B.C. for "legal reasons."

Finnish melodic death metallers INSOMNIUM are currently recording their new album for a spring release via Century Media Records.

Says INSOMNIUM guitarist/vocalist Ville Friman: "Again, the process could be described as a battle against time and ever-narrowing deadlines.

"We worked long days and we worked hard. But in the end, it was all worth of it: new songs sound just amazing.

"I think the new material is a bit more atmospheric than before. We explored different directions, and for example, experimented with rhythms a bit more; we even have blast beats on this album. And, of course, Markus Vanhala brought in his influence in terms of songwriting and guitar playing, which is something new. However, I think we did not push it too far, but stayed loyal to our own sound.

"Our intention was never really to change but merely update and revise our sound a bit. And I think we did pretty good job with it."

INSOMNIUM recently released the first song, "Ephemeral", off its forthcoming album. The first track to feature new guitarist Markus Vanhala (also in OMNIUM GATHERUM), who replaced Ville Vänni in 2011, "Ephemeral" was made available digitally in Europe on September 23, 2013 and was accompanied by three bonus tracks — acoustic songs that can be heard in the background of the INSOMNIUM documentary.

Comments the band: "After the success of our last single, 'Weather The Storm', we decided that it would be a good idea to record some new material this summer before releasing the actual new full-length album. This was also a good opportunity to explore different studios and work with different people. Just to explore our sound a bit more in terms of production.

"The drums [were] recorded by Kimmo Perkkiö at SF Sound (Finland). Everything else recorded by Teemu Aalto at Korkeakoski Studios, Kotka (Finland). The song was mixed and mastered by André Alvinzi and Jens Bogren, respectively, at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.

"It was nice challenge to work on the instrumental side of INSOMNIUM and come up with music that has more cinematic edge to it."

INSOMNIUM's latest album, "One For Sorrow", was released in October 2011 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden with sound engineer Daniel Antonsson (also bassist in DARK TRANQUILLITY and guitarist in DIMENSION ZERO) and at Fantom studios in Tempere, Finland, where the album was also mixed by Samu Oittisen.

ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello recently spoke to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2011's "Worship Music" album.

"I think we've got twelve songs for the new ANTHRAX record right now, and I don't know what happened, but for some reason, there's a great jam going on," he said.

"Scott [Ian, guitar], Charlie [Benante, drums] and I have been getting together and it's been running smoothly. Maybe it's been from all the touring we did for 'Worship Music', but we're not used to it coming together this fast.

"Let me tell you, there's more of a thrash element in the vibe.

"It's a heavy record.

"I'm really psyched about it.

"Scott and I were talking about it recently, how some of it is really tough to play. We need to warm up into it, and that lends itself to some fun, so I love the challenge of it all, and we just want to push it to the next level. That's all we want to do.

"We're having fun, man."

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.

Regarding whether Donais is now officially an ANTHRAX member, Ian told Metal Insider: "For all intents and purposes, he's in ANTHRAX. He's going to be there for everything we do moving forward. As far as how you title it, yeah. As far as I'm concerned, Jon is in ANTHRAX and will be playing leads on the record and will be touring with the band starting at the end of May 2014."

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

According to the Los Angeles Times, rocker-turned-filmmaker Rob Zombie has sold his home in Hancock Park, California for $3.65 million. The half-timber house was listed last September for $3.95 million.

The tree-sheltered Tudor, built in 1924, features wood paneling in the living room and pub rooms as well as the entry. The kitchen has been remodeled and includes a butler's pantry. There are six bedrooms and five bathrooms for a total of 6,249 square feet of interior space. The half-acre lot also contains a guest house, pool house, swimming pool and spa.

The home previously sold in 1999 for $1.799 million.

Rob Zombie in August 2013 commented on the report that his wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, had asked the town of Woodbury, Connecticut, where she and her husband now live, to move a skateboard park that is adjacent to their property due to the noise coming from the facility.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Sheri spoke up at the annual town budget meeting, saying, "I was wondering if we could designate some of the reserve to move the skateboard park that was put adjacent to my property which is proved to be a significant noise pollutant and has reduced the quality of life for me and my two other neighbors that it affects." Town selectman Gerald Stomski said that the town has taken steps to muffle the noise, including enclosing the undersides of the skate ramps and cutting back on the park's hours of operation.

But Sheri insisted that the town hasn't gone far enough, saying, "I know they're trying to improve the obnoxious noise with the wood on the side of the ramps, and that did nothing. I know they have ordered sound fabric. I think this is just a Band-Aid. The skateboard park should not have been put there."

In a posting on his Facebook page, Rob wrote: "It seems nuts to even have to address this, but I guess I will. Some really crazy articles have popped up making claims about 'hating skaters' and 'hating children.' None of this is true and it makes me sick that someone would print such lies.

"There is a simple matter going on in which we are trying to find a solution that will make EVERYBODY happy. Unfortunately, someone decided to turn it into a whole ugly event. What a bummer."

The Zombies have lived at their Sycamore Avenue home since 2009, four years prior to the opening of the skate park at Hollow Park in March of 2013. The main park itself has been there for decades.

(Thanks: Carl Alvarez)

METALLICA recently announced that they would hold one of the most unique performances of their career when they share the stage with renowned concert pianist LANG LANG during the 56th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 26th. Guitarist Kirk Hammett recently spoke with Rolling Stone about the upcoming performance of the classic Metallica track, 'One':
Hammett: "It's gonna be completely insane. Lang Lang has interjected himself into the song in a way I don't think anyone else has ever done in the course of our career. He's going to be playing major parts of the song. He's going to be playing through the melody."

"He's going to be weaving in and out of my guitar solos, which is amazing for me, because I've never played with another instrument that's been able to do that so effortlessly. We're keeping all the heavy parts. It's going to be really cool and it's really dynamic."

Click here for the complete article."

Metallica recently issued the following statement regarding their upcoming Grammy Awards appearance:

"We're honored to be asked back to the Grammys to perform... it's been 22 years since the last time we hit the stage at the annual awards show! This performance will be truly special with Lang Lang, who has appeared on stages all over the world including the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, a White House state dinner, World Cup ceremonies, and the Nobel Prize concert in Stockholm among many other acclaimed appearances.
We are also very proud that the Through The Never soundtrack has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Recording Package and we're hoping for another win for our friends from Turner Duckworth, who also designed the Death Magnetic art and took home the mini gramophone in 2009.

Check your local listings for the awards show on CBS or for more information visit Grammy.com."

Through The Never, directed by award-winning filmmaker Nimród Antal, will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, digitally, and V.O.D. (Video On Demand) on January 28th through Blackened Recordings.
Formats will include a standard 2-disc package on DVD, Blu-ray, or 3D Blu-ray, as well as special expanded versions. The DVDs and Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray will include extensive behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the film, including an 80+ minute Making Of Metallica Through The Never documentary, various interviews with the cast and crew and never before seen Metallica content. Metallica fans will also be able to purchase a limited-edition deluxe package containing a piece of the actual stage used in the film, a lithograph print autographed by all four band members and more. Full details of the package are below. The digital format will include the feature film, as well as the Making Of Metallica Through The Never documentary. The film will also be available for rental and download via V.O.D. on January 28th in The US, and at a later date (tbd) in Canada. Visit Metallica.com for information regarding specific countries and release dates.

I. Standard DVD (2 Discs)

Disc 1
- Metallica Through The Never Movie
- Theatrical Trailer
- 'Master Of Puppets' Music Video
- EPK - Cast & Crew Interviews
- Interviews With The Sound & Music Team

Disc 2
- Making Of Metallica Through The Never Documentary
- Mill Valley Film Festival Q&A With Metallica, Director Nimród Antal & Dane DeHaan
- Orion Festival 2013 Film Tent Highlights with Lars Ulrich
*Also included in package: Digital Download of the film

II. Blu-ray (2 Discs)

Disc 1
- Metallica Through The Never Movie


Disc 2
- Making Of Metallica Through The Never Documentary
- Theatrical Trailer
- 'Master Of Puppets' Music Video
- EPK - Cast & Crew Interviews
- Interviews With The Sound & Music Team
- Mill Valley Film Festival Q&A With Metallica, Director Nimród Antal & Dane Dehaan
- Orion Festival 2013 Film Tent Highlights with Lars Ulrich
*Also included in package: Digital Download of the film

III. 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray (2 Discs)

*Note: The 3D DVD cover will include 3D lenticular artwork that is actually a reusable STICKER, giving fans a 3D souvenir

On 3D Blu-ray Disc:
- Metallica Through The Never Movie in 3D

On 2D Blu-ray Disc:
- Making Of Metallica Through The Never Documentary
- Theatrical Trailer
- 'Master Of Puppets' Music Video
- EPK - Cast & Crew Interviews
- Interviews With The Sound & Music Team
- Mill Valley Film Festival Q&A With Metallica, Director Nimród Antal & Dane DeHaan
- Orion Festival 2013 Film Tent Highlights with Lars Ulrich
*Also included in package: Digital Download of the film

IV: LIMITED Deluxe Blu-ray Set (3 Discs) - QTY TBD - 1 Run will be produced
*Note: The 3D DVD cover will include 3D lenticular artwork that is actually a reusable STICKER, giving fans a 3D souvenir

Disc 1 - On 3D Blu-ray Disc:
- Metallica Through The Never Movie in 3D

Disc 2 - On 2D Blu-ray Disc
- Metallica Through The Never Movie

Disc 3 - On 2D Blu-ray Disc
- Making Of Metallica Through The Never Documentary
- Theatrical Trailer
- 'Master Of Puppets' Music Video
- EPK - Cast & Crew Interviews
- Interviews With The Sound & Music Team
- Mill Valley Film Festival Q&A With Metallica, Director Nimród Antal & Dane DeHaan
- Orion Festival 2013 Film Tent Highlights with Lars Ulrich
- Limited Edition Metallica Through The Never Bandana
- Limited Edition Metallica Through The Never litho movie poster
*Also included in package: Digital Download of the film

V: LIMITED EDITION METCLUB-ONLY RELEASE: Blu-ray Set (3 Discs) - only 1,000 will be produced
*Note: The 3D DVD cover will include 3D lenticular artwork that is actually a reusable STICKER, giving fans a 3D souvenir

Disc 1 - On 3D Blu-ray Disc:
- Metallica Through The Never Movie in 3D

Disc 2 - On 2D Blu-ray Disc
- Metallica Through The Never Movie

Disc 3 - On 2D Blu-ray Disc
- Making Of Metallica Through The Never Documentary
- Theatrical Trailer
- 'Master Of Puppets' Music Video
- EPK - Cast & Crew Interviews
- Interviews With The Sound & Music Team
- Mill Valley Film Festival Q&A With Metallica, Director Nimród Antal & Dane DeHaan
- Orion Festival 2013 Film Tent Highlights with Lars Ulrich
*Also included in package: Digital Download of the film

Plus
- Limited Edition Metallica Through The Never Bandana
- Limited Edition Metallica Through The Never litho movie poster autographed by all four members of Metallica
- A piece of the Stage used in the making of Metallica Through The Never. Fans will receive an actual piece of "Doris" (The Statue of Lady Justice) from the stage with a letter of authenticity. This will not be sold anywhere else now or ever again

A new Insurance.com survey identifies the best and worst songs for the road, plus some guilty pleasures.

JOURNEY's "Don't Stop Believin'" has been voted the best song for driving, while "Who Let the Dogs Out?" by THE BAHA MEN was picked as the worst , according to an Insurance.com survey.

Insurance.com commissioned a survey of 2,000 drivers and asked them to choose the best and worst songs for driving, as well as music that they secretly listen to in the car.

Rounding out the top five were QUEEN's 1975 rock opera "Bohemian Rhapsody", AC/DC's classic "You Shook Me All Night Long", another JOURNEY tune from the '80s, "Any Way You Want It" and TOM COCHRANE's 1991 hit "Life is a Highway".

The following percentage of voters chose these songs as the best car music:

* "Don't Stop Believin'" by JOURNEY: 30 percent* "Bohemian Rhapsody" by QUEEN: 27 percent* "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC: 22 percent* "Any Way You Want It" by JOURNEY: 22 percent* "Life is a Highway" by TOM COCHRANE: 21 percent* "Dancing Queen" by ABBA: 19 percent* "American Girl" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS: 16 percent* "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" by MICHAEL JACKSON: 15 percent* "Born to Run" by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: 14 percent* "Fortunate Son" by CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL: 14 percent* "September" by EARTH, WIND AND FIRE: 13 percent* "Every Day is a Winding Road" by SHERYL CROW: 13 percent* "California Love" by 2PAC: 13 percent* "Drive My Car" by THE BEATLES: 13 percent* "Little Red Corvette" by PRINCE: 13 percent* "Runnin' Down a Dream" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS: 12 percent* "This is How We Do It" by MONTELL JORDAN: 11 percent* "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by THE PROCLAIMERS: 9 percent* "Holiday" by MADONNA: 9 percent* "London Calling" by THE CLASH: 6 percent

Percentages total more than 100 because respondents were allowed to choose up to five songs.

"Some people mock the Bay Area balladeers, but there's no denying journey has a fan base, given they took two of the top five spots for songs that people enjoy when driving," said Michelle Megna, managing editor of Insurance.com.

Respondents could also provide their own picks for songs that make you want to crank up the volume when behind the wheel. "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC, "Radar Love" by GOLDEN EARRING and "I Can't Drive 55" by SAMMY HAGAR topped the list of write-in choices.

Drivers were also asked to write in the names of songs and artists that make them want to tune out immediately. "Baby" by Justin Bieber, "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus and "any type of rap" were among the most popular losers.

When asked what bands, artists or stations they listen to when driving that they don't make known to others, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga were knotted up in the top three spots.

"Strictly from data analysis we can surmise that the ideal driving songs would be duets with Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift singing old JOURNEY favorites," said Megna.

When guilty-pleasure listening is broken down by gender, tied for the top write-in response for women are gospel music and Eminem; for men, Adele and 2Pac tied for top write-in response.

Insurance.com surveyed 2,000 licensed drivers age 18 and older. Respondents were split evenly between males and females and distributed across age groups according to Census data on age distribution. The online-panel survey was fielded in October 2013. Percentages for best and worst songs total more than 100 because respondents were allowed to choose up to five songs in each category.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, JANE'S ADDICTION is going to be on hiatus for a while as frontman Perry Farrell works on an electronic dance music stage musical called "Kind Heaven". Farrell told Rolling Stone that the proposed show, which deals with the sex and drug trades in Thailand, "is a pretty massive undertaking, so JANE'S ADDICTION is going to take a hiatus. It’ll be a couple of years before you see JANE'S again." Farrell added that the musical was a "love story with a very modern scenario," in which a soldier sent by the Thai government to subdue an insurgency falls in love with a female sex worker and runs away with her to a Buddhist monastery.

Farrell hopes to open the show in Las Vegas, and recently visited the city to scope out potential theaters for what he envisions as an immersive, interactive production that audience members will walk through.

Farrell plans to hit the DJ and club circuit soon with his wife Etty to test out songs he has already written for the show.

JANE'S ADDICTION, which has broken up and reunited several times since forming in 1985, released its fourth studio album, "The Great Escape Artist", in 2011.

The group released "Live In NYC" last June on DVD/CD, Blu-ray and double LP vinyl, and issued a new track called "Another Soulmate" during the summer.

HYDROGYN will issue their new release, Break The Chains, on January 28th. A pre-order is currently available at this location which will include a bonus DVD of the 'Rock Me' video, as well as interviews with vocalist Julie Westlake and guitarist Jeff Westlake.

Julie announces that 2014 is a comeback year of sorts for the band: "The past couple of years have been full of health issues, losing two children and just re-grouping on a personal level. We have not been doing anything because of that and now it is time to fire back up; which we are doing. We have the new EP coming out end of this month and then we have a DVD in production right now as well."

The band is planning on some shows in 2014 as well. For now they are shooting a new video which will be released in late February and also just released a video performing AC/DC classic 'Back In Black' during their 2006 Strip'em Blind Tour.

“Thank you to everyone who has stayed with us and look for something cool in almost every month of this year to come your way”, states Westlake.
About the upcoming new release, Julie recently said: “As always this goes in a bit of a different direction once again,” says Julie. “I love to keep it all fresh and not the same thing with different song titles. I think everyone will dig it.”
'Rock Me' was recorded at Wireworld Studio in Nashville, TN with producer Michael Wagener (METALLICA, POISON, DOKKEN) and features special guest Angel from ANGELS REVENGE.

Longtime MOTÖRHEAD manager Todd Singerman spoke to Decibel magazine about the band's decision to cancel a European tour at the end of last year due to frontman Lemmy's ongoing health problems. 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 tells Decibel. "I miss it. I gave up smoking, too. I gave up bread. It's been a bit of a job, you know?"

"[Lemmy's] been up and down," says Singerman. "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 [the European tour], because Lemmy's not ready," Singerman explains. "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."

MOTÖRHEAD's European tour has been rescheduled for February, with a U.S. tour to follow in March.

To purchase a copy of Decibel's February 2014 issue featuring Lemmy on the cover, go to this location.

EDGUY is putting the finishing touches on their new album and frontman and AVANTASIA mastermind Tobias Sammet has issued the following statement: “Putting final touches to new Edguy album. New power, new look. We're more ‘80s than the ‘80s ever were! Ha!”
In a previous update, Sammet checked in with the following:

“We have focused on what makes this band unique and recorded what we believe is going to be the strongest and heaviest album this band has ever recorded. We didn't waste any time with updates or distractions. There is no doubt that this album is going to be the album we'll be measured against in the future. And it makes us proud to say that as a band that has been existing for over 22 years now, fully aware that the best is yet to come.“

The album is in the mixing process right now and will be out in April. Details will be revealed soon.

Metal Shock Finland's Blackdiamond recently spoke with Sammet about Avantasia and how the metal opera project's popularity may or may not affect Edguy.
Sammet: "We won’t disband, we will go on. We are about to start working on a new album this fall. We will take all the time we need until we come up with something that makes sense. I don’t expect a new album to come out until spring or summer 2014."

Listen to the audio interview at this location.

Los Angeles glam-metal jokesters STEEL PANTHER have released the second video from their upcoming third album, "All You Can Eat", due out on April 1 in North America via Open E Records/KLS. "The Burden Of Being Wonderful" was directed by Kirker Butler, who is best known for his work as a writer and producer on "Family Guy" and "The Cleveland Show".

Butler explains what drew him to direct the video: "I grew up on heavy metal videos. They were the best things on MTV (along with the DURAN DURAN videos with the naked girls).

"I wanted to make a heavy metal video the way they used to make them, but with better production values and less Tawny Kitaen."

Comedian Matt Braunger, who has been seen on "Madtv" and NBC’s "Up All Night", plays the lead in the video that follows an Average Joe throughout his day as he sees himself in situations that make him seem as wonderful as STEEL PANTHER.

"All You Can Eat" was produced by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, ADRENALINE MOB) and is available for pre-order at SteelPantherRocks.com.

From the opening acoustic riff of album opener "Pussywhipped" to final chord hit in the album closer "She's On The Rag", it is clear STEEL PANTHER is back and better than ever. Songs like "Gloryhole", "Gangbang At The Old Folks Home" and "BVS" all showcase STEEL PANTHER's incredible musicianship and ability to write memorable and sometimes educational songs.

The debut single, "Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World", was released in November with a star-studded video directed by Rob Riggle that has been viewed over 660,000 times.

"All You Can Eat" track listing:

01. Pussywhipped 02. Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World03. Gloryhole04. Bukkake Tears05. Gangbang At The Old Folks Home06. Ten Strikes You’re Out07. The Burden Of Being Wonderful08. F@#king My Heart In The Ass09. BVS10. You're Beautiful When You Don't Talk11. If I Was The King12. She's On The Rag

Regarding the new CD title, singer Michael Starr said: "We feel like STEEL PANTHER is like a buffet. You know what I mean?! There's a little bit of everything for everybody. And you can have as much of us as you want."

The not-safe-for-work version of the official "Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World" video includes celebrity cameos by "Jackass" star Steve-O, porn icon Ron Jeremy, "Breaking Bad" actor RJ Mitte and MMA fighter Chuck Liddell.

Speaking to the South Bend Tribune, STEEL PANTHER drummer Stix Zadinia (real name: Darren Leader) stated about the band's new CD: "If you liked [2009's] 'Feel The Steel' and [2011's] 'Balls Out', you will love this record. It is more heavy metal songs that are hooky and great and fun and make you want to rock and make you want to have a good time and party. Also, there is a lot of riffage on this album that I think anybody who has ever questioned this band — 'Oh, those guys wear spandex and it is 2000-whatever' — these songs are going to put all of that to rest."

"Balls Out" sold nearly 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 40 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Reactivated British extreme metal pioneers CARCASS recorded several songs — "Unfit For Human Consumption", "The Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System", "Captive Bolt Pistol" and "Carneous Cacoffiny" — at the legendary BBC Maida Vale Studios in London, England for an exclusive BBC Radio 1 "Rock Show" session which aired last night (Monday, January 20) as part of Daniel Carter's program. The band states" "This should satisfy anyone who thought the ['Surgical Steel'] album was too 'slick!!!' TOTALLY live in the studio."

You can now listen to the program in its entirety for the next seven days at BBC.co.uk.

CARCASS is one of several bands who will perform at METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett's first annual horror convention, dubbed Kirk Von Hammett's Fear FestEviL, which will take place February 6-8 at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, California.

"Surgical Steel" sold around 8,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 41 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on September 16, 2013 in the U.K., September 13, 2013 in the rest of Europe and September 17, 2013 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was produced by Colin Richardson (FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD, NAPALM DEATH, SLIPKNOT, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE) and mixed by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ACCEPT, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY).

Joining guitarist Bill Steer and bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker in CARCASS' current incarnation are new drummer Dan Wilding (ABORTED, TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED) and guitarist Ben Ash (PIG IRON, DESOLATION, LIQUEFIED SKELETON).

Decibel magazine's third cross-country domination — set to take place next spring — will feature CARCASS alongside melodeath powerhouse THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, technical death metal heroes GORGUTS and emerging death/thrash squad NOISEM.

Influential British melodic hard rockers MAGNUM will release their 19th studio album, "Escape From The Shadow Garden", on March 25 (one day earlier internationally) via Steamhammer/SPV. The effort will be made available as a limited digipak edition with bonus material, as a double colored vinyl LP, standard jewel case CD and download. The cover artwork was once again created by famous fantasy artist Rodney Matthews (ASIA, NAZARETH, ELOY).

"We used to be under permanent pressure from our record companies," says MAGNUM mastermind Tony Clarkin. "They kept calling us, demanding hit singles and radio numbers. But that sort of thing doesn't work on demand. Now we're with SPV, where it's a totally different situation. They give us the necessary time and trust us to do the right thing. That's probably the reason why I enjoy working with MAGNUM again."

Clarkin's regained joy in his band is omnipresent on "Escape From The Shadow Garden". Just like his simple-yet-logical work ethos. "I simply told myself: you're a passable guitarist, so you should play the guitar," he says. "As the band's guitarist and producer, I have all the freedom I need to create exactly what I feel like creating." The result of his latest burst of creativity consists of eleven wonderfully melodic rock songs which blend all the typical MAGNUM ingredients, sounding in a fascinating way both timeless and classic.

"This band has certain unmistakable trademarks," Clarkin explains. "Among them are my feel for melodies and Bob's unique vocal style."

Only a month after the release of its predecessor, "On The 13th Day", Clarkin started with the preparations for "Escape From The Shadow Garden" — as always, an exciting phase in his life.

"Before you haven't recorded and mixed every single note, you never really know whether you'll be happy with the result," he says.

"When I heard the final version of the eleven new songs with their different stories and diverse arrangements, I knew it had turned into an impressive and complete album.

"Together with the great cover artwork designed by Rodney Matthews, this is a release which forges an arch to the early days of MAGNUM's career. And that's wonderful!

"I was really happy when my friend Jimmy Lea of SLADE came to visit me at the studio again and said: 'You've done it again?'

"It doesn't matter whether by sheer luck or hard work — life could have gone a totally differently way."

"Escape From The Shadow Garden" track listing:

Digipak Version CD

01. Live 'Til You Die02. Unwritten Sacrifice03. Falling For The Big Plan04. Crying In The Rain05. Too Many Clowns06. Midnight Angel07. The Art Of Compromise08. Don't Fall Asleep09. Wisdom's Had Its Day10. Burning River11. The Valley Of Tears

DVD * Bonus Features* Recorded Over Six Nights In Europe Live Footage (Black Skies - Freedom Day - All My Bridges - On A Storyteller's Night)* Extras (On Tour Footage)(Too Many Clowns - Dance Of The Black Tattoo) Jewel case Version

01. Live 'Til You Die02. Unwritten Sacrifice03. Falling For The Big Plan04. Crying In The Rain05. Too Many Clowns06. Midnight Angel07. The Art Of Compromise08. Don't Fall Asleep09. Wisdom's Had Its Day10. Burning River11. The Valley Of Tears

LP Version LP 1 Side One

01. Live 'Til You Die02. Unwritten Sacrifice03. Falling For The Big Plan

LP 1 Side Two

01. Crying In The Rain02. Too Many Clowns03. Midnight Angel

LP 2 Side One

01. The Art Of Compromise02. Don't Fall Asleep03. Wisdom's Had Its Day

LP 2 Side Two

01. Burning River02. The Valley Of Tears03. Dance Of The Black Tattoo (live; bonus track)

Three weeks after the release of "Escape From The Shadow Garden", MAGNUM will embark on a huge European tour.

MAGNUM's last CD, "On The 13th Day", came out in September 2012.

Epic Norwegian thrash metallers NOCTURNAL BREED will release a new album entitled "Napalm Nights" on March 11 in Europe and March 18 in North America via Agonia Records.

"Speedkrieg", the second song to be revealed off the release, is available for streaming using the SoundCloud widget below.

Featuring a guest appearance by DARKTHRONE's Nocturno Culto on vocals and former member A.E. Rattlehead on guitar, "Napalm Nights" includes 10 brand-new tracks recorded at Killer Studio in Norway during 2012 and 2013.

Recently reunited with original guitarist I. Maztor, NOCTURNAL BREED — which includes present and past members of SATYRICON, AETERNUS and GEHENNA — is coming back with its fifth full-length release after seven years of silence. The newest album is a punch of epic old-school thrash metal with a blackened rock 'n' roll undercurrent.

"Napalm Nights" track listing:

01. The Devil Swept The Ruins 02. Speedkrieg 03. Cursed Beyond Recognition04. The Bitch Of Buchenwald05. Napalm Nights06. Thrashiac07. Dawn Campaign... Flamethrower Ridge08. Under The Whip09. Dragging The Priests10. Krigshisser

"Napalm Nights" recording lineup:

S. A. Destroyer - bass, vocalsI. Maztor - guitarTex Terror - drums, vocalsV. Fineideath - guitarNocturno Culto - guest vocals

E.A. Rattlehead - guest guitar

"Napalm Nights" will be available in digipack CD, limited double black vinyl in gatefold sleeves (with insert with lyrics and A2 poster), limited double military green vinyl (with insert with lyrics, A2 poster and laser-cut full color patch) and digitally.

Delaware/New Jersey sextet I AM HERESY will release its second full-length album, "Thy Will", on March 4, 2014 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The CD was engineered and produced by John Ferrara at Portrait Studios, who also helmed I AM HERESY's "O Day Star, Son Of Dawn" EP. The new effort was mastered by Kevin Mattesky at Phantom Center Media.

The official lyric video for the song "Rahabh" can be seen below. I AM HERESY's sound is an eruption channeling the passionate hardcore/punk fury of early BOYSETSFIRE streaking ferociously down the middle of the metallic-tinged prowess and influences of fellow hardcore giants INTEGRITY and CONVERGE. Imposing. Frenetic. Unrelenting. And certainly unrepentant. After Nathan Gray (also of BOYSETSFIRE) ended THE CASTING OUT, the start of a new era was heralded when he teamed up with his son Simon Gray and a wild bunch of likeminded musicians to form I AM HERESY. They released a self-titled debut album that was followed by the "O Day Star, Son Of Dawn" EP shortly after in March of 2013. At about the same time, they did their first European tour as well as shows on the East Coast of the USA, including some with their new label mates of VATTNET VISKAR. Says Gray about "Thy Will": "A new ethos is born...Come ye daughters and sons of chaos and mystery! We intend to rebuild and create the archetypes of rebellion and revolution against self induced repression. Reveling in anthemic battle songs of lust, pride and indulgence in order to create a ritual purification from the stagnant impotence of servitude and self denial." I AM HERESY is:

Nathan Gray - VocalsJay Sin - GuitarSimon Gray - GuitarGregg Kautz - GuitarMatt Balog - BassCrumbs - Drums

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/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

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

According to a new tweet from TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick, he is currently "holed up" in a San Francisco Bay Area motel with fellow TESTAMENT axeman Eric Peterson and their guitars and mini-amps writing tunes for the band's next studio album. Skolnick says: "[We have] great ideas so far!"

TESTAMENT last week announced the departure of bassist Greg Christian. Metal fretless bass pioneer Steve DiGiorgio has rejoined TESTAMENT as Christian's replacement.

Steve was previously a member of TESTAMENT on "The Gathering" (1999) and "First Strike Still Deadly" (2001) albums.

Christian was forced to leave the band's North American tour with LAMB OF GOD and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in November for "personal reasons." Filling in for him was EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson.

"Dark Roots Of Thrash", a DVD/2CD release documenting TESTAMENT's sold-out headlining performance at the Paramount in Huntington, New York this past February, was made available on October 18, 2013 (Europe) and October 29, 2013 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records. "Dark Roots Of Thrash" was produced by Get Hammered Productions, directed by Tommy Jones (DEATH ANGEL, KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK) and mixed by Juan Urteaga (VILE, EXODUS, SADUS, MACHINE HEAD). It captures a total of 19 live tracks with countless cams onstage and high above the audience, plus a special moshpit cam that makes you feel like you're a part of the show.

Southern Minnesota-based metallers ENEMY X - which features in it's ranks former VIO-LENCE frontman Jerry Birr on bass - has issued the following update:

"We're very excited to announce that the re-release of our album, The Ends Of The Earth, featuring new singer Jon Mullaly is available for streaming in its entirety on Soundcloud. The album will be available for sale from several digital retailers soon.

Enemy X is currently preparing for touring in late winter/early spring and also working on a brand new full length album for release summer this year. Check the Enemy X Facebook page often for news, updates and some upcoming big announcements."

South Carolina-based gothic heavy psych act BLOODY HAMMERS has joined the Napalm Records/Spinning Goblin roster of artists.

"The brilliant part about our job here at Napalm often is to team up and help bands succeed that you are already a big fan of personally! Both previous albums - Bloody Hammers and Spiritual Relics - are simply amazing and have been played here at the Napalm headquarters all of last year." - Sebastian Muench A&R
"Napalm has the talented worldwide staff and infrastructure that made perfect sense to me. I've recently written some of the best songs in my life for the next album and I'm confident they will do their part getting it out to the world. We're looking forward to all the possibilities with Napalm / Spinning Goblin in 2014." - Anders Manga (bass/vocals)

Stay tuned for more Bloody Hammers news.

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.

"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.

Texas outlaws SCORPION CHILD will embark on a headlining tour throughout Europe in March and April.
"We the band, would like to thank all of our fans who attended our first headlining tour last Fall season. The response from our fans was incredible and we are counting down the days until the next! We will return to Europe in March 2014 for our second headlining tour with support from Horisont. Also don't miss the action at Hellfest this year, we're planning something CRAZY! See you soon!"

Scorpion Child and drummer Shawn Alvear have decided to part ways indefinitely, and bring in former JOB FOR A COWBOY drummer Jon Rice to take over in the percussion department.

Dates with HORISONT include:

March
28 - Brussels, Belgium - AB Club
29 - München, Germany - Droptune Festival
31 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7

April
3 - Innsbruck, Austria - Weekender
4 - Esslingen, Germany - Komma
5 - Wolfsberg, Austria - JUZ
6 - Lichtenfels, Germany - Paunchy Cats
8 - Wien, Austria - Arena 3 Raum
9 - Darmstadt, Germany - Steinbruch Theater
10 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
12 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Roadburn Festival (SC only)
13 - Rheine, Germany - Hypothalamus
15 - Kopenhagen, Germany - Beta
16 - Berlin, Germany - Comet
17 - Dresden, Germany - Scheune
19 - Essen, Germany - Turock

Fan-filmed video footage of STONE SOUR performing a cover version of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "Heading Out To The Highway" on January 17 in Baltimore, Maryland can be seen below.

As previously reported, STONE SOUR guitarist Jim Root has chosen to sit out the band's current North American tour so that he can concentrate on writing music for the next SLIPKNOT album. The Pulse Of Radio spoke with Root and asked him to explain his decision in a little more depth. "You know, unfortunately I'm only one person," he said. "I can't really be in two places at one time and the amount of focus that I need to put into SLIPKNOT makes it really difficult for me to be on tour with STONE SOUR. It's crushing and it's heartbreaking and I really don't like the idea of not being out there, but I don't really see any other way to really do it without — I mean, this is like the best way that we could come up with for a compromise." Root said that it's possible that SLIPKNOT could enter a studio as early as January, although the group has yet to make any official announcements regarding its next record.

Root is being replaced for the month-long tour, which began on January 14 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, by Christian Martucci. POP EVIL and STOLEN BABIES are also on the bill.

The trek will mark the end of the touring cycle for STONE SOUR and the band's two-album set, "House Of Gold And Bones".

SLIPKNOT's long-awaited fifth album will be its first since 2008's "All Hope Is Gone" and first since the 2010 death of bassist Paul Gray and last month's dismissal of drummer Joey Jordison.

Fan-filmed video footage of the Geoff Tate-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE performing the song "Silent Lucidity" on January 10 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia can be seen below.

Tate — who was fired from QUEENSRŸCHE in 2012 after fronting it for three decades — and his former bandmates have 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 Julia Garratt has signed a stipulation and order continuing trial date, allowing the parties two 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 February 10.

During an appearance last week 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.

Finnish thrashers LOST SOCIETY will release their new album, "Terror Hungry", on April 4 via Nuclear Blast Records. Produced by Nino Laurenne (AMORPHIS, ENSIFERUM, LORDI) at Sonic Pump studios (FINNTROLL, SONATA ARCTICA, OMNIUM GATHERUM), the CD sees the "Finns shred their way with the energy and speed of an out-of-control freight train, rolling downhill on the way to thrash Olymp," according to a press release. Comments LOST SOCIETY mastermind Samy Elbanna: "LOST SOCIETY is back, and we're angrier than ever!

"The new album, 'Terror Hungry', is a full-on thrash album from start to finish, with a darker and even more aggressive feel to it! It has the signature elements of that make up LOST SOCIETY, and we've put in more groove riffage, more mind-blistering guitar shredding and some of the fastest stuff we've ever done!

"Look out, this ones gonna be FASTER, LOUDER and we're more pissed off than ever!!" "Terror Hungry" track listing: 01. Spurgatory02. Game Over03. Attaxic04. Lethal Pleasure05. Terror Hungry06. Snowroad Blowout07. Tyrant Takeover08. Overdosed Brain09. Thrashed Reality10. F.F.E.11. Brewtal Awakening12. Mosh It Up13. Wasted After Midnight

Bonus:

14. You Can't Stop Rock ‘N' Roll LOST SOCIETY's debut album, "Fast Loud Death", entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 25. Released in March 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios (FINNTROLL, SONATA ARCTICA, OMNIUM GATHERUM) in Helsinki, Finland with producer Nino Laurenne (AMORPHIS, ENSIFERUM, LORDI) and it featured cover artwork by Ed Repka (MEGADETH, DEATH, SANCTUARY, VENOM).

Founded in early 2010 by thrash/speed metal enthusiast Samy Elbanna in the Finnish town of Jyväskylä, LOST SOCIETY played a number of gigs around Finland before taking part in the world-renowned GBOB (Global Battle Of the Bands). After winning the preliminary round in their hometown, they were invited to the finals held in Helsinki, where they prevailed over 13 other contestants. The grand finals of GBOB 2012 took place at The Scala in London on December 9, 2012 and featured 18 bands from all over the world, including LOST SOCIETY.

LOST SOCIETY is:

Samy Elbanna - Vocals, GuitarArttu Lesonen - GuitarMirko Lehtinen - BassOssi Paananen - Drums

Candlelight Records has announced the signing of ANCIENT ASCENDANT.

ANCIENT ASCENDANT is a British-based quartet pioneering a unique brand of songwriting based on a solid foundation of black and death metal while injecting eclectic ideas from a wide range of fine metal traditions.

Since the release of its critically acclaimed debut EP, "The Heathen Throne", ANCIENT ASCENDANT has shared the stage with black metal monsters 1349, death metal legends BOLT THROWER (who personally invited the band to support them), ROTTING CHRIST, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and BLOOD RED THRONE, to name a few.

2011 was a hugely successful year for ANCIENT ASCENDANT, which saw their highly rated debut album, "The Grim Awakening", being released by Siege Of Amida Records, as well as signing to the renowned Factory Music booking agency. Quickly following up on this with their second EP, 2012 saw the release of "Into The Dark".

"Into The Dark" represented the latest evolution of British death metal standard bearers ANCIENT ASCENDANT, brought to life under the expert guidance of the legendary Dan Swanö (OPETH, DISSECTION, DARK FUNERAL, BLOODBATH, KATATONIA, MARDUK).

2012 also saw the band completing a successful U.K. tour with gore metal legends ABORTED, playing a packed out Sophie Lancaster stage at Bloodstock Open Air, as well as sharing a stage with the masters of Teutonic thrash SODOM.

2013 began with a busy touring schedule, travelling the U.K. and Ireland with ENSLAVED and WINTERFYLLETH, then as main support to HYPOCRISY. The rest of the year was spent writing and recording their second full-length album, once again with Dan Swanö at the helm.

The follow up to the 2012 EP "Into The Dark", ANCIENT ASCENDANT's new full-length album continues in the style the band has honed over the last six years while raising the bar in every conceivable way. More extremity, more melody, more groove and more evil.

Says ANCIENT ASCENDANT in a statement: "We are so proud to be signing with the legendary Candlelight Records.

"Not only do we get to work with the great guys that run it, we get to share a roster with our good friends in XERATH, WINTERFYLLETH and EASTERN FRONT. Not to mention other bands like PESTILENCE and IHSAHN who have greatly influenced us to be the band we are today.

"We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with such a great label."

ANCIENT ASCENDANT will be on tour in April supporting PESTILENCE across Europe.

Jyväskylä, Finland-based metal act SUICIDAL RIDE have just released a lyric video for the song 'Burn With Me'. The song was recorded in Kerava, Finland, when SUICIDAL RIDE played their first semi-acoustic concert.
During 2013 Suicidal Ride focused mostly on live shows, performing both in Jyväskylä in Lutakko at the Metal From Finland event and in Ravintola Ihana, and outside their home city in places such as Turku, Uurainen and Kerava.
The band entered the studio in October 2013 to record their debut album, which is planned to be released in 2014, and started the shootings for a music video for the song 'Fuck You!'.

A live video from the same event in Kerava, cover of TYPE O NEGATIVE's ‘Black No. 1’ is also available below:

Montreal-based ENDAST have unveiled the cover art for their new album, Thrive, due to be released this April:
More details will be revealed soon.

Endast frontman Big James Arsenian recently checked in with the following announcement:

"So me and my boy Dave Sheldon (EXES FOR EYES, Elegy Guitar Works) started making microphones. These are designed and priced specifically for underground musicians. They are called Metal Mics. A classic look, revamped to be way more badass. We are making 50 of them. So they will go fast. Get into it."

Check out Arsenian's Metal Mics overview:
Pre-orders are now available for Big James Metal Mics here.

Italy-based prog/goth/black metal act HORTUS ANIMAE have inked a deal with the historic British label Flicknife Records for the worldwide release of their comeback album, Secular Music. They have unveiled the cover art for the release below:
Secular Music tracklisting:

'Disgusting God And His Children'
'Blood Of The Earth / The Truth Against The World'
'Dystopian Apocalypse'
'At The End Of Doomsday'
'The Poison Of The N?ga'
'Impromptu Op II - Pain Relieved'
'Chamber Of Endless Nightmares'
'Aqualung' (JETHRO TULL cover - bonus track)

More details to follow. More on Hortus Animae at this location.

Legendary Australian progressive metal band VAUXDVIHL has signed a deal with Century Media Records to release the band’s entire recordings. Two years after the band’s formation in 1992, Vauxdvihl released their only full length album, To Dimension Logic, an album that is justly considered a classic release of progressive yet highly emotional metal.

To Dimension Logic is today ranked amongst the most influential progressive metal albums of all time. If you can imagine a hybrid of the complexity of FATES WARNING and the technical finesse of NEVERMORE, spiced up with a huge portion of sorrowful atmosphere, this album will surely not leave your head for a long time.

The two succeeding EPs Vog (1998) and Siberian Church Recordings (2001) show Vauxdvihl in a different light, incorporating Industrial coldness with intense progressive arrangements. The result is music which remains emotionally gripping and forward thinking.

Century Media Records will release Vauxdvihl's entire recordings as a limited 2CD and 2LP version. An official release date has not yet been set, but is scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.

Tracklisting:

CD1: To Dimension Logic

'The Weapon'
'To Dimension Logic'
'Question Of Misanthropy'
'Seperate Ends'
'Comedy Of Errors'
'Philosophic Mosaica'
'In Search Of Forever'
'Minus Absence'

CD2: Vog + Siberian Church Recordings + Demos

'Prognosis: Poor Me Syndrome'
'Assassination'
'The Funeral Party'
'For The Son Has Gone To Hell'
'Livenlurne'
'Plots (To Or F) Are Necessary Things?'
'ISIS/PEKT'
'Movement'
'Summoning'

Tracks 1-5: Vog
Tracks 6-9: Siberian Church Recordings

Note: CD2 and LP2 will only be available in the first edition. Updates to follow.