"The TYKETTO DVD Documentally Yours is complete," proclaims drummer Michael Clayton Arbeeny. "We go into production in about ten days, and it should be up for sale by January 15th. Only took two years, but we did it! There’s over three hours of Tyketto madness. You’re gonna love this documentary."
"As with any family, not all members can always make the get togethers. Sadly, Brooke (St. James - guitar) won’t be joining us on the spring run, as he has commitments with fellow Tyketto brother Steve Augeri here in America. After a worldwide search, we struck gold. Joining us on the March/April run will be guitar whiz Chris Green (CJ Snare’s RUBICON CROSS, as well as the all-star lineup of SCRAP METAL). He’s a monster player and a heck of a nice guy, although with he and Ged now in the band, Tyketto is 40% British! Also, without PJ Zitarosa around, I am the lone Italian. You can get your share of the original lineup on the DVD, where Danny, Jimi, Brooke and I will walk you through the last 25 years of Tyketto."

Toronto-based epic metallers PRIMALFROST have inked a worldwide deal with Maple Metal Records to release their debut full-length album Prosperous Visions. The album will have a North American release on February 10th and a worldwide release on March 3rd. The album cover art is by renowned metal artist Jan Yrlund of Darkgrove Design. (KORPIKLAANI, TÝR)

Prosperous Visions tracklist:
'Visio Prosperum'
'Distant Cries Of War'
'An End To Tyranny'
'Path Of The Sky'
'Beyond The Shores and Lands'
'Tale Of The Hero'
'Catharic Quest (An End to Tyranny Part II)'
'Awakening Of the Boreal Sun'
'Silencing The Empire'
'Unforgotten Valor'

An End to Tyranny' and 'Distant Cries of War' can be heard below:
Also two live clips of Primalfrost, from their Toronto show last month, can be viewed below. The band will be promoting their new album on Tours of Ontario & Quebec this Spring; details of which are to be announced.
Primalfrost live line-up is as follows:
Dean Paul Arnold - vocals, guitars
Douglas Gonzalves - guitars
Larry Varvarici - bass
Matt Ianuzzi - drums

Swiss folk metal institution ELUVEITIE have been nominated for a Swiss Music Award, having reached the final of the public voting.
Says the band: "Thanks to your help, we have made it. Eluveitie have reached the final of the public voting within the category Best Live Act National at the Swiss Music Awards. Now it is all about beating our two competitors LUCA HÄNNI and BASTIAN BAKER."

To support Eluveitie, give them your vote here.

Eluveitie recently announced Nicole Ansperger as their new violinist.

The band states: "As hard as farewells can be, as auspicious are new beginnings! We are thrilled to introduce to you Meri's successor. We consider ourselves lucky to have found a true master of Celtic folk fiddling! A full-blooded musician and violin player through and through, she has played countless shows over many years and also played as a session musician for many well-known acts (such as THE HOOTERS, for instance). During the last ten years she further made a name for herself through her engagement with the Irish folk rock bands PADDY GOES TO HOLYHEAD and ACROSS THE BORDER, but also the renowned medieval/classical metal act HAGGARD. Not only a virtuoso of the fiddle, she also plays the 7-stringed violin as well as the cello! So, ladies and gentlemen - please welcome to the Eluveitie camp: Nicole Ansperger!”



Nicole comments: “Dear Eluveitie fans, I am absolutely delighted to be Eluveitie’s new violin player. I love Eluveitie’s music and have been a fan myself for a long time. Is there anything better than getting to play for the band you love? I am looking forward to many sweat-inducing, incredible shows with you and the band. See you on stage!”

Lancaster, PA's THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE were foreced to cancel last night's (January 5th) performance in West Chester due to drummer Aaron Ovecka needing emergency medical care.
An update from the band states: "Thank you all so much for the well wishes on Aaron's recovery. He is dealing with a bad appendix and is currently having it removed.

We will not be missing any more performances along the way as SIRENS & SAILORS very talented drummer Doug is preparing to take on a few days of double duty behind his drum kit. Lucky for us, this guy is one of the most solid drummers in the scene and will keep the show running.

Once again, we are all thankful for any wishes/support. Please come out and show some love. We'll be collecting some gifts in the mean time: Aaron likes Skittles, drum magazines, orange juice with pulp, comics about androgynous heroes, musicals, Facebook arguments, and beer; but perhaps let's skip on the last two. If you'd like to bring him any get well cards or anything, feel free. Also, give Doug a high five for us.

First three shows of the headliner have been fantastic, let's keep the good times rolling."
This Or The Apocalypse are currently on the road with SHAI HULUD, SWORN IN and Sirens & Sailors. Remaining tour dates are as follows:

January
6 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz
7 - Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom
8 - New York, NY - Studio at Webster Hall
9 - Allentown, PA - Planet Trog
10 - Pittsburgh, PA - Smiling Moose
11 - Kent, OH - The Outpost
12 - Kokomo, IN - Center Stage
14 - Detroit, MI - Shelter
15 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Stache
17 - St Louis, MO - Fubar
18 - Joliet, IL - Mojoes
19 - Nashville, TN - The End
21 - Douglasville, GA - The 7 Venue
22 - Orlando, FL - Back Booth
23 - Pensacola, FL - Handlebar
25 - Dallas, TX - Winter Jamboree
28 - Tupelo, MS - Goodtime Charlie's
29 - Fayetteville, AR - George's Majestic Lounge
30 - Little Rock, AR - Rev Room
31 - Lubbock, TX - Jake's

February
1 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory
3 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
4 - Tempe, AZ - Nile Underground
5 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
6 - W. Hollywood, CA - The Whisky
7 - Fresno, CA - Strummers
8 - Walnut Creek, CA - Red House Live
9 - Sacramento, CA -- Assembly
11 - Reno, NV - Jub Jubs
12 - Portland, OR - Branx
14 - Seattle, WA - Studio 7 / Tough Love Fest
15 - Spokane, WA - The Hop
16 - Billings, MT - Railyard
18 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
19 - Wichita, KS - Museum Of Heart
20 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
22 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
23 - Wareham, MA - 3065 Live

"Memories Fall", the new video from DARK SARAH, the new project led by former AMBERIAN DAWN singer Heidi Parviainen, can be seen below. The track, which features a guest appearance by former XANDRIA frontwoman Manuela Kraller, will appear on DARK SARAH's debut album, "Behind The Black Veil", to be released later in the year.

In an interview with Bloodart, Parviainen stated about DARK SARAH: "I had been planning my own project for years but never had really the time for it next to AMBERIAN DAWN. And in fall 2011, I started an active phase to make my project happen. After quitting AMBERIAN DAWN, I could concentrate on it only. At this point of my career, I felt I had to make one of my dreams come true in the form of DARK SARAH. But who knows what the future will bring?"

Regarding where the idea for the name of her new project came from, Heidi told SonicCathedral.com: "The name Dark Sarah came along with the first lyrics I wrote for DARK SARAH.

"The story is about a woman who has gone through some rough times, and was actually left at the altar by her husband. She almost breaks down but something wakes up inside of her and she changes to another person, her meaner half, Dark Sarah.

"I was so in the story of Dark Sarah that it became my project name and it could also be my alter ego too. [laughs] I also liked the fact that the name Dark Sarah sounds like a super villain or a cartoon figure (like Cat Woman, Jekyll & Hyde etc.), and they all have their metamorphosis too.

"But there is also a deeper meaning behind the name Sarah which is a really old name and means 'a princess,' and Dark Sarah is a 'dark princess.' The eye of Horus symbol in the logo and her eye (when she transforms into hear meaner self) means protection, she protects her good self by becoming bad."

Parviainen left AMBERIAN DAWN in November 2012. Her final appearance with the band was at the Metal Female Voices Fest at the end of October 2012 in Belgium. She has since been replaced by Päivi "Capri" Virkkunen.

Parviainen sang on AMBERIAN DAWN's first four albums — "Circus Black" (2012), "End Of Eden" (2010), "The Clouds Of Northland Thunder" (2009) and "River Of Tuoni" (2008).

"Memories Fall" video:

Former THE RUNAWAYS bandmates Cherie Currie and Lita Ford reunited on stage again on January 9 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California to perform THE RUNAWAYS classic "Cherry Bomb". Joining them during Lita's headlining concert as part of the nightclub's month-long 50th-anniversary celebration was Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER). Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

Ford recently partnered with Currie to record a special holiday song. "Rock This Christmas Down" marks the first time Lita and Cherie have recorded new music together since 1977. The single was released on iTunes on December 3, 2013.

Tired of the same old Christmas songs, Lita was ready for something new. "I thought the world could use a new Christmas song," she said.

"The song was written by Mitch Perry, my guitarist and Michael Dan Ehmig, my lyricist, along with Marty O'Brien on bass, and Rodger Carter on drums. We so rocked it! "What I didn't know is that I'd be singing it as a duet with my long-lost sister, Cherie Currie.

"I am blessed to have her back in my life, and what an appropriate time and song to rehash an old friendship. Christmas!!! "Cherie hopped a plane from Chicago to L.A., and drove straight to the studio and threw down her vocal track on this rocking song! Needless to say, it was magic and history in the making. "We were left with such a smoking track for everyone to hear, every Christmas, every year!"

Cherie was equally excited about reuniting and working with Lita again. "I have dreamed, literally, of seeing Lita again for over three decades," she said. "Even after all that time, I still thought of her often.

"THE RUNAWAYS was something that was always left unfinished to me. Especially when it came to Lita, but I only knew her as a child. "What floored me more then the unbelievable gift of working with her again was the woman she had become. She is the bravest, kindest, strongest, most loving human being I have met. "Lita asking me to be a part of this amazing song and a part of her astonishing life has filled that void, that hole I had in my heart that maybe we both shared. It is now filled with love, support and admiration for a dear and wonderful friend whom I am so proud to say is Lita Ford. "'Rock This Christmas Down' has the flare of our RUNAWAYS legacy, but it's pure Lita. It rocks like only she can.

"We took a dim, negative and unfinished past and turned it into a positive future. It doesn't get any better than that."

Currie and Ford reunited on stage for the first time in 37 years on October 19, 2013 at the sixth annual Malibu Music Awards at Smothers Theater at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California to perform "Cherry Bomb".

German melodic metallers EDGUY are mixing the follow-up to 2011's "Age Of The Joker" for a tentative April release.

Says the group: "We have focused on what makes this band unique and recorded what we believe is going to be the strongest and heaviest album EDGUY 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 EDGUY will 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."

"Age Of The Joker" sold around 1,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 21 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

EDGUY's previous CD, "Tinnitus Sanctus", opened with 600 units back in February 2009 to land at No. 88 on the Top New Artist Albums chart.

"Age Of The Joker" was released in Europe on August 29, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Peppermint Park studio (SCORPIONS, PHIL COLLINS) in Hannover, which was previously described by the group as "a recording temple with a tremendously great-sounding room." The album features 11 songs with a total running time of over one hour. The limited-edition digipack contains a bonus disc with six additional songs.

Italy's black/rock/doom metal outfit FORGOTTEN TOMB has released the first teaser for its forthcoming concert DVD. "Darkness In Stereo: Eine Symphonie Des Todes - Live In Germany", which will feature over 70 minutes of material, is in the final stages of editing and is on target for release in early 2014. With almost 15 years of activity, six full-length albums and a double live in-studio album, live shows all over Europe and a worldwide underground following, FORGOTTEN TOMB definitely deserves its cult status in the current extreme metal scene. With now-classic albums such as the milestones of "Songs To Leave" (2002) and "Springtime Depression" (2003), the band practically crafted and gave birth to a whole new sub-genre, now regarded as depressive black/doom metal. Then it managed to evolve it, destroy it and reshape it with the highly acclaimed "Love's Burial Ground" (2004), the controversial "Negative Megalomania" (2007) and the groundbreaking "Under Saturn Retrograde" (2011). In 2012 "...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" was released to critical acclaim, followed by a 12-show European tour with ENTHRONED and IMPIETY to conclude the successful year. Over 2013, the band kept promoting the new album with a 20-show headlining European tour with ISOLE and EREB ALTOR, as well as single shows and another European tour with INCANTATION and RAGNAROK.

NERVOSA, the all-female thrash metal act from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will release its debut album, "Victim Of Yourself", on March 11 in North America via Napalm Records. The production, recording, mixing and mastering were taken care of by Heros Trench and Pompeu, both of the veteran Brazilian metal band KORZUS. The recordings took place at the studio Mr. Som, where NERVOSA recorded its first EP, entitled "Time Of Death", in 2012.

According to a press release, "the all-female thrash metal combo pushes the pedal to the metal and offers the listener high-speed riffs, furious drumming and raging leads. The songs have a brutal and raw energy and are crowned by murderous hooks and the aggressive vocals by bassist Fernanda Lira."

"Victim Of Yourself" track listing:

01. Intro02. Twisted Values03. Justice Be Done04. Wake Up and Fight05. Nasty Injury06. Envious07. Morbid Courage08. Death09. Into Mosh Pit10. Deep Misery11. Victim of Yourself12. Uranio Em Nos "Victim Of Yourself" release dates:

February 28: GAS, Finland, BeneluxMarch 5: Spain, Sweden, NorwayMarch 3: Rest of EuropeMarch 11: USA, Canada

NERVOSA is:

Fernanda Lira - Vocals, BassPrika Amaral - Guitar, Backing VocalsPitchu Ferraz - Drums

Southern California's IN THIS MOMENT will release "Blood Special Edition", a two-disc set featuring the band's breakthrough album "Blood" and the bonus live DVD "Blood At The Orpheum", on January 21, 2014 in North America via Century Media. The set includes a bonus cover of the NINE INCH NAILS track "Closer" on "Blood", and the live DVD contains a full 100-minute concert shot in Madison, Wisconsin earlier this year, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.

In Europe, "Blood At The Orpheum" will be released on February 17 as a limited-edition standalone DVD, and digitally in an audio-only format.

The "Beautiful Tragedy" performance clip from "Blood At The Orpheum" can be seen below. In North America, the album will be available in the following formats:

* "Blood" Special Edition CD with "Blood At The Orpheum" DVD (on sale January 21)* "Blood" Special Edition CD with "Blood At The Orpheum" Blu-ray (on sale January 21 exclusively at Best Buy)* "Blood At The Orpheum" digital audio release (on sale January 21)* "Blood At The Orpheum" digital video release (on sale February 18)* "Blood" Special Edition CD with "Blood At The Orpheum" DVD pre-sale packages including exclusive merchandise (available only at CM Distro) Exclusive pre-sale bundles, including long-sleeve IN THIS MOMENT shirts, a tank dress for women, and seven-inch "Blood" singles are on sale now.

"Blood At The Orpheum" was filmed on May 21, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. IN THIS MOMENT partnered up with longtime supporter, radio station WJJO, as part of their Mayday Maylay concert series. The band had a bunch of surprises in store for this show, including rarely played songs from their catalog and an all-new stage show created specifically for this concert.

IN THIS MOMENT's DVD was directed by Brad Golowin who is known for his work with MISS MAY I and 10 YEARS, to name a few.

IN THIS MOMENT singer Maria Brink told The Pulse Of Radio that before the band had a bigger stage production, she used to go out into the crowd and get the fans to form a pit around her. "I don't have to do it all the time anymore, 'cause now we have so much of a live performance and we're kind of upping theatrical everything onstage," she said. "But once in a while it's such an adrenaline rush. The other day I went out there and the funniest thing — I didn't realize it in the moment, but they told me afterwards that I said as I was walking through the crowd, 'Nobody touch me! I get anxiety!' 'Cause I spread the crowd open and walked through, and I said that! [laughs] And it works! I mean, they part the way!"

IN THIS MOMENT kicked off "The Hellpop Tour II" on January 2 in Portland, Oregon. The 16-city trek wraps January 25 in Cape Coral, Florida, where the band will then make a return engagement on the Shiprocked cruise January 26-30, which sets sail out of Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Joining IN THIS MOMENT on "Hellpop II" are BUTCHER BABIES in direct support, DEVOUR THE DAY and ALL HAIL THE YETI.

French symphonic/gothic metallers WHYZDOM have entered the studio to begin recording their third album.

Video footage of the drum-tracking sessions for the new CD can be seen below.

WHYZDOM last year parted ways with singer Elvyne Lorient for "professional" reasons and replaced her with Marie Rouyer.

Rouyer made her live debut with WHYZDOM on March 8, 2013 at the Night Of The Beauties festival in Herdorf (near Siegen), Germany.

WHYZDOM's sophomore album, "Blind?", was released on October 30, 2012 via Scarlet Records. The CD was produced by Vynce Leff, recorded and mixed in Paris at Powermania Studio and mastered by Mathieu Gillon and Vynce Leff at 120dB Studio. The stunning artwork is a collaboration between X-Nihilo Design, Les Créations Vultus and Florent Cuaz.

WHYZDOM's debut album, "From The Brink Of Infinity", came out in September 2009 via Ascendance Records.

Drum-recording footage:

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

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

"Reset" track listing:

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

Audio samples of all the songs that will appear on "Reset" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

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

PROFANE OMEN is:

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

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 will air soon 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."

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.

Fan-filmed footage of ICED EARTH's January 10 concert at Metropol in Hengelo, The Netherlands can be seen below.

Jon Dette (SLAYER, TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX) is sitting behind the drums for ICED EARTH's current European headlining tour, taking over for Raphael Saini, who filled in during the summer 2013 festivals, the recording of ICED EARTH's new album, and the club leg of the VOLBEAT tour.

Dette made his live debut with ICED EARTH on November 6, 2013 at O2 World in Berlin, Germany.

ICED EARTH last year parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons."

ICED EARTH makes its triumphant return with the January 21, 2014 release of new studio album, "Plagues Of Babylon", on Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios (KREATOR, IN EXTREMO, GRAVE DIGGER) in Senden, Germany and was mixed at NHow Studios in Berlin, Germany. Guest vocals on "Highwayman" were laid down by VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen and SYMPHONY X/ADRENALINE MOB singer Russell Allen. Guest vocals on "Plagues Of Babylon", "Among The Living Dead", "Democide", "Resistance" and "If I Could See You" are by BLIND GUARDIAN vocalist Hansi Kürsch. The cover and additional artwork was created by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, HATEBREED).

"Plagues Of Babylon" track listing:

01. Plagues Of Babylon02. Democide03. The Culling04. Among The Living Dead05. Resistance06. The End?07. If I Could See You08. Cthulhu09. Peacemaker10. Parasite11. Spirit Of The Times12. Highwayman

Songs 1-6 form the "Plagues Of Babylon" story line, part of the ongoing "Something Wicked" Universe

ICED EARTH will promote the new CD in its North American homeland with the headlining "Worldwide Plagues Tour", which kicks off April 4 for a six-week run with SABATON and REVAMP in support. "This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover," says ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer of "Plagues Of Babylon". "I'm sure it will go down as a classic in the epic ICED EARTH catalog.

"We feel that the package with SABATON and REVAMP is very strong and we are very excited to tour the U.S. and Canada again and kick some major ass!"

RED FANG made its national, late-night television debut last night (Friday, January 10) on "The Late Show with David Letterman". Video footage of the "Blood Like Cream" performance can be seen below.

RED FANG released the video for "Blood Like Cream", directed by Whitey McConnaughy. Actor/comedian Fred Armisen ("Portlandia", "Saturday Night Live") joins in the fun with the beer-loving Portland-based band. "Blood Like Cream" is the first single off RED FANG's new album, "Whales And Leeches".

"I love RED FANG and I had the best time doing the video," says Fred Armisen. "It was fun for me to do and Whitey was a total pleasure to work with, too."

"In keeping with a long tradition dating back to 2007, we have made another epic, hilarious video with Whitey McConnaughy, the content of which is completely unrelated to the lyrical content of the song," explains the band's bassist/vocalist Aaron Beam.

"This song is about the stress of balancing a touring lifestyle with having a family back home, but who wants to see a video about that? BORING! Instead, we have a video featuring lots of blood, beer, and exercise — some of us did more running in this video that we've done the whole year to date. Also, Fred Armisen is in this one and he really steals the show. I thought I was a bad actor before, but after working with him, I see I cannot even qualify for such a high distinction as 'bad.' We hope everyone has as much fun watching it as we had making it!!"

RED FANG has created a new video game — a virtual beer shot-gunning challenge — and if enough users share the game, they'll be able to unlock the new RED FANG track "Behind The Light".

Released October 15 on Relapse Records, "Whales And Leeches" debuted at No. 66 on The Billboard 200 chart, marking the group's highest sales week and first debut in the Top 200.

RED FANG is generating critical acclaim from SPIN, Revolver, Magnet, Alternative Press and more for the new album, which was produced by Chris Funk (DECEMBERISTS) and mixed by Vance Powell (THE WHITE STRIPES, RACONTEURS, KINGS OF LEON). Featuring such guests as Mike Scheidt (YOB) and Pall Jenkins (THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION), "Whales And Leeches" propels RED FANG into the upper stratosphere of the heavy rock and metal elite.

Swedish metallers SABATON will release their new album, "Heroes", on May 16 via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Péter Sallai. There will also be "alternate artwork for some editions," according to the band.

The cover artwork for both the standard and special "Heroes" editions can be seen below.

"We had the title in mind since before we even recorded 'Carolus Rex' and we already had ideas for artwork years ago," says SABATON bassist Pär Sundström. "We had a few different ones to choose from, but when we saw this one, we knew it was the right one for this album."

"Heroes" is being recorded at The Abyss, the recording studio in Pärlby outside Ludvika, Sweden owned and operated by record producer and musician Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN).

"[Peter] still has some aces in his sleeves that we are sure will lift the new album," says Sundström.

A video clip of the drum-recording sessions can be seen below.

SABATON played its first show with new drummer Hannes Van Dahl on November 16, 2013 at the Metal Hammer Paradise festival in Germany.

Regarding their decision to enlist Hannes Van Dahl, SABATON said in a statement: "For some time, there has been rumors about Robban [Bäck] coming back soon, or that Snowy [Shaw] would fill in for a while longer, or even take Robban's place permanently behind the drums.

"To put an end to these rumors we now present our new full-time member in SABATON: Hannes Van Dahl.

"Hannes has previously played in EVERGREY, which we have toured with in the past, and he has also worked side by side with us as drum technician for Snowy during his time in SABATON."

SABATON will return to the U.S. and Canada in April as direct support to American metallers ICED EARTH on their "Worldwide Plagues" North American tour. Opening each show on the six-week trek will be Dutch metallers REVAMP (featuring NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen).

SABATON's last album, "Carolus Rex", was released on May 22, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The lyrics for the CD, which was made available in both English and Swedish, deal with the Swedish Empire (referring to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721).

SABATON in 2012 parted ways with guitarists Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén, drummer Daniel Mulback and keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr.

Alternate cover:



Standard cover:

Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS celebrated the 25th anniversary of their third album, "Ancient Dreams", with special live concert on December 28 at Debaser Medis in Stockholm, Sweden.

The LP, which was originally issued in 1988, has long been hailed as a classic and was performed in its entirety by CANDLEMASS, which was last year voted Sweden's best rock/metal band of all time in Sweden Rock Magazine.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Dark Reflections 02. Under The Oak 03. Prophet 04. Bewitched 05. Psalms For The Dead

"Ancient Dreams" set

06. Mirror Mirror 07. A Cry From The Crypt 08. Darkness In Paradise 09. Incarnation Of Evil 10. Bearer Of Pain 11. Ancient Dreams 12. The Bells Of Acheron 13. Epistle No. 81 14. Black Sabbath Medley

Encore:

15. Black As Time 16. Solitude

Fan-filmed video footage of the "Prophet" performance can be seen below.

CANDLEMASS' current touring lineup includes four members of its classic formation: Leif Edling on bass, Mats "Mappe" Björkman on rhythm guitar, Lars Johansson on lead guitar and Janne Lindh on drums.

CANDLEMASS played its first show with singer Mats Levén on June 5, 2012 at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm, Sweden.

Levén is a former member of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION and TREAT, who also plays with CANDLEMASS bassist/mainman Leif Edling in KRUX.

Also joining the group for CANDLEMASS' recent live performances was keyboard player Per Wiberg (OPETH, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS).

CANDLEMASS in June 2012 parted ways singer Robert Lowe. The band stated at the time that this was "a very difficult decision" to make and had "mainly to do with the quality of the live performances."

Lowe — who is still a member of SOLITUDE AETERNUS — joined CANDLEMASS in January 2007 and sang on the band's last three studio albums: "King Of The Grey Islands" (2007), "Death Magic Doom" (2009) and "Psalms For The Dead" (2012).

CANDLEMASS released its 11th and final album, "Psalms For The Dead", on June 8, 2012 via Napalm Records. A limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single contaning two album tracks —"Dancing In The Temple Of The Mad Queen Bee" and "The Killing Of The Sun" — preceded the full-length effort on April 13, 2012.

Fan-filmed video footage of singer Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DIO DISCIPLES) performing on December 15, 2013 at the Zoombie Festival in Rio Negrinho, Brazil can be seen below.

In a recent interview with J. Thorn, Owens was asked what it is like playing in DIO DISCIPLES, which pays tribute to legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) and is fully supported by Dio's widow/manager, Wendy. "It's an honor," Tim said. "It's emotional every night. I feel it every time I step on the stage. There's something special about playing with Ronnie's bandmates and I was his friend. Wendy is such a great person and Ronnie was a great person, so it feels even more special. It's really an honor to be able to do it."

"Play My Game", the first solo album from Owens, landed at position No. 66 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The CD was released via SPV/Steamhammer.

Florida-based death metal veterans MALEVOLENT CREATION are scheduled to finish recording their new album today. According to the band, they will mix the effort over the weekend and send it off to mastering on Monday, January 13.

MALEVOLENT CREATION's new CD is expected to include the tracks "Corporate Weaponry" and "Face Your Fear", the latter of which can be streamed below. The song was recorded, produced and mixed at drummer Gus Rios' studio, Riversound Productions, except for the vocals, which were laid down with Jim Nickles at his Shredly Studios.

"We are still debating how we are going to go about releasing new music," Gus Rios told Decibel back in August 2013.

"For a band like ours, with 11 albums and more than 110 songs, it's just not making sense to record 10 new songs. We are thinking (still not 100%) that doing EPs might be the way. That way we can concentrate on writing five really good songs and play them all live as well.

"We don't want to be a band that has to rely on its past. We want to write songs that are good enough that people will want to hear them live, as well as the 'classics.' And realistically, we would only do about five songs off of any new album anyway due to the extensive catalog."

Regarding how MALEVOLENT CREATION has managed to retain its musical identity after going through so many lineup changes over the course of the last 20 years, Gus Rios told Rádio Evil: "Since 1997, pretty much every single MALEVOLENT CREATION song anybody's ever heard, me and Phil [Fasciana, guitar] actually wrote. I live in Fort Lauderdale, and so does Phil, and that's the songwriting nucleus of MALEVOLENT. So as long as the two of us are still in the band, it's always gonna sound like MALEVOLENT CREATION, you know what I mean?! That's the consistency of the band — the primary songwriters. And then, of course, Brett [Hoffman, vocals]."

MALEVOLENT CREATION's latest album, "Invidious Dominion", was released in August 2010 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records (in Europe through Massacre). The effort was made available in various territories as a regular CD; digipack with bonus material; and vinyl LP.

"Carnal Genesis", a brand new song from THE UNGUIDED — the Swedish band featuring former SONIC SYNDICATE members Richard Sjunnesson (vocals), Roland Johansson (vocals) and Roger Sjunnesson guitar; (Richard's brother) — can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track is taken from THE UNGUIDED's new album, "Fragile Immortality", which will be released via Napalm Records on the following dates:

Jan. 31 – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, BeneluxFeb. 05 - Spain, Sweden, NorwayFeb. 03 - Rest Of EuropeFeb. 11 - USA/Canada

The "Inception" video can be seen below. The track will be made available as a digital single in North America on January 21. It was released in the rest of the world on December 20.

THE UNGUIDED previously stated about signing with Napalm Records: "We've been eying out Napalm Records for quite some time and undeniably considered it as a very desirable home for our cogent operation. Fresh in mind; Napalm Records have been a force to reckon with, supplying us all with ace metal acts through the decades, rooting themselves as far down as to our very childhood days. Therefore it feels beyond certain that this alliance will be for the greater good. And we are very confident that together, the future holds; many beautiful things in its mystic and ever-changing puzzle."

THE UNGUIDED is:

Richard Sjunnesson - VocalsRoland Johansson - Vocals, GuitarRoger Sjunnesson - Guitar, KeyboardsHenric Carlsson - BassRichard Schill - Drums

CADAVERIA — the Italian band featuring former OPERA IX vocalist Cadaveria and ex-OPERA IX drummer/NECRODEATH vocalist Marçelo Santos (a.k.a. Flegias) — released its first retrospective DVD, "Karma", on October 22, 2013 via Scarlet Records. The double-disc set features live and backstage video material, unreleased interviews and much more, spanning the band's entire career, for a total running time of two hours and 40 minutes.

A performance clip of the song "Blood And Confusion" from "Karma" can be seen below.

A detailed list of the DVD's contents can be found at this location.

The official trailer for "Karma" can be seen below.

CADAVERIA's fourth album, "Horror Metal", was released on January 31, 2012 via Bakerteam Records, a division of Scarlet Records.

The group's long-awaited follow-up 2007's "In Your Blood" (released on French extreme metal label Season Of Mist) has been described by Cadaveria as "the most obscure, raw and horror-filled work ever produced by the group."

Lita Ford was joined by Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) and Glenn Hughes (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE) on stage during her headlining performance last night (Thursday, January 9) at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California as part of the nightclub's month-long 50th-anniversary celebration. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Ford released a new live album, "The Bitch Is Back...Live", on November 5, 2013 in North America, on October 25, 2013 in Germany and on October 28, 2013 in the rest of Europe through SPV/Steamhammer. The disc features a recording of Lita's October 2012 performance at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California. The album was released as a digipak with a special booklet including fan photos and download.

In a recent interview with Geeks Of Doom, Ford stated about her tours: "They're chaotic! It's like going to war and then coming out winning. You've gotta win the war. It's such a good feeling when you come out [and] you're done. You go on these little adventures and [they're] really difficult, in a good way. A challenge. And we got such a good band and we got such a great group of guys working with us that everything is so professional. We take a wacky situation and we make the best out of it. We come out of it with such a good feeling. All the shows have been so good they're just magic because of the combination of people I have working with me."

Ford's latest studio album, "Living Like A Runaway", was released on June 19, 2012 in North America. The effort was made available in four configurations: a double LP, limited-edition CD, standard CD and digital download. The artwork for the album was created by famed rock photographer Mark Weiss.

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA have finished recording their sixth album for a spring release via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to "Requiem For The Indifferent" was produced by Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION).

Says EPICA: "We had an awesome time at the Sandlane recording facilities together with Joost Van Den Broek and we can't wait for you guys to hear the final results!"

The band will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release show at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable show, with plans to perform both old and new songs.

EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23, 2013 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set. On November 8, 2013, Nuclear Blast released "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version.

"Retrospect" features this massive performance in its entirety, as well as exclusive interviews with all band members and behind-the-scenes footage from the show.

Three different edits of the "Overload" video from JORN, the hard rock band fronted by powerhouse Norwegian singer Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN, ARK), can be seen below.

Says Lande: "At the time, we didn't see these videos as official music videos, since they were all based on live footage and live images. We thought they would be more suitable as bonus material in connection with a planned future compilation or as something extra on the next studio album.

"The original plan was to put together one video for 'Overload', using the best footage from all the three versions to make the best possible result. I changed my mind and thought it would be a special treat for the fans to release them all as they are.

"I personally like 'Overload' a lot; it is one of my favourite JORN songs, as it is a true massive rocker with a killer riff that hits you right in the face. Being such a great song, it would be a shame to just 'sit' on the material. Life is now and it should be released."

"Overload" is taken from JORN's latest album, "Traveller", which landed at position No. 12 on the official chart in Norway. The CD was released on June 11, 2013 in North America and June 14, 2013 in Europe via Frontiers Records.

Considered one of the greatest legends in rock, and by many as the best male rock singer of the millennium, Lande never seems to stop producing music, and is back with yet another slab of classic first-division heavy rock. "Traveller" is definitely a suitable title to fit this gifted and creative viking's extreme productivity.

During his almost-30-year-long career, his albums have sold millions. He managed to release close to 40 albums with various bands/projects in the past decades, and "Traveller" is his eighth studio album under the Jorn banner. Some say he has passed his successors by his gift of being versatile, and ability to not get stuck in the political frames of the music business. A true independent "freebird" hammering his legacy in stone as he goes, with a band of grounded and solid craftsmen to back up his hurricane force voice.

This album represents the first product of the pairing of Jorn Lande and the new JORN guitarist Trond Holter (WIG WAM, DREAM POLICE). The result is eleven new songs encompassing a variety of moods and styles, with Lande's voice shining through memorable anthems, backed by wonderful grooves and tightly-executed classic and melodic heavy metal. "This album has all the elements of the Jorn legacy," says Lande. "It is heavy, but still very melodic and experimental, and it really rocks! As usual we haven't spent much time analyzing the material before recording it, this is an album about life, doom and death reflecting on what I know and thoughts about what I don't."

JORN recently parted ways with longtime drummer Willy Bendiksen

The band in July 2013 announced the addition of bassist Thomas Bekkevold to the group's ranks.

Norwegian black metallers KAMPFAR will release their sixth studio album, "Djevelmakt" (English-language translation: Devil Power), on January 27, 2014 (four days later in in Germany, Austria, Switzerland) via Indie Recordings.

According to a press release, "Djevelmakt" "proves that 20 years of existence does not dull the blade, but grinds it into a sharpness more scything than ever before."

"Djevelmakt" track listing:

01. Mylder02. Kujon03. Blod, Eder Og Galle 04. Swarm Norvegicus 05. Fortapelse 06. De Dødes Fane 07. Svarte Sjelers Salme08. Our Hounds, Our Legion

The song "Swarm Norvegicus" is available on digital services like iTunes, Spotify and WiMP as well as SoundCloud.

You can watch the lyric video for the track below.

KAMPFAR will embark on a European tour in March with HATE, VELNIAS and ISKALD.

The official "teaser" poster for what's being billed as the definitive KISS documentary, "You Wanted The Best You Got The Best", can be seen below. The film is expected before the end of the year.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss have opted out of appearing in "You Wanted The Best You Got The Best". Classic Rock magazine spoke to director Alan G. Parker, who's behind the officially sanctioned film, and he shed light on why the two co-founders are staying away from anything having to do with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, explaining, "Gene and Paul were shocked at first, but now they don't seem to be. There's been so much bitchiness down the years, and so much said about and done to Ace and Peter that they interpreted the request to be in the movie as a favor to Gene and Paul. Because of that, they won't go anywhere near it. The negotiations were interesting, to say the least." In the end, Parker will use footage shot of Frehley and Criss by band archivist — and current lead guitarist — Tommy Thayer back in 2001. In addition to Thayer and current drummer Eric Singer, Parker has filmed interviews with former guitarist Bruce Kulick and his brother Bob Kulick — who performed on many of the band's studio tracks. Parker also held, "positive meetings" with the family of Eric Carr, the band's late drummer, who replaced Peter Criss in 1980 and died of heart cancer in 1991.

With the film currently in the editing stage, Parker "hopes to show the finished film to the band in February or March, followed by a spot at the Cannes Film Festival in May and a worldwide opening in the autumn of 2014."

In a November 2013 interview with Eddie Trunk's "Eddie Trunk Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM, Frehley stated about his refusal to appear in "You Wanted The Best You Got The Best": "I don't know. I found it very weird that, instead of getting a call from Gene or [KISS manager] Doc McGhee or [KISS guitarist/vocalist] Paul [Stanley], because they're behind this documentary, instead of getting a call from them, I get a call from my bodyguard, and he got a call from KISS' bodyguard about me doing an interview for this documentary. They tried to go through the back door — probably because they don't wanna pay me any money, as usual, and it left a bad taste in my mouth, and I just passed on it. You want me to do a documentary? Let me know how much money you're making, give me my fair share, and I'll sit down and talk. You don't wanna do it that way? Forget about it… If KISS is behind the documentary, Paul and Gene are making the lion's share of the funds."

Former KISS filmmaker Tommy Thayer now "portrays" Frehley's character in KISS' live show. Unlike Frehley's original replacement Vinnie Vincent — who was given his own unique persona — fans have had mixed reactions to Thayer possibly "duping" some people into thinking Frehley is still playing with the band. Thayer looks at it from a theatrical, rather than a historical perspective. "You've had different guitarists in and out of the band, and different members. At this point, if you start introducing new characters and new makeup designs and things, I think that it really dilutes the whole core and, y'know, the original foundation of what KISS is," he said. "And those four original characters are certainly the whole basis of it. To change that and come up with a new design or character, it just convolutes things."

Ace Frehley left KISS after the band's 2002 "Farewell" dates, saying afterwards that he took the word "farewell" seriously.

Peter Criss claimed that his contract with KISS wasn't renewed in March 2004.

Fresh from celebrating their tenth anniversary and with two North American tours in one year under their belts, Norway's TROLLFEST are starting 2014 by announcing details of what will be their sixth full-length album as well as details of their first headlining European tour.

The thirteen-track album will be titled "Kaptein Kaos" and is expected to appear on NoiseArt Records on March 28. Recorded at the dUb Studio in Oslo and at the Trollskogen Recording Facilities, the CD was mixed by Endre Kirkesola. Once again the striking artwork is by Swedish cartoonist Jonas Darnell and design by Terje Johnsen, both longtime collaborators with the band.

"Kaptein Kaos" track listing: 01. Trolltramp02. Kaptein Kaos03. Vulkan04. Ave Maria05. Filzlaus Verkündiger06. Die Grosse Echsen07. Seduction Suit No. 2108. Solskinnsmedisin09. Troll Gegen Mann10. Sagn Om Stein11. Renkespill12. Kinesisk Alkymi13. Døden Banker På Like previous albums, "Kaptein Kaos" is set in the fantasy world of Trolls created by TROLLFEST. It tells the story of the Kaptein Kaos, who, according to the band "is an inventor who creates a time machine and goes on an expedition across time to see some sights, taste some stuff and have some fun in ways that are exclusively available to people with time machines." Musically, though, it seems that this time TROLLFEST have slightly changed direction. "Blasts beats and screaming," says the band, "have given way to juicy rock grooves and rich melody lines, and the world music influence, which has been our trademark both in our use of instruments as well as melodies, has expanded to include Tango rhythms, Asian and Scandinavian folk music as well, of course, as the East European influence for which we are known." KORPIKLAANI's Jonne Järvelä, one of the first people to hear the album, had this to say about it: "TROLLFEST are even more catchy, more melodic and more twisted than ever with their new 'Kaptein Kaos' album. I really like its (good way) sick arrangements and instrumentation. Vocals are extremely variable and I never heard anything like this before. My personal highlight on the album is a song called 'Solskinnsmedisin'. Unbelievable album!"

To mark the release of the album TROLLFEST will embark on a 16-date headlining tour of Europe in April, which the band have dubbed the "Kaos Over Europe Tour", supported by FINSTERFORST and CRYPTIC FOREST.

Mascot Label Group recently announced the signing of VANDENBERG'S MOONKINGS. The Dutch rock group will join, amongst others, Joe Bonamassa, VOLBEAT, GOV'T MULE, Beth Hart, Zakk Wylde/BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the Rotterdam, Holland-based record company's roster.

VANDENBERG'S MOONKINGS' self-titled debut album will be released on February 24, 2014. An extensive European tour will follow.

"Vandenberg's Moonkings" track listing:

01. Lust And Lies02. Close To You03. Good Thing04. Breathing05. Steal Away06. Line Of Fire07. Out Of Reach08. Feel It09. Leave This Town10. One Step Behind11. Leeches12. Nothing Touches13. Sailing Ships The eagerly awaited record is a sensational mix of blistering rock songs and powerful ballads from the Dutch guitar hero, and includes a newly recorded version of VANDENBERG's ex-band WHITESNAKE's classic "Sailing Ships". Special guest David Coverdale adds his unique vocals to the equation, to complement Vandenberg's powerful riffs for a welcome moment of nostalgia. Multi-talented Vandenberg — who has designed all of his album sleeves since his very first record with Teaser at the age of 22 — took care of the artwork for this much-awaited record. The second video teaser for the forthcoming CD is available below. "We are proud to have joined the Mascot family," says Adrian. "It's a great company with fantastic people that love the music they work with. The band is raring to go and prove itself to the world, so we're anxious to finish the album and get it out there and I'm very happy that Ed van Zijl is giving us the opportunity to do so."

Mascot Label Group CEO Ed van Zijl is over the moon with signing Adrian Vandenberg's brand new band.

"Adrian is one of the most outstanding rock guitarists in the world," Ed said. "I have always followed his career and needless to say we are thrilled to finally be working with him. VANDENBERG'S MOONKINGS are a fresh and hard rocking new band that will surely make an impact on the scene." Adrian Vandenberg rose to worldwide prominence with VANDENBERG, the melodic rock band that hit internationally with the powerful ballad "Burning Heart". Adrian solidified his status as one of the most talented rock guitarists around when he joined David Coverdale in the hard rock supergroup WHITESNAKE, co-writing many of its Billboard Hot 100-hits, like "The Deeper The Love" and "Now You're Gone", and supplying the legendary guitar solo to "Here I Go Again". After leaving WHITESNAKE, Adrian concentrated on his successful career as an artist, exhibiting his paintings in prestigious galleries all over Europe. Music however was always prevalent on his mind, so as soon as he had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented young musicians, he started creating new music.

VANDENBERG'S MOONKINGS is:

Adrian Vandenberg (guitar)Jan Hoving (vocals)Sem Christoffel (bass)Mart Nijen Es (drums)

Video footage of SOULFLY performing the SEPULTURA classics "Refuse/Resist" and "Territory" on November 5, 2013 at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco, California can be seen below (courtesy of Capital Chaos TV).

SOULFY's ninth album, "Savages", was released on October 1, 2013 via SOULFLY's new label home, Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The CD was produced by Terry Date, who is known for his work with such acts as PANTERA, DEFTONES and SOUNDGARDEN, among many others. Guest vocal appearances on "Savages" include SOULFLY bass player Tony Campos, CLUTCH's Neil Fallon, NAPALM DEATH's Mitch Harris, Jamie Hanks of I DECLARE WAR and SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera's son Igor Cavalera (of LODY KONG).

The cover artwork for "Savages" was created by renowned artist Paul Stottler, who is best known for his work on SACRED REICH's legendary "Surf Nicaragua" cover.

Date previously mixed SOULFLY's "3" (2002), "Prophecy" (2004) and "Dark Ages" (2005) albums, but had never produced any of the group's CDs.

MÖTLEY CRÜE will hold a special event in Los Angeles on January 28 under the banner "RIP: All Bad Things Must Come To An End". The band is expected to announce the first details of its farewell tour, which will likely last for a couple of years.

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx was asked in an October 2013 interview with RollingStone.com about the time table for the band's eventual farewell tour, which singer Vince Neil said could begin as early as May 2014.

"We haven't decided when that is, we're talking about that," Sixx said. "It'll happen, but we don't know when it will happen.

"The most important thing about a farewell tour is that the band doesn't lie to the fans, and the band doesn't tour and then come back years later. That's what's important for us, planning what's the right time to go out.

"We have a great fan base, we have original fans all the way down to teenagers, and we really feel grateful to that and we continue to reinvent ourselves over the years.

"People always tried to make us an unimportant part of rock history and that doesn't really affect us because it's always been that way. Critics have always snubbed us.

"The thing about MÖTLEY CRÜE is we are a people's band, we don't kiss ass to the industry. We believe artists should be in control of their own destiny and that destiny also includes when it should be done so that their fans can forever be proud. It's not one or two band members up there dragging the band name around. It's a band for a reason, it works for a reason. We're really proud of that. I think that's why, when the day does come, we want to be proud of our band and what we've achieved."

He continued: "Someone said to me the other day, 'Won't you be sad?' I go, 'No, I'd be sad if we were playing half-full theaters and only two band members were in the band.' That would be sad. Sad is not taking your final bow in Los Angeles all together as four brothers.

"I talked to a friend the other day and they were talking about a friend of theirs who passed away. And after the funeral, they had this huge party and everybody was celebrating, drinking and telling stories about this guy and how fun he was and how much joy he gave everybody in life. That's how I feel about MÖTLEY CRÜE.

"When that day comes, that's what I want: one big fucking huge party to celebrate what we've done, all the good, all the bad, all the in-between. There it is, one big party, one final bow. It's gonna be fucking rad, but we're not there yet. Right now, we got three shows left in Vegas and then we're gonna start looking forward to when we tour next."

Asked if there there could be multiple tours, or if the next one will be the finale, Sixx said: "We don't know right now. We said as brothers and a band, that's something we plan on doing sometime in the future, but we're not there yet, so we don't have any idea when. We're not sitting down right now planning on that."

In an interview with Billboard.com, Neil said about MÖTLEY CRÜE's upcoming farewell tour, "I think we'll start the tour around May — I'm just kind of guessing on that, but in the spring of '14 — and we'll do one more time around the world and kinda call it quits. It's just that time. We're going out on top. We don't want to be some band that people are like, 'Oh, they're playing a club now,' that kind of band. We still sell out arenas, have stadium stuff and things like that, so let's go out when it's a big deal."

Vince also insisted that MÖTLEY CRÜE's retirement will be for "real" and that they won't hold multiple farewell tours like certain other acts.

"There are some bands that are on their fifth and sixth farewell tour," Vince told KVVU Fox 5. "Nah, we're not gonna do that. I'm not gonna say we would never get back together and do some concerts or something — we wanna keep that open — but we're not gonna do a farewell tour and then a couple of years later go, 'Ah, never mind.'"

MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped up its second Las Vegas residency at the Hard Rock Hotel’s Joint last October.