Belgium thrash metallers PREMATORY recently finished working on Corrupting Influence, their first full-length album, to be released on February 15th via Punishment 18 Records.

Corrupting Influence tracklisting:

‘Sledgehammer’
‘Insignificance’
‘Down The Drain’
‘Hold My Breath’
‘Toxic Experiment’
‘Lies Upon Lies’
‘Grave Raiser’
‘Sentenced For Life’
‘Peace?!’
‘Bad Blood’
‘Corrupting Influce’

‘Sentenced For Life’ and ‘Corrupting Influence’ can be heard below:

Prematory lineup:

Simon Duson - Vocals
Joeri Van De Schoot - Lead Guitar
Jonas Van De Sande - Rhythm Guitar
Joeri Trescinski - Bass
Thomas Wuyts - Drums

More on Prematory at Facebook.

French extreme deathcore band RIGHT TO THE VOID have just released their video for the song 'Kingdom Of Vanity', the title track to their latest album which is out now via Wormholedeath/Aural Music Group. The clip has been directed by Tony Morra from Tony Morra Studio.

Kingdom Of Vanity was recorded at MathLab Recording Studios in Prato, Italy with producer Jonathan Mazzeo (THE WAY OF PURITY, MECHANICAL GOD CREATION) and mixed and mastered by producer Christian Donaldson (THE AGONIST, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, CRYPTOPSY).

For more info on Right To The Void visit their Facebook page.

On November 23rd, 2013 FAMOUS UNDERGROUND - featuring former SLIK TOXIK frontman Nick Walsh - played the Rockpile East in their home town of Toronto, Ontario. They pulled out the Slik Toxik classics 'Helluvatime' and 'White Lies, Black Truth' as part of their set. Fan-filmed video is available below:
THE SPOADS out of Canada have released a new song, 'Happy New Year 2014' featuring Walsh, Sean Kelly (NELLY FURTADO, Metal On Ice), Brent Doerner (HELIX) and Brian Doerner. Check out the video below.

The track is available for purchase via CDBaby.com here.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA vocalist Georgia Napolitano has checked in with the following update:

"Just after Midnight on New Years Eve 2014 we played at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany to over 1 million people. This was the experience of a lifetime and I will never forget it for as long as I live."
TSO's upcoming European tour dates are as follows:

January
14 - Olympia - Paris, France
15 - Porsche Arena - Stuttgart, Germany
16 - Mitsubishi Electric Halle - Dusseldorf, Germany
17 - Forest National - Brussels, Belgium
20 - The Arena - Nuremberg, Germany
21 - Festhalle - Frankfurt, Germany
22 - AWD Hall - Hanover, Germany
25 - Tempodrom - Berlin, Germany
26 - Stadthalle - Vienna, Austria
28 - Big Box - Kempten, Germany

On December 27th, TRILLIUM vocalist AMANDA SOMERVILLE made a guest appearance at STREAM OF PASSION's show at the Tivoli in Utrecht, Holland. Fan-filmed video of 'Run Away' and 'Out In The Real World' - both from Stream Of Passion's catalogue - can be viewed below:
Somerville recently confirmed that she will do some select shows in Germany with the live project GO MUSIC (details here) in January. Dates are as follows:

January
4 - Messajero - Mönchengladbach, Germany
5 - Okie Dokie - Neuss, Germany
7 - Gdanska - Oberhausen, Germany
9 - Lokomotive - Ibbenbüren, Germany
11 - Jazzkeller - Krefeld, Germany
12 - ConGaz - Dinslaken, Germany

Footage from the September 2nd, 2012 Go Music gig at the OkieDokie in Neuss, Germany is available below:

A teaser for "Exilium", the new album from Spanish extreme metallers NOCTEM, can be seen below. The CD will be released on March 3 in Spain, and on April 7 in the rest of Europe. The artwork for the effort was designed by Edmundo Saiz Photography and Victoria Francés.

"Exilium" track listing:

01. Enuma Elish02. Apsu Dethroned03. Decrepit Human Kingdom04. Namtar's Crown05. The Rising Horns06. Halo Of Repugnance07. Egregor08. The Splint Of Destinations09. Eidolon10. The Adamantine Doors

Says "Exilium" producer Daniel Cardoso: "The extreme Spanish boys did it again.

"After weeks in the studio, I can say that the new album 'Exilium' is going to be another break through release on NOCTEM's career. Expect nothing but quality, high-speed, riffing extravaganza and dark ambiences."

The band adds: "This new album will be darker, faster and will contain more atmosphere, something we specially worked in to combine the aesthetic of the band and the compositions in all its glory."

Ex-MEGADETH guitarist Jeff Young has posted live footage of LED ZEPPELIN's 'Whole Lotta Love' performed with vocalist Sherri Klein:
Young recently checked in with the following update:

"We have new live video on the way from our recent show at Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas at Hard Rock Hotel. In the meantime, you can check out our very first impromptu go at VAN HALEN's classic track, 'Little Dreamer'. This performance is from our first StageIt show. We have another StageIt online web concert planned on the near horizon so, stay tuned for exact show date and time at this location."
Back In October, Young and Klein announced details of two new studio tracks. An update reads:

"We're treating our first release like the old 45 RPM singles with a Side A & B.

Side A: Our first original is called, 'Come Closer' and features an amazing bass performance by James Lomenzo (Megadeth, Black Label Society) and Jeff Bowders (PAUL GILBERT, JUSTIN DERRICO, PUDDLE OF MUDD) on drums. Band tracks were recorded in Los Angeles, live (like how bands used to record) to 2" analog tape. Lead vocals, guitar solos and mixing was completed with Bobby Ferarri at Vegas View Recording.

Side B: 'Wild Horses' is our re-imagining of THE ROLLING STONES classic. This side features fretless bass by Ric Fierabracci (STEVIE WONDER, BILLY COBHAM, SHAKIRA) and Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER) on drums.
The tracks are recorded, mixed and ready for release. We're currently talking with some folks regarding the most appropriate release avenues. In the meantime, we just played our first show in Las Vegas at a benefit for the Mt. Charleston fires. We invite you have a look & a listen to our new live video, 'Funk #49 with Sean McNabb (DOKKEN, QUIET RIOT, SONS OF ANARCHY) - bass and Scot Coogan (ACE FREHLEY, LYNCH MOB) on drums."

g alt="ADRENALINE MOB: Lyric Video For New Song 'Feel The Adrenaline'" class='attachment-large' height='362' src='http://assets.blabbermouth.net/media/adrenalinemobwpero2013new_638.jpg' width='620'>

The official lyric video for the new ADRENALINE MOB song "Feel The Adrenaline" can be seen below.

ADRENALINE MOB recently inked a North American deal with Century Media Records, the label the group was previously signed to only for the European territory. The band's second full-length album, "Men Of Honor", will be released February 18 in North America and February 24 internationally. ADRENALINE MOB's current lineup includes Russell Allen (vocals; also of SYMPHONY X), Mike Orlando (guitar), John Moyer (bass; also of DISTURBED), and the band's latest addition, drummer A.J. Pero (also of TWISTED SISTER).

"Men Of Honor" features 11 new original songs produced by Allen and Orlando. 01. Mob Is Back02. Come On Get Up03. Dearly Departed04. Behind These Eyes05. Let It Go06. Feel The Adrenaline07. Men Of Honor08. Crystal Clear09. House Of Lies10. Judgment Day11. Fallin' To Pieces

Drummer Mike Portnoy (FLYING COLORS, THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) quit ADRENALINE MOB in June 2013 due to "scheduling conflicts."

In a recent interview with Brazil's "Wikimetal", Allen stated about Portnoy's departure from ADRENALINE MOB: "He's been, obviously, real busy with THE WINERY DOGS. The truth of it is we wanna keep working, we wanna keep doing ADRENALINE MOB and we don't wanna wait around for Mike to have the time [to put into ADRENALINE MOB]. And he doesn't know when he will have the time again, so that's really what's going down. Mike Portnoy was asked to be in the band by myself. Me and Orlando had already written all the material, so [ADRENALINE MOB's debut album] 'Omertá' was completely finished before Mike joined the act. And it's a bummer, but he's got his sights on other things, and he's not gonna stick around. So we wish him the best of luck, but the MOB's gotta go on."

ADRENALINE MOB released "Covertá", an eight-track EP featuring cover versions of some of the group's favorite songs, on March 12, 2013.

MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel joined NONPOINT on stage on December 18 at The Warfield in San Francisco, California to perform the song "The Wreckoning". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below (courtesy of Stephanie Cabral and Capital Chaos TV).

NONPOINT's January 31 concert at Club Revolution in Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be filmed for an upcoming DVD.

NONPOINT's self-titled album sold 7,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 62 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Miracle" (2010), opened with around 8,000 units to land at No. 60.

"Nonpoint" was produced/mixed by Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND, MEGADETH) and features additional production and mixing from Brian Virtue (30 SECONDS TO MARS, CHEVELLE).

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

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

DIR EN GREY vocalist Kyo has launched a new side project dubbed SUKEKIYO. An overview of the band reads as follows:

"The greatest thing about Sukekiyo thus far is their sound. Sukekiyo is not Kyo: The Band, it's an entirely new entity. The instrumentals rival Kyo in personality, and yet they compliment each-other so well. For a 'new' band, their chemistry is superb, and they play in perfect unison."
Sukekiyo will release a video for the song 'Aftermath' on New Year's Day exclusively via iTunes.

For information and updates on the band go to this location.

HATRIOT, the Bay Area thrash powerhouse featuring former EXODUS singer Steve “Zetro” Souza, have delayed the release of their second album, Dawn Of The New Centurion, until February 21st via Massacre Records.

Following up their debut, Heroes Of Origin, the band has once again enlisted Juan Urteaga (TESTAMENT, MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS) to handle production duties.
Tracklisting:

'From My Cold Dead Hands'
'Your Worst Enemy'
'The Fear Within'
'Honor The Rise And Fall'
'Superkillafragsadisticactsaresoatrocious'
'Silence In The House Of The Lord'
'World Funeral'
'Dawn Of The New Centurion'
'Consolation For The Insane'
“Over the past year Hatriot has grown tighter as a band, and the songs on the new record will reflect that”, says Steve Souza. “The songs are longer and more melodic, while keeping the classic thrash metal feel that we are known for. Heroes Of Origin was our Kill ‘Em All, and Dawn Of The New Centurion is our Ride The Lightning.”

In addition to shows in Belarus, Ukraine, and Sweden, W.A.S.P. will play a series of ten concerts in Russia next year; confirmed dates are as follows:
May
20 - Minsk, Belarus - Re: Republic
21 - Kiev, Ukraine - Bingo
22 - Kharkov, Russia - Zhara
23 - Rostov, Russia - Odo
24 - Krasnodar, Russia - Arena Hall
25 - Stavropol, Russia - Dkis
27 - Novosibirsk, Russia - Otdykh
29 - Ekaterinburg, Russia - Tele-Club
31 - Samara, Russia - Odo

June
1 - Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - Milo
3 - Moscow, Russia - Glavclub
4 - St. Petersburg, Russia - A 2
6 - Sölvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock

Norwegian metallers GRIMSKULL have released their new single, 'Iron Eyes', featuring former IRON MAIDEN singer BLAZE BAYLEY on lead vocals.
The single is digital only, but will be included as a bonus track on the upcoming Grimskull album. The song can be found on iTunes and Spotify, but can also be downloaded for free on the band's official SoundCloud page (listen below).
The band was originally formed in 1989, but resurrected in 2009 under the name of Grimskull. Their debut album, Monster Master, was released in 2012.

The mysterious and eccentric ALIEN KEN will release the debut album, Contact on January 24th.
You can pre-order the CD now and as a bonus you will immediately get a free download of the track 'Fall At My Feet' in mp3 format. Head to this location to place your order now.
Tracklisting:

'Content Is King'
'Wrath Of Noro'
'Fall At My Feet'
'Cleanse My Claws'
'Two Bad'
'Glitter Rambo'
'The Drifter'
'Mirrored'
'She'

'Cleanse My Claws':

UK doom rockers GROAN have released their new video, for the track 'Slice Of That Vibe', featured on the band's Ride The Snake EP, out via Superhot Records.
Tracklisting:

'Women Of Doom'
'Drug Lord'
'Slice Of That Vibe'
'Blessed Is My Blade'
'Citadel Of Chaos'

'Slice Of That Vibe' video:
More on Groan at Facebook.

Dubai-based NERVECELL have posted a short trailer for their forthcoming band documentary, Shout Symphony:
Nervecell guitarist Rami Mustafa spoke with WhatsTheScene India in early 2013. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

WTS: So now that there is easier access to underground metal, is there more reception to Nervecell’s music?

RM: "Of course! When we started in 2001, the scene in Dubai was bad. But 2001 to 2005 it was really good. There were a lot of bands and a lot of underground gigs but people didn’t know too much about metal. They used to come to our shows and learn and realize - this is metal, this is death metal, this is thrash metal. We used to talk with everyone. We used to go out after our show to our friends and fans and have a chat and talk about bands and sometimes trade albums. It was a learning process. So yeah, for the past 3-4 years, I think the internet and YouTube and technology have helped the younger generation to learn about metal really faster than before, in a shorter span of time. Nowadays I find that musicians that can play a guitar lesson on YouTube (laughs). It’s not a bad thing at all you know!"

WTS: The Middle East is seen generally as a very conservative society, has there been any sort of opposition to your music and your lyrical themes?

RM: "No, not at all! A lot of people get confused by countries like Dubai and Qatar, these countries are really modern, very globalized so it’s not a problem. What we sing about is really about humanitarian issues and personal issues, nothing extreme lyrically. So we’ve never had these problems. As kids, growing up in the society we learned that we have to respect traditions and morals no matter what. For me, it was purely about the music and then the lyrics. We were fine you know. Other countries have issues with metal at gigs and concerts. We’d have had some problems playing there but we’ve never been to these countries. We try to avoid trouble and we were very careful so there has been no problem."

WTS: So did growing up in the Middle East influence your music in any way?

RM: "Yeah, of course! The thing is James, he writes the lyrics, its a self-expressive kind of music and doesn’t necessarily have to be negative. A lot of it is about reality, it could be about what’s happening around us and it could be about things between close friends or could be about what’s happening in the world in general. We don’t really have topics that pinpoint and they are mostly general. What’s happening in the world does affect us but we don’t really take it to the level where it’s concentrated to the lyrics. We always concentrate on the music first."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

A 16-minute video introducing the members of Latin metal group DE LA TIERRA, consisting of Andreas Kisser, guitarist of SEPULTURA, Andrés Giménez, former leader of A.N.I.M.A.L., Sr. Flavio, bassist of LOS FABULOSOS CADILLACS, and Alex González, drummer of MANÁ, can be seen below.

Roadrunner Records and Warner Music Latina will release the eagerly anticipated self-titled debut album from DE LA TIERRA, on January 14. The CD cover artwork can be seen below.

"De La Tierra", the band's crushing 11-song debut was recorded and mixed by Stanley Soares (MOTÖRHEAD, SEPULTURA) in Sao Paulo, Guadalajara, Buenos Aires and Los Angeles and produced by the band themselves. The album, which marks an electrifying new chapter for the always daring members of DE LA TIERRA, will feature lyrics sung entirely in both Spanish and Portuguese, elevating the group's Latin roots.

"On 'De La Tierra', there are some moments when you feel the world is coming to an end and others when the sky seems to open up, letting the light shine," says Gonzalez. "It is metal that is fast, powerful, explosive, with lots of adrenaline. You have darkness and light. There is melody and also a lot of punch."

DE LA TIERRA's history can be traced back eight years to backstage conversations between Giménez and González, discussing their passion for heavy music. A tour with MANÁ brought González to Argentina in 2011, which rekindled discussions of starting a group with Gimenez. The following evening the two had dinner with Flavio, a friend of Giménez's who both revered, as the three flirted with the idea of forming a power trio. Giménez however wanted more firepower and suggested Kisser as a possible second guitarist. González reached out to Kisser via email telling him about the project which was conceived as a gathering of like minds to create metal music which they all enjoyed and appreciated. Kisser responded immediately: "I am the band's guitar player!"

DE LA TIERRA is Andrés Giménez (vocals/guitar), Andreas Kisser (guitar/vocals), Sr. Flavio (bass/vocals) and Alex González (drums/vocals)

For more information, visit DeLaTierraMusic.com.

Vocalist Jill Janus wrote and recorded two demo songs in 2008 that were used to bait potential musicians for her band HUNTRESS. In 2009, Janus met underground metal act PROFESSOR from Highland Park, California. These two songs were played for the boys, they rehearsed once and immediately joined forces to birth HUNTRESS. "Back From The Dead To Kill" remains unreleased and is offered up to fans of HUNTRESS as part of their legacy. Check it out using the SoundCloud widget below.

Jill's second demo, "Call Of The Wild", will be released next Monday, January 13.

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

"Starbound Beast" includes the track "I Want to Fuck You to Death", which was co-written for Jill Janus by legendary MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy Kilmister.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has posted a message to fans at his official web site, hinting that his next round of treatments for cancer might be his last for a while. Iommi has had to go back to England every six weeks for treatment ever since being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012, forcing him and SABBATH to work around both the treatments and the recovery time needed afterward. Now he has written, "We've some good things lined up for the coming year, firstly the Grammys, then some dates in the U.S. and Canada, and in the summer a quick trip round Europe. I should also be finishing my regular treatment and I'm hoping to not get so tired — all positive."

Last year, Iommi said that his ongoing treatments and their physical side effects could severely restrict SABBATH's activities, explaining, "I can't commit to doing another two years or anything like that. I have to play it as it comes now."

But in his new message, Iommi sounded more upbeat, saying, "After such a brilliant 2013, it's going to be difficult to match it this year but we'll be having a go." He also thanked his bandmates, producer, management, record label, road crew and assistants for helping the band.

Singer Ozzy Osbourne told The Pulse Of Radio that Iommi never let his treatments slow him down during the making of the recent SABBATH album, "13". "My hat goes off to him 'cause he really is Iron Man," he said. "I mean, that chemotherapy knocks you sideways, you know. I mean, when my wife had cancer a few years back, she was having three chemo things a month and it would knock the life out of — literally every time she'd have a treatment, she'd have a seizure. It's scary stuff. But he came down, plugged in and carried on. He's my hero, I swear to God he is."

"13", the first SABBATH release in 35 years to feature Iommi, Osbourne and Geezer Butler playing together, was released last June and landed the band its first-ever No. 1 album in the U.S., also topping the chart in the U.K. and a number of other countries.

The band has also earned three 2014 Grammy Award nominations, for "Best Rock Album" for "13", plus "Best Metal Performance" and "Best Rock Song" for "God Is Dead?"

SABBATH will begin a 10-date North American run on March 31 in New York, ending in Los Angeles on April 26.

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen tells Artisan News that the band will enter the studio on February 1 to begin work on the follow-up to 2008's "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge".

"I saw Joe [Elliott, vocals], Vivian [Campbell, guitar] and Rick [Allen, drums] on Rick's birthday out here on November 1," he said (see video below). "And we were discussing and we were all excited and buzzing about new material. I can't even remember the last time we were like that about that stuff. 'Cause it's been a long time since we've had new recordings out, so it's like a brand new band; you have all these ideas and we're just gonna get together and bash it out."

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Collen revealed that the band has plans to record both an EP and full-length album. He explained: "An album would obviously take too long, so we're gonna do about four or five songs, get those out and then [later in the] year have an album come out, so it'll be an EP and an album."

Campbell explained to Billboard that DEF LEPPARD's next release will likely see them delivering elements of their classic tunes while also delving into new territory.

"The band is successful for a certain sound," said Campbell. "It's a brand like Coca-Cola and you've got to give the people what they expect. At the same time, you have to move on."

After completing the successful "Viva! Hysteria" residency in Las Vegas last spring that resulted in the recently released concert video and album packages, DEF LEPPARD is planning to return to Sin City later this year with a "Viva! Pyromania" residency, which will see the group perform the entire classic 1983 album "Pyromania" at each show. The move comes in time for the album's 31st anniversary rather than its 30th, but Elliott told journalist Gary Graff that commemorating that mark wasn't on DEF LEPPARD's agenda last year.

"We ignored the anniversary because I think a lot of these anniversaries are just invented by the record companies to rehash for some bullshit reason, to re-release an album that doesn't need re-releasing because it's never been deleted," he said.

"We agreed to doing the 25th anniversary of 'Pyromania' five years ago, where we put out the second disc which was... basically an extra live album with the Steve Clark lineup, if you like, the way that we were in 1983," he continued.

"The cupboard's bare. There's nothing left.

"They wanted to do a re-release of a 30th anniversary of 'Pyromania', and we just said, 'Absolutely no! The only thing that anybody is going to get out of this is some different liner notes.' I think it's just ripping off the kids, so we said no.

"If somebody wants 'Pyromania Deluxe', it's already out.

"We celebrated after 25 years; we don't need to do it again after 30."

According to TMZ.com, EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee has filed a lawsuit against her longtime record company Wind-Up, claiming the label attempted to sabotage the band by appointing under-qualified promoters who lacked useful ideas.

Lee is reportedly seeking $1.5 million in unpaid royalties from the record label as part of her suit.

March 4, 2013 marked the 10th anniversary of the release of "Fallen", the major label debut by EVANESCENCE that became a monster, multi-platinum hit for the Lee-fronted rock band. According to The Pulse Of Radio, Wind-Up Records reissued the album on limited-edition purple vinyl in May 2013. Led by the smash single "Bring Me To Life", which also appeared on the soundtrack to the movie "Daredevil", "Fallen" sold a whopping seven million copies in the U.S. and yielded three more singles with "Going Under", "My Immortal" and "Everybody's Fool". EVANESCENCE also won Grammys in 2004 for "Best New Artist" and "Best Hard Rock Performance".

The success of "Fallen" also led to turmoil within the group, as founding guitarist Ben Moody left in late 2003, leaving Lee as the only original member of the band.

Lee continued with new members, and EVANESCENCE issued "The Open Door" in 2006. While a hit, it did not equal the sales of "Fallen". Lee told The Pulse Of Radio at the time that she wasn't concerned about matching the previous album's success. "I just haven't ever looked at it that way," she said. "'Fallen' is a great record, but I don't think you can try to match the success of another body of work. I think that's only gonna frustrate you. And if, honestly if what you really care about is record sales and money, there's no way you're gonna make a great piece of art, because then you're just gonna get all confused and make something ingenuine."

After another protracted absence, during which Lee flirted with a solo career and even began a more electronic album only to abandon it, EVANESCENCE released a self-titled effort in 2011 and toured behind it for the better part of a year.

Multi-camera footage of CIVIL WAR — the Swedish metal band featuring former SABATON members Rikard Sundén (guitar), Daniel Mullback (drums), Daniel Mÿhr (keyboards) and Oskar Montelius (guitar) alongside singer Patrik Johansson (ASTRAL DOORS, LION'S SHARE) and bassist Stefan "Pizza" Eriksson (VOLTURYON) — performing a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Heaven And Hell" on December 20, 2013 at Liljan in Borlänge, Sweden can be seen below.

CIVIL WAR is working on material for its sophomore album. The group recently stated: "Without saying too much, we can reveal that it will be more power and more metal!"

CIVIL WAR's full-length debut, "The Killer Angels", was certified gold in Sweden by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 20,000 copies.

(Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry [IFPI] in Sweden has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach gold status in the country twice in the last 11 years — from the pre-2002 level of 40,000 to the current 20,000.)

"The Killer Angels" was distributed in Sweden via the June 2013 issue of Sweden Rock Magazine and each copy of the magazine containing the CD was counted towards the certification; the album was also sold separately.

The members of CIVIL WAR were presented with their gold plaques before headlining the Metal War festival in Budapest, Hungary. Commented the band: "Selling 20,000-plus in our home country is something none of us could ever imagine when getting into the sessions leading up to the album. Even though we felt we made a solid record, getting these numbers was still something we couldn't predict upon our wildest imagination." CIVIL WAR's debut EP was released on November 13, 2012 via Despotz Records.

Borrowing its name from the novel by Michael Shaara about the Battle of Gettysburg, "The Killer Angels" was recorded by Jonas Kjellgren at Studio Myhrer (which is actually the bed and living room of keyboard player Daniel Myhr), Black Lounge Studio and Peter Tägtgren's The Abyss in Pärlby, Sweden. Artwork comes courtesy of Polish artist Lukasz Jaszak. CIVIL WAR is: Nils Patrik Johansson - VocalsRikard Sunden - GuitarsOskar Montelius - GuitarsDaniel Myhr - KeyboardDaniel Mullback - DrumsStefan "Pizza" Eriksson - Bass

Inner Wound Recordings will re-release the classic ANDROMEDA albums "II = I" and "Chimera" on January 21 in North America and January 24 in Europe. Both albums are remastered and contain liner notes written by ANDROMEDA guitar player Johan Reinholdz.

"II = I" track listing:

01. Encyclopedia02. Mirages 03. Reaching Deep Within 04. Two Is One 05. Morphing Into Nothing 06. Castaway 07. Parasite 08. One In My Head 09. This Fragile Surface

"Chimera" track listing:

01. Periscope 02. In The End 03. The Hidden Riddle 04. Going Under 05. The Cage Of Me 06. No Guidelines 07. Inner Circle 08. Iskenderun 09. Blink Of An Eye

Dark Essence Records has announced details of "Alfapokalyps", the upcoming album from Swedish rockers ALFAHANNE.

The ten-track album will be the debut full-length release from ALFAHANNE, a name that is relatively new on the scene compared to some of the label's more venerable artists, yet it is a band that has managed to tempt the likes of TAAKE's Hoest, SHINING's Niklas Kvarforth and HELHEIM's V'gandr to make guest appearances on "Alfapokalyps".

Set to hit the streets on February 10, "Alfapokalyps" was mixed by Tore Stjerna at the Necromorbus Studio. Artwork is by Mikael Skoog.

"Alfapokalyps" track listing:

01. Bättre Dar (with guest vocals from Niklas Kvarforth of SHINING)02. Ormar Af Satan03. Såld På Mörkret (with guest vocals from Hoest of TAAKE)04. Dödskult05. Rocken Dör06. Syndarnas Flod07. Alfa Hordes08. Indiehora (with guest vocals from V'gandr of HELHEIM and TAAKE)09. Där Drömmarna Dör10. Alla Ska Mé

Formed in 2010, ALFAHANNE's debut release came in 2013 with the arrival of the "Grym" split seven-inch single with Sweden's SHINING.

ALFAHANNE plays what its members describe as "alfapocalyptic rock," which mixes black metal with classic rock and punk, all topped off with some goth influences. It is music that is both powerful and beautiful while at the same time is ugly, and about which the band says: "When you are into it, you don't feel pleasure and you don't feel pain, but you definitely feel."

While ALFAHANNE might be a fairly new name to a lot of people, the band's members, which include Pehr Skioldhammer on vocals and guitar, Fredrik Sööberg on guitar, Niklas Åström on drums and Jimmy Wiberg on bass, have been around the black metal scene since the early '90s, playing in bands like VINTERLAND and early MAZE OF TORMENT.

ALFAHANNE's next live appearance will be on April 16 at the Dark Essence Records Club Night at the Inferno festival in Oslo. They are also set to appear at the Tons Of Rock festival, alongside SABATON, SEPULTURA and SOILWORK, in June.

"Dödsmaskinen", an original demo track from ALFAHANNE featuring Niklas Kvarforth, can be heard below.

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST appeared on an episode of "The Simpsons" on Sunday (January 5) on Fox. The episode also featured Will Arnett, director Judd Apatow, and his frequent costars Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen.

"Simpsons" executive producer Matt Selman told Entertainment Weekly that in the episode, titled "Steal This Episode", Homer is taught by Bart how to illegally download films, and he starts screening them in his backyard for folks in Springfield. "Even though Homer is stealing, he's doing it for the community, he’s doing it out of the goodness of his heart," says Selman. An overzealous FBI director in charge of anti-piracy subsuqently goes after Homer, and JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford winds up singing a parody of the band's classic "Breaking The Law" in an effort to nab Homer.

Check out video footage of JUDAS PRIEST's appearance below.

Guitarist Kenneth "K.K." Downing, who announced his retirement from JUDAS PRIEST in April 2011, told the Shopshire Star last week that ever since "The Simpsons" came out, it had been linked with rock and heavy metal music.

He said: "A few previous programs have used 'Breaking The Law' and other JUDAS PRIEST songs.

"Would I have said yes if I'd still been in the band?

"Probably, because it's good exposure, although it would depend in what context."

In 2002, Halford had a small film role as a pornographic video store clerk in "Spun", a crime comedy-drama dark-comedy directed by Jonas Åkerlund, who has helmed music videos for some of the biggest pop and rock artists in the world. Rob told Screamer Magazine earlier this year: "I had a fantastic opportunity to work on that 'Spun' movie with Mickey Rourke. And to watch Mickey Rourke, I just don't know how he does it. He just switches it on, and he's a different person almost. That's the great challenge that these actors have. It's not easy, but these actors make it look easy because they are so good at what they do."

Given a chance to act again, Halford said that he would certainly consider it. "I never say no to anything," he said. "I think if you do, you don't know what you've missed. I think you should try everything in life. If it doesn't work out, then at least you can say you've tried it. There's nothing worse than having regrets. If life affords you an opportunity and you can go for it, then you should."