"Relic Of The Past", the new video from Dutch thrash/death metallers IZEGRIM, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Congress Of The Insane", which was released on October 7 in Europe and October 22 in North America via Listenable Records. The CD cover artwork was created by Mariano Villalba and features a concept based on the evil in the deceiving human nature.

Says IZEGRIM about the "Relic Of The Past" clip: "No scripts, no cheezy choreography, no old deserted factory hall. This is IZEGRIM in its natural habitat: on stage supported by our loyal fans."

"Congress Of The Insane" contains 11 songs, including "Manifest Of A Megalomaniac", which features a guest appearance by Sabina Classen from HOLY MOSES.

"Congress Of The Insane" track listing:

01. Relic Of The Past02. Decline And Fall03. Celebratory Gunfire04. Endless Strife05. Deterioration From Perfection06. Unchallenged Dominance07. Modern Day Freak08. The Legion09. Carousel Of Death10. Manifest Of A Megalomaniac11. Carnival Of Deception

IZEGRIM is:

Jeroen Wechgelaer - GuitarMarloes Voskuil - Bass/VocalsBart Van Ginkel - GuitarIvo Maarhuis - Drums

Swedish hard rock trio KAMCHATKA will release its fifth studio album, "The Search Goes On", on February 19 via Despotz Records. The CD was recorded at the band's own Shrimpmonkey Studios in Varberg, Sweden with bassist/vocalist Per Wiberg (CANDLEMASS, ex-OPETH, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) handling production.

"The Search Goes On" track listing:

01. Somedays02. Tango Decadence03. Coast To Coast04. Son Of The Sea05. Broken Man06. Pressure07. Cross The Distance08. Thank You For Your Time09. Dragons10. The Search Goes On "After what feels like a very long time of going through different propositions from different record companies, we finally landed smoothly with Despotz Records in Stockholm, Sweden for our upcoming album, 'The Search Goes On'," commented the band.

"The new material came out brilliant, especially after going through the producer Wiberg's filter. So here we are at the end of 2013, Per Wiberg on bass and vocals, Tobias Strandvik on drums and Thomas 'Juneor' Andersson on guitar and vocals... KAMCHATKA!"

Depressive post black metalists SUFFERING IN SOLITUDE will unleash their debut full-length on December 31 via Domestic Genocide Records. Titled "A Place Apart", the 28-minute composition was recorded in several locales throughout Florida, Louisiana, California and South America and offers up six sprawling odes of grief, longing, broken promises, and mental breakdowns. Initially led by the teachings of Wedard, Nocturnal Depression, Sombres Forets and Managarm and later Lantlos, Altar Of Plagues and Lowcityrain, SUFFERING IN SOLITUDE was forged in 2009 by one Christopher A. Now a trio of sullen souls, together they invoke true audio melancholy through their emotionally driven ballads of hopelessness and dejection where expansive waves of distorted dreamscapes swell into manic, blast-laden bursts of torment. "A Place Apart" track listing:

01. Inside Out02. Entrance03. Exit (Time Lost)04. Suffering in Solitude05. Distance06. Placed Apart SUFFERING IN SOLITUDE is:

Black Moor - BassDanny Arancibia - Clean Guitars, EffectsChristopher A. - Guitar, Drums, Vocals

Swedish death-crust metallers BOMBS OF HADES will unleash a compilation album featuring an assortment of oddities recorded throughout the band's decade-long career. Titled Through The Dark Past, the disc is set release on January 27th on Pulverised Records. In addition to 19 completely remastered Bombs Of Hades' ragers, Through The Dark Past features four brand new tracks recorded exclusively for this release.

Archiving from the Carnivores 7” vinyl EP up to the No Life 10” vinyl split with Sweden's MORDBRAND, this is the indeed the most exhaustive Bombs Of Hades compilation to date. Both vinyl and non-vinyl collectors will appreciate this all-inclusive deluxe package, complete with singles, cover songs, bonus track and tracks from the band's EPs and splits.
Through The Dark Past tracklisting:

‘Necronomicus Kanth (The Hounds Of Hell)’
‘Twisted Decay’
‘Slaughter The Dead’
‘Disrespect Their Bones’
‘Coffin’
‘Carnivores’
‘Prolog (The Ecstasy Of Blood)’
‘Into The Eternal Pit Of Fire’
‘The Day Man Lost’
‘Confessor’
‘Ice Cold Grave’
‘Clean Your Head’
‘Until Death (Hanged By The Neck)’
‘Inside Teradome’
‘Burn’
‘I’ll Be Your Sister’
‘Mangled Dehumanization’
‘Crossturner’
‘Evil Dead’
‘Kill! Kill! Kill!’
‘Epilog’
Bombs Of Hades is:
Jonas Stålhammar - vocals / guitars
P-O Söderback - guitars
Magnus Forsberg - drums
Anders Ekman – bass

For more info visit BombsOfHades.com.

"Rocket Smoke", the new video from Poitiers, France-based progressive metallers KLONE, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Ami Bornstein and features live footage from the band's recent European tour supporting ORPHANED LAND.

"Rocket Smoke" is taken from KLONE's fifth full-length album, "The Dreamer's Hideaway", which was released in October 2012 via Klonosphere Records. The CD was recorded at La Fusée Des Resistants studios and was mixed and mastered by Franck Hueso, who has previously worked with such acts as HACRIDE and DEATHSPELL OMEGA. The band previously stated that "The Dreamer's Hideaway" would be their most accomplished effort to date, "It's more psychedelic, more intense and more progressive than ever, the music instills a strongly mysterious atmosphere," they said. KLONE is:

Yann Ligner: Vocals Guillaume Bernard: Atmospheric GuitarsAldrick Guadagnino: GuitarsJean Etienne Maillard: BassFlorent Marcadet: DrumsMatthieu Metzger: Saxophones, Keyboard, Systol Device

On February 7th, German power metallers WINTERSTORM will release their new album, Cathyron, via NoiseArt Records. Only some weeks later they will embark on a tour with VAN CANTO.
Their goal is to enthral their fans with their passionate music. They want to contribute a new sound to the metal scene, which not only inspires inveterate metal fans. It soon became clear that exactly the right people had met after years of experience with other projects to assault the hall of fame of Metal together.

In the songs of Winterstorm there is always a distinct melody in the foreground, which is reflected in catchy choruses, a variety of instrumental tunes and manifold part singing. Distinctive elements of various styles of Metal are amalgamated and given a new interpretation. Elements of power, Viking and folk are combined with elements of the Middle Ages and epic metal, which together appear in a new splendour. This makes up an explosive mix, which goes down well with younger and older fans. A musical mix, which not only appeals to metal fans but to anyone really! This record is way more epic and varied than anything they did before; they have created a new world in which the listener can dive and escape into.

Compositions are done by Armin Haas, who has worked for movie soundtracks and video games and who also does orchestral arrangements in other metal bands such as Van Canto for instance.

Another new element in Cathyron are the conceptual lyrics and the story behind the album, that create a brand new world. Fitting the power and fantasy metal spectrum, the lyrics are about the fight between good and evil, and how the hero called Teron operates in the world Cathyron to achieve victory over all Evil. A tale known to most by movies such as Lord of the Rings.

The cover artwork was done by guitarist Michael Liewald who has done all of the band's front covers so far. The album was recorded in fall 2013 by Armin Haas, drum recordings were done by Stephan Ernst (J.B.O., FIDDLER'S GREEN, FREEDOM CALL). Mix and master by Thomas Geiger, who also works with the likes of BLIND GUARDIAN, HELLOWEEN and CHARLIE BAUERFEIND.

Tracklisting:

'A Hero Rises'
'Cathyron'
'Far Away'
'Burning Gates'
'Windkeepers'
'Down In THe Seas'
'The Maze'
'Elders Of Wisdom'
'Metalavial'
'The Evocation'
'Call Of Darkness'
'The Element's Strife'

Tour dates with Van Canto include:

February
21 - Strassbourg, France - La Laiterie
22 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Gallery
23 - Nürnberg, Germany - RoFa

March
6 - Milano, Italy - Factory
7 - München, Germany - Backstage
8 - Prague, Czech Republic - Nova Chmelnice
9 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - ROFA
21 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - ColosSaal
22 - Hamburg, Germany - Grünspan
23 - Hameln, Germany - Sumpfblume

April
2 - London, England - Underworld
3 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13
4 - Bremen, Germany - Aladin
5 - Köln, Germany - Live Music Hall
10 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
11 - Glauchau, Germany - Alte Spinnerei
12 - Düsseldorf, Germany - Pitcher
13 - Dortmund, Germany - FZW

More on Winterstorm at Facebook.

The long-awaited reunion show from TALISMAN — the now-defunct Swedish-American melodic hard rock band featuring singer Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOURNEY) and bassist Marcel Jacob (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) — will take place on June 6, 2014 at the Sweden Rock Festival.

Sadly, guitarist Fredrik Åkesson will not be able to make the gig due to his demanding schedule with OPETH, but TALISMAN is happy to bring back Pontus Norgren on guitar, who was in the band for the "Truth" album and who mixed, as well as played on, the group's final outing, "7".

TALISMAN will also introduce Johan Niemann (EVERGREY, ex-THERION) on bass as the replacement for Marcel Jacob, who committed suicide on July 21, 2009 after many years of personal and health issues he was battling." Vocalist Jeff Scott Soto states: "[Johan] was an obvious choice for us and will be a welcome addition this day!

"The show will include some TALISMAN alumni and special guests we are currently working on.

"Thank you to Sweden Rock Festival for giving us your platform to finally pay tribute to Marcel and his/our legacy. In January, he would have been 50 years old and also next year is the five-year mark since we lost him, so it will be a very special event indeed!"

Marcel Jacob was a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist in the hard rock bands TALISMAN and LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM.

In 1978, he formed the band RISING FORCE together with guitarist Yngwie J. Malmsteen. Four years later, Jacob joined the band FORCE, which later changed its name to EUROPE, replacing John Levén, who took Jacob's place in RISING FORCE. During his time in FORCE, Jacob wrote the song "Black Journey for My Soul" together with vocalist Joey Tempest. The song was eventually included on EUROPE's second album, "Wings of Tomorrow", re-titled "Scream of Anger". After spending three months in FORCE, Jacob traded places with John Levén again, who apparently had issues with Malmsteen.

In 1987, Jacob played on the album "Total Control", the first solo LP released by EUROPE guitarist John Norum. Jacob also co-wrote several of the songs included on that album.

Two years later he formed the band TALISMAN together with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto. Throughout the years TALISMAN was Jacob's major project and the band released several studio and live albums until 2007.

ALTER BRIDGE have issued a video clip of outtakes from their recently completed European tour, found below:
Alter Bridge will resume touring in support of their new album, Fortress, in February. In addition to the previously announced Australian and European shows, the band has just confirmed initial dates for its spring US tour, as well as concerts in Japan. The current live itinerary is as listed:
February
18 — Tokyo, Japan — Liquid Room
19 — Osaka, Japan — Club Quattro
22 — Brisbane, Australia — RNA Showgrounds
23 — Sydney, Australia — Olympic Park
28 — Melbourne, Australia — Flemington Racecourse

March
1 — Adelaide, Australia — Bonython Park
3 — Perth, Australia — Claremont Showgrounds

April
14 — Dallas, TX — House Of Blues
15 — Houston, TX — House Of Blues
19 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle
21 — Baltimore, MD — Rams Head Live
22 — Boston, MA. — Royale Boston
24 — New York, NY — Best Buy Theater

May
1 — Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue
31 — Nijmegan, Netherlands — Goffertpark

June
15 — Donington, U.K. — Donington Park
25 — Milan, Italy — Fiera Arena
28 — Dessel, Belgium — Graspop

To read BraveWords.com scribe Aaron Small's recent Alter Bridge feature, click here.

German progressive metallers NEBERU will release their debut EP, "Impulsions", on December 24 through Famined Records. The EP features "seven mind-blowing tracks that rip apart the standard for any progressive metal band and establish a new foothold," according to a press release.

"Impulsions" takes listeners on a furious whirlwind of gut-wrenching guitars to the eccentric power of drums topped with the lyrical domination of lucid story telling.

The EP opens up with a sad soul clinging to life, asking for help from anyone that is listening, only to find nothingness. "Impulsions" then delivers the full force of a relentless onslaught to the listeners ears.

The song "Alleviate" features a guest appearance by Kyle Anderson from THE AFTERIMAGE and CENTURIES APART. Kyle delivers the lyrical emotion that has brought THE AFTERIMAGE to the steps of musical genius to "Impulsions".

"Impulsions" track listing: 01. Blacklight02. Whitelight03. Autoconstant04. Decompressed05. Alleviate (feat. Kyle Anderson)06. Extrinsic Lucidity07. Impulsions

You can stream the first single, "Decompressed", in the YouTube clip below.

Skövde, Sweden-based stoner metal band KAROSS released its second studio album, "Two", on December 10 via Skulls And Flames Recordings, with physical distribution in Europe through DFR. The CD is available in all major stores, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and 600 different download/stream service. A North American release of the album is planned for January 2014 through Alliance Entertainment. Graphics and layout of the album was designed by Jonas Mobidious Swahn at MorbidiousArt. "Two" was recorded at Skulls And Flames Recording Studios and was mixed by Isaac Decibel Ingelsbo at Zukklab Sound. It was mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson at The Panic Room. A teaser for the album is available below.

Says KAROSS: "The band has taken a natural development path with this album. We are larger, fatter and heavier than ever." "Two" track listing:

01. Burn Witch Burn02. Borderline03. The Lake The Beach04. The Evil05. Two06. I Call The Shots07. All Cream Is Gone08. Hyde09. Fawn10. Dirty Beer KAROSS is:

Mikael Berggren - BassKalle Sjostrand - GuitarMagnus Knutas - VocalsBjorn Midborg - GuitarMarkus Neuendorf - Drums

2013 witnessed the rebirth of INTEGRITY's 1995-released "Systems Overload", with the A2/Orr+ mix of the already massive album, merging alternate mixes and takes from the initial sessions with contributions from previous and current members. This rebuilding of one of hardcore's most iniquitous and legendary releases was followed by the announcement that the iconic lineup that brought some of the band's most seminal releases, including "Systems Overload", into existence will reunite on stage for the first time in over twenty years, with a one-time set, as they will headline the A389 Recordings tenth-anniversary bash in Baltimore, Maryland in January. And now, as the A389 X Bash is now exactly one month away, A389 announces that this infamous INTEGRITY lineup — vocalist Dwid Hellion, guitarists Chris Smith and Aaron Melnick, bassist Leon Melnick and drummer Mark Konopka — has harnessed the first new track together in over two decades! Recorded by current INTEGRITY guitarist Robert Orr, the virulent new hymn bears the mark "7th Revelation: Beyond The Realm Of The VVitch", every second of it searing with the apocalyptic intensity that made INTEGRITY stand out from the pack and become the household name in the hardcore and metal scenes it is today. The track was constructed for a special seven-inch release to be made available at the upcoming one-time live set at the A389 X Bash when the lineup takes to the stage on Saturday, January 18, headlining the gargantuan two-venue event, joined that evening by a one-time BLOODLET reunion set, ALL OUT WAR, WEEKEND NACHOS, NOISEM, POWER TRIP, PICK YOUR SIDE, HOMEWRECKER, EMPIRE OF RATS and more. A389 will also deal out a Christmas Overload bundle of the release in the coming weeks, including super-limited-edition "Systems Overload"-era retro stuff limited to 100 clear with no labels pre-press of the new seven-inch in a limited edition of 100, a double 12-inch of "Systems Overload" with etched B-sides limited to 100 and a limited/made-to-order updated/reproduction of the "Systems Overload" "The Bucks Stop Here" European tour longsleeve. If that's not enough, Decibel magazine recently interrogated INTEGRITY's "Systems Overload" crew, collecting one of the best stories on the band ever, with a massive seven-page feature unloads a wealth of insight into the creation of this album as a new installation to their cherished Hall Of Fame series.
(A389-137) INTEGRITY 7th Revelation: Beyond The Realm Of The VVitch 7" by A389 Recordings

Former NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon will release her debut solo album, "Shine", in February via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group. The CD, which was co-produced by Anette Olzon and Johan Kronlund, is a collaboration with some of the most successful teams in rock and pop in Scandinavia: Stefan Örn (songwriter and producer of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest-winning track "Running Scared") and Johan Glössner. The album was mixed by Kronlund, Nicklas Flykt and Ronny Lahti (known for his work with Loreen and Roxette).

"Shine" release dates:

Feb. 26 - Sweden Feb. 28 – Germany, Finland, Russia, Spain Mar. 03 – France, Benelux, Poland, Czech, Norway, Denmark Mar. 04 - Italy Mar. 18 - North America Mar. 31 – UK

A five-minute video clip in which Olzon answers fan-submitted questions can be seen below. Also available is the official lyric video for the song "Falling".

"I am so thrilled to finally release my first solo album," says Olzon. "I've been working on it for a long time by now...

"The album is very personal with songs I have started writing already in 2009 but also very recent songs.

"The overall message of the album is that life can be really dark and filled with hardship and sadness, but you can always choose to see some light coming through, to make you stronger and full of life — making you SHINE… no matter what."

Regarding the CD's musical direction, Anette said: "In the end, it is a rock album. Well, a pop rock album, maybe, or would you call it pop metal?"

Olzon in 2011 released two demo tracks that she recorded in 2009 for what was supposed to become her debut solo album. She said at the time, "The songs are not mixed or produced, just recorded in the moment, and therefore are very rough songs. But I still want you to hear them since I am proud of them and I think they show another part of me than you hear in NIGHTWISH." She added, "The first song is called 'Floating' and I call it the 'circus' song. It gives me a happy feeling and the vibe in it is happy and joyful. The second song ['Invincible'] is a song I wrote for my son and therefore it's very special to me."

Olzon announced in April 2011 that she decided to push back the tentative release date of her debut solo album to after NIGHTWISH had completed touring in support of its then-yet-to-be-released new studio album, "Imaginarium".

Olzon worked on material for her solo CD in 2009 with Swedish producers Stefan Örn and Johan Glössner. The album was slated to be co-produced by Swedish producer/songwriter Anders Bagge, who has previously worked with MADONNA, CELINE DION, JANET JACKSON and JESSICA SIMPSON, among others. He was also one of judges on the Swedish TV talent competition "Idol" and a producer of the TV series "Made in Sweden".

Olzon in 2009 hired a personal manager — the Swedish management company Hagenburg Management, which also represents EUROPE and THE CARDIGANS.

Olzon abruptly left NIGHTWISH in September 2012 in the middle of the band's North American tour. She has since been replaced by former AFTER FOREVER and current REVAMP singer Floor Jansen.

Photo credit: Annicka Photography



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Post by Anette Olzon.

Fan-filmed video footage of BLACK SABBATH's December 12 concert at Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland can be seen below (courtesy of Rock Radio NI).

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. War Pigs 02. Into The Void 03. Under The Sun / Every Day Comes And Goes 04. Snowblind 05. Age Of Reason 06. Black Sabbath 07. Behind The Wall Of Sleep 08. N.I.B. 09. End Of The Beginning 10. Fairies Wear Boots 11. Rat Salad 12. Tommy Clufetos Drum Solo13. Iron Man 14. God Is Dead? 15. Dirty Women 16. Children Of The Grave

Encore:

17. Paranoid

According to The Pulse Of Radio, BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi is not sure if making a follow-up to this year's reunion album, "13", would be a good idea for the group. Iommi said in Revolver magazine, "I don't know if that would be an anticlimax if we wrote another album. I'd like to, but we haven't actually spoken about it, you know? I don't know if that would be a good idea after this one, because this one's done so well. I'm sure we'd all like to do one. But I don't know. Maybe I should talk to the others about it." Bassist Geezer Butler added, "I really haven't thought about it. I'm just glad that we made this one. It can't be something where you go in and go, 'Well, that one was No. 1, so let's do another No. 1 album.' I think we'll know if we can do it or if we can't. If we have to force it, then we won't be doing it."

"13", the first SABBATH album in 35 years to feature Iommi, Butler and singer Ozzy Osbourne recording together, went No. 1 around the world, earning the band their first chart-topper ever in the U.S.

Ozzy said about the prospects of making another record, "I don't want to say there's going to be another album, because I don't want you to ask me in another year, 'What happened when you said you were going to do another record?' I'll leave it open. I'm open for anything. I have three albums to deliver of my own solo thing to my record label."

Ozzy added, "We'll all still be doing music. It's been a lot of fun doing it with BLACK SABBATH, and I'm not sorry at all for getting back together."

The making of "13" was marked by several dramatic events, including drummer Bill Ward's withdrawal from the project over a contractual dispute and Iommi's cancer diagnosis.

Butler told Revolver that he started writing a song for "13", called "Hanging By A Thread", that was inspired by Iommi's illness. He explained, "It was very much about dying, about giving your last breath and passing your spirit on." But the track didn't make it onto the album because, Butler said, "We never came up with the finished thing."

BLACK SABBATH will return to North America in 2014 for 10 shows that will be among the last in support of "13".

More than thirty years after the start of his career with SAVATAGE, and successive projects/bands like TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and JON OLIVA'S PAIN, now-legendary songwriter and performer Jon Oliva brought his "Storytellers Tour" to State Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, December 14. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

Oliva's recently released debut solo album, "Raise The Curtain", combines Jon's early music influences of '70s prog rock with the sound he cultivated with SAVATAGE and JON OLIVA'S PAIN. The result is a high-class, thrilling musical journey, something all lovers from rock to metal shouldn't miss.

"Raise The Curtain" was released on June 21 in Europe and July 2 in North America via AFM Records. The 11-song CD, which contains ideas collected over the course of the last four or five years, was tracked this past winter at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida with producer Tom Morris, with Jon handling laying down nearly all the instrument tracks and vocals himself as well as playing drums on three songs.

"Raise The Curtain" was released simply under the banner OLIVA and fans can expect a mixture of Jon's early influences and the material he wrote and recorded throughout his whole career.

"Raise The Curtain" was made available as a CD digipak (first pressing) and two-LP vinyl (gatefold, limited to 800 copies worldwide).

Fan-filmed video footage of the December 19 concert of this year's Christmas Metal Symphony European tour at Incheba Arena in Prague, Czech Republic can be seen below.

Magnum Opum Rockestra (under conductor Marcel Heijnen), a 32-strong orchestra accompanied by the METALFORCE 1 rock band and led by singers/vocalists which influenced the metal scene in recent years and decades, are taking part in the Christmas Metal Symphony European tour. Musical director of the production is Joost van den Broek. Singers taking part in the trek include Joey Belladonna (ANTHRAX), Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT), Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., ex-ACCEPT), Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN, UNISONIC), Joacim Cans (HAMMERFALL) and Floor Jansen (REVAMP, NIGHTWISH, AFTER FOREVER).

It is a well-known fact in the world of international metal fans that Tilburg in The Netherlands was host of this impressive metal show for two years. As a direct result of the succes of these shows, the requests for bringing it to the rest of Europe kept growing. Nowthe time is right to fulfill these wishes and bring this monster on the road. Christmas Metal Symphony comes with six fantastic international metal vocalists, a six-piece metal band with musicians from bands like EPICA, AFTER FOREVER and STREAM OF PASSION and an impressive 32-piece symphonic orchestra. The heavy backbone of the show is METALFORCE 1. These musicians were handpicked by Joost van den Broek and these Santa's Little Helpers contain some of the finest metal artists:

* Marcel Coenen (SUN CAGED) - Guitar* Johan Van Stratum (STREAM OF PASSION) - Bass* Abel Carnizales (LABIRINTHO) - Guitar* Jeffrey Revet (STREAM OF PASSION) - Keyboards* Koen Herfst (EPICA) - Drums* Joost Van Den Broek (AFTER FOREVER) - Keyboards Over the last 35 years of metalmusic, bands have written many concept albums and concept shows; great stories and fantastic songs. The team of Christmas Metal Symphony therefore decided that with the impressive heritage of all these great metal songs ever written, it would be a shame not to use them. So for this reason you can expect performances of your all time favorite metal songs, by some of the best international artists who are part of that great metal history themselves. All of this in a great Christmas and metal setting and brought to you as a full metal show; loud and extremely powerful… just like the doctor ordered!

Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE), Thomas Zwijsen and Anne Bakker are currently out on tour in Brazil in support of their release "Russian Holiday". A video report from the trek can be seen below.

The "Russian Holiday" EP was recorded during 2012 and released on February 7, 2013.

The EP received favorable reviews, with a Swedish magazine crediting the trio for inventing the genre "acoustic heavy metal."

"Russian Holiday" features acoustic re-recordings of three songs recorded and released during Blaze's years as a solo artist, a re-recording of the IRON MAIDEN classic "Sign Of The Cross" and one new song, "Russian Holiday".

The track listing is as follows:

01. Stealing Time (4:57)02. Russian Holiday (4:19)03. Soundtrack Of My Life (5:17) 04. One More Step (3:30)05. Sign Of The Cross (10:02)

Bayley released a career-spanning double-disc collection, "Soundtracks Of My Life", on October 31.

Metal Mind Productions recently released the two-CD version of Blaze Bayley's "Alive In Poland" (previously available only as part of the limited-edition "Alive In Poland" DVD) in Europe and North America.

"Alive In Poland" was recorded in Poland in April 2007 during the 21st edition of Metalmania festival in Katowice, Poland. It features a fantastic, over-one-and-a-half-hour show during which Blaze presented the best tracks from his discography, as well as select tracks from IRON MAIDEN ("Man On The Edge", "Futureal").

Bayley's latest studio album, "The King Of Metal", was released in March 2012. The CD was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy.

The 50-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to replace Bruce Dickinson as the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN.

Capital Chaos has uploaded video footage of MEGADETH's December 18 performance at The Warfield in San Francisco, California. Check it out below.

MEGADETH's tour with FEAR FACTORY and NONPOINT kicked off on November 23 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

MEGADETH's latest album, "Super Collider", has sold more than 70,000 copies in the United States since its June 4 release. The CD arrived in stores via MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's new label, Tradecraft, distributed by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe).

"I think 'Super Collider' is kind of like a really broad [distillation] of what our whole catalog represents," Mustaine told The Morning Call in a recent interview. "There's aggressive stuff, there's thrashy stuff, there's kind of more of the heavy metal stuff. There are someof the more introspective lyrics. There are some simple lyrics and soon and so forth. I think that's what really makes the record refreshing is that it shows everything that we've done. It's almost like a biopic of our career. It's a pretty good slice of everything I've learned over the years."

"Kings Of Metal MMXIV" is a completely new recording with many surprises, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of "Kings Of Metal" and MANOWAR's following world tour.

Already a significant force with international success since their debut album "Battle Hymns", the "Kings Of Metal" release in 1988 and the following world tour in 1989 catapulted MANOWAR into a new sphere. Songs like "Heart Of Steel", "Kings Of Metal", "Hail And Kill" and "Blood Of The Kings" became instant classics, celebrated since by metal fans all over the world. For "Kings Of Metal MMXIV", MANOWAR have recorded these timeless metal anthems with new arrangements and their signature "larger-than-life" sound that sealed their place in heavy metal history.

"Our fans have made us the 'Kings Of Metal', and with this tribute to one of their favorite albums, we honor them and thank them for their unparalleled support and loyalty!" said MANOWAR vocalist Eric Adams.

"Kings Of Metal MMXIV" will feature nine main tracks packed with face-melting metal, plus nine bonus tracks with over 40 minutes of additional music.

'We have pushed man and machine to the maximum level to honor the original recordings that we all love, and to add new aspects and surprises that give this new album its own character," said MANOWAR bassist and producer Joey DeMaio. "The sound is again as massive and majestic as it has always been," he continued.

"Recording this album has been an amazing experience! After playing the songs so many times on tour, Donnie and I now had the opportunity to contribute our own sound and elements that the fans have come to love from our live performances," explained guitarist Karl Logan.

For the new narration on the spoken word track "The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV", MANOWAR have joined forces with celebrated British actor Brian Blessed. Blessed is a renowned Shakespeare and character actor who has starred, among others, in Kenneth Brannagh's "Henry V", Oliver Stone's "Alexander", in "King Lear", and as Prince Vultan in the cult movie "Flash Gordon".

For special effects of the highest level on "The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV", sound effects specialist Hamilton Sterling was recruited; a Hollywood veteran who has contributed to action blockbusters, including "Batman - The Dark Knight", "Men In Black 3", "War Of The Worlds" and "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World", two of which won Oscars for "Best Sound Editing".

"Kings Of Metal MMXIV" will be released to retail on February 28 as a 2-disc CD with two 24-page booklets and additional new art by legendary fantasy artist and longtime collaborator Ken Kelly, and as a digital double album.

For the special anniversary, MANOWAR will also open their vaults and reveal never-before-seen photos and other insights into the history of MANOWAR and the "Kings Of Metal" era.

"Kings Of Metal MMXIV" track listing (not final):

Main tracks:

* Wheels Of Fire MMXIV* Kings Of Metal MMXIV* Heart Of Steel MMXIV* Sting Of The Bumblebee MMXIV* The Crown And The Ring MMXIV (orchestral version) * Kingdom Come MMXIV* Hail And Kill MMXIV* The Warrior's Prayer MMXIV* Blood Of The Kings MMXIV

Bonus tracks:

* Blood Of The Kings MMXIV (instrumental) * Hail And Kill MMXIV (instrumental) * Heart Of Steel MMXIV (acoustic intro) * Kingdom Come MMXIV (instrumental) * Wheels Of Fire MMXIV (instrumental)

Locoape, a division of Toynk Toys LLC, announces today that they have entered into an agreement with Global Merchandising Services who represent the worldwide merchandising rights for ANTHRAX, MOTÖRHEAD and SLAYER. Locoape will be producing a high-end, limited-edition ugly-sweater collection.

Following up on the massive success of 2012's SLAYER Christmas sweater, Locoape has come on board to fulfill metal fans request for more sweaters of their favorite metal artists. Slated for 2013 selling season are ANTHRAX, MOTÖRHEAD and SLAYER. 2014 will see a wider selection of Global's roster available for the holidays.

Each unique sweater features the iconic imagery made famous by each metal artist, with that addition of the ugly holiday sweater vibe. The sweaters are made of a soft, heavy poly‐blend and run from size S to size XXXL.

Currently on sale on their individual Global Merchandising's web stores, fans can also find the sweaters at Toynk.com.

"Ugly Christmas sweater" or "tacky Christmas sweater" parties have been a holiday staple for several years, but there have been very few places to actually buy these sweaters. That has since changed, according to Time magazine, which reports that vintage stores, the Salvation Army, and Goodwill are reaping the benefits of this craze, as are fast-fashion shops like H&M and high-end retailers such as Nordstrom.

Locoape is a trademarked brand of Toynk LLC. The Locoape brand serves as a licensee/manufacturer focused on producing fun and unique products covering the world of popular culture, toys, apparel and collectibles with an emphasis on the music industry.

SIN CITY SINNERS performed a very special second set last night (Thursday, December 19) when the band returned to the stage with the lineup of Brent Muscat (guitar), Scotty Griffin (bass), Rob Cournoyer (drums), Michael T. Ross (keyboards) and one-time L.A. GUNS bandmates Tracii Guns (guitar) and Phil Lewis (lead vocals). The occasion was SIN CITY SINNERS' annual Toys For Tots toy drive to make sure a less fortunate child can receive a present on Christmas. Nearly 300 toys were collected as the band rocked through a ten-song setlist:

01. Over The Edge02. Electric Gypsy03. Rip N Tear04. No Mercy05. Crystal Eyes06. Kiss My Love Goodbye07. One More Reason08. Never Enough09. Ballad Of Jane10. Sex Action

SIN CITY SINNERS manager Jason Green worked hard behind the scenes to organize the event while also keeping it a surprise.

Green is no stranger to high-profile reunions, having reunited Brent Muscat and Taime Downe of FASTER PUSSYCAT last year on stage with SIN CITY SINNERS for the same cause.

Tracii Guns, who last year announced that he was retiring his version of L.A. GUNS, recently ruled out the possibility of a reunion with his former bandmates Phil Lewis and Steve Riley (drums), saying that he has "played those songs enough" in his life.

During an interview on the "Rockin' Metal Revival", Guns was asked if he can ever foresee himself playing with Lewis and Riley again. "No, my heart's just not into it, man, you know," he replied. "I was so young when we did that. Your tastes just change. And I played those songs for so many years. I just don't really see it happening. I don't know, really, why I would do it, you know what I mean? It's not like the band is big enough to have, like, a comeback where it would make some crazy financial sense or something like that. But musically, I think I've played those songs enough in my life."

Speaking to The Musician's Voice in July 2012, Guns — who is currently recording and touring with a new project called TRACII GUNS' LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN — stated about the status of his version of L.A. GUNS, which featured several different lead vocalists over the course of the last few years: "I think I've kind of done it to death, I think the band has done itself to death. Without real room to grow and to move and to be able to exceed the fan base's expectations — they really love their old L.A. GUNS, and I get it, but I'm older and I continue to study music and recording and a lot of different things. L.A. GUNS is… It is what it is. It's L.A. GUNS. If there ever was an opportunity to do L.A. GUNS for a higher reason, for a bigger reason, I would certainly do it. But I'm kind of over it. I mean, listen, we play a lot of L.A. GUNS songs in our [TRACII GUNS' LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN's] live set — people expect to hear those from me — but being in L.A. GUNS is just not worth the trouble, with two different versions of the band running around, and neither band does the other band any good, and I think it's disappointing for the fans, ultimately. You're dealing with people who have supported you and your music for, God, I don't know… over 20 years… at least over 20 years. I would like to be able to go into each gig with a clear conscience, put out records with a clear conscience and know that I'm doing my best and I'm not trying to pull the wool over anybody's eyes."

The Tracii Guns version of L.A. GUNS completed a European headlining tour in March 2012.

Tracii started L.A. GUNS while still in high school in 1982. The original singer, Michael Jagosz, was replaced by Axl Rose. Signed to PolyGram in '87, the band's self-titled debut, with Phil Lewis replacing Rose, sold over a million copies, as did "Cocked and Loaded" (1989) and "Hollywood Vampires" (1991).

Tracii Guns' L.A. GUNS is not to be confused with the Phil Lewis-led version of the group, which is continuing to record and perform under the L.A. GUNS moniker.

SIN CITY SINNERS are donating all the money from their holiday single "Christmas in Vegas" to the Toys For Tots charity. The track can be found on SIN CITY SINNERS' newest CD, "A Sinners Christmas 2", available at TheSinCitySinners.com, iTunes, Amazon and wherever downloads are sold.

Photo credit: Jason Green

Following up on the success of his latest studio album, "Impermanent Resonance", singer James LaBrie of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER will release a new digital EP, "I Will Not Break", on January 6 in Europe and January 14 in North America via InsideOut Music.

"I Will Not Break" track listing:

01. I Will Not Break (3:52) 02. Unraveling (3:31) 03. Why (3:45) 04. Coming Home (Alternate Mix) (4:23) 05. Jekyll Or Hyde (Demo) (3:48) 06. Just Watch Me (Demo) (4:17) 07. I Tried (Jason Miller Remix) (5:13) 08. Over The Edge (Mutrix Remix) (4:33) 09. Euphoric (NeonGenesis Remix) (4:41)

The "I Will Not Break" track can be streamed below.

While the opening title track is the album version taken from the "Impermanent Resonance" release, the songs 2 and 3 were previously only released physically as digipak bonus tracks. Song 4 is an alternate mix version and songs 5 as well as 6 are special demo versions, all previously only released physically as bonustracks on the digipak and the Japanese edition for the "Static Impulse" album in 2010. Songs 7, 8 and 9 are special dub step / electronica remixes of "Static Impulse" songs, previously unreleased (Song 7 was only available physically in Japan before). The remixes were done by U.S.-based DJs Jason Miller, Mutrix and NeonGenesis. The cover artwork for the EP was once again designed by Gustavo Sazes of Abstrata.net (ARCH ENEMY, KAMELOT). Said LaBrie: "Matt, Marco, Peter, Ray and yours truly are very pleased to release this digital EP. It will show some of the songs with alternate mixes as well as letting you hear Matt's exceptional voice with some of the songs in their demo versions. We also had 3 of the songs mixed in dub step stylings to give them a somewhat interesting flavour and twist.

"Hope you all enjoy this release, I personally think it is very cool."

Most recently, the James LaBrie track "Lost In The Fire" was used by the Swedish sound library company Toontrack Music to promote the launch of one of their new products.

"Impermanent Resonance" sold around 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 198 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD also registered the following European first-week chart positions:

Germany: #48The Netherlands: #67UK: #22 (Rock Albums chart) "Impermanent Resonance" was released on August 6 in North America and July 29 in Europe via InsideOut Music. In addition to the standard CD and the digital download format, the effort was made available in Europe as a limited-edition digipak featuring alternate artwork and two bonus tracks ("Unraveling" and "Why"), as well as on limited LP version (with the full album as bonus CD).

The previous LaBrie album, "Static Impulse" from 2010, was released for the first time as LP (with the full album as bonus CD) on the same street date as that of the new album. Both LPs are available on 180-gram black vinyl but also on strictly limited clear vinyl (limited to only 200 copies each).

The follow-up to 2010's "Static Impulse", "Impermanent Resonance" was once again conceived with LaBrie's songwriting partner for over a dozen years, Matt Guillory. Guillory not only took the leading role in composing the material, he also handled all of the keyboards and background vocals. The album's lineup is intact from the previous recording, featuring Marco Sfogli from Italy on guitar, Ray Riendeau (HALFORD, MACHINES OF LOVING GRACE) on bass and Swedish drummer Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, MAJESTIC), who was a finalist in the DREAM THEATER drum auditions. Additionally, former SOILWORK guitarist Peter Wichers came into the fold to contribute songwriting and studio guitars. "To me, this album incorporates and continues with the styles and musical direction that we have created with the previous releases," said James LaBrie. "The difference being that the music on this disc is to me a true telling of the songs evolving and taking on a sense of identity that is every band's ultimate goal. It is powerful, memorable, hook-driven and above all extremely musical. It shows how the writing and the band itself have matured. I truly feel that this is our quintessential album." "Impermanent Resonance" was once again mixed and mastered at Sweden's Fascination Street recording studios (KREATOR, OPETH, PARADISE LOST, SYMPHONY X) with Jens Bogren and this time also Tony Lindgren. Visually, Canadian LaBrie hooked up with Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, FIREWIND, KAMELOT) to capture and translate the album's atmosphere into the striking artwork.

"Impermanent Resonance" recording lineup:

James LaBrie - Lead VocalsMatt Guillory - Keyboards, Background VocalsMarco Sfogli - GuitarsRay Riendeau - BassPeter Wildoer - Drums, Screams

"Anteinferno", the sophomore album from Finnish/Swedish power metallers THAUROROD, is being released in Europe on December 20 through NoiseArt Records. In Japan, the CD was made available on December 11 via Spiritual Beast and features an exclusive bonus track called "Japskin Syylä".

A video message from the cockpit of an airplane can be seen below.

The cover artwork for "Anteinferno" was created by Ken Kelly of MANOWAR fame.

"I found this masterpiece with all the strong colors of the flames and a warrior on a horse and thought it would fit perfectly, but also would reflect the battle themes and the theme of the last song which is about the world's biggest horse breed, the Shire horse, which was used in medieval battles ages ago," explains bassist Pasi Tanskanen. "So I would say it's a pretty perfect cover for this album!"

"Anteinferno" track listing:

01. Planet X02. Heart Of The Lion03. Overboard04. Far From Home05. Victor06. Marked For Diablo07. For The Rose To The Grave08. Anteinferno09. Path10. Riders Of The Shires

The "Overboard" video can be seen below.

THAUROROD last year announced the addition of Swedish singer Andi Kravljaca (SILENT CALL, SEVENTH WONDER) to the group's ranks.

THAUROROD parted ways with Italian singer Michele Luppi in July 2012. They attributed the split to the fact that Luppi "[didn't] have enough time for THAUROROD" and the group's desire to find someone who was "more motivated [and] who share[d] the same passion and hunger to go on with THAUROROD as the rest of the band."

THAUROROD's debut album, "Upon Haunted Battlefields", came out in Europe on September 24, 2010 via NoiseArt Records and Rock The Nation.

Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH will premiere the production video for the track "Father Of The Wolf" at the first date of the U.S. tour, taking place in Las Vegas on Friday January 17. For fans attending this show, make sure to follow AMON AMARTH's and Metal Blade Records' Twitter and Facebook pages for info on what time the video will be played at the kickoff date of the tour.

Fans not attending this show will be able to view this epic music video, which is more like a mini-movie, on Saturday, January 18.

Catch AMON AMARTH live this January/February 2014 as the band headlines the U.S. in support of their newly released album, "Deceiver of The Gods". Very special guest on the dates will be ENSLAVED, with additional support from SKELETONWITCH.

Thanks to our friends at Live Nation, fans can enter to win a pair of tickets to one of the shows listed below by entering here. Rules and restrictions apply and can be found on the contest page.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of AMON AMARTH's December 3 performance at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden can be seen below.

AMON AMARTH's ninth studio album, "Deceiver Of The Gods", sold around 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on June 25 via Metal Blade Records.

In Germany, "Deceiver Of The Gods" entered the Top 100 chart at No. 3, the official Media Market/Saturn chart at #3 and the German Media Control Weekend Trend chart at No. 2. "Deceiver Of The Gods" came in at No. 9 on Canada's Top 200 chart, No. 2 on the Hard Music chart and No. 21 on the Digital Music chart. Additionally, the record came in at No. 2 on the iTunes Metal chart, No. 2 on the iTunes Rock chart and No. 7 on the iTunes Top 200. In the U.K., the record entered the official album chart at No. 67, the Rock/Metal chart at No. 4 and the Independent chart at No. 14, marking the highest U.K. chart placements for the band yet. Elsewhere, "Deceiver Of The Gods" came in at No. 9 on the Top 100 album chart in Switzerland, No. 7 on the Austrian Top 100, No. 9 in Sweden, No. 27 in Denmark, No. 51 in France, No. 34 in Czech Republic and No. 51 in Hungary. Recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, and produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (OPETH, MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), "Deceiver Of The Gods" delivers ten fiery battle hymns made of buzzsaw riffs and epic harmonies all driven by vocalist Johan Hegg's commanding Viking roar and absorbing accounts of Norse crusades and treachery.

"Deceiver Of The Gods" comes adorned with another outstanding Tom Thiel-created cover portraying a mythical battle between the Norse Gods Loki and Thor. As an added bonus, Messiah Marcolin (CANDLEMASS) makes an appearance as guest vocalist on eighth track, "Hel".

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 first teaser for "Thy Will" 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

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx tweeted the following on Thursday, December 19:

"RIP @SullyErna ....Oops I'm sorry, I meant your career."

It is unclear if Sixx was referring to "Army Of The Damned", the film in which GODSMACK singer Sully Erna makes his feature film acting debut, which will be released on DVD on January 14, 2014, with the film having an early video-on-demand release on December 3. The movie follows the crew of a hit reality TV series who follow a team of local cops in a small town. When the cops are summoned to a house on a "domestic disturbance" call, they suddenly are faced with a situation in which they either must survive or join the "army of the damned," a horde of warriors from hell.

Sixx's comments were undoubtedly fueled by his ongoing war of words with Sully Erna, who reportedly wrote GODSMACK's song "Cryin' Like A Bitch" about Sixx after the two musicians clashed during the 2009 Crüe Fest 2 tour, on which GODSMACK was a support act and CRÜE was the headliner.

When asked directly if the track was written about Sixx, Erna told Albany, New York's Q103 radio station, "It's very difficult for me to restrain myself from answering that question because as honest as I'd like to be, the other side of me doesn't want to give anybody the extra exposure, even if it's negative. So, I'm just gonna plead the fifth."

Back in May 2011, Sixx had the following to say regarding Erna's complaints about how GODSMACK was treated on the Crüe Fest 2 tour, "Every person — from road crew, fans and even all the bands on the tour (including [Sully's] band) — was so happy, but [Erna] just seems to be crying like a bitch," Sixx replied. "Funny, even his manager told me he's an asshole... Maybe the problem is just in HIS head... I got no problem with him."

Erna admitted in a webisode for the band's fifth studio album, "The Oracle", that "Cryin' Like A Bitch" was inspired by events of Crüe Fest 2. Sully told Artisan News Service at the time, "There's definitely been some rock-star garbage on this tour that we just have never seen in our career . . . this was the first time that I felt like, 'You know what?! If there's gonna be some people that are gonna treat other people a certain way, then I'm gonna go out there every night and . . . make sure that we make you look old and fat, and go home with a nice big fat paycheck."

Samples of some of the lyrics on "Cryin' Like A Bitch" include lines like: "Strut on by like a king/Telling everybody they know nothing/Long lived what you thought you were/Time ain't on your side anymore"

Speaking to Tricia Weight (a.k.a. A Geek Girl) of "Interviews From The Edge" during the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin stated about the inspiration for "Cryin' Like A Bitch", "Several things actually happened [during that tour], honestly.

"You know, the rest of the band... we get along great with [other MÖTLEY CRÜE members] Mick Mars, Tommy Lee. I got along great with Nikki Sixx. In fact, he had called me over to catering one time and said would I like to play with his SIXX: A.M. [side project], on the record. And I was like, 'Yeah!' But then this was, like, three weeks into the tour, and then four weeks later, him and Sully had this clash. And it stemmed from [MÖTLEY CRÜE's] security, I think, more than Nikki, but you know, Nikki is the leader of the band.

"Basically, [it had to do with their] security throwing us off the stage... whatever... It was a bunch of ego shit that none of us really got into. But MÖTLEY CRÜE kind of acted like... Well, their security, in any event... they were real weird with our guests getting backstage, like our guests might want to look at MÖTLEY CRÜE. Our guests were there to see us and they didn't care a shit about MÖTLEY CRÜE. And MÖTLEY CRÜE is a legendary band that we all respect.

"When I was 17, I had 'Shout At The Devil' and all that, hell yeah! But it just kind of fronted us a little that they would think that our guests would be star-struck over them. And half the time these were people I've known for 30 years — [and they] can't even get backstage because MÖTLEY CRÜE doesn't want people back or whatever.

"So that's where the bad blood came from. And then Sully runs his mouth, Nikki runs his mouth… They're both big rock stars. Next thing you know, it's a battle in the press."

FARMIKOS, the new Los Angeles-based band featuring former OZZY OSBOURNE and DAVID LEE ROTH guitarist Joe Holmes and vocalist Robbie Locke (ex-LAIDLAW), will tentatively release its eponymously titled digital debut EP in February 2014. Recorded at the Mouse House in Pasadena, California with engineer/mixer Rich Mouser (SPOCK'S BEARD, TRANSATLANTIC, VAST), the EP features guest contributions from Holmes' former OZZY OSBOURNE bandmate, bassist Robert Trujillo (currently in METALLICA), and drummer Brooks Wackerman.

Sattes Holmes: "We've got these 5 songs to kick things off and will be finishing another five when Robbie comes back to L.A. in January to lay down vocals for another EP we're planning for summer 2014." "Farmikos" track listing: 01. Scapegoat02. Kings Of Dust03. Sound Of My Gun04. Exit Stencils05. Spoon And Sun

Holmes, 50, took lessons from legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT) in 1979 before forming the Los Angeles-based band TERRIFF in 1983. Holmes briefly left TERRIFF in 1987 to join LIZZY BORDEN and stayed with the latter group for a year before reforming TERRIFF.

After guitarist Jason Becker was diagnosed with ALS while recording DAVID LEE ROTH's album "A Little Ain't Enough" in 1990, Holmes stepped in to replace him.

In 1995, after Ozzy Osbourne had finished recording the "Ozzmosis" album, a replacement for Zakk Wylde was needed for the tour and Holmes got the job.

"It's really spooky," Ozzy once said in an interview, "because when Joe plays the Randy Rhoads stuff, he plays just like him — it's like I can see Randy's fingers."

Holmes remained Ozzy's guitarist for five years, before leaving the band during the writing sessions for the "Down To Earth" album. Although Holmes does not play on the CD, the songs "Facing Hell", "Junkie" and "That I Never Had", which were co-written by Holmes, appear on the album.

"Pushin' Thru", the new video from SUPERSUCKERS, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Get The Hell", which will be released in Europe on January 27, 2014 (three days earlier in Germany) via Steamhammer/SPV. The effort will be made available as a digipak CD or a limited-edition LP with one vinyl-only bonus track and CD version of the album.

Commented SUPERSUCKERS' Eddie Spaghetti:"After many delays and unfortunate setbacks, the SUPERSUCKERS are happy to announce the arrival of their latest masterpiece, 'Get The Hell'.

"This may be a bit blasphemous to say, but we think it is the bands finest work to date. Really, the SUPERSUCKERS have no business being this good after all these years! And now, in conjunction with Steamhammer Records, you will be able to hear for yourself exactly what has the band all fired up... 12 solid tracks of unrelenting Supersucker-itis; it's as brutal and as polished as the band has ever sounded.

"Recorded in Austin, Texas and then subsequently mixed by none other than the mighty Blag Dahlia (of legendary punk rock band THE DWARVES), this is the SUPERSUCKERS at their meanest, most ferocious, and still at the top of their game in the songwriting department. This record is a juggernaut, front to back, and is guaranteed to be your new favorite record of 2014. So come on and 'Get The Hell', people!"

Added Georg Schröder, A&R representative at Steamhammer: "This is not only a band — the SUPERSUCKERS are a god damn' rock and roll institution and we are proud to have them with us! The new album will blow every rock and roll addict away."

As part of TESTAMENT's ongoing "12 Days 'Til Christmas" video feature, the band's guitarist, Eric Peterson, has posted a special holiday acoustic performance. Check it out below.

"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 (Europe) and October 29 (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.

"Darks Roots Of Thrash" was made available in a variety of different formats, including the standard DVD+2CD and 2CD versions. A limited Blu-ray+2CD (Europe only), LP (Europe only), as well as Nuclear Blast mail-order-only items (LP colored in gatefold, DVD+2CD digi + tour pass and limited Blue-ray+2CD digi + tourpass) are also for sale via shop.nuclearblast.com. TESTAMENT was recently on the road alongside LAMB OF GOD, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and HUNTRESS.

Fan-filmed video footage of former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno performing covers of RAMONES' "Blitzkrieg Bop" and JUDAS PRIEST's "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" on December 19 at Harry B. James in Stockholm, Sweden can be seen below.

Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.

On August 27, 2011, Di'Anno played his first show since serving time in a U.K. prison after he falsely collected U.K. government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.

Due to a number of health issues, including a knee problem which will require surgery soon, Di'Anno announced in July 2012 that he would stop touring in 2013.

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

Asked why he thinks his two LPs with MAIDEN became timeless and iconic in the rock history, Di'Anno told Spotlight Report: "I think because when we started, the whole punk thing was so bloody huge, which I loved and still love punk to this day, and the heavier music just became so distant; they called it dinosaur rock back in the day.

"When we got signed and the whole New Wave Of British Heavy Metal started, that's what really kicked off what we have today. If it wasn't for MAIDEN and bands like SAXON, MOTÖRHEAD, etc., you would never have had bands like METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX. If you didn't have those bands, you would never have had SEPULTURA, MORBID ANGEL and then PANTERA, etc. So at the time, they were just bloody good albums, but in the history of things, they really kicked off what started for anything today that has heavy guitar. And yeah, they are timeless. Those albums still sell millions. You don't see the crap that was around then still selling shit, like SHAKIN' STEVENS or SPANDAU BALLET, do ya?"