After nearly a decade of silence, Swedish metal band BESEECH will return to the music scene in 2014.

About a year ago, Manne Engström (guitar), Robert Vintervind (guitar) and the former guitarist and songwriter Klas Bohlin (vocals), entered StudioMega / Fashionation Street in Varberg, Sweden, where all previous albums was recorded, to figure out the next era and return of BESEECH.

After spending some time recording and writing behind closed doors, BESEECH managed to come up with a worthy continuation to the critically acclaimed album "Souls Highway" (released by Napalm Records in 2002 and the last album with the main composers of the band Klas and Robert writing together). The result of the new recording got the classic BESEECH elements with a fresh, vintage-oriented sound.

With a new lineup, comes also a new sound. The new formation contains the three most creative members, Robert Vintervind (guitar), Manne Engström (guitar) and the founding member and songwriter Klas Bohlin (vocals). The new members are Johan Örnborg (bass), well-known producer at Fascination Street Studios; Angelina Sahlgren Söder (vocals) with experience from the world of theatre and musicals; and Håkan Carlsson (drums).

DEVIL YOU KNOW — the new band featuring former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones, Francesco Artusato, celebrated solo artist and guitarist with ALL SHALL PERISH and THE FRANCESCO ARTUSATO PROJECT; and John Sankey, drummer for the Australian band DEVOLVED, who has also worked with FEAR FACTORY and DIVINE HERESY — has finished recording its self-titled debut album with producer Logan Mader (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, GOJIRA, DEVILDRIVER). The CD is currently being mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, GOD FORBID, SOULFLY) for a spring release via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

DEVIL YOU KNOW's touring lineup is completed by guitarist Roy Lev-Ari and BLEEDING THROUGH bassist Ryan Wombacher.

Said Jones said of the band's new additions: "After a period of being so intensely creative writing and recording the album, it's exciting to finally take it out on the road.

"It's great to have the two new guys.

"Roy is a great fit.

"Ryan and I have played tons of shows together in BLEEDING THROUGH and KILLSWITCH and have known each other for years."

DEVIL YOU KNOW will make its live debut on February 15 at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, California. The group is also confirmed for the 2014 edition of Australia's Soundwave Festival, set to take place in late February and early March.

DEVIL YOU KNOW was born out of Artusato and Sankey's creative quest to stretch beyond their extreme metal backgrounds. The two had written over a dozen songs before even attempting to lock down a singer. "We were unsure if Howard would be interested," said Sankey." Yet, when KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's former frontman received the material, a creative ideal began to solidify.

Finally connecting in Los Angeles during the last months of 2012, a highly distinctive sound began to become apparent. "It turned from bare-bones musical ideas into something that surpassed any of our expectations," said Jones. "It went from something we thought was going to be a fun, heavy project into something very real." It was during a recording session at the start of 2013 with producer and former MACHINE HEAD and SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader that DEVIL YOU KNOW's ideas began to alchemize into something none of the bands members would ever expect. "It became a departure from what I'm known for," said Artusato. "I wasn't focusing on technical guitar parts (even though I still love that aspect of writing) but simply on writing what felt best for each individual song."

The writing and recording process for DEVIL YOU KNOW's debut album "was surprisingly easy," stated Artusato. "When we get together it just works." The band is also quick to sum up the studio vibe with producer Mader as "intensely creative," said Sankey. "Logan definitely helped us realize and define the DEVIL YOU KNOW sound." Jones agreed: "He went from producer, to unsung member, to friend."

"It's a different style of music for me," said Jones of DEVIL YOU KNOW's unique sound. "It's heavy as anything any of us are known for but I get to do some different things people won't expect. I've been singing almost all my life. Being around good songwriters and musicians in my former bands really helped mold me into who I am now."

Visit the band's Facebook page to hear a demo version of the song "Shut It Down" and get a small taste of what's to come.

Napalm Records/Spinning Gobin has announced the signing of Birmingham, U.K.-based doom/psychedelia band ALUNAH to a worldwide deal. The group's new album will arrive in 2014.

ALUNAH is not part of any scene; instead, they carve their own path merging elements of doom, psych and classic heavy rock with earthy hypnotic vocal melodies.

Vocalist/guitarist Soph Day states: "ALUNAH are incredibly happy to have signed a worldwide album deal with the world renowned label Napalm Records. We already have a strong working relationship from when they released a vinyl version of our second album, 'White Hoarhound', and we are proud to have been asked to join the Napalm family on a more long-term basis.

"We have a hard-working ethic, are constantly evolving and appreciate everything given to us.

"We are joining a roster which boasts some of the best bands in the industry, and we're confident that this new phase in our relationship is a mutually beneficial one."

Soph Day - Vocals, GuitarDave Day - GuitarDan Burchmore - BassJake Mason - Drums

Maryland-based death/black metallers AURORA BOREALIS have inked a deal with Xtreem Music. The band's new album, "Worldshapers", will be released on March 1, 2014.

Formed in 1994 by mainman Ron Vento, AURORA BOREALIS has been developing its unique brand of brutal, fast and technical-yet-melodic death metal with adequate doses of black metal.

One of the most outstanding points in the history of AURORA BOREALIS has been the usage of top drummers for the recordings of all their albums, such as Tony Laureano, Derek Roddy, Tim Yeung and currently Mark Green, which gives a good idea of the band's pedigree, and everything excellently topped by the awesome songwriting of Ron Vento.

"Worldshapers", the band's sixth full length album, contains 10 tracks of relentless death/black with an astonishing production at Ron Vento's very own Nightsky Studios, blending elements that might evoke bands like early HATE ETERNAL, ANGEL CORPSE, IMMORTAL, CARCASS, NILE, EMPEROR... but managed in a masterly way and with lyrics dealing about mythologic, cosmic and futuristic matters.

The new AURORA BOREALIS track "God Like Redemption" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

AFTERSHOK has released a new single, "Metal Xmas", on Auburn Records, available for download via iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and other digital outlets. The lyric video for the song can be viewed below.

"As part of the Auburn Records family, Bill Peters (Auburn Records president) has consistently asked us to participate in his annual Cleveland Metal Holiday Food Drive concert," said George Mihalovich, guitarist for AFTERSHOK.

"Since circumstances aren't favorable for the band to play live at this time, we created a 'Metal Xmas' anthem to show our support for this great event and the charities that it benefits."

"Sincere thanks to Alex Yarborough for the killer artwork and to Jim Dofka (of DOFKA fame) for engineering, mixing and mastering services.

"We hope that everyone enjoys 'Metal Xmas' and Happy Holidays from AFTERSHOK!”

All net proceeds from the single will be donated to the Cleveland Foodbank, Friends Of The City Of Cleveland Kennel and Lake Humane Society.

The fifth annual Cleveland Metal Holiday Food Drive benefit concert was held on December 6 and 7 at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. The event once again brought in record food and cash donations from the Cleveland metal community for the three charity organizations. Sales from AFTERSHOK's "Metal Xmas" single will be added to these totals.

Adds Mihalovich: "Drummer George Borden and I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce our new vocalist — and Canada's best-kept metal secret — Gord Sheffroth!"

Sheffroth replaces original AFTERSHOK vocalist Vic Hix, who has returned to full-time duties with SHOK PARIS.

AFTERSHOK previously released two albums with Hix on vocals — "Unfinished Business" (2002) and "Burning Chrome" (2005). The band is currently in the studio working on a new full-length album with Sheffroth that is scheduled for release in 2014.

"I can't thank the AFTERSHOK guys enough for putting this single together for us," says Peters. "It was an incredibly kind gesture on their part. They really wanted to play our food drive benefit concert this year but were not able to and offered this instead.

"I am happy the song was finished in time for the holidays. The band worked very hard to get it done.

"The single sounds great and their new vocalist is nothing short of amazing!

"Just wait until you hear the new album. AFTERSHOK fans will not be disappointed."

Progressive rock legends URIAH HEEP have announced a very special one-off show at Koko, in Camden, London, England on March 4, 2014. All URIAH HEEP fans are urged not to miss out on the filming. Tickets are already on sale priced at £24 from eventim.co.uk.

This show will be filmed and released as a live DVD on Frontiers Records in later 2014/early 2015. As well as a host of HEEP classics, the set will also include some new songs that will be taken from the material that the band is writing for the forthcoming 2014 album, following 2011's "Into the Wild", which was the band's highest-charting album since the 1970s in worldwide territories!

Fans attending the show will be in with a chance of being filmed themselves, not only as part of the audience, but also for some special bonus features to be included on the DVD. The band is inviting their fans from around the world to be a part of this experience; this is a chance to be part of HEEP history.

Guitarist Mick Box said: "After playing in 54 countries around the world promoting 'Into The Wild', it's great to be coming back to London where it all began!"

2014 is set to be yet another big one for Mick Box and the band as they work on the new material, and of course keep on touring; HEEP has been round the world several times in the last 24 months visiting South Africa, Australia, Asia, North America, South America and East & West Russia. The band headlined the first-ever Planet Rock Stock in December.

HEEP will play the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival in the summer.

The Koko show will follow a set of intimate U.K. February dates and another headliner at the Giants Of Rock festival on February 9.

Lakeshore Records will release "I, Frankenstein – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" digitally and on CD on January 7, 2014. The soundtrack features ten songs written and performed by BY MAKER, the collaboration between Geno Lenardo (FILTER, DEVICE) and Daniel Davies (YEAR LONG DISASTER).

"'Misgiving' was the first song we wrote for the project," said Davies. "The song is about the exile the monster experiences while looking at the lives of others, seeing their experiences from a distances and coming to terms with immortality and what his role is." The second original song featured in the film, "Trouble", "hits on some of those same themes the monster is put in to a position he doesn't not want at first then figures out what role he must play what role we all play," Davies said.

In addition to "Trouble" and "Misgiving", BY MAKER contributes eight additional original tracks for the soundtrack, inspired by "I, Frankenstein".

"I, Frankenstein – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" track listing:

01. Misgiving - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)02. Trouble - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)03. 1 By 1 - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)04. Perennial Flow - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)05. Gimme Soul - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)06. By Maker - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)07. Way Down - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)08. After All - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)09. Possessions Mine - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)10. Ascension - BY MAKER (feat. Geno Lenardo & Daniel Davies)11. Scream Where My Heart Should Be - 8MM12. Feed Me More - Justin Lassen13. Frankenstein - Geno Lenardo feat. Prashant Aswani

For more information, visit www.ifrankensteinmusic.com.

Slash and his solo band, MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS, are back in the studio to record the third album under the solo Slash banner. The legendary guitarist has offered some updates on Twitter as the band gets to work on the follow-up to 2012's "Apocalyptic Love", saying earlier today (Thursday, December 19), "16 tracks worked up and completed. plus an instrumental? Hard to decide what goes on the record, what will be bonus tracks. It's all cool." He previously stated about the upcoming CD: "Going to be a heavy record." The former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER axeman began this chapter of his career back in 2010 with his self-titled solo debut.That album was recorded with a number of guest musicians and vocalists, including ALTER BRIDGE's Myles Kennedy. The latter first joined Slash as his touring vocalist, then became the permanent singer starting with "Apocalyptic Love".

Slash told The Pulse Of Radio that the partnership with Kennedy seemed natural from the start. "We work really well together," he said. "I never really thought about how that's progressing. It's real natural. So it's like any kind of sort of close relationship, where I think we established it really, really early on and now we're just sort of doing our thing, you know. Yeah, I don't know what else to say — it's just a really cool kind of synergy that we've got."

Kennedy and ALTER BRIDGE released their fourth album, "Fortress", earlier this fall and will hit the road in early 2014.

Slash also recently launched a second career as a movie producer, with his Slasher Films production company issuing its first release, called "Nothing Left To Fear", in October.

Heavy metal shredders EXMORTUS will release their full-length Prosthetic debut, "Slave To The Sword", in North America on February 4. Recorded earlier this year at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland, California with producer Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, SUFFOCATION, IMMOLATION), the album features cover artwork by legendary heavy metal painter Philip Lawvere (KREATOR, CELTIC FROST, HELLOWEEN) and 10 rousing tracks that dynamically blend technical and traditional heavy metal with elements of thrash, prog and death metal.

Drummer Mario Moreno commented: "2013 has been a pretty exciting year for EXMORTUS. We recorded a killer album with engineer/producer Zack Ohren, got amazing album art done by Phil Lawvere, signed a record deal with Prosthetic Records and now we're finally announcing a release date for our upcoming album.

"Pretty damn exciting, right?

"The year isn't over, and we're already stoked on 2014.

"Our relationship with Prosthetic is still fresh, but things are already off to a great start.

"Be sure to pick up a copy of 'Slave To The Sword' online, in stores or on our upcoming North American tour with DARK TRANQUILLITY and OMNIUM GATHERUM starting February 1 in Atlanta."

"Slave To The Sword" pre-order packages are available now via the Prosthetic Records webshop, where you can order the album on CD, cassette or one of two colors of 12-inch vinyl. Bundles that include a t-shirt featuring the epic album art are also available.

In conjunction with their fall tour with HATCHET, EXMORTUS recently released a seven-inch single, "Immortality Made Flesh". In addition to the title track (which also appears on "Slave To The Sword") — hailed by No Clean Singing as "invigorating" and "like something Rimsky-Korsakov would have written instead of 'Flight Of The Bumblebee' if he'd been born 140 years later and decided to compose for a thrashing melodic tech-death band" — the limited-edition release also included an exclusive cover of JUDAS PRIEST's "Freewheel Burning".

Co-founded a decade ago by then-teenage cousins Conan (vocals/guitar) and Mario Moreno (drums), EXMORTUS self-released several demos and EPs before signing with Heavy Artillery Records in 2007. The group's 2008 debut, "In Hatred's Flame", and 2011 follow-up, "Beyond The Fall Of Time", earned praise for their "frighteningly aggressive thrash blended with both death metal and NWOBHM bluster," and their exuberant, shred-heavy live performances can convert even the most jaded heshers into enthusiastic headbangers.

"Sons Of War", the new video from the Swedish "Viking metal" act MÅNEGARM, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Legions Of The North", which was released on June 28 via Napalm Records.

Commented guitarist Markus Andé: "'Legions Of The North' is an album full of hard-hitting melodies and ear-catching refrains, all spiced with the special MÅNEGARM flavor and served to you all in the best way. We're very proud to present this new album and we really hope that you will enjoy it. The Wolf is back…prepare for war!!"

"Legions Of The North" track listing:

01. Arise02. Legions Of The North03. Eternity Awaits04. Helvegr05. Hordes Of Hel06. Tor Hjälpe07. Wake The Gods - Bonus Track08. Vigverk09. Sons Of War10. Echoes From The Past11. Fallen12. Forged In Fire13. Raadh

Violin player Janne Liljekvist left MÅNEGARM in June 2012 "due to lack of motivation."

MÅNEGARM's most recent CD, "Nattväsen", was released in November 2009 via Regain Records.

PROJECT TERROR, the band featuring ex-VICIOUS RUMORS frontman Ronnie Stixx, has unveiled the new artwork for their upcoming release Conquistador.
Conquistador tracklisting:

‘Breaking The Spell’
‘Day Of The Jackal’
‘Destiny’s Eyes’
‘Blood Red Skies’
‘Conquistador’
‘Take To The Sky’
‘Killing Machine’
‘Untied’
‘I’

Conquistador album trailer:
Project Terror lineup:

Ronnie Stixx - vocals
Ben Jackson - guitar (CRIMSON GLORY)
Dave Harvey - bass
Joseph Benjamin - guitar
Kevin Ortiz - drums

MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee offers holiday greetings in the new video streaming below.

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Post by Official Motörhead.

For the month of December only, the Motörhead Shiraz, the wine sold and distributed by Douggan's Distillers, will be available in Sweden!
“The wine reflects Motörhead’s spirit. Like the band, this wine is rock hard on the outside, but dark and intriguing on the inside,” says Mikkey Dee.

This rockin' Shiraz named after the legendary British icons, hails from Australia's Broken Back Winery and has a very fruity aroma with flavours of vanilla, blackberries, plums, eucalyptus and liquorice. It is full-bodied with soft rounded tannins and packs a real punch.
Motörhead mainman Lemmy Kilmister says "approach it with caution. I mean, wine is deceptive, anything could happen."

Swedish/Canadian black/doom metallers CULTED will release their new album, Oblique To All Paths, on January 17th (Benelux/Germany/Finland), January 20th (UK/World), and January 21st (North America), via Relapse Records.
Tracklisting:

'Brooding Hex'
'Illuminati'
'Intoxicant Immuration'
'March Of The Wolves'
'Distortion Of The Nature Of Mankind'
'Transmittal'
'Jeremiad'

Check out the album track 'Illuminati':
Album trailer:
More on Culted at Facebook.

DELTA DEEP, the " extreme blues project" featuring DEF LEPPARD guitarist and MANRAZE frontman Phil Collen and singer Debbi Blackwell-Cook, debuted three songs at the LA Radio Studio during an appearance on the "Radio Screamer" show. Check out video footage below.

Collen previously stated about DELTA DEEP: "It is Debbi Blackwell-Cook, who sang on 'Take On The World' and she is on the new MANRAZE single. She's got this amazing voice, a cross between Tina Turner and Chaka Khan, this incredible powerful voice.

"We're doing this blues album, Paul Cook's on one of the tracks.

"I'm constantly writing, and I'll be with DEF LEPPARD and think that won't work for DEF LEPPARD, but it might go in MANRAZE, but now I've got a third outlet.

"I had an injury on my tendon, and I couldn't really play guitar, so I learned to play slide.

"You have to do whatever you can when it appears; when inspiration rears its heads, you have to take advantage of that. I think when you don't do that, you miss a golden opportunity. For me, there's this great artistic fulfilment in writing and working on songs."

SOUNDGARDEN frontman Chris Cornell contributed a new song called "Misery Chain", recorded with Joy Williams of THE CIVIL WARS, to the soundtrack of the new movie "12 Years A Slave", the new film that stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as a free black man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery in the days before the Civil War. The film is based on the true story of Solomon Northrup and also stars Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamatti and others.

Video footage of Cornell and Williams performing "Misery Chain" on this past Monday's (December 16) edition of "Late Show With David Letterman" can be seen below. Cornell said in a statement, "I was moved by this film and the story in a way that transcends any film experience I have ever had. I was inspired to write a hundred different songs, but finally landed on one based on what I believe is an extremely important message I took from this man's journey. Compassion, basic human rights and love must be our priorities above race, religion or commerce. Every generation needs a reminder of that simple idea."

The soundtrack, titled "Music From And Inspired By 12 Years A Slave", was released digitally on November 5 and as a CD on November 19.

The movie played at several high-profile film festivals in late summer and early fall before opening in limited release on October 18. It expanded into a nationwide release on November 1.

Cornell kicked off a fall North American tour of intimate, acoustic shows on October 15 in San Diego, California.

The vocalist is performing songs from throughout his entire career, including first-time acoustic arrangements of tracks from SOUNDGARDEN's latest CD, 2012's "King Animal".

A three-and-a-half-minute video clip in which vocalist Jamey Jasta of Connecticut hardcore/metal masters HATEBREED talks about his favorite songs and albums of 2013 and looks ahead to 2014 can be seen below.

HATEBREED bassist Chris Beattie sat out the band's fall North American headlining tour after sustaining an injury in an accident. His temporary replacement on the road was Matt Bachand of SHADOWS FALL.

HATEBREED's latest album, "The Divinity Of Purpose", sold 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 20 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was made available on January 29 in North America via Razor & Tie and on January 25 in Europe through Nuclear Blast. The CD was co-produced by HATEBREED, Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SUICIDE SILENCE, ALL THAT REMAINS, SHADOWS FALL) and Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), with Wilbur also handling mixing duties. The cover artwork was created and illustrated by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS, GWAR).

Metal titans ICED EARTH have revealed images (see below) for the various editions of their upcoming new studio album, Plagues Of Babylon.

Says the band: "We are FINALLY able to unveil the pack shots for the new album in all it's glory. Enjoy and tell us your thoughts!"

The Works:
Limited Edition Box-Set:
Limited Edition Box-Set contents:
MediaBook:
MediaBook contents:
Triple 10" Boxset:
Triple 10" Boxset - Gold Vinyl:
Triple 10" Boxset - Black Vinyl:
Double 12" - Silver Vinyl:
Double 12" - Black Vinyl:
Iced Earth have partnered with BraveWords to premiere 'Among The Living Dead', the latest track to be unveiled from Plagues Of Babylon. Check out a stream of the song, complete with artwork from the album packaging, here:



Plagues Of Babylon is set for a January 21st release in North America (January 6th worldwide) on Century Media Records. The band will bring the new album to their North America homeland when their headlining Worldwide Plagues Tour hits our shores April 4 for a six-week run with SABATON and REVAMP in support. See complete tour dates below.

Exclusive Plagues Of Babylon pre-sale bundles are on-sale now at CM Distro. Album and merchandise packages include the following:

- standard CD (28-page booklet; jewel case; collectible top spine)
- limited edition deluxe CD/DVD (standard CD; DVD with 'making of' documentary, alternate album mixes and gear guides; 32-page booklet with alternate cover - artwork on cover; 6-panel matte digipack, collective top spine)
- double LP (180 gram; gatefold sleeve on matte-laminated heavy cardboard; printed inner sleeves; available in black or limited edition silver wax)
- limited edition boxset (CD/DVD from above packaged as deluxe mediabook; also includes bandana, embossed metal flask, six artwork cards and refrigerator magnet; limited to 3,000 copies worldwide)
- limited edition 10" boxset (three 10" LPs; 12-page booklet; album artwork poster; limited to 1,000 worldwide - 500 gold / 500 black)
- long sleeve shirt (pre-order package exclusive)
- short sleeve shirt (pre-order package exclusive)



Iced Earth recently released a video teaser to preview the album and their upcoming Worldwide Plagues headlining tour - click below to watch the video:
You can also watch the official 'Plagues Of Babylon' lyric video below:
Beginning on December 27th, you will be able to hear Plagues Of Babylon exclusively on Spotify, where the album will be streaming in its entirety leading into its worldwide release.

"This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover," says Jon Schaffer of Plagues Of Babylon. "I'm sure it will go down as a classic in the epic Iced Earth catalog. We feel that the package with Sabaton and Revamp is very strong and we are very excited to tour the US and Canada again and kick some major ass!"

Plagues Of Babylon tracklististing:
'Plagues Of Babylon'
'Democide'
'The Culling'
'Among The Living Dead'
'Resistance'
'The End?'
'If I Could See You'
'Cthulhu'
'Peacemaker'
'Parasite'
'Spirit Of The Times'
'Highwayman'

A few things to know about Plagues Of Babylon:
Songs one-six form the Plagues Of Babylon story line, part of the ongoing Something Wicked Universe
Cover and additional artwork by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, HATEBREED)
Recorded at Principal Studios - Senden, Germany (KREATOR, IN EXTREMO, GRAVE DIGGER)
Mixed at NHow Studios - Berlin, Germany
Includes special guest vocalists throughout



Worldwide Plagues Tour North American dates:

April
4 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
5 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
6 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
7 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
9 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
10 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
11 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom
12 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall
14 - Toronto, ONT - Phoenix Concert Theatre
15 - Quebec City, QC - Imperial Theater
16 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
17 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
18 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theater
19 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
21 - West Springfield, VA - Empire
23 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
24 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues Orlando
25 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
26 - Saint Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
28 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
29 - Dallas, TX - Trees

May
1 - Tempe, AZ - Club Red
2 - West Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues Sunset
3 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
5 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory Concert House
6 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
7 - Vancouver, BC - The Venue
9 - Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
10 - Calgary, AB - Republik
11 - Regina, SK - Riddell Centre
12 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre
14 - Denver, CO - The Summit Music Hall
15 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
16 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom

For more details visit Icedearth.com.

Organizers of the 2014 Metal All-Stars tour have confirmed that MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman VINCE NEIL will appear as a special guest at a string of shows in April (schedule below).
Two promotional videos for the 2014 Metal All-Stars tour, also featuring former MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza, can be viewed below.

Menza: I'm totally pumped and honored to get the opportunity of sharing the stage with some of the largest and legendary voices in heavy metal. It's definitely going to be a interesting and unique tour, something European and South American fans don't want to miss and I'm hoping it hits the states.
The Metal All-stars tour will feature "some of the biggest contributors to the heavy metal genre along with some of the most technical musicians in the industry," according to a press release. Metal All-stars will be offering unique items and experiences to be auctioned off in order to raise funds for Ride For Dime. Ride For Dime Inc., a 501 (c) 3, charitable organization, honors the lives of guitar hero and friend, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA), Jeff Thompson, Nathan Bray and Erin Halk. Ride For Dime has proudly given back to charities that were of interest to Darrell during his life as well as charities he would have been proud to be a part of, like Little Kids Rock, Toys For Tots, IAVA and many more. Ride For Dime was formed in 2010 and began funding its own Ride For Dime Scholarship Fund.

Originally formed in Arlington, Texas, in 2005 by Darrell's friends and family, the organization has now grown to having six nationwide chapters. Each chapter holds its own event, and all proceeds go directly to the Ride For Dime Scholarship Fund. Their current chapters include: Texas, Philadelphia, Chicago, Florida, Wisconsin, Nashville, Minnesota and the UK.
March
23 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Armeec Hall
24 - Bucharest, Romania - Rom Expo
26 - Lodz, Poland - Atlas Arena
28 - Gdansk,Poland - Ergo Arena

April (with Special Guest Vince Neil)
3 - Stockholm, Sweden - Globe Arena
5 - Riga, Latvia - Arena Riga
6 - Helsinki, Finland - Old Ice Arena
8 - Saint Petersburg, Russia - YBL Arena
9 - Moscow, Russia - Live Arena

Confirmed artists include:

Phil Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)
Nick Menza (ex - MEGADETH)
Joey Belladonna (ANTHRAX)
Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY)
Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., ex-ACCEPT)
Cronos (VENOM)
Max Cavalera (SEPULTURA, SOULFLY)
Brian Fair (SHADOWS FALL)
Ross The Boss (ex - MANOWAR)
Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (OZZY OSBOURNE)
Jasin Todd (ex-SHINEDOWN)
Matt Bachand (SHADOWS FALL)
Kobra Paige (KOBRA AND THE LOTUS)
Jon Donais
Jesse Billson (LEVEL ZERO)
Aaron Rossi (MINISTRY, PRONG)
Bones Elias (DEAD BY SUNRISE)

Metal All-Stars tour is expected to hit South America sometime in 2014 for more information visit www.metalallstars.com

Menza is currently at his Disintegrator Studios in Studio City, California working on his new project, ATOMIC DISINTEGRATOR.

Menza previously stated about Atomic Disintegrator's musical direction: "It's very heavy and I'm very pumped, And I'm making some progress with finding some other players 'Cause right now it's just me doing everything and I can't very well tour on that by myself. But I can definitely release a couple of tracks and see where it goes from there."

He continued: "I'm trying to do a cartoon with it for TV and a comic book. And it's really cool. The whole concept is Atomic Disintegrator… It's got some governmental, conspiracy, alien stuff in it. It's mostly about current stuff that's going on in the world. And the music is very metal, but more contemporary style like MESHUGGAH-type, OPETH, GOJIRA. It's heavy.

Vancouver-based Southern fried metalers CRADLE TO GRAVE have released five new demo tracks today. Calling it the Left for Dead Sessions, these are the first recordings from the band since longtime vocalist Greg Cavanaugh departed from the band this summer. The band features Denis "Sasquatch" Barthe on guitar (Quebec thrash metal pioneers AGGRESSION), Ken Firomski on bass and vocals, Shawn Hoskins on drums and vocals and taking over lead vocals is the band's second guitar player Brian Langley (TYRANTS BLOOD, ex-INFERNAL MAJESTY)
'Left For Dead'
'Burn it All'
'Last Stand'
'Damned Since Day One'
'To Live in Hell'

Frontiers Records will release "Delivering The Black", the tenth studio album from German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR, on January 24 in Europe and January 28 in North America.

Audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on the CD can be streamed at Amazon.com.

After some very intense songwriting sessions and pre-production schedule, the band started to record the new CD in summer 2013 at the House Of Music studios in Germany, with bassist/producer Mat Sinner and engineer Achim Köhler (EDGUY, MASTERPLAN). The band then moved to Denmark in September to finish the album, with acclaimed producer/engineer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PRETTY MAIDS, AMARANTHE) handling the mix at his Hansen studio in Ribe.

"Delivering The Black" combines the strongest PRIMAL FEAR moments ever, with a well-balanced typical PRIMAL FEAR trademark riff vibe, crushing songs and some very ambitious musical journeys. The centerpiece of the album are two epic tracks, "When Death Comes Knocking" and the 10-minute opus "One Night In December", spiced with big orchestral arrangements and complex sound designs.

Classic and ultra-fresh PRIMAL FEAR riff-rockers like the title track, the album opener "King For A Day" or the groove monsters "Alive And On Fire" and "Road To Asylum" hit the bulls-eye just like the untamed speed killer "Rebel Faction". The outstanding ballad "Born With A Broken Heart" shows a new side of PRIMAL FEAR with an acoustic guitar vibe and the addition of Liv Kristine (LEAVES' EYES) on backing vocals.

Says PRIMAL FEAR singer Ralf Scheepers: "We worked hard to create our best album ever. I already felt the vibe during the pre-production that we were working on something very special this time. And now the result is just an amazing metal album I'm extremely proud of!" Sinner adds: "The songs, the production, the sound — this album is a very special one for me and my career. In my view, everybody in the band just did a killer job and Jacob was fantastic choice to mix the album!"

The arrival of "Delivering The Black" is preceded by the release of the digital-only single/video "When Death Comes Knocking" on December 2 — a song which sets the pace for the outstanding quality of production and songwriting displayed on the full album.

Check out the "When Death Comes Knocking" video below.

"Delivering The Black" will be made available in a regular CD edition, deluxe edition with two bonus tracks and — in cooperation with Soulfood Music — vinyl edition and DVD and limited edition (666 copies only!) of a super-deluxe version, including a metallic eagle.

"Delivering The Black" track listing:

01. King For A Day02. Rebel Faction03. When Death Comes Knocking04. Alive & On Fire05. Delivering The Black06. Road To Asylum07. One Night In December08. Never Pray For Justice09. Born With A Broken Heart10. Innocent Man *11. Inseminoid12. Man Without Shadow *13. When Death Comes Knocking (Single Edit) *

* Only available on deluxe edition

DVD (only available with deluxe edition)

* When Death Comes Knocking (video)* King For A Day (video)* Making Of The Album (video)

PRIMAL FEAR's "Eagles And Lions Tour 2014" will kick off in Germany on January 24 and will include stops in 10 European countries. Support on the trek will come from Swedish hard rockers BULLET.

PRIMAL FEAR will return to North America in the spring with a headlining run that is scheduled to launch April 29 in Baltimore, Maryland and wrap on May 24 in Rochester, New York.

Frontiers and PRIMAL FEAR in January announced that they have renewed their partnership for another multi-album deal, which will include two more studio releases and one live CD and DVD. PRIMAL FEAR's latest album, "Unbreakable", landed at position No. 44 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Brazilian gothic metallers RAVENLAND have released a new single called "Poisoned". The song was produced by Augusto Lopes (ex-TORTURE SQUAD, FANTTASMA, ETERNAL MALEDICTION) at Casanegra Studios, Studio 24h and Norcal Studios.

To celebrate 15 years since its first release, "October Of 1998", RAVENLAND has issued a compilation CD, "Ravensongs For The Ravenhearts", consisting of the EPs "Back" (2008), "Memories" (2011), "Nevermore" (2012) and tracks from the band's latest full-length album, "...And A Crow Brings Me Back" (2009), in addition to a previously unreleased track and the "Among Two Storms" song from the ROTTING CHRIST tribute CD, which came out in 2003.

Check out the new single "Poisoned" in the YouTube clip below.

RAVENLAND is:

Dewindson Wolfheart (vocals)Timo Kaarkoski (guitar)Renato Reggini (guitar)Rafael Agostine (bass/keys)Victor Angellis (drums)

RED DRAGON CARTEL, the band led by former OZZY OSBOURNE and BADLANDS guitarist Jake E. Lee, played its third-ever show this past Sunday night (December 15) at Brick By Brick in San Diego, California. Fan-filmed video footage of the entire concert can be seen below.

The group's setlist included new material like the singles "Feeder" and "Deceived", as well as major hits from Jake E. Lee's glorious past: "Rock 'N' Roll Rebel", "Bark At The Moon", "The Ultimate Sin" (all originally recorded by OZZY OSBOURNE), as well as "Shine On" and "High Wire" (BADLANDS).

RED DRAGON CARTEL, which references the axeman's Japanese roots, also features Darren "D.J." Smith of Canadian metallers WARMACHINE, on vocals, Ronnie Mancuso (BEGGARS & THIEVES) on bass and Jonas Fairley (BLACK BETTY) on drums.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. The Ultimate Sin (OZZY OSBOURNE)02. Deceived03. High Wire (BADLANDS)04. War Machine05. Shine On (BADLANDS)06. Rock 'N' Roll Rebel (OZZY OSBOURNE)07. Shout It Out08. In A Dream (BADLANDS)09. Rumblin' Train (BADLANDS)10. Sun Red Sun (BADLANDS)11. Feeder12. Bark At The Moon (OZZY OSBOURNE)

RED DRAGON CARTEL will release its self-titled debut album on January 28, 2014 via Frontiers Records. The CD was recorded at Las Vegas' The Hideout Recording Studio — owned and operated by Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, IN THIS MOMENT) — and was produced by R. Bernard Mann (a.k.a. Ronnie Mancuso) and Jake E. Lee, and executive-produced, mixed and mastered by Churko.

"Red Dragon Cartel" also features various guest appearances from some of rock's most notable faces, including legendary CHEAP TRICK vocalist Robin Zander, former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno, KILL DEVIL HILL/ex-PANTERA bassist Rex Brown, Sass Jordan, Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz (SLASH) and IN THIS MOMENT frontwoman Maria Brink.

From the opening riff of "Deceived" to final sustained piano chord of "Exquisite Tenderness", it is clear RED DRAGON CARTEL has created a hard rock gem. Infectious songs such as "Shout It Out", "Wasted" and "Slave" showcase the band's ability to write memorable hooks and vocal melodies. Zander of lends his voice to the track "Feeder".

The album is available for pre-order on Amazon.com or digitally on iTunes and comes with an instant download of "Deceived".

According to RED DRAGON CARTEL, "the huge buzz created by the band's very first show" has led to the group's agency's receiving calls "all the time" with gig offers for before and after the Monsters Of Rock cruise.

RED DRAGON CARTEL's European tour will start in Italy on May 3 and end at a major festival in the U.K. on June 15. After that, more U.S. shows will take place before the band flies to Japan and the rest of Asia in the middle of July. More European and American dates will follow later in the year.

Quality fan-filme video footage of FEAR FACTORY's December 7 performance at the House Of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina can be seen below.

FEAR FACTORY is currently on the road in North America as the support act for MEGADETH. Also appearing on the bill is NONPOINT.

The trek kicked off on November 23 in St. Paul, Minnesota and will conclude on December 19 in Reno, Nevada.

Asked whose idea it was to perform FEAR FACTORY's classic classic 1995 sophomore album, "Demanufacture", on the band's Australian tour, Burton C. Bell told The Rockpit: "It was kinda like a joke at first. Last time we were there for 'The Industrialist' on tour, we were playing a lot of tracks from 'Demanufacture', and we just thought, 'Why don't we just play the whole damn record?' and the promoter was, like, 'Oh, that's actually a great idea. We should plan it properly,' and blah blah blah, and just started talking about it. And we thought about it, and it was Australia that embraced FEAR FACTORY wholeheartedly first and so Australia was where we received our first silver and gold records for 'Demanufacture', so we figured that we'd go to Australia."

FEAR FACTORY will also perform "Demanufacture" in its entirety aboard the 2014 edition of the world's biggest heavy metal cruise — 70000 Tons Of Metal — which will sail January 27-31.

FEAR FACTORY's new album, "The Industrialist", sold 9,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Mechanize", opened with 10,000 units back in February 2010 to land at No. 72.

Fan-filmed video footage of TIAMAT's December 13 performance at the Eindhoven Metal Meeting at Effenaar in Eindhoven, The Netherlands can be seen below.

TIAMAT's tenth studio album, "The Scarred People", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 11.

"The Scarred People" was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Siggi Bemm. The CD cover artwork was created by TIAMAT mainman Johan Edlund.

In a recent interview with Metal Underground, Edlund stated about the musical direction of "The Scarred People": "We're happy being TIAMAT; that's the only label we put on ourselves. In fact, TIAMAT is by far our own biggest influence. We often quote ourselves, what we've done in the past, when needed in the studio. There are a lot of elements both in the music and in the lyrics that we have developed over the years that feel genuinely TIAMAT, be it a clean electric guitar sound, a special way of drum patterns, certain ways to express lyrics. We often go back there and sample ourselves, so to speak."

LOSTPROPHETS singer Ian Watkins has been sentenced to a jail term of 29 years for a string of sexual offenses, including two of attempting to rape a baby. His two accomplices, whose identities have not been officially released to the public and are known simply as Woman A and Woman B, were jailed for 14 years and 16 years, respectively.

The 36-year-old musician reportedly spoke with a female fan from prison the day after admitting two counts of attempted baby rape and said he was going to issue a statement saying it had all been "megalolz. I don't know what everyone is getting so freaked out about." In another phone call, he told a friend that "there was no medical evidence" and "nobody was harmed", adding: "I'm not a pedophile, I'm not. You know I plead[ed] guilty just to avoid a trial, not realizing 'Hang on, that makes me look a bit guilty' but I would never harm anybody." Asked whether he still thought the case was "megalolz", meanwhile, he replied: "No, it's just lols now."

Watkins pleaded guilty in Cardiff Crown Court to 13 child sex offenses last month, but he insisted he was a drug addict with no recollection of the acts.

Judge Roger John Royce told him and his co-defendants that what they had done "plumbed new depths of depravity."

The judge said: "Those who have appeared in these courts over many years see a large number of horrific cases. This case, however, breaks new ground.

"You, Watkins, achieved fame and success as the lead singer of LOSTPROPHETS. You had many fawning fans. That gave you power. You knew you could use that power to induce young female fans to have help satisify your insatiable lust and take part in the sexual abuse of their own children."

LOSTPROPHETS announced in October that they were splitting up, explaining in a statement, "After nearly a year of coming to terms with our heartache, we finally feel ready to announce publicly what we have thought privately for some time. We can no longer continue making or performing music as LOSTPROPHETS. Your love and support over the past 15 years has been tremendous, and we'll be forever grateful for all you've given us. As we look forward to the next phase of our lives, we can only hope to be surrounded by people as devoted and inspiring as you guys have been." LOSTPROPHETS formed in 1997 and have sold 3.5 million albums in their 16-year career. They scored a No. 1 hit at Modern Rock radio in 2004 with the track "Last Train Home".

San Diego death metal outfit CARNIFEX is pleased to announce the release of their Nuclear Blast debut on March 7th (Europe) and March 4th (North America). The new album, entitled Die Without Hope, was recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida and produced by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER).

Cover art for the album was created by renowned artist and longtime collaborator, Godmachine. "Carnifex and Godmachine have been working together for many years,” commented vocalist Scott Lewis. “To be able to bring his art to the cover of this album is truly when all the pieces fell into place. The artwork here represents the tone and overall blackened feeling Die Without Hope captures."

Die Without Hope will deliver 10 tracks and over 35 minutes of crushing metal. Lewis states, "Die Without Hope is Carnifex at our very best. This is an album over two years in the making. We pushed ourselves every step of the process to include new elements never before heard on any previous Carnifex album."
Die Without Hope tracklisting:
'Salvation Is Dead'
'Dark Days'
'Condemned To Decay'
'Die Without Hope'
'Hatred And Slaughter'
'Dragged Into The Grave'
'Rotten Souls'
'Last Words'
'Reflection Of The Forgotten'
'Where The Light Dies'?

On recently signing to Nuclear Blast, Lewis continues: “Signing with Nuclear Blast is a career defining moment for Carnifex. To be aligned with the largest metal label on earth is a true honor. This world-wide deal signals a turning point for us as a band and individuals. Together with Nuclear Blast you will see Carnifex like you have never seen us before. Prepare yourself for an album that crushes any and all expectations. An album that will stand as the definitive mark for modern metal.”

Carnifex' Nuclear Blast Records debut will also introduce new lead guitarist and longtime friend of the band, Jordan Lockrey. ?
Carnifex is:
?Scott Lewis – vocals?
Shawn Cameron – drums
?Jordan Lockrey – guitar
?Cory Arford – guitar?
Fred Calderon – bass?

IRON SAVIOR frontman Piet Sielck has checked in with another studio update:
"Hey Folks, just laying my hands on the very last final adjustments of the mixes. A little less here, a bit more there. I'm glad, that the mixing went on without any bad surprises giving me the time for this last fine tuning. Tomorrow I'll finish up the last song and will move on straight to master the stuff. Soooo... my listening session with my favorite headset and beer is drawing near!"

Iron Savior released their latest album, The Landing, on November 18th, 2011 in Europe via AFM Records. The album was released in North America on January 17th, 2012.

The Landing tracklisting:

‘Descending’
‘The Savior’
‘Starlight’
‘March Of Doom’
‘Heavy Metal Never Dies’
‘Moment In Time’
‘Hall Of The Heroes’
‘R. U. Ready’
‘Faster Than All’
‘Before The Pain’
‘No Guts No Glory’

KLOGR, the Italian five-piece featuring frontman Rusty – will release their second full-length album, Black Snow, next March. The alternative metal combo has announced that the new album will be followed by a European Black Snow Tour of 23 dates with PRONG.

Says Rusty, about the title of the album: “Man has contaminated everything and his contamination was not always a positive thing. What was meant to be evolution is revealing itself to be an environmental and intellectual pollution heading to self-destruction."
And adds: "I am very proud of this album and we can’t wait to share it with you.”

CD artwork of Black Snow was designed by Flush Design.

For more info visit Klogr.net.