The reformed CHASTAIN — featuring Leather Leone on vocals — will release its comeback album, "Surrender To No One", on November 19 via Leviathan Records.

"Surrender To No One" track listing:

01. Stand And Fight02. Call Of The Wild03. Deep Down In The Darkness04. Freedom Within05. I Am Sin06. Rise Up07. Evil Awaits Us08. Fear My Wrath09. Save Me Tonight10. Surrender To No One11. Bleed Through Me

The song "Freedom Within" can now be streamed using the audio player below.

Audio samples of all the "Surrender To No One" tracks are available for streaming at Amazon.com.

Guitarist David T. Chastain and Leather Leone have been writing material since January. Also back in the saddle is original bassist Mike Skimmerhorn. The drum tracks for the CD were recorded by Stian Kristoffersen (PAGAN'S MIND, FIREWIND) since original drummer Fred Coury is still busy touring with CINDERELLA and other projects.

The Leather-fronted version of CHASTAIN recorded five CDs in the mid-to-late 1980s: 1985's "Mystery Of Illusion", 1986's "Ruler Of The Wasteland", 1987's "The 7th Of Never", 1988's "The Voice Of The Cult" and 1990's "For Those Who Dare". After the "For Those Who Dare" tour, David and Leather amicably went their separate ways but kept in touch over the years.

Leather last year released the debut album from her SLEDGE LEATHER project, "Imagine Me Alive". The CD was inspired in 2010 when Leather called Sandy Sledge to collaborate on the Ronnie James Dio track "Egypt" for a demo tribute recording. Due to the overwhelming response for more material, SLEDGE LEATHER was born and was confirmed for Germany's Keep It True festival in April 2011.

Regarding the new CHASTAIN material, David stated: "We are trying to write and record music that is expected of us but with some modern twists and turns. We demoed up 20 tracks and it was difficult to leave any of them off the CD. Stian did an amazing job with the drum tracks and his performance is probably the best drumming on any CHASTAIN release to date."

Leviathan Records in 2010 released "The Reign of Leather", a collection of CHASTAIN tracks Leather had a hand in writing during her glory days with the band. Leviathan also reissued two of the classic CHASTAIN CDs with Leather: "The 7th of Never" and "The Voice Of The Cult". Both were digitally remastered and are in their original unedited versions.

"Freedom Within" audio stream:

According to Classic Rock magazine, former UFO bass player Pete Way has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 62-year-old rocker is currently receiving treatment and feels "good, positive and determined to beat it," he told the magazine.

As a result, the release date of Way's new solo album, "Walking On The Edge", has been postponed until next year.

Speaking to Classic Rock, Way said: "I'm lucky. This is prostate cancer. It's not lung cancer. It's not pancreatic cancer. If you're going to get cancer, this is the best one you can have — and they caught it early."

According to Way, his cancer was uncovered by accident after he underwent routine liver scans to determine the state of his battered liver, enlarged by hepatitis and years of abuse.

"My liver has been the area of most concern over the years," he said. "But they did a scan of that whole area around my abdomen and that's when they found it.

"They didn't tell me then. I went home and a few days later they sent me a letter saying I had to see the specialist and it ‘might be an idea to bring someone with me to the hospital.'

"Even then, it didn't click, I thought they just wanted me to bring someone to drive me home."

Way told Classic Rock that he is speaking out about his cancer battle because he wants other men to get themselves checked.

"I was lucky — they were checking my liver, not my prostate. They found it by accident. I didn't think I had any symptoms but when I spoke to the doctors, and they were asking me all those questions, I did have the symptoms. I just didn't know what they were."

He added: "It happens a lot to men my age, 50 and over. I was telling Mike Clink [legendary UFO and GUNS N' ROSES producer/engineer, who is twiddling the knobs for Way's new album) about it and Mike said, 'Man, more or less every man I know in California has this. Don't worry, Pete — you'll be fine.' Everyone has been really positive. And that makes me feel positive, too."

IRON SAVIOR frontman Pier Sielck has checked in with the following update:
"Hey Folks, hope you are all well. We are on the final approach finishing the new album scheduled for February 28th, 2014. The drum recordings went really smooth. Thomas did a great job again and his Premier Kit sounds so damned good again. Looks pretty much like a total sample-free album again. Jan is laying down his bass tracks and I will get back to vocals and mixing right after finishing the mix of the new STORMWARRIOR album (which will be awesome). We also did a nice photo session for the album artwork while Felipe is working at full throttle on the artwork. Final delivery deadline for the audio master is December 18th. We also managed to come up with some nice video shots which will be cut within the next two weeks. So stay tuned for a first little teaser song on YouTube."

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’

WINGER frontman Kip Winger has checked in with a brief but (if you're a fan) promising update:

"Just recorded the last Reb Beach solo for the new Winger record, coming soon!"
Stay tuned for more....

Following the success of August's reunion shows to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album release, Winger have been confirmed to play three shows in Japan in early 2014.

All dates will feature the full reunion Winger lineup, including Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rod Morgenstein, John Roth and original keyboardist, Paul Taylor.
"Winger will ROCK Japan with a performance of the first album from beginning to end plus all the hits from our other records. We can't wait to see all our Japanese friends again." - Kip Winger

Japan 25th anniversary reunion shows:

January
11 - Club Citta - Kawasaki, Japan (with FIREHOUSE, Y&T)
12 - Club Citta - Kawasaki, Japan (with Firehouse, Y&T)
13 - Namba Hatch - Osaka, Japan (with Y&T)

Former HAIL THE VILLAIN frontman Bryan Crouch's SIX SIDE DIE have checked in with the following update:

"Bryan is in the studio with Dr. Sean tonight tracking vocals for the B-Sides to That F'n Album. Guitars/drums are done and while we are finishing up the other arrangements, you can hear another taste of 'Fright Night' from our B-Side collection that's coming soon!"
The tracklist for Six Side Die's full length debut, That F'n Album, is as follows:

'Fuzz Candy'
'Freeze Frame'
'Fight'
'Fracture Mon Frere'
'Family Man'
'Fraudulence'
'Fortunate Liar'
'Furiouso'
'Fuse'
'Fools In Hyperspace'
Six Side Die's debut EP is available via iTunes and Amazon.com (use the widget below). The tracklist is as follows:

'My Enemy'
'Heart Is Dying'
'Die For'
'Break Me'

Long-running Los Angeles-based Christian metallers DELIVERANCE will release their tenth and final album on December 10th via 3 Frogz Records/Roxx Records. Hear What I Say! has been fully recorded and is currently being manufactured for release.
Hear What I Say! tracklisting:

'Liber 111' (Intro)
'The Annals of Subterfuge'
'Angst'
'Hope Lies Beyond'
'Detox'
'Nude'
'Passing'
'A Perfect Sky'
'Where Eagles Dare' (IRON MAIDEN cover)
'Entgiftung' (German version of 'Detox')
This last outing from Jimmy Brown and Deliverance features a who’s who of the underground thrash metal scene.

Jimmy Brown (Deliverance): lead vocals and guitars
Michael Phillips (Deliverance, THE SACRIFICED, JOIN THE DEAD): lead and rhythm guitars
Manny Morales (Deliverance): bass
Jayson Sherlock (MORTIFICATION, HORDE, REVULSED): drums

According to a press release, "the new album contains ten brand new blistering tracks. And also a special treat for our German fans with the very first ever German language track from Jimmy Brown and Deliverance. As an additional bonus the first 200 copies will also feature a Limited Edition poster that will be hand numbered and signed by Deliverance front man and founder, Jimmy Brown."

San Diego hard rock outfit SPRUNG MONKEY have released their brand new single, 'Save Me', featuring a guest appearance by Mike Muir of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.
Hot off the heels of a string of sold-out shows supporting STRUNG OUT and UNWRITTEN LAW in Southern California, Sprung Monkey have announced a string of tour dates with Suicidal Tendencies.

Sprung Monkey’s new album, Dead Is Dead, is scheduled for a November 26th release date on Pacific Records. Fans can pre-order Dead Is Dead at iTunes and get an instant download of 'Save Me'.

"We are so primed and ready to get out on the road and start delivering the goods to the hoods. This music needs to be heard loud and proud, and I'm so amped that we are doing these tour dates with Suicidal Tendencies," says Sprung Monkey frontman Steve Summers. "Not only are Suicidal a legendary band but a strong early influence of mine. We've got nothing but respect for Mike Muir and all he's accomplished. Get off the couch, get off your computer, call a friend and go see some live music. Come out to our show, it just might derange your life."
Tour dates:

November
27 - San Luis Obispo, CA - SLO Brew
29 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
30 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues

December
1 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro Opera House
18 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
20 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
21 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Theatre

More on Sprung Monkey at Facebook.

New Orleans-based rockers LILLIAN AXE recently asked their fans if they'd be willing to purchase a limited edition CD box set containing all their albums including extras for under $100 US. They have checked in with the following update:
Photo by Trent Spann

"The Axe fans have spoken! We are now taking reservations for the box set. If you would like to reserve a copy, please send the following info via email to lillianaxemgt@aol.com. Name, email address and quantity you wish to buy.

The first pressing will be 100 numbered copies.

As soon as we have more info of what is included in the box set, we will pass it on along with payment info. Due to the nature of this release we will need to take advancement to guarantee your CD box set."

At the moment plans are to include the following albums:

Lillian Axe
Love & War
Poetic Justice
Live 2002
Fields Of Yesterday
Sad Day On Planet Earth
Waters Rising
Deep Red Shadows
The Days Before Tomorrow
Pyschoschizophrenia
Live & War EP (first time on CD)
Bonus disc (unreleased songs, demos and live tracks)

Watch the band's official Facebook page here for updates.

German rock band DAILY THOMPSON have released the official video for the song 'Attract Me' below:
The band will go into studio in the next weeks and record their first full length after the huge success of their three track demo, featuring their version of “superfuzzy heavyrock.” The debut album will be available in 2014 via Bilocation Records

A press release describes the band: “The three sound visionaries of Daily Thompson mix their personal influences from early grunge and best stoner rock combined with their special groove to a massive overridden, extremely fudgy superfuzz-bigmuff!

Out of this mentality, musical playfulness and the associated enthusiasm for absolute lunacy the band Daily Thompson was formed in late 2012. The listeners can hear from the live in the studio recording sessions the usual fuzz, wah-wah and distortion attacks of Daily Thompson in such a raw and honest manner that everybody will notice: this band from Dortmund,Germany takes no prisoners.”

Nuclear Blast are offering a series of TANKARD reissues highlighting the band's discography, including extensive bonus material. As of today the 1988 and 1990 albums The Morning After and The Meaning Of Life are available as vinyl re-releases.
Already available are the band’s classic records Zombie Attack (1986), Chemical Invasion (1987), Stone Cold Sober (1992) and Two-Faced (1994). Order your copies at the Nuclear Blast web shop here.
Tankard are currently working on songs for a new studio album. The new album will be titled R.I.B. (Rest In Beer) and is set to be released in summer 2014 via Nuclear Blast. Taking inspiration from the motto “never change a winning team”, the guys will enter the studio in January 2014 to kick off the recording with producer Michael Mainx (BÖHSE ONKELZ, DER W, D-A-D, DISBELIEF), who produced the last album. The band have also chosen to use Patrick Strogulski who created the artwork for A Girl Called Cerveza and is also a student of Sebastian Krüger who created Tankard's previous album artwork up to the 2012 release.

More information coming soon.

Svart Records has announced the signing of London, England-based act MESSENGER. Work with the trio will begin in December with the release of the debut single, 'The Somniloquist'.

A sample track,, 'The Perpetual Glow Of A Setting Sun', off Messenger's forthcoming album, Illusory Blues, slated for release in early 2014 through Svart, is available below:

Messenger is a musical troupe from London formed in the spring of 2012 by Khaled Lowe and Barnaby Maddick. They booked a session with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios that gave birth to their debut album, Illusory Blues: a cosmic ode to the forces of nature and the inevitable cycle of life.

To cite musical influences would be futile. The musicians had made their names with bands in scenes as far apart as hardcore punk, black metal, and ambient music. Tonally, one might recall finding oneself in the same "space" occupied by other architects of sound such as ULVER, THE BEATLES, SWANS, or PINK FLOYD. But the stream of sound that emanates from the source of Illusory Blues is a heaving mass of organic richness, brimmed with intricate sounds that acknowledge the original fathers of experimentation but look forward in creating something new and unique. They dwell equally in the earthly realm of folk music and in the celestial void of progressive psychedelia, but have chanced upon a sound and an experience that sounds like no other.

Rounded off by Daniel Knight and James Leach, the lineup of Messenger is now complete, but the journey has just begun.
More on Messenger at Facebook.

(Photo - Leo Alexander Scott)

Last night (November 9th) Bass Player Live! honoured heavy metal legend BLACK SABBATH’s Geezer Butler at an all-star concert at the historic Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA.

The Bass Player Live! performances featured BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE), David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Frank Bello (ANTHRAX), Jason Newsted (NEWSTED, METALLICA, VOIVOD, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), Corey Taylor (STONE SOUR, SLIPKNOT), Chris Broderick (Megadeth) and more!

Check out video footage below:
Zakk Wylde remarked: "Rolling w/GEEZER... Such a Great Night Honoring Geezer w/So Many Ass-Kicking Friends...GEEZER You Rule!!! LOVE YOU!!!"
(Photos courtesy of David Ellefson and Zakk Wylde's Facebook)

VH1 has premiered a full audio preview of eight tracks from RUSH’s upcoming Clockwork Angels Tour (restricted to some territories).

Get More:
Rush,

Here's a snippet from the Rush Family Goy parody available exclusively on the Clockwork Angels Tour DVD and Blu-Ray, set for release November 19th.


Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour was filmed and recorded last November at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas. The 11-month marathon world tour crossed North America twice and ventured overseas to Europe in support of the band’s acclaimed 2012 studio release Clockwork Angels.

In capturing the tour’s electrifying three hour set, Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour pairs Rush classics ('Tom Sawyer', 'The Spirit Of Radio', '2112'), with a nod to the '80s Rush era ('The Analog Kid', 'Territories', 'Subdivisions') alongside newly reworked arrangements specifically for the tour featuring the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble ('Headlong Flight', 'YYZ', 'Red Sector A'). The string section marks the first time the trio has brought additional musicians on the road with them. To showcase their latest studio release, the epic set list also features nine tracks off Clockwork Angels. Other highlights include tracks rarely performed and never before recorded live ('The Body Electric', 'Middletown Dreams'), in addition to three separate drum solos by the incomparable Neil Peart.



Beyond the incredible live performances, the DVD includes a 25-minute tour documentary, featuring interviews with all 3 members and exclusive, behind the scenes footage. Titled Can’t Stop Thinking Big, the piece offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the Rush tour machine and insight into the band members themselves. Other special features on the DVD include the trio of hilarious shorts created specifically for the tour as well as interviews and outtakes captured during their filming. Additional filmed sketches and a rare soundcheck performance of perennial favorite 'Limelight' round out the exclusive offerings.

Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour comes on the heels of Anthem/Atlantic’s September 30th release of Vapor Trails Remixed, a newly remixed version of the band’s 2002 album, and the seven-disc boxed set The Studio Albums 1989-2007, which features every studio album Rush recorded for Atlantic Records.



Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour tracklisting:

Set One:
'Subdivisions'
'The Big Money'
'Force Ten'
'Grand Designs'
'The Body Electric'
'Territories'
'The Analog Kid'
'Bravado'
'Where’s My Thing?'/'Here It Is!' (drum solo)
'Far Cry'

Set Two:
'Caravan'*
'Clockwork Angels'*
'The Anarchist'*
'Carnies'*
'The Wreckers'*
'Headlong Flight'*/'Drumbastica' (drum solo)
'Peke’s Repose' (guitar solo)/'Halo Effect'*
'Seven Cities of Gold'*
'Wish Them Well'*
'The Garden'*
'Dreamline'*
'The Percussor' (I) 'Binary Love Theme'; (II) 'Steambanger’s Ball' (drum solo)
'Red Sector A'*
'YYZ'*
'The Spirit of Radio'

Encore:
'Tom Sawyer'
'2112'

Bonus:
'Limelight' (soundcheck recording)
'Middletown Dreams'
'The Pass'
'Manhattan Project'*

*With the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble

Special Features (Blu-Ray/DVD only):
Can’t Stop Thinking Big (25 min. tour documentary)
Behind The Scenes (featuring Jay Baruchel)
Outtakes
Interview With Dwush
Family Goy
Family Sawyer
The Watchmaker (intermission tour film)
Office Of The Watchmaker (closing tour film)

Just in time for their Stoner Hands of Doom XIII - East Coast 2013 Tour, Hoosier doom rock veterans DEVIL TO PAY are releasing a brand new single for the song ‘Ten Lizardmen And One Pocketknife’. For the flip side of this 7” vinyl single, the band recorded a cover of ELDEMUR KRIMM's ‘Black Fog’.

Check out the video for ‘Ten Lizardmen And One Pocketknife’ below:



The single will be on limited-edition, colored vinyl. 200 copies were pressed on 'coke-bottle' clear vinyl and 100 copies on green translucent vinyl. The clear vinyl will have cover art by drummer Chad Prifogle while the green vinyl will feature art by local artist (and friend of the band) Trevor Patton.

The limited-edition vinyl single will be available exclusively from the band during their East Coast tour. Remaining dates are as follows:

November
8 – Greensboro, NC – Flat Iron
9 – Chesapeake, VA – Roger’s Pub
10 – Richmond, VA – Strange Matter
11 – Raleigh, NC – The Maywood
12 – Philadelphia, PA – JR’s Bar
13 – New York, NY – Tobacco Road
14 – Portland, ME – Geno’s
15 – Allston, MA – O’Brien’s Pub
16 – Bethpage, NY – Mr. Beery’s

Greek thrashers MEMORAIN have re-recorded eight tracks taken from their first two albums, Digital Crimes and White Line. You can download the songs for free at this location.
Tracklisting:

'The Real World' (White Line - 2003)
'Until You Die' (Digital Crimes - 2002)
'Inside My Mind' (White Line - 2003)
'Burning Justice' (Digital Crimes - 2002)
'Condemn Me To Obscurity' (White Line - 2003)
'Digital Crimes' (Digital Crimes - 2002)
'Silence' (Digital Crimes - 2002)
'Buried In Lies' (White Line - 2003)

Memorain released their seventh album, Seven Sacrifices, on Octber 4th, via Metal Scrap Records. The new album features special guest appearances from David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Jed Simon (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Michael Gilbert (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM).
Seven Sacrifices tracklisting:

'A Stitch In Time'
'Worlds Apart'
'Course Correction'
'Trust And Blood'
'False Positive'
'The Hour Of Death'
'Seven Sacrifices'
'Blind Spot'
'Snow Falls'
'Bad Wolf'
'We All Fall Down'

'Course Correction':



Memorain is:

Ilias Papadakis - Guitar
Jason Mercury - Guitar
Andreas Boutos - Vocals
Dimitris Anestis - Bass
Tolis Mistiloglou - Drums

Multicultural blues rock outfit BLUES PILLS, who are currently touring Europe alongside label mates ORCHID and SCORPION CHILD, were invited by Swiss national TV/radio station SRF, where the band conducted a video interview and performed an acoustic version of the yet-unreleased song 'Yet To Find'. Check it out below:
Blues Pills released their Devil Man EP on October 18th via Nuclear Blast Records. The title is available as digisleeve CD, 10“ vinyl (available in different and exclusive colours) and digital download. Order here.
Tracklisting:

'Devil Man'
'The River'
'Time Is Now'
'Dig In'

Trailer #1:
Trailer #2:
'Devil Man' lyric video:

DOOM SYNDICATE is a post apocalyptic metal band from the Blue Ridge Mountain area of South West Virginia. They have been cultivating their flavor of metal since the late 90s, meeting many friends along the way and quietly helping forge a new sound of East Coast flavor.

Doom Syndicate started early, opening for the mighty CORROSION OF CONFORMITY as their first major gig. Every shows reaction is the same, either playing with national acts or local acts, people were satisfied. Most of the audience left after Doom Syndicate thinking they were the headliners even with proven national acts yet to play.

Doom Syndicate have shared the stage and road recently with bands like CREMATORIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, BONGZILLA, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, ORIGIN, IMMOLATION, EVERY TIME I DIE, GOATWHORE, DYING FETUS, BURNT BY THE SUN, SIX FEET UNDER, DEICIDE, SUFFOCATION, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, SUB ZERO and many more. Playing every where they can including the historic Victory Stadium and the Roanoke Civic Center. Even catching one of their heavy tunes on a couple of local radio stations is not uncommon late at night.

The members that make up Doom Syndicate are an assortment of hardcore metallers. Scott, with a extensive metal background, plays lead guitars. Chip, a long time metal head, has a powerful skill and love for the bass. JR, whose vocal style influenced by punk hardcore from his youth combined with his love of pure death metal make him a perfect fit. Dan, whose black metal hardcore extreme drumming, fit the sound that Doom Syndicate has been striving to reach for years.

Already gearing up for their next release, Doom Syndicate plan to hit the studio in January to begin recordings.

More on Doom Syndicate at Facebook.

Space metal artist Thanasis Lightbridge of DOL AMMAD and DOL THEETA, has announced his third and more extreme project DOL KRUUG which is a space-tech death metal hybrid.

He revealed the project with samples from the upcoming debut Dol Kruug album in his latest video-blog in which he also comically presents the alter-egos of his three projects.



For more info visit Lightbridge.tv.

British progressive metallers THRESHOLD are back in the studio working on the follow-up to 2012's "March Of Progress" for a 2014 release via Nuclear Blast.

Comments THRESHOLD guitarist Karl Groom: "It's good to be working on a new THRESHOLD album and cut the time between releases.

"Our touring for the 'March Of Progress' album inspired Rich [West, keyboards] and I to get writing not long after the main set of dates.

"We want to thank everyone for their support during that time. I should add that other members of the band have also have been writing!

"Right now I am tracking rhythm guitars and Johanne [James, drums] is due in the studio as soon as we put the finishing touched on a couple of songs.

"Hopefully 2014 will be another memorable year for THRESHOLD."

THRESHOLD's ninth studio album, "March Of Progress", was released on August 31, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Dead Reckoning" registerd the following first-week chart positions:

Germany: #28Switzerland: #30Sweden: #43Austria: #55Netherlands: #70France: #102

Vocal duties on "March Of Progress" were performed by THRESHOLD's original frontman Damian Wilson (STAR ONE, HEADSPACE), who's been back touring with the band since the release of "Dead Reckoning".

"March Of Progress" was made available in a limited-edition digipak, including a bonus track; a standard jewel case edition; as well as in a two-vinyl edition in two different colors, one of them exclusively available via the Nuclear Blast mail order.

Little Kids Rock, the nation's leading nonprofit provider of music instruction and instruments to public schools, honored METALLICA frontman James Hetfield at the charity's annual "Rockin' The Bay Benefit" on Saturday, November 9 at Facebook's Menlo Park, California headquarters. Hetfield was recognized for his ongoing support for and contributions to the organization and received the inaugural "Livin' The Dream Award," which was created in honor of Josef Desimone, the late executive chef of Facebook who spearheaded this benefit for Little Kids Rock and who was a huge fan of METALLICA.

Video footage of Hetfield performing with kids at the "Rockin' The Bay Benefit" can be seen below.

More photos are available at the METALLICA Facebook page.

"We're presenting James with this special award as a way to not only recognize his support of Little Kids Rock over the years, but also his role as an inspirational presence in a band that has revolutionized and defined a music genre," said David Wish, Little Kids Rock founder and executive director.

"Josef was a passionate philanthropist who touched our lives with his generosity and we know he would've been proud to see James honored at the event held in his memory."

The benefit assembled a star-studded lineup of musical luminaries to help raise awareness and funds for its mission of revitalizing music programs in school districts whose music programming has been impacted by budget cuts. This year, Jeff Campitelli, most famously known as the drummer on Joe Satriani's various albums, and Marcus Henderson, critically acclaimed heavy metal guitarist known for his role as the lead guitarist for the Guitar Hero series, joined Little Kids Rock in celebrating James Hetfield and eleven years of service to schoolchildren in the Bay Area.

"I'm a firm believer in creative expression through music. It is important to have it available from a young age, which is why I support Little Kids Rock's mission to make music education accessible to children," said Hetfield. "I've seen how music changes people's lives for the better and I am honored to have a part in helping the organization enrich young lives through the lifelong gift of music education."

Founded in a single classroom in East Palo Alto in 2002, Little Kids Rock currently funds modern music programming for more than 112,000 public school children in 12 states, including over 3,500 in the Bay Area.

The "Rockin' The Bay Benefit" is held annually in the Bay Area to support schools in the region in which Little Kids Rock was founded.

Each year, the benefit features a fun night of music and live auctions, as well as a number of musical performances from special guests. Last year's guests included Sammy Hagar, BLACK EYED PEAS' Taboo, and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame drummer Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER). The event raised enough money to put more than 5,000 rock instruments and educational programming into local public schools, providing free music lessons to tens of thousands of children in the Bay Area.

Photo above courtesy of METALLICA's Facebook page.

Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor at the Bass Player LIVE! Concert & Awards Show, which was held this past Saturday night (November 9) at the historic Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The concert honored heavy metal legend, BLACK SABBATH's Geezer Butler, and featured an all-star band of rock luminaries performing BLACK SABBATH songs as a tribute to Butler. The performance culminated with Geezer joining the band for the finale.

Asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for SLIPKNOT's next album, Corey said: "We're just getting demos together right now, and [we're] hoping to get into the studio in the summer next year. So very soon we're gonna start having stuff to get out to the people."

Regarding how the new SLIPKNOT material is shaping up so far, Corey said: "It's very heavy. I mean, just based on the stuff that I've been demoing and the stuff that I've been working with [drummer] Joey [Jordison] on, it is, like… Honestly, it's like [2004's] 'Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)' meets [2001's] 'Iowa'. It's really dark, but there's some really good esoteric stuff to it, a lot of good melody without taking away from the heaviness. It's gonna be pretty rad."

Taylor told ARTISTdirect in a recent interview about SLIPKNOT's forthcoming fifth studio album: "The stuff I'm writing right now is really dark. The stuff Clown [Shawn Crahan, percussionist] is coming with is beyond. It's going to be cool to get the alchemists in the same room and see what happens." Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio that the band is not setting any deadlines on itself for making the new disc. "Right now the only plan is go into the studio and see what happens," he said. "After that, it's up to us. But I mean, hopefully that tides everybody over, you know, just the fact that we are going to go into the studio and start seeing what we can see. 'Cause I know I've got some music that I've been working on, Joey's got a bunch of stuff, Jim's [Root, guitarist] got some stuff, Clown's always got a lot of really interesting musical ideas, so it'll be really cool to kind of see what happens."

The new SLIPKNOT album will be the band's first without bassist Paul Gray, another key member of the songwriting team who died of a drug overdose in May 2010.

Joey Jordison's side band, SCAR THE MARTYR, recently released its self-titled debut CD.

Taylor and Root have spent the last three years with STONE SOUR recording and touring behind three full studio records, 2010's "Audio Secrecy" and the double concept album "House Of Gold And Bones", which was released in two parts in 2012 and 2013.

SLIPKNOT toured earlier this year and last summer.

MERCYFUL FATE guitarist Hank Shermann has announced the launch of his new band, SHERMANN TANK. The group's musical style is described by Hermann as "metal with crushing brutality, relentless guitar attacks and vocals from the depths of hell... dark and melodically captivating."

Says Shermann: "After touring with VOLBEAT for all of 2012, I decided it was time for me to start working on my first solo output. Things developed really fast and I joined forces with my good friend Marc Grabowski [DEMONICA] to handle vocals and bass!

"I've known Marc since the mid-'90s and was already impressed with his potential back then. Now it's full circle.

"Songwriting is full steam ahead and it really kicks hard, very hard!"

Adds Shermann: "This is going to be my dream guitar album! I’m putting all my 35 years of guitar experience into this album."

During a brand new interview with Wales Online, MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell was asked about the health of the band's mainman, Lemmy Kilmister, two weeks after MOTÖRHEAD's European tour was postponed.

"Lem had a pacemaker fitted earlier in the year because he'd been suffering from irregular heartbeats, and then his diabetes started playing him up," Campbell said. "But his ticker's fine now and he's made sufficient changes to his lifestyle and diet in order to combat the diabetes, it's just that he felt he wasn't 100% ready to go back on the road just yet. "As a result, we put the dates back a little bit to enable him to build himself back up to full fitness."

He added: "Look, none of us are getting any younger, so Lemmy's condition didn't exactly come as a massive shock. But the older we get the more we tend to be there for one another and back each other up.

"The main problem is that he's displayed such a hard persona all his life that it makes it difficult for him to let people in. He's like the John Wayne of rock — always wanting to soldier on and handle things on his own, you know?"

Lemmy recently spoke to U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine about his health issues that have caused the band to cancel a number of European festival appearances this past summer — including shows in France, Germany and Russia. The dates were called off when doctors discovered an unspecified haematoma, a pool of leaked blood gathered in Lemmy's muscles. The legendary rocker is also suffering from Type 2 diabetes, diagnosed more than a decade ago, and has had a defibrillator fitted earlier this year to iron out the uneven bumps in his heart.

Lemmy takes two pills every day for his diabetes, which has affected the circulation in his legs. As a result, his legs stiffen and ache if he walks too far and his back hurts if he stands for too long. "But I can still stand at that mic every night and play my songs," he said. "I wouldn't know about the defibrillator if it wasn't for that fucking lump in my chest," he said. "I'm getting better."

Lemmy, who turns 68 years old in December, told Classic Rock he didn't expect to still be here at 30,

"I don't do regrets," he said. "Regrets are pointless. It's too late for regrets. You've alreadydone it, haven't you? You've lived your life. No point wishing you could change it.

"There are a couple of things I might have done differently, but nothing major; nothing that would have made that much of a difference.

"I'm pretty happy with the way things have turned out. I like to think I've brought a lotof joy to a lor of people all over the world. I'm true to myself and I'm straight with people."

Asked if his illness this year has made him more aware of his own mortality, Lemmy said: "Death is an inevitability, isn't it? You become more aware of that when you get to my age. I don't worry about it. I'm ready for it. When I go, I want to go doing what I do best. If I died tomorrow, I couldn't complain. It's been good."

The PRIMAL FEAR Collectors Edition of Delivering The Black can be pre-ordered now in the band's native Germany via Amazon, limited to 666 copies. Go to this location for details.
Delivering The Black will be released on January 24th in Europe and January 28th in North America via Frontiers Records. It will be available in 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-de-luxe version including a metallic eagle.

Delivering The Black tracklisting:

'King For A Day'
'Rebel Faction'
'When Death Comes Knocking'
'Alive & On Fire'
'Delivering The Black'
'Road To Asylum'
'One Night In December'
'Never Pray For Justice'
'Born With A Broken Heart'
'Innocent Man' *
'Inseminoid'
Man Without Shadow' *
'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 will release the new single, 'When Death Comes Knocking', on December 3rd. An audio sample is available below:
Primal Fear are:
Ralf Scheepers – vocals
Alex Beyrodt – guitars
Magnus Karlsson – guitar, keyboards
Randy Black – drums
Mat Sinner – bass and vocals
For more details and Primal Fear's tour schedule visit Primalfear.de.

"One Way", the first video from TERRANA, the new three-piece power rock trio led by renowned drummer Mike Terrana (TARJA, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, AXEL RUDI PELL, MASTERPLAN, GAMMA RAY, RAGE), can be seen below.

Formed this past summer, TERRANA prides itself on making music using "no computer tricks" and describes its material as "just pure live organic rock and roll with a positive message."

The band will release 10 songs in the spring of 2014, followed by tours of Europe and South America.

TERRANA is:

Fabri Kiarelli - Guitar, Lead VocalsAlberto Bollati - Bass, Lead VocalsMike Terrana - Drums

UK heavyweight metal quintet HEART OF A COWARD have released their new album Severance in Europe. The album will be released on November 12th in North America. The group have launched a new video, for the album track 'Psychophant'. Both song and clip feature a cameo by Scott Kennedy from BLEED FROM WITHIN.

Jamie Graham (vocals) on the song and video: “'Psychophant is a play on words for 'Sycophant'- someone who just lives leeching off others, but taken to a psychotic level. We asked (Scott) Kennedy to jump on the track after we all toured together back in early 2013. It’s one of the heavier, simpler songs on the album and follows the night of a total prick who gets everything coming to him! Everyone knows someone like this and it begs the question of how happy you are with your own life. We love playing this one live!'“
Heart Of A Coward will be headlining throughout the UK this month with support coming from THE CHARM THE FURY and MALEVOLENCE. Dates include:

November
11 - Birmingham, UK - Asylum 2
12 - Southampton, UK - Joiners
13 - Cardiff, UK - Full Moon
14 - London, UK - Barfly
15 - Milton Keynes, UK - Craufurd
16 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation
17 - Manchester, UK - Alter Ego
18 - Glasgow, UK - Classic Grand
19 - Leeds, UK - Cockpit 3
20 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City Basement
21 - Norwich, UK - Upstairs @ Waterfront

Heart Of A Coward have announced the first tour dates for their European mainland tour, together with THY ART IS MURDER, AEGAEON and AVERSIONS CROWN.
Dates include:

January
15 - Stuttgart, Germany - Juha
16 - Munich, Germany- Kranhalle
17 - eipzig, Germany- Conne Island
18 - Wiesbaden, Germany- Schlachthof
19 - Poznan, Poland - Minoga
21 - Hamburg, Germany- Hafenklang
22 - Muenster, Germany- Skaters Place Café
23 - Berlin, Germany- Magnet
24 - Cologne, Germany- MTC
25 - Brussels, Belgium - AB Club
26 - Paris, France - Batofar
For more details visit Facebook.