Audio samples of six songs — "The Bliss of Ignorants", "Trauma Of War", "The Vatican", "Grief", "Manipulation Of Tragedy" and "Obsessed" — from "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart", the new album from Brazilian/American metallers SEPULTURA, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The CD will be released on October 25 via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork was created by Brazilian artist Alexandre Wagner, who specializes in charcoal drawing techniques.

Guitarist Andreas Kisser commented on how he discovered the work of Alexandre Wagner. "It was through Silvio Bibika, who was my roadie for a long time," he said. "He always shows me things in general that SEPULTURA might need. Alexandre, who is from Belo Horizonte, Silvio showed me a year ago. So before we went to the United States, to record the album, I was at his house to talk about the cover, tell him the album title, talk about the concept of the film 'Metropolis', so he could do something original. But when I saw the picture with the drawing, I thought it was all about what we wanted and we did not need something new. I asked him to do a tribal S in the style of the cover. The S made by Alexandre will be on the back cover."

Said Alexandre: "I did this series of charcoal drawing work when I still lived in Belo Horizonte. They were all made there. They were quick drawings without much reference, almost an experimentation that may have came from a desire to use the most basic of basic materials — coal, paper and wood. The cover design was already done, Andreas saw it and liked it. We talked a little more and I also sent some other pictures for the booklet. I was pleased with the choice of the theme of the album, I like Fritz Lang very much, and not only 'Metropolis'. 'Dr. Mabuse der Spieler' is a fucking great movie."

As a Mineiro, from Belo Horizonte like SEPULTURA, Alexandre was glad to be part of the band’s history. "It's impossible to be from Belo Horizonte and not know the band," he said. "Some of their albums followed me for a long time, especially 'Chaos A.D.' I remember seeing 'Refuse/Resist' on TV and thinking it was wonderful. It’s really cool to work with the guys, being part of something together. It is somehow a shared history."

"The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" track listing:

01. Trauma Of War02. The Vatican03. Impending Doom04. Manipulation Of Tragedy05. Tsunami06. The Bliss of Ignorants07. Grief08. The Age Of The Atheist09. Obsessed10. Da Lama ao Caos (CHICO SCIENCE & NAÇÃO ZUMBI cover)

Although it was inspired by Fritz Lang's classic 1927 movie "Metropolis", the CD, "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" is not a concept album or a soundtrack like its precedessors "Dante XXI" (based on "The Divine Comedy") and "A-Lex" (based on "A Clockwork Orange").

"The Mediator Between The Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" was tracked over a 40-day period at producer Ross Robinson's (KORN, LIMP BIZKIT, SLIPKNOT) studio in Venice, California and is being mixed and mastered by co-producer Steve Evetts, who previously worked with SEPULTURA on the "Nation" (2001), "Revolusongs" (2002) and "Roorback" (2003) albums, in addition to having collaborated with Ross on a number of other projects in the past.

SEPULTURA recorded a total of 14 songs for the follow-up to 2011's "Kairos", including a cover version of DEATH's "Zombie Ritual". The CD will also feature a guest appearance by former SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo. In a recent interview with JacksonGuitars.com, Kisser stated about the direction of the new SEPULTURA album: "I write stuff all the time — riffs or ideas on an acoustic guitar. But we really started working on this album in February of this year, so it was pretty quick. We have Eloy Casagrande as our drummer, and he's 22 years old. The guy's a beast. One of the best drummers I've seen on the planet Earth. He has this metal blood that has so much energy and brings so many possibilities for riffs and stuff like that. It is a SEPULTURA album, but like every SEPULTURA album, there is something different. I think the main difference now is the drummer. It's the first time we've worked in the studio with him. It's been almost two years [since the last album], and it's very exciting."

SEPULTURA's new CD will mark the first time the band will have recorded an album outside Brazil since "Against".

Finnish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH will release their new DVD, "Showtime, Storytime", on November 29 as a limited 2Blu-ray + 2CD digipack, limited 2DVD + 2CD digipack, limited 2CD digipack, 2LP (colored) in gatefold and an exclusive Nuclear Blast mailorder edition.

"Showtime, Storytime" contains NIGHTWISH's entire August 3 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. The show, which was played in the front of 85,000 screaming metalheads, was directed by Ville Lipiäinen, filmed with seventeen cameras and has a total running time of 85 minutes. The second disc consists of a 120-minute tour documentary, "Please Learn The Setlist In 48 Hours", also directed by Ville Lipiäinen, with no shortage of drama or overall madness. Also, there is a 16-minute NIGHTWISH Table Hockey Tournament, filmed on tour. In addition, there are two music clips: "I Want My Tears Back" (live at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland) and "Ghost Love Score" (live in Buenos Aires). The Wacken Open Air appearance was the first of the three final shows of NIGHTWISH's "Imaginaerum World Tour", which saw the band and their Dutch singer Floor Jansen (REVAMP, ex-AFTER FOREVER) playing 104 concerts in 34 different countries, with a total audience of over 1.5 million fans around the globe.

Commented NIGHTWISH mastermind and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen: "Our darling flying Dutchwoman, Floor Jansen, has been nothing but incredible during her time in NIGHTWISH on this tour, so this is a perfect opportunity to immortalize the current vibe of the band on film!" NIGHTWISH's setlist for the Wacken Open Air performance was as follows:

01. Dark Chest Of Wonders02. Wish I Had An Angel03. She Is My Sin04. Ghost River05. Ever Dream06. Storytime07. I Want My Tears Back08. Nemo09. Last Of The Wilds10. Bless The Child11. Romanticide12. Amaranth13. Ghost Love Score14. Song Of Myself15. Last Ride Of The Day16. Outro (Imaginaerum)

The performance clip of the song "Storytime", taken from "Showtime, Storytime", can be seen below.

"Heartbreaker", the new video from MOTÖRHEAD, can be seen below (courtesy of RollingStone.com). The clip incorporates concert footage from this year's Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards ceremony in the U.K., a 2010 Manchester gig and several 2011 shows (including Rock In Rio, Germany's Wacken Open Air Festival and Teatro Caupolicán in Santiago, Chile). Fans who hang on for the credits at the end of "Heartbreaker" may be surprised to learn that the video's sketch art was created by frontman Lemmy Kilmister.

"Heartbreaker" comes off MOTÖRHEAD's 21st studio album, "Aftershock", which will be released on October 22.

The release party for "Aftershock" will take place on Friday, October 18 upstairs at the world-famous Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood, California between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Listen to "Aftershock" before it is released on October 22 and enjoy free Rainbow pizza and win MOTÖRHEAD prizes. The first 100 fans get in free to the listening party upstairs.

"Aftershock" will be released as a an official Classic Rock collectors fanpack that features the new LP in full plus a 132-page magazine that forms the "ultimate sleevenotes" to the new release, with extensive and exclusive interviews with Lemmy, Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell.

Pre-order your copy now at this location (official on-sale date is October 21).

Inside is everything you need to know about "Aftershock" and the world of MOTÖRHEAD in 2013: inside the making of album, new features covering all eras of the band's career from 1975 to 2013, and tons of previously unseen pictures.

Fanpack edition includes:

* New album "Aftershock"* 132-page magazine* Giant double-sided poster* Exclusive MOTÖRHEAD car sticker

"Aftershock" track listing:

01. Heartbreaker02. Coup De Grace03. Lost Woman Blues04. End Of Time05. Do You Believe06. Death Machine07. Dust And Glass08. Going To Mexico09. Silence When You Speak To Me10. Crying Shame11. Queen Of The Damned12. Knife13. Keep Your Powder Dry14. Paralyzed

"Aftershock" was recorded at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, California and is described in a press release as "a true leveler, a crushing confirmation of everything MOTÖRHEAD stands for, marching from the dust storm to deliver 14 belting statements which see MOTÖRHEAD in perhaps their best writing form for years. There's swagger, there's punch, there's speed and there’s dirty filthy grooves, Lemmy Kilmister, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee showing clearly that MOTÖRHEAD is not simply a band, it's a genre!"

MOTÖRHEAD canceled a handful of shows on its European festival tour in August after Lemmy suffered a haematoma (where blood collects outside of a blood vessel). The news of Lemmy's latest medical issue followed reports that he was also recently fitted with a defibrillator because of heart problems.

After long and careful consideration, Andreas Solveström has chosen to step down as the "growl" vocalist in the Swedish melodic metal band AMARANTHE. The group states: "The split is completely amicable and friendly, and not the result of any hard feelings. Andy has been a brother through the last two and a half years of craziness since the release of our debut album, and he will always be a central part to the AMARANTHE family — not to mention a fantastic screamer indeed. We wish him all the best possible luck with his future endeavors.

"But, as they say, life goes on! We in AMARANTHE are not planning to slow down one bit, and now is the time to welcome a new member into the AMARANTHE family! Many of you have already seen and met Henrik Englund Wilhelmsson (SCARPOINT), who was filling in for Andy on our latest European and American tour! Henrik has great stage presence, tons of charisma and a great voice, and has already proven up to the extremely high standard we always strive for with AMARANTHE."

Commented Andy: "Time travels fast. There is so much in life to explore and time has come for me to move on and see what more is out there for me. We've been through a lot the last five years, had our ups and downs, travelling the world back and forth, playing arena shows, doing tons and tons of gigs, gotten gold records and all this in just two albums. Totally amazing, and I'm really glad and humble to have had the chance to experience all this. Now when I choose to move on, I want to take the opportunity to thank the guys in the band for all the good times and all the memories. And, of course, all the fans out there. You are, and always will be, in my heart. Hope to see you guys out there again in a not-too-distant future."

In other news, AMARANTHE's "Amaranthine" single has been certified gold in Sweden for sales in excess of 20,000 copies. (Note: On-demand audio and/or video song streams are now counted towards the threshold required for gold certification.) This is the band's second single to reach gold status after "Hunger" achieved the same status earlier this year.

AMARANTHE's sophomore album, "The Nexus", sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 12 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.

AMARANTHE's first U.S. headline tour kicked off on July 17 at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City. Support on the trek came from KOBRA AND THE LOTUS.

"The Nexus" was released on March 26 (one day earlier internationally) via Spinefarm. The cover artwork was created by Gustavo Sazes. The album was once again recorded at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen.

AMARANTHE's self-titled debut album was released in Europe in April 2011 via Spinefarm Records.

British metallers ARCHITECTS have inked a deal with Epitaph Records for the release of their new album, tentatively due next spring. The CD, which will be made available in in Australia through UNFD and in Canada via New Damage Records, is currently being recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. The band states: "It's sounding splendid — ya gonna love it."

ARCHITECTS' latest album, "Daybreaker", was released on May 28, 2012 in Europe and June 5, 2012 in North America via Century Media Records. The follow-up to "The Here And Now" was produced by the band with John Mitchell and Ben Humphreys at Outhouse Studios (ENTER SHIKARI, YOU ME AT SIX, THE BLACKOUT, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, EXIT TEN, YOUR DEMISE, LOWER THAN ATLANTIS, KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES) in Reading, the same team that previously worked on ARCHITECTS' "Hollow Crown" CD. The stunning artwork was created by Paul Jackson (Tank.Axe.Love).

ARCHITECTS last year released the "The Here And Now 2012 Special Edition" including "Devil's Island" and "Untitled" as well as all video clips ("Day In Day Out", "Learn To Live", "Heartburn", "Delete, Rewind" and "An Open Letter To Myself"), making-of footage for "Learn To Live" and "Heartburn" plus several previously released online clips.

After a 10-year hiatus, TAD MOROSE will release its seventh album, "Revenant", on November 20 via Despotz Records. The CD was recorded at Claustrophobic Studio in Gävle, Sweden.

The new TAD MOROSE single, "Millenium Lie", can be streamed below.

"TAD MOROSE is a band that I've followed since my teenage days," said Despotz founder Ömer Akay. "They have their unique sound of melodic power metal and a touch of prog metal.

"After a decade of silence, it will be an honour to put TAD MOROSE back on the map again!" Added TAD MOROSE guitarist Christer "Krunt" Anderson: "It was through our new management, Lena Graaf at GMR Music Group, that we came in contact with Despotz Records. They seem to be a hard-working and innovative record label, so to sign with them feels very good. It will be very exciting to work with them and we look forward to the release of our seventh album, 'Revenant', in November."

The official video for TAD MOROSE's new song "Beneath A Veil Of Crying Souls" can be seen below. The clip was filmed in Studio 4 at the Thrash Mansion in Bollnäs, Sweden. The single was released on September 28.

TAD MOROSE debuted back in 1993 with the album "Leaving The Past Alive" and has since released five LPs and toured all around the world.

TAD MOROSE in August 2008 announced the addition of singer Ronny Hemlin (STEEL ATTACK) and bassist Tommi Karppanen (ex-MORGANA LEFAY) to the group's ranks.

TAD MOROSE is:

Guitar: Christer "Krunt" AnderssonDrums: Peter MorénBass: Tommi KarppanenVocals: Ronny HemlinGuitar: Kenneth Jonsson

The video for the song "The Nameless One" from Danish/American metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT can be seen below. The performance clip comes from the DVD portion of the "tour edition" of the band's "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" album, which will be released on November 4 in Europe and November 5 in North America.

Red eyes are a current issue with the VOLBEAT camp. One reason could well be that VOLBEAT have been constantly on the road since 2010 when their "Beyond Hell, Above Heaven" album was released, while the second reason for the redness probably has to do with the band members rubbing their eyes in disbelief since the release of their fifth album, "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies", in April. The album was a huge success from the get-go and has added several chapters to "the tale of VOLBEAT."

"Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" hit the No. 1 spot in more than five countries around the world, including their home country Denmark and in Germany where the album in its first week sold over 50,000 copies, and in America where it landed at No. 9 on the Billboard chart.

In the months that have passed since the release of "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies", the four VOLBEAT gentlemen have been almost constantly on the road with their wide-ranging mix of rock and roll, heavy metal, rockabilly, country added prairie dust and south-western tinged romance, including two tours of the U.S. and a summer tour where the band headlined Europe's biggest festivals.

The band is now celebrating their success with a limited edition of the successful album including new bonus tracks and a live DVD. Featuring footage from their performances at this summer's festivals, the DVD illustrates the band's unique place in the world, showcasing the extent of their fans dedication and appreciation. Whether it's at the Download festival in the U.K., Rock Am Ring and Rock'n'heim in Germany, Hellfest in France or Denmark's Roskilde Festival, these intimate recordings capture the true essence of what it's like to be a fan of VOLBEAT in 2013.

VOLBEAT is now a live band in a league of its own. The band's attitude towards the art of bringing the concert to their fans is manifested in Michael Poulsen's words right before entering the stage at Roskilde Festival: "Okay, let's go out and give them something special!"

And so they did, as the upscale versions of "Lola Montez" and "Cape Of Our Hero" from just Roskilde will prove. But it is not only at Roskilde VOLBEAT give their fans something special. The rest of the footage on the DVD is a testament to this. Perhaps especially on "Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood" and "Heaven Nor Hell" — both taken from Hock'n'heim in Germany — and perhaps the best two live versions of these songs out there right now.

The DVD also includes climactic moments with the band performing "Doc Holliday", "16 Dollars", "The Nameless One", "Evelyn" (with guest Barney of NAPALM DEATH performing), "Another Day", "Maybelline i Hofteholder", "The Hangman's Body Count", "Dead But Rising" and "Sad Man's Tongue". True evidence of why exactly VOLBEAT are appreciated as one of the finest rock bands in 2013.

Fan-filmed video footage of the Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE performing on October 17 at Rock City in Nottingham, England can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Queen Of The Reich 02. Speak 03. Walk In The Shadows 04. The Whisper 05. En Force 06. Child Of Fire 07. Warning 08. X2 / Where Dreams Go To Die 09. Midnight Lullaby / A World Without 10. Guitar Solo (Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren)11. The Needle Lies 12. Prophecy 13. Fallout 14. My Empty Room 15. Eyes Of A Stranger 16. Empire

Encore:

17. Jet City Woman 18. Silent Lucidity 19. Take Hold Of The Flame

The Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE recently filmed a "mini movie," with the tracks "Spore", "Midnight Lullaby", "A World Without" and "X2" providing the score to a 10-plus minute story, dubbed "Queensrÿche: Ad Lucem". The film was created by Veva Entertainment Co. with director Daniel Andres Gomez Bagby and producer Marco De Molina and was filmed last month on location at Central City Stages in Los Angeles.

Commented Todd: "We decided to take a different approach with this video, which is comprised of four pieces of music from our latest self-titled release, 'Queensrÿche'. It's a conceptual mini-movie music video that invites the audience to scratch beneath the surface a bit, rather than the usual 'chewed food' that so many are used to being fed. We really wanted to deviate from a performance type of video so the music and story-line could be the main focus." He added: "The overall theme of the song 'Spore' is one that deals with personal demons, relationship struggles, career pressures, personal/professional morals and ethical dilemmas. These are issues we all face on some level and the video touches upon them all.

"'Midnight Lullaby'/'A World Without' deals with the loss of a mother during childbirth, leaving a father as a single parent and struggling to move forward through the turmoil.

"'X2', though it opens up our album, provides for a nice outro to it all. The end result is a roller coaster of emotion in an effort to find a healthy resolve.

"Given our history, we feel that this multifaceted conceptual video, along with a great cast of actors to suit, will really resonate with our fans."

QUEENSRŸCHE's new, self-titled album sold around 13,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on June 25 via Century Media Records.

"Queensrÿche" marks the debut release from the lineup comprised of Todd La Torre (vocals; ex-CRIMSON GLORY), Michael Wilton (guitar), Parker Lundgren (guitar), Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfield (drums). The drums for the album were recorded at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, Washington with producer James "Jimbo" Barton — the man who engineered and mixed the band's classic 1988 LP, "Operation: Mindcrime", and its 1990 follow-up, "Empire", and co-produced 1994's "Promised Land". The rest of the music and vocals were laid down at several different facilities on the West Coast. The cover artwork was created by Craig Howell, who has previously worked on designs for "Star Wars", SLIPKNOT and "American Idol", to name a few.

EYE EMPIRE — the band featuring Corey Lowery (STUCK MOJO, STEREOMUD, DARK NEW DAY), B.C. Kochmit (SWITCHED), Donald Carpenter (SUBMERSED) and Ryan Bennett (TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION) — has built a following through unwavering perseverance. They are true road warriors, sacrificing the comforts of home with an unwavering belief in the dream. Over the past several years, the band has staged more than 600 performances, building a community that has rallied around the mantra "Love, Respect, Support." On October 29, the next chapter begins with the release of "Evolve".

The members of EYE EMPIRE all have seen success in the past through other ensembles. With the formation of EYE EMPIRE, however, they have proven a commitment to seeing through what they started. Lowery remembers: "B.C. and I started playing together when he was in SWITCHED, and I knew that he would be the guitar player that I would one day create something special and lasting with. He has a great sense of melody with rhythm and solos and a great understanding of arrangement and what's best for the song. He knows the difference between shredding and holding one note, and making that one note sing. He truly has his own style as an artist."

He continues: "With DC, when I met him on Halloween four years ago, from the first note he sang, I knew he was something special. He treats his voice like an instrument, always focused, pushing himself to finding new voices with each song. Lyrically, he believes in what he is singing. Never preaching, but expressing what he's been through or seen in his life on the road."

And lastly, with the youngest member of the quartet, Ryan Bennett, Lowery reflects: "Simply one of the baddest drummers to come to the rock 'n roll scene in years. Grabbing some of his favorite drummers and making his own style with EYE EMPIRE. He's the guy that is always smiling staying positive until he gets behind the drums then he explodes."

Musically, EYE EMPIRE hasestablished a connection that has witnessed an organic swell. Audiences have grown, and the band is now a bona fide headliner. It has everything to do with chemistry. They push one another to stay fresh. Thus, the chosen title of "Evolve" for the upcoming album, which follows the band's independently released debut, "Impact". As Carpenter shares: "I am deeply connected to this story. You truly have to live by your heart and trust that life will lead you in the direction you are needed. I believed and it led me to EYE EMPIRE. I will never take that for granted."

"Evolve" track listing:

01. One Day02. The War Isn't Over Yet03. Rise (Wake Up)04. Beyond The Stars05. Within06. Weakness07. Bleed08. Head High09. The Man I Am10. Can't Forget11. Don't Look Back12. Live Loud

The pre-order for physical goes live Monday, October 21 at www.eyeempirestore.com.

Rise Records' rock band OF MICE & MEN is currently in the studio mixing its third studio album for an early 2014 release. The forthcoming full-length CD is the follow-up to 2011's acclaimed release "The Flood", which solidified the California-based five-piece as a leading force in modern heavy music. David Bendeth (PARAMORE, PAPA ROACH, A DAY TO REMEMBER, BREAKING BENJAMIN) is producing the new album, which was recorded at House Of Loud in New Jersey. "This new record encompasses everything we have ever released in our short career," said the group's charismatic frontman Austin Carlile. "Every track on the album was written with our fans in mind. I wanted to make every line come from a real life experience or struggle that I've overcome. It's raw, and I really believe our fans will see that I tore myself apart to present them with the most real sound and message we've come out with to date." With the forthcoming new album, OF MICE & MEN welcomes new member Aaron Pauley (vocals, bass). "I couldn't be happier to have joined OF MICE & MEN," Pauley said. "As a musician, it's what you always want in a band; a bunch of amazingly talented, open-minded musicians who believe in taking the time and putting in the blood sweat and tears to make great songs, and who aren't afraid of making something different. I feel like I've found my true musical home with this band, and I can't wait for the world to hear this album."

"The Flood" was originally released on June 14, 2011 and was reissued on July 24, 2012 with four new tracks. The CD debuted at No. 28 on The Billboard 200 chart and was hailed by the New York Times as "one of the year's most bruising rock debuts." Alternative Press called the album a "genuine statement of artistic purpose." Rock Sound declared the release "a truly memorable, hip-shaking face-breaker of epic proportions." To this date, "The Flood" has sold over 125,000 copies and has been streamed nearly 16,000,000 times on YouTube, making it the most successful release in Rise Records' 22 years of operation. The band has brought their memorable live show to audiences around the world having sold out multiple headlining tours domestically and internationally. OF MICE & MEN is Austin Carlile (vocals), Alan Ashby (guitar), Valentino Arteaga (drums), Aaron Pauley (vocals / bass) and Phil Manansala (guitar).

Vocalist Hansi Kürsch of German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN has issued the following update:

"Surprise, surprise,

"I am sure no one expected me to be back with news about a band called BLIND GUARDIAN so quickly. The reason is quite simple: I'm a workaholic and I have no idea what to do with all my remaining energy at the moment. Therefore I have decided to spend some time with thoughts about BLIND GUARDIAN's future plans.

"Here is my remarkable output…

"Like the majority of you, I was also very surprised when our show in Geiselwind was announced for May 2014. I suppose that I, or one of the other guys, have agreed to this show. I'll probably never figure out who did it, but that's not important now, the show itself is of importance.

"To be honest, all of us cannot wait to get back on stage. Our stage abstinence seems much longer to us than 'just' 2 years.

"Since we were asked to do a 'best-of' show we do not even have to rehearse, this is more or less the type of show we have done in the past anyway. I still hope we can put in some surprises since no one really knows what we consider our 'best-of' songs at the moment. Itmight differ from 'Memories Of A Time To Come' though. Right now I'm working on a possible set list and I'll cross my fingers that this will be approved when the others have a look at it.

"By announcing this live appearance, we also secretly announced the intended termination of our album production for the end of May. We obviously have progressed quickly, in BLIND GUARDIAN terms, that is. Indeed, everything looks very promising with regards to our songwriting and our production. We have good reasons to believe that the album is going to be completely finished at that point. Let's hope I will not be proven to be the reincarnation of good old Münchhausen again. Anyway, even the worst-case scenario would have us not being too far away from completion at that point.

"Since we have already completed several production steps on the new album, the picture gets clearer and clearer. Although not necessarily clear enough to decide whether I'll go lyrically for individual topics on each separate song or instead for a conceptual album. On one hand, the concept would have a strong fantasy link and on the other hand it would contain some typical Dystopian elements, because this is also what I musically find in most of the songs. They will all feature an almost magical grandeur but will present some very harsh disturbing elements as well. Therefore such a concept might be very suitable. I will have to sleep on it for a while until I'm able to make a decision.

"Whenever we start songwriting, I try to create a plan in my mind detailing which qualities I would love to feature on the next BLIND GUARDIAN album and what general impression I would like to create. Very often at the end, things come out quite different and I'm surprised which qualities or preferences have shown up then. This time there seems to be a collective urge (without even having talked about it) among all members to feature the more aggressive side of BLIND GUARDIAN this time.

"Right now, we are working on 5 faster songs. As far as I remember, last time I have mentioned 'Encrypted Time' and 'Holy Grail' (which are both proceeding well in the album production), so I am going tell you a little bit about 'Winter's Coming', 'Outcast' and 'Song 9'. The first one is based on Marcus' [Siepen, guitar] idea of a '90s-orientated speed/thrash song. We have finished a good two thirds of this one. It's fast and heavy, or was it heavy and fast? I have no idea how he came up with the title 'Winter's Coming' — how true, how true. 'Song 9' is a fresh one which used to be a collection of parts at first, but then developed into something very special. I would describe it as a refreshing combat between 'Guardian Of The Blind', 'The Script For My Requiem' and 'Ride Into Obsession', only disturbed by a fairly straightforward chorus. If you ask me, this one is born to become a 'classic, but first underrated by the band' song. My favorite among the fast ones certainly would be 'Outcast'. A song full of surprises. The old-school die hard fan will probably complain later that this one has a soft intro (epic and sad), but even this person would have to agree that afterwards we keep up the speed on this one to the very end. The song is a roller coaster ride through the last three decades of metal. I love it!

"As for the epic tracks, I love 'Irish Hills' the most. I have decided to entitle this 'Grand Parade' as 'Irish Hills' never really fit the song. Imagine a mixture of 'Wheel Of Time' and 'Nightfall' and you might be there. We have a beautiful orchestration for this. This one certainly demands a lot of time during production simply because there really is a massive amount of elements in it. Not as much as in 'And Then There Was Silence', but a lot…

"'Midtempo Song' is the most 'commercial' song on the album so far. 'Commercial' in a positive way, of course. It would deserve a title like 'Irish Hills' more than 'Grand Parade' did when it was called 'Irish Hills', but who said that life is always fair… To give justice to the song, I also have to say that it is very progressive but also very catchy. 'The Throne' is another epic piece we are working on. I have just started working on vocals for this one last Friday. It is too early for me to describe this one more precisely. What I can say is that this one is the perfect link between 'Grand Parade' and 'The Ocean'. This last one is already completely recorded except for the vocals. 'Prophecies' and 'Encrypted Time' are completely recorded and the same can be said about some older B-songs, which we have decided to finalize with this session as well. The BLIND GUARDIAN pundit knows about which songs I am talking.

"The songwriting period is almost finished by now and the final production session is going to start next week and will keep us busy until Geiselwind. As I think about that, I better stop thinking and start songwriting instead."

I AM I, the new band led by former DRAGONFORCE singer ZP Theart, will release a brand new single entitled "See You Again" on November 11 (distributed by Plastichead)

A founding member of DRAGONFORCE, Theart made four studio albums and a live record with the band and toured the world for a decade, eventually performing to audiences of up to 85,000 people. His time with the group also saw him nominated for a Grammy in 2009. After his departure from DRAGONFORCE in 2010, ZP worked tirelessly to put together his own group and, after catefully handpicking a set of expert musicians, the result was one of the most exciting new rock bands of 2012, I AM I. A promotional single entitled "Silent Genocide" in the summer was followed by the release of a debut album, "Event Horizon", in September 2012. Written and produced by ZP and Polish-born guitarist Jacob Ziemba and mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN), its stunning blend of melody-filled metal and riff-based rock topped off by ZP's soaring vocal performances completed a package that was acclaimed worldwide by critics and audiences alike.

Released shortly after their first festival performance at Bloodstock Open Air, I AM I supported the album with a set of U.K. dates. Tours with UGLY KID JOE and SKID ROW ensued, while the band also performed electric and acoustic sets at both Hard Rock Hell 2012 and Download 2013. Generating positive reactions wherever they have played, the band are an absolute must see live, while ZP performs honestly and effortlessly, epitomising everything a real rock front man should be.

Explains ZP: "'See You Again' is our take on something that's been missing from the rock scene for some considerable time now — a proper rock ballad.

"Releasing a ballad as a single is probably not what most people would expect from us, but that's exactly why we have gone ahead and done it!"

As for its subject matter: "Since the dawn of mankind, we have longed for a lost loved one once they left this consciousness, knowing after life we will all meet up again in some way. The intent of this song is to take the edge off the waiting game. You may be gone, but while I'm here I'll remember you, and when it's time, I will see you again."

With live dates currently being arranged for the autumn of 2013 and a spring 2014 tour, fans will soon have an opportunity to witness the lineup of I AM I, which has recently seen the former POWER QUEST duo of guitarist Andy Midgley and drummer Rich Smith join band mainstays ZP, guitarist Jacob Ziemba and bassist Neil Salmon to complete a formidable quintet.

I AM I is:

ZP Theart - VocalsJacob Ziemba - GuitarAndy Midgley - GuitarNeil Salmon – BassRich Smith - Drums

Norwegian hard rockers MALICE IN WONDERLAND have inked a deal with Crank Music Group. The band's long-awaited sophomore album, "The Royal Brigade", will be released on December 10. The CD was mixed by John Fryer (DEPECHE MODE, NINE INCH NAILS).

"We are thrilled about this new record and eager to get it out there," said MALICE IN WONDERLAND frontman Chris Wicked. "It`s been a long time since our debut. We also have a new lineup now so there were several things we had to sort out, but I'll tell you, we are extremely pleased with how things have been progressing lately. There is a whole new energy within in the group now! New music, new lineup and a new area for MALICE IN WONDERLAND in general. The new album is filled with catchy, killer tracks that we are positive will please both new and old fans. We can't wait to show people what we have been up to lately!"

The video for the song "Live For Today" can be seen below.

Danish extreme metallers ILLDISPOSED have announced the addition of drummer Kim Langkjaer Jensen (KOLDBORN, ex-DAWN OF DEMISE) to the group's ranks.

Says the band: "Many of you may already know Kim since he has been replacing [former ILLDISPOSED drummer] Thomas [Jensen] at most of our 2013 shows."

Drum-cam footage of Kim Langkjaer Jensen performing with ILLDISPOSED at this past summer's Summer Breeze festival in Germany can be seen below.

Jensen announced his departure from ILLDISPOSED on October 5. The band explained in a statement that Thomas "lost his motivation to go on."

ILLDISPOSED's latest album, "Sense The Darkness", entered the official chart in Denmark at position No. 78. Released on September 21, 2012 via Massacre Records, the CD was recorded at Antfarm Studio in Aabyhøj, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, GOREFEST, SICK OF IT ALL). The artwork was created by Mircea Gabriel Eftemie.

Legendary rock trio RUSH have unveiled details for their first new recording since being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame earlier this year. "Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour" will be released via Anthem/Roadrunner Records on November 19. Anthem/Zoe Vision/Rounder will simultaneously release the companion DVD.

A performance clip of the song "The Garden" — taken from "Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour" — can be seen below (courtesy of RollingStone.com). "Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour" was filmed and recorded last November at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, during RUSH's highly successful "Clockwork Angels" tour. The eleven 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 setlist 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 three 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 favourite "Limelight" round out the exclusive offerings.

"Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour" comes on the heels of Anthem/Atlantic's September 30 release of "Vapor Trails Remixed", a newly remixed version of the band's 2002 album "Vapor Trails" and 7-disc boxed set "The Studio Albums 1989-2007", which features every studio album RUSH recorded for Atlantic Records.

"Clockwork Angels Tour" track listing:

Set One:

01. Subdivisions02. The Big Money03. Force Ten04. Grand Designs05. The Body Electric06. Territories07. The Analog Kid08. Bravado09. Where's My Thing?/ Here It Is! (drum solo)10. Far Cry Set Two:

11. Caravan *12. Clockwork Angels *13. The Anarchist *14. Carnies *15. The Wreckers *16. Headlong Flight */ Drumbastica (drum solo)17. Peke's Repose (guitar solo)/ Halo Effect *18. Seven Cities of Gold *19. Wish Them Well *20. The Garden *21. Dreamline *22. The Percussor (I) Binary Love Theme (II) Steambanger's Ball (drum solo)23. Red Sector A *24. YYZ *25. The Spirit Of Radio Encore:

26. Tom Sawyer27. 2112 Bonus:

28. Limelight (soundcheck recording)29. Middletown Dreams30. The Pass31. Manhattan Project * * With the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble Special Features (Blu-ray/DVD only)

* Can't Stop Thinking Big (25-minute 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)

"Winds Will Rise", the new video from the Hungarian female-fronted symphonic metal band TALES OF EVENING, can be seen below. A Hungarian-language version of the song — "A Szél Feltámad" — was also made available as a foretaste of the band's second album that is already in the works for a spring 2014 release.

The first TALES OF EVENING release, "Hajléktalan Lélek" (Shelterless Soul), featuring ten powerful hymns, came out in September 2012 via Nail Records in Hungary. Two videos were made for the album that became a widespread success among fans of the melodic metal genre.

Formed in 2011, TALES OF EVENING has already supported well-known acts like SABATON, ELUVEITIE and LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY, among others.

In November 2013, they will be rocking at the Keep Wiseman Alive VII show with WISDOM, POWERWOLF and VISION DIVINE.

By introducing songs in English, TALES OF EVENING aims for the international market, trying to reach as many fans as possible with their new video and the next release.

TALES OF EVENING is:

Ivett Dudas: VocalsTamas Ribarics: GuitarsAndras Nemeth: BassAttila Adam: KeyboardsRobert Palosi: Drums

A backstage video of Justin Bieber performing an impromptu cover of METALLICA's "Fade To Black" can be seen below. The 15-second clip shows Bieber playing air guitar while he tries to recreate the guitar solo from the classic 1984 METALLICA track with his voice. Bieber is accompanied by his musical director Dan Kanter on guitar.

According to NME.com, Bieber previously revealed that he is a big fan of METALLICA, naming "Fade To Black" and 1988's "One" as two of his favorite METALLICA cuts. "Those are my jams," he told GQ last year.

METALLICA's manager Peter Mensch, who has certainly seen more than his share of childish behavior, told the U.K. tabloid The Sun earlier this year that he would "take Bieber to the woodshed and spank him."

Mensch was asked to comment on Bieber's recent bizarre behavior, who has reportedly seen the 19-year-old pop singer being caught speeding around his neighborhood and getting into altercations with neighbors.

The 60-year-old Mensch reportedly told The Sun that he has warned Bieber that his antics would ruin his career. "His manager Scooter Braun is scared shitless," said Mensch. "I don't know what Bieber's problem is. His career is over in three years anyway."

Progressive-rock supergroup TRANSATLANTIC — Roine Stolt (THE FLOWER KINGS), Pete Trewavas (MARILLION), Neal Morse (ex-SPOCK'S BEARD) and Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER), will release its fourth studio album, "Kaleidoscope", on January 27, 2014 via InsideOut Music.

The track listing for the CD is as follows: 01. Into The Blue02. Shine03. Black As The Sky04. Beyond The Sun05. Kaleidoscope TRANSATLANTIC will embark on a six-week world tour that will see them joined once again by PAIN OF SALVATION's Daniel Gildenlöw as a fifth touring member. As part of the extensive tour, the band will also headline the Progressive Nation At Sea 2014 cruise from February 18 until February 22 alongside 22 other leading prog acts, including ADRIAN BELEW POWER TRIO, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, KING'S X, ANATHEMA, SPOCK’S BEARD and many more. This unique performance will see the band performing a very special encore of classic YES material with the legendary Jon Anderson on vocals.

CRONIAN (formerly ION) — the Norwegian/Swedish avant-garde metal project featuring BORKNAGAR members Øystein G. Brun (guitars and programming) and Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund (vocals and programming) — will release its third album, "Erathems", on November 12 (four days earlier in Europe) via Season Of Mist's Underground Activists division.

"Erathems" track listing:

01. Cold Wave Eruption02. Ecocracy03. Drifting Station04. Moments And Monuments05. Blackwater Horizon06. Core Resiliency07. Chemical Dawn08. End(Durance) Part III09. Full Moon Inferno (bonus track on European digipak and digital editions)

The song "Chemical Dawn" can now be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

The cover artwork for the new CRONIAN album was created by the Brazilian visual artist Marcelo Vasco (SOULFLY, DIMMU BORGIR, BORKNAGAR, SATYRICON) and can be seen below.

"I am so excited and honoured to join forces with Season Of Mist for future albums with CRONIAN!", Øystein said back in May.

"We have just finished up the third album and I don't even slightly blush when arguing out loud that it is the very pinnacle of my fairly long musical career. Musically and production-wise, it almost feels like a leap up and into another division.

"Mr. V and I have been working intensely and fully isolated over the last six months with this bastard of an album and we firmly regard this as our most catchy, aggressive, atmospheric and darken flavoured effort to date.

"I am pretty sure this album will blow the socks off of all those who liked our previous releases, as well as fans of BORKNAGAR, VINTERSORG and likewise. So being able to work with one of the most credible, passionate and professional labels around makes my day — and make us proud! So excited to get this album out!"

Vintersorg added: "A new album has left our 'systems' and is now finding its path throughout the musical world. It has surely been a great journey to write, record and complete this third album in the CRONIAN chronicle. The music finally matches our vision is and it's been an intense period for me and Øystein to really get there. We're also very pleased to now enter the relationship with Season Of Mist to get this album out. Even if the music has been taking its path out of our bodies, it is still lingering in our minds… It's stuck… And it feels just great. We're so proud of this album and it's just a pleasure to be reminded all the time of what a trip this has been."

CRONIAN's second CD, "Enterprise", was released in October 2008 via Indie Recordings.

German alcoholic thrashers TANKARD are working on the follow-up to their acclaimed 2012 album "A Girl Called Cerveza". Entitled "R.I.B." (Rest In Beer), the CD will be released in the summer of 2014 via Nuclear Blast.

Taking inspiration from the motto "never change a winning team," TANKARD 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 helmed the band's last effort. TANKARD has also chosen to use Patrick Strogulski, who created the artwork for "A Girl Called Cerveza" and is also a student of Sebastian Krüger, the artist that was responsible for TANKARD's previous album artwork up to the 2012 release.

States TANKARD vocalist Andreas "Gerre" Geremia: "After the highest chart position in the band's history with 'A Girl Called Cerveza', we are looking forward to work again with Michael Mainx — to record the next thrash hammer! Currently we're working hard to finish the last few songs for the album and I can promise that this time the techno influences are greatly scaled back… Joking aside, if it’s called TANKARD, you will always get TANKARD — otherwise let yourself be surprised!"

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett was interviewed by the Brazilian news portal R7 when the band headlined the Rock In Rio festival in Rio De Janeiro on September 19. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked who he thinks will be the next generation of festival headliners, Hammett replied: "It's hard to say... MUSE, they're already headlining festivals. Maybe QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. It's hard to say. There haven't been a lot of really, really great bands that have shown that kind of promise, you know. I think it's a concern. Because of things like iTunes and streaming and social networking, it's destroyed music. It's destroyed the motivation to go out there and really make the best record possible. It's a shame."

METALLICA's Lars Ulrich has acknowledged in a new interview with U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine that the band's next studio album is unlikely to arrive before 2015 at the earliest. The drummer explained: "Obviously, there are a lot of people asking where the next record is. We're going to make another record, but like I said before, we don't really feel this kind of… what's the word? I guess 'responsibility' is probably the right word. We don't feel this inherent responsibility to just churn out records whenever people want them. [Adopts a sarcastic voice] 'I'm sorry! Let me slap myself on the wrists and go make a record for you!' We'll get 'round to it again."

Asked about a possible release date for METALLICA's next CD, Ulrich replied: "Actually, we know the date… no, we don't! If I was betting on this, I would say 2015 — that's where my money is. So if you think of the actual age of this planet, if it's been 75 billion years since dinosaurs walked the Earth or whatever, then one year is basically a blink of an eye, right?"

Ulrich also spoke about METALLICA's mindset going into the songwriting phase for the band's next album. He explained: "The only thing I can tell you is that there seems to be a consensus in the band that [2008's] 'Death Magnetic' was a really good record that we're proud of, that had good legs on it — meaning that it still sounds really rocking five years later. And I can tell you that with most of the previous METALLICA records, I found any faults, I had any issues with them way, way sooner than five years. So the stuff that we've been jamming on is certainly not a million miles removed from where we left off from 'Death Magnetic'. But two years from now, when I sit and talk to you about the new record, it'll probably be a different story from the six-year-old looking for the ice cream shop."

According to Lars, there is no shortage of ideas for METALLICA's next CD, with the guys having met up twice in the last six months to cook up some tasty riffs in the studio.

"We have more riffs than we know what to do with," Ulrich said. "We talked about setting up a special riff thing, where maybe we could share some of these riffs with others, like an eBay kind of thing for leftover riffs. Some of them are actually quite decent, but we won't be able to use all of them."

METALLICA has been touring for the past couple of years, in addition to launching two editions of its Orion Music + More festival and filming its new 3D IMAX movie, "Metallica Through The Never", which opened on September 27.

Meanwhile, Ulrich told a San Francisco radio station last month that the band has something coming up in December that will surprise fans, calling it "another frontier . . . which we're very excited about."