A PERFECT CIRCLE, the multi-platinum rock band helmed by Maynard James Keenan (TOOL, PUSCIFER) and Billy Howerdel (ASHES DIVIDE), has premiered its first new song in a decade, "By And Down" via Spin.com. "By And Down", which is included on the outfit's forthcoming greatest-hits release "Three Sixty", was written after A PERFECT CIRCLE returned from its self-imposed hiatus for a series of live performances throughout 2010 and 2011. "Three Sixty" will be released on November 19 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). "Billy and I created A PERFECT CIRCLE out of a now long-running friendship, and I think the music we have made reflects that personal connection and has given us the ability to further develop and trust our intuition," explained Keenan. "I feel 'Three Sixty' is an accurate representation of that friendship and those instincts."

In a brand new interview with RollingStone.com, Keenan stated about "Three Sixty": "Of course, record companies always have their little clause in their contract, about their right to release a greatest-hits record. I think that can be kind of weird sometimes, when you see 'the greatest hits,' no, no — 'the greatest greatest hits.' Releases by a record label that the band had nothing to do with, and there's several versions of the same thing, over and over again. That's kind of why we did the DVD and the box set. If you're going to release a greatest hits, we should also offer something that's not just the old recordings, rearranged. But on that greatest hits, there's going to be the studio version of 'By And Down', which is the new track that we've been working on, that we never quite got around to recording." A PERFECT CIRCLE formed in the late '90s with Keenan and Howerdel making up the core of the band with a number of well-known musicians having recorded and/or toured with the outfit, including James Iha (SMASHING PUMPKINS), Troy Van Leeuwen (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, FAILURE), Paz Lenchantin (ENTRANCE BAND, ZWAN), Jeordie White (MARILYN MANSON), Josh Freese (THE VANDALS, DEVO) and Tim Alexander (PRIMUS). A PERFECT CIRCLE also recently announced the release of a limited-edition box set titled "A Perfect Circle Live: Featuring Stone And Echo". The collection, which focuses on the band's live outings from 2010-2011 includes a full-length DVD of the outfit's August 2011 Red Rocks concert (with accompanying audio) as well as a 3-CD collection of live releases, one dedicated to each of the three studio albums from the band's discography. The collection is available on November 26. "Three Sixty" track listing: Standard Edition 01. The Hollow02. Judith03. Orestes04. 3 Libras05. Weak And Powerless06. The Noose07. The Outsider08. Blue09. When The Levee Breaks10. Imagine11. Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums12. Passive13. By And Down Deluxe Edition Disc 1

01. The Hollow02. Rose03. Judith04. Orestes05. 3 Libras06. The Package07. Weak And Powerless08. The Noose09. The Outsider10. Blue Disc 2

01. Imagine02. Passive03. People Are People (live)04. Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums05. When The Levee Breaks06. By And Down07. 3 Libras (live)08. Gravity (live)09. Fiddle And The Drum (live)

1984 saw the long-awaited reunion of the classic DEEP PURPLE Mark II lineup of Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice. It was the first time they had been together since 1973. They recorded a brand new studio album, "Perfect Strangers", and headed out on tour. The band's show in Melbourne, Australia was professionally filmed and is the only full-length concert recording of the band at this time.

The "Perfect Strangers Live" DVD — due out October 14 via Eagle Vision — is a stunning concert with the band in incendiary form. The setlist mixes then new tracks from the "Perfect Strangers" album with favourites from the early seventies culminating in the brilliant "Smoke On The Water" finale. This is without doubt one of the finest DEEP PURPLE concerts ever filmed and a must have for their legions of fans.

"Perfect Strangers Live" is 141 minutes long and features the following tracks:

01. Highway Star02. Nobody’s Home 03. Strange Kind Of Woman04. A Gypsy’s Kiss 05. Perfect Strangers 06. Under The Gun 07. Knocking At Your Back Door 08. Lazy (including Ian Paice drum solo) 09. Child In Time10. Difficult To Cure 11. Jon Lord Keyboard Solo 12. Space Truckin' (with Ritchie Blackmore guitar solo) 13. Black Night 14. Speed King 15. Smoke On The Water

Bonus feature: Tour documentary

A performance clip of the song "Knocking At Your Back Door" from "Perfect Strangers Live" can be seen below.

The official video for "No More Hell To Pay", the title track of the new album from Christian hard rockers STRYPER, can be seen below.

"No More Hell To Pay" will be released on November 5 in North America via Frontiers Records. The effort will be made available in two formats — standard CD and deluxe digipak featuring exclusive video content. Produced by Michael Sweet himself, the set features some of STRYPER's strongest and heaviest material ever.

Commented STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet, "'No More Hell To Pay' marks our 30-year anniversary and what a journey it has been! It's our eleventh studio release since our first album in 1984 ('The Yellow & The Black Attack') and it's quite possibly our best record to date. Why? It's everything you might expect from a STRYPER record — high-octane vocals, layered vocal harmonies, guitar solos galore, driving drums and bass and an energy that hasn't been achieved since our glory days. The message is equally as powerful as it offers hope and inspiration to anyone listening. If you're a STRYPER fan, it'll make you proud to be one. If you're not, listen with caution as you may actually become one.

"We've been waving the striped flag for 30 years and we're proud to say that it's an honor to still be making music with you and for you. The best is yet to come and it's coming November 5th!"

"No More Hell To Pay" includes STRYPER's cover version of "Jesus Is Just Alright", a gospel song written by Arthur Reid Reynolds. STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet said, "It rivals our cover of EARTH, WIND & FIRE's 'Shining Star' — riffs!"

"Jesus Is Just Alright" was first recorded by Reynolds' own group, THE ART REYNOLDS SINGERS, on their 1966 album, "Tellin' It Like It Is". It was later covered by THE BYRDS and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS.

"No More Hell To Pay" track listing:

01. Revelation02. No More Hell To Pay03. Saved By Love04. Jesus Is Just Alright05. The One06. Legacy07. Marching Into Battle08. Te Amo09. Sticks & Stones10. Water Into Wine11. Sympathy12. Renewed

Regarding the musical direction of STRYPER's new material, Michael Sweet told Screamer Magazine: "The song 'God', which is on 'The Covering'; if you took that song along with 'Bleeding From Inside Out' and 'Blackened' [from 'Second Coming'], and you put it on the same album, that's a pretty good indication of where we are going and where we are at right now. But at the same time this album is all its own."

He added: "Every song has a hooky guitar riff. Everything is in minor keys, so it's a little darker sounding and a little tougher. It's definitely our heaviest record and I think people will be pleasantly surprised.

"The people who do like the poppier side of STRYPER, like 'Calling On You' and 'Holding On', this record isn't going to really give them that. There are a lot of vocal hooks and melodies going on, but it's a little darker, and a little edgier. To reference, there is less songs like 'Calling On You' and more songs like 'To Hell With The Devil'. It's more in that vein than the poppier vein."

With founder and frontman Hugin due to celebrate 20 years in the black metal underground next year, Danish black metallers BLODARV are currently in the studio recording material for Flamekeeper, which is set to appear in the spring of 2014 in 7” vinyl format. This will be the first vinyl release from the band in ten years, and will come in two different versions, including a special Ceremonial Box set whose contents include some unique items handcrafted by Hugin himself during a specially held ceremony on the Island of Bornholm. The Flamekeeper 7” regular EP will be limited to 500 copies, and includes a lyric sheet. The Flamekeeper Ceremonial Box edition is strictly limited to only 50 units and given the very limited nature is already available to pre-order here.
Included in the Flamekeeper Ceremonial Box are the following:
Flamekeeper 7" EP in black vinyl with cover
An EP box with a special Blodarv cover design for storing all the objects included
23cm embroidered Back Patch
9 x 9 cm sticker
Photo sheet
Lyric sheet
Necklace crafted by Hugin out of goat bones from the island of Bornholm and hand numbered on the back
Black candle from the ceremony that was held during the crafting of the necklaces
Black jewellery bag for the necklace
Two-sided print guitar pick with Flamekeeper on one side and the Blodarv logo on the reverse

'

Commenting on Flamekeeper and his reason for handcrafting some of the contents of the Ceremonial Box, Hugin had this to say: “The new tracks on Flamekeeper are a salute to the power of the ancient flame - the fire that feeds us and the fire that eats us. It is about putting demons into art, protecting the old, and once again leading the listener into the dark demon-filled universe of Blodarv. But above all it is about creating great Black Metal and at the same time not just giving the fans music, but also giving them something unique and personal, much in the same way as it used to be in the early years of the Black Metal Underground. We have a strong connection to our fans and followers, that’s why I crafted fifty amulets out of the goat bones during a ceremony instead of one, and why I chose to put one in each of the limited box sets for the most diehard fans."

A teaser video of Hugin carving the necklaces can be seen below:
As well as Flamekeeper, 2014 will all so see Blodarv releasing a new full-length album, the first to feature the band’s new drummer Fjorgynn. More information about Blodarv can be found on the band’s Facebook page here.

Greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS will release their new album, "Divide And Conquer", on January 14, 2014 (one day earlier internationally) via NoiseArt Records. The effort will be made available as a limited digipak, vinyl LP in different colors and as a digital download.

Comments SUICIDAL ANGELS guitarist/vocalist Nick Melissourgos: "We recorded again in the Prophecy & Music Factory Studios and the mix and master this time was done by Fredrik Nordström (HAMMERFALL, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY) at Fredman Studios. We didn't know what to expect for the final result, but what we got is killer. He managed to combine the old-school feeling of our music with an up-to-date production of 2013. [It sounds] absolutely massive!"

The cover artwork for "Divide And Conquer" was created by another well-known name in the metal biz — legendary cover artist Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, DEATH and MUNICIPAL WASTE.

Adds Melissourgos: "If you notice, in the pit, it's not people fighting, it's zombies. Also the crowd isn't human, they are zombies. They are the souls of people who have no human feelings anymore. They represent the ugliness and the inhumanity of the humans. Thus turned into something else, they are easier to be conquered and manipulated."

The "Divide And Conquer" artwork is said to be the "perfect mirror" for the album's lyrics, because once again, SUICIDAL ANGELS isn't really interested in booze, boobs and slimy aliens, but instead likes to reflect on the everyday horror of our lives.

"The main subject is the contemporary situation that we all are living in," explains Melissourgos. "There is so much power in the hands of few who have the ability to do everything, but their only fear is everyday and common people. So the only, most direct and easiest solution is to mentally disease the population, in order to fight each other, in order to misjudge reality and not being able to tell what is important and what not. So, like this, without unity, it is easier to become a slave."

SUICIDAL ANGELS will embark on a European headlining tour in January and February 2014. Support on the trek will come from FUELED BY FIRE, LOST SOCIETY and EXARSIS.

"Divide And Conquer" track listing:

01. Marching Over Blood02. Seed Of Evil03. Divide And Conquer04. Control The Twisted Mind05. In The Grave06. Terror Is My Scream07. Pit Of Snakes08. Kneel To The Gun09. Lost Dignity10. White Wizard

BLACKFINGER, the band featuring former TROUBLE vocalist Eric Wagner, has announced the addition of Chicago bassist Willie Max to the group's ranks. Willie, a member of long-running Chicago metal outfit SHADOZ EDGE, as well as SPILLAGE (featuring EARTHEN GRAVE's Tony Spillman), replaces Ben Smith, who has moved on to pursue other musical interests.

BLACKFINGER recently signed a worldwide deal with Germany's Church Within Records. The group's self-titled debut album will be released on CD and vinyl by the end of the year. A full tour in the support of the effort is in the works.

A new BLACKFINGER promo video from Kathy Reeves Productions can be seen below.

As previously reported, Dark Star Records will handle the digital release of the BLACKFINGER debut. The CD, with its many peaks and valleys of heaviness and melancholy, along with Wagner's signature vocals, will mark the singer's first recorded output since TROUBLE's 2007 release, "Simple Mind Condition".

In a recent interview with Metal Assault, Wagner stated about the BLACKFINGER LP, " It hasn't been an easy record to do. There were a lot of things that detoured me from working on it, personal things and stuff. I don't know. I get sick of hearing it and I have to take a break from it."

He continued: "I've been working on it for four, five years. There was the original lineup, which is different from today's lineup, I blew that one up because it wasn't working and I went back to writing and recording.

"In the past, we had a producer there, so all I had to do was concentrate on singing and writing lyrics, whereas with this one, I had to do everything. I had an engineer that would give me tones and sounds, but as far as recording, writing and arranging it, I had to be there. Sometimes I got a little sick of it. I had to walk away for a while.

"I'm really proud of it. It's heavy, it's dark. Heavier than I thought it would be, actually. It's definitely an album where you sit down and listen to the whole thing."

"Blackfinger" track listing:

01. I Am Jon02. Yellowood03. Why God04. On Tuesday Morning05. As Long As I'm With You06. Here Comes The Rain07. My Many Colored Days08. For One More Day09. All The Leaves Are Brown10. Til Death Do Us Part11. Keep Fallin' Down

The "tour edition" of "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies", the fifth studio album from Danish/American metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT, will be released on November 4.

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.

Weathermaker Music, the label owned and operated by Maryland rockers CLUTCH (distributed by RED) has announced the signing of the Washington D.C. quartet LIONIZE.

This is a big step for both the label and LIONIZE as they join forces to release the band's fifth album. The CD was jointly produced by CLUTCH drummer Jean-Paul Gaster and Machine at the Machine Shop and is set for release in the first quarter of 2014.

LIONIZE is the first independent artist to sign with Weathermaker Music, a label that has, up until now, served as the exclusive platform for all things CLUTCH and individual bandmember-related side projects.

"The chemistry is there," says Nate Bergman, LIONIZE's vocalist. "We all know each other very well from being on the road together many times. This is a tremendous opportunity for LIONIZE and we appreciate all the support we are getting." A video clip that features Jean-Paul Gaster and Machine as they speak about the recording and production process for the new LIONIZE album can be seen below. LIONIZE will hit the road this month and will debut songs from the new album as well as play LIONIZE favorites.

Southern California quartet EXMORTUS — whose invigorating twin-guitar mix of neoclassical shred, Bay Area thrash, progressive death and traditional heavy metal has earned the group a devoted following in the Western U.S. — has signed a worldwide contract with Prosthetic Records. The group's third album will be released in February 2014 to coincide with the band's North American tour with DARK TRANQUILLITY and OMNIUM GATHERUM. Prior to that, EXMORTUS will team with San Francisco thrashers HATCHET for the "Death Upon The West" tour, which kicks off in Fullerton, California on November 2.

"We're very excited and proud to announce our signing with Prosthetic Records," the band says in a statement. "The staff there is great and very enthusiastic. They've signed so many great bands over the years and continue to do so, some in which have even given us some influence. Being fans of the label and their artists, it just feels like a perfect fit. We can't for wait Prosthetic to put this next record out!" Co-founded a decade ago by then-teenage cousins Conan (vocals/guitar) and Mario Moreno (drums), EXMORTUS released several demos and EPs independently 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.

Christian metallers TOURNIQUET have issued the following announcement:
"Legendary guitar genius Phil Keaggy is set to play a lead on Onward To Freedom! Where do we even start with Phil? He has released more than 50 albums and contributed to many more recordings in both the contemporary Christian music and mainstream markets. He is a seven-time recipient of the GMA Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year, and was twice nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album. He has frequently been listed as one of the world's top-three 'finger-style', as well as finger-picking guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine readers' polls. Above all, his humility is always evident: 'I can’t read a note,' he says. 'I can’t even read tablature; but I can read my fretboard. I can close my eyes and play by faith, and not by sight.'

Haha - now that's rock n roll!

Just a friendly reminder: none of this awesomeness will happen if the album isn't funded... we're getting there though - thanks! You can back the project here."

In a recent interview with Metal Meltdown, Tourniquet drummer Ted Kirkpatrick discussed, among other things, working with MARTY FRIEDMAN on the band's new album, Antiseptic Bloodbath (Pathogenic Records).
"Marty is a friend of mine. He's an incredibly talented guitarist. You could count on, in my opinion, two hands the guitarists out there that can play like three notes, and it's like, 'Oh my gosh, that's Marty Friedman. I know who that is.' There's Robin Trauer - would be another one like that. You hear Eddie Van Halen play a few notes like, 'Ah - I know who that is.' Marty's one of those guys, but he's a very humble, good friend of mine."

Listen to the interview at this location. More on Tourniquet here.

TRAUMA was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1980 as one of the first of the New Wave Of Bay Area metal bands. The group's original lineup included Michael Overton on guitar, George Lady on guitar, Dennis Shafer on drums, Cliff Burton (METALLICA) on bass, and Donny Hillier on vocals.

TRAUMA quickly became well known throughout the California Bay Area and beyond, playing legendary venues like The Stone, Bill Graham's Wolfgang's, Whisky A Go Go, and The Troubadour. The first track TRAUMA ever recorded, "Such a Shame", was included on Metal Blade Records' "Metal Massacre II" compilation in 1982.

After Burton's departure to join METALLICA, the band changed personnel and musicians Kris Gustofson (drums), Ross Alexander Merson (guitar) and Lucas Advincula (bass) joined Michael Overton and Donny Hillier in their new lineup. In 1984, TRAUMA recorded the "Scratch And Scream" album for Shrapnel Records. The LP received many excellent reviews from primarily American and European heavy metal magazines such as Kerrang!, Circus and Metal Forces, to name a few.

The "Scratch And Scream" album, unavailable before on a legitimate CD issue, has long been considered a hard-to-obtain, classic heavy metal record.

Due on October 22, the "Scratch And Scream" reissue was remastered from the original master tapes and includes bonus tracks that feature the gone-but-never-forgotten bassist.

Earlier this year, the album received a retro recommendation by About.com/Metal.

After a lengthy hiatus, TRAUMA recently reformed. Donny Hillier, Kris Gustofson and Lucas Advincula have been joined by guitarist Kurt Fry, a veteran songwriter and recording/touring artist.

TRAUMA has played recent shows in San Francisco and Oakland and is planning to tour.

The band is currently in the studio, putting the finishing touches on its new album. The sound is unmistakably hard and heavy.

"Scratch And Scream" reissue track listing:

01. The Day All Hell Broke Loose02. Bringin' The House Down 03. I Kill For Less04. Scratch And Scream05. The Warlock06. Lay Low 07. In The End 08. We Are Watching You09. The Flight Of The Raven

Bonus tracks:

10. Such A Shame 11. We're Going Off12. Woman Be Gone

A special event for Burton was held on February 10 — on what would have been Cliff's 51st birthday — at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall in San Francisco, California. For the first time in decades, TRAUMA actually performed never-heard-before songs written by Cliff himself. Also appearing on the bill were HELLFIRE and DAMAGE INC.

Video footage of TRAUMA's concert can be seen below (courtesy of Capital Chaos TV). Also available is an interview with the band.

TRAUMA's music was comparable to that of IRON MAIDEN and MONTROSE with faster tempos, which can be heard in the tracks "The Day All Hell Broke Loose" and "Lay Low" from their debut album.

TRAUMA drummer Kris Gustofson went on to play in numerous other bands, most notably ST. ELMO'S FIRE.

TRAUMA guitarist Michael Overton was interviewed for the 2009 book "To Live Is To Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica's Cliff Burton", written by U.K.-based author Joel McIver and published by Jawbone Press.

Burton, best known as a heavy metal bass player who made use of distortion and special effects, was killed in an accident on September 27, 1986 at the age of 24, four years after joining METALLICA. It was Burton's early influence that helped create METALLICA's unique musical style for which the band has become famous.

Former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum married his longtime girlfriend Adriane "Ace" Harper yesterday (Saturday, October 12) in Palm Springs, California. Glenn Hughes (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) performed a song with a string quartet at the event, which was attended by Steven Tyler (AEROSMITH), Juliette Lewis, John Varvatos, Jane Lynch, John Stamos, Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION) and Sorum's former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER bandmates Slash and Duff McKagan, reports Us Weekly.

Sorum was born Matthew William Sorum (Norwegian spelling Srum), on November 19, 1960, in the present-day city of Mission Viejo, California. His parents were of English and Norwegian descent.

Matt and Ace, who got engaged in December 2011 after seven years of dating, collaborated on DIAMOND BABY, an electro-rock group whose debut single, "The Last Rockstar", arrived in August 2011. The accompanying music video featured guest appearances by "Glee" star Jane Lynch, iconic actress Juliette Lewis, Verne Troyer, and MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister.

Sorum helped raise more than $275,000 at his Peace Through Music benefit gala, which took place September 15 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles. He partnered with philanthropist and South Asian rock star Shehzad Roy to raise funds for both the improvement of public education and for the arts in underprivileged schools around the world.

Audio samples of all the songs that will appear on MOTÖRHEAD's 21st studio album, "Aftershock", are available for streaming on the web site of the German music retailer JPC.de.

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

Due in North America on October 22, "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.

Guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (POSSESSED, DIABOLIC, UNHOLY GHOST) has joined forces with bassist Kelly Conlon (DEATH, MONSTROSITY, VITAL REMAINS) and drummer Paul Collier (ANGELCORPSE) to reform PESSIMIST. "We are excited to have Kelly [Conlon] onboard with us once again," says PESSIMIST founding member McLauchlin. "Kelly most recently toured with us during our East Coast U.S. dates in 2008, including New England Deathfest, Hostile City Deathfest, and European tour in 2009. "I toured with Paul while playing in ANGELCORPSE 'Lightning Death Descends' West Coast tour in 2008. Paul is a world-class drummer and we are excited to incorporate his playing style into the PESSIMIST sound. "Also returning to the PESSIMIST lineup is guitarist William Hayden, from our 'Slaughtering The Faithful' CD — and we will be joined by a new vocalist, Ivan 'The Evil One' of BLACK MASS." PESSIMIST released three CDs on Lost Disciple Records: "Cult Of The Initiated" (1997); "Blood For The Gods" (1999); and "Slaughtering The Faithful" (2001), which was produced by Erik Rutan (MORBID ANGEL, HATE ETERNAL, CANNIBAL CORPSE). PESSIMIST's latest CD, "Evolution Unto Evil", came out in 2009 on Pathos Productions/Deathgasm Records, and features previously unreleased demo tracks as well as tributes to DEATH, KREATOR, POSSESSED and MEGADETH. PESSIMIST is currently recording demo tracks for a new full-length album, tentatively titled "Keys To The Underworld". The effort will be released online through iTunes and Amazon.com, and there are plans for a limited-edition CD release.

The Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE kicked off its European tour last night (Saturday, October 12) at O2 Academy in London, United Kingdom. Fan-filmed video footage of the show 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. Warning08. X2 09. Where Dreams Go To Die 10. The Needle Lies 11. Prophecy 12. My Empty Room 13. Eyes Of A Stranger

Encore:

14. Fallout15. Take Hold Of The Flame 16. Jet City Woman 17. Silent Lucidity 18. Empire

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.

Blood Harvest has announced November 8th as the international release date for NECROVEN's Descent Into The Cryptic Chasm 7" EP. The sole work of Jonathan Reina, Necroven was formed in Spain during the summer of 2011. Created with the desire to play the most putrid and heaviest death metal, influenced by the wicked sounds and without regrets, Necroven lives to spread terror and pestilence through his music.

Thus far, Necroven has released two demo tapes - Perpetual Scorn and Hidden Blasphemies, both in 2011 - and a full-length entitled Worship Of Humiliation, in 2012, all building a sick 'n' solid reputation for Reina in the international underground. Now, Necroven continues that onward 'n' downward onslaught with the brand-new Descent Into The Cryptic Chasm 7". Featuring two new songs exclusive to this EP, Descent Into The Cryptic Chasm sounds very much like its title: twisting and throbbing, forever churning and always grinding, seemingly from the darkest depths, classic death metal sickness by the very definition.

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

‘Descent Into The Cryptic Chasm’
‘Weapons Of Degration’

Check out a teaser below:


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Swedish death metal band BLOOD OF SERPENTS have signed with Eternal Sound Records for a 2014 full-length debut release. The album will be produced by MARDUK drummer Lars Broddesson. More info about the album will be available soon.

The bans says about the full-length debut: “We have been working hard for a long time with the songs that will end up on this album, and we are very excited about the direction the band is taking,

The new songs sound and feels the way we always wanted the band to be like, and the previous EPs was the path to make that happen. We can honestly say that we have never sounded better, faster, heavier and darker, and we can´t wait for you the hear it!”

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