Filmmakers Bruno Amstutz and Lukas Ruettimann have released a teaser for the upcoming documentary about the reunited Swiss metal band CORONER. Due next year, the film will feature interviews with Tom G. Warrior and Martin Ain (CELTIC FROST), Max Cavalera (SEPULTURA, SOULFLY), Franz Treichler (YOUNG GODS), Chris von Rohr (KROKUS), Chris Glanzmann (ELUVEITIE), Stephan Eicher and more.

Originally part of the road crew for fellow countrymen CELTIC FROST, CORONER went on to become one of the most progressive extreme metal acts of the Eighties. The connection between the Zurich band and CELTIC FROST was so strong, in fact, that CELTIC FROST frontman Tom G. Warrior offered to handle vocals for the emerging band's demo. Warrior and CORONER entered Switzerland's Magnetix studio on October 10, 1985, and nine days later they walked out with the impressive four-song 1986 release, "Death Cult". While subsequent bootlegged CDs included the bonus tracks of "Arrogance in Uniform" and "Hate, Fire, Blood", the original four-track demo consisted of the following tracks: "Spectators of Sin", "Spiral Dream", "Aerial Combat" and "The Invincible". (Only "Spiral Dream" would make it onto CORONER's 1987 debut LP, "R.I.P.")

According to The BNR Metal Pages, CORONER "progressed from the raw speed of 'R.I.P.' to the more laidback style of 'Grin', releasing five albums (not counting the semi-compilation 'Coroner' album) that are all different and yet all are undeniably related, and undeniably CORONER. The band called it a day in 1994, actually before the release of 'Coroner', with Marky Edelmann joining APOLLYON SUN and Tommy T. Baron going to KREATOR, though neither is still with those bands."

On September 27, Dutch symphonic rockers WITHIN TEMPTATION will release the "Paradise (What About Us?)" EP and promotional video, featuring a unique collaboration with classically trained Finnish rock diva, former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen, guesting on the title track.

Comments WITHIN TEMPTATION frontwoman Sharon Den Adel: "When we had written the first version of 'Paradise' and listened back to the demo we'd recorded and the epic power of the song, we thought of Tarja instantly. How well this track would fit her classical voice and how extra special it would be if we sang it together. The more we thought about this wild idea, the more excited we got about it!"

Following several video trailers teasing the track, fans have been speculating on the band's Facebook page who the duet would be with, some guessing it couldn't possibly be a "competing" artist like Tarja. However, the two singers had no hesitation joining forces, having never thought of themselves as competitors. Sharon continues: "Of course I didn't know what to expect from Tarja, as we'd never actually met in person 'till June this year. Our first encounter was via a Skype call we'd set-up to discuss the collaboration and we immediately clicked, not only creatively but personally. After we'd spoken, it felt completely natural that we would do this together!"

Tarja adds: "It was very nice to finally meet Sharon and the WITHIN TEMPTATION guys. I truly appreciate the invitation and the opportunity to work with them on their song 'Paradise'. So wonderful that they thought of me! I hope our fans will like this 'girl power' duet!"

The song and accompanying music video share a central theme; that only constructive cooperation can lead to creation. To establish a new paradise, rising from the ashes of the old, we must work together.

For the first time, WITHIN TEMPTATION has also decided to give fans a very intimate insight into how they capture their song ideas early on. The EP will contain three additional tracks — demo versions of brand new songs intended for the forthcoming album. The demos include "Let Us Burn", "Silver Moonlight" and "Dog Days". Despite the demo versions missing intended symphonic, orchestral sounds and a finished mix, the powerful energy surging through the tracks can be heard right from the start.

The duet between Sharon and Tarja is just one facet of the new material. WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt reveals: "For the first time, WITHIN TEMPTATION will release an album with several artistic collaborations, some of which will be seen as groundbreaking for our band and musical style."

Consequently, the recording and production of the sixth studio album is still underway. With a release date set for end of January 2014, it is therefore necessary to reschedule the previously announced first leg of the band's worldwide tour to allow time to rehearse the live show and prepare for the album's release.

The band's world tour will now begin on February 26, 2014 in Helsinki, with some newly added Eastern European dates, announced today, which will go on sale on Friday, September 20. The rescheduled shows will kick off on April 6 in Munich and run through to May 2 in Amsterdam. The band intends to add further overseas dates during the remainder of 2014.

Robert says: "We understand that the rescheduled tour dates are a blow for the many fans who have bought tickets early and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. We hope they feel a little compensated by the release of our new, special priced four-song EP, which gives them full insight into the kind of album we are working on. To make up for the rescheduled dates, we're now pressured to work even harder to deliver our best and most impressive live production ever on the upcoming tour. However, the completion of a great new album is a prerequisite for that! And therefore the only option was to reschedule the dates for Western Europe."

Tickets that have been purchased already will remain valid for the rescheduled dates.

Pre-order of the digital EP starts today, September 13.

"Paradise (What About Us?)" track listing:

01. Paradise (What About Us?) (feat. Tarja Turunen)02. Let Us Burn (demo version)03. Silver Moonlight (demo version)04. Dog Days (demo version)

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx has dismissed as "absolutely not true" Sebastian Bach's claim that the former SKID ROW singer was once asked to replace Vince Neil in MÖTLEY CRÜE.

Neil was fired from MÖTLEY CRÜE in 1992 due to personal differences and was replaced by John Corabi. With Corabi on vocals, MÖTLEY CRÜE released one critically acclaimed full-length CD, which ended up being a commercial failure in the wake of grunge despite a Top-Ten placing on the album chart.

Asked by a fan on Twitter if he was ever considered to replace Vince in MÖTLEY CRÜE, Bach replied that he was not just "considered" but that he was actually "asked" by CRÜE if he wanted to join the band as its new lead singer. He then added that the story of how close he came to becoming a member of MÖTLEY CRÜE might be included in his upcoming autobiography, which he is currently working on and for which he recently revealed that he had "a big offer from a big book company."

When another fan pressed Bach on why the singer turned down the offer to join MÖTLEY CRÜE, Bach replied: "The short answer is that I actually thought at the time this band SKID ROW was better." Sebastian then added, "Gee, I sure know how to pick 'em."

Speaking on a recent edition of his "Sixx Sense" radio show, Sixx addressed Bach's comments, telling his listeners (hear audio below): "I read something online. It's not true, and I wanna talk about it a little bit.

"Sebastian Bach, who was the lead singer from SKID ROW — and I still think he should still be in SKID ROW, and I've talked to all of them about that many times; they just can't along — he says that MÖTLEY CRÜE wanted him to replace Vince Neil. And I'm just gonna say right now that is absolutely not true.

"At the time that Vince left MÖTLEY CRÜE in 1990… '89… '90.. somewhere in there… '91… [Sebastian] was in SKID ROW and SKID ROW was on top of the world. And [Dave] Snake [Sabo], their guitar player, was one of my very best friends. So I think I would remember that.

"I don't know where Sebastian got this. I think maybe Sebastian wanted to be in MÖTLEY CRÜE and just forgot to tell us that he wanted to be in MÖTLEY CRÜE when we were looking for a singer. Which I don't think we would have taken him anyway, just because of our friends from SKID ROW."

Asked by his "Sixx Sense" co-host Kerri Kasem if it's possible that one of the other members of MÖTLEY CRÜE may have drunkenly told Bach at a bar somewhere that Sebastian "should be" the new lead singer of MÖTLEY CRÜE, Sixx replied: "We were all sober at the time. That was part of the problem — that Vince wasn't sober and we all were. And that's kind of part of what the big blowup [with Vince] was all about.

"In the end, we should have worked through our differences — MÖTLEY CRÜE should have, with Vince, and been where we are today — but we didn't. We were young, and we didn't have managers at the time who were strong enough to say, 'Hey, guys, this is the wrong thing to do.' But Sebastian Bach was never part of this master plan, that's for sure. So I want people to know that."

Having completed a triumphant run on this summer's Vans Warped Tour, CHIODOS has entered the recording studio this week to begin work on its new album. The band has chosen producer David Bottrill (TOOL, MUSE, STONE SOUR) to helm the new record, which will be tracked at Dreamland Studio in Woodstock, New York.

The new CHIODOS album will be released in 2014 through a newly created band label imprint via Razor & Tie. The CD will feature a re-solidified band lineup comprised of founding members Bradley Bell (keyboards, vocals), Pat Mcmanaman (guitar), Derrick Frost (drums), and Matt Goddard (bass) who reunited with charismatic founding frontman Craig Owens (vocals). The album will also serve as an introduction to the band's newest member, Thomas Erak (guitar, vocals), formerly of THE FALL OF TROY.

Comments Owens: "We're excited to be working with Dave Bottrill on this new CHIODOS record. Some of the records he's done have influenced the band and helped us define what we've become. MUSE, TOOL and SILVERCHAIR are all at the top of our list, and it's amazing to be working with someone that's already been a part of our history, indirectly. So for the next two months, we'll be hiding out in the woods of upstate New York, in a hollowed out church-turned-studio, creating what is to be the next chapter of this crazy CHIODOS journey."

Adds Bell: "One of my favorite aspects of being a musician is the experience that comes along with going into the studio. It's one of those things you can't really plan for and just have to let the music and relationships take you down their paths organically. To be able to do this with this group of guys is going to be very exciting, and we get the pleasure of working with David Bottrill to top it off, whom I've been a fan of for years."

States Erak: "I personally am excited to start my journey with the band, in regards to songwriting. This album should give me a new area to peruse in terms of guitar work."

Las Vegas metallers FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH have unleashed a game-play video for their new single, "Battle Born". The action-packed clip, which was created by Machinima director Jackfrags and based on the popular "Battlefield 4" video game, can be seen bleow.

"The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 2", the second half of a two-record set, is due to arrive on November 19 via via Prospect Park in North America and Eleven Seven in all other territories.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH frontman Ivan Moody explains the meaning behind "Battle Born": "After getting off the road from two years of touring, I was physically and emotionally drained. It felt like I’d seen almost every inch of the globe and shook every hand there was to shake. I completely lost track of time, the flights, the travel, the shows all seemed to blur together. My family and friends became a distant memory. Even though I was doing what I'd dreamed of doing, it took all the energy that I had… it was exhausting. That made me realize, everything worth fighting for you will actually HAVE TO fight for. Every wish, every dream, every idea comes to existence only through blood, sweat and sacrifice… We are all battle born."

"The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 2" track listing:

01. Here To Die02. Weight Beneath My Sin03. Wrecking Ball04. Battle Born05. Cradle To the Grave06. Matter Of Time07. The Agony Of Regret08. Cold09. Let This Go10. My Heart Lied11. A Day In My Life12. House Of The Rising Sun

Even though the band recorded two albums worth of material this time around, singer Ivan Moody told The Pulse Of Radio he's not a fan of working in the studio. "No, I don't spend a lot of time in the studio, man," he said. "I truly don't. I'll be in there when I have to. I hate the containment, I can't stand the schedule crap. The monotony drives me frickin' crazy, you know, 'Do it again, do it again, let's try that again,' and it's just, it's so frustrating to me. Sitting in the booth and feeling like, basically it's just a cold, dead coffin, and a lot of the time people want to know why my lyrics are so angry — that has a lot to do with it."

The first half of "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell" came out on July 30 and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard album chart, selling 113,000 copies in its first week of release.

The first single from "Volume 1", "Lift Me Up", featured JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford and hit the top of the rock radio chart.

"Volume 1" has sold more than 224,000 copies to date. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's three previous albums have all gone gold for sales of 500,000 copies or more.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will kick off a North American fall tour at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California on September 15.

The classic lineup of U.K. death metallers CANCER — John Walker (guitar, vocals), Carl Stokes, Ian Buchanan (bass) and Barry Savage (lead guitar) — will reform to promote their first three albums which are being re-released by Cyclone Empire Records later this year. The band plans to make a number of festival appearances during which they will play songs from these first three albums only.

CANCER in 2005 released a "comeback" studio album, entitled "Spirit In Flames", on the Copro label. The group's first full-length studio album (fifth overall) since 1995's "Black Faith" was recorded over a three-week period at Philia studios in Henley on Thames, England. An EP, entitled "Corporation$", preceded the "Spirit In Flames" CD and was also released through Copro. Included on the effort was the group's cover version of the CELTIC FROST classic "Dethroned Emperor".

CANCER's most recent lineup included Stokes, Walker, bassist Adam Richardson, and guitarist Dave Leitch (PULVERISED). Leitch replaced Rob Engvikson in 2004 after Rob left the group to focus on his long-running ASATRU project.

CANCER split up in 2006 "due to the lack of comitment to the band from John Walker," according to a statement released at the time by Carl Stokes.

The second trailer for "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart", the new album from Brazilian/American metallers SEPULTURA, can be seen 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."

Asked about SEPULTURA's decision to include a bonus track covering DEATH's "Zombie Ritual", Kisser said: "Without DEATH, there wouldn't be a SEPULTURA — especially in the beginning. The very early albums — like 'Morbid Visions' and 'Schizophrenia' — there's a lot of influence from Chuck Schuldiner and his riffs. You can hear that very clearly in our early music. And we never really had the opportunity or idea to play that. We really play our idols, like BLACK SABBATH or MOTÖRHEAD and some Brazilian stuff, but because we covered so many different bands, I think it was time for this tribute to this great band."

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

The reunion between SEPULTURA and Robinson was first suggested by Monte Conner, the former Roadrunner Records A&R chief who is now the head of Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a U.S. partnership with Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger.

Robinson produced SEPULTURA's classic "Roots" album in 1995. Released in February 1996 by Roadrunner, it was the band's last studio album to feature founding member and vocalist Max Cavalera.

Tennille Secomb of Australia's Heavy magazine recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On the artwork for BEHEMOTH's new album, "The Satanist", which will contain Nergal's own blood blended into a painting by Russian symbolist painter Denis Forkas to give it "a more organic feel":

Nergal: "I wanted to incorporate some of my DNA into the art. This album seems to be so defining of who we are now as people and as individuals, and considering all the instances in recent years, [we wanted] to make it more 'ours' than it is usually.

"[The cover is] very arty; it's very artistic and it really has no heavy metal clichés in it. Expect something very special and spectacular, and deeper than all of the other products that are in the market."

On producer Colin Richardson quitting "The Satanist" mixing process afer four weeks following creative differences and being replaced by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED, CHILDREN OF BODOM):

Nergal: "We just couldn't agree [with Colin] on certain concepts and visions of what the record should sound like. [Colin] did a great job actually — but Matt was always supposed to be the main mixing guy for the record. Within a week or two weeks with Matt, I had the whole record mixed and believe me, it's the best-sounding BEHEMOTH record for sure. It's very organic, it's very different — I love it."

On being diagnosed with and overcoming leukaemia in 2010:

Nergal: "I have always been ahead of others, so to speak. I'm very much into hard work and being motivated, and I'm more than ever like that. It's the conscience that life is just a temporary thing — it has taught me to appreciate life more than anything else, you know. I am a fucking life-worshipping motherfucker.

"All of the so-called negatives that have happened in my life recently — I turn them into positives and advantages. This album pretty much just wrote itself [because] we just went with what naturally came out from our systems — we clean out all the filth and dirt, and it just materializes in song structures. Usually we try to force ourselves to cross certain boundaries and certain limitations. But unlike all the other albums, with 'The Satanist', we stopped doing that."

On "The Satanist" album title:

Nergal: "One of the reasons I thought it was the perfect title for a BEHEMOTH record is because I am tired of talking. It's more than enough what you see and what you hear, really. Let people contemplate and come up with their own interpretations. Fuck your brain a bit and stimulate it."

Read the entire interview at Heavy magazine.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, QUEEN guitarist Brian May has revealed that there seems to be enough material for a second posthumous QUEEN/Freddie Mercury collection. In 1995, May, Roger Taylor, and retired bassist John Deacon overdubbed Mercury's final piano and vocal recordings to create the band's 15th — and final-four man QUEEN album — "Made In Heaven". In addition to some of Mercury's 1983 demos with Michael Jackson, other "lost" Mercury tracks in the QUEEN vaults include collaborations with David Bowie, Andy Gibb, and Rod Stewart. May was quoted by Vintage Vinyl News as saying, "We thought we'd exhausted everything that was around and could be worked on, but since then a number of things have come to light from various sources that we'd just plain forgotten about, including the stuff with Freddie and Michael Jackson. Just a couple of weeks ago, we thought: Maybe we shouldn't be just working on bits and pieces? Maybe we should be heading towards an album? It just might be."

Shortly before his death, Freddie Mercury explained that the variety of having multiple songwriters is what made QUEEN's albums so interesting. "I think this is one of the few groups that all four members write," he said. "In a funny way, when we do a QUEEN album, they're like four solo projects within themselves anyway; 'cause, I mean, I have my bunch of songs, Brian has his, Roger, and John. . . And so, it's like four little solo projects working side by side and them we put them all together. So, I think that is the reason that we didn't go and do solo projects earlier on. If we were writing all the same kind of songs, then we would've gotten fed up and said, 'Oh, I want to do my solo album first.' But we all are writing different songs, so it keeps us interested."

The Pulse Of Radio asked Brian May what he thinks QUEEN's legions of fans feel about his and Roger Taylor's efforts to keep the band's legacy alive. "They probably see some genuine effort on our part and some probably [laughs] some genuine inspiration. Whatever else you might say about QUEEN, we were just totally dedicated to our audience."

SHADOW GALLERY's performance at this year's edition of the ProgPower Europe festival — which is scheduled to take place October 4-6 at JC Sjiwa in Baarlo, Netherlands — will be professionally filmed by eight cameras for a future DVD release.

Comment the festival organizers: "We are extremely excited about a new milestone in the history of ProgPower Europe. The performance of SHADOW GALLERY on Friday evening October 4 will be recorded. The show will be filmed by eight cameras with the intention to officially release as a DVD some day in the future.

"To make this all happen, some improvements have been made inside the venue JC Sjiwa. We will rent stage barriers to give two cameramen enough space between the stage and the crowd. Different sizes of drum and keyboard risers will be rented as well, to make it visually attractive. Our own sound guy Niels, who is also the permanent sound guy of Dutch band DEWOLFF, will take care of the sound. He invited the permanent light engineer of DEWOLFF to take care of the lights during this show.

"As you can see, we try to do everything possible to make this an evening we will never forget, with hopefully an official DVD release someday in the near future."

Adds SHADOW GALLERY's Gary Wehrkamp: "The band captured some of our last tour, and will do the same again at ProgPower Europe so we can share the show.

"Our setlist has a changed a bit and we are excited to throw in some new songs, including some exclusive tunes for ProgPower Europe.

"Join the party and come out to the show. Maybe you will be in the video!"

For more information on ProgPower Europe, visit ProgPowerEurope.com.

SHADOW GALLERY's sixth studio effort, "Digital Ghosts", was released on October 26, 2009 in Europe and November 3, 2009 in North America via InsideOut Music.

After the tragic passing of lead singer Mike Baker in October 2008, SHADOW GALLERY's latest CD introduced new vocalist Brian Ashland and not only saw the entire band once again sharing additional vocal duties, but also featured guest vocal appearances by Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR) and Clay Barton (SUSPYRE) to complement the release.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD singer M. Shadows claims that he isn't bothered by MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn's criticism of AVENGED SEVENFOLD's new album, telling a radio station in Canada that "everyone should be entitled to say whatever they want."

In a lengthy critique of "Hail To The King" at MACHINE HEAD's Facebook page, Flynn wrote that the new AVENGED disc is a "blatant jackery" of material from other acts.

Flynn didn't pull any punches, writing, "Congratulations to AVENGED SEVENFOLD on their latest 'covers album' coming in at #1. Who knew that re-recording METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, and MEGADETH songs could be such a worldwide hit!!?? Ba-dap Psssssss!!"

The singer/guitarist went on to list his "Top 10 jokes about the new AVENGED SEVENFOLD record," starting with Number 10: "AVENGED SEVENFOLD — Now with even MORE METALLICA."

For Number Seven, Flynn wrote, "Eyeliner sales skyrocket as thousands of heartbroken goth girls realize 'Hail To The King' is actually 'that ugly AC/DC band's song 'Thunderstruck'."

It was back to METALLICA for Number Three, as Flynn wrote, "'Black album' sales skyrocket as fans realize where new songs came from."

And at Number Two, he fired off, "After hearing AVENGED's GUNS N' ROSES cover 'Doing Time', Axl actually calls Slash, says, 'Dude, what the fuck?!'"

Flynn maintained that he was just having some fun with AVENGED in his critique, saying he was "happy" for the band's success and adding, "While I like the new record, and really dug the last record 'Nightmare' . . . It's time to poke a little fun at A7X."

Speaking to Amy Volume of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's 106.9 The Bear radio station on Wednesday (September 11), Shadows was asked for his response to Flynn's takedown.

"Actually, [FOZZY singer and WWE wrestling superstar] Chris Jericho sent it to me [Tuesday] morning," Shadows said (hear audio below). "He's, like, 'Dude, look at this B.S.' [He was] going crazy. And I was, like, 'Ah, Chris, I love you.'

"But I read it, and I read it as a joke.

"I have met Robb on numerous occasions and he's always been cool to me. And I just read it as a joke.

"I really don't know what to say about it other than I agree with him on the [METALLICA] 'Sad But True' thing — that was obviously an inspiration for that song. Everything else, I kind of think he… If it is a joke, it was kind of overboard, 'cause it doesn't make sense in my mind. But at the same time, he was saying it was a joke, so…

"I have no ill will towards those guys. I've met [MACHINE HEAD guitarist] Phil [Demmel] a couple of times; he's cool. Robb is cool. And I think the guy has the right to go make… if it's really a joke, in his mind... Some people might see it as being as an underhanded… joke. But, to me, if he just wants to go in there and write whatever he wants, I think that's totally cool. Everyone has an opinion and everyone should be entitled to say whatever they want. So it's no skin off our backs."

Asked if the bands that Flynn mentioned in his critique were influences on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's music, Shadows replied: "I think all the bands he said we were very inspired by. I think also [BLACK] SABBATH, [LED] ZEPPELIN, THE ROLLING STONES."

He continued: "I think when you take a record like this and the way metal has become very blast-beat, screamy-oriented, when you kind of take things back and go to a more classic-rock feel, you're gonna feel the similarities to what we were trying to do; we were trying to make an AVENGED SEVENFOLD album from the early '90s and late '80s. It was just something that really intringued us and interested us. And so, for me, I think all those bands have always been an influence — you can hear that on 'City Of Evil'. And METALLICA has, obviously, influenced every single band that picked up a guiat and plays metal. So, yeah, all those bands, plus all the old greats."

"Hail To The King" sold 159,000 copies in its first week of release, giving the California band their second straight chart-topper after 2010's "Nightmare".

Next up for AVENGED SEVENFOLD is its first major tour in support of the new CD, which starts October 3 in Chicago.

Interview:

San Diego, California death metallers CARNIFEX have completed recording their new album at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (ARSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER). An early 2014 release via Nuclear Blast is expected.

"After a year and half of writing and five weeks in the studio, we are very excited that tracking for the new album is complete," commented vocalist Scott Lewis.

"Not only is this the best production we have ever had, the depth in each song is beyond anything we have previously written. We combined the best parts of our previous albums with elements and influences we only touched on in the past. This is the album CARNIFEX was always meant to write."

On the band's new label home, Lewis stated: "Signing with Nuclear Blast is a career-defining moment for CARNIFEX. To be aligned with the largest metal label on earth is a true honor. This worldwide deal signals a turning point for us as a band and individuals. Together with Nuclear Blast, you will see CARNIFEX like you have never seen us before. Prepare yourself for an album that crushes any and all expectations. An album that will stand as the definitive mark for modern metal."

CARNIFEX's Nuclear Blast Records debut will also introduce new lead guitarist and longtime friend of the band, Jordan Lockrey.

CARNIFEX's latest album, "Until I Feel Nothing", was released on October 25, 2011 via Victory Records. The CD was produced by Tim Lambesis of AS I LAY DYING.

CARNIFEX is:

Scott Lewis - VocalsShawn Cameron - DrumsJordan Lockrey - GuitarCory Arford - GuitarFred Calderon - Bass

DEVICE and DISTURBED frontman David Draiman and his wife, Japanese-American model, actress and wrestler Lena Yada, welcomed a baby boy, Samuel Bear Isamu Draiman, this morning at 12:58 a.m.

In a Facebook post, Draiman wrote, "MY DEAR FRIENDS, BORN AT 12:58 AM ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12 2013, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR SON, SAMUEL BEAR ISAMU DRAIMAN. MY WIFE LENA IS SUPERWOMAN…29 HOURS OF LABOR! BOTH MOTHER AND CHILD ARE HEALTHY AND WELL. I THANK THE POWERS THAT BE FOR THIS GREATEST OF GIFTS. ALL MY LOVE AND RESPECT, -DAVID"

Draiman brought his then-pregnant wife up on stage during DEVICE's August 11 concert in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the final stop of this summer's Gigantour.

Draiman revealed the news of the pregnancy on May 2 on Twitter and also let the audience know at the Revolver Golden Gods awards, where he performed LED ZEPPELIN's "Whole Lotta Love" with HALESTORM. Draiman and Yada were married in September 2011. The Pulse Of Radio asked Draiman at the time how he thought becoming a family man might change his music. "You know, I can only imagine that it would give me more inspiration to write," he said. "I think that when you all of a sudden become a family man, and you have more to worry about than just yourself, your concerns, they build, in terms of things going on with the world, in terms of your life, in terms of your fears and your hopes and your dreams. And so I really think it'll be a tremendous catalyst for potential inspiration."

DEVICE released its self-titled debut album on April 9. It debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard album chart, selling 35,000 copies in its first week of release.

In a brand new interview with the Las Vegas Sun, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine spoke about the reaction to the band's latest album, "Super Collider", and his plans for the follow-up effort.

"A record is that — a record, a piece of time," Mustaine said of the fan response to "Super Collider". "I was going through a lot of really cool stuff with the band, but a lot of really heavy, personal stuff with my mother-in-law's Alzheimer's. So people like some songs, don't like others, and that's always been the way with MEGADETH's fans. They're opinionated.

"I think when you have a band that doesn't really follow a set formula, people are going to react to certain songs and not to other songs. I mean, the very first song we ever did, we started with piano. Who would've ever thought that?"

Regarding the recent reports that MEGADETH has already begun work on the material for the next CD, Mustaine said: "I do want to continue to write. I think it's fun to write songs and as a musician, sometimes you've got something stuck in your soul that you gotta get it out.

"['Forget To Remember' on 'Super Collider'] is this whole process of watching this loved one in my family just melt in front of your eyes; it's hard. It really, really challenged what I was made of; she's still alive, but she's not there anymore. And how do you put that in a song if it's not going to be a sad song? It'd be pretty fucked up to make a happy song about something tragic.

"So, yeah, we always have a lot of stuff we want to write about. I think it comes in due time. We're always picking up the guitar and making noises, sometimes it's a cool riff, and you're 'tape that real quick,' and other times it's 'stop.' [laughs] And that's the great thing when you're close like we are. We're four guys who are really, really close, and I can't tell you how many times I've gone into the jam room and told Chris [Broderick, MEGADETH guitarist] to knock it off, and he'll do the same solo for an hour and a half straight. It's Chinese water torture. [laughs]

Mustaine was also asked if he ever feels the new stuff has to compete with his past successes or even just with nostalgia.

"I don't feel like that, but some fans certainly act like that," he said. "We always hear, 'Make 'Rust In Peace' again.' It'd be real easy to do it, but where's the artistic integrity of doing that? And people say, 'You should get Marty [Friedman, former MEGADETH guitarist] back in the band.' Marty doesn't want to be in MEGADETH. He quit, he's a quitter, so get over it. And Nick [Menza, former MEGADETH drummer] isn't very healthy. Look at any of the video clips of him lately. So it's like either you're stupid or you're a dreamer. And when you make a record, you don't stake your whole life on the success or failure of any one song. Some people like it, some don't. ['Super Collider'] entered the charts at No. 6. If that's something to be critical of, then bring it. I'll take that all day long."

Read the entire interview at Las Vegas Sun.

"Dark Roots Of Thrash", a DVD/2CD release documenting Bay Area veterans TESTAMENT's sold-out headlining performance at the Paramount in Huntington, New York this past February, will be made available on October 11 (Europe) and October 15 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records. "Dark Roots Of Thrash" was produced by Get Hammered Productions, directed by Tommy Jones (DEATH ANGEL, KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK) and mixed by Juan Urteaga (VILE, EXODUS, SADUS, MACHINE HEAD). It captures a total of 19 live tracks with countless cams onstage and high above the audience, plus a special moshpit cam that makes you feel like you're a part of the show.

A performance clip of the song "Rise Up", taken from "Dark Roots Of Thrash", can be seen below.

Commented TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson: "Metalheads! In case you've missed us on our 'Dark Roots' campaign tour, here's a day in the life and good representation of our show! Check it out, and put on your list of metal to get!"

Vocalist Chuck Billy added: "For all you diehard metal heads out there, 'Dark Roots Of Thrash' is a must-have for your collection. This live DVD and CD is something you can put in you player and crank up for the feeling of a live TESTAMENT performance! You will get 18 songs from the early days of thrash metal to where we are today. Heavy metal forever!"

"Darks Roots Of Thrash" will be made available in a variety of different formats, including the standard DVD+2CD and 2CD versions. A limited Blu-ray+2CD (Europe only), LP (Europe only), as well as Nuclear Blast mail-order-only items (LP colored in gatefold, DVD+2CD digi + tour pass and limited Blue-ray+2CD digi + tourpass) will also be for sale via shop.nuclearblast.com. "Dark Roots Of Earth" DVD/2CD track listing:

DVD:

01. Intro02. Rise Up03. More Than Meets The Eye04. Burnt Offerings05. Native Blood06. True American Hate07. Dark Roots Of Earth08. Into The Pit09. Practice What You Preach10. Riding The Snake11. Eyes Of Wrath12. Trial By Fire13. The Haunting14. The New Order15. Do Not Resuscitate16. Three Days In Darkness17. The Formation Of Damnation18. Over The Wall19. Disciples Of The Watch20. Credits

Bonus content:

21. Backstage Footage22. Native Blood (video clip)

CD1:

01. Intro02. Rise Up03. More Than Meets The Eye04. Burnt Offerings05. Native Blood06. True American Hate07. Dark Roots Of Earth08. Into The Pit09. Practice What You Preach

CD2:

01. Riding The Snake02. Eyes Of Wrath03. Trial By Fire04. The Haunting05. The New Order06. Do Not Resuscitate07. Three Days In Darkness08. The Formation Of Damnation09. Over The Wall10. Disciples Of The Watch

"Dark Roots Of Earth" 2CD track listing:

CD1:

01. Intro02. Rise Up03. More Than Meets The Eye04. Burnt Offerings05. Native Blood06. True American Hate07. Dark Roots Of Earth08. Into The Pit09. Practice What You Preach

CD2:

01. Riding The Snake02. Eyes Of Wrath03. Trial By Fire04. The Haunting05. The New Order06. Do Not Resuscitate07. Three Days In Darkness08. The Formation Of Damnation09. Over The Wall10. Disciples Of The Watch Pre-order your copy here.

TESTAMENT will hit the road alongside LAMB OF GOD, KILLSWITCH ENGANGE and HUNTRESS starting on October 22. A limited number of TESTAMENT V.I.P. packages are currently available now for each show and include: * A souvenir TESTAMENT V.I.P. Laminate* A TESTAMENT poster* An 8" x 10" photo of the band* A coupon for discounted online merchandise* Individual photo opportunities with band members* A group photo with the entire V.I.P. group and TESTAMENT members In addition, each V.I.P. purchaser will be entered into a raffle to win Chuck Billy's stage vest worn throughout this tour. The winner of the vest will be personally contacted by Chuck and will also receive two tickets to the next local TESTAMENT show with passes to come backstage and more.

Italian symphonic metallers RHAPSODY OF FIRE will release their new studio album, "Dark Wings Of Steel", on November 22 in Europe and December 3 in the USA via AFM Records. The CD was produced by keyboardist Alex Staropoli, with all songs composed by Staropoli and Manuel Staropoli, with assistance from Roby De Micheli. All lyrics were written by singer Fabio Lione. The effort features a full orchestra, a choir and real string instruments, as in the finest RHAPSODY OF FIRE tradition.

"Dark Wings Of Steel" will be released on CD, double vinyl and as a digipak. The digipak and vinyl versions will include a bonus track.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE in June "respectfully" parted ways with their American guitarist Tom Hess due to "philosophical differences."

RHAPSODY OF FIRE released a new live album, "Live - From Chaos To Eternity", on May 3 in Europe and May 7 in the USA via AFM Records. It was made available as two-CD digipak and as limited three-vinyl set. The material (a mixture of old classics and newer tracks) was recorded on the band’s latest European tour in spring 2012.

Staropoli and RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli in 2011 announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli is continuing under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, is making his efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he is joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, singer Alessandro Conti (TRICK OR TREAT) and drummer Alex Landenburg (AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS).

RHAPSODY OF FIRE's latest album, "From Chaos To Eternity", was released in North America on July 12, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. Described by the band as "the natural evolution" from 2010's "The Frozen Tears Of Angels", the CD marks RHAPSODY OF FIRE's final release based on the fantasy saga started in 1997 with the group's debut album, "Legendary Tales".

Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA will return to the stage on April 30, 2014 for an album-release show at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming CD, the sextet will put on a memorable show, with plans to perform both old and new songs.

EPICA is currently finishing up the pre-production of the follow-up to "Requiem For The Indifferent", with plans to enter the studio in October with producer Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION).

To make the album-release show even more special, EPICA's fans will not only be able to purchase regular tickets, but there will be two exclusive bundles available for this event. The first bundle contains a signed version of the upcoming album and the second, larger bundle will consist of a goodie bag, containing a signed copy of the upcoming album, an exclusive T-shirt, flag, lanyard, VIP laminate and a limited-edition poster.

Tickets and bundle for this show will go on sale Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 10:00 CET through Ticketmaster.nl.

There will be special "early-bird" tickets available at reduced price. This offer is valid until September 28, 2013.

EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set. Ten high-definition cameras captured this very special sold-out show while EPICA played in front of nearly five thousand ecstatic fans. In addition to a collection of the band's biggest hits from across the spectrum of their entire catalog, this once-in-a-lifetime spectacular also featured the live debut of "Twin Flames" and the previously unreleased "Retrospect", covers of classics by Vivaldi, Pergolesi, and Oscar-winning film composer John Williams, two guest collaborations with the venerable Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH, REVAMP), and a very special performance of their breakthrough single "Quietus" with founding members Jeroen Simons, Ad Sluijter and Yves Huts. On November 8, Nuclear Blast will release "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version.

Reactivated British occult metal legends HELL have unveiled the first details of their new single, "The Age Of Nefarious", to be released on October 25 via Nuclear Blast Records. The 10-inch vinyl will come in several different colors and will include the title track plus live versions of three songs recorded at this year's Bloodstock Open Air festival.

"The Age Of Nefarious" single track listing:

Side A:

01. The Age Of Nefarious02. On Earth As It Is In Hell (live)

Side B:

01. Blasphemy And The Master (live)02. The Oppressors (live)

After disbanding in 1987, HELL was reincarnated in 2011, with Andy Sneap (guitar) and David Bower (vocals) joining original members Kev Bower (guitar, keyboards), Tony Speakman (bass) and Tim Bowler (drums). Now the British quintet is about the release the follow-up to its highly acclaimed 2011 debut, "Human Remains". The band's sophomore offering, "Curse And Chapter", will be made avialable on November 22 via Nuclear Blast. The effort will include a bonus DVD containing six songs from HELL's February 23, 2013 show at the Darwin Suite Assembly Rooms in Derby. Commented Kev Bower: "In a world dominated by conflict, disease, corruption, poverty, disaster and crime — much of which has religion at its source — this is truly the dawning of 'The Age Of Nefarious'.

"The song was always going to be the perfect opener for the new 'Curse And Chapter' album since it lays the foundation for everything which follows, but when we were approached by our friends at Nuclear Blast with the idea of producing a lead-off EP, we also decided that out of four possible EP album-track candidates, this song should also be the one. It represents everything which HELL represents — it powers along in awe-inspiring majesty, but takes lots of unexpected twists and turns before reaching its inevitable conclusion. The artwork is once again the result of our collaboration with Dan Goldsworthy, and it shows just a tiny fraction of the artwork he has created for 'Curse And Chapter'.

"With regard to the additional live tracks, where better to have recorded these than from the main stage at Bloodstock Open Air 2013 — the spiritual home of U.K. metal, during one of the best shows we have ever played, and in front of 10,000 of the most dedicated metalheads in the world.

"We are proud to be giving you a glimpse into the second chapter." Sneap recently stated about the upcoming CD: "We've been working solid on the album for the last couple of months between gigs, although we've been demoing to a good standard over the last year or so.

"This time around the album consists of around 50% old material, 50% new.

"We really see this as a band that's moving forward rather than a nostalgia trip. Obviously, there's a lot of history within the band, but there's also a whole world of ideas we want to get out.

"I'm super happy with how things are shaping up. It feels more like a band on this record to me than the first, which, I guess, is just a natural progression of everyone playing together a lot more over the last couple of years."

Concerning the lyrical content, vocalist David Bower added: "Alongside some of our favorite themes of historical, political and religious persecution, intolerance and prejudice, you will find some good old fashioned myths and legends being invoked and reinterpreted in our own inimitable way. We also have some songs in which the listener will be implicitly invited to solve the clues contained in the lyrics in order to find the meaning of the stories for themselves. Being completely aware that many people interpret things in ways that writers do not expect as a matter of course, it seemed logical to take that idea a little further."

About the album title, Bower explained: "It's a hellish play on words of the English saying chapter and verse, and also a reference to a song lyric in 'The Age Of Nefarious', the opening track on the record."

"Human Remains" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 46.

Cited as a huge indirect influence, and as one of the true founding fathers of occult metal, HELL formed in 1982 from the carcasses of U.K. metal bands RACE AGAINST TIME and PARALEX, whose "White Lightning" EP was listed by METALLICA as a favorite, and which was subsequently included on the Lars Ulrich, Geoff Barton "NWOBHM '79 Revisited" sampler album.

Despite over five years of constant touring, the band was cruelly overlooked by the '80s music press, who just didn't get it. HELL were too different, too extreme, too musically intelligent and far too thought-provoking for all but the most enlightened to understand them. The final crushing blow came when their long-awaited 1986 album deal with Mausoleum collapsed as the label went bankrupt, followed by the tragic suicide of singer/guitarist Dave Halliday in 1987. The remaining members drew a line in the sand and stopped playing overnight.

"Letters To Stallone", the new video from the Los Angeles-based experimental heavy rock band IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, can be seen below. The clip features live, backstage and road footage compiled from the group's recent European tour.

"Letters To Stallone" comes off IWRESTLEDABEARONCE's third studio album, "Late For Nothing", which was released on August 6 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered by the group's guitarist/programmer Steven Bradley at the band's home studio in Los Angeles. It also marks IWRESTLEDABEARONCE's first record with their new singer Courtney LaPlante, who joined the band with only a day's notice during last summer's Vans Warped Tour. Newly recharged with the addition of LaPlante, Bradley and cohorts John Ganey (guitar/programming), Mike "Rickshaw" Martin (bass) and Mikey Montgomery (drums) are set to keep their fans guessing with "Late For Nothing". While the band's signature, avant-garde style is well intact on the new album; their style has progressed immensely. By far their boldest and most accessible release to date, "Late For Nothing" rips and roars with blunt force intensity, incorporating their brain joggling breakdowns with a unique blend of electronics, jazzed-out time signatures and break neck riffage. "The entire album came together as a result of us wanting to do something different," affirms Bradley. "We didn't want to make another weird IWRESTLEDABEARONCE album or whatever people were expecting. We set out to make something different and better than anything we've ever released. It's a more evolved version of the band. We explored new styles and genres as well — especially in terms of the more spacey, epic, and beautiful parts. It's got the most melodic moments of our career as well as the heaviest." Featuring the schizophrenic first single "Thunder Chunky", "Late For Nothing" scales the summit of heavy rock/metal with twelve teeth gnashing tracks that find a happy medium between crushing metal and beautifully orchestrated melody. The album's opener, "Thunder Chunky", sets the tone for the album as they slash their way through songs like "Letters To Stallone" that showcases LaPlante's incredible balance of full throttle screams and melodic choruses, and "Carnage Asada", which features a guest solo from the legendary Steve Vai. "Late For Nothing" track listing:

01. Thunder Chunky02. Letters To Stallone03. Snake Charmer04. Boat Paddle05. Firebees06. Mind The Gap07. Carnage Asada08. The Map09. That's A Horse Of A Different Color10. I'd Buy That For A Dollar11. Inside Job12. It Don't Make Me No Nevermind

Fan-filmed video footage of IRON MAIDEN 's entire September 10 perfomance at Austin 360 Amphitheater in Austin, Texas can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Moonchild 02. Can I Play With Madness 03. The Prisoner 04. 2 Minutes To Midnight 05. Afraid To Shoot Strangers 06. The Trooper 07. The Number Of The Beast 08. Phantom Of The Opera 09. Run To The Hills 10. Wasted Years 11. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son 12. The Clairvoyant 13. Fear Of The Dark 14. Iron Maiden

Encore:

15. Aces High 16. The Evil That Men Do 17. Running Free

IRON MAIDEN last month landed at position No. 1 on Billboard.com's "Hot Tours" list of top-grossing tours with $8.5 million in ticket sales from six performances on their summer tour of Europe. The shows were attended by a total of 121,280 fans, including a two-night, sold-out stand on August 3-4 at the O2 Arena in Lonon, England, where the band played to 27,000 fans. With totals added from this summer's Europe dates, overall ticket sales from the tour top $42 million from 45 reported concerts.

MAIDEN's 15th studio CD, 2010's "The Final Frontier", featured 10 tracks that had an average running time of seven minutes and 40 seconds, with the shortest song, "The Alchemist", clocking in at four minutes and 29 seconds, and the longest, "When The Wild Wind Blows", lasting ten minutes and 59 seconds.

"The Final Frontier" sold 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 4.

IRON MAIDEN's previous album, 2006's "A Matter Of Life And Death", opened with 56,000 units to land at No. 9. This was a notable increase from the 40,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2003's "Dance of Death" (which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart), and that of "Brave New World", which moved 38,000 copies in June 2000 to land at No. 39 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"The Final Frontier" was IRON MAIDEN's fourth U.K. No. 1 album. The band previously topped the chart in 1982 with "The Number of the Beast", in 1988 with "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" and in 1992 with "Fear of the Dark".

"Evil & Divine", the new video from multinational melodic metallers EDEN'S CURSE, can be seen below. The clip was shot on location at the famous St. Andrews in the Square location in Glasgow under the direction of Ryan Priddy and his team at Independent Element.

"Evil & Divine" comes off EDEN'S CURSE's fourth studio album, "Symphony Of Sin", which will be released on October 4 via AFM Records. Produced by Paul Logue and mixed and mastered by the group's longtime engineer, PINK CREAM 69 and UNISONIC bassist Dennis Ward, the CD is the first EDEN'S CURSE release with new Serbian vocalist Nikola Mijic (ALOGIA, DREYELANDS) and Welsh keyboard wizard and POWER QUEST mainman Steve Williams.

"Symphony Of Sin" track listing:

01. Symphony Of Sin02. Break The Silence03. Evil & Divine04. Unbreakable05. Fallen From Grace06. Losing My Faith07. Rock Bottom08. Great Unknown09. Turn The Page10. Sign Of The Cross11. Wings To Fly12. Devil In Disguise13. Where Is The Love?

The cover artwork was once again created again by Thomas Ewerhard (EDGUY, AVANTASIA, JORN) and marks the return of a familar face in "Eve," who previously graced EDEN'S CURSE's debut album cover.

Hailing from Senta, in the North of Serbia, Nikola is a vastly experienced singer despite his tender years. For the past ten years, he has been fronting Serbian outfit ALOGIA and more recently Hungarian prog rockers DREYELANDS, who released their debut album on Lion Music in 2010. In 2008, he also featured heavily on the prog rock project album "Expedition Delta".

Said Nikola: "I'm really honored to be part of the metal journey of EDEN'S CURSE with their new upcoming album that is coming out on 4th October and I'm looking forward to rock with you guys!"

Added EDEN'S CURSE drummer Pete Newdeck: "For me, when I heard a lot of the auditions, Nik's was the one that stood out. It stood out mainly because of its originality. His voice was strong, it was soulful and he had something different to offer. That's really why I championed him, because I think he could offer something different, change the face of the band and possibly help this band move forward."

Stated EDEN'S CURSE bassist Paul Logue: "When Nik sent his audition of 'Evil & Divine', that's when we really began to sit up and take notice and say that this guy was something special. He is the complete package."

Guitarist Thorsten Koehne enthused: "He's just an amazing talent, one of the most amazing singers I've seen in recent times. He's just so versatile in what he can do and he just fits the band perfect because with EDEN'S CURSE, we're very diverse, as far as the music, so there's not just one particular style that we are doing. So we were really looking for a singer that could keep up with that and have a range in his vocals. Nikola is just perfect because he can do so many things, from blues to metal stuff and everything in between."

Williams, a former member of DRAGONFORCE, commented: "It was a real thrill to be asked by Paul and the boys to get involved in EDEN'S CURSE. I've been a fan for a long time, I've known the guys a while and it's great to be here getting myself right cursed, I can tell you."

Added Logue: "I've known Steve for a while, and when Ale left, he recommended we look at Steve. It was very easy choice for us, as we were already good friends and with POWER QUEST calling it a day, it was a perfect time in both our careers to join forces. Steve is a smashing player and one of life's true gentlemen. He is an utter joy to have on board and I am genuinely excited to see what we can produce together in the years to come as I am a big fan of his songwriting."

"The Docking Dead", a brand new song from reformed Chicago death metallers BROKEN HOPE, is available for streaming below. The track comes off the band's sixth album, "Omen Of Disease", which will be released on October 1 (September 30 internationally) via Century Media Records. The drums for the CD were laid down at Belle City Sound in Racine, Wisconsin with engineer Chris Wisco (LAZARUS A.D., JUNGLE ROT, ORIGIN, GORGASM), while the remaining instruments were tracked at Mercenary Digital Studios in Zion, Illinois with engineer Scott Creekmore (DIRGE WITHIN, PUTRID PILE, LIVIDITY).

Comments BROKEN HOPE guitarist Jeremy Wagner: "I began penning words for BROKEN HOPE 25 years ago, and my approach has never changed... I still create the most horrific, insane, and repulsive lyrics my mind can conjure. 'The Docking Dead' is no exception to my long list of nasty flash-fiction.

"Many of my ideas start with a 'what-if' scenario. In the case of 'The Docking Dead', I asked myself, 'What if a 'Re-Animator'-like scientist attempted to harvest human foreskins from male corpses using an experimental re-agent and growth hormone — and in doing so, he started a zombie apocalypse?' That's all I needed to write the lyrics to this song.

"Zombies, dead penile tissue, death metal, and grind are what's in store when you hear — and read — our newest preview song, 'The Docking Dead'."

"Omen Of Disease" will feature a special guest appearance by Trevor Strnad of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER on the new BROKEN HOPE track "Rendered Into Lard". The cover painting for the CD was created by world-renowned horror artist Wes Benscoter (SLAYER, CATTLE DECAPITATION, AUTOPSY, KREATOR). Comments Wagner: "Wes Benscoter is one of my favorite artists, EVER. In my opinion, he's right up there with Frank Frazetta, Michael Whelan and Todd Schorr.

"Ever since Benscoter did our 'Repulsive Conception' and 'Loathing' album covers, I've wanted to work with him again. I was beyond thrilled when Benscoter agreed to take on the 'Omen Of Disease' project… and he nailed it! He's captured the vile essence, putrid vibe, and apocalyptic, disease-laden horror of 'Omen Of Disease'." BROKEN HOPE tapped James Murphy (DEATH, OBITUARY, TESTAMENT) to mix and master "Omen Of Disease" at Murphy's studio, Safehouse Production. "Omen Of Disease" — a title conceived by chief lyricist and guitarist Jeremy Wagner — is also a song on the new album, marking the first BROKEN HOPE "title track" since their 1991 debut LP, "Swamped In Gore". Comments Wagner: "Some time ago, a festering death metal prophecy indicated something sick and brutal was coming back from the dead. The malignant signs became evident when BROKEN HOPE first resurrected from the grave and then went on tour. A more sinister foreboding followed when BROKEN HOPE wrote a new death metal album for the world to hear. Today, I'm a harbinger, here to alert everyone of a 'death metal omen' that is upon us...I speak of the new BROKEN HOPE album, 'Omen Of Disease'. The album title itself reeks of a musical offering that is nothing short of gruesome. 'Omen Of Disease' will be released to infect everyone worldwide this summer. I promise: this death metal album is a most savage, feral, pestilential, and lethal creation. You've been warned..."

BROKEN HOPE will support DEICIDE on the "No Salvation Tour 2013" in October. Also appearing on the bill will be DISGORGE and NECRONOMICON. BROKEN HOPE 2013 is:

Damian Leski - VocalsJeremy Wagner - GuitarsShaun Glass - BassChuck Wepfer - Lead GuitarsMike Miczek - Drums

"Murder Blood Assasination", the new video from German gothic death pioneers ATROCITY, can be seen below. The song comes off part one of the band's album trilogy, "Okkult", which was released in North America on May 7 via Napalm Records. The CD was produced by vocalist Alexander Krull at Mastersound Studio. The cover art (see below) was created by Stefan Heilemann.

"Okkult" track listing:

01. Pandaemonium02. Death By Metal03. March of the Undying04. Haunted By Demons05. Murder Blood Assasination06. Necromancy Divine07. Satan's Braut08. Todesstimmen09. Masaya (Boca Del Infierno)10. When Empires Fall to Dust11. Beyond Perpetual Ice12. La Voisine

Comments ATROCITY singer and producer Alex Krull: "With 'Okkult', we want to start a very special album trilogy. Musically, no prisoners will be taken, the 'Okkult' series is also brutal, bombastic and dark. These will not only be the heaviest and most brutal albums of ATROCITY since years, but also the darkest works of our band's history. Lovers of our harder material like 'Hallucinations', 'Todessehnsucht', 'Blut' or 'Atlantis' will surely be delighted with the 'Okkult' series at their expense, although the 'Okkult' songs have their own trademarks, of course."

The new ATROCITY opus, "Okkult". is described in a press release as "the kickstart to an album trilogy as it has not been seen before in the metal scene! Musically, ATROCITY show an enormous tension width, and deliver a very powerful, homogeneous and atmospheric album: On the one hand with much bombast and big choirs a la 'March Of The Undying'; on the other hand, ATROCITY deliver equally purist, brutal metal songs, which get under your skin just as intensely, closely and authentically. The overall sound is perfectly harmonized. The earthy, brilliant production sounds intoxicating and gives the musical pieces the necessary energy, atmosphere and roughness to dive immediately into the lyrical concept. This is anything but one-dimensional. The lyrics relate to occult magic, mysterious places, conspiracy theories and mysteries that are still unsolved. Thus, ATROCITY turn John Milton's vision of 'Pandemonium' into reality in an imposing way. With 'Death By Metal', a mystical tale from long ago, ATROCITY have composed a tribute to their own musical roots, as well as it is their own band anthem. The band takes us with 'Haunted By Demons' on a Scottish haunted castle, and brings in 'Necromancy Divine' the ancient necromancer Erictho back to life. Moreover, the 'Okkult' cover motif is dedicated to her. With overwhelming power the gates of hell are opened in 'Masaya (Boca del Inferno)'. The epic 'When Empires Fall To Dust' set the mystical prophecies of a mysterious, French Freemason from the First World War to music. Never before has the Ides of March been staged musically as gripping as in 'Murder Blood Assassination'. Also the myths surrounding the Antarctic have never before been turned into such a hymnic piece of music ('Beyond Perpetual Ice'). As a culmination the poisoner and witch 'La Voisine' does her mischief in the Paris of the 17th Century: What could fit better than a smashing, furious metal song of the brand ATROCITY?"

In keeping with the dark atmosphere of "Okkult", ATROCITY got the Canadian sound designer Katie Halliday on board. She worked for movies like "Saw V", "Saw VI", "Saw 3D (VII)", "The Devil's Carnival" and "Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil", and already could reap some awards for her work. The orchestral parts were recorded by the Lingua Mortis Orchestra under the direction of Victor Smolski (RAGE) in Minsk, Belarus.

ATROCITY 2013 is:

Alexander Krull - VocalsThorsten Bauer - Guitar, BassSander Van Der Meer - GuitarJoris Nijenhuis - Drums

Quality fan-filmed video footage of SINISTER's September 7 performance at Patronaat in Haarlem, The Netherlands can be seen below.

SINISTER released its latest album, "The Carnage Ending", in September 2012 via Massacre Records. The CD was once again recorded at Soundlodge studios in Rhauderfehn, Germany with producer Jörg Uken (GOD DETHRONED, OBSCENITY).

In a recent interview with Heavy Metal Artwork, SINISTER vocalist Adrie Kloosterwaard stated about the songwriting process for "The Carnage Ending": "Before we started with creating new songs, Bastiaan [Brussaard, guitar] and me talked how the new songs had to sound. For sure, it had to sound like a mix from the old and new SINISTER. Bastiaan comes with a complete track to the practice room and there we make some small changes so that everybody is happy with it. I think at the end, we did a killer job, because it turned out the way we had in mind."

Kloosterwaard also spoke about the cover artwork for "The Carnage Ending", which was once again created by Mike Hrubovcak. "I come always with the ideas for the new cover and then Mike starts to work on this and send me every time previews so I can say or things have to be a bit different," he said. "Most of the time he is also putting his own ideas in it, but that is no problem for me, because I know it will be only better. He will be also the man for the next SINISTER cover."

"Youniverse", the third album from Italian modern thrashers SAWTHIS, will be released on September 30 via Bakerteam Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Egod" sounds "more thrash-oriented and is a concept album based on the theme of multiple personality disorder," according to a press release. The CD, which features a very special guest appearance by Rob Cavestany of DEATH ANGEL, was once again recorded at Potemkin Studios with producer Paolo Ojetti (INFERNAL POETRY).

"Youniverse" track listing:

01. The Logical Color 02. The Waking Up 03. The Voice Falls On Me 04. The Disturbed (feat. Rob Cavestany from DEATH ANGEL) 05. The Crowded Room 06. The Indeleble 07. The Impure Soul 08. The Spotlight 09. The Mad 10. The Switch 11. The Walking

A teaser for the album is available in the YouTube clip below.

SAWTHIS earlier in the year parted ways with guitarist Andrea Giordano due to musical differences. He has since been replaced by Janos Murri (ex-RESURRECTURIS, DARKSIDE, DEMOLITION), who has already performed with the band on two European tours.

"Egod" was released in May 2010 via Scarlet Records.

Deathbound Records has announced the signing of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada's NOIRE. The band's debut album, "Dark Reverence", will be made available on October 1.

NOIRE, a progressive black metal band founded in 2012 by Andrew Lawes (vocals, guitar and piano) and Bob Fitzgerald (guitar), was joined by Derrick Kroll (drums) and Craig Peeples (bass) in 2012. The band has since embarked on a path to extoll the beauty of the lightless side of music.

Not afraid to wear its influences on their sleeves, NOIRE draws inspiration from bands such as DISSECTION, OPETH, ENSLAVED and EMPEROR, unleashing brooding twin-guitar harmonies, thunderous drum work, intelligent bass lines and snarling vocals to create an atmosphere that is uniquely their own.

Having opened for bands such as ABSU, NOIRE has convinced audiences that they are serious about their music and well poised to become one of the most interesting acts to emerge from the scene.

The official lyric video for the track "In The Trenches..." from HELL'S DOMAIN — the Danish thrash metal band featuring former members of HATESPHERE, KOLDBORN, EXMORTEM and ARTILLERY — can be seen below. The song comes off HELL'S DOMAIN's self-titled debut album, which will be released on September 23 via Punishment 18 Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Ed Repka, best known for his work with such bands as MEGADETH, DEATH, MASSACRE, ATHEIST, DEFIANCE and VIO-LENCE.

"Hell's Domain" was recorded at Antfarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark. Mixing and mastering duties were handled by renowned producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, KATAKLYSM, HATESPHERE, SICK OF IT ALL).

"Hell's Domain" track listing:

01. 100 Days In Hell02. The Needle And The Vein03. In The Trenches…04. Order #22705. The Walls Come Tumblin' Down06. Crawling In The Shadows07. Dead Civilization08. Hangman's Fracture09. As Good As Dead10. A Good Day To Die11. Sneaking Disease (CRIONIC cover)

HELL'S DOMAIN was formed by guitarist Bjørn Bihlet (ex-KOLDBORN, BOIL) and bassist Lars Knudsen (ex-CRIONIC) in 2007 with the intention of churning out some catchy Bay Area-inspired thrash metal. Soon joined by Anders Gyldenøhr (ex-HATESPHERE, ARTILLERY) on drums and Alex Clausen (MONSTAH) on vocals, the band completed its lineup in 2011 with the addition of former EXMORTEM axeman Andreas Schubert.

HELL'S DOMAIN 2013 is:

* Alex Clausen (ex-GROPE, MONSTAH) - Vocals * Bjørn Bihlet (ex-KOLDBORN, HORNED ALMIGHTY) - Guitar * Andreas Schubert (ex-EXMORTEM) - Guitar * Lars Knudsen (ex-CRIONIC) - Bass * Anders Gyldenøhr (ex-HATESPHERE, ARTILLERY, GROPE) - Drums

"Fear Me", a brand new song from Danish thrashers HATESPHERE, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's eighth studio album, "Murderlust", which will be released on September 27 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, SICK OF IT ALL, MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY) and it once again features cover artwork by MNEMIC's Mircea Gabriel Eftemie.

"Murderlust" will be made available as both standard and digipack.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Murderlust02. Pandora's Hell03. Fear Me04. The Violent Act05. Punishable By Death06. In Process07. Iconoclast08. Darkest Of Forces09. Refill The Chest10. Assassin (MUSE cover)

Digipack bonus tracks:

11. Murderlust (pre-production)12. 500 Dead People (live)

HATESPHERE will support HYPOCRISY on the second leg of the "End Of Disclosure Tour 2013" this fall.

HATESPHERE's most recent album, "The Great Bludgeoning", entered the official chart in Denmark at position No. 40. The group's 2009 effort, "To The Nines", landed at No. 36 while 2007's "Serpent Smiles and Killer Eyes" debuted at No. 26.

Vocalist Esben "Esse" Hansen joined HATESPHERE as the band's new singer in June 2010.

Justin R. Beckner of Classic Rock Revisited recently conducted an interview with legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Classic Rock Revisited: Do you ever get caught up in thinking about commercial appeal of what you're writing or composing?

Yngwie: I did at one point, when that actually existed. The radio format doesn't exist, the singles don't exist. The record label doesn't exist. The record stores don't exist. That whole entire thing is gone.

Classic Rock Revisited: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Yngwie: Well, first of all is very bizarre, especially for someone like me. When I started out, it was very much like the guy with the big cigar in a big office saying, "I'll give you a record deal, boy." You had tour support, tour buses, local A&R people, the whole nine yards. I did that, but it's all gone now. It can be for better or worse, because if you don't have name recognition now. If you want to start out now, how the fuck do you do it? Back in the day, DEF LEPPARD said if they could get a few singles on MTV, they'd be able to make it, and they did. That happened with a lot of bands who did that back then. Now we have YouTube, but there are billions of videos and musicians on there and if nobody knows your name, nobody's going to look you up. It's a little bit weird, but in that sense, the music industry situation is really bad for whoever wants to start out now. The good part is that there is no longer this slavery to a certain format going on, where in the '80s, if you didn't follow format, they wouldn't give you the time of day. You had to conform to get a shot at a record deal. That's gone now, and it's bizarre.

Classic Rock Revisited: The Internet changed a lot for the industry; piracy has certainly had a hand in changing the game. Do you think that piracy can be beneficial to some of those bands starting out? How has it affected you?

Yngwie: How could it possibly be positive? If you go into a store and you see a car that you like, you can't just drive off with it. The cost and the blood and sweat and tears that go into making music is the same thing, it's not free. Try telling the engineer and the producer that they have to work for free. It's utterly bizarre. It's like just going into a store and taking things off the shelves. It's stealing. The reason there are no bands coming out now is that the money that was once there is not there anymore. So what happened was, in essence, by pirating music, you kill the music industry. The music industry died because of the piracy, and now all the fans will have no new music. Isn't that wonderful? It's a direct consequence of that.

Classic Rock Revisited: I think that, with piracy, we've lost the album art, the liner notes, the waiting in line to get the next record. It seems that there used to be this aura of awesomeness that used to surround a new record being released. Now it's just a click away. One sad little click.

Yngwie: Yeah, that's another aspect of it that I totally agree with what you're saying. But I think that kind of got lost with the CD a little bit too. I think when the LP went, that's when the art went. You know, when I was a little kid, I used to record cassette tapes for friends. So this music-sharing thing has been going on for a long time and the Internet just sped it up.

Classic Rock Revisited: It seems to me that over the years, you've been portrayed as a musical dictator of sorts. Most bands talk about the glory of collaboration and all the great things that come out of that. I find it interesting that you feel differently.

Yngwie: It's funny; I was just talking to someone about this the other day. Yeah, you've got Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and you've got VAN HALEN, who wrote as a team, and that's great for them, and I love that. For me, I look at it in the way that I am an artist. An artiste. When you're a writer, you write the whole book. When you're a painter like Da Vinci, you don't say to someone, "Hey, come over here and help me with my painting." There are a few reasons why I work this way. First of all, I'm so full of creativity that I don't need any other input. The other is that I feel so strongly about my work; it's like a burning passion to create something that is uniquely me. This comes with the full realization that you may love it or you may hate it. But this is what I'm going to do, and I'm not about to have any kind of discussion with anybody about how it should be done. I'm a very serious creative person. I don't compromise, because I don't collaborate. I tried it and I hated it every time and I was never pleased with the end result. I've been doing this way too long to change how I do things now. I'm not doing things this way because of some egotistical dictator type of reason. Ask Rembrandt if he would have liked for someone to come and paint in his paining. That's exactly how I approach it. I have to love what I do. If other people love it, I'm happy. If other people hate it, I'm still happy because I'm doing what I want to do. I'm a tennis player, I'm a boxer — I don't play team sports. I'm not a team player; I never have been and I never will be. In tennis, if I win, it's because of my serve or my backhand. It's a battle and is a challenge to myself. After it's over, I don't want to say, "Good job, pal, I couldn't have done it without you." I can't live like that. It's a lot of work to do things like that, but that's how it has to be.

Read the entire interview at Classic Rock Revisited.