Norwegian thrashers DEAD TROOPER have released the first of two digi singles that will appear in the lead up to the release of their sophomore full-length studio album Erector. Aside from the title track 'Fat Horny Beast', which includes a guest appearance from Thebon (HELLISH OUTCAST, ex-KEEP OF KALESSIN), the first single also includes two bonus tracks, one being a cover of the D.D.E. song 'Det Går Likar No', and the other being the live version of 'Reaping Of Your Cries' from the band’s 2009 Cynicist album. 'Reaping of Your Cries' also serves as a taster for the DVD that will form part of the upcoming album release. 'Fat Horny Beast', which includes artwork by Haakon Hoseth is available through all the usual digital distributors, as well as on Spotify and directly from the band where you can get it for free on BandCamp.

An official music video for 'Fat Horny Beast' has also been released and can be seen below:
The coming few months are going to be busy for Dead Trooper. Aside from the singles and the release of Erector, plans are underway to celebrate a decade of the band’s existence with digital back-catalogue releases as well as videos for the two singles. “The exact details of how the back catalogue material will be presented are still in the thinking-through stage,” commented frontman Meister Müller, “because despite the fact that we are releasing the material for this digitally, we still want it to be something special for the fans, rather than something just thrown together for the sake of it. Releasing it on vinyl as well would definitely be something we would be up for.”

Aside from Müller (DEATH INJECTOR, TROLLFEST, METAL MILITIA, ex-GRIMFIST) on vocals and guitars, Dead Trooper’s lineup includes Andreas Stenvoll (BLODSPOR, ex-TROLL) on bass and vocals and Jon Eirik Bokn (BREED, AUTUMN INSPIRATION, ex-ZEROZONIC) on drum. The Oslo trio, with their brand of aggressive thrash metal, are known for their charismatic, high energy shows, and a rapport with their audience which has gained them fans from Norway all the way to South America.

Seven tracks from Dead Trooper, including a teaser for Erector can be streamed below:

DEAD TROOPER by DeadTrooper

earMUSIC will issue a new live release from Canadian prog rockers SAGA, entitled Spin It Again - Live In Munich, on September 27th. Featuring more than two hours of music, the release, filmed and recorded in Munich during the final night of the band's successful 20:20 tour will be available on 2CD, DVD and Blu-ray.

Check out the live version of the classic 'On The Loose' below:
Saga's historical singer Michael Sadler surprised everybody rejoining the band just a few days before the recording of their recent studio album 20/20 took place. All of a sudden the magic was back. With this album, Saga charted in the German top 10, sold out nearly 20 concerts in Germany and brought its music into cities and countries where they had never been before.

2012 and 2013 have been very intense years for Saga. The joy of the original band being back together again, the warmth of the audience and the critical acclaim were accompanied by hard moments on the road and private tragedies...

Spin it Again, recorded and filmed in Munich, historically a second home for the Canadian prog rockers, features recent songs as well as all the Saga classics.
Two hours of prog and melodic hard rock at its best.

Michael Sadler declares: "After nearly five years apart, this show celebrates SAGA as we are, together again. Filmed at the end of our European 20/20 tour, it captures a truly special night among friends. This film not only serves as a reminder to those of us that were there, it also allows others a glimpse of what we do, LIVE."

Ian Crichton adds: "We've played Munich for many years, it keeps getting better... Munich, ich liebe dich!!"
Tracklisting:

'Anywhere You Wanna Go'
'Mouse In A Maze'
'Careful Where You Step'
'The Perfectionist'
'You're Not Alone'
'Spin It Again'
'Corkentellis'
'The Flyer'
'Fish Beat'
'Six Feet Under'
'The Cross'
'Time's Up'
'Scratching The Surface'
'Tired World (Chapter 6)'
'Humble Stance'
'On The Loose'
'Wind Him Up'
'Framed'
'Don't Be Late (Chapter 2)'

Trailer video:

Fan-filmed video footage of Canada's INTO ETERNITY performing the as-yet-unreleased brand new song 'This Frozen Hell' at The Vat in Red Deer, Alberta on August 2nd has been posted online. Check it out below:
As previously reported, SINGLE BULLET THEORY frontman Matt DiFabio has checked in with a brief update:

"Just heard the guest solo for Single Bullet Theory 'Divine Ways Of Chaos' from Tim Roth (Into Eternity). Whoah!!! This song has become a facemelting contest!"

Roth comments: "I'm really happy with how this solo came out. Thanks to Justin Bender, my producer, for recording me. Thanks to Matt DiFabio from Single Bullet Theory for asking me to write a guest guitar solo. The backing track wasn't an easy thing to solo over, so I had to use my vivid imagination. Thanks again brain.... haha...."

Check out Roth's solo below:

METALLICA's "Metallica Through The Never (Music From The Motion Picture)" two-disc CD, the soundtrack companion to the forthcoming groundbreaking 3D feature film "Metallica Through The Never", will be released on the band's own record label Blackened Recordings on September 24 and highlights last year's career spanning sets at Rexall Place in Edmonton and Rogers Arena in Vancouver, where the band filmed all performance footage featured in the film. The soundtrack is available for digital pre-order and both the CD and digital album will be available at all retailers. There will also be a vinyl edition of the soundtrack album available in both 33 1/3RPM and special limited numbered 45RPM versions later in the fall.

The live version of "Master Of Puppets", taken from "Metallica Through The Never (Music From The Motion Picture)", can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. "Let's hear it for the old-school soundtrack!" said METALLICA's Lars Ulrich. Not only are we beyond psyched about our movie coming your way shortly, but the fact that we get to share the music directly in all these formats is way fuckin' cool." "Metallica Through The Never" stars METALLICA, one of the most popular, influential rock bands in history. In this music-driven, 3D motion picture event, award-winning filmmaker Nimród Antal immerses audiences in a bracing, raw and visceral cinematic experience with spectacular live performance footage of METALLICA's most iconic songs — created exclusively for film — combined with a bold, narrative story featuring imagery drawn from the band's trailblazing iconography. Dane DeHaan portrays Trip, a young roadie sent on an urgent mission, during METALLICA's roaring live set in front of a sold-out arena. The film features dazzling pyrotechnics, the most elaborate live-performance stage ever built and state-of-the-art 3-D photography, captured using up to 24 cameras simultaneously.

Picturehouse will release in North America on September 27 exclusively in over 300 IMAX 3D Theatres, and will expand into additional theaters on October 4. "Metallica Through The Never (Music From The Motion Picture)" track listing: Disc 1

01. The Ecstasy Of Gold 02. Creeping Death 03. For Whom The Bell Tolls 04. Fuel 05. Ride The Lightning 06. One 07. The Memory Remains 08. Wherever I May Roam 09. Cyanide 10. ...And Justice For All

Disc 2

01. Master Of Puppets 02. Battery 03. Nothing Else Matters 04. Enter Sandman 05. Hit The Lights 06. Orion

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's Justin Reich-directed music video for "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone", off the band's new live DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Video, "Unblackened", can be seen below. Originally penned by blues legend Bill Withers, "Ain't No Sunshine" is one of two covers found on "Unblackened".

Says BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman Zakk Wylde: "'Ain't No Sunshine' is such a beautiful, heartfelt song. I've always loved it and wanted to cover it. It felt so right in the context of 'Unblackened'."

"Unblackened" will be released on September 24 by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Zakk's label home, eOne Music, will also release the audio version of the "Unblackened" DVD under the same name. The double disc release will have six additional tracks not found on the DVD, including two acoustic versions of "Queen Of Sorrow" and "Won't Find It Here", and covers of LEON RUSSELL's "Song For You" and "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone".

Since their early Nineties inception, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, formed and helmed by guitar legend Zakk Wylde, has been at the forefront of hard rock. Their penchant for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their generation. "Unblackened", however, unveils another side of the band.

Filmed and recorded on March 6 in high definition at Los Angeles' Club Nokia, "Unblackened" is BLACK LABEL SOCIETY presenting their songs in a whole new light, with greater use of acoustic instrumentation. Wylde plays both guitar and piano, with Nick Catanase on guitar, John DeServio on bass/vocals, Chad Szeliga on drums, Derek Sherinian on keyboards/piano, and Greg Locascio providing additional vocals.

Their stripped-down approach highlights the subtler nuances of the songwriting, without losing any of the fire or intensity. Classic tracks like "Stillborn", "The Blessed Hellride", "In This River", "Throwin' It All Away", "Losin' Your Mind" and many others are still punctuated by the stinging, searing solos that fans know and love, while showcasing the versatility of the band.

In addition to the concert, "Unblackened" is rich in bonus material. A new interview with Zakk, photo gallery, music video for "Losin' Your Mind", and a feature with Wylde visiting HM Prison Stocken in the U.K . are all included.

DVD track listing:

01. Losin' Your Mind02. The Blessed Hellride03. Sold My Soul04. Road Back Home05. Spoke In The Wheel06. House Of Doom07. Queen Of Sorrow08. Machine Gun Man09. Sweet Jesus10. In This River11. Throwin' It All Away12. Takillya (Estyabon) 13. Won't Find It Here14. Rust15. Speedball16. I Thank You Child17. Stillborn

CD track listing:

Disc 1

01. Losin' Your Mind02. The Blessed Hellride03. Sold My Soul04. Road Back Home05. Spoke In the Wheel06. House Of Doom07. Queen Of Sorrow08. Machine Gun Man09. Sweet Jesus10. In This River11. Throwin' It All Away

Disc 2

01. Takillya (Estyabon)02. Won't Find It Here03. Rust04. Speedball05. I Thank You Child06. Stillborn07. Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone09. Lovin' Woman10. Queen Of Sorrow (unplugged)11. Song For You (cover)12. Won't Find It Here (unplugged)13. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford will release a new live album, "The Bitch is Back...Live", on October 22 in North America, on October 25 in Germany and on October 28 in the rest of Europe through SPV/Steamhammer. The disc features a recording of Lita's October 2012 performance at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California.

The album will be released as a digipak with a special booklet including fan photos and download.

Where does the title come from? Lita opens the show with her rendition of the classic Elton John track "The Bitch is Back", which was previously released as a bonus track on "Living Like A Runaway". "Well, I heard [the original version of the song] on the radio and I just thought it worked for Elton John, and it works for Lita Ford," Lita explained to Metal-Rules.com when asked how she came to cover the track. "It kind of makes a statement, saying, 'She's back,' and this is me saying this, not anybody else, you know?! It came from me, and I spoke to Elton John backstage before we released the album and I wanted his blessing. I didn't want to just take his song and do it because I've done my own version of it. It's more guitar-orientated instead of piano. So I said to him we're doing 'The Bitch Is Back' and we gave him a copy of it, and his tour manager wrote back and said, 'It's one rocking version.' But I went backstage because he came through town and I went backstage and said, 'Hello!' and he said, 'That's my song,' you know, 'That's my song,' and I said, 'Yes, it is your song,' and I said, 'Thank you for letting me do it,' and he said, 'Thank you for doing my song.' So I thought, 'Right on, I got his blessing.'"

"The Bitch is Back...Live" track listing:

01. The Bitch Is Back02. Hungry03. Relentless04. Living Like A Runaway05. Devil In My Head06. Back To The Cave07. Can't Catch Me08. Out For Blood09. Dancing On The Edge10. Hate11. Close My Eyes Forever12. Kiss Me Deadly Ford has recruited Bobby Rock (VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, NELSON) to sit behind the kit for her shows in Australia, Europe and the U.S., as well as the recent Monsters Of Rock cruise in the Bahamas.

Lita's touring drummer for much of 2012 was Scot Coogan, who has previously played with BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, ACE FREHLEY and LYNCH MOB.

Lita's current touring lineup:

* Lita Ford - Guitar, Vocals * Mitch Perry (MSG, ASIA, EDGAR WINTER) – Guitar* Bobby Rock (VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, NELSON) – Drums* Marty O'Brien (WE ARE THE FALLEN, TOMMY LEE, STATIC-X, DISTURBED) - Bass

Lita last year filmed a video for the song "Mother" in Joshua Tree, California. Directing the clip was Ford's former THE RUNAWAYS bandmate Victory Tischler-Blue, whose film "Edgeplay" was based on her tenure in the 1970s all-girl teenage rock act. "Mother" is dedicated to Lita's estranged sons, Rocco and James (father is former NITRO singer Jim Gillette).

Ford's latest album, "Living Like A Runaway", was released on June 19, 2012 in North America. The effort was made available in four configurations: a double LP, limited-edition CD, standard CD and digital download. The artwork for the album was created by famed rock photographer Mark Weiss.

img src="http://assets.blabbermouth.net.s3.amazonaws.com/media/litafordbitchpromo.jpg" alt="litafordbitchpromo" width="411" height="617" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-419971" />

"Dead Flesh Awakened", the new video from Spanish death metal veterans AVULSED, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's long-awaited sixth full-length album, "Ritual Zombi", which was released on September 1 via the following labels:

* Xtreem Music (Europe) CD * Seraved Records (North America) CD * Coyote Records (Russia/CIS) CD * American Line Productions (Central America) CD * Obliteration Records (Japan/Oceania) CD * Disembodied Records (South America) CD * Xtreem Music (World) vinyl 12"LP * Narrowwards Records (Asia) Cassette * Metalhit and AVULSED (World) Digital

"Ritual Zombi" track listing:

01. Dawn Of Apocalypse (intro) 02. Dead Flesh Awakened03. Z-Hunter 04. ...Was Not My Blood 05. Horrified By Repulsion 06. Zompiro 07. Elegy For The Rotting (interlude) 08. Unborn Of The Undead 09. Brainsuck 10. Zombie Ritual (DEATH) 11. Cannivegan Corpse 12. Cult Of The Living Dead 13. Devoured And Forgotten (outro)

Comments the band: "We're extremely proud of the final result. We feel we took the best decision using Javi from Moontower Studios for the mixing 'cause he knew what we wanted in every moment; his experience was essential. But the work made by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studios on the mastering which in fact wasn't a typical mastering, but kind of a second mix, was what definitely gave this new album an incredibly heavy, thick and organic sound. We never sounds so fucking crushing!! This is easily the best AVULSED album, not only production-wise, but also the own songs and the great cover artwork, of course!!".

AVULSED parted ways with drummer Ricardo "Riky" Mena in March 2012 "due to differences on how to deal with different internal issues within the band."

German hard rock veterans MAD MAX will release their new album, "Interceptor", on November 5 (October 28 in Europe) via Steamhammer/SPV. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Thomas Ewerhard and it alludes to Mel Gibson's legendary desert car in the movie classic "Mad Max".

A snippet of the song "Godzilla" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

The four MAD MAX musicians — Michael Voss (vocals, lead guitar), Jürgen Breforth (guitar), Roland Bergmann (bass) and Axel Kruse (drums) — promise "full throttle from start to finish" and sum up the direction of their new record in just two words: "It rocks!" Or, as guitarist Jürgen Breforth puts it: "Whereas some rock groups become insipid and balladesque with time, we've taken the opposite route and deliver nothing but pure energy."

Like its predecessors, "Interceptor" was produced by frontman Michael Voss at his Kidpool Studio in Münster, with the drum recordings completed at the renowned Principal Studios in Senden. The record was mastered at the MSM Studios in Munich, where once upon a time GOTTHARD added the final polish to their works. Breforth says: "This time we made a conscious decision to allow ourselves more external output, yet without overdoing it."

There are ten new songs to marvel at on "Interceptor", including "Turn It Down", the obligatory cover song by THE SWEET. "It's what our fans are used to, so we just have to grit our teeth," jokes Breforth.

"Dark Cloud", a demo version of a song by Swedish hard rockers DAGGER, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track is the the B-side of the band's debut seven-inch EP entitled "Mainline Riders", which was recently made available via High Roller Records. This is the first release by the recently founded Stockholm-based group which features the following lineup:

* Jani Kataja (SIDEBURN) - Vocals* Fred Estby (NECRONAUT, ex-DISMEMBER) - Drums* David Blomqvist (ex-DISMEMBER) - Electric Guitar* Tobias Cristiansson (GRAVE, ex-DISMEMBER) - Electric Bass

The A-side of the EP spotlights the title track "Mainline Riders", a cover version of NWOBHM pioneers QUARTZ.

The EP is limited to 1000 copies (300 x gold vinyl, 700 x black vinyl) and can be purchased from the High Roller shop.

Says Estby: "DAGGER was formed by me, David and Tobias in early 2009. I had some material that I thought didn't really fit for NECRONAUT, but was still too good to chuck away. When I talked to David about this, he told me he also had material that wouldn't work for DISMEMBER, which made us think about writing songs together in a different way than before. At the same time, Tobias was also writing more hard rock-oriented songs and was immediately into playing them with us. So I think the three of us really wanted to do something we hadn't done before."

Even though all three of them were into doing something new and different, no one was rushing things. "We have been rehearsing and writing songs not wanting to force anything," Estby says. "It also took a long time to find the perfect singer for the band. It was really worth the wait, though. Jani suits this band perfectly both musically and personally."

Given the "confession" Fred makes about the band member's personal taste in music, DAGGER suddenly seem less of a surprise than before. "The last couple of years on tour with DISMEMBER, we almost only listened to the classic hard rock albums we love," he says. "We also talked about how many bands tried to sound like that but never really succeeded, in our opinion."

Now with the lineup complete, DAGGER is here to play "hard rock the way we think it should be played." The EP is meant to serve as an appetizer for DAGGER's debut album, which is currently being recorded at Gutterview Recorders (BULLET, '77, IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC) in Stockholm, Sweden for an early 2014 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

"We started recording our debut album in May this year," says Estby. "While recording, we and our manager Leif from Clandestine Music thought it would be cool to release a 7" before the album just to bring out our name and sound.

"High Roller Records is a cool label, and we knew from experience that it would be fast and smooth to work with them."

Dave, Tobias and Fred are all equally involved in the songwriting for DAGGER, whose sound contains no audible traces of DISMEMBER, GRAVE or NECRONAUT.

"We write different kind of songs but within the same framework," Estby explains. "This fact allows us to help each other out when one of us doesn't have a whole song from scratch.

"Jani joined the band when the album was already written, so he will be much more involved in the songwriting for the next one."

The third part of a new video interview with frontman Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven of Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON can be seen below.

SATYRICON will release its new, self-titled studio album on September 9 in Norway via Indie Recordings, on September 8 in the rest of Europe through Roadrunner Records, and on September 17 in North America via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The CD was produced by Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven and was recorded in Norway, and mixed by Adam Kasper. The effort features a guest appearance by Sivert Høyem, the Norwegian singer best known as the vocalist of the rock band MADRUGADA.

"Satyricon" is available for preorder in the following formats:

* Red transparent vinyl* Clear vinyl* Mixed color vinyl* Black vinyl* Digipack CD

"Satyricon" track listing:

01. Voice Of Shadows 02. Tro Og Kraft 03. Our World, It Rumbles Tonight 04. Nocturnal Flare 05. Phoenix 06. Walker Upon The Wind 07. Nekrohaven 08. Ageless Northern Spirit 09. The Infinity Of Time And Space 10. Natt

Limited-edition CD digipack bonus tracks:

11. Phoenix (Recording Session Mix)12. Our World, It Rumbles Tonight (Deeper Low Mix) 13. Natt (Wet Mix)

The song "Our World, It Rumbles Tonight" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Comments Satyr: "We are back! Sorry it took so long, but we needed the time to be able pull off a record like this.

"Comparing this one to previous records is time wasted, it is SATYRICON; constantly on the move.

"Naming this record 'Satyricon' was the most obvious thing in the world. We have never done a record which captures the spirit of this band in such a way. Ever. It will demand a lot from you as a listener, but I know you will love it. It will grow on you and that is why it will stay with you forever.

"We won't tour as much in the future as we used to, and that will just make every tour more special. This album and this tour is for you and ourselves. It is our moment!"

Check out photos from the studio at this location.

Speaking to AOL's Noisecreep at this year's Inferno festival, Satyr stated about SATYRICON's upcoming album: "To me, it sounds very authentic, it's organic-sounding. And in this digital age where music is mostly played through computers, a lot of that analog vibe gets lost in translation when you play music through medias like that, but I still wanna do it because there's nothing quite like it. To me, it just makes everything sound the way it's supposed to sound — it's dynamical; the music is alive, it's not overly compressed, the levels are not pushed. So, musically speaking, it's a very atmospheric record… This record is full of life. There are a lot of surprises here, but I think it's gonna be a record that's gonna help the black metal movement perhaps find a new way for the future."

SATYRICON has always pushed boundaries and never conformed to what was "expected". That mindset continues to this day, as they awill take part in a very special, exclusive show on September 8 at Oslo's Norwegian National Opera House, where they will perform together with Norway's 55-strong National Opera Chorus.

The special event is part of the Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival, and fans of both SATYRICON and the National Opera Chorus can look forward to a very unique and exciting evening, which coincides with the worldwide release of SATYRICON's new CD.

Interview part 3:

Former HAIL THE VILLAIN frontman Bryan Crouch's SIX SIDE DIE have recealed the cover art for their full-length debut, That F'n Album:
The band recently revealed some of the songs slated to appear on their new record, That F'n Album:

'Fight'
'Freeze Frame'
'Family Man'
'Fracture Mon Frere'
'Fraudulence'
'Furiouso'
'Fuzz Candy'

It will be released on September 17th. Stay tuned for more details, coming soon.

Six Side Die's debut EP is available via iTunes and Amazon.com (use the widget below). The tracklist is as follows:

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

Southern Ontario-based metallers VARGA, who reportedly reunited initially in 2011, have been hard at work in the studio. Drummer Dan Fila has checked in with the following update:
"Joao Carvalho will be mastering Enter/Return Of The Metal with Joe Varga and we have posted a preview track I know it's been a long time coming but I can promise you it is a fucking monster, and it has been the first time we are all collectively loving and proud of a recording. Juice Butty is a genius and his working relationship and respect for Joe resulted in a sonic masterpiece that stands up to anything. We used technology as a tool, not a crutch. I'm really sick of the new genre I like to call Pro Tools Metal....you know, play the riff at half speed and speed it up and quantize the crap out of the drums and replace the real drums with samples and lets record the song one riff at a time. I'm sorry but that, my friends, is a bunch of crap. Metal is about learning how to play your instrument and locking yourself in a basement practicing for endless hours and working out songs with your friends and bandmates. These records will speak for themselves."

Check out Varga's new song, 'Gamera', and download it for free:
The band has launched a new official website at vargahq.com. Check out their official Facebook page here.

Varga released two albums in the '90s before they broke up: Prototype (1994) and Oxygen (1996). Dan Fila and Sean Williamson went on to form the short-lived HYPODUST.

NERGARD - led by Norwegian composer Andreas NergÂrd - have revealed the tracklisting of their as-yet-untitled new album. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
Tracklisting:

'Prologue'
'Light And Shadows'
'Fall From Grace'
'On Through The Storm'
'Track #1'
'In Dreams'
'The Haunted'
'At The Edge Of A Dream'
'Track #2'
'An Empty Cradle'
'Eclipse'
'A Bit Closer To Heaven'
'When All I Want Is You'

Nergard released their metal opera called Memorial For A Wish this past spring through Battlegod Productions. 'A Question Of God' which was co-written with legendary British singer Tony Mills (TNT, SHY), is available to stream below:

On September 3rd, Australian guitar sensation ORIANTHI (ALICE COOPER, MICHAEL JACKSON) is releasing the Deluxe Edition of her latest album, Heaven In This Hell, which features three exclusive bonus tracks including a duet with AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler on the track 'Sex E Bizarre'. The song - written by Orianthi, Tyler and Marti Frederiksen - is streaming online at HitFix.
In late 2011, between legs of Alice Cooper's world tour (where she played lead guitar), she began work on Heaven In This Hell.

“I am so proud of this album because it really showcases my style of riff heavy rock and energetic blues,” Orianthi remarks. “The success of Believe (her previous CD) helped give me credibility and afforded me the freedom to create the kind of album I have been wanting to make, with musicians I respect, playing together live in a studio, creatively exchanging ideas... the way I want all my records to be made. My friend, collaborator and producer, Dave Stewart (EURYTHMICS) and I just jammed and hashed out a variety of songs and sounds until we found the grooves that inspired us”, she continued.

While Orianthi recorded a majority of Heaven In This Hell at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, she also recorded several songs and overdubs at Dave Stewart's Hollywood Studio.

Paris-based metallers FALKIRK, often referred by press as "the French BLIND GUARDIAN," have released a career-encompassing box set simply called Anthology.

According to a press release, "although the band has split up six years ago, a 46 tracks compilation is about to be released, in order to allow new fans to know their music. It will include ALL their songs ever written, with unreleased material, for a total running time about four hours, in a three-CDs deluxe box."
Check out the tracklisting and audio samples at CD Baby.

Check out a trailer below:

Heavy melodic rockers BREACHED have released a spoof infomercial to promote their second EP, Left Behind, due out later this fall. The cranked, heavy and melodic Toronto, ON rock band is sharing with fans their comedic character along with a teaser for the forthcoming EP:
Earlier this summer, Breached released 'Let Go', the latest and fifth music video in support of their acoustic EP, Revolution Sessions, the follow up to their 2011 self titled EP.
Creating an alluring blend of melodious, metal-tinged rock ‘n roll, it didn’t take long for Breached to start winning over fans with their live shows and 2011's five-song self titled EP. The band’s tight harmonies and nail-hitting screams combined with overdriven guitars, intricate tempos and powerful lyrics provide a unique blend that audiences can’t seem to get enough of.
Revolution Sessions tracklisting:

'Let Go'
'Control'
'Happy?'
'Time'
'No Excuses'

Southern California-based metal band PREY ON THE FALLEN has officially released their first video, 'Prey On The Fallen', filmed and edited by Matt "The Lord" Zane. Check it out below:
Prey On The Fallen's self-titled debut was recorded, produced and mixed by Ryan Greene (MEGADETH, ALICE COOPER) at Validus Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA. The disc was mastered by Alan Douches (CANNIBAL CORPSE, HOLY GRAIL) of West West Side Music in New York, NY. Finally, the artwork for the disc was created by award winning artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, SODOM).

On September 10th, Magna Carta will release DAVE MARTONE / GLEN DROVER - Live At Metalworks as an audio CD with bonus DVD.

Check out the official trailer below:
Live At Metalworks captures audio/video performances by Dave Martone and Glen Drover which were streamed live over the Internet on September 25, 2011. This show was viewed by over 25,000 people in over 63 countries around the World.
Dave Martone (a true modern guitar hero) performs with his band on such guitar virtuoso tracks as 'The Goodie Squiggee Song' and 'Dinky Pinky' from Martone’s Magna Carta debut, Clean. Other highlights of Martone's set include a cover of CHARLIE DANIELS BAND’s 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia'. Another special moment occurs when Martone brings Glen Drover on stage for an encore version of JOE SATRIANI’s 'Crush Of Love'.

Glen Drover (best known for his work in MEGADETH) performs with his band (which includes SAGA keyboardist, Jim Gilmour) on a version of FRANK ZAPPA’s 'Filthy Habits' as well as 'Colors Of Infinity' and 'Ascension' from Glen’s Magna Carta debut, Metalusion. Drover brings Dave Martone back on stage for an encore version of Megadeth’s 'Symphony Of Destruction' with Glen on vocals.

French black metallers OTARGOS recently inked a worldwide deal with Listenable Records for the release of their new album, entitled Apex Terror, due on September 16th.

The new album displays a fresher, stripped down, more intense songwriting, very immersed in the catchier death and obscure thrash metal genre, and mainly contains lyrical themes about the darker side of humanity.
Tracklisting:

'Apex Terror
'Fleshless-Deathless
'For Terra' (featuring J. Truchan of BENIGHTED)
'Remnant From A Long-Dead Star'
'Fallout'
'Xeno' (instrumental)
'Drone'
'Aftermath Hyperion'
'Versus'

Digipack bonus track:

'Fleshless-Deathless 2.0' (Herrshaft Remix)

'For Terra':
More on Otargos at this location.

German cult thrashers NECRONOMICON have released a new video, for the track 'Unconquered', featured on the band's 2012 album, Invictus (Massacre Records).
DEICIDE, BROKEN HOPE, DISGORGE, and Necronomicon are joining forces for a 22-date North American tour; the routing is as follows:
October
2 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
3 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
4 - Springfield, VA - Empire
5 - Wilmington, DE - Mojo 13
6 - New York, NY - TBC
7 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda
8 - Toronto, ON - Wreck Room
9 - Pittsburgh, PA - TBC
10 - Columbus, OH - Alrosa Villa
11 - Chicago, IL - Cobra Lounge
12 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
13 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
15 - Spokane, WA - The Hop
16 - Seattle, WA - TBC
17 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
18 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
19 - S. Lake Tahoe, CA - Whisky Dick's
20 - W. Hollywood, CA - Whisky
21 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe's Grotto
22 - El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls
23 - Dallas, TX - Trees
24 - Austin, TX - Infest

Guitarist Mick Murphy of the Los Angeles based rock band MY RUIN has been a busy man recently. Besides writing and co - producing My Ruin’s right studio album, The Sacred Mood, with Soundtrack Black Studio owner Joel Stooksbury, he has been moonlighting the last five months with the classic rock cover band CHEVY METAL featuring Taylor Hawkins of FOO FIGHTERS and Wiley Hodgden.

“I’ve been having a great time playing songs I grew up listening to and have vinyl records of in my collection and when people like NIKKI SIXX and Perry Farrell join us on stage it’s a trip. Having Dave Grohl sit in has led to a few memorable moments as well. He and Taylor are both amazing musicians and all about the old school rock. I feel right at home and every show with these guys has been killer!” – Mick Murphy

Dave Grohl recently joined Chevy Metal on stage to cover a few classic 70’s ROLLING STONES tunes when they played the ‘Party In Your Pants’ one day music festival in Topanga Canyon presented by KLVC and Levi’s to celebrate the launch of the clothing company’s vintage inspired Orange Tab collection. You can check out a montage of footage from the show below:



Mick has also been in the studio writing and recording an album with legendary CORROSION OF CONFORMITY drummer Reed Mullin for the new side project TEENAGE TIME KILLERS which is being produced by John Lousteau. Though still in the early stages, the album boasts guest appearances by an array of rock luminaries such as Randy Blythe, Mike Dean, Greg Anderson, London May, Dave Grohl, Vic Bondi, Woody Weatherman, Tommy Victor and My Ruin vocalist Tairrie B Murphy along with many others who are committing their time and talents to the project.

“I’ve known John Lousteau for many years. We were both in bands back in the day in Knoxville, Tennessee. He’s been sitting in on drums with My Ruin recently and we’ve been doing a lot of session work at Studio 606. When he approached me about recording guitar on a few of Reed’s songs, I said count me in! We got into the studio and things just clicked. Reed asked me to write a few songs as well and it grew from there. He’s one of my favorite drummers of all time and it’s an honor to create music with him and so many other incredible musicians and vocalists. This album is both organic in nature and spontaneous in spirit which is the beauty of it, It has an old school vibe and I think people are going to really dig it when they hear it.” – Mick Murphy

For more info visit Facebook.

Singer Geoff Tate — who was fired from the Seattle progressive rock band QUEENSRŸCHE last year after fronting it for three decades — was granted a continuance until January 27, 2014 in his legal battle with his former bandmates over the rights to the group's name.

Tate and his wife, Susan, QUEENSRŸCHE's former manager, filed a lawsuit in June 2012 asking the judge to award them the rights to the band's name in exchange for Tate paying Eddie Jackson (bass), Michael Wilton (guitar) and Scott Rockenfield (drums) the fair market value for their interests in the QUEENSRŸCHE companies. Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson filed a countersuit against the Tates in which they accused Geoff of creative obstruction and violent behavior, and Susan Tate of questionable business practices.

In their August 9 motion to continue the trial date — originally scheduled for November 18 — and amend the case schedule, the Tates requested "a minimum 180-day continuance to provide sufficient time for the parties to continue active settlement negotiations without incurring substantial trial preparation costs and, if such efforts fail, to provide sufficient time to complete discovery and properly prepare for what will be a very lengthy trial." The Tates added that "80 potential witnesses" have been identified for trial and they estimated that the parties will need to collectively take 20 to 40 depositions. Further complicating the scheduling of depositions is the fact that Tate's former bandmates will be traveling for most of September and will be unavailable for depositions.

Said the Tates in their motion, which can be viewed on the The Breakdown Room web site: "There simply is not enough time to properly prepare for trial. Discovery is incomplete. Even if the parties only depose a fraction of the witnesses identified, doing so will take 20 to 30 days. Many of these witnesses are located out of state. The facts that underlie this dispute span nearly 30 years. Trial could take three to four weeks with 20 to 40 witnesses."

On August 16, Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson filed an opposition to the Tates' motion to continue the trial date and amend the case schedule, claiming that "any challenges [the Tates] face [in preparing for the trial] are 100% the result of their failure to properly prosecute their case and as such should not be able to delay the resolution of this matter to [Tate's former bandmates'] detriment or [Tate's] advantage."

"From October 2012 until April 2013 there was nearly no activity in the case," Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson wrote. "In April 2013, [the Tates] propounded interrogatories and requests for production on [Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson]. Responses were supplied in May. Not until July 31, 2013, did [the Tates] raise any objections to the adequacy of the responses to that discovery, more than two months after said responses were served. Other than two related subpoenas for documents, [the Tates] have engaged in no other discovery."

Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson also accused Geoff Tate of "continu[ing] to harm the QUEENSRŸCHE brand" since the Tates' original lawsuit was filed in June 2012. "The newest self-titled QUEENSRŸCHE CD release by the [Todd La Torre-fronted version of the band] entered the U.S. charts at #23 and continues to get 9-out-of-10-star reviews and is still selling very well on a weekly basis around the globe," Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson wrote. "In comparison, Geoff Tate released his own QUEENSRŸCHE CD in April of this year titled 'Frequency Unknown' and depicted as F.U. on the cover, which entered the charts at #82, received very bad reviews around the world, and has slowed to almost no more weekly sales. [The Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE's] new CD even outperformed the last two CDs of them with Geoff Tate, selling more in a month than the 'Dedicated to Chaos' CD has since its release in 2010, and charting much better than both that album and the previous one, 'American Soldier'. Thus, the return to the classic sound [Tate's former] bandmates have made with the new CD and live shows has been met with overwhelming success."

They added: "Geoff Tate also chose very poorly in hiring live musicians that have shown that they are not capable of representing the correct performances of the QUEENSRŸCHE music legacy, and he was constantly replacing them. He has been offering his low-quality version of QUEENSRŸCHE to the promoters at a much reduced rate, as low as $10,000 per night, when, in fact, [his former] bandmates have done their best to keep the authorized QUEENSRŸCHE at an average of well over $20,000 per show this entire year. However, this becomes harder and harder with Geoff Tate's sub-par band and cut-rate pricing that continues to be damaging to the QUEENSRŸCHE brand and legacy no matter who ultimately wins control after trial."

In a brand new interview with The Oakland Press, Rockenfield said said that "negotiations are ongoing between Tate and the singer's former bandmates and "there's still time for anything to happen between now and [the start of the trial]."

"I think our confidence is pretty high," Scott said. "There's a lot of legal stuff you have to deal with, but we just feel good and look at it as a light at the end of the tunnel and keep playing shows and making music. I think when you do that, the right decision will be made in time."

Fan-filmed video footage of GOJIRA's August 31 performance at A38 in Budapest, Hungary can be seen below.

GOJIRA's fifth album, "L'Enfant Sauvage", sold almost 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The Way Of All Flesh", opened with 4,200 units back in 2008 to land at No. 138.

"L'Enfant Sauvage" entered the official chart in France at position No. 7 (No. 17 on the digital chart).

"L'Enfant Sauvage" (which translates to "The Wild Child") features 11 tracks of mind-bending, thunderous metal. The CD was recorded at Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City, New York with co-producer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD).

In a March 2013 interview with Loudwire, GOJIRA guitarist/vocalist Joseph Duplantier stated about "L'Enfant Sauvage"'s success: "We just give our best all the time to be available for our music and I don't even know where it comes from. I guess the music is good and people dig it — there's a balance in the music, there's not too much aggression so if you're a metal fan, you'll get your fix, but still you will have some other moments and a door open for more people to appreciate our music."

He continued: "When I listen to my record, I'm like, 'Fuck, this should be better, this should be like this or that,' and then I see all these good comments about the album and I'm just, like, 'Wow, this is awesome.' But I have no idea what [fans] experience when they listen to the record. We're too close to the damn thing."

After wrapping up a momentous summer that included a Billboard Top 10 debut for its latest album, "Rescue & Restore", and a mainstage spot on Warped Tour, AUGUST BURNS RED is preparing to unveil its next offering, a brand-new DVD entitled "Foreign & Familiar" to release this fall. The documentary chronicles the entire 18-month touring cycle behind the band's breakout 2011 album "Leveler", whose critical and commercial success catapulted the band to the forefront of the modern heavy music scene.

From headlining tours of North America, Europe, Japan and Australia — with stops in New Zealand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and more along the way — "Foreign & Familiar" shows the globetrotting metal titans doing what they do best in settings all over the world.

"'Foreign & Familiar' has literally been three years in the making," explains guitarist JB Brubaker.

"It's no small task to try and squeeze 18 months of touring into a two-hour package, but that's exactly what we have here.

"I am grateful that we were able to pull this DVD together, as this is something we'll all be able to look back on as old men and remember the good ol' days.

"I think anyone who cares about this band will find 'Foreign & Familiar' to be an entertaining and insightful behind the scenes look at AUGUST BURNS RED on the road."

AUGUST BURNS RED is also pleased to announce the Endless Chicago Weekend event on November 22 and 23, featuring back-to-back shows at Chicago's House of Blues and, for fans holding a weekend pass, early entry on Saturday to attend an exclusive screening of "Foreign & Familiar", followed by a question-and-answer session and meet-and-greet with the band.

"Chicago has almost been a home away from home for AUGUST BURNS RED," says Brubaker. "From the Beat Kitchen and Reggie's to our many stops at the House of Blues and even Riot Fest, Chicago has consistently been a tour stop we most look forward to playing. We wanted to make our stop in Chicago this fall extra special. Certainly looking forward to spending some extra time in the Windy City!"

Professionally filmed video footage of BABYMETAL's May 26 performance at the MetRock 2013 festival in Tokyo, Japan can be seen below.

BABYMETAL is the heavy metal offshoot of the Japanese pop idol group SAKURA GAKUIN that performs a distinctly Japanese mix of schoolgirl J-pop and death metal.

BABYMETAL's "Megitsune" single was released on June 19. The song is said to combine traditional Japanese instruments with metal overtones and an enka ballad to create a festive sound. The theme of the track is "women are born actresses." Four different versions were made available for fans to purchase: a limited "Tsu", limited "Ki", and a limited "Ne" edition, as well as a less expensive regular edition. The limited versions come with bonus videos from the BABYMETAL live events that were held from 2012 to early 2013.

BABYMETAL recently embarked on the "Death Match Tour 2013" and was accompanied by a "full metal band."

BABYMETAL released its first major single, "Ijime, Dame, Zettai", on January 9.

BABY METAL is:

Su-Metal - Vocals and DanceMoametal - Screamer and DanceYuimetal - Screamer and Dance

Fan-filmed video footage of KAMELOT's August 31 performance at Centro De Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré in San Juan, Puerto Rico can be seen below.

KAMELOT keyboardist Oliver Palotai is sitting out the band's North American tour so he can stay home with longtime girlfriend Simone Simons, (EPICA singer) as they await the birth of their first child. Filling in for him is Coen Janssen of EPICA.

KAMELOT's latest album, "Silverthorn", sold 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 79 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Poetry For The Poisoned", opened with around 6,100 units in September 2010 to enter the chart at No. 74.

"Silverthorn" was released on October 30, 2012 in North America, October 26, 2012 in Germany and October 29, 2012 in the rest of Europe via Steamhammer/SPV. The CD marks the band's first release with Tommy Karevik, the Swedish vocalist who previously fronted SEVENTH WONDER (a group that he is still a member of).

Tommy first appeared as one of the guest singers on KAMELOT's very successful 2011 Pandemonium World Tour.

KAMELOT supported Finnish/Dutch symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH on their North American tour last summer.

During a brand new interview with Chile's Radio Futuro, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine was asked about his recent revelation that he was "studying a lot of world history and a lot of crazy science stuff for new lyrics" that will presumably be included on the band's next studio album.

"Writing a record takes a lot of time," Dave said. "And when you finish a record, there's kind of like a period after an animal gives birth to another living creature — it has to heal and it has to get its strength back then, within a short period of time, it's ready to rock again.

"I think right now, with going out and doing Gigantour after we finished 'Super Collider' and being with a new record label and having David Ellefson [bass] playing with us again, and the IRON MAIDEN tour and the [BLACK] SABBATH tour and everything, all these things that are going in the right direction for us, it's just exciting and it makes us wanna play.

"Shawn [Drover, drums] and David and I have all talked. Chris [Broderick, guitar] talked a little bit about it, too — about us starting to write music for the new record. And I think that when you have a band like MEGADETH, you've gotta spend time writing the songs. There's so many different talented writers there, if you don't listen to everybody's ideas, it would be kind of stupid."

Mustaine also spoke about his daughter, Electra, performing a cover version of the MEGADETH song "A Tout Le Monde" on a Seattle-area TV show.

"Yeah, that surprised me," he said. "I didn't know she was doing that. I know she sings, but I didn't know she was gonna sing 'A Tout Le Monde'."

He added: "She has a great voice. She sings better than I do. She loves music, that's for sure."

Following a summer of storming through Europe, South America and Mexico while topping the bills at solo shows and major festivals, SLAYER will headline its first North American tour in two years. The five-week-plus trek will kick off on October 22 in Anchorage, Alaska, oddly enough marking the first time the band has played there since October 23, 1996. The tour will include the band's previously announced return to New York's Theatre at Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Palladium, venues the band hasn't performed at in 25 years. SLAYER — bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, guitarist Kerry King, drummer Paul Bostaph and guitarist Gary Holt, who continues to fill in for the late founding member Jeff Hanneman — will have GOJIRA and 4ARM support on all dates. Tickets for all dates on SLAYER's U.S. tour, go on sale beginning this Friday, September 6. Log onto Slayer.net for complete on-sale dates and ticketing information. While still recovering from the devastating loss of Hanneman, Araya and King have begun to work on new material and hope to spend some time in the studio prior to this tour. With more dates to be announced, confirmed dates for SLAYER's 2013 Fall North American tour are as follows: Oct. 22 - Sullivan Sports Arena, Anchorage, AKOct. 25 - The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NVOct. 28 - Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, CAOct. 30 - Events Center @ San Jose State, San Jose, CANov. 08 - Myth, Minneapolis, MNNov. 10 - FunFunFun Fest, Austin, TXNov. 12 - Bayou Music Center, Houston, TXNov. 13 - South Side Ballroom, Dallas, TXNov. 15 - Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, ILNov. 16 - The Fillmore, Detroit, MINov. 17 - LC Pavilion, Columbus, OHNov. 19 - The Fillmore, Washington, D.C.Nov. 20 - Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PANov. 26 - Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CTNov. 27 - Theatre @ MSG, New York, NYNov. 29 - Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJNov. 30 - Tsongas Arena, Boston, MA

Southern German gothic metallers CREMATORY have inked a deal with Steamhammer/SPV. The band's new album, "Antiserum", will be released on February 25, 2014 (one day earlier internationally).

"We're really looking forward to our collaboration with Steamhammer/SPV, a globally renowned label and expert partner in what we're planning for the future," says CREMATORY drummer Markus Jüllich.

"Our fans can look forward to 'Antiserum', on which we have gone one step further than we did on our comeback album, 'Revolution', in terms of our electronic influences. In collaboration with Elmar Schmidt of Hamburg EBM act CENTHRON, we have come up with a haunting mix of metal riffs and EBM keyboards. That's why I'd refer to 'Antiserum''s musical direction as 'EBM metal.'"

The first single from "Antiserum", a song called "Shadowmaker", will be released on November 22. Jüllich says: "Even before the whole record was finalized, we knew that 'Shadowmaker' had absolute hit potential. You'd be hard put to announce our new album better than with this song."

On the day of the single launch, a special box set featuring CREMATORY's first ten studio albums in a cardboard sleeve will be made available. It is described in a press release as "an absolute must-have for all fans and collectors."

Says Steamhammer A&R manager Olly Hahn: "I am delighted that CREMATORY have opted for SPV. They're one of the leading bands in the gothic metal genre, and their latest album, 'Antiserum', impresses with its homogeneity and hit potential!"