Former BURY YOUR DEAD guitarist Eric Ellis, who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy and violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act as a member of a violent Jacksonville, Florida gang, will release his solo album, "The Weight Of Knowing", on October 15.

Known for his progressive talent in REFLUX and BURY YOUR DEAD, Ellis caught the attention of the music industry with his dramatic stage performance and aggressive guitar riffs. He toured extensively, playing sold-out venues with such bands as KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and HATEBREED; entertaining thousands at monumental festivals, including Ozzfest and Family Values tour.

During 2008, in a turn of unfortunate events, Ellis was victim to a random attack outside of a Milwaukee venue. He was beaten with bats and a hammer at gunpoint, allegedly as a gang initiation, and he sustained serious injuries and a seizure-inducing concussion, Despite this life-threatening incident, Ellis recovered while focused on his work in his studio in Atlantic Beach, Florida. He began writing and producing for bands such as CATALEPSY and BORN OF OSIRIS, while quietly piecing together his own dynamic solo project. The resulting 11-track instrumental collection of guitar-driven melodies opens a new perspective using odd time signatures, eight- and seven-string guitar artistry, and explosive technical talents. In addition to playing guitar, Ellis played bass and keyboards, using the wealth of his production experience to create an explosive opus.

"The intention of this work was to create a personal landscape that has more to offer, to push the boundaries of my own creativity," Ellis explains.

In late 2010, just as the album was completed, Ellis was arrested and later convicted of conspiracy and violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act as a criminal organization in Jacksonville, Florida. Although Ellis was handed down a hefty sentence of 20 years in federal custody, he refuses to be defeated by his incarceration. His love for music and career as a musician has not yet ceased. He continues to perfect his expertise on both drums and guitar while in prison. In an unprecedented event, Ellis is releasing his instrumental legacy to the public.

Ellis states: "The title ['The Weight Of Knowing'] refers to the burdens that one places on themselves. For me, 'the weight' was the desire to create this kind of abstract art via music, especially considering my commercial accomplishments with BURY YOUR DEAD; which was a more simplified and structured songwriting process… The weight was taking another path. As an inmate, the title takes on a whole new meaning. Now, 'the weight of knowing' that this collection has been recovered and released at great expense of the few people that have diligently taken on the task is both humbling and incredible."

In June 2013, Ellis began his appeal to overturn the extensive sentence.

"For anybody that listens to and enjoys this music, I thank you from the bottom of my heart," he says.

"I'm in federal prison for the RICO act which is organized crime, my record is public and I have nothing to hide…

"My circumstances in releasing this album are unique, to say the least, and if not for the support of genuine people, then this would have never made it out there at all.

"For the fans, for my family, my friends, my loved ones, my fellow inmates who are currently locked up or have been on this side of the wall in their lives — thank you for your support."

Ellis was a member of BURY YOUR DEAD from 2004 until August 2008, when he left the band for "medical reasons" and due to "personality differences."

Swedish metal veterans ENTOMBED have inked a deal with Century Media Records. The band's tenth album, "Back To The Front", will be released on October 29 (one day earlier internationally). The CD was recorded at Studio Bohus (ABBA, EUROPE) in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR). The cover artwork was painted by Zbigniew Bielak (WATAIN, VADER) and can be seen below.

A press release states: "Don't be afraid that it will sound like ABBA — it's 666% true to the ENTOMBED everybody loves. While not falling for total regression back to the early classics 'Left Hand Path' or 'Clandestine', expect a total bone-crushing opus that will have fans of 'Wolverine Blues', 'To Ride…' or 'Morning Star' cry tears of joy. From the morbid, pissed-off lyrics over detuned, massive riffs to the inimitable brick-heavy groove and L.G. Petrov's titanic roar, 'Back To The Front' has it all, so get ready for a stone-cold stunner!"

Comments singer L.G. Petrov: "After almost seven years of studio absence, we are back with a new album called 'Back To The Front' ready to blow metalheads away around this world! Feels great to announce this deal with Century Media! Can't wait to let you all be a part of it!"

Adds Jens Prüter, head Of A&R at Century Media Records Europe: "I first saw ENTOMBED in 1992 on the Gods Of Grind tour and was blown away by their merciless sound that was even back then more than just death metal. Over 20 years later, they still kick ass and we are more than proud to finally welcome them to the Century Media family."

ENTOMBED recently teamed up with PledgeMusic to launch a reissue campaign for some of their albums.

In early 2012, Threeman Recordings, which is owned and run by members of ENTOMBED, launched a collaboration with Ninetone Records. The first release under this arrangement was a single for the re-recorded version of the song "Amok" from ENTOMBED's 2007 album, "Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments", produced by Patrik Frisk (CORRODED).

"Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments" was released in the U.S. on July 31, 2007 via Candlelight/Threeman Recordings. The 10-song effort marked the group's first release with drummer Olle Dahlstedt (ALPHA SAFARI, ex-MISERY LOVES CO.), who replaced Peter Stjärnvind in 2006. Mastering duties were handled by Soren Elofsson at Cosmos Mastering in Stockholm, Sweden.

"Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments" entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 3. This was the highest chart position in the band's career.

The current lineup of ENTOMBED features Victor Brandt (TOTALT JÄVLA MÖRKER, AEON, SATYRICON) and second guitarist Nico Elgstrand (who previously played bass for the group).

In 2012, one of the greatest Brazilian heavy metal bands rejoined forces with its original lead singer after 22 years. VIPER reunited with vocalist André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN) in order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of the group's album "Soldiers Of Sunrise". For the first time ever, VIPER played its first two LPs, "Soldiers Of Sunrise" and "Theater Of Fate", in their entirety during a short run of dates in Brazil.

VIPER's July 2012 concert in São Paulo was professionally filmed and will be released on DVD. Entitled "Live in São Paulo", the set is currently being edited and finalized by DOGS CAN FLY producer Maurice Cersosimo.

In other news, "Soldiers Of Sunrise" and "Theater Of Fate" will be made available in deluxe remastered editions.

In addition to Matos, VIPER's 2012 lineup included Pit Passarell (bass, vocals), Felipe Machado (guitar) and Guilherme Martin (drums). Hugo Mariutti replaced Yves Passarell during the trek.

HAIL OF BULLETS, the Dutch death metal band featuring GOREFEST drummer Ed Warby, THANATOS guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens, vocalist Martin Van Drunen (HAIL OF BULLETS, PESTILENCE, ASPHYX) and former HOUWITSER bass player Theo van Eekelen, will release its third album, "III: The Rommel Chronicles", this fall via Metal Blade Records. The CD was laid down at Sandlane Studios in Rijen, The Netherlands with Swedish producer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Swanö, who has previously fronted such acts as EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH and NIGHTINGALE.

The landing page featuring a full new song, track listing and pre-order options will be launched next Monday, September 9.

Swanö stated about the new HAIL OF BULLETS longplayer: "HAIL OF BULLETS return for their third album, armed to the teeth with a thunderous death metal onslaught that combines the raw ferocity of the first album with the more expanded arrangements of the second. A death metal masterpiece!"

As previously reported, a picture-disc version of HAIL OF BULLETS' debut album, "Of Frost And War", was released on February 4 via Metal Blade. The picture disc is strictly limited to 500 copies.

HAIL OF BULLETS's second full-length album, "On Divine Winds", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 75.

"On Divine Winds" was released in North America on October 12, 2010 via Metal Blade. The group recorded 11 songs plus an intro for the CD, which, like its predecessor, was produced by Ed Warby was mixed by Swanö.

HAIL OF BULLETS' debut album "…Of Frost And War" was a concept album about the Eastern front war of Germany. "On Divine Winds" was another concept effort, this time covering the Pacific battles between Japan and the USA.

The album title "On Divine Winds" is a translation of the Japanese word "kamikaze," as kami stands for "God" and kaze means "wind."

"On Divine Winds" features 12 tracks on the limited first digibook edition and 11 song on the regular jewelcase version.

HAIL OF BULLETS is:

Martin Van Drunen - VocalsPaul Baayens - GuitarStephan Gebédi - GuitarTheo Van Eekelen - BassEd Warby - Drums

Florida death metal veterans DEICIDE will release their new album, "In The Minds Of Evil", on November 26 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at AudioHammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, AUGUST BURNS RED, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ALL THAT REMAINS, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER).

"In The Minds Of Evil" track listing:

01. In The Minds Of Evil02. Thou Begone03. Godkill04. Beyond Salvation05. Misery Of One06. Between The Flesh And The Void07. Even The Gods Can Bleed08. Trample The Cross09. Banished By Evil10. Kill The Light Of Christ11. End The Wrath Of God

DEICIDE drummer Steve Asheim recently told Decibel magazine about the band's working relationship with Suecof: "It's awesome! I've known Jason since '08. I had been going out to do the ORDER OF ENNEAD records with him. The last DEICIDE record we did with Mark [Lewis], but I've known Jason a long time, so I asked him if he was into it. He said, 'Absolutely!' I wanted to get one done ovith him before something happens. You never know."

Regarding the lyrical themes covered on the new DEICIDE album, Asheim said: "[The lyrics] are typical Glen Benton. Blasphemous, brutal rhetoric. We're going to get down and dirty this Blasphemous, brutal rhetoric. We're going to get down and dirty this time around, so expect the lyrics to be brutal."

According to Asheim, longtime fans will pick up on nuances inspired by the almighty "Legion" effort. "Jason wanted to capture the 'Legion' feel," the drummer said. "We're wanting Glen's vocals to sound more old-school. So, it's a bit of the new with a little throwback action."

As for DEICIDE's time at Audiohammer, Asheim said: "It's pretty cut-and-dried these days. I've known Jason a few years. I kind of know his methodology, how he works. It's a far drive, so we'll spend two or three nights there. Once we knock it out, we'll end up partying. We repeat that the next day."

"To Hell With God" sold 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

DEICIDE's previous CD, "Till Death Do Us Part", opened with 2,900 copies back in May 2008.

On September 3, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release "Live In Tokyo" by PORTNOY SHEEHAN MACALPINE SHERINIAN on DVD, Blu-ray, 2CD and digital audio and video formats. "Live In Tokyo" was filmed/recorded on November 14, 2012 at Zepp Tokyo. This 95-minute concert is the first release of material from the PSMS supergroup, and it showcases a wide range of instrumental performances from each of the members' careers and collaborations (moved up from a later paragraph). Wider fanbases of DREAM THEATER, MR. BIG and BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION will definitely stand up and take notice. Drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS, TRANSATLANTIC), bassist Billy Sheehan (TALAS, MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH), guitarist Tony MacAlpine and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, DREAM THEATER, BILLY IDOL) brought their collective strengths to Japan this past fall. The result was a 16-track deep cornucopia of the members' individual highlights. The group unleashed a fierce storm of sonic musicianship on songs such as "Shy Boy" from Sheehan's band TALAS, MacAlpine's "The Stranger", Sherinian's "Apocalypse 1470 B.C." and DREAM THEATER's "A Change Of Seasons: The Crimson Sunrise". The DVD and Blu-ray also offer an exclusive peek at this production with a behind-the-scenes featurette.

"Live In Tokyo" track listing:

01. A Change Of Seasons: I The Crimson Sunrise (DREAM THEATER song) 02. Acid Rain (LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT song) 03. The Stranger (TONY MACALPINE song) 04. Stratus (BILLY COBHAM song)05. Atlantis, Part 1: Apocalypse 1470 B.C. (DEREK SHERINIAN song) 06. Tony MacAlpine Guitar Solo 07. Been Here Before (DEREK SHERINIAN song) 08. Birds Of Prey (Billy's Boogie) / Billy Sheehan solo09. The Farandole (TALAS song) 10. The Pump (JEFF BECK song) 11. Mike Portnoy Drum Intro 12. Nightmare Cinema (DEREK SHERINIAN song) 13. Hell's Kitchen (DREAM THEATER song) 14. Derek Sherinian Keyboard Solo 15. Lines In The Sand (DREAM THEATER song) (abridged) 16. Shy Boy (TALAS song) (Billy Sheehan on lead vocals)

A performance clip of "Birds Of Prey (Billy's Boogie)", taken from "Live In Tokyo", can be seen below.

In an interview with Prog Sphere, Portnoy stated about the new band, "It's a blast. I love Derek; he's a fun guy. I still stand by the fact that I'm not sure if he was ever right for DREAM THEATER. But, that doesn't mean I don't love the guy as a player and person. I really do — I love being with him and I love playing with him and I'm glad to be able to work with him again. And, you know, it's a cool project because obviously it's very much… I think of everything I'm doing it's the most like DREAM THEATER or it's more even like LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, probably. But you know, it's just me being able to play that kind of music with some amazing musicians. Not only Derek, but, obviously, Billy Sheehan's a dear friend and I've got two different things going with Billy at the moment, and I love working with him; he's one of my favorite bass players of all time. And Tony MacAlpine is an amazing guitar player, so I'm honored to be playing with him as well."

Portnoy formed the lineup to perfom at two drum events at the NAMM show in January 2012. Due to overwhelming response, that band has decided to take their show on the road.

"Saturn And Skies", the first video from GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS, the new band featuring Matt Wicklund (guitar; ex-GOD FORBID, HIMSA, WARREL DANE) and Van Williams (drums; ASHES OF ARES, PURE SWEET HELL, ex-NEVERMORE), can be seen below. The group states: "We are very excited about the music we are putting together."

Guitarist Christopher Amott (ARMAGEDDON, ex-ARCH ENEMY) recently announced his departure from GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS in order to focus entirely on making a new ARMAGEDDON album.

GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS' vocals are performed by 17-year-old Adon Fanion, whose style, character and lyrics are said to "extend far beyond his years."

GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS is seeking a suitable record company to release the band's debut album, for which 13 songs have already been written, including "Released", "Alive", "Successor", "Find The Light" and "Caged Love".

After disbanding in 1987, legendary British occult metal act 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. A single, "The Age Of Nefarious", will precede the full-length album this fall.

Commented Sneap on the upcoming release: "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.

"We have this week left tracking. Four more vocals and bass to get down, two more songs of guitar and then mix.

"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 explains: "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.

Metalville has set an October 4 release date for "Stairway To Hell", the new CD + DVD from reunited hard rockers UGLY KID JOE. The set contains the band's latest EP, "Stairway To Hell", which was originally released independently last summer, plus three bonus acoustic tracks and a special bonus DVD, including the 2012 Download festival concert, two new video clips and a "making-of" segment.

"Stairway To Hell" enhanced reissue track listing:

01. Devil's Paradise02. You Make Me Sick03. No One Survives 04. I'm Alright05. Love Ain't True06. Another Beer07. Cat's In The Cradle (acoustic version)08. Would You Like To Be There (acoustic version)09. No One Survives (acoustic version) The video for the song "I'm Alright" can be seen below.

"Stairway To Hell" heralds UGLY KID JOE's return, containing songs spanning the full repertoire of influences which made the band one of the prime soundtracks for young snowboarders, surfers, keggers and characters worldwide. Whether it's "Devil’s Paradise", with its hypnotic riffery and hook line, grooving and grinding its hips seductively, the melodic power-fueled darkness of "No One Survives" or the irrepressibly memorable chug-and-chorus of "I'm Alright" it's clear that UGLY KID JOE have everything they started with plus fatter chops and a (frankly) superior curve on songwriting.

UGLY KID JOE frontman Whitfield Crane told Neuweltmusic, "17 years ago, we were excited to prove ourselves with our new, heavy music. Sometimes we'd leave 'Cat's In The Cradle' or 'Everything About You' out of the set. That was understandable in the sense of wanting to prove ourselves — it was also childish. It drove me crazy, but now it's all good. Now we embrace both our sides. They're part of our dynamic and our history."

UGLY KID JOE released three full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the 1990s before disbanding in 1997.

The epicenter of UGLY KID JOE is Crane, a wonderfully cathartic wrecking ball of rock 'n' roll energy as it used to be served, on the rocks with no need for tonic. He's joined by long-time co-conspirators, Klaus Eichstadt and Dave Fortman (guitars) as well as Cordell Crockett (bass) and Shannon Larkin (drums.) Several members have built pretty substantial resumes during UGLY KID JOE's break. Fortman produced albums by EVANESCENCE, SLIPKNOT and MUDVAYNE, while Larkin hit the skins for multi-platinum-sellers GODSMACK.

Asked what the catalyst was in bringing the band back together, Crane told Music-News.com, "I never thought it would go down personally, but Dave was producing a band called GODSMACK and in that band there's a magnificent drummer called Shannon Larkin who, of course, is the UGLY KID JOE drummer, so basically you had Dave Fortman producing Shannon's band, and those guys were just talking and having a good time. I guess they talked about it and called Klaus, my best friend and guitar player of UGLY KID JOE, they said, 'Hey, man, we should make some music.' Klaus shot me a call and asked me if I wanna play some heavy metal music, and obviously I said yes."

Regarding why UGLY KID JOE split up in the first place, Crane said: "In late '96 and January '97 when we officially spilt, no one was into it; you could feel the wind out of the sails. We were sick of each other and we had the courage to leave. It's okay to leave a toxic situation. So that said, fast forward 16 years later, and everyone wants to be in the room, we’re excited to be around each other and be creative. We've all gone off and done this myriad of stuff, some of us are married and have kids, so now we're armed with all these various experiences and it's really exciting and cathartic in some sense. We didn't know how it would work out, if we would get any shows, and being asked how we feel about being able to support ALICE COOPER [on a recent U.K. tour], we [were] blown away."

Bassist Patrick Bruders has officially resigned as CROWBAR's bass player. A replacement bassist has not yet been announced.

Said CROWBAR guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein: "I'm more hurt than anyone about Pat leaving CROWBAR, but keep in mind that there were years that I was the only member in CROWBAR."

It is not presently clear if Bruders' departure from CROWBAR will affect his position with DOWN, a band that also features Windstein on guitar.

CROWBAR's latest album, "Sever The Wicked Hand", sold around 3,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 4 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

CROWBAR's previous album, "Lifesblood For The Downtrodden", premiered with 1,900 copies back in February 2005.

"Sever The Wicked Hand" was released in the U.S. on February 8, 2011 through E1 Music and in Europe on February 14, 2011 via Century Media Records.

CROWBAR's "The Cemetery Angels" video was filmed on December 5, 2010 in New York City with director Dale "Rage" Resteghini.

Video footage of the reunited METAL CHURCH — Ronny Munroe on vocals, Kurdt Vanderhoof and Rick Van Zandt on guitars, Steve Unger on bass, and Jeff Plate on drums — performing on August 30 at The Liberty Theater in Puyallup, Washington can be seen below.

METAL CHURCH recently inked a deal with Rat Pak Records. The band's tenth studio album, "Generation Nothing", will be released in the early fall via Kurdt's label Body Of Work Recordings in conjunction with Rat Pak.

"Generation Nothing" track listing:

01. Bullet Proof 02. Dead City 03. Generation Nothing 04. Noises In The Wall 05. Jump The Gun 06. Suiciety 07. Scream 08. Hits Keep Comin' 09. Close To The Bone 10. The Media Horse

According to Vanderhoof, "Generation Nothing" — which was recorded at Kurdt's English Channel studio in Washingtion — marks a "return to [METAL CHURCH's] classic metal sound. It has elements of the first album and 'The Dark', but still embraces the new sound of the band without chasing the past."

Munroe said in a recent interview with Metal Assault that the new METAL CHURCH effort would contain material that is "very reminiscent of the old days with some stuff that's very 'now.'" He added: "There's a bit of… I'm not going to say 'prog' because it's not, but there's a couple of elements in there that are a little bit progressive. For the most part, out of this batch of songs, they really sound more reminiscent of the early days than anything we've done before with this lineup. This excites me very much, and I think the fans are really going to dig it."

Regarding the circumstances that led to METAL CHURCH's breakup in 2009, Ronny said: "Well, in a nutshell, without going into a huge and long story here, it was certain aspects of things that had continued to happen to the band throughout its career. Not having the proper management and the proper people in place that were handling us. You know, we ended up taking some shows we shouldn't have taken and that just led to where Kurdt was really getting fed up and then we all kind of got that way. Basically, we figured before we end up disbanding because of other reasons such as maybe starting to fight with one another or whatnot, we decided to go ahead and end it then. We all ended up friends and we wanted to keep it that way. So I won't go into specifics, but we all know what the music industry is like now compared to what it was like back then. We just didn't have the right people in our camp."

Asked what the band is going to do differently this time around to avoid falling into the same trap, Ronny said: "This time around we're going to release this next record on Kurdt's label. Basically, Kurdt and the band and whatnot are taking a lot more control of the situation. Yes, maybe the downloading thing is even worse than 2009, but also on the other hand, if you know what you're doing and you use the Internet correctly, you can actually have success. Kurdt's been doing that with his prog band PRESTO BALLET and whatnot. In this day and age, the time is right to go and try something on your own. If it doesn't work, you can always end up going out and searching for a label or something. We're going to take a shot at it and see what happens and I think we're probably going to have some decent success."

U.D.O. - featuring ex-ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider - just returned home from one of the greatest trips in their career. The band's website has been updated with the following message:
"The band played two festivals, one in Sevastopol/Ukraine and one in Volgograd (ex Stalingrad)/Russia. The festival in Sevastopol was already very special since the band performed in front of 30,000 people as the headliner in the middle of a fantastic Mad Max stage scenery and the people there freaked out.

The absolute highlight happened 4 days later in Volgograd. Invited by Russian promoter NCA, the Kremlin and the MC Night Wolves (well done gentlemen) the band performed celebrating the 70 year anniversary of the end of the battle of Stalingrad. We expected a lot but what we have seen there was simply fantastic. U.D.O. performed as headliner in front of more than 150,000 people celebrating the friendship between Russia and Germany. And this was not only a very emotional show, no, this all happened in a surreal scenery. The stage was build in the middle of a battleground as a mixture of World War 2 and Mad Max where the Russians showed a breathtaking performance recreating parts of the battle of Stalingrad.

This special show (lasting for one hour) included thousands of soldiers fighting, cannons, tanks, flame throwers, military trucks and jeeps, airfighter landing in the middle of the audience, a gigantic pyro show, lots of burning stuntmen and of course a big house front on stage completely exploding during the battle. All this combined with tasteful lights, flags and historical costumes made this to a very special event. Nobody of us saw that before and this really competes with the legendary The Wall show from PINK FLOYD.

Well, the absolutely highlight of this unique show was U.D.O. performing 'Cry Soldier Cry' together with the fantastic Konstantin Soldatov playing the balalaika and an unbelievable great Russian marine quire. FANTASTIC. Imagine the scenery, more than 150,000 people and U.D.O. performing this song with a Russian quire. GOOSE BUMPS!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!!

We met a lot of Russian friends and we are very proud being part of this gigantic show representing Germany and playing there for friendship and peace."

Tommy, THE WHO’s defining, breakthrough concept album - a full-blown rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind boy that launched the band to international superstardom, is to be released in Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions this fall.

In May 1969, The Who were at a career crossroads. They were known mainly as a singles band, but the release of Tommy launched them as a serious ‘albums band’ and has now sold over 20 million copies while regularly turning up on lists of the most influential albums of all time. Coming after The Who Sell Out in 1967, it marked a complete change in style with Pete Townshend's lengthy conceptual narrative bringing exciting new opportunities to rock music. Tommy was and remains an ambitious, complex and controversial work, which was initially banned by the BBC.

These new Deluxe and Super Deluxe versions of the album come with a wealth of previously unheard material in the form of 20 demos from Townshend’s archive and also a full live performance of Tommy from 1969 taken from tapes that infamously Townshend asked the band’s sound engineer to burn! Eighteen of the previously unheard and thought to be long lost live tracks are taken from a live show at the Capital Theatre in Ottawa, Ontario, on October 15th, 1969. Three others, ‘I’m Free’, ‘Tommy’s Holiday Camp’ and ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ were lost due to tape reels being changed during the show so are taken from later shows of the same era.

As discussed at length in Pete Townshend’s autobiography, the tapes were all supposed to be destroyed, but were kept by long time Who sound man Bob Pridden, despite Pete’s instructions.

The Super Deluxe box also features a 5.1 mix featuring the complete album remixed in Surround Sound on new Hi Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-ray format. As well as the music, the limited edition Super Deluxe boxset comes with a hardback 80-page, full-colour book featuring rare period photos, memorabilia, a 20,000-word essay by legendary Who aficionado Richard Barnes, and a rare facsimile Tommy poster housed in a hard-back deluxe slip-case.
Tracklisting/further details:

Super-Deluxe Edition

- Disc 1 - The original album (2013 remaster). Digitally remastered in HD.
- Disc 2 - The demos and out-takes. Features 20 previously unreleased tracks from Pete Townshend’s demo archive.
- Disc 3 - The 5.1 album mix - Hi Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-ray. The complete album remixed in surround sound on new Hi Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-ray format.
- Disc 4 - The live ‘bootleg’ album. Features 21 previously-unreleased tracks from various live shows from 1969.
- Hardback 80-page full-colour book featuring rare period photos and memorabilia.
- 20,000-word essay by legendary Who aficionado Richard Barnes.
- Rare facsimile Tommy poster.
- Limited edition, housed in a hard-back deluxe slip-case .

Tracklisting:

Disc 1 - The original album (2013 remaster):

'Overture'
'It’s A Boy'
'1921'
'Amazing Journey'
'Sparks'
'The Hawker (Eyesight To The Blind)'
'Christmas'
'Cousin Kevin'
'The Acid Queen'
'Underture'
'Do You Think It’s Alright?'
'Fiddle About'
'Pinball Wizard'
'There’s A Doctor'
'Go To The Mirror!'
'Tommy Can You Hear Me?'
'Smash The Mirror'
'Sensation'
'Miracle Cure'
'Sally Simpson'
'I’m Free'
'Welcome'
'Tommy’s Holiday Camp'
'We’re Not Gonna Take It'

Disc 2 Demos & extras:

'Overture'
'It's A Boy'
'1921'
'Amazing Journey'
'Dream One'
'Sparks'
'The Hawker'
'Christmas'
'Acid Queen'
'Underture (Dream Two)'
'Do You Think It's Alright'
'Pinball Wizard'
'There's A Doctor'
'Go To The Mirror!'
'Success'
'Tommy Can You Hear Me'
'Smash The Mirror'
'Sensation'
'Miracle Cure'
'Sally Simpson'
'I'm Free'
'Welcome'
'We're Not Gonna Take It'
'Trying To Get Through'
'Young Man Blues'

Tracks 1 - 23 - Pete Townshend - original demos.
All previously unreleased except 2, 11 and 12 - released in 2003
Track 24 - The Who - studio demo/out-take.
Track 25 - The Who - studio recording (Note: This version was previously only available on The House That Track Built vinyl sampler).

Disc 3 Hi Fidelity Pure Audio - Blu-ray disc (5.1 mixes):

'Overture'
'It’s A Boy'
'1921'
'Amazing Journey'
'Sparks'
'The Hawker'
'Christmas'
'Cousin Kevin'
'The Acid Queen'
'Underture'
'Do You Think It’s Alright?'
'Fiddle About'
'Pinball Wizard'
'There’s A Doctor'
'Go To The Mirror!'
'Tommy Can You Hear Me?'
'Smash The Mirror'
'Sensation'
'Miracle Cure'
'Sally Simpson'
'I’m Free'
'Welcome'
'Tommy’s Holiday Camp'
'We’re Not Gonna Take It'

Disc 4 Live Bootleg:

'Overture' (including Introduction)
'It's A Boy'
'1921'
'Amazing Journey'
'Sparks'
'The Hawker (Eyesight To The Blind)'
'Christmas'
'The Acid Queen'
'Pinball Wizard'
'Do You Think It's Alright?'
'Fiddle About'
'Tommy Can You Hear Me?'
'There's A Doctor'
'Go To The Mirror!'
'Smash The Mirror'
'Miracle Cure'
'Sally Simpson'
'I’m Free'
'Tommy’s Holiday Camp'
'We’re Not Gonna Take It'
'See Me, Feel Me / Listening To You'

Other formats:

Physical:

2-CD deluxe, digi-pak
- CD 1 Original album remastered
- CD 2 Live Bootleg

1-CD remastered version
- Original album (single disc)

Deluxe vinyl edition
- 2-piece, heavyweight
- Original LP configuration

UVINYL Website
- Exclusive vinyl version of live ‘bootleg’ album

Hi Fidelity Pure Audio (Blu-ray)
- ‘Stand-alone’ original album mixed in 5.1

Digital:

Super-deluxe box set
- Tracks from SDE box, excluding 5.1 mixes
- + MFiT version (iTunes only)

Digital deluxe edition
-‘Mirror’ of 2-CD physical
- + MFiT version (iTunes only)

Digital album (original album)
- 'Mirror’ of 1-CD physical
- + MFiT version (iTunes only)

Dutch heavy metal band LORD VOLTURE has finished recording its as-yet-untitled third full-length studio album at Final Focus Studio in Tilburg and Split Second Sound Studio in Amsterdam with engineers Yuma van Eekelen (EXIVIOUS, ex-PESTILENCE) and Bart Hennephof (TEXTURES). All tracks are now going to Swamp Studio in Raamsdonk to be mixed by Stephen van Haestregt (ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION, ex-MY FAVORITE SCAR). An early 2014 release is expected.

Comments LORD VOLTURE frontman David Marcelis: "We cannot wait to share the new tunes with the world.

"We're so proud to have made another album which is 100% LORD VOLTURE, yet renewing in its own way. The compositions are more compact and in-your-face than on our previous records, but at the same time there is more rest and maturity and a better flow. Everything sounds loud, tight and confident, even in the unmixed and uncompressed tracks.

"Each of us has grown a lot since our last release, 'Never Cry Wolf', in 2011. Drums, bass, guitars, vocals... everything. If you ask me, this will become an instant-classics-only album!"

In less then two weeks, LORD VOLTURE embark on the "Wolves In Bohemia" tour in Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands. More tours and shows are coming up in October, November, December and January for and the Netherlands and also covering France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark and Northern Ireland.

The band has announced that they will play live a number of the new album songs alongside classics from the "Beast Of Thunder" and "Never Cry Wolf" albums.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian has commented on President Barack Obama's plan to punish Syria for an alleged chemical weapons attack.

The U.S. leader announced that he would seek approval from Congress for action against Bashar Assad's government in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons that killed nearly 1,500 people in a Damascus suburb last week.

Writing on his Facebook page on August 29, Serj said: "I'm really concerned about the 'evidence' against the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons as an excuse for intervention.

"Remember the 'slam dunk' evidence against Iraq?

"Why would Assad use chemical weapons when he has the lead and in his own neighborhood? Doesn't make any sense to me.

"Would it be a far notion to assume that Al Qaeda or Al Nusra Front would do this to get the West involved?

"This time let the people of the world see the evidence and let the UN General Assembly make the decision of involvement, not a few nations of the Security Council.

"Just some thoughts."

Two days later, Serj followed up his original post with this message: "I really want to thank everyone who has commented on the previous post about the Syrian situation. I've read a lot of your comments and have found them illuminating.

"Ultimately, along with the use of chemical weapons and their horrific severity, the civil war in Syria has cost 100,000 lives with millions more displaced.

"If we really want to help, instead of conducting limited air strikes, which will not change the balance of power in Syria, we should propose an international, multilateral, UN peace-keeping force to end the civil war there and create an immediate cease fire that can lead to negotiations between the gov't and the rebels. I think the Russians and Chinese will oblige and join the effort, especially given the alternative of air strikes.

"Once the civil war has ended, it will be easier to deduce the guilty parties on both sides who have broken international laws and conventions and bring them to justice, preferably through the ICC or World Court to help strengthen those institutions to deal with crimes against humanity instead of weakening them, as the U.S. has in the past."

French progressive technical death metallers GOROD have parted ways with drummer Samuel Santiago. The band states: "The reasons for this split up only concern Samuel and GOROD. No others statements will be made about this.

"The few gigs booked for the end of the year are confirmed and will be done with a temporary drummer. These gigs will be the the last concerning 'A Perfect Absolution'.

"In the following weeks, GOROD will focus and start to compose for a new album... and, we have few ideas, will search for a new drummer. More news soon."

GOROD's fourth full-length album, "A Perfect Absolution", was released in the U.S. on May 8, 2012 via Unique Leader Records (March 2012 in Europe through Listenable Records). The CD was mixed by producer Frédéric "Elmobo" Motte, who oversaw the recording of the drums, bass and vocals, while all guitars were tracked by GOROD's mastermind Matthieu Pascal at his Bud Records Studio. The mix and the mastering were done at Elmobo's Conkrete Studio by Pascal and Elmobo.

The lyrical concept of "A Perfect Absolution" is based on the history of Kievan Rus during the 10th century.

In the year 945, Igor, King of Kiev, was killed while collecting a "tribute" when he visited a neighbor pagan tribe (the Derevlians) who lives in the forest. He left a widow, Olga, who avenged him in an extremely harsh manner before converting to Orthodox Christianity.

"A Perfect Absolution" features guest guitar solos by Christian Muenzner (OBSCURA) and Mike Keene (THE FACELESS).

Prosthetic Records has announced the signing of British band ANACONDAS to an international, multi-album deal. Stuart Hunter, guitarist and joint vocalist of the band, commented: "We are proud to announce that we have signed to Prosthetic and that our album 'Sub Contra Blues' will be released worldwide this autumn. We're excited to be working with a great label who has put out albums from some of our favorite bands throughout the years. Thanks to all the people who have supported us and made this possible." ANACONDAS formed in 2010 from the ashes of acclaimed English band JOHNNY TRUANT, who blazed their way through the Noughties with a frenetic, forward-thinking take on modern metallic hardcore. During the final breaths of TRUANT, Hunter conceived a comparatively stripped-down, instrumental-based project that would be dense and progressively sludge-driven, balancing immense heaviness and delicate melody in equal measure. Reunited with brother and fellow ex-TRUANT James Hunter (bass), and with mutual friend Tim Newman on drums, the new project — ANACONDAS — became a fully realized band with all three sharing vocal duties in barbarous harmony.

Once the power trio had solidified, ANACONDAS began recording what would become their debut album, "Sub Contra Blues", in a local studio in their hometown of Brighton and enlisted British producer Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH) to master the sessions. Upon completion, the band began promoting the recordings themselves, garnering extensive press support on their own from the likes of Metal Hammer, Rock Sound, Terrorizer and a plethora of online media. Already developing a reputation as a potent live force, ANACONDAS have been premiering their "Sub Contra Blues" set in concert alongside TORCHE and EARTHTONE9, amongst others. Imagine huge riffs, provoking resonant passages and driving rhythms that draw influence from bands such as CAVE-IN, PELICAN, ALICE IN CHAINS and MESHUGGAH, yet with a distinctly British edge that brings to mind a post-metal SWERVEDRIVER. "Sub Contra Blues", the artwork for which can be seen below, immediately caught the attention of Prosthetic Records, which will release the album on October 15 in North America. A video will also be unveiled shortly, along with pre-orders for the limited vinyl that will accompany the digipak CD and digital formats.

Relapse Records has announced the signing of tech-savvy grind specialists MARUTA.

Founded in the swamplands of South Florida in 2005, MARUTA has been blurring the lines between grindcore and technical death metal ever since. The band has released two full-lengths through Willowtip Records, 2008's "In Narcosis" and 2011's "Forward Into Regression", to very positive reviews. Their forthcoming full-length and Relapse Records debut promises to follow their upward trajectory of extreme music innovation.

MARUTA will begin recording its new CD early next year with Scott Hull of PIG DESTROYER and AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED at Visceral Sound Studios in Bethesda, Maryland. This collaboration marks the first time that Hull has agreed to record a band that is not his own, and certainly lays the groundwork for an ear-shattering Relapse debut.

Vocalist Mitchell Luna commented on the signing: "Relapse is a label with a very diverse roster, and one that has put out several records in the past that we consider highly influential. A partnership with them just felt like the next logical choice, and we feel like we fit right in."

MARUTA's previous two albums plus songs from Relapse's "This Comp Kills Fascists" collection are available for streaming via their official Bandcamp page. They have toured the U.S. and Europe multiple times.