CHIMAIRA's video for the song "No Mercy" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's seventh studio album, "Crown Of Phantoms", which will be released on July 30 via eOne Music.

The band recently made headlines by way of crowd-funding a fan version CD/DVD where they doubled their initial goal via IndieGoGo.

CHIMAIRA just wrapped up a successful run on the "Dont Pray For Us Tour" with ASKING ALEXANDRIA and plans to be back on the road soon.

"Crown Of Phantoms" track listing:

01. The Machine
02. No Mercy
03. All That's Left Is Blood
04. I Despise
05. Plastic Wonderland
06. The Transmigration
07. Crown Of Phantoms
08. Spineless
09. Kings Of The Shadow World
10. Wrapped In Violence
11. Love Soaked Death

Commented vocalist Mark Hunter: "When I started this band, I had a desire to make extremely heavy, eclectic metal. Nothing has changed in that regard. I wanted to merge all the styles I loved into a hybrid of sounds. Having the chance to reinvent the group gave me the opportunity to work with unbelievable players and take the essence of CHIMAIRA to uncharted territory. Assembling the right team was essential to creating what I feel is some of the craziest and most passionate music I've had the pleasure to be a part of. The past defines us while the present refines us."

In a 2012 interview with Metal Insider, Hunter stated about CHIMAIRA's plans for the new CD: "We want to come out with an album that not only captures the essence of what the fans have grown to know over the years, but we want to do something not only for the scene that's special, but for musicians out there, too. The musicianship in this band now is definitely on the next level. Everyone's pretty much a virtuoso at their instrument. Some of the stuff Emil [Werstler, guitar] was writing yesterday on this new song, I'm watching him play and I'm like, 'There are only going to be about a handful of people that'll able to play this!' [laughs] I'm imagining like a kid getting home, getting our new record and maybe they have the guitar, and they go sit down and try play along to it. And it's going to take them a very long time. [laughs]"

He added: "We couldn't be happier moving forward. It sucks that we had to go through hell — no pun intended — to get to where we are now. But I think all of us, coming from lessons of life, lessons of bands, lessons of the industry, we've lived and learned and now we have something completely different to prove."

Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND, who feature in their ranks current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G., will celebrate their 10th anniversary by releasing a live album on June 24 via Century Media Records in Europe. Entitled "Apotheosis - Live 2012", the CD will contain 17 songs recorded at special anniversary shows in Greece as well as all over Europe during the band's "Few Against Many" tour in 2012. With a playing time of 69 minutes, the effort is a great overview of the band's career so far, which consists of seven studio albums. It also marks FIREWIND's final release with singer Apollo Papathanasio, who decided to leave the group at the end of last year. He has since been replaced by Kelly Sundown Carpenter (ADAGIO, BEYOND TWILIGHT) as session frontman for all 2013 live activities.

The cover artwork for "Apotheosis - Live 2012", which will be released as a digipak in its first limited-edition pressing, was designed by FIREWIND's longtime partner in all design matters, Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, ANGRA, DREAM EVIL) based on live photography by Hans-W. Rock.

"Apotheosis - Live 2012" track listing:

01. Head Up High
02. Wall Of Sound
03. Allegiance
04. Few Against Many
05. The Departure
06. Heading For The Dawn
07. Losing My Mind
08. World On Fire
09. Guitar Solo 2012
10. SKG
11. Between Heaven And Hell
12. Piano Solo
13. Edge Of A Dream
14. Mercenary Man
15. Glorious
16. Maniac
17. Falling To Pieces

The song "Head Up High", taken from "Apotheosis - Live 2012", can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

Stated Gus G.: "Apotheosis = the glorification of a subject to a divine level. That is the word that came to my mind while thinking of how I could best describe the feeling and the vibe of those four anniversary shows we played in our homeland Greece and our last European headline tour in 2012! So that had to be our live album's title. You can feel the energy on these recordings, you can hear the screams of the most hardcore fans and the FIREWIND chants... it's all there. No doubt about it, it's the sheer love from our fans and supporters that has kept us alive and strong for 10 years and we wanted to celebrate all that with this album. We recorded all those shows, chose the best performances and now we can't wait to release this one!"

In a recent interview with Metal Assault, Gus G. stated about Apollo's departure: "People following the band for the past few years would know that we've had different session guys at the live shows even when Apollo was in the band because he just had to skip a few tours during the year. So whenever the schedule was getting too heavy for him and he would have to take care of stuff back home, we had to get other guys. So this time, he had to skip again and he was like, 'You know, instead of holding you guys back, I might as well just quit.' I think he did the right thing for him, for us as well, because we can only do that [getting session vocalists] so many times and we're better off trying to find a new permanent guy instead of getting replacements for a tour. So at least now we know that we have to find somebody new, and in a sense it's a bit sad, but at the same time it's some sort of relief."

Asked if Carpenter is going to be the permanent replacement for Papathanasio, Gus said: "We don't know yet. We're not going to rush that decision. We're really happy with what he's doing on stage; he's doing a really good job. But we have this tour and then we have a few festivals back home and then FIREWIND might be on hiatus for a while, so we're going to see what we're going to do."

FIREWIND's latest album, "Few Against Many", entered the official chart in Greece at No. 42 and in Germany at No. 90. Released in Europe on May 21, 2012 via Century Media Records and in North America on May 22 through DisManic, Inc. via eOne Distribution, the CD was mixed by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi at Audiohammer Studios (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEATH ANGEL) in Sanford, Florida.

British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST celebrated their 25th anniversary with a very special show at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards, which was held this past Monday night (June 17) at London's esteemed Indigo2 venue (headlined by the other British legends MOTÖRHEAD).

PARADISE LOST invited their friends Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL) — who sang "Say Just Words" in a duet with PARADISE LOST frontman Nick Holmes — and Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE) who joined PARADISE LOST to pay tribute to the godfathers of metal, BLACK SABBATH, for an "Into The Void" cover version.

Video footage of the "Into The Void" performance featuring Gus G. can now be seen below.

In a statement released last week, Holmes stated about the Metal Hammer Golden Gods show: "[I am] really looking forward to singing with Cristina. I think it will be a lot of fun. She has an amazing voice, and I'm looking forward to being completely overshadowed!"

Adds PARADISE LOST guitarist Greg Mackintosh: "It is the dream job of any guitarist to play for Ozzy, and Gus achieved that. I watched him at Graspop festival and he slayed the crowd. It will be awesome playing my favourite SABBATH song with Gus."

PARADISE LOST wil embark on a four-date U.K. tour in October/November to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Support on the trek will come from LACUNA COIL.

MOTÖRHEAD has set "Aftershock" as the title of its new album, tentatively due in September. The follow-up to 2010's "The Wörld Is Yours" was recorded at Maple Sound Studios in Santa Ana, California with longtime producer Cameron Webb and will feature 13 songs, including "Dust And Glass", "Knife", "Going To Mexico", "Lost Woman Blues", "Death Machine" and "Heartbreaker".

In other news, it was revealed in the latest issue of U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine that MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy Kilmister recently had a defibrillator fitted — an operation to put a device in his chest to help his heart beat normally — after experiencing "heart problems."

MOTÖRHEAD released "The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" in Germany on September 21, 2012, three days later in the rest of Europe and October 9, 2012 in North America via UDR/EMI. The follow-up to 2011's "The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 1: Everywhere Further Than Everyplace Else" features the band's 2011 Wacken Open Air headline appearance as well as highlights from Sonisphere (United Kingdom) and Rock In Rio (Brazil) shows.

MOTÖRHEAD's latest album, "The Wörld Is Yours", sold 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 94 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous effort, "Motörizer", premiered with 6,400 units back in 2008 to debut at No. 82, while 2006's "Kiss Of Death" registered a first-week tally of 3,500.

ALICE IN CHAINS has uploaded an 18-minute YouTube clip containing audio samples of all the tracks that appear on the band's fifth studio album, "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here". Check it out below.

"The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" sold 62,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart. The disc follows up 2009's "Black Gives Way To Blue", which was the group's first all-new collection of material in 14 years. That CD opened with 126,000 units back in October 2009 to debut at No. 5.

ALICE IN CHAINS was last in the Top Two with its self-titled 1995 set, which debuted at No. 1 on that year's November 25 chart, according to Billboard.com. It would be their final studio release with singer Layne Staley, who died in 2002.

Although "Black Gives Way To Blue" was a huge comeback success for the band, guitarist/singer Jerry Cantrell told The Pulse Of Radio that they wiped the slate clean when it was time to make something new. "You should start from a zero every time, and we started from a zero with this record just like we've done with every record we've made," he said. "You've got a blank canvas, and you and your band are in the room and there's the canvas and there's no other pictures of the old albums hanging up. You know, those are put away in a closet somewhere, so you're not thinking about them or drawing from them or trying to repeat them or whatever. It's impossible to do that. That is what it was, now what do we do?"

"The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" is ALICE IN CHAINS' second album with William DuVall on vocals.

DuVall began touring with the group in 2006, four years after the death of Layne Staley from a drug overdose.

ALICE IN CHAINS began working on the new disc in 2011, but the sessions for the album were delayed when Cantrell had to undergo shoulder surgery.

"The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" features the singles "Stone" and the chart-topping "Hollow".

ALICE IN CHAINS heads to Europe this month and Canada in July before co-headlining the fourth annual Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival with JANE'S ADDICTION, kicking off on August 9 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Stetig vorwärts und aufwärts ging es in den letzten Jahren bei den Trauerpoeten MANTUS. Jährlich erschienen neue Werke und opulent bestückte EPs, stets gelang es MARTIN SCHINDLER, dem düsteren Antlitz seines Projekts neue Impulse zu verleihen. Nach einer beispiellos kreativen Schaffenszeit, die seit 2009 konstant anhielt, hält der Künstler erstmals wieder inne. Und setzt zu einem Rückblick an, der eindrucksvoll zeigt, was MANTUS in den letzten Jahren für die Gothic-Szene geleistet haben.


Hinter "Fatum" verbirgt sich die erste Best-Of seit dem 2006-er Album „Chronik“. Die macht schon mit ihrem Titel deutlich, was zu erwarten ist: MANTUS ist für MARTIN SCHINDLER nicht bloß eine Band, es ist sein Schicksal, sein „Fatum“. Auf zwei randvollen CDs blickt der Tränenarchitekt zurück auf die Zeit von 2000 bis 2012, auf zwölf lange Jahre vertonte Gothic-Geschichte. Viel ist geschehen in diesen Jahren, nicht immer war es sicher, ob MANTUS lebendig aus den Krisen und Rückschlägen hervorgehen würden. Programmatisch fängt die Werkschau deswegen mit „Untergang“ an, der Eröffnungshymne von „Requiem“, zu deren Klängen die Szene 2009 geschlossen in selbigen tanzte. Natürlich ist das nur der Auftakt – wenn auch ein besonders gut gewählter. Es folgen weitere 29 Stücke – von den elegischen Anfängen in der Todeskunst („Gemeinsam in den Tod“) über unverzichtbare Gothic-Klassiker wie „Kleiner Engel flügellos“ bis hin zu neueren, deutlich gitarrenbetonteren Gothic Rock-Brechern Marke „Hoffnungslos allein“ wird jeder MANTUS-Ära der Respekt gezollt, den sie verdient. Und das kann nicht genug sein.

"Fatum" ist weniger eine übliche Kopplung der Karrierehöhepunkte. Vielmehr ist das Doppelalbum die lückenlose Dokumentation der brennenden Leidenschaft, mit der MARTIN SCHINDLER sein Projekt von Anfang an führte – und bis heute führt. Alternative und bislang unveröffentlichte Versionen, feinfühlig in die Gegenwart übertragene Remakes von den frühen Gothic-Monumente „Kleiner Engel flügellos“, „Wie ein Engel“ oder „Gemeinsam in den Tod“ sowie der brandneue, beißend intensive Song „Trauma“ ergänzen den wohlig-melancholischen Spaziergang durch die Vergangenheit. Erst in seiner umfassenden Gesamtheit macht das Kunstwerk "Fatum" deutlich, was der deutschsprachige Gothic diesem Projekt zu verdanken hat. MANTUS sind unter den letzten verbliebenen Poeten wahrhaftiger Gothic-Kultur – und „Fatum“ ist ihr zeitloses Vermächtnis.

"Fatum" Track List:

01. Untergang
02. Phönix (Remake)
03. Legenden
04. Haus Der Lüge
05. Kleiner Engel Flügellos (Remake)
06. Ein Schatten
07. Königreich Der Angst
08. Loki
09. Das Lied Von Der Elbe
10. Tausend Tode
11. Blaue Grenze
12. Mantusalem
13. Aus Traum Und Wirklichkeit (Version 2005)
14. Tanz Der Sinne
15. Trauermarsch
16. Hoffnungslos Allein
17. Still
18. Wie Ein Engel (Remake)
19. Trauma
20. Küss Mich Wach
21. Stummes Gebet
22. Vanitas
23. Julia
24. Schuld
25. Träumerei
26. Unterwelt
27. Seelenlos (Feat. Black Heaven)
28. Etikette Tötet
29. Ein Hauch Von Wirklichkeit (Piano Version)
30. Gemeinsam In Den Tod (Remake)

ASP sind ein unergründliches Phänomen in der deutschen Musiklandschaft. Seit Jahren erkämpfen sie sich unermüdlich und mit lodernder Leidenschaft ein stetig größer werdendes Publikum über alle Szenegrenzen hinaus. Dabei bleiben sie sich und ihrer Musik stets treu und schaffen es ohne die geringste Anbiederung an den Mainstream, regelmäßig hohe Ränge in den Media Control Charts einzunehmen. Längst haben Freunde anspruchsvoller Texte und tiefgründiger Rockmusik gemerkt, dass sich hinter der gruseligen Maske und den oft alarmierenden Inhalten Kompositionen von großer Kraft und tröstender Melancholie verbergen. Kaum eine Band schaffte es in den vergangenen Jahren, unterhaltende und zugleich gesellschaftskritische Inhalte zu liefern, so wie sie in dem stimmungsvollen Kosmos dieses Projektes derart geschickt verbunden werden.

Diesmal kehren ASP zurück zum Erzählzyklus FREMDER und bringen die im Top-Ten-Album "fremd" gesäte Saat an Ideen zu voller Blüte. Im Gegensatz zur losen Songsammlung "GeistErfahrer" schlägt Mastermind Alexander “Asp“ Spreng mit "Maskenhaft" wieder die Kapitel eines Konzeptalbums auf und konzentriert sich ganz klar auf das, was die Fans lieben und die Band so besonders macht: Elf schaurige, musikalische Kurzgeschichten enthalten das fein destillierte Können, bilden die wohl kleinste literarische Einheit. Jeder Song weiß mit seiner eigenen fantastischen Story zu fesseln, und nach und nach, wie die Abenddämmerung über das Land hereinbricht, erkennt man, dass sich die einzelnen Kapitel zu einem größeren Bild zusammenfügen wie ein Puzzle. Asp ist und bleibt der Meister der Mehrdeutigkeiten und Bedeutungsebenen. Selten zeigten sich ASP so von allen Hit-Konventionen gelöst, und gerade durch diese Unbefangenheit erreichen sie es, Ohrwürmer im allerbesten Sinne zu erschaffen. Statt sich in ewig langen Erzählungen zu ergehen, stehen diesmal scheinbar federleichte Texte im Vordergrund. Bei deren näherer Betrachtung zeigt sich, dass Asp seine Lyrik aufs Äußerste verdichtet hat, um am Ende eine stark destillierte Essenz zu erhalten.

Fast hat man das Gefühl, eine Art Best Of vor sich zu haben. Das neue ASP-Album verbindet die verspielte Anmut von ASP-Klassikern wie "Aus der Tiefe" mit der erdigen Wuchtigkeit von "fremd". Man findet bleiern schleppende Goth-Rocker ebenso wie beinahe Soundtrack-artige Klänge und Verknüpfungen von metallischen Riffs und filigranen Wave-Momenten. Kurzum: ASP vereinen wieder alle möglichen düster-schillernden Stile zu ihrem ureigenen Gothic Novel Rock, der vor allem der Erzählung dient. Der Schwerpunkt liegt indes weiter auf dunklem, treibenden Rock, der diesmal zudem eine coole Heaviness ausstrahlt. Man wünscht sich jedenfalls sofort, die Lieder bald im Konzerterlebnis sehen und hören zu dürfen.

Wir alle tragen zu oft Masken, wir alle begegnen uns viel zu oft als Fremde. Und ebenso düster wie fremd-artig verschmitzt weist Asp in seinen Songs darauf hin, hält uns den Spiegel vor, indem er sich selbst als fremdesten aller Aliens in dieser Welt zeichnet.

1. "Maskenhaft" – Ultimate Edition. Limitiertes 3CD-Box-Set

• 3-fach CD in einem der Bildwelten würdigem Format (ca. 28 x 28 cm)
• CD 1 enthält eine speziell produzierte Abmischung des Albums für die heimische Stereoanlage
• CD 2 mit einem alternativen Mix des Albums, welcher speziell für die Anforderungen moderner Abspielmöglichkeiten angefertigt wurde
• Bonus CD mit spannenden Remixen und Versionen unter anderem von SAMSAS TRAUM und ZEROMANCER
• Opulenter 92(!)-seitiger Bildband im Hardcover-Einband
• Edler Kunstdruck auf hochwertigem, holzfrei matt gestrichenem 150g Papier mit aufwändiger schwarzer Fadenheftung
• Schwarzes Vor- und Nachsatzblatt
• Zusätzliches Artwork und exklusive Illustrationen von Timo Würz
• Inklusive aller Album-Texte sowie zusätzlicher Texte und Gedichte von Asp
• Mit einem Vorwort von Kai Meyer
• 36-seitiger ASP Wandkalender (August 2013 – Dezember 2014)
• Handnummeriertes Echtheitszertifikat, von Asp und Artwork-Zauberer Timo Würz höchstpersönlich signiert
• Stülpdeckelschachtel mit Silber-Heißfolien-Druck und schwarzer Innenkaschierung
• Streng auf 5.000 Exemplare limitiert


2."Maskenhaft" – 2CD Erstausgabe

• CD im 8-seitigen Digipak
• 28-seitiges Booklet
• Geprägtes Digipak


3. "Maskenhaft" – Vinyl – Limitierte Doppel-LP

• Edles, schwarzes 2x12" Vinyl (180g audiophiles Vinyl)
• Spezielles Schallplatten-Master
• Opulentes Gatefold Cover
• Bedruckte Innenhüllen
• 2 Poster (ca. 30 x 30 cm)
• Handnummeriert
• Streng limitiert auf 500 Exemplare weltweit

"Maskenhaft" Track List:

01. Augenaufschlag
02. Die Kreatur Mit Der Stählernen Maske
03. Aufbruchstimmung
04. Wanderer
05. Schneefall In Der Hölle
06. Die Löcher In Der Menge
07. Reflexionen
08. Das Märchen Vom Wildfang-Windfang (Schlüpftanz)
09. Panzerhaus
10. Per Aspera Ad Aspera
11. Die Klippe
12. Augenaufschlag
13. Die Kreatur Mit Der Stählernen Maske
14. Aufbruchstimmung
15. Wanderer
16. Schneefall In Der Hölle
17. Die Löcher In Der Menge
18. Reflexionen
19. Das Märchen Vom Wildfang-Windfang (Schlüpftanz)
20. Panzerhaus
21. Per Aspera Ad Aspera
22. Die Klippe

Swedish hard rockers EUROPE have released the following statement:

"So! A Swedish band called SABATON has gone platinum in Sweden, selling 40,000 units [of their latest album, 'Carolus Rex']. Nice one, lads! However, the media statement suggesting they are the first Swedish hard rock band ever to do so is a little ill-advised! Or, could it be we were 'punk'd' back in the '80s when presented with platinum discs for 'The Final Countdown'? No, wait! Ashton Kutcher wasn't even born back then!

"Ah, the 80's! The days when stonewashed denim was cool, and platinum meant 100,000...!"

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Sweden has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach platinum status in the country three times in the last 17 years — from the pre-1996 level of 100,000 to the current 40,000.

EUROPE's ninth studio album, "Bag Of Bones", was certified gold in the group's home country for sales in excess of 20,000 copies. According to the band, the CD entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 2 and "has since then continued to sell steadily." The group added, "'Bag Of Bones' is fast becoming the most successful record since the reunion."

"All Hope Is Lost", a brand new song from DEATH DIVISION — the heavy, technically aggressive and melodic band founded by bassist Jerry Montano (HELLYEAH, DANZIG, NOTHINGFACE), drummer Tim Yeung (MORBID ANGEL, DIVINE HERESY, HATE ETERNAL, NILE), vocalist/guitarist Sean De La Tour and lead guitarist Rick Di Marco — can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

DEATH DIVISION has been confirmed for this year's edition of Gigantour, the critically acclaimed package festival founded in 2005 by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are headliners MEGADETH, along with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, HELLYEAH, DEVICE and NEWSTED.

DEATH DIVISION is managed by Dave Mustaine's son, Justis Mustaine.

In a recent interview with the Colorado Springs, Colorado radio station 94.3 KILO, Mustaine stated about DEATH DIVISION: "One band that I did hear recently that I really liked was the opening band on Gigantour. It's an unknown band. The bass player from DANZIG and the drummer from MORBID ANGEL formed this band called DEATH DIVISION. And they're opening up Gigantour. My son manages them and if Tradecraft [Mustaine's label imprint] could sign anybody, I would sign them. They're that good. When I heard them, I said, 'Well, who's their label?' And Justis said they don't have a label. And I said, 'Really? Well, you know what? They can open Gigantour if they want to.' And they're on it. And the band's got one of the best guitar players I've heard in a very, very, very long time."

DEATH DIVISION has been working with Carin Cronacher of Hazmat Design (OZZY OSBOURNE, ROB ZOMBIE, ALICE COOPER) on the group's official logo and artwork.

For more information, visit the DEATH DIVISION Facebook page.

Little Rock, Arkansas-based death metal band SOUL EMBRACED will release its fifth album, "Mythos", on July 9 via Rottweiler Records. The thought-provoking, spiritually charged power metal CD features guest appearances by Bruce Fitzhugh (LIVING SACRIFICE) and Jeremiah Scott (DEMON HUNTER). The album's first single, "Like A Corpse", is currently available at digital retail outlets worldwide and, for a limited time, can also be downloaded for free on the music-sharing site NoiseTrade. The free download also includes a minute-and-a-half teaser clip for the full album.

SOUL EMBRACED, originally a side project of drummer David Sroczynski and William "Rocky" Gray, formed in 1997 and has been decimating the underground metal scene with a caustic, relentless aural assault for over sixteen years. The band released an EP on indie label Blood & Ink Records then went on to release three full-length albums on Solid State Records. Five years have passed since their last album and the band is now poised to explore the next chapter in their development.

The current lineup includes Chad Moore (vocals), Rocky Gray (drums), Cody Smith (guitar) and Jon Dunn (bass). Rocky Gray is best known for his drum work with multi-platinum selling artist EVANESCENCE (2003-2007) and as a guitarist for LIVING SACRIFICE (1999–2003, 2005, and 2008–present).

As more of a project band than a touring entity, live dates will be sparse in coming months.

A&M/Octone Records has announced the return of FLYLEAF with the band's new EP, "Who We Are", due on July 9. The extended-play recording features live songs from FLYLEAF's recent tour with new singer Kristen May and includes their new single, "Something Better", with a guest appearance by P.O.D. lead singer Sonny Sandoval. The track, which can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below, was recorded with longtime producer Howard Benson during a break between a busy schedule of touring and writing new material.

According to a press release, "Who We Are" features FLYLEAF's signature and live sound, including hits like "Call You Out", "Fire Fire", "Broken Wings" and "Sorrow", plus the aforementioned "Something Better".

"The live tracks came from our 2013 winter tour with DROWNING POOL," says FLYLEAF in a statement.

"'Something Better' is one of the first songs we wrote with Kristen May. It was an awesome experience writing together! Plus, having Sonny from P.O.D. on this track was really special. We've been fans of theirs for years, and it was an honor to do this collaboration. We think y'all will love it!"

FLYLEAF hits the road on a co-headlining nationwide tour with P.O.D. beginning July 13 in Kenosha, Wisconsin and continues through August 10 in San Diego, California. The band will be offering the sale of limited edition silk-screen prints designed by bass player Pat Seals on the FLYLEAF web site and bundled with the "Who We Are" EP.

Kristen May replaced original vocalist Lacey Sturm after the latter abruptly departed the group in October 2012.

Sturm left the band on the eve of the release of its third album, "New Horizons", which came out on October 30, 2012 and sold 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Sturm issued a statement about her exit from the group she co-founded, saying, "I am very thankful to have recently become a mom to one of the greatest blessings of my life, my son Jack . . . I understand that, for me, living life to the fullest in this season means to step down as the lead singer for FLYLEAF."

The new album follows up 2009's "Memento Mori" and FLYLEAF's self-titled 2005 debut, which have combined to sell more than 1.6 million copies in the U.S.

FLYLEAF is Kristen May (vocals) Sameer Bhattacharya (lead guitar), Jared Hartmann (rhythm guitar), Pat Seals (bass) and James Culpepper (drums).

Former MISFITS guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankensteinrecently recorded his debut solo CD, "Abominator", which was available in limited digital release, and as special advance physical copies at DANZIG's recent shows. The effort, which has been called "perhaps the best MISFITS-related record in over a decade," also features Alex Story (CANCERSLUG) on vocals, "Left-Hand" Graham on bass and Dr. Chud (MISFITS) on drums.

Doyle recently partnered with Labeled Insane Management and BrainMuscleMedia to create his own label, Monsterman Records, which will "officially" release "Abominator" this summer via INgrooves / Fontana, the leading global independent music distributor. "Abominator" will be available worldwide on iTunes and all digital music services in mid-June, with a direct-to-consumer physical CD release planned for July, and a worldwide retail release to follow.

"Abominator" track listing:

01. Abominator
02. Learn To Bleed
03. Dreamingdeadgirls
04. Headhunter
05. Valley Of Shadows
06. Land Of The Dead
07. Cemeterysexxx
08. Love Like Murder
09. Mark Of The Beast
10. Bloodstains
11. Hope Hell Is Warm

Doyle has just hit the road again with Glenn Danzig to revisit the magic of their legendary early collaborations, this time taking the mayhem to European shores with DANZIG's 25th-anniversary tour. On each date, Doyle takes to the stage with Danzig to run through a set of MISFITS classics, paying homage to their legacy as, arguably, the most influential horror-punk band of all time.

For more information, visit www.officialdoyle.com.

The PlayStation Home video stream of of COAL CHAMBER's performance at this year's Metal Hammer Golden Gods, which was held last night (Monday, June 17) at London, England's Indigo2, can be seen below.

COAL CHAMBER and SEVENDUST earlier in the year took part in a U.S. co-headlining tour. Also appearing on the bill was LACUNA COIL.

In a recent interview with the WGRD 97.9 FM radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan, COAL CHAMBER frontman Dez Fafara (also of DEVILDRIVER) stated about theband's current status: "COAL CHAMBER, for me right now, is like a really fine woman, man. I've gotta re-date her — she's back in my life, I've gotta see how she is, and we've gotta take our time with each other. And that's what we're doing. And I think that's the important thing — we're doing it for the love of the music as well. There's a lot of people that never got to either see COAL CHAMBER live or haven't seen us in a long time due to the breakup.

"It's good to see [the other guys in the band] off hard drugs, man, and you can see their guys are crystal clear, and it makes me wanna do music with them again.

"Right now, with COAL CHAMBER, that's what we're doing — we're taking it slow. [Last September], they sent me some new tunes and said, 'Hey, would you ever think about doing a new record? Here's some new tunes.' And they were absolutely killer. They were moving forward with their sound, but yet you could tell it was COAL CHAMBER, but it wasn't so linear. So who knows what's gonna happen in the future, man? We're just playing it by ear at this point. I've got a lot going on right now, so we just have to really see."

Regarding why neither of the two former COAL CHAMBER bassists — Nadja Peulen or Rayna Foss — is involved in the band's reunion, Dez told Full Metal Jackie in a separate interview, "Rayna was not [asked to be a part of it]. Rayna has been out of the band for a very long time. We did speak to Nadja. She has other things going and it wasn't really in the headspace where we were at as a band. We found Chela; she's Canadian and she's a bad-ass player. She's been playing for nearly [15] years. She plays five-string and it's good to have her on bass. She grew up with COAL CHAMBER. Where Meegs and Mikey and I am right now, we're really excited so we needed someone that filled that excitement drawer and she did for sure; she's stoked."

COAL CHAMBER rose to prominence with a gold-certified debut album in 1997 that established the group as one of the most promising bands on the then-emerging, so-called "nu metal" scene.

Nadja Peulen replaced COAL CHAMBER bassist Rayna Foss Rose in 1999 during Rose's pregnancy for almost 12 months while the band was on the road supporting its second album, "Chamber Music". Rayna came back to the band after her pregnancy leave and recorded COAL CHAMBER's third album, "Dark Days". Shortly after recording "Dark Days", Rayna quit the band and Nadja was recruited for the touring cycle that followed the CD's release. The band broke up during the "Dark Days" tour in 2002.

- First of all I would like to tell you we're happy to see you back on the stage and wish only good health in future. It was really shock for me when I learnt about your heart issues. How critical is the time on stage for you right now? How hard is it?

- It's a lot easier. The voice is better that it used to be. And also because I stopped smoking. Eating totally different - much healthier food. And then exercise - 5 times at least a week. And walk for an hour, power walk, very fast. So I had to learn to breathe again, and it's tough because it hurts, every breath hurts. but you had to do it to get capacity up, it works perfect now. I'm actually never out of breath on stage, after the show is done I'm not out of breath. You have do be careful, take the medication of course, but these are things you have to do. I was dead for 2 and half of hours, I was there. So it's a tough way back to. Changing everything is the thing that is not as tough as maybe a lot of people think. If you really want to. And I wouldn't make it without help of my wife, it's been a fight that we took together and now certain thing changed. You don't take things for granted like you might have done before. I think I see more, I pay attention to more than I did before, it's like living in the house instead of having 20 windows before and now it's 40 window, I can see so much more. So my philosophy I think has much changed, one bit on the contrary. So it's very good stuff actually, they can prompt it, it's still have to get some pain from the nerves, trying to still find each other, and I have a bit metal thing down to chest, in front, under my skin. There is a stick metal thing that has been put 'em together. You can't see much of a scar, it's a very small scar because they glue you together these days, they use this new technology. It's fantastic what they can do.

- Very nice to hear. So it' s obvious when health is in stake you can't think of anything else... Do you have plans regarding your new release or maybe double release? And if it's so what would it be about? what would sound like?

- I can tell you that we will finish with the tour european and then we'll start working on the next album. That's what we'll gonna do. All the time since it's been happened, even before I had some problems with my back, after I started working a lot more. It really helps. It hurts you first for a while but then it starts helping. So it's been good for that too. That was why we suddenly felt that ok, now it's time to try, if we can do a show

Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA have reunited with producer Ross Robinson (KORN, LIMP BIZKIT, SLIPKNOT) to record the band's next album, tentatively due in October via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD is currently being tracked at Robinson's studio in Venice, California and is being co-produced by Steve Evetts, who previously worked with SEPULTURA on the "Nation" (2001), "Revolusongs" (2002) and "Roorback" (2003) albums, in addition to having collaborated with Ross on a number of other projects in the past.

In the latest entry in the ongoing studio diary on the web site of the Brazilian newspaper Diario de Pernambuco, SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser writes: "Around noon of the 11th, Ross, Mike and myself started putting together all the guitar stuff. Before they dismantled the drums, Eloy took a photo shoot with our friend from Indonesia Pheren, a great photographer that lives in LA that we met at our last tour in Asia, great stuff. Drums out, guitar amps in.

"Ross still has the same guitar cabinet I use on 'Roots', a destroyed Marshall head that sounds amazing, it was used on albums by SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD and KORN too. It does have a kind of a magic sound. Also I have a cabinet in the studio from a Polish company Lagoba. [It's] really cool to have these options to record. For heads I'm using an Orange Rockerverb MK II that is simply the best plus two 5150 and a VHT, all sounding really good. We tried also a Vox, combo that Ross just fixed and it works perfectly, I can't believe that we are creating such a heavy sound with an Orange and with a Vox, totally Sixties.

"We found the sound and I recorded one of the guitars. It's fantastic to see Ross working with the pedals on the floor; he goes after the perfect sound for each part of the song. It's a lot of fun. Before I finished the other guitar, Ross wanted to start with Derrick [Green]. He did some vocals on the track and he kicked ass! Derrick never sounded so good and powerful. Ross is extracting the best of all of us.

"Next morning we were preparing to record the second guitar when Ross received a message on his phone. He was really excited about it so he stopped everything to tell us what was going on: Dave Lombardo, the one and only ex-drummer from SLAYER, also plays with Mike Patton on FANTOMAS, was real close to the studio with his kids and his dog enjoying some time at the beach, Ross asked if he would like to come to the studio and jam something on our album and he said YES! We were so excited, we could not believe that one of our great idols was ready to be a part of our new album.

"He came and it was so nice, so special, so awesome! He is one of the nicest guys in business and he enjoyed the idea a lot. Ross and Mike prepared two drum sets on the living room, facing each other, no cymbals, just tribal drums! When the mics were all ready and running Eloy and Dave started playing and the magic was on, so great! The part they recorded will be a special part on the middle of one of the songs, it came out crazy!

"We just have to thank Mr. Lombardo and his family for this opportunity. Thank you Dave, we will never forget this, it's a real honor to have you on the album!

"Well, the day was crazy after that, we finished the second guitar and did more vocals, long but a beautiful day. And this is how is going now at the studio, I start with guitars and then at the end of the day Derrick comes and scream his vocals, is working great like, something new for us since we always left the voice to the very end but we are loving the way things are running, we are very confident that we are doing something very special here."

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

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

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

"Roots" sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and was certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of 500,000 units.

SEPULTURA has spent most of the past two years on tour in support of its 12th studio album, and Nuclear Blast Records debut, "Kairos", which hit stores in July 2011.

Vicotnik (a.k.a. Yusaf Parvez) of the Norwegian band DØDHEIMSGARD (DHG) has issued the following update:

"Once again, it is time for me to write a few words to you, the creatures.

"A lot has been going on in the DHG camp since last we spoke. Mental institutions, jail time, forced therapy, drugs, fistfights, anger, regret, more therapy. You name it, we've done it.

"Well, I am not aiming to talk about the past, but rather speak a bit about where we find ourself in the present.

"You might have noticed some shows coming up, but I am not really in the mood to speak about this topic. Much more importantly is the gap between 2007 and 2013, it needs a physical expression. And what better way is there to shed a light on six years of absence than through your artform?

"Of course, we have been around, stirring up shit in your neighbourhoods, peeking into your windows, but we have not done anything worthwhile artistically since 'Supervillain Outcast'.

"DHG is a very circumstantial band — our plans were very different two years ago than where we find ourselves presently — but the creative aspect is always best when it is out of control.

"When faith holds no regard for your inner ambitions nor your plans, instead it just drags you effortlessly off to the next junction, kicking and screaming. Future plans is mostly already lived scenarios anyway, something you enjoyed so much, you want to relive it. While the force pushing you away from the known tends to render you in a world unexplored. First you fight, unwilling to see things change, then you surrender, get swept away and eventually you become the change you feared.

"I wrote 30 songs and burned them. I wrote 30 songs and destroyed them. I knew the easy way out was to keep the them, so I rejected them all. Fact is, those 30 buried songs represent a story already told.

"Well, first I fucked myself seriously, but then, after a while, I really really enjoyed it. I rebooted DHG and reshaped it with a dull razor. It was time for a blood transfusion and a new constellation making up the sum of the whole.

"Now, here we are, a new band with new songs. I let something unconscious and dormant become the conscious and become the awake.

"So what does all this mean in a practical sense??? It means we inked a deal with a new record label and have set our goals on an October 2013 release. This album will be the first of two albums released one year apart. We start recording late May.

"I do not want to give away to much about the upcoming material. As it is a surprise to you all, how you have received our albums in the past, has always been a treasured surprise of my own. So I want to keep this aspect of mystery surrounding the band intact.

"I will be sharing more info with all if you as we progress."

Cleveland, Ohio metal/hardcore veterans RINGWORM recently entered Spider Studios in their hometown with producer Ben Schigel (CHIMAIRA, WALLS OF JERICHO) to begin recording their new album for a late 2013 release via Relapse Records.

In a new Facebook post, RINGWORM states: "[We] finished mixing two songs for our first official Relapse Records release. This will be glorious three-song, limited-edition, multi-colored 10" vinyl. For those of you who know Relapse's attention to putting out amazing-looking vinyl will know this record will look and sound amazing. The first, a song entitled 'The Wheel', is a b-side that will only be available on the 10". The second, a song entitled 'Bleed', which is a song taken from our upcoming and first full-length record under the Relapse Records flag. The third is a cover song that we recorded awhile back. Look for this around October and be sure to snag one of these beauties when we hit the road in October, as we will have an ultra-limited tour edition on special colored vinyl. The new stuff is pretty fucking good, folks. I think you're gonna like it."

Formed in 1990, RINGWORM has previously released six full-length albums on labels Deathwish, A389 and Victory Records in addition to playing countless shows with the likes of CRO-MAGS, INTEGRITY, KREATOR, GOATWHORE and NASUM.

Mexican Christian death metal band LAMENT have inked a deal with Roxx Records for the release of their brand new EP, which also marks the band's 20th Anniversary. The band and their label are working on some special 20th anniversary items that will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Lament formed in Mexico City in 1993 and has been led by Abel Gomez since its inception. Today the band features Abel on lead guitar for the band, which also features Fidel Sanchez on vocals, Miguel Martinez on drums and Carlos Daniel Renteria on bass. The band has released four full length albums and a compilation of fan favorites in their 20 years together.
The band also recently released a Limited Edition 20th Anniversary DVD compilation documenting the band's history.

Steamhammer/SPV recently signed REBELLIOUS SPIRIT, a quartet from Southern Germany and promising new hard rock band consisting of members between 17 and 20 years of age. Their debut album, Gamble Shot, will be out on June 21st in Germany, June 24th throughout Europe, and July 2nd in North America.

Check out a newly-released album trailer below:
Gamble Shot features the following tracks:

Digipak:
'Let`s Bring Back'
'Sweet Access Right'
'Cry For You'
'Change The World'
'Lights Out'
'Gone Wild'
'Don`t Leave Me'
'You`re Not The Only One'
'Forever Young'
'Rock it'
'Lights Out' (bonus video)
'Change The World' (unplugged live) – bonus video
'Sweet Access Right' (unplugged live) – bonus video
Jewel Case:
'Let`s Bring Back'
'Sweet Access Right'
'Cry For You'
'Change The World'
'Lights Out'
'Gone Wild'
'Don`t Leave Me'
'You`re Not The Only One'
'Forever Young'
'Rock it'

The band recently released the first video from Gamble Shot for the song 'Lights Out' - view it below:
Rebellious Spirit were founded in summer 2010. Alongside brothers Jannik Fischer (17, vocals/guitar) and Jens Fischer (20, bass/vocals) are Silvio Bizer (18, drums) and Corvin Domhardt (18, guitar/vocals) complete the lineup. After a number of trial concerts, autumn 2010 saw them record their demo CD Heart Of Swabia featuring three original songs and three cover versions. In the meantime, the band has played more than 40 gigs, among them the Rock Of Ages, and have supported RECKLESS LOVE, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE and PUSSY SISSTER in Holland, Flensburg, Cologne and Munich.
Jens Fischer: “We can hardly wait for Gamble Shot to arrive at the stores at last so that we can present our new material to a larger audience.”

More on Rebellious Spirit and their upcoming tour schedule at this location.

On Friday, August 2nd LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA will release their new album titled LMO via Nuclear Blast. The three RAGE musicians Victor Smolski (guitar), Peavy Wagner (vocals and bass) and André Hilgers (drums) have been focused on their opulent orchestral project that can be considered a continuation of 1996’s Lingua Mortis album, back then a true piece of pioneering work.

Most of the album was composed by Victor Smolski who cooperated with two orchestras from Spain and Belarus, enlarging the number of this mammoth project’s participants to more than 100. In the following new trailer, Victor Smolski talks about the coordination of two orchestras:
LMO follows an exciting concept on the burning of witches in the German town of Gelnhausen in 1599, written by vocalist Peavy Wagner and based on a true story.

Apart from the three RAGE musicians, two female vocalists belong to Lingua Mortis Orchestra’s regular cast: Jeannette Marchewka and soprano singer Dana Harnge. Guest vocals were contributed by Henning Basse (ex-METALLIUM), among others.
The tracklist for LMO is as follows:

'Cleansed By Fire'
a) Convert The Pagans PT. 1
b) The Inquisition (instrumental)
c) Convert The Pagans PT. 2
'Scapegoat'
'The Devil´s Bride'
'Lament'
'Oremus' (instrumental)
'Witches` Judge'
'Eye For An Eye'
'Afterglow'

Check out three album trailers below:
LMO live dates are confirmed below:

August
3 - Wacken, Germany - Wacken Open Air

September
12 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
13 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
14 - Oberwaltersorf, Austria - Heavy Nights - Festival

For more details visit Facebook<

Vocalist/guitarist Andy Brings (ex-THE TRACEELORDS) has launched a new band, DOUBLE CRUSH SYNDROME. The cover art for the band's debut album, The You Filter, can be viewed below.
The tracklist is as follows:

'She's A Pistol'
'Yeah! Pain!'
'We Cannot Be Ruled'
'Blood On My Shirt'
'Refuse To Kiss Ass'
'I´m In Love With You'
'Fuck You IS My Answer'
'With Me'
'Die For Rock 'N' Roll'
'Tonight'

A lyric video for the band's first single 'Yeah! Pain!' from the upcoming debut album, The You Filter.
Double Crush Syndrome is:

Andy Brings - vocals, guitar
Aurora Steffens - bass
Markus Herzog - drums

Check out the band and watch for updates on their official Facebook page.

Massachusetts melodic deathcore five-piece A WANTED AWAKENING announce the addition of guitarist Mat Woodard (pictured below) to the band. Mat was formerly a member of STILL SILENT and OUR NAME IS LEGION. Mat is a longtime friend of the band and AWA looks forward to writing new music with him.
A statement from Mat reads: "It is an absolute honor to be a part of this band, I've been a fan and friend of these guys for a very long time and the transition into the lineup felt natural and familiar. I'm excited to be able to shred next to some of my best friends and help achieve the goals A Wanted Awakening desires. Everyone has been awesome at welcoming me into the AWA family and I know I'll do the fans proud by filling some very big shoes that Derek left behind."

On June 23rd, A Wanted Awakening will be playing Club Gemstones in Lowell, MA.

Guitarist STACEY BLADES, formerly of L.A. GUNS, is treating fans to some new material:

" A lot of you have not heard this track 'Rattlesnake'. It was the last song I brought into the studio for the Hollywood Forever album! It ended up as a bonus track on the Japanese release. Not crazy about the mix but a cool little rocker nonetheless. Crank it."
"So, so many of you have been wanting to hear new music. Well time to share I guess, lol! This is an amazing song, 'This Town', written by Paul Christiana and myself. This was the last thing Andy Johns produced. It will always hold a lot of meanings for me and it seems like yesterday when I was with him in the studio tracking it. Anyways enjoy it's a great song."
"Okay been sitting on this for months lol. Another Andy Johns session I played on with young movie star Jimmy Bennett. Very pop but a good song. Love my solo ;)"