Australian metallers TABERAH have set "Necromancer" as the title of their second album, due out in August via Dust On The Tracks Records. The CD was engineered by Theo B, produced and mixed by Joe Haley (PSYCROPTIC) and mastered by Stu Marshall (DEATH DEALER, EMPIRES OF EDEN, DUNGEON, PAINDIVISION). The artwork was created by Hannah Flowers, who is a talented Tasmanian tattoo artist.

"Necromancer" track listing:

01. 2012
02. Dying Wish
03. Burning In The Moonlight
04. Necromanzer
05. Warlord
06. Don't Say You'll Love Me
07. For King And Country
08. One Goon Bag Later
09. The Hammer Of Hades
10. My Dear Lord

Bonus track:

11. Burn

The song "2012" can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

Formed in 2004, TABERAH's sound and live performance is derived from a vast range of influences, including the traditional heavy metal stylings of IRON MAIDEN and BLACK SABBATH, the rock and roll swagger of AC/DC and THIN LIZZY mixed with the over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek theatrics of QUEEN and THE DARKNESS. All with a slightly modern and original twist.

TABERAH quickly became a staple act in the Tasmanian live music scene in 2006 and has established itself as one of Tasmania's top exports. In early 2011, TABERAH blitzed a nationwide vote, then were handpicked by Lemmy Kilmister himself to open for MOTÖRHEAD at the Sydney stop of their 2011 Australian tour.

2011 saw TABERAH record and release their debut album, "The Light Of Which I Dream", with acclaimed producer Joe Haley of PSYCROPTIC.

"Dogs Of War", the 1995 album from British heavy metal legends SAXON, will be released on very limited 12-inch picture-disc vinyl on July 15 via Demon Music Group. Recorded in Boston, England, the band's twelfth studio LP was SAXON's third for Virgin Germany and was the last effort to feature guitarist Graham Oliver. The 10-track epic is a move in the heavier direction for SAXON and features rock powerhouses "Burning Wheels" and "Demolition Alley", with "monstrous artwork and trademark pounding riffs."

SAXON's latest album, "Sacrifice", was released on March 1 in Europe (except in the U.K., where it was made available on March 4) and March 26 in North America through UDR. The CD was recorded at LS Studios in Yorkshire and was produced by singer Biff Byford, with Andy Sneap mixing and engineering by Jacky Lehmann. The cover artwork was created by longtime SAXON artist Paul Raymond Gregory.

2013 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees HEART are taking their critically acclaimed live show on the road this summer with very special guest JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE. Ann and Nancy Wilson first met Jason Bonham, son of famed LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham, when they performed "Stairway To Heaven" together at the Kennedy Center Honors tribute to LED ZEPPELIN in December 2012. Over 6 million fans have watched the performance online and purchased the track on iTunes. Now, in addition to a full set of HEART classic hits, including "Crazy On You", "Barracuda", "Alone", "These Dreams", "What About Love" and many more, fans can experience this historical pairing live when HEART and Bonham close each show with a special thirty-minute finale tribute to LED ZEPPELIN.

Fan-filmed video footage of the tour's opening concert, which took place this past Monday night (June 17) at Cruzan Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida can be seen below. Also available is a pre-show video interview with Bonham conducted by Andy Preston of the 98.7 The Gater radio station.

Check out photos of the concert at GaterRocks.com.

In a recent interview with Sun-Sentinel.com Bonham was asked about sharing the stage with Ann and Nancy Wilson of HEART to perform "Stairway To Heaven" during the LED ZEPPELIN tribute at the Kennedy Center Honors. "When I was asked to do 'Stairway', I was, like, 'Really? 'Stairway'?'" he said. "There are some songs you just don't touch. But the arrangement with the choir, orchestra and way the whole band played was very special. Both Robert [Plant] and John Paul [Jones] were blown away by the arrangements. It was cool and different. The respect to the original was incredible and Ann and Nancy were fantastic. There were 50 people bobbing up and down wearing top hats. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you see something like this.

After the performance was viewed more than five million times on YouTube, "The demand became so great it got released on iTunes," Bonham said. "I later got a call from Live Nation asking how we could put something like this together for a show."

Regarding how the Heartbreaker Tour with HEART came about, Bonham said: "I started talking to the girls from HEART and we came up with an idea of taking my band and doing a shorter version of what I normally do and then they would do a shortened version of their show. Then, we could be together and end with my guitar player and do a 45-minute extravaganza of performing some of the greatest music from LED ZEPPELIN that there is. It's going to be a fantastic summer."

Jason also spoke about his father's enduring influence on the current crop of rock drummers, saying: "Every drummer I've ever spoken to or read an interview with — my dad is always in their top three. I'm honored to share his name and represent him all these years after he's gone. It's been fantastic."

He added: "I don't think he even realized that 33 years after he died, he'd be an icon in the drumming world and the band became what they did — bigger than ever. He's such an icon and yet he was such a simple, regular guy when he was at home."

Interview:

Tom Keifer, best known as the singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Philadelphia-based blues-rock band CINDERELLA, performed his song "Solid Ground" on last night's (Tuesday, June 18) edition of CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

Keifer's debut solo album, "The Way Life Goes", sold 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 78 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on April 30 via Merovee Records (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group).

The collection of 14 new songs ranges from intimate, organic, acoustic tracks to driving hard rock. It embraces the blues, rock and country roots that have always been present in his unique sound that has generated the sale of over 15 million records worldwide for CINDERELLA. Rolling Stone praised Keifer as "a gritty, bluesy (rocker) with enough genuine swagger to draw comparisons to Mick Jagger."

"This record was a labor of love," Keifer told TriCities.com. "When I started this record, CINDERELLA was in the middle of a lawsuit with Sony Records. This record is not in any way to be taken as me stepping away from CINDERELLA."

"I took a lot of time making this record," he continued. "I made it over 10 years. I wanted to make something I loved. My wife, Savannah (Snow), co-wrote a lot of the songs with me. It was a blessing to me.

"Each song has something to do with life. It's just life, love, love lost, being crazy, going crazy, being lost. The record, there's no change, really, in style. It has the peaks and valleys.

"I've always approached music, played music that I like. I've never chased trends through CINDERELLA and with this album. It reflects what's in me."

"The Flower Song", the album's first single, was serviced to AAA radio stations nationwide on February 4, while "Solid Ground" was serviced to all rock formats on March 11.

Keifer wrote "The Flower Song" with Jim Peterik, formerly of the bands SURVIVOR and the IDES OF MARCH.

"The Way Life Goes" is a raw, introspective look at the roller coaster ride that has been Keifer's life for the past 15 years. From being told that he would never sing again as a result of a partially paralyzed left vocal cord, to the emotional and personal battles that followed, his solo debut is a story of perseverance, a testament to the power of passion and will, when combined with a true love of music.

"It's pretty scary," Keifer said of his vocal paralysis. "I've had six surgeries to deal with the collateral damage. Performing… has been difficult for me because of the vocal issues I've had. I work several hours every day on that. That's a difficult thing for me every day."

Fresh from their appearance at Download festival, KATATONIA, the Swedish purveyors of dark rock/metal, have been revealed as very special guests on PARADISE LOST's "Tragic Illusion" 25th-anniversary tour in October alongside LACUNA COIL.

Concurrently, also celebrating their own 10th anniversary for their masterful sixth album "Viva Emptiness", KATATONIA will perform the album in its entirety each night to make these shows even more special.

Originally released in 2003, "Viva Emptiness" is regarded by many, including the bandmembers themselves, as being among KATATONIA's finest albums. The CD cemented the band's reputation as a major force, combining refined metal with doom and gloom angst-laden rock.

To coincide with the shows and the album's 10th anniversary, "Viva Emptiness" will be entirely remixed and remastered by David Castillo, plus enhanced with new artwork courtesy of Travis Smith, for a re-release on November 4 via Peaceville.

Comments KATATONIA guitarist and founding member Anders Nyström: "Sometimes after an album has been out for a while, I always get the question if there's something we would have wanted to change or done differently, and 99% of the time I say 'no,' because we have happily moved on! But there's been one particular album that would in fact echo with a loud 'YES' to that question. Dear friends, that would be the album you know as 'Viva Emptiness'…

"Truth to be told, this album's session was so full of obstacles that it compromised the end result with a subpar production, undeservedly affecting the musical quality of the album. We have always, and still truly love the songs we wrote on 'Viva Emptiness' and regularly continue to incorporate some of its classics in our live repertoire, even to a point where we notably realized they sound better on a live record than on the original studio album. So up until now, it's just been a dream of ours to go back and drag the album out of its 'misery' by treating it with what it so desperately has been longing for all these years: a complete remix and remastering.

"This year, time is approaching 'Viva Emptiness' with a 10th anniversary, so is there really something to celebrate? Oh yes, indeed! Our long lost mission objective will finally be completed! The album may now take that climb, in terms of audio quality, to be right up there proudly positioned beside its younger 'album brethren' — 'The Great Cold Distance', 'Night Is The New Day' and finally 'Dead End Kings'. We will give 'Viva Emptiness' the sound and production the songs always deserved by having our long time studio rat and collaborator David Castillo work his magic at his Ghost Ward studio. Secondly, another longtime collaborator of ours, namely Travis Smith, will give the artwork an enhanced continuation of the original theme that will keep the visual aesthetes at bay! And last but not least, the crowning of the celebration: We will take 'Viva Emptiness' with us on the road and play the album live in its entirety while performing as 'very special guests' to our 'tragic idols' in PARADISE LOST, celebrating their own 25th anniversary tour this fall. Viva 'Viva Emptiness' fulfilled!"

KATATONIA with PARADISE LOST and LACUNA COIL:

Oct. 30 - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
Oct. 31 - 02 ABC, Glasgow
Nov. 01 - The Ritz – Manchester
Nov. 03 - Camden Roadhouse, London

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of Monte Pittman, the guitarist known for his work with metal legends PRONG and the illustrious pop star Madonna. A release date for his new solo album will be announced shortly.

Metal Blade Records founder and CEO Brian Slagel comments: "We are so happy to welcome Monte Pittman to the Metal Blade family. He is a tried and true metalhead and has recorded a crushing album! METALLICA producer Flemming Rasmussen produced a devastating metal record with Monte and we could not be happier that we are working together on this!"

Pittman adds; "I'm beyond excited to be working with Brian Slagel and all of the wonderful team at Metal Blade. I can't think of anyone I can put my faith and trust in more with my new album and where my career is headed.

"Metal Blade's track record has stood the test of time. Brian has been responsible for a majority of bands that have influenced me and gotten me to where I am now.

"It's been a dream come true making this album with Flemming Rasmussen. Flemming is a master at recording a band playing together and capturing the sound in the room of everything musically working together.

"After we finished tracking, the first person I wanted to play it for was Brian Slagel. Here we go!"

Fans in California will have the chance to catch Monte Pittman live as the he brings his acoustic show to Hotel Café in Hollywood and two stops on the Vans Warped Tour 2013, including Mountain View and Ventura (performing on the Acoustic Basement Stage).

Los Angeles-based four-piece rock band LETLIVE will release its new album, "The Blackest Beautiful", on July 9 via Epitaph Records. The CD is now available for streaming in its entirety at this location.

The group has premiered the first new song, "Banshee (Ghost Fame)", in the form of a powerful video. Additionally, fans who pre-order "The Blackest Beautiful" at LetliveStore.com will receive an instant download of "Banshee (Ghost Fame)".

"This song explores the tragic humor in entertainment as an industry as opposed to an art," explains LETLIVE's inimitable vocalist Jason Aalon Butler. "Sonically this track was a pretty suitable representation of the record's sonic spectrum. We also employed some elements of groove that we have always been fans of."

Named #1 on Kerrang!'s list of "The 50 Greatest Rockstars in The World Today," Jason Butler, along with cohorts Ryan Jay Johnson (bass), Jean Nascimento (guitar) and Jeff Sahyoun (guitar), organically meld hardcore, punk, metal and even elements of jazz and R&B, on "The Blackest Beautiful", creating a progressive, indelible sound that walks the line between aggressive and melodic and crosses a gamut of genres with an intensity that's rarely found in music today.

"The mindset was certainly a holistic one when regarding this record," Butler adds. "The vibe developed on its own as we wrote it. While we certainly indulged particular tastes, stylistically, as individuals, we made sure that the product culminated as something we could all enjoy. Essentially we all got to explore elements we had always wanted to and somehow found a way to marry them tastefully on one album."

Produced by the bandmembers themselves with the help of longtime co-conspirator Kit Walters and mixed by pop guru Stephen George (MARY J. BLIGE, MICHAEL JACKSON), "The Blackest Beautiful" features eleven politically, socially and personally conscious songs like "The Priest And Used Cars", which refers the tragic costs of poisonous zeal, "Virgin Dirt", about self-sabotaging relationships, and "27 Club", a personal tale of living life selflessly or selfishly.

British rockers THE JOKERS will release their second album, "Rock 'N' Roll Is Alive", on September 2 in Europe and September 10 in North America via Steamhammer/SPV.

A snippet of the CD's first single, "Radio", which will be made available digitally on June 24, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

Even if music fans on the other side of the Atlantic may beg to differ: the best and most authentic rock bands still come from the U.K. The country with its long tradition of legendary groups such as THE WHO, FREE, MOTT THE HOOPLE, THE FACES and LED ZEPPELIN continues to be an ideal breeding ground for promising acts in 2013. So it comes as no surprise that THE JOKERS also hail from the U.K. The four-piece — consisting of brothers Paul (guitar) and Simon Hurst (bass) and their two colleagues, Wane Parry (vocals) and Chris Poole (drums) — has succeeded in successfully transporting classic rock music into the present without denying the illustrious past of this musical direction or lacking a contemporary and topical approach.

THE JOKERS first came to public attention in summer 2009 when their debut album, "The Big Rock' N' Roll Show", was released independently, achieving remarkable sales within a few months. Countless shows in seedy clubs and shady joints followed, the four musicians having only one target: to make THE JOKERS popular and to grow as artists.

"We're a hard-working band. We like to play as often as we can and keep learning all the time," Paul Hurst explains. "Everything about THE JOKERS is honest and authentic, our sole aim is to be successful and make people happy."

Over almost two years, THE JOKERS spent a total of five months working on "Rock 'N' Roll Is Alive" with producer Andy Macpherson (ERIC CLAPTON, THE WHO, BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, THE BUZZCOCKS). The result is bound to delight all rock music fans. Hurst says: "We have grown perceptibly in the past 24 months and are now ready to present an album which bears its title with justification. Rock 'n' roll is an attitude, it stands for freedom, tolerance and self-fulfilment. 'Rock 'N' Roll Is Alive' reflects all these aspects perfectly."

Adds SPV/Steamhammer A&R representative Olly Hahn: "THE JOKERS have the right feeling for melodies and together with their dry but punchy hard rock sound, it's a combination not to miss. I'm really happy that the band decided to join the SPV family!"

Bulgarian death metallers ENTHRALLMENT have tapped guitarist-turned-producer James Murphy (DEATH, OBITUARY, TESTAMENT, CANCER, KONKHRA, DISINCARNATE) to master their fourth album, "The Voice Of Human Perversity", for a late 2013 release. The CD was recorded at Murder Sound Studio in Bulgaria and will feature the following track listing:

01. Screams Etched Within The Crags
02. Rats Before The Worms
03. Mummified Ante Mortem
04. Rove In Hell
05. Stench Of Burnt Down Sanctuary
06. Madness Coloured In Light
07. Tones Of Gladness
08. Tool Of Suicide

ENTHRALLMENT's last album, "People From The Lands Of Vit", came out in April 2012 via the American label United Guttural Records. The cover art, entitled "Hell", was a creation of Bulgarian artist Stefan Stefanov.

According to a press release, "ENTHRALLMENT's music can be described as brutal-yet -technical, early-'90s-era death metal. All instruments play a major role in the formation of every intense song. The string section is totally heavy and sick, delivering riff after memorable riff. Driving percussion blasts and pounds and ultimately reinterprets shredding riffs into headbang inducing hooks while intensely pissed off guttural vocals deliver the sadistic sermon. Their sound has been compared to SUFFOCATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE and DEVOURMENT."

A 25-minute MetOnTour video recap of METALLICA's appearance at the band's sophomore Orion Music + More festival, which took place June 8-9 in Detroit, Michigan, can be seen below. The footage includes METALLICA frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich taking part in the pre-show meet-and-greet; plus performances of "I Disappear" in the tuning room, and "Carpe Diem Baby" and "The Day That Never Comes" from the show. This was only the second time that "Carpe Diem Baby" had been performed live. It was also only the second time that "The Day That Never Comes" had been played over the past two and a half years.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo said on the ground at the festival that he was eager to bring the show back to Detroit in 2014. "We've got to come back here, you know," he said. "This is a great place. This city needs it. The weekend has been a blast and I can't wait 'til next year. I've already got ideas for next year, so we're looking forward to it."

As previously reported, METALLICA played a surprise set on June 8 under the name DEHAAN, playing their entire 1983 debut disc "Kill 'Em All" from front to back.

The band's headlining set the following night, which closed out the festival, featured rarities like "Carpe Diem, Baby", "I Disappear" and "Disposable Heroes" alongside the band's more traditional hits and live favorites.

The members of METALLICA were also spotted hanging out at their personal lifestyle exhibits, with James Hetfield seen at his custom car display, Trujillo overseeing the skateboarding at the Vans Vert Ramp, and drummer Lars Ulrich premiering a clip from the upcoming movie "Metallica Through The Never" alongside director Nimród Antal.

The Metallica Museum displayed the bass that Cliff Burton played at his final concert before his 1986 death in a Swedish bus crash, as well as other instruments, stage props and vintage concert flyers.

Robert Trujillo played two other sets during the course of the weekend, first with a reunion of funk-rockers INFECTIOUS GROOVES and then with his own TRUJILLO TRIO.

Spokesperson Charlie Walker of promoter C3 Presents said that around 20,000 attended the first day, with possibly more showing up on Sunday. As for whether Orion will return to Detroit next year, he replied, "We'll go through this one, wrap it up, see what the feedback is . . . Then we'll sit down and try to get a grip on what to do next."

A total of 37 groups, including the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, DEFTONES, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, RISE AGAINST and BASSNECTAR, performed on Orion's five stages.

THE JOY FORMIDABLE was unable to perform their show after arriving late in Detroit due to travel issues.

James Hetfield personally introduced the SILVERSUN PICKUPS and watched their set from the side of the stage.

Cliff Burton's father Ray was in attendance for METALLICA's surprise "Kill 'Em All" performance on Saturday.

Detroit native Bob Seger was rumored to be showing up to sing his classic "Turn The Page" with METALLICA. Although the band played the song, Seger was a no-show.

New Jersey merauders CYCLE OF PAIN, who feature in their ranks BLACK LABEL SOCIETY bassist John "J.D." DeServio, have inked a deal with Sliptrick Records. The band is currently in studio working on its new EP, tentatively due this summer. According to a press release, the CD "will see CYCLE OF PAIN unleashing their brand of groovy, funk-influenced heavy rock. A video featuring Don Jamieson from "That Metal Show" is also in the works.

CYCLE OF PAIN is:

John "J.D." DeServio (Bass)
Joe Taylor (Lead Guitar)
Gregg Locascio (Vocals, Guitar)
Bob Pantella (Drums)
Troy Cromwell (Keyboards)

The self-titled CYCLE OF PAIN CD was released in 2009 through Reform Records.

Though rooted in metal, CYCLE OF PAIN's first album delved into elements of funk, hip-hop and soul. The effort featured guest appearances by Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), Ray Luzier (KORN), Burton C. Bell (FEAR FACTORY) and Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X), among others.

Trent Reznor has tapped David Lynch to direct NINE INCH NAILS' video for the band's new single, "Came Back Haunted". Earlier today, Reznor a photo of the duo on Twitter with a caption of their initials ("tr;dl").

"Came Back Haunted" will appear on NINE INCH NAILS' new album, "Hesitation Marks", which is scheduled for release on September 3.

Reznor, who produced the soundtrack to Lynch's 1997 film "Lost Highway", told Rolling Stone magazine at the time: "I'm a huge David Lynch fan — we used to hold up NINE INCH NAILS shows just so we could watch the latest 'Twin Peaks'. So we set up a weekend for him to come to my place in New Orleans. At first, it was like the most high-pressure situation ever. It was literally one minute, 'Hi, I'm David Lynch,' and he's cooler than I even imagined he would be. Three minutes later, he's saying: 'Well, let's go in the studio and get started.'"

Six years after his NINE INCH NAILS contract with Interscope Records expired and he became an independent artist, Reznor has signed a new deal for NINE INCH NAILS with Columbia Records, marking NIN's return to the major label industry. Reznor's other act, HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS, made a deal with Columbia last year, so extending the partnership to NINE INCH NAILS doesn't seem like much of a stretch.

Reznor officially resurrected NINE INCH NAILS a few months ago after a four-year break for an extended tour that will kick off this summer.

The band is performing at a number of festivals, including Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Leeds, Reading, Made In America and the Voodoo Festival.

The new band lineup will debut on July 26 at the Fuji Rock festival in Japan. The show will mark NINE INCH NAILS' first live performance in nearly four years.

Reznor officially put NINE INCH NAILS on hiatus after the final shows by the last version of the group in September 2009.

Since then, Reznor and collaborator Atticus Ross have scored two films, including "The Social Network", for which they won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in 2010.

Along with Reznor's wife, singer Mariqueen Maandig, Reznor and Ross also launched HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS, whose debut disc, "Welcome Oblivion", came out in March.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of ETHS' June 1 performance in Clamart, France can be seen below.

Singer Rachel Aspe made her live debut with ETHS on April 10 at Le Ninkasi Kao in Lyon, France.

"I was anxious to play live with them for the first time," Aspe told Greece's Rock Overdose in a recent interview. "But the crowd was very helping, it was really special because I could see their faces discovering me. It seems they mostly liked, they encouraged me all along smiling and saying my name. The two others shows were really nice too."

ETHS last year recruited Virginie Goncalves (KELLS) and Nelly Wood-Hasselhoff to handle lead vocals at the group's shows following the departure of Candice Clot.

Aspe made headlines in France last November when she performed the SYBREED song "Emma-0" on an episode of "La France À Un Incroyable Talent", the French reality television series which is part of the global British "Got Talent" franchise. Her death metal vocal styling stunned the judges and crowd before going viral and being seen by millions of people.

"It has always been my goal to be part of a band," Aspe told Rock Overdose. "One of the reasons I went to this TV show was to find one. [The show] was [taped] three months before I met ETHS, and [it originally aired shortly] after Candice left the band. So things came very fast for me. I had a job and it was hard to work on my vocals so quickly. I didn’t expect this success for the video; many bands contacted me, I did some [guest appearances] since that. People are continuing to share and comment on it."

Clot played her final show as a member of ETHS on October 13, 2012 at L'Arcade in Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon, France.

ETHS' third album, "III", was released on April 6, 2012 via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström, who has previously worked with AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ARCH ENEMY, SOILWORK and BRING ME THE HORIZON, among others.

"Dirty", the new video from Italo-Norwegian hard-industrial-electro extreme metallers ABORYM, can be seen below. Directed by Alberto Falcone, the clip features all three band members as well as actors, and, according to frontman and founder Fabban, the title of the track pretty much sums up the subject matter of the video.

ABORYM's sixth full-length album, "Dirty", was released on May 28 in Europe and June 11 in North America via Agonia Records. The 10-track double album (cover below) was made available in digipak, jewel case and gatefold double LP formats.

"Dirty" was recorded at the Fear No One Studios in Italy with Emiliano Natali, reprising his sound engineer role from the band's "Psychogrotesque" album, and was helmed by Marc Urselli of New York's Eastside Sound Studio, who previously worked with the likes of Mike Patton and Lou Reed. The electronic part of the album was engineered by D. Loop (KEBABTRAUME, LIMBO). R.G. Narchost (STORMCROW, DEMON'S SHADE, DROWNING ASHES) created "The Spiral Shaped Chamber" custom sounds library for the band. Artwork for the album is by ABORYM's Fabban.

The first CD of the album features new material, while the second CD features two tracks from previous albums, which have been completely re-arranged and re-recorded, covers of tracks by IRON MAIDEN, PINK FLOYD and NINE INCH NAILS, and a previously unreleased track performed by both musicians such as Agonia BV, Tamara Picardo, Samuel Heru Ra Ha MK, Hostis, Ulven, Mike Bizzini, David Cholasta, Tobias Dünnebacke, Jonathan Butcher, Jessy Lavallee, Thomas Hochstetler, Mary J. Rooks, Amanda Neilson and Mark Llewellyn, as well as several fans. The song was written by Alberto Penzin (CO2, ex-SCHIZO) and was spliced together from all the different sources.

"Dirty" track listing:

CD 1

01. Irreversible Crisis
02. Across The Universe
03. Dirty
04. Bleedthrough
05. Raped By Daddy
06. I Don't Know
07. The Factory Of Death
08. Helter Skelter Youth
09. Face The Reptile
10. The Day The Sun Stopped Shining

CD2

01. Fire Walk With Us (new version originally released on “Fire Walk With Us”)
02. Roma Divina Urbs (new version originally released on “Kali Yuga Bizarre”)
03. Hallowed Be Thy Name (IRON MAIDEN Cover)
04. Comfortably Numb (PINK FLOYD Cover)
05. Hurt (NINE INCH NAILS Cover)
06. Need For Limited Loss (new track)

Formed in 1992 by frontman Fabban, ABORYM started life as a covers band and went through several transformations, eventually pioneering what the band calls hard-industrial-electro extreme metal. Today's line up consists of Italians Fabban on vocals, bass and synths and Paolo Pieri (HOUR OF PENANCE) on guitars, keyboards and programming, along with Norway's Bård G. "Faust" Eithun (BLOOD TSUNAMI, MONGO NINJA, ex-EMPEROR) on drums.

With "Dirty" being the band's first release since 2010's "Psychogrotesque", all three musicians have something to say about it.

Pieri: "This is definitely the most schizoid and experimental ABORYM work so far. This time we focused on pushing the boundaries of electronic music one step forward while retaining the ruthless brutality of extreme metal in a way totally ahead of the times."

Eithun: "This time around, ABORYM push everything further; the electronic and industrial elements have never been so present. Rest assured, no matter how sick, twisted and beyond everything it sounds, it is still ABORYM."

Fabban: "I believe that 'Dirty' represents the best material ever written by ABORYM from 1992 until today. Given that it wasn't that easy to go beyond an album such as 'Psychogrotesque', I strongly believe that this time we did exceed every limit and every concept of experimentation — manipulating all the clichès of extreme metal, industrial or electronic music and pushing together elements that are so far away from each other. As a result, we achieved something really innovative, powerful, refined and of a really high standard. The quality of sounds, the nuances, the details passing through the recording quality; the quality of the machines that we used and abused, the quality of the lyrics, the artwork and the performances of each of us and of all the people who have worked with us, are definitely all at the top. 'Dirty' is a record that simply expands the range of our listeners, it's an album that everyone can enjoy and really appreciate. I am personally very excited and, at the same time, really proud of what you'll soon be able to listen to. We worked so hard for the past two years on this double album that we have no words to really explain how excited we are to finally see it released. It's an album that will further change the history of extreme music. Of that, I have no doubt."

Revolution Harmony, the brainchild of British music lecturer/journalist Ray Holroyd, has set a July 18 release date for its debut all-star charity single, "We Are". The official lyric video for the song, which features vocals from Serj Tankian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN) and Ihsahn (EMPEROR), as well as guitar solos by Devin Townsend, can be seen below.

Composed, arranged, programmed and produced by Ray Holroyd in Vancouver, the complex international studio project was recorded in North America, England, Norway and New Zealand, then mixed by Rohan Onraet (SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD) in London, and mastered by Ted Jensen (GREEN DAY, MUSE) in New York. The single also features Stefan Loh (WE CLAIMED SENTIENCE ONCE) on guitar, and additional vocals from the young up-and-coming U.K. singer Abbie Johnson.

Vancouver-based non-profit record label Revolution Harmony was launched in 2011 by Holroyd. After founding the non-profit Grade 9 Records in 2008 and growing the label over three successful years, Holroyd decided to expand upon what he had originally established as a means for his students to sell their music and donate the profits to charity, and Revolution Harmony was born. Revolution Harmony acts as a two-way channel, providing an outlet for artists to release their music worldwide and earn money from it, and providing an inlet for the label profits from that music to be redirected to charities that restore harmony between all people, animals and the environment.

The lyrical theme in "We Are" is based on the concept behind Revolution Harmony, which is essentially the belief that musical harmony has the power to inspire a revolution towards societal harmony. The single is dedicated to Nelson Mandela and the memory of Lucky Dube, regarded as South Africa's Bob Marley, and will be released worldwide on Mandela Day (July 18), with all proceeds donated to Buskaid, a charity that provides free music lessons and instruments to children in the townships of South Africa.

For more information on Revolution Harmony, visit RevolutionHarmony.org.

On June 15, Guitarhoo.com conducted an interview with Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro's (ANGRA). You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Kiko's June 14 concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was professionally filmed and recorded for DVD release in the next few months. The event featured three different musical styles and chapters in his solo career — metal, progressive and Brazilian fusion music. The shows also featured special guest performers, including Virgil Donati (PLANET X, ALLAN HOLDSWORTH) on drums.

Kiko's latest solo album, "Sounds Of Innocence", was released in Japan at the end of June 2012 and was made available in the rest of the world in July 2012. The CD features guest appearances by Virgil Donati on drums and Felipe Andreoli (ANGRA, ALMAH) on bass. One track also features LIVING COLOUR bassist Doug Wimbish. The effort was produced by Kiko Loureiro, mixed by Dennis Ward and mastered by Jürgen Lusky.

"Sounds Of Innocence" track listing:

01. Awakening Prelude
02. Gray Stone Gateway
03. Conflicted
04. Reflective
05. El Guajiro
06. Ray Of Life
07. The Hymn
08. Mãe D'Água
09. Twisted Horizon
10. A Perfect Rhyme
11. Conflicted (back base) (bonus track)

Kiko's third solo album, "Fullblast", came out in 2009.

Singer Eduardo "Edu" Falaschi last year left ANGRA. A replacement vocalist has not yet been announced.

METALLICA surprised fans at Orion Music + More on June 8 by playing its 1983 debut disc "Kill 'Em All" from beginning to end on a smaller stage at the event. METALLICA was officially announced to play a headlining set on June 9 to close out the festival, but hit the stage at 4:30 p.m. one day earlier for a 10-song set that started with "Hit The Lights" and finished out with "Metal Militia".

The afternoon slot was officially taken by an "act" called DEHAAN — which METALLICA fans may have recognized as the name of actor Dane DeHaan, who is starring in the band's upcoming 3D movie, "Metallica Through The Never". Another hint was dropped when METALLICA frontman James Hetfield posted a message on Instagram which read, "Don't miss Dehaan! #MUYA #mff #UwillRegretMissingThem #IfUdoUmightKillEmAll #winkWink #getIt?"

Hetfield came onstage first to introduce "DEHAAN," after which the rest of the members of METALLICA came out and began playing.

Multi-camera video footage of the entire DEHAAN performance can be seen below (created and uploaded by Milanicachannel).

Next month is the 30th anniversary of the release of "Kill 'Em All", which was issued on July 25, 1983.

At last year's Orion festival, METALLICA played both 1991's self-titled "black album" and 1984's "Ride The Lightning" in their entirety on separate nights.

Drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio recently that the band didn't necessarily want to do the same thing each year with a different record. "Obviously, it's something that's a lot of fun to do, but you've got to just walk a fine line because you don't — obviously, METALLICA's not interested in being, you know, a nostalgia act only. So we want to just find that right line."

Other acts performing at the second annual Orion Music + More festival this past weekend included the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, RISE AGAINST, DEFTONES, THE SILVERSUN PICKUPS, BASSNECTAR, GOGOL BORDELLO, FOALS, TOMAHAWK, THE JOY FORMIDABLE, THE BRONX and DROPKICK MURPHYS.

German metallers RUNNING WILD will release their as-yet-untitled new studio album on the following dates:

Germany: October 4
Rest of Europe: October 7
U.S./Canada: To be announced

RUNNING WILD's latest album, "Shadowmaker", registered the following first-week chart positions:

Germany: #12
Sweden: #43
Austria: #61
Finland: #90

The CD was released in April 2012 via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort was issued as a limited first edition in a black jewel case with silver printing and slipcase plus a 40-minute bonus DVD with a "making-of" documentary and a track-by-track commentary by RUNNING WILD mainman Rock 'N' Rolf. The double gatefold LP comes with printed innersleeves and clear vinyl. There is also a boxset limited to 1,000 copies worldwide. It contains 2 LPs, the black jewel case with the DVD, a poster, a sticker, a postcard and a 30-page book in LP size about the history of the band.

The cover of "Shadowmaker" is the most unusual in the history of the band, but when you listen to the title track and read the lyrics, you will understand the meaning of it. It was created by Rock 'N' Rolf and Jens Reinhold (EVERGREY, FREEDOM CALL, VIRGIN STEELE), who also handled artwork for all configurations.

German thrash metal veterans KREATOR will release their new concert DVD/Blu-ray, "Dying Alive", on August 30 via Nuclear Blast. The set features the band's sold-out homecoming show in Oberhausen, Germany on December 22, 2012 after an extensive 45-day European tour in support of KREATOR's "Phantom Antichrist" album. The packed and sweat-driven show was filmed by 24 cameras, as well as guitar and even mosh-pit cams.

The DVD/Blu-ray contains footage of the Oberhausen concert, a behind-the-scenes documentary as well as video clips. Approximate total running time: 115 minutes.

"Dying Alive" will be issued in the following formats:

* Blu Ray + 2CD
* DVD +2CD
* Earbook (DVD, Blu-ray, 2CD + Bonus CD)
* Earbook (DVD, Blu-ray, 2CD + Bonus CD) + 7" Vinyl (Nuclear Blast mailorder only)
* Limited 2CD incl. live bonus tracks
* 2LP (black, 180g, gatefold + poster)
* 2LP (red, 180g, gatefold + poster) (Nuclear Blast mailorder only)
* 2LP (orange, 180g, gatefold + poster) (Nuclear Blast mailorder only)

"Dying Alive" track listing:

Blu-ray / DVD

01. Intro: Mars Mantra
02. Phantom Antichrist
03. From Flood To Fire
04. Enemy Of God
05. Phobia
06. Hordes Of Chaos
07. Civilization Collapse
08. Voices Of The Dead
09. Extreme Aggression
10. People Of The Lie
11. Death To The World
12. Endless Pain
13. Pleasure To Kill
14. Intro 2 - The Patriarch
15. Violent Revolution
16. United in Hate
17. Betrayer
18. Flag Of Hate
19. Tormentor
20. Outro/Credits

Bonus:

21. "Behind The Dying" (Documentary)
22. "Phantom Antichrist" Backstage Video
23. "Phantom Antichrist" Music Video
24. "Civilization Collapse" Music Video

CD1

01. Intro: Mars Mantra
02. Phantom Antichrist
03. From Flood To Fire
04. Enemy Of God
05. Phobia
06. Hordes Of Chaos
07. Civilization Collapse
08. Voices Of The Dead
09. Extreme Aggression
10. People Of The Lie
11. Death To The World
12. Coma Of Souls (Intro)
12. Endless Pain
13. Pleasure To Kill

CD2

01. Intro 2 - The Patriarch
02. Violent Revolution
03. United in Hate
04. Betrayer
05. Flag Of Hate / Tormentor

Live bonus tracks:

06. Intro / The Pestilence
07. Amok Run
08. Demon Prince
09. When The Sun Burns Red
10. Warcurse

CD3 (earbook only)

01. Intro (demo)
02. United In Hate (demo)
03. Death To The World (demo)
04. Victory Will Come (demo)
05. Iron Destiny (demo) (Japan bonus)
06. Phantom Antichrist (rehearsal)
07. Your Heaven My Hell (rehearsal)
08. Until Our Paths Cross Again (rehearsal)
09. Victory Will Come (demo)

KREATOR will tour North America this fall with fellow thrashers OVERKILL.

On November 9, 2012, KREATOR released a new seven-inch single, "Civilization Collapse" (retail version: black; Nuclear Blast mailorder-only version: red, yellow, white) and as a digital download. The single contains the title cut backed by the non-album track "Wolfchild", which was featured on the "Dark Symphonies - A Tribute To John Sinclair" album, released in September 2012 in Germany via Lübbe-Audio. The band also made a video for the song "Civilization Collapse", which is said to be "mainly about the riots that took place in Greece most recently."

"Civilization Collapse" comes off KREATOR's new album, "Phantom Antichrist", which sold 3,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 1 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.

"Agony", a brand new solo track from DREAM THEATER frontman James LaBrie, can be streamed below. The song comes off LaBrie's new solo album, "Impermanent Resonance", which will be released on August 6 in North America and July 29 in Europe via InsideOut Music.

The follow-up to 2010's "Static Impulse", "Impermanent Resonance" was once again conceived with LaBrie's songwriting partner for over a dozen years, Matt Guillory. Guillory not only took the leading role in composing the material, he also handled all of the keyboards and background vocals.

The album's lineup is intact from the previous recording, featuring Marco Sfogli from Italy on guitar, Ray Riendeau (HALFORD, MACHINES OF LOVING GRACE) on bass and Swedish drummer Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, MAJESTIC), who was a finalist in the DREAM THEATER drum auditions. Additionally, former SOILWORK guitarist Peter Wichers came into the fold to contribute songwriting and studio guitars.

"To me, this album incorporates and continues with the styles and musical direction that we have created with the previous releases," says James LaBrie. "The difference being that the music on this disc is to me a true telling of the songs evolving and taking on a sense of identity that is every band's ultimate goal. It is powerful, memorable, hook-driven and above all extremely musical. It shows how the writing and the band itself have matured. I truly feel that this is our quintessential album."

"Impermanent Resonance" was once again mixed and mastered at Sweden's Fascination Street recording studios (KREATOR, OPETH, PARADISE LOST, SYMPHONY X) with Jens Bogren and this time also Tony Lindgren. Visually, Canadian LaBrie hooked up with Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, FIREWIND, KAMELOT) to capture and translate the album's atmosphere into the striking artwork.

Some of the other songs included on "Impermanent Resonance", which combines the heaviness of Gothenburg-sound influenced progressive metal with the catchiness of contemporary rock, are "Back On The Ground", "Undertow", "I Got You" and "Amnesia".

"Impermanent Resonance" recording lineup:

James LaBrie - Lead Vocals
Matt Guillory - Keyboards, Background Vocals
Marco Sfogli - Guitars
Ray Riendeau - Bass
Peter Wildoer - Drums, Screams

"Static Impulse" sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 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.

"Static Impulse" was released on September 28, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via InsideOut Music. The CD was LaBrie's first solo effort in over five years.

Savannah, Georgia's BLACK TUSK will release its new EP, "Tend No Wounds", on July 23 via Relapse Records. The disc was recorded with producer Phillip Cope (KYLESA, BARONESS) at the Jam Room in Columbia, South Carolina. The artwork was created by Brian Mercer (EYEHATEGOD, LAMB OF GOD, ZOROASTER).

"Tend No Wounds" is a six-song, 20-minute blast of high-octane, raging Southern rock/metal that merges the classic original backwoods metallic hardcore BLACK TUSK sound with the newer more polished rock based tunes the band has honed after years on the road on the road with bands like BARONESS, SKELETONWITCH, MASTODON and KVELERTAK.

"Tend No Wounds" track listing:

01. A Cold Embrace
02. Enemy Of Reason
03. The Weak And The Wise
04. Internal/Eternal
05. Truth Untold
06. In Days Of Woe

The video for the song "In Days Of Woe" can be seen below.

"Tend No Wounds" will be available in CD, vinyl and digital formats and can be pre-ordered from the Relapse Records store.

BLACK TUSK has announced a handful of regional tour dates for this summer. They start July 24 in Augusta, Georgia and runs through July 27 in Memphis, Tennessee.

The official video for "One Of Us Is The Killer", the title track of the fifth full-length album from the New Jersey-based "mathcore" act THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, can be seen below.

"One Of Us Is The Killer" sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 25 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on May 14 through the band's own Party Smasher Inc., in partnership with Sumerian Records in North America. Party Smasher's partnership with BMG covers the rest of the world, including licensing deals with Grind House for Japan and Remote Control in Australia.

"One Of Us Is The Killer" was recorded in Southern California with longtime producer Steve Evetts (GLASSJAW, THE CURE, SUICIDE SILENCE), with additional production at guitarist/co-founder Ben Weinman's studio. Mastering was handled by Tom Baker (DEFTONES, NINE INCH NAILS, BEASTIE BOYS).

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN was forced to cancel its summer European festival and club appearances due to an injury sustained by guitarist/co-founder Ben Weinman on his right hand and wrist. He will spend June recovering.

Philip Anselmo, legendary frontman of PANTERA and DOWN, will release his career-first solo album, "Walk Through Exits Only", on July 16 via his own Housecore Records (MRI/Megaforce). "Walk Through Exits Only" will be available digitally, on CD and on vinyl.

Produced by Anselmo and Michael Thompson, and recorded over the past couple of years at Philip's New Orleans studio, Nodferatu's Lair, with his band THE ILLEGALS — guitarist Marzi Montazeri (ex-SUPERJOINT RITUAL) and drummer José Manuel Gonzales (WARBEAST) — "Walk Through Exits Only" is abrasive, aggressive, anthemic and 100% Anselmo. The album's eight songs are as unstrained as it gets, from "Battalion Of Zero" to "Usurper's Bastard Rant", to the album's title track that goes against the grain and right through the exits. Brash, brutal guitars cut through punishing percussion as Anselmo screams with uncompromising ferocity and uncontainable fire.

"Walk Through Exits Only" track listing:

01. Music Media Is My Whore
02. Battalion Of Zero
03. Betrayed
04. Usurper Bastard's Rant
05. Walk Through Exits Only
06. Bedroom Destroyer
07. Bedridden
08. Irrelevant Walls And Computer Screens

The song "Bedridden" is now available for streaming using the SoundCloud widget below.

"It wasn't about doing a paint-by-numbers thrash or heavy metal record," Anselmo explained about the project. "It's an angry album that only I could do. I don't see anybody else out there screaming about the same shit I'm screaming about. On this album, there isn't any wordplay, there isn't any hidden message, it's all right there in front of you."

The genesis of "Walk Through Exits Only" proved both comfortable and natural for its architect. In fact, everything began to slowly come together in the frontman's New Orleans home back in 2010.

"It started right there in the fucking black bedroom where I haunt," he smiles. "When I get an itch, I've got to scratch it. The sole idea at the beginning was to be unorthodox. It wasn't about doing a paint-by-numbers thrash or heavy metal record. I've always believed there are different elements of groove. It's definitely not a cemented science. It's an angry album that only I could do. I don't see anybody else out there screaming about the same shit I'm screaming about. I tried to portray it as personally as I possibly could."

Gonzales puts it best. "I think it's going to put the rock 'n' roll back in extreme music," he says. "That combination is very different. For as extreme as it is, it's controlled chaos."

"It's meant to be very unpredictable," Anselmo affirms. "When I hear enough of the same thing, I want to rebel. That was a key factor. Right when you think you've got it pegged, it goes in a different direction. That's what keeps things interesting."

In order to harness that unpredictability and realize his vision, he enlisted the talents of longtime friend Houston-based shredder Montazeri. Filling the seat behind the kit is Gonzales, who entered the fold at the tender age of 19. Back at Anselmo's studio Nodferatu's Lair, they recorded in spurts between DOWN's own rigorous recording and touring schedule. In the process of those intense sessions alongside engineer Stephen "The Big Fella" Berrigan, the record was born.

"There's nobody like Philip," says Montazeri. "For years, I've always wanted to do something completely original and meaningful with him. I'm just trying to bring something pure to this. Nothing gets in the way of this band's purity. When all of us get together, it's automatic. If I have an idea, Philip always welcomes it. We share a love for extreme music, and I feel like we've got an unbreakable bond."

Gonzales agrees, "These guys pushed me to limits I didn't even know I could be pushed to. We've been able to create something really special together."

The world's proper introduction to PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS came on the "War Of The Gargantuas" split with WARBEAST at the top of 2013. The two songs included on the split — "Conflict" and "Family, Friends, and Associates" — were only a separate and small taste of what was come to come on the full-length though.

In many ways, "Walk Through Exits Only" embodies the same underground spirit and ethos that Anselmo has proudly possessed for his whole life. Since his career began, he consistently shined light on what was happening beneath the typical "surface" of music, whether by inviting MORBID ANGEL, EYEHATEGOD, CROWBAR, or NEUROSIS onto a PANTERA tour or donning a DARKTHRONE or MAYHEM t-shirt on television or in a major publication. He's gone against the grain, past the tides, and right through the exits. Now, that sentiment pipes through loud and clear on the record's viciously vital title track.

"It does create an unorthodox approach to things," Anselmo continues. "The hook is a powerful line. Why make music the 'right' way? There really aren't any fucking rules. You've got to simply take what’s there and make it your own."

The opener "Music Media Is My Whore" lays all speculation to rest with its focused pummeling. About the title, he laughs, "I've gotten my share of fucking licks from the media over the years. I figured I'd give them one back. Lyrically, there was always something driving me though. I couldn't put my finger on it for the longest time, but it's very reality-based. I didn't mince any words."

"The message comes across in a crazy way," adds Montazeri. "That goes for the entire record though. There's no similarity between this and any other band. It breaks from tradition."

Not only does "Walk Through Exits Only" break from tradition, it lays the groundwork for a new road.

"Fuck another chapter," concludes Anselmo. "This is a whole new book. Some might call it ambitious. I say it's natural. I can do anything I want with this, and I will. I want people to take that unpredictability with them. If you're in a younger band, I want you to realize you don't have to play by the fucking rules. I want everyone to see that there's a lot more to the story than they'd ever realized when it comes to me. You can't and won't be able to tell what comes next from the kid. You can't pin me down unless it's in my own fucking corner which will be painted black and say, 'Reserved for Philip H. Anselmo.' You're very welcome to do that."

"Bedridden" audio stream:

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.