Detroit, MI's BATTLECROSS have unveiled the title, cover art, and first single from their upcoming new album, War Of Will. Co-produced at Audio Hammer Studios with famed producers Mark Lewis and Eyal Levi, the sophomore effort from Detroit's newest soldiers of steel will soon prove as a most impressive follow-up release.

"War Of Will triggers a strange Déjà Vu while feeling completely brand new", says Levi.
War Of Will tracklisting:

'Force Fed Lies'
'Flesh & Bone'
'Never Coming Back'
'My Vaccine'
'Get Over It'
'Ghost Alive'
'Wage A War'
'The Will To Overcome'
'Beast'
'Never-Ending Night'

Stream 'Force Fed Lies' below, and pre-order your copy of War Of Will now at this location.
After a fist-pumping debut, impressive breakout tours in 2012, Battlecross will continue their climb with appearances at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, Orion Music +More with METALLICA, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, DEFTONES and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES in the band's hometown of Detroit, and the 4th Annual Gwar-BQ with MUNICIPAL WASTE and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY.

War Of Will releases July 9th, just as the band heads out for the summer on the Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Tour with ROB ZOMBIE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, AMON AMARTH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, MACHINE HEAD, BEHEMOTH, MASTODON and more.

More on Battlecross, including their live itinerary, at this location.

Svart Records has announced July 5th as the international release date for GOATESS's self-titled debut album. Goatess is a Swedish quartet comprising Chritus, Niklas, Kenta, and Findus. Goatess shall be released by Svart on CD, limited double LP, and digital download.

Goatess are also noteworthy for the presence of Swedish cult doom metal vocalist Chritus Linderson (SAINT VITUS, TERRA FIRMA, COUNT RAVEN), who has, after a few years off the grid, experienced a strong return to form in the new millennium. Best known nowadays for belting out classic doom metal at the helm of LORD VICAR, he has also been nurturing a more homegrown project which began under the working title WEEKEND BEAST and then developed into Goatess.

The Goatess concept was born from Linderson's desire to create music that is based on atmosphere and the worship of the heavy riff, as opposed to the strictly structured doom metal of Lord Vicar.

"It is basically the kind of music we would like the most to listen to ourselves," says Linderson. "Our sound is constantly under investigation, an ongoing process. What's there so far comes naturally when jamming at rehearsals, and we'll just go with it until we are content."

Goatess manage to carve a unique niche for themselves in the overpopulated doom metal scene by grabbing some doom influences, taking them out to the desert, and throwing them to the melting pot with some hypnotic stoner groove in the vein of SLEEP and KUYSS. The result of these dangerous psychedelic experiments is simply, and fittingly, titled Goatess.

Goatess tracklisting:

‘Know Your Animal’
‘Alpha Omega’
‘Ripe’
‘Full Moon At Noon’
‘Oracle Pt. 1: The Mist’
‘Oracle Pt. 2’
‘King One’
‘Tentacles Of Zen’

French black metallers SETH are streaming their new album, The Howling Spirit - due out on June 7th via Season Of Mist - on their Bandcamp page now.
The Howling Spirit tracklisting:

'In Aching Agony'
'Killing My Eyes'
'One Ear To The Earth, One Eye On Heaven'
'Howling Prayers (Act I)'
'He Whose Heart Is Heavy With Sin'
'Ten Barrels (A Scourge For The World, A Plague For His Soul)'
'Scars Born From Bleeding Stars'
'Howling Prayers (Act II)'
'Mort-luisant'
'Dicing With Death'

A lyric video for 'Scars Born From Bleeding Stars' can be found below:
'Ten Barrels (A Scourge For The World, A Plague For His Soul)' and 'Howling Prayers (Act II)' are bonus tracks that will only appear on the first, digipak pressing of the album. Pre-order this edition, as well as merchandising items and bundles, here.

The Howling Spirit includes guest performances from Stéphane Buriez and Alex Lenormand (LOUDBLAST), Kvohst (HEXVESSEL, ex-DHG), and I.Luciferia (REVERENCE).

Seth is throwing a release party on June 8th at Dr Feelgood in Paris (34, rue Keller). Be there to meet the band, listen to the album and have a few beers.
Seth lineup:

Heimoth - guitar, keys
Alsvid - drums
Black Messiah - vocals
Cyriex - guitar
Eguil - bass

More on Seth here.

Decibel magazine’s July issue (on newsstands in June) features a nine-page tribute to late SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman in the form of a moving retrospective obituary, some of Hanneman's most biting quotes, and a litany of heartfelt remembrances from EXODUS, Philip Anselmo (DOWN, PANTERA), AT THE GATES, TESTAMENT, CANNIBAL CORPSE and countless other contemporaries, including EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt, who has been filling in for Jeff on stage with SLAYER for more than two years.

"I will never forget the first time SLAYER came to the Bay Area to play with EXODUS at Ruthie's Inn," Gary said. "After their show at the Keystone Berkeley, we all headed over to their hotel and proceeded — with their permission, of course — to absolutely destroy the place! Pizza nailed to the ceiling with screwdrivers and shit — which we pulled down and ate the next day! We scattered like roaches with the lights on when the cops were called. We felt bad for about five minutes! It was a whole new level of destruction, to say the least: me ripping the mattress to shreds with Jeff's upside-down cross guitar slide, the one on 'Show No Mercy'. He gave that to me that night; it was still in my possession up until around 1994, when it vanished in a move. l would give anything to still have that thing: a piece of metal history right there.

"But through all the one-off shows, the VENOM tour — with SLAYER and EXODUS, dubbed 'The Ultimate Revenge' — etc., Jeff was always the one guy [Paul] Baloff [late EXODUS frontman] and myself would wreck shit and just go crazy with. A true legend, one who didn't care about being a legend in the first place.

"R.I.P., Jeff. You were a true original and one of the greats."

Decibel's Jeff Hanneman tribute issue can be purchased here.

Hanneman passed away on May 2 from liver failure at the age of 49.

Members of SLAYER released a statement on May 9 saying that Hanneman died of alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Hanneman had actually not been playing with SLAYER for more than two years since he contracted necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, from a spider bite in his backyard in January 2011. The infection ravaged the flesh and tissues of Hanneman's arm, leading to numerous surgeries, skin grafts and intense periods of rehab that forced him into semi-retirement and left him near death at several points.

Hanneman's last appearance with SLAYER was in April 2011, when he played an encore with the band at the "Big Four" concert in Indio, California.

Decibel magazine’s July issue (on newsstands in June) features a nine-page tribute to late SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman in the form of a moving retrospective obituary, some of Hanneman's most biting quotes, and a litany of heartfelt remembrances from EXODUS, Philip Anselmo (DOWN, PANTERA), AT THE GATES, TESTAMENT, CANNIBAL CORPSE and countless other contemporaries, including CANNIBAL CORPSE bassist Alex Webster.

"I can't overstate the effect Jeff Hanneman's guitar playing and songwriting had on me and the other guys in CANNIBAL CORPSE," Alex said. "Of all of our influences, SLAYER is probably the one band that had the greatest effect on our sound, and Jeff's contributions were obviously a huge part of what makes SLAYER SLAYER.

"For me personally, I think his songwriting is what influenced me the most. My idea of what a great extreme metal song should be has largely been shaped by music he wrote.

"Jeff wrote some of metal's greatest songs: 'Angel Of Death' is considered by many to be the greatest thrash metal song of all time, and it's just one of many classics he wrote or co-wrote with SLAYER.

"I consider the album 'Reign In Blood' to be one of metal's great masterpieces, and Jeff's playing and writing clearly played a big part in that. I've listened to that album literally thousands of times since it was released, and I still do regularly. Simply put, it rules.

"If you look through SLAYER's discography and see all of the music and lyrics Jeff wrote, it'll really drive home just how important he was to our scene.

"My life wouldn't have been the same without Jeff Hanneman's songs, and I think there are thousands of others who can say the same thing.

"Rest in peace, Jeff — you were truly one of metal's all-time greats."

Decibel's Jeff Hanneman tribute issue can be purchased here.

Hanneman passed away on May 2 from liver failure at the age of 49.

Members of SLAYER released a statement on May 9 saying that Hanneman died of alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Hanneman had actually not been playing with SLAYER for more than two years since he contracted necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, from a spider bite in his backyard in January 2011. The infection ravaged the flesh and tissues of Hanneman's arm, leading to numerous surgeries, skin grafts and intense periods of rehab that forced him into semi-retirement and left him near death at several points.

Hanneman's last appearance with SLAYER was in April 2011, when he played an encore with the band at the "Big Four" concert in Indio, California.

Decibel magazine’s July issue (on newsstands in June) features a nine-page tribute to late SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman in the form of a moving retrospective obituary, some of Hanneman's most biting quotes, and a litany of heartfelt remembrances from EXODUS, Philip Anselmo (DOWN, PANTERA), AT THE GATES, TESTAMENT, CANNIBAL CORPSE and countless other contemporaries, including BEHEMOTH guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski.

"This news was devastating," Nergal said. "SLAYER was more than just a band. SLAYER, for me, has always been about the attitude that influenced myself and BEHEMOTH throughout the years. I'll always be thankful.

"I remember when we were to open for them in Poland years ago for the first time. I had a chance to meet Armand [Crump], Kerry's [King, SLAYER guitarist] guitar tech (R.I.P.), and found out how big a BEHEMOTH fan he was. So, when I saw him doing guitar check with BEHEMOTH's 'Conquer All', I was bursting with pride. He would always let me watch SLAYER from the side of the stage. When we toured with them on the Mayhem tour in the U.S., I would go and watch SLAYER every single day. I never missed a show. One day it was Kerry's side, another day Jeff's. Another day I would watch from the front. Yeah ... call me the luckiest man on earth!

"It was only once that I had a chance to meet Jeff in person. When us and a bunch of other bands, including CANNIBAL [CORPSE], would be barbecuing in the parking lot and he came down with Dave [Lombardo, SLAYER drummer] — both in party moods, ha ha — we encouraged them to get on our bus and do shots with us. I know, that is nothing spectacular — just another party situation. But keep in mind that for a kid who grew up on listening to 'Evil Has No Boundaries' when he was 9 or 10, stuff like that means the WORLD.

"You will be missed, Jeff."

Decibel's Jeff Hanneman tribute issue can be purchased here.

Hanneman passed away on May 2 from liver failure at the age of 49.

Members of SLAYER released a statement on May 9 saying that Hanneman died of alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Hanneman had actually not been playing with SLAYER for more than two years since he contracted necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, from a spider bite in his backyard in January 2011. The infection ravaged the flesh and tissues of Hanneman's arm, leading to numerous surgeries, skin grafts and intense periods of rehab that forced him into semi-retirement and left him near death at several points.

Hanneman's last appearance with SLAYER was in April 2011, when he played an encore with the band at the "Big Four" concert in Indio, California.

It has been four years since the last ACHERON album and the band has finally returned to record a new unholy masterpiece. ACHERON entered Bad Back Studio in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this spring with engineer David Johnson to begin tracking the new CD, "Kult Des Hasses", for a November release via Listenable Records.

The goal of this album is to return to a more pure and raw studio sound, very much like the old-school classic releases of bands like CELTIC FROST, MERCYFUL FATE, SLAYER and POSSESSED. In a day and age where modern technology is over used by so many bands, ACHERON wants to present a great quality album without all the over-produced bullshit! The songwriting is very catchy, aggressive and heavy.

Says ACHERON founding member Vincent Crowley: "Bands like VENOM and SODOM make brutal songs, but the tunes are very memorable and catchy. That has always been my goal with ACHERON. And I must say this is one of the catchiest ACHERON albums ever. I have no doubt that our fans both old and new will enjoy this upcoming musical assault."

The current lineup of ACHERON is Vincent Crowley (vocals and bass), Kyle Severn (drums) and Art Taylor (lead and rhythm guitar). They are joined on the new album by special guest Ricktor Ravensbruck (WOLFEN SOCIETY, ELECTRIC HELLFIRE CLUB, WOLFPACK 44) as a second lead guitarist. The band wanted to capture a sick dual guitar attack sound. The insane work of Taylor and Ravensbruck has indeed accomplished that. The CD will also feature special guest appearances on vocals by Kam Lee (ex-MASSACRE), Jim Lippucci (SOULLESS), John and Jill McEntee (INCANTATION, FUNERUS), Zdenka Prado (ESTUARY) and ACHERON alumni Ash Thomas (ESTUARY, FAITH XTRACTOR).

"Kult Des Hasses" track listing:

01. Daemonum Lux
02. Satan Holds Dominion
03. Raptured To Divine Perversion
04. Jesus Wept
05. Thy Father Suicide
06. Misanthropic Race
07. Whores And Harlots
08. Asphyxiation (Hands Of God)
09. Concubina Do Diabo
10. Devil’s Black Blood

The two-song 2012 demo that got ACHERON signed to Listenable Records can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The tracks "Satan Holds Dominion" and "Asphyxiation (Hands of God)" were recorded with the following lineup:

Vincent Crowley - Vocals, Bass
Kyle Severn - Drums
Max Otworth - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Shuan Cothron - Guitar

SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian spoke to ARTISTdirect about the band's current status, including its continued lack of new music.

"Of course, we have a lot of fans and people interested in getting a record sooner rather than later," Serj said. "Things take time though. Everyone has a life and has to have the right frame of mind to make a record at the same time… I've been touring with SYSTEM, The FCC, and orchestras around the world. I haven't stopped. There hasn't been much time off. I want to make sure I have time for myself and my family."

He continued: "Only the four of us can decide what SYSTEM means. I know the fans agree that's what SYSTEM is, and that's amazing.

"I can't write a forced record. It's like romancing someone at a time you don't want to be romantic. It's not even a choice. We've enjoyed touring a lot. All of the tours have been well received. We play really tightly — probably better than we ever have. It's been cool.

"A new record requires three years. It's not something I can do right now. When I can commit to a three-year album cycle, I'll be down to do it.

'You can't take orders. We're not making pizza. [laughs] You can't do it on anyone else's timeframe.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist Shavo Odadjian last month posted a series of statements at his Facebook page in which he directly blamed Tankian for the band's lack of new material, saying that the vocalist was holding the group back. Odadjian wrote in a post riddled with spelling errors, "I'll come clean.. It's not us, meaning Daron [Malakian, guitar], John [Dolmayan, drums] or Shavo!! It's Serj, who doesn't want to do a new album . . . now he might hate me for exposing the truth but I had too. Sorry folks!!! We're trying to get a new album out, it's just not passing Serj's RULES!"

Odadjian hinted that he would be happy to work with a new singer, saying, "I'm ready to release (a new album) with someone who wants to be the singer of SYSTEM, not someone we have to beg to be a part of SYSTEM!! So with that in mind, what do you guys (think we) should do? Just remember, he's been holding us back for 7 years so far — wanna wait another five years? Or shall we release a record without Serj?"

Odadjian added, "No diss to Serj . . . If he wants to be in the band, then he's welcome, but if he's not? What do you expect us 3 to do??"

Odadjian told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that he could never envision SYSTEM OF A DOWN going away permanently. "We're brothers, man, we'll take bullets for each other," he said. "So it's like, you kind of miss each other after a while and you, one guy makes the first move, then another starts making phone calls....this is a juggernaut, man. SYSTEM OF A DOWN is my lifeline. It'll never go away. We could not make a record for 10 years — that's not gonna happen, but I'm just saying we could — and we'll come back strong."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN released a statement shortly after Odadjian made his remarks, saying, "Earlier today, Shavo posted a few statements on his personal Facebook page that do not reflect the sentiments of SYSTEM OF A DOWN as a collective band. These were misleading statements that were made during a temporary state of bad judgment on his part alone."

The statement added that the full lineup of SYSTEM will be performing its upcoming live dates, which will take place mostly in Europe but include a July 29 gig at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

As for a new album, the statement from the band said, "Although we have not agreed on a timetable for a new album, we all believe that having the four of us do it together is the way to be true to the band and our fans."

Tankian has been the busiest of all four SYSTEM members since the band went on indefinite hiatus in 2006, releasing three solo studio albums and one live set, with a jazz disc and a symphony on the way this summer.

Dolmayan and Malakian started the on-again, off-again SCARS ON BROADWAY, while Odadjian collaborated in a project called ACHOZEN.

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 "Few Against Many", 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.

Legendary San Francisco Bay Area gore grind act AUTOPSY will release its sixth studio opus of horror and all-out madness, "The Headless Ritual", on July 2 via Peaceville Records. The cover art for the CD was painted by none other than the legendary Joe Petagno (MOTÖRHEAD, MARDUK), and it's safe to say he has outdone himself with this gruesome slice of horror.

A mini-site for "The Headless Ritual" can be accessed at this location. Fans who sign up for the AUTOPSY mailing list will receive a free download of the "Arch Cadaver" track.

Featuring the returning quartet of Chris Reifert, Eric Cutler, Danny Coralles and Joe Trevisano, "The Headless Ritual" is a relentless monster of violent and brutal death metal mastery delivered in the unmistakable AUTOPSY style of chaotic riffing, insane solos and doom-filled interludes, all served with the band's unhinged brand of vocal sickness. The CD was recorded and mixed in April at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California with Adam Munoz.

"The Headless Ritual" track listing:

01. Slaughter At Beast House
02. Mangled Far Below
03. She Is A Funeral
04. Coffin Crawlers
05. When Hammer Meets Bone
06. Thorns And Ashes
07. Arch Cadaver
08. Flesh Turns To Dust
09. Running From The Goathead
10. The Headless Ritual

The song "Arch Cadaver" can now be streamed below.

Said AUTOPSY drummer/vocalist Chris Reifert: "Expect nothing less than the monstrous brutality that AUTOPSY has been known to offer. Laurels will not be rested upon, trends will not be followed and mercy will not be shown. Mark your calendars for July and pick out a coffin to lie down and die in. Darkness and death await..."

AUTOPSY released a DVD, "Born Undead", in June 2012 in the U.S. via Peaceville Records. The set charts AUTOPSY's birth, death and rebirth with an extensive documentary conducted with the bandmembers themselves, as they describe how the beast came to be, and the impact their music has had on the metal world over a span of more than 20 years. The film also documents the band's long-awaited return to the studio and stage, and includes rehearsal footage of both new tracks and old classics for their live comeback assault.

"Macabre Eternal", the first full-length album from AUTOPSY since 1995's "Shitfun", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 67 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.

AUTOPSY had previously decided to make an official comeback after working together on two songs for the special 20th-anniversary edition of debut album, "Severed Survival", in late 2008; the band having originally split before the release of its fourth album, "Shitfun", in 1995.

AUTOPSY is:

Chris Reifert - Drums/Vocals
Danny Coralles - Guitar
Eric Cutler - Guitar
Joe Trevisano - Bass

Due in Europe on June 28, the new edition of "Warriors Of The World" takes MANOWAR's album to the next level. Fully remastered and with a different bonus track, this brand new edition provides even higher sonic quality than ever before.

Mixed at legendary Galaxy Studios by world-renowned mixing engineer Ronald Prent, the 10th-anniversary edition was remastered at MANOWAR's own studios Hell And Haus Wahnfried by MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio personally, with MANOWAR's in-house audio engineer Dirk Kloiber.

"It was an amazing experience, revisiting this production," says DeMaio. "There are so many great memories associated with this album, from the recording to the post-production to the many unique live performances. All these experiences go into your work, when you sit in the studio and create a new experience for your fans."

The 10th-anniversary remastered edition of "Warriors Of The World" contains all 11 tracks from the original release, entirely remastered, plus a live recording of "House Of Death", recorded during the "Battle Hymns MMXI Tour" at O2 Academy in Birmingham, England; MANOWAR's triumphant return to England after 16 years.

The album features, among others, the iconic title track, "Warriors Of The World United", the battle cry "Call To Arms", and a series of further favorite hymns, including "Hand Of Doom" and the live favorite "House Of Death".

The 10th-anniversary remastered edition of "Warriors Of The World" is already available as digital album on iTunes worldwide.

"Warriors Of The World" 10th-anniversary remastered edition track listing:

01. Call To Arms
02. The Fight For Freedom
03. Nessun Dorma
04. Valhalla
05. Swords In The Wind
06. An American Trilogy
07. The March
08. Warriors O The World United
09. House Of Death
10. Fight Until We Die
11. House Of Death (recorded live at O2 Academy in Birmingham, UK, March 27, 2011)

Canadian technical death metallers GORGUTS will release their fifth album, "Colored Sands", on August 30 in Europe and September 3 in North America via Season Of Mist. The band has also announced a string of headlining shows leading to and from this year's Hopscotch Festival. the U.S. trek, which begins on September 5 in Springfield, Virginia, will travel through Hopscotch before ending on September 8 in Worcester, Massachusetts.

GORGUTS guitarist/vocalist Luc Lemay previously stated that "Colored Sands" would be "a very detailed, dark, epic, emotional, conceptual record."

War On Music Records in 2011 released on vinyl the GORGUTS albums "From Wisdom To Hate" (2001) and "Obscura" (1998). These records were largely regarded as pioneering works in the technical death metal genre, and set the standard for the decade to follow.

GORGUTS' current lineup is as follows:

* Luc Lemay (NEGATIVA) - Vocals, Guitar
* Kevin Hufnagel (DYSRHYTHMIA, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, BYLA, EUCLID STREET, THE FIFTH SEASON, GREY DIVISION BLUE) - Guitar
* Colin Marston (DYSRHYTHMIA, BEHOLD... THE ARCTOPUS, BYLA, KRALLICE, INDRICOTHERE) - Bass
* John Longstreth (DIM MAK, ORIGIN, THE RED CHORD, SKINLESS, POSSESSION, ANGELCORPSE) – Drums

According to the San Diego Reader, AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis or his agent paid $160,000 in fees as a "premium" to All-Pro Bail Bonds (described as "California's fastest-growing retail bail agency") on May 30 and was released the same day from Vista jail, in Northern San Diego County. The 32-year-old singer spent twenty-four days in custody after being arrested on suspicion of soliciting the murder of his estranged wife.

Lambesis had his bail lowered from $3 million to $2 million during a May 17 bail review hearing.

Prosecutors initially requested that Superior Court Judge Martin Staven set Lambesis' bail at $20 million, saying the singer remains "substantially motivated to kill his wife."

Lambesis' defense attorney, Tom Warwick, had asked for bail of $250,000.

If an individual is arrested and bail is set by the court, the individual can secure his/her release while the case is pending by placing cash or property equal to the face amount of the bail as collateral with the court. Once the case is concluded, the court will return the collateral to the depositor.

If the arrested individual does not have cash or property sufficient to cover the face amount of bail, they can use the services of a bail agent or "bondsman." The bail agent agrees to secure the release of the accused individual in return for a fee between 8% and 10% of the face amount of the bail. The arrested individual is also required to provide a co-signor that will take responsibility for the face amount of bail.

Once the fee has been negotiated and a co-signor agrees to take responsibility for the bail, the bail agent delivers the bond to the jail and the arrested individual is released from custody.

Lambesis was arrested on May 7 on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

The singer, who at one time has said he considered himself to be a Christian and acknowledged that he found inspiration for lyrical content from biblical texts, was taken into custody without incident at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Oceanside, California, according to San Diego Sheriff's Department.

Warwick blamed Lambesis' steroid use for the alleged murder-for-hire plot. He also revealed that Lambesis was going through steroid withdrawal while in custody.

Lambesis' attorney said the "gym culture" led to "changes in [the singer's] physiological and mental status," with Tim's bodybuilding obsession causing him to go from 170 to 220 pounds after first taking supplements, then steroids. "[He] was not the same person. He was irritable and lost God."

Prosecutors allege Lambesis had twice told a man at a gym that he wanted his wife killed, then met with an undercover detective known as "Red", and gave the agent an envelope containing $1,000 in cash, photographs of his wife, and the security gate code to her house. He also allegedly told the agent the dates he would be with the couple's three adopted children, in order to give himself an alibi.

"When specifically asked do you want her dead, he said, 'Yes that's exactly what I want,'" Deputy District Attorney Claudia Grasso told the judge. "The victim now is terrified and living in seclusion."

In court, Grasso said that Lambesis did not flinch when told the hit on his wife would cost $20,000. "He was very willing to pay that," she said, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Lambesis, who was originally booked into jail on suspicion of two felonies — conspiracy and murder-for-hire — was ordered to wear a GPS monitor and turn in his passport and was warned by the judge that he must stay away from his immediate family. The conspiracy charge was dropped before Lambesis was arraigned.

Tim's wife Meggan filed papers in September 2012 in San Diego Superior Court seeking a dissolution of the couple's marriage.

U.K. tech metallers MONUMENTS have called off their singer search and are almost ready to announce their new vocalist. To keep fans in suspense, this mystery bandmember will be revealed at MONUMENTS' performance at Ghostfest, which takes place June 29-30 at Leeds University in the U.K.

In regards to the new lineup, MONUMENTS guitarist John Browne comments: "We're happy to announce that we will be performing with our new vocalist at Ghostfest in June and Techfest in July. We're very confident in his abilities in recreating 'Gnosis' as well as giving a whole new twist to the future music of MONUMENTS...We know you're going to love what you hear. Please feel free to attend Ghostfest to see who it is, but please be aware tickets are very limited."

Former MONUMENTS singer Matt Rose issued a statement in March claiming that he left the group because he was "growing increasingly frustrated at the work ethic of the band and at how little music everyone wrote."

MONUMENTS' debut album, "Gnosis", was released in North America on September 25, 2012 through Century Media Records.

The band's "We Are The Foundation" EP came out in 2010 via Basick Records.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine recently spoke to Revolver TV about his lyrical direction for the band's new album, "Super Collider", his thoughts on former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum and holy wars. Check out the clip below.

"Super Collider" is being released today (Tuesday, June 4) via Mustaine's new label, Tradecraft, distributed by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The effort is available as a limited-edition CD with a 3D cover and bonus tracks, regular CD, regular LP, limited LP plus a bonus colored seven-inch single with two bonus tracks, and a download voucher.

The track "Super Collider", which was premiered on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio metal show on April 20, was released digitally on April 23 via iTunes.

"That song kind of came from that 'Symphony Of Destruction' corner of my mind," Mustaine told Guitar World magazine. "You can't always play aggressive, thrashy stuff. Sometimes those aren't even songs; they're like musical rams. But because I'm not a pop guy, I'm also not really comfortable playing sing-along songs. To me, 'Super Collider' made sense like a normal song — a verse-chorus-verse-chorus kind of thing. It's written the way a real songwriter would write the song, instead of just taking all these musical twists and turns."

"Super Collider" is MEGADETH's first release since the band's recent split with Roadrunner Records.

MEGADETH filmed a video for the "Super Collider" title track on May 10 in the Los Angeles area. California-based model, actress, singer and songwriter Hunter Elizabeth was cast in the lead role in the clip, which she says is "about a high-school couple still loving each other after all the years after graduation, and at the 10-year reunion, both characters find themselves successful (a model and a mathematician) and still very in love."

After his much-acclaimed "Static Impulse" release in 2010, DREAM THEATER frontman James LaBrie returns with a powerful new studio album entitled "Impermanent Resonance", to be released August 6 in North America and July 29 in Europe via InsideOut Music.

"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 songs included on "Impermanent Resonance", which combines the heaviness of Gothenburg-sound influenced progressive metal with the catchiness of contemporary rock, are "Agony", "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.

SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine, who celebrated his 65th birthday on May 25, has posted the following message on the band's Facebook page:

"Thank you so much for all your wonderful birthday mails, messages, presents and videos that reached me from all over the world. It really touched my heart in a big way. I'd like to say 'thank you' to each and every one of you for your love and support over so many years.

"We are in the studio right now, but it won't be long before we hit the road again. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you some where out there. Rock on."

SCORPIONS spent the first three months of 2012 in the studio with producers Mikael "Nord" Andersson and Martin Hansen resurrecting a dozen unfinished songs from what some people believe was the band's best and most creative period — leftovers from the albums "Blackout" (1982), "Love At First Sting" (1984), "Savage Amusement" (1988) and "Crazy World" (1990) — for an album that is tentatively scheduled for release later this year. "It will be material that was never finished; songs with pure SCORPIONS DNA from a very exciting time," Meine confirmed to Classic Rock. "Once we close the book on the crazy touring schedule, that's something we'll pick up again." An album of all-new SCORPIONS material may surface as well, according to Meine. "At this point nothing is out of the question," he said. "When we said adios with 'Sting In The Tail', our label, Sony Music, cried, 'No, no, no… What about this idea? What about that idea?' There are some offers you just can't refuse. I don't want to say too much right now, but I can reassure you there is still life in those bloody old SCORPIONS."

He added: "We'll just have to see what's realistic. We're working on a documentary movie about the band's history. We filmed the tour's big finale in Munich, which was very emotional."

Drummer Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, FLYING COLORS, THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) has released the following statement:

"It saddens me to announce that the four upcoming shows in Latin America this month supporting HALESTORM will be my last with ADRENALINE MOB.

"Unfortunately, I have scheduling conflicts that prevent me from being able to fully commit to the band's future activities at the moment.

"As I cannot be in two places at the same time, I don't want to hold them back and have to wait for my schedule to re-open up to resume activity.

"I'm very proud of what we started together and the music we made over the past two years and I wish the guys all the best in the future."

ADRENALINE MOB features in its ranks frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) and DISTURBED bassist John Moyer

ADRENALINE MOB released "Covertá", an eight-track EP featuring cover versions of some of the group's favorite songs, on March 12. Longtime fans of Portnoy are aware of the multiple cover CDs he has released with DREAM THEATER and with Neal Morse. "Covertá" is the first CD of covers recorded by ADRENALINE MOB.

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI).

Portnoy played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them for the entire second half of 2010.

"Heroic Dose", a brand new song from NEWSTED — the new band led by former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Newsted — can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off NEWSTED's full-length debut, "Heavy Metal Music", which will be released on August 6. Jason told Billboard.com the 11-song album will be very similar to the band's debut EP, "Metal", which sold around 6,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 62 on The Billboard 200 chart. "The EP was always intended to be the primer, a sampler of what was to come on the LP," he said. "It's all metal all the time. It's not all fast, but it is all heavy."

"Heavy Metal Music" track listing:

01. Heroic Dose
02. Soldierhead
03. ...As The Crow Flies
04. Ampossible
05. Long Time Dead
06. Above All
07. King Of The Underdogs
08. Nocturnus
09. Twisted Tail Of The Comet
10. Kindevillusion
11. Futureality

NEWSTED 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, DEVICE, HELLYEAH and DEATH DIVISION.

NEWSTED kicked off its first-ever U.S. tour on April 19 at Red House in Walnut Creek, California. The 14-date trek concluded on May 23 in Asbury Park, New Jersey and has led into a number of European festival appearances for the band, which is rounded out by STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok, drummer Jesus Mendez Jr. and guitarist Jessie Farnsworth.

NEWSTED is:

Jason Newsted - Bass, Lead Vocals
Jesus Mendez Jr. (THE NAPOLEON BLOWNAPARTS) - Drums
Jessie Farnsworth - Guitar, Backing Voice
Mike Mushok (STAIND) – Guitar

"Megitsune", the new video from BABYMETAL, the heavy metal offshoot of the Japanese pop idol group SAKURA GAKUIN that performs a distinctly Japanese mix of schoolgirl J-pop and death metal, can be seen below. Due to be released as a single on June 19, the song is said to combine traditional Japanese instruments with metal overtones and an enka ballad to create a festive sound. The theme of the track is "women are born actresses." Four different versions will be made available for fans to purchase: a limited "Tsu", limited "Ki", and a limited "Ne" edition, as well as a less expensive regular edition. The limited versions will come with bonus videos from the BABYMETAL live events that were held from 2012 to early 2013.

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

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

BABY METAL is:

Su-Metal - Vocals and Dance
Moametal - Screamer and Dance
Yuimetal - Screamer and Dance

"Megitsune" video:

The official lyric video for "Spirit Breaker", a brand new song from the Manheim, Pennsylvania-based quintet AUGUST BURNS RED, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's fifth album, "Rescue & Restore", which will be released on June 25 via Solid State Records.

The new effort, described by guitarist and principal songwriter JB Brubaker as the band’s "most ambitious album yet," turns a critical eye to the oft-maligned genre of metalcore, leading by example to prove that bands can still find exciting new ways to expand the genre.

"'Rescue & Restore' is about challenging other bands and ourselves, as well as fans of this music, to want more than whatever happens to be the current buzz," explains Brubaker.

"We’ve done our best with each new album to try to push our sound in new directions and we’d like to see our peers do the same.

"People need to realize that there’s not much of a difference between a metalcore song that has a couple breakdowns with a repeating chorus and the latest LADY GAGA song. This genre used to be better than that. It can still be better than that."

Throughout the album, AUGUST BURNS RED continue to do their part to challenge the conventions of heavy music. Over the course of 11 tracks, the band artfully blend piano, cello, violin, trumpet, various percussive elements and more into their sonic arsenal, taking their music into new aesthetic territory and contorting the boundaries of the genre.

In support of "Rescue & Restore", AUGUST BURNS RED will perform all summer long as a mainstage act on the 2013 Vans Warped Tour, marking their third appearance overall and first since 2011.

With "Rescue & Restore", AUGUST BURNS RED have proven that it is possible to reshape music in a way that challenges listeners, reinvigorates fans and puts art first. But for any fans who fear AUGUST BURNS RED turning their back on the sound that catapulted them to the forefront of a genre, Brubaker advises them not to worry.

"At the end of the day, we are still a very heavy band," he explains. "'Rescue & Restore' still has plenty of really heavy stuff, techy odd meter riffs, and all the stuff that people have come to expect from us; it just has a lot more surprises along the way."

"Rescue & Restore" track listing:

01. Provision
02. Treatment
03. Spirit Breaker
04. Count It All As Lost
05. Sincerity
06. Creative Captivity
07. Fault Line
08. Beauty In Tragedy
09. Animals
10. Echoes
11. The First Step

Cleveland metallers CHIMAIRA have posted a video that reveals the artwork, track listing and 30-second song clips from their forthcoming album, "Crown Of Phantoms".

Due on July 30 via eOne Music, the band's seventh studio LP has already started collecting its fair share of accolades.

"Tracks like 'No Mercy', 'Plastic Wonderland' and 'Spineless' are absolute slayers that will surely impress longtime fans and newbies alike, and bring that classic 'I Hate Everyone flavor' we've all grown to love," writes Revolver magazine.

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

The band 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

"All That's Left Is Blood" is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

Commented 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."

CHIMAIRA's current lineup is as follows:

Mark Hunter - Vocals
Matt Szlachta (DIRGE WITHIN) - Guitar
Jeremy Creamer (DAATH) - Bass
Emil Werstler (DAATH) - Guitar
Sean Zatorsky (DAATH) - Keyboards
Austin D'Amond (BLEED THE SKY, THE ELITE) – Drums

"First Of The Last", the first-ever video from FIGHT OR FLIGHT, the new band featuring DISTURBED guitarist Dan Donegan and drummer Mike Wengren, along with EVANS BLUE singer Dan Chandler, Sean Corcoran of RA on bass and Jeremy Jayson on guitar, can be seen below. The clip was helmed by Lester Cohn and multimedia producer/director and music documentarian Chuck Brueckmann, who has previously worked with ALTER BRIDGE and CREED guitarist Mark Tremonti.

"First Of The Last" arrived at radio on May 21, with FIGHT OR FLIGHT's debut album, "A Life By Design?", to follow on July 23.

Donegan began writing songs on his own last year and approached Chandler about a possible collaboration. The two began emailing music to each other and getting together to write whenever Chandler was in Chicago, where Donegan lives, until they had enough material to record a full album.

In a posting on the DISTURBED Facebook page, Donegan writes: "[I] just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to check out mine and Mike's new side-project FIGHT OR FLIGHT! No, this does NOT mean the end of DISTURBED, as David [Draiman, DISTURBED singer] has also made that clear.

"We love you the fans that have given us this life and the outlet to express ourselves for many years now. This has just become another extension of us.

"I get it, I understand why some of you may be mad that we are all doing other things right now, but let me assure you that all of us are looking forward to the day we return as DISTURBED to show you how much you mean to us. But in the meantime, we are all focused and giving 110% to our individual projects.

"Whether you love it or hate it, we all pour our blood, sweat and tears into making music for us and the satisfaction we get from it. We hope you find a connection with it as well …

"Music has always been therapeutic for everyone. That’s why we do it. It makes me feel good and any worries go away. It brings me peace in my life and I cannot live without it.

"I look forward to hopefully seeing some familiar faces once we hit the road with FIGHT OR FLIGHT and then again with DISTURBED someday!"

Donegan told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that he liked the idea of playing with other musicians. "This whole career with DISTURBED, I've always been jamming with the same people, which has been amazing. But I want to feel that I can actually, you know, just continue to expand and explore, you know, different paths as we progress, hopefully, in the future, maybe if there is another album from us."

Donegan said in a statement about the FIGHT OR FLIGHT album, "This is more hard rock. It's got edgy moments, but there's more melody across the board. We had the chance to experiment as well. There are acoustic guitars and some electronics even. It's different all around."

Dan Chandler has been the vocalist for EVANS BLUE since 2009, when he replaced original singer Kevin Matisyn. The band's most recent offering was 2012's "Graveyard Of Empires".

DISTURBED frontman David Draiman released the self-titled debut album from his new project, DEVICE, last month. The record entered the Billboard album chart No. 11. The act, which also features members of DOPE and EVANESCENCE, is on tour now.

Ohio-based viking/pagan metallers HAMMER HORDE have parted ways with singer Tom Sturniolo. A band statement reads:

"Another chapter of the Hammer Horde saga has ended today. We regret to inform you all that longtime vocalist Tom Sturniolo and the rest of the band have parted ways. We’d like to take this chance to thank Tom for all of the good years, memories, and great work that he did as the voice behind Under the Mighty Oath and Vinlander. We are grateful for all of his contributions to Hammer Horde and, with our pints held high, we say farewell. It is with a heavy heart that we part ways with an old friend and original member, but at the same time we remain fully supportive of his decision. As we continue to write and record for our next album, we remain on the hunt for a suitable replacement to fill Tom’s boots in becoming the new full-time Hammer Horde vocalist."
Tom Sturniolo's parting words: “After long thought I have decided to step down as front man of Hammer Horde. This was not an easy decision, but I feel that currently I cannot give the band the proper attention it deserves. We are all still on very good terms and I wish my brothers much luck and prosperity in the future.”

UK-based hard rockers CRASH MANSION are preparing themselves to embark on their biggest year yet as a band. They recorded their debut EP in 2012 with Martyn ‘Ginge’ Ford at the renowned Nott-in Pill Studios and quickly racked up shows with L.A. GUNS, FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS and THE DEAD LAY WAITING, proving to be every bit as potent on stage as the recordings promised.

The band are a heady mix of natural talent, raw energy, enthusiasm and a fistful of super catchy infectious rock n' roll with stadium bothering potential. Their single, ‘Money’ (video below), is scheduled to be released digitally on May 27th, with their album due out later this year.

The band have also been confirmed to perform an acoustic set at Download Festival on the Jagermeister Stage, on Sunday, June 16th.

Updates to follow. More on Crash Mansion at this location.

"Unspoken", the new video form the London, U.K.-based modern metal mob THE DEFILED, can be seen below. The clip, which sees frontman Stitch D and keyboardist The AvD being held captive by their bandmates before descending into a torturous nightmare, was directed by Robin Fuller (FEED THE RHINO, HAWK EYES, DAATH) and produced by Craig Tuohy. Craig's production company, Ascension Productions, won a golden trailer award for the work on "The King's Speech" and has also worked with the likes of Jean-Claude Van Damme.

The "Unspoken" single will be released on June 30. The track comes off THE DEFILED's second album, "Daggers", which is due on August 2 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The cover artwork was designed and executed by Scott Chalmers, the band's longtime photographer.

"Making our first official video for 'Daggers' was the most fun we have had filming," says The AvD. "Stitch and I tried our hand at acting and as we decided on the day, we nailed it! Not really, we are terrible actors…"

He continues: "We also got to work with our old pal Robin Fuller who was actually the very man that directed our first-ever video, 'The Resurrectionists'.

"I think this video sums up what 'Unspoken' is all about. We wanted a very specific scene in there where the two protagonists (The AvD and Stitch D) are smiling at each other and shaking hands with knives behind their backs. This very scene was the inspiration for the actual cover of 'Daggers' as this theme runs throughout the whole album."

Keyboardist The AvD explains the "Daggers" concept: "Daggers were made for only one thing — killing or betraying your fellow man. And one stab is almost always never enough…

"The flowers symbolize goodwill with the prospect of a co-operative future. The dagger behind the back symbolizes the ulterior motives, the insincerity and the impending disappointment that surrounds us all. This theme runs through all the tracks on the album.

"The concept was born out of a scene we wanted in our new video for 'Unspoken'. We wanted the two main characters shaking hands with daggers behind their backs. We were originally going to call the track 'Daggers', but then opted to go for 'Unspoken'. The song is about the politics of life and it seemed more fitting. We also didn't want to limit the word 'daggers' to only one song on the album, as it is the overall feeling we wanted for the full project."

Having released its debut album "Grave Times" via Metal Hammer magazine in 2011, THE DEFILED has since enjoyed status as the U.K.'s biggest unsigned metal acts. Making huge strides forward on their own, their achievements as a self motivated and independent band in the world of heavy music, which includes sold out tours, prestigious slots at the biggest festivals and a Golden God Award, is remarkable. Their unwillingness to compromise or settle for anything less than their ambition dictates has got them this far; this alliance with indie metal powerhouse Nuclear Blast Entertainment now sets the sky as the limit.

"Daggers" limited-edition digipack CD

01. Sleeper (4:00)
02. Unspoken (4:05)
03. Saints And Sinners (3:49)
04. As I Drown (4:41)
05. Porcelain (3:23)
06. New Approach (3:09)
07. Fragments Of Hope (4:30)
08. The Infected (4:01)
09. The Mourning After (4:14)
10. Five Minutes (4:38)
11. No Place Like Home (4:44)
12. I Destroy What Destroys Me (4:16) *
13. Self Under Siege (3:25) *

* bonus track

"Daggers" digital album

01. Sleeper (4:00)
02. Unspoken (4:05)
03. Saints And Sinners (3:49)
04. As I Drown (4:41)
05. Porcelain (3:23)
06. New Approach (3:09)
07. Fragments Of Hope (4:30)
08. The Infected (4:01)
09. The Mourning After (4:14)
10. Five Minutes (4:38)
11. No Place Like Home (4:44)

"Daggers" digital bonus version - iTunes exclusive:

01. Sleeper (4:00)
02. Unspoken (4:05)
03. Saints And Sinners (3:49)
04. As I Drown (4:41)
05. Porcelain (3:23)
06. New Approach (3:09)
07. Fragments Of Hope (4:30)
08. The Infected (4:01)
09. The Mourning After (4:14)
10. Five Minutes (4:38)
11. No Place Like Home (4:44)
12. As I Drown (live) (4:45)*
13. I Destroy What Destroys Me (4:16) *
13. Self Under Siege (3:25) *

* bonus track

During a brand new interview with Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press, METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo was asked about whether the band's fans have come to always trust the group to always deliver the goods, both in the studio and on the concert stage. "Yes and no," Trujillo replied. "Obviously there were mixed reviews on our Lou Reed experience ('Lulu', 2011). Some people thought it was an amazing artistic statement. A lot of METALLICA fans thought it was crap. [laughs]

"You take chances and kind of go with the flow of it. We just try to have a good time. That's the name of the game — be creative — and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't work.

"That's what makes the band special — the fact that METALLICA can go in and play with an orchestra and collaborate with the likes of a Lou Reed, and actually do a bit of improvising in uncharted territory.

"In this day and age, it's important in staying relevant, especially for us. We're inspired by so much, we like to try things. Sometimes financially it can be a task. …

"We're there to deliver the passion we feel for music. When we put on the guitars it's like we're kids again. And that's different from a lot of bands when they get older, to still connect with music that way. We come up with so many riffs — our problem is trying to keep them all out of one song. [laughs] It's a good problem to have.

"Right now we're having a hard time focusing on making a new record because there's so much else going on."

Trujillo also spoke about the upcoming second annual Orion Music + More festival, a music and lifestyle festival created by METALLICA and their friends at C3 Presents.

"The one thing about the Orion festival that's actually pretty cool is that it's also a lifestyles event," the bassist said. "We're connecting on different musical levels with various types of bands, but also with everyday passions. Last year we were at the beach, so we had surf, jet skis. We've got a skate zone — legends as well as newer pros — which is great for me. I grew up skating and surfing. I'm still wearing Vans tennis shoes to this day.

"James [Hetfield, guitar/vocals] will have cars from film, television. That's his passion. He's legitimate. That's what he does — builds custom cars. Kirk [Hammett, guitar] will have his house of horrors.

"As far as Lars's situation … he really loves the art of filmmaking. He's on another level. I work on films myself. He's my number one guy, my critic — 'Hey, check this rough cut out.' He's very honest and sincere. He's incredibly intelligent. …

"Hopefully we can keep it going. Orion is a new thing, you know. It takes time. Putting your own festival together is not an easy task. It's modeled after the European festivals, with a variety of music, where you might have LOS LOBOS playing before METALLICA, and then a pop act after."

Read the entire interview from Detroit Free Press.

Williamsport, PA metallers MY HEART TO FEAR are set to release their debut full-length album, Algorithm, in stores and online July 9th via Solid State Records.

Algorithm builds off of the promise shown on the band's Lost Between Brilliance And Insanity EP, reinforcing to a wider audience what the band’s carefully cultivated fanbase had previously known - that My Heart To Fear's uncompromising metal attack couldn’t be kept a secret for long. With Algorithm, the cat is out of the bag for good thanks in no small part to the band’s commitment to honing their sound and their resolve to approach songwriting their own way and not cater to what an audience is presumed to want.

The 11-track album was recorded at Atrium Audio with Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland (AUGUST BURNS RED) and features notable guest appearances such as Ricky Armellino of THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE.

Tracklisting:

'Dust to Dust' (feat. Ricky Armellino of This Or The Apocalypse)
'414 Days'
'Angst'
'The Sneaking Chair'
'Algorithm'
'The Witching Hour Pt. II'
'Wish You Were Here'
'End Transmission'
'Bottomed Out' (feat. Josh Hines of Maitland)
'4th Dimension Opera House'
'Pack Up, We're Leaving'

“On Algorithm, the breakdowns are catchier, the vocals are better and are beyond appropriate for the music,” explains vocalist Trevor Pool. “No single part, instrument or effect is overused. There’s no filler. Everything is exactly where it needs to be. Nowhere was there something added just for the sake of adding something. Most importantly, we made the decision to write what we felt needed to be in the songs - nothing was written under the shadow of ‘what will please the most amount of ears.”
While My Heart To Fear remained focused on their own vision during the writing process, the band maintains a level of gratitude towards its fans that is rarely seen. That sincerity and honesty shines through in the band’s every move, and will continue to direct My Heart To Fear’s actions in the future.

“Fans don’t get enough credit from bands,” explains Pool. “They are the reason a band can succeed. Since we released the first EP, we have had a surplus of people that have shown their incredible love and support for us and we hope to give back that same love with this record.”

U.K. glam metal legends TIGERTAILZ have announced the return of Matt Blakout on drums.

Matt rejoins the 'TAILZ lineup after a three-year absence and teams up with Jules Millis (vocals), Rob Wylde (bass) and Jay Pepper (guitar).

The band is currently in Red Rock Studios in South Wales recording tunes for a new five-track EP titled "Knives".

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. The Shoe Collector
02. One Life
03. Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds You
04. Spit It Out
05. Punched In The Gutz

TIGERTAILZ has already secured a record deal for the release of "Knives" EP. A further press release will be issued to announce that deal in the coming days, along with a release date.

Comments Pepper: "I'm absolutely delighted to see Matt back in TIGERTAILZ. Not only is he a great solid drummer and true professional, but a lovely guy too... Matt also brings stability to the 'TAILZ lineup which, after three years of grief, is more than welcome. It's really great to have him back and be working together again. And we're already well under way and motoring along in the studio working on new 'TAILZ tracks for the EP."

London, U.K.-based death metallers ACRANIA have inked a deal with Unique Leader Records. Spreading a message and staying one step ahead of their peers, they aim to keep a unique but unrelentingly heavy sound. The band has already toured with acts around the U.K. and rest of Europe, such as CEREBRAL BORE and WARPATH with upcoming shows with big acts such as THY ART IS MURDER, BLOOD RED THRONE and many more. They are set to bring a blistering mix of brutality, slams and blast beats.

Keep your eyes peeled and watch one of the quickest growing bands in the U.K. expand to international acknowledgement while staying true to their root sound and passion for music.