Icelandic black metallers CARPE NOCTEM have inked a multi-album deal with Aural Music imprint Code666. Due late summer, the band's debut album, "In Terra Profugus", is a concept effort about an ethereal journey within and without the self, exploring concepts of life, death and the nature of evil. It is about overcoming and reaching understanding through strife and hardship, about self-flagellation of the soul. The album title calls upon Cain's journey into the wasteland of Nod, the self-made exile from God's creation. Imagery from nature and light references to Nordic myth permeate the text, which is both vivid and esoteric in description. The CD mixed and mastered by Paso (THE SECRET, EPHEL DUATH) at Studio73 in Italy.

The order of the songs count down at first, and then upwards, signifying the initial descent into the earth, into the dream or afterlife, and the subsequent transformation and resurrection.

"In Terra Profugus" track listing:

III. Odium Somniferum
II. Ars Moriendi
I. VITRIOL
II. Metamorphoses Maleficarum
III. Hostis Humani Generis

CARPE NOCTEM was formed in November 2005 but its current formation came to be in 2009. By this time, it had earned a reputation of intense performances on stage, while rising as one of Iceland's leading acts in black metal. The music shows various influences and expresses extreme opposites. It forms a raw, chaotic and apocalyptic soundscape combined with Icelandic lyrics, often referencing scripture, Nordic mythology, occult writings, apocalyptic prophecies and Icelandic black magic rituals.

CARPE NOCTEM previously released a demo ("Myrkraverk", 2008) and an EP ("Carpe Noctem", 2009).

Swedish melodic death metallers AMON AMARTH have released part two of their mini-documentary, "Forging Mjölnir". Filmed and directed by Luke Daley, the up-close-and-personal clip — which includes stunning black and white nature footage and Norse artwork — celebrates the imminent release of the band's ninth studio offering, "Deceiver Of The Gods". The latest fifteen-minute segment sees AMON AMARTH members recalling their earliest metal memories as well as the band's primitive beginnings.

Recorded at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, and produced, mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (OPETH, MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), the follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed 2011 "Surtur Rising" full-length delivers ten fiery battle hymns made of buzzsaw riffs and epic harmonies all driven by vocalist Johan Hegg's commanding Viking roar and absorbing accounts of Norse crusades and treachery.

"Deceiver Of The Gods" comes adorned with another outstanding Tom Thiel-created cover portraying a mythical battle between the Norse Gods Loki and Thor. As an added bonus, Messiah Marcolin (CANDLEMASS) makes an appearance as guest vocalist on eighth track, "Hel".

"Deceiver Of The Gods" will be released in North America via Metal Blade Records on June 25, in Europe June 24 and Japan on June 26.

Following a run of European festival dates, AMON AMARTH will open the main stage of this year's edition of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, set to commence June 29 in San Bernardino.

In a recent interview with France's LoudTV.net, Hegg stated about the recording process for "Deceiver Of The Gods": "It was pretty much six or seven weeks in January and February this year. So it went pretty quick. But when we went into the studio, we were very well prepared; we had all the songs written, we were well rehearsed. It went really quickly. We didn't have to change much. Everything was pretty much written. Every time you record something, there's always gonna be small changes, obviously, with songs, because when you rehearse it, maybe you don't hear that it didn't work perfectly, so you have to find another way. Or you come up with an idea of how something could be a little bit better. But all the songs were 99 percent ready, basically."

Asked if it was weird getting Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) to produce "Deceiver Of The Gods", Hegg said: "I don't think so. I mean, if you know where Andy comes from — HELL and SABBAT. He kind of has the same musical background as us; we were listening to the same stuff. And for us, we realized that his style of producing would fit the band. So when we decided to go for a new producer, Andy was a pretty definite choice, because we liked the stuff that he's done recently with ACCEPT, for instance, and KREATOR, and we felt that he could contribute something to our sound, and I think he did; I think it was a good choice. It was good for us to work with [previous producer] Jens [Bogren], but you know, after three albums, it felt like we needed a new challenge, a new voice in the whole production. For us, it felt natural to go with Andy. Especially after meeting him the first time… We were actually on tour and we met him in Wales. We just sat down and had a couple of beers and talked, and I think we hit it off straight away; it really felt good. So I think it was a good choice to work with Andy; he's a great producer and I think he did a perfect job."

Regarding whether Sneap has made AMON AMARTH sound more dynamic on the new album, Hegg said: "I think so. I think that the whole recording process, and the sound, and everything, is more organic, it feels more 'live,' [there's] a better groove to it than with Jens. I mean, Jens is a great producer — he has a very, very good ear for music — but somehow his productions are a little bit too clinical sometimes; they're too bang-on. I mean, some people love that. I wanna have that little groovy… so you get that live feeling, and I think that's important for a band like us as well. So I think it was a good choice to work with Andy for this album. Especially, also, when you consider the material that we had. There is a bit more groove to it, there is more ups and downs in the tempo, and I think it's easier to get that across if you do, as I said, a more organic, more natural flow kind of recording. Like I said, great job from him, and I'm glad that we lived up to it as well. [laughs]"

On the topic of whether "Deceiver Of The Gods" is AMON AMARTH's most diverse album to date, Hegg said: "I think so, yeah. And I think that's going back to what I said before — that we decided to let our influences shine through a lot more than we used to in the past. I mean, our influences have always been there, but we always kind of tried to keep them on the low side, not too evident, but now we let them come up in the production much more, and I think that was a good choice because it definitely gave the album a wide range."

"Deceiver Of The Gods" track listing:

01. Deceiver Of The Gods
02. As Loke Falls
03. Father Of The Wolf
04. Shape Shifter
05. Under Siege
06. Blood Eagle
07. We Shall Destroy
08. Hel
09. Coming Of The Tide
10. Warriors Of The North

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

According to Alternative Press, former EIGHTEEN VISIONS and BLEEDING THROUGH bassist Mick Morris passed away in his sleep Sunday, June 2, from a pre-existing heart condition.

After EIGHTEEN VISIONS called it quits, Morris toured as a tech for HATEBREED, worked for Century Media Records and the Sumerian Records-owned SoundCheck Hollywood.

Morris started off playing guitar in vegan straight edge hardcore group CLEAR before joining EIGHTEEN VISIONS in 2000.

Morris, who had recently relocated to his hometown of Salt Lake City, was the father of a very young son, Jude.

According to BBC News, singer Ian Watkins of the Welsh rock band LOSTPROPHETS pleaded not guilty today (Monday, June 3) to a total of 24 charges, including two charges of raping a baby.

Watkins, 35, allegedly twice raped the child, who was under 12 months old at the time.

The rape charges were revealed when Watkins appeared at court via video link from prison.

A statement from the singer was read outside court. It said: "I want to thank my family, friends and all the fans for there continued support throughout this whole ordeal. Your support gives me strength.

"I deny all the allegations made against me and will continue to fight to the end to clear my name."

Watkins faces further charges of possessing, taking and making indecent photographs of children — the oldest of them dating back to March 2007.

Two women — one aged 20 and the other 24 — are facing a child-sex charge alongside Watkins.

Another hearing will be held on Thursday where a trial date will be discussed.

LOSTPROPHETS members Lee Gaze (guitar), Mike Lewis (guitar), Stuart Richardson (bass), Jamie Oliver (keyboards) and Luke Johnson (drums) released a statement on their official web site expressing their shock at the charges against Watkins.

LOSTPROPHETS has sold more than three million albums worldwide and topped the U.K. chart with 2006's "Liberation Transmission".

The band's most recent CD, "Weapons", came out in April 2012.

The first three studio albums from reactivated seminal technical metal pioneers ATHEIST — "Piece Of Time" (1989), "Unquestionable Presence" (1991) and "Elements" (1993) — will be re-released on vinyl in North America on June 11 via Season Of Mist. The new editions are remastered on colored vinyl and limted to 500 copies per title worldwide.

ATHEIST — Kelly Shaefer (vocals), Steve Flynn (drums), Tony Choy (bass), Christoper Martin (guitar), Jason Holloway (guitar) — is writing material for its new full-length album and follow-up to 2010's critically-acclaimed "Jupiter" CD.

"Jupiter" landed at position No. 88 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.

"Jupiter" was released on November 9, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at LedBelly studios in Atlanta, Georgia with engineer Matt Washburn and was mixed by Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER). The cover artwork was created by Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with TESTAMENT, SIGH, ANACRUSIS and GWAR, among others.

"Bú-Tik", the seventh album from Taiwanese metal mavericks CHTHONIC, is available for streaming in its entirety using the SoundCloud widget below. The CD was recorded at Sweden's Sweetspot Studio by producer Rickard Bengtsson, who also worked on 2011's critically lauded "Takasago Army" full-length and finds the band sharpening their signature brand of self-dubbed symphonic "orient metal."

"Bú-Tik" will be released in North America via Spinefarm Records in the U.S. digitally on June 18 and on CD on June 25.

"Bú-Tik" track listing:

01. Arising Armament (intro)
02. Supreme Pain For The Tyrant
03. Sail Into The Sunset's Fire
04. Next Republic
05. Rage Of My Sword
06. Between Silence And Death
07. Resurrection Pyre
08. Set Fire To The Island
09. Defenders Of Bú-Tik Palace
10. Undying Rearmament (outro)

With "Bú-Tik", CHTHONIC continue their mission to build awareness of the myths of Taiwan and the tragic events in their country's history. Centered around the story of the 228 Massacre, the Bú-Tik Palace and the Mirror Of Retribution, "Bú-Tik" highlights what bassist Doris Yeh describes as "righteous violence, justifiable defense, and the armed spirits!"

The "Sail Into The Sunset's Fire" clip was once again directed by Lin Chun, creator of the band's epic "Defenders of Bú-Tik Palace" video, and was filmed in an outdoor swimming pool during a very unplanned, raging storm, creating the level of intensity both the director and band were hoping for.

"When a person encounters difficulties, he might feel as though he is going through a storm, so I chose to shoot with water," explains Chun. "No-one was prepared for the storm, but it brought a fabulous effect to the video!"

Adds Yeh: "It seemed such a coincidence when it started to pour. The cameraman was completely soaked and shivering, so I was thinking: 'Okay! Let's get this done quickly so he can get out of the water!'"

"Sail Into The Sunset's Fire" recounts the story of pirates in East Asia in the Age Of Exploration. During the Age of Exploration, many people waved goodbye to old China and sailed out in a quest for new life. They settled along the west coast of Taiwan, recruited militiamen, and built pirate fleets. Most of them eventually stayed on and called Taiwan their new home.

"We're not encouraging kidnapping or robbery," says Yeh, "but the challenge to conventional authority here is indeed inspiring. According to historical accounts, the pirates — who came from islands between Japan and Indonesia — had planned to overthrow the Ming Empire of China and the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan, and some of them eventually settled along Taiwan's western coast…"

Legendary rockers KISS unveiled their brand new stage show this past Saturday (June 1) at the opening concert the European leg of their "Monster" world tour in Stockholm, Sweden.

A three-minute video tour of the new KISS stage set up — courtesy of Keith Leroux of KissOnline.com — can be seen below..

"It's really great," KISS frontman Paul Stanley told VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner about the new tour. "You know, for so many years, we've talked about a new stage show and basically what we've been doing has been an extension of the old stage show. So people would sometimes come and, obviously, the band does a great show and it's great to be there, but some people would say, 'Gee, it doesn't look that different.' This is a completely different stage, it follows a really great theme, the lights are like nothing you've ever seen before."

When pressed for more details, Paul said, "Um… I hate to give anything away but when you see first photos of this new tour, and we're headlining festivals all over Europe, I think people will be blown away by what we're doing onstage."

During a recent question-and-answer session with a group of fans, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons revealed that the new stage includes a 70-foot screen and a giant spider that shoots fireballs out of its tentacles.

"This spider is just beyond anything you've seen," he said. "It'll be able to be flat and come up and walk almost to the front of the stage. It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen."

He added: "We’re gonna levitate and go 30 rows into the audience. Oh — and play songs! It'll be the best tour yet, you'll see."

KISS recently completed an Australian tour with very special guests MÖTLEY CRÜE.

"Monster", the 20th studio album from KISS, sold 56,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Video footage of former WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp's May 25 solo performance at the Diamond Rock Club in Ahoghill, Northern Ireland can be seen below.

Tramp released his new solo album, "Cobblestone Street", in North America on May 7 via Deadline Music, a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records. The effort was made available in Europe on April 8 via Target Records in the following formats: CD, limited digipack CD (with two bonus tracks), LP and digitally.

"Cobblestone Street" is a departure from the sound that most people would expect from a singer that has been around since WHITE LION crashed on to the hard rock scene in the '80s. Rock fans have gotten to know Mike Tramp as a legit rock singer and frontman that looked like he was born to be just that. Therefore many might find it surprising that Tramp's roots and musical upbringing lie deeply buried in folk music.

Heavily influenced by fellow Danish artists with acoustic guitars and international stars like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, Tramp says that all of his songs through 35 years on the music stage, have always come from sitting with the old faithful acoustic guitar playing and singing. That WHITE LION songs like "When the Children Cry", "Broken Heart" and "Wait", and FREAK OF NATURE's "Rescue Me" later have ended up as epic rock classics is just a question of arranging them in that way with the band in the rehearsal room, but all songs have always been fit to play around the campfire or in the back of a shady bar.

Tramp says that he is so at home with the new album, and in lack of better words, it's really like coming home after a long journey that has taken him around the world over the past 30 years.

"I am not lost, I am not confused, I am not taking a break," he says. "This is the album I have waited a long long time to record, because I didn't have the guts to do it earlier on. Still, it's not just a matter of doing an album like this and then returning to the screaming Marshall amplifiers, thundering bass and drums like canons. This is where I am, and this is where I am going to stay as a solo artist, and anytime the urge to play loud rock'n'roll awakes in me, it will be some kind of band project where I am just the singer and part of the package."

"Cobblestone Street" was recorded over a week in Medley Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark in summer of 2012, with just Mike and his good friend engineer/co-producer and multi-instrumentalist Søren Andersen.

"Some of the songs I wrote 20 years ago, and some songs just the week before I recorded them, but they are all a 100% representation of who Mike Tramp is," Mike says.

Tramp says he hadn't really planned to do an album, but one day called up Søren Andersen and said he had a lot of songs that he wanted to hear come out of the speakers. "I showed up in the studio and Søren said, 'Why don't you just sit down with the guitar and mic and recorded the songs the way you wrote them, kinda like your big hero Dylan did long time ago?' At the end of the day, we had recorded the first four songs, with Søren adding some keyboards and percussion. It was a wonderful feeling sitting there in the couch listening to the songs that were rough and naked, but at the same time so complete."

Tramp says he feels that "Cobblestone Street" is like a movie, a movie about his own life in great details. Once it ends, you will know who Mike Tramp is.

Madrid, Spain-based symphonic metallers DARK MOOR will release their new album, "Ars Musica", on June 18 via Scarlet Records.

A teaser for the CD can be seen below.

With the follow-up to their "Ancestral Romance" album, DARK MOOR have taken another step forward in their career, forging a more identifiable sound and expanding their songwriting in multiple directions. They still pay homage to the Spanish cultural heritage in songs such as "First Lance Of Spain", "Gara & Jonay" and "El Último Rey", but elsewhere they go more personal, still giving high priority to their trademark melodies and elaborate harmonies. Talented singer Alfred Romero offers his best performance to date, whilst orchestrations are less classical and more grandiose and epic.

"Ars Musica" was once again produced by Luigi Stefanini (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, LABYRINTH, VISION DIVINE).

A video for the song "The Road Again" was recently filmed in Madrid with El Ojo Mecánico Productions. Check out screenshots from the clip at this location.

"All That May Bleed", the new single from Swedish black metallers WATAIN, will be released at the end of June. The song comes off the band's new album, "The Wild Hunt", which is due on August 19 in Europe and August 20 in USA via Century Media Records. The CD was once again mixed at the Necromorbus Studio in Alvik, Sweden by Tore Stjerna.

A trailer for the single can be seen below.

Comments WATAIN: "'All That May Bleed' shows but one facet of a quite diverse album, but we chose this song as a first glimpse into 'The Wild Hunt' because of its bombastic lunacy and white-eyed malevolence which could be said to constitute a main foundation for the album. The lyric is an invitation to sacrificial blood letting, ecstatic zealotry and human sacrifice. The salt of Satan in the wounds of Christ!"

Side B will be a track called "Play With The Devil", originally recorded by the black/heavy metal band TAIWAZ in 1988 in WATAIN's hometown, Uppsala (Gottfrid Åhman from IN SOLITUDE participates on solo guitar on WATAIN's version).

The single will be released in the following formats:

* Black seven-inch vinyl (limited to 2,000 copies worldwide)
* Red seven-inch vinyl with sticker (only available from Wolfwear.net; limited to 500 copies worldwide)
* Seven-inch picture disc (available from CMdistro.com and Wolfwear.net; limited to 500 copies worldwide)
* Digital download

"All That May Bleed" physical release dates:

* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Norway and worldwide through CMdistro.com and Wolfwear.net: Friday, June 21
* UK, Benelux, France, Poland: Monday, June 24
* USA, Spain: Tuesday, June 25
* Sweden: Wednesday, June 26

"All That May Bleed" digital release dates:

* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Italy, Australia, New Zealand: Friday, June 21
* UK: Sunday, June 23
* USA, Spain: Tuesday, June 25
* Sweden, Hungary: Wednesday, June 26
* Rest Of Europe: Monday, June 24

U.K. label Rock Classics, under license from Frontiers Records, will issue vinyl editions of former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach's most recent studio album, "Kicking & Screaming", and his latest live album, "ABachalypse Now" (taken from the CD/DVD package of the same name).

"Kicking & Screaming" will be made available on 180-gram, limited-edition single red gatefold vinyl on June 17 and can be pre-ordered here.

"ABachalypse Now" will be released on 180-gram, limited-edition double colored gatefold vinyl later in June (exact street date to be announced) and can be pre-ordered here. One disc of the set will be transparent blue, while the other will be clear.

Sebastian Bach is currently in the studio recording his new solo album with producer Bob Marlette (BLACK SABBATH, ALICE COOPER), who helmed Bach's last solo CD, 2011's "Kicking & Screaming".

Bach's next solo effort, which is tentatively due in late 2013/early 2014 via Frontiers Records, is expected to feature contributions from bassist Duff McKagan (DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES), Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL) and Los Angeles-based guitarist Jeff George, who previously played with ASKING ALEXANDRIA's lead vocalist Danny Worsnop.

Bach's brand new CD/DVD package, "ABachalypse Now", was released in North America on March 26 via Frontiers Records. The "ABachalypse Now" Ultimate CD/DVD Edition includes never-before-seen footage from last year's Graspop Metal Meeting festival in Dessel, Belgium, the full never-before-seen Hellfest set from France and the fully-remixed and remastered Nokia show from Los Angeles (originally broadcast on AXS TV), as well as bonus music videos. The DVD contains a running time of nearly 160 minutes. "ABachalypse Now" was made available in two configurations: the Ultimate CD/DVD Edition (2 CDs + DVD) and a standalone DVD.

"Kicking & Screaming" sold 6,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 73 on The Billboard 200 chart. The singer's previous CD, "Angel Down", opened with 6,400 units back in November 2007 to debut at No. 190.

"Seven Widows Weep", the new video from Norwegian/Spanish symphonic gothic metallers SIRENIA, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's sixth studio album, "Perils Of The Deep Blue", which will be released on June 28 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Comments SIRENIA mainman Morten Veland: "In April we went to Serbia to shoot a videoclip for the song 'Seven Widows Weep'. We've been working with the Icode team again, this is the guys that also did the videoclips for our first two videos; 'My Mind's Eye' and 'The Other Side'. We had a great time in Serbia, and the recording sessions turned out great. Now the post-production is finished as well and we are very excited to share the video with our fans. We think that the guys at Icode did a great job and made a video that serves the song perfectly. The band is very pleased with the video, and we hope that you will enjoy it as well."

"Perils Of The Deep Blue" was produced by the SIRENIA mastermind himself, while the mixing and mastering was handled by Endre Kirkesola at Dub Studios in Oslo.

"Perils Of The Deep Blue" track listing:

01. Ducere Me In Lucem
02. Seven Widows Weep
03. My Destiny Coming To Pass
04. Ditt Endelikt
05. Cold Caress
06. Darkling
07. Decadence
08. Stille Kom Døden
09. The Funeral March
10. Profound Scars
11. A Blizzard Is Storming

Limited-edition-digipak bonus tracks:

12. Chains
13. Blue Colleen

"The writing process has been going on for about two years," states Veland. "I always have ideas for new stuff, so I started writing even before we had released our previous album, 'The Enigma Of Life'. Most of it has been recorded in my own studio. I love to work there as I always feel inspired — plus we can take our time with whatever we do, for there is no time pressure. Just like for all of our previous albums, we also dropped by Sound Suite Studios in France — a great place that feels like home, too. This time we recorded the Marseille choir there that one can always hear on our records, as well as some of my acoustic guitar parts."

The album artwork was originally painted by Anne Stokes — though it wasn't intentionally created to be used as such, as Morten explains: "came across the artwork on the Internet and immediately fell in love with it for obvious reasons — it's no secret that I've always been fascinated by Greek mythology and sirens. So we got in touch with Anne and luckily she granted us the permits to use it for the record. I actually drew the inspiration for the album title, 'Perils Of The Deep Blue', from the artwork. In my opinion, it's the perfect SIRENIA cover — there was no way we could have let that opportunity slip away!"

SIRENIA's last album, "The Enigma Of Life", was released on January 21, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

In 2008, SIRENIA recruited singer Ailyn (born: Pilar Giménez García) as the replacement for Monika Pedersen, who left the group a year earlier after only one album due to "musical differences."

Ailyn was best known as a former contestant on the Spanish version of "The X Factor", the biggest television talent competition in Europe.

Norwegian rockers MALICE IN WONDERLAND have released a video for the song ‘Live For Today’. The four piece shot the video in their hometown Bergen and wanted to make a "classic" rock n' roll video.

"We basically wanted the first single and video to showcase what Malice In Wonderland is all about. A hard rock band with attitude and edge", says front man Chris Wicked. "To not just have the performance part I surrounded myself with my favorite animals; snakes, spiders and crocodiles and we let the cameras rolling. It was a quite interesting day on the set with the film crew standing on chairs, especially when we let lose a crocodile. I guess they were afraid of their toes. However that just made the atmosphere more intense!”

"‘Live For Today’ is a very up-tempo rock song," says Chris. "It's about living in the moment and not over think everything too much. I think most people have a tendency to think too much about the future and forget that is right now that matters the most. I am that way myself so the song is very much written as a reminder to me as well."

Malice In Wonderland's sophomore album The Royal Brigade is mixed by John Fryer (DEPECHE MODE, NIN, PARADISE LOST, CRADLE OF FILTH, HIM) and will be released later this year. A double single that in addition to ‘Live For Today’ will include the album track ‘New Year's Eve’ as well as a bonus track will be out the July 1st.

For more info visit Facebook.

Rovereto (Trentino), Italy-based metallers SIGN OF THE JACKAL will issue their debut full-length album, Mark Of The Beast, on CD and LP on July 19th, via High Roller Records.
Tracklisting:

'Voodoo' (Intro)
'Heavy Metal Possession'
'Paura Nella Citta Dei Morti Viventi'
'Hellhounds'
'Night Of The Undead'
'Heavy Metal Demons'
'Fight For Rock'
'Paganini Horror'
'Sign Of The Jackal'
'Queens Of Hell'
'The Beyond'
'Trick Or Treat'

Sign Of The Jackal were formed in 2007, one year later they recorded their first demo, entitled Haunted House Tapes, issued on tape and CD initially, Heavy Artillery Records later put it out on 7" format. In 2011 The Beyond EP followed (again released by Heavy Artillery Records). This EP included two cover versions, 'Head Over Heels' by MEGHAN and 'Warlord's Wrath' by BLACK KNIGHT.

Despite being a relatively young band, Sign Of The Jackal have already appeared several times at prestigious festivals such as Germany's Keep It True and Italy's Revenge Of True Metal.
Lineup:

Laura Coller (vocals)
Roberto "Bob" Condini (guitars, vocals)
Max (guitars, vocals, keyboards)
Roby "Knife" (bass, vocals)
Heavy Mate (drums, vocals)

More on Sign Of The Jackal at this location.

Canada's ORCHID's CURSE have released their new video, for the song 'If We're Divine', shot by Colin MacDonald (Foster Avenue Productions) over two days in and around Halifax in April.
Orchid's Curse released their third album, Words, via Diminished Fifth Records on March 26th. Words was recorded at Codapop studios in Halifax, engineered Erien Eady-Ward and producer Jason Vautour (PITH). Mixing was handled by Vancouver native Shaun Thingvold (LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR) and mastered by North Carolina’s Jamie King (BTBAM). The album art was once again created by the band’s lead guitarist Keith MacLeod who also did the art for their 2010 release Voices: The Tales of Broken Men.
Words tracklisting:

'Baptismalpractice'
'For Those Who Grovel'
'Lie to Live the Lie' * (Free download available here)
'If We're Divine'
'Indifferences'
'Words'
'Provisions for a Journey'
'Through the Hourglass'
'We Sigh'
'His Servants'
'The Masquerade of Sin'
Orchid's Curse lineup:

Josh Hogan - Vocals
Brian Jones - Guitar/Vocals
Keith MacLeod - Guitar
Kevin Mombourquette - Bass
Bobby Webb - Drums

More on Orchid's Curse at this location.

Canadian heavy metal act AXXION (simply pronounced Action), will release their debut full-length album, Wild Racer, on July 19th via High Roller Records.

Guitarist Sir Shred comments on Wild Racer: “Well, dude, it’s the first album with eight new tunes, one re-recorded song from the EP and a secret cover tune by a great Canadian band. There’s some really cool tunes on it but my favourite would have to be 'Tonight'."

For bassist Chris Riley, 'Savage Avenger' is "probably the most well-known song of the band", but he thinks that "everyone has a different favourite song from the EP. There's something for everyone."
Tracklisting:

'Wild Racer'
'High Bars'
'On The Edge'
'Nightstalker'
'Stallion'
'Hard Rockin'
'Fireheart'
'Still Hungry'
'Tonight'
'Ride Of The Chariots'

In July 2013 Axxion are booked to play the warm-up show of the legendary Headbangers Open Air festival in Itzehoe, Germany. Before Axxion, drummer Alison and Shred played in SKULL FIST, Dirty D Kerr in MIDNIGHT MALICE.

Axxion band lineup:

Chris Riley - Bass, Vocals
Alison Thunderland - Drums, Vocals
Sir Shred Guitars -(lead), Vocals
Dirty D Kerr Vocals -(lead), Guitars (rhythm)
More on Axxion at this location.

While on a hiatus from the legendary power/progressive metal band LETHAL around 1999, vocalist Tom Mallicoat and guitarist David McElfresh wrote and recorded a batch of tunes under the band name KILLING RABIES; these songs were never released...until now.

KILLING RABIES' four-song EP, "Turn Of The Century", featuring "Killing Rabies", "Devil To Pay", "Look At You" and "Step Inside", is available for download at the band's Facebook page.

Regarding these tracks, David stated: "Never performed as a live band, all the tracks were performed and recorded at home... post-wine, beer, whiskey, smoke and other insanity-inducing elements... We thought it may be about time to share some of the rock that was laid down at that time."

LETHAL guitarist Eric Cook last year lost his battle with cancer.

The Kentucky-based LETHAL was founded by Tom Mallicoat and the Cook brothers, Eric and Glen. In 1990, after the arrival of drummer Jerry Hartmann, Metal Blade Records released their debut album, "Programmed", which was instantly proclaimed a progressive/power metal classic the world over.

In 1994, LETHAL independently released "Your Favorite God", a five-song EP (featuring new guitarist David McElfresh) which immediately sold out. "Your Favorite God" showed LETHAL going in a heavier direction, with such outstanding songs as "Waiting On The Kill" and "Hard To Breathe".

LETHAL's last release, the album "Poison Seed" (1995), set new standards for progressive metal bands with its sheer musical brilliance, which featured "Down", "Walking Wounded", and the title track.

LETHAL played its first show in ten years at the Chicago Powerfest in 2007 and also performed at Keep It True and Bang Your Head!!! festivals that same year, as well as at Headbangers Open Air in 2008.

"Blood Libel", the new video from Belgian melodic black metallers SAILLE, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Nicolas Daenens, who previously worked with the band on the "Plaigh Allais" video two years ago.
The "Blood Libel" video was shot in the region known as "Meetjesland" in Belgium, both in the woods and in an abandoned church.

A synopsis of "Blood Libel" by SAILLE frontman Dennie Grondelaers: "The video of 'Blood Libel' is a somewhat liberal interpretation of the track on our latest album. It tells the story of William of Norwich, a young kid from the 12th century (°1132 - †1144) that was found murdered in cold blood. A murder for which the Jews were falsely accused."

"Blood Libel" is the opening track of SAILLE's second album, "Ritu", which was released on January 18 via Code666 Records. The follow-up to 2011's "Irreversible Decay" was produced and mixed by Reinier Schenk (GORATH, FLESHMOULD) and mastered by Tom Kvålsvoll (1349, DIMMU BORGIR, KEEP OF KALESSIN). Cover art comes courtesy of Polish digital landscape artist Michal Karcz.

Before releasing their newest record, Sapphire, this week, DIAMOND LANE are giving their fans a sneak peak of what is to come, by unleashing the debut video from the album. The California hard rockers have created a dark video for the title track, 'Sapphire', which is laced with stunning performance footage, and an unforgettable scene with a young woman, who appears to have lost her mind. Shot, directed and edited by W.A. Henderson,'Sapphire' is laced with an overall darkness throughout, setting a gloomy mood for the video. The single itself is filled with boisterous vocals, a pounding rhythm section, and brilliant guitar riffs that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Diamond Lane hails from Los Angeles, California. Their unique brand of music is party-centric and is laced with commercially attractive choruses with fist pumping guitar riffs that have recently attracted the ears of major broadcast network, FOX. Upon the release of their first full-length album, World Without Heroes, Diamond Lane has sold out various venues on the Sunset Strip, including the House of Blues, and they have regularly participated in the Sunset Strip Music Festival. The band has a growing reputation for not only a group that plays great music, but also one that puts on an exciting and interactive live show.
Diamond Lane is:

Brandon Baumann (Lead Vocals)
Jarret Reis (Lead Guitar)
Ray Zhang (Bass)
Frankie Lindia (Lead Guitar)
Zak St. John (Drums)

Lucky Los Angeles fans can attend the group’s Album Release Party, this coming Saturday, June 1st, at The Dragonfly (6510 Santa Monica Blvd./ 21+). Six bands will share the lineup, and the night will also include art galleries, DJs spinning between sets, and artists painting live on the Dragonfly’s patio. Diamond Lane will also be raffling off one-of-a-kind autographed posters, an event poster signed by all of the bands, a 16GB Black iPad Mini and a work of art commissioned the night of the event.
More on Diamond Lane at this location.

Vocalist AMANDA SOMERVILLE (TRILLIUM, AVANTASIA, HDK) has posted a video teaser for the forthcoming album from AMADEUS AWAD'S EON, The Book Of Gates, also featuring Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X, ADRENALINE MOB. Check the clip out below:
With a new sound and mighty production, Amadeus Awad’s EON entered the studio to record a debut that would shake the very foundations of the metal scene in Lebanon. The band has great songwriting and composition skills under their belt; their music combines the high musicianship of heavy progressive metal and the mellow emotional melodies of the East.
Founding members Elia Monsef (vocals), Amadeus Awad (guitars), and Patrick Stephan (drums) have been playing together for years now and together they shaped what later became The Book Of Gates.

Even though the members are part of Amadeus Awad’s solo project, Amadeus Awad’s EON resembles the first collaboration of these artists together in the process of composition, arrangement, and production, however Amadeus Awad solely Pens the lyrics to the concept album. The band gained great success playing many venues in Lebanon and across the Middle East.

Being a concept Album, The Book Of Gates had space for several guest singers to sing on the EP. Amanda Somerville was the first singer to join the cast performing as the queen in a story taking place in ancient Egypt. Russell Allen later joined the cast and took the role of the Pharaoh. Elia Monsef sings as the necromancer and the band will later unveil who will play the Keeper of the Gates. Amadeus Awad’s solo album previously featured Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, RING OF FIRE, ROYAL HUNT). This marks the widest collaboration with class A singers in metal music to ever take place in the Middle East.
International collaborations weren’t limited to vocalists only, Kevin Moore (DREAM THEATER, OSI) is featured as the keyboard player on the EP, and Timo Tolki (STRATOVARIUS, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE) as a guest guitarist. These collaborations helped take the band and their work to the next level.

Other members of the band include Samer Zouein who is the band’s live bassist. All members of the band share the same influences. Dream Theater, DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW, Yngwie Malmsteen, Symphony X, Kamelot, Avantasia, IRON MAIDEN, PINK FLOYD and others have directly influenced the way the band works and write music.

More info at this location.

On June 21st, German metal label FDA Rekotz will release the debut full-length from Spanish melodic death/doom metal act GRAVEYARD OF SOULS. Entitled Shadows Of Life, this album showcases the band's penchant for atmosphere, entrancing melodies, melancholy and emotion, according to a press release. This is nearly 45 minutes of powerful music that will move the listener into another world. Fans of TIAMAT and PARADISE LOST will welcome this album into their collections with open arms.



Check out the video ‘Dreaming Of Some Day To Awake’ below:

Shadows Of Life tracklisting:

‘Genesis’
‘Shadows Of Life’
‘Dreaming Of Some Day To Awake’
‘Memories Of The Future (We Are)’
‘Follow Me’
‘Mad World’
‘Solitude’s My Paradise’
‘Dead Earth’
‘There Will Come Soft Rains’

Shadows Of Life will be available on CD and digital formats, with preorders being accepted here.

Reactivated Los Angeles metallers RESISTANCE have just released their new single 'Vlad' and are offering it to their fans here for free download here. The track was recorded at Di Carlo Studios in Rancho Cucamonga Ca and mixed by producer Neil Kernon (QUEENSRŸCHE, NEVERMORE, NILE) at Rax Trax Studio in Chicago IL. The track is to be included on their forthcoming EP which is scheduled for release later this year.
Resistance has confirmed the following tour dates for 2013:

August
3 - Marquee 15 - Corona, CA (with METAL CHURCH)

November
9 - White Marsh, MD - The Rock Harvest Festival

Resistance is:
Robbie Hett: vocals
Dan Luna: guitars
Burke Morris: guitars
Paul Shigo: bass
Matt Ohnemus: drums
For more details visit Facebook.

Marilyn Manson joined Alice Cooper on stage last night (Saturday, June 1) at the Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the opening show of their co-headlining "Masters Of Madness" tour to perform the Cooper classic "I'm Eighteen". Video footage of Manson's appearance can be seen below.

In what is obviously a "dream" pairing, or some might say a "nightmare," Cooper and Manson have teamed up for "Masters Of Madness" through June 28. Following recent pairings of Alice with Rob Zombie and then Rob Zombie with Manson, this combination of Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson has been long awaited by fans of both artists.

Alice Cooper is a true rock icon, having pioneered the use of theatrics and shocking images onstage in concerts from the earliest days of the original band of the same name. Since going solo, he has continued to produce elaborate stage shows providing fans with both shock and rock of the highest caliber. Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2011, Alice has toured and recorded continuously, with his most recent album being "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" through UMe. Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original ground breaking, multi-platinum "Welcome To My Nightmare" album in 1975, the album picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind.

Currently, Alice's touring band features the three-guitar attack of Orianthi, Tommy Henriksen and Ryan Roxie, backed by bassist Chuck Garric and drummer Glen Sobel.

Marilyn Manson's most recent full-length album, "Born Villain", his eighth overall, debuted in the Top 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD earned Manson his fourth Grammy nomination at the 2013 Grammys in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category for the album's lead single, "No Reflection".

The tumultuous relationship Marilyn Manson has cultivated with the public through his genre-defying music and anti-status quo message of thinking for oneself has resulted in sold-out tours, protests, legal battles, adoration, hate, more than 50 million records sales, award-winning distilled spirits, several Grammy nominations and, most importantly, a long list of some of the most enduring and powerful singles ever.

Manson's last U.S. tour was the "Twins Of Evil" run with Rob Zombie, a bill that looked good on paper but which did not go smoothly, leading to some verbal exchanges between the two shock rockers onstage.

Both Zombie and Manson have acknowledged the legendary Cooper as an influence on their own careers.

Guitar virtuoso GEORGE BELLAS will release his new album, Astral Projection, on June 21st via Lion Music.

According to the press release, Astral Projection is home to 15 new compositions which are an amalgamation of guitar saturated songs and epic progressive instrumentals packed with chaotic guitar improvisations; mind-twisting rhythms; emotionally intense lyrical themes; and advanced explorations of modern melodic, harmonic and rhythmic principles that are combined with classical elements of counterpoint, harmony and form.
'Into The Unknown'
'Dimensional Portal'
'Out Of Body'
'Fabric Of Space And Time'
'Hyperspace'
'Rip In The Continuum'
'Curiosity'
'Apparition'
'Magnetic Anomaly'
'Tipler’s Cylinder'
'Visiting An Alien World'
'Interdimensional Travel'
'Heightened Awareness'
'On The Other Side'
'Transcendental'

Joining Bellas once again is drummer Marco Minnemann (THE ARISTOCATS) on whose performances George comments, “It’s always a pleasure working with Marco and hearing him humanise the drum parts I composed and also add his unique sense of style and finesse. Marco’s drums are punchy and will hit you like a ten ton truck.”

'Out Of Body' can be heard now:

Florida-based death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER have parted ways with drummer Kevin Talley and have replaced him with Marco Pitruzzella.

Marco, who previously played with SIX FEET UNDER bassist Jeff Hughell in BRAIN DRILL, will make his live debut with SIX FEET UNDER this Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee at the Scion Rock Fest.

Comments SIX FEET UNDER frontman Chris Barnes: "I'm proud to announce a new addition to the ranks of SIX FEET UNDER. Replacing drummer Kevin Talley is our new friend and cohort, Marco Pitruzzella. Marco has worked with Jeff Hughell in their former band, BRAIN DRILL, and is such an amazing talented and great guy. I'm very excited having him in the band and can't wait to take the stage with Marco this Saturday in Memphis for Scion Rock Fest!"

He adds: "It was good working with Kevin Talley for the past couple of years, but we are very ready and extremely focused on moving the band forward with a new, more stable and permanent lineup for writing as well as touring.

"Be prepared to be shredded! See you all soon!"

SIX FEET UNDER's tenth full-length album, "Unborn", was released on March 19 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-to to 2012's "Undead" was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with SUICIDE SILENCE, ALL THAT REMAINS, SHADOWS FALL and SOULFLY, among others.

"Unborn" was released as an exclusive European box-set edition which included the limited digipak of "Unborn" and a bonus track entitled "Illusions". Additionally the box featured a poster, a patch, two pins and a sticker plus enough space for last year's "Undead" album. The bonus track was featured on the vinyl version of "Unborn" as well.

SIX FEET UNDER in May 2012 announced the addition of Swedish rhythm guitarist Ola Englund (FEARED, SCARPOINT) to the group's ranks. Englund, who made his first official appearance with the band on the "18 Nights Of Blood Tour", took the place of Rob Arnold (CHIMAIRA).

Finnish metallers LUNAR PATH has issued the following update:



“Some of you have probably wondered why there hasn’t been any updates for a few months. The reason is that Lunar Path is going on an undetermined hiatus.We’ve always had our ups and downs, and this past year was rough but also very educational for us. After we released our single, ‘White Light’, we came to a crossroad where everyone had to re-evaluate their own role and motivation to this group. In the end, we decided to take some time off and instead continue on our own paths. So the fate of Lunar Path is left to the future. Maybe we’ll get back together someday, maybe we won’t. But for now it’s sayonara and lots of thanks for all the support we’ve got throughout the years. But luckily, this doesn’t mean the music stops here as both Jonas and Janica has some new projects in progress! We’ll keep you posted on them here!"

May 3 was declared Metallica Night at AT&T Park in San Francisco, home of baseball's San Francisco Giants. According to a press release issued by the team, members of METALLICA participated in pre-game festivities which included throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and guitarists James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett performing the National Anthem. The custom Giants-themed guitars that were played by the pair were signed immediately following the National Anthem and auctioned off at the Giants Community Clubhouse, with proceeds being shared by the Giants Community Fund and the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation.

An audio recording of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at AT&T Park in San Francisco is now available for free download at LiveMetallica.com.

In honor of Metallica Night, San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito came by the band's headquarters in San Rafael, California to jam with the band.

Following recent live dates in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, METALLICA performed on May 2 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles, where the group was also honored as "Golden Gods."

The band is also gearing up to headline its second annual Orion Music + More festival, scheduled for June 8-9 in Detroit.

Launched in March 2004, LiveMetallica.com initially sold downloads of nothing but full live sets of METALLICA's concerts. In September 2009, the band responded to fan demands to purchase single tracks from the live sets. Full shows can still be downloaded for $9.95 and a high-quality FLAC version of the entire set can be purchased for $12.95. Most shows are available with hours after they end. Fans can also visit "The Vault" section of the web site for free downloads of selected shows prior to 2004.

Maryland rockers KIX are currently in pre-production with producer/songwriter Taylor Rhodes (AEROSMITH) for their new studio album and first since 1995's "$how Bu$ine$$". The new CD will be released later in the year via Frontiers Records.

KIX singer Steve Whiteman last year stated about the upcoming CD: "We have been hard at work getting new material together that we think will stand shoulder to shoulder with any previous KIX record. It's a really exciting time!"

KIX lineup includes original members Steve Whiteman, Jimmy Chalfant, Ronnie Younkins and Brian Forsythe, with Mark Schenker on bass.

KIX's first-ever live DVD and CD, entitled "Live In Baltimore", was released last September.

Since KIX's return to the national stage in 2008 with appearances at two of the biggest rock festivals in the U.S., Rocklahoma in Pryor, Oklahoma and Rock The Bayou in Houston, Texas , KIX has played a large number of successful live shows all across the USA, with regular appearances at festivals, casinos and biker rallys, culminating with headlining the hugely successful M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland two years in a row. The live CD/DVD is packed with fan favorites and a choice catalog of great hard rock KIX songs recorded live in Baltimore, Maryland.