It's been more than a decade since Austrian female-fronted symphonic metallers EDENBRIDGE first created a stir with the launch of their debut album, "Sunrise In Eden", back in 2000. What presented itself as a young but already immensely talented band has evolved into one of the genre's most independent acts. Their latest CD, "The Bonding", sees the group underline its exceptional status in melodic metal and puts an end to their creative hiatus of almost three difficult years.

"We had to come to terms with a number of personal setbacks, which is why the production of the album took longer than originally scheduled," explains guitarist and main songwriter Lanvall, who, among other things, suffered the loss of his father due to suicide. In addition, EDENBRIDGE underwent an unexpected lineup change: bassist Simon Holzknecht had to be replaced by Wolfgang Rothbauer (DISBELIEF, ZOMBIE INC.).

Yet the band's great compositional qualities, the amazing voice of singer Sabine Edelsbacher and EDENBRIDGE's unconditional determination to not only validate, but to surpass the undisputable strengths of each predecessor album are omnipresent.

"The initial ideas were developed as early as 2010, immediately after the release of 'Solitaire', but due to our private trials and tribulations, it took us until autumn 2012 to conclude the recordings for our new album," Lanvall looks back at the taxing months marked by one ambitious goal: to complement the new album by a real orchestra in order to support the material's symphonic direction.

"Our style has always had an unmistakably symphonic quality," says Lanvall, "so the only question was: how do we finance a big orchestra?"

At this point, outside help arrived, in the form of support from fans and sponsors. Thanks to a major joint effort, the band succeeded in bringing to the studio the Klangvereinigung Orchestra of Vienna under the direction of Georg Luksch to cap the atmospheric and at the same time dynamic songs on "The Bonding".

Says Lanvall: "When it was confirmed that the Klangvereinigung Orchestra would come to the studio, I concentrated on writing scores for our songs, so we were able to integrate these additional elements more concisely than ever before. Of course, it would be a mistake to drown our songs, which also feature guitar riffs, choirs and rhythmic details, in orchestra sounds. It was all about positioning the orchestra in a way that would create an additional dynamic level. I think we've succeeded in doing just that on 'The Bonding'."

Another outstanding feature is Sabine Edelsbacher's voice, whose warm, pleasantly melancholy timbre refines every EDENBRIDGE track.

"I've worked very hard on my voice in recent years to intensify not only expression and power, but also clarity and nuances," she explains. "It's very important for me to devote myself totally to my music, to be able to immerse myself 100% in every song."

Which is probably one of the reasons why "The Bonding" has turned into the band's most haunting and ambitioned album so far, including truly impressive numbers such as "Mystic River", "Alight A New Tomorrow", "Shadows Of My Memory" and — more or less as the grand finale — the 15-minute title track, a memorable duet by Sabine Edelsbacher and Erik Martensson (W.E.T., ECLIPSE).

Says Lanvall: "This song is the culmination of the album's general theme, which is about universal energy, about birth and growth, about memories and reflection."

In line with this, EDENBRIDGE also presents two different sets of cover artwork for the digipak and jewel-case editions, both related but unique in terms of their design. In other words: orchestra, renowned guest vocalists and fascinating themes included, "The Bonding" is an exceptional release in every respect and a real must-hear!

"The Bonding" will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in Germany on June 21, in the rest of Europe on June 24 and in the U.S./Canada on July 2 as limited-edition ecol book with a different cover, including a bonus CD, double coloured LP, standard version and download.

"The Bonding" track listing:

01. Mystic River
02. Alight A New Tomorrow
03. Star-Crossed Dreamer
04. The Invisible Force
05. Into A Sea Of Souls
06. Far Out Of Reach
07. Shadows Of My Memory
08. Death Is Not The End
09. The Bonding

EDENBRIDGE is:

* Sabine Edelsbacher: Lead Vocals
* Lanvall: Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Piano, Kacapi
* Max Pointner: Drums
* Dominik Sebastian: Lead, Rhythm Guitar
* Wolfgang Rothbauer: Bass, Grunts on "Shadows Of My Memory"

"The Bonding" standard edition:

SOCIETY 1 has enlisted Logan Mader (MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY, GOJIRA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY) at Darth Mader Music to mix and master the band's new EP, "Screams Of A Sadist". The group's first collection of entirely new material in seven years will see SOCIETY 1 returning to its industrial metal roots as well as adding a few surprises.

"The music is powerful and the guys are great to work with," said Logan.

After the mixing is complete, SOCIETY 1 will begin editing its new video for the song "Lifeless".

"The plan has always been to get some new music created, shoot a video then get back on the road for a few runs," the band said. "We felt as if we really needed to show people the band is back to its full capacity and see what happens before deciding how we will release the rest of the EP."

After a seven-year hiatus, SOCIETY 1 has already done a few strings of dates outside of its home base of Los Angeles.

"It's all coming together," said SOCIETY 1 guitarist Brian Jackson. "It's been a great process and being able to work with Logan Mader at the end of it all has been a great experience. We hope to work with him more in the future."

Debemur Morti Productions has announced the signing of US-based death metal act ÆVANGELIST.
The band is currently working on a new obscure masterpiece. In the meanwhile, you can listen to two pieces from the band's first album, De Masticatione Mortuorum In Tumulis. Listen to the tracks 'Blood & Darkness' and 'Death Illumination' below:
Ævangelist formed at the bottom of the universe and gestated into a transcendent being, not of flesh and blood as you and I, but of aether and organic psychosis. These were the pale dreams which led us to formulate the Omen Ex Simulacra - the name of our covenant with the outer dark where no star has existed.

The labors of Ævangelist are manifest in all things, and Ævangelist can and does, as well, manifest as sound. Theophysical beings have a capacity to build bridges into a soul and transmit their will into consciousness in order to manipulate the flesh, and thus new mastery is achieved. All conception of reason is obliterated in the majesty of utter despair, and multitudes are united, if either in apathy, or defiance, or total surrender. No belief, therefore, is required for acceptance; consumption is total and incontestably ultimate.

You will know the ones who have heard the voice of Ævangelist - the abstract catharsis; you will know them by the emptiness in their souls, mirrored as a smile or the facade of innocence in sentient eyes.
More on Ævangelist at this location.

SYMPHONIC THEATER OF DREAMS, the tribute to DREAM THEATER created by Michael Mierzejewski and featuring a Polish orchestra consisting mainly of students, have released their album, A Symphonic Tribute To Dream Theater.
Tracklisting:

'Overture - When Dreams Come True' (Michael Mierzejewski)
'Hell's Kitchen'
'Sacrificed Sons'
'Beneath The Surface'
'The Ministry Of Lost Souls'
'Losing Time / Grand Finale'
Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess states: "It's with enormous pleasure that we see the release of STOD's first album featuring orchestral versions of Dream Theater's music. It's an honor for us to have these incredibly talented orchestral musicians dedicating themselves with such passion to the music that we have written. The orchestrations are really well done and if you are a fan of Dream Theater's music you will certainly enjoy them!”

Check out a trailer below:
A video teaser for 'Hell's Kitchen' follows:
Purchase the CD at this location.

More on Symphonic Theater Of Dreams at this location.

Bangladesh death/thrash act ORATOR has signed with Pulverised Records. Formed in 2008, Orator has so far released one 7" EP, a live demo tape and one full-length album, entitled Kapalgnosis. After the release of Kapalgnosis earlier this year on Armée De La Mort Records, the band has decided to get straight work on the follow up. The yet-to-be-titled second full- length will contain nothing but straight up old-school death thrashing Tandava in the vein of their debut. Orator plans to release the album by 2014.

The band states: "We are presently working on new songs and we look forward to reveal them in our second album through Pulverised Records. More announcements on the upcoming album will follow in the course of time. Orator forms this mighty pact with Pulverised Records to bring their old-school death metal Aghori cult to a whole different level of existence both locally and internationally. The band therefore looks forward to a long and successful relation with the mighty Pulverised Records."

Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin further commented: "This was totally unexpected. In all honesty, no one would have imagined in their wildest dreams that there is much of an extreme scene in Bangladesh. Orator basically decimated all forms of sensibility and logic that we knew (or lack thereof) in the Bangladeshi metal scene and ripped our faces off with their debut Kapalgnosis! We can't seem to stop raving about Orator and convinced that Orator is easily on par with the death / thrash metal legends and greats of our time. Those who have embraced the intensity and savagery of the early 90's death metal will instantly dig Orator!"



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With a lineup that consists of Matthias Jell (ex-DARK FORTRESS) on vocals, Marcus E. Norman (NAGLFAR, BEWITCHED, HAVAYOTH, ANCIENT WISDOM) on guitar, Jörg Heemann (SECRETS OF THE MOON) on drums and Peter Honsalek (NACHTREICH) on viola and piano, it was obvious right from the start that EUDAIMONY was a band that was going to be able to offer not just music from vastly experienced musician, but music from musicians whose individual bodies of work command respect.

Formed in 2007 by Jell and Norman, EUDAIMONY was to become the vehicle that would allow its members to express their views on everyday life in today's society. In other words, the music they set about producing was inevitably going to be sick, disturbing and negative.

EUDAIMONY's founders, Jell and Norman, met together in Umeå, Sweden, and three songs were written and recorded early on in the band's career, one of which, "A Window In The Attic", can be streamed bleow. However, a few label problems and the demands of the members' other projects caused EUDAIMONY to be put on the backburner for a few years. Until November of 2012, to be exact, when the band signed with the German label Cold Dimensions and plans were finally set in motion to record a debut full-length album.

With the members living in Germany and Sweden, recording began in March 2013 in separate studios. Heeman recorded his drums at the NekroWerk Studio in Germany, and Jell, also in Germany, laid down his vocals at the Klangschmiede Studio E; while Norman and Honsalek recorded their instrumental parts in their home studios. Mixing and mastering is taking place at the Klangschmiede Studio E during April, with Markus Stock (EMPYRIUM, THE VISION BLEAK) at the helm. It is anticipated that the album, which will be titled "Futile", will be released this fall. Artwork for "Futile" is by Ben Borucki (SONIC REIGN). ANTIMATTER's Mick Moss has contributed guest vocals.

Commenting both on the album and on the band itself, Jell had this to say: "We've seen EUDAIMONY tagged as black metal and depressive black metal, and I suppose it's inevitable given the background of the members. But we can't stress enough that EUDAIMONY has nothing at all to do with black metal or any of its myriad offshoots. EUDAIMONY is about emotional hopelessness and the bleakness that life has to offer. The title of the album itself is fairly indicative of the atmosphere we have chosen to create and the concept we have chosen to explore. The whole album deals with the futility of life. The visual and the lyrical concept have one main message in common: from the instant we draw our first breath we begin to die. Life has no sense except in death. All joy on earth is just an illusion until the curtain falls."

California thrash metal veterans HIRAX will enter a North Hollywood studio on April 26 with producer Bill Metoyer (ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING, W.A.S.P., SLAYER) to begin recording their as-yet-untitled new full-length album for a September release via SPV/Steamhammer.

HIRAX last year released a new single, "La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)", through iTunes. A very special limited-edition 12-inch vinyl version of the single with bonus tracks was also made available on Black Devil Records.

"La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)" will be included on HIRAX's asforthcoming CD. The song was recorded, produced and mastered by Bill Metoyer at Skull Seven Productions.

A promotional video that includes the song and a comprehensive photo slideshow can be seen below.

"La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)" track listing:

Part I: The Conquest - Guitar Intro
Part II: Thunder Roar
Part III: La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)

HIRAX is:

Katon W. De Pena (vocals)
Lance Harrison (lead guitar)
Steve Harrison (bass guitar)
Jorge Iacobellis (drums)
Mike Guerrero (lead guitar)

"When I Lost My Bet", the new video from the New Jersey-based "mathcore" act THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fifth full-length album, "One Of Us Is The Killer", which will be released on May 14 through the band's own Party Smasher Inc., in partnership with Sumerian Records in North America. Party Smasher's partnership with BMG covers the rest of the world, including licensing deals with Grind House for Japan and Remote Control in Australia.

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

The album represents a new holistic pinnacle of the band's constantly evolving and engaging dynamics.

Speaking to AOL's Noisecreep, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN vocalist Greg Puciato stated about the recording process for the band's forthcoming CD: "DILLINGER is a different beast in tracking than most normal bands. Even Steve has told me that there's no other band that he has recorded that requires this amount of attention to detail. We take a longer amount of time to do one thing than most bands take to do ten. At this point, talking to Ben about it, we only do this once every three years on average so ten years from now I don't want to look back and think, 'Fuck man, we should have finished that one three weeks earlier!' Who cares? You want it to be right and you want it to be the thing that was the closest to what your vision actually was."

Regarding the direction of the new THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN material, Puciato said: "I can hear [the influence of old punk and hardcore records] a lot. I can definitely hear that in some of the riffs, which are really aggressive. It's not a blatant hardcore record or anything like that. I actually think this is the most all over the place and weirdest record we've ever written. It's the first one since I joined the band where Ben has sent me songs and I've been like, 'What the fuck is happening? This sounds like a beehive!'"

"When I Lost My Bet" video:

"The Migration", the new album from progressive instrumentalists SCALE THE SUMMIT, will be released in North America on June 11 via Prosthetic Records. Recorded earlier this year at North Carolina's Basement Studios with producer Jamie King (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, HE IS LEGEND, FOR TODAY), the CD will feature cover artwork by illustrator Duncan Storr (HAWKWIND, EDGE OF SANITY).

"The Migration" track listing:

01. Odyssey
02. Atlas Novus
03. The Olive Tree
04. Narrow Salient
05. Oracle
06. Evergreen
07. The Dark Horse
08. Willow
09. Sabrosa
10. The Traveler

A six-minute teaser for "The Migration" featuring snippets of all the tracks that are set to appear on the CD is available below.

"The Migration" marks the recording debut of new SCALE THE SUMMIT bassist Mark Michell. The album will be released just days after SCALE THE SUMMIT hits the road with INTRONAUT on a summer North American tour.

SCALE THE SUMMIT's 2011 effort, "The Collective", saw the band tour alongside the likes of PERIPHERY, CYNIC, FAIR TO MIDLAND, THE CONTORTIONIST, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, PROTEST THE HERO and TRIOSCAPES. Since that album's touring cycle ended late last year, the band has kept busy, with guitarist Chris Letchford launching his own signature series Strandberg guitar and bassist Mark Michell releasing an instructional book.

SCALE THE SUMMIT's third album, "The Collective", sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 39 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.

The follow-up to 2009's "Carving Desert Canyons", "The Collective" was recorded at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (DEVILDRIVER, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER).

SCALE THE SUMMIT formed in 2005 while attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. The band relocated to Texas in 2006, where they recorded their first, self-released album. After signing with Prosthetic, they issued "Carving Desert Canyons", which Revolver called "a cinematic blast of intricately melodic fretwork and pummeling percussion," in 2009.

Century Media Records has announced the signing of Dutch metal veterans THANATOS.

THANATOS is not only the Greek God of Death, but one of the oldest (if not the oldest) and longest-running extreme metal bands from the Netherlands. Founded in 1984, THANATOS has released numerous highly acclaimed albums during their career. Be it the infamous debut album, "Emerging From The Netherworlds", the equally great second output, "Realm Of Ecstasy" (both re-released on Century Media Records on CD and LP in 2012) or the band's last studio work, "Justified Genocide", THANATOS has always managed to deliver high-class death metal laced with a lethal dose of thrash.

Already being in close connection with THANATOS' longtime guitarist Paul Baayens due to his involvement in ASPHYX, Century Media got in touch with THANATOS in early 2012.

Philipp Schulte, A&R and product manager at Century Media, comments: "I remember talking with Stephan of THANATOS about the band's back catalogue. Back then, we simply wanted to work with the band on their previous albums, not really knowing they intended to record a new studio album. When Stephan and Paul visited the Century Media headquarters in Dortmund in autumn last year, they told us about their plans to record a new album which they'd like to release in 2014, the year of THANATOS' 30th anniversary. Of course, we wanted them to release it on Century Media.

"THANATOS is without a doubt of the most legendary bands from the heydays of the death metal scene and we strongly believe their sixth studio album will bolt you down with pure withering death/thrash metal violence."

Added THANATOS vocalist and guitarist Stephan Gebédi: "Even after being in 'the business' for so many years, we're really excited to become part of the Century Media family, which is without any doubt one of the best and most important labels for metal today.

"We can't wait to start working on new material and it's our intention to record an absolute death/thrash metal monster to coincide with our 30th anniversary in 2014!

"We come from an era when there was no strict boundaries between thrash and death metal which resulted in masterpieces like DARK ANGEL's 'Darkness Descends' and POSSESSED's 'Seven Churches', and it's our mission to transport the legacy of those albums to 2014 and beyond…”

THANATOS is:

Stephan Gebédi - Vocals, Guitar
Paul Baayens - Guitar
Marco De Bruin - Bass
Yuri Rinkel - Drums

Saeed Saeed of The National conducted an interview with METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich prior to the band's return to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on April 19 for a headlining performance at the du Arena, Yas Island. You can now watch the chat below.

The National: It took METALLICA more than two decades to come to Abu Dhabi, and now you're back just 18 months after your last performance. So did you have a great time during that first show?

Ulrich: When we were here a year and a half ago, it was really magical. And I don't say that everywhere. Obviously, [there were people there] from the UAE, but there were so many kids that had come in from Iran, from Iraq, from Jordan, from Lebanon, from Syria, from Bahrain, from Saudi, from Kuwait — lots of different kids from lots of different places, lots of different nationalities, [and] it was a great energy and a great shared experience. So when we got the offer to come back three or four months ago, METALLICA would call that a no-brainer. We just jumped on it and said, "Of course. We would love to come back." We are now slowly talking to people about what other places [we can play]. Potentially, I hear, maybe, we can play in Doha soon. There is so much passion here, and so much love for the type of thing that we do and, obviously, it is somewhat of a new frontier.

The National: Does it feel strange for the band to be visiting new territories so deep into your career?

Ulrich: I don't know if it feels strange; I think it more feels like it's a blessing. It's something that we're very appreciative of. When we started playing a hundred years ago, there were so many parts of the world where the type of music that we were doing was not really accepted. There were a lot of places where the type of music we were doing was not even really heard of; people didn't even know what we were doing. There were a lot of places where logistically, and practically, and there was not enough infrastructure to support a visit by a band like us. When we started, you couldn't go into Eastern Europe, there were a lot of places you could barely play in Latin America, you could barely play in many places in Southeast Asia, not a lot of bands had been to India, I don't believe anyone had been to the UAE at that time. So it's opening up, it's changing, the world is shrinking. Practically, and the infrastructures in many countries are just now getting ready to support this type of stuff and these type of events, so it's great to be in the frontlines.

The National: It's been nearly five years since your last album, "Death Magnetic", was released. Do you feel the album resuscitated the band's career in a way?

Ulrich: I've lived METALLICA every day of my life for 32 years. And so it never goes anywhere for me. Obviously, I am aware of press, I am aware of the sort of perceptions. You say resuscitation… When you've been doing this as long as we have, you have ups and downs… There's so much different stuff that we do. Because METALLICA likes to explore and quench our thirst for diversity and new challenges. We do many different things and not everybody appreciates that. And that's OK. Obviously, "Death Magnetic" was very positively received all over the world and I'm very thankful for that. We're now in the middle of making a new record, and so when you make a new record, you have a tendency to revisit the one you made previously, and I've heard a little bit of "Death Magnetic" over the last couple of months and it still sounds fantastic, so it will be a difficult record to follow.

The National: METALLICA launched its own label, Blackened Recordings, last year. Any plans to re-release some of the earlier albums?

Ulrich: Now that we own our own records and have our own label, we will probably take each album, remaster them and make them available with the latest technology and find interesting outtakes and additional things that will make it special. You do want to cash in, so if you can put some packages together that are special to the fans, it is worth doing.

The National: You guys are also working on "Through The Never", a new 3D concert film. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Ulrich: The show was shot in Vancouver and Edmonton, in the west of Canada, in August 2012. The production crew spent three weeks after that shooting the non-concert footage. It is a very unusual film. You've never seen anything quite like it. In theaters it will be in 3D and is coming out in America in August. We are probably 75 percent through the editing now.

The National: How is the new album progressing?

Ulrich: We are just writing at the moment; we haven't started [tracking] the record. These live shows help indirectly. When we are writing at home a lot, we get kind of locked into that, so getting a chance to come to Abu Dhabi and then Cape Town and Johannesburg next week is kind of METALLICA getting out of the house for two weeks. When we come back to write, we are inspired by the energy of playing to 20,000 people each night. The one thing with this band is that when things are the same too long, we want to break free of that. We have horrible attention spans.

METALLICA's setlist for the Abu Dhabi concert was as follows:

01. Hit The Lights
02. Master Of Puppets
03. The Shortest Straw
04. Harvester Of Sorrow
05. The Unforgiven
06. The Four Horsemen
07. Broken, Beat & Scarred
08. Sad But True
09. Fade To Black
10. Orion
11. One
12. For Whom The Bell Tolls
13. Battery
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman

Encore:

16. Creeping Death
17. Fight Fire With Fire
18. Seek & Destroy

Professionally filmed video footage of WITHIN TEMPTATION's April 20 performance at the closing party of the Q-Hotel in Amsterdam, The Netherlands can be seen below.

For three weekends, the Dutch Q-Music DJs had been spoiling prize winners at the hotel and guests were entertained by Dutch and international acts in the hotel bar.

During the closing party on Saturday, WITHIN TEMPTATION played in front of a small audience of prize winners at the Wintertuin at the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky.

WITHIN TEMPTATION released a collection of covers, "The Q-Music Sessions", on April 19 in the Netherlands and Belgium.

In the run-up to the 15th anniversary of WITHIN TEMPTATION at the sold-out Sportpaleis in Antwerp, the band was asked by Q-Music to choose and perform an existing track in a "WITHIN TEMPTATION fashion" on a weekly basis. The band accepted this challenge enthusiastically that resulted in reworks of hits by DAVID GUETTA, PASSENGER, LANA DEL REY and BRUNO MARS, among others. The feedback on these covers by the fans and listeners of Q-Music was extremely positive, which made the band decide to release a selection of the covers on an album.

Commented WITHIN TEMPTATION singer Sharon Den Adel: "Our approach was to really make the cover a new WITHIN TEMPTATION song. So not going the easy way by using only a piano or an acoustic guitar, for example, but really trying to put all the elements of a WITHIN TEMPTATION track in this new version. It was quite a challenge, because we had only one week to get it right, while recording an original WITHIN TEMPTATION song can sometimes takes up half a year! But this pressure also gave us an creative boost and it was very rewarding to get it done in time each week. Also, we learned a lot from the in-depth analysis we needed to make on these hits, written by others, in combination with implementing our own sound and style in each new cover. We are glad that we've taken up this challenge and are very proud of the result.''

At the moment, WITHIN TEMPTATION is working on its upcoming studio album that is due in the last quarter of 2013. In January 2014, the band will embark on a worldwide tour.

"The Q-Music Sessions" track listing:

01. Grenade (originally by BRUNO MARS)
02. Titanium (originally by DAVID GUETTA ft. SIA)
03. Let Her Go (originally by PASSENGER)
04. Summertime Sadness (originally by LANA DEL REY)
05. Radioactive (originally by IMAGINE DRAGONS)
06. Crazy (originally by GNARLS BARKLEY)
07. Dirty Dancer (originally by ENRIQUE IGLESIAS)
08. Don't You Worry Child (originally by SWEDISH HOUSE MAFFIA)
09. Behind Blue Eyes (originally by THE WHO)
10. The Power Of Love (originally by FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD)
11. Apologize (originally by ONE REPUBLIC)

German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS have commented on the passing of legendary U.K. graphic designer Storm Thorgerson.

Thorgerson, who has worked with PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH, DREAM THEATER and AUDIOSLAVE, among many others, died on April 17 at the age of 69. His family released a statement saying he passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends. "He had been ill for some time with cancer though he had made a remarkable recovery from his stroke in 2003," it said.

Said the SCORPIONS in a statement: "We are saddened by the news of the passing of Storm Thorgerson, our graphic cover designer for the albums 'Lovedrive' and 'Animal Magnetism'. He was truly a genius artist and we remember every time he came over to the Dierks Studios in Cologne to show us a selection of his brilliant work. It was always a lot of fun; we loved his British humor. You can tell when you take a look at 'Animal Magnetism'. He shot the cover for 'Lovedrive' in the back of a Rolls Royce owned by Elton John at that time. It became a classic and one of the most favorite album covers for SCORPIONS fans around the world.

"Our hearts go out to his family at this very said time."

Thorgerson is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia.

Israeli progressive folk metal masters ORPHANED LAND will release their sixth full-length album, "All Is One", in North America on June 25 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The cover artwork for the follow-up to 2010's "The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" was created by the French artist Metastazis (PARADISE LOST, AS I LAY DYING, SONNE ADAM, WATAIN) by perfectly incorporating the three biggest religious symbols into one piece of art.

"All Is One" track listing:

01. All Is One
02. The Simple Man
03. Brother
04. Let The Truce Be Known
05. Through Fire And Water
06. Fail
07. Freedom
08. Shama'im
09. Ya Benaye
10. Our Own Messiah
11. Children

Commented ORPHANED LAND singer Kobi Farhi: "I'll say it plain and simple — 'All Is One' is ORPHANED LAND's best album so far. I feel that we took all aspects to a new level — the way we write, arrange, play and produce.

"We recorded the album in three countries (Turkey, Sweden and Israel) and it turned out so strong, we can't stop listening to it.

"The album is very rich in sound, with more than 40 people participating (choirs, violins, and many traditional instruments, too).

"Our secret recipe was always the fact that unlike many other bands, ORPHANED LAND doesn't follow ONE master mind that writes everything; we work in a way that 'all is one.' We create our music in a perfect blend of synergy and harmony and all the band members are a part of this process. We translate the album's title and message exactly in the way we work, and we always hope we could give a bit of an inspiration to the people in the tragic Middle Eastern lands.

"We have fans all over the Middle East. We live in a place where huge amounts of people who consider themselves enemies still share one thing in common, they are all fans of ORPHANED LAND, and in these lands of orphans and bloody holy wars, our only weapon is music, and hopefully we will grow to understand that 'all is one.'"

ORPHANED LAND's forthcoming effort will be the band's first to feature guitarist Chen Balbus following the departure of Matty Svatizky in June 2012 due to "personal" and "professional" issues.

From September to November, ORPHANED LAND will play stages all over Europe in support of "All Is One" — but before heading out on this headlining tour, ORPHANED LAND will play a few festivals and shows in South America and Europe.

"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 80 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.

"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" was released in Europe on January 25, 2010.

ORPHANED LAND's concert DVD, "The Road To OR-Shalem", was released in October 2011 in Europe and November 2011 in the U.S. via Century Media Records.

Los Angeles metallers WHITE WIZZARD have revealed the artwork for their third full-length album, "The Devils Cut", due to be released on June 3 in Europe via Earache Records and June 25th in the USA through Century Media/Earache. The CD features artwork by Cameron Davis, who is known for as the lead character designer and illustrator for the Guitar Hero video game series.

Comments WHITE WIZZARD bassist and mainman Jon Leon: "It was great to work with the amazing artist Cameron Davis again, who also did the art for our album 'Over The Top'. Cameron and I live in the same building here in L.A. and he is a really talented guy. When he presented me the piece for the album cover, I knew right away it was the one. It has amazing imagery and depth and is very artful, while making a tongue-in-cheek statement poking some fun at organized religion, which is something I feel strongly about.

"Some of my lyrics on this album and previous albums focus on not letting religion and the cult of group belief blind you from the preservation of thinking for yourself and being an individual, so it ties into that very well, as the statement of the piece is how religion is imprisonment for the soul and how, even within its own confines, it forces its believers into blind group submission. I think any of us that went to catholic school as a child can relate to that nun!!! It has 'classic metal cover' all over it and it just blew my mind.

"I look forward to this imagery being out there and am proud to have it be a part of WHITE WIZZARD. To have art of this quality to convey the visual aspects of the band is just fantastic."

A video of WHITE WIZZARD taking part in a photo shoot with Cameron Davis, including an audio clip from the new album, can be seen below.

"The Devils Cut" was once again produced by Ralph Patlan (MEGADETH, UFO, MICHAEL SCHENKER) at Phase Four Studios in Tempe, Arizona.

Jordan Rudess, the keyboardist for Grammy-nominated prog rock/metal icons DREAM THEATER, has teamed up with PledgeMusic to launch his next campaign starting today, April 22. Through PledgeMusic — a music company offering artists a new music model to take control of their work through their online, hands-on, direct-to-fan music platform — and the support of his fans, Jordan will release brand new music, technology and videos while encouraging fans to participate in the creative process in exciting and unique ways.

Rudess has designed a tailored fundraising campaign to raise money to help release his upcoming projects. As a pledger, you will gain access to exclusive content and experiences and PledgeMusic will keep you informed of the project’s status every step of the way.

"It’s been a few years since I recorded my last solo album, 'Notes On a Dream'," comments Rudess. "The inspiration has been flowing ever since and I’m now ready to set forth in recording my orchestral piece, 'Explorations', as well as my solo piano album, 'Explores'. You know that I am not one to sit back and drive on the traditional path so we are going to explore some cutting edge technology options.

"For 'Explorations', we will be creating an entirely virtual orchestral experience. We will bring virtuoso instrumental players into the studio and not only make an audio recording but also capture them on film with the goal of creating a unique, visual experience.

"My solo piano album, entitled 'Explores', will be created as a completely interactive iOS app experience in addition to being made available in a CD and digital download format. You can sit back and simply enjoy the album or add your personal touch or play a duet with me and share your version with your friends.

"Things have changed so much in the music business in recent years and now we have the possibility of coming directly to all of you, the fans, to get involved and to be a part of making this happen. No longer are we subject to what was, rather, what is possible!!

"By enlisting YOU and working through PledgeMusic, the pipelines will be running with unfiltered Jordan Rudess creativity! As a member of my team, you will be able to follow along with me as these projects come to life — sharing the journey and the inspiration to explore new musical and interactive frontiers.

"Your pledge will pre-order the new album."

"Of Mind - Nocturne", a brand new song from the U.K. progressive rock band TESSERACT, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track comes off the group's second full-length album, "Altered State", which will be released on May 27 throughout Europe and May 28 in North America via Century Media Records. Divided into four movements — Of Matter, Of Mind, Of Reality and Of Energy — "Altered State", in its purest form, is about the transformations the band has gone through over the past few years.

Comments TESSERACT: "The concept behind the presentation of 'Altered State' is very simple. It is about change, and how life is change. We have been through a very difficult period of time over the last few years. It is a miracle that the band has survived. I feel it is the ability to step back and see everything for what it is (hence the 'Perspective' EP) that has allowed us to get on with life and try to enjoy it. Reality is change."

"Altered State" track listing:

01. Of Matter - Proxy
02. Of Matter - Retrospect
03. Of Matter - Resist
04. Of Mind - Nocturne
05. Of Mind - Exile
06. Of Reality - Eclipse
07. Of Reality - Palingenisis
08. Of Reality - Calabi-Yau
09. Of Energy - Singularity
10. Of Energy - Embers

"Altered State" was produced, mixed, mastered and engineered by TESSERACT guitarist Acle Kahney, assisted by bassist Amos Williams at Acle's 4D Sounds studio, and marks the first full release with new vocalist Ashe O'Hara following the departure of American vocalist Elliot Coleman (OMNOM, SKY EATS AIRPLANE, ZELLIACK) in June 2012.

"The new album has shaped up to be something of an evolution for TESSERACT," TESSERACT bassist Amos Williams told ThrashHits.com. "Obviously, there's the new voice, which is exciting for us to work with. Ashe brings such an intense level of emotion to the table, it feels as if we have added another dimension to the music. We've also travelled so much and met so many incredible and inspiring musicians since the first album. This has had a huge impact upon our songwriting."

He continued: "Also, we now enjoy playing with dynamics and instrumentation. This came from releasing an acoustic EP last year. We're no longer afraid to mix things up or stray from the expected path, which we feel we did with our first album. That was in the box, whilst this album is way out there for us. Don't be afraid, though — whilst it has evolved, our music is still somehow TESSERACT. It's like there is something just beneath the surface of everything we do, that shapes all we produce into a distinctly TESSERACT-ish form."

Hailing from Northampton, Ashe spent his early years singing in many different groups, from choirs to musical theatre, and has more recently been involved with a number of ambient/alternative metal projects in addition to doing session work. Ashe currently resides in Hove, East Sussex.

The Geoff Tate-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE has just hit the road to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band's epic 1988 release, "Operation: Mindcrime", performing all fifteen songs from the album along with other well-known hits and rarities from the catalog they've compiled over the past 30 years.

Fan-filmed video footage of this past Saturday night's (April 20) entire concert at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California can be seen below.

The setlist for the show was as follows:

01. I Remember Now
02. Anarchy-X
03. Revolution Calling
04. Operation: Mindcrime
05. Speak
06. Drum Solo
07. Spreading The Disease
08. The Mission
09. Suite Sister Mary
10. The Needle Lies
11. Electric Requiem
12. Breaking The Silence
13. I Don't Believe In Love
14. Waiting For 22
15. My Empty Room
16. Eyes Of A Stranger

Encore:

17. Silent Lucidity
18. Best I Can
19. I'm American
20. Jet City Woman
21. Neon Knights (BLACK SABBATH cover)
22. Empire

Although a lineup for Tate's QUEENSRŸCHE was originally announced in the fall of 2012, things have changed. The band now features Tate along with bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, DIO, WHITESNAKE, QUIET RIOT), guitarist Kelly Gray (QUEENSRŸCHE 1998-2001), keyboardist Randy Gane and new additions, guitarist Robert Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, HURRICANE) and drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, RHINO BUCKET).

Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records has released "Cold", the new single from the Geoff Tate-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE, via iTunes. The track, which was mixed by Anthony Focx (NEWSTED, AEROSMITH, NIGHT RANGER, TED NUGENT), will also be released as a special limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single with a newly recorded version of the QUEENSRŸCHE classic "Silent Lucidity" — mixed by Jürgen Engler (DORO, DIE KRUPPS) — on the B-side.

"Cold" comes off QUEENSRŸCHE's new album, "Frequency Unknown", which is scheduled for release on April 23 via Deadline Music/Cleopatra. The CD was produced by Jason Slater at a studio in Northern California.

"Frequency Unknown" is packaged with bonus tracks — four QUEENSRŸCHE classics, newly recorded, including the smash hit single "Silent Lucidity". Guest musicians on the CD include K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST), Chris Poland (MEGADETH), Ty Tabor (KING'S X), Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, TESTAMENT, EXODUS), Lita Ford, Brad Gillis (NIGHT RANGER), Dave Meniketti (Y&T) and Craig Locicero (FORBIDDEN).

SPV/Steamhammer has set a September 23 release date for the as-yet-untitled new live album from '80s hard rock queen Lita Ford. More details about the effort will be made available soon.

Lita last year filmed a video for the song "Mother" in Joshua Tree, California. Directing the clip was Ford's former THE RUNAWAYS bandmate Victory Tischler-Blue, whose film "Edgeplay" was based on her tenure in the 1970s all-girl teenage rock act.

"Mother" is dedicated to Lita's estranged sons, Rocco and James (father is former NITRO singer Jim Gillette). "I wrote this song for [my sons]," Lita told the Deciblog. "I wrote this song to tell them how much I love them and to tell them that I didn't mean for this to happen [for Lita to be forced to live apart from her kids following her divorce from Gillette. — Ed.] and that it's not my fault. I didn't do this to them, although they think I did. I miss them, I love them. They're my life."

"It was hard to write," she told Examiner.com. "It was hard to record. It's hard to listen to. I find myself skipping over it sometimes, depending on how much makeup I have on that day. If I'm all made up, I'm like, 'Oh, can't cry right now!' I've done interviews where big, grown men tell me they've come away from it in tears. That's huge. That's what I wanted — for people to feel my pain. But it is a great song."

"Living Like A Runaway" was released on June 19, 2012 in North America. The effort was made available in four configurations: a double LP, limited-edition CD, standard CD and digital download. The artwork for the album was created by famed rock photographer Mark Weiss.

KEEL frontman Ron Keel joined Lita Ford during the Monsters Of Rock cruise — which embarked on its second voyage March 16 and returned four days later — to perform her hit song "Close My Eyes Forever". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

"Pyre Of Fire", the new Mauro Tettamanzi-directed video from veteran Italian metallers EXTREMA, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "The Seed Of Foolishness", which will be released on May 21 via Scarlet Records.

Active in the metal scene for over 25 years, EXTREMA is ready to unleash a new chapter in its already astonishing career. "The Seed Of Foolishness" sees the band going back to its thrash metal roots, displayed in 10 powerful new tracks which have already been described as some of the best ever written by the band, a relentless touring machine that over the years has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in heavy metal (METALLICA, MOTÖRHEAD, KORN and DEATH ANGEL, to name a few).

"The Seed Of Foolishness" takes its inspiration from a series of events that led to the economic crisis that we are all suffering today, providing therapy for all the anger and frustration resulting from it. "Combat Metal" was how fans and critics alike used to refer to when talking about EXTREMA at the time of their incendiary debut album, "Tension At The Seams", but such definition is more relevant today than ever.

"The Seed Of Foolishness" track listing:

01. Between The Lines
02. The Politics
03. Pyre Of Fire
04. The Distance
05. Ending Prophecies
06. Bones
07. Again And Again
08. Deep Infection
09. Sick And Tired
10. A Moment Of Truth

On May 4, EXTREMA will kick off its new tour.

EXTREMA entered Fear Studio in Alfonsine (RA), Italy in May 2012 to begin recording the follow-up to 2009's "Pound For Pound" with producers Tommy Massara (EXTREMA guitarist) and Gabry Ravaglia.

The first part of a new "Road Warriors" feature with Joel O'Keeffe (vocals/lead guitar), Ryan O'Keeffe (drums) of Australian hard rockers AIRBOURNE can be seen below.

AIRBOURNE's third album, "Black Dog Barking", will be released on May 21 via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2010's "No Guts. No Glory." was produced by Brian Howes, who has previously worked with HINDER, DAUGHTRY and PUDDLE OF MUDD.

The Full Throttle edition of AIRBOURNE's new single, "Live It Up", will be made available for the opening of Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, the tallest, fastest looping roller coaster in the world. The Full Throttle edition of "Live It Up" will be featured throughout the newly themed five-acre section of the park where guests will experience high-energy action through fast-paced imagery, sound and lights, with additional music featuring various Roadrunner artists. The launch will be further supported nationally in all theme parks, Roadrunner and Six Flags online and social media channels, live events and press outreach.

AIRBOURNE's infectious music has been used in more than 20 video games, countless films, trailers and more.

AIRBOURNE is Joel O'Keeffe (vocals/lead guitar), Ryan O'Keeffe (drums), David Roads (guitar) and Justin Street (bass).

Fan-filmed video footage of BLACK SABBATH performing a brand new song, "End Of The Beginning", earlier tonight (Monday, April 22) at Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand can be seen below. The track is taken from the new SABBATH album, "13", which arrives on June 11.

SABBATH will perform "End Of The Beginning" on the season finale of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". The episode is set to air on Wednesday, May 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

"13" is the first SABBATH record in 35 years to feature singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together.

Details of the album's deluxe edition surfaced on Friday (April 19), with the band revealing that the eight-song effort will be accompanied by three bonus tracks called "Methademic", "Peace Of Mind" and "Pariah".

Several versions of "13" are available for pre-order, including a standard CD, a double CD that includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio, a heavyweight vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve and a "Super Deluxe Box Set" containing the double CD, the vinyl album, an exclusive DVD documentary on the band's reunion, 13 photographic prints and hand-written lyrics.

Osbourne went on the BBC in England to discuss the band's new single, "God Is Dead?" and the inspiration behind the track. Ozzy explained, "I was in somebody's office and there was a magazine on a table and it just said, 'God Is Dead', and I suddenly thought about 9/11 and all these terrorist things and religion and how many people have died in the name of religion. When you think about the tragedy that's happened throughout time, it just came in my head. You'd think by now that their God would have stopped people dying in the name of, so I just starting thinking that people must be thinking, 'Where is God? God is dead' and it just hit me."

Ozzy added that the question mark at the end of the title is his way of showing that he's not sure about the answer himself, saying, "At the end of the thing, there's still a bit of hope because there I sing that I don't believe that God is dead. It's just a question of when you see so many dreadful people killing each other with bombs, and blowing the tube trains up and the World Trade Center."

SABBATH kicked off its world tour in support of "13" on Saturday (April 20) in Auckland.

According to Rolling Stone, Boston's local heroes DROPKICK MURPHYS raised $65,000 in just 15 hours for those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings by selling a new t-shirt on their website.
The tee is priced between $24.99 and $26.99, based on size, and the front reads "For Boston" with a photo of the skyline. The back is emblazoned with the city's seal and the note, "Thank you, to all who purchased this shirt. All proceeds go to the victims and families of the Boston Marathon bombings. Love, Dropkick Murphys."

Go to the band's official webshop here to purchase.

Italian symphonic metallers RHAPSODY OF FIRE will release a new live album, "Live - From Chaos To Eternity", on May 3 in Europe and May 7 in the USA via AFM Records. It will be available as two-CD digipak and as limited three-vinyl set. The material (a mixture of old classics and newer tracks) was recorded on the band’s latest European tour in spring 2012.

Comments keyboardist Alex Staropoli: "We wanted to deliver a live album that can actually be called a live album. Not one single part was re-recorded in studio as most of bands do.

"Personally, I am always looking for perfection but in the case of this live album, I truly believe it had to sound live and maintain both live playing and feeling at 100%."

Adds vocalist Fabio Lione: "This live album it's the concrete proof that this band is strong and willing to keep playing and producing music for all our fans out there for the years to come."

"Live - From Chaos To Eternity" track listing:

CD 1

01. Dark Mystic Vision
02. Ad Infinitum
03. From Chaos To Eternity
04. Triumph Or Agony
05. I Belong To The Stars
06. The Dark Secret
07. Unholy Warcry
08. Lost In Cold Dreams
09. Land Of Immortals
10. Aeons Of Raging Darkness
11. Dark Reign Of Fire
12. Drum Solo

CD 2

01. The March Of The Swordmaster
02. Dawn Of Victory
03. Toccata On Bass
04. The Village Of Dwarves
05. The Magic Of The Wizard's Dream
06. Holy Thunderforce
07. Reign Of Terror
08. Knightrider Of Doom
09. Epicus Furor
10. Emerald Sword
11. Erian's Lost Secrets
12. The Splendour Of Angels’ Glory (A Final Revelation)

Video footage of RHAPSODY OF FIRE performing the song "Dawn Of Victory", taken from "Live - From Chaos To Eternity", can be seen below.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE's signature sound, consisting of power metal, soundtrack-like elements and classical influences, gave a new meaning to the word "epic" since the release of "Legendary Tales" in 1997.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE 2013 is:

Fabio Lione - Vocals
Alex Staropoli - Keyboards
Roberto De Micheli - Guitar
Tom Hess - Guitar
Oliver Holzwarth - Bass
Alex Holzwarth - Drums

The new RHAPSODY OF FIRE lineup made its live debut on April 6, 2012 at the PPM Fest at the Lotto Mons Expo in Mons, Belgium.

Staropoli and RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli in 2011 announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli is continuing under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, is making his efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he is joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, singer Alessandro Conti (TRICK OR TREAT) and drummer Alex Landenburg (AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS).

RHAPSODY OF FIRE's latest album, "From Chaos To Eternity", was released in North America on July 12, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. Described by the band as "the natural evolution" from 2010's "The Frozen Tears Of Angels", the CD marks RHAPSODY OF FIRE's final release based on the fantasy saga started in 1997 with the group's debut album, "Legendary Tales".

QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate was interviewed on this past Friday's (April 19) edition of Eddie Trunk's "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM. A transcript of the chat follows below.

Eddie Trunk: How does it feel to be [back out on the road with the new QUEENSRŸCHE lineup]?

Geoff Tate: It feels great. It's a good bunch of guys and, more importantly, I think we're having a great time playing together and a great time hanging out, which is a big part of it, you know. There's a great camaraderie that's already beginning with everyone, so that's a great thing. It makes it so much easier and more comfortable to tour, you know.

Eddie Trunk: In a certain sense, Geoff, does it feel like you're starting all over again?

Geoff Tate: No, not at all. You know, in some ways I suppose it feels different, you know, because I'm playing with some different people. But they're also people I've known for many, many years so it's not like a big stretch of having to get to know ya kind of stages. So I don't know, it just feels really comfortable, you know. We're having a great time.

Eddie Trunk: Was that a big part in selecting the musicians for your version of QUEENSRŸCHE — to make sure that these were people that were not only musicians that you liked and that you thought could certainly handle the gig but also guys that you could really connect with and had some history with?

Geoff Tate: Yeah, well, that's a big part of it, you know. You're traveling together, you're living together, so, you know, it's better if people's personalities gel and they can get along — that kind of thing. And also, you know, it's very important to find people that can play the stuff. You know, a lot of times people, musicians, you know, you say, "Hey, can you sit in with us and play this?" And they listen to it once, they go, "Oh yeah, I got that." Because they kind of interpret it as being, you know, kind of standard rock stuff. And then when they actually playing it they find, "Oh, wait a minute. This is a lot more complex than I thought." It's a little bit more difficult to wrap my head around. You know, there's some strange stuff about QUEENSRŸCHE music, you know, different timings and different counts between sections. Odd things that happen. Very strange chord voicing, you know, on the guitar and very unique. That's probably what makes the sound unique.

Eddie Trunk: So do you feel they've pretty much come together and nailed it or do you still think you're working through some stuff?

Geoff Tate: Oh no, I think everybody's doing really well now, you know. The first week out was kind of an adjustment period with the band getting used to playing together and then we also have a new crew as well so getting people, you know, tuned in to what we were expecting and what our expectations were and that kind of thing. You know, just getting things dialed in always takes a little while to get things up and running. But it's going good now. Everything's smooth and, you know, happy days.

Eddie Trunk: And I got a tweet or a text actually last night from a good friend of mine, drummer Brian Tichy [WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE] who told me he's coming on board the QUEENSRŸCHE camp in your band starting in June. Tell me about that.

Geoff Tate: Yeah, Brian's taking over for Simon [Wright]. Simon has a commitment in South America for June so Brian's gonna take over and play with us and we're starting rehearsals with him the beginning of May.

Eddie Trunk: Yeah, he's an amazing player as well.

Geoff Tate: Yeah, he is. Nice guy, too.

Eddie Trunk: Yeah, and he sings really well, too.

Geoff Tate: Now that I didn't know.

Eddie Trunk: Yes, he sings well and he also is an amazing guitar player. The guy's… He's kind of like a Dave Grohl, if you will. He can do a little bit of everything. It's pretty remarkable.

Geoff Tate: Oh, that's cool.

Eddie Trunk: So, yeah, anybody else has to take a leave or whatever you could probably pretty much plug him anywhere and he could more or less handle it. What's the set now that you've put together for this band? I'm sure… and we're gonna talk about your new record and your first with this band in a second, but as far as the old material, what was your approach to going out on tour with these guys for the first time?

Geoff Tate: Well we're really focusing on the 25th anniversary of "Operation: Mindcrime" and so we're playing that whole album in its entirety. And that's really our focus. And then we do quite an extensive encore, really. Quite a few songs, kind of the more popular songs of QUEENSRŸCHE. And, yeah, pretty much that's it really. The focus is on the "Mindcrime" record.

Eddie Trunk: And let's talk about, of course, the new record, which, I imagine, you're doing something from live?

Geoff Tate: We haven't yet, no. We're getting ready to do that though when the album comes out.

Eddie Trunk: Well the album will be out this Tuesday and it's called "Frequency Unknown" and it's a very significant record I would imagine in your history because it's the first album with the QUEENSRŸCHE name that only features you from the original lineup. Tell me about putting this record together, Geoff, because when did you write this material? Was it written when things were disintegrating with the other band or was it all done after that had happened?

Geoff Tate: No, it was all done after that. Yeah, it's pretty much we started writing it in, oh, sometime around my birthday. I think January, something like that. And jumped to the studio right away and things started rolling, you know. And it had a real good kind of organic start with the writing team. And then we started getting different people on board for performances, you know, which was really fun. And sitting down and seeing where people could take it, you know, take the songs which is always really fun for me. You know, every musician has a different way of interpreting music. You can have four guys play the same chord progression and it's gonna sound different, you know, each time through with a different guy. So I like that part of musicianship, you know, seeing how people put their signature on things.

Eddie Trunk: And you reached out to a number of special guests on this record to come in and do a part. Can you tell us about some of those guys. I know you had K.K. Downing [JUDAS PRIEST] is on there. Dave Meniketti [Y&T]. Guys, of course, I'm a big fan of. Tell me about your approach to doing that.

Geoff Tate: Yeah, well, you know, just — let's see who was else on it. Brad Gillis [NIGHT RANGER, OZZY OSBOURNE] played on it. Paul Bostaph from TESTAMENT. God, there's a lot of people actually that I can't remember. I don't have a list in front of me right now. But it was really fun. You know, really fun hearing different people's interpretations of the songs and then giving them, you know, free rein to play solos and seeing what they came up with. And seeing how each guy approached it, you know, like K.K., the way he performs and the way he approaches writing a solo is so different than what Brad Gillis does. You know, they're two radically different approaches. And having never worked with them in a studio situation, it was really interesting to see that difference.

Eddie Trunk: I think, Geoff, outside o I know he did a cover of THE WHO, "Eminence Front", for a WHO tribute, but outside of that this is kind of the first thing that K.K. has done since leaving PRIEST, musically.

Geoff Tate: I think you're right, yeah.

Eddie Trunk: That's pretty cool that you were able to pull him out of semi-retirement.

Geoff Tate: Well he's a good guy. I've always gotten along with him.

Eddie Trunk: He's a great guy. Did he get talking about maybe getting his juices flowing to start playing a little bit more? Did you get to talk to him at all?

Geoff Tate: We talked about a lot of stuff, you know, I think, but nothing that I could really feel comfortable about sharing with other people, really, honestly.

Eddie Trunk: Right. On the new album you also rerecorded some QUEENSRŸCHE songs. Tell me about doing that.

Geoff Tate: Yeah, I think we rerecorded four past QUEENSRŸCHE songs, and that was quite a trip down memory lane. I'll tell you, really kind of a strange thing to do but fun. I enjoyed it.

Eddie Trunk: Was the idea just to put a different spin on them and show what you would do with them now with the guys you're playing with now?

Geoff Tate: No, no. It was just done for the record company. You know, they wanted to have these different versions and they wanted them to sound as close as we could make them to the originals. And that's what was really hard was making them sound that way, you know. With today's technology it's somewhat difficult to actually replicate some of that old sound gear and the way they were recorded and, you know, different studios, different gear, that kind of thing. Very challenging.

Eddie Trunk: They sound really cool, though. I mean there's some different — some little differences in there and, obviously, you've got different people playing that stuff and it's always interesting to hear their take on things.

Geoff Tate: Uh huh.

Eddie Trunk: So, Geoff, it's been — I would say we're coming up on a year since everything kind of imploded with the old band and it's been, you know, quite the year for you and I imagine for them and for the fans and trying to decipher everything along the say. You also put out a solo album which shouldn't be lost in the shuffle because there was some good stuff on it. Maybe it did a little bit, I think. Do you feel that way because of everything that went on?

Geoff Tate: Oh, you know, Eddie, I don't know. I don't really understand the whole, you know, position of records in today's world anymore. It's a whole different thing.

Eddie Trunk: That's a good point. What doesn't get lost in the shuffle. The record business is pretty different.

Geoff Tate: Yeah, it really is. It doesn't, you know, even resemble what it used to be. So I make new music because I have to, you know, it's something that's in me to create music and to write and it's really come down to that, you know. It's not so much a monetary gain exercise anymore. It's really all about the love of writing and making music. That's what it is. I guess that's what it's always been really.

Eddie Trunk: Right.

Geoff Tate: But the industry was just in such a state back then where, you know, you could make a record and then you could do a reasonable tour and you could make ends meet pretty well just following that schedule, you know, financially I'm speaking. And nowadays, you know, you just can't sell that many records so you have to tour more of course. So it's a whole different way of doing things.

Eddie Trunk: But being that it's been almost a year now that this has all gone down, when I first had you on "That Metal Show" and we discussed it, it was much more raw. It was much more… It had just happened and you were really, I felt, at least in talking to you then, still trying to process it and still very much stung by everything that had happened. And you kind of reflected that in the interview when we had you on the TV show. Now that some time has passed and you have your own band and you're out there touring and you've got a new record coming out with it Tuesday, are you in a different place with it now? I mean, how do you feel? Are you excited? Are you optimistic? What's your thought process after everything that's went down in the last year as far as the future and where your head's at?

Geoff Tate: Well, you know, when you have your life's work, and you all of a sudden are not doing that anymore in the same way, it takes a while to sort of adjust your mind to, you know, the possibilities of what could be in the future. And, you know, there's a lot of stuff you have to process and sort out. And I've done that now so, you know, I'm on the… I guess I'm on the road and moving ahead with my life and my music and my relationships and just enjoying life. And it's a great place to be in, actually. I wish I could have been in this position a lot earlier in my life. I never really realized how slightly miserable I was, you know. I guess you get used to your misery, you know, you get kind of used to the way things are and you just accept it and you live with it. But then when you're, say, divorced from that situation and you realize, "Gosh, I'm so much happier now." And it's a wonderful revelation really to realize that you don't have to be miserable. You don't have to be stuck in the situation you're in. You know, life goes on and it is what you make it. So I'm busy making it.

Eddie Trunk: Have you heard the [recently released] song ["Redemption"] from the other [version of QUEENSRŸCHE]?

Geoff Tate: No, no I haven't.

Eddie Trunk: Do you have an interest in it or do you just choose to not even kind of think it exists?

Geoff Tate: No, Eddie, I just have honestly no interest at all in anything on that side of the tracks. I'm very happy on my side of the tracks and moving where I'm going and I don't want to look back.

Eddie Trunk: And when will this be resolved as to which… Is it November that once and for all one QUEENSRŸCHE will more or less be anointed?

Geoff Tate: I suppose so. That's a good way to put it. Anointed. Yeah, I think November is our court date and I suppose some things will be decided by then. Maybe even before then, I don't know. But definitely by November we have a court date where we have to go in and actually, you know, move ahead from there.

Eddie Trunk: And the last thing, Geoff, is the fans. You know, obviously they were obviously put into this. QUEENSRŸCHE has a very passionate fan base. I find in talking to the fans some have felt the need to choose a side. Some have decided, like myself, to, you know, I'm not only a fan, but I'm friends with all you guys for a long time to just give everybody a platform and let the fans listen and decide. But for you, what have you seen in the fan response that you've been out there with this band and what are you hearing from the fans. And what are some of the things maybe that you think are out there that are erroneous or out of line that you maybe want to set the record straight on?

Geoff Tate: Well, you know, from my perspective I just see people coming to the shows and having a good time and celebrating the music. And, you know, nothing's changed in that respect. I do caution people, in my opinion, I don't think people have to choose a side at all. These things happen with people, relationships, bands where people go their separate ways and, you know, there's a reason for it and life moves on and why not roll with it and just enjoy what each camp has to offer. You know, if you don't like something somebody's doing then no big deal. Go listen to somebody else. It's not worth getting all worked up about, you know, and getting emotional about. It's music. It's subjective. It's art. It's somebody's idea, you know, and people make those choices to be upset about things. All I'm staying, I guess, is choose to have a good time in life. It's too short to get all worked up about stuff that doesn't matter.

Eddie Trunk: And the last thing — and there's a number of people that pointed this out and I think it's kind of funny. The album that comes out tomorrow, or Tuesday rather, is called "Frequency Unknown". The cover features a fist with the F.U. initials. There's a number of people that have read into that as being not too subtle of a dig at your former band. Coincidence or not?

Eddie Trunk: Oh, gosh. People read so much into everything. It's kind of funny, isn't it?

Eddie Trunk: Well, a big fist with the letters F.U. You know, it's — you don't have a bouquet of roses under it so maybe it would be a little different if that was pictured.

Geoff Tate: Well I don't think a bouquet of roses is very metal, do you?

Reactivated Norwegian metal band EXTOL will release its self-titled fifth album on June 25 (one day earlier internationally) via Indie Recordings.

According to a press release, EXTOL's new CD "is a like a complex metallic alloy. The playfulness of the songs and the brutal bonding of genres are transformed into a fusion of atmospheric and harmonic prog rock, merged with the tempered thrash and death metal that EXTOL so uniquely master. This album leads us straight to the core of EXTOL."

Comments EXTOL drummer David Husvik: "'Extol' is the album that was planned all the way, but never materialized. Partly due to changes in the lineup, but also because of the band´s urge to always reach for something new. The album is the recap of 20 years of Extolhistory, both musically and lyrically."

With a long-awaited creative collaboration with Jens Bogren (OPETH, PARADISE LOST, ENSLAVED) and some truly magnificent artwork by Travis Smith (KATATONIA, OPETH, DEATH), EXTOL has managed to create a timeless masterpiece and the vision of the band seems clearer than ever.

Mastermind Ole Børud has returned, and along with Husvik and Peter Espevoll, the trio now constitutes the 2013 lineup of EXTOL.

"Extol" track listing:

01. Betrayal
02. Open The Gates
03. Wastelands
04. A Gift Beyond Human Reach
05. Faltering Moves
06. Behold The Sun
07. Dawn Of Redemption
08. Ministers
09. Extol
10. Unveiling The Obscure

Check out the song "Open The Gates" in the YouTube clip below.

Tom Keifer, best known as the singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Philadelphia-based blues-rock band CINDERELLA, will release his debut solo album, "The Way Life Goes", on April 30 via Merovee Records (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group).

Audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on the CD can be streamed at TomKeifer.com.

"The Way Life Goes" track listing:

01. Solid Ground
02. A Different Light
03. It's Not Enough
04. Cold Day In Hell
05. Thick And Thin
06. Ask Me Yesterday
07. Fools Paradise
08. The Flower Song
09. Mood Elevator
10. Welcome To My Mind
11. You Showed Me
12. Ain't That A Bitch
13. The Way Life Goes
14. Babylon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keifer will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, May 1 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with Keifer by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). The show will be streamed on the "Rockline" web site for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.

For more information, visit RocklineRadio.com.

"Dead Messiah", the new video from DENIED, the Swedish metal band featuring vocalist Johan Fahlberg (JADED HEART) and bassist Fredrik Isaksson (formerly of THERION and GRAVE), can be seen below. The song comes off the group's third album, "Let Them Burn", which was released in January via Sliptrick Records. The CD was recorded with producer Fredrik Folkare (UNLEASHED) and was mastered at Dugout Productions. The artwork was created by Alexander Lifbom.

DENIED was formed in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm, Sweden in 2003 by Andreas Carlsson. Devoted to heavy-yet-melodic metal, he wanted to expand his vision beyond a simple dream. The band recorded its first album, "Seven Times Your Sin", in 2005 and supported it with local gigs.

In September 2005, DENIED underwent its first lineup change when bassist Robert Stellmar and drummer Pete Dolls were recruited. The group's second album, "New Army For The Old Revolution", saw the light of day in late 2008.

In 2009, DENIED enlisted longtime friend Fahlberg as their new vocalist and in November of that same year, guitarist Chris Vowden joined the group. In May 2011 the band parted ways with Stellmar and recruited Isaksson.

DENIED has "earned a reputation as a great live act from their performances in various rock clubs in the Stockholm area," according to a press release." Through the years, DENIED has supported such acts as DREAM EVIL, SISTER SIN and ENTOMBED. Their ability to work the crowd and drive them into a frenzy has become a trademark for DENIED."