Marseille, France-based metalcore band ETHS has announced the addition of singer Rachel Aspe to the group's ranks.

"I am very proud to be a part of ETHS," says Rachel. "I have been a fan of the group for years and it is a real honor for me to find myself singing the songs that have I listened to for so long."

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

"We are delighted to welcome Rachel to the group," said ETHS. "She is a great girl with an amazing voice!

"Thank you, Virginie and Nelly, for helping us out on stage in recent months.

"A new chapter in the career of ETHS is about to be written.

"Needless to say, we are lookiing forward to introducing you to Rachel in the live settting."

Aspe made headlines in France last November when she performed the SYBREED song "Emma-0" on an episode of "La France À Un Incroyable Talent", the French reality television series which is part of the global British "Got Talent" franchise (see video below). A member of the melodic death metal band DIVIDEAD, she also made a guest appearance on the latest KERÍON CD entitled "Cloudriders" on the track "Fireblast".

Aspe will make her live debut with ETHS on April 10 at Le Ninkasi Kao in Lyon, France.

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

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

Have you experienced the "Hysteria" that comes when you try and get your little one to sleep and all she wants to do is jump or play? Do you ever take a "Shot In The Dark" and just lay her down in the crib with your fingers crossed? Not working? Then try playing her hair metal... lullabies that is.

"Little Headbangers: Hair Metal Goes Lullaby Vol. 2." includes soothing, peaceful and comforting versions of songs originally performed by OZZY OSBOURNE, CINDERELLA, DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE and more.

The track listing is as follows:

01. 18 And Life (originally by SKID ROW)
02. Shot In The Dark (originally by OZZY OSBOURNE)
03. Don't Close Your Eyes (originally by KIX)
04. Into The Fire (originally by DOKKEN)
05. God Bless The Children Of The Beast (originally by MÖTLEY CRÜE)
06. High Enough (originally by DAMN YANKEES)
07. Heartbreak Station (originally by CINDERELLA)
08. Sometimes She Cries (originally by WARRANT)
09. Hysteria (originally by DEF LEPPARD)
10. Close My Eyes Forever (originally by LITA FORD)

You can stream the entire album below.

Season Of Mist recently announced the signing of Canadian extreme blackened death metal horde NECRONOMICON. The trio's new album, "Rise Of The Elder Ones", will be released on June 10 (three days earlier in Europe).

"Rise Of The Elder Ones" track listing:

01. Resurrected
02. The End Of Times
03. The Living God (Pharaoh Of Gods Part II)
04. The Nuclear Chaos
05. From Beyond
06. Rise Of The Elder Ones
07. The Valley Of The Lost Souls
08. Celestial Being
09. Dark Corners Of The Earth
10. The Fallen

Regarding the signing, the band released the following statement: "Many people know that for some years in the past NECRONOMICON have been through some really dark years and that starting with 'The Return Of The Witch', or what we called the return to the source, we rose out of that period with more determination and strength than ever. As for now, some months ago we had the opportunity to join forces and work with one of the most respected labels in the dark metal area. That's why we decided to move on in that direction. Working with people that care, are professionals, and do what they said without trying to find excuses to not do what they agreed to. It is with honor that NECRONOMICON joined the Season Of Mist family and wish for this relationship to be long and prosperous."

NECRONOMICON in May 2011 announced the addition of bassist Armaros to the group's ranks.

Bassist Diego "D" left NECRONOMICON in 2010 in order to undertake "different professional and personal projects" that he wouldn't be "able to do simultaneously with [his previous] band duties."

NECRONOMICON's latest album, "The Return Of The Witch", was released in June 2010 via Austria's Napalm Records. The CD was mastered with reputed engineer Maor Appelbaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION) and features guest appearances by Arianne Fleury (ex-AUGURY) and Roxanne Constantin (NEGATIVA, QUO VADIS), among others.

German rockers FAIR WARNING will release a new studio album, "Sundancer", in Germany on May 24, in the rest of Europe on May 27 and in the USA/Canada on May 28. The effort will be made available as a CD and digital download through SPV/Steamhammer worldwide except Asia.

The "Sundancer" cover artwork can be seen below. Also available is a brand new band photo.

"Sundancer" track listing:

01. Troubled Love
02. Keep It In The Dark
03. Real Love
04. Hit And Run
05. Man In The Mirror
06. Natural High
07. Jealous Heart
08. Touch My Soul
09. Send Me A Dream
10. Pride
11. Get Real
12. How Does It Feel
13. Living On The Streets
14. Cool
15. Just As She Smiles (digipak bonus track)

Four years after their last studio release, "Aura", a live double DVD (2010) and a best-of album (2011), FAIR WARNING is back with "Sundancer". In all, 15 songs were recorded by the group, whose lineup after 23 years still comprises the founding members Tommy Heart (vocals), Helge Engelke (guitar), Ule Ritgen (bass) and CC Behrens (drums). As usual, "Sundancer" was produced by the FAIR WARNING bandmembers themselves.

"Even if our music can still be classed as melodic rock, the new songs nevertheless document a broader stylistic range than our previous releases," explains Ritgen, adding, "We make a point of avoiding any particular stylistic agenda, we're open to influences from all directions. After all, it doesn't matter what inspires an idea, it'll always end up a typical FAIR WARNING song.”

Both the album title and the sleeve artwork for "Sundancer" are a deliberate nod to "Rainmaker", FAIR WARNING's successful album from 1995 which gave the band its international breakthrough. "Now, as then, the new songs and the record's artwork reflect modern life in an increasingly virtual world where we find ourselves wondering how real our own lives actually are,” explains Ritgen.

For the first time in FAIR WARNING's history, several tracks on "Sundancer" were composed by the whole band together. Ritgen says: "This approach was new to us and it was certainly accompanied by one or two doubts, because you never know if something like that is going to work out. But, to our own surprise, we had an incredible amount of fun, resulting in three excellent songs." The other 12 tracks on the album were penned by Ritgen and Engelke.

FAIR WARNING's last studio album, "Aura", came out in 2009. A live CD/DVD, "Talking Ain't Enough - Fair Warning Live In Tokyo", followed in 2010. The band's best-of double album, "Best And More", came out last year.

FAIR WARNING celebrated its 20th anniversary with "Best And More", containing all of the band's classics on a double CD with 32 songs. Previously unreleased tracks and rare live and studio material plus a great booklet made "Best And More" a must-have for all new and old fans.

The Linda Åkerberg-directed video for the song "Rolling Home" from Swedish hard rockers BULLET can be seen below. The track comes off the band's fourth album, "Full Pull", which was released in North America on September 25, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gutterview Recorders in Solna, Sweden with producers Nicke Andersson (HELLACOPTERS, ENTOMBED) and Fred Estby (DISMEMBER).

"Full Pull" track listing:

01. Midnight Oil
02. Full Pull
03. Running Away
04. All Fired Up
05. Rolling Home
06. In The Heat
07. High On The Hog
08. Rush Hour
09. Freeriding
10. Gutterview
11. Warriors

Bonus track:

12. Get On

A single, "Full Pull", was released on July 13, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The single was made available digitally and on vinyl, with various colors.

The track listing is as follows:

Side A: "Full Pull"
Side B: "Get On"

BULLET's third full-length album "Highway Pirates", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 3.

CIVIL WAR — the new Swedish metal band featuring former SABATON members Rikard Sundén (guitar), Daniel Mullback (drums), Daniel Mÿhr (keyboards) and Oskar Montelius (guitar) alongside singer Patrik Johansson (ASTRAL DOORS, LION'S SHARE) and bassist Stefan "Pizza" Eriksson (VOLTURYON) — will release its full-length debut, "The Killer Angels", on June 11 via Despotz Records. The group states: "The album deals with a lot of stuff: heroes, traitors, battles and heavy metal....and yes: we have a song called 'Gettysburg'."

"The Killer Angels" track listing:

01. King Of The Sun
02. First To Fight
03. Saint Patrick's Day
04. Rome Is Falling
05. Sons Of Avalon
06. I Will Rule The Universe
07. Lucifer's Court
08. Brother Judas
09. My Own Worst Enemy
10. Gettysburg
11. March Across The Belts (bonus track)

A three-minute YouTube clip containing audio samples of the tracks that appear on the debut EP from CIVIL WAR can be found below. The CD was released on November 13, 2012 via Despotz Records.

According to Sundén, CIVIL WAR's sound is "more old-school hard rock," with "a little less keyboards" than that of SABATON. He says, "With Patrik's vocals on top, it becomes a different thing, but there are some parallels [to our previous band]."

Regarding how CIVIL WAR came together, b>Mullback told the Swedish-language newspaper Dalarnas Tidningar (DT), "It came pretty naturally. We always thought Patrik had a good voice and he accepted our offer when we asked him to join the band."

"I had no hesitation about getting involved," Patrik said. "ASTRAL DOORS certainly has a solid fan base, but we are a little more underground. I see this as an opportunity to reach a wider audience."

The four ex members of SABATON were never involved in the songwriting process with their former band since those duties were usually handled by vocalist Joakim Brodén. But in the new group, everyone is contributing ideas.

"This has been a reawakening of sorts," Mÿhr said. "I have never been in a situation where there has been so much creativity."

On the topic of whether CIVIL WAR will continue SABATON's tradition of focusing on war-related themes in its lyrics, Mÿhr said, "No, we won't. Now the lyrics can be about anything. [CIVIL WAR was just] a good name that sounded good."

"The Most High", the new video from the Los Angeles hardcore/metal band TERROR, can be seen below. The track comes off the group's sixth studio album, "Live By The Code", which will be released on April 9 via Victory Records.

Regarding TERROR's new deal with Victory, the band's vocalist, Scott Vogel, previously said: "When I was in high school, I would go to Home Of The Hits Records in Buffalo, New York and every week I would check for new Victory releases.

"Growing up, Victory Records always had the best hardcore bands, period. They had this awesome packaging and vibe that I loved. INTEGRITY, STRIFE, BLOODLET, EARTH CRISIS — it was a fucking amazing time for hardcore. Later, I met [Victory Records founder] Tony [Brummel] when he came to Buffalo to see SNAPCASE. We stayed in contact and made plans for my second band, DESPAIR, but soon after we broke up.

"Victory and my band BURIED ALIVE worked together for years. They also had HATEBREED, BLOOD FOR BLOOD, ALL OUT WAR and REACH THE SKY, all bands I've always respected and held in the highest regard.

"This summer, I hung out with Tony and we had a wild night in Chicago. We talked about the good and bad of hardcore today and just had a blast. No business talk, no nonsense. We were under contract at the time so there wasn't even room for it.

"As we got ready to release 'Live By The Code', TERROR and Century Media debated on how to release the record right and Victory Records seemed like the best fit.

"Tony and I are both insane. We both come from the same place. We both scratch and fight to stay afloat. We still believe in the essence of hardcore and still love WARZONE. This is pretty fucking exciting."

Vogel claims "Live By The Code" "hits harder than 'Keepers Of The Faith'," calling it the "dirtiest, rawest and most hardcore record we've done since 'Lowest Of The Low'."

"TERROR are the biggest hardcore band in the world," said Brummel.

"I have known Scott for twenty years and he has remained true to what he believes in, cherishes and helps keep alive which is first and foremost: hardcore.

"If you are just discovering hardcore or have loved it since the movement started in the late 1970s, this album is for you."

Norwegian/Italian metallers TRISTANIA will release their seventh studio album, "Darkest White", on May 31 via Napalm Records. The CD artwork, painted by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, SODOM, HATEBREED), can be seen below.

"Darkest White" track listing:

01. Number
02. Darkest White
03. Himmelfal
04. Requiem
05. Diagnosis
06. Scarling
07. Night on Earth
08. Cathedral (limited-edition bonus track)
09. Lavender
10. Cypher
11. Arteries

The band wanted a dark and disturbing cover, and Kantor instantly knew what they asked for after being presented with the music and lyrics.

"What he came up with turned out to be more than what we had dared to hope for," says TRISTANIA guitarist Anders Høyvik Hidle. "His painting for the front cover made us speechless, Eliran totally understood our vision with this album, and the artwork fits perfectly to the music and lyrics."

With "Darkest White", TRISTANIA venture into a considerably darker soundscape than on their previous album, both musically and lyrically. The emotional span of the album is bigger, ranging from the most brutal primal aggression to the most fragile and poignant moments. The album features an array of grand arrangements, doomy moods, and elaborate harmonies blended with intense growling; a flamboyant display of outstanding vocal performances. "Darkest White" is produced and mixed by Christer André Cederberg.

Comments TRISTANIA bassist Ole Vistnes: "After the release of 'Rubicon' in 2010, I felt that we had opened the door to our new musical landscape, but that we still had a lot of places to explore creatively. With 'Darkest White', we have dug deeper, searched wider and reached higher to create the most musically challenging and emotionally involving album we possibly could. Like all TRISTANIA albums, I feel this one is detached from musical rules and genre expectations, and perfectly represents the musical freedom that I so much love about TRISTANIA.

"During the writing and recording of the album, we worked hard to create the album we had in our minds, but we were also careful to let the songs live a life on their own. We didn't set out to make the album technically outstanding or theoretically perfect, but we followed our hearts in all parts of the writing and production. I'm proud of 'Darkest White', mostly because of the uncompromising honesty and attitude that saturated everything from the songwriting and recording to the mix."

TRISTANIA is:

Mariangela Demurtas (vocals)
Kjetil Nordhus (vocals)
Anders Høyvik Hidle (guitar and vocals)
Ole Vistnes (bass and backing vocals)
Gyri Losnegaard (guitar)
Einar Moen (keyboards)
Tarald Lie (drums)

"Ritual Marks Of Penitence", the new video from French sowers of intelligent, distinctive, and airless black metal AOSOTH, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Matthieu Spinazzola and David Fitt.

"Ritual Marks Of Penitence" comes off AOSOTH's new album, "IV: Arrow In Heart", which will be releasedon April 16 via Agonia Records. The CD is a natural improvement over the band's previous release, entitled "III", which already was "a major step forward for Aosoth in creating their own distinct sound" (Sputnik Music).

Commented the band: "We've spent such a huge amount of time on defining a darker identity, yet open to a wider range of influences. Those tracks still haunt us, as delivering them was a painful and excruciating experience, and left some of us even physically wounded... Which gives that album even more of a spiritual value, as it involved a form of sacrifice." They added: "This fourth full-length release is without a doubt a great step forward for us in term of music writing, and sound."

"IV: Arrow In Heart" consists of six original tracks with a running time of 56 minutes.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. An Arrow in Heart
02. One With The Prince With A Thousand Enemies
03. Temple of Knowledge
04. Under The Nails and Fingertips
05. Broken Dialogue 1
05. Broken Dialogue 2
06. Ritual Marks Of Penitence

The song "An Arrow In Heart" can be streamed below.

"Häxbrygd", the new video from Finnish metal marauders FINNTROLL, can be seen below. The clip was filmed a video on March 8-9. Photos from the video shoot can be found on the Facebook page of Soundi magazine (courtesy of Timo Isoaho).

"Häxbrygd" comes off FINNTROLL's sixth album, "Blodsvept", which was released on April 2 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Nifelvind" was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki and was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. FINNTROLL's Henri "Trollhorn" Sorvali and his bandmates produced the album themselves, while the CD cover artwork was handled by FINNTROLL guitar player Samuli "Skyrmer" Ponsimaa.

"Blodsvept" track listing:

01. Blodsvept
02. Ett Folk Förbannat
03. När Jättar Marschera
04. Mordminnen
05. Rösets Kung
06. Skövlarens Död
07. Skogsdotter
08. Häxbrygd
09. Tva Ormar
10. Fanskapsfylld
11. Midvinterdraken

In regards to the new album, FINNTROLL commented on their studio blog: "Combining our trademark sound with even more influences from non- traditional genres in metal music, we have created 11 songs which show you everything we want to offer. And boy, wasn't that one of the hardest tasks for some time. After all, how do you keep your sound fresh, yet familiar, after 6 albums and 15 years?

"At some point, we were afraid that the songs are not melodic enough. Then we started to fear they became too melodic. Then we let the songs rest for a while and molded them more in a way that the non-melodic stuff got something to hum with, and the cheesy pop songs were arranged more stripped and aggressive. We were confident, yet sometimes scared what will people think of the stuff we've been doing so hard. What if they hate it? That would be fine, but if they would hate it because the material was uninspiring, boring and done-to-death, that would be a huge disappointment. So, we kept pushing and tried to keep it fresh all the time, while still having the 'this has to be FINNTROLL because no other band sounds this insane' — grinning going on."

Due to a "variety of personal issues and matters with one of the members," San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans EXODUS will not perform at Maryland Deathfest XI, set to take place May 23-26 in Baltimore. Replacing them on the bill are Arizona thrashers SACRED REICH.

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt has spent the last two years filling in for SLAYER founding axeman Jeff Hanneman who in January 2011 contracted necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, and has been undergoing surgeries, skin grafts and intense rehab since.

EXODUS' latest album, "Exhibit B: The Human Condition", was released in North America on May 18, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The CD sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 114 on The Billboard 200 chart.

EXODUS' previous album, "The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A", opened with 3,600 units back in October 2007.

The official lyric video for the song "Royally Fucked" from Finnish thrash/death metallers DEAD SAMARITAN can be seen below. The track comes off the band's debut album, "The Only Good Samaritan..." , which was released in December 2012 through U.K.'s Casket Music.

DEAD SAMARITAN, described as agressive yet groovy, thrashy and melodic, brings to mind the best parts of CARCASS and DEATH, with ENTOMBED and AT THE GATES thrown in for good measure.

"The Only Good Samaritan..." track listing:

01. Prelude To Perdition
02. The Monster to Create
03. Laid To Waste
04. Royally Fucked
05. Hell If I Care
06. Bleeding Ground
07. Thunderbolt
08. DB13
09. River Runs Red
10. In the Shadows Of The Mind
11. Welcome To The Death Zone
12. Into the Stellar Night

DEAD SAMARITAN started in January 2001 but didn't adopt its current moniker until 2003.

After releasing three demos, the band went on a long hiatus because of lineup changes, studying and other personal matters.

In 2009, three new members — guitarist Matti Viholainen, bassist Eero Virtanen and vocalist Valendis Suomalainen (HEREM) — were recruited.

DEAD SAMARITAN is:

Valendis Suomalainen - Vocals
Matti Viholainen - Guitar
Marko Saarinen - Guitar
Eero Virtanen - Bass
Janne Honkanen - Drums

Finnish metallers KALMAH will release their new studio album, "Seventh Swamphony", on June 17 via Spinefarm Records. The follow-up to 2010's "12 Gauge" was recorded at Tico-Tico Studios in Kemi, Finland, and was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden by Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST). The new CD will feature cover artwork by Juha Vuorma, who worked on the first three KALMAH albums as well as releases from USURPER, METUJA, DEATHMARCHED and ALTARS OF DESTRUCTION.

After 15 years together, with six full-length albums under their collective belt, 2013 sees the Finnish musicians delivering album No. 7 — an eight-track release showcasing this Oulu outfit's trademark frantic, yet melodic death metal style, tempered here by a newfound "epic mournfulness."

Commented KALMAH lead guitarist Antti Kokko: "This album marks a milestone in our careers. We have a new keyboard player, which has given a fresh edge to the music, and we are, of course, very satisfied with the new material. That is why we wanted to give the songs the best possible chance without compromise; we feel very lucky and privileged to have worked with Jens Bogren."

The song "Windlake Tale", taken from the forthcoming album, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

Keyboardist Marco Sneck left KALMAH in 2011 after seven years and three albums with the band.

KALMAH's sixth album, "12 Gauge", entered the official chart in the Finland at position No. 15.

Swedish death metallers ENTRAILS will release their much-anticipated third album, "Raging Death", on May 13 in Europe via Metal Blade Records on vinyl, as a limited digi-CD with a bonus CD and as a jewelcase CD. In North America, the album will be available on May 14.

The song Bloodhammer, taken from "Raging Death", can now be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

"Raging Death" was tracked in different studios: the drum recordings took place at the Racetrack studios while the basis recordings were done at Jimmy Lundqvist's own The Crypt recording studios. The album was mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound.

Guest artists confirmed to appear on "Raging Death" are: Kam Lee (BONE GNAWER, ex-MASSACRE), Jörgen Sandström (THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX, ex-GRAVE, ex-ENTOMBED), Rogga Johansson (PAGANIZER) and Dan Swanö (ex-EDGE OF SANITY). Fans will hear the guest vocalists on the song "Death League".

Kam Lee: "ENTRAILS is one of the best death metal bands around today hands down — and their track 'Death League' is just pure aggressive cut throat — true death metal in its most rawest and traditional form… the way death metal is meant to be played!

"When I was asked by the maniacs of ENTRAILS to lend my death growl vomit to the mix, I was honored. But the fact that I'm sharing growls alongside other such legendary Swedish death metal vocalists makes the brutality of the track even more so shredding!! Like a cannibal mutant feeding frenzy of blood-soaked gore… this track will make you bleed from the inside out!"

Dan Swanö: "I love working with ENTRAILS. Their catchy brand of death metal is right up my alley. And when I heard that Kam Lee, Jörgen Sandström and some other major dudes were gonna join forces in a track, I happily accepted the invitation without to blink. A kick-ass experience indeed! Make sure you hear it!!"

Rogga Johansson: "When asked to do some growling on a track by ENTRAILS, all I could think was, 'Fuck yes!' I've been a fan of the band for a long, long time, as I had old recordings on a tape I got from a friend. And when I learned that I'd be in such awesome company as the legends guesting, I was even more happy about it! And the song fucken' crushes!"

Jörgen Sandström: "I did not hesitate a second when Adde asked me to do some vocals for the new ENTRAILS album but I had no idea that I was supposed to be in a song with these sickos!!! If I knew, I would had said yes in Planck time!! Death League FTW!"

"Raging Death" track listing:

01. In Pieces
02. Carved To The Bone
03. Bloodhammer
04. Headless Dawn
05. Cadaverous Stench
06. Descend To The Beyond
07. Death League
08. Chained And Dragged
09. Defleshed
10. Cemetery Horrors

The band comments on the album: "This is the perfect next step for ENTRAILS. A massive stench of death, right in your face! 'Raging Death' as a title suited the album as a whole, since it's pure death metal without mercy!"

ENTRAILS formed in the '90s, but split up before they were able to release a demo or even an album. It took them until 2008 to come back when guitarist Jimmy Lundqvist rediscovered some old tapes. In a moment of nostalgia, he decided that they deserved to be released as they should have been originally. With modern recording technology, the first ENTRAILS demo could finally take shape. After releasing another demo in 2009, ENTRAILS recorded and released their debut album, "Tales From The Morgue", in 2010. Just a year later, "The Tomb Awaits" was released, an album that gained worldwide attention of music fans of the extreme and was considered by many as the best death metal release of 2011.

ENTRAILS has played numerous prestigious festivals in 2012 including gigs at Party.San Open Air, Summer Breeze and Hell Inside festival.

ENTRAILS is:

Joakim Svensson - Vocals/Bass
Jimmy Lundqvist - Guitar
Mathias Nilsson - Guitar
Adde Mitroulis - Drums

Video footage of CHROME DIVISION, the Norwegian five-piece featuring DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath (a.k.a. Stian Thoresen) on guitar, performing the song "Fight (Rumble 'N' Roll)" on March 28 at the Inferno festival in Oslo, Norway can be seen below.

CHROME DIVISION is continuing work on its fourth album for a late 2013 release via Nuclear Blast Records. According to CHROME DIVISION vocalist Shady Blue (a.k.a. Athera), the new CD "is coming along fantastically."

CHROME DIVISION will take a break from recording the album to play three shows in Germany and Italy in April.

Says Shady Blue: "Germany! Raise your flags and prepare for the ultimate doomsday experience! CHROME DIVISION will return on the 26th April to Düssedorf at the Pitcher29 club, and in Dortmund Rock In Den Ruinen festival on the 27th.

"We are stoked to be back in Germany after two years and play live again! While still working on the new album, we welcome a break to come and drink beers and raise hell with you all.

"Looking forward to meet new and old fans and have some ballbreaking shows! We are the CHROME DIVISION and we're coming to town!

"The gig in Italy is a charity/rememberance festival for a young girl who died from a drunk driver. Her parents run the festival and it's in its fifth year. Many Italian bands play for free each year to support, and they each year have a special headliner act. This year it is us!"

CHROME DIVISION last year parted ways with bassist Björn "Burn" Luna and guitarist Ricky Black. Luna, who was a member of CHROME DIVISION since its inception in 2004, "will work with us from behind the curtains of doom, and contribute on the lyrical side of things in the future," according to the band.

CHROME DIVISION current lineup:

Shagrath - Guitar
Ogee - Bass
Shady Blue (a.k.a. Athera) - Vocals
Damage Karlsen - Guitar
Tony White - Drums

CHROME DIVISION's third album, "3rd Round Knockout", was released in Europe on May 6, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Marius Strand Studio in Oslo.

CHROME DIVISION in August 2009 parted ways with longtime vocalist Eddie Guz "due to lack of dedication and commitment to the band." His replacement, Athera, originally filled in for Guz at the Winterfire Festival at Hessenhallen in Giessen, Germany on February 21, 2009 after Eddie Guz was unable to make the gig.

Columbus, Ohio-based death metal band DEATH OF AN ERA has inked a deal with Artery Recordings, the joint venture between The Artery Foundation and Razor & Tie. The group will release its debut EP, "The Great Commonwealth", on May 21. The CD was produced by Kevin Lankford.

DEATH OF AN ERA formed in 2012. After a year supporting its independently released "Reviler" EP, this collective of high school friends had risen out of the Ohio underground and into the national spotlight. Alternative Press featured them in AP&R, and they carved out a rabid core of fans through relentless touring and an incomparable sound. Confronting everything from child abuse and drug addiction to deceit and bullying head-on, the group — Daniel Simpson (vocals), Nathan Stewart (guitar), Dustin Colling (guitar), and brothers Chris (bass) and Michael Cooper (drums) — offer catharsis in the face of chaos.

DEATH OF AN ERA is managed by Mike Milford and Thomas Gutches of The Artery Foundation.

"The Great Commonwealth" EP track listing:

01. Create, Sustain
02. P.O.S.
03. Shapeshifter
04. The Helpless Settlement
05. American Dictation
06. A Mothers Love

Former AFTER FOREVER and current NIGHTWISH touring singer Floor Jansen has completed recording the second album from her REVAMP project at SandLane Studio in Rijen, The Netherlands with Joost van den Broek (ex-AFTER FOREVER). The CD, which will feature guest choir parts by Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION) and Daniël de Jongh (TEXTURES), will be released in September via an as-yet-undisclosed label.

Video footage of REVAMP performing a brand new song, entitled "Sins", in January 2012 at Metropool in Hengelo, The Netherlands can be seen below.

REVAMP's self-titled debut album was released in Europe on May 28, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

REVAMP is:

Floor Jansen: Songwriter/Singer
Arjan Rijnen: Guitar
Jord Otto: Guitar
Jaap Melman: Bass
Ruben Wijga: Keyboards
Matthias Landes: Drums

Jansen made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on October 1, 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington.

Jansen handled lead-vocal duties on NIGHTWISH's recent North American, South American, Australian and U.K. tours after the group parted ways with Anette Olzon at the end of September.

On May 7, Deadline Music (a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records) will release "Crucified" by MPIRE OF EVIL (formerly PRIMEVIL) — the band formed in 2010 by ex-VENOM members Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (guitar) and Tony "The Demolition Man" Dolan (bass, vocals). The booklet includes art by Mantas, lyrics and band pics.

"Crucified" bulldozes through eleven tracks — including nine re-recorded versions of VENOM tracks from Dolan's time with the group — opening with the driving "Temples of Ice" and not taking its foot off the gas through the closing beast, "Taking It All" (which includes the perfect anti-chant). The riffs are dense and mighty, rhythms propulsive, and the vocals relentlessly intense. The record takes on dystopian themes of destruction, evil, and corruption and in the case of pointed tracks like "Blackened Are The Priests", all three.

"Crucified" track listing:

01. Temples Of Ice
02. Parasite
03. Kissing The Beast
04. Blackened Are The Priests
05. Carnivorous
06. Black Legions
07. Need To Kill
08. Wolverine
09. Crucified
10. Demone
11. Taking It All

The song "Taking It All" can be streamed at this location.

After completing a successful U.S. tour with drummer Marc Jackson (who replaced Antony "Antton" Lant last year), MPIRE OF EVIL in May 2012 announced that Marc had joined the group on a permanent basis.

MPIRE OF EVIL released its full-length debut, "Hell To The Holy", on March 26, 2012 via Scarlet Records. The CD was produced by Mantas and features cover artwork by Gyula Havancsák (ANNIHILATOR, DESTRUCTION, GRAVE DIGGER).

MPIRE OF EVIL last year completed a North American tour with fellow British thrashers ONSLAUGHT.

The Mighty Z of Capital Chaos TV conducted an interview with bassist Matt Martinez of Arizona grind masters LANDMINE MARATHON prior to the band's March 21 concert at DNA Lounge in San Francisco, California. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage of the San Francisco show.

LANDMINE MARATHON has just completed a week-long West Coast tour en route to the Obscene Extreme festival in Mexico alongside NAPALM DEATH, PHOBIA, DYING FETUS and many more. The trek kicked off on March 19 in Las Vegas and continued until the band reached Mexico City on March 28. The band will also make its European live debut later this year at the European Obscene Extreme festival in the Czech Republic.

LANDMINE MARATHON's new vocalist Krysta Martinez commented: "I couldn't be more excited to be hitting the road for the first time with LANDMINE MARATHON and playing these West Coast dates on our way to Mexico for Obscene Extreme America! Obscene Extreme America truly has one of the most crushing lineups I've ever seen! I am so glad to be involved!"

LANDMINE MARATHON is currently writing the follow-up to its critically acclaimed 2011 release "Gallows", which was awarded "Album Of The Month" honors by Terrorizer, who praised its "killer riffs, righteous anger and a burning desire to fuck shit up." Such praise earned the band a hand-picked spot on METALLICA's Orion Music + More festival in 2012.

LANDMINE MARATHON recently re-recorded two songs ("Bile Towers" and "Dead Horses") with Martinez; both are now available digitally.

Interview:

Legendary rocker Alice Cooper's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"Around this time last year, the Alice Cooper Archives in Los Angeles were broken into. Most of the Archives collection was spared, though we did lose some important pieces from Alice's career. Among the stolen items were the sculpture used for the 'Hey Stoopid' album cover, and a John Richmond jacket worn by Alice in the movie 'Wayne's World'. We did a post about the stolen items, and the break-in received quite a bit of attention.

"Though most of the items have never been seen again, we were contacted in early March of this year by the LAPD indicating that the the John Richmond jacket was found and turned in! The story we got was that an anonymous gentleman claimed to have found it in good condition behind a dumpster in Culver City, California. The man seemed to know what he had found and immediately took it to the LAPD in Culver City. Apparently he wanted to remain anonymous and was not interested in any reward.

"The LAPD contacted us, arrangements were made to have it picked up and it was finally sent home to Alice in Phoenix. Alice is thrilled to have it back, so much so that he took it out of it's glass case and is now wearing it regularly!

"Thanks to all of you who kept your eye out for it. Because of the publicity and the number of reposts to the original story, the thieves must have realized they had a one-of-a-kind piece with a limited market who would be aware that it was stolen.

"If you have any information on the still missing 'Hey Stoopid' sculpture, email archives @ alicecooper.com."

Brazilian death metal band DESECRATED SPHERE have unveiled the artwork for their upcoming full-length album, Emancipate. The cover and booklet art were developed by artist Raphael Gabrio (KREATOR, DYING FETUS, NILE) over the band's concept.
Vocalist Renato Sgarbi commented: "In our new album Emancipate, we talk about the humanity itself, be it a religious man or not, regardless the nationality or skin color, the emancipation in reconnecting to yourself, beyond the flesh and materialism, between gods and heroes.

We talk about the dualism of men in dividing everything between good and evil, good or bad, the manichean thought. (We talk) about seeing beyond what our senses and instincts lead us to comprehend, connect our conscious to subconscious, of transcending what we are every day, freeing ourselves from our scales (as in fish scales) without fears that binds us to ancestors or traditions.

About the system and its manipulations, the governors of the world: The multinational enterprises, the politicians and religious leaders that control the masses.
About the necessity men has of searching for answers to questions that go beyond our ability to understand: where do we come from, the origin of the universe, who has created it... And since the atomic particles in chaos to the gigantic immeasurable universe.

Emancipate is to detach yourself from everything that traps you, liberating yourself, freeing yourself from a imaginary game that has no adversary. The union of these lyrics' concepts with the commitment of writing music without barriers is what has become Emancipate."

Emancipate is scheduled to be launched in Brazil and online in the second semester of 2013.

Sensory Records has delayed the release of A Fair Dream Gone Mad, the sprawling debut full-length from Sacramento, California-based dark/progressive quartet IN THE SILENCE, initially confirmed for official release this month. Due to a manufacturing mishap, the record will now be in stores for it's new street date, Tuesday May 7th.

Sensory Records, a division of progressive linchpin The Laser’s Edge, have produced a striking digipak version of the album, as well as high-quality digital download, for official worldwide release.

Check out the artwork from Spanish artist Nacho Galacho below and listen to several tracks from A Fair Dream Gone Mad this location.

In The Silence also recently signed with Intromental Management who will be breaking them out on tours and festival appearances throughout North America in 2013. Already confirmed is a performance at the massive annual ProgPower USA XIV festival in Atlanta, Georgia, where they’ll share the stage with CIRCLE II CIRCLE, RHAPSODY, WOLVERINE, SOILWORK, SHADOW GALLERY, WOLF, CIRCUS MAXIMUS, ARMORED SAINT and more. Stay tuned for additional imminent tour plans to be announced in the coming days.

A Fair Dream Gone Mad tracklisting:

'Ever Closer'
'17 Shades'
'Serenity'
'Beneath These Falling Leaves'
'Close to Me'
'Endless Sea'
'All the Pieces'
'Your Reward'

In The Silence is:

Josh Burke: vocals, lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars
Nate Higgins: lead and rhythm guitars
Dennis Davis: bass
Niko Panagopoulos: drums

More on In The Silence at this location.

When thinking of music that comes from Texas, most would think of any number of country artists, or the almighty PANTERA. It's time to think outside the box and make way for SILENCE THE MESSENGER and their brand of heavy music.
Heavily influenced by anything that's fast and heavy, their sound is derived from a mixture of old and new metal such as SLIPKNOT, BEHEMOTH, WHITECHAPEL, and anything in between. To expect anything less than an aggressive, violent, and pissed off creation would be completely asinine.

With a handful of tours, and a solid EP from 2010 entitled Buried under their belts, the band is ready to step it up and release their next album. Silence The Messenger have proudly signed with Standby Records and are recording their debut album at Studio D in Cleveland, Ohio with Landon Tewers of the immensely popular band, THE PLOT IN YOU.

"We're not here to reinvent the wheel, we're here to play pissed off, heavy music that we love for as many people as we can, and have a great fucking time doing it." states frontman, Steve Tinnon. Be on the lookout for these guys to devastate your town, and drink all of your beer in the very near future.

More on Silence The Messenger at this location.

A video of the band's signing to Standby Records can be viewed below:

Netherlands-based pagan metallers ENCORION have released a new video, for the track 'Spirit, We Are One', featured on the band's upcoming album, Our Pagan Hearts Reborn, out via Sleasy Rider Records on April 5th.

Watch the new video below, and download the track for free at this location.
Our Pagan Hearts Reborn tracklisting:

'Our Pagan Hearts Reborn'
'Fire Of Freedom'
'Moonfall, Sunrise'
'Spirit, We Are One'
'Farewell To The Living'
'Fates Illusion'
'We Will Rise'
'Burried In Our Lands'
More on Encorion at this location.

Chilean heavy metal band MERIDIAN have revealed the cover artwork and the tracklisting for their self-titled debut EP, due for release on April 15th via Digmetalworld Records. Meridian is side project of VASTATOR's vocalist, Sr. Diaz and ENTRANCE guitarist Richard Pilnik. The EP contains four tracks of classic heavy metal. A lyric video for the track 'Meridian' will be released in the coming days.
The Meridian EP was recorded by Richard Pilnik and Gerardo Barnechea at Kabara Musical Studios in Santiago, Chile and mastered by
Richard Pilnik studios. The art cover was designed by Chaotic Kimist.
Meridian EP tracklisting:

'Meridian'
'All 4 One'
'Midnight Train'
'Restless'

'Midnight Train' can be heard below:
Sr. Diaz comments: "We are putting out these tracks so people can get to know us, but we are already working on a full album to be out, we hope, by the end of this year. Meridian's sound is a classic heavy metal like MERCYFUL FATE and JUDAS PRIEST, but we still would like to add a little more of aggression to it, so we are working on it as it is right now."

More information at this location.

According to Dailytelegraph.com.au, legendary AC/DC singer Bon Scott has been named the second greatest Australian singer of all-time in a new survey. The list is topped by JOHN FARNHAM who had a major hit in 1986 with 'You're The Voice'.
Check out the entire top 50 at this location.

Author Neil Daniels recently released his latest book, AC/DC - The Early Years & Bon Scott, via publisher Independent Music Press.

Often regarded as the greatest frontman in the history of rock music, Bon Scott tragically died on February 19, 1980 but his memory lives through the music he created with AC/DC. From 1975 s Australian album High Voltage to 1980’s Highway To Hell, Bon Scott and AC/DC were a global force to be reckoned with. AC/DC formed in 1973 but it wasn’t until the latter half of 1974 that Scottish born singer Robert Belford Scott joined the fold. Scott would help take AC/DC to legendary heights of success. Although the bands success did not arrive quickly, they released a stream of stunning albums and were undoubtedly the most electrifying live rock band of the 1970s.
Despite the latter day success of the band, the Bon Scott years of 1974 to 1980 are often regarded by many as the band s most fertile creative period. Those years spawned 1976’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, 1977’s Let There Be Rock and 1978’s Powerage, not forgetting the now legendary live album, If You Want Blood You’ve Got It from 1978. Exploring thetwo Australian albums, the five international studio albums as well as other releases featuring Bon Scott, this book AC/DC - The Early Years With Bon Scott is a fitting recognition of Bon Scott s legacy and a reminder of just how influential AC/DC s 1970s period remains. Charts the most creative period of the band s history from 1973 to Bon Scott’s death in 1980.

Includes a foreword from URIAH HEEP’s Mick Box and bonus chapter on Back In Black: the first album with Brian Johnson. Extensively covers AC/DC s five international albums and two Australia-only releases with Bon Scott.

AC/DC - The Early Years & Bon Scott is available via Amazon below:

California female-fronted metal veterans HELLION have set "To Hellion And Back" as the title of their upcoming anthology CD, which is scheduled for release this summer. The anthology will include fan favorites from all of HELLION's albums.

In 1982, HELLION became the first American metal act with a female singer to achieve international acclaim. Throughout the last three decades, HELLION has shared stages throughout the world with acts such as SLAYER, DIO, EXODUS, WHITESNAKE and many more. HELLION was the first American metal band to to tour in the former Soviet Union (now Russia). HELLION was also the first female-fronted metal act to gain airplay on MTV and VH1.

Pictured below: HELLION singer Ann Boleyn in January 2013 (photo by Alex Solca)

Reunited grunge legends SOUNDGARDEN have signed a worldwide administration agreement with BMG Chrysalis U.S.. The deal includes acclaimed rock anthems such as "Spoonman", "Black Hole Sun" and "Blow Up the Outside World".

Jill Pedone, Creative Director at BMG Chrysalis U.S., commented: "SOUNDGARDEN have earned their place in music history as innovators of the rock genre. We are thrilled to be working with the band during their pivotal reemergence and their catalog that has changed the face of rock music."

Richard Blackstone, Executive Vice President, Creative & Business Development at BMG Chrysalis U.S., added: "We are so very proud to be representing the entire body of work from this seminal band. We are honored that they have chosen BMG to be the new home for their music, both old and new."

SOUNDGARDEN released the music video on January 29 for "By Crooked Steps", the second single from the quartet's new album, "King Animal". Singer Chris Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio a little about the tune: "It's one of the earlier songs that we started working on, but I also felt like it, to me, is like definitely sort of a new chapter for us. If you wanted to take one example of SOUNDGARDEN progressing, that's a good one for me."

The "By Crooked Steps" clip was directed by FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl, who submitted a treatment for the video on his own initiative after hearing the song.

"King Animal" came out last November and was SOUNDGARDEN's first set of all-new material in 16 years.

SOUNDGARDEN will kick off their second leg of its North American tour in May.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based extreme metallers KATAKLYSM have set "Waiting For The End To Come" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in late 2013/early 2014 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Heaven's Venom" will be recorded by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais, who has previously worked with MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX and DESPISED ICON, among others, and mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SUFFOCATION, HATEBREED, ARSIS).

Commented KATAKLYSM vocalist Maurizio Iacono: "Well, it's been a seriously busy ride since our last album, 'Heaven's Venom', was released over three years ago. From a successful world headlining run, to Ozzfest, into a recap of our 20 years as band with the 'Iron Will' DVD.

"We've been writing in a very humble fashion behind the scenes for the last six months.

"It's time to take KATAKLYSM to higher levels and dig deep into our capacities as musicians and songwriters. We know exactly what we have to do; that's why we have taken our time and why we'll be taking most of the summer to complete the new album.

"The record will deal lyrically with mortality and the purpose of one's being on this earth. The moment we are born, we start to die. It's a sort of deal we make with life."

KATAKLYSM's multidisc DVD, "The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined", entered the German chart at position No. 98. The set depicts the ups and downs of KATAKLYSM's long, turbulent career, as well as footage of the band's performance at last year's Summer Breeze festival, which took place August 18-20, 2011 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. The cover art for the release was created by artist Colin Marks (ORIGIN, EXODUS, NEVERMORE).

KATAKLYSM's latest album, "Heaven's Venom", sold around 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 8 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.