Danish thrash metal veterans ARTILLERY will enter the studio today (Sunday, March 24) to record two new songs — "Anno Requirem" and "Dies Irae".

The band is expected to return to the studio in June to track its new album for a late 2013 release. Other working songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Define Your Sins" and "Wardrum Heartbeat".

Singer Søren Adamsen left Danish ARTILLERY last year for personal reasons and was replaced by Michael Bastholm Dahl.

The ARTILLERY song "The Almighty" featuring Michael Bastholm Dahl's vocals can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track was recorded at Medley studio with producer Søren Andersen.

ARTILLERY will join Irish thrashers GAMA BOMB on the travelling thrash-fest, the Speed Of Sound Tour 2013. In May. Brazilian outfit TORTURE SQUAD will join the tour as special guests, with newcomers TANTARA from Norway completing the lineup.

ARTILLERY's Michael Stützer Hansen comments: “ARTILLERY is looking forward to thrash Europe together with the Irish Madmen and the Brazilian samba killers!"

ARTILLERY's South American tour in November featured the band's new lineup, which also includes drummer Josua Madsen alongside longtime bassist Peter Thorslund and founding members Morten and Michael Stützer on guitars.

Guitarist Lord Ahriman (real name: Mikael Svanberg) of Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL has posted the following message regarding the passing of his former bandmate, Swedish guitarist David Parland (pictured below; NECROPHOBIC, DARK FUNERAL, INFERNAL):

"A couple of days ago I was reached by the terrible news that my old brother David 'Blackmoon' Parland had passed away and entered the eternal fire once and for all. It's taken me a few days to grasp it all. And it still hurts a lot to even think to talk about it.

"During the last couple of weeks, I was in close contact with David. He was going through an extremely difficult time of life, whereof he contacted me to ask for my help.

"Even though the two of us had a bit of a complicated relationship over the years (much excessive in the media though), he knew that he could ALWAYS call or visit me when needed, which he also did once in a while.

"Last time I talked to him was when he called me on March 15. From what I could understand, things were going in the right direction. I also had some very good news for him, which he was very happy to hear about. What happened after that I simply can't understand. And I cant understand WHY he didn't call me (again).

"So close, so fucking close to get back on track, brother.

"Why?

"You will be missed deeply! May you reign forever and ever in the eternal hellfire.

"Hail the hordes!"

Parland died on March 19 at the age of 42. No cause of death has yet been revealed.

A founding member of the Swedish melodic death metal band NECROPHOBIC, Parland later went on to start DARK FUNERAL and make a melodic and essentialist version of black metal that later worked more occult heavy metal into the mix. After that, he joined INFERNAL and developed their unique style of intensely violent music.

A posting on the DeathMetal.org web site reads: "With the passing of Mr. Parland, death metal loses a talented musician and someone whose forward momentum launched more vital projects than most can dream of. It is hope that his legacy will not be forgotten."

According to a Facebook posting from Matte Modin (DARK FUNERAL, INFERNAL, DEFLESHED), Swedish guitarist David Parland (NECROPHOBIC, DARK FUNERAL, INFERNAL) died on March 19 at the age of 42. No cause of death has yet been revealed.

A founding member of the Swedish melodic death metal band NECROPHOBIC, Parland later went on to start DARK FUNERAL and make a melodic and essentialist version of black metal that later worked more occult heavy metal into the mix. After that, he joined INFERNAL and developed their unique style of intensely violent music.

A posting on the DeathMetal.org web site reads: "With the passing of Mr. Parland, death metal loses a talented musician and someone whose forward momentum launched more vital projects than most can dream of. It is hope that his legacy will not be forgotten."

In a November 2012 interview with Masterful Maga 'Zine, Parland stated about the break he took from the extreme metal scene between 2003 and 2008 and his decision to resurrect INFERNAL: "I wasn't actually tired of the scene, but rather tired of the struggling. Say, had I had easygoing killer musicians around me without any 'hang-ups,' I'd continue playing and thinking it was fun. Well, I can´t go too personal here, but there were quite a few personal problems during these years. I reactivated INFERNAL with a little more 'accessible' sound but still brutal and Satanic, in 2009/2010, with [drummer] Tomas Asklund (GORGOROTH, ex-DISSECTION), and we recorded the 'Infernal Return' EP, and had way more material. Tomas decided just after a while, for reasons I yet do not understand, to not be part. He didn't want to play live/rehearse, mainly be just a studio drummer. Unfortunately, it was a pretty ugly split in between us."

Parland previously described INFERNAL's most recent music as "a mix between old NECROPHOBIC (but with blast beats), DISSECTION, SLAYER and MORBID ANGEL. This compared to the old 'Satanic holocaust metal' style of the first two CDs, which almost solely consisted of ultra-fast blast beats and extreme Satanic chantings through the whole songs."

Metal Meltdown recently caught up with vocalist Henning Basse (ULI JON ROTH, SONS OF SEASONS, ex-METALIUM) to discuss a variety of subjects, including an aborted audition for SAVATAGE. During the interview Basse commented on meeting up with IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson in Los Angeles while on tour with Roth:

Basse: "Uli told me of course before, 'There might be a chance that Bruce Dickinson is coming up, and we have to jam with him, and you will be on stage with him singing his background vocals.' We wanted to do 'Mistreated' and 'Black Night,' and even maybe if he's in the mood for 'Run To The Hills'. So we were jamming that 'Run To The Hills' song the night before. It didn't work out, because he was working with Roy Z the whole day doing this solo record, and there wasn't any chance for him to sing live. I woke up, and I heard this really strong British accent in the back of the bus, so I came in and he was sitting there. He was really a gentleman, really down to earth, and we were chatting a bit and having a couple pictures."

Go to this location to read the complete interview and hear the audio.

Watch for updates on Dickinson's current plans in the coming weeks.

On March 19th, Dickinson attended the TeliaSonera Connect2Business 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden as the event's keynote speaker. A short clip of Dickinson's speech can be veiwed below:
As previously reported, Dickinson has scheduled a speaking engagement for Monday, June 3rd at Humber Business Week in Hull, England. According to Hull Daily Mail, the serial entrepreneur will share his philosophies of business and enterprise with guests at the Humber Business Luncheon at the KC Stadium.

Organised by East Yorkshire and the Humber IoD, Bruce will give guests an insight into how he manages to combine diverse business and personal interests across sectors and continents.

IoD chairman Richard Tuplin said: "The Humber Luncheon is one of the highlights of our events calendar – we always aim to secure high-profile speakers and this year is no exception.Bruce Dickinson is the lead singer of one of the world's greatest rock bands, a commercial pilot, business angel, entrepreneur and creative business thinker. With his captivating style and humour he is sure to entertain and motivate."

Dickinson was a speaker at the Harstadkonferansen (Harstad Conference) on January 25th in Harstad, Norway. He talked about projects in entrepreneurship, creativity, and the parallels between his music and career in business. Video footage from the event can be seen below:

Reunited '80s metallers WARLORD, featuring guitarist William J. Tsamis and drummer Mark S. Zonder (FATES WARNING), will perform at the Keep It True XVI festival, set to take place April 19-20 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Koenigshofen, Germany. This will mark the group's first appearance in eleven years — having last performed in 2002 in Itzehoe, Germany and at the Wacken Open Air festival.

WARLORD's lineup for Keep It True XVI will be as follows:

Giles Lavery (vocals)
William J Tsamis (guitar)
Mark S. Zonder (drums)
Philip Bynoe (bass)
Paolo Viani (guitar)
Angelo Vefeiadis (keyboards)

Commented Tsamis: "When Mark, Rick [Anderson], and I embarked on this new venture of doing a new WARLORD album, I had no intention of doing any live shows, mostly because of my health situation (as many of you know). However, when we were invited by Oliver Weinsheimer of Keep It True to headline that German festival, and when I received clearance from my doctor that I could physically endure such a trip to Europe, suddenly we were approached by Greek promoters as well. Now, Thessaloniki and Athens were on the table.

"I realized (along with Mark) that the WARLORD fans would primarily want to hear 'classic WARLORD.' And as you know, there is a distinction between the 'classic WARLORD' sound and the 'new WARLORD' sound (which will one day become 'classic' as well). Although Rick is the perfect (ideal) singer for the 'new' WARLORD, I knew we had to find someone who could approximate the 'higher-range' style of the early WARLORD vocalists. I had heard our friend Giles Lavery sing 'Lucifer's Hammer' already and I asked him to send me an audition tape of five songs . . . [Below] you will find excerpts from that audition tape (no 20-minute trailer here), and you will understand 'why' I (we) decided to go with someone like Giles, who is not only a great vocalist in the higher range (as well as the AOR style), but he is someone who has been a WARLORD fan since his youth, and is a person who understands the mindset of 'the WARLORD fan.' In sum, Rick is better suited to sing the new WARLORD material while Giles is better suited to sing the classic WARLORD material."

WARLORD released its new album, "The Holy Empire", earlier this month. The effort was made available on CD and digitally via Sons Of A Dream Music/Battle Hymns Music.

"The Holy Empire" was engineered and mastered by the multi-Grammy Award winner Phil Magnotti (FATES WARNING, OVERKILL, ARCH/MATHEOS, OSI).

Says WARLORD: "WARLORD is returning to Phil after his excellent work on the 'Rising Out Of The Ashes' album, as well as several FATES WARNING projects. Rest assured that the new WARLORD album will be of the highest-quality production."

WARLORD's last album, "Rising Out Of The Ashes", was released in July 2002 via Atrheia/Drakkar. The CD featured Tsamis and Zonder alongside HAMMERFALL vocalist Joacim Cans.

Finnish extreme black metallers SACRILEGIOUS IMPALEMENT have inked a deal with Woodcut Records who will release their third full-length, III - Lux Infera (which stands for The Light of Those Down Below, The Dead), on April 26th.
III - Lux Infera will feature the following tracks:
'Angel Graves'
'Down For Grim Lord'
'Scars For Scarred Ones'
'For Sins Of The Pigs'
'Through Punishing Gates'
'Behead The Infants Of God'
'Regain The Dormant Realm'
'His Gift Embodied'
'Deliverance From Unknown'

The preview track 'Down for Grim Lord' can be heard below:
In spite of several changes in line up within these years Sacrilegious Impalement has grown stronger through every year and release. SI's rows contains or has seen members from EVIL ANGEL, EXORDIUM, NEUTRON HAMMER, THE CRESCENT, URN, VITSAUS among others but the core of SI is Von Bastard (guitars, main songwriting), Tooloud (bass), Revenant (drums) and the new vocalist/lyricist Wrathprayer.
For more info visit Sacrilegiousimpalement.com.

Swedish "pop/metal" band DEAD BY APRIL has released the following statement:

"We're deeply sorry to inform you that Jimmie Strimell [vocals] no longer will be a part of DEAD BY APRIL. The reason we had to make this decision is because of Jimmie's personal problems. His problems has affected the band for many years and we have basically tried everything we could to make this work. We have even gone through group therapy lately to get honesty and sincerity into the group. As nothing changed, we had to realize that if we want to move forward with this band, there's, unfortunately, no other way but to continue without Jimmie. We're sick of not knowing whether he'll turn up for shows, recordings and sick of having such bad environment within the band — at all times. It came to a point where we could not be in the same vehicle. We also want to strongly declare that DEAD BY APRIL is against drugs — an important statement for us to make in a time were we know a lot of our fans are young.

"With unforgettable memories and great times together, we'd like to thank Jimmie for these years. We hope for your support and understanding about this; That we would never announce this decision unless it was absolutely necessary and our only choice.

"With that said, we also have some good news to announce. We have found our replacement and we want to introduce you to Christoffer 'Stoffe' Andersson, whom previously been performing as replacer in SONIC SYNDICATE and been in Markus' [bass] other band BY NIGHT. He's live and kicking and it's been years since we've been this excited. He's absolutely awesome! Stoffe is a firm member of the band and will obviously be a part of the live shows to come and the record we're currently recording.

"DEAD BY APRIL is here to stay and the forthcoming tour is happening and we're currently recording to what will become our third album to date. We'll release an EP of tracks by May to support the extensive European tour we'll be on. We hope to see you all there."

A photo of the new DEAD BY APRIL lineup can be seen below.

DEAD BY APRIL's second studio album, "Incomparable", was released in Sweden on September 21, 2011 through Universal Music. Produced by Swedish studio-meister Jacob Hellner (RAMMSTEIN) in his own Big Island Studio in Stockholm, the CD was mixed by fellow RAMMSTEIN regular Stefan Glaumann and features session guitar work from Pontus Hjelm, who left DEAD BY APRIL in 2010 to focus more on the writing and production side; his songs (including "More Than Yesterday", a demo version of which was included on the compilation mini-album "Stronger", released via Spinefarm) also feature, providing the all-important continuity with the self-titled debut, a Top 2 outing in Sweden.

On March 22nd, the reunited SAIGON KICK performed together live for the first time in 20 years in St. Petersburg, FL at State Theater. The band's set consisted of tracks taken from their self-titled debut and their second record, The Lizard. More fan-filmed video has surfaced online and can be viewed below.

Guitarist Jason Bieler also checked in with the following update:

"Thanks to everyone who came out and sold out The State Theater last night; truly humbling. We were more than a little rusty but you guys made the night amazing...so again, thanks!"
The band's live schedule is now as follows:

March
29 - Las Vegas, NV - Vampd
30 - West Hollywood, CA - The Viper Room (SOLD OUT)

April
11 - New York, NY - Webster Hall

More on Saigon Kick at this location.

Last week, the Norwegian thrash metallers CRITICAL SOLUTION announced the special appearances of Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE) and Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) on their upcoming album. This week, the band reveals the full details for this debut full-length.

The band's debut CD is titled Evil Never Dies and the release date has been set for May 16th. This debut full-length is a concept album and tells the story of Wallace Green: Wallace and his company are sailing to Sad Hill, where he assassinates the king, with his own life to follow. After Wallace's death, he makes a deal with the devil to live again and becomes the Soulmaker. He does his evil agenda and spreads terror across the world.

Evil Never Dies was recorded at Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden.

Vocalist/Guitarist Christer Slettebø about the whole experience: "To release this album is absolutely amazing! One of many dreams is coming true for us. Also to be so honored to have both Whitfield Crane and Andy LaRocque on the album as guests, well its fuckin' rad! So it is great to finally get the album out and we hope people will like it!"

Evil Never Dies tracklisting:

'God Of Anarchy'
'Sad Hill'
'Crime Of Passion'
'Wallace Green'
'This Burning Hate'
'The Execution'
'Dead Man Walkin''
'Evil Never Dies'
'Soulmaker'
'Hell's Warrior'
'War Machine'

Bonus Tracks:
'Speed King' (DEEP PURPLE cover)
'Killed By Death' (MOTÖRHEAD cover)*
'Seek And Destroy' (METALLICA cover)**

* Featuring Whitfield Crane and Andy LaRocque
** Featuring Andy LaRocque

A sample for the song 'God Of Anarchy' has been uploaded here.

A teaser for 'Killed By Death' featuring Witfield Crane and Andy La Rocque can be viewed below:
For more details visit Facebook.

Best known for his innovative and unique guitar work with YES and FLASH, as well as his own critically acclaimed solo albums, guitar legend PETER BANKS passed away at his home in London on March 8th.
Former BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has written a poem in his memory.

Says Ward: "Because of the seemingly bleak circumstances and limited information about the death of Peter Banks, I reacted quite sadly to the news and felt driven to write this poem.

A Poem for Peter Banks

How can this be
I didn’t plan for it to be like this
Mine was a far more grandiose end.
Aloneness in life
Aloneness in death
Who will say a kind word,
Have I pushed you all away, so much I cannot be recognized
Will no one stand for me, now, in these moments of closure, and passing.
It isn’t cold anymore,
And hunger has left me
My predicaments still undone in life, are somehow in death solved.

I can no longer hear silence, is there no one to champion me
One voice will be enough
I’m worth something, it’ll mean everything to me
Dark shadows betray me not, seek another in ruin, to commit your slanderous verbiage upon
Leave me, rant and drag down and complete your next victim’s demise
Your emptiness is un-radiant.

No matter what I’ve done
Or who I became
When one voice speaks
The loneliness cannot circle me
When one voice validates me
I can rest in peace"

Finnish melodic death metallers CODE FOR SILENCE have issued the following update:

"Very sad to announce that CFS part ways with drummer Rolf Pilve. It's time for him to lend his incredible talent to the tours with Stratovarius full-time! Wanna underline there's no drama involved and we understand each other 100%! We wanna thank Rolf from the bottom of our hearts for these years in CFS and wish absolutely nothing but the best in the future! It's been an honor!

But 'there's a storm coming, Mr. Wayne.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you... Mr. Samuli Saari!!
Code For Silence recently released their full discography on one double-CD featuring Eyes World Shut and World D.ecaying M.atter/O. rganic N.emesis on February 22nd via Inverse Records.

Founded in 2006, Code For Silence is a seven-piece from Jyväskylä, Finland. The band's line-up consists of battle-hardened musicians from various other groups such as STRATOVARIUS, BEYOND THE DREAM, NO SIGN OF LIFE, SOLUTION .45, DARK DAYS AHEAD and SONS OF AEON.

According to a press release, "Eyes World Shut is darker and more progressive than its predecessor, 2009's D.M.O.N. and offers its listener a selection of groovy riffs, catchy choruses, crazy carnival-esque sequences and industrial sounds. Add Stratovarius drummer Rolf Pilve's relentless drumming and you have a winning combination."



Tracklisting for Eyes World Shut is as follows:
‘Rose Blooms In Bloodred’
‘Flashbacking One Night Stand’
‘Death Bringer’
‘Brothers’
‘Art of Being A Coward’
‘Eye For An Eye’
‘Neo-Synchronized Capone Dance’
‘Release the Hounds’
‘Deathrace’
‘On The Streets Of A Sleeping City’



D.ecaying M.atter/O.rganic N.emesis tracklisting is as follows:

‘...For I Am A Demon’
‘Worst Case Scenario’
‘Lady Delmore’
‘Deathmatch’
‘The Day’
‘New Form Of Therapy’
‘Havoc’
‘Fields Of Nomore’
‘Giant Man’

The band recently released the music video for the track ‘The Art Of Being A Coward’. Check it out below:

And finally all the vocal recordings for the new CD are done!

This is already enough good reason to open a bottle of wine to celebrate, as the feeling is that we are almost there…

I always love to experiment new things with my voice and this last song we recorded with my engineer in Buenos Aires, Mario, was not an exception.


This song I decided some time ago that it will be the closing track of the album. It was challenging to write about the story of “Medusa”.

Just before travelling to L.A. to work with Jim the orchestra and choir arrangements I run into Eugenio’s studio to take new promotional photos.

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION — the Anglo-American rock group comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, FOREIGNER), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER, BILLY IDOL) and blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa — is officially "over" following Bonamassa's decision to exit the project. Hughes writes on his Facebook page: "Joe left and will not allow us to keep the name... Nice, huh? Jason, Derek and I will continue with a different name when the time is right."

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released its third album, "Afterglow", last October amid a public feud between Hughes and Bonamassa.

The war of words goes back to early September, when Hughes began telling journalists that Bonamassa's solo touring schedule was preventing BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION from touring and fulfilling its potential. He stated that if the situation didn't change, "Afterglow" could be the group's last recording project.

Asked about the current status of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, Bonamassa told PremierGuitar.com earlier this month: "As far as I'm concerned, my involvement is pretty much done, and I'll tell you why: Originally, I did it for the same reasons I did the stuff with Beth Hart and ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY — it was an excuse to play a different kind of music that I don't get to play normally.

"The first two records were a blast — the band is fantastic when the Ritalin kicks in, the ADD goes away, and everyone's focused. It's a devastatingly good rock band of the early-1970s type, and Glenn is a fantastic singer — just one of the best ever. So I did it and did a nine-week tour in 2011 that really, by the end of it, wasn't fun for me. It wasn't because I didn't like the cats in the band, but it was just too much — too much involved in getting people from place to place and getting the band onstage. Everybody seemed to be very tense, and it made my crew very tense, and it's not the way I like to tour. I run a family — I have 21 people who go on the road with me all the time, and if you asked them who was the cause of the least of their problems, they would say me. Unless there was no Diet Coke — then it's a huge [expletive] problem, and either I'm going to the supermarket or somebody else is. [laughs]

"But it just wasn't fun for me anymore. All the stuff that Glenn says in the media, essentially pinning it on me — that I was the reason for the band's lack of touring and the band's lack of future. It became rapidly not fun at all. It would be dishonest of me to get onstage and pretend like I'm having fun to please the band. I'm just not the guitar player for that band, but, unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any out-of-work guitar players in L.A. that they can get. There are so many guys that can fill that role and I would be the first guy to queue up and buy a ticket. So that's my story with it. I'm happily not involved anymore, but I'm happy with the legacy that I left with that band and happy with the records we made. It was a great three years for me."

"Afterglow" sold 8,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart.

2011's "2" CD from BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION opened with 8,000 units to land at No. 71.

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's self-titled debut album registered a first-week tally of 7,100 copies to enter the chart at No. 54.

Just like its two predecessors, "Afterglow" was overseen by Kevin Shirley, whose catalog of hit records for LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, JOURNEY, THE BLACK CROWES and many more has made him one of the hottest producers that rock music has to offer. Shirley — who had the idea of putting Hughes and Bonamassa together in a band together after seeing them jamming onstage in Los Angeles back in November 2009 — was previously described as the group's unofficial "fifth member."

Webisode #1:

Due to "unforeseen circumstances," singer Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) was unable to join his bandmates in DIO DISCIPLES on the Monsters Of Rock cruise, which embarked on its second voyage March 16 and returned four days later. Filling in for Owens in DIO DISCIPLES on the Monsters Of Rock cruise was former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ROYAL HUNT and ULI JON ROTH vocalist Mark Boals.

Fan-filmed video footage of DIO DISCIPLES' performance can be seen below.

DIO DISCIPLES is the group which pays tribute to legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) and is fully supported by Dio's widow/manager, Wendy Dio. In addition to Owens, DIO DISCIPLES' current lineup includes Scott Warren (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) on keyboards, Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB) on vocals, Craig Goldy (DIO) on guitar, Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) on bass and Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, RHINO BUCKET, UFO) on drums.

Goldy previously stated about DIO DISCIPLES: "After Ronnie's passing and a lengthy mourning period, Wendy Dio and the band that was left behind have decided it was time to honor and keep the memory and legacy of Ronnie James Dio alive in the most respectful way possible!

"There is something special that happens when a group of people gather together with the same heart, mind and spirit as one another... and that is what happens every night we (the DIO DISCIPLES) perform! I never know when... but I know that it will happen because it always does... some time during the concert, the audience and the band connect and become as one!

"And with the large speaker system, lights and special performances by past members of AC/DC, JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and LYNCH MOB... you don't want to rely on all the crappy little cell phone recordings that look and sound like shit posted on YouTube!

"I've never lied about anything to any DIO fan and I'm not about to start now! Every time we perform there's always several very special moments that just can't be defined into words! You just have to trust me and come experience it for yourselves! And I hope you do!"

Much to the excitement of hard rock fans around the globe, FIREHOUSE guitarist Bill Leverty has released "Drive", a new CD of classic rock covers — guaranteed to thrill even the hardest of rockers! Covers include songs from bands and artists such as CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, LITTLE FEAT, THE OHIO PLAYERS, THREE DOG NIGHT, ERIC CLAPTON, EDGAR WINTER, THE GUESS WHO, STEVIE WONDER, STEELY DAN and RARE EARTH.

Says Bill: "These songs were all very personal. In choosing these songs to cover, each had to be a song that I loved before I started playing guitar, that I still love today, a song that hadn't been covered to death in the genre, and a song that I thought I could put my own spin on, while still staying true to the original recordings. That narrowed it down to these ten songs."

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Bill Leverty and FIREHOUSE first gained recognition in 1991 when they won the "Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist" from the American Music Awards. Signed to Epic Records, FIREHOUSE would go on to release several hit songs throughout the '90s such as "Don't Treat Me Bad", "Love Of A Lifetime", "All She Wrote" and "Reach The Sky", to name a few. The band sold over two million copies of their debut album, "Firehouse", and close to a million copies of their second album, "Hold Your Fire", in the U.S. alone. For their third release, the band secured the production chores of famed producer Ron Nevison (LED ZEPPELIN, OZZY OSBOURNE, DAMN YANKEES, UFO). "Firehouse 3" went on to be another big seller, especially in Asia. Their next release, "Good Acoustics", the first of several albums produced by Bill Leverty, won them a gold record in several countries. FIREHOUSE would go on to release five more well-received critically acclaimed albums as well as successful world tours throughout the 2000s. The band to this day continues to tour playing their back catalog of hits to cheering fans everywhere and has sold over six million units worldwide.

In the mid-2000s, Bill Leverty released several musically diverse solo albums — "Wanderlust" (2004), "Southern Exposure" (2007) and "Deep South" (2009).

"Drive" track listing:

01. Fortunate Son (CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL)
02. Spanish Moon (LITTLE FEAT)
03. Free Ride (EDGAR WINTER)
04. One (THREE DOG NIGHT)
05. I Shot The Sheriff (ERIC CLAPTON)
06. Fire (THE OHIO PLAYERS)
07. No Time (THE GUESS WHO)
08. Jesus Children Of America (STEVIE WONDER)
09. Rikki Don't Lose That Number (STEELY DAN)
10. I Just Want To Celebrate (RARE EARTH)

Sweden’s ELDKRAFT has signed with Poison Tongue and its full-length debut album Shaman will be released in May 24th and 27th in Europe via Metal Blade Records on CD and LP and on May 28th on CD through Poison Tongue.
The first single from the album ‘Gammal Krigare’ can be seen below:
Comments Poison Tongue founder/PRIMORDIAL singer A.A. Nemtheanga on his latest signing: "I was turned on to Eldkraft by Mortuus from MARDUK and instantly recognized even its raw demo form here was something genuine, and it had the potential to be a massive pagan metal album. Not the cartoon stuff but the real deal, immersed in ancient shamanism and traditions with the spirit of BATHORY somewhere deep in its bones…Eldkraft!"

With a record deal firmly in place, ELDKRAFT immortalized ten songs for their debut album in their own studio Epidemic, while N. Fjellstrom recorded the drums in studio Necromorbus. Mixing and mastering was completed under the watchful eye of Magnus Devo Andersson of Endarker Studio Sweden.

Shaman tracklisting:
‘Gammal Krigare’
‘Undrets Tid’
‘Fate’s Door’
‘Moder Liv Till Grav’
‘Ursprungskallan’
‘Patterns’
‘Granslos Grans’
‘Grey Man’
‘I Dodens Famn’
‘Rimthrus’

Eldkraft is:
J. Sandin – all vocals and keys
H. Carlsson – all guitars and bass
N. Fjellstrom – drums

Greenfield, MA-based bashers LICH KING, who are currently unsigned, have issued an open letter to former SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo, who was handed his walking papers prior to the band's Australian tour in February. Check it out below:
"Mr. Lombardo,

What with your contract woes with Slayer, it seems you are now no longer a member. Well, Dave, they say with every door that closes, another opens. A big door with our logo on it has just swung wide.

That's right, you just got called up to the big leagues. We'd like to invite you to drum for Lich King.

We are the world's premier unsigned western Massachusetts thrash metal band, and a position with us carries a great deal of clout and privilege. In addition to the twelve dollars we can give you out of our pay split after EVERY SHOW, we are willing to offer you a signing bonus of ome hundred and one (1) gift certificate for $20 at Red Robin.

Your duties will include:
• Drumming
• Hauling gear
• Driving long hours on tour
• Providing us with a practice space because ours belongs to our current drummer Brian
• Booking tours (also a Brian duty)
• Doing the band accounting (another Brian job)
• Recording and producing our albums (Brian again)
• Telling Brian he's fired

A caveat: we already have a Dave in the band, and to avoid confusion, you will have to pick a different first name. I think Steve Lombardo has a nice ring to it, but the choice is yours so long as it does not clash with any of our names and it passes our approval by a majority vote.

If you accept our terms, there will of course be an audition. We can't just let you in without seeing what you can do. Practice up on any three of our songs. We can send you the mp3s to practice to (we will deduct the 99 cents per song from your future earnings) and can schedule your audition at your convenience.

We await your response."

Cordially,
Tom, Dave, Joe & Rob
Lich King

For information on Lich King go to this location.
On a more serious note, at the beginning of March, Lombardo responded to the outpouring of support since being replaced by Jon Dette (also ANTHRAX) on the band's trip Down Under to Australia's Soundwave 2013.

"I have always known that my fans were awesome! But never has it been more clear to me than in the past two weeks, how passionate, supportive and sincere you really are. Thank you for all your kind responses and I hope to see you all very soon."

Lombardo claims he wasn’t paid for the band’s 2012 tour (aside from a small advance), and that he was told he would not be paid until he signed a long form contract which gave him no written assurance of how much or on what basis management would deduct commissions, nor did it provide him access to the financial budgets or records for review. It also forbade him to do interviews or make statements having to do with the band, in effect a gagging order. Read his full statement here.

Slayer's statement about Lombardo reads as follows:

"As regards [to] Dave Lombardo’s Facebook post, Slayer does not agree with Mr. Lombardo’s substance or the timeline of the events, except to acknowledge that Mr. Lombardo came to the band less than a week before their scheduled departure for Australia to present an entirely new set of terms for his engagement that were contrary to those that had been previously agreed upon. The band was unable to reach an agreement on these new demands in the short amount of time available prior to leaving for Australia. There is more to the account than what Mr. Lombardo has offered, but out of respect to him, Slayer will not be commenting further.”

Houston, Texas dark heavy metal band VENOMOUS MAXIMUS has signed to Napalm Records. The independent record label will issue the band's critically acclaimed new album, "Beg Upon The Light", for the first time in Europe this summer while the group prepares music for its next full-length recording, slated for an early 2014 release.

VENOMOUS MAXIMUS is one of the most successful metal bands to emerge from Houston in years, beloved of headbangers and headbanging blogs from across the U.S. and points beyond. Since its formation in 2010, the group has risen to the top of the music scene in the country's third-largest city, winning back-to-back honors at the Houston Press Music Awards as the Space City's "Best Metal Band".

In the time since the North American release of "Beg Upon The Light", the LP has met with rave reviews, being called "Lovecraftian" and a "masterpiece" by Metal Injection, "mayhem without mercy" by Decibel, "super-thick occult doom" by Rhapsody and "the best metal album to come out of Texas in a long, long time" by the Houston Press.

A live powerhouse, VENOMOUS MAXIMUS toured the U.S. as hand-picked guests of New Orleans metal titans DOWN and created a huge buzz last week at two slaying gigs as part of Austin's South By Southwest festival.

On bringing the band into the label's family, Napalm Records A&R man Sebastian Muench states: "Sometimes, very seldom, you get the chance to discover a band that brings back the same feelings you first had when you listened as a teenager for the first time to METALLICA's 'Ride The Lightning' or BLACK SABBATH's 'Paranoid'. You just know you've found something very magical and are hooked for life. VENOMOUS MAXIMUS is such a band and and we are thrilled, excited and tremendously honored to call them part of the Napalm family."

Check out VENOMOUS MAXIMUS' new video — for the ripping track "Path of Doom" — below.

On December 14th, 1995, METALLICA payed tribute to MOTÖRHEAD at the Whiskey A Go Go in West Hollywood, CA. Metallica called themselves THE LEMMYS for the performance and played seven Motörhead covers for Lemmy’s 50th birthday party.
Lemmy Kilmister told VH1.com: “They all dressed up as me, and I thought that was great. They all had long black wigs on and penciled-in mustaches, and a tattoo drawn on one arm, with a black marker. Besides, they got their tattoos on the wrong arm, too, every one of them.”

Lars Ulrich told Metallica fanzine So What!: “After some initial hesitation, I also don the wig and shades (try playing Motörhead songs when you have a 3-foot black wig on and can’t see shit!!), and as we walk towards the Whisky stage (for the first time since supporting Saxon in 1982!!) the fuckin' look on people’s faces.. classic. I start ‘Overkill,’ immediatley swallow half the wig, but... who gives a fuck and off we go!”

Whisky A Go Go has uploaded in-house video footage of the performance. Check it out below:

Rock Hard Live has uploaded quality video footage of singer poet, illustrator, author and activist Otep Shamaya's entire March 8 performance at Ace Of Spades in Sacramento, California. Check it out below.

Otep kicked off the "Seduce And Destroy" headlining tour in Sacramento, covering the entire U.S. over seven weeks. Support is coming from ONE EYED DOLL and PICTURE ME BROKEN.

Shamaya's sixth full-length studio album, "Hydra", sold around 2,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 155 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on January 22 via Victory Records.
"Atavist", the fifth full-length album from Otep (2011), opened with 7,000 units to land at No. 61.

Shamaya's 2009 CD, "Smash The Control Machine", registered a first-week tally of 10,400 copies to enter the chart at No. 47.

Otep's "Apex Predator" video can be seen below. Directed by P.R. Brown (SLIPKNOT, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, CHEVELLE, DEVICE), the clip "is uncut and uncensored! It might even get banned in a few places for its sexual and violent content, but the message is important. Challenging phobias, hypocrisies and delighting the vices in your mind," commented Otep.

Performance:

Last night (March 21st) LED ZEPPELIN received the inaugural International Lifetime Achievement Award, at the ECHO awards in Berlin, Germany last night (March 21st). Both Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones accepted the award on behalf of the band.

SCORPIONS' legends Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker attended the event. The band received the very same lifetime achievement award at the ECHO awards in 2009.
"A very special moment for me last night when Klaus and I met Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin," Schenker remarked. "Jimmy Page is still my hero."
“As long as we can be an inspiration, either as a group or individually or whatever… I mean as far as I’m concerned, that is my life time achievement: that people will be inspired by the music,” said guitarist Jimmy Page.

Check out a video report below:

Finnish extreme metal non-profit Blood Music has set an April 17 release date for the incredibly long-overdue vinyl worship session of every last bit of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's music one could ever ask for.

The monstrous limited edition 7xLP box set discography will contain all five STRAPPING YOUNG LAD full-lengths, as well as extra vinyl dedicated to the band's non-album material, plus other special gifts yet to be announced.

The genre-busting Canadian industrial/death band has never seen their seminal albums "Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing", "SYL" nor "The New Black" touch wax before. Their other two records — "City" and "Alien" — were pressed in ultra-limited numbers of 500 copies only and sold out within months of their release.

The front cover for every STRAPPING YOUNG LAD album was re-designed and re-imagined for the new SYL "The Complete Works" box set by Travis Smith of Seempieces in conjunction with Devin Townsend and Jed Simon of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and Blood Music, compiling the pieces into a uniform collection. The designs were based on the albums' original artworks and aural feeling.

Pictured below is the new cover for STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's "SYL" album.

Blood Music is a Finnish non-profit, whose mission is the anthropological preservation of extreme metal culture. They were formed in an attic in Tampere, Finland in early 2011. Their first action was a MAUDLIN OF THE WELL vinyl box set. MAUDLIN OF THE WELL had been attempting a vinyl release for nearly 10 years. This sold out within a month of release. Their future actions include in-house documentary productions on the subject of metal, fund-raising and grant-making for writers, and local extreme metal workshops in Helsinki. They have an in-house vinyl division for releasing classic/rare albums that have not seen the proper light-of-day on wax, which includes a full slate of releases for 2012, which will be rolled out throughout the year.

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD was a heavily-loved Canadian extreme metal band who genre-bent from progressive death to industrial metal in the blink of an eye. They are most well-known for their unique leader, Devin Townsend, whose dark lyrical humor and insane stage antics catapulted them into every '90s high school metalhead's dreams. Townsend has gone on to further acclaim in his solo act, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT.

For more information, visit www.blood-music.com.

KEEL frontman Ron Keel joined '80s hard rock queen 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.

Lita last year revealed that "Close My Eyes Forever" came about by accident during a night of drinking and getting stoned when she was being managed by Ozzy's wife, Sharon. She recalled to Metal Underground: "'Close My Eyes Forever' was a mistake. It was just me and Ozzy and Sharon hanging about in the recording studio. They showed up one day and had a housewarming present for me: a life-size duplicate of Koko, the gorilla from the San Diego Zoo. It was freaking huge — I had to strap it in the front seat of my jeep to get it home. Ozzy stayed, Sharon got bored and left, and me and Ozzy had a couple of drinks and we were jamming. We started singing, messing about and we wrote 'Close My Eyes Forever'. Next thing I knew the sun was coming up. I looked at him and went, 'Uh-oh, we're in trouble.' Sharon had been waiting all night. We were a long way from where Ozzy had to go. He said, 'Can you drive me home?' I said, 'No, I can't.' We were stoned out of our minds. He got into a cab and I strapped Koko into my jeep and drove home — just barely made it. And then we had this hit song."

Lita's new solo album, "Living Like A Runaway", was released on June 19, 2012 in North America via SPV/Steamhammer. 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.

According to the Courthouse News Service, a brain cancer patient who attended a KISS concert in St. Louis last year has sued show promoter Live Nation and others, claiming that he was injured by a flying debris from a cannon.

The alleged incident occurred during the final song of KISS' set, "Rock And Roll All Nite" (see video below), when William Mueller Jr. claims the cannon "exploded and with great force launched a metal ratchet tie-down strap" that hit him while he was standing at his assigned seat.

"(P)rior to this incident plaintiff had been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer (Esthesioneuroblastoma) and had experienced major surgeries and intense radiation therapy," Mueller says in the complaint. "At the time of his injury, plaintiff's body was in a weakened and vulnerable condition.

"Defendants owed to plaintiff the duty to exercise the highest degree of care for his safety. Defendants actions, conduct, or omissions were negligent, negligent per se, or both and were not those of a reasonably prudent person."

The members of KISS are not a parties to the complaint, which was filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court.

New York City rockers KILLCODE have signed with CME Records to release their debut, entitled Killcode, produced by Stacy O’Dell, via CME Records / Mega Force / Sony (RED) Music on Tuesday, June 11th in North America.

The new track, 'Devil's Song', is streaming below:

Free music player widget at ReverbNation.com

The five guys who make up Killcode didn’t have to rise from the ashes or go through some spiritual quest to find themselves where they are now. It just happened that they are all that is rock and roll: a raw southern raunchy sound, full of feel, groove and attitude from the streets and alleys of New York City.

Having shared the stage with GODSMACK, SEVENDUST and members of FUEL before being signed to CME Records and having headlined sold out shows in the most prestigious concert venues in New York City - The Mercury Lounge, The Gramercy Theater, Highline Ballroom, Webster Hall and Irving Plaza - Killcode, are now taking the next step to garner the worldwide vindication they so deserve.
Killcode is a five piece band based in New York City. Their unique sound is a product of their diverse influences and has been described as “Southern infused metal / rock with modern vocals”. Killcode's songs are hooky super charged sing along anthems with big guitars and driving rhythms.

The members of Killcode - Tom Morrissey (Lead Vocals), Chas (Guitar/Back-Up Vox), Pat Harrington (Guitar), Erric Bonesmith (Bass/Back-Up Vox), Rob Noxious (Drums) - live, breathe and bleed rock and roll.

Lead vocalist Tom Morrissey says, “Nothing is promised nor guaranteed. your success is earned with hard work, honesty and integrity. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
More on Killcode at this location.

South Wales metallers TRIAXIS have unveiled the music video for ‘Black Trinity’ taken from the album Rage And Retribution, which was released on October 8th, 2012 via Rocksector Records. The video was directed by Adam Stevenson and filmed at Swansea Metropolitan University in September 2012.

Check out the video below:
Triaxis is currently on tour and will be playing at summer festivals, but there will also be a show in Manchester on April 18th, opening for QUEENSRŸCHE, also with ABSOLVA.
Triaxis tour dates:

March
23 – Belgium, Germany – Wizzfest

April
18 – Manchester, UK – The Ritz
26 – Ebbw Vale, UK – Odin’s

May
3 – Burnley, UK – Sanctuary
4 – Liverpool, UK – The Lomax

June
29 – Scotland, UK – LesFest
30 – Scotland, UK – LesFest

July
20 – Manchester, UK – SOS Festival
21 – Manchester, UK – SOS Festival

August
10 – Belgium, Germany – Erpe-Mere, Summerrock
24 – Stoke, UK – SCARfest

September
7 – Shildon, UK – Cradle Will Rock Fest

Brutally technical deathcore from France, YEARS OF TYRANTS will release their debut EP, Leading The Blind, on April 2nd in France via Season Of Mist, May 6th in The UK via Code 7, and on May 7th in North America via MVD. The cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
'Stronger Than All'
'Through Infamy'
'Infestation Of Larvae'
'(Interlude)'
'Euthanasia'
'This World Is Ours'
'Leading The Blind'
'This Is Meat'
'Of Those Who Wasted It All'

Produced at the Iguana studio (NECROPHAGIST) with RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR and ex-RESISTANCE members, Leading The Blind is 23+ minutes (nine tracks) worth of blasting parts and genre-specific breakdowns, coupled with dark melodies and atmospheres."

A video trailer for Leading The Blind can be viewed below:
Years Of Tyrants is:

Arnaud Carpentier - vocals
Jordy Deregnaucourt - guitar
Benoit Peichert - guitar
Vincent Guerin - bass
Thibaut Wydau - drums

French death/black metal pirates, based in Saint Malo, AGONY OF THE BLEEDING FLESH will release their first CD, Everlasting Piracy, on March 30th in auto production. This is their first album since their creation in 2007. The artwork was created by Metastazis Studios. Mix and mastering duties were handled by Francois Duguest (DIAPSIQUIR) and Zoe (THE CNK, HERRSCHAFT).
Everlasting Piracy tracklisting:
‘Those Buried Treasures’
‘The Call Of The Sea’
‘Return From Death’
‘Invading Souls’
‘Blood Of The Lords’
‘To Penetrate’
‘Pas De Pitie, Pas De Remords’

Check out the song ‘Invading Souls’ below:
Agony Of The Bleeding Flesh is:
Erwan Daniel – vocals
Hugo Moerman – guitar
Adrien Albant – bass
Damien Laroche – guitar
Baptiste Tordeux - drums

The album is only available at the band’s webshop.

Vancouver-based OVER THE COALS have released their new four song EP via Bandcamp. Songs on offer include 'My Worth', 'Black July', 'Broken Design' and 'Heretic'. Pick it up via Bandcamp.com or use the widget below:
Over The Coals by Over The Coals

Over The Coals is:

Max Matthews - drums
Adam Repetowski - guitars
Susie Myers - vocals
Ryan Skuce - bass
Richard Kingston - guitars

The band recently released a new video for their song 'My Worth', which is expected to appear on the band's forthcoming EP. Check it out below: