Maryland rockers POLKADOT CADAVER have just released their new music video, for 'Last Call In Jonestown', the title track from their new full length, Last Call In Jonestown, which comes out May 14th via Razor To Wrist Records. The release features a guest appearance from Neil Fallon of CLUTCH. The album was produced by Polkadot Cadaver, Steve Wright, and Drew Lamond at Wrightway Studios in Baltimore, MD.

Check out the new video below:
Vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Todd Smith comments on both the band's upcoming tour and the new music video, “Horror filmmaker Brian Williams put together our video for 'Last Call in Jonestown', which ended up as a perfect visual compliment to the song IMO. We are excited to join PSYCHOSTICK and DOWNTOWN BROWN for our spring tour!”

Psychostick recently announced Our Tour Can Beat Up Your Tour, which includes various dates with Polkadot Cadaver and Downtown Brown.

Guitarist Josh "The J" Key commented: "It's about time we toured with Polkadot Cadaver! And the funniest band we've ever toured with, Downtown Brown, too? All I can say is: if you hate fun, don't go to this show... you might have such a good time that you could suffer a brain aneurysm."
Tour dates:

March
7 - Springfield, MO - Outland Ballroom
8 - Tulsa, OK - Vanguard Music Hall
9 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Chameleon Room
16 - Corpus Christi, TX - Theo's
19 - New Orleans, LA - Hangar 13
20 - Pascagoula, MS - Thunder's Tavern
21 - Orlando, FL - Bombshell
22 - Jacksonville, FL - Brewster's Pit
23 - St. Petersburg, FL - The Local*
24 - Cocoa, FL - The Hippodrome*
26 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade**
28 - Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theater**
29 - Dayton, OH - McGuffy's House of Rock**
30 - Toledo, OH - Lucas County Rec Center***
31 - Muskegon, MI - Club Envy**

April
2 - Waterloo, IA - The Reverb**
3 - Madison, WI - The Frequency**
4 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's**
5 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews**
9 - Denver, CO - Moe's**
12 - Sauget, IL - Pop's**
13 - Kansas City, KS - The Aftershock**
17 - South Bend, IN - Cheer's Pub
18 - Battle Creek, MI - Planet Rock
19 - Flint, MI - The Machine Shop
20 - Sandusky, OH - The Underground
21 - Mansfield, OH - Planet Rock

May
2 - Reading, PA - The Reverb**
3 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's**

* with Polkadot Cadaver
** with Polkadot Cadaver and Downtown Brown
*** with Polkadot Cadaver, Downtown Brown, and Nonpoint

Tampa, Florida-based metallers DARK SERMON have released their first single, 'Imperfect Contrition'. The single is the first off their all new LP, In Tongues, due out later this month.
The fast, riff-oriented track will instantly cause spontaneous headbanging in metalheads around the globe, particularly with its hooky breakdown.

“The lyrics tell the story of a man who can no longer live with himself,” explains front man Johnny Crowder. “A man whose future has been shrouded by his sinful past. All he can do is beg for forgiveness from God, who has witnessed every wrong move he has made.”

An official lyric video for the track can be seen below:
Dark Sermon recently inked a Europe-wide deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's upcoming debut full-length, In Tongues, which will be released on March 26th in North America via eOne / Good Fight Music, will be available in Europe on April 12th.
In Tongues tracklisting:

'The Sheperd's Staff'
'Imperfect Contrition'
'Hounds'
'The Scales Of Justice'
'Cursed'
'Forfeit I- The Crooked Quill'
'Forfeit II- Worn Thin'
'The Tree Of New Life'
'Carcass'
'Testament'
'In Tongues'

The debut was recorded at Audio Hammer Studios with world renowned artist Eeiran Kantor (HATEBREED, TESTAMENT) being tapped to create Dark Sermon's first official record cover. The official video for the title track can be seen below:
Tour dates:

March
8 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck
9 - Hamilton, ON - Club Absinthe
10 - London, ON - APK Live
12 - Clinton Township, MI - The Detroit Pub
13 - Riverview, MI - The Crimson Lounge
14 - Indianapolis, IN - Hoosier Dome
15 - Dayton, OH - Rockstar Pro Arena
16 - Ringgold, GA - Cloud Springs Deli
17 - Albany, GA - Knights of Columbus
29 - Tampa, FL - Epic Problem
30 - Sarasota, FL - Payne Park
31 - Miami, FL - Churchill's Pub
Dark Sermon lineup:

Johnny Crowder - Vocals
Austin Good - Guitar
Neal Minor - Guitar
Austin Chandler - Bass
Bryson St. Angelo - Drums

More on Dark Sermon at this location.

Italian progressive metal band, ODD DIMENSION, has titled their new album The Last Embrace To Humanity. Scarlet Records will be releasing the album on March 26th.

The album, which is the follow-up from their 2011 debut Symmetrical, is centered on a concept about the alienation of mankind, in a time where everything tends to be severely damaged or destroyed in the name of progress. A guest appearance by singer Michele Luppi (VISION DIVINE, SECRET SPHERE, THAUROROD) in the song ‘It’s So Late’ has also been announced.

The new release was recorded by Simone Mularoni (DGM) at Domination Studios in San Marino, Italy, Odd Studios, Italy, and MiLu’s Rock Lab II, Italy, between September and December 2012, mixed by Marco Barusso (LACUNA COIL, H.I.M) and mastered by Alberto Cutolo at Massive Art Studios in Milan, Italy. The artwork was created by Carl Glover (PORCUPINE TREE) at Aleph Studio in London, UK.
The Last Embrace To Humanity tracklisting:
‘The Unknown King’
‘Under My Creed’
‘Dissolving Into The Void’
‘It’s So Late’
‘Another Time’
‘Fortune And Pain’
‘The New Line Of Times’
‘Far From Desire’

For more info visit Odd Dimension.it.

Germany's LONG DISTANCE CALLING have released their new video, for the track 'Tell The End', featured on the band's new album, The Flood Inside, out now via Superball Music.

Directed by Carlo Oppermann from Abitious.Films, the video can be seen below:
The Flood Inside tracklisting:

'Nucleus'
'Inside The Flood'
'Ductus'
'Tell The End'
'Welcome Change'
'Waves'
'The Man Within'
'Breaker'
'Black Hole'

Italian death metal masters THE MODERN AGE SLAVERY will release their new album, entitled Requiem For Us All, on March 19th via Pavement Entertainment. A new lyric video, for the album track 'The Silent Death Of Cain' (featuring FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE vocalist Tommaso Riccardi), can be seen below:
Guitarist Simone Bertozzi comments: "'The Silent Death Of Cain' is the song that better pictures the contamination of different extreme metal styles into Requiem For Us All and can easily set the direction as the future sound of The Modern Age Slavery."

The title track off the album can be heard below:
The artwork for Requiem For Us All was created by Stefano Mattioni (AKA Viron). Check it out below:
The Modern Age Slavery band lineup:

Giovanni Berselli - Vocals
Luca Cocconi - Guitar
Simone Bertozzi - Guitar
Mirco Bennati - Bass
Stefano Brognoli - Drums
More on The Modern Age Slavery at this location.

Night Of The Vinyl Dead has released Germany industrial gothic metallers ATROCITY's 2008 album Werk 80 II on limited edition vinyl. There are 250 hand-numbered copies in a gatefold cover featuring US burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, and actress Dita Van Teese.
Werk 80 II tracklisting:

Side A
‘People Are People’ (DEPECHE MODE cover)
‘Smalltown Boy’ (BRONSKI BEAT cover)
‘Relax’ (FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD cover)
‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ (SIMPLE MINDS cover)
‘The Sun Always Shines On T.V’ (A-HA cover)
‘Hey Little Girl’ (ICEHOUSE cover)

Side B
‘Fade To Grey’ (VISAGE cover)
‘Such A Shame’ (TALK TALK cover)
‘Keine Heimat’ (IDEAL cover)
‘Here Comes The Rain Again’ (EURYTHMICS cover)
‘Forever Young’ (ALPHAVILLE cover)
‘Feels Like Heaven’ (FICTION FACTORY cover)

Check out the video for 'The Sun Always Shines On T.V.' below:

For more info visit NightOfTheVinyl Dead.com.

Former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman Scott Weiland continues to live in some sort of denial of the fact that he was fired by the group last week In an interview conducted with Spin while en route to a stop of his "Purple At The Core" tour, the singer furtherclarified his view of the band's status.

"There are some issues that have to be worked out with STP," said Weiland, "but they're the same issues that have been going on since the end of the last tour. Nobody in the band can be fired. No one's ever fired anybody, and no one's ever quit the band."

Weiland also claimed that the he-said, they-said "is something that has taken on its own life. Behind the scenes, it's really not anything different than what was going on before."

He added: "[STP] really have been together a long time, and I'm proud of that. I really do like those guys, and it hurts my feelings when we aren't getting along, because I view them as family."

Asked by TMZ last week about his dismissal from the band, Weiland replied, "STP is not broken up. It's a whole thing to try to boost ticket sales." The vocalist added, "I haven't talked to them for a while, but they were trying to get shows put together but we (Weiland and his solo band THE WILDABOUTS) already had our tour . . . They've done a lot of stuff like that in the past before, it's just kind of the way they roll."

Weiland also insisted that he can't be fired because "there's a thing written in our contract, no one can be fired."

The singer also said that substance abuse issues were not the reason for his firing, saying, "I haven't been doing any of that bad stuff in a long time. I drink some, but I don't drink and drive. I'm fine, I'm all good."

Rumors of Weiland being fired first surfaced in December after Slash revealed the news in a radio station interview. Just last week Weiland gave an interview to Rolling Stone in which he called the stories "hearsay."

That was before last Wednesday (February 27), when STP issued a brief statement saying that Weiland had been "terminated."

Brazilian thrash/progressive metallers DYNAHEAD have released a lyric video for the track 'Bred Patterns', taken from their new album Chordata I, set to be released on March 11th. Check it out below:
Chordata I is the first of a two-part conceptual piece based on biological evolution. Two songs will become available in the next few weeks. Chordata I and all its predecessors, YOUniverse (2011) and Antigen (2009) were recorded, mixed and mastered by Caio Duarte at his BroadBand Studio in Brazil.

The Brazilian digipak version will be released on MSMetal Records/Voice Music, and the digital version will be out on February 14th via
Digmetalworld Records in North America, licensing to other territories are currently being discussed.

Singer/Producer Caio Duarte commented: "Dynahead is known for producing all of its own material, the band stays proudly away from commercial pressures or passing trends by valuing aesthetically richness and musical dynamics, the band collected an outstanding reputation with critics, rare even among signed bands."
Chordata I tracklisting:

'Abiogenesis'
'Bred Patterns'
'Collective Skin'
'Dawn Mirrored In Me'
'Echoes Of The Waves'
'Foster'
'Growing In Veins'
'Hallowed Engine'
'Inevitable'

Dynahead is:

Caio Duarte - Vocals
Diogo Mafra - Guitars
Pablo Vilela - Guitars
Diego Teixeira - Bass

More on Dynahead at this location.

According to the BBC, TEN YEARS AFTER leader Alvin Lee has died aged 68. His family announced on his official website that he unexpectedly died on March 6 following complications during routine surgery.
The Nottingham, UK-born musician rose to fame after appearing at the Woodstock festival in 1969. The band, who had eight Top 40 albums in the UK, had their biggest hit in 1971 with 'I'd Love To Change the World'.

"We have lost a wonderful and much loved father and companion, the world has lost a truly great and gifted musician," said the statement from his wife and daughters.
Lee worked with THE BEATLES' GEORGE HARRISON, STEVE WINWOOD, RONNIE WOOD and MICK FLEETWOOD on his first solo album, On the Road to Freedom, in 1973.

He released his 14th record, Still On The Road To Freedom, in August last year. He was due to play a concert at Olympia Hall in Paris on 7 April with blues guitarist JOHNNY WINTER.

Taking up from where iconic bands like DEEP PURPLE and BAD COMPANY have left off, HEAVEN & EARTH is on a mission to resurrect the sanctity of classic rock in its purest, most accessible form on their third studio album titled Dig. Due out April 23rd on Quarto Valley Records, Dig was produced by Dave Jenkins - who’s turned the knobs for everyone from METALLICA to TOWER OF POWER - and features special guests Howard Leese (HEART, PAUL RODGERS), Richie Sambora (BON JOVI) and David Paich (TOTO).
Heaven & Earth - guitarist Stuart Smith, singer Joe Retta, bassist Chuck Wright, drummer Richie Onori and keyboardist Arlan Schierbaum - fuse elements of hard rock, blues and bits of classical with bravado and a razor-sharp focus.

As the band's founder and visionary, Smith says about Dig, "I feel that with the crafting of the songs on this album, the incredible band we’ve put together, especially with powerhouse vocalist Joe Retta and the unwavering support of Quarto Valley Records' President, Bruce Quarto, we really have a shot at getting Heaven & Earth the attention it deserves. This album is by far, the best thing I have ever done in my life!"

The British-born guitarist spent the 70’s bending strings with numerous groups before he distinguished himself by making the acquaintance of Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore, who mentored the up-and-coming musician. “I’m probably one of the few people in the world who grew up with a poster of someone on their wall, ended up meeting them, becoming friends with them, and getting mentored by them,” Smith notes. At the urging of Blackmore, Smith migrated to Los Angeles where the seeds for Heaven & Earth were planted. The band released two critically acclaimed albums - Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith (1994) and Windows To The World (2000) - which helped advance Smith’s musical vision. Now, with Dig complete, the guitarist says Heaven & Earth is a true band, an energized collective of like-minded musicians who are excited at bringing its unique, celestial brand of rock to audiences all over the world in 2013.

“All the pieces are in place,” he explains with graceful candor. “We’re ready to make this our year.”

All the backing tracks on Dig were recorded at Ocean Studios in Burbank, California, and all the overdubs were done at the band’s own Wine Cellar Studios in Woodland Hills, California. To further refine the record’s sonic reach, Jenkins used a Closed Loop Analog Signal Processor (CLASP), a device that integrates real analog tape recording into digital tools like Pro Tools to create a warm and vintage sound. Both VAN HALEN and AEROSMITH enlisted a CLASP on their most recent albums.

In the same tradition, Heaven & Earth brought in acclaimed photographer Glen Wexler to create the cover art for Dig. Wexler has shot over 300 album covers, including records by Van Halen, BLACK SABBATH and MICHAEL JACKSON. Heaven & Earth will release a series of music videos for Dig - directed by Glen and produced by Meiert Avis and Jeremy Alter of Pusher Media - in February 2013.
Dig tracklisting:

'Victorious'
'No Money, No Love'
'I Don’t Know What Love Is'
'Waiting For The End Of The World'
'House Of Blues'
'Back In Anger'
'Sexual Insanity'
'Rock & Roll Does'
'Man & Machine'
'A Day Like Today'
'Good Times'
'Live As One'

'No Money, No Love' can be heard streaming below:
Pictured, from left: Chuck Wright, Arlan Schierbaum, Joe Retta, Stuart Smith, Richie Onori
More on Heaven & Earth here.

Washington state-based metal quintet INTO THE FLOOD has released a demo of their new song, 'Sufferer'. The song will be featured on the band's debut album, due out this summer via Century Media.

'Sufferer' can be streamed and is available as a free download at this location.

The band recently released a video for their track 'The Destroyer', which will also be re-recorded for the band's debut album. The video can be seen below:
Into The Flood lineup:

Brendan Wilson - Vocals
Jacob Sacquitne - Guitar
Justin Thacker - Guitar
Anthony Taylor - Bass
Kevin Brady - Drums
More on Into The Flood at this location.

Swedish rock act WE ARE THE CATALYST, featuring ex-ONE WITHOUT singer Catrin Feymark and growler/guitarist Kenny Boufadene, has released another cover track, this time for ELLIE GOULDING's 'Lights', produced and mixed by Kenny Boufadene at Studio Meltdown.

A video for the track can be seen below:
The band previously released the music video for their cover of SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA’s track ‘Don't You Worry Child’. Check it out below:
The band also released a video for the track, ‘This Is Paranoia’, which can be seen below:
‘This Is Paranoia’ was written by We Are The Catalyst and produced and mixed by Kenny Boufadene at Studio Meltdown.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER have released a new clip from their Bridges Are Born live DVD, released as a two-disc set on December 15th, 2012.

Watch 'The Genocide' below:
The footage for the Bridges Are Born DVD was shot in the band's hometown, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The first DVD in the release is a full live concert, with the second DVD containing a documentary featuring footage from the band's inception to today.

The DVD was produced by Resize Media , co-production with Mad Productions and Baracca Film and directed by Diamonds Are Forever drummer Marcu Dorin. The artwork for the release was created by Gabor Fetyko of Resize Media. Check it out below:
Two trailers for the Bridges Are Born DVD can be seen below:

French progressive metallers HACRIDE will release their new album, "Back To Where You've Never Been", on April 19 in Norway, Germany and Austria and on April 22 in the rest of Europe via Indie Recordings.

2013 is a big year for HACRIDE because not only does it mark the unleashing of a fourth album, but it also marks the launching of a new collaboration for the team now welcoming two members to their ranks, Florent Marcadet (KLONE, STEP IN FLUID) on drums and Luiss Roux on vocals.

According to a press release, "Back To Where You've Never Been" is "an evocative album title that represents a transitional phase. It is a deeply personal record that acts as a bridge between two eras and could become a royal path to a second life."

"Back To Where You've Never Been" track listing:

01. Introversion
02. Strive Ever To More
03. Synesthesia
04. Overcome
05. Edification Of The Fall
06. To Numb The Pain
07. Ghosts Of The Modern World
08. Requiem For A Lullaby

A teaser for the CD can be seen below.

HACRIDE's follow-up to 2007's "Amoeba", entitled "Lazarus", was released IN 2009 via Listenable Records. The CD was recorded at Loko Studio in Normandie, France with producers Franck Hueso and Marc Casanova.

Italian symphonic metal combo NORHOD are streaming another new track online. Listen to 'Lily's Ashes' below:
Norhod recently signed a worldwide deal with Wormholedeath/Aural Music Group, who will release their debut album titled The Blazing Lily worldwide. The album was produced, recorded and mixed at Realsound Studio (Italy) with producer Wahoomi Corvi (CRYSALYS , THE WAY OF PURITY), and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Finland. Release date will be announced soon both for Europe and Japan.
The whole band together stated: "We are so proud to have the opportunity to work with WormHoleDeath. The label is represented by serious and competent people and we are sure that they can support us properly. We are grateful to WormHoleDeath for appreciating our work and we are extremely happy to release our first full length The Blazing Lily with them."

A&R "Worm" stated: "When the Realsound guys asked me to listen to this band I was immediately impressed by their music, so after a meeting with the guys I decided to sign them without any hesitation. After some months, we got the album pre productions and I was really excited of what that music could become with our support. Now, looking back, after the hard work we have done with the band, producers and graphic artists I am definitely proud of what we have been able to create all together. The songs turned out so emotional and epic. Orchestrations and Clara's vocals are outstanding, the final sound is absolutely massive and tuneful as all instruments and the violent vocals found the right place to support the apocalyptic mood of the record. Furthermore the whole project is now complete as we have been working so hard on the concept, band's image and communication. It may sound a little bit too much, just test our work and see."
The first song from The Blazing Lily is 'Mirrors Lady' which can be heard below:
For more details visit Facebook.

Italian groove/thrash metal band CANCRENA has posted a new song from their latest album, Hidden Depravity, online. The album was released on November 16, 2012 through logic(il)logic Records.
Check out ‘Serpent Skin’ below:
Hidden Depravity tracklisting:
‘Serpent Skin’
‘The Pessimist’
‘Pervert Priest’
‘Dark Torment’
‘Backdraft’
‘Black Underground’
‘Ancient Strength’
‘Hidden Depravity’
‘To Nerve Oneself’
‘Under The Law’

For more info visit Facebook.

Rat Pak Records has set a March 26 release for LYNCH MOB's "Unplugged (Live From Sugar Hill Studios)". The CD was recorded at historic Sugar Hill Studios in downtown Houston, Texas during the filming of "Slow Drag", the video from the band's highly successful Rat Pak release "Sound Mountain Sessions". Produced by renowned Houston engineer Dan Workman, "Unplugged" features rare acoustic versions of "Wicked Sensation", "River Of Love", "Where Do You Sleep At Night", "All I Want" and also includes a 15-minute bonus interview track. The entire performance was also filmed by producer Ross W. Wells (Zen Film) for an upcoming episode of "Live From Sugar Hill Studios", due out in early 2013, and is sponsored by Vitamin Water.

"Unplugged" features George Lynch (guitars), Oni Logan (vocals), Robbie Crane (bass), Brian Tichy (guitar) and Tyson Sheth on percussion.

Featuring the tracks:

* River Of Love
* Where Do You Sleep At Night
* All I Want
* Wicked Sensation
* Bonus Interview Track

For more information, go to this location.

Polish prog-rockers OSADA VIDA will release their new album Particles on March 25th in Europe via Metal Mind Productions and April 9th in USA via MVD. The new album includes nine tracks plus a brilliant cover of METALLICA's track, Master Of Puppets'.

The cover art for the album was created by the band's keyboardist Rafal Paluszek, and can be seen below:
Particles tracklisting:

'Hard-Boiled Wonderland'
'Stronger'
'Fear'
'Those Days'
'Shut'
'David's Wasp'
'Different Worlds'
'Until You're Gone'
'Mighty World'

Bonus track:
'Master Of Puppets' (Metallica cover)

A promo video for the album, featuring the track 'Those Days' can be seen below:

Rafal Paluszek discusses the new material: "What's the album going to be like? It's going to differ in all respects from everything we've done before, starting with the cover (and all the artwork), which was meant to depart form the hackneyed gloomy aesthetics, adding more light, space, and buoyancy; through the songs themselves, which are much more accessible (but also more powerful and to-the-point); to the vocal parts of our new, fifth Osada member. The album is a result of what's been long ripening in our heads and hearts. It's permeated with our joy of playing music and it shows a different approach to music and composing.

I think this album might be a surprise to our fans but I'm convinced that it's going to be a surprise of the good sort. We gave a new meaning to the word "uncompromising". It's going to be melodious, rhythmical, powerful, and surprising. But it's still going to be Osada Vida. We've taken nothing away from the character of our music. We've just spiced it up quite a bit and we hope you'll find the spices to your liking. So, what it's going to be like? Find out soon!"

Osada Vida lineup:

Marek Majewski - vocal
Lukasz Lisiak - bass
Rafal Paluszek - keyboards
Bartek Bereska - guitars
Adam Podzimski - drums
More on Osada Vida at this location.

THRAWSUNBLAT, the blackened folk metal brainchild of former WOODS OF YPRES guitarist Joel Violette, will release the new album Wanderer On The Continent Of Saplings on March 13th. A new album trailer has been posted and can be viewed below:
The new album is now available for pre-order via PayPal: $20 CAD (North America) or $25 CAD (World), shipping included. Send funds to thrawsunblat@gmail.com.

The tracklist for Wanderer On The Continent Of Saplings is as follows:

'Lifelore Revelation'
'Once Fireveined'
'We, The Torchbearers'
'Goose River (Mourners' March)'
'Bones in the Undertow'
'Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings'
'Maritime Shores'
'View of a Million Trees'
'Borea (Pyre of a Thousand Pine)'
'Elegy Across the Silence'
'Song of the Nihilist'
'I Am the Viator'
Violette has reprised his role as songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist for the album, and enlisted Rae Amitay and Brendan Hayter to handle drums and bass respectively. The pair was chosen to complete the Woods of Ypres line-up for the band's European tour in support of Woods 5: Grey Skies And Electric Light. Unfortunately, the tragic passing of David Gold put an end to those plans, but drummer Rae Amitay says, "Thrawsunblat II is an incredibly special way for the three of us to create music together. It's an amazing project, and I'm honoured that Joel has chosen us to be a part of it."

Thrawsunblat II was recorded in July and August, in studios in both Canada and the United States.

The band's first official release - the Canada 2010 "demo" - is still available via BandCamp.com. Go to this location to check out audio samples and to purchase.

The tracklist is as follows:

'Black Sky'
'Set Us Ablaze'
'Misted Shores'
'Slake the Earth'
'Through the Ice'
'Fire Still Burns'
'She, Arboreal'
'Vastland'

Night Of The Vinyl Dead have reissued Boston-based metallers MELIAH RAGE 1996 album, Death Valley Dream.
The limited edition 250 hand-numbered pieces feature a Death Valley visitor map (featuring lyrics and credits) the following tracklisting:

Side A
'Death Valley Dream'
'Stranger'
'Media'
'Blacksmith'
'Wear and Tear'
'Madness and Poetry'

Side B
'Crow'
'Possessing Judgement'
'War Journal'
'Prideland'
'The Last Detail'

Video footage of NEWSTED, the new band led by former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Newsted, "working on new album tracks" at his Chophouse studio in Walnut Creek, California can be seen below.

"Metal", the debut EP from NEWSTED, sold around 6,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 62 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Metal" was released on January 8 exclusively via iTunes. The EP was made available as a physical CD on January 15.

"Metal" contains the following tracks:

* Soldierhead
* Godsnake
* King Of The Underdogs
* Skyscraper

By purchasing all four songs, you will receive a copy of Jason's handwritten lyrics.

In a recent interview on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, Newsted stated about his new group's plans to release more material: "We recorded 11 songs total. We're going to release them in batches and if people dig them, then try to get a full LP out with the last EP with nice vinyl and stuff — that's my plan. If I can get that through and share that with people, then that's going to be really cool. I want to have it on CD. I ultimately want to have it on vinyl — the separate EP and the final one. We have to do it from the ground up like this because you have to take it to the people and selling the CDs at the show and all those kinds of things are the only way we were going to get back any money from the music. I think if you're going to put it online and share it with people that way, you get the downloads you can and then once it does whatever it does, you shouldn't try to really fight it — just present the best source material that you can, try to have it be representative and let it do its thing."

NEWSTED is:

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

"Soldierhead", the first video from NEWSTED, can be seen below. Directed by Leon Melas, the clip was filmed on December 15, 2012 in an abandoned factory in California.

In a recent interview with Sonic Excess, Newsted stated about the video shoot: "It's just a simple thing, and I just wanted to capture the band. There is no heavy concept, no literal thing about bullets chasing your head or any of those things. It's old-school metal and most likely will be black and white. It was shot in an old factory. It was a gnarly, dusty, old factory and it had energy. That is what I will describe it as. I haven't got to play to the camera like that for a long time, and I was really going for it. The soldier version is something everyone will have. An HD version will be available on iTunes, but I want everyone to have it for free across the world. I want it to be the tip of the spear for everybody to see and hear what exactly it's all about."

"Soldierhead" was premiered on the December 17, 2012 edition of the "Eddie Trunk Live" show on SiriusXM satellite radio.

Barcelona, Spain-based melodic metal band ANKOR have released the video for ‘I’ll Fight For You’ and can be seen below:

The song is the first single from their upcoming album Last Song For Venus, which will be released sometime this year and will also be celebrating the band’s tenth anniversary. The video for ‘I’ll Fight For You’ was directed by Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, ENSLAVED). Late in 2012, Ankor released the third and final video from their second album in the title track ‘My Own Angel’. Check out the video below:

My Own Angel tracklisting:
‘Remaining’
‘Completely Frozen’
‘It Would Be Easier’
‘Awaiting Your Awakening’
‘No Matter What’
‘My Own Angel’
‘Pride’
‘Reborn’
‘Against The Ground’
‘Starting Over’

For more info visit Facebook.

Infamous New York City street punks The CASUALTIES have debuted a new video for the song 'My Blood. My Life. Always Forward.'. The clip, directed by Lewis Smithingham (EXMORTUS, A GLOBAL THREAT) can be viewed below:
GOATWHORE will support The Casualties on a string of dates throughout the west coast and up to Texas. The first show is on March 27th in Houston. Additional support comes from HAVOK.
Tour dates include:

March
27 - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's
28 - Corpus Christi, TX - Zeros
29 - San Antonio, TX - Korova
30 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada

April
1 - Albuquerque, NM -2H Launchpad
2 - Tempe, AZ - Rocky Point
3 - Santa Ana, CA - Observatory
4 - W. Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues
6 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro
7 - Reno, NV - The Alley
8 - Portland, OR - Branx
9 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven

The Casualties full tour itinerary can be found here.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Monday (March 4) marked the 10-year anniversary of the release of "Fallen", the major label debut by EVANESCENCE that became a monster, multi-platinum hit for the Amy Lee-fronted rock band. Wind-Up Records is reissuing the album on limited edition purple vinyl, with pre-ordering currently under way and a May 21 ship date set for the package.

Led by the smash single "Bring Me To Life", which also appeared on the soundtrack to the movie "Daredevil", "Fallen" sold a whopping seven million copies in the U.S. and yielded three more singles with "Going Under", "My Immortal" and "Everybody's Fool". EVANESCENCE also won Grammys in 2004 for "Best New Artist" and "Best Hard Rock Performance".

The success of "Fallen" also led to turmoil within the group, as founding guitarist Ben Moody left in late 2003, leaving Lee as the only original member of the band.

Lee continued with new members, and EVANESCENCE issued "The Open Door" in 2006. While a hit, it did not equal the sales of "Fallen". Lee told The Pulse Of Radio at the time that she wasn't concerned about matching the previous album's success. "I just haven't ever looked at it that way," she said. "'Fallen' is a great record, but I don't think you can try to match the success of another body of work. I think that's only gonna frustrate you. And if, honestly if what you really care about is record sales and money, there's no way you're gonna make a great piece of art, because then you're just gonna get all confused and make something ingenuine."

After another protracted absence, during which Lee flirted with a solo career and even began a more electronic album only to abandon it, EVANESCENCE released a self-titled effort in 2011 and toured behind it for the better part of a year.

Pre-order a copy of "Fallen" on purple vinyl at this location.

Savannah, GA's BLACK TUSK have completed recording their upcoming EP, which is scheduled to be released later this spring via Relapse Records. The EP, recorded with producer Phillip Cope (KYLESA, BARONESS) at the Jam Room in Columbia, SC, will serve as a gateway between 2011's Set The Dial and the band's next full-length.

The band recently hit the road for a short run of headline dates, followed up by a month long run of shows with TODAY IS THE DAY, KEN MODE and FIGHT AMP, then a two week run with KVELERTAK and CANCER BATS. A complete list of dates can be found below.

Black Tusk is also scheduled to appear at this year's SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX. The group will be headlining both the Rock of Ages Tattoo Showcase at Yellow Jacket Social Club on Friday, March 15th with label mates HOWL and TRUE WIDOW, and the Official Relapse Records / Chaos in Tejas Showcase with ASG, ROYAL THUNDER, Howl, INTER ARMA and CALL OF THE VOID on Saturday, March 16th at Red 7.

Black Tusk tour dates:

March
5 - Reading, PA - Reverb

March (with Today Is The Day, Ken Mode, Fight Amp)
6 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus Bar
7 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
8 - New York, NY - The Studio at Webster Hall
9 - Washington DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
10 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls
11 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Upstairs)
12 - Tampa, FL - The Local 662
13 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
14 - San Antonio, TX - Korova (SXSW Tone Deaf ) No Fight Amp
15 - Austin, TX - Yellow Jacket Social Club (Rock of Ages Tattoo SXSW Showcase)
16 - Austin, TX - Red 7 (Relapse Records / Chaos in Tejas Official SXSW Showcase)
17 - Dallas, TX - The Double Wide, Spillover Fest, No Fight Amp
19 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
20 - Tempe, AZ - Rocky Point Cantina
21 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
22 - Los Angeles, CA - Satellite
24 - Santa Cruz, CA - Atrium at The Catalyst
25 - San Francisco, CA - Elbo Room
26 - Portland, CA - Rotture
27 - Seattle, WA - The Highline
28 - Bellingham, WA - The Shakedown
29 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
31 - Edmonton AB - Pawn Shop

April (with Today Is The Day, Ken Mode, Fight Amp)
1 - Calgary, AB - The Palomino
2 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos Cantina
4 - Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid
5 - Fargo, ND - The Aquarium
6 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
7 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle

April (with Kvlertak, Cancer Bats)
22 - Detroit, MI - Shelter St. Andrews
24 - Cleveland, OH - The Grog Shop
25 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups
28 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre
30 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge

May (with Kvlertak, Cancer Bats)
1 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
11 - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's (Downstairs)
12 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
13 - Austin, TX - Red 7
15 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
18 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
21 - Montreal, QC - Les Katacombes

May
22 - Toronto, ON - The Wreck Room

Black Tusk guitarist Andrew Fidler is featured on the website Play This Riff. FU MANCHU’s Bob Balch, who owns and operates the site, has videos of Fidler teaching the following songs:

‘Crossroads And Thunder’ (Intro, main riff, and drummer cues)
‘Crossroads And Thunder’ (Verse, bridge, and Outro)
‘Ender Of All’ (Every riff and inspiration)
‘Fixed In The Ice’ (Intro and build up riff)
‘Fixed In The Ice’ (Solo, bridge, and song structure)

‘Crossroads And Thunder’ (Intro, main riff, and drummer cues) can be viewed at Playthisriff.com.

"Take Away", a brand new song from UPON WINGS, can be streamed using the SoundCloud below. The track comes off the project's new EP, "Afterlife", which was released on March 5 via Sword Of The Spirit Records LLC. The CD features guest vocals and production from Brett Hestla (ex-CREED, DARK NEW DAY).

"Afterlife" track listing:

01. Afterlife
02. You Are My Weapon
03. Take Away
04. The Dream (I'm Only Happy When I'm Sleeping)

Rock and metal fans will recognize plenty of names on "Afterlife". KID ROCK recording engineer and Grammy-nominated mixing engineer Glenn Brown mastered the single, while Hestla provided guest vocals and production talents. More metal assistance for the upcoming EP came from producer and guitarist Kevin Jardine, best known as the guitarist of Canadian nu metal giants SLAVES ON DOPE, formerly on Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's Divine Recordings label. Drummer Peter Tzaferis also contributed to the EP.

Recording sessions for "Afterlife" took place at Johnny K's Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, where DISTURBED, 3 DOORS DOWN, STAIND and countless other heavy music-makers have laid down tracks.

UPON WINGS combines operatic, female-fronted goth-pop with rousing rock and metal in a unique, ethereal fashion. Frontwoman Anne Autumn Erickson is a classically-trained dramatic mezzo-soprano, and her lyrics take listeners down a path of heartfelt introspection, pain, joy and faith.

UPON WINGS's debut single, "The Dream", was made available in March 2012 via iTunes, Amazon MP3 and Google Music. "The Dream" was the result of a collaboration between Erickson and Grammy-nominated producer Glenn Brown (EVANS BLUE, SPINAL TAP, THE VERVE PIPE).

UPON WINGS hails from the U.S. and can be described as symphonic metal with a classical influence.

Erickson is also a music journalist for Gannett, Gibson, Loudwire and radio host and managing editor of Audio Ink Radio.

For more information, visit www.uponwings.com.

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal took part in a live chat on Saturday, March 2 from the 2013 National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show.

Asked about the possibility of the current GUNS N' ROSES lineup releasing a new album in the near future, Thal said: "You know what?! Just forget about a new record until it happens. I mean, I can't even begin… How long have we been talking about a new fucking record? And I'm the only that doesn't bullshit you people about it and I say, no, we haven't been in the studio together; no, we haven't started writing together as a band."

He continued: "If something came out at this point, it would be very old material that is just being released now. So it would be unheard material, but to me, I don't consider that a new record, I consider that just releasing old material from a band that doesn't exist anymore. And we need to make an album of this band right now. And I hit up Axl [Rose, GUNS N' ROSES singer] again two days ago. I was, like, 'Hey, while we're in Australia, let's make some music. Let's work on some stuff.' But we'll see what happens.

"I'm all about making music; that's why I make music — to make music. So I'd like to really do that.I would be very happy if GUNS N' ROSES could do that. We'll see what happens. That's all I can say. I mean, at this point, we're just doing shows and doing shows and doing shows. And the shows are great and we're having fun and everything. But I've got the itch. I've had the itch for a long fucking time. I wanna make some music with these motherfuckers. It's a damn good band and we should really have the opportunity to give what we can to all of you, and make some music for you.

"If anyone reads any of my long-ass interviews where I am ranting like I am right now, you know how I feel about it and that's what I'm about. All I can say is, look, it's not up to me. It's gotta be unanimous, so I hope unanimously at some point everyone says, 'Alright, let's just put life to the side, everything to the side, and just focus on this and make it happen and make some music together.' I think it would be fucking great, and I hope it happens.

"But as far as seeing a new album in the future, I don't see it in the near future, no. It's gonna be a while — if it's gonna be with this band writing from the beginning.

"So, yeah, there's reality for you. I wish I had something better I can tell you, guys, because we all want the same thing — we want new music; me and you."

"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, re-entered The Billboard 200 chart in April 2011 after it was made available at BestBuy.com for a reduced price of $1.99.

Best Buy was the exclusive U.S. retailer for "Chinese Democracy", reportedly paying $14 million for 1.6 million copies. But the album was a major sales disappointment, moving less than 700,000 copies to date despite the curiosity and hype surrounding its release.

The CD was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies.

"Chinese Democracy" came out 15 years after its predecessor, 1993's "The Spaghetti Incident". It took more than a decade to record, during which every original member of the band except Rose was replaced and four different producers were used.

Nevertheless, Rose hinted in a 2002 interview that the lengthy sessions for the record had left him with enough material for two follow-ups.

In addition sole original member Axl Rose, the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Thal, Richard Fortus and DJ Ashba, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.