Two years after their current release "Juggernaut Of Justice", Canadian metal legends ANVIL are back with their latest studio album. "Hope In Hell", an impressive metal recording featuring 13 haunting songs, is for release on May 27 in Europe and May 24 in Germany on SPV/Steamhammer and will be available in four different formats: as a limited-edition digipak including two bonus tracks, as a jewel case CD, double gatefold colored vinyl LP and as a digital download. These are the first cuts featuring ANVIL's new bassist Sal Italiano, who joined the band a year ago. "

"We're really happy with Sal. His style is powerful and amazingly imaginative," says ANVIL guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow, who composed the entire album along with drummer Robb Reiner. "It's a little as if we'd enlisted Steve Harris."

"Hope In Hell" was written and recorded following an 18-month world tour which took ANVIL around the globe. "We hadn't expected this kind of extensive tour when we brought out 'Juggernaut Of Justice'," Kudlow confesses. "Time just flew by. I could hardly believe it when I found myself in the studio again after the tour, ready to work on the next album. The reactions to 'Juggernaut Of Justice' and the shows had been so positive that we had plenty of ideas and inspiration for new material."

"Hope In Hell" track listing:

01. Hope In Hell
02. Eat Your Words
03. Through With You
04. The Fight Is Never Won
05. Pay The Toll
06. Flying
07. Call Of Duty
08. Badass Rock N Roll
09. Time Shows No Mercy
10. Mankind Machine
11. Shut The Fuck Up
12. Hard Wired (bonus track)
13. Fire At Will (bonus track)

Kudlow promises the kind of album that ANVIL fans will love: no concessions to short-lived trends, no modern frills but traditional metal with lots of classic rock music elements.

"What we do is totally timeless," says ANVIL's frontman. "We've never tried to change our sound or experiment with trends and fashions. We live in our own world and have maintained our individuality and own identity."

Like "Juggernaut Of Justice", "Hope In Hell" was produced by Bob Marlette (BLACK SABBATH, AIRBOURNE, ALICE COOPER) at the NRG Recording studios in North Hollywood, California, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA).

On September 24, 2012, Steamhammer/SPV re-released three albums from ANVIL, all featuring new booklets containing new liner notes from guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner plus new photos.

"Back To Basics" (2004) and "Still Going Strong" (2002) are available again as a high-class "2 in 1" double digipak CD, while 2007's "This Is Thirteen" opus was re-released as a digipak CD, as well as a double gatefold LP, both with an exclusive bonus track.

RATT's first five albums — 1984's "Out of the Cellar", 1985's "Invasion of Your Privacy", 1986's "Dancing "Undercover", 1988's "Reach For the Sky" and 1990's "Detonator" — have just been reissued in the U,K, through Warner Bros. under the "Original Album Series."

A description reads: "The five-CD box set contains a quintet of albums packaged in cardboard mini LP sleeves and housed in a slipcase. This collection of RATT's first five albums covers the years from 1984 to 1990 that saw them have significant commercial success. Tracks such as 'Round And Round', 'Wanted Man' and 'Lay It Down' helped define the glam metal genre, while their later output such as 'Way Cool Jr.' and 'I Want a Woman' featured heavily on MTV. Originally hailing from San Diego California, RATT were a key figure in the formation of the '80s Los Angeles hard rock and glam metal scene."

RATT has tapped Brian Howes, who has previously worked with HINDER, DAUGHTRY and PUDDLE OF MUDD, helm its new album, tentatively due before the end of the year via Roadrunner Records. RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer recently stated about Howes: "Brian is a great guy, great producer, and he's top notch, dude. He's a current A-lister, and we're very excited."

Regarding the songwriting process for the new RATT album, Blotzer said: " Everybody's been writing and everybody has a backlog of material. So we'll just get in like we did with the last record, and there's, like, boom, 35 songs, and then we'll let the producer go, 'OK, let's work these up.' He's got the final say on that. I mean, the last record we worked up in two weeks."

He continued: "I don't think [the new RATT CD is] gonna be super overproduced. I think we're trying to do something new, and really, on all levels of RATT — have everything come out and be a new RATT. [We'll still have] classic-sounding songs, but it's gonna be, obviously, a twist in the production with the way that [Brian] produces."

Original RATT bassist Juan Croucier rejoined the Californian rockers for their show at the M3 Rock Festival on May 12, 2012 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

RATT's first studio record in 11 years, "Infestation", sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 30 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was issued on April 20, 2010 via Loud & Proud.

"Infestation" has sold more than 50,000 copies in the U.S. so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weiland kicked off his solo tour this past Friday, March 1 at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Weiland recently said about the 20-city run of dates during which he is performing songs from the first two STONE TEMPLE PILOTS albums, 1992's "Core" and 1994's "Purple". "It's going to be really exciting — something completely new."

Regarding how the concept for the tour came about, Weiland said: "Well, originally, it was an idea I came up with for STP for the anniversary of 'Core' to do the 'Core' album in its entirety. The rest of the guys didn't want to do it. So, it was still something that there was a lot of public interest in. Having that said, the idea was brought up to me through management. I talked to the guys in my solo band, THE WILDABOUTS, and they were totally into it, as were the promoters. It worked out."

He added: "We're still going to do some of our space jams and have them correlate into some of our STP songs and a couple STP songs into a couple of the covers that we've done during our solo band stuff."

As for the upcoming studio CD, Weiland described it as "more of a rock 'n' roll album, as opposed to more of the sort of outside-the-box artistic sonic adventures that we've gone on in the past.

"The record that we're making, hopefully will attract more of the STP and VELVET REVOLVER fans. I think it will also help that we're doing this tour this way."

Weiland and THE WILDABOUTS have not yet secured a label deal for the upcoming album, which they are producing themselves. He says of the process: "[it] isn't hard, unless you have a group of guys like STP where every single person in the band is a producer. It's not as difficult in this situation. We're writing together. It's actually a lot easier. We're allowing everyone to put in their input and it's coming across much more as a rock 'n' roll record, but it's much more organic sounding."

THE WILDABOUTS consist of multi-instrumentalist Doug Grean, bassist Tommy Black, drummer Dan Thompson and guitarist Jeremy Brown.

German gothic death pioneers ATROCITY have unveiled the cover artwork and track listing for part one of their album trilogy, "Okkult". The CD will feature a three-continent treasure hunt where the band will hide a track for one fan to find for each of the three releases, the first in Europe this year (first evidence and code of the treasure hunt are hidden in the booklet of the limited-edition digipak and in the iTunes version).

"Okkult" will be released via Napalm Records on the following dates:

April 24: Spain/Sweden/Norway
April 26: GAS/BeNeLux/Finland
April 29: Rest of the world
May 7: USA/Canada

The album was produced by vocalist Alexander Krull at Mastersound Studio. The cover art (see below) was created by Stefan Heilemann.

"Okkult" track listing:

01. Pandaemonium
02. Death By Metal
03. March of the Undying
04. Haunted By Demons
05. Murder Blood Assasination
06. Necromancy Divine
07. Satan's Braut
08. Todesstimmen
09. Masaya (Boca Del Infierno)
10. When Empires Fall to Dust
11. Beyond Perpetual Ice
12. La Voisine

The song "Pandæmonium" can be streamed on the band's Facebook page.

Commentes ATROCITY singer and producer Alex Krull: "With 'Okkult', we want to start a very special album trilogy. Most recently with the 'Die Gottlosen Jahre (The Godless Years)' DVD, a splendid film documentary was released commemorating our longer-than-25-year career, which even now is to run at film festivals. Reason enough now to usher in a new era of ATROCITY! Musically, no prisoners will be taken, the 'Okkult' series is also brutal, bombastic and dark. These will not only be the heaviest and most brutal albums of ATROCITY since years, but also the darkest works of our band's history. Lovers of our harder material like 'Hallucinations', 'Todessehnsucht', 'Blut' or 'Atlantis' will surely be delighted with the 'Okkult' series at their expense, although the 'Okkult' songs have their own trademarks, of course."

The new ATROCITY opus, "Okkult". is described in a press release as "the kickstart to an album trilogy as it has not been seen before in the metal scene! Musically, ATROCITY show an enormous tension width, and deliver a very powerful, homogeneous and atmospheric album: On the one hand with much bombast and big choirs a la 'March Of The Undying'; on the other hand, ATROCITY deliver equally purist, brutal metal songs, which get under your skin just as intensely, closely and authentically. The overall sound is perfectly harmonized. The earthy, brilliant production sounds intoxicating and gives the musical pieces the necessary energy, atmosphere and roughness to dive immediately into the lyrical concept. This is anything but one-dimensional. The lyrics relate to occult magic, mysterious places, conspiracy theories and mysteries that are still unsolved. Thus, ATROCITY turn John Milton's vision of 'Pandemonium' into reality in an imposing way. With 'Death By Metal', a mystical tale from long ago, ATROCITY have composed a tribute to their own musical roots, as well as it is their own band anthem. The band takes us with 'Haunted By Demons' on a Scottish haunted castle, and brings in 'Necromancy Divine' the ancient necromancer Erictho back to life. Moreover, the 'Okkult' cover motif is dedicated to her. With overwhelming power the gates of hell are opened in 'Masaya (Boca del Inferno)'. The epic 'When Empires Fall To Dust' set the mystical prophecies of a mysterious, French Freemason from the First World War to music. Never before has the Ides of March been staged musically as gripping as in 'Murder Blood Assassination'. Also the myths surrounding the Antarctic have never before been turned into such a hymnic piece of music ('Beyond Perpetual Ice'). As a culmination the poisoner and witch 'La Voisine' does her mischief in the Paris of the 17th Century: What could fit better than a smashing, furious metal song of the brand ATROCITY?"

In keeping with the dark atmosphere of "Okkult", ATROCITY got the Canadian sound designer Katie Halliday on board. She worked for movies like "Saw V", "Saw VI", "Saw 3D (VII)", "The Devil's Carnival" and "Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil", and already could reap some awards for her work. The orchestral parts were recorded by the Lingua Mortis Orchestra under the direction of Victor Smolski (RAGE) in Minsk, Belarus. Besides all harshness and bombast, ATROCITY again show their excellent sense of very good, catchy songs — "Satan's Braut" is definitely a pure club hit.

Adds Krull: "For our fans, we've come up with something very special: There will be no conventional bonus tracks on the 'Okkult' albums! In return, all fans can actively engage in a kind of treasure hunt. For the respective 'Okkult' albums, we will hide one song on an 'occult site,' which is the 'missing track' to each album. For the first 'Okkult' record, that certain place will be in Europe. All original recording tracks and mixes of these songs will be destroyed by our own hands, that also means we as a band will also not be able to listen to these songs until they are found. They are in the truest sense of the word: Unique."

ATROCITY 2013 is:

Alexander Krull - Vocals
Thorsten Bauer - Guitar, Bass
Sander Van Der Meer - Guitar
Joris Nijenhuis - Drums

According to WTVR, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe's manslaughter trial in Prague, Czech Republic resumed earlier today (Monday, March 4) after court was adjourned last month due to missing witnesses.

Blythe is facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a May 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, who attended a LAMB OF GOD performance in Prague, died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.

A criminal psychologist appointed by the court, Tereza Soukupova, said that Blythe, during tests, demonstrated he had problems controlling his emotions. She said these features "were not deep" and that he was not mentally ill, but that he doesn’t take enough responsibility for his own actions, sometimes "crossing social norms." She pointed to when Blythe was fined for speeding and urinating in public when he was younger.

A second criminal psychiatrist, Alena Gayova, who was appointed by the defense, said Blythe didn't display any permanent "socially promiscuous" behavioral patterns. Even when in jail, when aggressive/anti-social behavior might be understandable, Gayova said Blythe showed normal results. She added he was not "overly aggressive."

Also testifying today was an eyewitness, Anna Rozsivalova, who said Daniel attempted to climb the barrier to get onto the stage, but as he was pulling himself up, Blythe lifted him by the shoulders and pushed him off with two hands, from the front. She said Daniel fell backwards, and people moved away to avoid being hit.

A three-judge panel said it could deliver a verdict by tomorrow.

The parents of the alleged victim are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).

Read more from WTVR.

ALICE IN CHAINS has set a May release date for its new album, which is officially titled "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here". The group's fifth studio effort is its second with William DuVall on vocals and follows up 2009's "Black Gives Way To Blue", the group's first all-new collection of material in 14 years and first since the 2002 death of original singer Layne Staley.

"We made a unique record that's completely different from anything we ever did," ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell tells RollingStone.com. "It encapsulates a period of time, like all records do. You see growth and that the band is moving ahead in new territory that we haven't been to before, but we haven't lost our identity."

He added: "There's some real filth in there. That's intentional, and that's also just how we sound together. We're trying to make a record that we dig and we're trying to keep the bar high for ourselves and see if we can get past it, and I think that we did again. And of course you want people to dig it too and to respond to it, and to have that start happening is satisfying."

ALICE IN CHAINS released a first single called "Hollow" earlier this year from the new disc, along with an accompanying video.

"The initial response to 'Hollow' has been fucking incredible, totally not what we intended, and that's fucking awesome," Cantrell tells RollingStone.com. "We just put that song out there for the fans and then it ended up turning into a number one single, a six-minute sludgy metal tune. That's always fun, to see something like that happen."

ALICE IN CHAINS began working on new material in 2011, but the sessions for the album were delayed when Cantrell had to undergo shoulder surgery.

The band has announced a spring trek that starts on April 25 in Miami Beach and will include headlining slots at the Rocklahoma, Carolina Rebellion, Welcome To Rockville and Rock On The Range festivals.

"Hollow" video:

SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo is sitting out the band's current Australian tour due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group, while guitarist Jeff Hanneman is still recovering from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease which he is believed to have gotten from a spider bite. Filling in for them are Jon Dette (TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX) and Gary Holt (EXODUS), respectively.

In a new posting on his Facebook page, Lombardo writes: "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."

In an interview with Soundwave TV, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King stated about Lombardo's current status with SLAYER: "This just happened a week ago… ten days ago… so I mean, I don't know… It's unfortunate that Dave couldn't be with us; I planned on him being here up until the Monday before I left. And then I saw trouble in paradise, and since I am the mastermind on making decisions like this, I was, like, 'Alright, I've got a backup plan. Just in case.' 'Cause I would have hated to have just Australia blown out. Can you imagine how shitty that would have been? So I did what I thought was best, and we pulled it off."

Asked if he saw the dispute with Dave coming, Kerry said: "Tom [Araya, SLAYER bassist/vocalist] did. Tom's been on the fence about Dave for awhile and I was pretty much the one that said, 'Nah, I'm not comfortable moving on [without Dave].' And then it got thrust in our face and I took action immediately and I got a very lucky culmination of things that happened."

Prior to joining SLAYER, Dette appeared on TESTAMENT's "Live At The Fillmore" album, which came out in 1995.

Dette is currently also playing with ANTHRAX as a temporary replacement for the band's longtime drummer Charlie Benante, who "is dealing with personal issues right now and can't leave" the U.S., according to ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian.

Virginia-based melodic tech-death metal masters ARSIS will release their fifth full-length album, "Unwelcome", on April 30 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Starve For The Devil" was tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER).

"At this point ARSIS has more than a few releases in our catalogue and we are about to have one more, 'Unwelcome'," commented ARSIS founder and lead guitarist/vocalist James Malone.

"Of all the albums we have done, 'Unwelcome' is an album that I wanted to define the band's sound. We were all focused for the writing and recording and the end product reflects this.

"Get ready for 'Unwelcome' to see the light of day on April 30th through Nuclear Blast USA and for ARSIS to be destroying the new material live throughout May with HYPOCRISY, KRISIUN, and ABORTED!!!"

"We're excited to be back out on the road after spending down-time rebuilding the band and recording both 'Unwelcome' and 'Leper's Caress'," added bassist Noah Martin.

"Down to the artwork, 'Unwelcome' is by far the most raw and brutal album ARSIS has released with Nuclear Blast. Upon its release, we look forward to a very busy 2013 touring season, seeing all our old friends and making new ones. If Canadian fans want to bring some homemade poutine to a show, I would be forever indebted to you."

Fans can hear the debut of new guitarist Brandon Ellis and drummer/longtime session member Shawn Priest on the "Lepers Caress" EP, which can be downloaded for free here. The effort was released via Scion Audio/Visual (a.k.a. Scion A/V), the in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division of the Scion marque produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market.

Brandon Ellis replaced guitarist Nick Cordle, who was tapped to replace Christopher Amott in the Swedish/German extreme metal act ARCH ENEMY.

ARSIS's 2010 album, "Starve For The Devil" (Nuclear Blast Records), sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, landing at No. 13 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart.

Swedish metallers VINDICTIV have inked a deal with the U.K.-based label Escape Music Ltd. The band's third album, "Cage Of Infinity", was mixed by Lars Chriss (LION’S SHARE), and will mark the recording debut of VINDICTIV's new singer, Marco Sandron (ex-EDEN'S CURSE).

"With the new album we are heading in a more straight-ahead heavy metal direction compared to the first two releases. I made an effort to make the album cohesive, but as a notorious shredder, I couldn't restrain myself completely," laughs band leader and guitar wiz Stefan Lindholm.

VINDICTIV released two albums so far — the self-titled debut in 2008 and "Ground Zero" in 2009. Apart from his main band, Stefan has been a successful soloist on a number of albums, among them record producer Tom Galley's international project "Phenomena" and "Soulspell". Other great vocalists Stefan has worked with include Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH), Oliver Hartmann (AT VANCE, AVANTASIA), Göran Edman (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOHN NORUM) and Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, RING OF FIRE).

The Geoff Tate-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE has set "Frequency Unknown" as the title of its new album, due on April 23 via the Los Angeles-based independent label Cleopatra Records. The CD was produced by Jason Slater at a studio in Nortern California.

Although a lineup for Tate's QUEENSRŸCHE was originally announced in the fall of 2012, things have changed. The band will now feature Tate along with bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, DIO, WHITESNAKE, QUIET RIOT), guitarist Kelly Gray (QUEENSRŸCHE 1998-2001), keyboardist Randy Gane and new additions, guitarist Robert Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, HURRICANE) and drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, RHINO BUCKET). Guest musicians on the CD include K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST), Chris Poland (MEGADETH), Ty Tabor (KING'S X), Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, TESTAMENT, EXODUS), Lita Ford, Brad Gillis (NIGHT RANGER), Dave Meniketti (Y&T) and Craig Locicero (FORBIDDEN)

"Frequency Unknown" is packaged with bonus tracks — four QUEENSRŸCHE classics, newly recorded, including the smash hit single "Silent Lucidity".

"Frequency Unknown" track listing:

01. When Lightning Strikes
02. Running Backwards
03. Fallen
04. Life Without You
05. In The Hands Of God
06. Cold
07. The Weight Of The World
08. Slave
09. Dare
10. Everything

Bonus tracks: (2013 versions)

11. Silent Lucidity
12. Empire
13. Jet City Woman
14. I Don t Believe In Love

Beginning in early April, Tate's QUEENSRŸCHE will be hitting the road to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band's epic 1988 release, "Operation: Mindcrime", performing all fifteen songs from the album along with other well-known hits and rarities from the catalog they've compiled over the past 30 years.

"I try to surround myself with the best players available and feel our longtime fans deserve nothing less," says Tate. "I expect the forthcoming effort to be one of our best yet."

Tate, who was fired from QUEENSRŸCHE in June 2012 after fronting the group for three decades, last year sought to prevent his former bandmates from touring and operating under the QUEENSRŸCHE name without him. While ruling against Tate, the presiding judge determined that there was no legal hurdle in Tate also using the name with an all-new lineup of musicians. "I don't see any reason that Mr. Tate can't have the benefit, if he gets other members, of whatever name he uses of using the brand," Superior Court Judge Carol A. Schapira said during the July 13, 2012 court hearing. "I think [doing that would be] inherently confusing, although I'm sure the market can get these things sorted out," she added.

Last November, Tate released his first solo CD in over a decade titled "Kings & Thieves" (InsideOut Music) and toured with his solo band in support of the CD, which included dates with the legendary ALICE COOPER.

New York death metal veterans SUFFOCATION have recruited John Gallagher (DYING FETUS) to handle lead vocals for a week's worth of shows on their upcoming North American tour this April. Gallagher will be filling in for SUFFOCATION's regular vocalist, Frank Mullen, who is unable to make the dates due to personal commitments.

"I'm looking forward to seeing our amazing fans on the road," commented Mullen. "John Gallagher from DYING FETUS will be filling in for a few shows that I can't do and I'm sure he will do an awesome job. So please show your support for him and the band! See you soon."

"I'm stoked to be performing on several shows with longtime friends and my brothers in metal, SUFFOCATION," added Gallagher. "It's going to be a blast and since I'll JUST be singing the vocals, they are going to be super sick and guttural. So make sure to come out and party with us and witness the brutality!"

SUFFOCATION's "Despise The World North American 2013 Tour" with EXHUMED, JUNGLE ROT, RINGS OF SATURN, ADIMIRON and LORD OF WAR will kick off on April 4 in Long Island, New York.

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam", the new album from SUFFOCATION, has entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 58. The CD was released on February 19 via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork was handled this time around by Raymond Swanland and can be found below.

As previousy reported, "Pinnacle Of Bedlam"sold 3,200 copies in the United States during its first week of release to land at position No. 152 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort landed at position No. 2 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.

SUFFOCATION's previous CD, "Blood Oath", opened with around 3,600 units in July 2009 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 135.

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" was produced by the band at Full Force Studios in New York with longtime collaborator Joe Cincotta. The mixing and mastering of the effort was handled by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, ARSIS, SUICIDE SILENCE).

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" features 10 genre-defining-bone-crushing tracks and also marks the return of drummer Dave Culross, who previously played on the "Despise The Sun" EP. Founding member and former drummer Mike Smith also makes a special guest appearance on the re-recorded "Breeding The Spawn" track "Beginning Of Sorrow".

California "triple axe attack" metal masters LEATHERWOLF are hitting the road in support of their forthcoming live album, "Unchained". Fans will experience an evening of intense metal music spanning the LEATHERWOLF catalog, including MTV video classics "The Calling" and "Hideaway" and fan favorites such as "Street Ready", "Gypsies & Thieves" and "Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.)".

The rejuvenated lineup consists of original members vocalist/guitarist Michael Olivieri and drummer Dean Roberts, longtime friend and bassist Patrick Guyton, and the guitar duo of Rob Math and Greg Erba.

"We are all excited about this new constellation and the possibilities it holds," enthuses Olivieri. "More than anything, we’re looking forward to getting out there and really kicking some ass on stage. I think live is where it’s always been at for us and this group of guys can definitely deliver the goods!"

"Unchained" was mixed by producer extraordinaire, Roy Z, whose resume includes JUDAS PRIEST, SEPULTURA, HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON and many others. Though the release date is yet to be announced, fans can download a free MP3 single of "Spiter" from "Unchained" by liking the only official LEATHERWOLF Facebook page.

The band also launched a new official web site at LeatherwolfMetal.com where their classic releases are available for purchase as MP3 (320Kbp) downloads . Fans can watch videos, stay informed with the latest news, find tour dates and sign up for the LEATHERWOLF newsletter.

Confirmed tour dates:

Apr. 06 - Mirror Image Studios - Anaheim, CA
Apr. 20 - Jammin Joes - Arvada, CO
Jun. 13 - Bobby McGee's - Chicago Ridge, IL
Jun. 14 - Penny Pub Road - Barrington, IL
Jun. 20 - The Dead Horse Cantina & Music Hall - McKees Rocks, PA
Jun. 21 - House Of Rock - White Marsh, MD
Nov. 09 - Rock Harvest II at House of Rock - White Marsh, MD

"Parasitic Eruption", the new video from Dallas, Texas-based death metallers DEVOURMENT, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Conceived In Sewage", which was released on February 19 in North America, February 22 in Benelux, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Finland, and February 25 in the U.K. and rest of the world via Relapse Records.

Captured at Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL), "Conceived In Sewage" proves to be DEVOURMENT's most eviscerating release yet, gushing with over thirty-three minutes of the band's hate-fueled, monstrous brutality.

"Conceived In Sewage" track listing:

01. Legalize Homicide
02. Fifty Ton War Machine
03. Conceived In Sewage
04. Fucked With Rats
05. March to Megiddo
06. Today We Die, Tomorrow We Kill
07. Heaving Acid
08. Carved Into Ecstasy
09. Parasitic Eruption

Commented DEVOURMENT frontman Mike Majewski: "This will be the deepest album we have done, for sure. Definitely expect the intensity, but also more thought-out song structures. I would say a bit of a throwback to old-school brutal bands, but with the signature DEVOURMENT elements."

DEVOURMENT's calling card is absolute brutality, and the band's three previous albums and international touring and festival appearance have made them one of the more-talked-about acts in the worldwide death metal underground.

Identical twins Camille and Kennerly Kitt have covered the IRON MAIDEN classic "Fear Of The Dark" as an electric duet harp arrangement. Check it out in the YouTube clip below.

Camille and Kennerly said: "Audio recording = No studio or sound engineer. No splices, edits, loops, overlays, or backtracks. Just two harps — one audio take!"

Known as the "harp twins," Camille and Kennerly perform internationally as a dynamic acoustic and electric rock harp duo.

As the world's only known identical twin professional harpists, Camille and Kennerly have a passion and flair for arranging and performing contemporary music for harp duet.

Camille and Kennerly are known for their remarkable duet harp arrangements of songs by artists such as GUNS N' ROSES, LED ZEPPELIN, METALLICA, AEROSMITH, AC/DC, DEEP PURPLE and many more. The twins also arrange and perform a jukebox of Broadway, video game, TV and movie soundtrack hits. In addition to being prolific arrangers, Camille and Kennerly compose and perform their own original pieces for harp duet.

Camille and Kennerly began posting harp duet music videos of their rock-pop cover arrangements on YouTube several years ago. The twins have since acquired over 6.3 million total views on their videos in addition to amassing a large worldwide following of their music.

Anthony Morgan of Metal Forces recently conducted an interview with vocalist Andi Deris of German power metallers HELLOWEEN. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On the musical style of the latest HELLOWEEN album, "Straight Out Of Hell":

Andi: "This time we actually tried to do a more positive but even more aggressive album, because we thought that after surviving 2012 we should go into the whole thing with a bit more of a positive point of view. [laughs] '7 Sinners' [2010] is a more doomy record. It goes into more of a… I wouldn't say negative, but more of a doomy direction. It sounds more gothic and darker. It's not a 'Dark Ride' [2000] album, but it definitely wasn't as positive from a melodic point of view. It had less catchy melodies, but there are probably much more catchy melodies on the new album."

On lead single "Nabatea":

Andi: "I just accidentally learnt about Nabatea because of the Indiana Jones movie. In 'Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade' [1989], you see this big cathedral carved into a red mountain. I saw this, and the picture looked so real that I thought 'This can't be Hollywood. This can't have been artificially done for the movie only — it looks so real.' When I looked on the Internet and realized these scenes were shot in front of the real Nabatea, then I learnt about Nabatea, that this was possibly the first democracy 3,000 years ago and these people managed to live without slaves. I learnt that they managed to live without soldiers, and still they lived wealthy and prosperous. They never brought a war to another land, and they seemed to be the first democracy that we know of. I thought 'Wow, what a great story.' For thousands of years Nabatea was viewed more or less as a legend, like a dream. Like Atlantis, for example. Then the beginning of the 19th century, an area called Petra was accidentally discovered. When Petra was discovered, they knew that Nabatea wasn't a legend but definitely reality. I thought that this was a great story, because they already had what even us in the 21st century struggle hard to get, like no wars, democracy, wealth. That sounded too good to be true."

On preferring to play guitar:

Andi: "I started out as a guitarist. Because I was the only guy who was able to sing my own song ideas though, my friends in my first band told me that I should put the guitar away and concentrate on singing because there are lots of guitarists out there, but only a few singers. That was the misery I went through. I actually wanted to be a guitarist but I ended up as a singer, but it's okay. [laughs] That started with my first school band, and I went through my first three to four bands like that. There was always a singer when I joined the band, but all of them weren't good enough to sing the song ideas that I brought in. I was probably the bad guy, because I would consciously or purposely ask or demand it. I would join the band as a guitarist, and then sooner or later the singer would be kicked out and I would have to sing. [laughs]"

On his early guitar idols:

Andi: "I definitely looked up to Ace Frehley [ex-KISS] and Paul Stanley [KISS], which was probably a very good thing to do. Their guitar playing is so easy rock 'n' roll, and not difficult at all to learn and copy. I very quickly had some good results with my guitar playing, because the stuff that they played was so easy. I had a good time, actually, learning guitar with KISS, because it was easy. Then there were certainly much more complicated things that I actually tried to play along with, like DEEP PURPLE, JUDAS PRIEST. Then came VAN HALEN, and then it became a bit more difficult for me to actually play all that great stuff from Eddie Van Halen. I have to admit that I was never able to play them as good as Eddie Van Halen, and I probably never will. [laughs]"

On bands his 21-year-old son has exposed him to:

Andi: "The most popular would probably be KORN, DEFTONES, or THE WHITE STRIPES, stuff like that. For example, THE WHITE STRIPES is a great example of a band showing everybody out there that you don't actually need to be super-complicated all the time. For a band like HELLOWEEN, which normally plays complex twin solos and stuff like that, it's good to see there is a way to calm down the song and maybe even put in some dynamics. Maybe we can just play with one guitar for a few minutes, and then you have all of the brutality of two guitars back for the next part which probably demands it. You just open your ears. It's stuff that you know, but seem to have forgotten sometimes. Bands like THE WHITE STRIPES, for example, show you that you're definitely able to make great music with only two or three instruments — guitar, vocals, and drums. You don't necessarily need five or six instruments, so this is something you learn again, so to speak."

On his forthcoming solo album, provisionally titled "Million-Dollar Haircuts On Ten-Cent Heads":

Andi: "I hope to be ready somewhere in May or June, and take it from there. I will probably release it through JVC in Asia, and probably through Edel Music in the rest of the world. We just finished the drums. They sound great, but drums don't make a record. I know that the ideas are very good. It's much harder than you would expect from an Andi Deris solo album, but it's not SLIPKNOT or something like that. It's somewhere in between. [laughs] I would describe it as hard rock meets metal or metal meets hard rock, any way you can turn and twist it. [laughs] The truth is somewhere in the middle. It's modern hard rock with metal influences.

"We're still in the recording process, and there are probably lots of spices we will add or maybe some things that we'll take away again. I would rather describe it as modern sounding but evergreen hard rock/metal, though, so there are lots of catchy refrains and stuff like that, and lots of things to sing along to definitely. There's no speed metal stuff on it, but it's rather heavy."

On the album's provisional title:

Andi: "As the name suggests, it's all about those idiots who actually just work without moral ethics and are just corrupt. They just work for their own pockets, and don't ask about people down there who are actually suffering, and take away money, which is obviously lacking down there. That's probably the reason why we have more poorer people, and more richer people. There's a lot of bitching and a lot of aggression that I've built up during the last few years concerning politics and systems, but it's all in great stories I think, and I think everybody will nod. There's a lot of filthy mouth stuff on it which makes it fun to sing along to, but it's very aggressive lyrically."

Read the entire interview at Metal Forces.

New York death metal veterans IMMOLATION will release their ninth full-length album, "Kingdom Of Conspiracy", on May 14 in North America, both digitally and physically, via Nuclear Blast Records. The The follow-up to 2010's "Majesty And Decay" was recorded at Sound Studios in Millbrook, New York with longtime producer Paul Orofino, and mixed and mastered once again by Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH, SUFFOCATION).

The "Kingdom Of Conspiracy" cover imagery was brought to life this time by Pär Olofsson, who has previously worked with IMMORTAL, THE FACELESS and ABYSMAL DAWN, among others.

"The figures in the artwork have all been bound and chained and have their eyes and mouths sewn shut symbolically, showing the chilling of speech and the intentional blinding of the masses," explains IMMOLATION guitarist Robert Vigna. "They all make up the huge ominous structure behind them, which is symbolic of the growing security state as well as our failing structures today, and how they are slowly and methodically consuming and controlling us all. It has a very Orwellian feel to it, which is what we were going for since the album is very dark in a slightly different way."

In regards to "Kingdom Of Conspiracy"'s lyrical content, Vigna says: "The album deals with the world today and the slow unraveling and breakdown of our societies and the systems and structures behind them. It speaks of the human side to all this and how we have all lost our way and have fed into these very systems that are slowly coming apart. This is the common thread running throughout the album and the cover paints a very dark picture of the future, where these systems have completely absorbed our world, and our freedoms and we have become a part of the very fabric of these structures that we have created. Each song is a symptom of this mass sickness that has brought the world to the point it is at now, and we paint a very bleak picture of this slow and gradual breakdown and the human failures that sped this process along. This is the 'Kingdom Of Conspiracy'."

"Kingdom Of Conspiracy" track listing:

01. Echoes Of Despair
02. Keep The Silence
03. Kingdom Of Conspiracy
04. Serving Divinity
05. The Great Sleep
06. Indoctrinate
07. A Spectacle of Lies
08. God Complex
09. Bound To Order
10. All That Awaits

For photos of the band in the studio, click here.

Catch the band on the Decibel Magazine Tour this spring with CANNIBAL CORPSE and NAPALM DEATH.

"Majesty And Decay", was released in March 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 29 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.

Austrian female-fronted symphonic metallers EDENBRIDGE have have announced the addition of bassist Wolfgang Rothbauer (pictured below) to the group's ranks. Wolfgang is a longtime friend of the band who has previously collabororated with EDENBRIDGE drummer Max Pointner in IN SLUMBER and EDENBRIDGE guitarist Dominik Sebastian in THIRDMOON.

EDENBRIDGE recently inked a worldwide deal with SPV/Steamhammer. The band's eighth album, "The Bonding", will be released on June 21 in Germany, June 24 in the rest of Europe and July 2 in the U.S./Canada. It will be available as a limited-edition ecol book with a bonus CD and some exciting extras, double gatefold colored vinyl with printed inner sleeves, jewel case version and as a digital download.

Commented EDENBRIDGE bandleader and composer Lanvall: "We are extremly happy and proud to be part of the SPV family. After several months of meetings, we feel that the title of our new album, 'The Bonding', fits perfectly into our new home. Our fans should expect a new album filled with emotional and powerful music and a mystical artwork which will form a unity with the message of the album."

Added Steamhammer A&R representative Olly Hahn: "EDENBRIDGE were always a band way ahead and I'm happy that they decided to join the SPV family. Together we will create some exciting things for the new album which will present the band in a light which they deserve!"

"The Bonding" was mixed by Karl Groom (THRESHOLD) at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey, England. The CD will feature orchestral parts by the Klangvereinigung Vienna orchestra, conducted by Gerald Mair and recorded at Home Music Studio in Vienna with Georg Luksch. Lanvall stated: "The result is overwhelming. We have decided to record strings, brass/woodwinds and percussion seperately this time. Everything sounds more voluminous and cleaner. The musicians of the orchestra did a tremendous job. Be prepared for a real blast!"

The drum tracks for "The Bonding" were recorded by Max Pointner at Sunprojects Studio.

EDENBRIDGE's seventh album, "Solitaire", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95 back in July 2010.

The "Higher" video can be viewed below. The clip was filmed with director Silvan Buege (Blackstage TV).

EDENBRIDGE's live album, "LiveEarthDream", was released in May 2009. The disc was recorded at various concerts in 2008 and was only available through the band's fanshop.

A 24-minute collection of video reports featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the debut album from BLACK STAR RIDERS — the new band formed by THIN LIZZY alumni Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) with new addition Jimmy DeGrasso (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH, DAVID LEE ROTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) on drums — can be seen below. The CD is currently being mixed by producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, RUSH) at his The Cave studios in Malibu, California for a late May release via Nuclear Blast. Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "All Hell Breaks Loose", "Someday Salvation", "Bound For Glory", "Kingdom Of The Lost" and "Hoodoo Voodoo". Mastering duties will be handled by Bob Ludwig (JIMI HENDRIX, RUSH, KISS, LED ZEPPELIN) at Gateway Mastering Studios in Portland, Maine.

At the end of March, there will be the first single release that will have an exclusive airing via certain media outlets prior to public release. Around the same time, more tour dates for the fall will be announced.

In October 2012, THIN LIZZY announced that they would not be recording new material under the THIN LIZZY monicker. The last incarnation of the band — Gorham, Brian Downey, Wharton, Warwick, Johnson and Mendoza — would be looking to form a new project.

According to a press release, Brian Downey decided to not become involved with BLACK STAR RIDERS because he didn't want to commit to the touring cycle a new album would entail and Darren Wharton wanted to concentrate on DARE and other music and film projects.

"Brian and Darren just don't want to be on the road 150 days a year. anti that's completely understandable," Warwick tells Classic Rock magazine. "But we do. We work very well together, and there's no better man than Jimmy to gel it together. This is a kick-ass band."

The BLACK STAR RIDERS album will feature material the band wrote while touring as THIN LIZZY and the sound retains that classic feel but is very much its own as well. The BLACK STAR RIDERS record is the next step in the evolution of the THIN LIZZY story.

"There's no way it could sound like THIN LIZZY with [late THIN LIZZY frontman] Phil [Lynott]," Gorham tells Classic Rock. But Johnson disagreees. "I think Scott is too dose to it," he says. "Ricky or I would bring in a song idea, and as soon as Scott starts playing on it, it sounds like THIN LIZZY, whether Scott realizes it or not. Everybody who's heard the new music says it has that dassic THIN LIZZY vibe. No, it can't sound like the original band. But that classic LIZZY vibe is absolutely there."

"I'm not gonna pull any punches here," says Warwick. "It sounds like classic THIN LIZZY brought up to date. l've been singing Phil's songs every night for two years, and although it sounds a bit crass because the man's not here, I feel like I've had these lessons from getting so deep into his work. Phil's songwriting, his lyrics, his phrasing, his pitching, his delivery — it's genius. And that's really helped me as a writer."

It was Warwick who named the new band BLACK STAR RIDERS, after an outlaw gang in the 1993 western movie "Tombstone". As Johnson tells Classic Rock: "Scott said from the very beginning that we did not want a name that was specifically related to THIN LIZZY, because this band has to stand on its own."

John Parks of Legendary Rock Interviews recently conducted an interview with QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Legendary Rock Interviews: This whole situation and court battle over QUEENSRŸCHE is something most of us could never have forseen back in the '90s, but yet here we are talking about it, sadly enough. Is there ever a day where the whole drama just doesn't even enter your head?

Geoff Tate: Oh yeah, quite often. [laughs] Yeah, yeah….You know, initially, the first few months that this all started happening was a very difficult time but I've kind of gotten past that now and am in a much better place now where things seem a lot more brighter. I had my new solo album, "Kings & Thieves" and the tour supporting that and that helped, just playing shows and supporting that. I never even think about the former lineup at this point. Of course, they launched a lawsuit against me that I won, basically, and from then on, I really haven't thought about it too much. Our court date isn't until November 2013, so I basically have until then until all of that is officially decided, which is quite aways from now. A lot of water is going to go under the bridge before then, definitely.

Legendary Rock Interviews: You surprised more than a few fans in recent months with your statements that you wouldn't be opposed to sitting down in a room and just trying to talk rationally with those guys. On an obviously much less important note I have noticed that those guys are often not that accessible from a publicity end. We have reached out numerous times to both Michael Wilton and were actually scheduled to talk to Scott Rockenfield, but both times have come up empty-handed. Have you also found a series of unending emails or found them pretty difficult to reach directly? [laughs]

Geoff: [laughs] Yeah, that's pretty much been my experience over the years. That doesn't surprise me. You, John, you've probably recognized the fact that I have probably done 99 percent of the interviews over the course of QUEENSRŸCHE's career. There's a reason for that, there was a reason for that when I talked to you for the last album and there's been a reason for that our entire career; I've been incredibly careful and diligent about presenting our image in a certain way. I'm recognized, pretty universally, as the spokesperson for the band and there's a reason for that. [laughs] I can reliably do my interviews and put a sentence together and I think I have a very good handle on what it is that I am trying to do within the band as the band leader. I have always thought that we were collectively on the same page about this over the years, so when they fired me, it came as a complete shock. It was like a kick upside the head that I wasn't expecting at all, especially at this point in our career where we've been a successful band for 30-plus years and have a very respected name around the world. Why in the world would any sane people launch this whole shakeup and fire everybody who is your support system and everyone who's involved with you, cancel all your income for the year and cut your head off by firing the face and voice of your band. They have basically sliced their own throat and rubbed the name of the band in the dirt in this quest of theirs and have no sane reason why such madness was necessary. It doesn't make any sense. I'm still trying to wrap my head around what their whole plan is, what is their plan after the court date, it just doesn't make any sense.

Legendary Rock Interviews: I have heard you say that you think the whole lawsuit really has a lot to do with money and they have mentioned it was also creative differences. Your wife and daughter worked for the organization and were also fired. Did they just get the feeling there were too many Tates in the kitchen?

Geoff: You know, when you have a group of people, you need a leadership in place and set up efficiently. Somebody has to do it.

Legendary Rock Interviews: So they were comfortable with it for a number of years and then at some point it just started messing with them?

Geoff: Yeah, yeah, I think so. Again, some of that verbiage from them is just down to "created perceptions" or the picture they want to present. The fact is that they wanted to fire me and then split up my shares of the corporation, and typically, true to form for them, they went about it totally half-cocked, unprepared and shortsighted. You can't just do that so easily, you can't just fire a corporate member of your company — it's illegal to do that — but, of course, true to fashion, they didn't research any of that or look into it or talk about it with us they just did it. The fallout of all of that is that we have a lawsuit. It's not like a bunch of guys got together and formed a band and play a bit on the weekends. It's a business, it's a very successful business, and it involves corporate and legal procedures. There's a way you have to conduct yourself business-wise and you have to follow the rules and the law is very explicit in that. That's why we have a court date and a lawsuit. They can't just fire me; it doesn't work that way in corporations or in the business world.

Read the entire interview from Legendary Rock Interviews.

Pictured below: The new lineup of the Geoff Tate-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE

The Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE has inked a deal with Century Media Records for the release of the band's new studio album. Due on June 11, the CD marks the debut release from the lineup comprised of La Torre (vocals; ex-CRIMSON GLORY), Michael Wilton (guitar), Parker Lundgren (guitar), Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfield (drums). The drums for the album were recorded at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, Washington with producer James "Jimbo" Barton — the man who engineered and mixed the band's classic 1988 LP, "Operation: Mindcrime", and its 1990 follow-up, "Empire", and co-produced 1994's "Promised Land". The rest of the music and vocals were laid down at several different facilities on the West Coast.

"QUEENSRŸCHE is excited to begin writing this next chapter of our career with Century Media. Their passion and love for music has been apparent since early discussions and we are pleased to call them partners on this journey," states Jackson. "We are also thankful for all of the fans who have supported us from day one and helped us get to where we are today. Todd, Scott, Parker, Michael and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for each and every one of you."

QUEENSRŸCHE frummer Scott Rockenfield tells Billboard.com: "Century Media has been extremely enthusiastic ever since they came into the equation with us, and for what it's worth it's hard to find enthusiasm like that. After 35 years I guess I'm gracious and honored that we have people that are that enthusiastic about the band, so we're really happy about moving forward with them."

Century Media president of North America Don Robertson wrote in an email to Billboard.com about the label's interest in the band: "Many of us at the label have been longtime fans of QUEENSRŸCHE as a band. When we heard they were recording a new record, we were all definitely interested."

"Recording is finished. It's that final stage where we mix and we master . . . It's been quite crazy so we're winding down so we can focus on the final section of the record, which is the artwork and the name and everything else," Rockenfield says.

QUEENSRŸCHE will head out on the "Return To History" world tour this March and April. The trek kicks off on March 5 in Dubuque, Iowa and makes stops in nine different countries, wrapping up on April 26 in the Netherlands. The band will also take to the high seas on this year's Monsters Of Rock cruise and Sweden Rock Cruise. The 23-date tour will make stops in New York, Tennessee and Florida as well as in Canada, United Kingdom and Germany, among others.

A 90-second audio sample of a new song called "Redemption" from the the Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE was premiered on the February 22 edition of Eddie Trunk's "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM and can now be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

In a recent interview with Metal Assault, drummer Scott Rockenfield stated about QUEENSRŸCHE's renewed collaboration with Barton: "It's a great thing — we're really excited about it, he's really excited about it. We've wanted to work with him for a while, but for whatever reason, we just hadn't gone there yet. This is a great time for us to do that, though. We all discussed who we wanted to do the record with, and he was one of the first names that came up. It was easy for us to pick up the phone and call him. It was like our relationship picked up right where it left off, so it's gonna be a lot of fun. He's a very creative guy that did some great records with us in the past. I think that's one of the most important things when it comes to why we want to work with him."

Asked if fans will see a return to the progressive metal sound QUEENSRŸCHE had in the '80s, Scott said: "What we're trying to do, and what has been really interesting since Todd has jumped into the band, we're trying to revisit the old QUEENSRŸCHE catalog — stuff off of the EP and "The Warning". That's always been a part of what we are, so yeah, definitely! I think in my opinion, we're really revisiting that vibe of why that music was special back then for us. There will be a modern flair to it, though, just because we're in the modern age. The fun thing about Jimbo being a part of it is that he can help tie together the two sides. He does come from our past and some of the great records and some of the great sounds that we're known for, but he's also living in the modern age and doing some interesting things as well. I think it's going to be a really great QUEENSRŸCHE record. People are going to go, 'Wow, that's QUEENSRŸCHE! That sounds just like what we've known them to be, and what we would expect them to now be.' That's what I think peple will get out of it."

On March 23, Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a special performance titled "Retrospect". Joining them on stage will be a 70-piece symphonic orchestra and choir, making it the band's most ambitious project ever.

It would be nearly impossible to take such a massive lineup on the road. To allow fans across the globe take part in the extraordinary event, EPICA has partnered with LiveMusicStage who will broadcast the concert live online in HD quality. The high-quality live stream provides an exclusive, social concert experience with a front-row view.

"I am looking forward to this show very much," says EPICA guitarist Mark Jansen. "Everything we have done and achieved in these last 10 years will come together on the 23rd of March. With a big orchestra, our music comes to life exactly the way it's meant to be. Very rarely can we realize all of it and that makes it so special."

Tickets to watch the live stream at www.livemusicstage.com/epica cost 5 euro until March 7, after which the pay-per-view will be 7 euro. The concert takes physically place in Eindhoven in the Netherlands. It is expected to sell out soon, so for most of the fans the live stream will be the only way to go. People from over 45 countries are already coming to the show but organizers expect to double this figure with the live stream.

LiveMusicStage is an online venue where the audience can often interact with the bands while participating in high-quality live streams. For venues, festivals and other event organizers, it's a platform for broadcasting their gigs and concerts.

Veteran rockers SKID ROW have inked a deal with Megaforce Records. The band's new EP, "United World Rebellion - Chapter One", will be released in North America on April 16, with an international release date to be announced shortly. Some of the sessions for the CD, which was mastered last month, took place at Open Sky Studio, the Atlanta, Georgia-based facility owned and operated by producer/drummer Mike Froedge (DREADED MARCO, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DOUBLEDRIVE, SPEED X), and the Bonehead Studio, also in Atlanta.

Commented SKID ROW guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo: "We've known the Megaforce family and their various incarnations since 1982. Their history and legacy speaks for itself. We always thought that at some point we would work together and this turned out to be the perfect time and vehicle for us to finally do it. They have a sincere belief in what we're doing and what our vision is which is really rare today. Needless to say, this is a very exciting time for us!"

The first new release from SKID ROW since 2006's "Revolutions Per Minute", "United World Rebellion - Chapter One" is the first of three plus three EPs that will be made available over the next 12-18 months.

Explained SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan: "We wanted to do something different. Living in an age of information overload, it seemed like the perfect time to try something new. We came up with the idea to release three consecutive EPs over the course of the next year or so. This way we have new music out there on a consistent basis. And who better to do that with than Megaforce? They practically invented the EP! 'United World Rebellion – Chapter One' ROCKS!"

SKID ROW singer Johnny Solinger recently stated about "United World Rebellion - Chapter One": "This truly is a special record. Can't wait for you all to hear it."

A first look at the "United World Rebellion - Chapter One" cover art is available below.

"United World Rebellion - Chapter One" track listing:

01. Kings of Demolition
02. Let's Go
03. This Is Killing Me
04. Get Up
05. Stiches

Check out audio samples at Amazon.com.

To coincide with the "United World Rebellion - Chapter One" release, SKID ROW will embark on a world tour beginning April 4 in Ipswitch, England. This will carry them through the U.K., along with stops in the Czech Republic, Sweden, Mexico and Korea, just to name a few. In the coming months, this will be followed by a full-on North American tour.

SKID ROW's last album "Revolutions Per Minute", was released on October 24, 2006 via SPV Records.

The band in 2010 parted ways with drummer Dave Gara and replaced him with Atlanta native Rob Hammersmith.

Rob spent many years touring and recording with Atlanta-based rockers ROCKETS TO RUIN and has performed with GUNFIRE 76, the band featuring MURDERDOLLS frontman Wednesday 13.

"Kings Of Demolition" audio sample:

U.K. progressive metallers THE SAFETY FIRE will enter London's The Dairy studio in mid-March to record their sophomore album. The as-yet-untitled follow-up "Grind The Ocean" will be produced again by the band's own Derya "Dez" Nagle (guitar), who previously worked with Frank Turner (MONGOL HORDE), RISE TO REMAIN and THE HAARP MACHINE.

Comments Dez: "We are extremely excited to be heading back into the studio to record the follow-up to our debut album, 'Grind The Ocean'.

"We have done some amazing tours in the last year and have really grown as a band.

"We are just really hyped about the new material. It has been great to get into this creative headspace.

"I'll try to avoid all the usual band clichés of saying how this album will be 'heavier and more melodic than the first,' but what I will say is this will be the best album of all time. Ever."

THE SAFETY FIRE features Sean McWeeney on vocals, Lori Peri on bass, Calvin Smith on drums, and Derya Nagle and Joaquin Ardiles on guitar.

Nagle produced and mixed "Grind the Ocean" as part of his BlackBear Productions operation.

"The Sound Of My Gun", the second song from FARMIKOS, the new band led by former OZZY OSBOURNE/DAVID LEE ROTH guitarist Joe Holmes, can be streamed at Farmikos.com. Holmes is joined in the new group by former LAIDLAW singer Robert "Robbie" Locke (pictured below with Holmes).

Says Holmes: "It's been a long time coming. I'm really proud of this music and am excited about getting it out. So far everything has been done without a label or management and we're in the process of figuring the best way to put this music out.

"I've been working with a great vocalist Robbie Locke and fortunate to have had Robert Trujillo [METALLICA, ex-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES] and Brooks Wackerman [BAD RELIGION] guest on this set of songs along with songwriting contributions from Brent Hoffort [MY OWN MACHINE]."

Holmes, 49, took lessons from legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT) in 1979 before forming the Los Angeles-based band TERRIFF in 1983. Holmes briefly left TERRIFF in 1987 to join LIZZY BORDEN and stayed with the latter group for a year before reforming TERRIFF.

After guitarist Jason Becker was diagnosed with ALS while recording DAVID LEE ROTH's album "A Little Ain't Enough" in 1990, Holmes stepped in to replace him.

In 1995, after Ozzy Osbourne had finished recording the "Ozzmosis" album, a replacement for Zakk Wylde was needed for the tour and Holmes got the job.

"It's really spooky," Ozzy once said in an interview, "because when Joe plays the Randy Rhoads stuff, he plays just like him — it's like I can see Randy's fingers."

Holmes remained Ozzy's guitarist for five years, before leaving the band during the writing sessions for the "Down To Earth" album. Although Holmes does not play on the CD, the songs "Facing Hell", "Junkie" and "That I Never Had", which were co-written by Holmes, appear on the album.

Swedish hard rockers THE QUILL will release their new album, "Tiger Blood", on May 24 via Metalville Records. The effort will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally.

"Tiger Blood" consists of 10 tracks, with one additional song on the iTunes release.

As with THE QUILL's 2011 album, "Full Circle", the band worked with producer Petter Diamant at Jakaranda Studio in Gävle and the 491 Studio in Oskarshamn. The CD was then mixed by Patrik Frisk (CRASHDIET, CORRODED, TAKIDA) at Sidelake/Ninetone Studios in Sundsvall.

Comments the band: "The goal for this our seventh release was to make an album that was straight to the point without any excess luggage.

"Early on in the writing process, we all agreed on trying to make an album with a lot of variation giving the listener a broader picture of what THE QUILL is all about. With the album now finished, we can honestly say we managed to achive what we aimed for."

"Full Circle" was released on June 24, 2011 in Europe and July 26, 2011 in North America via Metalville Records.