Having raided the death/doom underworld since 1996, Tokyo, Japan’s brutal doom metal eradicators COFFINS have once again entered their local Noise Room Studio and are currently laying down vocals for their anticipated new LP, "The Fleshland".

Although COFFINS seemingly always have a new release out — with a plethora of splits, EPs, singles and a recent track released as part of Decibel magazine’s Flexi Series having been released in the past few years alone — the band’s upcoming fourth album, "The Fleshland", will be the first new full-length from the outfit since their devastating and acclaimed "Buried Death" album, released via 20 Buck Spin in 2008. COFFINS' first official release for Relapse Records, "The Fleshland" will be completed by the end of January and will be released later this year.

For now, ravenous fans of COFFINS' brutal arts can get a bit of insight into the new album's cacophony with a pre-production demo track of "Colossal Hole" — which will reappear on "The Fleshland" in its finished state.

Colossal Hole (pre-pro demo version) by COFFINS

Guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD played his first-ever solo acoustic show last night (Monday, January 21) at On The Rox in Hollywood, California. The performance was part of a five-concert solo run around Flynn's appearance at this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, which is being held January 25-27 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

Commented Flynn: "I did the full 10-day master cleanse back in May 2011 during the recording of 'Unto The Locust'. I sang most of the vocal tracks and played a lot of the guitar tracks while on The Cleanse. It was great, put me in a good headspace. I only managed a disappointing three-day last year, but I wasn't sober.

"As part of my rehab, I've booked some small acoustic shows at clubs and bars along the way down to L.A. for NAMM. Just me and my tech Scott driving all over California in my 4-Runner, trying to... I dunno... trying to get lost, I guess. Half cover songs, half MACHINE HEAD tunes, all done acoustic, no setlist, making it up as I go. I played last night in Hollywood and it was really, really cool. Had a blast, told stories, laughed, it got pretty heavy at times, hung with some great people, it was therapeutic as fuck.

"I need to do this. I need to challenge myself, I need to go out there and play some shows, get out of my comfort zone and shake myself up, be alone, on my own. I'm not happy right now, I need to figure this shit out, I need it find that fire again, inspiration, or, I don't know even what I'm searching for, something, and I feel like this might help me find a part of it. It's the most excited I've been about something in a long while."

The setlist for last night's performance was as follows:

01. Die Young (BLACK SABBATH cover)
02. Now I Lay Thee Down
03. Sunshine (ALICE IN CHAINS cover)
04. Descend The Shades Of Night
05. Aerials (SYSTEM OF A DOWN cover)
06. The Burning Red
07. Everlong (FOO FIGHTERS cover)
08. Davidian *
09. Darkness Within (acoustic)

* with fan on vocals

Remaining dates:

Jan. 23 - Riverside, CA - Mission Tobacco Lounge
Jan. 24 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
Jan. 25 - Anaheim, CA - NAMM
Jan. 26 - Fullerton, CA - The Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen

INFINITUM OBSCURE entered Audio Zombie Recordings in Tijuana, México on January 5 2013 to record a new single entitled "The Luminous Black" with producer Diego Soria.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. The Luminous Black (Ode To The Fallen Angel)
02. Path to Apocalypse
03. Through Blood By Thunder (BATHORY cover)

"The Luminous Black" will be released via Deathgasm Records during February and will be limited to a one-time pressing. The single will offer a taste of what is to come on INFINITUM OBSCURE's upcoming full-length album.

INFINITUM OBSCURE will tour the United States Of America in April as direct support for legendary Swedish death metallers SORCERY. Tour dates will become available soon via Hate War Productions.

There is still no set recording date for the new album, things are finally beginning to materialize... but it will be recorded and produced once again by Bill Metoyer at Skull Seven Studios in Los Angeles, California and will be mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio in Sweden. It will also feature once again the majestic artwork of Ketolahelvete. The full-length will be released during 2013 in the U.S.A. via Deathgasm Records (CD format — digipack and jewelcase) and in Europe via Blood Harvest Records on 12-inch vinyl format.

INFINITUM OBSCURE was founded in late 2000 by Roberto Lizárraga with the sole purpose of expressing a personal vision of death and existence in the form of obscure death metal.

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of up-and-coming metal act BEYOND THE SHORE. The band's debut full-length, "Ghostwatcher", will be released on April 2. The first single, "Half Lived", is available now on iTunes. The CD was recorded last year in Lowell, North Carolina with Kevin Newland of Newland Recordings.

In 2008, the Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky quintet formed when the members were still in high school. Relentlessly booking shows, touring and balancing school at the same time, BEYOND THE SHORE had the privilege of sharing the stage with acts such as BORN OF OSIRIS, SHAI HULUD, MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE, OF MACHINES, AFTER THE BURIAL and many more. BEYOND THE SHORE has created quite a buzz in the short time they have been a band.

The band's first release, "The Arctic Front" EP (2009), was produced by Kelly Cairns and recorded at Lambesis Studios (AS I LAY DYING, WAR OF AGES, AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE, IMPENDING DOOM) in San Marcos, California. It helped to build an impressive Internet buzz, starting with the release of the EP's first single, "Shotgun Sunrise". After playing several shows in support of the EP, BEYOND THE SHORE began work on "Ghostwatcher".

BEYOND THE SHORE is:

Andrew Loucks - Vocals
Chris "The Lieutenant" Stinnett - Drums
Zach Hunter - Guitar
Jared Loucks - Guitar
Eli Masharbash – Bass

Video footage of the three-robot act COMPRESSORHEAD performing a stirring rendition of the classic MOTÖRHEAD anthem "Ace Of Spades" at this year's Big Day Out festival in Australia can be seen below.

COMPRESSORHEAD, which hails from Germany and consists of guitarist Fingers, bassist Bones and drummer Stickboy, plays a selection of well-known covers.

"When Stickboy debuted at Big Day Out 2008, I knew that if he found the right musicians to work with the sky would be the limit," said Big Day Out producer Ken West. "Stickboy's solo performance is still the most viewed YouTube act performing that year including RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. Now with Fingers and Bones by his side, I believe the world debut of COMPRESSORHEAD at Big Day Out 2013 will be the highlight not to be missed."

COMPRESSORHEAD's mission statement:

"Did you ever wonder what Danny Carey would sound like if he had four arms?

"How about if Angus Young had 78 fingers? Imagine what Robert Trujillo would sound like if he was actually made of metal?

"Well, wonder no more, meatbags.

"COMPRESSORHEAD is the world's heaviest metal band.

"Stickboy, Fingers and Bones are guaranteed to shake and rattle the world of meatbag music.

"Stickboy was created to exacting specifications. Four arms, two legs, one head, no brain. he plays a Pearl 14-piece kit with double kick. Stickboy junior, the bastard child of an unknown mother, takes control of the hihat shuffle. Inception date: 2007.

"Fingers joined Stickboy in 2009 and brings 78 purpose-built fingers, enough to play the entire fret board and pluck.

"Bones is the highest-precision bass player in known existence, and the youngest member of the band. Inception date: 2012.

"Stand aside, meatbags. Oil is thicker than blood."

"Shadow Moses", the new video from the British metalcore act BRING ME THE HORIZON, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Sempiternal", which will be released on April 29 in Europe via RCA and one day later in North America through Epitaph.

Proving to be perpetual favorites among fans, the CD's first single, "Shadow Moses", came charging out of the gates earlier this month after premiering on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show, forcing Epitaph to post the song on YouTube a week in advance due to popular demand.

"There's a very euphoric sound coursing through the album, a very uplifting but yet sad sound," says BRING ME THE HORIZON frontman Oliver Sykes. "Electronically, it's far more advanced than anything we've done before."

The five-piece, consisting of Oliver Sykes, Lee Malia, Matt Kean, Matt Nicholls and Jordan Fish, recorded "Sempiternal" over a three-month period with super producer Terry Date (LINKIN PARK, DEFTONES, SOUNDGARDEN). The band also brought in David Bendeth (A DAY TO REMEMBER, PARAMORE) to add to the all-star production lineup and mix the album.

"Writing 'Sempiternal' was a completely different process," comments Sykes. "We worked from a computer, laying down ideas and riffs and working on them tirelessly until we had what we wanted." For the first time, "Sempiternal" sees a new member appearing on the record, Jordan Fish, who takes on keyboard duties on the record as well as during live performances. "Bringing Jordan into the mix changed things completely; he opened up so many more possibilities."

Sykes goes on to say: "The lyrical theme is everything. My head was a lot clearer when writing this time and it allowed me to write from a different perspective. It's the best stuff I've ever written, in my opinion. It's very dramatic, quite blunt, and at times sarcastic, but the biggest part of it — is how it is combined with the music to bring the listener vivid imagery and emotion. I think we really managed to pull that off."

"Sempiternal" is an embracing ride through soaring vocals, supercharged melodies and what can only be described as spine tingling metal anthems.

After the critical and commercial success of their previous albums, "There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret" (2010) and their breakout success "Suicide Season" (2008), BRING ME THE HORIZON plans to take heavy music to the next level, incorporating the most dynamic elements of hard music to create one of the most exhilarating albums of the year.

"Sempiternal" track listing:

01. Can You Feel My Heart
02. The House Of Wolves
03. Empire (Let Them Sing)
04. Sleepwalking
05. Go To Hell, For Heaven's Sake
06. Shadow Moses
07. And The Snakes Start To Sing
08. Seen It All Before
09. Anti-vist
10. Crooked Young
11. Hospitals For Souls

BRING ME THE HORIZON recently parted ways with guitarist Jona Weinhofen. A replacement axeman has not yet been announced.

Attributes in music are known to be cyclical. Every few years, a band comes along which borrows just enough from the revered past to bring a new infusion of vitality to the musical present. SCORPION CHILD's sound invokes a time when guitar-driven rock ruled radio's airwaves, when being hypnotized by a frontman and his bandmates in a concert arena was one of life's ultimate main events.

A five-piece from Austin, Texas, SCORPION CHILD has spent the last few years perfecting both its songwriting and stage show. Guitarists Chris Cowart and David Finner deliver their finessed twin guitar attack with experience older than their years; bassist Shaun Avants and drummer Shawn Alvear are steadfast sentinels of their driving rhythm section; and lead singer Aryn Jonathan Black fronts the psychedelic rock cavalry with a passion and voice reminiscent of the early eras of Robert Plant and Ronnie James Dio.

"I've always wanted to hear new musical ingredients within a classic heavy sound," states Aryn Jonathan Black. "It’s great to witness captivating performances where both the live show and the band’s recorded material can complement one another. The heavy-prog sounds of URIAH HEEP, HAIRY CHAPTER, and the epic delivery of early RAINBOW showcases these crossovers brilliantly and gave us all honest — yet relentless — sonics to aspire to. That's why it’s important for us as a band to maintain spontaneity while putting a special emphasis into integral hooks."

This May, Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the new U.S. partnership between Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger and former Roadrunner Records A&R chief Monte Conner, will release SCORPION CHILD's self-titled, full-length debut. Produced and arranged by Chris "Frenchie" Smith (THE ANSWER, AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD...), the album uses analog recording technology to organically capture a hybrid of nine, hook-filled chapters of heavy psych rock. The goal? To breathe new life into a neglected yet still important musical heritage.

Dangerous guitar riffs, soul-ridden bass lines, and thunderous drums with powerful rock vocals as lead conductor convey the onstage swagger of SCORPION CHILD and will prepare you for the live experience awaiting you when the band tours the U.S. and Europe throughout 2013.

"Scorpion Child" track listing is:

01. Kings Highway
02. Polygon Of Eyes
03. The Secret Spot
04. Salvation Slave
05. Liquor
06. Antioch
07. In The Arms Of Ecstasy
08. Lover’s Leap
09. Red Blood (The River Flows)

The lyric video for "Polygon Of Eyes" can be seen below.

Former vocalist of HAIL THE VILLAIN Bryan Crouch has launched a new band, SIX SIDE DIE. They have posted a new demo online entitled 'Fraudulence. Check it out below:

Learn how to get your music heard at ReverbNation.com

Six Side Die's debut EP is available via iTunes and Amazon.com (use the widget below). The tracklist is as follows:

'My Enemy'
'Heart Is Dying'
'Die For'
'Break Me'

Queensland, Australia-based heavy sleaze rockers EIGHTBALL VOODOO have released an official music video for the track 'The Devil's Country' off the 666 Reasons split-single, which is available for purchase at iTunes and Amazon. Another two videos are in production for the tracks '666 Reasons' and the free download, 'Fall From Grace'.
The video can viewed below:
In the meantime work has started on the follow-up to 666 Reasons. Frontman Jay R says that the recording "will be a four to six song EP tentatively titled 'The Lords Of Voodoo'. Some of the tracks in contention for the EP are 'She Likes Machines', 'Organ Grinder', 'Fuck Off And Die', 'Hellride' and 'Lords Of Voodoo'."

Eightball Voodoo are hoping to put together a North American tour at some point this year and are finalising negotiations on some other deals that will be announced as they happen.

The international gang of reprobates known as Eightball Voodoo forge ahead with their own brand of hell spawned, whisky fuelled, blistering heavy sleaze rock whilst paying homage to the Sunset Strip scene of the late eighties/early nineties. Eightball Voodoo features Jay R of JackViper fame and Rob Silver, who were big players in the London sleaze revival circa 2005-2009, along with Deangersmith, Robi Smith and Ralph Margo who are all legendary veterans of the South African heavy metal scene.

Eightball Voodoo are also offering a free download of the dark acoustic ballad 'Fall From Grace'. Simply click
here to download the track.

German thrash metal veterans SODOM have set "Epitome Of Torture" as the titlte of their new album, set for May 7 release (April 29 in Europe) via SPV/Steamhammer. The band recorded 12 songs with producer Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., ENEMY OF THE SUN). The effort will be available in four editions: as a jewel case release, in a digipak including additional bonus material on double gatefold LP with colored vinyl and download.

SODOM's latest CD, "In War And Pieces", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 64.

SODOM in 2010 parted ways with drummer Bobby Schottkowski due to "personal and private problems between Tom and Bobby," according to a statement released by the band.

SODOM's current drummer, Markus Freiwald, previously played for the German bands DESPAIR and FLAMING ANGER and was involved with the VOODOOCULT project. In addition, he played percussion as a session musician on the MOONSPELL album "Irreligious" and is featured on the 1996 LP "Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers" by Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST.

Drummer Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, ex-DREAM THEATER) has checked in with the following update:

"Wow! Really cool fan tribute to my '12 Step Suite' (and a whole lot more!). It's like my life flashing before my eyes! Will always be very proud of my legacy. Check this out DT fans. I still hope to someday perform this entire suite in its entirely live on stage as that was always my idea/intention. Thanks for making this, DeanBassmanGaudoin!"

Click here for background information and a breakdown of '12 Step Suite'.
Portnoy recently announced his schedule of NAMM signings, appearances and performances. They are as follows:

January 24th:
- Sabian press conference to announce the winners of Cymbal Vote (9:30am)
- Bonzo Bash Namm Jamm at The Observatory in Anaheim, CA (evening)

January 25th:
- Metal Masters signing at Samson/Zoom booth (12:00 noon)
- signing at Remo booth (2:00pm)

January 26th:
- signing at Latin Percussion booth (2:30pm)
- signing at Samson/Zoom booth (3:30pm)

January 27th:
- jamming with "The 4 Dudes" at The Dragonfly in Hollywood (7:00pm, featuring BILLY SHEEHAN, RON "BUMBLEFOOT" THAL and HAPPENIN' HARRY)

NAMM 2013 takes place January 24th - 27th at Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Details at this location.

"Bruane Brenn", the brand new single from acclaimed Norwegian rockers KVELERTAK, was premiered on January 8 on BBC Radio 1's "Rock Show" with Daniel P. Carter and is now available on iTunes and Spotify in Scandinavia. The track comes off the band's sophomore album, "Meir", which will be released in March via Sony Music Scandinavia. The CD was recorded late summer/early fall at Godcity studios in Salem, Massachusetts with producer Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE).

KVELERTAK's previous label, Indie Recordings, which will release "Meir" on vinyl, said in a statement: "We congratulate the boys in KVELERTAK on their signing to Sony Music Scandinavia. It was a natural step for the band to sign to a major label at this point. We are so proud to have been a big part of their journey and helped to build them up to where they're at now! We are looking forward to keep on working with KVELERTAK on their vinyl releases in the future!"

"Meir" track listing:

01. Åpenbaring
02. Spring Fra Livet
03. Trepan
04. Bruane Brenn
05. Evig Vandrar
06. Snilepisk
07. Månelyst
08. Nekrokosmos
09. Undertro
10. Tordenbrak
11. Kvelertak

KVELERTAK recently completed a U.S tour alongside CONVERGE and TORCHE.

Featuring iconic artwork by John Dyer Baizley (BARONESS, KYLESA), KVELERTAK's self-titled 2010 debut album — which was certified gold in the band's home country — has earned the band extensive worldwide acclaim, with Kerrang! going so far as to call the sextet "the best Norwegian band since A-HA." The album, which features vocals entirely in the band's native language, recieved 9/10 ratings from Metal Hammer, Decibel and Rock Hard magazines and earned the group an invitation to perform a live session on BBC Radio 1.

"Hang On, Big Brother", the new video from PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's self-titled debut album, which will be released on February 12 via Magna Carta.

It's often been said that three-piece bands are the most expressive and most balanced musical units known to the rock world. CREAM, THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE, RUSH, THE POLICE, PRIMUS… These legendary acts struck upon the correct ratio of musicianship and progressive songwriting by exploring uncharted musical territories while highlighting the individual talents within their collective ranks.

Now Magna Carta Records unveils PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN, a visionary power trio (emphasis on power) and a supergroup to boot, which is sure to take its rightful place in rock's hallowed halls.

Composed of bassist/vocalist Doug "dUg" Pinnick of the progressive metal band KING'S X, southpaw blues-rock guitarist Eric Gales (LAURYN HILL) and ambitious ambidextrous drummer and former THE MARS VOLTA member Thomas Pridgen, PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN unites three versatile artists, who demand, as much as share, the musical spotlight.

On the band's debut, each member of PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN infuses the material with his own set of musical influences, transforming his individual instrument into a lead instrument. The absolutely slamming musicianship frames the recognizable melodies of these songs and catapults the music into the realms of psychedelic blues, hard rock, and progressive soul/R&B.

"This record is three guys, with music in us, who said, 'Let's go for it,'" says Pinnick. "It was built upon raw energy."

Produced by Mike Varney, PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN's debut contains all the stinging bite and all-out sonic boom of KING'S X, THE MARS VOLTA and the ERIC GALES BAND. In addition, fans of artists as far ranging as Jimi Hendrix, CREAM, LIVING COLOUR, Stevie Ray Vaughan, TOOL, THE WHO, Stevie Wonder and LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT might find something meaningful in these meaty, extended tracks.

PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN show some of their influences with their brilliant version of seminal power trio CREAM's "Sunshine Of Your Love". Pinnick says, "Our version has a different vibe: it's tuned down, real low."

"I think the record has a combination of all of the good things about our playing," says Pridgen.

"This is just colossal," Gales concludes. "This is just some slammin' [stuff]. When you put a project out like this, man, people will want to hear that [material] live. I know I would."

"Pinnick Gales Pridgen" track listing:

01. Collateral Damage
02. Angels And Aliens
03. For Jasmine
04. Hang On, Big Brother
05. Wishing Well
06. Hate Crime
07. Lascivious
08. Black Jeans
09. Sunshine Of Your Love
10. Been So High (The Only Place To Go Is Down)
11. Me And You
12. The Greatest Love
13. Frightening

PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN is:

* Doug "dUg" Pinnick (KING'S X) - Bass and Vocals
* Eric Gales (ERIC GALES BAND, LAURYN HILL) - Guitar and Vocals
* Thomas Pridgen (THE MARS VOLTA) – Drums

Check out audio samples at this location.

Rome, Italy-based progressive metallers KARNYA have inked a deal with Bakerteam Records. The band's debut album, "Coverin' Thoughts", will be released on February 23.

KARNYA's influences include Seventies progressive rock and modern metal, classical music and electronic sounds. A concept record, "Coverin' Thoughts" takes the listener on an emotional journey through the most diverse musical landscapes, like a book in which each chapter leads to the next one and you have to get to the end to appreciate every nuance. The CD was mixed by Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE) at Outer Sound Studios in Rome, Italy and mastered by Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.

KARNYA was formed by three musicians from the Roman underground scene with a significant amount of prior recording and performing experience: Enrico Sandri previously played bass in the prog-metal band UTOPIA with whom he recorded the album "Ice And Knives"; Dario Di Pasquale was the keyboard player in the prog-metal act ZEN and appeared on that band's album "Gaze Into The Light"; and singer/guitarist Riccardo Nardocci had released two solo LPs.

"Scarless", the new video from German metallers FAREWELL TO ARMS, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's debut album, "Perceptions", which was released on November 23, 2012 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Weltraumstudios in Munich with producer Corni Bartels (HACKNEYED, END OF GREEN) and features guest vocals from THE SORROW's guitarist/vocalist Mathias "Mätze" Schlegel.

"Perceptions" track listing:

01. Resurrection
02. Losses To The Crown
03. Scarless
04. Between The Walls Of Ruins
05. Rejected
06. Mess Of Memories
07. Perceptions
08. From Init To Exit
09. At The Watershed
10. Procession

FAREWELL TO ARMS is:

Manuel Lotter - Drums
Dominik Martin - Vocals
Johannes Denk - Guitar
Gordian Golder - Guitar
Roland Gallus - Bass

According to the Toronto Star, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics is the ?rst to provide evidence that an early preference for different types of noisy, rebellious, nonmainstream music genres is a strong predictor of concurrent and later minor delinquency.

"We were stunned ourselves," said Dr. Tom Ter Bogt of Utrecht University in the Netherlands said. "We checked it over and over again."

Research showed that "early preferences are more important predictors of later delinquency compared with developing preferences for deviant music (i.e., increases in liking of nonmainstream music across adolescence did not indicate more delinquency at age 16). Speci?cally, adolescents with a strong early preference for music types that have been labeled as deviant (hip-hop, heavy metal, gothic, punk, and techno/hardhouse) were more engaged in minor delinquency in late adolescence."

Ter Bogt told the Toronto Star: "What we believe happens if you have this taste for rebellious music, noisy music, it brings you in contact with other kids with the same type of music taste and you are contaminated by the behaviour in that group.

"If you listen to classical music or jazz, overall these kids tend to behave far less dramatically."

He added: "I would suggest to parents if your 12-year-old child listens to very, very noisy music, rebellious music, be aware of what kinds of friends he or she brings to the house."

Read more from the Toronto Star.

Kennesaw, Georgia-based breweries Burnt Hickory and Anderson Bros. are collaborating on a rum barrel aged imperial raisin porter named named after Raleigh, North Carolina's "oldest and truest rock band" CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. According to Burnt Hickory, "The beer will be brewed this week and be sent into a wonderfully sublime exile for a few months. Aging in the barrel you see [below], it was be treated to a constant loop of the 'Technocracy' EP for the duration of its stay!"

Formed in Raleigh in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY quickly transformed heavy music. Politically charged and socially aware, the band has influenced countless others and today remains humble about their accomplishments. With over 1.1 million albums sold in the United States, the band continues to find new fans via nonstop touring.

German epic pagan metallers WOLFCHANT will release their new album, "Embraced By Fire", on March 1 via NoiseArt Records. According to the band, the follow-up to 2011's "Call Of The Black Winds" is "the most elaborate and detailed album in our band history so far! We've made sure to create catchy and interesting song structures and to deploy a multifarious instrumentation. Andre Hofmann of Forte Fortissimo studio supplied a very forceful and clear sound, which fits perfectly to the new songs."

"Embraced By Fire" track listing:

01. Devouring Flames
02. Embraced By Fire
03. Element
04. Turning Into Red
05. Einsame Wacht
06. Autumns Breath
07. Freier Geist
08. Winters Triumph

A seven-minute "Embraced By Fire" preview is available in the YouTube clip below.

WOLFCHANT was recently featured in the Cartoon Network's "Aqua Something You Know Whatever". Three members of the band appear in the episode called "Totem Pole" as the band TOTEM POLE performing the song "Polegasm". Check out snippets at this location.

"Aqua Something You Know Whatever" began its long run on Adult Swim under the title "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" for its first seven seasons, then was renamed "Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1" for a season before the creators decided to change the title again.

WOLFCHANT will take part in the Paganfest Europe tour alongside ALESTORM, ARKONA, EX DEO, THYRFING and BORNHOLM.

Finnish metal marauders FINNTROLL have posted a sketch of the artwork for their forthcoming album. Check it out below.

FINNTROLL's sixth CD was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki. The follow-up to 2010's "Nifelvind" will be released worldwide through Century Media Records in late March.

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

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

Fan-filmed video footage of FINNTROLL performing a brand new song during their November 3, 2012 concert in Giessen, Germany as part of this year's Heidenfest tour can be seen below.

FINNTROLL in 2011 released a special tour edition of their latest album, "Nifelvind". The digipak tour edition came with new artwork by the band's guitarist, Skrymer, and an extra CD including three brand-new cover versions: "Insects" (OINGO BOINGO), "Can You Forgive Her?" (PET SHOP BOYS) and "The God That Failed" (METALLICA). The cover versions were recorded and mixed at Sonic Pump Studios between June 27, 2011 and July 4, 2011 by FINNTROLL and Nino Laurenne.

"Nifelvind" was released in North America on March 9, 2010 via Century Media Records.

San Francisco-based atmospheric death metal band FALLUJAH will enter the studio in mid-February to record new music that will be released before the group completes the writing process on its next album. Zack Ohren of Castle Ultimate Studios (DEEDS OF FLESH, ALL SHALL PERISH, SUFFOCATION) will record, mix and master the tracks.

FALLUJAH's last CD, "The Harvest Wombs", came out in November 2011 via Unique Leader Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Leper Colony" EP was recorded by Sam Pura at Panda Studios and mixed/mastered by Logan Bennet. It was described in a press release as "the apex of nearly two years of musical and ideological progression" and "the largest leap forward for a band quickly developing and refining the sound of atmospheric death metal."

Even though it's only been two months since reunited grunge legends SOUNDGARDEN released their "comeback" album, "King Animal", the band's guitarist/vocalist Chris Cornell tells Billboard.com that he is looking forward to making more music in the future.

"I don't see any reason why not," Cornell says. "I think the overall attitude about keeping it going and the way we want to treat it to keep it going is really good. There's nothing stopping us from continuing to make records and continuing to play shows, that's for sure."

"We had a good experience making ['King Animal']," he adds, "and since we've come back together everything has been kind of that way. There hasn't really been any of the tension, specifically surrounding peripheral stuff. And I think that's a simple as us making the conscious decision to not be influenced by anything other than what the four of us want to do and not putting a business version of a timeline on it. Our attitude is that we're doing this because we love it and because it matters to us and not for any other reason, and everything else kind of takes care of itself."

SOUNDGARDEN tapped FOO FIGHTERS frontman and documentary director Dave Grohl to get behind the camera on December 18 and shoot the band's new video for its song "By Crooked Steps". The track is taken from SOUNDGARDEN's first album in 16 years, "King Animal", which came out in November and sold 83,000 copies in its first week of release to debut at No. 5 on the Billboard album chart.

SOUNDGARDEN reunited in 2010 after a 13-year break, releasing a retrospective collection called "Telephantasm" and a concert album titled "Live On I-5".

The band kicked off a winter North American tour on January 18 in Washington D.C. The trek is scheduled to wrap February 17 in Los Angeles.

Iconic hardcore/punk band BAD BRAINS has launched its own line of hot sauce. Fire Burn Babylon is "a punky reggae party in every bottle, with a secret 77 blend" of heat and sweet "perfected by Doc and Darryl," according to a the group. It is available exclusively at BadBrains.com, along with rare, numbered and signed prints of the bottle's label, designed by Shepard Fairey.

BAD BRAINS released its new album, "Into The Future", on November 20, 2012 via Megaforce. The CD features the classic lineup of H.R. , Darryl Jenifer, Dr. Know and Earl Hudson.

American artist Shepard Fairey, a lifelong fan of BAD BRAINS, designed the cover artwork for "Into The Future".

The BAD BRAINS helped define American punk and hardcore music. Considered to be the holy grail of punk rock, they are one of the definitive American punk groups who garner the same respect as SEX PISTOLS, BLACK FLAG, RAMONES and THE CLASH.

A sneak peek of GUNS N' ROSES' "Appetite For Democracy" 3D concert film — a performance clip of the classic song "Paradise City" — can be seen below. The footage was shot before a sold-out crowd live on November 21, 2012 at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada during the band's highly acclaimed Vegas residency, Appetite For Democracy. Each night, the band performed an electrifying show featuring a setlist created exclusively for The Joint. Appetite For Democracy spanned the band's biggest hits from their debut album "Appetite For Destruction" (1987) through their platinum-selling record "Chinese Democracy" (2008). The concerts featured the current lineup of the band, of which singer Axl Rose is the only original member.

The setlist for GUNS N' ROSES' November 21, 2012 concert can be found below.

GUNS N' ROSES drew criticism in November from Clark County commissioners after they were told about an ad for the group's Vegas concerts which depicts what appears to be a sexually assaulted woman beneath the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign.

The image, which is said to be a watered-down version of the banned cover for the band's classic 1987 debut, "Appetite For Destruction", was being used in mainstream advertising, including newspaper promotions and taxicab placards.

The following are some of the first GUNS N' ROSES attendances/grosses at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, as reported by Billboard magazine:

* Artist/Event: GUNS N' ROSES
* Show Venue:The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
* City/State: Las Vegas, Nevada
* Show Dates: Oct. 31, Nov. 2-3, 2012
* Gross Sales: $775,119
* Total Attendance: 8,387
* Capacity: 9,839
* Ticket Prices: $179.50, $129.50, $85, $45
* Promoter: Concerts West/AEG Live

* Artist/Event: GUNS N' ROSES
* Show Venue:The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
* City/State: Las Vegas, Nevada
* Show Dates: Nov. 7, 9-10, 2012
* Gross Sales: $829,220
* Total Attendance: 9,082
* Capacity: 9,908
* Ticket Prices: $179.50, $129.50, $85, $45
* Promoter: Concerts West/AEG Live

Portuguese extreme progressive metallers MALEVOLENCE have announced that 'Devoured Unlimited', the second single from their upcoming third album, Antithetical, will be available on Friday, January 25th. The artwork can be seen below:
Late last year the band released a video for the track ‘Slithering’. The video was directed by David Barros of 4TheRecords. Watch below:
‘Slithering’, written by guitarist/vocalist Carlos Cariano, is taken from the upcoming Antithetical, which will be released sometime this year.

A teaser for the new album can be seen below:
Antithetical was written and produced by Carlos Cariano, recorded by Paulo Pereira at 20m2sea Studio (Portugal), mixed and mastered at Woodshed Studio (Germany) by V. Santura (TRIPTYKON, OBSCURA, PESTILENCE).

According to a press release: “The main theme of Antithetical illustrates a razor-sharp concept inspired from Ancient Greek Etymology (1580s, from Gk. Antithetikos) that reflects the diametrical opposition to a number of propositions consisting in the revelation of a divergent thought. Pertaining to Antithetical, the Anti (against) + Thesis (position), as a figure of speech (mainly used by the authors of the Baroque period; style of the epoch known as the art of conflict) acknowledge opposition towards the relative thesis expressed.”

The album artwork can be seen below:
Antithetical tracklisting:

'Slithering'
'Cult Of The Everlasting'
'Devoured Unlimited'
'Antithetical'
'Equilibrium In Extremis'
'Exocortex Momentum'
'Mechanisms Of Destructive Behaviour'

More on Malevolence here.

Rock It Up Records has announced the European licensing of FASTER PUSSYCAT's last album The Power & The Glory Hole.
The Euro Edition, featuring one additional bonus track, will be released on City Of Lights Records (a division of Rock It Up Records) on February 22nd.
The Power & The Glory Hole tracklisting:

'Number 1 With A Bullet'
'Gotta Love It'
'Useless'
'Sex Drugs & Rock-N-Roll'
'Disintegrate'
'These Boots Were Made For Walking'
'Hey You'
'Porn Star'
'The Power & The Glory Hole'
'Shut Up & Fuck'
'Bye Bye Bianca'
'Number 1 With A Bullet' (live bonus track)
2013 band lineup:

Taime Downe - lead vocals
Xristian Simon – guitar
Danny Nordahl (ex-L.A. GUNS) – bass
Chad Stewart (ex-L.A. Guns) - drums, percussion
Ace Von Johnson – guitar

As an appetizer for their upcoming album, The Mouths Of Madness, San Francisco-based doom rockers ORCHID will release the Wizard Of War EP on 10" vinyl, February 22nd via Nuclear Blast.
The EP will contain the following tracks:
'Wizard Of War'
'Demon"s Eyes'
'Albatros'

Wizard Of War will also appear on the upcoming full-length album, The Mouths Of Madness. 'Demon's Eyes' was previously released on an underground Halloween compilation and 'Albatros' was formerly released on the band"s significant debut album, Capricorn.

Stay tuned for more info about The Mouths Of Madness. Release date, cover and tracklist to be announced soon.

For more details visit Orchidsf.com.