Italian melodic death metallers LUNARSEA will enter OuterSound Studios in Rome next week to record their third full-length album, "Hundred Light Years", for a May release via Punishment 18 Records. The 10-song follow-up to 2009's "Route Code Selector" will be a conceptual effort and will be mixed by Jens Borgen (AMON AMARTH, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA, OPETH) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden.

"Hundred Light Years" will feature guest appearances by the following musicians:

Tim Charles (vocals and violinist from the band NE OBLIVISCARIS)
Tom Nitfield (German producer)
Emanuele Casali (DGM-Astra)
Martin Minor (German pianist)
Michael Sulmann (American violinist)

LUNARSEA is:

Filippo Palma: Vocals
Fabiano Romagnoli: Guitar, Synths
Emiliano Pacioni: Guitar
Cristian Antolini: Bass, Vocals
Alfonso Corace: Drums

Stockholm, Sweden-based melodic death metallers DEGRADEAD, whose singer, Mikael Sehlin, recently joined fellow Swedes ENGEL as their new frontman, will enter the studio on Monday, January 14 to begin recording their fourth album.

Regarding what impact Sehlin's addition to ENGEL will have on his status in DEGRADEAD, DEGRADEAD said: "Mikael is still our vocalist and he is still 100% dedicated to DEGRADEAD and this will not affect DEGRADEAD."

DEGRADEAD last year announced the addition of drummer Amit Mohla (RAID) to the group's ranks.

The band's third album, "A World Destroyer", was released in North America on June 28, 2011 via Metalville Records. The CD was recorded at Peter Tägtgren's (HYPOCRISY, PAIN) Abyss studios in Pärlby, outside Ludvika, Sweden, with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CENTINEX, WORLD BELOW).

On August 6, 2010, DEGRADEAD played for their first time at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken. Germany. Their full set, as performed on the W.E.T Stage before an enthusiastic audience, along with many extras, is included on the DVD release, "Live At Wacken And Beyond", which was released on February 28, 2012 via Metalville Records. The disc also contains "From Tullinge To Hyderabad", a 50-minute documentary following DEGRADEAD from their first years in Tullinge, a small suburb south of Stockholm where the band was formed, to their successful tour of India in February 2011. It includes interviews, live clips and a lot of other "interesting stuff for the fans."

EUROPE frontman Joey tempest recently spoke with Marko Syrjala at Metal-Rules.com. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

Q: It was just announced that you’re going to celebrate the bands 30th Anniversary at Sweden Rock festival in June. Would you tell us something more about it?

A: "Yeah, it was announced and we were just talking about it, on our Facebook we blew it up and… because we are very honored, very pleased and very happy. It feels like we made it you know, we have one of the headline slots. RUSH one night, KISS one night and Europe the other night and we’re going to make the most of it. Play two and a half hours, have some guests, play songs from three decades, bring in some big light shows. It’s going to be – it’s going to be magnificent, we’re going to have a great time."

Q: I was just going to ask how do you count the birth date of Europe because wasn’t the band actually formed in 1982?

A: "Yeah it’s the first – it’s actually 30th, since we released the first album. I think… yeah it’s hard because we changed name to Europe in sort of this late summer 82? and we won a rock competition 13th of December 82? under the name Europe. So I suppose that could be a start but I always think the first album is a good start you know. Lucia competition, the 13th of December 1982 was the night we won the rock competition to record the first album and 2013 is 30 years since the first Europe album was released."

Q: Do you have other plans to celebrate the Anniversary other than at the Sweden Rock show?

A: "Not really. In Stockholm a few weeks ago we played 'In The Future To Come', the song we played on the Lucia night, 13th of December when we won that rock competition with that song so we played that. So that was kind of fun but then we haven’t done anything else because we want to focus on the Sweden Rock, we want to do everything there. There won’t be any 30th anniversary tour or anything, that’s it, that’s the event – that’s the event."

Read the full interview at this location.
As discussed above, in 2013 Europe celebrate the 30th anniversary of the year in which they released their first album and they have confirmed a special show at Sweden Rock Festival 2013. This will be their only Swedish performance of the anniversary year! And it will be a grandiose event indeed, promises singer Joey Tempest. The stage show will be one of the greatest, if not the greatest of the band's entire career (certain very special guest stars will also appear). The setlist will be specially composed from Europe's entire nine-album discography. Including their cult debut Europe (1983), multi-million seller The Final Countdown (1986) and their most recent outing Bag Of Bones (2012) which has now reached gold status.

The performance will also be filmed for a DVD-release, so make sure you'll be present when a piece of Swedish rock history will be both created and preserved for posterity.

For the record: today's version of Europe is identical to the classic The Final Countdown lineup: Joey Tempest (vocals), John Norum (guitar), John Levén (bass), Mic Michaeli (keyboards) and Ian Haugland (drums).
Sweden Rock Festival 2013 will take place June 5th - 8th in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

Confirmed acts now include: ACCEPT, AMARANTHE, AMON AMARTH, AUDREY HORNE, AVANTASIA, AXXIS, BULLET, CANDLEMASS, CIVIL WAR, CRAZY LIXX, DEMON, DORO, JON ENGLISH, FIREWIND, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, HUNTRESS, HYPOCRISY, IHSAHN, KISS, KREATOR, KROKUS, MORGANA LEFAY, LENINGRAD COWBOYS, LEPROUS, MANILLA ROAD, MARTIN PRAHL'S SKELTER WHEEL, NAGLFAR, NINE BELOW ZERO, PARADISE LOST, RAUBTIER, RUSH, SATAN, SAXON, THE SCAMS, SISTER SIN, SONATA ARCTICA, STATUS QUO, TANKARD, THRESHOLD, UFO, VADER, WITCHCRAFT.
Sweden Rock Festival is a four-day festival with a total of 80 bands performing on five outdoor stages. More info can be found at Swedenrock.com.

Colombian death/black metal assassins NEPENTE have inked a deal with Singapore-based independent record label Sonic Blast Media for the worldwide release on the band's sophomore album, "Suffering Is The Seed".

Previously available through the band, the CD will be unleashed though Sonic Blast on February 15. The vinyl version of "Suffering Is The Seed" will come later this year courtesy of badGod Music.

Sonic Blast Media's Imran Manoff commented, "We are very pleased to have NEPENTE join our ever-growing Sonic Blast Media family. 'Suffering Is The Seed' is an extraordinary album which borders on death/ black metal and at times grindcore; and I am sure the fans will enjoy it!."

"Suffering Is The Seed" was mixed and mastered at Poland's Hertz Studio (VADER, HATE, BEHEMOTH, DECAPITATED).

NEPENTE is:

José F. Ospina (vocals)
Mauricio Aristizábal (drums)
Esteban Daza (guitar)
Wilmar Correa (bass)
Pablo Vaquez (guitar)

German classic death metal lunatics DEHUMAN REIGN have signed with FDA Rekotz for the release of one mini-album and two full-length albums.

The band's first release, Destructive Intent MCD will be out in spring 2013.
According to a press release: “Dehuman Reign was formed in 2011 with the intention to follow the path of original death metal. The band strives to create music without any modern influences or trends, pure, authentic and maleficent. After a few member changes, the final line-up was found in March of 2012.”

For more info on the band visit this location.

Christian metallers RIVERA BOMMA will release their third album, "Infinite Journey Of Soul", on January 22 via Retroactive Records.

Having two metal releases on several overseas labels, RIVERA BOMMA storm the U.S. with their first new effort in seven years. Featuring a stunning collection of musicians, the band features Johnny Bomma (ex-HADES) delivering vocal chops with grit, elegance, and swagger. Rivera began studying classical guitar and flamenco before discovering the likes of Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker and Yngwie Malmsteen — incorporating all of those influences in his axe-ellent guitar work. Also playing on the new album is talented drummer Ed Faust, and on bass you will hear the thundering tones of none other than Mike LePond of progressive metal giants SYMPHONY X!

With two strong albums in RIVERA BOMMA's back catalog, fans always wondered what the band could produce if all the right pieces to the puzzle came together… The band offers a definitive answer with the release of "Infinite Journey Of Soul" on the U.S.-based Christian label, Retroactive Records.

"Infinite Journey Of Soul" track listing:

01. I.J.O.S. (intro)
02. Infinite Journey Of Soul
03. Empty Desire
04. In Blood
05. Via Dolorosa
06. Angel And Demons
07. Horizon's End
08. In My Dreams
09. The Maker
10. Before The End - MMXIII (solo)

Geeks Of Doom recently conducted an interview with former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist, and current NEWSTED frontman, Jason Newsted. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Geeks of Doom: You must have seen online that the video and the [NEWSTED] song "Soldierhead" are just everywhere now. Has that surprised you, that reaction to it?

Jason Newsted: There are some surprises now, because there's a lot of unknowing. I haven't been amongst it like this where it's my baby, my control, my name and stuff, since really kind of FLOTSAM days where I had to watch everything and make sure all the I's were dotted and the T's were crossed. So I wasn't sure what to expect once I embraced the social media and everything. I know I had planted some good seeds by always having such rapport with fans and all that, but the way it's flooded back to me now is more than I ever could have imagined because it really is unknown. Many familiar avenues out there that I knew from back in the day and being in a big band or even being in VOIVOD or OZZY [OSBOURNE] or whatever, but a bunch of new stuff that I don't quite know how to fathom yet. So I've been two months or something on the Internet and try to talk to everybody on Facebook each night and get back with the fans and make that reconnection. But to answer you, I'm pleasantly surprised and honestly a bit overwhelmed.

Geeks of Doom: So because the focus is all on you, it sounds like you do relish it, but there's a little bit of trepidation?

Jason Newsted: Yes. I think anybody that plays their game with real conviction and does that — they self-doubt, any true artist. You want to make sure that you are the very best that you can be to present to people. So that's been part of my M.O. from the beginning, I always want to be my very best. So the roles that I am taking on in this band are some new territory for me. I am familiar with the interviews and the people person thing, that's kind of been my forte for a long time. But as far as being a six-string guitar player writing all the songs on guitar and then playing guitar, and singing lead vocals at the same time, or even playing bass and singing lead vocal? That's a lot of new roles to take on, and it's a little bit scary. I have a lot of confidence when I am holding onto my bass, I can play in front of anybody or with any musician, I'm not actually encouraging that at anytime [laughs], but as far as the guitar and stuff, I just don't have the same amount of hours and weeks and use on it. So I feel a little, well, it's just different. So I just knock out the rhythms like, man, I'm like a Roky Erickson [of 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS] type of guitar player. I know a couple of chords and I rock that friggin' chord around the guitar as hard as I can and as loud as I can and make some songs out of it! The other guys put on their pieces and Jessie does his leads and that's awesome. Jesus plays the drums killer and makes it what it is. So, [laughs] there's a lot of new roles for me to take on here and it will be exciting to see what transpires. I know I'm going to have to practice hard and I will. I will make sure that we are ready.

Geeks of Doom: Was it always your choice to sing, or was it something that just happened?

Jason Newsted: I have been working on it for a long time and for what people know about a big band and stuff and I was always just [guttural vocalizing] DIE! [laughs] That guttural, vocal kind of stuff, and I can still do that thing, but that's such a one-dimensional kind of trip and the past ten or eleven years, as I have played in all the different projects, with different kind of people, I have tried to work on my real singing voice over time and developed it and developed it and developed it. In 2002 it wasn't great, 2004 it was getting better, 2008 it's doing okay, and now I am getting someplace where I can actually keep some pitch and play along and sing some leads and play the guitar parts and sing some songs at the same time, which is quite challenging. So it took a while to come around to it, but I am kind of excited about the challenge. I have been fortunate enough to be around [METALLICA frontman James] Hetfield for fifteen years and his weaving of words. He's the best at playing and singing, it's just impossible to do some of those parts that he plays on guitar and still sing a straight vocal line. It just gets my vote forever as far as the capacity to do that. He's just untouchable in that way. So being exposed to that and just being able to let it rub off on you, I just try to take it in. So I will pay a lot of credit to that. Also being exposed, I think even more importantly, to Snake from VOIVOD. We have been friends for decades, but being exposed to him and his actual work and the way he goes about things for three or four years as we made records and got serious about things … that was probably one of the most character-building and musician-building parts of my career so far. Especially with the singing thing, Snake's ability to weave words and it's a second language that he's working in so there's no fodder. He doesn't use like the in-betweens and the little words, the connectors and stuff. He just does info, data, words, no fodder, information, no wasted words, just the story. And the way that he weaves it, the manner in which he weaves it and the music, I give him a lot of credit too by inspiring me to try and find those places and weave those words like that and make it musical yet kind of creepy and stuff. So, between being exposed and being able to work with cats like that, it helped me to find my voice. Even though I sang in FLOTSAM and played bass … that was such a different world and whole different person then. Now I have learned what I have learned and gone through what I have gone through and now I work out my voice like I do my situps and my pushups, man. I do a vocal exercise every day to try and make my voice better all the time. And it's a new voice when it comes right down to it, because it's actually a young voice in this old body! Seriously, I am 19 in my brain and heart, and whatever the calendar says as it goes by, whatever man. [laughs] And I know that the flesh and the bone okay, my shoulders, yeah I got it, now you got my attention [laughs], but it's still how I am inside and I still want to project that for always. It's a young voice.

Geeks of Doom: Obviously the EP is in the bag, so is there talk of a full album?

Jason Newsted: Yeah, we actually recorded eleven songs. We did just short of two weeks in the studio. We went into this little farmhouse literally in the middle of a giant cornfield down in a farmland in Central Valley, California … and locked ourselves in and just rocked it out. We had a cat come in, his name is Anthony Focx, and he has done some pretty big stuff lately. We got to know him, he did all the METALLICA mixes for Guitar Hero, and then he did some other stuff like AEROSMITH records … and he did some other things that aren't necessarily hard rock, but pretty successful, like KELLY CLARKSON and some big time artists. So he came in out of respect 'cause he digs the metal and he digs what I have done in my career and so he came in and recorded the stuff with us. That was quite a big deal because we just plug into the amps and rock the shit and he was able to capture it. I mean, we didn't give him any time, we didn't know him, we threw him into the blue fangs and said, "Let's go, man!" And he plugged it in and he just captured what you are hearing now. And it was really just a matter of hours at a time per song. So we had that on our side. Between those few little things, people from the old METALLICA camp are reaching out to help and friends from the past and it's just for the right reasons. When you keep chasing it for the right reasons, these things show up karmatically, you know?

Read the entire interview from Geeks Of Doom.

"Soldierhead" video teaser:

Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Kenneth "K.K." Downing spoke to Express & Star about what constitutes his "perfect" weekend. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Express & Star: Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekends?

Downing: Apart from myself, it's usually my mom. I make a fortnightly visit to my mom. My job is a seven-day thing, so I'm usually spending it with the staff. Otherwise, I'm over to see my mom, who lives in West Brom.

Express & Star: What is your favourite night spot and why?

Downing: I guess really apart from the real ale scenario, I'd choose any good restaurant. I like a nice dinner and good company: It's not where you go to, it's who you are with. I have a few favourites from my life on the road. If we were in New York, we'd go to Palm Too. In Chicago or Los Angeles we'd go to Lawry's. In Spain, I'd go for anything that's fresh — fish on the beach is always great. I opened my own restaurant here at Astbury Hall last year. I wanted to create same quality of product and same quality of service that I'd enjoyed. We're here to serve.

Express & Star: It's a sunny Saturday, what are you up to?

Downing: If I can get the opportunity to get out and play golf then I do. It's so beautiful around here. The weather has been so terrible that whenever the sun shines, I try to get out and cash in. I'm playing off a handicap of 12, which is pretty good for winter.

Express & Star: What's your recipe for the perfect night in?

Downing: Basically a hot bath and a cold beer. I'll rustle something up in the kitchen, with whatever's in the fridge. Then I'll put on the TV to watch a bit of footy or golf. I bought a brand new Marshall 100-watt amp for Christmas, it's awesome. I like to turn it up and play loud.

Read more from Express & Star.

Experience Hendrix LLC and Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release JIMI HENDRIX' People, Hell & Angels, an essential new album premiering twelve previously unreleased studio recordings completed by Hendrix, on Tuesday, March 5th.

As a teaser for the upcoming album, the track 'Somewhere' makes it's official online debut. Check it out now at RollingStone.com.
People, Hell & Angels showcases the legendary guitarist working outside of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience trio. Beginning in 1968, Jimi Hendrix grew restless, eager to develop new material with old friends and new ensembles. Outside the view of a massive audience that had established the Experience as rock's largest grossing concert act and simultaneously placed two of his albums in the US Top 10 sales chart, Jimi was busy working behind the scenes to craft his next musical statement.

These twelve recordings encompass a variety of unique sounds and styles incorporating many of the elements—horns, keyboards, percussion and second guitar—Jimi wanted to incorporate within his new music. People, Hell & Angels presents some of the finest Jimi Hendrix guitar work ever issued and provides a compelling window into his growth as a songwriter, musician and producer.
As mentioned, People, Hell & Angels will be available Tuesday, March 5th.

With an album title coined by Jimi Hendrix, People, Hell & Angels reveals some of Hendrix's post-Experience ambitions and directions as he worked with new musicians--including the Buffalo Springfield's Stephen Stills, drummer Buddy Miles, Billy Cox (with whom Hendrix had served in the 101st US Army Airborne and later played on the famed R & B 'chitlin circuit' together) and others--creating fresh and exciting sounds for the next chapter in his extraordinary career.

People, Hell & Angels is co-produced by Janie Hendrix, Eddie Kramer and John McDermott. Kramer first met Hendrix at Olympic Studios in London in January 1967. Hendrix, who would have turned 70 on November 27 this year, developed a unique rapport with Kramer. As a result, Kramer engineered every album issued by the guitarist in his lifetime and recorded such famous Hendrix concerts as the Woodstock festival in August 1969. Since 1997, Kramer has teamed with Janie Hendrix and John McDermott to oversee the release of each Jimi Hendrix album issued by Experience Hendrix.

The dozen previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix performances premiering on People, Hell & Angels include 'Earth Blues', 'Somewhere', 'Hear My Train A Comin'', 'Bleeding Heart', 'Baby Let Me Move You', 'Izabella', 'Easy Blues', 'Crash Landing', 'Inside Out', 'Hey Gypsy Boy', 'Mojo Man' and 'Villanova Junction Blues'.
A musical companion piece and successor to 2010's Valleys Of Neptune, the critically acclaimed album showcasing the artist's final recordings with the original Jimi Hendrix Experience, People, Hell & Angels offers tantalizing new clues as to the direction Hendrix was considering for First Rays Of The New Rising Sun, his planned double album sequel to 1968's groundbreaking Electric Ladyland.

Unlike contemporaries such as THE BEATLES or BOB DYLAN, Jimi Hendrix owned his songs and master recordings. He did not have to record his music at recording studios owned and operated by his record company. Hendrix spent countless hours recording his new music at new, independent music studios such as New York's Record Plant and the Hit Factory. Hendrix was so focused on recording his music that, concurrent with nearly all of the sessions featured as part of People, Hell & Angels, he was underwriting the construction of his own recording facility--the state of the art Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village.

Janie L. Hendrix, President/CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC, commented, "We're thrilled to be able to release People, Hell & Angels during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of my brother's birth. The brilliance of the album serves to underscore what we've known all along: that there has never been and never will be a musical force equal to his and that we cherish and take inspiration of what he left us both now and for many generations to come...simply eternity."

"People, Hell & Angels provides us with further insight into the genius of Jimi Hendrix," said Adam Block, President, Legacy Recordings. "Working with new rhythm sections and instrumentation, Jimi Hendrix was opening up the horizons of his music, creating new sounds filled with endless possibilities."



People, Hell & Angels - track-by-track

'Earth Blues': Totally unlike the version first issued as part of Rainbow Bridge in 1971, this December 19, 1969 master take features just Hendrix, Billy Cox and Buddy Miles--stripped down funk at its very origin.

'Somewhere': This newly discovered gem was recorded in March 1968 and features Buddy Miles on drums and Stephen Stills on bass. Entirely different from any previous version fans have ever heard.

'Hear My Train A Comin'': This superb recording was drawn from Jimi's first ever recording session with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles--the powerhouse rhythm section with whom he would later record the groundbreaking album Band Of Gypsys. Jimi shared a deep love for the blues with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. Both musicians understood Jimi's desire to create what he described as a 'new type of blues'. Jimi's menacing lead guitar is the centrepiece of this dramatic addition to his remarkable legacy.

'Bleeding Heart': This Elmore James masterwork had long been a favorite of Jimi's. He had performed the song earlier that year with the Experience in concert at the Royal Albert Hall and had attempted to capture the song in New York studio sessions during the weeks that followed. Recorded at the same May 1969 session as 'Hear My Train A Coming', the track conveys Jimi's firm understanding of the arrangement and tempo he desired. Before they began, Jimi instructed Cox and Miles that he wanted to establish a totally different beat than the standard arrangement. He then kicked off this amazing rendition that was nothing like any other he had ever attempted.
'Let Me Move You': In March 1969, Jimi reached back to another old friend, saxophonist Lonnie Youngblood. Before he was discovered by Chas Chandler in the summer of 1966, Jimi had contributed guitar as a nondescript studio sideman for Youngblood and such infectious rhythm and blues styled singles such as 'Soul Food'. This March 1969 session features Hendrix and Youngblood trading licks throughout this never before heard, high velocity rock and soul classic.

'Izabella': In the aftermath of the Woodstock festival, Jimi gathered his new ensemble, Gypsy Sun & Rainbows, at the Hit Factory in August 1969 with engineer Eddie Kramer. 'Izabella' had been one of the new songs the guitarist introduced at the Woodstock festival and Jimi was eager to perfect a studio version. This new version is markedly different from the Band Of Gypsys 45 rpm single master issued by Reprise Records in 1970 and features Larry Lee, Jimi's old friend from the famed rhythm & blues 'chitin' circuit', on rhythm guitar.

'Easy Blues': An edited extract of this gorgeous, free flowing instrumental was briefly issued as part of the long-out-of-print 1981 album Nine To The Universe. Now nearly twice as long, the track offers fans the opportunity to enjoy the dramatic interplay between Jimi, second guitarist Larry Lee, Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell.

'Crash Landing': Perhaps known as the title song for the controversial 1975 album that featured Hendrix master recordings posthumously overdubbed by session musicians, this April 1969 original recording has never been heard before. Jimi is joined here by Billy Cox and drummer Rocky Isaac of the Cherry People to record this thinly veiled warning to his girlfriend Devon Wilson.
'Inside Out': Jimi was fascinated by the rhythm pattern that would ultimately take form as "Ezy Ryder". Joined here by Mitch Mitchell, Jimi recorded all of the bass and guitar parts for this fascinating song--including a dramatic lead guitar part amplified through a Leslie organ speaker.

'Hey Gypsy Boy': The roots of Jimi's majestic 'Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)' trace themselves to this March 1969 recording. Unlike the posthumously overdubbed version briefly issued as part of Midnight Lightning in 1975, this is original recording that features Jimi joined by Buddy Miles.

'Mojo Man': Jimi would lend a hand to Albert & Arthur Allen, the vocalists known as the Ghetto Fighters, whom he had befriended in Harlem long before he achieved fame with the Experience. When the two recorded this inspired, previously unreleased master at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama they took it back to Hendrix at Electric Lady Studios. Jimi knew just what to do to elevate the recording beyond contemporary R & B to the new hybrid of rock, rhythm and blues he was celebrated for.

'Villanova Junction Blues': Long before his famous performance of this song at Woodstock, Jimi recorded this studio version with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles at the same May 1969 session which yielded 'Hear My Train A Comin'' and 'Bleeding Heart' also featured on this album. Never fully finished, the song stands as an example of the fertile ideas he hoped to harness and bring to fruition.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's long-talked-about "Unblackened" DVD, which was previously scheduled to be filmed in late August at The Mayan in Los Angeles, California, and was then pushed back to January, will now be shot on Wednesday, March 6 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles at 8:00 p.m. The set is expected to contain intimate versions of some of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's most popular songs, as well as songs from mainman Zakk Wylde's solo album "Book Of Shadows" and his Southern rock band PRIDE & GLORY. The show will feature Wylde on guitar and piano, alongside the members of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, as well as a four-piece string section, pedal steel, and special guests.The concert will be broadcast live exclusively on AXS TV. A CD/DVD will be released later this year.

"This is something we haven't done yet, and we wanted to give our fans something new," said Wylde. "You can take a song that you've played thousands of times and rearrange it, and all of a sudden it's something totally fresh. The attitude of the songs doesn't change when we play them acoustically — the tunes are gritty regardless."

"We're gonna do the whole thing with a four-piece string section, a pedal steel guy, and I'm gonna have some of my musician buddies sit in on some of the songs and stuff like that," Wylde said a few months ago. "We're gonna have two solid weeks of rehearsal and then we're gonna knock this thing out. [It will be an] acoustic/electric type of thing. Kinda like how the Christmas record is or like how we did 'The Song Remains Not The Same' where you've got an acoustic and then you can put a rippin' solo something. So I'll still have the Marshalls going with the acoustic stuff. It'd be almost kinda like if PINK FLOYD was doing an unplugged thing and they did 'Comfortably Numb' but Dave [Gilmour] will be sitting down but he'll still rip that solo out. It'll still be electric and then we’ll have the string section behind it and the whole band and it'll be killer."

Tickets for the "Unblackened" filming will go on sale on Friday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m. from GoldenVoice.com.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "The Song Remains Not The Same" sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 41 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on May 10, 2011 via Entertainment One Music, the offering featured unplugged versions of material from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's latest album, "Order Of The Black", as well as additional material recorded during the "Order Of The Black" sessions. "The Song Remains Not The Same" was conceived, created and compiled by Wylde himself and the title is, of course, a nod to one of Wylde's favorite bands, LED ZEPPELIN.

"Order Of The Black" was released in North America in August 2010 via E1 Music. The CD featured four unique covers designed by Zakk Wylde himself — one for each territory: North America, Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.

Fort Worth-based duo PINKISH BLACK has finished recording its new album for a tentative spring release via Century Media Records. Produced by PINKISH BLACK's own Jon Teague and Daron Beck, the as-yet-untitled untitled CD was recorded at The Echo Lab, with Matt Barnhart handling engineer duties. Mastering will be handled by James Plotkin.

To hear some new tracks from the record, fans can catch PINKISH BLACK live on March 7 in Denton, Texas at NX35 where the duo will be direct support for EYEHATEGOD. Additional tour dates will also be announced soon.

PINKISH BLACK is the continuation of THE GREAT TYRANT, a three-piece that released one LP following the passing of their bass player, Tommy Atkins. When Atkins died, Teague and Beck decided to change the band's name and remain a two-piece, yet still retain THE GREAT TYRANT's groundbreaking sound. With no stringed instruments, the duo now relies on aura and raw emotions to obtain their unique heaviness. Their resulting effort, PINKISH BLACK's self-titled debut (Handmade Birds Records), features seven tracks of dark, haunting deathrock — and was named one of the best albums of 2012 by Brooklyn Vegan.com, Stereogum.com, Pitchfork.com and countless others.

PINKISH BLACK is:

Jon Teague - Drums, Synth, Loops
Daron Beck - Vocals, Keyboard, Synth

Italian death metal veterans WORSTENEMY have inked a deal with Wormholedeath/Aural Music Group. The band's debut album, "Revelation", will be released in the spring worldwide through Aural Music Group, with a further help from Grom Records in the Eastern countries. The album was recorded and mixed at Mathlab Recording Studio in Italy with producer Jonathan Mazzeo and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finvox Studios in Finland.

Commented Wormholedeath A&R rep "Worm": "WORSTENEMY is a solid band since 1997 and finally they have found their way with this great new album. Wormholedeath decided to support them as they never gave up in 15 years of hard work and struggle. This is not a release for death metal fanatics only, as we are sure that fans from many other musical styles will love this very fresh and tuneful release. Check WORSTENEMY out, this is not only a sonic assault… this is true passion for death metal and underground."

WORSTENEMY is:

Mario Pulisci (vocals, guitar)
Andrea "Döf" Fodde (drums)
Elena Zoccheddu (bass)

Guitarist Mike Reynolds has quit the Christian metalcore band FOR TODAY — just one day after posting a string of controversial tweets on homosexuality and religion.

The remaining members of FOR TODAY have released the following statement regarding Mike's exit from the group:

"Mike Reynolds is no longer a part of FOR TODAY. He has decided that now is the time for he and his wife to put their plans in motion to enroll in Bible college, and to begin working toward full-time missions work in the Middle East. Mike will be replaced by longtime friend of the band, and former IN THE MIDST OF LIONS guitar player, Sam Penner, who will be appearing with the band as they headline their upcoming Fight The Silence tour."

In addition, FOR TODAY frontman Mattie Montgomery has released a public statement to anyone affected by Mike's recent comments regarding homosexuality. The video can be viewed below.

Reynolds took to Twitter on Thursday to offer his response to the news of Pastor Louie Giglio's withdrawal from President Barack Obama's second-term inauguration ceremony after reports emerged of an anti-gay sermon the Atlanta pastor delivered in the 1990s.

Reacting to the report that LGBT advocates responded to Giglio's selection by launching a petition calling for Obama to replace him with a pastor who has a history of supporting LGBT equality, Reynolds wrote: "There IS a state church being formed, there is going to be an exclusive acceptance of preachers who advocate the LGBT.

"Don't be deceived, homosexuality is a sin. This sin with all other sins is what Jesus died for. He conquered so that we would be free."

He continued: "[There is] no such thing as a gay Christian, the same as there is no such thing as a Christian who loves his sin.

"Don't be fooled by the formation of a state church as though the government is being converted, they only use the name of Jesus for their progressive liberal agenda.

"If you are a Christian, then separate yourself from this civil religion that advocates sin. Be true to God."

After the guitarist's comments drew ire from some of his followers, the band issued the following collective statement via its Facebook page: "FOR TODAY has always and will always be a band that is about loving people. We have no hatred towards any people, regardless of what they believe or how they live. We may not agree on everything, but Jesus loves you and died for you. And so would we."

FOR TODAY's latest studio album, "Immortal", sold nearly 15,000 copies in its first week of release in the United Sattes to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was issued to major critical acclaim, with Revolver magazine declaring it to be "rife with crafty guitar hooks and scream-along choruses." Alternative Press commented: "FOR TODAY have dialed back the bombast just enough to make their pounding combination of furious punk and vicious metal sound more immediate and live sounding."

"Immortal" was produced by Will Putney (LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE) and features special guest appearances from Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D., Jake Luhrs of AUGUST BURNS RED and Tommy Green of SLEEPING GIANT.

"Vilify", the first single from DEVICE, the new industrial-style project featuring DISTURBED frontman David Draiman and former FILTER guitarist Geno Lenardo, will go for radio adds on February 19. The band's full-length debut will follow on April 9 via Warner Bros.. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "You Think You Know", "Recover", "Hunted" and "War Of Lies".

DEVICE is filming video today (Friday, January 11) for "Vilify" with renowned director P.R. Brown, who has previously collaborated with such artists as MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Prince, AUDIOSLAVE, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M. DEVICE will also take part in a photo shoot for the new record at the same time.

In addition to Draiman and Lenardo, DEVICE's touring lineup will include EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt and DOPE lead guitarist Virus.

Special guest musicians on the DEVICE album:

* Terry "Geezer" Butler (BLACK SABBATH)
* Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION)
* M. Shadows (AVENGED SEVENFOLD)
* Serj Tankian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN)
* Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE)
* Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM)

Draiman revealed the existence of the project last March, saying it would be in the vein of industrial acts like NINE INCH NAILS and MINISTRY. He later announced that Lenardo was joining the group, although further members' identities have yet to be unveiled.

DISTURBED went on an open-ended hiatus in 2011, with Draiman saying at the time that all four members wanted some time to pursue other endeavors. "We've got other things that each of the band members wanted to pursue individually, outside of DISTURBED," he said. "There's other businesses we have, there's other interests. We've got futures hopefully to help cultivate for our families and our children, and they can't all revolve specifically around DISTURBED."

DISTURBED has not indicated when it plans to return, although all four members say they're likely to come back.

Aside from Draiman, DISTURBED bassist John Moyer has branched out recently by joining ADRENALINE MOB, a new group also featuring ex-DREAM THEATER and AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer Mike Portnoy.

Drummer Sebastian Natas has left Romanian female-fronted metallers MAGICA in order to concentrate on his new pop fusion project. The remaining members of the band state: "We respect his decision and wish him all the best in his new chosen path. We'll still have many beers together Soon MAGICA will start looking for a new drummer."

MAGICA's sixth album, "Center Of The Great Unknown", was released last October via AFM Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Claudio Bergamin and can be seen below. The album is based on "The Diary Of Admiral" by R.E. Byrd, "Godess Of Atvatabar" by W. Bradshaw, "Beasts, Man And Gods" by F.A.Ossendowsky and a few more authors and adventurers.

"Center Of The Great Unknown" track listing:

01. Center Of The Great Unknown
02. Masterspell
03. King Of The World
04. Open
05. The Earth Is Young?
06. Step Into The Night
07. No Horizon
08. One Angry Gaia
09. Mark Of Cain
10. Under The Auroras
11. Daca 2012 (bonus track)

The video for the "Center Of The Great Unknown" title track can be seen below.

"Center Of The Great Unknown" video:

ModelBuffs, a one-stop factory source for handmade museum quality wood model airplanes and wooden helicopter models, hasd released a replica of IRON MAIDEN's Boeing 757-200 Astraeus which was used for the band's 2009 "Somewhere Back In Time World Tour".

Statistics:

Body Length - 17.00 inches (43.20 cm)
Span - 13.70 inches (34.80 cm)
Height - 4.90 inches (12.40 cm)
Scale - 1:110
Aircraft Registration: G-OJIB

Says Modelbuffs: "The scale model aircraft exhibits unique, unrivalled quality and detailed design to come as close as possible to the accuracy of the actual plane. It comes standard with a robust , durable base or stand which is available in a variety of different finishes designed to match your own personal requirements including solid wood, wood with polished chrome steel supports or adjustable wood wall mount and will be ready within about eight weeks from placement of order.

"The Boeing 757-200 Astraeus IRON MAIDEN model airplane is made of the finest kiln dried renewable mahogany wood (commonly known as Lauan or Meranti) which has undergone many stages of carving and meticulous and careful sanding giving the beautiful finished museum quality masterpiece.

"Many collectors and model connoisseurs demonstrate their preference for genuine handmade and hand painted mahogany wood models rather than plastic, resin or die cast (diecast) alternatives due to the overall look and totally different feel of the item. Our craftsmen and gifted artisans ensure that our finely handcrafted model airplanes match the precise blueprint details of the original aircraft. The Boeing 757-200 Astraeus IRON MAIDEN model aircrafts paint scheme, markings and parts are closely matched, reflecting the original Boeing 757-200 Astraeus IRON MAIDEN.

"This top-quality Boeing 757-200 Astraeus IRON MAIDEN replica will surely enthral anyone who receives this stylish desktop display as a gift.

"This Boeing 757-200 Astraeus IRON MAIDEN model plane is for sure one of the most appropriate and desirably collectable gifts for every aviation enthusiast and avid aircraft collector whilst also displaying a perfect resemblance to the actual Boeing 757-200 Astraeus IRON MAIDEN."

For more information, go to ModelBuffs.com.

eOne Music is set to release "Music From The Showtime Series Californication Season 6" on January 15. The collection features a previously unreleased track from Australian musician/actor/comedian and guest star Tim Minchin, titled "So Long (As We Are Together)", which is performed in character as the mad-as-a-hatter Atticus Fetch. The album also features tracks from Steve Jones (SEX PISTOLS) and Marilyn Manson, both of whom have guest starring roles in the show this season. The album also features music by Ryan Adams, Joe Walsh, Johnny Thunders and more. Season 6 of "Californication" debuts on Sunday, January 13 at 10:30 p.m. EST on Showtime.

The Showtime original series "Californication" takes viewers on a wild, witty and sexy ride in the California fast lane. It centers around Hank Moody (series star and executive producer David Duchovny), as a hedonistic novelist who struggles to be a good father to his college-aged daughter, while still carrying a torch for her mother, his ex-girlfriend. "Californication" has won several awards, including two Emmy Awards in 2008 and 2009 for "Outstanding Cinematography" and one Golden Globe Award in 2008 for "Best Actor" (Duchovny).

"Music From The Showtime Series Californication Season 6" track listing:

01. STEVE JONES - "Suffragette City" (DAVID BOWIE cover)
02. MARILYN MANSON - "Personal Jesus" (DEPECHE MODE cover)
03. THE BLIND PETS - "Fever"
04. JOHNNY THUNDERS - "You Can't Put Your Arms Round a Memory"
05. LISSIE - "Nothing Else Matters" (METALLICA cover)
06. RYAN ADAMS - "Wasted Years" (IRON MAIDEN cover)
07. WARREN ZEVON - "For My Next Trick, I'll Need a Volunteer"
08. TIM MINCHIN - "So Long" (As We Are Together)
09. HI HO SILVER OH ft. Leslie Stevens - "Time To Move On" (TOM PETTY cover)
10. JOE WALSH - "Funk 50"
11. THE LITTER - "Action Woman"
12. MARK LANEGAN - "Strange Religion"
13. THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES - "What's Your Story"
14. BETH HART - "My California"

Ryan Adams' cover version of IRON MAIDEN's "Wasted Years" is now available for streaming at RollingStone.com.

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, entered a Los Angeles studio this past Monday (January 7) with producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, RUSH) to begin recording its debut album for a May release via Nuclear Blast.

A new video clip from the studio, in which Ricky Warwick discusses the new track "Kingdom Of The Lost", can be seen below. Also available is a 28-second snippet of the song "Hoodoo Voodoo".

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."

Austria-based thrashers THE LAST WARNING have inked a deal with Massacre Records. Due in the spring, the band's new album was completed in December 2012 at the Prophecy & Music Factory Studios in Germany, with producer Roberto Dimitri Liapakis (MYSTIC PROPHECY, SUICIDAL ANGELS, VALLEY'S EVE, INSIDEAD) and sound engineer Christian Schmid.

Commented THE LAST WARNING vocalist Hans-Jürgen Moitzi: "Working with Lia and Christian was awesome! Lia kicked our asses to get the best out of the band.

"The new album is a real thrash monster!

"We are also very proud to be part of the Massacre Records family now. Massacre Records is the perfect label for our upcoming album!"

THE LAST WARNING was formed in 1999 and released its first demo, "In Case Of Fire", in 2003. They signed with Ton 4 Records a year later, recorded their debut, "Face 2 Face", and played numerous shows and festivals. Their second album, "Chainbreaker", followed in 2006 and their touring extended to Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, sharing the stage with bands such as MAROON, DEADSOIL and MACHINE MADE GOD.

One of THE LAST WARNING's milestones happened in the summer of 2007 when they were invited to Indonesia for a headlining tour. They played in Bali, Java and Sumatra and performed as headliner on the main stage at the Soundrenaline Festival in Padang, Sumatra, in front of more than 20,000 people. They returned to Indonesia in 2008 and played gigs in front 25,000 people in Pekanbaru and 45,000 people in Medan.

THE LAST WARNING's latest album, "Elegance Of Bloodiness", was released in October 2009 via 7Hard Records.

THE LAST WARNING is:

Stefan Reiter - Bass
Markus Zuber - Drums
Hans-Jürgen Moitzi - Vocals
Stefan Lanz - Guitar
Roland Sattler - Guitar/Vocals

MR. BIG frontman Eric Martin has been confirmed as one of the guest musicians who will appear on "The Mystery Of Time", the new album from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project. Also scheduled to make appearances on the CD are Michael Kiske (UNISONIC, HELLOWEEN), SAXON frontman Biff Byford, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, drummer Russell Gilbrook of URIAH HEEP, AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen (also ex-BODINE, VENGEANCE) and Ronnie Atkins of Danish hard rock veterans PRETTY MAIDS. Martin will also join AVANTASIA on stage during the "Mystery World Tour", starting in April.

A video message from Eric regarding his involvement with the new AVANTASIA album can be seen below.

The new AVANTASIA CD is being recorded in part at VOX Klangstudio in Bendestorf, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth (KAMELOT, EDGUY, EPICA, RHAPSODY).

Immediately after the release of "The Mystery Of Time", a metal opera based on a story written by Sammet, the band will embark on a full-fledged indoor tour, during which the band and special guests will bring the epic undertaking to the stage.

Since the performances will embrace all the different eras and history of AVANTASIA, these shows will feature an extended playing time and the entire evening will be dedicated to AVANTASIA with no support acts.

Tobias originally wanted to put AVANTASIA to rest after the release of the "The Flying Opera - Around The World In 20 Days" concert DVD in April 2011, but he has since had a change of heart. He explains, "Even though I love to record and tour with EDGUY, I didn't foresee how much I need AVANTASIA when I decided to finish this chapter of my life in 2011. I didn't know if there would be another AVANTASIA album one day, but I didn‘t feel like doing it. After the worldwide success of the latest studio releases, an arena world tour that was sold out pretty much everywhere, collaborations with childhood heroes like Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker, Eric Singer of KISS, etc. I 'knew' that I had said everything I could possibly say in the name of AVANTASIA. But that's not what AVANTASIA is all about. I wanna create more great music, I wanna create more fantasy worlds, the bigger and the more epic, the better. And listening to the material that I have created for this forthcoming chapter in the history of AVANTASIA, I know there is no way I am not going to do it! I have got the feeling and the certainty that this is absolutely meant to happen and to be!"

"Tubular Beats", the brand new remix album by Mike Oldfield, includes a new song, "Never Too Far", featuring a guest appearance by former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen. The CD will be released on February 1 via earMUSIC and will include the most popular songs by Oldfield, who has worked on new arrangements and new sounds for his compositions. All tracks have been reworked from the original multi-track recordings and remixed together by Oldfield and German producer Torsten "York" Stenzel. Newly recorded guitar parts by Mike Oldfield have been added to the mix.

Turunen offers one of her most emotional performances ever on "Never Too Far" — something she attributes to the fact that Oldfield is one of her heroes.

Tarja explains: "It was such a pleasure to work with Mike Oldfield. The song turned out to be even better than I could have ever expected.

"Mike has a vast career and experience in pop, instrumental and electronic music. I love his music and his personal guitar sound.

"My work in this song was inspired by Mike's 'Islands', featuring another of my youth idols: Bonnie Tyler. A way to thank them for the nice melodies I grew up with was to add a line from their hit. And I believe Mike liked the idea, too. That's how 'Never Too Far' was born.

"Hope that you enjoy the song as much as I do."

New rock supergroup SOMETHING UNTO NOTHING (S.U.N.) have announced that the release date of their self-titled debut album has been pushed back to January 29th via Robo Records with distribution through Fontana/Universal Music.

The release date has been pushed back due to the mountain biking accident guitarist Brian Tichy suffered in December leaving him with a broken collar bone which required him to undergo surgery on New Year’s eve.

This unforeseen injury has temporarily held back promotional plans for the record release and as recompense to their fans for the delay, S.U.N. has decided to sign 200 copies of the CD for the first 200 fans that purchase the physical album beginning now at this location.

The album was previously released digitally on November 20th, 2012 via Robo Records.
S.U.N. tracklisting:

'Burned'
'Crazy Head'
'Nomad'
'Did Me No Good'
'Mobile Again'
'I'm The One'
'If I Was You'
'The Beginning Of The End' (Instrumental)
'Razed'
'Wide Ocean'
'No Way Home'
'S.U.N.'
'Goodbye'

The video for 'I'm The One' has been released and can be viewed below:
Completing the all-star ensemble of S.U.N. is bassist Michael Devin (Whitesnake, JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE, KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD) and drummer Tommy Stewart (GODSMACK, LO PRO, EVERCLEAR, FUEL).

Dutch progressive rock/metal band THE AURORA PROJECT will release their new album entitled Selling the Aggression, on February 8th via FREIA Music.

According to a press release the album: “is a concept album and describes the change in society seen from 1999 - with the introduction of the Internet - to the formation of the current world order.”

The album was recorded by the band in spring 2012. It was mixed by Arno Road of Westeinder Studio and mastered by Darius Helfteren of Amsterdam Mastering.

The album will be released in a threefold digipack CD, a limited edition vinyl LP HQ and HQ luxury vinyl LP/CD combination. The vinyl edition is limited to 250 pieces.
An album release party will also take place on February 8 at the Tripodia venue in the band’s hometown Katwijk, Holland. Also joining the band will be CARTHAGO.
Tickets for this concert are available, with or without combination with CD/LP, through the band’s webshop.

ANTHRAX recently spent time in the studio recording several cover versions of some of their favorite rock classics, to be included with the upcoming "Anthem" EP, due on March 18.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Anthem (RUSH cover)
02. Jailbreak (THIN LIZZY cover)
03. TNT (AC/DC cover)
04. Big Eyes (CHEAP TRICK cover)
05. Smokin' (BOSTON cover)
06. Keep On Runnin' (JOURNEY cover)

"It was a lot of fun, especially because a lot of those [songs] aren't, I guess, normal for us or like so much of our repertoire — although they are because they're songs we all knew," guitarist Scott Ian tells Billboard.com. "Maybe on paper the idea of us doing something like that seems weird, until you hear them and then it makes sense. And Joey's performance on the JOURNEY song, specifically, really blows my mind. Someone mentioned that [JOURNEY guitarist] Neal Schon better not hear this or we might lose our singer." ANTHRAX also also laid down a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's "Neon Knights" for the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.

Regarding ANTHRAX's upcoming touring activities, Ian tells Billboard.com: "We thought last month was going to be the end of the cycle; that was pretty much the plan at the beginning of last year. [2012] was a really good, busy year, and when we finished in Europe in December we figured that was it. But we keep getting more and more offers to go on tour. We've always been a touring band, so that works in our favor, I guess. In the past we wouldn't think about doing the States four times unless you were selling millions of albums or something. But there's a demand for it, which makes us happy."

"Worship Music", the group's first new album in eight years and first with singer Joey Belladonna since 1990, came out in September 2011. The has sold more than 100,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. A track from the CD, "I'm Alive", received a Grammy nomination last month for "Best Rock/Metal Performance". This is the fourth Grammy nomination for ANTHRAX.

As reported on Friday, guitarist Rob Caggiano has announced his departure from ANTHRAX to focus on his other passion: producing records. A replacement axeman has not yet been announced.

Video below: ANTHRAX performing "Neon Knights" live at Copenhell festival in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 15, 2012

Former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson has left BLACKGATES — the East San Francisco Bay Area metal outfit featuring drummer Paul Bostaph (ex-TESTAMENT, EXODUS, SLAYER, FORBIDDEN) and guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE).

Commented the band: "Regretfully, Dan Nelson has decided to leave BLACKGATES. He has decided that he wants to concentrate full time on being a father to his newborn son along with focusing on his own musical endeavors. All of us in BLACKGATES understand his decision and wish him all the best. He'll always be family.

"That being said, BLACKGATES is moving forward and is now actively seeking a new permanent lead vocalist. We're looking for a full-on metalhead who can sing with some serious melodic power and edge, with a bit of gravel on the top."

Stated Epp: "We've got over a dozen tunes that we feel are killer, we just need the right guy to come in and put his stamp on them and take what we have even further." Bostaph added: "New blood in the band will help push our sound further. Our newest material is heavier than our first demo. We're looking forward to working with a new vocalist, and getting out there and mixing it up in 2013."

Vocalist submissions in the form of demos, links and videos can be sent to Blackgatesvox@yahoo.com, subject: "VOX SEARCH."

BLACKGATES made its live debut on May 5, 2012 at Rooster's Roadhouse in Alameda, California as part of the Cinco De Mayo Metal Throwdown with guests MUDFACE, FALLING TO PIECES and ANOTHER VOID.

BLACKGATES last year parted ways with bassist Uriah Duffy (ex-WHITESNAKE) and replaced him with Luis Barillas (THE VENTING MACHINE).

Bostaph previously stated about BLACKGATES's musical direction, "Our sound is drawn from all of our influences. Mostly, we don't want to be a thrash metal band, although we draw from that genre as well. There is something in our music for everyone. Heavy grooves, good hooks and Dan's killer pipes. I think we have an independent sound that will stand on its own."

BLACKGATES's first demo was recorded in the San Francisco Bay Area with producer Tim Narducci (SYSTEMATIC, SPIRALARMS).

ANTHRAX has tapped SHADOWS FALL's Jon Donais (pictured below) to play second guitar on all currently scheduled tour dates following last week's departure of Rob Caggiano. Donais will temporarily fill in for ANTHRAX's upcoming shows in India, the series of Soundwave festival dates in Australia, and the North American Metal Alliance Tour.

"Jon is a bro and he's also a total fucking ripper," said Scott Ian. "I've worked with him twice before on side projects and he tears it up. I'm excited to have him on my right burning up the stage with ANTHRAX. 13's gonna be a good year."

"I grew up on ANTHRAX, they're the thrash scene, they're one of the 'Big Four,' I'd be crazy to not want to play with them," said Donais. "Initially, Rob called and told me he was leaving the band, and asked if I'd be interested in filling in. Then Scott called me and everything fell into place. Rob and I are using Skype to work on solos and other guitar parts, so he's being great. I also have to give special thanks to my band — Brian, Matt, Jason and Ed — who have been incredibly supportive and encouraged me to do this."

Caggiano announced his departure from ANTHRAX on January 4 to focus on his other passion: producing records. The remaining members of ANTHRAX said in a statement: "Rob has been an integral part of ANTHRAX for so many years, as our lead guitarist, in a production capacity, but most of all, as our close friend. His contributions to the band have been enormous. While we are sad that he is leaving, we wish him nothing but great success going forward, and hope to share the stage with him again sometime down the road."

Caggiano — whose two stints with ANTHRAX ran from 2001-2005 and 2007 to now — stated about his decision to leave the band: "We accomplished so many great things together over the years and I shared some of the best times of my life with these guys. As a band, we also weathered quite a few storms along the way. It's been a wild ride (to say the least) from Day One and I wouldn't change one single thing about the last 12 years."

Caggiano added that, "This is an extremely difficult and emotional decision for me to make, but my heart is just steering me in a different direction right now. I've always been one to follow my heart in everything that I do and while this might be one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, it feels like the right one for me at this time. Scott [Ian, guitar], Charlie [Benante, drums], Joey [Belladonna, vocals], Frankie [Bello, bass] (and [former ANTHRAX singer] John Bush) will always be part of my family and this decision doesn't change the way I feel about that in the slightest. I would also like to say thanks to all the amazing fans I've met and hung out with worldwide over the years. You guys always were and always will be the reason why I make music!"

Video footage of ANTHRAX frontman Joey Belladonna performing JOURNEY and FOREIGNER classics with his Syracuse, New York-based power trio CHIEF BIG WAY — in which he plays drums and sings — on December 18, 2012 at the Clam Man Party House in Seneca Falls, New York can be seen below.

In a 2005 interview with MusicDish, Belladonna was asked about the rumor that he came to the table with a JOURNEY tune during his 1985 audition for ANTHRAX. "Actually, what happened was I went into the room and they said, 'Just go on in,' and they hadn't heard me sing," he said. "They'd heard of me and they asked me to come in, but we were going in to start tracking and stuff, to get the mic set up and all that and they said, 'Let's get you in there and get you warmed up.' I hit the mic and belted out some JOURNEY. . . I think it was [the song] 'Lights'. I didn't know what the hell I was getting into in the first place. I just wanted to lay some vocals or something. Just to kinda give an idea and that's what happened. It wasn't really anything more than that. I just kinda belched it out. I think I did 'Oh Sherrie' [written by JOURNEY singer Steve Perry], too, or something. I dunno why, but I just did. It was something off the top of my head I could do a cappella and it was kinda challenging. I thought maybe in range or something that would be kind of intriguing. It was definitely one they weren't expecting."

In a 2010 interview with Tricia Weight, Joey stated about CHIEF BIG WAY, "We're doing all 'old school' shit — like LED ZEPPELIN and RUSH and JOURNEY and FOREIGNER and BAD COMPANY and THE WHO and BOSTON and PINK FLOYD and all that stuff."

When asked if singing those different styles of music in his side projects was good for him, almost acting like "exercises" to keep his vocals in shape, Belladonna said, "Yeah, it [is]. I mean, now I've got more projects than I've ever had. Even at home I sing to records, that's how I learned to do it anyhow, I used to pull out the coolest records and sing to 'em all day long, before I went out [on stage]. And I do it now, even [on the way] to the gig. If we've got an hour drive tonight — I'm rocking the stuff on the iPod all the way there!"

Excellent-quality fan-filmed video footage of the Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE performing the band's classic song "Queen Of The Reich" on December 29, 2012 at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona can be seen below (footage shot and edited by Dave "Ravage" Stabley). Also available is a collection of snippets of other songs that were played by the band at the Tempe concert.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Queen Of The Reich
02. Speak
03. Walk In The Shadows
04. The Whisper
05. En Force
06. Child Of Fire
07. Warning
08. The Needle Lies
09. Prophecy
10. Roads To Madness
11. I Don't Believe In Love
12. My Empty Room
13. Eyes Of A Stranger

Encore:

14. Take Hold Of The Flame
15. Jet City Woman
16. Silent Lucidity
17. Empire

QUEENSRŸCHE recently finished recording the drums for its new album 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 are being laid down over the coming weeks at several different facilities on the West Coast.

In a posting on his official Facebook page, La Torre — who is also a member of Florida melodic metallers CRIMSON GLORY — wrote last month: "People stare speechless [when we play 'Queen Of The Reich' live], because they are shocked to hear the song performed well, a song that 'broke out' this legendary pioneering band." He added, in a what appeared to be a dig at the man he replaced, Geoff Tate, "Shame on anyone to deny the music that garnished fans in the first place and still resonates 30 years later."

Asked by Rock Show Critique in a recent interview with why QUEENSRŸCHE rarely performs "Queen Of The Reich" live despite it being one of the band's most popular tunes, Tate said, "Actually, it's not very popular at all. It's funny, actually — a lot of people don't know about that song. A lot of people don't care about that song. It's an early song that was written and it shows. It's funny the reaction you get, because it's a lot of blank stares. In fact, it's the same stare you get when you play a new song that nobody's heard before. People just aren't that familiar with it. Given there are a few hardcore fans that might know that song, or like that song, and know what it is, but the majority of the people there don't. So it's not really a song that I enjoy singing, strictly because, lyrically, it's pretty adolescent. It was the first song written thirty-some-odd years ago and obviously I cannot relate to it anymore. I think, for performance, it's always best for the performer to really believe in the material they're singing or playing. If you don't believe in it, it's really difficult to get behind a song, do it well and do it at a level that comes across with any kind of believability. For me, I honestly can't relate to the whole dungeons-and-dragons lyrical content of that song; it's really cartoonish and juvenile to me."

Video footage below shot and edited by Dave "Ravage" Stabley