In a brand new interview with Believer magazine, FAITH NO MORE singer Mike Patton was asked if the band's reunion was "still happening." He replied: "It's sort of petered out. We're also maybe a little too conscious for our own good. Meaning there's a lineage of bands that maybe did some nice things and then needed the cash and got back together and basically just sprayed diarrhea over their entire body of work. We're very worried about that. We don't want to overdo it.”

Speaking to IHeartGuitarBlog.com last November, Patton stated about the possibility of FAITH NO MORE releasing any live material from the band's reunion tours: "Right now, we have no plans whatsoever — live, recording or anything. We've done what we set out to do with the reunion, and it's all great, but it's just, 'Let's see what happens next.' And I think you need to take a pause to actually reflect on something like that, because otherwise we could just keep playing, and we're very conscious of overdoing it, y'know, milking material that's so old. You can only do that for so long, and I feel that we've done pretty well. The whole band's naturally came to this conclusion, so now we're just sitting tight."

According to Patton, one of the reasons the FAITH NO MORE reunion didn't happen sooner is the fact that they wanted to avoid making it feel like a nostalgia thing — like "Here's FAITH NO MORE again." "We wanted it to feel fresh and still somehow vital," he said. "It wasn't an money grab. It's funny to say, but we all kind of reconnected, and after quite a long time we all kinda looked at each other and were like, 'Man, we actually spent half of our lives together.' It's interesting to see it through that set of glasses as opposed to the ones you wore back then. I suppose, at least personally speaking, I've grown up a lot since then, and I think I approach the music differently, and I felt better about the music than I did then."

FAITH NO MORE made a comeback in June 2009 with a headlining performance at the Brixton Academy in London, England and has played sporadic shows for the past three years.

FAITH NO MORE's last LP, "Album Of The Year", came out in 1997.

TRUE WIDOW, the "reverb-drenched shoegaze" Dallas trio, has inked a deal with Relapse Records. The band is currently recording its new album at the Echo Lab in Argyle, Texas with producer Matt Pence (YUCK, JAY FARRAR) for a late spring release.

"Returning to the Echo Lab just made sense," explained TRUE WIDOW drummer Slim TX. "It's where the previous albums have been recorded and it feels like home. The same goes for working with Matt. He allowed us to stay true to ourselves on our self-titled album and develop the sounds that would become our cornerstone for everything that has followed."

TRUE WIDOW has released two previous albums: "True Widow" (2008) and "As High As The Highest Heavens And From The Center To The Circumference Of The Earth" (2011). Each release has built on the band's unique approach to the guitar-centric intersection of shoegaze and ambient pop, which the band self-described as "stonegaze," NPR described the band's sophomore release as "a warming headphone album for a bleak snowfall, moody and dreamy chords crushed by a rumbling low-end," Decibel magazine said the album is "a droning, strung-out record that is, frankly, almost perfect" and All Music said TRUE WIDOW's guitar sound is "not so much detuned as it is shuddering."

The band will take a brief break from recording as they head out on a handful of dates this month.

TRUE WIDOW is DH Phillips (guitar/vocals), Nicole Estill (bass/vocals) and Slim TX (drums).

Photo credit: Mike White

VOICES, the new U.K. black metal project featuring AKERCOCKE/MY DYING BRIDE drummer David Gray alongside AKERCOCKE members Peter Benjamin and Sam Loynes (also of DIMINISHED FIFTH), will release its debut album, "Voices From The Human Forest Create A Fugue Of Imaginary Rain", in Europe on March 11 via Candlelight Records. The CD was recorded at Legacy Studios, located in the heart of the historic Old Street in central London.

VOICES were formed in London in 2011 as a new experiment from Benjamin, Gray and Loynes, also joined by London producer Dan Abela of Legacy Studios. The mission is to create a deep brand of cold and confronting music, part hypnotic yet often disturbing, focusing from an avant-garde take upon black metal, whilst always striving to explore a wide musical spectrum.

As the band state: "We have some immense plans for future creativity, ruling out no potential musical style or influence. We hope to never be bound by convention and thus remaining truly extreme through this unique and open-minded disposition."

Setting out head-first into new and daring terrain from the notorious past musical outfits, VOICES promises an extraordinary ride using the albums 55 minutes of playing time as a vessel by which our negative journey into the human forest can be witnessed. Expect moments of intense brutality, frenzied 360bpm blasts beats conjoined with crippling caveman guitars juxtaposed with subliminal dissonance. Vocals that articulate the insanity of despair, contrasted with ethereal glimpses of melancholic beauty through bold and layered singing. Destructive yet fragile, VOICES resonate a new direction and individual take upon the often constrained arena of extreme metal. Lyrically, the debut album deals in themes spawned from being truly outside of conventional points of view and a certain disconnect with any form of human emotions. The self-destructive streak within us, in turn drives us and all these torturous burdens have created this first set of intense and uncompromising songs.

"Voices From The Human Forest Create A Fugue Of Imaginary Rain" track listing:

01. Dnepropetrovsk
02. Eyes Become Black
03. Fragmented Illustrations Of Anger
04. Unawareness Of Human Emotion
05. Sexual Isolation
06. This Too Shall Pass
07. Everything You Believe In Is Wrong
08. Creating The Museum Of Rape
09. Endless

According to The New York Times, LED ZEPPELIN is in negotiations with a number of subscription music services — including Spotify, Rdio and Rhapsody — for the exclusive right to stream the band's catalog.

"We're excited about the opportunity to collaborate with LED ZEPPELIN to activate streaming rights for their catalog," a spokesman for the Warner Music Group, the band's longtime record label, said in a statement. "We're supportive of the band's discussions with W.M.G.'s streaming service partners to create a window of exclusivity to maximize the impact of this launch."

ZEPPELIN has sold more than 111 million albums in the United States, including 840,000 in 2012.

The band waited until 2007 to make its albums available through iTunes.

LED ZEPPELIN's concert film, "Celebration Day", which is available on CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc, sold 101,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. The package arrived in stores on November 19, 2012 via Swan Song/Atlantic Records.

Italian brutal death metallers SICKENING have announced the addition of bassist Edoardo De Nardi to the group's ranks. The band is hard at work on its third studio album which is said to be a concept effort about the movie "The Beyond" from the Italian master of horror Lucio Fulci.

SICKENING's second full-length album, "Against The Wall Of Pretence", was released in 2011 via Japan's Amputated Vein Records. The CD was recorded in August 2010 at Studio Emme in Florence and was mixed at 16th Cellar Studio in Rome with Stefano Morabito.

SICKENING released its debut CD, "Ignorance Supremacy", in 2008 via the Czech label Nice To Eat You Records (with distribution in the U.S. by Sevared Records).

SICKENING 2013 is:

Claudio Miniati: Vocals
Alessandro Materassi: Guitar
Marco Taiti: Drums
Edoardo De Nardi: Bass

"Scion", a brand new song from reactivated Finnish death metallers CRYSTALIC, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

After CRYSTALIC disbanded in late 2011 due to lineup problems, founding member Toni Tieaho decided to move on and started to play in other bands from Tampere. As time passed, Toni started to feel strongly that he should start composing his own material again. In the beginning of 2011, Toni and the keyboardist Felipe Munoz, who had played with CRYSTALIC before, formed an unnamed new project. Admittedly, at times the new material sounded very close to CRYSTALIC due to Toni's style of composing.

During 2012, the lineup was completed by drummer Janne Noponen, vocalist Marko Eskola and the original CRYSTALIC bassist Arto Tissari. In the early stages of collective songwriting process, it became clear to everyone involved, that CRYSTALIC would resurrect.

CRYSTALIC recorded its first new track in November 2012 at MSTR Studios with the band's longtime studio engineer Jussi Kulomaa. The chemistry within the band proved to be excellent during the recording sessions and the fresh lineup brought in some elements which took CRYSTALIC to a whole new level. Fast drumming, melodic keyboards, aggressive guitar riffs and melodic solos, versatile vocals and unique fretless bass lines can be heard on "Scion", which was recorded for the fans as a definitive statement: CRYSTALIC is back to stay.

CRYSTALIC is now actively working on the material for its third full-length album.

CRYSTALIC 2013 is:

Marko Eskola: Vocals
Toni Tieaho: Guitar
Artto Tissari: Bass
Felipe Muñoz: Keyboards
Janne Noponen: Drums

Having recently signed with Poland's grind/metal purveyors Selfmadegod Records, Illinois-based death metal horde TERMINATE has completed the recording of its debut album and today lash out at the public with the first dose of brutality harnessed in the studio.

Now locked down for release on February 18, "Ascending To Red Heavens" was recorded in September at The Basement by Tim Pearson, and mixed/mastered Tim Pearson at Do Or Die Studio, viciously capturing nine tracks of TERMINATE's fatal death metal attack. The cover illustration was completed by Raul Gonzalez (MASTER, MORBUS CHRON) and is viewable along with a stream of the album's fourth song, "Rotten Dead Mass". Check them out below.

TERMINATE was formed in late 2009 by guitarist/vocalist John Porada and drummer Jim Smith. After releasing the "Thirst For The Obscene" demo, the lineup was completed with Tom Cardella on guitar and Alfred Mulle on bass.

Consisting of veterans of the Chicago metal scene as well as the New York metal scene, the band has quickly made a name for itself, catching the attention of not only within their home city of Chicago, but also a core of underground fans across the world. Taking influences from death metal stalwarts BOLT THROWER and AUTOPSY, while maintaining a melodic sensibility akin to Swedish greats DISMEMBER and ENTOMBED is what defines the TERMINATE sound.

"Ascending To Red Heavens" track listing:

01. Answered In Lead
02. Demonic Instinct
03. Numb
04. Rotten Dead Mass
05. The Savage Silence
06. Chainsaw Omega
07. Ascending To Red Heavens
08. Blind Leading The Blind
09. Iron Supremacy

METALLICA last year tapped award-winning director Nimród Antal to helm the band's 3D movie. Charlotte Huggins ("Journey To The Center Of The Earth", "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island") is producing the film, which will be a marriage of narrative and concert and will star the "five" members of METALLICA — James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, and the fans. It will be released in the summer.

"There are similarities [to LED ZEPPELIN's 1976 film 'The Song Remains The Same', a companion to the live album of the same name]," Ulrich reveals in the latest issue of Classic Rock magazine. "There are four members in LED ZEPPELIN, four members in METALLICA, it's a full-length movie, and there's a lot in this film that does not take place onstage. The major difference is that the stuff that takes place offstage in the METALLICA movie does not feature any members of METALLICA. It's two separate worlds — a METALLICA show and a story that unfolds in a parallel universe — and at some point they intertwine."

METALLICA recently commenced work on material for the follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic" for a tentative 2014 release. The new songs are said to pick up where the last album left off.

"'Death Magnetic' is one motherfucker of a record," Ulrich told Classic Rock. "There aren't many METALLICA records that sound as good as 'Death Magnetic' four years after they were made. With a lot of the other records, there were questions: 'Why did we do that?' or 'What was going on there?' or 'Why didn't somebody say to turn the snare on?' I don't feel like that with 'Death Magnetic'. What we're doing now certainly sounds like a continuation."

However, Lars would not confirm that METALICA's next album will once again be helmed by producer Rick Rubin, who worked on "Death Magnetic", telling Classic Rock: "I love Rick. We all love Rick. We're in touch with Rick constantly. We'll see where it goes."

He added: "It would stun me if the record came out in 2013. We've got to finish this 3D movie, which is what we're doing right now."

York, England-based metallers WITH ONE LAST BREATH have announced the release of a new EP. Wake The Dead will be released via Small Town Records on February 25th, and is something of a reworking of familiar songs.
The band explains: “We've been working really hard all of 2012, getting the tours that we wanted and making sure that we get ourselves in the right position and playing to the right people. We finished the full length album but whilst all this was happening we had to make a few changes. We realised that we were going out on tour and playing songs that people had never had the chance to hear, not even on-line. We had the original EP on-line and that was the only available product yet because of the progression in sound and style that the band had gone through, we didn't want to play the old stuff live. Because we want to tour as much as possible next year, and because we owe it to all of our fans we decided to come up with a compromise. We make the EP a little more suited to us, then we can play it live! We want to get it out before the full length album because this new EP is going to get people to grips with the new With One Last Breath before we reveal the full length album. It's going to hit hard so we want people to be prepared!”



Wake The Dead EP tracklisting is as follows:

'Down The Darkest Road'
'I’m Taking Over'
'Burn Out The Flame'
'I Taste The Poison'
'Wake The Dead'
'Until The End'

A lyric video for 'I’m Taking Over' is available below:
More on One Last Breath at this location.

San Francisco Bay Area thrashers HATCHET will release their sophomore album, "Dawn Of The End", on March 5 via The End Records. According to a press release, the CD "showcases a much more aggressive and professionally oriented band" than was the case on 2008's "Awaiting Evil".

"Dawn Of The End" track listing:

01. After The Dark
02. Silenced By Death
03. Screams Of The Night
04. Fall From Grace
05. Revelations Of Good And Evil
06. Signals Of Infection
07. Dawn Of The End
08. Sinister Thoughts
09. Welcome To The Plague
10. Vanishing Point


Growing up in the San Francisco area suburbs as young metalheads can make it quite likely to take influence from the pioneers of metal that spanned the area in the 1980s. So it's no surprise that HATCHET describes its sound as "pure, uncompromising, Bay Area thrash metal."

Since the release of "Awaiting Evil", HATCHET has completed three full DIY U.S. tours that have helped put them on the map for up-and-coming thrash metal bands. Unfortunately, in this time, the band also saw its share of personnel shuffles, which stalled the group's overall progress. Throughout the changes, founding member Julz Ramos always had the passion to keep the band going, even moving to take on vocal duties. Now in 2013, the band has never been stronger with its most dedicated, mature, and musically inclined members since its birth.

"Path Of Doom", the new video from the Texas occult metal band VENOMOUS MAXIMUS, can be seen below.

In other news, VENOMOUS MAXIMUS has been hand-picked by New Orleans metal titans DOWN to support the band for a string of live dates on its upcoming U.S. tour. The details are as follows:

Jan. 26 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall
Jan. 28 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
Jan. 29 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
Jan. 30 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart's
Feb. 01 - Chattanooga, TN - Track 29

"Path Of Doom" comes off VENOMOUS MAXIMUS' new album, "Beg Upon The Light", which has just been released via Occulture Records. The CD was recorded at Origin Sound in Houston with a headspace described as "somewhere between a Alejandro Jodorowsky film and a New Orleans voodoo den."

"Beg Upon The Light"'s striking cover art was designed by artist Dann Miller and builds on the band's ever-evolving thematic that involves, among other things, magic, alchemy, extra-sensory perception and astrology; wide-eyed themes that lay "on the outermost fringe of accepted forms of knowledge and discourse."

VENOMOUS MAXIMUS is one of the most successful metal bands to emerge from Houston in years, beloved of headbangers and headbanging blogs from across the U.S. and points beyond (maybe even astronauts). Since its formation in 2010, the group has become the go-to metal band in the country's third-largest city, winning back-to-back titles at the Houston Press Music Awards as the Space City's "Best Metal Band" and has shared the stage with MASTODON, PENTAGRAM, SAINT VITUS, THE SWORD, GRAVEYARD and more.

"Beg Upon The Light" track listing:

01. Funeral Queen
02. Path Of Doom
03. Give Up The Witch
04. Father Time
05. Dream Again (Hellenbach)
06. Moonchild
07. Battle for the Cross
08. Venomous Maximus
09. Mother's Milk
10. Hell's Heroes

VENOMOUS MAXIMUS is Gregg Higgins (vocals, guitar), Christian Larson (guitar), Trevi Biles (bass) and Bongo (drums).

"NGHT PRTY", the new video from Danish modern metallers RAUNCHY, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "A Discord Electric", which was released in September 2010 via Lifeforce Records.

"A Discord Electric" track listing:

01. Dim the Lights and Run
02. Rumors of Worship
03. Blueprints For Lost Sounds
04. NGHT PRTY
05. Street Emperor
06. Shake Your Grave
07. Tiger Crown
08. Big Truth
09. The Great Depression
10. The Yeah Thing
11. Ire Vampire
12. Gunslingers and Tombstones

With uncompromising old-school thrash rhythms and potent electro-sounds, combining the hymns of modernity and tradition, "A Discord Electric" is the perfect metal anthem to the young and hopeless raging in a metropolis or in a redneck town all over the world.

Produced once again by longtime friend Jacob Hansen, "A Discord Electric", delivers 12 songs of pure ecstasy and genre-defining heavy metal music.

Commented vocalist Kasper Thomsen: "This is by far the most experimental, the most challenging, and the most interesting album we have come up with since the beginning of the band . . . Every member of [RAUNCHY] has had the freedom to take things to the limits, above and beyond, and believe me, boundaries are transparent this time around."

Century Media's latest signing, Chicagoland-based melodic death metal band STARKILL, will release its debut album, "Fires Of Life", on March 4 in Europe and March 5 in North America. The CD artwork was created by renowned metal artist Joshua Belanger and it "properly portrays the epic musical styling of the band," according to a press release.

"Fires of Life" track listing

01. Whispers Of Heresy
02. Fires Of Life
03. Sword, Spear, Blood, Fire
04. Below The Darkest Depths
05. Immortal Hunt
06. New Infernal Rebirth
07. Strength In The Shadow
08. This Is Battle; This Is Our Day
09. Withdrawn From All Humanity
10. Wash Away The Blood With Rain

The track "Sword, Spear, Blood, Fire" is available for streaming below.

STARKILL was formed at the tail end of 2008 by Parker Jameson, Spencer Weidner and Charlie Federici. The band makes no qualms about wearing their influences on their sleeves. They combine what they love — melodic death metal, shredding guitars, blasting drum beats and the epic sounds of modern film scores — and make some of the most promising metal music heard this side of the Atlantic in years.

STARKILL is:

Parker Jameson: Lead Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards, Orchestral Programming
Spencer Weidner: Drums
Charlie Federici: Guitar
Mike Buetsch: Bass

Renowned drummer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Tichy, known for his tours of duty with BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER and OZZY OSBOURNE, announced his departure from WHITESNAKE last Friday (January 4) in order to focus on SOMETHING UNTO NOTHING (S.U.N.), the band he started with Sass Jordan, a Canadian icon and Juno Award winner. Bassist and singer Michael Devin, also a participant in S.U.N., will remain with WHITESNAKE.

In a brand new statement posted on his Facebook page, Tichy explained his departure from WHITESNAKE, saying: "My decision to leave WHITESNAKE has already been announced by David Coverdale but I wanted to at least give a bit of my own explanation and be clear on why this decision was made because it is a simple yet heavy one; heavy 'cause it involves jumping off a cliff while you were seemingly and supposedly fine on solid ground. It's a reason that you will only understand if you exist with any amount of dreams, goals, ambition and desire to get to that place you haven't been.

"First off, WHITESNAKE will obviously be fine without me. I gave 100% while in the band, with full intent on making David and the [rest of the band] proud I was behind them as their drummer. If still in WHITESNAKE, I would yet again be giving David Coverdale and the guys 100% in 2013, and I'd have a blast doing it!

"I will never complain about being paid to be an adult that plays in the bands he used to practice to since he was 9 years old! And I will never ever give less than 100% when behind a kit of drums because it is my life. It ties everything together for me.

The change of musicians in bands is nothing new. My idols left this band too. But I do think my reason is a little different than the others'.

"Life is short. Each year is a solid chunk of time to hopefully get closer to all the things you have thought of attempting to achieve throughout your whole life. My December 30 mountain bike accident and January 1 surgery had absolutely nothing to do with my decision; but it certainly made it all the more easier to write it down with total clarity and without any second guessing.

"I've always played guitar. I've always written music. I've always wanted to be in my band! I have a new band, S.U.N., that I am beyond proud of. It is with a person, singer Sass Jordan, who is also as passionate about music and our band as I am. We sit on the same page in S.U.N. without worry about the other person's level of commitment.

"Sass is a lifer in music. She only does this. And she does it better than most. When you have something like that sitting at your fingertips and you both truly believe in it, you don't just put it on the shelf. What you do is figure out HOW you are going to make this new band AND everything else in your lives work together, regardless of the looming uphill battle and tiny percent ratio of something like this becoming a true force to be reckoned with. But that's where the confidence and experience come into play. I'd like to think we made a record that is a solid piece of rock that will hold its own next to anything. How will I know if I am right or wrong if I just 'talk talk talk' about it? I've got live it and let this band have a fair shot, or else I might as well just call it 'a cute little project I do if I have free time.' Haha! That is boring and goofy. We've worked hard and we will work hard. I can't give it its fair shot if I am giving WHITESNAKE 100%. And like I said, WHITESNAKE is WHITESNAKE. It rolls around the planet as a total and complete success, whether YOU like it or not. It's just it. When David says, 'Let's tour,' a lot of people become employed and have a solid amount of work for the year. So yeah, that's a success right there.

"I owe David Coverdale a big, fat 'thank you' for allowing me to be myself in his band. The man simply told me to play how I play and make his band and its music sound like a kick-ass rock 'n' roll freight train. He trusted me. He trusted that after having Paice, Powell, Dunbar, Aldridge and Frazier (some of the world's best drummers!), I could be the guy to get the job done! I also thank him for treating his band with complete respect and always being open to tell stories and answer questions having to do with this biz and everything he has been through. You learn a lot from a guy like that when you shut up and listen. Come on, from Blackmore to Page??!!! Sorry, it don't get bigger! But mainly I owe David a thanks for all the inspiration and for clearly letting me see that if you want something, you better at least TRY to get it. I am going to try. I watch him onstage and offstage, and see this icon that took his amazing gift and worked it hard and watched it all pay off in ways that most cannot fathom.

"I will, of course, always be a drummer and continue to work as a drummer and do all the things that drummers do. But I am allowing there to be an open road that I can now attempt to fill with all the stuff I have yet to do; the main thing being S.U.N. Basically, it would be pretty badass, (as I told David) if down the road, he can see me and say, 'Damn, Tichy went for it and did it.' With that, I intend on making David proud, proving lots to myself and getting S.U.N. out there and making a dent!

"Thanks to all the awesome WHITESNAKE fans who have been so understanding and accepting of my decision. I know who I'd like to see back on drums in WHITESNAKE! But whoever it is, it will be the right decision because it's David's! So, go buy the S.U.N. 'Something Unto Nothing' record with me on guitar and drums, Sass as the Interplanetary Mountain Goddess, Michael Devin on bass (who yes, will remain a member of WHITESNAKE) and Tommy Stewart on live drums! See us January 19th at Key Club in L.A. and at the Bonzo Bash January 24th. Our record has gotten insanely stellar reviews and I think that's 'cause we have approached the record the old-fashioned way; NO CLICK TRACKS AND NO AUTO TUNE B.S.! Focus on the natural groove within. Worry about the songs and the sounds. We are Loud Gypsy Rock!! 'Veni, Vidi, Rocky!'"

High Roller Records has set a February 8 release date for "Phoenix", the new album from the Swedish "full-throttle heavy metal" act SCREAMER on CD and LP.

SCREAMER started out in Ljungby, Smaland in early 2009, with Christoffer Svensson (bass, vocals), Martin Hallberg (guitars), Anton Fingal (guitars) and Henrik Petersson (drums). In 2011, they released their debut album, "Adrenaline Distractions", on High Roller Records.

In autumn 2012, SCREAMER departed for a European tour along with '77 from Spain and their Swedish friends BULLET.

"The 'Full Pull' tour with BULLET and '77 was a total blast," says SCREAMER drummer Henrik Petersson. "It felt great being able to reach out to bigger audiences, and playing live is what all of us in the band live for. We love it!"

Regarding the upcoming CD, Henrik said: "[It is] a nine-track monster with approximately 45 minutes running time. The artwork will once again be designed by Robin Gnista, the same artist that made our first cover. We are VERY proud and feel very confident about the new album, it feels like a natural step forward to us."

"Phoenix" track listing:

01. Demon Rider
02. No Regrets
03. Slavegrinder
04. Far Away From Home
05. No Sleep 'Til Hamilton
06. Phoenix
07. Mr. Noman
08. Red Moon Rising
09. Lady Of The River

The song "Demon Rider" can be streamed below.

Following a triumphant unfurling via German cult label Ván Records in December, The Netherlands' heavy rock act GOLD has unveiled the official video for "Antebellum", the key track for their debut album, "Interbellum". Written and directed by Bastiaan Bosma with producer Natasa Heydra, "Antebellum" is a vibrant track that perfectly lays the groundwork for the rest of GOLD's radiant album through a very unique and colorful artistic video interpretation.

Stated GOLD in a collective statement on the creation and inception of the video: "To us, 'Antebellum' is the key song of our debut album. Musically, it serves as the blue print of our sound, combining a variety of influences into a fresh and contemporary new entity. Lyrically, it takes the metaphor of the calm before the storm to describe a feeling of being out of place in a world that is on the verge of collapsing. Therefore it was a must for us that this would be the first official video of the album. Writer and director Bastiaan Bosma created a video that fits the song perfectly. He approached the theme from his own twisted point of view and created a story about lust and control larded with a tad of sex and a shade of horror."

GOLD is:

Milena Eva - Vocals
Thomas Sciarone - Guitar
Nick Polak - Guitar
Harm Haverman - Bass
Igor Wouters - Drums

Australian hard rockers AIRBOURNE are putting the finishing touches on their third album at Armoury Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with producer Brian Howes (HINDER, DAUGHTRY, PUDDLE OF MUDD). The follow-up to 2010's "No Guts. No Glory." will be released this summer via Roadrunner Records.

AIRBOURNE was among the nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album" category at the 2010 ARIA Awards (an annual awards night celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Record Industry Association [ARIA]). (Note: The award eventually went to PARKWAY DRIVE.)

"No Guts. No Glory." sold around 6,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 89 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Swedish death metallers SOREPTION have released a video for the song "By Venom Entitled", which appears on the band's "Deterioration Of Minds" album, released in 2010 via Ninetone. The clip was directed by Linus Rundberg and can be seen below.

SOREPTION will release their second album, "Engineering The Void", in April via Ninetone Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Deterioration Of Minds" was recorded, mixed and produced by Tommy Rehn at Ninetone Studios. The CD cover artwork was created by Raphael Gabrio of Insane Visions and can be seen below.

"Engineering The Void" track listing:

01. Reveal The Unseen
02. The Nature Of Blight
03. Breaking The Great Narcissist
04. A Speech To Survival
05. Utopia
06. Monumental Burden
07. I Am You
08. Engineering The Void

Formed in 2005, "SOREPTION unleash their surgically precise and unique, razorsharp voilence with technically and artistically advanced riffs topped off with in-your-face brutal vocals, leaving the listener nothing short of stunned and ready to bow down to the mature display of how death metal should be played," according to a press release.

SOREPTION is:

Fredrik Söderberg - Vocals
Anton Svedin - Guitars
Stefan Nordlander - Session Guitarist
Rickard Persson - Bass
Tony Westermark - Drums

Dave Mustaine has blasted CNN for not getting its "facts right" by claiming the MEGADETH mainman "still holds a grudge against" METALLICA 30 years after being kicked out of the group.

CNN posted an article on January 4 about Mustaine's online rant against Men's Wearhouse, with the writer ending his piece by stating: "Despite his own superstar status, Mustaine still holds a grudge against the more successful METALLICA."

In a tweet earlier today, Mustaine reacted to the CNN story by writing: "Get yer facts right @CNN! I don't still have a grudge w/Metallica, but I do w/you now. Guess ya missed the Big 4 tour?"

Mustaine joined his former METALLICA bandmates on stage on December 10, 2011 for the fourth and final intimate show at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of the group's week-long celebration of its 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only.

Mustaine, who was one of the original members of METALLICA, was fired from the band by drummer Lars Ulrich in 1983. He was replaced by Kirk Hammett and went on to form MEGADETH and achieve worldwide success on his own.

The official lyric video for "Good To Be Bad", a song from ADLER, the band led by former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler, can be seen below. The track, which features a guest appearance by ROB ZOMBIE/ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5, comes off ADLER's debut album, "Back From The Dead", which was released in North America on November 26, 2012 via New Ocean Media. The CD was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Jeff Pilson (FOREIGNER, DOKKEN) and was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR). The effort consists of 11 tracks, ranging from adrenaline-pumping rockers ("Back From The Dead", "Own Worst Enemy", "Another Version Of The Truth") to arena-rock anthems ("Good To Be Bad", "Blown Away") to powerful, heartfelt ballads ("Waterfall", "Just Don't Ask"). The album features an additional guest appearance by Adler's former GUNS N' ROSES bandmate Slash.

ADLER is comprised of Adler, frontman Jacob Bunton (LYNAM, MARS ELECTRIC), guitarist Lonny Paul (ADLER'S APPETITE), and bassist Johnny Martin (CHELSEA SMILES).

Asked by Metal Forces how John 5's guest appearance on "Good To Be Bad" came about, Lonny said: "John 5's wife and Steven's wife knew each other, and Steven basically just reached out to him. He said, 'Hey, we're recording a record. Do you wanna come down and play on something?' He heard the track 'Good To Be Bad', and he said, 'I'm in.' He came down, and practically the first take that he did we kept. There were some other things he did on the song too. We couldn't be happier with what he did."

Melodic metallers FIREWIND, who feature in their ranks current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. (real name: Kostas Karamitroudis), successfully wrapped up the calendar year 2012 with four packed club shows in their native Greece (two nights in Thessaloniki and two nights in Athens), commencing the celebration of the band's 10th anniversary. Additionally, and right before the end-of-the-year festivities, FIREWIND entered the studio in order to mix recordings from last year's "Few Against Many" tour for an upcoming live album, to be released before the summer.

Expanding FIREWIND's live agenda for 2013, the band will next hit the road with TURISAS and STOLEN BABIES on the "Guards Of Glory - North American Tour 2013" and will perform at this year's Summer Breeze (Germany), PPM (Belgium) and Rock In Den Ruinen (Germany) festivals. More shows will be announced soon.

Prior to the North American tour dates, Gus will appear at Jason Becker's "Not Dead Yet 2" benefit concert on January 23 at Slim's in San Francisco alongside Uli Jon Roth, Ritchie Kotzen, Steve Morse and many other guitar legends. Gus will also announce special NAMM appearances and signing sessions in the coming days.

As previously reported, Gus G. has begun collecting ideas and recording demos for his first solo album, to be released sometime in 2013. The CD will feature instrumental tracks as well as songs with guest singers.

FIREWIND's new album, "Few Against Many", entered the official chart in Greece at No. 42 and in Germany at No. 90. Released in Europe on May 21, 2012 via Century Media Records and in North America on May 22 through DisManic, Inc. via eOne Distribution, the CD was mixed by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi at Audiohammer Studios (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEATH ANGEL) in Sanford, Florida.

According to Shropshire Star, former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Kenneth "K.K." Downing has has started a career as a rock promoter under the banner The Future Of Heavy Metal. His first show will be at The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton, England on May 16, followed by a gig at The Asylum in Birmingham the following day. The shows will feature Black Country band HOSTILE, along with the French act MORAY FIRTH. Two more bands will also appear.

Downing told Shropshire Star was moving into rock promotion with Bridgnorth-based music guru Dave Coleman, who has been involved in the industry for many decades.

"The Black Country and Birmingham are known as the home of heavy metal and now it's time for the next generation to step up to the plate," Downing said.

"In some ways, it has been difficult for other bands to fill the void. Back in the '70s and '80s the Black Country and Birmingham produced so many good rock bands, from BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPPELIN to JUDAS PRIEST and even SLADE."

HOSTILE features in its ranks bassist Alex Hill, son of JUDAS PRIEST's Ian Hill. The band's debut album, 2011's "Eve Of Destruction", was produced by Downing.

Not only did K.K. produce HOSTILE's debut CD, he also wrote and performed on the song "Avenger", the first time the guitarist has ever written for a band outside of PRIEST. K.K. became interested in HOSTILE's talent and potential after seeing them perform at a club called JB's in Dudley, Midlands.

In April 2011, Downing revealed that he would be leaving JUDAS PRIEST prior to the band's "Epitaph" world tour. In October that same year, Downing spoke to Valley Radio Online about what happened, although he declined to go into specifics.

"It was a set of circumstances that led me to not go out [on tour with PRIEST] this year," Downing said. "I was kind of geared up for it, but there was a multitude of reasons. It pretty much came down to an unsettlement on my part with working relationships.

"It's like anything else. If anybody out there is thinking it's hard to live with one woman, they should try to live with four guys and hold it together. [Laughs]"

Downing's place in the band was filled by new guitarist Richie Faulkner.

"It was a massive consideration," Downing said. "Obviously, the fans, who I love, and many of them have become very good friends. But I just hoped that they would appreciate that I couldn't continue with the way that I felt inside for reasons which I'll… I mean, certain reasons I will never, ever disclose.

Due to scheduling conflicts, singer Antony Hämäläinen was unable to perform with multinational thrashers NIGHTRAGE at the Gothenburg Sound Festival on January 5 at Trädgårn in Gothenburg, Sweden. His replacement for this show only was NIGHTRAGE's former frontman Tomas Lindberg from AT THE GATES.

Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Lindberg — who is also known for his work with THE CROWN and LOCK UP — appeared on NIGHTRAGE's first two albums (2003's "Sweet Vengeance" and 2005's "Descent Into Chaos") before being replaced by Jimmie Strimell, who sang on 2007's "A New Disease Is Born".

NIGHTRAGE's fifth album, "Insidious", was released in September 2011 via Lifeforce Records. The CD featured guest appearances by Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND), Tomas S. Englund (EVERGREY), Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS), John K (BIOMECHANICAL) and Lindberg.

German metallers ALPHA TIGER will release their new album, "Beneath The Surface", via Century Media Records on the following dates:

* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway: Friday, January 25
* Spain, Italy: Tuesday, January 29
* Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, January 30
* Rest Of Europe: Monday, January 28
* Australia, New Zealand: Friday, February 1
* USA, Canada: Tuesday, February 5 (digital-only release, European CD/LP imports available through CM Distro)

The official two-and-a-half-minute trailer for "Beneath The Surface" can be seen below.

All lyrical topics on "Beneath The Surface" are represented in the stunning cover artwork, which was created by Hungarian designer Peter Tikos (who also worked with the band on the "Man Or Machine" cover).

"Beneath The Surface" was recorded last summer at Berlin's Musicflash studio, engineered by Mirco Godi Hildmann, and mixed and mastered by Andreas Hilbert.

"Beneath The Surface" track listing:

01. Intro
02. The Alliance
03. From Outer Space
04. Waiting For A Sign
05. Beneath The Surface
06. Along The Rising Sun
07. Eden Lies in Ruins
08. Rain
09. Crescent Moon
10. We Came From The Gutter

ALPHA TIGER last fall finished a European tour as direct support for W.A.S.P., and they will play a couple of special release shows in 2013.

With their 2011 debut album, "Man Or Machine", the young and wicked ALPHA TIGER from Saxony already won over a lot of fans which was solidified by playing numerous shows and festivals such as German cult festivals Keep It True, Headbangers Open Air and Rock Hard, as well as France's Hellfest.

The energetic quintet led by main composer Peter Langforth and singer Stephan Dietrich mix the classic '80s metal spirit with a fresh attitude while still avoiding the usual retro stereotypes. Especially Stephan Dietrich is leaving most other '80s epigones far behind with a voice that can easily compete with Geoff Tate and Michael Kiske during their QUEENSRŸCHE and HELLOWEEN heydays, respectively. He's backed up by the twin guitar leads of Peter Langfort and Alexander Backasch and the perfectly oiled rhythm machine of Dirk Frei (bass) and David Schleif (drums).

ALPHA TIGER is:

Stephan Dietrich - Vocals
Peter Langforth - Guitar
Dirk Frei - Bass
Alexander Backasch - Guitar
David Schleif - Drums

"Hate The Ones You Love", the new video from the Lancaster, Pennsylvania quintet THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE, can be seen below. Directed by David Brodsky of Brooklyn's MyGoodEye Music Visuals (HELLYEAH, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, GOATWHORE, MUNICIPAL WASTE, SUFFOCATION), the clip is about a group of young post-society survivors unable to cope with the task of killing a stranger who wanders into their territory. All of their coping mechanisms start to unravel.

Commented THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE frontman Rick Armellino: "'Hate the Ones You Love' was the first complete track that we knew would end up on 'Dead Years' and it helped frame the rest of the album. The lyrics themselves are about how often I find myself mistrusting or even disliking people who remind me of myself, and what it's like to try and remain trusted to those you love when you can't accept who you are. Writing a script around the lyrical themes and acting for the first time seemed risky but the final product really matches what we are trying to do. Brodsky is an artist; I can't describe how cool it was working with him. Hope you guys dig it!"

THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE is currently supporting California metal titans IMPENDING DOOM on their The Chaos Reborn Tour. Other support acts include THICK AS BLOOD, FIT FOR A KING, THE BROWNING and HEARTS & HANDS.

"Dead Years", the third album from the THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE, sold around 1,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Dead Years" was released in Europe on September 24, 2012 via Lifeforce Records. Produced by Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, HASTE THE DAY), the CD was made available in North America one day later through eOne Music.

THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE is: Rick Armellino (vocals), Jack Esbenshade (guitar), Matthew Marcellus (bass, vocals) and Rodney Phillips (guitar, vocals).

"A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time", a strictly limited-edition BLIND GUARDIAN box set with 15 CDs in 13 high-quality digipacks and only 8000 copies worldwide, will be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on February 1 and the rest of the world on February 4.

Looking back over BLIND GUARDIAN's career from the here and now in 2013, you see a success story gone global, the likes of which very few other German metal bands have ever experienced. This band from Krefeld has been just about everywhere, conquering the North American market in the same way as they stormed the charts in Asia or packed concert venues in South America and even South Africa. From their (at that point purely) German beginnings with debut album, "Battalions Of Fear" (1988), followed by their first international recognition with the second album, "Follow The Blind" (1989) and the euphoria which went round the world when "Tales From The Twilight World" (1990) and "Somewhere Far Beyond" (1992) came out, right through to their masterpiece of composition in "A Night At The Opera" (2002), the name of the band developed to become an unmistakable world brand. There are lots of reasons for this, but no doubt much of it is down to the extraordinary skill of everyone involved, their virtuoso dexterity and that gift for bringing mystical themes in tune with unusually complex metal directives. Something else which really makes BLIND GUARDIAN stand out is the way they have always kept so close to their fans. Even more proof of their unconditional commitment to the huge fan-base is being released now; "A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time", a strictly limited edition deluxe box set with a total of 15 CDs in 13 high-quality digipacks, which the musicians and the record company have been working on together for almost a year. A particularly long time to create a compilation you may think, but a glance at just how much this box set encompasses explains why their conscientious and time-consuming preparation took so long.

"A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time" not only includes all the albums released during the so-called Virgin years (the record company brought out all the bands' records between 1988 and 2004) but also all their previously unreleased demo recordings, rare bonus tracks and alternative versions of famous pieces from this era, and all of them have been remastered and some even remixed. To be precise; it includes the seven studio albums "Battalions Of Fear", "Follow The Blind", "Tales From The Twilight World", "Somewhere Far Beyond", "Imaginations From The Other Side", "Nightfall In Middle-Earth" and "A Night At The Opera", and on top of all that you get the live albums "Tokyo Tales" and "Live" as well as "The Forgotten Tales" compilation, all of them now with 2012 mastering and some of them with new mixes. Above and beyond that, BLIND GUARDIAN have dug deep into their archives and come up with some real treats: in "Imaginations Through The Looking Glass" for the very first time the phenomenal concert they put on in Coburg, Germany in June 2003 appears in audio format on two CDs. And another first, in a special edition of "Nightfall In Middle-Earth", the musicians also present the legendary 1998 studio album without any breaks (including a new mix of "Blood Tears"). This precious box is rounded off with "An Extraordinary Tale", which includes so-far-unreleased demo versions of the pieces "Welcome To Dying", "Lord Of The Rings", "The Bard's Song (In The Forest)", "The Bard's Song (The Hobbit)", "Theatre Of Pain", "Trial By Fire" and "I'm Alive" and the never-before-released, around-90-seconds-longer version of the song "The Quest For Tanelorn" as well as the comparatively rare number "Harvest Of Sorrow".

So, there is so much to find, enjoy and rediscover in this outright opulent deluxe box which is accompanied by a 20-page glossy booklet (size: 27cm x 27cm) containing comments from the members of the band and more than 100 rare and mainly unpublished photos belonging to the musicians. A limited-edition and numbered BLIND GUARDIAN art print on special paper (sized 27cm by 27cm) and a guitar plectrum engraved with the band's logo have also been added to the box.

"With 'A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time', we document how much has BLIND GUARDIAN developed between 1988 and 2004 in, as I see it, a particularly impressive and vivid way," explains singer/bassist Hansi Kürsch who, together with original members André Olbrich and Marcus Siepen, still controls the destiny of this amazing group. Kürsch adds: "The brand new mastering also makes sure that all 15 CDs are on the same level as far as the dynamics are concerned so theoretically you can listen to the whole box at one go, without having to adjust the volume level at all."

Of course this jam-packed compilation also includes all the compositional climaxes and milestones along BLIND GUARDIAN's career path; "Majesty" from their debut album "Battalions Of Fear" was the first time the band presented their unusual song writing combined with the boundless energy which still makes BLIND GUARDIAN stand out so much today. "Traveler In Time" from "Tales From The Twilight World" then puts the band's epic approach into focus. "The Bard's Song" has developed into a real classic, creating that perfect symbiosis between band and audience at concert after concert and reinforcing the folklore element within the typical BLIND GUARDIAN sound.

Of course, in this box, BLIND GUARDIAN also present the sublime title track from the album "Imaginations From The Other Side" with its capable mixture of anthemic power metal and progressive directives, as well as the downright cinematic number "Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)" from the album "Nightfall In Middle-Earth". The experts reckon the fantastic "And Then There Was Silence" from "A Night At The Opera" was the icing on the cake of those Virgin years and you can hear it in all its glory on "A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time".

With "A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time", BLIND GUARDIAN stay true to their reputation of not doing anything only halfway. As always with this band you get the full-on thing, on both the composition and technical production sides. This box is also full of rare photos from the musicians' private collections as well as previously unreleased demo recordings, once again documenting how far this group will go to give their fans the best possible product. And as Hansi Kürsch put it: "We poured our heart and soul into 'A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time', making it a well worthwhile box for our fans which fully meets the demands we make of ourselves as well as those of our fans. And that is exactly what we were aiming for."

For the complete track listing, visit Blind-Guardian.com.

Danish melodic progressive power metal band ANUBIS GATE has parted ways with drummer Morten Sørensen and has replaced him with Morten Gade Sørensen (PYRAMAZE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS).

After careful consideration and five albums behind the drums, Morten Sørensen felt it was time to get off the bandwagon to pursue other musical interests. ANUBIS GATE states: "We would like to say that this is a peaceful parting of the ways and that we are still good friends. We are, of course, sad to see Morten Sørensen go but also excited to have another one of Denmark's very finest drummers to join the band."

Morten Gade Sørensen (pictured below), known for his excellent drumming in bands such as PYRAMAZE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS and LANCE KING, comments on joining ANUBIS GATE: "I've been following ANUBIS GATE since they started and being a big fan of their universe it's an honor for me to be asked to join. I'm looking forward to working on the bands new material."

ANUBIS GATE is currently working on material for its sixth album for a late 2013 release via Nightmare Records.

ANUBIS GATE is Henrik Fevre (vocals, bass), Michael Bodin (guitar), Kim Olesen (guitar, synths), Morten Gade Sørensen (drums).

ANUBIS GATE's latest, self-titled album was released in September 2011 via Nightmare Records.

Fulda-based metallers WITCHBURNER have been active in the German underground scene since 1992 and they never surrendered. The band kept the spirit alive when everyone else was going astray, and they didn't give a damn about trends that kept coming and going or about the problems that naturally occur when a band has to struggle with constant lineup changes. Now, after twenty years of relentless thrashing, and after having released six albums and nine demos, splits and EPs, WITCHBURNER is about to unleash yet another pure old-school thrash attack.

Due on February 22 via High Roller Records, "Bloodthirsty Eyes" combines the band's original, long-developed trademarks with the qualities of the two new members who joined WITCHBURNER in 2011: new vocalist Pino's raspy voice is full of brutal, rough power that fits perfectly with the totally classic but still very inspired thrash-riffing, which is provided by long-time member Simon Seegel and the new man on lead guitar, Michael "Mächel" Frank. Both new members added a fair share of fresh blood and ideas: While Pino wrote all the lyrics for "Bloodthirsty Eyes", Mächel's creative and precise solos add the last touch of technical refinement that makes a thrash song a real thrash song.

"Bloodthirsty Eyes" track listing:

01. Sermon Of Profanity
02. Possession
03. Master And Slave
04. Path Of The Sinner
05. Absolute Collapse
06. Bloodthirsty Eyes
07. Never Surrender
08. The Bringer Of Disease
09. Spirit Of The Dead

The song "Possession" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

VOODOO CIRCLE's third album, "More Than One Way Home", will be released on February 22, 2013 via AFM Records. The CD's first single, "Cry For Love", will be made available on February 1.

The cover artwork for "More Than One Way Home" can be seen below.

An audio sample of the song "Graveyard City" from "More Than One Way Home" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

VOODOO CIRCLE is the German/British band featuring members of PRIMAL FEAR and PINK CREAM 69.

VOODOO CIRCLE's sophomore CD, "Broken Heart Syndrome", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 64. The effort was once again mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, KROKUS), and was described in a press release as "a huge step forward and shows the band's boundless musical possibilities."

Alex is well known throughout the rock and metal scene as the mastermind of SILENT FORCE, former guitarist of SINNER and touring guitarist of PRIMAL FEAR. His exceptional compositions and instrumental skills secured him highest respect from other musicians and a strong worldwide fan base. In Japan, where quality is still the most important aspect when it comes to music, he is hailed as a "guitar hero" and fills the venues.

According to a press release, "Alex chose to walk in huge footsteps with VOODOO CIRCLE, because the immense impact and influence that bands like RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE had are undeniable. But if there is just one German musician who can fill this big boots and arouse with new energy, we definitely talk about Alex Beyrodt."

VOODOO CIRCLE is:

Alex Beyrodt (PRIMAL FEAR, SILENT FORCE, SINNER) - Guitar
David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) - Vocals
Mat Sinner (SINNER, PRIMAL FEAR) - Bass
Markus Kullmann (DEZPERADOZ) - Drums
Zlatko "Jimmy" Kresic (LIQUID HOME) - Keyboards

VOODOO CIRCLE's self-titled debut album was released in 2008.