Denmark's ROYAL HUNT has issued the following update:

"It seems like we'll have quite a bit of fun in 2013: 20th Anniversary Special Edition package has been received so well that we're in talks right now about releasing it as a gorgeous looking triple vinyl – with bonuses!
A new album? Indeed and this time we'll deliver something that we've never done before – a third decade of RH's evolution should start with a bang! And what about touring? Absolutely! We've already started discussing it with our promoters so expect to get rocked royally as soon as all the dates will be sorted out – we´ll keep you posted.

Happy New Year, dear friends, see you all soon!"

Royal Hunt put together a video teaser for the release of the 20th Anniversary Special Edition of their debut album, which was issued in November in Europe and Japan; it will be available in North America on January 22nd, 2013.
This very special best of package includes three CDs and one DVD, featuring the best Royal Hunt songs from all 11 albums, a brand new song plus three newly recorded acoustic versions of three additional songs and a DVD including all the promotional videoclips shot by the band during their long ride.
Royal Hunt - 20th Anniversary Special Edition includes the following tracklisting:

CD 1:
'Flight'
'Kingdom Dark'
'Stranded'
'Clown In The Mirror'
'Wasted Time'
'Epilogue'
'Time'
'Far Away'
'1348'
'River Of Pain'
'Tearing Down The World'
'Message To God'

CD 2:
'Cold City Lights'
'Follow Me'
'Surrender'
'The Mission'
'Can't Let Go'
'Paper Blood'
'Season's Change'
'The First Rock'
'Tears Of The Sun'
'The Well'
'Shadowman'
'Hard Rain´s Coming'
'Half Past Loneliness'

CD 3:
'Save Me' (new song)
'One By One' (unplugged)
'Bodyguard' (unplugged)
'Restless' (unplugged)
'Bad Luck'
'Double Conversion'
'U-turn'
'Sixth Sense'
'Day Is Dawning'

DVD:
'Land Of Broken Hearts'
'Day In Day Out'
'Clown In The Mirror'
'Far Away'
'Last Goodbye'
'Stay Down'
'River Of Pain'
'Tearing Down The World'
'Martial Arts'
'Third Stage'
'Wasted Time'
'Message To God'

LED ZEPPELIN guitar legend Jimmy Page has issued the following year-end update:

"Hi y'all. Well 2012 is nearly at a close... and what a year it's been for JP. The eagerly awaited London O2 concert was released on what could be described as a 'celebration day' - some five years after the event.

During the December of this year I had the honour of meeting President Obama and Mrs Obama, President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in Washington DC. I would not have imagined any of this happening this time last year. So roll on 2013!"
On December 2nd, surviving Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were awarded the US's highest award for those who influenced American culture through the arts, the Kennedy Honor, at a dinner event at the White House. The entire event was broadcast December 26th on CBS.

HEART's Ann and Nancy Wilson performed the Led Zeppelin classic, 'Stairway To Heaven' for the show's finale, and were joined by late Zeppelin drummer John Bonham's son, Jason Bonham, on drums. Footage of the performance can be seen below:
In his tribute to Led Zeppelin, President Barack Obama said: "When Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham burst onto the musical scene in the late 1960s, the world never saw it coming.

There was this singer with a mane like a lion and a voice like a banshee, a guitar prodigy who left people’s jaws on the floor, a versatile bassist who was equally at home on the keyboards, a drummer who played like his life depended on it.

And when the Brits initially kept their distance, Led Zeppelin grabbed America from the opening chord. We were ready for what Jimmy called songs with a lot of light and shade.

It’s been said that a generation of young people survived teenage angst with a pair of headphones and a Zeppelin album ... but even now, 32 years after John Bonham’s passing - and we all I think appreciate the fact - the Zeppelin legacy lives on.

We honour Led Zeppelin for making us all feel young, and for showing us that some guys who are not completely youthful can still rock!"

Check out video of Obama's speech below:

On February 5, Friday Music will release the deluxe edition of DEEP PURPLE's "Slaves And Masters", the only album featuring former RAINBOW/FANDANGO singer Joe Lynn Turner. Now remastered, the LP features two rare bonus tracks: "Slow Down Sister" (B-side of "Love Conquers All" 12-inch and 45 rpm single) and the hard-to-find 45 rpm single edit of "Love Conquers All", as well as including rare RCA label memorabilia.

A press release states: "Featuring the Mark V DEEP PURPLE lineup of Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Roger Glover and new addition hard rocker Joe Lynn Turner, 'Slaves And Masters' was a nice way to kick in a new decade with this one time configuration. Most notably hard-rocking tracks like 'Fire In The Basement', 'King Of Dreams' and the international hit power ballad 'Love Conquers All' helped make this a much-played album at rock radio from day one of its release. Even through all their well-documented changes over the years, DEEP PURPLE as reigning kings of hard rock and heavy metal shined through on this album. It’s easy to hear why... the familiarity of the band was still there with its guitar shredding maestro Ritchie Blackmore, the powerful drum sound of Ian Paice, Jon Lord's iconic keyboard work, Roger Glover's slammin' bass, and Joe Lynn Turner's hard rockin’ vocals, 'Slaves And Masters' was a winning affair."

"Slaves And Masters" deluxe edition track listing:

01. King Of Dreams
02. The Cut Runs Deep
03. Fire In The Basement
04. Truth Hurts
05. Breakfast In Bed
06. Love Conquers All
07. Fortuneteller
08. Too Much Is Not Enough
09. Wicked Ways
10. Slow Down Sister *
11. Love Conquers All (single edit) *

* Bonus tracks

"Shadow Moses", the new single from British metalcore act BRING ME THE HORIZON, was premiered earlier today (Friday, January 4) on BBC Radio 1's "Rock Show" with Daniel P. Carter and can now be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track will be released digitally next week.

"Shadow Moses" is the first single from BRING ME THE HORIZON's fourth album, "Sempiternal", which will be released later in the year via RCA. The follow-up to 2010's "There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret" was recorded in part at Angelic Studio in Banbury, Oxfordshire with producer Terry Date, who has previously worked with such acts as DEFTONES, PANTERA, SOUNDGARDEN and PRONG.

"I've never been so confident about an album," BRING ME THE HORIZON frontman Oli Sykes told Kerrang! magazine. "It makes our last record just sound shit. We're doing stuff we could never dreamed of doing before."

BRING ME THE HORIZON performed "Shadow Moses" live for the first time when they played their only U.K. show of 2012 at the Alexandra Palace in London on November 10 as the co-headliners of the Vans Warped Tour with LOSTPROPHETS. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

"There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret" sold 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD also entered the official chart in the U.K. at position No. 13.

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"

"Coffee & Cocaine", the new video from German "dirty rock 'n' rollers" PRESIDENT EVIL, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "Back From Hell's Holiday", which will be released on January the 25 via Firefield Records. The CD features marks the recording debut of PRESIDENT EVIL's new singer Neal McCocker and contains guest appearances by Dan Nelson (BLACKGATES, ex-ANTHRAX) and Chris Birx (MOTORJESUS). Other songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Dirty Cage", "Never Ending Sin Of Life" and "Priest Of Rock ’N’ Roll".

PRESIDENT EVIL is:

Neal McCocker - Vocals
James Lars - Guitar
Ace Renner - Guitar
Sven Bassista - Bass
Diamond Dennis - Drums

CIRCLE II CIRCLE, the band led by ex-SAVATAGE frontman Zak Stevens, will release its sixth studio album, "Seasons Will Fall", on January 25, 2013 via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group.

Formed in 2001, CIRCLE II CIRCLE has always reinvented itself throughout the years, constantly maintaining the signature sound that fans around the world love. The turning point for the band came in 2012 with CIRCLE II CIRCLE's monumental performance of the entire SAVATAGE album "The Wake Of Magellan" at the world’s largest heavy metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Germany. What followed was a sold-out European club tour.

"Seasons Will Fall" is CIRCLE II CIRCLE's strongest album to date from both a musical and production standpoint. It blends Stevens' history and unique "SAVATAGE style" with the fresh sounds he developed with his current outfit. From the howling guitar riffs on "Diamond Blade" and "Killing Death" to the energetic sound of "Never Gonna Stop", it contains everything you want from a heavy rock album.

Says Stevens: "With earMUSIC releasing our sixth album, we are exactly where we need to be at this point in our career. We have the right album along with a fantastic new label. The timing of all this will take the upcoming world tour to an entirely new level. We are very much looking forward to the release of 'Seasons Will Fall' on earMUSIC. This is an album that will strongly define the identity and place of hard rock and heavy metal music in the world today."

In a recent interview with Metal Babe, Stevens said about the upcoming CD, "The record is sounding really great and the goal of this album from the beginning was for it to be the best CIRCLE II CIRCLE to date. Of course, that's a lofty goal, but I really think we've done it here with 'Seasons Will Fall'."

He added, "From the beginning, we wanted it to have some elements of all five previous releases, along with some entirely new sounding stuff. So that's basically what we've done with 'Seasons Will Fall'. We're really happy with how it turned out. Now it's just down to the fun part of mixing it and putting the final touches on everything."

Asked if there is a certain theme or concept that this CD focuses on, Zak said, "Being that it's not a concept album, the record focuses on a variety of different subjects. What I notice right away in the music and the lyrics is the amount of introspection of everyday life. Because of this, it really reminds me of our first album, 'Watching In Silence'. It really has that sort of feel to it. It also reminds me of 'Burden Of Truth' in some ways, too, but this one's definitely not a concept album in that sense."

"Seasons Will Fall" track listing:

01. Diamond Blade
02. Without A Sound
03. Killing Death
04. Epiphany
05. End Of Emotion
06. Dreams That Never Die
07. Seasons Will Fall
08. Never Gonna Stop
09. Isolation
10. Sweet Despair
11. Downshot
12. Only Yesterday

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

CIRCLE II CIRCLE is:

Zak Stevens - Vocals
Mitch Stewart - Bass/Vocals
Bill Hudson - Guitar/Vocals
Christian Wentz - Guitar/Vocals
Henning Wanner - Keyboards/Vocals
Adam Sagan - Drums

Video footage of Italian singer Mariangela "Mary" Demurtas of Norway's TRISTANIA and Italian guitarist Francesco Marras (SCREAMING SHADOWS) performing acoustic cover versions of ALICE IN CHAINS ("Down In A Hole") and DEEP PURPLE ("Soldier Of Fortune") classics can be seen below.

Demurtas joined TRISTANIA in 2007 and is featured on the band's sixth album, "Rubicon", which came out in August 2010 via Austria's Napalm Records. The group is currently working on a follow-up CD for a tentative May release.

Francesco's first solo instrumental album, "Black Sheep", is available on iTunes and AmazonMP3.

A rough-mix version of the song "Hello From The Gutters" from Swedish death metal masters DERANGED can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new five-song EP, "Morgue Orgy", which will be released on CD in early 2013 via Sevared Records and on LP in mid-2013 through and Bifrost Records. The EP will feature four new songs and a cover of the STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH classic "Milk".

DERANGED's eighth full-length album, "Cut, Carve, Rip, Serve", was made available in May 2011 via Sevared Records. The follow-up to 2008's "The Redlight Murder Case" was recorded at Berno Studio in Malmö, Sweden.

DERANGED 2013 is:

Anders Johansson - Vocals
Thomas Ahlgren - Guitar
Andreas Johansson - Bass
Rikard Wermén - Drums

Swedish viking/black metallers THYRFING have completed work on their new album, "De Ödeslösa" (English translation: "The Fateless") at Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden with producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, PARADISE LOST, WITCHCRAFT). The band's first CD since 2008's critically acclaimed "Hels Vite" will be released in the spring via NoiseArt Records.

The cover artwork for "De Ödeslösa" was created by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight13Media and can be seen below.

After 17 years in the band, original member and bassist Kimmy Sjölund decided to leave THYRFING. Joakim Kristensson has since taken over the bass duties. The band also welcomed a new drummer, Dennis Ekdahl.

THYRFING 2013 is:

Jens Rydén - Vocals
Patrik Lindgren - Guitar
Fredrik Hernborg - Guitar
Joakim Kristensson - Bass
Peter Löf - Synthesizers
Dennis Ekdahl - Drums

"Hels Vite" was released in October 2008 via Regain Records. The CD was co-produced (with the band) by Jörgen Svensson of Tyroon Production and the cover artwork was created by the Swedish artist Mikael Schelén. The layout and the photos were handled by Jens Rydén.

THYRFING in 2007 announced the addition of Jens Rydén as the band's new vocalist. Jens is best known as founding member and ex-vocalist of NAGLFAR and for his one-man army PROFUNDI.

"Soul To Devour", the new video from the Italian "post metal"/sludge band VAREGO, can be seen below. The clip comes off the group's debut album, "TVMVLTVM", which was released last year via Argonauta Records.

According to a press release, "TVMVLTVM" "is a mystical/esoteric concept that will have its continuity in the next works of the band."

The "Soul To Devour" video features some of the main events and characters of a long odyssey through Earth and Cosmos.

Formed in 2009, VAREGO worked with the producer Billy Anderson (NEUROSIS, MELVINS, EYEHATEGOD) on "TVMVLTVM", which contains ten songs.

VAREGO is:

Vocals: Davide Marcenaro
Guitar: Alberto Pozzo
Guitar: Gerolamo Lucisano
Bass: Marco Red Damonte
Drums: Simon Lepore

Roxx Records has announced the release date and final track listing for the deluxe edition package of "R-Existence" from Italian thrashers BOARDERS. Due on January 29, the newly expanded package will be available in a limited-edition CD pressing and digitally at all your favorite retailers. The deluxe expanded package will contain five additional tracks, three brand new recordings as well as two previously unreleased demo tracks.

"R-Existence" deluxe edition:

01. Prelude
02. The Agony of Lying
03. Signs of Resistance
04. Vengeance is Yours
05. IV Reich
06. Pure Gold
07. Lightbringer
08. Sixth out of Five
09. Cause of Life
10. Meet my Heart
11. To my Father
12. A Warm Place (deluxe edition 2013)
13. Pure Gold [Acoustic] (deluxe edition 2013)
14. This Time (deluxe edition 2013)
15. Deliver You Back To Hell [unreleased demo 2003] (deluxe edition 2013)
16. For What It's Worth [unreleased demo 2003] (deluxe edition 2013)

A band that can trace its history back to the late Eighties, BOARDERS presents a unique melding of the aggressive thrash and melodic metal that draws extensively from the musical trends of that era. And nowhere is that more evident than on the material from the group's debut, "The World Hates Me", which came out in 2009.

"R-Existence" marks a return to form of that melding of thrash and metal, with songs certain to garner the attention of those into MEGADETH, METALLICA and old-school DELIVERANCE. As a matter of fact, BOARDERS once gained notoriety in Italy as a MEGADETH tribute band; hence, the inclusion of the old MEGADETH song "In My Darkest Hour" on their debut release.

IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dicksinson spoke to The Wall Street Journal about his recently launched aircraft maintenance business, Cardiff Aviation Ltd, which is based at the Twin Peaks Hangar at St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, United Kingdom. Dickinson, a qualified commercial pilot, and his company are leasing the 132,000 square-foot hangar from the Welsh government.

Asked if — given the costs, regulations and rigamarole in Britain — he's ever considered taking his projects to the U.S., Dickinson said: "Well sadly, I think I'd rather open a business in [the U.K.] than the U.S. The U.S. is — it's a minefield. Open a business in California? You must be joking. The lawyers, the taxes — people talk about high taxes here. Well, yes they are high, but in America, in the places you might really want to open a business — New York, L.A. — you've got state taxes, city taxes, state income taxes, city income taxes — you add that lot up, you're paying more over there than [in Britain]."

While Dickinson spends quite a bit of time on tour with IRON MAIDEN, the singer is still closely involved in the business, holding meetings with potential customers and keeping in close touch with developments in South Wales.

"No, I'm not a famous British tax exile," Dickinson told The Wall Street Journal, confirming that he pays the current 50% rate outright on his personal income (dropping to 45% in April). "I live [in the U.K.]. And I pay my tax here. Whilst I think the rate of tax is too high, I like living here."

The top-rated German TV show, RTL's "Chart Show", has chosen KISS' "I Was Made For Lovin' You" as the No. 1 party hit of all time.

"I Was Made for Lovin' You" originally appeared on KISS' 1979 album "Dynasty". It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album. It was the band's second gold single, selling over 1 million copies. The single reached No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard singles chart. The song also became a Top 10 hit in Australia reaching No. 6 on the ARIA charts in 1979. The song fared the best in Western Europe (Where it became a Top 20 hit in Sweden, a Top 10 hit in Norway, made it to the No. 2 position in France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, and in Holland it became a No. 1 smash).

Pacifica, California-based hard rock/metal four-piece HAUNTED BY HEROES — which is composed of 12-year-old middle school students — will release its self-titled debut album on January 19 via Alfadkidz Records. The CD was produced by Sylvia Massy, who has previously worked with such luminaries as REM, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, DEFTONES, SYSTEM OF A DOWN and TOOL. A video for the album's first single, "Devil's Slide", will be made available the same day.

TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider joined HAUNTED BY HEROES, often called "the world's youngest rock band" by some, on the September 6, 2012 edition of "America's Got Talent" to perform the TS classic "We're Not Gonna Take It".

HAUNTED BY HEROES has played over 100 live shows, and has been profiled on several national news networks. The band was featured on the "Today" show, where Matt Lauer called them "unique, with a larger-than-life sound."

According to a press release, "HAUNTED BY HEROES is NOT a contrived band looking for a short-term career but rather a truly organic professional group of gifted musicians who just happen to be historically young... They rock hard to spread the word that young people can create their own destiny and dreams can come true. Lyrically, they message antibullying, staying true to who you are and believing in oneself. Musically, they perform with the conviction and talent of their rock heroes."

Todd Newton of BigMusicGeek.com recently conducted an interview with QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

BigMusicGeek.com: At this point, is your goal to reconcile with the other members of [QUEENSRŸCHE]? Is that really even possible?

Geoff: I think the situation has deteriorated quite badly. It would take quite a bit of communication with all of us sitting in the same room having discussions for any type of reconciliation to occur. Honestly, I don't see that happening from their side. I don't think any of them have the balls to sit in a room with me and be honest about how they feel and works towards some sort of understanding. They're way too cowardly to do anything like that. That may come across as cold and brash, and I apologize if that offends anyone, but that's my honest opinion on the matter. They didn't approach me in a friendly, gentlemanly friendship way when they fired me. They did it behind my back through a lawyer, ya know? So I really don't have any high hopes that they'd have the integrity to sit in a room with me now and try to come up with some sort of compromises for our situation.

BigMusicGeek.com: Prior to them dismissing you, were there any obvious indications that everything wasn't going very well? I can remember reading interviews with the group during the '90s where the group seemed like a brotherhood...

Geoff: No. There was nothing like that. A band is a democracy and if it had to come down to a vote, I'm only one guy, ya know? You probably read an interview with either (former QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist) Chris (DeGarmo) or myself. Our main focus was always to create an image that the band was cohesive and a band that was as close as brothers, ya know? In our minds, that was the best way to project our band and our project, ya know? Whatever dirty laundry or disagreements wasn't talked about in public. We were always very, very interested in presenting a positive image, ya know? The image that Chris and created is the image that most people saw and that's how people formed their opinions, ya know? Through the images Chris and I conveyed. We switched gears throughout our entire career. That was the whole goal. The whole motto that Chris and I had when we started writing together was "no limits." Naturally, we weren't interested in being limited by any imaginations except our own, ya know? So we drove that vehicle with that in mind. We were always trying to change things up and bring different things into the compositions, stretch out as much as we could musically and keep pushing, pushing and pushing the envelope on the musical chemistry that we had. After he left, I always held that goal in mind. The problem was that I was the only one who had that idea at that point. [laughs] The other three were very non-committal musically and didn't stand by their belief system when it came to music. They were very influenced by the opinions of others around them and didn't really trust their own musical integrity. I was constantly being limited by their lack of imagination and their unwillingness to stand on their own convictions. They were always very interested in being what other people thought they could be.

BigMusicGeek.com: In regards to all the pending litigation, do you foresee an outcome where you aren't ultimately victorious?

Geoff: I don't look at it as victory or defeat because in reality, it's not really that way. I will win in any situation regarding this because I will either get the name or they'll have to pay me for the name, so I'll be free and clear to do whatever I want. I don't want to work with them and they don't want to work with me. We really haven't worked together in years and years anyway, so what's the purpose, ya know? The only purpose to be together in the first place was the economics of it. It was a very successful brand that was very successful in all parts of the world. It paid everyone's bills and gave everyone a comfortable way of living, ya know? So all the headaches were worth it. What it took to make a record was worth it because we all made a nice living.

BigMusicGeek.com: Was there really a physical confrontation between you and the other members of the group (i.e. the now-infamous Brazil Incident)? At first, it seemed insane that everyone would actually "come to blows" over it all...

Geoff: Yes. It happens in bands all the time. It's weird because in other places in the world, they look at the whole physical altercation thing as a fist fight and call it what it is[laughs] It's a bunch of guys and you come to blows sometimes, ya know? It's no big deal. The Europeans and South Americans say the same thing: "What's the big deal? Why are the Americans making such a big deal out of this?" Look at THE [ROLLING] STONES, THE WHO or even THE BEATLES. It's a bunch of guys and guys are physical. The thing about the whole "Brazil incident" is that we're talking about three cowards who wouldn't stand up for themselves. Three cowards who made a decision behind my back, implemented a plan to fire me and my family and then, when I challenged them on it, ran away like little pussies who wouldn't stand up for their beliefs. What kind of men are those? The only thing you have in life are your convictions. It's what you believe. If you make a statement and then back down, what kind of man are you? You are nothing. You have no significance if you don't stand up for what you believe in.

Read the entire interview from BigMusicGeek.com.

2013 will be a momentous year for DEEP PURPLE. Not only is the band's new album on the way (to be released April 30 via earMusic/Eagle Rock Entertainment), but 10 classic recordings from the DEEP PURPLE cannon will be exhumed, starting with the 2CD/digital release of "Live In Paris 1975" on January 29.

"Live In Paris 1975" has been digitally remixed and remastered from the original multi-track recordings, sonically transmitting all the power and electricity of DEEP PURPLE's live stage prowess. Originally released via Purple Records, this historic concert is now presented in stunning, updated audio quality.

Recorded on April 17, 1975 at the Palais des Sports in Paris, this was the very last concert with famed guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who was leaving DEEP PURPLE to form RAINBOW. Blackmore, vocalist David Coverdale, bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, keyboardist Jon Lord, and drummer Ian Paice roared with strength on such classics as "Burn", "Stormbringer", "Highway Star", "Space Truckin'" and the smash hit "Smoke On The Water". Immersed in high-energy solos and noteworthy improvisations, "Live In Paris 1975" captures a significant moment in time in the band's history, and is essential for any DEEP PURPLE fan.

"Live In Paris 1975" track listing:

Disc 1:

01. Burn
02. Stormbringer
03. The Gypsy
04. Lady Double Dealer
05. Mistreated
06. Smoke On The Water
07. You Fool No One

Disc 2:

01. Space Truckin'
02. Going Down
03. Highway Star
04. Bonus 1975 interview with David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes and Ian Paice

Check out audio samples of all the tracks at Amazon.co.uk.

Multi-camera video footage of the Edmonton, Alberta, Canada-based metal band THE ORDER OF CHAOS performing the song "Sexwitch" on Septemer 13, 2012 at K17 in Berlin, Germany can be seen below. The clip was filmed during the group's European tour with HELSTAR and EMERALD, which consisted of 15 shows in nine countries.

"Victim Of Circumstance" comes off THE ORDER OF CHAOS's two-song EP, "Sexwitch", which was released in Europe on August 28, 2012 as a seven-inch vinyl limited to 500 copies through Killer Metal Records. It is also available for purchase on CD and digital download through iTunes, Bandcamp, and the band's web site.

THE ORDER OF CHAOS features in its ranks current INTO ETERNITY touring singer Amanda Kiernan.

In a February 2012 interview with The Regina Leader-Post, Amanda stated about her decision to join INTO ETERNITY, "I couldn't pass up on the INTO ETERNITY thing because I could never sit at home and wonder what could have been."

She added, "Some of [my THE ORDER OF CHAOS bandmates] might not understand, but I think that in the long run, this will be very good for THE ORDER OF CHAOS. They're a little jealous and upset. But I think I just need to prove to them that I'll work 100 percent at both bands."

THE ORDER OF CHAOS is currently working on material for its third full-length album.

Acclaimed Dutch vocalist Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH, AFTER FOREVER, REVAMP) sang a version of the song "Oh, Mio Babbino Caro" by classical music composer Giacomo Puccini for "Tiende Van Tijl", a show about classical music presented by Tijl Beckand. Floor says, "They invite 'pop singers' to sing a classical piece. And even though I studied classical singing, I am not a opera singer full time."

She added, "It was great to do again. I did their trailer a few years ago as well and now the shows on TV a lot, it's really nice to be invited again. It was on a short notice, however, so I had no time to prepare a new aria. I wore a dress you would normally not see me wear!"

Jansen's appearance on "Tiende Van Tijl" was taped in November and aired yesterday (Wednesday, January 2). You can now see it below.

Floor made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on October 1, 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington.

Jansen is handling lead-vocal duties on all of NIGHTWISH's currently scheduled tour dates after the group parted ways with Anette Olzon at the end of September.

Finnish death metallers TORTURE KILLER will enter the studio tomorrow (Friday, January 4) to begin recording their next album for a tentative March/April release. The band states, "Santeri Salmi is coming here tomorrow and we will start tracking the drums in Noisecamp Studios (Turku). We were very pleased with the sound we got with him for our 'I Chose Death' EP, and are sure we are able to tweak things here and there to make this sound even better."

The group adds: "Going into the studio has never felt this relaxed. We have nine songs on the list; we'll see if all of 'em end up being on the album. No title yet. We will let you know once that is set."

TORTURE KILLER released a three-song EP entitled "I Chose Death" in March 2012 via Dynamic Arts Records. It contained two new tracks and a cover version of DEMIGOD's "Succumb To Dark" song from the "Unholy Domain" demo tape. The cover artwork was created by Mark Riddick.

"I Chose Death" marked the recording debut of TORTURE KILLER's new singer, Pessi Haltsonen (RETALIATORY MEASURES), who is described by his new bandmates as "a perfect fit" and "a human powerhouse."

TORTURE KILLER's third album, "Sewers" came out in 2009 via Dynamic Arts Records.

The band's sophomore CD, "Swarm!", was released by Metal Blade Records and featured legendary death metal vocalist Chris Barnes from CANNIBAL CORPSE and SIX FEET UNDER.

TORTURE KILLER 2013 is (left to right in photo below):

Tuomo Latvala - Drums
Kim Torniainen - Bass
Pessi Haltsonen - Vocals
Tuomas Karppinen - Guitar
Jari Laine - Guitar

"I Chose Death" audio stream:

UNISONIC, the band featuring former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske and Hansen alongside guitarist Mandy Meyer (ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS), bassist Dennis Ward and drummer Kosta Zafiriou (both of Germany's PINK CREAM 69), has issued the following end-of-year update:

"2012 was an event — and successful year for UNISONIC: We released our debut CD and did the first tour, leading us to many countries in Latin America, Asia and Europe. The feedback on the CD and the live shows was phenomenal and we want to thank you all from the deepest of our hearts for your support!

"2013 will be a more silent year for UNISONIC. Besides working with our other bands and projects, be sure that we will use the time to write and record a new UNISONIC album!

"Touring together for the first time and your overwhelming reactions glued us together as a band, and we can't wait to canalize all these impressions into a powerful and melodic metal album, to be released in early 2014!"

UNISONIC's self-titled debut studio album was released in North America on May 22, 2012 via Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records.

"Unisonic" was recorded at ICP Studios in Brussels, Belgium. The CD — which features 11 tracks, plus a bonus live version of HELLOWEEN classic "I Want Out", only available on the domestic edition, and cover art by Martin Häusler (MEAT LOAF, GOTTHARD, HELLOWEEN, MOTÖRHEAD) — marked the first full-length musical union between Kiske and Hansen in 23 years!

UNISONIC released its debut EP, "Ignition" on January 27, 2012 via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort included the track "Unisonic" plus one demo song and a cover version of the HELLOWEEN classic "I Want Out", recorded live on October 15, 2011 at the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.

Hansen's position in GAMMA RAY is unaffected by his involvement with UNISONIC.

UNISONIC is:

Michael Kiske (vocals)
Mandy Meyer (guitar)
Kai Hansen (guitar)
Dennis Ward (bass)
Kosta Zafiriou (drums)

Resurrected late '80s/early '90s death metallers PESTILENCE will enter the studio in February to begin recording their new album, "Obsideo". The drum tracks on the CD will be laid down by Dave Haley of Australia's PSYCROPTIC. Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Necromorph", "Saturation", "Soulrot", "Laniatus" and "Superconcious". According to guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli, the CD's overall lyrical theme will be "the journey of the human soul."

The "Obsideo" cover art as now been unveiled and can be seen below.

PESTILENCE 2012 is:

Patrick Mameli - Lead guitar/Vocals
Patrick Uterwijk - Lead guitar
Stefan Fimmers - Bass
David Haley - Drums

PESTILENCE's latest album, "Doctrine", was released in North America in July 2011 via Mascot Records. The eleven-track CD was recorded and mixed at Woodshed Studio in southern Germany with engineer Victor Bullok (a.k.a. V. Santura; TRIPTYKON, DARK FORTRESS). The artwork was designed by Marko Saarelainen.

Northern Germany's Lovecraftian act CTULU will release its third full-length studio album, "Seelenspiegelsplitter", on April 12-13. The album will be launched at two gigs in Hamburg and Erfurt, respectively, and will be made available via Nocturnal Empire. Joining the band on stage during the release gigs will be Bristol's FEVER SEA, Kiel's AEBA (which features CTULU's studio drummer) and Bremen's NEBUKADNEZAR.

"Seelenspiegelsplitter" is intended to take you on a journey deep into the halls of the Esoteric Order of Dagon where your skin shall become grey as the sea, your eye color will vanish into grey nothingness and your soul shall be bound to the depths of the ocean.

"Seelenspiegelsplitter" track listing:

01. Seelenbrand
02. Amokkoma
03. Im Widerlicht Blutbefleckter Spiegel
04. Insignia Dagonis
05. Bleichenblass
06. Tornasuk
07. Flammengestirn
08. Tränenfinsternis
09. Tiara Aus 10 Phobien
10. Serenadenhallen

CTULU has already confirmed one summer festival appearance: Czech Republic's MetalGate Czech Death Fest, which will take place on June 14-15.

German heavy rockers THE NEW BLACK are preparing to enter Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PRETTY MAIDS, AMARANTHE, RAUNCHY) to begin mixing their third album for an early 2013 release via AFM Records.

THE NEW BLACK will embark on the "Rock N' Roll Overdose" tour of Germany in April with PSYCHOPUNCH, MOTORJESUS, '77 and SUPERCHARGER.

The band's sophomore CD, "II: Better In Black", came out in January 2011 in Europe via AFM.

THE NEW BLACK's music was previously described as "BLACK LABEL SOCIETY inviting the NICKELBACK guy over for some THIN LIZZY covers, all dressed in PANTERA shirts."

THE NEW BLACK is:

Fludid (Vocals)
Christof "Leimsen" Leim (Guitar)
Fabian "Fabs" Schwarz (Guitar)
Günt (Bass)
Chris Weiß (Drums)

Swedish metallers DEATHDESTRUCTION have finished recording their sophomore album, tentatively titled "Death Is The Winner", at Bohus Sound studios in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE). Laghi is currently mixing the CD, whose sound is described by the new DEATHDESTRUCTION singer Tony Jelencovich as "much wider than [that of] the debut album; it's harder, more mature and has more melancholy."

The following songs were laid down during the "Death Is The Winner" sessions:

* Set The Sail
* Divine Justice
* False Flag
* I Am The Plague
* Moscow Morning
* Dead Pilot
* Taste The Mud
* Insane Stays Sane
* Towards The Light
* I Promised You Nothing
* Dead Tomorrow
* Money, Blood, Crucifixus
* A Shelter From Harm
* Give It A Try

Vocalist Jimmie Strimell quit DEATHDESTRUCTION in June 2012 in order to focus on his other band, DEAD BY APRIL.

Regarding Tony's addditon to DEATHDESTRUCTION, the other members of the group said, "Tony is a friend to the band, and he has truly made a mark in the Gothenburg scene with bands like B-THONG, TRANSPORT LEAGUE and MASSIVE AUDIO NERVE. He's also worked with bands like MNEMIC and the Russian band ICON IN ME.

"Tony has everything we look for in a lead singer and a frontman, so the choice was just so easy when we had to find ourselves a new singer. We're totally stoked about what he will contribute to DEATHDESTRUCTION! This is going to be so fucking good, people!!"

DEATHDESTRUCTION in 2011 inked a deal with the Swedish branch of Sony Music Entertainment. The band's three-song EP, "Fuck Yeah", was released in April 2011 and was followed by the group's self-titled debut album in August 2011. The CD was recorded at IN FLAMES' IF Studios with Laghi.

DEATHDESTRUCTION is:

* Tony Jelencovich (B-THONG, TRANSPORT LEAGUE, MASSIVE AUDIO NERVE) - Vocals
* Henrik Danhage (ex-EVERGREY) - Guitar
* Fredrik "Loppan" Larsson (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
* Jonas Ekdahl (ex-EVERGREY) - Drums

Hollywood, California-based act SYNICAL, which features in its ranks record producer Brian Haught (L7) and notorious musician Eric Griffin (former member of MURDERDOLLS, WEDNESDAY 13, GENITORTURERS and current member of DAVEY SUICIDE), has just released its debut album, "Quit While You're Behind", via the French label Deadlight Entertainment. The CD features guest appearances by Roy Mayorga (STONE SOUR, ex-SOULFLY), Alex Carapetis (NINE INCH NAILS, JULIAN CASABLANCAS) and Racci Shay (MURDERDOLLS).

SYNICAL was formed by Brian Haught in 1989 as a solo project in Atlanta, Georgia. Its initial sound was created using state-of-the-art electronics with limited rock-based instruments and eventually began to evolve into something much more original.

Dutch female-fronted thrashers IZEGRIM have issued the following update:

"Our alliance with Listenable Records proved to be so fruitfull that we will release a second album on this excellent label.

"As we are firm believers in 'never break a winning team,' we will record the new CD at the Soundlodge Studio Germany.

"Recordings will start late April. Release date has been set for September 2013."

IZEGRIM's latest album, "Code Of Consequences", came out in 2011 via Listenable.

Immediately after the release of the band's 2009 EP, "Point Of No Return", IZEGRIM started writing/composing material for its new CD. Their mission was to create the most versitale, riff-packed, in-your-face-sounding record in the history of IZEGRIM. After more than a year of working as hard as they ever did, they've accomplished their objectives. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jörg Uken (Soundlodge Studio), this record has become exactly the way they wanted it to be.

IZEGRIM is:

Jeroen Wechgelaer - Guitar
Marloes Voskuil - Bass/Vocals
Bart Van Ginkel - Guitar
Ivo Maarhuis - Drums

Charly Steinhauer, guitarist/vocalist of long-running German metallers PARADOX, underwent open-heart surgery on December 27. His bandmates state: "We've been in the hospital to visit Charly and he's getting better. He wants to thank you all for the good wishes and the love and support you showed him in the last few days! That really does mean a lot to him.

"We shall tell you: PARADOX will never die! As long as it's possible for him, he will write new stuff, and if possible, we will return on stage!

"All planed shows for the next half year had been canceled, but if Charly's health condition allows it, we want to be back on stage in August at Queens Of Metal Open Air!"

The official lyric video for the song "Brutalized" from PARADOX can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Tales Of The Weird", which was released on December 14 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by Steinhauer and was mixed and mastered by Victor Bullok (a.k.a. V. Santura; TRIPTYKON, DARK FORTRESS) at Woodshed Studio in Landshut, Germany. The cover art was created by Claudio Bergamin.

"Tales Of The Weird" features guest appearances by Bob Katsionis (FIREWIND) and Gus Drax (SUNBURST).

The new PARADOX lineup is as follows:

Charly Steinhauer (vocals, guitar)
Christian Muenzner (guitar)
Olly Keller (bass)
Daniel "Evil Ewald" Buld (drums)

"Brutalized" lyric video:

Swedish old-school death metallers NOMINON will celebrate their 20th anniversary this year by playing "a few special shows." In addition, the band is thinking about releasing a "best-of" album and is taking suggestions from fans on Facebook for other possible ways to commemorate the occasion.

NOMINON's fifth album, "The Cleansing", was released in October via Deathgasm Records. The CD was recorded at Studio Hell by Robert Ericsson and was mixed and mastered by Javi Feléz and Perra Karlsson at Moontower Studios in Barcelona, Spain. The CD digipak version of "The Cleansing" comes with a 12-page booklet.

NOMINON's fourth album, "Monumentomb", was released in March 2010 via Deathgasm Records.

NOMINON is:

Henke Skoog - Vocals
Juha Sulasalmi - Bass, Backing Vocals
Perra Karlsson - Drums
AntiChristian - Guitar
Alex Lyrbo - Guitar, Backing Vocals