GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal has slammed NME.com for allegedly "twisting" his words "into an attack" on the band's lead singer, Axl Rose.

In a recent interview with Ryze-Up magazine, Thal was asked what advice he would give to newbies in the music scene. "1. Be on time," he replied. "By 'on time' I mean 'be early.' Make sure you're there for when you need to be — wait in your car, communicate, let them know 10 minutes early that you'll be there in 5 minutes, and walk in 5 minutes later. 2. Be prepared. By 'prepared' I mean 'overly prepared.' Know more than you need to. If you're gonna lay guitar parts, know the drum grooves and where all the accents and up-beats and fills and breaks are, know the bass lines... When the bassist doesn't show and they freak out and you say, 'I know the bass part. I can lay it down,' you'll be the MVP 3. Be cool. And by that I mean, be a calm, relaxed, easy-going, soothing presence in the room. When everyone is contagiously breaking into panic and stress mode, you'll be their voice of reason without even trying. Players can be replaced — people are chosen by who others want to spend their time with."

Earlier today, NME.com reported on the above-mentioned interview and erroneously included a comment that was posted on Metal Hammer's web site — "Remember kids, only massive goobers make a habit of not being on time." — as part of Bumblefoot's response. This prompted the guitarist to pen the following missive via his Facebook page:

"Some 'info' sites will twist anything into an attack on Axl, lol (only way to get more readers and hike up rates on advertisers I guess...) NME is *not* a legit source of music info by any stretch. Not only do they make up quotes that aren't true (I've NEVER used the term 'massive goobers' in my life, lol), I also didn't speak to Metal Hammer. NME is using a piece of an interview I did with Ryze-Up magazine. If NME is going to point fingers, they should have more integrity and class in what *they* do, yes?"

He added: "I'm at the venue early, I'll have dinner with crew, watch opening acts, get warmed up, I'm at every meet-n-greet, and I'm ready to get on stage at show time. That's me. My advice was for musicians starting out, hopefully it served its positive purpose :)"

Former ANTHRAX and current RED LAMB guitarist Dan Spitz has posted the following message on his Facebook page:

"Jesus is the reason I still breathe.

"The heart [doctors] tell me I should be dead.

"I had a heart attack a few years back where my main artery to my heart was 98% closed. I have stents in my heart now.

"I'm blessed to breathe and feel love from all, I'm blessed to know adversity and plow through, I'm blessed to recognize betrayal and move on, I'm blessed to have my art to relieve my inner pain.

"Jesus gave me all I am, all I will be. I have no clue where he'll take me. All I know is I walk by faith and not by site and take baby steps and drink baby milk. He'll show me if I act and pursue diligently HIS way, and HIS footsteps, in HIS sand box I play.... Only.

"I love love."

Spitz is a born-again Christian and Messianic Jew who, in interviews, has frequently cited his faith as an influential component to his life.

The musician and his wife, Candi, are raising two identical mirror image twin boys that both suffer from autism.

Spitz took part in the reunion of ANTHRAX's classic lineup in 2005 and 2006 but left the band after ANTHRAX's last split with singer Joey Belladonna.

"The Poorest Waltz", the new video from U.K. doom metallers MY DYING BRIDE, can be seen below. The clip tells the story of a midnight tryst between two young village men and a dorm of blind girls locked in a sanatorium, who dance the night away to elegant music and home made wine.

"The Poorest Waltz" comes off MY DYING BRIDE's new album, "A Map Of All Our Failures", which was released on October 15, 2012 in Europe and October 16, 2012 in the U.S. via Peaceville Records on CD, double vinyl and special-edition CD+DVD. The effort was recorded and mixed at Futureworks Studios in Manchester, England with the band's longtime production partner Rob "Mags" Magoolagan at the helm.

According to a press release, "a step up from 2009's 'For Lies I Sire' — which set and subsequently met new heights of expectation placed upon the legendary Yorkshire doom troupe — 'A Map Of All Our Failures' is a further voyage into the darkest depths of humanity, religion, folklore, love and death. MY DYING BRIDE's distinctively sumptuous dual-guitar melodies effortlessly flood into juggernaut doom metal riffs, with the vocals of Aaron Stainthorpe weaving a rich tapestry of tragic tales into the accompanying soundscapes. 'A Map Of All Our Failures' is perhaps best and most effectively summarized by guitarist Andrew Craighan, who describes the album as 'a controlled demolition of all your hopes.'"

"A Map Of All Our Failures" track listing:

01. Kneel Till Doomsday
02. The Poorest Waltz
03. A Tapestry Scorned
04. Like A Perpetual Funeral
05. A Map Of All Our Failures
06. Hail Odysseus
07. Within The Presence Of Absence
08. Abandoned As Christ

MY DYING BRIDE recently launched a mini-site for "A Map Of All Our Failures", featuring album info, audio, video, downloads and more.

Bassist Andreas Blomqvist of the Stockholm, Sweden-based progressive metal band SEVENTH WONDER, which features in its ranks current KAMELOT singer Tommy Karevik, has issued the following year-end update:

"This time of year, I normally write a little something, so I figured I would do that again this year.

"2012 sure was a different year for us, somewhat in hiatus but also having a lot to deal with. Stefan [Norgren, drums] has worked his way into the band incredibly well, Tommy went on a world tour with KAMELOT, Johan [Liefvendahl , guitar] had a baby and I think I have made a decent enough comeback after my tenure in the States and we managed to sneak in a gig in Norway and a little tour in Italy too — not to mention us having written some prog goodies. Good to be back!

"So the most important topic now is, of course, 'what now?' You bet it is! Well, first let me say this:

"2013 will be an exciting year, for it *will* be a year of a new studio release from SEVENTH WONDER. We are well underway! We have more or less seven songs written, out of which four are very well arranged and demoed and only one that is still not properly worked through. We also have two more things in the pipeline to dive into come January and February. Our hope is to finish the demoing of the tracks this spring and then give Tommy ample time to work on the vocal arrangements following that. We will not rush that phase this time as we have before, but we hope this will make for a better product in the end. Then it is just the small matter of the recording, mixing and mastering, but in all honesty, we can't say anything about that yet, so we will have to get back to you on that one. We also have a few leads on a couple of gigs for 2013, although nothing has been finalized. I will say, though, that the album will be the main focus this year and we want to give you something that was well worth the extended wait. I think we are in for a real treat in terms of this new release and I really like what I am hearing which is a good thing, don't you think?! I think it will clearly be the same melodic overdose it usually is, so rest assured we won't be totally switching gears here, although we do work in a slightly different manner this time but all for the best, I think, with possibly the only drawback I can see would be a little slower schedule.

"Anyway, thank you all for sticking by us through a couple of slower years. We hope that you give us the chance to change that and tag along as we pick up the pace and dive head first into 2013."

SEVENTH WONDER's fourth album, "The Great Escape", was released in December 2010 via Lion Music. A track from the CD, "Wiseman", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

"Awesomeness", the new video from the Swedish melodic metal five-piece FULLFORCE, can be seen below. The group states: "The video goes in a more humouristic pattern and [was] filmed by the band's own Stefan Elmgren (High & Loud)."

"Awesomeness" comes off FULLFORCE's second album, "Next Level", which was released in North America on November 27 via SPV/Steamhammer. The cover artwork was once again be created by Rainer Kalwitz, who previously worked with PRAYING MANTIS and METAL CHURCH, among others.

"Next Level" was mixed and mastered at Roastinghouse Studios in Malmö, Sweden by Anders "Theo" Theander. The CD contains 13 songs of "melodic, heavy" metal and the band is really excited it, according to a press release.

"Next Level" track listing:

01. Broken Dreams
02. Break It, Crack It, Destroy It
03. Back To Life
04. A Night To Remember
05. Karma
06. Whispers
07. Smile At The World
08. Hate...Love...Drop It!
09. Visions
10. Course Of Life
11. Awesomeness
12. Mysterious Ways
13. Strongest Thing Of All

FULLFORCE's current lineup include new guitar ace Stefan Rosqvist, who replaced CJ Grimmark a few months ago.

FULLFORCE is:

Mike Andersson (CLOUDSCAPE) - Vocals
Stefan Elmgren (ex-HAMMERFALL) - Guitar
Stefan Rosqvist - Guitar
Tommy Larsson (ex-HEED) - Bass
Anders Johansson (HAMMERFALL, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Drums

FULLFORCE's debut album, "One", was released in June 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer.

"Shadows Of Doubt", a new song from FREEDOMS REIGN, the band led by Victor Arduini, original guitarist and founding member of FATES WARNING (having played on 1984's "Night On Brocken" and 1985's "The Spectre Within"), can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off FREEDOMS REIGN's forthcoming, self-titled sophomore CD, which will be released later in the year.

The group, which features Arduini on lead vocals and guitar, Tom Vumback on guitar, Mike Jones on bass and Chris Judge on drums, recorded the new album at Dexters Lab Recording in Milford, Connecticut with Nick Belmore (TOXIC HOLOCAUST).

According to a press release, "Shadows Of Doubt" represents "a passionate and frenetic display of power metal at its best."

States Arduini: "FREEDOMS REIGN is right where I want to pick up from where I left off. This music feels as great to play as it did when we recorded 'Spectre'. It still means something to do this, and I don't think I've ever been a part of anything better."

FREEDOMS REIGN's musical direction is described as "very powerful [with] heavy riffs which hark back to the old FATES" material.

A five-song FREEDOMS REIGN "sampler" video can be seen below.

"Shadows Of Doubt" song stream (audio):



Five-song FREEDOMS REIGN "sampler" video:

John Perez of Texas doom metal veterans SOLITUDE AETURNUS has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding the passing of MINISTRY and RIGOR MORTIS guitarist Mike Scaccia:

"I am by no means the official spokesperson for the Dallas/Fort Worth metal scene, but I feel compelled to speak a few words about this all-too-shocking event.

"Scaccia meant so much to the world but he also meant even more to all of the metal community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. No doubt people know of the great Darrell Abbott [PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN] who was also from our scene, but it must be stated that 'round these parts, Scaccia's name was held in equal high esteem. Yesterday's heartfelt memorial service was a testament to this fact and brings to mind the bigger picture of what this is all about.

"People like Scaccia brings us all together in brotherhood and sisterhood through our shared love for music. This brings us together as a community and we bond and share with each other the gift of music.

"Scaccia made us all excited about metal music through his completely over-the-top approach to guitar and we all knew that he was the man to contend with when it came to blistering, 'bee wing' picking. But he was a complete musician and much more than just a thrash metal genius.

"For all of us fellow musicians in the area, he made us proud of the fact that we had not only one of the greatest guitarists in metal/rock history, but TWO of them! And how bizarre that Mike passed on stage, just as our other brother did years back. But we all rest just a little bit easier knowing that he went out doing what he was born to do and on home turf with his family and friends surrounding him.

"I know that my peers around the area are still mourning and still in shock over Mike's much-too-early passing, but we should all feel grateful that we had such a badass and all-round genuine guy to look up to right in our own backyard.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with his family, band mates and closest friends, and I know I can speak on behalf of all DFW metalheads when I say, 'Thanks for the inspiration and memories, Mike! You will not be forgotten.'

"Rest in peace."

Bassist Casey Orr (MINISTRY, RIGOR MORTIS, GWAR) has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding the passing of MINISTRY and RIGOR MORTIS guitarist Mike Scaccia:

"How do I say goodbye to Mike Scaccia? How do I say goodbye to my best friend, my bandmate, my songwriting partner, my mentor, and yes, sometimes my tormentor? How do I say goodbye to such a unique and amazing talent, taken away from us far too soon? How do I say goodbye to someone I loved and admired, who enlightened me and inspired me, and made me believe that anything was possible? How do I say goodbye to my brother? How do I say goodbye to someone like Mike Scaccia?

"I can't. I won't. I don't have to.

"Mike Scaccia will live forever.

"Mike Scaccia lives on through his wonderful children and his beautiful wife, Jenny. He lives on through his family who were always his biggest cheerleaders. He lives on through his bandmates and all the musicians that had the honor of working with him over the years. Those of us who got to experience the full range of his musical capabilities. We, fortunate few, who knew, who REALLY knew, just how truly gifted he was. He lives on through his friends and his fans, and he will live on through the next generation of guitar players who will no doubt discover and be inspired by him and continue to push the boundaries of the instrument that he loved so much. He will live on through each and every one of us that he touched, because he was much more than just a brilliant guitar player. More than the just the coolest motherfucker I ever knew. He was a genuinely good guy. He had a way of making anyone feel like an old friend. He was accessible and would talk to anyone who wanted to talk. Especially if the subject was guitars. We hear story after story from people who met him for the first time after a guitar clinic, saying the same thing: 'Mike talked to me for 45 minutes after his clinic, talked to me like he knew me, suggested records to listen to or guitar players to study, gave me a fresh pack of strings and told me to go home and practice my ass off.' He was just a cool dude! And he didn't have a big ego. He wasn't a competitive guitar player. He wasn't out to be the best. Never claimed to be. He just loved the guitar and the guitar loved him right back. He wasn't flashy. He didn't showboat. But he didn't have to. His abilities were the flash and his hands were the show. You could always tell who the guitar players were in the audience, because they were all standing in front of Mike with their jaws on the floor and their eyes glued to his hands. It truly was just that amazing to behold!

"Of course, Mike wasn't perfect. None of us are. He traveled some dark roads in the past and he went through some dark times. But he never gave up on himself and he came back into the light and continued his journey, wiser and more humble for his experience. He fought his demons and he won. And for the last decade or so, he steadily hiked back up the mountain, concentrating on his family, and really enjoying his work and all of the people he worked with.

"And, most definitely, Mike Scaccia will live on through his music. He left behind some classic records as well as a whole lot of unreleased stuff. Not filler to be included to stretch out some best-of package, but albums worth of incredible music, that I, as a fan, sincerely look forward to being released someday, so the world can finally see the depth of his talent and enjoy the beautiful music he created.

"I am honored to be able to say that I have been Mike Scaccia's bass player for 30 years. Privileged to get to watch him play the things very few people ever got to see. The little riffs and things he would play at practice or just warming up. STONES, Johnny Cash, DEVO, cartoon songs, 'Jessie's Girl', just whatever. He had a rare gift, in that any tune he could conjure in his head, he could instantly translate to his hands and guitar. No searching for key or the notes. It was effortless. Instinctive. Freakish. It was awesome!

"And I am honored to be able to say that I have been Mike Scaccia's friend for 30 years. Privileged to share all the things that life throws at you. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. We laughed a lot.

"We had our own language that only a band of brothers could understand. A weird, movie reference twin-speak that would drive our wives or girlfriends crazy, because they had no idea what we were saying or why we were laughing like idiots.

"It's really hard to say goodbye to Mike Scaccia. It hurts deeply. It's such an enormous loss to all of us and to the world. Such a tragic and shocking and unexpected passing of a man who was already a living legend. And we're all so very very sad. We will continue to shed tears for our loss for some time to come, and I for one will not apologize for a single one.

"We lost one of the greats. An unpretentious rock star. An incredible and one-of-a-kind talent. One of, if not the, greatest rock and roll guitar player of our time. And I say that without reservation or hesitation.

"On December 22, 2012, Mike Scaccia died. But he died doing what he loved. He died with his boots on and with his current favorite Les Paul in his hands. He died onstage, playing with his brothers, the guys he started his career with, playing to his hometown crowd, surrounded by the people who loved him most and who he loved. He died with happiness in his life. He died playing the guitar. How rock and roll is that?

"So, yeah, I can't say goodbye to Mike Scaccia. I'll just say 'so long,' you beautiful motherfucker. We'll meet again one day on the other side and you can show me that new riff you're working on.

"I love you, Mike."

A PERFECT CIRCLE guitarist Billy Howerdel was interviewed by Las Vegas Weekly ahead of the band's sole 2012 show — on December 29 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Asked if the band has "a well of songs" that they are waiting to release, Billy said: "Kind of. I mean, I haven't even sprung them on Maynard [Keenan, A PERFECT CIRCLE singer] yet. He may be like, 'Let's do something last minute,' but I kind of doubt it, since we have three days of rehearsal left. But I'm one to bite off more than I can chew."

On the topic of whether there are any plans for A PERFECT CIRCLE to release a follow-up album to 2004's "eMOTIVe", Howerdel said: "I'd love to — when the time is right. It would be awesome. I'm trying to write songs with that in mind, but … right now, I'm focusing most of my energy on a new ASHES DIVIDE record, which is under way with 11 songs. Still working on finishing vocals and writing lyrics, and hopefully get that thing mixed in January or February."

According to Howerdel, he never viewed A PERFECT CIRCLE as a side project, despite the fact that it was billed as such when it was first formed.

"I've never felt that it was a side project," the guitarist said. "That being said, I always knew in the background, Maynard's first band is TOOL, and that's where he's going back to. I didn't have expectations that he was going to be doing an album, tour, album, tour consistently. That would be wishful thinking, but I wouldn't wish that upon the TOOL guys. You get into that very complicated desire versus being sensitive to other people around you. At this point, Maynard's got his fingers in so many pies that it's a welcome thing to me when he says, 'Hey, I've got a hole in my schedule; let's do this.' It's fantastic. He's incredible to work with. He's always got something interesting to offer and unexpected. I'm very lucky to be teamed up with him whenever I can."

After a 13-year run with the band, drummer Josh Freese announced his departure from A PERFECT CIRCLE in October, "with no plans of returning," he wrote on his Twitter profile.

A PERFECT CIRCLE recently confirmed its participation in the 2013 edition of the Soundwave Festival, which kicks off February 23 in Brisbane, Australia.

A PERFECT CIRCLE toured North America for the first time in six years last year. These were the band's first live dates since a mini-tour they did in the fall of 2010, in which they played each of their three studio albums over the course of three nights in five cities.

The 2010-2011 lineup of A PERFECT CIRCLE included Keenan, Howerdel, Freese, former SMASHING PUMPKINS guitarist James Iha and bassist Matt McJunkins.

A PERFECT CIRCLE currently does not have a record deal.

Swedish death metal overlords AEON have issued the following update:

"Arttu [Malkki, drums] has decided to take a brake from AEON. He and his girlfriend are expecting twins in March and he wants to focus on his family at this point. We have no idea on how long this break will be, but there is no need to worry. We have an awesome drummer on our hands that will be replacing Arttu to 100%. This means that we will be touring as planned and take on more tours along the way. So please let's welcome the mighty Emil Wiksten [BLOOD RED THRONE] as the current drummer of AEON. His first stage appearance with AEON will be on January 16 in London at Garage."

Drum-cam video footage of a recent AEON rehearsal, featuring Emil, can be seen below.

AEON released its fourth studio offering, "Aeons Black", on November 20 via Metal Blade Records. The mammoth 15-track effort was recorded at Empire Studio in Östersund, Sweden, engineered, mixed and mastered by Ronnie Björnström (Garageland Studios) and featuring cover art by Kristian "Necrolord" Wåhlin (BATHORY, AT THE GATES, DISSECTION, EMPEROR).

Commented AEON founding guitarist Zeb Nilsson: "This is definitely our most varied album to date; it has heavier songs, yet it also has lots of fast blastbeats and double bass drumming. It's groovier this time, which I think we lacked on our last album, 'Path Of Fire', which was fast-paced almost all the way through. That, and the amazing mix by Ronnie Björnström, makes me feel pretty confident that this album will appeal to more people than our previous albums. And no, we have not gone softer in any aspect; it's just easier to catch with all this grooviness. It's metal right up your ass!"

THE MAN-EATING TREE — the atmospheric metal band featuring former SENTENCED drummer Vesa Ranta alongside current/former members of POISONBLACK, REFLEXION and EMBRAZE — has issued the following update:

"Unfortunately, we have to inform that Tuomas [Tuominen] does not continue any longer in our band as a vocalist. Various musical and also non-musical aspects led us to this conclusion.

"There is no bigger drama or so in our side and we don't want to discuss further about the reasons behind the decision, so please don't send us any questions concerning the issue.

"Quitting the band was not an option in any case and we will return with a new singer when the time is right. Now it is time to gather some energy and even if the new material has been already written and practiced, the new album is not coming out in the near future.

"We would like to thank Tuomas from unforgettable times and great work without forgetting the kilometers of joy and tears we shared together. We wish you all the best in your life!"

THE MAN-EATING TREE's sophomore album, "Harvest", was released in November 2011 via Century Media Records. The CD was once again helmed by producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED, AMORPHIS) and marked the recording debut of guitarist Antti Karhu.

THE MAN-EATING TREE's debut album, "Vine", came out in Finland on September 22, 2010 via Cobra Records and in other territories through Century Media Records.

According to the group's official bio, THE MAN-EATING TREE was formed when "Vesa Ranta, having taken a break from music after SENTENCED, began to overcome his post-SENTENCED battle fatigue and lack of musical motivation. The idea of a new band — or bands — was eventually brainstormed over a period of time between Vesa and his friends, including gentlemen Miika Tenkula, Aaron Rantonen, Janne Markus and Mikko Uusimaa. Plans were made reality in 2009; the outfit was completed by the addition of Tuomas Tuominen as a vocalist and Heidi Määttä as a keyboard player. First demo recordings were made in the spring and summer of 2009.

For more information, visit www.themaneatingtree.com.

MEGADETH recently resumed work on its fourteenth studio album with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND. The CD is currently being recorded at MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California for an early 2013 release via an as-yet-undisclosed label following the band's recent split with Roadrunner Records.

In a tweet last night (Monday, December 31), Mustaine wrote: "Started song 5 tonight. I have NEVER heard Shawn [Drover, drums] play better. So impressed with him!!"

Mustaine previously told NME about the direction of MEGADETH's new material, "Some of it's a little darker, some of it's a little faster. Being in this position right now, not knowing where we're gonna go or what we're gonna do, it's kind of like the world's ours to do what we want. Are we gonna go back to the speed and thrash metal roots that made us who we are? Are we gonna experiment and rely on the melody that we've discovered in MEGADETH songs?"

Mustaine also spoke about how he likes to keep MEGADETH's music more melodic than that of most thrash bands. "We've tried to do that in MEGADETH, have a little melody so that it's not just the same old grinding music like everybody else has," he said. "We're just happy to get going and get to the studio."

Johnny K produced MEGADETH's last album, 2011's "TH1RT3EN", which was also recorded at Vic's Garage.

"TH1RT3EN" sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD marked the recorded return of bassist David Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002. In a move that delighted the band's legion of diehards, Ellefson returned to performing live with MEGADETH in early 2010 and has remained a fixture on the stage ever since. This was the first time Ellefson has played on a MEGADETH record since 2002's "Rude Awakening".

"Consequence", a new song from progressive black metallers FEN, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's third album, "Dustwalker", which is scheduled for release on January 21 via Code666.

A three-piece whose lineup comprises The Watcher (guitars and vocals), Grungyn (bass and vocals) and Derwydd (drums), FEN's music fits into the black metal genre, but the exact categorization is hard to define, having been variously described as "progressive," "atmospheric," "post-rock" and "shoegaze." Drawing their name and inspiration from the desolate, windswept, other-worldly Fen region of the U.K. from whence founder members The Watcher and Grungyn hail, there is no doubt that the band's music fits into all the afore-mentioned categories, and more besides, to form a unique sound that is hauntingly and unmistakeably FEN. As The Watcher recently commented about the new album: "If 'Epoch' embodies a lonely walk into the deepening twilight of the fens in autumn, then 'Dustwalker' represents the cold, sharp greys of a bleak winter's dawn. An expression of isolation, abandonment and a gradual detachment from the material realm, this album is a starker, more direct representation of the FEN sound."

FEN have previously released two albums on Code666 — their debut full length album, "The Malediction Fields", in 2009 and the follow-up, "Epoch", in 2011, and the band recently announced that they had re-signed with the label for the release of a further three albums following the release of "Dustwalker".

"Dustwalker" will be available in both CD format, and as a limited edition Clambox which will feature a bonus track and include a pendant with the band's distinctive logo. Artwork for the album is by Grungyn.

"Dustwalker" track listing:

01. Consequence
02. Hands of Dust
03. Spectre
04. Reflections
05. Wolf Sun
06. The Black Sound
07. Walking the Crowpath
08. Epilogue (special edition bonus track)

Texas doom-metal veterans LAS CRUCES are preparing to enter the studio to record their fourth full-length album. The as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2010's "Dusk" (which was released worldwide via Brainticket Records) will be made available later this year. The band will also re-release its entire catalog, including a vinyl edition of 1998's "Ringmaster", initially issued via Brainticket Records.

LAS CRUCES, which is now managed by Leigh Olson Management And Media Relations (headed up by the wife and personal manager of Jeff "Oly" Olson, original drummer of doom-metal legends TROUBLE), is seeking a suitable record-company home as well as scheduling a summer 2013 U.S. tour. Tour dates will be announced soon.

Guitarist George Trevino founded LAS CRUCES back in 1994 in San Antonio, Texas and has since made his mark across The Lone Star State and the American doom-metal scene. It's no wonder why Daniel Bukszpan, author of "The Encyclopedia Of Heavy Metal", acknowledges LAS CRUCES as "one of the genre's leading proponents."

LAS CRUCES' current lineup is as follows:

George Trevino - Guitar
Mando Tovar - Guitar
Jimmy Bell - Bass
Paul DeLeon - Drums/Vocals

Demo versions of two new songs from French neo-classical metallers ADAGIO — "Torn" and "Carry The Cross" — can be streamed below. The tracks — which feature the vocals of American singer Kelly Sundown Carpenter, who has previously worked with BEYOND TWILIGHT, OUTWORLD and DARKOLOGY — will appear on ADAGIO's next album, to be released later in the year.

ADAGIO in 2010 recruited Swedish vocalist Mats Levén (KRUX, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION, TREAT) to sing for the band during the KAMELOT tour following the departure of Finnish frontman Christian Palin.

"Archangels In Black", the latest album from ADAGIO, was released in February 2009 via Listenable Records. The cover artwork was created by Guilherme Sevens and the CD was mastered at the Cutting Room in Sweden with Björn Engelmann (RAMMSTEIN, MESHUGGAH).

According to a press release, "without being a concept album, 'Archangels In Black' evokes the band's convictions about a certain Nightside philosophy and a very personal approach of life and death." Forté says, "Darkness is a concept with many branches, often misunderstood from outside, but elemental for some kind."

"Archangels In Black" was the first — and last — CD to feature Palin.

Palin was previously a member of the Swedish/Finnish bands ESSENCE OF SORROW and RANDOM EYES.

On November 8, Metal-Trails.com conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy of Florida metallers TRIVIUM at Docks in Hamburg, Germany. You can now watch the chat below.

In a recent interview with PitCam.TV, Heafy stated about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's next album: "I can tell you we do have a title, we do have songtitles, we do have 20 to 25 songs demoed, we do have a producer, we do have a location, we do have an artist. Everything is set up — all the visuals and everything — but it's all secret. Hopefully it comes out the third quarter of next year. We're recording in January, February and March in Austin, Texas; that's all I can say [about] that. It's gonna be great; it's gonna be really, really great. It's too difficult to describe in metal adjectives, like 'heavy,' 'brutal,' melodic,' all this stuff, like every band does. Also, the classic phrase: 'our best album ever.' I can say that with 'In Waves', it was finally an album that all the fans of the previous four… We've got very divided fans: 'I just like 'Ember'.' 'I just like 'Crusade'.' 'I just like 'Ascendancy'.' 'I just like 'Shogun'.' Everyone could agree on 'In Waves'. And simultaneously, everywhere in the world, 'In Waves' received the biggest reaction. With the next record, people can expect the best parts of everything we've ever done across all five records on one."

TRIVIUM's latest album, "In Waves", sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart — the highest U.S. chart entry of the band's career. The group's previous CD, "Shogun", opened with just under 24,000 units back in October 2008 to debut at No. 23. The effort followed up "The Crusade", which registered a first-week tally of 31,000 copies in October 2006 to enter the chart at No. 25.

Norwegian old-school black metallers KAMPFAR have issued the following update:

"2013 will be in the name of creating new art for KAMPFAR. Only a very few festival shows will be happening, We already now turned down around eight festival offers for 2013. But we will return with the banner higher than ever in 2014. We need the time to create art again now. So please have patience with us the next year. 2014 will be the year we will return stronger than ever, That's a fucking promise!"

KAMPFAR's latest album "Mare", was released in 2011 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2008's "Heimgang" was recorded at Abyss studios in Pärlby, outside Ludvika, Sweden with producer Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN).

Fan-filmed video footage of the Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE performing the band's classic song "Queen Of The Reich" this past Saturday, December 29 at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona can be seen below.

QUEENSRŸCHE recently finished recording the drums for its new album at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, Washington with producer James "Jimbo" Barton — the man who engineered and mixed the band's classic 1988 LP, "Operation: Mindcrime", and its 1990 follow-up, "Empire", and co-produced 1994's "Promised Land". The rest of the music and vocals are being laid down over the coming weeks at several different facilities on the West Coast.

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

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

Christian metallers LIVING SACRIFICE have entered Fellowship Hall Sound studios in Little Rock, Arkansas with producer (and DEMON HUNTER guitarist) Jeremiah Scott to begin recording their new album for an early 2013 release.

LIVING SACRIFICE's "In Finite Live" DVD was released in December 2011. The disc features professionally filmed and recorded multi-camera footage of the band's concert in Pomona, California. Bonus features on the DVD includes behind-the-scenes mini-documentaries from the making of the two music videos for the band's 2010 "comeback" album, "The Infinite Order", as well as six more tracks from another live show in the group's original home area of Little Rock, Arkansas.

"The Infinite Order" sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 4 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.

Released on January 26, 2010 via Solid State Records, the band's first CD since reforming in 2008 and seventh studio album overall was produced in Nashville, Tennessee and Little Rock, Arkansas by Jeremiah Scott. Mixing duties were once again handled by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, AS I LAY DYING), who worked on the band's previous album, 2003's "Conceived in Fire".

LIVING SACRIFICE's influence runs deep throughout the scene. Former and current members of LIVING SACRIFICE went on to play in bands such as EVANESCENCE, P.O.D. and NORMA JEAN.

LIVING SACRIFICE broke up in 2002 but returned to the metal community with a vengeance in 2008, self-releasing the two song "Death Machine" digital-only EP.

Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH have issued the following year-end update:

"We want to thank everyone that has supported and helped us in 2012.

"2013 will be another intense year for AMON AMARTH, and looks like it will be slightly unpredictable and mischievous…

"We've just finished writing all the songs for the next full-length album, and we're ready to enter the studio to start recording them in the New Year."

AMON AMARTH has tapped British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY, ACCEPT) to helm the band's next studio album, tentatively due in June 2013 via Metal Blade Records.

Regarding AMON AMARTH's decision to work with Sneap after utilizing Jens Bogren for the band's last three studio efforts (2006's "With Oden On Our Side", 2008's "Twilight Of The Thunder God" and 2011's "Surtur Rising"), AMON AMARTH guitarist Olavi Mikkonen told Decibel magazine, "We were looking for a change, and Andy has been in our thoughts for some years now. After meeting with him, we felt a good connection. We think this is going to be a ripper."

AMON AMARTH's eighth studio album, "Surtur Rising", sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Twilight of the Thunder God", opened with more than 11,000 copies back in 2008 to land at No. 48.

"The Beginning Of Times", the latest album from Finnish melancholic dark metallers AMORPHIS, has been certified gold in the group's home country for sales in excess of 10,000 copies. The bandmembers were presented with gold plaques commemorating the achievement this past Saturday, December 29 during their concert at Pakkahuone in Tampere, Finland. A photo of the occasion can be seen below (courtesy of Timo Isoaho).

"The Beginning Of Times", which came out in 2011, entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 16 — the best chart position ever scored by an AMORPHIS album in that country. The CD also landed at position No. 1 on the Finnish chart.

Fan-filmed video footage of AMORPHIS performing a brand new song — tentatively titled "Mehtä" (English-language translation: "The Forest") — on December 14 at Klubi in Turku, Finland can be seen below.

Regarding the band's decision to perform a brand new track during their Finnish tour, Tomi said: "We just wanted to try how it worked, and it went [over] really well.

"We don't want to play too many [new] songs, because people are recording [the shows with their phone cameras] and [posting] it on the Internet, and we don't wanna spoil the album [for everyone].

"I was really nervous, of course, when we played it the first time, but it went over great. I think it's gonna be an awesome live song."

"Mehtä" will appear on AMORPHIS' as-yet-untitled 11th album, which is tentatively due in April 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. Production and mixing duties for the follow-up to 2011's "The Beginning Of Times" were handled by HYPOCRISY and PAIN mastermind Peter Tägtgren, who has previously worked with such bands as CHILDREN OF BODOM, CELTIC FROST, IMMORTAL and DIMMU BORGIR. The recordings took place at Petrax Studio (NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, KORPIKLAANI) in Hollola and 5K Studios in Helsinki.

Regarding the direction of the new AMORPHIS material, the band's guitarist and founding member Esa Holopainen said: "While promoting 'The Beginning Of Times', we started to feel that we were giving the same explanations over and over again when people asked about the studio process and how the songs came about. Even though the music was very strong, the making process didn't offer any surprises and appeared to be quite secured. Now the addition of a new dimension to the developing process has inspired us to focus on our material even more. The songs are extremely strong, bombastic and skull-pummelling."

Photo credit: Timo Isoaho

French metallers DAGOBA have set "Post Mortem Nihil Est" as the title of their fifth album, tentatively due in early 2013.

The CD will feature the following track listing:

01. When Winter...
02. Oblivion Is For The Living
03. The Realm Black
04. Yes We Die
05. I, Reptile
06. Nevada
07. The Day After The Apocalypse
08. By The Sword
09. Kiss Me Kraken
10. The Great Wonder
11. Son Of A Ghost

Guitarist Izakar announced his departure from DAGOBA in July due to "irreconcilable differences with one of the [other] bandmembers."

DAGOBA's fourth album, "Poseidon", entered the official chart in France at position No. 41. Released on August 30, 2010 via the French label XIII Bis Records, the CD was recorded at Hyperion Studio in Marseille, France with "Brew" Varea and was mixed by Dave Chang at Philia Studio in the U.K.

100% Rock Magazine recently conducted an interview with DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On late DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord:

"Jon was a great character; wonderful. I mean… you know, he's not been in the band for nearly 10 years but we were still in very close contact. And Jon was kind of like… we all looked up to him. He was there when Roger [Glover, bass] and I joined the band '69 and he had a lot of… he was a fun guy; very bright, great sense of humor but he had gravitas as well.

"When we got the news [that he died], we were in Nashville in session [recording the ne walbum] there and we kind of expected it but it was still a terrible blow. And so it all went quiet for a while, needless to say, and then we started recalling the good times — as you do. His spirit is very much in the record; in the music. In fact I remember writing a line at the time: 'Souls having touched are forever entwined.' And that got into one of the songs and so he's there in the music.

"I don't think he'll ever be away from it, really, because he created the foundation of PURPLE. I mean… there was so many influences coming in but his… a bit of rock and roll, soul, blues, folk music and all that sort of thing, but his input of orchestral composition and jazz were profound, to say the least. We still have that [big Hammond sound] with Don [Airey] and so that lives on. It was unique at the time because it wasn't just that Leslie cabinet with a Hammond, but he also combined it with a Marshall amp as well which had never been done before. And so he had the power as well as the subtlety; a wonderful, wonderful sound."

On the upcoming DEEP PURPLE studio album:

"It's being mixed as we speak. We've finished recording. It's a new tone, it's a new direction, it's fresh stuff. I think it was all written and recorded in Nashville, and the reason we went there — not to make a country record, but because Bob Ezrin, our producer, lives in Nashville and so it made a lot of sense because he had all the studio facilities and back up and everything else. So it made it really easy. It was a great environment to record in, and yeah, there's a bit of diversity on the record. There's some sort of… Defining music is just so hard; it's just really… it's hard to define. If you think of a solo artist, you normally know them by their name; you don't normally describe their kind of music, you just say, 'It's so and so or it's so and so.' But with bands, everyone feels an obligation to categorize then. I think when you've been around the block as many years as PURPLE has and a lot of other bands, you just listen to see what comes out. It's not the same at all. So it's kind of hard for me to describe it. I can't compare it with any other album either, as far as I know. It will obviously find a niche somewhere when it comes out in April, so I'm looking forward to hearing it. [laughs]

Read the entire interview from 100% Rock Magazine.

Former ANVIL bassist Glenn Gyorffy (a.k.a. Glenn Five or G5), who left the band in January 2012, citing creative differences, has posted the following message on his Facebook page:

"So happy to have spent this past year playing with great musicians who are also great people. Such a pleasure to express myself with people who bring enjoyment to playing music and have no egos or hang-ups about trying new things. It's been amazing to jam with solid players who keep my feet planted on the ground instead of hovering all over the stage. I feel like a musician again and not just a player! Much thanks to my new 'jamily' for accepting me into your lives and treating me with love and respect. Gone are the days of working with self-righteous, narcissistic, sociopathic, stiff, boring, grumpy old men who kill all the fun and enjoyment out of living the dream. Also gone are the days of pretty much everyone I know asking me why I was so dedicated to two people who didn't appreciate my dedication and contribution. And how a decade of not getting paid and going through the same hell they did, when nobody knew who we were, didn't count for anything. Gone is the way I was meant to feel expendable, and how I was treated like I was riding their coattails after 15 years of loyalty and love for what I was part of.

"I don't have any regrets from my days in that band, and I cherish many of the memories I have, and feel proud of all my accomplishments. And I don't take for granted all the great experiences I had. It's just a shame that I had to experience it all with two people who treated me like I wasn't even there at all.

"I appreciate all the support I've gotten over 2012. Much love to all my family and friends, peers and fans who have taken the time to lift my spirits. All the letters and messages have been great. Keep 'em coming!

"Here's to 2013."

Glenn Five joined ANVIL in 1996 and appeared on seven of the band's albums, including "This Is Thirteen" and the group's latest release, "Juggernaut Of Justice", on which he wrote and sang the song "This Ride". He has since been replaced by Sal Italiano — a member of the Long Island, New York IRON MAIDEN tribute band LIVE AFTER DEATH and original progressive metal act THE NIGHTMARE STAGE, as well as a former member of the acclaimed '80s heavy metal group CITIES.

Speaking to Metal Shock Finland about Glenn's exit and Italiano's addition to ANVIL, guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow said, "We hired an old friend to do the tour and are currently working with a new, improved bassist. There was no major issue in fixing this at all, and in fact, everything was sorted out within a few hours of Glenn departing. Glenn tried to make it difficult by leaving without proper notice but we've been preparing for this for quite some time. This did end up for the better, as it is a huge improvement with our new guy, both musically as well as personally."

Photo below courtesy of Glenn Gyorffy's Facebook page

According to the Belfest Telegraph, BLACK SABBATH has topped retailer HMV's list of best-selling classic rock shirts, with LED ZEPPELIN taking the second and third spots.

SABBATH's U.S. tour shirt from 1978 reportedly experienced a sales surge after it was worn by Robert Downey Jr. in hit movie "Avengers Assemble".

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said classic rock shirts have continued to have an enduring appeal. "More often than not, rock T-shirts used to be something you'd wear to gigs to see your favorite bands, but over time demand has broadened and they've since become a bit of a fashion statement in their own right," he said.

"Some performers can quickly come and go with the trends, but one genre that has an enduring appeal and seems to remain eternally popular with fans is classic rock and metal."

He added: "This year over half the top 30 best-selling T-shirts at HMV were made up of vintage artists and, even though many of them have not been active with new material, they continue to sell in large quantities as many of these acts are revered, and with that comes a level of cool-ness and style that money or promotion can't always buy.

"Along with the baby boomers who grew up with their music, a new generation of fans are increasingly into them as well, in part out of a recognition that many of the featured T-shirt images now rank as design classics that not only look great but have a real authenticity about them."

According to BBC News, singer Ian Watkins of the Welsh rock band LOSTPROPHETS will remain in custody until March after being charged with sexual offenses against children.

The 35-year-old musician, who is accused of conspiracy to rape a one-year-old girl along with other charges, appeared in Cardiff Crown Court earlier today (Monday, December 31) via video link from Parc Prison in Bridgend, Wales. He reportedly wore a black suit, shirt and tie and appeared beside two women who cannot be named for legal reasons. All three defendants spoke only to confirm their names at the hearing, which lasted "less than 10 minutes." They were remanded until March 11, after being arrested on December 18.

Defending barrister Tom Crowther had said on December 19 that Watkins would be denying the charges.

LOSTPROPHETS members Lee Gaze (guitar), Mike Lewis (guitar), Stuart Richardson (bass), Jamie Oliver (keyboards) and Luke Johnson (drums) released a statement on their official web site expressing their shock at the charges against Watkins.

LOSTPROPHETS has sold more than three million albums worldwide and topped the U.K. chart with 2006's "Liberation Transmission".

The band's most recent CD, "Weapons", came out in April.

California rockers PAPA ROACH have posted a performance video for the song "Still Swingin'", filmed during the band's recent European tour with STONE SOUR. The song comes off the band's new album, "The Connection", which sold 22,000 copies in its first week of release to debut at No. 17 on the Billboard album chart.

PAPA ROACH's trek with STONE SOUR marked the band's first extended tour since singer Jacoby Shaddix had surgery on his vocal cords in September. Asked by the Armed Forces Network how his voice was holding up, Shaddix said, "Voice is great. I'm slaying it on the shows so far and I feel really good. I was definitely blessed to go to the right doctor and get my surgery performed by him. It was scary, but I'm good."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Shaddix said that during his recovery, he got to spend some time with his kids and also learn the latest musical trends. He explained, "After my surgery, I had some time at home so I was helping coach my son's tackle football team . . . I'd turn around and they're behind me doing the 'Gangnam' dance. I was like, 'Alright, we save that for after practice.'"

Even before his vocal problems started, Shaddix admitted in several interviews that he came close to committing suicide earlier in the year as he struggled with both marital problems and falling off the wagon.

PAPA ROACH and STONE SOUR will tour the U.S. together in early 2013, on a co-headlining tour that begins on January 20 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Belgian death metalers ABORTED will celebrate the tenth anniversary of their 2003 CD, "Goremageddon: The Saw And The Carnage Done", next year by performing "the entire album front to back" at "a few exclusive shows." More details will be made available soon.

ABORTED's seventh studio album, "Global Flatline", sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 27 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.

"Global Flatline" was released on January 24, 2012 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded, mixed, and mastered by the Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PESTILENCE, HATESPHERE) at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark. The artwork was once again created by Justin Osbourn from Slasher Design.

"Global Flatline" features several guest vocalists, such as Trevor Strnad (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER), Julien Truchan (BENIGHTED), Jason Netherton (MISERY INDEX), and Keiijo Niinima (ROTTEN SOUND).