CHIMAIRA debuted a brand new song, "Eye Despise", during the 13th annual Chimaira Christmas concert, which took place last night (Saturday, December 29) at Cleveland, Ohio's House Of Blues. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

CHIMAIRA frontman Mark Hunter revealed in a recent interview with Metal Insider that the band is "really deep" into the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2011's "The Age Of Hell" for a tentative summer release via eOne Music. "We have twelve demos written and we've actually gone into the studio and demoed it professionally instead of just a standard computer/Pro Tools kind of thing," he said. "We're getting ready to enter the studio in February and make a new album."

He added: "2011 sucked. [laughs] This year's been all about rebuilding and we got a chance to do overseas. Our first show with the new line-up was at Soundwave in Australia in front of 10,000 people. It was really nice to have to go through such a terrible year and just kind of stand on top of a mountain and go, 'Wow, OK, we got out of it, and we're here, we got a band, we sound great, and we can move forward.' So this year has been restructuring the entire business from the ground up, realigning ourselves with new teams; be it management, agent, merchandise companies, everything from the whole ground up. In my opinion, the only way to move forward was to rebuild the whole thing from the bottom up.

"We want to come out with an album that not only captures the essence of what the fans have grown to know over the years, but we want to do something not only for the scene that's special, but for musicians out there, too. The musicianship in this band now is definitely on the next level. Everyone's pretty much a virtuoso at their instrument. Some of the stuff Emil [Werstler, guitar] was writing yesterday on this new song, I'm watching him play and I'm like, 'There are only going to be about a handful of people that'll able to play this!' [laughs] I'm imagining like a kid getting home, getting our new record and maybe they have the guitar, and they go sit down and try play along to it. And it's going to take them a very long time. [laughs]

"We couldn't be happier moving forward. It sucks that we had to go through hell — no pun intended — to get to where we are now. But I think all of us, coming from lessons of life, lessons of bands, lessons of the industry, we've lived and learned and now we have something completely different to prove."

CHIMAIRA's current lineup is as follows:

Mark Hunter - Vocals
Matt Szlachta (DIRGE WITHIN) - Guitar
Jeremy Creamer (DAATH) - Bass
Emil Werstler (DAATH) - Guitar
Sean Zatorsky (DAATH) - Keyboards
Austin D'Amond (BLEED THE SKY, THE ELITE) - Drums

"The Age Of Hell" sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The Infection", opened with 15,000 units back in April 2009 to land at No. 30. This figure was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by CHIMAIRA's 2007 album, "Resurrection", which shifted 16,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 42.

"The Age Of Hell" was released in the U.S. on August 16, 2011 via eOne Music; in Germany on August 26; and in the United Kingdom, Australia and the rest of Europe on August 29 through Long Branch Records.

Australia-based "epic, aggressive" metallers DRAGONSCLAW have completed work on their second album, "Judgement Day", for an early 2013 release. The band states, "David Reece [ACCEPT, BANGALORE CHOIR] has delivered an amazing guest vocal on the track 'Watching My Every Move'... Jack Starr [VIRGIN STEELE] plays a killer solo on the track 'Battle Cry', which is our tribute to RIOT and Mark Reale's musical legacy. And Natalie Whitton of the CURSING STONE contributes choir vocals on the track 'Fear'... our thanks also to Rhino [MANOWAR, ANGELS OF BABYLON] for tracking Jack's solo and to Corey Wyer [CURSING STONE] for assisting Natalie in the studio recording her vocals."

Commented Reece: "DRAGONSCLAW are a great band with an exceptional singer and I'm truly honored to have been asked to participate."

"Judgement Day" track listing:

01. Watching My Every Move (feat. David Reece)
02. Judgement Day
03. Bullet
04. Fear
05. Fly: Defenders Of The Skies Part II
06. Lucifer's Hammer (WARLORD cover)
07. Battle Cry (feat. Jack Starr)
08. Eternally

DRAGONSCLAW's debut album, "Prophecy", was released in January via Arkeyn Steel Records. The CD features guest appearances by Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (EDGE OF FOREVER, EDEN'S CURSE).

The band's lineup is as follows:

Ben Thomas - Guitar
Giles Lavery - Vocals
Ray Martens - Keyboards
Aaron Thomas - Bass, Orchestration
Alcides "Seed" Stowe - Drums

Mark Kadzielawa of 69 Faces Of Rock recently conducted an interview with UFO drummer Andy Parker. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

69 Faces Of Rock: This by far is the longest running incarnation of UFO. What is in place now in order to achieve such consistency?

Andy Parker: I think , it's the lack of crazy people. [laughs] We have people in the band now that actually want to go out and play rather than abuse substances and throw tantrums. It's great; the band is getting along, and let's face it, we're here for the music. Sometimes the other things take over, but it's a very strong band. I'm real happy, and I think everyone else is.

69 Faces Of Rock: One band member who is still missing in action is [bassist] Pete Way. Any updates on Pete's whereabouts, or a possibility of him rejoining the band?

Andy Parker: He's the substance-abuse factor. No, but he is surviving as Pete survives. I believe he's made a solo album, but I don't think it hit the streets yet. Pete had plenty of opportunities to straighten himself up and come back. But, he doesn't seem to be willing to do it. And we're not really willing, I mean, we love Pete. But he's not really capable of playing to the level that we want to perform right now. That's about the best thing I can say. He doesn't seem to want to make a change, so right now I don't see him back. I mean, the door is always open, if he wants to make some life changes. He doesn't seem to feel that's necessary.

69 Faces Of Rock: Since UFO regrouped with Vinnie Moore on guitar in 2004, there's been a new album every two years. All of you live apart from each other, so how do you make it happen?

Andy Parker: So far so good. Yeah, that's kind of difficult, and if you noticed, I didn't have much of an input on the last album — pretty much nothing. And that's because I've had a lot of stuff going in my personal life. It is difficult. What seems to happen is guys put their ideas together when we're off the road, and then we meet and check them around. Phil [Mogg, vocals] will sort through them, and make the selections. He picks the ones he feels he can work with, and he'll go out and do his stuff, and then we come back together and record. The last three albums I've recorded in Germany, and Phil's done his vocals in Germany, too. Vinnie tends to do all his work from his home in Delaware. It works for him. In a way, it works because it's a lot less expensive to do it that way, and it gets done very quickly. I miss the process where you feed off each other. I'm usually in the studio on my own just playing to scratch tracks, which is OK, because there isn't any pressure on me, but you miss that connection with the other guys. So it has its ups and downs.

69 Faces Of Rock: Each time there is a new UFO release, people tend to compare it to your '70s records. Are such comparisons fair anymore?

Andy Parker: I don't think so. I mean, obviously, Vinnie received a lot of hate when he joined the band. Everyone wanted Michael Schenker, and Michael is brilliant, and that was a great era, but that was 30 years ago. Others wanted Paul Chapman. But the band moved on, the band matured, and the band is still putting out viable material. I'm not knocking the fans down. We've got fans that had been with us for a long time, but you know, you can't please everybody. I think the best way to go is just play from the heart, and that, to me, is why I love this band so much. It's always been from the heart for me.

Read the entire interview at 69 Faces Of Rock.

Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM entered the studio on Friday, December 28 to begin recording their new album for a late spring/early summer 2013 release via Marquee Inc. in Japan and Nuclear Blast in other parts of the world.

The first in a series of video clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the studio can be seen below.

CHILDREN OF BODOM drummer Jaska Raatikainen previously stated about the band's new material: "I am convinced that the new songs are great. A little bit of black metal, heavy metal, metal, old-school death metal, melodies, solos and anything you need to make a nice album. And the most important, new ideas à la CHILDREN OF BODOM!"

CHILDREN OF BODOM in November canceled its appearance at next year's edition of the Tuska festival, set to take place June 28-30, 2013 in Suvilahti, Helsinki, Finland, "in order to be able to be part of a big tour in USA," according to the group's bassist, Henkka Seppälä (a.k.a. Henkka T. Blacksmith).

CHILDREN OF BODOM released a photo book, "Roadkill", on August 8 via Hatecrew.com. The first 666 copies are numbered and personally signed by the band.

Photography for "Roadkill" started in 2007. It includes exclusive material of life on the road, shows, promo shoots, recording sessions, album cover production and the worldwide "hate crew," as the band's fans are affectionately known. The book also contains comments and diary entries by the band and the photographer, Jussi Hyttinen of FLC415.

CHILDREN OF BODOM's most recent release was "Holiday At Lake Bodom (15 Years Of Wasted Youth)" , a very special CD+DVD career retrospective in celebration of the band's 15th anniversary.

Rock band SIXX: A.M. — which consists of bassist Nikki Sixx, guitarist DJ Ashba and vocalist James Michael — will release a new album in 2013 and plans to "hopefully" play some live shows, according to Sixx. No further details are currently available.

In May 2012, rock band SIXX: A.M. announced its support of City Of Hope through an initiative designed to help raise money for research, treatment and education for the fight against cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Joining other celebrities such as Ryan Seacrest, Vince Gill and Sugarland in their support of City Of Hope, SIXX: A.M. offered their new music video for "Are You With Me Now" exclusively to the charity.

SIXX: A.M., made a rare appearance — its first in four years — on April 11, 2012 at Revolver Golden Gods Awards at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

As each band member has been kept busy with their other careers — Sixx is also the bassist for MÖTLEY CRÜE and a syndicated radio host; Ashba is currently touring with GUNS N' ROSES; James Michael is a famed rock producer who is currently working on new records for PAPA ROACH, HALESTORM and others — this marked the band's first chance to perform in support of their current album, "This Is Gonna Hurt", which supplied the #1 rock anthem "Lies Of The Beautiful People".

"7", the latest EP from SIXX: A.M., came out in December 2011 and sold around 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The effort contained acoustic versions of songs from the group's first two albums — 2007's "The Heroin Diaries" soundtrack and 2011's "This Is Gonna Hurt".

Released on May 3, 2011, SIXX: A.M.'s sophomore album, "This Is Gonna Hurt" is a companion piece to Sixx's "This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx" book, a follow-up to his New York Times bestseller, "The Heroin Diaries".

Former Yankees star Bernie Williams joined TWISTED SISTER on stage on December 16 at The Emporium in Patchogue, New York, as part of a benefit concert for the families affected by Hurricane Sandy, to perform the band's classic song "We're Not Gonna Take It". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

A review of the show at TwistedSister.com reads: "To bring us back to a good place, out came NY Yankee Bernie Williams, guitar in hand, and we had a club shaking rendition of 'We're Not Gonna Take It', and no — there were no coffee-makers in sight — three guitars gave it an extra heavy sound. Unfortunately, Dee [Snider, TWISTED SISTER singer] was plagued with wireless mic issues and as it went dead in his hand, he snatched the mic off Jay Jay's [French, guitar] stand and 'went old school' with it. Eddie [Ojeda, guitar] switched back to his new black bullseye and for the first time that I can recall, we had a nice shot of all four guitars in a row — Bernie, Jay Jay, Eddie and Mark [Mendoza, bass]!"

The Emporium donated 100% of the net proceeds from ticket and bar revenue to worthy Sandy recovery causes and charities: Long Island Cares, Inc. - The Harry Chapin Food Bank (25%); the Island Park Music Program, whose musical instruments were lost in the flood waters (25%); and the remaining 50% to local families in need.

The reunited original lineup of Swedish rockers ELECTRIC BOYS — Franco Santunione (guitar), Andy Christell (bass), Niklas Sigevall (drums) and Conny Bloom (guitar, vocals) — is working on a new album for a 2013 release. The band states: "[We've] been writing a lot of songs lately, so there's plenty to choose from, to make it the best possible record. [We] already have a bunch of songs since last studio session, so more to be added, then choose the best ones, then get it out."

The original ELECTRIC BOYS lineup released its first album since 1992, "And Them Boys Done Swang", in April 2011 via Supernova Records, a division of the Cosmos Music Group.

ELECTRIC BOYS in 2009 released a 20-track "best-of" collection, titled "Now Dig This!", via Spinefarm Records. It features songs from the band's three studio albums, including "Psychedelic Eyes", "Mary In The Mystery World", "Groovus Maximus", "The Groover", "Rags To Riches", "Captain Of My Soul" plus a 2009 remix of "All Lips N' Hips", along, of course, with the original version, a longstanding staple of rock clubs around the world.

Formed in 1988, ELECTRIC BOYS achieved recognition around the known rock'n'roll world with signature hit single "All Lips N' Hips" plus a series of albums that tapped into the very essence of long-haired, leather-trousered, late-night cool.

Touring alongside bands such as THUNDER and MR. BIG, and drinking from the same well as rock legends like AEROSMITH, the band offered an alternative to the late '80s hair-metal scene, fusing hard rock and heavy funk to create an instantly recognizable style ("Groovus Maximus") built riff by riff on the sturdiest possible foundations, unswervingly provided by drummer Niklas Sigevall.

Lauded by the media, feted by the industry, respected by the top producers of the day (including Bob Rock) and supported by a genuinely international fanbase, the ELECTRIC BOYS — led into action by flamboyant frontman Conny Bloom, who has continued to play and record both under his own name and with SILVER GINGER 5 and HANOI ROCKS, as well as appearing in TV ads for Jameson Whiskey — consistently showed that the great rock'n'roll dream was available in many colors, and that the sitar did indeed have a serious part to play.

Israeli progressive folk metal masters ORPHANED LAND have commenced the recording process for the follow-up to 2010's "The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" at a studio in Istanbul, Turkey. The band previously stated that the recording sessions for the new CD would take place in Sweden, Turkey and Israel.

ORPHANED LAND's forthcoming effort will be the band's first to feature guitarist Chen Balbus following the departure of Matty Svatizky this past June due to "personal" and "professional" issues.

"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 80 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.

"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" was released in Europe on January 25, 2010.

A petition to the Norwegian Nobel committee was submitted in October to consider ORPHANED LAND for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. The band's lead singer, Kobi Farhi, stated at the time: "This is my personal request to all my friends from the Middle East, Turkey, and in general from all my Muslim friends! We know for a long time now that we are above politics, we know that if it was in our hands, peace would have prevailed right away. Please enter this link and sign if you find us worthy, please also spread the word and share it on your pages."

ORPHANED LAND's concert DVD, "The Road To OR-Shalem", was released in October 2011 in Europe and November 2011 in the U.S. via Century Media Records.

Fan-filmed video footage of the first of HALESTORM's three special holiday performances billed as "An Evening With" the band, which took place last night (Thursday, December 27) at Philadelphia's Electric Factory, can be seen below. There were no opening acts, and the band played two sets — an acoustic one, followed by a full-blown electric performance.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, HALESTORM is considering heading back into the studio to whip up another EP of cover songs. The band issued its first set of remakes, "Reanimate", in 2011, and Lzzy Hale said in a recent post at their Facebook page, "The boys and I are tossing around the idea of putting out another cover EP. We know a lot of you have ideas . . . so let's hear 'em! What songs would you love to hear us record? Thank you for being such a big part of our lives!"

Hale said that the band will choose the top entries and then let fans vote to see which ones will end up on the EP.

"Reanimate" contained covers of tracks from SKID ROW, LADY GAGA and GUNS N' ROSES. Hale told The Pulse Of Radio that recording other artists' songs helps her own writing. "There's just nothing like singing and playing and picking apart an already proven amazing song," she said. "I think it helps you as a songwriter. I'll write a song and be like, 'Well, is that as good as HEART's 'All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You', and I'll have to be like, 'No, back to the drawing board.'"

HALESTORM is nominated for a Grammy Award this year for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance", for the song "Love Bites (So Do I)" from the band's second album, "The Strange Case Of…"

The song hit No. 1, making HALESTORM the first female-fronted act in history to top the Active Rock chart.

Drummer Yazu, vocalist Ina and bassist Tomo have left Japanese extreme metallers METAL SAFARI.

Commented the band's guitarist, Hiro: "As the guitarist, songwriter and producer of METAL SAFARI, I still have lots of things I want to do with METAL SAFARI. In my mind, it's more like expecting what's to come, so I will do my best to make a fresh new start and get back on track to deliver some whole new METAL SAFARI music to all of you. At that time, I hope we can have fun again together.

"This unexpected announcement may cause worry to the fans and to whom it may concern, METAL SAFARI will work this out, and let all of you know when it's ready."

Said Ina in a statement: "I have left METAL SAFARI, the band that I stayed in as the vocalist and lyric writer for about seven years.

"Through the music and activities of METAL SAFARI, the time and impression we shared with each other make me feel I'm really a lucky guy.

"Sincerely, I feel lucky to meet all of you and experienced these miracles.

"What I've done in this band, the memories, they are too much to talk about, but all these time, experiences, performances, encounters, and activities as one of METAL SAFARI will forever be what I'm proud of and my treasure, which is what I would like to tell you here.

"If there were no supports of you all and the band members who have come a long way with me together, I wouldn't stand a chance to become who I am now.

"After this, I will start with a new band, and keep on performing. It might take some time, but when the time comes, I wish I can meet up with all who have read this.

"I will return, and please look forward to it."

Commented Tomo: "After one short year, I decided to leave METAL SAFARI. During this one year, I've experienced a lot, and had so many precious encounters that I'm really appreciated.

"I will go on doing music and playing my bass from now on. It will be wonderful if you can still support me, thank you."

With the release of the debut album, "Return To My Blood", in May 2006, METAL SAFARI gained more and more public attention, resulting in an appearance at the biggest rock festival in Taiwan, Formoz Festival 2006. The momentum continued, and METAL SAFARI went out on a six-date headlining Asian tour in 2007, playing in Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China, where they headlined the Modern Sky Festival 2007. The popular demands also brought them to Europe, where they participated in 12-date tour throughout Poland alongside of such acts as VIRGIN SNATCH, THY DISEASE, and MAHAVATAR. METAL SAFARI earned its place in the history of Japanese metal as the first-ever extreme metal band played in the mainland China, and also as the first metal band to ever tour in Poland (after visual-kei rockers DIR EN GREY). These are ALL done independently, without any support from labels.

Domestically, METAL SAFARI participated twice in Ju-Ongaku-Sai (heavy music fest), the biggest festival of Japanese metal/hardcore bands, first as one of the main-stage acts and then as the headliner. METAL SAFARI also supported THY WILL BE DONE and CALIBAN on their Japan tours, and shared the stage with such acts as LOUDNESS, EDGE OF SPIRIT, SUNS OWL and BLOOD STAIN CHILD. Not only did these activities put them at #7 of domestic independent bands of all genres, #1 of metal bands, #1 of hardcore bands, and #1 of thrash bands in "Top Artist Chart" on MySpace.com, but METAL SAFARI became the most-awaited Japanese band to play at Loud Park, the biggest metal festival in Japan.

METAL SAFARI released its second full-length album, "Prisoner", in September 2011 via the Japanese label Spiritual Beast.

For more information, visit www.metalsafari.com.

Lima, Peru's ElCuartelDelMetal.net conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Tony Portaro of veteran New Jersey thrashers WHIPLASH after the band's November 17 concert in Lima. You can now watch the chat below.

WHIPLASH is currently recording a new album entitled "Old School American Way" for a tentative late spring/early summer 2013 release. The CD will include "five or six new songs" alongside re-recorded versions of five or six tunes from the band's classic "Power And Pain" (1985) and "Ticket To Mayhem" (1987) albums.

"I am very confident that this record will be seen as the return to the thrash core that WHIPLASH started out doing," Portaro said in a recent interview.

He added: "WHIPLASH now has a strong foundation with Dan 'Loord' Foord [SIKTH] — one of the best drummers in England — and Dank De Long, a solid bassist from New York that makes WHIPLASH thrash harder than ever."

WHIPLASH is a three-piece power trio hailing from New Jersey. The band was assembled back in 1984 when Portaro and Tony Scaglione (drums) joined forces, then recruited Tony Bono on bass.

"Unborn Again", the latest album from WHIPLASH, was released in 2009 via Pulverised Records.

Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) spoke to Artisan News at the premiere screening on December 12 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California of "Randy Rhoads: The Quiet Riot Years", the first documentary film to be released on the late guitarist. Check out the report below.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's long-talked-about "Unblackened" DVD, which was previously scheduled to be filmed in late August at The Mayan in Los Angeles, California, and was then pushed back to January, will now be shot in March. The set is expected to contain stripped-down versions of some of the band's most popular cuts.

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

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

A rough-mix, instrumental version of a new song from HATE MEDITATION, the project featuring members of NACHTMYSTIUM, LEVIATHAN, DARK FORTRESS and VITANDUS, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track will appear on HATE MEDITATION's self-titled debut album, which will be released in early 2013 via Indie Recordings.

HATE MEDITATION was founded by Blake Judd (NACHTMYSTIUM, TWILIGHT) in 2003 as a side project whose original intention was to serve as an homage to bestial black/death metal bands such as BEHERIT, VON, PROFANATICA and BLASPHEMY. The band recorded a three-track demo, entitled "Condemned To Death", that was spread in very small quantities, and the band has since been dormant. In 2012, Judd reformed the band with all new members and began writing and recording the full-length CD in October 2012.

HATE MEDITATION's sound has changed dramatically from the original intentions and has taken a shape of its own, drawing influences from many different types of music but keeping the raw black metal form at its core.

HATE MEDITATION is:

Blake Judd - All guitars, vocals, synths, bass
Job Bos - Synths
Wrest - Bass guitar
Sam Shroyer - Drums

"Tenses Collide", the sophomore release by Slovenain thrashers ERUPTION, has just been released via Xtreem Music.

Picking up where they left off with their debut, "Lifeless Paradise", ERUPTION's new CD is described in a press release as "lethal, unadulterated thrash similar to that of such well-known stalwarts of the genre as TESTAMENT, FORBIDDEN and VIO-LENCE."

"Tenses Collide" track listing:

01. Fractured
02. Celestial God
03. Enter the Hive
04. Selfcaged
05. Last Transmission
06. Unknown Dimensions
07. The Forlorn
08. Unparticled Matter
09. Empty Shells

The track "Celestial God" features a guest solo by Brad Hull from the legendary Seattle thrash act FORCED ENTRY and the reformed SANCTUARY. The cover artwork was created by Andrei Bouzikov (MUNICIPAL WASTE, CANNABIS CORPSE, SKELETONWITCH, VEKTOR).

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

ERUPTION is:

Tim Tajic - Guitar
Andrej Cuk - Guitar
Andrej Škof - Bass
Ivan Cepanec - Drums
Klemen Kalin - Vocals

In the four-minute clip below, WHITESNAKE/ex-DEEP PURPLE vocalist David Coverdale remembers first meeting late DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord whom he describes as "a sweet, sweet man. He knew how to elevate your spirit." Coverdale talks about how Lord comforted him before his audition for DEEP PURPLE in 1973, and of the rehearsals at Clearwell Castle before they recorded the "Burn" album.

Jon Lord died on July 16 at age 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Lord, who was known for his keyboard virtuosity and his reinvention of the Hammond B-3 organ sound, co-wrote such PURPLE classics as "Smoke On The Water" and "Child In Time", among others. Lord and drummer Ian Paice were the only original members to last through the band's initial run from 1968 to 1976. He was on board for their 1984 reunion and stayed on through to his 2002 retirement from the band, after which he's worked primarily in the classical field.

Over the course of his career, Lord also worked with the ARTWOODS, FLOWER POT MEN, PAICE, ASHTON AND LORD, WHITESNAKE and good friend and neighbor, George Harrison.

DOKKEN guitarist Jon Levin will be unable to perform with the band for the next several months while he recovers from surgery on his neck and shoulder for thoracic outlet syndrome (a condition when the nerves or blood vessels just below the neck are compressed, or squeezed). "My hand feels great, but I do need some time before I will be able to swing a strap on my shoulder and tour," he says. "We are going to wait until May before we start playing again."

Although DOKKEN frontman and namesake Don Dokken said in a recent interview with "Rich Davenport's Rock Show" that Levin "had to have surgery on his arm," the guitarist corrected his bandmate, explaining that the surgery, which was performed in October, "was on my neck and shoulder, not my arm or hand."

According to Don Dokken, both he and Jon Levin will "probably" play guitar on DOKKEN's next tour. He explained: "I think it will sound bigger and fuller with two guitars. Plus when it comes to solos, have a rhythm just keep going in the background. I played in DOKKEN on the first couple of albums and tours, I played guitar, and I'm gonna go back to that style."

DOKKEN's eleventh studio album, "Broken Bones", sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 173 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in North America on September 25 via Frontiers Records, the effort was made available in two configurations: standard CD and limited-edition CD in digipak with a bonus DVD, which features a comprehensive "Making Of The Album" documentary.

"Broken Bones" was produced by Don Dokken and was mixed by Bob St. John (EXTREME, DURAN DURAN, COLLECTIVE SOUL) and Wyn Davis (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, WHITESNAKE) and mastered by famed engineer Maor Appelbaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA). The new set features a return to the band's signature sound of catchy melodies, hot riffs and monster production.

Swiss melodic death metallers ARCTURON will release their second album, "An Old Storm Brewing", on January 19, 2013 via Supreme Chaos Records. The CD contains "11 amazing tracks" which were recorded at Abyss studios in Sweden by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY).

Commented ARCTURON guitarist Florian Moritz: "I was following the bands of Supreme Chaos Records for some years now and I'm impressed by the commitment and passion the label shows. We're very happy to be a part of this family now and together with this collaboration, we can take the next steps towards a bright future."

Added the label: "We have been in contact with ARCTURON for quite a long time now. The upcoming album, 'An Old Storm Brewing', convinced us straight away. Together with the unfailing activity of the band, there can only be one way: to the top! We are really pleased that the band wants Supreme Chaos Records to support them on their future way."

The official video for the song "This Is The Plan", taken from "An Old Storm Brewing", can be seen below.

BENEDICTUM has announced the addition of bassist Aric Avina (TYNATOR) to the group's ranks. The band states: "Not only has Aric shown his prowess as a bass player, but also demonstrated immense 'grace under pressure' by being thrown right into the fire with recording a new album. We have found a gem... and may the metal continue!"

BENEDICTUM has been busy working on a new studio CD which will be "a complete return to a traditional-but-powerful feel — much like the band's first two albums," according to a press release. Working with the band on the production is Grammy Award nominee and Billboard-charting producer John Herrera and longtime collaborator Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, FOREIGNER), who has just completed his second writing session with Veronica. Craig Goldy (DIO) has been writing with BENEDICTUM as well and there will probably be some vocal duet surprises on the album too. The songwriting team of Pete Wells and Freeman is, however, still in full effect, and with Rikard Stjernquist (JAG PANZER) adding to the mix, there are some powerful great ideas coming to life.

BENEDICTUM's latest album, "Dominion", was released in February 2011 in Europe and in March 2011 in North America via Frontiers Records.

Brazilian symphonic black metallers FROST DESPAIR have revealed the details of their first full-length album, "Surreal", which will be released early in 2013. The artwork was created by Marcelo Vasco (DIMMU BORGIR, KEEP OF KALESSIN, DARK FUNERAL), who stated: "This illustration for 'Surreal' was forged through the general concept of his title and acclimated in the most dirty and chaotic way, mixing elements biomechanics with nature and science where everything becomes a kind of bestial and psychological heart.'

"Surreal" track listing:

01. The Sixth Bell
02. The Creation
03. Thrones Of Human Power
04. Darkly Strike
05. Genesis
06. Surreal
07. Fall Into The Darkness of Illusion
08. Claim For The Apocalyptic Eradication
09. God's Nightmare
10. Slaves To Superstition

Bonus tracks:

11. Thrones Of Human Power (orchestral version)
12. Claim For The Apocalyptic Eradication (orchestral version)

Guitarist Jim Matheos of U.S. progressive metal icons FATES WARNING has issued the following update:

"I'm happy to say that all the music for [the new FATES WARNING album] is now written (finally!). Still some lyrics to do, but we're close. Looking forward to sharing this with you in 2013."

FATES WARNING tapped Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, TRANSATLANTIC, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) to sit behind the kit for their first-ever visit to South America as special guests for QUEENSRŸCHE on April 14, 2012 at HSBC Brasil in São Paulo, Brazil. Multi-camera fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

The "Parallels" lineup of FATES WARNING played a number of shows in 2010 in support of the released special edition of the album, which was made available through Metal Blade Records. In addition to remastered audio, there is a second audio disc of live and demo material. The package also includes a DVD with nearly three hours of material, including a complete live show from the 1992 "Parallels" tour and a documentary on the making of "Parallels" which includes live, studio, and current day interview footage with all the band members, Terry Brown (producer) and Brian Slagel (CEO of Metal Blade Records).

FATES WARNING's latest CD, "X", was released in 2004 on Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2000's "Disconnected" was recorded at Carriage House studios in Stamford, Connecticut and features cover artwork by renowned record-cover artist Ioannis (DREAM THEATER, SEPULTURA, DEEP PURPLE, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KING CRIMSON, BIOHAZARD, VOIVOD, UFO, OVERKILL).

Multi-camera fan-filmed video footage:

Owsiaknet.pl conducted an interview with Swedish metallers SABATON after their performance at this year's edition of the Przystanek Woodstock festival, which was held August 2-4 in Kostrzyn on the Oder, Poland. You can now watch the chat below.

Przystanek Woodstock is organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation in order to thank all its volunteers and supporters who take part in the annual Grand Finale fundraising event in January.

Every year, Przystanek Woodstock features a few dozen bands from Poland and abroad. The guests are invited to perform on one of two stages: the Big Stage or the Small Stage, also known as the Folk Stage.

For 15 years, the Orchestra has been organizing auditions for bands willing to perform for the Woodstock audience.

SABATON's entire November 16 headlining concert at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden was professionally filmed and recorded for the band's upcoming DVD and Blu-ray, tentatively due in 2013.

SABATON has just finished headlining the "Swedish Empire Tour" with support from ELUVEITIE and WISDOM.

SABATON's new album, "Carolus Rex", was certified gold in the group's home country for sales in excess of 20,000 copies. (Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry [IFPI] in Sweden has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach gold status in the country twice in the last seven years — from the pre-2002 level of 40,000 to the current 20,000.)

"Carolus Rex" was released on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. The lyrics for the CD, which was made available in both English and Swedish, deal with the Swedish Empire (referring to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721).

SABATON earlier in the year parted ways with guitarists Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén, drummer Daniel Mulback and keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr. The band's new touring lineup is as follows:

Joakim Brodén - Vocals
Pär Sundström - Bass
Chris Rörland (NOCTURNAL RITES) - Guitar
Thobbe Englund (WINTERLONG, RAUBTIER) - Guitar
Robban Bäck (BALTIMOORE, PREY) – Drums

Virginia's PYRO, OHIO has inked a deal with upstart label At Your Command Records. The band will head to Amped Recording Studios in Baltimore, Maryland ths weekend to record the follow-up to their "Welcome To Pyro, Ohio" EP.

Most often compared to CHIODOS, CIRCA SURVIVE, A DAY TO REMEMBER and GLASSJAW, PYRO, OHIO combines a variety of musical influences creating a sound that is both refreshing and modern. The band was founded in August 2011 in rural Christiansburg, Virginia and was chosen to play on this year's Vans Warped Tour as part of the Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands competition.

Commented PYRO, OHIO guitarist Stephen Noel: "We are extremely excited to start a partnership with At Your Command Records. Their professionalism and passion for our music really sold us on signing with the upstart label. We look forward to working with At Your Command Records to extend the reach of PYRO, OHIO so that we are able to make more music for our fans into the future."

Regarding the upcoming CD, PYRO, OHIO bassist Luke Brugh said: "I am very excited to get these songs recorded because I am proud of every single one of them and cannot wait to share them with the masses. I think that these are some of the best songs we have written together. Also, I think we are all excited to record because our last release was recorded a couple months after forming the band, so we were still getting used to playing together. We have now been a band for a little over a year and have had time to mature as a band."

Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (THERION, KING DIAMOND, DREAM EVIL, DIMMU BORGIR) makes a guest appearance on several tracks on "Révisionnisme", the third studio album from THE CNK, the French martial industrial/electronic black metal which features in its ranks Nicolas Saint Morand (a.k.a. Hreidmarr), the androgynous screamer behind ANOREXIA NERVOSA.

With the help of heavy industrial and authoritarian rhythmics, backed with Snowy and Hreidmarr über versatile voices, these 10 hits are crushed in THE CNK steamroller, to finally be born again as death and fight stadium anthems.

A covers album taking on famous pop, rock and metal standards, "Révisionnisme" features the following tracks:

01. Gadd Ist Godd (GARY GLITTER medley)
02. Sabotage (BEASTIE BOYS)
03. You Could Be Mine (GNFR)
04. Everybody Knows (LEONARD COHEN)
05. Blood Is Thicker Than Water (IMPALED NAZARENE)
06. Seasons In The Abyss (SLAYER)
07. Too Fast For Love (MÖTLEY CRÜE)
08. Weisses Fleisch (RAMMSTEIN)
09. Where The Wild Roses Grow (NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS)
10. I Am The Black Wizards (EMPEROR)
11. Blood Is Thicker Than Snow (IMPALED NAZARENE - alternate version)

"Seasons In The Abyss" and "Too Fast For Love" can both be streamed below.

Brazilian metallers SYMBOLS, who feature in their ranks vocalist Eduardo "Edu" Falaschi (ANGRA, ALMAH) and his brother Tito Falaschi (bass, vocals), reunited for a one-off appearance this past Sunday, December 23 at the Manifesto Bar in São Paulo, Brazil. Joining the Falaschi brothers on stage were Demian Tiguez (guitar), Rodrigo Arjonas (guitar) and Rodrigo "Indian" Mello (drums). The group performed selections from its first two albums, "Symbols" (1998) and "Call To The End" (2001).

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

After Eduardo joined ANGRA in 2001 and Tito left to focus on other projects, SYMBOLS nearly broke up. But Mello and Tiguez stuck it out long enough to record and produce SYMBOLS' third album, "Faces", in 2004, with Demian handling vocal duties. They were joined on the recording by bassist Cesar Tallarico and keyboardist Fabrizio Di Sarno.

In 2005, SYMBOLS' first two albums were remastered and re-released through a new record label.

High Roller Records has announced plans to release a 4LP vinyl box set from Colorado metal veterans JAG PANZER, entitled "Historical Battles - The Early Years". It will be limited to 500 copies and sold at the Keep It True festival in April 2013. Also in the works is a reissue of JAG PANZER's 1983 EP, "Tyrants", with seven previously unreleased tracks. These will be followed by re-releases of the band's "Ample Destruction", "Chain Of Command" and "Shadow Thief" albums on CD and LP.

In other news, JAG PANZER will perform at the 17th edition of the Keep It True festival, set to take place on April 25-26, 2014 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Koenigshofen, Germany. The show will mark the band's first appearance in Europe with guitarist Joey Tafolla.

JAG PANZER called it quits in July 2011, with guitarist Mark Briody explaining that they could not "move forward as a band."

Shortly before JAG PANZER's breakup, guitarist Christian Lasegue left the group to pursue his degree full time.

Issued on February 28, 2011 in Europe and on March 8, 2011 in the U.S. via SPV/Steamhammer Records, JAG PANZER's latest album, "Scourge Of The Light", sold around 500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 117 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.

"The Scourge Of The Light" was mixed by Jim Morris at Morrisound Studios in Florida and was mastered at New York's renowned Sterling Sound.

Simone "Som" Pluijmers, former frontwoman for Scottish death metallers CEREBRAL BORE, has uploaded her brutal vocal cover version of "Barbie Girl", the 1997 breakthrough single from the Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group AQUA. Check it out below.

Pluijmers left CEREBRAL BORE 24 hours prior to departure for the band's North American tour with DYING FETUS. She has since been temporarily replaced by Shawn Whitaker.

In a recent interview with Blistering.com, CEREBRAL BORE guitarist Paul McGuire stated about the circumstances behind Som's split: "It's a terrible situation. I had to borrow a few thousand pounds to pay for our flights, including Som's, and she let me book the flight, and didn't take it. I'm a thousand bucks out of pocket, and that's the start of things. That's the main issue — we were really struggling to get money for our flights and I managed to get the money and that happened, not to mention all the merchandise we had printed and all the shows that we had lined up. If we had pulled out, they would have had to re-contract the whole tour. So you can understand why we were upset for someone to pull out at the last minute. That would have put us in a hole, but I said no matter what, we're going to do the tour; we need to honor our commitments. I just wish she had done the same. It's cool if she wants to leave the band, but not talking to anyone… I thought it was a really unprofessional way to go about doing [things]. I can live with it; people not wanting to be in the band, but to not talk about it… I gave her plenty of opportunities to talk things over. I did that, but all she did was ignore me, then all this unfolded. It was literally 24 hours before we left."

Asked if he saw any of this coming, McGuire said: "Pretty much, yeah. We could tell because she was acting weird, then she disappeared. At the end of the day, we need to keep pushing forward. We've been a band a lot longer before we gave Som the opportunity that we gave her. And we will continue to be a band after. A lot of people can't get over a member leaving the band, but that will pass. The thing is, we were friends and I still think we are. Nothing has happened between us as far as I can see to make all that crap happen, so maybe we can get back in touch and not read whatever has been written so horribly. Online, I've totally ignored the situation for an entire week, but it would have been so costly just to go home. It's tough trying to keep my head down and keep going. People think they know the whole stories, but there's two sides. All we said was Som didn't want to do the tour. That's all we said. We haven't said anything about the story and what's going on, but [people] keep judging us offhand because they think they know the situation. We are the ones that here and are the ones in the States, doing it."

Danish death metallers CROCELL have inked a deal with Metal Hell Records. The band's third full-length album will be released next year. The CD will be recorded at Death Island Studios in Nykøbing Mors with producer Marco Angioni.

"Come Forth Plague" and "Perfidious Ceremony", the first two songs from CROCELL to feature the band's new lead singer Asbjørn Steffensen (MORDAX), can be streamed using the ReverbNation player below. The tracks were produced by Jacob Olsen at JBO Sound.

Regarding Steffensen's addition to CROCELL, the band's guitarist, Tommy Christensen, previously said: "A number of skilled vocalists auditioned, but when Asbjørn visited, we knew straight away that we had found our new guy. Asbjørn could already sing most of the songs perfectly and together CROCELL sound better than ever before."

CROCELL's second album, "The Wretched Eidola", was released in May 2011 via Ultimhate Records.

AlexIsLegend.com has uploaded photos and video footage of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's December 19 "hometown" stop on their "Alive Or Just Breathing" 10th-anniversary tour at Pearl Street in Northampton, Massachusetts. Check out the clips below.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE vocalist Jesse Leach announced during the band's December 16 concert in Brooklyn, New York that their studio album will be released in April 2013 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, an acclaimed producer who has previously worked with ALL THAT REMAINS, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and AS I LAY DYING, among others. The mixing sessions were overseen by veteran British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, ACCEPT, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE).

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's forthcoming album will mark the return of Leach, who rejoined the group earlier this year following the departure of Howard Jones after nine years and three successful albums.

Asked for more information about the status of the upcoming CD and how it came together, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio told Horns Up Rocks!: "We've got the title, I've got all the artwork finished for it. I've just gotta fit in the lyrics. [There are] 12 songs on it. It was hard to whittle down which songs were actually gonna make it on the record, 'cause we like them all; we're really excited about it."

He continued: "It was weird. Jesse did two songs and then kind of wanted to get a feel for how the band was communicating and hanging out together. And he was, like, 'Let's go out on tour and see how it is and then I can come back and finish the rest of the record and really have a better headspace for what's going on with the band.' So he did two songs, we went out on tour, came back and all of a sudden, he started doing all this new stuff — like, eight or nine different, new voices we had never heard before. And we were were, like, 'Wait a minute, man! Now you're gonan have to redo the last stuff we did, because this stuff sounds so great.' So he just blew us away. This guy… I don't know if he's got split personalities or what's going on in his head, but he's got a million different voices going on there, and it sounds really cool on the record."

Leach sang on the band's first self-titled album, which came out in 2000, and on their landmark release, 2002's genre-defining "Alive Or Just Breathing".

A two-minute trailer for "Pinnacle Of Bedlam", the new album from New York death metal veterans SUFFOCATION, can be seen below. The CD will be released on February 15, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork was handled this time around by Raymond Swanland and can be found below.

Commented SUFFOCATION bassist Derek Boyer: "This artwork is a perfect portrayal of our music. The cover depicts lyrical content like 'scales tip in degradation' and 'hooded messenger of death is now set forth, punishment for all.' Raymond is an absolute BEAST of an artist!"

Added SUFFOCATION guitarist Guy Marchais: "The artwork for 'Pinnacle' brings another element to an already brutal album. Raymond knew exactly what we were looking for and delivered!"

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" was produced by the band at Full Force Studios in New York with longtime collaborator Joe Cincotta. The mixing and mastering of the effort was handled by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, ARSIS, SUICIDE SILENCE).

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" features 10 genre-defining-bone-crushing tracks and also marks the return of drummer Dave Culross, who previously played on the "Despise The Sun" EP. Founding member and former drummer Mike Smith also makes a special guest appearance on the re-recorded "Breeding The Spawn" track "Beginning Of Sorrow".

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" track listing:

01. Cycles Of Suffering
02. Purgatorial Punishment
03. Eminent Wrath
04. As Grace Descends
05. Sullen Days
06. Pinnacle Of Bedlam
07. My Demise
08. Inversion
09. Rapture Of Revocation
10. Beginning Of Sorrow

Stated guitarist Terrance Hobbs: "The meaning of the album title 'Pinnacle Of Bedlam', is the tipping point or most elevated moment as we approach the chaotic climax of this existence. The cosmic scale teeters and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

"People should expect nothing less than sheer brutality, as we perform together with this incredible lineup! We feel this CD will be the best SUFFOCATION album ever to have been released and are confident the fans will love it."

SUFFOCATION was among the inductees for this year's class of the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame. TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider received the Harry Chapin Award at the event, which was held on October 18 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York.

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" trailer: