Mexico's SPLIT HEAVEN recently parted ways with singer Eli Valenzuela. The band have now announced the addition of Gian Carlo Farjat as their new singer.

Says the band: "We think Gian Carlo's voice is perfect for the new things we are doing; he has an amazing vocal range so he doesn't have problems with the songs we did with Eli and for the new stuff of Split Heaven he is doing those agressive heavy metal vocals we were looking for. Although we have only played a bunch of times with him, we are very excited with the sound we are getting in the rehearsal room. Thanks to everybody who supported us in this time of change and wait for our new album. It's coming soon, we promise."

The band have started working on the follow-up to their 2011 album, Street Law, with the new album due to be released in 2013.
Split Heaven lineup 2013:

Gian Carlo Farjat - Vocals
Carlo "Taii" Hernández - Bass
Pedro Zelbohr - Guitar
Armand "Hank" Ramos - Guitar
Tommy Roitman - Drums

Updates to follow. More on Split Heaven here.

MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel joined Los Angeles glam-metal jokesters STEEL PANTHER on stage on September 28 at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada to perform a cover version of OZZY OSBOURNE's "Crazy Train" and PANTHER's own "Tomorrow Night". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

STEEL PANTHER's first-ever DVD, "British Invasion", sold 3,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 on Billboard's Top Music Videos chart. Recorded with 16 cameras in pristine HD over a two-year period, the disc chronicles STEEL PANTHER's legendary live show that the band has come to be known for. Beginning in March 2010 at the band's sold-out concert at Brixton Academy in London during their highly successful "Feel The Steel" tour, the DVD feaures some of the group's most memorable hits, including "Asian Hooker", "Community Property", "The Shocker" and "Stripper Girl", in a way never seen before. Included in the package is a laugh-out-loud documentary that follows the band backstage and on their tour that is not to be missed. The deluxe box set includes two DVDs — one with the full show and one with the documentary — deleted scenes and five songs from Download Festival 2012. The packaging also includes a 16-page color book.

"Machine Fucking Head Live", the new live album from MACHINE HEAD, sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. It's the band's second live effort; "Hellalive" came out in 2003.

"Machine Fucking Head Live" was recorded at various tour stops across the globe last year. It features songs from throughout the band's expansive catalog, including crowd favorites like "Imperium", "Aesthetics of Hate", "Locust", "Ten Ton Hammer", "This is the End" and "Halo".

Sweden Rock Magazine, Scandinavia's biggest hard rock magazine and Sweden's top-selling music magazine, celebrate issue #100 by naming the 100 greatest Swedish bands of all time.

"Over the past couple of decades, it's hard to think of another country with a population equivalent to that of New York that's had such an impact on hard rock and metal as Sweden has," says editor-in-chief Martin Carlsson. "When Sweden Rock Magazine turns 100, it's only fitting that we pay tribute to the many great talents this country has produced."

In Sweden Rock Magazine #100, the doom masters CANDLEMASS are named the greatest Swedish band of all time.

"To get such an acknowledgement from Sweden Rock Magazine for what we've achieved over almost 30 years is just fantastic. Today, the phenomenon CANDLEMASS is much greater than its individual parts," says CANDLEMASS mainman Leif Edling.

Number two on the list are the legendary death metallers ENTOMBED.

For a CD single sent exclusively to the magazine's subscribers with #100, CANDLEMASS have recorded a heavy version of ENTOMBED's classic death'n'roll song "To Ride, Shoot Straight And Speak The Truth" and ENTOMBED have covered CANDLEMASS uptempo song "Black Dwarf".

"In sports, being number two means you've lost, but since CANDLEMASS are doing a cover of ENTOMBED we see this as a victory," says ENTOMBED vocalist L-G Petrov.

EUROPE, one of Sweden's biggest music exports of all time, are number three on the list.

"We took the long road back and now we've arrived. We used to say that one day this band is going to amount to something. I'm so proud of our crew and my friends in EUROPE," says EUROPE vocalist Joey Tempest.

CANDLEMASS and ENTOMBED both take the stage for two special concerts at Sweden Rock Magazine's 100th-issue party at Debaser Medis in Stockholm, Sweden on January 26, 2013. Tickets are on sale and cost SEK 220. Ticket information: www.debaser.se

For information on how to subscribe to Sweden Rock Magazine, go to www.swedenrockmagazine.com.

On the heels of the fall release of their acclaimed comeback CD, "Wheels of Impermanence", Canadian progressive metallists HEAVEN'S CRY will reissue their first two albums, "Food For Thought Substitute" and "Primal Power Addiction", on January 8, 2013. The LPs — which are now available for pre-order separately or as a specially-priced bundle — have been newly remixed by Yannick St-Amand (DESPISED ICON, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, KATAKLYSM) and remastered by Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SYMPHONY X) and feature revamped artwork.

"I'm having a blast listening to our music the way we imagined it back then," says vocalist/guitarist Pierre St-Jean. "Our music has multiple layers where guitars and bass play different parts to create textures, and since our music is less riff-oriented than what most rock and metal bands do, it's important to hear every detail, every instrument clearly. That is now possible, thanks to Yannick and Jens."

Guitarist Eric Jarrin (ex-DESPISED ICON) adds: "I'm so grateful that Prosthetic Records agreed to re-release our first two albums. We worked very hard writing those tunes but unfortunately, we did not have the resources at the time to make it sound the way we wanted it to. Having the opportunity to revisit these albums and give them a new polish, it finally feels like justice has been done to these songs. You know, in the making of a progressive album, every detail is important. Our goal has always been to make sure that the music and the lyrical content are coherent, and that every instrument plays its role in the process. Now that they have been remixed properly, you can hear the music we wrote in its entirety."

After taking a seven-year hiatus, HEAVEN'S CRY recently released its third album, "Wheels Of Impermanence", which Blistering.com labeled as "power metal majesty." The band headlined the ProgPower Europe festival in the Netherlands in October and is scheduled to take part in the ProgPower USA festival in 2013.

Former BLOOD STAIN CHILD vocalist Sophia, has issued the following update:
"The wait is over! I can finally unveil my first secret project and the magic word is MEJIBRAY. I know lots of you have been asking for a second collaboration, so there ya go! This time, I sang on Mejibray's upcoming single 'Die Kusse', in stores February 6th.

I just love working with effective people and MiA is one of them for sure. Fast with communications, very polite, and inspired when writing new songs.
It's always a pleasure working together. This time, I recorded in Greece, so we couldn't have fun in the studio like last time, but it was a fruitful experience nevertheless. Everything worked like a clock and we both liked the result.

I do hope you all enjoy the song as much as we did!"

For information on Mejibray go to this location.
Sophia issued the following statement with regards to her departure from Blood Stain Child:

"It's been almost two years since I joined BSC. I can't say time passed that quickly. Those two years, including almost one year of preparations, were full of work, creativity, constantly moving from place to place with countless airplanes, trains, buses along with my beloved suitcase and my best friend: myself.

It felt like going back to school. I studied hard indeed and I learnt many important lessons. No cheating, no copying from the person sitting next to you. Always with honesty and truth being my guides. It might sound like the most difficult way to choose in this industry, but I see it as the only way for me. This is why I came to the decision to leave the band, which I believe is for the best interest of both BSC and me.

There's been a lot of inevitable changes, which were beyond anyone's control, but which I believe were the catalyst that brought me to another level, both as a person and subsequently as an artist. It was a challenge that I gladly accepted in order to go to the next step.

I remember in the beginning, when I was asked to join the band, I was a closet musician who had never played with a band or gone on stage before. Although I was scared of failure, somewhere deep inside I knew I would make it in the end. Of course I had to push my limits every day and fight my personal demons one by one, but I believe that in the end I passed the exams.

This might have never happened, though, if it wasn't for everyone who believed and trusted me: the band, my friends and of course each and every one of you. I met lots of amazing people during this fantastic journey, I made many new and precious friends, together with everyone I created lots of unforgettable memories and I saw many places and lots of colourful, smiling faces. I honestly feel grateful, for all those memories, whether they involved smiles or tears. I believe everything happens for the best and evolution is the ultimate goal, in the end of the day.

The end...which is a new beginning, dressed as sadness sometimes. Let this be temporary, because bright days lie ahead! I'm sure all the members of BSC will never stop chasing their dream and nor will I.

Lastly, I would like to say sorry to all the fans and everyone involved for this sudden turn of events, but all of you who've been following me along the way, know that I'm not a person who gives up halfway through, or before I've done everything within my power. We shall meet again soon.

Thank you from the bottom of my alien heart.

Sending you lots of love and light."
Meanwhile, Blood Stain Child issued the following update earlier this week:

"With careful and thorough screening, Kiki has been selected to be the lead singer of Blood Stain Child. She has been performing as a singer/songwriter and actively involved with studio works and live scenes in various fields. What makes her so unique and talented is to be able to handle both clean voice and scream voice.

Some demos will be out soon hopefully soon for you to check out. We already can see your face going 'damn!'"

One of the pioneering industrial black metal forces to emerge in the early '90s, MYSTICUM and Peaceville Records have announced the re-release of the band's debut album, "In The Streams Of Inferno", on February 26. The reissued version of the LP will feature extensive remastering, courtesy of Tom Kvålsvoll at Strype Studios in Oslo, Norway, two bonus songs and DVD. The packaging also contains new artwork made in close association with the band to fully reflect the intended vision, plus liner notes and additional lyrics. The release will be available in both CD and vinyl format. The bonus DVD will contain two live shows from 1996. "Grotten" in Asker, Norway has until now been totally unknown to the masses except for the few that were present at the show. The other show is the more well-known Bradford, U.K. set from MYSTICUM's European tour with MARDUK and GEHENNA. Overall, both gigs give a great glimpse into the pure atmosphere and intensity of this cult act — a must for all fans.

A perfect concoction of cold, primitive black metal and forward-thinking ideas from an act unafraid to push boundaries, the hell of "In The Streams Of Inferno" has had a lasting and profound impact on many since 1996.

The band was originally signed to Euronymous' (MAYHEM) Deathlike Silence Productions label, such was his belief in the band (MYSTICUM even featured Hellhammer from MAYHEM in their lineup for a brief period). However, this venture proved to be cut short following Euronymous' death, forcing MYSTICUM to look elsewhere for the release of their eventual debut album, "In The Streams Of Inferno" finally surfacing in 1996.

Unifying the core trio of Herr General Cerastes, Svartravn and Mean Malmberg in late 2011, MYSTICUM has commenced work on its follow-up album, "Planet Satan", to be released 2013 on Peaceville Records.

GLORYHAMMER, the "heroic fantasy power metal" project led by Christopher Bowes, the mastermind behind pirate metal sensation ALESTORM, with a desire to explore the more symphonic and epic side of metal, will released its debut album, "Tales From The Kingdom Of Fife", on March 29, 2013 via Napalm Records. The CD, which will tell an original story based in an alternate-history medieval Scotland, where magic and dark sorcery reigns supreme, was recorded at LSD Studios in Germany. A concept of such epic proportions requires a truly talented vocalist, and for this purpose Thomas L. Winkler from Swiss power metal band EMERALD was hired to provide majestic soaring vocals. The lineup is completed by Paul Templing, James Cartwright, and Ben Turk, who honed their battle skills in various underground U.K. metal bands.

GLORYHAMMER is:

Christopher Bowes - Keyboards
Thomas Winkler - Vocals
Paul Templing - Guitars
James Cartwright - Bass
Ben Turk - Drums

The cover artwork for "Tales From The Kingdom Of Fife" was "painstakingly handcrafted" by Dan Goldsworthy (ACCEPT, HELL, SYLOSIS). The art depicts the great hero Angus McFife, questing valiantly through the frozen highlands, wielding the Hammer of Glory.

"Tales From The Kingdom Of Fife" track listing:

01. Anstruther's Dark Prophecy
02. The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee
03. Angus McFife
04. Quest for the Hammer of Glory
05. Magic Dragon
06. Silent Tears of Frozen Princess
07. Amulet of Justice
08. Hail to Crail
09. Beneath Cowdenbeath
10. The Epic Rage of Furious Thunder

There will also be a limited first-pressing "Heroic Edition" of the album, presented in a luxurious digipak format with alternate artwork, featuring the bonus track "Wizards!".

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Oslo, Norway's ALTAAR. The band's new, self-titled album will be released on February 26 in Europe (four days earlier in Germany and Austria).

ALTAAR is an exceptional outlet with an avant-garde approach to the musical expression by attacking conventional doom metal (CORRUPTED, BLACK SABBATH, NORTT) with references stemming from the classic psychedelic era (LES FLEUR DE LYS, CAPTAIN BEEFHEART, PINK FLOYD).

The journey began back in 2007. After the dissolution of JR EWING, Andreas Tylden (also known from ONE TAIL, ONE HEAD) established the solo-project ALTAAR. In the shadows of Vår Frelsers graveyard in Oslo, the cassette "Dødsønske" was recorded. The result was a brooding mixture of black metal, doom, noise, ambient and drone.

"I had the need to create music with a broad emotional register, to break from the conventions of earlier methods I used to employ," says Tylden.

Soon after, the art-academy graduate and noise-musician Sten Ove Toft (RYFYLKE, FAUX PAS) was initiated into the project and the second pressing of "Dødsønske" was released on Toft's label Roggbif. The international community started to take note, and both pressings sold out in a matter of days.

2009 saw the band once again adding new members to the fold in the shape of Espen T. Hangård (KILLL, NOPLACETOHIDE), Kenneth Lamond (JR EWING) and Didrik Telle (OBLITERATION). In the proceeding months, the quintet toured the U.S. and Europe, performed a commissioned piece at the Henie Onstad Art Museum. as well as showcased their music at respected festivals such as SXSW, Øya, Incubate and by:Larm. Due to the bands backgrounds in metal, punk/hardcore, noise and indie, ALTAAR's live shows became an almost ritualistic experience. With concerts played either in perpetual darkness, stages bathed in candlelight or illuminated by projections of handpicked films, the results drew the audience into a place where they had to acquiesce, or react. Which made the music all the more poignant and central.

San Diego death metallers PATHOLOGY have announced the return of singer Matti Way and original guitarist Tim Tiszczenko to the group's ranks. The band states: "This is now the prime PATHOLOGY lineup from the 'Age Of Onset' [2009], 'Legacy Of The Ancients' [2010] era.

"We are very excited for this change, We will now have the best of both worlds with a mix of the old and new.

"PATHOLOGY is already working on new material for a late 2013 release. The band has also completed [its] three-album commitment to Victory Records and will be open to new options."

PATHOLOGY is:

Dave Astor - Drums
Kevin Schwartz - Lead Guitar
Matti Way - Vocals
Tim Tiszczenko - Guitar

PATHOLOGY's latest album, "The Time Of Great Purification", was released on September via Victory Records. The CD was recorded at Lambesis Studios with Daniel Castleman.

"The Time Of Great Purification" featured artwork by Pär Olofsson, creator of the cover art for PATHOLOGY's last two albums, 2010's "Legacy Of The Ancients" and 2011's "Awaken To The Suffering".

DAMNATIONS HAMMER, the U.K.-based CELTIC FROST-inspired doom metal band, has inked a deal with Sweden's I Hate Records for the release of the group's debut album, "Disciples Of The Hex". Due in early 2013, the CD was recorded at DAMNATIONS HAMMER's own Hammerstein Studios and produced and mixed by Mark Mynett.

"Disciples Of The Hex" track listing:

01. Defiance & Retribution
02. Throne Of Fire
03. Disciples Of The Hex
04. Serpent's Wrath
05. Impaled On The Horns Of Betrayal
06. Harbinger Of Darkness
07. The Hex II
08. Gates To The Necronomicon

Founded in early 2007 by guitarist and vocalist Tim Preston, DAMNATIONS HAMMER also features bassist Andy Whitehead and drummer Steve Leach. The vision of the group was always to create dark, doom-laden music inspired by the avante garde metal of the 1980s.

Bassist Pekko Heikkilä has left Finnish metallers TRACEDAWN to focus on his new musical project ATTEMPTED LIFE. He has since been replaced by Jonne Lindqvist.

Commented Lindqvist: "When I was approached about joining TRACEDAWN, it all felt pretty natural from the start. I've known the guys for years and played/worked with everyone on different projects since we were teens.

"I've already done a few shows with the band and things are looking great. Excited to see what direction we'll be heading in the future!"

TRACEDAWN's latest album, "Lizard Dusk", came out in February via Redhouse. The CD was produced and co-recorded by Tuomas Yli-Jaskari, Perttu Kurttila and Vili Itäpelto at Seawolf and Redhouse Studios, mixed by Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman in Sweden and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox.

"Lizard Dusk" marked TRACEDAWN's first recorded output since the departure of singer Antti Lappalainen (vocal duties are presently shared between Niko Kalliojärvi [LITHURIA, ex-AMORAL] and guitarist Tuomas Yli-Jaskari).

The "Breed Insane" video can be seen below.

U.K.-based modern hard rockers TAINTED NATION will release their debut album, "F.E.A.R.", on January 25, 2013 via Massacre Records. The CD includes a reworked version of the song "Bimbo" (now re-titled "Loser"), originally written by Max Martin (BACKSTREET BOYS, BRITNEY SPEARS, KELLY CLARKSON, PINK), Alexander Kronlund and Per Aldeheim for the Swedish pop-rock band LAMBRETTA.

"Bimbo" reached position No. 2 on the Swedish singles chart in 2001 and was covered by Finnish melodic death/black metallers NORTHER on the limited-edition version of their 2011 album, "Circle Regenerated".

"F.E.A.R." track listing:

01. Dare You
02. Loser
03. You Still Hang Around
04. Nothing Like You Seem
05. Who's Watching You
06. Your Only Friend
07. Hell Is A Lie
08. Don't Forget Where You Came From
09. Never Promised You Anything (featuring Ted Poley)
10. Haunted
11. Don't Tell Me
12. What Are You Waiting For

TAINTED NATION, which recently signed a worldwide management deal with Germany's Rock N Growl Management, consists of the following musicians:

* Pete Newdeck (EDEN'S CURSE, GRIM REAPER, KILLERS, STEVE GRIMMETT) - Vocals
* Pontus Egberg (THE POODLES, LION'S SHARE, ZAN CLAN) - Bass
* Ian Nash (STEVE GRIMMETT, LIONSHEART) - Guitar
* Mark Cross (FIREWIND, OUTLOUD, HELLOWEEN, KINGDOM COME) - Drums

"F.E.A.R." was produced by Pete Newdeck and mixed/mastered by Dennis Ward.

Newdeck, who is mostly known for his work with EDEN'S CURSE and bands like GRIM REAPER, KILLERS and Steve Grimmett, started writing songs with bandmate and friend Ian Nash, who also played guitar for Grimmett, in 2009.

While with EDEN'S CURSE and supporting STRATOVARIOUS and FIREWIND in May 2009 on their U.K. tour, Pete and then-FIREWIND drummer Mark Cross became close friends and discussed the idea of forming a new band, only this time with Newdeck as the lead singer.

Newdeck's vocal abilities were truly convincing and in the spring of 2010, Pontus Egberg, bass player for Swedish hard rockers THE POODLES, completed the lineup.

Newdeck, Nash, Cross and Egberg recorded the TAINTED NATION debut album in the U.K. and mixed and mastered it in Germany under the supervision of Dennis Ward, producer of many successful international artists.

TAINTED NATION's music is described in a press release as "a commercial, modern and powerful-sounding rock mix."

Last week, Arizona's EYES SET TO KILL announced that upon reaching 1 million "likes" on their Facebook page, they would they would post a demo of their song "True Colors". As of today, the number has been reached and the song has been released. Fans can stream and download the "True Colors" demo below.

EYES SET TO KILL will enter the studio early next year with producer Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SUICIDE SILENCE) to record its next album and debut for Century Media Records.

EYES SET TO KILL has been prominently featured in a number of publications, with inclusions on numerous "bands to know" lists and is a favorite in Revolver magazine's annual "Hottest Chicks In Hard Rock And Metal" issue. With critical acclaim and three previous releases landing on the Billboard charts, listeners will undoubtedly have lofty expectations for the upcoming EYES SET TO KILL album, set to be released in the spring of 2013.

The vinyl edition of "Honor Found In Decay", the tenth studio album from long-running Oakland, California-based industrial/alternative/metal pioneers NEUROSIS, will be unleashed February 5 in North America, February 8 in Germany/Benelux/Finland and February 11th in the rest of the world via Relapse Records/Neurot Recordings. This deluxe 2xLP pressing of the album will be packaged in a gorgeous Stoughton tip-on gatefold jacket and accompanied by a stunning 16-page LP-sized booklet. The audio was cut directly from the original studio master tapes and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, which will be available in five different colors: 2000 on black, 1000 on translucent smoke grey, 500 on translucent yellow, 500 on translucent orange, and 100 on clear, not available to the public.

Pre-orders can be placed via Neurot now.

"Honor Found In Decay" sold around 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 9 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.

"Honor Found In Decay" was released in North America on October 30 through NEUROSIS' own Neurot Recordings.

"Honor Found In Decay" track listing:

01. We All Rage In Gold
02. At The Well
03. My Heart For Deliverance
04. Bleeding The Pigs
05. Casting Of The Ages
06. All Is Found... In Time
07. Raise The Dawn

NEUROSIS forged the songs on "Honor Found In Decay" with the revered Steve Albini, marking their fifth collaboration with the engineer in their longstanding relationship. Their monolithic sound captured at Electrical Audio studios in Chicago, the seven tracks were then mastered by John Golden at Golden Mastering in Ventura, California.

Aesthetics have always been paramount for NEUROSIS and with "Honor Found In Decay", Steve Von Till, Scott Kelly, Noah Landis, Jason Roeder and Dave Edwardson's musical vision is brilliantly evoked by NEUROSIS's visual guru Josh Graham.

In a recent interview with The Quietus, Von Till revealed that with "Honor Found In Decay", NEUROSIS has "Found new ways to be heavy," saying, "The emotions that our music needs to put forth are always going to be heavy, whether it be mellow, subdued or tranquil, in volume or in atmosphere; it's always got to be emotionally heavy."

He added, "I think that's what we gained on this record, we gained an increased sense of flow; new ways to contrast dissonance and melody, harmony and disharmony. I always see our evolution as spiralling inward towards a core; we're constantly getting purer and purer; to the essence of what our music is supposed to be."

Asked about the five-year gap between NEUROSIS's new album and its predecessor, Von Till said, "Maybe we deal with more of a glacial concept of time. For us it doesn't seem like that long. I mean, we've been together for 27 years now and [the album] just happened when it was right for it to happen; the whole 'Given To The Rising' time period doesn't feel that long ago to me."

He continued, "We don't have any kind of schedule hovering over us and it was a couple of years ago when we were finally like, 'Okay, it's time to start getting it together,' and that some of our seeds were starting to grow."

NEUROSIS is:

Scott Kelly - Vocals/Guitars
Steve Von Till - Vocals/Guitars
Dave Edwardson - Bass
Jason Roeder - Drums
Noah Landis - Keyboards
Josh Graham - Visual Effects, Art

Listenable Records has announced the signing of Michigan's prog metal mongers THE OMEGA EXPERIMENT. The band, founded by duo Dan Wieten and Ryan Aldridge, describes its sound as "heavy guitars, euphoric synths and rich layered vocals come together to create a wall of progressive rock lushness."

Like their fellow modern prog artists, THE OMEGA EXPERIMENT create a massive sound with home equipment and have no fear of experimentation and rule breaking.

The guitars are big and technical and layered with keyboard sounds reminiscent of DREAM THEATER and QUEENSRŸCHE. The vocals range from powerful lead lines, big harmonies and demonic screams in the vein of Devin Townsend and Mike Patton.

The band's inspiration comes from guitarist/vocalist Dan addressing the last 10 years of his life, focusing on his excess and drug abuse which took him to a dark place and his determination to move onto a brighter future.

THE OMEGA EXPERIMENT has been lucky enough to receive public praise from Devin Townsend on multiple occasions, most notably on his Twitter account the night they unleashed their "Karma" EP to the masses for free on Bandcamp. Townsend was quoted as saying, "Actually, listening now...great great work man! Seriously great stuff, Dan, I fully back it and appreciate the effort you've invested I wish all luck!" The EP later went on to be downloaded over 2,000 times.

THE OMEGA EXPERIMENT's self-titled debut album was mastered by Acle Kahney (TESSERACT) and made available digitally via Bandcamp, iTunes to much critical acclaim. It will now be re-released in late February in Europe and March in the U.S. on Listenable.

The band is currently writing material for its next album and looks forward to getting back out and touring.

Los Angeles hardcore/metal band TERROR will release its new album, "Live By The Code", in early 2013 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded by Chad Gilbert (NEW FOUND GLORY, SHAI HULUD) and mixed by Matt Hyde (HATEBREED, SLAYER).

TERROR debuted a brand new song, "Hard Lessons", during its October 22 concert at the at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, England. Fan-filmed footage of the performance can be seen below. The track was scheduled to be available as a seven-inch single, backed by "Only The Devil Knows" (featuring Anthony Herrera of TAKE OFFENSE).

In February 2013, TERROR will co-headline a tour with H2O. Featuring BACKTRACK and CODE ORANGE KIDS as support, the trek begins in Washington, D.C. and weaves throughout North America before ending in Richmond, Virginia.

TERROR released the "Defining The Faith" DVD in November 2011 as part of the special deluxe reissue of the group's latest CD, "Keepers Of The Faith". Produced, edited, and authored by Carlo Oppermann and Ambitious.Films, "Defining The Faith" features a full live set that is composed of three different TERROR shows in three distinct settings: a small club, a big hall, and a massive European festival.

TERROR's fifth album, "Keepers Of The Faith", sold around 2,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 11 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.

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

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

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

Due out this Saturday, December 22, the new issue (#82) of Germany's Legacy magazine will include an exclusive four-track compilation of "The Big Teutonic 4". This unique CD in a slipcase presents the Teutonic thrash legends KREATOR, TANKARD, DESTRUCTION and SODOM performing cover versions of four metal classics:

01. KREATOR - "The Number Of The Beast" (by IRON MAIDEN)
02. SODOM - "Iron Fist" (by MOTÖRHEAD)
03. DESTRUCTION - "The Hammer" (by MOTÖRHEAD)
04. TANKARD - "The Prisoner" (by IRON MAIDEN)

You can purchase a copy of the magazine at the Nuclear Blast web shop.

At the inaugural installment of the Beastival festival — set to take place from May 30 to June 1, 2013 in Geiselwind, Germany — "The Big Teutonic 4", the legendary quartet of German thrash metal bands that shaped the European heavy metal scene like no other since the '80s and established "thrash made in Germany" as a quality seal all around the world, will share the same stage on the same evening! Be there when KREATOR, SODOM, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD tear down the venue and thrash you into the ground!

The Beastival 2013 billing also includes such acts SABATON, WINTERSUN, KATAKLYSM, SATYRICON, U.D.O. and DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER.

For more information, visit www.beastival.com.

In a recent interview with Greece's Metal Kaoz, KREATOR frontman Mille Petrozza stated about the possibility of a full-fledged tour with SODOM and DESTRUCTION: "We have been talking about this all the time. We have been having this discussion since the last time we were in Greece along with SODOM and DESTRUCTION about getting that tour in the U.S. But this never happened and you wanna know why? … There are certain people who don't want to tour. [DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist] Schmier wants to tour, we want to tour but Tom [Angelripper] from SODOM does not. And, as you can understand, we can only do this tour with the three bands onboard because otherwise it would not be the same. So, without SODOM, this will never happen and I am really sorry to say this."

Mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST will release its sophomore album, "Infestissumam", in the spring via Loma Vista Recordings, the new record label founded by Tom Whalley in partnership with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group. Frontman Papa Emeritus and his Nameless Ghouls summoned Nashville-based Grammy Award-winning Nick Raskulinecz (DEATH ANGEL, DEFTONES, FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH) to produce this offering.

This past weekend, Papa Emeritus was laid to rest during a ceremonial live concert in GHOST's hometown Linköping, Sweden and those in attendance were introduced to Papa Emeritus II (with both characters played by GHOST's real-life frontman, Tobias Forge of REPUGNANT and SUBVISION fame). See below for a live video of the succession which includes footage of the band performing their new offering, "Secular Haze".

"Infestissumam" track listing:

01. Infestissumam
02. Per Aspera Ad Inferi
03. Secular Haze
04. Jigolo Har Megiddo
05. Ghuleh / Zombie Queen
06. Year Zero
07. Idolatrine
08. Body And Blood
09. Depth Of Satans Eyes
10. Monstrance Clock

The band's debut album, "Opus Eponymous", was released in late 2010 in Europe and in early 2011 in North America via Rise Above Records.

In an early 2012 interview with Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, one of the "Nameless Ghouls" from GHOST was asked why he thinks his band has garnered support from such high-profile musicians as James Hetfield (METALLICA) and Phil Anselmo (DOWN, PANTERA). "We like to think [it's because of] our playfulness in terms of not — I almost said think[ing] too much — obviously, we think, but we feel a lot and we try not to limit ourselves to genre," he said. "Even though we're a hard-rocking band, we try to mix everything from death metal elements to new-wave choruses. And I think that sort of resonates to… I wouldn't say only an older generation [because] we have a lot of new, younger fans, but I think that anybody who is older than 35 might have a stroke of nostalgia or whatever."

On the topic of whether he can foresee a day when the members of GHOST won't be anonymous anymore, he said, "I think there is a difference between being anonymous and unmasked. Where SLIPKNOT actually wear masks still, while KISS during their unmasked days didn't. Obviously, it's a thing of the times. What we're trying to do, it's very hard to maintain. If the actual goal was to not be known, we try to maintain that, but in the long run we can't really expect that to be something everlasting. Most of our fans are actually quite keen on not knowing, which works to our favor, but I think there is a difference between people knowing who is behind the mask or being unmasked. We can't really see ourselves going up on stage and afterwards just dropping the masks saying, 'Oh, it's me, it's me, actually. Can you see?' No, no, no… We don't want that. We don't want to spoil it. That's the whole reason why we are anonymous and we try not to show ourselves. We try to eliminate, not the human aspects, but the humane aspects, if you want. We want to put Papa Emeritus in the limelight. He's supposed to be the living character, even though rigor mortis has basically set in in his poor old body. But that's the face of the band. He's the person, everybody else are just puppets."

METALLICA's Orion Music + More festival, a two-day event featuring more than 20 bands which took place in June in Atlantic City, New Jersey, will be back in 2013 and it will be moving to a new location: Detroit, Michigan. More details regarding tickets and lineup for the event — which is scheduled to take place on June 8-9, 2013 — will be revealed in February.

The two Atlantic City shows on June 22 and June 23 sold a total of 24,000 tickets, according to The Press Of Atlantic City.

When asked why METALLICA would want to do their own festival, guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield said in an interview, "First of all, because we can. Why wouldn't you? We're just trying to bring a little more of a mix to what is going on. . . . I think the Europeans are able to look at a festival more as an event than 'my favorite band is playing.' We're not necessarily trying to reproduce that in the States, but we'd like to bring a little taste of that here."

Speaking about the future of the Orion Music + More festival, Hetfield said, "I would love it to be an annual thing and become an established festival that people can come to and know it's going to be good, no matter what. It'll be a fun place to be and hang and see some of the other things that are going to be happening, whether it's a car show or the movie tent that Lars [Ulrich, drums] is doing or Kirk's [Hammett, guitar] haunted mansion. . . . If it ends up staying in Atlantic City, who knows, it could move. It could end up being three days, it could just be one. It really depends on how it goes this time."

During an interview aired immediately after this year's festival announcement, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich stated about how the bands were selected to perform at Orion Music + More, "Music, to us, is really diverse; it covers all grounds. If you took the four of ours;' iPods and scanned through those, you would find the biggest variety and diversity of music, so we're trying to bring that spirit to this festival."

He added, "A lot of the European festivals, and certainly also Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo and so on, in outside lands in America, these festivals are really about diversity and about different experiences. You go there, you go check out bands you don't know a lot about, you go check out bands where it will be the first time you'll experience them. So there's a whole big pile of stuff — from punk to thrash to country to, sort, of alternative, straight-ahead rock, blues. But it's really about diversity."

"We'd love to have people open up their focus. Maybe they come to see us but wind up discovering some blues or country act," METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett told USA Today.

Added Ulrich: "It's all about balance, keeping things fresh."

The METALLICA members explained that Orion was named in honor of the band's late bassist Cliff Burton. "Orion" is also the name of the instrumental song from METALLICA's 1986 album "Master Of Puppets", which is widely considered to be one of the greatest metal LPs of all time.

Acclaimed Norwegian rockers KVELERTAK have inked a deal with Sony Music Scandinavia. The band's sophomore album, "Meir", will be released in March 2013. The CD was recorded late summer/early fall at Godcity studios in Salem, Massachusetts with producer Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE).

KVELERTAK's previous label, Indie Recordings, which will release "Meir" on vinyl, says in a statement: "We congratulate the boys in KVELERTAK on their signing to Sony Music Scandinavia. It was a natural step for the band to sign to a major label at this point. We are so proud to have been a big part of their journey and helped to build them up to where they're at now! We are looking forward to keep on working with KVELERTAK on their vinyl releases in the future!"

"Meir" track listing:

01. Åpenbaring
02. Spring Fra Livet
03. Trepan
04. Bruane Brenn
05. Evig Vandrar
06. Snilepisk
07. Månelyst
08. Nekrokosmos
09. Undertro
10. Tordenbrak
11. Kvelertak

KVELERTAK recently completed a U.S tour alongside CONVERGE and TORCHE.

Featuring iconic artwork by John Dyer Baizley (BARONESS, KYLESA), KVELERTAK's self-titled 2010 debut album — which was certified gold in the band's home country — has earned the band extensive worldwide acclaim, with Kerrang! going so far as to call the sextet "the best Norwegian band since A-HA." The album, which features vocals entirely in the band's native language, recieved 9/10 ratings from Metal Hammer, Decibel and Rock Hard magazines and earned the group an invitation to perform a live session on BBC Radio 1.

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

* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway: Friday, January 25, 2013
* Spain, Italy: Tuesday, January 29, 2013
* Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
* Rest Of Europe: Monday, January 28, 2013
* Australia, New Zealand: Friday, February 1, 2013
* USA, Canada: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 (digital-only release, European CD/LP imports available through CM Distro)

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

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

"Beneath The Surface" track listing:

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

ALPHA TIGER is now offering a free download of the album track "We Came From The Gutter" as a special Christmas gift for fans. To download the song, click here. Fans can also watch the video for the first single, "From Outer Space", below.

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

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

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

ALPHA TIGER is:

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

Capitol Chaos TV has uploaded multi-camera video footage of NAPALM DEATH's November 12 performance at Oakland Metro Operahouse in Oakland, California. Check out the clips below.

NAPALM DEATH recently completed a North American co-headlining tour with MUNICIPAL WASTE. The five-week trek also featured EXHUMED as support, plus VEKTOR, DAYGLO ABORTIONS, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT and SPEEDWOLF on select dates. During the tour, NAPALM DEATH sold t-shirts designed by artist Sean Taggart (CRUMBSUCKERS, AGNOSTIC FRONT).

NAPALM DEATH's latest album, "Utilitarian", sold around 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 14 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

NAPALM DEATH's previous album, 2009's "Time Waits For No Slave", opened with around 1,800 units to land at No. 19 on the Heatseekers chart.

"Utilitarian" was released on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.

Drummer Jason Bittner of Massachusetts metallers SHADOWS FALL rejoined his bandmates on stage last night (Wednesday, December 19) at Pearl St. in Northampton, Massachusetts after taking a two-month break from touring to receive treatment for acute pancreatitis. During his time away, Bittner was temporarily replaced by Willis Mathiasen of 2CENTS.

Video footage of last night's concert can be seen below.

SHADOWS FALL is touring in support of its new album, "Fire From The Sky", which sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on May 15 via Razor & Tie.

"Fire From The Sky" was released on May 15 via Razor & Tie. Recorded at Zing Studios in late 2011, the CD reunites SHADOWS FALL with longtime friend, producer/engineer and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE/TIMES OF GRACE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, ALL THAT REMAINS). The album was mixed by Brian Virtue and features some of the band's most complex and melodic material in years.

FREYA, the Syracuse, New York-based band fronted by Karl Buechner (EARTH CRISIS, PATH OF RESISTANCE), is streaming a new song "Serpentine" featuring a guest solo by Paul Waggoner of BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME. The track will appear on FREYA's new full-length album, "Paragon Of The Crucible", to be released in early 2013 through a newly created record label by Holy Mountain Printing.

Commented Paul: "I was truly honored to be asked to be a part of this record, and the 'Serpentine' track specifically. I have great respect for the FREYA guys and their musicianship, and it was a real privilege to be able to add my little touch with a guitar solo. Ultimately, this song is a balance of heavy, aggressive riffing and emotive, driving melodies. So it was my goal to encapsulate the overall vibe of tune by creating a part that added some contrast, but one that was still complementary to the music and vocals."

FREYA has been crushing it out for more than ten years. They released three full-length albums and a split with Victory Records. The follow-up to 2010's "All Hail The End" was recorded with Jason "Jocko" Randall at Moresound Studio in Syracuse New York. Delving deep and giving a unique re-imagining to classic thrash and death metal, FREYA builds an epic post-apocalyptic wasteland where enormous beasts have destroyed the Earth and left man to create myths to explain the scarred world around them. On top of the destructive riffing, melodic and more progressive textures have been added to create an intense and vibrant setting.

FREYA is:

Karl Buechner (vocals)
Brendon Flynn (guitar)
Thom Turner (guitar)
Joseph Murphy (drums)
Brett Walts (bass)

The Age Of Metal recently conducted an interview with drummer Michel "Away" Langevin of Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD. You can now listen to the chat using the Mixcloud player below.

VOIVOD's new album, "Target Earth", will be released on January 22, 2013 (one day earlier internationally) via VOIVOD's own company, Iron Gang Factory, and Century Media. The CD was recorded in January 2012 at Pierre Rémillard's (OBLIVEON, CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN, MISERY INDEX) Wild Studio in a small town called St-Zénon in Quebec, Canada and was mixed by Sanford Parker (PELICAN, NACHTMYSTIUM). The follow-up to 2009's "Infini" contains the band's first music to be written with new guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain (MARTYR) following the passing of original axeman Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005. The original art was once again drawn by VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin and features color schemes from each one of the band's previous albums. The effort will be available as a CD, gatefold double vinyl and a limited edition deluxe box set.

Regarding what the new VOIVOD songs sound like, Mongrain said in an interview, "As a VOIVOD fan since I am 12 years old and early rise of VOIVOD in late '80s and everything, I think… I'm in conflict of interest right now. [laughs] I like the old stuff as much as the new stuff, so I think it's a blend of everything. It's really a team work and Blacky [Jean-Yves Thériault] is back on the 'blower bass' — he's got the original sound — and we're having a blast jamming. I think it's working pretty good."

On the topic of the lyrical themes covered in the new VOIVOD tracks, singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger said, "The song we played [on the early 2012 European tour] ['Kaleidos'] is about conspiracy involving drugs and the FBI… [Laughs] It's hard to describe because we're kind of early in the process. There's another song called 'Target Earth', which is more like a spacy, conspiracy, controlling the information around the world. The main thing is the 'war' of information. You know, somebody Osama Bin Laden is dead, someone [else] says he's not… It gets to a point where everybody has his own story and nobody is sure what the truth is. There's people above everything controlling the information."

Interview:

According to The Pulse Of Radio, TOOL's webmaster posted a lengthy message online this week in which he claims that the band may be "more than halfway" finished writing the music for their fifth studio effort. The webmaster wrote, "While riding with Danny [Carey, drums] to Chili John's yesterday, I heard a lot of new TOOL music (sans Maynard [James Keenan, vocals]). This was the most new material that I've heard so far, although a few of the riffs and arrangements were familiar."

He added, "Dare I say that it sounded like . . . TOOL (some of it reminiscent to earlier TOOL stuff, with other parts pushing the envelope), and I assume that it will sound even more like TOOL once the vocal melodies, etc. have been added. To answer your next question, I cannot say how far along in the writing process the band is. If I had to GUESS, I would say more than half way (and keep in mind that in the past, at least, the writing went faster once the first few [more complex] songs were finished)."

Earlier in the message, the webmaster writes that the band is confirmed to play the Japanese edition of Ozzfest in May 2013, hinting that other dates may be on tap as well. He also adds, "There are a couple of other TOOL projects on the horizon that I am privy to, but, unfortunately, can't comment on any further at this time . . . as was requested by the band's management."

TOOL's last album, "10,000 Days", came out in 2006.

Since that time the band has toured intermittently almost every year, while Keenan has spent the bulk of his time tending to his Arizona vineyard business and writing and recording two albums with PUSCIFER.

Italian epic death metallers RAGING AGE have inked a deal with Wormholedeath/Dreamcell 11/Aural Music Group. The band will enter Realsound Studio in Parma, Italy on January 14 with producer Wahoomi Corvi (CRYSALYS, THE WAY OF PURITY, HATERIAL) to record its debut album, "Regions Of Sorrow", for a 2013 release.

Commented the group: "We spent some months into examinating several bids, but now we are pleased to announce we have signed with Wormholedeath label. Its absolute professionalism has convinced us. RAGING AGE needed a strong network for the lauch of the first full-lenght and signing with Wormholedeath was a natural choice."

Added Wormholedeath label manager "Worm": "It was quite a long time that we didn't sign bands from Italy but RAGING AGE just broke into our office, with very violent a kick on the door ... Unpolite?? No, they just didn't talk much, they just acted and that's how I like it... The 'Italian style bla bla bla' can be left to the politicians, musicians can't talk so much, like them.

"RAGING AGE's music is absolutely intense, epic and brutal at the same time, the guys are real musicians but, of course, this was not enough for Wormholedeath's standards, but when I met the guys, I suddendly understood that they were ready to join our roster of selected bands... Simple people, with anti-rockstar attitude:

"Let's welcome RAGING AGE; they deserve your support!"

On December 18, Brandon Marshall of Sonic Excess conducted an interview with former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist and current NEWSTED frontman Jason Newsted. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Sonic Excess: Welcome back! The metal word has missed Jason Newsted. Every couple of years, you come up with a new project or collaboration, and then we don't hear from you. Are you back for good, and is the band NEWSTED a full-time project?

Jason Newsted: [laughs] I'm always back for good and better! NEWSTED is the project that's happening now, I would like to see it grow, get somewhere, of course, and be able to share it with everyone who wants to share it with me. It has been a lot of years coming. It's ready for me, and I'm finally ready for it. I never thought I was going to put my name on a project; I've always come up with cool enough band names. We did it with this, and I'm very proud of it. Things are lining up very well, and I'm hoping to take it out to the people live next year.

Sonic Excess: What was the spark that got NEWSTED ignited?

Jason Newsted: We always play a lot of improv music. We have though the years, and we just keep it going in the Chophouse Studio [Newsted's home studio in Walnut Creek, California] and play with a lot of different cats through time. What really happened was about a year and a week ago, with the METALLICA 30th-anniversary shows, where we played The Fillmore in San Francisco. Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] had called me in October of last year and said, "Do you want to jam?" I said "What time do you want me there?" I haven't seen them in a long time, and I hadn't seen them since the [Rock And Roll] Hall Of Fame thing anyway. He said, "What songs do you want to play?" and I said, "You pick the fastest one dude." We took the 14 fastest ones. I rocked a few each night, and we had a good time. What came from it was the realization of the energy of the fans. There were probably 30-35 countries represented on the floor that week. The energy I got back, and the appreciation, the real, true fan-dom, and being able to look into people's eyes made me think it could happen again. Maybe, I could bring it out on my own and sing, play bass, play guitar, and do my own stuff. Make it fast and make it ugly, like old METALLICA, like "Kill 'Em All" and "Ride The Lightning" records, and the old FLOTSAM AND JETSAM records, make real, old-school metal. One year later, I have 11 songs total, and we are doing it in batches. The first batch is in four, and you can pre-order it today.

Sonic Excess: Everything seems to be happening very fast. A month ago, your web site went live, and now you have an album coming out January 8th. How long has NEWSTED been in the works? Can tell us about the other members in the band?

Jason Newsted: Yes, I would be glad to. Jesus Mendez, Jr. is the drummer. I have been playing with him for about 10 years, and we have known each other for longer than that. He was a California roadie guy for METALLICA and worked at headquarters for some years. Then, he was the drum tech on the ECHOBRAIN tour, so we have been friends for a while. We have played a lot of hours, for a lot of years. He comes from like Vinny Appice, DIO, MOTÖRHEAD, AC/DC, but way down with double bass. He is a very serious, hard-working player. Our secret weapon is Jessie Farnsworth; he is a little bit younger than us. He is 32 and he is from the East, from Connecticut. He has been out here for a while, and I have been playing with him for about four years. We swap back and forth with bass and guitar. I choose people who have not quite risen in their own bands. I didn't want people who were jaded or had ugly baggage come into this band, and I didn't want to make it a supergroup. I wanted real friends that I get along with, and I wanted to play real true music.

Sonic Excess: Do you plan on touring?

Jason Newsted: I plan on taking it anywhere I can. As you can imagine, people are coming out of the woodwork wanting to help out, like promoters and agents, and people wanting to do what they do. We have scheduled meetings after Christmas about how we are going to get it out there to the people. My desire and quest has always been to take it anywhere I can for anyone who will accept our westernized rock 'n' roll music. I want to continue being the ambassador of metal, like I have been pretty much my whole career. My idea, actually, is to go to a lot of places not a lot of people actually do go to. I'll still go to the "A" markets and play places expected, but I really want to get into the nooks and crannies of the countryside. I really want to get in front of people in places where I come from. I want to go to a lot of places that don't get a lot of shows. I'm down with that, and I really want to do that.

Sonic Excess: What's your opinion on bands charging for meet-and-greets now?

Jason Newsted: I think it's bullshit! My guys had been talking to me about doing those things, and they talk about KISS making money for this meet-and-greet. People will pay it, but that's not the point. I don't want to take money like that. If they want to buy a t-shirt and have something to show for it, that's what we do. You can't download a t-shirt. There are certain things that make sense to me. I have never charged for my autograph up until the web site. That is my first time in my 30-year career that I have charged for my autograph, and I have signed for hundreds of thousands of people. I don't feel comfortable with charging people to meet me; I don't feel comfortable with charging people to get me to sign something when they are standing with me. If they buy it off the Internet and want an 8x10 or an autograph CD, they have that momentum. That's fine, but I'm not going to charge people to meet me. I just don't feel that's right. I'll pay to meet one of my old sports heroes, or something like one of the cats from the 1970s Orioles. I'll pay a couple of bucks for something, but I'm not going to pay for Gene Simmons. It's ridiculous, that's not what it's about.

Read the entire interview from Sonic Excess.

Guitarist Ben Orum has left Oakland, California-based extreme metallers ALL SHALL PERISH. He says in a statement, "I have given over 10 years of my blood, sweat, and tears to pursuing my dream which you all have helped fulfill. Being in ALL SHALL PERISH has been the best experience in my life, outside of being a father.

"While I am deeply saddened by my decision to leave the band it is necessary at this point in my life. As you know, I have a family and obligation to provide for them and be here. Unfortunately, I could not fulfill my duty as a touring musician any longer.

"While I am done with touring, I will never stop writing music. I am joining the extreme metal band OBLIVION as a bassist and contributing songwriter. OBLIVION's debut album will be released on January 1st, 2013. We are beyond excited to unleash it onto the metal world. I've always been into death metal and extreme music, this is my return to true death metal.

"To read more about OBLIVION, including my long history with founder/singer/composer Nick Vasallo, and to pre-order our debut CD, [go to this location].

"I would like to thank all of the fans for the love and support over the last 10 years. I would also like to give a big THANK YOU to Gerardo and Nuclear Blast Records for always believing in my music.

The remaining members of ALL SHALL PERISH state: "We wish the best to Ben and his beautiful family as he moves on to a new chapter in his life. Taking his place on rhythm guitar for the IN FLAMES tour will be Rob Maramonte from Bay Area band FALLUJAH."

ALL SHALL PERISH's fourth full-length album, "This Is Where It Ends", sold around 8,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 50 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Awaken The Dreamers", opened with 5,000 copies back in 2008 to land at No. 126.

"This Is Where It Ends" was released in July 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The majority of the effort was recorded and mixed once again at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland with producer Zack Ohren (LIGHT THIS CITY, DECREPIT BIRTH, SUFFOCATION).