France progressive death metallers SUPURATION will release their new album, "Cube 3", on February 25, 2013 in Europe via Listenable Records. The artwork for the CD was created by the band's longtime collaborator and designer Matthieu Carton. The effort was mastered by Sweden's Dan Swanö.

According to a press release, "Cube 3" "represents the end of the lyrical theme , a decade after the previous album, and 20 years after the band's debut initiating the beginning of the story."

Commented the band: "'Cu3e' (2013): The end of the enigmatic trilogy started twenty years ago, after 'The Cube' (1993) and 'Incubation' (2003), 'Cu3e': out of time, in outer space, machines take care of the reincarnated soul, an amazing journey with an unexpected ending to this metaphysical concept which started in 1993."

SUPURATION will celebrate the release of the new album at the Splendid in Lille (north of France) on February 24 with DYLAH TEEN and OUTCAST.

"Cube 3" track listing:

01. Sinergy Awakes
02. Introversion
03. The Disenthrall
04. Consummate
05. The Incongruents
06. The Delegation
07. Datadance
08. The Flight
09. The Climax

Don't be fooled by the band monicker, SUPURATION do not specialize in unleashing short grind-gore blasts but deliver more of measured yet muscular balanced metal through a more profound, subtile and enigmatic musical world.

Formed in Valenciennes in the north of France in 1989, SUPURATION, or its more progressive incarnation S.U.P., has issued a number of records over its 20-year career, developing a series of conceptual releases called "The Cube". "The Cube 3" will see the light of day in 2013, exactly 20 years after the debut album release, which launched the story of "The Cube" and 10 years after a conceptually similar release "Incubation" in 2003.

Popular for its massive wall of guitars and tasteful vocal delivery making it sound like an unexpected mixture of a crushing CARCASS and an intimate PINK FLOYD, SUPURATION has become a cult name in the live circuit by not playing out very frequently and delivering mesmerizing and unique performances.

DEVIL'S TRAIN — the band featuring MYSTIC PROPHECY mainman/producer Roberto Dimitri Liapakis, ex-STRATOVARIUS drummer Jörg Michael, guitarist Lakis Ragazas, and ex-SYMFONIA/STRATOVARIUS bassist Jari Kainulainen — has commenced the songwriting process for its sophomore album, to be, once again, recorded at Prophecy & Music Factory Studios in Germany with Liapakis in the producer chair. The CD is expected sometime next year via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group.

Commented Liapakis: " Once again, it will be a feast of pure rock 'n' roll, with all the heaviness, and, as always, full of heart and soul. But at the same time, we feel like we are taking everything to the next level in terms of composition, flavor and edge. The four of us have a great chemistry together, and this will show once more, only a lot more."

DEVIL'S TRAIN is already scheduling new concerts for 2013.

The band's self-titled debut album was released in February 17 via earMUSIC.

DEVIL'S TRAIN is a project Liapakis had been working on with Greek guitarist Lakis Ragazas for a year and as soon as Michael heard it, he asked to become part of it as the group's drummer.

Liapakis previously stated about the formation of DEVIL'S TRAIN: "I am rock and roll down to my veins and I always had diverse influences in my music, a great part of which are expressed in the music I write with MYSTIC PROPHECY. However, the style of music I have been preparing for DEVIL'S TRAIN with Lakis Ragazas isn't the style that would fit MYSTIC PROPHECY and this is why I decided to initiate a side band. Luckily, other people with whom I have common musical background share my vice for rock 'n' roll and Jörg, as I found out when we toured together [in] January [2010], is one of them."

BEAUTY IN THE SUFFERING, the newly launched electro-metal studio project from MARAZENE producer Dietrich Thrall, has posted a studio update, including stills of the band's recent recording sessions at Bell Labs Recording in Norman, Oklahoma. The shots feature drummer Chris Emery of AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE and SKINLAB guitarist Provo Provenzano, who engineered the marathon 15-hour session.

Commented Thrall: "[We] managed to get 7 of the 14 BEAUTY IN THE SUFFERING songs we were aiming for. Very pleased we got that far. Was a pretty crazy session overall in terms of how many tracks we were shooting for. We just dove right in and got as many as we could before our ears threw in the towel."

Dietrich is best known for his co-founding and co-visionary role in the industrial-metal band MARAZENE (later called MARAZENE MACHINE). From managing the band during its most active and successful national touring years (2006-2008), to co-producing the band's critically hailed cover of MÖTLEY CRÜE's "Live Wire" in 2011 as well as the band's lone official full-length album ("MachiNation", 2006), to writing fan-favorite tracks such as "Give", to guiding the band's philosophical and edgy lyrical approach ("AnTiThesis", "Infidel Society"), to producing multiple videos for the band, Dietrich's contributions and influence are heavily noted.

FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE has signed a management deal with Hard Impact Management Inc. - who boast ALESTORM, BROKEN HOPE, GLORYHAMMER and SEPTICFLESH on their roster - which is led by Maurizio Iacono. The band has issued the following statement:
"Yes! We are extremely happy to start working with Maurizio and the Hard Impact Management team. We think Hard Impact fits perfectly with what we want and represent. We're going to kick some major asses with our new album, this is a promise! We are more motivated and focused than ever! The future is now. We're ready to bite into it."

Iacono commented: "When I saw Fleshgod Apocalypse the first time live, I was blown away. It's not only the great image they have, but also the musicianship, the originality and the drive behind it. To make yourself heard outside of Italy while playing extreme music is hard. It takes guts, patience and balls-- and in this business, it's a must!! They have done it and succeeded, and now it's time to take the future by the horns. Time to let these boys grow into the global monsters they really are. Stand by 2013!"

Iacono is also the general manager / co-owner of the quickly rising American booking agency Rock The Nation USA.

For more information visit HardImpactMusic.com and RockTheNationUsa.com.

Back on April 28th, 2012, Fleshgod Apocalypse performed in Sacramento, CA. Multi-camera live footage courtesy of Zoran Theodorovic and Kevin Champ at Capital Chaos is available below:

Ottawa, ON's deathcore thrashers CHARIOTS OF THE GODS have announced the official release of their full length album, Tides Of War, on Tuesday, January 29th, 2013. The album is now available for pre-order here.

The first single from the album, 'Tides Of War', is available now for free download at this location. The track is streaming below:
"We can’t begin to describe how proud we are to finally share our musical creations with the world. So much has gone into it and we were lucky enough to work with incredible people such as our producer Glen Robinson and Aleksi Sihvonen (NORTHER). Our sweat and manly tears gave this full length album a more authentic and mature sound that will hopefully, rip your face off and leave you breathless.", comments vocalist Renaud Jobin.
Produced by award winning producer/engineer/mixer Glen Robinson who has worked with names such as THE RAMONES, AC/DC, GWAR, ANNIHILATOR and VOIVOD, COTG's new album delivers 14 epic, crushing tracks to follow up their well received 2010 debut EP Reverence, which the band aggressively toured in Quebec and Ontario, sharing the stage with names such as MISFITS, Voivod, DESPISED ICON, KATAKLYSM, BLIND WITNESS, MISERY INDEX, MARTYR, FUCK THE FACTS, BLACKGUARD, NEURAXIS, THE AGONIST, REANIMATOR and INSURRECTION.
Tides Of War tracklisting:

'Overture'
'Seventh Weapon'
'Blind Assassin'
'Ambrosian Wings'
'Tides of War'
'Revillusion (1905)'
'Snow Falls On The White River (1914)'
'Severing The Bloodline (1917)'
'Collapse of An Empire'
'Red Skies'
'Nebula'
'Starborn'
'Unbound' (feat. Aleksi Sihvonen)
'Annihilation of The Gods'

Check out an album teaser video below:
More on Chariots Of The Gods at this location.

A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH, the band featuring Brooklyn, New York native Sal Abruscato — who played drums on three TYPE O NEGATIVE albums ("Slow, Deep & Hard", "Origin Of The Feces", "Bloody Kisses"), as well as four LIFE OF AGONY releases ("River Runs Red", "Ugly", "River Runs Again", "Broken Valley") — on guitar and vocals, will release its sophomore album on May 27, 2013 via Steamhammer/SPV. The group has once again commissioned famed artist Sam Shearon (a.k.a. Mister-Sam; ROB ZOMBIE, FEAR FACTORY, RAMMSTEIN) to create the artwork for the as-yet-untitled CD.

Regarding the musical direction of A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH's forthcoming album, Abruscato states: "The sound has evolved and become a bit more orchestrated. More harmony work has been done on this album, including new elements such as a Hammond B3 organ and piano. To me, the album has an even darker sound and feel than the first one."

He continues: "The new album is a natural progression in songwriting and vocals yet keeping continuity with the first album musically and artistically. Fans of our first album will find all the traits they love melded with even bigger production and mastering.

"Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound will be mastering the album."

A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH's debut album, "And Hell Will Follow Me", came out last year.

The band made its live debut on February 20, 2011 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey as the support act for MONSTER MAGNET and SEVENTH VOID.

A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH is:

Sal Abruscato - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Matt Brown – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Johnny Kelly - Drums
Eric Morgan - Bass
Eddie Heedles - Guitar

For more information, visit www.apalehorsenameddeath.com.

Basick Records has announced the signing of Italian tech-core band DAMNED SPRING FRAGRANTIA to its increasing international roster. Taking musical influence from the likes of ION DISSONANCE, THE CHARIOT and THE ACACIA STRAIN and mixing it up with a hardcore swagger, DSF take technical metal and crushing grooves to a whole new level.

Check out the brand new track, 'D.M.Z.', below:
The bands' debut album, Divergences, (to be released via Basick early 2013) features 10 brutally chaotic tracks and also includes a tasty guest spot from HEART IN HAND vocalist, Charlie Holmes. The band will be on tour in Europe and the UK all throughout 2013.
More on Damned Spring Fragrantia at this location.

Germany's SPV/Steamhammer are digging into the metal archives and reissuing a number of classic hard rock/heavy metal titles on LP. The list for European release only is as follows:

January 21st
URIAH HEEP - Equator
FASTWAY - Waiting For The Roar
THE RODS - Wild Dogs
LITA FORD - Lita
CIRCUS OF POWER - Circus Of Power

February 25th
QUIET RIOT - Quiet Riot
MOLLY HATCHET - Beatin`The Odds
RIOT - Thundersteel / Privilege Of Power (double-LP)

March 25th
DANGEROUS TOYS - Dangerous Toys/Hellacious Acres (double-LP)
MOLLY HATCHET - The Deed Is Done
EUROPE - Out Of This World/Prisoners In Paradise (double-LP)
BRITNY FOX - Britny Fox/Boys In Heat (double-LP)

FALLEN MAFIA, the Tyneside based UK Hard Rock outfit, have released their latest video 'How The Story Ends'.

The song was recorded at former TYGERS OF PAN TANG guitarist Fred Purser's Trinity Heights Studio's in Newcastle and showcases a different side of their hi energy performance. The band are touring the UK with CRASHDÏËT and JETTBLACK in April 2013, and will be announcing further European dates soon.



Fallen Mafia will be working with former VENOM/CRONOS guitarist Jim Clare on their new debut album entitled Lock & Load at present the band are working on 20 new songs.

Check out Fallen Mafia at here

Philadelphia based metallers SINGLE BULLET THEORY have posted a unmixed, unmastered sample from their forthcoming record, The Arena. Check it out below:
Frontman Matt DiFabio recently checked in with the following update:

"I announced that there was some band member changes going on here in the Single Bullet Theory camp. Here is the skinny!

Joe Brannigan is no longer with the group. He has decided to focus on his martial arts training and wants to dedicate more time to his other band OF WRATH AND RUIN. I'm sad to see Joe go but wish him the best of luck with all of his endeavors. He did however write a killer song and it will be featured on the new SBT record The Arena.

So, this brings me to the second part of the news. We are proud to announce that we have found a new guitarist and are currently getting him up to speed. Id like to welcome Harry Bartholomew Lannon into the fold. Harry is an exceptional lead and rhythm player and we intend to make the triple guitar attack even more insane now! Harry will be making is live debut with the group on our March weekend runs.

In addition, we are looking for a permanent drummer still. Nick has been kind enough to continue to fill in. However, as it gets closer to his expected time of arrival for his baby, it will become much harder to schedule performances. So, if anyone knows someone who might be able to actually play SBT material. Please have 'em get in touch asap here.

That's all for now, I'm going back to work on the new record!"

Single Bullet Theory made the recently recorded track ‘Edge Of Broken’ available for $1 download via their Bandcamp page. The song is a reworked piece of older material that will appear as a bonus track on the band's new album.

2013 will be a busy year for Berlin, Germany's THE OCEAN. The band will release a new album on April 30 (one day earlier internationally) via Metal Blade Records.

To support the the follow-up to the "Heliocentric" and "Anthropocentric" CD (2010), THE OCEAN will embark on a three-week European tour with CULT OF LUNA in April and May, including an appearnace at the Roadburn festival on April 20 in Tilburg, Holland.

THE OCEAN's new album will be a single-disc release containing 52 minutes of new music. It will be mixed by Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA) in January and will come in two versions: instrumental and with vocals.

Comments THE OCEAN's Robin Staps: "The album was originally written to be instrumental, but in the end, me and Loic couldn't help but try out a few things vocal-wise and we soon got pretty excited... So there will be vocals on the album. However, we want everyone to have both versions, and we are also planning to perform the album live that way — with and without vocals."

The special edition of the album will be released along with a film by Craig Murray (NINE INCH NAILS).

THE OCEAN's 3xDVD "Collective Oblivion" has been delayed, but will also see the light of day in 2013.

For the first time in twelve years, work has begin on the long-awaited second CONTROL DENIED album. Guitarist Shannon Hamm and producer Jim Morris of Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida have been reviewing material recorded by the band before CONTROL DENIED mainman — and DEATH mastermind — Chuck Schuldiner's untimely passing.

Chuck — who died in December 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor — began work on the CD, tentatively titled "When Machine And Man Collide", but never managed to finish the effort before his health quickly deteriorated in the months leading up to his tragic death. The remaining members of the group — bassist Steve DiGiorgio, vocalist Tim Aymar, guitarist Shannon Hamm, and drummer Richard Christy — subsequently announced their desire to complete the album and release it in Chuck's memory, but legal hassles between Schuldiner's family and Hammerheart Records (to whom Chuck was signed at the time of his death) put the entire project on hold. (Karmageddon Media — formerly Hammerheart Records — has since issued various incomplete demo recordings as two separate low-quality albums, "Zero Tolerance" and "Zero Tolerance II".)

Chuck's mother, Jane Schuldiner, previously stated about the unfinished recordings: "[Chuck's] last masterpiece deserves more than to be released as unfinished bits of rehearsal room recordings on CD, or to be grabbed for free on the Internet. It deserves to be finished by the rest of the band and to be released on a full-length album, titled: 'When Machine And Man Collide'."

CONTROL DENIED's legendary first album, "The Fragile Art of Existence", got the deluxe reissue treatment in October 2010 through Relapse Records.

"The Fragile Art of Existence", originally released in 1999 to critical acclaim, was remastered, repackaged and features liner notes from CONTROL DENIED drummer Richard Christy, never-before-seen photographs, as well as over an hour of previously unreleased demo and rehearsal tracks.

Two versions of the "The Fragile Art of Existence" reissue were made available. The worldwide version was a two-CD set including the original album plus a bonus CD of early demo material. The second version was limited to 1,000 copies and was a three-disc set including an extra bonus disc of demo tracks, many of which have Schuldiner on vocals. The three-disc set was made available at Relapse.com exclusively.

Pictured below: Shannon Hamm and Jim Morris at Morrisound Recording in December 2012

Bassist Victor Cito Borge has quit the Norwegian/British hard rock band TNT in order to pursue another project.

In a statement, Borge said: "After seven and a half years as a bass player in TNT, I have decided to accept another offer from [January 1]. My best wishes and good luck to the boys in the band and crew for the future! And not least, thanks to all of you who have been so incredibly positive and great support for me during my time in TNT!"

TNT's latest album, "A Farewell To Arms", was released in Japan in December 2010 via Avalon/Marquee and in Europe (excluding Norway) in January 2011 through Metal Heaven. The CD was produced by TNT guitar player Ronni Le Tekrö at his Studio Studio, and the songs were mainly written by Tekrö and TNT's British vocalist Tony Mills (ex-SHY).

Ex-TNT singer Tony Harnell rejoined his former bandmates for their 30th-anniversary concert on June 2 at the Clarion Hotel in Trondheim, Norway. The group performed a special setlist while accompanied by the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra (Trondheim Symfoniorkester). Also making a special appearance with the band was TNT's original singer, Dag Ingebrigtsen.

A clip of BARONESS' John Baizley and Pete Adams playing an acoustic version of the song "Stretchmarker" can be seen below. The clip, recorded in Baizley's Philadelphia art studio, marks the first performance the band members have shared since their horrific bus accident in August.

"Simply put: it's time to get back to it," stated Baizley.

"Since my belated and thankful return to the USA (after our painful test in motor coach-aeronautics), I can definitively say I've exhausted my reserve of potential leisure activities (there's not that many of them, after all). I've come dreadfully close to boredom, and in those moments, I can't help but focus on my glaring physical infirmities.

"Television offers little respite from this relative stasis; I'm sure by now I have sampled every biker-meth-dealer-zombie-low-talking-cop-crime-scene-serial-killer-real-housewife soap opera that is currently being broadcast (and there's no small number of them).

"I've tried to fill my weekly routine with as much physical therapy as possible but the truth is, PT is not fun, and its benefits come with a great deal of mental/physical/spiritual pain and struggle. Furthermore, I believe I am getting a touch of Stockholm Syndrome when it comes to my doctors and therapists (the highlight of my week should NOT involve a clinic).

"Music might be the best therapy I have right now. Perhaps it's both the cause and the cure (the thought has crossed my mind); but I feel lost without it.

"Pete and I have just spent a long week surveying our musical wreckage and, surprisingly, we are quite well and intact. Sure, there are some substantial obstacles to overcome before we write, record or perform any time soon; but we still have everything we need to get 'back in' that particular 'saddle again.'

"Most of my peers are familiar with such high-school-gym-teacher poeticisms as 'risk equals reward' and 'no pain, no gain;' but did any of us every really believe there was any real wisdom in those adolescent platitudes? I didn't. I am, however, starting to understand the essence of these and many of our other favorite clichés.

"As odd as it might be for me to write these 'updates' after 10 years of personal silence on the Internet, I feel that I owe everyone who's voiced or given their support to BARONESS a brief synopsis of our situation and more importantly a heartfelt thanks. Honestly, it has made this ordeal much easier on me. What little publicity that surrounds our crash has given voice to so many people who have shared their own stories of injury, trauma and struggle with us, and has furthered my own faith in the communicative and universal strength of music.

"As every singer on every stage has nightly said, 'We wouldn't be where we are without you.'

"Thanks, everyone. We look forward to seeing you soon."

Selfmadegod Records has announced the signing of TERMINATE from Morton Grove, Illinois.

The mission of TERMINATE is simple: to play death metal the way it was meant to be played. Taking influences from death metal stalwarts BOLT THROWER and AUTOPSY, while maintaining a melodic sensibility akin to Swedish greats DISMEMBER and ENTOMBED, is what defines TERMINATE sound.

Thanks to TERMINATE's independently released "Thirst For The Obscene" EP in 2011, Polish label Selfmadegod took notice of the crushing act and immediately inked a deal with TERMINATE to release their debut full-length in early 2013..

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

Consisting of veterans of the Chicago and New York metal scenes, the band has quickly made a name for itself, catching the attention of not only within their home city of Chicago, but also a core of underground fans across the world.

Metal Mark of SkullsNBones.com conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH aboard Barge To Hell — the world's most extreme metal cruise — which sailed Monday, December 3, 2012 from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas and returned to the real world on Friday, December 7. Check out the chat below.

Asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for BEHEMOTH's next album, Nergal said: "We're in writing mode, and we're doing this [cruise] more or less as a vacation, js tto get us out of the writing [environment]. But even yesterday, before the show, I was fucking around with my guitar and jamming out and shit. I came up with… I really think this riff is gonna end up on the record; it's gonna make its way to the record. So I'm really thinking about my record. I'm dreaming my record, I'm eating my record, I'm shitting my record… I mean, everything just comes to the same thing: this artistic release that's gonna take place in the fall next year. That's the plan. We already made a rough plan. We should be entering the studio in late February. We're demoing stuff now. It's actually a rehearsal studio. So this is a thing we've never done before: we get into the studio, we set up the equipment, and we just play. And we record stuff. So it's very creative. It's new and it's different energy, too. I mean, we still use our rehearsal room, but it's good to change the environment. And then in January and February, we decided to move to Warsaw to work on the record. It should be very stimulating; this change of rooms and change of cities, it can be very stimulating. But we've got plenty of stuff written already; I'm guessing 30 or 40 minutes of music is done. But I keep on writing. I'm so hyped and I'm so into delivering new stuff. I have this thought: every time I come up with a new theme or a new song idea, I think it's actually better than the one before. So I hope that this process stops at a certain point and I'm, like, 'OK, over. This is it. We're working on this bunch of songs and that's it.' Because this way I can go on forever."

In an April 2012 interview with Metal Blast, Nergal offered more information about BEHEMOTH's mindset going into the next album. "We want to take our time and not rush ourselves in any way," he said. "It looks like it might be the most important album in our career. I want to make the most honest record and I won't be bending to anyone's rules or expectations, including [BEHEMOTH's record labels] Metal Blade or Nuclear Blast. Every next BEHEMOTH album is a surprise and is never the same. . . We don't want to stress ourselves because the music business and the direction it takes is not as I would like it to be. That means we will be going against the current again and just do as we will and please. Whatever we do is going to be BEHEMOTH, 100%. It is the state of our will and nobody can deny it. I can tell you that we aren't going to come out with a reggae or country album; it's going to be BEHEMOTH, it's going to be extreme. But don't be surprised if people listened to it and said, 'Fuck, they did it. It's so amazing.' [laughs] That's what I like to say when I listen to my own music. I love to surprise myself. I hate things that are predictable. I want to surprise myself and surprise other people, as well. . . Don't get me wrong, I am a huge AC/DC fan and I expect AC/DC to be AC/DC, but don't expect BEHEMOTH to put out another 'The Apostasy', 'Demigod' or 'Evangelion' album, because that will not happen."

BEHEMOTH's ninth full-length studio album, "Evangelion", sold 8,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 56 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in the U.S. in August 2009 through Metal Blade, the CD was mixed at Miloco Studios in London, England by Colin Richardson, who has previously worked with MACHINE HEAD, SLIPKNOT, NAPALM DEATH and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, among many others.

British heavy metal singer Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) will release his upcoming collaborative acoustic EP with Belgium-based classical guitarist Thomas Zwijsen, "Russian Holiday" on February 5. The effort, which is available for pre-order in Basic, Silver (name mentioned in the booklet) and Gold (name mentioned in the booklet and a limited edition t-shirt) packages, features four re-arranged songs from previous albums and one brand new song written by Bayley and Zwijsen.

As previously reported, Blaze and Thomas have started a competition for the CD's cover artwork. Fans that are creative and want to be part of this EP can send their creation to management@blazebayley.net before December 22. The winning artwork will be used on the cover and winner will be mentioned inside the booklet. He/she will also receive a free signed copy of the EP. The winning artwork will have to be available in high definition in order to be eligible.

"Russian Holiday" is expected to include a "full classical guitar arrangement" of the IRON MAIDEN song "Sign Of The Cross", which the duo performed on their recent U.K. acoustic tour.

Zwijsen previously recorded an acoustic IRON MAIDEN tribute album called "Nylon Maiden", which featured a guest appearance by Bayley on a cover version of "The Clansman".

Zwijsen is one of the musicians who backed Bayley on Blaze's most recent European "The King Of Metal" tour.

Professionally filmed video footage of Bayley and Zwijsen performing an acoustic set on July 27 at The Asylum in Birmingham, England can be seen below.

The setlist was as follows:

01. Lord Of The Flies (IRON MAIDEN)
02. The Launch
03. Truth Is Revealed
04. Meant To Be
05. Stare At The Sun
06. I Like It Hot (WOLFSBANE)
07. One More Step
08. Man On The Edge (IRON MAIDEN)
09. Como Estais Amigos (IRON MAIDEN)
10. Doctor Doctor (UFO)

Bayley's new studio album, "The King Of Metal", was released in March. The CD was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy.

The 49-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to replace Bruce Dickinson as the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN.

Pavement Entertainment announced today that they have signed a three-album deal with the Italian death metal band THE MODERN AGE SLAVERY.

Formed in 2007, The Modern Age Slavery gained unanimous critical acclaim from the international press with their first demo. The demo ended up being Demo of the Month in Rock Hard magazine Germany and Napalm Records took notice and signed The Modern Age Slavery to a recording deal.
Their debut album, Damned to Blindness, was released on November 28, 2008 on Napalm Records and confirms The Modern Age Slavery infamous status in the underground scene by delivering a relentless Deathcore debut that takes no prisoners.

The band parted way with Napalm Records and now are finishing up their Pavement Music debut entitled Requiem For Us All. The album will be released Spring 2013 and will be distributed in North America by MRI/RED.

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET — the Swedish band featuring THE CROWN vocalist Johan Lindstrand — has officially called it quits.

Says Lindstrand: "The time has come to say goodbye. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone since the last year hasn't exactly been favored to ONE MAN ARMY. I no longer feel that strong towards what the band meant in the beginning. The first 3-4 years were magic defined but sadly that magic couldn't last.

"Me and all the members, past and present, would like to thank you all a million times for your support. We had a blast most of the times. I will now continue my ride with THE CROWN. May ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET rest in peace. This legacy will forever be with me and hopefully with you too!"

Lindstrand rejoined THE CROWN in September 2011 following the departure of Jonas Stålhammar.

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET last year parted ways with guitarist Mattias Bolander and replaced him with Pierre Lysell.

"Skeletons Of Rose Hall", the latest video from ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET, can be viewed below.

"Skeletons Of Rose Hall" comes off ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET's fourth full-length album, "The Dark Epic", which was released in Europe on February 25, 2011. The CD was recorded at Black Lounge studios in Avesta, Sweden with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CARNAL FORGE). The cover artwork was created by Björn Goosses of Killustrations.

"Skeletons Of Rose Hall" video:

"Other Side", the new video from rockers THE LAST VEGAS, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth full-length album, "Bad Decisions", which was released in North America on August 28 via FrostByte Media and in Europe on November 16 through AFM Records. The CD was produced by Johnny K (MEGADETH, DISTURBED, 3 DOORS DOWN, AIRBOURNE) in the band's hometown of Chicago and contains the straight-up-rock-'n'-roll-meets-garage/punk-rock sound for which the band has come to be known. THE LAST VEGAS singer Chad Cherry referred to the new tracks as "a little more raw, a little more groovy and more LAST VEGAS than the previous album...", while guitarist Adam Arling declared with DIY fervor, that the album contains "no samples, loops, backing this, that, whatever a lot of bands do nowadays. Just five guys rocking."

Hailing from Chicago and formed in 2005, THE LAST VEGAS cut its teeth relentlessly playing in support of two independent releases. In 2009, the band burst on to the national scene when MÖTLEY CRÜE's Nikki Sixx saw them play live in Los Angeles and subsequently co-produced their third album, "Whatever Gets You Off". More touring followed, including a stint opening MÖTLEY CRÜE's "Saints Of Los Angeles" tour. The Onion referred to their sound as "Swaggering, stomping, balls-out guitar rock," while The Chicago Sun-Times declared them to be "red hot garage-rockers."

THE LAST VEGAS is: Chad Cherry (vocals), Adam Arling (guitars), Danny Smash (bass), Nate Arling (drums) and Johnny Wator (guitars).

"Bad Decisions" track listing:

01. Beat To Hell
02. Other Side
03. Bad Decisions
04. Evil Eyes
05. Don't Take It So Hard
06. She's My Confusion
07. It Ain't Easy
08. My Way Forever
09. Leonida
10. Devil In You
11. You Are The One
12. Good Night

SPV/Steamhammer has set an April 29, 2013 release date for the as-yet-untitled new album from German thrash metal veterans SODOM. The band is currently recording 12 songs with producer Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., ENEMY OF THE SUN).

SODOM's latest CD, "In War And Pieces", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 64.

SODOM in 2010 parted ways with drummer Bobby Schottkowski due to "personal and private problems between Tom and Bobby," according to a statement released by the band.

SODOM's current drummer, Markus Freiwald, previously played for the German bands DESPAIR and FLAMING ANGER and was involved with the VOODOOCULT project. In addition, he played percussion as a session musician on the MOONSPELL album "Irreligious" and is featured on the 1996 LP "Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers" by Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST.

Vocalist Jesse Leach of Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE announced during the band's performance last night (Sunday, December 16) at the Music Hall Of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York that their new 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.

"[The recording process] was great," Leach told Loudwire. "I came off tour I was filled with energy, ready to go, we knocked out a bunch of stuff. I had joined the band, the record was there, we're on tour so I really didn't have time to write. I took the past two months not only recording but writing so I'm there with an idea, being in the other room writing and going to Adam saying, 'Here's my idea I just wrote, what do you think?' So there's real spontaneity some of the songs that we just finished up. I had maybe five or six solid ideas when I came off tour and the rest had to be developed as we were recording it. It was exciting but at the same time tough because for me I'm digging deep down into my emotions and my psyche trying to come up with stuff that is honest and emotive and relevant, hopefully for the listener. It's tiring but well worth, anything that's worth achieving you got to suffer a little bit for it. I think mentally and spiritually and a little bit physically we were suffering but all of that made for an amazing record that I'm really proud of."

He added, "The music is definitely the fastest KILLSWITCH record ever. It's very heavy but still maintains the signature KILLSWITCH hooky, melodic stuff there, too. There's definitely melody attached, but I pulled out some new styles vocally, yelling and screaming and growling and layers and it sounds massive."

Asked what the vibe has been working on the new record with the other members, Leach said, "These guys have welcomed me back with open arms and just very encouraging and digging the stuff that I'm doing and these guys were just like, 'Wow! We're really excited. We feel like it's been a long time since we've been this excited about music,' and that just makes me feel amazing. It makes me feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE fans have already had the opportunity to hear one of the cuts that will appear on the upcoming CD: a rough mix of the song "No End In Sight" was recently leaked online, and as a result the band has started playing it live.

"That song is the weakest song on the whole record," Leach told Loudwire. "That's my opinion. I actually almost wouldn't mind if it wasn't even on the record because I think other stuff is much better, but probably since we played it and fans know it, we'll put it on, but in my opinion, that's definitely the weakest song. Now that the record is done, in retrospect, that would not be the song that we would be playing live."

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".

Phil Bozeman (WHITECHAPEL), Cameron "Big Chocolate" Argon, Austin Carlile (OF MICE & MEN) and Ricky Hoover (ex-SUFFOKATE) are the newly confirmed guest singers who will perform with the surviving members of SUICIDE SILENCE at a special show on December 21 at the Fox theater in Pomona, California as a tribute to their late frontman, Mitch Lucker, who died November 1, after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle crash in Huntington Beach on Halloween night. All proceeds from the event will go towards the education of Mitch's five-year-old daughter, Kenadee Lucker. The concert announcement was made on November 24 during the sixth annual California Metalfest at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California.

Official multi-camera video footage of the announcement can be seen below.

Speaking to the audience, SUICIDE SILENCE guitarist Mark Heylmun said, "We fucking lost our brother; I'm sure you all know that. We all miss him more than anything in the fucking world."

He continued, "I think something that is really important to us is that we consider SUICIDE SILENCE a family — as far as the band goes, as far as any crew member we've ever had, anybody that has ever worked for us, and the fans… Everyone is family; and that is the greatest thing that's ever happened to us and we are so grateful to be a part of this.

"This is the most difficult thing we've ever had to deal with. I really don't know where to start. We're just dealing with it day by day, and I hope everybody else is dealing with it. It's just unreal to have to be up here right now talking about this.

"We wanna say thank you all so much for donating to Kenadee's education fund.

"If there was anything that Mitch gave a fuck about in the world besides SUICIDE SILENCE, it would obviously be his daughter; he cared more about her than anything in the fucking world. We're here and we're gonna make sure that she's taken care of, and that's what we have to do. And we thank you guys for donating all the money you have.

"Everybody's been asking what we're gonna do as a band. We're putting together a show. It's gonna be at Fox Theater on December 21. Just kind of the best event, the best show that you could possibly imagine. Obviously, Mitch is not gonna be there. We're gonna have a different singer every single song. We're gonna put the best show that we possibly can together. It's already in the works. Tickets go on sale [on Tuesday, December 4]. Hopefully everybody can make it out. It's gonna be really fucking special. And all the money that is going towards the show is going to Kenadee's educational fund. So it's going to a good cause and Mitch would really appreciate it and we'd really appreciate it. So thank you, guys, very much."

Confirmed singers so far:

* Phil Bozeman (WHITECHAPEL)
* Cameron "Big Chocolate" Argon
* Austin Carlile (OF MICE & MEN)
* Ricky Hoover (ex-SUFFOKATE)
* Chad Gray (HELLYEAH, MUDVAYNE)
* Tim Lambesis (AS I LAY DYING)
* Eddie Hermida (ALL SHALL PERISH)

A funeral service for Mitch Lucker was held on November 8. The ceremony was attended by family and friends, including SUICIDE SILENCE bassist Dan Kenny, who tweeted afterwards, "Had to bury my brother today, he looked peaceful when I saw him. It was very hard but it was needed! To the fans just know Mitch loved yall"

SUICIDE SILENCE has launched a memorial fund to provide assistance to Lucker's family. Those who donate $20 or more will receive a commemorative t-shirt.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Lucker struck a light pole near the intersection of Main and 13th streets and was thrown from his 2013 Harley Davidson. The motorcycle continued sliding south on Main Street and struck a northbound 2007 Nissan Titan pickup.

Lucker, who was treated at the scene by paramedics, died shortly after 6 a.m. at UC Irvine Medical Center.

"Riot", the new single from Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, will be available at all digital providers on January 15. The track, which can be streamed below, is the first official single from the band's fourth studio album, "Temper Temper", set for release February 12, 2013. The LP will be available in both standard and deluxe editions on RCA Records.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE last month filmed a video for "Riot" in New York City with renowned director P.R. Brown, who has previously worked with such artists as MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Prince, AUDIOSLAVE, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M.

"Temper Temper" was once again produced by Don Gilmore (LINKIN PARK, GOOD CHARLOTTE), who worked on the group's last LP, 2010's "Fever", and was mixed by noted engineer Chris Lord-Alge (DEFTONES, NICKELBACK, AVENGED SEVENFOLD).

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE frontman Matt Tuck recently revealed that the band's recording process on this album was influenced in part by his work in his side project AXEWOUND. "We approached the record a lot differently this time around," he said. "It was kind of more inspired by the way I did the AXEWOUND record. And that was basically: Get in the studio and write and record as you went along."

"Temper Temper" track listing:

01. Breaking Point
02. Truth Hurts
03. Temper Temper
04. Pow
05. Dirty Little Secret
06. Leech
07. Dead To The World
08. Riot
09. Saints n Sinners
10. Tears Don't Fall (Part 2)
11. Livin Life (On The Edge of A Knife)

Deluxe-edition bonus tracks:

12. Not Invincible
13. Whole Lotta Rosie (from the "Live Lounge" show on BBC Radio 1)
14. Scream Aim Fire (from the "Live Lounge" show on BBC Radio)

The "Temper Temper" title track was released on November 25 across all digital providers.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will embark on a U.K. tour in March. Support on all dates will come from HALESTORM.

Finnish heavy metal monsters LORDI have inked a deal with AFM Records. The Hamburg, Germany-based label will release the band's new album, "To Beast Or Not To Beast", on March 8 worldwide (excluding Finland and USA).

According to a press release, "All fans can look forward to a masterpiece full of huge hard rock and metal anthems in typical LORDI style!"

"To Beast Or Not To Beast" was recorded earlier this fall at WireWorld Studio in Nashville, Tennessee with renowned producer Michael Wagener (METALLICA, OZZY OSBOURNE, SKID ROW, DOKKEN, RAVEN, MEGADETH). The CD will mark the recording debut of LORDI's new members, keyboardist Hella (who replaced Awa) and drummer Mana (as the replacement for Kita).

A photo of the new LORDI lineup can be seen below.

LORDI previously worked with Wagener on 2010's "Babez For Breakfast", which sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 43 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.