Charlotte, NC progressive metal act THE RETICENT has released a video for the track 'With Folded Arms', taken from Le Temps Detruit Tout, which was released in May of this year on Heaven And Hell Records.
The song and video both serve as a tribute to the life and work of noted contrarian and self-described antitheist Christopher Hitchens, whose career of critique, debate, and authorship spanned four decades. The Reticent mastermind Chris Hathcock had the following to say about Hitchens and the video made in his honor:

"I found in Christopher Hitchens much the same inspiration I have found in many of my favorite musicians and composers. Hearing him speak or reading his work always stirred me and captivated me. And it is not necessarily the case that he informed my worldview as much as he lead me to my deep love of debate and open discourse of ideas. With my last album, and particularly with the song specifically dedicated to him ('With Folded Arms'), I wanted to pay tribute and give my honorarium. While most tribute songs are about the person or their life or the impact that person had on their life, I didn't want to go down that road. I'm just a nobody, who cares how Hitch affected me? I wanted my song to be perhaps an interpretation of him via ideas. Arguments and critique. Which does not rob the song of emotion in my opinion. To the contrary, I feel it is infused with even more because I am discussing ideas that are bigger than me rather than my own experiences as I have done in the past. Though I know it falls short by a mile of Christopher Hitchens' genius, I still wanted to say goodbye in my own way."

The video for 'With Folded Arms' can be seen below:
Le Temps Detruit Tout is a follow-up to the band’s 2008 album, Amor Mortem Mei Erit.



Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Nihil’
‘In Pursuit Of Redemption’
‘Mutually Assured Destruction’
‘Enemy’
‘Lie To Me’
‘Silence’
‘Le Tenia’
‘Patience’
‘Nihil Ex Nihilo’

Bonus tracks:
‘With Folded Arms’
‘Losing My Religion’

More on The Reticent at this location.

After the entire back catalogue of British progressive metal legends THRESHOLD (apart from the band’s 2007 Nuclear Blast debut Dead Reckoning) has been re-released over the past four months under the banner of the Definitive Editions - including extensive bonus material. The Definitive Editions of both the debut record Wounded Land (1993) and the follow-up Psychedelicatessen (1994) will now be released in vinyl format on January 25th.

Each album will be mastered especially for vinyl and packaged as a double album with gatefold sleeve including posters. Wounded Land will come in a choice of black or yellow vinyl, Psychedelicatessen will be available on black or red vinyl. The respective tracklists look as follows:
The tracklists look as follows:

Wounded Land:
'Consume To Live'
'Days Of Dearth'
'Paradox'
'Sanity’s End'
'Surface To Air'
'Mother Earth'
'Siege Of Baghdad'
'Keep It With Mine'
Bonus tracks:
'Intervention'
'Conceal The Face'
'Shifting Sands'
Psychedelicatessen:
'Sunseeker
'A Tension Of Souls'
'Into The Light'
'Will To Give'
'Under The Sun'
'Babylon Rising'
'He Is I Am'
'Innocent'
'Devoted'
'Lost'
'Intervention'
Bonus CD:
'Fist Of Tongues'
'Half Way Home'
'A Tension Of Souls' (live)
'Sanity’s End' (live)
'Innocent' (live)
'Surface To Air' (live)
'Paradox' (live)

Geneva, Switzerland's THE BLACK WIDOW'S PROJECT - formed in 2010 by singer/guitarist Al Castro and drummer Math Sink - have released their debut full-length album, Heavy Heart, digitally through main platforms including iTunes, Deezer, and Spotify. A physical CD release will come in January.
Tracklisting:

'Ha Ha Ha Uh'
'Devil's Waiting For Us To Fail'
'Love's A Weapon'
'Cold Snakes'
'The 5th'
'Ain't Gonna Tell You Lies'
'We Have To Be Free'
'These Little Pricks'
'Interlude'
'Got The Devil'
'Dead Man Walking'
'Spirits'
'Night's Damp'
'Innerwar'

The full album can be streamed at this location.
More on The Black Widow's Project at this location.

Pittsburgh-based GENE THE WEREWOLF have released the video for 'Superhero', taken from their international debut album aptly entitled Rock N' Roll Animal, out now via Frontiers Records. The official EPK (electronic press kit) for the album can be found on YouTube below:
Guitar player Drew Donegan describes Gene The Werewolf’s sound as “classic rock with a modern vibe”, similar to what bands like KISS, DEF LEPPARD, AC/DC and MÖTLEY CRÜE would sound like if they released their music today... a far cry from the pop-punk bands the band members had been in previously. “We also like the term diamond-core, because diamond is the hardest rock known to man,” Donegan adds.
When referring to Rock N' Roll Animal, the band's newest album, Gene exclaims: "It's the perfect soundtrack to a beer-infused Saturday night!"

Plenty of bands aren’t shy about flaunting cocky bios and making no secret of their self-perceived talent, but few take it as far as Gene the Werewolf. “We used to say we were the best rock band, but by now I’d say we’re just the best band ever,” Donegan said. “We play absurdly loud, sweat our asses off, and then sleep on filthy apartment floors together because we love doing it."

Ultimately, the band's intentions are as pure as they've ever been. "We formed this band to play loud, rowdy, and crude Rock N' Roll," says Gene. "I think with this record we've accomplished everything we've ever wanted out of being in a band together."

Gene The Werewolf's first video clip from Rock N' Roll Animal was for the song 'I Only Wanna Rock N Roll' and can be viewed below:
Gene The Werewolf is:
Jon Belan a/k/a Gene the Werewolf – vocals, guitar
Drew Donegan – guitar
Aaron Mediate – keyboards
Nick Revak – drums
Tim Schulz – bass and vocals

To celebrate the success of Carolus Rex and the Swedish Empire Tour, SABATON are releasing a special limited edition of Carolus Rex on 180g gatefold LP, for the first time in Swedish. The LP comes on unique blue and yellow vinyl and includes a DIN A2 poster and lyric sheet.

Place your orders at this location.
Sabaton recently posted a series of clips from one of the cameras filming for their upcoming Blu-ray / DVD:

"Big sorry for the terrible sound and a huge thanks to the fantastic crowd! This was an amazing night that we never will forget!"

The show was filmed on November 16th in Gothenburg, Sweden at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden. The band hopes to release the DVD in 2013. Stay tuned for updates.

BLACKMORE’S NIGHT - The Beginning is a documentation about the early period of a musical legend. In the lavish velvet-box you will find the first two Blackmore‘s Night albums, Shadow Of The Moon and Under A Violet Moon, as well as rare video footage of their early tours, Live In Germany 1997-1998, and Under A Violet Moon - Castle Tour 2000. Available for the first time on DVD and only in the The Beginning box. Check out a new EPK for the release at this location.
The footage from various concerts from the Shadow Of The Moon and Under A Violet Moon tours is enriched by interviews with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night, as well as backstage footage, rehearsal footage and medieval fight shows.

"We live the music“, says Ritchie Blackmore, confirming the impression that this documentation gives every second - Blackmore‘s Night is authentic. The enthusiasm of the musicians captivates the audience and takes them along on a journey through the past. Some of the DVD tracks go from the living room rehearsals to the stage and are impressive proof that the compositions function wonderfully as intimate acoustic versions, as well as with the full band on the big stage.

Blackmore‘s Night - The Beginning is a very special release, not only for fans and collectors, for nostalgic or the medieval curious, but for any lover of beautiful timeless music. This extraordinary box provides the owner not only two DVDs with a delightful, interesting and entertaining performances plus two original studio albums of fantastic music, but rather with it is a ticket out of the dreary day to day life, a way to leave everything behind, to relax the soul for a few hours.

"Music that moves the soul and takes people into a majestic world." - Blackmore

Blackmore‘s Night - The Beginning will be available in North America on January 22nd, 2013.
Tracklisting:

DVD 1:
'Shadow Of The Moon'
'The Clock Ticks On'
'Play Minstrel Play'
'Minstrel Hall'
'St. Theresa'
'Under A Violet Moon'
'Magical World'
'No Second Chance'
'16th Century Greensleeves'
'Renaissance Faire'
'Writing On The Wall'
'Mond Tanz'
'Be Mine Tonight'
'Memmingen'
'Black Night'
'Man On The Silver Mountain'
'Still I'm Sad'
'Maybe Next Time'

DVD 2:
'Written In The Stars'
'Morning Star'
'Renaissance Faire'
'Fires At Midnight' (Midnight Acoustic Performance)
'Possum Goes To Prague'
'Under A Violet Moon'
'Spanish Nights'
'Past Time With Good Company'
'Wind In The Willows'
'March The Heroes Home'
'Gone With The Wind'
'Fires At Midnight' (Midnight Acoustic Performance)
'Now & Then'
'Durch Den Wald Zum Bachhaus'

CD 1:
'Shadow Of The Moon'
'The Clock Ticks On'
'Be Mine Tonight'
'Play Minstrel Play'
'Ocean Gypsy'
'Minstrel Hall'
'Magical World'
'Writing On The Wall'
'Renaissance Faire'
'Memmingen'
'No Second Chance'
'Mond Tanz'
'Spirit Of The Sea'
'Greensleeves'
'Wish You Were Here'
'Possum's Last Dance'

CD 2:
'Under A Violet Moon'
'Castles And Dreams'
'Past Time With Good Company'
'Morning Star'
'Avalon'
'Possum Goes To Prague'
'Wind In The Willows'
'Gone With The Wind'
'Beyond The Sunset'
'March The Heroes Home'
'Spanish Nights ( I Remember It Well)'
'Catherine Howard's Fate'
'Fool's Gold'
'Durch den Wald Zum Bach Haus'
'Now And Then'
'Self Portrait'

American groove metallers DEVILDRIVER have entered Audio Hammer Studios (Florida) to begin recording their upcoming new album, to be released in August 2013 via Napalm Records.

More updates will follow shortly, directly from frontman Dez Fafara. Stay tuned.

Devildriver are confirmed for next year's sold out Wacken Open Air Festival - which will take place August 1st - 3rd in Wacken, Germany.

Organizers have launched their annual X-Mas Calendar 2012 which will announce a band (or bands!) daily until December 24th.

Wacken Open Air Festival 2013 band confirmations: AGNOSTIC FRONT, ALESTORM, AMORPHIS, ANTHRAX, ARCH ENEMY, ASP, BENIGHTED, BLACK MESSIAH, CALLEJON, CANDLEMASS, CHROME MOLLY, COPPELIUS, CORVUS CORAX, DEEP PURPLE, DEVILDRIVER, DEW-SCENTED, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, DIE KASSIERER, DORO, ESKIMO CALLBOY, FAUN, FEJD, HAGGARD, HARDCORE SUPERSTORE, HATE SQUAD, HELLRIDE, SCOTT IAN, IHSAHN, LAMB OF GOD, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, LEPROUS, LINGUA MORTIS Featuring RAGE, MUSTASCH, NAGLFAR, NIGHTWISH, 9MM, PAMPATUT, PRETTY MAIDS, RABENSCHREY, RAMMSTEIN, HENRY ROLLINS, SABATON, SOILWORK, SONATA ARCTICA, SUBWAY TO SALLY, THUNDER, VERSENGOLD, BOB WAYNE, WHITECHAPEL.

For more details visit Wacken.com.

Check out the BraveWords.com report from Wacken 2012 at this location.

North Carolina melodic death/folk metal outfit ÆTHER REALM have announced that their debut full-length, One Chosen By The Gods, which was produced by Jamie King (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, WRETCHED), will be released January 8th, 2013. The nine track release is the follow up to their two song demo, Odin Will Provide, and follows the band’s highly successful summer east coast The Summer Swampromp tour cycle.

Check out the album artwork below:

One Chosen By The Gods tracklisting:

'Journey Of Discovery'
'Hourglass'
'Æther Realm'
'Swampwitch'
'One Chosen By The Gods'
'Ravensong'
'Winter’s Grasp'
'Odin Will Provide'
'Oak'

Æther Realm was formed in June of 2010 by Vincent Jones (Bass/Vocals/Orchestras), Heinrich Arnold (Guitar), and Tyler Gresham (Drums) with the goal of creating epic folk metal, a style not yet extensively seen in the United States. George Yiznitzsky (ex-guitar) and Robbie March (ex-keyboards) joined shortly afterward. The band spent the first year of its existence writing music, playing local shows, and building a devoted following in their home state of North Carolina. The band became a quartet following the departure of Yiznitsky and March in June 2011, and the entrance of guitarist Jack Rodriguez-Dougherty.

In July of 2011, the band entered The Basement Studios with Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Human Abstract, Wretched). They recorded their first two song demo, Odin Will Provide, which was released in September of the same year, drawing the attention of websites like Metalsucks, Nocleansinging, and Metal Underground.

The band re-entered Jamie’s studio in February 2012 to record their debut full length album, One Chosen By The Gods. The band scrapped most of their earlier material for this album, instead choosing to rewrite most of the album from scratch. A single from the album, entitled Swampwitch, was released in May of 2012. The album was finished with mixing and orchestral arranging in August of 2012, and the band held off releasing it in hopes of first finding a record contract. Signing with Primitive Ways Records, One Chosen By The Gods is scheduled to be released on January 8th, 2013.

Æther Realm’s live shows are known for being fun and energetic. Frontman Vincent Jones is known for his casual banter and his aggressive control of the crowd (as well as his signature bearskin cape), and the band maintains an active, intense stage presence.

More on Æther Realm at this location.

Japan's MYPROOF have released a video for the song 'Lightning Storm' taken from their new album Metal For Silent Fury, which was released in Japan via Spritual Beast. Check it out below:
The album tracklist is as follows:

'Silent Fury'
'Earthbound'
'Soldiers in Dead City'
'The Guidance'
'Lost Destination'
'Fly me to the End'
'Limited Reality'
'Pop Off'
'Sepia Wind'
'Tokyo City Lights'
'Lightning Storm'

For information and updates on the band go to their official Facebook page here.

"Nero's Fire", the new video from legendary Italian heavy metal pioneers ASTAROTH, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's first-ever full-length album, "The End Of Silence", which will be released on December 21 via She Wolf Records. Produced by the band's bassist Saverio "Shining" Principini and engineered by Michael Tacci (METALLICA, WHITESNAKE) in Los Angeles, California, the CD marks the band's first new output since their 1985 cult classic "The Long Loud Silence" mini-LP, and reunites original members Principini, guitarist Max Cipicchia and drummer Jan D'Amore, with American-born newcomer Ace Alexander handling vocal duties in place of original frontman Bob Cattani.

"This is the album we were supposed to make after 'The Long Loud Silence' but didn't get the chance to for a myriad of reasons", states Principini. "All of the songs we've recorded for 'The End of Silence' were originally written in the mid-'80s as we prepared for our second record. Luckily, we found a bunch of old murky live tapes which helped reignite our collective memories. Even though it's now a quarter century later and everything's changed so much, we feel that these recordings very much embody the original ASTAROTH spirit. This has been a total labor of love for all of us and we can't wait to share this with our old fans as well as hopefully make a few new ones along the way."

"The End of Silence" track listing:

01. My Sleeping Beauty
02. Dilemma
03. Nero's Fire
04. Apocalypse in the Living Room
05. The Siren Song
06. Dreams Die First
07. Stand or Fall Together
08. In Spite of Destiny
09. Mystic As Tarot
10. Chainless Slaves

Check out audio samples at AstarothRome.com.

Formed in Rome in the early 1980s, ASTAROTH quickly found themselves as leaders of the fledgling Italian metal scene as the group's NWOBHM-influenced brand of heavy metal and Roman centurion look and elaborate ancient Roman themed stage show caught the attention of underground metalheads in their home town and beyond. Appearing on bills with the likes of METALLICA, ANTHRAX, MOTÖRHEAD and MANOWAR as the band began to venture North of the Alps, ASTAROTH became one of the first Italian metal bands to score an international record deal, signing with legendary Dutch label Rave On Records, whose roster also included MERCYFUL FATE and SORTILÈGE, among others. Following an abbreviated European tour with CELTIC FROST in support of "The Long Loud Silence", and the demise of Rave On, the band pulled up stakes and made the move to Los Angeles, California in 1987. Recording a pair of demos and gigging frequently around Southern California, including shows at The Troubadour, The Roxy and the Waters Club, the quartet's decidedly European sound was in stark contrast to the Hollywood glam metal and sleaze rock scene of the day and found no label takers. The band split up a couple of years into their American adventure with various members moving on to other projects, most prominently Principini's long-standing involvement with Italian rock superstar Vasco Rossi.

Marilyn Manson claims to have undergone a medical procedure to reattach his ear following an altercation in Switzerland.

The rocker revealed via Twitter that he was involved in a fight during his current "Twins Of Evil" European tour and needed 24 stitches to treat the resulting ear injury.

Manson posted a picture of his ear (see below) covered in medical tape and wrote in the accompanying message, "I was hit by a glass table in a dangerous fight. I was however, the victor but had to have 24 stitches to keep my ear from becoming Van Goth."

The "Twins Of Evil" tour, which also features Rob Zombie, made a stop in Basel on Tuesday.

Mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST has posted a new song called "Secular Haze" on YouTube and at the SecularHaze.com web site. The track was unveiled via six lit candles that appear on the site, with fans able to isolate individual instruments by placing their cursor over each candle.

GHOST is putting the finishing touches its next studio album, due out in 2013 on Loma Vista Recordings, the new record label founded by Tom Whalley in partnership with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group. GHOST cult leader Papa Emeritus (rumored to be REPUGNANT/SUBVISION's Tobias Forge and his Nameless Ghouls have summoned Nashville-based Grammy Award-winning Nick Raskulinecz (DEATH ANGEL, DEFTONES, FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH) to produce this offering.

GHOST will play a special a concert tonight (Saturday, December 15) in their hometown of Linköping at Cupolen.

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."

Regarding GHOST's future plans, he said, "These 18 months since we released the album has been a lot of touring. We play a lot of concerts and our goal has always been to put on a show that was way more theatrical than we have had the opportunity to, sort of, perform or display in this type of touring. Even though this is a tour where we're actually allowed to flex our muscles a little bit, you can't expect to have a production. We have our windows, we have a few things, but I'd say that our short-term goal, for now, when we have a new album out, will be to start bringing forth a way more theatrical show that will be a lot more intriguing with a few magic tricks."

Swedish "Viking metal" act MÅNEGARM is currently recording its new album for an April/May 2013 release via Napalm Records.

Commented the band: "[So far] all is done and recorded except vocals on six tracks. Due to some unforeseen voice problems, the mixing of the album is postponed one month until the last weekend in January. We already got on test mix of a track and it sounds killer! So you can expect some heavy shit."

Violin player Janne Liljekvist has left MÅNEGARM in June "due to lack of motivation."

MÅNEGARM's most recent CD, "Nattväsen", was released in November 2009 via Regain Records.

A short audio snippet of a new ALICE IN CHAINS song called "Hollow" can be streamed on Amazon.com.

ALICE IN CHAINS will premiere "Hollow" in its entirety on December 18 — but wants fans to take part in the lead-up to the track's debut. The group is encouraging fans to follow them on Instagram, where they're posting lyrical phrases from the song. Fans are being asked to share photos they've taken or created that are inspired by the lyrics. Once December 18 rolls around, fans will be able to hear the song on the ALICE IN CHAINS web site and view the photos that the word inspired.

Fans can submit their photos through either Instagram or Twitter.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell recently confirmed to Guitar World that the band had finished recording its fifth studio album and second without original vocalist Layne Staley.

The new disc will follow up 2009's "Black Gives Way To Blue", which ended a 14-year gap between studio efforts for the group and featured singer/guitarist William DuVall. DuVall told The Pulse Of Radio while the band was touring behind that album that he was seeing a new generation of ALICE fans at the shows. "There's a lot of young people showing up, so that this thing has become a generational band now," he said. "So you've got people, 15, 16, 17 years old, that are coming of their own volition. I mean, they're not being brought there by their parents or anything. They're coming on their own. They're bringing their friends. So that's one thing that's a real sign that perhaps you're onto something."
ALICE IN CHAINS began working on new material in 2011, but the sessions for the album were delayed when Cantrell had to undergo shoulder surgery.

Although no official release date has been confirmed yet for the new album, it is likely that the disc will make its debut in early 2013.

According to Ultimate Classic Rock, a vintage 1980 Christmas card was signed by all five members of IRON MAIDEN — vocalist Paul Di’Anno, bassist Steve Harris, guitarists Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, and drummer Clive Burr — was sold last month for $837.50 on eBay. The four-inch-by-six-inch artwork depicts the bands' mascot, Eddie, with a blood-stained guitar and portrays Santa Claus slain at his feet. The inside of the card, which was issued as a holiday promo prior to singer Bruce Dickinson's coming into the picture, reads: "A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Oh-Yo-Yo-Yo-Yo."

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

Burr joined IRON MAIDEN at the very end of December 1979 and played on the first three albums — "Iron Maiden", "Killers" and "Number Of The Beast" — and toured extensively with the band over this groundbreaking period before leaving in early 1983. For the past decade, he has been battling multiple sclerosis — a disease of unknown cause. The disorder is causing him intermittent numbness and can affect his balance.

Florida death metallers CANNIBAL CORPSE have issued the following update:

"Next year marks our 25th year as a band and we are going to celebrate it all year long! Keep an eye out for special releases, new merch designs and announcements! For now, you can check out our 25th-anniversary logo [see below] which will appear as a sleeve print on all our merch printed in 2013. You can pre order shirts with this print now along with our 2013 calendar that features the uncensored Vince Locke art from our 12 releases and marks all of our release dates, birthdays, our favorite horror film release dates and more! Everything can be found here. We never would have made it 25 years without all you die hard fans, get your horns up and blast your CORPSE records all year!"

CANNIBAL CORPSE's twelfth studio album, "Torture", sold 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Evisceration Plague", also opened with 9,600 units to land at No. 66. That was more than 50 percent higher than the opening tally of CANNIBAL CORPSE's 2006 CD, "Kill", which entered the chart at No. 170 after shifting more than 6,000 copies.

"Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.

"Where Did The Angels Go?", the new video from Californian rockers PAPA ROACH, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "The Connection", which sold 22,000 copies in its first week of release to debut at No. 17 on the Billboard album chart.

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

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

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

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

Germany's A LIFE DIVIDED will release the follow-up to their Passenger album, entitled The Great Escape, on January 18th via AFM Records. The album’s first edition will come as digipak (including a bonus track).
“Escape can be motivated by emotions, anger, liberation, resignation or by hope – and usually it is somewhere in between”, says Jürgen Plangger, vocalist and songwriter in A Life Divided.

On December 14th, a single, 'The Last Dance' will precede the album release.
Updates to follow. More on A Life Divided at this location.

German folk metallers NACHTGESCHREI will release their new album, Aus Schwaerzester Nacht, the band's first record with new singer Martin LeMar, on March 22nd, 2013 via Massacre. The album release will be followed by a club tour all across Germany.
"It was about time!", the band members say. "We've been working on new songs for a long time, rehearsed all the stuff and actually sweat a lot. Now, one year after our last tour, we're back - with a new album."

Dates for the German club tour include:

April
12 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
13 - Berlin, Germany - Crystal
18 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
19 - Osnabrueck, Germany - Bastard Club
20 - Ottweiler, Germany - Club Schulz
25 - Frankfurt, Germany - Nachtleben
26 - Muenchen, Germany - Spectaculum Mundi
Tickets at this location.

More on Nachtgeschrei here.

Perugia, Italy-based brutal death metallers BLOODTRUTH have released their new video, for the track 'Summoning The Heretics'. Check it out below:
Bloodtruth band lineup:

Vocals - Luigi Valenti
Guitar - Stefano Rossi Ciucci
Bass - Riccardo Rogari
Drums - Giacomo Torti
More on Bloodtruth at this location.

DIGNITY, the Danish/Austrian metal band featuring singer Sören "Nico" Adamsen (ex-ARTILLERY), has finished recording its second studio album, "Balance Of Power", for an early 2013 release via Napalm Records. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Anthony Devine and can be seen below.

A teaser for "Balance Of Power" can be seen below.

The band's debut album, "Project Destiny", was released in 2008.

DIGNITY is:

Søren "Nico" Adamsen - Vocals
Phil Porter - Guitars
John Boy Bastard - Bass
Frank Pitters - Keyboards
Roland Navratil - Drums

BODY COUNT, the metal band fronted by legendary rapper Ice-T, has set "Manslaughter" as the title of its new album, due next year via Sumerian Records. The group will enter the studio in January to begin work on the CD.

In September 2009, BODY COUNT made an appearance at the Vans Warped Tour 15th-anniversary party at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. The group played a 20-minute set, covered SLAYER, talked a ton of trash and closed with their controversial classic "Cop Killer". Also on the bill were NOFX, KATY PERRY, PENNYWISE, BAD RELIGION and RISE AGAINST.

BODY COUNT's last album, "Murder 4 Hire", came out in 2006 via Escapi Music. Lyrically, the songs ranged from political ("The End Game"), personal ("You Don't Know Me [Pain]"), and religious ("The Passion Of The Christ"), to obsession ("In My Head"), armegeddon ("Dirty Bomb"), hate ("Lies") and relationships. A eulogy for fallen band member D-Roc was also included ("D Rocs [RIP]") as was a hilarious take on deep south rednecks ("Down In The Bayou"). The CD closed with "Mr. C's Theme", a show-stopping hard-rock instrumental.

Italian death metallers NO MORE FEAR have released their new video, for the Mad(e) In Italy album track, 'Taranthell'. Watch the clip below:
Mad(e) In Italy was released on December 3rd via Murdered Music/Coroner Records. The album was produced/recorded at Acme Rec. Studio by Davide Rosati. It was mixed/masterized at Fascination Street Studio by Jens Bogren.
Tracklisting:

'150 Years'
'Taranthell'
'Ass E Mazz'
'Cemento Armato'
'Intrigue, Scam And Magnificent Horror'
'Don Gaetano'
'Southern Spirit'
'A Choice'
'Immota Manet'
More on No More Fear at this location.

IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson, who is a licensed commercial pilot, last year set up a state-of the-art Boeing 737 flight simulator at London's Heathrow Airport and is holding training sessions for members of the Iron Maiden Fan Club.

Video footage of an IRON MAIDEN fan by the name of Sulamita Garcia "flying" with Bruce can be seen below. She wrote afterwards, "[Even though we were in] a 737 simulator, it's as realistic as it gets. Plus, meeting my hero turn[ed] out to be even better in person. Best day ever!"

This full-motion flight simulator was purchased by Bruce and ex-Astraeus colleague Mario Fulgioni as part of their aviation business, training and checking pilots and crews from many airlines. In fact, Bruce did his own pilot training in a 737 simulator just like this one.

For those of you with good memories you might also recall that a 737 was the very first plane to bear the Bruce Air moniker when Flight 666 took its maiden voyage to Paris back in November 2003.

You will taxi the aeroplane around a major international airport, line up on the runway and perform the take-off. If you're good enough, you'll do the landing too!

In between take-off and landing, you will be shown the real performance capabilities of a modern airliner and experience the most advanced cockpit visuals.

You can book a slot and have an hour of Bruce's one-to-one tuition all to yourself, or you can split it between 2 or 3 of you and divide up the hour of flying time between you and your friends. Or if you just want to bring a couple of people to sit in the observers seats (directly behind the pilots seats), you can do that, too.

All participants will be given a personally signed commemorative Bruce Air Flight 666 certificate as a souvenir of their experience.

The Bruce Air Flight 666 Experience costs £666 + VAT (at 20%) for one hour of simulator time with Bruce.

For more information, visit www.bruceair.co.uk.

In a press release that was issued in November 2011, Bruce commented, "I can't wait to sit in the simulator with fans and share the buzz of what it is really like to fly a modern passenger jet such as Flight 666 and all the challenges that entails."

Bruce Dickinson has a huge passion for flying — so much so that he is a commercial airline captain and a talented originator — devising an ingenious method of converting a Boeing 757 to allow him, the band, their crew and tons of equipment to tour three times around the world in their customised plane "Ed Force One", call sign "Flight 666".

Not content with just entertaining fans on the ground, Bruce then instigated a series of highly acclaimed "Bruce Air Flight 666" excursions, filling the plane with fans and personally flying them to and from various IRON MAIDEN concerts around Europe.

The new digital single from long-running Gothenburg, Sweden-based metallers DESTINY, which was originally scheduled for release this month, has been delayed until January. The single will contain material from the band's anniversary album, "The Incompatibility Of Philosophical Terminology", which is due in the spring. It will mark the recording debut of new DESTINY singer Jonas Heidgert (DRAGONLAND) and will also be the first release featuring Michael Åberg (NOSTRADAMEUS) on guitar, even though he has been with the band since 2005. Guesting on drums is Adde Larsson (M.A.N., BLACK CANDY STORE) who recorded the drums about a year ago well before current drummer Roger Christiansson joined DESTINY a couple of weeks ago. The bass will, as always, be handled by DESTINY mainman Stefan Björnshög.

Everything but the vocals has already recorded for DESTINY's next official full-length CD, "Global Warming".

Way back in 1982, bassist Stefan Björnshög founded one of Sweden's first true heavy metal bands, DESTINY. Unlike most other Swedish acts that were active around the same period, DESTINY never broke up. In 2005, DESTINY was joined by guitarist Michael Åberg, who previously played with NOSTRADAMEUS.

Following a tour opening for former BLACK SABBATH vocalist Tony Martin in 2006, DESTINY kept an unusually low profile, partly because the band was unable to find a suitable vocalist and also because of illness and various personal tragedies.

Swiss hard rock veterans KROKUS will release their new album, "Dirty Dynamite", on February 22, 2013 via Sony Music. The band has recorded another cover song inspired by their time at Abbey Road Studios in London, England. KROKUS covers the early THE BEATLES classic "Help" with Tommy Heart (FAIR WARNING, SOUL DOCTOR) contributing guest vocals on this track together with KROKUS frontman Marc Storace.

According to a posting on KROKUS' Facebook page, fans should not expect the band's version of "Help" to sound like THE BEATLES original.

By booking Abbey Road Studios, KROKUS went back to their roots, back to where it all began with THE ROLLING STONES, FREE, THE WHO and THE BLUESBREAKERS — back to where the band headlined concerts in the Hammersmith Odeon, celebrating their first international success.

"The atmosphere there is very special and we wanted to make the most of that," says Storace. Guitarist Fernando Von Arb is quick to add: "With 'Dirty Dynamite', we have recorded the urgently needed dirty kind of rock that no one plays in this country."

"Dirty Dynamite" track listing:

01. Hallelujah Rock'n'Roll
02. Go Baby Go
03. Rattlesnake Rumble
04. Dirty Dynamite
05. Let The Good Times Roll
06. Help
07. Better Than Sex
08. Dög Song
09. Yellow Mary
10. Bailout Blues
11. Live Ma Life
12. Hardrocking Man

Sony Music is offering a free download of the title track at this location (e-mail sign-up required). It was the last song that was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, England at 5 o'clock in the morning. Bassist Chris Von Rohr added some honky tonk piano licks on the original "Lady Madonna" piano at the studio.

"Dirty Dynamite" marks the return of b>KROKUS guitarist Mandy Meyer after 30 years.

Founder Chris Von Rohr and Fernando Von Arb are thrilled to have him back in the fold. Fernando says: "Now the KROKUS family is complete again."

Meyer replaced original KROKUS guitarist Tommy Kiefer for the remainder of 1980's "Metal Rendez-Vous" tour and 1981's "Hardware" tour and witnessed the growing popularity of KROKUS worldwide, including the band's first U.S. tour. Those two albums sold millions of copies around the world.

Mandy left KROKUS and moved at the tender age of 22 years old to Los Angeles to pursue his musical dreams. And it worked out pretty good, as time would tell.

In the mid-Nineties, Mandy moved back to Switzerland and joined GOTTHARD, another successful Swiss band. In 2004 he left that band and concentrated on his solo career. Between 2005 and 2007, he toured with KROKUS in support of the "Hellraiser" album, which he recorded and contributed to.

In 2009, Meyer joined forces with vocalist Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN) with Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany's PINK CREAM 69 in UNISONIC.

Towards the end of 2011, Chris Von Rohr approached Mandy and asked him whether he would be game to play a couple of shows in Japan. Mandy recalls: "I agreed in a New York minute". The concerts proved to be totally successful. "And we got along great, it was as if time stood still," he adds.

Chris Von Rohr, along with vocalist Marc Storace, recently laid down bass and vocal tracks at London, England's Abbey Road Studios for the band's 17th album, "Dirty Dynamite". Sound engineer for the recording sessions is again Dennis Ward, who also recorded the band's last album, "Hoodoo".

Von Rohr promises: "The new songs sound like dirty dynamite: pure, dirty, in-your-face hard rock with a touch of blues."

Adds Storace: "We've been taking the time it needs writing for our next rock album and we guarantee that it definitely will contain no fillers!"

KROKUS 2012 is:

Marc Storace - Vocals
Chris Von Rohr - bass
Fernando Von Arb - Lead Guitar
Mark Kohler - Rhythm Guitar
Mandy Meyer - Guitar

JON OLIVA'S PAIN and SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva will release first-ever solo album in early 2013 via AFM Records. Drum recordings for the CD began earlier this month at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida.

Commented JON OLIVA'S PAIN drummer/producer Christopher Kinder: "Drum tracks are now completed for the 11-song solo CD for Jon Oliva. Once again, we entered the hallowed halls of the great Morrisound Studios under the guide of the infamous Tom Morris, who, along with brother Jim Morris, have been a critical part on Oliva's music for almost 30 years. It was an exhausting two days as Jon and I recorded drums on 11 new songs. Eight for me and three for Jon (...he's a good drummer too).

"Special thanks to Crush Drums for the amazing Sublime Maple/Ash Touring kit, supplying me with one of the best drum kits I have ever played on. Everyone was just blown away by the quality and the tone.

"So now we move on with the rest of the recording process. This is a very diverse record and definitely not a typical JON OLIVA'S PAIN record. It's got so much flavor."

Oliva previously stated about his decision to record a solo album: "I've got some weird ideas that I wanna try and I've got some time to do it. I don't want do just 'another' JON OLIVA'S PAIN record. I've done four of those already. I wanna do something different. I have some material that I've wanted to put out for a while, that I'll talk with the record company about, maybe putting something out quickly, like in the next four or five months, to give me more time to do this JON OLIVA'S PAIN record. I want the next JON OLIVA'S PAIN CD to be very special. I've got some great friends from other bands that are going to be a significant part of the next JON OLIVA'S PAIN release. We are going to do a killer JON OLIVA'S PAIN record and then an additional bonus CD with guest stars... kind of like the AVANTASIA thing, but not in a story line. [EDGUY and AVANTASIA mastermind] Tobias Sammet does a magnificent job with it, but I don't have that much time to write a whole story, so I'll just have some powerhouse friends from various bands come in and take it over the top."

This past summer, JON OLIVA'S PAIN toured Europe where it celebrated the 25th anniversary of one of heavy metal's most iconic records, "Hall Of The Mountain King" by SAVATAGE. The band performed the entire album as a special one-time-only treat for the still massive amount of loyal fans, along with songs from the DOCTOR BUTCHER album (by Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery, released in 1995), SAVATAGE and JON OLIVA'S PAIN.