"Wake Me Up", the new video from Swedish hard rockers ECLIPSE, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Bleed & Scream", which was released on August 28 via Frontiers Records.

"Bleed & Scream" comes four years after ECLIPSE's acclaimed album "Are You Ready To Rock", which gained the band a solid reputation and a steady following, thanks also to their live appearances which culminated with dates as the opening act for DEEP PURPLE and a Firefest show in 2009.

ECLIPSE singer Erik Martensson has been busy producing and writing a number of successful songs and records for such artists as W.E.T., Toby Hitchcock, GIANT and Jimi Jamison. Erik and ECLIPSE guitarist Magnus Henriksson also wrote the track "Brothers In Arms" (originally an ECLIPSE cut), which was voted the No. 1 song of the year in MelodicRock.com awards for 2009.

In 2011 ECLIPSE regrouped to write what has now become "Bleed & Scream". The bar was set high and the initial goal was to top "Are You Ready To Rock". "We knew we had to do everything better on this album. If we couldn't have achieved that we never would have released it! But boy did it turn out well! When it was taking shape we realized this was to be a monster of an album," says Henriksson.

"With ECLIPSE we never think of what other people want or expect from us," adds Martensson. "We write for ourselves and make the music we love to listen to. If I'd think of a perfect album this is how it will sound! And once the album was written the recording process went pretty smooth as we knew exactly what goal we aimed for. I'd say it's our own pimped version of the classic hard rock we grew up listening to."

"Every song has qualities as a single," concludes Magnus. "Erik's vocals are way better than ever. The guitar sound is just awesome! The whole production is just in your face. It has something for everyone in it! We worked so hard at making this record that it drove us nearly nuts and made us wanna scream, but now it's your turn to bleed and scream."

"Bleed & Scream" track listing:

01. Wake Me Up
02. Bleed & Scream
03. Ain't Dead Yet
04. Battlegrounds
05. A Bitter Taste
06. Falling Down
07. S.O.S.
08. Take Back The Fear
09. The Unspoken Heroes
10. About To Break
11. After The End Of The World

ECLIPSE is:

Erik Martenssom - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Magnus Henriksson - Lead Guitar
Robban Bäck - Drums
Johan Berlin - Synthesizers

Rock legends KISS were the first signing to the late Neil Bogart's then-newly formed Casablanca label after he saw and recognized their talent and showmanship at their spectacular performance at a showcase concert at New York City's Le Tang's Ballet Studio in 1973, offering them a contract on the spot. Now, KISS celebrates their 40th anniversary in 2013 having broken box office records set by THE BEATLES and ELVIS PRESLEY, more than 28 U.S. gold albums, the most gold records for any American rock band, 40 million sales in the U.S. and a total exceeding 100 million worldwide.

In their early years, KISS released a total of 29 singles on seven-inch 45 RPM records for the Casablanca label. These were available for sale to the public, used for commercial radio airplay and to promote album sales. Many of these singles had entirely different mixes, edits and material that didn't appear on their vinyl albums. Now for the first time, these musical snapshots of KISS' formative years, which have never been available in a commemorative singles edition, entitled "The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982", on Mercury/Casablanca/UMe, is available in two box set configurations:

* 29 Seven-Inch Vinyl
* 29 CDs (available through all retail)

In typical KISS fashion, these are no ordinary boxes. The sets are housed in a beautiful die cut shadow box with a limited edition etched silver metal plate and ribbon pull magnetic closure custom KISS 45s box with 26 collectible picture sleeves from original single releases around the world, including Japan, Germany, Holland, Spain and Britain. The vinyl collection also features singles from all four solo albums in purple, blue, red and green vinyl with a mask picture sleeve representing each individual member as originally released in the U.K. Both sets include a booklet which tracks the genesis and chart history of each single represented in the package.

"The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982" covers KISS' remarkable eight-year stay on Bogart's label, from their very first, "Nothin' to Lose" b/w "Love Theme from KISS", from their self-titled debut to their very first charted 45, "Kissin' Time". The band's subsequent string of hits included "Dressed to Kill"'s live version of "Rock and Roll All Nite" (#12 on Billboard's Hot 100), "Destroyer"'s "Shout It Out Loud" (#31) and the Top 10 ballad "Beth", "Rock And Roll Over"'s "Hard Luck Woman" (#15) and "Calling Dr. Love" (#16), "Love Gun"'s "Christeen Sixteen" (#25), Ace Frehley's solo hit, "New York Groove" (#13) and "Dynasty"'s "I Was Made for Lovin' You" (#11).

"Even I haven't heard some of this stuff, but this is all part of our master plan to celebrate KISS at this milestone in our careers," says Gene Simmons. "This box set represents us at the very beginning of our career, and documents the band's early success and subsequent growth."

Adds Paul Stanley: "This collection is meant for the true KISS aficionado. The packaging really captures the development of both our music and image at a very crucial period in the band's history."

The special set comes out a month after the release of "Monster", their 20th studio album. Showing the band at the top of its game, "Monster" embodies all that is KISS and the music that first inspired them to pick up their guitars and flame-throwers and don makeup to entertain millions. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, with longtime members guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, return stronger than ever with their new album to continue the legacy of the spectacular larger-than-life extravaganza, known as, KISS.

A two-minute promotional video for "The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982" can be seen below.

For more information, go this location.

DEATH WOLF (formerly DEVILS WHOREHOUSE), the "horror-death rock" side-project of MARDUK guitarist Morgan Håkansson, will release its new album, "II: Black Armoured Death", in February 2013. The cover artwork for the CD perfectly catches the spirit of DEATH WOLF's music: pale, horrid and stripped down black punk rock.

"II: Black Armoured Death" was recorded at Endarker Studio in Östergötland, Sweden and it includes 13 tracks with a huge variety in sound. Besides the DANZIG-influenced material in the vein of the songs of DEATH WOLF's self-titled debut album, you also get some thrash-induced wrecking balls like the in-your-face cover song with its super-catchy chorus, "Sudden Bloodletter" and "World Serpent". "II: Black Armoured Death" offers a wide musical spectrum in its entirety and will surely be worth a listen for every fan of dark sinister punk rock with a certain metal edge.

"II: Black Armoured Death" track listing:

01. Noche De Brujas
02. World Serpent
03. Lord Of Putrefaction
04. Darkness Of Hel
05. Sudden Bloodletter
06. Malice Striker
07. Night Stalker
08. Luciferian Blood Covenant
09. Black Armoured Death
10. Death Wolf March
11. Little Black Angel
12. Snake Mountain
13. Rothenburg

DEATH WOLF will release a limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single, "Bloodscent", on December 17. The set includes two brand-new tracks that server as a teaser for the second DEATH WOLF full-length album, to be made available in early 2013.

"Bloodscent" will be limited to only 500 hand-numbered copies worldwide and it will contain the following track listing:

Side A:

* Snake Mountain

Side B:

* Sudden Bloodletter

The band's self-titled new album was released in May 2011 via Regain Records/Blooddawn.

DEVILS WHOREHOUSE changed its name to DEATH WOLF (symbolizing the strength, dedication and will shown in its creations) because "the music and philosophy behind the orchestra has outgrown its name," according to a press release.

DEATH WOLF made its live debut in June 2011 at the Wave Gotik Treffen festival in Leipzig, Germany.

DEATH WOLF is:

Morgan - Bass
Makko - Guitar
Maelstrom - Vocals
Hrafn - Drums

For more information, visit www.deathwolf.net.

Greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS have announced the addition of guitarist Chris Tsitsis to the group's ranks. Chris replaces Panos Spanos, which left the band in October.

Commented SUICIDAL ANGELS: "Today is a big day for SUICIDAL ANGELS. It's the day we welcome a new family member, our new guitar hero, Chris!

"The last couple of months we've been through a lot of rough times, but this young wolf has restored balance in the SUICIDAL ANGELS camp.

"Our first shows with Chris will be in South America on January and we're confident that our friends there will welcome him in ways that only the Moshing Crew knows! Europe is next, with a tour yet to be announced.

"For our Greek friends, there's a big-ass poster of the new lineup on this month's Metal Hammer Greece! Check it out and let us know!

"In conclusion, everyone welcome Chris onboard and see you all on the road soon enough!!!"

SUICIDAL ANGELS new lineup:

Nick Melissourgos (vocals, guitar)
Chris Tsitsis (guitar)
Orfeas Tzortzopoulos (drums)
Angel Kritsotakis (bass)

On January 11, NoiseArt Records will reissue SUICIDAL ANGELS' 2007 debut album, "Eternal Domination". The limited digipack will include a bonus CD with the EPs "Bloodthirsty Humanity" and "Armies Of Hell".

The band looks back at the album: "Old times, lack of experience and knowledge, hunger. It was a period that we didn’t know much, we just wanted to play fast, play well and record aggressive riffs! We were very proud by the time the album was done, Colin Davis did a great work mixing it no matter how troublesome the process was. It’s only been five years since the release of 'Eternal Domination' but it feels so far away right now."

The band adds: "A lot of people have been asking for our debut album, saying they can't find it anywhere and it's true. Some of them have even been victims of fraud by buying a supposedly original copy, and getting some cheap bootleg or imitation of the actual thing. So we decided it was about time to put it out there again, so people can know the band's roots and get a more complete image of our evolution so far."

SUICIDAL ANGELS' latest album, "Bloodbath", was released on January 27 via NoiseArt Records. The CD features cover artwork by Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH and DEATH, and who was responsible for the cover to last year's "Dead Again".

Dallas, Texas-based hard rock outfit BRAND NEW MACHINE has inked a deal with Epochal Artist Records for the release of its debut album, tentatively due in March 2013.

The band will hit the road in December as direct support to GUNS N' ROSES on a string of tour dates across Indonesia.

"It is a dream come true for us, especially getting a chance to play with an iconic band like GUNS N' ROSES," says BRAND NEW MACHINE vocalist Brantly Thompson. "BRAND NEW MACHINE and GUNS N' ROSES is a match made in heaven for us. We can't wait to experience these countries and give them a shot of our culture right in the arm. BRAND NEW MACHINE is ready to bring a sleazy rock show to Asia. This is going to be one giant party and we can't wait."

BRAND NEW MACHINE is riding high off the success of the band's current single, "Girls Like You", which began to heat up local radio request lines around Dallas earlier this year. The group's brand of hard rock takes the members' hard-living lifestyle and mixes it with arena-ready rock anthems to create a soundtrack for debauchery.

BRAND NEW MACHINE's explosive live show had label's eager to sign the band and has earned them countless opening slots for national acts.

On December 10, METALLICA will release a live DVD called "Quebec Magnetic" through the band's newly launched Blackened Recordings label. The double DVD and single disc Blu-ray will be available for a price a "very METALLICA fan-friendly" price — suggested retail will be $15.98 for either format. Filmed by Wayne Isham during a two-night stand in October of 2009 in Quebec City, it will be METALLICA's first self-released project. "We just played two really phenomenal shows. They were outrageously great and the audience was great and we had a bunch of people filming it," METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett told Billboard.com. "We felt like we're really doing a disservice just sitting on this great live footage, so we decided to put it out."

"Quebec Magnetic" track listing:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. The Four Horsemen
04. The Shortest Straw
05. One
06. Broken, Beat & Scarred
07. My Apocalypse
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. The Judas Kiss
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Battery
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
16. Killing Time
17. Whiplash
18. Seek & Destroy

Bonus songs:

19. For Whom The Bell Tolls
20. Holier Than Thou
21. Cyanide
22. Turn The Page
23. All Nightmare Long
24. Damage, Inc.
25. Breadfan
26. Phantom Lord

The "Master Of Puppets" performance clip from "Quebec Magnetic" can be seen below.

Wayne Isham, 54, is an American movie director who has directed music videos of many popular artists such as MÖTLEY CRÜE, SIMPLE PLAN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, PANTERA, 'N SYNC, SHANIA TWAIN, GODSMACK, BRITNEY SPEARS, LEONA LEWIS, PINK FLOYD, SHERYL CROW, JOSS STONE, MADONNA, AVRIL LAVIGNE, DEF LEPPARD and BON JOVI, among others.

Previous METALLICA videos that were directed by Wayne Isham:

* "Enter Sandman"
* "Wherever I May Roam"
* "Sad But True"
* "Fuel"
* "No Leaf Clover"
* "Nothing Else Matters" (from "S&M")
* "I Disappear"
* "Frantic"
* "Broken, Beat And Scarred"

METALLICA announced on Friday (November 30) that it has taken ownership of all the band's master recordings and long-form videos under a provision of the band's 1994 joint venture agreement with the Warner Music Group. According to that provision — almost unheard of for acts signed to major label contracts — all the masters reverted back to the band as of Friday. Frontman James Hetfield said in a statement, "We would like to thank everyone at the Warner Music Group for 28 years of a fantastic relationship, particularly since 1994 where we truly felt we had partners in every aspect of our business in North America."

The band has also revealed that it is launching its own label, called Blackened Recordings, that will be the new home for all of their recordings and videos, as well as anything else that the band may come up with. All marketing and promotion will be handled by Blackened, with distribution through Rhino Entertainment in North America and the Universal Music Group internationally. Drummer Lars Ulrich said, "Forming Blackened Recordings is the ultimate in independence, giving us 100 percent control and putting us in the driver's seat of our own creative destiny."

Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that METALLICA was long past the point where the band needed a corporate record label to support it. "The great thing about being in a band like us is that we're in a position to bypass the record company," he said. "Basically record companies act like banks. And when you don't need the bank element of a record company, then you can kind of do it yourself."

METALLICA is also working on a 3D feature film for release next summer, as well as a new studio album that should surface in early 2014.

Since the release of the band's debut album, "Devil's Messenger", earlier this year, Riverside, California's THE DEVASTATED has stayed busy on the road playing dates with FEAR FACTORY, SHADOWS FALL, THE BROWNING and more. Now, the group has teamed up with StuffYouWillHate.com to premiere a previously unreelased song, "Grate Minds", recorded during the "Devil's Messenger" sessions. Check it out using the SoundCloud player below.

In other news, THE DEVASTATED has announced the addition of bassist David Sittig (IMPENDING DOOM) to the group's ranks. The band states, "David has been a close friend of ours for many years and we are proud to have him aboard."

Sittig will make his live debut with THE DEVASTATED during the band's holiday mini-tour December 27-30 with POLARIZATION and WRATH OF VESUVIUS.

"Devil's Messenger" featured a guest appearance by SUICIDE SILENCE frontman Mitch Lucker in the song "Spit Vitriol".

"Objetofilia Platónica", the new video from Portuguese masters of gore HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's third full-length album, "Gorefilia", which was released in April via Xtreem Music (in Portugal, the CD was made available through Raging Planet Records and Raising Legends Productions). The 18-song effort was recorded at 213 Studios in Portugal and was mixed and mastered at Hertz Studio (BEHEMOTH, VADER, KRONOS, DECAPITATED, ABORTED) in Bialystok, Poland.

According to a press release, "Gorefilia" showcases HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL's more brutal and intense, songwriting, with songs varying from one to three minutes without fillers, [with] influences from bands like ABORTED, CANNIBAL CORPSE, early DERANGED, NAPALM DEATH, SUFFOCATION, CARCASS."

HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL previously described "Gorefilia" as a "concept album [which] involves sexual arousal and gratification towards sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. As always, you can expect self-torture, bizarre love and loads of sperm tainted with blood. Musically, some big changes are expected; however, the band is still committed to death metal and grind."

Video footage of shock rocker Marilyn Manson singing a karaoke version of Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" last night (Tuesday, December 4) at one of Sweden's greatest rock bars, Pub Anchor in Stockholm, can be seen below.

Manson and Rob Zombie are scheduled to perform tonight (Wednesday, December 5) at Hovet in Stockholm as part of the European leg of their "Twins Of Evil" tour.

Manson's new album, "Born Villain", sold 38,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on May 1 via Cooking Vinyl and Manson's own label, Hell, Etc.

U.K. hard rockers HEAVEN'S BASEMENT will release their debut album, "Filthy Empire", in North America on February 5, 2013 via Red Bull Records. The follow-up to the independently released "Unbreakable" EP was produced by John Feldmann (THE USED, PAPA ROACH, BLACK VEIL BRIDES). The video for the CD's first single, "Fire, Fire", was directed by Michael Maxxis (OURS, SUM 41, OUR LADY PEACE), and can be viewed below.

"Filthy Empire" track listing:

01. Welcome Home
02. Fire, Fire
03. Nothing Left To Lose
04. When The Lights Go Out In London
05. I Am Electric
06. The Long Goodbye
07. Heartbreaking Son of a Bitch
08. Be Somebody
09. Can't Let Go
10. The Price We Pay
11. Jump Back
12. Executioner's Day

The "Nothing Left To Lose" video can be seen below. The track is brimming with energy and neck snap dynamics of great rock 'n' roll accompanied with an irrepressible chorus.

HEAVEN'S BASEMENT has been making a name for itself overseas via their relentless touring and fiery live show plus music that features huge guitar riffs, killer melodies and an arena-rock sound. The band recently supported HALESTORM and SEETHER on separate European tours.

Originally formed in the East Midlands in England in 2007 (although the band's current lineup came together more recently in 2009), HEAVEN'S BASEMENT has already toured with the likes of BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, SHINEDOWN, and more and played this year's Download festival in the U.K. to a packed tent of more than 5,000 fans. Kerrang! magazine declared, "HEAVEN'S BASEMENT play as if their lives depend on it. They should already be a big name — bristling riffs and jagged, riotous hooks are their poison and exceptional is not too strong a word."

HEAVEN'S BASEMENT is Aaron Buchanan (vocals), Sid Glover (guitar), Rob Ellershaw (bass), and Chris Rivers (drums).

Wendy Dio, the widow and longtime manager of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, HEAVEN & HELL), has revealed more information about the upcoming Dio tribute album, which is due next year. The collection, which will be released via Niji Entertainment Group, the label that was created by Ronnie and Wendy, will tentatively include contributions from METALLICA, JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister, DEEP PURPLE's Ian Gillan, Alice Cooper, Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH), Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW) and Dave Grohl (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS). The CD will reportedly see Grohl covering BLACK SABBATH's "The Mob Rules", Halford contributing a version of RAINBOW's "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" and Hughes offering up his rendition of RAINBOW's "Catch The Rainbow".

Speaking to Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" at this past Saturday's (December 1) Icons & Idols-Rock 'N' Roll Auction at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California, Wendy said, "We have a lot of [artists] who are working on [their contributions to the tribute album]. METALLICA has already finished theirs for us and ANTHRAX and Glenn Hughes [have completed theirs as well]. Rob Halford's working on it. I think Alice Cooper's working on it. MOTÖRHEAD, [in] January we'll get theirs. So we'll have a whole classic CD ready next year, and so I'm hoping to then ask the younger bands to do a tribute to Ronnie as well, so we can do two CDs: a classic one and the younger bands."

Asked if she had any younger bands in mind for the tribute album, Wendy said, "I haven't approached anyone, but who I would pick would definitely be KORN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD… Anyone that's been influenced by Ronnie or Ronnie's music, and I think it would be a great tribute and it would be great fun to do, too."

According to Wendy, she left it up to each artist to choose which song to cover and didn't get involved in the creative process. "They could pick anything from ELF, DIO, RAINBOW, SABBATH… whichever songs they wanted to do," she said. "With Ronnie and I, we worked together as a team; he always was the creative one and I was at the business side. I never interfered with his music and he never interfered with my business, and I think if you give the person the creativity, that's what they are — they create. Let them create which song they'd like to create."

Wendy also spoke to some of the tracks that have already been completed for the Dio tribute album, calling Glenn's version of "Catch The Rainbow" "amazing," saying that "it absolutely brought so many tears to my eyes." She also described ANTHRAX's rendition of "Neon Knights" as "fantastic," but remained mum on METALLICA's contribution, saying, "I'm not gonna tell you what that is. It's gonna be surprise. It's a medley, and it's gonna be a surprise."

Greece's RockOverdose.gr recently conducted an interview with former STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

RockOverdose.gr: What are you up to these days, building a new studio we saw?

Timo Tolkki: My life is very simple. It's home, music and photography, which has become a passion for me. I have been building a new studio for mixing and mastering purposes and this has taken quite some time but it should be ready in December. It is a commercial studio, so it is possible to book me for mixes and masterings.

RockOverdose.gr: New drummer along with a new album in February 2013 for STRATOVARIUS. What are your thoughts about this?

Timo Tolkki: I know him. He actually played the initial demos of SYMFONIA, so I know him well. I don't think about STRATO that much anymore. I left the band five years ago. I wish them well. Hard-working guys. I love them and I do miss them. I wish we could one day do one more album and tour with the "Visions" lineup. In five years or something. That would be really cool.

RockOverdose.gr: Are you making any new music yourself?

Timo Tolkki: Sure. I am always making music. I have been in touch with a great great female singer from your country actually called Marilena Animado. She is a fantastic singer. I hope something comes out of that because she is a world-class singer.

RockOverdose.gr: Hope too! What happened to the new "Credo" album? Will we ever get to listen to those songs?

Timo Tolkki: Well, the pledge thing turned out to be much more work than I anticipated but that was not the reason why I canceled it. Initially I was dealing with a very low number of people, maybe 400. That also was not the reason why I cancelled it but it made me think that maybe the system still has flaws in it. "Credo", or whatever it will be called, is something I hope I can release some day or maybe even after I have died. It is very special music and I almost feel that I should not charge any money from it. I feel it is music that should just be given to those who want to hear it.

RockOverdose.gr: So, before we finish with this lovely interview, is Timo Tolkki retired or we should expect more things to come in the future?

Timo Tolkki: I am very far from being retired and you will hear from me next year. That much I can tell.

Read the entire interview from RockOverdose.gr.

earMUSIC has set a February 22, 2013 release date for "Nemesis", the new studio album by Finnish/Swedish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS. The CD will be made available as a standard 11-track edition as well as 13-track special edition. A taste of the new studio album can be enjoyed with the limited-edition EP "Unbreakable", released on January 25, 2013.

STRATOVARIUS are hailed as one of the most influential and successful symphonic metal bands in the world and they have managed to establish themselves as one of the metal scene's heavy names. The new album, "Nemesis", unites all the best traits of the band's melodic, powerful, fresh and technically elaborated metal, all spiced up with an incredible sense for melody.

The album was produced and mixed by Matias Kupiainen and mastered by Mika Jussila from Finnvox studios, who has a long history with the band.

"Nemesis" has a dark and more modern sound compared to the band's last album, "Elysium". It clearly shows how much the band has matured and grown as songwriters. At the same time, the band focused all their attention and work into creating and recording "Nemesis". Singer Timo Kotipelto spent three weeks recording the vocals in a cottage in the Finnish countryside.

States STRATOVARIUS guitarist Matias Kupiainen: "I have more or less lived in the studio for four months, obsessing over every detail. I feel very relieved that we are done and I am very happy with the material and the sound."

Kotipelto agrees: "Making the album this time was easier because we gave it as much time as it needed. We have worked our asses off to make this and we hope the fans will like it."

"Nemesis" has it all. From the typical melodic and powerful STRATOVARIUS sound in "Abandon", to the aggressive and energetic "Stand My Ground", the album represents the new style of the band mixed with good old melodic power metal.

STRATOVARIUS' musical approach is today wider and richer than ever. The song "Fantasy" sounds almost ABBA-esque with its catchy pop flavor, but it's powered by the famous STRATOVARIUS metal sound, louder than ever.

"Out Of The Fog" integrates some folk music elements, with lyrics telling the story of a young person forced to march blindly into battle.

The only ballad on the album, "If The Story Is Over", is a very emotional song with a grand arrangement that builds up to using the full band and ends with a small female choir.

The title track "Nemesis" is a typical STRATOVARIUS song, with echoes of medieval melodies with powerful double bass drumming and the catchy pop melodies from this side of the millennium.

Says Kotipelto: "The title track of the album; with its modern twist on the myth of Nemesis, it tells a story of a preacher who gives each one what they deserve, good or bad. The song has a very nice riff, cool melodies and a great good old STRATOVARIUS-style chorus."

All songs revolve around the leading track "Unbreakable", a very melodic cut with a soft piano intro in contrast to the heavy riffing that the album would display later on.

"Nemesis" track listing:

01. Abandon
02. Unbreakable
03. Stand My Ground
04. Halcyon Days
05. Fantasy
06. Out Of The Fog
07. Castles In The Air
08. Dragons
09. One Must Fall
10. If The Story Is Over
11. Nemesis

An audio sample of the song "Unbreakable" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Commented guitarist Matias Kupiainen: "'Unbreakable' is a very important song to me and the lyrics have a lot of personal meaning. Sometimes you can snap out of your day to day fog and see what is important. And when you are in that special moment, when you have that special feeling, you are invincible, unbreakable; you should really stop and enjoy the feeling. Even, if the whole world falls apart tomorrow."

"Unbreakable" track listing:

01. Unbreakable (taken from the brand new studio album "Nemesis")
02. Falling Star (taken from "Polaris")
03. The Game Never Ends (taken from "Elysium")
04. Freedom (taken from "Infinite")
05. Why Are We Here (taken from "Intermission")

Songs 2-5 remastered by Mika Jussila in 2012

The band will perform the new songs live for the very first time headlining the Radio Rock Cruise in Finland from February 9 to February 10, followed by their first club show in Helsinki on March 3, 2013. On March 20, 2013 STRATOVARIUS will kick off for their Nordic Nexus Of Nemesis Tour 2013 with fellow Scandinavians AMARANTHE, before they return to Finland mid-April to play five more shows.

STRATOVARIUS in June announced the addition of drummer Rolf Pilve to the group's ranks.

German black metallers SONIC REIGN will release their long-awaited second full-length album, "Monument In Black", on February 1, 2013 via Apostasy Records. The CD was recorded in 2011 and mastered by Markus Stock (SECRETS OF THE MOON, ALCEST, DORNENREICH) at Studio E. Also noteworthy is the contribution by Azathoth (ex-DARK FORTRESS, EUDAIMONY). He wrote a large number of the lyrics and will join the band for the follow-up to "Monument In Black".

"Monument In Black" track listing:

01. Abhorrence Vs. Scum
02. Clouds Above The Desert
03. The Whisperer In The Dark
04. Monument In Black
05. A Doctrine Unreachable
06. Daily Nightmare Injected
07. Soul Flagellation

SONIC REIGN's debut album, "Raw Dark Pure", was released in 2006 and reissued in 2007 via Metal Blade Records.

SONIC REIGN is:

Benjamin Borucki - Vocals / Guitar
Sebastian Schneider - Drums

Boston power thrashers SONIC PULSE, who feature in their ranks past and present members of RAZORMAZE, SKULL HAMMER, VINDICATOR, RAVAGE, SEAX and JADED, have inked a deal with Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. The band's debut album, "Lager Than Life", will be released on December 18 on 12-inch black vinyl.

SONIC PULSE's fusion of thrash and epic power metal was described in a recent review as "a cross between the beer-fuelled thrash metal of TANKARD and the finger-burning speedy power metal of DRAGONFORCE."

"Lager Than Life" track listing:

01. Sonic Pulse
02. Queen Of Beers
03. Bong Zombies
04. Eye Of The Beerholder
05. Demoniac Spell
06. Beyond The Back Hole
07. Adventure Time

SONIC PULSE is:

Dan Hammer - Vocals
David R. Carlino - Guitar
Mick Mayer - Guitar
Lauren Cain Kowal - Bass
Joe Bollettiero – Drums

For more information, go to this location.

During MEGADETH's December 1 concert in Salt Lake City, the band's outspoken frontman Dave Mustaine repeated what PolitiFact.com has found to be "a largely inaccurate" GOP claim that the national debt has increased more under President Barack Obama than under all the previous 43 presidents combined.

Speaking to the crowd before launching into the song "Sweating Bullets" from MEGADETH's classic "Countdown To Extinction" album, Mustaine said (see video below), "Anybody that knows me knows that I have a way of getting myself in trouble in that the First Amendment doesn't apply to Dave Mustaine. Seems like the fuckers in the world can say whatever they want, but I say something, I get in trouble. See, if I say something like, the president right now, who I won't mention by name because I promised myself I would never say his name again, but that this guy has borrowed more money than since George Washington to George W."

He continued, "What, are we stupid? Now, based on the thickness of a hundred-dollar bill, if you stacked one of those on top of another one, it would be 11,077 miles in the fucking atmosphere, the debt that this fucking country has right now because of this government. 11,077 miles' worth of hundred-dollar bills up into the sky. And guess who has to pay that: you and me."

He then added, "It's time for our fucking revolution."

Mustaine in March made headlines when he told Canadian television and radio personality George Stroumboulopoulos that he is certain that President Obama "was born somewhere else than America."

"I have a lot of questions about [Obama], but certainly not where he was born," Mustaine said. "I know he was born somewhere else than America."

When Stroumboulopoulos pointed out that this school of thought made the musician part of the so-called "birther" movement, Mustaine countered, "I'm not calling a question to it, I just, you know, it's a point. How come he was invisible until he became whatever he was in Illinois?"

Stroumboulopoulos tried to further challenge Mustaine on his claims, causing the MEGADETH frontman to attempt to change the subject.

"I don't want to talk about my president," Mustaine said, before going on to admit that he was going to "have to do some more homework on where Obama came from."

Jonathan Barkan of Bloody-Disgusting.com recently conducted an interview with guitarist Niclas Engelin of Swedish metallers IN FLAMES. You can now watch the chat below.

IN FLAMES' tenth album, "Sounds Of A Playground Fading" (Century Media), sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart.

IN FLAMES' previous CD, "A Sense of Purpose" (Koch) opened with 20,000 units to land at No. 28. This was slightly less than the opening tally of "Come Clarity" (Ferret), which shifted just under 24,000 copies in February 2006 to enter the chart at position No. 58.

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin joined AEROSMITH on stage during their headlining show Monday night (Decemebr 3) in Los Angeles.

Stradlin jammed with the legendary rockers on "Mama Kin", the first song of the band’s encore at the Staples Center.

Fan-filmed video footage of Stradlin's appearance can be seen below.

Stradlin and GUNS singer Axl Rose were the only original members of the group to skip its induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last April.

Although he has kept a low public profile since leaving GUNS 20 years ago, Stradlin has released no less than 11 solo studio albums, and issued a new single last month called "Baby-Rann".

THE RESISTANCE, the Swedish extreme metal band featuring former members of IN FLAMES, THE HAUNTED and GRAVE, will release its debut EP, "Rise From Treason", in North America on January 29 via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group. The EP will be released on CD, limited-edition seven-inch vinyl and as a digital download. A full-length album will follow in April.

"Rise From Treason" track listing:

01. My Fire
02. Face To Face
03. Rise From Treason
04. Slugger

Check out the cover artwork below.

The song "Slugger" is available for free download at this location.

According to a press release, "THE RESISTANCE is not a supergroup or a side project. It is a band, it's a gang, embracing the musical attitude and sounds of Swedish old-school death metal and the old 'no-compromise' values of hardcore. Shredding guitar riffs, blasting beats and screaming out a lot of anger, THE RESISTANCE will take no prisoners and make no compromises with their old school death-metal."

THE RESISTANCE recently parted ways with bassist Alex Losbäck Holstad (ex-DESPITE, DECAMERON, CARDINAL SIN) and recruited Claudio Oyarzo, the guitarist in the progressive metal band MINORA, as its new session bassist..

The band's song "Eye For An Eye" is available for free download at PledgeMusic.com (e-mail sign-up required).

"Eye For An Eye" was originally made available on the sampler CD that was distributed to the subscribers of Sweden's Close-Up Magazine in the August 2011 issue.

THE RESISTANCE made its live debut on October 8, 2011 at Club Distortion in Stockholm, Sweden.

THE RESISTANCE's lineup is as follows:

* Marco Aro (FACE DOWN, ex-THE HAUNTED) - Vocals
* Jesper Strömblad (ex-IN FLAMES, DIMENSION ZERO) - Guitar
* Glenn Ljungström (ex-IN FLAMES, DIMENSION ZERO) - Guitar
* Chris Barkensjö (CARNAL FORGE, GODSIC, ex-GRAVE) - Drums

Strömblad quit IN FLAMES in February 2010 in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

Jesper signed an exclusive songwriter agreement with BMG Germany earlier this year.

Strömblad is also a talented film composer. Together with Daniel Flores, he wrote the score for the film "Isdraken" ("The Ice Dragon"), which was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.

Virginia-based melodic tech-death metal masters ARSIS has made a new EP, "Lepers Caress", available for free download via Scion Audio/Visual (a.k.a. Scion A/V), the in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division of the Scion marque produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market.

"The EP was put together quickly after we finished [the forthcoming ARSIS full-length album] 'Unwelcome'," said ARSIS bassist Noah Martin, "It gave us the opportunity to offer a brief statement of where our heads are at the moment. We revisited some of the oldest material in the ARSIS catalog as well as re-tracked a song off the upcoming full-length. Expect more three and four-part writing, thrash and blasts, and a string quartet arranged for a full band."

"Lepers Caress" track listing:

01. Haunted, Fragile, And Frozen
02. Six Coffins Wide
03. Veil Of Mourning Black
04. A Tearful Haunt, Condemned
05. Carve My Cross
06. Denied

Scion A/V will also sponsor a brief North American tour that will see ARSIS hit 15 cities this December, starting with a December 6 show at New York City's Gramercy Theater.

ARSIS recently recruited Brandon Ellis as the band's new guitarist. Brandon has toured with the group in the past but will finally make his recording debut on ARSIS' upcoming full-length release. He replaces guitarist Nick Cordle, who was recently tapped to replace Christopher Amott in the Swedish/German extreme metal act ARCH ENEMY.

ARSIS's 2010 album, "Starve For The Devil" (Nuclear Blast Records), sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, landing at No. 13 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart.

"Perdition Receiver", a brand new song from Finnish metallers DEAD SHAPE FIGURE, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's as-yet-untitled third album, which will be released next year. The CD was recorded at D-Studio in Nurmijärvi, Finland with producer Alexandre Locher (also known as Xytras or Xy) of Swiss industrial black metallers SAMAEL.

"Eventhough our album release got delayed a little bit we decided to upload a new song to honor our upcoming European tour with ICED EARTH, EVERGREY and STEEL ENGRAVED," DEAD SHAPE FIGURE said in a statement. "'Perdition Receiver' was musically inspired by the document 'Cocaine Cowboys' and it was composed by our very own Mr. Silver Ots."

DEAD SHAPE FIGURE's mini-CD, "Dev!lle Ride", was released via Dynamic Arts Records.

Guitarist Kride Lahti left DEAD SHAPE FIGURE last year "due to personal reasons and lack of motivation." He has since been replaced by Silver Ots (THE NIBIRUAN, ex-AMORAL).

DEAD SHAPE FIGURE's second full-length album, "The Disease Of St. Vitus", was released in October 2010 via Dynamic Arts Records. The CD was mastered at Virtalähde Analog Audio Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS opened the ski season this past Saturday (December 1) at Ischgl in the Austrian Tirol by taking part in the legendary "Top Of The Mountain Concert" following in the footsteps of the likes of global super stars such as Elton John, Katy Perry and Rihanna.

Video footage of the pre-show press conference and interview, as well as the actual performance, can be seen below.

The festival opening week in Ischgl kicked off on November 23 and throughout the week there were various open-air concerts and entertainment, as well as the top class skiing, on offer.

During the festival opening week, a total of four concerts featuring international acts took place and admission was free for all those with a valid ski pass.

As well as the live music on offer, snow sports enthusiasts could enjoy freshly groomed slopes over 238 kilometres at altitudes with guaranteed snow all the way into the Swiss Samnaun region.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser recorded a song with the Brazilian country music duo FERNANDO & SOROCABA for the upcoming reality show "Fábrica de Estrelas". The program, which is set to begin airing in March via Multishow, will showcase the work of Brazilian producer Rick Bonadio. The track was laid down on November 28 at São Paulo's Midas studio, which is owned by Bonadio.

Kisser's solo debut, "Hubris I & II", was nominated in the "Best Brazilian Rock Album" category at the 2010 Latin Grammys.

"Hubris I & II" was released in June 2009 via Holland's Mascot Records. A two-disc set, the self-produced effort was recorded in part at A Voz do Brasil studio in São Paulo.

Japanese death/thrash masters YOUTHQUAKE have inked a deal with Wormholedeath. The band, which has been existence for 22 years and has released 10 studio albums so far, will have its latest CD, "Beyond The Void Of Black", made available in Europe on December 30.

Legendary X JAPAN guitarist Hide saw great potential in YOUTHQUAKE and the band signed with Extacy Records, the label owned by X JAPAN drummer Yoshiki, in 1994.

Commented Masa Kishimoto: "I have worked with [YOUTHQUAKE for] [more than] 10 years as label and management. I feel very honor they signed worldwide deal with Wormholedeath and are starting new collaboration with Wormholedeath. The band and me are looking forward to touring in Europe one day."

Added Wormholedeath's A&R and label manager Worm: "When we started our Japanese division, we were stoken about the great amount of feedback created by our label in Japan and now we reached our first goal: signing such an important band, that has such a big name and career in that country is something amazing. We were so proud to know that the band wanted to work with us. We will start promoting YOUTHQUAKE with their current album, 'Beyond The Void Of Black', in Europe to open doors to their upcoming release."

Prosthetic Records has announced the signing of experimental metallers NERO DI MARTE.

Founded in Bologna, Italy in 2007, NERO DI MARTE will unveil its long-awaited self-titled release, a unique and experimental approach to structure, sound and atmosphere, in the spring of 2013. You can check out a teaser video of the new album below.

Commented NERO DI MARTE vocalist/guitarist Sean Worrell: "We are absolutely thrilled and honored to be working with Prosthetic Records, a label which has had and still has some of the most amazing bands out there. We are very thankful to them and can't wait for you all to hear our album, the release of which is long overdue. We will hopefully see you on the road during 2013!"

Duncan Dinsdale, European label manager of Prosthetic Records, added: "It's a rarity to discover such an exciting and forward-thinking new band that equally balances texture, heaviness, intelligence and perfect musicianship as NERO DI MARTE does with ease. We're very excited for you to hear the upcoming new album shortly."

Nero di Marte is the Italian name of a pigment, an iron oxide that produces a deep, dark, intense black that, when in contact with other colors, can permanently coat or noticeably transform them. Formerly known as MURDER THERAPY, the band signed to Dutch label Deity Down Records to release their debut, "Symmetry Of Delirium", in 2009, which showcased a very personal style of modern death metal. They have played numerous shows and festivals around Italy and Europe, including performances with major acts such as CYNIC, DECAPITATED, THE OCEAN, INTRONAUT, ULCERATE, SVART CROWN, RED FANG, JUCIFER, THE SECRET and more. The group also performed at the prestigious Neurotic Deathfest in Tilburg, Holland with CARCASS, IMMOLATION, SIX FEET UNDER, NAPALM DEATH, BOLT THROWER and ORIGIN, among many others.

NERO DI MARTE's broadened approach to songwriting was already audible in the 2010 self-released EP "Molochian", which marked a stylistical step forward towards more progressive and atmospheric compositions. The following year, the group entered the studio to work on their new album. It was recorded in roughly nine days at Regrexion Studios with Michele Trasforini and then mixed and mastered at Studio 73 in Ravenna with producer Riccardo "Paso" Pasini (EPHEL DUATH, THE SECRET, EXTREMA, AT THE SOUNDAWN).

During the summer of 2012, the band decided to change its name to NERO DI MARTE, the name their new album was originally given; they now have a few shows in Italy to finish up the year, including dates with Norway's VIRUS. and are planning to tour extensively in 2013 to promote the record.

Rum Bum Records has announced the signing of SALIVA. The band — Bobby Amaru (vocals), Dave Novotny (bass), Paul Crosby (drums) and Wayne Swinny (guitar) — will enter the studio in January 2013 to begin recording its new album for a late spring release.

"The addition of SALIVA further expands our reputation of cultivating artists that have a unique sound and style," said Luis Bacardi, owner of Rum Bum Records. "We are thrilled to continue to grow our artist portfolio with quality musicians and look forward to playing a significant role in the band's continued success."

Since forming in Memphis in 1996, SALIVA has produced a number of chart-topping hits and earned a Grammy nomination for "Best Hard Rock Performance" for their record "Your Disease". A number of tracks from records have also been featured in major films, including "The Fast And The Furious" and "Talladega Nights" as well as successful games like Tiger Woods PGA.

"We want to sell 10 million records," said SALIVA's frontman Bobby Amaru. "We are all looking forward to getting in the studio and recording an album that will do just that. In the end, what's most important is coming out with songs that we're excited to play, that our fans are excited to hear and that the combination of the two results in a great tour. That's what it's all about."

SALIVA's last studio album was 2011's "Under Your Skin", which featured the Top 5 rock single "Never Should've Let You Go".

Vocalist Josey Scott left SALIVA last year to pursue a solo Christian recording career.

Rum Bum Records is an independent record label based in South Florida. Led by a team of industry veterans dedicated to finding original talent of all genres, the label offers worldwide distribution, and provides artists with the resources necessary to develop and expand their careers.

Candlelight Records has announced the signing of DEMON LUNG. The Las Vegas-based quartet, featuring guitarist Phil Burns, basisst Patrick Warren, drummer Jeremy Brenton and vocalist Shanda Fredrick, is set to begin recording its full-length debut in the coming weeks at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California with producer Billy Anderson (SLEEP, HIGH ON FIRE, EYEHATEGOD) for a spring 2013 release.

The band commented: "We are very honored to join the Candlelight roster. To be included among such talented artists is very humbling, and we thank the great people at Candlelight for giving us the opportunity."

Metal Hammer called DEMON LUNG's four-song demo, "Pareidolia", "earthy yet horror-themed doom metal a la CANDLEMASS with an ACRIMONY groove." The magazine called Fredrick a "wild-eyed, satanic songstress." Popular music and film site Ave Noctum noted, "DEMON LUNG has a deft touch and solid sound. Their music is clearly from the soul. Fair to say they are a welcomed addition to the ranks of the doomed." Teeth Of The Divine added, "Fredrick has the requisite sultry pipes that keep a steady, hazy tone. She has a deep, bluesy voice that fits the languid music perfectly."

DEMON LUNG has performed alongside PENTAGRAM, HIGH ON FIRE, JUCIFER, WITCH MOUNTAIN and CASTLE and will resume performing once recording has been completed.

A video for the song "Lament Code" is available below. It was directed by Dustin Mills, the mastermind behind "The Puppet Monster Massacre".

Germany’s dirty rock 'n' rollers PRESIDENT EVIL are back with a new album, Back From Hell's Holiday.
After two album releases (Trash ’N’ Roll Asshole Show and Hell In A Box) and a couple of tours together with VOLBEAT, GWAR and MINISTRY, among others, the band took a break due to personal reasons. Now they are back with a new singer (Neal McCocker) and a fantastic new album featuring Dan Nelson (BLACKGATES, ex-ANTHRAX) and Chris Birx (MOTORJESUS) on guest vocals.

Some of the song titles are: 'Dirty Cage', 'Never Ending Sin Of Life' and 'Priest Of Rock ’N’ Roll'. Back From Hell's Holiday will be released worldwide on January 25th via Firefield Records.

Check out a teaser below:
More on President Evil here.

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT bassist Richie Castellano has released a new CD with his original metal band, MORNINGSTARLETT, featuring his longtime collaborators Ann Marie Nacchio and Andy Ascolese, plus the talents of Walter Bianco and Russ Jones.
MorningStarlett tracklisting:

'Overture'
'I Need To Know For Sure'
'No One Needs To Know'
'Tokyo Nights'
'Believe In The Sword'
'Runaways'
'Children Of The Sun'
'Der HöLle Rache Kocht In Meinem Herzen'
'Hero Lies'
'Mother Of Dragons'
'Oblivion'
Check out audio samples at this location.
More on MorningStarlett at this location.

Swedish doom metal outfit KONGH have premiered a new song online. The first 7 minutes of the title track of band's newest album, Sole Creation, is streaming below:
Kongh recently revealed the cover artwork and tracklisting for Sole Creation. The album will be coming to shops on February 5th in Europe and February 19th in North Amercia.

Sole Creation - the third album from the doom metal trio - will consist of four new tracks and 45 minutes of music, with a guest appearance of John Doe from CRAFT. The album was recorded at Teknikkompaniet (Vetlanda, Sweden) by Peter Lundin; mixed and mastered by Magnus Lindberg of CULT OF LUNA fame.

KONGH frontman David Johansson commented: "After a very long time of hard work, this album is finally ready for release. We couldn't be more happy with the way it turned out and I really think it is the best Kongh material so far. For our old fans, I am pretty sure it will be well worth the wait and I also think it holds great potential to satisfy a bunch of new listeners. In my opinion, the album is more dynamic and has much more emphasis on melodies than our previous works. At the same time it maintains the harshness and it's undoubtedly the heaviest slab of metal we've done as well."
Sole Creation tracklisting:

'Sole Creation'
'Tamed Brute'
'The Portals'
'Skymning'
Kongh is:

David Johansson - vocals, guitar, bass
Tomas Salonen - drums
Olle Hedenström - bass (live)

More on Kongh at this location.