According to the Los Angeles Times, a California man is accused of shooting and killing his business partner after drinking vodka and taking prescription pills while listening to GUNS N' ROSES.

Thomas Michael Wilhelm, 48, allegedly sang along to the classic GN'R song "Used To Love Her" — featuring the lyrics "I used to love her but I had to kill her" — before stealing a handgun from his neighbor and using it to shoot Christine Murray, 35, this past July.

Although Murray and Wilhelm had once dated, they were only business partners at the time of the alleged crime.

After six years of absolute silence, BEYOND TWILIGHT mastermind Finn Zierler has returned from the shadows with ZIERLER PROJECTS.

ZIERLER PROJECTS is a progressive metal supergroup consisting of:

* Finn Zierler (BEYOND TWILIGHT) - Keyboards
* Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, ARCH/MATHEOS, SEBASTIAN BACH, ICED EARTH) - Drums
* Per Nilsson (SCAR SYMMETRY, KAIPA) – Guitar, Bass
* Kelly Sundown Carpenter (BEYOND TWILIGHT, DARKOLOGY, EPYSODE, OUTWORLD) - Vocals
* Truls Haugen (INSENSE, CIRCUS MAXIMUS) - Vocals, Bass

ZIERLER PROJECTS was a closely guarded secret until the first matrix's formation was announced earlier today.

Zierler said, "I've had the idea in mind for some time now. All the guys in the matrix are amongst my personal favorites and have been it for years. As with any 'supergroup,' bringing together the best talent doesn't mean things will work out. However, in this case, it did. It's an absolute pleasure to work with each one of these great musicians — on every level."

Zierler describes the music: "It's a journey through my musical moods, sometimes brutal, nightmarishly technical, crushingly dark and very progressive. The performances on this album are simply inhuman, just a smashing and fantastic job by everyone involved."

A ZIERLER PROJECTS track titled "A New Beginning", taken from the band's forthcoming album, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has posted a three-minute video clip featuring behind-the-scenes footage from pre-show soundcheck at the band's November 26 concert at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. Check it out below.

The 20th-anniversary edition of MEGADETH's 1992 double platinum-certified "Countdown To Extinction" album was released on November 6 via Capitol/EMI.

Presented in a 2CD lift-top box and digitally, "Countdown To Extinction"'s new commemorative edition pairs the remastered original album with a 1992 concert, recorded live at San Francisco's Cow Palace, which has never before been released in its entirety. The concert audio has been newly remixed for this release. The physical and digital versions both include a booklet with a new liner notes essay by music journalist Kory Grow, and the 2CD box also contains a 24" x 36" poster and four collectible postcards.

MEGADETH is currently performing the acclaimed album in its entirety on the band's "Countdown To Extinction 20th Anniversary Tour".

Chicago thrashers DIAMOND PLATE have recruited Matt Ares as their new vocalist and bassist, following the departure of Jon Macak.

The band has started working on the follow-up to 2011's "Generation Why?" for a 2013 release via Earache Records.

Commented DIAMOND PLATE in a statement: "Over the past few months, we have been writing and demoing songs for the next album. During that time, we felt that the chemistry between Jon and the rest of the band wasn't as strong as it needed to be. We decided to move on, and find someone that shared the same passion to create the music that we've always wanted to make. We wish Jon all the best, and we want to thank him for being a part of this band.

"We are extremely excited to announce and welcome Matt Ares into the band as vocalist and bassist. Matt has really been a breath of fresh air for us, and in the first two weeks of jamming with him we were able to create an entirely new batch of songs and finish demoing the second album. Matt's voice and playing add new dimensions to our sound, and we can't wait for everyone to hear the band now.

"Thanks for always supporting, and keep your ears open for a new DIAMOND PLATE record in 2013!"

A photo of the new DIAMOND PLATE lineup can be seen below.

Pictured below (left to right): Konrad Kupiec, Mario Cianci, Matt Ares, Jim Nicademus

The surviving members of SUICIDE SILENCE will play a special show on December 21 at the Fox theater in Pomona, California as a tribute to their late singer, Mitch Lucker, who died November 1, after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle crash in Huntington Beach on Halloween night. All proceeds from the event will go towards the education of Mitch's five-year-old daughter, Kenadee Lucker. The concert announcement was made last night (Saturday, November 24) during the sixth annual California Metalfest at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GIANT X, the new band formed by RUNNING WILD members Rolf Kasparek and Peter J. Jordan, will release its debut album, "I", on January 18 in Germany, January 21 in the rest of Europe and January 22 in USA/Canada via Steamhammer/SPV.

An audio snippet of the track "On A Blind Flight" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

This sensational collaboration was sparked by the unexpectedly euphoric reactions from all over the world to the Kasparek/Jordan composition "Burning Wheels" (off EMI's rock/metal album), which featured Kasparek on vocals. Encouraged by those positive responses, Jordan and Kasparek decided to co-compose more tracks and offer them to interested record companies under the band name of GIANT X. They decided on the Hanover label Steamhammer/SPV, which previously released the latest RUNNING WILD opus, "Shadowmaker".

"GIANT X have a broader musical range which allows Rolf and myself to present ourselves from a totally different side," Jordan explains. "Our material consists of consciously multi-layered numbers, more in the tradition of KISS, QUEEN, THIN LIZZY, VAN HALEN but also BILLY TALENT. In other words: rock music in the tradition of the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties — our shared musical roots. The main thing for us was that people would be able hear the lightness and spontaneity of our collaboration."

"I" contains a total of 13 brand new songs, all of them penned by Jordan and Kasparek. The recording was produced and mixed by Jordan, with lots of support from Kasparek and RUNNING WILD's live mixer Niki Nowy.

No plans for GIANT X's future have yet been made, but according to Jordan and Kasparek, they are happy to "take things as they come. We don't rule anything out at this point."

Fan-filmed video footage of Sebastian Bach's November 24 concert at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City can be seen below.

Bach in July posted a letter on his Facebook page in which he said he was willing to reunite with SKID ROW. "For the fans, I would be willing to put my ego aside and do something that would be special for the people who put us where we are today," he wrote. "I do not personally want it myself. But it's not always about 'what I want.' If the fans really want to see us together, I would do it for the fans. Sometimes you can do things for people other than yourself."

Bach said he wanted to write the letter in response to current SKID ROW singer Johnny Solinger's interview in which Johnny said a recent tweet by Bach about a possible SKID ROW reunion was an attempt to "get attention."

Bach's most recent solo album, "Kicking & Screaming", sold 6,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 73 on The Billboard 200 chart. The singer's previous CD, "Angel Down", opened with 6,400 units back in November 2007 to debut at No. 190.

QUEENSRŸCHE vocalist Geoff Tate will take his newly assembled version of the band on the road next year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the group's epic 1988 release, "Operation: Mindcrime".

The tour — with dates slated to begin in April — will feature the arsenal of bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO), drummer Bobby Blotzer (RATT), guitarist Kelly Gray (MYTH) and keyboardist Randy Gane (MYTH), along with special guest appearances and plenty of surprises.

"It's great to be performing with all of these guys who have been true friends for years," comments Geoff. "Kelly, Randy and I formed MYTH more than 30 years ago and I've known Rudy and Bobby for several years as well. I think we are all inspired by the collaboration and couldn't be more excited to bring it to our fans next year."

The performance of "Operation: Mindcrime" next spring will cover all fifteen songs from the album including such fan favorites as "Revolution Calling", "Operation: Mindcrime", "I Don't Believe In Love" and the closing track, "Eyes Of A Stranger". It will also feature other selections from the QUEENSRŸCHE catalog, including songs from "Operation: Mindcrime II".

Confirmed dates so far, with more to be announced:

April 06 - Peppermill Casino - West Wendover, NV
April 11 - Paramount Theatre - Denver, CO
April 12 - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Albuquerque, NM
April 13 - Chrome - Las Vegas, NV
April 14 - Marquee Theater - Tempe, AZ
April 16 - Rialto Theatre - Tucson, AZ
April 18 - The Canyon Club - Agoura, CA
April 19 - 4th & B - San Diego, CA
April 20 - Club Nokia - Los Angeles, CA
April 21 - Fillmore - San Francisco, CA

Stated Sarzo: "Geoff and I first met in 1983 when QUEENSRŸCHE toured with QUIET RIOT. I immediately admired his voice and dynamic stage presence. It's truly an honor and privilege to join the new QUEENSRŸCHE lineup on its wondrous musical journey."

Added Blotzer: "Geoff and QUEENSRŸCHE and RATT have a long history of touring together and I'm very excited about this new project with Geoff and the guys."

Said Gray: "I'm really amped! This is an awesome group of people who are all very skilled in the craft of making music. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it!"

Gane offered: "After not only being great friends with, but also a huge fan of QUEENSRŸCHE since their beginning, and for years working behind the scenes for this groundbreaking and quintessential progressive rock band; it is such a honor to now be working within the band, especially with the incredible level of musicianship and amazing talent of the new lineup!"

Former MEGADETH and KING DIAMOND guitarist Glen Drover, who was originally supposed to tour with the Geoff Tate-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE, announced his departure from the group this past weekend before playing a single show with the band. He said in a statement: "I was very excited about doing this gig initially, but learned in the past week or so that it's in my best interest not to do this right now. I feel really bad for those who were excited about the idea, and to Geoff himself, who, I have to say, was very nice to me on my past trip to Seattle. I, of course, am very disappointed for arriving at this point, and making this decision, to say the least. I sincerely wish the Geoff and the band all the luck on what they do in the future."

Tate, who was fired from QUEENSRŸCHE in June after fronting the group for three decades, recently sought to prevent his former bandmates from touring and operating under the QUEENSRŸCHE name without him. While ruling against Tate, the presiding judge determined that there was no legal hurdle in Tate also using the name with an all-new lineup of musicians. "I don't see any reason that Mr. Tate can't have the benefit, if he gets other members, of whatever name he uses of using the brand," Superior Court Judge Carol A. Schapira said during the July 13 court hearing. "I think [doing that would be] inherently confusing, although I'm sure the market can get these things sorted out," she added.

Vocalist Simone "Som" Pluijmers has left Scottish death metallers CEREBRAL BORE and has been temporarily replaced by Shawn Whitaker.

Commented the band: "Som walked out on us less than 24 hours before the U.S. tour, and we were forced to either cancel or go ahead with it as an instrumental, if need be. We didn't want to let our U.S. fans down, so we went ahead with our buddy Shawn Whitaker on vocals for the tour. Show us your support and make Shawn feel at home; he saved us from a disaster."

CEREBRAL BORE's "Maniacal Miscreation" video can be viewed below. The clip was filmed at Upwood Military Base in Peterborough, U.K. with director Phil Berridge, who also helmed the band's video for "The Bald Cadaver".

"Maniacal Miscreation" is the title track of CEREBRAL BORE's debut album, which was released in April 2011 in Europe via Earache Records.

CEREBRAL BORE formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 2006.

Canadian rocker BIF NAKED will release her new album, Bif Naked Forever: Acoustic Hits & Other Delights, on December 4th via Reliant Music/Warner Music Canada/Her Royal Majesty's Records.

The concept for the acoustic album came through Bif's re-discovery of her extensive catalogue of hits while on tour with her guitarist performing them as they were originally written. The reconnection with John Dexter (Reliant Music) who worked with Bif on her debut album, Bif Naked, has added the magic of two new studio tracks via Platinum-selling producer/songwriter Ryan Stewart (Carly Rae Jepsen, Victoria Duffield) including the first single, 'So Happy I Could Die'. Beginning November 27th, CBCMusic.ca will stream the full album with additional live performance content.

Bif: "This is such an extraordinary time in my life, and in my art I am drowning in the thrill of creating and performing music that makes me tremble. I am extremely excited to have the original team together who were pivotal on my first album. The inclusion of Ryan Stewart as producer and co-writer has brought a fantastic element to this album. Music and art give me hope, and this record has been made with warm love and deep feelings that I so enjoy sharing with my beautiful fans."

The tracklist is as follows:

'So Happy I Could Die' **
'The Only One' **
'Spaceman'
'Daddy's Getting Married'
'My Bike'
'October Song'
'Nobody Knows' **
'Supergirl'
'Moment of Weakness'
'Lucky'
'Tango Shoes'
'Honeybee'
'I Love Myself Today'
'Chotee'

** new studio tracks

Since Bif Naked's debut self-titled album released internationally in 1995, she has gone on to release five full-length albums including Platinum-selling I Bificus (HRMR / Atlantic), the certified Gold album Purge (HRMR/Atlantic) followed by Superbeautifulmonster (HRMR/Bodog/RED). In 2009, she released The Promise (HRMR/Universal), which takes a candid look at her triumphant journey through breast cancer.

Currently in the process of penning her autobiography scheduled to be released in the coming year via Harper Collins Publishing, Bif dedicates her time as a public speaker and advocate on women's empowerment, wellness and animal rights issues. Her credits include painter, cartoonist and actress, having starred in 2000's Lunch With Charles featuring Nick Lea and Sean Lau, and appeared in The L Word, the Daria television movie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Chris Isaak Show. She has also performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, hosted and appeared on MTV, MuchMusic and multiple shows throughout Europe/UK and North America.

Bif recently commented on her surgery, which was done to repair a hole in her heart; a condition she's had her entire life:

"Five months later. I am pretty confident it worked. In fact, it worked so well, my heart actually GREW in size and ability. I love everyone and everything in my life, more and more each day. FUCK THAT IS COOL! (Apologies to my parents for my enthusiastic use of contemporary language, here....but sometimes, it just feels so good to say cusswords. Nyuk,nyuk,nyuk...). I hope everyone is having a fabulous week in abundant happiness and positivity. Much gratitude to you, and for you. Love and Light, let's keep Fightin' the Good Fight. Amen."

Fan-filmed video footage of ARCH ENEMY's November 21 concert at Teatro Caupolicán in Santiago, Chile can be seen below.

As previously reported, ARCH ENEMY will perform its 2002 album, "Wages Of Sin", in its entirety on December 6 at Circo Volador in Mexico City.

Commented the band: "We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of our 'Wages Of Sin' album in 2012 — a defining release in the history of ARCH ENEMY, as you might know. We have decided to dedicate the last ARCH ENEMY concert of 2012 to this album and our Mexican fans and play it in its entirety (plus an encore of rare ARCH ENEMY songs)."

ARCH ENEMY's current tour of South America and Mexico is being documented for the band's next DVD, to be released in late 2013. German production company Filmefahrer Pictures, known for its work on "2012 - The Movie" and THE VERY END's music video for "A Hole In The Sun", is filming the shows, conducting interviews with the bandmembers, shooting backstage footage, fans and other incidentals during the tour.

ARCH ENEMY's ninth album, "Khaos Legions", sold around 6,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 78.

The band earlier in the year amicably parted ways with guitarist Christopher Amott and replaced him with American musician Nick Cordle (ARSIS).

IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris has put his English country house on the market for £6,750,000 (approximately $10,805,000).

Check out photos of the home at PrimeLocation.com, Zoopla.co.uk.

A description of the property reads as follows: "Approached via a pretty country lane and private gated entrance into a sweeping gravel driveway with large parking area, Sheering Hall is an historic substantial medieval country house of some 11,000 square feet full of character and period features throughout. It is grade II listed and there has been a house on the site since the Domesday Book and parts of the house date back to 1427. The property offers a fantastic variety of facilities for entertaining on a grand scale.

"Surrounding the entrance hall with its exposed beams and open fireplace are the three main reception rooms. The sitting room and drawing room both have fine detail and character with floor to ceiling oak panelled walls and high ceilings with guilded ornate cornicing. The drawing room boasts a grand wooden carved fireplace with wood burner. The kitchen benefits from a four-oven aga and raised breakfast area and from the kitchen there is access to the playroom, boot room and utility area.

"Through a further hallway is access to your own private and fully equipped pub 'The Horse And Cart' complete with ale on tap. From the second hallway, further leisure amenities extend to an impressive media room, again with a high ornately decorated ceiling and an office, editing studio and equipment store. A second staircase leads to the bespoke indoor heated swimming pool with truly unique hand painted mural tiles and wall murals with raised gym area, 2 separate recreational areas, changing room, separate kitchen and impressive split level galleried recording studio.

"From the entrance hall, the main wood panelled staircase leads up to the first floor with the principal bedroom, dressing room and en suite bathroom, there are 7 further bedrooms, a family bathroom and three shower rooms as well as staff accommodation consisting of bedroom, shower room, sitting room and kitchen which can also be accessed via the second staircase. Additionally there is a separate 3 bedroom coach house with sitting room, 2 shower rooms, extensive garaging and workshop."

Harris' solo/side project album, "British Lion", sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"British Lion" was released in the U.S. on September 25 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). Mixed by Kevin Shirley — whose credits include IRON MAIDEN as well as Led ZEPPELIN, JOURNEY and RUSH, among many others — the CD, which features Harris alongside vocalist Richard Taylor, guitarists Graham Leslie and David Hawkins and drummer Simon Dawson, presents a different side of the bassist's musical visions.

CIRCLE II CIRCLE, the band led by ex-SAVATAGE frontman Zak Stevens, will release its sixth studio album, "Seasons Will Fall", on January 25, 2013 via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group.

Formed in 2001, CIRCLE II CIRCLE has always reinvented itself throughout the years, constantly maintaining the signature sound that fans around the world love. The turning point for the band came in 2012 with CIRCLE II CIRCLE's monumental performance of the entire SAVATAGE album "The Wake Of Magellan" at the world’s largest heavy metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Germany. What followed was a sold-out European club tour.

"Seasons Will Fall" is CIRCLE II CIRCLE's strongest album to date from both a musical and production standpoint. It blends Stevens' history and unique "SAVATAGE style" with the fresh sounds he developed with his current outfit. From the howling guitar riffs on "Diamond Blade" and "Killing Death" to the energetic sound of "Never Gonna Stop", it contains everything you want from a heavy rock album.

Says Stevens: "With earMUSIC releasing our sixth album, we are exactly where we need to be at this point in our career. We have the right album along with a fantastic new label. The timing of all this will take the upcoming world tour to an entirely new level. We are very much looking forward to the release of 'Seasons Will Fall' on earMUSIC. This is an album that will strongly define the identity and place of hard rock and heavy metal music in the world today."

In a recent interview with Metal Babe, Stevens said about the upcoming CD, "The record is sounding really great and the goal of this album from the beginning was for it to be the best CIRCLE II CIRCLE to date. Of course, that's a lofty goal, but I really think we've done it here with 'Seasons Will Fall'."

He added, "From the beginning, we wanted it to have some elements of all five previous releases, along with some entirely new sounding stuff. So that's basically what we've done with 'Seasons Will Fall'. We're really happy with how it turned out. Now it's just down to the fun part of mixing it and putting the final touches on everything."

Asked if there is a certain theme or concept that this CD focuses on, Zak said, "Being that it's not a concept album, the record focuses on a variety of different subjects. What I notice right away in the music and the lyrics is the amount of introspection of everyday life. Because of this, it really reminds me of our first album, 'Watching In Silence'. It really has that sort of feel to it. It also reminds me of 'Burden Of Truth' in some ways, too, but this one's definitely not a concept album in that sense."

"Seasons Will Fall" track listing:

01. Diamond Blade
02. Without A Sound
03. Killing Death
04. Epiphany
05. End Of Emotion
06. Dreams That Never Die
07. Seasons Will Fall
08. Never Gonna Stop
09. Isolation
10. Sweet Despair
11. Downshot
12. Only Yesterday

CIRCLE II CIRCLE is:

Zak Stevens - Vocals
Mitch Stewart - Bass/Vocals
Bill Hudson - Guitar/Vocals
Christian Wentz - Guitar/Vocals
Henning Wanner - Keyboards/Vocals
Adam Sagan - Drums

Finnish battle metallers TURISAS have commenced the recording process for their fourth studio album. The band is currently laying down drums at Atomic Spa studio in Helsinki, Finland, and will continue recording in different locations until the end of January. The follow-up to 2011's "Stand Up And Fight" is scheduled for a release in May 2013 via Century Media Records.

In other news, TURISAS has announced changes in its lineup. The band's original drummer, Tuomas "Tude" Lehtonen, is stepping aside, to be replaced by Jaakko Jakku. Also departing is bassist Jukka-Pekka Miettinen, who will focus on his own musical projects.

Lehtonen explains the reasons behind his decision: "I can't tell you how hard it feels to step away from the path we've been walking together for the last 15 years — and to start a new era in my life without the band.

"There are many reasons for me to quit the band. The stress from the years spent on the road and different artistic visions have lead to a mutual decision for me to step back and hand over the drumsticks to the next guy.

"In any case, it has been a great experience and all the memories from being on the road are something that I will always cherish. The biggest thanks go to all of the past and present members of the band, not to forget all the technicians and fellow drummers I've met on shows and on tour — and, of course, especially to all the fans that have allowed us to grow to the level that TURISAS are at today.

"Good luck and lots of success to all my bandmates — I feel that I will never be straying too far away from the band. I shall always be proudly carrying the heart of TURISAS wherever I go. The man can leave the band but the band will never really leave the man."

Lehtonen and Miettinen's "official farewell party" will take place at TURISAS' New Year's Eve show on December 31, 2012 at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland.

Jakku has already started recording his drum parts for the upcoming album while the bass duties going forward will be taken care of by Jesper Anastasiadis. Both are excellent musicians and great personalities and the rest of TURISAS is already looking forward to the upcoming shows.

After finishing recording the album at the end of January, TURISAS will spend the spring on the road. The rest of the year 2013 is shaping up to be very busy, filled with festivals and tours.

2013 will kick off with TURISAS being part of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise. The cruise will be followed by their Guards Of Glory tour throughout North America and Latin America. Support in North America will come from FIREWIND and STOLEN BABIES.

Kee Marcello (EUROPE), Joacim Cans (HAMMERFALL) and Thomas Vikström (CANDLEMASS, THERION) have been cast in the Swedish version of the hit Broadway musical "Rock Of Ages", which is set to invade Chinateatern in Stockholm this spring. The cast also features some of Sweden's top actors, comedians and singers, including Johan Rheborg, Peter Magnusson, Gladys del Pilar and Peter Johansson (who played the main character Galileio in "We Will Rock You" on West End 2003-2007).

Commented Cans: "I am very psyched and honored to be part of this fantastic hard rock musical. Not only will I explore a brand new genre, but I will also get to try my acting skills and perform with the Swedish elite when it comes to both comedy, acting and singing."

A success on Broadway, West End and in Hollywood, the hottest rock musical in the world will have its Swedish premiere on February 21, 2013.

When director Anders Albien got the assignment to launch "Rock Of Ages" in Sweden, he chose to look for artists outside the common parameters of musical actors. Unlike the casts in both the Broadway and West End productions, he wanted real-life rock stars as well as feature film actors in the cast to give authenticity to the show.

"Rock Of Ages" is a rock/jukebox musical, built around classic rock hits from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. The musical features songs from STYX, JOURNEY, BON JOVI, EUROPE, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER and POISON, among other well-known rock bands.

The show is noted for being more lighthearted and comedic than other shows on
Broadway. During the performance, the cast members frequently break the "fourth wall", directly addressing the audience and seemingly forgetting (or perhaps reminding the audience) that they are actors in a musical.

"Rock Of Ages" is produced by 2Entertain in cooperation with Vicky Nöjesproduktion.

Tickets go on sale on November 26.

The film adaptation of "Rock Of Ages" — with an all-star cast including Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand — was released on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download on October 9.

The soundtrack to the film adaptation of "Rock Of Ages", which features the cast — Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Brand and Julianne Hough — singing some of the greatest hits of the "hair-band" era, sold 18,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at opposition No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart. The original cast production of the stage show peaked at No. 118 in 2009.

Rising Nemesis Records has announced the signing of Berlin, Germany's brutal death machine PIGHEAD. The band is working on material for its as-yet-untitled third album, to be released at the end of the third quarter of 2013. A three-song promotional effort will be made available early next year as a precursor to the full-length CD.

Commented PIGHEAD's Denny Hahnke: "We are just happy to found such a great partner for the future and we will do our best to satisfy the expectations. At the moment, we are working hard to create a massive beast of music and can't wait to release it."

After the release of this year's "Rotten Body Reanimation", PIGHEAD played a number of dates not just in Germany, but also in Russia and Israel.

The deluxe-edition reissue of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's classic 1992 self-titled debut can be streamed in its entirety at AOL Music. The set will be issued on November 27, complete with unreleased demos and tons of live material.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello told The Pulse Of Radio that the band had no idea when it first started out that its pioneering mix of rock, rap and radical politics would last this long. "I had literally zero expectations," he said. "It's very different now, like, everybody's got LIL WAYNE and METALLICA in their iPod. That was not the case in 1991. They were opposing musics. And to combine traditionally black and white music and then to have a multi-ethnic band, and then have the lyrical content — I didn't think that we would be able to book a club show."

"Rage Against The Machine XX", as the new reissue is called, will come out in three versions: a regular single disc, a two-CD/one-DVD package, and a deluxe box set featuring the CDs, two DVDs, the album on vinyl picture disc, plus a 40-page booklet and a double-sided poster.

The first CD will feature three hard-to-find B-sides along with the original album, while the second CD will contain the rare, original RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE 1991 demo tape that helped land the group their record deal with Sony.

The first DVD will contain RAGE's free concert in Finsbury Park on June 2010. Also included are music videos and other live concert performance clips. The second DVD will feature RAGE's first public performance ever at Cal State North Ridge in October 1991, plus various rare early concert clips.

Morello told Billboard about the release, "We're really psyched to be putting this out for the fans . . . I want to really give them a motherlode of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE history, past and present."

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE disbanded in 2000 but reunited in 2007 and has played sporadic live shows ever since. Summer 2011's L.A. Rising festival was RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's last live appearance to date.

James Michael has expanded upon his role as producer, songwriter, mixer and SIXX: A.M. frontman to release the new solo single and video "Learn To Hate You", available now at iTunes, Amazon.com, other major online music stores. The new song serves as a de facto follow-up to his debut solo album, "Inhale", but is perhaps more so the result of his non-stop creativity for other artists.

"This project started as a recurring dream for me," explains Michael. "Countless times I'd wake up in the middle of the night with these ambient sounds and melodies going through my head. It didn't sound like any of the bands I was working with at the time, nor did it sound like my own band, SIXX: A.M. I knew it was some kind of sign, I just didn't know what it meant. Until fans started asking me when I was going to do another solo project. That's when it hit me... My fans crave musical diversity just like I do."

Michael recorded the song at his own Red Level Three Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; he squeezed tracking the music and recording his vocals in between producing and/or writing sessions for Kelly Clarkson, MÖTLEY CRÜE, PAPA ROACH, HALESTORM, HINDER, SIXX: A.M., James Durbin and a few new projects he has in development. According to Michael, "My decision to release 'Learn To Hate You' now was based on how intensely creative the last couple of years have been for me. I've been in the studio non-stop producing one record after another with very little time to stop and deal with 'life stuff' of my own."

The video for "Learn to Hate You", which can be seen below, was also shot in Nashville by renowned director P.R. Brown, who has worked with many artists, including MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Prince, AUDIOSLAVE, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M. "P.R. Brown has an incredible cinematic eye which is evident in everything he does," observes Michael, "including his very dark and beautiful still photography. His films and videos have a way of ripping an artist out of real life and placing them right in the center of a world he has created. From working together on SIXX: A.M.," Michael adds, "Brown understands the intense emotional conflict that exists in me and my songs and he captures it in a perfectly narrative way."

Michael is currently writing and producing the sophomore album for "American Idol" finalist James Durbin; developing new artist Shahnaz, and soon Michael will head back into the studio with MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx for the next album from SIXX: A.M.

As for "Learn To Hate You", James really hopes that fans will enjoy this song as an expansion and revelation of his ongoing musical journey as a songwriter, producer and artist. In fact this single is really born from that process.

"When you live your life surrounded by musical instruments, microphones and recording gear like I do," muses Michael, "eventually it just makes sense to press 'record' and live your life."

Orange County, California progressive hardcore band SPEAKING THE KING'S has inked a worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented SPEAKING THE KING'S vocalist Bobby Burap: "Very few bands get the opportunity to take their act to an international level. That being said... we are extremely excited to announce that SPEAKING THE KING'S have signed to Nuclear Blast Records. It's an absolute honor to be able to work with such a juggernaut in the current music scene. Having so many prominent bands on their roster, we're striving to carry on this tradition of excellence with our desire to work hard and produce the best product possible. Thank you to everyone who has supported us from day one. This is only the beginning."

Formed during the winter of 2011, SPEAKING THE KING'S demos quickly captured the attention of A DAY TO REMEMBER producer, songwriter, and former guitarist Tom Denney (PIERCE THE VEIL, SECRETS), who ushered the band into his Florida-based studio to record their first arsenal of music. Mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SUICIDE SILENCE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS, CLOSE TO HOME), the group's debut album is slated for a 2013 release.

SPEAKING THE KING'S has shared stages with WE CAME AS ROMANS, OF MICE & MEN, BLESSTHEFALL, WINDS OF PLAGUE and BLEEDING THROUGH.

SPEAKING THE KING'S shot a video last week in Los Angeles for the new song "Casanova" with director DJ Cosgrove.

SPEAKING THE KING'S is:

Bobby Burap - Vocals
Justin Bock - Guitar
Mike Entin - Guitar
Brad Reihl - Bass
Will Peacock - Drums

Audiophile specialty record label Audio Fidelity has released a newly remastered edition of DIO's second studio album, "The Last In Line", as part of its 24 Karat Gold Compact Disc series.

Following the well-deserved success of DIO's debut LP, "Holy Diver", Ronnie James Dio did not mess with that winning formula when he released the follow-up effort, "The Last In Line". The album is full of heavy and hard rocking songs that draw upon the fantasy lyrics for which the band is known, lots of guitar solos and, of course, Ronnie James Dio's distinctive and unique voice. The 1984 release was the first DIO album to be certified platinum. The lineup on the album is the same as that on "Holy Diver" — Dio, Vivian Campbell, Jimmy Bain, Vinny Appice, plus the addition of keyboard player Claude Schnell.

"The Last In Line" track listing:

01. We Rock (4:35)
02. The Last In Line (5:48)
03. Breathless (4:09)
04. I Speed At Night (3:26)
05. One Night In The City (5:14)
06. Evil Eyes (3:38)
07. Mystery (3:55)
08. Eat Your Heart Out (4:02)
09. Egypt (The Chains Are On) (7:02)

"The Last In Line" in a very special numbered, gold-disc format is a great addition to any audiophile's collection.

Video footage of AEROSMITH performing the song "Livin' On The Edge" live on November 23 at Revel Ovation Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey can be seen below. Helping singer Steven Tyler with some of the vocals was Theresa Caputo of the TLC reality television series "Long Island Medium".

"Music From Another Dimension!", the 15th studio album and the first studio collection of all-new material in 11 years from AEROSMITH sold 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on November 6 via Columbia Records.

"Music From Another Dimension!" was recorded in Los Angeles and at the band's studio in Massachusetts; it was produced by Jack Douglas, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, with the exception of three tracks produced by Tyler and Marti Frederiksen.

Florida death metal veterans OBITUARY kicked off the "Rotting Slowly In Europe 2012" tour last week in Germany. The trek, which features support from MACABRE, PSYCROPTIC and THE AMENTA, sees OBITUARY performing a classic 1989-1992 set, consisting of material culled solely from the "Slowly We Rot", "Cause Of Death" and "The End Complete" albums.

Fan-filmed video footage of last night's (Sunday, November 25) concert at Burgerweeshuis in Deventer, The Netherlands can be seen below (courtesy of "letthedeathmetalflow").

During a recent interview with MetalBlast.net, guitarist Trevor Peres revealed that OBITUARY was in the process of recording a three song EP, to be released as a picture disc and as a digital download. He said, "Before this [most recent European] tour, we started recording an EP. We were hoping to be finished recording before this tour, but a bunch of different personal things happened and we just didn't have time to finish it. But I've got all the guitar scratch tracks done and Donald [Tardy, drums] started doing scratch drum tracks. But when we get home from this, in one or two weeks we finish recording. It's like three new songs; it's an EP we're gonna do. We're actually gonna do a seven-inch picture disc — no CDs at all; just picture disc only. But then you [will be able to] download it from iTunes or Google Music and stuff. But then we've got another 10 songs we're gonna record after that. So, hopefully, by the end of the year — January, maybe — [there will be] a brand new full-length album."

Regarding how the new OBITUARY music is sounding, Trevor said, "It's pure OBITUARY. In fact, we've got some of the catchiest hooks on this album. These songs are so amazing. In fact, one of the first songs [we wrote] for it I'm always humming in my head. It pisses me off because it's stuck there all the time. So it's a good thing; it's, like, really catchy, groovy OBITUARY."

On the topc of OBITUARY's current record label situation, Trevor said, "We're between labels. We were hoping to do our own record label. We have a person who we're friends with who is interested in investing. I don't think it's gonna happen soon enough for us to be able to [release the next CD on our own]. So we're actually talking with Century Media. They're very interested. Without saying it's happened, [or that] it's done, 'cause we haven't signed a contract with them, [but] they've offered us a deal and they're really interested in OBITUARY."

Pennsylvania-based black metallers SATHANAS have begun writing material for their next release, "Worship The Devil". The band states, "Expect the most punishing SATHANAS to date! A new era of old-school devil music!"

SATHANAS' latest album, "La Hora De Lucifer", was mixed at 905 Studios in Ambridge, Pennsylvania and was released via Pagan in Europe, Astral Holocaust in South America and Evil Dead in Asia. Each version of the effort contains a different cover art from such "masters" as Kris Verwimp, Chris Moyen and Daniel Desecrator.

SATHANAS is:

Paul Tucker – Guitar, Vocals
Bill Davidson - Bass
Jim Strauss - Drums

Singer Catrin Feymark and growler/guitarist Kenny Boufadene, both former member of the Swedish modern metal band ONE WITHOUT, have launched a new project called WE ARE THE CATALYST.

The lyric video for the first track from WE ARE THE CATALYST, "Beware Of Snakes", can be seen below. The song was produced and mixed by Kenny Boufadene at Studio Meltdown.

Says Feymark: "WE ARE THE CATALYST was formed around the idea that our world is upside down, and that it's time to make a change. As long as we accept the world as it is, thinking another way of life is impossible, nothing is going to change. The choice is ours, wether we believe it or not."

ONE WITHOUT released an EP, "Numbers", at the end of June via all bigger online music stores (and Spotify). The band previously issued two albums, 2011's "Sweet Relief" and 2009's "Thoughts Of A Secluded Mind".

DENIED, the Swedish metal band featuring vocalist Johan Fahlberg (JADED HEART) and bassist Fredrik Isaksson (formerly of THERION and GRAVE), has released a three-song digital EP, "Judas Kiss", via Sliptrick Records. The effort was recorded with producer Fredrik Folkare (UNLEASHED) and was mastered at Dugout Productions.

You can now stream the entire EP — consisting of the songs "Judas Kiss", "Garden Of Stone" and "Constant Rage" — below.

DENIED will release its third album, "Let Them Burn" in early 2013 through Sliptrick.

DENIED was formed in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm, Sweden in 2003 by Andreas Carlsson. Devoted to heavy-yet-melodic metal, he wanted to expand his vision beyond a simple dream. The band recorded its first album, "Seven Times Your Sin", in 2005 and supported it with local gigs.

In September 2005, DENIED underwent its first lineup change when bassist Robert Stellmar and drummer Pete Dolls were recruited. The group's second album, "New Army For The Old Revolution", saw the light of day in late 2008.

In 2009, DENIED enlisted longtime friend Fahlberg as their new vocalist and in November of that same year, guitarist Chris Vowden joined the group. In May 2011 the band parted ways with Stellmar and recruited Isaksson.

DENIED has "earned a reputation as a great live act from their performances in various rock clubs in the Stockholm area," according to a press release." Through the years, DENIED has supported such acts as DREAM EVIL, SISTER SIN and ENTOMBED. Their ability to work the crowd and drive them into a frenzy has become a trademark for DENIED."

German power metallers GAMMA RAY will release "Skeletons & Majesties Live" on double CD, Blu-ray and DVD in Europe on November 30 and in North America on December 4 through via Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records. The set will feature footage of the band's April 29, 2011 performance at the legendary Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland.

"Skeletons & Majesties Live" has a playing time of two hours and is a tour de force through the band's history so far, including lots of hits and classics, but also tracks which were undeservedly under-represented to date.

"The EP, 'Skeletons & Majesties', is practically a continuation of our 'Skeletons In The Closet' concept, in other words: new versions of songs which didn't receive the attention they deserve, as well as unplugged versions of some of our classics," says Kai Hansen, the band's vocalist, guitarist and founder. In terms of "Skeletons & Majesties Live", this means a thoroughly haunting show, from the dynamic openers "Anywhere In The Galaxy" and "Men, Martians And Machines" to the furioso finale, "Future World".

Speaking of "Future World", to accompany the Hansen-penned HELLOWEEN classic on stage, GAMMA RAY enlisted the services of HELLOWEEN's long-standing frontman Michael Kiske. In addition, Kiske can be heard and seen on "Time To Break Free" and "A While In Dreamland".

The double CD will consist of a total of 18 songs (plus intro and interlude); DVD and Blu-ray will feature six additional bonus tracks with alternative versions of "The Spirit", "Wings Of Destiny", "Farewell", "Gamma Ray", "Time To Break Free" and "Insurrection", all recorded the previous day at the Zeche in Bochum.

The release of "Skeletons & Majesties Live" will mark the beginning of an eventful 2013 for GAMMA RAY: after Hansen stayed true to his word and spent 2012 concentrating mainly on his second band, UNISONIC, he and his three colleagues Henjo Richter (guitar), Dirk Schlächter (bass) and new addition Michael Ehré (the FIREWIND/LOVE.MIGHT.KILL drummer has replaced Daniel Zimmermann, who left the GAMMA RAY fold on friendly terms) are now focusing exclusively on GAMMA RAY again. A co-headlining tour with HELLOWEEN has been scheduled for February 2013 and will also mark the arrival of a new GAMMA RAY studio recording.

"GAMMY RAY will have top priority in 2013," comments Hansen, "and 'Skeletons & Majesties Live' is the perfect harbinger of this!"

"Skeletons & Majesties Live" track listing:

01. Anywhere In The Galaxy
02. Men, Martians And Machines
03. The Spirit
04. Wings Of Destiny
05. Farewell
06. Gamma Ray
07. Money
08. Time To Break Free (w/ Michael Kiske)
09. Rebellion In Dreamland (acoustic)
10. Send Me A Sign (acoustic)
11. Dethrone Tyranny
12. Watcher In The Sky
13. Hold Your Ground
14. A While In Dreamland (w/ Michael Kiske)
15. Rise
16. Brothers
17. Insurrection
18. Future World (w/ Michael Kiske)

The "Time To Break Free" performance clip, featuring Michael Kiske, can be seen below.

Los Angeles thrashers VIKING have released a rough, pre-release mix of the song "An Ideal Opportunity" from their the long-awaited comeback album, "No Child Left Behind". The track features drummer Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, ex-DARK ANGEL, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD), bassist Michael Gonzalez (ex-DARK ANGEL), and original VIKING member Ron Daniel Eriksen on vocals and guitar.

According to a press release, "An Ideal Opportunity" thunders throughout with Hoglan's ferocious double kicks from the start, and periodically breaks into the frantic thrash metal speeds listeners have grown to expect from VIKING. The heavy riffing, screams, and solos also mean old-school thrashers won't be disappointed with the new offering. Lyrically, the tune addresses suicidal thoughts from a first-person perspective.

In a recent interview with The Metal Crypt, Eriksen said of the song, "'An Ideal Opportunity' has probably the most transparent lyrics I've ever written. I've struggled with major depression my whole life — it's just something that happens chemically — and I've learned to recognize it for what it is. It's like a storm front that moves in and covers me in darkness for a few hours or a few days and then fades away and I'm fine. One day I decided that if I was going to have to put up with this crap, at least I could get a song out of it. The next time the storm started moving in, I started writing down everything I was feeling."

Clinical depression affects over 350 million people worldwide. Though not completely understood, its causes often involve genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Chemicals called neurotransmitters can be abnormally imbalanced, affecting moods. In the new song, Eriksen describes this as being "blinded by chemicals coming from inside me. Black clouds of darkness — oppressive and hovering."

VIKING also recently released on its Facebook page a partial preview of the cover art for "No Child Left Behind". In a gritty '90s-esque graphic novel style, it depicts a horde of Vikings invading a burning village. With the three-layered photo, they offered this description: "This is just a portion of the album cover for 'No Child Left Behind'. On the left is the original ink, on the right a preliminary quick color. In the center is where we are so far with the final coloring."

No release date for "No Child Left Behind" has yet been announced. Bandmembers have previously stated that they are still deciding on whether to release it independently or to sign on with a record label.

Founded in the spring of 1986 in Los Angeles, VIKING released two full-length albums on the Metal Blade label, 1987's "Do Or Die" and 1989's "Man Of Straw".

Long hailed as one of the most rare and hard to find speed/thrash metal albums by collectors, "Man Of Straw" was re-released in 2006 via Lost And Found Records. This fully licensed CD release was remastered and contained rare and never-before-heard bonus tracks.

In early 2011, Ron Daniel Eriksen and Matt Jordan (drums) resurrected VIKING after a 20-year hiatus.

Video footage of Hoglan in the studio with VIKING can be seen below.