French metallers MYSTERY BLUE will release their seventh album, "Conquer The World", on December 21 via Road Show Productions. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered by Uwe Lulis (GRAVE DIGGER, REBELLION) at Black Solaris Studios in Frankfurt, Germany. The artwork and booklet were created by Jobert Mello of Sledgehammer Graphix (SABATON, PRIMAL FEAR, THUNDERBOLT, BENEDICTUM). Andreas Babuschkin of PARAGON contributed special guest vocals to the song "Running With The Pack".

A rough studio version of "Running With The Pack" can be streamed below.

"Conquer The World" track listing:

01. Conquer The World
02. Innocent Crime
03. Running With The Pack
04. Evil Spell
05. Cruel Obession
06. Ticket To Hell
07. Keep On Dreaming
08. Road Of Despair
09. Behind Those Walls
10. Guardian Angel
11. Accroche-Toi À Tes Reves (bonus track)

MYSTERY BLUE's current lineup includes female singer Nathalie Geyer, guitarist Frenzy Philippon, bassist Matt Gabnai and drummer Vince Koehler.

NoiseArt Records and Rock The Nation booking agenecy have announced the signing of the Oslo, Norway-based black metal quintet SVARTTJERN. The band is currently working on a new album for an early 2013 release.

SVARTTJERN's aptly titled debut, "Misanthropic Path Of Madness", was released in 2009 and a follow-up effort, "Towards The Ultimate", came out in 2011. Both albums offer the finest material for fans of traditional tunes à la EMPEROR, IMMORTAL and CARPATHIAN FOREST.

Commented the band: "The dawn of the Snake is near, and so is an new era of SVARTTJERN, as future releases will be trough NoiseArt Records. Our next full-length is in the final phase of recording, and is due to release first half of 2013 — Year of the Snake. Gather the sinners! Alongside we have also joined forces with Rock The Nation, which will take care of booking and management in the future."

Added NoiseArt: “We are proud to welcome the band SVARTTJERN in our roster and we expect a lot from this aiming high band! The SVARTTJERN release will definitively become a black metal highlight in 2013."

SVARTTJERN is:

HansFyrste - Vocals
HaaN - Guitar
Fjellnord - Guitar
GrimmDun - Drums
Sgt. V - Bass

SVARTTJERN is comfirmed for the Extremefest 2013, which will take place May 23-25 in Hünxe, Germany.

Multinational metallers POWERWOLF have completed "most of the songwriting" for their next album, which they plan to begin recording in early January for a summer release via Napalm Records. According to the band, "There will be fast stuff, heavy stuff and epic stuff as well as some unholy little surprises — and all of that in the most typical, powerwolfish way you can imagine. [We] can't wait to bring these songs to life."

POWERWOLF's first live album, "Alive In The Night", was recorded exclusively for Metal Hammer, Germany's leading metal magazine. The CD was only available with the April 2012 issue of Metal Hammer.

POWERWOLFs' "We Drink Your Blood" video can be seen below (courtesy of Metal Hammer magazine). The clip was filmed in an ancient monastery church.

"We Drink Your Blood" comes off POWERWOLF's fourth album, "Blood Of The Saints", which was released in August 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was made available as a regular CD, a limited-edition digibook 2-CD and on vinyl. The cover art was created by POWERWOLF guitarist Matthew Greywolf.

Fan-filmed video footage of legendary singer Joe Lynn Turner's (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) November 14 performance at Klubi in Tampere, Finland can be seen below.

Joe Lynn Turner spent much of 2009 and 2011 touring with OVER THE RAINBOW, which also features fellow ex-RAINBOW members Bobby Rondinelli on drums, Greg Smith on bass and Paul Morris on keyboards, alongside the son of the iconic RAINBOW founder/guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, Jürgen Blackmore, on guitar. In 2011, OVER THE RAINBOW took a "hiatus" so that members of the band could concentrate on their own projects.

Turner continues to be a multi-dimensional artist, never limiting his options and experiences in other types of music besides hard rock/melodic rock. He has been doing a lot of writing with artists who specialize in non-rock music genres with the goal of branching out, recording some of this material for either future releases or films. He's also a superstar in Russia and other Eastern European countries as a solo artist and spent part of 2010 and 2011 touring those regions. Summer 2011 saw Joe Lynn Turner performing with the "Spectra All Star Rock Tour" — a diverse collection of artists best known for their hits in the '70s, '80s and '90s. In early 2012, Frontiers released Joe's third SUNSTORM album entitled, "Emotional Fire".

Superskum conducted an interview with vocalist Niilo Sevänen of Finnish melodic death metallers INSOMNIUM before the band's November 7 concert at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, Colorado. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the Denver concert.

INSOMNIUM's latest album, "One For Sorrow", was released in October 2011 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden with sound engineer Daniel Antonsson (also bassist in DARK TRANQUILLITY and guitarist in DIMENSION ZERO) and at Fantom studios in Tempere, Finland, where the album was also mixed by Samu Oittisen.

INSOMNIUM last fall parted ways with guitarist Ville Vänni and replaced him with Markus Vanhala (OMNIUM GATHERUM).

Interview:

I AM I, the new band led by former DRAGONFORCE singer ZP Theart, will release a cover version of John Farnham's classic '80s track "You're The Voice" on December 10 on digital format, distributed worldwide by Plastichead and available from all the usual digital outlets.

I AM I's rocking, feel-good rendition had been received exceptionally well on the band's recent tour with everyone singing along with the memorable chorus of this great track, leading them to decide to put it out as an end-of-year single. ZP also felt that the lyrical content of the track was especially relevant in this current era, mirroring what's actually happening with the us all right now and making the timing for the single release perfect.

Written by Andy Qunta, Keith Reid, Maggie Ryder and Chris Thompson, "You're The Voice" was originally released by Australian singer John Farnham in 1986 and was a smash hit, reaching the Top 10 in most European countries.

I AM I will release its debut album, "Event Horizon", digitally worldwide on December 10. The CD was previously released exclusively throughout Europe, but due to the increasing demand for the LP throughout the U.S., Americas, Australia and other territories, the decision was made to go ahead and release it digitally worldwide.
It will be available to download from that date from all usual digital outlets — iTunes, Play.com, Spotify, eMusic, Amazon, Pandora, etc.

Written and produced by Theart and Jacob Ziemba and mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN), "Event Horizon" is described in a press release as "an absolutely blistering slice of heavy rock liberally infused with Theart's passion, energy and soaring vocals."

I AM I recently announced the addition of drummer Phil Martini (DOWN 'N' OUTZ, TOKYO DRAGONS, THE QUIREBOYS) to the group's ranks.

A new I AM I EP is tentatively due early next year.

New Jersey metallers ATTACKER have completed mixing their new album, "Giants Of Canaan", for a February 2013 release. The CD will feature recently recruited singer Bobby "Leatherlungs" Lucas (SEVEN WITCHES, OVERLORDE, MORBID SIN) and bassist Jon Hanemann, who replaced Lou Ciarlo in April.

"Giants Of Canaan" was recorded at Katalomi Studios in Jersey City, New Jersey and engineered and mixed by Pat "Taps' Guden and drummer Michael Sabatini. The CD will be mastered next week by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York. A label announcement will follow shortly thereafter in December.

Tracks to appear on the forthcoming ATTACKER album:

01. Giants Of Canaan
02. Trapped In Black
03. The Hammer
04. Born Into Battle
05. Black Winds Rising
06. Steel Vengeance
07. Curse The Light
08. Sands Of Time
09. Washed In Blood
10. Chronicle 1 (The Reformation)

A rough-mix version of the song "Curse The Light" can be streamed below.

Lucas in April laid down his vocals on the track "Steel Vengeance" (formerly "Condemned"). The song, which has never appeared on an ATTACKER album, was previously released as an extremely limited-quantity single for the band's 2008 Keep It True X festival appearance.

Danish extreme metallers ILLDISPOSED have parted ways with bassist Jonas "Kloge" Mikkelsen and have replaced him with Kussen. The band states, "That's Danish for 'The Cunt.' Unfortunately, Jonas couldn't find the time to keep up with our activities anymore."

ILLDISPOSED's new album, "Sense The Darkness", entered the official chart in Denmark at position No. 78. Released on September 21 via Massacre Records, the CD was recorded at Antfarm Studio in Aabyhøj, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, GOREFEST, SICK OF IT ALL). The artwork was created by Mircea Gabriel Eftemie (MNEMIC).

The "Sense The Darkness" title track is available for streaming below.

Brazilian all-female thrash metal band NERVOSA has parted ways with drummer Fernanda Terra due to personal and musical differences and has replaced her with Jully Lee.

NERVOSA will enter the studio in January to record its debut album for a May 2013 release via Napalm Records.

According to a press release, NERVOSA's music "has strong influences from classic old-school thrash metal bands, such as SLAYER, SEPULTURA and EXODUS, perfectly mixed with original and characteristic features inserted in the songs by each of the bandmembers."

NERVOSA's first video, "Masked Betrayer", can be seen below.

NERVOSA is:

Fernanda Lira (ex-HELLARISE) - Bass, Vocals
Prika Amaral (ex-LAMA NEGRA) - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jully Lee - Drums

Peter Dolving (THE HAUNTED), Lars Johansson (CANDLEMASS) and Danny Tunker (GOD DETHRONED, PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT) have recorded guest appearances on the new album from Swedish death metallers THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX. Entitled "The Cadaverous Retaliation Agenda", the CD will only be made available digitally to those who participated in "The TPH Donation Experiment", which allowed people to donate money directly to the band in order to make it possible for them to record the album. The cover artwork for the effort was created by Marko Saarelainen and can be seen below. The CD is being mixed by acclaimed Swedish producer and multi-instrumentalist Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA, DISSECTION).

Due to schedulding conflicts, drummer Tobias Gustafsson (TORTURE DIVISION, VOMITORY) did not take part in the recording sessions for the new THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX album. The drum tracks on the CD were laid down by Dirk Verbeuren (SOILWORK, SCARVE, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT).

THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX is the Swedish band featuring Jörgen Sandström (vocals; VICIOUS ART, KRUX, ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE), Lord K. Philipson (guitar; TORTURE DIVISION, ex-GOD AMONG INSECTS, HOUSE OF USHER, LEUKEMIA), Anders Bertilsson (guitar; COLDWORKER) and Portuguese vocalist Ms. Roque (a.k.a. Ruby Roque of WITCHBREED)

Long-running Gothenburg, Sweden-based metallers DESTINY have announced the addition of vocalist Jonas Heidgert to the group's ranks. According to the band, Jonas "is a very talented musician and far from a newcomer to the metal scene. In 2000 he released his first of five albums with DRAGONLAND, where he both sang and played drums on the first two albums before he chose to concentrate on the vocals on the last three. He has also recorded vocals for an album with DIABOLICUS as well as touring with both DRAGONLAND and the cover band METAL MONARCHS."

Jonas has already begun to lay down vocals for DESTONY's upcoming anniversary album, "The Incompatibility Of Philosophical Terminology", for a spring release, as well as the next official full-length CD, "Global Warming", for which everything but the vocals has already recorded.

Fans will get their first taste of DESTINY with Jonas on vocals in December when a digital single from "The Incompatibility Of Philosophical Terminology" is released.

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

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

Berlin-based choreographer Gregor Seyffert has initiated an extraordinary crossover event in celebration of the 200th birthday of the famous German composer Richard Wagner. The project, featuring the Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA, the symphony orchestra of German broadcasting network MDR with its chief conductor Kristjan Järvi, the theater ensemble Titanick, and the Jugend Berlin Ballet, highlights Richard Wagner's life in 100 minutes. It will offer historical scenes, as well as Wagner's timeless compositions and some of the great music it has inspired.

The world premiere of this rich blend of dance performances, circus and theater arts, audiovisual experiences, and a unique live concert is scheduled for July 2013 at the Arena Leipzig.

Wagner Reloaded offers yet another exciting aspect of APOCALYPTICA's success in connecting classical music with rock and metal all over the globe.

If you want to witness this exceptional night, now is the best time to act. Go to this location for more information.

Fan-filmed video footage of MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine speaking to the crowd prior to performing the song "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" during the band's November 16 concert at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey can be seen below.

"When you go home tonight, I want you to do me a favor, I want you to look up online the word 'secede,' because right now, right now, there are 47 states in the United States of America that wanna secede from the United States of America," Mustaine can be heard saying in the clip. "And what 'secede' actually means is that they don't wanna have any part of this bullshit anymore. Whether you are a Democract or a Republican or a Libertarian or an Independent, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we're Americans and we are not being treated right."

He continued, "Did you hear that the people that make Twinkies today are going out of business after 82 years. Hostess. No more Twinkies. [laughs] Although that kind of sounds a little funny, it's really sad. It's an institution, 82-year-old institution — they are going out of business because of this bullshit that is going on right now in the government. And what that means is that means 18,000 more people are going on unemployment and it's gonna be your responsibility to pay for them. It's just not fair, it's just not fair. One thing that would happen if I was president is I would treat you like you were my own."

Poland's progressive rockers RIVERSIDE have completed their fifth studio album, Shrine Of New Generation Slaves, to be released in North America on February 5th, 2013. Out on longtime record label InsideOut Music, the album will also be available in Europe on January 21st.
Shrine Of New Generation Slaves was recorded at Serakos Studio in Warsaw, Poland, where Reality Dream Trilogy was also tracked. Recorded with Magda Srzednicka and Robert Srzednicki, the album offers nearly an hour of classic Riverside music.

Vocalist Mariusz explains, "In 2012 we've been focusing on the work on the new album, and trying to prove, mostly to ourselves, that we can still surprise with something, and what's most important - create an album that would become our showpiece, music-wise and lyrics-wise. The title might sound a bit intricate, but the acronym will definitely explain what we did with our music this time."

Fans can read about the album's recording process on the band's blog here, and a video interview that was done with the band directly from the studio can be seen below:
Shrine Of New Generation Slaves is the follow-up to the band's 2009 release, Anno Domini High Definition, which entered the Poland charts at #1 and has since hit gold album status. In 2011, RIVERSIDE also released an EP titled Memories In My Head to celebrate the band's 10th anniversary.
Riverside lineup:

Mariusz Duda - vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar
Piotr Grudzi - guitars
Piotr Kozieradzki - drums
Micha Apaj - keyboards

More on Riverside at this location.

Deathbound Records has announced the signing of WOCCON. Founded in Athens, Georgia by multi-instrumentalist, Tim Rowland (SHOLFROST, ex-PEREGRINE), Woccon released an EP in the summer of 2011 titled, Through Ancestral Fires, which featured guest vocals by Ryan Morgan of MISERY SIGNALS. After self-releasing the EP, Tim was joined by guitarist Tiler Kuykendall and drummer Wade Jones, to embark on a new musical direction in which they all shared influences and visions.
From blackened death metal to melodic doom, The Wither Fields will be availble as a limited physical release through Deathbound Records. Copies will be numbered and include two bonus tracks. The album will also be available digitally through all digital outlets.

Listen to their track 'Lament' via Soundcloud:

Swedish thrash metallers MASS DISTRACTION has signed with Mighty Music.

The band will release their debut album Follow The Rats, on January 28th. The album was already released in Sweden in August and will now be released in the rest of Europe.

Without even having a record deal at the time, the band entered the studio in the fall of 2011 to record Follow The Rats, with founder/guitarist Jon Hjalmarsson acting as producer, engineer and mixer. The album was recorded and mixed in a six months period and was later mastered by mastering engineer Dragan Tanaskovic (IN FLAMES, MUSTASCH) at Bohus Sound in Kungälv in 2012.
Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Headgrenade’
‘See No Evil’
‘Something Violent’
‘Follow The Rats’
‘Sudden Deaf’
‘Walking The Earth’
‘Sane’
‘Diluted’
‘New Dominion’
‘Master Manipulator’

On March 5th, a collection of 12 previously unreleased recordings by Jimi Hendrix will see the light. People, Hell and Angels follows Hendrix in 1968 and 1969 as he works on material apart from the Jimi Hendrix Experience and suggests new, experimental directions.

The legendary guitarist was considering these new sounds for First Rays of the New Rising Sun, the planned double-album follow-up to Electric Ladyland. Hendrix toys with horns, keyboards, percussion and a second guitar, exploring fresh diversions from his legendary guitarwork. The album artwork is simple, yet as distinct as Hendrix's signature guitar wails. Be experienced yet again.

Swedish doom metallers KONGH will release their third full-length album, "Sole Creation", on February 5 in Europe and February 19 in North America via Agonia Records. The will consist of four new tracks and 45 minutes of music, with a guest appearance by John Doe from CRAFT. The effort was recorded at Teknikkompaniet in Vetlanda, Sweden by Peter Lundin, and was mixed and mastered by Magnus Lindberg of CULT OF LUNA fame.

Commented KONGH frontman David Johansson: "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" track listing:

01. Sole Creation
02. Tamed Brute
03. The Portals
04. Skymning

KONGH is:

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

"Honor Way Down", the debut album from PRIMITIVE OVERFLOW, the progressive rock project featuring Los Angeles-based guitarist/songwriter Hoyt Binder and ENUFF Z' NUFF singer Donnie Vie, is available now from ProgRock Records. The CD features "progressive cuts with power pop hooks that both sound current and evoke the early progressive scene, when rock and roll was a very spiritual matter," according to a press release.

Inspired by "The Creative," Binder creates music for the sake of music. With influences ranging from 20th-century composers to jazz, rock, metal, funk, pop and folk, he aspired to write an album with no boundaries. Everything melds into the progressive melting pot that is PRIMITIVE OVERFLOW. The end result is a unique sound, integrating progressive rock with catchy pop vocals, dripping with melody.

This album's progressive shoes were fulfilled by the powerhouse of Paulo Gustavo on bass and Chris Quirarte (REDEMPTION) on drums with the brilliant Ronald Van Deurzen on keyboards. Even in the most complex passages, the band manages to keep a rough, organic vibe that keeps the music true to its rock roots. All virtuosos in their own right, the band raised the bar, highlighting the need for a high profile singer to make this album come to life.

"Honor Way Down" track listing:

01. Turnin' Round
02. Caving In
03. Day To Day
04. Honor Way Down
05. Midnight Rendezvous
06. Follow Me
07. Waiting For You
08. Listen Honey
09. Our Praylude
10. Animation

Recording lineup:

Donnie Vie (ENUFF Z'NUFF) - vocals
Hoyt Binder - Guitar, Vocals
Ronald Van Deurzen - Keyboards, Hammond b-3
Paulo Gustavo - Bass
Chris Quirarte (REDEPTION) - Drums

Paul Raymond, songwriter, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist of legendary cult hard rock outfit UFO, has inked a deal with Cherry Red Records' new hard rock imprint label Hear No Evil for his new solo album with the PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT.

The new album, entitled "Terms & Conditions Apply", is set for a worldwide release on January 28, 2013. It will mark the sixth release by the group and features a guest appearance from Michael Schenker (MSG, UFO, SCORPIONS) on a cover of "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and by Reuben Archer (STAMPEDE, WILD HORSES, LIONHEART, LAUTREC) on "Love Is Blind".

Paul Raymond is set to play some select regional solo U.K. shows to promote "Terms & Conditions Apply" in the New Year, including a special headline launch show at London's Borderline venue on Friday, February 1, before resuming his duties touring with UFO. The shows will feature STAMPEDE vocalist Reuben Archer, among other special guests, and will showcase the new material as well as UFO classics. Regional dates are yet to be announced.

Paul Raymond is primarily best known for his work in UFO, having joined the band's ranks in 1976. Beginning with "Lights Out" in 1977, to date Paul has appeared on 11 UFO albums, including the incendiary double live "Strangers In The Night". In a varied career, he's also been a key member in a number of acts, including '70s legends SAVOY BROWN, CHICKEN SHACK, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and WAYSTED.

The PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT (PRP) was first formed in 1989 in Japan featuring original lineup of Frank Di Mino (formerly of ANGEL) on lead vocals and Masoyoshi Yamashitu (LOUDNESS) on bass. Paul spent 1990 writing new material, inspired by the resurgence of straight-ahead blues/rock led by bands such as THE BLACK CROWES and the QUIREBOYS, until, joined by guitarist Andy Simmons, the third incarnation of the project released "Man On A Mission" through Zoom Club Records. It was to be nine years before Paul and Andy joined forces again and recorded "Virtual Insanity" as UFO had once again intervened. In 2010, together with bass player Mark Coles and drummer Tony Steel, they began working on "Terms & Conditions Apply".

"Terms & Conditions Apply" track listing:

01. Born & Raised On Rock 'N' Roll
02. End Of Life As We Know It
03. Deeper Shade Of Blue
04. C-List Celebrity
05. We Will Be Strong
06. Terms & Conditions
07. Whiskey Mac
08. Bright Lights
09. Reach Out (I'll Be There) (featuring. Michael Schenker)
10. Love Is Blind (featuring Reuben Archer)
11. If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody

Bonus tracks:

12. Still The Same
13. Drifting Apart
14. Partners In Crime

PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT is:

Paul Raymond - Lead Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Keyboards
Andy Simmons - Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Keyboards
Mark Coles - Bass, Backing Vocals
Tony Steel - Drums, Backing Vocals

Century Media Records has announced the signing of the BUTCHER BABIES. The band is currently working on its full-length debut for a summer 2013 release.

Hailing from Los Angeles, the BUTCHER BABIES have emerged as one of the biggest draws on the Sunset Strip, their incendiary blend of heavy metal and horror-inspired theatrics inciting crowds worldwide.

Fronted by Carla Harvey and Heidi Shepherd — named two of the year's "Hottest Women In Roc" by Revolver magazine — the blood-splattered band left its mark on the United Kingdom in June, appearing on the Download festival and supporting ANTHRAX in Cardiff. They returned to America as direct support for OTEP in fall, and are wrapping up their first headlining tour tonight in front of a hometown crowd at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip. The band — vocalists Harvey and Shepherd, guitarist Henry Flury, bassist Jason Klein and drummer Chris Warner — will be performing with labelmates IN THIS MOMENT tomorrow night in Las Vegas.

"Century Media has been a huge supporter of BUTCHER BABIES for a long time, and it feels natural to join their tight knit family," said the band of their signing. "It's an honor for us to be on a roster amongst many other bands that have inspired us for so long. We couldn't be more excited about the future of this union."

The BUTCHER BABIES track "Axe Wound" is currently in rotation on SiriusXM Liquid Metal, and their short movie/video fo the track "Mr. Slowdeath" can be seen below.

When asked by Revolver magazine why the BUTCHER BABIES refer to themselves as "slut metal" and what the hell "slut metal" exactly is, Shepherd said, "We can't go balls out — so we go tits out! When girls are perceived as sexual or outspoken, they get labeled sluts, but we embrace those qualities and bring them to our music as well. BUTCHER BABIES is true slut metal: We're doing what we want, how we want."

On the topic of BUTCHER BABIES' goals, Harvey told Revolver, "To bring slut metal to the masses — duh! In all seriousness, we feel like we are just touching on what we are capable of, and we want to continue to grow, get our music out there, and get on the road! There are so many repressed people out there that need to see a show like ours. Hopefully they will take home with them the message that they are able to do everything they want to do regardless of who they are told they are supposed to be."

Austrian death/ black metal metallers BELPHEGOR are working on their as-yet-untitled new album for a March 2013 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The third and last recording session for the CD will take place from November 29 through December 14, with the band's mainman, Helmuth, set to lay down he final vocals, overdubs and the guitar solos. Expect three trailers from the guitar and vocal sessions, coming to you within the next months.

BELPHEGOR's new album is being recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL, CANNIBAL CORPSE).

Commented Helmuth: "This album is gonna be brutal, way more death metal blasphemy than the last records. The nine sound collages will reveal a new dimension of chaos, with the uttermost aggressive soundwall possible."

He added, "It's fantastic to work with Erik; this dude is really challenging, to give the best... 'cause you demons deserve it."

The first in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the studio can be seen below.

BELPHEGOR's last album, "Blood Magick Necromance", was released in January 2011 in Europe and February 2011 in the U.S. via Nuclear Blast Records.

Two different types of official METALLICA neckties are being sold in the band's webstore for $52.99 each: ninja star necktie and snake necktie.

Almost three years ago, a METALLICA fan with the username "jbjbcs1" posted a message in the band's official forum in which he requested that ties be added to the group's webstore. He wrote, "I wear ties to work. I would love to see some tie options offered by the store to the fans. I realize that a tie may not seem very METALLICA-esque, but I would bet you have some takers on this. Styles could include black with a snake, white with the 'Death Magnetic' coffin, '…And Justice' cover, 'Lightning' cover, 'Kill 'Em All' hammer, name icons and logos." Another fan, "In Limbo", chimed in, "Yeah, if it was like the ninja star logo, or a bunch of little ninja-star logos, that would be fine. I don't think anyone wants to see a tie with a bloody hammer, a grave that looks like a vag. I don't think that's really appropriate work attire. Haha."

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).

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.

Drummer RAMIN RAHIMI of Persian metallers ANGBAND has release his new album, entitled Persian Percussion Electrified, via ARC Music.
Tracklisting:

'For Your Love'
'Crazy For Tomorrow'
'Warm Cozy Club'
'Sumerian Dance'
'Southern Dream'
'Let's Play Together'
'When A Gypsy Loves A Persian Girl'
'Listen To Me And Play It!'
'Wake Up At 6 AM!'
'I Stand Alone'

Bonus tracks:
'For Your Love' (rock version)
'Let's Play Together' (rock version)

The album features Angband members Mahyar Dean (electric guitar) and Farshad Shokuhfar (bass), and includes two songs that are a rare mix of heavy metal with Persian traditional music. One of those tracks, 'Let's Play Together', that includes tombak, a pesian percussion instead of drums, can be heard below:

LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page spoke to Rolling Stone magazine about the band's just-released concert film, "Celebration Day", recorded and filmed at LED ZEPPELIN's December 10, 2007 reunion show at London's O2 Arena. The package, which is available on CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc, commemorates ZEPPELIN's first full-scale, complete concert since July 7, 1980 at the band's final show with the late John Bonham in Berlin, Germany.

"Some of us thought we would be continuing, that there were going to be more concerts in the not-too-distant-future," Page told Rolling Stone Senior Writer David Fricke in the new issue, on stands Friday. "Because there was a lot of work being put into the show."

As it turned out, Robert Plant was unwilling to keep performing with LED ZEPPELIN after their 2007 reunion concert. "He was busy," said Page. "He was doing his Alison Krauss project. I wasn't fully aware it was going to be launched at the same time. So what do you do in a situation like that? I'd been working with the other two guys for the percentage of the rehearsals at the O2. We were connecting well. The weakness was that none of us sang."

Page recently shed some light on the band's rehearsals for the O2 show: "Actually the period that we rehearsed over, it may have run over six weeks, or whatever, but we weren't rehearsing every day. We had a little block here and a little block over there on the run up to it."

Bassist John Paul Jones was asked about how he felt after ZEPPELIN wrapped its first complete concert in over 27 years. "There was an immediate feeling of relief that we actually got through it and did well," he said. "I don't know. That was kind of. . . [laughs] I don't know. I didn't feel much after that, to be honest. It was kind of numbing. It was a really good place we were in, I think."

Jason Bonham, who filled in for his dad, whom he lost when he was only 14 years old, felt as though his whole life had been building up to drumming for ZEPPELIN. "But for me, as I said, it was a huge, huge honor to play," he said. "And all I was concentrating on the night, 'cause I knew there was that many people there — I was just concentrating who was on the stage. I just wanted to impress my mates here, my dad's friends."

Plant said that performing the band's 1976 "Presence" classic "For Your Life" for the first time onstage was a definite highlight of the show for him. "Just like Jason, I was amazed I was there playing with LED ZEPPELIN," he said. "And I was just saying, 'Now, where does the vocal come in?' And I know I made a couple of errors — 'just had to shut up instead of doing too much. But. . . I think that was my favorite part of the show, to be honest. Because we were. . . none of us could bring too much back from ever having ever played it before. It was a great experience and that is flying by the seat of the pants. These guys did such a great job on that. It was very exciting. Great light show, too."

Today Rammstein announces the release of their video collection "Videos 1995 – 2012" on December 14th, 2012
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The retrospective includes the band’s complete video catalog, making of for each video plus 2 unreleased videos for the song "Mein Herz brennt".

"Mein Herz brennt", from the 2001 album "Mutter", comes out as a single for the video collection on December 7th, 2012. Especially for this release a new piano version of the song has been recorded. The single also includes the previously unreleased track "Gib mir Deine Augen".

The video of "Mein Herz brennt – Piano Version" will premiere on the Rammstein website on December 7th, 2012!
More information coming soon.

GUNS N' ROSES launched its first-ever residency on October 31 when the band played the first of 12 shows at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The "Appetite For Democracy" run will last through Saturday, November 24, with the band playing a setlist exclusively created for these shows.

According to a posting on GUNS N' ROSES' official Twitter, last night's (Wednesday, November 21) performance at the Joint was filmed in 3D, presumably for future release.

The complete setlist for the concert can be found below (courtesy of Setlist.fm).

The shows feature the current lineup of the band, of which singer Axl Rose is the only original member.

GUNS N' ROSES drew criticism earlier in the month from Clark County commissioners after they were told about an ad for the group's Vegas concerts which depicts what appears to be a sexually assaulted woman beneath the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign.

The image, which is said to be a watered-down version of the banned cover for the band's classic 1987 debut, "Appetite For Destruction", was being used in mainstream advertising, including newspaper promotions and taxicab placards.

KREATOR have announced that they will broadcast their entire show in Berlin, Germany on December 1st, live and worldwide.

The broadcast is being made possible by Spiegel Online, the online version of German weekly news magazine, Der Spiegel. Check out a video trailer here.
Kreator tour dates:

November
21 - Ljubljana, Slovenia =- New Cvetlicarna Media Park
22 - Budapest, Hungary - Club 202
23 - Wien, Austria - Arena
24 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Winter Masters of Rock
25 - Kempten, Germany - BigBox
26 - Fribourg, Switzerland - Fri-Son
28 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Venue TBA
29 - Katowice, Poland - Megaclub
30 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser

December
1 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys
2 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
3 - Minsk, Belarus - Re:Public
5 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Forum Palace
6 - Tallin, EStonia - Tba.
7 - Helsinki, Nosturi
8 - Oulu, Finland - Club Teatria
10 - Stockholm, Sweden - Lilla Arenan
11 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Traedgarn
12 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio
13 - Aarhus, Denmark - Voxhall
14 - Hamburg, Germany - Große Freiheit 36
15 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn
16 - Leeuwarden, Netherlands - Schaaf
18 - Zürich, Switzerland Komplex
19 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
20 - Hannover, Germany - Capitol
21 - München, Germany - Backstage
22 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle

Check out a tour trailer below:
Tickets for the following shows are available at Hardticket.eu.