The Grammy nominated guitarist Andy La Rocque, mainly known for his cooperation with the legendary KING DIAMOND band, who is also a well known and respected sound engineer and producer, and who is owner of the famous Sonic Train Studios (located in Varberg, Sweden), joined forces with freelance producer, band manager and A&R specialist Bart Gabriel (CEO of Gabriel Management), and launched a special promo action dedicated to metal bands and artists.

"When you start a band, and you know you want something more than just playing in a garage or local pub, you realize that you not only need a good sounding record, but you need to make the right decisions and plan everything very carefully, as the first years of the band are like walking on a minefield: one wrong move, and your plans are ruined" says both. "New bands often make terrible mistakes, they don't know how to sell their music, how to generate interest around them, how to approach the labels and so on. So we are here for them" they add. Every new band that will book a recording session at the Sonic Train Studios in 2013 - be it recording full length debut album or EP - have an opportunity to work with Gabriel Management specialists on the band's marketing plan for free.
What many people doesn't know is that Andy La Rocque has been working as a sound engineer & producer for more than 15 years, and his Sonic Train Studios has already hosted bands such as: King Diamond, HAMMERFALL, EVERGREY, SHINING, KING OF ASGARD, FALCONER and many others - while Bart Gabriel produced more than 50 albums from bands such as: SACRED STEEL, JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR, MORTICIAN and many others, and worked as a manager or tour manager with bands like SABATON, CRYSTAL VIPER, SABBAT and LONEWOLF. La Rocque and Gabriel produced two albums together: Crystal Viper's Metal Nation and Lonewolf's The Dark Crusade, both released in 2009. In other news, Sonic Train Studios recently teamed up with Pro Tools certified sound engineer Olof Berggren, with an extended hardware park and knowledge.

For more details visit Sonictrainstudios.com.

RECKON WITH ONE's Mark Anthony K has issued the following update:

"Hope everyone had an enjoyable Halloween. Before I start, I want to send out best wishes to all the people effected by Hurricane Sandy, especially those in NY and NJ. I was totally shocked by how much damage was done.
As for RWO news, I'm pleased to say that we have completed the recording of the bass tracks for the new album. It was time well spent in Vancouver, as the finished tracks have added a lot to the songs. All that's left now is the vocals and some random guitar overdubs. We are getting near to completion and I'm getting excited to be honest....it sounds awesome...a step forward for sure in RWO music.

Until next time..."

Heavy metal/progressive rockers CORSAIR have announced their new self-titled album will be released on January 15th via Shadow Kindom Records.

Shadow Kindom Records commented on the band: “It takes an awful lot to ‘wow’ Shadow Kingdom Records. When we come across something as special as Corsair, it stops us in our tracks and we allow ourselves to be completely hypnotized by the amazing sounds this progressive heavy rock/heavy metal band is making. We can't remember the last time we've been completely destroyed by a band virtually appearing out of thin air. We've always been in love with the sounds of heavy rock and early heavy metal from the 70's and that's where we should start to describe their sound. Their sounds stems from THIN LIZZY, but it doesn't stay there very long because like all great progressive bands, they twist and turn you in all sorts of directions. The mood is very soothing, yet psychedelic with a dash of space rock. We are 100% confident in the abilities of this band that they should be loved on a much larger scale than most bands because they have that crossover appeal that can not only grab the attention of hard core heavy metal fans, but this could easily grab casual radio-fed rock fans too. It's that catchy, it's that good. We're blown away and you will be too.”

The track ‘Falconer’ can be heard below:

Corsair by Corsair
Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Agathyrsi’
‘Chaemera’
‘Falconer’
‘Gryphon Wing’
‘Path Of The Chosen Arrow’
‘Mach’
‘Of Kings And Cowards’
‘The Desert’

Blast Head Records has announced their signing of Birmingham, Alabama's NEBULOUS, for the release of the technical death metallers debut album, The Quantum Transcendence Of Death, for a later to be announced date.
"From the moment I heard Nebulous I was absolutely floored, the songs have this amazing energy, which I think people will really gravitate to. They are a band that has a solid vision of what they are after, and this type of work ethic always pays off! I am very ecstatic to be working with them and looking forward to the release of The Quantum Transcendence of Death!", comments Paul Shaw, owner of Blast Head Records.

The band recorded half of the album during the summer of 2011, but in October they suffered a major loss with the death of their drummer Justin Beasley. The band has forged ahead in Justin's memory and has just recently finalized the remaining tracks. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Joseph McQueen (AS I LAY DYING) of Echelon Studios.

The album artwork captures the vision of the band and was completed by George Prasinis who has done album covers for such notable bands as KATAPLEXIA, MASS INFECTION and SPAWN OF POSSESSION.
Tracklisting:

Part One: The Machination
I: 'Of Means And Ends'
II: 'Catalyze III: SN 5270'
IV: 'Aggregating Powers'
V: 'The Quantum Transcendence Of Death'

Part Two: Into Infinite Spectrums
VI. 'Devourer Of The Cosmos'
VII. 'Forever Impaled'
VIII. 'Hivemind'
IX. 'Spectrums'

Two tracks from the album are available for streaming below:

Gibraltar's premier metal band BREED 77 is back with a brand new single, "Drown".

"Drown", due on Monday, November 26, is the first single to be lifted from the band's forthcoming album, "The Evil Inside", to be released on February 25, 2013.

The new single coincides with BREED 77's European tour with SOIL and FOZZY, which commences Tuesday, November 27.

Commented BREED 77: "It's a great opportunity for us to kickstart the new single and album cycle by joining two awesome bands like SOIL and FOZZY on tour.

"To be playing the prestigious Hard Rock Hell festival for a second time is fantastic. If it's as half as good as last time, it's going to be a blast for all. We're very excited at the prospect of raising hell again and letting the hounds loose at a show near you!"

A dark, brooding affair, "Drown" showcases BREED 77's new album, which is said to be the band's most introspective work to date. Not one to rest on its laurels, BREED 77 has pushed the envelope again with a rockier, more melodic offering this time around.

"'Drown' was debuted live at the Rock Nights Galapagai festival in Lithuania earlier this summer and it became an instant monster of a song on stage and went down a storm with the crowd," said BREED 77. "The single release will be packaged with some B-side surprises, so look out for that!"

Earlier this year, BREED 77 teamed up with Pledge Music for an exclusive acoustic EP, "Under The Skin"; a collection of eight tracks, encompassing versions of the band's classic songs from their chart hits back catalogue and a few surprises as the band tackled some well known rock standards but with their own unique twist.

BREED 77 is:

Paul Isola - Vocals
Danny Felice - Guitars
Pedro Caparros - Guitars
Stuart Cavilla - Bass
Andre Joyzi - Drums

Former ONWARD, GODLESS RISING guitarist Toby Knapp has returned to Shredguy Records.
Pre-production has begun for the second album from death metallers SEEKING OBSCURE, on which Knapp will be providing all lead guitar work. Experimentation with different guitars and amps to achieve the perfect guitar tone is underway.

This album will be issued through the Metalbolic label in 2013. Knapp is also putting together his own recording system and is soon to begin pre-production on his fifth solo album, which will be entirely instrumental and will see a 2013 release through Shredguy Records.

Stay tuned for updates.

Swedish newcomers TOXICROSE have announced the release of their new video for the track ‘A Song For The Weak’. The video was directed by Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES) at Revolver Film Company. Check it out below:



‘A Song For The Weak’ comes off the band’s forthcoming self-titled debut album.

The CD was co-produced by Martin Sweet of CRASHDÏËT and will be released via City Of Lights Records (a division of Rock It Up Records).



ToxicRose are:
Goran - bass
Michael (ex-LIPSTIXX N'BULLETZ) - drums
Andy (ex-Lipstixx N'Bulleetz) - lead vocals
Tom (Gemini Five) - guitars

To get a taste of the new disc, check out the video below:

Swedish industrial metallers 8TH SIN will be releasing the final edition of their trilogy entitled Cosmogenesis on November 23rd in Europe and February 3rd, in the US via Soulseller Records. The album will be available on CD as well as digital download.

The album contains 15 tracks, six of which are bonus tracks. Among them are two covers of DEPECHE MODE's ‘Walking In My Shoes’ and VENOM's ‘Black Metal’.

The opening track, ‘Teonanacatl (Flesh Of The Gods)’ can be heard below:
The album is produced by Michael Bohlin and includes guest appearances by:

Joacim Thenander - The Mobhead remixes.
Pontus Norgren - Guitar solo on ‘Teonanacatl (Flesh Of The Gods)’.
PM Saari - Guitar solo on ‘Walking In My Shoes’.
Anders Olsson - Guitar solo on ‘Walking In My Shoes’.
Martin Boman - Guitar solo on ‘Walking In My Shoes’.
Eric Rivers - Guitar solo on ‘Walking In My Shoes’.
Magnus Lundkvist - Additional backing vocals and guitar solo on ‘Walking in my shoes’.
Joacim Cans - Additional backing vocals on ‘Walking In My Shoes’.
Catherine Forsberg - Additional backing vocals.
Ira Keelyn - Additional backing vocals and female words on ‘Presession Of The Equinoxe’.
Alexandra Balogh - Additional backing vocals.
Kimmy Bohlin - Co-lead vocals on ‘Safety Exit’.
Peter Tägtgren - Co-lead vocals on ‘Black Metal’.
Joacim Lundberg - Co-lead vocals on ‘Walking in my shoes’.
Tracklisting is as follows:
‘Teonanacatl (Flesh Of The Gods)’
‘Perfectly Wrong’
‘Precession Of The Equinoxes’
‘ID Zero’
‘Safety Exit’
‘Plumed Serpent Rise’
‘Ekpyrosis’
'Cosmogenesis’
‘The Eight Sins - Part III’
Bonus tracks:
‘Walking In My Shoes’
‘Black Metal’
‘Irreligious’ - Mobhead 12 Mix
‘A Sleepover At The Feeling Of Death’ - Mobhead 12 Mix
‘Irreligious’ - Rectifier Club Mix 135
‘The 11th Commandment’

A rare live video of DEEP PURPLE performing 'The Well Dressed Guitar', an instrumental featured on the 2CD limited edition of the album Rapture Of The Deep, can be seen below. The footage was used in 2005 for the promotion of the album and it's never been released on DVD.

Watch below:
Deep Purple and JOURNEY have announced more shows on their Australasian tour, which commences at the Vector Arena in Auckland on Sunday, February 24th, 2013.

Complete dates include:

February
24 - Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
26 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - Brisbane, Australia

March
1 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne, Australia
2 - Sydney Entertainment Centre - Sydney, Australia
4 - Adelaide Entertainment Centre - Adelaide, Australia
7 - Perth Arena - Perth, Australia
Deep Purple fan-site The Highway Star reported recently that bassist Roger Glover spoke to ITAR-TASS and revealed that there are 14 tracks ready for the new album, probably 11 or 12 of them will pass the final selection and end up being released. A tentative release date is somewhere in mid-February 2013 and the band are still deciding on an album title.
Journey are currently touring in support of their latest album, 2011's Eclipse.

Under-rated UK-based heavy rockers WOLFSBANE - featuring former IRON MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley - have finally remastered two vital pieces of their catalog: Live Fast, Die Fast (1989) and the EP All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place (1990). Wolfsbane were hotly-tipped as the next big thing when they signed to Def American records and Rick Rubin produced their first album. The band supported Iron Maiden on their No Prayer On The Road tour in 1990.
Guitarist Jason Edwards remarks: "Great news!!! The remastered versions of Live Fast Die Fast and Kathy Wilson are now available in the web shop at Wolfsbanehms.com. So they live in hard copy again!!! Personally I think they're worth getting wether you have the original or not! Either way....... Enjoy! Remastered means that the new versions are a lot louder, more shinny sounding and a bit fuller than the originals. They are not remixed."

Romanian metallers DORDEDUH have released a live clip for the track 'Flacararii', featured on the group's new album, Dar De Duh, released on September 28th via Prophecy Productions. The footage was taken at Brutal Assault festival in the summer of 2011, check it out below:
Dar De Duh tracklisting:

'Jind De Tronuri'
'Flacararii'
'E-an-na'
'Calea Rotilor De Foc'
'Pandarul'
'Zuh'
'Cumpat'
'Dojana'
The video, for the track 'Dojana', was visualized by the musicians and director Costin Chioreanu inimitably, and the outcome once more emphasises Dordeduh's artistic uniqueness. Watch the video below:

AEROSMITH will release their new album, Music From Another Dimension!, on November 6th via Columbia Records. It marks the band’s 15th studio album and their first studio album of all-new material in 11 years.
RollingStone.com are premiering the album, one track at a time, in the weeks leading up to the release.

The initial spark behind the mid-tempo track 'Closer' started with Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer. He had an idea that he wanted to explore and dove into it during a 90-minute jam session with longtime band collaborator Marti Frederiksen.

"He's one of the few guys who has the patience to hear out my ideas, because I'm not musical that way. I wanted to do something at that particular tempo, so Marti and I started jamming together," Kramer says of songwriting with the producer-composer. "You always come out with something at the end of the day. Always. There's never a blank day."

Read more and hear 'Closer' at this location.

Commentary and audio of other tracks from the album can be found via the links below:

- 'Freedom Fighter'
- 'We All Fall Down'
- 'Lover Alot'
- 'Can't Stop Loving You'
- 'Street Jesus'
- 'What Could Have Been Love'
- 'Legendary Child'
- 'Out Go The Lights'
- 'Tell Me'
- 'Beautiful
- 'Oh Yeah'

Billboard is reporting that Aerosmith has it's first Adult Contemporary chart hit since 1998, when 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' reached #13. 'What Could Have Been Love' from the band's 15th studio album, Music From Another Dimension!, debuts at #28.

Aerosmith recently released the video for 'What Could Have Been Love'. The clip can be seen below:
A deluxe version of Music From Another Dimension! will include:

- Four live performance videos: 'Rats In The Cellar', 'Train Kept A Rollin'', 'Oh Yeah' and 'Same Old Song and Dance'
- Exclusive interviews with the members of Aerosmith band members
- Three exclusive new bonus tracks: 'Up On A Mountain', 'Oasis' and 'Sunny Side of Love'
Music From Another Dimension! tracklisting is as follows:

'LUV XXX'
'Oh Yeah'
'Beautiful'
'Tell Me'
'Out Go The Lights'
'Legendary Child'
'What Could Have Been Love'
'Street Jesus'
'Can’t Stop Loving You' (with CARRIE UNDERWOOD)
'Lover A Lot'
'We All Fall Down'
'Freedom Fighter' (with JOHNNY DEPP)
'Closer'
'Something'
'Another Last Goodbye'

Check out BraveWords.com scribe Martin Popoff's new Aerosmith feature, in which Brad Whitford talks about the band's new album, at this location.

Aerosmith are known for throwing a helluva party, and they’ve got a special one planned for their beloved hometown, Boston, on the day before Election Day, Monday, November 5th.

They’re planning to show up somewhere in the city, around noon, and play on the streets. That’s all the band are telling us for now. Well, they would like to tell us more, but they’re cooperating with authorities who will let them reveal the location the morning of November 5th.

Says Joe Perry, "People, get out and vote! For whomever you like. Just do it. Be a 'Freedom Fighter'”, to quote a song title from the band's new album. “Anyone who votes is a Freedom Fighter.”
Aerosmith recently announced the second leg of The Global Warming Tour, which will include support act CHEAP TRICK. Tickets are on sale now at LiveNation.com. For VIP ticket packages, including opportunities to meet band members, backstage tours, great tickets and more, visit Aeroforceone.com.

Dates:

November
8 - Oklahoma City, OK - Chesapeake Energy Arena
11 - Wichita, KS - INTRUST Bank Arena
14 - Kansas City, MO - Spring Center
16 - Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center
20 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
23 - Atlantic City, NJ - Revel Resorts – Ovation Hall
25 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
27 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre

December
1 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
3 - Los Angeles, CA - STAPLES Center
6 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena
9 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - BB&T Center
11 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Bay Times Forum
13 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena

On November 1st, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were guests on CBS's Late Night With David Letterman. During their appearance, the former Toxic Twins talked about sex, drugs and rock and roll; see for yourself:

NoiseArt Records and Rock The Nation announce the signing of Pagan Metal warriors WOLFCHANT.

Wolfchant has established itself in the German and internationalen Viking/Pagan metal scene within the last years and has acquired a big fan base due to their energetic live shows and killer performances. The band will release its fifth studio album, Embraced By Fire, via NoiseArt Records on March 1st 2013.
Commented the band: "We are very delighted and are looking forward to the cooperation with Noiseart Records / Rock The Nation. We are very proud to have the possibility to release our new album together with such a reliable and professional partner."

NoiseArt Records: "We are very glad that we have, with Wolfchant, catched the next big fish and that we`ve got the chance to extend the NAR roster with another high calibre band. We have big plans with Wolfchant and are looking forward to a successful future."

Wolfchant lineup:

Mario "Lokhi" Möginger (vocals)
Michael "Nortwin" Seifert (clean vocals)
Mario "Skaahl" Liebl (guitar)
Ragnar (guitar)
Sarolv (bass)
Daniel "Norgahd" Liebl (drums, accordion, keyboard, vocals)
Dieter "Gvern" Kasberger (keyboard)

More on Wolfchant at this location.

New York, NY thrash metallers PIROSAINT have announced the addition of Nicolas Scandiffio (INSIDE OUT N.Y.C.) as its new permanent singer.
Scandiffio commented: "I'm happy. I have finally found my match; Pirosaint is exactly what I have been searching for… my admiration for all genres of heavy metal music made me land on the ideal situation.”

Drummer Ignacio Orellana also commented: "We had to move fast after the last bad experience with the singer, So, as soon as we knew that Nicolas was our guy, we decided to do a song and see what we could get from that mix and here it is!… It's ‘a new yesterday’ for me personally, Pirosaint has released brand new material after 15 years of being asleep. So, now we are working on a mini album which we have already recorded half way … we hope to have it finished by the end of these year, and release it on CD format via Digmetalworld Records, by March of the next year.”

The band have uploaded a brand new track titled ‘I'd rather see them bleed’ featuring its new line up.

The track was recorded and mixed by Ignacio Orellana at Oily Sound Studios in New Windsor, NY and Mastered at SoundLab, New Jersey. Check it out below:
The band has been confirmed as supporting act for SOULFLY/CAVALERA CONSPIRACY’s Marc Rizzo on the following dates:

November

23 – Bogies - Albany NY

December
15 - The Loft - Poughkeepsie, NY
Pirosaint is:
Nicolas Scandiffio - vocals
Bill Smith - guitars
Ron Buckner – bass
Ignacio Orellana - drums/backing vocals

Saskatoon based thrash/death metal band UNTIMELY DEMISE, who recently recorded their sophomore album at ex-MEGADETH guitarist Glen Drover's Eclipse Studios, have premiered the new song 'Spiritual Embezzlement' with a lyric video. CHeck it out below:
The group has had a eventful year so far including support shows for death metal legends SUFFOCATION and MASSACRE, a SiriusXM Canadian Independent Music Award nomination for Metal Group of the Year, a tour of Western Canada, and shows with SKELETONWITCH and ANVIL. Following the critical success of their City Of Steel album, Sonic Unyon and War On Music have released a special vinyl edition of the album (with a bonus track) which is available through both labels and the band direct.

For information on Untimely Demise go to this location.

Illinois-based viking thrashers THE HORDE has officially added drummer Travis Scudder to their lineup. The 20-year-old skin-basher has stepped in to replace the recently departed James Whitehurst, who left the band for personal reasons. Scudder also plays with Illinois black metal outfit SEPT OF MEMNON.
The Horde are currently working on material for their next slab of viking thrash to be released in CD and vinyl formats in the fall of 2013 by Abyss Records.

Catch The Horde live at the following shows:

December
7 - Ribco - Rock Island, IL
8 - 1st St Armoury - Monmouth, IL
15 - Whiteys - Burlington, IA

Swedish death metallers DEMONICAL recently completed a headlining tour through Russia, supported by Sweden’s SPASMODIC. The band now check in with an update:
"The highly successful tour through Russia officially closed the Death Infernal touring cycle. We would hereby like to thank each and everyone of you who supported us in a way or another during the past 17 months at all our memorable shows in Europe, north-America and Russia. It was a truly awesome and significant ride.

We hope to see you all again in April/May 2013 when we return to the live scene with full force and a new album under our belt.

As of now we will fully concentrate on new dominating material and the realization of our upcoming fourth full-length, a process which will take place at Necromorbus Studios in Stockholm between late November and late January 2013.

Further news, studio updates and more detailed info will of course be posted during the path so keep checking back. Until then - Bang or be banged!!"

Updates to follow. More on Demonical at this location.

ARTISTdirect.com editor-in-chief Rick Florino recently conducted an interview with vocalist Ville Valo of Finnish love metallers HIM. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

ARTISTdirect.com: With [the new HIM greatest-hits album] "XX - Two Decades of Love Metal" and [upcoming studio CD] "Tears On Tape", do you feel like you're in a particularly creative place?

Valo: "Tears On Tape" is going to be really organic, straight-in-your-face, super melancholy bullshit. [laughs] It's going to be something nobody's heard before. I'm really happy about it. It sounds great. Remember the soundtrack for "Twin Peaks" that Angelo Badalamenti did? It's got that similar forlorn, melancholy quality but mixed up with MOTÖRHEAD. That's where we're at! We're really happy. It's got that dreamlike quality. It's like ROY ORBISON meeting METALLICA.

ARTISTdirect.com: What's it like to reach the point where you can make a compilation of hits? Is it almost like compiling a photo album?

Valo: It makes us feel really fucking old. [laughs] At the end of the day, we're proud of what we've done, and there's an opportunity to do something like this. I belong to the BLACK SABBATH school that albums are albums. You have your bad tracks. You have your good tracks. You have your sentimental tracks. You have your heavy metal tracks. You have to have that yin and yang going on. With a compilation, it's really tough. It's a reminder that we do exist. I think that was the most important thing with the compilation, per se. Nine out of ten bands don't get this far. I'm not talking about success. I'm talking about the fact bands actually stay together. It's a long time to be in a band and still appreciate everybody you're playing the music with. It's crazy. It's something where if you pick up your tarot card, it won't fucking work. [laughs]

ARTISTdirect.com: Where did "Tears On Tape" come from?

Valo: The point behind that is I grew up with music so music has been my safehaven in good and bad situations. Those tears that the artists put on tape are the ones that carry us on. The "Tape" in the title is symbolic. It's about the fact you actually put your heart out. When you pour your heart into whatever you're doing, it's valid. Nobody can take that away. It's so tough to start writing. When you get the flow, it revitalizes you and gives you the opportunity to feel you do have the reason to exist.

Read the entire interview from ARTISTdirect.com.

Drummer MIKE PORTNOY (ex-DREAM THEATER) is currently on the road with his PSMS project (PORTNOY / SHEEHAN / MACALPINE / SHERINIAN) and has checked in with the following update:
"The two PSMS shows in China were great, but I was going through social media withdrawals because Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are not allowed there. No wonder China is so overpopulated - they're not wasting hours upon hours a day on social media like the rest of us...hahaha! We're now Taipei and look forward to playing here tonight and then onto Manilla, Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta and then over to Japan.

Not having social media access while in China made it very difficult for me to keep track of all of the hurricane damage, so I'm only now catching up with all of everybody's reports and it's absolutely incredible what I'm seeing and reading. My heart goes out to all my family and friends on the East Coast, especially in my hometown Long Beach, NY which seems to have suffered tremendously. I hope everybody is OK and on the road to recovery."
The virtuoso band featuring Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Tony MacAlpine and Derek Sherinian are playing an all-instrumental set consisting of material from each of their solo records and their previous collaborations as well as classic instrumental covers and extended solo spots. Mike Portnoy formed the lineup to perfom at two drum events at the NAMM show last January. Due to overwhelming response that band has decided to take their show on tour.

"I knew when assembling this lineup that it would be a magical musical experience that would be a blast for us as well as the fans! I can't wait to play again with these tremendous musicians and share the experience with you all at these special shows!" says Portnoy.

Tour dates are now as follows:

November
4 - Hwa Sha Auditorium - Taipei, Taiwan
6 - SM Sky Dome - Manila, Philippines
7 - BKK Convention Center- Bangkok, Thailand
10 - TAB Live Music Bar - Orchard, Singapore
11 - Senayan Lapangan D - Jakarta, Indonesia

The band recently posted a promo clip for their new InstruMENTAL Inspirations DVD, which offers an inside look at the project and is available on tour. Check it out below:

Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" conducted an interview with Wendy Dio, the widow of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, HEAVEN & HELL), at the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund's second awards gala, which was held on October 31 at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood, California. You can watch the chat below.

Asked what her reaction was when she found out that Ronnie's BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL bandmate Tony Iommi was diagnosed with lymphoma, Wendy said, "I cried. And I'm so, so happy he's making it. He's gonna be here tonight and he's gonna be here tonight and he's just a wonderful person. He was a very friend of Ronnie's — him and Geezer [BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL bassist Terry 'Geezer' Butler] both — and we're so, so happy. It is fantastic."

On the topic of whether Iommi asked for any advice after he was first diagnosed with lymphoma, Wendy said, "Not really. We didn't talk about that. He lives in England and I live here. But I saw him a few weeks ago and I sent hm lots of encouragement and letters and things."

Ronnie James Dio died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.

Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund is a charity organization founded by Wendy Dio which is dedicated to cancer prevention, research and education.

Wendy Dio married her boyfriend of the past two decades, Omar Gimenez, on September 9 in a private ceremony among family and friends in Montecito, California.

Limited quantities of the vinyl re-issues of the Terria and Ocean Machine albums are now available at the official DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT merch store. Terria is available in green or black, and Ocean Machine available in blue or black. Go to this location for details and to purchase.
On October 27th, Devin Townsend (ex-STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) launched his biggest accomplishments to date: The Retinal Circus. Taking place at London's historic Roundhouse venue, this one-night only extravaganza was sold out for over a year. It was filmed for both DVD and Blu-Ray, and is likely to be released sometime in the second quarter 2013 via InsideOutMusic.

Drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen issued the following comment with regards to fan-filmed video of the song 'Grace' from the set:

"The most epic ending to any show I have EVER played in my life. What a night at Retinal Circus..... 'Grace' live. The end of the song gives me goosebumps every time."
Townsend's long time tour manager Paul Collis has issued the following recap of the event:

"It has taken a few days to sink in and I'm not normally overwhelmed easily, and I don't normally wear my heart on my sleeve so to speak, but here is a picture of possibly the proudest moment of my life so far. As the confetti went off at the end of Devin Townsend's Retinal Circus penultimate song 'Grace' and the incredible spectacle that it was had been pulled off I was in awe of everyone who had made it happen. The task was basically impossible but with a sheer will to make it work over 100 people came together for two days and made it happen. It was nothing but an idea and a script on paper at 10:00am on Friday morning and by 8:00pm on Saturday night it was performed in its 3 hour entirety, I cannot emphasise enough how vulnerable that made this show and how easy it would have been for it to be a complete fail, but Devin is not afraid to put himself out there and take that risk, and with that lead all cast and crew came together with the same incredible passion, commitment and hard work and created The Retinal Circus!"

The complete setlist on the night was as follows:

'Effervescent'
'True North'
'Lucky Animals'
'Planet Of The Apes'
'Truth'
'War'
'Planet Smasher'
'Babysong'
'Vampolka'
'Vampira'
'Addicted'
'Colour Your World'
'The Greys'

(15 minute intermission)

'Hyperdrive!' (acoustic)
'Ih-Ah!'
'Where We Belong'
'Detox'
'Bend It Like Bender'
'Life'
'Kingdom'
'Juular'
'Love?
'Wild Colonial Boy'
'Grace'
'Little Pig'

Bay area thrashers BLEED THE FREAKS, the band composed of ex-MISERY guitarist Mike Roberts and ex-TYRANT SIN (pre-CANNIBAL CORPSE) vocalist Will Rule, have just released their debut CD All Is Lost. Produced by Juan Urteaga (TESTAMENT, MACHINE HEAD), the album is "an eight song slab of aggression seasoned with memorable guitar hooks and vocal melodies," according to a press release.
Check out the first single/video from the album 'All Is Lost' below:
Bleed The Freaks are completed by drummer Kenny Urrea, bassist Jamey Knight (also of the band Misery), and guitarist Zak Edwardz.

For more information about Bleed The Freaks visit Facebook.

Classic US metallers EXXPLORER will see their second album, A Recipe For Power, released on a vinyl LP edition (400 black, 100 clear), on November 16th via Pure Steel Records.

A Recipe For Power vinyl edition comes with a top-quality gatefold cover. The production is warm and authentic (not very typical for the mid-90s) and the album offers 43 minutes of power metal with a bit of prog added.

You will hear once again Lenny Rizzo’s touching and magical voice, melodic and simply unique. 'One' is a cover song, recorded as a tribute to the late songwriter HARRY NILSSON.
Tracklisting;

Side A
'Rockin’ Bound'
'Life’s Seduction'
'One'
'Bible Black'
'Smelling The Roses'

Side B
'Rock The Nation'
'Beg, Borrow And Steel'
'Just A Dream'
'Ride The Storm'

Pre-order at the links below:

- Black Vinyl
- Clear Vinyl

On November 5th, Switzerland-based hard rockers SILVER DIRT will release their third album, entitled Payback Time. With their new album recorded and produced by the legendary Beau Hill (ALICE COOPER, RATT, WARRANT, etc.), Silver Dirt is back with a collection of hard rock songs and unbeatable melodies.

Payback Time tracklisting:

'The Stand'
'Spread Your Wings'
'Spinning The Wheel'
'Place In The Sun'
'Here They Come'
'Never Give Up'
'Beautiful Day'
'R.I.P. (The Earth)'
'No More'
'Mata Kuru Ze'
'Beautiful Day' (Bonus Track, Slide Version)

A video trailer can be seen below:
Silver Dirt lineup:

Steff Perrone - Vocals
Chris Savourey - Guitars
Stéfano ''Béorn'' Ongarello - Bass
V.G Richardson - Drums
More on Silver Dirt at this location.

ANNIHILATOR guitarist/founder Jeff Waters has posted more rare live footage online:

"Annihilator 'Brief Reunion Tour 1999' Belgium!

Got all the Alice In Hell line-up back for a record and a few tours... all but bassist Wayne Darley who could not make it due to ongoing 'health' issues. This was a warm-up gig at the famous Biebob club in Belgium! Owner Bob rocks!"
Footage from the band's Japanese tour in 1993 was posted earlier. The clip below features 'Set The World On Fire' and 'W.T.Y.D.'

"This short tour had Jeff Waters on guitar, Randy Black on drums, Aaron Randall on vocals but with a twist! Rhythm guitarist Dave Davis had to move over to bass guitar with three days notice (two of those days being travel days!) as then bassist Wayne Darley could not make it to Japan (and that was the last time Wayne played with the band). Dave Davis did a fantastic job all things considered and Jeff had his own hell to deal with; he had to figure out which of the usual two guitar parts he should play. Annihilator is not a band where only one guitar player can do... the music is written for two guitar players. Despite this, the tour was a huge success and only topped by the King Of The Kill tour 1995. This is raw board audio and an in-house auto camera system."

Reunited Florida-based "nu metal" act TWISTED METHOD played its first show in nearly eight years on October 28 at Dixie Roadhouse in Cape Coral, Florida. Original members Derrick "Tripp" Tribbett (vocals) and Derek DeSantis (bass) were joined by Tony Elchert (EKOTREN) on drums and Virus (DOPE) on guitar.

Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be see below. Photos are available at this location.

According to The News-Press, TWISTED METHOD was one of only two rock acts to originate in Lee County, Florida and go on to sign national recording contracts. The band were signed to MCA in 2002 and released "Escape From Cape Coma" the following year. In 2003, the band was tapped to perform on the second stage at Ozzfest.

Over the two years that followed, TWISTED METHOD continued to tour and and bring new "inmates" (as they called their fans) to their asylum of sound. Their first show back home after Ozzfest at the defunct Neptune's was sold out and their performance at radio station 99X's X-Fest stole the show from more popular bands such as PUDDLE OF MUDD and TRAPT.

Following TWISTED METHOD's split in June 2005, the Tribbett formed a new project called MAKESHIFT ROMEO with DeSantis. The group also included ex-MOTOGRATER bassist Jonny Nailz and former SLITHERYN drummer Tom "T-Bone" Burke.

Former TWISTED METHOD guitarist Andy Howard died in September 2005 at the age of 23. The cause of death was not revealed.

"I felt numb about it at first, but then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Andy was a very bright mind and a dynamite guy to be around," DeSantis told NaplesNews.com. But, he added, "I never thought for a second about quitting music. None of us did."

Vocalist Aleksi Sihvonen (MEDICATED, NORTHER, IMPERANON) joined Finnish metallers on stage this past Friday, November 2 at Kerubi in Joensuu, Finland to perform a cover version of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's "Love?" Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

NORTHER announced its decision to disband in July, citing the bandmembers' inability to "tour or do shows as much as we would want to, this being due to members' complicated and time-consuming life situations." The group added, "We simply cannot act as an active and working band and it is clear that these issues are not solved in the future."

Currently unsigned, NERVE END is a four-piece metal act from Joensuu, Finland. The band's aim is "to deliver high-quality, high-energy music," according to their official bio.