CHURCHBURN — the musical collaboration between two of the undergrounds masters of misery Dave Suzuki, best known for his mesmerizing guitar work and brutal drumming in VITAL REMAINS and Ray McCaffrey, who carved out sonic drum patterns for SIN OF ANGELS and GRIEF — has announced the addition of bassist Kevin Edwards (THRILLHOUSE) to group's ranks.

Commented McCaffrey: "Dave, Shawn [McCoy, guitar], and I know that Kevin brings a lot to the table and not only strengthens our band but shares our passion for the music. We are very happy to welcome Kevin into our ranks and look forward to working with him."

According to a press release, Suzuki and McCaffrey have set out to share with the world their love of the riff, not only the heaviest but also the most haunting. Each song is crafted with the most sinister of intent. CHURCHBURN wants the listener to feel a true sense of dread as the song progresses.

"CHURCHBURN is very different from VITAL REMAINS," said Suzuki. "Ray and I wanted to do something slow and heavy...just something pummeling to the listener."

CHURCHBURN is:

Dave Suzuki - Guitar, Vocals
Ray Mccaffrey - Drums, Vocals
Shawn McCoy - Guitar
Kevin Edwards - Bass

The band is currently writing and demoing material for its debut album, tentatively due in early 2013 via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

Legendary BAD BRAINS singer H.R. (born Paul D. Hudson) joined DEFTONES on stage this past Friday night (October 26) at Rams Head Live! in Baltimore, Maryland to perform two songs: a cover version of BAD BRAINS' "Right Brigade" and the DEFTONES song "Bored". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

DEFTONES bassist Sergio Vega took tweeted after the concert, "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would perform a song with H.R.!"

DEFTONES' seventh studio album, "Koi No Yokan", will be released on November 13. The group worked again with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who helmed 2010's "Diamond Eyes" and has also worked on albums by RUSH and FOO FIGHTERS.

DEFTONES has tapped Christopher Mills (MODEST MOUSE, INTERPOL) to direct the video for the song "Tempest". The clip will make its online debut during the coming weeks.

BAD BRAINS will release its new album, "Into The Future", on November 20 via Megaforce. The CD features the classic lineup of H.R., Darryl Jenifer, Dr. Know and Earl Hudson.

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach joined HALESTORM on stage yesterday (Saturday, October 27) at the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan, to perform a cover version of the SKID ROW classic "Slave To The Grind". HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale also joined Bach on stage during his set at the festival and performed a song with his band. Bach says, "What an incredible day that I will never forget!"

Fan-filmed video footage of Bach's performance with HALESTORM can be seen below.

HALESTORM recorded a cover version of "Slave To The Grind" for their "ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP", which was released in March 2011 via all digital retailers. The effort saw HALESTORM putting their unique stamp on a diverse collection of classic songs, including tracks by GUNS N' ROSES, THE BEATLES, HEART, TEMPLE OF THE DOG and LADY GAGA.

Phil Campbell (MOTÖRHEAD) and Duff McKagan (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED) joined reunited hard rockers UGLY KID JOE on stage on October 24 at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom to perform the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades". Check out fan-filmed video footage below. Headlining the concert was Alice Cooper, with additional support from DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED.

UGLY KID JOE's new EP, "Stairway To Hell" was released digitally on June 5 and physically on July 9.

UGLY KID JOE released three full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the 1990s before disbanding in 1997.

Quality video footage of San Francisco Bay Area metallers DEATH ANGEL performing the song "Thrashers" on October 26 at Ace Of Spades in Sacramento, California can be seen below.

DEATH ANGEL's long-awaited DVD, "A Thrashumentary", will be released in early 2013. Guitarist Ted Aguilar recently stated about the set, "It's gonna cover the history of DEATH ANGEL from the very beginning all the way up to the current version of DEATH ANGEL now. It's gonna be jam-packed with a lot of old footage, stuff from early D.A., even their side projects after D.A., when D.A. broke up and THE ORGANIZATION formed, and the reformation of the band [for an appearance at] Thrash Of The Titans [festival in 2001]."

According to a press release, "A Thrashumentary" is a combination live video and documentary, all wrapped up in one thrashing DVD. The footage was directed by Tommy Jones (SOILWORK, KATAKLYSM) and mixed by Chris Clancy of The Studio. The film gives the viewer an in-depth look into one of the longest-running thrash acts out of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region known for turning out historic thrash bands such as METALLICA, TESTAMENT and EXODUS.

With the band surviving a span of 30 years of activity, and 25 years since the release of the classic album "The Ultra-Violence", now was the time to tell the story. Filmed on the "Relentless Retribution" world tour, the film shows the bands energetic live performance, cut with documentary-style interview footage. "Fly-on-the-wall" filming of the band talking about their career and footage of the band on the road give the viewer a personal connection to what is known as the mighty DEATH ANGEL.

A video for a new LIMP BIZKIT track called "Lightz" can be seen below. The song is expected to appear on the band's next studio album, "Stampede Of The Disco Elephants", which will be released next year via LIMP BIZKIT's new deal with Cash Money, Lil Wayne's longtime record company.

LIMP BIZKIT frontman Fred Durst revealed via Twitter that "Lightz" is not the band's official new single and he claimed that the track was "leaked prematurely."

LIMP BIZKIT is currently working on a video for the "Urban Assault Version" of the group's collaboration with Lil Wayne, "Ready To Go".

LIMP BIZKIT last year parted ways with Interscope, the label that released all of the band's records thus far through its subsidiaries Flip, Geffen and Suretone Records.

2011's "Gold Cobra" was LIMP BIZKIT's first CD to feature the original lineup of Fred Durst (vocals), Wes Borland (guitar), Sam Rivers (bass), John Otto (drums), and DJ Lethal since 2000's "Chocolate Starfish And Hot Dog Flavored Water".

Video footage of Marty Friedman's October 22 performance at Connexion Café in Toulouse, France during the "Guitar Universe 2012" European tour with Israel's Yossi Sassi (ORPHANED LAND) and France's Stéphan Forté (ADAGIO) can be seen below.

After reissuing three acclaimed recent studio albums by Friedman over the summer, Prosthetic Records is excited to now introduce North American audiences to the former MEGADETH and CACOPHONY axeman's two "Tokyo Jukebox" albums. Released in Japan in 2009 and 2011, respectively, "Tokyo Jukebox" and "Tokyo Jukebox 2" — the ninth and eleventh chapters in Friedman's influential solo discography — will make their U.S. debuts on November 20 as a limited-edition, specially priced 2CD release featuring artwork exclusive to this pressing and new liner notes by Friedman himself. The double album is now available for pre-order.

Soon after leaving MEGADETH following a 10-year run in which the iconic band sold some 10 million albums worldwide, Friedman — perhaps the most revered lead guitarist in thrash metal history — moved to Japan, where over the past decade he became a household name. Between his solo releases and collaborations with Japanese stars, he has played on and written numerous Top 10 hits (including two No. 1s); he has also made hundreds of appearances on mainstream Japanese television and performed at legendary venues such as Budokan and the Tokyo Dome.

"Tokyo Jukebox" and "Tokyo Jukebox 2" feature energetic instrumental covers of Japanese pop (J-Pop) songs that can be enjoyed by anyone with a sweet tooth for melody, and capture Friedman's passion for the music of his adopted home country — although, as he warns in the liner notes for this release, "I took the liberty of destroying and reconstructing them my own way." In the below video (which has been posted at Prosthetic's newly-launched Friedman mini-site, where additional "Tokyo Jukebox"-related videos will be unveiled in the coming weeks), Friedman further describes the collection, calling it some of the heaviest and best work of his career.

Featuring Jeremy Colson (STEVE VAI, BILLY IDOL) on drums, "Tokyo Jukebox" features reconstructed covers of J-Pop and J-Rock hits selected by readers of Japan's top entertainment magazine. "Tokyo Jukebox 2", meanwhile, was recorded in Los Angeles at The Village (AEROSMITH, KISS), and features guest performances by Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL) and Keshav Dhar (SKYHARBOR). The albums feature tracks originally performed by acclaimed Japanese acts such as MR. CHILDREN, SMAP, PERFUME and MAXIMUM THE HORMONE.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following update:

"Droogies,

"I wanted to check in with you as I get ready to start tracking my 14th MEGADETH record.

"For some of you that are new fans, the word 'Droogie' may seem a strange way to start a letter, but it means 'friend,' supposedly in Russian slang. I got the idea to call you that from watching Alex from 'A Clockwork Orange' call his two co-conspirators that. So, now you know I ain't calling you 'druggies.' Onward to the update.

"Last Thursday I went to see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) to find out the status of the damage to my vocal cords that they discovered prior to my surgery, and my neck from after the surgery. I was told during the first MRIs that I had a cyst or something on my vocal cords, and I didn't give it any more thought, because the fusion was way more important.

"I still find it laughable that someone I know said I was a pussy while lying in an ER awaiting spinal surgery for contemplating cancelling the 'Big Four' show in New York City. I guess the old saying, 'You spot it — you got it!' applies here. Except I don't want to offend our female fans by comparing this excrement to a body part of theirs.

"I walked away from the surgery, which was done after the concert (who's the pussy now?) and was a complete success, thinking I had nodes or polyps or something, and I wanted to wait until a year after the surgery to go get checked, because I just didn't want to go under the knife again that soon, if, of course I had to. Thank God I don't.

"Fortunately, if you can say that, my problem with my vocal cords is treatable, and it is just a matter of exercise, diet, and eating habits. I started drinking Aloe Juice, taking a tablet for my stomach, and I have to cut out some things I like. Coffee is one of things, but since I am not a cheerleader for overpriced, overrated Starbucks, like Thor [MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick] and Junior [MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson], I am not taking this too hard. I am bummed about no chocolate (I love chocolate!), and tomatoes (no spaghetti or pizza), but I am loving this 'Countdown' 20th-anniversary tour, and with the new record starting next week, singing is more important to me than ever.

"Thanks for all of your support through this whole ordeal, and I really, really look forward to seeing you at some point before the end of the year. Check out our support band KYNG and lemme know what you think. I like 'em and I hope you will too.

"One last thing, I don't generally watch video of myself, unless we are mixing or editing something, and over the last few months I had to; for one reason or another. I am really embarrassed by how much I swear or swore on stage and in interviews. I'm not a prude, but I am sorry for my language and some of the offensive words I chose to say. We all have said stuff we regret, and while I don't 'regret it,' I do feel that you deserve better from me.

"Here's to a great fu...., erm, a great flipping new record and tour!"

Veteran producer Bill Metoyer (SLAYER, W.A.S.P., ARMORED SAINT, DARK ANGEL, SACRED REICH, CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER, D.R.I.) has begun mixing the rhythm section for the new album from Chicago doom-metal legends TROUBLE.

TROUBLE announced in February that it recruited Kyle Thomas as the band's new singer following the departure of the group's frontman of the past four years, Kory Clarke (of WARRIOR SOUL fame).

Thomas, former lead vocalist for EXHORDER, FLOODGATE and ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, was no stranger to TROUBLE as he previously fronted the band for four live shows between 1997 and 1999, including Stoner Hands Of Doom festival in Maryland and Expo Of The Extreme in Chicago. Thomas has also collaborated on projects with members of SLIPKNOT, DOWN, OBITUARY and DEICIDE.

In an interview with Metal Kaoz, TROUBLE guitarist Bruce Franklin stated about Kyle's addition to the band, "We didn't need to change any of the [new] music [to suit Kyle's vocals]. He really knows how to sing to TROUBLE stuff because he was a fan from way back."

Added Kyle: "They had given me four songs to work on when I was jamming with them in anticipation of possibly doing the album that came to be 'Simple Mind Condition'. I did demo one song, but nothing I did ever made it to the album. Things turned out the way that they have between then and now, and here I am."

He continued, "Bruce and Rick [Wartell, guitar] have always been great to me as people and business partners. I was made to feel an equal back then, and the same goes for now. That is monumental for me — I grew up listening to these guys and now I am a member of one of my favorite bands. You can't beat that."

TROUBLE 2012 is:

Kyle Thomas: Vocals
Bruce Franklin: Guitar
Rick Wartell: Guitar
Shane Pasqualla: Bass
Mark Lira: Drums

According to Metal Shock Finland, Swedish metallers WOLF have a new product on the market: Wolf's Blood Hot Sauce.

This bloody hot sauce is made in Costa Rica and it is a combination of the world's hottest known chilli pepper Naga Jolokia with pepper extract and ranges at an incredible 666.000 Scoville units.

Commented the band: "It's 666 thousand Scoville strength and it makes you howl. Don't drink it!"

To buy one of these flaming Wolf's Blood Hot Sauces, click here.

WOLF last year parted ways with guitarist Johannes "Axeman" Losbäck and replaced him with Simon Johansson (ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA, BIBLEBLACK, MEMORY GARDEN). Simon previously played with WOLF in 2009 when they supported W.A.S.P. for four shows.

WOLF's sixth album, "Legions Of Bastards", was released in April 2011 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Ravenous" was produced by Pelle Saether at Studio Underground in Vasterås, Sweden. The cover artwork was once again created by Thomas Holm (the man who was responsible for the legendary MERCYFUL FATE "Melissa" and "Don't Break The Oath" covers).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, go this location.

Vocalist Göran Edman (JOHN NORUM, YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN) and Scott Rockenfield's (QUEENSRŸCHE, SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM) "licensed signature drumming" appear on "Growin' Apart", the new album from reactivated '90s Italian heavy metal band HEADLESS.

The first single, "Primetime", was released on December 14, 2011, and can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon. The second track, "Sink Deep In A Fairy Tale", was mastered in Hollywood, California by Warren Sokol and was issued on February 14. It can be downloaded from iTunes and Amazon.

HEADLESS is:

Walter Cianciusi - Guitar
Dario Parente - Guitar

For more information, visit www.headless.it.

Former THE HAUNTED guitarist Anders Björler is working on his first solo album. He says, "This is NOT a 'metal' project. Those of you who are familiar with my soundtrack/movie stuff for THE HAUNTED and AT THE GATES documentaries will know somewhat to expect. It's inspired by Italian film music from the '60 and '70s, post rock, ambient, progressive, jazz, and Swedish folk music."

Björler announced his departure from THE HAUNTED earlier this month. He explained in a statement, "I feel that I have come to the end of the line regarding THE HAUNTED. This is not a sudden or hasty decision. I have been contemplating it for the last couple of years. Peter's [Dolving, vocals] departure earlier this year made me more certain than ever that I had reached my personal goal with THE HAUNTED, and that the time was right to call it quits. I have enjoyed every bit of the ride. It's been an overwhelming journey. I would like to thank the other band members especially, our crew through the years, and our fans worldwide for the experience and opportunity. Thank you so much! The memories will be with me forever. I will, of course, continue writing music, but where that leads me? [It's] simply too early to say."

Video footage of what has been certified by Guinness World Records as the largest collection of IRON MAIDEN memorabilia in the world, taken earlier today (Saturday, October 27) at the Swedish metal convention Rockmässan in Malmö, Sweden, can be seen below.

Photos are available at this location.

The collection belongs to Rasmus Stavnsborg of Karlslunde, Denmark, who first started listening to IRON MAIDEN in 1981 at the age of 8, and began collecting the band's memorabilia a couple of years later. He now has 4,168 individual items and houses most of them in his Iron Maiden Bar in his basement. He has been to see the band in concert all over the world, including shows in Japan, India, Russia, Peru and Dubai.

IRON MAIDEN recently became the first international act to sell out its appearance at the magnificent national stadium in Stockholm — Friends Arena.

Spectacular ticket demand for MAIDEN was once again so great that the July 13, 2013 show sold out as quickly as the ticket system could handle — record-breaking for this new 50,000-capacity Stockholm stadium. The venue, Friends Arena, has a roof which means that for the first time ever in Sweden, IRON MAIDEN fans will be able to enjoy the full glory of the entire "Maiden England" show in a dark stadium.

A two-and-a-half-minute video of the unboxing of the limited-edition version of "Silverthorn", the new album from American/German/Swedish symphonic metallers KAMELOT, can be seen below. The CD will be released on October 30 in North America, October 26 in Germany and October 29 in the rest of Europe via Steamhammer/SPV. The CD will mark the band's first release with new singer Tommy Karevik, the 30-year-old Swede who previously fronted SEVENTH WONDER (a group that he is still a member of).

The "Silverthorn" LP and limited edition will have one version of the cover artwork, while the standard version of "Silverthorn" will have a different but equally exquisite version. The standard version is presented as an Ecolbook. The limited edition contains the Ecolbook, a bonus CD with nearly 60 minutes of music, a 44-page book and an exclusive poster. The double LP version is a gatefold on colored vinyl and includes the CD.

"Silverthorn" track listing:

Disc 1

01. Manus Dei
02. Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)
03. Ashes To Ashes
04. Torn
05. Song For Jolee
06. Veritas
07. My Confession
08. Silverthorn
09. Falling Like The Fahrenheit
10. Solitaire
11. Prodigal Son
Part I: Funerale
Part II: Burden Of Guilt (The Branding)
Part III: The Journey
12. Continuum

Disc 2 - Limited Box Edition

01. Manus Dei
02. Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife) (instrumental version)
03. Kismet
04. Ashes To Ashes (instrumental version)
05. Torn (instrumental version)
06. Song For Jolee (instrumental version)
07. Veritas (instrumental version)
08. My Confession (instrumental version)
09. Silverthorn (instrumental version)
10. Falling Like The Fahrenheit (instrumental version)
11. Solitaire (instrumental version)
12. Prodigal Son (instrumental version)
Part I: Funerale
Part II: Burden Of Guilt (The Branding)
Part III: The Journey
13. Continuum
14. Grace (bonus track)

Tommy first appeared as one of the guest singers on KAMELOT's very successful 2011 Pandemonium World Tour.

KAMELOT's "Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)" video can be seen below. The clip was filmed in Belgrade, Serbia with director Ivan Colic, who has previously worked with MOONSPELL, SOILWORK, HAMMERFALL, TYPE O NEGATIVE and SYMPHONY X, among others. The video features guest appearances by Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) and Alissa White-Gluz (THE AGONIST). Alissa's cameo was shot by Von Wong Photography at Studio Newreel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

In a recent interview with the Kamelot France web site, KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood stated about "Sacrimony", "We have a lot of strong songs on the album, but this one was the first one that we wanted to play [during this summer's European tour]. Ironically, it was one the last song we wrote the music for. I remember sitting with [KAMELOT keyboardist] Oliver [Palotai] in Stuttgart and I had to leave the next day for Florida. I said, 'Let's make one more song, something fast and uptempo.' That was the genesis for 'Sacrimony'. Later, [new KAMELOT singer] Tommy [Karevik] laid down a killer vocal melody and it was pretty much like on the demo. Later, we invited Elize Ryd [KAMELOT touring backing vocalist] to sing on that song."

KAMELOT recently supported Finnish/Dutch symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH on their North American tour.

"Silverthorn" limited edition unboxing:

Multinational metallers RAVEN LORD have inked a two-album deal with Mausoleum Records. The group’s debut CD, "Descent To The Underworld", is scheduled for a release on January 25, 2013 in Europe and February 12, 2013 in North America.

"Descent To The Underworld" track listing:

01. The Rebel
02. Attila The Hun
03. Let The Show Go On
04. Seal Of The Cross
05. Settle The Score
06. Promised Land
07. Black Friar
08. World Out Of Steel
09. Revelation
10. Metal Knights
11. Sun God

"Descent To The Underworld" was mixed by acclaimed Swedish producer Fredrik Nordström (AT THE GATES, ARCH ENEMY, NIGHTRAGE, IN FLAMES, DREAM EVIL, OPETH) and was mastered by U.S. mastering engineer Maor Appelbaum (SEPULTURA, HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ANGRA, DOKKEN). The cover artwork was created by Brazilian artist Caio Caldas of CadiesArt, who has previously worked with DORO, PAUL DI'ANNO, SEVEN KINGDOMS, DOMINANZ and VIOLET SUN, among others.

A song from the album, "Black Friar", can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

RAVEN LORD recently announced the addition of guitarist Joe Stump (HOLYHELL, REIGN OF TERROR) to the group's ranks.

"Unashamedly wearing their heavy metal roots on their leather-studded sleeves, RAVEN LORD combine the classic metal feel of the past with the fresh aggression of the present," according to a press release. "Thunderous bass lines, pounding drums and explosive riffs blend with distinct heavy, melodic vocals to create driving and memorable songs."

RAVEN LORD is:

* Csaba Zvekan (KILLING MACHINE, SARDONYX, EMERGENCY) - Vocals
* Joe Stump (HOLYHELL, REIGN OF TERROR) - Lead Guitar
* Jamie Mallender (TONY MARTIN) - Bass
* Lawrence "Larry" Paterson (BLAZE BALEY, STUKA SQUADRON) - Drums
* George Karafotis (VERMILLION DAYS, OPERATION X) - Guitar
* [to be announced] – Keyboards

ANTIMATTER, the project featuring Duncan Patterson (former bassist/songwriter of ANATHEMA) and multi-instrumentalist Mick Moss, will release their fifth album, Fear Of A Unique Identity, on November 23rd via Prophecy Productions.
Fear Of A Unique Identity will contain the following ten songs:

'Wide Awake'
'Firewalking'
'Here Come The Men'
'Paranova'
'Fear Of A Unique Identity'
'Respite'
'Uniformed & Black'
'Monochrome'
'The Parade'
'A Place In The Sun'

'Paranova' is available for free download. Get it via the widget below:

ALTERNATIVE 4, the band featuring Duncan Patterson (ex-ANATHEMA, ex-ANTIMATTER, ION), have released their new video, for the track 'False Light', featured on their debut album, The Brink.

Says Patterson: "The concept behind 'False Light' runs in parallels really. 'False Light' is actually a legal term, not dissimilar to defamation, but more in order to protect the victim's mental and emotional well-being. I've used it alongside the abuse of power, and people not quite knowing why they follow whoever is in the spotlight. Whether its political, or religious power, or their favourite rock star in the spotlight. The video producers grasped it really well, and I love the way they depicted the lead actor as being 'addicted to light' in a way that bears no common sense if you think about it. Thats says it all really."

The video can be seen below:
Alternative 4 is on the brink of its first European tour, which will take place in November and December.
Tour dates include:

November
30 - Dublin, Ireland - The Pint

December
1 - Helmond, Netherlands - Lakei
2 - Cologne, Germany - MTC
5 - Helsinki, Finland - TBA
7 - Poznan, Poland - Pod Minoga
8 - Wroclaw, Poland - Alive
9 - Krakow, Poland - TBA

For regular updates on the tour, please check Alternative 4's Facebook page.

Austin, TX metal band EAGLE CLAW have released their new video, for the track 'Fifth Ring'. Check it out below;
Eagle Claw will release its sophomore album, Timing Of The Void, on October 30th via ECH Records. The follow up to the group's 2010 debut, Poacher, Timing Of The Void was recorded at Folkvang Studios and produced by Bryan Richie of fellow ATX metalheads THE SWORD.
Featuring eight monolithic tracks of the quartet's fist-raising "InstruMetal", the record's title and overarching theme is based on The Book of Five Rings, a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts written by Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645.
Timing Of The Void tracklisting:

'Lifegate'
'Diagram Of The Tempest'
'Uzumaki Vortex'
'Ophidian'
'Fifth Ring'
'Wielder'
'Book Of Water'
'Deathgate'

Eagle Claw will hit the road for a US tour as special guests of The Sword. The tour will launch on October 29th in Corpus Christi, TX and run through November 24th in Baton Rouge, LA.

Tour dates:

October (with The Sword)
29 - Corpus Christi, TX - House Of Rock
31 - Oklahoma City, OK - Acm

November (with The Sword)
1 - Little Rock, AR - Downtown Music Hall
2 - Shreveport, LA - The Riverside Warehouse
3 - Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fun Festival
5 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theater
6 - Minneapolis, MN - First Ave
7 - Chicago, IL - Double Door
8 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
9 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
10 - Covington, KY - The Thompson House
11 - Detroit, MI - St Andrews Hall
13 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
14 - New York, NY – Webster Hall
15 - Pawtucket, RI - The Met
16 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
17 - Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel
19 - Birmingham, AL – Workplay
20 - Orlando, FL - Beacham
21 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
22 - Nashville, TN - Exit / In
23 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
24 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon

Eagle Claw is: Matt Rade (Guitar), Mike Gonz (Guitar), Luther Smalls (Bass) and Bart Butler (Drums).

More on the band at this location.

Swedish metallers SABATON played an acoustic set on October 22nd at Bengans in Stockholm, Sweden, prior to a signing session. Footage from the event can be seen below:
Sabaton have announced details of their most explosive London show to date. As part of their seven date UK tour, the mighty militant metalheads will bring a fiery arsenal of punishing pyro from Sweden to England for the first time.

"We wanna give the UK fans a taste of what a festival show in Europe is”, says bassist Pär Sundström. “This is a big thanks to the great support we got in the UK the last years."

To document the occasion, Sabaton has decided to record the show in London for a future live video DVD and Blu-Ray release.

Sabaton are currently on their Swedish Empire Tour, together with ELUVEITIE and WISDOM. Check out their latest road report (along with the previous 12) below:
Remaining dates on the tour are below:

November
1 - Norwich, UK - Waterfront
2 - Wolverhampton, UK - Wulfrun Hall
3 - Manchester, UK - HMV Ritz
4 - Glasgow, Scotland - Garage
6 - Belfast, Ireland - The Limelight
7 - Dublin, Ireland - Button Factory
9 - London, UK - HMV Forum (Exclusive Pyro Show)
10 - Cardiff, UK - Great Hall 2
11 - Sheffield, UK – Corporation
13 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle

French record label Throatruiner Records has just put out the European vinyl edition for KEN MODE's Venerable (initially out last year on Profound Lore and Init). The record includes a different artwork and is limited to 500 copies on solid red vinyl.
The Canadian trio recently achieved the recording of it's fifth record, Entrench, with Matt Bayles (BOTCH, MASTODON, ISIS). Order Venerable at this location.
A stream of Venerabel is available below:

Venerable by KEN Mode

Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD will release their new album, "Target Earth", on January 22, 2013 (one day earlier internationally) via VOIVOD's own company, Iron Gang Factory, and Century Media. The CD was recorded in January at Pierre Rémillard's (OBLIVEON, CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN, MISERY INDEX) Wild Studio in a small town called St-Zénon in Quebec, Canada and was mixed by Sanford Parker (PELICAN, NACHTMYSTIUM). The follow-up to 2009's "Infini" will contain the band's first music to be written with new guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain (MARTYR) following the passing of original axeman Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005. The original art was once again drawn by VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin and features color schemes from each one of the band's previous albums. The effort will be available as a CD, gatefold double vinyl and a limited edition deluxe box set.

"Target Earth" track listing:

01. Target Earth
02. Kluskap O'Kom
03. Empathy for the Enemy
04. Mechanical Mind
05. Warchaic
06. Resistance
07. Kaleidos
08. Corps Étranger
09. Artefact
10. Defiance

According to a posting on the page, fans can "expect something in the vein of 'Nothingface' with some elements from the other albums. It will be a classic VOIVOD album."

Regarding what the new VOIVOD songs sound like, Mongrain said in an interview, "As a VOIVOD fan since I am 12 years old and early rise of VOIVOD in late '80s and everything, I think… I'm in conflict of interest right now. [laughs] I like the old stuff as much as the new stuff, so I think it's a blend of everything. It's really a team work and Blacky [Jean-Yves Thériault] is back on the 'blower bass' — he's got the original sound — and we're having a blast jamming. I think it's working pretty good."

On the topic of the lyrical themes covered in the new VOIVOD tracks, singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger said, "The song we played [on the early 2012 European tour] ['Kaleidos'] is about conspiracy involving drugs and the FBI… [Laughs] It's hard to describe because we're kind of early in the process. There's another song called 'Target Earth', which is more like a spacy, conspiracy, controlling the information around the world. The main thing is the 'war' of information. You know, somebody Osama Bin Laden is dead, someone [else] says he's not… It gets to a point where everybody has his own story and nobody is sure what the truth is. There's people above everything controlling the information."

In an interview with Exclaim.ca, Away stated about VOIVOD's forthcoming studio album, "It's more in the progressive metal vein, so it's reminiscent of the 'Dimension Hatröss' era."

VOIVOD's new single, "Mechanical Mind", was released on October 9 (one day earlier internationally) as a digital single and a limited-edition seven-inch single-sided vinyl with a skull etching by VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin on the B-side.

VOIVOD debuted the "Target Earth" title track during their April 12 concert at the Roadburn festival at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland.

VOIVOD 2012 is:

Denis "Snake" Bélanger - Vocals
Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain - Guitar
Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault - Bass
Michel "Away" Langevin - Drums

EVEN THE DEAD LOVE A PARADE, the new Dallas, Texas-based metal band featuring Stevie Benton (DROWNING POOL), Clint Litton (CORY MORROW) and Braxton Henry, is streaming four songs via its ReverbNation page. Check out the tracks "The Cancer And Host", "Morphine Queen", "Heart Poacher" and "Humane" below.

DROWNING POOL recently tapped Jonathan Bertorelli to direct the video for their new song "Saturday Night". The track will appear on the band's fifth album, which is due out in early 2013 via Eleven Seven Music. The group teamed up with producer Kato Khandwalla at House Of Loud Studios in New Jersey earlier this year, and completed the album in Dallas.

"Bottom Feeder" and "My Name Is Vengeance", two brand new songs from New Jersey-based metallers 40 BELOW SUMMER, can be streamed below. Both tracks will appear on the group's upcoming sixth album, "Fire At Zero Gravity", due in 2013 via as-yet-undetermined label.

"Fire At Zero Gravity" was recorded at the band's studio, Illegitimate Production, in Union City. Video footage from the recording sessions can be seen below.

40 BELOW SUMMER will be interviewed next Thursday, November 1 on WSOU 89.5 FM radio station in South Orange, New Jersey beginning around 7:00 p.m. EST. The band will discuss "Fire At Zero Gravity", and the December 1 CD-release show at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville.

To listen to the program live via the Internet, go to www.wsou.net.

40 BELOW SUMMER's last effort, "The Last Dance", was released on October 31, 2006 via Crash Music Inc., the now-defunct independent Phoenix-based hard rock and heavy metal label.

West Coast death gore hooligans EXHUMED recently completed recording the follow-up to 2011's "All Guts, No Glory" full-length. The as-yet-untitled longplayer was tracked at Arcane Digital Recording in Chandler, Arizona with Ryan Butler (MISERY INDEX, LANDMINE MARATHON, PHOBIA). All drums were laid down at Trench Studios in Corona, California with John Haddad (HIRAX, ABYSMAL DAWN, INTRONAUT). The unholy offering will be unleashed by Relapse Records sometime next year.

In the interim, EXHUMED, who recently returned from a short run of Japanese dates with death metal legends CANNIBAL CORPSE, will embark on a five-week North American tour with NAPALM DEATH and MUNICIPAL WASTE.

EXHUMED 2012 features the smoldering lineup of vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey alongside bassist Rob "Body Bag" Babcock, drummer Mike Hamilton and guitarist/vocalist Bud Burke, who played bass with the band from 1999 to 2004 and recently rejoined the legion for their live rituals on this year's Summer Slaughter Tour.

"We Come In Peace", the new DVD from Swedish industrial metallers PAIN, will be released in Europe on November 16 via Nuclear Blast. The DVD+2CD digibook and the Blu-ray+2CD digibook includes the entire final show of the first leg of PAIN's European tour on November 13, 2011 at Debaser Medis in Stockholm and clips from the band's July 2012 appearance at the Masters Of Rock festival in Vizovice, Czech Republic, as well as "tons of crazy backstage and behind-the-scenes footage."

A performance clip of the song "Dirty Woman", taken from the forthcoming DVD, can be seen below.

PAIN, MOONSPELL, SWALLOW THE SUN and LAKE OF TEARS will join forces for the "Into Darkness Tour 2012" in November.

PAIN's seventh album, "You Only Live Twice", was released in June 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Regarding the album's cover artwork, Tägtgren previously said, "I really wanted something 'Nightmare Before Christmas' meets 'Alice In Wonderland' kind of feeling but with our mascot, the Painhead in it. And Heile created that after what I wanted. And he did it in his own way. It really has this kinda Tim Burton feel to it. It will be really crazy with a big backdrop. We also gonna do some inflatable stuff with our Painhead. Its gonna be our Eddie, like IRON MAIDEN has it."

"The Diplomat", the new video from Virginia grindcore titans PIG DESTROYER, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Phil Mucci (HIGH ON FIRE, OPETH, KORN).

"The Diplomat" comes off PIG DESTROYER's fifth-full length and first album in over five years, "Book Burner", which was recorded at guitarist Scott Hull's Visceral Sound Studios. Due on October 22 via Relapse Records, the CD features 19 tracks with a return to the band's raw, misanthropic sound. The effort will be available on multiple formats, including CD, deluxe 2xCD, LP, deluxe 2xLP, cassette, digital and an extremely limited ultimate edition dubbed "The Order Of The Godless Swine."

The deluxe editions will each contain a bonus disc of punk covers and a short story, titled "The Atheist", penned by frontman JR Hayes. "The Atheist" is a post-apocalyptic tale about a decaying world taken over by the violence of religion that showcases the renowned lyricists' unsurpassed style for the first time as prose. The deluxe 2xLP will also contain an etched b-side featuring artwork by WORMROT frontman Arif Rot. The ultimate edition, limited to 100 copies, includes an exclusive t-shirt, autographed deluxe 2xLP on exclusive blood red color vinyl, a PIG DESTROYER flip-top wick style lighter, and an Order Of The Godless Swine membership card, which includes a digital download of the whole collection plus an alternate "dynamic" mastering job of both records done by Scott Hull intended to be played at maximum volume. The membership card will also entitle each card carrying member to a free t-shirt directly from the band at any PIG DESTROYER show.

PIG DESTROYER will make select special appearances at various festivals and shows throughout the year, including the U.K.'s Damnation Festival and Maryland Deathfest 2013.

A 2-CD best-of collection from Canadian extreme metallers CRYPTOPSY, featuring demo and live recordings as well as three exclusive new tracks (written with Youri Raymond and Eric Langlois), will be released on November 12 in Europe and November 20 in North Americ via Century Media. Entitlted "The Best Of Us Bleed", the set will come with extensive new liner notes written by Decibel magazine's Adrien Begrand. The cover artwork was created by Toshihiro Egawa (SUICIDE SILENCE, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS) and can be seen below.

"The Best Of Us Bleed" track listing:

Disc 1:

01. Boden
02. A Graceful Demise
03. Holodomor
04. Oh My Fucking God
05. Worship Your Demons
06. Silence The Tyrants
07. The Headsmen
08. Carrionshine
09. The Pestilence That Walketh In Darkness (Psalm 91: 5-8)
10. Endless Cemetery
11. We Bleed
12. Soar And Envision Sore Vision
13. Voice Of Unreason
14. Cold Hate, Warm Blood
15. White Worms
16. Emaciate

Disc 2:

01. Phobophile
02. Slit Your Guts
03. Crown Of Horns
04. Defenestration
05. Abigor
06. Open Face Surgery (live)
07. Graves Of The Fathers / Drum Solo (live)
08. Shroud (live)
09. Born Headless (live)
10. Slit Your Guts (live)
11. Cold Hate, Warm Blood (live)
12. We Bleed (live)
13. White Worms (rehearsal)
14. Loathe (rehearsal)
15. Depths You've Fallen (rehearsal)
16. Cold Hate, Warm Blood (rehearsal)

A trailer for the collection can be seen below.

The self-titled new album from CRYPTOPSY will be released in the U.S. on November 20 via Cryptopsy/Defen Society in association with Revulotion Harmony/Candlelight Records. Pre-orders for the album are available through the band at Cryptopsy.ca.

German metallers PARADOX will release their new album, "Tales Of The Weird", on December 14 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by PARADOX mainman Charly Steinhauer and was mixed and mastered by Victor Bullok (a.k.a. V. Santura; TRIPTYKON, DARK FORTRESS) at Woodshed Studio in Landshut, Germany. The cover art was created by Claudio Bergamin.

"Tales Of The Weird" features guest appearances by Bob Katsionis (FIREWIND) and Gus Drax (SUNBURST).

"Tales Of The Weird" track listing:

01. Tales Of The Weird
02. Day Of Judgement
03. Brutalized
04. Fragile Alliance
05. Slashdead
06. Drowning In Lies
07. Zeitgeist
08. Escalation
09. Brainwashed
10. The Downward Spiral
11. A Light In The Black (RAINBOW cover) (Japanese bonus track)

Check out audio samples below.

The new PARADOX lineup is as follows:

Charly Steinhauer (vocals, guitar)
Christian Muenzner (guitar)
Olly Keller (bass)
Daniel "Evil Ewald" Buld (drums)

Commented new PARADOX guitarist Christian Muenzner (also of OBSCURA): "I already applied for PARADOX 10 years ago, even before I was in the band NECROPHAGIST. Logisitically, this is even the closest band to where I live; we're not even 45 minutes apart, so this makes a lot of sense. Been a fan of that band for years and always wanted to play thrash, so here we go. The new songs sound fucking amazing, I'm stoked to be a part of this!"

LAVETT, the Swedish metal band featuring former members of LOST HORIZON, DEAD BY APRIL, SUNDOWN and BESEECH, will release its debut album, "Find Your Purpose", on December 9 via RoastingHouse Records. The CD, which came out in Japan in March through JVC/Victor Entertainment, was produced by LAVETT and recorded at Studiomega in Varberg, Sweden.

The video for the album's title track can be seen below.

According to a press release, LAVETT's sound is "a perfect blend of their musical ideals. Taking the listener from beautiful landscapes of melodies to a raw, unpolished and powerful rock nirvana. Even though you may know the LAVETT members from before, you'll have had no way to prepare yourself for what they're bringing to your speakers this time around."

LAVETT is:

Daniel Heiman (LOST HORIZON, HEED) - Vocals
Henric Carlsson (NIGHTRAGE, DEAD BY APRIL) - Bass
Andreas Olavi (LAKE OF TEARS) - Gutar
Manne Engtröm (BESEECH, FATAL EMBRACE) - Guitar
Christian Silver (SUNDOWN, CEMETARY) – Drums