Swedish goregrind legends GENERAL SURGERY will release a brand new seven-inch EP, "Like An Ever Flying Limb", on November 6 via Relapse Records. The limited-edition EP contains five new tracks and was recorded in October 2011 at Audiogrind Studio in the band's hometown of Stockholm.

Commented GENERAL SURGERY's Dr. Carlsson: "These five splatter-dripping tunes are designed to deeply disturb all mere mortals, be it the poor departed in the bowels of the morgue or some unfortunate soul catching us playing live during the festival season.Please hold on to life and limb."

"Like An Ever Flying Limb" track listing:

01. Like An Ever Flying Limb
02. Ejected Viscous Mucus
03. Seizures
04. Rhythmic Epidermal Clamor
05. Dark Cyanotic Hypostasis

The "Like An Ever Flying Limb" title track is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

Earlier this year saw the release of "A Collection of Depravation", a compilation of 30 GENERAL SURGERY choice cuts digitally remastered by PIG DESTROYER's Scott Hull.

GENERAL SURGERY plans to enter the studio in the new future to record its long-awaited third full-length album.

"97% Static", the new video from U.K. progressive tech metallers MONUMENTS, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Stuart Birchall of Numinous Pictures.

Commented the band: "After sleeping through a hundred million centuries, we have finally opened our eyes on a sumptuous planet, sparkling with color, beautiful with life. It's time to save ourselves! It's thrilling to be alive at a time when humanity is pushing against the limits of understanding. Even better, we may eventually discover that there are no limits."

"97% Static" comes off MONUMENTS' long-awaited debut album, "Gnosis", which will be released in North America on September 25 through Century Media Records.

"Gnosis" was originally supposed to be released last year via Basick Records. MONUMENTS has since split with the U.K.-based label, which issued the band's debut EP, "We Are The Foundation", in 2010.

MONUMENTS recently recruited singer Matt Rose after they went through a long, grinding, and global search for a new frontman. "We have found the perfect guy right here in our own back yard, we couldn't be happier with the work Matt has done so far," said MONUMENTS guitarist John Browne.

For the past several months, Rose has been working with the band to make this a monster of an album. Rose entered Fortress Studios in May with Dan Weller (SIKTH) for final vocal production and recording.

MONUMENTS is:

John Browne - Guitar
Olly Steele - Guitar
Adam Swan - Bass
Mike Malyan - Drums
Matt Rose - Vocals

HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS — the brand new project featuring NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor and his wife Mariqueen Maandig (ex-WEST INDIAN GIRL) along with frequent NIN collaborator Atticus Ross and NIN's longtime graphic designer Rob Sheridan — has inked a deal with Columbia Records for the release of a new EP and full-length album.

HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS' second EP, "An Omen EP", will be made available on November 13 and will contain six songs, some of which will also appear on the upcoming LP, to be issued early next year.

"Regarding our decision to sign with Columbia," Treznor noted in his Facebook announcement, "we've really spent a long time thinking about things and it makes sense for a lot of reasons, including a chance to work with our old friend Mark Williams. There's a much more granular and rambling answer I could give (and likely will in an interview someplace), but it really comes down to us experimenting and trying new things to see what best serves our needs. Complete independent releasing has its great points but also comes with shortcomings."

HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS released a self-titled EP in 2010, and covered BRYAN FERRY's "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" for the soundtrack to "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" (scored by Reznor and Ross).

"An Omen EP" unconfirmed track listing:

01. Keep It Together
02. Ice Age
03. On The Wing
04. The Sleep Of Reason Produces Monsters
05. The Loop Closes
06. Speaking In Tongues

Fan-filmed video footage of SKID ROW's July 12 performance at the Rock USA festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin can be seen below.

SKID ROW's latest CD, "Revolutions Per Minute", was released on October 24, 2006 via SPV Records.

The band' bassist Rachel Bolan previously told Times-Standard.com about SKID ROW's forthcoming sixth album, "I think the next record, as far as what [guitarist Dave] Snake [Sabo] and I are writing, is going back to what people would expect from SKID ROW. We're looking forward to it."

SKID ROW in 2010 parted ways with drummer Dave Gara and replaced him with Atlanta native Rob Hammersmith.

Rob spent many years touring and recording with Atlanta-based rockers ROCKETS TO RUIN and has performed with GUNFIRE 76, the band featuring MURDERDOLLS frontman Wednesday 13.

Finnish death metallers TORTURE KILLER will enter the studio in January 2013 to begin recording their next album for a tentative March/April release. The band states, "We've taken our time with it and … the new tunes are strong. Really strong."

TORTURE KILLER released a three-song EP entitled "I Chose Death" in March via Dynamic Arts Records. It contained two new tracks and a cover version of DEMIGOD's "Succumb To Dark" song from the "Unholy Domain" demo tape. The cover artwork was created by Mark Riddick.

"I Chose Death" marked the recording debut of TORTURE KILLER's new singer, Pessi Haltsonen (RETALIATORY MEASURES), who is described by his new bandmates as "a perfect fit" and "a human powerhouse."

TORTURE KILLER's third album, "Sewers" came out in 2009 via Dynamic Arts Records.

The band's sophomore CD, "Swarm!", was released by Metal Blade Records and featured legendary death metal vocalist Chris Barnes from CANNIBAL CORPSE and SIX FEET UNDER.

TORTURE KILLER 2012 is (left to right in photo below):

Tuomo Latvala - Drums
Kim Torniainen - Bass
Pessi Haltsonen - Vocals
Tuomas Karppinen - Guitar
Jari Laine - Guitar

"I Chose Death" audio stream:

Roxx Records has announced the signing of Italian thrashers BOARDERS. The band's sophomore album, "R- Existence", will be released as a limited-edition CD and digital download on December 11.

While BOARDERS had briefly offered "R- Existence" as a free digital-only download to their fanbase, it is now being remastered to include five additional bonus tracks (three brand new songs and two previously unreleased demos) and be made available CD for the very first time.

A band that can trace its history back to the late eighties, BOARDERS presents a unique melding of the aggressive thrash and melodic metal that draws extensively from the musical trends of that era. And nowhere is that more evident than on the material from the group's debut, "The World Hates Me", which came out in 2009.

"R-Existence" marks a return to form of that melding of thrash and metal, with songs certain to garner the attention of those into MEGADETH, METALLICA and old-school DELIVERANCE. As a matter of fact, BOARDERS once gained notoriety in Italy as a MEGADETH tribute band; hence, the inclusion of the old MEGADETH song "In My Darkest Hour" on their debut release.

Bill Bafford of Roxx Records had this to say about the signing: "We are very excited to be working with BOARDERS on this release. We have been becoming more and more focused on the thrash scene as the label expands and BOARDERS is an excellent addition to our roster."

Go to www.roxxproductions.com for full release details.

French symphonic gothic ensemble WHYZDOM will release its sophomore album, "Blind?", on October 30 via Scarlet Records. According to a press release, the band "blends intricate orchestral parts (including all the subtleties of strings, winds, brass, classical percussions, piano, harp, etc.) and a real choir with the power of heavy metal. Through a coherence that hides the inherent complexity of this genre, Elvyne Lorient's passionate melodies immediately stick into your mind, conveying pure emotions right from the very first note she sings.

"The album title not only refers to the blindness of people towards what's happening around them, but also to the fact that we, as humans, often deliberately choose to be blind in many uncomfortable circumstances, which eventually lead us on the wrong path of life."

A trailer for the album can be seen below.

"Blind?" was produced by Vynce Leff, recorded and mixed in Paris at Powermania Studio and mastered by Mathieu Gillon and Vynce Leff at 120dB Studio. The stunning artwork is a collaboration between X-Nihilo Design, Les Créations Vultus and Florent Cuaz.

The song "The Lighthouse", taken from "Blind?", can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

WHYZDOM's debut album, "From The Brink Of Infinity", was released in September 2009 via Ascendance Records.

Fan-filmed video footage of Tim "Ripper" Owens' (DIO DISCIPLES, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) September 7 performance at Kubox in Kuurne, Belgium can be seen below. Also available is footage of the following night's concert at De Pit in Terneuzen, The Netherlands.

Released in May 2009, Owens' first solo album, "Play My Game", landed at position No. 66 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The CD was released via SPV/Steamhammer. The offering consists of around a dozen brand-new tracks that Owens composed himself or together with renowned friends, such as Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT) and John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).

Owens is without doubt among the most important metal vocalists of the past ten years. When he succeeded Rob Halford, joining JUDAS PRIEST in May 1996, the press rubbed their eyes, surprised as well as impressed: Owens had previously been a fairly unknown quantity to international music journalists and only a few new of him from the band WINTERS BANE, but he recorded his first PRIEST album, the Grammy-nominated "Jugulator" (1997) with more aplomb than even insiders had expected. Following successful tours with the British metal legends, the strong studio recording "Demolition" (2001), and the live recordings, "Meltdown - 98 Live" (1998) and "Live In London" (2003), and the movie "Rock Star" that was loosely based on Tim's experience with JUDAS PRIEST, Halford's return put an end to Owens' stint with JUDAS PRIEST. More or less immediately, he was enlisted by Jon Schaffer to team up with ICED EARTH and sang on "The Glorious Burden" in spring 2004. Three years later, Owens followed suit with the ICED EARTH album "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I)", which succeeded the self-titled highly praised debut by his own band BEYOND FEAR. Spring 2008 saw Owens move on to join one of the world's best guitar players Yngwie Malmsteen, debuting with a sensational vocal performance on "Perpetual Flame".

LED ZEPPELIN's surviving members took part in a press event earlier today (Friday, September 21) to promote "Celebration Day", the film capturing the band's 2007 reunion show at London's O2 Arena that will premiere in theaters around the world next month. Singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones all were on hand to meet with the media, and also attend a screening of the movie. Video footage of the entire 35-minute question-and-answer session can be seen below.

On their current relationship:

Plant: "We don't see each other too often, but we've just spent about an hour together...and no sooner we start talking, than some little innuendo creeps in. It's just what happens when you've spent a lot of time together."

On why it has taken five years for the concert film to be released:

Jones: "Five years is like five minutes in ZEPPELIN time. I'm surprised we got it out so quickly."

On the contribution of drummer Jason Bonham, who took the place of his late father John at the concert:

Page: "Jason was absolutely monumental in his performance and his playing. From the very first rehearsal right through to the 02. He was incredibly. His spirit and his enthusiasm and his knowledge of what made ZEPPELIN tick musically. It was just really wonderful to be able to work with him in that amount of time, as far as I felt, to do a proper full set, and really communicate musically with him. It was really good. Nobody else could have done it."

Plant: "We'd played with him before, at his wedding. Sadly, he decided to go to bed during the reception, and because I was a friend of the family from way back, I was the one that had to go up to his room and get him to get out of bed. Then he played with us."

"Celebration Day" will see a worldwide theatrical release by Omniverse Vision on 1,500 screens in over 40 territories on October 17. The theatrical screenings will follow premieres in London, Los Angeles, New York, and other major cities. "Celebration Day" will then be available in multiple video and audio formats on November 19 from Swan Song/Atlantic Records. Specific product details will be announced soon.

On December 10, 2007, LED ZEPPELIN took the stage at London's O2 Arena to headline a tribute concert for dear friend and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. What followed was a two-hour-plus tour de force of the band's signature blues-infused rock 'n' roll that instantly became part of the legend of LED ZEPPELIN.

Founding members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham, to perform 16 songs from their celebrated catalogue including landmark tracks "Whole Lotta Love", "Rock And Roll", "Kashmir" and "Stairway To Heaven".

Although 20 million people applied for tickets, the band's first headline show in 27 years was seen only by the 18,000 ticket holders who were fortunate enough to have secured seats through the worldwide lottery.

The Sunset Strip's hottest export STEEL PANTHER is looking to further its quest for worldwide domination with the release of its first-ever DVD, "British Invasion", via Guitar Anarchy Studios. Rumored for release multiple times in the U.S. in 2010 and 2011, the DVD finally sees the light of day stateside on October 22, 2012.

Recorded with 16 cameras in pristine HD over a two-year period, the DVD chronicles STEEL PANTHER's legendary live show that the band has come to be known for. Beginning in March 2010 at the band's sold-out concert at Brixton Academy in London during their highly successful "Feel The Steel" tour, the DVD feaures some of the group's most memorable hits, including "Asian Hooker", "Community Property", "The Shocker" and "Stripper Girl", in a way never seen before. Included in the package is a laugh-out-loud documentary that follows the band backstage and on their tour that is not to be missed. The deluxe box set includes two DVDs — one with the full show and one with the documentary — deleted scenes and five songs from Download Festival 2012. The packaging also includes a 16-page color book. The DVD will also be available in Blu-ray at the same time.

"British Invasion" was directed and produced by award-winning director Daniel E. Catullo III (RUSH, NICKELBACK, GODSMACK) and was mixed by Jay Ruston, who worked with the band on both of their previous records. An official DVD web site has been set up specifically for the DVD release, SteelPantherDVD.com, with a pre-order starting today as well. Fans who pre-order the DVD on the DVD site will receive a limited-edition signed poster of the band for free. New videos will be released every week up until release day to give the fans a sneak peek at the DVD and updated information will be posted on the official DVD site.

STEEL PANTHER is currently gearing up for their second world tour of 2012. The 25-plus-city trek kicks off in Auckland, New Zealand on October 2 and runs through mid-November and makes stops in major markets all over Europe and Australia, including Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Manchester, Paris, Zurich and Bristol, before wrapping up in London on November 15.

STEEL PANTHER was, for a long time, rock's best-kept secret: a cult legend on the L.A. scene. But in recent years due to the success of their albums (both debuted at #1 on the Billboard Comedy Album Charts) and live shows, the band has enjoyed huge acclaim from fans and peers alike. At sold-out shows in Hollywood and Las Vegas, STEEL PANTHER has been joined on stage by rock and roll icons such as Steven Tyler of AEROSMITH, Paul Stanley of KISS, Corey Taylor of SLIPKNOT, Tom Morello of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, and Chester Bennington of LINKIN PARK.

"British Invasion" track listing:

Main DVD

01. Eyes Of A Panther
02. Eatin' Ain't Cheatin'
03. Fat Girl
04. Hair Solo
05. Party All Day
06. Hell's On Fire
07. Stripper Girl
08. Asian Hooker
09. Turn Out The Lights
10. Girl From Oklahoma
11. We Want Pussy
12. Community Property
13. The Shocker
14. Death To All But Metal

Bonus Disc

* 40-minute documentary
* Deleted scenes
* Download Festival 2012
* "Supersonic Sex Machine" video
* "Community Property" video
* "Just Like Tiger Woods" video
* "17 Girls In A Row" video
* "Death To All But Metal" video (featuring Corey Taylor)

The fifth "British Invasion" teaser — this one focusing on STEEL PANTHER guitarist Satchel (real name Russ Parrish; ex-FIGHT) — can be seen below.

Teaser #5 - Satchel:

A snippet of the demo version of the new track "Change The World" from Swedish glam rockers CRASHDÏET can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The clip was filmed in New York City.

CRASHDÏET recently spent time at Kingside Studios outside Stockholm, Sweden with producer Otto Wellton recording the follow-up to 2010's "Generation Wild" album for a tentative January 2013 release.

The new CD can be preordered at this location.

CRASHDÏET has been touring quite a bit in the last two and a half years, opening up for such bands as MÖTLEY CRÜE, OZZY OSBOURNE, MICHAEL MONROE and WEDNESDAY 13, and traveling everywhere from Australia to USA to Brazil.

CRASHDÏET performed a new song "Anarchy" for the first time on June 7 when they played at Kaisaniemi Park in Helsinki, Finland as the support act for MÖTLEY CRÜE.

The band's third CD, "Generation Wild", was recently released on vinyl. This gatefold LP features the new bonus track "Hollywood Teaze" as well as updated artwork.

"Generation Wild" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 3.

CRASHDÏET in 2009 announced the addition of Simon "Simme" Cruz from the Stockholm act JAILBAIT as the group's new lead singer.

The band parted ways with its previous vocalist, the Finland-based H. Olliver Twisted, in July 2008.

The original lineup of the acclaimed 1990s rock band SAIGON KICK — Matt Kramer (vocals), Phil Varone (drums), Jason Bieler (guitar) and Tom Defile (bass) — has reunited and is planning to hit the road soon. They will be joined by another returning SAIGON KICK member, bassist Chris McLernon, who will handle rhythm-guitar duties on the upcoming dates.

Commented Kramer: "A 20-year lapse has finally come to an end. SAIGON KICK will be reuniting with all original members for a few shows this fall. Let's see if we can even make it past the first rehearsal."

Bieler, who recently launched a new project called OWL STRETCHING, told Love-It-Loud.com about earlier this year about the prospect of a SAIGON KICK reunion, "I am open to anything at this point, I am really just distilling this down to what it was about when I started… making music and having fun. So far… so good!"

SAIGON KICK is perhaps best remembered for its second album, 1992's "The Lizard", which spawned the band's biggest hit single, "Love Is On The Way". The track reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and its accompanying video was in the top 10 MTV countdown for many weeks. Just before touring for the LP commenced, DeFile was fired and was replaced by ex-COLD SWEAT bassist Chris McLernon. They toured from summer 1992 to spring 1993 and "The Lizard" was eventually certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) for sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

Dutch symphonic rockers EPICA took part in a very special recording session last week, and a video was made for the upcoming Dutch NTR TV show, Niks Te Gek, in which mentally disabled persons can make their dreams come true. Ruurd Woltring's biggest wish was to record one of his songs with Epica, so the band took his music and lyrics, re-arranged it into an Epica song and invited him into the studio.

The new single, entitled 'Forevermore', is now available via iTunes here.
The whole episode of Niks Te Gek with Ruurd Woltring and Epica was broadcast in the Netherlands on September 16th on the Dutch TV channel Nederland 2.

Check out the video below:

Century Media Records recently asked British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST a number of questions while hanging out at Tom Bergin's Tavern in Los Angeles. Check out the footage below.

"Fear Of Impending Hell", the new video from PARADISE LOST, was directed and produced by the band's own Steve Edmondson (bass) and features live-performance and behind-the-scenes footage. The song comes off PARADISE LOST's new album, "Tragic Idol", which sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 32 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Released on April 24 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records, "Tragic Idol" was recorded in part at The Chapel studios in Lincolnshire, England and features cover art by by Parisian designer Valnoir, who has previously worked with MORBID ANGEL, LAIBACH, ULVER and WATAIN, among others.

PARADISE LOST is currently on the road in North America as part of the "Epic Kings & Idols Tour" with DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT and KATATONIA.

Interview:

On September 19th, vocalist ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN performed at The Bordserline in London, England on her continuing Everything Is Changing tour. Fan filmed video featuring Anneke covering the EURHYTHMICS classic 'Here Comes The Rain Again' and joining the audience during 'Hope Pray Dance Play' is available below:
Her schedule is now as follows:

September
22 - ABC2 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
23 - Academy 3 - Birmingham, United Kingdom

October
13 - Nijmeegse Kunstnacht - Nijmegen, Netherlands (solo acoustic show)
31 - IF Performance Hall - Ankara, Turkey

November
1 - Jolly Joker - Istanbul, Turkey
2 - Eightball Club - Thessaloniki, Greece
3 - Kyttaro Live - Athens, Greece
10 - Moskva Concert Hall - Moscow, Russia
11 - Glav Club - Saint Petersburg, Russia
16 - Burgerweeshuis - Deventer, Netherlands
17 - De Kelder - Amersfoort, Netherlands
22 - Paard van Troje - Den Haag, Netherlands
23 - W2 - 'S Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
24 - ECI Cultuurfabriek - Roermond, Netherlands
30 - Vera - Groningen, Netherlands

Anneke signed a deal with Holland's PIAS Records last year and released her new album, Everything Is Changing, on January 20th. The tracklist for Everything Is Changing is as follows:

'Feel Alive'
'You Want To Be Free'
'Everything Is Changing'
'Take Me Home'
'I Wake Up'
'Circles'
'My Boy'
'Stay'
'Hope, Pray, Dance, Play'
'Slow Me Down '
'Too Late'

The official video for the song 'Take Me Home' is available below.

Texas-based metal veterans HELSTAR have commenced the songwriting process for their new CD. The band states, "We can promise you one thing: HELSTAR will write and deliver the best album we can produce within our power. We hope to begin recording in the spring of 2013."

HELSTAR will release "30 Years Of Hel", a DVD containing footage of the band's March 24, 2012 30-year-anniversary hometown show at Warehouse Live in Houston, on October 2 in North America (August 31 in Europe) via AFM Records. The DVD+2CD set will include footage of the band performing songs spanning its entire career, including material from the often-overlooked "Multiples Of Black" release. The package will also feature interviews with each bandmember, as well as with the entire group, conducted by "Robb's MetalWorks" and focusing specifically on this milestone.

The "Toward The Unknown" performance from the "30 Years Of Hel" DVD can be seen below.

HELSTAR released its latest album, "Glory Of Chaos", in November 2010 via Germany's AFM Records.

Formed in Houston in the early '80s, HELSTAR cut its teeth playing backyard parties and small club gigs. It soon became apparent that HELSTAR had much more to offer then its contemporaries. Combat Records snapped up the band and released HELSTAR's debut, "Burning Star", in 1984. Next came "Remnants of War", followed by HELSTAR's breakthrough album, "A Distant Thunder", in 1988. The success of "A Distant Thunder" ultimately set up HELSTAR's most critically acclaimed album, 1989's "Nosferatu".

DVD preview clip:

SOLDIERFIELD have announced the addition of drummer Jeff Singer to the band's ranks. Jeff has 20 years experience touring and recording with the likes of PARADISE LOST, BLAZE, KILL II THIS, CHINA BEACH, and will now be in charge of the heavy weapons both on the band's soon to be announced live shows and on the full-length album due in early 2013.
Soldierfield will release their debut EP, Bury The Ones We Love, on October 29th via Metalbox Recordings.

The track ‘Feel Alive’ can be heard below:
Soldierfield lineup:

Vocals: Leigh Oates (ORDER OF VOICES, RISE TO ADDICTION)
Guitars: Andy Trott
Guitars: Steve Wray (Rise To Addiction, Blaze)
Bass: Simon Priestland
Drums: Jeff Singer (Paradise Lost, Blaze, Kill II This, China Beach)

More on Soldierfield at this location.

Portuguese gnostic /progressive metallers DARKSIDE OF INNOCENCE are currently working on their third album. The band have recorded a single, entitled ‘Sephiroth’.
An update from singer/composer Pedro Remiz states: "A lot has been happening in the world of Sophia since the latest release Xenogenesis (Infektion Records). The band is getting back on track as I’m finding new members to perform live and compose the new album. Also and meanwhile, as many of you know, we were writing a new single entitled 'Sephiroth'. Well I can say gladly, that the single is already done, produced and waiting to kick some asses worldwide. However, what’s preventing us from releasing it yet, is the fact we’re preparing a video clip with Gente Malvada Produções, which is already making some interesting progress. So, to announce it officially here’s 'Sephiroth'’s first preview."
Updates to follow. More on Darkside Of Innocence at this location.

Italian thrashers MADMAZE have announced their new line-up.

The band has welcomed new bassist Luca Paolini (ex-CRIMINAL SIDE) and frontman Danny Schiavina (DEMOLITION SAINT).

The revamped lineup consists also of the founding members, guitarists Alberto Baroni and Luca Venturelli and drummer Mirko Virdis.

The band parted ways with original vocalist Alberto Dettori earlier in the spring.

HARDBANGER – the new project by French producer Brew Varea (DAGOBA, BLAZING WAR MACHINE, MEPHISTO) – have announced the release of their new music video for the track ‘She Says’.

The track was produced by brew varea (DAGOBA,MEPHISTO). Mastering was completed by Dave Collins (LINKIN PARK,SOUNDGARDEN). The video was edited by Brew And Gray and shot by Gray And Ghyis (MEPHISTO,FIVF).

Watch the video below:
The band announced in July that they were in a studio to record material for a new album.

A short studio video taken during the recording of guitars and vocals for the upcoming new single can be seen below:

CULLOODEN – lead by CLOUDSCAPE drummer Fredrik Joakimsson – has released the following update on their new album:

"The last pieces of the Cullooden album are more or less completed, finally! (It only took us five years). The songs will soon be mixed at the Number one studio in Sweden of course, RoastingHouse! Below you'll find the tracklist of the upcoming masterpiece:

‘Heaven Feels So Hollow’
‘Drowning In Silence’
‘An Interesting Fact’
‘Take Hold Of Your Fear’
‘Endless Tears’
‘Star Of The Night’
‘The Progress’
‘Embrace Your Destiny’
‘Welcome To Wonderland’
‘My Only Desire’

Australian prog-rock heavyweights VOYAGER have released the video for their track ‘Seize The Day’, off their latest album The Meaning Of I.

Using a collection of smartphone recordings from fans on March 2nd in their hometown of Perth, WA and fans from across the globe, Voyager have put together the best footage submitted by these fans, to create the video.

Director of the video Ben Berkhout commented: “This video began as a viral campaign where Voyager fans where offered the opportunity to film the band live at The Amplifier. The catch was, it could only be shot on a Smartphone and thus began the Seize The Day Smartphone Video Shoot in early March 2012.

We got such a great response from the fans and with the confirmation of a North American Tour with RHAPSODY OF FIRE, we thought we'd harness the power of social media and the gift of Danny's gab to open up an invitation to the rest of the world to enter their own videos. It could be lip-sync, some crazy interpretive dance, driving, eating, swimming, juggling, star jumping, head-banging, rocking out or simply lying on a bed wearing a wrestling mask threatening a cat with a water pistol... anything! As long as you had a good time making it! And so it evolved into... Voyager – ‘Seize The Day (official By The Fans video).

As the Director and Editor I got to see everything in it's entirety, all 100+ hours of craziness, and I had a ball cutting every funny second of it!

I'm so stoked to have seen the dedication from all the fans out there around the world!

Congratulations to all of you who submitted videos and congrats on being a part of this amazing social experiment, you did an amazing job and you should all be very proud!”

Watch the video below:
Voyager will be heading out on an east coast tour of Australia in November in support of their new album. Tour dates are below:
November
1 – Newcastle, Australia - Hamilton Station Hotel
2 – Sydney, Australia - Steel Assasins Festival
3 – Wollongong, Australia - Perpetual Tides Festival
4 - Sydney (West), Australia - Westfest, Lucky Australian Tavern
9 – Melbourne, Australia - The Workers Club
10 – Canberra, Australia - BastardFest

On March 23rd, 2013, internationally renowned metal band EPICA will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a special performance, entitled Retrospect, which will take place in the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven, in their home country the Netherlands. According to a new update from the band, "In less than one week 1,000 tickets have been sold for our Retrospect show. This is gonna be a night to be remembered!"
Until October 1st there is an "early bird" discount on both regular and VIP tickets for the show. Special VIP-tickets are available as well and cost €65 + service costs. VIPs will get early access to the venue and exclusive VIP goodies.

From October 1st the price will increase by €4 for both normal and VIP tickets. Go to this location to purchase.

Retrospect will be Epica’s most ambitious project to date, joined by a 70-piece symphonic orchestra and choir, international guests and lots of special effects.

Watch an online message from the band below:
Epica's South/Latin American current tour schedule is as follows:

September
21 - Teatro Universidad - Medellin, Colombia
22 - Downtown Majestic - Bogota, Colombia
25 - Teatro Flores - Buenos Aires, Argentina
26 - Teatro Caupolican - Santiago, Chile
28 - Via Funchal - Sao Paulo, Brazil
29 - Fundicao Progresso - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
30 - Opiniao Bar - Porto Alegre, Brazil

October
2 - Teatro Plaza- Montevideo, Uruguay
3 - Club Sport Colombia de Fernando de la Mora - Asunción, Paraguay
5 - Auditorio Blackberry - Mexico City, Mexico

Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL will release a concert DVD+2CD and Blu-ray+2CD, "Gates Of Dalhalla", on November 30 via Nuclear Blast. The set will feature the band's extraordinary 135-minute 15th-anniversary show that took place on July 28 on the historic open-air stage Dalhalla, built in an old quarry near the small Swedish village Rättvik. The footage was captured by Swedish director Patric Ullaeus of the Revolver Film Company AB, who has previously worked with IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, EUROPE and LACUNA COIL, among many others.

Commented HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak: "The set contained 26 tracks and lasted two hours and 15 minutes, by far the longest and most comprehensive gig of our entire career! We played songs from every album and then some. There were lots of guests and pyros, and we had 80 Marshall cabinets and the big shield with the HF logo carved out in the middle hanging brought out of storage, all set in an extremely unique venue. You really have to see it to understand. This concert really captured the essence of HAMMERFALL live in 2012 very well!"

Special guests during the concert included original HAMMERFALL members Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES) and Mikael Stanne (DARK TRANQUILLITY), as well as ex-HAMMERFALL guitarist Stefan Elmgren.

Added Oscar: "Everything concerning this release is special: the venue, the occasion, the setlist, the guests. If you are going to celebrate something, do it properly, and this is exactly what we have done. HAMMERFALL with extra everything, 100% live, 0% bullshit."

The setlist for the concert was as follows:

01. Patient Zero
02. Heeding The Call
03. Any Means Necessary
04. B.Y.H.
05. Riders Of The Storm
06. Let's Get It On
07. Crimson Thunder
08. Renegade
09. Blood Bound (special guest: Stefan Elmgren)
10. Last Man Standing (special guest: Stefan Elmgren)
11. Fury Of The Wild (special guest: Stefan Elmgren)
12. Drum Solo: Anders Johansson
13. Always Will Be
14. Dia De Los Muertos
15. Steel Meets Steel (special guest: Mikael Stanne)
16. Threshold
17. The Dragon Lies Bleeding (special guest: Jesper Strömblad)
18. Let The Hammer Fall
19. När Vindarna Viskar Mitt Namn (special guest: Roger Pontare)
20. Something For The Ages
21. The Templar Flame
22. Oh Fortuna (special guest: Team Cans)
23. Glory To The Brave (special guest: Team Cans)
24. One More Time (special guest: Team Cans)
25. Hammerfall
26. Hearts On Fire (featuring all special guests)

The members of HAMMERFALL announced in March that they were take an extended break immediately following their festival appearances this summer.

"It has been an unbelievable first 15 years, to say the least," said guitarist Oscar Dronjak, "and now we are taking a pause to ensure that we have another 15 years ahead of us."

There will be no HAMMERFALL activities in 2013, but the band promises to return strong the following year. "The plan is to use the year off to recharge our batteries and come back more vital than ever with a new album in 2014," explained singer Joacim Cans.

HAMMERFALL's new album, "Infected", sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 16 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

HAMMERFALL's previous CD, "No Sacrifice, No Victory", opened with 1,400 units to land at No. 38 on the Top New Artist Albums chart.

"Infected" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 2 (right behind LADY GAGA!). The CD was released in Europe in May 2011 and was made available in North America in June via Nuclear Blast Records. Laying down the foundation themselves in their own studio in Sweden, the members of HAMMERFALL then traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to finish it up with acclaimed producer James Michael (MÖTLEY CRÜE, SCORPIONS, MEAT LOAF). He also mixed the album, giving it a decisive updated edge without losing any of the essence of the band's sound.

HAMMERFALL was among the five final nominees that competed for the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" honor at the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), which was held February 14, 2012 at Kungliga Operan in Stockholm.

German rockers CROSSPLANE recently signed a worldwide deal with 7hard.

For their song, 'Rollin'', Crossplane had some well-known support: Tom Angelripper (SODOM, ONKEL TOM) and Christof Leim (THE NEW BLACK, SINNER) contributed vocals and guitar solo. A video trailer can be seen at this location.

Since their inception in 2009, Crossplane gained attention with their self-released EP, Highspeed Operation. The band fronted by Onkel Tom guitarist Celli played shows all over Germany, expanding the band from a local to a national act.

Crossplane is:

Celli: Vocals / Guitar
Dirk: Bass
Alex: Guitar
Matthias August: Drums

More on Crossplane at this location.

Belgian metallers KOMAH are back with a second full-length album, entitled Between Vice And Virtue. The follow-up to the band's debut, Straight Line, was recorded and mixed in 2011 by Charles Deschutter at Rec 'N' Roll Studio in Belgium. The new album will hit stores this fall.
What people can expect from Komah is a pure discharge of an agressive groove and powerful energy, a brutal rage in the compositions, tons of modern heavy riffs and a real surgical precision... to become an addict.

In waiting for the official release of Between Vice And Virtue, 'The Birth', a first excerpt of this upcoming album, is streaming below:
More on Komah at this location.

After three albums - Mirrorion (2006), Scorpion Milk (2006), and Ai Ma Ra (double-CD, 2009) - on the acclaimed Finnish underground label Aural Hypnox, ARKTAU EOS return with not one but two albums, simultaneously on Svart Record: Ioh-Maera, a CD-only release out October 26th, and Unworeldes, a vinyl-only release out November 3rd.
Ioh-Maera CD tracklisting:

'Unbinding Kaamos'
'Noxfaros'
'Sunken Luminaries'
'Ioh-Maera'
'Otherstone Refraction'

Unworeldes LP (vinyl only) tracklisting:

'The Cypress Watcher'
'Cove Of The Seven-Winged'
'Black Leaf Gaze'
'Geometry Of Emptiness'

More on Arktau Eos at this location.