Guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH will release his autobiography, "Sacrum Profanum", in Poland on October 17. The book, whicih was previously described by Nergal as "a really long in-depth interview," will initially only be made available in Polish, but "depending on interest, we might be translating this into English," he said.

The "Sacrum Profanum" cover photo was taken by Ivo Ledwozyw, with post-production by Seth Siro Anton (PARADISE LOST, KAMELOT, MOONSPELL, SOILWORK, EXODUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, DECAPITATED, VADER).

Several promotional clips for "Sacrum Profanum" were recently directed by Dariusz Szermanowicz of Polish producers Grupa 13, with whom Nergal previously collaborated on the BEHEMOTH videos "At The Left Hand Ov God" and "Ov Fire And The Void".

The trailers were scripted by Nergal and are "little portraits of certain chapters of the book," according to the BEHEMOTH frontman.

The first "Sacrum Profanum" trailer can be seen below.

An excerpt from the book (in Polish) can be downloaded at this location.

In December 2010, Darski underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure after being diagnosed with a life-threatening form of leukemia.

NILE drummer George Kollias has posted a performance clip of his new solo track, "The Passage". He states, "[This is] one of the latest songs I wrote. There are lyrics for this song, but not available in this video. . . I play guitars, bass, percussion (real time midi percussion). the sound is very raw for now, just a POD X3 Pro, but it does the job." Check it out below.

George's new instructional DVD, "Intense Metal Drumming 2", will be released later this month through Hudson Music. Kollias states, "This new DVD stands on the same concept as 'Intense Metal Drumming' did back in 2008. There is A LOT of educational stuff for beginners and more advanced players, many killer concepts and exercises that will help everyone. The quality of the new DVD is crazy; we used eight video cameras, 26 audio channels and there is a lot of bonus material that everyone will enjoy!"

Kollias is writing and recording a solo album in between drum clinics and touring cycles. The CD, which is primarily set to show off some of George's craziest metal drumming to date, is being completely written and recorded by George, including the guitars, bass, keys, vocals, and percussion, and it will also feature a DVD of the recording process.

Professionally filmed video footage of KOBRA AND THE LOTUS's performance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany, can be seen below.

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS released its new album in the U.K. on August 6. The CD's first single, "Forever One", preceded the full-length effort on May 28.

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS last year inked a deal with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons' revived Simmons Records label via a partnership with Universal Music Canada. Simmons confirmed the signing on his Twitter profile, calling KOBRA AND THE LOTUS "real metal."

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS' debut album, "Out Of The Pit", produced by Kevin Shirley, was launched in March 2010. In the following 16 months, the band performed 168 gigs, across five countries, including seven festival stages. The second album was produced by Kevin Churko (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, OZZY OSBOURNE), along with Julius "Juice" Butty. A video for the song "Welcome To My Funeral" points to an undisputed evolution in the band; the music is stronger, meaner and heavier.

"Touring for 'Out Of The Pit' had a huge influence on us in terms of realizing which direction we wanted the new music to take," said singer Brittany Paige. "We really wanted to create new music that would portray the large amount of energy we put forward in a live performance."

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS is:

Brittany Paige - Vocals
Jasio Kulakowski - Guitar
Griffin Kissack - Drums
Peter Dimov - Bass
Timothy Vega - Guitar

Finnish melancholic dark metal forerunners AMORPHIS have entered the studio to begin recording their as-yet-untitled 11th album for a March/April 2013 release via Nuclear Blast Records. Production and mixing duties for the follow-up to 2011's "The Beginning Of Times" are being handled by HYPOCRISY and PAIN mastermind Peter Tägtgren, who has previously worked with such bands as CHILDREN OF BODOM, CELTIC FROST, IMMORTAL and DIMMU BORGIR.

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

Commented AMORPHIS guitarist and founding member Esa Holopainen: "We had to face the fact that if we want to develop our music and sound, we need a producer who has a vision and whom we can accept as an authority, for I know that we're not the most flexible guys when it comes to letting outsiders into our camp for telling us how to do things.

"We spent one evening at our management office, talking about the right producer and the recording sessions in general. As usual, the best decisions are not far to seek.

"We've been talking to Peter about him producing AMORPHIS for ages — I think the first time we spoke about this was when we met first at the Nuclear Blast festival tour in 1994 and it was in Helsinki around a year ago when we last speculated about the idea.

"We've been following Peter's career — he's developed as a musician and especially as a producer over the years. Plus he's one of the true survivors from the '90s death metal scene who is still around just like us, so we share kind of an 'old-school' mental level."

The recordings for the new AMORPHIS CD are taking place at Petrax Studio (NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, KORPIKLAANI) in Hollola and 5K Studios in Helsinki.

Added Esa: "We've decided to record in Finland, so that Peter can come here to escape to Petrax in the countryside together with us in order to record all the drums plus some additional lines. Later on, we'll continue in Helsinki at 5K Studios to lay down the rest of the material. The mixing will be done with Peter in the Swedish Abyss Studios."

Regarding the direction of the new AMORPHIS material, Esa said, "Over the last couple of weeks we've had some really intense rehearsing for the forthcoming album. Originally we laid down around 20 new songs as demos, now we are proceeding with 14 tracks.

"I'm really thrilled about the idea to take a major step away from the so-called routines that we've had with our last records.

"While promoting 'The Beginning Of Times', we started to feel that we were giving the same explanations over and over again when people asked about the studio process and how the songs came about. Even though the music was very strong, the making process didn't offer any surprises and appeared to be quite secured. Now the addition of a new dimension to the developing process has inspired us to focus on our material even more. The songs are extremely strong, bombastic and skull-pummelling.

"Though it's too early for a statement like this, I'd already love to say that we've created the best AMORPHIS album ever. We'll do our best!"

"The Beginning Of Times" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 16 — the best chart position ever scored by an AMORPHIS album in that country. The CD also landed at position No. 1 on the Finnish chart.

Video footage of ABSU's performance at the third annual Slaughter By The Water festival, which took place on August 25 on the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier in Alameda, California, can be seen below (courtesy of Capital Chaos TV).

ABSU's latest album, "Abzu", came out last October via Candlelight Records. The CD was part two of a planned trilogy of recordings from the Dallas-based mythological occult metal band. Mixed by J.T. Longoria (KING DIAMOND, SOLITUDE AETERNUS), the effort featured the original works of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (WATAIN, BEHEMOTH, DESTROYER 666, VADER).

Recorded at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas, "Abzu" found drummer/vocalist Proscriptor and bassist/vocalist Ezezu sharing equal vocal duties and debuted the skills of new guitarist Vis Crom.

Robert Fripp says his legal battle against Universal Music Group has rendered his musical career “an exercise in futility” – and that’s why he’s given it up.

The King Crimson mainman has been embroiled in a rights fight with the giant label for five years, leading to his abandonment of music-making, with no certainty he’ll return.

He’s furious over the way in which Universal has bought up a series of independent labels that own parts of his back-catalogue, and believes it’s led to the release of unauthorised and unaccounted works under his name.

He cites the example of rapper Kanye West’s single Power, based on Crimson’s classic track 21st Century Schizoid Man – which had been heard over a million times on YouTube before he was even asked whether the sample could be used.


Fripp tells FT.com: “I couldn’t concentrate on music, so I made the choice to give up my career as a musician in the frontline to deal with the business.”

He says the arrangement between artist and label has “moved from a symbiotic relationship to a parasitic relationship.”

His last live outings were in 2009 when he performed with wife Toyah Willcox’s band the Humans and toured with Theo Travis to support the duo’s Threads album. Last year saw the release of his collaboration with Jakko Jakszyk and Mel Collins, entitled A Scarcity Of Miracles. Since then he’s ended his involvement with creative projects.

Fripp says: “Going back to early King Crimson, the remarkable explosion of the creative impulse came from these young men who didn’t know what they were doing, yet were able to do it.

“What has changed in 40 years? It’s very simple: 40 years ago there was a market economy. Today there is a market society – today everything, including ethics, has a price.”

But that doesn’t mean Fripp’s fight is all about money. He says: “Music is a language in which we can express our struggle with what it is to be a human being. This is at the centre of what created King Crimson.

“Today I remain responsible for that. How can I lie to that? If I do, I cease to be human.”

Fripp’s own label DGMlive will release a 40th anniversary edition of King Crimson album Larks’ Tongues in Aspic on October 15. It will be available as a CD/DVD package, a double-CD pack and a 15-disc box set limited to 7000 units.

U.K. doom metallers MY DYING BRIDE have launched a mini-site for their upcoming album, "A Map Of All Our Failures", featuring album info, audio, video, downloads and more . Fans can stream a brand new song, "Kneel Till Doomsday", below, and those who sign up for the MY DYING BRIDE mailing list will receive a free download of the track.

"A Map Of All Our Failures" will be released on October 15 in Europe and October 16 in the U.S. via Peaceville Records on CD, double vinyl and special-edition CD/DVD. The effort was recorded and mixed at Futureworks Studios in Manchester, England with the band's longtime production partner Rob "Mags" Magoolagan at the helm.

According to a press release, "a step up from 2009's 'For Lies I Sire' — which set and subsequently met new heights of expectation placed upon the legendary Yorkshire doom troupe — 'A Map Of All Our Failures' is a further voyage into the darkest depths of humanity, religion, folklore, love and death. MY DYING BRIDE's distinctively sumptuous dual-guitar melodies effortlessly flood into juggernaut doom metal riffs, with the vocals of Aaron Stainthorpe weaving a rich tapestry of tragic tales into the accompanying soundscapes. 'A Map Of All Our Failures' is perhaps best and most effectively summarized by guitarist Andrew Craighan, who describes the album as 'a controlled demolition of all your hopes.'"

"A Map Of All Our Failures" track listing:

01. Kneel Till Doomsday
02. The Poorest Waltz
03. A Tapestry Scorned
04. Like A Perpetual Funeral
05. A Map Of All Our Failures
06. Hail Odysseus
07. Within The Presence Of Absence
08. Abandoned As Christ

MY DYING BRIDE will embark on a European tour in December in support of the new album. The band will also make an appearance at the U.K.'s esteemed Damnation Festival in November, at which Peaceville will be a proud sponsor to coincide with the label's 25th anniversary.

Interview:

During a recent appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, legendary Danish/American/Swedish King Diamond (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE) (real name: Kim Bendix Petersen) spoke about the strange photo that was taken of KING DIAMOND during the band's June 9 performance at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

"[We have this] picture from [the] Sweden Rock Festival. It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen," he said. "It's me sitting with a lantern on a platform in front of the drum riser and our actress Jodi Cachia; she's from Philadelphia. She should have been standing behind me, but all you see [is] one leg up to her thigh, the rest is not there. [The picture] was taken by a Norwegian called Håkan with a super digital camera. Double exposure is not a possibility; you can't cut your leg off and leave it behind and then move the rest of your body so quick that the camera doesn't pick it up. The picture is physically impossible unless you're living in a parallel universe or something, and she was in another universe for a split second coming in right when that photo was taken.

"I don't know if you're familiar with that show 'Fringe'; I've seen it quite a few times. I like it; it deals with these possible parallel universes, and if that was the case, we should call 'Fringe' [laughs] to take a look at this area, because it is freaky.

"I saw [the photo] at nighttime in my hotel in Denmark and we were discussing whether we should call Jodi at her hotel and ask her to be careful in the next couple days in case she has an accident and might lose her leg or something. It almost felt like seeing a snapshot of 'The Omen' movie, but it's the weirdest thing. It looks like a shadow of her leg of that one leg that is shown, it looks like there is a shadow up against the drum riser, but when you zoom in a little, [there is] a black clone of it. There's a shape from the one kick drum with all the shiny metal stuff and the outside of the kick drum you can't see, it's shiny only on one of them. It's so weird.

"There's so many weird things that follow us.

"[KING DIAMOND guitarist] Andy La Rocque said to me, 'Well, duh, it's not that strange. Take a look at [our new stage] set. It looks like a big antennae for the occult.' It really does. It's a pretty big set. Very dark but it's fun."

The photo in question can be seen below.

Industry sources are saying that a LED ZEPPELIN double-CD / double-DVD of their 2007 reunion show in London will be released in November. On Friday (September 7), the band posted "hello" on its Facebook page, followed on Saturday by "Five" in the band's classic font, followed on Sunday by "Four" and "Three" on Monday — leading some fans to believe that an official announcement is coming on Wednesday (September 12). In addition, a brief video has debuted on LED ZEPPELIN's YouTube channel that simply shows the four symbols featured on the group's fourth studio album, accompanied by the sound of an audience cheering.

With the entire rock world going insane with "ZEPPELIN" fever in the weeks and months following the reunion show, Robert Plant — who was the lone hold-out on any future ZEPPELIN gigs — was asked how he stayed calm with all the excitement centered around the band. "Well, I don't think anybody actually asked that question, to be perfectly frank — apart from the media. So, here I am, just doing what I do," he said.

Jason Bonham, the son of late ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham, who was behind the kit for the performance at London's O2 Arena, told The Pulse Of Radio he's eager to own some sort of document of the event. "I know it probably was recorded. I mean, there was cameras there and everything, but I'm not too sure of what the process is there," he said. "Me, personally, I'd love to get a, y'know, a version of it that I could — you know, stay with me forever. It'll be there forever in my mind, but to get a chance to watch it back is sometimes only when you realize what you've done."

Back in 2008, Jimmy Page spoke about the O2 gig to Uncut, saying, "It was recorded, but we didn't go in with the express purpose of making a DVD to come out at Christmas, or whatever. We haven't seen the images or investigated the multi-tracks. It's feasible that it might come out at some distant point, but it'll be a massive job to embark on."

LED ZEPPELIN's set list on December 10, 2007 at London's O2 Arena:

01. Good Times, Bad Times
02. Ramble On
03. Black Dog
04. In My Time Of Dying
05. For Your Life (live debut)
06. Trampled Underfoot
07. Nobody's Fault But Mine
08. No Quarter
09. Since I've Been Lovin' You
10. Dazed And Confused
11 Stairway To Heaven
12. The Song Remains the Same
13. Misty Mountain Hop
14. Kashmir

Encores:

15. Whole Lotta Love
16. Rock And Roll

California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the new division of Nuclear Blast formed by Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger and former Roadrunner A&R chief Monte Conner.

As one of the leaders of the extreme modern metal movement, it is only fitting that their new home be one of the biggest metal labels on the planet. It's a union that is sure to bring much success to both parties in the not so distant future.

"I've been following SUICIDE SILENCE since their debut album and immediately grew to love their music," commented Staiger. "I knew we had to work with this amazing band and today is the day to finally welcome one of the most brutal bands on Earth to the Nuclear Blast family. The next SUICIDE SILENCE album will no doubt push boundaries once again."

"I am thrilled to have such an innovative and unique band like SUICIDE SILENCE as the first signing to Nuclear Blast Entertainment," added Conner. "Even though I was totally blown away by their last album, 'The Black Crown', I am certain the band's best music is still ahead of them."

Stated SUICIDE SILENCE guitarist Mark Heylmun: "I and all of SUICIDE SILENCE are proud to announce that we have signed a worldwide deal with the one and only Nuclear Blast. It wasn't a tough decision; Nuclear Blast has been a huge part of heavy metal for decades and we couldn't be happier. This is a new beginning for us and we're ready as all hell! Let Chapter 2 begin now!"

"I am beyond stoked to be signing to the sickest of all heavy metal record labels," added SUICIDE SILENCE bassist Dan Kenny. "It has been a dream of mine since I was a youngster with Nuclear Blast posters on my bedroom wall."

Nuclear Blast North American label manager Gerardo Martinez concluded: "It's pretty amazing when you hear SUICIDE SILENCE talk about the Nuclear Blast bands they love. It puts all of us on the same level — we are all music fans here. Super stoked to be a part of history with this Californian bunch!"

SUICIDE SILENCE's Nuclear Blast Entertainment debut is tentatively scheduled for a summer 2013 release.

After a year-long world tour promoting the latest release from their legendary band WHITESNAKE, guitarist and songwriter Doug Aldrich, bassist and singer Michael Devin decided to come together with ZAPPA drummer-percussionist extraordinaire Joe Travers and pursue the adventure of their homegrown band during WHITESNAKE's 2012 hiatus.

Word quickly spread. Invitations came pouring in. It comes as little surprise the power trio creates a sound as big as a six-piece.

STEAMROLLER first performed a series of interactive clinic-concerts for Marshall in the U.K. late 2011. Gaining confidence on tour, their trial by fire was playing two shows back to back at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2012 fair in early 2012 in front of crowds of 5,000-plus music industry professionals.

Now for their debut European tour which will rock n' roll through Scandinavia, East Europe all the way to the island of Cyprus and up to north Greece in September and October.

Doug Aldrich spent years rippin' his guitar alongside metal master Ronnie James Dio before moving on to WHITESNAKE, where he has co-written the last two albums with legendary frontman David Coverdale.

Bassist and singer Michael Devin spent years on the road, playing bass with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and George Lynch, before joining WHITESNAKE.

Monster drummer Joe Travers has been involved in all things ZAPPA since the age of ten. He has played with Dweezil Zappa's various bands, Billy Idol, THE MOTELS, DURAN DURAN. He is also Vaultmeister of the Zappa Family Trust.

STEAMROLLER celebrates their unique individuality both as musicians and personalities. Their brand of music is raw and full of essential rock spunk.

STEAMROLLER tour dates:

Sep. 17 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia Klubi
Sep. 22 - London, UK - Marshall Wembley Arena
Sep. 23 - Vasteras, Sweden - Sigurdsgatan 25
Sep. 24 - Praha, Czech Republic - Nová Chmelnice
Sep. 25 - Brno, Czech Republic - Melodka
Sep. 27 - Poland - Drum Festival
Sep. 30 - Nové Mesto Nad VáHom, Slovakia - Blue Note
Oct. 02 - Budapest, Hungary - A 38 Boat
Oct. 03 - Velden, Austria - Bluesiana Rock Café
Oct. 04 - Roermond, Holland - ECI Cultuurfabrik
Oct. 05 -Limassol, Cyprus - Teepee Rock Club
Oct. 06 - Larnaca, Cyprus - Saveno Rock Club
Oct. 07 - Kavala, Greece - Rock Club
Oct. 09 - Pratteln, Switzerland - The Gallery Z-7
Oct. 12 - Bologna, Italy - Teatro Delle Cellebrazioni

Producer/songwriter Ben Moody has posted a YouTube clip in which he puts a new spin on the song "My Immortal", the song he originally wrote and recorded with his former band, EVANESCENCE. Check it out below.

"My Immortal" was released on December 8, 2003 as the third single from their EVANESCENCE's debut album, "Fallen". The song was entirely written by Moody, with the exception of the bridge, which was later added by EVANESCENCE lead singer Amy Lee.

Lyrically, "My Immortal" talks about "a spirit staying with you after its death and haunting you until you actually wish that the spirit were gone because it won't leave you alone." Moody later revealed that the song was written for his grandfather Bill Holcomb. An accompanying music video directed by David Mould was filmed entirely in black and white in Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, Spain on October 10, 2003. The clip, which can also be seen below, shows Lee sitting and singing in various locations, but never touching the ground. Shots of Moody are also included but he doesn't appear in any scenes with Lee or the rest of the band.

Ben Moody's new version of "My Immortal":

Finnish metal/hard rock outfit AMORAL has uploaded a 12-minute video recap of the band's May 2012 visit to China and Japan. Check it out below.

AMORAL's fifth album, "Beneath", entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 30. Released on October 26, 2011, the CD came equipped with a stunning 18-page poster booklet (made by Spanish artist Marta Nael), expanding the cover artwork into all its glory.

"Beneath" was recorded at Sound Supreme studios in Hämeenlinna, Finland, and was produced by Janne Saksa and guitarist Ben Varon.

"I'd describe the album as 'three steps forward, one step back,'" Varon previously said. "There are several nods to our past in form of long songs, intricate riffs and growling vocals. But the main focus is still on the strong melodies, big choruses and catchy riffs, just as was on our last album, 'Show Your Colors'."

"Beneath" marked the recording debut of AMORAL's new guitarist Masi Hukari. Hukari — who joined the group late in the songwriting process — immediately wrote two songs together with Varon, both which ended up on the album.

Vancouver metallers BISON B.C. will release their new album, "Lovelessness", on October 22 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded with acclaimed producer Sanford Parker at Soma and Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago.

"Lovelessness" track listing:

01. An Old Friend
02. Anxiety Puke / Lovelessness
03. Last and First Things
04. Blood Music
05. Clozapine Dream
06. Finally Asleep

The song Anxiety Puke / Lovelessness can be streamed below.

BISON B.C. is:

James Farwell: Guitar/Vocals
Dan And: Guitar/Vocals
Masa Anzai: Bass
Matt Wood: Drums

EXODUS/GENERATION KILL frontman Rob Dukes joined PHILM on stage last night (Sunday, September 9) at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey to perform a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's "Symptom Of The Universe". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

PHILM is the Los Angeles-based experimental post-hardcore triumvirate featuring drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), guitarist/vocalist Gerry Nestler (CIVIL DEFIANCE), and bassist Pancho Tomaselli (WAR).

The band's debut album, "Harmonic", was released on May 15 via Ipecac Recordings.

"When people hear about my involvement in PHILM, they automatically assume that it will compare to SLAYER's sound," explained Lombardo. "They couldn't be more different. I have scaled down my drum set to a four-piece, reminiscent of the drummers from the late '60s that influenced me. Each song is unique in itself, I like to refer to it as 'rhythmic emotion.' It's almost like taking all the heavy songs of the '60s and bringing that era to a modern plateau, then blending them with the modern trance and psychedelic sounds of today."

"We decided to record 'Harmonic' in the intimate setting of a home, with various vintage recording equipment," added Lombardo on the band's debut album. "The music was written collectively in an improvisational manner, unlike the majority of recordings I've done before. This was very important given this is my first recording where I'm carrying the title of producer and performer. The album achieves a dense, unholy convergence of tones and discords. We also touch on haunting, desolate, ambient sounds. Our music tends to be written in a manner where we never know the outcome until we listen back to what we recorded. A harmonic journey."

Italy's black/rock/doom metal outfit FORGOTTEN TOMB will release its sixth full-length album , entitled "...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil", on October 30 in Europe and on November 6 in North America via Agonia Records.

More powerful and straight to the point, the CD begins where its antecedent — "Under Saturn Retrograde" — melodically ended. The directions of the new release may vary however over the last year's offering, as the band submerges into more dark, horror-like regions and underground scenery, serving us a more steady and mature recording. FORGOTTEN TOMB is still obscure, melodic and still follows its own negative path — continuously experiencing with sound and imaginativeness. But as fans of the formation may already know, the Italian outfit is likely to surprise the listener during the long and complex compositions, smuggling mainstream-music elements and wise song-structures into the outwardly seamy and fearsome metal landscapes, making the obvious music sub-genres sound not that obvious anymore.

According to FORGOTTEN TOMB leader and songwriter Ferdinando "Herr Morbid" Marchisio, "...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" is the most personal album he has written since 2004's "Love's Burial Ground" and it explores the darkest corners of his mind like never before, making it without any doubt one of the band's more tortured and twisted offerings.

"...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" was recorded in Elfo Studio in Italy by Daniele Mandelli and was mastered at Finnvox Studios (IMPALED NAZARENE, AMORPHIS, CHILDREN OF BODOM, FINNTROLL, HIM).

"…And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" track listing:

01. Deprived
02. ...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil
03. Cold Summer
04. Let's Torture Each Other
05. Love Me Like You'd Love The Death
06. Adrift
07. Nullifying Tomorrow
08. Transmission (JOY DIVISION cover)*
09. Sore (BUZZOV*EN cover) **

* exclusive digipack CD bonus track
** exclusive vinyl bonus track

"...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" will be available as a regular jewelcase CD, limited-to-1,000-copies digipack CD with exclusive bonus track, digital download and double 12" LP with an alternative bonus track. The first 66 copies will be available on a multicolour splatter vinyl.

Prior to release of the new album, on September 25, there will be a new seven-inch EP, entitled "Deprived". The EP will be limited to 300 copies (100 green, 100 white, 100 red) only.

FORGOTTEN TOMB will embark on a full-scale European tour in November and December.

An audio sample of the song "Whispering Silence" from San Diego, California metallers AS I LAY DYING, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's sixth album, "Awakened", which will be released on September 25 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was produced by Bill Stevenson, who has played drums for both the DESCENDENTS and BLACK FLAG and is one of the most highly renowned producers in rock. His production credits include work on records by RISE AGAINST, NOFX, PROPAGANDHI, THE CASUALTIES, ANTI-FLAG and many more. The album was mixed by Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, NAPALM DEATH, SLIPKNOT).

The cover artwork for "Awakened" was created by Metastazis with Tiffanie Uldry and can be seen below.

AS I LAY DYING recently completed a video for the song "A Greater Foundation" with director Drew Russ (A DAY TO REMEMBER, FALLING IN REVERSE) and producer Robby Starbuck. The performance-based clip was shot on location in Los Angeles.

"We were all impressed with Drew's ability to capture the intensity of live band performances in his videos, and 'A Greater Foundation' is no exception," explained AS I LAY DYING bassist Josh Gilbert. "Drew's technique, along with the all-day participation of some of our diehard fans in Los Angeles, definitely accentuated the energy of the song and makes for an exciting and dynamic video. We can't wait to unveil it!"

AS I LAY DYING is preparing to launch a European tour with TRIVIUM, CALIBAN and UPON A BURNING BODY before returning to the U.S. in November for a nationwide tour.

"Whispering Silence" audio sample:

British power metal mercenaries TANK — featuring Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans on guitar alongside ex-RAINBOW/YNGWIE MALMSTEEN frontman Doogie White and ex-BRUCE DICKINSON bassist Chris Dale and former HELLOWEEN drummer Mark Cross — will release a new DVD, "War Machine Live", on November 12 in Europe via Metal Mind Productions and December 11 in the USA through MVD. The set will feature live performances filmed on March 9, 2012 at Stodola in Warsaw, Poland and August 10, 2011 at Metal Hammer Festival in Katowice, Poland, plus band interviews, on-the-road footage and the promotional video for "War Nation", the title track of the band's most recent studio album.

Commented Evans: "This is our first official live DVD release so we wanted to make sure it would appeal to all TANK fans, old and new. With such an extensive back catalog to choose from, we think we've selected some real gems that all fans of real British metal will enjoy. We've captured the raw energy that TANK is known for in a performance that features classic tracks such as 'This Means War', 'Power Of The Hunter' and 'Honour And Blood' plus new fan favourites 'Judgement Day' and 'Phoenix Rising'. Also featured is a live version of the new song 'Don't Dream In The Dark' from our latest album, 'War Nation'."

"War Nation" was released on June 5 via MVD (one day earlier in Europe through Metal Mind Productions). The follow-up to 2010's "War Machine" was helmed by new hotshot producer Phil Kinman at his west London studios.

Swedish doom metal kings WITCHCRAFT will release their fourth album, "Legend", on September 21 via the band's new label home, Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2007's "The Alchemist" was recorded with renowned producer Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (KREATOR, OPETH, AMON AMARTH, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA) in Örebro, Sweden. The CD marks the recording debut of the band's new members Simon Solomon (guitar), Tom Jondelius (guitar) and Oscar Johansson (drums). Going forward, WITCHCRAFT leader Magnus Pelander will focus on his unique vocals without playing guitar anymore.

"Legend" track listing:

01. Deconstruction
02. Flag Of Fate
03. It's Not Because Of You
04. An Alternative To Freedom
05. Ghosts House
06. White Light Suicide
07. Democracy
08. Dystopia
09. Dead End

Limited digipack + LP bonus track:

10. By Your Definition

An eight-minute "Legend" preview is available in the YouTube clip below.

"It's Not Because Of You" was released digitally via iTunes as well as on limited seven-inch vinyl on August 17. The single also includes a special non-album cut called "Take Me With You When You Die". The vinyl version was issued in at least three different-color versions — black, copper and green — and made available via Nuclear Blast mailorder only.

Commented Pelander: "A friend of mine had an idea about a cover for 'Legend'. I developed the idea and gave it back to my friend who then passed it on to another friend who happened to be a designer. The designer then pushed it in a new direction. The result is already legendary."

Added bass player Ola Henriksson: "The album cover is meant to reflect the music and I think it does that with its heavy, dark and clean design."

WITCHCRAFT, who formed in 2000 in tribute to band heroes Roky Erickson and Bobby Liebling (PENTAGRAM), create heavy, blues-based rock augmented with touches of psychedelica and late '60s pop flourishes. The quartet's first-class songs reference the darker side of hard rock while remaining surprisingly accessible. Flying largely under the radar of the popular music landscape previously, WITCHCRAFT is a hallowed name in underground circles and has found itself championed by a diverse cross-section of distinguished music adherents including American actor Elijah Wood, who publicly called the band "amazing," and DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo, who in 2009 proudly proclaimed WITCHCRAFT as his "new favorite band."

Austrian female-fronted symphonic metallers EDENBRIDGE have finished laying down the drums for their new album at the Sunprojects Studio in Austria.

"Max's [Pointner] new Tama drum kit sounds absolutely awesome and I think we were able to bring this great sound to tape," says EDENBRIDGE guitarist/founder Lanvall.

EDENBRIDGE's seventh album, "Solitaire", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95 back in July 2010.

The "Higher" video can be viewed below. The clip was filmed with director Silvan Buege (Blackstage TV).

EDENBRIDGE's live album, "LiveEarthDream", was released in May 2009. The disc was recorded at various concerts in 2008 and was only available through the band's fanshop.

Italian power metallers SECRET SPHERE will release their seventh album, "Portrait Of A Dying Heart", before the end of the year through Warner Music (Japan) and Scarlet Records (rest of the world). The CD will feature a 40-page booklet, including the novel "She Complies With The Night" on which the album is based.

A trailer for "Portrait Of A Dying Heart" can be seen below.

SECRET SPHERE earlier in the year announced the addition of former VISION DIVINE and THAUROROD vocalist Michele Luppi to the group's ranks.

Said Luppi in a statement: "'Portrait Of A Dying Heart' is by far one of the best album I've done."

He added, "I wanna thank [the other members of SECRET SPHERE] for their trust and belief, and I'm willing to share all my experience and passion in order to write and perform our music the best way we can... For us and, most of all, for you."

After 12 years, six albums, and tours around the world, Roberto "Ramon" Messina decided to leave SECRET SPHERE due to musical differences.

SECRET SPHERE's sixth album, "Archetype", was released in Europe in September 2010 via Scarlet Records.

Finnish love metallers HIM will release a greatest-hits album, "XX - Two Decades Of Love Metal", on October 29 via Sony Music in Finland. The set will include the band's new cover version of the song "Strange World", originally recorded in the 1990s by Kevin Grivois (a.k.a. Ké).

The "Strange World" video and digital single was originally due on September 21 but has had its release date pushed up due to an online leak. You can now purchase the track digitally via iTunes.

H.I.M. is scheduled to enter the studio this month with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (APOCALYPTICA, AMORPHIS, MOONSPELL) to begin recording its ninth full-length album, "Tears On Tape", for an early 2013 release. The CD will be mixed by Tim Palmer, who has previously worked with PEARL JAM, U2 and ROBERT PLANT, among many others.

H.I.M. will end this year by bringing back the Helldone Festival at club Tavastia in Helsinki, where they will perform for four nights in a row.

"XX - Two Decades Of Love Metal" track listing:

01. Strange World (KÉ cover)
02. Join Me In Death
03. Heartkiller
04. Rip Out The Wings Of A Butterfly
05. The Kiss Of Dawn (radio edit)
06. The Funeral Of Hearts (radio edit)
07. Right Here In My Arms (radio edit)
08. Pretending
09. Buried Alive By Love (radio edit)
10. Gone With The Sin
11. Your Sweet Six Six Six
12. The Sacrament (radio edit)
13. Wicked Game (CHRIS ISAAK cover)
14. Killing Loneliness
15. Bleed Well (radio edit)
16. In Joy And Sorrow (radio edit)
17. Poison Girl
18. Scared To Death
19. When Love And Death Embrace (radio edit)
20. Heartache Every Moment

The "XX - Two Decades Of Love Metal" cover artwork can be seen below.

In March of last year, HIM parted ways with Sire/Warner Music following a six-year partnership that produced three albums. HIM frontman Ville Valo told Kerrang! magazine in February, "The thing with Warner is really a kind of a familiar story. When we signed with [the label], there were lots of people there who really loved the band, loved what we were doing; people who worked hard for us and who really had our best interests at heart. And now, of course, all of those people have left the company. So instead we had a bunch of people that we didn't know, who didn't know us, and who we felt didn't really understand what we are about and how to best represent us. All of a sudden, it felt like we didn't have a home anymore. It was time for us to move on."

HIM's discography on Sire includes the 2005 album "Dark Light", which was certified gold in the U.S. for sales in excess of 500,000 copies. Follow-up releases "Venus Doom" (2007) and "Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice" charted both in the U.S. and Europe.

"Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice" sold 26,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 25 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The first edition of the 4th Nachtmahr album "Veni Vidi Vici" will be released as a strictly limited edition in coffee-table book format à la viénnoise. Nachtmahr is the solo project of Thomas Rainer (also known for his other projects: L'Âme Immortelle and the now defunct Siechtum)

The "Veni Vidi Vici" book is actually a sumptuous illustrated picture book containing explicit, highly erotic photos in a 280 x 280 mm format and this spread over 72 pages. The book furthermore includes all lyrics and the bonus CD "Archivum Imperialis" featuring 6 exclusive tracks.

This edition is strictly limited to 2000 copies.

Veni Vidi Vici (Limited Edition)" Track List:

01. The March Of The Imperial Guard
02. Tradition
03. Ich Bin
04. Dem Tod
05. Kriegserklärung
06. Mütterchen Russland
07. Vorwärts Klangsoldaten!
08. Dunkeldisko
09. Submission
10. Die Letzten Dämme
11. Hoffnung
12. Stumme Zeugen
13. Niemand
14. Radikal (Feat. Skyla Vertex)
15. Alptraum
16. Matywka Poccnr (Feat. Xe-None)
17. Tradition (Apocalyptic)

Austin, Texas metal luminaries THE SWORD will release their fourth album, "Apocryphon", on October 22 via their new label partners Razor & Tie. The CD was produced and engineered by J. Robbins (CLUTCH, JAWBOX) at Magpie Cage Studios and will feature cover art by famed comic book artist J.H. Williams III (Batwoman, Promethea).

"Apocryphon" track listing:

01. The Veil Of Isis
02. Cloak Of Feathers
03. Arcane Montane
04. The Hidden Masters
05. Dying Earth
06. Execrator
07. Seven Sisters
08. Hawks And Serpents
09. Eyes Of The Stormwitch
10. Apocryphon

Bonus tracks:

01. Arrows In The Dark (live at Emo's)
02. Barael's Blade (live at Emo's)
03. Chronomancer II: Nemesis (live at Stubb's)
04. Ebethron (live at Stubb's)
05. Cheap Sunglasses

THE SWORD is now offering a limited-time-offer bundle including:

* Autographed limited-edition glow-in-the-dark 12-inch vinyl
* "Apocryphon" deluxe version digipak CD
* Three hand-numbered triptych 11 x 17 lithograph black light reactive posters
* Exclusive limited-offer "Apocryphon" T-shirt
* "Apocryphon" slipmat
* Includes digital download code

Asked about the band's decision to work with J. Robbins on "Apocryphon" after self-producing two records and then working with Matt Bayles, THE SWORD guitarist Kyle Shutt told AltPress.com, "We're all huge CLUTCH fans, and we know those guys real well. [James] did two of their last three records, and those sound great, so we figured it was a no-brainer. We called him up and he was into it. He saw our live show at a club in Baltimore on the tour before we came here so he could get a feel of the kind of show we put on because we wanted to make an album that sounds like we do live in a club. And it was great. It was a real speedy process."

On the topic of the musical direction of the new album, Shutt said, "It is a reflection of everything that we [have gone] through and the lessons we learned. We then deal with these situations metaphorically in our lyrics. This record is just 10 banging hard rockers. There's no real 'stick-out' thrash song, or, like, this one is the ballad. I don't think there's going to be any instrumental songs on this record, either, so that'll be a first for us. It's just 10 kick-ass rock songs."

Regarding the subject matter covered in the new songs' lyrics, Shutt said, "There are lyrical themes that weave in and out of the songs, but there's no story or anything like that. With 'Warp Riders', J.D. [guitarist/vocalist John Cronise] had already written [the story] and now he [doesn't] have the time to sit down and write another book. We had the idea to make a comic book for 'Warp Riders', but we had some really poor management at the time, so nothing really came together with that and it was going to cost so much money that it never saw the light of day. It was just a nice thing we did. Now we're moving on to other things."

A PERFECT CIRCLE will perform one show in 2012 — on December 29 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tickets for the special evening go on sale September 15 at 10 a.m. PST. VIP tickets will be available simultaneously at this location.

A PERFECT CIRCLE recently confirmed its participation in the 2013 edition of the Soundwave Festival, which kicks off February 23 in Brisbane, Australia.

A PERFECT CIRCLE toured North America for the first time in six years last summer. These were the band's first live dates since a mini-tour they did in the fall of 2010, in which they played each of their three studio albums over the course of three nights in five cities.

The 2010-2011 lineup of A PERFECT CIRCLE included singer Maynard James Keenan, guitarist-songwriter Billy Howerdel, drummer Josh Freese, former SMASHING PUMPKINS guitarist James Iha and bassist Matt McJunkins.

A PERFECT CIRCLE currently does not have a record deal.

A video recap of NIGHTRAGE's August 26 appearance at the Daejeon rock festival in South Korea can be seen below.

NIGHTRAGE's fifth album, "Insidious", was released last September via Lifeforce Records. The CD featured guest appearances by Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND), Tomas S. Englund (EVERGREY), Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS), John K (BIOMECHANICAL) and the band's former frontman Tomas Lindberg (also known for his work with AT THE GATES, THE CROWN and LOCK UP). Lindberg appeared on the band's first two albums — 2003's "Sweet Vengeance" and 2005's "Descent Into Chaos" — before being replaced by Jimmie Strimell, who sang on 2007's "A New Disease Is Born".

Singer Andrea Ferro of Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL married his longtime girlfriend Paola Penny Gigliotti this past Saturday, September 8.

A photo of the happy couple can be seen below.

LACUNA COIL recently completed the "Dark Legacy" North American tour. The band's only headlining run in the United States in 2012 featured a set of more than two hours, with material spanning all of LACUNA COIL's albums.

LACUNA COIL's new album, "Dark Adrenaline", sold around 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart.