Michigan-based post-hardcore act I SEE STARS was arrested on August 30 on charges of possession and intent to use hallucinogenic drugs. The bandmembers and their crew were taken into custody by Salina County Police in Salina, Kanasas and were released after posting $1,000 bond each.

Vocalist Devin Oliver tweeted about the incident, posting: "Just had the worst 13 hours of my life." He followed that tweet with another message: "First and last time in jail."

Check out the I SEE STARS mugshots at SalinaPost.com.

I SEE STARS' latest album, "Digital Renegade", was released in March via Sumerian Records.

Bassist Brent Ashley (pictured below) has left STATIC-X. His final show with the band took place this past Saturday, September 1 at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California. He writes on his Facebook page, "[I] wish things would have ended differently, but I'm very excited for what the future will bring."

Original STATIC-X bassist Tony Campos — who is currently on the road with SOULFLY — issued a statement in July indicating that he had "no interest in working with [STATIC-X frontman] Wayne Static, now, or anytime in the foreseeable future."

Regarding his decision to resurrect STATIC-X, Wayne said, "I really just wanted to go back to old-school STATIC-X since the band has been gone for a few years. The last tour I was on I did a lot of my solo stuff, and I'm ready to get back to old-school STATIC-X stuff, which is actually new again."

STATIC-X's recent trek marked the band's first outing since they announced a hiatus in 2009.

Athough none of the other original members — Campos, Koichi Fukuda (guitar) and Nick Oshiro (drums) — are part of the new STATIC-X lineup, Tony previously said that he was supportive of his former bandmate's decision to reform the group, saying, "I'm proud of my years with STATIC-X, and want to see the name of the band stay alive and well. I hope that all of our fans will continue to support both Wayne and I in our individual endeavors."

According to Ahram Online, a lawyer for the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) filed a complaint Saturday to Egypt's interior ministry against El-Sawy Culture Wheel, the prominent cultural centre in Cairo's upscale Zamalek district, accusing it of hosting "Satanist" rock bands and events. The suit says an August 31 concert at the center was attended by people wearing t-shirts adorned with what the lawyer, Ismail El-Weshahy, described as satanic shapes and symbols. El-Weshahy said that one of his two clients, both of whom are members of an independent anti-corruption NGO called 'We're Watching You," had also filmed a group of people who he said were performing satanic rituals in the center.

In response, the Culture Wheel issued a statement in which it denied claims by El-Weshahy and his clients.

"In our ten years of activity, the Culture Wheel has not hosted any kind of practice that could be called Satanic," the statement said.

Egyptian heavy metal musician Wael Osama defended the groups from El-Weshahy's allegations.

"El-Weshahy made grave legal accusations against the metal bands. We should be concerned about the reactions of the public. After all, we recently saw what happened to the young man who was walking with his fiancé in Suez and was killed by radical Islamists," Osama told Ahram Online.

"I tried to use the media available to me to explain the metal subculture to the people of Egypt," he added. "I feel sympathy for this lawyer, since he may not be familiar with the metal subculture, and therefore may find it strange to see young people headbanging and wearing black."

In 1997, Egyptian police arrested some 100 heavy metal fans, including several who were jailed for weeks, over accusations they belonged to a Satanic cult aimed at spreading drugs and sexual freedom.

MetalRecusants conducted an interview with bassist/vocalist Phil Rind of Arizona thrashers SACRED REICH at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked why SACRED REICH hasn't made a new studio album after reuniting for sporadic live shows six years ago, Rind said, "Our lives are different now. I mean, it's funny… Our old drummer Dave's [McClain] in MACHINE HEAD and they're touring and doing great; they're very successful. And I said [to the other guys in SACRED REICH recently], I wouldn't even wanna [get back into a full recording and touring cycle]. I wouldn't wanna be gone from my family. I have four kids. As much as I like this, as much as I appreciate the fans, what’s important — the family or playing live music? I mean, really?! What's important — being a dad to my kids? My kids need their dad more than the fans need a new SACRED REICH record. And that's really the bottom line. It's a choice. We have a choice to make. What do you wanna do? You have kids now. What are you gonna do — blow it off or are you gonna be their dad? The world will be a better place if I'm [my kids'] dad."

SACRED REICH launched its 25th-anniversary European tour in June.

The remastered edition of SACRED REICH's classic 1992 album "Independent" was released as a digipack and jewelbox on March 15, 2010 via Displeased Records. The first 2,500 copies contain a free SACRED REICH patch.

Displeased Records' reissue of SACRED REICH's classic album "The American Way" came out in February 2009. With upgraded layout, to-the-point remastering plus unreleased pre-production demo bonus tracks and a video clip, this new and improved CD reissue is an essential addition to every thrash metal collection.

"The American Way" was made available in a limited digipak version and standard jewel case version. The first 2,500 copies came with a free logo patch.

Interview:

"Unrelenting Fucking Hatred", the debut album from Montreal's RAGE NUCLÉAIRE, will be released on October 19 in Europe and November 6 in North America via Season Of Mist. A 2LP vinyl edition will be available in North America, strictly limited to 300 copies.

"Unrelenting Fucking Hatred" track listing:

01. Violence Is Golden
02. Hunt With Murderworms, Sculpt With Flies
03. The Gift Of The Furnace
04. Fields Of The Crucified
05. Endziel
06. The Sorrow Children At Mourningside
07. 30 Seconds In The Killhouse
08. Unrelenting Fucking Hatred
09. The Gallows And The Black Coffin
10. The Feeding Habits Of Homo Horriblis

The song "Violence Is Golden" is now available for streaming at this location.

RAGE NUCLÉAIRE was formed by legendary vocalist Lord Worm (ex-CRYPTOPSY) and includes guitarist Dark Rage (ex-CRYPTOPSY) and bassist Alvater (ex-FROZEN SHADOWS) in its ranks. The group's influences range from early EMPEROR and IMMORTAL to ANAAL NATHRAKH and MYSTICUM.

The band issued the following statement: "If anyone had ever told us that some day we'd be signed to Season Of Mist, we'd have laughed at them. The point is, being accepted into the Season Of Mist family, along with such ungodly notables as ARCKANUM, MAYHEM and DEATHSPELL OMEGA, is like being given a Sith name — it feels great to be part of Season Of Mist's evil empire."

RAGE NUCLÉAIRE has already commenced work on its second album, tentatively titled "Annihilation Frenzy".

HATRIOT, the new San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal band led by former EXODUS frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza, has completed recording its debut album, "Heroes Of Origin", for a January 2013 release via Germany's Massacre Records. The CD was recorded with producer Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, TESTAMENT) and features guest appearances BY TESTAMENT 's Chuck Billy and MACHINE HEAD 's Phil Demmel . The cover artwork is being created by Mark Devito, who has previously worked with MOTÖRHEAD and ANVIL CHORUS, among others.

Souza previously stated about HATRIOT's label home: "HATRIOT is very excited and extremely proud to announce that we have signed with one of the premiere metal labels in existence today, Germany's Massacre Records, who join us to fulfill our goal of world domination and relentless touring, to bring our fans the heaviest Bay Area thrash music of the modern era! Thank you all for the support that has made this dream of ours come alive!"

HATRIOT's new drummer is none other than Steve's 18-year-old son, Nicholas Souza. Nicholas auditioned for the band after the recent departure of Alex Bent and "proved himself to be the best choice," according to Steve.

HATRIOT's lineup also includes Zetro's 21-year-old son Cody, who got his first bass as a present from his father after Zetro bought it off current EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson. "I told him," Zetro said in a recent interview with Metalholic.com, "'You have to try out [for the bassist position in HATRIOT if you want to be in the band]. There's no nepotism here, boy. If you can hang, you're on.' So he actually tried out, and he got the gig."

Regarding HATRIOT's musical direction, Zetro said, "It's in the vein of typical Bay Area thrash, but these guys are a lot younger, so there's gonna be some blast-beats in there. There's gonna be some kind of death [metal] approach to it, a little bit. 'Cause these guys are new. They're raw, and they're fast, young, heavy, hard and aggressive, and I'm trying to convey that along as well."

He added, "These new kids seem to understand what we did in the '80s, but still bring a little bit of a new essence to it. We put that together with what I write vocally and it's turned out to be really, really killer. It's good stuff."

Asked why he thinks thrash metal has enjoyed something of a revival in more recent years, Zetro told Über Röck, "You know, I get asked this a lot, and I think it is because the first wave of thrash came and went so fast. I mean, it started in the mid-'80s and was gone by 1991 or so. The older bands still have something to say, and I feel that's why they are still able to put out great music so many years later. Now the fans that were young kids back then have bands of their own, so these new bands are naturally influenced by the old sound and it has come full circle. Of course, with technology and things like they are today, it is a totally different ballgame when it comes to marketing the music. I don't know that there will ever be another band as big as the 'Big Four' or anything, because the business structure just isn't there anymore, but it is really cool to see these new bands carrying the torch of what we helped invent back in the old scene."

HATRIOT's "Blood Stained Wings" video can be seen below.

HATRIOT is:

Steve "Zetro" Souza - Vocals
Kosta Varvatakis - Guitar
Miguel Esparza - Guitar
Nicholas Souza - Drums
Cody Souza - Bass

A new video message from Finnish/Swedish metallers STRATOVARIUS about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's new studio album can be seen below.

STRATOVARIUS's new DVD, "Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere", recently entered the Music DVD chart in Finland at position No. 1.

The news of drummer Jörg Michael's departure from the Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS in September 2011 was a shock for all of the band's fans.

To say goodbye to a friend, hero and member who characterized STRATOVARIUS' sound for over a decade, the group embarked on a five-show farewell tour of Finland in November of last year.

Before coming back with a brand new studio album in 2013, STRATOVARIUS released a two-hour DVD filmed and recorded in Tampere, Finland on November 19, 2011. This is one of the very last shows the band played with Michael.

Released on June 29 via earMUSIC, "Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere" marks the end of an era as well as a new beginning. Hits and classics like "Under Flaming Skies", "Speed Of Light" and "Hunting High And Low" as well as exclusive bonus material (30-minute documentary about the band's history, exclusive interviews with each member as well as a special comment from Jörg Michael about the reasons to leave the band) makes it a must-have for every fan and a real collector's item not to be missed.

STRATOVARIUS in June announced the addition of 24-year-old drummer Rolf Pilve to the group's ranks.

According to ListinDiario.com, the drummer for the heavy metal band EXSANGUINATION THRONE was murdered this past weekend in the Dominican Republic in a case of mistaken identity.

23-year-old José Carlos Hernández, who performed under the name Asmodeo Nefastdrum Shiva, was stabbed more than 27 times early Sunday by a group of men outside the Gustavo Live Pub in Santo Domingo.

Three men between the ages of 24 and 28 — Josaías Benjamín Mota Lorenzo, Máximo Dalvin Almánzar Guerra and Miguel Ángel Bautista Mota — were arrested in connection with the attack.

One of the suspects — who was caught with the 10-inch knife used in the killing — told police that he and the other men mistakenly thought Hernández raped a woman they knew a month ago, police spokesman Diego Pesqueira said.

José Carlos Hernández was the son of the late musician Jochy Hernández and reporter María del Carmen Hernández, who was a presenter on the program "Despierta América" on Univision.

The newly released Ronnie James Dio pint glass from Rock N Roll By The Pint is now available for order at this location.

Rock N Roll By The Pint is the creation of legendary rock photographer Gene Kirkland. His career spans over three decades and includes a who's who from A to Z. Being a fan of music and photography himself, this is his own unique way of blending the two arts to create a pint glass that can be displayed proudly either in your hand or on your shelf. If you appreciate music, photography or collectibles, these unique creations cover all the bases!

Each of Gene's images has been carefully chosen and is certain to make that beverage of your choice even tastier. He is as much of a fan of these artists as you are and he's an even bigger fan of quality and the "cool factor." Every glass is made in the USA and always will be. Fill your glass and toast to your favorite band or your favorite song and just sit back and quench your thirst.

"All Fired Up", a brand new song from Swedish hard rockers BULLET, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Full Pull", which will be released on September 14 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gutterview Recorders in Solna, Sweden with producers Nicke Andersson (HELLACOPTERS, ENTOMBED) and Fred Estby (DISMEMBER). The band states, "We think this is going to be our best album thus far. Expect the hardest-rocking BULLET album yet recorded!"

"Full Pull" track listing:

01. Midnight Oil
02. Full Pull
03. Running Away
04. All Fired Up
05. Rolling Home
06. In The Heat
07. High On The Hog
08. Rush Hour
09. Freeriding
10. Gutterview
11. Warriors

Bonus track:

12. Get On

A single, "Full Pull", was released on July 13 via Nuclear Blast Records. The single was made available digitally and on vinyl, with various colors.

The track listing is as follows:

Side A: "Full Pull"
Side B: "Get On"

BULLET's third full-length album "Highway Pirates", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 3.

"Highway Pirates" was mixed by Tobias Lindell, who has previously worked with such Swedish rock bands as EUROPE, MUSTASCH and HARDCORE SUPERSTAR.

Swedish metallers REVENGIA have announced the addition of touring guitarist Andreas Stolt to the group's ranks.

Commented the band: "To make REVENGIA's music justice live, we have decided to add an extra guitarist for live shows.

"Andreas is guitar player in the metal band NASCENCY and will be a perfect addition to the REVENGIA camp. We're very grateful for having him with us.

"First time Andreas will be performing with REVENGIA will be at the Snowy Shaw Halloween gig, where REVENGIA has been chosen to open up for. The gig will take place on November 3 at Sparbankshallen in Varberg, Sweden."

REVENGIA recently completed work on a new album with producer Matti Almsenius. A release date for the effort has not yet been announced.

The band previously described its new songs as "heavy, fast, doomy and melodic, just as usual in REVENGIA-land!"

REVENGIA's last album, "Eraser", was released in Japan on November 21, 2007 via Soundholic Records.

The band in 2007 split with ARCH ENEMY drummer Daniel Erlandsson due to scheduling conflicts. He has since been replaced by Conny Pettersson (ANATA, TRENDKILL, ETERNAL LIES).

The band recently stated:

"We want to share that Andres joined our band! He lives in Hungary but he comes from Venezuela. We still have a very good relationship with Tomi and we still keep up our alcoholic seances!"

Andres started to sing when he was 13 years old with his first band Sociedad Anonima. He was also a member of The Ministers, Monastery(Hayseed), Progness and Room Of The Mad Robots.

Andres commented:

"I am very happy to be a part of EYE BEYOND SIGHT! The guys are very talented and they are like brothers to me."

EYE BEYOND SIGHT are: Andres Vincze (vocals), Attila Sill (Rhythm Guitar & Vocals), Juraj Tóth (Bass Guitar), Bálint Varga (Drums), Zoltán Machala (Lead Guitar)