WHITESNAKE frontman David Coverdale joined Sammy Hagar on stage last night (Saturday, September 1) during the CHICKENFOOT/ex-VAN HALEN singer's "4 Decades Of Rock" concert in Lake Tahoe, Nevada to perform the LED ZEPPELIN classic "Rock And Roll". Fan-filmed video footage of Coverdale's appearance can be seen below.

SAMMY HAGAR & THE WABOS opened the show and were followed by THE OTHER HALF, featuring Hagar and his CHICKENFOOT/ex-VAN HALEN bandmate Michael Anthony. Hagar was then joined by Denny Carmassi, Bill Church and Joe Satriani (CHICKENFOOT) for a MONTROSE tribute set before the concert ended with a couple of CHICKENFOOT tracks featuring Anthony, Hagar, Satriani and Carmassi.

Sammy recently said of the career-spanning show, "This is a prototype to the type of thing I want to take on the road next year."

Before introducing Coverdale at last night show, Hagar enthused, "If I only did this once in my lifetime, I would be happy. This is a great night."

Commenting on his extraordinarily long and successful career, Hagar said, "I forget about it. I'm out there just partying and working, having a good time, and next thing I know, I'm turning 65 (on October 13). I'm cool with it. Everybody's always trying to lie about their age. Fuck that. I never dreamed I'd still be doing this, but now, I never dreamed about quitting!"

Sammy Hagar's setlist for last night's concert (courtesy of Ultimate Classic Rock):

Sammy Hagar & THE WABOS

01. Red
02. There's Only One Way To Rock
03. I Can't Drive 55
04. Three Lock Box
05. I'll Fall In Love Again
06. I've Done Everything For You
07. Heavy Metal
08. Little White Lie
09. Mas Tequila

THE OTHER HALF (featuring Hagar and Michael Anthony)

10. Why Can't This Be Love
11. Good Enough
12. When It's Love
13. Top Of The World
14. Best Of Both Worlds

MONTROSE (with Joe Satriani on guitar)

15. Good Rockin' Tonight
16. Bad Motor Scooter
17. Rock The Nation
18. Rock Candy
19. Space Station #5

CHICKENFOOT (with Denny Carmassi on drums)

20. Rock And Roll (LED ZEPPELIN cover, with David Coverdale of WHITESNAKE)
21. Bigfoot
22. Oh Yeah

The title track of "Sexwitch", the new two-song EP from Edmonton, Alberta-based metal band THE ORDER OF CHAOS, can be streamed below.

"Sexwitch" was released in Europe on August 28 a seven-inch vinyl limited to 500 copies through Killer Metal Records. It is also available for purchase on CD and digital download through iTunes, Bandcamp, and the band's web site.

THE ORDER OF CHAOS features in its ranks current INTO ETERNITY touring singer Amanda Kiernan.

The release of the "Sexwitch" EP coincides with THE ORDER OF CHAOS's European tour in support of HELSTAR, which consists of 15 dates in eight countries, including two festival appearances.

In a February 2012 interview with The Regina Leader-Post, Amanda stated about her decision to join INTO ETERNITY, "I couldn't pass up on the INTO ETERNITY thing because I could never sit at home and wonder what could have been."

She added, "Some of [my THE ORDER OF CHAOS bandmates] might not understand, but I think that in the long run, this will be very good for THE ORDER OF CHAOS. They're a little jealous and upset. But I think I just need to prove to them that I'll work 100 percent at both bands."

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe joined CANNABIS CORPSE on stage this past Friday, August 31 at the Canal Club in Richmond, Virginia to perform the song "Blunted At Birth". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below. The concert served as a fundraiser for Randy's legal bills in connection with the manslaughter charges he faces in the Czech Republic.

At some point over the next few months, Blythe will have to return to Prague and stand trial. Faced with continuing massive legal bills, LAMB OF GOD has decided to create an eBay auction of equipment and memorabilia to raise money for Randy's legal bills. All equipment was either used on tour or in the recording studio or in a video. The auction features items provided by all five members of LAMB OF GOD. In addition, a number of musicians have offered equipment to be used in the auction. Guitars have been donated by MACHINE HEAD's Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel as well as Slash and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH. MEGADETH's David Ellefson and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's Chris Kael have each contributed a bass and the members of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH also have contributed a signed skateboard.

Justice Now, the site set up for donations, will remain open for those wishing to donate to Randy's defense fund.

LAMB OF GOD appreciates all of the support Randy has received since his arrest on June 28 and is thankful for all of the donations that have been made in these tough economic times.

As stated before, without the fans, there is no LAMB OF GOD.

Click here for the link to the LAMB OF GOD memorabilia site and here for the link to the Justice Now site.

Blythe was released from a prison in Prague on August 2, more than a month after he was arrested and incarcerated. Blythe was facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a 2010 incident in which a fan attending a LAMB OF GOD show died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage. Blythe's predicament galvanized the heavy rock community, with artists across the hard rock genre pledging their support.

Interviewed by a Czech media outlet before boarding the plane to go home, Blythe said, "I'm relieved to be out of jail but if it's necessary for me to return to Prague to go to this court thing, I certainly will, I'm no flight risk."

Blythe added that he had no memory at all of the incident in question, saying, "I feel very bad that a fan of my band is dead and his family has to go through it, it's terrible, I feel awful for them but it's a tragic coincidence . . . we had no knowledge whatsoever that someone had been injured much less died."

The case is expected to be heard in court in December.

LAMB OF GOD returned to the live stage on August 17 in Council Bluffs, Iowa as part of SLIPKNOT's first-ever Knotfest, an extraordinary two-date metal and hard rock festival.

Blythe and his bandmates are already rescheduling a canceled U.S. tour for October.

Official Metallica.com footage of METALLICA's pre-show tuning-room jam and "Wherever I May Roam" performance on August 18 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Creeping Death
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls
03. Fuel
04. Ride The Lightning
05. One
06. Cyanide
07. The Memory Remains
08. Wherever I May Roam
09. Sad But True
10. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
11. ...And Justice For All
12. Fade To Black
13. Master Of Puppets
14. Battery
15. Nothing Else Matters
16. Enter Sandman

Encore:

17. Hit The Lights
18. Seek & Destroy

A member of METALLICA's road crew caught fire during the show, as the the stagehand was seen struggling with a malfunctioning pyro launcher during "Enter Sandman" when he was suddenly engulfed in flame. As James Hetfield called for the band to stop playing, other crew members doused the man with fire extinguishers and took him off the stage in stretchers, with the band resuming its show a few minutes later.

A spokesperson for METALLICA's concert promoter previously said the stunt was "all part of the show," and in fact the band has staged this type of "accident" before during its 1997 tour, on which the show ended with the stage seemingly collapsing around the group as one crew member caught fire and another dangled upside down from the fallen lighting rig. The effect was caught on the band's "Cunning Stunts" DVD.

METALLICA's recent show in Mexico City marked the debut of a new 140-foot-by-50-foot stage that features "colossal components and striking visual elements spanning the band's entire 30-year career," meaning that the "accident" stunt could be back for an encore.

At a July 28 press conference before the first show in Mexico City, frontman James Hetfield said that the band was focused on "staying alive" while performing alongside the "dangerous elements" of the new production, with bassist Robert Trujillo adding, "Like James said, it's very dangerous — we've got stuff flying every which way."

METALLICA played the Outside Lands festival in San Francisco earlier in the month and performed three shows in Vancouver, which were filmed for the band's upcoming 3D movie.

Video footage of British heavy metal singer Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) and his solo band performing on August 25 at the Rock Knights Festival in Larzac, France can be seen below.

As previously reported, Bayley is working on songs for a new classical EP with Belgium-based classical guitarist Thomas Zwijsen. The five-song effort will include a "full classical guitar arrangement" of the IRON MAIDEN song "Sign Of The Cross", which the duo performed on their recent U.K. acoustic tour.

Zwijsen previously recorded an acoustic IRON MAIDEN tribute album called "Nylon Maiden", which featured a guest appearance by Bayley on a cover version of "The Clansman".

Zwijsen is one of the musicians who backed Bayley on Blaze's most recent European "The King Of Metal" tour.

Bayley's new studio album, "The King Of Metal", was released in March. The CD was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy.

The 49-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to replace Bruce Dickinson as the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN.

A reunited WOLFSBANE released its first record in 17 years in April 2011. Entitled "Did It For The Money", it contained the brand new title track along with re-recordings of four old WOLFSBANE numbers. A full-length album, "Wolfsbane Save The World", followed in January.

Video footage of former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno's August 25 performance at the Rock Knights Festival in Larzac, France can be seen below.

Due to a number of health issues, including a knee problem which will require surgery soon, Di'Anno announced in July that he will stop touring next year.

In a message posted on his Facebook page, Paul stated about his impending retirement from performing, "To all of you who have been with me from the start, and many new friends who have given me the privilege of being able to play and meet so many of you through the years, I can't find the right words to tell you all how much I'll miss you. All of you have my love and respect forever, and anyone who knows me knows that ain't a load of bollocks you have kept me going through difficult times, happy times and a lot of heartbreak. I thank you all with all my heart and I'm glad you're not here right now watching me write this crying like a big Jessie (for you, mates, it means a wuss!). Thank you all again, I love you all and wish you all health, good fortune, and most of all, love and happiness. You will be with me always. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Timao Corinthians n again te amo simper. Love, Paul."

Michael Salenius, Di'Anno's Swedish booking manager and tour manager, told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that next year will be "a big, fantastic" last touring year for Paul, with a lot of solo shows, festival appearances and Di'Anno vs. Blaze Bayley concerts. You will also see various guest musicians joining Paul on stage.

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

On August 27, 2011, Di'Anno played his first show since serving time in a U.K. prison after he falsely collected U.K. government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.

After serving his jail term in early 2011, Di'Anno issued a short statement in which he thanked his fans for their support and claimed that he "managed not to drop the soap" during his stint behind bars.

Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.

According to Metal-Rules.com, bassist Steve Harris of British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN has revealed to the German magazine Rock Hard that the band's "Maiden England" concert video will be re-released in 2013, with the footage expanded to comprise the show's encores which were not included in the original VHS version of the set.

IRON MAIDEN's recent "Maiden England" tour closely mirrored, in terms of production and content, the original 1988 concert video of the same name, shot on the 7th Tour Of A 7th Tour. The spectacular stage set was recreated, complete with a magnificent light show, pyro and a newly reincarnated Eddie.

When asked by The Aquarian Weekly what the reason was behind choosing a setlist like that of the famous 1988 excursion, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith said, "Well, we just thought it'd be fun to revisit that period in time — there were some good songs there. It's just great revisiting some of the songs we haven't played for a long while. It keeps us fresh and it's just, you know, we got a lot of new fans coming on board now, a lot of younger fans who probably never saw or were around when we did that tour. That's one factor of it for us revisiting that time and I think there's some good songs from that period, so it's fun to do."

After a summer devoted to work, work and more work, Italian "cinematic" metallers LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY have announced that all is proceeding perfectly with the production of their "Ascending To Infinity Cinematic World Tour". The band's guitarist/mainman Luca Turilli and singer Alessandro Conti just came back from the Backyard Studios in Kempten, Germany where they recorded a new session of epic choirs exclusively for the upcoming trek.

Explains Luca: "As in our shows we will also play some of the very old RHAPSODY songs, rarely or never played until now, we decided to re-record the choirs for those same songs in order to present them on stage with the best sound quality possible. Moreover, we decided to add a great choral impact to some songs that originally were not featuring a choir."

Adds Alessandro: “A couple of days ago, we met in Germany some of the singers who already performed on the new album 'Ascending To Infinity', and, thanks to their unique vocal power, we gave new energy and new life to those glorious and legendary tracks that made the history of RHAPSODY!"

The singers who took part in the new choral recordings are Conti, photographer Johnny Eisprung; Matthias Stockinger, singer and actor from the musical "Evita"; and the AOR legend Dan Lucas, who sold 1.4 million copies with the single "Heart Of America".

In August 2011, RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboardist Alex Staropoli announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli is continuing under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, is making his efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he is joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, singer Alessandro Conti (TRICK OR TREAT) and drummer Alex Landenburg (AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS).

LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY's new album, "Ascending To Infinity", entered the German Media Control chart at the position No. 32.

After releasing an amped-up cover of a holiday classic in each of the past four years, Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Christian metalcore quintet AUGUST BURNS RED will issue a full-length Christmas album, "August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin' Hill, A Holiday Album". The 13-track release features not only fresh takes on classics such as "Jingle Bells", "Winter Wonderland" and even "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer", but also original compositions that are destined to become future headbanging holiday favorites. The album also compiles remixed and remastered versions of the band's previous holiday hits, like "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Little Drummer Boy". Rounding out the collection is an updated version of the band's rendition of "Carol Of The Bells", heard in Frank Miller's ("300", "Sin City") movie "The Spirit" and Seth MacFarlane's ("Family Guy") "American Dad".

"The idea of doing a full Christmas album has been floating around in the ABR camp for a few years now, but what always held us back was finding the time and energy to write an additional full-length in between touring and writing our regular records," explains guitarist and principal songwriter JB Brubaker. "After finishing [2011's] 'Leveler', I finally felt inspired enough to tackle the Christmas album idea."

After working with some of the biggest producers in the genre, the band chose to come home and work at Lancaster's Atrium Audio with longtime friends Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland on "Sleddin' Hill", which finds ABR at its most ambitious and creative. It's a work that enhances the guitar and drum mastery AUGUST BURNS RED are known for by adding unexpected elements such as banjo, violin, cello, piano and even horns.

"Because this was such a different type of album, I was able to get a little more wild with my influences," confesses Brubaker. "There's a section inspired by one of my favorite bands, BEIRUT. There's also guitar solo that is an ode to Blue Album-era WEEZER, and my punk roots are evident all over the album."

"Writing metal versions of Christmas songs has always been a challenge for me because the songs are driven by simple vocal melodies with the only variety in the lyrics. We decided to take the songs and go the instrumental route — the main melodies are there, but this record has a lot more to it then that," he adds. "The songs have sections of music that flow in and out of the classic melodies we've all come to recognize. There is a lot of substance in these songs- more than you'd find in your typical cover."

On whether "Sleddin' Hill" is destined to become a novelty album or a key part of the band's discography, Brubaker has the final word: "To some, the concept of a metal Christmas album may come off as silly and a waste of time, but I think this record has plenty of original ABR substance to interest even the biggest Scrooges out there."

"August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin' Hill, A Holiday Album" track listing:

01. Flurries
02. Frosty the Snowman
03. Sleigh Ride
04. God Rest Ye' Merry Gentlemen
05. Jingle Bells
06. Oh Holy Night
07. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
08. Sleddin' Hill
09. Little Drummer Boy
10. Winter Wonderland
11. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
12. Carol of the Bells (2012)
13. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

The song "Flurries" can now be streamed in the SoundCloud player below.

Leading up the release of "Sleddin' Hill", AUGUST BURNS RED is set to launch a five-week, 30-city North American tour on August 31 with support from OF MICE & MEN, THE COLOR MORALE and labelmates THE OVERSEER, before heading back to Europe where they'll hit 12 countries in four weeks.

Leander Games has released the new MEGADETH-branded slot game. This online game features images and songs from the band, multiple levels, free spins, a "Head Crusher" bonus round, and much more. Game Specs: 5 reels by 4 rows, 40 line video slot game. Top Award: 50,000 credits. Game is available now in Latin America, Tuesday, September 4 in Europe, and "play-for-fun" will be available to all soon.

Check megadethslot.megadeth.com for more information.

Note: North American players, all other players located in regions where online gambling isn't allowed, or anyone who simply does not want to gamble, will also find a "play-for-fun" version available soon. For regions where online slots are allowed, make sure you keep checking in with megadethslot.megadeth.com as some casinos will be offering a chance to win a guitar and albums autographed by Dave Mustaine!

See screen shots of the game.

Yonkers, New York-based technical death/grind legends MALIGNANCY are preparing to unleash their latest slab of sonic bestiality in the form of "Eugenics". Set to be unearthed in Europe on October 8 through Willowtip/Hammerheart, the CD was recorded throughout 2010 and 2011 by Eliot Gellar at the Gellar Cellar Studio in Mahopac, New York, mixed and mastered by Luca Minieri at Dissonant Studio in Aosta, Italy and features the cover art of Justin Osbourn of Slasher Designs. Loosely based around the concept of eugenics — defined as "the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics)" — the band's third full-length hurls forth 10 mercilessly brutal hymns of technically proficient audio carnage.

Elaborates the band in a collective statement: "'Eugenics' is a culmination of MALIGNANCY past and present with a hint of what's to come in the future. Recording the new tunes with a click track was a totally new experience."

Check out the first track, "Type Zero Civilization", below.

In the near future humans will face the very real threat of extinction. Either natural or man-made, it will come to pass. "Eugenics" is an account of what may happen.

Forced to dwell hundreds of miles underground, in an abandoned U.S. archive, they fight to live. This installation still contains all the necessary previsions needed for survival. A self sufficient complex, far removed from the vigor of life topside. It is equipped with generators, a constant replenishing air supply, even waste management. A perfect habitat for the evolution of the last species on Earth, Man.

"Eugenics" track listing:

01. Type Zero Civilization
02. Eugenics
03. Extinction Event
04. Global Systemic Collapse
05. Cataclysmic Euphoria
06. Separatists
07. Monstrous Indifference
08. Cryptobiosis
09. Creatures of Conformity
10. The Breach

MALIGNANCY is:

Danny Nelson - Vocals
Ron Kachnic (ex-MORTICIAN) - Guitar
Roger J. Beaujard (MORTICIAN) - Bass
Mike Heller (FEAR FACTORY) - Drums

Frontiers Records has set a September 25 North American release date for "Broken Bones", the 11th studio album from melodic hard rockers DOKKEN. The effort will be released in two configurations: standard CD and limited-edition CD in digipak with a bonus DVD, which features a comprehensive "Making Of The Album" documentary.

"Broken Bones" was produced by DOKKEN frontman and namesake Don Dokken and was mixed by Bob St. John (EXTREME, DURAN DURAN, COLLECTIVE SOUL) and Wyn Davis (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, WHITESNAKE) and mastered by famed engineer Maor Appelbaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA). The new set features a return to the band's signature sound of catchy melodies, hot riffs and monster production.

"Broken Bones" track listing:

01. Empire
02. Broken Bones
03. Best Of Me
04. Blind
05. Waterfall
06. Victim Of The Crime
07. Burning Tears
08. Today
09. For The Last Time
10. Fade Away
11. Tonight

Audio samples of all 11 tracks are now available for streaming at MelodicRock.com.

The drums for the CD were laid down at MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's The Atrium studio in Calabasas, California.

Don Dokken stated in a recent interview about the "Broken Bones" album title, "[It] is a metaphor that we all have broken bones, be it from an accident, failed relationship, or a broken heart. Everybody gets wounded as we go through life, but, as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Dokken previously described the band's new material as "very uptempo and heavy." He added, "We know our fans like the classic DOKKEN sound, and this is where our new music is headed. It's been a band of brothers doing what we love: 'music.'"

Regarding the new songs' lyrical approach, Dokken said, "I write what comes from the heart, I don't believe in writing music trying to repeat what you've already done. I understand what the fans want but as an artist I see no point in painting the same picture over and over."

The first single from "Broken Bones" will be "Empire".

The cooperation between Frontiers and DOKKEN started with the European release of the group's "Lightning Strikes Again" CD in 2007. The album marked a return to DOKKEN's signature style with melodic hooklines and blazing guitar riffs that epitomized the band's sound on such records as "Tooth And Nail", "Under Lock And Key", "Back For The Attack" and "Dysfunctional".

DOKKEN's current lineup consists of Don Dokken on lead vocals, Jon Levin on guitar, Sean McNabb on bass and Mick Brown on drums.

A "raw" version of a new CRIMSON GLORY demo track entitled "Garden Of Shadows" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The song will appear on the band's new album, a concept record tentatively slated for release next year.

"Obviously there will be many unique elements and dynamics to our new record," the Florida-based group says in a press release. "Moments of light and beauty, times of darkness, pain and sorrow; soaring, epic vocal melodies, fiercely intense dueling guitar riffs and lead harmonies, along with driving, melodic bass lines that are the very foundation of much of our music… songs with real passion, emotion and melodies that can withstand the test of time; everything our fans have grown to admire and respect about our classic songs will be there."

Adds lead guitarist Jon Drenning: "We chose 'Garden Of Shadows' as a teaser track for our fans because it was the very first song we had written/demoed with [the new CRIMSON GLORY singer] Todd [La Torre] almost a year and a half ago, before he was an official member of the band. We wanted to see what he could do musically and lyrically on his own. What you hear is exactly what Todd recorded at home without any input from anyone in the band. Indeed, this track helped seal the deal with Todd for us, because we wanted more than just a voice — we needed a creative writing force as well, someone who understood our particular style and sound of music and the legacy that accompanies it."

The guitarist continues: "Of course we have much more new material that we have been working on since the writing of this particular song, which will undoubtedly go through additional changes regarding individual parts, song arrangement, etc. as we progress further into production and the final recording. To be truthful, the compositions that come before and after this one are just as important to understanding the song itself, but we thought since it was the first song we had composed with Todd, it should also be the first new song shared with our fans around the world. This is just one example of where we started and what we have been working on, and we want to take our fans on the journey with us, from beginning to end."

La Torre became an official member of CRIMSON GLORY in April 2010 and has played a number of shows with the band during the past two years.

La Torre made his first public appearance with CRIMSON GLORY at ProgPower USA X as one of seventeen guest performers paying tribute to Midnight, the band's original singer.

Essentially unknown to the mainstream progressive metal scene, La Torre spent 22 years earning his stripes and solidifying himself as an unquestionable talent behind the drum kit of various hard rock and heavy metal projects in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. However, his vocal aspirations went largely unfulfilled until 2009 when Matt LaPorte (JON OLIVA'S PAIN), who had only heard La Torre sing on a few occasions, casually mentioned to CRIMSON GLORY guitarist Jon Drenning that he might make a nice addition to the already stellar lineup of performers the band had accumulated. It was only a short time later that La Torre found himself at the band's rehearsal studio, and the pieces began to fall into place.

Midnight passed away in 2009 due to long-term health complications.

La Torre recently joined QUEENSRŸCHE as the replacement for Geoff Tate.

The singer, who says that QUEENSRŸCHE has been his favorite band since he was 15 years old, first met QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton at this year's NAMM convention in January in Anaheim, California.

Behind-the-scenes and performance footage from THE AGONIST's late July performances in Lima, Peru can be seen below.

THE AGONIST's third album, "Prisoners", sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 19 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 AGONIST's previous album, "Lullabies For A Dormant Mind", opened with 600 units back in March 2009 to land at No. 105 on the Heatseekers chart.

"Prisoners", was released on June 4 in Europe and June 5 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Christian Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY) and mixed by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, SUICIDE SILENCE) and it "picks right up where 2009's 'Lullabies For The Dormant Mind' left off, with soaring melodies over complex metal passages that fans of thinking-man's metal can appreciate," according to a press release.

In regards to the album artwork, Alissa White-Gluz stated: "We wanted to really include a chaotic visual to reflect the chaotic sound of the band, but we also wanted to show that the lyrics on this album are a lot more introverted…The human face was left non-descript on purpose — it doesn't belong to any particular person, but we could call him the Lonely Solipsist."

Drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner has left Polish extreme metallers DECAPITATED. He explained in a statement, "Too many personal differences and other difficulties made me decide like this." He added, "I appreciate the good times we had together and what we could achieve in more than two and a half years. Even if our ways are dividing, I wish the band to keep going. However, it's time for me to move on."

He continued, "I don't know what will be next, but I would like to stay in this business. I love to write and play music for you guys. This is my life and this is what I want to continue."

DECAPITATED's latest album, "Carnival Is Forever", sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 11 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.

"Carnival Is Forever" was released in North America on July 12, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD's cover art was created by Lukasz Jaszak and can be seen below. The follow-up to 2006's "Organic Hallucinosis" was recorded at Radio Gdansk Studio in Poland with producer Wacek Kieltyka and engineer Arkadiusz "Malta" Malczewski. Drums were tracked with Daniel Bergstrand (BEHEMOTH, MESHUGGAH, DIMMU BORGIR, KEEP OF KALESSIN, DEFLESHED), who also handled mixing duties.

DECAPITATED's latest video, "Homo Sum", can be seen below.

German metallers MOB RULES will release their seventh album, "Cannibal Nation", on October 19 via AFM Records. According to a press release, the CD "is a varied, hook-oriented and energetic record. By building their own studio, a whole lot of new possibilities opened to the band. So the Dwelling Mound studio of guitarist Sven Lüdke became the place for MOB RULES to compose their new material. The result: every song on 'Cannibal Nation' appears sophisticated and right on point. From the prog metal-influenced opening track 'Close My Eyes' to the following 'Lost' with its strong hookline, the first single 'Ice & Fire' (inspired by the story of the abducted Colombian politician Íngrid Betancourt), which features atmospheric orchestral parts by Michael 'Miro' Rodenberg (AVANTASIA), to 'Scream For The Sun' (lyrically dealing with the first ascent of Mount Everest) and the album's final song 'Sunrise', every track was arranged with passion and reason. With 'Tele Box Fool' also a song whose lyrics criticize today's dull TV/media culture, can be found on the album."

"Cannibal Nation" track listing:

01. Close My Eyes
02. Lost
03. Tele Box Fool
04. Ice And Fire
05. Soldiers Of Fortune
06. The Sirens
07. Scream For The Sun (May 29th 1953)
08. Cannibal Nation
09. Sunrise
10. Children Of The Flames (live in Atlanta) (digipak bonus track)

MOB RULES will celebrate the release of "Cannibal Nation" with a live release party on October 20 in their hometown of Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

MOB RULES in 2010 parted ways with longtime keyboardist Sascha Onnen and replaced him with Jan Christian Halfbrodt.

MOB RULES is:

Klaus Dirks - Vocals
Matthias Mineur - Guitar
Sven Lüdke - Guitar
Jan Christian Halfbrodt - Keyboards
Markus Brinkmann - Bass
Nikolas Fritz – Drums

MOB RULES's latest album, "Radical Peace", was released in November 2009 via AFM Records.

Deepsend Records has announced the signing of Australia's ETERNAL REST. The band's debut album, "Prophetic", will be released in early 2013. The CD was recorded and mixed by Joe Haley (PSYCROPTIC).

ETERNAL REST hails from Brisbane, Australia. The band's powerful energy can be heard on "Prophetic", but must be experienced in a live stetting to be truly appreciated. This young group is surging forward with its excellently crafted heaviness from Down Under. Their brand of death metal is a mix of IMMOLATION, PSYCROPTIC and MARTYR with a heavy dose of ass-kickery.

A pre-production recording of the track "Preaching The Decimation Of Spheres" can be streamed below.

ETERNAL REST has played with many national and international artists such as THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ULCERATE, SYBREED and ALCHEMIST.

VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen spent three weeks in the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery for diverticulitis, and will now need four to six months at home to recover from the procedure.

According to CNN (as reported by Van Halen News Desk), the guitarist first developed the condition while on tour and had a serious flare-up once he came off the road.

The long hospital stay was required because surgery to remove the infected intestine resulted in another infection when Van Halen popped a few stitches.

Diverticulitis is a digestive disease that occurs when pouches of the inner lining of the intestine, most often in the colon, become inflamed or infected. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever and cramping.

VAN HALEN's previously announced November tour of Japan is currently being rescheduled for sometime in 2013.

Last month, after bowing to Internet rumors about VAN HALEN being the half time show for 2013's Super Bowl XLVII (47) in New Orleans, David Lee Roth took the bull by the horns and issued an open letter to the NFL explaining that VAN HALEN is ready and willing to play.

Malaysian war-themed death metal soldiers HUMILIATION have inked a multi-album deal with Deepsend Records. Their as-yet-untitled fourth album will be released in early 2013.

According to a press release, HUMILIATION "focus on mid-tempo headbangers with heavy anthems of war, lack of humanity and minimal guitar solos.

"HUMILIATION's war has been waged and will continue on until all in their path have been destroyed or join their hellbrigade.

"Even at the 'Dawn Of Warfare', the band will "Seek To Survive" marching 'From Strength To Strength' to raise the Malaysian death metal flag!!"

Holland-based death metallers ENRAGED are mixing their new album, "It's Your Fear That Feeds Their Power", with producer Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES guitarist and owner of Split Second Sound studio). The CD will feature guest guitar solos by James Murphy (TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY), Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND), Christofer Malmström (DARKANE) and Jens Van der Valk (AUTUMN, GOD DETHRONED).

Founded in 1997, ENRAGED released a demo ("Tirade", 1999), a mini-CD ("Counterblast", 2001) and a promo ("Resist Or Serve", 2004), and toured Europe with such bands as GOREFEST, DEICIDE and ARCH ENEMY.

Lineup changes in 2006, unfortunately, caused a major setback for drummer and founding member Douwe Talma. Talma eventually remained as sole member and started recording "It's Your Fear That Feeds Their Power" back in 2007. A whole bunch of tribulations caused a massive delay to finish all the recordings in the years that followed. But thanks to a lot of time and effort, plus the help of some befriended and skilled session musicians, the recordings were finally finished last summer.

German power metallers GAMMA RAY have parted ways with drummer Dan Zimmerman and have replaced him with Michael Ehré (LOVE.MIGHT.KILL, FIREWIND, ULI JON ROTH, METALIUM).

A video message from GAMMA RAY announcing the new drummer can be seen below (recorded on August 30 at the Hammer Recording Studios in Hamburg, Germany).

Commented GAMMA RAY guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen: "Since you've been wondering for a long time what's going on in GAMMA RAY, here's some news. You might have heard through the grapevine that Danny has left the band, which was very unfortunate for us. But I think that we found a very good new guy here. And since we've been playing with him quite a while, we can say we proudly present our new drummer, Mr. Michael Ehré. Give him a warm welcome and stay tuned for some news."

GAMMA RAY's latest release, "Skeletons & Majesties", was a collection of songs the band gathered from previous albums represented in two completely different styles. The purpose of the disc was simply to have fun, and to give fans a heads-up on what is in store for the band in the coming months, as well as involve their fans in the upcoming actions.

GAMMA RAY's last collection of new material, "To The Metal", was released in North America in March 2010 via a new deal between DisManic Distribution and Knife Fight Media.

"The Beast", the new Pedro Matos-directed video from New York hardcore legends MADBALL, can be seen below. The clip, which was filmed in Badalona, Spain while the band was on tour with Portugal's DEVIL IN ME, utilizes gritty backdrops and shots of the group's crushing stage performance.

Commenting on the video's guerilla style of filming (part of it apparently even taking place in the back of a moving vehicle), MADBALL frontman Freddy Cricien told CraveOnline.com, "In my opinion, those are the most fun videos to do, sometimes on the fly! You have to be creative both while you're filming and during the editing process. Pedro did a fine job! I chimed in with him about the direction of the vid and some backdrop ideas, but I let him run with the directing aspect."

According to Cricien, "The Beast" "is about going through the trauma of an anxiety attack. It's something a lot of us have unfortunately have had to deal with, me included. It's a different kind of song, lyrically, for MADBALL, but it's just like anything else we've written about... it's very real."

"The Beast" was the first single from MADBALL's new EP, "Rebellion", which was released digitally this summer via The BNB Label, a brand extension of Cricien's Black N Blue Productions group. The six-song effort contains four new tracks and newly recorded versions of two cuts from the band's legendary 1989 seven-inch single, "Ball Of Destruction". The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersberg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL).

"Rebellion" marked the first MADBALL recording with former UNEARTH and THE RED CHORD member Mike Justian, who has served as MADBALL's touring drummer for more than a year.

"Rebellion" EP track listing

01. Reap What You Sow
02. The Beast
03. Get Out ("Ball Of Destruction" re-recording)
04. Rebellion
05. My Blood
06. It’s My Life ("Ball Of Destruction" re-recording)

British heavy metal singer Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) is working on songs for a new classical EP with Belgium-based classical guitarist Thomas Zwijsen. The five-song effort will include a "full classical guitar arrangement" of the IRON MAIDEN song "Sign Of The Cross", which the duo performed on their recent U.K. acoustic tour (see video below).

Zwijsen previously recorded an acoustic IRON MAIDEN tribute album called "Nylon Maiden", which featured a guest appearance by Bayley on a cover version of "The Clansman".

Zwijsen is one of the musicians who backed Bayley on Blaze's most recent European "The King Of Metal" tour.

Bayley's new studio album, "The King Of Metal", was released in March. The CD was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy.

The 49-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to replace Bruce Dickinson as the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN.

A reunited WOLFSBANE released its first record in 17 years in April 2011. Entitled "Did It For The Money", it contained the brand new title track along with re-recordings of four old WOLFSBANE numbers. A full-length album, "Wolfsbane Save The World", followed in January.

DETHKLOK returns this fall with "Metalocalypse: Dethklok Dethalbum III", the highly anticipated album that fans of the animated band have been begging for. The stars of the Adult Swim series "Metalocalypse" will unleash 12 brand new tracks, set to hit stores throughout North America on October 16 from Williams Street Records.

"Dethalbum III" was once again co-produced by "Metalocalypse" co-creator Brendon Small and DETHKLOK producer Ulrich Wild ("Dethalbum" and "Dethalbum II"). The cover art was also illustrated by "Dethalbum" and "Dethalbum II" cover artist Antonio Canobbio.

"Dethalbum III" will not only be released in its original CD and digital format, but also as a deluxe-edition CD/DVD and a clean version of the CD. The deluxe-edition CD/DVD will include a 32-minute behind-the-scenes documentary of the making of "Dethalbum III", as well as music videos and much more. A vinyl edition of the album with special etching will be released on November 6.

"Dethalbum III" track listing:

01. I Ejaculate Fire
02. Crush the Industry
03. Andromeda
04. The Galaxy
05. Starved
06. Killstardo Abominate
07. Ghostqueen
08. Impeach God
09. Biological Warfare
10. Skyhunter
11. The Hammer
12. Rejoin

The song "I Ejaculate Fire" can now be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

The fourth season of "Metalocalypse", created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha with Small executive producing, recently wrapped on Adult Swim and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 30. Along with all 12 episodes from the series’ fourth season, the "Metalocalypse Season 4" DVD and Blu-ray releases will feature more than two hours of special features. Highlights from those features include a 90-minute feature film of Nathan Explosion tackling his latest Shakespeare reading, in "Nathan Reads Shakespeare 4: Comedy of Errors", a series of band member "StaresDowns," a look at DETHKLOK fan art, "MurderThoughts," a "Pickles Flyby" and much, much more.

"Frontline", the new video from Swedish metallers ENGEL, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Kristofer "Kriggs" Karlson, and features dynamic live performance footage highlighting the band's propulsive rhythms, chilling twin guitar work and impassioned vocals.

"Frontline" comes off ENGEL's new album, "Blood Of Saints", which entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 60. Released on May 18 via Season Of Mist, the CD was recorded at Antfarm studios in Aabyhøj, Denmark. According to the group, the new album "is going to be a good mixture between both [previous ENGEL efforts] 'Threnody' [2010] and 'Absolute Design' [2007], but with some new angles as well! If you liked 'Threnody', you will LOVE 'Blood Of Saints'!"

"Blood Of Saints" track listing:

01. Question Your Place
02. Frontline
03. Feel Afraid
04. Numb
05. Cash King
06. One Good Thing
07. Blood of Saints
08. Down to Nothing
09. Drama Queen
10. In Darkness
11. Journeys End

The "Question Your Place" video can be seen below. The clip was filmed on February 10 at Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg with director Kristofer "Kiggs" Carlsson.

ENGEL features guitarists Marcus Sunesson (THE CROWN) and Niclas Engelin (PASSENGER, GARDENIAN, IN FLAMES), vocalist Mangan Klavborn, drummer Jimmy Olausson (ex-MARIONETTE) and bassist Steve Drennan (LOCUS).

"Threnody" was released in Europe on November 8, 2010 and in the U.S. on January 11, 2011 via Season Of Mist. The CD was issued in Japan on April 20, 2010 via Avex.

The band was previously signed to SPV Records which issued ENGEL's debut album, "Absolute Design", in 2007.

Finnish epic metallers WINTERSUN will release their long-awaited new album, "Time I", on October 12 via Nuclear Blast Records.

During the listening session for "Time I" at the Nuclear Blast headquarters in Donzdorf, Germany on July 28, Jari Mäenpää was interviewed by BLEEDING RED frontman Timo Joos, who asked the WINTERSUN mastermind fan questions that had been collected via the official Nuclear Blast Europe Facebook page. Watch the second part of the Nuclear Blast Facebook fan interview below. Also available is a four-minute video clip in which several European heavy metal jouranlists share their first impressions of "Time I" after listening to it for the first time.

To celebrate the "Time I" release, WINTERSUN will play two special shows in Finland. The first concert will take place on Octber 12 at Lutakko in Jyväskylä and the second on October 13 at Nosturi in Helsinki. Support at the shows will come from THAUROROD (Lutakko and Nosturi) and MEDICATED (Nosturi).

Commented WINTERSUN: "We're excited to start the 'Time' world tour from our home country with two shows in October! These two special album-release shows will be our first club gigs in Finland since 2006 and the first time ever 'Time I' songs will be heard live! The show attendees will also be the first ones to have a chance to get a signed copy of the new album.

"During the rest of the summer, we'll be rehearsing the new material and working on a new enhanced live show as well as doing some promo and preparing bonus material for the album. Right after the Finnish gigs, we'll continue on to Heidenfest tour in Central Europe and after that... Well, more shows will be announced soon. Stay tuned and hope to see you at the gigs!"

According to WINTERSUN mainman Jari Mäenpää, there are several reasons why the band's new effort, "Time" is being released as two seprate albums, titled "Time I" and "Time II". He says:

* "All the 80 minutes of material won't fit on a regular CD and we didn't want to cut anything out.
* "We want you to be able to hear new material sooner and not wait any longer and we want to go on tour sooner.
* "The music is very full and complex, so listening this kind of 'hard listening (not easy listening)' material straight for 80 minutes is a bit too much (even for me).
* "Both albums will be approximately. nice 40 min epic packages of fireworks.
* "We like the idea of releasing two albums within one year, so the band will stay more visible longer, which is important in these 'modern times.' No more years of silence for us!"

"Time I" track listing:

01. When Time Fades Away
02. Sons Of Winter And Stars
I) Rain Of Stars
II) Surrounded By Darkness
III) Journey Inside A Dream
IV) Sons of Winter And Stars
03. Land Of Snow And Sorrow
04. Darkness And Frost
05. Time

"Time II" will be released in 2013.

WINTERSUN will headline this year's edition of the Heidenfest tour, set to take place in October. Support on the trek will come from KORPIKLAANI, VARG, TROLLFEST and KRAMPUS.

WINTERSUN's debut CD was released in September 2004 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Vocalist Alexander Krull of long-running German metallers ATROCITY has released the following statement regarding the band's new album trilogy, "Okkult":

"With 'Okkult' we want to start a very special album trilogy.

"We began to work on the 'Okkult' trilogy a long time ago.

"Most recently with the 'Die Gottlosen Jahre (The Godless Years)' DVD, a splendid film documentary was released commemorating our longer-than-25-year career, which even now is to run at film festivals. Reason enough now to usher in a new era of ATROCITY!

"Musically, no prisoners will be taken. The 'Okkult' series is also brutal, bombastic and dark. These will not only be the heaviest and most brutal albums of ATROCITY since years, but also the darkest works of our band's history. Lovers of our harder material like 'Hallucinations', 'Todessehnsucht', 'Blut' or 'Atlantis' will surely be delighted with the 'Okkult' series at their expense, although the 'Okkult' songs have their own trademarks, of course.

"The orchestral parts will be recorded in September by the Lingua Mortis Orchestra under the direction of Victor Smolski (RAGE) in Minsk, Belarus.

"In keeping with the dark atmosphere of 'Okkult', we got the Canadian sound designer Katie Halliday on board. She worked for movies like 'Saw V', 'Saw VI', 'Saw 3D (VII)', 'The Devil's Carnival' and 'Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil', and already could reap some awards for her work.

"The lyrical concept is anything but one-dimensional. For 'Okkult', we have no desire to go only in a certain direction. So the whole thing will be broadly based: From occult magic, occult places to conspiracy theories and mysteries that are still unsolved.

"For our fans, we've come up with something very special: There will be no conventional bonus tracks on the 'Okkult' albums! In return, all fans can actively engage in a kind of treasure hunt. For the respective 'Okkult' albums, we will hide one song on an 'occult site,' which is the 'missing track' to each album. For the first 'Okkult' record, that certain place will be in Europe. For the following albums, the places will be on other continents, perhaps in America and Asia. l will be the only one that knows these locations.

"All original recording tracks and mixes of these songs will be destroyed by our own hands. That also means we as a band will also not be able to listen to these songs until they are found. They are in the truest sense of the word unique. If someone finds these songs, and wants to keep them for himself, then we will have have no way to listen to these songs ever again in their original form.

"Internally, we have already had some serious discussions on what song is supposed to be hidden for the first 'Okkult'. We will ennoble this 'treasure' to something like 'The Golden iPod.' We will spare no expense or effort. More info on how it will look exactly and how you can participate in the treasure hunt will be announced a later date.

"In times when more and more music seems to lose its value, we want to make a statement. These hidden songs will definitely have an great added value, especially when they will dig them out in 200 years. That will probably not be the case.

"On 21/12/2012, we will release something exclusive in advance. We want to provide the right soundtrack for the apocalypse, and actually that was our preferred date for the first release of the 'Okkult' series. Unfortunately, this release date is not possible, therefore the first 'Okkult' album will be released in spring 2013, in case the world downfall didn't happen."

San Antonio blackened death metal miscreants HOD are putting the final touches on their new full-length album. Titled "Book Of The Worm", the follow-up to 2009's "Serpent" features nine tracks of molten metal riffs and sonic decay.

Comments HOD vocalist Vladibeer Reebs: "With 'Serpent', we were five guys with some ideas. Now we're a cohesive unit with an agenda. You can feel the energy, hate, and anger in the tracks on 'Book Of The Worm'. In the end, whether it's 'Serpent', 'Book Of The Worm', or any future album, it's all gonna be fuckin' metal! That's all we know. That's all we do. That's all we are."

HOD, which is currently seeking a proper label home, recently posted some new music in the form of "Awakening Blasphemous Abominations". Taste the evil below.

In the meantime, HOD will bring its apocalyptic hymnals to the stage for a short run of rituals beginning September 7 when it will sear souls alongside progressive thrash metallers VEKTOR (and others) in San Antonio. Later that month, HOD will play the Building Temples From Death Fest II in Houston, featuring an unholy lineup of DISGORGE, PUTRID PILE, DEHUMANIZED, EMBALMER and over a dozen more. In October, the band will open for SKELETONWITCH in San Antonio before embarking on a five-date road trip with Canadian black metal horde PANZERFAUST.

HOD is:

Vladibeer Reebs - Vocals
Carl "Lord Necron" Snyder - Guitar
Trans Am – Bass