AEROSMITH was joined by RUN-D.M.C.'s Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels last night (Tuesday, July 24) at its sold-out arena show at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey for a performance of the legendary Boston rockers' two-time chart-topping hit "Walk This Way" (first in 1977 as an AEROSMITH track and then again in 1986 as a RUN D.M.C. and AEROSMITH collaboration). Fan-filmed video footage of Darryl's appearance can be seen below.

In 1986, RUN-D.M.C. helped revitalize AEROSMITH's career by covering "Walk This Way". The seemingly unlikely collaboration also helped break rap into mainstream pop music, as it was the first rap song to make the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

AEROSMITH's 15th studio album, titled "Music From Another Dimension", will arrive on November 6 via Columbia Records. The CD was helmed by producer Jack Douglas, who previously worked with AEROSMITH on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks" as well as on 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo".

A new three-minute QUIET RIOT EPK (Electronic Press Kit) featuring professionally filmed video footage of the band's May 12 performance at the M3 Rock Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland can be seen below.

QUIET RIOT in March recruited Scott Vokoun as its new lead singer.

The band played several shows in early February with ex-MONTROSE vocalist Keith St. John following the departure of Mark Huff.

QUIET RIOT's current touring lineup is as follows:

Scott Vokoun - Vocals
Frankie Banali - Drums
Chuck Wright - Bass
Alex Grossi - Guitar

QUIET RIOT singer Kevin DuBrow died in November 2007 of an accidental cocaine overdose. He was 52 years old.

QUIET RIOT was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of "Cum On Feel The Noize". The song, featuring DuBrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album "Metal Health" — which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

Larry Hoppen, one of the founding members of the band ORLEANS, passed away on July 24. Born on Long Island, New York, Hoppen was 61 years old.

Legendary hard rock singer Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TALISMAN, JOURNEY) has released the following statement regarding Hoppen's death:

"I am saddened by the unexpected loss of a friend and extraordinary talent, Mr. Larry Hoppen of the band ORLEANS. I had the privilege of sharing the stage with Larry and his brothers as an outfit named ROCK & POP MASTERS alongside some of my favorite singers and people, Mark Farner, David Pack, Jimi Jamison and Joe Lynn Turner, just to name a few. Larry's voice is the one heard on the ORLEANS classics 'Still The One', 'Dance With Me' and 'Love Takes Time'. He will be missed sorely! My condolences to his entire family and the music community who knew him. RIP, Larry, we shall jam again in the all-star band in the sky!"

Larry released two solo albums — "HandMade" and "Looking For The Light", the latter being a flagship fundraising vehicle for his 501(c)3 nonprofit Sunshine For HIV Kids.

Larry was still touring with ORLEANS, which included his brother Lance and youngest brother Lane, and was scheduled to appear on Fox's nationwide "Fox & Friends"' "All-American Concert Series" show this coming Friday, July 27.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Smith Hoppen, and his daughters, Claire and Maeve, as well as his brothers, Lance and Lane, and his sister, Lynda.

A brand new DOWN song, "Witchtripper", is available for streaming at RollingStone.com. The track comes off the band's upcoming EP, entitled "EP One", which will be released on September 18.

DOWN entered the studio last October to begin recording the first in a series of four EPs, to be released over the next few years (with a year between EPs), each touching on a different aspect of the band's sound.

The first six-song EP, "EP One", which heralds the sound of DOWN going back to its roots, with influences from BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS and WITCHFINDER GENERAL, will be followed by the second collection of songs early next year, around the time of a planned U.S. tour. EPs three and four are scheduled for later in 2013.

"I have not really put too much pressure on myself with DOWN, and I think that's the best approach," vocalist Philip Anselmo tells RollingStone.com. "Right now I'm looking forward to the public's consumption and letting them hear it. I'm not sure if it's gonna break any ground. I never put any expectation on any friggin' record I do. We didn't overanalyze anything. We just let the songs kind of unfold, and once it felt right, there was no reason to go back."

When asked about DOWN's plans to release four separate EPs, Anselmo recently said, "That's the idea right now, but I think that after you work on a body of music, you need to reload, you need to refresh, you need to clear your head. Get that, digest it, get it out of your system, and then decide what direction you're going to go. It's a good idea and I think we should see it through. But there's no way we can rush it. Because I think if it is a series of four, each one should be unique, and that… We've shown flexibility — we have songs like 'Bury Me In Smoke' and then we have songs like 'Stone The Crow'… acoustic pieces and what-not… We have all that. So we've touched on many, I guess, dynamics, so… I would expect each EP to have its own life."

Fan-filmed video footage of DOWN performing a brand new song, "The Misfortune Teller", on May 29 at the Vinyl Music Hall in Pensacola, Florida can be seen below. The entire concert is available at this location.

Anselmo previously described DOWN's new EP as "very stripped down. Nothing flashy. Straight to the point… really just DOWN music. If you liked the first record, the demos… something like that… This record, we're pretty dead straight and honest and on the money as far as making it as simple and direct as possible and I think we did that. . . It has that practice-room vibe to it. We didn't really try and fucking slick it out and anything. We went the more raw route, as far as an approach."
The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Levitation
02. Witchtripper
03. Open Coffins
04. The Curse Is A Lie
05. This Work Is Timeless
06. The Misfortune Teller

Interview:

Singer David Draiman (DISTURBED) and drummer Tommy Clufetos (BLACK SABBATH, OZZY OSBOURNE, TED NUGENT, ALICE COOPER, ROB ZOMBIE) joined STEEL PANTHER on stage on, July 16 at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California to perform cover versions of LED ZEPPELIN's "Whole Lotta Love" and OZZY OSBOURNE's "Crazy Train". Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

STEEL PANTHER is the '80s metal/hard rock tribute band formerly known as METAL SKOOL. The group's lineup includes guitarist "Satchel" (real name Russ Parrish; ex-FIGHT) and singer "Michael Starr" (real name Ralph Saenz; ex-L.A. GUNS). Onstage, the band both pays tribute to and lampoons the heyday of '80s glam metal. The group's between-song comedy includes jests at conflict between bandmembers, discussions of drugs, sex, and improvised humor with the crowd.

While passing through a border check point in Kennedy County in the great state of Texas on Monday, July 23, former MISFITS frontman Michale Graves was arrested for possession of 6 grams of marijuana. Graves was taken into custody by the Kingsville Sheriff's department and charged with a misdemeanor. He was held overnight, missing the El Paso show at Lips Lounge on Tuesday.

Graves was released Tuesday, July 24 at 4:00 p.m. on a $750 bond. He must return to Texas to answer to the charges. The band drove for 20 straight hours to reach tonight's (Wednesday, July 25) show at the Silverdome in Lukachukai, Arizona. He hopes to be able to make up the El Paso concert in some way.

Michale Graves is currently on the "War Of Information" summer U.S. tour. This is his first full band tour in five years.

Graves will enter the studio this fall to record his new studio album, "War Of Information", to be released in the spring of 2013.

French female-fronted symphonic metallers KERION will release their new concept album, "CloudRiders Part 1: Road To Skycity", on September 25 via Metalodic Records. The CD will feature guest appearances by CARAVELLUS' Raphael Dantas, FAIRYLAND's Phil Giordana and SILENT FALL's Adrien Eyraud. Also featured on the album is the 40-person Rimiez Choir.

"CloudRiders Part 1: Road To Skycity" was produced by Will Lievin (HAMKA). The artwork for the album was created by Genzo (World Of Warcraft) and contains characters and scenes of the story.

"CloudRiders Part 1: Road To Skycity" track listing:

01. Rider's Theme (intro)
02. The Map
03. Everlasting Flight
04. Bounty Hunter
05. The Sky Is My Ocean
06. Fireblast
07. Tribal Vibes
08. Never More
09. Celticia's Song
10. Ghost Society
11. The Fall Of Skycity Pt. 1
12. The Fall Of Skycity Pt. 2
13. Rider's Theme (outro)

Larry Hoppen, one of the founding members of the band ORLEANS, passed away on July 24. Born on Long Island, New York, Hoppen was 61 years old.

Legendary hard rock singer Joe Lynn Turner (pictured below; DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), who worked with Hoppen often since 1999, said, "Larry Hoppen was one of the most talented people I knew. He was an incredible musician and singer... His voice and songs with ORLEANS took me through my younger days with inspiration and joy. Later in life, Larry and I joined forces on many different projects. I grew to know him personally and was proud to call him friend. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his family, friends and fans. They are in my thoughts and prayers at this tragic time."

Larry released two solo albums — "HandMade" and "Looking For The Light", the latter being a flagship fundraising vehicle for his 501(c)3 nonprofit Sunshine For HIV Kids.

Larry was still touring with ORLEANS, which included his brother Lance and youngest brother Lane, and was scheduled to appear on Fox's nationwide "Fox & Friends"' "All-American Concert Series" show this coming Friday, July 27.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Smith Hoppen, and his daughters, Claire and Maeve, as well as his brothers, Lance and Lane, and his sister, Lynda.

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

"30 Years Of Hel" track listing:

DVD

01. Angels Fall To Hell
02. Toward The Unknown
03. Suicidal Nightmare
04. The King Is Dead
05. Burning Star
06. To Sleep Per Chance To Scream
07. The Plague Called Man
08. Evil Reign
09. Monarch Of Bloodshed
10. Winds Of War
11. Good Day To Die
12. Wicked Disposition
13. Pandemonium
14. Bitter End
15. Harker's Tale
16. Angel Of Death
17. Baptized In Blood
18. Alma Negra
19. The King Of Hell
20. Run With The Pack

CD 1

01. Angels Fall To Hell
02. Toward The Unknown
03. Suicidal Nightmare
04. The King Is Dead
05. Burning Star
06. To Sleep Per Chance To Scream
07. The Plague Called Man
08. Evil Reign
09. Monarch Of Bloodshed

CD 2

01. Winds Of War
02. Good Day To Die
03. Wicked Disposition
04. Pandemonium
05. Bitter End
06. Harker's Tale
07. Angel Of Death
08. Baptized In Blood
09. Alma Negra
10. The King Of Hell
11. Run With The Pack

Robb Chavez of "Robb's MetalWorks" conducted an interview with Larry Barragan, guitarist and co-founding member of HELSTAR, on March 24 at the 30-year-anniversary show. The chat, which can be seen below, covers a variety of topics, including the significance of the 30-year milestone, that evening's 20-song set list, the history of Texas metal and Jackson guitars.

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

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

SKINNER, the San Francisco Bay Area thrash band led by former IMAGIKA frontman Norman Skinner, has parted ways with drummer Ramon Ochoa and has replaced him with Noe Luna from 3 LUNAS. In addition, a third guitarist, Luis San-Miguel, was recruited to enable SKINNER to deliver crushing rhythms over dual-guitar harmonies.

SKINNER's five-song EP, "The Enemy Within", features a range of the band's music — from brutally heavy to just plain heavy — and is available via SKINNER's web site and Amazon.com.

A video for the track "Hell In My Hands" can be viewed below.

SKINNER will perform, along with 15 other metal bands, at the Bay Area Metal Fest at the Oakland Metro on July 28.

As one of the most iconic and influential albums in music history, "Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols" still sounds as powerful and unique as ever, 35 years since the original release. As such an important musical and cultural force the album changed the landscape for records and the music industry. The SEX PISTOLS defined a generation and captured a feeling within the nation that simply no one else could of. The band created a truly distinctive sound and "Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols" impact and influence still strongly resonates with musicians, artists and people to this day. To celebrate its 35th anniversary, Universal Music U.K. has assembled a super-deluxe box-set release that really does this legendary album justice.

While many fans will undoubtedly be of the opinion that there can be very little left in the SEX PISTOLS vaults that hasn't already been seen and heard, followers of the band will be thrilled by the treasure trove of music, footage, interviews, pictures and artifacts confirmed to be included.

The original master tapes from the "Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols" recording sessions in 1977 were thought to be lost for many years. Now thankfully rediscovered during the recent move from Virgin Records to Universal Music catalogue in January 2012, the tapes have been remastered, for the very first time, by Tim Young under direction from original producer Chris Thomas. Some real treats have also been found along the way. The find that will perhaps excite fans the most is the lost 1977 demo studio recording of "Belsen Was A Gas", the only original SEX PISTOLS composition of the era thought not to be recorded.

Other treats include the inclusion of six demos first included on the infamous "Spunk" bootleg album, released for the very first time in their original, untouched form following the very recent discovery of their original master tapes. These, combined with a selection of unreleased Chris Thomas demos and outtakes from the recording of the album — including tracks with Sid Vicious on bass — plus a wealth of live audio and visual material all from 1977 make up a box set that will truly satisfy fans of the band.

The 35th-anniversary "Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols" super-deluxe box set will be made available in the U.K. on September 24.

Below is a breakdown of the contents: (also see further below for more info)

Quality fan-filmed video footage of THIN LIZZY's July 24 performance at Cricketbanen Ved Brøndby Stadion in Brøndby, Denmark can be seen below.

THIN LIZZY recently entered the studio to begin recording its first new album in nearly 30 years for a tentative 2013 release. It will be the group's first studio set since "Thunder And Lightning" in 1983, and its first to not include frontman Phil Lynott, who died in 1986.

THIN LIZZY's current lineup features Lynott-era LIZZY members Scott Gorham (guitar), Brian Downey (drums) and Darren Wharton (keyboards), as well as guitarist Damon Johnson, formerly of BROTHER CANE and Alice Cooper's band, former THE ALMIGHTY singer/guitarist Ricky Warwick, and bassist Marco Mendoza.

In a recent interview with Gibson.com, Johnson stated about THIN LIZZY's plans for a new studio album, "We all know it's going to be under the microscope. We know there will be pundits who criticize it. But pundits aren't necessarily fans. The fans have always wanted these amazing songs to continue to be performed live. And now we need new material to put extra life into this."

Regarding how the new material is sounding, Johnson said, "There's been a commitment from everyone to embrace the diversity of what THIN LIZZY is. Towards the original end, they made 'Thunder And Lightning'. That album was so heavy. A lot of the writing, it seemed Phil wanted to go down a heavy metal route for a while. That's not what the new album will be. There are some big fat riffs. Classic. I can assure you, we have the riffs. We have eight-to-10 songs written, we want to finish another 10."

On the topic of how Ricky Warwick is handling it all as THIN LIZZY's new frontman, Johnson said, "Ricky has been amazing. There is no easier target in this than Ricky — he knows that. But he has blown my mind with his writing. He's constantly writing, constantly reading, changing things to make lyrics better. I've done my own share of lyric writing, but I've never seen someone work so hard as Ricky. We can bring any piece of music to Ricky, and he comes up with a killer lyric. He deserves a huge amount of credit. He's not just 'a new frontman.' The guy is a class songwriter. And that's what Scott and Brian needed to make another THIN LIZZY record."

A six-and-a-half-minute preview of "A Girl Called Cerveza", the 30th-anniversary album from German alcoholic thrashers TANKARD, can be seen below.

"A Girl Called Cerveza" will be released on July 27 via the band's new label home, Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Studio 23 in Frankfurt with producer Michael Mainx (ONKELZ, DER W, DISBELIEF, D-A-D).

"A Girl Called Cerveza" track listing:

11. Running On Fumes
12. A Girl Called Serveza
13. Witchhunt 2.0
14. Masters Of Farces
15. The Metal Lady Boy (feat. Doro Pesch)
16. Not One Day Dead (But One Day Mad)
17. Son Of A Fridge
18. Fandom At Random
19. Metal Magnolia
20. Rapid Fire (A Tyrant's Elegy)

TANKARD's fourteenth studio album, "Vol(l)ume 14", was released on December 17, 2010 via AFM Records. The limited-edition digipak version of the album included a bonus DVD containing footage of TANKARD's performance at the 2009 edition of the Headbangers Open Air festival, which took place July 23-25, 2009 in in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany.

"A Girl Called Cerveza" album preview:

The Pulse Of Radio reports that PEARL JAM guitarist Mike McCready has found a singer to record the vocals for roughly an album's worth of unfinished songs by MAD SEASON, the mid-'90s Seattle supergroup featuring McCready, ALICE IN CHAINS frontman Layne Staley and SCREAMING TREES drummer Barrett Martin. According to Guerilla Candy, that vocalist is Mark Lanegan, who was the singer for the TREES and has also spent time with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. It is not clear whether Lanegan will record vocals for all the songs or if McCready will bring in other guest vocalists as well.

Martin himself broke the news. Lanegan co-wrote two songs on MAD SEASON's only album, "Above", and contributed vocals to a track called "Long Gone Day".

McCready said a few months back that MAD SEASON could be making a semi-return later this year. He plans to reissue "Above", and also revealed the existence of the unreleased material, which was demoed but never completed.

MAD SEASON's sole album, "Above", was certified gold for sales of half a million copies and yielded two Top 20 modern rock singles, "River Of Deceit" and "I Don't Know Anything".

The group officially dissolved in 1999 following the death of bassist John Baker Saunders. Staley died three years later in 2002.

On Sunday, July 22 in Raleigh, North Carolina, the schedule was tight, and KISS' crew needed all available time to set up the massive stage for the evening's show. This left KISS without enough time to do a soundcheck. So, rather than cancel the soundcheck part of the KISS meet-and-greet, Paul Stanley came up with the idea of performing an impromptu "private" set in the KissOnline.com meet-and-greet tent!

First, the band took part in a question-and-answer session, answering questions from the fans who attended the meet-and-greet. Then, they proceeded to play "Dr. Love", "C'mon And Love Me", "Beth" and "Hard Luck Woman". The band was seated for the performance, with drummer Eric Singer using a plastic bucket for a drum. The reaction from the fans, crew and the band themselves was so positive that this experience has been made a permanent part of the meet-and-greet. KISS will now perform a "private" set each evening for these lucky fans instead of a soundcheck.

KISS and MÖTLEY CRÜE's co-headlining tour — dubbed simply "The Tour" — kicked off on July 20 in Bristow, Virginia and is currently scheduled to wrap on September 23 in Hartford, Connecticut. Although the bands are officially co-headlining the tour, MÖTLEY CRÜE is opening for KISS each night.

Reuters published a story today focusing on the growing influence of American rock music on Afghan youth.

DISTRICT UNKNOWN, which is said to be Afghanistan's first heavy metal band, is one of a handful of groups to emerge with mentoring from Afghanistan's first school of rock, Kabul's "Sound Centre", which opened in May.

For young Afghans, the fast-paced, aggressive sound of heavy metal gives them a chance to vent their anger at the violence they have witnessed during years of war before and after the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

"We live under the constant fear of sudden death," said DISTRICT UNKNOWN guitarist Qasem Foushanji.

One of DISTRICT UNKNOWN's songs, "The Beast", has lyrics like: "I scream loud and harsh; For you to run away".

"The beast in the song is fear, and if one can defeat fear then they can make a better reality for themselves," says Pedram Foushanji, Qasem's brother, and band's songwriter and drummer.

Two of DISTRICT UNKNOWN's members said discovered heavy metal in part because they were given a METALLICA album while studying in Iran. They added that living at war for a decade helped them connect with the music's heavy sound.

Read the entire report from Reuters.com.

Awa, the longtime keyboardist for Finnish heavy metal monsters LORDI, has announced her decision to leave the band. She will be seen on stage for the last time on August 11 at Simerock in Rovaniemi, Finland where LORDI will celebrate its 10-year anniversary.

Awa joined LORDI in 2005 and made her recording debut with the band on the breakthrough album "The Arockalypse". She has played on three LORDI studio CDs.

Awa's replacement has already been found and will join his or her new bandmates in the studio this fall when they begin work on their next album, tentatively due in early 2013. The characters and character names of the new keyboardist and the drummer will be unveiled, along with the band's new masks and outfits, before the release of LORDI's next CD.

Awa states about her decision to leave LORDI: "Playing in the band has been an incredible experience and clearly one of the best times in my life. I have always been very fond of LORDI, its music and image, and will surely be following news about it closely. The band and the crew were and will always be a second family to me and I will be missing them and our fans greatly. However, seven years in the band has been physically and emotionally very demanding. You have to be in a band like this 100 percent. If you are not able to do that anymore, you have to let go and give space for something new."

She adds: "I want to emphasize that I am not going to leave music or making music, because music is the most important thing to me in life. I am on a creative break now, but have several new ideas already. You will hear about them if and when the time is good. I also believe that I can still be seen behind the keyboards some day."

LORDI's leader, Mr. Lordi, states: "We have been discussing this behind the scenes for quite some time, but nobody knew that this year would be this kind of a year of changes for LORDI. Of course, you always believe and wish your current lineup would be permanent and final, but these are not issues of faith. Situations change, things happen and plans are renewed. All the rest of us in the band wanted her to go on with us, but we also understand her decision and respect that. We know that this decision was not easy for her either. It took a long time to come to this conclusion. We agreed already earlier, that she will not participate our next album studio sessions. In this case, she would have had to hang out with us for the next couple of years. Naturally it would have not been fair to her, to the band or to our fans."

LORDI will enter WireWorld Studio in Nashville, Tennessee in September with renowned producer Michael Wagener (METALLICA, OZZY OSBOURNE, SKID ROW, DOKKEN, RAVEN, MEGADETH) to begin recording its new album.

THE LEVITATION HEX, the Australian progressive metal band comprised of former ALCHEMIST frontman Adam Agius, Mark Palfreyman of ALARUM, Ben Hocking of AEON OF HORUS, and ex-ALARUM member Scott Young, has made its self-titled album available for purchase at LevitationHex.net.

THE LEVITATION HEX was formed in March 2010 by Agius (vocals, guitars, programming) after the demise of ALCHEMIST. The initial intention of THE LEVITATION HEX was to create a heavy psychedelic prog sound similar to ALCHEMIST but at the same time a completely new beast. Palfreyman was the first to jump on board, handling bass and vocal duties, followed soon by Ben Hocking on drums and Scott Young on guitar and keyboards.

THE LEVITATION HEX intends to create the heaviest prog metal possible and 2012 is the year they unleash their live show.

THE LEVITATION HEX will emark on an Australian tour in August, to be followed by a European trek and an appearance at the ProgPower Europe festival in Baarlo, Holland in October.

DOKKEN singer Don Dokken tells TMZ.com that he came dangerously close to becoming a victim in last week's Bulgaria suicide bombing. According to Don (see video below), he was on the same bus that was bombed just one day before the deadly explosion.

The July 18 terrorist attack in Bulgaria's Burgas killed 5 Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver at the Sarafovo Airport near Burgas. The bomb was reportedly exploded by remote control after the bomber was challenged by two Israeli men who were killed in the explosion.

The bombing was reportedly the work of Hezbollah operatives backed by Iran. However, Iran has denied any involvement in the bombing.

DOKKEN performed on June 14 at the Kavarna Rock festival in Kavarna, Bulgaria.

"Us Against The World", the new video from New York hardcore legends AGNOSTIC FRONT, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Samantha Astolfi and the band's very own guitarist, Joseph James.

Commented AGNOSTIC FRONT singer Roger Miret: "In these indecisive times, 'Us Against The World' isn't about USA vs. the rest of the world. It's about the 'powers that be' vs. 'the everyman.' We love our country, and want to shed light on the issues that plague our great nation, (and other nations around the world facing the same problems) while also commending the people with the guts to stand up and do something about it while facing adversity at every turn. Sometimes it can feel like it's 'Us Against The World.'"

"Us Against The World" comes off AGNOSTIC FRONT's latest album, "My Life My Way", which was released in March 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and features 13 new powerful and anthemic songs laid down by Erik Rutan (MADBALL, GOATWHORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, etc.) under the watchful guide of producer Freddy Cricien of MADBALL. The record was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.

The "My Life My Way" cover artwork was brought to life this time by artist Todd Hubber, who also works with vocalist Roger Miret on designing his street wear clothing line American Made Kustom.

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) has announced the release of IRON MAIDEN founder Steve Harris' debut solo/side project album. Entitled "British Lion" and comprising ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between IRON MAIDEN tours and releases, it is an album that will surprise and delight music fans the world over.

With a decidedly heavy rock-vibe this roaring debut paints with a full palette of sounds; brooding, melancholic, righteously indignant and exuberantly heavy. With Kevin Shirley at the mixing helm — whose credits include IRON MAIDEN as well as Led ZEPPELIN, JOURNEY and RUSH, among many others — this is an album to sink your teeth into.

From the growling riffage of opening salvo "This Is My God" to the heavy forlorn balladry of follow-up "Lost Worlds" which showcases Richard Taylor's soaring vocals, it's clear that "British Lion" is an altogether different beast from MAIDEN.

"Karma Killer", with its dirge-like muscularity, and "Us Against The World", with its massive chorus, demonstrates just how far "British Lion" has flexed Steve Harris' considerable musical muscle. Dovetailed with guitarist David Hawkins' positively gargantuan lyrical guitar melodies, it's a mere hors d'oeuvre ahead of the epic, riffing-feast of "The Chosen Ones", with its swaggering bravado.

"A World Without Heaven", at a breathtaking seven minutes and infused with progressive elements without ever teetering into self-indulgence illustrates perfectly these songsmiths' colossal abilities to create a mood and stay there. Supercharged by Steve Harris' inimitable style, there's an un-cynical vibe here that's as refreshing as it is out of place in today's all-too-categorized music industry.

And as far as the name "British Lion"; "I've always been proud to be British," explains Steve. "I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be. It's a massive part of being me. It's not like I'm flag-waving or trying to preach, this is not a political statement at all. It's like supporting your football team, where you come from. I just think it lends itself to some really strong imagery too, and to me it fits in with the sound."

With IRON MAIDEN, Steve Harris has become one of the most recognized and successful ambassadors for British music on the world stage. Having released 15 studio albums, sold over 85 million records worldwide and played more than two thousand gigs in 58 countries in the band's thirty-five year career, his appeal is truly global.

And now with "British Lion", Steve steps out from IRON MAIDEN's illustrious shadow to present a different side of his musical visions.

Due in the U.S. on September 25 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), "British Lion" will feature the following track listing:

01. This Is My God
02. Lost Worlds
03. Karma Killer
04. Us Against The World
05. The Chosen Ones
06. A World Without Heaven
07. Judas
08. Eyes Of The Young
09. These Are The Hands
10. The Lesson

The official lyric video for "Ashes", a brand new song from British progressive metallers THRESHOLD, can be seen below. (Please note that the single version of "Ashes" is a radio edit — the album version of the track offers about two additional minutes of "pure splendor," according to a press release.) The song is also available as a free download via the official THRESHOLD band page on the Nuclear Blast web site.

"Ashes" comes off THRESHOLD's ninth studio album, "March Of Progress", which will be released on August 31 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Dead Reckoning" was recorded at Thin Ice Studios (DRAGONFORCE, PENDRAGON) by bandmembers Karl Groom and Richard West, with additional production at Eightspace Studio (LEAGUE OF LIGHTS, THE MORNING AFTER). Vocal duties on "March Of Progress" were performed by THRESHOLD's original frontman Damian Wilson (STAR ONE, HEADSPACE), who's been back touring with the band since the release of "Dead Reckoning".

Keyboardist Richard West comments on the approaching release: "It's been a long march but the new THRESHOLD album is finally ready. This is our longest album to date. We hope you're going to love it!"

"March Of Progress" will be made available in a limited-edition digipak, including a bonus track; a standard jewel case edition; as well as in a two-vinyl edition in two different colors, one of them exclusively available via the Nuclear Blast mail order.

"March Of Progress" track listing:

Digipack

01. Ashes
02. Return Of The Thought Police
03. Staring At The Sun
04. Liberty Complacency Dependency
05. Colophon
06. The Hours
07. That's Why We Came
08. Don't Look Down
09. Coda
10. Rubicon

Bonus track:

11. Divinity

CD

01. Ashes
02. Return Of The Thought Police
03. Staring At The Sun
04. Liberty Complacency Dependency
05. Colophon
06. The Hours
07. That's Why We Came
08. Don't Look Down
09. Coda
10. Rubicon

2LP

Side A:

01. Ashes
02. Return Of The Thought Police
03. Staring At The Sun

Side B:

01. Liberty Complacency Dependency
02. The Hours

Side C:

01. Colophon
02. That's Why We Came
03. Don't Look Down

Side D:

01. Coda
02. Rubicon

"Dead Reckoning" was released in 2007 and featured vocals by Andrew McDermott, who sadly passed away last year. The album entered the charts at position No. 64 in Germany, No. 95 in The Netherlands and No. 37 in the U.K. rock chart.

THRESHOLD's most recent output was the 2009 limited-edition box set "Paradox: The Singles Collection", a 24-song collection including a number of unreleased songs and recordings with vocals by Wilson, Glynn Morgan and McDermott.

THRESHOLD is:

Damian Wilson - Vocals
Karl Groom - Guitar
Richard West - Keyboards
Johanne James - Drums
Steve Anderson - Bass
Pete Morten - Guitar

Im Sommer 2010 wurde erstmals ein neues Studioalbum von EMILIE AUTUMN angekündigt, welches bis zum heutigen Zeitpunkt jedoch nicht erschienen ist. Die gute Nachricht für Fans: Das neue Album wurde jetzt veröffentlicht. Zeit ihrer Karriere machte die Supergeigerin keinen Hehl aus ihrer bipolaren Störung. Nach einem Suizidversuch vor einigen Jahren wurde sie in eine psychiatrische Klinik eingewiesen.

Die Erlebnisse schrieb Emilie nieder und verarbeitete sie in ihrem literarischen Erstlingswerk, welches auf dem neuen Album "Fight Like A Girl" vertont wird. Sie sagt: "Wir müssen aufhören, einfach nur nett danach zu fragen, wenn wir etwas wollen. Sei es die Chance, wählen zu können, oder unser Recht, genauso viel wie ein Mann in derselben Position zu verdienen. Viele Frauen erkennen das nicht einmal. Wir sollen dankbar dafür sein, wie weit wir gekommen sind? Wir sollen uns glücklich schätzen, dass es uns überhaupt erlaubt ist, einen Job zu haben? Fuck you!"

Audio Samples von allen Tracks wurden HIER online gestellt.

"Fight Like A Girl" Track List:

01. Fight Like A Girl
02. Time For Tea
03. 4 o'Clock Reprise
04. What Will I Remember?
05. Take The Pill
06. Girls! Girls! Girls!
07. I Don't Understand
08. We Want Them Young
09. If I Burn
10. Scavenger
11. Gaslight
12. The Key
13. Hell Is Empty
14. Gaslight Reprise
15. Goodnight, Sweet Ladies
16. Start Another Story
17. One Foot In Front Of The Other