Professionally filmed video footage of MAYAN's June 24 performance at the Graspop Metal Meeting festival in Dessel, Belgium can be seen below. Making a special guest appearance with the band at the concert was REVAMP/ex-AFTER FOREVER vocalist Floor Jansen.

MAYAN is the Dutch band featuring EPICA guitarist/songwriter Mark Jansen alongside Jack Driessen (ex-AFTER FOREVER) and Frank Schiphorst.

MAYAN's debut album, "Quarterpast", was released in Europe on May 20, 2011 and in North America on July 12, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded and mixed by Sascha Paeth (EPICA, KAMELOT).

In an interview with The Great Southern Brainfart, Mark Jansen stated about MAYAN, "It started as just something for fun but soon it grew into something that had to be perfect as well. I thought it was just for fun to make music with old friends but now it's as serious for me as EPICA is. Of course, EPICA remains my priority band and that's the band that's doing the most of the tours but MAYAN will fill in the gaps."

When asked if the MAYAN material is — conceptually and lyrically — be similar to EPICA, Mark replied, "Lyrically, you will find a lot of comparisons because it's my style of writing. I didn't attempt to write about completely different stuff. It could have been lyrics for an EPICA CD as well but music-wise it's completely different. It contains way more grunts and it's way more heavy. It is still symphonic because I love that kind of music. It's like a mixture of SYMPHONY X and OPETH style. That kind of direction."

MAYAN is:

* Mark Jansen (EPICA, ex-AFTER FOREVER) – Guitar, Vocals
* Jack Driessen (ex-AFTER FOREVER) - Keyboards
* Frank Schiphorst - Guitar, Vocals
* Rob van der Loo (ex-SUN CAGED, DELAIN) - Bass
* Isaac Delahaye (EPICA) - Guitar
* Ariën van Weesenbeek (EPICA) - Drums

Danish black metallers BLODARV have released a music video for a track that is due to appear on their upcoming fourth full-length album. The clip for "I Blaek Og Blod", which translated means "In Ink and Blood", was filmed in Hammerknuden and among the evocative ruins of Hammershus on the island of Bornholm, where the band originates and where its founder Hugin lives. Appearing in the video are band members Satinae Ma and Pestilens, along with Hugin himself, who also filmed the video and edited and produced it in the band's Hammer Art And Studios. The track features Hugin on vocals, guitar and bass, Pestilens on lead guitar, Satinae Ma on female vocals and Ynleborgaz on session drums.

Although 1999 may be the date when the very first demo, "Murder In The Name Of Satan" appeared, it's difficult to actually set an exact date for the birth of BLODARV, which was originally formed as a solo project by Hugin. It would be more accurate to say that BLODARV is the culmination of a period of musical development that Hugin underwent while playing in bands such as SKJOLD, ARANTRUTH and ESSOUPI. Over the years since then, BLODARV has become a full-fledged recording and live band, but it still remains the physical incarnation of Hugin's imagination. BLODARV represents his deepest thoughts and emotions, bringing them to life through his music, but also through his poetry which becomes the band's lyrics. Like the storytellers of old he leads the listener on a disturbing journey through a dark, evil, demonic world, peopled by lost souls, witches and demons.

Commenting on the "I Blaek Og Blod" video and the upcoming album, which will be titled "Gâst" and is set for release towards the end of 2012 on Selfmutilation Services, Hugin had this to say: "As always with BLODARV, we have used both Danish and English lyrics on the album, and on this particular track the lyrics happen to be in Danish. 'Gâst' itself contains material that is a lot darker than perhaps you would expect when you listen to 'I Blaek Og Blod', so the track is definitely not representative of the entire album itself. Metaphorically speaking, it's just a chapter extracted from a complete book."

BLODARV's next live appearance will be on September 15 at the Club Sick in Odense, Denmark, supporting IMPALED NAZARENE.

'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford took part in an in-store acoustic performance on July 11 at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey. Video footage of her appearance can be seen below. Check out photos at this location.

Lita's current touring band consists of the following musicians:

Lita Ford - Guitar, Vocals
Mitch Perry - Guitar
Marty O'Brien - Bass
Scot Coogan - Drums

Lita's new solo album, "Living Like A Runaway", was released on June 19 in North America via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort was made available in four configurations: a double LP, limited-edition CD, standard CD and digital download. The artwork for the album was created by famed rock photographer Mark Weiss.

Best known for her work with THE RUNAWAYS and her solo career, including hit singles "Kiss Me Deadly" and the Billboard-charting duet with Ozzy Osbourne, "Close My Eyes Forever", Lita is ready to make a return to the throne as the queen of metal.

"Living Like A Runaway" represents a return to form for Lita, who drew inspiration from her "ugly divorce" from NITRO singer Jim Gillette.

"Gary Hoey and I wanted to approach this record by getting back to basics," she said. "We want to strip away all the electronics and plug-ins and keep it to vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Going back to basics is going back to what punk, metal and THE RUNAWAYS was for me."

She added, "[The album title] 'Living Like A Runaway' means freedom and empowerment. To do what I want and to pursue my dreams while answering to no one."

Peek From The Pit has uploaded a three-and-a-half-hour video review of this year's edition of the Hellfest festival, which was held June 15-17 in Clisson, France. You can watch the footage — which includes live clips, interviews and press conferences — below.

Featured bands:

TREPALIUM
CANNIBAL CORPSE
OBITUARY
LYNYRD SKYNYRD *
MEGADETH *
STEEL PANTHER *
KOBRA AND THE LOTUS
ORANGE GOBLIN
EDGUY
CANCER BATS
MACHINE HEAD *
HOUR OF PENANCE
BETRAYING THE MARTYRS
CRASHDIET
AUGUST BURNS RED
CHILDREN OF BODOM *
SLASH *
LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY

* Press conference

Video footage of STATIC-X performing on July 16 at Dos Amigos in Odessa, Texas can be seen below.

The new touring lineup of STATIC-X consists of the following musicians:

Wayne Static - Guitar, Vocals
Sean Davidson - Drums
Ashes - Guitar
Brent Ashley - Bass

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

Speaking to Loudwire, Wayne stated about his new bandmates, "We all get along really good, actually. It's kind of a different vibe behind the scenes. As far as onstage, though, it's all business. We all have a great time as always and put on a great show. This tour in particular, we're playing a lot of old stuff off of the first two records."

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 current trek marks the band's first outing since they announced a hiatus in 2009.

Athough none of the other original members — Tony Campos (bass), Koichi Fukuda (guitar) and Nick Oshiro (drums) — are joining Wayne on this tour, 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."

"Cult of Static", the latest album from STATIC-X, sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.

STATIC-X's previous CD, "Cannibal", opened with more than 30,000 copies back in April 2007 to land at No. 36. This represented a slight drop from the 35,000 tally registered by the band's "Start A War" album, which came out in June 2005 and debuted at No. 29.

According to Press Of Atlantic City, METALLICA's Orion Music + More festival sold 23,571 tickets for shows June 22 and 23 at the popular Atlantic City, New Jersey concert venue Bader Feld. METALLICA headlined both nights of Orion Music + More and played "Ride The Lightning" in its entirety the first night and "The Black Album" in its entirety the second.

The band's setlist for the June 23 concert was as follows:

01. Hit The Lights
02. Master Of Puppets
03. The Four Horsemen
04. Sad But True
05. Hell And Back
06. The Call Of Ktulu
07. Creeping Death
08. Escape
09. Trapped Under Ice
10. Fade To Black
11. For Whom The Bell Tolls
12. Ride The Lightning
13. Fight Fire With Fire
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman

Encore:

16. Battery
17. One
18. Seek & Destroy

The band's setlist for the June 24 concert was as follows:

01. Hit The Lights
02. Master Of Puppets
03. Fuel
04. For Whom The Bell Tolls
05. The Shortest Straw
06. The Struggle Within
07. My Friend Of Misery
08. The God That Failed
09. Of Wolf & Man
10. Nothing Else Matters
11. Through The Never
12. Don't Tread On Me
13. Wherever I May Roam
14. The Unforgiven
15. Holier Than Thou
16. Sad But True
17. Enter Sandman

Encore:

18. Blackened
19. One
20. Seek & Destroy

Orion Music + More featured multiple live music stages plus a lifestyle element that reflects each of METALLICA's bandmembers' many personal interests.

When asked why METALLICA would want to do their own festival, guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield said in a recent interview, "First of all, because we can. Why wouldn't you? We're just trying to bring a little more of a mix to what is going on. . . . I think the Europeans are able to look at a festival more as an event than 'my favorite band is playing.' We're not necessarily trying to reproduce that in the States, but we'd like to bring a little taste of that here."

Speaking about the future of the Orion Music + More festival, Hetfield said, "I would love it to be an annual thing and become an established festival that people can come to and know it's going to be good, no matter what. It'll be a fun place to be and hang and see some of the other things that are going to be happening, whether it's a car show or the movie tent that Lars [Ulrich, drums] is doing or Kirk's [Hammett, guitar] haunted mansion. . . . If it ends up staying in Atlantic City, who knows, it could move. It could end up being three days, it could just be one. It really depends on how it goes this time."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio that he's curious to see how the festival goes over. "I feel that this will work," he said. "I know I'm gonna have a great time. [laughs] Whether anybody else thinks it's gonna work, you know, we'll find out. And if it does work, obviously we would love to bring it back to the southern Jersey Shore every year. I think it has a shot at working, and if it does, then we would love to just keep making it cooler and cooler every year."

On the topic of the diversity the Orion Music + More bill, Ulrich told RollingStone.com, "I always think that our fans are as open-minded as I am, as METALLICA is, and sometimes in the past we've been proven wrong. And that's OK, I'm not going to sit and tell people what they should or shouldn't embrace. I don't walk around and think they're all METALLICA fans, I think they're all festival fans, music fans, people out for the experience. I hope our fans are going to be open and supportive of everybody that's here, and if they're not, I'm going to find them and kick their ass."

Day 1 Recap:

Progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER — James LaBrie (vocals), John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitar and vocals), Jordan Rudess (keyboards and continuum) and Mike Mangini (drums) — launched a major North American headlining summer tour on June 15 in Rochester, New York. The tour includes stops at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey plus a two-night engagement at the Paramount Theater on Long Island, New York. They are touring behind their 11th studio album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", which had 14 Top 10 debuts around the world. It also produced the band's first-ever Grammy nomination for "On The Backs Of Angels" in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category.

The fifth in a series of video reports from the road can be seen below.

As previously reported, DREAM THEATER's August 19 and August 20 concerts at Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina will be professionally filmed and recorded for the band's next live DVD, to be released sometime next year.

"A Dramatic Turn Of Events", sold 36,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 8. The band's previous CD, 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", opened with 40,000 units to land at No. 6. This was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "Systematic Chaos", which shifted 36,000 copies in 2007 to enter the chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

With a pedigree that boasts all three members of New York's cult doom act UNEARTHLY TRANCE, plus founding ELECTRIC WIZARD and RAMESSES bassist/guitarist Tim Bagshaw, SERPENTINE PATH should immediately top any doom metal fan's want-list.

Due on September 11 via Relapse Records, SERPENTINE PATH's self-titled debut is described in a press relase, as "an absolutely crushing album which both references and reinterprets its members previous bands but with a decidedly more punishing death metal approach. . . [It] combines vicious vocals with punishingly killer riffs to create unparalleled evil that's equal parts 'Paranoid' [BLACK SABBATH] and 'Severed Survival' [AUTOPSY]."

A trailer for "Serpentine Path" can be seen below.

SERPENTINE PATH — Tim Bagshaw on guitar, Jay Newman on bass, Darren Verni on drums and Ryan Lipynsky on vocals — released its debut seven-inch single, "Depraved", earlier this year via Parasitic Records.

"Dropout", the new video from the Norwegian seven-string guitarist/singer/songwriter The Commander-In-Chief can be seen below. The clip was filmed last year in Milan, Italy with producer Elia Turra. This new version of the song was remixed by Sterling Winfield (PANTERA, HATEBREED, HELLYEAH) in 2011. He later went on to produce The Commander-In-Chief's debut EP, "Evolution".

The Commander-In-Chief will make her first festival appearance at the prestigious Bloodstock Open Air on August 10 at Catton Hall in Walton On Trent, Derbyshire, England.

"Evolution" was released digitally on February 15 via Commander Records/The Commander-In-Chief Ltd.

"Evolution" track listing:

01. Thou
02. Famous
03. Evolution
04. Let It Go

In a 2010 interview with Metal Express Radio, The Commander-In-Chief stated about her music, "I used to call it hybrid rock; the power of rock with the message of punk, and the catchiness of pop inspired by metal techniques. NOW my music has taken a more heavy direction than last year, so it's less punk and more metal."

Regarding her name, The Commander-In-Chief, she said, "I wanted a powerful artist name, since I've always been doing my own thing and still am. I do all the songwriting, guitar playing, singing and I write all the lyrics. For the first demo I made in Chicago I also made my own animated music video which generated quite a buzz on MySpace and gave me all my first fans. I also created illustrations for all my songs, mixing the music with visual arts. I don't do that anymore though, as I just don't have the time."

For more information, go to this location.

Swedish melodic metal five-piece FULLFORCE is currently recording its second album. The new CD will be entitled "Next Level" and will be released in October via SPV/Steamhammer. The cover artwork will once again be created by Rainer Kalwitz, who previously worked with PRAYING MANTIS and METAL CHURCH, among others.

"Next Level" will be mixed and mastered at Roastinghouse Studios in Malmö, Sweden by Anders "Theo" Theander. The CD will contain 13 songs of "melodic, heavy" metal and the band is really excited it, according to a press release.

FULLFORCE's current lineup include new guitar ace Stefan Rosqvist, who replaced CJ Grimmark a few months ago.

FULLFORCE is:

Mike Andersson - Vocals
Stefan Elmgren - Guitars
Stefan Rosqvist - Guitars
Tommy Larsson - Bass
Anders Johansson - Drums

FULLFORCE's debut album, "One", was released in June 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer.

Finnish power metallers THAUROROD have parted ways with singer Michele Luppi and are seeking a replacement.

Commented the band: "Unfortunately, we have had to let Luppi go as he doesn't have enough time for THAUROROD and we just see it impossible to go on with him. He is a phenomenal vocalist and we wanted to give him time to complete his duties with THAUROROD. Finally we realized that a right thing to do is to continue with someone more motivated who shares the same passion and hunger to go on with THAUROROD as the rest of the band."

Requirements for THAUROROD's new vocalist/frontman:

01. You have great singing skills.
02. You want to achieve the same goals as we as part of the band and you are willing to work for it as the rest of the group!
03. You have to be awesome on stage.
04. You have to be a nice guy so you get along with us and with others and it's easy to work with you.
05. You are able to tour at least few months in a year.
06. You are about 20-35-year-old man.

Interested singers should send MP3 audio files or video to info@thaurorod.com before August 31.

THAUROROD's debut album, "Upon Haunted Battlefields", was released in Europe on September 24, 2010 via NoiseArt Records and Rock The Nation.

"Native Blood", a brand new song from San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT, is available now as a digital download as well as on limited seven-inch vinyl in various colours. The single contains an exclusive Spanish-language version of the title song as the B-side.

Behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot for "Native Blood" can be seen below. The clip was shot last month on an Indian reservation in Hopland, California. Guitarist Eric Peterson told Greece's Rock Overdose webzine, "It's about people who were oppressed in life. We haven't done [a video] in a while, so we're kind of excited about that."

TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy previously stated about "Native Blood", "[It's] basically a song about my Native heritage. It's almost like a protest song, that the Native Americans have a voice that needs to be heard — that's the chorus of the song."

"Native Blood" comes off TESTAMENT's new album, "Dark Roots Of Earth", which will be released in North America on July 31 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced, mixed and mastered by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, ACCEPT, EXODUS). Special bonus tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, TED NUGENT, NIGHT RANGER) at his Trident Studios. The cover artwork for the effort (see below) was painted by Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS and GWAR, among others.

"Dark Roots Of Earth" jewel case CD track listing:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

"Dark Roots Of Earth" CD/DVD track listing:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Bonus:

10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
13. Throne Of Thornes (extended version)
+ Bonus DVD

"Dark Roots Of Earth" vinyl track listing:

Side A:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth

Side B:

04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace

Side C:

07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Side D (Bonus):

10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)

The third trailer for "Time I", the long-awaited new CD from Finland's WINTERSUN, can be seen below. The effort will be made available on October 12 via Nuclear Blast Records.

To celebrate the 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

The second "Time I" trailer can be seen below.

"Time II" will be releaed 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.

Trailer #3:

Vocalist/guitarist Michael Poulsen of Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT joined ICED EARTH on stage on July 15 at City Auditorium in Colorado Springs, Colorado to perform ICED EARTH's classic theme song "Iced Earth". Fan-filmed footage of his appearance can be seen below. Check out photos at this location.

VOLBEAT and ICED EARTH are currently touring North America as part of a three-band package also featuring HELLYEAH.

In a September 2011 interview with Aux Portes Du Métal, ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer was asked what new groups he finds interesting. "VOLBEAT is a really cool band," Schaffer replied. "I wish I had discovered them earlier… But they're really excellent. It's really fresh and inspiring to see a band that has so many different influences and still make their own thing. Michael and I are actually good friends now, we met at the Graspop [Metal Meeting] festival [in Belgium]. We had a blast, drank a bottle of whisky each that night. This guy has followed ICED EARTH since the beginning. He told me this story how the day our first album came out, he just had enough money to go the store by bus, buy the CD and go back home. He's a great guy, and his music is really cool… This band is getting bigger and bigger and they totally deserve it."

Poulsen and Schaffer revealed several months ago that they are planning to collaborate on an as-yet-undisclosed new project. No further details are currently available.

New York-based melodic metal band WICKED MARAYA, which released three albums in the 1990s ("Cycles" in 1994, and two albums under the MARAYA name, "No Hope For Humanity...?" and "Counterculture"), recently unearthed masters from its unreleased 1991 album "Lifetime In Hell" and plans to make it available in the near future via an as-yet-undetermined record. The effort, which was recorded by veteran metal producer Jim Morris (who produced albums for SAVATAGE, ICED EARTH and CRIMSON GLORY as well as "Cycles" and "No Hope For Humanity...?") at Morrisound Studios, features nine tracks including an early version of the songs "Johnny" and "Tomorrow", which were later re-recorded for "Cycles" and "No Hope...". The band, still new to the scene at the time and not having had proper contacts, never found a suitable label to release the record, and thus by 1992 it had already begun demoing songs with Morris for what would become the "Cycles" record. Once the band found a label deal for "Cycles", the "Lifetime In Hell" record was simply shelved.

The members of WICKED MARAYA are collaborating on new music for the first time in over a decade and plan to record two brand-new tracks (in the "Cycles" vein) which will be added to the re-release of "Lifetime In Hell" as bonus tracks.

A preview track from the album, "Sounds Of Evil", can be heard using the SoundCloud player below.

In other news, WICKED MARAYA has also begun launching its back catalog digitally, on all platforms, beginning with "Cycles", which will be available in early August, and followed closely by "No Hope For Humanity" and "Counterculture".

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/WickedMaraya.

Goregrind roadhounds EXHUMED will bring their hymns of repugnance to the live arena again on this year's edition of the Summer Slaughter tour, set to commence tomorrow at the House Of Blues in Los Angeles. This run will mark the return of former bassist Bud Burke, who will take the place of Wes Caley on guitar.

Comments EXHUMED frontman Matt Harvey: "We're psyched to welcome Bud Burke back in the ranks of EXHUMED, this time on lead guitar. For those of you who knew him as our bassist (from '99 - '04), you will be pleasantly surprised when he melts your face onstage with the band for the Summer Slaughter tour. Rob [Babcock], Mike [Hamilton] and I are all excited to have someone with killer chops and a deep history with the band on board. We look forward to coming to your town, drinking all your beer and then making fun of your record collection as usual!

"After the Canadian Ritual tour with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, we made the decision to part ways with guitarist Wes Caley, and Bud was the perfect person to step in on lead guitar. I know Wes' new project, DOWNFALL, is currently in the works and will be awesome and we wish him the best. In the meantime, we'll see all your drooling, sweaty faces on the road!"

EXHUMED is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, "All Guts, No Glory", which sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 32 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"All Guts, No Glory" was released on July 5, 2011 via Relapse Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Anatomy Is Destiny" was recorded at Arcane Digital Recordings in Arizona with engineer Ryan Butler (MISERY INDEX) and at Trench Studios with John Haddad (ABYSMAL DAWN, INTRONAUT). It was mixed and mastered at Mana Recording Studios by Brian Elliott (GRAVES OF VALOR). The album was also made available on deluxe, saw-blade shaped vinyl and as a limited-edition two-disc set.

Swedish metallers DEATHDESTRUCTION have announced the addition of singer Tony Jelencovich to the group's ranks.

Commented the band: "Tony is a friend to the band, and he has truly made a mark in the Gothenburg scene with bands like B-THONG, TRANSPORT LEAGUE and MASSIVE AUDIO NERVE. He's also worked with bands like MNEMIC and the Russian band ICON IN ME.

"Tony has everything we look for in a lead singer and a frontman, so the choice was just so easy when we had to find ourselves a new singer. We're totally stoked about what he will contribute to DEATHDESTRUCTION! This is going to be so fucking good, people!!"

Added Tony: "I'm really happy & excited to be the new singer and frontman in DEATHDESTRUCTION! This is now, and the new tracks will swing, groove and be hard like God's own dick!!!"

Vocalist Jimmie Strimell quit DEATHDESTRUCTION. last month in order to focus on his other band, DEAD BY APRIL.

DEATHDESTRUCTION last year inked a deal with the Swedish branch of Sony Music Entertainment. The band's three-song EP, "Fuck Yeah", was released in April 2011 and was followed by the group's self-titled debut album in August. The CD was recorded at IN FLAMES' IF Studios with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE).

DEATHDESTRUCTION is:

* Tony Jelencovich (B-THONG, TRANSPORT LEAGUE, MASSIVE AUDIO NERVE) - Vocals
* Henrik Danhage (ex-EVERGREY) - Guitar
* Fredrik "Loppan" Larsson (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
* Jonas Ekdahl (ex-EVERGREY) - Drums

EYEHATEGOD frontman Mike Williams (pictured below) is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.

Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Speaking to Jo Schüftan of Horns Up Rocks! (hear audio below), Williams said, "Randy is an old friend of mine, man. I knew Randy when he was this stupid punk kid coming to see EYEHATEGOD and begging me if he could get up on stage and sing with me. We used to let him sing. We had an instrumental we used to have called 'Godsong' and we used to bring Randy up on stage to sing it, just 'cause he was always hanging around, every time we'd play Richmond, Virginia. So I've been knowing Randy forever; we used to stay at his house every time we'd go through Richmond. He's an old friend. It sucks to see what's going on here. I mean, I don't know what the situation is exactly, but from what I hear, he really hasn't done anything; I think he's just being made an example out of — it's what it seems. Like I said, I don't know what's going on. I know their government is different over there, their laws are different. It's a foreign country and it sucks to be stuck over there, for him. Hopefully he'll get out soon if they can work it out and everybody will be happy and this won't go on for much longer. So, yeah, I wish him luck, man, for sure."

HALFORD guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak will release a digital-only EP, "This Is War", next month. The offering named after the second single from Mike's upcoming solo album, "The Metalworker", will also feature additional tracks from the full-length CD.

"This Is War" will be released on Tuesday, August 14 via Chlasciak's own imprint CMM Entertainment and will be available via iTunes, Amazon MP3 and most other major digital distributors.

"This Is War" track listing:

01. This Is War
02. Tonight We Ride (Instrumental)
03. Hell No!
04. M Is For Metal (Instrumental)

"The Metalworker" features Chlasciak and vocalist Carlos Zema (OUTWORLD, VOUGAN) alongside Kevin Talley (DAATH, CHIMAIRA, HATE ETERNAL, SIX FEET UNDER) on drums and Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) on bass.

Produced by Mike, "The Metalworker" was mostly recorded at Mike's House Of Metal Studios in New Jersey and mixed by Orlando Villasenor at Dead Room Studio in San Antonio, Texas. Artwork was provided by Guilherme Sevens of Sevens Design Studio (ADAGIO, PAINSIDE).

"I am looking forward to releasing 'This Is War' in just a few weeks," says Mike. "It is a four-song collection of uncompromising metal that also features some definite straight-up sick guitar shred. You have two songs that Carlos sang on, one of them being 'This Is War', while 'Tonight We Ride' and 'M Is For Metal' are great, over-the-top, heavy guitar-hero instrumental tracks."

In other news, in the prog-rock special September issue of Guitar World magazine (Steve Vai/Tosin Abasi cover) you can find the latest installment of Mike's "Metal For Life" guitar column called "Pick Your Power Metal". In this column, Mike shows metal guitarists a wide variety of pick-hand techniques, from using all downstrokes the alternate picking to economy picking and more. The lesson offers guitarists a systematic approach to building up an arsenal of techniques that will allow them to play with more expression, control and power.

Pulverised Records has announced the signing of American/Swedish doom-laden death metal befoulers SKELETAL SPECTRE.

Fronted by frontwoman Vanessa Nocera (WOODEN STAKE, SCAREMAKER), SKELETAL SPECTRE went on to release two full-length albums under the Razorback Records banner, and now with a brand new album entitled "Voodoo Dawn", the band is all geared up to showcase yet another colossal-riff fest done in the most extremely obscene way!

Nocera commented: "We are proud and honored to be on Pulverised Records' roster! Definitely a label that I find to be one of the coolest around! We put a great deal of hard work into this album so that it would stand out from anything we've ever done. I think it is a testament to the band's future, and we are looking to play live, especially in Europe, so watch out for us because we're coming!"

Pulverised Records A&R Manager Calvin further added: "The moment we heard the beginning riff off the first track from 'Voodoo Dawn', it completely blew us away and somehow we already knew something filthy was brewing inside this album. There was a perfect balance of those trademark Swede-eerie melodies blending together some of the most fucking fat riffs that any sludge/doom maniacs would most certainly approve! It is always very satisfying to discover a great hidden gem in this business, and we are definitely proud to say that SKELETAL SPECTRE is indeed one of those moments. Keep your eyes and ears peeled open, the Voodoo Horror curse shall exhibit its ugly head soon!"

The brand new track "Bone Dust", taken off "Voodoo Dawn", can be streamed below.


SKELETAL SPECTRE is:

Vanessa Nocera - Vocals
Behold the Pentagram - Guitar / Bass
Haunting the Beyond - Drums

French progressive metallers SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE will release their fourth album, "The New Eve", on September 11 via Nightmare Records. According to a press release, the CD sees the band "succeed[ing] where most have failed; growing as a band musically and creatively from one album to the next. With 'The New Eve' the band take yet another huge step forward creating one of the most compelling melodic prog metal releases of 2012, bringing freshness again to the ever expanding genre."

SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE began in 1999 when guitarist Vince Benaim decided to create a progressive metal band with a few friends. In summer of 2004, S.U.E. signed a worldwide record deal with the French label Replica Records as well as an American licensing deal with Nightmare Records. In 2005 the band released their debut album, "Mental Torments".

In 2007 S.U.E. released "Anima", a strong follow-up building on what they created and achieved with their debut. Like their previous album, those around the band helped them achieve their vision.

2007 and 2008 saw the band perform at two ProgPower festivals: ProgPower Scandinavia in 2007 and ProgPower USA in 2008. Their shows captivated the audience expanding SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE's fan base while exposing them to more fans of the genre. While touring with U.K. progressive metallers THRESHOLD, the band found time to write and record their third album entitled "Unreal". The CD was released worldwide in May 2009. "Unreal" saw the band expanding and strengthening their sound even more. With "Unreal", the band added another notch to their belt of spectacular sound of technical and melodic metal.

"The New Eve" track listing:

01. Shut Up
02. The New Eve
03. Escape
04. Never Heal
05. Angel
06. The Day I Died
07. In This Place
08. Self Abuse
09. My Heart On The Cross

"Wall Of Sound", the new single from Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND was certified gold in Sweden by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 10,000 copies.

"Wall Of Sound" was exclusively distributed in Sweden via Sweden Rock Magazine and each copy of the magazine containing the digipak CD — including the album tracks "Wall Of Sound" and "Few Against Many" as well as a previously unreleased demo version of "Wall Of Sound" — was counted towards the certification; the single itself was **not** sold separately.

The members of FIREWIND were presented with "Wall Of Sound" gold plaques by Sweden Rock Magazine correspondent Daniela Pilic last night (Wednesday, July 18) during their hometown concert in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Video footage of the award presentation can be seen below (courtesy of MetalPaths.com).

A live report, including photos, is available at MetalPaths.com.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of the entire concert can be found at this location.

FIREWIND's new album, "Few Against Many", sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 28 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.

"Few Against Many" entered the official chart in Greece at No. 42 and in Germany at No. 90.

"Few Against Many" was released in Europe on May 21 via Century Media Records and in North America on May 22 through DisManic, Inc. via eOne Distribution. The CD was mixed by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi at Audiohammer Studios (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEATH ANGEL) in Sanford, Florida.

Produced by Gus, "Few Against Many" was recorded with his longtime bandmates, vocalist Apollo Papathanasio, keyboardist/guitarist Bob Katsionis and bassist Petros Christo, at Valve Studio in Greece as well as the Sweetspot Studios in Sweden and sees the band expanding on its signature melodic sound with some of its most aggressive songs to date. The CD also marks the recording debut of new FIREWIND drummer Johan Nunez (NIGHTRAGE).

Award presentation:

Canadian metallers THREAT SIGNAL have issued the following update:

"Get stoked for a more progressive side of THREAT SIGNAL! We just finished demoing a song that clocks in at about eight minutes! The only way to describe this [forthcoming THREAT SIGNAL] album so far is....epic. We can't wait for you guys to hear this stuff!"

THREAT SIGNAL's third, self-titled album, was released last October via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Planet Z studios in Hadley, Massachusetts with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (CHIMAIRA, HATEBREED, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE ACACIA STRAIN, BORN OF OSIRIS, SHADOWS FALL).

3 Frogz Records, in association with Roxx Productions, is excited to announce the first brand new album from Christian thrash metal veterans DELIVERANCE in over five long years! This fall get ready for the band to unleash their long-awaited tenth studio album, aptly entitled "Hear What I Say!"

DELIVERANCE 2012 features the founder and main songwriter Jimmy P. Brown II out front on vocals and lead guitar as well as the return of Michael Phillips (DELIVERANCE, THE SACRIFICED, JOIN THE DEAD) shredding once again on lead guitar. On bass making his long overdue return to the DELIVERANCE fold, none other than Manny Morales! And this time around pounding the drums is Jayson Sherlock (MORTIFICATION, HORDE, PARAMECIUM).

Helping shape the early thrash and speed metal scene of the late '80s and early '90s, DELIVERANCE was one of the premiere bands to stand out and break away from the pack. Signed to Intense Records in the early stages of its career and with its video "Weapons Of Our Warfare" a staple on MTV's "Headbangers Ball", DELIVERANCE was at the forefront of all things speed metal.

This Sunday, July 22, get ready for the world premiere of "The Annals of Subterfuge", the first track off DELIRANCE's upcoming album, "Hear What I Say!" Join Michael Phillips this Sunday on ‘Beyond The Riff" as he talks about all things DELIVERANCE, as well as his new band and album JOIN THE DEAD and his recent role and involvement with progressive metallers THE SACRIFICED. Tune in from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST to hear what Michael has to say and to catch the world premiere of the brand new DELIVERANCE track.

Norwegian progressive extreme metallers ENSLAVED will release their twelfth studio album, "RIITIIR", in Europe on September 28 and in North America on October 2 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"It has been only two years since we last released an album [2010's award-winning 'Axioma Ethica Odini'], and we've been touring Europe and North America several times since then," reflects ENSLAVED guitarist, songwriter, and founding member Ivar Bjørnson. "Some might think that this schedule, and the fact that we celebrated our 20th anniversary last year, should result in some time off in the end. Nah. Like a space vessel that gains momentum by entering slingshot-orbits on its way through space, we seem to gain speed, direction, and strength on our journeys, through new releases and subsequent tours.

"Describing the sound on the new album is both easy and hard," Bjørnson continues. "It is easy because it sounds like ENSLAVED, whatever that means. It is hard because there are so many layers and different focal points. I have a feeling that it has a deeper complexity than our previous efforts, but at the same time, I do find it more catchy and moving. Then again, I am the opposite of objective in this, so again I'll leave it up to the people outside the band to make up their mind."

The track listing for the "RIITIIR" European and North American digipak is as follows:

01. Thoughts Like Hammers
02. Death In The Eyes Of Dawn
03. Veilburner
04. Roots Of The Mountain
05. Riitiir
06. Materal
07. Storm Of Memories
08. Forsaken

The track listing for the "RIITIIR" 2LP double-gatefold is as follows:

Side A:

01. Thoughts Like Hammers
02. Death In The Eyes Of Dawn

Side B:

01. Veilburner
02. Roots Of The Mountain

Side C:

01. Riitiir
02. Materal

Side D:

01. Storm Of Memories
02. Forsaken

The cover artwork for "RIITIIR" was once again created by Truls Espedal and can be seen below. He stated about his latest collaboration with the band, "ENSLAVED's music is constantly evolving and expanding, and we early on decided that the artwork should reflect this. From my first collaboration with the band on [2001's] 'Monumension' and forward, we have slowly merged different aspects into the work; what we wanted to do now was to further expand and change things up a bit, without losing the connection to earlier work. It still has a strong sense of symbolism, symmetrical compositions and references to Norse art. But there is an even bigger emphasis on realism on 'RIITIIR', which hopefully adds atmosphere to the finished work."

ENSLAVED's last two CDs — "Vertebrae" (2008) and "Axioma Ethica Odini" (2010) — were released via Indie Recordings in Europe and Nuclear Blast in North America.

SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya recently spoke to Gary Graff of Billboard.com about the band's plans for the remainder of the year after it wraps its run on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival in early August. "We'll probably get together and start writing together and start making a new album," he said. "I think after [Mayhem] we'll just go back to the drawing board and take a look at what we've got and start putting it together. These days we're a bit more like, 'Let's see what comes out.' We don't chomp at the bit like we did in the early days. You just sort of have to let it happen and see what the end result is, and hopefully we'll like it...Everything we've done as a band has been like that — 'Wow, let's do it.' We know the outcome is going to be good."

Regarding the status of guitarist Jeff Hanneman — who in January 2011 contracted necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, and has been undergoing surgeries, skin grafts and intense rehab since — Araya said, "Jeff's had a long ordeal. He's working on his playing ability, and that's something that's gonna take some time. He's working on strengthening his arm and his ability to play. He can play, but it's not for an extended period of time. Like anything else when you have some kind of not only muscle damage but nerve damage, it takes a bit for a lot of your functions to come back. They're not going to come back and easy and quick."

He added, "On this [latest tour] more than others it's dawned on me that he's not there. The audiences have been very favorable, capacity crowds, really good. I just kind of look out and think, 'Jeff, God, where are you? You worked 30 years for this. You should be here.' He should be enjoying this part of his career. I can't wait for him to (be back)."

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt is filling in for Hanneman on SLAYER's summer tour, which kicked off at the end of May at All Tomorrow's Parties in England.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan says that he's been thinking more and more lately about the possibility of eventually retiring from performing with the band, and says that if he does, his 18-year-old son would be the perfect replacement. "My oldest boy, when I do skip, he's gonna take over my slot," he said. "He was sitting on the stair in diapers wearing my mask with sticks while we were downstairs trying to learn how to be a band. So when I leave, it won't be like I died and my son came in and tried to fill my place. I'm gonna bail, but I'm gonna hand over the throne and say, 'Hey, I can't do it anymore. You do it. You're my blood.'"

Crahan has four children with Chantal, his wife of 20 years. Their 21-year-old daughter Alexandria works with her father on SLIPKNOT.

They also have a 15-year-old daughter named Gabrielle and an eight-year-old son named Simon.

As previously reported, SLIPKNOT will make its Blu-ray debut on July 31 with the release of "{sic}nesses: Live At Download".

Filmed in high-definition and newly remixed in digital surround audio, the disc captures SLIPKNOT's June 13, 2009 performance at England's Download festival, an 18-song, 159-minute show in front of 80,000 music fans.

Included is a 45-minute documentary directed by Crahan as well as four music videos. The set was originally released on DVD in 2010.

SLIPKNOT is currently co-headlining the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour, which stops in St. Louis on Friday (July 20).

KORN frontman Jonathan Davis has revealed to Billboard.com that the band is "getting ready to start writing a new record." According to the singer, the follow-up to 2011's "The Path Of Totality" probably won't embrace the same electronic path that the band's last album did. "Our motto is to keep ever-evolving," Davis says. "I'm sure there'll still be some electronic influence in there, but I don't think it'll be like the last one and go to all those different guys again. We'll switch it up and try to do something new, 'cause that's how we work."

KORN will release "The Path Of Totality Tour - Live At The Hollywood Palladium" on September 4 on both DVD and Blu-ray. The disc captures a sold-out concert on December 6, 2011 during the band's trek in support of its 10th studio album, "The Path Of Totality". In addition to the show, the set features interviews with all four members of the group plus a bonus live CD of the concert.

"The Path Of Totality" arrived last December and featured KORN teaming up with dubstep producers and DJs to add a whole new electronic layer to their sound.

Davis told The Pulse Of Radio that he enjoys being in a group that takes risks. "We're one of those bands that take the chance and we really just want to put out music that we like making," he said. "We don't care if the people hate or if the people love it — we just want people to have open minds. I think it takes balls as a band to do something like that and to throw something out different, 'cause most bands are scared and they end up sounding the same every record."

Among the dubstep artists who contributed to the set were 12th Planet, Kill The Noise, Noisia, Downlink, Excision and Skrillex.

Several dubstep artists have opened for KORN on its recent tours, while singer Jonathan Davis even did some opening sets as DJ J Devil.

The organizers of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival have announced the inaugural installment of the "the first and the biggest metal cruise in Europe," the Full Metal Cruise, which promises to bring the real festival feeling to the sea from May 5 to May 12, 2013.

The Full Metal Cruise starts in Hamburg and enters the harbors of Southampton (United Kingdom), Le Havre (France) and Amsterdam (Netherlands). After seven days full of sea and relaxing and metal and party feeling, the ship then returns to Hamburg with a special show at the harbor anniversary fest.

The Full Metal Cruise press conference, which was held in the newly opened Hard Rock Cafè in the Port of Hamburg, featured a short unplugged performance by German metal queen Doro Pesch. Video footage of her appearance can be seen below.

While there will be big fireworks and a special show on onboard, the cruise will return to the harbor and this will be one of the many things leading to a great overall experience for every metal-sailor!

The special features of this metal cruise:

* Drinks and food are included
* No difficult travelling to the starting point — Hamburg, the gateway to the world!
* Concerts take place onboard and onshore
* Interesting shore excursions for every metal-heart

More than 20 high-quality bands from the metal and rock scene will perform on three stages at the Mein Schiff 1. Certainly there will be everything which provides you with festival fun onboard: meet-and-greets, metal karaoke, movie nights, metal comedy, workshops for musicians and much more.

In the many lounges onboard, the metalheads can party and meet the artists — nowhere else it is possible to have such a direct connection to the musicians. Furthermore, metalheads can book shore excursions with more concerts at the harbors.

The lineup of the shows at the seaports and onboard of the cruise will be announced soon.

"Heavy and hard music and a cruise don't conflict with each other," says Wacken boss Thomas Jensen. "With the Full Metal Cruise, we want to bring a real metal festival to the sea!"

For more information, visit www.full-metal-cruise.com.