Video footage of the KIKO LOUREIRO TRIO — the band featuring Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro (ANGRA), drummer Marcelo Moreira (ALMAH) and Felipe Andreoli (ANGRA, ALMAH), performing Kiko's new solo single, "Conflicted", on July 1 in São Luis, Brazil can be seen below.

Kiko's new solo album, "Sounds Of Innocence", was released in Japan at the end of June and will be made available in the rest of the world in July. The CD features guest appearances by Virgil Donati (PLANET X, STEVE VAI, SOUL SIRKUS) on drums and Felipe Andreoli (ANGRA, ALMAH) on bass. One track also features LIVING COLOUR bassist Doug Wimbish.

Kiko's third solo album, "Fullblast", came out in 2009.

Singer Eduardo "Edu" Falaschi recently left ANGRA. A replacement vocalist has not yet been announced.

Barbara Caserta of Italian web radio Linearock.it recently conducted an interview with Kiko Loureiro at Radio Lombardia / Linearock Studios in Milan. You can now watch the chat below.

Performance:

Die Amerikanischen Symphonic Black Metaller ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, werden sich nach der kommenden Amerika Tour auflösen! Die Band hat folgende Meldung auf Facebook veröffentlicht:

"After much consideration we have decided to make these upcoming Abigail Williams shows our last US tour. This was a very hard decision to make but feels absolutely necessary at this point. I've had the best times of my life with this band and learned so much about what I want to do with music as well as what I don't like about the industry etc and we honestly feel like its best to put the band to rest after making what we feel to be our very best album. Im honestly just feeling satisfied with everything we have done as Abigail Williams and I feel ready to put it to rest. We want everyone to know this has nothing to do with differences inside the band as we are still very much a family and these are still the same people I want to make music with now and in the future.

We think that 2012 is the perfect year for new beginnings and we definitely plan to put music out later this year in the form of a new band(s). It would be easy to give people the names to our new projects here but rather than capitalize off this announcement we would rather word get out naturally starting with our friends when the time is right. We want to thank our friends and fans who have supported us through the good and bad times over the years, we know its been a very bumpy road at times. We are still very dedicated to making music and this change will actually allow us to do more of what we want to do and be more productive. We hope to see everyone on the road for this tour that we booked DIY for the most part by ourselves. The dates are below even though some of them are still waiting to be confirmed. Also we want to emphasize that this is our last US tour and that we are open to touring overseas if the right tour comes up."

"This Is War", the new EP from HALFORD guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak, will be released in August via iTunes, Amazon MP3 and all major digital retailers. It will feature the second single from Mike's upcoming solo album, "The Metalworker", as well as additional tracks from the full-length CD.

An audio sample of Chlasciak's last single, "Hell No!", is available for streaming at CDBaby.com.

"Hell No!" 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 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 excited that 'The Metalworker' is nearing the shore," says Mike. "I am extremely proud of it. I must confess that it is everything I wanted it to be not only as an artist, but also as a fan of heavy metal. I wanted to make the absolute best album that I could make with no compromises, no matter how long it took and I did that."

"The Metalworker" will feature the following songs:

* On Leather Wings
* Don't Shoot The Crown
* Silence Of The Steel
* Tonight We Ride
* We Are The Cross
* This Is War
* M Is For Metal
* Hell No
* Weight Of The Heart

Talley previously stated about his involvement with "The Metalworker", "As a full-time studio drummer, it is sometimes overwhelming to constantly track ultra-technical brutal death metal songs. But, while tracking 'The Metalworker' album for Metal Mike, it reminds me why I got into metal in the first place … straight-forward brutal catchy riffs without any of the B.S. associated with most metal bands today. This is the 'meat and potatoes' of metal, if you will. It's not one of those 'Can I have a side salad, please?' type of bands. The album plows with killer riffage, ragin' leads, and ultra-sick double bass for days."

Professionally filmed video footage of LOCK UP's entire performance at this year's edition of the Hellfest festival, which was held June 15-17 in Clisson, France, can be seen below.

LOCK UP bassist Shane Embury (also of NAPALM DEATH) was unable to make the Hellfest appearance and was temporarily replaced by Dan Lilker (NUCLEAR ASSAULT, BRUTAL TRUTH, S.O.D., VENOMOUS CONCEPT).

LOCK UP's latest album, "Necropolis Transparent", was released in North America in July 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in November-December 2010 at HVR Studios in Ipswich, United Kingdom and was mixed in January 2011.

"Necropolis Transparent" features guest appearances by HYPOCRISY/PAIN mainman (and one-time LOCK UP vocalist) Peter Tägtgren along with Jeff Walker (CARCASS, BRUJERIA).

Commented LOCK UP bassist Shane Embury: "I always wanted Peter on the third album since he was on the first record LOCK UP we did. It made sense from a weird trilogy aspect to get him on the record. His tones complement [current LOCK UP vocalist] Tomas [Lindberg; also of AT THE GATES] perfectly as well.

"I would have loved to have had Peter sing on more of the songs, but time was short as Peter was heavily involved with his new PAIN record. The songs he did sing on though made them extra special.

"As for Jeff, well me and Jeff go so far back it's unreal. We were mixing the album at Andy Sneap's and I wanted an extra vocal texture on a few tracks to spice it up. My voice is more hardcore and I wanted some extra gravel on things. It all seemed to make sense to Jeff once I had bribed him with a 12 pack of his favorite beer (laughs)!"

"It's great that LOCK UP is back in the saddle again and that I could be a part of it," commented Peter Tägtgren. "This album will tear you a new asshole!"

Jeff Walker added: "I think it's pretty fair to say that the current incarnation of LOCK UP have done the late Jesse Pintado more than proud!"

According to a press release, "The songwriting and production on ['Necropolis Transparent'] surpasses everything the band has done so far. The speed, riffing and intensity make this record more than just a grindcore album and see LOCK UP come into their own true identity."

"Necropolis Transparent" track listing:

01. Brethren Of The Pentagram
02. Accelerated Mutation
03. The Embodiment Of Paradox And Chaos
04. Necropolis Transparent
05. Parasite Drama
06. Anvil Of Flesh
07. Rage Incarnate Reborn
08. Unseen Enemy
09. Stygian Reverberations
10. Life Of Devastation
11. Roar Of A Thousand Throats
12. Infiltrate And Destroy
13. Discharge The Fear
14. Vomiting Evil
15. Stigmatyr (bonus track)
16. Through The Eyes Of My Shadow Self
17. Tartarus (instrumental)

Originally formed by Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH, VENOMOUS CONCEPT), Nick Barker (ex-CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR) and Jesse Pintado (NAPALM DEATH, TERRORIZER) to blast out the most caustic, skin-flaying brand of deathgrind, LOCK UP was joined by the raw throat of Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY) for its debut album, 1999's fearsome "Pleasure Pave Sewers", and Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES, DISFEAR) for 2002's "Hate Breeds Suffering", touring Japan and then falling into inactivity.

Now joined by guitarist Anton Reisenegger (Chile's PENTAGRAM, CRIMINAL) in place of the late Jesse Pintado, LOCK UP is back in the most uncompromising style possible.

The release of the deluxe 35th-anniversary edition of KISS' classic fourth album, "Destroyer", is scheduled for August 21 via Universal Music. The two-disc set, dubbed "Destroyer/Resurrected", will feature remixes of the original LP by producer Bob Ezrin, outtakes from the 1976 album sessions as well as the LP's original cover art.

Ken Kelly's original version of the album cover for "Destroyer" was rejected by the record company because they felt the scene was too violent-looking. Also, the original version had the members of KISS wearing the "Alive" costumes.

Released in March 1976, "Destroyer" was the second consecutive KISS album to reach the Top 20 in the U.S. The LP was certified gold by the RIAA on April 22, 1976. It was certified platinum on November 11, 1976, the first KISS album to achieve that distinction.

Bassist Matt Camacho has left San Francisco Bay Area metallers FORBIDDEN. In addition, the band's singer, Russ Anderson, has decided to take a break from the music business.

Commented FORBIDDEN guitarist Craig Locicero: "I am extremely saddened to have to announce that our bassist and brother since 1986, Matt Camacho, has decided to retire from the music business and leave FORBIDDEN permanently.

"For those that know and love Matt, this may be a shock to you. Matt's always been gung-ho for the band since the beginning and was a positive guy. But ever since he went to law school after FORBIDDEN split up the first time, he was on a career path that would eventually take him to this day. His job position keeps getting better and taking care of our families is the most important thing.

"With that being said, Russ Anderson has made the decision to take a break away from music to get his bearings back and rekindle his fire for FORBIDDEN. Russ is not quitting, but has decided that he needs to do this for himself. We support him and his decision to not fake his way through what needs to be real.

"I had always said since we reformed in 2008, that as soon as things become tedious or a grind we'd either stop doing this or take a break. But we'd never say never again! FORBIDDEN is not through yet. Russ simply needs to recharge his thrash metal batteries!

"So then there is the unfortunate reality that under these circumstances FORBIDDEN will not be appearing at the Wacken Open Air festival this year. This breaks my heart as much as anything else! Steve [Smyth, guitar], Sasha [Horn, drums] and myself were very much looking forward to playing in front of that crowd and we had been holding out hope for Russ to change his mind. But he feels strongly that he just can't do it right now. So we must respect his wishes and let him have his space.

"We'd like to apologize to our fans, Continental Concerts, the Wacken Open Air organizers and everyone at Nuclear Blast Europe. You've all stood by us for so long and we understand how bad the fans in Europe want to see FORBIDDEN again. But you deserve to see FORBIDDEN at its best. Not under these circumstances.

"This is our promise to you we'll come back with stronger and with new material! We've already got half of the new record written and we'll finish it up when Russ feels good enough to thrash it up again!

"Thanks to you all from the bottom of our hearts..."

Added Matt Camacho: "Playing in FORBIDDEN has been a dream come true for me. It has allowed me to tour the world, play with and meet some of the most amazing bands, make friends for life, perform some phenomenal shows, and, most important, experience the most amazing FANS... I'll truly miss the inspiration and love that people from around the world have shown towards the MUSIC. As I leave for a new endeavor, I want to express my thanks and gratitude for all the incredible musicians both past and present who have graced their magical touch on FORBIDDEN's music. To be a part of this band and to have these guys as friends and family for life is a true blessing. Thanks guys for the support and I look forward to seeing FORBIDDEN carry on for years to come."

FORBIDDEN's latest album, "Omega Wave", was released in Europe on October 22, 2010 and in North America on October 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD landed at position No. 27 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.

Legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) and his wife, Barbaranne, welcomed their fourth child, Sabbath Page Wielandt Wylde, yesterday (Wednesday, July 4) at 11:40 p.m. He weighed in at eight pounds, 1.3 ounces and measured 21 inches long.

Zakk and Barbaranne have three other children: Hayley Rae, Hendrix, and Jesse. BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne is the godfather of Jesse, and baseball slugger Mike Piazza is the godfather of Hendrix.

When asked in a recent interview with Zoiks! Online if he had any free time coming up in the next couple of years, Zakk replied, "No. I gotta be honest with you, I love working. My kids, the two oldest are in college, the little guy is nine and Barbaranne is 6 ½ months pregnant right now. My friends are like, 'You must be excited you're having another baby.' 'Yeah, we just extended the tour another twenty years.'"

Professionally filmed video footage of NAPALM DEATH's performance at this year's edition of the Hellfest festival, which was held June 15-17 in Clisson, France, can be seen below.

NAPALM DEATH's latest album, "Utilitarian" sold around 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 14 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.

NAPALM DEATH's previous album, 2009's "Time Waits For No Slave", opened with around 1,800 units to land at No. 19 on the Heatseekers chart.

"Utilitarian" was released on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.

The "Analysis Paralysis" video was shot and edited by the band's own guitarist, Mitch Harris, who has his own unique underground style and manages perfectly to capture the energy, hate and sheer power of NAPALM DEATH's songs.

Professionally filmed video footage of GIRLSCHOOL's performance at this year's edition of the Hellfest festival, which was held June 15-17 in Clisson, France, can be seen below.

As previously reported, an e-book in the words of late GIRLSCHOOL guitarist Bernadette Jean "Kelly" Johnson and that of her friends will be released later this month. Details on how to buy the book will be announced very soon.

GIRLSCHOOL recently issued a re-recorded version of its classic second album, "Hit And Run", complemented by two awesome bonus tracks. Available in Europe since last September, "Hit And Run - Revisited" was released in the U.S. on January 24 via UDR in three versions: a CD digipak, a regular jewel case CD and a vinyl LP with gatefold sleeve.

Following its original release, "Hit And Run" instantly hit it big. The album climbed the charts fast in America and Canada (even making the gold mark!), made No. 5 in the U.K. and opened the doors to major venues for GIRLSCHOOL.

Naturally, re-recording their classic under ideal studio conditions brought back memories for GIRLSCHOOL of days gone by. At the same time, the musicians took the artistic liberty of updating a number of arrangements. Guitarist/singer Kim McAuliffe says, "We've made quite a few changes. But I'm not gonna say anything about them because we're hoping that our fans will notice for themselves, just to see how well they know the original ones. But, of course, it's a different sound, we have Jackie [Chambers, guitar] play now, obviously, instead of [late GIRLSCHOOL guitarist] Kelly [Johnson], and also again, studio-wise it's just a completely different experience because the technology now is incredible compared to what we had in those days."

Professionally filmed video footage of SACRED REICH's entire performance at this year's edition of the Hellfest festival, which was held June 15-17 in Clisson, France, can be seen below.

SACRED REICH launched its 25th-anniversary European tour last month.

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

Bonus tracks:

* "A Question" (from "A Question" EP)
* "Let's Have A War" (FEAR cover from "A Question" EP)
* "Who's To Blame" (from "A Question" EP)
* "The Big Picture" (MDC cover from "Open Book" EP)
* "Crawling" [radio edit] (from "Crawling" EP)

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

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

A snippet of the song "Red", the new single from Helsinki, Finland-based gothic metallers THE 69 EYES, can be streamed on the band's Facebook page ("Like" required). The full track will be made available in August.

"Red" comes off THE 69 EYES's 10th studio album, "X", which is scheduled for release in late September through RCA/Sony Music in Finland and Nuclear Blast in the rest of Europe and North America.

The cover artwork for "X" can be seen below.

Commented THE 69 EYES lead singer Jyrki69: "The cover is pure goth 'n' roll: a psychedelic mirror image of old wild animal bones with our X-tagram projected over all. It's good, evil, magic and voodoo all together! Something to stare at when tripping on the album."

"X" was mixed by Stefan Boman (THE HELLACOPTERS, BULLET). "The sound is the most melodic, yet melancholic, we've ever had," says Jyrki69. "Listening to the pre-mixes have been giving goose bumps to everyone here. This is the best THE 69 EYES album ever done!"

Regarding the album title, Jyrki69 said, "We've never really celebrated anything, not that we've been playing 20 years or so (vampires don't count decades). Thus this time we thought to celebrate a bit: the new album is entitled as tenth in Roman numbers, it'll be called 'X'."

THE 69 EYES will film its first video in three years later this month in Gothenburg, Sweden with Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.

To coincide with the new album release, THE 69 EYES will also launch its own vampire-style red wine, simply called as "Red," which will mainly be distributed in Sweden and Finland.

While waiting for the album, the Helsinki vampire enthusiastic can go to listen to singer Jyrki's DJ skills as he hosts his goth'n'roll club nights in Barcelona's Undead club on July 7 and Fangtasia II event in New Orleans on July 21.

Nuclear Blast Records made DN Journal's Top 20 Sales Chart this week with its acquisition of the NuclearBlast.com domain for $12,000.

Asif Salam of SoundShock.com recently travelled to the Nuclear Blast Records headquarters in Donzdorf, Germany, where he interviewed the label's vice president, Jochen Maass, and A&R representative/product manager Jaap Waagemaker. You can now watch the report below.

Nuclear Blast was founded in Donzdorf, Germany in 1987 by Markus Staiger.

Since 2000, Nuclear Blast has maintained U.S. staff and operations in Los Angeles via a successful and long-running production and distribution deal with The Century Family, Inc., parent of Century Media Records. Century Media currently maintains a distribution deal with Caroline/EMI which it manages for Nuclear Blast under the arrangement.

Artists currently signed to Nuclear Blast include EXODUS, DIMMU BORGIR, ACCEPT, DEATH ANGEL and KREATOR.

Fan-filmed video footage of Lita Ford's June 28 concert at Buster's Billiards & Backroom in Lexington, Kentucky can be seen below.

The setlist for the show was as follows:

01. The Bitch Is Back
02. Out For Blood
03. Gotta Let Go
04. Living Like A Runaway
05. Branded
06. Hungry For Your Sex
07. Back To The Cave
08. Can't Catch Me
09. Under The Gun
10. Dancing On The Edge
11. The Devil In My Head
12. Bad Neighborhood
13. Close My Eyes Forever
14. Kiss Me Deadly

"Living Like A Runaway", the new album from Lita Ford, 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."

The official lyric video for "A Girl Called Cerveza", the title track of the 30th-anniversary album from German alcoholic thrashers TANKARD, can be seen below.

The "A Girl Called Cerveza" video will make its online debut on July 9.

"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" lyric video:

Rock legends KISS performed their new single, "Hell Or Hallelujah", live for the first time last night (Wednesday, July 4) during an intimate show at London, England's Forum. Fan-filmed video footage can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Detroit Rock City
02. Hell Or Hallelujah
03. Deuce
04. Shout It Out Loud
05. Makin' Love
06. I Love It Loud
07. Shock Me
08. Calling Dr. Love
09. 100,000 Years
10. Love Gun
11. Black Diamond

Encore:

12. Crazy Crazy Nights
13. Lick It Up
14. Rock And Roll All Nite

"Hell Or Hallelujah" comes off KISS' 20th studio album, "Monster", which is scheduled for release in October through Universal Music Enterprises. KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley calls the track, "a battle cry that encapsulates the entire record...one way or another, we're going to do it our way."

Described in a press release as a "12-track, straight-ahead rock 'n' roll album," "Monster" features collaborations among all four members — including co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and longtime members guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer — in an album that shows the band at the top of its game. And that's saying something, considering their illustrious, 40-plus year history — 28 U.S. gold albums, the most gold records for any American rock band, 40 million sales in the U.S., and a total exceeding 100 million worldwide.

"Monster" is the group's first studio album since the band's 2009 smash success, "Sonic Boom", and was also produced by Paul Stanley with Greg Collins at Conway Studios in Hollywood, California, and The Nook in Studio City, California.

"Monster" represents KISS' nod to the music that first inspired them to pick up their guitars and flame-throwers and don makeup to entertain millions. The group goes back to their own beginnings with THE WHO-like "Freak", while Gene lives up to the title track's declaration on the raucous rock of "Back To The Stone Age" and the bludgeoning "The Devil is Me". Even guitarist Thayer takes a turn on his own with "Outta This World". a tribute to his KISS "spaceman" character, while drummer Singer provides the vocals (and the back story) for the arena anthem "All For The Love Of Rock & Roll".

"There are no symphony orchestras, boy choirs, keyboards, outside producers or songwriters on this album," promises Gene Simmons. "The best thing we did was to turn inwards to ourselves. Tommy and Eric have revitalized this band, with a work ethic and the talent to back it up. This is a real band effort. KISS has become a behemoth. We're going where no bands have gone before."

"Hell Or Hallelujah" live performance:

Acclaimed metal drummer Richard Christy (CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, ICED EARTH, DEATH, LEASH LAW, CONTROL DENIED, BURNING INSIDE) is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing possible 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 apparently either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. who had come on stage, and that person died 14 days later of bleeding in the brain.

Speaking to Loudwire, Christy stated about Blythe's ordeal, "It's such a bummer to hear about that. Randy is such an amazing guy. All of those guys are really good friends of mine. I actually toured with them in 2004. Right when I got the job with Howard [Stern], we had a week off from the radio show and I went to see them at Ozzfest and they asked me if I wanted to travel with them. I went on tour with them and hung out. I was kind of their assistant drum tech for that week. I even jammed on the song '11th Hour' with them during a soundcheck in Canada. It was so much fun. They're just great guys, really down to earth. I feel so bad for the whole band and for Randy. I hope it gets cleared up really soon. You know, it's going to make bands not want to play the Czech Republic anymore. Plus, when people get on stage, you have to be careful now. You never know what they're going to do, you have to think about their motives. It's scary these days because of the Dimebag [Darrell; PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist who was killed on stage in 2004] incident. It's an unfortunate thing. I really hope Randy gets to come back to his family soon and everything gets cleared up."

The crime of which Blythe is being accused is punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.

German death metallers OBSCENITY will release their eigth studio album, "Atrophied In Anguish" on September 14 as a digipak and as a digital download via Apostasy Records. 10 relentless tracks will bludgeon you back into the early '90s. The CD was again recorded at Soundlodge Studio in Rhauderfehn with producer Jörg Uken.

Commented the band: "'Atrophied In Anguish' is the quintessence of diverse epoches of OBSCENITY. We combined typical '90s melodic parts and leads with modern blastparts. The new album is a mixture of 'The 3rd Chapter' and 'Cold Blooded Murder' with a giant sound that goes without Lego-Trigger and other technical stuff."

The cover artwork for "Atrophied in Anguish" was created by Remy of Headsplit Design (ARCH ENEMY, PSYCROPTIC, WHITECHAPEL) and can be seen below.

"Atrophied In Anguish" track listing:

01. Erase The Divine
02. All You Can Kill
03. Atrophied in Anguish
04. From Heroic To Depraved
05. Swine To The Slaughter
06. Perfect Pain
07. Neurotic Frenzy
08. Diary Of A Scapegoat
09. Monoistic Living
10. Hystarical Illusion

OBSCENITY last year announced the addition of bassist Jörg Pirch (ex-TEARS OF DECAY) and guitarist Christoph Weerts (ex-ASSASINATED) to the group's ranks. The band was also rejoined by drummer Sascha Knust (ex-THE AWAKENING, SETHNEFER).

OBSCENITY in 2010 recruited Tampa, Florida native Jeff Rudes as its new singer.

OBSCENITY's seventh CD, "Where Sinners Bleed", was released in 2006 through Armageddon Music. The follow-up to 2002's "Cold Blooded Murder" was recorded at Soundlodge studio in Rhauderfehn, Germany.

OBSCENITY was previously signed to Morbid Records, which issued four of the band's albums, ending with "Cold Blooded Murder".

OBSCENITY is:

Jeff Rudes - Vocals
Hendrik Bruns - Guitar
Christoph Weerts - Guitar
Jörg Pirch - Bass
Sascha Knust - Drums

Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD have set "Target Earth" as the title of their new album, to be released before the end of the year.

VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin has unveiled the band's new logo which will be used on the upcoming CD. Check it out below.

"Target Earth" was recorded in January at Pierre Rémillard's (OBLIVEON, CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN, MISERY INDEX) Wild Studio in a small town called St-Zénon in Quebec, Canada. The follow-up to 2009's "Infini" contain the band's first music to be written with new guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain (MARTYR) following the passing of original axeman Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005.

Several photos from the recording sessions can be found on the band's Facebook page.

According to a posting on the page, fans can "expect something in the vein of 'Nothingface' with some elements from the other albums. It will be a classic VOIVOD album."

Regarding what the new VOIVOD songs sound like, Mongrain said in a recent interview, "As a VOIVOD fan since I am 12 years old and early rise of VOIVOD in late '80s and everything, I think… I'm in conflict of interest right now. [Laughs] I like the old stuff as much as the new stuff, so I think it's a blend of everything. It's really a team work and Blacky [Jean-Yves Thériault] is back on the 'blower bass' — he's got the original sound — and we're having a blast jamming, improvising and writing. I think it's working pretty good."

On the topic of the lyrical themes covered in the new VOIVOD tracks, singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger said, "The song we played [on the recent European tour] ['Kaleidos'] is about conspiracy involving drugs and the FBI… [Laughs] It's hard to describe because we're kind of early in the process. There's another song called 'Target Earth', which is more like a spacy, conspiracy, controlling the information around the world. The main thing is the 'war' of information. You know, somebody Osama Bin Laden is dead, someone [else] says he's not… It gets to a point where everybody has his own story and nobody is sure what the truth is. There's people above everything controlling the information."

In an interview with Exclaim.ca, Away stated about VOIVOD's forthcoming studio album, "It's more in the progressive metal vein, so it's reminiscent of the 'Dimension Hatröss' era."

VOIVOD debuted the "Target Earth" title track during their April 12 concert at the Roadburn festival at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. You can watch fan-filmed video footage of their performance below.

VOIVOD 2012 is:

Denis "Snake" Bélanger - Vocals
Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain - Guitar
Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault - Bass
Michel "Away" Langevin - Drums

Helsinki, Finland-based gothic metallers THE 69 EYES are putting the finishing touches on their 10th studio album, "X", in Stockholm, Sweden for a late September release through RCA/Sony Music in Finland and Nuclear Blast in the rest of Europe and North America. A single, "Red", will precede the full-length CD in August.

The cover artwork for "X" can be seen below.

Commented THE 69 EYES lead singer Jyrki69: "The cover is pure goth 'n' roll: a psychedelic mirror image of old wild animal bones with our X-tagram projected over all. It's good, evil, magic and voodoo all together! Something to stare at when tripping on the album."

"X" was mixed by Stefan Boman (THE HELLACOPTERS, BULLET). "The sound is the most melodic, yet melancholic, we've ever had," says Jyrki69. "Listening to the pre-mixes have been giving goose bumps to everyone here. This is the best THE 69 EYES album ever done!"

Regarding the album title, Jyrki69 said, "We've never really celebrated anything, not that we've been playing 20 years or so (vampires don't count decades). Thus this time we thought to celebrate a bit: the new album is entitled as tenth in Roman numbers, it'll be called 'X'."

THE 69 EYES will film its first video in three years later this month in Gothenburg, Sweden with Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.

To coincide with the new album release, THE 69 EYES will also launch its own vampire-style red wine, simply called as "Red," which will mainly be distributed in Sweden and Finland.

While waiting for the album, the Helsinki vampire enthusiastic can go to listen to singer Jyrki's DJ skills as he hosts his goth'n'roll club nights in Barcelona's Undead club on July 7 and Fangtasia II event in New Orleans on July 21.

SOIL played an acoustic set and took part in a signing session on Saturday, June 30 at the Wooden Nickel Music store in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Video footage of their performance can be seen below.

SOIL released its first-ever DVD, entitled "Re-LIVE-Ing The Scars", on May 8 via Bieler Bros. Records. The two-disc set, which was recorded live on October 14, 2011 at Electric Ballroom in London, England, contains an audio CD version of the same concert. Also included is over one hour of backstage and behind-the-scenes bonus footage and photos.

SOIL's recording lineup for "Re-LIVE-Ing The Scars" consisted of founding members Ryan McCombs (vocals; ex-DROWNING POOL), Tim King (bass) and Adam Zadel (guitar) alongside former STAIND drummer Jon Wysocki.

The 10th-anniversary edition of SOIL's breakthrough album "Scars" — featuring the hits "Halo" and "Unreal" — was made available digitally on October 10 through Sony Music. The release features the rare B-side "Center" and the previously unreleased track "Damaged You" from the "Scars" recording sessions.

Swedish metallers CRYSTAL EYES have issued the following update:

"Paul [guitarist Pål Petterson] is out of the band and we're ready for another chapter. We're now extremely happy to welcome back Niclas Karlsson and are looking forward to once again share the path of heavy metal with this great guitarist.

"If you know your CRYSTAL EYES history, you know that Niclas started the band with Mikael [Dahl, guitar] in 1992, quit the band after short break in 1995, got back between 2006-2007 and has played with Mikael in the JUDAS PRIEST tribute band DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH since the dawn of time."

In other news, CRYSTAL EYES is featured in "Metal Munchers - The Festival Edition", a cook book and a book about some of Sweden's best rock bands today, including favorite dishes, promotional pictures and much more. It's only available in Swedish but an English edition will follow.

CRYSTAL EYES in 2009 parted ways with Danish singer Søren Nico Adamsen (ARTILLERY) and decided to carry on as a four-piece band, with Mikael Dahl (guitar) handling lead vocals.

CRYSTAL EYES' last album, "Chained", was released in November 2008 via Metal Heaven Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Carl-André Beckston (a.k.a. Monowasp). The album was mixed at Studio Fredman with acclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL).

ARTHEMIS, the heavy-thrash metal band formed by the shred-metal guitarist Andy Martongelli, will release its new album, "We Fight", on August 27 via Off Yer Rocka Recordings.

Formed in 1999, ARTHEMIS' music reflects the dark side of heavy metal with thrash-oriented guitar riffs, fast solos, fire-breathing vocals and a massive-modern-killer ground-breaking wall of sound; the four-piece lineup delivers an extraordinary proof of uplifting catchy metal.

Commented Martongelli: "This is a new chapter of ARTHEMIS career. We worked very hard on this album and decided to record 'We Fight' while we were right in the middle of our headlining Spanish tour and the U.K. tour… very busy and inspiring moments night after night on stage. I'm sure all our fans will love it as we enjoyed writing the songs and recording them all with the only purpose to give you all the best metal ever! 'We Fight' is full of pure, groundbreaking metal energy and we know the wall of sound will blow everyone’s head off!!"

"We Fight" track listing:

01. Apocalyptic Nightmare
02. Empire
03. We Fight
04. Blood Of Generations
05. Burning Star
06. Cry For Freedom
07. Alone
08. Reign Of Terror
09. Still Awake
10. The Man Who Killed The Sun
11. Metal Hammer

Earlier in the year, MÖTLEY CRÜE entered drummer Tommy Lee's studio called The Atrium in Calabasas, California to begin recording a new song, "Sex", that will be released to coincide with the band's upcoming summer co-headlining tour with KISS.

Written when the band was together during their residency in Las Vegas last February, "Sex" is the first studio track from the CRÜE since their June 2008 release of "Saints Of Los Angeles".

"Sex" will debut on Friday, July 13 on SiriusXM and be available on Tuesday, July 17 — three days before the tour begins.

Speaking to VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner in March, MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist and main songwriter Nikki Sixx stated about the band's new track, "It sounds very much like it's off of the first record [1981's 'Too Fast For Love']. And that was definitely on purpose. I've been writing very simple riffs for the last year and focusing on how these riffs would work for Vince [Neil, vocals], basically, and took it in the studio with Tommy and Mick [Mars, guitar] and the thing just came alive."

MÖTLEY CRÜE's latest studio album, 2008's "Saints Of Los Angeles", sold 99,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release. The CD was CRÜE's first studio album since 2000's "New Tattoo", which has sold over 200,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The band's previous studio effort with all of its original members was 1997's "Generation Swine", which debuted and peaked at No. 4 on The Billboard 200, and has sold more than 300,000 units.

"Saints of Los Angeles" was loosely based on the band's memoir, "The Dirt", which was published in 2001.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's "greatest-hits" collection, suitably titled "Greatest Hits", was released on November 17, 2009 via Eleven Seven Music/Mötley Records.

CRÜE performed its classic 1989 album, "Dr. Feelgood", in its entirety on Crüe Fest 2, the sophomore outing of the band's summer festival tour, to celebrate the record's 20th anniversary.

Eleven Seven Music/Mötley Records re-released "Dr. Feelgood" on September 21, 2009.

Fan-filmed video footage of Knoxville, Tennessee hard rockers 10 YEARS performing four brand new songs — "Dancing With The Dead", "Minus The Machine", "Knives" and "Backlash" — on July 1 at Brewster's Street Icehouse in Corpus Christi, Texas can be seen below (all clips filmed and uploaded by Chris Ramon).

10 YEARS' fifth album, "Minus The Machine", is set to arrive on August 7 through the group's own label, Palehorse Records. 10 YEARS parted ways last year with major label Universal Music, and bassist Lewis Cosby told The Pulse Of Radio why it was time to move on. "When it starts really becoming a business, the labels treat the music as a business as well, and it kills the creativity within the band," he said. "It kills it when you have people coming to you saying, 'Hey, we need a three-and-a-half minute ballad, we need a three-and-a-half minute hard rock song and then a midtempo ballad,' and you're just sitting there going, 'Are you kidding me?' You know, it just stifles every creative bone in your body."

"Minus The Machine" is the follow-up to 2010's "Feeding The Wolves".

The first official single from the disc is "Backlash".

Singer Jesse Hasek said about the album, "We're proud of this album in its entirety. That speaks volumes to us because we're our own worst critics. We pick everything apart. An album is your child, it's your baby, and you know it better than anyone. To sit back and be 100 percent proud of what we've accomplished is so gratifying, and we think everything else will fall into place."

10 YEARS is currently on a headlining tour that wraps up on July 24 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

"Time I", the long-awaited new CD from Finland's WINTERSUN, will be released on October 19 via Nuclear Blast Records.

According to WINTERSUN mainman Jari Mäenpää, the band's new
"'Time' is going to be two albums, titled 'Time I' and 'Time II'. We made this decision simply because of few reasons:

* 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 first "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.

GWAR frontman Oderus Urungus 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 apparently either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. who had come on stage, and that person died 14 days later of bleeding in the brain.

In a series of tweets, Oderus wrote, "[I am] waiting anxiously to hear the fate of the human Randy. He is a honorary slave who has died for GWAR many times. [I am] alarmed by the lack of outrage in the entertainment community. If this was a pop artist, the media would be all over this. That's right — I am fucking appalled at the LACK of concern in the U.S. media for the fate of Randy Blythe… Naw, just because Randy is in a nasty metal band, you can just throw his ass in jail anytime you want. The whole of music media should come the fuck out and condemn this arrest and detainment. This whole thing stinks of a shakedown. And for all you Blythe haters, eat a bowl of dick. Randy is one of the coolest mofos on the planet. Don't be hating, that's my job. Where are the leaders of the American metal community voicing outrage about the idiotic arrest of one of our own… SHAME on you, rock star!"

Both GWAR and LAMB OF GOD hail from Richmond, Virginia and have toured together.

The crime of which Blythe is being accused is punishable by up to ten years in prison, according to popular Czech news web site Novinky.cz.