Are you ready for Round 3 of the original? Imagine starting the year in style: In January 2013, 40 heavy metal bands and 2,000 fans from all over the world will go once again to the Caribbean to take over the luxury cruise ship Majesty Of The Seas for a five-day-and-four-night trip of a lifetime.

Make no mistake, this is not one of the cruises where you share the ship with regular cruise guests... and don't get intimidated by copycats! This is 70000 Tons Of Metal, the world's biggest floating heavy metal festival, featuring the biggest open-air stage to sail the open seas. Enjoy unrestricted festival access to all live shows on board, open-mic nights, clinics, workshops, the infamous metal karaoke, bars that never close, two full days at sea, a fun-and-sun-filled day on a beautiful Caribbean island and an opportunity to mingle side-by-side with the artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. It's like everyone has a backstage pass!

Headbangers from around the world, please welcome the first 10 out of 40 bands on board:

ANACRUSIS
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DORO
HELSTAR
IMMOLATION
IN FLAMES
LACUNA COIL
NILE
SABATON
SUBWAY TO SALLY

70000 Tons Of Metal will sail Monday, January 28, 2013 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, Florida and will not return you to the real world for four days until Friday, February 1, 2013.

This leaves only one question: What will be the destination? Well, you know they like to keep you guessing, so they're not telling until... SOON!

Ticket prices start at $666 (U.S.) plus $299 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24-room service!

Check out www.70000tons.com for more information.

'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford played acoustic versions of three songs on June 25 in the basement of Guitars Etc. in Longmont, Colorado. She also took part in a signing session before her show later that night at the Pepsi Center in Denver with DEF LEPPARD and POISON. You can now watch video footage of the acoustic performance below.

"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."

German melodic folk/death metallers SUIDAKRA have posted a 10-minute video recap of the band's trip to India to perform at the Bangalore Open Air festival on June 16. Check it out below.

SUIDAKRA is tentatively scheduled to enter the studio in January to begin recording its new album for a mid-2013 release. Vocalist Arkadius Antonik recently told Metal Kaoz, "The songs we have finished [so far] are bombastic and we also finished the first song with [longtime collaborator] Tina's [Stabel] female vocals. This time, it's gonna be a faster song with a real epic and catchy chorus."

SUIDAKRA's tenth album, "Book Of Dowth", was released on March 25, 2011 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Gernhart Studio in Siegburg, Germany with producer Martin Buchwalter. Famous Belgian graphic artist Kris Verwimp once again created the cover artwork and lyrical concept.

Inspired by the darker side of Celtic lore, the concept of "Book Of Dowth" chronicles the mythology of a mysterious race of demonic beings known as the "Fomor." Starting with the discovery of an ancient book at the excavation of Dowth (a Neolithic passage tomb in the Boyne Valley, Ireland), it unveils the yet untold story of the rise and fall of the Fomorian horde throughout history and far, far beyond…

The Rock it Out! Blog has posted a seven-minute video recap of METALLICA's first Orion Music + More festival, which took place this past weekend (June 23-24) at Bader Field in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Check it out below.

METALLICA played its 1984 album, "Ride The Lightning", in its entirety for the first time ever during its Saturday headlining set, while doing 1991's "black album" on Sunday. The band played both albums backwards, from the last song to the opening number.
Other acts at the show included AVENGED SEVENFOLD, VOLBEAT, GHOST, CAGE THE ELEPHANT, SEPULTURA, GASLIGHT ANTHEM, ARCTIC MONKEYS and more.

The event also featured exhibitions and events based around each METALLICA's personal hobbies, such as a film festival curated by drummer Lars Ulrich, a custom car show presented by frontman James Hetfield and a horror memorabilia exhibit from guitarist Kirk Hammett.

When asked why METALLICA would want to do their own festival, 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."

Regarding the significance of the "Ride The Lightning" and "Metallica" albums, Hetfield said, "'Ride The Lightning' started to splinter us off from your SLAYERs and other thrash bands. A song called 'Fade To Black' was an instant thorn in the side of the metal community. It was the first veering off the studded path. [The Black Album] became the album, I guess, that people needed to have. It's a gateway for people to get into METALLICA."

Quality fan-filmed video footage of VAN HALEN's entire June 22 concert at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas can be seen at this location. A few of the clips are available below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Unchained
02. Runnin' With The Devil
03. She's The Woman
04. Romeo Delight
05. Tattoo
06. Everybody Wants Some!!
07. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
08. China Town
09. Hear About It Later
10. Oh, Pretty Woman (ROY ORBISON Cover)
11. Drum Solo
12. You Really Got Me (THE KINKS cover)
13. The Trouble With Never
14. Dance The Night Away
15. I'll Wait
16. And The Cradle Will Rock…
17. Hot For Teacher
18. Women In Love
19. Beautiful Girls
20. Ice Cream Man (JOHN BRIM cover)
21. Panama
22. Guitar Solo
23. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
24. Jump

As previously reported, Eddie Van Halen and his son, VAN HALEN bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, gave a rare joint interview to USA Today on June 13 in which they discussed the reason for the band postponing more than 30 summer tour dates following a June 26 show in New Orleans. Eddie explained, "We bit off more than we could chew. This record took a lot out of us. And we went on tour earlier than we wanted to so we could play Madison Square Garden (in March, before a renovation), and that threw the schedule out of whack."

Eddie added that "a lot of the canceled dates were in cities we already played," but promised that VAN HALEN will return to U.S. stages later on: "In November, we'll hit Japan, and in the New Year, we'll possibly do something special, but I can't talk about it."

When the canceled shows were announced, rumors originally began circulating that Eddie and singer David Lee Roth were feuding again. But Eddie denied that, saying, "Dave's the same as he's always been, funny, witty. Sometimes I can only take that in small doses, because he just goes on and on."

Wolfgang added, "He's like the Energizer Bunny — wind it up and see what happens," while his father said, "But Dave always lands on his feet."

Roth himself posted a video message online explaining the scrapped dates, saying that "the band is getting along famously, better than we have in quite some time . . . (but) if we continue past July 4 and all the way into Australia and Japan then we're asking for the robot zombie tour."

VAN HALEN is touring behind "A Different Kind Of Truth", its first album in 14 years and first with Roth since 1984.

Geoff Tate, the legendary QUEENSRŸCHE frontman and one of the most acclaimed vocalists in the history of hard rock and heavy metal, has signed a worldwide recording contract with InsideOut Music.

"I'm very excited to join forces with InsideOut Music," says Tate of his multi-album deal. "They are very committed to progressive music and care deeply for their artists, working together with them to bring music lovers worldwide some of the most compelling rock music available."

"Obviously, we at the label have been fans of Geoff for a long time," says InsideOut Music founder Thomas Waber. "We are looking forward to working with such a renowned musician. Welcome to the InsideOut Music family!"

Geoff Tate is currently finishing production on his first InsideOut Music release. The album is planned for release this fall, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

When asked about the sound of his new solo album, Tate told AnthologySD.com, "Well, it's very different from my last one, for sure. It's a new bunch of people I've been working with to write and record it, so that changes things. When you're working with different people, it really changes the record. This one is really hard rock. The last one was really all over the place with different styles of music and everything, but this one really keeps with the hard rock style. It does it in kind of a different way — more of my way or what I would envision. I guess it's experimental in some ways, while in others it's very traditional. What I tried to do was take traditional rock instrumentation and apply it in kind of a different song structure. That's what I would best describe it as. [laughs]"

Tate released his first solo CD in 2002 on Sanctuary Records. Self-titled, the LP was a huge departure from the work he had previously done with QUEENSRŸCHE.

"[Sanctuary weren't really a record company. Sanctuary was a money-making machine and they went out of business very quickly," Tate told Oregon Music News earlier this month. "I'm glad to be done with that actually."

QUEENSRŸCHE members Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Parker Lundgren announced on June 20 that they were parting ways with Tate and recruiting powerhouse vocalist Todd La Torre of CRIMSON GLORY as his replacement. The new QUEENSRŸCHE lineup has already performed live, having played two successful shows in their home city of Seattle under the name RISING WEST.

Fan-filmed video footage of Tate's June 7 solo performance at Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California can be seen below.

Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral

Helsinki, Finland-based gothic metallers THE 69 EYES are putting the finishing touches on their 10th studio album, "X", in Stockholm, Sweden for a September/October 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. According to a press release, the new album — which is being helmed by the Swedish production team On The Verge — will be melancholic and melodic in best THE 69 EYES tradition, reminiscent of such landmark "goth 'n' roll" as "Blessed Be" (2000) and "Paris Kills" (2002).

THE 69 EYES will film its first video in three years in July 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.

"The last album was recorded in Hollywood, adding that special L.A. glam flavor to our sound," says THE 69 EYES vocalist Jyrki69. "Now this time as this album is our 'Made In Sweden' record, our melodic, Scandinavian melancholy side is rising on the top!"

THE 69 EYES's latest album, "Back In Blood", was issued in Europe (excluding Finland) on August 28, 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records (September 15, 2009 in the U.S. through The End Records). It was tracked with the Grammy-winning producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET, FU MANCHU) and features a guest appearance by MONSTER MAGNET's Ed Mundell. The recording process took place both in Helsinki and Los Angeles.

The first single from the album, "Dead Girls Are Easy", was described in a press release as "a nasty power anthem for sleazy pin-ups complete with a sing-a-long chorus aimed at those online chicks with the looks that kill!" The video for the song was directed by Margera and the artwork was designed by Estevan Oriol, whose work has graced countless covers from such artists as CYPRESS HILL, THE TRANSPLANTS and SNOOP DOGG.

Photo credit: Pauli Rouvinen

"The Alan Cox Show", which airs on "Cleveland's rock station" 100.7 WMMS, recently conducted an interview with AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler. You can now listen to the chat below.

When asked about AEROSMITH's long-awaited 15th studio album, "Music From Another Dimension", which has had its release date pushed back from August 28 to November 6 (via Columbia Records), Tyler said, "Too many [other notable recording artists] are releasing [new albums] those weeks [in late summer]. We don't wanna step on their release dates. So we said, 'You know what?! We've got the goods. [There] ain't no doubt about it. We'll wait another couple of months.'"

The first song to be made available from "Music From Another Dimension" is a reworked version of the band's 1991 outtake "Legendary Child", which was originally written during the "Get A Grip" sessions. The track, which can be streamed below, will also be included in the upcoming film "GI Joe: Retaliation", the release of which has now been pushed back to March 2013.

AEROSMITH performed "Legendary Child" on May 23 on the season finale of "American Idol".

"Music From Another Dimension" track listing:

01. What Could Have Been Love
02. Beautiful
03. Street Jesus
04. Legendary Child
05. Oh Yeah
06. We All Fall Down
07. Another Last Goodbye
08. Out Go the Lights
09. Love Three Times a Day (Hello Goodbye)
10. Closer
11. Shakey Ground
12. Lover A Lot
13. Freedom Fighter
14. Up On The Mountain

AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while singer Steven Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.

"Music From Another Dimension" is being helmed by producer Jack Douglas, who previously worked with AEROSMITH on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks" as well as on 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo".

"This record is different from the recent past, say the last 20 years, where everybody is getting in the studio and throwing down their songs," guitarist Joe Perry recently told Billboard.com. "This record is a lot more band-written stuff than there has been in the recent past."

Perry admitts he's still amazed how the band has managed to keep it together over the past 40 years. Perry explained to the Boston Herald that somehow when it came time to craft the material on "Music From Another Dimension", they were willing to put all of their personal differences aside for the benefit of the music. "I have no idea how it works," he said. "With AEROSMITH, we put one foot in front of the other and hope for the best. . . There are bands that don't talk to each other for five years, and then get back together and go out and play their songs and they turn into the best cover band of their own songs. That's fine and well, but for us it will be always changing. We've been trying to write this record for 10 years, and we finally did."

Steven Tyler, whose decision to take the job as a judge on Fox's "American Idol" caused yet another major rift between his and Perry's relationship, added, "It's the same bottle man. We just corked it. Everything that was cooking inside and fermenting to that just right year just happened to be now. It was the perfect time. . . With great pressure comes great diamonds."

Interview:

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.

Swedish metallers NECROVATION will release their sophomore album, "Necrovation", on June 26 in Europe and August 14 in the U.S. via Agonia Records. The follow-up to 2008's "Breed Deadness Blood" marks a swift improvement over the band's previous raw death metal style, with more classical and heavy metal influences but still with the classic death metal elements that have been the group's trademark since the beginning. The new album is strongly recommended for those who once liked METALLICA, early ENTOMBED and MORBID ANGEL.

"Necrovation" was mixed and produced by Gustav Burn along with the bandmembers and mastered in Necromorbus Studios (WATAIN, DESTROYER 666) in Stockholm, Sweden. The release will be available as a standard, practical CD, limited 12-inch gatefold heavy vinyl with eight pages booklet (first 100 copies of the vinyl on a heavy navy blue vinyl with white haze) and digital download.

"Necrovation" track listing:

01. Necrovorous Insurrection
02. Dark Lead Dead
03. Pulse of Towering Madness
04. Commander of Remains
05. New Depths
06. Sepulchreal
07. Resurrectionist
08. The Transition
09. Ill Mouth Madness (The Many)

The song "Sepulchreal" is available for streaming below.

Norwegian death metallers CHTON will release their sophomore album, "The Devil Builds", on CD and vinyl in collaboration with the German label Godeater Records. The CD will be made available in the fall, with the vinyl to follow in early winter 2013. The digital release of the album will be handled by Morningstar Music.

"The Devil Builds" will feature 10 songs, including "Faustian Resolve", "Gods Of The Flesh" and "Babalon And The Beast Conjoined". The effort was recorded and produced at Morningstar Studio with Arnt Obsidian Grønbech (KEEP OF KALESSIN, SATYRICON) at the helm. The album was mixed by Stamos Koliousis (DJERV, MENCEA) at 210 Studio in Berlin, known for earlier work with NATTEFROST, GEHENNA and VREID, among others.

CHTON has previously shared stages with such bands as MORBID ANGEL, BEHEMOTH, MAYHEM, AMON AMARTH and ZYKLON, and plans to embark on a European tour to promote "The Devil Builds".

CHTON's digital split single "Screaming For Death" with CLEAVER is still available for streaming or download from most digital stores like Spotify, iTunes, WiMP, Amazon and many others.

Formed in 1999 in Trondheim, CHTON released its debut album, "Chtonian Lifecode", in 2004 via Retribute Records.

British glam metal legends TIGERTAILZ have revealed their new lineup. Original members Jay Pepper (lead guitar) and Ace Finchum (drums) are joined by vocalist Jules Millis, guitarist Rob Wylde and bassist Jason Sims.

Jules, who also sings for acclaimed melodic rockers WHITE WIDDOW, grew up in Australia on a diet of '80s glam rock, including KISS, RATT and TIGERTAILZ themselves. For Jules, joining the 'TAILZ is a musical dream come true. "It's amazing to be joining a band I grew up listening to back in Melbourne," he said. "'Bezerk' and 'Young And Crazy' were part of the soundtrack to my youth, and I hope to do those classic songs and many others full justice. It feels crazy — such an honor to be involved with this thing. I can't wait to see where this road leads — it should be quite a ride."

Robb Wylde, frontman and guitarist with Brit rockers TEENAGE CASKET COMPANY, also joins on guitar. A versatile musician who certainly knows the meaning of showmanship, Robb has not only released three albums with TEENAGE CASKET COMPANY but also fronted U.S. glam rockers SINS OF AMERICA, and plays bass with melodic rockers VEGA. Expect Robb's explosive guitar sound and stage presence to take the 'TAILZ experience to a new dimension.

Former PSYCHO KISS bassist Jason Sims completes the lineup. The full-metal Welshman lists METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and BLACK SABBATH as his heroes and confesses that he's "chomping at the bit" to get started. "It's a strong lineup and I can't wait to play these tracks live," he adds. "I know how big TIGERTAILZ' fan base is, and I hope I can do them proud."

TIGERTAILZ is set to release a video for their new version of "Fall In Love Again", a song originally recorded for their 1987 debut album, "Young And Crazy". Re-recorded in the studio and featuring the first vocal contribution from Jules, the single is a tribute to former bass player Pepsi Tate, who died in 2007. All proceeds from the song will support Amser Justin Time, the pancreatic cancer charity set up in his memory.

U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine recently spoke to singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet and political activist Serj Tankian about the albums that changed his life, Spotify and why he decided to become a musician. Check out the question-and-answer session below.

Tankian's new solo album, "Harakiri", is scheduled for release on July 10 via Reprise Records/Serjical Strike.

"Harakiri", a Japanese word meaning ritual suicide, is the follow-up to 2010's critically acclaimed "Imperfect Harmonies", and the third solo release from the SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman. As with 2007's "Elect The Dead" and "Imperfect Harmonies", Serj produced "Harakiri" himself at his home studio in Los Angeles. He tried to approach writing a little differently this time around. "I used the Apple iPad as a songwriting instrument to sketch out three of the songs on the record," explains Serj. "We must trick ourselves into writing in different ways to get unexpected results." The album will also feature performances by Serj's touring band, THE F.C.C. — Dan Monti on guitar, Mario Pagliarulo on bass, and Troy Zeigler on drums. Dan Monti is also co-mixing and co-engineering the album with Serj. The album was mastered by Vlado Meller (METALLICA, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, KANYE WEST, BEASTIE BOYS).

Canadian metallers ODIUM have announced the exclusive online release of their new track "No Way Out" as part of a limited-edition digital single that will be made available for free to fans worldwide. Due to the overwhelming response to the accompanying video for the track, the single will include the song "No Way Out" as well as a free download of their new video in HD quality. The clip was directed by Chad Archibald of Black Fawn Films (BAPTIZED IN BLOOD, FAREWELL TO FREEWAY, MEGADETH, ARISE AND RUIN) and was shot on location in Guelph, Ontario. The concept of the video was designed to utilize the new camera technology that's available today with a focus on slow motion.

"With this new era of media, we felt that we had to create something really interesting and really unique," says Year Of The Sun label president C. Benner. "We were toying around with the idea of using 'No Way Out' as the main single off of the new album and when Chad came to us with the treatment for the video it really intensified the song and its lyrics. It really provokes a tactile response from the viewer and that was important especially for a band like ODIUM. It’s really an incredible visual presentation."

ODIUM is:

Thomas Emmans - Vocals
Joe Mullen - Drums
Andrew Fullerton - Guitar
Bo Louther - Guitar
Dale Burrows – Bass

Fans of acclaimed metal pioneers KORN can now experience the thrill of their live show at home when "The Path Of Totality Tour - Live At The Hollywood Palladium" hits stores on September 4 from Shout! Factory. Recorded live on December 6, 2011 in celebration of their tenth studio album, "The Path Of Totality", the concert features the iconic band performing in front of out a sold-out crowd at the famed Hollywood Palladium alongside some very special guests. Available on Blu-ray disc and DVD, "The Path Of Totality Tour - Live At The Hollywood Palladium" contains special bonus features including interviews with Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Fieldy, Ray Luzier, Zachary Baird and album, Blu-ray, DVD cover artist Roboto, as well as a bonus live CD of the concert.

With "The Path Of Totality", two-time Grammy Award-winning KORN changed the rock landscape again with a genre-defying foray into electronic and dubstep music, mixed with the innovative brand of metal KORN helped create. "The Path Of Totality Tour - Live" showcases the band in top form, highlighting landmark songs such as "Freak On A Leash" and "Falling Away From Me" as well as new smash hits such as "Get Up!" and "Narcissistic Cannibal". Joining KORN onstage are several of the DJs who collaborated on "The Path Of Totality", including Skrillex, 12th Planet, Flinch, Downlink, Excision, Datsik and Kill The Noise.

"It's future metal," declares vocalist Jonathan Davis. "We're mixing metal and electro music, and you're not supposed to do that. Since day one, KORN has always been all about going against the grain, experimenting, and trying to take music different places."

"The Path Of Totality Tour - Live At The Hollywood Palladium" was produced by Barry Summers for Rock Fuel LLC.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Get Up!
02. Kill Mercy Within
03. Illuminati
04. Chaos Lives In Everything
05. My Wall
06. Way Too Far
07. Narcissistic Cannibal
08. Here To Stay
09. Freak On A Leash
10. Falling Away From Me
11. Predictable
12. Another Brick In The Wall
13. Shoots And Ladders
14. One
15. Got The Life
16. Blind

Bonus Features:

* Interviews with Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Fieldy Arvizu, Ray Luzier, Zachary Baird and album, Blu-ray and DVD cover artist Roboto
* Bonus CD of the concert

According to Über Rock, guitarist Greg Pullin has left I AM I, the new band led by former DRAGONFORCE singer ZP Theart — less than four days after it was announced the group was parting ways with its drummer Paul Clarke Jr. for "personal reasons."

Comments Pullin: "As a young musician, I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to join the band. As soon as I first heard their album in the days before the auditions I knew I loved the style of music, and since then have looked forward to performing and touring with the guys throughout the future. However, although I had a genuinely strong connection with everyone musically, and faced the opportunity with full commitment, I have decided to leave for personal reasons.

"I have enjoyed my time rehearsing and performing with the guys, and it has been particularly enjoyable to work with lead guitarist and composer Jacob [Ziemba]. As well as having a phenomenal ability as a guitar player, he demonstrates an outstanding capability to write brilliant music, which has undoubtedly been the major driving force behind the band's style and sound on [I AM I's debut album] 'Event Horizon'."

In other news, I AM I has signed a worldwide publishing deal through Sony/ATV Music. Their deal, via Albam Songs, means they join a roster that includes Bob Dylan, THE BEATLES, Robert Plant, PEARL JAM, BON JOVI and Lady Gaga.

"I AM I are an incredibly exciting band. It's great to be involved from the very beginning," says Alan Bambrough of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Limited. "'Event Horizon' is a brilliant album and there's no limit to what these guys can achieve."

I AM I has already recruited a replacement for Clarke, but has not revealed the new musician's identity.

I AM I's next live appearance will take place on August 11 at this year's Bloodstock Open Air festival at Catton Hall in Walton On Trent, Derbyshire, England.

I AM I made its live debut on May 27 at Birmingham, England's O2 Academy 2.

I AM I released its debut album, "Event Horizon", independently on May 26. Written and produced by Theart and Jacob Ziemba and mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN), the CD is described in a press release as "an absolutely blistering slice of heavy rock liberally infused with Theart's passion, energy and soaring vocals."

"Event Horizon" was, according to I AM I, the first-ever heavy metal album to be released solely on USB. The stick is packaged in a CD case and includes full artwork and all the usual content you would expect on a disc and more. The effort is available to order from the official I AM I web site.

"Event Horizon" track listing:

01. This is My Life
02. Silent Genocide
03. Stay A While
04. Cross The Line
05. In The Air Tonight
06. King In Ruins
07. Kiss Of Judas
08. Dust 2 Dust
09. Wasted Wonders
10. Pave The Way

The "Silent Genocide" video can be seen below.

DRAGONFORCE parted ways with Theart in March 2010 "due to insurmountable differences of musical opinion," according to a statement released by the British extreme epic power metal band.

After entries from thousands of hopefuls across the globe, DRAGONFORCE in March 2011 welcomed then-23-year-old Marc Hudson to the group.

Symphonic/power metal band HELIOSAGA has announced the addition of vocalist Chelsea Knaack to the group's ranks.

Knaack is known for her lead vocals in DESDEMON and brought her impressive talent to their 2011 release on Radtone Music in Japan.

Damien Villarreal formed HELIOSAGA in 2010 with a dynamic selection of musicians around San Antonio, Texas. HELIOSAGA's powerful moving melodies, enhanced by Knaack's passionate soprano voice, will make the band a force among the ranks of the female-fronted genre.

HELIOSAGA is writing new material and will begin pre-production for label representation following Chelsea's relocation to Texas this summer.

The name HELIOSAGA is a metaphor derived from helios, the Greek word for sun, and saga meaning the story/ history; thus, HELIOSAGA represents the journey of life.

Knaack states: "I was looking for a new chapter in my life with a new adventure and HELIOSAGA fit the plan. It was also the chemistry with the guys; we are all very similar in many ways. It will be a great adventure indeed."

HELIOSAGA adds: "Chelsea's vocals are moving, her stage presence is captivating and she has an immense passion for this kind of music. Shortly after meeting we realized how well we click on personal and professional levels, so we can say that we have gained a great friend and an incredible bandmate! We are eager to begin recording our debut album together, which will be released early next year."

HELIOSAGA is Chelsea Knaack (lead vocals), Damien Villarreal (guitar and keyboards), Ken Lambdin (guitars), Jacob Horning (bass), and Jordan Ames (drums).

The exploration of Mortiis' classic "Era1" recordings continues this summer with the re-release of his 1995 album, "Keiser Av En Dimensjon Ukjent", by Italian label Ordo MCM on July 23.

"Keiser Av En Dimensjon Ukjent" delves deeper into Mortiis' passion for creating dark, epic soundscapes, inspired by the unlikely combination of black metal, KISS, W.A.S.P., and Tolkien. "I always said those elements got thrown into a hotpot and out came Mortiis," he said.

Though the album's two tracks, "Reisene Til Grotter Og Ødemarker" and "Keiser Av En Dimensjon Ukjent", were recorded entirely using synths, the writing process behind the tracks was a much more organic experience.

"I wasn't using sequencers or any other means of recording parts and ideas as I went along, so everything was by ear and making notes," Mortiis said. "I'd come up with parts I liked, and keeping those in mind I'd come up with other parts that I thought would layer correctly on top. It was all about remembering things. I used a color-coding system when I wrote the music down. It wasn't sheet music or notations of any sort, just me writing down the name of the sound in blue, red, green, or whatever, and also the settings for each sound in brackets, like amount of reverb, release, decay, et cetera. I only really owned one synth, which was a cheap Roland JV30 — real entry-level stuff, but it had some good sounds on it."

"Keiser Av En Dimensjon Ukjent" will be distributed in the U.S. by Hells Headbangers and 20 Buck Spin. The release will be available in Europe via the Ordo MCM web site.

The release date of "Hammer Damage", the new album from veteran metallers OMEN, has once again been postponed. Originally due on June 29, the CD has been pushed back after it was determined that hurricane damages to guitarist Kenny Powell's house were greater than the band originally thought and this has caused technical problems with the mixing and mastering of the new record.

Commented Powell: "First off, I hate to be an excuse-maker, but I have had a huge problem with the studio. I have been putting off a new roof on my house until the record was finished. After several days of heavy rain, the studio was flooded and the roof collapsed in. It took me several days to patch things up and clean up all of the equipment. Thankfully, nothing was damaged."

"Hammer Damage" track listing:

01. Hammer Damage
02. Knights Of The Cross
03. Era Of Crisis
04. Epitaph For A Warrior
05. The Canyon
06. Demons
07. Caligula
08. Hellas
09. A.F.U.

OMEN was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1983, by lead guitarist Kenny Powell; previously with the rock group SAVAGE GRACE and signed on with Metal Blade Records in 1984, and released their debut album "Battle Cry". In 1985 the second album, "Warning Of Danger", followed, building up OMEN's reputation as one of the forefathers of power metal acts, such as METALLICA, ANTHRAX, MEGADETH, and SLAYER. In 1986, OMEN's successes lead to the release of the blockbuster album "The Curse" on Capitol Records. The hit single "Thorn In Your Flesh" from their release "Escape To Nowhere" topped the metal charts in 1985.

OMEN continued releasing an incredible collection of heavy metal masterpieces over the years, as well as building a loyal fan base via successful worldwide tours.

OMEN in 2008 released a live album, "Into the Arena: 20 Years Live", which contained previously unreleased recordings of the band's original lineup.

OMEN appeared at last year's Keep It True XII festival on April 24-25, 2009 at the Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany.

OMEN 2012 is:

Kenny Powell - Guitar
Andy Haas - Bass
Matt Story - Vocals
Steve Wittig - Drums

"True American Hate", a brand new song from San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band'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 (CATTLE DECAPITATION, HEATHEN, VILE, SADUS) 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.

In a recent interview with Decibel magazine, TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy stated about "True American Hate", "[It] was kind of inspired by when we sent all our troops overseas, and we were just seeing in the news when all that was going on a lot of young kids, under 10 years old, out there with their families burning American flags. And that was a pretty shocking thing to see, to see that generation, a kid that young being taught to hate that much. It makes you think what's going to happen, 10 to 15 years from now, when the majority of these kids have just been raised to hate. It struck me as a little odd."

"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)

Last week, TESTAMENT shot a video for the song "Native Blood". Guitarist Eric Peterson told Greece's Rock Overdose webzine that the clip was going to be filmed "on an Indian reservation." He added, "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."

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."

Regarding the recording processs for "Dark Roots Of Earth", Billy said, "We [recorded] it at our place in Oakland and at Trident Studios and Andy [Sneap, producer] came out and did all the recordings with us — as much as he could — and then we finished off some vocals and guitars at Trident studios. I think over the years Andy really knows the sound of this band, and kinda knows what we want. We've mixed stuff with Andy, so I think he knows without has having to be there physically with him what we are looking for. And I just haven't heard anybody in metal come out with any better mixes! Honestly!"

On the topic of some of the other tracks that will appear on "Dark Roots Of Earth", Billy said, "There's a song called 'Cold Embrace', which we kinda hoped we'd be able to pitch the song into one of the 'Twilight' series movies; it's a song about a girl becoming a vampire and never being able to see the sun again. 'Dark Roots Of Earth' is kind of a play on the band we have together, just like a metaphor, like TESTAMENT is a tree and all of us in this group are really embedded in the planet, in the earth, the environment and our surroundings. It was kind of a play on that. 'Rise Up' is more of a war song, like you're preparing yourself for war, going into battle. There is a lot of cool stuff there."

Due to a "serious injury," TESTAMENT drummer Paul Bostaph was unable to take part in the recording sessions for the CD and was replaced by Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK). Bostaph has since announced his departure from the group.

When asked if Hoglan — who is currently touring with TESTAMENT — will become a permanent member of the band, Billy told Horns Up Rocks!, "We'd like him to be, but I think right now we're just taking it tour by tour. We don't know yet. We just kind of unexpected had to do this tour before the record came out, so we haven't really thought about it yet."

Regarding how different it is playing with Gene compared to working with Bostaph, Chuck said, "We played with Gene before on our 'Demonic' record [1997], so we knew exactly what Gene was capable of and what he would bring to the table. We knew that it would definitely bring a different style of drumming, 'cause Gene's a different player than Paul. I think it just worked out. Eric [Peterson, TESTAMENT guitarist] had a lot of the [basic drum patterns] already done [for the new album], and Gene just had to kind of put his style on it."

Portland musical enigmas AGALLOCH have made their new EP, "Faustian Echoes", available for streaming at their Bandcamp page. This EP will be available as a digital download at the Bandcamp site starting on July 11 when the band begins their summer tour in Portland, Oregon. The LP and CD versions will be released through AGALLOCH's own imprint, Dammerung Arts. Both the LP and CD versions will be initially only available during the band's trek (July 11 – August 11) and will then be made available to the world following the tour.

"Faustian Echoes" is a single, two-part song based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's epic masterpiece "Faust". Reaching over twenty minutes, "Faustian Echoes" is the longest song AGALLOCH have ever written. Recorded mostly live at Portland's Jackpot Studio by Billy Anderson (MELVINS, SLEEP, NEUROSIS), mixed by Anderson and later mastered by Justin Weis (LUDICRA, HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE, WORM OUROBOROS) at Trakworx, "Faustian Echoes" continues and expands on AGALLOCH's dark, brooding, and colossal sound.

Having formed in 1996, AGALLOCH have consistently produced existentially dark music stretching over four full-length albums, a handful of EPs, and numerous single tracks and compilation appearances. AGALLOCH's influence can be seen in many of the so-called "post-black metal" bands and they are often regarded as the first band to bridge the neofolk and black metal genres. The band has earned a reputation for explosive live shows and has sold out venues across Europe and the U.S.

"Deceiver", the new video from Riverside, California-based Christian death metallers IMPENDING DOOM, can be seen below.

Lead singer Brook Reeves offers the band's mindset in making this kind of clip: "This video is a representation of the filthiness of sin that ultimately leads to hell and that is doesn't matter If someone calls themselves a Christian with their mouth if they are not producing fruit in their lives. There are a lot of Christians out there who are fakes and will try and deceive you for power, money, or other lusts of the flesh especially in these last days. So it's up to genuine, real, and courageous Christians to stand up and speak truth and not compromise."

"Deceiver" comes off IMPENDING DOOM's fourth full-length album, "Baptized In Filth", which sold 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 106 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Baptized In Filth" was released on March 13. The CD was produced by Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE FAMINE) and was mixed by Machine, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE and DEMON HUNTER, among others.

Commented David Sittig, "'Baptized In Filth' represents the mindless indulgance and self-worship in the vile world we live in. This album is meant to scare the hell out of you!"

"Baptized In Filth" track listing:

01. Murderer
02. For the Wicked
03. Chaos: Reborn
04. Deceiver
05. Falling Away
06. Absolute Horror
07. Angry Letters to God
08. Baptized In Filth
09. My Light Unseen
10. Death. Ascension. Resurrection

IMPENDING DOOM earlier in the year tool part in the Metal Alliance Tour 2012 alongside DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD.

IMPENDING DOOM is Brook Reeves on vocals, Cory Johnson on guitar, David Sittig on bass and Brandon "B-Town" Trahan on drums.

"Everybody Have A Good Time", the new single from British rockers THE DARKNESS, can be streamed at Spin.com. The video for the song will debut on Vevo.com on Thursday, June 28.

"Everybody Have A Good Time" is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Rhapsody and everywhere online. The track comes off the band's third studio album, "Hot Cakes", which will be released on August 21 via Wind-Up (North and South America) and PIAS (U.K. and rest of the world). After a seven-year wait, "Hot Cakes" — produced by the band's Justin and Dan Hawkins with longtime collaborator Nick Brine and mixed by Bob Ezrin — will deliver the epic rock anthems and infectious pop choruses the multi-platinum band has become renowned for worldwide.

THE DARKNESS returned to the U.S. last month for select dates and three festival appearances: May 19 at InfieldFest (Baltimore, Maryland); May 20 at Rock On The Range (Columbus, Ohio); and May 26 at Rocklahoma (Pryor, Oklahoma). They will now perform at festivals across Europe before teaming with LADY GAGA for her "Born This Way Ball" tour.

Since THE DARKNESS — Justin Hawkins (vocals/guitars), Dan Hawkins (guitars/backing vocals), Frankie Poullain (bass) and Ed Graham (drums) — resumed active service almost 12 months ago on the main stage of 2011's Download festival with their original lineup, the British group have accomplished a lot. They've completed sold-out tours of the U.K. and North America; were featured in a Superbowl ad (broadcast to over 100 million viewers in the tense fourth quarter of the game); finished recording "Hot Cakes" and released a free teaser track and video, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us".

THE DARKNESS made its U.K. live comeback in June 2011 in front of just 200 people at the Norwich Waterfront.

THE DARKNESS' first album, "Permission To Land", was released in 2003, hitting the No. 1 spot in the U.K. chart and winning "MasterCard British Album" at the 2004 Brit Awards (along with "Best British Group" and "British Rock Act").

Between 2003 and 2006, THE DARKNESS was honored with many awards and accolades; along with three Brit Awards, the band won an Ivor Novello in 2004 for "Songwriters Of The Year", four Kerrang! Awards, two Metal Hammer Awards, an MTV Europe Music Award and even an Elle Style Award in 2004 for "Most Stylish Band".

Swedish doom metal kings WITCHCRAFT have set "Legend" as the title of their fourth album, due on September 21 via the band's new label home, Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2007's "The Alchemist" was recorded with renowned producer Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (KREATOR, OPETH, AMON AMARTH, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA) in Örebro, Sweden. The CD marks the recording debut of the band's new members Simon Solomon (guitar), Tom Jondelius (guitar) and Oscar Johansson (drums). Going forward, WITCHCRAFT leader Magnus Pelander will focus on his unique vocals without playing guitar anymore.

Commented Pelander: "At last the fourth album is done. It's with relief and euphoria we say this!"

WITCHCRAFT, who formed in 2000 in tribute to band heroes Roky Erickson and Bobby Liebling (PENTAGRAM), create heavy, blues-based rock augmented with touches of psychedelica and late '60s pop flourishes. The quartet's first-class songs reference the darker side of hard rock while remaining surprisingly accessible. Flying largely under the radar of the popular music landscape previously, WITCHCRAFT is a hallowed name in underground circles and has found itself championed by a diverse cross-section of distinguished music adherents including American actor Elijah Wood, who publicly called the band "amazing," and DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo, who in 2009 proudly proclaimed WITCHCRAFT as his "new favorite band."

Recorded 100% pro-tools and digital free at Stockholm's UpandRunning studios with producer Tom Hakava and using only vintage amplification, WITCHCRAFT's latest album, "The Alchemist", showcases a group of musicians at ease with their playing and songwriting. Addictive melodies flow simultaneously with catchy, heavy riffs, while maintaining a relaxed and laid back feel throughout. Among its many highlights, the album features the standout songs "Walk Between the Lines" and "Hey Doctor" as well as the record's plat du jour, the three-part progressive rock odyssey of the title track "The Alchemist".

Dutch death metal veterans HOUWITSER have announced the addition of bassist Roderick Ras to the group's ranks. A talented young musician who also is a member of death metal band DIATRYMA, Roderick will make his live debut with HOUWITSER on July 14 at the Obscene Extreme festival.

HOUWITSER was recently rejoined by its original singer Mike van Mastrigt. In addition, the group recruited Marten van Kruijssen (DICTATED, NIBIRUS) as its new drummer.

Vocalist Stan Blonk left HOUWITSER at the end of last year for personal reasons.

HOUWITSER's fifth album, "Bestial Atrocity", was released in 2010 via Sevared Records.

For more information, visit www.houwitser.nl.

U.K.'s GALLOWS are finally ready to unleash the next phase of their punk rock attack on the world with the highly-anticipated release of their follow-up to 2009's "Grey Britain" album. Set for release in Europe on September 10 through the band's own label Venn Records (in partnership with [PIAS] Recordings) and in the U.S. on September 11 via Bridge Nine Records, the self-titled CD was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by longtime friends Thomas Mitchener and Steve Sears at Broadfields Studio in Watford in May this year.

"We made this record self-titled as it musically defines the band known as GALLOWS as we exist today," explains the band. "This is the first of many releases to come from the house of Venn Records, our imprint, hijacked from [PIAS] those long-standing backers of independent rock 'n' roll."

The group adds, "This is our statement of intent, our laugh in the face of those who said GALLOWS were done when in reality we're just warming up. We couldn't feel more vindicated and proud."

"Gallows" track listing:

01. Victim Culture
02. Everybody Loves You (When You're Dead)
03. Last June
04. Outsider Art
05. Vapid Adolescent Blues
06. Austere
07. Depravers
08. Odessa
09. Nations
- Never Enough -
10. Cult Of Mary
11. Cross Of Lorraine

A free download of the track "Last June" is now available from www.gallows.co.uk.

The band will embark on a U.K. tour in October.

GALLOWS is a band that needs little introduction. Described, variously, as "the best British punk band since THE CLASH" and "the British music industry's biggest mistake," the Hertfordshire hardcore crew first emerged from the fecund U.K. underground punk scene in 2005. Inspired by REFUSED, AT THE DRIVE-IN, JR Ewing and Swing Kids, their ferocious, feral 2006 debut, "Orchestra Of Wolves", offered a harsh, unflinching dissection of suffocating suburban mores, shot through with images of small-town violence, desperation and disgust. Its follow-up, 2009's apocalyptic "Grey Britain", was darker, denser and even more brutally incisive, a lacerating, none-more-bleak state of the nation address, speaking of a once-proud nation on its knees, riven by prejudice, greed, ignorance and fear. December 2011's "Death Is Birth" EP heralded the arrival of a new GALLOWS: united, uncompromised, unfettered, unbroken. With old friend (and former ALEXISONFIRE guitarist) Wade MacNeil installed as the band's new frontman, the seven-inch EP was a defiant declaration of independence, 459 seconds of apoplectic punk rock fury landing like an adrenaline spike to the heart.

GALLOWS is:

Wade MacNeil (vocals)
Lee Barratt (drums)
Stephen Carter (guitar)
Laurent Barnard (guitar)
Stuart Gili-Ross (bass)

Marta Gabriel, frontwoman of the Polish heavy metal act CRYSTAL VIPER, has launched her own clothing company, Thunderball Clothing. Her first collection, named "Screaming ForVengeance", is out now, and includes a series of hand-made motorcycle jackets.

Thunderball Clothing was conceived in 2003 when Gabriel started to design and create stage clothes for herself and her CRYSTAL VIPER bandmates. Now, nine years later, after many requests, the clothes that she designs and creates are available for everyone. Every single item she produceis inspired by same classic song or album, and is absolutely original, one-of-a-kind, handmade, and available in just one copy and one size.

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

CRYSTAL VIPER's new album, "Crimen Excepta", was released in Europe on April 27 and in the U.S. on April 24 via AFM Records. The concept effort about holy inquisition, black magic and witches, where fiction is mixed with historical facts, was produced by Bart Gabriel (SACRED STEEL, JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR) and recorded with sound engineer Mariusz Pietka (MORTICIAN, LONEWOLF).

"Crimen Excepta" features two special guests: David Bower, vocalist of HELL appears in the title track, while VADER mainman Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek can be heard in the cover version of the classic VADER song "Tyrani Piekiel", which is available as the bonus track on the first, limited edition of the album.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania natives THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE have signed a North and South American deal with eOne Music. The band's new album will be released in the fall.

"On behalf of THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE enterprises, I'm proud to let everyone know that our new American home is located at eOne Music," says THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE vocalist Ricky Armellino. "Please make a note on all outgoing packages. Honestly, I couldn't believe we would be making one signing announcement, so the third feels pretty surreal. It's humbling and a reminder that hard work pays off."

THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE's forthcoming CD will be the band's first release since "Haunt What's Left", produced by Josh Wilbur and LAMB OF GOD's own Chris Adler in 2010.

The band is on tour with NORMA JEAN and will head over to China for a short batch of dates.

Having originally released its debut record, "Monuments", in 2007 the band has not slowed down since. With a few dozen tours under their belt with bands like WE CAME AS ROMANS, PERIPHERY and BORN OF OSIRIS, the band is hardly new to the hands-on approach. Things like giving lessons while on tour and actively taking a role in their day to day is what sets THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE apart.

THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE is: Rick Armellino (vocals), Jack Esbenshade (guitar), Matthew Marcellus (bass, vocals) and Rodney Phillips (guitar, vocals).

Guitarist Brent Doerner has announced his departure from Canadian hard rockers HELIX.

Says the band: "Although we are sad to hear the news, we wish Brent all the best in his future. Brent is a huge part of the band and will be truly missed by fans from around the world to the HELIX family. Brent's last shows will be September 28th at the Rockpile in Toronto and September 29th in Stratford, Ontario. Thanks for all the music and the lifelong memories you've brought to the band, Brent... YOU ROCK!!!"

HELIX will release a compilation CD entitled "1983-2012" in September. Singer Brian Vollmer states, "It will feature 19 tracks from various HELIX CDs over the years plus one brand new track, the Christmas track that Sean [Kelly; CRASH KELLY] and I wrote. We're keeping the name of the song under wraps for the time present, but as we get into the later part of the summer I'll let everyone know what it is. The game plan is to have the song go to radio the first week of September and the video to be released on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and [the] Planet Helix [web site] at the same time. At the end of the video will be the Christmas tour dates plus a link to the Heavy Mental Christmas web site where fans will be able to buy tickets online. I'm very excited about this and everyone who has heard the song thinks it's going to get lots of airplay/video play. We'll see..."

"1983-2012" CD tentative track listing:

01. Danger Zone
02. Running Wild In The 21st Century
03. Give It To You
04. Jaws Of The Tiger
05. Deep Cuts The Knife
06. Skin In The Game
07. Good To The Last Drop
08. The Same Room
09. Heavy Metal Love
10. Fill Your Head With Rock
11. Get Up!
12. Wild In The Streets
13. Six Feet Underground
14. Rock You
15. Champagne Communist
16. Animal Inside
17. Make 'Em Dance
18. I'm A Live Frankenstein
19. You Got The Love That I Like
20. Mystery Christmas Song

HELIX last year released the "Skin In The Game" EP. The CD was mixed by Aaron Murray and was mastered at Carvello Mastering in Toronto, Ontario. The artwork was once again created by Babyjack Design, who previously worked with the band on the "Vagabond Bones" and "Smash Hits Unplugged" releases.

Frontiers Records has set an August 28 release date (four days earlier in Europe) for "Bleed And Scream", the fourth album from Swedish hard rockers ECLIPSE.

"Bleed And Scream" comes four years after ECLIPSE's acclaimed album "Are You Ready To Rock", which gained the band a solid reputation and a steady following, thanks also to their live appearances which culminated with dates as the opening act for DEEP PURPLE and a Firefest show in 2009.

ECLIPSE singer Erik Martensson has been busy producing and writing a number of successful songs and records for such artists as W.E.T., Toby Hitchcock, GIANT and Jimi Jamison. Erik and ECLIPSE guitarist Magnus Henriksson also wrote the track "Brothers In Arms" (originally an ECLIPSE cut), which was voted the No. 1 song of the year in MelodicRock.com awards for 2009.

In 2011 ECLIPSE regrouped to write what has now become "Bleed And Scream". The bar was set high and the initial goal was to top "Are You Ready To Rock". "We knew we had to do everything better on this album. If we couldn't have achieved that we never would have released it! But boy did it turn out well! When it was taking shape we realized this was to be a monster of an album," says Henriksson.

"With ECLIPSE we never think of what other people want or expect from us," adds Martensson. "We write for ourselves and make the music we love to listen to. If I'd think of a perfect album this is how it will sound! And once the album was written the recording process went pretty smooth as we knew exactly what goal we aimed for. I'd say it's our own pimped version of the classic hard rock we grew up listening to."

“Every song has qualities as a single," concludes Magnus. "Erik's vocals are way better than ever. The guitar sound is just awesome! The whole production is just in your face. It has something for everyone in it! We worked so hard at making this record that it drove us nearly nuts and made us wanna scream, but now it's your turn to bleed and scream."

"Bleed And Scream" track listing:

01. Wake Me Up
02. Bleed And Scream
03. Ain't Dead Yet
04. Battlegrounds
05. A Bitter Taste
06. Falling Down
07. S.O.S.
08. Take Back The Fear
09. The Unspoken Heroes
10. About To Break
11. After The End Of The World

The first single, "Bleed And Scream", will be exclusively distributed in Sweden through Sweden Rock Magazine in the issue that will hit the streets on July 17. This special release will include two exclusive bonus tracks (unavailable elsewhere): "Come Hell Or High Water" and "Into The Fire".

ECLIPSE is:

Erik Martenssom - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Magnus Henriksson - Lead Guitar
Robban Bäck - Drums
Johan Berlin - Synthesisers