I AM I, the new band led by former DRAGONFORCE singer ZP Theart, has parted ways with drummer Paul Clarke Jr. for "personal reasons." A replacement drummer has already been recruited but the musician's identity has not yet been revealed.

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.

The group's lineup is completed by Jacob Ziemba on guitar and Neil Salmon on bass.

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.

The artwork for the new KISS single, "Hell Or Hallelujah", can be seen below. The track, which is expected to be released next week, was previously described by KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley as "uptempo" and "very definitive."

"Hell Or Hallelujah" comes off KISS' new album, "Monster", which is scheduled for a fall release. The CD was again produced by the Stanley and is, in KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons' words, "either the best or one of the top three records we've ever done. It's like 'Revenge' meets 'Destroyer' — just guitar and drums, nothing else. No keyboards, no little boys' choir, no strings, no nothing. Band-written; literally we'd get in and strum guitars like the old days." The album "was written very fast," according to Simmons and includes one track, "Are You Ready?", that he describes as, "an old song that was torn apart and re-written." Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "It's A Long Way Down", "Back To The Stone Age", "Shout Mercy", "Out Of This World" and "Wall Of Sound".

"I wasn't interested in making an album unless I was in charge and no one agreed to it half-heartedly," Stanley told Classic Rock magazine. "The band's all there, all the time, and we cut the tracks all facing each other in the same room. Chemistry and camaraderie, that's essential. That's what made [2009's] 'Sonic Boom' so great, and this album is thunderously better."

"Monster" will be accompanied by a "monstrous book" of the same name, an over-sized art book that Simmons told Billboard magazine "should weigh 100 pounds or more" and come with its own stand. "It's something you can't put on your coffee table, 'cause it'll crush it. It IS the coffee table."

San Diego metallers AS I LAY DYING will make a new song, "Cauterize", available for free download via AsILayDying.com on June 25 at midnight 12 PST. The track comes off the band's new album, "Awakened", which will be released on September 25 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was produced by Bill Stevenson, who has played drums for both the DESCENDENTS and BLACK FLAG and is one of the most highly renowned producers in rock. His production credits include work on records by RISE AGAINST, NOFX, PROPAGANDHI, THE CASUALTIES, ANTI-FLAG and many more. The album will be mixed by Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, NAPALM DEATH, SLIPKNOT).

AS I LAY DYING's last release, "Decas", celebrated the band's accomplishments by offering three brand new songs, cover songs that paid homage to just a few of the bands that have influenced AS I LAY DYING, and remixes by Innerpartysystem, Benjamin Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN), Kelly "Carnage" Cairns (AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE, WAR OF AGES), and Big Chocolate (ASKING ALEXANDRIA, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, SUICIDE SILENCE).

AS I LAY DYING's most recent collection of original material, 2010's "The Powerless Rise", sold 38,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. This was roughly in line with the first-week tally of "An Ocean Between Us", which premiered with 39,500 copies back in August 2007.

AS I LAY DYING will take part in the fifth annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, the world's largest touring heavy music festival. The main stage will be the strongest ever with the headlining slot occupied by Grammy Award winners SLIPKNOT. Next up will be the legendary metal acts SLAYER and MOTÖRHEAD. The main stage will also spotlight a ferocious mix of today's best artists in a rotation, including THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and ASKING ALEXANDRIA. The festival will kick off on June 30 in San Bernardino, California.

Kennesaw, Georgia-based rockers JACKYL will release their new album, "Best In Show", on July 31 via Mighty Loud Entertainment, with distribution from Fontana Distribution, LLC.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Best in Show (4:04)
02. Encore (3:55)
03. Screwdriver (4:08)
04. Horns Up (3:28)
05. Golden Spookytooth (3:30)
06. Cover of the Rolling Stone (2:59)
07. Walk My Mile (5:18)
08. Favorite Sin (3:17)
09. Better Than Chicken (2:44)
10. Don't Lay Down On Me (3:57)
11. Eleven (4:30)
12. It's Tricky (2:59)

The album's first single, "Screwdriver", will be made available next week. An audio sample of the song can be streamed at Amazon.co.uk.

Video footage of guitarist Roman Glick of JACKYL laying down the theramin on the "Screwdriver" track can be seen below.

JACKYL ended 2010 with a bang by collaborating with Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame legend Darryl "DMC" Matthews McDaniels from RUN DMC on the single "Just Like A Negro".

The single is available for purchase at Jackyl.com and comes with a limited-edition "JACKYL featuring DMC" poster. It can also be downloaded from iTunes.

Formed in 1990, JACKYL has enjoyed a career stretching two decades, bringing a hybrid of Southern metal to millions. From the band's debut in 1992 via Geffen Records, through today, they are notorious as one of the hardest-working bands in rock. JACKYL holds two Guiness world records, one for staging 100 shows in 50 days, and another for performing 21 concerts in a 24-hour period. Jesse James Dupree and partner Michael Ballard also brew Jessie James Dupree's America's Outlaw Beer.

Video footage of VAN HALEN's March 13 concert at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Unchained
02. Runnin' With The Devil
03. She's The Woman
04. The Full Bug
05. Tattoo
06. Everybody Wants Some!!
07. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
08. China Town
09. Hear About It Later
10. (Oh!) Pretty Woman
11. Alex's Drum Solo
12. You Really Got Me
13. The Trouble With Never
14. Dance The Night Away
15. I'll Wait
16. Hot For Teacher
17. Women In Love
18. Girl Gone Bad
19. Beautiful Girls
20. Ice Cream Man
21. Panama
22. Eddie's 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.

Fresno, California's prominent classical violinist Patrick Contreras who has created and recorded melodies for HATEFX's forthcoming, as-yet-untitled album which is expected to be released later this summer.

Comments Patrick: "I am excited to work with a talented metal band such as HATEFX. I think people are going to like how the violin sounds in the recording and I'm definitely looking forward to more in the future."

Adds HATEFX's Chilean frontman G, who was previously a member of DOGMA: "We have a diverse range of songs for this new recording and continue to experiment with additional sonic layers; this one song just screamed for a classical melody so we asked Patrick to come in. He did a terrific job and it was great to hear how he took the song to a different place with an amazing performance. He is a really talented musician with much versatility who we have thought of inviting to perform live at our CD release party as well!"

States HATEFX guitarist Glen Alvelais (FORBIDDEN, TESTAMENT, LD/50): "I've always been into other styles of music and it's great to be able to mix the sound of violins and guitars. I could see working with Patrick on future recording."

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

"The New Rain Blues", a brand new song from BORN OF THE STORM — the new collaborative project featuring DEVILDRIVER vocalist Dez Fafara and LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton — is available for free download at this location. Two previously released tracks — "Nowhere Fast" and "Dust" — can be streamed below.

According to Morton, Kevin Talley (SIX FEET UNDER, DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA) played drums on the demos, with Morton handling the bass on "Dust".

"Nowhere Fast" features a guest appearance by Ryan Lake of ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY on the first guitar solo.

Writing on his Twitter profile, Fafara previously compared the music to CIRCUS OF POWER meets "Badmotorfinger"-era SOUNDGARDEN while Morton cited Chicago doom legends TROUBLE as an influence on the material.

In an interview with The Metal Review, Dez stated about BORN OF THE STORM's inception, "It started about three years ago with Mark and it was more inspired by bands that aren't metal; we have 12 completed tracks now, but it's taken so long because we were just so busy with everything else."

He added, "I think my favourite part about BORN OF THE STORM is the fact that the music is so different from anything else we've made. We didn't think we were going to release it; but now look at it."

"With DEVILDRIVER, we can't call it an influenced genre, because we don't really sound like other bands, especially after five records, because our sound is different every time and BORN OF THE STORM is so unique is style as well; because of the different musical genres we've incorporated into the music. It definitely gives it a unique feel, and I'd say that it feels like that because we're not just pulling influence from one genre, we're utilizing a spectrum of genres as musical inspirations."

When asked about his "clean" singing approach in BORN OF THE STORM, Dez said, "I like it all. The clean style is something I like to get out more; people need to know I can do both… It's hard to sing your lungs out into a microphone, and it's also hard to scream your lungs out into a mic; I really just wanted to show off my vocal capability and kind of prove to myself and everyone else that it's possible to do both."

"Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!", the new video from BABYMETAL, a heavy metal offshoot of the Japanese pop idol group SAKURA GAKUIN that performs a distinctly Japanese mix of schoolgirl J-pop and death metal, can be seen below. The track will be officially released on July 4 via iTunes.

Formed in 2010, BABYMETAL's "Doki Doki Morning" song (see video at this location) was included on the album "Sakura Gakuin 2010 message~". A follow-up track, "Ijime, Dame, Zettai", was premiered during a SAKURA GAKUIN in July 2011 and was aired again at the Tokyo Idol festival a month later. It quickly created a buzz due to its mix of melodic speed metal, sensational lyrics around the theme of "Ijime" and the band's performance, which incorporates the "Wall Of Death."

BABYMETAL released a single, "Like!", on March 7 via iTunes. A video for the edited version of the song — which combines pop with extreme metal guitars, an occasional growl or two and a tinge of hip hop — can be seen below.

BABY METAL is:

Su-Metal - Vocals and Dance
Moametal - Screamer and Dance
Yuimetal - Screamer and Dance

Patrick Macias of the "Otaku-Verse-Zero" webshow recently travelled to Tokyo, Japan to interview BABYMETAL. You can now watch his report below.

For more information, visit www.babymetal.jp.

American/German symphonic metallers KAMELOT have announced the addition of Scandinavian singer Tommy Karevik to the group's ranks.

The general public may not be overly familiar with the 30-year-old Swede Karevik, but people in the industry know him as the immensely talented frontman of the Swedish band SEVENTH WONDER.

Commented KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood: "We had around 800 candidates for the vacant position, among them a number of really renowned musicians, and having to reject them really wasn't easy. We want to thank all the applicants, thank you for your understanding and we wish you all lots of success in the future!"

In their search for a new singer, Youngblood found YouTube to be an amazing tool: "I listened to a clip of a studio production featuring Tommy and have to confess that his performance really amazed me," he said. "His approach to melodies and themes suits KAMELOT perfectly, and during our European shows we had plenty of opportunity to find out what a great guy he is."

Tommy first appeared as one of the guest singers on KAMELOT's very successful 2011 Pandemonium World Tour (see footage below). Tommy states: "The tour was a lot of fun and I met a lot of nice people and got some good experience. The guys were super nice and we had a great time together! By then I was really into the band's music and had fallen in love with the amazingly loyal and dedicated fans at every show."

Karevik is thrilled about his new position. "I am so honored to now be a part of this family and I can`t wait to move into the new era of the band together with the guys," he said. "I fully understand that this comes with great responsibility and that it will be a big challenge for me as a singer as well as a person, but you can rest assured I will give it my all. From this day, a new journey has begun and I am really eager to meet you all along the way to share my passion for this music!"

Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records, in conjunction with Hamburg, Germany-based earMUSIC, has announced the release of the first ever live solo album from Finnish singer Tarja Turunen. Entitled "Act I", the release will be unleashed to North American fans on September 4 in 2-CD, 2-DVD and Blu-ray format. The cover artwork can now be seen below.

The first ever live audio/video offering from the former NIGHTWISH soprano, "Act I" is a mammoth undertaking recorded and filmed with 10 HD cameras at the breathtaking Teatro El Círculo in Rosario, Argentina in March 2012. With an elaborate track listing of solo tunes, NIGHTWISH classics and various covers, including a rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom Of The Opera", Gary Moore's "Over The Hills And Far Away", WHITESNAKE's "Still Of The Night" and a variety of video extras, "Act I" provides a full-fledged bill of fare to every diehard Tarja fan.

Comments Turunen of the offering: "Those two nights in Rosario were a huge emotional drive to me personally," adding that she was many times "ready to burst into tears."

"Act I" track listing:

CD 1

01. Anteroom Of Death
02. My Little Phoenix
03. Dark Star
04. Naiad
05. Falling Awake
06. I Walk Alone
07. Little Lies
08. Into The Sun (previously unreleased)
09. Nemo (NIGHWISH)
10. Never Enough (previously unreleased)
11. Still Of The Night (WHITESNAKE)
12. In For A Kill

CD 2

01. Boy And The Ghost
02. Lost Northern Star
03. Ciaran's Well
04. Tired Of Being Alone (written with Schiller)
05. Where Were You Last Night / Heaven Is A Place On Earth / Livin' On A Prayer (Medley)
06. Underneath
07. Oasis / The Archive Of Lost Dreams
08. Crimson Deep
09. The Phantom Of The Opera (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
10. Die Alive
11. Until My Last Breath
12. Over The Hills And Far Away (Gary Moore)

DVD 1

01. If You Believe
02. Anteroom Of Death
03. My Little Phoenix
04. Dark Star
05. Naiad
06. Falling Awake
07. I Walk Alone
08. Orpheus Hallucination / Orpheus In The Underworld
09. Little Lies (band jam)
10. Little Lies
11. Into The Sun (previously unreleased)
12. Nemo
13. Rivers Of Lust
14. Minor Heaven
15. Montañas De Silencio
16. Sing For Me
17. I Feel Immortal
18. Never Enough (previously unreleased)
19. In For A Kill
20. Toccata And Fugue D-minor (BWV 565) (Johann Sebastian Bach)
21. The Phantom Of The Opera (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
22. Die Alive
23. Until My Last Breath
24. Over The Hills And Far Away (Gary Moore)

DVD 2

01. Boy And The Ghost
02. Lost Northern Star
03. Ciaran's Well
04. Tired Of Being Alone (written with Schiller)
05. Where Were You Last Night / Heaven Is A Place On Earth / Livin' On A Prayer (Medley)
06. Underneath
07. The Reign
08. Oasis/The Archive Of Lost Dreams
09. Still Of The Night (WHITESNAKE)

Blu-ray track listing is the same as DVD 1 and 2.

"Act I" cover art will be revealed at a later date.

In other news, Tarja is in pre-production for her third solo album, which is expected to be released sometime next year. She says, "I have 25 songs where to choose the best ones for the album. Some of the musicians are already working on them with me."

Tarja's sophomore solo album, "What Lies Beneath", sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 24 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.

"What Lies Beneath" was released in North America on September 14, 2010 via The End Records.

DVD:

A six-minute video clip featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of "One Wing", the new album from Georgia's THE CHARIOT, can be seen below. The CD will be released on August 28 via eOne Music / Good Fight Music.

In a recent interview, THE CHARIOT frontman Josh Scogin was asked what his group's mindset was when going into the studio to record "One Wing". He replied, "Let's get weird."

THE CHARIOT will hit the road this summer on the Scream It Like You Mean It Tour alongside WE CAME AS ROMANS, OCEANO and ATTACK ATTACK!

THE CHARIOT are true artists whose determined passions lead them down winding pathways as they buck trends and avoid formulas. The noisy, rambling, shambling, Southern — fried, punk-infused, heavy metal hardcore band has long rejected the conventions of the genre that surrounds them by refusing to conform to established structures. After all, THE CHARIOT is the band whose debut was recorded live in the studio in one take, whose frenetic and often destructive live shows are the stuff of underground legend and whose evolving lineups have generated a body of work as vibrant in the hearts and minds of those who’ve witnessed the mayhem live as those who own the discography.

Swedish hard rockers BULLET will release their new album, "Full Pull", on September 14 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gutterview Recorders in Solna, Sweden with producers Nicke Andersson (HELLACOPTERS, ENTOMBED) and Fred Estby (DISMEMBER). The band states, "We think this is going to be our best album thus far. Expect the hardest-rocking BULLET album yet recorded!"

"Full Pull" track listing:

01. Midnight Oil
02. Full Pull
03. Running Away
04. All Fired Up
05. Rolling Home
06. In The Heat
07. High On The Hog
08. Rush Hour
09. Freeriding
10. Gutterview
11. Warriors

Bonus track:

12. Get On

A new single, "Full Pull", will be released on July 13 via Nuclear Blast Records. The single will be available digitally and on vinyl, with various colours.

The track listing is as follows:

Side A: "Full Pull"
Side B: "Get On"

BULLET's third full-length album "Highway Pirates", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 3.

"Highway Pirates" was mixed by Tobias Lindell, who has previously worked with such Swedish rock bands as EUROPE, MUSTASCH and HARDCORE SUPERSTAR.

"Full Pull" album:

Dan DeLuca of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently conducted an interview with METALLICA frontman James Hetfield. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Philadelphia Inquirer: METALLICA spoke out vocally against Napster when the file-sharing revolution began in the late '90s, and you were vilified for it. How do you view that now?

Hetfield: I think everyone did it wrong, from the people inventing the technology to the record companies to the artists. I think the record companies should have embraced the technology rather than turning their back on it, thinking they were untouchable, which obviously set a little more fire under these younger computer geniuses who were inventing this amazing technology. I mean, they did go to them, and the record companies snubbed them. So the artist actually ended up getting, in my opinion, [messed up] because of that confrontation. . . . I think we did the right thing at the moment. I still think stealing is wrong. It's one of the 10 Commandments: Thou shalt not steal. Though it's not as simple as that, it will always go back to that. Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] took the shots. We would have lot of artists coming up and saying. "Thank God, you're standing up," and "Go get 'em." But as soon as we called them out for some support, they were hiding in the shadows, and we were out their on our own.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Did you ever regret how much access you gave the filmmakers in "Some Kind Of Monster", which was made when you were in rehab?

Hetfield: No. We thought we might as well put it out there in a form that's something we can trust. It was just unfolding. We didn't know what we were doing. I was like a piece of raw meat walking around. I didn't know what had just happened to me in my life. I'm grateful that it was captured.

Philadelphia Inquirer: When's the next METALLICA record?

Hetfield: You tell me. I don't know. We're writing here and there, touring, doing the festival thing. I'm looking forward to making the next record. But I don't know when.

Read the entire interview from Philadelphia Inquirer.

Die schwedischen Death Metal Götter von GRAVE - die bereits seit 1988 alles in Schutt und Asche legen – werden am 24 August ihr 10. Studioalbum "Endless Procession Of Souls" veröffentlichen. Um euch einen ersten Eindruck zu geben, präsentiert euch die Band bereits jetzt das Cover-Artwork des neuen Albums, das erneut von dem erfahrenen Künstler Costin Chioreanu entworfen wurde. Costins außerordentliches Werk könnt ihr auch im Inneren des CD-Booklets und der Vinyl-Auflage bewundern.

"Endless Procession Of Souls" Tracklist:

01. Dystopia
02. Amongst Marble And The Dead
03. Disembodied Steps
04. Flesh Epistle
05. Passion Of The Weak
06. Winds Of Chains
07. Encountering The Divine
08. Perimortem
09. Plague Of Nations
10. Epos

GRAVE - die gerade ihre Südamerika Tour beendet haben – werden im September zusammen mit ihren Labelkollegen SONNE ADAM auf die europäischen Bühnen zurückkehren. Die offiziellen Tourdaten werden bald veröffentlicht. Nach der Europa Tour wird die Band erneut den Atlantik überqueren, um zusammen mit MORBID ANGEL und DARK FUNERAL Tod und Verderben auf dem amerikanischen Boden zu hinterlassen.

Spawned from Central Virginia, SAINT DIABLO is an unmovable force to be reckoned with. Bringing with them a fresh and unique tone of hardcore metal and Latino melodies, the band is set stun heavy music fans with the release of their new album, entitled "Saint Diablo", on July 10. The new record is the third full-length from the band and is being released through Eclipse Records (MUSHROOMHEAD, SCUM OF THE EARTH). Known as a live show powerhouse, the band is ready to push that power to the masses with their biggest record yet.

"This new CD, 'Saint Diablo', is a combined effort of so many wonderful people. We have such an awesome group of investors, supporters, handlers, and producers behind the curtain that I see this CD as just the BEGINING of the future," states vocalist Tito Quinones. "For example, we have always done bilingual music and blended multi-cultural aspects of rock, metal, and groove; but this time we are also doing entirely Spanish versions of some if our most favorite tunes. We did this to expand our musical horizons, make new fans in countries and cultures that would otherwise have language barriers, and to have fun."

Since 1995, the band has had eight independent releases. In 2003, the band released their debut album, which featured the Grammy-nominated artist Anousheh Khalili on "Why Now?" Also, the singles "Senoria Paranoia" and "Renaissance" pushed the band through new barriers and helped land them a spot on the 2003 Eat'M Showcase in Las Vegas and Salem Or-be Tour featuring Busta Rhymes in New York. In 2008, the band released REPUBLICA through 925 Records. The band has also been featured on many nationally released compilations produced by Project Independent, StreetTeam.com, and Royal Blunts.

As mentioned above, SAINT DIABLO prides itself in performing on stage and bringing a raw, energetic live show to their fans every night. The band is set to head out on a tour of several U.S. states with SLAVES OF DOPE, running from July 24 in Rochester, New York to August 14 in Poughkeepsie, New York. Before and after the tour, the band has booked several additional East Coast tour dates, including stops in Baltimore, Maryland; Raleigh, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia and more.

"Tour, I love being on tour! That's our life blood," says guitarist Justin Adams. "Being on stage and performing for our fans is the grass roots of what we do. The energy, the smell, the taste of being in a packed room with a bunch of metal crazed fans, who wouldn't want to be a part of that?! The interaction of the fans and meeting new people and hearing their stories all over the country… that's what I look forward to on tour. It's about the brotherhood of living in a van with your band mates and the experiences, things you have to overcome."

Nuclear Blast is proud to welcome CHILDREN OF BODOM back to its roster after having worked with them at the very early stages of their career. A new album is planned for 2013.

The band's singer and guitarist Alexi Laiho says: "We had a good, productive and long run with Spinefarm records for fifteen years and now it’s simply just time for a change. I’m absolutely stoked to start the new chapter of COB's career with Nuclear Blast and look forward to work with them."

Bass player Henkka T. Blacksmith adds: "Personally I am so excited to get to work with Nuclear Blast again. We have such good memories from our beginning of our career with them. We know the people already, and we know how committed they're in doing metal!"

Commented Jaap Wagemaker, A&R at Nuclear Blast Europe: "Fifteen years ago we were introduced to a very young band from Finland who blew us away with their track 'Deadnight Warrior' from their debut album Something Wild and their music was indeed something wild! Fast tapping guitarwork combined with incredible keyboards and angry vocals! It was the start of the career of Children Of Bodom!"

"We released their first three albums outside of Finland: Something Wild, Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper, albums that became classics in the history of metal! Unfortunately after the third album we went separate ways but we have always been following them and stayed in contact. Children Of Bodom became a very big band worldwide and now the time has come to welcome them back home! We at Nuclear Blast are very happy to see Children Of Bodom rejoining the Nuclear family! We are looking forward to start working on their next albums and you can be sure that 'something wild' will come your way!"

DEEP PURPLE's Ian Gillan and BLACK SABBATH's Tony Iommi took everybody by surprise in 2011 by releasing a charity single, "Out Of My Mind", renewing the collaboration that led the pair to record an album in 1984, "Born Again", under the BLACK SABBATH moniker. For the occasion, the two rock legends called a few friends and were soon joined by Jason Newsted (METALLICA, VOIVOD, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), Jon Lord (DEEP PURPLE) and Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN). Not only jamming together for the sheer fun of things, this new project has united for a cause — rebuilding and helping the music school in Gyumari, Armenia. The single was a joyful and inspired moment. Iommi and Gillan have now decided to make WHOCARES an album for their devoted fans. Classic songs and a lot of rarities and unreleased material in two CDs of fantastic rare music.

The single was a joyful and inspired moment. The spark to bring Iommi and Gillan in a studio, together again was to finance the rebuilding of a music school in Armenia they had visited together on various occasions in past years.

Far from being a spectacular charity project, WHOCARES was a nice gesture, done with class, from two musicians with nothing to prove, willing to support music, where music is considered a luxury.

"As I said once in the song 'Razzle Dazzle' (DEEP PURPLE's 'Bananas' album), 'It's a real fine line between an orgy of destruction and a wonderful time,'" Gillan tells PanArmenian.net about the forthcoming CD. "The destruction of conformity in this case: Some of these pieces never really fitted into their contemporary program and got side-lined or forgotten, and some of the album tracks never had much exposure. As the track listing for this album came together, I noticed many of the titles had character similarities; a combination of freshness as they finally felt the sun on their backs and rebellion in a 'yeah told you so' kind of way. And that adds up to a wonderful time. And that adds up to more money for the music school we are building in Armenia."

"And what about WHOCARES… this ad-hoc benefit band put together by Tony Iommi and myself on a flight home from Yerevan, where we'd been deeply humbled by the honors and expectations bestowed upon us. Well that's it really, in a nutshell, so to speak, what more can I say; it's all there in the music."

Among the tracks set to appear on the upcoming album are the two original WHOCARES songs; DEEP PURPLE's unreleased studio jam "Dick Pimple"; a song from REPO DEPO (a band Ian Gillan formed before the DEEP PURPLE reunion which never released any material); two previously unreleased songs from Tony Iommi featuring Glenn Hughes; obscure collaborations, B-sides lost on seven-inch vinyl; and exclusive live versions recorded live on radio.

The album is set for release on July 13 via earMUSIC..

CD1

01. WHOCARES "Out Of My Mind" (fi rst time on an album)
Featuring Jon Lord, Linde Lindström (HIM), Jason Newsted (METALLICA), Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN)
02. BLACK SABBATH "Zero The Hero"
03. Ian Gillan feat. Iommi, Ian Paice and Roger Glover "Trashed"
04. M. Rakintzis feat. Ian Gillan "Get Away" (fi rst release on a Gillan album, only released in Greece before)
05. Tony Iommi feat. Glenn Hughes "Slip Away" (fi rst time on CD)
06. Gillan "Don’t Hold Me Back"
07. Ian Gillan "She Thinks It’s A Crime" (vinyl single B-side, fi rst time on CD)
08. Repo Depo feat. Ian Gillan "Easy Come, Easy Go" (previously unreleased)
09. DEEP PURPLE feat. Ronnie James Dio "Smoke On The Water" (live with the Royal Philaarmonic Orchestra)

CD2

01. WHOCARES "Holy Water" (fi rst time on an album)
Featuring Jon Lord, Linde Lindström (HIM), Jason Newsted (METALLICA), Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN)
02. BLACK SABBATH "Anno Mundi"
03. Tony Iommi feat. Glenn Hughes "Let it Down Easy" (fi rst time on CD)
04. Ian Gillan "Hole in My Vest" (7" vinyl single B-side, fi rst time on CD)
05. Gillan & Glover feat. Dr. John "Can’t Believe You Wanna Leave me"
06. Ian Gillan & The Javelins "Can I Get A Witness"
07. Garth Rockett & The Moonshiners aka IG "No Laughing in Heaven" (rare track)
08. Ian Gillan "When A Blind Man Cries" (Live at Absolute Radio, previously unreleased)
09. DEEP PURPLE "Dick Pimple"

Audio samples of the tracks that appear on both discs can be streamed below.

CD1 Medley:

Riverside, California's own ARKAIK is set to release their sophomore album, Metamorphignition, October 9th, 2012 via Unique Leader Records. The ten song, 53 minute album was recorded in Oakland, CA at Castle Ultimate Studios with Zack Ohren (DECREPIT BIRTH, ALL SHALL PERISH).

Metamorphignition represents Arkaik's most inspired and integral compositions to date. The album weaves together ten tracks with an expansive musical journey told from the perspective of the central character ?Cyrix?, who travels beyond the physical realms of his ?normal? consciousness by means of self-immolation. His travels take him through an intense observation of the conditions influencing the human experience, as he once knew it. Moving fluidly through different moods and arrangements, from harmonic to dissonant, brutal to beautiful, blistering to groovy, and from a position that pushes the progressive death metal genre to the edge of its skin, and beyond. A series of elaborate illustrations representing the concept for each song have been created by visionary artist Tony Koehl and fused into an unfolding booklet. Metamorphignition will take you on an atmospheric exploration of life, limitations, illumination and a wide spectrum of musical and visual reflections of a journey into the mind of man.

Metamorphignition tracklisting:

(Tapasiatic Exodus)
'Skin Graft Hieroglyphics'
'Metamorphignition'
(Sirens In Electric Veils)
'Part 1'
'Part 2'
(Paths Of Recognition)
'Blade Grasp Priesthood'
'Soliloquies Of The War Machine'
'The Laughing Prophet Of Doom'
'The Withered Hands Of Mortality'
'The Omnipus'
'Opus Brahmanic'

British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH recently entered Grindstone Studios in Suffolk, England with producer Scott Atkins (SYLOSIS, GAMA BOMB) to begin recording their tenth CD for a fall release. The band's vocalist, Dani "Filth" Davey, states, "The album has now progressed into the mixing stage, with nothing more than the choirs and female vocals to be scraped into the smelting pot. All the music and my vocals have been committed (as have their protagonists!) to the greater picture and it all sounds truly amazing, rest assured worrisome warts, with the final two songs, 'Succumb To This' and 'Nightmares Of An Ether Drinker', titulary being added to the final roster."

He adds, "The album has been split over two working studios; I have been based at CRADLE's resident studio Springvale under the helmsmanship of Mark Harwood for the last month or so, whilst the music has been captured not ten miles up the road at Scott Atkins' Grindstone studio, enabling us to work parallel to one another and thus aid not only the creative itch, but the speed of the recording process too. Though typically that very first day I started and for the first time in over fifty years, the local farmer decides to dig up two hundred-odd tonnes of earth from the plot outside the studio, and bury it behind a subsiding barn on the hill, using as many clanking leviathans of machinery possible. The utter cad!

"There is little point describing the new tracks as such as it's downright obvious that the usual cliches of 'it's our best one yet', 'it's much harder, darker, faster' (been there, done that) and 'this is going back to our roots' may well apply, just be aware that, if anything, the album has a definite 'Midian' vibe to it, insomuch that it isn't a conceptual album full tilt but more like lots of fabulous little satellites orbiting a main overarching theme. And that theme on this particular slay-ride is one of demons and monsters, both personal and world-enslaving, and the music peoples it perfectly.

"Musically we have tried new things, expanding on our ever-increasing canon to greater, more unbiblical effect with all instruments. Hence the music is unique, almost experimental in its dark places, but at heart still the CRADLE OF FILTH people have come to know, love and hate! Hence also why it's almost impossible for me to paint this new pantheon in anything other than the absolute jet black that I usually do… for no matter how goresome it will inevitably be, we will always have our steadfast detractors like so many fat, unavoidable moths to our ever-growing flame (sits, sighs and weeps in a graveyard!).

"So, as it stands, we have entered the mix stage of this, as-yet-untitled tenth studio album with gusto. Everything is sounding better then we could've imagined, with a decidedly more (super) natural feel to the proceedings, from the slathering Titanomachian onslaughts of 'The Abhorrent' and 'Siding With the Titans' through to the savage, ravaging beast that is 'Manticore' and onto the blood-tinged nocturnal illuminaries that are 'Illicitus', 'Pallid Reflection' and 'Death, The Great Adventure', this album is packed to the Lovecraftian gills with Cradle classics….. I fib you not.

"And with so much already caught hissing and seething in the can, the release date of All Hallow's Eve 2012 seems inevitable, preceded as it should be by the album's first video release and a multitude of press… invariably to cover a multitude of sins!

"There is also news pending of our forthcoming European tour featuring none other than GODSEED and ROTTING CHRIST to whet your proverbial whistles, invading during the last wintry months of this year. Watch the skies for more information on this triple Xcursion very, very shortly.

"So, there you have it, we shall reconvene in a few weeks to survey the wreckage left over from the finishing of the mix. Hopefully then I shall regale you with a permanent album title ('Shitsville', 'Smell the Glove' and 'My First Cradle Album - Complete With Crayons' notwithstanding), final tour dates, a prospective first sneak-peak at one of the songs, the first of many album related competitions, news of the video and updated Summer merchandise. Christ, maybe even a cookery corner!"

Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS have completed tracking their new studio album, "A War You Can Not Win", for a September release via Razor & Tie/Prosthetic. The CD sees the band reunited with longtime producer Adam Dutkiewicz (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE). The record is the culmination of an intense writing period for the group that began shortly after their 18-month tour in support of "For We Are Many".

Commented ALL THAT REMAINS singer Phil Labonte: "We really busted our asses and tried to do some new stuff (like we always do) and we're really happy about what came out of it. Some of it is pretty different and is REALLY gonna blow you guys away. Some of it is gonna sound just like what you expect from ALL THAT REMAINS. And I'm sure all of it is gonna make the internet have a conniption fit! Release is gonna be this fall and we're already working on a co-headline tour to show some of it off! Get into it."

Dutkiewicz previously helmed ALL THAT REMAINS' latest album, 2010's "For We Are Many", as well as 2004's "This Darkened Heart" and 2006's "The Fall of Ideals".

"For We Are Many" sold 29,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The band's previous CD, "Overcome", opened with just under 29,000 units in September 2008 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 16.

Slipknot will release Antennas to Hell, a collection of hits spanning their career, on July 24th. Just don't call it a "greatest hits" album. "I hate 'greatest hits,' I hate 'the best of.' I will allow the word compilation," the band's Shawn "Clown" Crahan tells Rolling Stone. "Usually the terms 'greatest hits' or 'best of' mean the band's in trouble, they're breaking up or trying to get off the record label. And none of those scenarios are true with us."

Antennas to Hell will feature two bonus discs: a live CD of the band's 2009 Download Festival performance and a 10-part "Broadcast from Hell" video series created by Crahan. Nine of the clips highlight each bandmember, and the tenth, which you can watch exclusively here, documents them all together. "I took two songs and I grabbed elements, made a remix and I put it under the montage," Crahan explains. "The remix does not match up with the montage. It's supposed to be chaotic and fucking crazy ... I did not want to remix songs that are held as God to people. We hold those songs as sacred."