As a heavy-rock journalist and editor of Metal Hammer magazine, Kirk Blows gained a backstage pass into a crazy, chaotic and comedic world in which hedonistic habits, excess-fueled egos and behind-the-scenes bust-ups were as common as skin-tight spandex, gratuitous guitar solos and songs about Satan. Whether being threatened by MOTÖRHEAD, sipping soup with Ozzy Osbourne, sharing a stage with METALLICA, drinking with UFO, crossing sexual paths with KISS or enjoying candid conversation with QUEEN, Blows presents a unique collection of adventures, anecdotes and interview experiences that noisily explore the stairways to heaven and highways to hell.

Featuring exclusive encounters with rock gods such as IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ALICE COOPER, DEF LEPPARD, DEEP PURPLE, PEARL JAM, Henry Rollins, STATUS QUO, LYNYRD SKYNYRD and GUNS N' ROSES, among others, "Hammered: Heavy Tales From The Hard-Rock Highway" is full of air-guitar exploits, power-chord confessions and high-voltage humour.

Kirk Blows has written for, edited and launched magazines in both music and sport. As a rock journalist, he edited Metal Hammer and Metal CD magazines and contributed to titles as diverse as RAW, Music Week, Rock CD, Tower Records magazine, International Musician, Guitar magazine, What's On In London and Penthouse, among others. More recently, he has been a staff sports writer for The London Paper and sub-editor of The Sun. "Hammered" is his seventh book.

"Hammered: Heavy Tales From The Hard-Rock Highway" will be published by Plexus in paperback in July.

Singer Todd La Torre, who was announced earlier today as the new frontman of QUEENSRŸCHE following the departure of that band's original vocalist Geoff Tate, has posted the following message on his Facebook page:

"I am not a 'former member' of CRIMSON GLORY. Both bands are fully aware of my involvement. CRIMSON GLORY is still alive and well, and we are continuing to write material for the new record. QUEENSRŸCHE enters a new chapter; buckle up."

The other members of CRIMSON GLORY previously issued a statement publicly voicing their support for Todd in his involvement with the QUEENSRŸCHE musicians. They said, "We are all behind Todd 100% on this. He is a brilliant, eloquent and incredibly skilled vocalist; that's why we were so happy to have him onboard with CRIMSON GLORY in the first place. It was only a matter of time before word got around and his performances were seen by the right people, that everyone would know who Todd La Torre was.

"QUEENSRŸCHE is another great example of how a band can create a legacy that is endless; we're proud to stand with them against the test of time as some of the original pioneers of progressive metal here in the U.S.

"Since we share so many of the same fans, we truly see this as a great opportunity not just for Todd, but for the fans as well.

"CRIMSON GLORY has always had a very devout following of fans, but QUEENSRŸCHE has obviously had a more far-reaching effect on the mainstream metal movement, and so we see this as a great opportunity for many of their fans to get to know our music better. Above all, Todd has been a fan of QUEENSRŸCHE for so long, and for him to have the chance to be a part of their next chapter (as RISING WEST) is a dream come true for him, and for us as as his friends as well. When he came to us with this, we supported him and encouraged him to go for it. The world deserves to have as much Todd as it can handle!

"Of course, Todd is still the singer for CRIMSON GLORY, he is a part of our family and that will never change. We are still writing the new record and we will be adding more tour dates later this year."

La Torre, who says that QUEENSRŸCHE has been his favorite band since he was 15 years old, first met QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton at this year's NAMM convention in January in Anaheim, California.

"I have nothing but respect for what Geoff Tate has done to the genre. His voice is still amazing," Todd said. "The only thing that is constant is change. I hope the fans of QUEENSRŸCHE, and I'm one of them, will continue to show respect for him and all he has accomplished."

Prosthetic Records has announced the signing of acclaimed Canadian progressive metallers HEAVEN'S CRY. The band's third album is due in the fall. An appearance at the prestigious ProgPower Europe festival in the Netherlands on October 5 will coincide with the CD release.

Commented HEAVEN'S CRY in a statement: "We are extremely proud to be a part of the Prosthetic family and to work with one of the most genuine labels in the world! Having worked with Prosthetic on a managerial level during my DESPISED ICON years, I've come to understand that these guys don't compromise in terms of putting out creative music and are true believers of what's original and innovative. The variety of bands and the quality of music they released in the past years speaks for itself. We are very much honored that our music earned its place among their ranks!”

The band added, "Going back to play the ProgPower festival in Europe after 10 years is amazing, but headlining the first night of the festival is just unreal! We're glad to travel back to the old continent and this time, we will have a brand new album to present to the European public. It's going to be a blast to perform with some of the finest prog bands out there. ProgPower festival is definitely the place to be for all fans of Progressive music!'

HEAVEN'S CRY was formed in the beginning of the '90s as a progressive rock band with a metal tangent. From a French part of Canada in the city of Montreal, Pierre St-Jean (vocals, guitars) and Sylvain Auclair (vocals, bass) decided to join their efforts, building a dual-voice-oriented band.

Beginning their career opening for bands like MARILLION and SAGA, the band signed with a Canadian label Hypnotic Records in 1995 and recorded their first album called "Food For Thought Substitute" in 1996. A follow-up effort, "Primal Power Addiction", was released in Europe in October 2002 on the reputed Dutch label DVS Records. The feedback has been enormous. They travelled to Europe to be part of the ProgPower festival in The Netherlands followed by a tour supporting THRESHOLD in Belgium, Germany and Denmark. The album was released in North America in March 2003 and the band performed in Canada in support for bands like ANVIL, PLANET X, ARENA and NIGHTWISH throughout 2004.

After a seven-year hiatus, the band decided it was time to reform to offer brand new music to their loyal fans that kept on supporting them while the members were busy crafting their art under other musical projects. The band performed for the occasion at the legendary Montreal club Les Foufounes Electriques on September 18, 2011 as support act for Swedish band KATATONIA.

Kennesaw, Georgia-based rockers JACKYL will release their new single, "Screwdriver", next week. An audio sample of the song is available at Amazon.co.uk.

Video footage of guitarist Roman Glick of Kennesaw, Georgia-based rockers 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.

The satanically satirical Seattle thrash legends COVEN have reformed for a series of live performances and a new studio album. A re-release of their classic LP "Blessed Is The Black" is also being considered.

COVEN remain as one of the earlier and more notorious shock-comedy thrash bands. Formed in Seattle, Washington in the mid-1980s, the original lineup consisted of Dean Babbitt and Paul Hash on guitars, Neal Babbitt on drums, Gary Peebles on bass and Jay Clark on vocals. They recorded and produced their debut album, "Blessed Is The Black", in 1986 and it was eventually released on Ever Rat Records in 1988. Musically the band offered straight ahead thrash with some of the most vile and offensive lyrics imaginable. Songs like "Iron Dick", "6669" and "McDonaldland Massacre" quickly became underground classics. No target was spared the bands caustic brand of humor but a particular favorite seemed to be organized religion, specifically Christianity.

Now after a long hiatus the band is back and known as COVEN[metal]. Due to a legal dispute over the name, they decided to add the moniker [metal] to distinguish them from the '60s band of the same name. But make no mistake, they are back and pissed and sicker than ever!

They played their first show live after 20 years at Studio Seven in Seattle, Washington on May 30, opening for German legends DESTRUCTION and the crowd response was amazing. Dean Babbitt had this to say about the show: "It was crazy, man! We actually didn't know what to expect and we get on stage and they (the fans) were chanting 'COVEN,' it kinda blew us away and made us way more excited to some more shows that's for sure!"

COVEN's new lineup consists of:

Dean Babbitt - Guitar
Neal Babbitt - Drums
Jamie Carter - Vocals
Eric Close - Bass
The Underbishop - Guitar

Die Würzburger Black Metaller von DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT haben jetzt neue Infos zum kommenden Album mit dem Titel "Unstille" online gestellt. Das neue Album kommt am 29. Juni 2012 via Hate Records in den Handel. Jetzt wurde das Album HIER komplett als Stream online gestellt.

"Unstille" Track List:

1. Zeichen
2. Lichtmensch
3. Nachtsam
4. Zu Grunde
5. Vergängnis
6. Zerfall

U.K. rockers THE BURNING CROWS are about to unveil their lavish musical mayhem with their aptly named "Never Had It So Good" EP.

After spending innumerable hours on the road and playing countless shows to master their craft, the band recently took some time out to record at the world-famous Rockfield Studios. The effort was prooduced and mixed by Nick Brine (THE DARKNESS, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, OASIS) and features a guest appearance on keyboards by Keith Weir (THE QUIREBOYS, DEF LEPPARD).

Following the release of their critically acclaimed studio efforts, the hotly tipped rockers set out on their first headline tour of the U.K. Showcasing a sound that lands Britrock firmly back in the contemporary mainstream, the band bring a style and swagger to the stage that has earned them the reputation of being one of the very best live bands on the scene today.

Whippz - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Lance Daniels - Guitar
Will Lockett - Bass
Chris Chapman - Drums

MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has uploaded a 13-minute video clip featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the band's June 20 concert at Iera Odos in Athens, Greece. Check it out below.

MEGADETH was among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which was held on February 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band's tenth Grammy nomination was for its single "Public Enemy No. 1", off MEGADETH's latest album, "TH1RT3EN", which came out on November 1, 2011.

"Public Enemy No. 1" actually marked the second Grammy nomination for music from "TH1RT3EN", as the song "Sudden Death" was first unveiled in the 2010 video game "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock" and received a "Best Metal Performance" nod.

Video footage of Amanda Somerville (TRILLIUM) and Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) recording backing vocals for KAMELOT's new album at Wolfsburg, Germany's Gate studios under the direction of producer Sascha Paeth (EDGUY, AVANTASIA, RHAPSODY) can be seen below.

KAMELOT laid down the drums for the new CD at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida with renowned engineer Jim Morris.

Due on September 25 (one day earlier internationally) via Steamhammer/SPV, the title of KAMELOT's new album will be revealed at the end of June, along with the name of the band's new vocalist. Guitarist Thomas Youngblood says, "I have to say the fans will love the new singer. We love what we hear and that was the biggest test. Of course, there will be fans that hold on to the past and I understand that, but things change and you can either move forward or live in the past. I was humbled by the amount of singers that applied for the spot, some totally unknown and others are names that every metal fan would know. In the end, we chose the guy that fits KAMELOT in terms of sound, writing and image.

Youngblood on the style and content of the concept album: "The new songs sound more symphonic and melodic than our last two studio recordings. The material brings to mind albums such as 'Karma' (2001) and 'The Black Halo' (2005). In addition, this will be the best production that KAMELOT have ever delivered. Because while other acts tend to opt for low-budget productions due to the difficult market situation, we have gone the opposite way: the new album will be a real statement, in terms of our compositions as well as in terms of our sound."

"Our new album marks another step and a new chapter for KAMELOT and our amazing fans!"

KAMELOT will support Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH on a North American tour in September and October.

For more information, visit EnterTheVault.com.

KAMELOT's recently completed North American, South American and European tours featured guest singer Fabio Lione of RHAPSODY OF FIRE following the departure of KAMELOT's longtime frontman, Roy Khan.

Metal On Metal Records has announced the signing of the England's traditional metal brigands ARKHAM WITCH.

Said the label in a statement: "We met and saw ARKHAM WITCH live when we went to the Doomsday festival in Wakefield, U.K. in February 2011. They instantly captured us with their incredibly catchy songs and the show that was pure mighty fun! We got their 2009 demo and later on their first album, which was a stellar piece of doomy heavy metal, so when they contacted us after their previous label closed, we eagerly offered them a deal."

ARKHAM WITCH was formed in 2008 by the couple behind THE LAMP OF THOTH (vocalist Simon and drummer Emily), so obviously there are many similarities to their previous band (that for now is on hold). It's still straightforward, doom-laden heavy metal of the old (read: with heaps of NWOBHM influences), occult, but with a tinge of humor, with the trademark bard/brigand type vocals of Simon. The group takes their inspiration from bands like DEEP SWITCH, HELL, WITCHFINDER GENERAL, JUDAS PRIEST, MANILLA ROAD, CIRITH UNGOL, PENTAGRAM and SAINT VITUS (with Scott Reagers).

ARKHAM WITCH has just finished recording its sophomore album, the follow-up to last year's "On Crom's Mountain", entitled "Legions Of The Deep" and scheduled for October release. The band also contributed with an exclusive, previously unreleased song "For Metal" to "Compendium Of Metal Vol. 5" compilation CD, released in April by Metal On Metal Records.

Polish blackened death metal act DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS recently inked a deal with Lifeforce Records. The band's third album, "Simulacra", will be released on July 30 in Europe and July 31 in North America. Wrapped in breathtaking artwork created by Xaay (NILE, KAMELOT, NECROPHAGIST), the CD features guest appearances by Orion (BEHEMOTH, VESANIA), Jacek Grecki (LOST SOUL) and Roman Berežnicki (LECTER) as well as session synth / samples / fx appearance by Flumen (ASGAARD) and Lestath (METRANSMISSIONAL).

According to a press release, DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS is considered to be one of Poland's leading and most innovative modern black/death metal acts. Critically acclaimed records and intense touring along with some of the biggest names onto the metal scene made them one of the most promising acts on the European map of extreme music. After a row of personal problems that eventually caused several lineup changes and temporary stage absence, the band strikes back with the brand new opus, "Simulacra", and is now ready to take the scene by storm again.

"Simulacra" track listing:

01. Icaros
02. Legions Of Chaos
03. Lilith
04. Fear No Gods
05. Scream Of The Lambs
06. Spiritual Blackout
07. Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici
08. The Last Farwell
09. Solitude (instrumental)

The song "Icaros" can be streamed below.

"The Revolution", the new video from Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based power metallers KEMILON, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's debut album, "Twisted Storm", which was released in early April via Toronto's Maple Metal Records. The CD was produced by KEMILON guitarist Louis Jacques at Shreds Up Studios in Magog, Quebec and was mixed by Adam "Nolly" Getgood (PERIPHERY, RED SEAS FIRE). The mastering duties were handled by Peter In De Betou at Tailor Maid Production (AMON AMARTH, DARK TRANQUILITY, MESHUGGAH, OPETH) in Spånga, Sweden.

Formed in late 2007, KEMILON is a six-piece band which is "influenced by the European power metal scene but [which] brings to the table [its] own fusion of power and progressive elements, with an emphasis on melody," according to a press release.

KEMILON has shared the stage with such acts as FIREWIND and POWERGLOVE, and has headlined many shows on the Quebec metal circuit.

"Twisted Storm" track listing:

01. Beyond Frontiers
02. Ocean of Insanity
03. The Gates of Heavy Metal
04. Night Shades
05. Wormhole
06. Sons Of Lies
07. The Glow
08. Warriors Of Space
09. The Revolution
10. Twisted Storm

KEMILON is:

Yan Gagné - Vocals
Louis Jacques - Lead Guitar
Chris Geoffroy - Lead Guitar
Arnaud Spick-Saucier - Keyboards
Simon Roy Boucher - Bass
Charles Brodeur - Drums

Regarding the recent announcement that guitarist Louis Jacques has replaced Kim Gosselin in the Montreal epic metal band BLACKGUARD, KEMILON states, "We're very happy for him! It is a great opportunity and will be a valuable experience for him!" Louis will continue to fulfil his obligations with KEMILON, and he will play guitar for both bands.

KEMILON has most of its next album already written, and they will continue to mix the shredding solo duties between Louis, Chris and keyboardist Arnaud.

Sweden's TIAMAT recently completed work on its tenth studio album, "The Scarred People", at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Siggi Bemm. An October release via the band's new label, Napalm Records, is expected.

Video footage of TIAMAT mainman Johan Edlund working on the "The Scarred People" album cover can be seen at this location.

TIAMAT's latest CD, "Amanethes", was produced by Johan Edlund and was recorded mainly at The Mansion in Greece, with additional recordings taking place at Studio Mega in Sweden and Cue in Greece. The album was mixed and mastered by Siggi Bemm in Woodhouse Studios, Germany in January 2008.

Century Media Records released a limited-edition collector's box from TIAMAT entitled "The Ark of the Covenant - The Complete Century Media Years". Limited to 3,000 copies worldwide, this noble box set also includes two exclusive audio CDs, a numbered authenticity certificate, as well as a comprehensive 74-page booklet with all lyrics, terrific artwork, rare photos and extensive liner notes by Anders Iwers.

New Jersey-based symphonic/power metallers OPERATIKA have issued the following update:

"To stop any ongoing rumors, we'd like to let everyone know that our band is going through a major transformation but please stay tuned for a lot more news to come soon. We'll reveal details on the changes, new musicians involved, what we are getting ready to do and our plans for the future. Thanks for your ongoing support!"

OPERATIKA's debut album, "The Calling", was released in Europe in October 2008 through Scarlet Records. According to a press release, the album has been described as "the perfect combination of singer Slava Popova's harmonious operatic vocals, powerful guitar riffs and solos, melodic keyboard harmonies, intense bass (handled by Michael LePond of SYMPHONY X) and fierce drumming" — a "must-have for every fan of NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, HELLOWEEN, CHILDREN OF BODOM and PRIMAL FEAR."

OPERATIKA has previously shared the stage with such internationally renowned artists as NIGHTWISH, HELLOWEEN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TWISTED SISTER, STRATOVARIUS, SONATA ARCTICA, SEBASTIAN BACH and KAMELOT.

OPERATIKA's "Dreamworld" four-song EP came out in 2005.

Swedish death/black metallers ZONARIA recently inked a deal with Listenable Records. The band's long-awaited third album, "Arrival Of The Red Sun", was recorded at Abyss studio in Sweden with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, SONIC SYNDICATE, HYPOCRISY, CENTINEX, CARNAL FORGE) for July 23 release in Europe and August 14 in North America.

According to a press release, the "11-track heavy monster" is the band's most defined and accomplished album so far. Get ready for a thick-sounding dose of militant rhythms, smashing heavy riffing and stomping drums!"

"Arrival Of The Red Sun" track listing:

01. Arrival Of The Red Sun
02. Silent Holocaust
03. Gunpoint Salvation
04. Liberation Zero
05. The Blood That Must Be Paid
06. Desert Storms
07. A Lullaby To Those Still Alive
08. Full Spectrum Dominance
09. My Vengeance Remains
10. Face My Justice
11. CC Cowboys (bonus track limited-edition CD only)

Three songs from the album — "Silent Holocaust", "Liberation Zero" and "Arrival Of The Red Sun" — can be streamed on the band's Facebook page.

ZONARIA's second full-length album, "The Cancer Empire", was released in the U.S. in January 2009 via Century Media Records.

THE CRUXSHADOWS, werden ihr neues Album mit dem Titel "As The Dark Against My Halo" am 7. August 2012 via WISHFIRE RECORDS veröffentlichen. Die Band hat jetzt das "As The Dark Against My Halo" Cover Artwork und die Track List enthüllt.

"As The Dark Against My Halo" Track List:

01. Valkyrie
02. Halo
03. Sleepless
04. Burning
05. Quicksilver
06. The Infinite Tear
07. Indivisible
08. Porcelain
09. Angelus Everlasting
10. Sentinel
11. Matchstick Girl
12. Africanus

Giorgio Mustica of The Aquarian Weekly recently conducted an interview with guitarist Adrian Smith of British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Aquarian Weekly: Some of the songs you're planning on playing on your upcoming tour include "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son", "Can I Play With Madness", "Aces High", etc. What was the reason behind choosing a setlist like that of the famous 1988 excursion, 7th Tour Of A 7th Tour?

Adrian: Well, we just thought it'd be fun to revisit that period in time — there were some good songs there. It's just great revisiting some of the songs we haven't played for a long while. It keeps us fresh and it's just, you know, we got a lot of new fans coming on board now, a lot of younger fans who probably never saw or were around when we did that tour. That's one factor of it for us revisiting that time and I think there's some good songs from that period, so it's fun to do.

The Aquarian Weekly: IRON MAIDEN has been together for more than 35 years and yet "The Final Frontier" hit the No. 1 spot in almost 30 countries. What are your thoughts about this and how does it feel to still be on top of the game?

Adrian: Well, I think that we've always toured our music and brought our music to people — we've never relied on media and radio play. I think in that way, we've built up a really strong following. And like I said, we've got new fans on board that are rediscovering all the old stuff as well, so I mean, I don't know if there's any secret, I just think the band does it for the right reasons and we're in it because we love the music and I think people get that and they come along for the ride, so that's great.

The Aquarian Weekly: I saw a little while back that Nicko [McBrain, drums] said that he wasn't sure when there will be a new album. Is the band working on anything new at the moment or are you just focusing on touring right now?

Adrian: No, we're just focusing on this tour. We tend to put all our energy in what we're doing at the time. We don't really get together and rehearse songs or anything on the road. We tend to take a bit of time off it and see. Maybe next year. We haven't got any plans at the moment, but more than likely we'll be doing something.

The Aquarian Weekly: How do you think the upcoming U.S. tour is going to differ from in years past?

Adrian: Well, this is a new set; we haven't taken the stage set out, for example, so it's a new stage set. We got new effects. I think it's going to be actually more spectacular than the original tour and probably, technically, you got more stuff now to put into a live show in terms of lighting and that, which will make it quite spectacular, so I think this is going to be pretty special, this tour. What with the songs, we love playing these songs, and with the stage set and effects and of course we got Eddie, he's back, so it should be fun.

Read the entire interview from The Aquarian Weekly.

Chilean death metallers THORNAFIRE will release their third full-length album, "Eclipse Nox Coagula", via Australis Records as a deluxe digipack on June 30 and through Ibex Moon on vinyl in July.

Commented THORNAFIRE guitarist Victor Mcnamara: "This is an ugly and twisted album. Personally I haven't stopped to listening it on my way to my miserable office work.

"As part of the release of this new album, we will be touring in Europe playing in many festivals, these intensive shows of Latin malevolent death metal, will be supported on drums by Sebastian Rojas (a.k.a. Chupete).

"We hope people enjoy our 'manufactured in a workshop' death metal made away from the bored current era of digital overproduction and absurd speed of the majority of death metal releases."

"Eclipse Nox Coagula" track listing:

01. Carnaval Caos
02. Malefactor Manifesto
03. Ruptura
04. Vulgar Medium Ectoplasma
05. Inmortal Agonía
06. Desintegración
07. Disarmónica Tensión
08. Sumisión
09. Final
10. Soluto

The "Malefactor Manifiesto" video can be seen below.

Profesionally filmed video footage of BIOHAZARD performing the song "Hold My Own" on June 15 at the Reload Festival in Sulingen, Germany can be seen below.

BIOHAZARD's latest album, "Reborn In Defiance", was released in Europe on January 20 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.

Seinfeld left the band in June 2011 after the band's new CD was completed and was replaced by Scott Roberts, who played on the band's 2005 "Means To An End" album and has been part of the BIOHAZARD extended family since.

AFTER OBLIVION is the the first death metal band to be signed by Metal On Metal Records. Label owner Jowita Kaminska-Peruzzi states: "We are not much into death metal. We like some classic and even contemporary bands, but really very few, so obviously we are extremely picky as fans when it comes to this genre. And a death metal band has to completely blow us away to pique our interest as the label. Such was the case with AFTER OBLIVION. When they contacted us, we listened to the three songs from their 2011 EP, 'Vultures', then listened again... and again. We could (and did) listen to them on a loop for hours... Why? 'Cause we love DEATH and AFTER OBLIVION is so uncannily similar to Chuck's [Schuldiner] band, in particular their '90s era (when you hear those vocals, you may think it's Chuck himself!), we could only succumb to this new amazing band."

AFTER OBLIVION hails from the still undiscovered country when it comes to metal music: Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mastermind behind the band, guitarist, vocalist, composer and the sole member in the beginning, Adnan Hatic, formed it in 2007 on the ashes of his previous death metal band PATH BEYOND SERENITY (in which he had played since 1999). The band plays technical and atmospheric death metal with some thrash elements that should appeal not only to all fans of DEATH, but also PESTILENCE, ATHEIST, KREATOR, SACRIFICE, VEKTOR, GORGUTS, AGONIZE (another band with Adnan on vocals and guitars), CYNIC and CORONER.

AFTER OBLIVION's full-length debut, "Stamina", will be released in October.

Fan-filmed video footage of ADRENALINE MOB's June 8 performance at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden can be seen below.

ADRENALINE MOB features in its ranks SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, drummer Mike Portnoy (formerly of DREAM THEATER), bassist John Moyer (also of DISTURBED) and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP).

ADRENALINE MOB's "Indifferent" video clip was was filmed in March in the desert in California and throughout Los Angeles with director Scott Hansen, who has previously worked with A DAY TO REMEMBER, UNEARTH and WILLIE NELSON, among others.

"Indifferent" comes off ADRENALINE MOB's debut album, "Omertá", which sold around 6,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 70 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released in Europe on March 19 in Europe via Century Media Records and in the U.S. on March 13 through the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services.

The 11-song effort — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.

ADRENALINE MOB and KILL DEVIL HILL recently joined forces for a short co-headlining tour. The trek kicked off on May 10 in Cleveland and made stops in Dallas, Chicago and Orlando before wrapping up in Charlotte on May 22. The shows featured KILL DEVIL HILL followed by ADRENALINE MOB and then end in all-out jam between the two groups.

OM have announced the follow up to 2009's God is Good, a five song suite entitled Advaitic Songs, will be issued via Drag City on July 24th, 2012. Where God is Good was the first step in a more ornate and sophisticated direction for Om, Advaitic Songs achieves a level of composition that would've been impossible to foresee.

Advaitic Songs maintains the singularity of purpose that informs the core sound of OM, yet every element reaches further than before. Whatever drone-doom genre that had been hoisted on the duo in years past has been decimated by the sheer imagination, expansive quality, and meticulously detailed arrangements of this new album. For a band that has continually followed its own course, and stood alone in its sound and approach, Advaitic Songs for certain, is the band's most focused, progressive document.

Following the massively successful "Final Frontier World Tour 2010-11", IRON MAIDEN are back on the road this summer with a series of arena, amphitheatre and festival shows in the USA and Canada, opening in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 21 and finishing in Houston, Texas on August 18, to be followed by further dates around the world in 2013. The "Maiden England World Tour" will closely mirror, in terms of production and content, the original 1988 concert video of the same name, shot on the "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son Tour". This opening section of the world tour is the band's most extensive visit to North America for many years and includes a number of cities the band have not played in a very long time, such as Charlotte, Atlanta, Buffalo, Indianapolis and Salt Lake City.

A new three-minute video clip featuring footage from IRON MAIDEN's rehearsal sessions for the "Maiden England World Tour" can be seen below.

"Maiden England" marks the third chapter in the history of IRON MAIDEN, a journey which began in 2004 with "The Early Days" DVD and subsequent 2005 "Early Days Tour". Part two followed in 2008 with the "Live After Death" DVD — the seminal 1984 concert recorded at Long Beach Arena in California during the "World Slavery Tour" — and the band embarking on their groundbreaking "Somewhere Back In Time World Tour 2008/9", which saw them play to over two million fans in almost 40 countries.

Comments vocalist Bruce Dickinson: "We have great fun playing the history of MAIDEN tours because it gives us an opportunity between new albums to go out and play songs from our earlier catalogue. It's always fantastic seeing the crowd reaction from a new generation of fans who have never experienced some of these tracks performed live before, and of course we know our longstanding fans will enjoy seeing the original 'Seventh Son Tour' revisited — with many other surprises! Our intention is to play about two thirds of the original track list of 'Maiden England', including some songs we have not played live in a very,very long time, plus other favourites we just know the fans are going to want to hear! We always try to give our fans a great show musically, but we have always tried to make it as entertaining and memorable an experience as we can visually. And we all feel this show is going to do that splendidly! We can't wait to get started in Charlotte."

The extraordinary and legendary ALICE COOPER will be IRON MAIDEN's very special guest on all shows up to July 21. After that date, special guest will be COHEED AND CAMBRIA, the inspiring, cutting-edge band from New York.

"Maiden England" 1988 longform video VHS track listing:

* Moonchild
* The Evil That Men Do
* The Prisoner
* Still Life
* Die With Your Boots On
* Infinite Dreams
* Killers
* Can I Play With Madness
* Heaven Can Wait
* Wasted Years
* The Clairvoyant
* Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
* The Number Of The Beast
* Hallowed Be Thy Name
* Iron Maiden

For a complete list of "Maiden England" 2012 tour dates, visit IronMaiden.com.