BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has revealed that he was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer during the recording sessions for the band's new album.

Iommi, who was diagnosed with lymphoma late last year, told Kerrang! magazine, "It was good for me to do that. I did feel tired and sick — and it does make you sick, you start throwing up. But on the days when I felt I could do it, we were all there working."

SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler added, "[Tony] was going to the hospital one day, and we'd go into the studio the next depending on how the chemo was affecting him."

Iommi, Butler and singer Ozzy Osbourne discussed their new album in a video interview posted at NME.com over the weekend. The three musicians are working with producer Rick Rubin on their first recording project together in 34 years, with Osbourne saying, "We've written about 15 songs so far. Whether they all get on the album, I don't know. We just keep on writing." Osbourne also dropped a clue about the set's title, hinting, "Next year, 2013, is a good clue to what we're going to call the album."

As for how Rubin influenced the band's approach to writing together again, Butler explained, "He sat us down, put the first album on and said 'listen to this', imagine it's 1969, you've just done that, what would you do next?"

Iommi added, "It's taken on the flavor of the old stuff in the way we put things together, but with a different look on it."

The album will not be a full-fledged SABBATH reunion. Drummer Bill Ward declined to participate due to issues with the contract he was offered to rejoin the band.

The project suffered another blow when Iommi was diagnosed with cancer, although he said that playing a recent warm-up show in their hometown of Birmingham, England was a boost to his spirits: "It was great. Going through what I've gone through over the past year has been like living in a different world — being onstage and to get that (reaction from the fans) is just fantastic, it really boosts you up."

SABBATH has curtailed almost all its planned touring activities for 2012 while Iommi undergoes treatment. The band is still scheduled to headline the U.K.'s Download festival this Sunday (June 10) and Chicago's Lollapalooza event in early August. Tommy Clufetos is filling in on drums.

GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose got his jewelry back after the woman who stole them returned the items to a police station in central Paris, France.

Rose was robbed of three gold-and-diamond necklaces worth $200,000 after the band performed in Paris on Tuesday night (June 5).

The robbery took place during a private party for the group in an area guarded by Rose's personal security team, where only members of the singer's entourage and invited guests were allowed. Rose was not wearing the three gold and diamond necklaces at the time of their disappearance and was said to be "furious" about the incident.

The next day (Wednesday, June 6), a young woman was taken into police custody after admitting that she took the necklaces.

The woman, a model whose identity was not revealed, told police that she had too much to drink and inadvertently put Rose's necklaces in her handbag, realizing her mistake only after waking up at lunchtime.

Writing on his Twitter account, Rose said, "Got my things back (really just an excited fan.) Thank you to the person for returning them n' big thanks 2 the Paris police."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, GUNS N' ROSES' current European tour has been marked by trouble, including fans at shows in England either walking out or throwing objects at the group in protest of their late start times. One fan also claimed he was banned from entering a GUNS concert until he removed a T-shirt bearing the image of ex-guitarist Slash.

The band is next scheduled to play in Germany on Friday (June 8).

The members of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the English-American rock band featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE, BLACK SABBATH), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER), will gather this coming Sunday, June 10 to begin work on their third album. Hughes states on Twitter, "I'm excited to play my songs to the guys and hear what the lads have been workin' on."

"With this next album, I've had the luxury of being able to write for six months," Hughes recently told GuitarWorld.com. "With the first album I had six weeks, and the second one was about four months. But I've had a lot more time to write this one. If you look at Joe's schedule, he doesn't even have time to wipe his nose. I've been left as the keeper of the keys to write these albums."

In a recent interview with Artisan News, Hughes stated about BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's musical evolution, "We just did two albums back to back, both successful records. And our live DVD is out now.

"We're really, really happy with the progress of where we're going musically. So we're sort of on course now."

Regarding the sound of the forthcoming BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION CD, Hughes said, "It's kind of a continuation… There's gonna be some darker stuff on there, because the lyrics I'm writing are kind of dark. There may be some moments of drama in there — I like drama in the music. So the songs I have ready are definitely a continuation of [the first and the second albums]."

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released its first concert DVD, "Live Over Europe", on October 24, 2011 (Blu-ray followed on November 15) on the J&R Adventures imprint. The two-DVD live set was filmed with 14 HD cameras and 5.1 Surround Sound during the band's debut tour in the summer of 2011. Over three nights, playing to packed venues in the German cities of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin, the 18-song set list (17 originals and one cover) hits on both of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's albums — 2010's debut and 2011's sophomore release "2".

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION initially came to fruition when producer Kevin Shirley saw Hughes and Bonamassa join forces on stage in Los Angeles in November 2009 for an explosive performance at Guitar Center's King of the Blues event. Shirley then recruited Bonham and Sherinian for the project, which is named after the industrial area in the British Midlands where both Hughes and Bonham were born and raised.

I AM I, the new band led by former DRAGONFORCE singer ZP Theart, made its live debut on Sunday, May 27 at Birmingham, England's O2 Academy 2.

Fan-filmed video footage of I AM I performing a cover version of the QUEEN classic "The Show Must Go On" at the Birmingham concert can be seen below.

The group's lineup is completed by Paul Clark Jr. on drums, 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.

BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski makes a guest appearance on "Psychocountry", the new album from Polish singer-songwriter Maciej Malenczuk. Nergal contributes lead vocals to the country song "Highwayman", originally written by American songwriter Jimmy Webb. Also appearing on the same track are Ginek Loska and John Porter.

You can now stream the song in the YouTube clip below. (Nergal reportedly sings the first verse.)

"Psychocountry" was released in Poland on May 28 via Warner Music.

Malenczuk contributed guest vocals to the BEHEMOTH track "Lucifer", which appears on the band's latest album, "Evangelion".

DEF LEPPARD played a seven-song, 35-minute exclusive "YouTube Presents" club gig Wednesday afternoon (June 6) at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. The performance was followed by a question-and-answer session of fans with the band.

Both the performance and Q&A can now be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Rock Of Ages
02. Foolin'
03. Animal
04. Hysteria
05. Bringin' On The Heartache
06. Pour Some Sugar On Me
07. Let It Go

To celebrate the summer of "Rock Of Ages", DEF LEPPARD has recorded new versions of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rock Of Ages". The songs are available worldwide on iTunes, Amazon, and all other digital music retailers.

DEF LEPPARD will make a return to the United States this June with a massive summer tour which will include fellow rockers POISON and LITA FORD.

Performance:

On May 31, veteran Italian metallers EXTREMA entered Fear Studio in Alfonsine (RA), Italy to begin recording their long-awaited sixth studio album with producers Tommy Massara (EXTREMA guitarist) and Gabry Ravaglia. The mixing sessions for the follow-up to 2009's "Pound For Pound" are expected to be completed by the end of July.

"It took almost two years to write and arrange the songs," says Massara. He adds, "These are the heaviest songs we've ever written and we are looking forward to hear the final mixes."

In September 2010, EXTREMA announced the addition of bassist Gabri Giovanna (FUZZ FUZZ MACHINE) to the group's ranks.

Giovanna previously filled in for bassist Mattia Bigi during EXTREMA's summer 2010 tour.

"Pound For Pound" came out in May 2009 via Scarlet Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Set The World On Fire" saw EXTREMA going back to its thrash metal roots, with a very special guest apearance by HELMET's Page Hamilton on the track "You Make Me Sick".

Legendary extreme-metal drummer Gene ''The Atomic Clock" Hoglan (DETHKLOK, FEAR FACTORY, TESTAMENT, DEATH, DARK ANGEL, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) has finished laying down the drum tracks for the third album from DETHKLOK, the animated band from Adult Swim's "Metalocalypse". He writes on Twitter, "This is going to be killer! Stoked!"

LAMB OF GOD and DETHKLOK will join forces for a 32-show North American tour kicking off on August 1 in Seattle, Washington. Support on the trek will come from French progressive metallers GOJIRA.

Created by Brendon Small ("Home Movies") and Tommy Blacha ("Da Ali G Show"), the "Metalocalypse" TV series launched in 2006 and kicked off its fourth season at the end of April on Adult Swim. One of the most popular series on the cable network, "Metalocalypse" portrays DETHKLOK as a death metal band with enough popularity to be the world's seventh-largest economy. In reality, DETHKLOK is the highest-selling band in death metal, exploding onto The Billboard 200 with "The Dethalbum", debuting at No. 21 in 2007 and "Dethalbum II" at No. 15 in 2009. Both albums contain full-length versions of songs partially heard on the show.

Alfred Music Publishing last year partnered with Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of Adult Swim, to present the first authentic bass TAB transcriptions of songs by DETHKLOK.

SKY OF RAGE, the Swedish metal band featuring ASTRAL DOORS guitarist Joachim Nordlund, will release its self-titled debut album on July 27 via Metalville. The group's current lineup also includes former ASTRAL DOORS member Mika Itäranta on bass, former THALAMUS member Jan J. Cederlund on the second guitar, Tomas Friberg on drums and Stiff on vocals.

Commented the label: "SKY OF RAGE is the idea of ASTRAL DOORS guitar player Joachim Nordlund. Supported by former members of his main band, Joachim brings a new interpretation of classic hard rock. Solid music for solid fans. It's handmade."

SKY OF RAGE is:

Vocals: Staffan Carlsson
Guitar: Joachim Nordlund
Guitar: Jan Cederlund
Bass: Mika Itäranta
Drums: Tomas Friberg

Australian melodic metallers LORD will releas their new album, "Digital Lies", later in the year through Dominus Records. The cover art was once again created by Felipe Machado (BLIND GUARDIAN, IRON SAVIOR, ICED EARTH, GAMMA RAY).

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Incipio
02. Betrayal Blind
03. Digital Lies
04. Point Of View
05. Walk Away
06. 2D Person In A 3D World
07. Final Seconds
08. The Last Encore
09. Because We Can
10. The Chalkboard Prophet
11. Battle Of Venarium

Commented the band: "We're currently about half way through recording the album and while it's been a lot of hard work making sure it's up to the standards we've set ourselves, it's already sounding great.

"Every artist says their new album is 'their best work' or their 'heaviest' or 'most brutal.' We'll skip those clichés and say that we believe we have a solid album of good music that we're proud of and we believe stands up to anything we've released so far.

"If you're familiar with LORD, you'll know what to expect for the most part; a very diverse album ranging from traditional metal to commercial rock to extreme metal and everything in between.

"If you're wanting an album full of thrash songs, AOR songs, or progressive epic movie orchestral jazz djent punk songs that all sound the same, then I'm afraid you'll be a little bewildered when the style shifts from song to song. It's the LORD you know with a few new elements that have fallen into the melting pot since the last album.

"We expect the album to drop somewhere early in the second half of the year, released through Dominus Records via our licensors and distributors."

LORD is essentially a continuation of DUNGEON, one of Australia's longest running and highest-profile heavy metal bands that disbanded in 2005. LORD has released three full-length albums, two EPs and a digital-only release live album, and continues to play the DUNGEON back catalog live. The band has shared the stage with the likes of GAMMA RAY, NIGHTWISH, QUEENSRŸCHE and most recently ICED EARTH and continues to tour internationally, appearing at Germany's Headbangers Open Air festival in July. Their last critically acclaimed album, 2009's "Set In Stone", featured guest appearances by Craig Goldy (ex-DIO), Pete Lesperance (HAREM SCAREM), Glen Drover (ex-MEGADETH), Felipe Andreoi (ANGRA), Olof Mörck (AMARANTHE) alongside a host of other well-known musicians.

METALLICA performed its top-selling 1991 LP, "Metallica", a.k.a. "the black album," in its entirety last night (Wednesday, June 6) in Horsens, Denmark at Statsfængsel, a former prison for inmates serving long sentences. Built in 1853, this large building's notable prisoners included former Minister Of Justice Peter Adler Alberti and mass murderer Peter Lundin. As time passed by, the buildings became unfit to serve as a prison and the place was finally shut down in 2006. Now the prison grounds serve as an entertainment venue, where many fairs, festivals and concerts take place.

As they have done on all the shows on their current European tour, the band played the "the black album" backwards, starting with closing number "The Struggle Within" and ending with "Enter Sandman".

The band's setlist was as follows:

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

Encore:

18. Blackened
19. One
20. Seek & Destroy

One of the most intriguing and mysterious projects on METALLICA's upcoming schedule is the band's 3D movie, which begins filming later this summer and will mix concert footage with a storyline. Drummer Lars Ulrich spoke with Rolling Stone about the project for the magazine's METALLICA cover story, saying, "This has been circling for two years. It's time to life-size it, get it out of our minds and on the screen. And if it's done right, it can be sensational. You're not watching METALLICA onstage. You're onstage with METALLICA. In IMAX, James Hetfield is 38 feet tall, snotting on you, spitting on you. It's 2,000 decibels. If there is an earthquake outside, you wouldn't notice."

Ulrich explained that the sheer power of presenting a METALLICA concert that way forced the group to add more to the movie, saying, "You can't do that for 100 minutes. It loses its appeal. There is another element in there — intimate, small, a story that takes place over the same trajectory as the concert. The question is, 'Where do they weave in and out of each other?'"

METALLICA is financing the project itself and has hired "Predators" director Nimród Antal to get behind the camera. Antal will film the band's August 24 concert in Vancouver, Canada for use in the movie.

The show will feature a brand new 140-foot-by-50-foot stage that will include what a post at the band's web site called "colossal components and striking visual elements spanning METALLICA's entire 30-year career."

The first-ever METALLICA-curated Orion Music + More festival will take place on June 23-24 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The group is headlining both days and will perform its entire 1984 album "Ride The Lightning" for the first time ever on one day, and its entire 1991 "black album" on the other.

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of the U.K.-based extreme symphonic metal band SATURNIAN.

SATURNIAN was formed around one main principle — to create epic and majestic music to enchant fans of all metal genres; delivered in a grand and dramatic style that could soundtrack a blockbuster movie or theatrical performance.

Expect razor-sharp riffing, fist pounding rhythms, and a symphonic backbone worthy of the far reaches of the Universe. In true portentous British style, a rich choral explosion, soaring sopranos, and ethereal Gregorian chant round out this massive sonic explosion. This ethos comes to life in the SATURNIAN live experience, which in itself is a theatrical spectacle rather than a generic recital of music. SATURNIAN breeds an eclectic blend of voices, stunning instrumental performances, and a visual experience that will amaze, mystify and inspire!

During the short time that SATURNIAN has been touring the length and breadth of the U.K., the band also won the Bloodstock "Metal To The Masses" competition. This takes the band to Wacken Open Air festival in 2012, and also officially opening Bloodstock 2012.

Theory tells that tragedy is a form of drama based on human suffering that invokes in its audience an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in listening. MISERATION's newest album, "Tragedy Has Spoken", follows this path musically and lyrically.

The theme of the third album of these Scandinavians can be described as sum of the major tragedies of mankind's history. Lyrics for "Tragedy Has Spoken" have been written by Pär Johansson (SATARIEL, TORCHBEARER, THE FEW AGAINST MANY) and band's lead singer Christian Älvestam (SOLUTION.45, TORCHBEARER, ex-SCAR SYMMETRY), and address the diversity of tragedies. Some of which have taken the guise of accidents or natural disasters, while others were carried out with human hands and intent. Behind all this there is to find an imaginary architect, a fictive entity — something powerful, aware, far above the manmade concepts of good or evil: the nature of tragedy itself.

Musically, MISERATION expand their view on forward-thinking, vicious death metal by integrating new instruments to the mix. There still is to find what caused the quality and sustainability of "Your Demons, Their Angels" (2008) and "The Mirroring Shadow" (2009), but in 2012 there is more than technical, intricate death metal with a good dose of melody. "Tragedy Has Spoken" was recorded using 8-string guitars, which gives the wall of distortion a certain distinctive flair. In addition MISERATION are incorporating folk instruments such as the Indian harp Esraj, the Persian hammered dulcimer Santur, sawblade, organ, mandolin and piano, as well as Mongolian throatsinging. Music and lyrics are globally and far beyond standard practice, so there is a lot to discover!

The cover artwork for "Tragedy Has Spoken" was created by acclaimed artist Pär Olofsson (IMMORTAL, ABYSMAL DAWN, IMMOLATION, THE FACELESS) and can be seen below.

"Tragedy Has Spoken" track listing:

01. Stepping Stone Agenda
02. Children Of The Flames
03. Ghost Barrier
04. Ciniphes
05. Hill Of The Poison Tre
06. Disaster Cage
07. On Wings Of Brimstone
08. White Light / Black Rain
09. Tomb Of Tephra
10. Waylayer

The track "On Wings Of Brimstone" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

"Tragedy Has Spoken" release dates:

* June 29: Germany, Austria, Switzerland + Digital
* July 2: Rest Of Europe
* July 3: North America
* July 4: Scandinavia

MISERATION's sophomore album, "The Mirroring Shadow", was released in November 2009 via Lifeforce Records.

"On Wings Of Brimstone" audio stream:

According to RTL.fr, a young woman was placed into police custody earlier today (Wednesday, June 6) after she admitted having taken $200,000 worth of jewelry belonging to GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose.

The young model, whose identity was not revealed, told the police that she drank too much and inadvertently put Rose's three gold-and-diamond necklaces in her handbag, realizing her mustake only after waking up at lunchtime. She subsequently returned the items to a police station in central Paris.

The theft reportedly occurred after GUNS N' ROSES' June 5 concert in Paris, France during a private party at an area guarded by the frontman's personal security team. The singer, who was not wearing the items at the time, was said to be "furious."

About 130 invited guests and members of Axl's entourage were allowed into the lounge where the jewelry was stolen.

Poland's progressive rockers RIVERSIDE has inked a worldwide deal with InsideOut Music. The band is currently working on a new studio album for an early 2013 release. The CD will be the follow-up to 2009's "Anno Domini High Definition", which entered the chart at No. 1 in Poland and attained gold status in the band's home country.

Commented RIVERSIDE: "We're very pleased that we'll keep collaborating with InsideOut/Century Media. We've overcome many difficulties together and we hope that the new contract, signed at the moment when we start another decade as a band, will help us to grow more, and will make us able to reach a larger number of listeners with our music. The new album is on the way. I believe it will be a new beginning for RIVERSIDE."

Added Thomas Waber, founder and label manager of InsideOut Music: "RIVERSIDE is one of the most important bands on InsideOutMusic and in the current progressive rock scene. Therefore I am extremely pleased to be able to renew and continue the relationship with our friends from Poland!"



Photo credit: Anna Panasz

The official lyric video for "Cornucopia", a brand new song from singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet and political activist Serj Tankian, can be seen below. The track, whcih is also available for free download at SerjTankian.com (e-mail sign-up required), comes off Serj's new studio album, "Harakiri", due 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).

Much of the new record was written in 2011, which was an incredibly busy year for the diversely talented musician and what Serj describes as "the busiest, most productive year of my life so far." In February, the rock musical "Prometheus Bound", which he composed all of the music for, opened at the Oberon Theater at Harvard in Boston to rave reviews. 2011 also saw Serj release his second poetry book, "Glaring Through Oblivion". He toured with SYSTEM OF A DOWN across three continents, performed with the Opera Orchestra in Yerevan, Armenia, where he also had political meetings with heads of state and hosted non-profit events. He then performed his first ever concert in Lebanon, the place of his birth, with the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra. When he returned to the U.S., he finished writing four records: a jazz record, an electronic record he wrote with his friend Jimmy Urine of MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE, a full classical symphony called "Orca", and the new solo rock record that he is currently mastering.

"The year 2011 started with a fire. Some kids in Piha, New Zealand were setting off fireworks that landed on my neighbor's property and lit the whole hill on fire. I knew it was going to be a hell of a year and it certainly was," says Tankian. "Within five days of that, reports came out about birds and fish dying in massive numbers globally. The omen was not lost on me. Varied creatures on earth were committing massive hara-kiri (the Japanese term signifying ritualistic suicide.) Do they know something we don't about the coming times or the sustainability of the environment? That is the day I started writing this record."

The symbolism of entire species eradicating themselves on a large scale struck Serj emotionally, and is an underlying theme on the entire record. He took that idea and went to work writing, incorporating all of the experiences of his chaotic year to make a different kind of record. "The record is different than any I've made as a solo artist," he says. "It is much more driving and punk-oriented, with influences ranging from goth to electronic to '80s vibes, dynamically heavy rock to epic melodic songs. Lyrically, it spans the gauntlet of themes from personal, political and philosophical to spiritual, humor and love."

He also 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," he says. "We must trick ourselves into writing in different ways to get unexpected results."

Legendary Swedish death metallers GRAVE will release their new album, "Endless Procession Of Souls", on August 27th in Europe and on August 28th in North America via Century Media Records. The band recorded 12 songs — nine new tracks plus three "very special" cuts — at their own Studio Soulless for the CD< which was previously described by GRAVE guitarist/vocalist Ola Lindgren: "a mix of our latest two releases with some more old-school, groovy 'Soulless' parts."

According to a press release, "Endless Procession Of Souls" "promises to be yet another death metal masterpiece in GRAVE's revered catalog, featuring nine tracks of uncompromising no-bullshit death metal, flawlessly executed by the sole survivors of the real legendary Swedish Dödsmetal scene. 'Endless Procession Of Souls' combines the brutality of GRAVE's last two studio albums with the groove of 'Soulless' and — of corpse — a lethal dose of 'Into The Grave' darkness."

In support of this upcoming release, GRAVE will tour North America with MORBID ANGEL and DARK FUNERAL this September/October.

Commented Lindgren, "GRAVE will return to North America in September, sharing the madness with our comrades in MORBID ANGEL and DARK FUNERAL.

"After the successful 'Into The Grave' sets we did in September last year, it will be very exciting to come back to promote the new album, 'Endless Procession Of Souls'. This killer bill is in extremo deluxe and will show you what brutality is all about...Beware the Winds of Chains!"

GRAVE recently parted ways with its guitarist of three years, Magnus Martinsson.

GRAVE's current lineup is as follows:

Ola Lindgren - Guitar/Vocals
Mika Lagrén - Guitar
Ronnie Bergerstål - Drums
Tobias Cristiansson – Bass

GRAVE's November 12, 2011 concert at Club Distortion/Kulturhuset in Stockholm, Sweden was filmed for future release. The band celebrated the 20th anniversary of its classic 1991 debut album, "Into The Grave", by performing the LP in its entirety, along with "another handful classic tunes."

GRAVE in September 2011 completed a North American headlining tour with support from BLOOD RED THRONE, PATHOLOGY and GIGAN.

Norwegian five-piece TURBONEGRO will release its ninth studio album, "Sexual Harassment", digitally on June 13 via Volcom Entertainment. Fine quality LPs and CDs of "Sexual Harassment" will be available in August. The first single from the album, "You Give Me Worms", recently premiered on Vice, and is now available digitally. The official video for the track can also be seen below.

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York, "Sexual Harassment" is a ten-song album which "showcase TURBONEGRO's roots in hardcore punk, '80s alternative, the thrift-store riffs of THE STOOGES and THE ROLLING STONES, platform-booted glitter rock, and spectacular bubblegum radio music of any era — all executed with an attitude that's unmistakably TURBONEGRO," according to a press release. The CD was produced by Matt Sweeney and mixed at Malabar Studio in Oslo by Nick Terry. The artwork was created by Martin Kvamme, Gardar Eide Einarsson and Matias Faldbakken.

TURBONEGRO is:

Tony Sylvester (a.k.a. Duke Of Nothing) - vocals
Euroboy - lead guitar
Rune Rebellion - rhythm guitar
Happy-Tom - bass
Tommy Manboy - drums

A new video teaser for "New Era", the long-awaited fourth album from Swedish metallers CLOUDSCAPE, can be seen below. The CD is scheduled for release in Europe in July and in the U.S. in September.

"New Era" was recorded at RoastingHouse Studios in Malmö, Sweden with producer/engineer Micko Twedberg.

CLOUDSCAPE's third album, "Global Drama", was released in 2008 in Europe through Goldencore/Roastinghouse Records and in North America through Nightmare Records.

CLOUDSCAPE previously described "Global Drama" as "the most varied and interesting album by CLOUDSCAPE so far. It contains a few really hard and raw metal songs and there will also be a few more atmospheric and dynamic songs progressively spiced."

CLOUDSCAPE 2012 is:

Mike Andersson: Lead, Backing Vocals
Stefan Rosqvist: Guitar
Patrik Svärd: Guitar
Håkan Nyander: Bass
Fredrik Joakimsson: Drums

Washington D.C. metallers DARKEST HOUR have issued the following update:

"It's with a heavy heart that we announce the official departure of longtime friend and bassist, Paul Burnette. Paul's presence on the stage, in the jam room, and everywhere in between will be missed. He has helped us to both conquer the world and develop the sound of the band. For that we'll be eternally grateful.

"Although Paul will continue with the new powerhouse IRON REAGAN, his musical footprint will remain with us forever. We love you, dude!

"As many of you who have seen us live know, Aaron Deal (ex-SALOME mastermind) has been doing an amazing job filling in these past few tours. He's rocked Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America with us and it's safe to say, he's a true bro. We couldn't ask for a more badass addition to the dudes."

Added Aaron: "As a longtime friend of all the dudes, I think playing with DARKEST HOUR is a natural fit. I've definitely had a blast playing all over the world with them and I can't wait to take this party to the next level!"

DARKEST HOUR's sixth album, "The Human Romance", sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 185 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 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.

DARKEST HOUR's previous album, "The Eternal Return", opened with 4,700 units back in July 2009 to enter the chart at No. 104.

"The Human Romance" was released in Europe on March 7 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at a North Carolina studio with producer (and SOILWORK guitarist) Peter Wichers.

Wichers previously helmed such acclaimed albums as ALL THAT REMAINS' "The Fall of Ideals" and SOILWORK's latest effort, "The Panic Broadcast".

"Witch's Mark", the new video from the Polish female-fronted traditional heavy metal act CRYSTAL VIPER, can be seen below. The song comes off CRYSTAL VIPER's new album, "Crimen Excepta", which 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.

"Crimen Excepta" track listing: (Note: Even-numbered songs are "hidden" bonus tracks.)

01. Witch's Mark
03. Child Of The Flame
05. It's Your Omen
07. Crimen Excepta (feat. David Bower)
09. Medicus Animarum
11. The Spell Of Death
13. Hope Is Gone, Here's New Law
15. Fire Be My Gates

CD Bonus tracks:

17. Tyrani Piekiel (VADER cover, feat. Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek)
18. Ghosts Of Sherwood (from the "Robin Hood: Ghosts Of Sherwood" motion picture soundtrack)

CRYSTAL VIPER released a two-song digital single, "Witch's Mark", on March 30 via AFM Records. The single includes the title track (taken from "Crimen Excepta"), coupled with "The Banshee", a newly recorded version of the song originally available on the limited edition MLP "The Last Axeman" (2008).

California rockers Y&T will release a two-disc live album recorded in November 2011 at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, California. The effort will mark the very first release with bassist Brad Lang, who joined the band in April 2011 following the passing of the band's Y&T original member Phil Kennemore.

Commented Y&T: "This massive project will truly give the vibe of a current Y&T live show with the inclusion of 21 songs on two discs, including many songs never before released on any other live Y&T CD. [It will be made] available exclusively on the Y&T website."

November 18, 2011 setlist was as follows:

01. On With The Show
02. Black Tiger
03. Dirty Girl
04. Meanstreak
05. Girl Crazy
06. Shine On
07. If You Want Me
08. Blind Patriot
09. Winds Of Change
10. Straight Through The Heart
11. Until The Next Time (from Meniketti's "On The Blue Side")
12. Hungry For Rock
13. Gonna Go Blind
14. Don't Bring Me Down
15. I Believe In You
16. Hurricane
17. Mike Vanderhule Drum Solo
18. Rescue Me
19. Squeeze
20. I'm Coming Home

Encore:

21. Open Fire
22. Don't Wanna Lose
23. Surrender
24. Looks Like Trouble
25. Forever

November 19, 2011 setlist was as follows:

01. On With The Show
02. Black Tiger
03. Dirty Girl
04. Meanstreak
05. Girl Crazy
06. Shine On
07. If You Want Me
08. Blind Patriot
09. Winds Of Change
10. Eyes Of A Stranger
11. Until The Next Time (from Meniketti's "On The Blue Side")
12. Hungry For Rock
13. Gonna Go Blind
14. Don't Bring Me Down
15. I Believe In You
16. Hurricane
17. Mike Vanderhule Drum Solo
18. Rescue Me
19. Squeeze
20. I'm Coming Home

Encore:

21. Don't Wanna Lose
22. Hell Or High Water
23. Forever

Y&T's current lineup is rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Dave Meniketti, guitarist John Nymann and longtime drummer Mike Vanderhule.

Y&T's first studio album in 13 years, "Facemelter", was released in Europe on May 21, 2010 via Frontiers Records.

Quality video footage of OZZY OSBOURNE & FRIENDS — featuring BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler and legendary VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash — performing the SABBATH classic "N.I.B." on June 2 at Malmö Stadion in Malmö, Sweden can be seen below.

The original lineup of BLACK SABBATH — who late last year confirmed the recording of their first new album in more than 33 years and a worldwide headlining tour — had to put some plans on hold due to guitarist Tony Iommi's battle with lymphoma. As a result, BLACK SABBATH will perform only one show of this summer's previously scheduled European tour. It will take place Sunday, June 10 at the U.K.'s Download festival.

So as not to let the promoters and fans down, SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne is now performing the majority of the previously scheduled BLACK SABBATH European dates (both festival performances and the headlining shows) billed as OZZY OSBOURNE & FRIENDS. These "first-ever" OZZY OSBOURNE & FRIENDS shows are featuring appearances by "special guest" musicians, including Butler (who is joining Ozzy for a special BLACK SABBATH set as a show of respect and support to their friend, Tony Iommi) and longtime former Ozzy bandmember Zakk Wylde. In addition, Ozzy is being accompanied by longtime collaborator and friend Slash at select shows, with other "special guests" set to join the tour at various stops along the way (full list of dates, appearances below).

GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose was robbed of jewelry worth $200,000 after band's concert in Paris.

The theft reportedly occurred last night during a private party at an area guarded by the frontman's personal security team. The singer, who was not wearing the items at the time, was said to be "furious."

Only invited guests and members of Axl's entourage were allowed into the lounge where the three gold-and-diamond necklaces were held before being stolen, according to the police.

In addition sole original member Axl Rose, the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Richard Fortus and DJ Ashba, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.

According to Venia-Mag.net, MEGADETH performed an abbreviated set last night (Tuesday, June 5) at the Metalfest Open Air at Zadar Beach in Zadar, Croatia after members of crowd were flipping off the band and throwing stones and bottles at MEGADETH following the cancelation of two of the festival's other main-stage acts.

Although there has been no official statement on the matter, it appears that DARK TRANQUILLITY was forced to pull out of the event due to "technical problems," while W.A.S.P. refused to play following a rumored backstage disagreement with MEGADETH over other technical issues.

A short video clip capturing some of the mayhem from last night's concert can be seen below. Also available is a short pre-show video message from MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson in which he can be heard saying rather prophetically, "The stage is set for the pandemonium to begin tonight."

A YouTube user named Danijela Daisy wrote earlier today, "I am sooooo ashamed for what happened to MEGADETH last night! I wouldn't blame them for not coming back to Croatia...this is not the way how you treath the part of the 'Big 4'. It was horrible experience for me seeing that ...I was also disappointed with W.A.S.P. for not coming at all...but we cannot blame MEGADETH for that.... I love ya, guys...wish you all the best and no more experiences like last night in Zadar."

Another YouTube user, BalkanDixie, added, "I'm so sorry what happened yesterday! I hope you guys didn't get hurt and I hope you didn't take all that rock-throwing shit seriously, 'cause Croatia loves you! Please don't hate whole nation because of that act, there are F.... RETARDS all over the world, and Croatia is not exception!!! SORRY."

On June 5, AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson was interviewed by Lamont and Sully of the "Lamont And Tonelli Show", which airs on the Bay Area rock station 107.7 The Bone. You can listen to the chat using the audio player below.

When asked about when fans can expect to hear a new studio album from AC/DC, Johnson said, "I'll be getting together with [AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young] in a couple of weeks, and then we're going to London to meet up with Angus [Young, Malcolm's brother and AC/DC lead guitarist], hopefully. And that's usually how we'll start. We're just a bunch of pals from the projects, still. Even though we've done well, we still have the same roots that we stick by that we did when we had nothing, basically. And that's the work ethic. And it has to be right for the boys to do anything. When we're sitting down and [we're talking about], 'Can we do this? We're not gonna be a pale shadow of our former selves?' We'll talk about it and make sure that we've all got it. We're just five pieces of a card, and if one of us is not really [able to perform at 100 percent], the whole thing would just collapse, I think."

Regarding AC/DC's plans to tour in support of the upcoming CD, Brian said, "Well, I think it wouldn't be like the last one. That was two years. I mean, that was just nuts. We were just fragged when we finshed [that one]. I mean, it took about three weeks to get over it. But it was so much fun, though. For guys our age at the time, to tour the world to sellout audiences everywhere, it gives you a good feeling. And the great thing was to look out into the audiences and have a look at the generations of people… I mean, it was unbelievable… Kids there that were 7-8 [years old], teenagers…"

Interview (audio):