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. At this time, 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 Geezer 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).

The first OZZY OSBOURNE & FRIENDS concert took place earlier tonight (Wednesday, May 23) at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland.

According to Soundi.fi, the setlist for the show was as follows:

Ozzy Osbourne (vocals)
Gus G. (guitar)
Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (bass)
Tommy Clufetos (drums)

01. Bark At The Moon
02. Mr. Crowley
03. Suicide Solution
04. The Ultimate Sin
05. I Don't Know
06. Killer Of Giants
07. Shot In The Dark
08. Rat Salad

Blasko goes off stage, Geezer Butler comes on

09. Iron Man (BLACK SABBATH)
10. War Pigs (BLACK SABBATH)
11. N.I.B. (BLACK SABBATH)

Gus G. goes off stage, Zakk Wylde comes on

12. Fairies Wear Boots (BLACK SABBATH)
13. Into The Void (BLACK SABBATH)

Geezer Butler goes off stage, Blasko comes back on

14. Road To Nowhere
15. I Don't Wanna Change The World
16. Fire In The Sky
17. Crazy Train
18. Mama I'm Coming Home

Geezer Butler and Gus G. come back on stage

19. Paranoid (BLACK SABBATH)

In a recent interview with The Nervous Breakdown, Zakk Wylde stated about the setlist for the upcoming OZZY OSBOURNE & FRIENDS shows, "[Current Ozzy bandmembers] Gus G., Blasko and Tommy [Clufetos] are coming out and doing a bunch of tunes, then I come out with Blasko and Tommy and we end up doing a bunch of stuff from the era when I was with The Boss, from 'No Rest For The Wicked' all the way through everything I've ever done with him. Then Geezer [Butler, BLACK SABBATH bassist] comes out and we do a bunch of SABBATH stuff and at the end, Slash and everybody — Geezer, Slash, Gus — and we all play 'Paranoid'."

Remaining OZZY OSBOURNE & FRIENDS tour dates:

May 25 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
May 27 - Jelling, Denmark - Jelling Festival
May 29 - Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
May 31 - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
Jun. 02 - Malmo, Sweden - Malmo Stadium
Jun. 04 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
Jun. 06 - Prague, Czech Republic - O2 Arena
Jun. 15 - Vitoria, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
Jun. 17 - Clisson, France - Hellfest
Jun. 22 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
Jun. 24 - Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal Festival
Jun. 26 - Vienna, Austria - Stadthalle
Jun. 28 - Belgrade, Serbia - USCE Park
Jul. 01 - Athens, Greece - Rockwave Festival – Terra

American melodic metallers KAMELOT have inked a deal with King Records for the Japanese release of their next album, tentatively due in the fall.

Commented KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood: "We are very excited about working again with King on the new album! We are also planning to return to Japan for some very special concerts with all the amazing fans there."

KAMELOT returned to Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany in January with Sascha Paeth producing, to begin recording its new album. The production is expected to be several months long and will include special guests, orchestra arrangements and much more.

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. A permanent replacement for Khan has not yet been announced.

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has issued the following update:

"Everybody, please say a prayer. My friend and live drummer for years, also on 'Bring 'Em Bach Alive', Mark Bam Bam McConnell is fighting for his life right now in hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Miracles can happen, though, so everyone have Bam Bam in your hearts and prayers please. He is an amazing drummer and lifelong friend. We love you, Bam Bam. You can kick this in the ass just like you play your drums!! Fight hard, buddy. We all wanna rock with you. We love ya, dude."

In a 1999 interview, Bach stated about McConnell, "He is on fire. When we toured in '98 with PANTERA, Vinnie Paul was like, 'Man, how many fuckin' pieces does your drummer have?' And for Vinnie Paul to say that. . . And Mark has always been a powerhouse. I am the luckiest guy in the world because I have Anton Fig from David Letterman's band on all of the studio tracks for 'Bring 'Em Bach Alive' and Mark on all of the live stuff, two of the greatest drummers in the world."

New York hardcore legends MADBALL recently spent five days at the Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersberg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL) recording their new EP, "Rebellion", to be released later in the year via The BNB Label, a brand extension of frontman Freddy Cricien's Black N Blue Productions group.

"Rebellion" marks the first MADBALL recording with former UNEARTH and THE RED CHORD member Mike Justian, who has served as MADBALL's touring drummer for the past year.

"Rebellion" EP track listing

01. Reap What You Sow
02. The Beast
03. Get Out ("Ball Of Destruction" re-recording)
04. Rebellion
05. My Blood
06. It’s My Life ("Ball Of Destruction" re-recording)

An eight-minute video clip featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the "Rebellion" recording sessions can be seen below.

MADBALL released its latest album, "Empire", in a special red vinyl format on November 22, 2010.

"Empire" sold around 1,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 15 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.

"Empire" was released on October 12, 2010 via Good Fight Music. The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios with Erik Rutan.

The 20th-anniversary reissue of PANTERA's "Vulgar Display Of Power" sold 9,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart. This is more than double the first-week tally registered by the 20th-anniversary reissue of PANTERA's classic "Cowboys From Hell" LP, which debuted at No. 117 in September 2010 with sales of 4,200.

Upon its original release, "Vulgar Display Of Power" peaked at No. 44 on The Billboard 200 and spent a total of 77 weeks on the chart, the most weeks any PANTERA album spent on the list.

February 25 marked the 20-year anniversary for PANTERA's "Vulgar Display Of Power", a landmark album widely acknowledged as one of metal's most enduring and influential masterworks. Recorded by singer Philip Anselmo, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, bassist Rex Brown and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, the album was certified double platinum by the RIAA and features several of the group's most iconic songs including "Walk", "Mouth For War", "This Love" and "Fucking Hostile".

To celebrate, Rhino channels the album's relentless blitzkrieg of musical aggression onto a two-disc Deluxe Edition. The CD includes the original album remastered and "Piss", a recently discovered unreleased track from the recording sessions. The DVD contains an unreleased live performance filmed in Italy in September of 1992 plus the three official music videos from the album.

Along with the unreleased song, "Vulgar Display Of Power (Deluxe Edition)" also features unreleased video of the quartet performing six songs at the Monsters Of Rock show in Reggio Emilia, Italy on September 12, 1992. The set list draws almost exclusively from "Vulgar" ("This Love", "Rise", "Mouth For War"), but also includes the title track from their previous album, "Cowboys From Hell", and a melding of "Vulgar"'s "Hollow" and "Cowboys"' "Domination", which was a live staple of the band. Video of PANTERA performing live during this era is extremely rare, making the DVD one of the few ways to see them in their prime.

"Vulgar Display Of Power (Deluxe Edition)" track listing:

CD

* "Mouth For War"
* "A New Level"
* "Walk"
* "Fucking Hostile"
* "This Love"
* "Rise"
* "No Good (Attack The Radical)"
* "Live In A Hole"
* "Regular People (Conceit)"
* "By Demons Be Driven"
* "Hollow"
* "Piss" - Previously Unreleased

DVD

* "Mouth For War" - Live In Italy
* "Domination/Hollow" - Live In Italy
* "Rise" - Live In Italy
* "This Love" - Live In Italy
* "Cowboys From Hell" - Live In Italy
* "Mouth For War" - Video
* "This Love" - Video
* "Walk" - Video

Dimebag Darrell was co-founder and lead guitarist for PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, Dimebag and his brother Vinnie Paul formed DAMAGEPLAN. On Dec. 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by Nathan Gale. He was 38 years old.

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx will throw out the first pitch at this coming Sunday's (May 27) game between Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Sixx says, "Being from Los Angeles, this is a a huge honor for me." He adds, "The whole 'Sixx Sense' gang [Nikki's syndicated radio show], my kids and [girlfriend] Courtney [Bingham] are all going... Bad-ass!"

In the summer of 2009, Sixx and POISON frontman Bret Michaels were among the celebrities whose faces were seen on billboards around Los Angeles as part of the Los Angeles Dodgers' outdoor messaging campaign centered around the tagline "L.A. is my town." Other celebrities and movie characters who were featured in the campaign included Kim Kardashian, Oscar De La Hoya, Yoda (of "Star Wars"), Tara Lapinski (former figure skater) and Clout (local extreme sports pros).

Check out a picture of Sixx's billboard below.

Century Media Records has announced the signing of VATTNET VISKAR to a worldwide deal.

Hailing from the small town of Plaistow, New Hampshire, VATTNET VISKAR is anything but small. Formed in the fall of 2010, the band has quickly risen amongst the ranks of U.S. black metal acts. VATTNET VISKAR's brooding take on blackened atmospheric doom metal perfectly mirrors their organic approach to their craft. Following a well-received two-song demo in 2011, they have released a self-titled EP, available at their Bandcamp page that has been met with praise from both fans and the press alike.

"On their debut EP…they had me hooked in a matter of seconds and salivating by the end of its 27 minutes. It's an assured offering for such a young band," lauds Brandon Stosuy of Pitchfork.com.

Not content to keep their blackened-doom alchemy confined to the studio, however, they back it up with a thundering live performance. Having already shared the stage with such titans as BLACK ANVIL, INQUISITION and WOODS OF YPRES, they have left their mark up and down the east coast with a seemingly endless string of shows —- and soon, VATTNET VISKAR's name will spread across the rest of the country. A full U.S. tour is already being planned for later this year.

In a brand new interview with Billboard.com, Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) was asked about former PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott's recent comment that if PANTERA ever reformed, Zakk would be the man to replace the band's late guitarist — and Vinnie's brother — "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

"I love all those guys," Zakk replied. "It would be an honor. How could I say no? I'd do my best to make them proud."

Speaking to Cindy Scull of the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas radio station 97.1 The Eagle Rocks back in March, Vinnie Paul stated about the possibility of a PANTERA "reunion" with Wylde filling in for Dimebag. "[Zakk] and my brother were so tight. If [a PANTERA reformation] ever were to happen, [Zakk] would be the guy [to step in for Dimebag]. But I honestly think, out of respect for my brother, we should just leave the 14 amazing years PANTERA had be. We're all happy doing our own thing. We have to continue living and do other things."

Earlier this month, former PANTERA singer Philip Anselmo was asked by Ned of the WGRD 97.9 FM radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan about the likelihood of a PANTERA reformation with Wylde, "That's an interesting question," he said. "Well, look, before anything like that could possibly happen, Vince and I would have to actually be in the same room, we'd have to sit down, hash out whatever differences, demons… whatever… we'd have to hash it all out. And as far as Zakk Wylde goes, I'm not so sold on all that, because I think he and I have to sit down and hash some crap out. That day has not come yet, and [when] that day comes, I can comment further on it. As of right now, it's just talk."

Former PANTERA bassist Rex Brown also addressed the possibility of Wylde taking Dimebag's place in a reformed PANTERA. He told the San Antonio Metal Music Examiner earlier this month, "You know, we keep hearing rumors about a reunion with Zakk Wylde on guitar, and that is such bullshit. You can't replace my brother."

Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM will release their fifth album, "Unsung Heroes", on August 27 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED) at Petrax studio (CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH) in Hollola, Finland and other locations in the Hämeenlinna area. According to a press release, the hour-plus follow-up to 2009’s "From Afar" "sees the Finnish five-piece — founded in 1995 — pushing their signature sound to bold new heights of drama and excess. A cinematic experience from first note to last, 'Unsung Heroes' takes the listener on a journey of genuine light and shade, with the 16 minute-plus 'Passion Proof Power' showing that when it comes to the epic statement, ENSIFERUM are very much in the front-line, swords at the ready."

Commented the band: "We've tried to push the different aspects of what we do as far as we can; the sonic scope is wider than ever. The folk elements go further down that path and the metallic parts will absolutely rip your face off!"

Once again, album art has been supplied by Kristian Wåhlin, with featured special guests including members of APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and legendary Finnish singer and actor Vesa-Matti Loiri.

"Unsung Heroes" track listing:

01. Symbols
02. In My Sword I Trust
03. Unsung Heroes
04. Burning Leaves
05. Celestial Bond
06. Retribution Shall Be Mine
07. Star Queen (Celestial Bond Part II)
08. Pohjola
09. Last Breath
10. Passion Proof Power

A series of websidodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the new CD recording process can be seen below.

ENSIFERUM's fourth album, "From Afar", sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 44 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.

"From Afar" was released on September 9, 2009 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was produced by Tero Kinnunen (NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS) and Janne Joutsenniemi ('Victory Songs' producer) and was mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED, AMORPHIS).

Finnish traditional folk metal pioneers KORPIKLAANI will release their eighth studio album, "Manala", on August 3 via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork was created by Finnish artist Jan Yrlund and can be seen below.

Commented KORPIKLAANI vocalist Jonne Järvelä: "On the album cover, our band mascot Vaari represents Väinämöinen, who is one of the main characters in the Finnish national epic 'Kalevala'.

"As most of the lyrics on 'Manala' are based on the 'Kalevala', Jan Yrlund decided to draw his inspiration for the cover artwork from the beautiful but yet brutal depiction of the underworld in Finnish mythology."

The limited digipack edition of "Manala" will come with a bonus CD containing the entire album with English lyrics.

Limited digipak CD:

01. Kunnia
02. Tuonelan Tuvilla
03. Rauta
04. Ruuminmultaa
05. Petoeläimen Kuola
06. Synkkä
07. Ievan Polkka
08. Husky Sledge
09. Dolorous
10. Uni
11. Metsälle
12. Sumussa Hämärän Aamun

Bonus CD:

01. Honor
02. At The Huts Of The Underworld
03. The Steel
04. Soil Of The Corpse
05. Predator's Saliva
06. Dark Side
07. Ieva's Polka
08. Husky-Sledge
09. Dolorous
10. Dream
11. Off To The Hunt

Jonne Järvelä previously stated about KORPIKLAANI's new album, "'Manala' is the realm of the dead — the underworld in Finnish mythology. Tuonela, Tuoni, Manala and Mana are used synonymously. This place is best known for its appearance in the Finnish national epic Kalevala, on which many of our new songs are based. In the 16th poem of Kalevala, Väinämöinen, a shamanistic hero travels to Manala to seek for knowledge about the dead. On the journey he meets the ferrywoman (similar to Charon), a girl, Tuonen tytti, or Tuonen piika (Death's maid), who takes him across the river of Tuoni. However, on the isle of Tuoni he is not given the spells he was originally looking for and he barely manages to escape the place. After his return he curses anyone trying to enter the place alive."

For those of you who are now afraid of not being able to understand the mystical Finnish lyrics on the album, don't worry: "Manala" will come to you with a bonus CDcontaining the whole album with English lyrics!

"Metsälle", a new song from KORPIKLAANI, is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below. The track can also be downloaded for free at NuclearBlast.de (e-mail sign-up required).

"Metsälle" was originally recorded late last year when the band was competing to represent Finland in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. The track will appear on KORPIKLAANI's forthcoming eighth album.

Commented Jonne Järvelä: "'Metsälle' can be seen as kind of a prayer to the ancient gods to ask for luck for the tough hunt deep in the woods in cold winter time. Not only is the old man in the song praying for success but — even more importantly — for a safe way through the dangerous frostiness."

KORPIKLAANI previously stated that "Metsälle" "is about the hunt on Hiisi's magical moose in the Northland. He (Lemminkäinen) puts on his charmed ski's and takes off for a prolonged hunt through forests and meadows, marshlands and woodlands, rapids and rivers. This song describes part of the Kalevala story, the national epic of Finland."

"Manala" will mark the recording debut of the band's new fiddler, Tuomas Rounakari.

KORPIKLAANI's latest CD, "Ukon Wacka", was released in North America on February 25, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The next chapter in Relapse's DEATH reissue campaign is an extremely historic and essential release. The label has painstakingly collected all of of death metal legend, pioneer and groundbreaker Chuck Schuldiner's pre-DEATH material from his first band MANTAS into a deluxe collection, entitled "Death By Metal". Compiling the group's first two demos and a rehearsal from 1984, "Death By Metal" is the brutally raw sound of an entire genre being born out of the basement of Chuck Schuldiner's Florida home close to three decades ago. Additionally, this marks the first time these recordings have ever been officially collected into one fully authorized compilation and legitimately available since their original release as the "Death By Metal" demo tape (1984)!

"Death By Metal" will be released on June 19 in North America , June 22 in Benelux and Germany, and June 25 in the rest of Europe. The collection will be released as a CD, limited-edition deluxe 2CD, LP, digital download and a limited collector's edition containing the deluxe 2CD, LP on an exclusive color, exclusive demo cover T-shirt, and a reproduction of the original "Death By Metal" demo cassette! Pre-order options, including a new line of exclusive MANTAS and DEATH merch plus additional release information can be found here.

"Death By Metal" follows the recent Relapse Records reissues of DEATH's "Vivus!", "Individual Though Patterns", "The Sound Of Perseverance" and "Human". Like those reissues, this collection will contain extensive liner notes, this time featuring renowned metal biographer Ian Christe and former MANTAS guitarist Rick Rozz in addition to never-before-seen photos of the band.

"Death By Metal" track listing:

Disc 1

"Death By Metal" Demo (First Version)

01. Legion Of Doom
02. Evil Dead
03. Mantas
04. Death By Metal
05. Power Of Darkness

"Death By Metal" Demo (Second Version)

06. Legion Of Doom
07. Power Of Darkness
08. Death By Metal
09. Evil Dead

Rehearsal Early 1984

10. Legion Of Doom
11. Mantas
12. Death By Metal
13. Evil Dead
14. Rise Of Satan

Disc 2 (Deluxe Edition Only)

"Emotional" Rehearsal Demo 1984

01. Legion Of Doom (Take 1)
02. Legion Of Doom (Take 2)
03. Legion Of Doom (Take 3)
04. Evil Dead (Take 1)
05. Evil Dead (Take 2)
06. Mantas (Take 1)
07. Mantas (Take 2)

Live at Knights Of Columbus Hall in Orlando, Florida September 1, 1984

08. Legion Of Doom
09. Zombie
10. Demon Flight
11. Death By Metal
12. Evil Dead
13. Power Of Darkness
14. Black Magic
15. Evil Chuck Solo
16. Beyond The Unholy Grave
17. Poison

"Evil Dead" is now available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

"Evil Dead" stream:

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

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

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

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

Photo credit: Pauli Rouvinen

Professionally filmed video footage of LYNCH MOB's May 12 performance at the M3 Rock Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland can be seen below.

On June 19, Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records will release a special three-disc audio/video deluxe collection of LYNCH MOB's "REvolution". The set features the full-length studio album "REvolution" with killer, supercharged renditions of classic DOKKEN/LYNCH MOB tracks such as "Tooth And Nail", "Breaking The Chains", "Wicked Sensation" and more. It also includes professionally filmed live performances recorded during the 2005 "REvolution" tour, mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound.

LYNCH MOB's comeback album, "Smoke And Mirrors", was released in Europe on September 18, 2009 (October 13, 2009 in the U.S.) via Frontiers Records. The recording lineup on the CD included Lynch and singer Oni Logan alongside bassist Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE, THIN LIZZY) and drummer Scot Coogan (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, ACE FREHLEY). Mendoza has since been replaced in LYNCH MOB's touring lineup by Robbie Crane (RATT).

Lynch has joined forces with fellow former/current DOKKEN members Jeff Pilson (bass) and Mick Brown (drums) in a new project called T&N (formerly TOOTH AND NAIL). The band's debut album is tentatively due later in the year. The CD will feature new original material as well as reworked versions of around five or six DOKKEN classics.

Lynch's eleventh solo album in nearly twenty years, "Kill All Control", was released last July via Rocket Science, Inc.

Kingsport, Tennessee alt rockers WRETCHES will release their self-titled debut EP this Friday, May 25. The band, which features drummer Kevin Lane (ex-WHITECHAPEL) behind the kit, is a complete DIY endeavor and the EP has been a work in progress for almost two years now.

"Wretches" will be available in both physical and digital formats via the WRETCHES Bandcamp page, although physical copies are extremely limited. Pre-orders are currently available and come with an immediate two-track download consisting of the first single, "(Han) Shot First", and the mastered version of "Future Habits".

Commented Kevin: "WRETCHES came about all with the good intentions of just playing music to play music; nothing more, nothing less. May 25th sets forth the first release for the project that Scotty Rutherford and I formed in 2010 after I had been filling in on drums for one of his other projects. The songs all started out as just a way to kill time and have fun. Once we joined up with our close friend Brandon Dao, wrote some more songs and threw finishing touches on the rest, we concluded that we'd rather get these songs out in some form or fashion rather than sit on them. Months down the road we acquired the vocal talents of our friend Tino Molinari (thanks to our good friend Anthony at RebelPyro Management), which gave a new vibe to everything that we had done and threw a beautiful wrench in the gears of our narrow-minded idea of what it should sound like.

"We're all very excited to finally have the privilege to release these tracks out to everyone and hope that while you listen in the confines of your room with headphones, down the street in your car, or wherever it may be…. that you can enjoy listening as much as we have creating. My love and appreciation goes out to all that have helped make this record happen."

"Wretches" EP track listing:

01. Young Coves
02. Tigers in Space
03. Future Habits
04. Seagrave
05. (Han) Shot First
06. Cynic
07. Witching Hour

The effort was produced, engineered and mixed by Travis Kammeyer at Fahrenheit, and mastered by Miah Lajeunesse at The Soundlair. All vocals were tracked at NB Recording in Santa Rosa, California with producer/engineer Nick Botelho.

WRETCHES is:

Tino Molinari - Vocals
Scotty Rutherford - Guitar
Brandon Dao - Guitar
Kevin Lane - Drums

Metal On Metal Records has announced the signing of the legendary U.S. power/thrash metal act HERETIC.

The band, formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California, released an EP, "Torture Knows No Boundary" (1986), and a full-length, "Breaking Point" (1988), through Metal Blade Records before disbanding. Later on the founding member, songwriter and guitarist Brian Korban together with bassist Dennis O'Hara formed REVEREND, which featured the vocal talents of the late David Wayne (METAL CHURCH).

In 2011 Brian Korban reformed the band, recruiting Julian Mendez, the vocalist who sang on the band's first EP. Soon they were joined by the seasoned musicians, long-time friends and collaborators, guitarist Glenn Rogers (VIKING, ex-HIRAX, ex-DELIVERANCE, ex-STEEL VENGEANCE and others) and bassist Angelo Espino (BITCH, ex-REVEREND, ex-HIRAX, ex-ANGER AS ART, ex-UNCLE SLAM and others) and a young, but talented drummer Ignazio Coppola.

This lineup has already played several shows and started recording the new album, "A Time Of Crisis", which at this point is almost complete and scheduled for July 26 release. The final recording sessions with producer John Anthony Haddad (known for his work with HIRAX) at the Trench Studios are scheduled for May 26-28.

Metal On Metal Records states: "It's not uncommon that reunions of once great bands from the '80s turn into disappointments, but after hearing several songs from this upcoming album we are confident that it will be one strong and exciting come back (in spite of the lack of Mike Howe who sang on the band's '88 LP and who has retired from the music business)."

Two new songs from the upcoming album can be streamed below.

Agonia Records has announced the signing of Norwegian black metallers RAGNAROK. The band is set to enter the Endarker Studios in Norrköping, Sweden on June 24 to record what will be their seventh full-length album. At the production helm will be studio owner and MARDUK bassist Magnus "Devo" Andersson. The as-yet-untitled CD is due for release later this year.

"Everyone in RAGNAROK is delighted to be signing with Agonia Records," comments band founder and drummer Jontho. "It's been a long haul to find the right label, with a lot of offers to sift through, but what impressed us about Agonia was the immediate reply to any of our questions together with a willingness to work with the band as a team, and, most importantly, they recognise the wisdom of allowing RAGNAROK the freedom to be themselves."

Formed in 1994, RAGNAROK's latest album, "Collectors Of The King", was released in 2010 after a six-year hiatus, during which time RAGNAROK changed its lineup almost entirely, with drummer and founder member Jontho remaining the only original member. The group is rounded out by Hans Fyrste (vocals), DezeptiCunt (bass and backing vocals) and Bolverk (guitar).

Polish blackened death metal act DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS has 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).

Commented DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS mainman Quazarre: "We're very pleased to land this record deal with Lifeforce Records. From all the offers we've got, this one seems to be our best option at this point of the band's career and we truly believe working with them will push us up a huuuge step forward. What impressed us the most was Stefan's, the label's driving force, work ethic and attitude towards DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS music. His seriousness and passion about the band let us believe this was the best choice we've made. The worldwide release of the 'Simulacra' album will initiate our new partnership and we can't wait to see where it is going to bring us in the years to come."

According to a press release, DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS is considered to be one of Poland's leading and most innovative modern black/death metal acts.

BrooklynVegan.com has premiered the video for "L'Enfant Sauvage", the title track of French progressive metallers GOJIRA's forthcoming fifth album. You can now watch it below.

Due on June 26 via Roadrunner Records, "L'Enfant Sauvage" (which translates to "The Wild Child") features 11 tracks of mind-bending, thunderous metal. The CD was recorded at Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City, New York with co-producer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD).

In a recent interview with Metalshrine, GOJIRA guitarist/vocalist Joseph Duplantier stated about the new album title, "We couldn't call it 'The Wild Child', because it's hard to translate 'L'Enfant Sauvage'. It's not really the wild child as understood in English, because a wild child for me, has an aspect like someone out of control somehow. 'L'Enfant Sauvage' in French… 'Sauvage' is something that is not educated or something that is like free and completely free in nature. A wild flower that goes wherever she wants and becomes something beautiful. The idea with 'L'Enfant Sauvage' is like with a human that would grow up in nature, raised by wolves, for example, without the influence from others and the influence from institutions or society in general. Without a social security number. [laughs] Not even a name. This is what you are and I am on the inside, right? How much the education and the culture, emotions and the guilt are interacting with us and it changes us and how far are we from this pure child inside? That's the question we had on this album."

A special collector's package of "L'Enfant Sauvage" will feature two bonus tracks and a double-colored vinyl version of the record, along with an exclusive t-shirt.

"L'Enfant Sauvage" track listing:

01. Explosia
02. L’Enfant Sauvage
03. The Axe
04. Liquid Fire
05. The Wild Healer
06. Planned Obsolescence
07. Mouth Of Kala
08. The Gift Of Guilt
09. Pain Is A Master
10. Born In Winter
11. The Fall

A two-camera fan-filmed video mix of GOJIRA performing the "L'Enfant Sauvage" title track on April 30 at Rockstore in Montpellier, France can be seen below.

South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE will release their seventh full-length album, "At The Gate Of Sethu", in Europe on June 29 and in the U.S. on July 3 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Those Whom The Gods Detest" was once again produced and mixed by Neil Kernon, who has previously worked with NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEENSRŸCHE and DEICIDE, among many others. The CD artwork was handled by a true genius of darkened visuals, Seth Siro Anton (SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, SEPTICFLESH).

Commented NILE mastermind Karl Sanders: "Seth Siro Anton has designed the cover. I have been a fan of SEPTICFLESH a long time, and as Seth expressed interest, I knew that he would deliver a great job. I would say his work is easily the best we've ever had. He has captured the darker side of the sound of NILE and reflected the music and ideas, the heart and soul of NILE are forming. Seth is a very talented man and understands exactly who we are."

Added Seth Siro Anton: "It is no secret that I admire the powerful stylistic lines of the magical symbols that still transmit the aura of ancient Egypt, preserving in time the ancient mysteries. Also, I am fascinated from the final frozen moment of the flesh captured in an eternal sleeping stasis, at the completion of the mummification process. So, with a great pleasure I accepted the challenge, to visualize the new masterpiece of NILE, 'At The Gate Of Sethu'."

In a recent interview with CobraMetal.net, Sanders stated about "At The Gate Of Sethu", "Well, we started [working on it] in May of last year (2011) after we finished our European tour. We worked on that fucking record for 10 months straight, to the exclusion of all else. (Laughs) Long hours, every day."

Regarding the new album's concept, Karl said, "It's in similar territory to other NILE records in that a lot of it stems from Ancient Egyptology and sort of has underlying modern themes tied in. We haven't abandoned our identity and I don't believe you should fuck over your fans. If your fans like what you do, and you change too much of what you do, fans don't like it. What matters to me is when I'm out on tour and I meet the actual fans and they share their thoughts…those are the people that I listen to. There's a lot of new ideas within the realm of what we do that we tried to incorporate. We studied real hard on the guitar and have lots of new riffs and musical ideas. There are a lot of surprises on the record."

When asked if fans can expect any guest appearances on the new NILE CD, Karl said, "Jon Vesano is all over this record. (Our former singer and bass guitarist who we're still good friends with.) Jon did some guest vocals on "Those Whom The Gods Detest" and it made us realize all over again all the things we really liked about Jon's vocals. We wanted to incorporate some of his insanity. [laughs] He's wicked, man. He knows how to channel that inner possession. He finds a way to summon it. It's great stuff."

"At The Gate Of Sethu" track listing (North American/European digipack):

01. Enduring The Eternal Molestation Of Flame
02. The Fiends Who Come To Steal The Magick Of The Deceased
03. The Inevitable Degradation Of Flesh
04. When My Wrath Is Done
05. Slaves Of Xul
06. The Gods Who Light Up The Sky At The Gate Of Sethu
07. Natural Liberation Of Fear Through The Ritual Deception Of Death
08. Ethno-Musicological Cannibalisms
09. Tribunal Of The Dead
10. Supreme Humanism Of Megalomania
11. The Chaining Of The Iniquitous

Bonus:

12. Enduring The Eternal Molestation Of Flame (instrumental)
13. The Inevitable Degradation Of Flesh (instrumental)

"At The Gate Of Sethu" track listing (European jewel case):

01. Enduring The Eternal Molestation Of Flame
02. The Fiends Who Come To Steal The Magick Of The Deceased
03. The Inevitable Degradation Of Flesh
04. When My Wrath Is Done
05. Slaves Of Xul
06. The Gods Who Light Up The Sky At The Gate Of Sethu
07. Natural Liberation Of Fear Through The Ritual Deception Of Death
08. Ethno-Musicological Cannibalisms
09. Tribunal Of The Dead
10. Supreme Humanism Of Megalomania
11. The Chaining Of The Iniquitous

Digipack:

Mönchengladbach, Germany-based traditional heavy metal band SACRED GATE released its full-length debut, "When Eternity Ends", on April 27 via Metal On Metal Records.

Formed in 2008, SACRED GATE's founding members, guitarist and composer Nicko Nikolaidis and vocalist Jim Over (both of Greek origin), have mastered their craft in other bands prior to SACRED GATE. They both played together in MADE OF IRON, which was originally an IRON MAIDEN cover band, before starting to write their own songs and releasing a couple of demos, EP and a full-length as MADE OF IRON and an EP, "Creators Of The Downfall", as SACRED GATE in 2011. And the British giants still have the biggest influence on SACRED GATE's music, which is rooted in NWOBHM, but also has some '80s U.S. power metal elements.

"When Eternity Ends" track listing:

01. Creators Of The Downfall
02. Burning Wings
03. The Realm Of Hell
04. When Eternity Ends
05. Freedom Or Death
06. In The Heart Of The Iron Maiden
07. Vengeance
08. Earth, My Kingdom
09. Heaven Under Siege

The cover artwork was created by Jowita Kaminska and can be seen below.

Earlier this month, guitarist Eric Peterson of San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT answered a number of questions that were submitted via the Nuclear Blast Europe Facebook page. The 15-minute question-and-answer session, which was conducted by Nuclear Blast's Patrick Walch on May 11, can be seen below.

Nuclear Blast Records has set a July 31 North American release date (one day earlier internationally) for "Dark Roots Of Earth", the new album from TESTAMENT. The CD was produced, mixed and mastered by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, ACCEPT, EXODUS). Special bonus tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga (CATTLE DECAPITATION, HEATHEN, VILE, SADUS) at his Trident Studios. =The cover artwork for the effort (see below) was painted by Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS and GWAR, among others.

"Dark Roots Of Earth" jewel case CD track listing:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

"Dark Roots Of Earth" CD/DVD track listing:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Bonus:

10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
13. Throne Of Thornes (extended version)
+ Bonus DVD

"Dark Roots Of Earth" vinyl track listing:

Side A:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth

Side B:

04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace

Side C:

07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Side D (Bonus):

10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)

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

Regarding some of the songs that will appear on "Dark Roots Of Earth", Billy said, "Well, there's a song called 'Native Blood', which is basically a song about my Native heritage. It's almost like a protest song, that the Native Americans have a voice that needs to be heard — that's the chorus of the song. There's another called 'True American Hate', which was kinds inspired by when we sent all our troops overseas there, and we were just seeing in the news when all that was going on a lot of young kids, under 10 years old, out there with their families burning American flags. And that was a pretty shocking thing to see, to see that generation, a kid that young being taught to hate that much. It makes you think what's going to happen, 10 to 15 years from now when the majority of these kids have just been raised to hate? It struck me as a little odd. There's a song called 'Cold Embrace', which we kinda hoped we'd be able to pitch the song into one of the 'Twilight' series movies; it's a song about a girl becoming a vampire and never being able to see the sun again. 'Dark Roots Of Earth' is kind of a play on the band we have together, just like a metaphor, like TESTAMENT is a tree and all of us in this group are really embedded in the planet, in the earth, the environment and our surroundings. It was kind of a play on that. 'Rise Up' is more of a war song, like you're preparing yourself for war, going into battle. There is a lot of cool stuff there."

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

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

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

Danish extreme metallers ILLDISPOSED will release their new album, "Sense The Darkness", on September 21 via Massacre Records. The CD is currently being recorded at Antfarm Studio in Aabyhøj, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, GOREFEST, SICK OF IT ALL).

Songtitles set to appear on the CD:

* Sense The Darkness
* We Do This Alone
* The Poison
* Eyes Popping Out
* Another Kingdom Dead
* Time To Dominate
* She's Undressed
* Never Compromise
* War
* Stop Running
* Desire
* I Am Possessed
* Too Blind To See

The artwork was created by Mircea Gabriel Eftemie (MNEMIC) and can be seen below.

ILLDISPOSED last year parted ways with guitarist Franz Hellboss and replaced him with Ken Holst.

The band's most recent album, "There Is Light (But It's Not For Me)", entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 78. Released on April 1, 2011 via Massacre Records, the CD was recorded at Antfarm with Tue Madsen.

ILLDISPOSED's previous album, "To Those Who Walk Behind Us", entered the official chart in Denmark at No. 32. This was the group's highest-ever chart position in Denmark.

The "There Is Light (But It's Not For Me)" artwork was created by Lasse Hoile, who previously worked with ILLDISPOSED on the "1-800 Vindication" and "Burn Me Wicked" releases.

The third official trailer for "Phantom Antichrist", the new album from German thrash metal veterans KREATOR, can be seen below. Due on June 1 in Europe and June 5 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND, AMON AMARTH).

The cover artwork for the standard edition of "Phantom Antichrist" was created by Wes Benscoter (SLAYER, DIO, BLACK SABBATH) and can be seen below.

The limited edition of "Phantom Antichrist" will be made available as two-disc digipack, including a bonus DVD.

"Phantom Antichrist" formats:

- Jewel case CD *
- 2LP yellow vinyl *
- 2LP bi-colored vinyl (red/black): limited to 500 copies, hand-numbered *+
- 2LP picture vinyl **
- CD/DVD digi limited edition: 2 digipacks in a slipcase. **
- Limited mailorder edition: metallic box including CD/DVD digi limited edition, T-shirt, exclusive CD "Live In Wacken", poster, signing card, limited to 500 copies, hand-numbered **+

* = Featuring artwork by Wes Benscoter (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER)
** = Featuring artwork by Jan Meininghaus
+ = only available at www.nuclearblast.de/shop

The "Phantom Antichrist" video can be seen below. The clip was helmed by Poland's Grupa 13, which has previously worked with BEHEMOTH, ELUVEITIE, SONATA ARCTICA and DECAPITATED, among others.

Commented KREATOR guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza: "The clips produced by Grupa 13 are groundbreaking visual trips that justify the existence of music videos in this day and age. In support of the lyrical concept of our new album, I could not think of a better creative solution than a collaboration with these great visionaries."

He added, "Grupa 13 strikes again! The most apocalyptic video in the history of KREATOR is here!"

In a recent interview with Suicide Scriptures, Petrozza stated about "Phantom Antichrist", "We made sure that it contains all the trademarks that we're known for — crushing brutality, riffs that are very hard to play, lyrics that talk about things that I get angry about. You know, the full treatment, basically. We didn't try to do anything different. The only goal that we set for the band was we wanted to top everything that we'd done before and make this record an exciting record. That's always the main goal."

He added, "First off, we don't plan ahead too much. I take a long time to prepare the songs at home, in my little home studio, and then when I feel that have something lyrically and musically that I feel is good and exciting and powerful, then I play it to the other guys and then we discuss it. And we might come up with new ideas or we might arrange the songs differently, or we tear them apart and put them back together. It's a long process. We started this in the beginning of 2011, and we kept writing and rehearsing the songs until January 2012."

Regarding the lyrical themes covered on "Phantom Antichrist", Mille said, "Many things: injustice; the crisis in Greece; me thinking that religion is obsolete now in this day and age; personal things. I think the lyrics for 'From Flood Into Fire', they're very different, but it's very hard for me to explain what it's about. I want people to listen to it and leave room for their own imagination. I go to the movies all the time and I'm a big movie nerd, and I hate watching a 'making-of' [documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage] before I go into a movie. So if I would explain the lyrics right now, [it would lose the magic]."

On the topic of the "Phantom Antichrist" artwork, Mille said, "I got in touch with [artist] Wes Benscoter in the middle of June last year and I gave him a couple of songtitles. And I told him that the album might be called 'Phantom Antichrist'. I already had the idea and I told him what the lyrics were about — it's all about the apocalypse, evil in the world… typical KREATOR topics that I always write about. I think he had 'Pleasure To Kill', and he knew about the band. I liked this AUTOPSY cover that he did, and then I found that he did a lot of great stuff for BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER and many, many bands. . . I talked to one of my colleagues that plays in a German band and he told me that he would draw, with a pencil, artworks and then he would give it to a professional artist. I don't have that much influence on the artwork. I think it's best to give an idea and maybe a title or something, maybe some music even… I think that's more of letting the artist be the artist. He needs to create the visual as we do with the music."

The "Phantom Antichrist" single was released April 20 on seven-inch colored vinyl and as a digital download via iTunes, Amazon and various other digital music providers. The release also includes the exclusive IRON MAIDEN cover "The Number Of The Beast".

A brand new promotional photo of KREATOR can be seen below (photo by Stefan Heilemann of Stuttgart, Germany's Heilemania).

KREATOR is:

Miland "Mille" Petrozza – Vocals, Guitrar
Sami Yli-Sirniö - Guitar
Christian "Speesy" Giesler - Bass
Jürgen "Ventor" Reil - Drums

"Phantom Antichrist" trailer #3:

Death metal ministers SIX FEET UNDER have announced the addition of Swedish rhythm guitarist Ola Englund (FEARED, SCARPOINT) to their legendary ranks. Englund, who will make his first official appearance with the band on the "18 Nights Of Blood Tour" next month, takes the place of Rob Arnold (CHIMAIRA).

Comments SIX FEET UNDER founding vocalist Chris Barnes: "Ola is an amazing guitarist and was chosen for his superlative technique and style of playing. We believe he will be the perfect complement to Steve Swanson, and the devastating rhythm section that is [Kevin] Talley/[Jeff] Hughell. Steve, Kevin, Jeff and myself are so looking forward to Ola's entrance into the band upon the release of 'Undead' and the commencement of our first tour next month with DYING FETUS and REVOCATION. We can’t wait for you to witness the new killing machine that is SIX FEET UNDER!

"Ola takes over duties for our good friend and death metal warrior Rob Arnold who will be retiring from touring but will remain a central writing partner and fellow collaborator on future SIX FEET UNDER releases. We are all sad to not have Rob on the road with us, but are confidant and 110% psyched that Ola is now within the ranks of the 'Undead' and will be ready to lay waste to every stop along the way! Hails!"

Adds Englund: "When I got the call from Chris, it felt unreal; first thing that popped up in my head was, 'Why the hell did he want me — the total gear nerd from Sweden — to join his awesome band? To be able to share the stage with one of the biggest icons in death metal and the other killer musicians in SIX FEET UNDER is a complete honor and a dream come true for me. I couldn't be happier about the situation! Also the new album blew my mind the first time I heard it, it's intense as hell, but still has the riffs and the grooves that SIX FEET UNDER swears by. Fans are going to love it! I’m looking forward to kick some serious ass together with Chris, Kevin, Steve and Jeff! See you on tour!"

Check out video footage documenting Englund's guitar skills below.

SIX FEET UNDER's new album, "Undead", is being released today (Tuesday, May 22) through Metal Blade Records. The 12-track CD was produced by Mark Lewis (DEICIDE, DEVILDRIVER) and mixed by Jason Suecof (WHITECHAPEL, JOB FOR A COWBOY), at AudioHammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.

"Undead" track listing:

01. Frozen At The Moment Of Death
02. Formaldehyde
03. 18 Days
04. Molest Dead
05. Blood On My Hands
06. Missing Victims
07. Reckless
08. Near Death Experience
09. The Scar
10. Delayed Combustion Device
11. Vampire Apocalypse
12. The Depths Of Depravity

In conjunction with the release of "Undead", SIX FEET UNDER will embark upon a near three-week run of live rituals this June. Dubbed the "18 Nights Of Blood Tour", the beatings will begin in Atlanta, Georgia on June 8 and ravage its way across the country before coming to a close on June 29 in Tampa, Florida. Support will be provided by DYING FETUS and REVOCATION.

SIX FEET UNDER's European tour will kick off on August 11 in Jaromer, Czech Republic and will conclude on August 18 in Hamburg, Germany. Support on the trek will come from DEW-SCENTED.

SIX FEET UNDER recently parted ways with bassist Matt DeVries and replaced him with Jeff Hughell, formerly of the Santa Cruz, California technical death metal band BRAIN DRILL and Concord, California death metal group VILE, and currently of RECIPROCAL.

Bassist Terry Butler and drummer Greg Gall announced their departures from SIX FEET UNDER in January 2011. Butler has since joined OBITUARY as a permanent member.

Die Amerikanische Prog/Power Metal Band ORDER OF NINE hat ihr neues und fünftes Album "Seventh Year Of The Broken Mirror" heute am 22. Mai in den USA veröffentlicht. In Europa kommt das Album am 25. Mai 2012 via Nightmare/SonyRED in den Handel. Jetzt wurde "Seventh Year Of The Broken Mirror" HIER komplett als Stream online gestellt.

"Seventh Year Of The Broken Mirror" Track List:

01. Seventh Year Of The Broken Mirror
02. Words That Were Said
03. Dreamspeak
04. Spiral Staircase
05. Changing Of The Guard
06. Innocence
07. Third Wish
08. Eye Of The Enemy
09. Twelfth Talisman
10. Reign Down
11. Winter's Call