AHOLA, the new "vital rock act" launched by Jarkko Ahola of the Finnish metal groups TERÄSBETONI and NORTHERN KINGS, released its debut album, "Stoneface", on April 25. The CD was recorded at Headline Studio in Tampere.

Commented Ahola: "AHOLA is a band that strives from the foundation of rock giving the listeners those vibes that the songs made people feel during the golden era of rock and heavy music. We write our music boldly and by experimenting new stuff, bringing the good stuff to this day, with a modern and unique twist and sound."

A CD-release party will be held on May 4 at Tavastia in Helsinki .

"Stoneface" track listing:

01. Donwana
02. Beerland
03. As Long As I Live (Rock 'N' Roll Is Not Dead)
04. Hurricane
05. Restless
06. The Spell
07. I Walk Alone
08. We Want Out
09. Eat Me Alive
10. Livin' The Dream
11. Stoneface
12. I Want You
13. Does It Matter What I Wear
14. Hurt You
15. Cold'n'Lonely'

A nine-minute YouTube clip containing audio samples of the songs on "Stoneface" is available below.

AHOLA in August 2011 announced the addition of guitarist Antti Karhumaa to the group's ranks.

According to a press release, AHOLA "has a suitable mix of past and present — which is always an essential part of rock music. The band's musical core consists of hit tunes, feeling and of course the skill to write and play true and powerful rock music, wherein the authenticity and emotion are relevant, leaving the vain posing to others."

Commented Ahola: "AHOLA is something I've been working on for a long time.

"From the beginning I've written rock songs in English, but since being a musician, you find yourself doing something you did never expect like singing and playing in a huge act called TERÄSBETONI or participating a cool project called NORTHERN KINGS. I guess that's part of the fascination!

"Anyway, still riff-based rock being the heart of my musical world, I wanted to add some spice to the soup and do something that I wasn't so familiar with: super tightness, speed… a flavor of punk rock, you might say."

He continued, "The way I want to see AHOLA's music is: songs are, I dare say, approachable with catchy choruses but when giving the songs a deeper thought, loaded with layers you can dig into. You can hear echoes from classic rock of the '70s, alternative rock and metal of the '90s and last decade, pop music in general, that punk rock I mentioned and… well, listen to yourselves."

AHOLA is:

Jari "Jamo" Laitinen: Bass
Jarkko Ahola: Vocals, Guitar
Antti Mäkelä: Drums
Antti Karhumaa: Guitar

For more information, visit the AHOLA Facebook page.

"Stoneface" audio samples:

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."

"The One That You Hated", the debut video from ADLER, the new band led by former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler, can be seen below. The song was released on April 10 via iTunes.

"The lyrics are about two people that are no good for each other, but for whatever reason won't break up," ADLER frontman Jacob Bunton (formerly of LYNAM and MARS ELECTRIC) tells RollingStone.com. "Maybe it's the sex, maybe it's the convenience, maybe they're just scared to move on and start over, but a lot of people seem to be attracted to the people that they hate. Love and hate are intimately linked within the human brain."

The cover for the single, which was created by the band's guitarist, Lonny Paul, can be seen below.

ADLER has been recording its debut album in Los Angeles with producers Jeff Pilson (former DOKKEN and current FOREIGNER/TOOTH AND NAIL bassist) and Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, ADRENALINE MOB).

ADLER's CD will feature guest appearances by ROB ZOMBIE/ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5 and Steven's former GUNS N' ROSES bandmate Slash (guitar).

"I love the music that we're creating!" states Adler. "I haven't been this excited about my band since the GN'R days. Jacob is exactly the singer I have been searching for. He has an amazing range and is a great writer and frontman. Lonny is an amazing guitarist and songwriter and the vibe is amazing!" He added, "I'm so excited for everyone to hear this record!"

Steven spent the past several years touring and recording with ADLER'S APPETITE, which played original material alongside cover versions of songs from GUNS' classic debut album, "Appetite For Destruction".

In 2010, Adler collaborated with Slash on the latter's self-titled debut solo album. He appeared on the track "Baby Can't Drive", along with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist Flea, Alice Cooper and Nicole Scherzinger. The song was featured on an expanded edition of the album released by Classic Rock magazine.

Adler, Slash, bassist Duff McKagan, singer Axl Rose and guitarist Izzy Stradlin were all inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on April 14 in Cleveland, along with later GUNS N' ROSES members, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and drummer Matt Sorum.

"Homo Sum", the new video from Polish extreme metal veterans DECAPITATED, can be seen below.

Commented DECAPITATED guitarist Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka: "Our new video for 'Homo Sum' is totally different than the previous one and really simple, but with the same energy! Check this out!"

Added vocalist Rafal "Rasta" Piotrowski: "It was great to record this video in Kraków with our good friends. Great atmosphere + good mood + hours of moshing equals COOL VIDEO CLIP! I really like the song. It's a straight-punch-to-the-face, that’s why it works in black and white. There are no colorful stories inside, no bullshit — just mosh!!!"

"Homo Sum" comes off DECAPITATED's 2011 album, "Carnival Is Forever", which sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 11 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.

"Carnival Is Forever" was released in North America on July 12, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD's cover art was created by Lukasz Jaszak and can be seen below. The follow-up to 2006's "Organic Hallucinosis" was recorded at Radio Gdansk Studio in Poland with producer Wacek Kieltyka and engineer Arkadiusz "Malta" Malczewski. Drums were tracked with Daniel Bergstrand (BEHEMOTH, MESHUGGAH, DIMMU BORGIR, KEEP OF KALESSIN, DEFLESHED), who also handled mixing duties.

DECAPITATED's lineup includes Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka on guitar, Kerim "Krimh" Lechner (THORNS OF IVY, TONE INTIMACY) on drums, Rafal Piotrowski (KETHA, FORGOTTEN SOULS) on lead vocals, and Filip "Heinrich" Halucha (VESENIA, ROOTWATER, UNSUN, MASACHIST) on bass.

DECAPITATED will be the opening band on "The Ophidian Trek" tour with headliners MESHUGGAH. The tour, which will feature additional support from BARONESS, is scheduled to launch April 29.

Fan-filmed video footage of IN FLAMES' April 14 concert at Garden in Linköping, Sweden can be seen below.

IN FLAMES' latest digital single, "Where The Dead Ships Dwell", contains three completely different remixes for the title track. With versions by German rapper Casper, drum-and-bass act THE QEMISTS and Kristof Bathory, vocalist of the black metal band DAWN OF ASHES, there should be something everyone can enjoy.

IN FLAMES' tenth album, "Sounds Of A Playground Fading", sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart.

IN FLAMES' previous CD, "A Sense of Purpose" (Koch) opened with 20,000 units to land at No. 28. This was slightly less than the opening tally of "Come Clarity" (Ferret), which shifted just under 24,000 copies in February 2006 to enter the chart at position No. 58.

The reactivated original lineup of SPINESHANK — featuring Jonny Santos (vocals), Tommy Decker (drums), Mike Sarkisyan (guitar) and Rob Garcia (bass) — will release its long-awaited fourth album, "Anger Denial Acceptance", on June 19 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. Produced by Sarkisyan and Decker and mixed by Mike Plotnikoff (PAPA ROACH, BUCKCHERRY), the CD promises to surpass everyone's expectation of what SPINESHANK is capable of.

Commented guitarist Mike Sarkisyan, "It was very important to us, as artists, to make this record. We felt like we had something to say as a band." Their message was urgent and unambiguous, a sonic exorcism of sorts. "Some of us were going through divorces, others lost people very close to them and that's what basically surrounded us during the creative process."

"Anger Denial Acceptance" track listing:

01. After The End
02. Nothing Left For Me
03. Anger Denial Acceptance
04. I Want You To Know
05. Murder Suicide
06. The Endless Disconnect
07. I Am Damage
08. Ploratio Morbus (interlude)
09. Everything Everyone Everywhere Ends
10. The Reckoning
11. God Complex (Anger)
12. Motive Method Opportunity (Denial)
13. Exit Wound (Acceptance)

The song "Nothing Left For Me" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

In a recent interview with FrontRowRock.com, Decker stated about "Anger Denial Acceptance", "It's three of the stages of grieving, rearranged a bit. I think it's something a lot of people can relate to; things ending, relationships, people. Members of this band have been through a lot in the last few years and it all came out in this record. This is the most personal record we've ever done. Everything you hear is real. The pain, anger and sadness come from a real place. It was not a fun record to make."

When asked about the recording process for the new CD, Decker said, "The recording process was a lot different this time. It was the first record where we didn't have an outside producer come in, we did it completely on our own. We also did it in different sessions. We'd write three or four songs and then go record them. Write three or four more and record them in a different studio. We actually took our Pro Tools rig to a cabin in Big Bear and did a lot of the vocals there. We were totally isolated from the outside world; we were able to fully focus and concentrate on the songs. It was a really cool way to record."

Speaking to Valerie Bastien of RockSource360, Sarkisyan stated about "Anger Denial Acceptance", "I think the biggest difference in making this record was that it was done by us from the writing stage all the way to tracking. We didn't have a label rep up our asses all the time and we just kind of had the freedom to do what we wanted, when we wanted and how we wanted. Musically, it's light years ahead of what 'Self-Destructive Pattern' was, as it should be. We all have grown as writers and performers, and we've gotten better at expressing ourselves in our music.

On the topic of the new album's title track and why the band felt it was a perfect fit to name the whole album after it, Mike said, "That song was like my 'baby' on this record. I had come up with the skeleton of it before bringing it up to the guys. I had a pretty clear idea of where it needed to be, musically. Those three words just kept ringing in my head the whole time I was putting this together. It's some of the stages of dealing with loss. Any kind of loss. It was the first time that me, Tommy and Jonny collaborated on lyrics. It sort of became the centerpiece of the record and although it's not a full concept album, the album does tie together in more ways than one. And it's not structured like a basic song either. It's not that 'verse/chorus/verse…' thing. It has three distinct and different parts that sorta tie in together and represent 'Anger Denial Acceptance'. I'm super happy with the way it came out and am very proud of it."

SPINESHANK's third and last album, "Self-Destructive Pattern", was released on September 9, 2003. The album's lead single, "Smothered", was nominated for a Grammy in the category of "Best Metal Performance".

Following his departure from SPINESHANK, Santos formed SILENT CIVILIAN, which released its debut album, "Rebirth of the Temple", in May 2006. A follow-up effort, "Ghost Stories", came out in May 2010 via Mediaskare/Century Media.

"Nothing Left For Me" audio stream:

"Royal Blood", the new video from the U.K. metalcore act BURY TOMORROW, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Tom Welsh and filmed at the Ridgeway Studios and on location in Sheffield. The song comes off the band's second album, "The Union Of Crowns", which will be released on July 16 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"We are unbelievably honoured to be signing to Nuclear Blast," said the the group in a statement. "It feels unreal to be part of a label with such immense pedigree that has so much faith in our music. From the first demo they were sent, the guys at Nuclear Blast were just as stoked on the potential of the record as we were, and that means an awful lot to us.

"We have always said that this album would be how we defined the genre we've grown up in; what better place to start this path on, than with the world's biggest heavy metal label!"

Jaap Wagemaker at Nuclear Blast says, "After listening to the first music that was sent to us, we decided that we HAD to work with this young band immediately! Having just finished recording their debut album for Nuclear Blast, 'The Union Of Crowns'… this incredible record clearly shows that this band has everything to make it big in today's metal scene and go far beyond that! We at Nuclear Blast are looking forward to bring this band to the next level!"

"The Union Of Crowns" track listing:

01. Redeemer
02. The Maiden
03. Lionheart
04. Message to a King
05. An Honourable Reign
06. Knight Life
07. Royal Blood
08. Bitemarks
09. Abdication of Power
10. Kingdom
11. 1603
12. Sceptres
13. Vacant Throne
14. A Curse

BURY TOMORROW is:

Davyd Winter Bates - Bass
Mehdi Vismara - Guitar
Daniel Winter Bates - Vocals
Adam Jackson - Drums
Jason Cameron - Vocals/Guitar

On last night's (Wednesday, April 25) edition of "American Idol", the final six contestants paid tribute to the legendary British rock band QUEEN by performing a medley of some of the group's greatest hits — "Fat Bottomed Girls", "Another One Bites The Dust", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" — with QUEEN members Roger Taylor and Brian May. Video footage of the performance can be seen below.

As previousy reported, Taylor and May will play four shows with "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert in June and early July. On tap is a June 30 show in Moscow, a concert with Elton John in Kiev as well as two early July shows at the Hammersmith Apollo in London to provide "some alternative... for some of the people who had bought tickets" to the recently canceled Sonisphere festival, where QUEEN was supposed to be one of the headliners.

Fan-filmed video footage of L.A. GUNS — featuring Phil Lewis, Steve Riley, Stacey Blades and Scotty Griffin — performing a brand new song, "You Better Not Love Me", on April 20 at Rathaussaal in Telfs, Austria can be seen below.

"You Better Not Love Me" comes off L.A. GUNS' new album, "Hollywood Forever", which is scheduled for release on June 5 via via Cleopatra Records. The CD was recorded with legendary producer, and old friend, Andy Johns, who has previously worked with LED ZEPPELIN, THE ROLLING STONES, CINDERELLA and VAN HALEN, and who collaborated with L.A. GUNS on their last three albums. A CD and vinyl release, as well as bonus tracks available only on iTunes, is planned. A nine-month world tour following the release is also in the works.

L.A. GUNS spent a few days in Los Angeles shooting three videos to support the record, and will make the track "You Better Not Love Me" available online soon. Videos for "Requiem (Hollywood Forever)" and "Aranga Nigre" were also filmed. Videographer Jack Foster was behind the lens for the shoot at the legendary Circus Disco in Hollywood. With an LED logo in the background, the band meshed theatrics with its expected rock energy on the big stage. Later, additional scenes were filmed in L.A.'s colorful Little Mexico and the landmark Hollywood Forever cemetery. Stacey Blades said, "It was a blast hammin' it up in a big venue and stage for the cameras." He added, "We are so excited about the new album coming out and videos to boot. 2012 is the year of L.A.GUNS!"

"Hollywood Forever" track listing:

01. Hollywood Forever
02. You Better Not Love Me
03. Sweet Mystery
04. Eel Pie
05. Burn
06. Requiem (Hollywood Forever)
07. I Won't Play
08. Vine St. Shimmy
09. Arana Negra (originally recorded by THE BICICLETAS)
10. Gonna Take You Down
11. Queenie
12. Underneath The Sun
13. Venus Bomb
14. Dirty Black Night
15. Rattlesnake

In other news, L.A. GUNS taped an exclusive interview with VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" on March 17. They discussed moving above and beyond past conflicts and the exciting events of 2012, including the album and upcoming tour. The episode will air May 19.

Phil Lewis' L.A. GUNS is not to be confused with the Tracii Guns-led version of the group, which is also continuing to record and perform under the L.A. GUNS moniker.

ACCEPT guitarist Herman Frank will release his new solo album, "Right In The Guts", on June 22 via Metal Heaven.

Without any doubt, Herman Frank is one of the most prestigious German metal guitarists of the past 30 years. His dynamic compositions with their raging riffs, hooks and intelligent virtuoso solos have graced not only the works of the German cult band VICTORY, which he founded in the mid-Eighties, and MOON'DOC, but also as a member of the legendary ACCEPT in the early Eighties, appearing on a number of important songs on their classic "Balls To the Wall" album before returning to the band permanently in 2005.

After his solo debut, "Loyal To None" (2009), the Hanover resident Herman is coming back relentlessly with "Right In The Guts", his second solo album, a total metal brochure full of energy, determination and pure adrenaline. According to a press release, Frank's "compositions are impressive for the boiling mixture of rock, metal and blues influences, while his playing combines taste, technique and profound ideas. The same holds true for the musicians who joined him in the studio: Born in Sweden, singer Rick Altzi, with his distinguished rock voice, contacted Herman Frank after learning of his search for a front man. Bassist Peter Pichl was already involved in Frank's solo debut, 'Loyal To None', and is one of the most-sought-after bass players on the scene. Mamalitsidis Cristos has already appeared onstage with Herman Frank as a second guitarist and plays top-quality metal guitar. Drummer Michael Wolpers' keen sense for grooves and precision can be heard clearly and he has belonged to Frank's group of friends for years."

"Right In The Guts" was recorded at Herman's own Arena 20 studio in Hanover, Germany. Frank himself acted as composer and producer and took care of the mixing and album mastering. Frank has succeeded by implementing an astonishing variety of different tempos, levels of heaviness and forms of expression within a traditional metal frame. With the furious opener, "Roaring Thunder", and the pulsating title track, "Right In The Guts", Frank immediately shows his typical side. This is where instruments and vocals get directly to the point and leave no questions unanswered. This contrasts nicely with the rather unusual number "Vengeance", a track full of challenging finesse. It is a work that belongs on the stage as quickly as possible. As Herman Frank personally promises, "I will use every free minute that ACCEPT gives me to play in each and every club in the world that has enough power outlets for my ENGL wall of amp."

"Right In The Guts" track listing:

01. Roaring Thunder
02. Right In Your Guts
03. Ivory Gate
04. Vengeance
05. Starlight
06. Falling To Pieces
07. Raise Your Hand
08. Waiting
09. Hell Isn't Far
10. Kings Call
11. Lights Are Out
12. Black Star
13. So They Run

"Raise Your Hand" audio sample:

Belgium's oppressive death metallers EMPTINESS, featuring members of ENTHRONED, have released a video for the track "It And I", taken from their newest full-length, "Error". The clip, which was shot in the band's own Blackout Studios, can be viewed below.

Brooding and venomous, progressive and blackened, "Error" is a journey into descending madness. Forward-thinking black-doom insanity wrapped in a groove-laden burl of off-kilter rhythms and disharmonic melody collide with a poisonous tongue; Phorgath's agonizing spoken rasp claws at the mind and fuels the nightmare within. Embrace sorrowed oblivion. "Error" delivers nine new tracks of killer death/black noise with a layout (done by Brussels-based Blackout Media) featuring a four-panel digipak on upgraded matte finish card stock with an eight page booklet.

EMPTINESS is:

Phorgath: Bass/Vocals
Olve j.LW: Guitars / Backing Vocals
Phil Pieters Smith: Guitars
Jo Sanders: Drums

Guitarist Adrian Galysh, whose previous releases have been mainly instrumental fare, has enlisted former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ROYAL HUNT and ULI JON ROTH singer Mark Boals to contribute vocals to Adrian's new album. While the CD is currently in pre-production, listeners can still expect Galysh's tasteful guitar work, with hard rock and world music influences, to be heard throughout.

Described as "a virtuoso of modern electric and acoustic guitar techniques" by 20th Century Guitar magazine, Galysh has been dazzling southern California audiences for over a decade, whether he's backed by his band or as sideman for ex-SCORPIONS guitar legend Uli Jon Roth.

Boals, whose career started with stints in SAVOY BROWN and TED NUGENT, is noted most for his vocal work with neoclassical guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen, appearing on four studio albums, including the hard rock classic "Trilogy".

Galysh and Boals have worked together before, performing in Uli Jon Roth's band during a 2011 tour. Galysh says of the opportunity to write and record with Boals, "Mark Boals is one of my all-time favorite singers. I clearly remember first hearing him on Yngwie's 'Trilogy' album, and being blown away by how strong and unique his voice was. I've been fortunate to have been able to perform with both my favorite guitarist, Uli Jon Roth, as well as favorite vocalist, Mark Boals, and am thrilled to have him on my new record."

Galysh's new album, tentatively titled "Tone Poet", is expected to be released in the summer.

For more information, visit www.AdrianGalysh.com.

Dass abwechslungsreicher Thrash Metal ohne viel Schnickschnack auskommt, beweisen die Hannoveraner CRIPPER seit Bandgründung 2005. Seitdem fräst sich der sympathisch-chaotische Haufen durch die europäische Metallandschaft. Mit einem Mix aus Old-School und Moderne, technischer Versiertheit und ner gehörigen Portion Groove hat sich das Quintett um Elchkuh Britta Görtz sehr schnell einen Namen als spielfreudige & mitreißende Liveband gemacht, die durch ihre schweißtreibenden Shows und packenden Live-Songs begeistert.

Auch die Presse reagiert euphorisch auf alle der drei bisherigen Veröffentlichungen (Killer Escort Service, 2006; Freak Inside, 2007; Devil Reveals, 2009). Zwischen 2006–2009 spielen CRIPPER über 130 Gigs, darunter viele große Festivalshows, u.a. Metalcamp ‘06 / ’07 / ’08, Way Of Darkness ‘08, Wacken Rocks Seaside & South ’09, Queens Of Metal ‘07, Rock Harz ’09, Rockmania ‘08, Winterbreath ’08. Im Oktober 2009 nimmt Sängerin Britta Görtz zusammen mit Doro Pesch, Angela Gossow und Sabina Classen am ersten internationalen Kongress „Heavy Metal and Gender“ an der Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln teil. Dem folgt ein gemeinsames Konzert mit Doro und Holy Moses.

2010 supporten CRIPPER Overkill auf ihrer Killfest-Tour und spielen 19 Shows quer durch 9 europäische Länder. Jede Show ist ein riesen Erfolg und bringt die Band um Britta Görtz, Christian Bröhenhorst, Jonathan Stenger, Dennis Weber und Bastian Helwig ein ganzes Stück weiter in der Weltgeschichte. Anfang 2011 geht es ab in die Karibik, um zusammen mit Metal-Göttern wie Saxon, Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, Iced Earth und Obituary auf dem größten schwimmenden Metal Festival aller Zeiten zu spielen: den "70.000 Tons Of Metal". Eins ist sicher, die Band ist nicht die einzige, die ins Schwitzen kommt. Auf der Cruise werden CRIPPER vom Kamerateam der "24h Reportage" von Sat.1 begleitet. Die Ausstrahlung der 45minütigen Sendung erreicht Tausende und stellt die Band einem breiten Publikum vor.

Die Festivalsaison 2011 wird buchstäblich abgegrast. CRIPPER spielen beim Bang Your Head, Summer Breeze, Rockharz, Eindhoven Metal Meeting NL, Metalfest CH, Eisenwahn und vielen weiteren deutschen und europäischen Festivals. Das am 22. Juni 2012 erscheinende 3. Studioalbum „Antagonist“ enthält 12 Songs, mit denen sich CRIPPER sowohl von ihrer Old-School, als auch von ihrer modernen Seite zeigen. Von deathlastigen Songs wie „Animal of Prey“, ein Arsch voll Rock 'n Roll wie bei „Clean“, dem Hassbatzen „General Routine“ oder dem schnittigen Opener „New Shadow“ – CRIPPER sind reifer geworden und zeigen das mit wachsender Spielfreude.

"Animal of Prey" Track List:

01. New Shadow
02. Not Dead Yet
03. Animal Of Prey
04. Totmann
05. Hegemony
06. Clean
07. General Routine
08. Dogbite
09. Another Lesson In Pain
10. Damocles
11. God Spoken Prayer
12. Cocoon

Ozzy Osbourne's wife/manager Sharon Osbourne became a first-time grandmother this past Tuesday, April 24 when their 26-year-old son Jack and his fiancée, actress Lisa Stelly, welcomed a daughter named Pearl at a healthy 8 lbs., 6 oz.

Ozzy already had four grandchildren; two each from daughter Jessica and son Louis from his previous marriage to Thelma Riley.

It is the first child for Osbourne and Lisa Stelly, who gushed about her future husband when announcing their engagement. At the time, Sharon said, "I'm happy because it's what Jack wants, so I'm happy. And I've always wanted to be a grandma, so it couldn't be better."

Jack's sister Kelly tweeted on Tuesday, "thank you so much for your congratulations but they realy should be gonig to @lisamarstelly & @mrjacko! I am one proud Auntie!"

Added Sharon: "Today I witnessed my first grandchild being born, life changing experience. She is an angel."

Jack found fame through his family's MTV reality show "The Osbournes" and has since appeared in several other TV programs. Last year he produced a documentary about his father called "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne".

French progressive metallers GOJIRA will release a new DVD/Blu-ray, "The Flesh Alive", in Europe on June 4 and in the U.S> on July 31 via Mascot. The set will be made available in the following formats:

* 2-DVD+CD
* Blu-ray+CD with free poster

The three-disc "The Flesh Alive" chronicles the making of GOJIRA's 2008 album, "The Way Of All Flesh", and the touring activity that followed the CD's release.

"The Flesh Alive" track listing:

Disc 1:

01. Garorock Show: Oroborus
02. The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe
03. Backbone
04. Love
05. From The Skyg
06. A Sight To Behold
07. The Art Of Dying
08. Drum Solo
09. Clone
10. Flying Whales
11. The Way Of All Flesh
12. Terra Incognita
13. Vacuity
14. Les Vieilles Charrues Show: Lizard Skin
15. Indians
16. Toxic Garbage Island
17. World To Come

Disc 2:

01. Documentary "The Way Of All Flesh Inside"
02. Oroborus
03. The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe
04. Backbone
05. Flying Whales
06. Toxic Garbage Island
07. The Way Of All Flesh
08. Terra Incognita
09. Vacuity

CD:

01. Oroborus
02. The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe
03. Backbone
04. Love
05. From The Sky
06. A Sight To Behold
07. The Art Of Dying
08. Clone
09. Flying Whales
10. The Way Of All Flesh
11. Terra Incognita
12. Vacuity

A trailer for "The Flesh Alive" can be seen below.

To pre-order a copy, go to this location.

GOJIRA's fifth album, "L'Enfant Sauvage", will be released on June 26 via Roadrunner Records. The CD (the title of which translates to "The Wild Child") features 11 tracks of mind-bending, thunderous metal.

The "L'Enfant Sauvage" title track will be released digitally on May 1.

Former ARCH ENEMY guitarist Christopher Amott has finished mixing his new solo album and will master the effort on Friday, April 27 for a tentative summer release. He says, "There's been a few delays, but that's what happens when you strive for perfection! Can't wait to release this one — I am really pleased."

Amott in March issued a statement explaining that he left ARCH ENEMY to pursue his solo career. He said, "I'm gonna continue to be very active in music, working with all kinds of styles — this does not rule out metal."

ARCH ENEMY recruited 26-year-old American guitarist Nick Cordle (ARSIS) to replace Christopher.

Christopher Amott started his career in music in 1995 as a founding creative force and guitarist in ARCH ENEMY. In this context, he is known for his tastefully technical guitar work and memorably emotive playing style.

After garnering his early success, Christopher had the desire to express himself on a personal level in the same genre. At this time he began writing albums under the name ARMAGEDDON. Christopher wrote and recorded three albums over the next few years as ARCH ENEMY grew into an internationally recognized act, with his compositions featuring his own vocal stylings on the last album. This would be Christopher's first foray into singing and a spark of inspiration for his later musical ventures.

In 2008, Christopher began to consider his creative options as a mature musician. He began writing songs of an entirely different atmosphere, which saw his guitar playing focused less on technical ecstasy and more on a chord-based blues rock ambience as a foundation for more prominent vocal and lyrical ideas. These compositions developed into his next solo project; the album would be called "Follow Your Heart", released under his own name in 2010.

Video footage of ADRENALINE MOB performing the BLACK SABBATH classics "The Mob Rules" and "War Pigs" during its March 12 concert at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City can be seen below.

ADRENALINE MOB is the band featuring featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) and DISTURBED bassist John Moyer.

The group travelled to Los Angeles last month to film a video for the song "Indifferent". The clip, which was directed by Scott Hansen (A DAY TO REMEMBER, UNEARTH, WILLIE NELSON), was shot in the desert in California and throughout Los Angeles and should be making its debut in the next couple of weeks.

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

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

ADRENALINE MOB and KILL DEVIL HILL will join forces for a short co-headlining tour in May. The trek will kick off on May 10 in Cleveland an will make stops in Dallas, Chicago and Orlando before wrapping up in Charlotte on May 22. The shows will feature KILL DEVIL HILL followed by ADRENALINE MOB and then end in all-out jam between the two groups. Special VIP packages, including exclusive items and meet-and-greets will be available for each band.

ADRENALINE MOB will embark on a European tour in June.

French black metallers MERRIMACK will release their new album, "The Acausal Mass", on June 22 via AFM Records. The CD was once again produced by Tore Stjerna and Sverker Widgren at Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, DESTRÖYER 666, OFERMOD, PORTRAIT, UNANIMATED, SETHERIAL) in Stockholm, Sweden.

Video footage from the studio can be seen below.

"The Acausal Mass" track listing:

01. Vestals Of Descending Light
02. Arousing Wombs In Nine Angels Pleroma
03. Gospel Of The Void
04. Beati Estis Cum Maledixirint Vobis
05. Hypophanie
06. Obstetrics Of Devourment
07. Worms In The Divine Intestine
08. Abortion Light
09. Liminal Matter Corruption

According to a press release, "The Acausal Mass" is "a milestone of orthodox and brilliant black metal, balancing malicious underground spirit and wickedly simmered maturity."

Progressive rock outfit HEADSPACE will release its first full-length album, "I Am Anonymous", on May 22 in North America (one day earlier in Europe) via InsideOut Music. The artwork for the CD was created by Blacklake (a design team from Holland), and they took the band's original concept of a bleak war-torn landscape and created the chaotic scene for the front cover, contrasted by the innocence of a young child.

In regards to the artwork, HEADSPACE's Adam Wakeman (keyboardist for OZZY OSBOURNE, son of YES' Rick Wakeman) comments: "We wanted to try and visually capture a contrast in the chaos. The album is about the listener and their relationship with humanity — ultimately the battles fought within the mind from child to man. Although the album has references to war (through Kubler Ross' model of impending death), it's also about the turmoil that leads us to peace and acceptance... We were conscious that all the artwork had to reflect that."

To give fans a preview of their upcoming release, HEADSPACE has posted an album teaser trailer that features samples of every song on "I Am Anonymous". Check it out below.

"I Am Anonymous" track listing:

01. Stalled Armageddon
02. Die With A Bullet
03. Soldier
04. Fall Of America
05. In Hell's Name
06. Daddy Fucking Loves You
07. Invasion
08. The Big Day

HEADSPACE began as a way for Wakeman and a close circle of his musician friends to reconnect. There were no preconceptions of launching a progressive metal band, and certainly no visions of grandeur — they just played music that they loved. "We're quite open about our influences because that's the music that we love," the band comments. "There's RUSH, YES, GENESIS, a lot of bands. We even give a tip of the hat to DREAM THEATER in a few sections. That's all a part of what we are."

This impromptu collaboration amongst friends quickly turned into something more serious, leading to the official formation of HEADSPACE and the completion of their debut album, "I Am Anonymous", which will be released this psring through InsideOut Music. The band comments, "Indeed, with players like keyboardist Adam Wakeman, vocalist Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, ARJEN LUCASSEN), bassist Lee Pomeroy (Rick Wakeman's ERE, IT BITES), HEADSPACE is destined to go in an 'unashamedly prog' direction. People may be surprised to find, however, that for a band led by a keyboardist and vocalist — at least on paper — 'I Am Anonymous' is a heavily guitar-oriented record."

Guitarist Pete Rinaldi and drummer Richard Brook round out the band's lineup, making HEADSPACE a progressive metal powerhouse in the music world.

HEADSPACE is:

Adam Wakeman - Keyboards
Damian Wilson - Vocals
Pete Rinaldi - Guitars
Lee Pomeroy - Bass
Richard Brook - Drums

Swedish metallers CULT OF THE FOX will release their second studio album, "Angelsbane", in November via Rock It Up Records. The CD will contain 10 new tracks and cover artwork from Anna Björklun (who previously worked with the band on their debut album, "A Vow Of Vengeance").

Formed in 2007, CULT OF THE FOX recorded three demos — "Kitsunetsuki" (2007), "The Power We Serve" (2008) and "The Sea Beneath The Sand" (2010) — before releasing its full-length debut last year.

CULT OF THE FOX has shared the stages with such bands as RAM and PORTRAIT.

CULT OF THE FOX is:

Daniel Fritze - Drums
Peter Svensson – Bass, Backing Vocals
Erika Wallberg - Guitar
Magnus Hultman - Lead vocals

On April 20, Aniruddh Bansal of Metal Assault conducted an interview with with former HELLOWEEN and current UNISONIC singer Michael Kiske. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Metal Assault: Did you feel that the songwriting [for the UNISONIC debut album] went through a big change when Kai [Hansen, former HELLOWEEN and current GAMMA RAY guitarist/vocalist] arrived in the band?

Kiske: Well, he has his own ways. I like him and his songwriting anyway, and I know him for a number of years now. I was always a fan of the things he was doing. When he comes into a band like UNISONIC and starts working on material, he does it in his own way. Dennis Ward, who is an American, he also has his own ways and he writes beautiful songs. It's not that Dennis can't write great songs, but Kai has his own style of pushing things around, and as soon as he has his hand involved, things get more interesting, at least for my ears. It just gets more of an edge. Kai has a talent for nailing things down to the basics and throw out useless stuff. I think pretty much all the songs gained a lot after he joined the band. It's just my personal opinion. Maybe there are people who don't see this as dramatically as I do, but I really think Kai is a huge plus to UNISONIC.

Metal Assault: The main question in the fans' minds would be, how does UNISONIC's music compare to the HELLOWEEN material that you did a number of years back?

Kiske: To me, there's not much of a difference. I'm still myself, you know. I'm a different person, of course, it's been 23 years since the "Keeper" days. Kai has changed, too. I think when I sing stuff that he has written, it always sounds like HELLOWEEN in a certain way, because that's just how we sound. I don't believe in a record production that attempts to sound like records of the past, trying to fake the sound on purpose. I would never go for that. I think that's really wrong, but we're just ourselves, and as much as that's the case, I think we do sound the way we always sounded. Of course, there are other people in the band now. Mandy, Dennis and Kosta are different people as compared to Michael Weikath, Ingo and Markus [members of HELLOWEEN's "Keeper" lineup]. So, for that matter, it sounds different, but nobody knows what the next HELLOWEEN record after "Keeper II" would have sounded like, if Kai was still in the band at that time. It might have sounded like that, but we were never the type of band that repeated itself, you know. We always tried to break some new grounds creatively, and I think that's why those "Keeper" records, even to this day, appeal to younger people. There was some kind of a "no-fear" spirit going on, just enjoying the time and making the best out of each song, not worrying too much, and that's what I loved about that time. To a certain extent, it's still the same way with UNISONIC. There is still a spirit going on between me and Kai, which reminds me a lot of that time.

Metal Assault: Vocally, have you done anything different on this album, or is it the same style that we've known you for over the years?

Kiske: I think I'm a lot better now (laughs). I can't really listen to myself on the "Keeper I" and "II" records. I was a baby then. I was like eighteen years old when I did the vocals for "Keeper I". Same for "Keeper II", I was nineteen at the time. The vocal cords were not fully developed when you're at that age. For a man, you have to cross the age of 30 for your vocal cords to really develop. So I think in terms of the sound of my voice, I'm a lot better these days than I was back then. I sound a lot fuller, and I don't have to kick my ass that much to sound good out there, you know. Of course as a person I have developed, so my singing has improved. The vocal performance always depends on the personality. I'm 44 years old now, and I've been through experiences. I'm not a teenager anymore. I'm a grown man now, and I think all that benefits the performance I'm able to give.

Metal Assault: Obviously, you got better with age in terms of your voice. But not every singer is able to do that. Some get worse with age. Do you think that's just natural, or is there something singers can do to improve with age?

Kiske: Absolutely. I mean, singing has a lot to do with your head. I don't have problems with my voice unless I'm having a bad time. When my soul is down, then I begin to have problems with voice, but when I feel good about things, I can sing without any problem. I think it's pretty much the same for every singer when it comes to technique. If you do things right, there is no reason you'd lose your voice. It will change over the years, but not necessarily in a bad way, and if you're aware of what you're doing, you'll be capable of singing great, and you'll be able to do everything you used to do when you were young. As long as you deal with the changes in your voice and learn how to do things differently, you can enjoy singing your whole life, actually. When singers lose their voice, either it's a mental problem, or they do something wrong to burn the voice. You should always try to avoid violating your voice as a singer.

Read the entire interview from Metal Assault.

"Unisonic" (song) video:

A limited-edition VAN HALEN seven-inch vinyl single of the song "She's The Woman" will be available for free starting Friday, May 4 with the purchase of the band's new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", at participating record stores around the country (full list of stores available here).

VAN HALEN's video for the song "She's The Woman" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", which sold 187,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"A Different Kind Of Truth" is the band's first full-length offering with original singer David Lee Roth since "1984" was released in January 1984.

Roth exited the group in 1985, a year after its "1984" album was released. According to Billboard.com, "1984" spent five weeks at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 — VAN HALEN's highest charting set with Roth. (1996's "Best Of Volume 1" hits album, which included two new songs with Roth, debuted at No. 1 with 233,000 sold in its first week.)

VAN HALEN's other four other No. 1s were their four studio albums with Roth's replacement, Sammy Hagar: "5150" (1986), "OU812" (1988), "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" (1991) and "Balance" (1995).

VAN HALEN's previous all-new album, 1998's "Van Halen III", debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard chart and was certified gold for sales of 500,000 copies, a disappointment compared to their previous platinum efforts.

"She's The Woman" originally appeared on the 1976 demo, produced by KISS bassist Gene Simmons, that got VAN HALEN their record deal with Warner Bros. It was left off the group's 1978 debut but has been resurrected for the new disc.

LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia was recently asked by GentlemenChronicles.com what it's been like touring with MEGADETH in light of MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's reputation for sometimes being difficult to work with (see video below).

"I have a weird story with MEGADETH because they asked me to be part of their song 'A Tout Le Monde' when they re-did it [for MEGADETH's 2007 album 'United Abominations'], but I didn't know the guys," she said. "And I actually didn't meet them [until] the first Gigantour we did together. So I did the recording only with Andy Sneap as the producer of the album where 'A Tout Le Monde' was included. And I didn't meet Dave, I didn't meet the guys, because they weren't there. So the very first time we met them was on the Gigantour, and he was actually extremely cool with us. He came in the dressing room the very first day, bringing a bottle of champagne with a nice note saying that he was really to have us on the tour."

She added, "To be honest, I don't know anything about these 'temper' rumors, because he's always been extremely nice with us. I think you just have to be able to take him in the right mood and be respectful towards him, because I believe that he saw so many people, he met so many people, that have been dicks towards him that it's probably a type of protection from him to divide the people he really wants to be [in touch with] and the people that he doesn't like. I think it's honest. I mean, it's honest, instead of [being] like, 'Hey,' and smiling with everybody. If you don't wanna smile, you don't have to."

Multi-camera fan-filmed video footage of Scabbia joining MEGADETH on stage on January 28, 2012 at the third show of this year's Gigantour at the 5,600-seat Theater At Madison Square Garden in New York City to perform the MEGADETH song "A Tout Le Monde" can be seen below.

Cristina Scabbia talking about Dave Mustaine: