German thrash metal veterans KREATOR will release their new album, "Phantom Antichrist", 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

Commented KREATOR guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza: "Jan Meininghaus, who did this one, is a cover artist from my hometown, Essen, Germany. I really love the artwork he came up with for the limited edition. It's pure mayhem, powerful and dark!"

"Phantom Antichrist" track listing:

CD:

01. Mars Mantra
02. Phantom Antichrist
03. Death To The World
04. From Flood Into Fire
05. Civilisation Collapse
06. United In Hate
07. The Few, The Proud, The Broken
08. Your Heaven In My Hell
09. Victory Will Come
10. Until Our Paths Cross Again
11. Iron Destiny (Japan exclusive)

Limited-edition bonus DVD:

* Conquerers Of The Ice – The Making Of Phanom Antichrist
* Harvesting The Grapes Of Horror
* Live at Wacken Open Air in 2011 and 2008 (mixed by Klaus Scheuermann, edited by Marcel Schleif and Stephan Lier)

Wacken Open Air 2011:

01. Choir Of The Damned
02. Hordes Of Chaos
03. War Curse
04. Coma Of Souls / Endless Pain
05. Pleasure To Kill
06. Destroy What Destroys You
07. Phobia
08. Terrible Certainity / Reconquering The Throne
09. Flag Of Hate / Tormentor

Wacken Open Air 2008:

10. The Patriarch
11. Violent Revolution
12. People Of The Lie
13. Europe After The Pain

KREATOR will release a seven-inch single containing the "Phantom Antichrist" title track on April 20. The collector's item will be available in colored red vinyl (limited to 250 pieces) as well as in clear vinyl (limited to 250 pieces, exclusively available at the Nuclear Blast mailorder).

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

When asked about the musical direction of KREATOR's new material, the band's guitarist/vocalist Miland "Mille" Petrozza stated in a recent interview, "I think it's OK to say that this will be our most epic album so far. There's some classical, a lot of traditional metal, and, of course, a huge dose of thrash metal influences in the new stuff."

Speaking to Aftonbladet journalist Mattias Kling, Petrozza stated about KREATOR's collaboration with Jens Bogren, "He's really good; I like him. I like the sounds that he gets. And I think the combination — Jens Bogren and KREATOR — it will be pretty heavy."

On the topic of how the new material is different from KREATOR's previous output, Mille said, "It will definitely have all the KREATOR trademarks. The lyrics will talk about nowadays stuff, as usual, so it will be like a photography of the year 2012. Also the lyrics will deal a lot of things that are actually happening at this point in time. It will be like reading a newspaper or something [laughs], with all the stuff happening. And, of course, the music will be typical KREATOR, and we also wanna expand the sound and progress as musicians. I mean, this lineup has been the strongest lineup KREATOR ever had since ten years, and now I think we're ready to come out with an album that blows everyone away."

KREATOR has selected Poland's Grupa 13 (BEHEMOTH, ELUVEITIE, SONATA ARCTICA, DECAPITATED) to helm the video for the title track of their forthcoming album, "Phantom Antichrist".

Commented

"Summers End", a brand new song from the Croatian female fronted doom-gothic metal band ASHES YOU LEAVE, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off group's forthcoming sixth album, "The Cure For Happiness", due later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

"The Cure For Happiness" marks ASHES YOU LEAVE's first recording with singer Giada "Jade" Etro, who hails from Italy.

ASHES YOU LEAVE is:

Giada "Jada" Etro - Vocals
Berislav "Bero" Poje - Vocals, Lead Guitar
Matija Rempesic - Guitar
Marta Batinic - Violin
Luka Petrovic - Bass
Sasa Vukosav - Drums

ASHES YOU LEAVE's fifth album, "Songs Of The Lost", came out in March 2009 through the Greek label Sleaszy Rider.

Canadian metallers ODIUM made the track "Insomnia" available for free download for a limited time. The song is the first single from the band's upcoming sophomore album, "Burning The Bridges To Nowhere", which will be released on April 24 via Year of the Sun Records. The follow-up to "At The Bottom" was once again recorded with producer Greg Dawson (THE END, MONEEN, CHOKE).

Commented Year Of The Sun label owner C. Benner: "I think that when people listen to this album, they're going to get a sense that this is a band that really is committed to doing whatever it can to get their music out there. They're passionate about playing music and connecting with their audience. There's just something about the way that ODIUM's songs sit with you. With 'Burning The Bridges To Nowhere', they've really captured and defined their sound and that's really exciting for their fans. This is an epic record."

"Burning The Bridges To Nowhere" track listing:

01. Burning The Bridges To Nowhere
02. Within The Distraction
03. Blue Channel
04. Viral By Nature
05. Insomnia
06. The Ghost Upstairs
07. Claw My Eyes Out
08. Identity Of The Doomed
09. No Way Out
10. The Descent

According to a press release, ODIUM's brand of melodic metal collides with anthemic choruses that creates dark soundscapes that have begun creating a buzz around the group's debut album. Inside Pulse proclaimed "ODIUM has taken the blueprint of melodic metal from Sweden's IN FLAMES and tempered the attack with a hint of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE to create a sort of Canadian leviathan."

ODIUM is:

Thomas Emmans - Vocals
Joe Mullen - Drums
Andrew Fullerton - Guitar
Bo Louther - Guitar
Dale Burrows - Bass

EX DEO, the Ancient Roman-themed arsenal fronted by KATAKLYSM singer Maurizio Iacono, debuted a brand new song "I, Caligvla", this past Sunday, April 1 at Club Soda in Montreal, Quebec, Canada as part of the "Paganfest America Part III" tour with TURISAS, ALESTORM, ARKONA and HUNTRESS. Video footage of the performance can be seen below.

"I, Caligvla" comes off EX DEO's sophomore album, "Caligvla", which is scheduled for release on August 31 via Austria's Napalm Records.

In addition to the previously announced guest appearances by ALL SHALL PERISH guitarist Francesco Artusato and TRISTANIA singer Mariangela Demurtas, the CD will feature contributions from SEPTICFLESH's Seth Siro Anton and GRAVEWORM's Stefano Fiori. Every invited guest on the album is of Roman or Greek descent.

"Caligvla" is being mixed by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais, who has previously worked with MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX and DESPISED ICON, among others. The artwork and layout for the album will be handled by SEPTICFLESH's Seth Siro Anton.

"Caligvla" track listing:

01. I, Caligvla
02. The Tiberius Cliff (Exile To Capri)
03. Per Oculos Aquila
04. Pollice Verso (Damnatio Ad Bestia)
05. Divide Et Impera
06. Burned To Serve As Nocturnal Light
07. Teutuborg (Ambush Of Varus)
08. Along The Appian Way
09. Once Were Romans
10. Evocatio: The Temple Of Castor & Pollux

EX DEO recently canceled its participation in the "Paganfest America Part III" tour due to delays in the production of "Caligvla". The band still performed with Paganfest on April 1 in Montreal at Club Soda and April 2 in Toronto at The Opera House.

EX DEO last year completed a North American tour with NILE, PSYCROPTIC and KEEP OF KALESSIN.

"Romulus", the debut album from EX DEO, landed at position No. 90 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.

BUFFALO THEORY MTL — the project featuring former members of GHOULUNATICS and ARSENIQ 33 and current members of LES EKORCHÉS — has inked a deal with Galy Records. The band's full-length debut, "Heavy Ride", was recorded in January and February at studio Le Plateau. The CD was mixed and mastered by Dan Lagacé (GRIM SKUNK, ANVIL, LES EKORCHÉS) and is set for a May 1 release.

According to a press release, BUFFALO THEORY MTL's "sound will appeal to fans of PRIESTESS, DOWN and HIGH ON FIRE."

"Heavy Ride" is available right now only at the Galy webstore. Get your copy before it hits the stores and receive a free 11 x 17 color poster and a free bonus CD.

Commented BUFFALO THEORY MTL in a statement: "The band is proud to be a part of the Galy Records family. Some of us have been on the Galy roster before with other bands so it's kind of like coming home. It will be a great honor and a pleasure to work together on promoting this release. 2012 will be a great year for us!"

Two songs from "Heavy Ride" are available for streaming on the band's new web site, www.buffalotheorymtl.com.

BUFFALO THEORY MTL will release a video for the track "Du Metal" in the coming weeks.

BUFFALO THEORY MTL is:

Gary Lyons (ex-GHOULUNATICS) - Bass
Pat Gordon (LES EKORCHÉS, ex-GHOULUNATICS) - Guitar
Yannick Pilon (ARSENIQ 33) - Guitar
Brian Craig (ex-GHOULUNATICS) - Drums
Anton Parr - Vocals

Hungarian "progressive-grunge metallers" ANGERTEA have entered the studio to begin recording their fourth full-length album for a September release via the Norwegian label Smash Fabric Records. The band states, "We're recording 10 songs in Szeged, Hungary with producer Gábor Vári. Compared to our previous recordings, this one is gonna include shorter and maybe more 'understandable' songs. Some guest musicians are gonna play on the record. Not necessarily big stars, but people that we admire a lot, our childhood heroes."

ANGERTEA's "Distrust" video can be seen below. The song is the title track of the band's 2011 EP, which features a guest appearance by former KYUSS bassist Scott Reeder.

ANGERTEA previously released three full-length albums — "Lélekvágy" (2001), "Rushing Towards the Hateline" (2006) and "Twenty-Eight Ways to Bleed" (2009) — and an EP that was mixed by Neil Kernon (NILE, NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE).

ANGERTEA is:

Mihály Gergely - Vocals/Guitar
Peralta Miguel - Bass
Bárkai László - Drums

Das neue EMPIRES OF EDEN Album mit dem Titel "Channelling the Infinite" soll am 6. Juni 2012 weltweit in den Handel kommen! Die Band um Bandleader Stu Marshall hat jetzt den ersten "Channelling the Infinite" Video Trailer und das Cover Artwork online gestellt.

Als Gastmusiker und Sänger sind auf "Channelling the Infinite" zu hören:

• Udo Dirkschneider (Accept, U.D.O.),
• Rob Rock (Impellitteri, Driver),
• Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper, Lionsheart),
• Mike Dimeo (Masterplan / Riot),
• Sean Peck (Cage),
• Carlos Zema (Outworld, Vougan),
• Ronny Munroe (TSO, Metal Church)
• Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever) and
• Danny Cecati (Eyefear, Pegazus)
• Louie Gorgievski (Crimsonfire)
• Vo Simpson.(Darker Half)

Former TURISAS bassist Hannes Horma has joined horror metallers DIRGE ETERNAL as their new guitarist.

DIRGE ETERNAL recently completed work on the "Under The Spell" EP at Sound Supreme Studio in Hämeenlinna, Finland. In addition to playing lead guitar on the CD, Horma served as engineer and producer during the sessions.

Due on May 5, "Under The Spell"'s release will be celebrated with a performance later that night at Escape in Riihimäki, Finland.

DIRGE ETERNAL's second music video, "Slaughterhouse", will be premiered on May 4 at the Biorex movie theater in Hämeenlinnna.

DIRGE ETERNAL is:

Jani Perta - Vocals
Hannes Horma - Guitar
Henri Asikainen - Guitar
Markus Ylänne - Bass
Patrik Albrecht - Drums

The opening theme to the anime adaptation of Kenji Taira's Naruto spin-off manga Rock Lee No Seishun Full-Power Ninden is "Give Lee Give Lee Rock Lee" a collaborative track featuring ANIMETAL USA and Hironobu Kageyama. The single for the song will be released tomorrow (Wednesday, April 4). The jacket for the single features characters from the series wearing clothes and makeup similar to the heavy metal outfits worn by ANIMETAL USA.

Formed in 2011, ANIMETAL USA specializes in playing anime-related songs and consists of several well-known North American musicians, vocalist Mike Vescera (OBSESSION, LOUDNESS, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), bassist Rudy Sarzo (BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, WHITESNAKE, DIO, QUIET RIOT), drummer Scott Travis (JUDAS PRIEST), guitarist Chris Impellitteri (IMPELLITTERI, and arranger Marty Friedman (MEGADETH).

Kageyama is known for his many songs that have been featured in anime including Dragon Ball Z and Saint Seiya, as well as for his involvement with the vocal group JAM PROJECT, which he is the current leader of. JAM PROJECT and ANIMETAL USA also recently announced that they will be touring Japan together.

ANIMETAL USA's second album, "Animetal USA W", is scheduled for release in May.

ANIMETAL USA is:

* Mike Vescera (OBSESSION, LOUDNESS) - Vocals
* Rudy Sarzo (BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO) - Bass
* Scott Travis (JUDAS PRIEST, RACER X, FIGHT) - Drums
* Chris Impellitteri (IMPELLITTERI) - Guitar

In an exclusive interview with "Showbiz Tonight" which aired last night (Monday, April 2), members of the band KISS slammed the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. KISS, who performed at the NCAA Big Dance Concert Series this weekend, has been eligible to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame since 1999, but has never received the honor. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley critiqued the organization, saying that the voting process is an insult to artists. You can now watch the entire segment below.

For the 13th year in a row, KISS has been passed up for inclusion into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Had they been inducted in 1999, the year they were first eligible, they would have entered with Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Dusty Springfield, and Curtis Mayfield, among others. That year, instead of KISS joining those legends in the Hall, the late Del Shannon was inducted — an artist, whose influence and fan-base simply can't be compared to the New York rockers. Over the years, KISS has watched such '70s peers as AEROSMITH, the RAMONES, AC/DC, ZZ TOP, the SEX PISTOLS, the STOOGES, and Alice Cooper enter before them.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley spoke about once again being shut out of the Rock Hall, with Simmons telling Rolling Stone: "It's become a joke. We've been thinking about it and the answer is simply, 'We'll just buy it and fire everybody.' In all seriousness for the fans, for something to be called Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is such an insult to MADONNA, BLONDIE. . . Who the fuck knows what other disco act is in there? It's an insult to them because they don't get to be in the 'Dance Hall Of Fame', because that's what they do. They're legitimate dance, disco artists. They don't belong in rock and roll."

Paul Stanley went on to add: "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has reached a point where they're really scrounging and scratching to find someone left that they consider viable. With all due respect, when you get to Patti Smith, you're about two steps away from Pete Seeger."

Gene Simmons told The Pulse Of Radio that awards hold little allure for him, since it's the fans that ultimately decide who stays around and who doesn't: "Our awards are under the 'K' section in record stores. Every time somebody goes out and plunks down their hard-earned money — either for a KISS ticket or for an album — that's the award, and reward."

Paul Stanley told The Pulse Of Radio that he looks at the big picture when considering KISS' career. "When you think of Muhammad Ali, you think of him as the champ," he said. "You don't think of the times he lost — and he did. I'd rather think of us in those terms. Nobody stays on top all the time, but who's been champ longest?"

KISS has just wrapped production on their 20th album, "Monster". No release date has been announced.

KORN recently recorded several songs at the legendary BBC Maida Vale Studios in London, England for an exclusive BBC Radio 1 "Rock Show" session which aired last night (Monday, April 2) as part of Daniel Carter's program. KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer was also on the phone talking about the band's recent tour. You can now stream the program for another six days at BBC.co.uk (the session begins around the 36-minute mark).

KORN's latest album, "The Path Of Totality", saw the band teaming up with dubstep producers and DJs to add a whole new electronic layer to their sound.

Much of the material for the album was recorded at singer Jonathan Davis' home studio, and he laid down vocals at home or in hotel rooms while on tour.

Davis said that title refers to the fact that "in order to see the sun in a full solar eclipse, you must be in the exact right place in the exact right time. That's how this album came together . . . I'm not sure it could ever happen again."

The album was released in two configurations: as a standard 11-song CD and a special edition CD that included bonus tracks as well as a DVD of "The Encounter", a full-length video concert of KORN's mind-blowing, once-in-a-lifetime performance in the middle of a 900-foot-long crop circle in a wheat field in Bakersfield. The complete concert, previously seen in 2010 on TV and online in an abbreviated form, was offered in its entirety to those who purchase the deluxe version.

According to Rolling Stone, GREEN DAY will deliver GUNS N' ROSES' induction speech when the legendary California rockers are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on April 14 in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Use Your Illusion"-era GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum has told VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner that founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin will not be attending the ceremony. Sorum said, "[Slash] spoke to Izzy and Izzy wasn't planning on coming. So I think that was like, if Izzy's not going to come and it's not all the original guys, then it doesn't make sense."

Slash, who recently confirmed that the original band would not be playing, told Rolling Stone on Monday (April 2) that he's "dead sick" of talking about the induction, adding, "I feel you're totally obligated to be present and I would love to play, but it's just something that's not gonna happen for whatever reason."

It's been widely documented that singer Axl Rose's hostility toward Slash is the major stumbling block for any reunion, with Slash saying, "He hates my guts. It's over a lot of different stuff; I don't even know. There's just no communication between us. I talk to Duff [McKagan, bassist] and Steven [Adler, drummer], but when it comes to old GUNS N' ROSES, there really isn't anybody that makes decisions."

Slash will release his second solo album, "Apocalyptic Love", on May 22, with a North American tour booked.

Also going into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on April 14 are the BEASTIE BOYS, the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, the FACES/SMALL FACES, Donovan and Laura Nyro.

The ceremony will be taped for broadcast by HBO, which plans to air it in early May.

A professional audio recording of RIVAL SONS' December 6, 2011 concert at the Strand in Stockholm, Sweden — which was originally broadcast on Swedish national radio's (Sveriges Radio) P3 Live channel — can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

RIVAL SONS recently entered the studio to record its new album, due later this year via Earache Records. The CD was laid down at Honey Pye Studios in Nashville, Tennessee with Grammy-nominated producer Dave Cobb, who has worked on all three previous releases from the band, and Grammy-winning engineer Vance Powell.

RIVAL SONS' latest album, "Pressure And Time", is out now worldwide on CD and limited-edition audiophile vinyl, as well as on iTunes with two exclusive bonus tracks.

RIVAL SONS was nominated for two Classic Rock awards, in the categories of "Best New Band" and "Best Album".

RatPack Records has set a May 1 release date for legendary guitarist George Lynch's (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB, T&N, SOULS OF WE) new EP. "Legacy". This four-song release celebrates thirty years of Lynch's guitar playing by "inject[ing] us with a super-charged dose of George's signature style and prov[ing] once again why he's one of the most respected guitar players of the last three decades," according to a press release. The opening track, "Blood Drive", ignites this disc with an upbeat catchy feel that is reminiscent of early VAN HALEN and Joe Satriani. "Circulo Del Fuego" is a well-constructed rocker that incorporates all of George's legendary playing style. "Invoid" can best be best described as "Mr Scary" meets "Tooth And Nail", seeing as it's laced from start to finish with amazing guitar technique and killer tone. The closing cut, "The Road Ahead", is a haunting ballad-style number that combines all the flavor and melodic angst of the late '80s but with a modern tone.

"Legacy" is a straight-forward offering with a classic metal vibe and is a must-have for any true fan of this elite guitar legend.

For more information, go to this location.

Swiss hard rockers GOTTHARD will release their new album, "Firebirth", on June 1 release via Nuclear Blast/Warner Music. The CD was produced at the band's own Yellow House Studios in Lugano, Switzerland, with guitarist/songwriter Leo Leoni and Paul Lani (who has previously worked with GOTTHARD on several of their earlier albums, including "G-Spot" and "Homerun") at the helm.

"Firebirth" marks GOTTHARD's first release with new singer Nic Maeder, who was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, lived in Melbourne, Australia and grew up between Switzerland and "Down Under."

"Firebirth" track listing:

01. Starlight
02. Give Me Real
03. Remember It's Me
04. Fight
05. Yippie Aye Yay
06. Tell Me
07. Shine
08. The Story Is Over
09. Right On
10. S.O.S.
11. Take It All Back
12. I Can
13. Where Are You? (dedicated to Steve Lee)

GOTTHARD vocalist Steve Lee was killed on October 5, 2010 in what has been described as a freak road accident in Nevada.

The "Firebirth" album cover depicts the firebird Phoenix, which symbolically rises "from the ashes to the sky" — this line expresses what each GOTTHARD fan feels and underlines the turbulent time that GOTTHARD has gone through in the past months.

Commented Leoni: "We are delighted with the new album. Songwriting with Nic and Freddy was a real explosion of inspiration and new ideas! Regarding sound and production, we have returned to our roots and we deliberately produced it with a pure — and for GOTTHARD — typical sound. For us, 'Firebirth' is the comeback album with the rating: back to basics!"

Added Marc Lynn: "Collaboration with Nic was unbelievable — it feels that we have known each other forever and the euphoria in the band is now burning like a new fire. It is a true rebirth of the zest of 20 years ago, when the band took off 'to conquer the world.' Producing this album with the new lineup was a real 'birth of fire' — we are very proud of our new baby."

GOTTHARD's first recording with Maeder, a song called "Remember It's Me", was made available late last year as a free download via the GOTTHARD web site and was met with a firestorm of enthusiasm and positive feedback.

Stated Maeder: "It was absolutely amazing to experience the positive feedback from the GOTTHARD fans and the media after the release of 'Remember It's Me'. Now I am looking forward to the reaction to our first album together. The chemistry in the band feels fantastic and we are very much looking forward to being onstage in a couple of weeks and rocking with the fans."

GOTTHARD's first live shows with Maeder will take place in May in South America before the band makes several European festival appearances. The new group's German live debut will take place on July 14 at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen.

"Carolus Rex", heißt das neue Album der Schweden Metaller SABATON. Das Album wird am 25. Mai via Nuclear Blast Records veröffentlicht. Das Album wird in einer Schwedischen und in einer Englischen Version in den Handel kommen. Nuclear Blast Records veröffentlicht auch eine "Carolus Rex" MAILORDER EDITION!

SABATON stellen die neuen Band Menber vor! Derzeit suchen wir noch nach einem Keyboarder. Bis wir den richtigen Mann für den Job gefunden haben, wird Daniel Myhr weiterhin bei uns sein – zumindest in digitaler Form, da er für unsere gigs alle Keyboardspuren extra nochmals aufgenommen hat. Alle Shows werden stattfinden, wir werden nichts absagen! Die Kriegsmaschine SABATON wird weiterlaufen wie geplant!

SABATON 2012 ist:

Joakim Brodén - Vocals
Pär Sundström - Bass
Chris Rörland - Guitars
Thobbe Englund - Guitars
Robban Bäck - Drums

"Cry Thunder", the new video from British epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "The Power Within", which will be released in North America on April 17 via Roadrunner Records. The CD will be released in the U.K. on April 16 via the band's own Electric Generation Recordings, distributed by Essential Music.

DRAGONFORCE has announced plans to return to North America for a spring tour. This outing marks the band's first trek with brand new singer Marc Hudson, who also makes his recorded debut on "The Power Within".

Hudson premiered his voice at a series of intimate North American shows last October. The performances were met with much praise and approval from the band's diehard fanbase. Now the vocalist will be able to showcase his pipes to other parts of the country and beyond, where a similar reaction is expected for this talented up-and-comer with undeniable chops.

The tour kicks off April 21 at the annual New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts and makes several stops on the East Coast before winding through Canada and into the Midwest before wrapping out west on May 11 in Anaheim, California. L.A.-based metal warriors HOLY GRAIL, and HUNTRESS, a five-piece metal band lead by vocalist Jill Janus, who delivers an unparalleled four-octave range thanks to her opera background, will provide support on this run.

Pre-orders for "The Power Within" are available. You can pre-order "The Power Within" bundle and receive an exclusive autographed poster and a download of the album the day before it's available in stores.

Guitarist Herman Li recently stated about "The Power Within", "The last two years have been the most fun we ever had making an album. Through writing, jamming and touring together, we have built this incredible energy and it has been fully captured on the new album.

"This time around we've really brought our metal side to the surface and made some of the best music of our career. From the fastest song we've ever recorded ['Fallen World'] to the slower songs, and some things you would never expect from us, this is by far the most diverse DRAGONFORCE album yet."

Li added, "This is an exciting new era for DRAGONFORCE with Marc joining the band, so we figured this was an ideal time to take full control of our own destiny and establish our own record label for Europe. It's all hands on deck running it, but a great buzz!"

"The Power Within" track listing:

01. Holding On
02. Fallen World
03. Cry Thunder
04. Give Me The Night
05. Wings of Liberty
06. Seasons
07. Heart Of The Storm
08. Die By The Sword
09. Last Man Stands
10. Seasons (acoustic version)

There will also be a digital and vinyl version featuring bonus tracks "Cry Thunder (Live Rehearsal)", "Heart of the Storm (Alternative Chorus Version)" and "Avant La Tempête (Instrumental)", plus an exclusive box set featuring:

* CD Version
* Access Code for Bonus Material plus
* DRAGONFORCE Flag,
* DF Flashlight/Bottle Opener,
* Set of 6 DF Beer Mats featuring band cartoons by bassist Frédéric Leclercq.

"Cry Thunder" video:

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers DELAIN will release their long-awaited third album, "We Are The Others", on June 1 in the Benelux and Germany; and on June 4 in the U.K. and France through CNR Entertainment and Roadrunner Records. The lead single, "Get The Devil Out Of Me", hits stores on April 13 (April 15 for U.K.) to coincide with the start of the band's European tour.

"Get The Devil Out Of Me" can now be streamed in the YouTube clip below. A video for the song will follow shortly.

Commented DELAIN singer Charlotte Wessels: "Getting 'We Are The Others' recorded has been a challenging process. However, I'm absolutely sure that it forced the best out of us. I'm in love with so many of the tracks on this record! Our fans have shown massive support in the run up to the release. Thank you all so much for that! Now that we've got the date fixed and this great new team behind us, I can't wait to get onstage and blow your minds with our new songs. You rock!!"

Described as "the band's most powerful, most atmospheric and intoxicating album to date," "We Are The Others" was helmed by producer Jacob Hellner — renowned for his work with RAMMSTEIN, CLAWFINGER and APOCALYPTICA — while the vocals were tracked with the Epicentre team of Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikström (SCORPIONS, BACKYARD BABIES).

A new video interview with DELAIN frontwoman Charlotte Wessels about "We Are The Others" can be seen below (courtesy of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine).

DELAIN previously stated about "We Are The Others": "As you might expect from us, this album again offers some interesting collaborations, both in musical and visual terms.

"This record features none less than FEAR FACTORY shouter Burton C. Bell as a guest singer, and visual artist Glenn Arthur provided the cover artwork [see below].

"We met Burton at the Wacken Open Air festival a year ago and stayed in touch afterwards. When we were working on [the song] 'Where Is The Blood', we didn't hesitate to contact him for cooperation. He's done such an amazing job on the song turning the song into a most violent duet; his exceptional, raw voice fits perfectly to this song!

"The cover artwork was created by Glenn Arthur, a California-based visual artist whose work is inspired by art nouveau design and steampunk imagery. Charlotte [Wessels, vocals] is a big admirer of Glenn's work and she dedicated multiple blogs to his art.

"For the artwork of 'We Are The Others', we gave Glenn the lyrics to the song as inspiration.

"We're incredibly happy with how the cover turned out."

Added Charlotte: "From the first time I saw [Glenn's] work, I've been imagining it as cover artwork; something in the way his work is both esthetically very delicate, but always with a dark undertone, fits our music very well."

"We Are The Others" track listing:

01. Mother Machine
02. Electricity
03. We Are The Others
04. Milk And Honey
05. Hit Me With Your Best Shot
06. I Want You
07. Where Is The Blood (feat. Burton C. Bell)
08. Generation Me
09. Babylon
10. Are You Done With Me
11. Get The Devil Out Of Me
12. Not Enough

At first glance, some songtitles on "We Are The Others" may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.

Commented Charlotte: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere.

"'We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."

DELAIN will embark on a European headlining tour in April with support from TRILLIUM, the metal project masterminded by American singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville.

"Get The Devil Out Of Me" audio stream:

"Let Them Fall", the new video from doom metal progenitors SAINT VITUS, can be viewed below. The clip was produced and directed by Michael Panduro of Siegfred Productions (CEPHALIC CARNAGE, ROTTEN SOUND, NO AND THE MAYBES) for Scion A/V and shot in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Let Them Fall" comes off SAINT VITUS' new album, "Lillie: F-65", which will hit the stores in Europe on April 27 via Season Of Mist. Due to "manufacturing issues," the CD wil be released in North America in May.

"Lillie: F-65" track listing:

01. Let Them Fall
02. The Bleeding Ground
03. Vertigo
04. Blessed Night
05. The Waste of Time
06. Dependence
07. Withdrawal

SAINT VITUS recently released a seven-inch single featuring "Blessed Night", a track from "Lillie: F-65". The B-side is a live version of classic VITUS tune "Look Behind You", recorded in December 2010 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland.

The "Blessed Night" seven-inch single is limited to 1,000 hand-numbered copies. Pre-order it at this location.

Speaking to Terrorizer magazine, SAINT VITUS frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich stated about the band's new album title, "Y'know the reason we called it 'Lillie: F-65'? It was a powerful downer back in our day and well, Dave [Chandler, guitar] really had a thing for his downers."

SAINT VITUS' current lineup features Chandler, drummer Henry Vasquez, bassist Mark Adams and Weinrich.

"Making this album was really a blast," said Chandler. "Being able to live in an environment where all we had to concentrate on was the new material, became very inspiring. And along with our new drummer, Henry Vasquez, and label, Season Of Mist, this record has given us a new opportunity to show everyone that we still have more to shove in your face."

When asked why he thinks SAINT VITUS' music continues to resonate, Wino said in an interview, "Because it comes from the gut. The music has that low tone and it hits you in those emotional places. I've always tried to make the lyrics just as interesting as the music. It's always been a little bit dark but I'm not drawn to the happy stuff. I like music that grabs you by the balls."

"Chemicals", the first single from LOVE AND DEATH, the new band led by former KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, can be streamed at Banana1015.com. An intense semi-animated music video shot by POAB Designs/Martillo Pictures will follow soon.

Regarding his decision to call his group LOVE AND DEATH, Welch recently said, "I put this band together in 2009. Since then, we've experienced some very intense highs and lows. Michael Valentine, Dan Johnson, J.R. Bareis and myself have toured around the world playing a lot of killer shows, but we've also had some heart-shattering difficulties along the way. To us, the name LOVE AND DEATH symbolizes everything we've been through as a band over the last few years. We love this band so much and we'll go through hell to connect with our fans. We've proven that to ourselves over and over again."

With LOVE AND DEATH, the music now lives under its own banner.

"Many people have confused my speaking dates and our band dates because they were both being booked as Brian 'Head' Welch," said Welch. "I have wanted to use a band name for branding my music for a few years. It has been an ongoing discussion with my management, but we were just starting to tour and I was in the middle of supporting my third book and it seemed like a bad time to switch names. Now with the new music coming out, it's time to really separate the things I do. I want the music to be about music. I will still be doing public speaking under Brian 'Head' Welch. I am happy that all the confusion will be over."

LOVE AND DEATH formed when Welch decided to have open auditions on YouTube in 2009. "I picked the guys and then had a jam session in Phoenix," says Welch. "Over the last couple of years, there have been a few lineup changes as we went through normal growing pains. The current band has been together and touring for a while now and they are a big part of the new music and the future of LOVE AND DEATH."

For more information, visit www.loveanddeathmusic.com.

"Beautiful World", the first video from INFINIKA, the new band featuring former KORN drummer David Silveria alongside ANYONE members Riz Story and Miki Black, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Story and was ironically shot in the very same room that KORN's debut video, "Blind", was filmed in.

"Beautiful World", which is available for digital purchase via iTunes and Amazon, comes off INFINIKA's forthcoming album, "Echoes And Traces".

INFINIKA's lineup is completed by former TRAK 13 bassist Cory Tarallo.

INFINIKA is:

Riz Story (ANYONE): Lead Vocals, Guitars
Miki Black (ANYONE): Guitar, Keyboards
Cory Tarallo (TRAK 13): Bass
David Silveria (KORN): Drums

Silveria has told TMZ.com that he was tired, and not drunk, when he was pulled over by police on March 25 in Huntington Beach, California and arrested for DUI. Silveria said he passed a breathalyzer test that showed no alcohol in his system, but that it was a sleeping pill that did him in.

Calling it "an honest mistake," Silveria claimed he suffers from insomnia and took a sleeping pill the night before, not realizing the next morning that he was too exhausted to drive. Silveria said he told the cops about the pill once he had passed the breathalyzer test, and that they proceeded to arrest him after that.

He admitted to rear-ending another car while driving, adding that he will take responsibility for all his actions.

Silveria quit KORN in late 2006 after 13 years to concentrate on his family and restaurants, reportedly selling all his drums and equipment.

Audio samples of all 14 songs that are set to appear on THE CULT's new album, "Choice Of Weapon", are available for streaming at Amazon.com. The band's first full-length studio release in five years will be made available on May 22 via THE CULT's new label Cooking Vinyl.

"Choice Of Weapon" is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2007 release "Born Into This" that the U.K.'s Mojo magazine called "a wholehearted, utopian and irrefutably exciting record." Longtime THE CULT collaborator and producer Bob Rock (METALLICA, BUSH), who produced one of THE CULT's most successful albums, the platinum-certified "Sonic Temple", put the finishing touches on the foundations that were laid by co-producer Chris Goss (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, U.N.K.L.E., MASTERS OF REALITY).

The album was written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, recorded in New York City, Los Angeles, the California high desert, and the band's Witch Mountain studio between July and December 2011. The new release features founding members Astbury on vocals and Duffy on guitars, with drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse.

Speaking to Austin360.com, Astbury said of "Choice Of Weapon", "I think we went back to a place of instinct. There were no predetermined agendas. We've had periods of stagnation and being stale and repeating ourselves, but I think that's common. With 'Choice Of Weapon', we just said, '(Screw) it! We're going to grab every jewel we can find. We're going to play the ace and go as deep as we can.' There's definitely hard rock moments on this record, but then again, there's moments that are kind of pastoral."

"Choice Of Weapon" is aimed at the heart of THE CULT's loyal following. It reflects the current discontent and destruction of our eco systems, the search for individual meaning against a tide of rampant materialism, narcissism and disconnected lives.

"We're still growing and still developing," Astbury told Austin360.com. "We're still students; we're still inquisitive; we're still passionate. I still think what we're doing is relevant. We still have an awareness of what's going on around us. It's not like I live in a cave."

"Choice Of Weapon" track listing:

01. Honey From A Knife
02. Elemental Light
03. The Wolf
04. Life > Death
05. For The Animals
06. Amnesia
07. Wilderness Now
08. Lucifer
09. A Pale Horse
10. This Night In The City Forever
11. Every Man And Woman Is A Star
12. Embers
13. Until The Light Takes Us
14. Siberia

WEST OF HELL, the Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based band featuring ZIMMERS HOLE frontman Chris "The Heathen" Valagao, will release its full-length debut, "Spiral Empire", on May 8 via Reversed Records. The CD was recorded at The Factory Studios in Vancouver and was produced by Juno Award-winning engineer Rob Shallcross (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, GWAR, ZIMMERS HOLE, FEAR FACTORY).

According to a press release, "Spiral Empire" features "a unique sound that preserves the band's legendary, distinctive influences whilst incorporating modern elements, creating a one-of-a-kind listening experience."

WEST OF HELL was formed in 2002 in West Auckland, New Zealand by guitarist Ivan Vrdoljak and drummer Andrew Hulme. A short time later, friends of the pair finally directed them to guitarist Sean Parkinson (ex-SINATE). Parkinson established an instant chemistry with Vrdoljak and Hulme, driving the trio to immediately begin working, writing songs, and forging their trademark sound. Then, after two years of painstaking searches and monitoring the grapevine, the band was led to bassist Jordan Kemp.

With the instrumental portion of the band locked down, all that was left to be discovered was the perfect frontman. Having searched without success for perfect vocalist locally, the band decided to continue the hunt in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and uprooted to the area in 2009. In order to share their vision and establish WEST OF HELL in a larger scene, they needed a singer that was more than just a screamer, which drastically narrowed the possibilities. The band played a series of shows as a four-piece instrumental, drawing critical acclaim, and ultimately attracted the attention of the local metal community. The exposure led them to Valagao. It was apparent to the founding members that Valagao's diverse skills were exactly what WEST OF HELL needed to realize the band's ultimate vision.

WEST OF HELL is:

Vocals - Chris "The Heathen" Valagao
Bass - Jordan Kemp
Guitar - Sean Parkinson
Guitar - Ivan Vrdoljak
Drums - Andrew Hulme

A CANCEROUS AFFAIR, the new project featuring ex-DARKEST HOUR members Kris Norris and Ryan Parrish, has posted early demo versions of three songs the band is writing for its forthcoming debut album. Check them out using the audio player below.

A CANCEROUS AFFAIR is:

* Kris Norris (ex-DARKEST HOUR)
* Ryan Parrish (ex-DARKEST HOUR)
* Kristen Randall (ex-WINDS OF PLAGUE)
* Dave Sheldon (ex-ANNIHILATOR)
* Pat Kavanaugh (THREAT SIGNAL)

According to a press release, A CANCEROUS AFFAIR's music has been described as "melodic swedish metal with a touch of prog, ambient, and rock. Fans of Kris and Ryan's work together on 'Undoing Ruin' and 'Deliver Us' will have a lot of new music to enjoy with some suprises and twists, including the varying vocal talents of Dave Sheldon."

Norris previously stated about A CANCEROUS AFFAIR, "I love all styles of music — from pop and jazz to black metal — and with this being a project band with no intentions other than to write music we enjoy, I'm not pigeonholed into oh this song needs a fast riff or a crazy solo. It's a nice relief from the other projects and bands I'm involved in and have been involved in. I get to take my experiences from all of them and combine it into one."

Regarding the project's name, Norris said, "The title comes from Dave. I liked it alot because it fits what we are doing. Just a bunch of musicians from different parts of the world, getting together behind their other various music projects backs almost, and creating something. His voice to me is just infectious, so when he said the name, I was, like, 'Hmmm, that's it.'"

Swedish/Spanish death metallers PUTREVORE, who feature in their ranks Rogga Johansson (PAGANIZER) and Dave Rotten (AVULSED), are currently mixing their sophomore album, "Macabre Kingdom", for a late 2012 release via Xtreem Music. The instrumental parts were recorded during January/February in Sweden, this time with the help of Brynjar Helgetun on drums, who previously played with such bands as CRYPTICUS, RIBSPREADER and THE GROTESQUERY. The vocals were recorded at the end of March in Spain. Nine songs were laid down during the sessions, eight of which will be featured on the new album and one of which will be set aside for possible use on a future split EP.

"Macabre Kingdom" track listing:

01. The Mysteries Of The Worm Part I
02. The Mysteries Of The Worm Part II
03. Beyond Human Comprehension
04. Universal Devourer
05. Awaiting Awakening Again
06. The Morbid Mass Of Swarming Entities
07. The Tentacles Through Time
08. Tattooed Skin Map

The cover art for "Macabre Kingdom" was once again created by the Spanish artist Juanjo Castellano.

"Macabre Kingdom" will initially be released on 12-inch vinyl around June — several months before the effort is made available on CD.