EMI Label Services/Caroline distribution has announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Martha's Music to release the highly anticipated album from THE SMASHING PUMPKINS entitled "Oceania" on June 19. The agreement covers the world excluding Canada, Brazil and Australia.

Produced by THE SMASHING PUMPKINS' frontman Billy Corgan, "Oceania" is an intense and dynamic offering that will appeal to new and existing fans of THE SMASHING PUMPKINS alike. "Oceania", the band's seventh studio record, is “an album within an album,” part of their 44-song work-in-progress "Teargarden By Kaleidyscope".

Peter Katsis, manager of SMASHING PUMPKINS for Prospect Park, stated: "THE SMASHING PUMPKINS created 'Oceania' as an album experience, and it is intended for the process of the release to follow a path of inclusion, so that best efforts are made for all the fans hear it at the same time as press or radio. We were excited to find partners in EMI Label Services that were equally passionate about the plan for the album release as well as being huge fans of the PUMPKINS."

EMI's relationship with THE SMASHING PUMPKINS dates back more than 20 years, to the release of "Gish" in 1991. That album was reissued this past November along with 1993's "Siamese Dream".

Said Mike Harris, EVP/GM EMI Label Services/Caroline distribution: "We are thrilled to extend the long-term partnership between THE SMASHING PUMPKINS and EMI with the release of 'Oceania'. Everybody at EMI Label Services is looking forward to working closely with Billy and the band to help them deliver their vision and their music to fans around the world."

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Oslo, Norway-based progressive/extreme metallers THE FALLEN DIVINE. The band's debut album, "The Binding Cycle", was recorded with Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND guitarist) at his Sonic Train studios in Varberg, Sweden and mixed by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, NIGHTINGALE).

According to a press release, THE FALLEN DIVINE's music "contains strong progressive elements, as well as influences from a wide spectrum of genres such as death metal, black metal, symphonic metal, folk music and other genres. . . It's difficult to categorize their sound, but descriptions like 'melodic,' 'dynamic' and 'complex' are often used."

"The Binding Cycle" contains eight musically strong songs and is a considerable step forward from the group's previous EP, "The Eternal Past And Future", which was released in 2010.

Commented Swanö: "[This is] another example that proves that Scandinavia rule the progressive death metal scene. Dynamic and bombastic, just the way I like it. These guys have a bright future ahead!"

THE FALLEN DIVINE is:

Magnus Kvist (Vocals/Keyboards)
Magnus Haugo (Guitar)
Markus Charras (Guitar)
Christoffer Wig (Bass)
Alex Stebbing (Drums)

SISTER haben ein Livevideo zum Stück „Spit On Me“ von ihrem Debütalbum „HATED“ veröffentlicht. Mitgeschnitten wurde der Clip während ihrer "HATED Over Europe Tour 2011". SISTER haben letztes Jahr sowohl die Metallegende UDO, als auch Chris Jerichos Metalband Fozzy supportet.

SISTER über das Video: "This video is dedicated to our European fans, cheers to all of ya! Big thanks to main man Jimmy Johansson for making this video and not to forget our two tour crew members Johan "Prästen" Heijdenberg and Jonas "Gryning" Berndt. We also wanna send out a big thanks to all the bands we've been touring with! See ya on the road bastards!"

Hier das Video zu “Spit On Me”:

New York hardcore/metal veterans BIOHAZARD have chosen Travis Campbell's video for "Vengeance Is Mine" as the grand-prize winner of their music video contest.

Using their Facebook page, the band challenged fans to create their own music video for a track off of their new album, "Reborn In Defiance". Submissions were uploaded to YouTube, and the band unanimously agreed on Campbell's entry as the first official video for "Reborn In Defiance".

Commented BIOHAZARD vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei: "Without the help of extra footage, Travis took some classic imagery from our previous videos and made it all work for 'Vengeance is Mine'... pure awesomeness! Be on the lookout for some great things to come from him!"

Added Campbell: "I have been a BIOHAZARD fan since the early '90s and have always been influenced by their videos and social commentary and wanted to show my respect and appreciation for a band that has helped me get through some rough times throughout the years. I started watching all the old BIO vids and got the idea of taking all the material and cutting it in a new way and adding in civil unrest footage from Occupy Wall Street, the civil rights era, and other events like Bloody Sunday. The hardest part was getting the synch right, having Billy from 1994 singing to a phrase in 2012 proved quite challenging! In the end, I am proud of the video and I am elated that BIOHAZARD likes it as well."

Travis will be rewarded with the "DFL Grand Prize," which guarantees him free Biohazard tickets and AAA passes for himself and a friend to all BIOHAZARD shows, for life. First runner-up was Randy Memoli with the track "Reborn" and second runner up was Kareem Girgis with "Come Alive", will each receive a ticket to all BIOHAZARD shows for life.

Added Graziadei: "We got a lot of great submissions that all rocked! Thank you to everyone who spent their time and talent on making their own great videos, DFL forever!"

"Reborn In Defiance" was released in Europe on January 20 via Nuclear Blast Records.

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

Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.

The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.

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

BIOHAZARD in January took part in the "Persistence Tour 2012" alongside SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, TERROR, WALLS OF JERICHO, LIONHEART and CRUSHING CASPARS.

French metallers DARKTRIBE have inked a deal with Massacre Records. The band's debut album, "Mysticeti Victoria", will be released worldwide on August 24. The CD was recorded at Artmusic Studio in Nice with Sebb Camhi and was mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland by Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, MASTERPLAN) and Mika Jussila (SONATA ARCTICA, AMORPHIS).
According to a press release, "Mysticeti Victoria" "deals with the path of self-destruction to which the human civilization moves by ruining earth."

DARKTRIBE's sound is characterized by "powerful vocals, heavy guitars and progressive rhythms [with] melodic and symphonic parts."

DARKTRIBE was formed in 2009 by the Agnello brothers, Anthony (vocals) and Julien (drums). They were soon joined in the band by their longtime friends Bruno Caprani (bass) and Loïc Manuello (guitars).

DARKTRIBE quickly showed its passion of sharing music by recording its first EP, "Natural Defender", that same year.

DARKTRIBE is:

Anthony Agnello - Vocals
Loïc Manuello - Guitars
Bruno Caprani - Bass
Julien Agnello - Drums

Almost five years after their last studio album, German progressive metallers DREAMSCAPE have returned with a brand-new CD on Silverwolf Productions, "Everlight", released on February 29. The album's nine songs and three instrumentals were written by guitarist and DREAMSCAPE founder Wolfgang Kerinnis and keyboardist David Bertok (SUBSIGNAL), with drummer Danilo Batdorf and bassist Ralf Schwager (also SUBSIGNAL) serving as the rhythm section.

After the split with vocalist Mischa Mang, DREAMSCAPE decided to record the new album with a multitude of guest singers:

* Arno Menses (SUBSIGNAL)
* Erik Ez (ex-PLATITUDE)
* Francesco Marino
* Herbie Langhans (BEYOND THE BRIDGE, SEVENTH AVENUE)
* Dilenya Mar (BEYOND THE BRIDGE)
* Mike DiMeo (ex-RIOT, ex-MASTERPLAN)
* Nando Fernandez (HANGAR)
* Oliver Hartmann (HARTMANN, AVANTASIA)
* Roland Stoll (ex-DREAMSCAPE)

"Everlight" track listing:

01. Final Dawn
02. Restless
03. Led Astray
04. Fortune And Fate
05. The Violet Flame Forever
06. A Matter Of Time Transforming
07. One
08. The Calm Before The Storm
09. Refugium In DB.Major
10. A Mental Journey
11. Breathing Spaces
12. Everlight

DREAMSCAPE will celebrate the release of the new album with a headlining performance at Generation Prog Live on April 13 in Nuremberg, Germany.

DREAMSCAPE's 2012 touring lineup:

Wolfgang Kerinnis (guitar)
David Bertok (keyboards)
Danilo Batdorf (drums)
Francesco Marino (vocals)
Fabian Ziegler (bass)

French metallers KLONE have entered Studio des Résistants with producer Franck Hueso (HACRIDE, DEATHSPELL OMEGA) to begin recording the follow-up to their critically acclaimed fourth album, 2010's "Black Days". The as-yet-untitled new CD will feature ten new songs and is tentatively scheduled for release in September.

Commented KLONE guitarist Guillaume Bernard: "It was a real challenge for us to compose a new album better than 'Black Days', but now it's done and we're very proud of it. We found out that there are still different ways where we can innovate!"

In other news, KLONE recently released a three-track EP entitled "The Eye Of Needle", which can be downloaded for free at the band's official web site.

According to a press release, KLONE's roots "are to be found in metal, heavy rock, stoner, grunge, pop and psychedelic music, which creates a very own blend, using uncommon instruments like harp, saxophone, Chinese flute and also electro."

According to the Van Halen News Desk, VAN HALEN surprised the audience at its concert last night (Monday, March 26) at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennylvania when it played not one, but two songs that hadn't been played yet on the "A Different Kind Of Truth" tour.

The classic "Jamie's Cryin'" was played for the first time since the 2007-2008 tour, and the new song '"Blood And Fire" — taken from VAN HALEN's latest CD — also had its debut. (The band had previously only played it during tour rehearsals in Los Angeles).

Fan-filmed video footage can be seen below.

VAN HALEN's new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", 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.

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi, who is currently receiving treatment in England for the early stages of lymphoma, with which he was diagnosed late last year, has issued the following update:

"A little update on how it's all going:

"Well, I've had the last dose of chemotherapy, so hopefully my body will start to get back to normal soon. The steroids were the [worst]. I've now got three weeks of radiotherapy coming up which I'm told can be very tiring, so we'll see.

"A big thanks to [fellow SABBATH members] Ozzy [Osbourne] and Geezer [Butler] for coming over to England; it was a big incentive for me. We managed to work most days and have some great new tracks.

"And, importantly, thanks again for your kind messages. Hope to be seeing you soon."

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the immune system.

BLACK SABBATH will play one U.S. date sometime this summer, according to a VH1 Radio Network interview with Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne. Sharon revealed, "They're gonna be doing one show in America this summer but I can't say yet because we can't announce it, the promoters have to, but they are doing one show in August here together." The news follows the cancellation of all SABBATH tour dates abroad except for a headlining slot at the U.K.'s Download Festival in June, due to Iommi's battle with lymphoma.

As for whether original Ward will participate in the U.S. show, Sharon said, "We don't know yet, we really don't know. It's up to Bill. The door is open for him to join us, so it's up to him."

Meanwhile, Ozzy, Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler are in London continuing to record their first album together in 33 years, although without Ward it is not the original SABBATH reunion announced last November.

Sharon said about the recording sessions, "It's going good. They're doing really well in the studio. Gosh, they must've written 15 new songs already and it's going great."

She also denied that she was responsible for Ward's current absence from the project, saying, "Everybody's got their own manager, so we have an independent group of people that have come in to manage the project, and I don't, and I get the blame because Bill doesn't want to play with the band; he doesn't like his deal and I get the blame. It's like, 'All right, I'm a big girl, I can take it.'"

Ward has been sitting out the sessions due to being offered what he called "an unsignable contract" in an open letter to SABBATH fans.

Ward posted an update on February 17 in which he said he "remains hopeful" for a positive outcome to the situation.

The rest of SABBATH's scheduled European summer gigs will be replaced by "Ozzy And Friends", at which the singer will be joined by Butler, former Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde and other special guests, including Slash on selected dates.

"Yes But No", the new video from ONE-WAY MIRROR — the French band featuring Guillaume Bideau (MNEMIC) and David and Franck Potvin (LYZANXIA, PHAZE I) — can be seen below. The song comes off the group's sophomore album, "Destructive By Nature", which will be released on April 16. The cover artwork was once again designed by plastic arts master Alain Tréhard at the Maria Hell Studio in La Rochelle, France. According to a press release, "Alain was inspired by the title of the album to create this unstructured masterpiece."

ONE-WAY MIRROR previously stated about the upcoming album, "Even though they composed these latest bombtracks in the similar vein of their first album, ONE-WAY MIRROR was able to nurture the fresh and perfectly controlled combination of violence and pure melodies with catchy components.

"This album is not unlike shrapnel as it will embed itself in your system upon explosion. Some songs will make the fans bang their heads while others will simply decimate them altogether.

"The band’s goal will remain playing the very music they want to listen to. No constraints, no limits or barriers and no rules apply. The musicians of ONE-WAY MIRROR agree that the motivation to compose and to record a metal album is pure pleasure before any other consideration.

"David Potvin and Guillaume Bideau are producing the album and . . . the sound is extremely powerful, natural and modern."

ONE-WAY MIRROR's self-titled debut album was released in June 2008 via Metal Blade Records.

ONE-WAY MIRROR is:

Guillaume Bideau (MNEMIC) - Vocals
David Potvin (LYZANXIA, PHAZE I) – Lead Guitar
Franck Potvin (LYZANXIA, PHAZE I) – Rhythm Guitar
Clément Rouxel (T.A.N.K) - Drums
Vincent Perdicaro (GENERAL LEE) - Bass

GODSMACK will release a live album called "Live And Inspired" this spring. The effort will include 13 songs recorded at a show in Detroit, Michigan on the band's last tour and will be packaged with a bonus disc containing four cover songs.

With regards to the band's decision to use the Detroit concert as a basis for the concert album, GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna told Loudwire, "We were going to do a compilation with this song from Vegas, this song is from Chicago, this one is from Dallas, but, I don't know, the more we listened to the Detroit show, the more we kind of figured out that it was a really good show for us."

He added, "[Detroit is] always a great audience, as any rock band will tell you. Playing there is a special kind of fanbase that they have there, they live up to their reputation. They're a great rock audience, so that's where the record was recorded."

Erna recently declined to reveal to The Pulse Of Radio which songs the band covered for the bonus EP. "I will tell you this: we picked covers that everybody should know," he said. "They're very popular songs, and people are asking us, you know, why are we picking these songs? Well, because the record hasn't come out yet, and we've already sold probably 180 million copies. They're all hits (laughs)."

The EP and live album will coincide with GODSMACK's upcoming co-headlining tour with STAIND, which will kick off on April 13 in Augusta, Georgia. HALESTORM will be the supporting act for the entire road trip.

In addition to having the tour named by a fan through a contest, the bands have run a second competition in which fans have submitted designs for the tour poster. The designer of the winning poster received $500 and a prize pack.

Erna told The Pulse Of Radio he likes the idea of getting the fans involved as much as possible. "I like that we're including the fans into this and, you know, the whole thing has kind of been, you know, derived for the fans," he said. "Everything's been inspired by the fans so far. I'm actually excited too because we have this live record coming out, which is live and inspired by the fans kind of thing, and so this is actually a really good time for us to go out and do a tour like this, where we're incorporating fans into helping us create the name and create the posters and stuff like that."

GODSMACK's fifth album, "The Oracle", sold 117,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Soldiers", the new video from Las Vegas rockers OTHERWISE, can be seen below. The single just broke into the Top 40 at Active Rock radio and continues to gain supporters at the format, with WKLS/Atlanta, KUPD/Phoenix, KILO/Colorado Springs and KOMP in the band's hometown all having added the record. "Soldiers" became the first song by an unsigned artist to ever occupy the No. 1 spot on the SiriusXM satellite radio's Octane channel and has sold over 26,000 singles to date.

"'For the Warriors who fight and die... so the rest of us may fight to Live.' This quote, which preludes the video itself, is a direct dedication to the brave men and women who serve in the United States military," says OTHERWISE vocalist Adrian Patrick of the "Soldiers" video. "Their service allows our country's citizens to pursue their individual ideas of happiness... this song and video celebrate the beauty that is America. 'Soldiers' is an anthem for everyone living on the front-lines of life; every soldier is human, and we're all human... we are all fighting for something."

"Soldiers" is taken from OTHERWISE's upcoming debut, which was recorded with producer Jay Baumgardner (BUSH, LINKIN PARK, PAPA ROACH, INCUBUS) at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, California for a spring release via Century Media.

OTHERWISE just wrapped up a month on the road with POP EVIL, and will join Century Media labelmates LACUNA COIL on the 2012 North American "Dark Legacy" tour. OTHERWISE will be direct support on the trek, which will feature LACUNA COIL playing over two hours of material spanning their entire catalog.

OTHERWISE features brothers Adrian and Ryan Patrick (guitars/vocals) alongside Flavio Ivan (bass/vocals), Corky Gainsford (drums/vocals) and Vassilios Metropoulos (guitar/vocals).

No stranger to the stage, OTHERWISE has honed its captivating live show playing with such acts as AVENGED SEVENFOLD, KORN, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD, PUDDLE OF MUDD, PAPA ROACH, ROB ZOMBIE and the DEFTONES. In addition, Adrian Patrick appeared on IN THIS MOMENT's hit duet "The Promise" alongside Maria Brink and spent the summer of 2010 on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem tour performing the song with the band live.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/otherwiseofficial.

Norwegian metallers SHOT AT DAWN will release their sophomore album, "White Trash Metal Brigade", on April 13 via Negative Vibe Records. The CD features a guest vocal appearance by Pål Mathiesen (a.k.a. Athera) of SUSPERIA on two tracks.

"White Trash Metal Brigade" track listing:

01. Crush Your Enemies (intro)
02. Battle Royale
03. Welcome To Your Destruction
04. Stop At Nothing
05. White Trash Metal Brigade
06. Shaping Tomorrow
07. Written In Scars
08. Revenge Is a Dish Served In Warm Blood
09. Black Venom
10. Thunders From the North

The song "Welcome To Your Destruction" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

SHOT AT DAWN's last release was the "Seize The Night" EP, which came out in 2010.

SHOT AT DAWN is:

Jonathan Kjeldsen - Vocals
Christopher Marchand - Guitar
Johannes Boye Venneraasen - Guitar
Espen Hagås - Bass
Aki Johannes Viitala - Drums

HOTEL DIABLO — the new band featuring vocalist Rick Stitch (LADYJACK, ex-ADLER'S APPETITE), guitarist Alex Grossi (QUIET RIOT), bassist Mike Duda and drummer Mike Dupke (both of W.A.S.P.) — will release its full-length debut, "The Return To Psycho, California", in May. The band has been in the recording studio since January. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Taken", "Bury You" and "Wicked Lines".

Professionally filmed video footage of HOTEL DIABLO's January 28 performance at the Key Club in Hollywood, California can be seen below.

HOTEL DIABLO's "Psycho, California" six-song EP was recorded with producer (and former GUNS N' ROSES/ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA guitarist) Gilby Clarke and is now available on iTunes and other online music stores. The entire EP can be streamed on the band's official web site, www.thehoteldiablo.com.

"Psycho, California" is "a collection of stories, true stories, experienced during a time when our lives were filled with mind-altering shots of wretched adrenaline," says Stitch. "Strings got bent, knobs were turned and an uncontrolled visceral energy screamed life" into what has become "Psycho, California".

Los Angeles-based band THE DREAMING, which features former members of STABBING WESTWARD, MURDERDOLLS and LIVING DEAD LIGHTS, stopped by the Real Rock 99.3 studio in Cape Girardeau, Missouri before their March 15 show at Pitter's Cafe & Lounge. Christopher Hall, THE DREAMING founder and the voice behind platinum rock outfit STABBING WESTWARD, along with drummer Johnny Haro (ex-ECONOLINE CRUSH, STABBING WESTWARD), gave a great interview to Kirby Ray of 99.3 and performed acoustic versions of the songs "Fight For You" (from THE DREAMING's "Puppet" CD) and "What Do I Have To Do?" (from STABBING WESTWARD's gold-certified album "Wither Blister Burn & Peel"). Watch the footage below.

THE DREAMING's latest album, "Puppet", was released last November via Epochal Artists Records.

Formed in 2005 by frontman Christopher Hall, the voice behind platinum rock outfit STABBING WESTWARD, THE DREAMING assembles and all-star roster of musicians including Johnny Haro on drums (ex-ECONOLINE CRUSH, STABBING WESTWARD), guitarist Eric Griffin (ex-MURDERDOLLS, WEDNESDAY 13), and bassist Martin Kelly (ex-LIVING DEAD LIGHTS). Since its inception, THE DREAMING has toured relentlessly with the likes of ILL NINO, GODHEAD, RA, TRUST COMPANY, FLAW, JULIEN-K, POWERMAN 5000 and WEDNESDAY 13.

"After the death of STABBING WESTWARD, Johnny and I immediately put all our heart and soul into THE DREAMING. We spent a lot of time working on our songs and live show in hopes that we would find the right team to get behind this band. After several years bouncing between managers and potential labels, we found a proper home with Epochal Artists Records," commented Christopher Hall. "Epochal Artists Records understood what we were trying to do, they believe in our music and they are ready to work our album for the long haul. I am so proud to be the first release on E.A.R. and so excited to be releasing 'Puppet' with them at the helm."

All 60,000 tickets to METALLICA's three shows at the Sports Palace in Mexico City — scheduled for August 1, 2 and 4 — sold out in less than 90 minutes last week. As a result, the band has added two more dates in Mexico City: August 6 and 7 at the same venue.

The Banamex pre-sale starts Wednesday, March 28 at 11 a.m. CST, with the public on-sale Thursday, March 29, also at 11 a.m. CST.

METALLICA announced on March 15 that the band will unveil what the group's publicist described as a "mind-blowing new stage" in Mexico "that needs to be seen to be believed." The 140-foot-by-50-foot stage will feature "colossal components and striking visual elements spanning METALLICA's entire 30-year career."

The band itself went further in a post at its official web site, saying, "After years in the making, we are beyond excited to finally unveil the all new, out of control, massive stage and METALLI-show . . . Mexico will be the first to see what will be the cornerstone of our touring escapades for years to come."

It is not clear whether this production is the highly theatrical show that the band first discussed back in 2010, with co-manager Peter Mensch saying it would be METALLICA's "equivalent of [PINK FLOYD's] 'The Wall'" and would "blow your mind."

When The Pulse Of Radio asked drummer Lars Ulrich about that idea recently, he said it was one of many projects METALLICA was considering. "That's still circling also," he said. "None of this stuff goes away. I mean, we just throw these balls up in the air and then we try to tackle them one at a time. That one's still in the air, nothing definitive, but it's still circling. None of these things go away, they just get bigger and costlier and overwhelm us more (laughs)."

METALLICA last appeared in Mexico in 2009, playing to over 150,000 fans during three sold-out nights at Foro Sol Stadium that were captured for a live DVD.

The new stage show is said to be twice the size of the production that METALLICA has been using since 2008 on its "World Magnetic" tour.

Before all this happens, METALLICA will headline its own two-day musical event, the Orion Music + More festival, scheduled for June 23-24 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Over 20 acts are slated to perform.

Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) played four shows in London in November 2011 dedicated to his tetralogy album concept — a great journey through Devin's different states of musical moods — which he started in 2009 with the albums "Addicted" (2009) and "Ki" (2009) and finished with last year's "Deconstruction" and "Ghost". The concerts were professionally recorded and filmed for a unique box-set release, which he has decided to call "By A Thread - Live in London 2011".

Due on June 18 in Europe and June 19 in North America through HevyDevy Records/InsideOut Music, "By A Thread - Live in London 2011" will contain all four shows on four DVDs, plus a five-CD set (the four albums and one disc with all of the encores).

An official pre-release screening event will held on June 5 at the Prince Charles Cinema in London where, over the course of three to four hours, Devin himself will talk all attendees through a summary of all that the DVDs have to offer. Only a limited number of first-come-first-served tickets will be available to a lucky crowd of 250 people. Lucky, because besides being the first to see the DVD they will also have the exclusive opportunity to be the first to purchase the DVD box set two weeks before anyone else can have it. And it'll be signed, no less!

Commented Devin: "The amount of work and memory that went into that event has been captured by an even more herculean event by the folks making the DVDs, and finally I get to see what we did those nights! It's another situation of releasing a product that we think is really cool, and have gone the extra distance to make it worth your while if you're the type that supports by buying physical product... it's great! So if you weren't there, this is as close as you can get... please enjoy and maybe I'll meet you at the screening!"

The screening will be held on Tuesday, June 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and tickets are £15 each. Tickets can be purchased at the Prince Charles Cinema via this link. The screening event will be followed up with two acoustic solo shows on June 6 and June 7, both held at London's The Borderline. And then Devin is off to headline the third stage at the Download festival on Friday, June 8.

A one-minute teaser for "Reign Supreme", the new album from Maryland extreme metallers DYING FETUS, is available below. Due on June 17 via Relapse Records, the CD was recorded at Wrightway Studios in Baltimore with longtime producer Steve Wright (SLIPKNOT, MISERY INDEX). The effort will feature nine tracks and is "a 'return to roots,' with production focused slightly more on slam than in the band's last few works," according to a press release. "Thematically, the album is set to be a good old-fashioned piece of social and political commentary in the style of DYING FETUS as we have come to know."

Commented DYING FETUS guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher: "The last album had some groove in it, but [it] was basically a lot of tech; this one is a return to form of older DYING FETUS albums, so to speak — more modern production, though, of course. Everything's tight, the sound is crushing, the drums are amazing."

Video footage of DYING FETUS performing a brand new song, "Invert The Idols", on March 20 at Sonar in Baltimore, Maryland can be seen below.

DYING FETUS is currently on the road in North America with DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD and IMPENDING DOOM as part of the Metal Alliance Tour.

DYING FETUS' latest album, "Descend Into Depravity", sold around 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 166 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort landed at position No. 4 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.

THE SANITY DAYS — the project featuring four former members of legendary Bristol, England thrash metallers ONSLAUGHT who have teamed up to play music from the band's most commercially successful album, "In Search of Sanity" — has issued the following update:

"With a break now for a while and a record offer in place, we think it's time to start writing some new material. This [we are] looking forward to. Everybody will have input and can't wait to see what new melodies Steve [Grimmett] comes up with. First song idea is already waiting to be unleashed."

THE SANITY DAYS recently recruited ONSLAUGHT's first vocalist, Paul "Mo" Mahoney (who sang on the band's very first record, "Power From Hell", and bass guitar on ONSLAUGHT's second album, "The Force") to play some limited shows in 2012. Paul made his comeback debut on March 15 at Hammerfest in Prestatyn, North Wales, where THE SANITY DAYS played most of the "Power From Hell" album along with Steve Grimmett on vocals playing the entire "In Search of Sanity" LP.

Fan-filmed video footage of THE SANITY DAYS' performance at Hammerfest can be seen below.

THE SANITY DAYS was launched by Steve Grice, former drummer and founding member of the ONSLAUGHT, who played on all ONSLAUGHT albums thus far. He is joined in the new project by former ONSLAUGHT guitarist Alan Jordan (2007's "Killing Peace"), bassist Jase Stallard (1985's "Power From Hell" and 1986's "The Force"), and ex-GRIM REAPER singer Steve Grimmett, who fronted ONSLAUGHT for the 1989 album "In Search Of Sanity".

Released on London Records in 1989, "In Search Of Sanity" was the last album ONSLAUGHT recorded before it disbanded. Despite reaching the U.K. Top 50, its mainstream production proved controversial among bandmembers and fans alike. "We were always pleased with the songs, though," states Grice. "Over the past few years, people have nagged me to play tracks from the 'Sanity' album, but we always struggled to get them sounding right without Steve Grimmett's involvement."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS have a number of plans in the works for 2012, but apparently a new studio album is not one of them. Guitarist Dean DeLeo told New Jersey radio station WRAT on March 21 that contrary to earlier reports, the quartet are not recording their seventh studio effort. When asked if the band would work on a new disc anytime soon, DeLeo answered, "Possibly, we're just kind of enjoying home life right now and raising our kids and enjoying the loves of our lives."

Word of a new STP album first surfaced as early as the fall of 2010, just months after the band released its self-titled sixth effort.

That 2010 album came nine years after STP's last record, "Shangri-La-Dee-Da", and followed the band's 2008 reunion after a seven-year hiatus.

One thing that's much more likely to happen in 2012 is a celebration of the 20th anniversary of STP's debut album, "Core". While a reissue featuring unreleased and live material could happen, DeLeo hinted that a tour was more likely, saying, "Scott [Weiland, singer] and I were just talking a couple of weeks ago, and we'd really love to go out there and perform ['Core'] in its entirety."

Dean DeLeo interviewed on WRAT on March 21 (audio):

Legendary Singaporean blackened warbeasts IMPIETY are set to unleash their eighth studio album through Pulverised Records on May 8. Offering up eight grisly tracks, including a cover of BATHORY's "Sacrifice", the aptly titled "Ravage & Conquer" was recorded, mixed and mastered over a course of two weeks at Studio 47 in Singapore and features cover art by renowned illustrator Lord Sickness (SABBAT, WITCHAVEN, ZYGOATSIS).

According to a press release, "Ravage & Conquer" is "savagely innovative, technical, and uncompromising."

Led by frontman Shyaithan, IMPIETY's covenant of chaos remains impenetrable, delivering some of the harshest and most vicious brand of blackened death metal the world has witnessed.

"Ravage & Conquer" track listing:

01. Revelation Decimation
02. Ravage & Conquer
03. Weaponized
04. The Scourge Majesty
05. War Crowned
06. Legacy Of Savagery
07. Salve The Goat
08. Sacrifice (BATHORY cover)

IMPIETY is:

Shyaithan - Bass, Vomit
Nizam Aziz - Lead Guitars
Dizazter - Drums

Former and current members of KISS, Y&T, JOURNEY and MR. BIG will appear at a Ronnie Montrose tribute concert on Friday, April 27 at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, California. The show will also include performances by MONTROSE and GAMMA, both of which were founded by Montrose.

MONTROSE's lineup for the concert will include Sammy Hagar (VAN HALEN, CHICKENFOOT), Denny Carmassi and Bill Church (all of whom were in the band when they recorded their iconic self-titled debut album), with a special guest appearance by Joe Satriani (CHICKENFOOT).

GAMMA's lineup will consist of Davey Pattison, Denny Carmassi, Glenn Lesch, Tommy Suczek and Marc Bonilla.

In addition, there will be a performance from the RONNIE MONTROSE ALL-STAR BAND featuring the following musicians:

* Neal Schon (JOURNEY)
* Steve Smith (JOURNEY)
* Ricky Phillips (STYX)
* Eric Martin (MR. BIG)
* Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER)
* Jimmy DeGrasso (Y&T, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, MEGADETH)
* Members of TESLA

Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 30 at 10 a.m.

For more information, visit TheRegencyBallroom.com.

Ronnie Montrose died on March 3 after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 64 years old.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Montrose's first break when he played Van Morrison's classic 1971 album, "Tupelo Honey". He also appeared on recordings by Boz Scaggs and the EDGAR WINTER GROUP (1972's "They Only Come Out At Night") before going solo under the MONTROSE moniker in 1973 (with a very young Sammy Hagar on vocals). The MONTROSE band released two albums, "Montrose" and "Paper Money", before Hagar left to pursue a solo career. Montrose continued to release albums with the MONTROSE band, but focused his attention mostly on his solo career as well as his other band, GAMMA, which released four albums between 1979 and 2000.

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2007, Montrose took some time off from playing and performing to focus on his health.

CATTLE DECAPITATION vocalist Travis Ryan joined SOULFLY on stage on March 22 at 4th and B in San Diego to perform the song "World Scum". Ryan also appears on the studio version of the track, which can be found on SOULFLY's eighth album, "Enslaved", released earlier this month via Roadrunner Records.

Video footage of Travis' performance with SOULFLY at 4th and B can be seen below.

Ryan — who was a replacement for SOULFLY's original choice, OCEANO's Adam Warren — recorded his portion of the vocals for the studio version of "World Scum" at Frick'in Studios in San Marcos, California with engineer Dan Frick.

Commented Ryan: "It's an honor to receive a call from someone you had pictures of on your wall as a kid asking you to be on a new album of theirs. I literally had a picture of Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY mainman] and Gloria [Max's wife and manager] holding [Gloria's son] Richie in her arms that I ripped out of a copy of Metal Maniacs on my wall when I was 15 or 16. Now they're asking for my artistic hand in one of their creations; [it] just doesn't get much more surreal than that. Very honored and the song is very 'death metal-ish' and completely crushes. Happy to be a part of it!"

Producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris stated about Travis' contribution, "The vocals fucking rule!!!! Fits the song perfect… Very refreshing for me to hear these days."

"Enslaved" sold 5,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 82 on The Billboard 200 chart. SOULFLY's previous CD, "Omen", opened with 6,000 units in June 2010 to land at No. 73.

"Enslaved" was recorded at TallCat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona.

A 22-second snippet of "Live To Rise" — the first completely new song from SOUNDGARDEN to be heard in nearly 16 years — can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track will appear on the "Avengers Assemble" soundtrack, which will be released just three days before the film on May 1.

SOUNDGARDEN entered singer Chris Cornell's studio in Los Angeles in March 2011 to begin recording the band's first album in 15 years.

Adam Kaspar, who co-produced SOUNDGARDEN's last record, 1996's "Down On The Upside", has been working with the group on the new effort as well.

When asked how he would compare SOUNDGARDEN's new material to the group's previous efforts, Cornell told Australia's rock station Triple M, "It sounds like SOUNDGARDEN, but I wouldn't say it's similar. I think there are parts of it that are gonna remind anybody of us, but we've always kind of progressed from album to album. So it's definitely not a throwback. It's not us getting back to our roots — it's not that — it's just kind of a natural progression, I think."

SOUNDGARDEN released a CD/DVD retrospective set in September 2010 called "Telephantasm", featuring singles, album cuts, live material and the previously unavailable "Black Rain", which has been nominated for a Grammy Award.

SOUNDGARDEN's first-ever official concert album, titled "Live On I5", sold 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 47 on The Billboard 200 chart. The set is compiled of live tracks from a 1996 West Coast tour by the band and is named after the Interstate 5. SOUNDGARDEN had intended to release the tapes of these shows as its first live album shortly after the tour, but the group ended up disbanding and the tapes were left in the studio, untouched for years.

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.

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 recently parted ways with guitarist Timo Somers and replaced him with Bas Maas (DORO, AFTER FOREVER).

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

Interview:

On March 9, Sally Steele of Vegas Rocks! magazine conducted an interview with GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell at Count's Vamp'd in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can now watch the chat below.

When asked about the February 2003 blaze at a GREAT WHITE concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island that killed 100 people and injured hundreds more, Russell said, "When something like that happens, people always have to have someone to blame. There are still people out there who think I murdered their kids. And that's horrible to live with. I know better. But if that makes them feel better, I guess I have to handle that. I mean, what am I going to do? It's a horrible tragedy. I don't know why it happened. It's like an airline disaster; there's a lot of different pieces of the puzzle that [are needed] for a disaster to happen."

The fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick began in an overcrowded club when pyrotechnics from GREAT WHITE ignited illegal soundproofing foam lining the club's walls.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE kicked off its "High Seas" tour on March 3 at Route 46 in Sanford, Florida.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE is:

Jack Russell - Vocals
Robby Lochner (FIGHT) - Guitar
Matthew Johnson (DOCTOR M, JACK RUSSELL) - Guitar
Dario Seixas (FIREHOUSE, STEPHEN PEARCY) - Bass
Derrick Pontier (GREAT WHITE, SAMANTHA 7) - Drums

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with the other touring version of GREAT WHITE, which features Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals).

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE will headline this summer's "America Rocks Tour" with support from FASTER PUSSYCAT, BULLETBOYS, PRETTY BOY FLOYD and LILLIAN AXE.

THE SWORD has inked a new, multi-album worldwide deal with New York City-based label Razor & Tie.

After releasing three critically acclaimed albums on Kemado Records, the Austin, Texas-based quartet featuring guitarist/vocalist J.D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie, and new drummer Santiago "Jimmy" Vela III will commence recording its fourth album in late June with a projected release date of fall 2012. The new CD will be supported by extensive global touring that will stretch well into 2013.

John Franck, SVP of Marketing for Razor & Tie, comments, "We're delighted to welcome THE SWORD to Razor & Tie. They're a special band and unique signing for us. We're looking forward to making an incredible record together and continuing to grow the band's brand on a global level."

THE SWORD will perform at Orion Music + More — the two-day festival created by METALLICA that will take place on June 23-24 at Bader Field in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

THE SWORD's third album, "Warp Riders", sold around 8,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 47 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Warp Riders" marked the first release where the group has worked with an outside producer. Helmed by Matt Bayles (PEARL JAM, MASTODON, ISIS), the album was anchored by an epic science-fiction narrative. The storyline was a psychedelic space opera that explored temporal themes of death and rebirth. "Warp Riders" also found THE SWORD expanding its range from pure metal to include bone-crunching hard rock at large.

"Superskum" (web site) has uploaded high-quality video footage of THE SWORD's October 4, 2011 performance in Denver, Colorado You can watch the clips below.

Due to scheduling conflicts, German extreme metal drummer Norman Lonhard (TRIPTYKON, PIGEON TOE) will be unable to join Croatian black metal/extreme metal band GORTHAUR'S WRATH in the studio for the recording sessions of their upcoming sophomore album, "War For Heaven". Sitting behind the kit in the studio will now be another German drummer, Christian Bass, who has previously played with WHITE EYES, DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT, NIGHT IN GALES and HEAVEN SHALL BURN. Bass will also be involved in writing the drum parts for the CD, which will be tracked in May at Woodshed Studios in Germany by V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS, TRIPTYKON).

Bass will perform live with GORTHAUR'S WRATH at the Metalfest in Zadar, Croatia, where the band will present new songs and the new lineup on stage for the first time.

Formed in 1998, GORTHAUR'S WRATH recorded four demos before releasing its debut album, "Ritual IV", in early 2011 through the U.K. label Casket Music.

During GORTHAUR'S WRATH's first European tour, the band's leader, Morbid, joined forces with longtime spiritual brother Mara (bass guitar/synths). German guitarist and songwriter Ross Feratu came aboard in early 2011 and is now the lead guitarist and main songwriter for the upcoming album.