Dutch extreme metallers THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT have inked a deal with the French label Season Of Mist. The band's fourth album, "Tetragrammaton", will be released later in the year. The CD is once again being produced by Guido Aalbers, who has previously worked with COLDPLAY and DESTINY'S CHILD, among others.

According to a press release, THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT chose the "Tetragrammaton" album title "because of the triple 'A' in it, to emphasize their major role in the world as we know it and because AAA stands for 'prime.'

"As on the exquisite and rabidly fanaticised 'Trivmvirate', offline band member, quondam carnivore and part-time macrobidiotic Carsten Altena, who had left the sinking THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT mud barge in 2010 and has returned grovelling, mawkish and regretful with tail between his legs, will gracefully adorn 'Tetragrammaton' with synthetic flutes, harps, triangles, Tibetan mouth congas and other trifling instruments (which can been seen as a vile assault of the inheritance Chuck Schuldliner left to this world)to mask the musical incompetence of the rest of the band."

THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT's last album, "Trivmvirate", was released in February 2008 via Twilight-Vertrieb. The CD was recorded at Ground Zero studio with producer Pascal Altena. Mixing and mastering duties were handled by Guido Aalbers.

Texas metal powerhouse IGNITOR will release its fourth album, "Year Of The Metal Tiger", on April 10 via MVD.

"Year Of The Metal Tiger" is the second IGNITOR CD to feature Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS, WATCHTOWER, EVIL UNITED) on vocals. Influenced by '80s masters IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, METALLICA, IGNITOR's music is a blend of classic true metal with the power of today's greats like PRIMAL FEAR, GRAVE DIGGER and BRAINSTORM.

"When the songs for the new record were coming together, it was obvious in the writing that this is a definite return to true metal," said McMaster, whose experience in classic metal in undeniable.

"The new album was a blast to make," said rhythm guitarist Beverly Barrington. "I had only just rejoined the band when we recorded our concept opera of the 'Spider Queen', the last album, which was a unique and cool experience, but I also wanted to get back to what inspired IGNITOR in the first place, and I think we've achieved that with this new recording. The Batlord [guitarist Stuart Laurence] really got into 'the zone,' I think, and tapped into a deep and vital, classic heavy metal vein when writing these songs, and it really inspired everyone to contribute their best ideas and chops, so that everyone shines. This album touches on all the various elements of this genre that really jazz me, and I would hope other metal fans, as well."

"The Spider Queen" was released by Heavy Artillery in the United States and Canada in October 2009 (Cruz Del Sur Music made the CD available in Europe and all other regions in September 2009).

IGNITOR is:

Jason McMaster - Vocals
Stuart "Batlord" Laurence - Guitar
Beverly Barrington - Rhythm Guitar
Brendon Bigelow - Bass
Pat Doyle - Drums

DJ Ted Stryker of the Los Angeles radio station KROQ world-premiered MARILYN MANSON's new single, "No Reflection", earlier today (Wednesday, March 7) during his afternoon drive show.

"No Reflection" is the first single from Manson's new album, "Born Villain", which is due out this spring through Cooking Vinyl Records.

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, Manson stated about his new CD, "It doesn't really sound like any of my old records. In fact it sort of sounds like what I listened to before I made records — KILLING JOKE, JOY DIVISION, REVOLTING COCKS, BAUHAUS, BIRTHDAY PARTY … It's very rhythm-driven. It's actually very bluesy. It's the first record where I repeat verses. I just sign the words in a different key, the next time. I've never done that before, because I've always felt like I needed to write a lot of words in the past … I think this will probably be the grandest concept record of all."

Manson's U.S. theater tour is scheduled to kick off April 27.

The singer last September unveiled a new music video for the song "Born Villain" directed by actor Shia LaBeouf.

Drummer Ginger Fish (real name: Kenneth Robert Wilson) quit MARILYN MANSON in February 2011 and has since joined ROB ZOMBIE. He has been replaced by the Los Angeles-based drummer Jason Sutter.

MARILYN MANSON in 2009 parted ways with longtime record label Interscope following the disappointing sales performance of "The High End Of Low".

"The High End Of Low" was Manson's first album with longtime bassist Twiggy Ramirez since 2000's "Holy Wood".

"Accelerated Mutation", the new video from the extreme metal supergroup LOCK UP, can be seen below. The clip was directed by acclaimed tattoo artist Carlos Aguilar of Black Shadows Tattoo.

"Accelerated Mutation" comes off LOCK UP's latest album, "Necropolis Transparent", which was released in North America last July via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in November-December 2010 at HVR Studios in Ipswich, United Kingdom and was mixed in January 2011.

"Necropolis Transparent" features guest appearances by HYPOCRISY/PAIN mainman (and one-time LOCK UP vocalist) Peter Tägtgren along with Jeff Walker (CARCASS, BRUJERIA).

Commented LOCK UP bassist Shane Embury: "I always wanted Peter on the third album since he was on the first record LOCK UP we did. It made sense from a weird trilogy aspect to get him on the record. His tones complement [current LOCK UP vocalist] Tomas [Lindberg; also of AT THE GATES] perfectly as well.

"I would have loved to have had Peter sing on more of the songs, but time was short as Peter was heavily involved with his new PAIN record. The songs he did sing on though made them extra special.

"As for Jeff, well me and Jeff go so far back it's unreal. We were mixing the album at Andy Sneap's and I wanted an extra vocal texture on a few tracks to spice it up. My voice is more hardcore and I wanted some extra gravel on things. It all seemed to make sense to Jeff once I had bribed him with a 12 pack of his favorite beer (laughs)!"

"It's great that LOCK UP is back in the saddle again and that I could be a part of it," commented Peter Tägtgren. "This album will tear you a new asshole!"

Jeff Walker added: "I think it's pretty fair to say that the current incarnation of LOCK UP have done the late Jesse Pintado more than proud!"

According to a press release, "The songwriting and production on ['Necropolis Transparent'] surpasses everything the band has done so far. The speed, riffing and intensity make this record more than just a grindcore album and see LOCK UP come into their own true identity."

"Necropolis Transparent" track listing:

01. Brethren Of The Pentagram
02. Accelerated Mutation
03. The Embodiment Of Paradox And Chaos
04. Necropolis Transparent
05. Parasite Drama
06. Anvil Of Flesh
07. Rage Incarnate Reborn
08. Unseen Enemy
09. Stygian Reverberations
10. Life Of Devastation
11. Roar Of A Thousand Throats
12. Infiltrate And Destroy
13. Discharge The Fear
14. Vomiting Evil
15. Stigmatyr (bonus track)
16. Through The Eyes Of My Shadow Self
17. Tartarus (instrumental)

Originally formed by Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH, VENOMOUS CONCEPT), Nick Barker (ex-CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR) and Jesse Pintado (NAPALM DEATH, TERRORIZER) to blast out the most caustic, skin-flaying brand of deathgrind, LOCK UP was joined by the raw throat of Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY) for its debut album, 1999's fearsome "Pleasure Pave Sewers", and Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES, DISFEAR) for 2002's "Hate Breeds Suffering", touring Japan and then falling into inactivity.

Now joined by guitarist Anton Reisenegger (Chile's PENTAGRAM, CRIMINAL) in place of the late Jesse Pintado, LOCK UP is back in the most uncompromising style possible.

South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE have set "At The Gate Of Sethu" as the title of their new album, due in late spring/early summer via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Those Whom The Gods Detest" is once again being produced and mixed by Neil Kernon, who has previously worked with NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEENSRŸCHE and DEICIDE, among many others. NILE's guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders previously stated about the band's new material, "Some of the drumming on this record will be boggling people's minds for years to come."

In other news, NILE will embark on an Asian tour in April/May. This will mark the band’s first time in these markets and the guys are extremely excited to be playing for their Asian metal brothers.

"The whole idea of spreading NILE's music into this part of the world has been a long time coming," said the band in a statement. "We are extremely pleased to go to there and are looking forward to an amazing cultural exchange and experience."

The dates are as follows:

Apr. 26 - Diablo Open Air - Singapore, Singapore
Apr. 28 - Hammersonic Jakarta International Metal Festival, Lapangan D - Jakarta, Indonesia
May 02 - A.U.A. Auditorium - Bangkok, Thailand (with HATE ETERNAL)
May 05 - Summer Blaze Metal Festival - New Delhi, India
May 06 - E-Zone Club - Bangalore, India

NILE will be the main support to Detroit, Michigan's melodic death metal outfit THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER on a U.S. tour in March/April. Additional support will come from SKELETONWITCH and HOUR OF PENANCE. The trek will kick off on March 24 in Grand Rapids, Michigan at The Intersection and wrap on April 20 in Worcester, Massachusetts at the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival.

"Those Whom The Gods Detest" sold 3,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 160 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend and MESHUGGAH guitarist Fredrik Thordendal joined French progressive metallers GOJIRA on stage on March 5 at the Soundwave Festival in Perth, Australia to perform the song "Of Blood And Salt". Fan-filmed video footage of their appearance can be seen below.

The studio version of "Of Blood And Salt" — also featuring Townsend and Thordendal — was included with the May 2011 issue of Metal Hammer magazine, and will appear on GOJIRA's forthcoming four-song EP, the proceeds from which will benefit Sea Shepherd, an anti-whaling organization. Release details on that EP, which is loaded with other A-list metal guests like MASTODON's Brent Hinds, LAMB OF GOD's Randy Blythe and SOULFLY's Max Cavalera, are yet to be confirmed.

GOJIRA recently recorded its new album at Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City, New York with co-producer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD) for a late spring release via the band's new record label, Roadrunner Records.

GOJIRA is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Joe Duplantier, who has a previous relationship with Roadrunner, having played bass on CAVALERA CONSPIRACY's debut "Inflikted", along with guitarist Christian Andreu, bassist Jean-Michel Labadie and drummer Mario Duplantier, who is also Joe's brother!

The band's Roadrunner debut will be its fifth album overall. It was 2005's "From Mars to Sirius" and 2008's "The Way of All Flesh" which established GOJIRA as a metal force of nature and a key player in the scene.

"Of Blood And Salt" performance footage:

More video footage of SOULFLY's February 25 performance at Via Marquês (moved from Santana Hall) in São Paulo, Brazil can be seen below.

SOULFLY has just completed its first tour of Brazil since 2002. The band's guest drummer for the trek was Max Cavalera's son Zyon Cavalera, who also plays in LODY KONG.

It is Zyon's unborn heartbeat that can be heard during the intro of SEPULTURA's classic song "Refuse/Resist".

SOULFLY's eighth album, "Enslaved", is due on March 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at TallCat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, the seasoned knob twiddler behind some of the most notable bands in metal today, such as SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and more.

"Enslaved" standard CD features the following 11 tracks:

01. Resistance
02. World Scum
03. Intervention
04. Gladiator
05. Legions
06. American Steel
07. Redemption of Man By God
08. Treachery
09. Plata O Plomo
10. Chains
11. Revengeance

The digital-only edition includes the following three bonus tracks:

12. Slave
13. Bastard
14. Soulfly VIII

SOULFLY's current lineup features Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with STATIC-X's Tony Campos taking up the bass. The lineup is rounded out by drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), a new-school, extreme skinsman whose brutality behind the kit brings a new flavor to the band.

Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND, who feature in their ranks current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. , will release their new album, "Few Against Many", in Europe on May 21 via Century Media Records and in North America on May 22 through DisManic, Inc. via eOne Distribution. The CD was mixed by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi at Audiohammer Studios (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEATH ANGEL) in Sanford, Florida.

Produced by Gus, "Few Against Many" was recorded with his longtime bandmates, vocalist Apollo Papathanasio, keyboardist/guitarist Bob Katsionis and bassist Petros Christo, at Valve Studio in Greece as well as the Sweetspot Studios in Sweden and sees the band expanding on its signature melodic sound with some of its most aggressive songs to date. The CD also marks the recording debut of new FIREWIND drummer Johan Nunez (NIGHTRAGE). The young Belgian is regarded by Gus as a "phenomenal talent," and anyone that witnessed him on the band's most recent world tour will no doubt agree.

The "Few Against Many" cover artwork can be seen below.

FIREWIND 2012 (pictured left to right in new band photo below):

Bob Katsionis - Keyboards, Guitar
Apollo Papathanasio - Vocals
Gus G. - Guitar
Petros Christo - Bass
Jo Nunez - Drums

FIREWIND debuted two brand new songs — "Wall Of Sound" and "Losing My Mind" — during its headlining concert on January 14 at the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece. Fan-filmed video footage of both tracks can be seen below.

FIREWIND has already announced a few summer festival appearances (including Summer Breeze in Germany and Czech Republic's Masters Of Rock) and will play three shows in China and Taiwan at the end of August.

Joe Satriani, one of the most respected and innovative guitarists in the world today, announces the release of the live-concert film, "Satchurated: Live In Montreal". "Satchurated" was filmed during Satriani's "The Wormhole Tour", supporting his studio album, "Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards", at the Metropolis in Montreal, Canada. The December 12, 2010 concert was filmed by Grammy- and Emmy-award-winning concert filmmakers Pierre and Francois Lamoureux. "Satchurated: Live In Montreal" was released to select theaters throughout the country on March 1 for a limited engagement.

For a complete list of theaters, go to this location.

With a total of ten cameras working to capture the sold-out concert, Satriani's musical best was recorded in both 2D and 3D HD formats. The high-definition filming makes Satriani's playing as much a pleasure to watch as it is to hear. Every chord change is captured and presented as if one were experiencing a living room concert of your very own! The soundtrack from "Satchurated" was produced by Satriani and Mike Fraser and will be released on April 10 through Epic Records.

Over the last two decades, Satriani has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star "G3" guitar extravaganza. His studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. His side project, CHICKENFOOT, featuring former VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith, saw their debut album certified gold and have just released their second studio album. Satriani also appears in the Academy Award-nominated film "Moneyball" starring Brad Pitt, recreating a national anthem performance he gave at the 2002 opening day of Major League Baseball's Oakland As. In late 2010, music sensation Nicki Minaj sampled the classic Satriani song "Always With Me Always With You" in her song "Right Through Me" from her multi-platinum debut album and in March, Satriani will revive his "G3" tour "Down Under" when he is joined by fellow legendary guitarists Steve Vai and Steve Lukather for a spring tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The clip below gives you an exclusive look at the song "Satch Boogie" from the film.

Comprised of musicians from some of the biggest bands in recent rock history, the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour will hit the road in South and Central America in April/May.

Described as a live show unlike any before, Rock 'N' Roll Allstars will include appearances by the following musicians:

* Gene Simmons (KISS)
* Joe Elliott (DEF LEPPARD)
* Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES)
* Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES)
* Gilby Clarke (GUNS N' ROSES, ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA)
* Glenn Hughes (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH)
* Ed Roland (COLLECTIVE SOUL)
* Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW)
* Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL)
* Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS)
* Billy Duffy (THE CULT)

The dates are as follows:

Apr. 19 - Asuncion, Paraguay - Jockey Club
Apr. 21 - Sao Luis, Brazil - Metal Open Air Festival
Apr. 23 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Club Geba
Apr. 25 - Santiago, Chile - Movistar Arena
Apr. 27 - Lima, Peru - Explanada Monumental
Apr. 29 - Quito, Ecuador – [to be announced]
May 01 - Guatemala City, Guatemala - Mundo E
May 03 - San Jose, Costa Rica - Stadium Suprisa
May 04 - Panama City, Panama - Figali Convention Center
May 05 - Bogota, Colombia - Hipodromo De Los Andes

According to South American promoter Premier Producciones, the tentative setlist for the May 1 show in Guatemala City, Guatemala will be as follows:

Duff McKagan:

* It's So Easy

Sebastian Bach:

* Welcome To The Jungle
* I Remember You
* Youth Gone Wild
* Whole Lotta Love
* Crazy Train

Glenn Hughes:

* Highway Star
* Burn
* Smoke On The Water
* Firewoman
* Wildflower

Ed Roland:

* Shine
* Rebel Yell
* Man In A Box (with Glenn Hughes)

Gilby Clarke:

* Knockin’ On Heavens Door

Joe Elliott:

* Animal
* All The Young Dudes
* Sugar
* Tie Your Mother Down

Gene Simmons:

* Deuce
* Doctor Love
* I Love It Loud
* Cold Gin
* Rock And Roll All Nite

To be announced:

* Paradise City

Promoter Gabe Reed hosted a press conference on Thursday, March 1 at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California to officially announce the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour. Also attending the press conference were Simmons, Sorum, McKagan, Clarke, Bach and Hughes, among others.

Commented Bach: "For me to be the singer in Gene Simmons' first-EVER side project is amazing to me! Dreams come true, indeed. If you would have told me when I was a boy that some day Gene Simmons, Glenn Hughes and myself would be in a band together, my reply would have been, No, we will not,' and I would have been wrong, haha!! See you soon Central and South America!! We are gonna rock the best of KISS, DEEP PURPLE, GUNS N' ROSES, SKID ROW and DEF LEPPARD! See you soon on tour!!!"

Added Hughes: "It's going to be quite a spectacle. For me, this collective of rockers is a fan's dream come true. It's a great lineup with players from a lot of great bands."

Check out video footage of Thursday's press conference below.

Despite the fact that he was previously announced as one of the musicians taking part in the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour, former METALLICA and VOIVOD bassist Jason Newsted will **NOT** be making an appearance at the event.

Press Conference - Part 1:

Former EUROPE guitarist Kee Marcello will hit the road later this month with a dramatized rock n' roll show celebrating 30 years of rock history and featuring hits from NOICE, EASY ACTION, EUROPE and DEEP PURPLE. The dates below will include special guest, Canadian singer Alannah Myles.

Mar. 23 - Umeå, Sweden - Aula Nordica (with TNT)
Mar. 25 - Sundsvall, Sweden - Tonhallen
Mar. 28 - Västerås, Sweden - Konserthuset
Mar. 29 - Uppsala, Sweden - Konsert & Kongress
Mar. 30 - Sälen, Sweden - Högfjällshotellet
Mar. 31 - Gävle, Sweden - Konserthuset
Apr. 01 - Eskilstuna, Sweden - Lokomotivet
Apr. 04 - Uddevalla, Sweden - Agnesbergshallen
Apr. 05 - Nyköping, Sweden - Rosvalla
Apr. 06 - Skövde, Sweden - Arena
Apr. 07 - Strömstad, Sweden - Skagerack
Apr. 08 - Linköping, Sweden - Crusellhallen
Apr. 11 - Jönköping, Sweden - Konserthus
Apr. 12 - Stockholm, Sweden - Cirkus
Apr. 13 - Borås, Sweden - Åhaga
Apr. 14 - Örebro, Sweden - Conventrum

Marcello released his controversial autobiography, "The Rock Star God Forgot", in Sweden on October 19, 2011.

Marcello made headlines in the biggest Swedish newspaper with a painfully honest interview about the memoir, which is said to be "the first sex, drugs and rock and roll book ever written by a Swede."

"The Rock Star God Forgot" is scheduled for release in the rest of the world in English during 2012.

On October 21, 2011, Marcello released an album, "Redux: Europe", featuring several new tracks alongside modern, heavier-sounding re-recordings of hits from Marcello's previous bands EUROPE and EASY ACTION. Also released on the same date were remastered and repackaged versions of Kee's two earlier albums, "Redux: Shine On" and "Redux: Melon Demon Divine".

When asked why he chose to re-record EUROPE songs, Marcello said, "'Redux' is Latin for 'reclaim' or 'take back,' and that's what I'm doing here. These songs are part of my past and I wanted to bring them into the future."

A video for the song "Redux: Europe" can be viewed below.

On November 3, Jason Saulnier of the MusicLegends.ca web site conducted an interview with Kee Marcello. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

"Gladiator", a brand new song from SOULFLY, can be streamed below. The track comes off the band's eighth album, "Enslaved", which is due on March 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at TallCat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, the seasoned knob twiddler behind some of the most notable bands in metal today, such as SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and more.

"Enslaved" standard CD features the following 11 tracks:

01. Resistance
02. World Scum
03. Intervention
04. Gladiator
05. Legions
06. American Steel
07. Redemption of Man By God
08. Treachery
09. Plata O Plomo
10. Chains
11. Revengeance

The digital-only edition includes the following three bonus tracks:

12. Slave
13. Bastard
14. Soulfly VIII

SOULFLY's video for the song "World Scum" can be seen below. The clip was conceptualized by SOULFLY mianman Max Cavalera and director Thomas Mignone (MUDVAYNE, SLIPKNOT, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, MORBID ANGEL) and produced through Mignone's production company Doom Incorporated. Mignone filmed the video in and around Los Angeles. Various scenes depicting humanity's perspectives of some of the world's significant historical — such as the attack on the Russian Czar by nihilists, the mass production of Zyklon B poisons, the Gulag prisons, the assassination of the president, and a final showdown between Jesus and the Anti-christ — are seen and reflected in the song's lyrics. The cinematography is by Peter Leininger; the special EFX makeup is by Maggie Hunter, the production design is by Hanna Dryland, and digital compositing and post-production is by editor/visual EFX artist Christopher Neil.

SOULFLY's current lineup features Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with STATIC-X's Tony Campos taking up the bass. The lineup is rounded out by drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), a new-school, extreme skinsman whose brutality behind the kit brings a new flavor to the band.

"Phoenix Rising", the new video from Finnish dark melodic death metal icons BEFORE THE DAWN, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "Rise Of The Phoenix", which will be released on April 27 via Nuclear Blast Records.

After the departure of Lars Eikin (bass/clean vocals) and Atte Palokangas (drums), Finland's BEFORE THE DAWN experienced a rebirth of sorts. What could formerly be described as dark metal started to flow much more into melodic death metal waters.

Armed with new members Pyry Hanski (bass) and Joonas Kauppinen (drums), BEFORE THE DAWN will surprise you with a totally new, incredibly thrilling listening experience on their seventh studio album.

The perfectly fitting phoenix symbolism was chosen prudently as mainman, vocalist and mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen explains. "Massive changes in the line-up during 2011 ended an era of great frustration and brought back 110% dedication and professionalism into the band," he says. "The newfound energy and motivation steered us into a victorious European tour and made it possible to produce the strongest, fastest, heaviest and definitely the most epic BEFORE THE DAWN album so far!"

"Rise Of The Phoenix" track listing:

01. Exordium
02. Pitch-Black Universe
03. Phoenix Rising
04. Cross To Bear
05. Throne Of Ice
06. Perfect Storm
07. Fallen World
08. Eclipse
09. Closure

Bonus tracks:

10. Unbreakable (2012 version)
11. Deliverance
12. Reflection (taken from the very first demo, 1999)

SHINEDOWN has released the official music video for "Bully", the first single from the band's upcoming fourth album, "Amaryllis". According to The Pulse Of Radio, the clip, which can be seen below, brings the song's theme of overcoming adversity to life by interspersing scenes of bullying with footage of the band performing the song.

Loudwire described the clip as covering "both the dark side and the light at the end of the tunnel of a very serious issue from those personally impacted to others that just turn a blind eye, connecting the dots between us all."

"Bully" is already Number One at Active Rock radio.

"Amaryllis" comes out on March 27 and follows up SHINEDOWN's biggest success yet, 2008's "The Sound Of Madness".

That disc sold more than a million copies and produced six hit singles, including a number of rock radio chart-toppers.

SHINEDOWN will lead the 2012 edition of the Avalanche Tour. The North American trek will kick off on March 27 in Anaheim, California, with ADELITAS WAY, NEW MEDICINE and ART OF DYING also on the bill.

When asked by The Pulse Of Radio how he feels SHINEDOWN has evolved musically on "Amaryllis", the band's frontman, Brent Smith, said, "The musicianship got way stronger, the songwriting got way more sophisticated, and I think that overall we were able to push ourselves in a direction that was — I don't necessarily know if it was the obvious next step, but we enjoyed the journey with each other."

"Road Sick", the new video from Canadian metallers CANCER BATS, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth full-length album, "Dead Set On Living", which is scheduled for release in the U.S. on April 24 via Metal Blade Records. Once again utilizing the legendary Vespa Studios and producers Eric Ratz and Kenny Luong, the CD brings yet another dimension to the BATS' menacing style of thrash-tinged hardcore rock.

"We're so stoked to be back in the Metal Blade family!" said CANCER BATS vocalist Liam Joseph Cormier. "We got to know so many amazing people at the label when we were a part of Black Market Activities and now it's so rad that were part of the Metal Blade roster! So many awesome people work at the label and they put out so many sweet bands, I couldn't me more stoked."

He added: "We really strived for that raw, off-the-floor vibe this time around, it's really the bridge between our live show and what we put on record."

Tracks like "R.A.T.S." (featuring guest vocals from Rob Urbinati of SACRIFICE) and "The Void" are laced with the gritty, sludgy groove that first emerged on cuts from 2008's "Hail Destroyer", while the blistering first single "Old Blood" roars with the riot-inducing speed and aggression so familiar to the band's fans. The blazing "Bastards!" also features vocal boosts from DEVILDRIVER's Dez Fafara and AN HORSE's Kate Cooper.

"We've been very lucky to experiment as much as we have," Cormier offered, crediting the band's loyal following for their fortune. "I love that we can have thrash songs, hardcore songs, and the more QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE or KYUSS kind of groove-based tunes."

Thematically, the album offers a strong focus on the bilateral relationship of dark and light, destruction and construction, life and death. The title track, for example, refers to a close friend of the band who ended up in the hospital in serious condition; only to have the experience cement his will to survive. "Road Sick", as the title may imply, finds Cormier struggling with the hardships that come with a career spent on the road.

"Our lives are all about touring, but that song is more universal," Cormier revealed. "It's really for anyone away from their loved ones, dealing with that situation."

Still, whereas 2010's "Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones" had a much darker tinge, "Dead Set On Living" strikes a tighter balance between the opposing forces and brings listeners closer to the light at the end of the tunnel by encouraging them to push through peril. "We all reach these dark places where we feel angry or alone," said the singer, "but that gives us a reason to pick ourselves up and strive to make something better."

Since first turning heads with 2006's "Birthing The Giant", CANCER BATS, made up of Liam Cormier (vocals), Scott Middleton (guitar), Mike Peters (drums) and Jaye Schwarzer (bass), is one of the hardest working bands in the music industry. The band spent close to 300 days away from home in 2011, and will likely come close to that in 2012.

The CANCER BATS recently revealed to fans that on April 21, 2012 in London, U.K., they would play six shows in five different venues, all within the space of 24 hours. Dubbed the "Pentagram" our (the location of the venues when joined together form the shape of a pentagram), all six shows sold out in the first week. A spring cross-Canada tour in support of "Dead Set On Living" is in the works, with dates to be announced soon.

"Dead Set On Living" track listing:

01. R.A.T.S.
02. Bricks and Mortar
03. Road Sick
04. Breathe Armageddon
05. Dead Set On Living
06. The Void
07. Old Blood
08. Drunken Physics
09. Bastards
10. Rally The Wicked
11. New World Alliance

"Rise Of The Maya Warriors", a brand new song from legendary Swedish viking/death masters UNLEASHED, can be streamed below (courtesy of Decibel magazine). The track comes off the band's new album, "Odalheim", which will be released on April 20 in Europe and April 24 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by Fredrik Folkare and recorded in at Chrome Studios in Sweden.

Commented UNLEASHED bassist/vocalist Johnny Hedlund: “After years of struggle and toil against the armies of White Christ, the Midgard Warriors went across the open sea to gather the battalions there, and to build an army big enough to fight in the final stand. At the end of the (Vinland) North American journey, the Midgard Warriors and their growing armies traveled through the Sierra Madre and into Central America to meet with the Toltecs, Olmecs, Aztecs and others. It seemed they had all joined forces to build a rebellion against White Christ. They were now known as the Maya Warriors. We joined for Blot and Celebrations to our common task and for life long friendship. We had now grown to be a very respectful army of warriors that set off to the European continent again…"

With "Odalheim", UNLEASHED not only presents the follow-up to "As Yggdrasil Trembles" in the year 2012, but also continues telling its post-doomsday story, embedded into the Norse mythology.

After the mighty world tree Yggdrasil had trembled and rung in the end of the world, Fimbul winter followed: Three years of darkness and coldness, during which Mother Nature took back what was rightfully hers. This caused the end of life as we know it. Ragnarök. But the warriors who've survived will build a new world out of the old one's ashes. Right here, the story of "Odalheim" begins.

Commented UNLEASHED bassist/vocalist Johnny Hedlund: "The artwork is made by Sebastian Ramstedt, just like our previous three albums. It shows the new world 'Odalheim' at the break of dawn at Birka shores, and just before the attack of White Christ. The concept of the album is taken from the book by the same name. A book I haven't yet had the time to complete."

"Odalheim" track listing:

01. Fimbulwinter
02. Odalheim
03. White Christ
04. The Hour Of Defeat
05. Gathering The Battalions
06. Vinland
07. Rise Of The Maya Warriors
08. By Celtic And British Shores
09. The Soil Of Our Fathers
10. Germania
11. The Great Battle Of Odalheim

Hedlund previously stated about "Odalheim": ""Anders [Schultz, drums] asked me if this might be the fastest UNLEASHED album to date. I'm not sure, but it's likely close anyhow."

UNLEASHED's most recent CD, "As Yggdrasil Trembles", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 85 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.

UNLEASHED's current lineup:

Johnny Hedlund: Bass, Vocals
Tomas Måsgard: Guitar
Fredrik Folkare: Guitar
Anders Schultz: Drums

The official lyric video for "All That's Born Must Be Destroyed", a brand new song from the London, England-based, female-fronted metal band MORTAD, can be seen below. The track comes off the group's debut album, "The Myth Of Purity", which was recorded last October with producer Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR, EVILE). The CD was was released last month with the February 2012 issue of Metal Hammer magazine.

"The Myth Of Purity" track listing:

01. All That's Born Must Be Destroyed
02. Waste Of My Rage
03. The Heights
04. Mirage
05. Feels Like Suffocation
06. The Myth Of Purity
07. I'm Not Interested In Being Interesting
08. By Default
09. The Voice
10. That Which Is Humane

MORTAD was formed in 2009 by Iranian vocalist Somi Arian , whose lyrics take aim at the hypocrisy of religion and the government as well as seeking inner truth and strength in the face of such oppression.

MORTAD released a music video and an EP, entitled "Pandemic Paranoia", in early 2011. This effort brought the band immense attention on the social media sites, placing the group as the No. 1 metal band on ReverbNation London metal chart, and attracting over 40,000 Facebook fans.

MORTAD's new video, "Waste Of My Rage", can be seen below. The clip was sponsored by the Alchemy apparel clothing brand and produced by the Manchester-based video production company Video Ink. More than a dozen actors were cast for the video, including Collette Von Tora, who agreed to have her head shaved for this video shoot.

Nick Azinas of Peek From The Pit conducted an interview with Somi Arian on November 26, 2011 at the Intrepid Fox in London. You can now watch the chat below.

"All That's Born Must Be Destroyed" lyric video:

"Pentagram And Crucifix", the new video from Olympia, Washington metallers CHRISTIAN MISTRESS, can be seen below. The clip was filmed in the band's hometown and directed by Christine Davis and David Hoekje.

"Pentagram And Crucifix" comes off CHRISTIAN MISTRESS' sophomore album, "Possession", which was released on February 28 via Relapse Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Agony & Opium" was recorded last summer with Tim Green (MELVINS, THE FUCKING CHAMPS, MONOTONIX).

"We recorded analog," said guitarist Oscar Sparbel, speaking on the band's traditional approach to recording. "It was one of the reasons we chose Tim Green and Louder Studios. We wanted to track on 2-inch tape and not use Pro Tools."

"Possession" track listing:

01. Over And Over
02. Pentagram And Crucifix
03. Conviction
04. The Way Beyond
05. Possession
06. Black To Gold
07. There Is Nowhere
08. Haunted Hunted
09. All Abandon

CHRISTIAN MISTRESS will perform at the Roadburn festival in Tilburg, Holland in April. In addition, they will be on the road in other parts Europe that month, including a string of headlining shows with BLACK BREATH.

CHRISTIAN MISTRESS — Christine Davis (vocals), Jonny Wulf (bass), Oscar Sparbel (guitar), Reuben W. Storey (drums) and Ryan McClain (guitar) — has previously toured alongside THRONES, SLOUGH FEG, and more.

Quality fan-filmed video fooage of DEICIDE's March 4 performance at Les Foufounes Électriques in Montreal, Queebc, Canada can be seen below.

DEICIDE last week kicked off the North American "March Of Death 2012" tour, with support from JUNGLE ROT, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS and LECHEROUS NOCTURNE.

DEICIDE's latest album, "To Hell With God", sold 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was issued on February 15, 2011 via Century Media Records. It was produced by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHIMAIRA) at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.

DEICIDE's previous CD, "Till Death Do Us Part", opened with 2,900 copies back in May 2008.

DEICIDE last year completed the "God Is Dead – To Hell With God Tour" with support from BELPHEGOR, BLACKGUARD, NEURAXIS and PATHOLOGY.

Finnish metallers SOULHEALER have commenced the songwriting sessions for their sophomore album.

Rough-mix versions of three brand new tracks — "Wicked Moon", "Never Turn My Back On You" and "Into The Fire" — can be streamed using the ReverbNation TuneWidget below.

SOULHEALER's follow-up to "The Kings Of Bullet Alley" is expected before the end of the year.

SOULHEALER is:

Jori Kärki - Vocals
Teemu Kuosmanen - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Sami Mikkonen - Lead Guitar
Teemu Aho - Bass, Backing Vocals
Timo Immonen - Drums

Innsbrucks DIVINE TEMPTATION melden sich mit einem neuen Longplayer eindrucksvoll zurück. Auf den 8 Songs von „Killer Suites“ feuert die auf 5 Musiker angewachsene Band einen gelungenen Bastard aus Progressive und Death Metal sowie Djent ab. Abwechslungsreiches Songwriting, druckvolle 8-String-Gitarren, mächtiger Bass, opulente Drums und facettenreicher Gesang, verpackt in eine starke Produktion von Stefan Graf, ergeben ein gelungenes, unverbrauchtes Album. Der blühende Djent-Sound hat hörbare Spuren im neuen Album hinterlassen und löst das einst vorherrschende Prog-Songwriting zunehmend ab. Während die Kernbesetzung von Divine Temptation mit Stefan Graf, Patrick Schrittwieser, Christoph Bammer und Marco ‚Snake’ Modl gleich geblieben ist, hat letzerer seinen Bass an Johannes Leierer abgegeben und konzentriert sich voll auf seinen Part als Sänger, wodurch der Gesamtsound der Band differenzierter und detailverliebter denn je geworden ist, ohne dabei an Druck und Härte zu verlieren.

Das neue Abum wurde im Mirror Production Studio unter Leitung von Gitarrist Stefan Graf in einen Zeitraum von einem Jahr produziert.

„Killer Suites“ wird von der Band selbst als independent release veröffentlicht und ist exklusiv auf divinetemptation.bandcamp.com sowohl als reguläres CD-Album um € 10, als auch als Download nach einem pay-what-you-want-Schema erhältlich.

Wer offen ist für modernen, abwechslungsreichen Metal, sollte sich „Killer Suites“ nicht entgehen lassen.

„Killer Suites“ Trackliste:

1. Killer Sweets 04:53
2. Incarnat 04:44
3. Lighthouse 04:55
4. This Dying Love 04:42
5. Strange Cargo 05:04
6. Peccavi 05:06
7. Deviance 04:59
8. Clairvoyance 07:00

Norwegian black/thrash butchers AURA NOIR are preparing to deliver their fifth full-length contribution to the extreme metal underworld this month. Appropriately bearing the title "Out To Die", the album unloads eight hell-bent songs in the crushing fashion fans should rightfully and ravenously expect from the self-proclaimed "ugliest trio in the world." "Out To Die" now holds down a North American street date of March 27 by Norway's Indie Recordings, via stateside distribution by Prosthetic Records.

Speaking to Terrorizer magazine shortly after a recent listening session in Oslo, AURA NOIR guitarist/vocalist Aggressor stated about the band's new CD, "It feels right. That's all I can say really. I'm not sitting here digging it; it's more like I'm content with having the finished product there, and now we can go play live. Because I think our music comes into its element when we're playing live. For me, a new album is like, 'Okay, we have more songs to play live now.'"

"Out To Die" marks the return of guitarist Rune Eriksen (a.k.a. ex-MAYHEM guitarist/songwriter Blasphemer), who now resides in Portugal and leads his own band AVA INFERI. Eriksen made several trips back to Norway to work on the new AURA NOIR songs with Aggressor and Apollyon (guitar, bass, vocals, drums; also bassist in IMMORTAL).

"I wish we were all living in the same apartment and rehearsing every day, all three of us together, but obviously that's not possible because we have our private lives and everything," Aggressor told Terrorizer. "But it brought about some new ways of working, and it actually worked out okay in the end."

The endless roster of previous and current acts the members of AURA NOIR are attached to includes the names MAYHEM, IMMORTAL, AVA INFERI, DØDHEIMSGARD, VIRUS, CADAVER and dozens more. Since forming in the early '90s, the band has unleashed a plethora of releases, including four LPs, a myriad of demos, EPs and splits and a live album prior to "Out To Die". While maintaining a generally cult status over the majority of their existence, it was the band's 2008-released "Hades Rise" album which brought on more widespread coverage of and attention of the band. The album was followed by AURA NOIR's first North American shows at the annual Maryland Deathfest in 2011 followed by a Midwest/East Coast mini-tour supporting MARDUK, gaining the band entire new legions of fans throughout the country, not to mention their European festival and tour appearances over the years.

2012 sees AURA NOIR delivering some of their most raw and aggressive debauchery to date on "Out To Die", which was recorded at various locations in both Norway and Portugal (Blasphemer's current location) during December of 2011. The bar has once again been raised. Another milestone of putrid black thrash metal has been born.

"Out To Die" track listing:

01. Trenches
02. Fed To The Flames
03. Abbadon
04. The Grin From The Gallows
05. Withheld
06. Priest's Hellish Fiend
07. Deathwish
08. Out To Die

The songs "Fed To The Flames" and "Abbadon" are available for streaming below.

Drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), bassist Billy Sheehan (STEVE VAI, DAVID LEE ROTH), guitarist Tony MacAlpine (neo classical-metal style, STEVE VAI) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, PLANET X, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) performed on January 14, 2012 at the twenty-third annual Guitar Center's Drum-Off, the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered drummer, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California. You can the first part of professionally filmed video footage of their performance below.

In addition to all the incredible performances, the night featured the Drum Legend induction of drumming greats Peter Criss (KISS) and Terry Bozzio (FRANK ZAPPA, MISSING PERSONS). The Drum Legend induction honors icons in the drum world that have paved the way for today's drummers. The award is given to those that have made significant contributions to the craft and have hugely influenced players by their style and illustrious musical career. Past inductees include John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Nicko McBrain, Steve Smith, Dave Garibaldi, Alan White, and Greg Errico.

The Drum-Off champion won the grand prize package, valued at nearly $50,000, which includes: $25,000 cash, a feature in Modern Drummer magazine, 2012 NAMM VIP Experience, recording time at the Converse Rubber Track Studios and thousands of dollars in gear and endorsement deals from the drum world's top manufacturers.

WORLD UNDER BLOOD — the melodic death metal project led by CKY guitarist/vocalist Deron Miller — has announced the addition of drummer Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY) and bassist Kyle Konkiel (IN THIS MOMENT) to the group's ranks.

WORLD UNDER BLOOD 2012 is:

Deron Miller (CKY): guitars, Vocals
Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY): Drums
Kyle Konkiel (IN THIS MOMENT): Bass
Luke Jaeger: Lead Guitar

"Tactical", the debut album from WORLD UNDER BLOOD, sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 32 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 artwork for "Tactical" was brought to life by the twisted mind of Pär Olofsson (IMMORTAL, THE FACELESS, ABYSMAL DAWN) and can be seen below.

The drum tracks on "Tactical" were laid down by Tim Yeung (DIVINE HERESY, VITAL REMAINS, HATE ETERNAL).

Pictured below is WORLD UNDER BLOOD's 2010-2011 lineup.

L.A. GUNS — featuring Phil Lewis, Steve Riley, Stacey Blades and Scotty Griffin — recently entered the studio with legendary producer, and old friend, Andy Johns (LED ZEPPELIN, THE ROLLING STONES, CINDERELLA, VAN HALEN, as well as the last three L.A. GUNS albums) to begin recording its new album for a late 2012 release via Cleopatra Records. According to a posting on the band's Facebook page, "The record's all mixed. Next stage running order and mastering. 14 band new songs coming at ya this summer."

A CD and vinyl release, as well as bonus tracks available only on iTunes, is planned. A nine-month world tour following the release is also in the works.

Singer Phil Lewis was said to be thrilled to get back in the studio and finally get a chance to record once again with Andy. "We've been waiting a long time to get back in and record," he said. "Our last album, 'Tales From The Strip', was incredibly well-received and we're looking forward to putting out something even better! With today's uncertain musical landscape, it's great to have a label like Cleopatra Records behind us. We've been friends with Brian Perera (Cleopatra Records owner and founder) for a long time, and are really looking forward to working together on this and many more projects with him in the future."

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

On March 1, Linda Marigliano of Australia's Triple J radio station conducted an interview with shock rocker Marilyn Manson during this year's Soundwave Festival. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

On his upcoming album, "Born Villain":

Manson: "It's very cinematic in the sense that when you're watching a movie and you feel the tension of the score or what's happening in the film and something violent's gonna happen. You wanna be able to change it when you're watching the movie. It's a very cinematic record in that sense. I think it's my most conceptual record in that it tells a story. And it told a story while I was making it. It was really interesting making it. I really had to reinvent the way I thought by just stripping everything away and then almost living in a place that was almost like this room, which is white walls, black carpet, and I had to fill the room with music and paintings and other things."

On changes in his life and the new era of the Marilyn Manson brand:

Manson: "I believe that you are not stuck with a pre-destiny. I believe that there is ways to see all these things that are laid down in front of you and where you belong and to smack yourself in the face when you realize that you've strayed off your path and get back to where your path is. And sometimes you have to burn it all down and build it from the bottom up. And that's what I think that I really needed to do. Instead of trying to convince myself that I'd done it before, and in different ways — musically, artistically, relationship-wise — I had to literally just strip it down to nothing and go from the bottom up."

Interview (audio):