Vocalist Carsten Scholz has left long-running German death metallers RESURRECTED for health reasons and has been replaced by Christoph Mieves (GRIND INC.).

Commented the band: "We all respect and understand [Carsten's] decision, as we know how much he suffered in the past months/years and how long he struggled with the decision to leave the band as a founding member and the distinctive voice of RESURRECTED. But you can for sure hear Carsten on the upcoming EP on the vocals; we're all very sad to lose him as a band member and one of world's best death metal voices. The position on the mic will be taken by our longtime friend Christoph Mieves from GRIND INC. who already did some live shows on the last Portugal tour with us. Chris is well known for his great death metal vocals and outstanding stage performance."

In other news, drummer Hazim Fouad has left RESURRECTED due his move to Bremen "which does not allow us continuous rehearsing with all band members what we're used to and what Hazim either thinks to be necessary for further songwriting and live rehearsing." Hazim will play his "Grindbye" show with RESURRECTED at this year's 10th anniversary of the NRW Deathfest. Going forward, RESURRECTED's drum duties will be handled by Dennis Thiele, who is described by the band as "a good friend and dedicated death metal maniac."

RESURRECTED 202 is:

Christoph Mieves - Vocals
Dennis Thiele - Drums
Ben Bays - Bass
Thomas Granzow - Guitar

RESURRECTED released its sixth album, "Fierce", in 2009 via Metal Age Productions. The CD was recorded at Soundlodge studios in Rhauderfehn, Germany with Jörk Uken (GOD DETHRONED, OBSCENITY).

Argentinean rock journalist Lucas H. Gordon, who currently resides in Hollywood, California, conducted an interview with Gene Simmons (KISS), Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES) and Glenn Hughes (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) about their involvement with the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour, which will hit the road in South and Central America in April/May. You can now watch the chat below.

Comprised of musicians from some of the biggest bands in recent rock history, the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars is a live show unlike any before. Bandmembers include:

* 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)

Promoter Gabe Reed hosted a press conference this past Thursday (March 1) at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California to officially announce the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour of South and Central America in April/May 2012. 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!!!"

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.

Interview:

Norway's TRAIL OF TEARS has announced the addition of drummer Bjørn to the group's ranks.

A short introductory video of the band's latest addition can be seen below.

TRAIL OF TEARS' longtime drummer Cato Jensen in January in order to focus on other priorities.

The first teaser for the forthcoming seventh album from TRAIL OF TEARS is available below.

TRAIL OF TEARS in September finished recording its as-yet-untitled new CD at Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes. The band is currently seeking a suitable record label to release the effort.

Commented the band: "Cathrine [Paulsen] came through the extreme schedule with flying colours, putting the finishing vocals on the end result and delivered a performance for the history books!

"We believe that we have created something extraordinary and can't wait to share it with you all. Never before has a recording process involved so much blood, sweat and tears!"

TRAIL OF TEARS in 2010 parted ways with guitarist Pål Olsen and opted to carry on as a five-piece.

TRAIL OF TEARS's sixth album, "Bloodstained Endurance", was recorded and mixed over a six-week period at Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes. Mastering duties were handled by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Finland. The cover artwork for the album was designed by acclaimed artist Travis Smith (AMORPHIS, OPETH, NEVERMORE).

In 2007, TRAIL OF TEARS was rejoined by vocalist Cathrine Paulsen, who sang on the group's 2002 album, "A New Dimension of Might".

Florida-based, female-fronted power metallers SEVEN KINGDOMS are prering to enter Morrisound studios in Tampa, Florida with producer Jim Morris (ICED EARTH, DEATH) to begin recording their as-yet-untitled 11-song follow-up to their 2010 self-titled sophomore album.

Commented guitarist Camden Cruz: "Fans can expect a more dynamic SEVEN KINGDOMS this time around. We have spent the greater part of a year transposing what we have learned into this new record. It has been since the middle of 2009 since we have written anything together and I really believe that you will hear three more years of experience on this album. It is overall a little bit faster, but not in a thrashy way; it is more in the vein of older-school power metal that sometimes seems to be overlooked nowadays. We have been able to shape something in our 'sound' that will set us apart from our forefathers while still being true to the genre. Expect a twin turbo version of our self-titled release. The record is the most challenging material we have physically played to date and it has a lot of guitar work on it. Sabrina [Valentine, vocals] has even become more herself with this record as we have all grown as musicians. We aim to bring a polished version of what a modern-day power metal band should sound like. This should be a record that everyone can enjoy from the brand new listener to the most diehard power metal fan with more hooks, more shred, more epicness, More in-your-face double bass, more literal bass, Just more POWER."

In other news, SEVEN KINGDOMS has just finished filming its very first official professional video clip for the new record's opener, "After The Fall". The clip's storyline is based on George Martin's "Game Of Thrones", which is also the story which the band's name is based out of). Ironically, the same type of cameras used for filming the HBO show were also used for the band's video.

SEVEN KINGDOMS's sophomore album was released in July 2010 via Nightmare Records.

Formed in Deland, Florida in 2007 by Camden Cruz and Bryan Edwards, SEVEN KINGDOMS entered Morrisound Recording in Tampa in August 2007 to record its debut self-financed independent release, "Brothers of the Night", which was lyrically inspired by the literary works of George R. Martin.

After playing shows throughout the Southeastern region of the United States with such bands as SONATA ARCTICA, THE AGONIST, STEPHEN PEARCY and CIRCLE II CIRCLE, SEVEN KINGDOMS returned to Morrisound in 2009 to begin work on its self-titled sophomore effort.

SEVEN KINGDOMS is:

Sabrina Valentine – Vocals
Camden Cruz – Guitar
Kevin Byrd – Guitar
Aaron Sluss – Bass
Keith Byrd - Drums

BABYMETAL, a heavy metal offshoot of the Japanese pop idol group SAKURA GAKUIN that performs a distinctly Japanese mix of schoolgirl J-pop and death metal, will release a new single, "Like!", on March 7 via iTunes. A video for the edited version of the song — which combines pop with extreme metal guitars, an occasional growl or two and a tinge of hip hop — can be seen below.

Formed in 2010, BABYMETAL's "Doki Doki Morning" song (see video at this location) was included on the album "Sakura Gakuin 2010 message~". A follow-up track, "Ijime, Dame, Zettai", was premiered during a SAKURA GAKUIN in July 2011 and was aired again at the Tokyo Idol festival a month later. It quickly created a buzz due to its mix of melodic speed metal, sensational lyrics around the theme of "Ijime" and the band's performance, which incorporates the "Wall Of Death."

BABY METAL is:

Su-Metal - Vocals and Dance
Moametal - Screamer and Dance
Yuimetal - Screamer and Dance

For more information, visit www.babymetal.jp.

Fan-filmed video footage of KITTIE's February 26 performance at the Sydney, Australia of the Soundwave Festival can be seen below.

KITTIE recently parted ways with bassist Ivy Vujic and was rejoined by Trish Doan. Doan was previously with the band from 2005 to 2007, appearing on the band's 2007 release "Funeral For Yesterday".

Trish will join KITTIE live after their Soundwave Festival appearance in Australia is completed.

KITTIE's new album, "I've Failed You", sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 178 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous CD, "In The Black", opened with around 3,400 units back in 2009 to land at No. 132.

KITTIE's fourth album, "Funeral for Yesterday", registered a first-week tally of 9,000 in February 2007 to enter the chart at No. 101.

"I've Failed You" was released on August 30, 2011 via eOne Music. The CD was recorded at Beach Road Studios in Goderich, Ontario, Canada. The band once again worked with producer Siegfried "Siggy" Meier, who helmed KITTIE's last CD, 2009's "In The Black".

By now, the musical exploits of Scott "Wino" Weinrich are the stuff of legend. THE OBSESSED. SAINT VITUS. SPIRIT CARAVAN. THE HIDDEN HAND. SHRINEBUILDER. After releasing his solo debut in 2009, Wino went acoustic in early 2011 with "Adrift", a gut-wrenchingly personal album written by a man who has survived a lifetime of gut-wrenching scenarios and lived to tell the tales.

Wino's latest project sees him plugged back in — both to his amplifier and the full-band format. Enter PREMONITION 13, a musical entity that finds its genesis in jam sessions dating back two decades, when Wino first met fellow guitarist Jim "Sparky" Karow. "Jim and I have known each other for about 20 years," Wino explains. "His wife was basically the first manager of THE OBSESSED. We played guitars together one day and then we had this really good conversation about magnetism. We realized we had a common love of Mesoamerican stuff and ancient cultures. So we've been jamming together for about 15 or 20 years — just me and him, two guitars, no drums or anything like that."

And so what started as a series of informal jams out at Karow's spread in the high California desert — a place once inhabited by "Brave New World" author and LSD enthusiast Aldous Huxley — eventually became songwriting sessions. After enlisting the talents of OSTINATO drummer Matthew Clark and former MEATJACK bassist Brian Daniloski, they began playing live under the moniker PREMONITION. But a subsequent Internet search turned up quite a few bands with that very name, so Wino proposed a numerical addendum. "13 is one of my favorite numbers," he explains. "It's actually a very positive number, but it's been misconstrued quite a bit throughout history. Friday the 13th is considered bad luck in America, but that's just another fear trip. It's also considered good luck by some esoterically-minded folks because Friday the 13th was the day that Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was burned at the stake. As he was being burned, he cursed the pope and the king, and they were both dead within a year."

Recorded at RTX guitarist Brian McKinley's unnamed studio in Costa Mesa, California, PREMONITION 13's debut sees Wino venturing into territories both new and familiar. "The band has two guitarists, first off, which I did for the first time in SHRINEBUILDER just a couple of years ago," he explains. "But I've also found that that there's a little bit of humor in this band. There're some tongue-in-cheek lyrical things; it's not quite as serious as some of the other stuff I've done. But at the same time, it is serious: we make some comments on conspiracy, the negative effects of control, and all the stuff one might protest against."

Musically, Wino cites BLACK SABBATH, KING CRIMSON and his previous conspiracy-minded band THE HIDDEN HAND as reference points for PREMONITION 13. He and Karow also make generous use of the E-Bow, a handheld guitar effect that sustains notes in a battery-powered electromagnetic field. "It's still pretty heavy, but it's definitely a departure from other bands I've been in," Wino offers. "I'm just excited for it to get out there so people can hear it."

PREMONITION 13's debut release a two-song seven-inch is available now in a limited 1000-unit pressing as well as being available digitally. The seven-inch features two songs that will not be on the band's full-length release, simply entitled "13", that is set for release on June 21 via Volcom Entertainment.

"13" track listing:

01. B.E.A.U.T.Y.
02. Hard To Say
03. Clay Pigeons
04. Senses
05. La Hechicera de la Jeringa (Prelude)
06. La Hechicera de la Jeringa
07. Deranged Rock N' Roller
08. Modern Man
09. Peyote Road

The song "La Hechicera de la Jeringa" can be downloaded for free at this location.

MariskalRock.com conducted an interview with former HELLOWEEN and current UNISONIC members Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen during their recent promotional tour of Spain. You can now watch the chat in three parts below.

In addition to Kiske and Hansen, UNISONIC features in its ranks Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany's PINK CREAM 69 and Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (who has previously played with ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS).

The self-titled debut album from UNISONIC will be released on March 30 (nine days earlier in Japan) via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort will be made available in the following configurations:

Europe & rest of the world:

* CD jewel case
* CD limited edition Mediabook format with and extended booklet plus bonus track
* Vinyl and CD package limited edition

Japan:

*CD jewel case
* CD limited-edition digipack plus bonus track (exclusive for Japan)

The cover artwork, which was created by graphic artist Martin Häusler (MEAT LOAF, GOTTHARD, HELLOWEEN, MOTÖRHEAD), can be seen below.

"Unisonic" track listing:

01. Unisonic
02. Souls Alive
03. Never Too Late
04. I've Tried
05. Star Rider
06. Never Change Me
07. Renegade
08. My Sanctuary
09. King For A Day
10. We Rise
11. No One Ever Sees Me
12. Over The Rainbow (limited-edition bonus track)

UNISONIC's video for the song "Unisonic" can be seen below. According to a press release, the clip, which was directed by Häusler, "shows a powerful band performance at a magnificent ballroom in Heidelberg, Germany."

UNISONIC released its debut EP, "Ignition" on January 27 via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort includes the track "Unisonic" plus one demo song and a cover version of the HELLOWEEN classic "I Want Out", recorded live on October 15 at last year's edition of the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.

After the addition of Hansen to the group's lineup in early 2011, UNISONIC continued the songwriting process for its debut release, incorporating Kai's talent for writing great anthemic rock songs into its existing material. The recordings for the album started at end of September at ICP studios in Brussels, Belgium.

UNISONIC's music is very versatile and shows a broad approach to heavy rock without sacrificing the power and strong, catchy melodies that characterized the bandmembers' previous projects.

Kai Hansen's position in GAMMA RAY will be unaffected by his involvement with UNISONIC.

UNISONIC is:

Michael Kiske (vocals)
Mandy Meyer (guitar)
Kai Hansen (guitar)
Dennis Ward (bass)
Kosta Zafiriou (drums)

Interview:

Legendary American rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose died earlier today (Saturday, March 3) after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 64 years old.

Montrose's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"A few months ago, we held a surprise party for Ronnie Montrose's 64th birthday. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life, filled with joy and hardship, he didn't take any of our love for granted.

"He passed today. He'd battled cancer, and staved off old age for long enough. And true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we're glad to have shared with him while we could."

In a September 2011 interview with North County Times, Montrose revealed that he didn't pick up his guitar for two years following his cancer diagnosis. "I had prostate cancer that, for me, was debilitating," he said. "I didn't touch a guitar for two years, but when I realized I was seeing the light at the end of the recovery tunnel and was going to live pain-free, I realized again that it was a fun little instrument to play."

He added, "I've blocked all my health issues out of my mind. That's a portion of my life that I'm done with. Now, I can't wait for every day to come so I can wake up and plug in. I'm up there entertaining myself and my playing is stronger than ever, because my excitement is back."

Ronnie Montrose always followed his heart. Ever anxious to take his music to the next level, in 1979 he founded the trailblazing band GAMMA, a group whose trio of ahead-of-their-time albums were an explosion of guitar and synthesizer pyrotechnics anchored by a bluesy edge.

Between and beyond these band forays, Montrose the player devoted himself to exploring instrumental guitar music on landmark albums like "Open Fire" and "The Speed Of Sound". Fans periodically clamored for another taste of the original MONTROSE power trio format, but he wouldn't revisit MONTROSE — that huge, heavy sound; those rich, pealing riffs — until the time came when he could do it with total conviction.

Back in October 2011, Montrose was interviewed by Fox News prior to his concert at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. You can watch the segment below.

Former TNT singer Tony Harnell will guest on the new solo album from STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet, due this summer on Big3 Records. Harnell will be a special guest vocalist on the song "Taking On The World Tonight".

Commented Sweet: "I think Tony is truly one of the most underrated singers of all time. He's always been one of my favorites and is an incredibly nice, humble guy to boot. I've always wanted to work with Tony and I knew this would be the perfect song and opportunity to do so. 'Taking On The World Tonight' is very heavy with a combination of old-school riffs and solos yet it's got a very modern, relevant sound as well. It's the best of both worlds! You won't be disappointed."

Harnell joined STRYPER on stage on March 24, 2011 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City to perform a cover version of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "Breaking The Law". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be viewed below.

Sweet recently released instrumental audio samples (no lead vocals) of three songs — "Unsuspecting", "All That Left (For Me To Prove)" and "Taking On The World Tonight" — that will appear on his forthcoming solo album. You can now check them out below.

Sweet entered the studio on December 18 to begin recording his new solo CD. He previously revealed that Kenny Aronoff (CHICKENFOOT) would be drumming on the record and that there would be a few "guest musicians/singers" as well.

Sweet's last solo album, "Touched", was released in December 2007 exclusively through Michael's official web site, MichaelSweet.com. The CD, which included reworked versions of four STRYPER songs, was not made available in stores.

Writing on Facebook, Sweet stated about reaction to the solo album sampes, "First, thank you for all the amazing comments on the solo record samples! I can assure you that this record will be the best solo record to date and that you (at least most of you) won't be disappointed.

"Second, to the handful of people who think it sounds like STRYPER — well, earth to moon, I am the singer/guitarist/songwriter for STRYPER so there is the remote chance that their will be similarities right? Maybe you can't comprehend that but I think most people here do.

"For those of you who wonder why it isn't a STRYPER record, the truth is that I had the opportunity to make a record and I took it. It's been almost 12 years since my last solo release and I felt it was long overdue. There is a lot of down time with STRYPER and life goes on, you've got to do what you've got to do. This doesn't mean that STRYPER is going to take a backseat. We have big plans for the band as well including a re-record record with two new songs, touring throughout 2012 and eventually a new, all original STRYPER record.

"We all have done solo projects over the years and it's a great way for all of us to be artistic and express our musical ideas individually. I love what I do and I hope it shows!

"For the 99.9% of the people who do get it, you advance to the head of the class. To the 0.1% of the people who don't get it, you're in detention for the rest of the year :-)

"Seriously, thank you all for the incredibly positive feedback/comments on my new solo project and I can't wait to release it so you can hear the songs in their entirety. You'll hear similarities (duh) and yet you'll also hear me. God Bless you guys and see you out on the road."

Sweet is currently writing his first "book/autobiography," which he promises "will outline my life and give you a page-by-page layout of the early years, the ups and downs of being in a Christian rock band, behind-the-scenes stories of what really goes on 'behind the scenes' of a successful Christian rock band (good and bad), getting through the toughest battle of all, joining the legendary classic rock band BOSTON, and much much more."

STRYPER recently released short audio clips of "Bleeding From Inside Out" and "Blackened", the two new tracks which will be included on a collection of re-recorded versions of the band's classic songs, to be released in the summer of 2012. The CD will contain a total of 16 cuts — two from "The Yellow And Black Attack", six from "Soldiers Under Command", six from "To Hell With The Devil", as well as the two aforementioned new tracks.

Michael Sweet will perform his faith-based "storytellers" solo acoustic show in churches around the world this year. The performances are a combination of STRYPER classics, new solo material, and notable praise and worship songs.

If you are interested in Michael Sweet performing at your church, please have your church leaders contact Dave Rose at Dave [at] DeepSouthEntertainment.com.

"Unsuspecting" audio sample:

Italian "melodic/math/death" metallers IGNITION CODE, who feature in their ranks members of SAWTHIS and THE JULIET MASSACRE, will release their debut album, "NewTek Lie", later this month through To React Records.

Formed in 2007, IGNITION CODE combines the bandmembers' "deep-rooted passion for complex tempo with sudden and apparently uncontrolled outburst, without setting aside their melodic and sometimes intimist side, all this under the direction of some influences such as MNEMIC, TEXTURE and IN FLAMES," according to the band's official bio. "The distorted idea of music coming out from this, it is melted with the continuous conflict between man and machine in which it is difficult to say who is the winner."

IGNITION CODE Is:

Alessandro Falà - Vocals
Sabatino Fossemò - Guitar
Marco Di Carlo - Guitar
Gaetano Ettorre - Bass
Guido Borraccino - Drums

Reunited seminal Swedish hardcore band REFUSED played an unannounced show — its first in 14 years — this past Wednesday night (February 29) at the tiny club The Scharinska House in their hometown of Umeå. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below. Also available is a Swedish-language video report from SVT Rapport. Check out photos and a short English-language report at Aftonbladet.se.

REFUSED has confirmed a number of shows on both sides of the Atlantic, including an appearance at this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, to be held for the first time over two consecutive weeks in mid-April.

REFUSED was only together seven years (from 1991 to 1998), but released three full-length albums before calling it quits. Their "The Shape Of Punk To Come" LP is considered one of the best punk albums ever.

The members of REFUSED released a statement in January explaining their decision to reunite by saying, "We never did 'The Shape Of Punk To Come' justice back when it came out; too tangled up in petty internal bickering to really focus on the job. And suddenly there's this possibility to do it like it was intended. We wanna do it over, do it right. For the people who've kept the music alive through the years, but also for our own sakes. We feel that you deserve it and we hope the feeling is mutual."

Two years ago, REFUSED lead singer Dennis Lyxzén told Excite in an interview, "To be in that band is one of those things that half the time I'm sympathetic and understanding towards why people would do it. The other half, it's just such a useless maneuver. It's a defeatist attitude but if your objective is to play music with your friends and have a good time, there's no harm in reuniting your band for a couple of shows. For us, there have always been so many other aspects of what we did, that it always felt like a complete no-no. You can't do that shit. MINOR THREAT never got back together. That's kind of our take on it. With some things, the legend is better than the actual thing."

REFUSED's legacy was chronicled via the "Refused Are Fucking Dead" collection, which featured never-before-seen material and videos. In addition, REFUSED's landmark 1998 album, "The Shape Of Punk To Come", was remixed and remastered in 5.1 surround DVD audio format, and was re-released through Epitaph Records. Also re-released were remastered editions of REFUSED's "Songs To Fan The Flames Of Discontent" and "The EP Compilation" CDs.

A new seven-minute LIZZY BORDEN promotional video featuring scenes from the band's 2011 tour and "last year's escapades" can be seen below.

LIZZY BORDEN is currently working on material for the follow-up to 2007's "Appointment With Death", tentatively due later in the year. Lizzy stated in a June 2011 interview with RockEyez, "I'm not that anxious to run out and do another record. The record I have in mind is so unique it's even hard to picture. The way I look at 'Appointment With Death' is we came full circle we all had the same influences on all the records. Now it's time to create something new so that's where my head is at right now. The album I want to do is ten amazing songs. I don't know exactly where it's going to go; it could be the heaviest record we've ever done. You know, you write ten songs and end up loving one. I hope to get something out soon but we have the tour right now, but we are working hard on songs right now. It's coming out really interesting but I'm still looking for that ultimate producer that I can work with so I can create something so unique that is sounds like we're breaking ground a little bit."

LIZZY BORDEN is:

Lizzy Borden: Vocals
Joey Scott: Drums
Marten Andersson: Bass
Dario Lorina: Guitar
A.C. Alexander: Guitar

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH kicked off their Finnish headlining tour last night (Friday, March 2) in front of a capacity crowd of 7,500 at Areena in Joensuu.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Taikatalvi
02. Storytime
03. Wish I Had An Angel
04. Amaranth
05. Scaretale
06. The Siren
07. Slow Love Slow
08. I Want My Tears Back
09. The Crow, The Owl And The Dove
10. Islander
11. Nemo (acoustic)
12. Last Of The Wilds
13. Planet Hell
14. Song Of Myself
15. Last Ride Of The Day

Encore:

16. Poet And The Pendulum
17. Finlandia
18. Over The Hills And Far Away

Fan-filmed video footage, as well as a Finnish TV report, from the concert can be seen below.

NIGHTWISH will release a special "tour edition" of their latest album, "Imaginaerum", on April 13 via Nuclear Blast Records. It will be a 2CD+DVD digibook in slipcase. You can order it at the Nuclear Blast webshop. In addition, there will be a two-LP version in black or clear vinyl with the orchestral version of the record in gatefold.

"Imaginaerum" has been certified gold in Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia and Germany. The effort entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 1 and has already been certifield triple platinum in the country after shifting more than 60,000 units.

"Imaginaerum" sold 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, 2007's "Dark Passion Play", opened with 11,000 units to land at No. 84.

"Dark Passion Play" has sold more than 130,000 copies in the U.S. so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Imaginaerum" was released in North America on January 10 via Roadrunner Records.

Finnish TV report:

German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN have posted the seventh and final episode of Guardian TV in which they field questions submitted by their fans on Facebook. Check it out below.

The seventh, and final, episode features the whole band talking about touring and the next album.

Clocking in at 7 minutes and 30 seconds, episode 7 of Guardian TV answers the following questions:

1. Will "Memories Of A Time To Come" provide the basic structure for your next tour?

2. Do you have plans for your next studio album?

3. Has remixing the old tracks provided inspiration for future songwriting sessions?

4. The final question that's got to be asked every time: How is your orchestra project coming along?

Don't tune out after the last question; watch until the very end for some bloopers.

"Memories Of A Time To Come", the ultimate collection of BLIND GUARDIAN music from 1987 to 2011, was released on January 20 via Virgin/EMI.

"Memories Of A Time To Come" is available as a double CD, three-CD deluxe limited edition, including the band's demo recordings when they were called LUCIFER'S HERITAGE, and as download.

Commented the band: "Finally, after all these years, we have found the time to gather our most worthy songs into a best of compilation, representative of our career's first 25 years.

"From the very beginning it was important for us to undertake this project only if we could put the necessary time and attention to detail into it. With overwhelming nostalgia we have looked back on 25 years and came up with 'Memories Of A Time To Come', an organic mixture of some of our greatest songs.

"With the exception of 'Sacred Worlds', all songs on 'Memories of a Time to Come' have been remixed while 'The Bard's Song - The Hobbit', 'Valhalla' as well as 'And Then There Was Silence' have been re-recorded.

"This album contains some very pleasant surprises for the die-hard BLIND GUARDIAN fan and delivers a perfect image of our musical spirit to those who are not, or just loosely, familiar with the band. 'Memories Of A Time To Come' precisely defines our progression and the long-standing dedication to our music. We are proud to present an album that will take the listener on a musical voyage. This year's Christmas will be in January!"

CD 1:

01. Imaginations From The Other Side (7:11) *
02. Nightfall (5:34) *
03. Ride Into Obsession (4:46) *
04. Somewhere Far Beyond (7:32) *
05. Majesty (7:29) *
06. Traveler In Time (6:01) *
07. Follow The Blind (7:11) *
08. The Last Candle (6:03) *

CD 2:

01. Sacred Worlds (9:17)
02. This Will Never End (5:07) *
03. Valhalla (5:13) **
04. Bright Eyes (5:15) *
05. Mirror Mirror (5:09) *
06. The Bard's Song (In The Forest) (3:26) *
07. The Bard's Song (The Hobbit) (3:41) **
08. And Then There Was Silence (14:06) **

CD 3: (only available with the deluxe limited edition)

01. Brian ***
02. Halloween (The Wizard's Crown) ***
03. Lucifer's Heritage ***
04. Symphonies Of Doom ***
05. Dead Of The Night ***
06. Majesty
07. Trial By The Archon
08. Battalions Of Fear
09. Run For The Night
10. Lost In The Twilight Hall
11. Tommyknockers
12. Ashes To Ashes
13. Time What Is Time
14. A Past And Future Secret
15. The Script For My Requiem

* Remixed 2011
** Re-recorded 2011
*** Reworked 2011

An audio sample of an orchestral version of "The Bard's Song (In The Forest)" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

BLIND GUARDIAN is currently collaborating with Germany's best fantasy author Markus Heitz on an orchestral album which is expected to be released in 2012.

"At The Edge Of Time", the tenth studio album from BLIND GUARDIAN, sold around 4,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 108 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 1 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.

BLIND GUARDIAN's previous CD, "A Twist In The Myth", opened with 3,000 units back in September 2006.

"At The Edge Of Time" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 2 — the band's strongest chart showing ever in its home country.

Guardian TV episode 7:

Tony Lazaro (VITAL REMAINS) and Bret Hoffmann (MALEVOLENT CREATION) joined Brazilian death metal veterans KRISIUN on stage last night (Friday, March 2) at the RBF club in Sofia, Bulgaria to perform the VENOM classic "In Leage With Satan". You can see fan-filmed video footage of their appearance below.

The "Sounds Of Extreme Tour" featuring KRISIUN (headliners), MALEVOLENT CREATION and VITAL REMAINS kicked off on January 27 in Poland and will wrap tonight (Saturday, March 3) in Bucharest, Romania.

KRISIUN's new album, "The Great Execution", was released on October 31 in Europe and November 1 in North America via Century Media Records. The band's eighth studio CD "musically expands KRISIUN trademark high-speed death metal violence with a heavily increased amount of diversity ranging from extreme tempo variations over distinct rhythm patterns to clean guitars and even Flamenco parts!" according to a press release.

KRISIUN only used analog gear and instruments this time to avoid the compressed sound that so many musicians produce today. This wise decision resulted in a more organic sound, with the songs on "The Great Execution" possessing both warmth and rawness, which are so often lost through digital production. The low end is deeper, with drums that pound instead of bounce and guitar tones that sear rather than hiss.

Going back to Stage One Studio in Germany and working with producer Andy Classen again was the right choice: the album came out with a very distinctive and natural sound, shattering the boundaries of the style once more.

The cover artwork was created by Japanese artist Toshihiro Egawa who has been doing tons of great designs for acts like SUICIDE SILENCE, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, DEVOURMENT and DYING FETUS, among others.

"The Great Execution" was made available as a limited-edition digipack including a re-recorded version of the classic KRISIUN song "Black Force Domain" as a bonus track, as a 180-gram gatefold vinyl and as a digital download.

Classen previously worked with KRISIUN on the "Conquerors Of Armageddon" (1999), "AssasiNation" (2005) and "Southern Storm" (2008) releases.

COLD's video for the song "American Dream" can be seen below. The track is the second single from the band's fifth studio album, "Superfiction", which sold around 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 37 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on July 19, 2011 via Eleven Seven Music/SonicStar Records.

Sonically, the trademarks of COLD's sound remain intact on "Superfiction". The bellowing bass, warm guitar hum, and driving drum beats all make for impactful music just like it did when the band first formed in 1996. The band's first CD since 2005 weaves together twelve tales of heroism, heartbreak, and healing. On "Superfiction", COLD combines vivid, vibrant storytelling with elegant rock. It's a combination that the band has perfected since it burst onto the scene in 1998 with its self-titled debut.

The title really sums it all up, though. Frontman Scooter Ward reveals, "Superfiction is art that literally pops off its canvas or foundation. In that sense, it becomes something else. The word wraps up the record because we want these stories to come to life. I want you to sit down and listen to the songs and feel the stories. After you've read the story, you can visualize this unfolding in your mind."

COLD is:

Scooter Ward (Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar)
Zach Gilbert (Guitar)
Jeremy Marshall (Bass, Vocals)
Sam McCandless (Drums)

Progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER visited a U.S. air force base in Germany during their current European headlining tour. Check out a couple of photos below.

DREAM THEATER's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", sold 36,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 8. The band's previous CD, 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", opened with 40,000 units to land at No. 6. This was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "Systematic Chaos", which shifted 36,000 copies in 2007 to enter the chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

DREAM THEATER was among the nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category at the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which was held on February 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison joined SYSTEM OF A DOWN on stage this past Wednesday, February 29 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia to perform the song "Suite-Pee". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

During an interview with Brazil's Multishow after SYSTEM OF A DOWN's performance at the Rock In Rio festival last October in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, the band's drummer, John Dolmayan, was asked if the band's fans expect to hear a new studio album from the group following its current reunion tour. "We're gonna take it day by day," he said. "For the people who are waiting for an album — I know there's a lot of people waiting for an album; I'm waiting for an album just like they are. It's gonna happen when it's right and when we can make something that tops what we've done in the past. Because we don't really wanna rest on our laurels — where what you've done in the past is what you depend on. Well, I don't wanna do that, and I know the rest of the guys don't wanna do that. Instead of resting on our laurels, we wanna throw them away and create something new and specific for this generation that they can say that's their SYSTEM OF A DOWN."

Dolmayan previously told Straight.com about SYSTEM OF A DOWN's five-year hiatus, "I personally don't like breaks — I like to continue playing. But it was nice to go off and be John Dolmayan, as opposed to John from SYSTEM, for a while. I think everybody had similar feelings."

The drummer explained that a desire to pull off the road for a while and reconnect with their lives is what led SYSTEM to take an extended vacation from each other, saying, "When you're on the road and in the studio all the time, it's kind of like traveling at light speed. When you come back, it's like 20 years have passed by, and you're only one or two hours older . . . You're living a nomadic life, and you lose touch with people because they have grown away from you. People get older, get married, die — life is still going on."

SYSTEM's last two albums, "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize", were released in 2005.

EDEN'S CURSE has announced the addition of Italian vocalist Marco Sandron to the group's ranks. The band's new single and promotional video, "Time To Breathe", has been made available as a free download.

Hailing from Portgruaro, 50 miles from Venice, in the northeast of Italy, Marco previously sang for Italian progressive metal act PATHOSRAY, who released their self-titled debut on Sensory Records in 2007 and their sophomore CD, "Sunless Skies", on Frontiers Records in 2009. That same year he also contributed lead vocals to French symphonic metal outfit FAIRYLAND's "Score To A New Beginning" album, which was released on Napalm Records.

"We had discussions with many amazing vocalists over the last four months, but this was about more than just picking a singer — that was the easy part!" explains bassist Paul Logue. "We had a stringent set of criteria that the successful applicant would need to meet, and they absolutely had to be fully exclusive to the band, in order for us to retain a sound that is instantly recognisable as EDEN'S CURSE. That is why the search took several months to complete, in order to ensure that we made the right choice and I firmly believe we have the right man."

So how did Marco come to the band's attention?

Logue: "In true EDEN'S CURSE fashion, we stumbled across him on the Internet. I was browsing through various videos on YouTube, related to some of my favorite singers, and I found a cover version he had recorded of a SYMPHONY X song. I'm of the opinion that Russell Allen is the greatest metal singer around right now, so I was more than curious to hear what Marco could do and simply I was blown away! I just had to find out more about him. I then discovered he sang with PATHOSRAY and managed to track down their albums and I found his vocal performances on those records simply staggering. Surprisingly, Alessandro did not know of Marco, so I managed to track him down on Facebook and made contact. I was delighted to receive an instant reply stating that he was very interested in talking to us and that he loved what he heard of our music. So we began a slow and painful (especially for poor Marco) audition process, which included him going into a studio to record a 'CURSE classic' and a brand new song. Eventually I flew out to Italy at the beginning of January to meet and record Marco at Alessandro's studio and we concluded the deal."

As a trained vocal coach, what did Alessandro make of Marco and how did he feel about having another Italian in the band?

"My initial thought was to have another international singer and I really didn't think about a singer from my homeland," stated Del Vecchio. "One day Paul sent me a link of a song of Marco's and I totally fell in love with his voice. His mix of clean, aggressive and high-pitched tones instantly turned me into a fan of his vocal abilities. Another Italian in the band? Hum ... OK, let's try it! It ended up being a joy to have him on board and he has an outstanding talent in his craft. As a vocal teacher, I'm really picky, so I was thrilled that in the studio we were able to experiment and play around with the songs and have them really turned upside down by the singer. His technique is brilliant and he has the pipes to sing whatever he wants and whatever we ask him. I'm totally satisfied with our choice. Marco really deserves to have his voice heard and I believe EDEN'S CURSE is the band with which to make this happen."

Written by Paul Logue and Pete Newdeck, "Time To Breathe"'s lyrics are very topical, as Newdeck explains. "The lyrics stem from the current financial crisis grippling society today and the ignorance people have to what we are doing to ourselves and this awesome world we live in," he says. "We need to buy ourselves time or it will be too late to put it all right."

And what does the Englishman think of the new boy Sandron?

"A real air of positivity has come over this band," Newdeck says. "For me personally, I have a broad vision of how far this band can go. I am sure people will agree with me that having Marc onboard is a major plus and we are all excited to see what the future holds."

Accompanying the single release is a brand new promotional video, which was filmed at Sky Park in Glasgow, Scotland at the end of January with Simon Jake Gillespie of Music Video Scotland in the director's chair. "It was imperative to us that not only did the fan base get to hear what Marco sounded like, but also what he looked like fronting EDEN'S CURSE," explains Logue.

Director Simon Jake Gillespie of Music Video Scotland explains the concept behind the video: "As well as capturing the band performance, we wanted to portray the lyrical concept in a visual manner by showing four different people from four different walks of life uniting together to help each other escape from a situation. This symbolizes what we perceive needs to happen in society today to work our way out of the mess we have found ourselves in globally."

The band is also thrilled to announce not one, but two festival appearances this year, when they play PPM Fest in Belgium on Saturday, April 7 alongside ACCEPT, SONATA ARTICA and EVERGREY and then Dokk'em Open Air festival in Holland on Saturday, June 30 alongside ARCH ENEMY, JON OLIVA'S PAIN and DOMINICI.

Guitarist Thorsten Koehne spoke of his excitement of being just weeks away from hitting the stage together for the first time with the new-look EDEN'S CURSE lineup. "I can't wait to play live with Marco!" he says. "He's such an exceptional singer and performer and the new line up feels very strong!"

The band is also making great progress with the writing process for album number four. "We have several songs in the can already, which is where the single came from," says Logue. "We are progressing well, and we hope to be in the studio by summer, for a release early 2013."

The last word, deservedly, goes to the new boy, Marco, who cannot hide his delight at fronting EDEN'S CURSE. "I'm very proud to be the new singer of EDEN'S CURSE!" he says. "This band is great. The guys are simply awesome and very talented musicians, there are no egos, just respect and true collaboration and we are working together simply to reach our one true aim — creating great music! I simply cannot wait to rock some stages and meet the wonderful CURSE fan base that the guys tell me so much about, as well as completing songs for our new album. Yes, I'm very excited because the new songs we are producing are so powerful, melodic as hell and typically EDEN'S CURSE."

Mutant overlords GWAR have issued the following update:

"Like any band worth its salt, GWAR is constantly working on new songs. What's different now is that the band has its own in-house recording studio/jam space, so everything they do is tracked. There is no release date, no gory details but rest assured of one thing... GWAR is working on a new album, and it will be a tribute to their lost Scumdog brother, Flattus Maximus!"

GWAR will return to the road this spring on the second leg of their "Return Of The World Maggot Tour". The trek kicks off with a special tribute show for fallen bandmate and friend Cory Smoot, a.k.a. Flattus Maximus, in Richmond, Virginia, at The National Theater on Friday, March 16. All proceeds from the Richmond show will benefit the Smoot Family Fund which has been established to help support Cory's widow and their unborn child. Support on this run will come from fellow Richmond metallers MUNICIPAL WASTE, and California's GHOUL. LEGACY OF DISORDER will join the tour on March 20 in Boston and the tour will run through April 11 in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Smoot was found dead as GWAR was about to enter Canada on November 3, 2011. He was 34 years old.

GWAR's latest album, "Bloody Pit Of Horror", sold around 2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The band's previous CD, "Lust In Space", opened with 5,000 units to debut at position No. 96 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Pennsylvania's WAR OF AGES will release its fifth album, "Return To Life", on April 24 via Facedown Records. The CD was recorded with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris at Planet Z Studios (SHADOWS FALL, CHIMAIRA, HATEBREED) and it features some of the band's "most personal material," according to a press release.

WAR OF AGES has toured with AS I LAY DYING, DEMON HUNTER, SOILWORK, NORMA JEAN, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, and more, and will be headlining this year's Facedown Fest on April 7 in Pomona, California.

Commented the band: "We are extremely excited about our 'Return To Life' release in every way. Musically, we stuck to our roots, brought back the heavy rhythmic style and mixed it with the maturity of having four previous albums under our belts. We also joined forces with producer Zeuss, who boasts a catalog with names like TERROR, EMMURE, HATEBREED, etc... Not only is this album instrumentally rhythmic, it is also vocally rhythmic. Leroy [Hamp, vocals] stepped out of his comfort zone and ventured into the realms of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, COMEBACK KID, and DARKEST HOUR, and mixed each with his own style. We plan to continue in this direction lyrically, vocally, and musically for our future albums.

"Return To Life" will be released on CD, LP and digital formats.

The first single and video from "Dee Does Broadway", the new solo album from TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider, will be made available in early April. The full-length CD will follow a month later.

"Dee Does Broadway" will include guest appearances by Biff Byford (SAXON) and Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW), among others.

In a 2011 interview with Goldmine, Snider stated about "Dee Does Broadway", "I'll preface this by saying, no, it's not metal. I'm taking Broadway show tunes and I'm making them rock. It's sort of a 'Twisted Christmas' taken to Broadway. But there are some pretty metallic moments there, I'll tell you. 'Sweeney Todd' translates into a metal song amazingly — bass, drums, guitar — so some of the songs are really metallic, but it's a rock record. I'm doing it as a solo artist."

Snider joined the cast of the Tony-nominated musical "Rock Of Ages" in October 2010 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

The singer, who was seen in the A&E reality show "Growing Up Twisted", played nightclub owner Dennis for an 11-week engagement beginning October 11, 2010 and continuing through December 24, 2010. He also hosted "Rock Senate Hearings," a weekly Tuesday-night talkback series.

During an interview with MTV News, Snider talked about the difference between performing in arenas and on Broadway. "The biggest difference between a concert situation and a theater situation is that you can't curse out the audience. I'm used to addressing situations. If something is going on in the house that I don't like at a concert, or if the audience is not energized or enthusiastic ... or if they're particularly energized and enthusiastic ... I will stop a song just to comment on what's going on. I quickly realized that was unacceptable on Broadway. I just have to stay in character and stay in the show."

Dee previously said that it was his personal hope for "to bridge the gap between Broadway and rock 'n' roll and introduce the hard rock audience to the amazing music of the Great White Way!"

"Over The Edge", the new video from the Milan, Italy-based female-fronted rock/metal act EXILIA, can be seen below. The clip was filmed in Berlin, Germany with director Oliver Sommer from Ava Studios. The video's concept is inspired by a weird surreal short tale from Roald Dahl.

"Over The Edge" comes off EXILIA's fifth studio album, "Decode", which will be released on March 30 via ZYX Music. Some great collaborations makes this album more special: an old friend, Stephan "Gudze" Hinz, bass player of the great crossover band H-BLOCKX, features on "Over The Edge", and Dave Pensado, who has mixed chart-toppers for some of the biggest names in the music business, such as DEFTONES, PINK and TOOL, mixed "Satellite" which will be the opening track.

According to a press release, "Decode" shows "a new creative side of EXILIA where they are challenging themselves in the realms of elegant songwriting and reaping the benefits incredibly, all songs provide intense and catchy chorus with rhytmic detonation interspersed with Masha's unique voice before exploding in an eruption of pounding guitars where she really shows her versatility."

Masha Mysmane, who is well respected for her lyrical content, dramatic and energetic live performances, describes the new music as "something real, something that cannot be contained in a commercial box."

"Music is my way to express myself and I get inspired by many music styles, writing and combining different genres to find the right code to decypher the sound I hear in my head," she says. "I can't put any limits to it, our music is universal and does not belong to any system."

EXILIA's last album, "My Own Army", was released in February 2009 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios in Ottmarsbocholt (near Münster), Germany.

"Over The Edge" video:

Video footage of EUROPE frontman Joey Tempest laying down the vocal track on the band's new single, "Not Supposed To Sing The Blues", can be seen below. Due for a digital release on March 9, the song comes off EUROPE's ninth studio album, "Bag Of Bones", due on April 27 via earMusic/Edel. The CD, which features a guest appearance by blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), was produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, JOE BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK STONE CHERRY and JOURNEY, among others.

"Bag Of Bones" track listing:

01. Riches To Rags
02. Not Supposed To Sing The Blues
03. Firebox
04. Bag Of Bones
05. Requiem
06. My Woman My Friend
07. Demon Head
08. Drink And A Smile
09. Doghouse
10. Mercy You Mercy Me
11. Bring It All Home

Commented Joey Tempest: "Kevin Shirley did such a great job capturing the spirit of this band. He just let us do our thing and then pushed us and our songs to the max. Finally we express ourselves completely without restraint. Straight from heart and soul. It took some time but we have arrived!"

Added EUROPE guitar virtuoso John Norum: "Why drive VW beetle when you can drive a Rolls Royce?! 'Bag Of Bones' is a classic rock album with lots of class. Even my mom likes it!"

Regarding the new CD title, EUROPE drummer Ian Haugland said, "It's not [called 'Bag Of Bones'] because we all have lost tons of weight or found a new interest in archeology or dogs... It's just because it sounds fuckin' cool!"

In a July 2011 press release, Tempest stated about EUROPE's new CD, "We still feel we have one hell of a rock record to make. Kevin's the man for the job. We love his work with BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, and BLACK STONE CHERRY. He's the real deal. We're ready to do some serious damage."

Last year, EUROPE met up with Shirley in Stockholm to discuss the direction of the next album. Based on reactions from the fans and media, EUROPE's 2009 album, "Last Look At Eden", proved to be the band's most important record since "The Final Countdown". "I've been a big fan of EUROPE's work for many years," said Shirley. "The band is influential and highly underrated. I can't wait to make the upcoming album their most explosive to date."

The new material suggests a more straightforward rock approach evident in "Doghouse" — a new song EUROPE performed on their most recent U.K. tour. The song is also featured on EUROPE's "Europe: Live at Shepherd's Bush" DVD, released in August 2011 via earMUSIC CDs and DVDs.

earMUSIC last year released a limited deluxe book with pictures by Denis O'Regan. "Live Look At Eden" features exclusive live audio and the stunning performance at 2010's iTunes Festival in London.

KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono's Ancient Roman-themed arsenal EX DEO will release its sophomore album, "Caligvla", on August 31 via Austria's Napalm Records. The CD is being recorded with producer Jean-François Dagenais (KATAKLYSM, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON) and will feature guest appearances by Italian singer Mariangela "Mary" Demurtas of Norway's TRISTANIA and Italian guitar virtuoso Francesco Artusato from ALL SHALL PERISH. The artwork and layout for the album will be handled by classic artist Seth (SEPTICFLESH). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "I, Caligula", "Burned to Serve the Nocturnal Light", "In War & Conquest/Roma Caput Mundi" and "Teutoburg (The Ambush of Varus) - Part 1".

Iacono recently completed laying down vocals for "Caligvla". He said in a Facebook posting, "It wasn't without any hard work, blood and sweat and also close to a fainting spell after one of the hardest-longest screams I ever made. Ten days of vocal tracking, some of my best work in my career, the gods will be pleased … Some solos are left, some guest appearances to track and we start mixing this beast, should be all done by end of March.. Eight months in the making, people. Soon we will give the metal world a well-deserved punishment!!"

EX DEO recently canceled its participation in the "Paganfest America Part III" tour with TURISAS, ALESTORM, ARKONA and HUNTRESS.

Commented Iacono: "We were all excited to play this festival and premier some new material, but unfortunately our new album, 'Caligvla', has been delayed, and we need to finish it and make it perfect. Add to that, the KATAKLYSM DVD is also on its final production phase... We decided it would be best to concentrate on giving every bit of attention to the album you have been waiting for, and also for the KATAKLYSM documentary to kick major ass. This being said, we will still perform with EX DEO on the Montreal [April 1 at Club Soda] and Toronto [April 2 at The Opera House] shows with Paganfest, as we will be in studio in the area, closing up the album 'Caligvla'. Everything else is cancelled for EX DEO. We will return to support the album in the fall... Word from Rome is that the plans are already in motion for world conquest! We ask our fans to support Paganfest and the great bands playing this year!"

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

"Romulus", the debut album from EX DEO, landed at position No. 90 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Video footage of LYNCH MOB performing during the new metal cruise Monsters Of Rock - The Voyage, which set sail on February 25 and returned three days later via Ft. Lauderdale / Bahamas / Key West, can be seen below.

Vocalist Oni Logan recently rejoined LYNCH MOB and will sing on the band's upcoming album and tour.

Former DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch revealed at the NAMM show in January that he had tapped VAINS OF JENNA frontman Jesse Forte to handle the lead vocals for LYNCH MOB for the foreseeable future.

A short time later, the members of VAINS OF JENNA — who had relocated back to their native Sweden after spending several years in Los Angeles — announced that they were calling it quits.

Forte, who was born in Arkansas but moved to the West Coast at a very young age, has now revealed that he is no longer working with Lynch and will instead move on with a new project.

Said Forte, "I actually won't be working with George on LYNCH MOB. He informed me over the phone that he and Oni have reconciled and have decided to continue on. I wish them the best. Stay tuned for my next project."

Lynch and Logan reformed LYNCH MOB in 2008 and released a comeback album, "Smoke And Mirrors", the following year, but had a falling out in July of 2010 when Logan failed to show up for Houston, Texas gig. "Oni let the band and our fans down," Lynch stated at the time. "He quit the band at 5:30 a.m. before our 7:30 a.m. scheduled flight. He left us high and dry and did not fulfill his commitment. We are saddened and disappointed — but as a band, we are committed to honoring our obligations."

An unknown singer by the name of Chris Romero was recruited for the first two shows of that tour, while Chaz West of BONHAM handled the vocal duties on the rest of the dates.

In a January 2010 interview with PureGrainAudio.com, Oni stated about his return to LYNCH MOB, "I never thought it would happen, honestly. I am glad that it did happen, and now that it has, it is like going back in time and visiting an old friend and kind of just picking up where we left off. This is such a natural thing for me and George. Our chemistry is great, he does the music and I do the lyrics and what you have is 'Smoke And Mirrors'."

When asked how he prepares for the physical demands of a tour, Oni said, "Well, we try to do some different things as opposed to years ago when we were younger. We are pretty level-headed guys and I think we have a way of dealing with touring, for sure. I try to stay fit as much as I can. Obviously, when you are out on the road, you do not get to eat quite as well and you are pretty much sleep-deprived at times. It is all a matter of trying to find ways to keep yourself happy and sane. It is a pretty crazy rock and roll world out there, you know. Fans come out to have a good time, which is great, but there are a lot of things that come along with that as well. We try to keep level-headed and press on, because it is all about the music and nothing else."

Former KREATOR/SODOM guitarist Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik will lay down the guitar tracks on the debut CD, "Proliferation Day", from BROOKLYN MILITIA, the new "aggressive thrash metal/punk/hardcore" band featuring Paul Bento (CARNIVORE), Joe Cangelosi (WHIPLASH, KREATOR, MASSACRE) and Glenn Hansen (WHIPLASH).

BROOKLYN MILITIA has been in the studio this month recording 12 brand new tracks and Blackfire will take over the guitar duties. The group states, "We are excited to have Frank aboard and we know this stuff is going to be explosive."

Hansen previously stated about his involvement with BROOKLYN MILITIA, "I guess it all comes down to honesty. When you take this band, you're taking guys that have been in bands together since we were kids. We are like brothers. When we play, the songs just flow naturally. It's just brutal musical honesty."

BROOKLYN MILITIA is:

* Paul Bento (CARNIVORE) - Guitar
* Rich Day (PRIMAL SCREAM, WHIPLASH, DEATHCORPS, BURN VICTIMS) - Bass
* Joe Cangelosi (WHIPLASH, KREATOR, MASSACRE) - Drums
* Glenn Hansen (WHIPLASH, MOONDOG) - Vocals