German death metallers DAWN OF DISEASE will release their sophomore album, "Crypts Of The Unrotten", on April 27 via NoiseArt Records. The CD was once again recorded at Soundlodge Studio in Rhauderfehn, Germany with producer Jörg Uken (GOD DETHRONED, DEW-SCENTED, SINISTER).

Commented the band: "After recording our debut album in Soundlodge, it was clear to us to go there again, since we had been very happy with how it turned out the first time. Jörg is a great guy and this time we had much more time to record and all than last time."

The "Crypts Of The Unrotten" concept was based on the eerie Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily, which were constructed after the death of Silvestro of Gubbio, a famous 16th century monk. Four long limestone corridors underneath the Capuchin Church hold about 8,000 mummies, lying in repose or hung from hooks by their necks and feet and wearing their best clothes.

"Our guitar player Lukas 'dug up' the topic and the atmosphere as well as the stories around all those 'crypts' have both fascinated and influenced us as a band," DAWN OF DISEASE said. "It's the main theme of the album and also refers to it unmistakable in the album title."

"Crypts Of The Unrotten" track listing:

01. Descent Into Another World (intro)
02. Alone With The Dead
03. Knife Vs Flesh
04. The Unrotten
05. Skinless And Impaled
06. Enter The Gates
07. Calcined Bones
08. Catacombs
09. Final Resurrection
10. Devouring Obscurity
11. But Death Goes On
12. Soulless Shape (bonus track)

DAWN OF DISEASE's debut album, "Legends Of Brutality", came out last April via NoiseArt.

DAWN OF DISEASE is:

Tomasz Wisniewski - Vocals
Lukas Kerk - Guitar
Oliver Kirchner - Guitar
Michael Wächter - Bass
Mathias Blässe - Drums

SONS OF AEON, the new Jyväskylä, Finland-based metal band featuring members of GHOST BRIGADE, SWALLOW THE SUN, CODE FOR SILENCE and ENDSTAND, is putting the finishing touches on the songwriting process for its debut album, to be released later this year via Lifeforce Records.

Commented guitarist Tapio Vartiainen: "It's an odd case, this SONS OF AEON. Here I sit and try to write news about our debut album and to start with, I don't really even know how to describe our sound to strangers. There's so much different things going on...it's tricky to find the right words that'd make the songs justice. It's very intense and it's very musical, that's for sure. I think that our love for '90s death metal shines through in most songs, but there's also a lot of these more moody, melancholic passages and even some hardcore/punk touches. And, to me, those elements really make all the difference. It's an interesting blend of styles and strangely, it all makes sense.

"Anyway, the songwriting process is now done and we're starting the drum recordings at the end of May. So if all goes well, we should have the finished album in our hands sometime during the summer. To say we're excited and proud about all this would be an understatement. We can't fucking wait to get this album done."

SONS OF AEON last year made three songs available for free download via the group's official web site. The drums were recorded at Studio Watercastle in Jyväskylä, Finland by Arttu Sarvanne, while guitars and bass were recorded at SONS OF AEON's home studio and the vocals were handled by Teemu Liekkala. The mixing and mastering was taken care of by Antti Malinen.

The following tracks are available for download:

01. Weakness
02. Seeds Of Destruction
03. Burden

SONS OF AEON is:

Tony Kaikkonen (CODE FOR SILENCE) - Vocals
Tapio Vartiainen - Guitar
Wille Naukkarinen (GHOST BRIGADE) - Guitar
Tommi Kiviniemi (GHOST BRIGADE) - Bass
Pasi Pasanen (PLUTONIUM ORANGE, ex-SWALLOW THE SUN) - Drums

Photo credit: Marko Kauko

After a brief, 23-year vacation from the thrash scene, acclaimed '80s Northwest thrashers MACE have decided to lace up the combat boots for battle one more time. These guys shared the stage with the biggest thrash bands of the mid-'80s, including SLAYER, ANTHRAX, DEATH ANGEL, METAL CHURCH, CIRCLE JERKS, THE ACCUSED and many more.

Last week the band quietly leaked the info that they were getting back together and from the Northwest, they fired a shot that could heard around the world. Bands, promoters and even record labels, some as far away as Germany started talking about MACE.

There is a huge amount of excitement in the MACE camp and these guys are locked in with laser focus and ready to melt some faces, just like they did over two decades ago. For added excitement, Tommy Niemeyer from THE ACCUSED made the new MACE logo.

Everyone knows MACE guitarist Dave Hillis went on to work on some of the biggest albums in rock history as a producer (PEARL JAM's "Ten", ALICE IN CHAINS' "Dirt"), but MACE was always in the back of his mind. Hillis says, "I always wanted to remix the old songs, and when I opened my own studio I had to do it, and it was so much fun that we thought we would try a new song and that was so much fun that we said, 'Why not teach these young kids how it was done back in the day?'"

Hillis knew that when the time was right, he was going to revisit the thrash scene that he and his band helped form and solidify back in the '80s. In fact, DEATH ANGEL was recently on VH1's "Metal Evolution" and lead singer Mark Osegueda was wearing a MACE T-shirt. MACE is also said to be the first metal band to ever make punk fanzine Maximum Rock And Roll's playlist.

MACE has just confirmed a few shows and will announce those soon.

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers DELAIN have issued the following update:

"Recently there have been some developments at the guitar department of DELAIN. Our band demands a huge amount of time and energy from our band members. Since our guitar player Timo [Somers] has a lot of musical activities besides DELAIN, we want to give him the time and space to pursue this as well. Until now, that was not possible, but recently we received a huge reinforcement in the band. Guitarist Bas Maas is joining in our group to relieve Timo for some shows this year. Some of you may know Bas from DORO or his previous band AFTER FOREVER. We want to give Bas a warm welcome in DELAIN. He will join us at our European tour, and a couple shows this spring. See you all on the road!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We Are The Others" track listing:

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

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

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

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

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

Interview:

"Love Bites (So Do I)", the new video from the Atlantic recording group HALESTORM, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album. "The Strange Case Of…", which arrives in stores and at all DSPs on April 10.

"Love Bites (So Do I)" — as well as three other highlights from "The Strange Case Of…" — is featured on HALESTORM's new EP, "Hello, It's Mz. Hyde", which is available at all leading digital retailers.

Produced by Howard Benson (who previously collaborated with the Pennsylvania-based hard rock band on their self-titled 2009 debut), "The Strange Case Of…" was recently named among Revolver's "Most Anticipated Albums of the Year." "Led by one of our favorite rocker babes, singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale, (HALESTORM) promise a more personal album for their follow-up," the magazine noted. "But don't expect them to get all sappy on us. There should still be more than enough of the band's now signature raucous attitude and righteous riffs for any headbanger to get off."

Currently poised to embark on a European tour alongside Atlantic's own SHINEDOWN, HALESTORM will hit the road hard to support "The Strange Case Of…", beginning with a major U.S. trek alongside GODSMACK and fellow Atlantic recording group STAIND. The dates get underway April 13 at Augusta, Georgia's John Paul Jones Arena and then continue through mid-May.

Formed by frontwoman Lzzy Hale and her brother, drummer Arejay Hale, HALESTORM has been hailed far and wide as an incendiary new force in modern hard rock. "Halestorm" made a top 5 debut on SoundScan's "Hard Music" chart upon its 2009 release, simultaneously bursting into the top 40 on the comprehensive The Billboard 200. The album subsequently sold more than 300,000 copies, and half a million cumulative tracks. Produced by Howard Benson (DAUGHTRY, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, FLYLEAF), the album earned extensive acclaim for its infectious hard rock anthems, sexy hooks, and rough-and-tumble grooves.

"The Strange Case Of…" marks HALESTORM's first release since last year's "ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP", which saw the band putting their unique stamp on a diverse collection of classic songs, including tracks by GUNS N' ROSES, THE BEATLES, HEART, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, SKID ROW, and LADY GAGA. HALESTORM also unleashed their first-ever live CD/DVD, "Live In Philly 2010", featuring such favorites from the band's self-titled debut as "It's Not You", "Familiar Taste of Poison" and the rock radio smash "I Get Off".

True road warriors, HALESTORM made its bones as a major league hard rock outfit via countless North American gigs alongside such artists as SHINEDOWN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED. Last year saw the band traveling the country on the blockbuster "Avalanche Tour 2011", joining such hard rock luminaries as STONE SOUR, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, ART OF DYING, and fellow Atlantic recording group SKILLET.

"Hello, It's Mz. Hyde" EP track listing:

01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Rock Show
03. Daughters Of Darkness
04. Here's To Us

"The Strange Case Of…" track listing:

01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Mz. Hyde
03. I Miss The Misery
04. Freak Like Me
05. Beautiful With You
06. In Your Room
07. Break In
08. Rock Show
09. Daughters Of Darkness
10. You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing
11. American Boys
12. Here's To Us

"Love Bites (So Do I)" video:

Within days of announcing the departure of Matt DeVries, SIX FEET UNDER has locked in the latest addition to the band's already heavy and extremely talented lineup. Seven-string bassist Jeff Hughell, formerly of the Santa Cruz, California technical death metal band BRAIN DRILL and Concord, California death metal group VILE, as well as a current member of RECIPROCAL, will be joining the ranks as the new SIX FEET UNDER bassist. Check out a video of Jeff shredding on his bass below.

Commented SIX FEET UNDER vocalist Chris Barnes: "SIX FEET UNDER is proud to announce our new member, bass player Jeff Hughell. He's an amazing musician and I have been a fan of his work since first hearing BRAIN DRILL a few years back. We feel with the addition of Jeff, all the puzzle pieces are in place and the killing machine known as SIX FEET UNDER is now a true death metal force to be reckoned with! Prepare to be toe tagged and body bagged."

Added Jeff Hughell, "I am honored to be the newest edition to the mighty SIX FEET UNDER. This band is now a well oiled killing machine with Kevin Talley and myself as the rhythm section, Steve Swanson and Rob Arnold crushing guitars, and, of course, the man himself Chris Barnes killing it on vocals. The new material is the heaviest SIX FEET UNDER songs I have ever heard and I can't wait for the world to get their faces melted clean off by it. I would like to thank Mike Faley, Kelli Malella and the whole SIX FEET UNDER family for thinking of me. It's going to be one hell of a ride!"

Bassist Terry Butler and drummer Greg Gall announced their departures from SIX FEET UNDER in January 2011. Butler has since joined OBITUARY as a permanent member.

Multi-camera footage of SIX FEET UNDER performing the song "Hammer Smashed Faced" at the July 28, 2011 Sacramento, California stop of the "Summer Slaughter Tour" can be seen below.

SIX FEET UNDER is:

* Rob Arnold (CHIMAIRA) - Guitar
* Kevin Talley (DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA) - Drums
* Chris Barnes (CANNIBAL CORPSE) - Vocals
* Steve Swanson - Guitar
* Jeff Hughell (RECIPROCAL, BRAIN DRILL, VILE) - Bass

Los Angeles cyber metallers FEAR FACTORY have enlisted Matt DeVries as their new bass player. DeVries, previously of CHIMAIRA (where he played guitar) and most recently SIX FEET UNDER, joins the band replacing Byron Stroud. The announcement comes as the group continues work on its new album, "The Industrialist", to be released this summer in Europe via AFM Records and in the U.S. through Candlelight. The CD was once again co-produced by the band with Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, PARADISE LOST), with additional tracking by Logan Mader (DEVILDRIVER, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SOULFLY). The mixing duties are being handled by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY) and FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares at a studio in Canada.

Cazares and vocalist Burton C. Bell comment: "We are very excited to have Matt playing bass for FEAR FACTORY. We feel he is a great addition to our touring lineup. He has been a friend for a very long time and he is a great musician who will be a perfect instrument in the FF machine."

DeVries adds: "I have been asked by Dino and Burton to join one of my favorite bands. I have been a fan of FEAR FACTORY since 1992 and I could not be more excited to be part of this incredible band. We have shared the stage many times together and now I'm beyond stoked to be on the same stage playing together. Thank you to all my fans worldwide for sticking by me and I will be seeing you all on the road very soon."

FEAR FACTORY's most recent touring lineup featured original FF members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals) alongside Stroud (who was credited on the last three FEAR FACTORY albums in addition to touring and recording with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and ZIMMERS HOLE) and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, TESTAMENT).

German alcoholic thrashers TANKARD have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's new album is tentatively due this summer.

Commented TANKARD vocalist Andreas "Gerre" Geremia: "As the want-away footballers always say, I'm looking for a new athletic challenge… baloney! We've only inked a deal with Nuclear Blast because they've offered most prest-money for a transfer…. Hahaha, okay, seriousness aside: We're totally happy to have found accommodation at the metal label No. 1 and are chuffed about the collaboration, hoping that this will give TANKARD a big boost in their 30th year of existence! It took quite a while 'till we came ashore here, but then again, Rome wasn't built in a day, as we all know!"

Added Andy Siry, Head of A&R at Nuclear Blast: "From the 'Hardcore Party 1987' in Oberursel (live TANKARD, ANGEL DUST and DESTRUCTION) on, I've taken TANKARD into my heart. With the signing of TANKARD's contract, the 'best-case scenario' has finally come to pass.

"I'm absolutely delighted that we've come to an agreement with our Hessian buddies — even though I'll unfortunately suffer from the signing party's aftermath for some more days, haha.

"Joke apart. I'm very happy that TANKARD will be members of the Nuclear Blast family from now on and will enrich our roster of dyed-in-the-wool thrash metal bands. And announcing this new signing on Valentine's Day proves that this is more than just a business matter to us. After 25 years of 'concubinage,' we've finally tied the knot in the big anniversary year (25 years of Nuclear Blast, 30 years of TANKARD). By the way: We're expecting our first offspring to be born this summer."

TANKARD's fourteenth studio album, "Vol(l)ume 14", was released on December 17, 2010 via AFM Records. The limited-edition digipak version of the album includes a bonus DVD containing footage of TANKARD's performance at the 2009 edition of the Headbangers Open Air festival, which took place July 23-25, 2009 in in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany.

New Brunswick, New Jersey's melodic, thrash-metal warriors GOD FORBID will release their new album, "Equilibrium", on March 27 via Victory Records. The bulk of the CD was recorded by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM), with Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER) stepping in during the the vocal-tracking stage. The effort was mixed by acclaimed Swedish producer Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with such acts as KATATONIA, OPETH, PARADISE LOST and AMON AMARTH.

"With the new album, we focused on writing tight, hooky metal songs," commented guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle on the creative process for "Equilibrium", "There are some really fast, super heavy, groovy songs – some of the catchiest, most melodic songs we've ever written. We wanted a modern, but organic-sounding album that was tight but still captured the intensity of the band. The album sounds huge!"

Coyle went on to speak about the overall theme of the album, "The title of the album says it all — it's about finding your way when you're lost. The lyrics come from a very personal, very real place. The recurring lyrical theme is about the everyday struggles of life and what it takes to persevere and follow your dreams."

GOD FORBID's solidified line-up, newly managed under World Entertainment's Alexander Ford and Gunter Ford, includes lead vocalist Byron Davis, guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle, bassist John "Beeker" Outcalt, Corey Pierce on drums and newest member Matt Wicklund on guitar.

The band will support "Equilibrium" with heavy touring.

A demo version of a new GOD FORBID song, "Where We Come From", is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below. The track was originaly given away as a free download as part of a Victory Records Labor Day digital sampler.

GOD FORBID will debut some of its brand new material at the following East Coast shows in February:

Feb. 18 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus
Feb. 24 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz

Commented Doc Coyle: "With only one show in 2011 and two months spent in the recording studio, we have been itching to get out and play. We thought it would be a great idea to get into an intimate setting in our area for the real GOD FORBID fans. Expect to hear some new songs and some old cuts that haven't played in a while."

Melbourne, Australia-based melodic death metallers ELYSIAN will release their debut album, "Wires Of Creation", worldwide on March 26. The CD features "eleven tracks of hook-laden, flowing dark melodies, technical solo interludes and snarlingly evil vocal work," according to a press release.

Commented ELYSIAN guitarist Gabe Hutchinson: "Our main goal was to create a dynamic experience from start to finish whilst maintaining heavy songs. Overall, it's a really heavy melodic death album but at times soars into things like an instrumental PINK FLOYD-esque song with an electronic feel or a intricate percussive section.

"As a band, we grew up listening to music that incorporated acoustic ballads with blazing shred songs all in the one album, and it wasn't called progressive; it was called a good album.

"Some bands aim to have their songs sound disjointed by dramatically switching between genres; that's not what we have done, the whole album flows, it attacks and it releases, its aggressive but gives you time to breathe and take it in."

"Wires Of Creation" track listing:

01. Mans Design
02. Sigma
03. Climb from Fear
04. Eternal Breath
05. Sense Offender
06. The Gate
07. Play the Hand
08. Calming the Storm (instrumental)
09. Conquest
10. Machine
11. A Cry From Helplessness
I. Remorse
II. The choice
III. The Fall

A teaser song, "Mans Design", can be heard in the YouTube clip below.

ELYSIAN is currently working on a video and will then hit the road in April with an Australian tour in support of the new album. The band will also open for ARCH ENEMY in Melbourne on April 31.

"Watch It Burn", the new video from Massachusetts metallers UNEARTH, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Scott Hansen (A DAY TO REMEMBER, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISASTER) and is described in a press release as "a dark and disturbing video to match the equally bleak lyrics of the song."

Commented UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps: "This video captures both the energy we put into every performance as well as imagery of the dark lyrical content of 'Watch It Burn'. We want to thank Scott Hansen and his crew for their hard work delivering such a sick video for our fans to see."

Fans that have seen UNEARTH perform live on their recent trips to Alaska, Japan and on the band's U.S. and Canadian tour with CHIMAIRA may have noticed a new face on stage. The guy behind the kit has been none other than up-and-coming musician Nick Pierce.

Pierce is a self-taught drummer who's been playing since age 10. He grew up playing for local bands in the Seattle/Tacoma area (CULLING THE WEAK, ETERNA NOCTURNA, EMBALMED) as well as Los Angeles-based band THE FACELESS. Nick first sat in behind the kit for UNEARTH in May of 2011 during their two show trip to Alaska. UNEARTH discovered Pierce on YouTube where he had been covering UNEARTH songs, among many other bands, on a series of videos on his YouTube channel.

Comments UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps: "Nick is a beast of a drummer and a great guy to hang with. I look forward to jamming with him around the world for years to come." Guitarist Buz McGrath adds that Pierce has a "great attitude, energy and the knowledge that we can throw the most insane riffs at him and he can create and adequately perform next level beats for said riffs makes it a little easier to sleep at night."

Stated Nick Pierce: "I've been a fan of UNEARTH for many years and I'm excited to shred with a great group of guys and support our fans."

UNEARTH's new album, "Darkness In The Light", sold 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The March", opened with around 11,000 units back in October 2008 to land at No. 45.

"Darkness In The Light" was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer (and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz. The effort was mixed by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM) from Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.

Zero To Hero Films has uploaded a three-part video report on "Bonded By Baloff: A Decade Of Remembrance", a special concert which marked the 10-year anniversary of former EXODUS singer Paul Baloff's passing. The event took place February 4 at the Oakland Metro Operahouse in Oakland, California and featured performances by EXODUS, POSSESSED, FORBIDDEN and HEATHEN, among others. Included are interviews with such musicians as Chris Kontos and Kevin Reed (ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT), Tony Campos (POSSESSED, ASESINO, STATIC-X, MINISTRY, PRONG), Harald O. (D.R.I.), Rob Dukes (EXODUS) and Craig Locicero (FORBIDDEN), as well as footage of the actual performances.

As previously reported, METALLICA/ex-EXODUS guitarist Kirk Hammett, former EXODUS axeman Rick Hunolt and original EXODUS bassist Jeff Andrews all joined the current lineup of EXODUS on stage at "Bonded By Baloff: A Decade Of Remembrance".

It was a decade ago — on January 31, 2002 — that Paul Baloff suffered a major stroke and was brought to Highland General Hospital in Northern California, where he remained in a coma until he was declared brain dead. On February 2, 2002, his doctors shut off his life support, leaving him to die in his sleep. He had no previous known health problems, and the stroke was a complete surprise to everyone around him.

Regarding EXODUS' decision to stage this concert, the band's guitarist Gary Holt said, "With February 2nd being the 10-year anniversary of Paul's passing, the band knew it was high time we do something special to remember the legend of Paul Baloff, so we decided to put together a show the Bay Area will not soon forget. We've pulled some of the Bay's finest for this, bands who knew and shared many a stage and drink with Pavel. There are some nice surprises in store as well! It will be ten years and two days since the thrash world lost one of its greatest frontmen ever, and we will always make sure his memory lives on and is never forgotten. Long live The Destroyer!"

Added FORBIDDEN guitarist and founding member Craig Locicero: "Everyone in FORBIDDEN is honored to have been asked by Gary and EXODUS to play this show marking the 10th anniversary of Paul Baloff's crazy fucking life! I witnessed his insanity first-hand at the Mabouhay Gardens and Ruthie's Inn. As EXODUS got bigger, Paul got crazier — in a good way. It was genius at work. He was the mold that all thrash frontmen cut themselves from, but he was also a pretty damn sweet guy. Always kind to those he liked, he'd be in the front row at FORBIDDEN gigs screaming things like 'Why does it have to be so heavy?' and my favorite, 'Heavier than time!' I'm laughing just typing this!

"At his memorial, I saw people I hadn't seen in years. So much love, so many laughs. It made me happy in some strange way just to see that kind of respect displayed for Paul. We all really loved him. Luckily his legend has returned with a vengeance… and hey, Paul, you did it: You've become heavier than time!"

"Let There Be Blood", the controversial re-recording of EXODUS' classic 1985 debut album, "Bonded by Blood", was issued in October 2008 through Zaentz Records.

Regarding the band's decision to re-record "Bonded By Blood", Holt previously said: "It is our way of paying homage to Paul Baloff by showing how relevant these songs we had written together still are. We aren't trying to replace the original; that's impossible anyway. We are just giving these songs the benefit of modern production. It's something we talked about before Paul's death and it's always been important to us to do. We were super-excited about entering the studio once again to record these classics." Current EXODUS vocalist Rob Dukes added, "Paul was rad, totally original. He was not like [METALLICA's James] Hetfield or [SLAYER's Tom] Araya. I think at times he wanted to be, but he was simply himself. He had a really cool way of going up with his voice in the weirdest spots. I, myself, find it cool and original."

"El Rostro De La Muerte", the new video from Californian thrashers HIRAX, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's "El Rostro De La Muerte" album, which was released in October 2010. It was the veteran band's first full-length since 2004's "The New Age Of Terror".

"El Rostro De La Muerte" is a dual-studio effort, combining the skills of two HIRAX producers which the band has worked with on their past three releases. The ten new tracks were recorded and engineered by John Haddad at Trench Studio in Corona, California, and mixed by Andy Haller. The new CD also contains one bonus track from the "Chaos And Brutality" EP, which was previously unavailable in the U.S.

"El Rostro De La Muerte" was made available on Black Devil Records and Deep Six Records and is distributed through CMDistro.com. It was pressed in CD and vinyl formats as well as a limited-edition picture disc.

On June 29, 2010 (one day earlier internationally), Season of Mist released a new compilation album from HIRAX, "Noise Chaos War". Consisting of three thrashing EPs — remastered, remixed and available on CD for the first time — this release also includes a video for "Bombs of Death", filmed live in Japan in 2009.

Originally signed to Metal Blade in 1985, HIRAX has been at the forefront of the thrash movement for over 25 years. Their music has stood the test of time and their legions of fans continue to grow.

Portugal's most brutal, depraved and infamous band known as HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL has inked a deal with Xtreem Music for the worldwide release of its third full-length album, "Gorefilia" (in Portugal, the CD will be made available through Raging Planet Records and Raising Legends Productions). Due in April, the 18-song effort was recorded at 213 Studios in Portugal and was mixed and mastered at Hertz Studio (BEHEMOTH, VADER, KRONOS, DECAPITATED, ABORTED) in Bialystok, Poland.

According to a press release, "Gorefilia" will showcase HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL's more brutal and intense, songwriting, with songs varying from one to three minutes without fillers, [with] influences from bands like ABORTED, CANNIBAL CORPSE, early DERANGED, NAPALM DEATH, SUFFOCATION, CARCASS."

HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL previously described "Gorefilia" as a "concept album [which] involves sexual arousal and gratification towards sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. As always, you can expect self-torture, bizarre love and loads of sperm tainted with blood. Musically, some big changes are expected; however, the band is still committed to death metal and grind."

Commented bassist Z. Pedro: "Back in 1997 when HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL was born, bands such as INCANTATION, VADER, DERANGED, IMMOLATION, DEEDS OF FLESH… were not only an influence to the sound which we were creating, they also had released material though the legendary death metal label Repulse Records. This label became Xtreem Music a few years ago and is still releasing brutal music, gathering over 100 releases so far, [with] 'Gorefilia' [being] their 108th release."

Added guitarist/vocalist Eduardo F. : "We've known Dave Rotten [Xtreem Music A&R] for over a decade, having in on stage in some gigs as special guest and we also shared stage with AVULSED in several European festivals. Adding to this, a release history of more than 100 titles, make us strongly believe that Xtreem Music is the reliable and hardworking label that we were looking for."

The song "Objectofilia Platonica", taken from "Gorefilia", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

DEF LEPPARD guitarist and MANRAZE frontman Phil Collen has recorded a guest appearance for the upcoming OEDIPUS album, "Vicious Little Smile", in stores in North America on March 13 via THC: Music/Rocket Science. Phil contributed lead and rhythm guitars to the track "Final Machine".

"We had built up a mutual admiration through our label, who also releases Phil's MANRAZE project, and the idea came up for him to play on a track, and miraculously, it ended up happening," says OEDIPUS bassist/vocalist Jeremy Haffner. "It turned out amazing. We couldn't be happier or more honored. Phil is such a legendary and spectacular talent, and we were all just blown away with how cool and naturally it came together."

Added Collen: "I loved the track as soon as I heard it. These guys have got phenomenal energy. Playing on it was a blast, and I look forward to hearing the rest of the album."

Produced by Darian Cowgill (SLEEPING GIANT, MIDDLE CLASS RUT), "Vicious Little Smile" formally releases several of the L.A. trio's international hits, including "Tres Las", "Burn It Down" and "Gimme a Chance", which have already received airplay in over 30 countries.

"Vicious Little Smile" track listing:

01. L.I.Z.Z.Y
02. Kiss On The Fist
03. Tres Las
04. Burn It Down
05. Liar
06. Cheat
07. Final Machine (featuring Phil Collen)
08. Gimme A Chance
09. Every Piece Of You
10. Tied Together
11. Perfect Strangers
12. Moonlight

The song "Kiss On The Fist" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

For over a decade, OEDIPUS has been one of L.A.'s best-kept secrets, from their roots as an underground progressive rock favorite to achieving status as an international rock powerhouse with massive success in Europe.

In 2010, Polish radio giant Eska Rock added OEDIPUS' single "Tres Las", which went on to top the Polish rock charts and became the genesis of 3 #1 Polish rock singles, followed by repeated visits to Europe, including a performance at Ursynalia, where the band performed at Poland's biggest open-air festival, alongside KORN, GUANO APES, ALTER BRIDGE, SIMPLE PLAN and more.

OEDIPUS will return to Europe twice more in 2012, and follow it up with a U.S. run in April with ZERO 1, The hard rock project featuring actor/comedian Hal Sparks.

Vocalist Mat Maurer has quit Australian thrash metal veterans MORTAL SIN. He says in a statement, "I have decided to leave the band for personal reasons and irreconcilable differences." He adds, "Last year was an incredibly difficult year for me personally and I have decided to put my family first. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years."

Quality video footage of MORTAL SIN's December 4, 2011 performance in Antwerp, Belgium can be seen below.

MORTAL SIN's new album, "Psychology Of Death", was released in Europe on November 18, 2011 via NoiseArt Records. The effort includes the group's classic debut LP, "Mayhemic Destruction", as a bonus disc in the limited digipak version. The follow-up to 2007's "An Absence of Faith" was mixed with producer/engineer Darren "jENK" Jenkins and marks the recording debut of guitarist Ryan Huthnance, who replaced Mick Sultana.

MORTAL SIN in 2009 released a live album, "Into the Inferno (Live in Oslo)", via Riot! Entertainment. The CD, which contains the group's March 2008 performance in Oslo, Norway, was described by the band as "possibly the best live show MORTAL SIN have ever had recorded."

Once hailed as the next METALLICA, MORTAL SIN have become legends in their home country Australia, having been inducted into the Kerrang! Heavy Metal Hall of Fame in 2005 and being the only Australian band to have played with the big five of thrash — METALLICA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, MEGADETH and TESTAMENT — on tours in Australia and overseas.

ROB ZOMBIE bassist Matt Montgomery (a.k.a. Piggy D.) has joined forces with experimental vocalist Shannon Gallant in a recording project called THE HAXANS. The band's first single, "Cold Blood", was co-written/engineered by Chris Baseford and mixed by David Spreng. It is presently available at BlackVictoryStore.com, with an iTunes release to follow.

Commented Montgomery: ""It only took us five years to get our broom sticks together. But here it is!"

For more information, go to this location.

Swedish hard rockers EUROPE will release their ninth studio album, "Bag Of Bones", in April/May (exact date to be announced). The CD was produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, JOE BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK STONE CHERRY and JOURNEY, among others.

The "Bag Of Bones" cover artwork can now be seen below.

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, EUROPE singer Joey Tempest stated about the band'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 (see video below). 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.

Virtuoso keyboardist Mistheria (ROB ROCK, BRUCE DICKINSON) has announced the official lineup for his new instrumental metal album, "Hands Of Fire", to be released later this year.

The effort will feature Mistheria on keyboards, piano, keytar, organ, and bass pedal, along with the following three musicians:

* Roger Staffelbach (ARTENSION, ANGEL OF EDEN) - Guitar
* Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, TESTAMENT, DEATH, ICED EARTH) - Bass
* John Macaluso (JAMES LABRIE, ARK, TNT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, RIOT, STARBREAKER, HOLYHELL) - Drums

Commented Mistheria: "Songwriting and arrangements are completed, recordings will start in the next weeks. The album will feature both original songs and heavy-arranged classical masterpieces (Albinoni, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Paganini, Rimsky-Korsakov). Songlist, artwork and label will be announced soon."

Mistheria's latest neo-classical/progressive metal album, "Dragon Fire", was released in 2010 via Lion Music.

French progressive technical death metallers GOROD have inked a North American deal with Unique Leader Records. The band's fourth full-length album, "A Perfect Absolution", will be released in the U.S. on May 8. The CD was mixed by producer Frédéric "Elmobo" Motte, who oversaw the recording of the drums, bass and vocals, while all guitars were tracked by GOROD's mastermind Matthieu Pascal at his Bud Records Studio. The mix and the mastering were done at Elmobo's Conkrete Studio by Pascal and Elmobo.

The lyrical concept of "A Perfect Absolution" is based on the history of Kievan Rus during the 10th century.

In the year 945, Igor, King of Kiev, was killed while collecting a "tribute" when he visited a neighbor pagan tribe (the Derevlians) who lives in the forest. He left a widow, Olga, who avenged him in an extremely harsh manner before converting to Orthodox Christianity.

"A Perfect Absolution" features guest guitar solos by Christian Muenzner (OBSCURA) and Mike Keene (THE FACELESS).

GOROD will join OBSCURA for the "Omnivium Europe 2012" tour in March/April. Also appearing on the bill are SPAWN OF POSSESSION and EXIVIOUS.

GOROD's latest full-length album, "Process Of A New Decline", came out in 2009 via Listenable Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Leading Vision" marked the recording debut of GOROD's new drummer, Samuel Santiago.

GOROD's "Transcendence" EP came out last spring. The disc included a 15-minute-long new song, one acoustic track, a CYNIC cover and two re-recorded songs from the band's first two albums.

SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner is filling in for Charlie Benante at two ANTHRAX shows in Argentina.

Fan-filmed video footage of ANTHRAX's February 11 concert at Cosquin Rock in Cordoba, Argentina can be seen below.

Benante and ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello (who is Charlie's nephew) missed several shows on ANTHRAX's recent North American tour in order to spend time with Charlie's mother, who was terminally ill. On February 4, Benante informed fans via his official web site that his mother passed away.

Bittner previously joined ANTHRAX on stage on November 8, 2011 at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, New York to perform the ANTHRAX classic "Madhouse". He also filled in on drums for Benante for two ANTHRAX shows in January 2006 after Charlie was forced to leave the tour early to attend to his wife Sandra, who gave birth to the couple's first child, Mia Charley Benante.

Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION will celebrate their 25th anniversary by embarking on a European tour in September/October. The trek, aptly dubbed the "25th Anniversary Tour", and will include the following dates:

Sep. 28 - NL - Eindhoven - Effenaar
Sep. 29 - NL - Groningen - Oosterpoort
Sep. 30 - B - Antwerp - Hof ter Loo
Oct. 01 - F - Paris - Bataclan
Oct. 04 - E - Madrid - Heineken
Oct. 05 - E - Barcelona - Razzmatazz 2
Oct. 06 - E - Bilbao - Rock Star
Oct. 07 - F - Toulouse - Bikini
Oct. 09 - F - Lyon - Transbordeur
Oct. 10 - CH - Pratteln - Z7
Oct. 11 - I - Trezzo d'Adda - Live Club
Oct. 12 - D - Glauchau - Alte Spinnerei
Oct. 13 - CZ - Zlin - Masters of Rock Café
Oct. 14 - CZ - Prague - DK Vlatvska
Oct. 15 - PL - Krakow - Club Studio
Oct. 16 - PL - Warsaw - Stodola
Oct. 17 - H - Budapest - Club 202
Oct. 19 - RO - Bucharest - Arenele Romane Tent
Oct. 20 - GR - Thessaloniki - Apothiki Mylos
Oct. 21 - GR - Athens - Gagarin 205

More shows will be added later.

In other news, THERION is currently working on its as-yet-untitled new studio album, to be released in September, shortly before the tour kicks off.

THERION's latest CD, "Sitra Ahra", sold around 800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 44 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.

"Sitra Ahra" was released in North America on October 26, 2010 through Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was mixed at the legendary Polar Studios in Stockholm by Lennart Östlund (LED ZEPPELIN, ABBA). The cover artwork was created by Thomas Ewerhard, who worked on all of the band's most recent releases in addition to collaborating with EDGUY, AVANTASIA, RAGE and HAMMERFALL, among others.

As a special "Valentine's Day gift" to its fans, JOURNEY has released a video for the song "Resonate", taken from the band's latest album, "Eclipse" The clip was filmed in San Francisco and Los Angeles and it "captures some of [the group's] favorite live moments during the 'Eclipse' tour."

JOURNEY guitarist Neal Schon told The Pulse Of Radio that he called upon keyboardist Jonathan Cain to use one of the band's classics as the template of the new material he wanted for the group's latest album, "Eclipse". "Jon, y'know, he had brought in some ballads and they were good, but I felt that we had other stuff that was more relevant for this record," he said. "And I said, 'Y'know, you wrote 'Separate Ways', man, with [Steve] Perry,' I said, 'Go grab one of those. I know you have one of those sitting somewhere. And so 'Resonate' he brought in and I went, 'That's frickin' great!' Y'know, I love that."

"Eclipse" arrived in May 2011 and is being sold exclusively through Wal-Mart.

Perhaps the album's nod toward JOURNEY's older style is what led Schon to recently say that former singer Steve Perry is welcome to join the band as a special guest on tour.

Schon said current singer Arnel Pineda is "totally down, and such a humble human being, that he would be overjoyed" if Steve performed with the band.

Perry said last year that he had written 50 songs for his first solo album since 1994, but no further information about the project has surfaced.

ROYAL THUNDER, the Atlanta four-piece Brooklyn Vegan described as "Johnette Napolitano of CONCRETE BLONDE fronting BLACK SABBATH," has completed recording its debut album, "CVI", for a May 22 release via Relapse Records.

"We poured all of our hard work and passion into this 10-song LP," says ROYAL THUNDER vocalist/bass player Mlny Parsonz of the band's mid-2011 recording sessions at Aria Recording Studio in Marietta, Georgia. "We saw highs and lows along the way, but in the end, we made it. We made something we are so proud of. We look back on our past efforts and take with us the good, and strive to keep going and growing. We can't wait to see what the future holds and we hope this new album is an inspiration and light in the lives of everyone who listens to it."

ROYAL THUNDER — Parsonz, founder Josh Weaver (guitar), Lee Smith (drums) and Josh Coleman (guitar) — will join BLACK TUSK for a half dozen dates leading up to performances at South By Southwest (SXSW; specific showcase information to be announced). ROYAL THUNDER will also perform at this Saturday's Scion Relapse Showcase at The Roxy in West Hollywood, California.

ROYAL THUNDER released a self-titled EP in 2010 which won praise from a wide variety of outlets, including Paste magazine ("blues-infused rock'n'roll, wrapped in protective barbed-metal packaging"), NPR ("a revved-up Southern hard-rocker that howls like LED ZEPPELIN astride a psychedelic unicorn") and Terrorizer ("'Royal Thunder' grabs you right from the first listen").

"Black Waltz", the fourth full-length album from Swedish metallers AVATAR, is available for streaming in its entirety at AOL Music. Due on February 14 via eOne Music, the CD was produced by Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTASCH, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR) and includes songs from a limited-edition EP that was released in Sweden at the end of October 2011.

"Black Waltz" track listing:

01. Let Us Die
02. Torn Apart
03. Ready For The Ride
04. In Napalm
05. Black Waltz
06. Blod
07. Let It Burn
08. One Touch
09. Paint Me Red
10. Smells Like A Freakshow
11. Use Your Tongue

Behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for the "Black Waltz" album and making of the "Black Waltz" video can be seen below. The "Black Waltz" clip, which was directed by Johan Carlén and shot in Sweden's largest amusement park, features an appearance by the world-famous American circus sideshow Hellzapoppin.

AVATAR's third, self-titled album was released in 2010.

AVATAR is:

Johannes Eckerström - Vocals
John Alfredsson - Drums
Jonas Jarlsby - Guitars
Simon Andersson - Guitars
Henrik Sandelin - Bass

Making of "Black Waltz":

Endless Winter signed an agreement on the issue full-length debut album of FALLING LEAVES (Jordan). The album, entitled "Mournful Cry Of A Dying Sun" is a mix of expressive emotions: grief, loss, internal strife, death and all that with this connected. The conflict between calmness and anger expressed in mixed clean and harsh vocals, and the use of string instruments gives the atmosphere of the hard death/doom sound.
The album is unique in the number and composition of the guest stars.
The record included:
Paul Kuhr (NOVEMBERS DOOM) Vocals
Pim Blankenstein (OFFICIUM TRISTE, THE 11th HOUR) Vocals
Josep Brunet (HELEVORN) Vocals
Olof Göthlin (DRACONIAN) Violin
Pete Johansen (THE SINS OF THY BELOVED) Violin

Release is scheduled for March or April.

More video footage from the recording sessions for "Torture", the twelfth studio album from Florida-based death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE, can be seen below. Due on March 13 via Metal Blade Records, the follow-up to 2009's "Evisceration Plague" offers up 12 tracks of maniacally precise, soul-searing death metal. "Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.

While "Torture" marks the latest progression in the band's sound, it also witnesses a return to what drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz accurately terms "the frenzied attack of 'Butchered At Birth' (1991) or 'Tomb Of The Mutilated' (1992)," infusing the band's advanced musicianship with the raw savagery that haunted their earlier releases, and in the process conceiving the definitive CANNIBAL CORPSE record. Adds bassist Alex Webster on the outcome of the record: "We're extremely happy with how 'Torture' turned out. Erik Rutan did an amazing job with the production, and the songwriting and performances may be our strongest yet. We can't wait until our fans get to hear the whole thing!"

From the monstrous chugging of "Sarcophagic Frenzy" to the deeply sinister "Followed Home Then Killed" or the loping evil of "Scourge of Iron", every track hits with sledgehammer force, and each one boasts its own hideous character, the band refusing to repeat themselves at any point.

"While we make everything as heavy as possible there's a very strong emphasis placed on song writing in this band, trying to make every song individual, and I think you should be able to hit play at any point on a record and be able to tell one song from another almost instantly," states Webster. "We want all the songs to be brutal death metal, but we also want them to be instantly identifiable from one another, and that's something that is definitely true of the songs on 'Torture'."

Webster also believes that stability in the band's ranks greatly contributes to the record's strength, "Torture" being the third consecutive album featuring the current lineup of himself and co-founding member Mazurkiewicz, alongside guitarists Rob Barrett and Patrick O'Brien, and vocalist George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher. "The band is at its strongest right now, and I think we're at our very peak as far as playing ability and song writing maturity. As a result of that this is the album where we've been able to finally best get across what we wanted to do as players and as song writers." Equally, this is their third release to be helmed by producer Erik Rutan (of HATE ETERNAL fame), and while "Kill" and "Evisceration Plague" were recorded entirely at Rutan's Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida, this time out the sessions were split between Mana and Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas. Having tracked 1999's Colin Richardson-produced "Bloodthirst", as well as 2002's "Gore Obsessed" and 2004's "The Wretched Spawn" (both produced by Neil Kernon) at Sonic Ranch, the band were keen to once again experience the isolation of working essentially in the middle of nowhere, this time with Rutan calling the shots.

"The studio is about forty miles outside of El Paso, and we made a point of not having a rental car so we were stuck there, that way all we could think about was the record," Webster states. "When we record in Florida usually the only guy in the studio with Erik is the one recording that day, and having us all together rather than scattered really helped us focus and totally immerse ourselves in the music, and I think that it's a far better record for it." This approach has resulted in a record that not only delivers a devastating punch but also eschews merely replicating the sound of their previous collaborations, and Mazurkiewicz asserts that their relationship with the producer is a tremendously beneficial one. "He's a death metal guitar player and a death metal singer, which makes him 'one of us'. On top of that he's a great guy, a workaholic, and a great motivator because he's not only an extremely talented peer but he's always nitpicking and doing what he's got to do to make everything better. He pushes us to make the best possible record and does what needs to be done to give it a distinctive sound of its own."

Though the band continue to dwell on dark and disturbing lyrical areas, they long ago transcended the early notoriety bestowed upon them (based solely upon their artwork and lyrics) through proving themselves one of the best — and hardest working — live bands in modern heavy music. As such, while they certainly stand defiant as part of the old guard in death metal, through their devotion to touring and consistently releasing bigger and better records they have retained both their relevance and bite while many of the bands that hacked their way out of the scene twenty years ago have fallen by the wayside. Equally, as the genre's profile has begun to once again grow in recent years the band do not concern themselves with thoughts of being dethroned by younger generations of bands following in their wake.

"We get inspired by seeing these other bands doing killer music, but we definitely don't feel threatened by it," Webster states. With a great many contemporary death metal bands perhaps overly concerned with being recognized as the 'fastest' or 'most technical', the art of the song itself seems often overlooked, and that is a trap CANNIBAL CORPSE have never fallen into. "I am very into ultra-fast music that shows off chops, but I think that it's important to develop ability as a musician not to show off that ability but rather to use it to write killer songs. Writing a genuinely memorable, killer song is very challenging, but the best albums are the ones with the best songs, period."

In 2012, CANNIBAL CORPSE have ensured that the twelve songs comprising "Torture" are the very best and therefore cohere to make the best possible album, though they are not content to rest upon their laurels and they are as hungry as ever to unleash their distinctive breed of aural horror upon heaving mosh pits. "I haven't been this excited about a release in a long time," enthuses Mazurkiewicz. "We worked so hard at it and we hope that the fans feel the same way we do. Being out there and getting to play these songs live will once again prove to people we're not going anywhere. We're not going through the motions, we're really trying to be the best band we can be, and we're just getting better."

"Torture" track listing:

01. Demented Aggression
02. Sarcophagic Frenzy
03. Scourge Of Iron
04. Encased In Concrete
05. As Deep As the Knife Will Go
06. Intestinal Crank
07. Followed Home Then Killed
08. The Strangulation Chair
09. Caged...Contorted
10. Crucifier Avenged
11. Rabid
12. Torn Through

The song "Demented Aggression" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

As a precursor to the release, CANNIBAL CORPSE will perform a special one-off show at the Culture Room in West Palm Beach, Florida on January 22 then head to the seas to take part in this year's edition of the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise. The band will get a short break before a near month-long march through Europe on the Full Of Hate 2012 tour with labelmates BEHEMOTH.

U.K. progressive black/death metallers DE PROFUNDIS have completed work onb their third album, "The Emptiness Within", to be released in April/May. The CD was once again produced by Fernando Pereira Lopes (MISANTHROPE, ORAKLE) and DE PROFUNDIS and was mixed at the Studios Davout (AC/DC, THE ROLLING STONES, OZZY OSBOURNE) in Paris, France.

"The Emptiness Within" track listing:

01. From The Depths... (intro)
02. Delirium
03. Silent Gods
04. This Wretched Plague
05. Twisted Landscapes
06. Release
07. Dead Inside
08. Parallel Existence (instrumental)
09. Unbroken (A Morbid Embrace)

DE PROFUNDIS' second album, "A Bleak Reflection", came out in February 2010 via Kolony Records.

DE PROFUNDIS is:

Craig Land - Vocals
Roman Subbotin - Guitar
Shoi Sen - Guitar
Arran McSporran - Fretless Bass
Nick Tingle - Drums

Long-running French extreme metal band NO RETURN has inked a deal with Great Dane Records. The group is currently working on material for its eighth album, to be released later in the year.

Great Dane Records is a young label from the north of France created by Raph and Geoff (ex-DISGUST guitarist).

NO RETURN's seventh album, "Manipulated Mind", came out in 2008 via Dockyard 1.

NO RETURN is:

David Barbosa: Bass
Boban Tomic: Drums
Nicolas Coudert: Guitar
Alain Clement: Guitar
L. Chuck D.: Vocals