"This Harmonic Consonance", the sixth album from German power metallers LANFEAR, will be released on February 24 via Pure Steel Records. The group previously described the effort as "the heaviest LANFEAR album until now. [It contains] some pretty fast tracks but also the very first doom song in our history! The end result will blow your heads off! You can definitely achieve a natural and authentic production without sounding as if the recording sessions were held in a garbage can!"

"This Harmonic Consonance" track listing:

01. Giorno Del Giudizio (1:06)
02. Colours Of Chaos (4:40)
03. By-Product Nation (3:37)
04. The Reverend (6:22)
05. Idiopathic Discreation (7:43)
06. Camera Silens (5:33)
07. I, Robo Sapiens (4:12)
08. Spectrophobia (5:55)
09. Word Not Spoken (6:05 )
10. Disharmonic Consonance (4:28)

LANFEAR's fifth album, "X to the Power of Ten", was released in August 2008 via Locomotive Records.

According to LANFEAR's official bio, the band "play[s] powerful and melodic metal with a progressive edge. Originality, subliminal details and intelligent songwriting combined with haunting melodies and the constant urge to evolve — that’s what it's all about! Certainly not the easy way to success in the superficial pseudo-scene of these days — but LANFEAR don't give a fuck! No breakdowns, no kilts, no horns, no makeup, no image, no rockstar-dom, no support by mass media — no hot air! LANFEAR play[s] 100% underrated metal exclusively!"

Video footage of ELECTRIC BOYS frontman Conny Bloom playing a short acoustic set for Expressen TV's XL Live can be seen below.

The reunited original ELECTRIC BOYS lineup — Franco Santunione (guitar), Andy Christell (bass), Niklas Sigevall (drums) and Conny Bloom (guitar, vocals) — released its first album since 1992, "And Them Boys Done Swang", in April 2011 via Supernova Records, a division of the Cosmos Music Group.

"And Them Boys Done Swang" track listing:

01. Reeferlord
02. My Heart's Not For Sale
03. Father Popcorn's Magic Oysters
04. Angel In An Armoured Suit
05. Ten Thousand Times Goodbye
06. The House Is Rockin'
07. Welcome To The High Times
08. Sometimes U Gotta Go Look For The Car
09. Put Your Arms Around Me
10. The Day The Gypsies Came To Town
11. Rollin' Down The Road
12. A Mother Of A Love Story
13. Chickalicious (Japanese bonus track)
14. Down On Shakin' Street (Japanese bonus track)
15. Nowhere To Go But Up (Japanese bonus track)

ELECTRIC BOYS in 2009 released a 20-track "best-of" collection, titled "Now Dig This!", via Spinefarm Records. It features songs from the band's three studio albums, including "Psychedelic Eyes", "Mary In The Mystery World", "Groovus Maximus", "The Groover", "Rags To Riches", "Captain Of My Soul" plus a 2009 remix of "All Lips N' Hips", along of course with the original version, a longstanding staple of rock clubs around the world.

Formed in 1988, ELECTRIC BOYS achieved recognition around the known rock'n'roll world with signature hit single "All Lips N' Hips" plus a series of albums that tapped into the very essence of long-haired, leather-trousered, late-night cool.

Touring alongside bands such as THUNDER and MR. BIG, and drinking from the same well as rock legends like AEROSMITH, the band offered an alternative to the late '80s hair-metal scene, fusing hard rock and heavy funk to create an instantly recognizable style ("Groovus Maximus") built riff by riff on the sturdiest possible foundations, unswervingly provided by drummer Niklas Sigevall.

Lauded by the media, feted by the industry, respected by the top producers of the day (including Bob Rock) and supported by a genuinely international fanbase, the ELECTRIC BOYS — led into action by flamboyant frontman Conny Bloom, who has continued to play and record both under his own name and with SILVER GINGER 5 and HANOI ROCKS, as well as appearing in TV ads for Jameson Whiskey — consistently showed that the great rock'n'roll dream was available in many colours, and that the sitar did indeed have a serious part to play!

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA — the new classic-rock band featuring Björn Strid (SOILWORK) and Sharlee D' Angelo (ARCH ENEMY, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) — has inked a deal with Coroner Records. The group is currently recording its debut album for a June release.

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA started like so many others as an innocent yet serious drunken idea when Strid and David Andersson (MEAN STREAK, session musician for SOILWORK) were on the road together somewhere in North America in 2007. Björn and David were bonding over what they considered "classic" or not, from rock and roll conspiracies to being arrested in a lobby with nothing but leather pants on. All those scenarios, fictional or real, needed a soundtrack. They also came to think that whether you're on a metal tour or not, a lot of classic rock songs say it all and can really lend you a helping hand and make you forget about everything, especially when in motion or travelling. The classic escape. The never-ending road trip. The transatlantic night flight. It may sound simple and naive, but what it all comes down to is that we all need that soundtrack to feel extra special, whether you have been arrested in a lobby or not.

It didn't take long before bass player D' Angelo joined forces as well as keyboard player Richard Larsson (VON BENZO) and drummer Jonas Källsbäck (MEAN STREAK). The goal was to reclaim the '70s/early '80s sense for classic melody, the forgotten recipe to a timeless song, preferably a song mentioning a city, street name or an exhilarating alcoholic beverage. Anything that will have you spitting out the word "classic." From "Tarot Woman" to "Badlands", from "Rhiannon" to "Running on Empty", from "Blind Man" to "Night Moves", from "Deuce" to "Separate Ways", from "Elected" to "Set me Free". The list goes on. It's all about reclaiming the "classic."

Two songs from THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA — "1998" and "California Morning" — can be streamed below.

"1998" audio stream:

Video footage of former IRON MAIDEN and current WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley performing a couple of MAIDEN classics with the Romanian band TROOPER on January 27 at the Hard Rock Café in Bucharest, Romania can be seen below.

TROOPER, which is said to be "the leading hard 'n' heavy band in Romania," will release its seventh album later in the year.

The 48-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to replace Bruce Dickinson as the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN.

Bayley is currently at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy recording his new studio album, "The King Of Metal", for a spring release. A European headlining tour in support of the CD will kick off in early March in Belgium.

Fan-filmed video footage of GHOST's February 2 concert at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California can be seen below.

Check out photos from Stephanie Cabral.

GHOST cult leader "Papa Emeritus" (rumored to be REPUGNANT/SUBVISION's Tobias Forge, who takes the stage in the form of "a satanic pope") and his anonymous ghouls teamed up with doom rockers BLOOD CEREMONY and ANCIENT VVISDOM for a two-week trek dubbed the "13 Dates Of Doom" tour that launched on January 18 in New York City and wrapped in Los Angeles.

GHOST will support MASTODON and OPETH on a North American tour in April/May.

GHOST is continuing to support its debut album, "Opus Eponymous", which has been called "amazing" by Stereogum and "a primer on the creation of melodic hard rock" by The Big Takeover.

GHOST floored music fans with its first U.S. shows and served notice that it is not only a "band to watch" but will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. In its live review of GHOST's New York City headlining show, the Village Voice called the group's performance "lurching and menacing", saying "GHOST's sound is like heavy metal trapped in a state of suspended animation since 1973."

GHOST's "Opus Eponymous" is a daringly fascinating combination of satanic rock music merged with an almost unthinkable pop sensibility. Enveloped in a shroud of mystery and standing anonymous beneath the painted faces, hoods and robes which their sect demand, the GHOST deliver litanies of pulsating heavy rock and stimulating lyrics which "glorify and glamorize the disgusting and sacrilegious." The music and philosophies of GHOST specifically target "individuals who have a void in their life perhaps caused by some form of emotional trauma or upset" (research suggests these are most likely adolescents); this dearth can then be alluringly filled by GHOST's music and philosophies.

"Victim Of Honor", the new video from Dutch female-fronted thrashers IZEGRIM, can be seen below. The clip, which features the "Dutch playmate Tanja and alcoholic scumbag Maarten," was produced and edited by Arno Zuidgeest.

"Victim Of Honor" comes off IZEGRIM's latest album, "Code Of Consequences", which was released in February 2011 via Listenable Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Victim Of Honor
02. My Secret Society
03. Incommunicado
04. Center Of Momentum
05. Deathstrip
06. Final Farewell
07. Fade Into Obscurity
08. Psychopathic Mind
09. Population Zero
10. Code Of Consequences

The cover artwork can be seen below.

Commented guitarist Jeroen Wechgelaer: "In this day and age of CDs packed with subjects about war, we thought it was time for something different.

"With this cover, the designer Matt of Darkwave Designs captured the atmosphere that reflects multiple songs on the album.

"'Code Of Consequences' stands for everything a person can and will do to achieve his/her goals.

"The older we get, the more we have to achieve, the more consequences we have to bear.

"Is this person on the cover walking towards the city (why?) or is he walking away from this city (what happened and what did he do?). Perhaps he's standing still and looking at the inferno that is unleashed upon this city (is he the last survivor?).

"After reading the lyrics, people can decide for themselves what this person is doing. With the flaming logo above the city, it really makes it an 'IZEGRIM-esque' cover!"

Immediately after the release of the band's 2009 EP, "Point Of No Return", IZEGRIM started writing/composing material for its new album. Their mission was to create the most versitale, riff-packed, in-your-face-sounding record in the history of IZEGRIM. After more than a year of working as hard as they ever did, they've accomplished their objectives. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jörg Uken (Soundlodge Studio), this record has become exactly the way they wanted it to be.

IZEGRIM is:

Jeroen Wechgelaer - Guitar
Marloes Voskuil - Bass/Vocals
Bart Van Ginkel - Guitar
Ivo Maarhuis - Drums

"Red Tide Rising", the new video from ORANGE GOBLIN, the heavy-hitting British metal band, can be seen below. The song comes off the group's new album, "A Eulogy For The Damned", which will be released on February 14 (one day earlier internationally) via Candlelight Records. The ten-track offering was recorded at The Animal Farm studio in South London, produced and engineered by Jamie Dodd and mastered two-time Grammy-nominated PINK FLOYD engineer Andy Jackson at Tube Mastering.

"A Eulogy For The Damned" will be released on CD and limited-edition colored vinyl in gatefold sleeve.

"A Eulogy For The Damned" track listing:

01. Red Tide Rising
02. Stand For Something
03. Acid Trial
04. The Filthy & The Few
05. Save Me From Myself
06. The Fog
07. Return To Mars
08. Death Of Aquarius
09. The Bishops Wolf
10. A Eulogy For The Damned

The song "Red Tide Rising" can now be streamed using the audio player below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep).

Commented vocalist Ben Ward of the track: "'Red Tide Rising' was actually the first song we wrote for the new album and the main riff was written by [guitarist] Joe [Hoare] as far back as 2008. We all knew that this would be the lead song on the album as soon as we wrote it; it felt kind of special and it set the tempo and feel for the whole record. It's one that we all had a lot of input on so it's a real band effort and definitely wasn't rushed. The ending must've been changed half a dozen times or so until we were all satisfied! It's a very typical ORANGE GOBLIN song and I'm confident that it's going to be a live favorite for many years to come. We've actually played it at the last few shows and despite no one knowing it, it got a great response. Lyrically, the song is a tribute to my fascination with the works of horror writer H.P Lovecraft. The theme centers around the rising of Cthulhu from the deep and the ultimate destruction of Earth and mankind. It was fun for me to use my imagination and be able to write about the Elder gods and the end of the world. I think it'll make a great heavy metal video! The title was something I made up and we considered calling the album 'Red Tide Rising' for a while. It's pretty self-explanatory with the idea of the oceans turning to blood and the beasts taking over for the dawn of a new dark age!"

To celebrate the release of the new album, ORANGE GOBLIN will hit the road in April 2012 for the "A Eulogy For The Damned" U.K. and Ireland tour.

Formed in 1995 (as OUR HAUNTED KINGDOM), ORANGE GOBLIN has released six full-length albums, developing an enthusiastic fan base that revels in the band's aggressive sound built on "booze-sodden riffs and attitude." Longtime label Rise Above Records has reissued the group's super-heavy back catalog.

"Red Tide Rising" video:

CRAWL BACK TO ZERO, the new Swedish band featuring drummer Patrik J. Sten (PASSENGER, TRANSPORT LEAGUE, KEROZENE), vocalist Mikael Skager (KEROZENE) and guitarist Jocke Lundgren (HELLFUELDED), has completed work on its 11-song debut album for a 2012 via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

CRAWL BACK TO ZERO's sound is described in a press release as "solid, honest, intense and powerful yet melodic. What you hear from the studio is what you get live."

Audio samples of six of the album's tracks can be streamed below.

"Blind Eyes Stare" audio sample:

NOKTURNAL HELLSTORM, the black metal project led by veteran bassist Danny Lilker (BRUTAL TRUTH, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, ANTHRAX), has released its debut album via United Underground (a division of Sevared Records). Produced and engineered by Lilker and mastered by Doug White at Watchmen Studios, the self-titled CD features 41 minutes of "ripping Scandinavian-inspired black metal," according to a press release.

"Nokturnal Hellstorm" track listing:

01. Naan Kadavul
02. Vile Entropy
03. Eternal Wasteland
04. The Penalty
05. Ancient Spirits Call
06. The Trial
07. Lacerated Dawn
08. Mesmerized By The Flames

The album is available now at Sevared.com.

When asked how NOKTURNAL HELLSTORM came together, Lilker told Decibel magazine, "In a way, it's similar to how BRUTAL TRUTH began way back in '90, with me working in my home studio. I wrote the music, programmed the drums and played all the instruments (no vocals, though). I asked Ron from CRUCIFIST to write and record vocals for this project, but before he got around to it, the band came to life when I realized that some of my friends from the Rochester melodic black/death band SARCOUS would be able to play this material. So, we took the three songs I had written — one of which is 'Naan Kadavul' — wrote another song together, and recorded what we had. That's the essence of how the band started, and as far as the impetus; well some may remember a black metal band I played in called HEMLOCK from New York City in the mid-to-late '90s. We broke up in 2001 and I relocated to Rochester a year after that. Although CRUCIFIST embodies elements of black metal, I wanted to play pure black metal again. I was quite inspired by the early '90s Scandinavian black metal scene, which re-lit the fire that had gone out when the original black metal bands from the '80s lost their direction or broke up. While a lot of people were simply drawn to the more sensational aspects of this scene and lost interest when all that died down, I still was drawn to the music, so NOKTURNAL HELLSTORM is, for me anyway, an homage to that era. We are not reinventing the wheel here."

For more info and details on upcoming live appearances, visit the band's Facebook page.

Dutch doom death metal legends ASPHYX will release their new studio album, "Deathhammer", on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via Century Media Records. The effort will be made available in the following formats:

* Limited-edition mediabook 2CD with special bonus disc
* Standard jewel case CD
* Digital download
* LP in black 180-gram vinyl (unlimited)
* LP in red 180-gram vinyl (limited to 300 copies, via Cyclone Empire)
* LP in red-and-black marbled 180-gram vinyl (limited to 200 copies, via High Roller)
* LP in clear 180-gram vinyl (limited to 250 copies, via Nuclear Blast)
* LP in grey 180-gram vinyl (limited to 200 copies, via the CM webshop)

"Deathhammer" track listing:

01. Into The Timewastes
02. Deathhammer
03. Minefield
04. Of Days When Blades Turned Blunt
05. Der Landser
06. Reign Of The Brute
07. The Flood
08. We Doom You To Death
09. Vespa Crabro
10. As The Magma Mammoth Rises

"Deathhammer" (the song) audio stream:

David "Gus" Griesinger of BackstageAxxess.com conducted an interview with IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain at the 2012 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, a massive music-products convention that took place January 19-22 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. You can now watch the chat below.

When asked if there are any plans for MAIDEN to record new music soon, Nicko said, "We've talked about going out [on tour] later in the year," he says. "As far as a new record, we're not sure yet. It's a work in progress always. . . But we will be going out sometime later in the year."

EMI has set a March 26 release date for "En Vivo!", the new concert Blu-Ray, two-DVD set and double soundtrack album from legendary British metallers IRON MAIDEN.

"En Vivo!" was filmed on April 10, 2011 in front of over 50,000 ecstatic fans at the Estadio Nacional, Santiago during the "Round The World In 66 Days" leg of "The Final Frontier World Tour", and captures a magnificent performance by the band, ardently embraced by the legendary Latino passion and energy of their Chilean fans. With spectacular stage backdrops, dynamic musicianship and a literally jaw-dropping appearance by Eddie, this live show encapsulates to perfection the heart and soul of IRON MAIDEN 2011.

In addition to the Blu-Ray, the two-DVD will initially be available as a limited-edition double DVD in collectors' steel book case and double vinyl picture disc. As well as a traditional two-CD soundtrack album, "En Vivo!" will be available as a digital download CD soundtrack album and digital download video.

Sweden's OCTOBER TIDE has issued the following update:

"As you might have noticed, we have showed up with different members on many of the shows lately and the reason for that is FOUR newborn babies produced within one year. Since the effect of humping has a time consuming aftermath we hereby make the following statement.

"Vocalist Tobias Netzell and bassist Pierre Stam have decided to leave OCTOBER TIDE in favor of their families and other musical adventures. We want to thank the guys for the past years and wish them both all the best for the future!

"But rest assured, new fulltime members have already been found. Pierre has been replaced by Mattias Norrman (ex-KATATONIA) and Tobias' replacement will be no other than Alexander Högbom (VOLTURYON, SPASMODIC).

"We are thrilled about this new strong lineup and more than ready to focus on the future and things to come. Our primary goal and mission for now is to continue to write new breathtaking material for the next album which will most likely be recorded during the summer for a late 2012 release.

"We will keep you updated during the process!"

OCTOBER TIDE's current lineup:

Fredrik Norrman (KATATONIA, UNCANNY) - Guitar
Mattias Norrman (KATATONIA, DELLAMORTE) - Bass
Alexander Högbom (VOLTURYON, SPASMODIC) - Vocals
Robin Bergh (AMARAN, GOREMENT) - Drums
Emil Alstermark (MANDYLON) - Guitar

OCTOBER TIDE's latest album, "A Thin Shell", was released in North America in September 2010 via Candlelight Records. The band's first CD in ten years followed the 2009 reissue of its debut, "Rain Without End" (Candlelight).

Formed in 1995 by then-KATATONIA guitarist Norrman and KATATONIA/BLOODBATH vocalist Jonas Renkse, OCTOBER TIDE quickly made a mark with two albums recorded and released during the years 1997 and 1999 ("Rain Without End" and "Grey Dawn", respectively). Much of the band's music was written during a short break up of KATATONIA which later proved only temporary as the band would reform and continues today. OCTOBER TIDE would not perform live during this short period of activity and few interviews with the members were granted despite praise from both media and fans. The band, until reforming in late 2009, would maintain a cult status throughout the doom/metal community.

Pictured below is OCTOBER TIDE's 2010 - January 2012 lineup.

Vocalist Guido Krämer has left THE GATE, the German metal band featuring former RUNNING WILD (1982-1985) guitarist Gerald "Preacher" Warnecke.

Said Guido in a statement: "In recent months, there were constant disagreements. It was always about the songwriting and the external representation.

"I left the THE GATE in friendship and I wish them all the best in the future.

"I sincerely thank you all for your support!

"Of course I will continue to rock!

"Support THE GATE and my new projects!"

THE GATE is currently seeking a replacement singer.

The band's debut album, "Earth Cathedral", was released last summer via Rock It Up Records. The CD was recorded at Big Easy Studio near Hennef, Germany with producer Michael "Freio" Haas and featured a guest appearance by Preacher's son Korbinian Warnecke on 12-string guitar on the song "1000 Miles Away".

Quebec's resurrected dark metallers MOONLYGHT will enter the studio this summer to record their third album, "Return To Desolation". Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Return To Desolation", "Human Rememberance", "Dwelling In Earth's Shadow", "A Distant Illusion Of Freedom" and "The Sweet Poisonned Light".

Commented MOONLYGHT mainman Sebastien Robitaille: "I think that the essence of the 'new' MOONLYGHT 2012 is much more complete than what we've ever done in the past on 'Progressive Darkness' and 'Shining'."

MOONLYGHT is currently searching for a label home.

The band's sophomore album, "Shining", came out in March 2008 via Mankind's Demise Records (with Galy distribution).

MOONLYGHT re-released its first album, "Progressive Darkness" (originally issued in 2002 on the now-defunct Metal Disk Records), in 2004 via Sweden's Escapi.

Vocalist James LaBrie of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER recently spoke to the Attention Deficit Delirium about the progress of the songwriting sessions for his next solo album. "Right now, Matt [Guillory], I and the other guys are writing," LaBrie said. "We're about halfway through. I would say our main focus is that we want to raise the bar as far as the actual song compositions, so with the arrangements we want to see if we can better ourselves first and foremost. As far as the elements that we want to include or implement into the music, a lot of those elements will be familiar because we want to keep it consistent. It has to make sense and have a sense of continuity from where we left off, but there are some things that we're talking about we want to bring in that will bring in some intriguing kind of sonics to give it its own identity."

He added, "In as much as I want to make it so that it is known that it is me, at the same time I want to be able to experiment. I don't want to feel that I'm constrained or have to sound in this vein of music or I'm going to lose my listeners. I think if anything they want to hear new things, and that's what we did coming from 'Elements Of Persuasion' to 'Static Impulse'. It was all about that. Hitting them over the head with 'Static Impulse', I don't think a lot of them were expecting there to be the thrash metal or screamo vocals on a James LaBrie album. It also has to be sincere and genuine. Matt and I over the years have appreciated that approach, and what I said when we were actually implementing the screamo vocals into the 'Static Impulse' album was, 'I don't want to look at it like it's a vocal, I'd rather view it as an instrument. This instrument has a distinctive sound. Where can we bring it in and have it really embellish the direction of the song or that certain section?' So that's what we did."

Read more from Attention Deficit Delirium.

James LaBrie's solo tour — which was scheduled to kick off on November 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina and end on December 20, 2010 in Houston, Texas — was canceled "due to some unfortunate, unforeseen difficulties with securing work visas" for a couple of the members of LaBrie's band.

"Static Impulse" sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 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.

"Static Impulse" was released on September 28, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via InsideOut Music. The CD marked LaBrie's first solo effort in over five years.

Mixed and mastered by Jens Borgen (OPETH, KATATONIA), "Static Impulse" featured Guillory; Peter Wildoer from Swedish thrashers DARKANE on drums and screaming vocals; Marco Sfogli on guitar; and Ray Riendeau (HALFORD) on bass.

"I Need You" audio stream (taken from "Static Impulse"):

QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson, along with female vocalist Pamela Moore (best known for her performance as Sister Mary on QUEENSRŸCHE's 1988 epic release "Operation: Mindcrime" and 2006's sequel "Operation: Mindcrime II"), joined WINDOWPANE on stage this past Friday (January 27) at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, Washington. Wilton, Jackson and Moore performed the QUEENSRŸCHE classic "Jet City Woman" with the Seattle-based hard rock band whose sound is described in a press release as "unique, gritty and dark, tailored with an angry blues essence that dances with loose and powerful grooves worthy of the classic rock icons."

Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

WINDOWPANE supported QUEENSRŸCHE on their fall 2011 U.S. tour.

The band's latest album, "Daybreak", was produced by Brett Eliason (PEARL JAM, MAD SEASON, NEIL YOUNG, AUDIOSLAVE, R.E.M.).

Century Media Records has announced the worldwide signing of NACHTMYSTIUM.

Very few bands today embrace their own individualism to ultimately craft something truly unique and genre defying. Enter the Chicago-based NACHTMYSTIUM, who embrace the true spirit of individuality and intolerance forming solely as an outlet to express the dark musical visions and summoning’s of those involved.

The band already sailed under the Century Media label banner in the USA since 2008 and released the classic albums "Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. 1" (2008) and "Addicts: Black Meddle Part II" (2010). Now, Century Media finally looks into a worldwide partnership with NACHTMYSTIUM and plans great things to come in 2012!

Originally formed in 1999 by Blake Judd, NACHTMYSTIUM started off as a raw, primitive black metal band with a very derivative Norsk black metal influence. They released a number of records on underground labels before they turned into a new musical direction and 'psychedelic'-era. Over the past years NACHTMYSTIUM created a genre all of its own and will develop this progress for 2012.

Founding member Blake Judd (vocals, guitars) comments on the new deal: "We are very excited and honoured to be working with Century Media, a label who over the years has showcased a ferocious dedication to extreme music. GRAVE, TIAMAT, SAMAEL and countless other bands active in the early '90s were some of the first bands to inspire us endlessly to create our own metal music. We anticipate a great working relationship and hope to embark on a joint ascension to metal superiority together!"

NACHTMYSTIUM is confirmed to play this year's popular Roadburn festival on April 13 in Tilburg, Holland, to be followed by a European tour with labelmates DARK FORTRESS starting April 17.

Video footage of VERA MESMER, the project featuring ex-COAL CHAMBER bassist Nadja Peulen and former REVEILLE guitarist Chris Turner (a.k.a. Christopher Mesmer), performing the song "Back From The Dead", on February 3 at the Viper Room in Hollywood, California can be seen below.

VERA MESMER spent the past few months working on its debut album, "Orphans & Outlaws", for a 2012 release.

According to Nadja, she is focusing completely on her new creative outlet and she isn't currently involved in any other bands. "I have no other projects in the works," she told AOL's Noisecreep. "I don't really believe in spreading yourself too thin," she said. "You just can't put your heart and commitment into two places at one time. As an artist, I like to immerse myself 100% in what I am doing. It becomes my existence and I am very passionate about it. It took me many years to find a band that I could believe in and this is the one for me."

The bassist added, "Working with Chris has been truly a transformation for me. I've learned and am still learning a lot from him songwriting and recording/production-wise. He's been pushing me musically and making me tap into unfamiliar territory such as singing. We have this strange musical connection and it's very easy to work together as we have the same taste, ideas, and thoughts. This sort of partnership doesn't come around often, as I have been looking for it for about eight years. He's brought me back from the dead, no pun intended, as it is the name of our first single and video. But the song is actually not about that."

When asked about the possibility of her involvement in a COAL CHAMBER reunion, Nadja said, "I am not sure if there will ever be a reunion [with me on bass]. [Editor's note: COAL CHAMBER has since announced a reunion for Australia's Soundwave Festival and South American tour, featuring new bassist Chela Rhea Harper.] There have been talks in the past, but at this time I am solely focused on VERA MESMER. I live and breathe this band 24/7 as we are an independent band with no label support carrying the weight of launching this all by ourselves. It's been nice to have the freedom to write, record, and produce our songs how we want them [and] have complete control [over] all artwork and presentation."

VERA MESMER's current lineup is completed by drummer Cody Root.

For more information on VERA MESMER, visit www.veramesmer.com.

Fan-filmed video footage of Sebastian Bach's February 2 concert at Rams Head Live! In Baltimore, Maryland can be seen below.

As previously reported, bassist Jason Christopher — who filled in for Shawn Economaki during STONE SOUR's spring 2011 tour and who previously played with SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor in the JUNK BEER KIDNAP BAND — has joined Bach's solo group. Bach says, "I have known Jason for years, ever since he tried to pickpocket me at the Rainbow [in West Hollywood] aeons ago."

Bach kicked off a short run of North American dates on Wednesday (February 1) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Bach's new album, "Kicking & Screaming", sold 6,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 73 on The Billboard 200 chart. The singer's previous CD, "Angel Down", opened with 6,400 units back in November 2007 to debut at No. 190.

Veteran NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) band BLACK ROSE is kicking off 2012 with a some festival dates and two new album releases. The group will open this year's Hammerfest "Hammer Of Thor" on the VIP night, Thursday, March 15 at Pontins Holiday Park in Prestatyn. They will also play at the Headbangers Open Air festival on Saturday, July 28 in in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany, an event which is being headlined by U.S. metallers RIOT.

BLACK ROSE is preparing to release two new albums, the first of which is an 18-track CD on Hellion Records called "The Early Years And More - Remastered", which has eight previously unreleased songs from the 1980s as well as five bonus songs from the 2010 album "Cure For Your Disease", which were only previously available as a download. Also due in the summer through the High Roller label is a limited-edition vinyl record which features the band's very first demos and single.

BLACK ROSE's current lineup features original members Steve Bardsley (lead vocals, guitar) and Kenny Nicholson (lead guitar) plus Kiko Rivers (bass) and Chris Bennett (drums).

For more information, visit www.blackroseuk.co.uk.

THIS ENDING, the Swedish death metal band featuring AMON AMARTH drummer Fredrik Andersson, has completed work on a new three-song EP titled "Systematic Worship". The effort was recorded during late 2011 at guitarist Linus Nirbrant's studio Audiohammer, which the band calls "an environment where we are used to rehearse, so it's been the most natural and organic recording for us. This has allowed us to not only deliver more of the same THIS ENDING that our fans have come to appreciate, but also experiment with some new stuff that we hope you'll enjoy as well."

"Systematic Worship" track listing

01. Our Creation
02. Army Of (N)one
03. No More Silence

You can now stream the entire EP using the SoundCloud player below.

THIS ENDING's second album, "Dead Harvest", was released in January 2009 via Metal Blade Records.

THIS ENDING is:

Mårten Hansen - vocals
Leo Pignon - guitar
Linus Nirbrant - guitar
Jesper Löfgren - bass
Fredrik Andersson – drums

Formed in 2005, THIS ENDING existed in a previous incarnation as A CANOROUS QUINTET. After several years of absence from the metal scene the guys decided that the time was right for a new era. Members of the band are/have been active in the following acts: AMON AMARTH, GUIDANCE OF SIN, NIDEN DIV. 187 and SINS OF OMISSION, among others.

Milan, Italy-based female-fronted rock/metal act EXILIA will release its fifth studio album, "Decode", 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."

EXILIA just returned from Berlin where they filmed a video for the first single, "Over The Edge", with director Oliver Sommer from Ava Studios. The clip's concept is inspired by a weird surreal short tale from Roald Dahl.

Behind-the-scenes footage from the "Over The Edge" video shoot can be seen below.

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.

Conquest Music Inc. recording artist MONSTROSITY will release the "Live Apocalypse" DVD on March 13. The specially priced DVD includes their explosive set filmed at the legendary Brutal Assault festival in Josefov Czech Republic. Also included are interview segments, live clips from South America, rehearsal footage, and the making of the "Spiritual Apocalypse" recording.

A trailer for the DVD can be seen below.

Celebrating 20 years of existence, MONSTROSITY has had several well-known death metal luminaries through its ranks, including most notably original vocalist and frontman George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, currently in CANNIBAL CORPSE. The band has soldiered on and is still creating the madness that fans have loved since their debut album, "Imperial Doom" (1992). MONSTROSITY has created timeless classics, one after another, including "Millennium" (1996), "In Dark Purity" (1999), "Rise To Power" (2003), and culminating in their finest work yet on the 2007 release "Spiritual Apocalypse". The band has cemented a solid reputation on the international touring scene, having played in places like Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, as well as numerous tours of the U.S. and Europe. A brand new studio record is expected in the fall of 2012.

MONSTROSITY's current lineup:

Mike Hrubovcak: Vocals
Lee Harrison: Drums
Mark English: Guitars
Matt Barnes: Guitars
Mike Poggione: Bass

Welsh metallers have announced that they will split up after one final farewell show in London on March 2.

The band released two albums on Metal Blade — "This Age Of Silence" in 2007 and last year's "Echoes Of The Fallen" — since signing to the label six years ago.

ANTERIOR said in a statement: "It is with great sadness and disappointment that we have decided to call it a day.

"After 10 years, two albums, many members and countless tours we will no longer be continuing with ANTERIOR.

"We are all still friends and have the best regards for each other and we all wish that things could have been different.

"Every band have their struggles, problems and adversity to overcome and we had all of it and some! Even though we came through it all and continued no matter what blocks stood in our way, it is now time for us to go out on a high note.

"After being to so many countries and having the amazing, loyal and dedicated fanbase we do, this has been an immensely hard decision for us.

"There are many obstacles in the music industry and we can no longer fight the uphill battle to keep going.

"We would like to thank our friends and families for their undying support over the years, our manager, our crew, our label, all of the amazing bands we have toured with and every single person who bought our records, came out to shows, pillaged our Merch, bought us beers and generally made this the experience of an entire lifetime! You are the reason that all of this was possible and we will never forget it. Thank you all so much for your love and support and for showing us how music can bring so much happiness. We love you all and always will."

ANTERIOR lineup:

Luke Davies - Vocals
Leon Kemp - Lead/Rhythm Guitars
Steven Nixon - Lead/Rhythm Guitars
James Britton - Bass
James Cook - Drums

SLAYER, the Grammy-winning, undisputed kings of thrash/punk/metal, in 2008 joined forces with O'Neal USA, one of the leading manufacturers of motorcycle and BMX accessories, to produce a limited edition of SLAYER helmets that feature the band's distinguished and celebrated artwork. The helmets launched under the name of RockHard, and were sold at all Cycle Gear locations and at finer motorcycle dealerships worldwide. In addition, each helmet was certified and numbered with its own Certificate Of Authenticity.

SLAYER's official webstore is now offering O'Neal RockHard Full Face helmets individually autographed by all four members of the band (Kerry King, Tom Araya, Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo). Only 13 of these — priced at $499 apiece — are available.

O'Neal RockHard Helmets is the ultimate expression in the purest form. Each helmet is produced with exclusive graphics personally approved by the world's greatest music artists and pop culture icons. Each helmet is produced in limited quantity and is certified and numbered with its own Certificate Of Authenticity.

Features:

* Advanced composite fiberglass/Kevlar /carbon/Spectra core
* Blend of materials creates a strong, light, energy-absorbent, and impact-resistant design
* Multiple adjustable vents for customizable airflow
* Shell's design creates a vacuum effect, drawing hot air away from the head
Clear 2mm molded Polycarbonate Uni-Curve flat race face shield for outstanding optical clarity
* Removable, washable liner for ease of cleaning and care
* Safety standards meet and exceed SNELL M2005 and DOT

RockHard Helmets has also produced limited-edition helmets for AC/DC, KISS and LYNYRD SKYNYRD, among others.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina's HORSEBACK has completed recording its new full-length album, "Half Blood", for a spring release via Relapse Records. The follow-up to 2009's "The Invisible Mountain" is being described by the band's mainman Jenks Miller as "[HORSEBACK's] most ambitious record to date that represents a synthesis of the approaches we've explored in the past." The CD was produced by Miller at The Chateau in the band's hometown. Additional tracking was done at Arbor Ridge Studios and Track And Field Recording by Nick Petersen.

Featuring "stunning" cover artwork from renowned Russian surrealist painter Denis Forkas Kostromitin, "Half Blood" is "an amalgamation of drone, doom, black-metal, psychedelia, post-rock, noise, and ambience recorded with a wide array of instruments including guitar, bass, drums, keys, piano, bells, contact mics, field recordings, drum programming, noise and various signal processors," according to a press release.

FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS is the latest addition to the Artery Recordings roster, the joint venture between The Artery Foundation and Razor & Tie. The Lansing, Michigan-based band will hit the road in the early spring with CHELSEA GRIN, ATTILA, and others for a national U.S. tour. The group is also confirmed to perform at the South by Southwest Music Conference And Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas.

"We are very proud to announce our signing with Artery Recordings/Razor & Tie," said FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS vocalist Dylan Richter. "We couldn't be more excited about joining the Artery family. We are in the studio right now with Tom Denney in the process of writing, and recording a brand new record. Keep your eyes peeled for studio updates, and videos. After the studio, we will be out with CHELSEA GRIN, ATTILA, CHUNK! NO CAPTAIN CHUNK, VANNA, and THE CRIMSON ARMADA on the Artery-exclusive Sick Tour."

"I was extremely excited when the opportunity came along to sign FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS," said Artery Recordings label manager Mike Milford. "We have followed the band's entire history and feel that they will integrate well into our family at Artery Recordings. The material I have heard so far for the new release will crush and definitely be ten steps above all previous material they have done."

Formed in 2003, FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS has released three full-length albums — "Changes" (2008), "Relentless" (2009) and "Back Burner" (2011) on Rise Records — and a self-titled EP (2003). The band has toured extensively, including taking part in national stints with UNEARTH, FOR TODAY, NORMA JEAN, CHELSEA GRIN and OF MICE & MEN, as well as European shows supporting A DAY TO REMEMBER, BURY YOUR DEAD and more. Revolver magazine said of FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS' music, "The band does manage to create material that will engage even the most jaded heavy-music listener" and Alter The Press said, "They do a great job at the divide between melody and angst, giving enough of each to both move and pump fists, just what every band that walks the line of hardcore needs, wishes for and much, much more."

FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS is Dylan Richter (vocals), Kalan Blehm (guitar), Jim Hocking (guitar) and Arvin Sarathy (drums). The band is managed by Dog of The Artery Foundation and represented for touring by Matt Andersen of The Pantheon Agency.

Guitarist Kerry King of California thrash metal legends SLAYER recently spoke to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's next album, which they hope to begin recording within the next few weeks.

"Currently, we're taking a break, but I am very excited by the way it's all turning out so far," King said. "I've worked up three songs with Dave [Lombardo, drums], and they're sounding really refreshing and energetic. I'm certain that I'll have three more ready to go when we return to action. And then there's the stuff that Jeff [Hanneman, guitar] will also bring to the table."

He added, "One thing I can tell you is that the songs are shaping up in the classic SLAYER style. You won't be hearing us doing acoustic stuff. [laughs]"

Kerry is hoping that Greg Fidelman, who co-produced 2009's "World Painted Blood" with Rick Rubin, will be at the helm for the new album. "That's the idea, anyway," Kerry said. "But it all depends on his availability. . . I don't think we'll spend long in the studio this time, either. We're gonna do it old-school style and get things done fast. In fact, we are already ahead of schedule. The album will be ready for a summer release. But whether it's put out at that time is down to the record label [American]. They might have other plans. But we want it with the fans during the summer."

King also spoke about Hanneman's current state of health. Jeff in January 2011 contracted necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, and has been undergoing surgeries, skin grafts and intense rehab since. Not only did this effectively put him out of action for the whole year, it came close to killing him, Thankfully, he's making a good recovery.

"Yeah, we could go onstage right now with him and do 'Mandatory Suicide'," Kerry said. "If that was the only song in our set, Jeff would be fine. But he's slowly getting back to full fitness and by the time we're ready to tour, he'll be right back onstage with us."

He added, "We always said we'd never entertain the idea of doing an album without [Jeff]. But there he is, getting those riffs ready!"

SLAYER will perform its classic 1986 album "Reign In Blood" in its entirety at All Tomorrow's Parties' second U.K. "I'll Be Your Mirror" event, which is scheduled to take place n the weekend of May 25-27 at Alexandra Palace, London, England. A strange move, considering they've done this several times before.

"The organizers asked us to do it! If it were left up to me, then I'd have turned it down, simply because it's been done, so why repeat it?" King said. "But it's such a classic album that people always ask us to do it."

SLAYER's latest album, "World Painted Blood", sold 41,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"American Idol" singer Adam Lambert says that his comments were taken out of context when he was quoted as saying that he will join the legendary British rock band QUEEN for a tour this summer.

Lambert, who previously performed with QUEEN at the MTV European Music Awards last November, told U.K.'s Daily Star that he had "no intention" of trying to replace the group's original frontman Freddie Mercury.

"The intention is to pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some fucking great songs. It's to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that Freddie would have been proud of," he said.

He added, "After the EMAs, I heard faint little slithers of backlash from people saying, 'You can't replace Freddie Mercury.' But I already knew that. There's no intention in my mind of replacing Freddie. That's impossible. The way I'm choosing to view it is that it's a great honor and one I'm in no way going to shirk."

After Lambert's interview was published on the Daily Star web site on Friday, the singer took to Twitter to clarify his comments. "Them clever reporters taking my quotes outta context ... I haven't confirmed any guest appearances. I was talking about the EMAs," he tweeted. "That being said, I'm truly flattered by your jump to such glorious conclusions."

QUEEN drummer Roger Taylor confirmed to Billboard late last year that he and guitarist Brian May were in talks to hit the road with Lambert. After going public with the fact that QUEEN is essentially retired as an active touring unit, Taylor said, "[Lambert] has grown into a really great performer with an astonishing voice with a range that's great. We would like to work with him again. There's nothing signed just yet but we're talking about live dates. It could be very exciting."

1991's "Innuendo" was the last album of new music QUEEN released during Freddie Mercury's lifetime. Mercury died of AIDS on November 24, 1991 at age 45.

In 1995, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon overdubbed Mercury's final piano and vocal recordings to create the band's 15th — and final-four man QUEEN album — "Made In Heaven".

Deacon officially retired from music in 1997 — although he is still a voting member and quarter partner in QUEEN.

In 2008, Brian May and Roger Taylor, who had been touring with Paul Rodgers as QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS, released the chart bomb, "The Cosmos Rocks", before calling it a day as a trio and a recording entity — despite a string of globally sold-out concerts.