METALLICA have issued the following tour update:

"Two announcements today! We'll be kicking off our European trek this year by starting in Prague, Czech Republic on May 7th at Synot Tip Arena, followed the very next day by a visit to Belgrade, Serbia at Usce Park on May 8th. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Black Album is on the agenda (of course!) in keeping with the theme of the summer, and these will be the first two performances of it in its entirety.

Tickets for both shows go on sale this Friday, January 27th. The sale in Prague begins at 9:00 AM, Belgrade at 10:00 AM. Met Club members should log in for details about their special pre-sale in Prague. The Prague pre-sale begins on January 24th at 8:00 AM local time and will end on January 25th at 7:00 PM local time.

You know the drill... keep watching here as we should have a few more additions later this week."

According to the Birmingham Mail, a Birmingham music craftsman is hoping to give cancer-stricken rock legend Tony Iommi a boost – with some guitar therapy.

John Diggins has just delivered a cherry red SG guitar to the Handsworth-born founder of BLACK SABBATH.

And he’s now working on another, which will be ready for Tony – who is battling lymphoma – in two months.

Both are replicas of Tony’s famous ‘Monkey’ SG, crafted by John in 1975. Now in mothballs, the guitar is one of the most famous in the world.

John – head of Jaydee Custom Guitars, a family business he runs with sons Mike and Andy – told the Mail Iommi wants a collection of the instruments, all given a ‘fatigued’ finish so they look old.

He said: “The guitars keep him occupied, which I think is important. He told me he wants a wall covered with them.”

The 67-year-old refused to comment on costs, but admitted it ran into thousands.

Read more at the Birmingham Mail.

Swedish melodic death metallers AMON AMARTH will celebrate their 20th anniversary with five special shows which will take place this August in Germany, Poland and Holland. The band states, "We will perform two whole sets containing songs from our entire career and we will also arrange a meet-and-greet on all shows."

"An Evening With – 20th Anniversary Shows" will include the following dates in Germany:

Aug. 05 – Chemnitz, GER - Südbahnhof
Aug. 14 - Saarbrücken, GER - Garage
Aug. 17 - Hamburg, GER - Markthalle

AMON AMARTH's eighth studio album, "Surtur Rising", sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Twilight of the Thunder God", opened with more than 11,000 copies back in 2008 to land at No. 48.

Named in tribute to Surtur, leader of the fire giants of Muspelheim ("flame land") and the oldest being in the nine worlds of Norse mythology, "Surtur Rising", which came out in North America on March 29, 2011 via Metal Blade Records, features 10 tracks of sword-wielding, fist-pumping, hyper climactic battle anthems. The album was once again recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren and features strikingly brutal cover art by Tom Thiel.

Swedish metallers AVATAR have posted a six-minute clip containing behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for the band's new album, "Black Waltz", and making of the "Black Waltz" video, which was directed by Johan Carlén and shot in Sweden's largest amusement park.

AVATAR recently inked a North American deal with eOne Music. The band's fourth full-length album, "Black Waltz", which will include songs from a limited-edition EP that was released in Sweden at the end of October 2011, will be made available in the U.S. on February 14.

AVATAR's "Black Waltz" video can be seen below. The clip features an appearance by the world-famous American circus sideshow Hellzapoppin.

The limited-edition "Black Waltz" EP included the tracks "Torn Apart", "One Touch" and "Black Waltz", all of which will also appear on AVATAR's upcoming album, produced by Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTASCH, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR).

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":

Video footage of HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger performing an acoustic cover version of the HEART classic "All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You" at the Gibson booth at the 2012 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show — a massive music-products convention which took place January 19-22 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California — can be seen below.

HALESTORM is currently prepping its second album for release, but singer and guitarist Lzzy Hale says she'd love to do a sequel to the band's covers EP released last year, titled "ReAnimate". Asked by Loudwire about doing a follow-up, Hale replied, "Absolutely . . . It's fun for us and you have no idea how much you learn as a musician and as a singer and songwriter by learning somebody else's material and having to own it and make it your own; it's really like homework. You come out on the other side better for some reason, as a better musician so we definitely want to do it again."

Hale gave The Pulse Of Radio a few other reasons why so many bands enjoy playing cover songs. "It's a reminiscent thing of when you're trying to make it and coming up in the club scene and also maybe it's kind of nostalgic, like when you're first learning how to play guitar, some of the songs that you used to jam to with your bandmates, and it's really cool," she said.

HALESTORM's "ReAnimate" EP featured covers of songs by SKID ROW, GUNS N' ROSES, LADY GAGA and THE BEATLES. Hale told Loudwire that the band had 50 songs it could have covered for the six-song EP.

The singer added, "The EPs are little one night stands, they're fun and you just put it out there and you see what happens and nobody really cares. (laughs) 'You wanna do a WHAM song, sure let's do it,' so you'll definitely see more of that coming from us."

German upstarts EDGUY will be the special guest of legendary DEEP PURPLE on their German tour which commences in November. Dates include:

November
15 - Köln, Germany - Lanxess Arena
16 - Bremen, Germany - Halle 7
17 - Hannover, Germany - Awd Hall
20 - Kiel, Germany - Sparkassen Arena
22 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle
23 - Oberhausen, Germany - KÖNigspilsner Arena
24 - Hamburg, Germany - O2 World
26 - Leipzig, Germany - Arena
27 - Berlin, Germany - O2 World
29 - Augsburg, Germany - Schwabenhalle
30 - MÜNchen, Germany - Olympiahalle

December
12. Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle

According to The Pulse Of Radio, CHEVELLE frontman Pete Loeffler said in an interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com that the rampant illegal file-sharing which has contributed to the decline of the traditional music business has had its positive side. Loeffler explained, "I guess I don't like the fact that it is in our human nature to steal things like music, and I wish we could change that. But one good thing that has happened is that there was a change that needed to be made as artists have always been taken advantage of . . . where now if you can, you can start on your own and do it on your own and that is a good thing for artists. And that's one of good things to come out of the whole file sharing thing."

Although it is not the sole cause, illegal downloading has contributed to the slow death of CD sales. Very few records sell one million copies, a number that was commonplace as little as 10 years ago.

Drummer Sam Loeffler told The Pulse Of Radio that he thinks fans still love to listen to music even if they don't buy CDs like they used to. "I think the passion and excitement is still there, without a doubt, and music's one of those things that — only poets read poetry, but everyone listens to music, you don't have to be a musician," he said. "And that excitement, it will always be there, I think."

CHEVELLE's latest album, "Hats Off To The Bull", has sold 99,000 copies since coming out in December and sits at No. 72 on the Billboard album chart. The first single, "Face To The Floor", is No. 1 on Active Rock radio.

The band recently announced the dates and venues for a new headlining U.S. tour that will kick off on February 24 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and wrap up a little over three weeks later on March 16 in Oklahoma City.

French drone/sludge collective MONARCH have confirmed the details of their recently completed sixth album, Omens - the band's first release for Maryland-based At A Loss Recordings - now confirmed for public consumption on February 28th.

A thirty-four minute down-tempo/down-tuned ethereal funeral dirge comprised of three tracks, Omens perfectly personifies what fans have come to embrace about Monarch since their 2005 inception, their caustic, crushing style of slow-motion apocalyptic doom coming alive with haunting moans and layered, ghostly shrieks throughout Omens' entirety. The record features artwork by Yann Black and Valérie Poulin and will be released as a six-panel digipak CD in an initial pressing of 1,000 copies.

Monarch recorded Omens over a four month period in four different countries with four different producers - Osaka, Japan by Hironori Ochi at Kakurega, Melbourne, Australia by Neil Thomason at Head Gap, Montreal, Canada by Matt Cartman at Crane Studio, and Chicago, IL by Sanford Parker at Engine Studios - then mixed by Sanford Parker and mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room.

The album features newest member Rob Shaffer (DARK CASTLE, YOB) along with guitarist Shiran Kaïdine (YEAR OF NO LIGHT), bassist MicHell Bidegain, and as always the ethereal, penetrating vocals of Emilie Bresson. The record also includes guest appearances by Atsuchi Sano (BIRUSHANAH), Yailen Munoz (ENSSORCELOR), Eric Quach (THISQUIETARMY), Jeanne Peluard (THE SPARTEENS) and Robert MacManus (ex-GREY DATURAS, ex-Monarch).

A brand new teaser clip for Omens has been constructed to give fans a glimpse of what to expect from the album. Check it out below:

Omens tracklisting:

'Blood Seeress'
'Transylvanian Incantations'
'Black Becomes The Sun'

Continuing their tradition of constantly touring worldwide, Monarch have already confirmed several appearances throughout regions of Europe for February and March, with upcoming tours of Europe, Japan, and North America in the works as well.

German a cappella metal act VAN CANTO vocalist Stefan Schmidt and drummer Bastian Emig played in the German band JESTER'S FUNERAL from 1996 - 2006. Their four album catalogue in now available for free download, although fans are welcome to pay what they want. Go to this location to check out the material and to dowbload. Click here for a career overview.

Van Canto recently issued the following update:

"Our winter tour is over. Thanks to all fans coming to our concerts, we had more than 3500 visitors at 6 shows!

We are very proud of what we have created since 2006 and we are happy that we are allowed to enjoy all these unbelievable moments. We have never expected such a huge response to our music. At the last show in Düsseldorf we played in front of 1000 people, some of them from Sweden, Norway, Holland and Poland. That’s awesome! Thank you Van Cantians!

Special thanks to our special guests from ORDAN OGEN and IN LEGEND and of course thanks to the crew for making the days thrilling and relaxed at the same time.

We will now take a live break, but we’ll be back soon with news from the Van Canto universe. Rakkatakka!"

Vocalist SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA has checked in with the following update:

"On Sunday (January 22nd) our drummer Damjan Stefanovic will enter Legacy London Studio's to record his drums on three new songs for a digital release called Malediction. These three tracks will be released prior to our May UK tour, to help promote our shows but to also further promote our last album The Corruption Of Mercy, which was released June 2011 on Listenable Records. We plan of having a special guest on one of the songs which could in turn, end up being our second music video IF our bass player successfully sells one of his limbs to fund it ;)

Tour dates will follow soon, so stay tuned!

Oh, and remember, our lovely guitarist Dan Abela is playing his first ever gig with VOICES (featuring members of AKERCOCKE) on February 18th at The Intrepid Fox in London. Its also their first ever gig, so add them and show some support."

Video footage of British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH performing a new song, "Quarantined", on December 13, 2011 in Sheffield, England can be seen below. The track comes off the band's 14th studio album (excluding the cover album "Leaders Not Followers"), "Utilitarian", which is scheduled for release on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.

Vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway explains the album title and concept: "After some deliberation, we have decided on 'Utilitarian' as the album title. We generally try to avoid generic titles, and this seemed to have a lot of scope to it. I won't explain the full meaning of utilitarianism here because it's an ethical theory, and as ethical theories go, the depth and debate around it is quite heavy at times. It has a certain 'morality' aspect to it and that isn't something that drives me, so I also certainly have issues with it."

"So, rather than just nail that straight to the mast, of course we wanted to put our own spin on it by suggesting that those (i.e. the utilitarian in us, perhaps) who try to challenge everything, or fight against conventions, well, we go through periods of real self-doubt where we wonder if we're really making a difference. I suppose the conclusion is that, for the sake of all our freedoms, you should never stop, as even the feeling of resistance is at least a signal to those who would like to entirely control and dominate us — meaning everything from our instinctive behavior to our human entitlement to walk the earth unprovoked.

"Regarding the album overall, the final creases should be ironed out fairly soon, and immediately after that, we thought it would be good to top it off with a few U.K. dates. We've been playing one new song ('Quarantined') out on a tour of Canada and it's been well received, so we hope to perhaps throw in another one for now. Either way, we'll be bouncing off the walls again near you very soon."

NAPALM DEATH last year contributed a brand new track called "Legacy Was Yesterday" to Decibel magazine's monthly flexi disc series. The song — the band's first new material since 2009's "Time Waits for No Slave" LP — was recorded at Rapture Audio with James Walford and mastered by Russ Russell.

"Time Waits For No Slave" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95. The CD, which was released in the U.S. in February 2009 via Century Media Records, was recorded with producer Russ Russell. Drums were tracked at Parlour Studios in Kettering and guitars, bass and vocals were done at Foel Studios in Wales. The band then returned to Parlour for the mixing sessions.

CHICKENFOOT's January 19, 2012 concert at Mitsubishi Electric Halle in Düsseldorf, Germany was professionally filmed by WDR's (German public TV) series "Rockpalast" and will be premiered on February 27.

A sample clip of CHICKENFOOT's performance is available at this location.

An interview with the entire band can be seen by clicking here.

CHICKENFOOT's sophomore album, "III", sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled debut opened with 49,000 units back in June 2009 to debut at No. 6.

"III" was produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA) and is the much-anticipated follow-up album to the successful eponymous debut of a rock band packed with successful veterans.

Featuring guitar hero Joe Satriani and former VAN HALEN members Michael Anthony (bass) and Sammy Hagar (vocals), CHICKENFOOT's touring lineup includes legendary drummer/musician Kenny Aronoff, who is filling in for Chad Smith while Smith hits the road with his main band, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.

Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN) and Chris Slade (ex-AC/DC) took part in the "Living Legends Jam" on January 20 on the main lobby stage at at the 2012 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, a massive music-products convention that is taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. You can now watch video footage of the jam in two parts below.

The following artists were scheduled to take part in the "Living Legends Jam":

* Bob Berryhill (THE SAFARIS)
* Dennis Tufano (THE BUCKINGHAMS)
* John Payne (ASIA)
* Robert Sarzo (HURRICANE)
* Scott Warren (DIO)
* Roger Fischer (HEART)
* Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN)
* Pete Lockett
* Roger Wheeler (SWEET REASONS)
* Jeff Pevar (STARSHIP, JOE COCKER)
* Richie Castellano and Buck Dharma (BLUE ÖYSTER CULT)
* Doug Rappoeport (EDGAR WINTER BAND)
* Joey Mollandj (BADFINGER)
* Christy McKinnon
* Teddy Zig Zag (GUNS & ROSES, ALICE COOPER)
* Koko Powell (SPENCER DAVIS, EDGAR WINTER)
* Jeff Ganz (JOHNNY WINTER, JOHN LEE HOOKER)
* Sean McNabb (QUIET RIOT, DOKKEN, GREAT WHITE)
* Micky Dolenz (THE MONKEES)
* Terry Hous (XYZ, GREAT WHITE)
* Robin McAuley (Survivor, MSG)
* Jimy Shons (SHADOWS OF KNIGHT)
* Bobby Kimball (TOTO)
* Alan White (YES, PLASTIC ONO BAND)
* Denny Seiwell (WINGS, ART GARFUNKEL, JAMES BROWN)
* Frankie Banali (QUIET RIOT)
* Chris Slade (AC/DC, ASIA)

This year's NAMM marks the 110th anniversary of the legendary trade show and is the meeting place for musical instrument retailers to view and purchase the latest musical innovations being shown by more than 1,400 manufacturers.

Fan-filmed video footage of former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's January 20 performance at Majestic Music Club in Bratislava, Slovakia can be seen below.

Turunen's new project, HARUS, last month released a CD/DVD/Blu-ray, entitled "In Concert - Live At Sibelius Hall".

The HARUS live album/DVD was made available worldwide by earMUSIC in collaboration with Edel's classic music division Berlin Classics. This joint venture from two music labels apparently far away from each other would probably sound bizarre at first sight (a label operating in alternative and metal music with one representing traditional classical music artists). The reason lies beneath the many sides of Tarja Turunen's music.

The first output of HARUS features traditional and emotional music from Finland presented together with more international repertoire.

Tarja's sophomore solo album, "What Lies Beneath", sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 24 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.

"What Lies Beneath" was released in North America on September 14, 2010 via The End Records.

BIOHAZARD bassist/vocalist Scott Roberts was rushed to the hospital prior to the kick-off concert of the band's "Persistence Tour 2012" on Friday, January 20 in Deinze, Belgium.

"Persistence Tour 2012", which also includes SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, TERROR, WALLS OF JERICHO, LIONHEART and CRUSHING CASPARS, played Oberhausen, Germany last night before moving to Hamburg on Sunday.

Commented the group: "Great news. Scott's alive and well! [He] made it out of the hospital with all new blood and fluids in his system, 100% BIOHAZARD! He never missed a step! Mad props to him for being a hardcore/metal trooper and sticking it out, anyone else would had quit the tour! We just rocked Oberhausen, Germany. Hamburg, here we come!"

The first in a series of video clips featuring footage from the road can be seen below.

BIOHAZARD's new album, "Reborn In Defiance", was released in Europe on Friday (January 20) via Nuclear Blast Records.

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

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

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

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

DIMESLAND – featuring members of THE RESIDENTS and WILD HUNT - will release their debut EP entitled Creepmoon, on February 14th, via Vendlus Records.

Creepmoon EP tracklisting is as follows:

‘Trophy Wives Under The Influence’
‘Architect’
‘Revlev’
‘Degradation Suite’
‘Ghastly Maneuvering’
‘Burnt Orange’

North Carolina's first ever heavy metal band OVERLORDE will finally see a full length release Medieval Metal Too from Heaven And Hell Records on March 6th.

Overlorde was born in 1979 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, by 1985 they released the legendary Medieval Metal four-song demo that sold 10,000 copies worldwide. Metal Blade records then took notice and placed the band's song 'Keeper Of The Flame' on their Metal Massacre XIII compilation album that has sold over 40,000 copies worldwide. Overlorde then would slip into obscurity and lore. European interest in obscure cult metal particularly US bands would revive much interest in the band. For many years the way fans could obtain the recordings were the poor quality downloads and Youtube.

Now after almost 30 years this material will finally be released on CD with never before released tracks all fully re-mastered by Jaime King at The Basement Studios in North Carolina. Cover design provide by TJ Designs who has done a fine job of bringing the classic demo's cover into 2012 Also history liner notes and photo gallery will be included as has come to be expected of the Lost Relics Series.

Overlorde SR - Medieval Metal Too tracklist:
'Full Speed Ahead'
'Keeper of the Flame'
'Enchantress of the Night'
'The Year 2525'
'Knights of the Realm'
'So Be It'
'Troube'
'Keeper of the Flame' (version '87)

Finnish hard rock metallers BLINDED RAIN, who have been on hiatus for the last two years, has announced their return and lineup change. Pekka Rinne will be replacing Leonard on drums for future releases and gigs.

The band are also planning on releasing new material later in the year.

Blinded Rain has released the video for the track ‘Sandcastle Star’ off the band's 2008 album Destination Unknown.

Editing cinematography and manuscript for the video were all completed by Jaakko Lepistö and Kaide.

12 years after the formation of one of Germany's most successful art rock bands the Freising quintet RPWL takes its first shot at a concept album. Beyond Man And Time is a musical journey through the world outside of Platon's cave. On March 13th in North America and on March 9th in Europe, the record will be released in a standard version as well as an exclusive bonus edition that includes an audio book. The record will also be presented live across Europe in April 2012.

In addition to the regular version of the album there will also be a bonus edition limited of 2,000 copies. This exclusive edition includes an additional audio book that connects the music even more closely to the philosophical approach, plus a topographic map of the new world that is to be explored. Also, RPWL listeners are to be given a special live experience: audiences will be introduced to the record on an extensive European tour in April 2012.

The material is the perfect start for the five musicians as they were translating it into music. They create musical themes for every single character on Beyond Man And Time: oriental percussion, expanded Moog-soli and an Indian sitar take care of a well placed, atmospheric and colorful adaptation. That is why the musical journey naturally culminates in a 16-minute-opus called 'The Fisherman', and ends on a calm and meditative note with 'The Noon'.

"The goal is to open eyes, look further, see more, and see differently. Words that everybody approves of are not going to lead to progress. We call that: "deadlock of the spirit". Too many approaches of our time disappear in the void of the equal - the conformist." -Yogi Lang (vocals)

Tracklisting:

'Transformed'
'We Are What We Are'
'Beyond Man and Time'
'Unchain the Earth'
'The Ugliest Man in the World'
'The Road of Creation'
'Somwhere in Between'
'The Shadow'
'The Wise in the Desert'
'The Fisherman'
'The Noon'

Chicago rockers BIBLE OF THE DEVIL have announced that their sixth full-length album entitled For The Love Of Thugs And Fools will be released May 8th via Cruz Del Sur music.

The band recorded the album at Phantom Manor studios in Chicago with engineer Mike Lust recordings.

According to a press release: “For The Love Of Thugs And Fools is viewed by the band as a document of the many characters they have encountered through the life of the band, whether it be in love, loss, friendship, or hatred. Having toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe since the band's inception in late 1999 and living in the volatile urban environment Chicago, where encounters with crime, violence, and 'street justice' are unavoidable, there has been much subject matter for the band to draw from. Embracing the philosophy that a bottle of whiskey and some loud guitar is often the best cure available for these challenges and ordeals, Bible Of The Devil have chosen to document their grievances in the form of one devastating Rock n' Roll platter."

Singer/guitarist Mark Hoffmann commented: "The few years since the last full-length have been like a dare, A dare to create a soaring, punishing rock n' roll record of this magnitude. It is a dare that we have been forced to answer ourselves."

Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Sexual Overture/While You Were Away’
‘Out For Blood’
‘Anytime’
‘The Parcher’
‘(I Know What Is Right) In The Night’
‘Raw & Order’
‘Can't Turn Off The Sun’
‘Yer Boy’
‘Night Street’