San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT have tapped Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK) to sit behind the kit for their upcoming tour with ANTHRAX and DEATH ANGEL.

The dates are as follows:

Jan. 22 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Jan. 23 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
Jan. 24 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Jan. 26 - Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theater
Jan. 27 - Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room
Jan. 28 - Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere's
Jan. 29 - Louisville, KY @ Expo 5
Jan. 30 - Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
Feb. 02 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
Feb. 03 - Columbus, OH @ The LC Pavilion
Feb. 04 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's
Feb. 06 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
Feb. 07 - Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live!
Feb. 08 - New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
Feb. 10 - Libertyville, IL @ Austin's Fuel Room
Feb. 11 - Traverse City, MI @ Ground Zero
Feb. 13 - Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
Feb. 15 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot (SLC)
Feb. 17 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
Feb. 18 - Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory
Feb. 19 - San Jose, CA @ The Avalon

TESTAMENT's new album, "The Dark Roots Of Earth", is tentatively due in late April/early May 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. Due to a "serious injury," TESTAMENT drummer Paul Bostaph was unable to take part in the recording sessions for the CD and was replaced by Hoglan. Bostaph has since announced his departure from the group.

LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler plays on one track on "The Dark Roots Of Earth", which was helmed by veteran British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, NEVERMORE, MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY).

Gene Hoglan recently released his long-awaited instructional DVD, "The Atomic Clock". Available on Hoglan Industries in the U.S. and on Reversed Records in Canada, the disc showcases Hoglan's three decades of experience of performing and recording with the world's most well-known metal bands such as DEVIN TOWNSEND, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, TESTAMENT, ZIMMER'S HOLE, and most recently FEAR FACTORY, along with many others on his resume.

American power metal band STEEL PROPHET is recording its long-awaited follow-up to 2004's "Beware".

Commented guitarist Steve Kachinsky: "We finished all drum tracks for 13 songs. Rhythm guitars are done on eight songs. Seven songs have bass guitar. Leads and orchestrations are being worked on for all. Lyrics are complete for 10 songs. Vocal melody lines have been constructed for six songs (includes new version of 'Oleander' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody').

"We are continuing to make constant progress! It's coming out very well so far. We are certainly trying to make it the best album of our careers, and we won't rush it. We know as fans what it's like to get a subpar album from a group after much anticipation. Definitely want to avoid that!"

Songtitles set to appear on the new STEEL PROPHET CD:

* Funeral For Art
* Tree Of Knowledge
* When I Remake The World (A Key Flaw)
* Aliens
* Spaceships And Richard M. Nixon
* Through Time And Space
* 666 Is Everywhere

The recording lineup for the new STEEL PROPHET album is as follows:

Rick Mythiasin - Vocals
Vince Dennis - Bass
Chris Schleyer - Guitar
Jimmy Schultz - Drums
Steve Kachinsky - Guitar

STEEL PROPHET will perform at the Keep it True festival in April 2013 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen.

CHILDREN OF BODOM was honored in the "Metal Album Of The Year" category at this year's Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammy equivalent), which was held last night (Friday, January 20) at Barona Areena in Espoo, Finland. Meanwhile, MICHAEL MONROE walked away with the "Rock Album Of The Year" (for "Sensory Overdrive") and "Band Of The Year" awards at the annual event, which was televised on Finnish TV channel YLE TV2. NIGHTWISH's "Imaginaerum" disc, which has only been out since late November, was named "Best-Selling Album Of The Year".

"Metal Album Of The Year" nominees were as follows:

* KOTITEOLLISUUS - "Kotiteollisuus"
* CHILDREN OF BODOM - "Relentless Reckless Forever"
* AMORPHIS - "The Beginning Of Times"
* MOONSORROW - "Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa"

A photo of CHILDREN OF BODOM keyboardist Janne Wirman accepting the "Metal Album Of The Year" award at last night's Emma Gaala can be seen below.

For a complete list of winners (in Finnish), visit www.emmagaala.fi.

"The Great Denial", a brand new song from DEDVOLT, the San Francisco Bay Area rock/metal band featuring SKINLAB frontman Steev Esquivel on guitar, can be streamed using the ReverbNation TuneWidget below.

DEDVOLT played its first show on December 10, 2011 at the Mutiny M.F.B. in Antioch, California. Video footage of the performance can be seen below.

DEDVOLT is currently recording a five-song EP for an early 2012 release.

Commented Esquivel: "[I'm] really excited about this band. [It's] in the vein of [Steev's previous group] RE:IGNITION — just a little more metal... more distortion and heavy as hell!"

DEDVOLT is:

Brian Giguere - Vocals
Steev Esquivel - Guitar
Carlos Barrientos - Guitar
John Riggs - Drums
Slim Vengince – Bass

For more information, visit DEDVOLT's Facebook pageFacebook page.

PHARAOH, the American heavy metal band featuring vocalist Tim Aymar (CONTROL DENIED), has inked a deal with Cruz Del Sur Music for the release of three albums. The first effort, "Bury The Light", will contain 10 new songs for a total running time of 48 minutes, and will be made available on February 24 in Europe and March 6 in the U.S. The CD will feature guest appearances by Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND) and Jim Dofka (DOFKA).

When asked how PHARAOH has evolved on the new album, guitarist Matt Johnsen said, "We tried to add more textural elements to our songs while continuing to cut as much extraneous material as possible. The songs on this album are dense, but hopefully they never overstay their welcome. The basic template is the same as on 'Be Gone', but the album is less dark overall, and perhaps a little faster."

He added, "I think anyone who stuck it out with us after we shed the remainders of our obvious IRON MAIDEN worship after 'The Longest Night' will be happy with our progression on this album. It's still crammed full of traditional elements, of course, but we're not trying to be retro or old fashioned. We want to move melodic metal forward."

"Bury The Light" track listing:

01. Leave Me Here To Dream
02. The Wolves
03. Castles In The Sky
04. The Year Of The Blizzard
05. The Spider's Thread
06. Cry
07. Graveyard Of Empires
08. Burn With Me
09. In Your Hands

The song "Castles In The Sky", which features a guest appearance by Wead, is available for streaming using the Bandcamp player below.

Queens, New York-based deathcore act EMMURE is preparing to release its fifth full-length album, "Slave To The Game", after re-signing with Victory Records. Due on April 10, the CD is currently being recorded with producer Joey Sturgis (ASKING ALEXANDRIA, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA), who previously worked with the band on 2011's "Speaker Of The Dead".

Commented EMMURE vocalist Frankie Palmeri: "Victory Records is the big reason why EMMURE’s been able to continuously connect to our fans, and our fans are the number one reason why we’re still here today and continue to do what we do."

"Slave To The Game" will mark the recording debut of EMMURE's new drummer, Mark Costillo, who has previously played with BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and BURY YOUR DEAD.

Commented EMMURE guitarist Jesse Ketive: "Mark Costillo has been a good friend for a few years now.

"Mark approached us as he heard through the grapevine that EMMURE needed a helping hand, so at that point I chatted with him about possibly recording our new CD and playing some shows. After jamming the set a few times, we all decided that Mark was the perfect fit for us and undoubtedly should be our new drummer. He is the utmost professional and his work on the new effort in going to really help us bring everything to another level. Everyone better watch out."

EMMURE will support "Slave To The Game" with a full North American tour this spring, hitting 31 cities with WE CAME AS ROMANS and more beginning in March. The band was recently added to this year's Bamboozle lineup for the May 19 date.

EMMURE is:

Frankie Palmeri - Vocals
Jesse Ketive - Guitar
Mike Mulholland - Guitar
Mark Davis - Bass
Mark Costillo - Drums

EMMURE's fourth album, "Speaker Of The Dead", sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 68 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's previous CD, 2009's "Felony", opened with 7,800 units to land at No. 68.

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

"Enslaved" standard CD features the following 11 tracks:

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

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

12. Slave
13. Bastard
14. Soulfly VIII

SOULFLY has tapped Thomas Mignone (MEGADETH, SEPULTURA, DANZIG) of Doom Incorporated to direct the video for the song "World Scum". In addition, they will be giving away a free MP3 of the track for 48 hours starting Wednesday, January 25.

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

While many groups barely make it to a third album, SOULFLY is still going strong two decades deep. 2012 also marks the band's 15th anniversary of making a tribally-influenced metallic racket and what better way to celebrate than with a new record? The album will be released via longtime label Roadrunner, which has been SOULFLY's home for the course of its career. The label has also been Cavalera's home for the duration of his career, which began in the '80s as a member of SEPULTURA, who essentially rewrote the rules of heavy music when they arrived on the scene; Max continues to do the same today.

As is customary with SOULFLY, the band will introduce some new and unexpected elements into the mix, including a guest violinist. SOULFLY also collaborates with two metal veterans: Dez Fafara of DEVILDRIVER and Travis Ryan of CATTLE DECAPITATION. With Dez and Max sharing a longtime connection through the Roadrunner family, it was only a matter of time before Fafara guested on a SOULFLY album.

Cavalera wrote a song, "Revengeance", about his slain stepson Dana Wells, whose death was the catalyst for the creation of SOULFLY. He partners with his sons Igor and Richie on vocals, while his other son Zyon plays drums. It is the first time Max has performed with three of his sons.

Travis Ryan — who was a replacement for SOULFLY's original choice, OCEANO's Adam Warren — recorded his portion of the vocals at Frick'in Studios in San Marcos, California with engineer Dan Frick.

Commented Ryan: "It's an honor to receive a call from someone you had pictures of on your wall as a kid asking you to be on a new album of theirs. I literally had a picture of Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY mainman] and Gloria [Max's wife and manager] holding [Gloria's son] Richie in her arms that I ripped out of a copy of Metal Maniacs on my wall when I was 15 or 16. Now they're asking for my artistic hand in one of their creations; [it] just doesn't get much more surreal than that. Very honored and the song is very 'death metal-ish' and completely crushes. Happy to be a part of it!"

Zeuss stated about Travis' contribution, "The vocals fucking rule!!!! Fits the song perfect… Very refreshing for me to hear these days."

"Omertá", the full-length debut from ADRENALINE MOB — the band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) — will be released in Europe on March 19 in Europe via Century Media Records. The CD will be made available in the U.S> on March 13 through the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services.

The 11-song CD — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.

"Omertá" track listing:

01. Undaunted
02. Psychosane
03. Indifferent
04. All on the Line
05. Hit the Wall
06. Feelin' Me
07. Come Undone (feat. Lzzy Hale)
08. Believe Me
09. Down to the Floor
10. Angel Sky
11. Freight Train

The "Undaunted" video can be seen below.

ADRENALINE MOB's first-ever headline tour made stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. ADRENALINE MOB also opened for GODSMACK on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.

ADRENALINE MOB formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as ADRENALINE MOB was born.

Guitarist Rich Ward (STUCK MOJO, FOZZY) and bassist Paul DiLeo (FOZZY) announced their departures from ADRENALINE MOB earlier in the month due to scheduling conflicts with their other projects.

Veteran technical death metallers GORY BLISTER have inked a new deal with Bakerteam Records for the release of their long-waited new album, 'EarthSick’, consisting of 10 brand-new technical and brutal Death Metal tracks in the signature style that has always identified the band over the past 20 years.

Here’s how guitarist Raff commented the event: “This new album is probably the best we’ve ever done. It displays the raw energy we always put into our shows but also the passion that drives us through good and hard times. Death metal is not about money, nor about fashion, it’s a way of live, that requires no compromises. We do this because we believe in it and we want to keep the flame high. Our fans are going to love ‘EarthSick!” Nile frontman Karl Sanders has also been announced as a very special guest on 2 songs.

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH played a "secret" gig last night (Thursday, January 19) under the name RUBBER BAND OF WOLVES at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California.

The band's setlist was as follows:

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

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

Check out photos of the show at this location.

NIGHTWISH's official world-tour kick-off performance will take place this Saturday, January 21 at the Gibson Ampitheater in Universal City. The Universal City concert will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.

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

"Dark Passion Play" has sold 134,000 copies in the U.S. so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Imaginaerum" was certified gold in Germany earlier this month for sales in excess of 100,000 copies.

The effort entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 1 and has already been certifield triple platinum in the country after shifting more than 60,000 units.

Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Finland has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach platinum status in the country from the pre-2010 level of 30,000 to the current 20,000.

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

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers DELAIN will release their third album 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).

Commented the band: "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.

AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood will team up for a special episode of "CMT Crossroads", which pairs country music stars with popular artists from other genres — pop, rock, R&B — to play together, swap stories, and share their common love of music.

"CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood Live From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam" will air Saturday, February 4 — the night before the Super Bowl.

This is the second year "CMT Crossroads" will broadcast from the Super Bowl Fan Jam.

Previous episodes of "Crossroads" have included DEF LEPPARD and Taylor Swift; BON JOVI and SUGARLAND; and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

Austrian symphonic metallers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS have issued the following update:

"VISIONS OF ATLANTIS is proud and excited to notify all of you: We will enter the Artesonika Studios in Pordenone (near Venice), Italy tomorrow to start the recordings for our next album! The main producer for this most ambitious VISIONS OF ATLANTIS output so far will be a good friend and his name is Fabio D'Amore from our dear labelmates of SERENITY! For this reason we can also announce that two of the leading Austrian metal bands join their forces as Fabio will also be our guest bass player for this record! We can also announce that Austria’s leading metal webzine Stormbringer.at will present the official studio diary which will be updated with reports, pictures and videos and we're glad to have such a strong media partner once again with us! Spread the word and stay tuned! First pictures and more to come in week one, starting now! Get ready to rumble!”

On January 17, Therese Hanserot, the original lead singer for long-running Swedish metallers DESTINY, passed away at the age of 48.

Hanserot joined DESTINY in the fall of 1982, when she was just 18 years old, and she left the band in the summer of 1983. During this time she recorded six songs for the first-ever DESTINY demo and performing with the band at their first-ever gig (at the rock club RPM). After leaving DESTINY, she sang in a couple of cover bands before quitting singing for good.

Commented DESTINY guitarist Stefan Björnshög: "At my 30th birthday party in 1990, we reconnected again, this time as friends. We realized that we had so much in common that never came to the surface in the band. For about two years we hanged out together before life once again took us into different paths. Last year, 18 years later, in August, we reconnected through Facebook. And it didn't take long before we where engaged and in a wonderful loving relationship. Therese planed to start playing keyboards again and even agreed to sing a small part on one of the songs for the 30th anniversary album. Now that will not happen and I will forever carry the memory of Therese in my heart. My sorrow is endless and the hurt is unbearable. I love you, Therese!"

Swedish doom metallers THE GRAVIATORS have inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The quartet, which is said to be "inspired by the sounds of the great rock 'n' roll groups of the '70s," will release its sophomore album at the end of April on CD and LP.

THE GRAVIATORS's self-titled debut came out in 2009. Their first music video, for the song "Back To The Sabbath", was shot by renowned music video director Thomas Tjäder and can be seen below.

The band was featured with the track "The Magician" on the Planet Fuzz compilation "Cowbells & Cobwebs".

In 2010 Dutch label Clear Spot/Headspin records released "The Graviators" as an exclusive double splatter vinyl. The artwork for this vinyl release (and the second pressing of the album on CD) was made by the artist Vance Kelly.

THE GRAVIATORS is:

Niklas Sjöberg: Vocals
Martin Fairbanks: Guitar
Johan Holm: Bass
Henrik Bergman: Drums

KISS singer/guitarist Paul Stanley celebrates his 60th birthday today (Friday, January 20).

KISS' official web site, KissOnline.com, has posted the following birthday greetings from Paul's bandmates:

Gene Simmons: "Paul, my very best wishes on your birthday. You're the brother I never had. You've always been there. For me. For the band. For the fans."

Tommy Thayer: "Happy birthday, Paul! You're a great friend & a brother in arms... We just made a kick-ass album together and had a great time doing it. You are THE rock & roll champion! Happy 60th!!

Eric Singer: "Paul Stanley, Happy Birthday to the Grand Master of Ceremonies! You're still the best and I wish you only better days ahead..."

Paul Stanley (real name Stanley Harvey Eisen) was born January 20, 1952 in New York City.

BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler has issued an update on the recording sessions for original SABBATH lineup's first album together in 33 years.

SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, it was revealed earlier this month. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the immune system. According to a statement issued by his publicist, the 63-year-old metal legend is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan and remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

In a brand new post on his official web site, Butler writes, "Today [January 19th] we got the engines back up and running at Tony's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump — it's great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can't wait for you all to hear our workings; it has been great working on this stuff.

He adds, "I want to thank the lovely encouraging emails sent to this site giving Tony love and encouragement and great vibes. It really does help, not only Tony, but us as a band — it raises up our spirits and restores our faith in this tarnished world.

"SABB fans are good people. Time and again, you have proven your faith in us and boosted our endeavour.

"Thanks, love, peace."

SABBATH's new album, which is being produced by Rick Rubin, is set for release this fall. SABBATH is scheduled to embark on a world tour this summer, although Iommi's illness could affect those plans.

Iommi's bandmate in SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, died of stomach cancer in May 2010 at the age of 67.

Mark Reale, the founding guitarist of the legendary metal band RIOT was admitted to a San Antonio hospital last week in critical condition due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life.

The following update on Reale's condition was posted on Reale's official web site, MarkReale.com:

"When I went to see Mark today, I talked with his nurse (pray for them too) she was nice enough to give me a medical term of Mark's conditions.

"Mark had a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage [Wikipedia] and is why he's still in a coma since January 11, 2012 when he was rushed to the hospital. Mark is also fighting several other critical conditions, but is getting the very best here in San Antonio from gifted and talented doctors.

"Please continue to keep Mark in your thoughts and prayers, I continue every day reading them to Mark! God hears all of us, ask for HIS goodness to heal Mark.

"If you would like to write a prayer that will be delivered personally by myself to Mark's bedside, please click on this link now."

RIOT played its first show without Reale last night (Wednesday, January 18) at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.

Mark has been battling Crohn's for most of his life, working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for his illness. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn's symptoms leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility.

Mark was struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of RIOT's new album, "Immortal Soul", and guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the LP with Mark's creative direction while he was unable to perform.

New Guitar recently conducted an interview with former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

New Guitar: The music on the "Tokyo Jukebox" albums sounds very optimistic and happy — a kind of opposite in comparison to what we heard in MEGADETH. I guess you are a in very happy period of your life. Any comments?

Marty: That is a very good observation. I was happy in MEGADETH and I am happy now. However, I have many more musical challenges now and that's why my music has so many more emotions now. Positive feelings come out in my music much more now, even when the music I'm making now at times is much heavier than MEGADETH.

New Guitar: Your music changed after you moved to Japan. How did it affect your fans? Did you lose some of them and earn some? Do you meet people nowadays who say to you, "Oh, Marty, I liked you more in MEGADETH/CACOPHONY times because blah blah blah?" How do you respond them?

Marty: I hear everything from fans. In Japan, I have done so many different things, that only a small percentage of the people here know me from MEGADETH. I've done over 400 TV shows here, so most people have a different image of me. Outside of Japan, I hear more about MEGADETH and CACOPHONY, and it is usually overwhelmingly positive. The way I see it, if you enjoy my music from any time of my career, I'm happy about it.

New Guitar: You have lived in many places including Hawaii, Germany and California now you reside in Tokyo. How those changes influence you as an artists and human being? What did you learn? What did you miss?

Marty: I am lucky to have lived among several cultures and so many interesting places; that gives me a musical freedom that is unusual. Different cultures accept different things. For example it is totally normal for rock and metal fans to love pop music, but in the U.S. it is somewhat taboo.

New Guitar: How are you able to avoid "burning-out" syndrome?

Marty: By picking and choosing what work I do, and turning down work that I don't really want to do.

New Guitar: You wrote "I'm really proud of the first two bands to debut on my label, Gokukara Records." Could you tell us about idea of making that record company? What kind of music would you like to release on the label? Is it outfit also for your recordings?

Marty: The label is for brand new bands that I put together and produce. My recordings are released on the Avex label. The music is modern J-pop with a rock and metal sound.

New Guitar: Did you meet guys from MEGADETH when they're performing around your area? Are you still friends/colleagues?

Marty: Still friends, but I haven't seen any of them in years.

Read the entire interview at Nthis location.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based extreme metallers KATAKLYSM will release a multidisc DVD, "The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined", in the spring via Nuclear Blast. The set will depict the ups and downs of the band's long, turbulent career, as well as footage of KATAKLYSM's performance at last year's Summer Breeze festival, which took place August 18-20, 2011 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. The cover art for the release was created by artist Colin Marks (ORIGIN, EXODUS, NEVERMORE) and can be viewed below.

KATAKLYSM recently recorded the single "The Iron Will" in Montreal, Canada with guitarist/producer Jean-François Dagenais. It was mixed Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, BEHEMOTH, MNEMIC) in Denmark and will be made available with a video clip on iTunes one month before the release of "The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined".

KATAKLYSM's "At The Edge Of The World" video was filmed on March 20, 2011 at the band's hometown show at Club Soda. This concert also marked the end of the group's "Spread the Venom" European/North American tour. The video was helmed by director Tommy Jones (DEATH ANGEL, SOILWORK), who is also working with KATAKLYSM on "The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined".

KATAKLYSM's latest album, "Heaven's Venom", sold around 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 8 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.

KATAKLYSM's previous CD, "Prevail", opened with 2,250 units back in June 2008.

"Heaven's Venom" was produced by Jean-Francois Dagenais and was mixed by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MNEMIC, DARK TRANQUILLITY).

SOULS ON 11 — the project featuring former MEGADETH guitarist Jeff Young and 24-year-old Swedish singer Guernica Mancini — had its October 21, 2011 performance at Genghis Cohen Restaurant, Bar & Music Room in Hollywood, California filmed for DVD release. Joining Young and Mancini during the concert were James Lomenzo (bass; MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, WHITE LION) and Debby Holiday (vocals).

A new edit of the song "Maybe Tomorrow" from the DVD can be seen below.

Fans that want the actual finished hi-fi HD version featuring six more live songs and bonus features can purchase the disc at www.soulson11.com.

Mancini joined SOULS ON 11 earlier in the year as the replacement for Schascle "Twinkle" Yochim, who was unable to move forward with the project due to various "personal and family situations." Seeking a vocalist of European sensibility led the guitarist back to his Alma mater, Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. Mancini is a recent graduate of MI's Vocal Institute Of Technology and is currently attending courses in Music Business at UCLA. During her tenure at VIT, Mancini went through a self-proclaimed "'80s metal phase," exploring a natural affinity and the uncanny ability to sing in the style of Ronnie James Dio, SKID ROW's Sebastian Bach, Janis Joplin and the like.

SOULS ON 11's recording lineup is rounded out by the world-class rhythm section of Lomenzo and drummer Jeff Bowders (PAUL GILBERT, PUDDLE OF MUDD).