Guitar prodigy Jeff Loomis has locked himself in the studio for the past few months perfecting his highly anticipated sophomore solo record, to be released later this year via Century Media Records. A full U.S. tour will kick off in April.

After Jeff's departure from NEVERMORE and the release of his solo debut — 2008's "Zero Order Phase" — fans have been craving a new album. With a number of influential musicians appearing on the upcoming release, Loomis is more than ready to deliver.

Commented Jeff: "A couple of years ago I achieved my childhood dream of releasing a solo album. With the releasing of my second record coming up, I'm proud to announce another dream come true... or should I say dreams... Marty Friedman [ex-MEGADETH], Tony Macalpine and Chris Poland [ex-MEGADETH] have all done guest solos for it. These guys must have given me hundreds of blisters on my fingers when I was a kid trying in vain to emulate their work. Hell, I'm still trying to figure out some of their solos. To have three guitar players that I looked up to as a young player and still hold in such high regard is simply amazing. I can't thank those guys enough."

In other news, Loomis will appear at this coming weekend's NAMM show in Anaheim, California. He states, "I have two new Schecter models that I'll be showing and I'll be doing a signing Saturday, [January] 21st at their booth at 1 p.m. as well as another one later that day with Engl amps at 5."

Jeff was the lead guitar player and main songwriter of NEVERMORE, a band that has certainly made its mark on modern music by forging a unique sound that fuses different forms of metal that has given birth to an authentic and very influential style. His solo CD, "Zero Order Phase", took the #4 spot in a April 2009 Guitar World magazine's readers' poll in the "Best Shred Album Of The Year" category — a notable accomplishment when you consider the top three vote-getters, Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani. Jeff has become one of his generation's most recognizable guitarists and the source of many of the last decade's best riffs.

Jeff's complex shredding has been a central part of the progressive power guitar scene since 1992 and is responsible for some of the most awe-inspiring riffs modern metal has ever heard. Nearly every aspiring musician who has been listening to metal for the past 10 years or so has undoubtedly had the pleasure of hearing Jeff Loomis' progressive and technically superior playing.

Loomis' first solo album, "Zero Order Phase", was released in September 2008 through Century Media Records.

U.K. metallers FURYON will release their debut album, "Gravitas", on March 23 in Europe and March 27 in North America via Frontiers Records.

FURYON is a new band from the U.K. who like nothing more than to challenge expectations. Raised on a diet of heavy metal, prog, and classic rock, FURYON mix all these components for a truly unique and contemporary sound. Delivering huge rock-radio-friendly songs, with technically-challenging-yet-infectiously-catchy musicianship, they are dedicated to one sole purpose: making hard-hitting songs that will stand the test of time.

"Our music is good songs with touches of intelligence," says singer Matt Mitchell, "There are a many different moods that come out from this album and all the songs have meaning and substance. Heavy and melodic! That is what FURYON and this album, 'Gravitas', is about."

What separates FURYON from the crowd is the sheer quality of their musicianship. Boasting two truly world-class guitarists in the form of Chris Green and Pat "The Shred" Heath, FURYON have few peers when it comes to the quality of their iconic riffs and jaw-dropping solos. Backing them up is one of the tightest rhythm sections the rock world has to offer, with the awesome combination of Lee Farmery and Alex "Nickel" Bowen. Leading from the front is the outstanding vocal versatility of Matt Mitchell, whose emotion drenched voice effortlessly moves between melodic and crunchingly heavy.

"We really have been inspired by many bands over the time, as all musicians and writers are," continues Matt, "but for this album, inspirations from bands like SOUNDGARDEN, ALICE IN CHAINS, TOOL, MASTODON, ALTER BRIDGE and IRON MAIDEN spring to mind."

In 2009, after a sell-out tour and accompanying EP, FURYON set about the serious business of writing their debut album. The early demos reached the ears of U.S. producer Rick Beato (SHINEDOWN, FOZZY), and a powerful and symbiotic relationship was formed.

"Our hookup with Rick Beato was through Kip Winger," recalls Matt. "We toured with WINGER on their 'Karma' tour and we had spoken with Kip about the band SHINEDOWN and how we liked there productions. Kip hooked us up with Rick and to our delight he was interested in doing the album. Rick is a truly great producer and writer."

Released independently on a low profile and later covermounted on Metal Hammer U.K., "Gravitas" will be made available on Frontiers Records with the following track listing:

01. Disappear Again
02. Stand Like Stone
03. Souvenirs
04. Don't Follow
05. New Way of Living
06. Voodoo Me
07. Fear Alone
08. Wasted on You
09. Our Peace Someday
10. Desert Suicide
11. Voodoo Me (acoustic) *
12. Souvenirs (acoustic) *

* Bonus tracks

The "Disappear Again" video can be seen below.

FURYON is:

Matt Mitchell - Vocals
Chris Green - Guitars
Pat Heath - Guitars
Alex "Nickel" Bowen - Bass
Lee Farmery - Drums

"Skullcrusher", a brand new song from New York hardcore/metal veterans BIOHAZARD, is available for free download at this location. The track can also be streamed using the audio player below.

"The message of the music has always been to rise above obstacles," BIOHAZARD guitarist Bobby Hambel tells AOL's Noisecreep. "That's how the name of BIOHAZARD came to be and why we are the band we are. It all came from a philosophy that we developed as young guys. When we put the band together, we realized playing music and talking about obstacles makes us better off and helped us get through obstacles and stuff that really beats us down. When we were writing songs and lyrics about stuff we'd experienced, you know, on how to not to take the easy way out or give up... we didn't realize that would strike a chord with a lot of people."

"It's literally almost impossible to rely on the music industry to pay your bills," added BIOHAZARD guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei."It's such a crap shoot to begin with. These days it's even harder. So for me, I don't rely on BIOHAZARD to pay my bills, so when we had a chance to go on tour and to reunite... it was on a personal level, it was amazing. And not having to do it as a job or to pay bills is a fucking great place to be. For me, I feel like I came full circle. I do it because I love it. I love to be on stage. It's kind of similar in a lot of ways — we're a lot more savvy with what is up now; we've been through so many different labels. We get up there, we have a blast. We made a record, we worked really hard to make a record we're all really proud of and we're doing it for the love of it. The industry is not the same as when we started. We're giving you guys an exclusive track that no one has heard. Times change. At the end of the day, most of this record will be given away but it's a different era and for us. You gotta love what you do, otherwise it's not worth it."

"Skullcrusher" audio stream:

Regina, Saskatchewan-based Canadian extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY have posted studio and rehearsal footage of their new song "Fukushima", written about the Fukushima Daiichi, Japan nuclear disaster (a series of equipment failures, nuclear meltdowns, and releases of radioactive materials at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011). You can now watch the one-and-a-half-minute clip below.

As previously reported, Canadian label War On Music Records will issue several albums by INTO ETERNITY for the first time ever on vinyl. "Dead Or Dreaming" (2001), "Buried In Oblivion" (2004) and "Scattering Of The Ashes" (2006) will be made available, each as a limited LP release, starting in early spring 2012.

INTO ETERNITY's signature sound has often been described as a hybrid of latter-day DEATH and CONTROL DENIED, combined with the technical stylings of DREAM THEATER.

INTO ETERNITY vocalist Stu Block was recently recruited by power metal giants ICED EARTH, with whom he recorded the band's latest CD, "Dystopia".

Commented INTO ETERNITY singer/guitarist Tim Roth: "The new songs are coming along quite well and we'll have two new songs finished and mixed in the upcoming weeks. So far five songs have been recorded (30 minutes) and we are looking forward to get working on the next batch of new INTO ETERNITY songs.

"2012 also brings some great news for vinyl-loving fans. Century Media contacted us about releasing our albums on vinyl. It has always been a dream of ours to have our collection put out on vinyl. Thanks to Charley at War On Music Records for finally making this dream a reality. I know a lot of fans have asked us over the years for vinyl, so this is really great news!"

INTO ETERNITY is among the confirmed bands for the 11th edition of the Manitoba Metalfest, set to take place February 24-25 at The Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Watch www.waronmusic.com for details and pre-orders for the the upcoming vinyl releases.

INTO ETERNITY recently released its first new material since 2008 in the form of a new song called "Sandstorm". The track, which is available on iTunes and Bandcamp, features guest death vocals by Rob Doherty and marks the recording debut of Newbury, who was previously known in the western Canadian metal scene as a member of Edmonton, Alberta-based group DEATH TOLL RISING.

"Sandstorm" was written the day the USA took out Osama Bin Laden, and is inspired by the events that transpired.

INTO ETERNITY's last album, "The Incurable Tragedy", came out in 2008 via Century Media.

Tony Foresta (MUNICIPAL WASTE, NO FRIENDS), LandPhil Hall (MUNICIPAL WASTE, CANNABIS CORPSE), Ryan Parish (DARKEST HOUR, SUPPRESSION, CITY OF CATERPILLAR) and Paul Burnette (DARKEST HOUR, CRACK HEAD) have formed a ripping new band called IRON REAGAN.

IRON REAGAN has just released a free four-song demo via Bandcamp.com. The effort was recorded in Richmond, Virginia by Landphil and mastered at Mammoth Sound.

IRON REAGAN "Demo 2012" track listing:

01. Paycheck (01:20)
02. Eat Shit And Live (00:51)
03. Artificial Saints (01:21)
04. Running Out Of Time (01:31)

IRON REAGAN will make its live debut this Sunday, January 22 at Strange Matter in Richmond.

Reactivated '80s Dutch metal band PICTURE will release its new album, "Warhorse", on February 22 via Artist Station Records. The CD was mixed by Oscar Holleman, who has previously worked with WITHIN TEMPTATION and AFTER FOREVER, among others.

"Warhorse" track listing:

01. Battle Plan
02. Shadow Of The Damned
03. Rejected
04. Edge Of Hell
05. The King Is Losing His Crown
06. Think I Lost My Way
07. Killer In My Sights
08. My Kinda Woman
09. The Price I Pay
10. War Horse
11. Stand My Ground
12. Eternal Dark MMXI

PICTURE supported AC/DC, TED NUGENT and SAXON in the Netherlands. With SAXON, they did a full European tour in 1981. Later on they toured with ROSE TATTOO in Germany and headlined tours in Italy and Israel.

After reuniting a few years back, a limited-edition live CD was recorded and from December 2008 until January 2009 the band retreated in the StarSound Studios in Utrecht, Holland to record "Old Dogs New Tricks".

PICTURE is:

Pete Lovell (vocals)
Rinus Vreugdenhill (bass)
Laurens "Bakkie" Bakker (drums)
Peter Bourbon (guitar)
Mike Ferguson (guitar

The official lyric video for "For The Wicked", a brand new song from Riverside, California-based Christian death metallers IMPENDING DOOM, can be seen below. The track is the first single from the band's fourth full-length album, "Baptized In Filth", which will be released on March 13. The CD was produced by Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE FAMINE) and was mixed by Machine, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE and DEMON HUNTER, among others.

Commented guitarist Cory Johnson: "We're proud to say that after many months of working on the new record, it's finally done. This is by far our favorite material to date and we can't wait to share it with everyone and hit the road!"

IMPENDING DOOM will take part in the Metal Alliance Tour 2012 alongside DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD.

IMPENDING DOOM is Brook Reeves on vocals, Cory Johnson on guitar, David Sittig on bass and Brandon "B-Town" Trahan on drums.

IMPENDING DOOM's third full-length album, "There Will Be Violence", was released on July 20, 2010 via Facedown Records. The CD was recorded at Lambesis Studios with Daniel Castleman (AS I LAY DYING, WINDS OF PLAGUE, WAR OF AGES) and it features guest appearances by Tim Lambesis of AS I LAY DYING and Vincent Bennett of THE ACACIA STRAIN.

"Vicious Circle", a brand new song from Chicago-based extreme progressive metal titans VEIL OF MAYA, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The song comes off the band's third full-length album, "Eclipse", which will be released on February 28 via Sumerian Records.

VEIL OF MAYA has just kicked off a massive North American tour alongside IN FLAMES and TRIVIUM.

VEIL OF MAYA's latest album, "[id]", sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 1 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"[id]" was released on April 6, 2010 via Sumerian Records. The CD was produced by Michael Keene (THE FACELESS), who previously worked with the group on its last album, 2008's "The Common Man's Collapse".

Legendary New York City rock powerhouse UNSANE will release its long-awaited seventh full-length album, "Wreck", on March 20 via Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles label.

Recorded by the band and producer Andrew Schneider at Brooklyn's Translator Audio (PELICAN, KEELHAUL), "Wreck" is an unfettered burst of pent up emotions and frustrations channeled into song and an unflinching glance into a type of life others probably should not lead. From the shock and awe of the LP's lead track, "Rat", and the stunningly damaged "Decay" to the doom and gloom of the heavy-handed "No Chance" and through to the transcendental brainwork of "Stuck", UNSANE's "Wreck" is darkly abrasive and poetic music delivered with a fearsome intensity. A punishing, but ultimately tuneful album, realistic in subject matter and as engaging as it is abrasive, "Wreck" features UNSANE at its legendary best. Chris Spencer's vocals and lyrics positively ache with fear and loathing (resembling the sound of a man trapped in the New York Subway system) while his searing Telecaster howl and pulverizing chords wreak havoc over Vincent Signorelli's drums and Dave Curran's muscular, thick as lava bass lines.

UNSANE celebrates its 20th anniversary by delivering the darkest and most personal record of its celebrated career; "Wreck" is the band's defining moment.

"Making the album 'Wreck' has been amazingly cathartic. Not only musically, but personally," comments Spencer. "Writing with Dave and Vincent is always great, and having been together so long made it easy to focus on what musically and lyrically would sum up this period of time. Recordings about modern urban life. The constant noise, confrontation, stress and alienation that goes with it, and the dysfunctional ways people try to deal with it. The death, drugs, attempted suicide and completely degenerative behavior of those around us really left a mark. I really was feeling like I needed to get it out of my system. There are some moments of redemption, but more often than not things did not end well. As the world population reaches seven billion it's impossible not to feel the overcrowding."

"Wreck" track listing:

01. Rat
02. Decay
03. No Chance
04. Pigeon
05. Metropolis
06. Ghost
07. Don't
08. Stuck
09. Roach
10. Ha Ha Ha (FLIPPER cover)

Upon the release of the new LP, UNSANE will team up with punk rock legends THE MELVINS for what promises to be one of the year's most anticipated underground rock tours. The like-minded bands will launch the 21-city trek on April 11 in San Jose, California and will collaborate on an über-limited tour seven-inch EP featuring each band covering a song from the other. The tour-only vinyl release will feature cover artwork from Amphetamine Reptile Records founder Thomas Hazelmyer.

Former PRONG bassist Mike Longworth has joined SEISMATIK, the Los Angeles-based electro/rock band featuring drummer Aaron Rossi (MINISTRY), singer Rich Love (SLOTH) and guitarist Jesse Billson (HEAVEN BELOW).

Longworth is a professional and technically diverse bass player, guitarist and songwriter who is a veteran of the L.A. rock/metal scene. He was a member of the ground-breaking band PRONG for many years, and contributed a song to the band's upcoming album. Mike is currently a guitarist and songwriter for the band MEST.

SEISMATIK recently released its debut EP, "Someone Like You", for free via Facebook. The effort will be made available at all digital service providers beginning February 1 (exact dates differ based on territory).

According to a press release, "SEISMATIK manages to combine rock, pop, metal and electronic elements into a modern hybrid of genre-blurring experimental pulse rock. [The band's sound] can best be described as a sonic explosion of melody, frequency and rythmic machine-gun precision."

Formed in October 2011, SEISMATIK is currently working on material for its upcoming debut album, slated for a 2012 release.

"From This Darkness", the new video from U.K. metallers SEVEN DEADLY — the band featuring former PANIC CELL members Bobby Town (bass), Harj Virdee (guitar) and Rob Hicks (drums) — can be seen below. The track is also available as a free MP3 download on the band's web site.

SEVEN DEADLY will release its debut EP on February 13.

SEVEN DEADLY is:

Archie Wilson - Vocals
Harj Virdee - Guitar
Dave Irving – Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Bobby Town - Bass
Rob Hicks - Drums

Tour dates will be announced soon.

AHOLA, the new "vital rock act" launched by Jarkko Ahola of the Finnish metal groups TERÄSBETONI and NORTHERN KINGS, entered Headline Studio in Tampere on January 7 to begin recording its debut album for a tentative spring release.

A studio diary from Ahola can be found at Stalker.cd.

A video report from the studio, including footage from the band's gig in Jyväskylä in December, is available below. The clip contains a full version of the AHOLA song "Stoneface" in the background.

AHOLA in August 2011 announced the addition of guitarist Antti Karhumaa to the group's ranks.

According to a press release, AHOLA "has a suitable mix of past and present — which is always an essential part of rock music. The band's musical core consists of hit tunes, feeling and of course the skill to write and play true and powerful rock music, wherein the authenticity and emotion are relevant, leaving the vain posing to others."

Commented Ahola: "AHOLA is something I've been working on for a long time.

"From the beginning I've written rock songs in English, but since being a musician, you find yourself doing something you did never expect like singing and playing in a huge act called TERÄSBETONI or participating a cool project called NORTHERN KINGS. I guess that's part of the fascination!

"Anyway, still riff-based rock being the heart of my musical world, I wanted to add some spice to the soup and do something that I wasn't so familiar with: super tightness, speed… a flavor of punk rock, you might say."

He continued, "The way I want to see AHOLA's music is: songs are, I dare say, approachable with catchy choruses but when giving the songs a deeper thought, loaded with layers you can dig into. You can hear echoes from classic rock of the '70s, alternative rock and metal of the '90s and last decade, pop music in general, that punk rock I mentioned and… well, listen to yourselves."

AHOLA is:

Jari "Jamo" Laitinen: Bass
Jarkko Ahola: Vocals, Guitar
Antti Mäkelä: Drums
Antti Karhumaa: Guitar

For more information, visit the AHOLA Facebook page.

Few heavy metal artists have built as stellar a discography as JUDAS PRIEST over the years. And now, fans will get a chance to acquire all of PRIEST's classics in one fell swoop. On January 24, Columbia/Epic/Legacy will release the 17-CD box set, "The Complete Albums Collection", which contains every studio and live album that featured the classic line up of Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing and Ian Hill.

Included will be brand new remasters of PRIEST's first two albums, 1974's "Rocka Rolla" and 1976's "Sad Wings of Destiny" (which have never been released before as authorized remasters by the band), in addition to each individual album being packaged in a replica mini-LP sleeve reproducing that album’s original cover art. And although the 2009 live compilation, "A Touch of Evil…Live" is included; no other compilations will be present. Also featured in the set will be a 40-page booklet with photos, album credits, and liner notes by rock journalist/PRIEST fan Greg Prato.

"The Complete Albums Collection" will be available for purchase exclusively via Popmarket.com.

It's not often that you can acquire all of the classic albums by one of rock's all-time great bands in one gorgeously assembled package. JUDAS PRIEST's "The Complete Albums Collection" is certainly one of these rare occurrences.

Albums included in "The Complete Albums Collection":

01. Rocka Rolla (1974)
02. Sad Wings Of Destiny (1976)
03. Sin After Sin (1977)
04. Stained Class (1978)
05. Killing Machine (1978)
06. Unleashed In The East (1979)
07. British Steel (1980)
08. Point Of Entry (1981)
09. Screaming For Vengeance (1982)
10. Defenders Of The Faith (1984)
11. Turbo (1986)
12. Priest…Live! (1987)
13. Ram It Down (1988)
14. Painkiller (1990)
15. Angel Of Retribution (2005)
16. Nostradamus (2008)
17. A Touch Of Evil…Live (2009)

"The Chosen Few", the recently released compilation album from JUDAS PRIEST, sold 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The collection, which came out on October 11, 2011 via Legacy/Sony, contains songs that were selected by some of the biggest names of the hard rock/heavy metal world, including KISS' Gene Simmons, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, METALLICA's James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, Alice Cooper and SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor.

Video footage of SEVENDUST performing the song "Splinter" on December 3, 2011 at the Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan can be seen below. The clip was recorded on a GoPro camera and was edited by "Metal Mike" Ames.

SEVENDUST's latest album, "Cold Day Memory", sold around 27,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous CD, "Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow", opened with 25,000 units back in April 2008 to land at position No. 19.

"Cold Day Memory" was released on April 20, 2010 on the band's own 7Bros. Records, through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group. The CD — produced by Grammy Award winner Johnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND, 3 DOORS DOWN, PLAIN WHITE T'S) — was the group's first new album with its original lineup back together with guitarist Clint Lowery's return after his departure in 2003.

Corbin King, guitarist for VAINGLORY and KINRICK, has just released his "Nightwalker" album on Diginet Music. This all-instrumental effort showcases Corbin's prowess and features drummer Mike Haid and bassist Steven Taylor. This rhythm section has worked with guitarists Gus G., David T. Chastain, Joe Stump, Michael Harris, as well as vocalist Stephen Fredrick and others.

Commented producer David T. Chastain, "Corbin has the technique to match John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert and the like, plus the heavy blues rock sensibility of Stevie Ray Vaughn. This combination creates a style that is impressive but at the same time has quite the emotional aura. He is not a mindless shredder."

"Nightwalker" track listing:

01. Hardly Enough
02. Nightwalker
03. Divine D
04. Cruel Heart
05. The 8th Degree
06. Mind Games
07. Prisoner Of Time
08. Hurricane X
09. Armed And Ready
10. Destination

For more information, visit www.diginetmusic.com.

Rowdy shred-metal connoisseurs BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART are nearly ready to drop "Feel The Power", a pulse-raising, headbang-inducing, '80s-influenced slab of fun, glam-tastic metal, that will hit stores a week from today — January 24 — from Tooth & Nail Records.

As one last bit of excitement for fans who can't wait to feel "Feel The Power"'s power, the band is pleased to premiere the brand-new video for standout track "Forever". Check it out below.

"The 'Forever' video was all about locations," explains guitarist Sam Ryder. "Our director, Robbie Starbuck, totally came through on the desert location, such an epic backdrop and so much space. The last scene we shot was at a local dive bar. There was no faking here, we had the time of our freakin' lives! Me and Tyler missed a load of our shots because we were singing NWA karaoke, but you know, duty calls. The locals loved it. We had our wrap party right there after the last scene. We left that bar after a few late night renditions of 'It's America', but our legacy lives on…"

"Forever" premiered as a single in December via Noisecreep and had fans buzzing across the Internet. Now, with "Feel The Power" only a week away, anticipation of the new album is at a fever pitch. Adding to the excitement are early reviews of the album, praising the band's ability to carve out its own niche while embracing the still-relevant, yet largely MIA, shred metal of the past.

The follow-up to the band's 2008 album "Pedal To The Metal", "Feel The Power" sees the band shrugging off metalcore trappings in favor of something more heartfelt. "The whole band is still obsessed with the '80s, and that's bled into our lifestyles," explains singer Tony Gambino. "It's not just when we're on tour: We all kind of dress '80s; we still have mullets. It's become part of our lives."

"Feel The Power" track listing:

01. Deathwish
02. Shut Up And Rock
03. Love Nightmare
04. Forever
05. Thunder Dome
06. Holdin' Back For Nothin'
07. I've Got You
08. Rockin' All Night
09. Scream It Like You Mean It
10. Skate Or Die
11. Innocent Blood
12. Sleepless Nights

Formed in 2003 in Montreal, Canada, BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART released its first album, "All is Fair in Love And War", a year after the band's inception. 2008 saw the release of "Pedal To The Metal" on Century Media Records, which was followed by years of incessant touring throughout the U.S., U.K., Europe, Japan and Australia alongside the likes of JUDAS PRIEST, A DAY TO REMEMBER, BRING ME THE HORIZON, MEGADETH, STEEL PANTHER and more.

Swedish tech-death assassins SPAWN OF POSSESSION will release their third full-length album, "Incurso", in North America on March 13 via Relapse Records. The CD, which will contain nine tracks plus an instrumental intro, was recorded at Pama Studios in Kristianopel, Sweden with engineer Magnus "Mankan" Sedenberg.

According to a press release, "devastating riffs, jaw-dropping time-signatures and improbably complex songwriting coalesce to create an opus of next-level death metal on 'Incurso', which the band promises to be their most supreme work to date, and more devastating than ever."

The "Incurso" cover art was created by graphic artist Pär Olofsson (IMMORTAL, IMMOLATION, DYING FETUS) and can be seen below.

"Incurso" track listing:

01. Abodement
02. Where Angels Go Demons Follow
03. Bodiless Sleeper
04. The Evangelist
05. Servitude of Souls
06. Deus Avertat
07. Spiritual Deception
08. No Light Spared
09. Apparition

The song "Where Angels Go Demons Follow" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

As previously announced, SPAWN OF POSSESSION will embark on a month-long European tour in March as the support act for labelmates OBSCURA. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are GOROD and EXIVIOUS.

SPAWN OF POSSESSION (Jonas Bryssling: guitar, Dennis Röndum: vocals, Erlend Casperson: bass, Henrik Schönström: drums, Christian Münzner: guitar) formed in 1997 and has previously released two full-length albums. The band's latest CD, "Noctambulant" (2006, Neurotic Records), received international critical acclaim for its blend of musical chops and unfettered extremity.

Reformed Montreal rockers SLAVES ON DOPE launch the release of the highly anticipated album, Over The Influence with a free show at Foufounes Electriques in Montreal, QC on Wednesday, February 29. The band will play the entire album, from start to finish, and debut the new video for the track 'Pork Sword'. Special guests include Montreal industrial rock duo, D.O.T.

Slaves On Dope recently signed a worldwide recording deal with THC:Music/Rocket Science Ventures, who will distribute their upcoming album, Over The Influence, in stores February 28th.

Over The Influence tracklisting:
'No One To Blame'
'Burn The Evidence'
'Cavalry'
'The Jokes On You'
'Hollywood'
'Dear Enemies' (featuring BLIND WITNESS singer Jonathan Cabana)
'The Land Of Make Believe'
'Pork Sword'
'Unraveling'
'Careless Coma'

Slaves On Dope recently recently released their video for the song 'No One To Blame' - check it out below:

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. SOULFLY vocalist/guitarist Max Cavalera also shared production duties.

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.

The band tracked 14 songs, 11 of which will be on the record, with the other three being made available for the special edition.

Track titles are as follows:

* Resistance
* World Scum
* Intervention
* Gladiator
* Legions
* American Steel
* Redemption Of Man By God
* Treachery
* Plata O Plomo
* Revengeance
* Chains
* Slave
* Bastards
* Soulfly VIII

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."

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.

IRON MAIDEN bass player and founder member Steve Harris comments: "For 'The Final Frontier Tour' it was really important to me that we filmed in South America as we're always so overwhelmed by the fans' reaction when we go to that part of the world and I wanted to reflect that in the filming. After much consideration, we chose the Santiago show as we felt it was one of our best performances of the entire tour and to play at the prestigious Estadio Nacional was a landmark moment for us. For reasons known to our fans, it took a long time before we got to play our first show in Chile, and once we did get to play a show, the response was so phenomenal we just had to keep coming back and it's got better and better each time! This show also features the gigantic new Eddie. He wasn't due to make his appearance until our European leg of the tour later in 2011, but we managed to transport him across the sea in a special huge container just in time for the latter end of the South American dates so it was great we were able to immortalize him for the DVD as he really has to be seen to be believed!"

The concert was filmed digitally using 22 HD cameras and an octocam (a flying camera which captures aerial crowd scenes), recorded in both stereo and 5.1 audio and mixed by MAIDEN's longstanding producer Kevin "Caveman" Shirley, all of which serves to accentuate the incredible atmosphere of this compelling performance. Extensive use is made of split screens so fans can follow the individual members closer and the set list moves seamlessly between songs from MAIDEN's most recent studio album, 2010's "The Final Frontier", through to classic fan favourites via the band's vast and varied catalogue (full set listing below).

DVD Disc Two is a bonus disc containing an 88-minute documentary, "Behind The Beast". This is also an entirely in-house production by MAIDEN's own Krew, led by Andy Matthews, and is intended as an interesting and revealing high-quality "home movie" for their fans of how to put on an IRON MAIDEN tour and what goes on behind the scenes at a show. It describes the extraordinary story of one of the most acclaimed and ambitious touring shows in the world. It illustrates the day-to-day life and complex tasks of the MAIDEN Killer Krew and the other characters behind the scenes. The expertise and experience, the problem-solving and successes, the sheer scale and immense difficulties of the undertaking comes to life through the day-to-day coverage of the tour and the background work of the crews in sound, lighting, carpentry, production and set design. As well as interviews with the IRON MAIDEN crew, it interweaves anecdotes from the band and their fans, and includes footage of the live show in this comprehensive guide to the intricacies of staging massive, live stadium shows around the world out of the belly of a Boeing 757. The bonus disc also contains an extended version of the promo video "Satellite 15…The Final Frontier", a video about the making of "Satellite 15…The Final Frontier" plus the opening video sequence to "The Final Frontier World Tour".

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.

MAIDEN's "Final Frontier World Tour 2010-11" saw the band circumnavigating the planet for the third time in their customized Boeing 757, Ed Force One, piloted by lead singer Bruce Dickinson, and playing 98 shows in 36 countries to over 2 million fans.

DVD Disc One - "Live At Estadio Nacional, Santiago" (approximate running time: 120 minutes)

01. Satellite 15
02. The Final Frontier
03. El Dorado
04. 2 Minutes To Midnight
05. The Talisman
06. Coming Home
07. Dance Of Death
08. The Trooper
09. The Wicker Man
10. Blood Brothers
11. When The Wild Wind Blows
12. The Evil That Men Do
13. Fear Of The Dark
14. Iron Maiden
15. The Number Of The Beast
16. Hallowed Be Thy Name
17. Running Free

Bonus Disc - DVD Disc Two "Behind The Beast" (approximate running time: 102 minutes)

01. "Behind The Beast" documentary
02. "Satellite 15…The Final Frontier" promo video (director's cut)
03. "The Making of Satellite 15…The Final Frontier" promo
04. "The Final Frontier World Tour" Show Intro

RIOT founder and guitarist Mark Reale 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 band has released the following update on his condition:

"Due to complications arising from treatment for Mark's illness, he remains hospitalized in San Antonio and will not be healthy enough to appear as scheduled.

"Mike [Flyntz, guitar], Tony [Moore, vocals], Bobby [Jarzombek, drums] and Don [Van Stavern, bass] have, at the strong urging of Mark's family, decided to perform the shows without Mark on guitar.

"We are receiving updates on his condition several times daily, and Mark is currently undergoing procedures to stabilize him. His father, in addition to several dedicated friends of the band and the family, are at Mark's side constantly as doctors work to restore him to health. In accordance with the family's wishes, no further details are being released at this time.

"While we are saddened by these developments, RIOT's music has been Mark's lifeblood for over 30 years. We have struggled with idea of performing without him, and we are continuing to prepare with heavy hearts, but the entire RIOT organization has agreed on the importance of bringing our music to the fans who have supported us for so long.

"Thank you for continuing to support RIOT during this difficult time, and we will see you at the shows."

The following RIOT shows will go ahead without Mark Reale:

Jan. 18 - New York City, NY - B.B. Kings
Jan. 19 - West Springfield, VA – Jaxx
Jan. 20 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
Jan. 23-27 - Miami, FL - 70,000 Tons Of Metal

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.

Belgian black metallers ENTHRONED recently inked a two-album deal with Agonia Records. The band's new CD, "Obsidium", will be released in early 2012.

The cover artwork, which was created by Olve J. W.l., can be seen below.

As previously reported, ENTHRONED's touring guitarist Tzelmoth has quit playing and performing in order to focus on his private life.

ENTHRONED released its eighth album, "Pentagrammaton", on March 22, 2010 via Regain Records.

ENTHRONED in 2010 parted ways with Nguaroth (guitar) and Ahephaim (drums) and replaced them with Neraath and Garghuf (ex-GORGOROTH), respectively.

ENTHRONED is:

Nornagest - Vocals, Guitar
Neraath - Guitar, Effects
Phorgath - Bass, Vocals
Garghuf - Drums
Noens - Live Guitar

"Communicate The Storms", the new video from Swedish progressive, melodic death metallers CIPHER SYSTEM, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.

Commented CIPHER SYSTEM bassist Henric Carlsson: "We all got really excited to work with Patric Ullaeus for this clip. We knew that we were in good hands, for we have seen all the awesome videos he has done for DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, MNEMIC, etc. But when we saw the finished video for the first time, it was even better than expected!"

"Communicate The Storms" is the title track of CIPHER SYSTEM's second album, which was released in North America on October 11, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

A press release states: "15 years after the birth of the band, CIPHER SYSTEM returns with what has to be described as a masterpiece in a genre where innovation has become sparse, putting their murderous machinations on public display, forged with fearsome skill and precision: 'Communicate The Storm'. Packed in the rapturous art of a true genius of darkened visuals, Seth Siro Anton (SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, SEPTICFLESH), and with a mix once again stemming from the hallowed grounds of Studio Fredman, this colossus of an album is sure to send tremors throughout the scene when it hits the street."

CIPHER SYSTEM's debut album, "Central Tunnel Eight", came out in November 2004 through Lifeforce Records.

CIPHER SYSTEM is:

Carl Obbel - Vocals
Johan Eskilsson (ex-DEAD BY APRIL) - Guitar
Andreas Allenmark (ex-ANATA) - Guitar
Henric Carlsson (ex-NIGHTRAGE) - Bass
Emil Frisk - Drums
Peter Engström - Keyboards

KILL DEVIL HILL — the band featuring Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (DOWN, PANTERA) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals — will release its self-titled debut album on March 27 in North America via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was produced by Warren Riker, who is best known for his work with DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SUBLIME and CATHEDRAL. The effort will be available in a standard CD edition, as an iTunes digital download, and double gatefold LP. Details and track listing for each format can be found below.

CD:

01. War Machine
02. Hangman
03. Voodoo Doll
04. Gates Of Hell
05. Rise From The Shadows
06. We're All Gonna Die
07. Time & Time Again
08. Old Man
09. Mysterious Ways
10. Up In Flames
11. Revenge

Double Gatefold LP:

Side 1 (14:56)

01. War Machine
02. Hangman
03. We're All Gonna Die
04. Time & Time Again

Side 2 (10:21)

01. Old Man
02. Mysterious Ways
03. Revenge

Side 3 (10:07)

01. Rise From The Shadows
02. Up In Flames

Side 4 (12:56)

01. Voodoo Doll
02. Gates Of Hell
03. Drawbridge (bonus track)

iTunes Digital Download:

01. War Machine
02. Hangman
03. Voodoo Doll
04. Gates Of Hell
05. Rise From The Shadows
06. We're All Gonna Die
07. Time & Time Again
08. Old Man
09. Mysterious Ways
10. Up In Flames
11. Revenge
12. Strange (bonus track)

"Time & Time Again" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below (courtesy of RevolverMag.com). The track comes off the group's self-titled debut album, which is scheduled for a late March 2012 release via SPV/Steamhammer.

According to Appice, KILL DEVIL HILL's sound is "like a cross between BLACK SABBATH, ALICE IN CHAINS and a little bit of LED ZEPPELIN thrown in. It's heavy, but with a lot of cool hooks and melodic overtones, too."

The members of KILL DEVIL HILL previously stated about their songwriting and recording approach, "We are going old school meets new; no sample drums here!!"

KILL DEVIL HILL made its live debut on April 29, 2011 at the Key Club in Hollywood, California.

KILL DEVIL HILL is:

* Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) - Vocals
* Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) - Guitar
* Rex Brown (DOWN, PANTERA) - Bass
* Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) – Drums

Video footage of KILL DEVIL HILL performing on November 5, 2011 at Pitter's Cafe and Lounge in Cape Girardeau, Missouri can be seen below.

Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH will release their eighth studio album album, "Koloss", in Germany on March 23 and the rest of Europe on March 26 (March 27 in North America) as a CD digi, limited-edition Magic Cube (CD digi plus DVD exclusive to Nuclear Blast mail order) and two-LP brown vinyl via Nuclear Blast Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. I Am Colossus
02. The Demon's Name Is Surveillance
03. Do Not Look Down
04. Behind The Sun
05. The Hurt That Finds You First
06. Marrow
07. Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion
08. Swarm
09. Demiurge
10. The Last Vigil

Check out the cover artwork below.

Commented MESHUGGAH drummer Tomas Haake: "As always, we try to take our music in a slightly different direction with each album and with 'Koloss', we feel that we really nailed what we were going for. Organic brutality, viscera and groove all crammed into a 54-minute metalicious treat, best avoided by the faint of heart!!"

In a 2011 interview with Guitar World magazine, MESHUGGAH guitarist Fredrik Thordendal was asked whether the band has been working on new music. "Yes, we are working on a new album and have been for a long time," Fredrik said. "I'm so excited about this one. We've always tried to change how we write songs to keep it exciting, but on recent albums we've also been moving further away from working together as a band. On this album, though, everyone is working together. Every day that we're in the studio, we'll play whatever song we're working on, record a demo version of it to analyze at home, and then come back the next day, talk about it and try to make it better. I think because of this, it's going to be our best album yet."

Released in March 2008, MESHUGGAH's last album, "obZen", debuted at No. 59 on The Billboard 200 chart and at No. 14 on the iTunes Top Rock Albums chart.

MESHUGGAH's first DVD, "Alive" sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on the Top Music Videos chart.