Multi-camera video footage of CARNIFEX's October 28 performance at the Boardwalk in Orangevale, California can be seen below (courtesy of Capital Chaos).

CARNIFEX's new album, "Until I Feel Nothing", was released on October 25 via Victory Records. Produced by Tim Lambesis (AS I LAY DYING), the follow-up to 2010's "Hell Chose Me" "captures an in-your-face extremity that drips with malice and ferocity, solidifying the effort as the most anticipated album of the year," according to a press release. The cover artwork was created by famed comic book illustrator Menton3 (Silent Hill, Monocyte) and can be seen below.

During the writing process for the new CD, CARNIFEX "aimed to redefine their extreme sound, resulting in their most brutal album to date. The dark, blasphemous approach to 'Until I Feel Nothing' results in an abrasive record, complete with blood-curdling screams and razor-sharp guitar riffs — the kind only CARNIFEX is able to flawlessly deliver."

TO-MERA — the U.K.-based dark progressive metal band fronted by former WITHOUT FACE vocalist Julie Kiss — will enter Hardbeat Studios (HAKEN, LINEAR SPHERE) in Wembley in late January with producer John Papas to begin laying down the drums for the group's upcoming third album. The majority of the new CD recording sessions will take place at guitarist Tom MacLean's recently built home studio.

TO-MERA's "Earthbound" EP was released in October 2009.

The band parted ways with Candlelight Records after releasing two albums through the label — 2006's "Transcendental" and 2008's "Delusions".

TO-MERA is:

Julie Kiss - Vocals
Tom MacLean - Guitars
Paul Westwood - Drums
Richard Henshall - Keys
Mark Harrington - Bass

New video footage from the recording sessions for the forthcoming solo album from former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis at Fastback Studios in Seattle, Washington can be seen below.

Loomis entered the studio on August 23 to begin recording the follow-up to 2008's "Zero Order Phase", which will feature three or four tracks with vocals. Christine Rhoades, who previously collaborated with NEVERMORE on the "Dreaming Neon Black" CD, will sing on selected tracks and Shane Lentz will handle the bass. Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES) is producing the effort.

"[Smith] has been a friend for a while now and has helped me out with various recording projects over the years," said Loomis. "We've been working on demos and pre-production for the past few weeks and are very happy with the way things are turning out."

He added, "Doing drums, as most of you know, is Dirk Verbeuren [of SOILWORK]. I don't think there's really anything else I can add to that. His name just sort of speaks for itself.

"Up until about [a few months] ago, I was planning on doing the bass parts myself but then saw this amazing bass player on YouTube and said to myself, 'I need to have him on the record.' I got in touch and was thrilled to find out he was into it. I'm really looking forward to hearing what he's going to be bringing to these songs."

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. "Jeff epitomizes the very essence of modern guitar playing; there is a huge fan base that has waited a long time for this type of product from him," stated Joe Palombo, Executive Director of Rock House.

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

According to the usually reliable VAN HALEN fan site Van Halen News Desk, VAN HALEN will announce the first details of its upcoming tour on January 3, with tickets set to go on sale a week later. The band's much-anticipated new album — which will be the band's first with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years — will arrive on February 7, with the first single and video set to premiere on January 10.

A two-minute trailer for VAN HALEN's upcoming tour, which was shot on November 14 at the Roxy nightclub in West Hollywood, California, can be seen below. The clip apparently features visuals of the band performing a brand new song — but all you hear on the clip itself is audio of several David Lee Roth-era VAN HALEN classics.

The November 14 shoot was reportedly for a video for the song that the band is seen but not heard playing in the tour announcement clip.

VAN HALEN's new record deal with Interscope was finalized last month and marks the first time the band has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.

ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti recently said in an interview that he had gotten an opportunity to hear new VAN HALEN music through his friendship with bassist Wolfgang Van Halen (guitarist Eddie Van Halen's son), saying it sounded like "vintage VAN HALEN."

Producer Ross Hogarth spoke with Ultimate-Guitar.com about the work he did on the project, saying, "The whole VAN HALEN record has been recorded and we're all excited. I'm really stoked about it, as it is the original band, Eddie and Alex with Wolf playing bass, and David Lee Roth singing, it's the killing side of VAN HALEN at the top of their game again with Diamond Dave, and the band on fire."

VAN HALEN reunited with Roth in 2007 for a successful year-long reunion tour — minus original bassist Michael Anthony, who now plays with ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar in CHICKENFOOT.

The "Always…"-era (1992) lineup of the Dutch rock outfit THE GATHERING has announced plans to make several festival appearances next summer following its 20th-anniversary celebration concert in April. The first confirmed festival performance will take place at the 2012 edition of the Dokk'em Open Air festival, which is scheduled for June 29-30 at Spriens Raard in Dokkum, Netherlands.

Regarding their decision to recurrect the "Always…" lineup of THE GATHERING, the group previously said, "After years we (THE GATHERING) came in contact again, thanks to Facebook, with the nice people from ACROSTICHON (Corinne and Richard). Of course, we talked a lot about the good old days, especially the ones we had at the Willem II concert hall in Den Bosch. There was a matinee gig every month (I think it was every last Sunday), and we saw some great bands such as CANDLEMASS, MORBID ANGEL, DEATH, and, of course, we played there as well. Those days were so much fun. We had a great nostalgic trip talking about those days. Soon we came to the conclusion we would love to do this again!

"As you might know, our debut album, 'Always…', is almost 20 years old (April 1992). I contacted all old-school THE GATHERING 'Always…'-era members and everybody immediatly liked the idea to do something together. An old-school doom/death party! ACROSTICHON released their debut album, 'Engraved In Black', almost the same period, and our friends from PENTACLE released their debut demo, 'Caressed By Both Sides', as well 20 years ago. Why not celebrate this?

"So, grab your agenda: THE GATHERING, ACROSTICHON and PENTACLE will play live together at the Willem II (now called W2) Sunday afternoon 1st of April (no joke!), 2012! Like 20 years ago, ACROSTICHON will be headlining, THE GATHERING and PENTACLE will be support acts.

"Last, but definitly not least: All profit will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation."

THE GATHERING's latest album, "The West Pole", was released in North America on June 2, 2009 via Season of Mist. The CD was issued in most of Europe on May 4, 2009 via the group's own label, Psychonaut Records.

"The West Pole" marks the recording debut of new THE GATHERING singer Silje Wergeland, who was previously in the Norwegian band OCTAVIA SPERATI. It also includes two very talented guest vocalists, Anne van den Hoogen and Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION), along with other guest musicians.

"Westboro", a brand new song from the Central Florida-based metal band CATALEPSY, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track, which features a guest appearance by Peter "Mean Pete" Kowalsky of REMEMBERING NEVER/xBISHOPx comes off the band's forthcoming album, "Abomination Of Desolation", due for release in 2012.

CATALEPSY recently parted ways with vocalist Rick Norman and was rejoined by Josh Anderson, who was the singer for CATALEPSY from early 2008 to fall 2010.

CATALEPSY's second album, "Bleed", was released on May 10 via Eulogy Recordings. The CD was produced by Matt Johnson (THE AUTUMN OFFERING) and contains the track "Goliath", which features guest vocals by Matt Bruso (BURY YOUR DEAD).

Formed in 2004, CATALEPSY has been a giant in the Florida music scene for years. Signed to Jamey Jasta from HATEBREED's label, Stillborn Records, in 2007, CATALEPSY recorded an EP and full-length album. The "Godless" EP was releaseed in October 2007 and sold out of all available copies quickly. "Iniquity", the group's crushing debut full-length, was then released in May 2008 and is in stores nationwide.

CATALEPSY has toured the U.S. with HATEBREED, EMMURE, AGNOSTIC FRONT, WAKING THE CADAVER, TOO PURE TO DIE, OCEANO, AFTER THE BURIAL, GOD FORBID and even NECRO.

BLACKOUT SUPERSTAR, the Cleveland, Ohio-based rock band featuring guitarist Ken Obloy (RIKETS), vocalist Jonny Sayre (ERASE THE GREY), bassist Kenny Irizarry (GATLIN), guitarist Jeff Butchko (ERASE THE GREY) and drummer Holly Manning (REBEL GIRL), has inked a deal with Radium Records. The group is currently putting the finishing touches on its full-length debut, "Whiskey Weekend", with producer Ben Schigel (CHIMAIRA, STRAIGHT LINE STITCH, EVANESCENCE, DROWNING POOL) at Spider Studios. A January release is planned, with a record-launch party scheduled on January 21 at Peabody's in Cleveland.

According to BLACKOUT SUPERSTAR's official bio, the band's goal is "a simple one: to help put the 'roll' back in rock 'n' roll. . . High-energy performances, well-crafted anthems and an insatiable appetite for ruling the airwaves make BLACKOUT SUPERSTAR a must-see, must-hear culmination of euphonious excellence. With a full-length record, series of music videos and a summer tour in the works, BLACKOUT SUPERSTAR are a kinetic ball of symphonious fury, kicking ass and taking names the entire time. If it's a party you want, then you won't want to miss a second of the BLACKOUT SUPERSTAR journey."

For more infomation, visit www.blackoutsuperstar.com.

Former DEVOLVED bassist Hal Berkstresser has released the following statement:

"Following producing 'Oblivion', a record I love and am proud to have worked so heavily on, I have decided to end my involvement with DEVOLVED. I had hoped to evolve the material and continue working with drummer John Sankey, but consideration for me and my input vanished long ago and I have to move onward. I feel honored to have worked with Brett Noordin and Kyle Zemanek during my time with the band.....but please, keep an ear out for DRONIKA in early 2012, featuring myself and ex-ANKLA singer Eddie Macias. We will hopefully deliver you all some great songs, killer live drums and what is turning out to be a great sounding debut record."

DEVOLVED recently released a demo version of a new song called "Collateral Damage". The track will be featured on the band's next album, to be released in 2012. All music was written and performed by John Sankey and Mark Hawkins, with lyrics and arrangement by John Sankey. The vocals were performed by DEVOLVED's new lead singer, Mark Haggblad (UNVEIL THE STRENGTH), following the recent departure of Kyle Zemanek (DEADSETT).

DEVOLVED's latest album, "Oblivion", was released on May 24 via Unique Leader Records.

SLASH (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES) was asked by Esquire about what he has learned in life. Here are a few excerpts from the chat:

What I've learned: "I never want to draw attention to myself, but that's all I do."

What I've learned: "There are people who have an image of me as being rude and inconsiderate. But I'm completely the opposite, because I was raised not to be. I might have been tripping over myself drunk, but I was always courteous."

What I've learned: "Axl (Rose) and I came from completely different backgrounds. Because of that we made an interesting pair trying to figure each other out."

What I've learned: "When I see footage of Guns N' Roses, I see that fucking hunger and attitude. You could not fuck with those five guys. It was just raw. It was this lean, hungry thing on its way up. It was as sincere as any rock 'n' roll that I've ever heard, and I'm proud of that."

Pride of Lions is carrying on their proud heritage working hard on their as yet untitled fourth studio album. Jim Peterik says: "Our self-titled debut released in 2002 is still many of our fans favorite albums. So this album is a bit of a return to form. Of course there will be a few surprises and Toby Hitchcock is singing stronger than ever. I've hit a stride on the songwriting with songs such as "Tie Down The Wind" and "Coin of the Realm". I needed the time since The Roaring of Dreams to regroup and get reinspired. If you can't make a great record that will last the test of time - why even bother. This time Toby and me wanna take Pride of Lions on the road to promote this new one and spread the word". This new Pride of Lions from what we've heard so far promises to be both more melodic and harder edged. Release is planned for early summer 2012.

Crazy Lixx are busy in the studio recording their third album that will be entitled "Riot Avenue". According to singer Danny Rexon: "This time the music is a little more riff-based and straight-forward. We wanted to make real a hard rock album, so we decided to have a little more raw feeling in the production, sound and songwriting compared to our previous albums and there's a lot more up-tempo songs than we had on New Religion. Also, the addition of a second guitarist, Edd Liam, has made it possible to add some twin guitar playing and other interesting musical stuff that we've used on the album". Some of the song titles are "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot", "Young Blood", "Riot Avenue", "Church of Rock", "Fire it Up", "Only the Dead Know" and more. The album is planned for a worldwide release in April 2012 and will be followed by the usual string of live dates around the World.

Singer Robbie LaBlanc of Blanc Faces and Swedish producer/songwriter Daniel Flores (Mind's Eye; The Murder Of My Sweet) have started working together on an exciting new project entitled Find Me. Musically it will have an heavier edge compared to Blanc Faces and Robbie sings louder and stronger than ever! Daniel Flores says "This cd is some of the best AOR songs I've ever worked on, there are songs for everybody here, it is going to be a monster. Robbie has one of the best voices in the business and I'm proud to be working with him, he reminds me of the soulfulness of Martin Page and Lou Gramm's singing. I have given every song on Find Me its own identity for Robbie to showcase his great vocal diversity; all arrangements are carefully produced to fit his voice. The sonic impact will knock the socks out of you for sure! There are some great musicians involved on this Cd, starting with the amazing solos from guitar wizard David Sivelind, the rhythm guitars of Daniel Palmqvist and the very tight and inventive bass playing from Jonny Trobro. The amount of time put into keyboards was really a lot and will instantly remind the listener of the greats like Boston and Foreigner. All done with real vintage keyboards to give the album the organic feel, that unfortunately so many albums lack of these days. I have never been this satisfied with the keyboards and synthesizer arrangements like on this album!" Release is planned for the summer 2012.

KAYSER, the Swedish band featuring former SPIRITUAL BEGGARS frontman Spice and ex-THE MUSHROOM RIVER BAND drummer Bob Ruben, entered the studio earlier this month to begin recording its third album for an early 2012 release.

Commented the band: "So what's there to say about the long silence? Simply put, we went a bit astray with some stuff and needed to take the time necessary to get things sorted out. Mainly in our own heads but there's also some politics to it when it comes to a certain record label.

"We've been rehearsing for a while now and the vibe is amazing. We're enjoying writing new music, playing the old stuff, hanging out together and just to be rolling again."

KAYSER released its sophomore album, "Frame the World…Hang It on the Wall", in October 2006 via Scarlet Records. The CD was recorded in February 2006 at Caesar Studios in Västra Karaby, Sweden with producer Richard Larsson and was mastered at The Mastering Room by Göran Finnberg.

Video footage of KAYSER performing the song "Cheap Glue" on March 9, 2007 in Villach, Austria can be seen below.

DEDVOLT, the new San Francisco Bay Area rock/metal band featuring SKINLAB frontman Steev Esquivel on guitar, 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.

The Super Audio CD (SACD) edition of PINK FLOYD's Wish You Were Here album will be released in North America on January 10th, 2012.

The legendary English psychedelic rock band's 1975 masterpiece, Wish You Were Here, remains a staple of poignant emotion, pioneering arrangements, clever wit, and timeless performance. Forever an audiophile and music staple, the blockbuster is finally available on an incredible-sounding digital version, courtesy of this Hybrid 5.1 SACD.

Mixed for 5.1 from original multi-track master tapes by Pink Floyd engineer James Guthrie, Wish You Were Here reveals countless new layers of information, detail, and dynamics. We'll stake our reputation on it: You will never hear a better digital edition, and for that matter, whether you opt to listen in stereo or surround, you'll never be closer to the music. The stereo version is transferred from the original analog master tapes.

Anchored by the longing title track, heartfelt tribute to founder Syd Barrett, 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond', and nervy takedown of music-business hypocrisy, 'Have a Cigar', the follow-up to Dark Side Of The Moon is equally great and just as iconic. As much as any multiplatinum album in history, Wish You Were Here employs cutting-edge studio effects and unimaginable atmospheric techniques to paint an impossibly broad canvas.

On this SACD, the enormous soundscapes, introspective echoes, and brazen guitar washes take on a life of their own. Airy, complete with full frequency extension and unparalleled realism, the disc drops Pink Floyd into your listening room. This is reach-out-and-touch-it quality, the kind of perspective and experience for which all audiophiles crave.

AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED has released a holiday EP, "Make A Joyful Noise", as a free download for a limited time at this location. The effort was originally released as a limited-edition flexi-disc in issue #87 of Decibel magazine. The issue is available for purchase here.

"Make A Joyful Noise" track listing:

01. Eyes Like Two Pissholes in the Snow (2011 Holiday Edition) (00:07)
02. Hung Like a Stocking by the Chimney with Care (00:06)
03. Santa's got a Brand New Bag (00:12)
04. Re-Gifted (00:35)
05. No Presents this Year (00:12)
06. With a Sniff and a Wink (00:14)
07. Re-Wrapped & Re-Gifted Again (00:34)
08. Frozen Corpse Stuffed with Holiday Cheer (00:35)
09. Ghost of Christmas Past (00:34)
10. Christmas Through the Years (00:14)
11. Little Town of Bethlehem (00:49)

Earlier this year, AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED issued a split full-length with California powerviolence legends DESPISE YOU, entitled "And On And On…" The release contained the first new recorded DESPISE YOU material in almost 10 years plus seven new tracks from ANB's always-evolving-grindcore. The split is currently streaming in its entirety at this location.

"And On And On…" is available digitally (iTunes), on 12-inch vinyl and CD via Relapse.

METALLICA has posted a 31-minute video recap of the third of four intimate shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of the week-long celebration of its 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only. Check it out below.

Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST), Glenn Danzig (DANZIG, MISFITS, SAMHAIN), Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS), Pepper Keenan (DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY), Gary Rossington (LYNYRD SKYNYRD), Nick "Animal" Culmer (ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE) and former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted joined METALLICA on stage on December 9 for the third concert at the Fillmore.

After opening sets from THE SOUL REBELS brass band and LÄÄZ ROCKIT, as well as an appearance by former FAITH NO MORE guitarist Jim Martin — who took to the stage with METALLICA frontman James Hetfield to honor late METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton — METALLICA rocked the capacity crowd with a 21-song set which featured selections from all periods of the band's career, including a previously unreleased track from the "Death Magnetic" sessions called "Hell And Back".

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Suicide & Redemption
02. Master Of Puppets
03. ...And Justice For All
04. Of Wolf & Man
05. Fade To Black
06. The Thing That Should Not Be
07. I Disappear
08. The Outlaw Torn
09. Hell And Back (previously unreleased song from "Death Magnetic" sessions)
10. Blitzkrieg (BLITZKRIEG cover) (with fan-club members Joseph Guariglia)
11. For Whom The Bell Tolls (with Jerry Cantrell)
12. Nothing Else Matters (with Jerry Cantrell)
13. So What?! (ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE cover) (with Animal)
14. Tuesday's Gone (LYNYRD SKYNYRD cover) (with Gary Rossington, Pepper Keenan, Jerry Cantrell, and Jim Martin)
15. Fuel (with Jason Newsted)
16. Fight Fire With Fire (with Jason Newsted)
17. Die, Die My Darling (MISFITS cover) (with Glenn Danzig)
18. Last Caress (MISFITS cover) (with Glenn Danzig)
19. Green Hell (MISFITS cover) (with Glenn Danzig)
20. Rapid Fire (JUDAS PRIEST cover) (with Rob Halford)
21. Seek & Destroy (with Jason Newsted, Jerry Cantrell, Pepper Keenan, Jim Martin, Glenn Danzig, Animal, LAAZ ROCKIT, and THE SOUL REBELS brass band)

Frontman James Hetfield told The Pulse Of Radio that METALLICA hoped to make the shows special for the people attending. "It is a fan celebration — everyone who's come along the METALLICA ride for 30 years — and we're constantly wanting to give to the fans what they don't normally get from some other band or some other connection," he said. "So these four shows at the Fillmore are something like that."

The other three shows took place on December 5, December 7 and December 10, with special guests and events, rare songs, varied set lists and more.

METALLICA plans to begin work on its next studio album early in 2012. The group recently released its collaborative album with Lou Reed, called "Lulu", which flopped saleswise and earned the quartet the worst reviews of its career.

The band has booked several European shows next summer, including one at a venue in Denmark that used to be a prison, at which it will perform its self-titled 1991 effort, a.k.a. "the black album," in its entirety.

METALLICA was formed when Ulrich, who had moved to Los Angeles from Denmark, placed an ad in a local paper called The Recycler looking for other musicians to play with. The ad was answered by guitarists James Hetfield and Hugh Tanner of the band LEATHER CHARM.

METALLICA officially formed in October 1981 and the band's first recording was "Hit The Lights" for the compilation "Metal Massacre".

Bay Area DJ Ron Quintana came up with the group's name: he was debating between using "Metallica" and "Metal Mania" for the name of his radio show and Ulrich encouraged him to use "Metal Mania" so that he could use "Metallica" for his new band.

METALLICA's first full lineup — featuring Hetfield, Ulrich, guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney — played its first gig on March 14, 1982 at Radio City in Anaheim, California.

Eclipse are putting their finishing touches to their anticipated fourth studio album that will be entitled "Bleed And Scream". Musically the band is taking off the new release where the last album finished, yet with more refined and progressed songwriting. It will be a 100% Eclipse-sounding album with big hooks, melodies and powerful riffs but it leans towards a more darker, moody and epic side of the band. Songs like the title-track, "Battlegrounds", "A Bitter Taste" and "After the End of the World" will show an exciting new side of the songwriting of the band. There will also be the first ballad in the history of the band entitled "About to Break". Singer Erik Martensson tells: "This album was the hardest to write for us so far. On the other hand the most rewarding. We donґt know at this point how we are going to top this one. We have tweaked everything from quality of the songs, melodies, hooks, arrangements, guitar-riffs, vocal performances, guitar solos, drumming and the variety in the songwriting in general. No stone is left unturned this time." Frontiers plans to release the album in the first half of 2012.

DEEP PURPLE is featured in a new series of albums "featuring the greatest hits, signature tunes and fan favorites of the most popular artists in music history," which promise to offer "unprecedented value to consumers." The aptly named "Icon" series from Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) launched in August 31, 2010, with releases from 30 major artists spanning rock, pop, R&B and country.

Each album, at a "great price," includes roughly a dozen hit tracks.

Due on January 10, 2012, the DEEP PURPLE "Icon" compilation will feature the following songs:

01. Smoke On The Water (live)
02. Hush (live)
03. Woman From Tokyo (live)
04. Knocking At Your Back Door
05. Call Of The Wild
06. Perfect Strangers
07. Bad Attitude
08. Nobody's Home
09. Black Night (live)
10. Child In Time (live)
11. Strange Kind Of Woman (live)

Durung a recent interview with U.K.'s Express & Star, Gillan was asked when fans might be able to expect DEEP PURPLE's follow-up to 2005's "Rapture Of The Deep" album.

"The fact is that we've been touring flat out," said Gillan. "We did 48 countries last year. We're getting so much off on that we just don't feel the drive at the moment for writing."

Gillan did reveal, though, that DEEP PURPLE convened for a mini writing session earlier in the year.

"We were in Spain for a little while and we had a week off," he said. "We spent most of the time in the bar, to be honest with you. It was a good session, but nothing absolutely dynamic came out of it.

"I think to get some progress as far as an album's concerned you've got to have a target, you've got to work to a date, and that gives you pressure. If you've got the pressure, you get stuff done. We don't have a plan, to be honest.

"Things have always been chaos, certainly since I joined, and we've never been able to plan anything. If we'd been able to make plans, we'd probably have retired by now!"

"People like to do stuff that they're good at, that they enjoy, that they get something out of. So while it's fun and we're all getting older and bits are dropping off here and there, it's still great. I think there probably will be another album.

"And because we're not doing an album (right now) doesn't mean I don't write every day. It's a day off today and for me it's a full day at the office. This morning is interviews and this afternoon I've got two or three interesting pieces I'm working on at the moment. I write every day and so when I do come round to making an album there's never a shortage of what I call colour material."

DEEP PURPLE's 18th studio album, "Rapture of the Deep", was released in November 2005. It was the fourth studio CD from DEEP PURPLE since guitarist Steve Morse joined the band in 1994. It was also the second album to feature veteran keyboardist Don Airey.

"Rapture of the Deep" was produced by Mike Bradford, who also worked on the band's previous release, 2003's "Bananas".

Finnish melodic rockers MYON have released the music video for the track ‘Call Of The Senses’.

Frontman Mika Pohjola commented: “The song is a story about extreme adrenaline search, so we needed a video that really shows all about what experiencing the extremes can be”.

Hustler cover model and video director Kimberly Knox, (a.k.a. Veera Julia Ikkala) also commented on the video: “When I heard ‘Call Of The Senses’ for the first time and was asked to act in the video, my decision was an immediate yes! This is because, personally the song touches me deeply and for me it is easy to relate to adrenaline seeking behaviour. To me life has always been about the extremes. Truly feeling each moment and following my instincts, for better and worse. I started to then build a clear picture in my mind about how to bring this across to our viewers and ended up directing the video myself, for I had a distinct vision that I wished to show the audience: Living life to the extreme… Really feeling the adrenaline and life to the maximum in certain moments. Be it for good or bad. Evidently such lifestyle takes its toll, in a way or another. To some it can be worth it, to some it is not. But my point was not to moralize or judge, only to show what such moments and lifestyle of extremes may be.”

‘Call Of The Senses’ Single and Video will be released digitally on January 1st. Watch the video below:

RASKASTA JOULUA, the Christmas project featuring several well-known Finnish hard rock and heavy metal musicians, has released a new EP called "Jouluksi Kotiin". It includes one new studio recording, of the EP's title track, with Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA, NORTHERN KINGS) on vocals and four live versions of previously released songs from the group.

"Jouluksi Kotiin" track listing:

01. Jouluksi Kotiin (feat. Tony Kakko)
02. Ensimmäinen Joulu (feat. Marco Hietala) (live)
03. Tähti Tähdistä Kirkkain (feat. Antony Parviainen) (live)
04. Ilouutinen (feat. J. Ahola) (live)
05. Sylvian Joululaulu (feat. Ari Koivunen) (live)

The song "Jouluksi Kotiin" is available for streaming below.

RASKASTA JOULUA began with the album "Raskasta Joulua" ("Heavy Christmas") in 2004 and released a follow-up effort, "Raskaampaa Joulua" ("Heavier Christmas"), in 2006. The project has toured every year since 2005, having started with just three gigs and since expanded into a 17-show tour.

Inspired by TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, RASKASTA JOULUA has really worked hard on its song arrangements, which is not always the case when it comes to holiday music. A lot of rock artists and bands release "novelty" Christmas albums which are nothing more than the same songs with distorted guitars. This is not the case here. You can find elements of several metal subgenres in the songs, from fast power metal through NIGHTWISH-style epics to slow doom. Sometimes it may even be difficult to recognize the original song.

RASKASTA JOULUA vocalists on this year's tour were as follows:

* Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT, NORTHERN KINGS)
* Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA, NORTHERN KINGS)
* Jarkko Ahola (TERÄSBETONI, AHOLA, NORTHERN KINGS)
* Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (CHARON, HARMAJA NORTHERN KINGS)
* Tommi "Tuple" Salmela (TAROT)
* Ari Koivunen (AMORAL)
* Pasi Rantanen (THUNDERSTONE)
* Ilja Jalkanen (ex-KIUAS)
* Antony Parviainen (MACHINE MEN)
* Antti Railio (ex-CELESTY)

The backing band for the 2011 tour consisted of the following musicians:

* Erkka Korhonen - Guitar
* Tuomas Wäinölä - Guitar
* Vili Ollila - Keyboards
* Erkki Silvennoinen - Bass
* Mirka Rantanen - Drums

Video footage of RASKASTA JOULUA performing the song "Jouluksi Kotiin" on December 3, 2011 at Teatria in Oulu, Finland can be seen below.

Former IRON MAIDEN and current WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley has commenced work on his new solo album, "King Of Metal", for a 2012 release. A European headlining tour in support of the CD will kick off in early March in Belgium.

Blaze earlier in the year parted ways with the rest of his band in order to pursue a career as a solo artist and the lead singer of WOLFSBANE. He explained the decision by saying that "the mental, financial and emotional strain of keeping the BLAZE BAYLEY band together has proven to be too much for me and has taken a terrible toll on my mental health. . . It has been an upsetting, frustrating and sad time because the BLAZE BAYLEY band will not be going on any more, but it is also for me a huge relief and a time to look forward."

A statement from former members of Blaze Bayley's solo band — David Bermudez (bass), Nico Bermudez (guitar) and Jay Walsh (guitar) — regarding the group's split can be found at this location.

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

Blaze's latest album, "Promise and Terror", was released on February 1, 2010.

The singer's double live album and live DVD, "The Night That Will Not Die" — recorded on December 13, 2008 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland — were released on Blaze Bayley Recordings; the concert was filmed by director Kris McManus and all audio mixed and mastered by producer Jase Edwards.

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman joined Japanese phenomenon Momoiro Clover on stage on December 25 at the Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan. They played two songs and a guitar solo corner with an excerpt from Friedman's "Valley Of Eternity".

Friedman recently recorded Clover's upcoming single, "Moretsu", with producer Maeyamada Kenichi at the helm. Maeyamada is being hailed in Japan as the hottest new producer in recent times, racking up several hits with his twisted and instantly recognizable style.

Stated Friedman about the collaboration, (translated from Entame magazine): "This song is like the (QUEEN's) 'Bohemian Rhapsody' of idol/girl group music. It has all the elements you would never expect in the genre — aside from the five girl singers, there is a 100-person choir, odd-time signatures, high-speed tempo changes, unusual key modulations, and my guitar over the top of all of it. Actually, if you could imagine a two-hour-long Japan-themed Broadway show fast forwarded and squeezed into five and a half minutes, that might describe the song. No question this is my favorite collaboration since I moved to Japan. It's also the kind of thing you either loathe with a passion, or you love it so much you can't get enough of it."

"Moretsu" will be made available in early 2012, and even though it will be a Japan-only release, for fans of Friedman's playing all around the world it will be well worth looking into.

MINISTRY, LACUNA COIL, LINKIN PARK and EVANESCENCE are among the featured artists on the forthcoming soundtrack to the film "Underworld: Awakening".

Due on January 17 through Lakeshore Records, the collection will feature the following track listing:

01. EVANESCENCE - "Made Of Stone" (Renholdër Remix)
02. LACEY STURM (FLYLEAF) - "Heavy Prey" (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo)
03. LINKIN PARK - "Blackout" (Renholdër Remix)
04. THE CURE - "Apart" (Renholdër Remix)
05. STELLA KATSOUDAS (SISTER SOLEIL) - "Killer & A Queen" (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo)
06. MINISTRY - "Watch Yourself" (Renholdër Remix)
07. LACUNA COIL - "Trip The Darkness" (Ben Weinman Remix)
08. THE NAKED AND FAMOUS - "Young Blood" (Renholdër Remix)
09. BLACK LIGHT BURNS - "It Rapes All In Its Path“
10. WILLIAM CONTROL - "The Posthumous Letter“
11. CIVIL TWILIGHT - "How'm I Supposed To Die“
12. & SONS - "Consolation Prize“
13. 8MM - "Liar" (Revenant mix by 8mm)
14. RYAN T.HOPE (THE LIFELINE) - "You Won't See The Light (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo)
15. COMBICHRIST - "Bottle Of Pain“
16. COLLIDE - "Intruder“
17. JUSTIN LASSEN - "Exit Wounds" (Justin Lassen Remix) (feat. Silent Fury)