Norwegian black metallers 1349 have worked with Anti Denim designer Karoline Bakken Lund to create exclusive handmade denim jeans as part of the Custom Made collection. The jeans are available through Anti Denim's online store, where every denim ordered will be made the exact way it was made. The jeans are sold numbered and each comes with a signed autograph from 1349. Prices start at 4666 NOK or 590 euros.

In a recent interview with Lemonade magazine, Kjetil Wold of the Norwegian design group Anti stated about about his black metal-inspired clothing company, "We are a denim brand who aim to put rebellion back into jeans. As Norwegians, we are heavily influenced by the true Norwegian black metal sub culture. Coming from Norway, we find it natural to build our philosophy around something truly Norwegian."

When asked if he has received any feedback from any remaining members of the early '90s wave of Norwegian black metal, Kjetil said, "We have had good feedback and are proud to say that artists like SATYRICON, 1349 and RUNHILD GAMMELSÆTER are not only using our denims but are or have been involved in several projects with us."

THE MINI BAND — the Thatcham, United Kingdom-based group made up of 8- and 10-year-olds whose performance of METALLICA's "Enter Sandman" has racked up more than three million YouTube views in ten weeks — was stunned when METALLICA sent them a video message ahead of a recent gig.

THE MINI BAND said it had been inundated with offers from around the world after the YouTube video went viral.

Before heading onstage for a fundraising concert in Newbury, in aid of Naomi House children's hospice, THE MINI BAND was surprised with a video message from METALLICA, recorded in Northern California.

"By the time you guys are our age, so you're gonna so incredibly great!" guitarist Kirk Hammett said. "They're already incredibly great, man," bassist Robert Trujillo added.

"You guys rock! You guys are very cool," said drummer Lars Ulrich. "Maybe someday we can work something out. We could come out and open up for all y'all, if you guys will have us. We're just getting started. We're an up-and-coming hard rock band out in Northern California, so if you'll have us, we're there for the taking."

The BBC has caught up with the members of THE MINI BAND to see how they're dealing with their newfound global fame. Check out the four-and-a-half-minute video report below.

As individuals, the members of THE MINI BAND have created a real stir, with Zoe getting over 250,000 hits on one YouTube video! Harry has been featured on TV and Bugera amplifiers web site, and Charlie has an endorsement for drum sticks.

THE MINI BAND is:

* Zoe Thomson (8 years old) - Guitar
* Harry Jackson (8 years old) - Guitar
* Kieran Fell (8 years old) - Guitar
* Harrison Read (8 years old) - Lead Vocals
* Archie Zolotuhin (10 years old) - Bass Guitar
* Charlie Emmons (10 years old) - Drums

For more information, visit THE MINI BAND Facebook page.

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN has begun writing material for its fifth studio album and follow-up to 2010's "Option Paralysis" (Party Smasher Inc./Season of Mist).

Commented guitarist Ben Weinman: "Billy [Rymer, drums] and I have been locked up in the DILLINGER compound and things are starting to boil." He adds, "There is nothing like that feeling when you realize... Yep, just when I thought I was drained, the juices are back in full force! The neighbors are definitely getting pissed, but we couldn't be more excited."

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will take a break from the writing process in order to rejoin its beloved tourmates MASTODON and RED FANG on a string of U.K. dates in February, followed by a stop down under for Australia's annual Soundwave Festival.

In other news, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will release a limited-edition "Gold Teeth On A Bum" shirt online, just in time for the holidays. The limited-time offer, which will be made available for 24 hours only, will launch via the band's web site beginning at 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST on Thursday, December 22, with a quarter of the proceeds going to a charity chosen by those who make a purchase.

Danish melodic doom metal masters SATURNUS have inked a deal with Cyclone Empire Records. The band's fourth album will be released in the spring.

Commented the group: "We are extremely happy and excited about having signed with Cyclone Empire to release our new album. Cyclone Empire were one of the interested labels from back in June who received a demo of some new songs. In time we formed relationship via our management, Lugga Music, who helped co-ordinate things until we arrived to where we are today.

"The deal is for two albums, with the first CD to be released in the spring of 2012.

"The studio has not been decided yet, but we have already contacted and lined up our longtime collaborator Flemming Rasmussen to begin recording in December.

"The album title has not been decided yet but we have 5 finished songs with the working titles 'Litany Of Rain', 'Between Worm And Woeful Star', 'A Father's Providence', 'Wind Torn' and 'Forest Of Insomnia'. These five songs and some other new tracks are currently undergoing their final touches."

SATURNUS is:

Thomas A.G. - Vocals
Henrik Glass - Drums
Mattias Svensson - Guitar
Rune Stiassny - Guitar, Keyboards
Brian Pomykala Hansen - Bass

SATURNUS completed a four-song demo between October 2010 and February 2011 containing the tracks "The Litany Of Rain", "A Father's Providence", "Wind Torn" and "Between" (working title). The recording was mixed and mastered by Flemming Rasmussen, who has previously worked with METALLICA, MORBID ANGEL and BLIND GUARDIAN, among others.

A performance clip of a new SATURNUS song, "Wind Torn", recorded in 2009 in Madrid, Spain, can be viewed below.

SATURNUS's latest album, "Veronika Decides To Die", was released in 2006. The CD was produced by Flemming Rasmussen and featured a guest appearance by MERCYFUL FATE guitar legend Michael Denner. The album was nominated in four categories ("Best Metal Album", "Best Metal Track", "Best Metal Production" and "Best Metal Artwork") at the 2006 Danish Metal Awards event.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, ALTER BRIDGE drummer Scott Phillips told Stereoboard that it's unlikely fans will hear from the band again until 2013, but that they shouldn't take that as a bad sign. Phillips explained, "We'll certainly be visible next year, but it'll be on various projects and then probably 2013 will be the reunion there of ALTER BRIDGE and we'll diligently get to work on a new record and tour as soon as we can."

ALTER BRIDGE spent much of 2011 on the road behind its last album, "AB III", but 2012 will see singer Myles Kennedy return to work as the lead singer in Slash's band, while the other three members of the group will reunite with vocalist Scott Stapp for a new CREED tour and album.

Phillips said, "Each of us have our own thing. I think we've got a lot of different paths we're heading on in 2012," adding that in addition to working with CREED, guitarist Mark Tremonti is prepping his first solo album for release.

Meanwhile, "AB III" was probably ALTER BRIDGE's most acclaimed effort so far and Tremonti told The Pulse Of Radio why he thought it worked so well. "I think we figured out what our sound was from the 'Blackbird' record, and we, I guess we were just more prepared to build on that sound and to make it more dynamic and that's all we really set out to do, is just make the best record we could, make it a dynamic record, and make it something that was uncompromised by record labels and singles and all that stuff," he said.

Earlier this fall, ALTER BRIDGE released a special edition of "AB III" featuring three previously unheard songs and an hour-long documentary on the group's career.

The band also filmed a concert last month in London's Wembley Arena for release on DVD sometime in 2012.

CREED will be playing its first two albums, "My Own Prison" and "Human Clay", in their entirety at a series of intimate shows next April, while also prepping a new studio album.

Oakland, California hard rock band HIGH ON FIRE has entered Salem, Massachusetts' GodCity Studios with producer and CONVERGE guitarist Kurt Ballou to begin tracking its as-yet-untitled new album. Tentative songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Serums of Liao", "Madness Of An Architect", "De Vermis Mysteriis", "Spiritual Rites" and "Warhorn". A press release describes the new material as "direct, eye-opening and powerfully supernatural."

"We are really stoked about recording this album," said bassist Jeff Matz. "The new songs are turning out absolutely punishing; there are some seriously sledgehammer riffs on this one! Working with Kurt has been awesome as well. He's super easy to work with and is full of good ideas. The sounds that the guy gets are ridiculous and raw as fuck but also clear and HUGE. I think this album will capture the essence of the band really well. It's still early in the process, but so far it's sounding amazing."

HIGH ON FIRE's last album, "Snakes for the Divine", sold around 8,600 copies in its first week of release in the United States to debut at position No. 63 on The Billboard 200 chart. The follow-up to 2007's "Death is this Communion" was made available in North America on February 23 via E1 Music. The album was recorded at The Pass Studios in Los Angeles with producer Greg Fidelman and was described in a press release as "HIGH ON FIRE's magnum opus, capturing every nuance of the legendary band's ongoing musical progression and evolution into one of heavy music's all-time greats."

Sweden Rock Magazine correspondent Daniela Pilic has posted a two-and-a-half-minute video of the "unboxing" of the fourth vintage of "Iron Maiden Eddie's Evil Brew" wine. Check it out below.

IRON MAIDEN collectors can purchase "Iron Maiden Eddie's Evil Brew" direct from the band's official webshop. According to a product description, "You can have 'piece of mind' that this fine Chilean merlot tastes great on its own or with a very very rare steak! Comes in a wooden presentation box 'Iron Maiden Eddie's Evil Brew' printed on top sliding lid which would make a great gift."

Important: Due to customs regulations in some countries, the band is only able to send this product successfully to European Union countries. Therefore if you live outside the European Union and still place an order, the band will ship the wine but your order might be held at customs and will possibly incur a duty payment or even be confiscated. Please be aware that this is your responsibilty.

"To Die Is Gain", the 2008 debut album from GOADED — the project featuring former DIO guitarist Tracy "G" Grijalva and KORN drummer Ray Luzier — has now been given an "official" release through Spooky G Records, with North American distribution from Super D. According to a press release, "The 12-song [CD] is an unreal reminder of what kind of guitar player Tracy G is and what type of power G and Luzier bring to the world. Along with Larry Dennison on bass and Jason Witte on vocals this CD delivers a very heavy, modern and groove-filled opus that keeps your attention for its 52 minutes of music."

The press release adds, "If you are expecting the project to sound like DIO or KORN, it is neither. This is a very heavy modern project with melodic yet growling type of vocals that hit you right between the ears and has its own sound."

Produced by Joe Floyd and GOADED and recorded at the G factory, "To Die Is Gain" is only the first release that Luzier and Grijalva will release during 2012 from the work they have done together in the recent past.

Grijalva is working on a book that will chronicle his time in DIO (from 1993 through 1999). According to a press release, "The book will talk about everything from his initial tryout for the band, how he got that chance and also the end of the line for him in DIO. G will talk about the writing process, the touring, his feelings on the band and also his own private thoughts about working with Ronnie James Dio during this time.

Tracy recently released a new CD with his band THE TRACY G GROUP called "Controlled Chaos", available on his own Spooky G Records. Tracy is joined by Johnny B on drums and vocals and Eddie Frisco on bass.

Tracy left DIO in 1999 after he claimed he was "asked to play in a dual-guitar situation" in Ronnie's band. According to a posting on Tracy's web site, DIO was "looking for more of a Ritchie Blackmore style . . . and wanted [Tracy] to step back and just play rhythm guitar. That's when [Tracy] knew it was time to leave, freeing him to more diligently pursue his home studio projects."

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King tells Classic Rock magazine that he doubts there will be any more shows featuring the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX.

"If you look at how much work went into making it all happen in the first place, then I really doubt we can do the same thing again," King says. "You had four headlining bands touring together and that takes so much organizing."

He adds, "I know there are some parts where they're angry not to have gotten the chance to see it. The Bay Area will probably never forgive us. And we could go on and on doing it for ages. But I honestly doubt we can get our schedules to coincide like that again."

The "Big Four" played the seventh concert of this year's tour on September 14 at Yankee Stadium in New York City (The bands played together a number of times last year in Europe as the "Big Four" and at large festivals.)

The idea for the "Big Four" tour first came up in 2009 and METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio he was glad to finally see it happen. "It's pretty amazing, if you think about it, that it's the first time basically in 25 years or 30 or whatever that the four of us have actually played shows together," he said. "So it was a lot of fun, a lot of memories, a lot of fun times — new fun times, and fun times talking about the old fun times. So it sort of was a, it was a winner on every front."

This past spring, METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX were presented with double-platinum plaques for the two-disc DVD release of "The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria", containing footage of the June 22, 2010 Sonisphere cinecast from the Sofia, Bulgaria leg of the touring rock festival featuring all four groups. The presentation took place on April 23, 2010 at the first-ever "Big Four" concert on American soil at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.

"The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" was certified double platinum on December 17, 2010 by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) for shipments in excess of 100,000 copies. (Note: Due to the fact that the set consists of two discs, it was eligible for platinum certification after shipping 50,000 copies; platinum certification for a single-disc release is 100,000 copies.)

According to Nielsen SoundScan, "The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" has sold 134,000 copies in the United States since its November 2010 release.

"The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard "Top Music Videos" sales chart in November with first-week sales of 22,000 copies. The set also debuted at No. 1 in Canada, the U.K. and Austria, while entering at No. 4 in Germany.

"The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" set features full shows from all four bands along with behind-the-scenes and interview footage.

Fan-filmed video footage of MORBID ANGEL performing the song "Chapel Of Ghouls" on November 21, 2011 in Sheffield, England can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Immortal Rites
02. Fall From Grace
03. Rapture
04. Day Of Suffering
05. Blasphemy
06. Maze Of Torment
07. Existo VulgorГ©
08. Nevermore
09. I Am Morbid
10. Angel Of Disease
11. Lord Of All Fevers And Plague
12. Sworn To The Black
13. Chapel Of Ghouls

MORBID ANGEL recently filmed a video for the song "Existo VulgorГ©" with acclaimed director Thomas Mignone (MEGADETH, SEPULTURA, DANZIG). The clip draws inspiration from "The Cabinet Of Dr. Galigari", the classic silent movie of German Expressionism.

On February 24, 2012 (February 28 in North America), Season of Mist will release a compilation of remixed tracks from MORBID ANGEL's latest album, "Illud Divinum Insanus". Far from being just revamped versions of the seminal extreme metal band's newest songs, this collection will present the work of 39 artists from the electro / industrial, techno and club scene.

"Illud Divinum Insanus" sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 141. The effort marks MORBID ANGEL's first CD to feature bassist/vocalist David Vincent since 1995's "Domination".

MORBID ANGEL's previous album, "Heretic", opened with around 3,900 units back in October 2003. That CD has shifted more than 30,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Illud Divinum Insanus" was released on June 7 (one day earlier internationally) via Season of Mist. The cover artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes.

Marseille, France-based female-fronted metalcore band ETHS will release its third album, "III", on March 12, 2012 in North America (March 2 in Europe) via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström, who has previously worked with AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ARCH ENEMY, SOILWORK and BRING ME THE HORIZON, among others.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Voragine
02. Harmaguedon
03. AdonaГЇ
04. Gravis Venter
05. Inanis Venter
06. Sidus
07. Proserpina
08. Hercolubus
09. Praedator
10. Anatemnein

On February 24, ETHS fans living in the south of France will have the opportunity to meet the band and purchase "III" before everybody else during a special evening at the Maison HantГ©e in Marseilles, France.

The band is currently filming a video for one of the songs from the new CD.

ETHS has announced the first leg of its upcoming tour in support of "III". Joining the band on most of the dates inMarch, April and May 2012 will be fellow French metallers KELLS, who will release their new album, "Anachromie", on January 20.

As previously reported, ETHS was recently rejoined by the band's original drummer, Guillaume DuprГ©.

ETHS' sophomore album, "TГ©ratologie", was released in France in October 2007 and was made available in other parts of Europe in April 2008 via Season of Mist. The band's sound is described in a press release as "dark and powerful metal with tortured atmospheres, led by charismatic female singer Candice Clot, who with her amazing voice sings, talks, whispers and growls."

HATRIOT — the new thrash metal project led by veteran San Francisco Bay Area vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza (TENET, DUBLIN DEATH PATROL, EXODUS, LEGACY) — will perform at a charity show this coming Friday, December 23 at The Avalon in Santa Clara, California. The concert will mark HATRIOT's first live performance with new guitarist Miguel Esparza and will see the band debut three brand new songs as well as two EXODUS songs from Souza's tenure with the legendary thrash metal act. This is an all-ages event and admission is free if you bring one unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots.

If you are unable to bring a toy, admission is just a $5 donation to the United States Marines Toys For Tots fund. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. and doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Scheduled performers:

SKINNER 11:15-12:15
HATRIOT 10:15-11:00
THE VENTING MACHINE 9:30-10:00
SILENT SINNER 8:45-9:15
DEMENSION 13 8:00-8:30

HATRIOT is:

Steve "Zetro" Souza - Vocals
Kosta Varvatakis - Guitar
Cody Souza (Zetro's son) - Bass
Alex Bent - Drums
Miguel Esparza - Guitar

HATRIOT has made its entire four-song demo available for free download at Megaupload.

Featured tracks:

01. The Fear Within
02. Weapons Of Class Destruction
03. Globacidal
04. The Mechanics Of Annihilation

"Weapons Of Class Destruction" audio stream:

Austrian crossover band KONTRUST has inked a deal with Napalm Records. The 2010 Amadeus Austrian Music Awards winners in the "Hard & Heavy" category will release their new album, "Second Hand Wonderland", in spring 2012.

Commented the band: "We are happy to have found a reliable, flexible and internationally operating partner in Napalm Records. We have high expectations for our future cooperation. This deal is an important milestone in the band's history, because we have found the perfect label for our future path."

KONTRUST will support DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER on a number of dates in Germany and Austria in May 2012.

iClips has announced a live broadcast with legendary Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers GUNS N' ROSES from the Forum in Los Angeles, California on December 21, 2011. The following week iClips will broadcast GUNS N' ROSES from The Joint in Las Vegas, Nevada on the night before New Year's Eve.

Presale for the event will start at $7.99. On the day of the show prices will increase to $9.99. There will also be a two-show package available for $14.99.

The shows will be available to stream for a 24-hour period following each show.

GUNS N' ROSES kicked off its first U.S. tour since 2006 on October 28 in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to sole original member Axl Rose (vocals), the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Richard Fortus and DJ Ashba, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.

"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies. The long-in-the-making, 14-song CD finally arrived 17 years after the last full-length collections of original GUNS material, "Use Your Illusion I" and "II", were released, and nine years after the non-album track "Oh My God" surfaced on the soundtrack of the movie "End Of Days".

"Chinese Democracy" was made available exclusively through Best Buy.

French female-fronted symphonic metallers KELLS will release their third album, "Anachromie", on January 20, 2012 via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded and mixed by Yann Klimezyk (MYPOLLUX) at MS Studio and was mastered by Ted Jensen (KORN, DEFTONES, MUSE) at Sterling Sound Studio in New York City.

"Anachromie" track listing:

01. Bleu
02. Se Taire
03. Illusion D'Une Aire
04. L'heure Que Le Temps Va Figer
05. L'asphalte
06. Emmurés
07. Quelque Part
08. Le manège déchanté
09. Cristal
10. Addictions
11. L'Autre Rive
12. Nuances
13. L'écho
14. Furytale (English version of "Se Taire")
15. On My Fate (English version of "L'heure Que Le Temps Va Figer")

The song "Furytale" is now available for streaming at this location.

COLDWORKER — the Örebro, Sweden-based "blasting" death metal band consisting of current and former/current members of such acts as NASUM, RELENTLESS, RUIN and PHOBOS — will release its third album, "The Doomsayer's Call", in February 2012 via Listenable Records. The CD was recorded in part at Soundlab Studios in the group's hometown and will feature 13 songs. Mixing took place at Unisound studios with Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA, DISSECTION).

"The Doomsayer's Call" track listing:

01. A New Era
02. The Reprobate
03. The Glass Envelope
04. Flesh World
05. Murderous
06. Pessimist
07. Monochrome Existence
08. Vacuum Fields
09. Living is Suffering
10. The Walls Of Eryx
11. Violent Society
12. Becoming The Stench
13. The Phantom Carriage

The song "Flesh World" is now available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

Commented COLDWORKER drummer Anders Jackobson: "It was the first song written for 'The Doomsayer's Call'. It's a straightforward, furious mix of the elements that make up COLDWORKER, and serves as an example of what people can expect from the album."

Added vocalist Joel Fornbrant: "Civilization being the thin line between barbarism and the modern world, 'Violent Society' explores the plight of contemporary man and his ongoing war on himself."

The cover artwork for "The Doomsayer's Call" was created by the Swedish artist Pär Olofsson who has previously worked with such bands as MALEVOLENT CREATION, IMMOLATION, IMMORTAL, EXODUS and DYING FETUS.

Stated COLDWORKER: "The work Pär did for us followed our strict instructions and perhaps not his usual style, but we are all extremely happy with the result."

Jackobson previously stated about "The Doomsayer's Call": "There's often talk about 'the difficult second album.' Well, history has told me time and again that the third album is usually the most memorable in a band's discography.

"We have all put more than 100% each into this album, writing songs that will stand out on their own as well as have a natural place on the album, spending many hours in three different recording studios just to get the best out of ourselves and so on.

"The album is definitively 'the next step' for COLDWORKER, with developed songwriting and performances that are the best we can muster. It's really a band effort as all five members of the band have written songs, and likewise all five of us have opinions about what the final album should be."

"Rotting Paradise" was released in the U.S. on May 13, 2008 via Relapse Records.

COLDWORKER is:

Joel Fornbrant - Vocals
Anders Bertilsson - Guitar
Daniel Schröder - Guitar
Oskar PГҐlsson - Bass
Anders Jakobson - Drums

"Flesh World" audio stream:

"Carry On", the new video from LECHERY — the Halmstad, Sweden-based metal band featuring former ARCH ENEMY bassist Martin Bengtsson on guitar/vocals — can be seen below. The song comes off LECHERY's second album, "In Fire", which came out this past summer via Metal Heaven. The follow-up to 2008's "Violator" was recorded at Sweetspot Studio with producer Rickard Bengtsson, who has previously worked with ARCH ENEMY and SPIRITUAL BEGGARS.

According to a press relaase, "In Fire" is "much more varied than 'Violator' and still it's classic heavy metal at its best."

LECHERY is:

Martin Bengtsson (ex-ARCH ENEMY) - Guitar/Vocals
Fredrik Nordstrand - Guitar
Martin Karlsson - Bass
Kristian Svensson - Drums

Australia's extreme metal unit THE AMENTA is working on material for their third album for a 2012 release. Vocalist Cain Cressal states, "All arrangements and lyrics are 90% complete. I'll be flying over to Sydney soon to finetune vocal patterns/lyrics after much demoing over the last few months. We intend to start tracking the album in January."

Tentatively titled "Flesh Is Heir", the follow-up to 2008's "n0n" is a crystallization of THE AMENTA's methods. Featuring the expansive, aggressive riffing of the "Occasus" album and the ambient electronic destruction of "n0n", "Flesh Is Heir" also introduces a new eeriness courtesy of Cressall and the unique musical and visual element he brings to the band. Lyrically, "Flesh Is Heir" deals with the two warring sides of the human psyche: The Obliterate (the part of the human thats seeks to escape wordly woes by destroying the concept of self) and the Realist (the part that embraces pain, seeing it as a challenge, the meeting of which creates a better human).

"n0n" received a U.S. release on February 10, 2009 via Listenable Records. The CD, which came out in Europe in October 2008, was mixed at The Vault Studios in Sydney, Australia with longtime engineer Lachlan Mitchell (NAZXUL). Mastering for the album took place at Studios 301 with Steve Smart.

In the four-minute video clip below, Fish, the bass tech for Peter Iwers of Swedish metallers IN FLAMES, guides you through Peter's current stage setup prior to the band's November 18, 2011 concert at Hovet in Stockholm, Sweden.

IN FLAMES is among the five final nominees that are competing for the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" honor at the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), which will be held February 14, 2010 at Kungliga Operan in Stockholm.

IN FLAMES' new digital single, "Where The Dead Ships Dwell", contains three completely different remixes for the title track. With versions by German rapper Casper, drum-and-bass act THE QEMISTS and Kristof Bathory, vocalist of the black metal band DAWN OF ASHES, there should be something everyone can enjoy.

IN FLAMES' tenth album, "Sounds Of A Playground Fading", sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart.

IN FLAMES' previous CD, "A Sense of Purpose" (Koch) opened with 20,000 units to land at No. 28. This was slightly less than the opening tally of "Come Clarity" (Ferret), which shifted just under 24,000 copies in February 2006 to enter the chart at position No. 58.

Tour in Russia confirmed!!

U.D.O. has just confirmed a tour in Russia with its partner Spika Music. Here are the dates:

2012-03-05 BY-Minsk - Sports Palace
2012-03-07 RUS-Moscow - Milk Club
2012-03-08 RUS-St. Petersburg - Aurora
2012-03-11 RUS-Yekaterinburg - Teleclub
2012-03-12 RUS-Tyumen - Filarmony Hall
2012-03-15 RUS-Rostov On Don - Officers House
2012-03-17 RUS-Stavropol - DKS
2012-03-18 RUS-Krasnodar - KZ Premiera

Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST), Brian "Head" Welch (KORN), THE TUBES, Bruce Kulick (KISS), John Corabi (MГ–TLEY CRГњE, UNION), Kip Winger (WINGER) and Orianthi are among the musicians who performed this past Saturday night (December 17) at the original shock rocker Alice Cooper's eleventh annual Christmas Pudding concert on at Comerica Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.

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

Proceeds from this year's Christmas Pudding concert benefit Alice's charity, which is called Solid Rock. They are building a much-needed music-oriented teen center for the Phoenix area youth. The youth center called The Rock will include a coffee house, music venue, and many other music-related activities and will open next spring.

According to a review by Jason P. Woodbury of the Phoenix New Times, "Halford rammed through PRIEST classics like 'Breaking The Law' and 'You've Got Another Thing Coming'." Backed by young bucks from Cooper's band, "he joked about being almost neighbors with Cooper in Paradise Valley, and that he was glad to be home while his PRIEST bandmates 'froze back in London.'"

Cooper, backed by an excellent band that includes longtime associate Steve Hunter and Orianthi, "tore through Cooper classics like 'No More Mr. Nice Guy', 'Under My Wheels', 'I'm 18' and 'Billion Dollar Babies'. Cooper's voice was in good form, and the band was energetic."

Check out the entire review — which includes photos — at this location.

AFM Records will kick off its 2012 North American release schedule with the CD version of the highly-anticipated debut from BUCK SATAN AND THE 666 SHOOTERS, the psycho-country/metal alter-ego of MINISTRY's infamous founder, Al Jourgensen.

In addition to his worldwide notoriety as the Godfather of industrial metal, the public has long been aware of Al Jourgensen's doppelganger, Buck Satan; an idea birthed in homage to his longtime country music hero Buck Owens. Owens, just prior to his death, "blessed" Jourgensen’s country side-project BUCK SATAN AND THE 666 SHOOTERS, and now finally fully realized years later, this anticipated, apocalyptic bit of filthy modern Americana is complete, the collection of hymns dubbed "Bikers Welcome! Ladies Drink Free".

Jourgensen recruited additional henchmen for the debut recordings from BUCK SATAN AND THE 666 SHOOTERS, including Rick Nielsen (CHEAP TRICK), Tony Campos (STATIC-X) and Mike Scaccia (RIGOR MORTIS), in addition to a plethora of guest musicians bearing fiddles, cellos, pedal steel guitars, mandolins, banjos, and more for the construction of the album, utilizing his extensive knowledge of country music to accomplish the album, including eleven original numbers as well as a nod to the legendary Gram Parsons on "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man". Weighing in with over fifty minutes of high-octane "country core" debauchery, "Bikers Welcome! Ladies Drink Free" should no doubt be a highly anticipated release for diehard MINISTRY/Jourgensen fans as well as anybody with a penchant for outlaw country music or raging American rock in general.

"Bikers Welcome! Ladies Drink Free" will be released on CD via AFM Records through Dismanic Distribution on January 17, with the digital release being handled by Jourgensen's own Thirteenth Planet Records.

"Bikers Welcome! Ladies Drink Free" track listing:

01. Quicker Than Liquor
02. What’s Wrong With Me
03. Medication Nation
04. Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man
05. The Only Time I’m Sober Is When You’re Gone
06. Cheap Wine, Cheap Ramen
07. Down The Drain
08. Sleepless Nights and Bar Room Fights
09. Friend of the Devil
10. Ten Long Years In Texas
11. I Hate Every Bone In Your Body Except Mine
12. Take Me Away

Soul-pop star Macy Gray has recorded a version of the METALLICA classic "Nothing Else Matters" for a new covers album, "Covered", which is due out March 27 via 429 Records. The collection also includes versions of tunes by such artists as RADIOHEAD ("Creep"), KANYE WEST ("Love Lockdown"), YEAH YEAH YEAHS ("Maps") and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE ("Teenagers").

Video footage of Macy Gray performing "Nothing Else Matters" during a recent concert can be seen below.

"Covered" track listing:

01. Maps (YEAH YEAH YEAHS)
02. Wake Up (ARCADE FIRE)
03. Nothing Else Matters (METALLICA)
04. Teenagers (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE)
05. Here Comes the Rain Again (EURYTHMICS)
06. Creep (RADIOHEAD)
07. Bubbly (COLBIE CAILLAT)
08. Love Lockdown (KANYE WEST)
09. Two Joints (SUBLIME)
10. Sleep to Dream (FIONA APPLE)
11. Sail (AWOLNATION)

The original version of "Nothing Else Matters" was released as the fourth single from METALLICA's fifth, self-titled album, which came out in 1991. The song reached position No. 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart as well as top-ten positions on many European charts.

"Nothing Else Matters" was featured as a playable track in the music video game Guitar Hero: Metallica and has been covered over forty times by a host of different artists, including STAIND, SHAKIRA, BIF NAKED, DIE KRUPPS, REV THEORY and APOCALYPTICA.

Portuguese gothic metallers MOONSPELL have inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band's new album is scheduled for release in the spring.

Commented MOONSPELL vocalist Fernando Ribeiro: "With MOONSPELL, nothing really ends, but always ever begins.

"Signing with Napalm is a firm step into cutting all bullshit and work with people who truly believe in us and respect our longevity, while helping us to embrace those who have been arriving in the last years to start with us yet another kingdom of darkness under the moon.

"Our new album is a statement. Our blood is the ink. Your skin, the scrolls upon we will write. Napalm Records, our messenger. Be ready."

Ribeiro recently revealed that the initials of the new MOONSPELL CD are "A.N.".

MOONSPELL released a DVD, "Lusitanian Metal", in December 2008 in Europe via Century Media Records.

The band's latest album, "Night Eternal", entered the national chart in Portugal at No. 3 and in Germany at No. 62. The follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" was recorded at Antfarm studios in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD).

"Faith In Fire", a brand new song from Orange County, California's BLEEDING THROUGH, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "The Great Fire", which will be released on January 31, 2012 via Rise Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. March
02. Faith In Fire
03. Goodbye To Death
04. Final Hours
05. Starving Vultures
06. Everything You Love Is Gone
07. Walking Dead
08. Devil And Self Doubt
09. Step Back In Line
10. Trail Of Seclusion
11. Deaf Ears
12. One By One
13. Entrenched
14. Back To Life

Check out the cover artwork below.

BLEEDING THROUGH's latest self-titled CD sold around 3,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on The Billboard 200 chart.

BLEEDING THROUGH's previous effort, "Declaration" (2008), opened with 6,000 units to land at No. 101.

Released on April 13, 2010 via Rise, "Bleeding Through" was recorded at Planet Z Studios in Hadley, Massachusetts with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with MUNICIPAL WASTE, AGNOSTIC FRONT and HATEBREED, among others.

Reformed Montreal rockers SLAVES ON DOPE will release their new album, "Over The Influence", on February 28, 2012 via THC: Music/Rocket Science Ventures. The CD will feature a guest appearance by Jonathan Cabana, lead singer of Quebec deathcore band BLIND WITNESS, on the track "Dear Enemies".

A two-minute audio teaser for the forthcoming album can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

SLAVES ON DOPE's digital-only EP, "Careless Coma", came out on November 1. The effort featured three new studio tracks, as well as remixes and a radio edit of the title cut.

"Over The Influence" was produced and mixed by Kevin Jardine.

SLAVES ON DOPE 2011 is:

Kevin Jardine - Guitar
Jason Rockman - Vocals
Peter Tsefaris - Drums
Sebatien Ducap – Bass

SLAVES ON DOPE's "Inches from the Mainline" album was released through Ozzy Osbourne's now-defunct Divine Recordings label. After Divine Recordings lost its distribution deal with EMI's Priority Records, the band was left without a label. After a long search, a deal was struck with Bieler Bros. Records. SLAVES ON DOPE's second major album, "Metafour", was released in 2003.

In March 2004, SLAVES ON DOPE announced it was going on hiatus due to Jason Rockman leaving the band. The group officially reformed in 2009.

For more information, visit www.slavesondope.com.