Vocalist Derrick Green of Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA — who are currently on the road in Europe as part of the the "Thrashfest Classics" tour with EXODUS, DESTRUCTION, HEATHEN and MORTAL SIN — posted a picture of his band's damaged tour bus (see below) on his Facebook page with the following caption:

"This happened right next to my bed!! Let me tell you, this is a hell of a way to wake up in the morning!!! The driver had some parking problems [in Leipzig, Germany]."

SEPULTURA played its first show with new drummer Eloy Casagrande (GLÓRIA, ANDRÉ MATOS) on November 25 in Lichtenfels, Germany.

Casagrande joined SEPULTURA as the replacement for Jean Dolabella, who left the band because he could no longer handle being away from home for long periods of time.

Eloy is a 20-year-old drum prodigy from São Paulo, Brazil who won the Modern Drummer "Undiscovered Drummer" contest as a teenager in 2006.

Dolabella left SEPULTURA after a five-year run of relentless touring and two studio albums. He joined SEPULTURA in 2006 following the departure of the band's original drummer, Igor Cavalera.

SEPULTURA is touring in support of its 12th studio album, and Nuclear Blast Records debut, "Kairos", which hit stores in July.

According to YLE, the Helsinki District Court has dismissed charges of libel related to the contents of an authorized book about the Finnish symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH.

Marcelo Cabuli, the husband of former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen, and his business partners demanded nearly 100,000 euros (approximately $135,000) in defamation damages from the parties behind "Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996-2006". Named in the lawsuit were the publishing house Like Kustannus Oy and the author of the book, Marko "Mape" Ollila. Cabuli and his Brazilian business partners argued that the book includes false accusations and insinuations that have caused them suffering and financial problems.

The book, which was published in Finnish in 2006 and in English three years later, blames Cabuli for the events leading up to Turunen's dramatic expulsion from the band in late 2005.

The court ruled that the book — which criticizes Cabuli on only a few of its 380 pages — did not detrimentally affect his work or reputation in South America. In addition, the court determined that Ollila did not maliciously portray Cabuli in a negative light.

As a writer, Ollila had the right to report what people familiar with NIGHTWISH told him in interviews, the District Court said.

The Argentine businessman sought more than 50,000 euros in damages over claims made in the book, while three of his Brazilian business partners are seeking 15,000 euros each.

Cabuli earlier in the year dropped some of his previous demands, such as that the author and publisher should receive harsher punishment because "Cabuli is a citizen of Argentina," according to Ilta-Sanomat.

Like Kustannus Oy CEO Päivi Isosaari and Ollila denied the charges and stood behind the book, which chronicles NIGHTWISH's rise to the status of one of the most successful symphonic metal acts in the world, including the circumstances that led to the departure of Turunen. Isosaari and Ollila insisted that they had good reason to believe that the claims of the book were true and they intended to call Ollila's sources, including several influential music-business figures, as their witnesses.

"Well, I did read the text and I authorized it to be published and therefore I stand behind the book," Isosaari told Ilta-Sanomat in a 2009 interview.

Turunen was fired from NIGHTWISH a year before the book was published.

"Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996-2006" has reportedly sold 11,000 copies in Finland since its 2006 release.

In his 2006 review of the book, Jarkko Jokelainen of Helsingin Sanomat wrote, "The book points the finger [for the split with Tarja] most firmly in the direction of Marcelo Cabuli, husband and personal manager of the band's former vocal soloist Tarja Turunen. With every turning page, the charges against the Argentine Cabuli get heavier and heavier.

"The portrait of Marcelo Cabuli depicts a money-grasping, less-than-honest, arbitrary, and manipulative manager who was engaged on setting up his wife's solo career and who drove a wedge between her and the other members of the power metal band.

"NIGHTWISH's contractual dealings and touring plans became a painful exercise, as there was 'a Hispanic in the works' at every turn.

"Against this background, it is somewhat awkward that the defendant himself does not get a hearing in the book, even though the other sources close to the band are given full rein to open their hearts and mouths. Not even Tarja Turunen gets to comment on her husband's doings.

"It is probable that the decision is the couple's own, but this does not disguise the fact that it is the book's greatest drawback. The author Marko 'Mape' Ollila has sought to be even-handed in his coverage, but in part for the reasons above, this band-history inevitably becomes a speech on behalf of the male members of the group and other figures in the background.

"NIGHTWISH would seem on the basis of this work to have been so divided into two distinct camps that both sides of the story cannot be fitted between the covers of one book."

Indian deathcore band DARK HELM have unveiled the artwork and tracklist for their upcoming full-length album Persepolis.

Persepolis tracklist
'539 B.C.'
'Warcry'
'Sands Within'
'Cymbeline'
'Persepolis'
'Borrowed Time'
'Jaffar'
'Cyrus'
'Origins I (The Prophecy)'
'Origins II (Endings)'
'III'

The first anniversary of the disastrous earthquake in Japan will be on March 11th, 2012. The aftermath of this catastrophe is still apparent, and to the present day the Japanese people are facing the impact of the events. The population of the affected area has not been able to completely return to their everyday live and the people are still grateful for help.

Some of Europe’s leading rock artists have united to join a campaign initiated by singer Tommy Heart (SOUL DOCTOR, FAIR WARNING) and recorded a tremendous new version of the classic BEATLES song 'Help'. The EP Help! For Japan will be released in Europe on the German label Avenue Of Allies in early March 2012. All income from the sales of this project will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.

This EP includes the following four songs:
'Help!'
'Help!' (Tommy Heart Version)
'Help!' (Guitar Version)
'Help!' (Extended Version)

The musicians: Don Airey (keyboards and piano; DEEP PURPLE), Leo Leoni (guitar; GOTTHARD), Neil Murray (bass; ex-WHITESNAKE), Hena Habegger (drums; GOTTHARD)

The singers: Tobias Sammet (EDGUY, AVANTASIA), Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Andi Deris (HELLOWEEN), Torstein Flakne (STAGE DOLLS), Marc Storace (KROKUS), David Readman (PINK CREAM 69), Claus Lessmann (BONFIRE), Oliver Hartmann (HARTMANN), Bernhard Weiss (AXXIS), Michael Kiske (UNISONIC), Tony Mills (TNT), Carsten Lizard Schulz (EVIDENCE ONE) and Tommy Heart (Soul Doctor, Fair Warning),

The solo guitar players: Cede Dupont (DOWNSPIRIT), Kyoji Yamamoto (BOWWOW), Helge Engelke (Fair Warning), Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN), Leo Leoni (Gotthard), Henny Wolter (NITROGODS), Robert R. Rodrigo (AIRLESS)

All 'Help!' versions produced and mixed by Tommy Heart, Tommy Remm and Rene Schostak (VALICON).
Vocal arrangement by Tommy Heart.
Solo guitar arrangement for 'Help!' (guitar version) by Helge Engelke.
Audio mastering by TMM/Tom Müller Berlin/Germany.
Cover artwork 'Help! For Japan' designed by Kai Swillus.

DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and keyboardist Jordan Rudess have listed their Top 10 albums of 2011 for Roadrunner Records. Check them out below:

John Petrucci:
1) RED - Until We Have Faces: "I just love everything about the Red album. The songwriting, playing and production are all stellar!"

2) TRIVIUM - In Waves
3) OPETH - Heritage
4) CHICKENFOOT - III
5) JOE BONAMASSA - Dust Bowl
6) YOUNG THE GIANT - s/t
7) THE ARISTOCRATS - s/t
8) ADELE - 21
9) BON IVER - s/t
10) STEEL PANTHER - Balls Out

John Myung:
1) DEATH CAB FOR CUTIES - Codes And Keys: "Chemistry, lyrics, and production."

2) OPETH - Heritage
3) MEGADETH - TH1RT3EN
4) YES - Fly From Here
5) RADIOHEAD - The King of Limbs
6) STAIND - s/t
7) TRIVIUM - In Waves
8) RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - I'm With You
9) BLACKFIELD - Welcome To My DNA
10) STEVEN WILSON - Grace For Drowning

Jordan Rudess:
1) STEVEN WILSON - Grace For Drowning: "Although yes, I did play on this album, that is NOT why I chose it! It is an album full of mystery and imagination, melody and sonic adventure. There is real inspiration to be found and the best music happens when one can tap into the muse like Steven Wilson."

2) OPETH - Heritage
3) MODESELEKTOR - Monkeytown
4) APPARAT - The Devil's Walk
5) THE ARISTOCRATS - s/t
6) BEARDFISH - Mammoth
7) BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION - 2
8) RADIOHEAD - The King of Limbs
9) SYMPHONY X - Iconoclast
10) DEVIN TOWNSEND - Deconstruction

BLACK SABBATH legends Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne joined METALLICA on stage last night (Saturday, December 10) for the fourth and final intimate show 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. METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo introduced Geezer as "my hero, [late METALLICA bassist] Cliff Burton's hero, [former METALLICA bassist] Jason Newsted's hero," before Butler and the METALLICA guys ripped through a mini-medley of SABBATH's "Sabbra Cadabra" and "A National Acrobat". Ozzy appeared on stage next, leading the musicians through a spirited double shot of "Iron Man" and "Paranoid".

Earlier today Geezer posted the following message on his official web site: "I had the pleasure and honor of jamming 'Sabbra Cadabra'/'A National Acrobat', and then 'Iron Man'/'Paranoid' (with Ozzy) with METALLICA at their 30th-anniversary MetClub [official METALLICA fan club] gig last night (Saturday, December 10) in San Francisco at the Fillmore. Great bunch of guys, and, of course, one of the world's greatest bands. They did their fan club proud. The late, great Cliff Burton was definitely in the house with us, and smiling…"

Fan-filmed video footage of last night's performance can be seen below.

A few years ago, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield told Rolling Stone magazine that he was surprised at how choked up he'd gotten while honoring BLACK SABBATH at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in March 2006 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Hetfield — dressed in black jeans and a black shirt amid a sea of tuxedos — fought back tears as he recalled a young James, nine years old, stealing SABBATH records from his older brother. "Those monstrous riffs lived inside of him and spoke the feelings he could never put into words, sending chills of inspiration through him," Hetfield said. "They helped crack the shell he was stuck in. . . They have spread their wonderful disease through generations of musicians." (Read the full text of METALICA's induction speech at this location.)

Afterward, Hetfield told Rolling Stone, "It was like, 'Oh, no, I'm going to start crying,'" he said. "I'd never known it until I had to access all those emotions in front of that crowd, but it just goes to show how much SABBATH mean."

Motörhead Vödka is a new premium vodka made from 100% locally grown wheat that has been distilled and bottled in the small market town of Malmköping, Sweden. It has a rich, full bodied and complex character, with a light and fruity aftertaste. A touch of barley gives the vodka a rounded and mellow grain character. Its distinctive taste is further enhanced by the unique locally sourced water, which has been naturally filtered for thousands of years in a ridge in Malmköping. It’s an easy-drinking vodka, that can be enjoyed both with and without ice.

Details:

Article number: 86365
Price: 393 SEK (approx.. $60 US)
Producer: Malmköpings Nya Spritbolag AB
Distributor: Grapes Svenska AB
Alcohol by volume: 40% vol

MAGENTA HARVEST, the Finnish death metal band featuring current and former members of FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN, MYGRAIN and ...AND OCEANS, will enter the studio later this month to begin recording its second demo. According to a press release, the new effort will see the group widening its soundscape with the help of Aleksi Virta of FINNTROLL, who "will create some epic keyboard stuff" to go along with the material. An early 2012 release is expected.

MAGENTA HARVEST released its debut EP, "A Familiar Room", in February. The four tracks — "Spawn Of Neglect", "Sermon", "Killing Sign" and "A Familiar Room" — can now be streamed below.

MAGENTA HARVEST was formed in 2005 as a two-man project featuring Timo Kontio (HAVOC UNIT, ...AND OCEANS) on guitar and Janne Manninen (MYGRAIN, ...AND OCEANS) on drums. In 2009, second guitarist Timo Hanhikangas (TOTAL VOMIT EXPERIENCE) and bassist Jonas Frilund (CHTHONIAN) joined the band. Another year went by before Mathias Lillmåns (FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN) agreed to front the group.

MAGENTA HARVEST states: "[Lillmåns' addition to the band] was easy because we had discussed about this with Mathias already a few years earlier, but the decision wasn't that clear at first because Mathias were quite busy with his other musical activities and we thought also that there was no need for any singer before we had the rest of band in order and also some stuff ready to work with.

"When Mathias joined the band he actually came directly to the studio. Of course he didn't have any lyrics ready then, but luckily we got help from Jan (ex-FINNTROLL). "

MAGENTA HARVEST is:

* Timo Hanhikangas (TOTAL VOMIT EXPERIENCE) - Guitar
* Jonas Frilund (CHTHONIAN) - Bass
* Timo Kontio (HAVOC UNIT, ...AND OCEANS) - Guitar
* Mathias Lillmåns (FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN) - Vocals
* Janne Manninen (MYGRAIN, ...AND OCEANS) - Drums

According to Bay Of Plenty Times, AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has listed two homes for sale in Tauranga, New Zealand. They have a rateable value totalling NZD$4.05 million (approximately USD$3.14 million).

The properties are in one building but are two separate units on two levels with two titles. The ground floor level is listed by LJ Hooker as "Phil Rudd's New Zealand hideaway" and the upper level as "Phil Rudd's other hideaway".

The ground floor unit which is 281sq m is listed on TradeMe with a rateable value of $1.92 million. The upper unit is 305sq m and listed on TradeMe with a rateable value of $2.13 million. Each level has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two-car garaging, with views of the Mount and Harbour.

METALLICA performed a previously unreleased song from the "Death Magnetic" sessions called "Rebel Of Babylon" last night (Saturday, December 10) at the fourth and final intimate show 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.

A rough-mix version of the studio recording of "Rebel Of Babylon" has since been e-mailed to members of METALLICA's official fan club and can now be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Commented the band: "We're pretty excited to be bringing these songs back to life nearly four years after they were recorded. Once again, this is the unpolished version of the song... the original rough mix from March of 2008 in its rawest, untouched form."

"Rebel Of Babylon" lyrics:

Rebel grip your bottle tight
Just float away
Rebel is it hard to leave
What makes you stay?

Go take your poison ink
Sign life away
Then take your dirty spoon
And dig your grave
Dig your grave

Rebel grips the bottle tight
Just floats away
Rebel finds it hard to leave
What makes you stay?

He takes the poison ink
Signing life away
Then takes the dirty spoon
And digs his grave

Let this dark shine
Let this dark shine
Let it shine bright
Don't let it burn out tonight

Kill me one more time
Stigmata
Kill me one more time
Neo martyr

Gonna die young
Gonna live forever
Kill me one more time
Rise up
Rebel of Babylon

Renegade fights the fight
That no one wins
He claims a crown of thorns
To pierce the skin

He climbs his crucifix
And waits for dawn
Thinks they'll remember him
After he's gone

Let this dark shine
Let this dark shine
Let it shine bright
Don't let it burn out tonight

Kill me one more time
Stigmata
Kill me one more time
Neo martyr

Gonna die young
Gonna live forever
Kill me one more time
Rise up
Rebel of Babylon

Rise up
Rise up
Resurrection

The rebel fights the fight
That no one wins
To claim a crown of thorns
To pierce his skin

Climbs his crucifix
And waits for dawn
He looses consciousness
The myth lives on

Let this dark shine
Let this dark shine
Let it shine bright
Don't let it burn out tonight
Tonight

Kill me one more time
Stigmata
Kill me one more time
Neo martyr

Gonna die young
Gonna live forever
Kill me one more time
Rise up
Rebel of Babylon

Rise up
Rise up
Resurrection

Chicago glam rockers THE LAST VEGAS — who made history as the first band to win Guitar Center's On-Stage new music program when they were hand selected by MÖTLEY CRÜE at the world-famous Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles — released a new EP, "Other Side", on November 29. The effort serves as a sneak peek into what fans can expect from THE LAST VEGAS' forthcoming 2012 full-length album. The as-yet-untitled CD was recorded earlier this year at Groovemaster Studios in the band's hometown and was helmed by Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (DISTURBED, MEGADETH, 3 DOORS DOWN, STAIND, AIRBOURNE). 14 tracks were recorded, with the final track listing and sequencing currently being decided.

THE LAST VEGAS will hit the road in February in support of the upcoming full-length and will play new songs and THE LAST VEGAS favorites on a two-week tour of Spain. Extensive touring both in the U.S. and abroad will follow the Spanish dates, which will see the band on the road for almost all of 2012.

Fans, both new and old, that are hungry for new music can get a physical copy of the "Other Side" EP for free with the purchase of one the band's t-shirts at THE LAST VEGAS merchandise store or in a bundle package at the CM Distro online store. The group will also be offering a free digital EP version of the "Other Side" EP through its official web site until the end of 2011. After that, fans will be able to get the album digitally on iTunes, AmazonMP3 and all other online music retailers.

A video for the EP's title track can be seen below. It was produced by, and stars, legendary Hollywood scream queen Sybil Danning ("Howling II", "Halloween", "Werewolf Women Of The SS").

THE LAST VEGAS has released four albums (2004's "Lick 'Em And Leave 'Em", 2005's "Seal The Deal", 2008's "The Last Vegas" and 2009's "Whatever Gets You Off") in the USA and Europe and toured over 19 countries.

33 bands from the Polish rock and metal scenes will take part in a charity tour, "Covan Wake The Fuck Up Tour 2012", to help former DECAPITATED singer Adrian "Covan" Kowanek.

On October 29, 2007, a tour bus accident claimed the life of DECAPITATED drummer Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka, and gravely injured Covan, who has yet to make a full recovery.

The following bands are going to perform in 10 biggest cities in Poland:

HUNTER
DECAPITATED
FRONTSIDE
VIRGIN SNATCH
CHAINSAW
CORRUPTION
TRAUMA
THY DISEASE
QUO VADIS
PARRICIDE
MASACHIST
NEOLITH
ANAL STENCH
MADE OF HATE
TOTEM
CIRYAM
BUTELKA
DEIVOS
MILCZENIE OWIEC
ALASTOR
CALM HATCHERY
BEHEADING MACHINE
THE SIXPOUNDER
HEART ATTACK
OGOTAY
REDEMPTOR
LOSTBONE
THRASHER DEATH
DEVON
EMPATIC

The tour will start on January 19 January in Pod Palma club in Rzeszow and will finish on January 28 January at Kwadrat club in Krakow. This final concert will be narrated by the famous satirist Adam Grzanka from the "Chatelet" cabaret.

At each concert there will be a merchandise sale of a special "Covan Wake The Fuck Up" collection. All proceeds from these sales and ticket sales will be transferred to directly to Adrian's family.

Guitarist-turned-bassist Youri Raymond of Canadian extreme metallers CRYPTOPSY has issued the following statement:

"I am officially announcing my departure of the band CRYPTOPSY. At this time, we feel it's in the best interest of both the band and I to part ways.

"As a musician, moving from guitar to bass was a great challenge, but honestly, I never really felt comfortable in that position and my motivation in general was stagnating.

"I'm now moving forward and will release an album in 2012 on guitar/lead vocals with my band, UNHUMAN, and I hope Jon, Matt, Chris, Flo and the new guy who will fill in in the bass spot the very best with the upcoming album and what might be the 'real' CRYPTOPSY coming back!

"Thanks again, fans and friends, for your endless support!"

Lead guitarist and songwriter Jon Levasseur rejoined CRYPTOPSY in May.

Maryland extreme metallers DYING FETUS have entered Wrightway Studios in Baltimore with longtime producer Steve Wright (SLIPKNOT, MISERY INDEX) to begin recording their new album for a mid-2012 release via Relapse Records. The will feature nine tracks and is "a 'return to roots,' with production focused slightly more on slam than in the band's last few works," according to a press relase. "Thematically, the album is set to be a good old-fashioned piece of social and political commentary in the style of DYING FETUS as we have come to know."

Commented DYING FETUS guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher: "The last album had some groove in it, but [it] was basically a lot of tech; this one is a return to form of older DYING FETUS albums, so to speak — more modern production, though, of course. Everything's tight, the sound is crushing, the drums are amazing."

In other news, DYING FETUS has announced a series of special South American shows which will take place in mid-January. The band has also been confirmed for next year's Maryland Deathfest and France's Hellfest.

Former METALLICA members Dave Mustaine (currently in MEGADETH), Jason Newsted, Lloyd Grant, Ron McGovney, Hugh Tanner, along with the band's longtime producer Bob Rock, as well as BLACK SABBATH legends Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler joined METALLICA on stage last night (Saturday, December 10) for the fourth and final intimate show 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.

After opening sets from THE SOUL REBELS brass band and DEATH ANGEL, as well as an appearance by FAITH NO MORE/ex-OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Mike Bordin — who took to the stage with METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo to honor late METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton — METALLICA rocked the crowd with another 20-song set which featured selections culled largely from the band's classic debut album, 1983's "Kill 'Em All", and included a previously unreleased track from the "Death Magnetic" sessions called "Rebel Of Babylon".

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Orion
02. Through the Never
03. Ride the Lightning
04. The God That Failed
05. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
06. Rebel Of Babylon (previously unreleased song from "Death Magnetic" sessions)
07. Blackened (with fan-club members Dennis, Annette Diaz)
08. Dirty Window (with Bob Rock)
09. Frantic (with Bob Rock)
10. Sabbra Cadabra (BLACK SABBATH cover) (with Geezer Butler)
11. Iron Man (BLACK SABBATH cover) (with Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler)
12. Paranoid (BLACK SABBATH cover) (with Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler)
13. King Nothing (w/ Jason Newsted)
14. Whiplash (w/ Jason Newsted)
15. Motorbreath (w/ Hugh Tanner)
16. Phantom Lord (w/ Dave Mustaine)
17. Jump In The Fire (w/ Dave Mustaine)
18. Metal Militia (w/ Dave Mustaine)
19. Hit The Lights (w/ Lloyd Grant, Dave Mustaine, Ron McGovney)
20. Seek & Destroy (w/ Jason Newsted, Dave Mustaine, Lloyd Grant, Ron McGovney, Hugh Tanner, Mark Osegueda, and THE SOUL REBELS)

UFOMAMMUT, Northern Italy's sorcerers of supernatural and obliterating doom, have completed the recordings for their sixth full-length — their first as part of the Neurot Recordings family. This week we are beyond excited to announce the details of this highly anticipated, mammoth follow-up to their 2010 full-length "Eve", the band's most critically-acclaimed and devastating piece of magic to date... until now.

"Oro" is the title for UFOMAMMUT's follow-up to 2010's "Eve" and is divided into ten massive movements overall which is now confirmed to be delivered in two separate pieces during the coming year. The first chapter, "Opus Primum", will arrive in April, and the second, "Opus Alter", in September. The vinyl versions of both chapters will be handled directly by UFOMAMMUT's own label Supernatural Cat Records, who were responsible for the release of all of the band's previous material. This is the third album in a row the band recorded with Lorenzo Stecconi.

As with all previous UFOMAMMUT albums, the concepts behind "Oro" are expansive and multi-faceted, mutating the Italian palindrome which translates to "gold" with the Latin translation of "I prey." "Oro" explores the concept of knowledge and its power; the magical stream controlled by the human mind to gain control of every single particle of the world surrounding us. "Oro" is the alchemical process to transform the human fears into pure essence; into gold. Although "Oro"'s two chapters will be released months apart from each other, they must be considered as a single track in which the musical themes and the sounds show up and hide, mutating and evolving, progressively and increasingly stratifying culminating in the crushing final movement. "Oro" is like an alchemic laboratory in which substances are flowing, dividing and blending themselves in ten increments from the alembics and stills, culminating into the creation of gold. The band are also in the process of crafting a full video/visual version of "Oro" which will accompany the audio.

Since their inception in 1999, UFOMAMMUT has toured several times, and crossed the oceans to the United States for the first time in 2009 for a tour of the West Coast. The band's live show is supported by the internationally acclaimed video and graphic art of Malleus, a rock artists' collective who conjure the entirety of UFOMAMMUT's visual impact.

2012 will see the band expanding their touring circles wider across the face of the planet in support of "Oro".

UFOMAMMUT is:

Poia - Guitars And Effect
Urlo - Bass, Vocals And Synths
Vita - Drums
Ciccio - Soundlord
Lu - Visuals

California-based pop-punk heroes GREEN DAY have released a video message congratulating fellow Bay Area rockers METALLICA on their 30th anniversary. The three-and-a-half-minute clip, which can be seen below, features the members of GREEN DAY performing the MISFITS classic "Hybrid Moments" in their rehearsal room.

METALLICA was formed when drummer Lars 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.