Jason Newsted (METALLICA, VOIVOD, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), John Marshall (METAL CHURCH, former METALLICA guitar tech and occasional James Hetfield fill-in), Sean Harris (DIAMOND HEAD), Brian Tatler (DIAMOND HEAD), Biff Byford (SAXON) and APOCALYPTICA joined METALLICA on stage last night (Monday, December 5) for the first 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.

After opening sets from THE SOUL REBELS brass band and Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA, as well as a salute to Ray Burton, the 86-year-old father of late METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton, by the event's MC, Jim Breuer (comedian, SiriusXM host and diehard METALLICA fan), 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 "Hate Train".

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. The Call Of Ktulu
02. No Remorse (full version)
03. The Shortest Straw
04. Leper Messiah
05. The Day That Never Comes
06. Carpe Diem Baby (first time performed live)
07. Hate Train (previously unreleased song from "Death Magnetic" sessions)
08. Please Don't Judas Me (acoustic; NAZARETH cover)
09. Wherever I May Roam (with fan-club member John Dent)
10. Sad But True (with John Marshall)
11. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth (impromptu jam by Robert Trujillo)
12. No Leaf Clover (with APOCALYPTICA)
13. One (with APOCALYPTICA)
14. Harvester Of Sorrow (with Jason Newsted)
15. Damage, Inc. (with Jason Newsted)
16. Motorcycle Man (with Biff Byford)
17. The Prince (with Sean Harris, Brian Tatler)
18. It's Electric (with Sean Harris, Brian Tatler)
19. Helpess (with Sean Harris, Brian Tatler)
20. Am I Evil? (with Sean Harris, Brian Tatler)
21. Seek & Destroy (with everyone)

Fan-flmed video footage and photos can be seen below (more clips will be added later today)

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 will take place on December 7, December 9, and December 10, with special guests and events, rare songs, varied set lists and more.

Hetfield told The Pulse Of Radio that he hoped Ozzy Osbourne and MOTÖRHEAD bassist/singer Lemmy Kilmister would be among the guests at the shows.

GWAR and the family of Cory Smoot have released a statement regarding the official cause of the guitarist's death. Cory had played the character of Flattus Maximus for over ten years, and was discovered dead on the band's tour bus on November 3 of this year. He was 34 years old.

Stated North Dakota coroner William Masselo, MD: "We have finalized the autopsy report and death certificate. I have determined that Cory died from a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease."

The band, which will continue as a four-piece until the current tour schedule is complete, has officially retired the character of Flattus Maximus, and has announced no plans regarding a new GWAR-tarist.

Metal Blade and GWAR have since set up the Smoot Family Foundation to raise funds for Cory's wife, Jaime, and their unborn child. Donations can be made here.

The official lyric video for "Ghost Walking", a brand new song from Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Resolution", which will be released in North America on January 24, 2012 via Epic Records (one day earlier internationally through Roadrunner Records). The CD was recorded at various studios in Virginia and New York with producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band's last effort, 2009's "Wrath".

"Resolution" will feature 14 songs and will come in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.

The "Resolution" cover artwork can be seen below.

"Resolution" track listing:

01. Straight For The Sun
02. Desolation
03. Ghost Walking
04. Guilty
05. The Undertow
06. The Number Six
07. Barbarosa
08. Invictus
09. Cheated
10. Insurrection
11. Terminally Unique
12. To The End
13. Visitation
14. King Me

GUNS N' ROSES has just passed the 13-million "like" mark on its Facebook page, making it one of the Top 100 Facebook pages (No. 99) in terms of followers.

Rapper Eminem is the top musical artist on the list, with over 49 million followers.

Other artists in the Top 100 include QUEEN at No. 100, BON JOVI at No. 85, PINK FLOYD at No. 79, AC/DC at No. 72 and THE BEATLES at No. 46.

In other GUNS N' ROSES-related news, the band has added a second show in Las Vegas on December 30 "due to popular demand."

Remaining GUNS N' ROSES U.S. tour dates:

Dec. 07 - Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center
Dec. 08 - Indianapolis, IN @ Conseco Fieldhouse
Dec. 11 - Denver, CO @ First Bank Center
Dec. 12 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Maverik Center
Dec. 16 - Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
Dec. 17 - Vancouver @ Pacific Coliseum
Dec. 21 - Los Angeles @ The Forum
Dec. 27 - Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theater
Dec. 30 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint / Hard Rock Hotel
Dec. 31 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint / Hard Rock Hotel

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.

METALLICA performed a previously unreleased song from the "Death Magneitc" sessions called "Hate Train" last night (Monday, December 5) at the first 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.

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

"Hate Train" lyrics:

Hate is a train
That thunders aimless through my head
And hate is the fame
Chained to the wheel until I’m dead

Rage is a flame
Creates a touch to boil the seas
And rage is to blame
Forever sorry I shall be

And from a darkness I descend
Clenching a torch of sweet revenge

You took away tomorrow, still I stand
I ride into the sorrow, still I stand
You took away tomorrow, still I stand
Straight down into the sorrow, but still I stand

Wrath is the name
Branding suffer onto you
And wrath takes the shame
And holds me down until its through

And from a darkness I descend
Clenching a torch of sweet revenge

You took away tomorrow, still I stand
I ride into the sorrow, still I stand
You took away tomorrow, still I stand
I sink into the sorrow, but still I stand

And hate is a train
A beast awakened by your call
And hate is a train
A beast that never slows at all

And from a darkness I descend
Clenching a torch of sweet revenge
Burst into flame, the bitter end
And shake the gates of hell again

I’m left to drown in sorrow…

You took away tomorrow, still I stand
I ride into the sorrow, still I stand
You took away tomorrow, still I stand
You left me here with sorrow, still I stand

"Bad Guys Wear Black", the new video from German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR, can be seen below. The clip was shot at an "amazing" location in Nürnberg, Germany.

"Bad Guys Wear Black" comes off PRIMAL FEAR's new album, "Unbreakable", which will be released on January 24, 2012 in the U.S. via Frontiers Records. The CD was tracked in part at House Of Music studios in Winterbach, Germany with producer/bassist Mat Sinner and engineer Achim Köhler (EDGUY, MASTERPLAN).

According to a press release, "Unbreakable" "combines the skills of the strongest PRIMAL FEAR lineup ever with a well-balanced 'back-to-the-roots" vibe and an ambitious learning process during their longest tour so far. Classic and ultra-fresh PRIMAL FEAR riff-rockers like 'Strike', 'Give 'Em Hell' or the high-speed track 'And There Was Silence' will hit the bulls-eye, like the rhythm paced metal anthem, first single and new video clip 'Bad Guys Wear Black'. Less experiments, more rock! But there will be a nine-minute epic journey with a lot prog approach named 'Where Angels Die', a classic wonderful ballad 'Born Again' and the melodic power bomb 'Metal Nation'."

Commented singer Ralf Scheepers: "The plan was to record an album for the fans with rough metal riffs, screaming vocals and good melodies ...and finally it became a monster — a tough 'bang-your-head' metal album called 'Unbreakable'."

"Unbreakable" track listing:

01. Unbreakable (Part 1)
02. Strike
03. Give 'Em Hell
04. Bad Guys Wear Black
05. And There Was Silence
06. Metal Nation
07. Where Angels Die
08. Unbreakable (Part 2)
09. Marching Again
10. Born Again
11. Blaze Of Glory
12. Conviction
13. Night Of The Jumps (Bonus Track)*
14. Bad Guys Wear Black (Video)*

* Only available in the first pressing in digipak

The digital-only single "Bad Guys Wear Black" was made available for download on December 5. The single also includes "Metal Nation" in an exclusive single mix.

Regarding the musical direction of the new PRIMAL FEAR album, Ralf Scheepers told Greece's Rock Overdose, "You can really expect an album which is somehow skipping back again to the very basics of PRIMAL FEAR, with very rough metal riffs and screaming vocals and good melodies on it. So people can really expect a pure PRIMAL FEAR album with melody and beating drums and very harsh guitars."

He added, "Of course, every musician will somehow advertise his own album, but I'm really convinced that people will like this one, because it's got very catchy hooklines and it's a really 'bang-your-head' metal album.

"When you look back on the [PRIMAL FEAR] back catalog, from the very first album to this album now, I think there were quite some changes — on 'Seven Seals', for instance, and also when we came [out with] 'New Religion'. We somehow now have a combination in between a good, bombastic sound with more back-to-the-basics guitar riffing stuff. Also we have two ballads on it, which are not [really] ballads. There's one mid-tempo song with some acoustic guitars in it and one song which has a little bit more keyboards. It's still not an acoustic-guitar ballad— it's still with drums and stuff — so I think it's a pretty tough album [overall]."

PRIMAL FEAR recently asked fans to submit suggestions for the new CD title and received more than 500 responses.

Florida-based death metallers SIX FEET UNDER have demoed 26 songs for their forthcoming album, tentatively due in early 2012 via Metal Blade Records. According to singer Chris Barnes, "14 or 15" tracks will make the final cut for the follow-up to 2008's "Death Rituals", which will mark the recording debut of SIX FEET UNDER's current lineup — guitarist Rob Arnold (CHIMAIRA), drummer Kevin Talley (DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA), Barnes and guitarist Steve Swanson. CHIMAIRA guitarist Matt DeVries is handling bass duties on the road, but it not expected to become an official member of SIX FEET UNDER.

When asked about the musical direction of the material SIX FEET UNDER has written for its next album, Barnes said in a recent interview, "The music is gonna be, really, kind of an accelerated version of what we were doing before — faster-paced, more interesting time signatures as well as really wild choruses and some heavy vocals. I think people are really gonna be interested in this album. It's something different, but it's something the same. The feel of it is SIX FEET UNDER, but we've pushed it and added some horsepower."

Bassist Terry Butler and drummer Greg Gall announced their departures from SIX FEET UNDER in January. Butler has since joined OBITUARY as a permanent member.

Capital Chaos has uploaded quality multi-camera footage of SIX FEET UNDER performing the song "Feasting On The Blood Of The Insane" at the July 28, 2011 Sacramento, California stop of the "Summer Slaughter Tour". Check out the clip below.

SIX FEET UNDER's "Wake The Night! Live In Germany" DVD was released on January 31 in Europe (three days earlier in Germany) and February 1 in North America via Metal Blade Records. The set consists footage of the band's August 8, 2009 performance at the Party.San Open Air festival in Bad Berka, Germany. The gig was filmed by Roax Films with nine cameras and recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound, picture size 16:9.

SIX FEET UNDER's current touring lineup is:

* Rob Arnold (CHIMAIRA) - Guitar
* Kevin Talley (DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA) - Drums
* Chris Barnes (CANNIBAL CORPSE) - Vocals
* Steve Swanson - Guitar
* Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - Bass

"For Today" and "Not For Nothing", two songs from STONES OF MADNESS, the Sarasota, Florida-based heavy rock project led by Kelly Shaefer (ATHEIST, NEUROTICA, PYROCLASTIC, BIG MACHINE, UNHEARD) can be heard using the ReverbNation TuneWidget below (click on "Songs" tab).

Commented Shaefer of these new works: "They are just demos, and rough sketches of future works, but a good song is a good song, so If you like it, download it for free and turn someone on to it as well."

You may think you know what to expect from singer songwriter/guitarist Kelly Shaefer, but as the many projects in the last 10 years have shown, diversity is a card held high on the deck for Shaefer. Fans know him best for being a founding member of technical metal pioneers ATHEIST, releasing three albums from 1988 and 1993 and reforming in 2005 for classic shows at Wacken Open Air and Hellfest, as well as 2010's "Jupiter", the band first new CD in 17 years.

In 1995 Shaefer led NEUROTICA for two full-length records and a well-recieved slot on the 2002 Ozzfest tour across North America, which was hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as a reason to get to Ozzfest early. NEUROTICA's first album was produced by Brian Johnson of AC/DC and the band signed a worldwide deal with Vince McMahon's Smackdown Records.

German thrash metal veterans EXUMER have signed a worldwide deal with Metal Blade Records. The band's first album in 24 years, "Fire & Damnation", will be released in the spring. The 10-track CD, which was recorded with renowned producer Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., THERION, SODOM, MOONSPELL), "combines a punishing production with aggressive songwriting," according to a press release. "EXUMER manages to capture the intensity and feel of the 1980s thrash metal gems and yet sound up to date on their latest output."

Comments singer Mem V. Stein: "We are extremely happy and proud to have found a home with Metal Blade Records, a label that has the 'know-how,' integrity and appreciation for what EXUMER is about and stands for.

"We tried to do everything 'right,' with this album, from writing the new material to working with Waldemar Sorychta as our producer. Hence, Metal Blade Records as a label is the most logical choice for the band, in order to be represented globally and reach every fan that is interested in what EXUMER has to offer in 2012, and beyond."

EXUMER is:

Mem V. Stein - Vocals
Ray Mensh - Guitar
T. Schiavo - Bass
H.K. - Guitar
Matthias Kassner - Drums

Formed in 1985 by Mem V. Stein and guitarist Ray Mensh, EXUMER went on to release two albums (1986's "Possessed By Fire" and 1987's "Rising From The Sea") that are regarded as some of the most cult thrash metal releases ever to come out of Germany. EXUMER was also one of the first thrash metal acts to capture exotic, foreign markets like Poland and Brazil, where their albums were domestically released in the 1980s. The subsequent tours that followed those releases secured the band live shows in front of thousands of fans and an unusually large following outside of Germany.

Plagued by lineup changes and internal turmoil, the band broke up in 1990, and did not perform live, with the exception of 2001 appearance at the prestigious Wacken Open Air festival, until 2009.

Mem and Ray decided to re-activate EXUMER in 2008, and the band embarked on their first tour since 1988. The "5 Nights of Fire Tour", took the band through Europe (Germany, Holland, Greece), and the USA, where they headlined the "Thrasho de Mayo Festival" in front of 1,300 fans in Los Angeles.

EXUMER returned to Europe in spring and the fall of 2010, where the band appeared at Norway's Inferno Festival, among other stops in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Poland and Bulgaria during the "European Ignition Tour Part I & II".

"Flame Of The Tyrants", the new video from Swedish metallers RAM, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's third album, "Death", which will be released on January 30, 2012 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Welfare Sounds Studios in the group's hometown and was mastered by Dragan Tanaskovic at Bohus Sound.

"Death" track listing:

01. Death...
02. ...Comes From The Mouth Beyond
03. I Am The End
04. Release Me
05. Defiant
06. Frozen
07. Under The Scythe
08. Hypnos
09. Flame Of The Tyrants
10. 1771

"Defiant" is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

"Death" features a guest appearance by Swedish multi-instrumentalist Freddie Wadling who has had a very successful solo career in addition to having played with such cult acts as THE LEATHER NUN, BLUE FOR TWO and FLÄSKKVARTETTEN.

RAM vocalist Oscar Carlquist previously stated about the band's new album, "Again we are pushing the envelope of the RAM sound.

"This album differs quite a bit from our 2009 release, 'Lightbringer'; the sound is rawer and has a strong nerve and honest live-like feel, but still it is extremely powerful. It was produced by me and Harry Granroth (guitars) and Per Stålberg and Olle Björk and recorded at Welfare Studios here in Gothenburg. Dragan Tanaskovic is also a huge part of this by contributing massive power in the mastering process. Song-wise, we are showing new sides of the band.

"The album is a 10-song sonic rollercoaster displaying an array of different styles, emotions tempos and aggressions, but all within the concept of traditional heavy metal, of course.

"In all honesty, I can't choose one single song that is representative of the sound of the album as a whole. We are really pleased with this album that feels like a really cool direction to take from 'Lightbringer' and we can't wait to blast these new song live!"

RAM last year parted ways with bassist Christian Strömblad and replaced him with Tobias Pettersson from the underground black metal band VORNTH.

RAM is:

Oscar Carlquist - Vocals
Morgan Pettersson - Drums
Harry Granroth - Guitar
Daniel Johansson - Guitar
Tobias Petterson - Bass

SIXX: A.M. — the band consisting of Nikki Sixx (also of MÖTLEY CRÜE), DJ Ashba (also of GUNS N' ROSES) and James Michael — will release a new EP, "7", on December 13. The effort, which contains acoustic versions of songs from the group's first two albums — 2007's "The Heroin Diaries" soundtrack and 2011's "This Is Gonna Hurt" — is available for streaming in its entirety at AOL Music.

"7" track listing:

01. Lies Of The Beautiful People (acoustic)
02. This Is Gonna Hurt (acoustic)
03. Life Is Beautiful (acoustic)
04. Help Is On The Way (acoustic)
05. Sure Feels Right (acoustic)
06. Pray For Me (acoustic)
07. Accidents Can Happen (acoustic)

Commented Michael: "A couple of months ago, I asked all of you what songs from [the first two SIXX: A.M. albums] 'The Heroin Diaries' soundtrack and 'This Is Gonna Hurt' you would want to hear stripped down, pulled apart and reconstructed from a different perspective... your response was amazing and passionate... as a result, '7' was born.

"This was an incredible experience for the three of us because it caused us to explore way beyond the initial creations and rediscover the songs in a light that you helped us find.

"We are so excited to share this with you.

"Thank you for all of the love and support.

"By the way... '7' isn't the only SIXX: A.M. surprise coming your way!

"Oh, shit... just when you thought you had it all figured out!"

SIXX: A.M. recently revealed plans to film a video for the song "Skin" in the Los Angeles area. The band put out a casting call for people whom the song has affected personally because of their own scars — whether physical or under the surface.

"Skin" comes off SIXX: A.M.'s sophomore album, "This Is Gonna Hurt", which sold 30,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on May 3, the 11-track CD is a companion piece to Sixx's "This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx" book, a follow-up to his New York Times bestseller, "The Heroin Diaries".

"This Is Gonna Hurt" is part photo, part journal — but all Nikki Sixx. It is a collection of compelling snapshots and stories that capture the rage, love, optimism, darkness, and determination that shape his work. Told with the raw authenticity that defined his New York Times bestseller "The Heroin Diaries", "This Is Gonna Hurt" chronicles Sixx's experience, from references to his early years filled with toxic waste to his success with MÖTLEY CRÜE, his death from an OD and rebirth to his addictions to music, photography, and love along with the journey of photographing these images over the past couple of years.

The "This Is Gonna Hurt" album as a whole deals with many raw, human issues. Nikki talks about the CD as "pulling back the veil on your internal truth," saying, "We are who we are… Either poisonous and evil or honest and willing… Willing to make a difference… I haven't led the life of a saint nor do I intend on it now." The album — produced entirely by James Michael with writing credits going to Sixx, Michael, Ashba and band friends John William Lowrey and Blair Daly — dives deep into meandering emotions through epic melodies. The resulting work is a deep, dark and intoxicatingly addictive mix of sounds and passion.

EVANESCENCE has tapped Dean Karr (IRON MAIDEN, OZZY OSBOURNE, MARILYN MANSON) to direct the video for the song "My Heart Is Broken". The clip was filmed on December 1 and will make its online debut in January.

Professionally filmed video footage of EVANESCENCE performing "My Heart Is Broken" at the Rock In Rio festival on October 2, 2011 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil can be seen below.

"My Heart Is Broken" comes off EVANESCENCE's self-titled third major label album, which sold 127,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The Open Door", opened with 447,000 units back in October 2006 to debut at No. 1.

"The Open Door" has shifted 2.1 million copies in the United States so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

EVANESCENCE's debut album, "Fallen", has sold 7.6 million copies since its March 2003 release.

EVANESCENCE played its first concert in almost two years on August 17 at War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, performing four songs from the new disc and opening the show with "What You Want".

According to Devon Maloney of Billboard.biz, The End Records has secured a deal for over 50 titles from seminal, now-defunct Music For Nations label.

The catalog, which includes releases from artists like CRADLE OF FILTH, OPETH and GODFLESH, was made available digitally Thanksgiving week, to capitalize on Black Friday shopping. The physical versions will be issued over the course of several months starting January 31.

Launched in 1983 by Martin Hooker, Music For Nations established itself as a European leader in the rock and metal world, with early signings like METALLICA (who had three gold albums while on MFN), SLAYER and MEGADETH paving the way. As Music For Nations grew, the company expanded its operation to include not just licensed acts from the USA, but its own signings.

The End Records founder Andreas Katsambas tells Billboard.biz that the pairing of his label and the MFN catalog was a natural fit.

"I'm a European myself, so I grew up with a lot of those titles," Katsambas said. "I bought them when they were brand-new, so for me, it was intriguing that there was an opportunity now to help those same artists hopefully introduce them to a new audience in a different time."

See the full list of re-releases at Billboard.biz.

South Florida-based female-fronted extreme metal band WYKKED WYTCH has inked a deal with Goomba Music for the release of its fifth full-length album, "The Ultimate Deception". Due on February 14, 2012, the follow-up to 2008's "Memories Of A Dying Whore" "continues where its predecessor left off and pushes the boundaries of extreme music as well as the legacy of WYKKED WYTCH," according to a press release.

Led by the demonic vocal assault of frontwoman Ipek, WYKKED WYTCH's sound is described as "a unique mixture of black, death, thrash metal with melody, technicality, and aggression which has gained them a strong cult following throughout the world."

Regarding the recent signing and forthcoming release, Ipek said, "We are very excited and proud to announce that WYKKED WYTCH has signed with Goomba Music for the release of our fifth full-length album, 'The Ultimate Deception'.

"Over the past two years we worked really hard creating a modern metal masterpiece and with Goomba behind us we will spread the word worldwide. We would also like to thank Mark and the crew at Goomba for this new partnership. It was the right choice for us and glad to know there is an experienced team of industry vets behind the label that respect the integrity of their artists.

"Look out for the new album, 'The Ultimate Deception', out in 2012 with lots of touring to follow!"

"The Ultimate Deception" was recorded in April/May 2011 at Lambesis Studios in San Diego, California with producer Daniel Castleman (AS I LAY DYING, WINDS OF PLAGUE). The CD was mastered by Alan Douches (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York. The cover artwork was created by Marcelo Vasco (DIMMU BORGIR, THE FACELESS).

"The Ultimate Deception" includes 10 tracks with a running time of 47 minutes — nine original songs and a cover of METALLICA's "Fade To Black". It marks the recording debut of lead guitarist/songwriter Nate Poulson, who composed nine "badass" tunes that add a whole new dimension and flavor to the band's constantly evolving sound. According to a press release, "the songs are heavy, technical, and melodic with each one standing on its own. Showcased on this release are vocalist Ipek's true abilities that drive the album. Not afraid to take chances, Ipek doesn't hold back and has stepped out of her comfort zone; moving from death growls to high pitched screams to operatic, and clean catchy choruses in the course of a single song. The intense and insane vocals are performed by 'one' woman, not three different vocalists. Also featured is one of the best drummers in metal today, Kevin Talley (DAATH, SIX FEET UNDER, CHIMAIRA) who appears as a session musician and complements the songs with his killer double bass and blast work."

WYKKED WYTCH "The Ultimate Deception" recording lineup:

Ipek - Vocals
Nate Poulson - Guitars, Bass, Programming
Kevin Talley - Drums (Session)
Salvatore Lopresti - Keyboards/Samples

Touring lineup:

Ipek - Vocals
Nate Poulson - Lead Guitar
Salvatore Lopresti - Keyboards/Samples
Kenny B. - Bass
Matt - Guitar
Steve Brubaker – Drums

"Time And Time Again", a brand new song from KILL DEVIL HILL — the band featuring Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (DOWN, PANTERA) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals — can be heared here. The track comes off the group's self-titled debut album, which is scheduled for a late March 2012 release via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD is being produced by Warren Riker, who is best known for his work with DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SUBLIME and CATHEDRAL.

KILL DEVIL HILL recently finished demoing around 10 songs, which, according to Appice, sound "like a cross between BLACK SABBATH, ALICE IN CHAINS and a little bit of LED ZEPPELIN thrown in. It's heavy, but with a lot of cool hooks and melodic overtones, too."

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

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

KILL DEVIL HILL is:

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

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

According to DailyMail.co.uk, a new phone app has been created to help people understand the infamous Brummie accent (a colloquial term for the inhabitants, accent and dialect of Birmingham, England), which legendary heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne is notorious for having.

The iBrummie app translates sayings from the famous second city twang into the Queen's English and says them out loud.

Manchester company Athernet came up with the idea after enjoying stunning success in Wigan, Lancashire, with iWiganese.

iBrummie will be available for free download on iPhones and Android phones on December 19.

In a 2003 episode of Ozzy and his family's smash MTV reality series "The Osbournes", the vocalist famously had problems with his then-new car, as the voice recognition system couldn't understand a word he said.

Former DRAGONFORCE singer ZP Theart is currently in the studio working on material for a new project that has yet to be officially unveiled. In a video message which can be seen below, he states, "We're busy tracking drums and we've got one crazy motherfucker in there that's been driving us mental all week."

Theart previously promised that his new band's material would "fucking hit [the listeners] in the face."

DRAGONFORCE parted ways with Theart in March 2010 "due to insurmountable differences of musical opinion," according to a statement released by the British extreme epic power metal band.

After entries from thousands of hopefuls across the globe, DRAGONFORCE in March welcomed 23-year-old Marc Hudson to the band.

Since the age of 16, Marc — who was born in Oxford, England — has been building his vocal skills gigging with bands in the U.K. underground scene, developing a powerful style with influences which include Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske and Sebastian Bach.

Video footage of MEGADETH performing the song "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)" on November 29, 2011 at the Jockey Club in Asuncion, Paraguay can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Trust
02. Wake Up Dead
03. Hangar 18
04. She-Wolf
05. Public Enemy No. 1
06. Angry Again
07. A Tout Le Monde
08. Sweating Bullets
09. Head Crusher
10. Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)
11. Dawn Patrol
12. Poison Was The Cure
13. Guns, Drugs & Money
14. Symphony Of Destruction
15. Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

Encore:

16. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due

MEGADETH is among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band's tenth Grammy nomination is for its new single, "Public Enemy No. 1", off MEGADETH's latest album, "TH1RT3EN", which came out on November 1.

Commented MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine: "In such uncertain times, it's just an honor to be recognized by our peers, and anything above that is remarkable."

"Public Enemy No. 1" actually marks the second Grammy nomination for music from "TH1RT3EN", as the song "Sudden Death" was first unveiled in the 2010 video game "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock" and received a "Best Metal Performance" nod.

Relapse Records has announced the signing of North Carolina's finest psychedelic, stoner punks ASG. The band will enter the studio in February 2012 with producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, CHILDREN OF BODOM, FU MANCHU) to begin recording its highly anticipated new album .

Impossible to pigeonhole, ASG has been wheelin' and dealin' in kick-ass rock 'n' roll since forming in 2001. The band has previously released four albums, including its most recent, critically acclaimed effort, "Win Us Over", in 2007.

ASG has gained a reputation for its wildly energetic live shows, and has found itself on the road with heavy hitters MOTÖRHEAD, THE SWORD, CKY, FU MANCHU, TORCHE and THE DWARVES, among others.

Commented ASG guitarist/vocalist Jason Shi: "To be part of such a well-respected music label like Relapse and to be included in their roster of bands both past and present is quite an honor for us.

"We plan to record our first release on Relapse in the winter of 2012 with Matt Hyde and are very excited for everyone to hear it! We are amping!"

The first in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for "Reborn In Defiance", the much-anticipated new album from New York hardcore metal legends BIOHAZARD, can be seen below. The four-minute clip was filmed at the Firewater and Ocean Studios in Los Angeles, California.

Due on January 20, 2012, "Reborn In Defiance" will be made available via Nuclear Blast outside of North America, with a U.S. label partner soon to be announced. The band will celebrate the launch with a record-release party on January 17 at the Gramercy Theater in New York City before setting off on an extensive international tour.

Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.

Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.

The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.

Two songs from the CD — "Come Alive" and "Vengeance Is Mine" — are available for streaming on the band's Facebook page ("like" required).

BIOHAZARD has sold over five million albums worldwide since its formation in the late Eighties in Brooklyn, New York. They achieved international success with their albums "Urban Discipline" on Roadrunner Records in 1992 and 1994's "State of the World Address" on Warner Brothers. Over the years, BIOHAZARD has collaborated with ONYX, CYPRESS HILL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, HATEBREED, PANTERA, and TYPE O NEGATIVE, among others. The band has continued to tour nationally and internationally, sharing stages with HOUSE OF PAIN, OZZY OSBOURNE, SLAYER, DANZIG, FEAR FACTORY, SEPULTURA and AGNOSTIC FRONT.