METALLICA's collaborative album with Lou Reed, titled "Lulu", sold 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 36 on The Billboard 200 chart. By contrast, METALLICA's last studio effort, 2008's "Death Magnetic", sold 490,000 copies in just a three-day sales window after it came out on a Friday, with sales tracked through the following Sunday.

Even METALLICA's controversial 2003 set, "St. Anger", moved 363,000 copies in its initial week of release, which was also shortened to four days.

METALLICA's "Re-Load" album sold 435,000 units during its first week in 1997, while 1996's "Load" opened at 680,000. 1991's self-titled "black album" debuted with 598,000 and has since gone on to sell more than 15.7 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

MOTÖRHEAD was forced to cancel tonight's (Tuesday, November 8) planned concert at Bristol, England's Colston Hall after the band's mainman, Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister (bass, vocals), suffered an injury to his left hand and was unable to play.

The date is part of "The Wörld Is Yours" tour, which featured ANTI NOWHERE LEAGUE and UK SUBS supporting.

"Due to injury, MOTÖRHEAD have cancelled their Colston Hall show tonight. Watch this space for returns/new date info," a message read on the Twitter feed for the venue. "We are working with Live Nation to try to reschedule… We'll let you know when we know what will happen re: rescheduling/refunds."

Remaining dates:

Nov. 11 - Norwich, UK - UEA
Nov. 12 - London, UK - Hammersmith Apollo
Nov. 14 - Newcastle, UK - O2 Academy
Nov. 15 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy
Nov. 17 - Nottingham, UK - Royal Centre
Nov. 18 - Manchester, UK- O2 Apollo

Finnish doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN have set "Emerald Forest And The Blackbird" as the title of their fifth full-length album, due on February 1, 2012 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was recorded during September and October 2011 by Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS, CHILDREN OF BODOM) at Drumforest Studios in Viitasaari and Sonic Pump 2 in Helsinki, and by Hannu Honkonen at Noisework Studios in Helsinki. The effort was mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, APOCALYPTICA, AMORPHIS, MOONSPELL) and will be mastered by Mika Jussila (NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS, SENTENCED) at Finnvox Studios. The artwork is once again being created by Rami Mursula.

"Emerald Forest And The Blackbird" track listing:

01. Emerald Forest And The Blackbird
02. This Cut Is The Deepest
03. Hate, Lead The Way
04. Cathedral Walls (feat. Anette Olzon)
05. Hearts Wide Shut
06. Silent Towers
07. Labyrinth Of London (Horror Pt. IV)
08. Of Death And Corruption
09. April 14th
10. Night Will Forgive Us

Anette Olzon of NIGHTWISH makes a guest appearance on the song "Cathedral Walls". Her recognizable voice gives the song the depth and the angelic character it demands. In addition, Aleah Stanbridge of TREES OF ETERNITY — whose ethereal voice is familiar from SWALLOW THE SUN's previous works — is featured on two tracks.

"When I got to listen to the rough demo of 'Cathedral Walls', I fell in love with the song immediately and I was so honoured to be asked to sing on this song," said Anette. "The melody and lyrics are truly beautiful."

Commented SWALLOW THE SUN's main songwriter Juha Raivio: "I found myself listening to an old Finnish lullaby called 'Sininen Uni' over and over again, and suddenly images started pouring into my mind of a dad reading a tale to his dying child, trying to explain where the child is going that night, the tale of Emerald Forest and the Blackbird. Finally this image lead me into a long journey through this night and got me trapped in the limbo between the dusk and the dawn. The place where you face your demons and angels, meet the souls of the ones you loved and lost.

"Will we walk the night forever, or let the night forgive us and let us say a last goodbye? These are songs from the limbo, notes of sorrow, hate, love, darkness and light. The tale of Emerald Forest and the Blackbird."

25 years after the release of the legendary "Night Of Passion" album, German hard rock band MAD MAX returns with the original lineup — Michael Voss (lead vocals, lead guitars), Jürgen Breforth (rhythm guitars), Roland Bergmann (bass, vocals) and Axel Kruse (drums) — and a new studio album, "Another Night Of Passion", due at the end of March 2012 via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD was recorded at the Kidroom Studio, which is owned by Michael Voss and where albums from Michael Schenker, VENGEANCE and Gary Barden were previously produced. The cover artwork was designed by the Belgian artist Eric Philippe (RHAPSODY, TNT) and the photos were taken by the famous German photographer Martin Huch.

Commented Olly Hahn, A&R representative at Steamhammer: "I saw the band back in 1987 where they supported STRYPER and they blew me away.

"'Night Of Passion' is a hard rock gem and I'm sure that also 'Another Night Of Passion' will not disappoint any fan who likes classic melodic hard rock."

Added MAD MAX guitarist Jürgen Breforth: "Exactly 27 years ago we were close to sign a deal with SPV/Steamhammer and I'm totally glad that we could fix this now in 2011. With SPV on our side, the new studio album and the original lineup we are ready to burn the stage again!"

MAD MAX will support AXEL RUDI PELL on a European tour in April/May 2012.

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have completed mixing and mastering their new album, "Unbreakable", which is scheduled for a January 20, 2012 release via Frontiers Records. The CD was tracked at House Of Music studios in Winterbach, Germany with producer/bassist Mat Sinner and engineer Achim Köhler (EDGUY, MASTERPLAN).

"Unbreakable" will feature the following songs:

* Blaze Of Glory
* Marching Again
* And There Was Silence
* Night Of The Jumps
* Give 'Em Hell
* Born Again
* Where Angels Die
* Bad Guys Wear Black
* Strike
* Metal Nation
* Conviction
* Raise Some Hell

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", this winter 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 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."

"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

Commented COLDWORKER drummer Anders Jackobson: "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."

Chicago alternative hard rock trio CHEVELLE will release it sixth album, "Hats Off To The Bull", on December 6 via Epic Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Face To The Floor
02. Same Old Trip
03. Ruse
04. The Meddler
05. Piñata
06. Envy
07. Hats Off To The Bull
08. Arise
09. Revenge
10. Prima Donna
11. Clones

Roadrunner Records announced today the addition of French metal behemoths GOJIRA to the label. The band is universally recognized as one of the most talented and extreme art-metal acts on the scene today. GOJIRA is one of those rare bands that comes along every couple of years and takes everything you know about metal, twists it, reimagines it and comes up with something wholly unique. It's doubtful you've heard anything like GOJIRA before. The band makes that much of an impact with its music and approach.
GOJIRA is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Joe Duplantier, who has a previous relationship with Roadrunner, having played bass on CAVALERA CONSPIRACY's debut "Inflikted", along with guitarist Christian Andreu, bassist Jean-Michel Labadie and drummer Mario Duplantier, who is also Joe's brother!

"We are so stoked to walk with the legendary Roadrunner," Joe said about the new partnership. "We discovered SEPULTURA, MACHINE HEAD, DEATH, FEAR FACTORY and so many other great bands thanks to these guys. Roadrunner has been a great source of inspiration for us as metal fans. It's an honor to be part of this family today as a band. We feel we'll get the right support at the right moment in our career. We cannot wait to release our new record and get back on the road."

The band's Roadrunner debut will be its fifth album overall. It was 2005's "From Mars to Sirius" and 2008's "The Way of All Flesh" which established GOJIRA as a metal force of nature and a key player in the scene. The band will record in New York City, also the label's headquarters, in November 2011, with a spring 2012 release date being eyed. Joe Duplantier will serve in a co-producer capacity along Josh Wilbur, who's worked with LAMB OF GOD.

"I've been a huge GOJIRA fan ever since their monumental 'From Mars To Sirius' album and have been actively pursuing them ever since," Roadrunner Senior VP of A&R Monte Conner said. "I am thrilled to finally be welcoming them to the Roadrunner family. GOJIRA are one of the best bands in metal today, with a sound and style all their own. Their live shows are unreal, from the level of playing, to the intensity, to the Godzilla-like stomp that hits you in the chest."

Duplantier revealed that, rather than the heavily researched themes of the last CD, lyrics for the upcoming, yet-to-be-titled effort are a lot more spontaneous, with "stream of consciousness"-style "spiritual" compositions.

"I've been about spirituality since the first album," he said. "It's hard to define what spirituality is, but it's more like getting closer to [oneself]. It's where each thing we do is sacred; not like going to a church or when you are with a dying person, but waking up in the morning… I've tried to take this dimension when I've written the music, like sometimes I don't even know what I'm going to sing and the words come out fluently. It's not a concept album like in the past, it's more about being spontaneous with feeling, and it's more true and honest."

German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS will release "Get Your Sting & Blackout - Live In 3D" on Blu-ray on December 6 via Sony. The disc contains a recording of the band's April 15, 2011 concert in Saarbrücken, Germany using the latest 3D technology, 11 cameras, awesome 5.1 Surround and stereo sound.. The band performed its greatest hits, including "Wind Of Change", "Blackout", "Rock You Like A Hurricane", "Still Loving You" and "Send Me An Angel".

"Get Your Sting & Blackout - Live In 3D" track listing:

01. Intro
02. Sting In The Tail
03. Make It Real
04. Bad Boys Running Wild
05. The Zoo
06. Coast To Coast
07. Loving You Sunday Morning
08. The Best Is Yet To Come
09. Send Me An Angel
10. Holiday
11. Raised On Rock
12. Tease Me Please Me
13. Dynamite
14. Kottak Attack
15. Blackout
16. Six String Sting
17. Big City Nights
18. Still Loving You
19. Wind Of Chamge
20. Rock You Like A Hurricane
21. When The Smoke Is Going Down

Bonus material: Behind-the-scenes (approx. 33 minutes)

Technical Specifications:

* Copy protection
* BD50
* Video: MVC1080/24p
* Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, 2.0 PCM
* Region code: ABC
* Approx. 100 minutes total running time

Commented the band: "3D - a number, a letter. This term, not long ago only known to a few enthusiasts, has been ringing in our ears for a while now. Guitarist Rudolf Schenker brought the topic 3D into play repeatedly, and when the opportunity came to make this new visual chapter happen, as one of the first bands ever, we didn’t have to think twice. Naturally, we could have chosen a show in Los Angeles or Moscow for the recording, but this was about a quick decision and a viable implementation on the highest level of technology. Saarbrücken was a very good choice — our fans were simply sensational and gave us the chance to thank them for their many years of support with this project in Germany. However, enough words ... put on the 3D glasses and it's time for ... 'Get Your Sting & Blackout'!!!"

Season Of Mist has announced the signing of doom legends SAINT VITUS. The band has just completed work on its eighth studio album, its first since 1995, for an early 2012 release.

SAINT VITUS' current lineup features guitarist Dave Chandler, drummer Henry Vasquez, bassist Mark Adams and seminal vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich.

"Making this album was really a blast," says Chandler. "Being able to live in an environment where all we had to concentrate on was the new material, became very inspiring. And along with our new drummer, Henry Vasquez, and label, Season Of Mist, this record has given us a new opportunity to show everyone that we still have more to shove in your face."

When asked why he thinks SAINT VITUS' music continues to resonate, Wino said in an interview, "Because it comes from the gut. The music has that low tone and it hits you in those emotional places. I've always tried to make the lyrics just as interesting as the music. It's always been a little bit dark but I'm not drawn to the happy stuff. I like music that grabs you by the balls."

"Superskum" (web site) has uploaded quality video footage of SAINT VITUS performing a brand new song, "Blessed Night" on March 29, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Check out the clip below.

The cover artwork for "Dark Adrenaline", the new album from the Italian heavy rock act LACUNA COIL, can be seen below. The CD will be released on January 24 via Century Media Records.

"Dark Adrenaline" track listing:

01. Trip The Darkness
02. Against You
03. Kill The Light
04. Give Me Something More
05. Upsidedown
06. End Of Time
07. I Don't Believe In Tomorrow
08. Intoxicated
09. The Army Inside
10. Losing My Religion
11. Fire
12. My Spirit

Official Metallica.com footage of METALLICA's pre-show meet-and-greet, tuning-room jam and performance at the October 25 first-ever concert in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at Yas Island can be viewed below.

METALLICA's setlist for the Abu Dhabi gig was as follows:

01. Creeping Death
02. For Whom the Bell Tolls
03. Fuel
04. Ride the Lightning
05. Fade to Black
06. Cyanide
07. The Memory Remains
08. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
09. Sad But True
10. All Nightmare Long
11. One
12. Master of Puppets
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman

Encore:

16. Am I Evil?
17. Motorbreath
18. Seek & Destroy

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.

Here are some of the names taking part in "Illud Divinum Insanus - The Remixes":

* Xytras
* Tim Skold
* SKINNY PUPPY/cEvin Key
* PUNISH YOURSELF VS SONIC AREA
* TREPONEM PAL
* LAIBACH
* TAMTRUM
* MIXHELL (Igor Cavalera)
* TOXIC AVENGER
* MICROPOINT

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman has inked a deal to write the theme song for a "major" new movie. He writes on his Facebook page, "It was a rare time when I actually worked out the entire solo. Little did I know that the movie people would have me change the whole song's key three times by the time we did the actual tracking. That made the already unorthodox solo even stranger, thankfully, and just by luck, in a very good way. I am stoked!" He adds, "One thing I have learned over time is that ALWAYS when you do additional work to accommodate the 'big picture' that seems unnecessary at the time, your music comes out better for it. ALWAYS. You heard it here first, friends!"

Friedman's new solo album, "Tokyo Jukebox 2", was released in Japan on September 14 via Avex. The CD picks up where Friedman's 2009 effort, "Tokyo Jukebox", left off, with even more adventurous arrangements of his favorite Japanese songs. Recorded at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, the album features Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL) on drums.

"Tokyo Jukebox 2" stretches the boundaries of guitar interpretation beyond anything Marty has released to date.

BRING ME THE HORIZON guitarist Jona Weinhofen reportedly got into an altercation with a member of the audience during the band's November 6 concert in Helsinki, Finland. According to reports in the Finnish media, someone from the crowd was heckling BRING ME THE HORIZON while the British group was performing at club Circus as the main support act for MACHINE HEAD. At some point, the Australian guitarist lost his temper and jumped into the audience to fight the heckler. Weinhofen was followed by singer Oliver "Oli" Sykes, who reportedly used his microphone as a weapon. Within seconds, the club security was able to calm down the situation and the band continued its performance. However, BRING ME THE HORIZON was forced to end its set prematurely after someone pulled the plug from the stage. Jona then went to see a local doctor at Meilahti hospital and had a cast put on his hand. He later tweeted a photo of his injury with the caption, "Broke my hand...bummed!"

The Circus general manager spoke to the Finnish daily newspaper Iltalehti and denied that any such incident ever took place. However, fan-filmed video footage of the concert, which can be seen below, seems to suggest otherwise.

As previously reported, Sykes was reportedly assaulted on stage during the band's headlining performance on October 3 at In The Venue in Salt Lake City, Utah. The altercation apparantly took place after several concert-goers threw water bottles at Sykes, prompting him to call out the culprits and send the projectiles right back. Several rowdy audience members then rushed the stage in attempt to attack the singer, with a few others starting fights in the crowd. Sykes was apparently unharmed during the incident, with the band returning to the stage a half hour later to finish its set.

Back in 2007, Sykes was accused of urinating on a female fan before throwing a bottle at her, leading to a facial injury. All charges against the vocalist were subsequently dropped on grounds that there was not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

German progressive metal quartet OBSCURA will release its first-ever demo collection, entitled "Illegimitation", independently in March 2012. The collection will contain ten never-before-heard tracks, including the band's earliest recordings from 2003, unreleased songs from the "Cosmogenesis" sessions in 2006, and brand new cover songs featuring the band's current lineup.

Sticking to its reputation of being one of the genre's most forward-thinking bands, OBSCURA has decided to release a special, limited-time pre-order for "Illegimitation" through Kickstarter.com.

The album's numerous, unique packages are available directly from the band now at this location.

Commented OBSCURA's Steffen Kummerer: "This will be a independent release so we can give our fans the opportunity to participate in the project and offer special packages such as a lifelong free entry to all OBSCURA shows, limited-edition items, face-to-face lessons with our members, and tour used gear from the band!"

"Illegimitation" track listing:

"Illegimitation" Demo (2003)

01. ...And All Will Come To An End
02. Crucified
03. Fear
04. Immanent Desaster

"Cosmogenesis" Pre-Production Recordings (2006)

05. Incarnated
06. Open The Gates
07. Headworm

2011 Recordings:

08. Flesh And The Power It Holds (DEATH cover)
09. Piece Of Time (ATHEIST cover)
10. How Could I (CYNIC cover)

Relapse Records has announced the signing of New Zealand progressive death metallers ULCERATE. The band will enter the studio in the fall of 2012 to begin recording its next album.

ULCERATE (Paul Kelland: bass/vocals, Michael Hoggard: guitar, William Cleverdon: guitar, and Jamie Saint Merat: drums) formed in 2000 and has previously released three full-length albums. The band's latest CD, "The Destroyers Of All", came out earlier this year and received international critical acclaim for its blend of ambitious songwriting and unorthodox extremity.

Commented ULCERATE drummer Jamie Saint Merat: "Working with Relapse is a very logical next step for us, and we're really looking forward to the partnership. Their presence of quality releases regardless of genre, overarching aesthetic and attention to detail is something that we find very natural to align with, as well as being fans of the label's releases well before the band was even started.

"In terms of what's next for ULCERATE, 2012 will be a big year for us — in February we're touring Europe for 23 dates with our good friends in SVART CROWN, followed up by Maryland Deathfest X and accompanying side-shows in the U.S. in May, New Zealand shows in December (2011) and January, and a tentative return to Australia mid-year. We'll also begin work on album number 4..."