Helsinki-based progressive metallers ADAMANTRA have announced the addition of vocalist Michael Henneken to the group's ranks. Gifted with a personal voice paired with a powerful range, he's got that rare capability for both painting melodic landscapes, and rocking hard — he is the perfect fit for ADAMANTRA.

Michael, being the former singer of the Finnish prog metal aristocrats SILENT VOICES and the current frontman for the band SENTIMENT, is no stranger to the job. Powered by his experience and talent, ADAMANTRA is again moving full speed ahead!

"I am very happy for getting the chance to join such a brilliant band as ADAMANTRA," said Michael in a statement. "The guys are really talented and that gives me a great opportunity to push my self musically forward as well. I will give my 110% for making the next album an amazing piece of work on my part and I'm looking forward doing live shows with the new material."

ADAMANTRA's debut album, "Reviva

ICED EARTH kicked off the European leg of the 2011-2012 "World Dystopia Tour" this past Sunday night (October 30) at Zeche in Bochum, Germany.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Dystopia
02. Burning Times
03. Angels Holocaust
04. Slave To The Dark
05. V
06. Stand Alone
07. When The Night Falls
08. Damien
09. Dark City
10. Pure Evil
11. Anguish Of Youth
12. My Own Savior
13. Anthem
14. Declaration Day
15. Days Of Rage
16. Tragedy And Triumph
17. Dante's Inferno

Encore:

18. Iced Earth

Out now via iTunes (direct link) is the In The Nursery's "Live at Camden Palace". The live release was recorded at Camden Palace 13th February 1990 and captures the band at a crucial point in their career - having just released the milestone album "L'Esprit".

The brief 35 minute set, as one of the "Feet First" indie nights at Camden Palace, documents an enthusiastic response from a large London audience but also highlights what must have been an incredulous performance as some impatient clubbers (complete with whistles), at the height of acid house, wait for the disco to begin. Listen closely and you can hear the heckling calls of "Where's the News man?" and "Play some Rock n Roll!".

Tracklisting:
Archaic Torso (intro)
L'Esprit
Scherzo
Subito - Regal: Miracle Of The Rose I
To The Faithful
Elegy
Compulsion
Twins

Recommended!

On October 24, Universal Records re-released DIAMOND HEAD's classic debut album, "Lightning To The Nations", as a "deluxe edition." Remastered from the original tapes, it comes in a dual case with brand new full-color sleeve plus a bonus disc of singles and B-sides. It also features a 16-page booklet with liner notes by Dave Everley.

The full track listing is as follows:

Disc One:

01. Lightning To The Nations
02. The Prince
03. Sucking My Love
04. Am I Evil?
05. Sweet And Innocent
06. It's Electric
07. Helpless

Disc Two:

01. Shoot Out The Lights
02. Streets Of Gold
03. Waited Too Long
04. Play It Loud
05. Diamond Lights
06. We Won't Be Back
07. I Don't Got

On November 8th, EMI will release Immersion and Experience editions of PINK FLOYD's Wish You Were Here, following on from the success of the Immersion and Experience editions of The Dark Side Of The Moon, which proved that pigs can fly! This second phase of EMI's imaginative Pink Floyd re-issues and extended releases, also includes A Foot In The Door - The Best Of Pink Floyd, with new artwork by Storm Thorgerson and the track listing personally chosen by David Gilmour, Roger Waters and Nick Mason.

Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd's ninth studio album, was recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios, and, when originally released in September 1975, it shot to the top of the charts in both the UK and US. The mood of the album is one of absence, which includes ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, a track inspired by former bandmate Syd Barrett.

Wish You Were Here Immersion five-disc edition, includes previously unreleased material from the band's 1974 Wembley dates, including a 20 minute live rendition of ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ and ‘Raving And Drooling’ and ‘You've Got To Be Crazy’, two tracks that didn't make it onto the original album and which were subsequently reworked to become ‘Sheep’ and ‘Dogs’ on the Animals album . Immersion comes with an exclusive photo book edited by longtime Floyd photographer Jill Furmanovsky and a 36 page booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson. A must have for all Pink Floyd fans, the collection also includes the forgotten and unique recording of ‘Wish You Were Here’, featuring the legendary jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli.

Nick Mason said of the track: "It's absolutely charming and it brings a different quality to the music... I think that it's perhaps one of the nicest little jewels in the whole collection."
The Experience edition of Wish You Were Here will include the original studio album, digitally remastered by James Guthrie, along with a CD of previously unreleased live and studio recordings (identical to Disc two of the Immersion edition) and a new 20 page booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson, housed in a newly designed Digipak.

Released simultaneously, A Foot In The Door - The Best Of Pink Floyd, is a collection of classic Pink Floyd tracks. . This specially remastered compilation also features newly created artwork from Storm Thorgerson. The collection spans the band's entire career.

Wish You Were Here - Immersion box-set contains 5 discs.

Disc 1 - CD1:
The Original Album, Remastered in 2011
‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (Parts 1-5)
‘Welcome To The Machine’
‘Have A Cigar’
‘Wish You Were Here’
‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (Parts 6-9)

Disc 2 - CD2:
Unreleased Audio Tracks (approx. 66 mins)
‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (Live At Wembley 1974) 20'22"
‘Raving And Drooling’ (Live At Wembley 1974) 12'35"
‘You've Got To Be Craz’y (Live At Wembley 1974) 18'09"
‘Wine Glasses’ (from the 'Household Objects' project) 2'12"
‘Have A Cigar’ (Alternative Version) 7'07"
‘Wish You Were Here’ (with Stéphane Grappelli) 6'13"

Disc 3 - DVD 1, All Audio:
‘Wish You Were Here’ Multi - Channel Audio Mixes
‘Wish You Were Here’ 5.1 Surround Mix (2009) 448 kbps
‘Wish You Were Here’ 5.1 Surround Mix (2009) 640 kbps
‘Wish You Were Here’ LPCM Original Stereo Mix (1975) remastered in 2011
‘Wish You Were Here’ 4.0 Quad Mix (1975) 448 kbps
‘Wish You Were Here’ 4.0 Quad Mix (1975) 640 kbps

Disc 4 - DVD 2, Audio Visual:
Audio-Visual Material (approx. 75 mins)
Concert Screen Films, 1975 (20 mins approx.)
-‘ Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (Part 1)
- ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’
- ‘Welcome To The Machine’
in LPCM Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound
Storm Thorgerson Short Film, 2000 (6 mins) in Stereo only

Disc 5 - Blu-Ray:
High Resolution Audio and Audio - Visual Material
‘Wish You Were Here’ 5.1 Surround Mix (2009) 96kHz/24bit
‘Wish You Were Here’ Original Stereo Mix (1975) remastered in 2011, 96kHz/24bit
‘Wish You Were Here’ 4.0 Quad Mix (1975) 96kHz/24bit
Concert Screen Films, 1975 (20 mins approx.) LPCM Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound, 48kHz/24bit
- ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (Part 1)
- ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’
- ‘Welcome To The Machine’
Storm Thorgerson Short Film, 2000 (6 mins) in Stereo only

Plus:
36-page 26cm x 26 cm booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson,
20-page 26cm x 26cm photo book edited by Jill Furmanovsky
Exclusive Storm Thorgerson Art Print,
4 x Collectors' Cards featuring art and comments by Storm Thorgerson,
Replica of Wish You Were Here tour ticket
Replica of Wish You Were Here backstage pass
Printed scarf
3 x clear marbles,
9 x coasters (unique to this box) featuring early Storm Thorgerson design sketches, and a 12-page credits booklet.
A Foot In The Door - The Best Of Pink Floyd will feature the following tracks:

‘Hey You’
‘See Emily Play’
‘The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
‘Another Brick In The Wall’, Part 2
‘Have A Cigar’
‘Wish You Were Here’
‘Time’
‘The Great Gig In The Sky’
‘Money’
‘Comfortably Numb’
‘High Hopes’
‘Learning To Fly’
‘The Fletcher Memorial Home’
‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’
‘Brain Damage’
‘Eclipse’

Swedish MANOWAR-inspired all-female metal band HYSTERICA will perform at Camden Underworld in London, England on November 19.

HYSTERICA is working on a new album titled "The Art Of Metal". According to a press release, HYSTERICA is planning "something different and unique" for the upcoming CD by "unit[ing] the music with another form of art. The concept for the new album is as follows: By letting different artists interpret each song, a number of art pieces will be created. These will be presented together with each new album track." Several singles will be made available digitally until the album's release. The first single was "Force Of Metal", released on April 11, followed by "Message From The Dark" (May 25), "Heels Of Steel" (June 28) and "Fighters Of The Century" (August 2).

"The Art Of Metal" is reportedly being mixed and mastered by Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL) and Marcus Jidell (EVERGREY).

Video footage of HYSTERICA performing the new songs "Force Of Metal" and "Heels Of Steel" can be sen below.

HYSTERICA gained notoriety after the release of its debut album, "Metalwar", which was mixed by Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, HYPOCRISY). In 2010 HYSTERICA was honored with the "Best Newcomer" award at the Swedish Metal Awards.

NWOBHM act CLOVEN HOOF have issued the following update:

"At long last the fans can watch the brilliant new lineup in action playing the new studio song, 'I'm your Nemesis' eagerly awaited, we know you won't be disappointed.

Cloven Hoof would like to thank Kevin Powis and Dan Evans from Last Independent and EAP Films for their fantastic work and direction. Many thanks also to all the staff at Netherton Arts Centre, Hockley Street Studio and Muff Murfin and Richard Wood at The Old Smthy Recording Studios.

The band are back bigger and better than ever so click on the video below to see and hear Cloven Hoof deliver its new masterpiece!"

On May 20 and May 21, 1985, 40 artists from the metal community gathered at A&M Records Studios in Hollywood, California to participate in the making of a record called "Stars" as a part of a very special fundraising project spearheaded by Ronnie James Dio known as HEAR 'N AID. The "Stars" single and a video documentary on the making of the record was used to raise money for famine relief efforts in Africa and around the world. These 40 artists — including members of MÖTLEY CRÜE, JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, QUIET RIOT, TWISTED SISTER, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT and even SPINAL TAP — along with hundreds of other volunteers, donated their time and talent over four months to make HEAR 'N AID a reality. "Stars" was a plea for unity in the fight against world hunger.

Due to contract differences with the labels, the "Stars" song and album weren't released until New Year's Day, 1986, and were only ever made available on vinyl and cassette. But Ronnie's widow/manager Wendy Dio wants to fix that. "I'm going to re-release ['Stars']. So it'll come out on DVD and CD," she tells RollingStone.com. "I have loads of outtakes for the video."

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, founded last year in memory of the world-renowned voice of DIO, BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, will host its first Awards Gala today (Tuesday, November 1) at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, California. Awards will be presented to six distinguished honorees for their contributions to spreading awareness of Fund's important work.

According to Wendy, there will also be a bowling benefit January 31 and a guitar auction in April featuring over 100 donated guitars. Also in the works is a Ronnie James Dio tribute album, which will include artists ranging from Dave Grohl, doing "Mob Rules", to ASIA lead singer John Payne. The double-disc release will also include contributions from Rob Halford and Glenn Hughes, as well as younger bands, such as KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, who were influenced by Dio.

On July 16th, 2011, DEEP PURPLE performed on the closing night of Switzerland’s prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival by re-inventing their classic catalog with the help of a symphony orchestra. This night will forever be emblazoned upon the brains of Deep Purple fans around the world when Eagle Rock Entertainment releases Live At Montreux 2011 simultaneously in DVD, Blu-Ray and 2CD packages on November 8th.

The whole night has been preserved in crystal clarity via high definition for the DVD and Blu-Ray releases. The sound on the 2CD set—DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo—is superb. Included on the DVD and Blu-Ray is a bonus in-depth band interview.

Such classics as 'Highway Star', 'Strange Kind of Woman', 'Lazy', 'Perfect Strangers', 'Hush', 'Woman From Tokyo', 'Black Night', 'Smoke On The Water' and 11 other gems, as performed with the orchestral sweep behind them, certainly spurred the band on. Ian Gillan (vocals), Ian Paice (drums), Roger Glover (bass), Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards) can be seen visibly pleased with the results of the orchestra, as directed by Stephen “BK” Bentley-Klein.

This 115-minute concert is emblematic of the kind of shows that Deep Purple has been putting on with amazing consistency as they criss-cross the globe. It’s what their fans have come to expect. The current orchestra tour has proven them capable of transcending genre limitations to reach out for the kind of all-encompassing theatrical presentation that’s hard to forget. Now, with this release, Deep Purple fans around the globe can thrill to this extraordinary pairing of symphonic textures and the hardest of classic rock.


Tracklisting:

CD Disc One:
Orchestral Intro
'Highway Star'
'Hard Loving Man'
'Maybe I’m A Leo'
'Strange Kind Of Woman'
'Rapture Of The Deep'
'Woman From Tokyo'
'Contact Lost'
'When A Blind Man Cries'
'The Well Dressed Guitar'

CD Disc Two:
'Knocking At Your Back Door'
'Lazy'
'No One Came'
Don Airey Solo
'Perfect Strangers'
'Space Truckin’'
'Smoke On The Water
'Hush'
'Black Night'

After exploring more atmospheric avenues, FORTERESSE returns to a more traditional and aggressive breed of black metal for its fourth album. Resounding as always with a firm "Québécois" identity and filled with the piercing leads and hypnotic riffs that have become the band's trademark, Crépuscule d'Octobre is a new epic chapter in Forteresse's history.

Crépuscule d'Octobre will be available on November 22nd through Sepulchral Productions.There will also be a "Die Hard" edition of the release available. Limited to 100 copies, this edition will come with an exclusive long-sleeved shirt designed by Tony Roberts (pictured below).

Crépuscule d'Octobre tracklisting:

'Silence d'Octobre'
'Le Triomphe des Douze'
'La Lame du Passé'
'Mon Esprit Rôde Toujours'
'Spectres du Solstice'
'Enfants du Lys'

Ventura, CA's CIRITH UNGOL, one of the most underrated bands from the early 80s metal scene, released four albums between 1980 and 1991. Cirith Ungol's catalogue is being celebrated through the release of a collection of rare and live tracks on the 2CD/1DVD double digipak album, Servants Of Chaos.

Servants was originally released exclusively in Europe back in 2001 and a DVD has been added to augment the already stellar collection of music. The DVD contains an entire, rarely seen live show, shot on November 9th, 1984 at the storied, and now defunct, Wolf and Rissmiller's Country Club in Reseda, CA. The CD/DVD digipak and triple vinyl will be available on November 18th/21st.

The name Cirith Ungol is pronounced "kirith ungol" and is an Elvish phrase meaning "pass of the spider", which is something that Lord of the Rings fans will surely recognize. The name is, of course, indicative of the band's fantasy-oriented lyrics, themes and beautiful album artwork.

This live-DVD is the first live relic ever to be released by Cirith Ungol.

Comments Robert Garven Jr.: "This amateur video was never meant to be released. The audio was taken off the mixing console. As we were an opening act, we had little or no sound check, room on stage, and restricted access to the lighting and sound. Even though, this rare and primitive video is one of the few ever taken of the band!"

Check out the live clip of I'm Alive below, taken off the bonus-DVD, and make sure to have a look at the pre-order options at this location.

Tracklistings:

CD 1:
'Hype Performance'
'Last Laugh'
'Frost and Fire'
'Eyes'
'Better Off Dead'
'100 MPH'
'I'm Alive'
'Bite of the Worm'
'The Twitch'
'Maybe That's Why'
'Ill Met in Lankhmar'
'Return to Lankhmar'
'Darkness Weaves'
'Witchdance'
'Feeding the Ants'
'Obsidian'

CD 2:
'Death of the Sun'
'Fire'
'Fallen Idols'
'Chaos Rising'
'Fallen Idols'
'Paradise Lost'
'Join the Legion'
'Before the Lash'
'Atom Smasher'
'Master of the Pit'
'King of the Dead'
'Last Laugh'
'Cirith Ungol'
'Secret Agent Man'
'Ferrari 308QV'

DVD:
Live at Wolf and Rissmiller's Country Club - November 9, 1984
'I'm Alive'
'The Black Machine'
'Master of the Pit'
'King of the Dead!'
'Death of the Sun'
'Finger of Scorn'
'Frost and Fire'
'Cirith Ungol'

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich spoke to USA Today about the band's collaborative album with Lou Reed, titled "Lulu".

Reaction worldwide to the record has been a mix of confusion, hostility and disappointment, with fans cautiously lauding METALLICA for daring to experiment but also saying that this project was perhaps the wrong combination of artists.

Explorations will continue, regardless of fan expectations, Ulrich says.

"People would like us not to stray beyond certain boundaries," he tells USA Today. "That would kill METALLICA. We feed on freedom. We love coming back to metal, but we need to turn over rocks or we'd suffocate. That's our DNA."

METALLICA will celebrate it 30th anniversary by performing sold-out shows December 5, 7, 9 and 10 at the Fillmore in San Francisco for fan-club members only — at 1981 prices: $6 each or $19.81 for all four. The guest-heavy shows will be taped for possible release.

"When you've been around this long, you can find an anniversary in almost anything," Ulrich says. "It becomes a little ridiculous. So we decided to do something intimate rather than chest-beating."