Dana Feldman of Beatweek magazine recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick. A couple of excerpts from the chats follow below.

Beatweek: I read that you started playing guitar at the age of eleven and that you practiced for fourteen hours a day during the summers as a teen. That's quite a strict daily routine for a kid. Did you always know that guitar was what you wanted to do for a career?

Broderick: Yes. As soon as I found the guitar I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I didn't realize the potential of studying guitar and I actually almost dropped out of high school to study it full-time. Then I realized that I could study it in college, as well.

Beatweek: I also read that you earned a degree in Classical Guitar Music Performance at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music. Performing music has truly been your life's work. Was there ever a time that you thought that you might have to do something else?

Broderick: Yes. Throughout my guitar-playing career there were times that it just wasn't paying the bills and I thought that I'd have to go back to school to study something else. I had actually just enrolled to go and get a degree in Psychology when I got the call to join JAG PANZER. Believe it or not, I almost turned them down, but then thought college will always be here if it doesn't work out.

Beatweek: You have been credited with playing guitar, keyboards, bass, vocals, as well as playing both the violin and the piano. Would you say that you are best on the guitar which is why you have made a career of it, or did you choose this route as it was always your favorite?

Broderick: I chose the guitar because I was always into metal growing up and I loved the guitar; it can be super angry or beautiful. There are so many different personalities to it and that was what really drew me to it. There is something to love about all of these instruments, I love playing music. But, I would say that the guitar is the most diverse.

Beatweek: Dave Mustaine recently said in an online interview with Rolling Stone of the new album, "TH1RT3EN", which is amazing by the way, that the title came in part because he was born on September 13th as well as the fact that this is the band's 13th album. Does the title mean anything to you personally? What's the main message of the album as you see it?

Broderick: No, I mean I think the number 13 is cool as far as the mystique behind it, but in truth, I don't attach any personal meaning to it. As far as the album, it is really diverse. Each song is different and each is saying its own thing. I view this album as a compilation as if we pulled a song from each of MEGADETH's prior albums. This is why I really like this one.

Beatweek: I personally like tracks 6 and 11 the best, "Never Dead" and "Millennium Of The Blind", respectively. Do you have a personal favorite?

Broderick: "Sudden Death" is my favorite on this one. The solos were a nice challenge to have to pull off well. When you write a song, you have to become a part of it yourself, so I feel strongly with the album as a whole.

In what is sure to be one of the most talked-about alliances of the year, LOU REED & METALLICA's Lulu album will be released by Warner Bros. Records on November 1st in North America (October 31st elsewhere).

A deluxe version of Lulu will be released in a tube-shaped container (13cm x 1.24m), and will include a two-CD digipack package, a large 1.2m x 1.6m poster (with song lyrics), and three photographs by Anton Corbijn (50cm x 50.8cm).

I’m built like you are
I have a dress and a train
Your snake cold lips
Make a harsh straight line
That echoes through my brain

You’re perfect
Let me lift a glass high
Let me follow in your footsteps
Let me follow in your sigh
Let me follow in your sigh

I’m a woman who likes men
But this is something else
I’ve never felt such stirrings
I feel like I
Was someone else

I wish you’d tie me up and beat me
Crush me like a kick
A bleeding strap across my back
Some blood that you could kiss

Oh kiss away, oh kiss away
I wish there was a strap of blood
That you could kiss away
I wish there was a strap of blood
That you could kiss away
Tie me with a scarf and jewels
Put a bloody gag to my teeth

I beg you to degrade me
Is there waste that I could eat
I am a secret lover
I am your little girl
Please spit into my mouth
I’m forever in your swirl

You’re heartless and I love that
You have no use of me

But I open the sticks, sticky legs I bear
And then insert a fist, an arm
Some lost appendage
Please open me I beg

You are my goliath
You are my goliath
And I am mistress dread

Oh I am mistress dread
Oh I am mistress dread

Open and release me
I love you in my head

Oh kiss away kiss away
Kiss away kiss away

All I ask my baby
Kiss away

All I ask my baby
Kiss away

Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA are currently recording their fifth full-length album at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth for a March 9, 2012 release via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen: "The vocal recordings have started! Tonight I have recorded the grunts of the opening song of the upcoming album.

"After a travel of 4.5 hours, Ariën [van Weesenbeek, drums] and I arrived in the studio at 22:00. We were still full of energy and decided to start recording already. Tomorrow, Simone [Simons, vocals] will arrive as well so we'll continue with the vocal recordings.

"The recordings in general are going very well and the result sounds like we were hoping for. We know the pressure is quite high after 'Design Your Universe' but we're confident that the new album will pay off the expectations."

"Black Stars In A Blue Sky", a brand new song from the Dutch heavy rock collective AUTUMN, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's fifth full-length album, "Cold Comfort", which will be released on November 7 in Europe via Metal Blade Records. According to a press release, the CD "offers a collection of striking songs blended into a diverse and yet surprisingly compact album, one that AUTUMN considers to be their most personal and meaningful to date. While AUTUMN's roots remain firmly planted in heavy rock/guitar-oriented soil, their branches are stretching out to more progressive musical genres and alternative approaches to the sound of individual songs."

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST kicked off the North American leg of their "Epitaph" farewell tour last Wednesday night (October 12) at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas (with support from THIN LIZZY and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY).

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Rapid Fire
02. Metal Gods
03. Heading Out To The Highway
04. Judas Rising
05. Starbreaker
06. Victim Of Changes
07. Never Satisfied
08. Diamonds & Rust (JOAN BAEZ cover)
09. Dawn Of Creation
10. Prophecy
11. Night Crawler
12. Turbo Lover
13. Beyond The Realms Of Death
14. The Sentinel
15. Blood Red Skies
16. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown) (FLEETWOOD MAC cover)
17. Breaking The Law
18. Painkiller

Encore:

19. The Hellion
20. Electric Eye
21. Hell Bent For Leather
22. You've Got Another Thing Comin'

Encore 2:

23. Living After Midnight

HAIL! — the supergroup featuring a rotating list of musicians, including current and former members of SEPULTURA, TESTAMENT, DREAM THEATER and MEGADETH — play a festival at Kucukciftlik Park in Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday, October 15.

The band's lineup for this performance consisted of the following musicians:

* Glen Drover (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, KING DIAMOND) - Guitar
* Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE, LIFE OF AGONY, ANOTHER ANIMAL) - Vocals
* Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) - Drums
* James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, WHITE LION) – Bass

HAIL!'s setlist:

01. Ace Of Spades (MOTÖRHEAD)
02. Walk (PANTERA)
03. Grinder (JUDAS PRIEST)
04. Sympony Of Destruction (MEAGDETH)
05. Fairies Wear Boots (BLACK SABBATH)
06. 22 Acacia Avenue (IRON MAIDEN)
07. Diamonds & Rust (JOAN BAEZ)
08. The Four Horsemen (METALLICA)
09. Dirty Deeds (AC/DC)
10. S.A.T.O. (OZZY OSBOURNE)
11. Heaven and Hell (BLACK SABBATH)
12. Running Free (IRON MAIDEN)
13. Peace Sells (MEGADETH)

Commented the band: "The show in Istanbul was amazing.

"Despite the constant rain, the fans were once again great in welcoming us back to Turkey.

"This first-time lineup of James Lomenzo, Mike Portnoy, Whitfield Crane and Glen Drover had the opportunity to experiment with a bunch of new songs and despite only one day of rehearsals we slammed it hard!

"Before the show, we did a photo meet-and-greet and it was great to meet more fans.

"We love meeting all of you and sharing this communal celebration whereever we go. Our fans are always so gracious, friendly and super-excited that no matter where we are they make us feel loved by showing their tremendous appreciation for what it is that we are committed to doing. Tonight we even had one fan come up with a the idea that because of our fist logo we should call our fanclub 'HAIL!'s Knuckleheads!'

"What does everybody think? Fists in the air — raise your knucks high!

"We had a great time in Turkey again — the people rule, the food is delicious, the culture is historically diverse and the people who put this together were excellent.

"Special 'thank you's go out to Erdem for once again making it all possible, our new 'mom' Seyda (and her hub) for taking such wonderful care of us, Adnan, Bugra, 'Drum Guy,' Mehmet, all the press people and fans — tessukur erderim!"

SPV/Steamhammer will re-release VIRGIN STEELE's "Age Of Consent" album in November. This 2CD digipak reissue comes with bonus tracks, five of them previously unreleased, and a massive booklet with new liner notes and previously unseen photos. It will also be made available in vinyl for the first time since 1988.

Release dates:

Germany: November 25
Rest Of Europe: November 28
USA/Canada: November 22

Originally released in October 1988, "Age Of Consent" was the fourth full-length album by VIRGIN STEELE. It took eight months to be completed, in comparison with 1985's "Noble Savage", which was recorded in only a few weeks. The songs on "Age Of Consent" follow in style and content the music of its precedessor.

Before the release of "Age Of Consent", VIRGIN STEELE toured heavily in Europe as special guests for BLACK SABBATH and MANOWAR.

Commented VIRGIN STEELE singer David DeFeis: "To me, 'Age Of Consent' is the album that I usually refer to as 'the one that got away album' in our career. When it was originally released it was sent out into the world without any promotion or fanfare, much like a soldier, catapulted onto a battlefield, naked and without any weapons. Because of this many people were completely unaware of its existence. Therefore we are absolutely over the moon about being able to present it to you once again. For this reissue, I have remastered all the songs from the original source tapes, and added several more 'bonus tracks.' Some of the bonus material features brand new compositions, and other tracks are covers that have been re-arranged and in some cases re-written.

"We hope that you will join us in celebrating our anniversary, and we hope you will enjoy and play at maximum volume these barbaric-romantic creations."

Track listing:

Double digipak (including new booklet with rare photos and new liner notes by David DeFeis):

CD1

01. The Burning Of Rome (Cry For Pompeii) (6:39)
02. Let It Roar (3:48)
03. Prelude To Evening (1:10)
04. Lion In Winter (5:32)
05. Stranger At The Gate (1:30)
06. Perfect Mansions (Mountains Of The Sun) (8:33)
07. Coils Of The Serpent (1:24)
08. Serpent’s Kiss (8:15)
09. On The Wings Of The Night (4:41)
10. Seventeen (4:21)
11. Tragedy (4:22)
12. Stay On Top (3:37)
13. Chains Of Fire (3:35)
14. Desert Plains (4:52)
15. Cry Forever (4:32)
16. We Are Eternal (4:13)

CD2

01. Screaming For Vengeance (5:11) (bonus track)
02. The Curse (2:57) (Bonus Track)
03. Breach Of Lease (5:58) (bonus track; previously unreleased)
04. Another Nail In The Cross (6:24) (bonus track; previously unreleased)
05. A Changling Dawn ("Noble Savage" acoustic version) (10:56) (bonus track; previously unreleased)
06. Under The Graveyard Moon (6:53) (bonus track; previously unreleased)
07. Down By The River (5:43) (bonus track; previously unreleased)

Double Gatefold LP in coloured blue vinyl and printed innersleeves:

LP1

Side A

01. The Burning Of Rome (Cry For Pompeii) (6:39)
02. Let It Roar (3:48)
03. Prelude To Evening (1:10)
04. Lion In Winter (5:32)
05. On The Wings Of The Night (4:41)

Side B

01. Seventeen (4:21)
02. Tragedy (4:22)
03. Chains Of Fire (3:35)
04. Cry Forever (4:32)
05. We Are Eternal (4:13)

LP2

Side C

01. Perfect Mansions (Mountains Of The Sun) (8:33)
02. Coils Of The Serpent (1:24)
03. Serpent’s Kiss (8:15)
04. The Curse (2:57 (bonus track)

Side D

01. Screaming For Vengeance (5:11) (bonus track)
02. Another Nail In The Cross (6:24) (bonus track; previously unreleased)
03. Under The Graveyard Moon (6:53) (bonus track; previously unreleased)

DAGGER, the Swedish hard rock/heavy metal band featuring Fred Estby (NECRONAUT, ex-DISMEMBER), David Blomqvist (ex-DISMEMBER) and Tobias Cristiansson (GRAVE, ex-DISMEMBER) and Tyrant (NIFELHEIM), is currently seeking a lead singer. The group states, "Our aim is to create real classic hard rock music the way we like it.

"We have made a live recording with five of our songs in Gutterview Recorders Studio (owned by Fred Estby and Nicke Andersson) and now we are looking for a singer to front DAGGER.

"The voice we are looking for is classic hard rock/heavy metal singing based in the rock and blues tradition.

"If you think you're the man for this job, or if you know someone who is, don't hesitate to contact us. The influences we have are: RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, THIN LIZZY, DEEP PURPLE, IRON MAIDEN and many more. Send us your info to: heavydagger@gmail.com."

Formed in 2009, DAGGER consists of the following musicians:

* Fred Estby (NECRONAUT, ex-DISMEMBER) - Drums
* David Blomqvist (ex-DISMEMBER) - Electric guitar
* Tyrant (NIFELHEIM) - Electric Guitar
* Tobias Cristiansson (GRAVE, ex-DISMEMBER) - Electric Bass
* [to be announced] - Vocals

Two of DAGGER's instrumental tracks are available for streaming on the band's Facebook page.

EX DEO — the Ancient Roman-themed arsenal led by KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono — will enter the studio in November with producer Jean-François Dagenais (KATAKLYSM, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON) to begin recording its sophomore album, "Caligula", for a summer 2012 release via Austria's Napalm Records. The CD, which will be completed over the winter, will feature appearances by "some very special guests."

Commented Maurizio: "Writing for the new EX DEO album is in full force. Everything is coming together nicely. We've taken some new steps with 'Caligula' that we have never explored before musically. The album is shaping up in a very sinister but glorious opus that will turn the heads of not only mortals on this earth but also grab the attention of 'Caligula' himself who is probably in full debauchery as we speak
somewhere down below. We intend to make a mark that will last a very long time with this album..

"Fans have been impatient asking why its taking soo long... The answer is pretty simple: We are looking to create a monumental album, and this takes time, on top of our engagements with KATAKLYSM and its world tour, which has, of course, delayed the process. But have no fear, fellow Romans, as we have a tentative release date for you. Next year will mark the 2000th anniversary of Caligula, so we plan on releasing the album on August 31st , 2012 on Caligula's birthday worldwide via Napalm Records... and what an event this will be.

"To prove how serious we are in anticipation of 'Caligula', EX DEO will embark on U.S. tour next winter/spring on a very cool tour that many of Pagan beliefs will come to worship in celebration. Details to follow on this... A time of change is coming."

The artwork and layout for "Caligula" will be handled by classic artist Seth (SEPTICFLESH). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "I, Caligula", "Burned to Serve the Nocturnal Light", "In War & Conquest/Roma Caput Mundi" and "Teutoburg (The Ambush of Varus) - Part 1".

Auf massacre-records.com können sich Fans ab sofort einen brandneuen Track namens "Being Human" vom kommenden MY BLACK LIGHT Album "Human Maze" in voller Länge anhören.

http://www.massacre-records.com/

"Human Maze" erscheint am 28. Oktober 2011 via Massacre Records.

"Human Maze" Trackliste:
1. Energy Core 1:12
2. Being Human 4:19
3. Detriny 4:14
4. The Abstainer 4:47
5. Noise For Sale 5:32
6. Inner World 5:14
7. Deadline 4:06
8. A Lie For Eternity 5:08
9. Ideal 0:49
10. Guiding Light 5:39
11. Ti Sento 3:59
12. Unbreak My Heart 3:49

The first-ever Kiss Kruise launched in style Thursday afternoon (October 13) from Miami, Florida with a non-makeup unplugged KISS sail-away concert. Over 2,500 Kiss Army members became inaugural members of the Kiss Navy.

According to KissOnline.com, KISS took to the stage again last night (Saturday, October 15), bringing another smashing set of KISS classics and favorites to their devoted fans on the Kiss Kruise. Performing in a 1500-seat theater aboard the Destiny, there was no pyro, no bombs, and no fire... but the show was hotter than hell. With the band up close and in such an intimate space, fans enjoyed another memorable evening of music and fun.

Due to the capacity of the Destiny's Palladium theater, fans aboard the Kruise received a ticket to either Friday night's concert or Saturday's, with each concert simulcast on the ship's Lido Deck massive outdoor screen so fans had the opportunity to enjoy both shows.

Setlist:

01. I Stole Your Love
02. Getaway
03. Room Service
04. Two Timer
05. Comin' Home
06. Strutter
07. Nothin' to Lose
08. Love Her All I Can
09. All The Way
10. She
11. Take Me
12. Goin' Blind
13. Parasite
14. Rock Bottom
15. C'mon and Love Me
16. Got to Choose
17. Lick It Up
18. Shout It Out Loud
19. Hard Luck Woman
20. Beth
21. Detroit Rock City
22. Rock And Roll All Nite

Swedish SID-metallers Machinae Supremacy just released a HD recording of their gig at hacker's Assembly 2011. Thanks to its venue, Hartwall Arena, MaSu got one of the most advanced Finnish stages to their service and the gig was recorded at top industry standards and would beat some concerts DVDs of known bands.

The band released the video completely free at PirateBay http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/6744104. and some previews at : YouTube.

The band announced the video at their website: http://machinaesupremacy.com/2011/10/14/live-at-assembly-2011/

Colorado Satanic metal masters SATAN'S HOST will release "Celebration For The Love Of Satan" on November 22 via Moribund Records. The disc is a collection of re-recorded versions of songs spanning the band's entire career, exclusing the material that was released on this year's "By The Hands Of The Devil" album, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the release of SATAN'S HOST's classic debut LP, "Metal From Hell". The new disc, which also includes two new songs, was once again recorded with producer Dave Otero at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado and has exclusive artwork by world-renowned artists Chris Moyen and Joe Petagno, with photography by Brent Boutte of Mirrorlife Productions.

"Celebration For The Love Of Satan" track listing:

01. For the Love of Satan (new song)
02. Hell Fire (from "Metal From Hell")
03. Metal From Hell (from "Metal From Hell")
04. Witches Return (from "Midnight Wind")
05. Cauldron Of The Ancients (from "In Articulo Mortis")
06. Nightside Of Eden (from "Archidoxes of Evil")
07. Ecliptic Equinox (from "Burning The Born Again [A New Philosophy]")
08. H.E.L.L. (from "Burning The Born Again [A New Philosophy]")
09. Satanic Grimoire (from "Satanic Grimoire: A Greater Black Magick")
10. "The Cursing" Vampyric Evil-Eye (from "Great American Scapegoat…666")
11. Dark Priest "Lord Ahriman" (from "Power~Purity~Perfection…999")
12. Convictions (new song)

The new version of the song Nightside Of Eden, which originally appeared on the "Archidoxes of Evil" LP, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Die mehrfach mit Platin ausgezeichnete Rock Band NICKELBACK hat für ihr neues Album "Here And Now", welches auf Roadrunner Records für den 18. November 2011 angekündigt ist, die Tracklsite und das Coverartwork veröffentlicht.

"Here And Now", Nickelbacks siebtes Studioalbum, wurde in den Mountain View Studios in Vancouver aufgenommen und ist der Nachfolger des erfolgreichen 2008-er Albums "Dark Horse", welches in D z.B. Platinstatus erreichte.

1. “This Means War”
2. “Bottoms Up”
3. “When We Stand Together”
4. “Midnight Queen”
5. “Gotta Get Me Some”
6. “Lullaby”
7. “Kiss It Goodbye”
8. “Trying Not To Love You”
9. “Holding On To Heaven”
10. “Everything I Wanna Do”
11. “Don’t Ever Let It End”

In the cultural world of the Finnish Sami, Saivo is one of the realms of the dead where the departed continue their everyday life, content and in the company of their families and forebears. Saivo is also the title of the new album by Finnish gothic metallers TENHI, that will finally see its release after four years of painstaking work, on November 25th via Prophecy Productions.

The evoking cover artwork, once again painted by Tyko Saarikko, can be seen below:

1. Saivon Kimallus
2. Pojan Kiiski
3. Uloin
4. Pienet Purot
5. Sateen Soutu
6. Haaksi
7. Surunuotta
8. Savoie
9. Vuoksi
10. Paluu Joelle
11. Sees
12. Siniset Runot

The first-ever Kiss Kruise launched in style Thursday afternoon (October 13) from Miami, Florida with a non-makeup unplugged KISS sail-away concert. Over 2,500 Kiss Army members became inaugural members of the Kiss Navy.

On Friday, October 14, KISS performed its first full-makeup show on the Kiss Kruise, thrilling fans with a set list of KISS favorites that haven't been heard live in years, and in some cases, in decades. The show opened with "Room Service", before continuing with "Two Timer" and a rockin' version of "Comin' Home", which guitarist/singer Paul Stanley said had never been performed live in its original version before this show. Other concert standouts included "Take Me", "All The Way" and an electrifying "Rock Bottom".

Kiss Navy members displayed numerous flags from countries around the world, and as it was also costume party night, many KISS fans came to the show dressed for the occasion.

Here's the setlist from last night's show:

01. Room Service
02. Two Timer
03. Comin' Home
04. Strutter
05. Nothin' to Lose
06. Love Her All I Can
07. She
08. Take Me
09. Goin' Blind
10. Parasite
11. Rock Bottom
12. All The Way
13. Got to Choose
14. Shout it Out Loud
15. Lick it Up
16. C'mon and Love Me
17. Hard Luck Woman
18. Beth
19. Rock and Roll All Nite

UNISONIC, the new band featuring former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-HELLOWEEN) alongside Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany's PINK CREAM 69 and Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (who has previously played with ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS), has inked a deal with earMUSIC/Edel.

Commented Zafiriou: "We had several promising labels being interested in UNISONIC, but the enthusiasm of Max Vaccaro and his team convinced us that earMUSIC is the right company for us."

UNISONIC's debut EP will be released in January 2012, followed bya full-length album in the early spring.

After the addition of Hansen to the group's lineup in early 2011, UNISONICcontinued the songwriting process for its debut release, incorporating Kai's talent for writing great anthemic rock songs into its existing material. The recordings for the album started at end of September at ICP studios in Brussels, Belgium.

UNISONIC's music is very versatile and shows a broad approach to heavy rock without sacrificing the power and strong, catchy melodies that characterized the bandmembers' previous projects.

Commented Kiske: "It feels great to finally bring the band to the studio and record the songs we've been working on. We took our time to grow as a band, but it was definitely worth it and we are very proud of the result."

Added bassist/producer Ward: "We have a bunch of very strong songs and can't wait until people can hear them. Everyone in the band is now looking even more positive into the future."

Regarding Hansen's addition to UNISONIC, Kiske previously said, "After so many years of abstinence, I had a lot of fun doing my first live shows with UNISONIC in summer 2010, so I agreed to do the short world tour with AVANTASIA. It was a great experience to be on stage with all those great artists, but with Kai it was something different: We instantly felt the magic again and had a lot of fun together on and off stage. We both realized that we want to be together in band again. He was interested in the open musical concept of UNISONIC and finally asked me if he can join the band. I talked to my bandmates and they all felt great about it. His talent as a guitarist and songwriter is an enrichment for the band and we are looking forward to his contribution for the music of UNISONIC."