"On The Backs Of Angels", a brand new song from progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, is available for streaming at the Roadrunner Records YouTube channel. The track comes off the band's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", which is scheduled for release on September 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was mixed by Andy Wallace, who has previously worked with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, WHITE ZOMBIE, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, SEPULTURA, SLAYER and NIRVANA, among many others.

"On The Backs Of Angels" lyrics (not official):

Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry the weight

We spiral toward disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding out the wave
Content to feeding the machine
Bleeding us to death
The new American dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burning me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Burning lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims of the radar
String us along

We're onto your agenda
The dead are wrong to nowhere

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burning me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[solo]

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burning me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter (End of lyrics)

According to Robin Leach of the Las Vegas Sun, MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil will be honored with a "Lifetime Achievement In Rock 'N' Roll" award as part of the Vegas Rocks! Magazine Awards on August 21 in the main showroom of the Las Vegas Hilton.

Vegas Rocks! magazine publisher Sally Steele said, "We will be honoring Vince with the Lifetime Achievement in Rock 'N' Roll" award, and there is no one that deserves it more than Vince.

"Vince has done so much over the years for charity since he has lived here in Las Vegas and done so many events that has made this town buzz with excitement. It is especially a thrill to me personally to present this award to Vince, since I started this publication seven years ago to honor and glorify my favorite band MÖTLEY CRÜE.

"We are also planning on having a secret special guest present Vince's award to him with me, so stay tuned!"

More than 200 musicians are expected to attend the event, according to Leach.

Fan-filmed video footage of SLIPKNOT's June 25, 2011 performance at the Sonisphere festival in Imola, Italy can be seen below.

Photos of the concert are available on Musica Metal.

The band's setlist for the 60-minute show was as follows:

01. (sic)
02. Eyeless
03. Wait and Bleed
04. The Blister Exists
05. Before I Forget
06. Disasterpiece
07. Psychosocial
08. The Heretic Anthem
09. Duality
10. Spit It Out
11. People = Shit
12. Surfacing

Das 1. Akustik-Mittelalteralbum „Morus et Diabolus“ erscheint am 8. Juli 2011!

TANZWUT stehen bisher mit ihrem Musikstil (seit der Gründung 1997) eigentlich für die Vereinigung von Mittelalter-Rock mit einer ordentlichen Prise elektronischer Klänge. Nicht zuletzt, weil das Projekt eben aus der Mittelalterspielleute-Formation CORVUS CORAX hervor gegangen ist. Nun nach einigen Besetzungswechseln wirkt das Septett seit Ende des Jahres 2010 völlig voneinander getrennt.

Pünktlich zur Premiere ihres Akustik-Mittelalterprogramms auf dem Kaltenberger Ritterturnier 2011 veröffentlichen TANZWUT jedoch ihren ersten Tonträger „Morus et Diabolus“ mit rein mittelalterlicher Musik und so wohl klingenden Stücken wie "Teufelsstampf", "Tanz der Gaukler", "Hymnus Codex Gigas" und "Heiduckentanz". Dass TANZWUTnun auf die Marktbühnen drängen und sich ins schweißtreibende akustische Spielmannstreiben stürzen, ist also keine fixe Idee. Es ist eine folgerichtige Entscheidung, denn die meisten der Bandmitglieder zogen schließlich mit Sackpfeife und Trommel umher, ehe sie es auf Rockbühnen krachen ließen. „Morus et Diabolus“ ist also kein Versuch Neuland zu erobern, sondern eine Rückkehr zu den eigenen Wurzeln.

Multi-national thrashers NIGHTRAGE have set "Insidious" as the title of their fifth album, due on September 27 (one day earlier internationally) via Lifeforce Records. The CD features guest appearances by Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND), Tomas S. Englund (EVERGREY), Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS), John K (BIOMECHANICAL) and the band's former frontman Tomas Lindberg (also known for his work with AT THE GATES, THE CROWN and LOCK UP). Lindberg appeared on the band's first two albums — 2003's "Sweet Vengeance" and 2005's "Descent Into Chaos" — before being replaced by Jimmie Strimell, who sang on 2007's "A New Disease Is Born".

Commented the band: "We recorded the music at Zero Gravity studios on Athens, Greece with our great friend Terry Nikas at the helm. He did a fantastic job and provided us with an amazing environment and atmosphere to make the best record possible.

"Antony [Hämäläinen] had the pleasure as well to work on the vocals in a very different setting with Ryan Butler at his Arcane Digital Recording studio in Arizona. Ryan has been assisting us with demo sessions since the last album and it felt very natural for us to try the final product with him. We then went to Studio Fredman located in Gothenburg, Sweden for the mix and master. Our longtime producer Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd worked long and hard to make the best out of what we gave them.

"We have recorded sixteen songs overall, and, as we promised before, our guest players actually need no introduction."

"Insidious" track listing:

01. So Far Away (intro)
02. Delirium Of The Fallen (w/ Apollo Papathanasio)
03. Insidious (w/ Tomas Lindberg)
04. Wrapped In Deceitful Dreams (w/ Gus G. and Tom S. Englund)
05. Hate Turns Black
06. Sham Piety (w/ Tomas Lindberg)
07. Cloaked In Wolf Skin
08. This World Is Coming To An End (w/ Tomas Lindberg, Apollo Papathanasio)
09. Utmost Ends Of Pain
10. Poignant Memories
11. Hush Of Night
12. Poisoned Pawn
13. Solar Eclipse (Prelude) (w/ John K)
14. Solar Corona (w/ Gus G. and Tom S. Englund)
15. Emblem Of Light (outro) (w/ John K)

Japanese bonus track and digital-only bonus:

16. Photograph (DEF LEPPARD cover; w/ Apollo Papathanasio)

Current NIGHTRAGE vocalist Antony Hämäläinen made his recording debut with the band on 2009's "Wearing A Martyr's Crown".

MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil recently spoke to FoxNews.com about the band's current tour with POISON and NEW YORK DOLLS (see video below).

"We've got the full big production, and Tommy's [Lee, drums] crazy drum solo thing that he's doing, the big roller coaster," he said. "I mean, it's a great concert, it's a great package," Neil continued. "POISON has a ton of great songs, they've been around for 25 years. And the DOLLS."

On the NEW YORK DOLLS:

"They're big influences on MÖTLEY CRÜE. I have David Johansen out there singing. I mean, it's pretty cool!”

On MÖTLEY CRÜE's stage show:

“It feels good to just get out there with a big show. We're all about [for] a 10-dollar ticket, give them a 100-dollar show. . . After the show, my knees hurt, my ankles hurt, the next morning my shoulders hurt. But once the lights go down, the music starts, you don't feel any pain anymore. It's just the next morning you're like, ouch. We're a bit older, now."

According to MusicWeek, Universal Music Publishing has extended its worldwide agreement with METALLICA to cover the band’s back catalog and new material.

The major first started representing the band in 1988, and the deal excludes North America and Japan.

Universal Music Publishing president of Europe Paul Connolly said he was thrilled METALLICA was staying with the organization and added, "METALLICA are one of the biggest selling bands of all time and have created a phenomenal body of work during the last three decades."

Although METALLICA is currently completing work on a surprise collaborative album with Lou Reed, the band is also about to start writing songs for its 10th studio effort on its own. Producer Rick Rubin, who worked with the group for the first time on 2008's "Death Magnetic", told Billboard that he recently met with drummer Lars Ulrich and will return to San Francisco sometime in the next week or so to sit down with the whole band and "explore what the focus is going to be this time around."

Rubin offered a hint of how that initial meeting with the band will go: "I'll ask a lot of questions and we'll probably listen to some of the riffs they've been writing. And usually I'll hear something that will sort of indicate the direction and then we'll talk about it from there."

Rubin did not give a timetable for when he thought METALLICA might begin recording.

The band revealed last week that the "secret recording project" it was working on in May was a collaborative album with Reed, the legendary singer and former VELVET UNDERGROUND frontman.

The project had apparently been in the works since Reed and METALLICA performed together at the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009.

METALLICA has not indicated when or how the yet-to-be-titled album will be issued.

Stockholm, Sweden-based extreme metallers MACHINERY have called it quits. Guitarist/vocalist Michel Isberg states, "We've reached to a point where we asked ourselves: is it all worth it? And there are many reasons why we've reached for this conclusion! Some of them are too long and boring to even try to explain and some others that are beyond our control! However, we will form a new band, that doesn't have a label attached to itself, a history or a name yet. All in all, we feel quite good on the situation and look forward to create new music again! At the moment, nothing is decided yet, but stay tuned during this summer for the announcement of our new endeavors!"

Brian Rademacher of RockEyez recently conducted an interview with LIZZY BORDEN frontman and namesake. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

RockEyez: In recruiting Dario Lorina (guitar) into LIZZY BORDEN a few years back, did that make an impact?

Lizzy Borden: Absolutely! I mean, we had so many guitar players in this band and [they all] had one thing in common: [they were] hard to work with. Dario is the opposite — he's such a professional and a fun guy plus he's unbelievably talented. He's got the full package and he's someone I've been waiting for since the beginning when we started this band trying to find someone of his caliber that's so professional and not crazy.

RockEyez: Now you also have AC Alexander [guitar]. How's he working out?

Lizzy Borden: He's working out great, too. He brings a whole different element to the band. He has so much energy and a positive guy, great talented guitar player. Him and Dario work well together, they call themselves The Italian Stallions because they're both Italians. This lineup is the best lineup we've ever had, bar none. The combination is finally right as far as personalities go. The show is so much better than anything we've ever done because of the personalities and everyone brings something unique to their part of the show that works in conjunction with the whole band.

RockEyez: "Appointment With Death" came out in 2007 when are we going to see some new material?

Lizzy Borden: I started working on new material a long time ago. I'm not that anxious to run out and do another record. The record I have in mind is so unique it's even hard to picture. The way I look at "Appointment With Death" is we came full circle we all had the same influences on all the records. Now it's time to create something new so that's where my head is at right now. The album I want to do is ten amazing songs. I don't know exactly where it's going to go; it could be the heaviest record we've ever done. You know, you write ten songs and end up loving one. I hope to get something out soon but we have the tour right now, but we are working hard on songs right now. It's coming out really interesting but I'm still looking for that ultimate producer that I can work with so I can create something so unique that is sounds like we're breaking ground a little bit.

RockEyez: You always wear a U.S. flag on stage at some point, what does America mean to you?

Lizzy Borden: It means everything, especially since we've traveled all around the world. We were able to see how other people live in different countries. Everybody we meet, especially the younger kids, they think where I live in L.A. is like Disneyland. It's the mecca [and] they all want to come here. It's true — I look at my window right now it's absolutely amazing, and our whole country is that way. I love it and America means everything to me. When I wrote the song "American Metal", I kind of wrote it about the L.A. music scene at the time. It really means so much more now. When we go to Europe and sing "American Metal", I usually have an American flag joined with a flag of whatever country we're in. It's like a unity thing. It's not necessarily about America, it's about the world now being a unity. I love the way America is run; well, not completely (laughing) but I love most of it.

"Long Live", the latest album from Georgia's THE CHARIOT, will be released on vinyl on August 2. The new 180-gram LP comes with exclusive silk-screened, hand-numbered jackets. Hot Topic will exclusively carry a white version of the vinyl with black spatters, numbered 1 through 1,000. The Good Fight Music store, the band (on tour), and your favorite local vinyl retailer will carry black with white spatters, numbered 1,001 through 2000. The vinyl will include a bonus track, "Music Of A Grateful Heart", previously available only on the limited-edition seven-inch version. The track will also be available on iTunes and all digital outlets as a single track. Fans can pre-order the LP now by itself, or in a special bundle that includes a THE CHARIOT t-shirt.

THE CHARIOT will hit the road this Friday as part of this year's Scream The Prayer Tour, also featuring NORMA JEAN, SLEEPING GIANT, WAR OF AGES, CLOSE YOUR EYES, TEXAS IN JULY, I THE BREATHER, THE GREAT COMMISSION, AS HELL RETREATS and SOVEREIGN STRENGTH.

Norway's MORTIIS will make its latest album, "Perfectly Defect", available for just one month — from July 13 through August 13 only — in a "digital audio extended version." The extended version comes with three bonus songs, new and extended artwork, and web content.

The download will be available through www.mortiis.com at a "fan-names-the-price" fee ($1.99 minimum). The release will be made instantly available to anyone who buys merchandise at any of the shows on the upcoming European tour. "For free, of course," MORTIIS' frontman and namesake said. "Buy a shirt, get the extended download album for free." He added, "We have some other pretty exciting stuff happening shortly after the one- month download ends, so there's pretty much constant movement over here these days and into the foreseeable future."

"Perfectly Defect" was released in the fall as a free digital download. MORTIIS supported the release with a winter European tour with COMBICHRIST and will return to the U.K. this summer for another jaunt — also with COMBICHRIST. Additionally, four mainland Europe dates have been added to the tail end of the tour.

"It's been too long since we played in the U.K.," Mortiis said. "We're bringing over a new sound and a new band since we were last there. I think people will be surprised. It's a new monster now. We've turned our backs on a dark past and we look forward to a brighter future. What better place to start than the UK?"

Dregen (real name: Andreas Tyrone Svensson) of Swedish sleaze rockers BACKYARD BABIES made his live debut as the guitarist of former HANOI ROCKS singer Michael Monroe's solo band this past Sunday (June 26) at Kalasatama in Helsinki as the support act for the FOO FIGHTERS.

Commented Monroe: "I'm still on a high from this past weekend. Dregen is working out fantastically in the band! He is a total star and adds so much positivity to this whole thing. Playing and performing with him on stage is such a blast for all of us. And we're just getting started.

"God bless you, Dregen!

"This was also my first time seeing the FOO FIGHTERS live and they were brilliant! One of the best gigs I've ever seen. Great authentic rock 'n' roll and tons of positive energy all around.

"I'm so glad they're as big as they are — couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of guys! They didn't even limit the opening bands from using the whole stage, which is unusual nowadays. And the 'White Limo' dedication was awesome, as well as Chris' little HANOI tribute during band introductions.

"I absolutely love them.

"So once more — many thanks to the FOO FIGHTERS. Let's do it again soon!"

Legendary Italian industrial/post-black metallers ABORYM have inked a worldwide deal with Agonia Records. The band's sixth album will be released in 2012 and it will coincide with the group's 20th anniversary.

Commented singer/bass player Fabban: "I know this label very well.

"We decided to sing up with Agonia Records exactly because we need to be followed and supported in a more careful and precise way, something that is sometimes quite hard to have if you're part of a major label with hundreds of other bands.

"There's a crisis in the air, especially in the music industry, reason why we're betting everything on quality.

"What we will release in 2012 will be a very particular album and it will be required a great commitment from our label, a great commitment, not only from the economic point of view. We chose Agonia because [they are] able to give us everything we ask for in order to achieve something very, very important, something that people don't really expect.

"This is the biggest deal of the entire ABORYM's career. We have a very high budget, we have confidence and a massive deployment of energies and resources from Agonia's side. Through these premises we should and we must do only great things."

He continued, "We'll celebrate 20 years of ABORYM through a series of surprises for our fans.

"The album we're working on will be something extremely astonishing, something that nobody can even remotely imagine. ABORYM has always been like that, but this time we'll walk beyond the lines. Our new album will be also a reward to all our fans: our own way to say thank you for 20 years of support and passion for our music."

"It's great to be working again with Agonia Records," added guitarist Hell.IO.Kabbalus, "and we're already sticking down with Fabban some new material for the next album. If you think 'Psychogrotesque' was crazy, this next one is going to fuck your synapses from behind."

A new TRIVIUM song called "Dusk Dismantled" is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the group's new album, "In Waves", which will be released on August 9 via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2008's "Shogun" was recorded primarily at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida (with only the drums having been tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida) with the production/mixing team of Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY) and Martin "Ginge" Ford, along with engineer Carl Bown.

"Dusk Dismantled" lyrics:

We are the insect
We are the insect, breeding
We are the insect
We are the insect, breeding

A fire burns
In the back of
The throat
Let it out, let it out
Before the
Choke

Dusk dismantled
Combustion's convergence with our existence
Dusk dismantled
We are the infinitesimal

Bursting inside out
Bursting from the inside out
Bursting inside out
Bursting from the inside out

I dig a hole
Through what's left of
My world
Searching for, something more
I turn it
Inwards

Dusk dismantled
Combustion's convergence with our existence
Dusk dismantled
We are the infinitesimal

I'm falling, I'm falling
In this colossal void
Each day that I spent digging downward
Built me up for a higher fall

Dusk dismantled
Combustion's convergence with our existence
Dusk dismantled
We are the infinitesimal

Dusk dismantled
Dusk dismantled
Dusk dismantled
Dusk dismantled
Combustion's convergence with our existence

Co-vocalist Andrea Ferro of the Italian rock/metal band LACUNA COIL recently spoke to Revolver magazine about the group's forthcoming album, "Dark Adrenaline", which is scheduled for release in October via Century Media Records.

On the topic of the sound of the new CD, Ferro said, "We have different kinds of songs — some are pretty heavy with a really powerful groove and some killer riffs, some have a darker vibe a bit more in our traditional style, and some others are more anthemic. In my opinion, it's a great collection of metal and rock songs."

When asked if the band is trying anything different with the material this time around, Ferro said, "There's a variety of moods; some things which are new, and some which sound like more traditional LACUNA COIL. We were experimenting with the previous album and we learned a lot from that about what is the essence of our 'sound.' We usually never repeat the same record, and that will again be the case this time around. It's 100 percent a LACUNA COIL album, with the benefit of some great inspiration during the songwriting process."

Regarding the band's renewed collaboration with producer Don Gilmore (PEARL JAM, LINKIN PARK, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE), Ferro said, "After you've spent a few months constantly working on the songs, it's important to have someone like Don come in and give you a sincere opinion of the songs. He is helping us in keeping things fresh, and getting our sound together for 2011. Most of the songs haven't really changed in essence, but he is really good at outlining the most important and interesting details of the music and the lyrics. He also creates a really great vibe while recording."

Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH recently rehearsed for the first time since the band's guitarist/vocalist, Adam "Nergal" Darski, was diagnosed with leukemia last August.

Nergal, who underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure in December, said, "Sooo, first rehearsals after the transplant are under our belts! I didn't want to get overexcited at first, just wanted to see how things would go, but I have to tell you… the second rehearsal we fuckin' nailed 'Ov Fire And The Void', 'Lucifer', 'Conquer All' and 'Antichristian Phenomenon' flawlessly! One of us even asked, 'Did we really take a year off from each other?' Ha ha… it was good times in great company! But the biggest surprise were the songs we NEVER played live ever and planning to do on the upcoming 'Phoenix Rising Tour'. I won't reveal any names yet, let it be a mystery 'till we hit the stage, all right?" He added, "In other news, I started jamming out some NEW shit too… [It's] too early to give any further comments, but it sounds VERY disturbing and eerie. Can't fuckin wait to unleash those ideas to my friends…"

Metal God Records and Rob Halford have announced a new 5.1, multi-camera, HD live-concert film, "Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena", debuting worldwide October 10 and October 11.

"Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena" features Rob Halford on vocals, Roy Z. on guitar, "Metal" Mike Chlasciak on guitars, Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums. It contains fifteen 5.1 Surround Sound audio recordings spanning The Metal God's HALFORD, FIGHT and JUDAS PRIEST catalog.

HALFORD's first high-definition, 5.1 Surround Sound audio production, the "Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena" Blu-ray release features exclusive footage with Rob Halford commentary.

"Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena" track listing:

01. Resurrection
02. Made In Hell
03. Locked And Loaded
04. Drop Out
05. Made Of Metal
06. Undisputed
07. Nailed To The Gun
08. Golgotha
09. Fire And Ice
10. Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)
11. Diamonds And Rust
12. Jawbreaker
13. Cyber World
14. Like There’s No Tomorrow
15. Thunder And Lightning

Horror metal supergroup DENIAL FIEND will release its second full-length album, "Horror Holocaust", on August 2 via Ibex Moon Records. Recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida, the long-awaited follow-up to 2007's "They Rise" is the band's first CD to feature DENIAL FIEND's current lineup of drummer Rob Rampy (D.R.I.), vocalist Blaine Cook (THE ACCUSED), bassist Terry Butler (DEATH, SIX FEET UNDER, MASSACRE) and guitarist Sam Williams (DOWN BY LAW). According to a press release, "Every ounce of the band's trademark energy of 'They Rise' remains in place on the new album, but the tunes are delivered with a faster, tighter and thrashier edge. . . Various influences, [including] SLAYER, CELTIC FROST, POISON IDEA, DEATH, CARCASS and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, show through in a sound that draws from all forms of traditional underground metal and hardcore."

"Horror Holocaust" features guest appearances by Steve Swanson (SIX FEET UNDER), Ralph Santolla (DEICIDE, OBITUARY) and James Murphy (OBITUARY, TESTAMENT).

"Horror Holocaust" track listing:

01. Corrupted Flesh
02. Stuck Pig/Bleeding Out
03. Flesh Coffin
04. After Party Massacre
05. Horror Holocaust
06. Fiend Without A Face
07. Dunsmoor
08. Hell Asylum

"Bluebeard", a brand new song from BURY YOUR DEAD, is available for streaming using the audio player below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). The track comes off the band's new album, "Mosh N' Roll", which is scheduled for release on August 2 via Mediaskare Records.

"Mosh N' Roll" features the return of vocalist Mat Bruso following the recent departure of Myke Terry.

"It was like he had never left and got married and gained 60 pounds," joked guitarist Brendan "Slim" MacDonald when speaking to Noisecreep about working with Bruso again. "But, no, seriously it was fine. He had to leave the band to take care of his personal life, as many of our members have done in the past, and as hard as it was, we all understood. It's good to have him back."

In other news, BURY YOUR DEAD fans have chosen PANTERA's "Suicide Note Pt. 2" as the song the band will cover during its set on the "Over The Limit II Tour", which kicks off tonight in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Following the "Over The Limit II Tour", BURY YOUR DEAD will head overseas for a European run with FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS and BETRAYAL.

BURY YOUR DEAD's last album, "It's Nothing Personal", landed at position No. 2 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

MONSTRO, the new Atlanta, Georgia-based band featuring former BLOODSIMPLE bassist Kyle Sanders, ex-BLOODSIMPLE drummer Bevan Davies, ex-TORCHE guitarist Juan Montoya and guitarist/vocalist Charlie Suarez, will release its self-titled debut album on September 6 via Vagrant Records. The CD was recorded over a 14-day period earlier this spring at a studio in Atlanta with producer (and ALICE IN CHAINS vocalist) William DuVall.

"Monstro" track listing:

01. Fantasma
02. Anchors Up!
03. Concertina
04. Stallone
05. Olympia
06. Solar
07. Elizabeth
08. Helios
09. Apollo

The song "Anchors Up!" is available for free download at this location.

"California", the new Shan Dan-directed video from Los Angeles metallers WINDS OF PLAGUE, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's third full-length album, "Against The World", which sold 8,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 60 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on April 19 via Century Media Records, the CD features guest appearances from members of HATEBREED, TERROR, FOR TODAY, STRAY FROM THE PATH and former world heavyweight wrestling champion and sports entertainment legend Ultimate Warrior (who performs an epic spoken-word track entitled "The Warrior Code"). It is described in a press release as "the heaviest-hitting record of the band's already heralded career."

German melodic metallers ARVEN have inked a deal with Massacre Records. The band's debut album, "Music Of Light", will be released on September 23. The 10-song CD features artwork by Jan Yrlund (KORPIKLAANI, STRATOVARIUS, SIRENIA).

According to a press release, the members of ARVEN are "professionally educated musicians [who] share one important attitude: a strong passion for melodic metal. A metal band with five females up front, the only male influence is restricted to the drums.

"Carina Hanselmann's nightingale-like vocals are the priority for this band, giving ARVEN its unique sound.

"All in all, the sound appears powerful and dynamic, filled with all kinds of dreamy and catchy melodies. Heavy guitar riffs, accompanied by a double-bass thunderstorm and groovy parts are combined with both orchestral and medieval instruments."

ARVEN is:

Carina Hanselmann - Vocals
Anastasia Schmidt - Guitar
Lisa Marie Geiß - Bass
Lena Yatsula - Keyboard
Ines Thomé - Guitar
Till Felden - Drums

DOWN guitarist Kirk Windstein has confirmed to Radio Metal that the band is planning to release four separate EPs over the course of the next couple of years. "We're going to do four EPs, and they'll all be different," he said. "We have many elements to our sound, so each one will have its own characteristics. Like, for example, this one we're writing right now and are about to start recording will be really hard, with heavy DOWN stuff. Then we'll have a mellow one, then a doom one — you know, slower and doomy stuff. A little bit of everything."

Regarding why the band chose to release four EPs instead of a full album, Kirk said, "The record industry sucks so bad. Nobody buys anything. We're trying to do something different, making it cheaper to buy. People want stuff for free! So six songs, it's cheaper to buy. Same thing for downloading; it will be cheaper to download. Nobody wants to go to the record store and buy stuff anymore. So we're just trying to mix it up and do something different. It will be released on physical EP and digitally as well."

In an interview with The Delaware County Daily Times, DOWN guitarist Pepper Keenan stated about the band's next studio release, "We're kinda goin' backwards now. The first record came out a long time ago, so we're feeling that vibe and heading that way; real simple: stripped down and to the point."

He added, "I think we're going to try and do four EPs, and they're all going to be connected together with artwork. This will allow us to have a frontload, heavy as [expletive] EP, and maybe the second one could showcase some of the acoustic stuff we've been saving for awhile, and then continuing the four of them with a completely different style, and obviously the fourth one would be another doom-laden heavy one."