One of the world's most popular board games, Monopoly, has been customized to celebrate the history and music of heavy metal giants METALLICA. The game is now available from the band's official webstore.

Game description: "The fast-dealing property trading game' just got faster! Monopoly Metallica Collector's Edition takes the popular board game to a whole new level. Every aspect of the game designed for the true METALLICA fan in mind. You'll 'Pass Go' through historic METALLICA events and locations around the board such as club shows, festivals, studios, childhood homes and other metal landmarks. Create your own real estate empire by adding arenas and stadiums to all your properties! Game pieces include the 'Kill 'Em All' hammer, '...And Justice For All' scales, 'St. Anger' fist, 'Black Album' snake, ninja star, and the 'Jump in the Fire' demon. Land on one of the 'Binge and Purge' or 'Jump in the Fire' spaces and be rewarded or fined in true METALLICA form. You won't believe the price you'll pay!"

Former DEICIDE members Eric Hoffmann (guitar) and Brian Hoffman (guitar) recently resurrected their pre-DEICIDE band AMON with Jesse "Jecheal" Jolly (PROMETHEAN HORDE, DIABOLIC, SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY, AFTER DEATH) on vocals/bass and and Mike Petrak (LEPROSY, SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY) on drums. The Florida-based quartet entered RedRoom Recorders in Tampa on December 10, 2010 with producer Mark Prator to record its new album, entitled "Liar In Wait". All guitar and bass tracks have now been completed for the CD. Eric tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "[Jesse] did an incredible job [laying down the bass tracks]! It is refreshing to hear a bass player nailing arpeggios, playing with fingers on a seven-string bass." He adds, "Vocals start [this weekend] at RedRoom Recorders with Mark Prator."

New photos from the studio can be viewed below. Pictured with the band (wearing a GOATWHORE t-shirt) is Diggersleather's Dale, the leather/craftsman who is making "some awesome armor" for the members of AMON.

"We were actually going to use the [DEICIDE] name [for the new band], but [DEICIDE members Glen Benton and Steve Asheim] got on the bandwagon faster than us," Eric told Terrorizer magazine. "They basically took the name, and Glen writes all the lyrics, so the kids are familiar with that, but in the beginning we hired Glen, and we wrote most of the music. So we had to go out and find a singer, which was pretty difficult at the time."

When asked about the musical direction of AMON, Eric said, "[The music's] a little bit more technical than the DEICIDE stuff. It's not too intricate, so it's still catchy at the same time. You'll still have a couple of classic DEICIDE beginnings, and then it'll go into some killer technical, in-your-face shit."

While confirming that AMON will play several DEICIDE classics during the band's upcoming live shows — "We've gotta give it to the fans," says Eric — the guitarist remains adamant that any chances of a reunion with Glen and Steve remain slim.

"This is our band," Eric said. "I haven't seen [Glen] in six years. He says if he sees me, he's gonna shoot me and ask questions later. He hates me more than Jesus."

Massachusetts metallers UNEARTH have tapped drummer Justin Foley (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) for the band's upcoming slot on this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and subsequent European headlining tour (dubbed "Hell On Earth").

Foley, who also performed on UNEARTH's upcoming "Darkness In The Light" album, takes the place of former drummer Derek Kerswill, who parted ways with the band last year due to creative differences.

Comments UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps: "It's great to have Justin on board for Mayhem and Hell On Earth.

"We really wanted to start this album cycle with Justin behind the kit since he played on and completely slayed the new album. We've been friends for a long time and we recorded an album together, so this just makes sense and it gives us even more to look forward to this summer."

Adds Foley: "I'm really looking forward to playing with some old friends, and spending a summer full of beers and breakdowns!"

SLIPKNOT played its first show since the death of bassist Paul Gray on Friday (June 17), in front of 25,000 fans at the Sonisphere festival in Athens, Greece. Gray's red jumpsuit, mask and bass guitar stood at the back of the stage while his bandmates performed. The rest of the group's members donned red jumpsuits and older versions of their trademark masks from SLIPKNOT's earlier days, in tribute to their fallen bandmate. Fan-filmed HD footage of the show can now be viewed below.

SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan told The Pulse Of Radio recently that Gray would somehow still be part of the band's show. "Just because he's gone, does that mean I have to take him out of the scenario and the answer is no," he said. "He will a part of SLIPKNOT's stage, he will be a part of SLIPKNOT's music, he will be a part of everything that we do for the rest of our lives. And he wants me artistically to bring him in, some twisted, maybe even demented way into the show."

Playing bass for the band was Donnie Steele, who was the guitarist in an early incarnation of the group. Steele, however, was hidden from the audience's view.

Frontman Corey Taylor addressed the significance of the show by saying to the crowd, "As you know, tonight is very emotional show for us but it is not, NOT, a negative day. It is a positive day. A day for celebration. This is our first show — with you. Are you having a good time and will you celebrate with us today?"

Later in the show, he added, "This is very hard for us but [Gray] would have wanted us to come out with you all and celebrate his life. So will you all help me sing a song for my brother? Can you do that, Athens? Sing so loud so he can hear us because he is here with us tonight. Can you feel it?"

The band's setlist was as follows:

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

Dutch death metallers SINISTER have announced the addition of bassist Mathijs Brussaard to the group's ranks.

Commented singer Aad Kloosterwaard comments: "We are now a five-piece band and hope with this to bring our new songs to a higher level."

SINISTER's current lineup:

* Aad Kloosterwaard - Vocals
* Toep Duin (ex-SUPREME PAIN, GODMODE) - Drums
* Bastiaan Brussaard (SUPREME PAIN) - Guitar
* Dennis Hartog (GODMODE) – Guitar
* Mathijs Brussaard - Bass

SINISTER is writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Legacy

Video footage of former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's June 12, 2011 performance in front of 242,000 music fans at the Rock On Volga festival in Samara, Russia can be viewed below.

Commented Turunen: "I had a true pleasure to perform in Samara, Russia a few days ago. I never thought the local people would welcome me so warmly there, though. Most of the bands were Russians and I was a bit nervous how my music would fit in at this Rock On Volga festival. When it was time for us to start our show, people were shouting my name and my doubts were gone. Our show was great and the people in Russia were beautiful to us.

"The organization of the festival confirmed that there were 242,000 people watching my show that night!!! That is more than four football stadiums all together! It was very difficult to see the people far back at the end. This was an overwhelming experience for all in the band and one of the nicest moments in my career. Something I will never forget.

"I got a chance to sing in Russian with KIPELOV and that just topped everything I had experienced so far. I had the lyrics in front of me, but not even once I needed to check them out! I was so proud of myself. Ha-Ha.

"Russian is definitely very difficult language, but I wanted to learn it well. Let me tell you, it was a hard work, but I am a hard worker!"

Turunen released a new digital-only single, "Underneath", on April 22. The three-song single was made available Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Ukraine, France and U.K. It includes two unreleased versions of the beautiful ballad "Underneath" plus a non-album track in Spanish language.

"Underneath" track listing:

01. Underneath (radio mix)
02. Underneath (orchestral mix)
03. Montañas De Silencio

In North America, the single was released on May 24 as an exclusive limited edition seven-inch vinyl with two tracks: "Underneath" (radio mix) and "Underneath" (orchestral mix).

Tarja's sophomore solo album, "What Lies Beneath", sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 24 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.

"What Lies Beneath" was released in North America on September 14, 2010 via The End Records. The CD's first single, "Falling Awake" (featuring Jason Hook from FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH), was released August 17 as a limited-edition seven-inch single through The Omega Order and available August 24, 2010 at all digital outlets . The track is backed with "The Good Die Young" — a song from the SCORPIONS' most recent album that features Tarja's vocals.

USAopoly has announced a tentative August release date for the AC/DC Collector's Edition Monopoly board game.

The AC/DC Collector's Edition Monopoly is the first and only game that combines the risk taking, deal making Monopoly game play with one of the most legendary and enduring rock and roll bands of all time, allowing fans to vie for control of AC/DC's most iconic albums and international locations.

Game Play: Players will buy, sell and trade AC/DC albums and international locations. Players improve their properties with gold and platinum records.

6 Tokens: Cannon ("For Those About To Rock"), Bundle of Dynamite ("T.N.T."), Bell on Fire ("Hells Bells"), Lightning Bolt ("Thunder Struck"), Angus's School Boy Hat ("School Days"), Stacks of Cash ("Money Talks").

Reunited '80s Dutch metal band PICTURE has issued the following update:

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, PICTURE has decided to postpone the release of [its new] CD, 'Warhorse', until September. 'Warhorse' is being mixed by Oscar Holleman (WITHIN TEMPTATION, CREZIP, AFTER FOREVER, MY FAVOURITE SCAR, TAG) and the results so far have exceeded all expectation. However, it is taking slightly more time that previously planned. PICTURE are convinced that this will be their most powerful and by far the best PICTURE album to date. Please be patient...It'll be worth the wait… great things sometimes take a little time."

Swedish death metallers NOMINON have issued the following update:

"NOMINON would like to welcome back the mighty guitarist AntiChristian [Christian Strömblad] to the band.

"After several months apart, the band and AntiChristian realized that enough's enough and buried the hatchet. After a few meetings and rehearsals, NOMINON are certainly back on track again.

"Since the bassist for a year, Martin [Petersson], left the band a couple of weeks ago, and AntiChristian's triumphant return to NOMINON, all this lead to the fact that guitarist Juha Sulasalmi will from now on take over the bass duties. Why complicate things further?!

"At last, the recordings of the new 7" EP, 'Manifestation Of Black' (to be out through Deathgasm Records) are now finalized. The mixing will be done by engineer Robban at Studio Hell, were all the recordings recently took place as well, and the mastering will be sorted out by Javi Bastard at Moontower Studios in Barcelona, Spain."

Drummer Chris Adler of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD has issued the following update:

"Things are moving along very well these days in my world. A few big surprises are in the works and the expected is as expected.

"We have been busting our butts full-time for months writing the new record. It's fantastic so far, to say the very least. Now switched into prep mode for Montreal show Friday, our only show in 2011. It will mark the middle of the year that we are taking to write new record and reconnect with our families. It's come up fast, but the hard work is now behind us.

"Surprises are more specific to me and will come about later this year. Will say they have to do with Epic (not our record label) cameras, large drumfest overseas and a recording opportunity with a different band that will push me to every limit! All good stuff but first and foremost — my top priority is my daughter's third birthday this weekend. It's gonna be a rager! We did 'Sesame St.' LIVE last weekend and we are PUMPED! LOL."

Polish death metal veterans VADER will release their new album, "Welcome To The Morbid Reich", on August 12 in Europe and September 13 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland and features the cover artwork of Zbigniew Bielak (DESTRÖYER 666, WATAIN). The band laid down a total of 12 songs for the CD, which was mixed and mastered in May.

"Welcome To The Morbid Reich" track listing:

01. Ultima Thule
02. Return To The Morbid Reich
03. The Black Eye
04. Come And See My Sacrifice
05. Only Hell Knows
06. I Am Who Feasts Upon Your Soul
07. Don't Rip The Beast's Heart Out
08. I Had A Dream...
09. Lord Of Thorns
10. Decapitated Saints
11. They Are Coming...
12. Black Velvet And Skulls Of Steel

Drummer Alex Holzwarth and bassist Oliver Holzwarth (Alex's brother) have rejoined PARADOX, the long-running German metal band led by Charly Steinhauer. The group is currently working on material for a new album, tentatively due in 2012 via AFM Records. According to a press release, the new record will be a conceptual effort that will be tied to the heresy story featured the PARADOX's eponymous and most commercially successful 1989 album "Heresy".

Steinhauer and the brothers Holzwarth previously collaborated on the PARADOX classic entitled "Collision Course" in 2000.

Commented Alex Holzwarth: "We never really understood what happened after 'Collision Course'. We put out a great album, did great shows and all of a sudden we decided to split and therefore put to rest one of the most exciting musical projects in heavy metal music. For me it was just a matter of time until paths cross again. PARADOX now is a band in its strongest sense — it is all about sharing visions, writing exciting music and touring all over the earth and even going to Mars, if necessary."

Added Oliver Holzwarth: "We met again [while working on] the BRUTAL GODZ project in 2010. Hands down, Charly is one state-of-the-art rhythm guitar player when it comes to powerful and supertight machine-gun riffing. And he is a great singer/songwriter in his genre, even open-minded to all the crazy ideas that Alex and I put on the table. I tend to call him the German James Hetfield. At least he is writing the music that METALLICA don't do anymore. To put a long story short: there are no boundaries anymore. The funny thing is that right now we have a two-timer thing: we got PARADOX plus another band that is in the making right now with exactly the same lineup. Stay tuned!"

PARADOX's current lineup:

Charly Steinhauer - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Gus Drax - Lead Guitars And Virtuosity
Alex Holzwarth - Drums And Percussion
Oliver Holzwarth - Bass

SLIPKNOT's first show since the passing of bassist Paul Gray took place earlier today (Friday, June 17) in front of 25,000 fans at on the Apollo Stage at the Greek installment of the Sonisphere festival at Terravibe Park in Athens.

According to a review that was posted at SonisphereFestivals.com, Gray's red jumpsuit, his mask and his bass guitar, stood symbolically at the back of the stage alongside his bandmates, who also "turned the clock back to don matching red jump suits and old school style masks."

Playing bass at the concert was Donnie Steele, a former SLIPKNOT guitarist from the group's early days, although he was apparently hidden from the audience's view.

Frontman Taylor took a moment to mark the enormity and significance of the occasion, stating, "It's been a long time. Hello Athens, how are you? As you know, tonight is very emotional show for us but it is not, NOT, a negative day. It is a positive day. A day for celebration. This is our first show — with you. Are you having a good time and will you celebrate with us today?" Later in the show, he added, "This is very hard for us but he would have wanted us to come out with you all and celebrate his life. So will you all help me sing a song for my brother? Can you do that, Athens? Sing so loud so he can hear us because he is here with us tonight. Can you feel it?"

According to the review, SLIPKNOT closed out its set with a triple dose of metal medicine in "Spit It Out", "People = Shit" and "Surfacing", before Taylor humbly thanked the crowd for playing their part in a night neither the band nor the Athens fans will ever forget, saying, "Thank you all for spending this night with us. You'll never know how much this means, Athens."

The band's setlist was as follows:

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

On August 26th Edguy's new studio album "Age Of The Joker" will hit the stores. The album was produced by Sascha Paeth and Edguy at Peppermint-Park Studios in Hannover and Gatestudio, Wolfsburg.

1. ROBIN HOOD
2. NOBODY'S HERO
3. ROCK OF CASHEL
4. PANDORA'S BOX
5. BREATHE
6. TWO OUT OF SEVEN
7. FACES IN THE DARKNESS
8. THE ARCANE GUILD
9. FIRE ON THE DOWNLINE
10. BEHIND THE GATES TO MIDNIGHT WORLD
11. EVERY NIGHT WITHOUT YOU

The album has a running time of well over one hour. To receive more information soon register at the "Hellfire Club section".

"The "Age of the Joker“ album is a really solid, well composed, filled with variations, work. It will most certainly be a highlight of the year for all Heavy Metal fans. Much better than "Tinnitus Sanctus“ and with an interesting 80s rock touch. Edguy follows its own way, and this is good!“ Rock Hard (F) / Francois Blanc

Cleveland, Ohio metallers CHIMAIRA have inked a deal with Long Branch Records for the European and Australian territories. The band's new album, entitled "The Age of Hell", will be released August 26 in Germany and August 29 in the United Kingdom, Australia and the rest of Europe. The CD will be made available in North America on August 16 via eOne Music.

Long Branch Records is a new SPV label imprint created by industry veteran Maria Ouellette. CHIMAIRA is the first of many acts to sign to Long Branch Records, therefore becoming a cornerstone in the label's quest to build a home for today's best in new and established rock and metal groundbreakers.

Commented CHIMAIRA frontman Mark Hunter: "CHIMAIRA understand that in this day and age you need to team up with people who are not only innovative, but passionate about what they do. We are excited about the partnership with Long Branch/SPV and look forward to bringing 'The Age Of Hell' to international soil."

Added Ouellette: "We really hope to build a label with a thread that connects amazing artists in the rock and metal genres and sub-genres. We're going to try to do things a bit differently, and to do that we need bands that aren't afraid to go their own way, are amazing musicians, and have something exciting to give to their fans with every new release. I can't express how thrilled I am that a stellar band like CHIMAIRA has joined forces with us to explore this new territory. I look forward to our joint evolution."

Stated SPV administrator Andreas Rennmann, "We are very happy about the opportunity to work with CHIMAIRA and the beginning of Long Branch Records. It's an exciting time for us, and it will only get better and grow stronger. The future is very bright indeed."

"Make No Mistake", the new video from Cleveland, Ohio doomsters VENOMIN JAMES, can be seen below (courtesy of WackenTube). The clip was directed by VENOMIN JAMES guitarist Joe Fortunato. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Crowe Valley Blues", which came out late last year via Auburn Records.

"With this video, we try to visualize the VENOMIN JAMES sound, and the atmosphere that surrounds our home base in Kirtland, Ohio," says Fortunato. "To do so, we researched the esoteric, occult history of Kirtland, and incorporated imagery to tie into some of the better known legends. Our goal was to give the viewer the same feeling of uneasiness that they would get from wandering around the landmarks and fringe areas.

"The video references several historical events, including the Lundgren/Avery 'Kultland Murders' of 1989, the construction of the first Mormon temple in 1833, Dr. H. Crowe and his WWII eugenics research with the so-called 'Melonheads,' and a number of child abductions and murders that occurred in the area. We pay tribute to several classic horror films with the look and visual style, and kept some imagery intentionally vague, for anyone that might want to dig further.

"If someone asked me to describe the vibe of this place, I could show them this video and only be part of the way there..."

California metal veterans AGENT STEEL performed with their original singer John Cyriis at this year's edition of the Sweden Rock Festival, which was held June 8-11, 2011 in Sölvesborg in southern Sweden. Fan filmed footage of the show can be viewed below.

It had been reported the performance at Sweden Rock would be Cyriis's last ever with AGENT STEEL. This, however, was refuted by the singer himself during the festival.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. The Day At Guyana
02. Unstoppable Force
03. Never Surrender
04. Traveler
05. Children Of The Sun
06. Rager
07. Mad Locust Rising
08. Nothin' Left
09. Agents Of Steel
10. Bleed For The Godz
11. Guilty As Charged

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET — the Swedish band featuring former THE CROWN vocalist Johan Lindstrand — has issued the following update:

"There has been some major changes in the band. [We] will not go into any details right now but yes, Mattias [Bolander, guitar] is no longer in the band. He was very dedicated to music, but his vision kind of crashed with how we wanted to proceed with the ARMY. There is no need in going into more details.

"Our new band member is called Pierre Lysell. An awesome guy in every way. But we are kinda taking it day by day with him to see if both he and us can be together for the long run.

"As you all know, we have had pretty bad luck when it comes to guitar players in the past. But so far it has been totally great so in a few weeks we can hopefully give you more info on the matter."

Commented Lindstrand: "We really are close to perfection now. It just feels great to get back in our death metal shape again after being away for some while now."

Polish technical death metal band DECAPITATED will release their fifth studio album, "Carnival Is Forever", in North America on July 12 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD's cover art was created by Lukasz Jaszak and can be seen below.

"Carnival Is Forever" track listing:

01. The Knife
02. United
03. Carnival Is Forever
04. Homo Sum
05. 404
06. A View From A Hole
07. Pest
08. Silence