We are very happy indeed to announce the return to IQ of Tim Esau. As you will know, Tim was the original bassist with the band from 1981 to 1989 and we are thrilled to be able to welcome him back to the IQ family in time for our 30th anniversary year.

Here are some words from Tim himself:

"Well, I'll start by adding my best wishes to John for his future. I've only met him a couple of times myself but I know he is a great entertainer and was hugely popular with the IQ faithful.

So, following John's departure and having recovered from the initial shock of receiving a most unexpected email, I am extremely grateful to Pete, Mike and Cookie for thinking of me and inviting me back to play bass for IQ and I'm very happy to accept that invitation. I look forward very much to working with them again, meeting and working with Neil, seeing many faces that I haven't seen in many a year and, of course, meeting lots of new ones. I can't believe it's 30 years since I first joined IQ but I guess I've had a nice long rest so I'm ready to do some work and get on with the celebrating of this 'quite remarkable' anniversary".

Rest assured we have no plans for further line-up changes in the near future! We look forward to seeing you all on this year’s exciting IQ30 tour.

IWRESTLEDABEARONCE — the Shreveport, Louisiana quintet now transplanted to Birmingham, Alabama — proved that metal could be fun and still be devastating with the release of its debut effort, "It's All Happening". Since then, the band has become one of the hottest groups in the American metal scene, toured the world multiple times and established itself as a force to be reckoned with. After a two-year album cycle, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE is now ready to create another slab of electro-grind for the masses and has built a studio from the ground up to do it in.

The production duties on the new IWRESTLEDABEARONCE album are being handled by the bandmembers themselves with assistance from Ryan Boesch (FOO FIGHTERS, MELVINS, ANDREW W.K.), who will also mix the effort. The band has also launched its own Tumblr account to document the experience. Fans are encouraged to log on to iwabo.tumblr.com for a constant stream of pictures, videos and more from the band while they create their sophomore effort.

Commented guitarist Steven Bradley, "Well it's been exactly two years since we were in the studio recording 'It's All Happening' and… well... a shit ton has happened! We have made more friends/fans than I ever thought possible and seen the world in the process! And now, after two years of almost non-stop traveling, we have spent the past few weeks writing and are ready to begin tracking our second full-length!

"This time around, we decided to just buy some new recording gear and I will be producing/engineering/mixing the album with some help from our 'sixth Beatle' and co-producer on the last album Ryan Boesch.

"If you liked our first EP and 'It's All Happening', then chances are you will enjoy this album too. We try to continuously evolve and push the envelope further in every direction, but we definitely still sound like us.

"Thanks for the support over the past few years and we're beyond stoked to see you back on tour in 2011 with some new songs in our set!"

IWRESTLEDABEARONCE will hit the road in early March alongside DANCE GAVIN DANCE, IN FEAR AND FAITH, CLOSE TO HOME and JUST LIKE VINYL.

Norwegian metallers TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK have revealed the tracklist and the final cover art, for their forthcoming debut album, 34613.

The band (represented by Trond Nicolaisen) have released the following statement:

"34613 has been in the works for the past two and a half years, so it feels real good to complete the tracklist with a new song called 'Ice Mountain'. Ice Mountain is about one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history. It's about how the largest passenger steamship in the world at the time (1912), struck an iceberg and sank, resulting in the deaths of 1,517 people. I guess you've all figured by now the song is about The RMS Titanic. Graham Bonnet (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, ALCATRAZZ, RAINBOW) is upon our request writing the lyrics and he will also handle all vocals. Ice Mountain will not sound that far off something he did back in the days with Alcatrazz and IMPELLITTERI, and it will definitely be one of the highlights on the album. We are really overwhelmed working with one of our all-time favourite singers. Well, while we are waiting for Graham Bonnet to finish this last song, we are putting the final touches on the rest of the album. Right now we're recording some additional vocal harmonies and some additional guitarparts for a few songs. We're getting there, slowly but surely, just like good wine! We will start shopping for labels real soon so stay tuned for more news coming up shortly!"




34613 was recorded on a song-by-song basis (mid 2007 through mid 2010). It was recorded in different locations around the world (Norway, USA, Finland and Germany). All the mixing and mastering was handled by Colin Davis at Imperial Mastering (Pacheco, California).

34613 tracklisting:

'As Darkness Falls (Intro)'
'Gate To Freedom'
'Glass Mountain'
'A Song For You'
'Doubt'
'The Ethereal Dream'
'34613 (Instr.)'
'White Lightning'
'Liquid Scream '
'Kill Again '
'March Of The Demons'
'Red Rum' (LIZZY BORDEN cover)
'The Ethereal Dream' (feat. Michael Kiske)

Musicians:
Andreas Stenseth (bass)
Mike Haid (drums)
Charlie Zeleny (drums)
Sami Saarinen (guitar)
Michael Harris (guitar)
Oystein K. Hanssen (guitar)
Mike Gorham (vocal)
Norman Kiersnowski (SKI) (vocal)
Scott Oliva (vocal)
Graham Bonnet (vocal)
Michael Kiske (vocal)

Songwriters:
Trond Nicolaisen (music and lyrics)
Andreas Stenseth (music)
Mike Gorham (lyrics)
Norman Kiersnowski (SKI) (lyrics)
Oystein K. Hanssen (lyrics)
Graham Bonnet (lyrics)

SONS OF SEASONS — the new progressive/symphonic metal band led by keyboardist/guitarist Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, DORO) — has set "Magnisphyricon" as the title of its second album, due on April 1 via Napalm Records.

According to a press release, SONS OF SEASONS steps into the limelight once again to deliver a second album that is even more impressive than their debut. 'Magnisphyricon' is not a mere continuation of their chosen path, but rather a bold step into unexplored musical territories. Led by mastermind Oliver Palotai, the band performs the difficult feat of balancing technical prowess with memorable melodies. Some of the best examples of this gripping mix of musical complexity and headbanging quality are 'Soul Symmetry' and 'Tales of Greed'. The new songs also provide Henning Basse (METALIUM) a forum in which to prove his vocal talents and ennoble the album with sweeping renditions. Simone Simons (EPICA) again lends her captivating voice, making the track 'Sanctuary' one of the album's undisputed highlights. The powerful and lively production completes the listening experience and gives the tracks their crystal-clear quality. 'Magnisphyricon' is a profound and multifaceted melodic symphonic metal album that will whisk you away to a breathtaking sound universe."

"Magnisphyricon" track listing:

01. Magnisphyricon: Temperance
02. Bubonic Waltz
03. Soul Symmetry
04. Sanctuary
05. Casus Belli I: Guilt's Mirror
06. Magnisphyricon: Adjustement
07. Into the Void
08. A Nightbird's Gospel
09. Tales of Greed
10. Lilith
11. Casus Belli II: Necrologue to the Unborn
12. Magnisphyricon: The Aeon
13. 1413
14. Yesteryears

SONS OF SEASONS' debut album, "Gods Of Vermin", was released in April 2009 via Napalm Records. It was made available as a regular jewel case and a limited-edition digipack featuring a bonus track.

SONS OF SEASONS is:

Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, DORO, BLAZE) - Keyboards, Guitar
Daniel Schild (BLAZE) - Drums
Jürgen Steinmetz - Bass
Henning Basse (METALIUM, FIREWIND) - Vocals
Pepe Pierez (ANCIENT CURSE) - Guitar

In the short video below, AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton checked in with the AeroForceOne web site to talk about the status of the band and his new television show idea.

Steven Tyler recently said that guitarist Joe Perry is the one holding up the recording of a new AEROSMITH album. The singer told RollingStone.com that after spending several months preparing for his first season as a judge on "American Idol", he's ready to get to work on the band's first all-new set since 2001. Tyler explained, "I'm trying to rally the guys together. We're having trouble getting Joe. I don't know where he is, but just come down to L.A. at the end of January sometime. I've had enough downtime."

Tyler added, "(Joe's) got LSD — Lead Strummer Disorder. We've been brothers forever. He's just going through his thing. I think the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of unrecorded Joe Perry licks floating around in the ether somewhere."

Swedish black metallers WATAIN were honored with the "Best Hard Rock" award at the Swedish "Grammis" gala, which was held this past Monday night (January 17) in Stockholm.
Commented WATAIN frontman Erik Danielsson: "I always pictured the criteria for entering the [Grammis] awards to be those of mainstream music in general; conformity, insipidity and commercial potential. In other words, I was quite surprised when we even got nominated. But considering all the blood, sweat and tears we have put into this, our life's mission, during the past 13 years, it is by all means an award well deserved. And no matter what the parameters were by which the jury made their decision, the Devil won again!"

He added, "Even if this music genre will always be one with adversity and wild hearted insanity as its very roots, the artistic value must be acknowledged not only on an underground level but in any cultural circumstance, high or low. Acknowledged I say, not necessarily appreciated. And in a country like Sweden it is about fucking time, for here it has been neglected and stupefied by the mass media for years, while legends such as DISSECTION and BATHORY have been writing and releasing some of the most monumental albums in music history. The [Grammis award] that we have won with WATAIN is a step towards rectification in that matter, and a sign that the artistry and infernal creativity that permeates WATAIN and this genre is being taken seriously. For that we are proud and delighted in accepting the award. As for its market-value or importance in a 'music industry context,' we sincerely could not care less."

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum is putting the finishing touches on the new album from Cherie Currie (THE RUNAWAYS), tentatively due later this year. The CD will feature additional contributions from Nick Maybury (PERRY FARRELL, MINK) and Grant Fitzpatrick (MINK) and is described by Sorum as "a great representation of Cherie's voice." He revealed to VH1 Radio Networks' Dave Basner, "I told her when I said I'd produce it, 'You have to trust me on this. You need to make a cool, current rock and roll album.' The album is very much a rock album with some depth."

Matt told VH1 Radio Networks he's recruited some of his famous friends to help out on the effort.

"It's sounding great; I'm really excited about that," he said. "Slash [VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES] played on it, Duff [McKagan; VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES] played on it, I got Billy Corgan [SMASHING PUMPKINS] on a track, THE VERONICAS are coming in, Juliette Lewis, Courtney Love…"

Sorum performed with Currie when she supported her former THE RUNAWAYS bandmate Joan Jett and THE BLACKHEARTS on August 11, 2010 at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, California as part of this year's Orange County Fair. Joining Sorum in Cherie's backing group were Nick Maybury (PERRY FARRELL, MINK) and Grant Fitzpatrick (MINK) and Cherie's son, Jake Hayes, on guitar and vocals.

Gibson.com recently posted a story describing how a 13-year-old Norwegian boy was saved from a wolf attack by playing a MEGADETH song on his phone. More details have emerged and it turns out the boy actually prevented the attack by playing a tune by CREED.

Walter Eikrem, who lives in the town of Rakkestad, was walking home from school when four wolves entered his path. Eikrem was listening to Creed’s Overcome and he decided to remove his headphones and turn the volume up to try and keep the wolves away, according to NME.com.

He said that the animals “didn’t really get scared, they just turned around and simply trotted away.”

Although wolf attacks are not common in Norway, the animals are often spotted in the countryside. Eikrem remembered some advice he had learned previously about how to survive a wolf encounter.

“The worst thing you can do is run away because doing so just invites the wolves to chase you down,” he said.

AMEBIX, one of the best-loved and most influential bands in heavy music, has spent the last two years working towards the release of its first collection of all-new material since 1987.

On September 20, 2011, upon the cusp of the autumnal Equinox, the new AMEBIX album will be released. Entitled "Sonic Mass", these nine songs represent the past, present, and future of the band, and will enthrall and inspire longtime fans and new converts alike. As dark, crushing, and honest as anything on their classics "Arise!" and "Monolith", but imbued with a lifetime of hardship, raw emotion, and eternal hope, "Sonic Mass" is the album AMEBIX have always wanted to create.

The album was recorded at Rock Cottage in Derbyshire and The Lodge Studios in Northampton, England, and engineered, mixed and produced by AMEBIX drummer Roy Mayorga. "Sonic Mass" will be released digitally and on CD by Alternative Tentacles, with a deluxe 12-inch vinyl edition from Profane Existence.

Formed in the late Seventies and hailed as the godfathers of crust punk and extreme metal, AMEBIX had long lain dormant until the addition of drummer Roy Mayorga (NAUSEA, CRISIS, SOULFLY, STONE SOUR), a DVD release, and a string of 2009 reunion shows reignited the flame. The band's resurrection first resulted in the release of 2010's "Redux" EP, which features live and re-recorded versions of several of the band's best-loved classics, including "Winter", "Chain Reaction", and the immortal battle cry, "Arise!". The songs were remixed by Mayorga and "Redux" is available from Profane Existence on CD, 12-inch LP and digitally.

AMEBIX is:

Rob Miller: Vocals/Bass
Stig C. Miller: Guitars
Roy Mayorga: Drums/Keyboards/Mandolin

On Monday, January 31, vocalist Mikael Stanne of Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY will take a break between our touring comittments in Miami/Mexico and India and visit the ongoing Göteborg International Film Festival for a seminar talk with movie critic and ex-ENTOMBED vocalist Orvar Säfström.

Stanne comments (in Swedish): "För alla Göteborgare och/eller filmintresserade så får ni inte missa mitt lilla gästspel hos Orvar Säfström (NIRVANA 2002, ENTOMBED) och hans Studio Draken på Göteborgs Internationella Filmfestival Måndagen den 31:a Januari kl 20:00. Då skall vi sitta och snacka musik, film, spel, våld och lite sånt som faller oss in. Kom förbi och håll oss sällskap. Ställ massa frågor och skratta på rätt ställen. Vi håller till i Lagerhuset precis vid Järntorget. Festivalpass kostar en trettiolapp och finns på Draken och alla andra biografer i stan. Ses där!"

MAYAN, the new band featuring EPICA guitarist/songwriter Mark Jansen alongside Jack Driessen (ex-AFTER FOREVER) and Frank Schiphorst, will release its debut album, "Quarterpast", on May 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD is being recorded and mixed by Sascha Paeth (EPICA, KAMELOT).

"Quarterpast" will feature vocal contributions from the following musicians:

* Mark Jansen (EPICA, ex-AFTER FOREVER)
* Ariën van Weesenbeek (EPICA)
* Jack Driessen (ex-AFTER FOREVER)
* Floor Jansen (REVAMP, ex-AFTER FOREVER)
* Simone Simons (EPICA)
* Henning Basse (SONS OF SEASONS)
* Laura Macrì (Italian opera singer)

New video footage of the "Quarterpast" recording sessions featuring vocalists Floor Jansen, Simone Simons and Henning Basse can be viewed below.

Newly reformed NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) heroes STAMPEDE have announced details of the release of their new album, "A Sudden Impulse" — the long-awaited follow-up to their classic 1983 debut studio album, "Hurricane Town".

Finding a happy and welcoming new home with Rock Candy Records' spin-off front line label Grind That Axe Records, the band is finally excited to be able to reveal full track listing and artwork for the new album, which is due for release on April 18. Lead singer Reuben Archer comments, "Personally I am really excited about the new album and our association with Rock Candy. It's great to feel part of something that's happening and more than anything we can't wait to get out there and play live!"

One of the most respected hard rock acts during the early Eighties, STAMPEDE signed to Polydor Records and released two albums of impressive melodic rock to both critical and commercial acclaim, being compared to earthy British bands such as UFO and HUMBLE PIE.

Following regenerated interest brought about by Rock Candy Records' reissue of "Hurricane Town" in 2006, songwriting partnership Reuben and Laurence Archer decided to reform the band in 2009. Together with original bassist Colin Bond, new drummer Steve Graystone and the addition of a second guitarist in the form of Chris Clowsley, the band has crafted a worthy, if not superlative, long lost follow-up to their studio debut in the opinion of label manager Derek Oliver, who describes the new material as "lean, mean, tough-guy hard rock with all the soulful delivery of classic British steel led by Reuben's instantly identifiable vocal and Laurence's blistering plank spanking burnouts."

Reuben strongly believes that welcoming additional elements to STAMPEDE have only served to strengthen the band, making the new material on "A Sudden Impulse" their most enjoyable studio experience yet. For example, twenty-year-old guitarist Rob Wolverson was invited to add his unique flair to the recordings as a result of Laurence being indisposed for a period because of personal commitments. Reuben explains: "We could have had several existing name players fill in during this time, but I'd known Rob for years and watched him grow into a real guitar whiz kid. He's also a great writer and brought a lot of vibrancy to the project. I just knew he was right for the job."

Commenting on the end result, Reuben adds:, "We have a harder sound now, the melodic hooks are there and I think we have a lot more edge than the first time around — especially due to our new powerhouse drummer Stevie G, and also Chris, whose strong rhythm guitar, vocal and guitar harmonies contribute enormously to the new sound. It has all resulted in making the reincarnation of STAMPEDE an even more exciting project for us."

"A Sudden Impulse" track listing:

01. Send Me Down An Angel
02. Jessie
03. Having Fun
04. Make A Change
05. Hard Rock Hell
06. This Road
07. Homeward Bound
08. Shame On You
09. Natural Disaster
10. Humble Pie
11. Flaming Gold

Bonus tracks:

12. Recharged
13. Flaming Gold (acoustic)

Grammy-winning producer John Shanks has confirmed via Twitter that he is working with VAN HALEN on the band's upcoming studio album. The group is allegedly planning on recording the next CD at John Shanks' Henson studio as well as the band's 5150 studio, making it the first time VAN HALEN will track an LP outside its own studio since it was built in 1983.

Shanks is best known for his works with BON JOVI, FLEETWOOD MAC, MELISSA ETHERIDGE, ROD STEWART, SHERYL CROW, KEITH URBAN, PINK, JOE COCKER, and CELINE DION, among others.

Unofficial VAN HALEN site Van Halen News Desk reported in December the members of VAN HALEN were "very eager to tour, and that they want to tour behind new material. Eddie Van Halen has been very busy during most of 2010 writing music," reads a posting on the site. "Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen often join Eddie in the 5150 studio and the three of them have been hard at work jamming and recording demos. The three Van Halens have been sending the music to David Lee Roth, who's adding the lyrics." Two of the site's "sources" have "heard some of the early versions of the tracks (without vocals) and were very pleased. The music is said to sound like straight ahead rock 'n' roll and 'very VAN HALEN.'" In addition, "the band is re-exploring Eddie's extensive library of unreleased songs and riffs, even reaching back to their early unreleased demos for added inspiration. The band is retooling and tweaking some of this mostly-unheard, incredible music, which have completely new lyrics from Roth. Eddie is even considering developing a song or two from the material that he wrote for 'The Wild Life' movie score in the mid-1980s."

Music publishing company Warner/Chappell Music announced in August that it had extended its publishing administration contract with guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen, noting that the band "is currently in the studio recording an album with (singer David Lee) Roth that is due for release in 2011."

Meanwhile, according to Billboard.com, VAN HALEN manager Irving Azoff, who is also the executive chairman of Live Nation, mentioned on two separate conference calls that VAN HALEN was expected to hit the road later this year, presumably in support of a new record.

Word of a new VAN HALEN album, the band's first with David Lee Roth on the mic since 1983, first began circulating in late June 2010 when MelodicRock.com reported from an unnamed source that the project was halfway completed.

VAN HALEN spokesperson Janie Van Halen, Eddie's wife, denied the rumors, telling Rolling Stone, "I don't have any updates at this time."

Eddie himself told Rolling Stone in 2009 that he was working on material for a new record, but was waiting for his hand to heal from surgery and for Wolfgang to graduate from high school.

A new VAN HALEN record would be the band's first full studio effort since 1998's "Van Halen III", which featured Gary Cherone on lead vocals.

VAN HALEN's 2008 reunion tour with Roth grossed more than $93 million and drew nearly one million fans to 74 shows.

Florida's SIX FEET UNDER is, without a doubt, one of the most active and best live acts in death metal. A constant institution since the mid-'90s. Party.San Open Air in Bad Berka, Germany is known as a place where bands give 110% and more and so did SIX FEET UNDER on August 8, 2009. Being headliners on this very night, SIX FEET UNDER unleashed hell on stage and delivered one of the best shows in its career!

17 hits of grooving death metal were carved on DVD to make all the SIX FEET UNDER fans worldwide be part of this legendary evening at Party.San Open Air. The gig was filmed by Roax Films with nine cameras and recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound, picture size 16:9 — best entertainment guaranteed!

Comments SIX FEET UNDER vocalist Chris Barnes: "It was compiled from footage that we filmed at the Party.San festival in Germany from August 2009. All of the show was shot on high-definition camera, and it just really looks awesome. It's on the same wavelength as our With Full Force video, really excellent show, awesome crowd. This time we were playing at night, so they utilized some really giant pyrotechnics, so it was awesome and frightening at the same time."

"Wake The Night! Live In Germany" track listing:

01. No Warning Shot
02. Silent Violence
03. Revenge Of The Zombie
04. Feasting On The Blood Of The Insane
05. The Day The Dead Walked
06. Seed Of Filth
07. Shot In The Head
08. Torn To The Bone
09. Suffering In Ecstasy
10. The Enemy Inside
11. The Evil Eye
12. Victim Of The Paranoid
13. Human Target
14. Deathklaat
15. Ghosts Of The Undead
16. Shadow Of The Reaper
17. Beneath A Black Sky

The "Victim Of The Paranoid" performance from the upcoming DVD can be viewed below.

To make the purchase even more attractive, the initial European pressing will include the digipak version of the latest SIX FEET UNDER covers album, "Graveyard Classics III".

The DVD will be released on mid-price and the bonus CD will not cost a penny extra! This release and the attached price strategy is a big thank you from Chris Barnes and his gang to all their loyal fans.

"Wake The Night! Live in Germany" will be released on January 31 in Europe (three days earlier in Germany) and February 1 in North America via Metal Blade Records.

Polish technical death metal band DECAPITATED will enter RG Studio in Gdansk, Poland on February 9 to begin recording its fifth studio album for a late 2010 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Organic Hallucinosis" will be produced by Wacek Kieltyka and sound engineered by Malta Arkadiusz Malczewski. Drums will be recorded with Daniel Bergstrand (BEHEMOTH, MESHUGGAH, DIMMU BORGIR, KEEP OF KALESSIN, DEFLESHED), who will also handle mixing duties.

DECAPITATED’s as-yet-untitled new effort was named one of "The Top 25 Most Anticipated Albums of 2011" in Decibel magazine’s February 2011 issue, available now at newsstands.

DECAPITATED's current lineup:

* Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka - Guitar
* Kerim "Krimh" Lechner (THORNS OF IVY, TONE INTIMACY) - Drums
* Rafal Piotrowski (KETHA, FORGOTTEN SOULS) - Vocals
* Filip "Heinrich" Halucha (VESENIA, ROOTWATER, UNSUN, MASACHIST) – Bass

DECAPITATED drummer Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka died on November 2, 2007 in a Russian hospital from injuries sustained in a road collision. DECAPITATED singer Covan (real name: Adrian Kowanek) was also hurt in the accident, which involved the band's tour bus and a truck carrying wood in Gomel, on the Russia/Belarus border.

Metal Mind Productions released the first-ever DVD from DECAPITATED, entitled "Human's Dust", in June 2008. The DVD was made available in two versions: as a standard DVD and as a very unique star metalpack DVD edition limited to 3,000 copies. The main feature of the DVD consists of the band's October 2002 gig in Krakow, which was a part of their European tour with VADER and KRISIUN. Bonus material includes two live performances recorded during Ozzfest in Poland (May 2002) and Metalmania festival (March 2004), the "Winds of Creation" video clip, plus three interviews recorded at various locations: Kraków in 2002 (Vitek and Vogg); Ozzfest in Katowice, 2002 (Vogg and Sauron); Metalmania in Katowice, 2004 (Sauron and Martin). Also included are a photo gallery, biography, discography, desktop images, weblinks.