"Broken Hero", the new Marcos Morales-directed video from Carlsbad, New Mexico-based metallers KRYOBURN, can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's sophomore album, "Three Years Eclipsed", which was produced by vocalist/guitarist Todd Brashear and KRYOBURN at the KryoLab in Carlsbad and was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (HALFORD, THE HAUNTED, MNEMIC, SICK OF IT ALL, AUGUST BURNS RED) at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark. The artwork was created by Bill Reid and can be viewed below.

"Three Years Eclipsed" track listing:

01. Broken Hero
02. Burning The Doubt
03. Event Horizon
04. Slaughtered With Lies
05. Introspective
06. Season Of Suicide
07. Reinvention
08. Mortal Instinct
09. The Sickening

Radio Metal has issued an interview with MOTÖRHEAD's Phil Campbell. Notably, Phil strongly expresses his discontent towards Lemmy: 49% Motherf**ker, 51% Son Of A Bitch film makers:

Q: You and Mikkey rarely appear in the movie. How come? You’ve been his bandmates for so long…

A: "Speak to the movie people! That’s what we’re pissed off about. They spent three years following me around and Mikkey around, all of us, you know, three fucking years and the biggest shot they got of me is laying down to sleep in the bus with Familly Guy on the TV! (Laughs) The movie’s about Lem but it’s really insulting to us. What a bunch of cunts!"

On an other subject, Phil reveals that the next Motörhead album might be a cover album: "I had the idea to do an acoustic album. We might also do a cover album. Our next album might be this album of cover. We’ve done loads of these. We’ve done 'Cat Scratch Fever', we’ve done 'Shoot ‘Em Down' by TWISTED SISTER, 'Hellraiser' by OZZY, 'God Save The Queen' by the SEX PISTOLS, we got 'Rockaway Beach' by the RAMONES and more. But this album is just an idea for the future, we don’t know yet what’s going to be on it."

Phil also talks about the book he just began to write: "I’m doing my book at the moment; it’s going to contain a lot of funny stories. It’s a book about all the fucking unbelievable shit that goes down on the road ! (Laughs) Funny stuff, yeah. It’s not going to be about my life’s story, that’s boring! But we don’t know yet when it’s going to be released. We’re starting it now but I guess we can expect it to be out in about three years."

New York hardcore legends AGNOSTIC FRONT have finished recording their new album at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida for a March 4, 2011 European and March 22, 2011 North American release via Nuclear Blast Records. The as-yet-untitled CD (the previously announced title "My Life, My Way" has now apparently been scrapped) features 13 new powerful and anthemic songs laid down by Erik Rutan (MADBALL, GOATWHORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, etc.) under the watchful guide of producer Freddy Cricien of MADBALL. The record was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.

Commented AGNOSTIC FRONT vocalist Roger Miret: "After all is said and done, we are amazed on how great our new record turned out! It's by far our catchiest record to date and it's going to make everyone want to sing along for sure. Freddy killed it on the production end, just capturing that hardcore vibe that only he can get out of AGNOSTIC FRONT. The boys all put nothing but passion into the songs, and Erik Rutan just dialed it all in to make AGNOSTIC FRONT sound as natural and as organic as ever. This one will definitely be a classic once it's heard worldwide!"

According to The Pulse Of Radio, VELVET REVOLVER is apparently circling a new vocalist to finally replace singer Scott Weiland, more than two years after the band fired the STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman over his erratic behavior. Drummer Matt Sorum told The Pulse Of Radio that after several more auditions the group has finally zeroed in on someone. "We got somebody that we're really liking a lot," he said. "We can't make the announcement yet because we're 'dating,' you know. We haven't consummated the relationship, we haven't sat down this gentleman and made the agreement together, but we're very excited and I think this could be a real turning point for the band. And I know it's been like this long-winded 'oh, VELVET REVOLVER this, VELVET REVOLVER that,' you know — we're tired of it, believe me. But we don't have the ability to just jump out there with any singer. We can't do it."

Sorum added that the potential new singer was a "known guy" who was "younger and stronger."

Long-running U.S. metallers OMEN have parted ways with singer George Call (also a member of the power metal band ASKA).

Commented OMEN mainman/guitarist Kenny Powell: "I loved George singing for OMEN [and] I have great respect for him. However, I made a commitment to OMEN and myself three years ago to try and do the final three OMEN records equal to the first three. I was 53 at the time, I am now 56 and want to accomplish every thing possible before my skills start to diminish. At this rate I will get my first social security check before I finish a new OMEN record. It is simply not acceptable for me to wait any longer. . . At this point in time I must put OMEN above anything else.

"The new record is finally moving forward, and the great thing for me is that it is going to be even better than I thought possible. Matt Story is doing the vocals. He was the person that I wanted all along, [but] it was not possible because of other commitments. He has a great voice and has time to do the OMEN CD now. He has been here every time I have asked and busted his ass to three and four in the morning without a single complaint.

"I honestly feel that 'Hammer Damage' will shock the metal world.

"Look for the new CD by early spring, and then we can start touring again. I think Greece should be the first stop!"

OMEN in 2008 released a live album, "Into the Arena: 20 Years Live", which contained previously unreleased recordings of the band's original lineup.

On December 1st, 2010, Dunbar Entertainment released A Very Merry X-MASS EP, an exclusive two song Christmas CD featuring 'Jingle Bell Rock' and 'Grown Up Christmas List'. All proceeds from the sales of the CD were used to purchase thousands of dollars of toys that were donated to the Toys For Tots Foundation and were dropped off at various locations the past few weeks. The biggest drop off was today December 20th at the Burlington, MA Central Street Fire Department. Once the band learned of the very horrible act of stolen toys that took place at the local Toys For Tots Warehouse in Burlington, MA.

MASS have had numerous accomplishments over the years, but most notably is the selling of over a half million albums. In 1985, Mass was signed to RCA records and released the album, New Birth. The single, 'Do You Love Me', was number one for over six weeks at many radio stations along the east coast. The video for that single was also in rotation on MTV and hit the Billboard charts. During the 1980’s, Mass went on to release Take You Home and Voices In The Night, which was produced by Michael Sweet of STRYPER. These albums have been re-released on Retrospect Records. In July 2007, Mass released their comeback album, Crack Of Dawn on Escape Music.

2010 has been a very productive year for the band. In May, the band released its new studio album Sea Of Black via Escape Music. The band played several successful shows in support of Sea of Black, most notably the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, MA along side such classic rock legends as the SCORPIONS, CINDERELLA, Vince Neil of MÖTLEY CRÜE, and KIX. Mass also performed to a sold-out crowd at the legendary Regent Theater in their home state of Massachusetts, which was filmed for a DVD to be released by Dunbar Entertainment in early 2011. Most recently, Retroactive Records released the band’s long-lost A&M Records release, Fighter and also reissued the band’s 84 Unchained EP.

Artillery, one of the best thrash metal bands around, is currently working in Medley Studios, Denmark on the follow-up to their highly acclaimed album “When Death Comes” (2009). The new material entitled “My Blood” will be released by Metal Mind Productions in March 2011.

So far Artillery recorded 14 songs - 10 brand new tracks, a remake of “Ain´t Giving In” (from 1992´s "Mind Factory" demo) and 3 bonus tracks which are all new versions of timeless classics from the 1985’s album “Fear of Tomorrow” ("The Eternal War", "The Almighty", "Show Your Hate").

Soren Adamsen, Artillery’s vocalist, revealed a few titles of the new tracks. He also described the lyrics for those tracks:

1. “The Great Satan” – it’s a song about the decadence of the western society and evil empires all around the world.
2. “Monster” - a song about serial killers. None in particular.
3. “Death is an Illusion” - a track about life and death.
4. “The End of Eternity”- dealing with depression and thoughts about starting a new life.
5. “Mi Sangre” – it’s about my son. It’s a 7 and a half-minute song, almost an epic endeavor.
6. “Concealed in the Dark” - two words - David Sharp. Go search for it on the internet, it’s an interesting story.
7. “Dark Days” – it’s about the change in the climate.
8. “Warrior Blood” - a song about fighting. Soldiers, prize-fighters, people who are struggling with deadly diseases.

What can we expect from the musical side of the new album? Guitarist Michael Stützer says: “The sound is a bit more heavy than it was on ‘When Death Comes’. The music is a mixture of our previous albums ‘When Death Comes’ and ‘By Inheritance’, with a slight touch of ‘Terror Squad’ and ‘Fear of Tomorrow’ with some oriental pieces.” Producer Søren Andersen added: "There is an almost rock´n roll feeling in some of the songs".

The release date of "My Blood" is set for 9th March 2011 in Japan (via Kings Records), 21st March 2011 in Europe and 5th April 2011 in USA (via MVD). Full details to be announced soon.

Austrian symphonic melodic metallers SERENITY will release their third album, "Death & Legacy", on February 25, 2010 via Napalm Records. The CD was produced by Oliver Philipps, Jan Vacik, Thomas Buchberger and Georg Neuhauser and it features guest appearances by Ailyn (SIRENIA), Amanda Somerville (AVANTASIA, EPICA, KISKE/SOMERVILLE) and Charlotte Wessels (DELAIN). The album was mixed and mastered by Jan Vacik at Dreamsound Studios in Munich, Germany. The artwork was created by Stefan Heilemann (LEAVES' EYES, ATROCITY, SONS OF SEASONS) and it "represents the historical based concept dealing with famous characters such as Galileo Galilei, Sir Francis Drake, Marco Polo and many more," acording to the band. "An angel of of death holding the book of time, symbolizing their legacy."

"Death & Legacy" track listing:

01. Set Sail To… (intro)
02. New Horizons
03. The Chevalier
04. Far From Home
05. Heavenly Mission
06. Prayer (interlude)
07. State Of Siege
08. Changing Fate
09. When Canvas Starts To Burn
10. Serenade Of Flames
11. Youngest Of Widows (limited edition only)
12. Below Eastern Skies (interlude)
13. Beyond Desert Sands
14. To India's Shores (limited edition only)
15. Lament (interlude)
16. My Legacy

Commented the band: "SERENITY found the perfect female counterpart to leadsinger Georg Neuhauser for a song called 'The Chevalier' dealing with Giacomo Casanova. Ailyn from famous Norwegian band SIRENIA sings this duet and will also star as a main character in the upcoming SERENITY music video, ready to launch in January. On the album Ailyn is joined by Charlotte Wessels from Dutch band DELAIN and Amanda Somerville, fairly well known for her appearances on AVANTASIA, EPICA, KISKE... All of them have absolutely beautiful voices and bring a new nuance to this all new SERENITY experience."

In other news, SERENITY has announced the addition of bassist Fabio D'Amore (PATHOSRAY, FAIRYLAND) to the group's ranks.

RAVENS CREED, the "VENOM-worshipping scumbags" featuring Steve Watson (ex-IRON MONKEY), Jason Graham, former SABBAT bassist Frazer Craske, and newly added vocalist Al Osta (a.k.a. The Syrian Destroyer), will release a brand new EP, "Nestless And Wild" (formerly "Black Bullets"), in January 2011 via Doomentia Records.

The track listing for the EP is as follows:

01. Stampede Of Skeletons
02. Breaking The Lord
03. Shoot The Wounded
04. The Wires Will Kill You

Norwegian band VREID will release its fifth album, simply entitled "V", on February 7, 2011 via Indie Recordings.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Arche
02. The Blood Eagle
03. Wolverine Bastards
04. The Sound Of The River
05. Fire On The Mountain
06. The Others & The Look
07. Slave
08. Welcome To The Asylum
09. Then We Die

Back in December of 2008, AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry recorded a cover version of "Run Rudolph Run". This year you can listen to a remix of that recording.

"This is my favorite Christmas song and one I've always wanted to cover," Perry said. "I was in the studio working anyway and when I couldn't find my copy of the CD, I decided to just give the song a try. Four hours later, we had the song and decided to give it away.

"I hope everyone enjoys it and this makes the holidays a little happier this year."

Perry recorded "Run Rudolph Run" at his Boston home studio with Boneyard studio engineer Paul Santo on drums and piano on the track.

Polish progressive metal/rock outfit QUBE has signed a deal with Electrum Production for the European release of its second album, "Incubate". The CD was recorded early this year in Mantis Studio and was released in Poland in the second part of 2010. The album received very positive feedback and the band decided to present its music to wider audience. Thanks to Twilight Vertrieb distribution, "Incubate" will be released Europe-wide on January 21, 2011.

Originating from Lublin, this five-piece mixes progressive and technical elements with hardcore, energetic nu-metal, psychodelic artrock atmosphere, complex shapes and sometimes even funk.

"Incubate" track listing:

01. Nothing
02. Mantis
03. Obsession
04. In The Name Of God
05. Blame
06. Way To Nowhere

Relapse Records is currently offering a free, 26 track digital label sampler online now exclusively via the label's Facebook page. The sampler includes DEATH's song "Scavenger Of Human Sorrow" (previously unreleased). A complete track listing can be found below.

*=previously unreleased track*

1. BARONESS - "Swollen and Halo"
2. RED FANG - "Number Thirteen"*
3. BLACK TUSK - "Embrace The Madness"
4. REVOCATION - "ReaniManiacs"
5. OBSCURA - "Incarnated"
6. ABYSMAL DAWN "In Service of Time"*
7. CEPHALIC CARNAGE - "When I Arrive"
8. DYING FETUS - "Descend Into Depravity"
9. MISERY INDEX - "The Spectator"
10. BLACK ANVIL - "Scalping"
11. TOMBS - "Merrimack"
12. HOWL - "Heavenless"
13. KINGDOM OF SORROW - "God's Law In The Devil's Land"
14. TOXIC HOLOCAUST - "Nuke The Cross"
15. NOISEAR - Global Warning*
16. MURDER CONSTRUCT - "End of An Error"
17. KILL THE CLIENT - "Vicious Slaughter"
18. AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED - "Agorapocalypse Now"
19. BRUTAL TRUTH - "Get A Therapist... Spare The World"
20. ROYAL THUNDER - "Mouth of Fire"
21. TITAN - "Wooded Altar Beyond The Wander"
22. MOSE GIGANTICUS -"The Great Deceiver"
23. CIRCLE OF ANIMALS - "No Faith"
24. COUGH - "Crippled Wizard"
25. HORSEBACK - "Invokation"
26. DEATH - Scavenger Of Human Sorrow (re-master)*

Pete Hammoura, ex-drummer and founding member of the South Carolina death metal band NILE, has launched a new project called PSYCHO SPOON. The group, whose musical style is described by Pete as "raw rock and roll [and] not death metal," is preparing to hit the studio with producer Karl Sanders (NILE guitarist/vocalist) to begin recording its debut CD for a 2011 release.

PSYCHO SPOON was formed in the fall of 2009 by longtime friends and musical collaborators Rick Ballenger (vocals) and Hammoura. They had a clear vision of what they wanted to accomplish with this band, and that was to play rock and roll from the heart. They immediately went to work auditioning players. The lineup was soon rounded out by Gene Jewell (guitar) and Justin Bond (bass). Collaboration ensued and five songs were written in a short period of time, at which point the band entered the studio to lay down the tracks. To perform live shows, the band knew they needed a second guitarist to fill out the sound — this is where Matt Nations stepped into the picture.

PSYCHO SPOON's goal as a band is to continue writing songs and playing to live audiences as often as possible because they are very much a live audience band. You'll be able to tell that they love what they do from the moment they hit the stage. Their purpose is "to lay down pure, live rock and roll!"

Frontiers Records has announced the release of TEN’s ninth all original studio album, entitled Stormwarning, on February 18th, 2011 in Europe and February 15th in North America.

Turmoil is a word that could well describe what life has been like in the Ten camp over the past few years. Going through several line-up changes and a self imposed exiles from the scene, Ten for many seemed to be a name that wrote glorious pages in the darkest period of melodic hard rock, failing to keep the flame alive when the momentum was raising again.

Still, Ten singer and principal songwriter, Gary Hughes knew he had another ace up his sleeve and decided to play it safe. For the new album Stormwarning he wanted first to have the right line-up and he enlisted the services of Neil Fraser on lead guitars and Mark Sumner on bass, in addition to long-time members John Helliwell on guitar and Paul Hodson on keyboards.

Then the masterful Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING) guested to take care of all the drum duties and Gary made sure that none other than Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69 and producer of ANGRA, PLACE VENDOME, SUNSTORM, EDENBRIDGE among others) would mix and produce the album. Finally he made contact with the original designer of the Spellbound and Babylon covers, the renowned Spanish fantasy artist Luis Royo, to recreate the perfect graphics for the new album.

In the summer 2010 with all the groundwork done, Ten finally started the recording of Stormwarning, an album that, like the name itself tells, is an inspiration for tales of glory, war, and death and of course love. Any rock fan who digs the sound that RAINBOW carved out with Difficult To Cure or that WHITESNAKE brought to success with 1987 and that GARY MOORE exalted with albums like Final Frontier or Run For Cover needs to have this record in their collection. And even for the well acquainted, Ten re-ignite memories of The Name of The Rose and Spellbound.

Stormwarning tracklisting:

'Endless Symphony'
'Centre Of My Universe'
'Kingdom Come'
'Book Of Secrets'
'Stormwarning'
'Invisible'
'Love Song'
'The Hourglass And The Landslide'
'Destiny'
'The Wave'

German Viking metallers VARG will release their new album, "Wolfskult", on March 4, 2011 via NoiseArt Records. The artwork was created by Thomas Ewerhard and can be seen below. A limited-edition two-CD digipak version of the album will be made available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The track listing is as follows:

CD 1:

01. Jagd
02. Wir Sind Die Wölfe
03. Schwertzeit
04. Wolfskult
05. Naglfar
06. Glorreiche Tage
07. Phönix
08. Blutdienst III
09. Sehnsucht
10. Glutsturm

CD 2 (digipak)

01. Rotkäppchen (feat. Anna Murphy of ELUVEITIE)
02. Aus Der Asche Ins Licht
03. Helden Der Nacht
04. Nichts Zu Fürchten
05. Urd (acoustic version)
06. Verdandi (Wolfszeit acoustic version feat. Masha of ARKONA)
07. Skuld (Skal acoustic version)
08. [Hidden Track]

"Wolfskult" was once again produced by Andy Classen (LEGION OF THE DAMNED, BELPHEGOR, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER) at Stage One Studios in Kassel, Germany.

Commented the band: "We are still blown away by the killer production which Andy Classen did for the album. The sound is outstandingly amazing, and the main riff of 'Wolfskult' will tear your spine in pieces. A choir of 50 real and true VARG fans and maniacs from Germany and Austria can be heard on 'Wir Sind Die Wölfe' and with the 10-minute epic 'Sehnsucht' we've accomplished the biggest and best piece in music of our history so far!"

Video footage of powerhouse American vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) performing the classic Christmas song "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (written in October 1962 with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker) with Neil Zaza at a rehearsal show in preparation for the "One Silent Night" event on December 6, 2010 at Ripper Owens Tap House in Akron, Ohio can be viewed below.

Musicians featured in the video:

Neil Zaza - Guitar
Tim "Ripper" Owens - Vocals
Ray Liptak - Bass
Nick Greathouse - Guitar
Garrett Janos - Drums

"Play My Game", the first solo album from Owens, landed at position No. 66 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. The CD was released via SPV/Steamhammer. The offering consists of around a dozen brand-new tracks that Owens composed himself or together with renowned friends, such as Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT) and John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).

Earache Records has announced the signing of Scottish death metal band CEREBRAL BORE to a worldwide recording deal.

CEREBRAL BORE is a young, talented group which formed in 2006 in Glasgow, Scotland and has built up a formidable reputation for its extreme brand of death metal.

The band is comprised of frontwoman Simone "Som" Pluijmers, a 19-year old from the Netherlands with an inexplicable talent for brutal death metal vocals, along with guitarist Paul McGuire, bassist Kyle Rutherford and drummer Allan McDibet.

CEREBRAL BORE has issued the following statement: "It's hard to describe how proud we are to sign with Earache Records. Being at the same starting blocks as bands like CARCASS, MORBID ANGEL, DECAPITATED and NAPALM DEATH is something that we have always worked hard since the beginning to achieve, and finally being at this point with the band, to us is just phenomenal.

"Going from having just one EP to having our debut album on a major death metal label used to be something we dreamed about, and it's hard to believe that it's actually happening! So we can't wait to get out on tour in 2011 and promote our debut album under the Earache banner."

CEREBRAL BORE has toured relentlessly around the globe, with appearances at such popular death metal festivals as Neurotic Deathfest in the Netherlands, Obscene Extreme in the Czech Republic and the Central Illinois Metalfest in the USA, as well as performing in countries such as Israel, Russia and more. The band also recently played at Earache Records' 2010 Christmas party in Nottingham, England.

CEREBRAL BORE's self-released 2010 debut album, "Maniacal Miscreation", is due to be re-released by Earache in the new year before the band works on its follow-up.

CEREBRAL BORE's music video for the track "The Bald Cadaver", which has been featured on the U.K.'s Scuzz TV, can be viewed below.

After over two incredibly action/drama/injury/tour-soaked years of constant insanity, North Carolina sludge crusaders WEEDEATER have completed their long-delayed, yet more anticipated-than-ever, fourth full-length release. The intoxicating ten-track brutalizer, dubbed "Jason... The Dragon", has been scheduled for worldwide release on March 1, 2011 via Southern Lord Recordings.

After over a year of literally crippling injuries to all three of WEEDEATER's members hitting the headlines, including infamous classics like "Dixie Dave blew off part of his foot with a shotgun," or "Keko tore his meniscus this week," and "Shep broke his goddamn pinkie on tour" or even "Dixie nearly died in his ninja-scuba assassin Halloween costume" and more, the band still forged on through these blows for multiple tours — several regional and national headlining tours, as well as supporting DOWN and the MELVINS — to finally complete this record. Although delayed by eight months, the haggard trio infiltrated Steve Albini's Electrical Audio Studio in Chicago this past September to pound out "Jason... The Dragon".

As with their Southern Lord debut, "God Luck And Good Speed", the "Jason..." album was mastered by the legendary John Golden at Golden Studios in southern California, unearthing the true grit that this band dumps forth. With no argument to be had, "Jason..." is by far WEEDEATER's most varied and organic recording to date, taking their caustic, chest-collapsing, resin-coated ultrasludge to new otherworldly new realms of delirium just by taking it all closer to home, stripping their tonal onslaught down to acoustic bass at times, perfectly infusing a bit of banjo and piano, and even utilizing some new vocal tactics. Diehards fear not; this IS still WEEDEATER. It's just WEEDEATER at their finest hour... yet.

Check out the Arik Roper-created cover art for "Jason... The Dragon" below.

"Jason... The Dragon" track listing:

01. The Great Unfurling
02. Hammerhandle
03. Mancoon
04. Turkey Warlock
05. Jason....the Dragon
06. Palms and Opium
07. Long Gone
08. March of the Bipolar Bear
09. Homecoming
10. Whiskey Creek

WEEDEATER promises to kick off 2011 hard with this release, having already booked a headlining U.S. tour for February and March, with a European tour in the planning stages to take place shortly thereafter on their way to smoke the hordes at Roadburn, and with countless more tour rampages to be announced throughout the whole upcoming year in support of the album.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD manager Larry Jacobson has told LA Weekly's "West Coast Sound" blog that there is no correlation between drummer Mike Portnoy's departure from the band and the cancelation of the group's participation in the Australian Soundwave festival. He writes, "The plan had always been for Mike Portnoy to play with the band through 2010. Nothing changed there but it was confusing [because] Mike gave interviews suggesting he may be touring with the band beyond 2010. There will be another drummer behind the kit for the band's 'Nightmare After Christmas' tour [in January/February] as well as for the many other dates around the world that are underway into 2011 and beyond. As for Australia, the timing is completely unrelated. If you've read any of the juvenile and public attacks by the [Soundwave] promoter, you can probably figure out why the band had legitimate doubts they could work with him to be able to put on the professional show their fans expect. They're not in Australia every day so each tour needs to be the best the band has to offer."

AVENGED SEVENFOLD issued a statement yesterday explaining that "we know we are not ready to add another permanent member of AVENGED SEVENFOLD [following last year's passing of drummer Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan]. We don't know if we will ever be. But if we do, it will only be with someone who is not only a brilliant drummer, but also someone we've gotten to know well on the road and off, and who you the fans have had a chance to get to know, and hopefully accept. In other words, in this family, we take these steps together, band and our extended fan family."

The group added, "Mike and the band agree that can't be him. Why? Long before there was an AVENGED SEVENFOLD, there were members of this band who looked up to Mike and, in Jimmy's case, learned a lot from watching Mike play. He is a brilliant writer, producer and, of course, drummer. Because of that, the world and we would always see it as AVENGED SEVENFOLD with Mike Portnoy."

AVENGED SEVENFOLD is slated to hit the road in the U.S. next month as part of the "Nightmare After Christmas" tour, along with STONE SOUR and HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD.

James Sullivan, AVENGED SEVENFOLD's founding drummer, was found dead in his California home last December 28 of a fatal mixture of drugs and alcohol.