CHICKENFOOT, the rock supergroup featuring former VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar and bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith, has uploaded a live version of its cover of THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE classic "Foxy Lady", recorded on April 24, 2010 at the 20th-anniversary celebration of Sammy's Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Check out the clip below.

Commented the band: "This was a great year and we were just feeling thankful for all of you fans and thought we'd share this as a holiday gift. It's an outtake from the 'Live In Cabo' webcast and is a really smoking version of this tune! Have a great holiday season and we'll see you from the studio in the 2011!"

Swedish death metallers AS YOU DROWN have commenced writing material for their as-yet-untitled sophomore album, to be released next year via Metal Blade Records worldwide. The follow-up to 2009's "Reflection" will be recorded at the band's own AYD Studio in Borås, Sweden.

Commented AS YOU DROWN: "Since coming home from our tour with VADER and DIVINE CHAOS earlier this year, we've been working hard on some new material. Right now we've got our sights set on recording sometime in the spring, which means the record will hopefully be out in the early fall.

"The material is sounding very promising/menacing so far, so prepare yourselves for a tidal wave of death metal insanity coming your way… Also, we're obviously looking to do some serious touring in 2011, stay tuned for dates. We pretty much can't wait to get this beast back on the road and we expect to see all of you crazy fuckers out there!"

AS YOU DROWN's debut album, "Reflection", was released in July 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at the band's own studio, the AYD Studio, and was mixed and mastered at Studio Mega by Christian Silver (THE CROWN, SONIC SYNDICATE, IMPIOUS).

Formed in the winter of 2003/2004 under the name of ETHEREAL when the average age of the band was only 17 years, AS YOU DROWN "was born to combine the speed and brutality of the modern death metal scene with the atmosphere and catchy songwriting of its old-school predecessor," according to a press release. "Adding a number of outside influences, the result is an always raging — yet always changing, storm of anger, brutality and finesse.

ormer MANOWAR drummer Kenny "Rhino" Earl has joined BLACK REIGN, the band featuring vocalist Wade Black (LEATHERWOLF, CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES), guitarist Rick Renstrom (ROB ROCK, LEASH LAW, TIWANAKU) and bassist Rich Marks.

Commented Black: "I've heard a lot about him and they don't call him Rhino for nothing!

"We look forward to the future with one of the best metal drummers around and I'm happy that he's joined the fold and we will be seeing all of you soon."

BLACK REIGN is working on material for its debut album, "Conflict In Creation", which will feature "12 brand new tracks that tie into an exciting story using historic and fictional themes," according to a press release. Two of the songs — "Savior" and "Reaction" — are now available for streaming on the BLACK REIGN MySpace page.

THE DAMNED THINGS — the new band featuring members of FALL OUT BOY (Joe Trohman, Andy Hurley), ANTHRAX (Scott Ian, Rob Caggiano) and EVERY TIME I DIE (Keith Buckley, Josh Newton) — will release its debut album, "Ironiclast", in North America on December 14 (one day earlier internationally) via Island/Def Jam.

"Ironiclast" track listing:

01. Handbook For The Recently Deceased
02. Bad Blood
03. Friday Night (Going Down In Flames)
04. We've Got A Situation Here
05. Black Heart
06. A Great Reckoning
07. Little Darling
08. Ironiclast
09. Grave Robber
10. Blues Having The Blues

Tommy Rogers, lead vocalist, keyboardist and founding member of the award-winning North Carolina progressive rock band BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, will release his debut solo album, "Pulse", on February 1, 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The versatile front man and multi-instrumentalist, who not only self-produced the record, but also arranged, composed and played all instruments on the recording, will use the pseudonym THOMAS GILES (his given middle name) as his moniker for the project.

Recorded with Jamie King at The Basement Studios in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, THOMAS GILES' "Pulse" is a challenging rock record designed so that the parts build up to a larger, cinematic-like structure where everything from production to arrangements to lyrics to album art is carefully crafted towards a unified purpose. Testing the limits of what he can do naturally with his voice, Rogers' strikingly beautiful falsetto and dynamic range conjures tales of anxiety, collapse, end-times and strength against swelling, heart-lifting arrangements and pristine backdrops of ambient loops, digital burbles, analog hiss and woozy drones. Exploring combinations of the outré genres of both post-rock and glitch, the music's emotionally resonant yet textural sounds draw reference to artists such as RADIOHEAD, BJÖRK, THE VERVE, BECK, STEREOLAB and SPIRITUALIZED, balancing both rock and electronic impulses.

"Creating this album was a very unique experience for me," comments Rogers. "I honestly never thought I would get a lot of this music recorded. This record was a way for me to step back, focus on simplified song structures and really build off of melodies. Even though I love fucking my throat up by screaming, it was very nice to sit back and chill out a bit.

"I named the record 'Pulse' because it is a collection of thoughts and experiences I've had through the years. It's a very personal record and I hope the songs help people evaluate their lives and make the best of their time here. Find your pulse."

The first single from the record is the introspective album opener, "Sleep Shake". In keeping with the record's single-handed motif, Tommy Rogers filmed, edited and stars in the song's colorful in-studio music video, which is expected to make its premiere imminently.

"I hope everyone enjoys this record, as I feel there is something for everyone on it," said Rogers. "And don't you all worry; BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME is writing new material as I type. We have a very busy year 2011 planned which includes lots of new music and touring. Stay tuned."

Amsterdam, Holland-based progressive math metal band CILICE has issued the following update:

"We are excited to announce that CILICE has a complete lineup again!

After singer Daniël de Jongh had left the band to join TEXTURES earlier this year, we are now even more excited to announce that Bryan Ramage will be the new frontman of CILICE. The rehearsals and tryouts we had together sounded truly convincing. It feels great to play old songs in a refreshing way and to explore new directions working on new songs. With great confidence we are going to make another killer record!

"Coming Thursday, a video clip will be launched on YouTube to introduce Ramage to you guys. It will be a new version of the song 'Left / Right Hemisphere' — let’s call it a revox! The (audio) track will be available on our MySpace/Facebook from Tuesday on."

Multinational metalheads POWERWOLF will enter the studio in December to begin recording their new album for a 2011 release via Metal Blade Records.

Commented POWERWOLF comments organist Falk Maria Schlegel: "We spent the last three months in the rehearsal room working out stuff for the new album. Even though it's still in the making, we can already promise the songs are 100% POWERWOLF, taking off where 'Bible Of The Beast' ended. There's furious stuff, there's epic stuff — and all of it is catchy as hell."

He added, "For the production we're going to team up with exactly the same crew as for 'Bible Of The Beast' — Kohlekeller Studios for the recordings, any chapel we can haunt for organ and choir celebrations — and, of course, Studio Fredman and Fredrik Nordström for mix."

POWERWOLF earlier in the year parted ways with drummer Stefane Funebre and replaced him with Tom Diener.

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET exclusively predicted on November 18 and again on November 24, SYSTEM OF A DOWN has finally made its reunion/comeback tour plans official. The band's statement reads as follows:

"We are excited to announce that SYSTEM will be playing some dates together in 2011. We also want to thank you for your loyalty and support, not only to SYSTEM OF A DOWN, but to all of our solo efforts as well.

"We have no master plan of sorts — we are playing these shows simply because we want to play together again as a band and for you, our amazing fans.

"We look forward to seeing all of you!"

Confirmed SYSTEM OF A DOWN tour dates:

Jun. 02 - Milan, Italy - Milan Fiera Arena
Jun. 04 - Nürnberg, Germany - Rock im Park
Jun. 05 - Nürburgring, Germany - Rock am Ring
Jun. 06 - Paris, France - Omnisports de Bercy
Jun. 09 - Interlaken, Switzerland - Greenfield
Jun. 11 - Castle Donington, UK - Download
Jun. 13 - Nickelsdorf, Austria - Novarock
Jun. 15 - Berlin, Germany - Wuhlheide
Jun. 17 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Metaltown
Jun. 19 - Seinäjoki, Finland - Provinssirock

More shows will be announced soon.

THE JELLY JAM, the three-piece progressive rock band featuring KING'S X guitarist/vocalist Ty Tabor, DREAM THEATER bassist John Myung and DIXIE DREGS drummer Rod Morgenstein, will release a new album, entitled "Shall We Descend?" , in early 2011 via Molken Music. The same label will also re-release the first two THE JELLY JAM LPs — "The Jelly Jam" (2002) and "The Jelly Jam 2" (2004) — as high-quality MP3s. Bonus material from the first two albums will be available soon.

Along with keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), Tabor, Morgenstein and Myung previously collaborated under the name PLATYPUS.

Finnish fantasy metallers BATTLELORE have completed work on their sixth full-length album, "Doombound", featuring 11 new songs, one of which is instrumental. As was the case with previous BATTLELORE albums, there will be a jewel-case edition of "Doombound" and a special limited-edition digipack including some rare material. This time around the extra material is more special than ever before — as a "thank you" to all BATTLELORE fans and followers for their enormous support over the past 10 years, the band has compiled a bonus DVD from their personal archives. "10 Years Of Battlelore" includes footage from two live shows, two tour videos, a huge photo gallery and all of BATTLELORE's music videos.

"Doombound" features 11 new songs, one of which is instrumental. The band's first conceptual effort features lyrics which "tell the story of J.R.R. Tolkien's tragic hero Túrin Turambar and his kin," according to a press release. "One of the songs is sung completely in Finnish in appreciation to BATTLELORE's beautiful home country Finland and Kalevala, the national Finnish epic. The songs themselves are more dynamic, atmospheric and epic than ever before — prepare for the ultimate music experience and a life-long journey through the eyes of a fallen hero!"

"Doombound" track listing:

01. Bloodstained
02. Iron of Death
03. Bow and Helm
04. Enchanted
05. Kärmessurma
06. Olden Gods
07. Fate of the Betrayed
08. Men as Wolves
09. Last of the Lords
10. Doombound
11. Kielo (instrumental)

ORDOG's MySpace: "After a long waiting we are proud to announce that our third album will be released the 12th of January 2011 by Violent Journey Records. The album contains 7 tracks of pure death/doom metal".

Commented Jussi Harju (keyboards): "We started composing remorse shortly after 'Life Is Too Short For Learning To Live' was released. In a very short time, Valsu had nine songs ready and after some exploring I was able to compose the keyboards.

"Keyboard-wise, the album has two sides, a more melodic, beautiful side and a more haunting, monotonous side.

"As a whole, the album is more heavier and slower when compared to our earlier work. There are few faster parts here and there but this time they have no major role in any of the songs. There are no short tracks either except for meant to be an end which is an outro track mostly played on the piano.

"Favorite tracks: 'Abuse', 'Boneyard Horizon' and 'Human Shell'."

Valtteri Isometsä (guitars, bass, drums): "This album has been the hardest one to record for the band because of the situations in our personal lives and the fact that we are now living in distinct cities around Finland. But I'm very proud of this album as it appears to be the most personal one for me. Tracks such as 'Boneyard Horizon', 'Shadow Land' and 'Human Shell' tells my feelings of the past two years.

"I hope you'll enjoy this record as much as I do."

Aleksi Martikainen (vocals): "This was the hardest album for me to record vocals mentally and physically, but at last I'm proud to say that the longtime work shows impressing results.

"Lyrical content reflects the feelings of personal remorse and frustration in life. Simple as that. This album also contains lyrical work from Jussi and from Valtteri, [which] is a great thing!

"It's difficult for me to pick favorite song from this album, but I think 'Betrayed' and 'Shadowland' are the ones which are closest to me.

"I like to thank Jussi and Valtteri, and, of course, our live members for keeping everything as one."

Steven Rosen of Ultimate-Guitar.com recently conducted an interview with DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

Ultimate-Guitar.com: When Mike Portnoy, who's always done a lot of side projects, went out to do the AVENGED SEVENFOLD record, did you sense that anything might be different with him? That things were different and that things were gonna change?

LaBrie: No, not at all. I mean, Mike had mentioned that The Rev, AVENGED SEVENFOLD's drummer [the late James Owen Sullivan], was heavily influenced by Mike and that it was the rest of the guys' decision to want to honor his memory by bringing, you know, obviously in his main influence as far as drumming. So we said, "Yeah, you know. That's a great opportunity and we're not gonna stop you." I mean, obviously we all make our decisions and do what we feel is something that is a professional and sound decision, and that's exactly what it was. At that point it was all about him going there, recording the album. Initially it was just for him to record the album, and then it was maybe a few months later that he said, "The guys have asked me if I would tour with them."

Ultimate-Guitar.com: Did that feel a little strange?

LaBrie: At that point it kinda felt a little weird, like, "Hey, wait a minute, our drummer's gonna be drumming with somebody else?" Not that he hasn't done that; he's done that in the past. Other projects and jammed with other various musicians here and there, which is cool. So you have to put it into perspective and realize it for what it was. But there was no indication that he was unhappy with who and what DREAM THEATER is or represents at this current point in our lives or career. It just came about that we were enlightened to that mindset when we had our meeting in New York, which was originally scheduled for what we were going to be doing with the next album and what it was about and when we were gonna tour again. So it was only at that point that we really… it was a shock. You know, it was kinda like, "What? [laughs]. What did you just say?" I think it's unfortunate. You know, I just did an interview the other day and obviously my words were taken outta context. One of the questions was, "Are you sad?" and I said, "I'm not sad." And, you know, in retrospect, yeah. Should I have answered it so brashly? Maybe not, but basically, what I was trying to say is, "You know, I think it's unfortunate that he left and that this is where he is. But at the same time, we as DREAM THEATER and as a band, we have to think of our current situation and what our options are and our only option that we want is that we have to move onward and upward."

Ultimate-Guitar.com: Of course.

LaBrie: You know, I think it's really unfortunate that he left. I think I could've been clearer by saying, "Am I sad? Well, I felt bad about it when it went down," but I can't linger in that ‘cause life just doesn't exist like that. It doesn't afford those luxuries to wallow in our sorrow and not do anything about it, right? And, unfortunately, too many people just kinda misconstrued my words and said, "Oh, shit, he's insensitive, he doesn't care." Bullshit, that's the furthest thing from the truth. I care about the man dearly.

Ultimate-Guitar.com: Maybe hurt might've been a little more accurate?

LaBrie: Yeah, absolutely. But, hey, obviously when you're in this industry, that's what it's all about. It's controversy and it's people twisting your words and it's rumor and it's circumspect and it's all that shit. So, whatever, you gotta take it with a grain of salt and move forward.

Ultimate-Guitar.com: Without any disrespect intended, it will be difficult to replace Mike, but not impossible. Your fans will still be there with you.

LaBrie: I think the important thing to remember is that still four-fifths of the band are there. And that, and I've mentioned this in other interviews, we're all quite capable of doing things individually that's musical. For instance, my solo album that's out now, "Static Impulse", and various things that we've done within DREAM THEATER. It really is unfortunate that this man at this point, Mike, has decided to go his separate ways, but we have to accept that, and there's no doubt in my mind that DREAM THEATER will still go on forward and be strong and come out with incredible music. Absolutely; no doubt.

Ultimate-Guitar.com: "Black Clouds and Silver Linings" was the last record with that lineup with Mike. It's still pretty recent history, but can you look back at it as sort of the last testament or statement of that lineup that will close that chapter with Mike?

LaBrie: No, I mean, I'm biased obviously. I absolutely loved the album. I think it was great. When I was doing interviews for that album I always said, "The thing I especially love about this is that I think we really went back to our roots as far as who and what we were as a band as DREAM THEATER." We pulled upon a lot of those influences and inspirations that earlier in our career really kinda formed and created who and what we were. So I think a lot of those elements are present on "Black Clouds and Silver Linings". You know, I don't even like to say that. [laughs] Like, you know, "Was it a great last album with Mike Portnoy?" Yeah, sure, it was a great last album with Mike. Who knows what the future holds? At this point our focus is on getting a drummer that we feel connected to both in the chemistry and personality and absolutely he has to be more than capable of playing what Mike played, which is incredible drumming. But yeah, I think it is a great testament for who and what he was. He was extremely passionate about everything that went into "Black Clouds and Silver Linings", so it's a true testament as to what he was within DREAM THEATER.

Anglo-Chilean thrash masters CRIMINAL have announced the departure of lead guitarist and founding member Rodrigo Contreras.

Band leader Anton Reisenegger (guitar, vocals) comments: "As some of you may be aware, Rod decided to go back to Chile a few months ago, leaving the future of the band uncertain. After much deliberation, we have now decided to replace him in order to be able to carry on as a band.

"This is not something we wanted to happen, but we have to be realistic, and being thousands of kilometers apart wouldn't have allowed us to work as a functioning band. This is not a studio project, our music is meant to be played live, and we have many plans for the future which require the four of us to be geographically close.

"Rod and I started this band almost 20 years ago and he wrote some of the band's best and most characteristic material, which made this situation extremely difficult for me personally. I feel, however, that we've done the right thing, as everything was talked through with all people involved, and Rod's departure happened in the most open, civilized terms possible.

"We hope that you, the fans, will understand this decision. It's not an easy step for us to take, and it wasn't a rushed decision, but if the only other choice is to stop playing as CRIMINAL, we'd rather take the flak and soldier on.

"We may still play a few shows with Rod in South America next year when we celebrate our 20th anniversary, but nothing is set in stone yet.

"Rod's replacement is Olmo Cascallar [pictured below] from the Basque band GAMORA, who already did a fantastic job as a stand-in on our last few European dates. Not only is he an excellent guitarist with a great stage presence, we also feel he will contribute an entirely new approach to our songwriting."

Progressive Norwegian black metal band ULVER have issued the following update:

"Ok, so now we have been on the road, and it has been rewarding, all fear and loathing considered. We are a domestic pack these days. The children miss their parents and we miss them. So. We have decided to limit next year's touring to two shorter blocks, one before and one after summer, plus an odd festival here and there. We would also very much like to make a few appearances overseas.

2011 is the future, a Critical Geography, the new album of Ulver. The anthological presentation we've been hiding behind since Lillehammer is history after Warsaw.

We are stoked to say that our blood-brothers VIRUS have accepted the offer to play their debut concert with us at London-palace Koko, as a kick-off spectacular. This is Virus' Lillehammer, and they are a bit apprehensive. We are certain though, that if you show them the same courtesy that you showed us, this will be one to remember.

The Koko gig will be a further reunion of the old-school rebels, in that our red-bearded buddy ZWEIZZ will be opening the ball. He will also be traveling with us to a quite a few of the other venues announced. See you in the wild."

Virus comments on the upcoming gig:

"Apprehensive is not the word. Plain terrified, is more like it. We used to feel safe and sound inside our little bubble, being a non-live band, barely daring to release albums. We've gotten tons of propositions over the years, but when Ulver approached us it all seemed to fall right into place, to create the best possible condition for both us and our fans to finally do this thing. We couldn't think of a better way of taking that next step - bringing our mischief to the stage - than under the wings of our friends, who've been in the exact same spot we are now."

Swedish progressive death metal band DESCEND have issued the following update from vocalist Nima Farhadian L:

"It's 2 AM and I'm not really tired. We got home from a cruise last night. We played on Rockin' the Galaxy. An overall well spent day with beers and good company. I guess we were a little rusty since we haven't played since... 13th of March, I believe. But it was nice… and a good warm up for next weekend when we will be playing again for a bigger audience. I'm really looking forward to that gig. A small stage with (hopefully) lots of people! That's intense, and great! Yea... it will be one hell of a night!

So what's up in Descend camp? Well, as I just wrote, we playing some shows at the same time as we're looking for more. By that, we are also rehearsing the songs to get 'em even tighter, not prioritizing song writing but in time we will get into writing mode. We have started on one new song besides rehearsing the older ones, and this new piece of art sounds fucking amazing! I mean goosebumps and a broken neck! Damn!

About the record; we're trying to get along on how the album cover should look and in a Descend way - we're getting there, nice and slow. Don't get me wrong. It's not as we haven't gotten started. Just the final touches left and it's actually looking awesome. We're figuring on how we should do the booklet. Old school or not? That's the question.

Well mates… even though I'm not sleepy it's late and a new day is waiting around the corner so... Good fight and good night!”

Cleveland, Ohio-based metal band WRETCH has parted ways with drummer Chris Koshock (pictured below second from right). Koshock, who joined the band in 2005 replacing Jeff Currenton (ex-SEVEN WITCHES, WINTERS BANE), is leaving the group to devote more time to his family and job.

"We want to thank Chris for being part of WRETCH all these years and everything he contributed," says guitarist and main songwriter Nick Giannakos. "We are going to move forward and find a replacement.

"We're looking for a double bass, power metal-oriented drummer in the style of HELLOWEEN's Daniel Löble," adds Giannakos. "His drumming on the new '7 Sinners' album is phenomenal!"

Unique label compilation in 3 parts to be released soon. Each part contains brand new 2010 track, track from the upcoming releases in 2011, and some exclusive never seen before tracks. Some of the songs presented in short version because of long original length (20-30 min). Compilation will be released on CD format in very limited quantity only as an addition to the 2nd number of the Voice Of Solitude newspaper (written only in Russian). Compilation also will be available as a digital download for all news subscribers. Click here: Solitude Productions Compilation, BadMoodManMusic Compilation, Slow Burn Records Compilation.