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.

According to a new .SWF file that has uploaded to the official servers of the Rock-Am-Ring.com web site (Note: You can open the file using Internet Explorer), the reunited SYSTEM OF A DOWN will be one of the headliners of next year's edition of the Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals, set to take place June 3-5, 2011 in the German towns of Nürburgring and Nürnberg, respectively. You can also see the new ad in the YouTube clip below.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

BEATSTEAKS
COLDPLAY
HURTS
IN FLAMES
KINGS OF LEON
MANDO DIAO
SYSTEM OF A DOWN
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
VOLBEAT

PINK FLOYD drummer Nick Mason has told Classic Rock he refused to take part in a reunion of the band because of the gig’s location – the country pile of “posh totty” Jemima Khan.

In an interview in the current edition, Mason disclosed that he pulled out of what would have been Pink Floyd’s second reunion in almost 30 years after he discovered that Sir James Goldsmith’s socialite daughter – and ex-wife of retired Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan – owned the Oxfordshire house, Kiddington Hall, where the concert was to be held.

Read more at this location.

High-quality, multi-camera video footage of ANTHRAX performing the song "Madhouse" on October 10, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio during the Jägermeister Music Tour with SLAYER and MEGADETH can be viewed below.

ANTHRAX released the "Live At The Sonisphere" 10-inch single — a picture disc featuring the tracks "Medusa" and "Only" from the "The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" DVD and Blu-ray — on November 26 via Metal Club, a group of record stores throughout the U.S. and Canada that work to connect the vibrant metal community with their local record store. Fans are able to visit their local Metal Club store for special metal promotional pieces, exciting in-store events, and a series of exclusive Metal Club releases.

About the importance of independent record stores, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante said: "Indie stores are our only hope! People should cherish these wonderful treasures. Go, get lost in an indie record store, you may discovery a band or record that could blow your mind."

"The Sonisphere concerts were some of the greatest shows for us," added singer Joey Belladonna, "and to have shared it with METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH was just the best. It's an experience none of us will ever forget, and we're happy that our fans can share a little of that, and that ANTHRAX can be part of the Metal Club with this single."

LEAVES' EYES were scheduled to perform a one-off show in India on November 19th in Goa at the Indian Music Conference however the metal open air festival portion of the even was cancelled by local police.

An official statement from the band reads as follows:

"Dear fans and friends in India, we're deeply sorry that we were not able to perform at this year's Indian Music Conference at the Campal Ground in Panjim, Goa on Friday, November 19th. The day after our arrival in Goa, everything was successfully prepared, soundcheck was done (see picture at the left) and we were more than ready to go on stage and play our music to our Indian fans for the very first time in the band's history. As we were about to leave the hotel to the festival area for the show, we were informed that the festival had been cancelled by the local authorities. We were absolutely shocked to hear that since we were so excited and so much looking forward to play in India. This whole cancellation was neither a decision by Leaves Eyes nor Spotlight Events! Now, we are planning to return to India in 2011 to finally get to play for our fans. Please, stay tuned!"

PRIMAL FEAR have issued the following update in regards to vocalist RALF SCHEEPERS' upcoming solo release:

"Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, pictured at left) delivered the final lead guitar parts for the song 'The Pain Of The Accused' and the forthcoming solo album from Ralf yesterday and the album is now complete and will be mastered over the weekend!

In other news, don't forget the final Primal Fear show for this year - Frostrock in Kuurne, Belgium on December 4th."

Frontiers Records recently issued the following update in regards to Scheepers' upcoming solo release:

The forthcoming solo album from Primal singer Ralf Scheepers is in the very final stages of production.

Some very special guests agreed to appear - the list includes guitarists "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD), Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY), Sander Gommans (AFTER FOREVER) and Magnus Karlsson (PRIMAL FEAR, ALLEN/LANDE). Powerhouse American vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) is dueting with Scheepers on the track 'Remission Of Sin', Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (THERION, DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, DIMMU BORGIR) appears on drums and Primal Fear's Mat Sinner is playing bass on the entire LP and produced the album. Achim Koehler is currently in the final stages of the mixing session and will shortly be mastering the production.

Scheepers revealed that his upcoming solo album will include a remake of his song 'Saints Of Rock' - originally recorded with his band TYRAN PACE - and a cover version of the JUDAS PRIEST classic 'Before The Dawn'.

Vocalist Sharon den Adel of Dutch symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION has released the following statement:

"As we are all gearing up for the release of our new album I have news which might come as a surprise: Robert [WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt] and I are expecting a child. To be honest, this was not planned at all, but we're very happy about it as we experience our kids as an enrichment of our lives.

"I'm happy to tell you that the release of our new album will not change: March 2011! The recordings for the album are completed and the songs are being mixed right now, all preparations for the release are in full swing, so there is no reason to put things on hold.

"However, we couldn't avoid rescheduling our tour as it will be impossible for me to deliver a great show for you while being in the final months of my pregnancy. Also due to the complications during the previous pregnancies, it is dangerous for our baby and for me to be very active in these final months.

"The tour dates have already been rescheduled to the fall of 2011. The tickets you have bought will remain valid for the new dates which can be found on this page.

"We understand that the rescheduling of our tour is a blow for you and we can only sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused as we very much appreciate the fact that so many of you have bought tickets for the shows early on.

"We hope for your understanding and support and we'll do everything to make the upcoming tour the best you've ever seen from us yet!"

Radio Metal has just issued a brand new interview with Lemmy Kilmister from MOTÖRHEAD. An excerpt follows:

Radio Metal: You’ve got a new album coming out entitled The Wörld Is Yours. It’s actually a title full of hope. Is this how you feel now after a 35 year career with Motörhead? That the world is yours?

Lemmy (bass guitar/vocals): "No the world isn’t mine, the world isn’t yours either but it’s a nice title! (laughs) Stay optimistic! Well, you know, there is no special meaning behind it. Don’t look for deep meanings with Motörhead. We just think that it’s a good, optimistic title."

Radio Metal: To be honest with you, this new album sounds really inspired. What was your state of mind when you wrote these songs? Were there any differences compared to Motörizer or Kiss Of Death?

Lemmy: "No, it was exactly the same really. But there was one difference: Phil [Campbell, guitar] had to do his bits over the internet because he was in Wales because his dad was very ill and he died. So we had to do it by mail and he recorded his guitar by mail. It worked out alright though."

Radio Metal: "There’s a song entitled 'Rock N Roll Music'. It’s obviously a celebration of rock‘n’roll and we can hear you sing that rock’n’roll will save our soul and set us free. Do you think that if people are so depressed nowadays it is because they don’t listen enough to rock’n’roll?

Lemmy: "When they did it was a lot more cheerful wasn’t it? Before they started believing and investing in banks, you know? (Laughs) I mean, it’s a much better idea to listen to some rock ‘n roll and dance than to sit around the fucking computer, losing your money."

U.K.'s Classic Rock Prog magazine recently spoke to the four remaining members of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER — guitarist John Petrucci, vocalist James LaBrie, bassist John Myung and keyboardist Jordan Rudess — about the surprising departure of the band's drummer and founding member, Mike Portnoy. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

On the August 30 meeting between the DREAM THEATER bandmembers in a New York City hotel room when they first learned that Portnoy wanted to take a break from the group:

Petrucci: "It's definitely a bit surreal and I'm okay, but it's just so weird how things change. Basically, we went into a meeting expecting to talk about details of the studio and when and where, and it took a whole different turn. We were supposed to go into the studio in January and we had actually extended our break a bit so that Mike could finish out the rest of the year [as the touring drummer for] AVENGED SEVENFOLD. Then he brought up that he wanted to take a hiatus. There wasn't anything that led up to it in our minds and it kind of shocked us, you know?! We weren't expecting that at all."

On Portnoy's only proposed solution — for DREAM THEATER to go on an indefinite hiatus, believing that a break would help to rekindle his enthusiasm for both the DREAM THEATER machine as well as his relationship with the other members:

Rudess: "Yeah, he was saying a few years, three years, five years, or whatever. I really believe that's what might've been best for him and I'm sure he doesn't want to let go of DREAM THEATER. Why should he necessarily have to? Of course, there's the reality that there are four other guys who also happen to have DREAM THEATER as their lives. I think a lot of the problem was with us personally, but to me the vibe within DREAM THEATER was fine. I mean, so you've got John Myung who wasn't really socializing with us at all anymore, but as I said to Mike, 'Tell me how it's any different to when I first joined this band.' I don't see it. And I've really got no problem with him doing what he's doing with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. I think it's pretty cool going out and playing with a really successful rock group. I just have a little bit of a problem with him thinking that he could control DREAM THEATER. It's like a captain who is trying to command his ship when he's not even standing on the ship. And all the other guys are just sitting there , cruising along with a guy saying, 'The captain has left the ship. Okay, boys, here's what we're going to do: You're going to take a break.' And they're, like, 'But wait a minute, we're standing on the ship.' But Mike remains our very good friend and I think there's a lot of love there between everyone, really, when it comes down to it. He may have been a little tired of us, but the bigger picture is that we're all brothers."

On DREAM THEATER's decision to carry on without Mike Portnoy:

Petrucci: "You know, we've known each other for a long time, 25 years-plus, and I love Mike. One of the first things I said was that I was trying to understand where he was coming from and that I don't judge him. Everyone is their own man and I get it. But from my perspective and from that of the other guys, you could take those same elements mentioned by Mike, the fact that we've been a band for 25 years, that this is something that we have built up and that we love, as a reason not to stop it or even take a break."

Myung: "We love what we do and we didn't want to wait around as things became unstable. What was initially a four-month break suddenly turned into a hiatus, then changed to a year and four months, which then could have turned into anyone's guess."

Petrucci: "It was an extremely emotional moment and the whole thing to me is very heartbreaking and very sad. You know, you walk around afterwards going, 'Is this really happening?' It's almost like that feeling when somebody dies. You feel like you're in some kind of weird, limbo dream state and it's hard for me to imagine this band without him. But I think the whole beauty of DREAM THEATER is the collective nature and everybody has their talents. I think we've always been about more than just one individual and that's part of our strength. Of course we are going to miss Mike a lot, but we move forward, as is our right."

On the fact that DREAM THEATER is replacing more than just a drummer — Portnoy was the band's mascot, chief interviewee, driver of concepts, selector of setlists and was always at the forefront when the band was deliberating over a musical direction:

LaBrie: "Yes, Mike was all about those things and not to simplify it or belittle it, but that will just have to be something that we allocate to each and every one of us to take over. So that will be a major difference in the band. Instead of one person handling all of those responsibilities, it's going to be spread out over four others."

Rudess: "I guess we're excited about being able to look at all the cool stuff Mike did and spread them around a bit. We've got an amazing team of managers and tour managers, we're all very capable guys and we're not scared. This is not rocket science. This is not curing cancer, this is a rock band, and I think we can handle it."

On whether in a few years time, when all this turbulence has subsided and Portnoy feels sufficiently recharged, he would be welcomed back in DREAM THEATER:

Petrucci: "You know, I've played with Mike for so long and we have done so many things together that at some point we will play together again, and we told each other that. It would be ridiculous to think that we won't play together again. That's kind of silly. Whether it's in DREAM THEATER or something else or we reunite down the line, who knows?! If that's the way the planets align and things work out in both of our lives, then I'm certainly open to that. But in the meantime, I think we owe it to ourselves to carry on with focus and intention. Right now, we have to find an ass-kicking drummer…"

Finnish metallers AMORAL have issued the following update from guitarist Ben Varon:

"The last Amoral show of 2010 at On the Rocks, Helsinki was a blast, thanks to all of you who attended, especially you who travelled from other countries to be there! It was fun trying out some new songs on you people. Special thanks to Juhani Flinck from DEAD SHAPE FIGURE, who filled in for Wally in a week's notice! Mad props!

Other than that, the writing and fine-tuning of the new material has been getting along good. We have about 13 songs written as of now, and still more keep popping up. It looks like we'll be heading to the studio in April/May, with a possible late 2011 release. Yes, it's a bitch of a wait, we know, but we promise it's gonna be worth it! We'll try to post some more demo session/rehearshal footage as we go along, to give you guys an idea of where we are at.

As for the new stuff: like I said, we already have more than an album's worth of material, so we're gonna have a lot to choose from by the time we hit the studio. The material is all over the place style-wise, from the chillest acoustic stuff to fast death metal, with lots of solid hard rockin' metal in between. So expect versatility!

Some of you have noticed that the Amoral boys have some other projects on the side: Ari (Koivunen, vocals) is at the moment touring with Raskasta Joulua ("Heavy Christmas"), Juffi is active with his other band SHEAR, and I have some side activities as well (Dimebag Beyond Forever tour 2010, GREASE HELMET).

Me, Peksi and Juffi are also part of TORNADO, a thrash-oriented group our friend/tour manager Joey Severance has been meaning to launch for years. But rest assured, these projects will NOT slow Amoral down, or affect our recording and touring plans in any way. It's merely a good thing that everyone keeps themselves busy and in shape at all times, instead of sitting at home watching tv, waiting for new songs to drop in their email boxes... ;)

So... Have yourselves a rocking little Christmas and a great new year! For more frequent little updates on what's going on, remember to follow us on Twitter. And the Amoral Forum is alive and well, with all the band members participating in the discussion and checking it often, so join in!"