MANOWAR has decided that its fans deserved to hear the songs from its debut album, 1982's "Battle Hymns", with the massive sound and production that has become the group's signature over recent years and records.

With the decision to reinterpret the music came the need to revisit the famed narration of the legendary Orson Welles. There was only one obvious choice and that was Sir Christopher Lee. Recorded at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London, his own inspired interpretation of the late, great Orson Welles on "Dark Avenger" will be another jewel in the crown of the Kings Of Metal.

"Battle Hymns 2011" release dates:

MP3 (from The Kingdom Of Steel): November 26
CD - Europe: November 26
CD - Kingdom Of Steel: December 13
CD - U.S./Canada: February 2011

"Battle Hymns 2011" will feature two never-before-released live versions of "Death Tone" and "Fast Taker" recorded during the band's very first concerts in 1982. These are the rarest bonus materials ever released to date in MANOWAR's career.

"Our fans can be sure that we have squeezed every drop of power into 'Battle Hymns 2011' that today's technology allows," said vocalist Eric Adams.

"Battle Hymns 2011" track listing:

01. Death Tone
02. Metal Daze
03. Fast Taker
04. Shell Shock
05. Manowar
06. Dark Avenger
07. William's Tale
08. Battle Hymn

Bonus Tracks:

09. Death Tone (live)
10. Fast Taker (live)

A rough-mix sample of the new recording of the song "Manowar" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

In a recent video message, MANOWAR bassis and producer Joey DeMaio explained the band's decision to re-record "Battle Hymns":

"We've had a couple of people ask why re-record a record like 'Battle Hymns' when it's perfect... I didn't say it's perfect, but other people said it's perfect, and we thank you for that. We're not trying to make it better, because it is what it is, but there's a lot of technology now that we didn't have when we made the record and we're gonna take advantage of it to make it as loud as we possibly can. So it won't be better; it'll just be different. And the songs themselves deserve to be recorded again because they're great songs and the fans have actually requested a lot of this to happen. And also, Donnie Hamzik, our original drummer, is back in the band, and he wanted to have another go at it. We're all together and we're gonna have a fucking great time."

Video footage of DeMaio talking about the decision to re-record "Battle Hymns" and laying down bass tracks in the studio can be viewed below.

MANOWAR's latest DVD in the "Hell On Earth" series was released on November 27, 2009. "Hell On Earth V" covers MANOWAR's recent world tours, including Germany, Norway, Spain, Finland, Russia, Romania, Turkey, USA and Canada. It features live performances of old and new classics such as "Gloves Of Metal", "The Crown And The Ring", "Hand Of Doom", "Hymn Of The Immortal Warrior", "Father", "God Or Man" and many others.

HALFORD, led by JUDAS PRIEST frontman ROB HALFORD, have premiered their new video for the song 'Like There's No Tomorrow' - check it out below.

'Like There's No Tomorrow' can be found on Halford IV - Made Of Metal out now on Metal God Records .

Produced by Roy Z. and recorded during 2009 and 2010, Made Of Metal showcases a bulk of material (words and music) penned exclusively by Rob Halford. Made Of Metal features 14 new Halford studio tracks including 'The Mower', 'Made Of Metal', 'Fire And Ice', 'Till The Day I Die', 'Undisputed', 'Heartless' and 'Thunder And Lightning'.

"It has been a long wait for the global Halford fan-base, and of course I'm very pleased to return with Halford IV - Made Of Metal this September 2010", comments Rob Halford.

"It is probably the most personal release of my solo career; in terms of my writing and performances. Halford IV - Made Of Metal hits hard on many musical and emotional levels. I'm certain it will be recognized as one of the band's best releases, and I'm looking forward to performing the new tracks this year, and re-connecting the Halford band with its legions of Metal fans."

Two years after announcing their split, Greek progressive metallers WASTEFALL have reformed. The band states, "We are more than glad to announce that Domenik [Papaemmanouil; vocals, guitar, keyboards] returned from exile and Alex [Katsiyiannis, guitar] decided to abandon his haven. The only difference is that we decided to recruit Tassos Loukos behind the drums, since Kostis [Papaleksopoulos] is still in exile. Apart from that, the members remain the same."

WASTEFALL's third album, "Self Exile", was released in 2006 via Sensory Records. The CD was mixed and mastered by Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, TNT, JORN LANDE) at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark.

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

ANTHRAX will release 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 will be 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."

Dutch death metallers LEGION OF THE DAMNED will be releasing their new album, Descent Into Chaos, via Massacre Records on January 7th. Check out the artwork for the release at the left (click to enlarge).

The tracklisting is as follows:
'Intro'
'Descent Into Chaos'
'Night Of The Sabbath'
'War In My Blood'
'Shrapnel Rain'
'Holy Blood, Holy War'
'Killzone'
'Lord Of The Files'
'Desolation Empire'
'The Hand Of Darkness'
'Repossessed' (Bonus Track)

Retroactive Records will release two classic albums from the mighty MASS.

Due for release on January 26th, '84 Unchained will feature the following tracklisting:

'Looking Good'
'Pedal To The Metal'
'Holy One'
'Still Of The Night'
'Bones'




Also out on January 26th is the album Fighter, which features the following tracklisting:

'Watch Her Walk'
'Part Of Me'
'Too Far Gone'
'Do You Love Me'
'Voyager (Look For the Edge)'
'Fighter'
'Can You See It Again'
'Slip Of The Lip'
'Change Your Way'
'Bad Man’s Reputation'

Concert Live has announced that they are working with MOTÖRHEAD on their current European Tour.

"We are producing a massively limited edition set of 7 Deadly Shows from selected gigs across the 2010 European Tour, each available separately but also, for the first time ever, as one exclusive package featuring all 7 recordings in a limited edition slipcase."




"As ever, the CDs are available to fans across the tour and exclusively through the Concert Live website. If you’re a true rock and live music fan, you do not want to miss out on these babies as they are set to be massive collector’s items!"

Get your copy now at this location.

Gibson.com has revealed their list of Top 10 Riffs Of The 1980s, which are as follows:

RUSH - 'Limelight'
GUNS N' ROSES - 'Sweet Child O' Mine'
THE CLASH - 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go'
MICHAEL JACKSON (featuring Steve Lukather) - 'Beat It'
JUDAS PRIEST - 'Breaking The Law'
DEF LEPPARD - 'Photograph'
SCORPIONS - 'Rock You Like A Hurricane'
OZZY OSBOURNE (featuring Randy Rhoads) - 'Crazy Train'
THE ROLLING STONES - 'Start Me Up'
AC/DC - 'Back In Black'

HOLY RAGE, featuring former JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins, will finally release their self-titled debut album through Z Records on November 22nd. Check out a video trailer below.

As previously reported, Al Atkins was filmed on November 8th by Banger Films for their new VH1 Classic series, Metal Evolution: The Series, set to air in spring 2011.

Banger Films is a Toronto based film production company which has produced films such as Metal: A Headbangers' Journey, Global Metal, IRON MAIDEN: Flight 666 and most recently the RUSH documentary, Beyond The Lighted Stage.

As previously reported, ex-STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki has also been interviewed for the upcoming series. Further details on Metal Evolution: The Series will be available soon.

German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION will release their new album, "Day Of Reckoning", on February 28, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The first limited edition of the album will not feature the band's logo on the booklet while the vinyl version and second pressing of the CD will show a red DESTRUCTION logo on it.

Commented DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer: "First of all, 'cause I hear the hardcore fans already complaining, the DESTRUCTION skull and the butcher can be found in the illustrated booklet of 'Day Of Reckoning'.

"The last man on earth that faces the end of the world, the concept of the album had to have the most evil base with a striking eye-catching look.

"We decided to not use the classical butcher theme on the cover front this time, 'cause this album needed a malicious look with symbols that express this strong title in the most bold and simple way.

"The story line will continue through the whole cover art and booklet. Gyula, a fantastic artist and metal fan from Hungary, was a great help for us with nailing down this concept. It's not the first time we worked with him; he illustrated all our latest releases! Like the band, he breathes, lives and understands the concept of a rather socially critical band like DESTRUCTION to the bone!"

"Day Of Reckoning" is the first album to feature DESTRUCTION's new drummer Vaaver .

Commented Schmier: "The new guy behind the drumkit, the hard-hitting but well-versed, six-foot-six-inch-tall animal Vaaver took his first album with us as a challenge: no other DESTRUCTION album has the fastness, the tightness and crazy doublebass and drum fills as the 'Day Of Reckoning'! That's for fuckin' sure!"

"Day Of Reckoning" limited slipcase edition track listing:

01. The Price
02. Hate Is My Fuel
03. Armageddonizer
04. Devil’s Advocate
05. Day Of Reckoning
06. Sorcerer Of Black Magic
07. Misfit
08. The Demon Is God
09. Church Of Disgust
10. Destroyer Or Creator
11. Sheep Of The Regime
12. Stand Up And Shout (limited-edition bonus track)

David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com recently conducted an interview with Christofer Johnsson of Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION. A few excerpts from the chat follow below:

Blistering.com: Anything different in the writing process for "Sitra Ahra"? It seems like with every album something new comes up for you.

Johnsson: I just write. I have no idea where things are headed. This was record was different because I had enough material for three albums, but I woke up one day and decided to save some songs. On occasion we've recorded leftovers from previous albums, which for most bands, is a bonus. This is unique. Take [IRON] MAIDEN — they never would have released the material written around "Powerslave" or "Somewhere In Time" 10 years later. The band had evolved too much by then. For THERION, it's simply a matter of learning about new instruments. For every album, you'll get the typical whines which is classic. Like for "Deggial", I read the forums and it's the new favorite album. "Secret Of The Ruins" sold less than "Vovin" and everyone considered it to be a flop, yet now it's considered to be the best. I've read so many embarrassing pages, so much shit, and positive reviews from people that proves they just don't get it. Some fuck wrote about how we've reunited and "Gothic Kabbalah" was our final album. People think they know me, but they don't know simple music from complex music. Everyone is on their high horses these days.

Blistering.com: Because of the Internet?

Johnsson: Yeah, because of the Internet. It's amazing what people write.

Blistering.com: Indeed. Speaking of which, I read on the Net that you are never touring the United States again. Is that still true?

Johnsson: Oh yeah, we're never going to tour the U.S. again. It would be a miracle for us to do that again, like an offer we couldn't refuse. I knew we'd do OK there, but the tours we did [both in support of "Gothic Kabbalah"] had total shithead booking. It was pretty miserable, never too posh. There were about 150-200 people a show and in this economy, it's tough. Hard to get anywhere with this economy. I'm 40 years old. We do well in Europe, great in Latin America. Some people think the United States is essential, but we're not big in Africa either. [laughs] Not touring there takes away a lot of the legwork, and when you do all of that work to tour the States, it's not worth it. Not when you're 40. I have to cut down because I have a kid at home. We can go anywhere, it's totally possible, but we're doing it when we need to.

Blistering.com: So any chance of doing a one-off festival?

Johnsson: I can see us playing the U.S. only for a festival, yes. Like the ProgPower USA festival, very professional and organized, so we'd do that again. During our second tour there, we went through twice the amount of crap, and half the people. It's like we caught all of the people we could have the first time, and we can't do charity and put baby powder on my ass. It's just a lot of effort, so why bother? Then people complain that we don't come over. Well, it's the lack of enthusiasm. We have die-hard fans, who I appreciate, but the attitude there is too laid-back.

EX DEO — the Ancient Roman-themed arsenal led by KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono — will begin pre-production on its next album, "Caligula", once KATAKLYSM has completed its touring commitments in 2011. Iacono states, "Expect a revolutionary album that will breathe the word 'NEW' into a much-stagnant metal industry.

"It is yet undermined which label will release 'Caligula' as we are looking at many different options."

EX DEO is currently on the road in North America with NILE, PSYCROPTIC and KEEP OF KALESSIN. Maurizio says, "It's amazing to see a vision I had one day waking up finally become a reality two years ago.

"We had done a few shows in America with ENSIFERUM for our debut album, 'Romulus' that were fantastic, but to go across the country and really seeing people waiting anxiously for this and screaming their hearts out for it live has been one incredible feeling.

"I feel EX DEO is changing the game of the underground, bringing a theater to the live stage and bringing a new concept that has never done before.

"This is a beast of a band and we would like to thank everyone for the great support."

A trailer for the reissues of TRIUMPH's 10 classic albums, in digipak version and with the original track listings, can be viewed below.

TRIUMPH is one of Canada's greatest hard rock bands. With 10 classic albums released between 1976 and 1987, they have left an indelible mark on the history of hard rock, melodic rock and are nowadays considered among the forefathers of progressive metal.

Epitomizing the essence of the power-trio sound, Rik Emmett (guitar and vocals), Mike Levine (bass and keyboards) and Gil Moore (drums and vocals) are regarded as virtuoso musicians in their own right and great entertainers thanks to the TRIUMPH concert spectacle that was second to none.

Frontiers has announced that the official reissues of TRIUMPH's 10 classic albums will be made available on December 3.

* In The Beginning (1976)
* Rock and Roll Machine (1977)
* Just a Game (1979)
* Progressions of Power (1980)
* Allied Forces (1981)
* Never Surrender (1983)
* Thunder Seven (1984)
* Stages (Live) (1985)
* The Sport of Kings (1986)
* Surveillance (1987)

All CDs have been remastered and feature an extensive booklet including lyrics. In addition, Frontiers will issue a very limited collector's edition box set entitled "Diamond Collection", which will include all the 10 albums in vinyl replica, and will feature the artwork from the original vinyl edition of the albums.

Greifswald, Germany-based melodic gothic rock band KATANGA has inked a deal with Massacre Records. The group's new album, "Moonchild", will be released on January 28, 2011.

KATANGA was formed in 1994. Five years later, they recorded their first EP, "Leben". This was followed a year later by a second EP, "Batflight".

KATANGA's full-length debut, "Darkchild", was released in 2005.

The band has supported such bands as KNORKATOR, BLIND PASSENGERS, SCREAM SILENCE, THANATEROS, THE CASCADES, ATARGATIS and UMBRA ET IMAGO.

Mog Music Network recently asked legendary drummer Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) to create a personally curated playlist for the site's curiosity-satisfying- and audio-streaming pleasure. His selections were as follows:

01. MOTÖRHEAD - "Orgasmatron"
02. YES - "Long Distance Runaround"
03. RAINBOW - "Kill the King"
04. JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - "Manic Depression"
05. NICKELBACK - "Next Go Round"
06. FOO FIGHTERS - "Times Like These"
07. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "Holy Diver"
08. DOWN - "Stone the Crow"
09. JOHN LENNON - "I’m Losing You"
10. VANILLA FUDGE - "Keep Me Hanging On"