Former COAL CHAMBER members Miguel "Meegs" Rascon (guitar) and Mikey Cox (drums) have rejoined forces in a brand new Los Angeles, California-based "post-punk" project called WE ARE THE RIOT. The group's current lineup is rounded out by Andy Cole, Jonny Sculls Flanagan and Cheyne Fritts. No further details are presently available.

COAL CHAMBER rose to prominence with a gold-certified debut album in 1997 that established the group as one of the most promising bands on the then-emerging, so-called "nu metal" scene.

Nadja Peulen replaced COAL CHAMBER bassist Rayna Foss Rose in 1999 during Rose's pregnancy for almost 12 months while the band was on the road supporting its second album, "Chamber Music". Rayna came back to the band after her pregnancy leave and recorded COAL CHAMBER's third album, "Dark Days". Shortly after recording "Dark Days", Rayna quit the band and Nadja was recruited for the touring cycle that followed the CD's release. The band broke up during the "Dark Days" tour in 2002.

Former COAL CHAMBER singer Dez Fafara is currently fronting DEVILDRIVER, which will issue its fifth album in early 2011 via Roadrunner Records.

Davide Tiso of Italian avant-garde metallers EPHEL DUATH is back with a new musical project dubbed MANUSCRIPTS DON'T BURN. The project's debut mini-CD will be released in October on Aural Music.

Commented Tiso: "I thought about a one-man band since my black metal days back in the '90s.

"The idea of taking care of every aspect of the creative process has always been something I've been into (see EPHEL DUATH), but with MANUSCRIPTS DON'T BURN I take this to a new limit: not involving anyone in the performing and recording process, too.

"A year ago I started to compose for the Karyn Crisis solo album. I wrote a lot of songs, probably too many and with too much going on: there was no space for vocals. The songs were ready and done, without her voice. I restarted to compose for her from scratch. In the meantime, I remained with enough material to start the solo adventure of above.

"I'm totally absorbed by this new direction; there's something magic about these songs, an extremely positive vibe surrounds them. They have been composed without any kind of effort, like they were already existing and ready to be caught on tape.

"There's something that needs to be spread through these songs: genuine compassionate feelings towards whomever wants to deal with this music.

"This is what I'm proudly doing now, hoping that this new palette will become an important part of my career and last the test of fire (you people) like those manuscripts Bulgakov was talking about."

Jim Kjell, former vocalist/guitarist for the Swedish melodic death metal band GARDENIAN, has launched a brand new project called HERA. Kjell is currently seeking a vocalist, lead guitarist and bass player to complete the group's lineup lineup.

According to the project's official bio, "HERA was started a couple of years ago and was heading towards a record deal with the complete package. Jim turned it down since he had to take care of himself and three years later HERA is very much alive and the ideas of the music is starting to shape up. Right now the focus is put on whether it should be more brutal or more laid back than before. New songs are written and are of a variety of styles. But yet he stays true to his roots and brutality is mixed with nice melodies and choruses."

Wendy Dio, wife/manager of late singer Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, DIO, ELF), spoke to Greg Prato (MySpace page) of RollingStone.com about Niji Entertainment Group, the newly launched record label which has several releases scheduled for November.

On November 9, Niji will release the double-disc set "Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 and 1987", featuring two vintage performances by Ronnie's own band, DIO. Two weeks later, the company will reissue DIO's 1983 debut LP, "Holy Diver", on 180-gram vinyl; and "Bitten by the Beast", an album by Ronnie's cousin and former ELF bandmate, David "Rock" Feinstein. The latter effort will include one of two songs Ronnie recorded with Feinstein last year, "Metal Will Never Die". Planned for 2011 a is a mammoth 16-album vinyl-or-CD box set, "For the Record: The Complete Dio Vinyl Collection", "The Complete Bootleg Box"; ELF vinyl reissues, and a DVD release of the import VHS video, "Super Rock Japan 1985". Also in the works: The release of Ronnie James Dio's memoirs, most of which the singer completed before he died; a book of illustrated lyrics; and a photo book.

You can read Wendy Dio's comments about the upcoming releases at RollingStone.com.

The following update has been posted on the official web site of the Dutch symphonic metal band EPICA:

"Although EPICA has been touring around the world for months, [guitarist/songwriter] Mark [Jansen] found the time to put another band together, which he takes very seriously: MAYAN.

"Mark founded MAYAN together with Jack Driessen (ex-AFTER FOREVER) and Frank Schiphorst, [and] named [the band] after the wise and rich Mayan culture.

"The release of the [debut MAYAN] album will take place around May 2011 and the CD presentation will [be held] at Paradiso [in] Amsterdam!

"[MAYAN's] music is a mixture of death, black and progressive metal combined with symphonic orchestral arrangements."

Commented Jansen: "There was only one record label we wanted to sign with — Nuclear Blast — so we didn't even look for other companies to work with, and we're very happy that this appreciation is mutual.

"The debut [MAYAN] album will be recorded and mixed at the end of the year 2010 and the beginning of 2011 by Sascha Paeth (who produced the [previous] EPICA records as well). We're also stoked to announce that Jeroen Paul Thesseling (PESTILENCE, OBSCURA), known for his signature six-string fretless playing in progressive death metal, will join as permanent member on bass guitar. Isaac Delahaye [guitar, EPICA] and Ariën van Weesenbeek [drums, EPICA] will complete the lineup!

"We'll work with some very interesting guests and these will be announced very soon!"

NOCTURNAL FEAR, Detroit's war-thrash death-squad, has parted ways with longtime drummer Aggressor. His replacement, Witchhammer, is already learning the band's set and is rehearsing tracks for the group's forthcoming album, "Excessive Cruelty", to be released next year on Moribund Records.

Commented founding guitarist Rev. Chris Slavehunter PhD.: "It's not easy being in Detroit's and arguably the USA's fastest and most face-ripping thrash band. Witchhammer has the devotion and drive to become a true NOCTURNAL FEAR shock trooper! Our new album and shows will bear this out. Heed my words, posers — the knock on your door in the middle of the night may be us! Death to false metal!"

As previously reported, NOCTURNAL FEAR recently added new member Warmonger on bass. The band is rounded out by Slavehunter on all guitars and Devastator on vocals.

A release date for "Excessive Cruelty" will be announced later this year.

The inaugural episode of the Focus On Metal weekly podcast features a brand new interview with bassist Orion (real name: Tomasz Wróblewski) of Polish bands BEHEMOTH, VESANIA and BLACK RIVER.

When asked about the current condition of Adam "Nergal" Darski, the 33-year-old guitarist/vocalist from BEHEMOTH, who was recently diagnosed with a life-threatening form of leukemia, a cancer of blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow, Orion said, "[Nergal] remains in the hospital. He's going through chemotherapy now. And they're planning a bone-marrow transplant, possibly this year.

"He's doing fine. His attitude is just winning everything. He's with fighting the illness and we're all sure that he's gonne be fine.

"We're still in touch, we're still working on new BEHEMOTH releases — we're working on a DVD now. So he's doing as good as possible [under] these conditions."

On how fans' support has lifted Nergal's spirit:

"It's been just massive support that we get from the fans that he gets, and I'm sure it helps him a lot."

On what fans can do to help:

"To register in a bone-marrow bank, it's just a sample of blood, so that's the least that anybody can do. So if there is any chance for anybody to just go and do it, then go ahead, and that's a huge help. Even if it doesn't help Nergal directly, it helps some other person, most likely. So that's what people can do in order to [show their] support."

On how not all transplants will require the donor to undergo surgery if they are approved as a match (for those people who are afraid of surgery):

"The surgery of a bone-marrow donor, it's just a simple surgery — it takes two weeks to be 100 percent cured and recovered. So it's not a serious thing. And to be a match for somebody, it takes months of testing and everything at the bone-marrow bank. The chance for a person who is unrelated to be a match for somebody is 1 to 40,000, as far as I know, so being afraid of going under a knife, it sounds a little ridiculous to me if you can go through a little surgical [procedure] and save somebody's life. It takes two weeks to get recovered 100 percent — that's it."

Former PANTERA and current DOWN singer Philip Anselmo tells Billboard.com that his collaboration with fellow surviving PANTERA members Vinnie Paul Abbott (drums) and Rex Brown (bass), along with the estate of the late guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, to work together on PANTERA's "Cowboys From Hell" reissue is unlikely to lead to any new original music from the former bandmates.

"I would not want to tarnish the PANTERA name," Anselmo says, according to Billboard.com. "Vinnie himself said a long time ago that if you take any one of us out of the equation and it's just not PANTERA anymore, so I guess I'm just gonna stick to that. And as far as Vinnie and I go, there's a big bridge that both of us would have to cross, and that's an entire subject on its own, before we could even consider making music together."

Regarding the upcoming 20th-anniversary reissue of "Cowboys From Hell" — which is coming September 14 in a three-disc deluxe edition that includes one unreleased song, "The Will to Survive" — Anselmo tells Billboard.com, "It had definitely been a long while since I sat down and listened to 'Cowboys From Hell' from front to back. Basically it was trickier where I thought things might be simplified. We would build these massive intros into songs, and the solo sections, the way they were written was just very, very, very clever. And I can see very clearly how we upped the production. It's been quite an experience."

METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"We're getting psyched up for our return to Australia and New Zealand next week . . . It's been six long years since we've visited and we're ready to throw down! The nice people at Universal Music were so darn excited that they actually suggested that we release something special to commemorate this last run of World Magnetic tour dates, so . . . ta-da . . . we present the 'Six Feet Down Under' limited-edition EP! Coming to Trans-Tasman record stores and right here at the Metallica.com store on September 20.

"Here's the story . . . The collective brain trust came up with what we thought might be a kinda fun idea . . . how about some live recordings from each time we have been lucky enough to visit the area? It was all well and good until we realized that we did not start making multi-track recordings of every show until 2004 . . . oops! But you guys, the fans, came to our rescue with some pretty decent bootleg options and we trimmed those down to two songs from each tour in 1989, 1993, 1998, and 2004. In digging a little deeper, it occurred to us that we had tracks that had never before been released as 'live b-sides' (we're not counting the bonus songs on iTunes, okay?) and that that added to the adventure of pulling it all together.

"Be gentle with us . . . a few of these songs are, well, we'll say 'rough,' which may be an understatement!! They do, however, capture the live moments and hopefully you'll have as much fun listening as we did playing on those nights."

"Six Feet Down Under" track listing:

01. Eye of the Beholder - Recorded live on May 4, 1989 at Festival Hall in Melbourne
02. ...And Justice For All - Recorded live on May 4, 1989 at Festival Hall in Melbourne
03. Through the Never - Recorded live on April 8, 1993 at the Entertainment Centre in Perth
04. The Unforgiven - Recorded live on April 4, 1993 at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne
05. Low Man's Lyric (Acoustic) - Recorded live on April 11, 1998 at the Entertainment Centre in Perth
06. Devil's Dance - Recorded live on April 12, 1998 at the Entertainment Centre in Perth
07. Frantic - Recorded live on January 21, 2004 at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney
08. Fight Fire With Fire - Recorded live on January 19, 2004 at the Entertainment Centre in Brisbane

Drummer Mike Portnoy says that his current involvement with AVENGED SEVENFOLD had nothing to do with his decision to quit DREAM THEATER, the band he formed and led for 25 years. "I BEG of the fans to please NOT hold [AVENGED SEVENFOLD] responsible for MY decision... They are just as shocked as you guys," Mike writes on his Facebook page. He adds, "I had been contemplating this and desiring a 'break' (not split) [from DREAM THEATER] as long ago as last year. Everything else is fully explained in the press release" that Mike issued yesterday announcing his split from DREAM THEATER. Portnoy continues, "Thank you all for your support and understanding... This is the hardest thing I've ever done."

Former WITCHCRAFT/ABRAMIS BRAMA drummer Fredrik Jansson, who also plays bass in COUNT RAVEN, has joined ATLANTIC TIDE, the Swedish project featuring guitarist Freddie Eugene (UNLEASHED, TERRA FIRMA, LOUD PIPES, HARMS WAY) alongside ex-TERRA FIRMA bassist Izmo Ledderfejs, former BLACKSHINE axeman Stabel Miserabel and guitarist Ulf "Uffe" Cederlund (ENTOMBED, MORBID, MURDER SQUAD, NIHILIST, DISFEAR, HAYSTACK).

ATLANTIC TIDE's current lineup:

* Freddie Eugene (UNLEASHED, TERRA FIRMA, LOUD PIPES, HARMS WAY) - Guitar/Vocals
* Izmo Ledderfejs (TERRA FIRMA) - Bass
* Stabel Miserabel (BLACKSHINE) - Guitar
* Ulf "Uffe" Cederlund (ENTOMBED, DISFEAR) - Guitar
* Fredrik Jansson (WITCHCRAFT, ABRAMIS BRAMA, COUNT RAVEN) - Drums

"Invocation", the latest album from German thrashers DEW-SCENTED, will be released in Japan on September 15 via Spiritual Beast.

Commented the band: "We are super-happy to have found a new partner for our album[s] in Japan and will certainly try to return for a third touring visit of the country at some point sooner or later, [as] we haven't played there since 2005!

"The Japanese [edition] of 'Invocation' will come with an alternate coloring of the cover artwork (sort of the 'post-apocalypse version'…) [see below] and include four (!) additional bonus tracks. The bonus tracks are [two original] songs, 'Recall The Pain' (instrumental) and 'The Death Of Common Sense', as well as two cover versions that we also recorded during the main album session, 'Slaughterhouse' by U.S. power-thrashers POWERMAD and the track 'Superstar Destroyer' by GENOCIDE SUPERSTARS from Sweden."

"Invocation" Japanese version track listing:

01. Downfall (1:46)
02. Arise From Decay (4:38)
03. The Invocation (3:38)
04. Have No Mercy On Us (4:37)
05. Artificial Life (3:45)
06. Condemnation (3:05)
07. Totem (1:06)
08. Torn To Shreds (3:48)
09. Revel In Contempt (4:01)
10. A Critical Mass (4:43)
11. Global Hysteria (4:29)
12. Slaves Of Consent (6:20)

Bonus tracks:

13. Recall The Pain (1:08)
14. The Death Of Common Sense (3:44)
15. Slaughterhouse (4:31)
16. Superstar Destroyer (2:56)

Progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER have released the following statement regarding the departure of the band's drummer, Mike Portnoy:

"To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness — regret — we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave DREAM THEATER.

"Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band.

"While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that DREAM THEATER will continue to move forward with the same intensity — and in the same musical tradition — that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us.

"Fans and friends: File this episode under 'Black Clouds and Silver Linings.'

"As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour.

"'The Spirit Carries On.'

"All of us in DREAM THEATER wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed."

When Jon Schaffer does something, he does it right. Like creating an eclectic, fan-favorite set list for ICED EARTH's upcoming limited-engagement U.S. tour.

"I wanted to give fans something really special," Schaffer said. "So I put together songs that include some we've rarely played live before, and at least one that reaches back to our first album. Even longtime fans of ICED EARTH are going to be surprised."

ICED EARTH kicks off its four-city U.S. tour on September 10 in Washington DC, followed by Chicago (September 21), New York (September 23), and West Hollywood (September 25).

The touring lineup for ICED EARTH will be

Jon Schaffer - Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals
Matt Barlow - Lead and Backing Vocals
Brent Smedley - Drums
Troy Seele - Lead Guitar
Freddie Vidales - Bass Guitar

Italian bloodsuckers THEATRES DES VAMPIRES will release their new album, "Moonlight Waltz", on January 14, 2011 via Aural Music. The CD was recorded at Temple of Noise studios in Rome, Italy with producer Christian Ice. The first pressing of the album will be made available in a deluxe limited slipcase edition, including a special bonus DVD with exclusive video material, behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the album, interviews and more.

In a recent interview, THEATRES DES VAMPIRES keyboardist Fabian stated about the band's new material, "This album has the best production of our entire career, and we are delighted by the quality of orchestration parts, thanks to the help of maestro Luca Bellanova and the amazing performance of the Classical Music Academy of Rome.

"Of course, there are some typical THEATRES DES VAMPIRES songs — but with something new, as usual.

"As we always say, with each album we want to make something new, something fresh, and I think these songs go along these lines."

"Moonlight Waltz" track listing:

01. Keeper of Secrets
02. Carmilla
03. Moonlight Waltz
04. Fly Away
05. Sangue
06. Figlio della Luna (MECANO cover)
07. An Illusion
08. Black Madonna
09. Le Théatre du Grand Guignol
10. Obsession
11. The Secret Gates of Hades
12. Medousa

Powerhouse vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) has confirmed the musicians that will be backing him on his upcoming European tour. They are as follows:

* Andy Boss (PAUL DI'ANNO, ABSOLUTE STEEL) - Guitar
* Jon Vegard (PAUL DI'ANNO) - Guitar
* Are Gogstad (PAUL DI'ANNO, QUEENSTREET, ABSOLUTE STEEL) - Bass
* Rick Hagan (PAUL DI'ANNO, QUEENSTREET, ABSOLUTE STEEL, 21ST CENTURY ROX) - Drums

Commented Owens: "The rehearsals for he solo tour wound up tonight and they went great.

"My backing band is just amazing — all just top-notch players — and has the set as tight as ever.

"I am real excited to be going out on my first ever solo European headlining tour.

"The fans are gonna LOVE this tour and the setlist is special... just a metal night."

The dates are as follows:

Sep. 09 - John Dee - Oslo, Norway
Sep. 10 - By Scenen - Haugesund, Norway
Sep. 11 - Alvik Rock - Alvik, Norway
Sep. 12 - Sticky Fingers - Gothenburg, Sweden
Sep. 14 - Colos-Saal - Aschaffenburg, Germany
Sep. 15 - Ballroom - Hamburg, Germany
Sep. 16 - K17 - Berlin, Germany
Sep. 17 - Krushfest - Jaslo, Poland
Sep. 18 - Progresja - Warsaw, Poland
Sep. 19 - Alibi - Wroclaw Poland
Sep. 21 - Exit Music Hall - Prague, Czech Republic
Sep. 22 - Randal Club- Bratislava, Slovakia
Sep. 23 - Crazy Mama - Budapest, Hungary
Sep. 24 - Viper Room - Vienna, Austria
Sep. 25 - Club Mocvara - Zagreb, Croatia
Sep. 26 - Arci Tom - Mantova, Italy

Support acts: THUNDERBOLT (entire tour) and CRIMES OF PASSION (after German leg of the tour)

"Asylum", the new album from Chicago heavy rockers DISTURBED, sold 179,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous three albums — 2008's platinum "Indestructible" (first-week sales: 253,000), 2005's double-platinum "Ten Thousand Fists" (first-week sales: 238,000) and 2002's platinum "Believe" (first-week sales: 284,000) — also debuted at No. 1.

DISTURBED's best-selling release to date is its 2000 debut, "The Sickness", which has shifted more than four million copies in the U.S. alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Asylum" first-week chart positions so far:

USA: #1
New Zealand: #1
Australia: #2
Germany: #4
Austria: #3
United Kingdom: #7

MURDERDOLLS' sophomore album, "Women And Children Last", sold 8,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 43 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on August 31 via Roadrunner Records, the CD was recorded at a studio in Hollywood Hills, California with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD).

"Feeding The Wolves", the new album from Knoxville, Tennessee's 10 YEARS, sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart.

10 YEARS' sophomore effort, "Division", opened with 28,000 units back in May 2008 to land at No. 12.

"Misled By Certainty", the new album from Denver, Colorado-based technical death/grind metallers CEPHALIC CARNAGE, sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 24 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.

Drummer Mike Portnoy of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has released the following statement:

"I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write.

"After 25 years, I have decided to leave DREAM THEATER... the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.

"To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....

"After having had such amazing experiences playing with HAIL!, TRANSATLANTIC and AVENGED SEVENFOLD this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in DREAM THEATER.

"Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DREAM THEATER guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break.

"DREAM THEATER was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985... 24/7, 365... never taking time off from DREAM THEATER's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was 'off' between cycles)... working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band.

"But I've come to the conclusion that the DREAM THEATER machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DREAM THEATER spirit hungry and inspired.

"We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here and there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a 'hiatus' to recharge our batteries and 'save me from ourselves'...

"Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather... I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...

"While it truly hurts for me to even think of a DREAM THEATER without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes.

"Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DREAM THEATER and I talked about 'always following your heart and being true to yourself'... Sadly, I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with DREAM THEATER...and I would simply be 'going through the motions,' and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.

"I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come... I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....

"I'm sorry to all the disappointed DREAM THEATER fans around the world... I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work... I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)... but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within.

"You DREAM THEATER fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me.... (and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future Mike Portnoy projects!)"

Greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS will release their third album, "Dead Again", on November 19 via NoiseArt Records. The winners of the Rock The Nation awards 2009, which was presented by magazines from all over Europe, the quartet has found itself a perfect home as the label is a division of Rock The Nation, which also serves as the band's booking agency.

"Dead Again" track listing:

01. Damnation
02. Reborn In Violence
03. Bleeding Holocaust
04. The Trial
05. Suicide Solution
06. Beggar Of Scorn
07. Victimized
08. Violent Abuse
09. The Lies Of Resurrection
10. Search For Recreation
11. Dead Again
12. Final Dawn

Dallas, Texas-based death metal band THE FAMINE has completed work on its new album, "The Architects Of Guilt", with producer D. Braxton Henry (ex-DEVOURMENT). Mixing duties were handled by Jason Suecof (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER). A fall release via Solid State Records is expected.

THE FAMINE in January announced the departure of lead singer and co-founder Chris "Kris" McCaddon. Nick Nowell, who had been handling bass duties for THE FAMINE since 2008, has since taken over as the band's new vocalist. The group also recruited a new bassist, Jon Richardson (SABOTEUR, THE MONARCH).

THE FAMINE previously stated that its upcoming CD will be "heavier than [THE FAMINE's 2008 full-length debut] 'The Raven And The Reaping' in every way and will build on the intensity that 'The Raven And The Reaping' established. Lyrically, this record will almost be an anarchic indictment of what we have become as a world, country, and individuals and the path that got us here. We touched on this on the last record as well."

Released in May 2008 via Solid State Records, "The Raven and the Reaping" was recorded with Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, AGONY SCENE) and was described as "an album of urgent metal with plenty of chunky riffs; the music is at once blustery yet totally memorable."

Main Man Records has set an October 26 release date for "Remember The Coop! A Tribute To Alice Cooper's Killer Classics".

A press release from the label states: "Before anyone knew who Vincent Furnier was, he fronted a band called ALICE COOPER. Their third album, 'Killer', is considered by most to be their pinnacle, so we thought we'd give it the ol' Main Man treatment. That, of course, was narrow thinking on our part, because as soon as word got out that we were doing an ALICE COOPER album tribute we were swamped with requests for inclusion. That led to a whole second disc of COOPER classics, so overflowing with love and respect that it is now the 'featured' disc while the 'Killer' tribute is sort of a 'bonus.'

"Richard Barone's original band, THE BONGOS, used to play 'Hello Hooray' over the P.A. as they took the stage back in the '80s, so how fitting that he should record a version all these years later. Backed by none other than FRANKENSTEIN 3000, who shared the stage with Richard at our QUEEN tribute CD-release party, it's the perfect song to kick off the tribute. Also fitting is the appearance of Michael Bruce, original guitar player from ALICE COOPER, who is backed by Dimma for two live cuts recorded in Iceland on Halloween in 2002. Another original ALICE COOPER member, bassist Dennis Dunaway, joins Dimma on 'Killer''s 'Halo Of Flies' while his daughters each contribute a song to the 'Killer' disc.

"Other notable contributors include THE RIBEYE BROTHERS (covering a pre-ALICE composition by Mr. Furnier's first band, THE SPIDERS), Deena (SCHOSHKES OF THE CUCUMBERS) & THE LAUGHING BOYS, Jism (TUFF DARTS), WELL OF SOULS (first new recording in over 10 years), COOPER disciples Dead Elvi and Sim Cain (ROLLINS BAND), who plays drums on SCREAM's track.

"Some of Alice Cooper's greatest hits are here, like 'I'm Eighteen', 'Under My Wheels', 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' and 'School's Out', plus plenty of album cuts like 'Public Animal #9', 'The Ballad Of Dwight Fry' and 'Muscle Of Love'. 28 tracks in all; nearly 2 hours of music!"

Disc One: Classics

01. Hello Hooray - Richard Barone with Frankenstein 3000
02. Don't Blow Your Mind - The Ribeye Brothers
03. I'm Eighteen - Deena & The Laughing Boys
04. Public Animal #9 - JISM
05. Under My Wheels (Live) - Michael Bruce with Dimma
06. School's Out - Well Of Souls
07. Is It My Body? - Mutant Monster Beach Party
08. Muscle Of Love - The St. Vitus Dancers
09. The Ballad Of Dwight Fry - Dead Elvi
10. You And Me - Christian Beach
11. Be My Lover - Porro And The Raving Lunatics
12. Teenage Lament '74 - Gin House Bandits
13. Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo) - Rick Tedesco
14. Billion Dollar Babies - Jack Brag
15. Elected - FourYearBeard
16. Desperado - Graveyard School
17. No More Mr. Nice Guy - The Swales
18. My Stars (Live) - Michael Bruce with Dimma
19. Only Women Bleed - Eye Of The Dawn
20. School's Out - Shawn Mars (bonus track)

Disc Two: Killer

01. Under My Wheels - Blue Fox
02. Be My Lover - Scream
03. Halo Of Flies - Dimma with Dennis Dunaway
04. Desperado - Frankenstein 3000
05. You Drive Me Nervous - Serpenteens
06. Yeah Yeah Yeah - Johny Dey
07. Dead Babies - Ché Monet
08. Killer - Renée Dunaway