Germany's CALLEJON have issued the following sad news:





“Our former bass player and founding member Sebbo recently died unexpectedly. Our thoughts and compassion are with his family now. We are shocked and will never forget the time we had together…

Farewell, old friend!”

Powerhouse American vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (HAIL!, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) will make a guest appearance on the forthcoming solo album from Ralf Scheepers of German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR. Owens will be heard dueting with Scheepers in the track "Remission Of Sin". Other guest musicians expected to appear on the CD include Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (THERION, DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME) on drums, Sander Gommans (AFTER FOREVER, HDK) on guitar and PRIMAL FEAR's Mat Sinner playing bass on the entire LP and producing. A photo shoot with Alex Kühr for the CD's cover took place in early July in Germany.

Dave Mustaine has posted the following message on MEGADETH's MySpace page:

"I wanted to check in and say that we have been having a great week, and the tour this leg is the best ever.

"I love my band and crew, and I am having a blast hanging with all of the other bands [SLAYER and TESTAMENT]. We are even talking about some cool surprises down the road if time permits and we can get together with each other during the day. And we have been having some very busy days.

"David, Chris, and I went to the Cleveland Clinic today to the cancer and leukemia ward to visit the patients there, and I just got back and wanted to tell you how much I love you all.

"I remember three nights ago [SLAYER guitarist Kerry King] came into my dressing room and joked, 'I have to see it for myself that Mustaine is in the building after the show!' I thought that was so funny and we hung out for a while with all of the many, many celebrities and guests that have been coming out to this tour.

"Speaking of people coming out, New York City was a really great show and some of the heavyweights backstage were Eddie Trunk and Jose Mangin, two mighty rulers of the city's airwaves and close friends of mine, as well as many, many friends of David Ellefson's. The question that was most often repeated was, 'What's it been like having David (or to him being back) in MEGADETH.' And the answer was, 'It's the best it has ever been.' The answer for all four of us is that we are all on a euphoric ride that has never, ever been this good.

"Sure, when I say it, some will naturally scoff. But when my partners for the last several years all say the same, that this is the very best it has ever been, it stands to reason that I ain't bragging.

"I can't believe what happened last week, due to your loyalty. The pure fact that I am now a New York Times best-selling author is a blast, and I want to thank everyone who has gotten 'Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir' and helped make it a best seller everywhere.

"I love you all for your continued support, and want to thank every single person here, and every member of our MEGADETH fan club, especially all of the fans that are returning. You are the ones that we have missed the most. I say that because we have all been having so much fun reliving our 'glory days' of the '80s that you all lived with me, and the fact that they just aren't ending. We are still having just as much fun today as we did twenty years ago. So, please, PLEASE come back and have fun with us one last time like it was the 'Clash Of The Titans' tour all over again, because it really is almost just like it was back in the day.

"I look forward to our brothers in ANTHRAX joining us soon!

"In closing, thank you to everyone and I hope we can continue to rock you for many more years to come!"

Three former members of the Raleigh, North Carolina-based progressive doom metal band CONFESSOR — guitarists Brian Shoaf and Chris Nolan, along with drummer Steve Shelton — have launched a new project called FAR AND AWAY. The band plans to enter the studio early next year to begin recording material for its debut album. In the meantime, you can hear demo versions of three songs — "Ed Won't Call Me Back", "Drifting" and "Fall" — using the TuneWidget below.

FAR AND AWAY is:

Brian Shoaf - Guitar
Chris Nolan - Guitar
Steve Shelton - Drums
James Dale - Bass
Ed Nicholson - Vocals

RAVENS CREED, the "VENOM-worshipping scumbags" featuring Steve Watson (ex-IRON MONKEY), Jason Graham, former SABBAT bassist Frazer Craske, and newly added vocalist Al Osta (a.k.a. The Syrian Destroyer), will release a brand new EP, "Black Bullets", before the end of the year via Doomentia Records. The band states, "This is a great way of introducing the new lineup, so five tracks that we have already recorded for our second album (the power that dare not speak its name) will be used for the EP and the six songs we've written for the third LP will replace the ones that will be on the EP. The EP . . . will be out on Doomentia when we've finished fannying around with the artwork, then we'll start recording the second LP (also out on Doomentia)."

RAVENS CREED recently uploaded demo versions of three new songs — Bashed In, Black Bullets and The Wires Will Kill You — on the band's MySpace page. The recordings feature Watson on vocals as "we've not had the pleasure of capturing [Al's] nasty bark as yet," according to Steve.

ORANGE GOBLIN's Ben Ward recently decided to leave RAVENS CREED due to "a lack of available time to commit to the band." He said in a statement, "It has reached the point that I can no longer give [RAVENS CREED] the time and energy that it deserves and I feel that by leaving now it will allow Steve, Jay and Frazer the opportunity to get somebody who is as passionate and dedicated to the band as they all are."

RAVENS CREED's debut album, "Albion Thunder", was released in July 2009 via Doomentia Records. The CD contains 12 songs with a running time of 39 minutes.

WOODS OF YPRES frontman / founder David Gold recently checked in with the following update on the recording of W5, the fifth and final Woods Of Ypres album:

"The plan...

Ideally, I would like to do 500 vinyl 12" with download cards, sold direct from the band, and that's it! The end. It will end up on iTunes. We may not even press it on CD.

We're back in the studio today, tracking bass. Crushing guitars start tomorrow, then nice sounding guitars right after. then, the voices. Oi."

Australian progressive folk metal band IRONWOOD have announced that their sophomore album will be mixed and mastered by music legend Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE). The album, entitled Storm Over Sea, is slated for a late 2010 release.

Vocalist/bassist Henry Lauer comments: “This album is a huge evolution from our first effort. We’ve fully assimilated our progressive, acoustic, and metal influences into a concise, yet epic and evocative, whole.”

Inspired by the majesty of the ocean, and featuring dizzying technicality, rich vocal harmonies, and the introduction of new elements such as piano, cello, and fretless bass, Storm Over Sea is set to leave an indelible mark in the world of underground music.

Storm Over Sea Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Hail Sign’
‘Infinite Sea’
‘Arctic Tern’
‘Weather The Storm’
‘Share The Burden’
‘Will to Live’
‘A Bond To Sever’
‘When It’s All Over’

Fan-filmed video footage of THE 11TH HOUR — the doom metal collaboration between Ed Warby (drums, guitar, bass, vocals, programming; GOREFEST, DEMIURG, HAIL OF BULLETS) and Rogga Johansson (vocals, additional guitar; RIBSPREADER, PAGANIZER, DEMIURG) — performing on August 14, 2010 at the Springstof Festival in 't Ukien Kampen, the Netherlands can be viewed below (courtesy of "ErhanLiveMetal").

THE 11TH HOUR's touring lineup:

* Ed Warby (DEMIURG, HAIL OF BULLETS, GOREFEST, AYREON) - Vocals, Guitar
* Pim Blankenstein (OFFICIUM TRISTE, BEYOND BELIEF) - Vocals
* Bram Bijlhout (OFFICIUM TRISTE, DARKSIDE, THRONED) - Guitar
* Frank Harthoorn (GOREFEST) - Guitar
* Daniël Huijben - Bass
* Dirk Bruinenberg - Drums

NIGHTWISH drummer Jukka Nevalainen has checked in with the following update:

"When checking the pictures from our summer camp, one might think that it's all about fishing, watersports and boozing. That's actually mostly true... but we have gotten something done here musicwise too! And hey, we never said this is a band camp, it's a SUMMER CAMP!!! =)

Last weekend Marco abandoned us three here to take care of his responsibilities with TAROT and NORTHERN KINGS. We decided to rehearse the last piece, a monster of a song and to go through parts of the other songs that we yet didn't feel 100% satisfied with. We came up with plenty of little tricks that bring some needed final edge to the songs; some overlong fills, little breaks and some little time signature changes. The last song turned out to be a great tune that would have enough parts for three full songs, but which still forms a tight entirety of fast riffing, slow, beautiful mood and heavy-duty-rhythm.

On Monday we took a day off and headed to the lake with a professional fishing team. You've probably already seen some of the catches from the picture section. It's encouraging to see that fishing is not just a matter of good luck. Knowledge and the gear has a big effect on the results. But of course, to catch a real big one you need a little blessing from above…

On Thursday we went to see a baseball match of KIPA-90, our local pride. The team played really well, but unfortunately the opponent was slightly better. It's already the end of the season and at the very moment of writing this diary the last game ended in defeat so for us the season is over. But the team showed great potential and hopefully next year we hold the cup.

On the weekend we had some friends coming over, including Sami Vänskä and we spent a weekend full of watersports, darts and laughter. The best activity being seated in a 'doughnut' and going with full speed behind the boat. You know it's real good when fun and pure terror meet in a midway. I also finally got myself to try water skiing with just one water ski, and to everybody's surprise I nailed it on a first try! What a mighty feeling it was! JIHAA!!!

Now we are taking time off until Thursday. Once in a while it's good to take some distance to the songs to have a fresh view.

Take care now, bye bye then!"

Jukka

According to Billboard.com, SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian already has several other projects lined up in addition to the release of his second album, "Imperfect Harmonies", which is due September 21 on Serjical Strike/Reprise Records. His musical "Prometheus Bound" is scheduled to open in March 2011 at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and he's also finishing up a "classical jazz symphony" that he hopes to premiere next year. The forthcoming year may also find Tankian publishing a second poetry book, "Glaring Through Oblivion", and starting work on a nonfiction title.

Tankian has postponed the street date of "Imperfect Harmonies" in order to package the recording in the same tree-free paper he has used for his previous release, "Elect the Dead". The eco-friendly paper was not available to create the packaging for "Imperfect Harmonies" in time to make the previously announced street date of September 7.

Restricted Release, in cooperation with Angle Side Side, has set an October 26 North American release date for "One Little Light Year", the debut album from New England-based TANGENTS.

Recorded and mixed at Stillwork Recording Studio in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the CD was produced by the band with producer/engineer Benjamin Jon (ALL THAT REMAINS, THE ACACIA STRAIN).

TANGENTS is not what most will expect musically from drummer Derek Kerswill (UNEARTH, SEEMLESS) and Dave Witham (OF THE HOUR, FLAT-12). Kerswill's musical diversity and rhythmic approach provides a solid foundation for the album, propelling the tracks forward with great intensity. Add to it the lush and organic sound of vocalist/guitarist Dave Witham and TANGENTS soars in the vein of JEFF BUCKLEY, AS TALL AS LIONS, even RADIOHEAD. Witham's magnificent voice rises over a spiraling sonic backdrop with dazzling control and splendor. The album's ambitious songwriting creates the catchiest music either musician has released to date.

Over a year of intense effort went into the creation of "One Little Light Year". Witham reveals, "The recording process was unlike one we have ever been a part of before. We did a lot of work remotely. In fact, the only time Derek and I really got together was to do some of the pre-production work and when we were tracking the drums. It came out remarkably well considering the limited amount of time we actually spent together in the same room."

"Recording this album was one of the greatest recording experiences of my life," says Kerswill. "We worked on pre-production together for awhile, which made recording the record so much easier. I was so well-versed in what I was doing drum-wise that I tracked ten of the twelve songs on the first take with zero edits. After drums were done, Dave pretty much tracked everything else."

Awareness regarding TANGENTS has been on the rise for months. The obvious queries have revolved around the band's sound. Kerswill reveals, "a lot of my peers and 'music' friends know that although I play metal and have been involved with many 'aggressive' projects and bands, metal is probably the least of what I actually listen to. My biggest influences songwriting and style-wise," he says, "have always been classic rock, whether it be LED ZEPPELIN and YES, or ZZ TOP and ALLMAN BROS. But in the mid-'90s, RADIOHEAD and JEFF BUCKLEY pretty much changed my life and there was a whole knew place I wanted to take myself musically."

Witham notes, "I think that we pretty much wear our influences upon our collective sleeves as far as inspiration for the writing of the album. JEFF BUCKLEY, RADIOHEAD, and MUSE are the most obvious influences on the surface. But we are both avid, freakishly nerdy fans of FIONA APPLE, JON BRION, and tons of others that I feel quietly shine through on this particular album."

TANGENTS has yet to make their live debut but are planning several performances close to the album's release date. In the meantime Kerswill will be touring with UNEARTH and spreading the world of TANGENTS to all in earshot. He shares, "TANGENTS is my dream project. It is the music I've always wanted to play with a dude that I've always wanted to be in a band with."

In celebration of the album's completion and forthcoming retail release, the duo has already launched pre-orders for the record. Early fans will have opportunity to receive the record in advance of its scheduled release date by visiting this location.

"One Little Light Year" track listing:

01. Arrow In The Heart
02. Homecoming (Victory Song)
03. Fall Asleep Again
04. Static
05. (Missing) One Little Light Year
06. The Pieces Fall
07. Nothing Left Undone
08. When Will It End?
09. Hyde
10. What The Scanners See
11. Blind Spots
12. Watch You Go

Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) is hard at work on "Deconstruction" and "Ghost", the third and fourth in a series of albums to be made available under THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT moniker. According to Devin, "'Ghost' is the mellowest (by far) and prettiest record I've done so far" with a "very wonderful vibe." It will be released with "the shitstorm that is 'Deconstruction' simultaneously" — possibly in early April 2011. Townsend adds, "I contacted dozens of drummers to work on 'Deconstruction', but the reality of the budgets became apparent very quick. [So] I chose two dudes… [Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based band drummer] Ryan Van Poederooyen [TERROR SYNDROME, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND] for the midtempo and proggy stuff, and Dirk Verbeuren [SOILWORK, SCARVE, ABORTED] for the grind. I will be working with hopefully all the others on other albums. I need to play 'Deconstruction' live as well, so I chose to do it this way."

In a May 2009 interview with Stream Of Consciousness, Townsend stated about "Deconstruction", "The whole idea of 'Deconstruction' is deconstructing why we're attached to heavy music.

"I put out [the first THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT album] 'Ki' and people want to listen to it and it's like this is a really good record. But there's a whole network of people that are like, 'No no no no no! We only want heavy music, we only want chaotic music, we only want devilish, horrible, destructive music,' and I'm like, 'Well, why? I'll do it for you, but just tell me why first.' 'Because we love it, because we love it.' 'Why do you love it? Ya know?' 'Fuck the world, fuck the world, fuck everything man, only heavy, only metal,' and I'm like, 'OK, I'll tell you what I'll make you that record, but I'm going to sing about why we're liking this music.'

"Honestly, at the root of it, I think humans are really terrified and I think a lot of people who really love heavy music love it because it's a way for them to protect themselves. If you put this thing forward and are like, 'I'm going to scare people with my music,' then no one's going to get to the root of the fact that maybe it's just you that are terrified and that's your way of protecting yourself, that's your defense mechanism. It's one thing to say, 'Oh I'm mad at God,' but maybe you're really just mad at your father, you know? And I think that all these themes... that's the thing that's really interesting to me about heavy music now it's like, yes, I love heavy music, absolutely, but, man, to think that's the only thing that I'm able to offer and that's the only thing that certain people are willing to accept from me…? You know, it's not like I'm pissed off about it, but it's kind of like — are you sure you really want to know why you really like this with the exclusion of everything else?"

RUINED SOUL have premiered the official music video for 'My Dying Day'. Check it out below.

The video was shot at a secret location in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is directed by René U. Valdes for Greenworks. Featured in the video are Ruined Soul mastermind Johnny Johansson (DISDAIN), Patrik Johansson (ARISE), Eric Rauti (DREAMLAND), Anders Hammer (NIGHTRAGE) and Janne Jaloma (DEALS DEATH).

This is the title track of Ruined Soul's debut album, My Dying Day. The album was released April 23rd through the Swedish label Suicide Records, and features the following guest appearances:

Jonas Kjellgren - SCAR SYMMETRY
Matias Kupiainen - STRATOVARIUS
Niklas Stålvind - WOLF
Olof Mörck - NIGHTRAGE
Eric Rauti - DREAMLAND
Marios Iliopoulos - Nightrage
Benny Jansson - RIDE THE SKY
Jonas Hörnqvist - TREASURE LAND
Tobias Jansson - THE LAW
Patrik Johansson - ARISE
Peter Huss - SHINING
Janne Stark - CONSTANCIA

As previously reported, Norway's GAIA EPICUS and Germany's KICKHUNTER (featuring HELLOWEEN bassist Markus Großkopf), are among the bands who will appear on the forthcoming tribute album to Helloween and GAMMA RAY called HELLORAY, being put together by Epicus Records.

The final two acts for the tribute have been found: 5TH ELEMENT cover Helloween's 'Judas' and ILUNGARA tackle the 'Weenies' 'Before The War'.

According to a label update: "Our goal for this album was to not choose the most obvious songs like 'Ride The Sky', 'Future World' and other songs that is the first choice when bands want to cover these two great metal legends. Also many of the biggest hits have already been released on tributes. Even though we might have one or two of the biggest hits, we have managed to get a very special selection of great songs. We have songs from the year 1985 to 2007!"

The final tracklisting for the album is as follows:

'Tribute To The Past' (Gamma Ray) - GUARDIANS OF MANKIND
'Warrior' (Helloween) - GAIA EPICUS
'The Spirit' (Gamma Ray) - PARALLAX
'Mr. Torture' (Helloween) - AILLION
'Anywhere In The Galaxy' (Gamma Ray) - OPERA MAGNA
'Ain’t Got Nothin' Better' (Helloween) - KICK HUNTER
'Last Before The Storm' (Gamma Ray) - SONEM
'Where The Rain Grows' (Helloween) - ARMORY
'A Tale That Wasn’t Right' (Helloween) - DRACHEN
'Lust For Life' (Gamma Ray) - MIDAS FATE
'Just A Little Sign' (Helloween) - RAMPART
'Leaving Hell' (Gamma Ray) - ROTTEN
Judas (HELLOWEEN) - 5th ELEMENT
'Heaven Or Hell' (Gamma Ray) - BURN UNIVERSE
Before the war (HELLOWEEN) - ILUNGARA
Land Of The Free' (Gamma Ray) - DEIMOS

Tribunal Records reports:

Following up on our hugely successful reissue of CASANOVA’s debut album, we are now happy to present the deluxe edition of their second album, One Night Stand, available September 14th.

This deluxe edition has once again been remastered by Jamie King and we have added not only 5 bonus tracks, but archival pictures provided by bassist Jochen Mayer. This is a must have for all Casanova fans worldwide!

One Night Stand (Deluxe Edition) tracklisting:

'Guns Say Fire'
'Ticket To The Moon'
'I'll Come Runnin''
'Love's Crashin' Down'
'The X-tra Mile'
'One Of These Days'
'Wake Up!'
'Home Is Where The Heart Is'
'The Doctor Is In'
'Dead Man's Hand'
'Seal It With A Kiss'

Bonus tracks:
'Here Comes That Feeling'
'Judy'
'I Believe In You'
'Out Of The Blue'
'Seal It With A Kiss' (Acoustic)

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE vocalist Jesse Leach are re-teaming for TIMES OF GRACE, a brand new band that finds the duo taking a creative left turn, boldly exploring new musical terrain, while fearlessly digging deep into the recesses of their musical synergy. It has yielded a provocative, heavy-yet-melodic result, one that helped each of them overcome personal struggles and emerge from the darkness, more empowered than ever.

The pair's collaborative energy and chemistry obviously yields quality, long-lasting results, as they worked together on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's benchmark album, 2002's "Alive Or Just Breathing". That record has become definitive for an entire generation of American metal, with Leach's voice and uplifting lyrics serving as one of the key elements that propelled the album to "modern classic" status. Leach, who went on to sing for the more classic-rock leaning SEEMLESS and who currently sings for the metal band THE EMPIRE SHALL FALL, was always remembered fondly by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE fans, even though he left the band shortly after "Alive Or Just Breathing"'s release.

While fans will no doubt be thrilled at the concept of the duo reuniting, TIMES OF GRACE is not interested in fashioning "Alive Or Just Breathing Part II". It's an entirely new project and represents a different musical path for both Adam D. and Leach! It is an album of cleansing and catharsis for each of them, where internal demons were exorcised and set to music that's as aggressive as it is melodic. The pair is currently in the studio working on its debut, "The Hymn Of A Broken Man", which is due out November 9 through Roadrunner Records.

"In all my life. I have yet to write a record that bares my soul as much as this record does," Leach said. "Adam and I had a real spiritual connection while making this and I know that it comes through in the performances and lyrics. This record has our blood, sweat and tears flowing through it. It is painfully honest at times. In short this record is our catharsis."

Adam D. also commented on what TIMES OF GRACE means for him personally, saying, "Making this record was something completely new for me. It documents some of the most difficult-yet-spirited times of my life in the past three-and-a-half years. A lot of the music and lyrics just came out of me while going through several internal struggles, and writing these songs were the only comfort I could find. I reached out to Jesse to help sing and write these songs with me because of my respect for his musical abilities, and because of our great friendship...one that seems to not change no matter what happens in our lives. In the end, I am very proud of this record, and I feel it has helped me through some of my darkest days. I'm hoping that people will enjoy it, and also that it can maybe help others to keep the most positive mindset, even through the most trying of times."

The album begins with the percussive, almost militaristic "Strength in Numbers", which pairs layered vocal melodies with thunderously roaring drumbeats; "Fight For Life" bites with ferocity, but is balanced out by Leach's emotive vocals; while "Willing" boasts a more contemplative yet just as feral vibe.

TIMES OF GRACE isn't going back over ground that its members have already covered; they're moving forward, incorporating stunning, eye-arresting visuals alongside their music, which features rich layers of instrumentation that invite the listener to sift through.

The track listing for the album is as follows; the song titles reflect the sentiment of catharsis that is the common thread running through "The Hymn of a Broken Man".

01. Strength in Numbers
02. Fight For Life
03. Willing
04. Where The Spirit Leads Me
05. Until The End Of Days
06. Live In Love
07. In the Arms of Mercy
08. Hymn of a Broken Man
09. Hope Remains
10. The End of Eternity
11. Worlds Apart
12. Fall From Grace

Jack Russell, lead singer of the multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated rock band GREAT WHITE, is recovering from major surgery after suffering a perforated bowel (a medical emergency in which a hole in the bowel opens to allow its contents to empty into the rest of the abdominal cavity). The surgery left Russell with a colostomy bag. Doctors are confident that this procedure is temporary. Russell remains hospitalized in Southern California, and his condition is improving.

"It was touch-and-go for about 48 hours whether or not he was going to live," manager Obi Steinman said. "He's been in the hospital for several days, and he's doing a lot better."

Russell is the singer behind such hits as "Once Bitten Twice Shy", "Rock Me", "Angel" and "Save All Your Love". He faces another operation, but he was in good spirits today. "I've felt better, but I've felt a hell of a lot worse," he said in a statement. "Nothing is going to keep me down. This whole thing definitely makes me appreciate life more than I ever have."

Russell is expected to recover in six to eight weeks.

Singer Terry Ilous of XYZ has stepped in to replace Russell on lead vocals.

GREAT WHITE continues to receive positive feedback from audiences and promoters from its three shows in Southern California this past weekend.

The remaining dates on GREAT WHITE's 25th-anniversary tour will go on as scheduled, and can be viewed at GreatWhiteRocks.com.

The GREAT WHITE family extends its thanks to the entire GREAT WHITE fan community and appreciates prayers and well wishes as Russell recovers.

On September 11 at the Stockholm Rock Out festival in Stockholm, Sweden, GREAT WHITE will play a one-time-only European show with the legendary singer Paul Shortino (QUIET RIOT, ROUGH CUTT and the recently reunited KING KOBRA).

Low-quality video footage of GREAT WHITE's August 12, 2010 performance at the Brixton in Redondo Beach, California with Terry Ilous of XYZ on vocals can be viewed below.

GREAT WHITE released its latest album, "Rising", in North America in April 2009 via Shrapnel Records. The CD was issued in Europe on March 13, 2009 through Frontiers Records.

Since reuniting in January 2007 to perform a benefit concert, GREAT WHITE has moved forward with the successful release in the summer of the same year of their return album "Back To The Rhythm", a record which was hailed by critics and fans as a return to the heydays of the band. After a world tour that celebrated the first 25 years of GREAT WHITE and that brought them for 14 concerts to Europe, bass player Sean McNabb opted out and was replaced by Scott Snyder (ex-RAMOS, ACCOMPLICE).

Ex-touring bassist for Canadian thrash-metal veterans ANNIHILATOR, Dave Sheldon, has started a new project: EXES FOR EYES. The artist (who has since reverted back to guitar) has enlisted the Montreal vocal juggernaut “Big” James Arsenian of the band ENDAST, to front the brand new metallic monolith.

Their debut CD The Amsler Grid (release details TBA) contains a cover song written by one of Britain's most successful pop acts, TEARS FOR FEARS. Break It Down Again' was released as the first single from their 1993 album Elemental. The song was an international hit, reaching #20 in the UK, #25 in the US, and the Top 40 in several other countries, and also reached #1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was the second single released after the departure of Curt Smith from the band (after 'Laid So Low' in 1992). As with the Elemental album, the song featured Roland Orzabal with peripheral Tears For Fears band members Alan Griffiths and Gail Ann Dorsey.

Sheldon says: "We chose to do a cover not for the sake of lack of original material (as we had 22 original songs to choose from) but as a way to ease people into the sound of Exes For Eyes. Not only are people familiar with Tears For Fears and the track itself, but it leant itself to our sound. So naturally, we though it would be an easy transition for people to get into what it is that we do. It turned out really well."

California rockers Y&T have set up a fund to help offset the substantial medical expenses incurred by the band's original bassist, Phil Kennemore, is his fight with metastatic cancer.

Commented the group: "Any amount you wish to give, no matter how small or large, will be very greatly appreciated to help Phil and his family with his extensive medical expenses. 100 percent of all donations will be distributed directly to Phil."

For more information, go to this location.

Kennemore recently said about his cancer diagnosis, "With the bad news I also got the good news that along with surgery and treatments, I will be back rockin' and rollin'. I'll be getting a hip replacement as well as back surgery, which means I'll also be more agile. The doctor said that this is treatable and I'll be walking out of this place and I'll be able to go on the road and do everything I need to do to continue my rock 'n' roll life, in due time."

Y&T's current lineup is rounded out by original guitarist/vocalist Dave Meniketti, along with longtime members John Nymann (guitar) and Mike Vanderhule (drums).

Y&T's first studio album in 13 years, "Facemelter", was released in Europe on May 21 via Frontiers Records.

As the title indicates, "Facemelter" is a hard-rockin', song-oriented album that lives up to its name: it captures the band's raw energy and tightness that they've become known for. Featuring heavy grooves, powerful guitars, and strong melodies, the band shows their versatility, delivering a range of high-energy rockers, mid-tempo head-bangers, modern rock grooves, majestic ballads, and signature Y&T rock anthems. To mark the return, the band engaged John Taylor Dismukes — the same artist who designed covers for Y&T's classic albums "Mean Streak", "Black Tiger" and "In Rock We Trust" — to create the amazing art of the new "Facemelter".

Rege Behe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently conducted an interview with legendary heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On being sober:

"When I first started to get sober, I thought, 'Well, how can I enjoy music without drugs or alcohol in my system?' And I had to come to a decision where I'd get help ..."

On performing live:

"When everything is in the right place and it's going well and my voice is on form, you know, and the crowd is giving me some craziness .... when it's going great, there's nothing in the world to come anywhere near — love, sex, drugs, there's nothing can touch it. But at the other end of the spectrum, when it's going bad, there's nothing worse, as bad as that. The challenge is still there for me."

On the possibility of a reunion with fellow original BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward:

"We're talking and that's a good sign. We're not at war with each other ... I was speaking to Bill Ward last night. I've got to speak to the other two. But it was in the last attempt where we just all met without saying anything to each other (after) quite a few years. I'm trying to get things done right, talking at least. I can't give any dates, 'cause I don't know anything. I don't know whether they want to do it with me, or whatever, but I'm starting to feel (things) ease up for it. To be honest with you, I would love to do a killer BLACK SABBATH album. It would make my life, my whole thing, round up perfectly for me."

On trying to reinvent himself:

"I'd like to get a fictitious band name and do something completely different than heavy music, you know. (Do) something a different way, because being Ozzy Osbourne — having the track record I've had — it's very difficult. But if I want to try something like a blues album, it's very difficult to do that. (It would be) 'What the hell is he doing now?' "

Darryl Sterdan of the QMI Agency recently conducted an interview with vocalist Bruce Dickinson of British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Q: What does it mean to put out a 15th album? It can't give you the same thrill as the first one.

Dickinson: Well, it's not really a numbers game. Not for us, anyway. Every album you put out is important because it could be the last one — especially when you get up to 15. I'd like to think this album would be a great starting point for our next album, or an equally great finishing point if we decide never to make another one. Not that we think of it as our last album. But never say never at this point.

Q: This record has some of your longest and most complex songs. Is that about challenging yourselves? You, in particular, seem like a man who not only likes challenges, but needs them.

Dickinson: Yeah. Without them, I'd get bored very quickly. But I think you have to find what challenges are appropriate. It's like the Clint Eastwood thing: A man's got to know his limitations. Once you know your limitations, then you can exceed them.

Q: Speaking of bringing people in, you literally fly planeloads of fans to and from shows as part of a VIP package. What happens on those flights?

Dickinson: We try and make it special. The flights are all Fight 666 — that's on the boarding passes and everything. And we make up goodie bags — you get a hat and Bruce Air sunglasses and flags and all kinds of good things. And the only way you can get this stuff is if you're on the flight. You can't go and buy it on a website. And I dish out signed photographs as well, and I chat to everybody. I come back and take pictures, I hang out with the cabin crew and sign stuff.

Q: "American Idol" needs a new acerbic Brit judge. Interested?

Dickinson: Absolutely not. You couldn't pay me enough to go on that show. I find it a bit sad that people enjoy it. There's another show called "Britain's Got Talent" which is clearly just an exercise in laughing at people's inability. It's sad. Reality TV leaves me completely cold. I couldn't tell you who won any of those shows. I've never watched them for longer than 30 seconds, which is sufficient to go, "I can't believe people sit and watch this shit."

fter leaving FREEDOM CALL at the end of 2005, Ilker Ersin started to build up his own band, POWERWORLD.

Ilker wrote every song, produced the demos and searched for the right musicians to complete the band.

It was clear, that he would ask his long-time friend Barish Kepic (ex-JADED HEART) for the spot as guitarist. With vocalist Steffen Brunner, Nils Neumann (ex-Freedom Call) on the keyboards and ex-AT VANCE drummer Jürgen Lucas, the lineup was ready to record the songs.

Drums were recorded by Sascha Gerstner of Helloween in his G-Tracks Studios. Chris Lausmann (BONFIRE, Jaded Heart, PINK CREAM 69, etc.) did the rough mixe. Ilker finished the mixes of all the songs and Achim Köhler (BRAINSTORM, PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, AVANTASIA, etc.) did the mastering.

The band signed a worldwide record deal with Metal Heaven/AOR Heaven and released their self titled debut of in March of 2008.

Unfortunately, due to prior engagements Powerworld were unable to play live.

During the making of the second CD, vocalist Steffen Brunner and drummer Jürgen Lucas parted ways with Powerworld. The rest of the band finished the work on the new CD as fast as possible to fulfil their contract with the record company.

With drummer Simon Michael of SUBWAY TO SALLY, they had found a man who was able to play the new songs in the studio in just a few days. The band started the search for the right vocalist immediately after the drum-recordings.

After a short time, ex-SARGANT FURY/THRESHOLD frontman Andrew"Mac"McDermott was found. He possessed the necessary self identity and musical maturity to complete the Powerworld package, giving the whole sound a more rocky and less mainstream metal sound than their debut.

Shortly after that, Barish asked drummer Achim Keller of VICTORY to join the band as a full member.

SPV / Steamhammer signed a worldwide deal with Powerworld in August 2010. The new album, Human Parasite, will be released in Europe on October 22nd and in North America on November 9th. The band will embark on a European tour in early 2011.

Human Parasite tracklisting:

'Cleansed by Fire'
'Stand Up'
'Evil In Me'
'Time Will Change'
'Human Parasite'
'Hope'
'East Comes To West'
'Children Of The Future'
'Caught In Your Web'
'Tame Your Demons'
'Might Of Secrets'
'King For A Day'