Veteran Arizona metallers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will release their long-awaited new album, "The Cold", on September 14 via Driven Music Group, the label created by former KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. According to guitarist Mark Simpson, the CD will feature "10 songs — ALL brutal, ALL killer, NO filler!!" Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Black Cloud", "Secret Life", "Hypocrite", "Falling Short" and "Take". The cover artwork, which can be viewed below, was once created by Travis Smith (OPETH, NEVERMORE), a collaboration that the band is "extremely excited about because of his amazing skill and vision," says Simpson. "The cover also feature[s] the debut of an up-and-coming new talent."

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM was recently rejoined by guitarist Michael Gilbert after Ed Carlson decided he no longer wanted to tour or record.

Metal Mind Productions released FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's latest DVD, entitled "Once in a Deathtime", in Europe on June 16, 2008. The disc contains footage of the band's March 8, 2008 performance at Metalmania Festival in Katowice, Poland, including live renditions of such classic songs as "Doomsday for the Deceiver", "No Place for Disgrace", and "I Live You Die". The DVD also features an interview with Craig Neilsen (drums) and Ed Carlson (guitar), biography, discography, photo gallery, desktop images and weblinks. A limited-edition version of the DVD includes an audio CD containing songs recorded at the Metalmania Festival.

New England hardcore/metal veteran act HELL WITHIN will release its new album, "God Grant Me Vengeance" on July 13 via Thorp Records. Described by guitarist Tony Zimmerman as "more crushing than the Hammer of Thor," the ferocious follow-up to 2007's "Shadows of Vanity" (Lifeforce Records) was recorded at Damage Studios in Massachusetts with engineer/co-producer Peter Rutcho , who has previously worked with BURY YOUR DEAD, UNEARTH and REVOCATION, among others. The artwork comes courtesy of HELL WITHIN vocalist J.J. Long.

"God Grant Me Vengeance" track listing:

01. Condemning The Bloodline
02. Lament For The Fallen?
03. God Grant Me Vengeance?
04. The Rebirth
05. Assembly Of The Locusts ?
06. Scars In Oblivion?
07. Deliverance?
08. Interlude?
09. Eternal Uprising?
10. Remnants Of A Failed Creation?
11. Hours Of Decay

KYPCK ("Kursk" in the western alphabet) — the Russian-singing Finnish doom metal band featuring former SENTENCED guitarist Sami Lopakka (a.k.a. S.S. Lopakka) — has issued the following update:

"KYPCK's [second] full-length album has been completed for already five months now, but surprisingly and extremely frustratingly, the agreement between the band and their new record company still remains unconfirmed.

"Recording the album, the band was under the assumption that everything was clear, but that turned out to not be the case. The band now hopes for an autumn release for the new album.

"Despite numerous requests, there will be no live shows until the new album is out."

KYPCK's "Stalingrad" video can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's debut album, "Cherno", which was completed during 2007 and was originally released through the Finnish label UHO Production in March 2008. Despite the album's crushing, doomy nature and Russian lyrics, it went straight to No. 11 on the Finnish chart.

KYPCK's lineup includes Lopakka, vocalist E. Seppänen, bassist J. T. Ylä-Rautio and renowned producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, APOCALYPTICA, SENTENCED, etc.), who plays drums in the band under the name K. H. M. Hiilesmaa. It was only logical for Hiilesmaa to take charge of KYPCK's heavy and (in its original sense) grinding production.

E. Seppänen lived in Russia for 2.5 years, studied in St. Petersburg and worked at the embassy in Moscow. He got his degree from Oxford, and teaches Russian part-time in Tampere, Finland. Hence, he is more than capable of singing in Russian.

On June 28 in the U.K. and June 29 in North America, Eagle Vision will release the "Classic Albums" DVD of BLACK SABBATH's legendary second album, "Paranoid". An e-card for the release is available at this location.

Fans will be able to go into the studio with the band — singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — and get a first-hand account of the making of the album featuring the iconic tracks "Paranoid", "Iron Man" and "War Pigs". Clocking in at over 97 minutes, the DVD also features interviews with the original engineers, demonstrations, archive videos and use of the original multi-track tapes.

The DVD chronicles the creation of the locomotive force and unrelenting energy behind these tracks, which ignited an electrified and unforeseen brand of blues-rock. The comprehensive collection of interviews, demonstrations, archive videos, and feature cuts from timeless epics such as "War Pigs", "Iron Man" and the title track, is complemented with 40 minutes of bonus features. For the first time a classic album title is also released on Blu-Ray.

In a new clip just released from the documentary, Henry Rollins and legendary journalist Geoff Barton discuss the song "Fairies Wear Boots". Also featured in the video clip is "Paranoid" engineer Tom Allom (JUDAS PRIEST, DEF LEPPARD).

Released in the autumn of 1970, "Paranoid" is regarded by many as the finest heavy metal releases of all time, is hugely influential and has come to define the genre.

The album was produced by Rodger Bain and was recorded at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios in London, England.

According to Wikipedia, the album was originally titled "War Pigs", but allegedly the record company changed it to "Paranoid", fearing backlash from supporters of the ongoing Vietnam War. At the time, the band felt that the song was lighter, with the potential to become a single. Additionaly the studio felt the title track was more marketable as a single. However, the band's visual interpretation of a "war pig" was still featured on the cover; a distorted, eerie photograph of a man with sword and shield jumping out from behind a tree.

Guitarist Matt Johnson has announced his departure from Daytona Beach, Florida's THE AUTUMN OFFERING. He says in a statement, "I would like to announce that I'm quitting THE AUTUMN OFFERING because I can no longer afford to be in a touring metal band on Victory Records and pay my bills. I will instead be focusing all of my efforts on my main passion, recording and producing music.

"Thanks to everyone who ever came out to a show, bought a CD, gave us a place to stay and a beer to drink. It means everything to bands like us that are barely making gas money to each show.

"For those interested, you can keep up with my recording studio and hear some of my new demo material here."

Matt Johnson has since been replaced in THE AUTUMN OFFERING by Jesse Nunn.

THE AUTUMN OFFERING recently completed work on its new self-titled album for an August 31 release via Victory Records. The band previously stated about the direction of the new CD, which was mixed by Pete Rutcho, "We've fully embraced the death metal influence we touched on such tracks as the song 'Fear Will Cast No Shadow'. This one is a barnburner for sure. Every band says this is their heaviest record so we are just gonna let the public decide."

OZZY OSBOURNE filmed a video for his new single, "Let Me Hear You Scream", last month with renowned Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund, who has previously worked with METALLICA, SATYRICON, RAMMSTEIN, MADONNA and THE PRODIGY, among others. According to RollingStone.com, fans should expect the clip to be "an over-the-top spectacle . . . replete with fake blood and giant injectable needles."

A 19-second "sneak peek" at the clip can be viewed below. Also available is behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot.

"Scream" — OZZY OSBOURNE's first album in almost three years and 10th studio album overall — will be released on June 22 in North America via Epic Records. The CD will be issued in Japan on June 23 with the exclusive bonus track "Jump The Moon". A special iTunes pre-order is available which includes the bonus track, "One More Time". Once the album is released, the song will be unavailable.

"Let Me Hear You Scream" had its world premiere, during a prison riot scene, on "CSI: NY" on April 14 on the CBS television network and can now be streamed below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep).

"Scream" track listing:

01. Let It Die
02. Let Me Hear You Scream
03. Soul Sucker
04. Life Won't Wait
05. Diggin' Me Down
06. Crucify
07. Fearless
08. Time
09. I Want It More
10. Latimer's Mercy
11. I Love You All
12. Jump The Moon (Japan-edition bonus track)
13. One More Time (iTunes pre-order bonus track)

Digitallive Productions has uploaded quality multi-camera footage of EYEHATEGOD's June 17, 2010 concert at Now That's Class in Cleveland, Ohio. Watch the clips below.

EYEHATEGOD has been punishing the masses with its matchless brand of New Orleans sludge metal since the beginning of June. The band — vocalist Mike Williams, guitarists Jimmy Bower and Brian Patton, bassist Gary Mader and drummer Joey LaCaze — completed its U.S. tour this past weekend in Chicago at the Empty Bottle where they performed the coveted first two EYEHATEGOD full-lengths, "In The Name Of Suffering" (June 19) and "Take As Needed For Pain" (June 20) in their entirety.

Since forming in 1988, EYEHATEGOD has defied all odds and continues to exist and persist despite personal and professional setbacks. They've been called doomcore, sludge and stoner rock, survived line-up shuffles, label hassles and a short-lived split. And after more than a decade of creating some of the most corrosive, vile music known to man, EYEHATEGOD still hasn't lost the piss and vinegar that fueled it back in '88.

Fan-filmed video footage of WE ARE THE FALLEN — the group formed by EVANESCENCE co-founder Ben Moody (guitar) and other former members (John LeCompt on guitar and Rocky Gray on drums) along with "American Idol" powerhouse vocalist Carly Smithson and bassist Marty O'Brien (DISTURBED, KELLY CLARKSON, STATIC-X, METHODS OF MAYHEM,TOMMY LEE) — performing a cover version of the IRON MAIDEN classic "Flight Of Icarus" on June 11, 2010 at Melkweg in Amsterdam, Holland can be viewed below.

In a recent interview with Static Multimedia, WE ARE THE FALLEN bassist Marty O'Brien explained how the band decided to perform the MAIDEN track during its concerts. "If anyone thinks that [Carly] ame down and we tried to turn this 'American Idol' girl into a 'rock girl,' it's completely wrong," he said. "The first day she came down to hang out with us, she was wearing an IRON MAIDEN shirt! What's funny is, we do an IRON MAIDEN song in our set live, we do 'Flight Of Icarus'. We also did a cover of MADONNA's 'Like A Prayer'. It was originally going to be on the album, but it'll probably be like a bonus track or be released on a soundtrack or something. But the funny thing this, you'd think she (Carly), being an 'American Idol' girl, would have recommended the MADONNA song and that we were the rock guys and that we wanted to play the 'Flight Of Icarus'. But ever since she came down, she'd been saying how she wants to cover 'Flight Of Icarus', and the MADONNA idea was Ben's idea."

WE ARE THE FALLEN's debut album, "Tear The World Down", sold 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 33 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Tear The World Down" was made available on May 11 via Universal Republic Records.

WE ARE THE FALLEN made its live debut on March 23 at Kings College in London, England. A 28-city U.S. tour as the support act for HIM launched on March 26 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and wrapped on May 9 in New York City.

Legendary rocker Alice Cooper joined Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES) on stage last night (Sunday, June 20) at Slash's headlining concert at Bataclan in Paris, France to perform Cooper's classic song "School's Out".

Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be viewed below.

Slash made a guest appearance on ALICE COOPER's latest album, "Along Came A Spider", which was released in July 2008 via SPV Records.

Slash's all-star collaborations album, simply titled "Slash", scored the highest new entry on The Billboard 200 chart in early April, with first-week U.S. sales of around 60,000 copies.

According to DesMoinesRegister.com, SLIPKNOT bass player Paul Gray died of an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl, a medical examiner has ruled.

Gray's body was discovered about 10:50 a.m. May 24 by a maintenance worker at TownePlace Suites in Urbandale, Iowa.

A hypodermic needle lay near the bed, and "all kinds of pills" surrounded Gray, who was hunched over in the corner of the room, according to a 911 call.

Polk County Medical Examiner Dr. Gregory Schmunk said today that it was two injected drugs — fentanyl is a synthetic form of morphine — that killed Gray. The pills did not contribute to his death, Schmunk said.

Gray also suffered from significant heart disease, Schmunk said.

Schmunk completed a death certificate on Friday afternoon.

Private funeral services for Gray were held on May 28 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The eight surviving members of SLIPKNOT held a news conference on May 25 at Wells Fargo Arena in the band's native stomping grounds of Des Moines, Iowa to address Gray's death. Also present at the event was Gray's brother Tony and widow Brenna, who spoke briefly at the end of the conference.

"He was everything that was wonderful about this band and about this group of people," Corey Taylor said. "The only way I can sum up Paul Gray is 'love.' Everything he did, he did for everyone around him whether he knew you or not ... and that's what he's left behind for us: absolute love. I will miss him with every fiber of my heart, as will everybody at this table and everyone who knew him. He was the best of us."

"It's very important that everybody on the outside of us understands that Paul Gray was the essence of the band SLIPKNOT. ... Paul was there from the very, very beginning, and none of us would be on the path that we're on now in life or have the sorts of life that we have without him," percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan added. "Paul loved the fans. He was kind of the person in the band that really wanted everybody in the band to always get along and just concentrate on the band. He was a really great friend and a really great person. He's going to be sadly missed, and the world is going to be a different place without him."

"It's very hard for me right now," added drummer Joey Jordison. "I just want to say that I love you, Paul, very much. You'll be sorely missed by the world over."

Sid Wilson, the band's DJ, credited Gray with introducing him to the band, which he described as a family.

"To me, that's the most important thing," Wilson said. "That in everyone he met there was a change in their life. He was so good at giving everyone a different perspective, and I love him for that."

Percussionist Chris Fehn said when Gray called "you just felt good," and he remembered the bass player as giving "the best hugs out of everyone I ever hugged. When he grabbed on to you, you could feel the love he had for you."

Brenna Gray spoke last, mentioning the couple's unborn child while discussing her husband.

"Paul was my husband, an amazing person, and I want people to remember him for that," Brenna said. "And his daughter will remember him for the way he was."

Paul and his wife were reportedly expecting their first child in September.

KORN's boycott of BP has started a ground swell of like-minded musicians intent on making a statement against the devastation in The Gulf caused by BP's record-setting oil spill. The following top touring artists have joined the cause and have committed to avoid the use of fuel sold by BP or its affiliates on their upcoming tours for 2010:

* DISTURBED
* LADY GAGA
* RISE AGAINST
* GODSMACK
* BACKSTREET BOYS
* Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival
* SLIGHTLY STOOPID
* ROB ZOMBIE
* MEGADETH
* BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
* ANTHRAX
* CREED
* FILTER
* HELLYEAH
* FLOGGING MOLLY

"This is the worst thing that has ever happened to the environment in U.S. history. From everything we're hearing about now, it's become clear that BP cut corners to put profit ahead of safety. The message we are sending should tell all the oil companies to spend the money and take the necessary precautions to make sure this doesn't happen again," said Jonathаn Davis of KORN. "I'm really proud that this many artists have already come on board, and I hope more will join soon."

First estimates show close to 100 vehicles, trucks and buses from the committed artists will be involved in the boycott this summer. The number is continuously growing, resulting in tours all across North America refusing to fill up with BP products. More touring artists and people throughout the continent are uniting in boycotts against BP as a result of the catastrophic oil spill.

Some summer festival tours like the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival are already known for using biofuels. However, the entire festival, comprised of twelve bands, will promise to not purchase their biofuels from BP or any of their affiliates. Tour creator Kevin Lyman agrees, stating "We have so many friends that are now affected by this spill that unless BP spends whatever is needed their livelihoods are lost forever. To that end we are encouraging everyone we deal with to find alternative ways to get down the road this summer."

Finnish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have issued the following warning:

"If you are a Facebook friend with Tuomas, Emppu, Jukka, Anette or Marco, you should know that all those "Tuomas Holopainen", "Emppu Vuorinen", "Jukka Nevalainen", "Anette Olzon" or "Marco Hietala" profiles are FAKE!

We are not talking about fan sites, they are OK, but there are lot of profiles made by person who is acting like he (or she) really is, for example, Tuomas. This is not acceptable. We suggest you to write something not-so-nice to their Facebook-wall if you already are a friend of those fake NW members and you thought that they really are from Nightwish.

If somebody from Nightwish band decides to start their own Facebook (or whatever...) profile, we will inform you about it. Just in case."

Motivated by the BP disaster and its devastating effects, heavy rock outfit KORN, which has sold more than 30 million records worldwide, takes a stand by launching a boycott against using the company's gasoline while on tour this summer. The band has formally announced that it will not be fueling any of its touring vehicles with BP products and is strongly encouraging other touring artists to do the same.

"The daily images are hard to watch," says KORN frontman Jonathan Davis. "We need to do our part to let BP know there are consequences for causing something like this. We want to send a message to corporations like BP so that they will take more preventative measures in the future. The more costly their punishment, the more money they will spend to make sure disasters like this don't happen again. It's plain and simple capitalism."

In a timely coincidence of life imitating art, KORN's new album artwork, photography and stage set imagery reference the band's hometown area near Bakersfield, California and its bleak landscape littered with oil rigs. The video for the first single "Oildale (Leave Me Alone)" reveals a poverty-stricken area situated among the rich oil fields and tells a story of a young boy's desire to escape. The video story echoes the band's own struggle out of Bakersfield. Davis adds, "It was one thing for us to grow up near such poverty. But the situation in the Gulf takes things to a whole new level where people's lives and livelihoods are affected forever."

KORN will spend their summer as a headliner on the third annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival playing in 14,000-to-30,000-seat amphitheaters. "We urge the other acts on Mayhem and anyone on tour this year to be with us on this," Davis also said.

KORN is touring to support its upcoming album, due out July 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD's title, "Korn III – Remember Who You Are", is a reference to the band's past and is a nod to its roots.

METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX — the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — played together for the first time in history this past Wednesday night (June 16) in front of 81,000 fans at the Sonisphere festival at Bemowo Airport in Warsaw, Poland.

A video interview with ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante conducted by NME TV before the band performed in Warsaw can be viewed below.

"Last year, when METALLICA were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Scott [Ian, ANTHRAX guitarist] and I were invited by them to go," Charlie said. "And after, we were at a bar, and it was Scott and I and Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer], and we were talking, and Lars just said to us, 'Wow, what about doing a 'Big Four?' Wouldn't that be cool?' And Scott and I looked at each other, like, 'Yeah, that would be great.' And maybe that was it. Maybe that's how it all happened. And it was all put together. And here we are."

"Joey Belladonna [vocals] is back with us, and we're very happy about that."

"We have a little thing we're gonna do as a tribute to Ronnie Dio that we're gonna incorporate into our show, because that was something that kind of hit us all a bit hard, because Dio is one of our... We looked up to him not only as a singer but just as a human being. He was just such an awesome person. So it's our little tribute to him."

"Last night [Tuesday, June 15] we hung out until, like, five in the morning. It was a dinner and it was just the four bands [METALLICA, ANTHRAX, SLAYER and MEGADETH], and it was awesome. We all just got together and it was like a high school reunion, and it was beautiful."

"Everybody's really stoked and pumped about this — meaning the bands are very excited about it, and that was a good thing to see. It was just real genuine, so I'm very happy about that."

"We never thought that far down the line at all. I mean, we've played shows together — ANTHRAX and METALLICA; or ANTHRAX, SLAYER and MEGADETH; but it's never been the four of us together, so I guess this is a metalhead's dream — to come and see this, and it's happening here first."

ANTHRAX's setlist was as follows:

01. Caught in a Mosh
02. Got the Time (JOE JACKSON cover)
03. Indians
04. Heaven and Hell (BLACK SABBATH cover)
05. Antisocial (TRUST cover)
06. Madhouse
07. Only
08. Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
09. I Am The Law

METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX — the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — played together for the first time in history this past Wednesday night (June 16) in front of 81,000 fans at the Sonisphere festival at Bemowo Airport in Warsaw, Poland.

A video interview with METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo conducted by NME TV prior to the band taking the stage in Warsaw can be viewed below.

"[I asked the other guys] When's the last time METALLICA shared the stage with SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX?' Robert said. "And they were, like, we've actually never played the same gig together. And, obviously, [METALLICA] has done shows with each of these bands separately on different occasions.

"Time went on, and it was brought up again, I guess, around the completion of [METALLICA's 2008 album] 'Death Magnetic'. And then James [Hetfield, METALLICA guitarist/vocalist] kind of took the torch and ran with it and started planting the seed with some of the people from management and Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer]...

"Once Lars gets his head wrapped around it, then the wheels start moving.

"All the bands were well into it, the timing seemed right, everyone's got new releases, and the momentum is strong... strong, actually, for metal in general.

"This is the right time. Who knows?! Maybe a year or two from now, it wouldn't mean as much. Maybe it wouldn't have meant as much a couple of years back.

"Last night [Tuesday, June 15], we had dinner with the other three bands [in Warsaw, Poland], and it was great. Only bandmembers. It was kind of a setup to where we were in a smaller environment, it was a smaller restaurant. The tables were even smaller — maybe four per table. [Laughs] So we really had to kind of unite and bond.

"I hadn't seen Tom [Araya, SLAYER bassist/vocalist] in, it seems like, eight years. Dave Lombardo [SLAYER drummer] I've seen recently, Kerry [King, SLAYER guitarist] I've seen. [Dave] Mustaine [MEGADETH frontman and former METALLICA guitarist], I hadn't seen him in, it feels like, 12 years. Maybe it was 10 years. But I know more than anything, for Lars and James, to reconnect with Dave Mustaine was a really big deal — it was important to them.

"Once you get into it, there's just no shortage of conversation. The difficult part is kind of making your way to the next guy. There's always something great to talk about."

Several more "Big Four" shows will take place across Europe, with a June 22 concert in Bulgaria to be beamed to U.S. movie theatres. There are still no plans for a U.S. run.

On June 2, Petri Silas of Finland's Soundi magazine conducted an exclusive interview with guitarist Esa Holopainen of Finnish metallers AMORPHIS about the band's upcoming collection, "Majestic Beasts - Tales From The Early Years", and the group's plans for the next studio album. Among the new bits of information that was revealed was the following:

* After the release of the new live DVD set, "Forging The Land Of Thousand Lakes", AMORPHIS will issue a special collection in the fall. "Majestic Beasts - Tales From The Early Years" contains newly re-recorded versions of the songs from the band's first three albums (1992's "Karelian Isthmus", 1994's "Tales From The Thousand Lakes" and 1996's "Elegy") with slightly different arrangements, better audio quality and featuring the band's current lineup. According to Petri, Esa was especially happy with how "My Kantele" and "Song Of The Troubled One" had turned out. The collection will also include such gems as "Vulgar Necrolatry" and the band's cover of THE DOORS' "Light My Fire". The latter song was previously recorded by the band and was included on the reissue of the "Tales from the Thousand Lakes" LP, but the new collection will feature a all-new version that was tracked in early 2010.

* AMORPHIS and Nuclear Blast are currently contemplating giving the next three albums in the band's discography — 1998's "Tuonela", 2001's "Am Universum" and 2003's "Far From The Sun" — similar treatment.

* AMORPHIS started rehearsing material for the band's next album in mid-May and will enter the studio in October. Artist Pekka Kainulainen will once again write the lyrics.

* AMORPHIS has just re-signed with Nuclear Blast Records for an additional three albums.

For more information, pick up the new issue of Soundi magazine, which hits newsstands in Finland on Tuesday, June 22.

AMORPHIS's first-ever live DVD, "Forging The Land Of Thousand Lakes", will be released on July 9 (Europe) and July 7 (Finland) via Nuclear Blast, in time for the band's 20th anniversary. The filming of the main concert took place on November 20, 2009 at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland, where AMORPHIS was supported by STRATOVARIUS and BEFORE THE DAWN. In addition to the full-length live show, the anniversary DVD will include plenty of bonus material documenting the band's impressive career.

AMORPHIS' latest CD, "Skyforger", was honored in the "Metal Album Of The Year" category at this year's Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammy equivalent).

AMORPHIS was nominated in two categories at the Emma Gaala — "Metal Album Of The Year" and "Domestic Artist Of The Year".

"Skyforger" sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 33 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.

"Skyforger" entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 1. Released on May 29, 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records (May 27 in Finland), the follow-up to the "Eclipse" and "Silent Waters" LPs, both of which were certified gold in the band's native Finland, was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki.

German death metal lunatics HACKNEYED have parted ways with bassist Alex Büttner and have replaced him with "a longtime friend of the band" named Tini.

Commented the group: "After several weeks of being torn between his new job and the band, [Alex] took the decision to leave the band.

"It was a hard time for all of us, but we all think that it was the only way of keeping HACKNEYED alive and going.

"We are sad that Alex, one of the founding members, had to leave us. We all hope that, despite his new job we will still find the time to rock some parties together.

"As Tini, a longtime friend of the band, already played some shows as a temporary replacement for Alex, she [has now] joined the band as a full member. We are very happy that with her we found a more than suitable replacement. We had a great time playing the first shows together and she really fits into the band. But see it for yourself at one of our next shows!"

The third and final promotional video for "Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio", a new CD featuring Magic Circle Music artists and friends performing some of Dio's most inspired work, can be viewed below. The latest clip features MANOWAR vocalist Eric Adams and guitarist Karl Logan talking about Ronnie James Dio's immense influence on the heavy rock genre and paying tribute to the man Adams calls "the first god of metal."

"Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio" is described in a press release as "especially poignant because Dio hails from the same fertile upstate New York soil as MANOWAR," which owns Magic Circle Music.

MANOWAR contributes a powerful rendition of the BLACK SABBATH song "Heaven And Hell". JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR and the MAGIC CIRCLE ALL STAR BAND (with Shmoulik Avigal and Joe Stump) contribute the classics "Catch The Rainbow" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" and Ronnie's cousin and former ELF guitarist David "Rock" Feinstein delivers a song titled "Far Beyond". The album is rounded out by several tenacious, up-and-coming bands, such as female-fronted HOLYHELL, featuring the voice of Maria Breon (called by many "the female Dio") as well as METALFORCE, AWAKEN and CROSSWIND, all of whom embrace Dio's legacy in their own inspired interpretations of his songs on "Magic".

In tribute to Dio's legacy, famous fantasy painter and illustrator Ken Kelly, the man behind many of heavy metal's most classic album covers (including some by MANOWAR) has reworked his iconic RAINBOW "Rising" artwork for "Magic".

"Magic - A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio" was released on Magic Circle Music's online store Kingdom of Steel on June 18, and will be made available in Germany on July 16, in the U.S. and Canada on July 20 and further international territories in the forthcoming weeks. The album will also be available at the merchandise booth of all upcoming MANOWAR live appearances, starting at the Sonisphere festival in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 23.

"Magic - A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio" track listing:

01. MANOWAR - Heaven And Hell
02. HOLYHELL - Holy Diver (Live In Norway)
03. METALFORCE - The Last In Line
04. MAGIC CIRCLE ALL STAR BAND - Long Live Rock'n Roll
05. AWAKEN - I Speed At Night
06. CROSSWIND - A Light In The Black
07. DEAN CASCIONE - Never More
08. FEINSTEIN - Far Beyond
09. HARLET - Straight Through The Heart
10. JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR - Catch The Rainbow

Following the June 18 opening of the feature film "Jonah Hex", Reprise Records will release a six-track EP from MASTODON from the film's original motion picture score "Jonah Hex" on June 29, 2010.

"Jonah Hex" features an original score by Reprise recording artists MASTODON and Oscar-nominated composer Mario Beltrami ("The Hurt Locker", "3:10 to Yuma"). MASTODON was asked to create the score personally by the film's director, Jimmy Hayward, who was inspired by repeated listenings of MASTODON's 2006 album, "Blood Mountain".

"Jimmy called us out of the blue as a fan," bassist Troy Sanders told Paste magazine in an interview. "It was the most beautiful, authentic way to collaborate."

For its first film-scoring experience, MASTODON recorded the tracks for "Jonah Hex" by viewing movie footage and actually composing the score spontaneously on the spot in the studio. This method of experimental and immediate composition proved to be a daring, daunting and ultimately fun way of creating music together over a short period of time. The resulting sessions yielded incredibly exciting results produced in a completely different way than they normally would approach writing and recording for a MASTODON album. Fans will get a chance to hear the four new tracks — "Death March", "Clayton Boys", "Indian Theme" and "Train Assault", with two bonus versions as they become available through iTunes and all other digital outlets.

Based on the legendary character from the comic book series from DC Comics, "Jonah Hex" is an epic action adventure about one man's personal quest for redemption against the canvas of the battle between good and evil. The film stars Academy Award nominee Josh Brolin ("Milk", "No Country For Old Men"), two-time Academy Award nominee John Malkovich ("In the Line of Fire", "Places in the Heart"), Megan Fox ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"), Michael Fassbender ("Inglourious Basterds"), Will Arnett ("Blades of Glory") and Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road").

Ronnie James Dio's widow, Wendy Dio, who also served in the role of Dio's longtime manager, has released the following two statements to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"Statement 1:

"Regarding Rock [THE RODS frontman/ex-ELF guitarist David Feinstein] and [MANOWAR bassist] Joey DeMaio's relationships with Ronnie:

"Rock and Ronnie were cousins, they loved each other like brothers, they spent time together, called and sent text messages to each other all the time, our families vacationed together. Rock was one of the pallbearers that carried Ronnie's casket at the funeral.

"Ronnie knew Joey DeMaio, they were not friends.

"Can we now put an end to this?

"I am sure there will be people name-calling me for what I say, but everyone has a right to their own opinion, including me!

"Statement 2:

"In answer to [registered BLABBERMOUTH.NET user who goes by the name] 'alternativemonkey', who has every right to ask, instead of assuming, [whether] the Ronnie James Dio "Stand up and Shout" Cancer Fund is my supposed 'slush fund,' as some of you have already accused me of:

"I received the Articles of Incorporation of The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up and Shout" Cancer Fund, a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation on June 1st, 2010. Registration # 3295083 from the Secretary of State of the State of California. Which states: This corporation is a nonprofit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes. The specific purpose of this corporation is primarily to provide free cancer-screening programs and testing to the public regardless of any individual's ability to pay for same, to provide financial assistance to cancer patients who are burdened with the cost of health care. Additionally, this corporation may engage in activities that are reasonably related to, or in furtherance of, its stated charitable purposes or in any other charitable activities. This Corporation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).

"The Board of Directors are as follows: Gloria Butler, Wendy Dio, Dr. Lois Lee, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, Stanley J. Diamond (attorney at law), John Doran CPA, Adam Parsons, Tim Murch, Paul Newman, Nick Jackson, Neil Warnock, Robin Shaw, Maureen O'Connor, Dean Schachtel and Sheila Melody.

"The funds are being held in Wells Fargo Bank. To date we have received donations of $170,620.69 through PayPal, and $38,003.05 in cheques. We received a $10,000 donation from METALLICA, and generous donations from DEEP PURPLE, Slash and Metal Blade Records and from all the wonderful friends and fans.

"We held our first Board meeting on June 9th and discussed our first release of funds going to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Texas, The T.J. Martell Foundation and other cancer centers, we will be requesting proposals from each organization as to how the donation will be spent to be considered by the Board, before any funds are released to them.

"I will keep you updated of where your money is going, and can assure you it will NOT be going into any administration costs, but to the people that need it. This is the main reason I wanted to form this fund, so we do know where the money goes and not eaten up by a big corporation that does have administration costs.

"The T-shirts and buttons were made and sold to us at cost by Blastwaves, the memorial books I personally paid for, and we have to charge postage, as the post office does not mail out for free, there are NO other administration costs. The memorial packages are packed and addressed at my office, by friends and Board members who volunteer their time."

The first of three promotional videos for "Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio", a new CD featuring Magic Circle Music artists and friends performing some of Dio's most inspired work, can be viewed below.

"Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio" is described in a press release as "especially poignant because Dio hails from the same fertile upstate New York soil as MANOWAR," which owns Magic Circle Music.

MANOWAR director Neil Johnson — who is responsible for overseeing all of the band's DVDs and music videos — has released the following statement regarding some of the criticism levelled at the group over the fact that none of the revenue generated from the sale of "Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio" will apparently go to the Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout" Cancer Fund.

"I hope you all will enjoy it and please do not be influenced by some of jealousy and negativity being spread about this very heartfelt project , which I, along with many others who shall soon come forth, are very proud of.

"Magic Circle Music will be issuing a statement very soon but in the meantime let me personally express my feelings about it with some indisputable facts:

"1. [Bassist] Joey DeMaio along with other members of MANOWAR knew Ronnie long before the people who are speaking ill of this project, with the exception of [THE RODS frontman/ex-ELF guitarist] [David] Rock Feinstein [who is also Ronnie's cousin].

"2. Joey and Ronnie were very close friends and no words of jealousy can ever change that, please look at the video that is forthcoming to see it for yourself.

"3. In my opinion, Rock Feinstein has one person and one person only to thank for the fact that he has a career today and that person is Joey DeMaio.

"The fact is... Joey signed him to Magic Circle Music personally, Joey not only made it possible for him to play at Wacken, but Joey played the song 'Far Beyond' on stage with him.

"It is well known that Ronnie and Rock had not spoken to each other (not the first time for something like this to happen) for many months and Joey alone is responsible for reuniting them onstage that night.

"Lastly, this tribute is being done in memory of a friend by his friends not for financial gain... Joey DeMaio trusts his fans, and his fans trust him... seeing this video will hint that there is a real, legitimate history (and reason) behind our Dio project."

David "Rock" Feinstein released a statement earlier today slamming MANOWAR's tribute CD. He said, "I just found out that [the MANOWAR-owned company] Magic Circle Music stated on their site that I was contributing a song to their proposed tribute album to Dio. It also states that I specifically wrote this song for Ronnie. This is totally UNTRUE!

"The song is called 'Far Beyond' and was a cut on the FEINSTEIN 'Third Wish' album, released by Magic Circle Music (SPV) in 2004. The song was co-written by myself and John West eight years ago.

"I am NOT a part of this Magic Circle tribute album, and will ONLY be a part of any tribute to Ronnie that is sanctioned by Niji Entertainment Group and Wendy Dio."

"Heavy metal has lost a great artist and a true gentleman," MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio previously said in a statement. "I had the privilege of being his friend and, along with other friends and admirers, we wish to honor him."

MANOWAR contributes a powerful rendition of the BLACK SABBATH song "Heaven And Hell". JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR and the MAGIC CIRCLE ALL STAR BAND (with Shmoulik Avigal and Joe Stump) contribute the classics "Catch The Rainbow" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" and Ronnie's cousin and former ELF guitarist David "Rock" Feinstein delivers a song titled "Far Beyond". The album is rounded out by several tenacious, up-and-coming bands, such as female-fronted HOLYHELL, featuring the voice of Maria Breon (called by many "the female Dio") as well as METALFORCE, AWAKEN and CROSSWIND, all of whom embrace Dio's legacy in their own inspired interpretations of his songs on "Magic".

In tribute to Dio's legacy, famous fantasy painter and illustrator Ken Kelly, the man behind many of heavy metal's most classic album covers (including some by MANOWAR) has reworked his iconic RAINBOW "Rising" artwork for "Magic".

"Magic - A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio" will be released on Magic Circle Music's online store Kingdom of Steel on June 18, in Germany on July 16, in the U.S. and Canada on July 20 and further international territories in the forthcoming weeks. The album will also be available at the merchandise booth of all upcoming MANOWAR live appearances, starting at the Sonisphere festival in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 23.

"Magic - A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio" track listing:

01. MANOWAR - Heaven And Hell
02. HOLYHELL - Holy Diver (Live In Norway)
03. METALFORCE - The Last In Line
04. MAGIC CIRCLE ALL STAR BAND - Long Live Rock'n Roll
05. AWAKEN - I Speed At Night
06. CROSSWIND - A Light In The Black
07. DEAN CASCIONE - Never More
08. FEINSTEIN - Far Beyond
09. HARLET - Straight Through The Heart
10. JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR - Catch The Rainbow

Commented Johnson: "Rock Feinstein made this interview prior to having his album released by Magic Circle Music and is referring to the songs on the FEINSTEIN 'Third Wish' album, one track of which is included on the 'Magic - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio' album.

"This 2002/2003 interview is unedited, as you can see. The first part of Feinstein's 2010 press release statement appears beside him.

"We understand people can often make errors in their memories, which is why we had this interview archived to clear up any misunderstandings.

"We offer this interview with respect to Feinstein to help clarify our feelings in this situation."

Gothenburg, Sweden-based, female-fronted rock/metal act ONE WITHOUT will enter the studio in July/August to begin recording its second album for a late 2010/early 2011 release. The follow-up 2009's "Thoughts of a Secluded Mind" will once again be mixed by Mattias Wänerstam (AVATAR, WITHIN Y) and mastered by Dragan Tanakovic (MUSTASCH, EUROPE, IN FLAMES, EVERGREY). The cover artwork will be created by Gustavo Sazes, who has previously worked with GOD FORBID, SONIC SYNDICATE, NIGHTRAGE, ARCH ENEMY, DREAM EVIL, MANOWAR and KAMELOT, among others.

Commented the band: "All we can say is that the new material is mind-blowing to us. We are all so eager to show you what we have been working on these last months, and we really think that you guys will love what you hear! We can seriously say that the next release is the best anyone of us have ever worked on. And we are all very proud to be part of this."