"Wake Up The Sun", a brand new song from the Indiana-based Christian metalcore band HASTE THE DAY, is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off HASTE THE DAY's new album, "Attack of the Wolf King", which will be released on June 29 via longtime label Solid State Records. According to a press release, the CD shows a band who are already amongst the metalcore elite reaching frenzied new heights for what, nine years into their existence, could be their career-defining album. Recorded in Richmond with veteran producer Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DHALIA MURDER, OH SLEEPER), "Attack Of The Wolf King" marks the next chapter for HASTE THE DAY, whose impressive resume includes more than a quarter million albums sold and legions of fans worldwide.

"Attack of the Wolf King" track listing:

01. Wake Up The Sun
02. Dog Like Vultures
03. The Quiet, Deadly Ticking
04. Travesty
05. Merit For Sadness
06. The Un-Manifest
07. The Place Where Most Deny
08. White as Snow
09. Crush Resistance
10. Walk With a Crooked Spine
11. My Name Is Darkness

Special-edition bonus tracks:

12. Meet Me Half Way (BLACK EYED PEAS cover)
13. Blue 42 (Live in Auckland, New Zealand)
14. Pressure The Hinges (Live in Capetown, South Africa)

One of the most remarkable talents to rise out of the NWOBHM, DIAMOND HEAD's legacy still ranks among the most influential of the genre, with both MEGADETH and METALLICA citing the group's influence on them.

Indeed, DIAMOND HEAD's "Am I Evil?" has been a staple of METALLICA's live shows for many years. Sounds magazine's metal editor Geoff Barton once remarked that "there are more good riffs in your average single DIAMOND HEAD song than there are in the first four BLACK SABBATH albums." Such lavish praise had been sparked by the band's unassuming, independently recorded first album (later commonly referred to as the "White Album" or "Lightning To The Nations"), which by all rights should have been just the first step on the road to a legendary career.

DIAMOND HEAD were formed in Stourbridge, England in 1976 by schoolmates Brian Tatler and Duncan Scott. They quickly recruited Sean Harris and a few months later Colin Kimberley. Having already received euphoric responses to their first album, DIAMOND HEAD were quickly signed by MCA and a lengthy tour ensued. They were soon back in the studio to record a second album, "Borrowed Time", and, by the time they split in 1983, a third, "Canterbury", had been recorded.

This double CD of BBC recordings combines the band's "In Session" and "In Concert" recordings on one CD for the first time. The set culminates in the Milton Keynes Bowl show, the night they opened for METALLICA in 1993 and includes their Reading Festival set from 1982, described by the band as "the peak of their career… as good as it got."

Liner notes are provided by DIAMOND HEAD's very own Brian Tatler. The release is set for August 2 via Universal.

The track listing:

Disc 1:

Friday Rock Show (October 29, 1980):

01. Borrowed Time
02. Don't You Ever Leave
03. Sweet And Innocent
04. Lightning To The Nations

Reading Festival (August 27, 1982):

01. Am I Evil?
02. In The Heat Of The Night
03. Borrowed Time
04. Don't You Ever Leave
05. Sucking My Love
06. Play It Loud

Disc 2:

Paris Theatre (November 6, 1982):

01. Borrowed Time
02. Heat Of The Night
03. Sucking My Love
04. To Heaven From Hell
05. Play It Loud

Milton Keynes (September 3, 1993):

01. Am I Evil?
02. Dust
03. Truckin'
04. To The Devil His Due
05. Sucking My Love
06. Run
07. To Heaven From Hell
08. Helpless

Reformed Greek metallers NIGHTFALL — featuring frontman and lyricist Efthimis Karadimas alongside Evan Hensley on guitar, Stathis Kassios on keyboards and Jörg Uken on drums — have tapped Travis Smith to create the artwork for their new album, "Astron Black And The Thirty Tyrants", due in late 2010 via Metal Blade Records.

Commented the group: "The band has already discussed and shared views with Travis and the outcome is expected to be unique and powerful, reflecting the epic tones and the raw anger of music through the deliberating range of elements Mr. Smith uses in his highly artistic works. His style and his perception is unique; promoting art with art is the key point here and makes us all feel great about it!"

"Astron Black And The Thirty Tyrants" is being recorded at various places, including Soundlodge in Germany, where the bulk of the sessions are taking place. It is being produced by Karadimas and Uken (who has previously worked with GOD DETHRONED, DEW-SCENTED and SINISTER). According to a press release, Jörg's "experience behind the recording desk and his soul in recording both as the new drummer of the band is a great plus for the whole production and for everybody truly into metal drumming the… old classic metal way!"

"Astron Black And The Thirty Tyrants" will contain 12 tracks for a running time of 43 minutes.

Legendary heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne has become a health columnist for The Sunday Times.

"When The Sunday Times magazine asked me to be its new health-advice columnist — Dr. Ozzy, as I'll be known from now on — I thought they were taking the piss, to be honest with you.”

"But then I thought about it for a while, and it makes perfect sense: I've seen literally thousands of doctors over my lifetime, and spent well over £1m on them, to the point where I sometimes think I know more about being a doctor than doctors do.

"If people can learn from my stupid mistakes without having to repeat any of them, or if they can take some comfort from the crazy things my family has been through over the years, or if just hearing me talk about colonoscopies makes them less embarrassed about getting tested for colon cancer, that's more than enough for me.

"Dr. Ozzy" will answer readers' questions in his weekly column.

"By all accounts, I'm a medical miracle," Osbourne said. "When I die, I should donate my body to the Natural History Museum.

"It's all very well going on a bender for a couple of days — but mine went on for 40 years. At one point, I was knocking back four bottles of cognac a day, blacking out, coming to again, and carrying on.

"While filming 'The Osbournes', I was shoving 42 types of prescription medication down my neck, morning, noon and night — and that was before all the dope I was smoking in my 'safe' room, away from the cameras. Meanwhile, I used to get through cigars like they were cigarettes."

German epic metal band CROM has completed work on its new album, "Of Love and Death". The follow-up to 2008's critically acclaimed "Vengeance" was produced by CROM mainman and former DARK FORTRESS guitarist Walter "Crom" Grosse, and engineered by Victor Bullok at the latter's At The Crypt Studios. The lineup on the CD comprises Crom on vocals, guitar, bass and choirs; Seraph (DARK FORTRESS, NONEUCLID, REVAMP) on drums; and V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS, TRIPTYCON, CELTIC FROST) on additional guitar and choirs. Artwork for the album will once again be by the noted artist Kris Verwimp, a long-time friend of Grosse's.

Two tracks from the new album can be heard on the band's MySpace page.

While "Vengeance" dealt with love and loss in the heroic settings of legendary kings and warriors, "Of Love and Death" still features Grosse's soaring vocals and epic melodies, but this time the same themes are dealt with on a much more personal and intimate level.

"'Vengeance' was the album that really defined CROM's sound in terms of melody and vocals," explains Grosse, "and I was always drawn to the subject of the doomed hero, weary and disillusioned with fighting, but knowing that he has to go on until his death, because it's the honourable thing to do. However, many people interpreted that album as being either 'pagan' or 'viking,' which was never my intention musically. CROM's music is very definitely 'crom' and hopefully the new album will not have to have such a narrow definition attached to it."

"Of Love and Death" includes a completely re-arranged and re-recorded version of "The Fallen Beauty" a song that has become something of a signature for CROM, and is included as a bonus track on the nine-track album.

A label is currently being sought for the release of "Of Love and Death", and a live lineup is being put together after a hiatus in live performances.

"Of Love and Death" track listing:

01. Reason to Live
02. Lifetime - The Fallen Beauty Part II
03. Just One Blink
04. The Oceans Wide
05. My Song For All The Broken Hearts
06. My Destiny
07. This Dying World
08. Eternal Dreaming
09. The Fallen Beauty 2010 (bonus track)

According to a new online post by singer Silje Wergeland of Dutch/Norwegian rockers THE GATHERING, the band will spend the summer making a new studio album. "We already have around seven songs we are working on and we are all super-enthusiastic about them," she writes. "We are in a very creative place at the moment; ideas are flowing!"

She adds, "We found a new place we will do pre-production of the new songs. Very cool and relaxing place.

"It is really fun for me this time to be part of this song-making process from the beginning.

"A few days ago Frank [Boeijen, keyboards] and me sat down with a brand new song we ended up really happy about.

"Today I am off to work in the studio with René [Rutten, guitar] on some other new songs.

"I can't tell you much about the direction of the songs, but I can say it is going really well! And one more thing: THE GATHERING never stops surprising."

On Saturday, June 5, former HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske returned to the live stage for the first time in 17 years with his new band UNISONIC — also featuring Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany's PINK CREAM 69 and Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (who has previously played with ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS) — for a headlining performance at Live Music Hall in Mörlenbach, Germany.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Cross The Line (PLACE VENDÔME's self-titled debut)
02. I'll Be Gone (extended ending) (PLACE VENDÔME's self-titled debut)
03. I'll Be Waiting (PLACE VENDÔME's self-titled debut)
04. Set Me Free (PLACE VENDÔME's "Streets Of Fire")
05. My Guardian Angel (PLACE VENDÔME's "Streets Of Fire")
06. Too Late (PLACE VENDÔME's self-titled debut)
07. 6/8 Souls Alive (new song, written by Mandy Meyer)
08. Completely Breathless (PLACE VENDÔME's "Streets Of Fire")
09. Sign Of The Times (PLACE VENDÔME's self-titled debut)
10. Streets of Fire (PLACE VENDÔME's "Streets Of Fire")
11. The Setting Sun (PLACE VENDÔME's self-titled debut)
12. Follow Me (PLACE VENDÔME's "Streets Of Fire")
13. Kids Of The Century (reworked HELLOWEEN song from Kiske's "Past In Different Ways")
14. A Little Time (reworked HELLOWEEN song from Kiske's "Past In Different Ways")
15. 6/8 Souls Alive (reprise)
16. Cross The Line (reprise)

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

A review of the concert and photos can be found at MichaelKiske.net.

UNISONIC has finished composing nine songs for its forthcoming debut album. A demo recording is currently being put together and will be used to procure label interest. Italy's Frontiers Records, with whom Kiske and Ward have both worked in the past on various projects, is reportedly very interested in releasing the CD, but the group is said to be keeping its options open.

Remaining UNISONIC dates:

June 10 - Fabrik - Bruchsal, Germany
June 11-12 - Sweden Rock Festival - Sölvesborg, Sweden

UNISONIC marks the first time Kiske has been involved in a real band situation in almost 16 years. Having split with HELLOWEEN in late 1993, he participated in various projects and released several solo albums but had not been part of a real group effort until now.

While collaborating with Ward and Zafiriou on the PLACE VENDOME project four years ago, Kiske found two musical soulmates. They ended up recording two PLACE VENDOME albums before deciding to join forces in a new brand new band. Ward, who had previously produced a record for KROKUS, suggested Meyer as the perfect addition to the group in the vacant guitarist slot.

Kiske, one of the finest and most unique voices in contemporary rock music, explains his motivation of becoming a part of a band again: "Since the PLACE VENDOME productions I was impressed by Dennis Ward's skills as a songwriter and producer. We were occasionally fooling around since then via email that we should do more together in the future, so the idea came up to do a new band. I was generally getting a bit tired of doing everything on my own for so many years, so it just felt like the right thing to do now. We can all only benefit from working together. No matter how good you are solo, four people will always be better than one, I think, if they manage to function together. And a real band is also a very good reason to finally go on tour again. After 17 years, I can't wait to get back on stage and have some fun with the band and the fans!"

Austrian female-fronted symphonic metal band EDENBRIDGE will release its seventh album, "Solitaire", on the following dates:

June 30: Spain
July 2: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy, Sweden
July 5: Rest of Europe
July 13: USA/Canada

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Entree Unique
02. Solitaire
03. Higher
04. Skyline's End
05. Bon Voyage Vagabond
06. Come Undone
07. Out Of This World
08. Further Afield
09. A Virtual Dream?
10. Brothers On Diamir
11. Exit Unique

"Solitaire" audio sample:"Skyline's End" audio sample:"Higher" audio sample:

The limited-edition version of the album will include two additional songs: "Eternity" and "Inward Passage".

"She Comes In Colors", a brand new song from Seattle metallers NEVERMORE, is available for streaming using the audio player below (courtesy of Revolver magazine). The track comes off the band's new album, "The Obsidian Conspiracy", which will be released in North America on June 8 via Century Media Records.

"Broken Frames", the third album from EYES SET TO KILL, is available for streaming in its entirety at AOL Music. The CD will be released on June 8 via BreakSilence Records.

Recorded at Wade Studios in Ocala, Florida with producer Andrew Wade, "Broken Frames" takes the sparkling melodic prowess that EYES SET TO KILL has become known for and shows the band stepping outside of its comfort zone to create the next chapter in their growing musical evolution. With expectations from fans and critics at peak levels for their upcoming new album, EYES SET TO KILL have recorded their heaviest and most aggressive album to date.

"Broken Frames" track listing:

01. All You Ever Knew (3:10)
02. Broken Frames (2:53)
03. The Listening (3:33)
04. Ticking Bombs (3:34)
05. Play The Part (2:39)
06. Falling Fast (3:34)
07. Catch Your Breath (0:27)
08. Ryan (3:10)
09. Inside the Eye (3:23)
10. Two Letter Sins (3:01)
11. Escape (4:19)
12. Let Me In (4:18)

STONE SOUR debuted a brand new song called "Mission Statement" during the band's June 7, 2010 concert at Columbia in Berlin, Germany.

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

STONE SOUR has set September 7 as the release date for the band's third album, "Audio Secrecy". This Thursday (June 10) at 11:00 a.m. ET, the band and its label will post a free MP3 download of "Mission Statement" at their respective web sites. The track is the first to go public from the album and will only be available for 48 hours.

STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor told The Pulse of Radio recently that the band was looking for an "anthem" to open the album when they came up with "Mission Statement". "We literally put that together in one day and really shot for the moon with it," he said. "And it came together so well that just as a track itself it's amazing, but setting the rest of the album up, I couldn't hope for a better point of view or a better song that would set the album up like that. It just — it was magic."

STONE SOUR's last effort, 2006's "Come What(ever) May", debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard album chart and included the hits "Through Glass", "Sillyworld" and "Made Of Scars".

The new disc will arrive just as STONE SOUR embarks on the inaugural Uproar Festival tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED. The trek kicks off on August 17 in Minneapolis and will hit 36 cities.

Taylor and STONE SOUR guitarist Jim Root are also members of SLIPKNOT, which was rocked two weeks ago by the death of bass player Paul Gray. SLIPKNOT is on hiatus until at least 2011.

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN have announced details of their much-anticipated new album, "The Final Frontier".

Due on August 16, the follow-up to 2006's "A Matter Of Life And Death" was recorded earlier this year at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas and The Cave Studios in Malibu, California with producer Kevin Shirley.

Fans can now get their hands on a free download of the song "El Dorado" via the band's official web site, www.ironmaiden.com.

"As we'll be including it in the set of our 'Final Frontier World Tour', we thought it would be great to thank all our fans and get them into 'The Final Frontier' mood by giving them this song up front of the tour and album release," says vocalist Bruce Dickinson.

"The Final Frontier" track listing:

01. Satellite 15....The Final Frontier (8:40)
02. El Dorado (6:49)
03. Mother Of Mercy (5:20)
04. Coming Home (5:52)
05. The Alchemist (4:29)
06. Isle Of Avalon (9:06)
07. Starblind (7:48)
08. The Talisman (9:03)
09. The Man Who Would Be King (8:28)
10. When The Wild Wind Blows (10:59)

Check out the cover artwork below.

"The Final Frontier World Tour" begins in Dallas on June 9 with 25 shows across North America. The band will then return to Europe for a run of headline dates, including the U.K.'s Sonisphere festival at Knebworth on August 1.

"We're hugely excited about this tour," says bassist Steve Harris. "I think the fans will really like the brand new stage production — Eddie has changed a bit for this tour but is possibly the most outrageous one to date. I can't say too much about him as don't want to spoil the surprise, but I guarantee he will scare the hell out of you!"

Inakustik/MVD has set an October 19 release date for MSG (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP)'s "The 30th Anniversary Concert - Live In Tokyo" CD/DVD/Blu-Ray. This performance was recorded in January 2010 during the band's 30th-anniversary Japanese tour. On this trek, the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP consisted of Michael Schenker (guitar), Gary Barden (vocals), Simon Phillips (drums), Wayne Findlay (guitar, keyboards), and Neil Murray (bass). The band, in impeccable form, blasts through a track list highlighting all stages of Schenker's career: from UFO and SCORPIONS hits, through MSG classic tracks, to his solo compositions.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Intro
02. Armed And Ready
03. Feels Like A Good Thing
04. Cry For The Nations
05. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
06. Victim of Illusion
07. Are You Ready To Rock
08. I Want You
09. Night To Remember
10. Into The Arena
11. Lost Horizons
12. Rock My Nights Away
13. On And On
14. Attack of the Mad Axeman
15. Ride On My Way
16. Rock Bottom
17. Dance Lady Gypsy
18. Doctor, Doctor

Swedish modern metallers SOILWORK have posted a trailer for the bonus DVD of their upcoming album, "The Panic Broadcast". The clip, which can be viewed below, contains a snippet of the bonus track "Sweet Demise" which will be included with the limited digipack version of the CD.

"The Panic Broadcast" will be released in Europe on July 2 and in North America on July 13 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was mixed at Fascination Street studio in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, PARADISE LOST, BLOODBATH).

"The Panic Broadcast" deluxe edition track listing:

01. Late for the Kill, Early for the Slaughter
02. Two Lives Worth of Reckoning
03. The Thrill
04. Deliverance is Mine
05. Night Comes Clean
06. King of the Threshold
07. Let This River Flow
08. Epitome
09. The Akuma Afterglow
10. Enter Dog Of Pavlov
11. Sweet Demise (bonus track)

DVD:

* Extended Studio Footage
* High-Definition Drum Video
* Photo Gallery

As reported earlier this week, QUIET RIOT are part of Legacy Recordings’ brand-new Setlist series of live collections which will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting July 13th. The tracklisting for the compilation features over half previously unreleased material and is as follows:

01. Sign Of The Times (live)
02. Let's Get Crazy (live)
03. Mama Weer All Crazee Now (live)
04. Slick Black Cadillac (live)
05. Anytime You Want Me (live)
06. Party All Night (live)
07. Bang Your Head (Metal Health) (live)
08. Run For Cover (live)
09. Love's A Bitch (live)
10. Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet (live)
11. Gonna Have A Riot (live)
12. Cum On Feel The Noize (live)

According to a press release, each single-CD volume in the Setlist series will consist of remastered .mp3-ready live tracks drawn from each artist’s vast archive of live album recordings. The CD is embedded with computer-accessible .pdf files containing liner notes essays, discographical information, photography, bonus features, and more. The package itself will be a plastic-free, 100% recycled paper, recyclable eco-friendly digi-pak, and the product line will be priced for budget-minded consumers.

The Setlist series takes advantage of the multitudes of live recordings – some rarities, others released on best-selling albums, and still some others remaining previously unreleased in the vaults – until now.

"Too Hot", the new video from Swiss hard rock veterans KROKUS, can be viewed below.

According to Peter Waelti of the KROKUS Globe Club For Clan & Fan, "The largest Boulevard paper in Switzerland, Blick, asked their readers to vote on five girls that would become possible extras in KROKUS' newest video for the track 'Too Hot', taken from the recent 'Hoodoo' release. From the newspaper's five finalists, the band had the hard task to choose the final three.

"Production and directing of the new video clip was done by Kaya Inan and Matthias Günter.

"Even cult director Quentin Tarantino could not have told the crude story better in this short clip.

"Shooting of the video was challenging due to extreme temperatures, lots of dust and time restraints. All involved in the shoot were extremely patient and did not lose a beat of enthusiasm and intensity in between takes.

"The band delivered a powerful, uncomplicated and raw performance! Roaring motors, hot girls and hard rock — that's what KROKUS is all about.

"The video has sex appeal, is sweaty hot and all rock 'n' roll!"

"Hoodoo", the new album from KROKUS, was certified platinum in the band's home country for sales in excess of 30,000 copies. Sony Music presented the bandmembers with their gold and platinum plaques prior to the first concert of the "Hoodoo Tour" on April 30 in Zuchwil.

"Hoodoo", which entered the Swiss chart at No. 1 in its first week of release, was made available in the U.S. on May 25 via SonyMusic Independent Network (SIN). The CD was produced by bassist and founding member Chris Von Rohr and was recorded by Dennis Ward (who previously worked on KROKUS' "Hellraiser" album) at House of Music Studios in Winterbach, Germany, with additional recordings at Pink Bild and Ton (engineered by ex-KROKUS member Jürg Naegeli) in Solothurn, Switzerland and Henson Studios, Los Angeles. Photography, artwork and graphic design was handled by Martin Häusler.

Partnered with Ariola and Arista, KROKUS became an international success and ran up the charts with their hit albums "Metal Rendez-Vous" (1980), "Hardware" (1981), "One Vice At A Time" (1982), "Headhunter" (1983), "The Blitz" (1984) and "Change Of Address" (1986).

Even though AEROSMITH hasn't released a record of original material since 2001's "Just Push Play", and an attempt to record with PEARL JAM and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN producer Brendan O'Brien fell apart when they failed to agree on a musical direction. guitarist Joe Perry tells RollingStone.com that he has higher hopes for their next effort. "Looking at the calendar we'll probably be going into the studio sometime around the holidays or maybe in the beginning of next year," he says. "We'll have to take time off from touring to make the best record we can make. We owe it to ourselves to make the best record we can make."

The group just wrapped a quick South American tour that attracted scores of young fans. "Half of them were between the ages of 15 to 25. After the encore at one show, we were getting ready to leave, but we hadn't done 'Crazy'," Perry says. "The kids were screaming so loud for it that we just had to go back onstage and play it."

Oakland, California extreme metallers ALL SHALL PERISH have issued the following update:

"So we're long due for an update on the currently happenings of ALL SHALL PERISH.

Firstly, we're pleased to announce that Adam Pierce (SEA OF TREACHERY) has come onboard as our new drummer. Yes, this means that one of our original members, Matt Kuykendall, is no longer in the band.

"It's always tough to part ways with a longtime member and friend, but it was absolutely necessary in order to maintain forward progress.

"Also, as many of you may already know, our most recent lead guitarist, Jason Richardson, has left ALL SHALL PERISH and joined BORN OF OSIRIS.

"That being said, we'd like you all to welcome Francesco Artusato, originally hailing from Treviso, Italy, as our new touring guitarist for the foreseeable future. This is the lineup you'll see throughout this year and hopefully well beyond.

"We feel great about these new additions and are confident that the ALL SHALL PERISH fans will make them feel welcome!

"There will be new photos and more updates coming soon.

"Come see us on Summer Slaughter and hang out!"

Dark Balance has announced the signing of Britain's MY SILENT WAKE.

My Silent Wake was formed from the dying embers of ASHEN MORTALITY in May 2005 by Ian Arkley (SEVENTH ANGEL, Ashen Mortality, CENTURY SLEEPER, PARAMAECIUM, THE OTHER WINDOW).

My Silent Wake will release their fourth full-length album on Dark Balance in October 2010. Album title and recording details will come soon.

To promote the album, My Silent Wake will tour over Europe beginning November 2010. The tour will include festivals like Dutch Doom Days (Baroeg, Rotterdam, NL), Brainstorm Festival (Gigant, Apeldoorn, NL), Blast Of Eternity (Heilbronn, Ger) and club shows in at least Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland.

My Silent Wake recorded so far an EP, three full length albums and a recent split album. The albums were released by Bombworks Records. Recently, My Silent Wake announced a band member change for the tour: Steve Allan is having a rest period and Tank (Seventh Angel) joined in on drums. Also, Jasen Whyteannounced he will leave the band beginning 2011.

SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, the Swedish band featuring ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott and bassist Sharlee D'Angelo, has parted ways with vocalist Janne "J.B." Christoffersson (GRAND MAGUS) and has replaced him with Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND).

Commented Amott: "This will be a surprise to most of you, but it's been mutually decided for some time now that J.B. would step down from his role as the singer in SPIRITUAL BEGGARS to focus on his own band.

"We had a fantastic time working with J.B. We remain great friends and we wish him the best of luck!

"We decided to make a new SPIRITUAL BEGGARS record and to find a new voice — and we found a killer singer that lives in our hometown. Some of you will already be familiar with him as a singer in the Greek metal band FIREWIND.

"We've had a blast in the studio and it's been highly satisfying on a creative level.

"We have already confirmed some shows in Japan later in the year and we are in the process of booking more concerts around the world.

"We are looking forward to getting the new music out to the fans and playing LIVE again"

A short sample of new song featuring Apollo Papathanasio on vocals is available now at the SPIRITUAL BEGGARS official MySpace page.

Orange County, California's AVENGED SEVENFOLD has launched a pre-order for the limited-edition version of the band's new album, "Nightmare", which will be released on July 27 via Warner Bros. Records. The package can be ordered here.

The limited edition includes:

* Full "Nightmare" album on CD.
* Expanded booklet featuring lyric sheets from the band and exclusive artwork.
Housed in a synthetic leather bound book with special silver-plated "Nightmare" crest.
* Limited 24" x 36" lithograph entitled "Death Bat Anatomy" featuring original artwork on special textured paper embossed with a silver-colored Death Bat.
* Instant download of the new single "Nightmare"

AVENGED SEVENFOLD recently tapped famed video director Wayne Isham to helm the clip for the band's new single, "Nightmare".

JUDAS PRIEST is part of Legacy Recordings' brand-new Setlist series of live collections which will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting July 13.

The track listing for the PRIEST compilation is as follows:

01. Judas Rising
02. Riding On The Wind
03. Heading Out To The Highway
04. Breaking The Law
05. Exciter
06. Tyrant
07. Out In The Cold
08. Dissident Aggressor
09. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown)
10. Beyond The Realms Of Death
11. Freewheel Burning
12. You've Got Another Thing Comin'

In an exciting new configuration, each single-CD volume in the Setlist series will consist of remastered .mp3-ready live tracks drawn from each artist's vast archive of live album recordings. The CD is embedded with computer-accessible .pdf files containing liner notes essays, discographical information, photography, bonus features, and more. The package itself will be a plastic-free, 100% recycled paper, recyclable eco-friendly digi-pak, and the product line will be priced for budget-minded consumers.

The Setlist series takes advantage of the multitudes of live recordings – some rarities, others released on best-selling albums, and still some others remaining previously unreleased in the vaults — until now.

The Setlist series follows up Legacy's successful Playlist series launched two years ago. Each volume reflected an insider's musical tastes, with familiar tracks and hits alongside rarities, out-of-print, hard-to-find, and unreleased material that is characteristic of the Legacy experience.