Legendary guitarist Slash tells MTV News that despite the fact that VELVET REVOLVER has been mostly quiet for the last two years, the band fully intends to push forward.

"As soon as we got off the road from the last tour and parted ways with [singer] Scott [Weiland], we got together and wrote half a dozen really great, sort of heavy metal pieces of music," Slash tells MTV News. "It's a lot heavier than what VELVET REVOLVER has put out, so I'm dying to put out the quintessential VELVET REVOLVER record."

Slash said the new material better matches the group's original intentions. "When Duff [McKagan, bass] and Matt [Sorum, drums] and I first got together, we wrote a ton of material that never saw the light of day, and that was all very heavy," Slash explained.

"It's definitely our natural way of doing things. But when we started working with Scott, we started to lighten things up a lot, and we progressively got lighter. As much as I love the two records we did do, one of the things that was progressively more and more frustrating was the direction the band took."

According to Billboard.biz, LED ZEPPELIN frontman Robert Plant unveiled his new album project, BAND OF JOY, in London on Tuesday (June 1).

BAND OF JOY takes its name from the blues band that Plant fronted before he joined LED ZEPPELIN, although Plant is the sole original member to participate in this new incarnation.

Universal is set to drop the 12-track record internationally September 13. Its U.S. release will be handled by Rounder, according to a statement on the artist's web site.

Commenting on the record, which was met with an enthusiastic reception from all present, Plant revealed that he recorded "24 songs in 15 days" for the record, adding, "The enthusiasm and rebirth of everybody involved was fucking phenomenal. It stretched us all."

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Angel Dance
02. House of Cards
03. Central Two-O-Nine
04. Silver Rider
05. You Can't Buy my Love
06. I'm Falling In Love Again
07. The Only Sound That Matters
08. Monkey
09. Cindy, I'll Marry You One Day
10. Harms Swift Way
11. Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down
12. Even This Shall Pass Away

Italian metallers ELVENKING have issued the following studio update:

"While the band is still around Europe playing (thanks to all the fans who came to our latest gigs!!) the machine is still going on at full speed behind the scenes.

At the moment Dennis Ward (ANGRA, PINK CREAM 69, PRIMAL FEAR) is mixing the album in Germany, while on the other side of the planet, artist Samuel Araya (you probably remember him for the (in)famous CRADLE OF FILTH’s Thornography cover for example) is giving life to the atmospheres contained in the album through his paintings.

And while the album production is taking its final shape, the band is ready to shoot the video for the new track 'The Cabal' on June 5th and 6th, with director Mirco Andreis who previously worked with the band on 'The Divided Heart' video.

The time is slowly coming..."

Atlanta-based quintet DAATH will enter the studio early next month to begin tracking its third full-length album for a fall release via Century Media Records. Drummer Kevin Talley (ex-CHIMAIRA, DYING FETUS) will begin laying down his tracks in Atlanta on June 7 with renowned producer Mark Lewis (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER) and co-producer Eyal Levi (guitar) at the helm.

DAATH guitar titans, Eyal Levi and Emil Werstler, unleashed their all-instrumental collaboration, LEVI/WERSTLER "Avalanche of Worms", on Magna Carta Records last month to rave reviews. The duo teamed with legendary drummer Sean Reinert (CYNIC, ex-DEATH) on this album to deliver a commanding sonic statement.

Levi/Werstler commented on the response to "Avalanche of Worms" and the writing process for the new DAATH effort: "Here we are in the studio once again. It almost feels like we never left.

"Less than half a year ago we were putting the finishing touches on 'Avalanche of Worms'. Usually after you finish an album you take time away from creating in order to tour, but in this case we jumped right back into recording.

"Simultaneous to working night and day to bring this new DAATH record to life we've watched 'Avalanche of Worms' make its way into the world and take on a life of its own. The response has been amazing. It's great to see that in this day and age an instrumental album can still resonate deeply with people. We're really excited to see where Levi/Werstler will take us next. Nothing is set in stone, but ideas are being thrown around for an album in 2011. And before any of that, there's a DAATH album to finish.

"We're currently in the final stages of pre-production and begin recording with Mark Lewis on June 7th here in Atlanta. The release is planned for this fall.

"We'll spare you the clichés about the record, but will say that it's without a doubt the next level for us. If there's anything consistent about us as artists and musicians it's that we're always pushing ourselves to break new ground and grow the power of our collective statement. Expect nothing less."

Britain's XERATH check in with the following update for June:

"Hey guys! Weve been a little quiet here so we figured we would let you know whats been going on!

Were about a third of the way from completing our 2nd album. Weve been busy recording drafts in our home studio and were hugely psyched about the new material. You can be rest assured this next album will have MUCH higher quality orchestra (because were using real players... THATS RIGHT REAL PLAYERS BABY), MUCH higher quality production, bigger riffs, bigger vocals, bigger everything. It will over shadow the debut by a good way and we cant wait to get it out there for all our awesome fans.

We will be heading into the studio around November and hope to have it released early 2011. Hell, if we can get it done earlier we will but that's what it's lookin like at the moment!

We still have a few special shows to announce so sit tight for those."

Stay tuned for further updates.

German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN will release their new album, "At The Edge Of Time", late summer via Nuclear Blast Records. A single, "A Voice In The Dark", will precede the full-length CD on June 25.

"At The Edge Of Time" track listing:

01. Sacred Worlds (9:17)
02. Tanelorn (5:58)
03. Road Of No Release (6:30)
04. Ride Into Obsession (4:46)
05. Curse My Name (5:52)
06. Valkyries (6:38)
07. Control The Divine (5:26)
08. War Of The Thrones (4:55)
09. A Voice In The Dark (5:41)
10. Wheel Of Time (8:55)

The fourth in a series of video clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for the CD can be viewed below.

Former VOIVOD bassist/vocalist Eric Forrest has rejoined forces with Krof (drums) and Jerome Point (lead guitar) in the latest incarnation of his France-based E-FORCE project. According to Forrest, the group — which last played together as part of the 2005 "Art Of Provocation" European tour — has scheduled a few shows in Italy in mid-June. He says, "After the May 29 private-party show [see video below], it's sounding fuckin' killer! I must say it brings back some memories playing as a three-piece. [It] sounded tight as fuck even just after a few rehearsals."

He adds, "It's a buzz playing with these guys... great players! Plus being huge VOIVOD fans is a blast! In fact, these upcoming shows we are playing a set of 'Negatron' and 'Phobos' songs and a few E-FORCE songs, and a few surprises!"

E-FORCE will enter the studio in August to record its new album called "Curse Of The Cunt". Due in January 2011 via Thundering Records, the CD's lyrical concept will be based on "what man has gone through to be with women," according to Eric. "The pros and cons... Nine months to get out and the rest of your life to get back in." Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Mass Deception", "Curse Of The Cunt" and "Nature Of The Bitch".

Commented Forrest: "I am not speaking negative about females, just writing about what power they actually have and what some guys will do to get some — good or bad — of which everyone on this planet can relate to in certain ways, of course."

E-FORCE released its sophomore album, "Modified Poison", in February 2008 via France's Thundering Records. The CD, which was recorded at a studio in Toulouse, France with producer Patrick Freidrich, includes collaborations with Colin-Tocquaine as well as Tim and Kevin Guttierez of PROJECT: FAILING FLESH. Moreover, Eric decided to re-record/cover a song from the unreleased VOIVOD 2001 demo as a tribute to late VOIVOD guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour.

E-FORCE's debut album, "Evil Forces", came out in October 2003 via Season Of Mist Records.

NECRONAUT, the solo project of former DISMEMBER/CARNAGE drummer Fred Estby, has posted another new track, "In Dark Tribute", on its MySpace page. The song features Hellbutcher (NIFELHEIM) on vocals and Tyrant (NIFELHEIM) on guitar.

NECRONAUT's self-titled album is scheduled for a September 2010 release via Regain Records. The cover artwork for the CD was designed by Chat Zar, who was reponsible for creating the prosthetic effects for such movies as "The Ring", "Planet of the Apes" and "Darkman".

Commented Estby: "The work of this album has been possessing me for the last 12 months and it is turning out exactly as raw, heavy and dirty as I hoped!"

NECRONAUT guest musicians:

Vocalists:

* Chris Reifert (ABSCESS, AUTOPSY)
* Hellbutcher (NIFELHEIM)
* Tompa Lindberg (DISFEAR, LOCK UP)
* Nicke Andersson (IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC)

Solo guitarists:

* Tyrant (NIFELHEIM, DAGGER)
* Uffe Cederlund (DISFEAR, ex-ENTOMBED, PRINCIPALS OF EXISTENCE)
* Robert Pehrsson (DEATH BREATH, DUNDERTÅGET)
* Robert "Strings" Dahlqvist (DUNDERTÅGET)
* David Blomqvist (DISMEMBER, DAGGER)

Russell Allen, lead vocalist for the progressive power metal band SYMPHONY X, makes a guest appearance on the debut album by REVAMP, former AFTER FOREVER singer Floor Jansen’s new band. ReVamp's self-titled new album will be released in North America on July 27th.

States Allen: “I first met Floor on the Star One tour. I was immediately enchanted by her voice and her presence. I knew she was going to be successful in music if she desired to be and she has been… and continues to be. Floor asked me to sing the male lead on ‘Sweet Curse’. I heard the song and loved it. The substance of the lyrics are reflected in the music and that is what moved me to perform the song, which speaks to me of lost love but a love that has never died. I recorded my vocal tracks in my home studio and added a few twists here and there, but the origins of my parts are Floor’s. She is a talented writer and performer and this song was great for us to do together. I wish all the best for her and ReVamp.”

States Jansen on the collaboration: “ReVamp is heavier and more diverse than After Forever. Less orchestral, more riff-based. More vocal variety, from raw screams to opera, back to soft and light, off to rock or musical-like singing. Diversity is very important to me. I use my voice in as many ways as possible, but it’s still my voice. To combine my voice with others keeps the sound for interesting. Russell Allen brings power and emotion to the song ‘Sweet Curse’. Our voices together sound great, as we already knew from the past. This song became a great duet!”

Also performing guest vocals on ReVamp is Björn “Speed” Strid from SOILWORK and George Oosthoek from ORPHANAGE & PLEURISY.

Paris-based metallers GLORIOR BELLI have issued the following update:

"Just so we're clear...

During the past couple of months there have been a few announcements about Glorior Belli's new full-length and artistic direction, yet it was still unclear where all those changes would take us. Today, we'd like to bring a new development to your attention:

Experimenting has always been an important matter to us, however having the new material tagged as Glorior Belli would be inconsistent, unless we really never go back to playing black metal.

So in order to set things right, we decided to create a side project called 11 AS IN ADVERSARIES and release The Full Intrepid Experience Of Light [previously announced as Glorior Belli's 4th full-length] as a debut.

Separating things will help us being more efficient on all fronts. We understand that this decision can be confusing but it's really just a formality!

The foolhardy venturers who has shown their support to the new material and would like to keep doing it are welcome to follow 11 As In Adversaries on Myspace here.

Note that there is truly a successor to Meet Us... coming for Glorior Belli. More information will be revealed soon."

The Full Intrepid Experience Of Light tracklisting:

'The Full Intrepid Experience Of Light'
'Agitation In The Glorious Theme'
'The Night Scalp Challenger'
'Reckless Beacons Attraction'
'Verses From Which To Whirl'

SEVENDUST has had a brutal grip on eardrums since 1997 when its debut self-titled LP hit stores via TVT Records and propelled the band into the spotlight of the metal world. Refusing to rest on their initial success, the Atlanta quintet has stayed extremely busy since then, releasing seven more albums and touring nonstop, including slots with METALLICA, KORN and KID ROCK (plus countless festival appearances).

This June, SEVENDUST continues its explosive run with a deluxe reissue of its self-titled debut. Produced by Jay Jay French and Mark Mendoza of TWISTED SISTER, the original has sold more than 700,000 copies and was certified gold in 1999. This digitally re-mastered reissue provides some extra muscle to all of the original hits (including "Black" and "Bitch") and tacks on five bonus tracks and a DVD, which features the nationally aired TV special "Live and Loud", recorded at The Metro in Chicago, and additional never-before-seen live and behind the scenes footage of the band. The bonus tracks have been culled from various releases, making the definitive edition a must-have for any fan. "Breathe" was previously only available on the "Strangeland" film soundtrack, "Terminator (Breathe Remix)" on the MTV "Celebrity Death Match" soundtrack, and live renditions of "Bitch" and "Prayer" were only released on the Japanese edition of the record. "Sevendust (Definitive Edition)" also includes a cover of ALICE COOPER's legendary summer anthem "School's Out".

"Sevendust" was recorded in Atlanta during the tragic terrorist bombing of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The widespread panic in Atlanta at the time fueled the band to create one of the fiercest albums to date.

Originally known as CRAWLSPACE, the SEVENDUST lineup is made up of singer/frontman Lajon Witherspoon, bassist Vince Hornsby, guitarists John Connolly and Clint Lowery, and drummer Morgan Rose.

"Sevendust (Definitive Edition)" track listing:

01. Black
02. Bitch
03. Terminator
04. Too Close To Hate
05. Wired
06. Prayer
07. Face
08. Speak
09. Will It Bleed
10. My Ruin
11. Born To Die
12. Breathe *Bonus Track
13. School’s Out *Bonus Track
14. Bitch (Live) *Bonus Track
15. Prayer (Live) *Bonus Track
16. Terminator (Breathe Remix)

*Bonus Track

DVD track listing:

01. Live And Loud
02. Electronic Press Kit ('97)
03. Behind The Scenes & Live Footage

Louisiana-based metallers LILLIAN AXE have completed work on their tenth album, Deep Red Shadows, due for release on July 20th via Love & War Records.

An update from the band states:

"The band has just finished listening the masters and a big thumbs up went around the studio. Deep Red Shadows was produced by Steve Blaze, mixed by Rob Hovey and mastered by Ty Tabor of KING'S X.

The song '47 Ways To Die' was mixed by the famous and well respected record producer and engineer, Sylvia Massy. Sylvia Massy is best known for her work with the band TOOL (Undertow went 2x platinum and Opiate went platinum). She also has gold and platinum albums with GREEN JELLY, POWERMAN 5000 and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS to name a few. Sylvia Massy also has worked with SEVENDUST, PRINCE, JOHNNY CASH, SEVEN MARY THREE and DEFTONES.

Ty Tabor of King's X is the special guest on the song 'The Quenching Of Human Life', adding an amazing guitar solo to the track.

Final tracklisting:

'Under The Same Moon'
'47 Ways To Die'
'The Quenching Of Human Life'
'A Minute Of Years'
'Nobody Knows' (acoustic)
'The Day I Met You' (acoustic)
'Sad Day On Planet Earth' (acoustic)
'Nocturnal Symphony' (acoustic)
'Deep Red Shadows' (instrumental)

The first single off of Deep Red Shadows will be '47 Ways To Die' and the band is planning on filming a video for the song shortly and hitting the road to a city near you.

Please go to Amazon today and pre-order your copy of Deep Red Shadows and help us make a huge impact the first week of release.

On a somber note: Lillian Axe, our manager and our crew want to send out our condolences to Bobby Brown, a long standing and loyal member of Lillian Axe's crew for many years on the passing of his mother, Claudia L. Brown. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Bobby. Sincerely Steve, Derrick, Eric, Sam, Ken, Charlie, John, Jeremy, Thad, Spike and Scott."

IGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon has issued an update in regards to her previously announced new project with WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboardist Martijn Spierenburg and BLOODBOUND keyboardist Fredrik Bergh,

Says Anette, "About the project with Fredrik and Martijn, it's going forward and I have recorded one song that is with Martijn for mixing at the moment and I look forward to hearing it soon. The project album is also being discussed with record labels at the moment and as soon as we know more I promise to tell you who else will be involved, etc."

No further details on the project are currently available. Stay tuned for further updates.

PAIN, the band featuring HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren, will finally make their latest release Cynic Paradise available to North America on June 8th. This version will also feature an alternate cover and a bonus live CD recorded on March 23rd - 24th, 2009 at the Zenith in Paris, France during the band's European tour with NIGHTWISH.

“Hi Pain-heads! We’re finally releasing the Pain album in North America and we’re really happy about that,” commented Tägtgren. “It gives us a bigger chance to hit the road there now, so stay tuned for tour dates on our home pages. We decided to give the US fans something special since the release has been long over due there. That’s why we recorded the show in Paris and to offer that as an exclusive bonus CD for the North American fans. So check it out if you haven’t already!”

ABSCESS, the California-based band consisting of Chris Reifert (drums/vocals; ex-DEATH/AUTOPSY), Clint Bower (guitar/vocals; ex-HEXX), Danny Coralles (guitar; ex-AUTOPSY), and Joe Allen (bass; ex-VON), has officially split up.

Commented Reifert: "The reason for [the breakup] is that Clint Bower has left the band for personal reasons and out of respect to him and to all who have supported us for these 16 years, we have decided to call it a day. Without Clint Bower, there can be no ABSCESS so we won't even try to cheat anyone with something that is not the real thing. [ABSCESS' recently released eighth album] 'Dawn Of Inhumanity' has become our final statement and we feel that it is the perfect way to close the ABSCESS chapter since we must do so.

"Thanks to all of you who were and still are proud to call yourselves ABSCESS freaks!"

Reifert adds, "The other side of this statement is to announce that AUTOPSY is officially active again. With the lineup of Eric Cutler and Danny Coralles on guitars, Chris Reifert on drums/vocals and Joe Trevisano (formerly Allen) on bass, AUTOPSY is now the full-time focus. Longtime friend and bass destroyer Dan Lilker has performed with AUTOPSY at Maryland Deathfest VIII and will also do so at the upcoming Party.San and Hole In The Sky festivals in August of this year before Joe Trevisano takes over full-time on bass. A new AUTOPSY EP and full-length album are in the works and will be released on Peaceville Records, along with an upcoming documentary DVD. Also in the works is a new official AUTOPSY website, so keep your eyes open for that. Any other AUTOPSY sites or pages out there are fan sites and not run by the band.

"Again, thanks to all. All we can do is offer more brutality."

"Dawn Of Inhumanity" was released on March 9 in the U.S. and March 15 in Europe. The CD was once again be made available through Tyrant Syndicate Productions, the label headed up by DARKTHRONE guitarist/vocalist Nocturno Culto.

"Dawn Of Inhumanity" was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California with engineer Adam Munoz and is described in a press release as "an unrivalled nightmare of raw experimental extremity. Including special guest vocal appearances by the DARKTHRONE duo, this is twisted, dirty punk death without limits!" The cover artwork was created by U.S. artist Dennis Dread (DARKTHRONE, AUTOPSY), with booklet art courtesy of Chris Reifert himself.

Commented Reifert: "We really have gone beyond anything we did before.

"The challenge is to keep the core or the heart of the monster intact by retaining the original ABSCESS anger. To take that infection and move it into an immeasurable space. I think we have found that place. I think we might find you in there somewhere.

"I have to say that this time around, we went in with an almost surgical approach, meaning that not only were the songs carefully put together riff wise, but we plotted and planned out every little detail to make each song an important piece of the puzzle. There is some serious hallucinogenic depth in there!

"The album was constructed in a way that is meant to take you on a trip to a dark and disturbing world in which your ordinary daily world has no place. The songs form one solid vibe when heard from start to finish, as opposed to each one being a disposable piece that can be consumed and thrown out after a listen or two.

"'Dawn Of Inhumanity' is a true album in every sense. Not to mention it's heavy as hell!"

PROJECT: FAILING FLESH, the group featuring former VOIVOD/current E-FORCE bassist/vocalist Eric Forrest, Kevin 131 (GARDEN OF SHADOWS, TWISTED TOWER DIRE, BRAVE, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT) and Tim Gutierrez (instruments), has completed mixing its third LP, titled "Count Back From Ten".

Commented the band, " Our friends at our last label Burning Star Records [which released the last PROJECT: FAILING FLESHCD] have run out of money (not shocking, considering the times) and sadly had to close down the label.

"We are still deciding what method to take to release 'Count Back From Ten'. Whether we want to take the somewhat time consuming method of dealing with a new label.. or just do a self-release and possibly license it... or even make it available via download.. or some combination of all these options. No matter the method, some promos will be printed up and close friends and fans will hopefully be able to hear this thing very soon!

"It's been a long process but we are completely happy with the result and that is the only important thing...not timetables, labels, etc."

"Count Back From Ten" projected track listing:

01. Count Back From Ten
02. White Light Response
03. Inanimate Objects
04. The Potential To…
05. Patient Zero
06. The Void Between Skin and Bone
07. Percussion Fracture
08. Irrelevant Thoughts (PRONG cover)
09. Lose Lose Situation
10. Cadence

Leviathan Records has just released "The Reign of Leather", a collection of CHASTAIN tracks the legendary vocalist Leather had a hand in writing during her glory days with the band.

Commented the label: "As hard as it is to believe, Leather last appeared on a new CHASTAIN recording 20 years ago and has not recorded any new music since that time. Despite that fact, her reputation lives on.

"Leather had but a brief five-year stint in the classic band but recorded some timeless gems that have withstood the test of time. True metal fans consider Leather the preeminent female heavy metal vocalist of the late '80s. These tracks were recently digitally remastered in 2010 to bring them up to today's sound quality."

"The Reign of Leather" track listing:

01. For Those Who Dare
02. The Mountain Whispers
03. I Am the Rain
04. Not Much Breathing
05. Once Before
06. Live Hard
07. Chains of Love
08. Share Yourself With Me
09. Soldiers of the Flame
10. Take Me Home
11. Paradise
12. Too Late for Yesterday
13. The Wicked Are Restless
14. Take Me Back in Time
15. Forevermore

Leviathan Records has also reissued two of the classic CHASTAIN CDs with Leather: "The 7th of Never" and "The Voice of the Cult". Both were digitally remastered and are in their original unedited versions.

UK doom legends MY DYING BRIDE have issued the following update:

"Back in January after our shows in Greece, Dan managed to sustain a knee injury which resulted in him having to take some time out from drumming.

Whilst it seems he is at the end of this break there is still some time needed to heal and recover in which he is unable to represent MDB on the throne of thunder this summer, although we may see a return before summer is out and most assuredly by the years end he/we figured it best not to rush into these shows and risk aggravating his injury causing problems for our entire stint of already confirmed dates and future l.p. writing and recording.

Rather than cancel the shows we felt it important to celebrate our 20th anniversary year, whilst Dan rests up we have drafted in a most talented sticksman in the form of Mr. David Grey of AKERCOCKE fame to fill in, whilst Shaun Winter Steels (yes ex-MDB Shaun) has been keeping the band in trim through some of the more sparser area's of rehearsals with David. So the band is in top gig form thanks to these two.

Rehearsals have been intense with both drummers particularly bringing David up to speed on the set ready for this summer, however the doom machine still turns and MDB are ready to bring you the quality you deserve.

As soon as Dan has the all clear we will let you all know, but for now a darkly miserable welcome to David and a heartily morose thank you to Shaun Winter Steels for pitching in when it really counted."

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, featuring guitarist Zakk Wylde, have announced that their new single, 'Parade Of The Dead', will be released in mid-June. Further details on the single to follow.

Black Label Society recently posted studio footage online from the mixing sessions for their new album, Order Of The Black. Check it out below.

As previously reported, Order Of The Black will feature four different covers, each territorially based: North America / Europe / Australia and South America / Asia. The album will be released worldwide on August 10th via E1 Music in North America, Roadrunner Records in Europe and Riot! Entertainment in Australia and New Zealand.

Germany's IVORY NIGHT has announced their new guitarist. The band comprising members of ROSS THE BOSS and the former drummer of Germany's SALTATIO MORTIS have teamed up with the guitar player of the legendary avant-garde metal act MEKONG DELTA: Benedikt Zimniak.

Singer Patrick Fuchs: "Finding a suitable guitarist for Ivory Knight was a tough task especially for me as the new man would replace me in order to give me the freedom to be a full-fledged singer and frontman. With Benedikt we have found the perfect match on both the musical and the personal level. Welcome to chaos, Bene!"

The new five-piece line-up have just made their first public appearance on the Saarbangers Festival on Friday, May 21. Their new album is expected to be released in September.

Dutch blackened thrash/death metal band ONHEIL have released their new music video for the song ‘Nemesis’ Light Fading’, a song from their latest album Razor, released by German Record Label Cyclone Empire and produced at the Final Focus studio by Bart Hennephof (TEXTURES) and Yuma van Eekelen (PESTILENCE).

Footage for the storyline has been taken from an upcoming independent movie, shot and directed by band member Amok and together with part-time actor Dkarn Tserinth. The video shows the band playing in a one hundred years old electrical facility.

Amok comments: ”Don't expect a clean Hollywood production, this movie is raw and real. Beside that, the project is 'no-budget' anyway.”

Los Angeles-based label Cleopatra Records is releasing a brand new single – and the first new track in nearly two years - from the godfathers of industrial metal, MINISTRY.

Led by founding member, frontman/guitarist Al Jourgensen, the band’s sizzling remake of the AC/DC classic 'Thunderstruck' is available on iTunes worldwide today and will be serviced nationwide to radio programmers courtesy of Skateboard Marketing.

The special US-only promotion will feature rare collectible prizes where the lucky winners will receive an autographed item from Al Jourgensen himself. Skateboard will also be servicing the brand-new full-length Ministry album, to be released by Cleopatra later this year.

Vancouver's THE THICK OF IT, featuring DUSKMACHINE / ex-ANNIHILATOR bassist Russ Bergquist, have issued the following press release:

The Thick of It, the new band featuring former members of FLYBANGER, ANNIHILATOR and KILL RHYTHM, have posted three new tracks from their upcoming 10 song release First Day Of Death for streaming at this location.

The album's title track 'First Day of Death', mixed by Dean Maher (THEORY OF A DEADMAN, RISE AGAINST) “is a hard and heavy song that tells the story about courage and overcoming one’s weaknesses. The song is about the first day of your new life and the last day of your old life, having the courage to take a positive step to be who you really are.”

Digital release of First Day Of Death is set for July 19th. Keep updated via The Thick Of It's official website.

Bergquist recently contacted BW&BK with the following update on his current activities:

"Just sending an quick update with what I got going on. Locally here in Vancouver, I have been playing with a rock band called THE THICK OF IT. We have an album done and are selling it at shows and looking distribution of some kind. The singer and drummer used to play with a popular band here call JAR. They released two albums and then were picked up by a major label and changed the name to FLYBANGER. After a while the band died but now they're going to do some shows again under the name JAR. I will play bass with these guys as I already play with them in The Thick of It, maybe marry up some shows with the two bands.

I'm still doing the DuskMachine thing. We have a new unannounced vocalist. New album will be killer!"

Watch for further updates, coming soon. For information on Bergquist go to this location.

DuskMachiune also features Bergquist's former Annihilator bandmate / PRIMAL FEAR drummer Randy Black, ex-Annihilator bassist Russ Bergquist and guitarist Nikolai Wurk. Updates and information are available on the official Duskmachine MySpace page.

SYSTEM DIVIDE - featuring Sven De Caluwe (ABORTED) and Miri Milman (ex-DISTORTED) on vocals, Cole Martinez (ex-YEARS OF FIRE, ANTENORA) and Joseph Spiller (ex-THE BINARY COD) on guitars, Andrew Lenthe (Antenora) on bass, and Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY) on drums - have issued the following update in regards to their forthcoming new album, The Conscious Sedation, mixed by the legendary James Murphy (TESTAMENT, OBITUARY, DEATH, etc.):

"Hello to all you sickos out there... The Conscious Sedation mixing process is finally done! The album is mastered and ready to rock n' roll!

Get ready for a new MySpace, website, song and video coming up!"

According to a previous band update, "expect the album to have 11-12 tunes of heavy extreme metal madness with blazing guitar leads, crazy kick patterns, blasts, grooves and melodies along with our own brand of extreme and clean vocals. The album should be out around June on Metal Blade records worldwide so keep your eyes open."

System Divide have already completed a video for the song 'The Apex Doctrine' off the band's current EP, which will also be on the band's full-length debut. Check out a trailer for the new video below.

The band have announced their first concert on July 21st at the Summer Carnage Fest in Israel alongside ABORTED, WHORECORE, THE FADING and PHANTOM PAIN.