Veteran death metallers IMMOLATION have set "Majesty And Decay" as the title of their eighth album, due on March 9, 2010 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded Millbrook Sound Studios in New York with longtime producer Paul Orofino. Mixing duties were handled by Zack Ohren, who has previously worked with DECREPIT BIRTH, SUFFOCATION and ALL SHALL PERISH, among others.

IMMOLATION's new album contains "10 songs [plus two intros] of the strongest material we have ever written," the band said in a statement. "The new material is more violent and aggressive, with fast sections that take us to a new level of speed and intensity, while complementing the dark and sullen heavier moments. There are plenty of miserable and militant movements to please the diehard and new IMMOLATION fans alike."

"Majesty And Decay" track listing:

01. Intro
02. The Purge
03. A Token Of Malice
04. Majesty And Decay
05. Divine Code
06. In Human Form
07. A Glorious Epoch
08. Intro
09. A Thunderous Consequence
10. The Rapture of Ghosts
11. Power And Shame
12. The Comfort of Cowards

Reunited Little Rock, Arkansas-based Christian death/thrash/metalcore band LIVING SACRIFICE will release its new album, b>"The Infinite Order", on January 26, 2010 via Solid State Records. The group's first CD since reforming in 2008 and seventh studio album overall was produced in Nashville, Tennessee and Little Rock, Arkansas by the band's longtime friend Jeremiah Scott (THE SHOWDOWN, DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY). Mixing duties were once again handled by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, AS I LAY DYING), who worked on the band's last album, 2003's "Conceived in Fire".

"The Infinite Order" track listing:

01. Overkill Exposure
02. Rules Of Engagement
03. Nietzche's Madman
04. Unfit To Live
05. The Training
06. Organized Lie
07. The Reckoning
08. Love Forgives
09. They Were One
10. God Is My Home
11. Apostasy

Season Of Mist Records recently announced that Greek black metallers ROTTING CHRIST will release their new album, entitled Aealo, on February 15th in Europe, and February 23rd in North America.

The title is inspired from the ancient Greek word ???? which means thresh-destruction. An distinctive twisted album that is drawing from the bands country’s ancient heritage that translate this rich history into the universal language of metal.

Frontman Sakis explains: "A concept album that is refered on the feelings of a warrior during a battle. Yes in the end you feel like you were on a real battle…So strong the atmosphere of war. It is a concept album that is refered on the feelings of a warrior during a battle…The anger the fear the grief…feelings that anyone can have when he tries to survive during a battle! Hey nothing to do with a right wind-nazi ideology …It is exactly the opposite! When you end up with the listening you feel like you escaped from a battle!You will hate war!"

According to a band update, "Aealo''s sound and riffing becomes transformed by traditional female lamenting choirs
and ancient reed pipes as well as folkloristic melodies and rhythms into something fresh and fascinating. In combining their Metal and cultural heritage, Rotting Christ remain true to the black roots of their founding in 1987 and at the same time strengthen their brotherhoodin spirit with equally individualist groups. This band is illustrated by a stunning guest performance of the Irish band's vocalist Alan A. Nemtheanga, while a no less amazing contribution comes from Greek-American diva extreme DIAMANDA GALAS in a cover version of her 'Orders From The Dead' song!

Also there are and some other guests like Magus Wampyr Daoloth (NECROMANTIA), Daimoneia Nymphe and Dirty Granny Tales that add their twisted and unique spots in this album’s atmosphere."

BLACK SABBATH/HEAVEN & HELL bassist Geezer Butler has posted the following message on his official web site:

"As a friend and colleague of legendary heavy metal singer] Ronnie James Dio [DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW], I just wanted to write a few sentences to express my admiration for the more than 50,000 people who have sent get well wishes to him.

"He is blown away with all the prayers said and offered and all the good wishes sent his way. Believe me, it has helped both him and Wendy [Dio's wife/manager] tremendously to have the support and well wishes and love of so many genuine people."

Swedish metallers SUPREME MAJESTY have issued the following update:

"Finally the great hunt for the right force behind the keyboard is over. The band would like to welcome Tommy Fälth (ISILDURS BANE, MONEY JOE) to the tight nest, with his cool gear and with his fresh and cool West Coast mind.

"Tommy has played together with artists like Janne Schaffer, Ebbot, Peter LeMarc, Johan Johansson, Stefan Sundström, Mr. Soul, Lars Demian, among others... Immediate during the first rehearsal SUPREME MAJESTY was stunned and impressed by his talent, that obviously is so goddamn hard to find around this globe. His skills of performance, looking cool, writing songs, and being a good friend, make him one of us!

"Some songs is already written, so stay tuned."

Keyboardist Mattias Holmgren (NAGLFAR, EMBRACING, AZURE, TIRED TREE) quit SUPREME MAJESTY in 2007 in order to focus on his own projects and his company Morningdew Media. "The fact that the band was living so far away from me was getting out of control, and the music was just not my kind of style," Mattias said in a statement.

SUPREME MAJESTY's third full-length album, "Elements of Creation", was released in March 2005 via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Danger" was recorded at JFK Studio and mixed at Gothenburg's Studio Fredman by Fredrik Nordström and SUPREME MAJESTY.

Lenny Kravitz has shot down media reports that he is contemplating joining AEROSMITH as the replacement for Steven Tyler.

"As much as I am flattered that AEROSMITH's camp would consider me to front the band, Steven Tyler is a family friend, and no voice could ever take the place of his," Kravitz writes on his Twitter profile. "I hope the band stays together. They are classic."

The current issue of Rolling Stone magazine features an in-depth look at the rift between Steven Tyler and the rest of AEROSMITH, including interviews with Perry and guitarist Brad Whitford, plus drummer Joey Kramer, in which they speak openly about their relationship with Tyler and their plans for the group's future. The most surprising comment, however, came from former Geffen Records executive John Kalodner, who oversaw AEROSMITH's late Eighties comeback and some of their biggest albums, such as "Permanent Vacation" and "Pump".

When asked who could possibly take over as lead singer in the band, Kalodner says, "I was talking to Marti Frederiksen about this because he co-wrote 'Jaded' and worked with them for ten years or so. We were talking about how no one can replace Steven Tyler, but the only person he said — and I agreed with — that could even make AEROSMITH anything would be Lenny Kravitz."

But, Kalodner added, "If you're asking me, is there AEROSMITH without Steven Tyler, my answer is no. And if Steven Tyler goes solo, my answer is no."

CREATION'S END, the new power/progressive metal band featuring vocalist Mike DiMeo (RIOT, MASTERPLAN), guitarists Rudy Albert (ZANDELLE) and Marco Sfogli (JAMES LABRIE), drummer Dario Rodriguez, and bassist Joey Bones, is working on its debut album, "A New Beginning", with producer John Macaluso (JAMES LABRIE, FOOL'S GAME, ARK, TNT, YNGWIE MALSTEEN) for a 2010 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

According to a press release, "CREATION'S END unites strong melodies with dark and brutally heavy power metal as well as a slight touch of prog."

For the upcoming CD< Rudy and Dario set out to record eight reworked versions of songs that appeared on their demos which were laid down during 2003-2006.

CREATION'S END is:

Mike DiMeo - Vocals
Rudy Albert - Guitar/Keyboards
Marco Sfogli - Guitar
Joey Bones - Bass
Dario Rodriguez - Drums

Death metal butchers ABORTED have announce their new lineup, featuring Sven De Caluwé (also of SYSTEM DIVIDE) on vocals, Dirk Verbeuren (SOILWORK) on drums, Eran Segal (ex-THEY SWARM/WHORECORE) and Ken Sorceron (ABIGAIL WILLIAMS) on guitar and Cole Martinez (SYSTEM DIVIDE) on bass.

This bandhas been working on new material for the past few months and has recorded a brand new five-track EP entitled, "Coronary Reconstruction". The effort will be released digitally before the end of the year via Century Media, and in a limited run of 1,000 copies by the bandmembers themselves exclusively through Indiemerch.

"Coronary Reconstruction" track listing:

01. Coronary Reconstruction
02. From A Tepid Whiff
03. Grime
04. A Cadaverous Dissertation
05. Left Hand Path (ENTOMBED cover)

Commented Sven De Caluwé: "It has been quite a ride so far with ABORTED. The band always had to deal with numerous lineup changes and this time it is no different. Previous drummer Dan left to play for TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED and bass player Svenchi left to focus on his recording studio he just opened.

"After a tough year with major differences in how the band should evolve musically, and the touring plans of the band, I decided working with Peter and BST would simply not work and move along with new people who are thinking in the same direction and are motivated to lift this band up.

"I still do this band for fun and it is intended to be intense, and a hobby to me, and I do not have expectations to make a living solely from playing death metal as I am realistic that touring 10 months a year with a band like ABORTED is simply a financial hazard. Everyone in the new lineup is aware of this and have been personal friends of mine for nearly a decade.

"The material we have excreted is simply shredding and brain-melting and takes the band back to the 'Goremageddon' and 'Archaic' era with some new twists, which is exactly what I wanted to do.

"I could not be more thrilled to welcome Dirk again in the band, who had a big part in the signature sound of 'Goremageddon'. It has been a blast to work back together on what I think is without a doubt the most exciting ABORTED release since 'The Archaic Abattoir'. Everyone in the band poured heart and soul into the material and you will undoubtedly hear it, THE GORE IS BACK, MOTHERFUCKERS!!!!”

Added Dirk Verbeuren: "Let me start off by saying that I had a total blast recording drums for the 'Goremageddon' album and 'The Haematobic' EP back in 2003/2004. Hanging out with those guys was tons of fun and a memorable experience. As for the musical results, they remain some of my favorite death metal ever — and the fact that the band hails from Belgium just like myself only makes it better!

"Sven and I stayed in touch over the years, and many of you may not know this, but during a common gig with SCARVE somewhere in France, then-ABORTED drummer Gilles and I actually traded places for a live rendition of 'Sanguine Verses'! (In turn, Gilles performed an ENTOMBED cover with SCARVE). A total blast yet again, and in my mind also my swansong with ABORTED...

"Fast forward to October 2009. A common friend tells me the band may be looking for a drummer to help them out on an upcoming recording, so I drop Sven an email. Turns out half the new lineup lives right by my house, and just over a month later, here I am yet again tracking drums for a brand new batch of face-ripping death metal the way it was meant to be made!

"I know it may sound cliché, but the 'Coronary Reconstruction' EP is a true return to form. It has the reckless speed, intensity and creativity (plus another classic ENTOMBED cover!) that ABORTED became known for in the first place, as well as horrifying artwork and odious poetry such as only Sven's insane brain could conjure. I'm very proud and happy to be a part of this extremely talented line-up and I know we're gonna deliver the gory goods on the upcoming album, which I promise WILL be 100% pure brutal ABORTED! ALL HAIL BELGIAN DEATH METAL!!!"

Stated Ken Sorceron: "I'm very pleased to have joined forces with ABORTED as I have long thought of them as one of the best at what they do. I think we are all very dedicated to deliver some of the most brutal ABORTED material yet while staying true to the classic ABORTED sound."

Said Eran Segal: "Having the opportunity to join ABORTED has been one hell of an honor for me. I have been a fan of the band ever since 'Engineering The Dead' and still loved it even after getting to know Sven around 2002. (I know, weird, right?) So in a way I feel like Chris Cole when he joined STEEL DRAGON.

"So far the work with the band has been flat-out wicked. Everybody was being extremely professional and creative which isn't surprising when you look at their impressive credentials.

"Our aim was to revisit the bands earlier brutality while keeping the modern approach presented in its latter era, and if I may say so myself I do believe we hit the target dead on. I'm totally stoked about all of this and can't wait to hit the road."

The artwork for "Coronary Reconstruction" was created by Justin Osbourn from Slasher design and comprises the most gruesome and disgusting art the band ever had.

Italian metallers ELVENKING have completed pre-production for 5 new songs for their forthcoming new album.

"We have recorded some of the new songs in a demo shape, in order to better understand the musical direction of the album and to put something on the table to discuss the new album details, talking about studios, producers, etc. Now we will go further into details with our labels and managements and we will let you know soon about when and where”, says guitarist Aydan.

Vocalist Damna adds, “It’s been really useful to hear some of the new songs recorded, it's helping a lot in trying to focus on what we want to achieve with the new stuff and it's also a good occasion to drink a couple of shots together!"

The recordings feature new guitar player Rafahel, who says, “Everything sounds great to my ears, the new material is something totally new and fresh.”

Further info about the new album will be revealed soon.

Bassist Chuck Wright (ex-QUIET RIOT, HOUSE OF LORDS, GIUFFRIA) has issued the following update:

"I'm currently finishing up the CD art work for KING CRIMSON guitarist, Adrian Belew's project The New Czar's while arranging songs and rehearsing for a political satire musical called Rock-N-Ridicule. I also wanted to announce that I'll be joining the faculty of RockSource360, a web-based firm that provides music artistry coaching, technological service and training, and music business consulting to musicians world-wide. The past couple months, I recorded the bass tracks for Dr. Phil's new seasons theme song, a bass track for another American Pie film, played 13 tracks of bass on the NORTHERN LIGHT ORCHESTRA - Spirit Of Christmas CD that features George Lynch, Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE), Bruce Kulick (KISS), Shane Gibson (KORN) and many more. Blockbuser will be giving away 525,000 samplers of it at their stores. I've also been performing live throughout California and Nevada with Flamenco guitarist David Maldonado and in rehearsals with Latin trop pop singer/ guitarist Keith Chagall."

Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH will release their long-awaited concert DVD+CD digipack, "Alive", on February 5 in Europe and February 9 in the U.S. Recorded during the band's 2008-2009 tours of USA, Canada and Japan, the set contains 105 minutes of footage on DVD and more than 60 minutes of music on CD.

The track listing is as follows:

CD:

01. Perpetual Black Second (Tokyo)
02. Electric Red
03. Rational Gaze
04. Pravus
05. Lethargica
06. Combustion
07. Straws Pulled At Random
08. New Millenium Cyanide Christ
09. Stengah
10. The Mouth Licking What You've Bled
11. Humiliative
12. Bleed

DVD:

01. Begin
02. Perpetual Black Second (Tokyo)
03. Twenty Two Hours
04. Pravus (Tokyo)
05. Dissemination
06. Bleed (NYC)
07. Ritual
08. New Millenium Cyanide Christ (Montreal)
09. Cleanse
10. Stengah (Montreal)
11. The Mouth Licking What You've Bled (Montreal)
12. Machine
13. Electric Red (Tokyo)
14. Solidarius
15. Rational Gaze (Tokyo)
16. Moment
17. Lethargica (Toronto)
18. Communicate
19. Combustion (Toronto)
20. Humiliative (Montreal)
21. Infinitum
22. Straws Pulled At Random (Toronto)
23. End

Bonus:

01. "Bleed" Music Video
02. The Making Of "Bleed"
03. Micha Guitar Tour
04. Tomas Drum Tour

Watch a trailer for the DVD below.

A collection of MESHUGGAH's singles in three vinyl formats — 10", 11", 12" in a picture sleeve, all inside an outer sleeve — was recently made available in a limited edition of 450 hand-numbered copies via Night Of The Vinyl Dead.

A brand new song from Finnish metallers PAIN CONFESSOR entitled "Tarnished Halo" is available for streaming in its entirety using the ReverbNation TuneWidget below. The track was one of three cuts the band recently laid down at their own studio, with the mixing and mastering duties handled by Janne Saksa of Studio Sound Supreme.

The demo features the following songs:

01. Red on White
02. Tarnished Halo
03. Hope

CIVILIZATION ONE, the band led by singer Chitral "Chity" Somapala (ex-FIREWIND, FARO, AVALON) and bassist Pierre-Emmanuel Pélisson (MALADAPTIVE, ex-HEAVENLY), has announced its new lineup:

Chitral "Chity" Somapala (FIREWIND, FARO, AVALON) - Vocals
Pierre-Emmanuel Pélisson (MALADAPTIVE, HEAVENLY) - Bass
Michael Stein - Drums
Oliver Marmann - Guitar
Nicklaus Bergen - Guitar

"Bend It Like Bender", the new video from THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, the band fronted by Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR), can be viewed at RevolverMag.com.

Commented Townsend: "The video for 'Bend It Like Bender' was directed by none other than the mighty Konrad Palkewicz, who directed 'Almost Again' by STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, and 'Coast' off of 'Ki'. It's an all-animated affair that is not nearly as 'puffy' as the song; it's a mini-movie with his incredible skills once again making my music seem much more poignant than it really is. I've seen some clips and it's crazy good."

Guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH has issued the following update:

"That's it, folks!! The 'Watershed' world tour is now officially OVER!

"We finished off with two shows in Greece. One in Thessaloniki and one in Athens. Both were great and a worthy finale for a tour that's lasted over 19 months and I'd guess far beyond 200 shows. All over the world.

"We've played in territories we've never been before. Like Russia and the Middle East. Made a lot of friends, met a lot of psychos, seen some crazy stuff, done some crazy stuff, too!

"Endless hours in airports, to the point that we've made friends with bartenders all over the world. 'Hey, you guys again??' Endless hours in shuttles, hotels, backstage rooms, backstage (funky) toilets, bars, coffee shops (not me), taxi cabs, buses, bunks, in the gutter!

"I feel....weird! I think I feel good, but I feel shit, too!

"My daughters were waking me up this morning crawling over me, kissing me and hugging me. 'Daddy's home!'

"Melinda [one of Mikael's daughters] asked if I'd stay 'all the time until Christmas?' She thinks having me home for 20 days or so is like an eternity. Sad, really.

"Well, I'm setting things straight with a ridiculous amount of presents.

"I don't know what I'm going to do now. Maybe rest for a week or so and just hang out.

"PRS guitars are going to bring me and Fred [OPETH guitarist Fredrik Åkesson] over for the NAMM [National Association Of Music Merchants] fair [in Anaheim, California in January] where I'll introduce my very own signature guitar. Amazing! I have kept my mouth shut on this 'cause I wasn't sure how things were progressing, but now it seems like the prototype is finished and it's 'killer,' I hear! Haven't tried it out yet, but it's gonna be fucking nice!

"OPETH have the 20th anniversary shows coming up, plus I think we might do two festivals. BLOODBATH [the Swedish death metal 'supergroup' featuring Mikael on lead vocals] are doing five festivals next summer. Not really busy at all, to be honest, in terms of shows. I'll be writing music, though...lots of it!"

SPLATTERED MERMAIDS, the Swedish death/grind band featuring members of DERANGED and VISCERAL BLEEDING, has issued the following update:

"We are working on our next full-length album — writing new songs and rehearsing!!! So far we have around 2-3 new songs that we're pretty satisfied with... They're fast and compact with a lot of energy."

SPLATTERED MERMAIDS is:

Johan Bergström - Vocals
Johan Hallberg - Guitar
Martin Schönherr - Drums
Martin Eklöv - Bass

SPLATTERED MERMAIDS entered the studio in January to record 2-3 new tracks and reworked versions of two old tunes for a split CD with FEKALIZATOR.

SPLATTERED MERMAIDS is working on its first-ever DVD. The disc will include live footage, studio/tour material as well as "other goodies." According to the band, "There is so much material that it could easily fill 10 DVDs but that will not happen, it will be one or two discs filled with the best live stuff and the funniest tour/studio/backstage memories."

The band's latest album, "Stench of Flesh", was released in March 2008 via the Czech label Bizarre Leprous Production.

THE ORDER OF APOLLYON, the new black/death metal project featuring current/former members of ABORTED, AKERCOCKE and CRADLE OF FILTH, is continuing work on its debut album, tentatively titled "The Flesh", for an early 2010 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. Guitarist James McIlroy (CRADLE OF FILTH, CHAOSANCT, MATRON) states, "We've done all the guitars, and added some extra awesomeness with re-amping through a few classic amps to add textures and layers to it all (at Orgone studios in London) and are in the process of adding the vocals. It sounds massive so far, and really organic."

German industrial black metal band AGRYPNIE will release its third full-length album, "16[485]", on December 18. The follow-up to 2008's "Exit" will be available in a limited digipack release in a DVD case and a normal CD version. The 10-track CD, mainly composed and texted by ex-NOCTE OBDUCTA singer Torsten, der Unhold, who is currently residing in Sydney, Australia, features a guest appearance by Alboin, member of GEÏST, and Mathias Grassow, an acquainted German ambient artist.

"16[485]" track listing:

01. Figur 109-3
02. Der tote Trakt
03. Kadavergehorsam
04. Verfall
05. Schlaf
06. Zorn
07. F15.2
08. Morgen
09. 16[485] / Brücke aus Glas
10. Figur 109-1

Torsten also contributed guitar to two tracks on NOSTALGIA's new album, "Echoes From The Borderland", which features John Haughm of AGALLOCH.

NOSTALGIA is the project of Mathias Grassow and Rüdiger Gleisberg and the release is yet to be scheduled.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian has issued the following update:

"Being that the holidays are a time for being with family, I felt it appropriate to update everyone about a project near and dear to my heart, the debut album by my dad, Khatchadour. The album, 'Inchbes Moranak', will be out in December at selected record stores, iTunes and our very own web store at SerjicalStrike.com. The picture of the album cover is below.

"I wanted to let you know that you can actually catch a very special performance with my father and I that will be televised [on Thursday, November 26] (Thanksgiving day) on the Armenia Fund Telethon. This is an international program that is likely to be aired in your area. The perfomance will be aired sometime between 12 p.m. PST and 1 p.m. PST and again sometime between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. PST. You'll find a state by state listing of all the broadcasting stations and channels at [this location]. You'll also learn more about the telethon and the cause it supports, so please do so.

"Be on the lookout for more details about my dad's record and possible future special announcements. As always, I will update you on the happenings. In the meantime, we have created a MySpace and Facebook profile for him."

WICKED TEMPTATION, the new Cologne/Bochum, Germany-based hard rock band featuring guitarist Peter Wagner (ex-POWERGOD) and drummer Hans in't Zandt (ex-VENGEANCE, ANGEL DUST), is putting the finishing touches on its debut album, "Seein' Ain't Believin'", for a March 12, 2010 release via Rhine Rock Records/Sony Music. According to a press release, the CD will contain "10 of the finest classic hard rock/metal songs [in the vein] of DOKKEN, OZZY OSBOURNE, LYNCH MOB etc."

"Seein' Ain't Believin'" track listing:

01. Money
02. Love Just Ain't Enough
03. Hellraiser
04. Liar
05. Magic
06. Rock 'n' Roll Disaster
07. Seein'Ain't Believin'
08. Hard To Take
09. Children
10. Waking Up To Die

"Liar", "Rock 'n' Roll Disaster" and the title track, "Seein' Ain't Believin'", are available for streaming at the band's official web site.

WICKED TEMPTATION is:

Hans in't Zandt (VENGEANCE, ANGEL DUST) - Drums
Peter Wagner (ex-POWERGOD) - Guitar
Marc Hermann (ex-JO HARTMANN BAND) - Bass
Dirk Hackenberg (ex-SALVAGE, ESSEX) - Vocals

wisted Sister guitarist Eddie Ojeda is recuperating from emergency back surgery that forced him to miss the band's concert near Philadelphia.

Ojeda experienced intense pain that prevented him from standing or sitting, went to a hospital and had surgery to repair a ruptured disc, according to bandmate Jay Jay French. Dan McCafferty, who played guitar in singer Dee Snider's solo band, was pressed into duty as a last-minute replacement at the Keswick Theater on Wednesday night.

French says Ojeda is feeling better and hopes to perform at the band's Sunday night concert at New York's Nokia Theater. If he can't, McCafferty will fill in there as well.

"I talked to him this morning, and he says he feels much better," French said Friday. "They want to see if he can stand for two hours and play. He plans to try it."

Ojeda's absence forced some scrambling in the band. As a member of "Dee Snider's SMFs," McCafferty had played French's solos in the Twisted Sister songs that often featured solos from both guitarists.

"He played my parts and I had to learn Eddie's parts, which I had never done in all these years 'cause there was never a reason for me to," French said.

"Under The Blade," Twisted Sister's first hit, was written about Ojeda's throat surgery in the 1970s.

The band is in the midst of their annual "Twisted Christmas" tour that also includes shows in Las Vegas Dec. 15-17. They also will perform at the lighting of the New York Stock Exchange Christmas tree on Dec. 10.

Swedish melodic rockers M.ILL.ION have announced the addition of keyboardist Angelo Modafferi from Australia to the group's ranks.

Commented M.ILL.ION's B.J Laneby: "Angelo is exactly what we were looking for: great musician, rock' n roll attitude and he's singing backing vocals. And we have already had some good laughs, not the least important thing in this gang. He's been involved in the music industry for quite some time including touring and recording and has also been a piano teacher for 10 years. We clicked musically and socially right away."

Added Modafferi: "Totally wrapped to be a part of M.ILL.ION! It's great! They're a cool bunch of guys and I'm really looking forward to working and rocking out with them."

M.ILL.ION's sixth studio album, "Thrill Of The Chase", was released in May 2008 via Metal Heaven. The CD was recorded between November 2007 and January 2008. Mixing was done in February at the world-class Bohus Studio (ABBA, STATUS QUO) in Sweden by Tobias Lindell and B.J Laneby.

Vocalist Glenn Hughes has issued the following update:

"The DVD, Live In Wolverhampton (Official Bootleg) DVD, is now available in extremely limited quantity from glennhughes.com. The DVD will also be available to purchase from a variety of high street shops as well as online outlets in late December/the early part of January 2010, but glennhughes.com has secured a limited quantity of discs, prior to them hitting the retail shelves! So hurry, if you want to be one of the first to own this limited run of PAL only DVD's!!

Regular purchase price of the DVD is USD$18.75, but registered owners of an Alive Drive, are entitled to a 20% discount, bringing the purchase price of the DVD down to USD$15.00. However, this Alive Drive owner discount offer is not open ended - so do hurry if you are interested in taking advantage of this 20% discount offer."

Go to this location to purchase.

Following is the official press release:

Glenn Hughes - The Voice of Rock - examines his own back pages on this historic in-concert recording. Over two nights, June 6th & 7th 2009, Hughes' enthralled hometown audiences with his unique brand of rock-funk when he packed out The Robin 2 Hotel in Bilston, Wolverhampton, UK.

The first night, billed as Glenn Hughes With His Full Band' saw him performing music from his glory days with Deep Purple in 1973 on to 2009. Songs including 'Muscle & Blood' (from the album Hughes/Thrall), 'You Got Soul' (from Music for the Divine), 'Don't Let Me Bleed' (from Soul Mover) and 'Crave' (from First Underground Nuclear Kitchen) Hughes has rarely performed in the UK before.

The second night, billed as You Are The Music': An Evening Of Trapeze' saw Hughes performing a full TRAPEZE set for the first time as a solo performer. Dedicated to the memory of his friend and former Trapeze guitarist Mel Galley, who passed away in July 2008, Hughes delivered emotionally charged versions of songs taken from the albums Medusa ('Touch My Life', 'Black Cloud', 'Medusa') and You Are the Music... We're Just the Band ('Way Back to the Bone', 'Coast to Coast', 'You Are the Music').

The music is often heavy, sometimes graceful and never less than riveting. Hughes' soulful, distinctive voice is superlative throughout, pleading, powerful and always from the heart.

Beautifully presented with superb sound quality, this DVD is a must for the Glenn Hughes aficionado and fans of Classic Rock.

Bonus Features:
* Wolves - Visit The Molineux Stadium
* Interview - Trapeze Manager, Tony Perry

Disc Format: DVD-9
Picture Format: PAL 16:9
Duration: 202 minutes
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Stereo

Vocalist Ronnie Stixx has announced his departure from San Francisco Bay Area metallers VICIOUS RUMORS. In a posting on his MySpace page, he writes, "It's official — I have quit VICIOUS RUMORS due to unfair conditions and very shady acts from certain members [of the] band.

"This may come to no surprise to many of you.

This decision was made during the Headbangers Open Air 2009 [festival in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany in July].

"From that the start, I feel like I have been treated like a outsider and still owed money from past 2008 shows... but I still always put 110% in VICIOUS RUMORS despite all warnings from many of you who have delt with VICIOUS RUMORS in the past.

"WELL, YOU WERE RIGHT. I guess I found out the hard way.

"I am sorry if I let the VICIOUS RUMORS fans down for leaving the band, but you have to see from my point of view. When a band has lots of lineup changes and vocalist quitting, they must have had a good reason for leaving.

"I will not bash or go into detail with what those shady acts are.

"Look, everyone who knows me knows that I am cool to everyone, but I just could not deal with ROCK STAR EGOS and shy conditions any longer.

"Look, when you are faced with big egos, you can do one of two things — either eat their shit or tell them to fuck off!

"With [no new] material being written or recorded in over two years and just milking the tours on old songs for one person's gain, this was not what I thought it was going to be.

"Well, they may come out and say, 'Well, he was just a hired gun,' but you have to be paid to be called that!

"Call it what you will — quit, fired,split, whatever! At the end of the day, it was not working out.

"I will continue with BLOOD REDSKIES as we gear up for our new album due for March 2010 as well festival dates in the U.S. and Europe."