Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based old-school metallers MANTIC RITUAL have parted ways with singer/guitarist and founding member Dan Wetmore.

Commented the band in a statement: "After much consideration, Dan has decided to no longer continue with MANTIC RITUAL. We are greatly appreciative of his tremendous contributions to the band and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

"For the upcoming tours this fall, our good friend Dave Watson will be filling in as singer/guitarist. We've known Dave for quite some time, and besides being a killer musician, he's an outstanding sound engineer as well (he mixed our 2007 self-released demo, 'Executioner'). We have no doubt that Dave will be a perfect fit for us these next few months, and that the band will continue delivering fist-pumping rock 'n' roll like it's 1955."

Added Dan Wetmore: "It has been hard for me to make this decision as I love Adam, Ben, and Jeff and the music we've made together. I've always been dedicated to the band and truly enjoyed playing and writing material. Still, I've had the desire to focus on photography for quite some time and I don't see myself spending life on the road. It is my personal choice to leave the band and return to school. Despite conflicting feelings, I know currently this is the best decision for me. The outcome is very hard to face, as I've enjoyed the past five years and progress we've made. I'm sure some might think I'm crazy or stupid, but I'll eat that. The guys are dedicated and I'm positive they'll do well with Dave taking my place. All the best to them, they're my pals."

All scheduled shows will take place as planned.

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY will release their new DVD, "Where Death Is Most Alive", on October 26 in Europe and November 17 in North America via Century Media Records.

Check out the cover artwork by Niklas Sundin below. Also available is a trailer for the DVD.

Commented the band: "This little baby took quite some time to deliver, but when you'll see the scope and quality of the material, you'll understand why it wasn't done over a fortnight.

"Our first official DVD, 'Live Damage' (2002), was OK for its time, but hardly spectacular, so this time we wanted to make sure that we could offer people something more substantial that would live up to the high expectations.

"For the main feature, we had our headline show in Milano last October professionally documented by Finnish production company Vasara Films. As expected, they did a stellar job with both the filming and editing and really managed to capture the vibe of the evening. Italy is home to some of the most devoted and enthusiastic DARK TRANQUILLITY fans on earth, something which is very obvious from the footage. The show is the longest one in DARK TRANQUILLITY history (and one of the very last concerts held at the legendary Rolling Stone club), and features a guest performance by Nell Sigland [THEATRE OF TRAGEDY] on 'The Mundane And The Magic' and 'Insanity's Crescendo'. For the mixing, we once again let Tue Madsen work his magic at his Antfarm Studios in Denmark, and the result is simply amazing.

"In addition to that, Village Road Films have put together 'Out Of Nothing', a true stroll-down-memory-lane documentary about the band. All current members as well as Michael Nicklasson (ex-bass) and Fredrik Johansson (ex-guitar) are interviewed, and a host of people from the early Gothenburg scene share their anecdotes and memories. Among others, Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES, GROTESQUE, etc), Anders Iwers (TIAMAT, CEREMONIAL OATH) and Fredrik Nordström (Studio Fredman) appear in the film, which spans for approximately 47 minutes.

"The DVD will also mark the premiere of the 'Misery's Crown' promo video, shot earlier this year by Roger Johansson and Vasara Films. All our other promo clips from recent years are featured as well.

"Furthermore, we undertook some extensive detective research, raiding our old homes to dig up long forgotten VHS tapes from the archives. A surprisingly large amount of footage was found, most of which never even got spread through the tape trading network at the time. In total, the 'Live Archive' portion of the DVD features 21 tracks with a strong emphasis on old ('Skydancer' and earlier) material including some real rarities. Most of these songs were only performed live a handful of times, as shows weren't that frequent back then. Two of them ('Soulbreed' and 'The Dying Fragment Of An Elderly Dream') are actually the only DARK TRANQUILLITY songs that were 100% completed but never recorded properly in studio. Both were written in the autumn of 1991.

"To conclude — we're damn proud of this release, and more than sure that it will satisfy the high expectations of both old and new fans alike. Here's to the next 20 years!"

Belgian black metallers ENTHRONED have issued the following update:

"Nguaroth [guitar] and Ahephaim [drums] decided to part ways with ENTHRONED due to a lack of time and availability, their future plans couldn't match with the writing, recording and touring schedules of the band.

"ENTHRONED would like to salute the dedication both members showed and fullfilled during these last years!

"After several auditions, we are proud to introduce you ENTHRONED's new messiahs, Garghuf on drums, who is known for his previous work with Norwegian black metallers GORGOROTH and Neraath on guitars, coming back after five years of absence!

"ENTHRONED is now working with the full new lineup on their upcoming assault, 'Pentagrammaton', sheduled to be release through Regain Records in early 2010!"

ENTHRONED's most recent album, "Tetra Karcist", was released in September 2007 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded under the guidance of Harris Johns (SODOM, KREATOR, VOIVOD). Guest musicians on the CD include Ashmedi (MELECHESH), MkM (ANTAEUS), Verderf (ex-VERLOREN, OUROBOUROS), Harris Johns and Dungeon (ICONOCLASM).

A new EVERGREEN TERRACE track, "Sending Signals", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The song comes off the Jacksonville, Florida band's new full-length album, "Almost Home", which is scheduled for release on September 29 via Metal Blade Records.

Continuing its blistering combination of melodic hardcore and metal, EVERGREEN TERRACE has gone back to its roots on "Almost Home". "I think this record will surprise the new listeners as well as have the old ones stoked," stated guitarist Josh James. " I'd say its best described as a good mixture of 'Burned Alive by Time' [2002] and 'Wolfbiker' [2007]."

Splitting the recording process of the album in half, the band tracked all the music at Martell Studios and all of the vocals at AudioHammer (AUGUST BURNS RED, BURY YOUR DEAD, TRIVIUM, etc.).

"We've always had a lot of pop culture references in our song titles and this record is no exception," said James. "Before we even started writing new songs, we already have a list of titles from books, movies, and comedians. Half of the song titles on this record are pulled from the lyrics. The others are pop culture references that relate to the lyrical content."

"Almost Home" track listing:

01. Enemy Sex
02. Almost Home (III)
03. God Rocky is This Your Face?
04. We're Always Losing Blood
05. Sending Signals
06. Mario Speedwagon
07. Failure to Operate
08. Hopelessly Hopeless
09. The Letdown
10. I'm a Bulletproof Tiger
11. Not Good Enough

Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have issued the following update:

"We're more than halfway into [the songwriting process for DIMMU BORGIR's new album] at this point and to say we're excited about this material would be an understatement! There will be an orchestra and a choir which we still have to pick out, but judging from what we have so far and what is brewing, it's going to sound absolutely massive and heavy, dark and epic!"

The remaining members of DIMMU BORGIR issued a statement on August 31 confirming keyboardist Mustis' (real name: Øyvind Mustaparta) and bassist/clean vocalist ICS Vortex's (real name: Simen Hestnæs) departures from the group. The statement also downplayed the impact the lineup changes will have on the sound of DIMMU BORGIR next album, insisting that "the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever."

Mustis issued a statement on August 30 claiming that his dismissal from DIMMU BORGIR was caused by his efforts to "address the fact that many songs written by me had not been registered properly under my name in their credits. Without naming every single track, let us just say that a good majority of albums like 'Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia' and 'In Sorte Diaobli' would have been vastly different had I not composed and created as much as I actually did," he said. "Sadly, based on terrible gaps in the communication process and a failure to find logical rationale for why this had been done this way found me hitting wall after wall as opposed to finding a professional and reasonable solution to the problem. My inquiries and investigation into the issues which I wished to resolve and move on from would in the end find me being fired from the group. No discussions about it, just 'goodbye' (via text message)."

Last year's "Blackest Of The Black" tour with DANZIG helped support DIMMU's latest DVD titled "The Invaluable Darkness", which debuted at No. 5 on the Top Music Videos chart in mid-October. It was also the band's last North American tour promoting their eighth studio album, "In Sorte Diaboli", which debuted on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart at No. 2, and on The Billboard 200 chart at No. 43.

Austrian symphonic extreme metal outfit HOLLENTHON will release a new EP, "Tyrants and Wraiths" (cover), on the following dates:

Oct. 28 - Finland, Spain
Oct. 30 - Benelux, France, Italy, Sweden
Nov. 02 - Rest of Europe
Nov. 03 - Canada
Nov. 17 - USA

"Tyrants and Wraiths" features four new tracks and two live videos from last year's Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Tyrants and Wraiths
02. Innocent Sin
03. Deathly Dirges
04. Of Hollow Men
05. On the Wings of a Dove (video; live at Graspop Metal Meeting 2008)
06. Ars Moriendi (video; live at Graspop Metal Meeting 2008)

HOLLENTHON's latest album, "Opus Magnum", was released in June 2008 via the Austrian record label Napalm Records. The CD features eight songs and a cover version, plus a video.

HOLLENTHON issued two critically acclaimed albums nearly a decade ago — "Domus Mundi" (1999) and "With Vilest Of Worms To Dwell" (2001).

Finnish hard/glam rockers NEGATIVE are recording their fifth album in Los Angeles with producers Warren Riker (MICHAEL JACKSON, KORN, SANTANA etc.) and Jimmy Westerlund (music, TV and film productions). An early 2010 release via the band's new record label, Warner Music, is expected. A single will precede the full-length CD at the end of 2009.

NEGATIVE's fourth album, "Karma Killer", was released in September 2008 in most of Europe (outside Finland) through Edel Music. The CD entered the official chart in the group's home country at position No. 3 back in May 2008.

"Karma Killer" was produced by Mikko Karmila who had previously worked with Finnish heavyweights NIGHTWISH and CHILDREN OF BODOM.

Long-running German metallers PARADOX will release their fifth album, "Riot Squad", on October 16, 2009 via AFM Records. The cover artwork was once again created by Claudio Bergamin and can be viewed here.

"Riot Squad" was produced by Charly Steinhauer and it was was mixed and mastered by Achim Köhler. It contains "10 crystal-clear and powerful sounding thrashers full of energy, speed, melody and originality," according to a press release.

The track "Hollow Peace" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

PARADOX is:

Charly Steinhauer (vocals, guitar)
Kai Pasemann (guit)
Olly Keller (bass)
Roland Jahoda (drums)

German melodic metal band POWERWORLD, the brainchild of former FREEDOM CALL and MOON'DOC bassist Ilker Ersin, has parted ways with drummer Jürgen Lucas. The drum tracks on the group's new CD, which is currently being recorded for an early 2010 release via Metal Haven, are being laid down by Simon Michael of SUBWAY TO SALLY.

Entitled "Human Parasite", POWERWORLD's follow-up to last year's self-titled effort will contain "12 brand new, mind-hammering groovy songs," according to a press release.

After his departure from FREEDOM CALL in the middle of 2005, Ersin decided to follow a different musical path and started to work on a project that contained more grooves and less power metal influences.

RAMMSTEIN, the Berlin, Germany-based industrial metal sextet well known for its controversial and fiery live performances, has set "Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" as the title of its new album, due in the U.S. on October 20 via Vagrant Records (October 16 in Germany). The band's first new album in four years contains 11 songs which were once again mixed and mastered by Jacob Hellner in Stockholm, Sweden. Pre-production for the new release was done at Castle Beerenstedt in eastern Germany's Halle/Saale while the bulk of the recording was done in late 2008 at Northern California's Sonoma Mountain Studio.

"Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" (cover) track listing:

01. Rammlied
02. Ich Tu Dir Weh
03. Waidmann's Heil
04. Haifisch
05. B******
06. Fruehling In Paris
07. Weiner Blut
08. Pussy
09. Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da
10. Mehr
11. Roter Sand

RAMMSTEIN is:

Till Lindemann - Vocals
Paul Landers - Guitar
Richard Z. Kruspe - Guitar
Oliver Riedel - Bass
Christoph Schneider - Drums
Flake Lorenz - Keyboards

Swedish metallers EVENTIDE have entered the studio to begin recording their sophomore full-length album, tentatively due next year. The band states, "Finally, after little over a month, the drums are recorded! The process is extremely slow as we only have time to record a couple of hours each week. The album will contain 13 songs and we'll hopefully start recording bass and guitars in a couple of weeks!"

EVENTIDE released a promotional CD last year entitled "Planet Plague". The effort contains four tracks and was made available for free on the band's web site and MySpace page.

EVENTIDE's debut album, "Diaries from the Gallows", was released in October 2006 via Cartel Media. The CD was recorded at Los Angered studios in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Swedish progressive melodic death metallers SCAR SYMMETRY are streaming a new song, "Noumenon & Phenomenon", on their MySpace page. The track comes off the band's new album, "Dark Matter Dimensions", which is scheduled for release on October 2 via Nuclear Blast Records. "Noumenon & Phenomenon" will also be released as digital download single (see cover here) on September 18, backed by another album cut, "Nonhuman Era".

"Dark Matter Dimensions" (cover) track listing:

01. The Iconoclast
02. The Consciousness Eaters
03. Noumenon And Phenomenon
04. Ascension Chamber
05. Mechanical Soul Cybernetics
06. Nonhuman Era
07. Dark Matter Dimensions
08. Sculpture Void
09. A Paranthesis In Eternity
10. Frequencyshifter
11. Radiant Strain
12. Pariah (exclusive limited-edition digipack bonus track)

Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH and Metal Blade Records Inc. have entered into a long-term, exclusive distribution deal.

With immediate effect, Sony Music will take over the physical distribution of all new releases from Metal Blade Records in Germany and Austria. The back catalog will gradually be taken over as well. This deal ensures Metal Blade Records a bright future in an ever-changing market.

"Metal Blade is a leading force in the global metal scene and will strengthen its position with the help of this new distribution deal with Sony," stated Simon Füllemann, Head of Marketing & Distribution for Metal Blade in Europe.

RAMMSTEIN, the Berlin, Germany-based industrial metal sextet well known for its controversial and fiery live performances, will release a new single, "Pussy", on September 18. It will be made available a two-song digipack, also featuring the track "Rammlied" as the B-side. A video for "Pussy" was recently shot with renowned Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund, who has previously worked with METALLICA, SATYRICON, MADONNA and THE PRODIGY, among others.

Check out the single artwork below.

"Pussy" comes off RAMMSTEIN's new album, which will be released in the U.S. on October 20 via Vagrant Records. The band's first new CD in four years contains 11 songs which were once again mixed and mastered by Jacob Hellner in Stockholm, Sweden. Pre-production for the new release was done at Castle Beerenstedt in eastern Germany's Halle/Saale while the bulk of the recording was done in late 2008 at Northern California's Sonoma Mountain Studio.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Rammlied
02. Ich Tu Dir Weh
03. Waidmann's Heil
04. Haifisch
05. B******
06. Fruehling In Paris
07. Weiner Blut
08. Pussy
09. Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da
10. Mehr
11. Roter Sand

MAEL MÓRDHA — the world's only "Gaelic doom metal" band — has issued the following update:

"Due to some 'internal restructuring' in our label, Grau Records, our album, 'Manannán', is now not going to be released until next year. When next year we cannot tell you. When they decide to let us know the release date, you'll be the first to know.

"Our Irish dates are still confirmed with the exception of the Waterford date which seems to be in doubt (but this was in no way related to the album launch). We were planning on airing some of the songs off of our new album and still intend on doing this along with a health mix from 'Cluain Tarbh' and 'Gealtacht Mael Mórdha'.

"Many thanks for your patience.

"If you feel annoyed by this delay in the new album release then feel free to contact Grau and vent your anger there."

A 90-second YouTube clip featuring audio samples from "Manannán" is available here.

Regarding the upcoming CD, the group recently stated, "It's called 'Manannán', after the Irish God of the Sea. It's a concept album and there are eight tracks in total."

"Manannán" track listing:

01. Through the Lungs of the Dead
02. The Summoning
03. The Doom of the Races of Éire
04. Our Ancestors Dwell Here
05. Manannán
06. A Nation in Ruins
07. The Gaelic Twilight
08. Back To Éire

MAEL MÓRDHA is:

Roibéard Ó Bogail: Vocals, Whistles
Gerry Clince: Guitars
Anthony Lindsay: Guitars
Dave Murphy: Bass Guitar
Shane Cahill: Drums

THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz has recorded a guest appearance on a new song from the reunited SLAVES ON DOPE.

SLAVES ON DOPE vocalist Jason Rockman and guitarist Kevin Jardine recently reformed the group and are encouraging "old fans and possible new ones" to join them at their new Facebook page.

SLAVES ON DOPE's "Inches from the Mainline" album was released through Ozzy Osbourne's now-defunct Divine Recordings label. After Divine Recordings lost its distribution deal with EMI's Priority Records, the band was left without a label. After a long search, a deal was struck with Bieler Bros. Records. SLAVES ON DOPE's second major album, "Metafour", was released in 2003.

In March 2004, SLAVES ON DOPE announced it was going on hiatus due to Jason Rockman leaving the band.

Three unique artists were approached to remix LACUNA COIL's "I Like It" track for an upcoming single, to be made available digitally only on September 21 in Europe and Australia.

Interface: One of New York's longest-running electronic music acts, Interface combines the sonic edge of industrial, the club energy of trance, and a melodic sensibility for a unique experience.

Das Basslaster: Das Basslaster, synthies/samples/computer and vocals as well as producer for electro/pop/emo/trash darlings FRITTENBUDE, went for a more pop mix of the song.

Dan Peace: 20-year-old underground electro/big bass producer and DJ from the Northeast England, Dan Peace emerged from the bedroom mid-September 2008. He has since been knocking out his own brand of dance music and DJing regularly.

The ANVIL song "Thumb Hang" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The newly recorded, never-before-released bonus track is featured on the re-release of the group's latest album, "This is Thirteen", which will finally be given proper national distribution on CD and vinyl on September 15 via VH1 Classic Records. The collectible double vinyl LP boasts newly re-recorded versions of ANVIL classics "Metal on Metal" and "666". The album, originally recorded in 2007 and produced by Chris Tsangarides (JUDAS PRIEST, THIN LIZZY), was primarily available directly from the band via their web site and at their concerts.

Reunited Oakland, California thrashers DEFIANCE will release their new album, "The Prophecy", on October 19 via Candlelight Records. The first collection of new music from DEFIANCE in over 15 years was recorded at Trident Studios and Greendot Studios in East Bay, California.

The track listing for the album is as follows:

01. Prion
02. The Prophecy
03. Bastard Son
04. The War Inside
05. Fuel The Fire
06. Eschaton
07. Sloth
08. Desert Sands
09. Dissolving Around You
10. Asthmaphere
11. Eyes Of The Front

The cover artwork by Travis Smith (OPETH, NEVERMORE) of Seempieces

"CMXIX", the debut album from SURVIVORS ZERO — the Finnish death metal band featuring current and former members of IMPALED NAZARENE, FINNTROLL, DEATHCHAIN and THE SCOURGER — is available for streaming in its entirety at Record Shop X. Due on September 9 via Cobra Records, the CD was mixed at Black Lounge Studio in Avesta, Sweden while the mastering was handled by Pelle Henricsson at Tonteknik Recording in Umeå, Sweden.

"CMXIX" track listing:

01. Embrace the Inferno
02. Armageddon Cult
03. Lucifer Effect
04. Scavengers Of Christ
05. Thorns Of Rapture
06. Fortress Of Lies
07. I Bury Them Deeper
08. I Am The Gun
09. Trail Of Fears
10. Reclaim My Heritage

SURVIVORS ZERO is:

Sami Jämsén (Studio Perkele) - Guitar
Tommi "Rotten" Virranta (ex-DEATHCHAIN) - Vocals
Tapio Wilska (ex-FINNTROLL) - Bass
Jani Luttinen (THE SCOURGER) - Guitar
Reima Kellokoski (IMPALED NAZARENE) - Drums

"Skandinavisk Misantropi", the long-awaited debut album from SKITLIV — the brainchild of former MAYHEM singer Maniac — will be released on October 19 in Europe and November 17 in the U.S. via the Season of Mist label. The eight-track CD features guest vocal appearances by David Tibet (CURRENT 93), Attila Csihar (MAYHEM, SUNN0)))) and Gaahl (GOD SEED, GORGOROTH, TRELLDOM, GAAHLSKAGG, WARDRUNA).

"Skandinavisk Misantropi" (cover) track listing:

01. Luciferon (intro)
02. Slow Pain Coming
03. Hollow Devotion
04. Skandinavisk Misantropi
05. Towards the Shores of Loss
06. A Valley Below
07. Densetsu
08. ScumDrug

Commented Maniac: "'Skandinavisk Misantropi' has been a long time in coming, but that's the way I work. I had no intention of letting it appear until the result satisfied me personally." Regarding his signing with Season of Mist, he said, "I had never lost touch with the guys at Season of Mist after I left MAYHEM, and when they said they were interested in releasing my new album, it seemed very natural to continue working with them."

German/British melodic hard rockers PINK CREAM 69 will release the "Past & Present" DVD and "Live In Karlsruhe" live CD on the following dates:

Europe (DVD and live CD): October 9 (Frontiers Records)
Japan (live CD only): September 30 (Marquee Inc.)

"Past & Present" will include:

* Concert from Karlsruhe (Jan. 24, 2009) - 88 minutes
* Interview incl. backstage material - 55 minutes
* "Size It Up – Live In Japan" video from 1992 - 58 minutes (with former singer Andi Deris; previously only released on VHS tape)
* All video clips of the band - 31 minutes
* Bonus material "Live At Masters Of Rock" (July 15, 2007) - 25 minutes
* Bonus material "Live At Das Fest" (July 20, 2007) - 14 minutes

"Live in Karlsruhe" will include:

* The complete concert from Karlsruhe (Jan. 24, 2009)
* Two acoustic songs from "Das Fest" (July 20, 2007)

According to Dagbladet.no, former GUNS N' ROSES/current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash was paid 10 million Norwegian kroner (approximately $1.65 million) for his headlining appearance at this year's edition of the Quart festival on June 30, 2009 in Kristiansand, Norway.

Quart festival manager Arild Buli would not comment on the report when contacted by Dagbladet.no, calling it "an internal matter" and expressing his concern about "confidential information" being leaked to the public.

Slash was joined by the following "special guests" during the Quart performance:

Ron Wood (THE ROLLING STONES)
Ozzy Osbourne (BLACK SABBATH)
Fergie (a.k.a. Stacy Ann Ferguson of BLACK EYED PEAS)

Slash's band consisted of the following musicians:

Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN) - Drums
Chris Chaney (JANE'S ADDICTION) - Bass
John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON) - Guitar
Franky Perez (SCARS ON BROADWAY) - Guitar
Teddy Andreadis (GUNS N' ROSES, ALICE COOPER) - Piano/Harmonica

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Immigrant Song
02. Highway to Hell
03. Hair of the Dog
04. Fall to Pieces
05. Black or White
06. Slither
07. Nightrain
08. Honky Tonk Women
09. Knockin' on Heaven's Door
10. Sweet Child O' Mine
11. Barracuda
12. It's Only Rock N' Roll
13. Black Dog
14. War Pigs
15. I Don't Know
16. Crazy Train
17. Paranoid
18. Whole Lotta Love
19. Paradise City

A new track from Lita Ford, entitled "Crave", is available for free download at this location (ZIP file). The song comes off Lita's first new studio album in 14 years, "Wicked Wonderland", which is scheduled for release in Europe on October 2 via earMUSIC/Edel. The set will be issued in the U.S. on October 6 through Lita's own JLRG Entertainment label as a regular CD and limited-edition vinyl with different artwork (CD, LP).

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Love
02. Piece
03. Crave
04. Scream
05. Sacred
06. Wicked Wonderland
07. Indulge
08. Patriotic Snob
09. Everything
10. Inside
11. Truth
12. Betrayal
13. Bed
14. Garden
15. Push
16. Indulge (Remix)
17. Scream (Remix)

"It's harder and sexier than anything I've ever done," says Lita of the record, which was co-produced by Ford, her husband and former NITRO singer Jim Gillette, and Greg Hampton, the songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer known for his work with ALICE COOPER, his band SCIENCE FAXTION (with Bootsy Collins and Buckethead and Brain from GUNS N' ROSES) and other rock notables. Lita is backed on the record by drummer Stet Howland, formerly of W.A.S.P., Hampton on bass, rhythm guitar and keyboards, Gillette on background vocals, and its vivid cover art is by ROB ZOMBIE bassist and solo artist Piggy D.

The songs brim with a passionate adult eroticism and über-hard rock sound highlighted by Lita's trademark searing guitar riffs. The album includes a keen and timely slice of social commentary on "Patriotic SOB", sexy rave-ups like "Piece (Hell Yeah)", duets with Gillette on numbers like the aptly titled "Indulge", and "Betrayal", which will be featured in the upcoming video game Brütal Legend, in which Lita also voices one of the characters alongside Jack Black, Lemmy Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD and Rob Halford of JUDAS PRIEST. The recordings find her rocking, playing and singing with an amped-up fury and power like never before that's also informed by her personal growth as a wife and mother as well as legendary rocker.

After Lita and Gillette married, she left her stiletto heels on the stage and moved to a large home on a deserted Caribbean island and devoted her life to raising the couple's two sons, who she has also home schooled. At the urging of her friends like Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER, devoted fans and even her sons, both of them budding musicians, Lita now reclaims her place as the First Lady of Heavy Metal with an album sure to thrill her many followers and win her new listeners with music that's more fiery and assured than ever before.

Lita Ford will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, October 7 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with Lita by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625).