"The West Pole", the long-awaited new album from the Dutch/Norwegian rock band THE GATHERING, is available for streaming in its entirety at this location.

"The West Pole" is scheduled for release in North America on June 2 via Season of Mist. The CD was issued in most of Europe on May 4 via the band's own label, Psychonaut Records. More information is available here.

"The West Pole" marks the recording debut of THE GATHERING's new singer, Silje Wergeland from the Norwegian band OCTAVIA SPERATI. Drummer Hans Rutten says, "Silje has been the singer of OCTAVIA SPERATI for eight years, including several other projects. She did a superb job [on 'The West Pole']. This album also includes two very talented guest singers: the Dutch Anne van den Hoogen and Mexican Marcela Bovio (from STREAM OF PASSION), and some other guest musicians."

Hans continued, "What can we say about 'The West Pole'? It's a very vital, atmospheric and extravert rock orientated album, with all the quality and power THE GATHERING is so famous for, also with many new elements. The sound is guitar driven, alive and urgent; a strong and beautifully coloured album with haunting female vocals. It's produced by guitar player René Rutten and mixed and mastered by Zlaya Hadzich (who also did the production of 'Souvenirs') and René."

"The West Pole" track listing:

01. When Trust Becomes Sound
02. Treasure
03. All You Are
04. You Promised Me A Symphony
05. The West Pole
06. Capital Of Nowhere
07. No Bird Call
08. Pale Traces
09. No One Spoke
10. Constant Run

Singer Anneke van Giersbergen announced her departure from THE GATHERING in 2007. She has since launched a project called AGUA DE ANNIQUE, which released an album called "Air" in October 2007.

Powerhouse American heavy metal vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) has posted a new solo track, entitled "The Cover Up", on his MySpace page. The song, which was written by Owens, features the following lineup:

* Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) - Vocals
* John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM) - Guitar
* James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) - Bass
* Brett Chassen - Drums
* Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE) - Lead Guitar

A gydget for "Play My Game", the first solo album from Owens, is available below.

"Play My Game" will be released in May via SPV/Steamhammer. The offering consists of around a dozen brand-new tracks that Owens composed himself or together with renowned friends, such as Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT) and John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).

The list of guest musicians featured on Owens' solo debut is even more spectacular:

Guitar:

Bob Kulick
Bruce Kulick (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, ex-KISS)
Carlos Cavazo (RATT, ex-QUIET RIOT)
Craig Goldy (DIO)
Zeil Zaza
Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA)
Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT)
John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM)
Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE)
Michael Wilton (QUEENSRŸCHE)
Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE)
Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL)

Bass:

Marco Mendoza (ex-WHITESNAKE)
Billy Sheehan (MR BIG, ex-DAVID LEE ROTH)
Dave Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH)
Rudy Sarzo (DIO, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT)
James Lomenzo (MEGADETH)
Tony Franklin (ex-BLUE MURDER)
Dennis Hayes (BEYOND FEAR)

Drums:

Simon Wright (DIO, ex-AC/DC)
Vinny Appice (HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO)
Ray Luzier (KORN, DAVID LEE ROTH)
Bobby Jarzombek (SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT, HALFORD)
Brett Chassen

Fans and experts alike will love this sensational all-star lineup and may rest assured that the haunting songs will effortlessly live up to this illustrious cast of musicians: Tim "Ripper" Owens has never sounded more impressive, melodic and multi-faceted!

"I've gotten better as a songwriter," Owens explains. "And I also write songs that the fans can really get into and get their fist pounding in the air. I've always been a great fan of the BLACK SABBATH lineup featuring Ronnie James Dio, and I love JUDAS PRIEST. Both bands delivered records that are straightforward and go directly to the bloodstream — which also happens to be my compositional approach."

"Play My Game" will be released on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: May 15
Rest of Europe: May 18
USA, Canada: May 19

Check out the cover artwork below.

"Play My Game" track listing and individual song credits:

* 01. Starting Over

Written by: Tim Owens, Bob Kulick

Guitar - Bob Kulick
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Simon Wright

* 02. Believe

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Craig Goldy

* 03. The Cover Up

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - James Lomenzo
Drums - Brett Chassen
Lead Guitar - Jeff Loomis

* 04. Pick Yourself Up

Written by: Tim Owens, Mike Callahan

Guitar - Mike Callahan/Bob Kulick
Bass - Dennis Hayes
Drums - Ray Luzier
Lead Guitar - Steve Stevens

* 05. It Is Me

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Carlos Cavazo

* 06. No Good Goodbyes

Written by: Tim Owens, Bob Kulick, Brett Chassen

Guitar - Bob Kulick
Bass - Billy Sheehan
Drums - Brett Chassen
Lead Guitar - Bruce Kulick

* 07. The World Is Blind

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - Billy Sheehan
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Doug Aldrich

* 08. To Live Again

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - Michael Wilton/Bob Kulick
Bass - David Ellefson
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Michael Wilton

* 09. The Light

Written by: Tim Owens, Bob Kulick

Guitar - Bob Kulick
Bass - Tony Franklin
Drums - Bobby Jarzombek

* 10. Play My Game

Written by: Tim Owens, John Comprix

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Neil Zaza

* 11. Death Race

Written by: Tim Owens, John Comprix

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - James Lomenzo
Drums - Brett Chassen

* 12. The Shadows Are Alive

Written by: Tim Owens, Chris Caffery

Guitar - Chris Caffery
Bass - Marco Mendoza
Drums - Simon Wright

* 13. A Challenge (bonus track; iTunes exclusive)

Written by: Tim Owens, Bob Kulick

Guitar - Bob Kulick
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Vinny Appice

Tim "Ripper" Owens has revealed the backing band that will accompany him for his upcoming summer tour in support of "Play My Game". The group will consist of the following musicians:

Tim "Ripper" Owens - Vocals
Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORHCESTRA) - Guitar
John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM) - Guitar
David Ellefson (MEGADETH, F5) - Bass
Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO) - Drums

Swedish melodic metallers NOCTURNAL RITES have issued the following update:

"Songwriting is proceeding as planned and going very well indeed. We are quite sure some of the new stuff will turn some heads. Up and down, in a good way! A quick explanation would be, a little back to the darker 'Afterlife' [2000] days mixed with some trademark NOCTURNAL RITES catchy melodies — those that can never go wrong! On the guitarist front — the search has not ended, but we have a few very interesting candidates now that sound out of this world. So just some logistics and then we'll jam and see where that leads us. We'll let you all know once WE know."

Guitarist Nils Norberg announced his departure from NOCTURNAL RITES last June. "I have decided to lay down the guitar as my interest for music kind of cooled down the last years," he said in a statement.

NOCTURNAL RITES' latest album, "The 8th Sin", in 2007 landed on the Japanese album chart at position No. 68 (No. 28 on "international" chart). An e-card for the CD is available at this location.

Swedish melancholic metallers IN MOURNING have inked a two-album deal with Pulverised Records. The band has commenced work on its as-yet-untitled second album and will once again enter Black Lounge Studio (SCAR SYMMETRY, CARNAL FORGE, STEEL ATTACK, etc) on August 22, with producer/engineer Jonas Kjellgren taking care of all production duties.

IN MOURNING's 2008 debut album, "Shrouded Divine", gained a massive amount of attention and also very positive responses worldwide with teh band's brand of heart-wrenching melodic passages entwined with progressive elements but yet still retaining all the brutality of death metal aggression.

Comments label manager Roy: "When I came across their debut album, I really loved what I heard and knew that we had to have IN MOURNING under our roster as not many bands of this particular genre could fascinate me like how IN MOURNING did. It was the perfect timing when I found out that the band was just about to enter the studio to record their follow-up to 'Shrouded Divine'. I quickly struck a deal with them and the rest is history. We are very excited to have them on our roster and cannot wait to hear how the new album will sound like."

Comments the band: "Signing to Pulverised Records feels like a good 'next step' for the band, hopefully bringing our music out further to a broader audience. We are very pleased that Pulverised Records has given us this opportunity, and we think this will be a good collaboration. We are currently focusing hard on rehearsing and finishing up the material for our new album. Once again we will enter Black Lounge Studios with producer Jonas Kjellgren. There wasn't really any doubt when we were discussing studios, as we aremore than pleased with the work he did on our previous album 'Shrouded Divine'."

IN MOURNING is:

Tobias Netzell - Vocals, Guitar
Pierre Stam - Bass
Björn Pettersson - Guitar
Tim Nedergård - Guitar
Christian Netzell - Drums

"Destroy And Dominate", the new video from Cleveland, Ohio metallers CHIMAIRA, can be viewed here. The clip was filmed in February in the band's hometown, with the group's longtime videographer Todd Bell at the helm.

Commented guitarist Rob Arnold: "Todd is responsible for both of our documentaries, 'The Dehumanizing Process' and 'The Resurrection', as well as our brand new, in-the-works DVD, due out early next year. He's also shot a handful of our music videos, photos, and more. So expect nothing less than superior quality and creativity on 'Destroy And Dominate'!"

CHIMAIRA has announced summer dates supporting HATEBREED on the "Decimation Of The Nation" tour that will also feature heavy hitters WINDS OF PLAGUE, DYING FETUS and TOXIC HOLOCAUST. The trek kicks off on July 31 in Rochester, New York.

Commented CHIMAIRA vocalist Mark Hunter: "I think it's safe to say we're pretty amped up to do a full tour with HATEBREED. We've been doing shows with them since 2000, but we've never done a full tour. We've talked about it for a long time, but haven't ever been able to get it together until now. They're a big influence, and at the same time, they're some of our best friends in the industry. I hope there are plenty of EMTs on site, 'cuz when the two of us roll into town, nobody's safe!"

CHIMAIRA's new album, "The Infection", sold 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 30 on The Billboard 200 chart.

CHIMAIRA's previous album, "Resurrection", opened with 16,000 copies back in March 2007 to land at No. 42.

"The Infection" was released in North America on April 21 via Ferret Music and will be issued in Europe on April 24 through Nuclear Blast. The CD was mastered at Sterling Sound in New York City with Ted Jensen and Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, TERROR, THE ACACIA STRAIN).

"Whisper", the debut video from Finnish dark gothic metallers VANGUARD, can be viewed here. The song comes off the band's critically acclaimed sophomore album, "Hydralchemy", which has just been released in the U.K. and Ireland by Shadow World Records. The limited-edition digipack of "Hydralchemy", the highly anticipated follow-up to 2005's "Succumbra", offers ten fresh VANGUARD tracks, and an alluring cover of TYPE O NEGATIVE's "Black No. 1". Produced by drummer Tonmi Lillman (SINERGY, AJATTARA, TO/DIE/FOR), the CD — which was released in Finland earlier this year — is described in a press release as "a sinful testimony of VANGUARD at its best. It blends dark metal riffs, beautiful melodies, woeful cello, catchy choruses, seductive female vocals and manly growls into a lethally addictive absinthe feast."


VANGUARD gained fame by winning Wacken Open Air's band contest, which resulted in a recording contract and a number of high-profile shows in Finland and abroad, including Wacken and Tuska Open Air.

Florida-based metallers TRIVIUM were stuck on the plane to Japan after being quarantined while officials checked passengers for the H1N1 virus (a.k.a. swine flu). Bassist Paolo Gregoletto's video documentation of the experience can be viewed here.

According to CNN, the number of confirmed swine flu cases worldwide has increased to 1,490 with 30 deaths, most of them in Mexico, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.

It marks an increase of 405 cases and four deaths since Monday evening, said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Keiji Fukuda.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday reported the number of cases in the United States has surpassed 400.

As of 11 a.m. ET, there are 403 swine flu cases and one death from the H1N1 virus in 38 states, according to the CDC's web site.

AVA INFERI, the Portugal-based band whose lineup includes Norwegian guitarist Rune Eriksen (a.k.a. ex-MAYHEM guitarist/songwriter Blasphemer), will release its third album, "Blood Of Bacchus", in Europe on May 25 via France's Season Of Mist (July 14 in the U.S.).

The track listing is as follows:

01. Truce
02. Last Sign of Summer
03. Colours of the Dark (MP3 download)
04. Black Wings
05. Appeler Les Loups
06. Be Damned
07. Tempestade
08. Blood of Bacchus
09. Memoirs

The album features guest appearances by Kristoffer Rygg (ULVER), Live Kostöl (PANTHEON I), Fredrik Söderlind (PUISSENCE) and the "amazing piano talent" Arne Martinussen.

Commented guitarist Rune Eriksen: "Here we are again: New album, new expectations and whatnot more. I could write something in the lines of 'this is by far the best album we ever did' or 'this album is the most complete and mature piece of work we've ever done,' but I guess it all has been said and done by countless bands before so I see no reason to mention it. However, it is true though, and very much so as well... And we are damn proud! ;)

"No, the reason why I'm sitting in my living room accompanied with my PC this Sunday morning is because of Guillaume's (Season Of Mist propagandist and friend) idea of writing a statement on the topic of 'why we chose to change the sound from the promo CD to the final product!' Oh well, it is not as mysterious as it looks on paper. Actually, it is quite simple...

"Here's the deal: The album is done, the sound is perfectly organic, just the way we wanted it, and it has shitloads of personality and depth. Very AVA-ish. So what now then? Something lacking? 'Well I wouldn't say that there's something lacking... But maybe it could use a bit of that extra push? Why not try to sharpen and tighten up the sound a bit, get it more modern but still perfectly in tune with our musical convictions?' Well, at first I must admit that I was convinced this was the voice of the wine speaking, but no, the following day the same thought came through.

"So, while giving this new idea some heavy thought and consideration, I accidentally came across a new song from our semi related doomsters NOVEMBERS DOOM. The song I heard had been mastered by a certain Swede and it caught my attention immediately. Yeah, that's right! Mr. Dan Swanö was responsible. This guy has an incomparable list of merits and obviously has a damn good clue what the fuck he is doing, so no more questions asked. I sent him a file asking him to 'do what he does' and he sent it back to me the following day. Bang! There it was. I was completely stunned by the result. This is what I wanted the album to sound like! So, after a quick brainstorming with Season Of Mist, we all decided to go for it. The album was transferred to Dan and his Unisound Studio, and two days later the album was back to Season Of Mist, remastered and ready to be shipped to print.

"So, to straighten things up: those of you who actually have the promo CD, hold on to it, as it now can be considered a collector's item bearing the old or 'first' sound of 'Bacchus'. In other words, don't put it up on eBay quite yet... :)) To the rest of you, I bet you all are thinking 'so, how does this shit sound then' right? Fair enough... But until Season Of Mist allow me to grant all of you with a full song, our MySpace page is a decent place to hang out. Until next week..."

AVA INFERI recently completed the Hellhounds Fest 2009 European tour, also featuring TIAMAT and THE 69 EYES.

Fan-filmed video footage of AVA INFERI's February 15, 2009 concert in Prague, Czech Republic can be viewed below (courtesy of "Spirit046").

AVA INFERI in 2007 released the video for the opening track of the group's second full-length album, "The Silhouette". The "A Dança das Ondas" clip was masterminded and directed by Rui Veiga who has previously worked with Robert Trujillo (METALLICA), among others.

Atlanta, Georgia-based metallers GNOSTIC — who feature in their ranks three members of the current lineup of ATHEIST — will release their debut album, "Engineering the Rule", in Europe on May 25 via France's Season Of Mist (July 14 in the U.S.).

GNOSTIC's sound is described in a press release as follows: "Taking the progressive sound of death to a new level of aggression with jaw-dropping breaks delivered in stunning frequencies, the GNOSTIC principle of duality is expressed in a fine sense for melodies and emotionality contrasting with the technical perfection of their execution. As fans of ATHEIST, CYNIC, DEATH and PESTILENCE will flock to 'Engineering The Rule', they should heed this warning: caution! Trying to play air guitar along the songs may result in broken fingers and severely damaged wrists!"

"Engineering the Rule" track listing:

01. Visceral
02. Isolate Gravity
03. Sleeping Ground (MP3 download)
04. Engineering the Rule
05. Wall of Lies
06. Violently Calm
07. Life Suffering
08. Corrosive
09. Mindlock
10. Splinters of Change

GNOSTIC will team up with ATHEIST, THE FACELESS, PSYOPUS and THE AGONIST for a North American tour, which is scheduled to kick off on July 8 in Atlanta, Georgia. ATHEIST/GNOSTIC drummer Steve "Penguin" Flynn commented, "We're absolutely thrilled to be doing this tour with such an incredible lineup of brutal technical bands. This bill is going to just peel your face off. Not only are all the bands insanely technical and heavy, but the lineup also covers a broad spectrum of style - from the almost avant-garde sound of PSYOPUS to the straight up technical death metal sounds of GNOSTIC and ATHEIST. Then you throw in the more modern break-neck technicality, unrivaled musicianship and speed of THE FACELESS, and the brutality of THE AGONIST, and you've got yourself one hell of a night. This will also be somewhat experimental in the world of technical death metal, as three of us (me on drums, Chris Baker on guitars, and Jonathan Thompson on bass [in GNOSTIC] and guitars [in ATHEIST]) are in two bands and playing TWO shows per night. I can't recall a similar situation in technical death metal. It will be a marathon-esque physical and mental exercise. This tour will also be GNOSTIC's debut to the world as we're supporting our first release via Season of Mist: 'Engineering the Rule' in July."

Starting on May 6 at 12:00 a.m (midnight) EST, click here to download a free MP3 of "A Rite of Passage", the first single from DREAM THEATER's upcoming album "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", due in stores June 23. The free MP3 will be available for 24 hours. After that, the track will stream on RoadrunnerRecords.com.

In addition to the standard-version CD, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" will also be available on vinyl LP, as well as a three-disc, special-edition CD that will include the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs.

Six weeks prior to the June 23 street date, Roadrunner will release one cover song per week through digital retailers.

DREAM THEATER commenced work on "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" — the band's second for Roadrunner, following up 2007's "Systematic Chaos" — in October of last year.

Drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci are once again at the helm as producers, while Paul Northfield mixed the record.

"Black Clouds & Silver Linings" track listing:

01. A Nightmare to Remember
02. A Rite of Passage
03. Wither
04. The Shattered Fortress
05. The Best of Times
06. The Count of Tuscany

A video for the first single, "A Rite of Passage", was shot in late March.

Portnoy previously stated about the upcoming CD, "Imagine a DREAM THEATER album with 'A Change Of Seasons', 'Octavarium', 'Learning To Live', 'Pull Me Under' and 'The Glass Prison'... all on one album... COULD YOU HANDLE IT?? Excited? I sure am!!!!"

Italian/German gothic black metallers GRAVEWORM will release their seventh album, "Diabolical Figures", on June 16 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Stage One studios in Borgentreich, Germany with producer Andy Classen (DEW-SCENTED, CALLENISH CIRCLE, TANKARD, OCCULT). It contains 10 songs and features a guest appearance by Karsten "Jagger" Jäger from DISBELIEF. The cover artwork (see here) was created by the Italian digital artist Daniel Hofer of Archetype Design.

"Diabolical Figures" track listing:

01. Vengeance Is Sworn
02. Circus Of The Damned
03. Diabolic Figures
04. Hell's Creation
05. Forlorn Hope
06. Architects Of Hate
07. New Disorder
08. Message In A Bottle
09. Ignoreance Of Gods
10. The Reckoning

GRAVEWORM will be joined by Sweden's ARISE and Finland's SCORNGRAIN on their upcoming European headlining tour, which will take place between September 4 and September 20. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

Alexi Laiho, front man for the Finnish metal band CHILDREN OF BODOM, sustained a serious injury while on the road as part of the "No Fear Energy Tour" alongside with LAMB OF GOD, AS I LAY DYING, GOD FORBID and MUNICIPAL WASTE. Laiho, who was recently named the world's "Best Metal Guitarist" in the 15th annual Guitar World readers' poll, broke his shoulder when he was ejected from his bunk as a result of the band's tour bus taking an irregularly harsh sharp turn.

Against recommendation, Laiho has decided to remain on tour and will "bite the bullet" to give metal fans the electric live performances they have come to love from the Finnish act. For the duration of the tour — set to run through May 15 — Alexi will be resigned to wearing the arm in a sling, restricting movement at all times when he is not on stage.

When asked for comment, the celebrated axe-slinger said, "Four nights ago I fell out of my bunk in the tour bus and came down pretty damn hard as the driver was taking a sharp turn. It turns out I have a broken shoulder as well as internal bleeding. I am going through a great deal of pain every second that I am awake. However, I can still play the guitar and I will give everything I have to try to finish this tour and play every remaining show! I would just like to apologize in advance for not being able to move around or sing with my full power at all times and I hope the COB fans understand. What can I say? I'm jinxed! End of story."

Belgium-based metallers THURISAZ have issued the following update:

"We're finishing some last songs for the upcoming album as we speak. And we added some new concert dates where we will try out some of the new songs. Plans are made for recording in October and November. The release can be expected somewhere in the beginnning of 2010."

THURISAZ had its 2004 debut album, "Scent of a Dream", reissued in April 2008 through Shiver Records. The album was remastered and contains an acoustic live version of "Years of Silence" as the bonus track.

THURISAZ' second full-length album, "Circadian Rhythm", was released in 2007 via Shiver.

Danish extreme metallers CORPUS MORTALE have issued the following update:

"We've been very busy writing new songs lately as well as booking shows. We're almost halfway with the material for our third album, and if everything works out as planned, we'll enter the studio sometime between September and November. We have a lot of shows coming up, among others two shows in Iceland and a couple of festivals next year, but not too many 100% confirmed dates so look out for show updates."

Songtitles set to appear on CORPUS MORTALE's next CD include "Feasting Upon Souls" and "Love Lies Bleeding".

The band released its second full-length album, "A New Species of Deviant", in September 2007 via Neurotic Records. The CD features the artwork of the label's in-house artist Joel Sta.

Christian hard rockers STRYPER have posted a new song, "Eclipse Of The Son", on their MySpace page.

STRYPER fans will have limited time to purchase the band's new album, "Murder By Pride" song by song up until July 21 when the full LP will be released.

Beginning today (Tuesday, May 5), fans can purchase a track per week on iTunes. However, as each new song is released, the previous one will no longer be available until the full album is released. So fans have a seven-day window to purchase each track from "Murder By Pride" beginning May 5. Below is a schedule of the release dates for each song on the album. Remember, each song only stays up until the next one is made available so be sure to mark your calendars!

Release date on iTunes:

May 5 - "Eclipse Of The Son"
May 12 - "Murder By Pride"
May 19 - "4 Leaf Clover"
May 26 - "The Plan"
June 2 - "Alive"
June 9 - "I Believe"
June 16 - "Love Is Why"
June 23 - "Mercy Over Blame"
June 30 - "Run In You"
July 7 - "Everything"
July 14 - "My Love (I"ll Always Show)"
July 21 - Full "Murder By Pride" LP available on iTunes

Commented singer Michael Sweet: "After years of speaking to fans and hearing comments like 'more guitars,' 'more solos' and 'more screams,' I decided to keep those comments in mind as I wrote each song. It was important to me to try to get back to that early sound of STRYPER yet at the same time, to remain relevant today. It's certainly not an easy thing to do but as I listen to 'Murder By Pride', I think that was accomplished.

"I got the idea of the title 'Murder By Pride' from seeing pride consume dreams, goals and many times, lives. We all deal with pride and it can be crippling, so I wanted to write a lyric and a theme that would be a constant reminder of that. This record has been in the works for a long, long time and I can only hope that it was worth the wait!"

STRYPER will embark on a tour of the United States in September, hitting approximately 50 cities across America. This will be followed by international tour dates in January and February of 2010. The bands's 25th-anniversary tour will be a two-set show. The first set will be new STRYPER material and include bassist Tracy Ferrie, along with original members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox. The second set will be classic STRYPER hits and will be all four original members, including original bassist Tim Gaines. Michael Sweet Jr.'s band will be the opening band on the tour.

25 years ago (1984), STRYPER broke onto the scene with its debut EP, "Yellow And Black Attack", and has since gone on to sell 8 million records worldwide and tour the world spreading an inspirational message through their branded sound of rock songs, heavy guitars, and pristine harmony vocals.

According to TMZ.com, British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN have filed a lawsuit against a company which named its comic book "Iron and the Maiden".

MAIDEN is suing Iron and the Maiden, LLC — because, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, the "confusingly similar" name was a ploy used to profit off the band's heavily trademarked name.

MAIDEN wants the company to stop using the Iron and the Maiden name to sell its comic books, video games and other merchandise — and also wants some money for the trouble.

NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor is engaged to fellow musician Mariqueen Maandig, of the band WEST INDIAN GIRL. The news was announced via a posting on Maandig's band's web site, which stated, "In case you haven't heard the news, Mariqueen got engaged. Everyone in the WEST INDIAN GIRL camp is super excited and happy for her. Q's an awesome person, friend and bandmate and she couldnt be marrying a cooler guy."

WEST INDIAN GIRL released its self-titled debut album in August 2004 on Astralwerks. The "Remix EP", featuring remixes of songs from the self-titled CD, followed in 2006. The band's second full-length album, "4th & Wall", came out on October 23, 2007 on Milan Records. In August 2007, the band signed a pioneering recording and wireless distribution deal with digital media and entertainment company Flycell.

METALLICA resumed their European tour earlier tonight (Monday, May 4) when they returned to Stockholm, Sweden to make up for the concert on March 8 which was cancelled after guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield was hospitalized with a stomach bug and dehydration (reportedly caused by eating "a bad oyster").

The Swedish fans were given a unique gift by METALLICA. Thousands of attendees (before supplies ran out) received a free, speciallly designed METALLICA t-shirt (see image here) where the band made fun of Hetfield's food poisoning. The title of the song "Seek And Destroy" was changed to "Sick And Destroy" on the t-shirt, which also featured some new lyrics: "Stockholm on our way, oysters he will pay. Dying, one thousand deaths. Stockholm, spoilt your day. Puking, he did pay! Dying, one thousand deaths. Wretching, sick and destroy." Every attendee also got a special code enabling him/her to download the gig for free from METALLICA's official download site, LiveMetallica.com.

METALLICA's setlist was as follows:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. For Whom The Bell Tolls
04. Holier Than Thou
05. One
06. Broken, Beat And Scarred
07. My Apocalypse
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. The Judas Kiss
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
- - - - - - - -
16. Am I Evil?
17. Motorbreath
18. Seek and Destroy

Speaking to MTV News this past March, Hetfield stated about the cancellation of the band's Stockholm concert, "It was at the very last show of the very last leg [of METALLICA's European tour], and there's a few places where we're able to do doubles [two shows in the same city], which is awesome, and this last one was in Sweden, in Stockholm," he said.

"We had done the first show, and there's not many times where all the support acts — we've got MACHINE HEAD, we've got THE SWORD out with us — there's not many places where we're all in the same town, at the same day off, together," he continued. "So there was a night where we went out and had a celebration between shows, and there was a bunch of food that was laid out that was maybe laid out a bit too long, I don't know."

According to Hetfield, he felt fine all night, but when he woke up the next morning, something was different.

"I just started to feel really bad," he said. "And man, I tried so hard to not cancel the show. It's so lame. It's tough to call in sick to our gig, and I don't want to disappoint people, and we're already there, the gear's there, but I was so sick I swear I could not stand without falling over. I was so dehydrated. The doctor came in, took my blood pressure — which was, like, 80 over 60 — and he had an IV of saline in his car, and he brought it in, he taped it up to the lamp next to the bed and plugged me in. But of course, the stuff's supposed to be at room temperature. It was freezing, and I went into this — my teeth were chattering. It was an event."

The first two albums California rockers Y&T recorded back in the 1970s under the YESTERDAY AND TODAY moniker are available on one CD titled "OneTwo". Both albums have been digitally remastered and put on a single CD. It contains seventeen tracks in total taken from the "Yesterday and Today" LP, originally released in 1976, and the "Struck Down" record, originally released in 1978.

In a year that the California rockers celebrate 35 years of rocking the world, this presents an interesting collection of songs that gives a peek into the beginnings of the band's versatile songwriting style, and serves as a bookmark of where it all started for Y&T.

Daytona Beach, Florida's THE AUTUMN OFFERING has posted a new track, "The Curtain Hits The Cast", on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "Requiem", which is scheduled for release on June 9 via Victory Records. The CD was recorded at AudioHammer Studios in Sanford, Florida. Other songtitles set to appear on the album include "Narcosis", "Worn Out Wings" and "Obsidian Halo". According to the group, the follow-up to 2007's "Fear Will Cast No Shadow" contains "by far the band's most ambitious and dense material yet. Longer songs, complex rhythms, and dynamic vocals fill out this 11-track monster."

Swedish hard rockers BALTIMOORE will release their new album, "Quick Fix", on May 15 via BLP Music. Two songs from the CD — "Shoot The Dark" and "Tell Me Who You Wanna Be Today" — are available for streaming on the band's official MySpace page. Another track, entitled "How Can You Undo What's Become Undone?", can be downloaded at this location.

The "Quick Fix" cover artwork can be viewed below.

BALTIMOORE's new lineup is as follows:

Örjan Fernkvist - Keyboards
Robban Bäck - Drums
Emanuel Hedberg - Guitar
Björn Lundqvist - Bass

David J. Prince of Billboard.com reports: DEF LEPPARD is set to release deluxe editions of two of its classic records — 1983's "Pyromania" and 1992's "Adrenalize" — on June 23. Both double-disc sets will come on Bludgeon Riffola/Island/UMe and feature previously unreleased material including b-sides, demo versions and live recordings.

"'Adrenalize' was Number One the week of the L.A. riots," LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen remembers in an exclusive interview with Billboard.com. "I know it was the Nineties, but it really was the end of the Eighties. You had this whole new genre — NIRVANA and the grunge thing — which I loved when it really shook everything up. But we got lumped into the Eighties hair metal bands."

Read more from Billboard.com.

Both deluxe editions will feature deluxe digipack gatefold packaging with expanded booklets containing rare and previously unseen photographs, comprehensive sleeve notes telling the story behind each album and include images of rare single covers and memorabilia from the period. Liner notes come from Rolling Stone's David Fricke.

"Pyromania", DEF LEPPARD's third album originally released in 1983, was the album that took the band to the global stage. Produced by Robert "Mutt" Lange, the album sold over 10 million copies in the USA alone and spawned the huge singles "Photograph", "Rock Of Ages" and "Foolin'". The deluxe edition features a remastered version of the original album and a bonus disc of a previously unreleased 15-track show from The Forum in Los Angeles in 1983.

The full track listing follows:

Disc One - Pyromania:

01. Rock! Rock! (Til You Drop)
02. Photograph
03. Stagefright
04. Too Late For Love
05. Die Hard The Hunter
06. Foolin'
07. Rock Of Ages
08. Comin' Under Fire
09. Action! Not Words
10. Billy's Got A Gun

Disc Two - Live L.A. Forum 1983:

01. Rock! Rock! (Til You Drop)
02. Rock Brigade
03. High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night)
04. Another Hit And Run
05. Billy's Got A Gun
06. Mirror Mirror (Look Into My Eyes)
07. Foolin'
08. Photograph
09. Rock Of Ages
10. Bringin' On The Heartbreak
11. Switch 625
12. Let It Go
13. Wasted
14. Stagefright
15. Travellin' Band

"Adrenalize", DEF LEPPARD's fifth studio album from 1992, followed the enormous "Hysteria" (released in 1987) and cemented the band as the dominant arena rock band. The album was recorded following the tragic death of guitarist Steve Clark — with Phil Collen recording all guitar parts — and dedicated to his memory. The album featured huge singles such as "Let's Get Rocked" and "Make Love Like A Man" and debuted at No. 1 in both the U.K. and USA (and went on to sell over 7 million copies worldwide). The album was produced by DEF LEPPARD and Mike Shipley with Robert "Mutt" Lange as executive producer. The deluxe edition features a remastered version of the original album with a bonus disc of rare, live, acoustic and demo versions.

The full track listing follows:

Disc One - Adrenalize:

01. Let's Get Rocked
02. Heaven Is
03. Make Love Like A Man
04. Tonight
05. White Lightning
06. Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)
07. Personal Property
08. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad
09. I Wanna Touch U
10. Tear It Down

Disc Two - Rare, Live, Acoustic and Demo:

01. Hysteria - In The Clubs In Your Face (Bonn 29/05/92)
02. Photograph - In The Clubs In Your Face
03. Pour Some Sugar On Me - In The Clubs In Your Face
04. Let's Get Rocked - In The Clubs In Your Face
05. You Can't Always Get What You Want - B-Side
06. Little Wing With Hothouse Flowers - B-Side
07. Tonight (Version 2-Demo Version) - B-Side
08. Now I'm Here (Live) - B-Side
09. Two Steps Behind (Acoustic) B-Side
10. Tonight (Acoustic) - B-Side
11. Too Late For Love (Live) - B-Side
12. Women (Live) - B-Side

Bassist and songwriter Erik Scott (SIGNAL, SONIA DADA, ALICE COOPER) has recorded his solo debut "Other Planets" - an album of ambient instrumental tunes that is currently being well received in that market place.
"A powerful, cinematic release...haunting moods and heartbreaking melodies. It's an album that's more Pink Floyd than Jaco Pastorius". John Diliberto, Echoes.org
"This is far and away one of the best instrumental albums I've come across...'Peace On Saturn' is some sort of heavenly country music". Wildy's World
"Other Planets" makes you feel that you are on a journey to another planet." Mossip
Sample and purchase the album at erikscottbass.com / myspace.com/erikscottbass.
An interview with Erik can be found at Echoes.org: "He's played with Alice Cooper, Flo & Eddie and was a charter member of Sonia Dada. But when he sat in his home north of Chicago all by himself, bassist Erik Scott came up with an introspective, all-instrumental album that showed what the electric bass can do in the service of evocative compositions. His album is called Other Planets. We take a trip to Erik Scott's."

AVA INFERI, the Portugal-based band whose lineup includes Norwegian guitarist Rune Eriksen (a.k.a. ex-MAYHEM guitarist/songwriter Blasphemer), will release its third album, "Blood Of Bacchus", in Europe on May 25 via France's Season Of Mist (July 14 in the U.S.).

The track listing is as follows:

01. Truce
02. Last Sign of Summer
03. Colours of the Dark
04. Black Wings
05. Appeler Les Loups
06. Be Damned
07. Tempestade
08. Blood of Bacchus
09. Memoirs

The album features guest appearances by Kristoffer Rygg (ULVER), Live Kostöl (PANTHEON I), Fredrik Söderlind (PUISSENCE) and the "amazing piano talent" Arne Martinussen.

Commented guitarist Rune Eriksen: "Here we are again: New album, new expectations and whatnot more. I could write something in the lines of 'this is by far the best album we ever did' or 'this album is the most complete and mature piece of work we've ever done,' but I guess it all has been said and done by countless bands before so I see no reason to mention it. However, it is true though, and very much so as well... And we are damn proud! ;)

"No, the reason why I'm sitting in my living room accompanied with my PC this Sunday morning is because of Guillaume's (Season Of Mist propagandist and friend) idea of writing a statement on the topic of 'why we chose to change the sound from the promo CD to the final product!' Oh well, it is not as mysterious as it looks on paper. Actually, it is quite simple...

"Here's the deal: The album is done, the sound is perfectly organic, just the way we wanted it, and it has shitloads of personality and depth. Very AVA-ish. So what now then? Something lacking? 'Well I wouldn't say that there's something lacking... But maybe it could use a bit of that extra push? Why not try to sharpen and tighten up the sound a bit, get it more modern but still perfectly in tune with our musical convictions?' Well, at first I must admit that I was convinced this was the voice of the wine speaking, but no, the following day the same thought came through.

"So, while giving this new idea some heavy thought and consideration, I accidentally came across a new song from our semi related doomsters NOVEMBERS DOOM. The song I heard had been mastered by a certain Swede and it caught my attention immediately. Yeah, that's right! Mr. Dan Swanö was responsible. This guy has an incomparable list of merits and obviously has a damn good clue what the fuck he is doing, so no more questions asked. I sent him a file asking him to 'do what he does' and he sent it back to me the following day. Bang! There it was. I was completely stunned by the result. This is what I wanted the album to sound like! So, after a quick brainstorming with Season Of Mist, we all decided to go for it. The album was transferred to Dan and his Unisound Studio, and two days later the album was back to Season Of Mist, remastered and ready to be shipped to print.

"So, to straighten things up: those of you who actually have the promo CD, hold on to it, as it now can be considered a collector's item bearing the old or 'first' sound of 'Bacchus'. In other words, don't put it up on eBay quite yet... :)) To the rest of you, I bet you all are thinking 'so, how does this shit sound then' right? Fair enough... But until Season Of Mist allow me to grant all of you with a full song, our MySpace page is a decent place to hang out. Until next week..."

Retroactive Records and Liberty N' Justice are proud to announce "guest" musicians for two more songs for LNJ's up coming 2009 release Light It Up. Lynn Louise Lowrey of Vixen & Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister join forces on the song "Blink" and bandmates, Ted Poley of Danger Danger/Poley-Rivera & Vic Rivera of Crunch/Poley-Rivera rock out on the song "Man vs. MotherNature". These 4 join already announced guest musicians Robert Mason of Warrant/ Lynch Mob, Jerry Dixon of Warrant, Marq Torien of Bulletboys, Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P., Les Carlson of Bloodgood, Oz Fox of Stryper/Bloodgood, Dale & Troy Thompson of Bride! Starting on May 3rd you can hear two songs from LNJ's new CD at www.myspace.com/libertynjustice2 but listen quickly they will only be up for one week! The updated track listing is below and go to www.libertynjustice.net and let us know what you think!

2009 Retroactive Records release by Liberty N' Justice to be titled Light It Up (Formerly announced title: "The Cigar Chronicles")
01. Light It Up 02. The Other Thief (feat. Dale and Toy Thompson of Bride) 03. Blink (feat. Lynn Louise Lowrey of Vixen & Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister) 04. Do What You Believe 05. Man vs. Mother Nature (feat.Ted Poley of Danger Danger/ Poley-Rivera & Vic Rivera of Crunch/ Poley-Rivera) 06. Treading On Serpents (feat. Les Carlson Bloodgood & Oz Foz of Stryper/ Bloodgood) 07. Uncle Sam 08. Every Reason To Believe 09. Wrestling With God 10. Best Time You Never Had 11. Beautiful Decision 12. Drunk De ad Gorgeous (feat. Marq Torien of Bulletboys and Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P.) 13. Greed (feat. Robert Mason Warrant/ Lynch Mob & Jerry Dixon of Warrant) 14. For Better Or Worse.

SKYCLAD, the seminal British band which is often referred to as "the originator of folk metal," has issued the following update:

"Just a note to say that we are awakening from our hibernation to start doing some gigs in support of the new album, 'In The... All Together'. First up, we have a 'warm-up' gig at Langley Park, Durham on Sunday, May 2. This is a charity gig, and for those who are making the trip I said I would post the post code for the old Sat Nav (it is Front Street, Langley Park, Durham, DH7 9SG as far as I can guess). I've posted this info on the events page and hopefully we'll meet up there and share a jar and a chat for the forthcoming year."

SKYCLAD's twelfth album, "In The… All Together" was released via Scarlet Records. The CD, which was recorded and mixed by Dario Mollo (THE CAGE, VOODOO HILL) at Damage Inc Studio, in Ventimiglia, Italy during August 2008, "mixes the usual thrash/speed metal influences with the extraordinary folk melodies that made the band famous all around the world, maintaining a fresh and dynamic approach which gives a strong live dimension to the new songs," according to a press release.

Formed in 1990 by Martin Walkyer (SABBAT) and Steve Ramsey (SATAN, PARIAH), SKYCLAD gained extraordinary attention from both the press and the public with the now-legendary debut album "The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth" (1991) and, since then, has built up a solid reputation which led them to take part in some of the most important international metal events (such as the renowned Dynamo, Wacken, Gods of Metal and Tuska festivals) and share the stage with some of the most respected artists of their time.

Boston, Massachusetts-based hardcore/metal band BURY YOUR DEAD has posted a new song, "Hurting Not Helping", on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off BURY YOUR DEAD's new album,"It's Nothing Personal", which is scheduled for release on May 26 via Victory Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Hurting Not Helping
02. Without You
03. Broken Body
04. The Great Demonizer
05. Dead End Lovesong
06. Swan Song
07. Lakota
08. The Forgotten
09. Lion's Den
10. Legacy of Ashes
11. Closed Eyes
12. Enough

"ReUnation - A Tribute To Running Wild" — the upcoming tribute to German metal legends RUNNING WILD which will contain cover versions of songs exclusively from the albums "The Rivalry" (1998), "Victory" (2000), "The Brotherhood" (2002) and "Rogues En Vogue" (2005) — will be released in fall 2009 by the Hamburg-based label Remedy Records as a limited two-CD set for the price of a normal album — an exclusive collector's item and a definite must-have for all heavy rock and metal fans.

Commented Jens Pohl, RUNNING WILD's webmaster: "This album will not be just an ordinary tribute to anyone, this is going to be a farewell gift to one of the most influential bands in heavy metal, paying homage to [RUNNING WILD mainman] Rock'n'Rolf as a musician and — due to the current situation — to many of his latest songs but not solely. I am really happy, proud and grateful at the same time that this tribute album features some legends as well as some of the most promising and uprising heavy rock and metal acts you should not miss! My deepest appreciation to everyone being involved. Thanks."

The complete track listing is as follows (in alphabetical order):

* 5TH SONIC BRIGADE, Sweden - "Angel Of Mercy"
* CHINCHILLA, Germany - "Conquistadores"
* CRYSTAL VIPER, Poland - "Libertalia"
* CUSTARD, Germany - "Under Jolly Roger"
* DEADLOCK, Germany - "When Time Runs Out"
* ESENIA, Spain - "Resurrection"
* EVERTALE, Germany - "Blazon Stone"
* FATE, Denmark - "Soul Vampires"
* HALOR, Hungary - "Little Big Horn"
* HEAVENLY, France - "Masquerade"
* HELLISH WAR, Brazil - "Return Of The Gods"
* JOSÉ JUAN GALLEGO, Spain - "Draw The Line"
* MAGICA, Romania - "Victory"
* MOTORJESUS, Germany - "The Rivalry"
* ORDEN OGAN, Germany - "The Battle Of Waterloo"
* OVERTURES, Italy - "Pirate Song"
* POWERWOLF, Romania / Germany - "Riding The Storm"
* RAVAGE, USA - "Fight The Fire Of Hate"
* SATANOCHIO, Romania - "Siberian Winter"
* SEVEN SEAS, Germany - "Detonator"
* SKILTRON, Argentina - "Ballad Of William Kidd"
* SOLEMNITY, Germany - "Dr. Horror"
* SUIDAKRA, Germany - "Marooned"
* THUNDERBLAST, Colombia - "Timeriders"
* THUNDERSTORM feat. Preacher, Romania - "Welcome To Hell"
* WARHEAD, Germany - "Faceless"
* WILD KNIGHT feat. Frank Knight & Majk Moti, United Kingdom / Germany - "Tsar"
* WINTERS DAWN, Greece - "Into The Fire"
* WITCHTRAP, Colombia - "Victim Of States Power"
* WITHERING SOUL, USA - "Firebreather"