DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, the band formed by current VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan (on guitar and vocals) after he left GUNS N' ROSES, has set "Sick" as the title of its new full-length album, due in late March via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Martin Feveyear (PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, KINGS OF LEON) and will include such tracks as "Roll Away", "Forgive Me", "Sick", "No More", "Southern Girl", "No Shame" and "Translucent".

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED's latest five-song EP, "Wasted Heart", was released on September 22 via Century Media Records.

"These are purely my songs," McKagan told Billboard.com. "It's probably more derivative of my earlier years of punk rock. It's a good rock 'n' roll band. It's fun, is what it is. There's no real business and no real drama. I'm really into no drama right now," he adds, noting Scott Weiland's recent rancorous departure from VELVET REVOLVER.

In addition to McKagan, LOADED features drummer Geoff Reading (GREEN APPLE QUICK STEP), bassist Jeff Rouse (VENDETTA RED, ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE) and guitarist Mike Squires (ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE).

The title track of CANNIBAL CORPSE's forthcoming album, "Evisceration Plague", is available for streaming at this location.

"Evisceration Plague" is scheduled for release on February 3, 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Kill" was produced by Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL) at his Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Commented bassist Alex Webster: "In CANNIBAL CORPSE, our goal has always been to try and make each new album we record our heaviest. That goal was a bit more challenging this time since we were extremely satisfied with our last album 'Kill', but we knew that by working with producer Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios again, we would be able to start at that same level of heaviness and take it even further. Now that we can hear the finished product, I would say we've been able to achieve this goal, and I think our fans will agree. 'Evisceration Plague' has the best guitar sound we've ever recorded, and the entire band has never played with more precision and power. We can't wait until you all get a chance to hear the album in early 2009, because we think you'll be as happy with it as we are."

"Evisceration Plague" track listing:

01. Priests of Sodom
02. Scalding Hail
03. To Decompose
04. A Cauldron of Hate
05. Beheading and Burning
06. Evidence in the Furnace
07. Carnivorous Swarm
08. Evisceration Plague
09. Shatter Their Bones
10. Carrion Sculpted Entity
11. Unnatural
12. Skewered From Ear to Eye

"Evisceration Plague" will be available as a limited-edition digipack including a bonus track and bonus DVD, jewelcase CD and on limited splatter vinyl.

Polish extreme metallers DECAPITATED — whose drummer, Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka, died on November 2, 2007 in a Russian hospital from injuries sustained in a road collision — have issued the following update:

"As most everyone knows, it has been just over a year since the tragic bus accident that ultimately took the life of Vitek, drummer of DECAPITATED, and seriously injured their singer, Covan [real name: Adrian Kowanek]. The families of Vitek and Covan wish to express deep gratitude to everyone for their thoughts, prayers, funny stories, and donations sent to them during this last very difficult year.

"However, Covan is still going through a long and difficult recovery, and the family would once again ask for you to look into your heart and possibly send donations. It is INCREDIBLY expensive for all the round-the-clock medical care, the doctors, the nurses, the therapy, the medicine, etc. Most of you could also understand that, since he is also in Poland, it is even more expensive than it would be in the U.S. or most other parts of Europe. His care and recovery is ongoing and he is slowly showing some progress, but it will be quite a bit of time before he is completely better. Some people may think that, although they would like to help, that they have nothing to give… but in truth, if every one person out there that thought this could donate even just $1, that amount will significantly multiply and make a huge difference!"

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have issued the following update:

"2008 was truly one of the most active years in DARK TRANQUILLITY history, with close to 100 shows being played in most corners of the world. Apart from seeing a lot of familar faces on the regular U.S. tour and European/Scandinavian headline trips, we also had the pleasure of visiting more remote territory such as Japan, Taiwan, China, Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Turkey, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. In addition, the first proper headline tours of the U.K. and Finland were made, which, of course, were long overdue.

"This year will probably be a bit more calm on the live front, as we'll first and foremost focus on the songwriting for the new album, but there are already a couple of shows and festivals confirmed and more are in the pipeline.

"As most of you know, we'll release our second DVD later this year, recorded at the Rolling Stone in Milan, Italy. The preview footage we've seen looks absolutely killer, and the material is currently being edited by the good folks of Vasara films in Finland. More info on this will follow in the near future."

The release date of "Painstained", the sixth album from Finnish goth-metallers ENTWINE, has been pushed back two weeks to January 28 (via Spinefarm Records). The CD was recorded with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, APOCALYPTICA, SENTENCED).

"Painstained" track listing:

01. Soul Sacrifice
02. Strife
03. Dying Moan
04. Beautifully Confined
05. Lost In My Denial
06. Greed of Mankind
07. Dead By Silence
08. Hollow
09. Caught By Desire
10. Say Goodbye

Another evolutionary leap from the more commercial Americanism and electro leanings of 2004's "DiEversity" and heaviness of 2006's "Fatal Design", ENTWINE's latest step, "Painstained", presents an even more melody-oriented ENTWINE than any of its predecessors. The band has headed into yet another new direction. Layering Mika Tauriainen's melodic vocals over detuned and heavy guitars and the strong backbone of the Hanttu/Miettinen rhythm section, with "Painstained", ENTWINE has truly come into its own.

ENTWINE will release a "best-of" collection through the UK branch of Spinefarm Records sometime in 2009. The exact track listing for the CD has not yet been confirmed.

FALLOUT MOON, the new band led by former ALTARIA mastermind Marko Pukkila, is writing material for its debut album which is tentatively due to be recorded later this year. The group, which also includes Antti Railio (CELESTY) on vocals and Simo Pirttimaa on guitar, is still looking for the right drummer and a second guitar player or keyboard player.

Marko Pukkila quit ALTARIA in December 2006 after the band parted ways with its record company. He released four albums with ALTARIA: "Invitation" (2003), "Divinity" (2004), "The Fallen Empire" (2006) and "Divine Invitation" (2007). The group also toured Europe with DORO and SONATA ARCTICA and played various festivals in Germany, Belgium and Finland.

Pukkila has been busy taking part in recording sessions for different multimedia adventures, movies and all-star tribute albums. He has recorded and/or played with musicians like Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, HEAVEN AND HELL), Kee Marcello (EUROPE), Frankie Banali (W.A.S.P., QUIET RIOT), Johnny Dee (DORO, BRITNY FOX), Rowan Robertson (DIO, DC4), Ryan Roxie (ALICE COOPER, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT), Erik Turner (WARRANT), Phil Lewis (L.A. GUNS) and Troy Patrick Farrell (WHITE LION).

FALLOUT MOON is currently seeking a label home.

A demo version of the CRADLE OF FILTH track "Honey & Sulphur" under its working title "Dark" is available for streaming below.

If you want to hear another rare demo track from CRADLE OF FILTH, join The Order of the Dragon fan club. That demo of "Shat Out of Hell" is available only to members.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of CRADLE OF FILTH's December 7, 2008 concert Bologna, Italy can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "ginmetal").

CRADLE OF FILTH's new album, "Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 37. The CD also sold a little over 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The European release date of "April Rain", the second album from DELAIN — the Dutch gothic rock/metal project founded by ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboardist Martijn Westerholt (brother of WITHIN TEMPTATION's Robert Westerholt) — has been pushed back to March 27 (except in Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg where the CD will be made available on March 20).

As a result of the date change, the band's previously announced CD-release shows have been moved as well. DELAIN will present the first single and play new material off "April Rain" at a "sneak preview" show on Friday, March 6 in the group's hometown of Zwolle. The official international release party in Amsterdam will now take place on Thursday, March 19 at De Melkweg.

As previously reported, DELAIN will hit the road in Europe in March/April with KAMELOT and SERENITY. The band has also lined up a string of headlining dates in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in April.

Despite published reports to the contrary Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham have no plans to record and tour together.

Earlier today (Wednesday, January 7), MusicRadar spoke exclusively with Peter Mensch, Jimmy Page's manager, who stated categorically, "LED ZEPPELIN are over! If you didn't see them in 2007 [when they played a one-off reunion at London's O2 Arena; see video below], you missed them. It's done. I can't be any clearer than that."

Reports of ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham jamming with other vocalists first surfaced a few months back, after Robert Plant made it clear he was not interested in doing a LED ZEPPELIN tour anytime soon.

"They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out," Mensch confirmed to MusicRadar. "That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it."

IN FLAMES was honored with the "Best Hard Rock" award at the Swedish "Grammis" gala, which was held earlier tonight (Wednesday, January 7) at Hovet in Stockholm. The band also performed the song "Alias" during the ceremony, which was broadcast live on Swedish national channel TV4.

IN FLAMES was presented with the award by Joey Tempest, singer for the reactivated Swedish hard rock band EUROPE.

Video footage of the acceptance speech and the performance can be viewed below.

The artists were nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2008.

The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock" category were as follows:

* IN FLAMES - "A Sense Of Purpose"
* MESHUGGAH - "obZen"
* MILLENCOLIN - "Machine 15"
* OPETH – "Watershed"
* SABATON - "The Art Of War"

IN FLAMES was also up for the "Best Live" award.

Last year's Grammis award in the "Best Hard Rock" category was won by MUSTASCH for the band's "Latest Version Of The Truth" CD. MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee presented the award to MUSTASCH, who beat out such veterans acts as CANDLEMASS, ENTOMBED and CLAWFINGER for the honor.

According to Skiddle, late QUEEN singer Freddie Mercury, who sold 300 million records before he died in November 1991 of bronchopneumonia induced by HIV, has been voted the ultimate "rock god."

Ozzy Osbourne came sixth in the survey of 4,000 rock fans by Internet market research web site OnePoll.

A spokesman for OnePoll said: "Everybody loved Freddie Mercury. His theatrical performances onstage were incredible and set him apart from other rock stars. He combined his ear for music with an ability to deliver to stadium audiences across the world, and as such millions of fans were devastated when HIV finally killed him in 1991.

"The list of top 20 'rock gods' is a diverse mix of front men, guitarists and performers. There are some legendary acts in the list, but it's also good to see that modern day artists such as Dave Grohl earn respect from rock fans."

Top 20 "Rock Gods", according to OnePoll:

01. Freddie Mercury (QUEEN)
02. Elvis Presley
03. Jon Bon Jovi (BON JOVI)
04. David Bowie
05. Jimi Hendrix (THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE)
06. Ozzy Osbourne (BLACK SABBATH)
07. Kurt Cobain (NIRVANA)
08. Slash (GUNS N' ROSES)
09. Bono (U2)
10. Mick Jagger (THE ROLLING STONES)
11. Axl Rose (GUNS N' ROSES)
12. Dave Grohl (FOO FIGHTERS)
13. Jim Morrison (THE DOORS)
14. Paul McCartney (THE BEATLES)
15. Steven Tyler (AEROSMITH)
16. Robert Plant (LED ZEPPelin)
17. Brian May (QUEEN)
18. James Hetfield (METALLICA)
19. Jimmy Page (LED ZEPPELIN)
20. Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN)

According to Xfm, Peter Mensch, LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page's manager, has said that Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham are likely to record and tour with a new singer.

Mensch told the BBC 6 Music, "People don't really understand it. Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old. Jimmy Page likes being a musician. That's what he does! He doesn't want to be a race car driver or a solicitor.

"They decided that if they could find a singer that they thought would fit their bill — whatever their bill was at this stage in their career — that they'd make a record and go on tour… That's what Jimmy Page does."

Peter Mensch, whose QPrime stable also includes RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and METALLICA, declined to speculate on a possible replacement for singer Robert Plant.

"I can't comment on any rumors right now," said the manager, "It's gonna be a long and difficult process. And we're not soliciting people! So don't call me about it!"

Drummer Joey Kramer of legendary Boston hard rockers AEROSMITH has issued the following update:

"Today is the first day Tom [Hamilton; bass] and I are getting back together. We just rehearsed for two hours and it feels so good! We can't wait to get back into the studio and get back out on the road to do what we do best. We'll check in from time to time and give you progress on how things are going."

AEROSMITH is currently working on material for its 15th studio album — the band's first new collection of original material since 2001's "Just Push Play". The group will play its first-ever show in Caracas, Venezuela on February 1 as part of the three-day Solid Fest. Also scheduled to appear are 50 CENT and SIMPLE PLAN, among others.

Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has set "Anomaly" as the title of his new solo album, tentatively due this spring. Check out the cover artwork below.

In an early 2008 interview with Billboard, Frehley stated about his forthcoming solo CD, "Basically, I'm trying to get back into the mindset I was in when I did my first solo record [1978's 'Ace Frehley']. That record seemed to have all the elements everybody liked — a real cool instrumental, a hit single, some real heavy rockers, a nice variety of different genres of music."

Among his favorite new tracks are "A Little Below the Angels", hard-rocking "Pain in the Neck" and an instrumental called "Fractured Quantum", which is a follow-up to his previous instrumentals "Fractured Mirror" and "Fractured Too". Another favorite is "groove song" titled "Genghis Khan", which he likens in tone to LED ZEPPELIN's "Kashmir".

HoundsTV.com, which features the latest in celebrity autograph news and video, has compiled a list of the best and the worst musicians for autographs and meeting fans in Canada in 2008. The best were AC/DC, COLDPLAY and THE GUESS WHO, while the worst were LED ZEPPELIN, BON JOVI and THE EAGLES.

Regarding AC/DC, HoundsTV.com writes: "Perhaps of all tours to hit Canada this year, none was more anticipated by fans and autograph collectors than AC/DC. It had been more than five years since the last time they breezed through Toronto and everybody remembers how fan friendly they were back then. It was good to see things had not changed with AC/DC and they were still the same great guys in 2008. From the time they checked into their downtown Toronto hotel until boarding the bus to play the sold-out stadium gig, to after lunch on Bloor St. the next day, Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams, and Brian Johnson (and yeah, and even the usually tough drummer, Phil Rudd) were signing champs and all round great guys greeting fans and collectors at every turn. AC/DC — the signing champs of 2008. And with a good new album and buzzed about world tour — probably the biggest rock band in the world right now."

On Robert Plant and Jimmy Page (LED ZEPPELIN): "While they were not touring together, founding LED ZEPPELIN members Robert Plant and Jimmy Page arrived in Toronto within weeks of each other during 2008. Plant, on tour with Alison Krauss played a summer show, and Page came to the Toronto Film Festival weeks later to support a film. Page announced on arrival at TIFF regarding autograph requests, 'I'm kinda finished with that,' and stuck to his word. Robert Plant was equally dismissive the few times approached by collectors over the course of the couple of days he was in Toronto. By mutual agreement among many, Page and Plant were the worst rock-god signers to come though during the year. Autograph collectors went home with their LED ZEPPELIN memorabilia unsigned during 2008."

Swedish melodic death metallers SCAR SYMMETRY have issued the following update:

"So another year has come to an end. Our fifth as a band! A lot of cool things happened in 2008. And one very uncool thing. But everything turned out great, luckily.

"The year of 2008 started while we were halfway through recording 'Holographic Universe'. Our quickest recording session to date (merely two months!). Some months later the album was released, and we debuted on The Billboard 200 chart! Very cool indeed. Out of all the reviews we've read, it seems most people found themselves somewhere between enthusiastic and ecstatic about the album. A few reviewers didn't understand it, and we feel sorry for them... Haha!

"Fast forward another few months and we found ourselves having announced to the world that we had parted ways with our lead vocalist [Christian Älvestam]. Crazy move, some people thought. Well, needless to say, it wouldn't have happened unless we had some pretty good reasons. Shortly thereafter, we presented the new lineup — featuring two vocalists instead of one! Most people seemed to agree that this was an exciting direction for us to take. After taking the new lineup for a test drive all over not-so-sunny Spain, we felt confident that the two-singer approach was a wise decision.

"2009. What are our hopes and expectations? We're hoping and expecting lots and lots of touring, shows and festivals! Also, we have a few new songs written... We're eager to record some new stuff with Rob [Roberth Karlsson] and Lars [Palmqvist] sooner rather than later, though it's too early to tell when it will happen.

"Our first confirmed show for 2009 is the Chaulnes Metal Fest [in April 2009 in France]. We'll be sharing the stage with the amazing TEXTURES and super-shredders ADAGIO... Awesome lineup!!!"

The brand new studio album from the the Polish female-fronted heavy metal squad CRYSTAL VIPER, titled "Metal Nation", will be released on February 1 through Karthago Records (CD version) and High Roller Records (limited vinyl version). The CD was recorded at the brand new MP Studio in Poland with engineer Mariusz Pietka and producer Bart Gabriel.

"Metal Nation" was mixed at the Sonic Train Studios (HAMMERFALL, KING DIAMOND, EVERGREY, FALCONER etc.) in Varberg, Sweden by the Grammy-nominated KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque. The CD features three very special guests: Manni Schmidt of GRAVE DIGGER, Frank Knight of X-WILD and Lars Ramcke of STORMWARRIOR. According to a press release, fans can expect to hear "a true heavy metal masterpiece with outstanding vocals (the album includes cover version of the AGENT STEEL classic 'Agents Of Steel', recorded faster, heavier and... higher!), and great cover artwork, painted by the world-famous artist Chris Moyen (TRIVIUM, BEHERIT, BLASPHEMY, INCANTATION etc.).

"Metal Nation" track listing:

01. Breaking The Curse
02. Metal Nation
03. Bringer Of The Light
04. 1428 *
05. The Anvil Of Hate
06. Zombie Lust (Flesh Eaters)
07. Her Crimson Tears **
08. Legions Of Truth ***
09. Gladiator, Die By The Blade
10. Agents Of Steel (AGENT STEEL cover song)

* feat. Manni Schmidt of GRAVE DIGGER
** feat. Frank Knight of X-WILD
*** feat. Lars Ramcke of STORMWARRIOR

"Metal Nation", "Her Crimson Tears", "Legions Of Truth" and "Gladiator, Die By The Blade" are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Swedish black/death metal band GRIEF OF EMERALD has posted a new demo song called "Devils Deep" on the group's MySpace page. The track is expected to appear on GRIEF OF EMERALD's forthcoming album — the group's first release since 2002's "Christian Termination" — which is tentatively due later in the year. Some of the material recorded during the recent sessions may also end up on a proposed split EP with Italian black metallers NEFARIUM.

Commented drummer Carl Karlsson: "We are more focused and more prepared then ever. GRIEF OF EMERALD is more brutal and loaded ready to explode. We are just now searching for a new record label. We hadn't the opportunity to tour for 'Christian Termination' album, so our first move is to tour and find a suitable label for our upcoming release. We are very satisfied with our new song; it's a killer song."

The official Roadrunner Records web site has been updated with top-album picks for 2008 from a number of artists that are signed to the label, including members of MACHINE HEAD, MEGADETH, DEVILDRIVER, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and TRIVIUM. A few of the selections follow below. The entire list can be found at this location.

Shawn Drover (MEGADETH)

01. CYNIC - Traced in Air
02. TESTAMENT - The Information Damnation
03. MESHUGGAH - Obzen
04. CHILDREN OF BODOM - Blooddrunk
05. OPETH - Watershed
06. EVERGREY - Torn
07. BLOTTED SCIENCE - The Machinations of Dementia
08. AIRBOURNE - Runnin' Wild
09. INTO ETERNITY - The Incurable Tragedy
10. BRAIN DRILL - Apocalyptic Feasting

Frédéric Leclercq (DRAGONFORCE)

01. GUNS N' ROSES - Chinese Democracy
02. DISTURBED - Indestructible
03. SLIPKNOT - All Hope Is Gone
04. CYNIC - Traced in Air
05. CRADLE OF FILTH - Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder
06. ULTRA VOMIT - Objectif Thunes
07. SEBASTIEN TELLIER - Sexuality
08. ALICE COOPER - Along Came a Spider
09. MOTLEY CRUE - Saints of Los Angeles
10. METALLICA - Death Magnetic

Matt Heafy (TRIVIUM)

01. COLDPLAY - Viva La Vida
02. COLDPLAY - Prospekt's March
03. MAXIMUM THE HORMONE - Tsume Tsume Tsume
04. LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - Mozart's Requiem
05. GOJIRA - The Way Of All Flesh
06. AMON AMARTH - Twilight of the Thunder God
07. SLIPKNOT - All Hope Is Gone
08. OPETH - Watershed
09. METALLICA - Death Magnetic
10. TRIVIUM - Shogun

Robb Flynn (MACHINE HEAD)

01. ALL SHALL PERISH - Awaken The Dreamers
02. METALLICA - Death Magnetic
03. TRIVIUM - Shogun
04. WINDS OF PLAGUE - Decimate The Weak
05. LIL WAYNE - The Carter III
06. LA COKA NOSTRA - A Brand You Can Trust
07. SLIPKNOT - All Hope Is Gone
08. WHITECHAPEL - This Is Exile
09. MESHUGGAH - Bleed
10. BLEEDING THROUGH - Sister Charlatan

Joel Stroetzel (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE)

01. KINGS OF LEON - Only by the Night
02. RYAN ADAMS AND THE CARDINALS - Cardinology
03. RADIOHEAD - In Rainbows
04. TOMMY EMMANUEL - Center Stage
05. ALL THAT REMAINS - Overcome
06. NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
07. Augustana - Can't Love (Can't Hurt
08. IN FLAMES - A Sense of Purpose
09. NADA SURF - Lucky
10. RAY LAMONTAGNE - Gossip in the Grain

Paolo Gregoletto (TRIVIUM)

01. METALLICA - Death Magnetic
02. MACHINE HEAD - The Blackening Special Edition
03. COLDPLAY - Viva La Vida
04. GOJIRA - The Way of All Flesh
05. SLIPKNOT - All Hope Is Gone
06. AMON AMARTH - Twilight of the Thunder God
07. PROTEST THE HERO - Fortress
08. AC/DC - Black Ice
09. OPETH - Watershed
10. TRIVIUM - Shogun

Max Cavalera (SOULFLY; CAVALERA CONSPIRACY; SEPULTURA)

01. BAD BRAINS - Build a Nation
02. DISFEAR - Live the Storm
03. GOJIRA - The Way of All Flesh
04. GOGOL BORDELLO - Gypsy Punks
05. TURBO TRIO - Turbo Trio
06. INCITE - Divided We Fail
07. AGNOSTIC FRONT - Warriors
08. AMON AMARTH - Twilight of the Thunder God
09. AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED - Insect Warfare
10. HIRAX - The New Age of Terror

Justin Foley (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE)

01. CYNIC - Traced in Air
02. MESHUGGAH - Obzen
03. CULT OF LUNA - Eternal Kingdom
04. SIGUR ROS - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
05. GOJIRA - The Way Of All Flesh
06. MOGWAI - The Hawk Is Howling
07. NINE INCH NAILS - The Slip
08. UNDEROATH - Lost In The Sound Of Separation

Michael Spretizer (DEVILDRIVER)

01. THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE - Walking With Strangers
02. AMON AMARTH - Twilight of the Thunder God
03. MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE - If
04. ALL THAT REMAINS - Overcome
05. GOJIRA - The Way of All Flesh
06. IN FLAMES - A Sense of Purpose
07. CHILDREN OF BODOM - Blood Drunk
08. OPETH - Watershed
09. RAUNCHY - Wasteland Discotheque
10. TESTAMENT - The Formation of Damnation

Jonathan Miller (DEVILDRIVER)

01. IN THIS MOMENT - Dream
02. GUNS N' ROSES - Chinese Democracy
03. SLIPKNOT - All Hope Is Gone
04. SHINY TOY GUNS - Seasons of Poison
05. ENYA - ...And Winter Came
06. ALL THAT REMAINS - Overcome
07. METALLICA - Death Magnetic
08. ALL SHALL PERISH - Awaken The Dreamers
09. MUDVAYNE - The New Game
10. TRIVIUM - Shogun

Resurrected late '80s/early '90s death metal outfit PESTILENCE has uploaded a new song, "Horror Detox", on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's new album, "Resurrection Macabre", which is scheduled for release on March 13 in Europe (April 14 in the U.S.) via Holland's Mascot Records. The band recorded a total of 14 songs during the session at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark — 11 new tracks and three classic PESTILENCE cuts (as chosen by the fans) to be included on the limited-edition first pressing: "Out Of The Body", "Chemo Therapy" and "Lost Souls". Joining guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli in PESTILENCE's current recording lineup are Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC) on bass and Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, NON-HUMAN LEVEL) on drums. Patrick has previously described the band's new material as a modern fusion of "Testimony of the Ancients" (1991) and "Spheres" (1993), but even more technical and brutal. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Hangman (Into The Mind Of An Executioner)", "Synthetic Grotesque (Trying To Create Through Cloning)", "Fiend (Drugaddiction)", "Resurrection Macabre (The Return Of The Pestilence)" and "Hate Suicide (Last Hours Of A Suicide-Bomber)".

Footage of drummer Peter Wildoer laying down tracks for "Resurrection Macabre" can be viewed below.

PESTILENCE 2009 touring lineup (pictured below):

Patrick Mameli – Guitar, Vocals
Patrick Uterwijk - Guitar
Tony Choy - Bass
Peter Wildoer - Drums

The surviving members of THE STOOGES — Iggy Pop, drummer (and guitarist Ron Asheton's brother) Scott Asheton, saxophonist Steve Mackay, bassist Mike Watt — have issued the following statement regarding the death of the band's guitarist Ron Asheton who was found dead in his Ann Arbor, Michigan home early Tuesday morning (January 6):

"We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron's death. He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed. For all that knew him behind the facade of Mr Cool & Quirky, he was a kind-hearted, genuine, warm person who always believed that people meant well even if they did not. As a musician, Ron was The Guitar God, idol to follow and inspire others. That is how he will be remembered by people who had a great pleasure to work with him, learn from him and share good and bad times with him."

Frontman Iggy Pop added: "I am in shock. He was my best friend."

Ron Asheton was 60 years old.

Detectives told MLive.com that the cause of death is undetermined, but that investigators do not suspect foul play. Autopsy and toxicology results are pending.

Guitarist Bill Steer recently hinted in the press that a new CARCASS album was a possibility. Revolver magazine contacted vocalist/bassist Jeff Walker for the scoop. I'm waiting for Bill to confirm it, just like you!" he said. "It's gone from 'No' to 'Maybe' to 'Never say never' — just spit it out, God damn it! We never wanted to be one of those bands that reformed, played again, and then [went on to be] totally lackluster and uninspired."

Jeffrey Easton of Metal Exiles last fall conducted an interview with CARCASS guitarist Bill Steer. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

Metal Exiles: What is going to happen after the tour. Will the reunion continue with a new album?

Bill: It is a possibility. We will not say certainly because we will be out for awhile but we are open for the possibility. We do not want to get people hyped up then disappointed but we will see what happens. I would be up for it because it was a good atmosphere and I think we are playing better than ever.

Metal Exiles: What direction would you guys go in?

Bill: Just off the top of my head it would continue from where we were with 'Heartwork'. There is no point in trying to get back to that place because we are much older and everything is different now.

Metal Exiles: If there is not another CARCASS album after this is over what will you be doing?

Bill: FIREBIRD is still out doing stuff. We will be doing shows later on this year but right now I feel musically satisfied. Playing this stuff with CARCASS takes me back to something I am comfortable with and I like being harmonious with my past because for years I was away from it.

Swedish "art rockers" CULT OF LUNA have set "Fire Was Born" as the title of their upcoming DVD, tentatively due this spring. Along with an epic live show recorded last year at Scala in London, England, the disc — which was mixed, edited and designed by the band — will feature a brand new interview with the group.

CULT OF LUNA says: "We're planning on printing a booklet for the live DVD with photos from the show. If you have professional pictures from London, Scala on July 1, 2008, we would love to publish them. Please send a link with high-resolution files along with your credits to info@cultofluna.com. Subject: SCALA PHOTO. The deadline is soon — Saturday, January 10."

Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD have finalized the track listing for their fifth album, "Wrath", due in North America via Epic on February 24. The CD will be issued in other territories through Roadrunner Records.

"Wrath" was produced by Josh Wilbur and was recorded in studios in New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

"Wrath" track listing:

01. The Passing
02. In Your Words
03. Set To Fail
04. Contractor
05. Fake Messiah
06. Grace
07. Broken Hands
08. Dead Seeds
09. Everything To Nothing
10. Choke Sermon
11. Reclamation

According to legendary heavy metal guitarist Tony Iommi, the upcoming album from HEAVEN AND HELL — the band featuring BLACK SABBATH members Iommi, Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) — is tentatively scheduled for release in March/April via Rhino. The group's first LP since SABBATH's "Dehumanizer" (1992) is being recorded at Rockfield studios in Wales, U.K. (where "Dehumanizer" was also tracked). "It's all going very well, I'm pleased to say," Iommi said in a January 5, 2009 online posting.

Ronnie James Dio, who co-wrote the self-produced album with Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler during sessions in Los Angeles and England, told Revolver magazine that the CD "sounds great. It's a real cross-section of everything we've done, from 'Heaven and Hell' through 'Mob Rules' and 'Dehumanizer'. I think there's a lot of 'Dehumanizer' in it, but a lot of other things, too, a real good blend of what this band has represented."

According to Denmark's TV 2 VIP, King Diamond has told BT.dk that there is a good chance that a new studio album from his classic heavy metal act MERCYFUL FATE will surface at some point in the not-too-distant future.

"Hank [Shermann, guitar] has written songs [for the proposed MERCYFUL FATE CD]. And he is ready for our new masterpiece," King Diamond is quoted as saying.

MERCYFUL FATE's last studio album, "9", was released in 1999.

A new two-DVD set of archival MERCYFUL FATE footage is tentatively due this spring.