Slayer guitarist Gary Holt has penned a touching tribute to his father, Billie Charles Holt, who passed away on December 17th. Gary left Slayer's farewell tour earlier this month to be with his father, with Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel stepping in for him.

Gary posted the following tribute via Instagram on December 17th:

"Today I lost my hero, the greatest man I’ve ever known or will know. Billie Charles Holt passed away this evening, with my mom and all his kids present, knowing he was loved and respected more than anyone.

"This man was a god among men, he taught me everything I ever needed to know about being a MAN. Lessons that took a long time for me to realize the truth behind them all. He built the family home by hand and paved the sidewalk of my street when it was just dirt. True greatness.

"I fed him his last meal, he wanted to rest, and passed in his sleep later. I love you dad. I’m broken. What feels like beyond repair at this moment. But he’s no longer in pain.

"Thank you to all who ever sent me positive vibes and whoever wished me well during this trying time. Thank you @demmelitionmh (Phil Demmel) for aiding me to get home to enjoy what was one of his last “good” days he had, that and the day he had with my daughters. Thank you to my band mates in both bands who had my back in every way. Thanks to my brothers and my sister and entire family for bringing strength in this family unit.

"This is shattering. I feel empty and lost. @lisaholt777 (Lisa) thank you for keeping me from imploding. Super thanks to my niece Ashley, you were the single greatest gift to your grandfathers care and comfort.

"Dad, I’ll try to live up to your standards in every way. July 6,1933 - December 17, 2018. Love you forever. This hurts so much."

 

 

 

 



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Today I lost my hero, the greatest man I’ve ever known or will know. Billie Charles Holt passed away this evening, with my mom and all his kids present, knowing he was loved and respected more than anyone. This man was a god among men, he taught me everything I ever needed to know about being a MAN. Lessons that took a long time for me to realize the truth behind them all.He built the family home by hand and paved the sidewalk of my street when it was just dirt. True greatness.I fed him his last meal, he wanted to rest, and passed in his sleep later.I love you dad. I’m broken. What feels like beyond repair at this moment. But he’s no longer in pain. Thank you to all who ever sent me positive vibes and whoever wished me well during this trying time. Thank you @demmelitionmh for aiding me to get home to enjoy what was one of his last “good” days he had, that and the day he had with my daughters. Thank you to my band mates in both bands who had my back in every way. Thanks to my brothers and my sister and entire family for bringing strength in this family unit.This is shattering.  I feel empty and lost. @lisaholt777 thank you for keeping me from imploding. Super thanks to my niece Ashley , you were the single greatest gift to your grandfathers care and comfort.Dad, I’ll try to live up to your standards in every way. July 6,1933-December 17,2018. Love you forever.This hurts so much

A post shared by Gary Holt (@garyholt_official) on Dec 17, 2018 at 11:37pm PST

 

LIFE OF AGONY will enter the studio in February to begin recording its new album for a tentative late 2019 release. The disc will be the band's first since the addition of drummer Veronica Bellino, who replaced Sal Abruscato earlier this year.

"We're very excited about this next record we're writing," LIFE OF AGONY guitarist Joseph Zampella (a.k.a. Joey Z) told Michael Nagy from KJAG radio and Jiggy Jag TV (see video below). "This next record is really gonna define LIFE OF AGONY in the next decade — what it means to be LIFE OF AGONY. It's really gonna set a new standard even for the band."

Asked about the musical direction of the new LIFE OF AGONY material, Zampella said: "We really never discuss a direction. We always just write what's coming out at the moment, and what's coming out right now is the best LIFE OF AGONY music that's been around for a long time."

Bassist Alan Robert added: "And also the way that we're going about writing is kind of really getting back to the fun of writing. The last record, basically, there was a 12-year gap between albums, and we kind of got jaded from the music industry for everything that we went through. And now we're inspired again and having fun writing. It's kind of like the old days."

Continued Joseph: "[We're] sharing ideas again and listening to each other and checking out something someone has or an idea for a song that someone else has. And it's just really open and fun, and exactly what Alan said — it's fun again. Making music should be fun. 'Cause if it's not, there's an issue, there's a problem. And so far, it's been super. And you'll hear that in the music. And that's what I think a lot of people are missing in their music — that organic, fun aspect. You can hear that in people's music; you hear that in writing."

Added Alan: "We've been on tour all year, on this 'Rise Of The Underground', and just so much energy and so much positivity all over the world, I think we take that into the writing."

LIFE OF AGONY's latest album, "A Place Where There's No More Pain", was issued in April 2017 via Napalm. LIFE OF AGONY's fifth studio LP marked the band's first release since singer Mina Caputo (formerly known as Keith Caputo) came out as transgender in 2011.

Abruscato announced in December 2017 that he had "amicably" left LIFE OF AGONY. He has since been replaced by Bellino, a New York native who has previously worked with DMC, LL Cool J, Carmine Appice and Jeff Beck.

Gloryful will release their new album ,Cult Of Sedna, on January 18th via Massacre Records. New single, "Brothers In Arms", is streaming below.

On their new album, mixed and mastered by Jörg Uken at soundlodge, Gloryful unite all their trademarks and up the ante with an even heavier sound! Axel Hermann was recruited to take care of the album's artwork. Expect neck-breakers - some of them with a bit of thrash - as well as rock anthems.

Cult Of Sedna will be available as CD, limited vinyl LP, stream and download.

The band recently announced that they're going on tour with Brainstorm in January/February 2019 and will also play at the 2019 edition of Wacken Open Air.

Tracklisting:

“Cult Of Sedna”
“The Oath”
“Brothers In Arms”
“Void Of Tomorrow”
“The Hunt”
“True ‘Til Death”
“When The Union Calls On Me”
“Desert Stranger”
“My Sacrifice”
“Sinners & Saints”
“Into The Next Chapter”

"Brothers In Arms":

“The Hunt”:

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Per Wiberg, the Swedish multi-instrumentalist who has played with such bands as OPETH, CANDLEMASS, KAMCHATKA and SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, will release his debut solo album, "Head Without Eye", on April 19, 2019 via Despotz Records.

Says Wiberg: "This album has been in the making for quite some time and I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Despotz caught wind of it. They're no strangers to me, having been signed to Despotz with the band KAMCHATKA in the past. They've expanded since and have quite a diverse roster these days which they're very passionate about.

"I'm a firm believer in working with people that want to work with you, meaning that the foundation for the relationship is the actual music and not a forced collaboration. Therefore, I'm, of course, very glad to see there's a genuine interest in my album here at Despotz and I'm really looking forward to work together on this, my maiden voyage."

Ömer Akay of Despotz Records said: "Per Wiberg is a juggernaut in the music business and we at Despotz are so happy to join forces with Per again. I think it proves that hard work and dedications is the magic ingredients in the relationship between a mastermind musician and innovative record label. Per's long-anticipated genre groundbreaking solo album, 'Head Without Eye', hits the world on April 19th, 2019 and it's already my top 10 favorite albums for next year!"

"Fire", the new video from BEARTOOTH, can be seen below. The clip is an accumulation of video footage across 20 shows from the band's "Disease" tour.

"Fire" is taken from BEARTOOTH's third album, "Disease", which was released on September 28 via Red Bull Records. The disc was recorded at BlackBird studio in Franklin, Tennessee with producer Nick Raskulinecz (DEFTONES, KORN, FOO FIGHTERS).

Vocalist Caleb Shomo told Consequence Of Sound that "Fire" is his favorite song on "Disease". "I think, sonically, it has every little piece of sound you would could want," he said. "There's heavy stuff and the softer side. I think it offers a little piece of everything and depicts how the record sounds."

In a separate interview with Kerrang!, Caleb called "Disease" "by far the hardest" album to make so far. "This was hands down the most difficult record I've ever made — it's the most depression and anxiety-fuelled album I've ever made" he said. "It was a really, really hard thing to get through. Emotionally, I mean, good Lord! By the end, I was in a really fucking bad place. It was tough to fight through.

"Once I've committed to making a record a certain way, there's no fucking backing out," he added. "Say I'm doing a drum track, and a few of the snare hits are off, you just throw a drum sample on and nobody knows any difference. But I couldn't do that, because I chose for it to be real instruments. So I would sit there and do fucking drum take after drum take, and it was this psychotic fucking thing of, 'It probably can't be played any better, but it's not fucking good enough!' And then freaking out and playing it over and over again. There was a whole lot of stress that I felt making this album. It was basically between the fight of: 'Do I really make a fucking true and honest record?' or: 'Do I just cop out and make the singles that I know people are going to want to hear? What do I do?' But I chose to make an honest record, and I'm really glad I made that choice."

Sharon Osbourne says that she and Ozzy are sharing passwords to their online accounts with each other, more than two years after he apologized to the women he had extramarital affairs with.

"Since my husband and I had troubles, we now have the same passwords, so he can look at my phone," she said during a recent edition of her show "The Talk". "There's nothing except bills on mine, and I can look at his and it's just fine. 'Cause I have no desire to."

Sharon said that she has no regrets about her decision to stay with Ozzy after she learned of his infidelity. "I'm glad I didn't give up — so glad," she said. "It's very easy to just walk out and go, 'I'll be fine,' ...but [I] wouldn't be, because I wouldn't be with my soulmate."

Sharon's latest comments come several months after Lisa Osbourne, the wife of their son Jack, filed for divorce from her husband, citing irreconcilable differences.

I look at my son and he was married five and a half years, and it's, like, did he give up too early?" Sharon said. "Did they both give up too early? They both are happy with the situation now. They have a good relationship with each other. They're happy. They're there for their children. So should either one of them have stayed?"

After Ozzy's affair with celebrity hairstylist Michelle Pugh was made public in May 2016, he underwent therapy for sex addiction. Sharon and Ozzy later reconciled and they even renewed their vows. But she told The Sun: "I don't trust him. I worry about that. I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.

"Nothing in the world hurts like infidelity. Nothing."

Explaining her decision to stand by him, she said: "Nobody is going to want to ask me out. Who would ask me out? A big-mouth, older woman? This is as good as it gets and I love him. He's my husband and I have to take care of him and you just become this woman that takes care of this person and this is my life. This is what I do."

Last year, Sharon told the British paper The Telegraph that Ozzy wasn't cheating with just one woman. "There were six of them," she said. "Some fucking Russian teenager... then a masseuse in England... our masseuse out here in Los Angeles... and then our cook. He had women in different countries. Basically, if you're a woman giving Ozzy either a back rub or a trolley of food, God help you."

Sharon talked about how she learned of his affairs. "We were sitting on the couch watching telly; Ozzy on one couch and me on the other," she said. "And suddenly, he sends me this e-mail. 'Why did you send me this stupid e-mail?' I asked, and when Ozzy told me that he hadn't sent me anything, I grabbed his phone and said, 'Look!' And, of course, it was a message meant for one of his bloody women."

Florida death metallers CANNIBAL CORPSE have confirmed that all of their previously announced shows in 2019 will go ahead as scheduled, despite guitarist Patrick "Pat" O'Brien's recent arrest.

O'Brien was arrested on December 10 on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault. Deputies say he burglarized a house and charged at a deputy with a knife.

Earlier today, CANNIBAL CORPSE issued the following statement: "As a band and as individuals, we all want nothing but the best for our brother and partner, Pat. While we can offer no further information about the incident, we wanted everyone to know that Pat is getting the help he needs and appreciates the love and support from CANNIBAL CORPSE fans around the world.

"Pat is currently with family and friends and looks forward to a healthy return at some point. For anyone wondering, all CANNIBAL CORPSE touring will happen as planned and all shows will be played."

O'Brien allegedly broke into a Northdale, Florida home on December 10 and shouted that "the rapture is coming" before pushing a woman to the ground. He ran toward a responding deputy with a knife and was subdued with a stun gun.

Less than half a mile from where O'Brien was arrested, a fire broke out at the house he was renting, sending flames billowing into the night sky from the roof. Fire marshals found a large cache of weapon, locked safes and potential explosive devices inside O'Brien's home.

The owner of the home where O'Brien was arrested wouldn't go on camera but told ABC Action News he thought the guitarist was hallucinating when he spoke to him and claimed "someone was after him." The homeowner added O'Brien seemed scared and at one point even hid in his closet.

At a first appearance hearing on December 11, a Hillsborough County judge told the 53-year-old musician, clad in an anti-suicide vest with his hands and ankles chained together, that he would first have to pass a drug test before he would be allowed to post bail and leave jail.

O'Brien was released from Hillsborough County jail on Friday, December 14, after posting a $50,000 surety bond.

CANNIBAL CORPSE announced last week that it would be part of the next North American leg of SLAYER's farewell tour.

Formed in 1987 in Hamilton and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Sven Gali brought the '80s and '90s hard rock / metal wave home to Canada. They delivered their high-energy live show from St. Johns to Victoria, and across the US and Europe for the next nine years. Back in March the band announced they had reunited; the 2018 lineup includes all three remaining original members: Dave Wanless (vocals), Andy Frank (guitar), Shawn Minden (bass) plus new drummer Dan Fila (Varga) and guitarist Sean Williamson.

Fila has checked in with the following update:

"Wanted to take a moment to thank David Wanless, Andy Frank, Shawn Minden, Sean Williamson, Shamus Black, Derek J. Callaghan, and Ed Thompson for the tremendous experience and pleasure of playing sold out shows on the Unfinished Business Tour 2018. 2019 will bring new music from SG in the form of an EP. It will be heavy, melodic, moody, and just flat out crushing.

I know I can speak on behalf of the band in saying that we are so very grateful to all of you for embracing and supporting our return. Our goals are simple - continue making great music together and delivering high energy world class jaw dropping shows... and we will deliver. Happy holidays, friends."

Sven Gali recently released an official lyric video for their brand new single, "Kill The Lies". The single entered the Top 10 on the CBC Music's Rock Charts. Check it out below.

Sven Gali built a name fast with their live shows; drawing growing crowds on the Canadian and US circuit while building their songwriting chops and a wild reputation. David Bendeth (Paramore, Breaking Benjamin) signed the band to BMG Music Canada in 1991 and produced the self-titled debut, released in 1992.

The album included singles and videos for "Under The Influence", "Tie Dyed Skies", "In My Garden", and the ballad, "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" (#6 CanCon song of 1993). It included a cover of Teenage Head’s "Disgusteen" featuring guest vocals by Frankie Venom. The video for "Under The Influence" won the MuchMusic Best Metal Video award in 1993. The band was nominated for Hard Rock Album of the Year and Most Promising Band at the Junos. Sven Gali went gold in Canada.

Sven Gali toured extensively throughout Canada and the USA, Germany, Belgium, Ireland and the UK, headlining and on the bill with acts including: April Wine, Foreigner, Candlebox, Pearl Jam and Def Leppard.

Their follow up album, Inwire (1995), recorded at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, was produced by Kelly Grey (Candlebox, Brother Kane, Dokken) and featured guest musicians Christopher Thorn of Blind Melon, and Candlebox's Kevin Martin and Scott Mercado.

The band toured for the next year before disbanding in 1996.

Look for Sven Gali in 2019. Booking inquiries can be directed to blackmoonent@rogers.com

SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian says that there have been "no further discussions" about the band recording a follow-up to its 2005 albums "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize".

This past summer, SYSTEM guitarist Daron Malakian publicly accused Tankian of not wanting to record, with Tankian responding that creative and financial issues with Malakian led to the stalemate. In a message on Facebook, Tankian wrote that Malakian wanted to control SYSTEM's creative process, take more of the publishing money and be the only band member to speak to the press.

Asked what happened after he and Malakian had a back-and-forth in the press about why SYSTEM hasn't made a new record, Tankian told Rolling Stone: "We got together to rehearse, said hi and had a conversation and just carried things forward as we've always done. We've been friends and together for 25 to 30 years. That's a long time. The difference between business and bands are people know when they're working within a business, but when they're in a band, it's confusing because you're also very close friends. There are times when you have to say, 'Okay, this is not working on the business end but I love you.' With bands, you rarely see that happening."

He continued: "The reason I posted what I did is because I didn't want any negative security threats against any of us, in terms of, 'Fuck you. You're the reason that no SYSTEM record's being made.' For me, it was just saying, 'Look. I've tried. We've tried. We just haven't been able to see eye to eye. It's not because we're lazy. We're still friends. We still tour.' This is the truth."

According to Serj, the public airing of his dispute with Daron didn't open up any more conversations about SYSTEM's future. "I think it released a lot of tension and negativity," he told Rolling Stone. "Everything became more public and open, and that was that. There were no further discussions."

Tankian also responded to Daron's comment that the singer was never really a "heavy metal" or "rock" guy.

"I think he meant was the heavier elements of the band come from him and Shavo [Odadjian, bass], which is true," Serj said. "Growing up, I did listen to heavy music, but my background was all sorts of world music, if you will. I grew up listening to a lot of Armenian, Arabic and European music — all types of music. In the '70s, I listened to disco and funk.

"My brother introduced me to a lot of heavy metal. The first time I heard SLAYER, my brother played it in the house and I became a fan. I was more of a binge-and-purge music listener. I would listen to death metal for three months — the best of any death metal I could find — and then the next three months I'd listen to hip-hop. Then punk for three months. I didn't have the same heavy rock roots as Shavo and Daron."

Odadjian confirmed in a recent interview with Consequence Of Sound that disagreements between Malakian and Tankian over the band's songwriting process have been brewing for a decade, explaining, "That stuff happened a long time ago. So, it's like, 10 years later, something new came up, but it wasn't really new. It was something that was really old, and they were just hashing it out."

Odadjian added that Malakian may have been misquoted or had his comments taken out of context, saying, "We're not even fighting. When we see each other, we're so happy and we're cool. It's weird that we don't have a new record, or many records, and it's weird that we don't go on world tours. We tour, but it's so little."

SYSTEM drummer John Dolmayan revealed in a 2016 interview that the group had written music for more than a dozen new songs. Odadjian concurred, remarking: "Between you and me and this world, and to the people who read this interview, we have material that tops everything we've done. And that's me telling you, honestly. I can't wait to record that and drop it."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN has several live shows on tap for 2019, including headlining slots at Columbus, Ohio's Sonic Temple festival and Chicago Open Air, both in May.

Portuguese old school death metal outfit Okkultist - inspired by the likes of Master, Abomination, early Morbid Angel, Death and Dismember - will release their debut album, Reinventing Evil, through Moonspell frontman Fernando Ribeiro's label, Alma Mater Records on March 15th.

The album was produced by Pedro Paixão (Moonspell) and the band, tracked at Poison Apple Studios in Lisbon and amazingly mixed by Tue Madsen (Meshuggah, Moonspell, The Haunted). With a total of eight rabid and brutal songs, the band's debut will see the light of the day in two digipack editions. One of them will come with a limited, different artwork and it will contain a Bathory cover song "Satan Is My Master". 

Ribeiro recently weighed in on Okkultist:  "After listening to the rough mixes of what will become Reinventing Evil, I am more certain than ever that it was a very good move for Alma Mater Records to sign Okkultist and handle their debut album. They are the kind of band the Portuguese scene needs: talented, young, focused and just fucking brutal. Portuguese death metal has never sounded so exciting in my ears so we can’t wait to release this beast upon you and help you to reinvent evil together with this amazing Portuguese talent." 

The album tracklist will read as follows:

"Reinventing Evil"
"Back from the Dead"
"Sniff the Blood"
"Sign of the Ripper"
"I am the Beast"
"Grave Digger"
"Plasmodium Nocturnus"
"Rise and Reign"

The cover artwork was designed by singer and demoness Beatriz Mariano. Stay tuned for December 22nd when the band will unleash a first song from the album, pre-sale news, as well announce their headliner release show date in Lisbon at RCA Club in March 2019!

Okkultist was formed in late 2015. They started playing live and spreading their raw notion of evil death metal on October 15th, 2016. In 2017, the band’s Eye Of The Beholder debut EP was unleashed independently, but caught up and spread around Europe and overseas – selling out every single printed copy. Even at this early stage, Okkultist already had the honor to curse stages such as at Mosher Fest or Female Growler United Front in Portugal and as an opening act for legendary names such as Entombed AD.

They now became the very first band to sign with Alma Mater Records, committed to showcase all around the world with the promo partnership of All-Noir and Rastilho. More details will be revealed soon.

For more information go to the band's official Facebook page here.

KANSAS has announced the addition of keyboardist Tom Brislin to the group's ranks. Brislin is replacing departing keyboardist David Manion.

An internationally acclaimed musician, Brislin has performed and toured with a variety of artists, including YES (appearing on "Symphonic Live"), Meat Loaf, Debbie Harry of BLONDIE, CAMEL, RENAISSANCE and Dennis DeYoung (formerly of STYX). For years, he fronted the band SPIRALING and produced his debut solo album, "Hurry Up And Smell The Roses".

Most recently, Tom co-founded the progressive rock group THE SEA WITHIN. Along with guitarist Roine Stolt of THE FLOWER KINGS, bassist Jonas Reingold of the Steve Hackett band, and drum star Marco Minnemann, they released their first album in 2018 on InsideOut Music, joining KANSAS on the label's roster. Tom has also formed GOLD ROTATION, a collective of diverse musicians and songwriters who premiered with a performance at Progstock Festival in 2018.

KANSAS original member and drummer Phil Ehart comments: "We are extremely excited for Tom Brislin to be the newest member of KANSAS. His background speaks for itself, and we are looking forward to working with him. We cannot wait to get started, and think KANSAS fans will really enjoy what Tom brings to the band."

Brislin adds: "It's an honor to be asked to join a such legendary band as KANSAS. Their music has been in the soundtrack to so many of our lives, and their repertoire has enduring depth, beauty, and power. I'm thrilled to perform the classics and I'm equally excited to be a part of the new music that KANSAS creates."

Brislin's first performances with KANSAS will be aboard the Rock Legends cruise in February, followed by a March 1 gig in Baltimore, Maryland at the Modell Lyric where the band will be resuming the "Point Of Know Return" anniversary tour.

Photo credit: Mike Martin

Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST will release their fifth album, "No More Hollywood Endings", on March 22, 2019 via Nuclear Blast. The 11-song disc was recorded by keyboardist Janne Björkroth, Viktor Gullichsen and guitarist Joona Björkroth at JKB Studio. The production and mixing duties were handled by Janne. The cover artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (KORPIKLAANI, MANOWAR), who previously worked with BATTLE BEAST on 2017's "Bringer Of Pain".

Janne stated about the forthcoming record: "The heavy songs are heavier, pop delights brighter, rock vibes stronger,and sounds richer than before. The emotional scale is wider, and everything is bigger. Stay tuned for 2019!"

BATTLE BEAST singer Noora Louhimo told Metal Casino about the musical direction of the band's next disc: "We're gonna keep the same spirit as on the previous album. With the previous album, we learned a lot what we wanna do with our music, so it's gonna be maybe even more epic [laughs] than the last time."

Noora also talked about how the songwriting process has evolved since the band's split with longtime guitarist and main songwriter Anton Kabanen and addition of Joona Björkroth. "It has changed a lot, or totally," she said. "Of course, different songwriters. The previous album, the whole band wanted to contribute, and now after we had Joona in the songwriting process and kind of changed the whole dynamics in the band, we contributed, the whole band, in the songwriting process. I think it was… Not just because of the songwriting, but also the atmosphere nowadays, I think, it's very healthy and we like each other and I love to work in this band. And I think it's great to have more than just one person doing the songwriting and giving the opinions. Of course, someone has to say, 'Okay, this is the decision,' and not everyone can just decide about everything. But we also have to do compromises, because we are six people, six different opinions. But I think we are already on the way to see everybody's… who can do what in the band. I feel like my priority is to do the good vocals and performance and visual things, and I can happily leave songwriting to our most productive guys, like Janne and Joona — they have been so productive. And also our bass player, Eero [Sipilä], has written a few songs. So we are in a good place."

"Bringer Of Pain" was BATTLE BEAST's first album to feature Björkroth, who joined the band in 2015.

BATTLE BEAST in February 2015 parted ways with Kabanen due to "insurmountable disagreements" with the other members of the band.

A performance clip of "A Mansion In Darkness (Live at The Fillmore)", taken from the forthcoming KING DIAMOND DVD/Blu-ray, "Songs For The Dead Live", can be viewed below. The set will be released on January 25 via Metal Blade Records.

There is only one King Diamond, and for more than thirty years the great Dane has been dropping classic albums and putting on shows fans remember for the rest of their lives. Perhaps the only downside to having such a formidable catalogue is that there are just too many great songs to fit into a single set. However, you would be hard-pressed to find a fan who wouldn't want to hear 1987's seminal "Abigail" in its entirety, and "Songs For The Dead Live" captures this, twice, and in very different locales. Boasting eighteen songs per set, each of the two shows — Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting in June 2016 and Philadelphia's Fillmore in November 2015 — features a brace of classic KING DIAMOND and MERCYFUL FATE tracks, including "Welcome Home", "Halloween" and "Eye Of The Witch" before launching into "Abigail". The performances of the all-star lineup of musicians, comprising of guitarists Andy LaRocque and Mike Wead, bassist Pontus Egberg and drummer Matt Thompson, are absolutely ferocious, hammering home every single moment.

"Songs For The Dead Live" can be pre-ordered in the following formats:

* 2DVD/CD 6-Panel Digipak

* Blu-ray (includes audio digital download of Philadelphia Show)

* special edition box set with 5 discs (2DVD, 2CD, 1 Blu-ray) plus poster, flier, laminate, setlist, ticket, sticker, and guitar pick (limited to 3000 copies)

* opaque blue with white splatter vinyl (U.S. retail exclusive - limited to 600 copies)

* opaque red with black splatter vinyl (U.S. webstore exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

* opaque white with black splatter vinyl (U.S. webstore exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

* 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)

* transparent amber marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 700 copies)

* clear ghost white vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 500 copies)

* orange-brown/black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)

* black/purple melt vinyl (Nuclear Blast exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

* orange/red marbled vinyl (Napalm exclusive - limited to 300 copies)

* clear lavender marbled vinyl (EMP exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

* clear ash grey marbled vinyl (Bengan exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

* pink blue marbled vinyl (Ebay exclusive - limited to 200 copies)

aptured on film by director Denise Korycki for Wild Wind Studios, she worked closely with King on every aspect of filming, and throughout the viewer finds themselves front and center as the shows unfold. This includes some inventive camera placement, such as riding in on the back of the wheelchair as it is wheeled out to "Out From The Asylum" at the start of the show, or looking up from the coffin at the commencement of "Abigail" opener "Funeral", which adds an extra dimension to proceedings. Naturally, the theatricality that has become synonymous with KING DIAMOND is there in full force, making for an even more immersive experience. The gothic stage set and the participation of actors playing out certain scenes tying into the songs definitely increases the drama and the sense of complete disconnect from the trappings of reality, ensuring that the shows remain riveting from start to finish.

While the setlists are virtually identical, the drastic difference in the two venues make for distinctly different atmospheres. The sweeping, epic scale of Graspop and the virtual sea of baying metalheads makes for a particularly thrilling spectacle, King holding them all in the palm of his hand. The Fillmore show is immediately more intimate, and rather than a mixed bag of metal lovers drunk on a weekend of the heavy stuff, the audience is comprised entirely of the KING DIAMOND devout, screaming back every word, their love for their hero bleeding from every frame. "Songs For The Dead Live" gives those who missed out on seeing these shows in the flesh a chance to vividly experience them, offering so much deeper an experience than your run of the mill live DVD.

Graspop Metal Meeting track listing

01. Out From The Asylum

02. Welcome Home

03. Sleepless Nights

04. Halloween

05. Eye Of The Witch

06. Melissa

07. Come To The Sabbath

08. Them

09. Funeral

10. Arrival

11. A Mansion In Darkness

12. The Family Ghost

13. The 7th Day Of July 1777

14. Omens

15. The Possession

16. Abigail

17. Black Horsemen

18. Insanity

The Fillmore track listing

01. Out From The Asylum

02. Welcome Home

03. Sleepless Nights

04. Eye Of The Witch

05. Halloween

06. Melissa

07. Come To The Sabbath

08. Them

09. Funeral

10. Arrival

11. A Mansion In Darkness

12. The Family Ghost

13. The 7th Day Of July 1777

14. Omens

15. The Possession

16. Abigail

17. Black Horsemen

18. Insanity

Hailing from Southern California, Seventrain featuring guitarist Eric Horton (Cage), bassist Dino Andino (Tourniquet), drummer Joel Maitoza (24-7 Spyz, Shockhead), vocalist Eric Koonze (Sicarus) and guitarist Dave Odegaard are pleased to announce their brand new single, titled "Now You Know", will be released worldwide on January 9th, 2019.

Drummer Joel Maitoza states: "Seventrain has been busy working in the studio putting the finishing touches on our sophomore album titled Back On Track, which is currently set for release in early 2019. The band has definitely transformed since the release of the critically acclaimed, self-titled debut album back in 2014, which has taken the songwriting in a heavier direction. We want to thank all our friends and fans all over the world who have been patiently waiting for the new release and continue to support us. We can’t wait for you to hear the new material."

A promo video featuring a sample of "Now You Know" can be viewed below.

Seventrain's self-titled debut album was released on February 14th, 2014 in the US, Europe and Japan on the bands own label imprint (So. Cal Records) distributed by Alliance Entertainment which is currently available on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby. The album charted on the CMJ Loud Rock Top 40 at #36 it’s first week to radio and received favorable reviews by critics worldwide in print and online media. 

Since the albums release, Seventrain has been direct support on select dates with Pat Travers, Michael Schenker, Skid Row, Black Star Riders, Saving Abel, Red Dragon Cartel, Saliva and Puddle of Mudd. The debut video for their single "Bittersweet Seduction" was released on May 15th, 2014 and their second video for their single ‘Broken’ was released on December 24th, 2014. Seventrain was also nominated for Best Hard Rock Album of the Year at the 2014 San Diego Music Awards.

Check out the official Seventrain website here for more info and updates.

Dead Frog is a metal band From Serbia and have been playing and creating metal music for over a decade now. Influenced by bands from different metal and rock sub genres, and with the idea that metal is supposed to represent raw and powerful emotions, the group combine these styles and motifs with pure metal riffs. Dead Frog was founded by Davor Licic (rhythm guitar, lyrics) and Nikola Pancic (lead guitar) in 2007 and, shortly after, joined by Stefan Pancic (bass), Milos Pejcic (drums) and Zarko Ristic (vocals).

The line up has stayed the same through the years, allowing the members to grow together as musicians and people while making the vision and the sound of the band unique and homogeneous. Coming from a small town in Serbia, Dead Frog have fought to represent and promote the metal sound for years, gaining a specific expression and approach to their music with absolutely no compromise. The biggest asset of this crew is the ability to combine different musical elements and create authentic atmospheres and sounds.

In 2019, Dead Frog will present their first full-length album, Burning Bridges via Sliptrick Records. The album contains the very best of Dead Frog’s work so far, a pure 70 minutes from over a decade of creating and producing music.

For information and updates on Dead Frog check out their official facebook page here.

Mark "The Animal" Mendoza, famed bassist from TWISTED SISTER, BLACKFOOT and THE DICTATORS, has released "Deck The Halls", a holiday cheer music video with his new band, ANIMAL TACTIX.

ANIMAL TACTIX is Mendoza on bass, Jared Cannata on lead guitar and Jordan Cannata on drums. An impressive list of singers will contribute their vocals to upcoming tracks consisting of original hard rock music.

"Never forget your fans," stated Mendoza in an interview on his Area 22 Productions project.

"The Cannata brothers and myself were scheduled to launch ANIMAL TACTIX early 2019. We decided to move up the date to give our fans a holiday cheer and a taste of what's to come."

b>TWISTED SISTER called it quits in 2016 after completing a farewell 40th-anniversary tour. The band's last-ever concert took place in November of that year — 20 months after the passing of TWISTED's longtime drummer A.J. Pero.

Asked by The Front Row Report, what stands out to him about TWISTED SISTER's four-decade career, Mark said: "We were broken up for about 13 years in the middle of it all. You know that. What stands out? I have to say, and I'll put it in different terms instead of music and rock and roll, what I want to say about this. I would say Dee [Snider, vocals] is the best quarterback in the business. Hands down, he is the best quarterback, and he has the best linemen in the business; [I] don't want to forget them. And I'll be egotistical about it, and I'm not egotistical; I'm not that type of person. We take apart every audience and we take apart every band that we play with. It's the combination of those people and that name, and the fact that we're a well-oiled machine that has been doing this for a long time. No circumstances, no anything, even A.J. passing, can stop us from doing what we love to do and getting the job done. And we get it done, obviously, every single night that we play."

He continued: "You can't be liked or loved by everybody, every music fan. It's whatever floats your boat. I mean, it's whatever you like, and there's people that don't like rock music who want to hear jazz or they want to hear country, you know, [or] they want to hear rap. You know, music is very subjective. It's whatever floats your boat. It's whatever makes your heart beat. Whatever kind of music it is, so can you claim to be the best band in the world? Well, you can if you're in the band, but does it really mean you're the best? We go by what all the reviews around the world say, and what every promoter and what every other band says on the bill with us. At the end of the show, we get, 'Holy crap! You guys turned this audience into fanatics.' So there isn't a single night that we don't conquer whatever situation we're in as a band."

Former KYUSS frontman John Garcia returns with his next incarnation of Desert Rock, JOHN GARCIA AND THE BAND OF GOLD. The group's self-titled debut album will be released on January 4, 2019 via Napalm. None other than KYUSS and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE producer Chris Goss gave this new groovy piece of dust its finishing touches.

The disc's latest single, "My Everything", can be streamed below.

Garcia takes the next step in his almost 30-year career by combining the strengths of his musical past with the achievements of modern times. It's once again a distinctive John Garcia album.

John told Under The Radar about the lyrical themes covered on "John Garcia And The Band Of Gold": "I'm a family man — I'm a husband, I'm a father — and there's a lot of appreciation and a lot of love and a lot of inspiration that comes from family and keeping your eye on the ball. What's the ball? What's important? Family's important. I don't mean my family, but [Garcia's bandmates] Mike Pigmie's family, Greg Sainz's family. If you've got a family, or if your family's tight. Y'know, I'm not singing about love, as far as 'oh I love my family.' It goes deeper behind that. There's deeper meaning behind some of these lyrics. The theme is keeping your eye on the ball and knowing what's important in life. And two: keeping a simple rock record. Don't get too bitchin'. Keep the drums, keep the bass, keep the guitar and don't finger-fuck this thing. Just make a simple, classic, rock record. And that's what we made out to do... with me singing over this thing. So it's not a love record, it's a rock record stripped down, and sometimes being simple is hard to do. Especially with music. That's the theme."

fter starting the stoner rock movement by establishing KYUSS together with Josh Homme, Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri in 1990, Garcia became one of the most heard voices from the desert in rock history. No doubt that he had massive impact on the desert rock movement by singing in bands like HERMANO, SLO BURN, UNIDA and VISTA CHINO. Since his debut album as a solo artist in 2014 via Napalm Records, he has further established his very own trademarks.


Garcia will embark on a European tour with BAND OF GOLD in late January.

The official music video for "SOS", the title track of the ninth studio album from the Swedish skate-punk band MILLENCOLIN, can be seen below. The clip was directed and edited by guitarist Erik Ohlsson at Eckhouse Design.

Due on February 15, 2019 via Epitaph, the follow-up to 2015's "True Brew" was recorded at the group's own Soundlab Studios in Örebro, Sweden and was mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. It was produced by vocalist/bassist Nikola Sarcevic and guitarist Mathias Färm, with all artwork and photography created by Ohlsson.


Says Sarcevic: "We're a band truly formed from respect and understanding for each other and our passion for rock music. If you ask us, this is the best job in the world."


"SOS" track listing:

1. SOS

02. For Yesterday

03. Nothing

04. Sour Days

05. Yanny & Laurel

06. Reach You

07. Do You Want War

08. Trumpets & Poutine

09. Let It Be

10. Dramatic Planet

11. Caveman's Land

12. Carry On

MILLENCOLIN has announced its first 2019 festival appearances, including Belgium's Groezrock, Austria's Nova Rock and Germany's Mission Ready.

Southern California's melodic hardcore-punk legends IGNITE have released a brand new video for "Nothing Can Stop Me", taken from their 2016 album, "A War Against You".

IGNITE is currently writing new music and hopes to be in the studio early next year. "We have tour dates planned throughout 2019 and are working on adding a lot more," says bassist Brett Rasmussen. "We are looking forward to a very busy 2019-20."

The follow-up to 2006's "Our Darkest Days", "A War Against You" was recorded over the course of a year with producer Cameron Webb (MOTÖRHEAD, SOCIAL DISTORTION, ALKALINE TRIO, PENNYWISE).

Rasmussen told In Effect Hardcore that singer Zoltán "Zoli" Téglás's addition to IGNITE in 1994 was a turning point in the band's career. "We had a couple of singers at the beginning of IGNITE and we pieced together a couple of demos to get a CD out there," he said. "However, we didn't have a singer when we got our first tour offer, so we started auditioning all these guys. Zoli was seriously the last guy we were going to audition. He was a friend of our former guitar player. When he came in the rehearsal room and we started playing the first song, we all stopped playing halfway through the first song. It was pretty apparent that the guy had a ridiculous voice and he could sing in time and he was on key and good at projecting. At that point, I kind of thought the sky was the limit with IGNITE. I knew we had the ability to write melodic and aggressive music and now with a great voice over it, I thought it would open up a lot of doors, and it did. A year after our first support tour, we did our own headlining tour in Europe in our own bus. We were all in our early twenties, on our own tour bus — it was unreal. Things moved really quick and it was cool to be involved in that whole process. We are very thankful and we don't take any of that stuff for granted."

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Fans all over the globe will be able to experience the distinctive and ferocious talent of late Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor one more time.

LITTLE VILLAINS, who were formed in 2006 by MOTÖRHEAD's legendary drummer as well as James Childs (AVON, AIRBUS) and Owen Street of desert rockers WAXY and sludge unit VAILS, have revealed the first and hotly anticipated details about their upcoming album, "Philthy Lies".

Set for a release on March 29, 2019, Philthy's music will shine on in true Motörspirit with his exceptional performance on "Philthy Lies", proving his explosive drum techniques were more than intact many years after his departure from MOTÖRHEAD. Despite personal circumstances preventing the band from ever breaking out, the group decided that the music deserves to be heard as a testament to the late founding member, when LITTLE VILLAINS signed to Heavy Psych Sounds and will be represented by James, Owen and the very capable AIRBUS drummer Chris Fielden to continue the group's legacy and grow.

"Philthy Lies" is a half hour slice of a rock 'n' roll dream cake, and a true gem for any MOTÖRHEAD and heavy rock genre collection. All album tracks were recorded at Unit A Studios in Palm Springs, California in February 2007. "Philthy Lies" was produced and engineered on two-inch tape by James A Childs with Unit A's owner Robbie Waldman assisting the session. Recently, James has carefully carved the record's sound to maximum justice from the original tapes from mix to master, and it is some of his best work to date.

o give a first appetizer, LITTLE VILLAINS have shared the cover artwork and track listing, as well as the track "What On Earth".

"Philthy Lies" track listing:

01. What On Earth

02. Attack

03. Traitor

04. Running Around

05. Water Under The Bridge

06. In The Head

07. Enemy

08. Got To Grips

09. I Am Dying

10. Get Out

Taylor died on November 11, 2015 of liver failure. He was 61 years old.

Taylor played in MOTÖRHEAD from 1975 to 1984 and again from 1987 to 1992. He appeared on the band's debut album, "On Parole", and played on a further ten albums, including 1979's "Bomber", 1980's "Ace Of Spades", and 1982's "Iron Fist".

Taylor contributed to MOTÖRHEAD's 1992 album "March Or Die" but departed the band during the recording process. The album was completed by drummers Tommy Aldridge and the band's most recent sticksman, Mikkey Dee.

Italy's Scala Mercalli have announced their new album, Indipendence, will be out in January 2019 via Alpha Omega Records. It is a concept album
centered on the first part of Italian Risorgimento, from Naple’s Reign ruled by King Murat until Mazzini’s Roman Republic, including episodes on Mille (The Expedition Of The Thousand) and Brigandage, with some of their main characters. The band will wear a new uniform inspired by the units, from north to south, that in the above-mentioned period fought side by side with the people and contributed with hard sacrifices to build Italian nation. 

The band about new album:

“This project is about some events we consider of great importance in our country’s history, because they remind us of how important it has been, for a people dominated for years by foreign powers, to fight for ideals of unity and freedom, and reminds also that freedom, in every form, is never a gift but has always to be conquered fighting together. Yesterday as today! This example applies to every people or nation that wants to be truly free!"

More album details will be revealed soon.

For information on Scala Mercalli go to their official website here and check out their official Facebook page.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist Shavo Odadjian has told Consequence Of Sound in a new interview that he believes the band will eventually get together record a follow-up to its "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" albums, which came out in 2005. "I think so," he said. "I think we can. Nothing between us has happened that's so terrible that people can't get in the studio and work. Nothing! Everything is just [a matter of] taste, and they just gotta get in and forget the past, and kind of move forward. And I think that will happen. I'm not worried. I'm not worried at all."

This past summer, guitarist Daron Malakian accused singer Serj Tankian in an interview of not wanting to record, with Tankian responding that creative and financial issues with Malakian led to the stalemate. In a message on Facebook, Tankian wrote that Malakian wanted to control SYSTEM's creative process, take more of the publishing money and be the only band member to speak to the press. Tankian remarked: "As we couldn't see eye to eye on all these points, we decided to put aside the idea of a record altogether for the time being."

Odadjian told Consequence Of Sound that disagreements between Malakian and Tankian over the SOAD songwriting process have been brewing for a decade.

"Everything that you heard over the summer, that they kind of brought into public, was stuff that was in the past," he said. "That stuff happened a long time ago. So, it's like, 10 years later, something new came up, but it wasn't really new. It was something that was really old, and they were just hashing it out. Because one person did an interview, and I guess in the interview they paraphrased his words and it came off wrong. And I read that, too, and it wasn't like him. He wouldn't blame anyone.

I spoke with Daron, and he was, like, 'Dude, I didn't say those things. I said it this way.' Anyway, that kind of made someone else [Serj] think something, and then that person had to tell their point of view. It was just point of views.

"We're not even fighting," he insisted. "When we see each other, we're so happy and we're cool. It's weird that we don't have a new record, or many records, and it's weird that we don't go on world tours. We tour, but it's so little."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan revealed in a 2016 interview that the group had written music for more than a dozen new songs, but those remain in limbo.

"Between you and me and this world, and to the people who read this interview, we have material that tops everything we've done," Shavo told Consequence Of Sound. "And that's me telling you, honestly. I can't wait to record that and drop it.

"It's just a matter of time," he added. "I just hope it happens sooner than later. But we've written stuff together. Daron's brought a lot of stuff in. I've brought stuff to Daron and we've worked it out. I have so much more stuff that is ready to go out. I've told Daron this, too. I've said, 'We've gotta get this done,' and he's, like, 'Yeah, I'd love to.' So, we all want to, and I think Serj is kind of doing his own thing, and I get it."

Tankian told Forbes that the creative process has to "be organic" and "feel right in every way," adding, "There's no law that says a band should be together for a million years and have a million records. Actually, if you look over the years as a musicologist or a fan of music would, in any way, it's probably regressive thinking."

Tankian has toured with SYSTEM OF A DOWN over the past few years but has concentrated on solo work, soundtracks and other musical projects. Malakian, meanwhile, issued a new album in July called "Dictator" from his recently revived side project, SCARS ON BROADWAY.

QUEEN guitarist Brian May will issue his first new entirely solo work in over two decades next month. "New Horizons", written by Brian and Don Black, recorded and completed only this month, will receive a global digital release on January 1. The single will have its worldwide premiere from NASA control headquarters Maryland USA on New Year's Day (Tuesday, January 1). It is the legendary guitarist/songwriter's first official solo single since "Why Don't We Try Again", taken from his "Another World" album in 1998.

"New Horizons" is Brian's personal tribute to the ongoing NASA New Horizons mission, which on New Year's Day 2019 will achieve the most distant spacecraft flyby in history, in an encounter with a remote Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) named Ultima Thule, far out beyond Pluto on the edges of the solar system.

May, who has a doctorate in astrophysics, and is a New Horizons science collaborator, will be present at the New Horizons Maryland, Washington County, base of operations on New Year's Day to witness the historic final approach as it happens. Brian was also present for new Horizon's triumphal Pluto flyby in 2015, and delivered the world's first stereoscopic image of Pluto, from the ground-breaking data that the NH probe delivered.

Brian's "New Horizons" track (Ultima Thule mix) celebrates the whole 12-year journey of New Horizons probe, and includes a message from Stephen Hawking congratulating the team on their successful rendezvous with Pluto three years ago. In a broader sense, the song is an anthem to mankind's spirit of exploration, reaching ever further out into the universe.

b>"New Horizons" will have its global premiere, broadcast live on January 1 at 12:02 a.m. EST (5:02 a.m. GMT) from the New Horizons control Center in Maryland, USA, at the moment when the historic Ultima Thule encounter is confirmed.

Says Brian: "This project has energized me in a new way. For me, it's been an exciting challenge to bring two sides of my life together — astronomy and music. It was Alan Stern, the project instigator of this amazing NASA mission, who threw down the glove last May. He asked if I could come up with a theme for Ultima Thule which could be played as the NH probe reached this new destination. I was inspired by the idea that this is the furthest that the hand of man has ever reached. It will be by far the most distant object we have ever seen at close quarters, through the images which the space craft will beam back to earth. To me, it epitomizes the human spirit's unceasing desire to understand the universe we inhabit. Everyone who has devoted so much energy to this mission since its launch in January 2006 will be feeling they are actually inside that small but intrepid vehicle — only about the size of a grand piano — as it pulls off another spectacular close encounter. And through the vehicle's 'eyes,' we will begin to learn, for the very first time, what a Kuiper Belt Object is made of. And pick up precious clues about how our solar system was born."

Brian has been "teasing" fragments of the track with specially adapted "New Horizons" video clips on his Instagram and Twitter feeds, as well on Brian's well-known "Bri's Soapbox" at BrianMay.com. The first two trailers have attracted over 200,000 likes in all, and a third "episode" will be posted in the next few days.

Candlemass will release their new album, The Door To Doom, on February 22nd via Napalm Records. The band has come full circle: their first singer Johan Langquist (who left the band after singing on the legendary 1986 debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus) has returned, and now, the epic doom metal veterans announce their 12th full length album, The Door To Doom. A new static video for the new song "The Omega Circle" can be seen below.

The Door To Doom unsurprisingly follows the plot line mastermind, songwriter and bass player Leif Edling established in the past years: epic world class doom metal that relies on slow mammoth riffing. With Johan Langquist's highly dramatic vocal style and the love for details, the band made this album to the next “Epicus”. This masterpiece is rounded off by a beautiful guest appearance by none other than Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi on "Astorolus - The Great Octopus".

Tony Iommi on his appearance: “Candlemass are a major force in Scandinavian heavy rock and have always acknowledged the influence we had on their music. They asked if I’d contribute to a track which sounded pretty good so I thought ‘why not’."

Leif Edling states: “We feel very honoured that Tony Iommi said yes to play the solo on 'Astorolus'. The song was sent to the management and amazingly enough, the master agreed to let his mighty SG sing on the track! For me personally this is  a dream come true. Tony Iommi has always been my hero and guiding light when it comes to heavy music, so to hear that he likes the song and also would like to play on it, gave me chills down the spine! I'm still in shock! But kudos to him to be so cool to even listen to it. Hats off! Tony Iommi is and will always be God!”

The album can be pre-ordered in various formats here.

Tracklisting:

"Splendor Demon Majesty"
"Under The Ocean"
"Astorolus - The Great Octopus"
"Bridge Of The Blind"
"Death´s Wheel"
"Black Trinity"
"House Of Doom"
"The Omega Circle"

"The Omega Circle" static video:

Candlemass are:

Leif Edling: Bass
Mats "Mappe" Björkman: Guitars
Jan Lindh: Drums
Lars "Lasse" Johansson: Guitars              
Johan Langquist: Vocals

(Photo - Anders Pålsson)

Norway's avant-garde metallers BORKNAGAR are finally back in the studio in order to record their 11th album, following up 2016's acclaimed "Winter Thrice" release. The disc will once again be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio (OPETH, KREATOR, AMON AMARTH) in March 2019 and is expected for a worldwide release via Century Media Records in fall of 2019.

BORKNAGAR's new album will be the first to feature new drummer Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow, who has replaced Baard Kolstad. Baard announced his departure from the group in good friendship due to busy schedules, heavy touring and various other musical commitments. Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow has already recorded drums for the LP at Strand Studio in Oslo and can be seen pictured above together with BORKNAGAR mainman Oystein G. Brun.

Øystein G. Brun comments: "So, again, we are about to set sail for new musical adventures. The horizon certainly looks broader, higher and shimmers even deeper than before.

"We are all extremely excited about this new album and the material therein. The album derives as a natural continuation from 'Winter Thrice', but we'll take a huge leap forward as well. In all facets, that is.

Baard leaving the band has been known to the band for quite some while, so absolutely no drama in regards to his departure. I am truly happy for the time we shared on and off stage over the past years and wish him nothing but the best for future to come. His future is indeed bright, the young man is already a legend!

"Who is the new drummer? His name is Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow and has proven to be a stunning drummer. No wonder Baard hooked us up. A few months ago, we had our first rehearsal and during the past week, we recorded the drums for the new album at Strand studio in Oslo together with engineer Marius Strand. The recording session turned out stellar. I am deeply impressed by the level of professionalism, dedication and sweaty efforts Bjørn put into this album. A drummer of world class. Mark my words.

"Last but not least, we are stoked to once again be able to work with Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio. We will spend the next months doing the remaining recordings in various studios and eventually do the mix/master of the album at Fascination Street Studio in March 2019.

"This will be grandiose, in so many ways! More information will follow shortly."

Baard Kolstad comments: "With lots of different ambitious musical projects and bands at the same time, I kind of always knew that it would come a time where I had to set some priorities. There's nothing but good memories and great experiences and valuable moments from the time I had with BORKNAGAR. My first step into the professional rock and metal world! I already look forward to follow BORKNAGAR closely in the time to come, something I know I will, as I'm good friends with all members, last but not least the new drummer and roomie Bjørn Dugstad! He was strongly recommended by myself to be the new BORKNAGAR drummer, and I'm so happy on behalf of both him and BORKNAGAR that they ended up choosing him!

"Because we only made one record in the time I was a member of BORK, it was not an easy decision to choose to not join this one as the last chapter of this journey, but again, priorities for my own bands had to lead my decision and I know it would be a perfect kickstart for a new drummer to feel connected with the material in the tours to come etc. I wish them all good times to come and can't wait to follow them further from the side!"

Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow comments: "I'm honored to take over the torch after my good friend Baard in this legendary band. It's already been an absolute pleasure working on and recording the upcoming album and I'm sure we'll have a blast out on the road in 2019. I can't wait to hit the stage with these guys!"

BORKNAGAR's new album will be its first since the departure of longtime guitarist Jens F. Ryland, who left the band this past January.

"Winter Thrice" featured contributions from four vocalists, including the return of original singer and ULVER mastermind Kristoffer Rygg, a.k.a. Garm, who guested on two songs.

Newly released court documents show that CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Patrick "Pat" O'Brien made strange phone calls to his parents the day of his arrest, warning about "the rapture" and telling them that "aliens have landed."

O'Brien was arrested on December 10 on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault. Deputies say he burglarized a house and charged at a deputy with a knife.

O'Brien allegedly broke into a Northdale, Florida home on December 10 and shouted that "the rapture is coming" before pushing a woman to the ground. He ran toward a responding deputy with a knife and was subdued with a stun gun.

Less than half a mile from where O'Brien was arrested, a fire broke out at the house he was renting, sending flames billowing into the night sky from the roof.

ccording to the Tampa Bay Times, fire marshals found a large cache of weapon, locked safes and potential explosive devices inside O'Brien's home. The stash included about 50 shotguns — including one with a barrel illegaly sawed off to about an inch past the stock — 10 semiautomatic rifles including a couple of AK-47 variants, two Uzi-style rifles and 20 handguns. Also found at the house were two flame throwers as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition — stored in boxes, military-style metal cans and even ammunition belts — several other weapons and weapons parts and three skulls.

The day after the fire, a neighbor told News Channel 8 they believed O'Brien kept some sort of flamethrower at the house and practiced with it.

The owner of the home where O'Brien was arrested wouldn't go on camera but told ABC Action News he thought the guitarist was hallucinating when he spoke to him and claimed "someone was after him." The homeowner added O'Brien seemed scared and at one point even hid in his closet.

At a first appearance hearing on December 11, a Hillsborough County judge told the 53-year-old musician, clad in an anti-suicide vest with his hands and ankles chained together, that he would first have to pass a drug test before he would be allowed to post bail and leave jail.

O'Brien was released from Hillsborough County jail on Friday, December 14, after posting a $50,000 surety bond.

CANNIBAL CORPSE announced last week that it would be part of the next North American leg of SLAYER's farewell tour.

PUDDLE OF MUDD frontman Wes Scantlin says that fans can expect to hear fresh music from the band next year. "We're coming out with a new record and it's really badass," he told the Rock 100.5 The KATT radio station in a new interview (see video below). "We worked our butt off on it, and I can't wait to get it out. Coming soon."

Asked if he could provide any insight into the sound of the new PUDDLE OF MUDD record, Wes said: "It's just a bunch of great songs, man — heartfelt and true to PUDDLE OF MUDD form."

PUDDLE OF MUDD's last album, "Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love & Hate", came out in 2009. A covers disc, "re(disc)overed", followed in 2011. A standalone new song, "Piece Of The Action", was released in 2014 via iTunes.

PUDDLE OF MUDD broke into the mainstream with 2001's "Come Clean", which yielded three hits — "Control", "Blurry" and "She Hates Me".

arlier this year, Scantlin said that he finally got his life together after years of legal troubles, canceled or disrupted shows and arrests for disorderly or drunken behavior.

Scantlin said that he ended up going back to rehab and receiving treatment "because there's really nowhere else to go." He also credited his family and fans for giving him the strength to try to get better.

VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant says that he has had no contact with the band's former guitarist Jeffrey "Mantas" Dunn after the latter underwent a successful emergency open-heart surgery in May. "We don't speak," Cronos told Loudwire. "I've had tragedies and things and we've lost crew and he didn't turn up for funerals or anything either, so [it's] best just not have anything to do with each other, really. I didn't feel the need to. If he's gonna be absent for things like that, well, then I take the hint… He lost real contact with me back in 1986 when he just completely changed his personality… But, I mean, he was the guy who just sat in the hotel room and everybody got on with it anyway. He was never a real big influence on VENOM as much; he just played the guitar and went home. He's a very private person and I'm sure that's just the way he likes to go.'

Cronos added: "To tell you the truth, I wouldn't know where to contact him anyway. I haven't got a clue. I don't know what label they're on or what they're doing. So, no."

Mantas, who is now a member of VENOM INC. alongside former VENOM frontman Tony Dolan, told DCHeavyMetal.com in a 2017 interview that he had "absolutely no contact" with Cronos. "The bridges are firmly burnt," he said.

According to Mantas, there have been no legal challenges to VENOM INC.'s continued recording and touring activities despite the similarities in the two bands' names. "Yes, we did receive a couple of lawyers' letters at the beginning and I responded to both of them and we haven't heard anything since," the guitarist said.

n a 2016 interview with Westword, Mantas said that Cronos "changed completely" when "the success of VENOM hit." He added: "There was a massive shift in personality. Both times that I've walked away from VENOM, it hasn't been because of musical differences or finances or anything like that — it was just because it's too difficult. I can't put up with that stuff, where you don't know what his personality's going to be from one day to the next. There's never been a massive camaraderie between the three original members."

Mantas also shot down the possibility of a reunion with his one-time bandmate, saying: "Cronos is doing what he does. The last few interviews I've seen, all he does is attack us in the press and call us names, and he's got his little minions, his guitarist, calling us a pale imitation, and it's like, actually, you're playing my parts and [drummer] Abaddon's parts. So who's the fucking tribute band around here?"

VENOM's 15th full-length studio album, "Storm The Gates", was released on December 14 through Spinefarm Records.