Swedish modern melodic metallers AMARANTHE have released a video for "Maximize", the opening track of the band's "Maximalism" album, released in October 2016.

A stylistically different choice from previous AMARANTHE clip, this video shows a more intimate and raw side to the band, letting the band and its performance speak for itself without any effects or extras. Shot in Helsinki by director Ville Juurikkala (BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, HIM, SONATA ARCTICA), "Maximize" demonstrates a band oozing with confidence after nearly a thousand shows in just a few years, and puts a tasteful touch of minimalism to "Maximalism".

The video was shot before AMARANTHE recruited their latest singer, Nils Molin. However, Nils will be featured in all the band's upcoming releases.

AMARANTHE guitarist Olof Mörck comments on the video: "'Understated' is not what you usually associate AMARANTHE with — but seeing the raw emotion and personalities combined with 'Maximize', I was convinced that we captured part of the essence of the AMARANTHE live machine. Ladies and gentlemen, this is AMARANTHE at its rawest and most distilled form! See you all on the road this fall, as the 'Maximalism' world invades a city near you!"

In other news, AMARANTHE's "1.000.000 Lightyears" single has reached gold status in Sweden and "Hunger" and "Amaranthine" have both been certified gold in Finland.

DYNAZTY's Nils Molin last month officially joined AMARANTHE as the replacement for the recently departed singer Joacim "Jake E" Lundberg.

Having previously used Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye from the band SMASH INTO PIECES as a stand-in for Jake on some of the shows in 2016 and earlier this year, AMARANTHE recruited Molin for three Swedish concerts in March and he has been part of the group's live appearances ever since.

Jake E announced his departure from AMARANTHE in February, explaining at the time that he began to feel that "my place both on the albums and live was reduced; I felt like I was superfluous… I started to feel more like a backing singer." He has since launched a new band called CYHRA with former IN FLAMES members Peter Iwers (bass) and Jesper Strömblad (guitar) alongside LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY drummer Alex Landenburg,

"Maximalism" was produced once again by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, EPICA, DELAIN) and mastered by Svante Forsbäck (RAMMSTEIN, APOCALYPTICA, DRAGONFORCE).

Catch AMARANTHE on tour in Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Brazil and South America this fall as well as playing a one-off show in the U.S. as part of the ProgPower USA festival in early September.

THE DARK ELEMENT, the new musical project featuring former NIGHTWISH vocalist Anette Olzon and Finnish guitarist and songwriter Jani Liimatainen, will release its self-titled debut album on November 10 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Since word of this project got out, fans have been frothing at the mouth with anticipation for its arrival. And no wonder considering the talent involved! Anette is widely known for being the immaculate voice on the hit albums from NIGHTWISH, "Dark Passion Play" and "Imaginareum". Jani has recently been busy in CAIN'S OFFERING alongside STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto, but left a deep mark on the minds of all power metal fans thanks to his time in SONATA ARCTICA.

Said Liimatainen: "I have always been a big fan of Anette's voice and when the opportunity to work with her arose, writing and producing an album, it was something I just couldn't say no! It has been a blast working on the songs and I can't wait for everyone to hear the final result. This will be epic! The songs are extremely melodic and to the point. My goal has been to write catchy songs with hooks that will haunt your dreams, and I think it's pretty much 'mission accomplished.' Stay tuned for something special!"

Added Olzon: "I am so looking forward to this album and I believe our collaboration worked like a perfect match and I am really happy that Jani and Frontiers asked me to do this with them!"

"The Dark Element" track listing:

01. The Dark Element02. My Sweet Mystery03. Last Good Day04. Here's To You05. Someone You Used To Know06. Dead To Me07. Halo08. I Cannot Raise The Dead09. The Ghost And The Reaper10. Heaven Of Your Heart11. Only One Who Knows Me

Musicians:

Anette Olzon - Lead VocalsJani Liimatainen - Guitars, Keyboards, ProgrammingJonas Kuhlberg - BassJani "Hurtsi" Hurula - Drums

* Piano on "Someone You Used to Know" and "Heaven of Your Heart" by Jarkko Lahti* Backing vocals by Anette Olzon, Petri Aho, Anssi Stenberg and Jani Liimatainen* Growls on "Dead To Me" by Niilo Sevänen

ARCH ENEMY has released an unboxing video for the deluxe edition of its new album, "Will To Power", due out on September 8. Co-produced by guitarist and band leader Michael Amott and drummer Daniel Erlandsson, "Will To Power" was mixed and mastered by longtime collaborator and friend Jens Bogren (OPETH, AT THE GATES, DIMMU BORGIR). The album's captivating cover artwork was designed by Alex Reisfar. "Will To Power" marks the second ARCH ENEMY album since the departure of longtime singer Angela Gossow and addition of singer Alissa White-Gluz. It will also be the first ARCH ENEMY disc to feature former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis, who joined the band in late 2014.

Speaking about the songwriting process for "Will To Power", Michael told TotalRock: "The writing never really stops; I'm always fiddling around on the guitar. I come up with a little idea, record it and save it. And then piece it all together later on.

"The actual real writing of the new album, 'Will To Power', started about a year and a half ago," he continued. "We started seriously putting together demos and so forth. So it was a fun process. When you've not recorded an album for two and a half [or] three years, it's really fun to get into that creative mindset again and enter the studio.

"People always ask us: 'Do you prefer being onstage playing shows, or do you prefer being in the studio?' But we're greedy — we want to do both, for the balance. We need to write new songs, and then it's a pleasure to go out and play them live onstage as well, of course."

Asked if White-Gluz and Loomis, were involved in the writing for "Will To Power", Amott said: "Yeah, especially Alissa. She was heavily involved in writing lyrics for the album. Of course, singing on the album. [Laughs] Also, Daniel, our drummer, is a big collaborator in the music as well."

Berlin, Germany-based rock overlords KADAVAR have released the official video for their new track, "Into The Wormhole". The clip was shot at Sphaèros Art Cave in Paris and was directed by Luizo Vega (Studio V). The video concept was developed by drummer Tiger and features AQUA NEBULA OSCILLATOR vocalist David Sphaèros.

Tiger commented: "The darkness that surrounds us when reality seems like a big black hole, those times when we try to turn around trying to escape the gravity of modern life looking for the shortcut to a more pleasant one, our biggest wish is that wormholes do exist and can take us to another dimension. A place where our thoughts are not poisoned and our souls can resonate freely. Playing music together has always been an attempt to enter this rare state of mind where everything is fine for just a second.

"While 'Into The Wormhole' is rather slow and possibly the heaviest song we have ever written, it philosophies about the shortcuts to enter the state of bliss at speed of light, the wormhole.

"Our history with our french buddies in AQUA NEBULA OSCILLATOR goes far behind and each of us has tried in their own way to find salvation through music. This is why I've had the idea to ask singer and main brain David Sphaèros to open the doors to his infamous caves in the Parisian underground for us to collaborate for this video. Being able to get Luizo Vega on board as a director, who has just worked on 'Dracula's Not Dead', pushed the whole thing just in the right direction."

"Into The Wormhole" is taken from KADAVAR's new album, "Rough Times", which will be released on September 29 via Nuclear Blast.

POWER QUEST, the renowned melodic power metal band based in the U.K., has released a lyric video for "Kings And Glory", the first single from its long-awaited sixth album, "Sixth Dimension". The disc will be released on October 13 via Inner Wound Recordings in Europe and USA and on October 11 in Japan via Marquee/Avalon.

"Sixth Dimension" was mastered by Jens Bogren (DRAGONFORCE, SYMPHONY X, ARCH ENEMY) and the artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ICED EARTH). The album includes guest appearances by Anette Olzon (ex-NIGHTWISH), Andrea Martongelli (ARTHEMIS, ex-POWER QUEST) and Lars Rettkowitz (FREEDOM CALL).

"Sixth Dimension" track listing:

01. Lords Of Tomorrow 02. Starlight City 03. Kings And Glory04. Face The Raven05. No More Heroes06. Revolution Fighters07. Pray For The Day08. Coming Home09. The Sixth Dimension

POWER QUEST 2017 is:

Ashley Edison - VocalsSteve Williams - KeyboardsDan Owen - GuitarGav Owen - GuitarPaul Finnie - BassRich Smith – Drums

Bergen, Norway-based progressive metal band, Vulture Industries, will release their new album, Stranger Times, via Season Of Mist on September 22nd. Pre-order the album here, and check out a video for the track “Something Vile” below.

The follow-up to 2013's The Tower sees the quintet hone their unique and foreboding blend of dark and heavy rock by mining the outermost fringes of the progressive and the avant-garde. Stand out tracks "As The World Burns", "Strangers", "Something Vile" and "Tales Of Woe" are bold windows to their offbeat world, and serve as crucial landmarks in the albums baroque musical journey.

Stranger Times is a thoroughly captivating and enveloping listen, and proves Vulture Industries to be one of modern metals most fearless and peerless bands.

Tracklisting:

“Tales Of Woe”
“As The World Burns”
“Strangers”
“The Beacon”
“Something Vile”
“My Body, My Blood”
“Gentle Touch Of A Killer”
“Screaming Reflections”
“Midnight Draws Near”

“Something Vile” video:

“Strangers” video:

Babylon A.D. are one of the few hard rock bands from the late '80s/early '90s that are still operating with all of their original members: Derek Davis, vocalist/songwriter, guitarists and songwriters, John Matthews and Ron Freschi, drummer Jamey Pacheco and bassist Robb Reid. The band formed in 1987 and to celebrate their 30th anniversary, will release their new album, Revelation Highway, on November 10th. A video for the first song from the album, "Crash And Burn”, is available for streaming below.

Vocalist Derek Davis on the new album: "This record kicks ass, from the opening track 'Crash And Burn' to the last track 'Saturday Night'. The band had a blast making the album and a lot had to do with original founding member lead-guitarist John Matthews rejoining the band. He really lit the fire that got the bands blood pumping to make a new record. For me it was awesome to produce and mix such a cool record. It's very hard hitting yet melodic, with some great lyrical story telling and great stand out tracks like, 'One Million Miles', 'Tears', 'Rags To Riches, and 'She Likes To Give It'. The songs are so catchy and memorable on the first listen I know our fans are gonna love it! And of course there are some burning guitar leads to keep the metal heads happy. The band is very grateful that Frontiers Music Srl listened to the tracks and felt the same way about them as we do and offered us the opportunity to get this record out. We can't wait to hit the road and play the material live."

Featuring 10 tracks of the energetic classic hard rock the band is known for, Revelation Highway is sure to please fans of the band's classic early material. The band will play shows in the UK and Germany this August/September to kick off promotion for the album with more touring planned both in the US and UK/Europe.

Tracklisting:

“Crash And Burn”
“Fool On Fire”
“One Million Miles”
“Tears”
“She Likes To Give It”
“Rags To Riches”
“Last Time For Love”
“I'm No Good For You”
“Saturday Night”
“Don't Tell Me Tonight”

“Crash And Burn” video:

Babylon A.D. lineup:

Derek Davis - Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar
Ron Freschi - Guitars & Vocals
John Mathews - Guitars & Keyboards
Robb Reid - Bass & Vocals
James Pacheco - Drums & Percussion

American/Italian hard rockers, Not Over Yet, have announced the release of their debut album, Axioms Of Life, out on October 27th. Not Over Yet is an international studio project that brings together world-renowned artists to create the ultimate hard rock album. Check out a trailer video below.

Featuring as guests on Axioms Of Life: Luca Princiotta - lead guitars (Doro Pesch), Chris Poland - lead guitars (OHM, Megadeth), Blaze Bayley - vocals (Blaze, Iron Maiden, Wolfsbane), Zak Stevens - vocals (TSO, Savatage, Circle II Circle), Dylan Rose - vocals (Archer Nation), Charlie Huhn - vocals (Foghat, Gary Moore, Ted Nugent, Victory) and Greg Izor - vocals.

Tracklisting:

“Will Power” (feat. Dylan Rose, Luca Princiotta)
“Crazy Tide” (feat. Zak Stevens, Chris Poland, Luca Princiotta)
“Boomshake” (feat. Charlie Huhn, Luca Princiotta)
“You And I” (feat. Zak Stevens, Chris Poland)
“Back to Square One” (feat. Blaze Bayley, Luca Princiotta)
“Some Blues” (feat. Greg Izor, Luca Princiotta)
“No Compromise” (feat. Charlie Huhn, Luca Princiotta)
“Breathe” (feat. Dylan Rose, Luca Princiotta)
“Let's Stay Together” (feat. Greg Izor)

Trailer:

Not Over Yet is:

Giulia Cerardi - Rhythm guitars
Luigi Stefanini - Bass guitar
Luca Cerardi - Drums

Not Over Yet was formed in fall 2014 by the siblings Giulia Cerardi and Luca Cerardi (Merendine Atomiche / Merendine). Axioms Of Life has been recorded in many different locations around the world. Drums, bass, vocals and rhythm guitars were recorded between June 2015 and March 2017 at New Sin Studios, Loria (Treviso, Italy). Blaze Bayley and Greg Izor both recorded their vocals at the same studio, in June 2015 and June 2016, respectively. Charlie Huhn recorded his vocals in January 2017 at North Avenue Studios in DeLand, Florida (USA). Chris Poland recorded his leadguitar parts during the same month, at Glass House Studios in Los Angeles, California (USA). Dylan Rose recorded his vocal parts in October 2016 in Santa Cruz, California (USA), while Zak Stevens recorded his during the same month at MG Studios in Columbia, South Carolina (USA).

US occult rockers, Ancient Vvisdom, have inked a deal with Argonauta Records to release their new album, 33, following their previous paths A Godlike Inferno (2011), Deathlike (2013) and Sacrificial (2014).

From the band, Nathan Opposition says: “Forging ahead, I have kept the all seeing eye on the fallen angel to keep my faith in his works. This album is a work made of worship songs to our Lord and Master Satan. The collective efforts of our unholy Trinity Lucifer, Satan and The Devil. In light of darker times, I find it necessary to express myself in a way that teaches on a higher level.”

On the record deal: “I’m very excited to release Ancient Vvisdom's fourth album, 33, with three different amazing record labels! Argonauta Records in Italy for CD version, Magic Bullet Records out of Oceanside California doing our digital release, and DHU Records from the Netherlands is going to be doing some sick vinyl colors. It’s a collective. All excellent people, working hard to release underground and independent music. I'm a fan of many different artists and musicians, it's quite rewarding to see everyone in an underground culture take the initiative and make things fucking happen for all of us, as fans of music and for the ones making music as well.”

About the new album: “33 is a master number. It is also the age Christ was crucified. 33 is the age of the peak of existence. It is the age I am. 33 is the answer. I've been fortunate enough to do the devils work and continue to spread the message to the masses. This album is very important to us. It has symbolic meaning and melody that serves the words purposefully. My brother Michael and I are grateful and are pleased to give you 33. This is our favourite offering to date and we hope you all enjoy it.”

The first single “Light Of Lucifer” is out today and is available for streaming below. Pre-order the new album here.

33 tracklisting:

“Ascending Eternally”
“Light Of Lucifer”
“In The Name Of Satan”
“True Will”
“The Infernal One”
“Summoning Eternal Light”
“Rise Fallen Angel”
“33”
“The Great Beast”
“Lux”
“Dispelling Darkness”

“Light Of Lucifer”:

Paradise Lost will release their new studio album, Medusa, on September 1st via Nuclear Blast. The video below takes a look inside the limited mail-order edition:

The pre-order for Medusa is underway and you can purchase the full-length release in several formats:

- Standard jewelcase CD
- Digibook including 2 bonus tracks
- Various coloured 180g LP (black / clear / copper / grey+red bi-coloured / gold / NB anniversary green)
- Collector’s box including the digibook, gatefold picture disc, an exclusive 7'', a candle, poster, band photo card and poster flag.
- Mailorder edition Collector’s box including the digibook, gatefold picture disc, a 7'' featuring the tracks 'Shrines' and 'Symbolic Virtue', a candle, poster, band photo card, poster flag and exclusive cover artwork

Pre-order the physical editions of the new album, including special merchandise here, or get the digital versions here and receive “The Longest Winter” as instant grat, or in the band shop, here.

Tracklisting:

“Fearless Sky”
“Gods Of Ancient”
“From The Gallows”
“The Longest Winter”
“Medusa”
“No Passage For The Dead”
“Blood And Chaos”
“Until The Grave”

Bonus tracks:
“Frozen Illusion”
“Shrines”
“Symbolic Virtue”

“Blood And Chaos” video:

“The Longest Winter” lyric video:

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Trailer #3:

Trailer #4:

Trailer #5:

On September 1st, Paradise Lost return to Stuttgart, Germany to present Medusa in its entirety. Check out a video trailer below, and get you tickets here.

Shortly after the release, Paradise Lost will embark on an extensive European tour and with label mates and US doomsters Pallbearer, as well as Sinistro from Portugal.

Tour dates:
 
September
1 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn (Album release show)
8 - Dubai, UAE - The Music Room (Majestic Hotel)

September (with Pallbearer, Sinistro)
27 - Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - Kulturfabrik
28 - Herford, Germany - X
29 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Pumpehuset

October (with Pallbearer, Sinistro)
1 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee
3 - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi
7 - Aarhus, Denmark - Voxhall
10 - Brno, Czech Republic - Fleda
11 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Randal
13 - Belgrade, Serbia - Dom Omladine
14 - Zagreb, Croatia - Boogaloo
15 - Budapest, Hungary - Dürer Kert
18 - Nuremberg, Germany - Hirsch
19 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
20 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
21 - Geneva, Switzerland - L‘Usine
28 - Fontaneto D'Agogna, Italy - Phenomenon
29 - Munich, Germany - Theaterfabrik
30 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7

November (with Pallbearer, Sinistro)
3 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom
4 - Leeds, UK - Damnation Festival
6 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Pandora
7 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013
8 - Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall
9 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Theater
10 - Weissenhäuser Strand / Ostsee, Germany - Metal Hammer Paradise (Paradise Lost only)

December
14 - Brisbane, Australia - The Triffid
15 - Sydney, Australia - The Metro Theatre
16 - Melbourne, Australia - Corner Hotel
17 - Adelaide, Australia - The Gov
18 - Perth, Australia - Capitol

Belgium-based heavy/speed metal band, Drakkar, will release their new album, Diabolical Empathy, on September 29th via Spinal Records. Watch a video for “Hitchhiking Of Pain” below.

13 tracks, 13 destinies. Only one mistake: the human being. Start an incredible travel through the Jeffrey Dahmer's brain, the Padre Pio's stigmata, the corridors of the Rose Hall Great house with Annie Palmer's entity... Will you dare? Who really knows what happened between Christ and his Holy Mother after the cross? Choose between God or a son... Enter the Nine Circles of Hell and experiment.

Tracklisting:

“The Arrival”
“Rose Hall Great House”
“Stigmata”
“The Witchies Dance”
“Plague Or Cholera”
“Stay With Me”
“Lucifero Moderno”
“The Nine Circles To Hell”
“Evil Below”
“The Endless Way”
“West Allis”
“Hitchhiking Of Pain”
“Opening Towards The End”

“Hitchhiking Of Pain” video:

Swedish power/heavy metal band, Manimal, have released a video for “Invincible”, a track from their second album, Trapped In The Shadows, released in 2015 via AFM Records. Watch the video below.

Tracklisting:

“Irresistible”
“March Of Madness”
“The Dark”
“Trapped In The Shadows”
“Invincible”
“Man-Made Devil”
“Silent Messiah”
“The Journey”
“Screaming Out”
“Psychopomp”

“Invincible” video:

“Trapped In The Shadows” video:

“The Dark” video:

Belgium-based death metal/grindcore act, Leng Tch’e, released their new album, Razorgrind, on August 25th via Season Of Mist. Order the album at this location. Listen to the album track “Indomitable”, available for streaming below.

Named after their self-styled take on grindcore, the album deploys all the classic genre hallmarks; light-speed drumming, rabid vocal barking, and a swarming guitar attack packed into ferocious bursts of aggression. This is easily some of the finest work by the band, and nothing short of a ripping rush of sonic violence.

Razorgrind tracklisting:

“Gundog Allegiance”
“Indomitable”
“Cibus”
“Spore”
“AnarChristic”
“Stentor Of Doom”
“Redundant”
“Commitment Fail”
“The Red Pill”
“Species. Path. Extinction.”
“Guinea Swine”
“Cirrhosis”
“I Am The Vulture”
“Magellanic Shrine”

“Indomitable”:

“Stentor Of Doom” video:

“Gundog Allegiance”:

“Cirrhosis”:

(Photo - Serch Carriere)

Svart Records have set October 13th as the release date for No Stars Upon The Bridge, the debut album from Hallatar. A fourth official album teaser is now available for streaming below. Pre-order the new album here.

Although a brand-new name, Hallatar features among its ranks Swallow The Sun and Trees Of Eternity guitarist Juha Raivio, Amorphis vocalist Tomi Joutsen, and former HIM drummer Gas Lipstick. In fact, one could see Hallatar as an extension of Trees Of Eternity, whose massively acclaimed debut for Svart, Hour Of The Nightingale, served as the swansong of vocalist Aleah Starbridge.

Juha Raivio explains the genesis of Hallatar: "After the death of my beloved and my life partner Aleah Starbridge last April, I have been gathering writings, lyrics, and the poems of Aleah to keep them safe and close to my heart. About one month after the world came down on the blackest day of my life on April 18th, I knew I needed to pick up the guitar and try to create something or I would be truly destroyed. And something did arrive out of the darkness, and I wrote the music for the Hallatar album in a week's time. I don’t have much memory of this week, not a memory of a single day of writing the music. But all I remember when going into this abyss of the writing process was a promise to myself that whatever music would come out, I would not touch or change anything of it afterwards. What mattered was that the music would stay forever as an absolute truth of those moments as they came out. I asked my good friends - and amazing musicians - Tomi Joutsen and Gas Lipstick if they would want to record this music with me, and both of them said yes without even hearing a note of it. I am forever grateful to both of them for sharing this road with me; even the weight of the process has not been easy to carry, or will be."

Adds Gas Lipstick, "I am grateful and very honored to be asked to join this band. Juha is a dear friend of mine since many years ago, and when he told me about his vision for Hallatar and asked me to join, I said yes instantly - I just had to be part of this amazing journey. I had never heard a single note of the music before I gave my 'yes' because I didn't need to. Juha has been one of my favorite songwriters already for years, and I knew that Hallatar will be a very deep, personal, and one-of-a-kind story which I wanted to help him to bring alive."

Continues Tomi Joutsen: "I have known Juha from the year 2007, when we worked together for the first time. A couple years ago, I had the privilege to meet Juha's life partner, Aleah Starbridge, who was such a beautiful person, inside and outside, and had an angelic voice out of this world. Aleah lent her voice on the latest Amorphis album, and we called her 'the whispering ghost.' When I heard about Aleah's passing last spring, it came as a total shock and heartbreaking news out of the blue. When Juha asked me if I would want to be part of this album and carry Aleah's flame with him, I didn't have to think twice. When everything has been taken, all that is left is the music. The sorrow strips us naked and leave us humble - this is how it sounds like."

Concludes Raivio, "What we recorded was a raw moment in time honoring the memory, lyrics, and poems of Aleah Starbridge with all its pain, beauty and darkness. There are no stars left upon the bridge to light the way anymore, but the music will always be a dim light, even in the darkest of the night."

Tracklisting:

“Mirrors”
“Raven’s Song”
“Melt”
“My Mistake” (feat. Heike Langhans)
“Pieces”
“Severed Eyes”
“The Maze”
“Spiral Gate”
“Dreams Burn Down” (feat. Aleah Starbridge)

Teaser #4:

Teaser #3:

Teaser #2:

“My Mistake” video teaser:

“Mirrors” video:

Fan-filmed video footage of Ozzy Osbourne's entire August 11 performance at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, Minnesota can be seen below.

The setlist was as follows:

01. Bark At The Moon02. Mr. Crowley03. I Don't Know04. Fairies Wear Boots (BLACK SABBATH)05. Suicide Solution06. No More Tears07. War Pigs (BLACK SABBATH)08. Drum Solo09. Iron Man (BLACK SABBATH)10. Shot In The Dark11. I Don't Want To Change The World12. Crazy Train

Encore:

13. Mama, I'm Coming Home14. Paranoid (BLACK SABBATH)

Ozzy is joined on the current run of dates by guitarist Zakk Wylde, who was the SABBATH frontman's regular axeman from 1988 to 2007, although they've often performed together since then. Osbourne's touring lineup also includes Rob "Blasko" Nicholson on bass, Tommy Clufetos on drums and Adam Wakeman on keyboards.

More Ozzy shows will follow in September and October, with the final date take place at this year's edition of the Ozzfest Meets Knotfest on November 4 in San Bernadino, California.

Speaking to the Chicago Tribune about the possibility of collaborating with Ozzy on a new studio album, Zakk said: "My relationship with Ozzy and Mrs. O [Ozzy's wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne] is if they call me up and say, 'Bring eggs and milk over and clean the dog run,' I do it. If Oz wants to do another record, then we knock it out. We haven't spoken yet about a record. Basically, right now it's about the shows."

Wylde originally joined Osbourne's band three decades ago and backed the legendary frontman from 1987 to 1995, then again in 1998, from 2001 to 2004 and also from 2006 to 2009. His guitar playing can be heard on Osbourne's studio albums "No Rest For The Wicked", "No More Tears", "Ozzmosis", "Down To Earth", "Under Cover" and "Black Rain". The first album with Wylde went double platinum and "No More Tears" remains Ozzy's most successful album, going four times platinum in the United States with four Top 10 songs on the U.S. Billboard chart. Wylde also appeared with Ozzy on three live albums.

Gone In April, the symphonic melodic death metal ensemble from Canada and the USA, has release a WW2 inspired music video for “As Hope Welcomes Death", filmed and edited by Norwegian artist Thomas Mortveit. The song “As Hope Welcomes Death” is taken from the band's sophomore album Threads of Existence, recorded at WaveTransform Studio, USA.

The video features the gripping story of a soldier injured at war. At the infirmary, a new battle takes place, where he lies between life and death, both represented by aerial acrobats.

Gone In April features musicians from Testament, Death, Quo Vadis, Märchenbilder and Vivaldi Metal Project and combines elements of symphonic, death, speed and folk metal in a compelling and aggressive blend sure to please a wide audience.

Threads Of Existence tracklist:
“Dawn of Time”
“The Curtain Will Rise”
“Our Future Line”
“Remember the Days”
“As Hope Welcomes Death”
“Embracing the Light”
“A Million Souls Gather”
“Relentless”
“The Great Contemplation”
“The Will to End a Life”

For further details, visit Gone In April on Facebook.

(Photo by Jacques Gautreau)

 

According to The Pulse Of Radio, METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett opened up about being bullied in high school during an interview with San Francisco radio station 107.7 The Bone. Hammett recalled "local neighborhood hoodlums" who "picked anyone who was an easy target who looked different from them... They were people with very low IQs that had nothing better to do with their time, except on picking and bullying on other people."

He continued: "They used to terrify us all the time! And then we go to the other side of town, and there were the Mexican gangs we had to constantly worry about as well… We [would] just try and not to go anywhere near those guys."

Hammett added that he started playing guitar around that time because "it was one of the only things I found that could calm me down when I was a kid, and give me some sort of… I was able to use it to ground myself and be more in the moment."

He added that music "saved my life," saying, "If I didn't have music I would have just.... Who knows? I was on a pretty bad path when I discovered music, and music kept me going from further down that path."

METALLICA has been on the road in support of its latest studio album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct".

The band just completed its first North American trek in eight years and will next begin a European tour on September 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE has released a brand new single titled "Thorns". The track is taken from the band's new LP, "Vicious World", due on October 13 via Entertainment One Music / Good Fight Music.

"Much like our last record, we really tried to be diverse and establish a different mood for each song," says vocalist Matthew Hasting. "You'll see that same ideology is very present with 'Vicious World'.

"'Thorns' is the love child of MARILYN MANSON and ADVENT, a song you can move and bang your head to, and just a small taste of how far we pushed ourselves on this new record.

"It's been quite some time since MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE has released music, and we're extremely proud and excited for you all to bounce along with us to this song."

MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE guitarist/songwriter Robert Bloomfield adds: "'Thorns' represents the innovation and inspiration on this album. Most importantly, there's feel. There's ups, there's downs. There's melody and there's chaos. Musically, fans can expect an MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE experience they've never had before."

"Vicious World" is the follow-up to MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE's self-titled LP, which came out in 2012.

Hasting continues: "For the artwork, I collaborated with the amazing artist Sam Wolfe Connelly to capture the eeriness and darkness of the record in one image.

"This record has taken us down a long and very winding road. But we're very thankful for eOne Music and Good Fight Music for believing in us and our passion for creating music. We can't wait for you all to hear 'Vicious World'!"

For "Vicious World", MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE worked closely with producer Travis Richter, best known as longtime guitarist of FROM FIRST TO LAST, the band that launched the career of Sonny Moore (a.k.a. Skrillex) and sold a half million albums over the years.

"Thorns" is available on all streaming services and will serve as an iTunes instant-gratification track, meaning, fans who pre-order the LP via iTunes receive "Thorns" as an instant download. "Vicious World" is equally energetic, driving, dramatic, and cinematic. Each song takes listeners on a moving journey from start to finish, with special care and attention to structure and meaning.

The core duo of Hasting and Bloomfield, who appear together on every MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE album, now usher in a brand new era of the band forged in ambitious artistry and deliberate focus. They've combined elements of extreme metal and the punk-and-pop-infused mash-ups present on the Warped Tour and Mayhem stages with their own signature flavor, a product of their disparate geographical locations, unique background, and point of view.

Since the band's formation over a decade ago in Madison, Alabama, MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE has worked with nearly ever A-list metal/metalcore/hardcore producer in the game.

MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE dabbles in everything grunge, EDM, hip-hop, mainstream metal, and hard rock, cannibalizing the brightest spots of the seemingly contrasting genres, warping them, twisting them, and creating something inventive and fresh within its sound. Simply put, MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE has created the band its members wanted to hear. "Vicious World" is the sound of a creative entity in full command of its ambitions and experimentation, alternately catchy and inviting yet dense and thought provoking.

"Vicious World" track listing:

01. XeN002. Act I: Elysium 7703. Thorns04. Act II: Sonar05. The Acrobat06. Act III: Wither07. The Fountain08. CICVDVS09. Act IV: The Laughing Coffin10. KevlAr11. I.O.U.N.12. Guardian XIII

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will release a new EP featuring four previously unreleased tracks. "Cold Dark Place" will be made available digitally and on CD on September 22 via Reprise Records, followed by the release of a limited-edition ten-inch vinyl picture disc on October 27.

Three of the songs on "Cold Dark Place" — "North Side Star", "Blue Walsh" and "Cold Dark Place" — were recorded during the sessions for MASTODON's 2014 album "Once More 'Round The Sun" and were produced by Nick Raskulinecz. A fourth track, "Toe to Toes", was recorded during the sessions for the band's most recent album, 2017's "Emperor Of Sand", and was produced by Brendan O'Brien.

Those who pre-order "Cold Dark Place" will receive an instant download of the track "Toe to Toes" on September 1.

Also, next month MASTODON will appear on the cover of the newly relaunched Revolver magazine. The issue, which hits newsstands on September 12, will be available withfour different covers, each featuring a member of MASTODON. When all four covers are placed together side by side, a single image of the full band, which is Brann Dailor, Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher and Troy Sanders, is created. As an added bonus, Revolver subscribers will receive an exclusive and very limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single with their paid order. The A-side is the version of "Toe To Toes" that appears on "Cold Dark Place", and the B-side is a previously unreleased instrumental version of the track. The single will be housed in a picture sleeve featuring exclusive artwork by Richey Beckett, who also created the cover image of the "Cold Dark Place" EP.

A behind-the-scenes mini-doc on Beckett and the making of the "Cold Dark Place" cover art can be seen below.

"Cold Dark Place" track listing:

01. North Side Star02. Blue Walsh03. Toe to Toes04. Cold Dark Place

MASTODON will spend the remainder of 2017 on the road in North America and Europe in support of "Emperor Of Sand", which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The follow-up to 2014's "Once More 'Round The Sun" was recorded at The Quarry Recording Studio in Kennesaw, just outside MASTODON's hometown, with producer Brendan O'Brien (PEARL JAM, NEIL YOUNG, AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), who first worked with MASTODON on their seminal 2009 album "Crack The Skye".

New York hardcore veterans MADBALL have teamed up with Fast Break Records for a forthcoming split seven-inch single. The "Family Biz" single sees the Freddy Cricien-fronted outfit joining forces with Pennsylvania's blue-collar-core heroes WISDOM IN CHAINS. To be released on September 25, the split will feature one new song from each group.

"For The Cause" from MADBALL will be the title of the group's forthcoming album on which the band is working heavily at the moment. This version of the title track was recorded just for the single and is a precursor of what to expect. Cricien stated about the song: "It's about staying the course and fighting for what you love and are passionate about. It's a theme that you'll hear a lot throughout our next album. Utilizing negativity and the obstacles you face as inspiration. 'Say I can't, say I won't again... Give me the fuel that I need to ascend!"

Speaking about the long-standing camaraderie with WISDOM IN CHAINS, Cricien said: "We're cut from a similar cloth and there's a genuine respect and friendship amongst us. WISDOM IN CHAINS is one of my favorite hardcore bands!"

"Someday" is WISDOM IN CHAINS contribution to the split. Vocalist Mad Joe Black says that the track is "about not living in the past and not fixating on the future. Look at what you have in your life and appreciate the good things and work hard to improve what needs improving. It kind of represents that hardcore work ethic that bands like MADBALL are known for."

Regarding the bond between the two bands, Black added: "MADBALL means the world to us. They have helped WISDOM IN CHAINS out countless times. This is a very special release for us and I can't wait for people to hear both songs! Hardcore lives!"

These tracks will not be previewed or premiered before street date so make sure to pre-order your copy via the link below. European fans can order a limited and Europe-exclusive green version of the seven-inch as well as an exclusive t-shirt via the Nuclear Blast webstore in that region.

Be on the lookout for news in the near future regarding MADBALL's next full-length album (to drop via Nuclear Blast in 2018).

More footage has surfaced from Glenn Hughes’ performance at Hungary’s Fezen 2017 festival. In the clip below, Hughes performs the Deep Purple track “You Keep On Moving”, from the 1975 album, Come Taste The Band.

Previously posted footage of Glenn performing the Deep Purple classics “Getting Tighter” and “Might Just Take Your Life” can be seen below:

For the first time in 40 years, Glenn Hughes is set to perform full concerts of classic Deep Purple material. Shows are scheduled this September and October in Australia and New Zealand. A new TV commercial can be found below.

Hughes played his last concert with Deep Purple on March 15th, 1976, at Liverpool's Empire Theatre. On that night, the UK bassist and vocalist walked away from one of history's truly game-changing rock phenomena and never looked back… until now.

Witness one of rock's greatest singers front a mighty handpicked band performing some of Deep Purple's all-time greatest songs with epic rock concert production.

Says Hughes: “I’m incredibly excited to get out there and play tracks like “Burn”, “Mistreated”, “Stormbringer” and “Getting Tighter”, as well as some of those older songs that helped define the genre. With this band, I can assure you of a concert that’ll blow your mind."

Joining Hughes for the shows are Jeff Kollman (guitar), Lachy Doley (keyboards), and Pontus Engborg (drums).

With one of the heaviest repertoires known to rock, and sound and lighting production values befitting the legend, Glenn Hughes' Classic Deep Purple shows are destined to write a new page in rock history.

Tour dates:

September
20 - State Theatre - Sydney, Australia
24 - Perth Concert Hall - Perth, Australia
26 - Horncastle Arena - Christchurch, New Zealand
27 - Michael Fowler Centre - Wellington, New Zealand
29 - Hamer Hall - Melbourne, Australia

October
1 - Qpac Concert Hall - Brisbane, Australia
3 - ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre - Auckland, New Zealand

For more info and pre-sale tickets, visit classicdeeppurplelive.com/.

Dubai-based crushers have checked in with the following update:

"Past, Present...Torture is out now online and in stores worldwide via Lifeforce Records (Europe/North America) and Metal East Records (Middle East). Since this is a very special day for us, we'd like to celebrate the album release date with you all. So we've setup the Past, Present...Torture full album stream available now exclusively via our official Bandcamp page.

We have poured our blood, sweat and tears into the making of this record during the last 4 years, and we couldn't be more happier and proud to represent the Middle East Extreme Metal scene to the world with this new record! Thanks for all the love & support you've showed us thus far, we truly appreciate all the support from everyone who's preordered the album, attended our shows and those who intend to buy this record still...we know you're out there.

Buy it, stream it, share it...let us know what you guys think - Enjoy!" 

Past, Present...Torture by Nervecell

A lyric video for “D.N.A. (Diruo Nocens Acervus)”, a track from Nervecell’s forthcoming third album, Past, Present...Torture, is available for streaming below.

It is a fine line to combine brutality, technical requirements and harsh accessibility in such a way, that the result leads to extreme songs, which listeners like to hear and which they can remember. Nervecell master that impressively. The addition of Middle-Eastern folklore accents contributes a decisive part to this.

The Dubai-based band is, above all, an uncompromising death metal band, but the charm of the “special ingredients” always resonates. And this is how Nervecell find to musical differentiation. Past, Present…Torture marks the group’s third full-length and is the successor of Psychogenocide from 2011.

Past, Present…Torture was mixed and mastered by Wojtek and Slawek Wiesawski at Hertz Studios (Behemoth, Decapitated, Vader) in Poland, the cover artwork was created by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design (Origin, Exodus).

The album consists of 13 tracks and is the most extreme and versatile Nervecell record to date. The title speaks for itself, focusing on the state of the world and where we are all headed as a civilization. Past, Present…Torture serves as a concise summary for both, the lyrical message and the musical direction. Offering unpleasant truths and a rigorous death metal sound. Just as you know and expect from the beast from the Middle East... Nervecell.

Past, Present...Torture tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Aadvent”
“Proxy War”
“D.N.A. (Diruo Nocens Acervus)”
“Abyssviand”
“Hypnosis”
“Malice Within”
“Dawn Of Decimation”
“Habitual Deceit”
“Maqabre”
“Tree Of Lies”
“Treading Beneath”
“Past, Present... Torture”

“D.N.A. (Diruo Nocens Acervus)” lyric video:

“Abyssviand” lyric video:

“Proxy War”:

Vinyl unpacking video:

Motograter have released a new 30 minute, career-spanning video that chronicles the band's entire history. The band was famously fronted by former member Ivan Moody (Five Finger Death Punch) but has since resurrected and made a full comeback with James Anthony Legion at the helm. The video edited by Noah "Shark" Robertson.

Robertson states: "I wanted to put something together that told the story of Motograter, from the past to the present. The band's history is an epic tale and it's a story that needed to be told. For the new fans and old fans alike."

1995 to Present Day - Over 20 years of Moto Madness! The Moto Gears Keep Turning! For a more comprehensive understanding, and perhaps deeper appreciation for the band Motograter, watch this 30 minute documentary that spans the group's entire history.

Motograter recently released the official music video for their latest single "Dorian" directed and produced by Christopher Davis (Human Twelve) who has also produced videos for bands like Dope and Angelspit. The track is taken from their sophomore album Desolation released on Friday, August 11th via EMP Label Group. "Dorian" has been continuously moving up the Billboard Mainstream Rock Indicator Chart, reaching #24 this week.

The music video for "Dorian" was recently filmed at the famous Ohio State Reformatory. The historic prison was built between 1886 and 1910 and remained in operation until 1990, when a United States Federal Court ruling (the ‘Boyd Consent Decree’) ordered the facility to be closed. While this facility was used in a number of films, TV shows and music videos, it was made famous by the film The Shawshank Redemption (1994) when it was used for the majority of the movie.

Motograter front man James Legion states, “This song is the first real single the band has released in many years. For it to be doing so well is really awesome. It was very interesting and fun to get to shoot the video for it in the Ohio State Reformatory. That place has so much character. We are very thankful to the staff for letting us stay all night and work.”

Motograter recently traveled to Mansfield Ohio to perform Ink In The Clink 2017, on the prison grounds, alongside Three Days Grace, Theory of a Dead Man, Gemini Syndrome, Starset, 10 Years, 40 Below Summer and many more. During the festival the band met up WITH Davis and shot the video for “Dorian” inside the creepy prison.

The band has made a documentary video of the experience which is included in the Motograter Tour Chronicles – Part 23 which can be viewed below:

The band is set to embark on a massive U.S. tour this fall in support of their latest release.

"Chrome Castles" is the first single from the forthcoming Tony MacAlpine album, Death Of Roses, due to be released on September 1st. The track features MacAlpine backed by Pete Griffin (Generation Axe, Shining, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, Zappa Plays Zappa) on bass and Gergo Borlai (Scott Henderson, Gary Willis, Hiram Bullock) on drums. Check it out below.

Death Of Roses will be available for pre-order here starting August 28th.

MacAlpine has revealed the initial batch of dates - with more to be confirmed - on his upcoming Fall North America Tour, with special guest Felix Martin. "We’ll be returning to some of our favorite cities and venues, and some new cities too - including shows in Canada," says MacAlpine. "Special VIP Soundcheck packages will be available as a separate add-on to your regular ticket. We’ll update you with more details on that soon."

Catch Tony MacAlpine and Felix Martin live in concert:

September
10 - St. Paul MN - Amsterdam Bar and Hall
13 - Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club
14 - Chicago, IL - Reggies
15 - Detroit, MI - Token Lounge
16 - Niagara Falls, NY - Hard Rock Cafe
17 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison
18 - Montreal, QC - Cafe Campus
19 - Quebec City, QC - Le Cercle
21 - Boston, MA - Sonia
22 - New York City, NY - DROM
23 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge
25 - Raleigh, NC - The Pour House
27 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
30 - McKinney, TX - The Guitar Sanctuary

October
1 - Houston, TX - Acadia Bar & Grill

Canadian death metallers Obliterate are the latest edition to the Unique Leader Records roster. The band will unleash their second full-length, Impending Death, February 2018.
 
Issued guitarist Marcus Adam, "We've been working really hard on this record for a while and, with this partnership with Unique Leader, we think it's the perfect time for us to unleash what is our heaviest offering to date to our fans. This album is not only our heaviest work to date, but it also demonstrates a much more mature and atmospheric sound which takes our music to a whole new level. We come from a deathcore background and that remains the foundation of our sound, but on Impending Death you will also hear a strong death metal influence. We also have two of the industry's beefiest vocalists from Oceano and I Declare War to appear on separate songs, so oldschool deathcore fans surely won't be disappointed."
 
"The title is both a message lyrically and musically," he adds, "as we want the listener to feel that the next moment of a song will be as crushing as the last and for that experience to translate across the album. There's a sense of impending weight in terms of our delivery. With Unique Leader behind us -- a label recognized for introducing some of the most intense bands in the game -- this album will see Obliterate reach new audiences and we are confident grow our fan base not only in Canada and the U.S., but worldwide'
 
Formed in 2010, Obliterate emerged from Quebec, Canada as a crushing component of the modern death metal and deathcore mechanism. Comparable to acts such as Whitechapel and Thy Art Is Murder, the band bring hook-laden breakdowns and a frenzied intensity that stands defiant alongside the U.S. dominated genre.
 
In 2012, Obliterate released their debut album The Filth Of Humanity. The album demonstrated the potential of what the band had to offer and would soon after lead to a growing profile through active touring across Canada and the United States. The band followed up the debut with a self-titled EP that featured crushingly heavy drops and a relentless riff onslaught that confirmed the bands growing identity as a leader of the Canadian deathcore sound. 
 
Obliterate are currently finalizing their forthcoming full-length, Impending Death, with producer Christian Donaldson of Cryptopsy (Despised Icon, Beyond Creation, Ingested). Pushing the band's abilities to new levels and creating a sound that explores a greater level of extremity, the album maintains Obliterate's deathcore roots while bringing a more intense and crushing death metal approach.
 
In addition to being active in the studio Obliterate has also played two of Canada's largest music festivals this year, namely Montebello Rockfest where the band shared the stage with the likes of Rammstein, Queens Of The Stone Age, Meshuggah and many more, and Music 4 Cancer Fest alongside Pennywise, Less Than Jake and many others. These appearances build upon the band's impressive history of support slots alongside Fleshgod Apocalypse, Unearth, and Gorguts among so many more as well as a performance on the 2013 edition of Amnesia Rockfest with Deftones, Lamb Of God and Offspring.
 
Stay tuned for further info on Obliterate in the coming months.

It was reported back in March 2013 that German/Norwegian folk metallers Midnattsol were working on new material, but the band hasn't been heard from since. They recently broke the silence with an update:

"Hey Folks,

If you can`t believe what you`re reading right now, we fully understand you, it has been years since the last album. Despite this, we can assure you that it`s true: Midnattsol is alive!

Lots of things have happened in our personal lives. There were new jobs, new loved ones and a lot of little 'sols' have entered in our lives. Still, we always kept on writing songs and just waited for the right moment to shine again.

We appreciate your everlasting support deep within our hearts – thank you for never stop believing in us! A new era for Midnattsol has started, and we are more than ever eager and excited for the following time. More special news is waiting for you, and we`re pretty sure that at last one will blow you away. Stay tuned!"

With the launch of a new official website, found here, and via their official Facebook page, Midnattsol revealed that founding members Birgit Öllbrunner (bass) and Christopher Merzinsky (drums) have not returned to the band, leaving their slots vacant for the moment.

Midnattsol is:

Carmen Elise Espenæs - vocals
Alex Kautz - guitars
Daniel Fischer - keyboards
Stephan Adolph - guitars

Stay tuned for updates.

Midnattsol's third album, The Metamorphosis Melody, was released in April 2011.

AC/DC singer Brian Johnson joined MUSE on stage Sunday night (August 27) at the Reading Festival in England to perform his band's iconic track "Back In Black".

Johnson appeared with the trio on stage at the start of the encore. MUSE frontman Matt Bellamy told the crowd: "He's back!" before they launched into the AC/DC classic.

"Thank you so much. Thank you, boys," Johnson said at the end of the song, hugging Bellamy.

Tonight's appearance was Johnson's second time on stage since leaving AC/DC in March 2016 due to hearing issues.

Back in May, Johnson and LED ZEPPELIN frontman Robert Plant joined Paul Rodgers for an encore performance of Barrett Strong's 1959 classic "Money (That's What I Want)" in Oxford, England.

AC/DC postponed the last ten dates of its North American tour last year after doctors told Johnson he faced a total loss of hearing if he did not stop touring immediately. AC/DC completed the tour last summer, with GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist" and Johnson apparently not returning to the group.

Johnson said in an open letter to fans that he intends to solve his hearing problem and continue recording and touring, although he pointedly did not say whether he would be rejoining AC/DC.

The vocalist wrote: "My entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic."

Danish/American rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT were joined by a slew of special guests — including METALLICA's Lars Ulrich, KREATOR's Mille Petrozza, NAPALM DEATH's Mark "Barney" Greenway and Canadian musician Danko Jones — during their headlining appearance Saturday night (August 26) at Telia Parken in Copenhagen, Denmark. A sold-out crowd of forty-seven thousand witnessed the concert, which saw Ulrich sitting in with VOLBEAT on the band's song "Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood" as well as an electrifying rendition of METALLICA's "Enter Sandman". Meanwhile, Petrozza, Greenway and Jones — all of whom have guested on VOLBEAT's recordings in the past — reprised their roles on the tracks "7 Shots", "Evelyn" and "Black Rose", respectively.

METALLICA and VOLBEAT have played together a number of times in recent years and have shared North American management since early 2015.

VOLBEAT was the opening act on most of the recently completed North American leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" tour.

In a 2014 interview with ARTISTdirect, VOLBEAT guitarist/vocalist Michael Poulsen said that touring with METALLICA was a dream come true.

"We have been huge fans of METALLICA since we discovered heavy rock," he said. "They're the biggest heavy rock band in the world. Nobody will ever be able to top them. They're almost as big as Coca-Cola. [Laughs]

"Rewinding back, you remember being in your room at your parents' house with all the posters. I had METALLICA posters up even before I had my first guitar.

"Now that we've been on the road with them and become friends with them, it's a great accomplishment, and I'm so proud of it.

"I think it was in 2007 when we first met them. METALLICA hadn't been in Denmark for a long time. They were about to play a show in an open field in front of 40,000 people. They were looking for support bands. Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] was calling friends and media asking them, 'What's the big buzz right now?' Everybody was talking about VOLBEAT. We had our second album out. He checked it out, liked what he heard, and we got the support slot that day. James Hetfield [METALLICA frontman] became a VOLBEAT fan!

"After that, we've been on the road lots of times with METALLICA in America, in Europe, and playing on their own festivals like Orion Music + More. We've hung out with them and gotten invitations to their shows. It's been amazing. They're such nice guys. There are a lot of big bands who could learn a trick or two from METALLICA about how to treat people. They're so nice. They're truly gentlemen. They've got a good crew, and it's inspiring to see how they work. They're so professional and still very dedicated.

"It was an honor and a great experience to go out with them. It just shows nothing is impossible. Dreams are there to come true. That was definitely one of them."

METALLICA has landed at position No. 1 on Billboard's "Hot Tours" list of top-grossing tours with $49.5 million in ticket sales from the first ten of the shows of the North American "WorldWired" tour that occurred during May and June.

464,988 tickets were sold during the first two months of the run, with Denver's NFL stadium, Sports Authority Field at Mile High, scoring the highest counts in both gross and attendance. A crowd of 51,955 fans attended the event that racked up $5.8 million in sales. Four other NFL stadiums during the first half of the summertime trek also topped the $5 million mark in sales for a single performance: Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field ($5.4 million) on May 12, MetLife Stadium ($5.1 million) in the New York City market on May 14, the Boston-area Gillette Stadium ($5.7 million) on May 19, and Chicago's Soldier Field ($5.3 million) on June 18.

Sales from METALLICA's July and August concerts during the second half of the "WorldWired" summer trek will be reported at a later date.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone that the band was genuinely surprised to learn they could still play stadiums, saying, "It was like, 'Holy fuck, people really still care about this band in ways that you stopped taking for granted literally decades ago. It was very inspiring and kind of eye-opening."

He added: "Full stadium runs can sometimes be a little intimidating. There's all these things to worry about like, 'You should really try to play maybe only on the weekend,' and, 'Where do you play on Tuesday?' and some of those practicalities can get a little bewildering. We just threw caution to the wind. Doing a stadium run seemed like the perfect thing on the back of how well this record has been received and all the good will that's out there in METALLICA's world right now."

The first European leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" tour kicks off on September 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark and stretches through November. After a break, the trek will pick up again on February 1, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal, and continue through May, finishing up in Helsinki, Finland.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame band is touring in support of its tenth studio album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", which came out last November.