DISTURBED's cover version of SIMON & GARFUNKEL's "The Sound Of Silence" was officially certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association Of America on May 26, commemorating more than two million units' worth of sales and streams.

The RIAA's certification program was launched with the gold record in 1958. Presently, the RIAA awards a gold honor for 500,000 units sold, a platinum honor for 1 million units sold and a diamond award for more than 10 million units sold, with 100 streams counting as one certifiable unit.

Asked if DISTURBED had to get permission from Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel to record a cover version of SIMON & GARFUNKEL's "The Sound Of Silence" for DISTURBED's "Immortalized" album, singer David Draiman told the X96 radio station: "No. When you do a cover, you don't actually have to get permission from anybody. You just need to give them the publishing that it generates, legally. Now, you always hope that whoever the writer is, that they'll give you their blessing, or at least like what you've done, but unless you're going to utilize it for television purposes, or things of that nature, it's a different licensing, and for those purposes, you'd have to get permission. But just to actually cover the song, that you don't need permission.'

He continued: "Permission or not, Paul reached out to me and we've been in contact with each other a number of times already. He contacted me right after [DISTURBED's] 'Conan' performance [of 'The Sound Of Silence'] and was very, very complimentary, and has been a big supporter. And [he] posted the 'Conan' performance, actually, on his own social media and has really been very, very positive and, like I said, very flatteringly complimentary about it. So it's been very surreal."

The video for DISTURBED's version of "Silence", which was released in December 2015, has been seen more than 233 million times, a record number of views on YouTube for the group.

DISTURBED went on hiatus at the end of 2011, with Draiman and the other members of the band all pursuing other projects for several years before returning in 2015.

For the first time ever, SIX FEET UNDER's Chris Barnes will make a special voice-over appearance on an animated series: "The Olympians", a comedy about the Greek gods falling on hard times and struggling to find a place in modern society.

Recently screened at the Portland Comedy Film Fest (where it won "Best Animated Comedy"!), "The Olympians" is directed by Bob Spang ("Lilo & Stitch", "Brother Bear") and scored by Cormac Bluestone ("It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia"), with voices by Jon Etheridge ("Battlefield Friends", "Doraleous And Associates"), Jimmy Euringer (MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE, "Guardians Of The Galaxy 2"), Stevic Mckay (TWELVE FOOT NINJA), Bill Gaal (NOTHINGFACE, IN FOR THE KILL, KNIVES OUT), Rob Kersey (PSYCHOSTICK), Sean Zatorsky (CHIMAIRA, DAATH, SINSAENUM), Jason Suecof (producer, mixer, guitarist and songwriter), Richard Thomas (MUSHROOMHEAD, VENTANA), Matt Foran (CIRCUS OF DEAD SQUIRRELS, VENTANA) in addition to Barnes as "Chad."

Barnes comments: "Lending my voice for an animated feature is something I haven't had the privilege of attempting or being involved with... So I feel pretty lucky and excited to be involved with 'The Olympians'!!"

SIX FEET UNDER's twelfth studio album, "Torment", wwas released on February 24 via Metal Blade. The disc was brought to life by Barnes with bassist/guitarist Jeff Hughell (BRAIN DRILL) shouldering the load of writing the music, along with heralded drummer Marco Pitruzzella (BRAIN DRILL, ANOMALOUS, SLEEP TERROR).

According to the Associated Press, TWISTED SISTER has sued the promoter of last year's Rock Carnival festival, claiming the band has only been paid $50,000 of the $200,000 it was to receive for headlining one of the three nights at the Lakewood, New Jersey event.

In court papers, promoter John D'Esposito and his company Rock N Festivals said they "suffered catastrophic economic losses" due to three days of heavy rain that weekend.

"Thousands of people were prevented from attending because of torrential rains and excessive winds," he said. "Refunds had to be issued."

TWISTED SISTER says it was paid $50,000 in early December for its October 1 performance but it has not yet paid the remaining $150,000.

The case is pending in state Superior Court in Monmouth County.

TWISTED SISTER played what was billed as the band's last-ever concert on November 12, 2016 at the Corona Northside Rock Park Meeting Fest at Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico.

Most of TWISTED SISTER shows in 2016 featured the core lineup of Dee Snider (vocals), Jay Jay French (guitar), Mark Mendoza (bass) and Eddie Ojeda (guitar), along with drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, ex-DREAM THEATER).

In a 2016 interview with Goldmine magazine, Jay Jay French talked about TWISTED SISTER's decision to call it quits. He said: "Whether you like it or not, once you reach a status of 'classic,' you really start to understand people — if you really truly want to understand why people like you. You can make new product, it's all well and good, but when someone spends 200-300 bucks for a ticket, they expect certain songs, they expect the songs played correctly, they expect you to be proficient, on time and professional — that's what an entertainer is. And I will tell you that the club scene taught us an enormous amount of discipline."

He continued: "You know, I can't emphasize it enough. Dee became one of the greatest frontmen in the world because he learned how to do it on the club scene. We learned how to be great entertainers in the bars and we followed through. And I think the band just wants to say that we reached a point where we can't do it anymore in the manner that we feel we need to do it and we should probably be respected for that. Because I don't want to takes someone's money that I don't earn. And it's hard for some people to understand that. They want to keep you hermetically sealed in a jar with their memories forever. Which I get. I do get it."

TWISTED SISTER's movie, "We Are Twisted F***ing Sister!", was released in February 2016 on DVD, Blu-ray, VOD, and digital formats, with an included two hours of bonus material and director commentary.

Grammy-nominated classic rock band GREAT WHITE is branching out into brewing by introducing its Once Bitten India Pale Ale (IPA).

Distributed by Redlands, California's Escape Craft Brewery, the Once Bitten IPA is refreshingly sharp. Crafted with the same integrity and patience found in the studio, Once Bitten's citrus-like base is brewed in the same vein as the guys in the band. Just as they celebrate their Californian roots, the awesome citrus bite is brewed like no other!

"It's impossible to capture the spirt and flavor, per se, of our fans," GREAT WHITE drummer Audie Desbrow said. "But in working with Escape Brewery, we feel confident we have something really special.

"Our fans are always sharing with us how their songs are a part of their lives. Now they can further celebrate that feeling and that energy. Cheers to our fans for being there with us all of these years."

The IPA can be purchased exclusively at Escape Craft Brewery beginning Saturday, June 10 at 721 Nevada Street, Suite 401, Redlands, California. Call 909-713-ESCP (3727) or visit EscapeCraftBrewery.com for more information. Must be 21 or over to purchase.

GREAT WHITE's new album, "Full Circle", was released on June 2. The effort sees the band re-teaming with its original producer, Michael Wagener. It's an honorable nod to their first EP, "Out Of The Night" (Aegean Records, 1983) and debut self-titled full-length record (EMI, 1984). Wagener, is, of course, the legendary producer behind ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH, METALLICA, OZZY OSBOURNE and a slew of other rock gods.

"Full Circle" was recorded in January and February 2017 at Wagener's Nashville-based WireWorld Studio. The album's packaging includes a must-have companion DVD called "Making Of Full Circle". Rockslide Entertainment (produced by Todd Sadowski) captured the band developing the songs in the studio — a never-before-seen band access.

Photo credit: Neil Zlozower

Once Bitten IPA the official beer of Great White, @ EscapeCraftBrewery , Redlands,CA. pic.twitter.com/T0sZQk4jMP

— Audie Desbrow (@AudieDesbrowGW) June 6, 2017

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN played the third show of the 2017 North American leg of "The Book Of Souls" tour last night (Wednesday, June 7) at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. If Eternity Should Fail02. Speed Of Light03. Wrathchild04. Children Of The Damned05. Death Or Glory06. The Red And The Black07. The Trooper08. Powerslave09. The Great Unknown10. The Book Of Souls11. Fear Of The Dark12. Iron Maiden

Encore:

13. The Number Of The Beast14. Blood Brothers15. Wasted Years

IRON MAIDEN bassist and main songwriter Steve Harris recently told Express & Star about the band's current trek: "We are really looking forward to returning to North America for a full tour. We had always planned to go back there and to the U.K. as last year, due to the global nature of the tour and the period it took, we just didn't have time to cover them properly and we do still like to get to fans in as many places as possible.

"We will, of course, be bringing the full production with us, including all the Eddies and the Maya-themed stage sets. There's been a great reaction from everyone to this tour's theme; people really seem to love it.

"Most of our North American fans haven't seen the show yet, so as we want to give them the same 'Book Of Souls' live experience that we took around the world, it's unlikely we'll change much. And, of course, we know our fans appreciate us playing a lot of the older songs too, so we will continue to do that."

MAIDEN's recent European tour consisted of a total of sixteen dates, including three shows in Germany, eight in England, two in Scotland and one each in Ireland and Wales. The U.K. leg marked MAIDEN's first full U.K. arena tour in six years.

"The Book Of Souls" is MAIDEN's first ever double studio album and their most successful chart-wise to date, debuting at the No. 1 spot in over 40 countries around the world and No. 4 in the U.S.A.

A teaser for Alice Cooper's new single, titled "Paranoiac Personality", is available below. The track will be released tomorrow (Friday, June 9).

"Paranoiac Personality" is the first single off Cooper's new album, "Paranormal", which is due on July 28 via earMUSIC. It will be made available on 2CD digipak, 2LP, limited-edition box set and on digital formats — and will come with a special mini-album.

A statement from earMUSIC reads: "The 12-track album has been recorded in Nashville with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin and features a very special bonus CD — a mini-album consisting of three brand new songs written and recorded together with the original ALICE COOPER band members Dennis Dunaway, drummer Neal Smith and guitarist Michael Bruce, alongside carefully selected live recordings. 'Paranormal' also features special guest appearances by U2's Larry Mullen Jr., ZZ TOP's Billy Gibbons and DEEP PURPLE's Roger Glover."

During an appearance on the SiriusXM radio show "Trunk Nation", Cooper said producer Bob Ezrin was responsible for getting Mullen Jr. involved in the sessions.

"Bob Ezrin and I sat there, and Bob says, 'What do you think about Larry Mullen on drums?' And I went, 'That's a great idea. It'll change things up so much on just the basic tracks.'"

Cooper also talked about the U2 drummer's somewhat unusual approach to recording. Alice recalled: "Larry [said], 'I wanna see the lyrics.' I said, 'Really?' He [said], 'Yeah, I play to the lyrics. I don't play to the bass.' And I said, 'That is so cool — just the idea that you're interpreting the lyrics on the drums.' So that totally makes the album another album."

Gibbons, meanwhile, plays guitar on a song called "I've Fallen In Love And I Can't Get Up". "After we cut the record, I went, 'If Billy Gibbons doesn't play on this, we shouldn't put this one out,' 'cause, I mean, it is so much him," Alice said. "And he got the record, and he said, 'I've got the flu, but, man, this song makes me feel better.' He just killed it."

In addition to performing on "Paranormal", original ALICE COOPER bandmembers Neal Smith (drums), Michael Bruce (guitar) and Dennis Dunaway (bass) were involved in the songwriting for the new record. "I wrote three songs [with them] for the new album. Dennis brought in two songs, Mike brought in a song. There's one song called 'I Wanna Be A Genuine American Girl'. It was gonna be 'I Want A Genuine American Girl', and I went, 'No, no, no. I Wanna Be A Genuine American Girl! It's really a tough song, so it's this guy going, 'I've gotta paint my nails, I've gotta do my hair.' [Laughs]"

With regards to the "Paranormal" album title, Cooper said: "I love that title, 'Paranormal', but it's not really a scary record. There's a couple of scary songs on it, but [it is] 'paranormal,' meaning 'other than normal.' This is not a normal Alice record. Bob and I decided, 'No theme this time. We're gonna make a record of things that just get us off, songs that we like. And it might go in a lot of different directions, but these are just songs that get us off."

Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes has released the official video for the song "T.F.M.F.". The track is taken from his latest album, "Shitting Bricks", which was released in 2015 via M & O Music. Having first toured Europe last year, Holmes's new band, MEAN MAN, plays no less than seven W.A.S.P. classics in its set and includes a crowd invitation to three members of the audience to come and join in on "I Wanna Be Somebody", promising for a very memorable night. Free meet-and-greets are organized at the end of each gig at the merch booth.

In an interview with Noisey, Holmes talked about his decision to move to France back in 2014. He said: "My wife is from France. But since I left W.A.S.P. I dangled around in L.A., trying to find musicians to play with, but it just didn't work out. The change of culture in the last ten years… My kind of music isn't played that much — not like it was in the '80s."

He continued: "[A few] years ago, I pulled into a 7-11, and this kid got out of his car. He wasn't listening to rock. When I was his age, that's all I listened to. That made me realize the kind of music I do here anymore… [He was listening to] hip-hop. And I just don't play that kind of music."

Holmes added: "I was talking to one of my friend's kids — he's in high school — and I asked him, 'Why don't you listen to rock, like DEEP PURPLE or something?' And he said, 'Man, that's pussy music.' This is a white kid. So I thought, if people don't listen to this kind of music anymore, why should I even be here? I'm in my 50s, but I want to still keep on going, kind of. So I talked to my wife and we decided to move. They listen to rock more over here. There's lots more concerts and stuff."

Holmes joined W.A.S.P. in 1982 and remained with the group until 1990. In 1996, Holmes rejoined W.A.S.P. and stayed with the band until 2001. Holmes has not played with W.A.S.P. since.

Holmes in 2013 released a solo album called "Nothing To Lose". Chris composed, performed, and produced the music and vocals, and teamed up with former MOTÖRHEAD drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor to perform on and engineer the effort.

PAPA ROACH's video for the song "Periscope" can be seen below. The track, which features a guest appearance by Skylar Grey, is taken from the band's ninth studio album, "Crooked Teeth", which was released on May 19 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc was made available digitally and physically, as a standard (10 tracks) and deluxe (10 tracks + 3 brand new tracks + 16 Live tracks Live at the Fillmore Detroit) editions.

The "Periscope" video was directed by award-winning firm The Uprising Creative (Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Big Sean, Lil Jon), which said the inspiration for the clip was "to create a moody, different look for the band using a stylistic light exploration — exploring color through light, projection and dynamic performances of the performers."

PAPA ROACH vocalist Jacoby Shaddix said: "'Periscope' is inspired by the realization that sometimes within a relationship you might not be worth being loved or that the other person may not be worth your love, and the struggle within that — how much effort it takes to make things work. One part that I think is really meaningful in the video is when Skylar and I are in the shot at the same time, yet we're not engaging with each other. It represents the 'disconnection' with two people, which is very much what the lyrics describe." Grey added: "You are loving someone from a distance, not able to reach them."

Regarding how the Grey collaboration came about, Shaddix told the Q103 radio station: "We wanted to have a guest female vocal on ['Periscope'], and on the last album, we had Maria Brink from IN THIS MOMENT on 'Gravity'. I didn't wanna just go in and grab another rock chick. I wanted to work with somebody that was outside the box and different but that I was a fan of. So I've been listening to this girl Skylar Grey for [a few] years now. And she's been on some great tracks — she's been on some Dre stuff, some Eminem stuff, she's been on a FORT MINOR track. But she's kind of this indie, alternative, pop type of girl, and she's just got a lot of credibility in that scene, and she's got a great voice, and I'm a big fan."

Written and recorded in a cramped North Hollywood studio, "Crooked Teeth" was produced by first timers Nicholas "RAS" Furlong and Colin Brittain, with the exception of "Born For Greatness", which saw the band collaborate with writer/producer Jason Evigan (Jason Derulo, Demi Lovato, Zedd, MAROON 5) for this positive, pulsating anthem. Furlong and Brittain, who grew up listening to PAPA ROACH, inspired the band to revisit some of the traits that personally endeared the band to them, most notably singer Jacoby Shaddix's remarkable rapping technique and the band's intense live energy.

"The first time we met up with RAS and Colin, they said that [2000's] 'Infest' was on constant rotation when they were growing up and they wanted to bring back some of that fire," says Shaddix. Adds Furlong, "The whole idea was to take the classic elements of PAPA ROACH that everyone loved and revamp them into a modern version of the sound through the creative process, and we ended up with a bold, courageous and more adventurous version of PAPA ROACH."

The Furlong/Brittain production team worked to bring in elements of music from different genres and parts of the world, and pockets of rhythm people associate more with rap or reggae, while still staying true to PAPA ROACH's sound. "The people who have wanted to hear me rap for years are gonna love some of the viciousness on this record," Shaddix proclaims.

From the instantly infectious nature of the title track to the atmospheric sheen of the moody ballad "Periscope" and the acoustic/ hip-hop rock mashup of "Sunrise Trailer Park" (featuring Machine Gun Kelly adding a verse to Shaddix rap) "Crooked Teeth" displays the various sides of PAPA ROACH and illustrates why they've managed to remain relevant while other musical trends ebb and flow. "We didn't go into this album with the intention of trying to write radio singles," guitarist Jerry Horton explains. "This collection of songs was really about bookending everything that we've done prior to this album and reintroducing PAPA ROACH to people who didn't realize the depth that we have," says drummer Tony Palermo.

In many ways making "Crooked Teeth" reminded Shaddix of the band's earliest days, well before they sold millions of albums and became a household name. "When we were in the rehearsal space I wasn't thinking about who I needed to impress, I was thinking about how much I love making music with the guys in this band." "It [the album] feels honest and pure and that's all we could hope for," adds bassist Tobin Esperance.

Terry Ilous, lead singer for Great White, and founder of '80s metal band XYZ, has released his third solo venture, Gypsy Dreams. A video for the first single from the album, a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", can be viewed below.

Gypsy Dreams is a cover album of classic rock and hard rock favorites with a Latin and flamenco edge. It features an amazing cast of LA based artists including:

Terry Ilous - vocals
Luis Villegas - guitar
Jose Garcia - guitar
Mike Paganini - bass
Mike Bennett - bass
Ben Woods - guitar
Jesse Stern - drums / percussion
Chris Trujillo - drums / percussion
Al Velasquez - drums / percussion
Natalie Gelman - background vocals

Gypsy Dreams tracklisting:

“Whole Lotta Love” - (Led Zeppelin)
“Boys Of Summer” - (Don Henley)
“In Your Eyes” - (Peter Gabriel)
“Long Train Running” - (The Doobie Brothers)
“Wicked Game” - (Chris Isaak)
“Heaven And Hell” - (Black Sabbath)
“Ride Like The Wind” - (Christopher Cross)
“Love Bites” - (Def Leppard)
“Kill The King” - (Rainbow)

Terry states: "This album is just the start in a series of different projects I have in mind for the future. I decided to start with covers of familiar rock favorites to introduce the Latin / Flamenco Rock sound to my audience, and I plan to start up a series of intimate club shows reminiscent of close-knit Latin and Gypsy gatherings.”

Terry on recording “Long Train Running”: "In the late '80s I would warm up with 'Long Train Running' while on the road with XYZ; and for years I wanted to record the song with more of a Latin edge."

Terry Ilous on recording “Heaven And Hell”: "Dio was arguably one of the biggest inspirations in music. And this is one of the songs that really influenced my decision in making this album.”

Order your copy of Gypsy Dreams now at this location. Check out the album trailer:

The Compulsions have teased the cover art, title and other details regarding the New York group’s upcoming third album.

The album, titled Ferocious, features Compulsions main man, Rob Carlyle, on vocal and guitar, along with guitarists Hugh Pool (New York Blues Hall Of Fame) and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Art Of Anarchy, ex-Guns N’ Roses), bassist Alec Morton (ex-Raging Slab) and drummers Brian Delaney (ex-New York Dolls) and Frank Ferrer (Guns N’ Roses), plus other invited guests.

Tracks slated for inclusion on Ferocious include brand new Carlyle-penned originals “Band Of Thieves”, “Killer In The Woodshed”, “Shoot Your Way To Freedom”, and title track, “Ferocious”, not to mention covers of “Dead Flowers” and “Dust N’ Bones,” which were originally written and recorded by The Rolling Stones and Guns N’ Roses, respectively. The idea of covering “Dust N’ Bones” was suggested by a Compulsions fan during a 2016 contest on the band’s Facebook page. Rob had this to say about the forthcoming release:

“This is another super badass record by me, Ken Rich (producer) and the guys. We’ve got everything on here from straight-up, bone-shakin’ rock ’n’ roll to post-apocalyptic-sounding tracks inspired by the flame-throwing guitar player in Mad Max: Fury Road. The musicianship is more brutal than ever, and this time around there are a lot of lyrics about death and destruction. So this is definitely the most sick and twisted Compulsions album so far.”

An official release date for the new album has yet to be announced, however T-shirts, buttons, drinkware and other merchandise featuring the new Ferocious album art is on sale now in The Compulsions online shop.

"Come On", the brand new single from LIVING COLOUR, can be streamed below. The song is taken from the band's sixth studio album, "Shade", which will be released on September 8 via Megaforce Records. The disc's cover artwork can be seen below.

Corey Glover, Vernon Reid, Doug Wimbish and Will Calhoun recorded the follow-up to 2009's "The Chair In The Doorway" with producer Andre Betts.

"We spent a great deal of time fretting over a lot of stuff and trying to make sure it says exactly what we wanted to say and that we play it the way we wanted to play it," Glover told Billboard. "We spent a great deal of time just laying these grooves and getting lyrical ideas and building on those. Then it was a matter of picking and choosing among all that stuff we had and what works and what was kind of fair to middling, what needed work and what doesn't work and go from there. And during the process we have families and children and we have lives. It was a balancing act."

Reid previously described "Shade" as "the sound of a band coming to terms with its shadows and light. " He added: "From the blue pulpit of Robert Johnson to the mean red streets of Brooklyn to the golden lure of Hollywood, 'Shade' is the next chapter of a unique American journey."

Global Music Award-winning nomadic folk metal group, Tengger Cavalry, released their new full-length album, Die On My Ride, last week via M-Theory Audio, in addition to kicking off their current North American headline tour with support from Felix Martin, Malphas, Sicocis and Helsott.

Today the band follows up with a fast-paced music video for one of the most politically-charged tracks on the new album, "Independence Day".

On "Independence Day", the band uses their voice to incite social change and raise awareness in the name of equality. Frontman Nature G says: "Growing up in China and seeing what the regime has done to its citizens to suppress their individuality, free speech and activism through education has awoken me to how other countries and their leaders treat their citizens. These leaders force their people into becoming sheep-like and afraid to stand up to authority. Speaking up and challenging mainstream thought is considered dishonourable.

“It saddens me that even coming from brave origins, inhabitants of this country are still letting things slide and pretending as if everything is just fine. We ignore the atrocities happening right in front of us - such as minorities being seen as less than other citizens because of their skin color and those of a different sexual identity being discriminated for just being who they are - and a leader who seems to be passive about it all.

“After experiencing life both in China and the US, I decided to write "Independence Day". It is an anthem for anyone who embraces their independent identity, fights for the truth and speaks up against any manipulator. We are all sons and daughters of the sky and we all have the right to decide who we want to become!"

Die On My Ride was self-produced at Nature G's production studio Raiding Media, and is available to order in both physical CD and vinyl format via M-Theory Audio or digitally via the band's Bandcamp page.

Tracklisting:

“Snow”
“Die On My Ride”
“Independence Day”
“To The Sky”
“Prayer”
“Strike”
“Ashley”
“Cursed”
“The Frontline”
“The Choice Of My Mind”
“Me Against Me”
“We Will Survive” (Bonus)
“Burn” (Bonus)

"Cursed" lyric video:

“Ashley” lyric video:

“Die On My Ride”:

Tour Dates with Felix Martin, Helsott:

June
8 - Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme
9 - Indianapolis, IN - Taps Live
10 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
11 - Fargo, ND - Aquarium
13 - Winnipeg, MB - Windsor Hotel
14 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos
15 - Edmonton, AB - Brixx
16 - Calgary, AB - Distortion
18 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater*
19 - Seattle, WA - Highline*
21 - Portland, OR - Dantes*
23 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill*
24 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar*
25 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Red*
27 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive*
28 - Kansas, City MO - Riot Room
29 - St Louis, MO - Fubar
30 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone

July
1 - Nashville, TN - East Room
3 - Atlanta, GA - 529
4 - Asheville, NC - Mothlight
5 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
6 - Philadelphia, PA - Fire
7 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
8 - Manchester, NH - Jewel

* Helsott will appear June 18th - June 27th

Relapse Records recently announced the official signing of extreme metal act, Expulsion. The newly-formed collective features members of Repulsion, Exhumed, Phobia, Intronaut, Gruesome, and numerous others. The band’s debut album, Nightmare Future, will be released on July 14th on CD, LP, and digital formats via Relapse. The album’s opening track, “Total Human Genocide”, is available for streaming below.

Nightmare Future was produced by Matt Olivo, mixed by Toxic Holocaust's Joel Grind and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Mayhem, Faith No More, Halford). Physical pre-orders and bundles are available at Relapse.com here and digital downloads can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp here.

Spawned from the cerebral mind of grind legend Matt Olivo (Repulsion), Expulsion combines grind, punk, and crust into a caustic musical vomit guaranteed to stack the corpses high. Olivo's partner-in-grind, Matt Harvey (Exhumed, Gruesome) was recruited over beers in a sweaty Los Angeles apartment to bring his classic brand of oratory assault. The additions of veterans - drummer Danny Walker (Intronaut, Exhumed, Phobia) and bassist Menno Verbaten (Lightning Swords Of Death) - complete the fit-to-burn outfit. Expect nothing but the best of throat-shredding vocals, relentless blast beats, buzzsaw riffs, and raw bass tones. Expulsion will leave you horrified with their vile brand of classic, 80's sickness.

Nightmare Future tracklisting:

“Total Human Genocide”
“Altar Of Slaughter”
“Mask Of Fear”
“Nightmare Future”
“Funeral Bells”
“Compulsions”
“Comatose”

“Total Human Genocide”:

“Altar Of Slaughter”:

Expulsion lineup:

Matt Harvey - Vocals
Matt Olivo - Guitar
Danny Walker - Drums
Menno Verbaten - Bass

(Photo - Jay Valena)

All 41, featuring Terry Brock on lead vocals (Giant, Strangeways), Robert Berry (Three, Alliance) on bass and lead vocals, Gary Pihl (Boston, Sammy Hagar, Alliance) on guitar, and Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) on drums, will released their debut album, World's Best Hope, on July 7th. The album track “Cyanide” is available for streaming below.

All 41 is a project very close to the hearts of each musician involved. All 41 is a project born of passion and fire.

Guitarist Gary Pihl says, “It started with some great sounding songs in a rough "demo" form, but every time I got a new version with each musician's real performance on it, I got stoked! We're all bringing our "A Game" to the band. I can't wait to do some gigs with these guys! Robert and I go way back, and Terry and Matt are like the best players ever!"

Bassist and co-vocalist Robert Berry adds: "So many times musicians get together and struggle to find common ground in style and substance. When Serafino, president of Frontiers, called me with the line up for All 41 I had no idea that he had put together perfectly matching musical pieces. From playing bass to Matt's solid drums, trading vocals with Terry's soaring voice, to the warmth and feel of Gary's own style of powerful, yet melodic guitar playing, this band came together like missing puzzle pieces. I can't wait to get it on to the concert stage."

"What a great bunch of musicians to work with and such talented, classy guys. I am proud to be associated with this project and i am so proud of my great friend and collaborator Alessandro Del Vecchio for his incredible work!!!! Thank you Serafino, Mario, and Frontiers for ANOTHER amazing opportunity....GRAZIE MILLE AMICI," says vocalist Terry Brock, with drummer Matt Starr adding, "I had a lot of fun making this record. There are some amazing songs and everybody really played great!"

Musically, these guys gel incredibly well and have come up with a superb debut album which mixes Mr Big's most melodic moments together with the more keyboard-laden years of Van Halen along with obvious nods to Strangeways and Alliance. The duel lead vocals are an amazing plus for this absolutely beautiful record, not to mention the excellent production which highlights the unforgettable melodies. An AOR highlight of the year.

Tracklisting:

“After The Rain”
“Cyanide”
“Down Life's Page”
“Mother Don't Cry”
“Show Me The Way”
“Walk Alone”
“Don't Surrender (To Love)”
“Hero In Your Life”
“Never Back Down Again”
“Who Knows”
“The World's Best Hope”

“Cyanide”:

“After The Rain” video:

EPK:

In the video below, Gary Pihl offers a guitar walkthrough for the album track “After The Rain”:

Swedish hard rockers, JD Miller, have released a video for “Journey Through The Past”, the opening track of their new album, World War X, out now via Mighty Music. The new clip is available for streaming below.

World War X sounds like the musical child bred by Eclipse and Evergrey. If you like melodic, guitar driven rock fronted by edgy vocals and soaring harmonies all wrapped up in modern production - JD Miller is your thing.

World War X was recorded at Studio Haga and Studio Berghem in Sweden by JD Miller themselves. The album was mixed by former member Christian Svedin as he understands the sound of JD Miller, and it was mastered by one of Swedens true audio greats in Thomas ’Plec’ Johansson at The Panic Room.

Tracklisting:

“Journey Through The Past”
“Against The Wind”
“My Open Arms”
“Evergrey”
“Power”
“Clouded Minds”
“Forgotten”
“Isolation”
“Wanderer Of Light And Sorrow”

“Journey Through The Past” video:

“Clouded Minds” lyric video:

Teaser:

Earache Records will issue a Full Dynamic Range (FDR) vinyl repress of Napalm Death’s From Enslavement To Obliteration album on July 21st. A unboxing video can be found below. Pre-orders at this location.

From Enslavement To Obliteration has been remastered especially for this release from the original tapes with Full Dynamic Range (FDR), allowing the music's nuances to shine through and giving the whole album a more ferocious and dynamic sound than ever before, and enabling the listener to immerse in the full audio chaos like never before.

This full dynamic range release is a reaction to the loudness war which has affected the music scene since the '90s, with artists and labels striving to producer ever-louder CDs. Earache firmly believes the playback volume should be in the hands of the listener, not the producer - that's what the volume control is for.

Sheer grinding brutality as Lee Dorrian, Shane Embury, Bill Steer and Mick Harris lay down a statement of unrelenting fury with Napalm Death's second album and their first and unfortunately final recording together.

Tracklisting:

“Evolved As One”
“Its A Mans World”
“Lucid Fairytale”
“Private Death”
“Impressions”
“Unchallenged Hate”
“Uncertainty Blurs The Vision”
“Cock-Rock Alienation”
“Retreat To Nowhere”
“Think For A Minute”
“Display To Me”
“From Enslavement To Obliteration”
“Blind To The Truth”
“Social Sterility”
“Emotional Suffocation”
“Practice What You Preach”
“Inconceivable”
“Worlds Apart”
“Obstinate Direction”
“Mentally Murdered”
“Sometimes”
“Make Way”
“Musclehead”
“Your Achievement”
“Dead”
“Morbid Deceiver”
“The Curse” (Taken From The Original 'Feto' Vinyl Pressing Bonus 7") (Bonus Track)
“Scum” (Taken From The 'North Atlantic Noise Attack' Compilation) (Bonus Track)
“Life?” (Taken From The 'North Atlantic Noise Attack' Compilation) (Bonus Track)
“Retreat To Nowhere” (Taken From The 'North Atlantic Noise Attack' Compilation) (Bonus Track)
“Internal Animosity” (Taken From The 'Pathological' Compilation) (Bonus Track)

Anathema will release of their eleventh studio album, The Optimist, this Friday, June 9th, via Kscope. The band have now released a seventh teaser video for the upcoming 11-song collection. Watch seven clips below:

Teaser #1:

Teaser #2:

Teaser #3:

Teaser #4:

Teaser #5:

Teaser #6:

Teaser #7:

Anathema, led by brothers Daniel and Vincent Cavanagh, along with drummer John Douglas, singer Lee Douglas, bassist Jamie Cavanagh and drummer/keyboardist Daniel Cardoso began recording The Optimist in the winter of 2016 at Attica Audio in Donegal, Ireland and then finished at Castle Of Doom studios in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan at the helm and was mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.

Tracklisting:

“32.63N 117.14W”
“Leaving It Behind”
“Endless Ways”
“The Optimist”
“San Francisco”
“Springfield”
“Ghosts”
“Can’t Let Go”
“Close Your Eyes”
“Wildfires”
“Back To The Start”

“Springfield”:

Pre-order the album here in the following formats:

Deluxe 12" hardbook featuring:

* 40-page artwork book, with artwork from Travis Smith
* CD The Optimist with 11 original album tracks
* CD featuring 6 bonus tracks - 3 demo versions and 3 live demo recordings from the band's November 2016 dates
* DVD-V The Optimist with 11 original album tracks, 24/96 LPCM Stereo & 24/96 DTS 5.1 surround mix
* Blu-Ray disc The Optimist 11 original album tracks, 24/96 LPCM Stereo, 24/96 LPCM 5.1 lossless surround mix & 24/96 DTS-HD Master Audio lossless 5.1 surround mix

2-Disc CD & DVD Mediabook:

* 24 page booklet
* CD The Optimist with 11 original album tracks
* DVD-V The Optimist with 11 original album tracks, 24/96 LPCM Stereo & 24/96 DTS 5.1 surround mix

Blu-Ray featuring:

* The Optimist 11 original album tracks, 24/96 LPCM Stereo, 24/96 LPCM 5.1 lossless surround mix & 24/96 DTS-HD Master Audio lossless 5.1 surround mix

CD featuring:

* The Optimist with 11 original album tracks

Double gatefold 180g heavyweight LP featuring:

* The Optimist 11 original album tracks (with MP3 download code)
* Limited edition red vinyl LP version (with MPD download code) available exclusively through the band's webstore

Digital download featuring:

* The Optimist 11 original album tracks with pre-orders receiving an instant download of "Springfield"

Anathema have announced their first North American dates since 2014. The nine dates, which kick off on August 16th in Baltimore, include stops in New York, Chicago and a trio of Canadian dates.

"Touring the US and Canada is always a fantastic privilege,” said guitar player Daniel Cavanagh. “These countries have been the birthplace of some of the most revered recording artists of all time. We are delighted to visit the east coast and we promise to visit the west coast, following up soon. Our new album, The Optimist, is set in America. It will be a blast!"

North American tour dates:

August
16  Baltimore, MD  Soundstage
17  New York, NY  Gramercy Theater
18  Boston, MA  Brighton Music Hall
19  Quebec, QC  Saile Multi
20  Montreal, QC  Astral
21  Toronto, ON  Opera House
23  Chicago, IL  Bottom Lounge
24  Cleveland, OH  House of Blues
25  Philadelphia, PA  Theatre of Living Arts

Tickets are available now. For more details, visit facebook.com/anathemamusic.

Due for release on June 23rd is the new Queen edition of the classic board game, Monopoly. In the new video below, Queen guitarist Brian May unboxes the first ever finished copy of the board game.

Tour the amazing gig history of Queen, from their very first at Imperial College in 1970 to their last with Freddie Mercury at Knebworth Park in 1986. Tour the world with the band and buy gig locations and hit singles. Build staging blocks then upgrade to full productions and watch the rent come pouring in. Take your chances with A Kind Of Magic and In The Lap Of The Gods cards as you tour the board as one of the iconic Queen bespoke tokens. You can own it all!

Choose your favourite bespoke token, tour your favourite gigs and records and accumulate fortunes, but watch out for taxes, jail and bankruptcy. Advance to Wembley, Hyde Park, The Forum Los Angeles – will you owe rent or reap the rewards? Build staging blocks and full productions and trade your way to success. The fast-dealing property trading game is fun for the whole family. Age 7+

Order the game at this location.

Laser’s Edge division Sensory Records recently announced the re-emergence of UK-based Prospekt, as the band completes their textured second album, The Illuminated Sky. Closing a four-year void since the release of their lauded The Colourless Sunrise debut, the follow-up will see release this July. BraveWords is premiering the new track “Alien Makers Of Discord”, which features a solo from guitarist Greg Howe, the shredding guitarist who has appeared on albums from James Murphy, Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess, Jason Becker, and Michael Jackson. Listen now!

The Illuminated Sky by Prospekt

Quote from Lee Luland:

"'Alien Makers Of Discord' is a great example of what fans can expect from the new album. It's got all the technical stuff in there as well as some cool orchestration and classically inspired moments - an excellent showcase of what we are about as a band musically. It's an absolute also absolutely honour to have guitar legend Greg Howe perform a stunning guest solo on the track. He's been a massive influence on our guitarist Lee's playing for many years and to have him appear on the album is absolutely amazing. Think you'll agree that Greg's solo is sensational!"

Prospekt spent 2016 writing and recording The Illuminated Sky, during which they acquired two iconic guest artists to take part in the album. Guitar virtuoso Greg Howe of Michael Jackson fame provides an eclectic solo on the powerful “Alien Makers Of Discord” and vocalist Marc Hudson of DragonForce provides a stellar contrast to Morris’ voice on the epic “Where Masters Fall.” Combine with that the excellent production, thanks to the mixing skills of Øyvind Larsen at Lionheart Studios, and the massive mastering job by mastermind Jens Bogren, and artwork by Mattias Norén, and the result is an album that has progressed upon their first album and will no doubt open the floodgates to new fans.

From technical power metal, laden with soaring vocals and blistering guitar work, to epic orchestral driven prog, Prospekt has produced their best effort to date. The Illuminated Sky is an album that excites and takes the listener on a journey through the cosmos via the wonders of prog.

State the members of Prospekt, “It's been a long time in the making but we are super excited for everyone to listen to the new album. We feel it's our best work to date - more progressive, polished and at the same time heavier, with a stronger emphasis on the melody. New members Rox and Michael have given awesome performances alongside guest artists Greg Howe and Marc Hudson. Musically, each composition has its own unique identity. From the cinematic title track to the Japanese inspired 'Akaibara', all of the songs come together and form an album that flows and connects. We wanted to create an album that could be described as ‘a journey through music’ and hopefully the listeners will feel that, when they enter The Illuminated Sky."

Tracklisting:

“Ex Nihilo”
“The Illuminated Sky”
“Titan”
“Distant Anamnesis”
“Beneath Enriya”
“In The Shadows Of The Earth”
“Alien Makers Of Discord”
“Cosmic Emissary”
“Akaibara”
“Where Masters Fall”

(Photo by: Luca De Falco)

Sweden's self-styled “Alfapokalyptic Rockers”, Alfahanne, have released a music video for “Satans Verser”, the track featuring Kampfar singer Dolk that is featured on the band’s new album, Det Nya Svarta, out now via Indie Recordings. The new clip is available for streaming below.

Det Nya Svarta was recorded at the Dödskult studio by Alfahanne's Pehr Skjoldhammer and Mixed and mastered by Stamos Koliousis. Guests on the album include Kampfar’s Dolk, David Lindh from Yvonne & Broder Daniel, Sanrabb from Gehenna, and Nadine Skjoldhammer

Tracklisting:

“Satans Verser” (with Dolk from Kampfar)
“Stigmata”
“Avgrundsgravitation” (with David Lindh from Yvonne & Broder Daniel)
“Klubb 27”
“Mitt mörker är mörkare än ditt” (with Nadine Skjoldhammer)
“Dödsmaskin” (with Samrabb from Gehenna)
“Även hund har sin dag”
“Svarta får”
“Det nya svarta”

“Satans Verser” video:

"Stigmata" stream:

Order the new album on CD and vinyl formats here, and in a digital format here.

The last two nights of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's 2016 U.K. tour took place on December 9 and December 10 at the O2 Brixton Academy, with the second night seeing the band playing its debut album, "The Poison", in full on its tenth anniversary year. Both shows were captured by Live Here Now and are set for release as "Live From Brixton: Chapter Two" on July 28. Nights one and two are both available on limited-edition double CDs, plus deluxe 2 x DVD and Blu-ray editions (which include both evenings' performances). Finally, "Night Two: Performing The Poison" in its entirety is also available on triple red LP. All formats are available across specially priced bundles.

Video footage of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE performing the song "Don't Need You", taken from "Live From Brixton: Chapter Two", can be seen below.

In a 2016 interview with Metal Obsession, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE frontman Matt Tuck stated about the the fact that it has been more than a decade since "The Poison" first came out: "Yeah, it's gone in the blink of an eye. The lifestyle of the band has been so hectic. It really has just gone by. When you think of the reality of how long that's passed since then, the journey we've been on since that record is incredible. We've achieved the unachievable in many ways and twelve years later we're still very relevant in heavy metal. Very, very shocked how quick it’s gone."

Asked which song he was most looking forward to performing from that record at the Brixton show, Tuck said: "I don't know. Probably 'Her Voice Resides', the opener. It was the opening soundtrack to our career in a way. Having that intro play at our first headline shows and launch into 'Her Voice Resides'. They were very exciting times in our lives. I think as soon as that intro rolls, we haven't used it since 2006 or 2007. Having that intro in the PA system and people screaming in the background will be a very goosebumpy moment for us."

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE recently commenced work on material for its sixth album, tentatively due before the end of the year. The disc will be released through the band's new label home, Search And Destroy, the imprint launched in 2014 by Spinefarm and international artist management company Raw Power Management.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's latest song, "Don't Need You", was released as a standalone single last November.

The band's last studio album, "Venom", came out in August 2015. The CD marked BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's first release since the departure of longtime bassist Jason James and addition of Mathias (formerly of REVOKER).

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE drummer Michael "Moose" Thomas took a temporary leave of absence from the band last year to spend time with his wife, as they awaited the birth of his first child. He has since been replaced on the road by Jason Bowld (PITCHSHIFTER, AXEWOUND).

Edmonton, AB death thrashers Phylactery will release debut album Necromancy Enthroned through Unspeakable Axe Records on August 18th. A promo video for album track "Unholy Empire" is available below.

On Necromancy Enthroned, Phylactery practices a malevolent brand of death/thrash they liken to cult favorites Morbid Saint and their fellow countrymen Sacrifice.  Following just one prior demo, Necromancy Enthroned is their debut full-length, which contains 11 tracks of hammering riffs and demonic vocals that will infect your mind and snap your neck.  With eerie artwork by Paolo Girardi, the album is guaranteed to please any enthusiast of the extreme.

Tracklisting:

“Risen Restless Dead”
“Wisdom Of Heretics”
“Fulminations”
“Morbid Existence”
“King Of Ruin”
“Where I Dwell”
“Enslaved By The Dawn”
“Eyes Of Fear And Flame”
“Bubonic Undeath”
“Unholy Empire”
“Eat Of My Disease”

“Unholy Empire”:

Evil Invaders are back! After touring extensively all over Europe in support of their debut album Pulses Of Pleasure (2015) and their intense follow-up EP In For The Kill (2016), these Belgians have managed to capture the ultimate collection of fucked up adrenaline and compressed violence onto one record. Their second monstrosity of an album is called Feed Me Violence and today release date, tracklisting and album artwork has been unveiled.

Joe and Max state:

"We went through hell for this record but I think we really nailed it on this one. We spat out all our frustrations into this album which will be quite noticeable when you listen to it. This is quite angry shit and out of control. Feed Me Violence will be a whole new chapter for Evil Invaders as it unveils new and quite unexpected sides of our music. Going from fast brain-bashing riffs to slow and clean, almost theatrical compositions. This album will take you on a dark trip through pain, vengeance and insanity!"

Feed Me Violence will be released worldwide on September 29th via Napalm Records. This release will pump up your blood veins and guide you through a relentless and twisted journey, which every extreme metal music fan should and will relate to.

Feed Me Violence will be available as regular Jewel Case edition as well as 1LP Gatefold Edition. An unstoppable roller coaster ride of tempo switches and twists from start to finish. Pre-Order will be available shortly.

Tracklisting:

“Mental Penitentiary”
“As Life Slowly Fades”
“Suspended Reanimation”
“Broken Dreams In Isolation”
“Feed Me Violence”
“Oblivion”
“Shades Of Solitude”
“Anger Within”
“Among The Depths Of Sanity”

"The Dying Embers Of Life", the new video from THE RAVEN AGE, the U.K.-based band led by IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris's son George Harris, can be seen below. The song is taken from THE RAVEN AGE's debut album, "Darkness Will Rise", which was released on March 17 via BMG.

George told The Moshville Times about THE RAVEN AGE's musical direction: "We label ourselves as melodic metal. Pretty broad, I know, but it describes us perfectly. We're a modern metal band, which you could say sounds metalcore musically, but we use clean vocals only on top of the low-tuned heavy music, which makes it a different thing. We're also influenced by film score and epic music, which I think is apparent in our songs."

Regarding THE RAVEN AGE's influences, George said: "Luckily, we're generally into similar music. We all have our favorites, but are definitely on the same wavelength when it comes to bands. I think metalcore and modern styles of metal were breaking through at the time when we started getting into rock music, so, naturally, we fell in love with bands such as BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, TRIVIUM, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, AS I LAY DYING, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, PARKWAY DRIVE, etc. These are the bands, I think, we take most influence from musically, even though we're slightly different."

"Darkness Will Rise" track listing:

01. Darkness Will Rise02. Promised Land03. Age Of The Raven04. The Death March05. Salem's Fate06. The Merciful One07. Eye Among The Blind08. Winds Of Change09. Trapped Within The Shadows10. My Revenge11. The Dying Embers Of Life12. Angel In Disgrace13. Behind The Mask

THE RAVEN AGE is a melodic metal band from London, United Kingdom consisting of five individuals who very quickly became friends through sharing a love for heavy music and a passion for songwriting.

In 2009, guitarists Dan Wright and George Harris began establishing their vision of a band that combines contemporary heavy music with powerful melodic vocals to create an epic and unique sound.

After writing their first album, they began searching for likeminded musicians to join the band and make their vision a reality.

Taking on bass player Matt Cox in 2012, with vocalist Michael Burrough and drummer Jai Patel joining in early 2013, the lineup was complete and ready to take their music to the stage.

THE RAVEN AGE is:

Michael Burrough - VocalsMatt Cox - BassDan Wright - GuitarGeorge Harris - GuitarJai Patel - Drums

KORN's music video for the song "Black Is The Soul" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "The Serenity Of Suffering", which came out at the end of October.

Said KORN singer Jonathan Davis: "'Black Is The Soul' is a song about being pulled away from the right path and the video reflects that experience of trying to navigate those conflicting emotions." Guitarist James "Munky Shaffer added: "I feel that this songwriting and production paired with the aesthetic look of the video shows a maturity and growth from the band that is continually evolving."

"Black Is The Soul" was reportedly written on the birthday of KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch's mother. Welch said in a track-by-track video interview: "The working title for that song was 'Mary Ellen Thrash', 'cause her name is Mary Allen and then it turned into 'Black Is The Soul', which is kind of creepy after it being named after my mom."

Welch continued: "Jonathan wrote that as one of the first songs, and he really did a good job on that one. And the lyrics… I love that line, actually: 'Black is the soul that's led astray.' 'Cause we've all been there — we've all been led astray in some in life that is unhealthy."

KORN and STONE SOUR will join forces for a summer tour, set to get underway June 16 at the USANA Amphitheatre in Salt Lake City, Utah and then continue through early August.

Video footage of STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor performing an acoustic version of the band's new track "Song #3" on the Japanese TV program called "Sukkiri!!" can be seen below. The tune is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Hydrograd", which will be released on June 30 via Roadrunner.

"Hydrograd" was recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX and STEEL PANTHER.

The band tracked the album live in the studio, cutting a total of 18 songs from which 15 will make the CD.

Taylor recently said about the full-length follow-up to "House Of Gold & Bones": "It is the best stuff that we've ever written. It's got a lot of different directions, but at its core it's very hard rock, almost in a modern/classic sense. There are some hints of punk in there. There's some cool hard rock/heavy metal. There's just all of these really cool elements that we've never maybe allowed ourselves to kind of go to."

Bassist Johnny Chow described the disc as "a straight rock and roll album" in an interview with Detroit radio station WRIF, adding, "It's just very groove-oriented, very melodic (with) big choruses. We've got some mellower songs on there too, which are equally just as amazing and have a lot of groove to them."

Chow called the record a "bit of a departure" from previous STONE SOUR albums.

STONE SOUR will be special guests of KORN on the latter act's "Serenity Of Summer" trek, which starts on June 16 in Salt Lake City and wraps on August 2 in Cleveland.

Metallica performed the Hardwired… To Self-Destruct album track, “Moth Into Flame”, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO on June 4th. Professionally filmed video of the performance can be seen below:

St. Louis recap video:

Metallica’s WorldWired live dates are listed below:

June
7 - Denver, CO - Sports Authority Field*^
9 - Dayton, IA - Iowa Speedway
11 - Houston, TX - NRG Stadium*^
14 - San Antonio, TX - Alamodome*#
16 - Dallas, TX - AT&T Stadium*#
18 - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field*#

July
5 - Orlando, FL - Camping World Stadium*^
7 - Miami, FL - Hard Rock Stadium*^
9 - Atlanta, GA - Suntrust Park*^
12 - Detroit, MI - Comercia Park*^
14 - Quebec City, QC- Festival D'Ete
16 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre*^
19 - Montreal, QB - Parc Jean-Drapeau*^
29 - Los Angeles, CA - Rose Bowl*+

August
4 - Phoenix, AZ - University of Phoenix Stadium*+
6 - San Diego, CA - Petco Park*+
9 - Seattle, WA - Centurylink Field*+
11-13 - San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands
14 - Vancouver, BC - BC Place*+
16 - Edmonton, AB - Commonwealth Stadium*+

* With Avenged Sevenfold
^ With Volbeat
+ With Gojira
# With Local H

European diabolical death/black metal kings BELPHEGOR will release their new album, "Totenritual", on September 15 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was recorded at Stage One Studios in Germany and Studio Mischmaschine in Austria and will be mixed by Jason Suecof and mastered by Mark Lewis at Audiohammer Studios in Florida.

The artwork was once again created by Greek artist Seth Siro Anton, who also painted the cover artwork for 2006's "Pestokalypse VI" and 2014's "Conjuring The Dead".

BELPHEGOR singer, guitarist and founder Helmuth Lehner states: "It is the most brutally heavy offering we have consecrated thus far. The drums are precise and very technical with loads of breaks, fills and tempo changes. The bass is like a panzer tank. Also, the rhythm guitars are utterly aggressive and obscure. You don't hear guitars like that anywhere with such a massively low tuning."

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Baphomet02. The Devil's Son03. Swinefever - Regent Of Pigs04. Apophis - Black Dragon05. Totenkult - Exegesis Of Deterioration06. Totenbeschwörer [Instrumental]07. Spell Of Reflection 08. Embracing A Star09. Totenritual

"Something Inside", a new song from RIVERDOGS, the band featuring DEF LEPPARD and LAST IN LINE guitarist Vivian Campbell, can be streamed below. The track is taken from RIVERDOGS' comeback album, "California", which will be released on July 7 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Featuring original members Campbell, Rob Lamothe (vocals, guitars) and Nick Brophy (bass, vocals), along with drummer Marc Danzeisen, the band's fifth album is RIVERDOGS' first new music since the eight-song mini album, "World Gone Mad", came out in October 2011.

Mixing the soulful vocals of Lamothe with the edgy guitarwork of Campbell and solid rhythmic lines from Brophy and Danzeisen, the album marks a definitive return to the sound of their critically acclaimed 1990 self-titled debut album. On the making of the album, Campbell says: "When my friends at Frontiers suggested a RIVERDOGS album in the spirit of the original debut record, I jumped at the chance to make it. In my opinion, 'Riverdogs' was a highlight of my career with some of my best guitar playing and definitely a record that flew under the radar. Having a clear direction of exactly what kind of record to make really helped the four of us create the music and there was an intense collective focus throughout the entire process that never wavered. I really think that we hit the target in creating a record that has all the hallmarks, the integrity and the emotional strength of the original debut. The fact that we've all remained such close friends throughout all the years only added to the joyous experience that was the making of this record."

Adds Lamothe: "Going into this project, my goal was to enjoy the opportunity of making music with some of my best friends, to share this incredible experience with my family... and to create something that RIVERDOGS fans will probably think is pretty bloody awesome. Big guitars! Beautiful melodies! Words about crazy, complicated, real stuff! I feel like Nick, Viv, Marc and I all brought our 'A' games to the writing and recording sessions. That's way more important than money and awards and fame to me" Brophy sums up the writing process for the album: "In summer of 2016, I found myself in Los Angeles, reunited with three of my closest friends, about to begin a new RIVERDOGS album. Marc had arranged a rehearsal environment at a friend's house, which was to provide the creative atmosphere for writing new material. I stood there with bass in hand thinking, 'Okay, now what?' Little did I know that a few days later we would have six new RIVERDOGS songs and the album 'California' was born. The remaining six songs came, surprisingly, just as easily, a testament to the amazing talents of Vivian, Rob, Marc and the effortless way in which we work as a group. Our clear goal for this album was to remain true to the original RIVERDOGS sound and provide fans with a new set of songs which carry on the legacy of a truly remarkable band." RIVERDOGS formed in Los Angeles at the end of the '80s when flashy, glitzy hard rock ruled the day, but they were determined to avoid clichés and adopted an original sounding blues-rock style. Campbell of SWEET SAVAGE, DIO and WHITESNAKE fame at the time (soon to join and become a long-standing member of DEF LEPPARD and later, founding member of LAST IN LINE as well) was initially brought on board to produce the band's first demo, but was so impressed with the band that he actually became a member and played on the debut album. Soon after the release, Marc Danzeisen joined Rob, Nick and Vivian to complete the lineup. Though fans and critics gave the album a warm reception and high regard, the unfortunate and age old story of change of personnel at their record label came about and eventually led the band members to go their own ways, with Campbell settling into the DEF LEPPARD lineup and Nick Brophy becoming a respected engineer and producer. RIVERDOGS, with a revamped lineup, released two more records in 1993, "Bone" and "Absolutely Live", before going on an extended hiatus. They reconvened, with the original lineup, in 2003 to record new material and play a few reunion shows. Those new songs were recorded as demos, but only completed in the studio in 2011 when their last album, "World Gone Mad", was released.

Now, six years after their last studio album, RIVERDOGS have crafted "California", a record that truly recreates the magical sounds of their early days and that will surely be welcomed with open arms by fans both old and new. "California" track listing:

01. American Dream02. The Revolution Starts Tonight03. Something Inside04. Golden Glow05. You're Too Rock And Roll06. The Heart Is A Mindless Bird07. Searching For A Signal08. Welcome To The New Disaster09. Ten Thousand Reasons10. Catalina11. I Don't Know Anything

Fan-filmed video footage of MORBID ANGEL's entire May 29 concert at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Summoning Redemption02. Bil Ur-Sag03. I04. Warped05. Nothing Is Not06. To The Victor The Spoils07. Curse The Flesh08. Prayer Of Hatred09. Covenant Of Death10. Praise The Strength11. Beneath The Hollow12. Ageless, Still I Am

Encore:

13. He Who Sleeps14. Umulamahri

MORBID ANGEL played a brand new song, "Warped", live for the first time on May 23 at the opening show of the band's North American tour at The Beacham in Orlando, Florida.

In a recent interview with Orlando Weekly, MORBID ANGEL's current frontman, Steve Tucker, who is back for his third spell with the group, was asked if the band's current trek — which ends on June 27 in New Orleans — will see the band performing any songs from its recently completed new studio album. "Probably one or two new songs; the album's almost done, but we don't want to put out too much with YouTube putting it up the next day," Tucker explained. "The setlist will be different, too — in the past, we've covered all of MORBID ANGEL's discography, but this time we went with the discography between Trey [Azagthoth, guitar] and I. I'm really excited about the fact that every song we play is a song I was a part of. There are some MORBID ANGEL classics that aren't there, but we made our own classics."

MORBID ANGEL's new disc was recorded at Mana Recording in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer — and former MORBID ANGEL guitarist — Erik Rutan. Tentatively due in the fall via UDR Music, the LP will mark the band's first release with drummer Scott Fuller (ANNIHILATED, ex-ABYSMAL DAWN) who joined MORBID ANGEL last year following the departure of Tim Yeung. It will also be MORBID ANGEL's first album to feature Tucker since 2003's "Heretic".

Tucker told "The Metal Magdalene With Jet" show about MORBID ANGEL's approach on the upcoming album: "It was really just about writing music — it was just about writing a MORBID ANGEL album. Nobody said, 'Hey, we wanna go in this direction,' nobody said anything. I mean, there's obvious things there. I've said it before — I'm a death metal guy, so, for me, it's gonna be a death metal album; if I'm on it, it's death metal. So it was just about making a MORBID ANGEL album. It was really about coming in with something new, something fresh, but yet it still being MORBID ANGEL. Really, honestly, we didn't approach this any differently than any of the other albums I was involved in except for maybe [1998's] 'Formulas Fatal To The Flesh', which 'Formulas', Trey wrote all the music, all the lyrics and things like that. But this was done more similar to maybe [2000's] 'Gateways To Annihilation', where everybody had their contribution. Trey wrote a bunch of songs, I wrote songs, Scotty contributed some ideas. There was a lot of back-and-forth. In the end, it has to become a MORBID ANGEL song. And at this point, I feel that it's very much a MORBID ANGEL album."

MORBID ANGEL in January announced the addition of Dan Vadim Von (guitarist/frontman of the American death metal band VADIMVON) to the band's lineup on second guitar. He joined the group as the replacement for Norwegian guitarist Destructhor (a.k.a. Thor Anders Myhren), who left the band a year and a half ago.

MORBID ANGEL's first U.S. tour of 2017 features support from SUFFOCATION, REVOCATION and WITHERED.

Former MORBID ANGEL frontman David Vincent recently joined forces with several other musicians — including Yeung (drums) — to perform classic MORBID ANGEL songs under the I AM MORBID banner.

MORBID ANGEL's controversial 2011 album, "Illud Divinum Insanus", marked the group's first CD to feature Vincent since "Domination".