Richmond, Virginia's MUNICIPAL WASTE will release its sixth album, "Slime And Punishment", on June 23 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The first single from the disc, "Amateur Sketch", can be streamed below.

Ryan Waste states: "We've been getting punished for the last five years by people asking for a new album. Now we're here to return the favor with an aural onslaught of speed metal punk. Enjoy a taste of slime courtesy of the WASTE."

"We're sorry this took so long," comments vocalist Tony Foresta. "That was our bad. It feels good to be back musically kicking you in the balls... and or titties."

"Slime And Punishment" is the first WASTE album to be engineered by bassist Phil "Landphil" Hall at Blaze of Torment Studios in Richmond, Virginia. Mixing and mastering was completed by Bill Metoyer (SLAYER, W.A.S.P., LIZZY BORDEN and DARK ANGEL) in Hollywood, California.

The cover artwork for the sixth album was created by the bands good friend, Andrei Bouzikov. This is the fourth cover he has created for them as he was responsible for the art for "Massive Aggressive", "The Art Of Partying" and the split with TOXIC HOLOCAUST, "Toxic Waste".

"Slime And Punishment" track listing:

01. Breathe Grease02. Enjoy The Night03. Dingy Situations04. Shrednecks05. Poison The Preacher06. Bourbon Discipline07. Parole Violators08. Slime And Punishment09. Amateur Sketch10. Excessive Celebration11. Low Tolerance12. Under The Waste Command13. Death Proof14. Think Fast

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR are returning with a vengeance on June 2 with a brand new live album/home video, titled "Angels Of Mercy - Live In Germany", on Frontiers Music Srl.

A performance clip of the song "Metal Is Forever", taken from "Angels Of Mercy - Live In Germany", can be seen below.

2016 was a very busy year for PRIMAL FEAR. Following the release of their latest killer studio album, "Rulebreaker", in January, the metal warriors embarked on a world tour which shattered all the previously held records for shows played in one year by the band.

"We started in Europe with 11 countries and recorded the concert in Stuttgart for the album and video, which is PRIMAL FEAR's first Blu-ray release," says bassist and co-founding member Mat Sinner. "We continued in the USA and Canada, Japan and for the first time, Australia. Then we played some wonderful festivals in the summer, continued touring in 10 countries in South and Latin America and ended the year with more shows in Europe. It was a fantastic experience for the band and we want to thank every single fan who joined us on this great journey!"

Vocalist and co-founding member Ralf Scheepers adds: "With a handy cam in my suitcase, I have recorded on multiple occasions many behind the scenes shots and funny, candid moments. We recorded an entire show right at the beginning of this fantastic world tour and it gives you an insight to the PRIMAL FEAR live experience on stage. You will find a lot of bonus material such as video clips and different additional surprises, so we can easily say that we are very proud to deliver this package to you…please enjoy and do us a favor: CRANK IT UP!"

The last tour unleashed the best PRIMAL FEAR performances since the band formed in 1998 — a consistently great mix of power, ambition, and enthusiasm filtered through the talent of these insanely great players! There is undoubtedly magnificent performances on this release, with great sound and video quality. This live album offers a barrage of metal anthems in their full glory that will please any headbanger! If you are a metal fan you, then you must see this in all its power and glory.

The package will be released on CD/DVD and Blu-ray on June 2, with vinyl and a limited-edition special box set in the works as well.

Track listing: CD:

01. Countdown To Insanity02. Final Embrace03. In Metal We Trust04. Angel In Black05. Rulebreaker06. Sign Of Fear07. Seven Seals08. Angels Of Mercy09. The End Is Near10. Rollercoaster11. The Sky Is Burning12. Nuclear Fire13. When Death Comes Knocking14. Metal Is Forever15. Fighting The Darkness DVD / Blu-ray:

01. Countdown To Insanity02. Final Embrace03. In Metal We Trust04. Angel In Black05. Rulebreaker06. Sign Of Fear07. Seven Seals08. Let There Be Drums09. Angels Of Mercy10. The End Is Near11. Rollercoaster12. The Sky Is Burning13. Nuclear Fire14. When Death Comes Knocking15. Metal Is Forever16. Fighting The Darkness17. Running In The Dust Bonus features:

- The End Is Near (Videoclip)- Angels Of Mercy (Videoclip)- When Death Comes Knocking (Videoclip)- King For A Day (Videoclip)- Strike (Videoclip)- Chainbreaker (Live At Master Of Rocks)- Rulebreaker World Tour 2016 (documentary)

PRIMAL FEAR is:

Ralf Scheepers - VocalsMat Sinner - BassTom Naumann - GuitarAlex Beyrodt - GuitarFrancesco Jovino - Drums

Wednesday 13, who mixes punk rock and metal with kitschy horror imagery and who is formerly one half of the MURDERDOLLS braintrust, will release his seventh solo studio album, titled "Condolences", on June 2 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The follow-up to 2015's "Monsters Of The Universe" was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who previously worked with Wednesday 13 and guitarist Roman Surman on the 2010 MURDERDOLLS album "Women & Children Last". The artwork was created by Travis Smith (OPETH, KATATONIA, NEVERMORE) and can be seen below.

The official video for the song "Blood Sick" can be seen below.

Wednesday 13 comments: "I'm really excited for you all to see the video for 'Blood Sick'. It was all shot on green screen with director Matt Zane.

"The song is about a spider torturing a fly in its web before devouring it, and I wanted to try and capture that scenario with the band in a giant spider web.

"I had this vision in my head when we first wrote the song and it's so cool to see it finally come to life."

"Condolences" track listing:

01. Last Rites02. What The Night Brings03. Cadaverous04. Blood Sick05. Good Riddance06. You Breathe, I Kill07. Omen Amen08. Cruel To You09. Eulogy XIII10. Prey For Me11. Lonesome Road To Hell12. Condolences13. Death Infinity

Wednesday 13 told Creative Loafing that "Condolences" may be his darkest and heaviest album to date. "The campiness is kind of gone off of this record," he said. "It's definitely heavier, and definitely the best-produced sounding thing, I think, I've ever recorded. A lot of people go, 'He's serious now!' Well, I'm 40 years old now. I'm growing with the music, my band, everything, and this record definitely has some experimenting with different sounds and things. The sense of humor is still always there, but maybe not as campy as it's always been, and sometimes that comes off more serious."

Regarding the subject matter covered on "Condolences", Wednesday 13 said: "The theme is death, and it comes from everything from the point of view of a killer, the point of view of being killed, and the whole record ends with the title track 'Condolences' and that's like the funeral."

He continued: "It's just a dark, weird record, kind of inspired by basically everybody who seems to be dropping around us. I kept seeing, 'Condolences, sorry for your loss,' and I saw that, and I themed the record around what's in the air right now."

Photo credit: Jeremy Saffer

The UK’s Mirror is reporting that Iron Maiden scheduled their current Book Of Souls World Tour around the World Snooker Final. The German leg was halted so drummer Nicko McBrain could fly to Sheffield to watch the championship on Sunday and Monday.

He said, “My manager said to us last year when we were halfway through our tour that we’d be doing a three-month jaunt this year to finish off - with a British tour and a proper American tour and a handful of European shows,” said McBrain.

 “I said, ‘Well, all right mate, there’s one condition: I have to have the Bank Holiday weekend off - the Sunday and Monday’.”

Iron Maiden kicked off their The Book Of Souls Tour 2017 onApril 22nd in at the Sportpalais in Antwerp, Belgium. The band's setlist featured:

“If Eternity Should Fail"
“Speed Of Light"
“Wrathchild"
“Children Of The Damned"
“Death Or Glory"
“The Red And The Black"
“The Trooper"
“Powerslave"
“The Great Unknown"
“The Book Of Souls"
“Fear Of The Dark"
“Iron Maiden"

Encore:
“The Number Of The Beast"
“Blood Brothers"
“Wasted Years”

Check out the new tour intro and a selection of fan-filmed footage from the show below:

Iron Maiden’s The Book Of Souls Tour will continue into Germany, UK and Ireland, finishing with two sold-out shows at London’s 02 arena on May 27th and 28th.

The band then flies to the US for an extensive series of arena and amphitheatre shows including dates in Canada, ending with two nights in Brooklyn, New York on July 21st and 22nd.

Most shows are already sold-out. Go to ironmaiden.com/tours for dates availability.

Lonely Robot, the project masterminded by producer, guitarist and singer/songwriter John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*, Arena), release the new studio album, The Big Dream, today (April 28th). A video for the album track “Sigma” is available for streaming below.

Following 2015's debut Please Come Home, The Big Dream has a core theme running through it - one that sees The Astronaut, the central character in the Lonely Robot adventure, emerging from a long period in stasis.

Mitchell explains: "The Astronaut wakes up from a cryogenic sleep but finds he's no longer in space, and is instead in a woodland area surrounded by a group of strange people with animal heads! It's a little surreal, a little 'Midsummer Night's Dream' to some extent. This is something of a solipsistic haze, for want of a better description!"

Mitchell explains more about his Lonely Robot concept: "I have always envisaged the storyline of The Astronaut's journey evolving over the course of three albums. And I always knew where I wanted to go with the second album - taking The Astronaut away from space and into a strange and unfamiliar environment. Right now, I have no thoughts of what will happen for the third one but I'd better start thinking about it now!"

"The key inspiration for Lonely Robot comes from my love of science fiction films, and the atmospheric soundtracks that often accompany them - such as Alan Silvestri's compositions for 'Contact' and Clint Mansell's work for 'Moon'."

The album once again features drums by Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson), with all other instrumentation on the album delivered by Mitchell himself.

The Big Dream is available as a special edition digipak CD (including three bonus tracks), gatefold 2LP + CD & digital download.

Tracklisting:

“Prologue (Deep Sleep)”
“Awakenings”
“Sigma”
“In Floral Green”
“Everglow”
“False Lights”
“Symbolic”
“The Divine Art Of Being”
“The Big Dream”
“Hello World Goodbye”
“Epilogue (Sea Beams)”
“In Floral Green” (acoustic version) (bonus track)
“The Divine Art Of Being” (acoustic version) (bonus track)
“Why Do We Stay?” (feat. Kim Seviour) (bonus track)

“Sigma” video:

Track-by-track Pt. 1:

In conjunction with Cirith Ungol's first ever live show on European soil at the Keep It True festival in Lauda-Konigshofen, Germany, Metal Blade Records has released the Ultimate Edition of Cirith Ungol's King Of The Dead album. The album is available for streaming in it’s entirety below.

King Of The Dead Ultimate Edition can be ordered here in the following formats:

- CD/DVD Digipak
- 180g black vinyl
- clear ice blue vinyl (limited to 300 copies - EU exclusive)
- turquoise green/black-marbled vinyl (limited to 200 copies - EU exclusive)
- blood-red vinyl (limited to 200 copies - USA exclusive)

* digital options are also available

The King Of The Dead - Ultimate Edition digipak CD features a full re-mastering by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony, five bonus tracks, expanded packaging and a bonus-DVD. The King Of The Dead - Ultimate Edition LP will be released as part of the Metal Blade Originals series; featuring 400g spine sleeves, a 12-page booklet and an A1 sized poster, the vinyl was also mastered and fully restored by Patrick W. Engel in January 2017. This version reflects the original sound of the 1st vinyl pressing, released on Enigma in 1984.

King Of The Dead Ultimate Edition tracklisting:

“Atom Smasher”
“Black Machine”
“Master Of The Pit”
“King Of The Dead”
“Death Of The Sun”
“Finger Of Scorn”
“Toccata In D Minor”
“Cirith Ungol”
“Last Laugh” (Live)*
“Death Of The Sun” (alt mix)**
“Master Of The Pit” (Live)***
“King Of The Dead” (Live)***
“Cirith Ungol” (Live)***

* Live 1984 (bonus Track on original CD)
** alternative version (taken from Metal Massacre I)
*** Live at Frost & Fire Fest II at the Majestic Ventura Theater in Ventura on October 8th, 2016

Bonus-DVD track-listing (Live at The Roxy, West Hollywood, CA on January 19th, 1983):

“Atom Smasher”
“I'm Alive”
“Black Machine”
“Master Of The Pit”
“King Of The Dead”
“Death Of The Sun”
“Finger Of Scorn”
“Cirith Ungol”

Album stream:

Cirith Ungol lineup on King Of The Dead:

Tim Baker - vocals
Jerry Fogle - guitars
Michael 'Flint' Vujejia - bass
Robert Garven - drums

Cirith Ungol will perform live in Europe for the first time ever at the Keep It True festival in Lauda-Konigshofen on April 28th - 29th. See below for all dates.

April
28-29 - Lauda-Konigshofen, Germany - Keep It True Festival

May
26-27 - Athens, Greece - Up The Hammers

July
21-22 - Crispendorf, Germany - Chaos Descends

November
17-18 - Wurzburg, Germany - Hammer Of Doom

St. Louis metal act Black Fast has released a cover track of “Thunder And Lightning,” the classic Thin Lizzy  track from 1983 album of the same name.. The track is also available on iTunes.

“Thin Lizzy is my favorite band," says frontman and guitarist Aaron Akin. "I have this double live album they recorded on their last tour called Life that starts with this song. You can hear the crowd, imagine them walking out onstage and going right into this track. Sadly 'Thunder and Lightning' was the last Thin Lizzy record, Phil died a few short years after its release. It oozes cool, as he did. And the John Sykes guitar solo! I had to call on one of my best buds Reece Scruggs (Havok / Century Media Records) to step up and let one rip for us and he absolutely nailed it. I think this fucker landed pretty cool. It’s dangerous. it's streetlights and leather. It's a switchblade." 

America’s newest neo-classic riff masters Black Fast released Terms Of Surrender a few summers ago via eOne Music. Ripping pages from Death's technical death metal guidebook, the St. Louis foursome conjures the spirit of the late, great Chuck Schuldiner while channeling the viciousness of Megadeth's young-and-hungry Dave Mustaine and blistering aggression of Kreator’s Mille Petrozza.

The band tapped veteran producer Erik Rutan for the effort on their debut LP for eOne Music. Known for his work with Hate Eternal, Six Feet Under, Goatwhore and Cannibal Corpse, Rutan was an easy choice.

(Photo by: RKNPHOTO, Kenny Williamson)

Rhino has announced the release of deluxe editions of the Bad Company albums, Run With The Pack and Burnin’ Sky, on May 26th. Listen to the previously unreleased Run With The Pack track, "Sweet Lil' Sister" below:

Both feature the remastered original album along with rare and unreleased recordings like this previously unissued version of "Young Blood" (Alternate Version 2) recorded in Grasse, France and engineered by Ron Nevison (Led Zeppelin, UFO, Hear) and "Morning Sun" (Take 3, Early Version) recorded by Chris Kimsey at Le Chateau Studios, Herouville, France, in the summer of 1976.

Download the tracks instantly when you pre-order their respective albums from iTunes (links below).

- Run With The Pack

- Burnin’ Sky

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin makes a guest appearance on "Grandview", the new single from John Mellencamp. Also featured on the track — which is included on Mellencamp's new album "Sad Clowns & Hillbillies" — is country singer Martina McBride.

According to NPR, "Grandview" is "the album's only real rocker," and it is "sung from the perspective a working-class middle-aged man whose biggest dream is outfitting himself with a trailer and getting out of town."

Stradlin previously appeared on Mellencamp's song "Miss Missy", which was included on the rocker's 1998 album "John Mellencamp".

"Sad Clowns & Hillbillies" is being released today (Friday, April 28).

It was rumored in September that Stradlin turned down a five-figure fee to play with GUNS N' ROSES at last April's reunion shows.

Stradlin tweeted about the dispute, writing that the band didn't want to "split the loot equally."

The April gigs included a warm-up gig at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, two shows at the Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena, a pair at Foro Sol in Mexico City and the band's headlining appearance at Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival. It is unclear which shows Stradlin would have performed at and/or if he could have signed on for the summer reunion tour.

GUNS N' ROSES' "Not In This Lifetime" tour features three members of the classic GUNS N' ROSES lineup — guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and singer Axl Rose — backed by drummer Frank Ferrer, guitarist Richard Fortus, and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Melissa Reese.

Influenced by bands such as Symphony X, Dream Theater, Haken, Plini, Rush along with classical, jazz and progressive rock, Montreal-based Cydemind will be releasing their first full length album, Erosion, on May 26th to follow their to 2014 debut EP Through Mist and Ages.

The album offers a refreshing take on progressive music that is sure to attract interest from a wide audience, especially with classically trained violinist Olivier Allard, who leads the listener throughout the different moods of their compositions. The album track “Tree Of Tales” is available for streaming below.

"After the release of our first single “What Remains”, we wanted to show another side of Cydemind. “Tree Of Tales” offers many different moods and time signatures. There’s some groovy drum and bass lines, lots of grand piano and of course Olivier’s violin shines on top of all that,” explains guitarist and main songwriter Kevin Paquet.

Erosion was recorded in Montreal at The Grid with producer Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, The Agonist, Beyond Creation, Neuraxis) along with additional recording of grand piano done at Studio 270. The release consists of six compositions including a 27 minute masterpiece of the album's title track, making it the band's most ambitious project to date. The album artwork was done by drummer and band co-founder Alexandre Dagenais along with lyrical poems included with the release written by pianist Camille Delage. The poems describe each composition as the album gravitates around the theme of nature and its persistence through time.

Erosion will be available on iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify and all other major online retailers as of May 26th.

Tracklisting:

“What Remains”
“Tree Of Tales”
“Derecho”
“Red Tides”
“Stream Capture”
“Erosion”

“Tree Of Tales”:

“What Remains”:

Cydemind is:
Olivier Allard (Violins)
Alexandre Dagenais (Drums)
Camille Delage (Keyboards/Piano)
Nico Damoulianos (Bass)
Kevin Paquet (Guitars)

Pictured above, L-R: Camille Delage (Keys), Nico Damoulianos (Bass), Olivier Allard (Violin), Alexandre Dagenais (Drums), Kevin Paquet (Guitars)

"Paris", the new concert DVD and Blu-ray from German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN, will be released on May 19. The set was recorded in March 2012 at the then-named Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris (now AccorHotels Arena) during RAMMSTEIN's "Made In Germany" tour, and was helmed by the band's longtime collaborator, Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund. Åkerlund has also worked with METALLICA, SATYRICON, MADONNA and THE PRODIGY, among others.

A performance clip of the song "Links 2 3 4", taken from "Paris", can be seen below.

21 years down the line, with the original lineup, the six East Berliners stand at the very apex of the rock world, achieving album and DVD sales in the millions, headlining festivals and major venues around the world and selling out shows in record time (the band's bill-topping appearance at New York's Madison Square Garden saw the 20,000 seats snapped up in just 20 minutes!) Trafalgar Releasing had worldwide rights to "Paris" excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland (which were distributed by NFP). The top-performing territories for Trafalgar Releasing were Russia, Latin America and Poland, helping to achieve over $1 million for the outfit. NFP's territories saw a grossing of almost $1.2 million across two screening dates, coming in second on Germany's weekend box office. "Paris" has become one of Trafalgar Releasing's top music events following the worldwide screenings of "Roger Waters: The Wall" (which made almost $5 million at the global box office with top performing territories including Italy, Latin America, Czech Republic, France and Germany) and "One More Time With Feeling With Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds" (from acclaimed director Andrew Dominik, which achieved over $2.2 million). 2017 has also seen Trafalgar Releasing (in partnership with CinEvents) screen across the U.K. and selected European territories, a targeted release of "Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" (alongside a new interview with the drummer from David Bowie's band produced by MOJO magazine), which made an impressive $240,000 from just 200 screens. Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing, has said on the success: "It was great to work so closely with RAMMSTEIN's management team on the release of 'Paris' — they helped us talk directly to the passionate fan base of the band, who came out to celebrate this truly unique event. We look forward to working on similar kinds of projects in the future and bringing music events to the big screen around the world."

Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., who joined Ozzy Osbourne's just under a decade ago, says that "it's great to see" the BLACK SABBATH singer back together with his longtime axeman Zakk Wylde.

It was announced earlier today that Wylde would be rejoining Ozzy's backing group for all his upcoming 2017 solo show dates. Osbourne's touring lineup will also include Rob "Blasko" Nicholson on bass, Tommy Clufetos on drums and Adam Wakeman on keyboards.

Within a couple of hours of the announcement, Gus, who played on Ozzy's latest studio album, 2010's "Scream", released a statement thanking his former boss and praising the singer's decision to rejoin forces with Zakk.

"It's been an honor and a privilege playing by your side since 2009," Gus wrote on social media. "Nothing but great times and an experience of a lifetime.

"To Ozzy and Sharon — thanks for everything. [I] love ya!

"To Blasko, Adam and Tommy — [it has] been a pleasure rocking with you!

"As a fan, it's great to see Ozzy and Zakk back together. It's been long overdue.

"Last but not least — thanks to all the fans that showed love and support all these years. See you out there soon!

"Ozzy rules!"

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.

In a 2010 interview with Metal Insider, Gus said that he "wouldn't be surprised" if Ozzy one day felt like playing with Zakk again. He said: "For me, when I was growing up, Zakk was there. The first time I ever saw on TV, Zakk Wylde was on guitar. From my generation, Zakk Wylde was the man. As a fan above all, I know these guys, they're like family more than just a team. So I definitely wouldn't be surprised if one day he would jam again with Ozzy. I know these guys love each other."

He continued: "Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way, but as a fan, trying to look from the outside, I mean I grew up watching Ozzy and Zakk together and that's all I'm saying. I also know that Zakk's been in and out of the band as well a couple of times. But with all that said, I'm very happy and feel very honored that I have this position right now and am there doing it."

Gus recently released a new studio album with his long-running band FIREWIND, "Immortals", after issuing two discs as a solo artist.

For the first time in more than a decade, Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde are together again.

Known as one of rock's most lethal singer and guitarist pairings, the two will hit the road for a series of Ozzy headlining shows in the U.S. this summer and fall, beginning July 14.

While they've performed together over the years, these shows are the first collaboration for the duo for a full tour since 2006. These dates also mark Ozzy's first solo tour in the U.S. in years beyond one Ozzy & Friends performance at the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana in October 2015.

Ozzy and Zakk first teamed up 30 years ago when Zakk (whom Ozzy describes as "a fucking absolutely amazing guitar player") joined Ozzy's band in 1987; they last recorded in 2007 on Ozzy's acclaimed "Black Rain" album.

In addition to reuniting with Zakk Wylde on guitar, Ozzy's band will include longtime collaborators Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (bass), Tommy Clufetos (drums) and Adam Wakeman (keyboards). Ozzy's tour dates kick off in July at the Rock USA festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with additional dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

"I'm so happy to be getting back on the road with Zakk, Blasko, Tommy and Adam," says Ozzy Osbourne. "This is what I do. This is where I belong, on the road."

"I'm really looking forward to the hardcore powahlifting training sessions with Ozzy as well as playing music in between sets of heavy squats, benching and deadlifts," Zakk Wylde adds.

Next up for Ozzy: prepping for a new solo album for 2018 on Epic.

Ozzy's initial 2017 tour dates are as follows:

Jul. 14 - Oshkosh, WI Ozzy at Rock USAJul. 16 - Chicago, IL Chicago Open Air FestivalAug. 09 - Sturgis, SD The Legendary Buffalo ChipAug. 21 - Cartersville, IL Moonstock 2017 Festival

Asked in a March 2016 interview with the SiriusXM show "Dirty Sexy Funny" if he had spoken to Ozzy about possibly playing together again, Zakk said: "Well, my relationship with [Ozzy]… He's the godfather of [my] oldest son, so I mean… And Sharon [Ozzy's wife and manager], I love her like a mother. So, our relationship is bigger than the music. If they called me up and asked me to come over, bring some eggs and milk over to the house and clean the dog run 'cause they had company coming over, I'd do it. But if Ozz ever wants to do anything, we'd do it. But Gus [G.], who plays guitar with him now in the solo band, I'm buddies with Gus, and Gus is a phenomenal, shredding, awesome guitar player and awesome dude. But, nah, I mean, Gus is the guitar player now, but if Ozz ever asked me… Like I said, if Gus's wide was pregnant and they were having kids and he was, like, 'Gus is gonna be down for three months, 'cause he wants to be home. Can you come out on the road?' I'd do it. That's the way we roll."

In a 2010 interview with Metal Insider, most recent Ozzy guitarist Gus G. said that he "wouldn't be surprised" if Ozzy one day felt like playing with Zakk again. He said: "For me, when I was growing up, Zakk was there. The first time I ever saw on TV, Zakk Wylde was on guitar. From my generation, Zakk Wylde was the man. As a fan above all, I know these guys, they're like family more than just a team. So I definitely wouldn't be surprised if one day he would jam again with Ozzy. I know these guys love each other."

He continued: "Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way, but as a fan, trying to look from the outside, I mean I grew up watching Ozzy and Zakk together and that's all I'm saying. I also know that Zakk's been in and out of the band as well a couple of times. But with all that said, I'm very happy and feel very honored that I have this position right now and am there doing it."

Ozzy first announced that he was looking to replace Wylde in his solo band in June 2009 interview with Classic Rock magazine.

As for why he wanted to break away from Wylde, who had played with Ozzy on and off since 1988, Ozzy said, "I haven't fallen out with Zakk, but Zakk's got his own band, and I felt like my stuff was beginning to sound like BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. I just felt like I wanted a change, y'know?"

In an interview with a Eugene, Oregon radio station in July 2009, Zakk slammed Ozzy over his Classic Rock comments, saying in part, "I've gotta be honest with you. The boss hasn't even given me a phone call, so I mean... I'm just like... I don't know what's going on over there. Are we doing this thing or are we not doing it?... I mean, it's like, dude, you don't wanna play with me anymore? Fine. Play with whoever the hell you wanna play with. I couldn't give a rat's ass. Like I'm gonna get all jealous or whatever. But you know what?! Man up and give me a phone call and tell me what the hell's going on."

Wylde's answer after that abruptly turned into an obscenity-filled rant directed at Ozzy that had to be heavily bleeped by the station.

Zakk reportedly quit drinking and has been sober since being diagnosed with blood clots in 2009.

Photo credit: Mark Weiss Photography

Progressive sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD have announced a new string of dates in support of their latest mini-CD, "Post Society". The trek, which will kicked off in early June, will see the band playing festivals and club shows in Europe as well as selected dates in their Canadian home afterwards, including an appearance as support to METALLICA in Quebec City. VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin stated: "The writing of the new album is nearing completion, but it is already time for us to fresh up the set list for the first leg of our European tour in June. I am especially excited to play Sweden Rock once more. When we played there in 2009, I got to watch UFO performing a stellar set. This time we are sharing the stage with other heroes of mine, LUCIFER'S FRIEND! "We will come back home to play some cool shows in July, including the Quebec City Summer Festival with METALLICA. In August, we will record the new album before playing the famous Wings Of Metal festival in Montreal in September. Then we will head for Europe again in the fall."

Tour dates: June 08 - Hamburg – Logo (Germany)June 09 - Sölvesborg – Sweden Rock Festival (Sweden)June 10 - Rheine – Hypothalamus (Germany)June 11 - Goes – Podium ��t Beest (The Netherlands)June 12 - Aalst – Cirque Mystic (Belgium)June 13 - Norwich – Waterfront (UK)June 14 - Glasgow – Audio (UK)June 15 - Newcastle – Riverside (UK)June 16 - Leeds – Temple Of Boom (UK)June 17 - Nottingham – The Dog House (UK)June 18 - London – Underworld (UK)June 19 - Essen – Turock (Germany)June 20 - Dresden – Scheune (Germany)June 21 - Tilburg – Little Devil (The Netherlands)

2013's "Target Earth", VOIVOD's first album of new material written without original guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour's left-over riffs, was almost universally hailed it as a triumphant return to form, a return to the "classic" VOIVOD sound, and the best thing they'd done in years.

VOIVOD in 2014 parted ways with bassist Jean-Yves Thériault (a.k.a. Blacky) and replaced him with Dominic "Rocky" Laroche.

Amplified Ale Works has announced their newest beer collaboration with rock legends Motörhead. Born to Lose IPA is a boldly aggressive West Coast-style IPA, befitting of the band's loud, aggressive style. The 6.5% IPA is brewed with Cascade, Simcoe and Citra hops that provide an earthy, resinous aroma with notes of fresh citrus.

In an ode to Motörhead’s British roots, the beer was also brewed with Maris Otter, a premium British malt that brings a sweet balance to the beer's bold bitterness.

The limited edition beer will be sold directly from Amplified's two San Diego locations and will also be available for purchase via TheBeerConnect.com for refrigerated shipping throughout California.

The can features an original design of band members in a dystopian "Born To Lose" future from LA-based artist Jack Gregory. The follow-up beer in the series, Live To Win IPA, will be released later this year. 

Italian symphonic power metal kings, Rhapsody Of Fire, have re-recorded their biggest classic songs of the “Rhapsody” years (1997 - 2002) with enormous effort and a huge result. The first single from the album, “When Demons Awake”, is now available for download on all digital platforms. The track is available for streaming below.

Mixed and mastered by Seeb Levermann (Orden Ogan), Legendary Years will be released on May 26th via AFM Records, available as Digipak CD and Limited Edition 2LP set (coloured vinyl).

Tracklisting:

“Dawn Of Victory”
“Knightrider Of Doom”
“Flames Of Revenge”
“Beyond The Gates Of Infinity”
“Land Of Immortals”
“Emerald Sword”
“Legendary Tales”
“Dargor, Shadowlord Of The Black Mountain”
“When Demons Awake”
“Wings Of Destiny”
“Riding The Winds Of Eternity”
“The Dark Tower Of Abyss”
“Holy Thunderforce”
“Rain Of A Thousand Flames”

“When Demons Awake”:

(Photo - Massimo Goina)

Fan-filmed video footage of IRON MAIDEN's April 25 performance at König-Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

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 Unknown (live debut)10. The Book Of Souls11. Fear Of The Dark12. Iron Maiden

Encore:

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

MAIDEN's European tour consists 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 marks MAIDEN's first full UK arena tour in six years.

The German leg will see MAIDEN also perform in Frankfurt and Hamburg before dates in Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham, London, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Cardiff and Dublin.

SHINEDOWN is providing support act on all sixteen dates.

Prior to the tour, IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris said: "As it's been so long since our last full U.K. arena tour, we really wanted to get to our fans in as many cities as possible. We're really looking forward to it, especially visiting places we haven't been to for a very long time, like Leeds, where we haven't played since 2005, and Liverpool, where we haven't played since 1990.

"The whole band is really enjoying this tour and although we love playing festivals and stadiums, it is terrific to return to the intimacy and atmosphere of arenas.

"The songs from 'The Book Of Souls' album and the new Maya-themed Eddies and stage sets have gone down really well and fan reaction has been amazing. And, of course, we know our fans appreciate us playing a lot of the older songs too, which we will continue to do."

"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.

IRON MAIDEN's "The Book Of Souls" world tour will return to North America for an extensive series of arena and amphitheater shows in June and July. Support on the trek will come from GHOST.

Swedish classic/progressive rock supergroup, The Night Flight Orchestra, featuring members of metal frontrunners Soilwork and Arch Enemy, are streaming the new song “Sad State Of Affairs”, featured on their forthcoming third studio album, Amber Galactic, which is scheduled to be released on May 19th via Nuclear Blast. Listen to the track below.

The standard cover for the new album can be seen below.

Singer Björn Strid states: "Amber Galactic is a relationship drama set in space, the first classic rock space opera on double vinyl. As seasoned musicians, we're taking this project seriously, although we might come across as slightly retrofuturistic at times, there's no irony involved. It's just us trying to shape our future into a place where our race is led by female space commanders with pearl necklaces and a quasar sense of gravity. Amber Galactic is about setting free from genre boundaries and expectations that are put on people like us. We just want to create music that we would like to hear ourselves, but that isn't only for us.

“The Night Flight Orchestra is here to set you free, to invite you to enjoy music in whatever form it is presented. For this particular journey, we'd like you to follow us into space, but who knows where we'll go next! After entering the NFO universe, you won't ever be the same!"

Amber Galactic will be available as a limited edition digipak CD featuring an alternate cover art (see below), 2LP vinyl (black and violet sparkle) and as digital download and stream via all known platforms. Pre-order the new album here.

Amber Galactic tracklisting:

“Midnight Flyer”
“Star Of Rio”
“Gemini”
“Sad State Of Affairs”
“Jennie”
“Domino”
“Josephine”
“Space Whisperer”
“Something Mysterious”
“Saturn In Velvet”
“Just Another Night” (bonus track, limited edition digipak, vinyl)
“Fly Tonight (Never Rewind)” (bonus track, Japan only)

“Sad State Of Affairs”:

“Gemini” video:

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Trailer #3:

“Midnight Flyer” lyric video:

When asked about the direction of NFO within the realm of classic rock, Strid explains with a chuckle: "Most other classic rock bands sound like weed or LSD - we sound like cocaine."

Amber Galactic was recorded at Handsome Hard Studio in Lund, Sweden. The album follows The Night Flight Orchestra's two previous releases, 2012's Internal Affairsand 2015's Skyline Whispers. Stay tuned for more coming soon in the world of The Night Flight Orchestra.

The Night Flight Orchestra lineup:

Björn Strid - vocals
Sharlee D' Angelo - bass
David Andersson - guitars
Richard Larsson - keyboards
Jonas Källsbäck - drums
Sebastian Forslund - guitars, percussion

(Photos - Wayne Bregulla)

Danish / American rock singer Maryann Cotton has completed the recordings of his new, untitled, third album. No release date has been announced yet.

Maryann comments:

“'The new Maryann Cotton album is done! Just listened to the final master and I'm super happy about the final result! This is going to be my third official studio album, and the best one I've done so far! Can't wait for the fans to hear it! We have worked very hard on this album and I think that the whole thing has been taken to another level!

“It's old fashioned and modern at the same time, it's dark and dirty and overall just pure rock 'n roll!''

Maryann Cotton returned to Detroit for the 3rd Annual Dick Wagner Memorial Concert - March 24th at the Motor City Casino.

Norwegian rock band, Pristine, featuring lead singer Heidi Solheim, have released a video for “You Are The One”, the opening track from their upcoming, fourth studio album, Ninja, out on June 23rd via Nuclear Blast. Watch the new clip below.

Commented Heidi Solheim: "We are extremely excited to share the new music with old and new fans! The music on Ninja was written as a result of a very fun and adventurous 2016 where we got to meet a lot of great people. Inspiration is our creative fuel. Hope you will enjoy the record and see you on the road!"

Tracklisting:

“You Are The One”
“Sophia”
“The Perfect Crime”
“The Rebel Song”
“The Parade”
“Ghost Chase”
“Ninja”
“Jekyll & Hyde”
“Forget”
“Ocean”
“California” (Live)
“No Regret” (Live)

“You Are The One” video:

Sacramento, California-based science fiction power metal band, Helion Prime, are streaming their new single, “Remnants Of Stars”, out everywhere via AFM Records (listen below).

Rhythm guitarist Jason Ashcraft comments on the release: "I'm very excited with how this song turned out. It holds true to the Helion Prime sound, but adds a few new elements into the mix. Kayla's vocals are powerful and in your face. Her darker bluesy tone also adds a nice touch. Alex's drumming is monstrous, and I feel it really shines on this single. A great taste of what's to come from both of them! Chad also makes his recording debut with us, offering a very tasty solo that compliments the song well!

“We hope you enjoy this new single. It will also appear on Helion Prime's sophomore album which has a working title of The Terror Of Saibot. An expected release is late 2017/early 2018. Stick around for more details in the coming months.”

Helion Prime lineup:

Jason Ashcraft - Rhythm Guitar
Chad Anderson - Lead Guitar
Jeremy Steinhouse - Bass
Kayla Dixon - Vocals
Alex Bosson - Drums

(Photo - Adrienne Beacco)

VOODOO SIX returns to the scene with the release of its fourth studio album, "Make Way For The King", released via Cadiz Music on September 8. Exclusive special editions will be available via PledgeMusic; anyone pre-ordering through PledgeMusic will receive, ahead of the album's release, an exclusive radio edit of the title track. "Make Way For The King" boasts twelve brand new tracks and was recorded in Los Angeles in 2017. The record, which will be the first album to feature new vocalist Nik Taylor-Stoakes, was produced by Tom Fletcher (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, OZZY OSBOURNE, STEVE LUKATHER, YES, JEFF BECK, SCORPIONS, TOTO).

VOODOO SIX specializes in a delivering driving, contemporary rock with an undercurrent of blues and cut through with killer riffs. Classic Rock approved of their, "groove, pace, power, insistent songs and some stunning musicianship." In support of "Make Way For The King", VOODOO SIX will embark on a U.K. tour. The band is a renowned live force, having toured all over Europe, notably as special guests for IRON MAIDEN, and for Steve Harris's BRITISH LION, but have also performed four times at the Download festival and twice at Sonisphere. Founder member Tony Newton said of the new record and fresh start for the band: "It feels like this is the right time for us to return. We're incredibly proud of the new material and can't wait both for people to enjoy 'Make Way For The King' at home but also to join us for what are going to be some amazing live shows!" The current VOODOO SIX lineup consists of Nik Taylor-Stoakes (lead vocals), Matt Pearce (guitar), Craig Price (guitar), Tony Newton (bass) and Joe Lazarus (drums). "Make Way For The King" track listing:

01. Electric02. Make Way For The King03. Let Me Walk04. Falling Apart05. Riot06. Amen07. Until The End08. Release The Hounds09. The Choking10. Walk A Mile11. Wasteland12. Swept Aside

Fomer THE OATH guitarist Linnéa Olsson has launched a new project called MAGGOT HEART. The new group, which sees her taking up vocal duties for the first time, will release its debut EP, "City Girls", on June 9 via Teratology Sound & Vision.

After leaving her native Sweden in 2012 where she had been active with metal punks SONIC RITUAL (with two EPs, one split LP and a single under their belts) and as a music journalist for over a decade, Linnéa relocated to Berlin, Germany, where she soon co-founded the short-lived but much celebrated THE OATH, with which she wrote and released a single and an album. After their early demise, she was asked to join Finnish band BEASTMILK on second guitar, which shortly afterwards changed their name to GRAVE PLEASURES and went on to release the album "Dreamcrash" in 2015. After a busy year of recording and touring, Linnéa left the band in order to finally focus on something of her own.

And so MAGGOT HEART was born. Recorded with the help of fellow Swedes Uno Bruniusson (PROCESSION, DEATH ALLEY, ex-IN SOLITUDE, GRAVE PLEASURES) on drums and Gottfrid Åhman (NO FUTURE, REVEAL, ex-IN SOLITUDE, INVIDIOUS, REPUGNANT) on bass, the music on "City Girls" is catchy and direct but beneath it all lies a struggling process, both internal and external, which seeks its revenge on the outer world: fists are not being raised in choruses, rather aimed to the face.

"City Girls" track listing:

01. City Girls (4:53)02. Razorhead (3:49)03. No Light In You (3:53)04. Neuromancer (4:01)

"City Girls" recording lineup:

Linnéa Olsson - Guitar, VocalsUno Brunuisson - Drums, PercussionGottfrid Åhman - Bass on tracks 2, 3 and 4Sam Segarra - Bass on track 1

The Acacia Strain will release their new album, Gravebloom, on June 30th via Rise Records. The band is streaming the song "Big Sleep”, which features a guest vocal appearance from Kublai Khan's Matt Honeycutt.

"I didn't even understand what the hell was going on when I first heard this song. Luckily, Matt did guest vocals and saved me the embarrassment," said singer Vincent Bennett.

Fans can pre-order Gravebloom in various packages at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Worthless”
“Plague Doctor”
“Bitter Pill”
“Big Sleep”
“Gravebloom”
“Abyssal Depths”
“Model Citizen”
“Calloused Mouth”
“Dark Harvest”
“Walled City”
“Cold Gloom”

“Bitter Pill”:

Gojira recently played two nights (April 1st and 2nd) at L'Olympia in Paris, France. The band have posted this recap video:

Gojira recently announced a run of US headline dates which will see the group joined by Kyng (5/2 - 5/3), followed by dates with Deafheaven and Code Orange (5/16 - 5/18). For tickets and more information, head here. Check out a tour teaser video below:

Furthermore, Gojira were recently announced as support for Metallica on a string of North American dates. Gojira are set to join Metallica’s WorldWired Tour along with Avenged Sevenfold on July 29th at Los Angeles, CA’s Rose Bowl and continue on the road with them through August 16th.

Gojira are set to embark on a string of US dates with Opeth which will kick-off May 4th at Nashville, Tennessee’s War Memorial Auditorium and will also see Gojira performing festival sets at Monster Energy’s Carolina Rebellion (May 5th) and Rock On The Range (May 19th - 21st). The tour will also include a stop at Morrison, Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 11th.

Find Gojira’s live itinerary at this location.

Only fourteen months after the arrival of its "The Devil Strikes Again" disc, German heavy metal trio RAGE will release its 23rd studio album called "Seasons Of The Black" on July 28 via Nuclear Blast. "Our fans are getting RAGE metal of the very first grade," says RAGE leader Peter "Peavy" Wagner. "We've been able to bring the band's typical trademarks into eleven new songs, and we're sticking to the course that we forged on the last album! This means hard and very catchy compositions that also sound thrash, aggressive and epic." Since RAGE was revamped in 2015, the three bandmembers have fully adapted to each other and the lost harmony has been fully restored. "We are even better matched with each other," says Peavy. "We offer new ideas to each other like we've never done something else before. It also happened that we created a whole new song within just two hours from start to finish, from scratch. Regarding the production, we were also able to prevent some complications, which had been an element of the last album due to a lack of experience. This time, everything worked perfectly." Guitarist Marcos Rodriguez and drummer Vassilios "Lucky" Maniatopoulos have been longtime RAGE fans from the very beginning. Their input also leaves its mark on their second album with RAGE. "Marcos and Lucky well know the 'classic' style-creating spirit of RAGE, so to speak, and on a personal level we all really like each other as well," Peavy says. "This contributed to the possibility of continuing to develop and expanding the band's spirit." The stylistic connection between "The Devil Strikes Again" and "Seasons Of The Black" is also visually reflected in the artwork, once again created by graphic artist Karim König. "We developed the idea together," says Peavy. "In this way, we want to show that both albums belong together in their own way. I modelled the sonically inspired sculpture that dominates the cover on my own. As a basis, I used a very rare skull from my collection, which I poured myself and then re-modelled. Karim created the gloomy landscape with the Golgotha Hill." The title song, "Seasons Of The Black", will be the opener of the 11-track-album. "The song is very personal. It is about a failed lifelong dream," says Peavy. "Imagine being stamped to the ground and looking at the broken pieces of your existence. This, sadly, is a destiny that many people have to share. Most of the songs on the album include a very gloomy view of the world, so we thought 'Seasons Of The Black' would be suitable for the entire album."

"Seasons Of The Black" was recorded in February and March 2017 at Megafon Studios in Burscheid, Germany and at Soundchaser Studios in Zandhoven, Belgium. Its production was handled by RAGE, while Dan Swanö (MARDUK, OPETH, KATATONIA) took care of the mix and mastering at Unisound Studios in Grefrath, Germany.

The official lyric video for "Seven Headed Whore", a brand new song from ICED EARTH, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Incorruptible", which will be released on June 16 via Century Media. The cover artwork for the disc (as well as additional illustrations to every song) was created by David Newman-Stump from Skeleton Crew Tattoo (pencil illustrations) and Roy Young (colors).

"Incorruptible" track listing:

01. Great Heathen Army (5:21)02. Black Flag (4:56)03. Raven Wing (6:25)04. The Veil (4:47)05. Seven Headed Whore (3:00)06. The Relic (Part 1) (4:59)07. Ghost Dance (Awaken The Ancestors) (6:35)08. Brothers (4:45)09. Defiance (4:08)10. Clear The Way (December 13th, 1862) (9:30)

"Incorruptible" will be available in the following formats:

* Deluxe CD digipak with extensive booklet, fold-out poster and slipcase (only available in Europe)* CD digipak (only available in the USA)* Strictly limited artbook with 36-page booklet with introduction, additional artworks, sketches and comments by Jon Schaffer to each individual song, CD and double 10" vinyl, worldwide limited to only 3000 copies* Deluxe 2LP version in various vinyl colors (see below for exact color split) with gatefold sleeve, 4-page lyric sheet, 180-gram vinyl, black anti-static inner sleeves, etching and 12-page LP-booklet with artworks to each of the 10 songs* Standard CD jewel case* Digital download / stream

The 2LP version of "Incorruptible" is offered in the following vinyl colors:

* Black vinyl: unlimited and offered through all retail channels* Dark-green vinyl: limited to 200 copies, exclusively available in the U.K.* Yellow vinyl: limited to 200 copies, exclusively available in France* Clear vinyl: limited to 100 copies, exclusively available at Century Media's European online store* Lilac vinyl: limited to 200 copies, exclusively available at Nuclear Blast* Silver vinyl: limited to 200 copies, exclusively available at EMP* Transparent-red vinyl: limited to 500 copies, distributed through RED in the USA* White vinyl: limited to 300 copies, exclusively offered in the USA through F.Y.E.* Transparent-orange vinyl: limited to 200 copies, exclusively sold by ICED EARTH on tour

The artbook version of "Incorruptible" will be offered in the following vinyl colors:

* Transparent-red vinyl: main version, available through all retail channels* Clear vinyl: limited to 100 copies, exclusively available at Century Media's European online store* Golden vinyl: limited to 200 copies, available at various online stores* Black vinyl: limited to 200 copies, available at various online stores* Silver vinyl: limited to 200 copies, exclusively available at Nuclear Blast* Transparent-orange vinyl: limited to 200 copies, exclusively sold by ICED EARTH on tour

Regarding how "Incorruptible" compares to previous ICED EARTH albums, guitarist and main songwriter Jon Schaffer told Metal Wani: "They're all kind of their own thing, but I have a very strong gut feeling about this, and so does everybody in the band, that this is one of the really special ones. So I put it up there with 'The Dark Saga' [1996], 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' [1998], 'Dystopia' [2011] — it's in that league of records — so it's really gonna be something special, man. I know musicians always say that, but there is something going on here, so it's cool. We're all very excited about it."

On the topic of the concept for the lyrics on "Incorruptible", Schaffer said: "There is no concept on this record; it's just ten individual tracks not related to each other. Actually, on 'Plagues Of Babylon' [2014], it was only the first six that were related to the 'Something Wicked' story; it was like a zombie apocalypse within the 'Something Wicked' framework. But this album, it's just ten individual songs. We have one called 'Clear The Way', which is about the Irish Brigade at the Battle Of Fredericksburg — very tragic, actually — but that's a big epic, like ten minutes; and then we have one called 'Black Flag', which is a pirate song. It's quite a… I think I pulled it off pretty well with the lyrics, to be able to tell such a big story in a very short amount of time. I think it's gonna be a highlight of the record. And then on [the last European] tour, [we opened] the show with a new song that will be the opener on the album — it's called 'Great Heathen Army' — that's got a Viking kind of a vibe to it. So there's a lot of different things, and none of it's really related. There's one called 'Raven Wing'… I can't really think of all of them righ now… 'Seven Headed Whore' — that's one that's actually pretty brutal; it's like a total kick in the balls. But, you know, there's a lot of varied emotions on this, and it's cool stuff, man."

Asked about singer Stu Block's contribution to "Incorruptible", Schaffer said: "Well, he came at the end of… for about the last month or so of pre-production… maybe a little bit more… five weeks… and we worked on his vocal parts. We do it like Stu and I normally do it. Some of the stuff we write together. I mean, I write the musical arrangements and do all that — he doesn't play any instruments — but he comes in… At the end of the writing process is when we focus on his parts. And the lyrics that we worked on together, on a song called 'Brother', which is about our brotherhood, [between] Stu and I and within the band… We've gone through a lot of shit together and we've had a lot of great times together, but the bond is very strong, and that's clear. So it's just a song, really, for us. And then he wrote the lyrics for 'The Great Heathen Army'. I'm trying to think… I can't think of 'em, man; I have to look at the list [of songs]. But usually, he goes to an area and works, and I go in my area and work. And, like I said, on some songs we collaborate sometimes. On this one, the only we did was 'Brother'… We work in the way we always work. And it's a very cool chemistry."

ICED EARTH took a break from touring in 2015, primarily due to Schaffer's second cervical fusion surgery.

Longtime ICED EARTH drummer Brent Smedley returned to the band for the current recording and touring cycle. Smedley had to step down due to personal family reasons in 2013 shortly before the recording of "Plagues Of Babylon".

The official video for the song "King Of The Ring" from ADRENALINE MOB — the band featuring Russell Allen (vocals; also of SYMPHONY X) and Mike Orlando (guitar) — can be seen below. The track is taken from the group's third studio album, "We The People", which will be released on June 2 via Century Media. The follow-up to 2014's "Men Of Honor" is the first ADRENALINE MOB release to feature the band's new drummer Jordan Cannata and bassist David Zablidowsky (of TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA).

"We The People" will be available for purchase as a special edition CD digipak, gatefold 2LP+CD, and on all standard digital and streaming music platforms.

"We The People" track listing:

01. King Of The Ring02. We The People03. The Killer's Inside04. Bleeding Hands05. Chasing Dragons06. Til The Head Explodes07. What You're Made Of08. Raise 'Em Up09. Ignorance & Greed10. Blind Leading The Blind11. Violent State Of Mind12. Lords Of Thunder13. Rebel Yell

As the title "We The People" indicates, there's a political side to ADRENALINE MOB. Throughout their years as a musicians and songwriters, they hadn't stayed silent on matters significant. Whether they were masked in metaphor or flatly conspicuous, they've always poured their feelings into song. It was, as Orlando puts it, a form of catharsis. So, as they were watching the presidential campaigns, feeling the negativity — the constant bickering and finger pointing — they knew ADRENALINE MOB's next venture would be affected. In fact, the first song Orlando began writing for "We The People" was the politically charged rocker "Blind Leading The Blind". "The title track is very much inspired by the past election year," confirms Allen. "It touches on our society, here in America. The album title is a reflection of our times. The songs have certain particular stories that stand on their own. Many of them are also driven by the climate we live in today and some are about having a good time, being free and loving rock 'n' roll. All the tracks have a personality and character to them."

ADRENALINE MOB will embark on a 30-date U.S. tour on June 16 in Poughkeepsie, New York. Support on all dates will come from the Canadian band THE WILD!

Tour dates:

Jun. 16 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The LoftJun. 17 - New York, NY - Marlin RoomJun. 18 - Haverhill, MA - The Whiskey BarrellJun. 20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Hard RockJun. 21 - Rochester, NY - Harmony HouseJun. 22 - Flint, MI - The Machine ShopJun. 23 - Joliet, IL - The ForgeJun. 25 - St. Louis, MO - FubarJun. 27 - Denver, CO - Marquis TheaterJun. 28 - Salt Lake City, UT - Royal BarJun. 29 - Idaho Falls, ID - The GemJul. 01 - Everett, WA - Tony V GarageJul. 03 - San Francisco, CA - Slim'sJul. 06 - Las Vegas, NV - Beauty BarJul. 07 - West Hollywood, CA - Viper RoomJul. 08 - San Diego, CA - Brick By BrickJul. 09 - Scottsdale, AZ - Pub RockJul. 11 - Dallas, TX - Gas MonkeyJul. 12 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It LiveJul. 14 - St. Petersburg, FL - State TheaterJul. 15 - Sanford, FL - West End Trading Co.Jul. 16 - Jacksonville, FL - 1904 Music HallJul. 17 - Greenacres, FL - Piepers Sports BarJul. 19 - Wilmington, NC - The Throne TheaterJul. 20 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore SoundstageJul. 21 - Easton, PA - One Centre SquareJul. 22 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz

ADRENALINE MOB and TWISTED SISTER drummer A.J. Pero died in March 2015 of a heart attack.

Bassist John Moyer, who has been a member of DISTURBED since 2004, joined ADRENALINE MOB in February 2012 and appeared on the band's "Covertà" EP (2013) and "Men Of Honor" album (2014).

"Men Of Honor" sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 99 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's full-length debut, 2012's "Omertá", opened with around 6,600 units to enter the chart at No. 70.

Drummer Mike Portnoy (FLYING COLORS, THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) quit ADRENALINE MOB in June 2013 due to "scheduling conflicts."

California rockers PAPA ROACH have released the official lyric video for their new song "American Dreams", from their forthcoming ninth studio album, "Crooked Teeth". Due on May 19 via Eleven Seven Music, the disc will be 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 (see details below).

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" (featuring Skylar Grey) 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.

The band is set to hit the road throughout the year, with more shows to be announced soon.

"Crooked Teeth" track listing:

Standard Edition (Digital, CD, Vinyl)

01. Break The Fall02. Crooked Teeth03. My Medication04. Born For Greatness05. American Dreams06. Periscope (feat. Skylar Grey)07. Help08. Sunrise Trailer Park (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)09. Traumatic10. None Of The Above

Deluxe Edition (Digital + CD Only)

Disc 1

01. Break The Fall02. Crooked Teeth03. My Medication04. Born For Greatness05. American Dreams06. Periscope (feat. Skylar Grey)07. Help08. Sunrise Trailer Park (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)09. Traumatic10. None Of The Above11. Richochet (bonus)12. Nothing (bonus)13. Bleeding Through (bonus)

Disc 2

01. Intro (Live at Fillmore Detroit)02. Face Everything And Rise (live at Fillmore Detroit)03. Getting Away With Murder (live at Fillmore Detroit)04. Between Angels And Insects (live at Fillmore Detroit)05. Where Did The Angels Go? (live at Fillmore Detroit)06. Broken Home (live at Fillmore Detroit)07. Burn (live at Fillmore Detroit)08. Forever (live at Fillmore Detroit)09. Scars (live at Fillmore Detroit)10. Lifeline (live at Fillmore Detroit)11. Infest (live at Fillmore Detroit)12. Kick In The Teeth (live at Fillmore Detroit)13. Broken As Me (live at Fillmore Detroit)14. Still Swingin' (live at Fillmore Detroit)15. To Be Loved (live at Fillmore Detroit)16. Last Resort (live at Fillmore Detroit)

Photo credit: Bryson Roatch