Former Eclipse Eternal frontman Voldamares recently announced the formation of his new band, Hexeklad. He has checked in with the following update:

"Currently we are in the process of mixing/mastering for our album, Spirit Of The Stone, and we hope to have it completed in early 2017. Once we are satisfied that it is as perfect an album as what we think it is then we will begin looking for a label that will be able to give it the exposure that we think it deserves. Also, we are currently in the midst of gathering forces, bringing in like-minded individuals to form a live lineup. Yes, we are coming for you. What was once heading towards a recording only project has evolved and is branching out, spreading its limbs towards the skies that all may see and bear witness. We have not been idle. We hope to have a sample for you to listen to next week. Till then, keep the fires lit and the mead flowing."

A previous update reads:

"Our main accomplishment this year is that we have completed the recording of our debut album, Spirit Of The Stone. A dark folk/black metal album that is the amalgamation of all the best of all the bands we’ve worked with before along with our current main influences which range from Dissection to Moonsorrow, from Primordial to Hypocrisy to Insomnium. Thrashy at times, folky at times, black metal throughout, the songs are dark yet empowering, melodic yet deep and full of meaning. This album is our crowning achievement this year.

Aside from including all previously mentioned main members, this album also includes drums by former member Sterling Dale, bass by Alex Snape (Unbowed), keyboards by Carver (Eclipse Eternal) and on several tracks, cello by Raphael Weinroth-Browne (The Visit, Musk Ox).

This album has been many years in the making so we are extremely proud of having completed it. We hope to have a sample for you to listen to next week when we will also give you an update on what our future plans are. Till then, keep the fires lit and the Mead flowing."

Hexenklad is:

Timothy Johnston (Voldamares) - vocals
Michael Grund - guitars
John Chalmers (The Ancient One) - guitars

Go to this location for information and updates on Hexenklad.

Photo by Victoria J. Polsoni

Italian hard rock band, Concrete Jellÿ, will release their new album, Getting Noticed, via Sliptrick Records on February 7th.

Concrete Jellÿ were founded in 2014 in Trieste. The forthcoming album, Getting Noticed, was recorded live in the summer of 2016 and the inspiration for the story-line came from the many good (and bad) things experienced during their relentless live activity both offstage and on.

The sound of the album is the result of the different influences within the band members, ranging from the spaciness of 70’s rock to prog rock and everything good in between. Getting Noticed will be available in all the usual formats. More details to follow.

Swedish symphonic black/death metallers, Katharos, have signed with Sliptrick Records. The band’s debut album, Exuvian Heraldry, will be released on March 1st.

Katharos present symphonic black/death metal from Sweden in the vein of Emperor, Dimmu Borgir and Death. Katharos’ debut album Exuvian Heraldry, brings together the Scandinavian black/death-sound with epic symphonic arrangements and a complexity that rewards multiple listens. Heavy guitar riffs are accompanied with battle drums and carried along by majestic choirs and synths with lyrical themes bridging philosophy and religion.

Exuvian Heraldry will be available in an exclusive vinyl version and for digital download (no CD).

Tracklisting:

“Abadonnas Intåg”
“Thy Fortress Of Regrets”
“Svaneti”
“De Cinere”
“Schaktet”
“Damnatio Memoriae”
“Awakening Of The Converted”

Fan-filmed video footage of VIMIC's December 30 performance at the Aztec Theater in San Antonio, Texas as the support act for HELLYEAH can be seen below.

VIMIC is the new band featuring former SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison alongside singer Kalen Chase Musmecci, who has toured with KORN as a backing vocalist and percussionist, and Joey's former SCAR THE MARTYR bandmates Jed Simon (guitar), Kyle Konkiel (bass) and Matthew Tarach (keyboards). VIMIC has also welcomed new guitarist Steve Marshall to the band.

VIMIC has signed a management deal with Nashville powerhouse CTK Management, where Jordison has reunited with former member of SLIPKNOT's original management team Danny Nozell, and is represented by United Talent Agency's Neil Warnock internationally and Tim Borror in North America. Additionally, the band is readying the release of a new album for 2017, "Open Your Omen", which will be released on Jordison's joint venture record label, with the first video and single to be released later this month.

Often referred to as one the best drummers in the world by fans, musicians and media thanks to his unique style, sound and lightning fast technicality, Joey Jordison has, in addition to co-founding SLIPKNOT, worked with some of the biggest selling acts in hard rock and heavy metal, including METALLICA, KORN, ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON and many more. Before his departure from SLIPKNOT in late 2013, Jordison had been quietly struggling with the career-threatening neurological condion acute transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord which damages nerve fibers, which ultimately led to Jordison losing the use of his legs. Never one to quit or back down from a fight, Joey overcame the impossible through months and months of rehabilitation, regaining the strength to walk again. He is feeling stronger than ever and is eager to show the world what is possible.

"The riffs, lyrics, and drums of 'Open Your Omen' will tell you a lot," Jordison says. "I did this record when I was coming out of the acute transverse myelitis condition. It's literally what saved me and helped me get back to where I'm healthier than ever. These guys and this album pushed me to not only relearn how to walk, but how to play the drums again. 'Open Your Omen' is the rebirth of the rest of my life."

Jordison and VIMIC's first priority is getting in front of the fans, who have been sending letters, approaching Joey on the street and posting on social media asking when they will be able to see the iconic drummer live.

Former MARILYN MANSON and current ROB ZOMBIE guitarist John 5 will release a new album, "Season Of The Witch", on March 3, 2017.

The disc — the first to be billed as a JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES album — will coincide with the brand new CREATURES tour starting on March 3 in Seattle.

A teaser clip for "Season Of The Witch", directed by Josh Hasty — who, as Rob Zombie and John 5 fans are aware, directed the recent "In Hell Everybody Loves Popcorn" behind-the-scenes making-of documentary for Zombie's movie "31" — is available below.

John 5 recently told Reverb about his solo performances: "It's completely instrumental, and it's really fun. We play all different styles of music: Western swing, Spanish-style flamenco, heavy stuff. So it's cool because you never know what style is going to come next."

John 5's solo band THE CREATURES includes Ian Ross on bass and Rodger Carter on drums.

John has had an illustrious career collaborating with chart-topping artists such as LYNYRD SKYNYRD, Ricky Martin, and Rod Stewart. John has performed on critically acclaimed world tours with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. Later, John ventured into the world of film score composing for Rob Zombie's "The Lords Of Salem". In 2004 he branched out into a successful solo career and has since released eight studio albums.

Teaming up with Australian director Gareth McGilvray, Elm Street have released their new single "Face The Reaper" taken from the album Knock 'Em Out...With A Metal Fist.

With a minute long ambient intro, the band tears into a heavy metal frenzy proving their energetic brand of traditional metal, and showcasing the newest addition to the band, Nick Ivkovic on bass guitar.

Face The Reaper will paint the path for the band's 2017 world tour, kicking off in Australia during February; the dates will be announced soon.

To read BraveWords.com scribe Mark Gromen's review of Knock 'Em Out...With A Metal Fist, click here.

 

 

Norwegian horror thrashers, Critical Solution, released a teaser for their upcoming third conceptual album. Listen below.

The band also confirms they will shoot their first music video in mid-February for a late February-early March release. As previously reported the video for the song "Barbara The Witch" will be a horror filled introduction to the brutal concept of the album.

The new album was recorded and mixed at SonicTrain Studios with long-time producer Andy LaRocque at the helm. The as yet untitled album will include very special guest appearances by Arthur Brown “The God Of Hellfire”, and Snowy Shaw.

According to Curbed San Francisco, METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett is selling a house in Sea Cliff, a neighborhood in northwestern San Francisco, California, for $16 million.

Hammett's name apparently does not appear on the deed for the Spanish Colonial-style home, which last sold in 2010 for $8 million. When you adjust for inflation, that itself was roughly double its 2003 sale price of $3.1 million.

The four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom, three-story house is said to be the fourth most expensive, publicly listed home in the entire city. Back in 2009, Hammett sold a home in Pacific Heights for $7.6 million after owning it for sixteen years. He bought that 8-bedroom, 8.5-bathroom, 10,100-square-foot, four-story mansion in 1993 for a mere $2.56 million.

METALLICA's latest album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 album chart, selling 291,000 copies in its first week of release.

METALLICA will head out on a major world tour in support of the set next year, with North American dates rumored to begin in the spring.

According to a new Instagram post by FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook, the band has completed work on its new album, due later in the year.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in November released a snippet of a brand new song via video containing highlights from the road.

The band recently signed a North American deal with Rise Records. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's first album with Rise, the BMG-owned rock label, will be released following the completion of the group's obligation to its current label, Prospect Park.

Hook said last summer that FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH doesn't like to take look long between albums. "We're workaholics," he said. "We went right back in the studio. Every time we talk about taking a break, it just doesn't feel right. Sitting around it just feels like we could be doing something. We're always concerned that we might lose momentum or that people will stop caring. I think we're overachievers by nature."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory echoed those comments, telling the Minnesota radio station 93X: "Everybody [in this band] is a workaholic. This is what we do. In fact, I can't really go on vacation and shut down my phone. I can't do that. You know what I mean?! And that's just what it is. We all have a studio at home, and then we have Kevin's [Churko, producer] studio in Las Vegas, so he's there. So somebody is always working on something. And I think it's about efficiency. If I'm working on something in the studio, then Jason and Jeremy [Spencer, drums] are working in theirs. And then when I'm going home and working on some pre-production of mine, then they're in the studio. So we're always just kind of bouncing around."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's latest album, 2015's "Got Your Six", was officially certified gold on August 8, 2016 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

Effective February 1, 2016, the RIAA started including on-demand audio and video streams and a track sale equivalent in determining which releases get the coveted album awards, a change that follows a similar tweak in 2013 to include on-demand streams for its digital single award.

Germany's Pyogenesis will release their new album, A Kingdom To Disappear, on February 24th via AFM Records. A lyric video for “Blaze, My Northern Flame” can be found below.

The cover artwork was created by Stan W. Decker.

Tracklisting:

“Sleep Is Good” (Intro)
“Every Man For Himself And God Against All”
“I Have Seen My Soul”
“It’s Too Late (A Kingdom To Disappear)”
“New Helvetia”
“That’s When Everybody Gets Hurt”
“We (1848)”
“Blaze, My Northern Flame”
“Everlasting Pain”

“Blaze, My Northern Flame” lyric video:

Album teaser:

The band will be on tour right after the album's release, confirmed dates on the A Kingdom To Disappear Tour are as listed:

March
2 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
3 - Leipzig, Germany - Moritzbastei
4 - Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany - Alte Brauerei
5 - Berlin, Germany - Bi Nuu
9 - München, Germany - Strom
10 - Regensburg, Germany - Eventhall Airport
11 - Düsseldorf, Germany - Tube
12 - Frankfurt, Germany - Nachtleben
30 - Bern, Switzerland - Rössli
31 - Milano, Italy - Legend Club

April
1 - Tröplach, Austria - Full Metal Mountain
2 - Wien, Austria - Viper Room

Suspiria Records announces their new signing, Norunda. A message from the label follows.

“Norunda is a metal band created by Rubén Cuerdo (ex-Blast Off). The group has influences from the old-school thrash metal with some progressive parts and catchy choruses, adding some blues-flavored voices added to demolishing drums that enhances every rhythmic detail of the compositions.

“Norunda are about to release Irruption, which will be one of the sensations of 2017. The band is completed by the producer (Angelus Apatrida, Mutant, Agónica, Bloodhunter, Blast Off, Khuda, Nebora, Switchtense, Hills Have Eyes). Pedro Mendes, also a W.A.K.O. and Sullen member, and Marcelo Aires, specialized percussion musician who is also actively enrolled in bands such as Sullen, Pãodemónio, Colosso, Pinturas Negras, The Ominous Circle, W.A.K.O. and Gaya Quintet.

“The year of Norunda is coming, stay tuned…”

Austin Carlile, the vocalist and founding member of California's OF MICE & MEN, has left the band.

The singer, who suffers from Marfan Syndrome (which affects his connective tissue and causes weakness in his heart, lungs, ears, joints and muscles) and is now unable to scream as a result of his longstanding health issues, said, "I realized that I had to step away from OF MICE & MEN."

In a lengthy, emotional statement, he also paid tribute to those who have supported, or been involved with, OF MICE & MEN from the start, including the four remaining members of the group, who he says will carry on as a quartet.

"I never thought in a million years I would be sitting in Costa Rica writing this. I never thought I would start a successful band," he wrote. "I never thought I'd open for MARILYN MANSON and SLIPKNOT for an entire summer. I never thought I would go on a world tour with LINKIN PARK and sing 'Faint' on stage with them all around the globe, I never thought I‘d become friends with Mike Shinoda and he'd help me write songs for an album of ours that sat at the No. 4 spot on the Billboard top charts. I never thought I would befriend bands like AVENGED SEVENFOLD, METALLICA, and KORN. I never thought i would sing 'Ball Tongue' on stage with KORN. I never thought my band would play, much less headline Warped Tour, play giant radio festivals all over the world with some of my favorite artists, or tour in Germany, or anywhere in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, Chile, Canada, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Holland, Norway, or Italy, etc.

"The first time I ever left the States was because of this band that I started in a tiny barred window studio apartment... I never thought people would ask to take selfies with me inside the Roman Collesium, on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or even the mall I worked at in Ohio where OF MICE & MEN was born eight years ago with the help of my friends in THOUGH SHE WROTE. Kameron Bradbury now in BEARTOOTH on guitar, recording our first song together in a local studio for just $50. I never thought putting the song 'Seven Thousand Miles For What' on MySpace would reach over a million plays in a week, and that I'd sign a record contract of my own just days later. I never thought i‘d pack my things up and drive to California for the first time to find permanent band members. I never thought all my wildest dreams and more would eventually come true...

"I also never thought my fibrostic connective tissue disorder marfan syndrome would cause touring to be so hard and painful for me. I always thought the pain would get better one day, or that i would get better too. But this never happened; that day has still yet to come. From multiple surgeries, caused from touring over multiple years, and after cancelling a European tour halfway through, this October 2016 finally brought me to my knees. My greatest fear had become a reality... I had three tears in my dual sac surrounding my spinal cord, and we discovered that every time I would push down to scream, spinal fluid would rush though the tears which was causing me the violent pain every time I'd perform. It was causing my muscles to seize up, and body to contort on stage, and making me lethargic and sore every hour of the day.

"My doctors and team of specialists had warned me for years of the detriment of my career to my health, but I pushed through anyways. I always pushed through. I had to push through. This is what I love, music is where i found myself. But these three tears in my spine, plus a fourth that occurred the year prior, were signs that i was absolutely not able to scream anymore. My team advised me that if I continued to do so, it would cause 'permanent and irrevocable damage to my spinal cord and nervous system.' After learning this, I realized that I had to step away from OF MICE & MEN. No longer able to scream most of our old material, or continue to scream on anything new, I cannot continue on.

"This has been the hardest thing that has happened in my life for a very long time, but thankfully the band, my family, and closest friends stand behind me and understand. They have all personally seen how much pain I have had to endure and especially the past two years as my spine was tearing apart but I kept going, I gave it my all, and cannot express this enough.

"The band will now still continue on just the four of them, and I wish them the best of luck without me heading into 2017.

"I will be here in Costa Rica, where I have now moved, continuing to heal, rest, and write.

"I will not stop playing music. I am still able to sing and I'm hungry for what is next to come even though I have no idea what that may be.

"I feel God placed me at this crossroads for a reason, and with the closing of one door, another will open. I'm taking this as an opportunity to grow closer to him, as he is the reason I never gave up or ended my life years ago while facing my various troubles.

"I have decided to listen to my specialists, and God telling me it's time to do something new. I have to do this for myself, my health, my body.

"I'm so thankful my spinal injuries weren't worse, for I could have easily been paralyzed permenantly.

"I have now made the choice to use my life, my story, and my voice for his glory. To help show his love and grace I have experienced firsthand to anyone else searching for the same hope.

"OF MICE & MEN offered hope to thousands, but there is no true hope unless through Jesus Christ (yashua). I have now dedicated my life to sharing this with the world, which needs it so badly right now more than ever.

"Some ask how I am not mad at God for taking ali. This from me and putting me through so much pain and loss... My answer is simple: it is my path to follow, my story, and my life is not my own, but a gift from god in the first place.

"This seems like the perfect opportunity for me to use my story to hopefully inspire others who have experienced pain, hurt, depression or loss in their own lives.

"We all have our stories, we all have certain things we have overcome. We have done this together, you helped make my dreams come true, and I want to thank you all for the immense support over the years. Now I must do what i have to.

"I wanted to keep this news in 2016, because 2017 is going to be a new year, with new chapters.

"Remember, your days are like pages, chapters unread, you have to keep going, keep turning, keep reading... Because your book has no end. Just like the ampersand tattoo on my thumb, we will not fade.

"You are in my heart and I‘m ready to start a new journey with all of you remaining by my side. I can do nothing alone, and I'm grateful I won't have to because of you.

"Thank you. To everyone who has ever been a fan or a part of OF MICE & MEN, from the start, Kameron, Joey, Luke, Ethan, Jared, Jaxin, Phil, Aaron, Joel, Justin, Jon, Shayley, Tino, and Alan, for everything, thank you. Here's to 2017.

"God bless! X -Austin Carlile"

Blood Of VanGogh have released an official video for their new song "Lies", found below. They have also issued the following message:

"We are very excited to release our first single off the new album. We will be releasing one song at a time. First single/video featuring the incredible Ronny Munroe (Metal Church) on lead vocals."

For information and updates on Blood Of VanGogh, go to this location.

in 2015, Metal Church recently announced the return of legendary frontman Mike Howe, who first took the place of original singer David Wayne in the mid-'80s. Munroe, who fronted the band from 2003-2014, commented on the return of Howe to the band: 

“Congratulations to Mike Howe in his new appointment as the new lead vocalist of Metal Church. Wishing him and the band all the best moving forward!”

In the summer of 2014 Metal Church suddenly found themselves in need of a new singer. As fate would have it, guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof was already in talks with Mike for another project that he was working on with Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler, so he decided to ask Mike to rejoin Metal Church. Mike agreed, but true to form, didn’t want to make it official until he knew for sure that the integrity of the new material was there.

In Mike’s own words, "I didn't want to come back to Metal Church just for nostalgia, it had to be for the right reasons, it had to be the best stuff we’ve ever written together or it just wouldn't be worth it to anyone, especially the fans.”

Soon after, Kurdt and Mike began exchanging ideas and writing new material with the band. The end result sounds like “classic Mike Howe-era Metal Church, it’s both heavy and melodic”, says Vanderhoof, who further states, “Mike sounds the same as he did 20 years ago, this is going to be truly epic!!”

Drummer Jeff Plate comments, “Mike Howe is the ONLY singer for Metal Church. He has a reputation of complete honour and respect. We can now take Metal Church to the next level!”

Mike Howe originally joined Metal Church in the late 80s and released three albums with the band: The Human Factor, Blessing In Disguise and Hanging In The Balance. Mike was also the face of popular music videos “Date With Poverty” and “Badlands” that aired during MTV’s heyday.

In a brand new interview with Mark Strigl for the Talking Metal podcast, The Compulsions frontman Rob Carlyle spoke publicly for the first time about dismissing drummer Frank Ferrer and guitarist Richard Fortus, both of Guns N' Roses, and enlisting former Guns N' Roses axeman, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, to record upcoming Compulsions material.

On his decision to recruit Bumblefoot, Carlyle said: “I was looking around for another guitar player and I was like, ‘you know what? Who’s somebody that’s super badass? Number 1. You know, the music always comes first. [And] what’s a name that would raise eyebrows?’ And Bumblefoot definitely fits that bill.”

When describing what it’s like to work with Bumblefoot, Carlyle stated: “He’s a perfect gentleman, sick player and it’s been working out great.”

On his reasons for dismissing Ferrer and Fortus, Carlyle explained: “What was a little tough was some of the attitudes and behaviours behind the scenes were pretty fucking harsh sometimes and after a while they just became more trouble than they were worth. There’s really no other way for me to put it… and it’s a shame because the music [we made together] is great.”

When comparing Ferrer’s and Fortus’ work in other bands to their work with The Compulsions, Carlyle said: “I pretty much know most of their musical history, their careers, what they’ve done and I don’t think they hold a candle to what we’ve done and I think [The Compulsions] was just kind of squandered.”

He also added: “But I’m moving forward. I have a whole new lineup of guys that I’m working on pulling together and hopefully the guys that are on the majority of this new album, I can continue working with in the future.”

The Compulsions’ sophomore album, 2015’s Dirty Fun, boasted the talents of Carlyle, Ferrer, Fortus and bassist Sami Yaffa (ex-Hanoi Rocks, ex-New York Dolls).

Both the Dirty Fun album and subsequent record release shows in New York City and West Hollywood garnered rave reviews from the music press.

For over a decade, The Compulsions have drawn extremely favourable comparisons to legendary artists such as AC/DC, Aerosmith, Faces, New York Dolls, The Rolling Stones and more.

You can listen to Carlyle’s interview at this location (beginning at around the 21:10 mark).

(Photo - Delissa Santos)

In 2017, Italian doom metallers Crimson Dawn will release their second full-length album, Chronicles Of An Undead Hunter, via Punishment 18 Records. The album artwork, created by artist Mattia Stancioiu, can be seen below:

Stay tuned for more album details, coming soon.

Crimson Dawn lineup:

Dario Beretta - Guitar, Background Vocals
Luca Lucchini - Drums
Antonio Pecere - Lead Vocals
Alessandro Reggiani Romagnoli - Bass
Emanuele Laghi - Keyboards
Marco Rusconi - Guitar

ARCH ENEMY will release a new live DVD, "As The Stages Burn!", on March 31, 2017 via Century Media. The set contains video footage of the band's largest stage production to date from their performance last summer at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. This performance marks the pinnacle of a highly successful album campaign in support of "War Eternal". It all began in March of 2014 when the band announced new vocalist Alissa White-Gluz as well as the video for the album title track, "War Eternal". This debut track went on to become the bands most successful video in their career, surpassing 20 million views on YouTube. The release of the "War Eternal" album also saw ARCH ENEMY reaching their highest U.S. and German chart positions to date while going on to play over 200 shows in over 40 countries around the world. In late 2014, Jeff Loomis (ex-NEVERMORE) joined ARCH ENEMY during the world tour with KREATOR and in 2015 they played arenas as direct support for NIGHTWISH.

A performance clip of the song "Ravenous", taken from "As The Stages Burn!", can be seen below.

ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott told Spark TV about "As The Stages Burn!": "I think this is the perfect album cycle to document. It's a fresh new ARCH ENEMY, and we just spent two years on the road or more, and, yeah, we just wanna put it out there kind of as a document of this time. And the show at Wacken was really special as well. We put a lot of effort into the production and had our biggest show to date. And that'll be the main part of the DVD, I guess, but there's gonna be a lot of other stuff as well, and it'll be like a live album, DVD, Blu-ray and all that stuff. We have a lot of other cool shows filmed as well, and parts of those might very well be a part of the DVD. But, you know, Wacken was just a great opportunity; it's the biggest heavy metal festival in the world."

ARCH ENEMY will celebrate the release of "As The Stages Burn!" with a number of European shows with special support from LACUNA COIL and THE HAUNTED.

Regarding the progress of the songwriting sessions for ARCH ENEMY's follow-up to "War Eternal", Michael said: "There's plenty of ideas floating around, and there's even some simple demos and stuff like that, but we haven't really seriously gotten into the songwriting process yet. But there's a lot of ideas. But we've been spending so much time on the road, and we're not really the kind of band that writes music on the road. I mean, we might come up with a little riff idea or a melody, or something like that, or a lyrical idea, but it's easier to put it together at home when you take some specific, dedicated time to write and put together music. It's a different kind of focus that you need, I think. You wake up in a different city every day, and it's a different life, and it's a little bit hard to focus on things like that."

Added Loomis: "I think the writing process is gonna be awesome between us. It's just like Mike said — we really haven't had a lot of time to sit down together yet, but I think that time is gonna be coming soon."

Regarding the expectations for ARCH ENEMY's next album, Alissa said: "I think that for all of us, with any new album, or even just with any show, it's always a challenge to do better than the last time. And I think that we all love 'War Eternal' and it's always gonna be super special to us, but we still wanna do better this time. It's just a matter of always keeping very, very high standards and being critical on yourself but in a constructive way, so that you can always produce good music and good performances. I don't think any of us are complacent when it comes to the quality of music that we've put out. I don't think we have any specific ideas in mind for things that we have to achieve within the album, but we have a really strong lineup here that's capable of putting together a really solid album. So we're all pretty excited about it… Let's not forget also that we have Jeff here for the writing process of this album, which we didn't have with 'War Eternal', so right there we have a whole new world to explore. So that's pretty exciting too."



Arch Enemy - "Ravenous" live at Wacken Open Air 2016!
Are you ready for this?! "As The Stages Burn!" DVD/BLURAY OUT MARCH 2017!

Posted by Arch Enemy on Thursday, December 29, 2016

"A Place Where There's No Pain", the first new album from LIFE OF AGONY in over a decade, will be released on April 28, 2017 via Napalm Records. The band's fifth studio LP will mark LIFE OF AGONY's first release since singer Mina Caputo (formerly known as Keith Caputo) came out as transgender in 2011.

LIFE OF AGONY bassist Alan Robert previously stated about the upcoming effort: "I think our fans know that our music comes from a very real place of suffering, from all of us in the band.

"Many of our fans have told us over the years that sharing our personal struggles has been cathartic for them in healing the pain in their own lives. That uplifting energy we share at the shows gives us hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel. And for us and hopefully our fans, that short time when we're all together is a place where there's no more pain."

LIFE OF AGONY returned to the stage and performed on multiple festival dates in Europe over the summer of 2014. The band's famed "River Runs Red" lineup, consisting of vocalist Mina Caputo, guitarist Joseph Zampella (a.k.a. Joey Z), bassist Alan Robert and drummer Sal Abruscato, was excited to take the stage together once again after a three-year hiatus.

Asked in a December 2015 interview with The Aquarian Weekly how LIFE OF AGONY's music is still relatable and influential to the hardcore the scene today, Alan said: "Well, I think there is something to be said about the message and the music. When a lot of those songs were written, especially lyrically — you know, 'River Runs Red'… I was probably in my late teens writing those songs. It was all about dealing with depression and struggles growing up, and you know… just taking in everything that we were all going through in our families, and also dealing with troubles socializing things. And these are all common themes even now. Kids today, I think, are still going through these problems — maybe even more so, because you know, now that technology is in everyone's hands, it almost isolates you even more in a way. And these are common themes in all of our records, especially on the 'Ugly' record. Themes like feeling out of place and feeling like the ugly duckling, basically, and, 'We are the black sheep.' These are just common issues with growing up, and I think that some of these personalities gravitate towards hardcore music and metal music because it's still kind of on the outskirts of mainstream, and it's kind of going against the grain of what's expected, and I think they find community there. I know I did growing up, and going to shows to let out some angst, and anger, and turn it into positivity — I think that's been the whole message of LIFE OF AGONY from the start."

He continued: "Whether we realize it or not, we started out as these angry, depressed [laughs] kids, and by venting through our music, we created a community we're accepted in, and we can bond with people who were going through the same emotions. That is the 'hardcore' aspect of the music. There's a lot of 'metal' type of sounds and guitar riffs, but as far as the 'hardcore elements' in LIFE OF AGONY, the honesty and the purity of the message that we were trying to communicate was trying to basically lift someone up when they're feeling down, and let them know that you're not alone out there."

Alan added: "Time and time again, we have fans coming up to us from all over the world thanking us for making the music that we do because it saved their lives, and that means the world to us because we knew how it felt to be alone when no one was listening. Here are these kids listening to our music, knowing that they're not alone, and that no one else feels the same way that they do."

Regarding LIFE OF AGONY's future plans, Alan said: "I think ever since the summer of 2014 when we kicked this back up again, it's been so much fun and the energy has been so good between us and the people everywhere we go that we want to keep it going; we absolutely do. We're having a great time. And I think now that Mina has come out, she is free as a bird, and there is no holding back. It's just so great to see, not just as a bandmember, but as a longtime friend, to see her really comfortable in her own skin. I'm just really proud of her for her bravery, and everyone's been so accepting and so positive that it's really encouraging to see."

Photo by Jeremy Saffer

Gene Simmons has shot down reports that KISS was invited to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration.

Word of KISS's possible involvement with the president-elect's big event next month began circulating last week when Simmons's wife Shannon Tweed said Trump's camp approached her husband about participating, but he politely declined.

TMZ's cameras caught up with Simmons, his wife and their daughter Sophie outside of Catch in West Hollywood on December 21. When asked if Simmons would play the inauguration, his wife and daughter spoke on his behalf. "No!" they repeatedly shouted.

Earlier today (Friday, December 3), Gene told the Fox News morning show "Fox & Friends" that KISS had never been asked to perform at the inauguration.

"As far as I know, nobody ever called me," he said. "I know Donald Trump, I know our president-elect well enough, I suppose, but I never got a call."

Asked if he would perform at the event if he was asked, Simmons — who called Trump the "truest political animal I've ever seen on stage" earlier this year — responded: "The problem with even talking about this is everything has become so polarized. People should just give it a rest and stop trying to use politics or what our president-elect means or doesn't mean as some kind of tool."

He continued: "Look, a wake-up call is that al-Qaeda, al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and all the other bad guys in the world actually don't make a difference between Republicans and Democrats or anybody; they just don't like Americans. So maybe we should all sign up for the American political party and get used to it. We have a president-elect. Now let's move on."

Pressed on what he expects from Donald Trump as president, Simmons said: "Look, he's a good family man. Let's not talk politics. Let's talk the real important issue. He's a good father, there's no drugs, there's no booze, there's no craziness going on. And the rest of it… Do what the founding fathers of this country actually, sort of, created. There's a ballot box, you vote your conscience, you draw the curtain, and that's the end of it. And it's nobody's business who you vote for. And we should all just take a deep breath and get on with our lives, where we should be blessing this hallowed ground called America every day. It's gonna great, it's gonna be fine. Warren Buffett's gonna invest in America, and so will I."

Simmons, a former contestant on Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice" show, also once again repeated his belief that celebrities should keep their political opinions to themselves — especially when it comes to the results of the 2016 presidential election.

"Why does anybody give a squat what a guy in a band thinks about or anything like that? The last thing I wanna do is to ask President Obama what he thinks about LED ZEPPELIN."

Simmons told People magazine earlier in the year that he liked how Trump was shaking up the presidential race.

"The important thing about Trump, and I'm not saying whether I'm voting for him, or Hilary [Clinton], or anybody else, is that he has changed the game," Simmons said. "He doesn't want your money. This guy funds his own campaign, and he is going to say things that tens of millions of people actually say quietly because politically it's 'incorrect.'"

A concert by by Bobby Blotzer's version of RATT was canceled last night at just hours before showtime after a Michigan venue received a cease-and-desist letter from the drummer's former bandmates. Blotzer is embroiled in a legal a dispute over the group's name with singer Stephen Pearcy, guitarist Warren DeMartini and bassist Juan Croucier.

The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant explained the show cancelation in a Facebook post, saying that they were "recently notified of a trademark dispute involving the band RATT. Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort was issued a 'cease-and-desist' letter from the parties claiming rights to the RATT trademark. After careful review, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort has concluded that it cannot proceed with the performance of Mr. Blotzer due to the current legal dispute over the RATT band trademark."

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort added that it was looking forward "to booking RATT on a later date if and when the dispute regarding the trademark is resolved."

Co-headliner NIGHT RANGER reportedly played the concert as scheduled.

Blotzer's camp responded to the cancelation by releasing a statement of their own. They wrote on Facebook: "Soaring Eagle Casino dictated it would not allow RATT to perform unless Soaring Eagle Casino was allowed to take control over the performance and presentation of RATT's show for its fans. This was a violation of the contract signed by Soaring Eagle Casino.

"Because of RATT's artistic integrity and demand to bring the fans the best show possible, RATT could not allow Soaring Eagle Casino to control the presentation of RATT's performance."

Blotzer earlier in the month refuted DeMartini's claim that the drummer has been expelled from the RATT partnership and therefore no longer has an interest in the band's name.

At the end of last month, three members of RATT's classic lineup — DeMartini, Pearcy and Croucier — issued a press release claiming that they had taken control of the band's name after a judge ruled against Blotzer with respect to whether Croucier had committed trademark infringement by using the RATT name and logo to advertise his band RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER back in the fall 2015. The judge furthermore decided that the corporation WBS, Inc., of which Blotzer and DeMartini were thought to be the sole shareholders, and which Blotzer had claimed owns the RATT name and brand, did not have ownership interest in the RATT marks and that the name and brand was still owned by the members who were part of the original RATT partnership agreement: Pearcy, Croucier, DeMartini and Blotzer.

Under a 1985 written Ratt Partnership Agreement, the name/trademarks are the property of the partnership and can only be transferred with the unanimous approval of all partners. Thus, the judge ruled that in 1997 when Blotzer, DeMartini and Pearcy purported to transfer the trademarks to WBS, the transfer was invalid since Croucier, who was still a partner, was never advised of, and therefore did not consent to, the transfer. Therefore, the judge said, the partnership still owned the RATT name.

In addition to claiming to have expelled Blotzer from the partnership following the latest court ruling, Pearcy, DeMartini and Croucier said that Blotzer could now only refer to himself as a "former member of RATT," as per the partnership agreement.

On December 3, Blotzer — who has been touring the U.S. for the last year with his own version of RATT, featuring a rotating cast of musicians, including vocalist Josh Alan (ex-SIN CITY SINNERS) — and his attorney Drew Sherman addressed the latest legal developments in the RATT camp during an interview with the "One On One With Mitch Lafon" podcast (Facebook page).

Despite the fact that a judge ruled that the four-way RATT partnership — and not WBS — still owned the band name, Sherman said that no judgment has been entered either against or in favor of Blotzer. "Essentially, WBS owns the name," the attorney said. "They — meaning Stephen, Juan, Warren — whatever they're going out as, they do not have permission to [go out as RATT]. So right now they're infringing the trademarks of RATT owned by WBS.

"The ruling that we have, there are many legal strategies that will be employed in order to change and bring to the court's attention various other pieces of evidence as well as prior rulings," he continued. "So it's a long time before this is done. We're not even at the appeals part yet, because there's no judgment to appeal. So there's a lot of time. Status quo will remain, and WBS owns the marks."

Insisting that his current band is still called RATT because "there is nothing else to call it," Blotzer said that he "made the decision as half owner of the [RATT] name" to start playing live shows as RATT without any other members of the band's classic lineup. He explained: "WBS owns the name. I'm 50% of WBS, Inc. and still am. WBS, Inc. still owns that name right this moment. That's not changed.

"We've had tremendous, great success with this band out here," Blotzer said, referring to his current version of RATT. "I mean, we're headlining big gigs. It's doing really well. I'm very proud of that. So I think [Warren, Juan and Stephen] seeing this kind of success, now all of a sudden, from not liking each other or talking, [they're now in] collusion together and they decide that they're gonna do this at this point, and there you have it. They're making their move, and they don't have the name RATT."

Blotzer's version of RATT recently announced the addition of Mitch Perry (TALAS, HEAVEN, STEELER, MSG, LITA FORD) and Stacey Blades (L.A. GUNS) on guitar and Brad Lang (Y&T) on bass.

In should be noted that DeMartini's September 2015 lawsuit against Blotzer — in which the guitarist claimed that the drummer was falsely advertising his RATT "tribute band" as the real thing — is still pending in California state court.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SKILLET has landed the first No. 1 track of its career on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart with "Feel Invincible". The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Unleashed", and jumped from No. 4 to the top spot this week. Rock tracks reaching the top of the Christian chart are rare, especially after spending 31 weeks on the survey — as "Feel Invincible" did — before hitting the top.

"Feel Invincible" is the 25th SKILLET song to hit the Christian chart in the survey's 13-year history. The band previously peaked at No. 9 in 2007 with "Rebirthing". Frontman John Cooper said about reaching the top: "We are thrilled to have our first No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs. It's so cool to see the dedication of the fans and awesome to see a Christian rock song cross some huge boundaries."

"Feel Invincible" also reached the top of the mainstream rock radio airplay chart.

Although the band emerged from the Christian music circuit, Cooper told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that he always wanted to appeal to a diverse audience. "I don't want to be known as a band who writes songs for Christians," he said. "I don't always know what someone else means when they say that. It's a little bit like saying, 'Hey, are you a Republican or a Democrat?' and you're a little scared to say these days because it might mean something different to one person than it does to someone else. So I basically say, 'Absolutely, we are Christians, not ashamed of that, not looking to hide that, but we don't write songs for Christian people. We write songs for people.'"

"Unleashed" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album chart and has sold 146,000 copies since coming out in August.

"Unleashed" marked SKILLET's third visit to the survey's Top 10, following the No. 2 debut of "Awake" in 2009 and the No. 4 landing of "Rise" in 2013. "Unleashed" also entered the Top Christian Albums chart at No. 1.

SKILLET will kick off a new round of tour dates on February 8 in Clifton Park, New York, featuring support from SICK PUPPIES and DEVOUR THE DAY.

HALESTORM will release its third covers EP, "ReAniMate 3.0: The CoVeRs eP" on January 6, 2017 via Atlantic. Produced by Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN), the effort is available for pre-order now. All pre-orders will receive an instant grat of the Grammy Award-winning band's take on JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS' "I Hate Myself For Loving You", which can be streamed below.

"We are so excited to finally unleash our latest cover EP, 'ReAniMate 3'," said Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM. "On this EP we were inspired to push the limits and challenge the ears of our fans. There are some surprises that you may not have expected from us, and there are also things that you've always wanted to hear from us. We were so incredibly honored to work alongside producer Nick Raskulinecz. He truly helped us bring these songs to life and find a way to make them HALESTORM's."

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Still Of The Night (WHITESNAKE cover)02. Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover (SOPHIE B. HAWKINS cover)03. I Hate Myself For Loving You (JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS cover)04. Heathens (TWENTY ONE PILOTS cover)05. Fell On Black Days (SOUNDGARDEN cover)06. Ride The Lightning (METALLICA cover)

"ReAniMate 3.0: The CoVeRs eP" follows HALESTORM's previous covers EPs, 2011's "ReAniMate" and 2013's "ReAniMate 2.0".

Speaking about how HALESTORM goes about picking which songs to record for series of covers EPs, bassist Josh Smith told RingRocker.com: "We start out with basically everyone… Our team… Oh my God! My dad finds out that we're doing a cover album, all I get is texts: 'Oh, you should do this.' But anyone… anyone who finds out we're doing a covers album, all of a sudden you're just getting this crazy list. So it literally starts out with e-mails of lists and lists, and somehow, over months, we kind of whittle down our list until we get to a short list of maybe ten songs or less. And then we record 'em and see what works and see what we like."

He continued: "Now, after the first one, we sort of followed a similar formula with the second one in that it's very generational — we have a song from '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, a contemporary pop song… So that was a nice way to pick our songs. Really, that has been the template."

According to Josh, there is at least one added benefit to covering other people's songs when it comes to HALESTORM working on original material. He explained: "What's really cool is that when we do pick these songs, they really do influence us, because it's Songwriting and Performing 101. Where you have to deconstruct a song — a legendary song, essentially — you deconstruct it, and then rebuild it to how it works for us. And it really influences us in a lot of ways. For example, that album certainly influenced a lot of songs and ideas and gears on our newest album."

Added drummer Arejay Hale: "When we did 'Slave To The Grind' [from SKID ROW], we were, like, 'Oh, man! We need a song like this.' And then we wrote 'Love Bites', which is pretty much just off the feel of 'Slave To The Grind'. It's cool, 'cause we used to do that. We used to do three- or four-hour shows with covers and originals. And you're right — it is like training. And I always recommend that for newer artists, younger artists that wanna learn how to play drums or guitar. I always say the best way to really get good and learn how to develop your own style is to learn the styles of other people and learn other songs that you like or that challenge you. And it kind of makes you think differently. It's, like, 'Oh, this guy did these chords,' or, 'This guy played this kind of groove.' 'I bet I can do that in an original song.' So, yeah, it's kind of like training."

Lzzy Hale recently told Swedish outlet RockSverige that HALESTORM is continuing to write material for its next album, tentatively due next year. Hale revealed: "You have no idea the weird songs I've been writing, subject matter and musically. Musically, it's kinda been a long journey to the beginning, so we're kinda going back to our total roots. We're gonna do a rock record this time. It's like total balls to the wall, but lyrically, it's been a little weird and that's my fault."

The new record will follow up 2015's "Into The Wild Life", which was criticized by some fans for veering too far into pop music territory.

Obscure melodic black metallers, Cold Raven, have released a new video for the track “Equilibrium And Chaos”, filmed this month in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Lubiana, Slovenia, Zurich, Switzerland and Wroclaw, Poland during the Evil Over Europe tour supporting Possessed, Belphegor and Absu. The original track is featured on the Equilibrium And Chaos album. Watch the video below:

Cold Raven are currently writing new material for their next album. The new album will represent an evolution in the band’s songwriting, though confirming the style shown in the previous work.

Cold Raven – formed in 2013 – released their debut full length album, Equilibrium & Chaos, in 2014 via Sliptrick Records. The band’s sound is influenced by the black metal scene of the early ‘90s, as well by the bands that followed and contributed to open the horizons of the genre. So far Cold Raven has shared the stage with important acts such as Nargaroth, Infernal War, Necromass, Dark Funeral, God Dethroned, Belphegor, Unleashed, Mortuary Drape, Impaled Nazarene, etc., and have played in several European countries.

German grindcore goats, Milking The Goatmachine, will return with a new album next year. Inspired by diabolical black metal music, the album is entitled Milking In Blasphemy, and will be released on March 31st via NoiseArt Records.

Today, the band presents the second trailer for the upcoming record. Two trailers can be found below.

The band states: "Now a year has past since our psychiatrist Carl Gustav Leid ordered us to take a break. We followed this strictly. But this was a mistake… the voices in our heads are rioting and we have lost the control about ourselves. We are sputtering with ideas and energy. The new album is in progress and this will be the freakiest and simultaneously most diabolical what we have released so far."

Stay tuned for more info.

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Norwegian metallers, Tomorrow's Outlook, have revealed the front cover illustration for a new concept album in the works, based on actual events that happened in Northern Norway anno 1748-1750; "The gruesome murders of two young Sámi men, and a trial where three local people; two men and a young girl, were sentenced to death".

Northern Norway, December 1748. Two Saami boys were heading home, their boat loaded with food and liquor for Christmas. The weather was awful and the seas were rough, so by necessity they pulled to shore and started dragging the boat across a sandbank. This is where they met their cruel fate.

Three local people who lived nearby came to help: Iver, a wicked man; Steffen, old and weak; and his daughter Ane, a fair-haired young beauty. The Saami people are viewed as inferior, and when Iver found the liquor he decided to take it. A fight broke out, and the Saami boys were murdered in cold blood – one knifed in the throat and the other strangled with his own scarf.

The murderers buried one boy, but the other was left on the cold stone where he fell. This would be their undoing, as he was found within days and suspicion fell upon Steffen, who lived nearby. Also, Ane was seen prancing around wearing the dead boy’s scarf. This carelessness led to their arrest, confession and harsh judgement.

“The sentence is death for each and every one of you. Thrice you shall be branded with red hot pliers; first on the place of your crime, next on route to Pikeholme, the place of execution, and lastly when you arrive. Your right hands are forfeit; they shall be hacked off. Then, after justice is served and your heads have been severed, the Night Man shall place your hands and heads on pikes and lay your bodies on stalls, there to rot as a warning to any who pass by, that we will not suffer murderers in our midst!”

After the Supreme Court upheld the sentence, the murderers were executed in the summer of 1750. For the sake of alcohol, five people had died."

The band says: "We don't want to give away too much about the next album yet, but since the cover artwork has already been ready for quite some time, and since we're extremely pleased with the amazing work of our good friend Rado Javor, we can't keep it to ourselves any longer. The picture looks super awesome! The landscape, with the sea and the mountains, is actually authentic with the view from our living room window, so it's a bit chilling when you actually know the story and what happened only a couple of thousand meters apart from where we live. It's a great story to write an album about, and we're definitely having a lot of fun with it."

The music is said to be a continuation of what the band did on A Voice Unheard, the upcoming album which was produced by Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Halford, Judas Priest). The band describe their music as a nice hybrid of classic metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Helloween.

Says the band: "It looks like the next album might be another Roy Z production. We have already introduced him for some ideas, and he was amazed by the intriguing concept. He did a killer job with the mix on A Voice Unheard, so why really change a winning formula? We're also going to ask him to play some guitar on the album. Roy is both an amazing guitarist and songwriter, so don't be surprised if there will also be one or two of his ideas on the album. Regarding singers, we'll probably stick with Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Tony Johannessen (Thunderbolt). These two Supermen are among the top singers in heavy metal of today, and with them only the sky is the limit."

Some music for the next concept album has already been written and recorded, and the band are truly excited about the new songs.

"We can't wait to start talking more about the next album,” says the band, “but first let's focus 100% on the upcoming A Voice Unheard; which details about the release is just around the corner. Hang in there and thanks for being patient."

Tomorrow's Outlook have released two teasers from the upcoming A Voice Unheard album. Both are cover songs where they are collaborating with leading members of Russia's biggest and most famous heavy metal band, Aria. The songs are "Darkside Of Aquarius" which is off Bruce Dickinson's fourth solo album, Accident Of Birth, from 1997 and "Slave To The Evil Force" (На Службе Силы Зла) which is off Aria's most famous release from 1987, Hero Of Asphalt (Герой Асфальта).

A Voice Unheard tracklisting:

"Within The World Of Dreams" (vocals: Ralf Scheepers)
"Descent" (vocals: Tony Johannessen)
"Through Shuttered Eyes" (vocals: Tony Johannessen)
"A Voice Unheard" (vocals: Ralf Scheepers)
"Outlaw" (vocals: Scott Oliva)
"Times Of War" (vocals: Tony Johannessen)
"One Final Prayer" (vocals: Ralf Scheepers)
"The Enemy" (vocals: Ralf Scheepers)
"Fly Away" (vocals: Ralf Scheepers)
"Nothing Shall Remain" (vocals: Ralf Scheepers)
"Darkside Of Aquarius" (vocals: Tony Johannessen - Bruce Dickinson cover)
"Slave to the Evil Force" (vocals: Tony Johannessen - Aria cover)

Italian metallers, Killin’ Kind, have released their new album, Dying Earth. A video for the track “The Raven” can be found below.

Killin’ Kind is a four piece metal ensemble born in Novara, Italy. Singer and guitar player Tito’s leadership since 1996 passes through years of sound development, improved in 1998 by the great cooperation and complementary songwriting of lead guitarist Daniele Genugu (King Wraith, Bejelit). After a lot of stage experience, the debut album, Metal Rage, saw the light in 2008 via Old Ones Records.

The duo continued developing the original sound of KK made of rage, melodies and introspection and, thanks to a new complete lineup with Paolo Laurenti (Necroart, Nevrast) on drums and Dest (Heavenfall, Altjira) on bass. Tito’s raging lead voice is now entwined with Daniele and Dest ones on dark and apocalyptic lyrics.

The band gives birth to melodic thrash metal riffs enriched by complex arrangements focused on harmonized and neoclassical guitar works, polyphonic choirs and a fast, technical drumming. Killin’ Kind’s unique sound can be appreciated at best on their new release, Dying Earth, out now via Underground Symphony.

Tracklisting:

“New Killing Breed”
“The Raven”
“Apep (99942)”
“King Of Terror (Apophis Pt. 1)”
“The Journey (Apophis Pt. 2)”
“The Legacy (Apophis Pt. 3)”
“Raijin” (featuring Dave Linsk)
“Fujin”
“Standing In The Shadows”
“Dying Earth”
“Moonlight Shadow”

“The Raven” video:

Killin’ Kind lineup:

Tito - vocals & guitar
Daniele - guitar & vocals
Dest - bass & vocals
Hammer - drums

Italy's Last Union have released their new album, Most Beautiful Day, which features a collaboration with Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie on four songs.

Destined for big adventures, Last Union celebrates ex-Helloween Uli Kusch' s return after a few years absence as one of the most respected drummers of all times, and welcomes none other than Symphony X bassist Mike LePond. Focusing on the band's composers, the spirited driving force of melodies of Cristiano Tiberi's elegant and aggressive guitars and Elisa Scarpeccio's distinctive voice.

"Hold on a second here, surprises keep coming! After the great success of the first two videos, 85k+ views on Facebook, here's the brand new one. Watch the video of the band's very first stage experience playing the album title-track. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the support and interest and we will of course keep on bringing you updates on everything. A big thank you for your quality work, passion, patience and trust."

Order the new album at this location.

Tracklist:

"Most Beautiful Day"
"President Evil" (feat. James LaBrie)
"Hardest Way"
"Purple Angels"
"The Best of Magic"
"Taken" (feat. James LaBrie)
"18 Euphoria"
"A Place in Heaven" (feat. James LaBrie)
"Ghostwriter"
"Limousine"
"Back in the Shadow"
"Taken (feat. James LaBrie)

Go to this location to grab the tracks "President Evil" (featuring James LaBrie) and "The Best Of Magic". Check out the lyric video for "President Evil" below.

Last Union is:

 

Elisa Scarpeccio - vocals
Chris Tiberi - guitars
Mike LePond (Symphony X) - bass
Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween) - drums

For information and updates on Last Union go to this location.

PEARL JAM has given a donation of $70,000 to help a man with his medical costs some 15 years after the man himself actually rescued singer Eddie Vedder in a boating mishap. According to The Pulse Of Radio, Vedder and five friends were sailing in Hawaii a decade and a half ago when strong winds capsized their boat. Although the craft was turned right side up, Vedder and two women were left stranded in the water when the winds pushed the boat out of their reach.

After two hours of treading water, Vedder and the women's cries for help were heard by a girl named Ashley Baxter and her father Keith, who were boating nearby. The Baxters found Vedder and the women, got them aboard, then went after the windswept boat and rescued the others trapped on that craft as well. The whole ordeal inspired Vedder to write "Future Days", a track from 2013's "Lightning Bolt" album.

Recently, Keith Baxter was in his own boating accident in which he nearly lost his leg and was left with a bad bone infection. By chance, his daughter ran into one of the women she and her father had rescued that day. The woman, Kacky Ovrom Chamberlain, helped set up a GoFundMe page that raised $70,000 for Baxter's medical expenses.

Chamberlain then reached out to Vedder, which led to the members of PEARL JAM matching the fundraising with their own $70,000 donation, bringing the grand total to $140,000. The GoFundMe page now shows five donations of $14,000 — four anonymous donors, one from PEARL JAM guitarist Stone Gossard.

Vedder made headlines earlier this week when he sent a check for $10,000 to a struggling single mother so that she could buy Christmas presents for her six children.