Melodic metal act Artizan have started pre-production with legendary producer, Jim Morris, at his newly opened studio in Florida.

Artizan founder Ty Tammeus states, "We have a few surprises for the new album including some guest appearances. You can expect melodies abound, as well as focus on heavier riffs, and more sophisticated elements. We are all upping our game for this one!" 

Fans can expect the new album in the first quarter of 2018.

Founded by drummer Ty Tammeus in 2008, Artizan crafts powerful, traditional metal. Dynamic arrangements, dominant rhythms and soaring melodies are key ingredients to the Artizan formula. The band has released three critically acclaimed albums via German record label Pure Steel Records, all produced by legendary producer Jim Morris (Iced Earth, Death, Jag Panzer, Crimson Glory): Curse Of The Artizan (2011), Ancestral Energy (2013) with guest vocalist Matt Barlow (Iced Earth), The Furthest Reaches (2015) - an epic sci-fi rock opera featuring guest vocalists Sabrina Cruz (Seven Kingdoms) and Matt Barlow (Iced Earth). Artizan was honored to be direct support for Fates Warning on their 2013 tour and recently performed at the legendary Keep It True festival in Germany.

"Catharsis", the new video from San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD, can be seen below. The song is the title track of the band's ninth full-length album, which will be released on January 26, 2018 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2014's "Bloodstone & Diamonds" was produced by MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn and recorded, mixed, and co-produced by Zack Ohren (FALLUJAH, ALL SHALL PERISH) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California. Mastering was handled by Ted Jensen (HATEBREED, ALICE IN CHAINS, DEFTONES) at Sterling Sound in New York. Cover photography was created by Seanen Middleton.

Flynn told Jason Ellis of SiriusXM that "Catharsis" is a simpler and more straight-forward effort than some of MACHINE HEAD's past outings.

"I've been telling everybody, 'Keep your expectations low for the heaviness,'" Robb said. "It's a very grooving, very melodic record, and it's kind of freaked people out — understandably, I guess."

Asked how "unheavy" "Catharsis" really is, Flynn said: "It's got some pretty melodic moments, man. This isn't us at our heaviest. To me, if 'The Blackening' was us at our most thrashing and most heavy, this is probably us at our most grooving and most melodic. And it's still heavy, it's great songs, it's just… it's a new trip, and I dig it, man."

According to Flynn, MACHINE HEAD had "no plan" while composing the songs for "Catharsis". "We just start writing," he explained. "There's never a plan. We just started writing, and it came out the way it came out, and it was just cool. That was the shit that got our dick hard, and we were, like, 'Fuck! Let's go with it.'"

He added: "To me, Keith Richards summed it up best. We're just a vessel and we're just channeling what's going through us."

Pointing out that "Catharsis" is a 15-song collection of music with a running time of around 75 minutes, Flynn admitted that "it's a big commitment" for the listener. But, he added, "The majority of the record is short songs. And it was nice. It was just, like, the first two songs we wrote were just short and sweet and heavy, and we were, like, 'Fuck! It doesn't need to go on for six more minutes or have 20 other changes.'"

As for what brought about the slight change in direction for MACHINE HEAD's new album, Flynn said: "I don't listen to a whole lot of metal — I'm being straight with you. To me, a lot of it doesn't interest me, a lot of the lyrics don't interest me. I listen to a lot of hip-hop. I grew up on a lot of hardcore, punk rock, hip-hop, and I just love… Love it or hate it, I love just the fucking direct, ignorant-ass lyrics of hip-hop. It's very clear, it's very blunt; there's no metaphors. Metal's full of metaphors. We've been singing about the same shit now for 30 fucking years and I get a little bored with it. And with this record, I really wanted to just strip it down and make really clear, really simple, really blunt… Especially my choruses, just really clear… Like, you know what the fuck I'm talking about exactly when I'm talking about it. And it's cool. Like real vulgar language and coarse language, and it's a good vibe, man."

Flynn went on to say that he was inspired by the idea of changing up the formula and taking MACHINE HEAD down a new path without veering too much from the band's established sound.

"How the fuck do you blow people away? How do you say something different?" he asked rhetorically. "'Cause there's the two sides — there's the type of bands that are, like, 'We wanna be AC/DC. Never change. It's always the same.' And then there's THE BEATLES, which is probably the most evolution that's ever happened over the course of 10 years in music history. And I don't wanna say we've changed that much, 'cause I never think that we have, but I love the evolution. I love trying to find some new thing that keeps you going."

"Catharsis" track listing:

01. Volatile
02. Catharsis
03. Beyond The Pale
04. California Bleeding
05. Triple Beam
06. Kaleidoscope
07. Bastards
08. Hope Begets Hope
09. Screaming At The Sun
10. Behind A Mask
11. Heavy Lies The Crown
12. Psychotic
13. Grind You Down
14. Razorblade Smile
15. Eulogy

The album is available for pre-order at this location.

The North American tour in support of "Catharsis" will kick off on January 25 in Mesa, Arizona.

On March 16, Norwegian extreme, melodic metallers SUSPERIA will return with their long-awaited first full-length studio album since 2009, titled "The Lyricist", via Agonia Records.

A video trailer for the album can be seen below.

The origins of SUSPERIA can be traced back to 1998 when Tjodalv, then occupying the drum seat with DIMMU BORGIR, and longtime friend Cyrus (ex-SATYRICON, OLD MAN'S CHILD) got together to share ideas and write songs. Clearly rooted and seasoned in the Norwegian black metal scene, SUSPERIA elevated its sound into more melodic areas of extreme metal, embracing and exploring a variety of musical avenues with ease.

On "The Lyricist", SUSPERIA has gone back to its black origin in many ways, one of which is a grimmer expression. The characteristic melodic twist the band is known for is still present, and an additional layer of variety has been added thanks to new vocalist, Bernt "Dagon" Fjellestad (whose stage debut with the band was made at last year's 70000 Tons Of Metal). From SUSPERIA's pragmatic point of view, the new album is a "good old-fashioned kick in the head, both old and new fans should find enjoyable".

Track listing:

01. I Entered
02. Heretic
03. The Lyricist
04. My Darkest Moment
05. Day I Died
06. Void
07. Feed The Fire
08. Whore Of Man
09. Come Alive

"The Lyricist" was recorded at three different studios in Norway between February 2015 and May 2016. The album was later mixed and mastered at Strand Studio (CHROME DIVISION, THE WRETCHED END, IN VAIN) by Marius Strand. Cover design and artwork was prepared by Vincent Fouquet. New band photos were shot by Espen Bakken.

The first single together with pre-orders and album formats will be revealed in January 2018.

SUSPERIA lineup:

Dagon - vocals
Tjodalv - drums
Memnock - bass
Cyrus - guitar
Elvorn - guitar

Masked horror metal band Terror Universal - featuring current and former members of Ill Nino, Soulfly, Upon A Burning Body and Machine Head - recently announced the release of their upcoming debut full-length album, Make Them Bleed, out January 19th via minus HEAD Records.

Today, the band is giving fans a taste of the record via their new slasher flick-inspired music video for the nightmarish earworm, "Dig You A Hole", a Film/Facer production directed by Wacy Jahn. The video thoroughly showcases what Terror Universal is all about - fright-inducing, unforgettable heavy metal mosh-anthems.

"It's like a mini-thriller video," Massacre tells Billboard. "It's about a psychologist or someone who's manipulating his victims into doing the killing for him, about how he manipulates a person to do the dirty work - a serial killer type of vibe. And he gets (the victims) to dig their own hole. The whole thing is just really disturbed and pretty ugly and grotesque at times - which is exactly what we wanted. I really dig this first introduction to the band."

Read more of the interview at Billboard, and check out the "Dig You A Hole" video below.

Pre-order Make Them Bleed via Bandcamp, or via the band's brand new PledgeMusic campaign. PledgeMusic pre-order incentives include: digital download cards, signed CDs, limited edition posters, t-shirts, stickers, limited edition blood-splatter vinyl, signed gear (including a guitar, drumhead and drum sticks), one-on-one music lessons, and more!

Tracklisting:

“Welcome To Hell”
“Passage Of Pain”
“Dig You A Hole”
“Dead On Arrival”
“Through The Mirrors”
“Your Time Has Come”
“Make Them Bleed”
“Into Darkness”
“Spines”
“Piece By Piece”

"Dig You A Hole" video;

“Make Them Bleed”:

Greek symphonic extreme metal band, Caeleastia, will release their new album 'Thanatopsis', on December 8th via EMP Label Group/SPV. The album was mixed and mastered at Fredman Studios (Gothenburg, Sweden) by Fredrik Nordström (Dream Evil). Caeleastia have posted a audio video for the song “Devil´s Game”, streaming below.

The cover artwork was made by Gogo Melone (Luna Obscura).

Tracklisting:

“Intro / Time For Redemption”
“Initium Vitae Et Mortis”
“Thanatopsis”
“Chamber Of Torments”
“Devil’s Game”
“Dancing With The Demons”
“Travel To Eternity”
“Underlife”
“Martyrs” (featuring Jason Bittner (Overkill))
“Lament Of The Sea”

“Devil’s Game”:

Boston's Scaphism looks to kick off 2018 in the most violent way possible with the release of Unutterable Horrors.

The band's new album comes five years after its debut, Festering Human Remains. The time between releases has seen Scaphism grow into one of the most lethal forces on the New England death metal scene. Eight-tracks of no-frills, throat-ripping USDM, Unutterable Horrors will be out January 12th on Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. Album track “Vaults Of Pestilence” is streaming below.

Preorders are available on Bandcamp.

Tracklisting:

“Gruesome Unmentionables And Unutterable Horrors”
“Malapropos Cardiectomy”
“Mitte Eos Ad Infernos”
“Vaults Of Pestilence”
“Trepanate The Undesired”
“The Feaster From The Stars”
“Excorciated And Excarnated”
“Hypovolemic Purification”  

“Vaults Of Pestilence”:

When the awful news broke on Christmas Eve 2016 that legendary rocker Rick Parfitt of STATUS QUO fame had passed, fans around the world were devastated that one of rock's most iconic performers had been silenced.
However, unknown to almost anyone, Parfitt had, in fact, virtually completed his first solo album whilst undergoing a period of recuperation after his heart attack in July.
That album, poignantly titled "Over And Out", will now be released on March 23 through earMUSIC. Featuring 10 brand new songs, including the title track that broke hearts anew when it was played at Parfitt's funeral, this is an album of depth and passion. Created by Parfitt and producer Jo Webb, the record is a true labor of love and showcases the softer side of Parfitt as a writer, artist, and performer away from the QUO maelstrom, as well as the purest rock 'n' roll sound of earlier STATUS QUO records. Despite the fact Parfitt had finished recording his guitar and vocal parts, a recording session was planned for February 2017. Certain tracks were not totally finished when Parfitt died. The call to help ensure that his work could be completed, so that the world could hear it, was answered by musicians of the caliber of QUEEN's Brian May and MUSE's Chris Wolstenholme, both of whom were close to Parfitt.
His son, Rick Parfitt Jr., was also involved in the creative process, as were John "Rhino" Edwards and Alan Lancaster, amongst many others. All of those involved in completing the songs that Parfitt had written for "Over And Out" have done him proud in bringing his vision to fruition. Parfitt's music always featured two elements — the raw rock 'n' roll sound and a great passion for melodies. "Over And Out" offers the best of both worlds: It has been recorded and written with a band's spirit between Parfitt and Webb. They shared various mixes, reflecting the sound of the sessions and the spirit that was present in the "room." The album has also been mixed by top producer Ash Howes, offering a different view on the songs but also leaving a dilemma open for interpretation: Which one would Parfitt prefer?
The polished, big sounding mixes or the original band mixes, raw and full of musical honesty?
Those who were close enough to him over the years would probably say: "Both."
This is why the album will be available in its "finished" form, but also as a raw and pure version, for the fans of the rockier side of Parfitt's music in special collector's editions. "Over And Out" track listing:
01. Twinkletoes02. Lonesome Road03. Over And Out04. When I Was Fallin In Love05. Fight For Every Heartbeat06. Without You07. Long Distance Love08. Everybody Knows How To Fly09. Lock Myself Away10. Halloween This album is the record that Parfitt had been itching to write. His forced departure from QUO's live performance circuit, while very hard for him to take, did at least free up the time that was needed to create "Over And Out". The album is but the latest element of the incredible legacy and body of work that Parfitt leaves. A testament to his talent, his winning way with words, an incredible joie de vivre, and a spirit that never flagged. He'll be missed but "Over And Out" is a great way to remember him — gone but not forgotten.

It's been an interesting few weeks for The Raven Age. The British up n' comers recently concluded their first European headline tour, which included a sold-out show in London, promoting their debut album Darkness Will Rise. As 2017 draws to a close though, the band have parted company with lead vocalist Michael Burrough, sharing this statement via their social media.

"We feel that our time with Mike has come to a natural end as we haven’t been heading in the same direction, either creatively or professionally. We'd like to thank Mike for the last four years. We've shared some incredible experiences both on and off the road, including the recording of our debut EP and album, signing to a record label, supporting some amazing bands all over the world, and successfully taking on our first ever headline tour. We’ve parted on good terms and will remain good friends. From all of us we'd like to wish Mike all the very best for the future.”

The Raven Age now firmly have their sights set on 2018. The group are actively recruiting Burrough's replacement, commenting, "We'll be holding auditions as soon as we possibly can. We have a lot of interesting things in the pipeline for next year including a new release and more touring. We're looking forward to finding a new singer and cracking on full steam ahead with the next chapter for The Raven Age."

Think you’ve got what it takes to front The Raven Age? Apply through their website at theravenage.com/apply.

The Raven Age are signed to record label BMG and won ‘Best New Band’ at the Planet Rock Awards 2017. Their single "Angel In Disgrace" has racked up more than 3 million streams worldwide.

WHITESNAKE revisited the music that singer David Coverdale recorded with DEEP PURPLE with the release of "The Purple Album" two years ago. The LP, and the tour that followed, offered fans new modern interpretations of PURPLE classics like "Burn" and "Mistreated". Highlights from the historic tour will be featured in a new live collection, including double-disc versions that feature audio, video and a selection of bonus material.
"The Purple Tour (Live)" will be available on January 19 as CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray sets. Additional formats include a double-LP, single CD, and digital version. A video trailer can be found below.
On "The Purple Tour (Live)", WHITESNAKE puts its distinctive spin on several songs from Coverdale's studio albums with DEEP PURPLE: "Burn" (1974), "Stormbringer" (1974) and "Come Taste The Band" (1975). Highlights include "You Fool No One", "The Gypsy" and "Soldier Of Fortune". The double-disc collection also includes video footage of the concert mixed to 5.1 Surround Sound, plus a new music video for "Burn", band interviews, and a number of bonus performances not available on the CD or vinyl versions.
The WHITESNAKE lineup that appears on "The Purple Tour (Live)" includes Coverdale, guitarists Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra, bassist Michael Devin, drummer Tommy Aldridge and keyboardist Michele Luppi.
Coverdale says there was never any intention to compete against the original recordings. "We just wanted to play the damn songs," he says. "Each member of the band brought their incredible individual talents and a real band identity to this music. We've all done the best we can with this project with respect to the music, and the legacy of DEEP PURPLE Mk3 and Mk4."
In addition to songs originally recorded by DEEP PURPLE, "The Purple Tour (Live)" features performances of killer WHITESNAKE tracks like "Fool For Your Loving" from "Slip Of The Tongue" (1990), "Love Ain't No Stranger" from "Slide It In" (1984), plus "Still Of The Night", "Bad Boys", "Is This Love" and the #1 smash "Here I Go Again" from "Whitesnake" (1987).
CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray track listing:
01. Burn02. Bad Boys03. Love Ain't No Stranger04. The Gypsy05. Give Me All Your Love06. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City07. Mistreated08. You Fool No One09. Soldier Of Fortune10. Is This Love11. Fool For Your Loving12. Here I Go Again13. Still Of The Night
DVD/Blu-ray Contents:
Concert Video in 5.1 and Stereo
* "Burn" - Music Video* Band Interviews
Bonus 5.1 High Resolution Live Audio:
* You Keep On Moving* Lay Down Stay Down* Lotsanotes* Stormbringer
CD track listing:
01. Burn02. Bad Boys03. Love Ain't No Stranger04. The Gypsy05. Give Me All Your Love06. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City07. Mistreated08. You Fool No One09. Soldier Of Fortune10. Is This Love11. Fool For Your Loving12. Here I Go Again13. Still Of The Night
LP track listing:
Side One
01. Burn02. Bad Boys03. Love Ain't No Stranger04. The Gypsy
Side Two
01. Give Me All Your Love02. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City03. Mistreated
Side Three
01. You Fool No One02. Soldier Of Fortune03. Is This Love04. Fool For Your Loving
Side Four
01. Here I Go Again02. Still Of The Night03. You Keep On Moving - LP Bonus Track

"Dio Returns: The World Tour" — featuring Ronnie James Dio reuniting via hologram with his DIO bandmates — kicked off earlier tonight (Wednesday, December 6) at Matrix in in Bochum, Germany. The Ronnie hologram performed throughout the show, treating fans to an alternating setlist that featured songs such as "Rainbow In The Dark", "We Rock", "Neon Nights", "King Of Rock And Roll", "Man On The Silver Mountain", "Heaven And Hell", "Holy Diver" and more. The "Dio Returns" tour features Ronnie's actual live vocals, with the DIO band playing live, consisting of Craig Goldy on guitar, Simon Wright on drums and Scott Warren on keyboards, along with Bjorn Englen on bass. Veteran metal vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST) is also performing, with singer Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB) also joining on select dates.
"Dio Returns: The World Tour" will also make stops in Poland, Spain, Romania, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Belgium before the end of 2017.
Dates initially announced for Finland, Sweden and Norway are being rescheduled for a larger run through Scandinavia in 2018. The "Dio Returns" tour will also make stops throughout Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, United States, Venezuela and other countries, with more dates to be announced.
The hologram of Ronnie James Dio made its debut at last year's Wacken Open Air festival in Germany. The surprise appearance of the heavy metal icon during DIO DISCIPLES' set closed out the massive metal event which was attended by more than 75,000 fans.
In a recent post on the DIO DISCIPLES Facebook page, Goldy defended DIO DISCIPLES' decision to tour with Ronnie's hologram, calling it "a gift to the fans" which will be "given in the same spirit in which Ronnie gave."
He explained: "People don't remember, but Wendy [Dio, Ronnie's wife and manager] was a big part of how that whole 'Sacred Heart' stage set was built, put together and without hiking up the ticket prices too. Same thing for the 'Dream Evil' tour, with a giant metal spider that came down out of the rafters and I shot it with lasers out of my guitar and then wherever I pointed my guitar, an explosion would occur. It was magical days with magical people behind that magic. This hologram is just that."
According to Goldy, DIO DISCIPLES' performances with the Ronnie James Dio hologram will serve an opportunity for people who "never got to see Ronnie on stage with BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW" to experience some of the original magic.
"This is something that is done in the name of love, honor, missing him and respect — nothing else," he said. "And that is the truth. People's opinion does not alter the truth. It only alters the perception of truth. So this hologram tour is meant to honor the man and his music in the same spirit in which that man gave to this world... so we now give. And people will be missing out on an incredible experience if they let bad comments make that decision for them."
Craig added that "Ronnie would approve of this hologram being done in the way it is being done. I'm sure that anyone who has worked as hard as he did, and has made as big of a worldwide impact as he did, would like their name and memory carried on by those people that he loved and surrounded himself with by choice."
Englen told "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" in October that "Dio Returns" will see him and his bandmates perform "quite a few songs with the hologram — probably, I would say, about half or maybe more than half. And then the rest of them are gonna be without the hologram, with 'Ripper' Owens and Oni Logan singing," he said. "So it's gonna be the DIO DISCIPLES. And the hologram is gonna be in the middle of the stage, but I don't wanna reveal too much. It's quite a large… it needs quite a bit of space onstage, so hopefully most of the venues are gonna be able to accommodate that, as far as the places that haven't been booked yet. But we're excited about it. It's gonna be great."
According to Englen, the tour will consist of shows "at theaters and large clubs. And as long as the stage is big, we can do it. It has to have a certain width," he explained.
Regarding what is involved in planning a tour like this, Englen said: "We have to do some choreography, as far as where to be and what song and all that stuff. All the music is live, and we obviously have to play to a click track — or Simon does — so that we're synced with Ronnie's vocals. Other than that, we play the songs like we normally play them. We've just gotta make sure the arrangements are the same, and they usually are — we haven't done many changes to the songs since the DIO days. So they're the same anyway."
Asked if he finds it "haunting" to perform with a Dio hologram, the bassist said: "You know, we're not really looking at it while we're playing. Looking at it after, I think it's just a nice thing. Some people wonder, 'Is it creepy?' or that kind of a thing. We're excited. We feel good about it. It's done really well, and it's with live vocals — you know, you get that live feel and everything — and they've done a really nice job as far as the content and the photography and all that stuff. I think a lot of people are gonna be — even the people that have been negative about it, or pessimistic — are gonna be positively surprised."


Posted by Dio Disciples on Wednesday, December 6, 2017

In a brand new interview with Backstage Axxess, Max Cavalera spoke about his plans for SOULFLY's follow-up to 2015's "Archangel" album, tentatively due next summer via Nuclear Blast. He said (hear audio below): "I'm actually writing right now. I'm collecting the riffs right now and getting the ideas. We are already kind of booked for January with Josh Wilbur, the producer of LAMB OF GOD and GOJIRA and KILLER BE KILLED. I think he'll be great for the SOULFLY record; he's a great producer. I'm excited, because I think the album will have a little bit of a return to some tribal sounds that I haven't done since [2004's] 'Prophecy'. So that'll be cool, to return to some of that. And then the rest of the album will be a continuation of 'Archangel'; a lot of people like 'Archangel'. And, of course, I think that it will be also somehow influenced by [CAVALERA CONSPIRACY's new album] 'Psychosis', 'cause 'Psychosis' was such a cool record that I'm sure that somewhere in the SOULFLY record we'll have the influence of that on top of it too. So it'll be a really cool record to work on."
Max recently told the "No Limits Music Show" that SOULFLY's upcoming disc will be "deeply tribal, very spiritual. There's a concept. I cannot tell you much about it, 'cause it's kind of a surprise," he said. "But there is a concept behind the record, and I have not done a record with a concept like this since [SEPULTURA's] 'Roots'. So this one has got the same kind of feeling that 'Roots' has."
Max said that the difference between his writing approach for SOULFLY and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY is that with SOULFLY "I've got more room, I can do more stuff with it. 'Cause I've got the world music element, the tribal element, the spiritual element," he explained. "They give me more room to go even further on what I can do with the music, so I'm very excited. I think it's gonna be a great record."
Max and his brother, former SEPULTURA drummer Igor Cavalera, have spent the last year and a half celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the band's "Roots" album by performing the LP in its entirety all over the world.
CAVALERA CONSPIRACY — which also features Max and Igor — released its fourth album, "Psychosis", on November 17 via Napalm Records.

Fox has fired Bryan Singer as director of Bohemian Rhapsody, three days after his repeated absences from the set had forced the studio to halt production, reports Variety.

“Bryan Singer is no longer the director of Bohemian Rhapsody,” the studio said Monday. Fox did not elaborate.

The studio terminated Singer under the “pay or play” provision of his contract, sources indicated, due to his repeated failures to show up on the set. A new director has not been named.

Filming has been taking place in London with Mr. Robot star Rami Malek in the lead role as Freddie Mercury, the front man for the group Queen. New Regency and GK Films are the production companies. The producers are Graham King, Singer, and Jim Beach, Queen’s longtime manager. Denis O’Sullivan, Arnon Milchan, and Jane Rosenthal are the executive producers.

Read more at Variety.com.

PAINTED DOLL, the new band formed by comedian/guitar shredder Dave Hill and extreme metal veteran Chris Reifert (AUTOPSY, DEATH), recently inked a deal with the New York City independent label Tee Pee Records. The group's self-titled debut, recorded and mixed by Tom Beaujour at Nuthouse Recording in Hoboken, New Jersey, will be released on February 16, 2018.
PAINTED DOLL came to life when "a death metal guy and a power-pop guy got hammered together at a GOBLIN concert in Texas." Soon after, Reifert and Hill began trying to out-deep cut each other with late '60s/early '70s Dutch and British psych pop before Chris suggested the two musicians form a band together inspired by the music they'd been trading.
The record's acid trip-esque cover art was created by Hill himself, who calls the colorful collage "something I would have drawn on my notebook back in high school after too much Robitussin."
Reifert adds: "The cover art reminds me of the days when I was entertainment director on 'Watership Down' and Dave had to convince us all that he just wanted to rock and not eat us. For that reason, it's perfect in my book!"
"Painted Doll" track listing:
01. Together Alone02. Carousel03. Hidden Hand04. Dressing Room05. Painted Doll06. Eclipse07. She Talks To Mirrors08. Stairwell09. Find Your Mind10. I Put A Spell On You (SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS cover)
What does PAINTED DOLL sound like, you ask? Let's let the band do the talking...
"The PAINTED DOLL record was a blast to make," says Hill. "Chris is a death metal legend from the Bay Area and I'm a guy from Cleveland who worships THE KINKS. Throw in our mutual love for obscure Dutch bands from the seventies and you've got PAINTED DOLL. We're super psyched to be working with Tee Pee Records to unleash our stone-cold jams on the masses."
"After getting to know Dave and talking about psychedelic bands and stuff, it was clear that PAINTED DOLL needed to happen," adds Reifert. "The powers of rock gave us our mission, which we gladly accepted. Now you can hear the visions that we had bouncing around in our heads. Foxes and rabbits, velvet and leather, smoldering rock and spacey psych....what else do you need? Play it loud and proud, babies!"
Luckily, there's zero waiting period to hear the culmination of this peculiar pairing as PAINTED DOLL has released a video for the record's lead track "Together Alone". Check it out below.

Frontiers Music Srl will release the new album from MIKE LEPOND'S SILENT ASSASSINS, "Pawn And Prophecy", on January 26, 2018.
The SYMPHONY X bassist is extremely excited for the release of his solo band's sophomore effort, which he describes as a "a collection of epic tales told with the power of heavy metal music. The classic headbanging riffs and kick-ass vocals will get your horns and fists in the air. It is an album made FOR metalheads, BY metalheads." Today, the first song from "Pawn And Prophecy" has been made available for your listening pleasure. Check out "Avengers Of Eden" below. On the story behind the song, LePond says, "'Avengers Of Eden' is based on 'The Doom That Came To Sarnath' by H.P. Lovecraft. It's one of the faster tracks on the record. The main riff was inspired by VAN HALEN's 'House Of Pain'. I turned that up to MOTÖRHEAD/EXCITER speed with a Dio-style vocal." Best known as the bassist for progressive metal giants SYMPHONY X, Mike LePond stepped out on his own to front his own project, MIKE LEPOND'S SILENT ASSASSINS, in 2014.
The follow-up to the band's self-titled debut release, "Pawn And Prophecy" shows an onslaught of true heavy metal in its purest form. As an example of the range of metal styles here, the title track is a 21-minute opus based on William Shakespeare's "Macbeth", where Mike and company have essentially written a heavy metal soundtrack to this classic tale and features guest appearances from SYMPHONY X bandmates Michael Romeo and Michael Pinella. "Pawn And Prophecy" track listing:
01. Masters Of The Hall02. Black Legend03. Antichrist04. I Am The Bull05. Avengers Of Eden06. Hordes Of Fire07. The Mulberry Tree08. Pawn And Prophecy Recording lineup:
* Mike LePond - Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals* Alan Tecchio - Lead Vocals With special guests:
* Michael Romeo - Drum Programming, Keyboards, Lead Guitar on Track 8* Michael Pinella - Backing Vocals, Piano & Organ on Track 8* Lance Barnewold - Lead Guitar on Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5* Rod Rivera - Lead Guitar on Tracks 5, 6, 7* Andry Lagiou - Lead Vocals on Track 8* Noa Gruman - Lead Vocals on Track 8* Veronica Freeman - Lead Vocals on Track 8* Phyllis Rutter - Lead Vocals on Track 8

Southern Californian hard rockers FU MANCHU release their 12th studio album, "Clone Of The Universe", on February 9, 2018 via their own label At The Dojo Records. The upcoming record will be their first in four years, following the 2014 release of "Gigantoid". "Clone Of The Universe" marks a new chapter for the "fuzz rock" pioneers as they mix the straight ahead blistering rock with unexpected time shifts, featuring tracks like the roaring cuts "Don't Panic" and "(I've Been) Hexed" and the dynamically complex "Clone Of The Universe" and "Slower Than Light". The centerpiece of the album is "Il Mostro Atomico", an 18-minute-8-second side-long epic featuring a special guest performance by Alex Lifeson, guitarist and songwriter of the legendary band RUSH. Heavier than anything they've ever done and broken into four distinct sections, it's new ground for a band that's been pushing the boundaries of "fuzz and wah" since its formation in 1990. The band will be playing two album-release shows in Southern California before hitting the road in Europe in March of 2018 and returning to the U.S. in May of 2018. Additional 2018 shows will be announced in the coming months. "We are excited to get out and play this stuff, especially 'Il Mostro Atomico'," says founding guitarist Scott Hill. "We think it's some the strongest music we've ever done. We really love the overall sound of the album and having Alex play on it is just incredible. It gives it that special validation for the idea that we had to try something like a side long song." The album was recorded and produced by FU MANCHU and Jim Monroe at The Racket Room in Santa Ana, California, with additional recording by Andrew Giacumakis at Susstudio in Simi Valley, California.
"Clone Of The Universe" track listing:
01. Intelligent Worship (3:08)02. (I've Been) Hexed (2:48)03. Don't Panic (2:05)04. Slower Than Light (3:26)05. Nowhere Left To Hide (4:19)06. Clone Of The Universe (2:58)07. Il Mostro Atomico (18:08)
FU MANCHU is Scott Hill (vocals, guitar), Bob Balch (guitar), Brad Davis (bass) and Scott Reeder (drums and percussion).
Photo credit: John Gilhooley

Due to massive demand, "Gwar: Orgasmageddon" will see release as a trade paperback from Dynamite Comics, collecting all four issues of the hit series. The book will include the main story by GWAR's Matt Maguire, Matt Miner, Jonathan Brandon Sawyer and Tom Neely, plus all the backup stories and art from a wide range of ultra talented creators and members of GWAR themselves.
"It's been an honor to work on this book with the guys from GWAR," said co-writer Matt Miner. "I'm thrilled and humbled by the massive positive response the comic books have gotten and I'm ecstatic that Dynamite Comics is publishing a collected paperback that can sit on library shelves and corrupt children for decades to come."
GWAR and Matt Miner ask that fans pre-order the new trade paperback and visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find their local stores, to ask them in person, on Twitter, Facebook, or on the phone to carry the book on their shelves. "Facebook messages are the least intrusive but most effective means of outreach," says Miner. "If the trade paperback does well then we could see a second comic series of blood drenched antics featuring our favorite Scumdogs of the Universe."
Miner also has some advice for those wanting to own copies of the book themselves: "Get your pre-orders in now and secure your copy. Wait until it's sold out and you'll be selling kidneys on the black market to pay jacked-up prices on eBay."
The comic creators have provided a pre-order coupon for fans to print and bring to their local comic stores, and, should eager readers not have a local comic store, Miner suggests pre-ordering online from Things From Another World at this link.
Having already violated the art, music, and film worlds, now infamous scumdogs GWAR are coming for your graphic novels and book stores! Do you need to be a GWAR fan to love this book? Hell no! There's loads of laughs, violence, fun, and irreverent social satire for everyone to enjoy!
Trampling through the past after being trapped in time by the cold and calculating Mr. Perfect, GWAR fights and kills and kills and KILLS, slogging their way through human history in a torrent of gore, blood, bile, and other assorted bodily fluids the way only the most famous satirical heavy metal band from the depths of outer space can.

Underground hardcore supergroup, End, has debuted a music video for their track "Necessary Death". Directed by Bobby Bates, this is the second music video the band has released. End released a music video for "Love Let Me Die" in September, also directed by Bobby Bates. Watch both clips below.

The debut EP, From The Unforgiving Arms Of God, came out back in September via Good Fight Music on limited edition 12" vinyl and digital formats.

The group comments: "End started as an homage to those darker classic 90s hardcore records we grew up listening to. A lot of the influence and attitude towards heavy music that we've incorporated into our other projects over the years stemmed from this era, so it was fun to go full on into that territory and make a destructive record.”

Their 6-song debut EP From The Unforgiving Arms Of God was produced, mixed and mastered by Will Putney at Graphic Nature Audio.

End is a collaboration of members from Fit For An Autopsy, Counterparts, Misery Signals, Reign Supreme, and Structures, playing heavy hardcore that influenced End from their youth.

Tracklisting:

"Chewing Glass"
"Usurper"
"Love Let Me Die"
"From The Unforgiving Arms Of God"
"Necessary Death"
"Survived By Nothing"

"Necessary Death" video:

"Love Let Me Die" video:

Purchase here.

(Photo - Bobby Bates)

DISTURBED bassist John Moyer has joined forces with ADRENALINE MOB members Mike Orlando (guitar) and Jordan Cannata (drums), along with ex-ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA singer Lukas Rossi, in a new band STEREO SATELLITE.
Says the group: "After years in the making, we are very proud to be finally sharing our new band with the world... Ladies and gentlemen, we give you STEREO SATELLITE.
"By melding hook-filled melodies within heavy guitar riffs and hard beats, STEREO SATELLITE shows their ability to compact a vast array of influence and experience into a signature sound with substance, style, and spirit."
STEREO SATELLITE will make its live debut at the ShipRocked cruise on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
A preview of STEREO SATELLITE's upcoming single, "Glass Houses", is available below.
Orlando and Cannata were both involved in a crash last July that resulted in the death of ADRENALINE MOB bassist David Zablidowsky.
The band was touring in support of its third studio album, "We The People", which was released on June 2 via Century Media. The follow-up to 2014's "Men Of Honor" was the first ADRENALINE MOB release to feature Zablidowsky and Cannata.
Back in 2006, Rossi was declared the winner of the second season of "Rock Star" and assumed frontman duties for ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA, a band comprised of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee, former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted and former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke.
Moyer joined DISTURBED in 2003 and has appeared on the albums "Ten Thousand Fists", "Indestructible", "Asylum" and "Immortalized".


Stereo Satellite - Glass Houses
Mission Control to ShipRock'onauts... Please join us in welcoming a brand new band aboard Mission SR18!
Lukas Rossi - Vocals (Rockstar Supernova), Mike Orlando - Guitar (Adrenaline Mob), John Moyer - Bass (Disturbed) and Jordan Cannata - Drums (Adrenaline Mob)... Now collectively known throughout the universe as Stereo Satellite!
The band will be making their debut performance onboard the shipcraft, and we can't WAIT! Here's a little taste for you of their upcoming single, Glass Houses!
Posted by Shiprocked Cruise on Monday, December 4, 2017

SEPTIC TANK, the long-running project featuring vocalist Lee Dorrian (CATHEDRAL), guitarist Gary Jennings (CATHEDRAL) and bassist Scott Carlson (REPULSION), has completed work on its debut album, "Rotting Civilisation". The disc, which was recorded and mixed by producer/engineer Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios, will be released on April 13, 2018 via Rise Above Records.
"Rotting Civilisation" will feature 21 raging tracks of "metallic hardcore thrash." The band's musical influences range from HELLHAMMER, DISCHARGE, SLAUGHTER through to MOTÖRHEAD, TANK, SEPTIC DEATH, SIEGE, CRUCIFIX, BATTALION OF SAINTS and many more of the musicians' favorites from early to mid-'80s.
Earlier this year, Lee stated about SEPTIC TANK's musical approach: "SEPTIC TANK actually does have some very fast tracks, as well as the more general DISCHARGE kind of speed."
Originally formed in 1994 as a side-project of CATHEDRAL, SEPTIC TANK played a gig in London, U.K. on May 3, 2013 as an opening act for REPULSION and NECROPHAGIA.
SEPTIC TANK released a four-song EP in 2013.
SEPTIC TANK is:
* Lee Dorrian (CATHEDRAL, NAPALM DEATH, WITH THE DEAD) - Vocals* Gary Jennings (CATHEDRAL, ACID REIGN, DEATH PENALTY) - Guitar* Scott Carlson (CATHEDRAL, REPULSION) - Bass* Jaime Gómez Arellano (CATHEDRAL, DĀM, BLUTVIAL) - Drums
Photo credit: Ester Segarra

German thrash metal veterans SODOM will be rejoined by former guitarists Josef "Grave Violator" Dominik (who was in the band 1984-1985), Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik (1986-1989) and Andy Brings (1991-1995) during their 35th-anniversary show on December 26 at Zeche in Bochum, Germany.
SODOM's current lineup includes bassist/vocalist and sole remaining original member Thomas "Angelripper" Such, along with guitarist Bernd "Bernemann" Kost and drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald.
SODOM's latest album, "Decision Day", was released in August 2016 via SPV/Steamhammer. The disc was produced by Cornelius "Corny" Rambadt, sound engineer and drummer with Angelripper's side project ONKEL TOM. The effort featured artwork courtesy of Joe Petagno. As well as having worked for PINK FLOYD and LED ZEPPELIN, Petagno is MOTÖRHEAD's favored graphic designer and has created legendary album covers such as "Overkill", "Orgasmatron" and "Another Perfect Day".
In a 2016 interview with Distorted Sound, Such stated about the making of "Decision Day": "When we start writing new songs, we never think about what we've got to do or we never have any direction in doing an old-school album.
"SODOM is a band who will never change, really, even if you look back to the '90s when a lot of bands tried to get more commercial and change the music, but we never [did].
"I think back in the '90s as SODOM we had some of the heaviest albums of our career, and when we're writing songs now, we don't think about what we've got to do. We just rehearse. It's very old school — we have a rehearsal room and we do it one time a week and we just start it with a jam session, of course, drinking a beer and start a guitar riff or a drum fills.
"I know other bands who are going to write songs on MP3 trading — one guy is living in America, one guy is living in England, the other one in Germany — and that is not a band. SODOM is a band.
"We never look back because there are some people who say it sounds like 'Agent Orange' or 'Persecution Mania'. There was one guy who told me it sounds like 'Obsessed By Cruelty'. I never mind, but we just don't think about that — we just want to write good songs and a good album, but always try to keep the spirit of SODOM. We never want to try and change anything. We're gonna do thrash metal. There is no label or record company who will dictate to us off doing that.
"I want to be free, I want to do this kind of music, but we love this kind of music.
"All of the inspiration, for me, is the older bands like VENOM, MOTӦRHEAD, the old MOTӦRHEAD, but when we start writing songs we don't think about writing a song like MOTӦRHEAD or whatever, we just keep it a SODOM song.
"The difference between the new one and the older releases like 'Epitome Of Torture' and 'In War And Pieces', the way we produced this album, we never had a release date with our label; we just recorded the songs and we had a lot of time. We recorded in six months and it was very relaxed working and the studio was near my hometown so I could go there doing some vocal work, some bass lines and going back home and relaxing. We got a chance to do a pre-production and change things we weren’t satisfied with and had a lot of time to make it perfect."

Swedish occult metal band GHOST has begun teasing a live album called "Ceremony And Devotion". The official cover artwork for the disc, which is reviewed in the latest issue of Sweden Rock Magazine, can be seen below.
An official release date for "Ceremony And Devotion" has not yet been announced, but the set is expected in January.
The last-ever GHOST concert to feature frontman Papa Emeritus III took place on September 30 in Gothenburg and saw the singer apparently being dismissed from the band.
Papa was forcibly removed from the stage by two men during the band's closing number, "Monstrance Clock", A short time later, a very elderly man wearing a white and gold version of Papa's robes and his signature make-up took the stage and addressed the crowd, saying in Italian, "I am Papa Emeritus Zero. The party is over and now a new era begins. The Middle Ages begin now."
The band posted footage of the incident to its official Instagram account but has yet to comment on the matter. It appears, however, that the reign of Papa III has ended.
Of course, all this is part of a big inside joke: the band supposedly dismisses the old Papa and recruits a new one on every LP, but they are all the same person — founder Tobias Forge, who will no doubt perform as a new Papa Emeritus on the next album cycle.
Forge recently revealed that he's been working on the group's fourth studio album for a tentative April 2018 release. The new disc will follow up 2015's "Meliora", which featured the Grammy-winning hit "Cirice", and last year's "Popestar" EP, which included the chart-topping "Square Hammer".
After several years of not revealing his or the rest of the band's identities, Forge recently confirmed his own while responding to a lawsuit filed by four former members of GHOST, who accused him of cheating them out of their rightful share of the group's profits.
Forge hired an all-new lineup of the group for touring purposes in the first half of 2017, with the musicians all anonymously performing as Nameless Ghouls.

Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE have officially parted ways with longtime drummer Michael "Moose" Thomas and replaced him with Jason Bowld (PITCHSHIFTER, AXEWOUND).
The band said in a statement: "As most of you know, Jason Bowld has been in the hot seat since November 2015, playing every show we've done since then — killing it every single night. Jase has been a big part of making the last cycle for us our most enjoyable and successful yet, from the live shows through to the writing and recording sessions for 'Don't Need You' last year.
"With that said, we'd like to officially welcome Jason to BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE as our permanent drummer. Since initially filling in for Moose in 2015, Jase has cemented himself as an integral member of the BULLET family, and you guys are going to be blown away with what he's brought to the new record.
"We'd like to place on record our thanks for everything that Michael 'Moose' Thomas has given to BULLET throughout his time in the band, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.
"Please join us in welcoming Jase to the fold, as [we] know he'd like to thank you guys for all the support and love you guys have given him over the last two years."
After BULLET made the split official, Thomas tweeted to thank all the fans for their messages of support. "As soon as I can say what's going on, you guys will be the first to know," he wrote. "It's been a weird couple of years for me, but please hear this: I AM NOT QUITTING DRUMS OR MUSIC! I have been hard at work on something and will announce very soon. #2018"
In other news, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE is "99 percent done" recording its sixth studio album for an early 2018 release. "We've one or two cherries to add to the cake, so to speak, but we can say without doubt that we've created something that we're incredibly proud of, and we can't wait to let you hear it," the band said.
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's next album will be released through the band's new label home, Search And Destroy, the imprint launched in 2014 by Spinefarm and international artist management company Raw Power Management.
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE guitarist/vocalist Matt Tuck told A Music Blog, Yea in June that the group's latest song, "Don't Need You", which was released as a standalone single last November, is "pretty much" a good indication of what fans can expect to hear on the band's next album. "There's some stuff in that vein, and there's a lot of other stuff we've been working which is… kind of a… not new direction, but we wrote two or three songs which are kind of a different sound for us, but we're really happy with, so we're gonna see how that goes, really," he said.
Tuck added that BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE has attempted to change up its songwriting approach in order to produce an album that will stand on its own merits rather than follow a tried-and-tested formula.
"Stylistically, we just wanna make bigger songs — in a less more busy way, musically, and just really, really focus on the vocal tracks and the vocal melodies and stuff," he explained. "And everything else then is built around it rather than the other way around, which we've done in the past."
But this doesn't mean that BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will completely abandon its signature balance of heavy, coupled with surging melody.
"I think this new batch of songs, we're not stepping away from it, but we definitely wanna do something which is not the same as 'Venom'," Tuck said. "So we're just trying to make this album its own body of work rather than a continuation of a sound."
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's last album, "Venom", came out in August 2015. The CD marked BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's first release since the departure of longtime bassist Jason James and addition of Jamie Mathias (formerly of REVOKER).

In the small Swedish town of Nörje near Sölvesborg, on July 9, 2016, in front of an audience of thousands, four American musicians gave a blistering performance that would encapsulate five decades of rock'n'roll history. The performance was at the legendary Sweden Rock Festival; the band was VANILLA FUDGE.
Now a complete audio and video document of that much-acclaimed show is available for everyone to hear, see and enjoy. As they celebrate a half-century of cutting edge music and live performances, VANILLA FUDGE will release the CD/DVD of "Live At Sweden Rock - The 50th Anniversary".
Available December 8 on MIG Records and distributed by MVD, "Live At Sweden Rock" presents the band in its rawest and most honest setting. Guitar, bass, drums and keyboards hold down the music, while the perfectly blended voices of the group provide the color behind the compelling lead vocals of Mark Stein. The result is a band that sounds just as strong and relevant today as it did in 1967.
"Quite honestly, even though VANILLA FUDGE has been together for half a century," says lead vocalist and keyboardist Mark Stein, "I really never tire of playing these songs and arrangements because the energy level never seems to dissipate. It is that very energy that we feel from the audience that keeps us always feeling young and inspired."
Adds drummer Carmine Appice: "It was a great time playing the Sweden Rock Festival. To see all those people enjoying our set was a great feeling."
The album features powerful psychedelic re-workings of classic songs from THE DOORS, THE MONKEES, SPENCER DAVIS, DONOVAN and LED ZEPPELIN, along with the FUDGE's distinctive musical take on the Motown and R&B classics "Shotgun", "Take Me For A Little While" and "You Keep Me Hanging On".
"It was our European Woodstock," says guitarist Vinny Martell. "On the day we played Sweden Rock, I met fans who had been trapped behind the Iron Curtain across the Baltic when we first became famous. They finally had a chance to see the band at Sweden Rock; when they were young they had only heard our recordings on Radio Free Europe."
With Stein, Appice and Martell in place, along with bassist Pete Bremy, VANILLA FUDGE is one of a handful of '60s bands who are still intact with most of its founding members.
Originally formed in 1967 out of the ashes of THE PIGEONS, with Stein, Appice, Martell and bassist Tim Bogert, the band was soon renamed VANILLA FUDGE, because of its musical concept of four New York-based white musicians playing revamped rock versions of popular soul hits. Sold out world tours; hit albums and singles; and a reputation as a group steeped in cutting-edge musicianship has allowed VANILLA FUDGE to be one of the most influential acts to rise from the revolutionary 1960s. The group has remained together off and on ever since, with Bogert departing in 2006 after a motorcycle accident and his decision to retire.
In addition to playing together (including appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show"), the members also reached considerable success over the years as solo artists, in their own right. Among the band's biggest fans is musician Paul Shaffer, former leader of the "Late Night With David Letterman Show" band for decades: "The VANILLA FUDGE slowed down 'You Keep Me Hanging On' and with that one soulful record, effectively invented progressive rock."
"Playing with Carmine and Mark now is like waking up in the middle of a long solo that started in 1967," laughs Martell, who, is also a U.S. Navy veteran. "Is it tomorrow? Let's call it Vanilla Haze…"
Upon the release of "Live At Sweden Rock - The 50th Anniversary", VANILLA FUDGE will resume its schedule of live performances, including an appearance on the Rock Legends VI cruise, with Sammy Hagar and BAD COMPANY, among others.
"I hope we can reach our next anniversary at 55 years," says Appice. "We plan to keep playing, recording and moving forward." Mark Stein agrees: "I can only hope that VANILLA FUDGE continues to move forward by playing as many shows as we can while we still can. I believe the only way to stay youthful at our age as a rock band is by continuing to do that."
"We should spread our message of unity and peace in this chaotic world," says Vinny Martell. "The hippies were right, man."

Chester Bennington's widow has slammed the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office and taboid web site TMZ for revealing that her husband allegedly attempted to drown himself nine months before he committed suicide by hanging.
TMZ reported earlier today that the former LINKIN PARK frontman got drunk, tied himself up and jumped in his swimming pool back in November 2016. He eventually changed his mind and was able to free himself and surface.
The information was reportedly given to an investigator for the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office by Talinda and was originally part of the coroner's report on Chester's July 20 suicide, but was redacted following a request from his widow's lawyer, Ed McPherson, according to TMZ.
McPherson contacted the coroner's lawyer and argued that the 2016 incident was protected by "marital privilege." TMZ reports that the coroner's office was split over the decision to redact the information, with some arguing that "marital privilege" does not exist.
After TMZ published its report on Wednesday, Talinda lashed out at the Los Angeles County Coroner and the gossip web site, writing in two separate tweets: "Fun fact- When your husband dies by suicide, the LA County Coroner’s office will PARAPHRASE your private conversation with them to dramatize and sensationalize the story and then SCUMBAG FILTH like TMZ post it for the world to feast on. It was redacted to protect all the kids!! And now I get to go pull my 11 yr old out of school- because all the kids can use their phones at lunch-to be the first to tell him what REALLY happened in Nov. Thanks again to SCUMBAG reporting. FUCK YOU TMZ"
Bennington had previously talked about committing suicide more than a decade ago. According to the coroner's report, he had been drinking heavily in 2006 and threatened to kill himself before leaving with a gun. That passage was not redacted.
Autopsy results for Bennington revealed that he had a small amount of alcohol in his system when he died. But the report also noted that the singer was not under the influence of any drugs at the time of his death. The official cause of death was suicide by hanging, with the coroner writing: "Autopsy findings are characteristic of suicidal hanging. There was a history of suicidal ideation."
Bennington's body was found in his Los Angeles-area home last July 20. He was 41 at the time of his death.
The police officer who found the body wrote in his report that half a pill of insomnia drug Zolpidem, a half-full container of Corona beer and an empty bottle of Stella Artois were in the room. Also present was a journal with a biography that was handwritten but not dated. There was no suicide note.
According to TMZ, Talinda told the police that he was recently in an outpatient treatment program and that to her knowledge he hadn't taken antidepressants in a year.
Shards of his fingernails were found on his iPhone, the result of a nervous tic that Talinda said was caused by anxiety. Friends told Rolling Stone that Bennington had been struggling to maintain his sobriety over the past year.
LINKIN PARK staged a tribute concert for Bennington on October 27 featuring guest appearances from a number of different acts, but the band has not revealed if it plans to carry on without the vocalist. They will release a concert album titled "One More Light Live" on December 15.

YOB recently announced the deluxe reissue of The Great Cessation. Originally released in 2009, the trio's 5th full-length record is a master lesson in cosmic doom. Epic, crushing, and heavy beyond words, YOB achieved legendary status in recent years due to their unmatched aesthetic and incredible body of work. The Great Cessation is a flawless document of a band ebbing and flowing between thunderous, skull-splitting riffage and rhythm to meditative moments of introspective psychedelia; an essential piece in the pantheon of YOB's illustrious output. This definitive edition has been completely remastered by Heba Kadry (The Mars Volta, Diamanda Galas, Slowdive) and includes stunning new artwork plus two bonus tracks (previously only available on vinyl). The remastered version of “Blessed By Nothing” is streaming below.

Vocalist / guitarist Mike Scheidt reminisced on the original release of The Great Cessation, saying:

“With The Great Cessation, we were revitalized from our break, we just had Aaron join the ranks with the single best new potential member audition (since Travis) and the album basically wrote itself. When we broke up, we played generally to very small crowds in a very small scene. When we came back, our return was met with a scene that has caught up to what the genre's best had to offer, and we all of a sudden had opportunities we'd never had before. Hell, we did shows with Electric Wizard, Orange Goblin, High On Fire, that were attended by 50-ish people in the early 2000's.”

YOB’s deluxe reissue of The Great Cessation is due out December 8th on CD/2LP/Digital via Relapse Records. Physical packages and digital order are available via Relapse.com and all digital outlets here.

Additionally, YOB has announced a brief run of dates in 2018, including appearances at Modified Ghost Festival in Vancouver and Sabertooth Festival in Portland. A complete listing of dates can be found below.

Tracklisting:

“Burning The Altar”
“The Lie That Is Sin”
“Silence Of Heaven”
“Breathing From The Shallows”
“The Great Cessation”
“Blessed By Nothing” (bonus track)
“Pain Like Sugar” (bonus track)

"Blessed By Nothing":

“Breathing From The Shallows”:

Tour dates:

February
15 – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
16 – Portland, OR – Sabertooth Festival
23 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall

May
25 – Vancouver, BC – Modified Ghost Festival

(Photo by: Alyssa Herman)

Sacramento, Ca death metal shredders Alterbeast will release their sophomore album Feast via Unique Leader Records on February 23rd. The nine track effort, featuring founding guitarist Andrew Lamb, new vocalist Michael Alvarez, and drummer Alex Bent (of Trivium) showcases the band's most technical and exciting material to date. A lyric video for “Apex Night Eclipse” is streaming below.

Guitarist Andrew Lamb says of the track, ""We are excited to give you our first single off our new album FEAST! We wanted to recreate that magic of growing up and having to hide certain records under your bed. And with songs like Apex Night Eclipse, we think we achieved that goal. Hard hitting, relentless riffing, and vocals that will leave every church in flames. Alterbeast denies Christ with every note of Apex Night Eclipse. Toss your Ouija Boards in the garbage, because this blasphemous hymn is guaranteed to summon the Devil! Get your first glimpse of Michael Alvarez’s brute vocals as well as Alex Bent’s crushing drums! End piano piece written and performed by our good friend Ryan McNatt of the very talented Enigma! We hope you dig it!"

Feast was recorded by Zach Ohren (Immolation, Carnifex) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, Ca and mastered by John Scrip at Massive Mastering. Cover art by Megan Mushi. 

Drummer Alex Bent says of Feast, "This album is a force to be reckoned with! It gets directly to the point and crushes from front to back! This was an extremely fun and challenging record to make and I know that when people hear it, they will feel the passion we put into it!"

Tracklisting:

"Welcome To Your Doom"
"The Maggots Ascension"
"Black Flame Illumination"
"Feast"
"Vile Skin Posession"
"Apex Night Eclipse"
"Coffin Crescendo"
"Where Dead Angels Lie" (Dissection cover)
"Upon The Face Of The Deep"

"Apex Night Eclipse" lyric video:

Southern California’s Novareign have been steadily and surely building a buzz and reputation for themselves in recent years. The group has become a fixture with energy-abounding live shows filled with nonstop shredding guitar interplay and powerful traditional metal vocals. Having honed their attack and lineup, the band are now ready to march forth internationally on February 16th with their debut full-length, Legends, an hour-plus of shred-tastic, over-the-top, epic power and progressive metal.

Influenced by bands like Iron Maiden and Dream Theater to Dragonforce and Angra, this is the new age of progressive power metal telling stories in musical literature speaking to a generation influenced by epic fantasy tales, comic books and video games.

Showcasing these qualities is the first emphasis track and already a fan-favorite, “Beyond the Cold”, can be heard below.

“The reason the song was chosen first was because it’s a perfect example of our accumulative taste and talents, tailored into a traditionally structured piece,” explains guitarist Danny Nobel. “The song uses clean vocals featuring harmonies, an odd time signature breakdown and shredding guitar solos with a climactic hook. These are elements in music that are featured throughout the album but are all present within the one song. ‘Beyond the Cold’ should do well in getting a listener prepared for the rest as it gives them a good idea what they're in for.”

Legends will be released on CD and digitally and is already available for pre-order from the label’s webshop here.

“The art was based off an idea I had pitched to have giant statues of god-like figures in an astral plain,” explains Danny. “Our bassist, Moises, took the idea and created the drawings you’ve seen so far. The characters are all based on warriors and mythical beings, which represent themes of courage, heroism, strength and virtue. These are characteristics and themes of the overall album. That along with a cosmic decor.”

Recently Novareign was a finalist in the battle to get a spot on this year’s Knotfest Meets Ozzfest, and in January they will support White Wizzard on a run of US dates.

Live dates:

December
16 - Winterfest @ Malone’s - Santa Ana, CA (with Holy Grail & Thrown Into Exile)
31 - Five Star Bar - Los Angeles, CA

January
11 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA (with White Wizzard)
12 - Beauty Bar - Las Vegas, NV (with White Wizzard)
13 - Karman Bar - San Niguel, CA (with White Wizzard)
23 - Slidebar - Fullerton, CA (with Michael Angelo Batio and Deathriders feat. Neil Turbin)

On March 9, Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, proudly release "Both Sides Of The Sky", a dynamic new Jimi Hendrix album featuring 13 studio recordings made between 1968 and 1970 — 10 of which have never before been released. The album will be released on multiple formats including CD, digital, and as a numbered 180-gram audiophile vinyl 2LP.
"Both Sides Of The Sky" is the third volume in a trilogy of albums intended to present the best and most significant unissued studio recordings remaining in the music legend's archive. Beginning with "Valleys Of Neptune" (2010), which earned top ten sales rankings in fifteen countries (including a top position of #4 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart), followed by "People, Hell And Angels" (2013) which peaked on Billboard's Top 100 album chart at #2. Billboard's coveted #1 singles ranking went to "Somewhere", the album's lead track and the legendary guitarist's highest-ever U.S. singles chart achievement. This third release is anticipated to complete the spectacular recording event in epic fashion.
"Since Experience Hendrix began its restoration of the Jimi Hendrix music catalog in 1997, our goal has been to present these important recordings to Jimi's fans in the best possible quality. We are excited about achieving that. We've also been intent on generating album releases which present this amazing music in its proper context," explains John McDermott, one of the album's co-producers, together with Janie Hendrix and Eddie Kramer. Recorded between January 1968 and February 1970, Jimi's desire to push the boundaries of blues music can be heard throughout. "Both Sides Of The Sky" additionally highlights Jimi's mastery of studio production and his increasing use of these facilities as a proving ground for new sounds, material, and techniques. Many of the album's tracks were recorded by the trio that would come to be known as BAND OF GYPSYS: Jimi on guitar and vocals, Billy Cox on bass, and Buddy Miles on drums. For their first-ever recording session on April 22, 1969, Hendrix turned to their shared musical root, delta blues. Their previously unreleased, uptempo reworking of Muddy Waters's "Mannish Boy" opens the album and sets the tempo for what follows. "Lover Man" was a favored Hendrix original and the guitarist was determined to realize a finished master. Previous attempts by the original EXPERIENCE had yet to yield this for Hendrix but this December 1969 effort by the BAND OF GYPSYS — complete with its homage to the popular "Batman" theme song — was his strongest effort to date.
"Hear My Train A Comin'" features drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding from the original JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE. This original blues composition had become a staple of Hendrix's concerts. This previously unreleased April 1969 recording captured the furious power and dynamic tension that made the song so memorable. Previously unheard recordings of "Stepping Stone", "Jungle", "Cherokee Mist" (which features Hendrix on both electric guitar and sitar) as well as the January 1968 recording of "Sweet Angel" provide further highlights.
"Both Sides Of The Sky" also features an assortment of notable guest musicians. Stephen Stills befriended Hendrix at the June 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. In September of 1969, Stills was invited to a Hendrix session at the Record Plant in New York. Stills burst into the session with a song Joni Mitchell had recently composed, titled "Woodstock". Joined by Hendrix and Buddy Miles, the trio recorded this version first — months before CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG released their popular rendition of Mitchell's song. Stills would also contribute "$20 Fine", an original song that featured Hendrix on multiple guitars, Mitchell on drums, Stills on organ and lead vocals and Duane Hitchings (BUDDY MILES EXPRESS) on piano.
Another of the album's unique band creations sees Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Winter on guitar, backed by Billy Cox and drummer Dallas Taylor of CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG. An excerpt of their rendition of Guitar Slim's "Things I Used To Do" was initially heard as part of a 1990 nationally syndicated radio program and accompanying box set, but here it is presented in full, newly mixed by Eddie Kramer for "Both Sides Of The Sky". On "Georgia Blues", Jimi is reunited with his old bandmate Lonnie Youngblood (vocals/sax) from his pre-fame days in CURTIS KNIGHT & THE SQUIRES. Briefly issued as part of the 2008 "Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues" series but out of print for nearly a decade, this special recording is once more available to Hendrix fans throughout the world on all audio formats.
"Both Sides Of The Sky" was produced by Janie Hendrix, John McDermott and Eddie Kramer. Kramer served as recording engineer on every Jimi Hendrix album made during the artist's life. In order to preserve the integrity and continuity of the Hendrix legacy, this same team has produced every Jimi Hendrix audio and visual release since 1996.
Janie Hendrix, president and CEO of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C., commented: "We have a growing commitment to preserve the legacy of Jimi and also to continue to give the worldwide family of Jimi fans quality releases. That's what 'Both Sides Of The Sky' reflects… our ongoing commitment. In a deeper sense, it's the keeping of a promise. Jimi and I once made a promise to each other. He said he would take care of me and I told him I would take care him. Through his music and our preservation of his work, my brother and I honor one another. We are now in our third decade of watching over Jimi's creative works and our resolve to maintain the integrity of what he left us has only grown stronger with time."
That is also the purpose for Eddie Kramer's involvement and his devotion to the project. He remarked: "Jimi's true home was the studio, that's where the music and the magic happened. He loved everything about recording and it's been my distinct pleasure and an honor to play a part in that process both then and now." "Both Sides Of The Sky" track listing: 01. Mannish Boy*02. Lover Man*03. Hear My Train A Comin'*04. Stepping Stone*05. $20 Fine*+06. Power Of Soul^07. Jungle*08. Things I Used to Do#09. Georgia Blues++10. Sweet Angel*11. Woodstock*+12. Send My Love To Linda*13. Cherokee Mist* * Previously unreleased^ Previously unavailable extended version+ Featuring Stephen Stills# Featuring Johnny Winter++ Featuring Lonnie Youngblood Cover photo © Mike Berkofsky

German metallers MYSTIC PROPHECY will release a covers album, "Monuments Uncovered", on January 12, 2018 via Massacre Records.
Singer Roberto Dimitri Liapakis comments: "This album is like a love letter to the music that accompanied so many of us, myself included, in the '70s, '80s and '90s — and believe me, you have not heard the songs like this before! I'm also really excited to show you a new and different side of MYSTIC PROPHECY!"
The album was produced by Liapakis and MYSTIC PROPHECY at the Prophecy Studios, and mixed and mastered by Henrik Udd at Udd Recording Studios (ARCHITECTS, HAMMERFALL, BRING ME THE HORIZON, AT THE GATES, DELAIN). Dušan Markovic created the album's cover artwork.
MYSTIC PROPHECY's "Monuments Uncovered" will also be available as a limited-edition digipak with an exclusive bonus track as well as limited vinyl LP.
"Monuments Uncovered" track listing:
01. You Keep Me Hangin' On (KIM WILDE/THE SUPREMES cover)02. Hot Stuff (DONNA SUMMER cover)03. Shadow On The Wall (MIKE OLDFIELD cover)04. Are You Gonna Go My Way (LENNY KRAVITZ cover)05. I'm Still Standing (ELTON JOHN cover)06. Because The Night (PATTI SMITH cover)07. Space Lord (MONSTER MAGNET cover)08. Get It On (T.REX cover)09. Toyko (TOKYO cover)10. Proud Mary (CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL cover)11. The Stroke (BILLY SQUIER cover) (digipak bonus track)
The official video for MYSTIC PROPHECY's cover version of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" can be seen below.

Los Angeles-based thrash metal icons, Body Count, will perform during the pre-telecast ceremony at the 60th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, January 28th, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Body Count's song "Black Hoodie" was nominated in the "Best Metal Performance" category at this year's event, which will be broadcast on CBS at 7:30 PM ET.

The nominations in the rock and metal categories are listed below:

Best Rock Performance:

“You Want It Darker” - Leonard Cohen
“The Promise” - Chris Cornell
“Run” - Foo Fighters
“No Good” - Kaleo
“Go To War” - Nothing More

Best Metal Performance:

“Invisible Enemy” - August Burns Red
“Black Hoodie” - Body Count
“Forever” - Code Orange
“Sultan’s Curse” - Mastodon
“Clockworks” - Meshuggah

Best Rock Song:

“Atlas, Rise!” - James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich, songwriters (Metallica)
“Blood In The Cut” - JT Daly & Kristine Flaherty, songwriters (K.Flay)
“Go To War” - Ben Anderson, Jonny Hawkins, Will Hoffman, Daniel Oliver, David Pramik & Mark Vollelunga, songwriters (Nothing More)
“Run” - Foo Fighters, songwriters (Foo Fighters)
“The Stage” - Zachary Baker, Brian Haner, Matthew Sanders, Jonathan Seward & Brooks Wackerman, songwriters (Avenged Sevenfold)

Best Rock Album:

Emperor Of Sand - Mastodon
Hardwired…To Self-Destruct - Metallica
The Stories We Tell Ourselves - Nothing More
Villains - Queens Of The Stone Age
A Deeper Understanding - The War On Drugs

For a full list of nominees, visit Grammy.com.