Détente’s cult metal classic, Recognize No Authority, returns for it's 30th anniversary. The album will be reissued via MVDaudio on January 13th.

Originally released in 1986, the recording became a cult classic, launching the careers of Dawn Crosby (Fear Of God) and producer Ross Robinson (Korn, Slipknot). With it's focus on social and political themes and top notch guitar work, the album easily crossed over between both metal and punk audiences. Limited to 1,000 copies.

Tracklisting:

“Losers”
“Russian Roulette”
“It's Your Fate”
“Holy War”
“Catalepsy”
“Shattered Illusions”
“Life Is Pain”
“Blood I Bleed”
“Widows Walk”
“Vultures In The Sky”
“The Human Condition” 2016
“Holy War” 1984
“Widows Walk” 1984
“Shattered Illusions”
“Vultures In The Sky”
“Catalepsy” 2010

Bonus material on this release includes liner notes from the band members, bonus tracks and a new insert.

Bullet For My Valentine enjoyed an awesome crowd on a beautiful day at Wacken Open Air 2016. Video footage for "Tears Don't Fall" in 360° VR is streaming below.

Bullet For My Valentine’s new digital single, “Don’t Need You”, is available now, as well as a music video for the song.

"It's heavy, it's dark, it's super-epic, it's signature Bullet, and I think when people hear it they'll lose their shit," frontman Matt Tuck says about the song. "We love it, and I think it's a hint of where the band is going next."

The video for “Don’t Need You” was directed by Ville Juurikkala (Nightwish, Amorphis), and can be seen below:

Bullet For My Valentine recently signed a worldwide deal with Search And Destroy/Spinefarm Records (UMG).

With five studio albums under their belt - The Poison (2005), Scream Aim Fire (2008), Fever' (2010), Temper Temper (2013) and Venom (2015) - and more than 5 million record sales worldwide to their name, this award-winning quartet (formed in Wales in 1998) have been proudly riffin' their way around the globe since their teenage years. Inspired by heavy metal music's great and glorious (Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden), BFMV are universally revered as a colossal force to be reckoned with - stadium fillers, festival headliners... a new wave of rock royalty.

Led into action by Matt Tuck, the lineup is completed by Michael Paget (lead guitar), Michael 'Moose' Thomas (drums) and latest recruit, Jamie Mathias (bass).

Most recent full-length studio offering, Venom, saw the band reuniting with producer Colin Richardson to create what is widely acknowledged - with fans and critics alike - as the most potent Bullet For My Valentine statement of intent thus far...

Since the release of The Poison (now certified gold), Bullet For My Valentine have notched up an impressive array of international facts 'n' stats: along with chart-topping success, these include Top 10 chart entries, #1 Rock Chart positions, arena tours, key spots at the biggest festivals around the world plus a plethora of awards.

Now, with Venom taking things to new heights plus a year of high-profile international touring ahead, Bullet For My Valentine have joined forces with Search and Destroy/Spinefarm Records in a new global deal.

Matt Tuck, commented: “We're very proud and excited to announce our signing to Search And Destroy / Spinefarm Records. It feels great to be part of a family that truly believes in the band and is ready to take us to the next level. It's been an incredible journey so far - but with the Search And Destroy / Spinefarm team behind us, it feels like we've just begun. Here's to the future."

Bullet For My Valentine are out on their UK dates with Killswitch Engage and Cane Hill. BFMV are performing their 2005 debut album, The Poison, in full on select dates (noted below).

Tour dates:

December
1 - Ironworks - Inverness, UK *
3 - Academy - Manchester, UK
4 - Academy - Manchester, UK *
6 - O2 Academy - Birmingham, UK
7 - O2 Academy - Birmingham, UK *
9 - O2 Academy Brixton - London, UK
10 - O2 Academy Brixton - London, UK *

* playing The Poison in full

Trailer:

After celebrating over 40 years together with the same trio lineup, UMe continues the celebration of the Rush catalog with the release of three 40th anniversary expanded editions of the band’s classic 1976 album, 2112.

On December 16th, 2112-40th will be released in three distinct variations. The 2CD/DVD edition will include a newly remastered CD of the original 2112 album by Abbey Road Studios, and an additional CD of rare, live and previously unreleased material including newly-recorded tracks from 2112 featuring Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters along with Nick Raskulinecz, Billy Talent, Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree, Jacob Moon and Alice In Chains.

The set includes two outtakes from the 1976 Massey Hall concerts including “Something For Nothing”, which you can now listen to below:

The set’s third disc is a DVD featuring a newly restored vintage 1976 Rush concert recorded at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ, plus bonus videos of the Grohl/Hawkins/Raskulinecz track and Billy Talent track, and a new 25+ minute interview featuring Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and longtime producer & engineer Terry Brown. The new 2112 remaster originally appeared on the much-acclaimed 2015 hologram vinyl edition of the album; this marks the Abbey Road Studios master first time on CD.

UMe is also releasing a three-LP 200-gram vinyl edition incorporating all of the aforementioned audio material, plus a special laser-etched LP side, the 2015 hologram on 2112’s side B and a unique turntable mat featuring the band’s iconic Starman character. Fans will also have the option of purchasing a Super Deluxe edition of 2112, incorporating both CDs, the DVD, all three LPs plus its bonus items, and several exclusive collectable items including two 12-inch x 12-inch lithos, one featuring Hugh Syme’s original Starman pencil sketching, the second showcasing a 1976 Massey Hall ticket stub; a reprint of the 1976 Massey Hall handbill and three buttons featuring each band member, all housed in a box lined with velvet flocking.

For a peek inside this wonderous release, enjoy the following video:

For the first 1,000 Super Deluxe pre-order purchases at Rush.com, us.udiscovermusic.com and udiscovermusic.com, the purchaser will receive a limited edition 7-inch pressing of the album’s first single “The Twilight Zone” (b/w “Lessons”) and a custom red star 45 large hole adapter ring, both newly designed by Hugh Syme.

All three versions of 2112-40th feature extensive liner notes by renowned rock historian Rob Bowman, and newly designed artwork by longtime Rush art director Hugh Syme. The set’s rare recordings include “Solar Federation”, spotlighting the isolated Neil Peart vocals that close the song “2112” in “Grand Finale,” two outtakes from the 1976 Massey Hall concerts including “Something For Nothing” and a nearly complete 15+ minute performance of “2112,” as well as a recently-rediscovered live version of the album track “The Twilight Zone,” which has only been performed twice in the band’s long history.

The epic 2112 album which guitarist Alex Lifeson described as “the first record where we sounded like Rush,” is widely regarded as a crucial landmark in Rush’s body of work. Although it was the band’s fourth album, it’s generally considered to be the one on which the band’s epic sound and ambitious conceptual approach blossomed. Resisting record-company pressure to focus on shorter, more radio-friendly songs, the band stuck to its guns and constructed the album’s seminal seven-part, 20-minute title piece, a conceptual suite set in a dystopian future.

In addition to its status as a creative landmark, 2112 was also Rush’s commercial breakthrough, becoming the band’s first album to reach the Billboard LP chart and the first Rush album to achieve Gold sales status in the U.S. (it was subsequently certified Platinum). 2112 was also Rush’s first platinum album in Canada, spawning a now-legendary Canadian tour that culminated in a three-night stand at Massey Hall in Toronto, which was recorded for Rush’s first live album, All the World’s a Stage.

2112 is one of two Rush albums listed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, and it ranked second on Rolling Stone’s 2012 readers’ poll of “Your Favorite Prog Rock Albums of All Time.” In 2006, the non-profit Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada chose 2112 as a culturally significant example of Canada’s audio-visual heritage.

For the complete tracklisting and order options, head to this location.

Listen to Alice In Chains’ cover of the 2112 track “Tears”, streaming below:

Canada’s Unleash The Archers have been on the road since their inception in 2007. Since then they have created an immensely loyal North American fan base.

With a fresh sound, precise songwriting and the incredible feeling for heaviness and melodies, this power quintet with singer Brittney Slayes are now ready to take the rest of the world.

Their new studio album, Time Stands Still, is fast-paced and wildly entertaining; the combination of power vocals, death screams, tasty guitar licks and complex drumming provide a little something for everyone. Time Stands Still is kick ass heavy metal with fist-pumping anthemic melodies you can’t help but sing along to.

Check out the new video for “Time Stands Still” below:

Australia’s Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard combine Ministry-style grooves with the good old sex, drugs & rock’n’ roll attitude. Their debut album, Supersonic Rock’N Roll, will be released on February 24th via Napalm Records.

Freshly signed to Napalm Records, Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard are ready to rock the world with their debut album Supersonic Rock’N Roll. As the release date is coming closer, the first details including artwork, tracklisting and first album teaser have been revealed.

“Its done and dusted, fuel up the bus and stock the fucking fridge with beer I’m ready to tour”, Ran from Aussie stoner rock blues band Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard is chomping at the bit, along with the whole Zombie crew, ”I just think this album spits and lurches with Aussie rock, and Europe and USA are going to fucking love it.” A year in the making, countless hydroponic crops and slabs of booze, a few naked breasts and a fight or two and “Super Sonic Rock n Roll” is ready to unleash.  

“Its not just one speed, its not just stoner rock or dirty blues, its what we like, and what we write at the time, fuck, the next album could be saxophone ballads for all we know, Kenny fucking G!” While highly doubtful any of this lot can play a wind instrument, the unpredicatble is the only thing you can count on. “Stick us on a stage and we will win em over, through abuse and love, its one and the same, i fucking love you, i fucking hate you…now give me a hug.”   

Right up to a month before completion the Zombie crew were writing new tracks to add to the album, the first two tracks fresh out of Marc n Dazz’s vault of riffs, and along with Producer Gavin Parker the mixing and recording didn’t stop until the day before the masters were sent off to Napalm Records. “Man we nearly punched on countless times getting this out of our heads, we didn’t speak for 3 weeks once we finished, just so we didn’t kill each other. But now, we are back into it, and cannot wait to get stuck into some video clips, and get on tour both here in Australia and Europe and America!”

Supersonic Rock’N Roll will be available as a 4-page digipack with a bonus track, and as a very special single LP gatefold edition limited to 300 copies worldwide. Pre-orders will be available shortly.

Supersonic Rock’N Roll tracklisting:

“Grind The Grinder”
“Dead Smile”
“Galactic Motherfucker”
“Love For Speed”
“Roll’n Burn”
“Fight Fight Fight”
“Supersonic Rock’n Roll”
“Bad Boy Benny”
“God Of No”
“Judas”
“Sick Sad City” (Bonus Track)

Album teaser:

German/Dutch symphonic metallers XANDRIA will release their new album, "Theater Of Dimensions", on January 27, 2017 via Napalm Records.

Audio samples of the songs "Where The Heart Is Home", "When The Walls Came Down (Heartache Was Born)", "Ceilí" and "Song For Sorrow And Woe" can be streamed below.

Commented the band: "After the release of 'Sacrificium', we embarked on our longest tour so far. Over 150 shows that took us around the globe. Through so many different countries and diverse cultures. Through so many different, yet inspiring dimensions. We brought back plenty of memories, sometimes just bits and pieces, but those stuck to our heads. And it made us see who we are and where we wanted to take our music. Made us fearless. Made us push our boundaries once more. Made us cross some so-called genre defining borders. Made us bundle all our trademarks and take them to the next level. All this makes the most colorful XANDRIA album so far. It contains our most heavy and most emotional moments. Again, producer Joost Van Den Broek did a phenomenal job capturing the atmosphere down to every detail. 'A Theater of musical Dimensions.' Can't wait to share the songs with you..."

"Theater Of Dimensions" is described in a press release as "a hyper-emotional affair — and a very heavy one too, naturally. High-class guest vocals can be heard by mighty Henning Basse (FIREWIND), Zaher Zorgati (MYRATH), Björn Strid (SOILWORK) and Ross Thompson (VAN CANTO). There is a soundtrack-like, orchestral finesse inherent to the compositions, echoed by pounding groove and sophisticated shredding. Folklore and ballad chime in ('Forsaken Love'), heavy thrash rears its ugly head ('We Are Murderers (We All)'), and overall there is no doubt: XANDRIA are not only fearless, they are at their most entertaining and thrilling!"

"Theater Of Dimensions" track listing:

01. Where The Heart Is Home02. Death To The Holy03. Forsaken Love04. Call Of Destiny05. We Are Murderers (We All)06. Dark Night Of The Soul07. When The Walls Came Down (Heartache Was Born)08. Ship Of Doom09. Ceilí10. Song For Sorrow And Woe11. Burn Me12. Queen Of Hearts Reborn13. A Theater Of Dimensions XANDRIA is:

Vocals: Dianne van GiersbergenGuitar: Marco HeubaumGuitar: Philip RestemeierBass: Steven WussowDrums: Gerit Lamm

XANDRIA released an EP, "Fire & Ashes", in July 2015. The effort contained three brand new songs — "Voyage Of The Fallen", "Unembraced" and "In Remembrance" — as well as re-recordings of two all-time favorites of the band's fans, "Ravenheart" (originally recorded for the album "Ravenheart" in 2004) and "Now & Forever" ("India", 2005). Cover versions of SONATA ARCTICA's "Don't Say A Word" and Meat Loaf's "I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" were also be included on the EP.

XANDRIA's sixth album, "Sacrificium", was released in May 2014 via Napalm Records.

XANDRIA in 2013 parted ways with their singer of three years, Manuela Kraller, and replaced her with Dutch vocalist Dianne Van Giersbergen, who also fronts the progressive metal outfit EX LIBRIS.

Dianne Van Giersbergen made her live debut with XANDRIA at the end of November 2013 on a Spanish tour.

Singer Michael "Micky Fitz" Fitzsimmons of THE BUSINESS has died after a battle with cancer.

No official statement has been released by the rest of the band, but condolences are pouring in from the punk, hardcore and oi! communities around the world.

At the end of 2015, Fitz was diagnosed with cancer on the lymph gland and had been undergoing radiotherapy.

South London's skinhead heroes THE BUSINESS have been a driving force in the scene for more than three decades. During this time, they produced countless anthems for their beloved "working class," ranging from terrace style sing-alongs to astute social commentaries.

Since forming in 1979, the band has releases more records than even some of the most long-standing punk bands, toured all over the world, released records on labels such as Epitaph, Taang!, BYO, TKO, Captain Oi! and many more, as well as having Lars Frederiksen (RANCID) produce one of their records and having shared a split release with DROPKICK MURPHYS.

THE BUSINESS's song "England 5 - Germany 1" became a football anthem for England and has appeared in the movie "Euro Trip". They even dedicated an entire album to football-related songs, titled "Hardcore Hooligan".

Back in 2013, an interviewer asked Fitz if the working-class issues, as he saw them, were the same after three and a half decades. "Some of them are the same," replied the frontman. "People out of work...is an old problem, but it's relevant now. Computers have put people out of work. There's so much work that can be done on the computer now that used to take ten people now.

"I'm actually a technophile, I love technology, have to have the next new phone. I love cinema and TiVo, but I am not a social networker because I think it's taken away personal touches, and privacy. I'd rather use the telephone."

ALL THAT REMAINS frontman Phil Labonte made his live debut with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH last night (Thursday, December 1) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Labonte is filling in for regular FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH singer Ivan Moody who "has fallen ill" and is currently receiving treatment.

Fan-filmed video footage of the Philadelphia concert can be seen below.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has seven shows to go on its current U.S. co-headlining arena tour with SHINEDOWN.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory explained the band's decision to finish out the tour with a replacement singer: "Ivan is our brother and we fully and wholeheartedly support him taking care of himself so he can get well as soon as possible. We discussed possibly canceling the remaining shows but the responses from the other bands on the tour were so overwhelmingly supportive that we decided to move forward and deliver the great night to the fans that they expect."

Labonte, a former Marine and close friend of Moody, once before saved the day for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2010 when their singer at the time, Howard Jones, left the band mid-tour. Phil said: "I got their six and stepped up right away. I'm honored to be able to help FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH to finish their tour and give Ivan a chance to take care of himself. I did the same for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE years ago. I was humbled to get the call and get a chance to play in front of such a great audience."

In an unprecedented move of solidarity, artists from the four-band bill of the tour have vowed to finish the dates on a high note and stand behind Ivan in his endeavor to get well. The FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH show at the Wells Fargo Center featured guest performances by Labonte, James Michael, vocalist of SIXX:A.M. and AS LIONS, the U.K. newcomers fronted by Austin Dickinson.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH was forced to cut a show in Worcester, Massachusetts on November 28 short because Moody was unable to perform. Although it was reported that Moody was overcome with grief over the illness and possible death of someone close to him — not his mother as initially reported — a number of audience members reported that he appeared to be intoxicated and disoriented.

Moody previously had an onstage meltdown during a May 2015 show in Memphis. The incident was blamed on his abuse of alcohol and drugs. He entered rehab after that.

Bathory told The Pulse Of Radio a while back in happier times that Moody was a true rock 'n' roll spirit. "He's very much the 'last pirate,' the middle finger of this generation, you know what I mean?" he said. "He's really the guy who jumps in a car anywhere in the world and says, 'Yeah, let's go' — no passport, no papers, nothing, just goes anywhere. He's really the last free spirit, he pretty much just lives for the now, you know, does what he feels like doing. So there's something admirable, for me at least — I'm looking at, like, I wish I could do that."

Frontiers Music Srl has set a January 27, 2017 release date for Stephen Pearcy's fourth solo album, "Smash".

Pearcy, best known as the original vocalist and founding member of the platinum rock band RATT, has been working hard to complete his highly anticipated new album, while at the same time keeping busy performing shows across the U.S.

Another audio offering from "Smash", a track called "Jamie", can be heard below. Stephen will be supporting "Smash" with live dates in the U.S. and internationally. "It took long enough to finish the new record 'Smash' and it is well worth the patience taken, giving every song as much attention as the next," says Pearcy. "Erik Ferentinos (lead guitarist and co-writer), Greg D'Angelo (drummer) and Matt Thorne (bassist, keyboardist) and myself didn't settle on any first, second or third takes. We let some songs grow if needed, then go back and complete it. We're very happy with the outcome, that we were able to experiment and grow with the new songs."

Regarding "I Can't Take It", Pearcy said: "It has the RATT signature sound because [early RATT producer] Beau Hill got back into the mix. We've always been in contact, and I told him, 'Look, I'm recording so much music.' And it's very diverse, very straightforward, very experimental stuff. And he was interested. And at the end of day, he mixed, mastered, and it's, like, alright, we're ready to go. Let's see where this takes us. But if it wasn't for him, it wouldn't sound like it sounded." "Smash" track listing:

01. I Know I'm Crazy02. Ten Miles Wide03. Lollipop04. Dead Roses05. Shut Down Baby06. Hit Me With A Bullet07. Want Too Much08. What Do Ya Think09. Jamie10. Rain11. Can't Take It (album version)12. Summer's End13. Passion Infinity Credits:

Stephen E. Pearcy - Lead Vocals, Back-up Vocals

Musicians:

Erik Ferentinos - Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Back-up VocalsGreg D'Angelo - Drums, PercussionMatt Thorne - Bass GuitarChris Hager - Guitars, Lead Guitars on track #3

As previously reported, the newly reunited RATT — featuring Pearcy, bassist Juan Croucier and guitarist Warren DeMartini — has been confirmed to perform at next year's edition of the M3 Rock Festival, set to take place on Friday, April 28, 2017 and Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

Pearcy, Croucier and DeMartini took control of the RATT name after a judge ruled against drummer Bobby 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 has 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.

Pearcy, DeMartini and Croucier have now expelled Blotzer from the partnership, according to a press release issued by the trio. Blotzer thus has no further interest in the RATT name and may now only refer to himself as a "former member of RATT," as per the partnership agreement.

METALLICA performed its classic song "Enter Sandman" using children's musical instruments during an appearance on the November 16 edition of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". They were joined by the house band THE ROOTS and host Fallon.

Speaking to Spotify's "Metal Talks", METALLICA frontman James Hetfield said about the "Fallon" performance: "The 'Jimmy Fallon' thing is just one of those things that showed up in our lap. They said, 'Hey, you wanna do this?' [And we were] like, 'Sure. Why not?' And, yeah, we had a blast doing that."

He continued: "You have to have humor, you have to… you've gotta laugh at yourselves, you've got to… not take yourself so seriously all the time. Stuff like that is just fun, and it lightens your heart, and it humbles you as well.

"We're literally afraid to jam with certain people, 'cause we think we're not worthy enough; we're not great musicians. Even with those little flutes and stuff, I was worried… I mean, Kirk [Hammett, guitar] was practicing the song on this little recording thing. It's, like, 'Dude, stop practicing it! Just go have fun, man. Go screw it up.'"

Hetfield added: "It's fun to give each other permission to screw up, and you're not under a microscope. 'Cause live, I mean, sometimes we're really tight, sometimes we're really not. And before going onstage, we always remind each other that, 'Hey, mistakes are supposed to happen up here and it makes this gig unique. Don't be so hard on yourself. And if you're feeling down, just look at the other guys, and we'll carry you through.' So there's a freedom to fuck up in METALLICA."

Instrument list for METALLICA's performance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon":

* James Hetfield - Vocals, Toy Clarinet* Jimmy Fallon - Vocals, Bass Drum, Casio Keyboard, Kazoo* Lars Ulrich - Fisher Price Drum, Toy Cymbals* Kirk Hammett - Melodica* Robert Trujillo - Baby Electric Axe* Questlove - Hand Clappers, Kazoo* Kamal Gray - Xylophone* James Poyser - Melodica* Captain Kirk - Ukulele* Tuba Gooding Jr. - Kazoo, Banana Shaker, Apple Shaker* Mark Kelley - Kazoo* Frank Knuckles - Bongos* Black Thought - Tambourine, Brown Hat

METALLICA's new album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", which debuted as expected at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 album chart on Sunday night (November 27), selling 291,000 copies in its first week of release. Both of the band's previous outings, 2008's "Death Magnetic" and 2003's "St. Anger", sold more copies in shortened sales weeks. "Death Magnetic" moved 490,000 copies in a three-day window, while "St. Anger" shifted 418,000 copies in a similar frame.

"Hardwired... To Self-Destruct" consists of two discs, containing a dozen songs and nearly 80 minutes of music.

The album has already gone to No. 1 in 57 countries, with the album going Top 3 in 75 nations and Top 5 in 105 countries.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, FOO FIGHTERS has booked a series of live shows for 2017, but that doesn't mean there will be a new album to accompany them. In an interview with NME, drummer Taylor Hawkins said that the Dave Grohl-led band is a "hunker down period" at the moment, explaining: "We know we have those shows next year, and we did a charity event for Dave's kid's school a couple of weeks ago that got a little bit of press. We're fine, we love each other we're all good. We're just figuring out when the world's ready for more FOO FIGHTERS."

The drummer added: "We will make a new record at some point. We won't really be ready until Dave's ready to go. It's on the books, so we'll definitely be playing. We never really know, we just wait for a text from Dave saying, 'Hey, let's go down to the studio.'"

Hawkins told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the Foos are always ready for whatever idea Grohl throws at them next. "The reaction when Dave comes to us with any idea is like, 'Okay.' You know, I know Dave and he has a lot of ideas. He's always thinking and he's always coming up with ideas, whether it's a funny T-shirt or an HBO series. He's creative and he likes to do stuff. He likes projects. He likes to work. And so whenever he says something that he wants to do, I say 'Hell, yeah.'"

Hawkins himself has just released a new EP titled "KOTA" and issued a video for the first single, "Range Rover Bitch".

The six-song EP is Hawkins' first-ever project under his own name, although in the past he has led bands like the COATTAIL RIDERS and THE BIRDS OF SATAN.

FOO FIGHTERS have been on hiatus since November 2015, but they did perform at a private charity concert in Los Angeles last month and have confirmed a number of European festival appearances for next summer.

Former GUNS N' ROSES and current SIXX: A.M. guitarist says that he walked away from GN'R after a six-year stint with the group because he wanted to focus on doing what he "really love[s] to do."

Ashba, who joined GUNS N' ROSES in March 2009 following the departure of Robin Finck and stayed in the band until July 2015, told Eddie Trunk for the "Trunk Nation" radio show: "Well, there [were] multiple reasons [why I left GN'R] — a couple that I won't go into — but the biggest reason was I needed to get back to my roots, back to what I really truly believed in, and that was playing songs I helped write with [SIXX:A.M. bandmates] James [Michael] and Nikki [Sixx]. We [SIXX:A.M.] have five albums out [and] we have a ten-year career together. So we did a tour, 'Modern Vintage' tour, where it was, like, nineteen shows, and that tour really changed my life and put my career back into perspective — you know, being out on the stage and connecting with the fanbase."

Ashba also once again claimed that he was approached about being part of GN'R's "Not In This Lifetime" tour, but that he declined, citing his desire to pursue SIXX:A.M. full time.

"Axl called me and he really wanted me a part of the reunion, and I turned it down," Ashba said. "I felt if Slash is coming back, that's great — that's what the fans want, and I can go off and do what I really wanna do now… And we left [off on good terms]; everything is good. And I couldn't be happier for the fans out there. I'm a fan. Half of the band reunited, which excites me, but at the same time, it's the best of both worlds — I get to do what I really love to do, and that's play in SIXX:A.M."

DJ added that he hasn't been in contact with Axl since his exit from GUNS N' ROSES and hasn't had a chance to see the reunited GUNS N' ROSES on the "Not In This Lifetime" tour. He explained: "My focus has been SIXX:A.M. a hundred percent . We went in and wrote a double album — 'Prayers For The Blessed' and 'Prayers For The Damned' — and we've been on tour ever since. So we've been incredibly busy ourselves."

Only Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan from GN'R's "Appetite For Destruction"-era lineup are taking part in the band's current reunion. They are being joined by keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus and drummer Frank Ferrer. Also appearing with them is second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

Ashba previously said that working with GUNS N' ROSES was "the most incredible journey I could have possibly imagined."

Drummer Bobby Blotzer has vowed to continue "Ratt -N- Rolling in December and onward" with his version of RATT despite the fact that he was expelled from the partnership which owns the RATT name and brand.

Less than a month ago, a judge ruled against Blotzer with respect to whether bassist Juan 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 guitarist Warren DeMartini were thought to be the sole shareholders, and which Blotzer has 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: Croucier, DeMartini, Blotzer and singer Stephen Pearcy.

In a new message posted on the official RATT web site — which is apparently still being controlled by Blotzer — the drummer wrote, "Don't believe everything you're hearing," and adding, "REAL news is coming very soon."

Blotzer also confirmed that his version of RATT will play four shows in December, with "more dates… scheduled for 2017."

Blotzer's RATT tour dates:

Dec. 03 - Spokane, WA @ Star TheatreDec. 09 - Amarillo, TX @ Azteca Music HallDec. 17 - Corbin, KY @ The Arena at Southeastern KY Agricultural And Expo ComplexDec. 29 - Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino And Resort

On November 12, Blotzer defended his decision to carry on with his version of RATT, telling Metal Gods TV: "In my heart, I'll always love RATT — I call it the Class Of '84 — but I've been in this band thirty-five years come next March, and I did a lot of begging and pleading for everybody [from the classic lineup] to come work and nobody wanted to do it. Now they've seen how big that we've gotten out here with the new generation, as I like to call it, still RATT. We've been playing in front of tens and tens of thousands of people — and I'm not even going overboard on that. We did one show with Miranda Lambert in Sturgis — forty thousand people; that was unbelievable. So these guys are getting a kick out of it. Our singer is so good — Josh Alan. I mean, he replicates Pearcy's voice and sound of the lead singing of RATT, which is key. And that's why other bands that continue on with other members [and without the ones] that don't wanna tour, they're able to do it — you have to make it sound... in building block number one, I think, with the lead singer. And we didn't do that before when Stephen was out and we had Jizzy Pearl. God bless him, but you need to have it sound like just… In my opinion… I've watched so many bands do it, and they sound just like the record, so that's what we strive to do. And we have fun; we have so much fun."

Blotzer also reiterated his belief that RATT fans don't want to hear the band's classic songs performed differently from the original recorded versions. "I remember going down to see DEEP PURPLE, and I remember going to see JOURNEY, and I remember going to see VAN HALEN… I mean, the list is so long. We actually made a list, and there was, like, fifty-three bands that have one or two [original] members [left]… three… whatever. I don't like it, but I would rather see something than nothing," he said. "And that's what I convey… 'Cause I come out and say hello to everybody from my drum set. I come out front and kind of just say, 'Hey, what's up? Everybody, remember me?' And they're real nice about it. I just say, 'Hey, there's some new faces up here, but I just want you guys to know: it's for the love of RATT music. I wanna play it. Personally, I love RATT music, just like you guys do. Do you love this band?' And they go crazy. 'Cause they do love the band. I'm just stoked to keep doing it, and I wanna keep doing it."

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.

Blotzer's revamped RATT also includes vocalist Josh Alan (ex-SIN CITY SINNERS).

Pearcy, DeMartini and Croucier earlier in the week announced that they expelled Blotzer from the RATT partnership and said that Blotzer may now only refer to himself as a "former member of RATT," as per the partnership agreement. DeMartini, Pearcy and Croucier also revealed that they will perform as RATT at next year's edition of the M3 Rock Festival, set to take place on Friday, April 28, 2017 and Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

Past and present members of LINKIN PARK, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and GUNS N' ROSES will hit the road together for a string of East Coast dates under the KINGS OF CHAOS moniker, starting on December 17 in Montclair, New Jersey and ending on December 22 in Verona, New York. The mini-tour will be preceded by a three-night stand at the House of Blues in Las Vegas that begins Thursday night (December 1) and continues Friday and Saturday (December 2-3).

The shows will feature former GUNS and VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum, LINKIN PARK vocalist Chester Bennington, Robin Zander of CHEAP TRICK, Billy Gibbons of ZZ TOP, BILLY IDOL guitarist Steve Stevens and bassist Robert DeLeo of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS.

But despite the star-studded lineup, Bennington insists KINGS OF CHAOS can't be described as a supergroup.

He tells Vegas Seven: "From my perspective, a supergroup is when members of two successful bands leave their bands and form something new.

"My generational examples of a supergroup would be VELVET REVOLVER and AUDIOSLAVE. With the members of KINGS OF CHAOS, we're all in intact groups, so we have a large catalogue of songs from each of our bands that we can play live."

The lineup at the Vegas gigs will feature guitarist Billy Duffy from THE CULT and SLIPKNOT vocalist Corey Taylor alongside Sorum, Bennington, DeLeo and Stevens.

"We try to give everyone time to shine," Bennington says. "There are songs I'm not familiar with, which makes for a challenge and gives me a competitive boner.

"Being in KINGS OF CHAOS brings me back to my early days in bands when I was doing it for fun. We don't have any originals. So how about we play covers of songs we love?

"I'm just a fan, so when I go out and do, say, a JANE'S ADDICTION song, I want to do a great job and nail it. People don't want to hear the Chester Bennington version. So I sing it the way I heard it growing up."

Sorum, who is the creative force behind the act, said, "KINGS OF CHAOS always delivers a badass lineup, and this tour will not disappoint. Where can you hear some of the most iconic songs in rock history packed into one show, performed by the actual artists who created them? Every night is a celebration of rock and roll."

The drummer has hinted that KINGS OF CHAOS could record original music at some point in the future, but those plans have yet to materialize.

Tour dates:

Dec. 1, 2 & 3 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of BluesDec. 17 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont TheatreDec. 18 - Huntington, NY @ The Paramount Dec. 20 - Boston, MA @ House of BluesDec. 21 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza Dec. 22 - Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Resort & Casino

During last night's (Wednesday, November 30) GUNS N' ROSES concert in Mexico City, frontman Axl Rose invited fans to beat the crap out of a large piñata designed to look like president-elect Donald Trump.

"Let's bring up some people, and give them a fucking stick," Axl told the crowd. "I just want you to express yourself, however you feel."

A fan then came up and started hitting the piñata, causing Axl to react: "He's got it. Go ahead!"

Trump drew outrage during his campaign for his tough talk about America's southern neighbor, calling some Mexican migrants "rapists" and robbers and promising to build a border wall paid for by Mexico to stem illegal entries.

Axl recently took to Twitter to condemn Trump's choice for U.S. attorney general, Alabama senator Jeff Sessions, and to berate Trump for demanding an apology from the cast of the Broadway show "Hamilton" after vice president-elect Mike Pence was booed when he attended the musical

On Sessions, the singer wrote: "Good people don't listen to, acknowledge, nominate or elect people like Senator Jeff Sessions."

Sessions, who has been a key adviser to the Trump campaign, is known for his hardline stance against both legal and unauthorized immigration. He has seen as a controversial choice to head a department charged with protecting voting rights and running immigration courts.

Sessions was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as a federal judge in 1986, but the Senate rejected his bid after colleagues testified about racially offensive comments Sessions made as a U.S. attorney in Alabama.

As for the "Hamilton" incident, Pence was booed by the audience at the show several times last month. At the end of the evening, cast member Brandon Dixon read a respectful if pointed statement directed at Pence, saying: "We hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values, and work on behalf of all of us."

Trump took to Twitter to demand that the cast "apologize" for having "harassed" Pence. Rose wrote: "Do u ever stop whining? An apology? Seriously?! U won, this is the job, get on with it or get out of the kitchen."

Pence himself indicated on "Fox News Sunday" that he thought "Hamilton" was "incredible," and "wasn't offended" by either the boos or the cast statement.

Rose has acknowledged not voting in the past in a 2012 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, although he revealed that he leads Democratic. It is not known whether he voted in this year's contest between Trump and Hillary Clinton.

You don't need to be a die-hard '80s metal fan to know that the fruits of an artistic alliance between DANGER DANGER singer Ted Poley and guitarist/producer Steve Brown of TRIXTER is going to make melodic rock fans rejoice! The two musicians from New Jersey recently created TOKYO MOTOR FIST and the new band is ready to unleash on the world their self-titled debut album on February 24, 2017 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Indeed, TOKYO MOTOR FIST is exactly what you would expect: catchy and uplifting hard rock, the way is should be! You want big — we mean, BIG — hooks? You got 'em. What about major guitar riffs? Of course there's plenty of those. Killer rhythm section? Well, with Greg Smith (TED NUGENT, RAINBOW, ALICE COOPER) and Chuck Burgi (RAINBOW, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, JOE LYNN TURNER), you simply can't go wrong!

Ted and Steve have been friends for a long time. They were playing the same club circuit with their respective bands, DANGER DANGER and TRIXTER, when both bands were starting their careers. Over the years, they've had a great personal relationship and the idea of doing a record together has been in the cards for many years. Now, thanks to Frontiers, this concept has become a reality.

"To say that I'm excited for the world to hear TOKYO MOTOR FIST would be an understatement," says Steve Brown. "Working on this project with my rock and roll brothers Ted Poley, Greg Smith and Chuck Burgi was a total blast… We had fun and it shows in the performances and in the music! As a songwriter, I couldn't be happier with the way the songs came together. Fans of TRIXTER, DANGER DANGER, DEF LEPPARD, BON JOVI and CHEAP TRICK will get the best of all those worlds."

Poley adds: "Working with guys of this caliber was amazing. I was excited to collaborate with my longtime friend Steve Brown, who is not only a really great songwriter and guitarist but also an insanely cool producer! The band sounds great and very high energy. The vocals of Steve and I along with his SHREDDING guitar, combined with the world-class rhythm powerhouse section of Greg Smith and Chuck Burgi is amazing. What a cool band — the sound is HUGE. But it's the songs that drew me into making this album in the beginning and the record is full of catchy songs with massive choruses and great melodies and sounds BIG BIG BIG! I am beyond THRILLED with the final result and I hope you will be too."

"Tokyo Motor Fist" track listing:

01. Pickin' Up The Pieces
02. Love Me Insane
03. Shameless
04. Love
05. Black And Blue
06. You're My Revolution
07. Don't Let Me Go
08. Put Me To Shame
09. Done To Me
10. Get You Off My Mind
11. Fallin' Apart

TOKYO MOTOR FIST is:

Ted Poley - Vocals
Steve Brown - Guitar, Vocals
Greg Smith - Bass
Chuck Burgi - Drums

Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, the Croatian cello duo known as 2CELLOS, has released a music video for their version of the QUEEN classic "The Show Must Go On" as a tribute to Freddie Mercury, who passed away 25 years ago.

The world may be coming to an end in their new video, but even that doesn't stop Luka and Stjepan from doing what they love to do the most — rock out on their cellos!

"We chose this song in celebration of the legendary Freddie Mercury," said 2CELLOS. "'The Show Must Go On' is a dramatic and larger-than-life song and we wanted our video and interpretation of the music to reflect that."

The track is available now via all digital music outlets.

2CELLOS, which is currently on tour in Australia, celebrated its fifth anniversary this summer. The duo rose to fame after releasing a rendition of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal".

At the start of 2017, 2CELLOS is expected to release its fourth studio album for Sony Masterworks/Menart. The effort will be dedicated to famous movie themes.

The video for "The Show Must Go On" was filmed in Zagreb at the Trešnja theatre and was directed by Zdenko Bašić.

In a 2014 interview with Thorium, Eicca Toppinen of Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA stated about 2CELLOS: "That's kind of funny. These guys, they are talented and everything, but what has been funny also for me is to see that they are treated like they invented something. It's, like, 'c'mon, we did this 20 or 30 years ago. Where's the beef? You know. [Laughs] But I don't know why they became so big. Maybe because the time different, and there's YouTube…" APOCALYPTICA's Mikko Sirén added: "Elton John did a lot for them. I think they were supporting him. And they are great. They are talented musicians. Hats off to them." Toppinen continued: "Yeah, they are very good. No bad word about them. I think more it's funny for the media and for the people. But maybe [because we live in this] Internet time and YouTube time, [where] things spread so massively fast. It's so different than [it was] at the end of the '90s. You might get a video on MTV, in night rotation, [like] we did, but still, it's marginal [compared to the way it is today]"

He continued: "I saw the [2CELLOS] video. I checked it [out] — because of the social media, these kinds of video clips, they are spread, like, in one second. Everybody is sharing it: 'Oh, this is so great. This is so great.' And I checked the video, and I was, like, 'Ahhh…' This is, like, still working on the really old-school stereotypical thinking that having this baroque style of concert audience, and then, 'We're doing something really heavy.' [Laughs] But it's great. It's a lot of fun."

Spanish melodic progressive metal masters LORDS OF BLACK — who feature in their ranks new RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero — recorded a cover version of the QUEEN classic "Innuendo" during the sessions for their second album, "II". The track, which was released as a bonus cut with the new disc, can be streamed below.

"II" was released on March 18 via Frontiers Music Srl.

LORDS OF BLACK is the band formed by Romero, renowned guitarist Tony Hernando and monster drummer Andy C. Their vision was to form a metal band with a modern approach blended with catchy, melodic and progressive elements.

After months of intense and hard work on the songs, LORDS OF BLACK independently released its acclaimed self-titled debut which was co-produced by Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex-HELLOWEEN). Metal Hammer Spain deemed it "the best metal album released in Spain this year."

LORDS OF BLACK supported the release with a series of very successful live shows, some of them as "very special guest" for high-profile international acts. Then the news of Ronnie Romero joining the new incarnation of RAINBOW broke out. This brought the band to the attention of the international media, with RAINBOW legend Ritchie Blackmore describing Romero's voice as "a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury."

However, now LORDS OF BLACK are ready to conquer the world with "II", an album which will blow the minds of fans of modern melodic metal. Once again co-produced, mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow, the disc is not only the follow-up to LORDS OF BLACK's outstanding and acclaimed debut album, but is an album with superbly crafted songs that will instantly become absolute metal classics.

"The new album, being the follow-up to a first record that was so greatly received, had to get to a higher place," says Tony Hernando. "After an intense year of writing and producing, along with the live performances, we came up with songs that are still deep and complicated in some arrangements, but have been written with the live performance in mind… The quest was to come up with something that artistically was meaningful for us as musicians and at the same time could catch the attention of the listeners. We really hope you enjoy this new album and come with us for a great ride!"

Tracks like "Merciless", "Everything You're Not", "Insane", "New World's Coming" and "Shadows Of War" showcase the heavy and complex yet very melodic style of the band. The song "The Art of Illusions Part III: The Wasteland" is the conclusion to the trilogy that commenced on the debut album, while the song "Cry No More" is inspired and dedicated to the late, great, Phil Lynott.

Regarding how he landed the RAINBOW gig, the Chilean-born Romero told Rafabasa.com: "I don't know from how long they had me on their list, but they contacted me some months ago, at the beginning of summer, to tell me about a chance to an audition . I deeply remember that 'day one' and that first 'hi,' been doing your daily activities and receive an e-mail from Ritchie Blackmore himself is quite hard to assimilate, after a few days days, even weeks."

Romero also talked about Ritchie's description of his vocal style as "a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury." He said: "I just think about how lucky I feel, not just to get the gig, but how the hell they found me. Having so many good singers worldwide. From the first contact, I just tried to give my best to get it. I always believed in myself, and with the support of my family and close friends, even more. About his words, I just can be thankful, he put the bar quite high with his description. [Laughs] But I'm also glad with his confidence on me to this huge task."

Reactivated Washington, D.C. doom metal overlords THE OBSESSED have released their first new recording since 1994. A re-recording of one of their earliest tracks, a 1983 song called "Sodden Jackal", it was released as part of the Adult Swim Singles series, and can now be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

THE OBSESSED is working on a new studio album, to be released next year via Relapse.

Guitarist/vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who has also played with SAINT VITUS, SPIRIT CARAVAN, THE HIDDEN HAND and SHRINEBUILDER, is joined in THE OBSESSED's current lineup by Bruce Falkinburg on bass and vocals, Brian Constantino on drums and Sara "Seraphim" Claudius (ex-ARMAGEDDON) on guitar.

Weinrich commented on THE OBSESSED's new record deal and the band's reformation: "The time is now for rebirth of THE OBSESSED. Fueled with the anger, wisdom and energy of all things past, this monumental achievement is the culmination of many years of dogged determination and the belief in the music.

"This music that we and many others find healing and inspirational. At last it sees the light, uncompromising and laden with passion and intensity that we'll immortalize on our new album."

Weinrich announced THE OBSESSED's return in March on social media, explaining in a statement: "All over the world I've listened to friends tell me, 'We want you to bring back THE OBSESSED,' so I have decided to resurrect THE OBSESSED." He added that he was "waiting for the right combination of ability, attitude and personality to accomplish this goal."

Forged in 1976 in Maryland, THE OBSESSED weathered various lineup shifts and an on-again-off-again status over the course of a winding, forty-year history. The band released three now-legendary full-lengths — 1990's "The Obsessed", 1991's "Lunar Womb" and 1994's "The Church Within" — as well as a gaggle of seven-inch singles and compilation appearances.

"The Church Within" was Wino's most critically hailed album. Despite being co-released by Hellhound Records and the major label Columbia Records, the music-buying masses were not ready to embrace doom in 1994 and instead fixated on buying records by rehashed pop-punk bands. Several factors led to "The Church Within" becoming THE OBSESSED's last full-length album. Despite not becoming a top-seller, the album remains hugely influential.

METALLICA played a special intimate club show this past Tuesday night (November 29) at the Opera House in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The band, which just released its tenth studio album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", donated the proceeds of its show at the 950-person venue to the Daily Bread Food Bank. The quartet also asked its fans to bring non-perishable food items, which were dropped off at the door.

Tickets, which were $25 for members of the band's fan club and $100 for the general public, sold out in minutes last week.

Benita Aalto, a spokesperson for Daily Bread, told CBC Toronto that the charity had no advance notice of METALLICA's plans but was thrilled when the news broke last week.

"This was a delightful surprise," she said.

According to TheStar.com, the Toronto concert saw METALLICA frontman James Hetfield playing the opening arpeggios to "Fade To Black" again "when the rattle of machine-gun fire on the PA signalled to everyone else in the room that 'One' was about to happen, a flub he good-naturedly acknowledged by reprising the intro yet again when the band returned to the stage for its encore."

"That song's so good, I just wanted to play it twice, you know?" he quipped.

"Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" debuted as expected at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 album chart on Sunday night (November 27), selling 291,000 copies in its first week of release. Both of the band's previous outings, 2008's "Death Magnetic" and 2003's "St. Anger", sold more copies in shortened sales weeks. "Death Magnetic" moved 490,000 copies in a three-day window, while "St. Anger" shifted 418,000 copies in a similar frame.

Frontiers Music Srl will release the brand new PLACE VENDOME album, "Close To The Sun" on February 24, 2017. One of the most popular projects put together over the years by Frontiers president Serafino Perugino, PLACE VENDOME was an idea sparked during a phone conversation between Serafino and former HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske, where they discussed their common passion for several melodic rock giants of the '80s. The Hamburg singer agreed to be part of a studio project where he would sing songs written especially for him by various writers with an AOR/melodic rock flavor. The amazing reception of the first PLACE VENDOME album released in 2005 planted the seeds for a second recording, "Streets Of Fire", which was recorded during 2008 and for a third album, "Thunder In The Distance", which was released in 2013. Being a project so close to Kiske's heart, it was agreed during 2016 that work on a new album would start with his UNISONIC bandmate Dennis Ward at the production helm, as usual. Of the album, Ward said: "Upon receiving the demos for the new songs intended for the new PLACE VENDOME record, I was a bit concerned because a few vocal styles seemed to go against what Michael Kiske is known for vocally. After talking together, we agreed to just let the melodies come out naturally, without trying to imitate or 'reproduce' the demos. Michael really stood up to this on the new album. He did 'his' thing, with no compromises. He managed to make the songs his own and brought all the songs to another level. I have a lot of respect for him because of this and now the album is much more than just another AOR album. That being said, I have to pay high respects to the other musicians on the album: Dirk Bruineberg proved again that he is a multi-talented drummer that can literally pull of any groove, any style of any era with the highest of expectations. Günter Werno is also a gem amongst a pile of stones. He really shines on this album and holds all the songs together, true to the PLACE VENDOME sound. Uwe Reitenauer is also a master of his instrument taking over duties that were critical and complicated to say the least. He has the perfect AOR tone and can implement it no matter what type of song you throw at him. The rest of the 'guests' that helped out made this album into a truly interesting compilation and also making this a milestone for PLACE VENDOME. That being said, it's the first PLACE VENDOME album where I feel that we have achieved our trademark sound. This is how we want to be heard and this is how we imagine ourselves to sound." Speaking of other album guests, once again Magnus Karlsson (PRIMAL FEAR) was one of the first to answer the call to participate and offered the awesome song "Falling Star" to the project. Jani Liimatainen (CAIN'S OFFERING, ex-SONATA ARCTICA) was the next contributor with the epic "Welcome To The Edge", the album's tour de force. Following LABYRINTH's reunion, guitarist Olaf Thorsen sat with ETERNAL IDOL, ANGRA and RHAPSODY singer Fabio Lione and offered "Helen" and "Riding The Ghost". Perugino then proposed that his favourite DGM song, "Hereafter", be included. This brought DGM's main composer, Simone Mularoni, into the picture, and he wrote the album's title track and "Across The Times". Alessandro Del Vecchio also offered two new songs, "Strong" and "Yesterday Is Gone", while SECRET SPHERE's guitarist Aldo LoNobile wrote "Distant Skies" and "Breathing". The full picture was finally completed with a new song written by Swedish melodic rock artist Michael Palace (PALACE, SKYLANDER), "Light Before The Dark". Kiske and Ward wanted to make the album a little bit special, so besides the "usual suspects" (including drummer Dirk Bruinenberg, VANDEN PLAS's ivory tinkler Gunter Werno and PINK CREAM 69's Uwe Reineauer on guitars), some guitar heavyweights appear on the recordings. The list includes Alfred Koffler and (of course) Uwe Reineauer of PINK CREAM 69, Magnus Karlsson, Michael Klein, Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND), Simone Mularoni, and UNISONIC guitarists Kai Hansen and Mandy Meyer, among others. Kiske comments: "The production with my buddy Dennis was great, as always, but what I especially like about this album — beside the new microphone I used that Dennis has built me — is the various styles of the songs. It is all a still very AOR-produced album, but we also have progressive or 'wilder' elements here and there. It was (again) interesting to see how much the songs change until you finally reach the mixing stage." In a year that will see Michael Kiske rejoin with his old HELLOWEEN bandmates for a unique world tour, PLACE VENDOME's new album is the icing on the cake of a special and very rewarding period for the German singer. All in all, "Close To The Sun" is probably the most hard-rocking release ever from PLACE VENDOME and an absolute monster of an album! "Close To The Sun" track listing:

01. Close To The Sun02. Welcome To The Edge03. Hereafter04. Strong05. Across The Times06. Riding The Ghost07. Light Before The Dark08. Falling Star09. Breathing10. Yesterday Is Gone11. Helen12. Distant Skies Produced by Dennis Ward * Lead Vocals - Michael Kiske* Backing vocals - Dennis Ward, Michael Kiske // Additional Choirs on "Strong" by Alessandro Del Vecchio* Bass - Dennis Ward* Keyboards - Günter Werno* Drums - Dirk Bruinenberg* All Rhythm Guitars by Dennis Ward, except: "Welcome To The Edge", "Across The Times", "Close To The Sun", "Hearafter" - Rhythm Guitars by Uwe Reitenauer* Guitar solo by Michael Klein on "Yesterday Is Gone", "Distant Skies", "Strong", "Breathing".* Guitar solo by Uwe Reitenauer on "Close To the Sun"* Guitar solo by Alfred Koffler on "Welcome To The Edge"* Guitar solo by Magnus Karlsson on "Falling Star"* Guitar solo by Gus G. on "Light Beyond The Dark"* Guitar solo by Simone Mularoni on "Hearafter"* Guitar solo by Mandy Meyer on "Helen"* Guitar solo by Kai Hansen on "Riding The Ghost" and "Across The Times"

Renowned Dutch vocalist Anneke Van Giersbergen has announced the formation of a brand new band under the name of VUUR, created as a vehicle for the heavy progressive metal side of her career.

In early 2016, Anneke decided for the sake of clarity to narrow her musical focus, choosing to go in a folk acoustic direction as a solo artist and in a heavy progressive metal direction as a band vocalist. The name VUUR — translated from Dutch as "fire", which can also be interpreted to mean "passion" or "drive" — was chosen as a moniker to represent Anneke's metal side, with the idea that when fans buy a ticket with the VUUR name on it they will be getting her heavy progressive music, while an Anneke Van Giersbergen show will be entirely different. Thus, in order to give VUUR's kick-off the proper fanfare, Anneke has opted to take a break from performing in the first half of 2017.

"It's like I'm searching for contradictions," Anneke says of splitting her focus in two. "I want the heavy to be really heavy, and the soft acoustic stuff that I can do can be almost silent and inward. I'm trying to find those outer limits. I'm still writing and collaborating with different people, so VUUR's style is still kind of different from THE GATHERING and THE GENTLE STORM. You could say VUUR's music has the melancholy of THE GATHERING and lots of elements from THE GENTLE STORM, but it's a bit darker with fewer folk elements. It's still melodic and warm, but heavy."

The band shares some members with THE GENTLE STORM live band, and you can find the full line-up below:

* Anneke Van Giersbergen (ex-THE GATHERING) - lead vocals* Ed Warby (HAIL OF BULLETS, AYREON, ex-GOREFEST) - Drums* Jord Otto (MY PROPANE, ex-REVAMP) - Guitar* Ferry Duijsens - Guitar* Johan Van Stratum (STREAM OF PASSION) - Bass* Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION) – Vocals

Watch an introduction to VUUR below.

Anneke comments: "The band has a different name, because the music will be slightly different from THE GENTLE STORM, but most band members are still involved and the music will be heavy too, so in that perspective not a lot will change, especially in the live situation. I think people will really embrace VUUR as a live band because there are nothing but stars in this band. [Laughs] They're some of the best heavy metal players in Holland so I didn't want to let them go."

Look out for the first live announcements coming soon, with a debut full-length due in the fall of 2017.

Following its recent U.K. support-slot announcement for RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, which kicks off next Monday at London's O2 Arena, Japanese pop-metal sensation BABYMETAL has announced it will open for Los Angeles rock legends GUNS N' ROSES on a four-date tour of Japan in January 2017. These Japanese dates are an extension of GUNS N' ROSES' current "Not In This Lifetime" tour — the first to feature Slash and Duff McKagan reunited with singer Axl Rose since 1993.

Says BABYMETAL's Su-Metal: "I am really happy that we’ve been confirmed as support on the upcoming GUNS N' ROSES tour. And it's happening in Japan!! We're going to create a live performance that shows how wonderful Japan is together with everyone in the audience on that tour." The tour dates are as follows: Jan. 21 - Kyocero Dome OsakaJan. 22 - Kobe World Memorial HallJan. 25 - Yokohama ArenaJan. 29 - Saitama Super Arena BABYMETAL will release a new 13-track live album, "Live At Wembley", on December 9 via earMUSIC/Edel. A digital version will be made available on December 30. With a carefully selected track listing, the CD captures the spectacular performance recorded at BABYMETAL's first-ever U.K. arena show, "Babymetal World Tour 2016 Kicks Off At The SSE Arena, Wembley", which took place in London on April 2. The show saw BABYMETAL become the first Japanese artist in history to perform a headline show at The SSE Arena, Wembley. This concert garnered an attendance of 12,000 people, where BABYMETAL also broke the merchandise sales record of the venue, creating history once again.

The breakout all-girl-fronted Japanese heavy metal/teen-pop hybrid group features 18-year-old Su-Metal and 17-year-olds Yuimetal and Moametal, backed by a four-piece band, BABYMETAL's new album "Metal Resistance", released simultaneously worldwide on April 1, ranked No.15 on the U.K. official chart, the highest rank in the history of Japanese artists, as well as charting in the Top 40 on the U.S. Billboard chart, being the first Japanese artist in 53 years to have made the charts since Kyu Sakamoto. The 12-track second full-length CD, featuring tracks "Road Of Resistance", "Karate" and "The One", is available as a standalone CD, vinyl and limited-edition bundle package.

Following the release of the official video for the new album's lead single "Karate", BABYMETAL unveiled the second video for the new album, for the song "The One". The seven-minute live video features singer/dancers Su-Metal, Moametal and Yuimetal performing within a triangular enclosure that's suspended above an arena-size crowd at Yokohama Arena in Japan on the final date of the 2015 world tour. BABYMETAL made its U.S. late-night TV debut on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" in April, performing "Gimme Chocolate" off their debut album.

Japan's rising heavy-rock band CRYSTAL LAKE will release its new album, "True North", on Friday, December 2 via Artery Recordings. In anticipation, the band has debuted a video for its brand new song "Black And Blue". "Black And Blue" features guest vocals by Jesse McFaddin from fellow Japanese rock bands RIZE and THE BONEZ, and blends an eclectic mix of influences for a unique signature sound. "Based on our metal/hardcore music style, we used beat of funk/soul into heavy music and tried to write something new," says CRYSTAL LAKE guitarist YD. "We aim to emphasize the contrast of stillness and motion with bouncy riffs and beat and emotional melodies are. I am happy how this song turned out after trying hard to comprehend elements of the music I was influenced." "'No pain no gain' might be used for an idiom to explain how hard you must train to build your body for macho men but this song ain't about 'get up song for tough guys' at all," adds vocalist Ryo. "What I wanted to say was that blood, sweat and tears with 'pain' can be beautiful pieces of art. I really appreciate if you can feel the evanescence and beauty that created from the 'pain' that anyone, everyone has." The video for the song was directed by Kei Ikeda, who helped the band craft a cathartic and emotional trip that takes viewers from Japan to the U.S. with an explosive rooftop performance. "This music video is about letting the world know what we've felt growing up in our country, Japan and the music we have created," says YD. "We did shooting in two different cities, Tokyo and New York to make a film that proves there's no boundaries when it comes to creating music and art. The song has the subtle and profound atmosphere so we looked to express it with the lighting effect."

The Danish hard rock band - produced and mixed by Tue Madsen (Raunchy, Moonspell, Sick Of It All) has released a new video and single for “Into The Fire”. Black Swamp Water is old school hard rock and heavy metal with obvious references to the bands like Black Sabbath, Ozzy and Corrosion Of Conformity.

Black Swamp Water features Kim Langkjær Jensen, former drummer from death metal bands Dawn of Demise and Koldborn and lately Kim has been recording and playing live with Illdisposed. Other than Kim, the band consists of singer Bjørn Bølling Nyholm, bass player Jeppe Birch Friis, and the two guitarists Jan Geert and Martin Lykke Hansen.

Black Swamp Water:

Vocals: Bjørn Bølling Nyholm
Guitars: Jan Geert & Martin Lykke Hansen
Bass: Jeppe Birch Friis
Drums: Kim Langkjær Jense

Blending gloomy doom metal, raging death metal and melodic early ‘90s Gothic metal tinged vocals, Tethra will be the last nail on your cross.

Death-oriented guitar riffs, melodic hooks, subtle bass lines mix with charismatic vocals courtesy of the versatile frontman Clode, who switches from deep growling to pristine-clean vocals with ease.

Tethra’s upcoming full-length Like Crows For The Earth (to be released in 2017 via Sliptrick Records) reveals how much the band has evolved sonically. Elements such as acoustic breaks, striking solos and doom-influenced melodies are perfect examples, topped off by Clode’s unmistakable tone (whose signature screams and middle/high range vocals take us back to the early stages of his musical career).

In terms of song writing, the lyrics have become more intimate, focusing on topics such as loss, solitude and feelings of rejection. The album also deals with social issues, such as mankind’s indiscriminate exploitation of the Earth, metaphorically represented by the crow: if not stopped, this animal poses an undeniable threat to its ecosystem and is bound to destroy all other species.

The album was recorded and mixed by Matt Stancioiu (Labyrinth) at Elnor Studios and mastered by Greg Chandles (Esoteric) at Priory Studios.

Hungarian female-fronted metallers Ann My Guard have released a new video for "Callisto", the song is taken from their forthcoming album Ourania, due out on January 13th, 2017 via Rock'N'Growl Records. The video was made by Mihaszna film.

Eszter Anna Baumann comments on Ourania: "I wanted to make a record that fully represents what Ann My Guard is: I really like mixing the ethereal feminine vocals with heavy guitar riffs and dark melodies. I like contrasts. Moreover, I love to use mythical metaphors: while on the debut record, Innocence Descent I used the Moon representing the maturing of a woman, by Ourania I expressed more universal themes. As the lyrics of Asteria say: I just want to elevate you, underneath my starlit sky, I'll be set free... The aim of rock music for me is to elevate the listeners into another dimensions, not to pull them down. I think that's what we all need from music nowadays, right?"

Ourania was produced by Gabor Vari at Black Hole Sound Studio.

Tracklisting:

“Novae”
“Asteria”
“Callisto”
“Io”
“Breathe The Sun”
“Obsidian Tears”
“Serpent”
“Hekate”
“The Secret”

"Callisto":

Ann My Guard is:

Eszter Anna Baumann (vocals, bass)
Krisztián Varga (guitars)
Benjamin Bárkányi (guitars)
Norbert Tobola (drums)

Fake Idols have released the audio video for “GO”, a cover version of The Chemical Brothers' hit, included in the band's new album Witness, available on Scarlet Records.

Witness has been described as an adrenaline bomb, charged up with great rock/metal tunes and plenty of attitude. The album features very special guest appearances by Motörhead legend, Phil Campbell, and talented singer Damna (Elvenking/Hell In The Club).

Fake Idols lineup:

Claudio Coassin, vocals
Ivan Odorico, guitars
Cristian Tavano, guitars
Ivo Boscariol, bass
Enrico Fabris, drums

(Photo - Michele Salotto)