TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick has defended METALLICA's performance with Lady Gaga at this year's Grammy Awards, explaining that "it absolutely makes sense they'd collaborate."

METALLICA's appearance with the pop superstar at the 59th annual event in Los Angeles Sunday night (February 12) turned into something of a disaster when the Grammy sound crew did not turn frontman James Hetfield's mic on, forcing him to share the mic with Gaga after the first verse and chorus. That seemed to take the steam out of the song, although a scantily clad Gaga gamely gyrated around the stage and even dove into the audience at one point.

The performance was not helped by the other onstage dancers feebly pretending to be metalheads, and as a further humiliation, presenter Laverne Cox did not even introduce METALLICA by name. At the end of the song, a visibly angry Hetfield hurled his guitar at a road-crew member while kicking over his mic stand.

In a post on his Facebook page, Skolnick offered his thoughts on the METALLICA-Gaga pairing, writing: "[It was a] great idea in theory. Would have/should have gone down in history as a home run for the ages. Unfortunately to be forever overshadowed by mic problems (can't fault anyone performing) and failed intro (please make sure all presenters do a quick run-through before going on. I did when introducing THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN at Golden Gods. Haven't we learned from from John 'Adele Dazeem' Travolta??).

"Saw a few comments accusing Lady G of 'leaving James hanging,' and saying 'she didn't help' while others claim she 'came to his rescue' and 'saved the day.' Both are wrong: She (and the guys) are all wearing in-ear monitors which — as anyone with experience using them can tell you — provide a custom mix separate from the audience. You don't hear anything else. The first thing you assume if you don't hear a vocal or other part that's supposed to be there is that it's just an issue with the monitors relating to your individual in-ear mix, which does happen sometimes (who'd ever guess — in the heat of performing no less — that Hetfield's mic isn't even on in the house? At the Grammys?!).

"In other words, she had no idea and just did her thing. So all in all, for the naysayers, I think you have to look at the following:

A) What other mainstream pop superstar would even dare get up there with METALLICA (or any other metal band)?

B) Who else could pull off performing with Tony Bennett one moment and METALLICA the next, with equal love and appreciation for both?

C) Sure, it was maybe a bit over-the-top for those more interested in METALLICA than her. But then again, she is Gaga, after all (over the top is her middle name, or at least should be).

D) Yes, she does lot of theatrics, but she's also someone that can kill with just her voice and a piano (which I hope she'll do more of one day).

E) Given her and Lars's [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] interest in art and doing the unexpected in music, it absolutely makes sense they'd collaborate.

F) Bottom line, did she sound good on the tune if you turn away from the imagery and just listen? Heck yes! Great song choice, too.

"The only thing I'd change (other than the mishaps, which were accidental) is this: Why was there a freakin' Zumba class going on up there? Whose idea was that? Get real fans up there rocking out for effect (as METALLICA does at some shows), but a bunch of obvious pop dancers/models in metal-like wardrobe gave it a very 'Hot Topic' vibe. Otherwise, it's all [thumbs up] from here and I truly hope they'll give it some tweaks, maybe add a tune or two and try again!"

Prior to the performance, METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett spoke about how the Gaga collaboration came about. He said: "You know how the Grammys always like to have their duets thing. And so when it was suggested that Lady Gaga do it, we thought, 'That's interesting.' But when she came down to actually work with us with the song last night, it turned out really, really, really well. I mean, she was really open and willing to work with different arrangements and see what worked well over the course of the song. And it was great. She was really, really great to work with last night."

Added bassist Robert Trujillo: "She's got a lot of edge and attitude, which is important for what we do. And she actually came to see us play… We did a small show at the Henry Fonda theater [in Los Angeles], and she saw the whole show, stayed for it. She really enjoyed it, she was rocking out, and then somehow, magically, this all started to happen."

METALLICA was up for a Grammy for "Best Rock Song" for the track "Hardwired" from its new album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", but lost to the late David Bowie's "Blackstar".

Following the Grammy Awards, METALLICA played an intimate show for around 3,000 or so fans at the Hollywood Palladium.

Lars Ulrich has told Rolling Stone that he hopes METALLICA's collaboration with pop superstar Lady Gaga at this past weekend's Grammy Awards was more than an one-off. "We already started fast-forwarding to the next chapter when we can do more of this," he said. "It's not one of those '20 lawyers, strategists and managers trying to force two people from two different worlds to figure out how to spend four minutes together on a national telecast.' Of any of these undertakings, this is about as organic and authentic as there's ever been one. We're just getting started."

METALLICA's appearance with Gaga at the 59th annual event in Los Angeles Sunday night (February 12) turned into something of a disaster when the Grammy sound crew did not turn frontman James Hetfield's mic on, forcing him to share the mic with Gaga after the first verse and chorus. That seemed to take the steam out of the song, although a scantily clad Gaga gamely gyrated around the stage and even dove into the audience at one point.

The performance was not helped by the other onstage dancers feebly pretending to be metalheads, and as a further humiliation, presenter Laverne Cox did not even introduce METALLICA by name. At the end of the song, a visibly angry Hetfield hurled his guitar at a road-crew member while kicking over his mic stand.

"There was a slight technical snafu, but that's not really something you can do much about," Ulrich told Rolling Stone. "You just learn to live with that side of it. It happened to Adele last year; I guess this year it was our turn."

The drummer went on to call Gaga the "quintessential perfect fifth member of this band," adding, "Her voice, her attitude, her outlook on everything is so awesome. [The performance] was so effortless and organic and she just has the spirit of hard rock and metal flowing through her veins. It comes really easy for her. There's nothing contrived; she just has this super warm, easy energy."

STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor has told the BBC Radio 1 "Rock Show" that the band is "almost done" recording its new album, "Hydrograd", tentatively due out this summer via Roadrunner.

After promising in earlier interviews that STONE SOUR was going to track the new disc live, "We hit the ground and just started basically finishing a song a day — like, ninety-seven percent done every day," the frontman explained. "We started in the studio January 7th, [and] we have sixteen songs done already. We only have three left. It's unbelievable. We've only really taken time off because we needed to. It was bizarre, dude. We just destroyed it. And it sounds incredible."

He continued: "Everyone is saying the same thing — not only are the songs good but the energy is incredible, because it has that live vibe. This is not beat detected, Auto-Tuned, pitch-corrected — nothing. It is so badass, it's not even funny."

The new STONE SOUR album is being recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX and STEEL PANTHER. Corey said: "He mixed not only the two 'House Of Gold & Bones' albums [from STONE SOUR], but he also mixed the 'Burbank' covers with us. And he's just been a good friend of mine for a really long time. This is like a co-production for us. So it's, like, big, big, big time. It's unreal. People are freaking out."

Asked when fans can expect to hear some of the new STONE SOUR music, Corey said: "Hopefully soon. We have a tune that we're probaby going to leak. It's gonna be a heavier anthem tune, but not in a way that is usual. I mean, that's kind of the cool thing about this whole album — the heavy stuff is heavy, but not in a typically mediocre, normal heavy way. It just has such a different vibe to it that it's really infectious; people are really catching on to it. So the first tune, it could have very easily been a single. But we have six singles on this album as well. And you know what? We're just gonna come out and bust people and see what happens. I'm really, really excited."

Taylor also spoke about the new disc's musical direction, saying: "This album is great because it's got elements of everything. It's got the heavy energy of the '80s, there's punk moments, there's hard rock moments, all the great amalgam of music. There's even jazz and hip-hop moments. It's really, really cool. It's probably the coolest album I've made since the first SLIPKNOT album, let's put it that way. It's dope, dude. And, hey, I feel very confident making that statement, because it's so good."

Taylor recently told The Pulse Of Radio that the new STONE SOUR disc is a natural progression from the band's last studio efforts. "All the promise that we showed on the 'House Of Gold & Bones' albums, we are really trying to kind of push even further with this, and it's exciting, man," he said. "Style-wise, it'll feel like it's kind of all over the map, but it'll be very, very unifying when everybody hears it. I'm really excited."

STONE SOUR's last full set of new material was the "House Of Gold & Bones" double album, which was released in two parts in 2012 and 2013. The band also released two EPs of cover songs in the last couple of years, "Meanwhile In Burbank..." and "Straight Out Of Burbank".

Taylor returned to the STONE SOUR fold this year after his other band, SLIPKNOT, completed the touring cycle for its 2014 album, ".5: The Gray Chapter".

egendary guitarist George Lynch says that the new DOKKEN song that will be included on the band's upcoming CD/DVD package is "a super-fun" track that sounds like "a slightly more modern-day" version of DOKKEN's classic material.

The DOKKEN DVD, which will focus on the fall 2016 reunion tour of the band's classic lineup, is tentatively due before the end of the year. The set will feature footage from two of the Japanese shows — including Tokyo — as well as the band's very first comeback gig, which was held on September 30, 2016 at Badlands Pawn Guns Gold And Rock 'N' Roll in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Regarding the new song which will be included on the CD, George told Myglobalmind: "We never played it live because it would be out there and bootlegged. We didn't have the time to work it up.

"I can say it's a super-fun song and sounds like a slightly more modern-day DOKKEN. It's not us trying to reinvent ourselves or pretend we are in the '80s. It has the elements that are obviously DOKKEN and will be on a new live CD/DVD that we are working on. It will also include two or three semi-acoustic versions of older DOKKEN songs like 'Will The Sun Rise'."

Speaking about the DOKKEN reunion tour, George said: "It went surprisingly well. It was interesting; for all the time that has passed, we realized that we are all the same people we were from back in the day. [Laughs] The same personalities — just a little older. We were making fun of ourselves because we are the old men that we said we would become someday, but still kids at the same time too. It was really nice the way we joked and interacted."

Asked if the chemistry was still there when DOKKEN played live, George said: "It was. We didn't have enough time to really explore that as much as we would have liked to. It was a whirlwind gig, to fly out to do seven shows, but we still have it. When you put the four of us together from DOKKEN, you just can't help sounding like DOKKEN."

Lynch recently told the "Trunk Nation" radio show that there is a possibility that DOKKEN will be back for more live appearances next year, although he declined to discuss specifics.

Bassist Jeff Pilson told "Trunk Nation" that the Japanese tour was "very, very drama-free; I was kind of surprised — very pleasantly so. It was a great time," he said. "We actually had a lot of fun. We connected on a friendship level that I wasn't really expecting, to be honest with you, and it was great. I mean, it was really, really fun — much more so than I was expecting."

Pilson also talked about the fans' reaction to seeing the classic lineup of DOKKEN perform again. "It was pretty spectacular," he said. "You could feel it. We would meet-and-greets for a lot of people that were… It was a wonderfully warm feeling, and you could feel it all the way through the crowd. And I've gotta say, it was really great."

Bassist Paolo Gregoletto of Florida metallers TRIVIUM says that the band's new drummer Alex Bent is "probably the best guy [they have] ever played with."

Bent has played with BATTLECROSS and DECREPIT BIRTH in the past and has filled in for Gene Hoglan in TESTAMENT at a number of shows. He is also a member of TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson's DRAGONLORD project, whose long-awaited third album, "Dominion", is expected to arrive later this year.

Alex was recruited by TRIVIUM last November after the band fired its drummer of eleven months, Paul Wandtke.

TRIVIUM frontman Matt Heafy later said in a Metal Insider interview that the band's last three drummers were merely "session" musicians.

During an interview with Uber Rock's Mark Ashby conducted Sunday (February 12) ahead of TRIVIUM's sold-out show at Belfast's Limelight on the second night of their 2017 European tour, Gregoletto stated about the band's latest addition: "As a player, he's probably the best guy we've ever played with. Definitely not any hyperbole there. I mean, he's a solid player. We knew him from other bands. He played with our friends in BATTLECROSS; he played on their last record. And he had worked with a friend of ours named Mark Lewis, who's a great producer in Florida, a friend of ours. And he's, like, 'Hey, Alex is available. He would be a great fit for you guys.' And Alex sent us a video, like, a day after that e-mail exchange between him and Matt [Heafy, TRIVIUM frontman]. He sent us 'Rain', sent us 'Until The World Goes Cold'. [It was] flawless. And he came down [to Florida] a couple of weeks later and we played for three weeks, just to make sure this was gonna be a good fit to do this tour with us. And it's been great. He's a super-nice dude, and he's really chill. Everyone seems to like him. I mean, last night [in Dublin] was unbelievable. It felt weird, because we only played our first show last night, and it felt like we've been playing together for a long time. So that's a good thing, a good sign."

Wandtke made his live debut with TRIVIUM in December 2015 at Knotfest in Mexico. A short time later, he appeared in an official promotional photo with the three core members of the band.

Paul joined the Florida outfit on the recommendation of DREAM THEATER's Mike Mangini and replaced Mat Madiro, who departed due to reasons of "creativity."

Madiro was the featured drummer on TRIVIUM's latest album, "Silence In The Snow", which was released in October 2015 via Roadrunner.

When MEGADETH was honored with its first-ever Grammy Sunday night (February 12), the band's walk up to the stage was inexplicably accompanied by the sound of the house ensemble playing the song "Master Of Puppets" from MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's former band METALLICA.

Mustaine was fired from METALLICA in 1983 — some three years before "Master Of Puppets" was released — over substance abuse and anger issues. Although he later conceded that he was "bitter" for a period of time after being dismissed, he insisted that any perceived feud with his former bandmates was an illusion.

Mustaine didn't seem to mind the mishap last night, playing air guitar along to "Master Of Puppets" as he took to the stage to he accept recognition in the "Best Metal Performance" category for MEGADETH's "Dystopia".

Earlier today, the MEGADETH leader addressed the issue in a Twitter response to a fan who called the incident "a slap in the face." "Ah, you can't blame 'em for not being able to play MEGADETH," Mustaine wrote.

The members of METALLICA have been mostly respectful while discussing their onetime member, with guitarist Kirk Hammett saying on a podcast last fall: "I've always seen Dave as someone who was just really, really sad, really angry, really frustrated about his situation with METALLICA, and he never could let that go. And, you know, I've always shown a lot of empathy for him, understanding that he was just pissed off. It's the equivalent of the woman of your life leaving you."

MEGADETH recently completed a month-long U.S. tour with AMON AMARTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, METAL CHURCH and BUTCHER BABIES.

METALLICA's collaboration with pop superstar Lady Gaga at the 59th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night (February 12) turned into something of a disaster when the Grammy sound crew did not turn frontman James Hetfield's mic on, forcing him to share the mic with Gaga after the first verse and chorus.

Sources connected to the production told TMZ everything was fine right before "Moth Into Flame" began, with Gaga and the band's line check going off without a hitch. However, between the mic check and the actual performance, a wire under the stage got unplugged by accident by a stagehand. They eventually fixed the unplugged wire with seconds left in the song.

As a further humiliation, presenter Laverne Cox did not even introduce METALLICA by name. At the end of the song, a visibly angry Hetfield hurled his guitar at a road crew member while kicking over his mic stand.

METALLICA was up for a Grammy for "Best Rock Song" for the track "Hardwired" from its new album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", but lost to the late David Bowie's "Blackstar".

Following the Grammy Awards, METALLICA played an intimate show for around 3,000 or so fans at the Hollywood Palladium.

IN FLAMES guitarist Björn Gelotte says that he wasn't shocked by longtime bassist Peter Iwers's departure from the band.

Iwers issued a statement in November saying that he was exiting IN FLAMES "to pursue other endeavors." He has since been replaced by Håkan Skoger who made his live debut with IN FLAMES on their recent European tour with with AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED.

Asked by Ireland's Overdrive if he saw Peter's departure coming or if it was a total shock," Björn said: "It wasn't a 'shock' so to speak as we kind of knew that it was coming. I think he was just done with it all and not happy. No, happy is the wrong word. He just wanted to pursue other things. Peter is a very, very busy guy. He has his own brewery with Daniel [Svensson, former IN FLAMES drummer] called Odd Island Brewing and he's also got four or five different musical projects happening, so he's really got his hands full at the moment."

Gelotte was full of praise for Skoger's addition to IN FLAMES, saying the former PASSENGER and GARDENIAN member is "just an awesome bass player. I can't put it any other way. From when he started rehearsing with us, he's been just hitting the nail on the head with the tracks. It's as good as any of us can ask for, and we're very happy with things. It's actually kind of funny, because Håkan has not really been on the road and it's all kind of new to him. For instance, when we were out on the first few shows, he was asking more practical stuff like, 'When we get to the venue, do you think they will feed us?' [Laughs], and, 'Will I have somewhere to sleep?' It's kind of cute in a way, but, musically, he's totally knocking it out of the park."

"Battles", IN FLAMES' twelfth studio album, was released on November 11 via Nuclear Blast in all territories excluding North America and Scandinavia and Eleven Seven Music Group in the U.S.

Svensson announced in 2015 that he was leaving IN FLAMES to focus on his family life. He has since been replaced by Joe Rickard, who played on "Battles" as a session musician.

According to a brief Twitter update from Arch Enemy guitarist / founder Michael Amott, fans can look forward to a new studio album later this year:

I hope after the summer...September!? We're in the studio now... 🎚 https://t.co/GLQUoSU2az
— Michael Amott (@Michael_Amott) 11 February 2017

The 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise set sail February 2nd - 6th on board Royal Caribbean’s luxurious Independence Of The Seas, which left from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to an all new Caribbean dream destination: Labadee, situated on the northern coast of Haiti, featuring pristine beaches, coral reefs and lagoon-like bays surrounded by forested mountains.

70000Tons.tv now presents this exclusive recap of Day 1 on board the world's biggest heavy metal cruise.

“Kicking off with the unofficial pre-parties, witness the excitement as 3,000 metalheads from 74 different countries board the Independence Of The Seas for their ultimate heavy metal vacation, while the crew work tirelessly to build the world’s biggest open air stag structure to sail the open seas. Check out exclusive live clips of Arch Enemy​ and Testament, and an exclusive interview with Scott Ian of Anthrax​.”

BraveWords was on board for this year’s cruise. Check out out ongoing coverage via the links below:

- Day 1
- Day 2

In the just released clip below, Headstones frontman High Dillon looks back on one of the band's first recording sessions back in 1993 for their debut album, Picture Of Health.

 

 

The Headstones are currently writing songs for their new record. They have posted a pre-production clip featuring Love & Fury album producer Chris Osti, live at the Killing Room Studio. Check out a snippet of the new song "For Your Consideration" below. The new album is due out in 2017.

Florida-based metallic doom trio, Weltesser, are streaming “Guide”, a track from their new album, Crestfallen, which was released via Prosthetic Records on February 10th.

Self-produced and engineered by Dan Byers, Crestfallen is available now on limited-edition CD,  LP and digital download at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Regret”
“Guide”
“Living To Try”
“Terminal”
“Rats”
“Crestfallen”

“Living To Try”:

“Rats”:

Hot on the heels of 2016’s progressive rock release, The Similitude Of A Dream, The Neal Morse Band announces the massive live release of a once-in-a-lifetime concert event: Morsefest 2015 on March 24th via Radiant Records via Metal Blade Records/Sony. Pre-orders are available on Radiant’s website. A trailer for the package is available for streaming below.

In addition to The Neal Morse Band, featuring drummer Mike Portnoy, the 38 musicians on stage create a prog orchestra. Over two nights (one on each video disc) in 2015, they perform new arrangements of material from Neal Morse’s career. The two concerts span over five hours, venturing beyond the studio versions they’re based on. In addition to complete performances of the Sola Scriptura and Question albums, there are songs from Spock’s Beard (featuring guest Nick D'Virgilio), Transatlantic, and surprises - including performances with guitar legend Phil Keaggy. Accompanied by extravagant visuals, including three video screens and live dancers, Morsefest 2015 is the most massive live release of Morse’s career.

“Morsefest 2015 was an epic show with epic music and epic performances! The studio albums that we played this time are two of my very favorites, and some of the additional songs that we played have never been performed before!” - Randy George

Free from the constraints of studio recording deadlines, Morse added any instrumentation he imagined, including live strings, a 5-piece horn section, and a 14-piece choir (in addition to background singers, and the vocals of the band). At the center is The Neal Morse Band:  singer/guitarist/keyboardist Neal Morse, drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist Randy George, keyboardist Bill Hubauer and guitarist Eric Gillette.

Complimenting this level of musicality, is a multimedia visual presentation. It begins with the most elaborate lighting set-up Morse has ever used, constructed specifically for this event, designed by Ryan Proplesch. A video graphics track, projected on three screens, was created by media artist Christian Rios to illustrate every moment of each song. Live dancers provide further visual interpretations, adding a dimension to the performance that is rare in progressive rock.

In addition to both concerts, a one-hour documentary puts audiences behind the scenes for this epic event. Featuring candid moments from the band, other musicians, and crew—it’s an engaging glimpse into the whirlwind staging of this event.

Sonically, outstanding audio is delivered by veteran mix engineer by Rich Mouser, who has helmed every Neal Morse, Spock’s Beard, and Transatlantic studio album. The package is presented as either 2 Blu-ray discs, or 2 DVDs with 4 CDs. Digital downloads of the music portion will be available from Radiant Records in uncompressed audio, and on iTunes. The classic Testimony album will also be available for first time on vinyl.

“Morsefest 2015 was absolutely incredible for me! We performed Question and Sola Scriptura plus a lot of other really cool stuff with full choir, horns, orchestral percussion, strings, piano harp, Cuika and dancers! The artwork on the video wall was absolutely mind blowing. Combine that with the atmosphere of the community of fans and the love in the room…it was definitely a peak experience in my career, and I think the DVD and Blu-ray are among the finest we've ever produced.” - Neal Morse

Morsefest 2015 happened only once. Viewers can now experience it any time, with stunning visuals and audio fidelity. And audiences can hear the next chapter of The Neal Morse Band, performing The Similitude Of A Dream in its entirety, across Europe and selected world locations, throughout the spring of 2017.

 

Italian melodic death metal band, Caved, have released a live video for the track “The Burning Joke”, featured on the band’s Kyrie Eleison album. The video, directed by Massimo Geloni and PGX Studio, can be found below.

Kyrie Eleison tracklisting:

“Viaticum”
“Malice Striker”
“Lilith”
“The Burning Joke”
“Heart of Gaia”
“Swamp”
“The Dividing Line”
“Absence”
“Faith”
“The Hidden Ones”
“Camlann”
“The Bad Touch”

“The Burning Joke” video:

Digging Mercy's Grave, the debut album from Phoenix, Arizona-based metallers Murkocet is out now and streaming in its entirety at this location.

The album's 11 tracks are razor sharp examples of modern American metal. The band previously released the official video for album track "The Beginning”, available for streaming below. And that's not all.  The album cut "Strip Club Massacre" was chosen by indie horror film director Bob Clark (Reel Bloody Films) as the title track for his new film.

Digging Mercy's Grave is available for purchase through iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play. The album is also available on Spotify. The band is currently shooting their second music video and will be touring the Los Angeles area in March. Also in the works are plans to release an EP later this year.

Tracklisting:

“The Definition”
“Strip Club Massacre”
“Dust Cloud”
“Tombstones”
“Dead World”
“Tranquil”
“California Smile”
“Repo Man”
“Overdose”
“Lights Out”
“The Beginning”

“The Beginning” video:

Nor Cal’s Blessed Curse is back. It’s been some time since the trio released their full-length, self-titled album in 2012. But on March 31st these thrashers make a comeback with Beware Of The Night. Ripping and tearing their way through 5 new songs of blistering, aggressive metal once again produced by Juan Urteaga (Sadus, Exodus, Testament) at Trident Studios.

The core of the band, drummer Derek Bean and singer/guitarist Tyler Satterlee, are childhood friends and have been playing music ever since. The group gained acclaim a decade ago under their previous moniker Devastator releasing a couple of praised demos and touring all over the west coast as part of the burgeoning thrash metal revival playing with peer bands like Warbringer, Hatchet, Fueled By Fire, Merciless Death and opening local area shows for larger acts like Kreator, Overkill, Napalm Death and Sodom. Changing their name to the more unique Blessed Curse and recording their debut the band supported it via national tours with Rattlehead and Sacrificial Slaughter before deciding to put the brakes on the band for a bit while Derek attended college. Now it’s time to get back into the game and Beware Of The Night picks up exactly where they left off – deadly inspired thrash metal with the band bringing in a few more progressive elements and better musicianship. Once again the guys went to Juan Urteaga to help them record some new material.

“Recording with Juan has been a great experience in the past and this time was no different,” states drummer Derek Bean. “I feel like this whole session was an improvement from the 2012 self-titled album from our playing to the final masters. We worked timely and efficiently on getting these songs recorded to the best of all our abilities, which definitely shows in the final release.”

Beware Of The Night also introduces new bass player Dan Keenan. “The delay of the band also just had to do with finding the correct person who has the same goals and desires as us and wants to improve and push us forward into our own sound and style which took some time,” adds Derek.

Now armed with a new recording, featuring striking cover artwork from Stone Design’s Brian Lewis (DevilDriver, Black Label Society, Cultural Warfare), Blessed Curse have been doing regional shows, including one this week supporting The Mentors at Café Colonial in Sacramento on February 18th, but are looking once again to tour the country behind the new release. In the meantime, the guys promise there won’t be as much delay between recordings as they already have several new songs written for a future full album.

Italian experimental/atmospheric black metallers, Dawn Of A Dark Age, has announced the singer for the upcoming fifth chapter of the The Six Elements saga. For the new album, entitled, Spirit/Mystères, the singer will be Luca Del Re from Selvans.

Band leader VK states: "I am very satisfied for the choice, because Luca Del Re is a complete musician and the amount of work required for Spirit/Mystères needs extremely diverse vocal flexibility. We have worked for over a year to realize this fifth chapter, and the result is are experimental but still close to the black metal tradition.”

VK continues: “The album was inspired by the story of Aleister Crowley, The Spirit Of The Desert, and Campobasso's Corpus Christi.”

Stay tuned for updates.

In 2012, Circle II Circle featuring Savatage frontman Zak Stevens performed at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival. The set featured highlights from the album, The Wake Of Magellan, and video footage of the full performance is available for streaming below.

Setlist:

“The Ocean”
“Welcome”
“Turns To Me”
“Morning Sun”
“Compliant In The System”
“The Wake Of Magellan”
“Anymore”
“The Hourglass”
“Black Jack Guillotine”

Antropofagus returns on May 12th with an album of uncompromising godless ferocity. Five years after their Architecture Of Lust release, this Italian death metal beast strikes again with the Comatose Music release Methods Of Resurrection Through Evisceration (M.O.R.T.E.), a journey into life, death, resurrection and the descent into the darkest depths of self.  

This is Antropofagus' heaviest and most wicked effort to date, blending old school US death metal influences with their trademark style of brutality. M.O.R.T.E. is a deluge of punishing frantic riffs, monstrous vocals and a relentless drums performance by Davide 'BrutalDave' Billia (Beheaded, Hour Of Penance). Make no mistake; there is no escape. Antropofagus is coming to consume your flesh and invade your soul! Also look out for the officially licensed vinyl edition from Everlasting Spew Records.

Guitarist Francesco and Vocalist Tya had this to say about the forthcoming Comatose Music release:

Francesco: "We decided to go with a warmer and fatter tone this time. The songs are more straight forward and in your face than the songs on Architecture Of Lust, and certainly more groovy. I'd say this is the most old school and evil Antropofagus album to date. Dave and I worked hard to make sure this album would have a deeper sanguineous sound, and I also went from a six string to a seven string guitar for this recording. I'd say Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal have been the strongest influences while writing this album, but the Antropofagus trademark is definitely there, so expect pure brutality! Probably our most balanced and mature album so far."

Tya: "This is definitely the Antropofagus album which we worked the most on, the one that required the highest tribute from us. As on a conceptual level, it's drenched of my own blood. M.O.R.T.E. is a continual succession of thoughts, shadows and nightmares shaped into music, extreme and hate-filled against all which is dogmatic to humanity's eyes. A process of rebirth through the evisceration of my own self."

Tracklisting:

“Whirlwind Of Initiation”
“Spawn Of Chaos”
“Chants For Abyzou”
“Praise To A Hecatomb”
“Methods Of Resurrection Through Evisceration”
“Omnipotent Annihilation”
“The Abyss (Chapter One)”
“Quintessence Of Suffering”
“Deception Of The Blood”
“Living In Fear” (Malevolent Creation cover)

Ghost Iris have released a video for "Save Yourself”, a track from their upcoming album, Blind World, out on February 17th via Long Branch Records. The new video is available for streaming below.

Vocalist Jesper Vicencio Gün states: “‘Save Yourself’ is the next level of Ghost Iris. We wanted to create almost a pop song but with metal instrumentals, which I think we achieved. The video is our bid for a "Euphoric State" pt. 2. We upgraded from the bicycle to a limo. We're funny like that."

Blind World contains 10 brand new tracks from Denmark’s most streamed metal act in 2016, including the singles "Pinnacle" and "Save Yourself". Pre-order the album at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Gods Of Neglect”
“Save Yourself”
“The Flower Of Life”
“Pinnacle”
“No Way Out”
“Blind World”
“Time Will Tell”
“The Silhouette”
“After The Sun Sets”
“Detached”

“Save Yourself” video:

Night Legion, the new high energy Australian power metal band led by guitarist / producer Stu "The Hammer" Marshall (Dungeon, Empires Of Eden, Death Dealer, Blasted To Static) has announced the addition of Vo Simpson as their new lead vocalist.

Stu Marshall checks in with the following comment: “During the writing of our upcoming debut album, the band went through some sudden personnel changes. Moving forward, I am very pleased to announce my amazing friend Vo Simpson, as the new lead vocalist for the band. Just think Halford meets old school Tate and you have an idea of where Vo's vocal abilities can be filed under. We have been long time friends and to have vocals that scream like Vo's is a dream to write heavy riffs for. The band is psyched for the new upcoming debut album and we are currently working toward securing a worldwide release via an as yet determined label during 2017.”

Forged from the fires of internationally acclaimed metal acts Empires Of Eden, Death Dealer, Blasted To Static, Darker Half and Aussie metal royalty Dungeon, Night Legion unleashes razor-sharp power metal to make your ears bleed.

Night Legion, is the latest creation of guitarist / producer Stu "The Hammer" Marshall, known as the mastermind of the all star metal project Empires Of Eden, stage right guitarist in heavy metal super group Death Dealer alongside six string legend and partner Ross The Boss (Manowar co-founder) and the ripping axeman in shred metal newcomers Blasted To Static fronted by iconic vocalist Jeff Martin (the legendary voice of Racer X).

In Night Legion, Marshall reunites with bassist Glenn Williams, a crowd favourite on Dungeon’s large-scale tours and drummer Clay T, of Blasted To Static fame. Joining them front and center is screaming lead vocalist Vo Simpson who also plays in Sydney thrashers Darker Half.

With an uncompromising and aggressive style that echoes Rob Halford's trademark microphone meltdowns, Simpson's voice cuts a blazing trail of destruction that is second to none.

Night Legion has recently begun work on recording their debut, slated for a 2017 release, and is in the early stages of the search for a future label who will offer the most suitable home for the album. This unconquerable touring animal also has its sights on Japan, Europe and possibly Australia in early to mid-2017.

Free “Night Legion” full song mp3 download featuring new vocalist Vo Simpson is available at this location.

Following the tradition after two successful DVD releases – 1996 and 2006 – it´s time for Royal Hunt to release a third one: 2016. Recorded with nine HD cameras and top-notch audio equipment in Moscow's Izvestiya Hall during the band's world tour last year, the video shows “all-fab-things-Royal”: a high energy show in front of the enthusiastic crowd, excellent set list, the band in top form and a stunning stage production… add a stellar audio and this package, celebrating Royal Hunt´s 25th Anniversary, is any hard rock fan's delight.

In celebration of the date a very special edition of 2016 is being offered - Deluxe Limited Edition Mediabook - a 28-page book including 2 CDs and 1 DVD (or Blu-Ray Disc) + 1 extra DVD with video updates and more extras.

Pre-order your copy of Mediabook at this location and get access to video updates, discussion and shopping for individual items.

 

On March 3rd, Finnish bashers Amorphis will release a tour edition of their latest album, Under A Red Cloud. A live version of “Her Alone” featuring Anneke van Giersbergen from the upcoming release is available for streaming below.

The tour edition of Under A Red Cloud will feature a book containing lyrics from all Joutsen-era Amorphis albums and black and white illustrations by Pekka Kainulainen. The bonus disc contains nine live songs under the title An Evening With Friends At Huvila.

Tracklisting:

CD1
"Under The Red Cloud"
"The Four Wise Ones"
"Bad Blood"
"The Skull"
"Death Of A King"
"Sacrifice"
"Dark Path"
"Enemy At The Gates"
"Tree Of Ages"
"White Night"

Bonus:
"Come The Spring"
"Winter’s Sleep"

CD2 - An Evening With Friends At Huvila
"Enigma"
"Far From The Sun"
"Silent Waters"
"My Kantele"
"Silver Bride"
"Sampo"
"Alone"
"The Wanderer"
"Her Alone"

LINKIN PARK has revealed the cover artwork of its seventh studio album. The image was unveiled via a digital puzzle sourced through various "ambassadors" of the band across social media.

LINKIN PARK has also announced that the first single from the upcoming disc is titled "Heavy" and it features guest vocals from Kiara Saulters, who is best known for recording stop-motion, hip-hop-inspired electro-R&B under the name Kiiara.

The "Heavy" lyrics can be found at Genius.com.

LINKIN PARK recently released new video update from the studio in which members of the band discussed their approach to the upcoming album's lyrical themes. Singer Chester Bennington said: "There are songs that don't specifically talk about situations, they talk about a frame of thinking. Like, 'This is shit that's going on inside my head,' or, 'This is something that I'm dealing with.' To me, also, it tells a story, but it's also revealing as well in another way, and that feels honest to me."

Bennington added in the new video update: "We're trying to connect with people. We're trying to make a record that has fucking stellar songs that people wanna listen to all the time."

Co-vocalist Mike Shinoda appeared on a YouTube question-and-answer session recently and told fans about the new album: "I can't tell you what it sounds like. I can tell you you're going to be surprised. You gotta expect the unexpected. Don't expect what you've heard before."

No release date has been confirmed yet for the new disc, which will follow up 2014's "The Hunting Party".

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Jesse Leach has resumed work on material for the long-awaited new release from TIMES OF GRACE, his collaboration with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz. Jesse wrote on Instagram: "Listening to new TIMES OF GRACE demos. This is on some whole other level. This stuff is quite different than the first record! I got a whole lot of writing to do! Adam has been busy... It begins, again."

Leach told Lithium Magazine last summer that "the cool thing about TIMES OF GRACE is that it's another outlet for us, and moving forward with that project, it's gonna be even more different from KILLSWITCH. There's gonna be no quote-unquote metalcore sound going on. As a matter of fact, I'm planning on not doing much aggressive vocals at all."

TIMES OF GRACE's debut album, "The Hymn Of A Broken Man", was released in January 2011 via Roadrunner Records. The CD sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 44 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Dutkiewicz and Leach originally worked together on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's benchmark album, 2002's "Alive Or Just Breathing". That record has become definitive for an entire generation of American metal, with Leach's voice and uplifting lyrics serving as one of the key elements that propelled the album to "modern classic" status. Leach left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE shortly after "Alive Or Just Breathing"'s release but rejoined the group in early 2012 following the departure of his replacement, Howard Jones.

Drummer Bobby Blotzer has made his first public comments since a judge denied his request for reconsideration in connection with his legal dispute with the other three members of RATT's classic lineup over the rights to the band's name.

Back in November, a California 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 in the fall of 2015. The judge furthermore decided that the corporation WBS, Inc. — of which Blotzer and guitarist Warren DeMartini were thought to be the sole shareholders — 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.

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

Blotzer's attorney later filed a request for reconsideration, and a hearing was held on January 23 in a downtown Los Angeles federal courtroom at which point the judge took the matter under submission. Less than two weeks later — on February 3 — U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson issued an order denying Blotzer's request.

The RATT version featuring Pearcy, DeMartini, Croucier and later-period RATT guitarist Carlos Cavazo (ex-QUIET RIOT) made its first official return to the stage this past Saturday, February 11 at the Treasure Island Resort Casino in Welch, Minnesota.

Earlier today, Blotzer posted the following message on Facebook:

"Hey Rattlers: Just a small bit of info regarding the three bland mice show over the weekend and where things stand on the legal side.

"Thing look a lot worse than you think. If those lying thieves or anyone not privy to this knows whats going on, it sure as fk ain't over. It it were, where's the judgement?

"PREDICTION: Injunction granted W.B.S. Inc RATT on tour all year.

"Can't give it all but, I can say with a true tongue, this is definitely not over. Very good surprises coming.

"I saw a video of a couple of songs. Groundhog day.

"SOS, Snoor, The Crypt Keeper Pearcy and his 15 year old stage garb,

"UGHHHH

"Puking

"Newz soon. FAHQ"WSJC

"BB"

A completely different version of RATT — led by Blotzer and featuring a revolving door of members — has been hitting stages across the country since the fall of 2015.

Blotzer's most recent lineup of RATT included singer Josh Alan alongside guitarists Mitch Perry (TALAS, HEAVEN, STEELER, MSG, LITA FORD) and Stacey Blades (L.A. GUNS) and bassist Brad Lang (Y&T).




Thank you Stephy Hayward for this great pic.....

Hey Rattlers:Just a small bit of info regarding the three bland mice...

Posted by RATT on Monday, February 13, 2017

Trish Doan (a.k.a. Trisha Jai-Mee Doan), bassist for the Canadian metal band KITTIE, has died. She was only 31 years old.

The news of Doan's passing was first revealed by KITTIE on the group's official Facebook page. The band wrote: "It is with immeasurable sadness that we share news of the passing of our sister and best friend Trish Doan.

"Finding the right words is tough. She was so bright and vibrant and talented and we loved her and still do. She was so much more than just a musician or member of the band. She was our blood, our sister and family. Finding our way without her will be challenging, like a ship without a lighthouse, and we are devastated.

"We ask that you please respect our privacy and her family's privacy during this difficult time."

Former KITTIE bassist Ivy Vujic Jenkins, whose tenure in the band was bookended by Doan's two stints, paid tribute to her colleague, writing on her Facebook page: "Anyone who has ever met Trish Doan knows that she was one of the sweetest, kindest, most down-to-earth people on this planet. I loved seeing her beautiful photos of Australian sunsets and city skylines, and nerding out about bass gear and geeky tech stuff.

"Everyone loved Trish more than she ever realized. She has left an imprint on so many lives. Her memory and legacy will outlive her physical form for many years to come.

"Much love to Trish's family, friends and all of the world that was touched by her presence.

"Trish, you are loved and greatly missed."

Born in Gwangju, South Korea (about 270 kilometers from the capital Seoul), Doan joined KITTIE in 2005 and was in the band for two years before leaving in 2007 and then rejoining in 2012. She can be heard on KITTIE's 2006 EP "Never Again" and the 2007 full-length album "Funeral For Yesterday".

In early 2008, it was reported that Doan originally left KITTIE due to the eating disorder anorexia-athletica-nervosa, which she had been struggling with for almost two years.

Doan relocated to Australia in 2009 to get a degree and try to surf before returning to Canada in 2011. She apparently moved back to Australia in 2013 and kept an active Twitter account and Facebook page where she frequently posted about her life struggles and battles with depression.

#failing at #life

— Trish Doan (@trishjaimee) May 10, 2016

Danny Worsnop, the newly returned frontman for U.K. metalcore pioneers ASKING ALEXANDRIA, teamed up with YouTube to host an exclusive live stream Monday night (February 13) ahead of the release of his debut solo album, "The Long Road Home", on Friday, February 17. The event featured Danny performing live renditions of songs from "The Long Road Home", as well as taking part in a revealing interview with Terry "Beez" Bezer.

"The Long Road Home", will be released via the U.K.-based independent label Earache Records. The effort marks a slight musical departure from his previous work with ASKING ALEXANDRIA, now forging a deeper and often darker path through the British-born, Nashville-based musician's mind and displaying a truly stunning singing voice only hinted at in his previous work.

Longtime fans will see a much more personal and reflective side of Danny's, with brutally honest lyrical themes ranging from loss and heartache to Danny's past (and often public) struggles with drugs and alcohol. Backed by authentic, blues-soaked outlaw country, the album is also interspersed with a few more upbeat tracks, showing that Danny's ability to craft catchy melodies which will have listeners singing along in no time is still very much alive and well.

Worsnop comments: "It has been an emotional roller-coaster creating these songs, but the end result has left me humbled, proud, and more excited about a project than I ever have been in my life.

"Writing as deep and personal as I have on this record brought up a lot inside me from my years, allowing me to grow and move on from demons I didn't even acknowledge having.

"I've done everything in my power to keep this album honest and pure, and it gives me chills every time I hear it. I'm beyond proud of what I've made and cannot wait to share it with the world. These songs are a reflection of my soul, and I hope you all enjoy them. See you on the other side!"

"The Long Road Home" is available to pre-order now on limited-edition signed CD and colored vinyl, along with a range of merch bundles.

South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE have parted ways with guitarist/vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade and have replaced him with Brian Kingsland.

The band will support OVERKILL on a North American tour beginning on February 14 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Commented NILE founding member Karl Sanders: "I would like to personally thank Dallas Toler-Wade for his many years with the band, and sincerely wish him well with his music.

"All of us in NILE are truly happy and thankful to be working with Brian. Not only is he a seriously talented extreme metal guitar shredder, but he has a great brutal metal voice with a very versatile range. Brian is also a genuine, down-to-earth, hard-working and motivated guy who has helped reignite and re-establish a sense of team work back into NILE.

"With the addition of Brian on guitar and vocals, the band right now seems to me a lot more like the early years of NILE — the classic NILE era when we were all functioning as a cohesive unit in viciously brutal triple-vocal-attack mode.

"The mood in the NILE rehearsal room for the last three months has been focused and relaxed with four positive, energized, hard-working people all on the same metal page.

"We simply can't wait to share what we have been working on with metal fans on the upcoming OVERKILL tour.

"Between the addition of Brian and bassist/vocalist Brad Parris now in his second year in the band, this lineup is going to crush skulls.

"Seriously, the last time I felt this strongly about a NILE lineup was when [drummer] George Kollias joined the band." Kollias comments: "I want to thank Dallas for everything he did for NILE all these years. It's been some amazing years and I wish him the best with his new project! Also, I want to say a big 'welcome to NILE' to Brian Kingsland! Brian is an amazing guitar player/vocalist and he has brought a very fresh vibe to the band.

"We are so looking forward to get out there and deliver the best metal you ever heard from us! See you all on the road!!"

NILE is already working on songs for its next album, which will be recorded in late 2017 for an early 2018 release.

The band's latest album, "What Should Not Be Unearthed", was released in August 2015 via Nuclear Blast. Produced by NILE and mixed by Neil Kernon, the CD's artwork was handled this time by Michal "Xaay" Loranc.