Codex: Factoria are a new death / thrash band aiming to crush ears and stages across the world. Their 5-track demo EP, Engines Of The Slavestate, is their declaration of all out war on the complacent!

Formed out of a mutual love for classic Canadian and European thrash and death metal, Codex: Factoria have an impressive pedigree, with members of the band having honed their skills in such luminaries as Sacrifice, Malhavoc, and Trollband.

Codex: Factoria are:

Keith Durocher (Malhavoc, Seventh Image) - vox / effects
Erik Leonhard (SlowWaveSaga, Warbear) - lead guitar
Scott Watts (Sacrifice) - bass
Manny Landry (Seventh Image) - rhythm guitar
Jeromy Coffman (GodProject) - bass
Marcell Fraser (Trollband) - drums

With the initial EP complete, the band plans to continue honing more material for a full length album while searching out a label and destroying live venues.

The Engines Of The Slavestate EP is available now via BandCamp and the audio player below.

Engines of the Slavestate EP by Codex: Factoria

 

South American power metallers, Elixir, have signed a worldwide deal with Canadian label Maple Metal Records to release their second full-length album, Where The Secret Lies, on October 14th. As part of the deal, Maple Metal Records will re-distribute Elixir’s debut album Unleash The Magic from 2012 in North America.

Where The Secret Lies was produced by Elixir, and was recorded, mixed and mastered by Sebastian Vera at Sound Works Studio. The album artwork was conceived in Argentina by Abstract Chaos Design, (Kataklysm, Ill Niño).

Elixir are a quintet formed in 2009, and hail from Montevideo, Uruguay.   The band has recently shared the stage with Sonata Arctica, Epica and Mark Boals in their home country. Elixir will play select South American dates this fall in support of their new album, details of which have yet to be announced.

Where The Secret Lies tracklisting:

“World Is Not Over”
“Broken Heart”
“Beyond Dreams”
“Everlasting Soul”
“You’ll Never Walk Alone”
“Rising Star”
“The Sailor Song”
“Where The Secret Lies”
“Have You Ever Felt This Way”
“Release Myself”
“Southern Pride”

“Southern Pride”:

Album teaser:

Elixir is:

Brunno Navarro - Vocals
Andres Duarte - Bass
Marcos Garcia - Guitar
Matias Artecona - Guitar
Federico Fleitas - Drums

Relapse Records will release Arizona's death metal newcomers Gatecreeper’s debut full-length, Sonoran Depravation, on October 7th on CD/LP/digital formats. The album was recorded at Homewrecker Studios in Tucson, Arizona by Ryan Bram and mixed by Kurt Ballou at Godcity Studios. The album track “Rotting As One” is streaming below.

Formed in mid-2013 based on their mutual love for bands like Dismember, Entombed, Bolt Thrower and Obituary, Gatecreeper play monstrous, low-end, old-school death metal for a new generation.

Gatecreeper commented on signing with Replase and their new album: "We are very excited to be working with Relapse, a label that we have all been following for many years. It is a dream come true to release our first full-length on such a legendary and trustworthy label."

Tracklisting:

“Craving Flesh”
“Sterilized”
“Desperation”
“Rotting As One”
“Stronghold”
“Patriarchal Grip”
“Lost Forever”
“Flamethrower”
“Grotesque Operations”

“Rotting As One”:

“Stronghold”:

“Desperation” video:

“Craving Flesh”:

Gatecreeper lineup:

Sean Mears - Bass
Metal Matt - Drums
Eric Wagner - Guitars
Chase H. Mason - Vocals

Rock legends IRON MAIDEN continue their hugely successful "The Book of Souls" world tour into 2017 with a series of European arena shows opening in Antwerp, Belgium on April 22, MAIDEN's first visit to this city since 1981 on the "Killers" tour! The band then travel to Germany for shows in Oberhausen, Frankfurt and Hamburg before heading into the U.K. and Ireland for an extensive series of concerts in May. There will be eight dates across England in Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham and London, two in Scotland in Glasgow and Aberdeen and one in Cardiff, Wales. MAIDEN founder member and bass player Steve Harris says: "As it's been so long since our last full U.K. arena tour, we really wanted to get to our fans in as many cities as possible. We're really looking forward to it, especially visiting places we haven't been to for a very long time like Leeds where we haven't played since 2005 and Liverpool where we haven't played since 1990.

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

"The songs from 'The Book Of Souls' album and the new Maya-themed Eddies and stage sets have gone down really well and fan reaction has been amazing. And, of course, we know our fans appreciate us playing a lot of the older songs too, which we will continue to do." The dates are: Apr 22 - Belgium - Antwerp, SportpaleisApr 24 - Germany - Oberhausen, König-Pilsener-ArenaApr 28 - Germany - Frankfurt, FesthalleMay 02 - Germany - Hamburg, Barclaycard ArenaMay 04 - England - Nottingham, Motorpoint ArenaMay 06 - Ireland - Dublin, 3arenaMay 08 - England - Manchester, ArenaMay 10 - England - Sheffield, ArenaMay 11 - England - Leeds, First Direct ArenaMay 14 - England - Newcastle, Metro Radio ArenaMay 16 - Scotland - Glasgow SSE Hydro ArenaMay 17 - Scotland - Aberdeen, AECC GE Oil & Gas ArenaMay 20 - England - Liverpool, Echo ArenaMay 21 - England - Birmingham, Barclaycard ArenaMay 24 - Wales - Cardiff, Motorpoint ArenaMay 27 - England - London, O2 Arena No further European cities will be added to this schedule for 2017. Special guests on all shows will be the American rockers SHINEDOWN.

SHINEDOWN's Zach Myers comments: "IRON MAIDEN are the kings of metal and one of the greatest live bands of all time. It's an honor to be touring with them in Europe and in their home country and to play in front of their fans. We can't wait to see you in 2017!!!" There will be an exclusive pre-sale for IRON MAIDEN Fan Club members, details of which can be found on IronMaiden.com, along with information on how Fan Club members can participate in the draw to be "First To The Barrier." IRON MAIDEN continue to be actively dedicated to ensuring their fans always have full access to the best possible tickets in the fairest possible way. Additionally, after great feedback to last year's North American trial of the concept, MAIDEN fans in the UK will, for the first time, be able to enjoy a Trooper VIP Upgrade package that will allow them early access to the venue, a pile of Trooper goodies and MAIDEN swag, Trooper beers, food and a designated area to meet with other fans, together with the opportunity to win some great prizes. The upgrade packages are available at £140 from TrooperVIP.com. The concert ticket must be purchased separately. "The Book Of Souls" world tour opened in Florida, U.S.A in February 2016 visiting 36 countries using their new 747 jumbo jet Ed Force One piloted by singer Bruce Dickinson, which flew band, crew and 22 tons of equipment over 61,500 miles (99,000 km) across six continents during the 72-date leg, playing to around 1.5 million fans.

Tickets are on sale from 9 a.m. on Friday, September 30, priced at £57.50 / £49.50 / £46 Regionally and £57.50 / £50 / £48 for London (subject to per-ticket charge plus order processing fee) and are available from LiveNation.co.uk.

SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan's debut as a feature film director, "Officer Downe", has been picked up for distribution in the U.S. by Magnet Releasing, according to Variety. Based on a graphic novel, the violent sci-fi film follows a police officer who is repeatedly killed, resurrected, and sent back into the field due to a mysterious technology that essentially makes him immortal. Kim Coates from "Sons Of Anarchy" stars in the title role.

Crahan told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that the experience of making his first feature film was grueling but satisfying. "I did six weeks, three weeks of pre-pro and 21 days of straight filming, and it was the hardest I've ever worked in my life," he said. "But it was everything and anything I could have ever dreamt of. Some things were a struggle, but it was a trip."

"Officer Downe" will debut in theaters and on-demand platforms on November 18. The film is produced by "Crank" co-director Mark Neveldine and SLIPKNOT manager Cory Brennan, among others.

The movie premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival last summer, where We Got This Covered said it was "sadistically stylized and punishingly powerful."

Crahan, who would like to direct more films in the future, has previously directed a number of music videos, concert DVDs and behind-the-scenes featurettes for SLIPKNOT.

He and SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor founded a production company called Living Breathing Films in 2012, although it has yet to release anything.

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett says that losing his phone with hundreds of riff ideas for the band's new album was a "devastating" experience.

Hammett's iPhone containing about "250 musical ideas" went missing in 2014. About six months later, he told "The Jasta Show" podcast that he "was crushed" when it happened, but still expressed hope that it "might turn up."

Now, in a brand new interview with Seattle's KISW 99.9 radio station to promote METALLICA's upcoming tenth studio album, "Hardwired...To Self-Destruct", Kirk spoke about how the incident affected the making of the new record. He said (hear audio below): "[Losing the phone] was devastating for me. Let's just say that I had to start at zero again while everyone else [in the band] had material for songs. By the time I got a few ideas flowing and kind of formed, most of the songs were already written. I had to think to myself, 'Okay, I have stuff, but it looks like it's gonna probably make it on to the next album.'"

Despite the setback, Hammett said that he was pleased with how "Hardwired...To Self-Destruct" turned out.

"The songs on this album came together over a period of time — about a year and a half — and they're totally groove-oriented, songs that are kind of a natural progression from 'Death Magnetic', but more groove-oriented, not as progressive as 'Death Magnetic'," he said.

Hammett recently told Minneapolis radio station 93X that he is staying away from reading comments online about the band's new single, "Hardwired". The guitarist explained: "As soon as I go on to my computer and turn it on, and think to myself, 'Should I read what other people are saying?' or 'Should I read some comments [on whatever web site]?' I instantly say to myself, 'Don't go there,' because I'll just get, first, angry, then frustrated, then confused, and then wanna just write it all off as just fucking useless bullshit, and why did I even waste my time."

Hammett added that the reaction he has gotten has been largely positive so far, saying: "I kind of feel the excitement. I can kind of feel the energy in the air. I mean, we all kind of are picking up on it. I'm getting a tremendous amount of texts from friends, saying, 'Great song. Wonderful song.' I know there's a great buzz out there, and I'm totally, totally thankful that the song is so well received."

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield gave The Pulse Of Radio his interpretation of what "Hardwired" is about. He said: "Sometimes I feel like no matter how hard I try to be different or to do something right or a better way or something, it just seems like the default is hardwired to just screw it up sometimes. [Laughs] So, man, in general, sometimes I think, I just feel we're hardwired to self-destruct."

"Hardwired...To Self-Destruct" is due out November 18 on double CD, vinyl and digital download.

Asked about touring behind the new disc, Hammett told 93X: "For us, going out and playing shows, it's really, really fun for us, really, really great, but over time, the mileage we have on ourselves, on our personal odometers, they're way up there. So, having said that, we have to take care of ourselves, and we have to make sure that going into this next little phase that we do it correctly and we do it in a healthy way that ensures much more longevity."

METALLICA will begin touring in support of the record in January 2017.

Interview (audio):

LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton spoke to Riccardo Ball of New Zealand's Wrecking Ball Media about his new project with drummer Jean-Paul Gaster of CLUTCH,

"We don't really have a name for it yet, and we've put just a couple of tunes out on the Internet and got a phenomenal response; people really seem to dig it, which is exciting, because we do as well," Mark said (hear audio below).

"Genre-wise and music-wise, it's very, very different than LAMB OF GOD," he continued. "It's kind of exciting for me, creatively, to be able to reach out and mess around a little bit more with that blues element that I like so much and a little bit of a fusion side to it all as well."

According to Mark, his new project "doesn't really in any way conflict with what LAMB's doing. In fact, I'm not sure that it'll translate necessarily to all of our fans, but I have had a great response so far."

Regarding how his collaboration with Gaster came about, Morton said: "I've known him for years, between CLUTCH and LAMB OF GOD playing shows together and that kind of thing. We did a tour years ago — about ten years ago — called 'Sounds Of The Underground', and they were on it, and that was the first time I actually ever jammed with J.P. And we literally set up in the parking lot behind where the gig was and a bunch of people were just taking turns jamming, and that's the first time I actually ever played with him. And he's just an unbelievable, good drummer, so I knew then that I'd love to jam with the guy. And we live close by — CLUTCH is from the Maryland area, and we're just next door in Virginia — so it wasn't unrealistic for us to talk about getting together and making some music."

Two songs from the Morton / Gaster project — "Love Heals" and "SnowBound" — can be streamed below.

Morton previously collaborated with DEVILDRIVER vocalist Dez Fafara on a project called BORN OF THE STORM. The project released four tracks — "Secrets", "The New Rain Blues", "Nowhere Fast" and "Dust" — which featured Kevin Talley (SIX FEET UNDER, DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA) on the drums.

LAMB OF GOD's latest album, "VII: Sturm Und Drang", was released in July 2015 via Epic in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast Entertainment in all territories outside of North America.

Sheffield, England-based band BRING ME THE HORIZON has been forced to cancel three shows in Australia, one in New Zealand and another in Singapore after singer Oli Sykes was diagnosed with a viral infection that has left him unable to speak.

Sykes, who has separated from his wife Hannah Pixie Snowdon, says via Instagram: "The concert for me in Sydney was a real struggle for me to sing, we got through it and I was really hoping a day off yesterday and 24 hours of vocal rest would be sufficient.

"Unfortunately, I've woken up today and my symptoms have worsened, my throat and face has swollen up, along with ulcers, rashes and other not so great problems.

"So it appears I have some kind of viral infection. I'm so sorry to let you all down, but believe me when I say no one is more gutted than me.

"Right now the shows are one of the main things helping me get through a personally difficult period of my life, and being told that I'm not in any condition to perform and having to go back and sit alone in a hotel room until this infection subsides — well, is the last thing I wanna be doing.

"I just wanted to let you all know that these decisions are never taken lightly; the complete opposite, [to be honest], we live for the shows. They are usually the only highlight of our days, and for anyone that was supposed to see us tonight, I'm feeling your pain just as much as you are feeling mine. Hopefully we can make it back up to you in the not-too-distant future."

Sykes and Hannah Pixie Snowdon, a tattoo artist from Sheffield, were married last year after getting engaged back in 2013.

BRING ME THE HORIZON is continuing to tour in support of its fifth album, "That's The Spirit", which debuted last September at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The lead single from the set, "Throne", topped the Active Rock radio chart in November.

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

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..."

XANDRIA released a new 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.

Dave Mustaine has told the Cry Of The Wolf blog that he was offered a "crazy opportunity" to work on a new project that will involve his MEGADETH bandmates.

Even though it's been less than a year since MEGADETH's latest album, "Dystopia", was released, Mustaine reports that the band is "working feverishly with the hard drives to catalog all the song ideas we have — to start working on separating them into new parts and so forth and so forth."

He adds: "We have a crazy opportunity of a project that I am working on. We have a lot of songs for that I am working on. I cannot give you more details but as soon as I can, I will."

Mustaine also talked about the lyrical themes he covered on "Dystopia". He says: "[The lyrics are] definitely a reflection of the time we are living in right now.

"Looking at society, every day it's on the news [that] someone is stabbed, shot or blowing up a cop or a school.

"When I was growing up, there was honor amongst the people that fought. You would never think of shooting into a hospital or a school. Now they do that with no remorse.

"I think about combat as a martial artist and you would touch gloves before you fight. Now they don't do that.

"[There is] so much animosity out there. We are swimming in an era of just hate.

"I try to stay upbeat and positive. My Twitter feed is unusually upbeat. I think that is because I do not immediately respond. Some of our international fans might not communicate the same way we do, so before you fly off the handle, you have to take that into account."

MEGADETH's tour with AMON AMARTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, METAL CHURCH and BUTCHER BABIES kicked off on September 20 in Casper, Wyoming, with dates booked through October 15 in Camden, New Jersey.

In addition to Mustaine, MEGADETH's current lineup includes longtime bassist David Ellefson, Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA, and former SOILWORK drummer Dirk Verbeuren.

Belgium thrashers, Evil Invaders, are ready to unleash the beast on their upcoming 4-track EP, entitled In For The Kill. Two brand new tracks as well as two live versions of songs from of their debut album Pulses Of Pleasure make for audible madness. A new video for the track “Raising Hell” can be found below.

In For The Kill EP tracklisting:

“As Life Slowly Fades”
“Raising Hell”
“Pulses Of Pleasure” (live version)
“Victim Of Sacrifice” (live version)

“Raising Hell” video:

Trailer:

In For The Kill will be released on September 30th via Napalm Records and will be exclusively available via Napalm Records online store. Prepare for high velocity, skull crushing riffs and solos that will melt your face off. This one is going to be brutal.

Pre-order at this location.

A day ahead of release via Indie Recordings, Norwegian progressive classic metallers, Sahg, are streaming their new album, Memento Mori, on YouTube here.

In a time when threats of religious hostility and environmental decay loom heavily over the world, we have no choice but to acknowledge the inevitability of death. Not only does it spread fear, stigma and hatred, but it also reminds us of the grasp our own mortality has on us. Death is just a heartbeat away and our fear of the unknown is apparent now more than ever. Thus the title Memento Mori (Latin: remember that you must die).

The heavy rock powerhouse Sahg have since their beginnings in 2004 delivered grade-A hard rock of the fist bumping and heavy-leaded sort. When elements hoisted from the depths of doom converge with the realm of progressive rock, one can draw parallels to greats such as Black Sabbath, Pentagram and Mastodon. Sahg procure a unique blend of the aforementioned while resting firmly on a heavy metal base. The crisp sound on their fifth and latest effort Memento Mori defies the idea of simple genre categorization in favour of delivering a damn good heavy metal album.

Tracklisting:

“Black Unicorn”
“Devilspeed”
“Take It To The Grave”
“Silence The Machines”
“Sanctimony”
“(Praise The) Electric Sun”
“Travellers Of Space And Light”
“Blood Of Oceans”

“Black Unicorn” video:

“Sanctimony”:

Preview video:

AMARANTHE, the cutting-edge Swedish rock band with the triple lead-vocal attack, has dropped "That Song" from its upcoming album, "Maximalism". Check it out at Spotify. "The time has come to unveil 'That Song' to the world," said guitarist Olof Mörck. "Showcasing a new side of AMARANTHE, the song combines an anthemic arena riff with an irresistibly groovy flow, creating maybe the most unique AMARANTHE track yet! Describing the strife and hardships that follow with trying to pursue your dreams, 'That Song' embodies the turning point in your life when your direction becomes clear. So stomp your feet and clap your hands to 'That Song'!" "Maximalism" will be released on October 21 via Spinefarm Records. The follow-up to 2014's "Massive Addictive" is described in a press release as "a hyper-modern, metallic beast of a record" containing "12 new tracks that fully live up to the 'bigger, bolder' promise of the title." "Maximalism" was produced once again by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, EPICA, DELAIN) and mastered by Svante Forsback (RAMMSTEIN, APOCALYPTICA, DRAGONFORCE). Refusing to be pinned down by genre or convention, AMARANTHE have consistently pursued the less travelled path, blending different sounds and styles to create a signature hybrid approach, and "Maximalism" sees their collective wide-angle vision laid out with greater skill and conviction than ever before. From the locomotive power of "Faster" and "Fury" through to the more measured drama of "Limitless" and "Endlessly" (a solo tour de force for singer Elize Ryd), this is AMARANTHE ramping up both the energy and the emotion, and generally pushing everything to the max. Said Mörck: "'Maximalism' is our manifesto to the world!

"We are genuinely thrilled with the new material, definitely our most diverse collection to date. Our trademark 'bleeding edge' modern metal remains intact, of course, but fused with an even broader range of genres than before…

"There's everything here, including stadium rock, innovative pop and danceable super-hits.

"Expect these tunes to enter your mind on a permanent basis!"

"Maximalism" track listing: 01. Maximize02. Boomerang03. That Song04. 2105. On The Rocks06. Limitless07. Fury08. Faster09. Break Down And Cry10. Supersonic11. Fireball12. Endlessly In support of "Maximalism", AMARANTHE will embark on a headline European tour in October/November, with SONIC SYNDICATE and SMASH INTO PIECES guesting on all shows.

"Fires Within Fires", the eleventh full-length album from long-running Oakland, California-based industrial/alternative/metal pioneers NEUROSIS, can be streamed in its entirety using the SoundCloud widget below. Due on September 23 via the band's own Neurot Recordings, the follow-up to 2012's "Honor Found In Decay" was recorded at Electrical Audio Studio with producer Steve Albini.

"Fires Within Fires" track listing:

01. Bending Light02. A Shadow Memory03. Fire Is The End Lesson04. Broken Ground05. Reach

In true Ouroborean style, "Fires Within Fires" gives due to its predecessors while progressing forward into the unfamiliar and formidable. Striking the band's signature balance between light and dark, beauty and repulsion, dense sonic heaviness and reflective space. "Fires Within Fires" is succinct, raw and deeply soulful, an all-encompassing reminder to all that transfiguration in sound remains their most commanding and inimitable strength.

The album features exquisite album artwork from the renowned Thomas Hooper, as seen below.

Speaking to Decibel magazine earlier in the year, NEUROSIS vocalist/guitarist Steve Von Till stated about the band's three-decade career: "We're so fucking lucky, man. [We have] such gratitude for the brotherhood and the ability to be a part of this sound and this family. None of us had any idea that things would ever get to this point. I don't think we could have predicted being where we are at this moment, with the different twists and turns of life. We just wanted to rage on some guitars. It's a blessing to be in this position. [With] everything that we've been through, this has been our constant gift."

Added vocalist/guitarist Scott Kelly: "We're definitely humbled and honored to have the chance to do this for this long, and to have created a family that surrounds the band. We approach everything as if it would be the last thing we do, and we've been very conscious of that, particularly over the last ten years. Because we realize that the longer you go, your odds decrease substantially. Honestly, I'm really happy to be here. I'm happy to have made it. I'm happy to have this continuous release that, although some people view it as being incredibly bleak and negative, is actually a big, burning, positive light…something that gives us a chance to survive."

"Forerunners Of The Apocalypse", the new video from Dutch doom death metal pioneers ASPHYX, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Maurice Swinkels of Younique Film (EXODUS, KATAKLYSM), who previously worked with the band on the "Deathhammer" video.

Comments ASPHYX vocalist Martin Van Drunen: "'Forerunners Of The Apocalypse' is the first official video from the 'Incoming Death' album. Done on a hot Thursday night at the Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen, Germany, where massive credits go out to the crew there. Lots of sweat, beers, laughter and probably the loudest playback session ever in metal! Filmed and edited by the one and only Maurice Swinkels, who probably went deaf after this. A grand cheerz also goes out to Roberto Toderico for the great Mongol warrior drawings! It was the last track written for the album, about genocidal ruler Genghis Khan. Especially about the sacking of Urgench, where 1.2 million were decapitated without mercy. A fucken stampede of a headbanger, so break your necks on this one!"

"Forerunners Of The Apocalypse" is taken from ASPHYX's new studio album, "Incoming Death", which will be released on September 30 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2012's "Deathhammer" was recorded at several different studios throughout 2016 and was once more mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö, who previously worked with the band on the "Deathhammer", "Death…The Brutal Way" and "Live Death Doom" releases.

"Incoming Death" track listing:

01. Candiru02. Division Brandenburg03. Wardroid04. The Feeder05. It Came From The Skies06. The Grand Denial07. Incoming Death08. Forerunners Of The Apocalypse09. Subterra Incognita10. Wildland Fire11. Death: The Only Immortal Martin Van Drunen previously stated about ASPHYX's new album: "'Incoming Death', the third ASPHYX album after our resurrection in 2007, contains 11 furious songs in the traditional death/doom style which we are known for so well. Only more unmerciful than ever! Lyrical themes include gore humor, death, doom, war, sci-fi, the varying trustworthy ASPHYX subjects, each fusing perfectly with the metal of the tracks. "The album title already existed two or three years ago, being a phrase that doesn't really exist but refers to what entrenched soldiers cry out when under severe artillery fire. Thus 'Incoming Death' implies another relentless bombardment of monstrous ASPHYX death/doom metal!" The "Incoming Death" artwork was once again created by longtime cover artist Axel Hermann (SODOM, GRAVE, MORGOTH), who commented: "'Incoming Death' is my tenth collaboration with ASPHYX. Instead of visualizing the obvious, which would have been a reaper just collecting the soul of a dying man on his deathbed, I tried a maybe more sinister approach, simply by giving the concept a slightly different twist. A demon-infested living cemetery filled with decaying souls, forever being tortured with their own consciousness...or worse!" Martin added: "Of course, no ASPHYX release without the magnificent cover art of Axel Hermann, whose interpretation of the title fits superb with the atmosphere of the recordings. His demons are ours and soon they will be yours too!" ASPHYX is:

Paul Baayens - GuitarAlwin Zuur - BassMartin Van Drunen - VocalsStefan "Husky" Hüskens - Drums

The original lineup of San Francisco Bay Area metallers SKINLAB has reformed and is booking select shows where it will perform its 1997 debut album, "Bound, Gagged And Blindfolded", in its entirety. Steev Esquivel (vocals, bass), Paul Hopkins (drums), Gary Wendt (guitar) and Mike Roberts (guitar) have also announced plans to begin working on a new full-length effort.

SKINLAB's reunited original lineup will perform at the BlackThorne Screamfest on October 28 at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California. More dates will be announced soon.

"Bound, Gagged And Blindfolded" was reissued in October 2007 via Century Media Records. The repackaged disc featured never-before-seen video footage and pictures with liner notes from Esquivel and Roberts along with new artwork layout.

SKINLAB has played sporadic shows in the last few years but hasn't released any new music since 2009's "The Scars Between Us" album.

The band has had different lineups throughout its history, with Esquivel as the only mainstay.

In a 2011 interview with Thrash Magazine, Esquivel stated about SKINLAB's sound: "Everyone said we were too death metal on 'Bound, Gagged And Blindfolded', which we didn't agree with. We've never really fit into any one genre. We're definitely not nu metal, which a lot of people think, and we're definitely not metalcore. We just write what feels good to us without losing the sound of SKINLAB. Everyone has their own opinion and interpretation on what genre we fall into."

FRAGILE MORTALS, the new band that combines hip-hop legend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (RUN-D.M.C.) with the metal group GENERATION KILL — featuring vocalist Rob Dukes (ex-EXODUS) and bassist Rob Moschetti (ex-PRO-PAIN, M.O.D.) — has released a video for the song "Suicide", Check it out below.

FRAGILE MORTALS issued its debut single, "Fired Up", on July 4, followed by "Suicide" on July 5 via Bumblefoot Music, the record label of artist/producer Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ART OF ANARCHY, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), who also produced and added additional guitar solos to the tracks.

"Fired Up" is described in a press release as "a foot-stomping, fist-in-your-face anthem, sort of like a Mack truck crashing into a packed football stadium." DMC says: "'Fired Up' is a sports inspired attitude about giving all you got in this 'game of life.' And, like my verse says, you must do it without cheating!"

And while the message of "Fired Up" is pretty straightforward, "Suicide" tackles darker topics, that, according to DMC, hit closer to home.

''Suicide' is really personal to me because I was fighting depression, so I know what individuals, young and old, go through," he said.

"People will always tell you that you shouldn't feel the way you feel. Easier said than done!

"I discovered the first step to healing is be truthful to yourself about how you're feeling, then look at who and what circumstances are causing these feelings, then deal with those to remove those from your life.

"Me and Dukes wrote these lyrics no holds barred because that's how we, and a lot of others, felt."

"Suicide" is also featured in the audio version of DMC's memoir, "Ten Ways Not To Commit Suicide", which came out on July 5.

Both "Fired Up" and "Suicide" are taken from FRAGILE MORTALS' full-length debut, "The Dark Project", due later in the year.

Stemming from a chance meeting between Dukes and DMC, an initial one-track collaboration for a DMC solo album turned into a full-on force, as FRAGILE MORTALS was born. The band then recruited the ear of Thal as producer, and their combined creative vision has allowed the band to grow further than expected. Lending the occasional guitar riff and solo to the tracks, Ron's contributions earned him the title of unofficial seventh member.

Addressing issues ranging from suicide, drug abuse, prostitution, life and death, and racism, "The Dark Project" also offers a glimmer of hope and light at the end of a gritty tunnel, exposing the darker side of humanity without glorifying it in any way.

FRAGILE MORTALS offers the listener an intellectual look into real-world issues, as the music takes you on a journey, serving as the soundtrack to this all-too-real story.

GRAHAM BONNET BAND has released a special video for the song "Into The Night", taken from the group's upcoming album, "The Book", due on November 4 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Says the band: "The video was filmed using 360-degree camera technology, so you can scroll through the video and change the angle you are viewing on YouTube on your desktop or mobile (looks especially cool on mobile)."

Graham Bonnet is a rock legend. With a pedigree that includes RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, ALCATRAZZ and IMPELLITTERI, he is one of the finest vocalists of his generation. His is a recognizable and unique voice on a number of classic hard rock albums, including RAINBOW's "Down To Earth" (1979), MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP's "Assault Attack" (1982), ALCATRAZZ's "No Parole For Rock 'n' Roll" (1983) and "Disturbing The Peace" (1985) and IMPELLITTERI's "Stand In Line" (1988). The recently formed GRAHAM BONNET BAND features Bonnet on lead vocals, Beth-Ami Heavenstone on bass, South American sensation Conrado Pesinato on lead guitar, ex-ALCATRAZZ man Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, and Mark Zonder (known for his acclaimed work with WARLORD and FATES WARNING) on drums. "The Book" offers 11 new songs where Bonnet lays down his legendary vocals over a selection of hard rock tunes that are chock full of great hooks and melodies.

"The songs on the album are very similar to what I have done in the past with RAINBOW, ALCATRAZZ and MSG," says Graham. "I think this is what people want to hear from me and won't be disappointed." Graham Bonnet is in fine form and the album is easily his best in decades: 11 new tracks that will blow hard rock fans away! The album also includes a bonus disc featuring re-recorded versions of some of the most well-known classics he has sung in his solo career and with RAINBOW, ALCATRAZZ, MSG and IMPELLITTERI. The official EPK for the album is available below. The GRAHAM BONNET BAND has spent the last 12 months touring solidly around the world, with performances at several major European festivals including an acclaimed set at Sweden Rock Festival.

"The Book" will be supported with several shows in the U.K. and Spain in 2016, with more dates to be added. "The Book" track listing: CD 2 (new songs)

01. Into The Night02. Welcome To My Home03. Earth's Child (I Am Your Son)04. Rider05. Dead Man Walking06. Strangest Day07. The Dance08. Where Were You?09. The Book10. Everybody Wants To Go There11. California Air CD 2 (Re-recorded classics)

01. Eyes Of The World02. All Night Long03. Lost In Hollywood04. Since You Been Gone05. Night Games06. S.O.S.07. Assault Attack08. Dancer09. Desert Song10. Island In The Sun11. Hiroshima Mon Amour12. God Blessed Video13. Will You Be Home Tonight14. Witchwood15. Stand In Line16. Here Comes The Night (Down Without A Fight) GRAHAM BONNET BAND is:

Graham Bonnet - lead vocalsConrado Pesinato - guitarJimmy Waldo - keyboardsBeth-Ami Heavenstone - bassMark Zonder - drums Angelo Vafeiadis - keyboards on CD2 (bonus disc)

METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo was interviewed last week by the Orlando, Florida radio station WJRR. You can now listen to the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the long gap between METALLICA's last album, 2008's "Death Magnetic" and the upcoming "Hardwired...To Self-Destruct":

Trujillo: "You kind of go with the flow of that and you deal with it. This is really officially my second record with the band, and I don't know how [long] it's been… like, eight years since the last, or something.

"The creative process is interesting, because we jam a lot. When we play shows on tour, we have what we call the 'jam room,' and we have, obviously, mobile recording gear so that any ideas that we come up with, they're recorded and documented. 'Cause James Hetfield [METALLICA frontman] will literally plug in his guitar cable and he'll turn the knob and he'll come up with a wicked riff in a split second. And if there isn't anything to record that idea, it goes away, and it's gone forever. I mean, I'll be sitting there with him, and there's not even any recording equipment around, and I'll hear him play something and I'll [be, like], 'Hang on a second!'

"I remember when I first joined the band, that would happen, and back then it was cassettes. I'd get my cassette recorder and I'd say, 'Play that again,' or whatever.

"So it's like that. It's a process of elimination, where the riffs and the ideas, they happen spontaneously. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes people will work on stuff and bring it to the rehearsal or whatever, and then you start writing. And our problem is we've got so many riffs, and some of 'em are really, really great, and they don't survive. And they could be another band's best riffs. It's a good problem to have."' On METALLICA's touring plans in support of "Hardwired...To Self-Destruct":

Trujillo: "We will be definitely getting out there and touring this one hard. The thing is it's a new baby. With the release of the album and figuring out the setlist, and also being very excited about that, it takes time. And nurturing the show as well — everything from visual production to sound design and that whole thing. It's really exciting for all of us, including management. Usually, with the States, we really wanna come in and there's no experimenting; we want it to be right and solid. So we will be touring the States next year; it's just we're still developing the production to bring it out there. We've done a few things here and there — we played in Minneapolis very recently and we played in San Francisco also fairly recently. So we're juicing up the machine here. We're getting there. People are just gonna have to be a little bit more patient with us. I know it took a while to get the album finished and mixed and mastered, and release is right there, coming up very soon. But at the same time, now we've gotta get the show right. And it's all gonna be happening."

"Hardwired...To Self-Destruct" will be released on November 18 via Blackened Recordings. The effort consists of two discs, containing a dozen songs and nearly 80 minutes of music.

"Hardwired...To Self-Destruct" was produced by Greg Fidelman with frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. The band recorded the disc at its own studio.

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King says that he "hated" ANTHRAX's collaboration with PUBLIC ENEMY on "Bring The Noise" but has defended his band's decision to work with hip-hop legend Ice-T.

ANTHRAX's version of "Bring the Noise", which was featured on the 1991 "Attack of the Killer B's" compilation, has been credited for laying the groundwork for rap metal and nu metal.

Asked by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette how he felt about ANTHRAX's collaboration with PUBLIC ENEMY, Kerry said: "Oh, I hated it. And they know it. It's not a secret, or I wouldn't tell you. They don't play it a lot when we play together. Maybe it's cycled out of their set.

"We did something with Ice-T back in the '90s [a medley of three THE EXPLOITED songs for the 1993 'Judgment Night' soundtrack], but it wasn't a crossover song. It was still a thrash song because Ice-T loves thrash.

"When that was brought up initially for us to do, I was like, 'Nah, man, I don't want to be part of some rap song.' Nothing against rap, I like rap. I just didn't want SLAYER to do that. And then the idea of Ice-T came up, I said, 'Yeah, we can do that.'"

Kerry also talked about SLAYER's history with ANTHRAX. He said: "We played with them a lot in the last ten years, and before that we didn't, aside from 'Clash Of The Titans' [1990-91]. I don't even know why. Maybe because there were more bands to play with then, and there doesn't seem to be an infusion of new bands that are relevant enough to have an opening slot for SLAYER. What ANTHRAX has done the last couple records, it seems to me it has revitalized them."

In an interview with the Cleveland Music Examiner, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian stated about the band's original decision to record a cover of "Bring The Noise": "By that point, there was a new audience, and we certainly reached a lot of new people with that PUBLIC ENEMY track. People who maybe weren't into what we'd done before, or who weren't metalheads. So that track crossed over for us and took us into a new zone. But it's funny, because we haven't done anything rap or crossed over since 'Bring The Noise', yet people once again still talk about it, which shows me how special it was. People still want to hear it and people still reference it all the time, and it's almost 25 years old. And sometimes we're categorized as a 'rap metal' band, when we only ever did the two songs — other then maybe screwing around with 'Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun' with the BEASTIE BOYS as a B-side — but yeah. People still talk about it as if that's what we do."

SLAYER's seven-week North American tour with ANTHRAX and DEATH ANGEL kicked off in Cleveland on September 9.

Nuno Bettencourt was horribly violated by a hacker who got into his personal accounts and posted some of his private photos, including pictures of his children and several full-frontal nude selfies of the EXTREME guitarist.

The photographs were first posted early Tuesday morning on Bettencourt's Instagram account, where they remained for a couple of hours before they were removed and the account was temporarily taken down.

Earlier today, Nuno addressed the hack via his Facebook account, writing: "I got woken up from a dead sleep with my door being banged on in my hotel room. I knew it could only be bad news, but once I was told what was happening, I couldn't comprehend it. Basically, my accounts were compromised. But what's worse were the photos.

"I want to apologize to all of you, my friends, my family, but especially my kids.

"I am sorry to those offended by the photos, but I'm more disappointed in the photos of my children being posted.

"From day one, I've kept my kids' lives private. And I'm sad that that was violated.

"Thank you everyone who reached out and tried to help."

In a recent interview with Gearphoria.com, Nuno spoke about the progress of the writing and recording sessions for EXTREME's follow-up to the band's 2008 album, "Saudades de Rock". He said: "We're about 17 songs into it. We're just wrapping them up. We've got to do vocals, some guitar. Slowly but surely. We're going to release it early next year. Whether that's February or early spring, but definitely not past the spring. This thing is coming out, even if I've got to leak this fucking thing out. We've been recording mostly at my home studio. The guys have been coming out periodically."

EXTREME's first studio album in thirteen years, "Saudades de Rock" (pronounced "sow-dodge") was released in August 2008 on Open E Records and distributed by Fontana.

2015 marked the 25th anniversary of EXTREME's classic album "Pornograffitti", the definitive album of the band's career. To mark the anniversary, "Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown" will be released October 14 by the production company Rock Fuel Media in association with Loud & Proud Records as part of their four-part "Metal Meltdown" DVD series. The concert film captures the Boston band performing "Pornograffitti" in its entirety.




I got woken up from a dead sleep with my door being banged on in my hotel room. I knew it could only be bad news, but...

Posted by Nuno Bettencourt on Tuesday, September 20, 2016

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Jimmy Page has promised that in some manner, the LED ZEPPELIN reissues will carry on. Page compiled and produced the newly released "The Complete BBC Sessions" collection, featuring songs taped by ZEPPELIN in 1969 and 1971 for British radio. He explained to The Telegraph: "LED ZEPPELIN isn't done yet, quite clearly, because every year since 1968 there's been new fans. The re-releases have more than doubled the amount of LED ZEPPELIN work out there. I wanted it done authoritatively, 'cause I was the one writing the stuff, I was the producer and mixer. I don't think it's any more weird than writing your autobiography."

He went on to explained why nearly fifty years after first playing together, ZEPPELIN's music still stands apart from the rest: "It was done with so much freedom and conviction by master musicians, that's why it has traveled over time. It was an extraordinary connection, the synergy within the band. There was an area of ESP between Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, and myself."

Page touched upon the three improvisational songs that were never officially recorded by the band featured on the new BBC set — "Sunshine Woman", "The Girl I Love Has Long Black Wavy Hair" and "Traveling Riverside Blues". "It seemed like fun, making numbers up in the studio," he said. "The thing that's really apparent is the confidence and attitude. We improvised constantly, the whole thing was moving and transmuting right there, in the moment."

Jimmy told The Pulse Of Radio that ZEPPELIN's initial influences from across the Atlantic solidified the type of music they would create over the years. "The fact is, all four of us, were so influenced by American music, and for me, the music that I was hearing in the sort of '50s over here, it was all a reinterpretation of what was going on in America," he said. "So we, sort of, had this American music, sort of coming in to us, and we were accessing it through the radio and records. That's a major part of why we became what we were — which is musicians and became totally seduced by this whole movement in music."

LED ZEPPELIN's original "BBC Sessions" was released on November 11, 1997 and peaked at No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart.

In a brand new interview with RockRevolt Magazine, ex-FLYLEAF frontwoman Lacey Sturm was asked if there is chance that she could reunite with her former bandmates now that they have parted ways with their singer of the past four years, Kristen May. She responded (hear audio below): "Well, you know, I feel like I'm the kind of person that I think so much happened that I never in a million years thought would happen, so I've learned to quit saying 'never.' But at the same time, I'm a really present person."

She continued: "I don't have any plans for that, but then again, you never know. I don't know… [Laughs] They haven't called me. And I don't have any plans [to go back]."

Two years ago, Sturm opened up about some of the reasons why she quit FLYLEAF in the fall of 2012, shortly before the release of its third album, "New Horizons". She said that several events, including getting married, having a baby and enduring the death of the band's sound engineer Rich Caldwell changed her priorities.

Sturm explained: "The one that hit the hardest was the death of our sound engineer. We did one last show with FLYLEAF as a benefit for his wife Katy and their son Kirby. And it was really hard to do a show without him, and it was really hard to think it could be our last show. So I remember looking at my son after Rich had passed and just wondering to myself, if this was the last year I had with my son, how would I spend it?"

Sturm added: "It was really amazing to recognize this season changing in my life and the freedom that I was gonna be able to focus on my family. And I'm so thankful for that time. And although it was really hard, I'm thankful. And that's the reason I stepped down from FLYLEAF."

FLYLEAF recruited May as Sturm's replacement and released its fourth album, "Between The Stars", in September 2014.

Sturm's debut solo album, "Life Screams", was released on February 12 via Followspot Records with The Fuel Music distribution.

AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams has confirmed that he will retire from recording and touring after finishing out the band's current world trek. Williams's decision follows a string of personnel changes for the group that started with co-founding guitarist Malcolm Young's departure in 2014 after he was diagnosed with dementia. Last year, drummer Phil Rudd was sentenced to house arrest after he was found guilty on a drug charge, while earlier this year singer Brian Johnson was forced to step down or face the loss of his hearing.

Williams said in a new video message (see below): "It's time for me to step out, and that's all. Not because we've lost Mal, Phil or Brian. I mean, everything changes when something happens like that. When Bon [Scott, vocals] died, it changed then. You know, everything changes, so it's not that. It's just… I'm just ready to get off the road, really, and do what I do…

"In between tours, we take a few years off, so I know how to do that, I know what I'm gonna do. Again, it's just my time. I'm happy. I just need to… Family time now… just chill out and not do this.

"I mean, I couldn't have asked for anything more, being with the people I'm with and have been, and being in this situation with this band, playing this music."

Williams previously told Gulfshore Life about his decision to leave AC/DC: "It's been what I've known for the past forty years, but after this tour I'm backing off of touring and recording. Losing Malcolm, the thing with Phil and now with Brian, it's a changed animal. I feel in my gut it's the right thing."

The 66-year-old Williams is the longest-serving member of the group after co-founder and sole original member Angus Young. He joined the band in mid-1977 and made his debut on its fifth album, 1978's "Powerage", appearing on every record and tour since.

Williams said about his long stint with the group: "When you start out, you kind of hope for success. That's what you are working for. But you never really know. It's been surreal, really."

Assuming neither Rudd nor Johnson return, Williams's exit means that only Angus Young remains from the lineups that recorded classic albums like 1979's "Highway To Hell", 1980's "Back In Black" and 1981's "For Those About To Rock...We Salute You".

The rescheduled dates of AC/DC's North American tour — which are the band's first concerts here with Axl Rose on lead vocals — kicked off in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 27.

Angus Young has not indicated yet what the group's plans are following the completion of the touring cycle for the band's latest album, "Rock Or Bust".

AC/DC played what is believed to be its last-ever concert with bassist Cliff Williams Tuesday night, September 20 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Rock Or Bust02. Shoot To Thrill03. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be04. Back In Black05. Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder06. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap07. Rock 'N' Roll Damnation08. Thunderstruck09. High Voltage10. Rock 'N' Roll Train11. Hells Bells12. Given The Dog A Bone13. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)14. Live Wire15. Sin City16. You Shook Me All Night Long17. Shot Down In Flames18. Have A Drink On Me19. T.N.T.20. Whole Lotta Rosie21. Let There Be Rock

Encore:

22. Highway To Hell23. Riff Raff24. Problem Child25. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

Check out fan-filmed video footage below.

Williams has confirmed that he will retire from recording and touring with AC/DC once it has ended the current touring cycle for the "Rock Or Bust" album. In a new video message posted online, Williams explained: "It's time for me to step out, and that's all. Not because we've lost Mal, Phil or Brian. I mean, everything changes when something happens like that. When Bon died, it changed then. You know, everything changes, so it's not that. It's just… I'm just ready to get off the road, really, and do what I do."

Williams added: "In between tours, we take a few years off, so I know how to do that, I know what I'm gonna do. Again, it's just my time. I'm happy. I just need to . . . Family time now . . . just chill out and not do this. I mean, I couldn't have asked for anything more, being with the people I'm with and have been, and being in this situation with this band, playing this music."

Williams's decision follows a string of personnel changes for the group that started with co-founding guitarist Malcolm Young's departure in 2014 after he was diagnosed with dementia. Last year, drummer Phil Rudd was sentenced to house arrest after he was found guilty on a drug charge, while earlier this year singer Brian Johnson was forced to step down or face the loss of his hearing.

The 66-year-old Williams is the longest-serving member of the group after co-founder and sole original member Angus Young. He joined the band in mid-1977 and made his debut on its fifth album, 1978's "Powerage", appearing on every record and tour since.

Assuming neither Rudd nor Johnson return, Williams's exit means that only Angus remains from the lineups that recorded classic albums like 1979's "Highway To Hell" — the last album recorded with late lead singer Bon Scott — 1980's "Back In Black" and 1981's "For Those About To Rock...We Salute You".

The Philadelphia concert was the last of ten North American dates that were rescheduled after Brian Johnson had to leave the tour. As with the band's European shows earlier in the summer, the vocals were handled by GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose.

The band does not have any more shows on its itinerary at the moment and Angus Young has not indicated for certain whether the band will continue on.

In a brand new interview with Miami New Times, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King was asked if he thought, back when he co-founded the band in 1981, he would still be doing this 35 years later. He responded: "No, because back when we started in '81, '82, 'old' had a different meaning me to back then. Old was 55, and I'm past that and I don't feel old. Things hurt worse than when I was 25, but the SLAYER shows are still epic. So back then, absolutely not. If Jeff [Hanneman, late SLAYER guitarist] was alive, he'd say, we used to do it for chicks and beer, and I didn't drink beer, so we did it for chicks. [Laughs]"

Asked if he ever thinks about the final chapter for SLAYER, King said: "I don't have an endgame in mind. That being said, I don't want to die onstage either. The good news is we've got seven to eight songs from the last recording. The lyrics don't make those songs change. They're done, recorded, with the 'Repentless' sound. We've got plenty of stuff — it's just finding time to get in the studio again. [The record label] Nuclear Blast is already bugging me about that, but I don't see that happening until at least late next year or early the following year... It's a wonderful place to be. We've never been this far ahead."

SLAYER frontman Tom Araya recently told Billboard that there are no plans yet for the group to begin work on the follow-up to last year's "Repentless" album. That effort marked the band's first release since the death of Hanneman.

SLAYER's seven-week North American tour with ANTHRAX and DEATH ANGEL kicked off on September 9 in Cleveland.

"Repentless" debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200, having shifted 50,000 equivalent album units in the week ending September 17, 2015.

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, the brainchild of former DEATH/ICED EARTH drummer Richard Christy, will release its third full-length album, "Creatures Watching Over The Dead", on September 23 via Metal Blade Records.

The entire CD can now be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. Ask Christy what he wanted to achieve with "Creatures Watching Over The Dead", and his answer is as succinct as it gets: "To bring the metal! I want people to listen to this album, bang their head, and have fun." It's actually hard to imagine anyone with even the slightest hankering for the hard stuff not having this exact reaction when exposed to the nine tracks comprising the record — for this is heavy, catchy, anthemic and downright killer music to wreck your neck to. At the same time, it stands as one of the most uplifting contributions to the metal canon of 2016, which is both timely and welcome. With five years having elapsed since the quartet dropped "Cold Winds On Timeless Days", it's understandable that fans have been yearning for more, but they have not exactly been sitting around, kicking their heels. Christy, who has previously played with ICED EARTH, DEATH, CONTROL DENIED, BURNING INSIDE and LEASH LAW, played drums on Monte Pittman's "Inverted Grasp Of Balance", wrote music for New York State's "The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze" event, and co-wrote a heavy metal comedy Viking rock opera with guitarist Jason Suecof and Titmouse Animation, titled "Majestic Loincloth". Suecof is, of course, one of the most in-demand producers in contemporary metal. Then there's legendary bassist Steve DiGiorgio, who made a name for himself in the ranks of DEATH, TESTAMENT, VINTERSORG, DRAGONLORD and a myriad of other great metal bands; in recent years, he has laid down his inimitable style on records from EPHEL DUATH, SOEN, MEMORAIN and others. Which just leaves vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens, who for a time fronted a little-known British band named JUDAS PRIEST — before lending his formidable pipes to ICED EARTH and Yngwie Malmsteen's mighty compositions, touring relentlessly under his own name, starting new band PROJECT ROCK. When it was time to lay the songs down, the members convened at Suecof's Audiohammer Studio, outside Orlando, Florida, and the subsequent sessions might well have been the smoothest in the history of the metalverse. With everyone more than prepared, after nailing a drum tone that sounds "so natural and crushing," Christy laid down all the drum parts in a single day, and DiGiorgio "crushed it as usual" over the space of two days, delivering an incredible performance which really shines through on every song. Suecof infused Christy's riffs with character, dynamics and sheer power as he tracked them, and then it was down to Owens, who delivered one of his finest performances - made all the more impressive by how quickly he worked. It's understandable that the four guys are seriously proud of the finished product. Once released, Christy has a simple ambition for the record, wanting "people to crank it up while they're drinking their favorite craft beer and cleaning their guinea pig's cage — which I do once a week — or mowing the lawn!" "Creatures Watching Over The Dead" track listing:

01. My Eyes02. The Soulless03. Afterlife04. As I Catch My Breath05. Lies06. Reach into the Light07. Tear Me Down08. Living in the Shadow of Yesterday09. Time Has Passed CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED is:

Richard Christy - DrumsJason Suecof - Guitar, ProducerTim "Ripper" Owens - VocalsSteve Digiorgio - Bass

Instrumental modern progressive pioneers Animals As Leadres have announced that their fourth album The Madness Of Many will be released on November 11th via Sumerian Records. 

Following the stunning The Joy Of Motion, which cemented the band as one of the most innovative musical forces of this generation, The Madness Of Many sees the band raise their creative and technical game even further.

Following a largely sold out European summer tour with support from Plini and Intervals, the band return to Europe for the following dates:

September
30 – Euroblast Festival

October
1 – Wroclaw, Poland – Klub Alibi
2 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja Music Zone
3 – Kiev, Ukraine – Sentry
4 – Minsk, Belarus – Re:Public
8 – Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel – Havana Club