According to Billboard.com, METALLICA's new single, "Hardwired", has landed at position No. 9 on Hot Rock Songs chart, which blends radio airplay, digital sales and streaming data. The song, which is taken from the band's upcoming tenth studio album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", has also entered the Hard Rock Digital Songs chart at No. 1 and the Rock Digital Songs chart at No. 6, with 20,000 downloads sold, according to Nielsen Music.

"Hardwired" has replaced DISTURBED's "The Sound Of Silence" at the top of the Hard Rock Digital Songs chart, ending "Silence"'s 30-week reign on the chart. "Hardwired" also moved 14-3 on the Mainstream Rock Songs and 21-13 on the Rock Airplay (4.5 million in audience) charts.

"Hardwired...To Self-Destruct" will be released on November 18 via Blackened Recordings. The long-awaited follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic" 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 in San Rafael, California.

Ulrich talked to Rolling Stone about the creation of "Hardwired". He said: "That's actually the last song we wrote for the record. We started this album by throwing different ideas around. The shape of it, as a collection of songs, didn't come into focus until we were deep into it. At that point, the songs were getting tighter, shorter and leaner."

He continued: "A couple of months ago, we were sitting there taking stock of the record and thought maybe we should write one more fast, little crazy song, and that became 'Hardwired'. It just kind of happened. I think James and I wrote and recorded it in less than a week, which, for us, is basically a nanosecond."

"Hardwired...To Self-Destruct" will be issued on double CD, vinyl and digital download. A deluxe version will feature a bonus disc containing the riffs that formed the origins of the album along with "The Lords Of Summer", which the band debuted on tour a couple of years ago.

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES will release their new concert DVD, "Sounds From The Heart Of Gothenburg", on September 23 via Nuclear Blast.

The third trailer for the DVD can be seen below.

Nostalgia or a return to their roots has never been an option for the progressive IN FLAMES, but the setlist of this bombastic DVD tears through the band's entire history. With 20 tracks, the show that was recorded on November 7, 2014 at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden reaches a length of one and a half hours, and achieves in capturing the band at their very best, celebrating current hits such as "Through Oblivion", "With Eyes Wide Open" and "Rusted Nail" to a packed arena. But, of course, old-school classics like "Trigger", "Cloud Connected" and the hypnotic closer "Take This Life" are not left out. Prepare for an intense and visually explosive performance in front of ten thousand fans, featuring pyros, circle pits, flying crowdsurfers and IN FLAMES' incomparable riffs. "This DVD is for everyone who was been following our career; we have songs from the early years, the middle years and the new era," states IN FLAMES guitarist Björn Gelotte. "It has to be fun for us to play but also fun for the audience to watch and we try to get a good flow with nice dynamics and different songs."

IN FLAMES will release its twelfth studio album, "Battles", on November 11 via Nuclear Blast in all territories excluding North America and Scandinavia and Eleven Seven Music Group in the U.S. The CD was recorded in Los Angeles with Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson, who has previously worked with MOTÖRHEAD, BODY COUNT and SEPULTURA, among others.

Formed in 1990, the band is considered one of the forefathers of melodic death metal and the purveyors of the "Gothenburg sound." With eleven studio albums released, countless successful tours around the globe, millions of records sold and a massive fanbase worldwide, IN FLAMES has proven to be an unstoppable force in heavy music. From their 1994 debut, "Lunar Strain", to the most recent CD, "Siren Charms" (2014), the band's intricate twin-guitar attack, melodic vocals and superb arrangements have given them a signature sound that has evolved throughout the years.

IN FLAMES last year inked a new management deal with Tenth Street Entertainment, which also looks after MÖTLEY CRÜE and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, among others.

"Siren Charms" sold around 9,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 26 on The Billboard 200 chart.

IN FLAMES drummer Daniel Svensson announced last fall that he was leaving the band to focus on his family life. He said in a statement: "It's hard to leave what have become my second family, but now it's time for me to take care and spend more time with the most important people in my life — my wife and my three daughters."

IN FLAMES has not yet named a replacement for Svensson.

IN FLAMES is:

Anders Fridén - VocalsBjörn Gelotte - GuitarPeter Iwers - BassNiclas Engelin - Guitar

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release "Live In Manila" from internationally beloved American band JOURNEY on September 9. Originally released on DVD in 2009, "Live In Manila" is now being reissued in North America as a DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, and digital formats, and is the first time the audio has been available anywhere in the world.

Filmed in 4K resolution utilizing RED technology to deliver extraordinary quality, this release captures JOURNEY's concert at the SM Mall Of Asia in Manila, Philippines on March 14, 2009. It marked the homecoming of the band's then-newly arrived singer and frontman Arnel Pineda. This concert film includes all the classics: "Don't Stop Believin'", "Be Good To Yourself", "Stone In Love", "Open Arms", "Faithfully", "Still They Ride", "When You Love A Woman", "Any Way You Want It", "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" and "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)", which can now be seen below.

JOURNEY delivered an inspired performance in front of an adoring crowd as they played a set of their greatest hits interspersed with tracks from their 2008 album "Revelation". The lineup for this amazing show — that offers more than two hours of timeless music — featured Arnel Pineda (lead vocals); founding member Neal Schon (lead guitar, vocals); Jonathan Cain (keyboards, rhythm guitar, vocals); Ross Valory (bass, vocals); and Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, vocals).

One of the most popular rock bands of all time, JOURNEY has penned some of the best-known songs in modern music. Having earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 gold and platinum albums to date, JOURNEY carved a distinguished legacy since their 1973 inception. "Live In Manila" proves exactly why they have achieved the accolades they enjoy.

"Live In Manila" track listing:

01. Intro Medley: The Journey (Revelation)/ Majestic 02. Never Walk Away 03. Only The Young 04. Ask The Lonely 05. Stone In Love 06. Keep On Runnin' 07. After All These Years 08. Change For The Better 09. Wheel In The Sky 10. Lights 11. Still They Ride 12. Open Arms 13. Mother, Father 14. Wildest Dream 15. When You Love A Woman 16. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) 17. What I Needed 18. Edge Of The Blade 19. Where Did I Lose Your Love 20. Escape 21. Faithfully 22. Don't Stop Believin' 23. Any Way You Want It 24. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' 25. Turn Down The World Tonight 26. Be Good To Yourself 27. Credits: The Journey (Revelation)

Truckfighters’ new album, V will be released worldwide through Fuzzorama in cooperation with Century Media Records on September 30th. You can pre-order the album at CMDistro and Fuzzorama. You can also pre-order the digital album via iTunes and get the song "Calm Before The Storm" as an Instant Grat track. "Calm Before The Storm" is streaming below.

V is available as a Ltd. Gatefold LP+CD including a poster and as a Ltd. CD+DVD Digipak including two instrumental bonus tracks. The DVD contains about half an hour of Ozo and Dango talking about the bands history around the old music videos which are also on the DVD as well as some live videos. V is also available as a Jewelcase CD version.

The Ltd. LP+CD is available in the following vinyl colors:

- Black vinyl (limited to 1600 copies)
- Red vinyl (limited to 200 copies - exclusively available at the Fuzzorama Store)
- Golden vinyl (limited to 600 copies - only available at the Fuzzorama Store & at live shows this fall)
- White vinyl (limited to 100 copies - available at CM Distro EU & CM EU Mailorder)
- Yellow vinyl (limited to 200 copies - exclusively available at Finest Vinyl)
- Lilac vinyl (limited to 300 copies - available at CM Distro US & CM US Mailorder)

Tracklisting:

“Calm Before The Storm”
“Hawkshaw”
“The 1”
“Gehenna”
“The Contract”
“Fiend”
“Storyline”

“Calm Before The Storm”:

Truckfighters is:

Oskar “Ozo” Cedermalm (vocals & bass)
Niklas “Dango” Källgren (guitar)
Daniel "El Danno" Israelsson (drums)

Connecticut-based progressive rockers Enemy Remains today unveil the first single and video for "No Faith In Humanity”, from their upcoming October release of the same name. The single features a timely subject matter, touching on the current political climate in America.

"We choose this track because of the strong message regarding what's going on with our world today," said guitarist Tommy "The Beast" Blardo. "With the effect of today's political views, we felt this was appropriate, and we hope the fans will relate to it. We hope people can totally get behind the message and try resolve some of the hate in the world."

Enemy Remains was formed by Blardo and original Fates Warning drummer Steve Zimmerman a decade ago. What began as means of musical expression for the pair has since grown into a hard rock force of nature with driving rhythms and a progressive edge. The group, now rounded out by vocalist Frank Morin, Scott Kadish and bassist Andy Majewski, has since shared the stage with the likes of Alice Cooper, Queensryche and Heaven and Hell, as well as having the honour of playing the 20,000-seat XL Center in an opening ceremony for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers' AHL affiliate.

The video for "No Faith In Humanity" was directed by Edwin Escobar, an acclaimed Connecticut-based director specializing top-notch music videos. "The video shoot was just amazing," Blardo said. "Working with a professional like Edwin Escobar was a no-brainer. He made this shooting stress free for all of us."

The result is a slick, performance-based video with intermittent clips that tie in the song's message.

Enemy Remains' new EP will be released October 30th. The video for "Now Faith in Humanity" can be viewed below:

Heaven Shall Burn have launched “Bring The War Home”, a band-new track and lyric video taken from their upcoming album, Wanderer, which is due for a worldwide release on September 16th. Check out “Bring The War Home” below.

“He seeks distance to change his perspective
In freedom and seclusion he arranges his thoughts
Strength and power he regains in nature’s shielding bosom
In vivid silence and familiar remoteness he can listen to his heart
Yet he experienced that from no wayfare you return the same
He knows that nothing will change until you change yourself
And therefore every revolutionary is a wanderer.”

Heaven Shall Burn open the visually stunning booklet for their eighth studio album, Wanderer, with a quote which sums up the overall idea of the album: During confusing and troubled times you occasionally need to retreat from all the madness that surrounds you. This allows you to gain new perspective, energy and focus, so that you can attack change with a refreshed and strengthened mindset. Modern life has become so complex that sometimes choosing simplicity and solitude can give you the strength to conquer the chaos around and within you.

Wanderer isn’t merely offering interesting historical and political stories, but also serves as a travelogue of a journey into one’s inner self. A search for a safe haven for our daily stress as well as an outlet for negative feelings and aggression. For its breathtaking artwork, Heaven Shall Burn sent their friend and photographer Christian Thiele on a quest and asked him to capture the beauty of mountains, plains and shorelines.

Once again the album was produced by guitarist Alexander Dietz and co-produced by guitarist Maik Weichert. While the drums were tracked by Eike Freese at Chameleon Studios in Hamburg, the rest of the album was recorded at Dietz’s own Chemical Burn Studios in Bad Kösen. Tue Madsen mixed and mastered Wanderer at Chemical Burn Studios as well as at his Antfarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark.

Wanderer tracklisting:

“The Loss Of Fury”
“Bring The War Home”
“Passage Of The Crane
“They Shall Not Pass”
“Downshifter”
“Prey To God”
“Agent Orange” (not available on the standard jewel-case and standard digital album)
“My Heart Is My Compass”
“Save Me”
“Corium”
“Extermination Order”
“A River Of Crimson”
“The Cry Of Mankind”

“Bring The War Home” lyric video:

“Downshifter”:

Album trailer:

The following formats will be available:

Ltd. Deluxe 3CD Artbook
Ltd. 2CD Mediabook
Ltd. 2CD Digipak (North America only)
Standard CD Jewelcase
Gatefold 2LP+CD
Digital Album (Deluxe Edition)
Digital Album

The Ltd. 2CD Mediabook and Ltd. 2CD Digipak (North America only) both come with an extended 40-pages booklet.

For the “Too Good To Steal From” bonus CD the band compiled all cover versions they had ever recorded since initially signing with Century Media Records in 2003.

The luxurious coffee table Artbook comes with an extended 60-page booklet as well as the ”Too Good To Steal From“ CD. On top of all that, fans get an alternative mix, entitled the “Dark Purity Mix”, of all original songs done by Eike Freese at Chameleon Studios, Hamburg.

The first pre-orders are already online. A wide variety of bundles are available via Impericon including a special boxed set.

If you preorder the digital version of Wanderer on iTunes or Amazon, you will get access to the song “Downshifter”.

Wanderer Club Tour dates include:

September
16 - Berlin, Germany - Kesselhaus der Kulturbrennerei (Metal Hammer Awards 2016)
17 - Chemnitz, Germany - AJZ
18 - Essen, Germany - Zeche Carl
19 - Cologne, Germany - Gebäude 9
20 - Frankfurt, Germany - Zoom
21 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
22 - Munich, Germany - Ampere
23 - Vienna, Austria - Szene
24 - Aarau, Switzerland - Kiff
25 - Freiburg, Germany - Crash

The official lyric video for "Passing Through", a new song from Swedish metallers EVERGREY, can be seen below. The track is taken from EVERGREY's new album, "The Storm Within", which will be released on September 9 via AFM.

While this may come off as music industry lip service in honor of the quintet, anyone who has followed EVERGREY will find it impossible not to become completely enthralled by the music on "The Storm Within" within the space of the first listen. The band's trademark progressive, dark and melancholic elements are as strong as ever, the album ranks as one of the most progressive record they've created in terms of performance, but EVERGREY managed to put it in a package that is more accessible and direct compared to any of their nine previous outings. Frontman/founder Tom S. Englund credits EVERGREY's learning-by-doing over the past two decades for the feel of "The Storm Within", in particular their all-important "Hymns For The Broken" record from 2014, which saw a revitalized EVERGREY lineup return with a new energy.

"We went from having no intention of making an album at all to having all the inspiration in the world on 'Hymns For The Broken'," says Englund. "Honestly, we've never felt better. 'The Storm Within' is a massive album. There are no fillers on it and we've never been about that. I think the inspiration speaks for itself."

EVERGREY's lyrics have always matched the depth and intensity of their music, and the concept behind "The Storm Within" is no exception. Englund considers the storyline behind the lyrics to be one of the biggest concepts EVERGREY has ever tackled, based on something that everyone can relate to; having someone, losing them, and having to pick yourself up and move on. He goes so far as to call it the band's first "love" album, but it's not a subject that should be taken lightly in the EVERGREY universe.

"As usual, the lyrics are based on someone or some event in my life," says Englund. "When we were making this album a lot of these relationship issues were going on around me; people losing a partner or a loved one and grieving. 'The Storm Within' is about a search for identity, trying to make yourself full when you feel half empty, and I placed that storyline in an interstellar world."

Musically, "The Storm Within" plays to EVERGREY's trademark prog metal attack but it's loaded with double-take moments. Lead-off track "Distance" is a surprise lead single (and first video), the melodically and lyrically stunning "Passing Through" is destined to become a fan favourite, "My Allied Ocean" is one of EVERGREY's most aggressive songs to date, and the epic title track makes for the perfect album closer in the tradition of Devin Townsend or RUSH. The addition of NIGHTWISH vocalist Floor Jansen on "In Orbit" is the icing on an already filling cake.

"That was actually my wife (Carina Englund) thinking for me," Englund says of Jansen's involvement. "Floor is a personal friend and major EVERGREY fan, so it was over a glass of wine between her and my wife, who asked her if she wanted to do the song. 'In Orbit' is a powerhouse of a song and it would be easy to make it the first single, but it's not the first impression we want to make. That said, it would be stupid not to release it as a single, and if we could get Floor to do the video, that would be a home run."

Speaking of Englund's better half Carina, she reprises her ongoing role as EVERGREY's secret weapon on every album since they began, contributing vocals this time out to the song "The Paradox Of The Flame". In addition, EVERGREY renewed their partnership with critically acclaimed video director Patric Ullaeus for "The Storm Within", fulfilling the band's vision of creating the most cinematic album in their catalogue. Three stellar clips were shot and, in a huge promotional push, are slated to hit the internet leading up to the official album release.

Englund is proud to have "The Storm Within" represent EVERGREY's all-important 20th anniversary, although he freely admits he didn't take note of the landmark occasion until the album was well underway.

"I had a goal when I started EVERGREY; I wanted to make 10 albums and that would fulfill my life plan. That's not something I ever thought I would accomplish. It's quite an amazing thing to be a band for 20 years and release albums that aren't sub-par. When I realized we'd done 10 albums in 20 years, it was mind-boggling. I'm proud to say that out of all the albums we've released over the last 20 years, we've never released one that we didn't feel was the best we could do at that time. That goes for every song, every note, everything. That's why we don't do anything half-assed."

"The Storm Within" track listing:

01. Distance02. Passing Through03. Someday04. Astray05. The Impossible06. My Allied Ocean07. In Orbit (feat. Floor Jansen)08. The Lonely Monarch09. The Paradox Of The Flame10. Disconnect11. The Storm Within

EVERGREY is:

Tom S. Englund - vocals, guitar Henrik Danhage - guitar, backing vocals Rikard Zander - keyboard, backing vocalsJonas Ekdahl - drums Johan Niemann - bass, backing vocals

Finnish maniacs Corona Skies have released "Delirium Disco", the first video from their forthcoming album, Fragments Of Reality.

This six-piece - dubbed the bastard child of Dragonforce and Sonata Arctica - delivers a unique mix of smashing guitar riffs, hyper-skilled keyboard athleticism on rock solid rhythm section, completed with powerful multi-layered vocals. With the current line-up, the band has been around since 2009 and played dozens of shows in Finland. Since releasing a self-financed EP in 2011, the band’s songwriting and musicianship have evolved into a whole new level which can be heard on band’s debut album Fragments Of Reality. From ambient, atmospheric soundscapes to hard-shredding solos and huge orchestrations, the versatility of the album really emphasizes what this band is all about. Although the music itself cannot simply be described in terms of a single genre, some elements from classic hard rock, power metal, progressive metal and thrash metal are definitely there. 
 
The band has issued the following statement:

"The album production took place at Noise For Fiction Studios in the guidance of Mr. Joona Lukala. The goal was to create an album full of different moods and nuances that would lyrically and thematically reflect different aspects and events of life (hence the album title). The biggest challenge, for better or for worse, was to keep all pieces together, to turn these “fragments” (songs) into an album that is musically coherent and on focus. After countless hours locked in the studio, we can shout it out, loudly and proudly - we reached our goal!"

Fragments Of Reality will be released worldwide through Mighty Music (ex. Japan by Bickee Music) on the November 18th. Go to this location for information on Corona Skies.

UK thrashers Onslaught will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their album The Force, performing the title in it’s entirety on a string of dates in Europe. Classic tracks from the band’s catalogue will also be performed. Support comes from Mors Principium Est.

Dates:

September
16 - Muziekodroom - Hasselt, Belgium              
17 - Helvete - Oberhausen, Germany              
18 - De Baroeg - Rotterdam, Netherlands              
19 - Verlichte Geest - Roeselave, Belgium         
20 - Cafe Central - Weinheim, Germany         
21 - Bambi Galore - Hamburg, Germany              
22 - KB18 - Copenhagen West, Denmark              
23 - B90 - Gdansk, Poland              
24 - Slowianin - Szczecin, Poland              
25 - Progresja - Warszawa, Poland         
26 - Collosseum - Kosice, Slovakia              
27 - Viperroom - Vienna, Austria         
28 - Explosiv - Graz, Austria         
29 - Randal Club - Bratislava I, Slovakia              
30 - Modrá Vopice - Prague, Czech Republic              

October
1 - Skullcrusher - Dresden, Germany

Onslaught will also perform The Force in it’s entirety on a string of dates in the UK and Ireland in November. Support on the dates will come from Beholder and Anihilated.

Dates:

November
2 - Southampton, UK - Talking Heads
3 - Grimsby, UK - Yardbirds
4 - Limerick, Ireland - Dolans
5 - Dublin, Ireland - Voodoo
6 - Belfast, Ireland - Limelight2
7 - Derby, UK - Hairy Dog
9 - Swansea, UK - Scene
10 - Edinburgh, UK - Bannermans
11 - Glasgow, UK - Audio
12 - Kettering, UK - Days of Rock Festival
13 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion
14 - Birmingham, UK - Rainbow
15 - Banbury, UK - Wheatsheaf
16 - Chester, UK - Live Room
17 - Cardiff, UK - Globe
18 - Bristol, UK - Fleece
19 - London, UK - Titanfest - Tuffnel Park Dome

AFM Records released Onslaught’s new CD/DVD, Live At The Slaughterhouse, back in February. The set was recorded over two shows in the UK, in Bristol and London.

Live At The Slaughterhouse tracklisting:

“The Sound Of Violence”
“Killing Peace”
“Chaos Is King”
“Let There Be Death”
“Children Of The Sand”
“Rest In Pieces”
“66 Fucking 6”
“Destroyer Of Worlds”
“In Search Of Sanity”
“Fight With The Beast”
“Metal Forces”
“Onslaught (Power From Hell)”
“Thermonuclear Devastation”

DVD bonus material:

- 20-minute documentary
- "66 Fucking 6" music video
- teaser

(Photo - Ronald van De baan)

German power metallers FREEDOM CALL will release their new album, "Master Of Light", on November 18 via Steamhammer/SPV. The effort will be made available as a digipak, double color vinyl version and as a digital download.

FREEDOM CALL frontman Chris Bay states: "Our fans can look forward to a whole dozen new songs which once again present the different aspects of our melodic metal with lots of fast-paced numbers but also progressive references and balladesque moments. There's bound to be something for every FREEDOM CALL fan."

"Master Of Light" was recorded at FREEDOM CALL's Little Sun Creek Lounge studio near Nuremberg, with Bay and Stephan Ernst — who co-produced the band's previous albums, "Land Of The Crimson Dawn" (2012), "Beyond" (2014) and "Eternity - 666 Weeks Beyond Eternity" (2015) — manning the controls.

FREEDOM CALL's current lineup features the two founding members Chris Bay (vocals, guitars) and Ilker Ersin (bass) along with guitarist Lars Rettkowitz and drummer Ramy Ali.

The "Hammer Of The Gods" single arrived at the physical and digital stores in July.

A music video for the song "Metal Is For Everyone" will precede the album release. Bay states about the songtitle: "There's a bit of heavy metal in all of us, isn't there?"

"Master Of Light" will be released in two physical versions, each with a different cover:

* Green digipak incl. poster* Blue: Double LP gatefold, 180-gram, printed inner sleeves, blue vinyl, CD in paper sleeve

"Master Of Light" track listing:

01. Metal Is For Everyone (4:52)02. Hammer Of The Gods (3:11)03. A World Beyond (5:54)04. Masters Of Light (5:29)05. Kings Rise And Fall (4:02)06. Cradle Of Angels (5:03)07. Emerald Skies (3:39)08. Hail The Legend (3:58)09. Ghost Ballet (3:07)10. Rock The Nation (3:11)11. Riders In The Sky (4:15)12. High Up (3:03)

Fan-filmed video footage of AC/DC's September 1 performance at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia can be seen below.

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. 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 GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose on lead vocals — kicked off Saturday night, August 27 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The "Live Wire" airing marked the first time since 1982 that AC/DC performed the song, which originally appeared on the band's 1975 album "T.N.T.".

AC/DC guitarist and sole founding member Angus Young recently said that he has not made a decision yet regarding the band's future once the current "Rock Or Bust" tour cycle ends. Following the 2014 retirement of his brother and co-founder Malcolm Young due to dementia, Angus also dealt with the exit of drummer Phil Rudd later that year because of legal problems, and more recently the departure of singer Brian Johnson because of hearing loss and bassist Cliff Williams's decision to retire after the tour ends.

Angus was asked by Rolling Stone whether he had given any thought to his or the band's future, replying, "At this point, I don't know. We were committed to finishing the tour. Who knows what I'll feel after? When you sign on and say, 'I'm gonna do this and that,' it's always good to say at the end of it, 'I've done all I said I would do.'"

Asked if he thought Williams's decision was brought about by Johnson's departure, Angus said, "Cliff made it known before we'd even started touring — this would be his last. Besides myself, Cliff has been there the longest, since 1977. Cliff and Brian are in the same age bracket. They like to go out, hit the pubs. They had the bond."

Williams made his decision to retire public earlier this year, telling Gulfshore Life, "It's been what I've known for the past forty years, but 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."

Williams told The Pulse Of Radio he never imagined back in his early days with the group that their career would last 40 years. "Didn't really think about it," he said. "Not that longterm thought process went into it. It was just doing it at the time and we were just on the road all the time and doing it and doing it and doing it, and it was just like, not really thinking that far ahead."

Assuming neither Rudd nor Johnson return, Williams's exit means that Angus will be the only member remaining 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".

Dutch blackened death doom metallers Soulburn have announced the completion of their new, third studio album release, to be entitled Earthless Pagan Spirit, for a release on November 18th via Century Media Records.

Following up 2014’s The Suffocating Darkness effort, the new album was recorded in The Netherlands at Harrow Studio as well as Double Noise Studio and then mixed and mastered by Magnus "Devo" Andersson at Endarker Studio Sweden (Marduk, Ofermod). The album’s cover artwork can be seen below:

Soulburn vocalist and bassist Twan van Geel checked in with the following comment about the upcoming release:

“Soulburn’s Earthless Pagan Spirit marks the band’s third full-length album since the 1996 debut album Feeding On Angels. As people often say about a band’s third album is that it should show the bands ‘true’ face. Well, Earthless Pagan Spirit melts the rough elements of the past in perfect balance with the corrosive taste of the new. Showing a band who have set out a delicate blend of old-school breathing black metal that strengthens its venom with a poisonous twist of doom and death metal. Where its predecessor The Suffocating Darkness already wandered, Earthless Pagan Spirit sets its sails further down the blackest of seas. Lyrically. Earthless Pagan Spirit is breathing a Nietzschean storm upon this narrow minded religious plague this world is infested by. A serpent’s tongue spreading fear to some, yet a glorified temptation to others. Those who read between the lines may illuminate in its satanic glare and find new meaning in them.”

Earthless: Beyond this world
Pagan: Beyond god
Spirit: At one with the cosmic foreverness

In connection with the album’s release, Soulburn have already announced a few live shows for the coming months, commencing this weekend (Sunday, September 4th) at Turock Open Air in Essen, Germany. Here is a list of the band’s upcoming dates:

September
4 - Essen, Germany - Turock Open Air

October
8 - Veghel, The Netherlands - Veghel Deathfest

November
19 - Koblenz, Germany - Florinsmarkt

December
16 - Eindhoven, The Netherlands - Eindhoven Metal Meeting

March
11 - Beek en Donk, The Netherlands - Fortress Fest

More dates to be announced soon.
 
Soulburn lineup:

Twan van Geel - vocals/bass
Remco Kreft - guitar
Eric Daniels - guitar
Bob Bagchus - drums

(Photo - Dennis Wassenburg)

IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris's solo/side project BRITISH LION will embark on a European tour in November and December.

Tickets go on sale Monday, September 5 at 2 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. CET and will be available through www.steveharrisbritishlion.com.

Says Steve: "It's been great fun taking BRITISH LION out on the road over the past three years and I'm delighted we have the opportunity to play some more shows in 2016.

"This club tour will be our most extensive European one yet.

"Due to the routing, we're not able to get to Scandinavia this time around, but will definitely see our fans there next time.

"On this tour, we'll be making our first visits to Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Southern and Northern Ireland, as well as a number of different cities in countries we've visited on previous tours.

"We've got a really strong show lined up, including plenty of songs not on the [first] BRITISH LION album.

"The whole band is really excited and can't wait to get out on the road again.

"We'll be looking to record some more shows on this tour to add to the recordings we already have for an upcoming live album."

Fan-filmed video footage of BRITISH LION performing two new songs, "Spitfire" and "Bible Black", on July 29, 2015 at The Square in Harlow, United Kingdom can be seen below.

BRITISH LION's debut album sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"British Lion" was released in the U.S. on September 25, 2012 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). Mixed by Kevin Shirley — whose credits include IRON MAIDEN as well as Led ZEPPELIN, JOURNEY and RUSH, among many others — the CD, which features Harris alongside Taylor, guitarists Graham Leslie and David Hawkins and drummer Simon Dawson, presents a different side of the bassist's musical visions.

"British Lion" comprises ten songs that Steve and his collaborators had been working on between IRON MAIDEN tours and releases and was described by Harris as "'70s-influenced, British-sounding hard rock." "I'd say it's more mainstream rock than metal... and quite commercial… but good commercial," he said. "There's all kinds of stuff going on, with nods to THE WHO and UFO and some classic British rock bands, but it's not the progressive rock album some might be expecting."

Speaking about BRITISH LION's musical direction, vocalist Richard Taylor told Underkill TV: "It's very difficult to describe your music or whatever, but… The way I write lyrics and melodies is I love melody. And I think with Steve… Steve loves the same or whatever. I think the difference is just that, with MAIDEN, [which] is just an incredible band, and Bruce Dickinson is the most amazing singer ever, but it's a completely different style to what I do. But when Steve and I get together — Steve loves melody as well — I think it's just me that takes it in that different direction from the sound. Fundamentally, it's still rock, and if you see it live, it's really powerful live."

Asked if there are any plans for BRITISH LION to record a follow-up album to 2012's self-titled debut, Taylor said: "Yeah, I think that's the plan. I write all the time, and when I get together with Steve, we write. There's so much stuff. It's [a matter of] fitting it in — obviously, more around Steve, [since] he's a pretty busy man. But, yeah, that's the plan."

Crobot are streaming “Play It Cool”, a track from their forthcoming album. Frontman, Brandon Yaegley explains the story behind the brutal track:

”This slinky, slimy track tells the tale of global destruction, but what are you going to do when the big blue blanket falls from the sky? Panic? Aww nahw! Turn this up and cut a little rug. It's all a roll of the dice and probability ain't on our side! If you thought we couldn't get any funkier, you'd be a fool with cowbell 'n all here's “Play It Cool”!”

Welcome To Fat City is scheduled for release on September 23rd via Wind-up Records.

Welcome To Fat City tracklisting:

“Welcome To Fat City”
“Play It Cool”
“Easy Money”
“Not For Sale”
“Hold On For Dear Life”
“Temple In The Sky”
“Right Between The Eyes”
“Blood On The Snow”
“Steal The Show”
“Moment Of Truth”
“Plague Of The Mammoths”

“Plague Of The Mammoths” visualizer:

“Not For Sale” video:

Catch Crobot on the road:

September
4 -  Seattle, WA-  Studio 7^
17 - Revolution Rock Festival - Mashantucket, CT
18 - Chester, PA - Rock Allegiance Festival

October
1 - Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life Festival
2 - Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life Festival
28 - Berlin, Germany - Mercedes Benz Arena***
31 - Munich, Germany - Olynphiahalle***

November
1 - Linz, Austria - Tipps Arena***
2 - Vienna, Austria - Stadhalle***
4 - Innsbruk, Austria - Olympiagalle***
5 - Vernier, Switzerland - Arena***
7 - Stuttgart, Germnay - Schleyerhalle***
8 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion***
9 - Koln, Germany - LANXESS Arena***
10 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle***
12 - Leipzig, germany - Arena***
13 - Oberhausen, Germany - Koenig-Pilsner Arena***
14 - Forest, Belgium - Forest National***
15 - Amsterdam Zuidoost, Netherlands - Ziggo Dome***

* with The Virginmarys, Aeges
** with Sevendust
*** with Volbeat
^ headline dates with Ape Machine

Finnish melodic metal quintet Sonata Arctica have released a third trailer for their upcoming ninth masterpiece, entitled The Ninth Hour, which will see the light of day on October 7th. See three trailers below:

Trailer Part 1:

Trailer Part 2:

Trailer Part 3:

The Ninth Hour was produced by Sonata Arctica themselves and mixed by Pasi Kauppinen, to create a typical yet refreshing sound that defines the spirit of the band in the year 2016.

“The studio work for the new record started seriously in mid-April 2016 in several home studios around Finland," singer Tony Kakko explains. “But the main recording and mixing took place at the Studio57 in Alaveteli, Finland. It functions as a kind of centre point and all work finally ends up there. We aimed to create another melodic, beautiful, surprising Sonata Arctica album… Did it turn out that way? I surely think so. But maybe I should leave that for you to decide!”

After a North American tour with their friends from Nightwish plus many headline shows around the globe, the band was once again able to take a look at the entire world as it is at the moment – on the edge of a possible armageddon. This spirit is reflected in the new artwork of The Ninth Hour.

“The artwork of our ninth studio album The Ninth Hour depicts a future utopian landscape on the background. Nature and human technologies are in balance. In the middle we have an hour glass contraption with a knob for us to meddle with. The right-hand side cup represents the nature side with no humans left, on the left we have the human dystopia after we have destroyed Nature. The idea I had was, that turning the knob will tilt the hour glass in one direction or another, and the other cup will slowly empty and that future will be erased. Biblically we are expected to repent and sacrifice on The Ninth Hour…to dive right back to a more mundane reality, it’s a fact that we are currently living in critical, historical times. Our decisions will define the future. Not only ours as a race, but the future of this entire planet. We need to make sacrifices and in many cases we will repent our already made choices.”

Tracklisting:

“Closer To An Animal”
“Life”
“Fairytale”
“We Are What We Are”
“Till Death’s Done Us Apart”
“Among The Shooting Stars”
“Rise A Night”
“Fly, Navigate, Communicate”
“Candle Lawns”
“White Pearl, Black Oceans Part II – By The Grace Of The Ocean”
“On The Faultline (Closure To An Animal)”

“Closer To An Animal” lyric video:

Sonata Arctica recently announced they will return this fall for a 33-date headlining tour of North America. The kick-off show is slated for November 6th at The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC. Supporting the band will be German-Norwegian symphonic metallers Leaves’ Eyes and Finnish melodic death metallers Omnium Gatherum opening.

Advanced tickets for the confirmed tour dates are now available exclusively at EnterTheVault.com. A limited number of VIP Meet & Greet tickets which include a poster will be available for for purchase for each show.

Dates include:

November
6 - The Fillmore - Charlotte, NC
7 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
8 - Upstate Concert Hall - Clifton Park, NY
9 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
11 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
12 - Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
13 - Club Soda - Montreal, QC
14 - Mavericks - Ottawa, ON
16 - Dallas - Kitchener, ON
17 - Park Street Saloon - Columbus, OH
18 - Token Lounge - Westland, MI
19 - Altar Bar - Pittsburgh, PA
21 - Rave - Milwaukee, WI
22 - Mill City Nights - Minneapolis, MN
24 - The Exchange - Regina, SK Canada
25 - Dickens - Calgary, AB Canada
26 - Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB Canada
28 - The Venue - Vancouver, BC Canada
29 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
30 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR

December
2 - Slim’s - San Francisco, CA
3 - Brick by Brick - San Diego, CA
4 - The Grove - Anaheim, CA
5 - Club Red - Tempe, AZ
6 - Tricky Falls - El Paso, TX
8 - Gothic Theater - Englewood, CO
9 - Granada - Lawrence, KS
10 - Trees - Dallas, TX
11 - Cine el Rey - McAllen, TX
13 - Alamo Music Hall - San Antonio, TX
14 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX
16 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
17 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA

As previously reported, Sonata Arctica, have announced the following European dates with Twilight Force:

October
7 - Trondheim, Norway - Trondheim Metal Fest
8 - Borlänge, Sweden - Liljan
9 - Huskvarna, Sweden - Folkets Park
11 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Pumpehuset
12 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
13 - Haarlem, Netherlands - Patronaat
14 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013
15 - London, England - O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
16 - Paris, France - La Machine du Moulin Rouge
18 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
19 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Konzertfabrik Z7
20 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
21 - Mannheim, Germany - Alte Seilerei
22 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche

(Photo - Sonata Arctica Facebook)

On October 21st, Jane's Addiction will release a 6 LP Box Set entitled Sterling Spoon. This limited edition will only have 5,000 copies pressed worldwide. It features: Ritual De Lo Habitual, Nothing's Shocking..., Kettle Whistle Extractions, and Live At The Hollywood Palladium 1990. Pre-orders can now be placed via Amazon.com. The cover art, created by Ernesto Yerena, can be seen below.

In live news, Jane's Addiction has the following concerts booked:

September
2 - Riot Fest - Denver, CO    
21 - The Masonic - San Francisco, CA    
23 - Irvine Meadows Ampitheatre - Irvine, CA     
24 - Life is Beautiful - Las Vegas, NV 

Norwegian prog/black metal band, Khonsu, will release a limited vinyl edition of their 2014 EP, Traveller, on September 9th. The vinyl edition is limited to 300 copies, and comes signed by the band.

Check out a video trailer below:

Four years on from the release of their Anomalia album, Khonsu are set to release their new album, The Xun Protectorate, on November 18th.

The band have released a video for “Visions Of Nehaya”, to be included on the new album. The clip was directed by S. Gronbech and Christian Falch, and produced by Gammaglimt Video Productions.

In regards to the new album, the band states: “Hundreds of hours of work, resulting in 10 new experimental, progressive, and industrial tracks. And it sounds incredible!”

The album will feature guest appearances from members of Keep Of Kalessin and Manes. Check out the trailer below and stay tuned for updates.

Cleveland brutal groove-death metal band Demons Within has released their new single “World Turns Black” and BraveWords is spreading the darkness by premiering the track. Head over to our Featured Audio to listen to “World Turns Black”.


Since their formation in 2008, the band has released a six song EP, Tearing At The Eyes Of God (2008), a full-length album Desecration Of Angels (2009), two four song EPs Shroud Of Deception (2011) and Godslayer (2014) and now their newest single “World Turns Black”. The band has been noted by many for their high energy, intense, “in your face” live show.

Demons Within is currently on the Epiphany Of Hate US Tour with Master, Sacrificial Slaughter, Against The Plagues, and Surgeon.

Dates:

 September
2 – Tampa, FL – Brass Mug
3 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia
4 – Dallas, TX – Renos Chop Shop
5 – San Antonio, TX
6 – El Paso, TX – Mesa Music Hall
7 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
8 – Tucson, AZ – The Rock
9 – Phoenix, AZ
10 – Santa Ana, CA – Malones Concert Venue

Former FLYLEAF singer Lacey Sturm has released the new music video for her dark and politically charged single "Rot". This is the first video from her debut solo album, "Life Screams", which was released on February 12 via Followspot Records with The Fuel Music distribution.

Says Lacey: "'Rot' is one of my favorite songs from the 'Life Screams' album and we had an amazing time making the video. I hope it brings new freedom to the soul and new life to the hearts of all who watch it."

Writing alone, as well as with husband/guitarist Josh Sturm, SKILLET's Korey Cooper and Grammy Award-winning writer and producer David Hodges, Lacey created a record that is the sonic successor to FLYLEAF's celebrated self-titled debut (which spent a staggering 133 weeks on The Billboard 200 chart).

When she's not onstage or in the studio, Sturm leads a busy post-FLYLEAF life as an author, motivational speaker and happily married mother of two. The raw and politically charged video tells the tale of a young woman's struggle and eventual escape from human trafficking and forced sexual exploitation.

Along with the release of the "Rot" video, the single is gaining momentum: The single is Top 50 and climbing on both the Active Rock "Under The Radar" and BDS Indicator charts. "Rot" has been added to the influential "Rock Hard" playlist at Spotify, and debuted at #2 in its first week at Slacker Radio's "New Rock Now" and AOL Radio's "New Rock First" channels. The single has also been added to the "Rock" and "Extreme" rock channels of CBS Digital's Radio.com. Lacey has earned legions of fans worldwide not only through her astoundingly emotive voice and chart-topping songwriting, but also for the sheer sincerity of the uplifting messages pervading her work. Whetherfronting FLYLEAF or now as a solo artist, she remains uncommonly true to herself while inspiring others to strive for better ways to live and love. "In the beginning, FLYLEAF really centered around my story and vision," Lacey explained. "This new project continues that narrative in a cohesive way."

FLYLEAF recruited singer Kristen May as Sturm's replacement and released its fourth album, "Between The Stars", in September 2014. May has since left the group.

Legendary New York hardcore band SICK OF IT ALL will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary by releasing "When The Smoke Clears" on November 4 via Century Media Records. The effort includes five brand new tracks as well as rare photos and iconic shots from their past and present. Everything was compiled for a strictly limited, luxurious 60-page coffee table artbook that is wrapped in fake leather and comes with personal liner notes from such peers as Davey Havok (AFI), Dennis Lyxzén (REFUSED), Chuck Ragan (HOT WATER MUSIC), Arthur Smilios (GORILLA BISCUITS) and Matt Kelly (DROPKICK MURPHYS).

SICK OF IT ALL guitarist Pete Koller told Out Of Step fanzine about the band's anniversary: "Thirty years … well, it was fun. I would not say an achievement because we never really wanted to achieve something. We just kept on playing. There are also no regrets. What's done is done and if you fucked something up back then, so what?"

As for the secret to SICK OF IT ALL's longevity, Pete said: "There is no secret on how to keep doing what you do for thirty years. We never said that we are going to do this or that … we just kept on playing. When we came along, it seemed to be the perfect time for our SICK OF IT ALL style of hardcore. We have a certain style; it changed over the years [but] not much. I still write a lot of the music, but Craig [Setari, bass] writes a little more now and our music is whatever comes out of us."

SICK IF IT ALL has already toured Europe three times this year, including playing at such summer festivals as Hellfest (France), Punk Rock Holiday (Slovenia), Rocco Del Schlacko (Germany), Ieper (Belgium) and Ruhrpott Rodeo (Germany). In October, they will come back for another two weeks prior to the release of "When The Smoke Clears", and in January 2017 the band is heading to Australia for five shows with REFUSED.

The official lyric video for "Brotherhood Of The Snake", the title track of the twelfth album from San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT, can be seen below. The CD will be released on October 28 via Nuclear Blast.

The cover was once again created by renowned artist Eliran Kantor, who also handled the art for the TESTAMENT's last album, 2012's "Dark Roots Of Earth", and also worked with bands like HATEBREED, SOULFLY and KATAKLYSM in the past.

"Brotherhood Of The Snake" track listing:

01. Brotherhood Of The Snake02. The Pale King03. Stronghold04. Seven Seals05. Born In A Rut06. Centuries Of Suffering07. Neptune's Spear08. Black Jack09. Canna-Business10. The Number Game

"Brotherhood Of The Snake" was recorded under the watchful eyes of producer Juan Urteaga (EXODUS, HEATHEN, MACHINE HEAD), guitarist Eric Peterson and singer Chuck Billy and was mixed and mastered by British metal producer Andy Sneap (ACCEPT, ARCH ENEMY, CRADLE OF FILTH, KREATOR, MACHINE HEAD, MEGADETH).

Regarding the lyrical themes covered on "Brotherhood Of The Snake", Chuck told Metal Wani: "Well, it's kind of like a concept record. I know, going into it, the past records, I was writing songs that were more personal and there were topics that were kind of real — losing a family member or anything that's real; that's what we were kind of writing. And Eric really wanted to kind of get back to, 'Let's write some cool stories and cool words and cool lyrics.' And so I was, like, 'Okay, that's cool.' And then, I kind of, at the time, was watching a TV series; it was a show called 'Ancient Aliens' that was on once a week. And it showed a lot of the connection between aliens and religion. And it kind of got my attention, because there was different religions all around the world, different spots in the world, where there was always the same alien being with big heads and strange bodies and flying objects in the sky. And it kind of made me realize, wow, how, that many thousands of years ago, did they communicate and see these same things unless it was real, unless there's something about it. So it really made me think, maybe there is something to these aliens and our existence and religion and everything. And then I stumbled on to the 'brotherhood of the snake' and the story of that. And that was about a secret society over six thousand years ago that were out on a crusade just to dig down religions. And there was an alien king, Anu, who basically created mankind as a slave for them to mine the minerals and gold from our planet earth. So it was kind of, like, 'Wow!' From an 'Ancient Aliens' show to this… There's something there that we can kind of run on and get the lyrics going and tell the storyline about. So that kind of got the ball rolling."

Peterson told Kaaos TV about "Brotherhood Of The Snake": "The only difference on this one is we're trying to be a little bit more organic, and getting away from Andy's perfection sound, and get more of a looser… you know, still keeping the slickness of it, but trying to get a little bit more raw. So it's kind of a hard way to describe it. But we don't want it too perfect. And I didn't record four guitars; I did two this time. So there's a lot more air going on with the rhythms and stuff like that."

Asked whether the musical direction of TESTAMENT's new material is a throwback to the band's early albums or if it's more similar to the recent TESTAMENT records, Eric said: "More like the modern [TESTAMENT sound], but, you know, like I was saying earlier, having that more raw feeling. Of course, our influences have changed a lot. For me, I always get accused of listening to older stuff [and I am told that] I need to listen to more new stuff. But I always like to go back and listen to records from the '70s and the '80s. And I won't name the bands I listen to, but I listen to a lot of different stuff that has nothing to do with metal, because I hear things differently. I don't hear it, like… You know, like if I listen to [American blues rock guitarist] Joe Bonamassa or something, I'm not, like, 'Wow, I wanna sound like that.' I just kind of get ideas of key changes and the way he hits certain notes or whatever and apply it to what we're doing. And that's the same thing with anything."

TESTAMENT will promote "Brotherhood Of The Snake" by teaming up with AMON AMARTH for a European tour this fall.

A teaser for SLAYER's video for the song "Pride In Prejudice" is available. The clip was directed by BJ McDonnell, who previously worked with SLAYER on the "Repentless" and "You Against You" videos.

"Pride In Prejudice" was the last song that SLAYER guitarist Kerry King put together musically for the band's latest album, last year's "Repentless". "There were like six or eight other songs already done with keeper drums, keeper guitars, and keeper bass," he told ARTISTdirect. "There were no leads or vocals because I had just gotten done writing music. 'Pride' was the last one I made up that actually made the record. I was going to save that for the next record, because I was just done working at that point. Tom [Araya, vocals] wanted to work on it and I said, 'Sure, man, knock yourself out.' He basically did the vocals on his own."

He continued: "That clean intro, I was just waiting for Paul [Bostaph, drums] to come back inside. I think he was outside on the phone at rehearsal. I was just dicking around on guitar playing that clean part. He asked, 'What's that?' I said, 'I don't know. I just made it up.' That's how simple things become SLAYER songs. It's 'remember it, record it on something, and come back to it.' That song's 'BLACK SABBATH heavy.' That's what I call it, because it's just heavy as fuck."

"Tom had most of those lyrics for 20 years," he added. "I remember he wrote them for 'Divine Intervention'. They never panned out. They show up here on this song. Yeah, it's a new record, but that shit's twenty years old."

"Repentless" was released on September 11, 2015 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated "World Painted Blood" was produced by Terry Date, who has previously worked with PANTERA, DEFTONES and SOUNDGARDEN. The artwork was created by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco in collaboration with Tom Araya and Kerry King.

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

SLAYER's seven-week North American tour with ANTHRAX and DEATH ANGEL will kick off in Cleveland on September 9 and will hit both major and secondary markets across the continent.

Polish death metal veterans VADER will release their new studio album, "The Empire", on November 4 via Nuclear Blast. The cover artwork for the CD was created by acclaimed artist Joe Petagno, who has previously worked with PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN, MOTÖRHEAD, MARDUK, ILLDISPOSED and SODOM.

VADER mastermind Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek states: "Here is the cover art for 'The Empire' created by Joe Petagno himself! The whole design includes many details connected to the main theme influencing me before and during the process of recording: war and the 'cold crisis' around us today... There are also links to couple of famous movie series, which influence the generations and erupt with violence, hate and 'imperial tendencies'... Is this just a fantasy or maybe a sign of the 21st century generation? You have to answer that in your own... and the future will show us how real that feeling is."

"The Empire" was produced, mixed and mastered by Wojtek and Slawek Wiesawski at Hertz Studios in Bialystok, Poland.

"The Empire" track listing:

01. Angels Of Steel02. Tempest03. Prayer To The God Of War (album version)04. Iron Reign05. No Gravity06. Genocidius07. The Army-Geddon08. Feel My Pain09. Parabellum (album version)10. Send Me Back To Hell

The lyric video for the song "Prayer To The God Of War" can be seen below.

In a 2014 interview with Radio Metal, Wiwczarek spoke about the fact that VADER has been in existence for more than thirty years. He said: "On one hand, I was a bit surprised at how fast time is flowing, because we've been an active band for so many years and I didn't feel that way. It feels like I just started a year ago or something. [Laughs] There was plenty of hard work but so many albums recorded, so many fans, so many countries visited, so I'm kind of proud that although we came from Poland and knew hard times, we still did it as if we couldn't be stopped, thanks to our passion. Actually, passion was a fuel for us to break through all these problems in the past. We just love what we do. We love music. We love metal. We did it for thirty years, and we still have fans who really want to see us and waiting for us every year. That's the best. That's the biggest success for us."

A drum play-through video by Ariën Van Weesenbeek of Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA for the band's new song "Universal Death Squad" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's seventh studio album, "The Holographic Principle", which will be released on September 30 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was produced by Joost van der Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities and was mixed by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, DESTRUCTION). The cover artwork was created by Stefan Heilemann.

"The first song we unleash upon you is 'Universal Death Squad'," states EPICA guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen. "This track is representative for 'The Holographic Principle', as it's a heavy and melodic album. The lyrics are dealing about advanced robotic legions with a self-determination to kill.

"We have chosen for a different kind of lyric-video concept in which EPICA plays the track in a rehearsal room.

"The song is very much fun to play and I expect this one will do very well on stage. Hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did creating it!"

"The Holographic Principle" can be pre-ordered in several different formats — including many special bonus features for fans:

* CD* 2-CD-Digi (including five-track acoustic bonus CD)* 2-LP (different colours)* Earbook (48p, including acoustic and instrumental bonus CDs)* Box (including earbook, 2LP pic, poster flag, holographic projector, Nuclear Blast mailorder only!)

"The Holographic Principle" track listing:

01. Eidola02. Edge Of The Blade03. A Phantasmic Parade04. Universal Death Squad05. Divide And Conquer06. Beyond The Matrix07. Once Upon A Nightmare08. The Cosmic Algorithm09. Ascension - Dream State Armageddon10. Dancing In A Hurricane11. Tear Down Your Walls12. The Holographic Principle - A Profound Understanding Of Reality Acoustic Bonus CD

01. Beyond The Good, The Bad And The Ugly02. Dancing In A Gypsy Camp03. Immortal Melancholy (Acoustic Version)04. The Funky Algorithm05. Universal Love Squad Instrumental CD

01. Eidola02. Edge Of The Blade03. A Phantasmic Parade04. Universal Death Squad05. Divide And Conquer06. Beyond The Matrix07. Once Upon A Nightmare08. The Cosmic Algorithm09. Ascension – Dream State Armageddon10. Dancing In A Hurricane11. Tear Down Your Walls12. The Holographic Principle - A Profound Understanding Of Reality

EPICA previously stated about the lyrical inspiration for "The Holographic Principle": "'The Holographic Principle' deals with the near future wherein virtual reality has taken off and allows people to create their own virtual worlds which can't be distinguished from 'reality as we know it.' This raises the question whether our current reality is a kind of virtual reality on itself, a hologram. This implies the existence of a higher reality which we currently do not have access to. The lyrics challenge you to think out of the box, to reconsider everything you thought to know for sure and to be open-minded towards recent revolutions in science. Fasten your seat belts and get ready for a ride as nothing appears to be what it seems in our holographic universe."

Reality Check TV has uploaded a new half-hour video report on the August 24 unveiling of a statute of Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister in front of the late MOTÖRHEAD frontman's favorite haunt, the legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. Check it out below.

Los Angeles-based artist Travis Moore was selected to create a realistic depiction of Lemmy for the life-size cast bronze statue, which stands at just over six feet tall and will be permanently housed in a special shrine that was constructed in the patio bar area at the Rainbow.

Travis initially sculpted the likeness as an 18-inch maquette that was then transferred to a life-size sculpture, which was molded in wax and ultimately poured and cast in bronze.

A native of Texas, Travis did his part for free, but there were considerable costs associated with the actual process that ultimately made the statute a reality. A funding campaign was launched by Katon De Pena from classic underground thrash-metal band HIRAX, who raised about $23,000 to support the building of the statue.

Moore told Loudwire that he and the team behind the campaign tried to find an image that typified Lemmy to base the statue on.

"I know they were searching for that hat-coat combo," he said. "Photographer Robert John had taken so many good pictures of him and I think that was about the time that they were at the Grammys and 'Ace Of Spades' was re-charting. There was really a resurgence for him and you can see that it was a happy time and he looks healthy and good.

"We just wanted to stay away from portraying him in a way that wouldn't be proper, and he needed to be rocking, a tough-looking dude with a full face and that was the idea.

"There was initially some debate about would he be with a guitar? Would he be sitting at the bar? Would he have a bottle of booze? There were a lot of different options, and coincidentally, even the photo that Robert took, he's standing there smoking a cigarette. We took that out, more of a liability reason, because someone could break that joker off or get caught on that.

"We don't need lawsuits or anyone injured or definitely have the statue damaged on top of anything else. But there was a lot of consideration that went into this thing and everyone involved, their number one focus was honoring Lemmy."

Moore told Sky News about twenty people worked on the statue and it took around five months to build.

"I think it looks a lot like him. It's a compelling image," he said.

"I think it will offer some closure. I think Lemmy is finally home."

Katon said in January: "Lemmy was dedicated to us. Now is our chance to say 'thank you.' Travis will create the best Lemmy sculpture on the planet."

MOTÖRHEAD manager Todd Singerman told LA Weekly that he never interfered in Moore's design process. "This is for the fans. Nothing corporate," he said. "Not the label, nothing. This is a fan thing and we tried to stay out of the way." He added that there are plans to expand the tribute with a "Lemmy Lounge," which will temporarily live at the Rainbow and possibly become the actual bar inside a separate "Motörhead Bar & Grille," which Singerman said he's working on, along with a major Lemmy tribute concert and a MOTÖRHEAD museum that will house some of Lemmy's musical and military memorabilia.

Lemmy passed away at his home in Los Angeles on December 28, 2015, only four days after his 70th birthday. A memorial in his honor was held on January 9 at the Rainbow Bar & Grill, and it extended across much of the Sunset Strip.

"Stormbending", a brand new song from DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, the band led by Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend, can be streamed below. The track is taken from DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT's new album, "Transcendence", which will be released on September 9.

The follow-up to 2014's "Z2" double album (half of which was made up of the DTP full-length "Sky Blue"), "Transcendence" sees the award-winning Townsend exploring a relatively new way of working, collaborating with the entire DTP band during the writing stages of the record. "The result of this process is a record that I truly think the intention of is special," he says of the album. "I 'found' gas to put into the tank and am glad I did. I think the intention, the theme, and the participation of everyone involved allows this album to act like a fulcrum between the past few years and what I intend to do next with the symphony. I am very proud of it and everyone involved."

"Transcendence" will be available as a limited 2CD digipak (featuring an extra disc of eleven additional new tracks), standard CD jewelcase and gatefold heavyweight 2LP + CD with etching (on various colours), as well as digital download.

Townsend tells The Independent: "It's so easy to say, 'Everything's shit, man — it's all going to hell.’ Making a statement that is positive was really where I wanted the power of this record to be rooted. Not in a naive way, and not as a means of escape. I wanted to make something that's really beautiful, but strong.

"There's a ton of people that aren't giving up and you have to really fight to not give up, so this record is a celebration of that spirit.”

The "Transcendence" artwork was once again created by Anthony Clarkson, whom Devin has been working with for several years now.

"Transcendence" track listing:

01. Truth02. Stormbending03. Failure04. Secret Sciences05. Higher06. Stars07. Transcendence08. Offer Your Light09. From The Heart10. Transdermal Celebration DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT will team up with BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME for the "Transcending The Coma Tour" this fall. Support on the trek will come from FALLUJAH.

Sully Erna — founder, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the multi-platinum rock band GODSMACK — will release a new solo album, "Hometown Life", on Friday, September 30 via BMG.

Composed by Sully on piano and acoustic guitar and produced in his New Hampshire studio, "Hometown Life" offers a departure from the tribal, world music feel and experimentation on 2010's "Avalon"; the new album's ten songs are more accessible, sonically and musically precise.

The track "Don't Comfort Me", taken from "Hometown Life", can be streamed below.

"When I do a solo album, I write for myself," says Sully. "It's not for critics, radio or even fans. I like to explore different kinds of music that work together. A good song is a good song. I stopped categorizing a long time ago."

A personal, confessional, raw work which takes yet another stylistic left-hand turn from the music he has created as frontman for the multi-platinum rock band GODSMACK, "Hometown Life" offers a wide-ranging glimpse of Erna's eclectic musical tastes — from the singer-songwriter Billy Joel/Bruce Springsteen narratives of the title track and the bossa nova touch of "Take All of Me" to the breezy island feel of "Your Own Drum", the finger-snapping Motown bass lines of the bluesy "Turn It Up", the country flavors of "Different Kind Of Tears" and the wide-screen canvas of mini-symphonies "Blue Skies" and "Forever My Infinity". All of them are tied together with Sully's unflinching view of the emotional roller-coaster of his life, drawing us into an intimate space. "Hometown Life" explores Sully's diverse musical touchstones from James Bay, new country favorites like Chris Stapleton and Brantley Gilbert to soul legends Ray Charles, Etta James and Amy Winehouse.

For "Hometown Life", Sully worked with thesame musicians from "Avalon" with the exception of percussionist Niall Gregory. On two of the songs — "Different Kind Of Tears" and "Your Own Drum" — Sully collaborated with Nashville-based tunesmith Zac Malloy, who has also written for Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Skillet and Daughtry. "It was cool to see the same exact players sound completely different on this album," Sully says. "It just goes to show their musicianship and versatility. They can really pull off anything I ask of them."

With Sully on piano, acoustic guitar and the stray bongo, "Hometown Life" was also a family affair, with his 71-year-old father Salvatore — who helped nurture his son's own musical interest early on — playing trumpet on "Turn It Up". It's a song Erna describes as a tribute to the power of music, a blueprint for how a song "makes you get off your seat, tap your feet, feel the energy and let it pass through you."

"It was a proud moment," says Sully, who also channeled his great-uncle, a famed composer from Sicily, in several of the songs which feature symphonic strings, like "Blue Skies", "Forever My Infinity", "Father Of Time" and "Falling to Black".

"Hometown Life" allows an inside glimpse at Sully's vulnerability on a personal level, and he attributes much of his honesty and inspiration for this album to the love of his life, Sarah.

"We've definitely gone through some complicated times and fought for what we have," he says. "And I'm really grateful to have her in my life. We have a very special and unique kind of relationship that most people can only dream of having. And I wouldn't put that second to anything!

"These songs are about exposing my inner thoughts, laying myself bare, being honest and expressing genuine emotions... about dark times and positive ones."

Some songs offer fatherly advice, like the percussion-heavy "Your Own Drum", an admonition to his teenage daughter to follow her own muse and not be afraid to be different, or trying to deal with life's hurried pace, as in the rhythmic tick-tock of "Father Of Time". On the soaring "Blue Skies", Sully reaches out to his loved ones and asks them to acknowledge the man and father he has become from the immature boy he once was.

As for how his solo career fits in with his "other band," Sully is circumspect. "GODSMACK is a very energetic, aggressive, powerhouse rock band," he says. "It's for those moments when you want to scream and stomp your feet. My solo stuff is a lot more vulnerable, the grown-up version of who I am and how I process. It's about finding acceptance for the things that don't go right in your life, being appreciative for all the memories, good or bad. Sometimes these experiences can be very painful, but I do get some beautiful songs out of it. I'm just happy to be blessed with a gift that enables me to channel this stuff and vent it through my music."

"Hometown Life" does just that, revealing sides of Sully Erna only hinted at in GODSMACK, "That's the whole point," he explains. "The people who have followed me and can appreciate it, I encourage them to explore. All my albums — including the ones with GODSMACK — are like musical journals, diaries of what I've gone through in my life at the time. I'd love to reach a whole new audience with this. Music has helped me get through some tough times. That's when I write, when something affects me emotionally, happy or sad."

"For all those things we've ever done/Give us our chance to prove our love," sings Sully on the album's closing track "Falling To Black". He describes it as "a beautifully sad song," which offers a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. The same could be said of "Hometown Life". As Sully himself puts it in "Your Own Drum": "There's no shadows/If you don't have light."

"Hometown Life" track listing:

01. Hometown Life02. Your Own Drum03. Different Kind Of Tears04. Take All Of Me05. Don't Comfort Me06. Turn It Up!07. Blue Skies08. Forever My Infinity09. Father Of Time10. Falling To Black

LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington offered an update on the progress of the band's next album. In a video message posted on LINKIN PARK's YouTube channel, Chester said: "I've been working really hard on some vocals for the last couple of months. And we've done some really great stuff in here. The songs are amazing. I'm really proud of what we've accomplished in the studio so far. We've got a lot of great material that I hope challenges our fanbase as well as inspires them as much as it has us. And so I'm really looking forward to you guys hearing the stuff. It's, like, super, super exciting."

LINKIN PARK singer Mike Shinoda recently said that the biggest challenge of recording this new disc was that "we approached the process differently."

LINKIN PARK guitarist Brad Delson added: "There's a certain amount of experimentation and failure, essentially trial and error that's baked into this process. We've made so many records and we clearly know how to make a record and we definitely didn't take the easy way out this time."

Delson continued: "The songs are shaping up so well, we just want them to be as phenomenal when we share them with you… as we imagine them in our heads."

Shinoda and Delson also revealed that LINKIN PARK has worked with outside songwriters on the new album, with Delson saying: "As much as we know how to approach songwriting, everybody does it differently so being able to like sit with someone and kind of pour ourselves into their process has been really exciting."

The yet-to-be-titled new LINKIN PARK album does not yet have a release date, but will follow up 2014's "The Hunting Party".