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

 

 

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

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

“Living To Try”:

“Rats”:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Kyrie Eleison tracklisting:

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

“The Burning Joke” video:

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

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

“The Beginning” video:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay tuned for updates.

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

Setlist:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

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

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

“Save Yourself” video:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back in November, a California judge ruled against Blotzer with respect to whether bassist Juan Croucier had committed trademark infringement by using the RATT name and logo to advertise his band RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER in the fall of 2015. The judge furthermore decided that the corporation WBS, Inc. — of which Blotzer and guitarist Warren DeMartini were thought to be the sole shareholders — did not have ownership interest in the RATT marks and that the name and brand was still owned by the members who were part of the original RATT partnership agreement.

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

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

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

Earlier today, Blotzer posted the following message on Facebook:

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

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

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

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

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

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

"UGHHHH

"Puking

"Newz soon. FAHQ"WSJC

"BB"

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

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




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

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

Posted by RATT on Monday, February 13, 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Trish, you are loved and greatly missed."

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

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

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

#failing at #life

— Trish Doan (@trishjaimee) May 10, 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fan-filmed video footage of SODOM's February 12 performance at the HRH Metal festival at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, England can be seen below.

SODOM's latest album, "Decision Day", was released last August via SPV/Steamhammer.

Bassist/vocalist Thomas "Angelripper" Such, guitarist Bernd "Bernemann" Kost and drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald spent four months in the studio honing the new SODOM material. The result is a hard-as-nails, diverse thrash metal offering on the subject of D-Day, the day in June 1944 when the troops of the Western Allied forces landed in Normandy to liberate mainland Europe from the scourge of Nazi Germany. Songs such as "Belligerence", "Decision Day" and "Strange Lost World" present the SODOM frontman once more as a historically well-versed contemporary witness and critical observer of current international events.

"Decision Day" was produced by Cornelius "Corny" Rambadt, sound engineer and drummer with Angelripper's side project ONKEL TOM. The effort features impressive artwork courtesy of none other than Joe Petagno. As well as having worked for PINK FLOYD and LED ZEPPELIN, Petagno is MOTÖRHEAD's favored graphic designer and has created legendary album covers such as "Overkill", "Orgasmatron" and "Another Perfect Day".

Corey Glover from LIVING COLOUR joined JUDAS PRIESTESS — New York City's all-girl tribute to metal masters JUDAS PRIEST — on stage on January 6 at Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey to perform the PRIEST classic "Painkiller". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below (video shot by Kevin Vonesper).

JUDAS PRIESTESS features in its ranks Rena Sands, wife of DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci and former guitarist in the all-female heavy metal band MEANSTREAK.

Rena and John live in St. James, New York and have three children together — twins Samantha and Renato, and Kiarra

Formed in 2009, JUDAS PRIESTESS has a worldwide reputation with acclamation from press and fans alike. With favorable notice from members of JUDAS PRIEST themselves, notably Rob Halford, K.K. Downing, and JUDAS PRIEST original founder Al Atkins, these women have successfully demolished anyone's preconceived idea of what a "tribute" band is, and especially an all-female tribute. They have carved a very special and distinct place for themselves in the over-saturated world of rock and roll with their original interpretations of the classic metal repertoire of that influential and legendary band. The stellar performances by the ladies of JUDAS PRIESTESS always wow the crowd with both blistering talent and the unmistakable hard-rockin' look that defines who they are.

JUDAS PRIESTESS is:

Militia Vox (lead vocals)Gyda Gash (bass)Josette (guitar)Rena Sands (guitar)Hillary Blaze (drums)

METALLICA is featured in the trailer for the "Carpool Karaoke" Apple Music series.

The preview for the spinoff based on the "Late Late Show" segment, featuring "Late Late Show" host James Corden, aired as a commercial during the Corden-hosted Grammy Awards Sunday night (February 12). Other stars appearing in the spot include Will Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, Ariana Grande, John Cena, Billy Eichner, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Seth MacFarlane, Chelsea Handler, Blake Shelton, Michael Strahan and Jeff Gordon.

METALLICA's appearance on the series will see them driving around Hollywood with Eichner and making a stop at a supermarket where the band ends up serenading the workers behind a deli meat counter.

"Carpool Karaoke: The Series" is being rolled out in partnership with Apple Music, where episodes will premiere exclusively through the tech giant's $10-a-month streaming service. The show will feature 16 celebrity pairings riding along in a car as they sing their favorite songs.

The series is produced by CBS Television Studios and Fulwell 73 with Corden and "Late Late Show" executive producer Ben Winston serving as co-creators and executive producers along with executive producer and showrunner Eric Pankowski.

GOTTHARD drummer Hena Habegger was forced to leave the band's current European tour "for health reasons." Filling in for him on the Swiss rockers' run in support of their just-released twelfth studio album, "Silver", is HELLOWEEN's Dani Löble.

GOTTHARD said: "[Dani] did a hell of a job learning our set in no time and saved [Monday night's] show for the fans in Frankfurt, Germany. Thank you, Dani, and get well, Hena!"

"Silver" was released on January 13 on Musikvertrieb in Switzerland and internationally via PIAS. The CD was recorded at the Yellow House Studio in Lugano. The third disc with lead singer Nic Maeder was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (HELLOWEEN, BLIND GUARDIAN) and Leo Leoni.

GOTTHARD's 2012 album, "Firebirth", marked the band's first release with singer Nic Maeder, who was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, lived in Melbourne, Australia and grew up between Switzerland and "Down Under."

GOTTHARD's previous vocalist, Steve Lee, was killed on October 5, 2010 in what has been described as a freak road accident in Nevada.

Photo courtesy of GOTTHARD's Facebook page

Metal Wani editor in chief Owais "Vitek" Nabi recently conducted an interview with former OPETH/AMON AMARTH and current SOEN drummer Martin Lopez. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Asked if he would ever consider rejoining either OPETH or AMON AMARTH on a full-time basis if the opportunity presented itself, Lopez said: "No, no. Not full-time. My only band right now is SOEN, and that's the only full time that I can handle. Both OPETH and AMON AMARTH, it's other people's bands — people that I really like and people that I respect, but it's other people's bands. SOEN is my band. It's my band and Joel's [Ekelöf, vocals] band and it's Stefan [Stenberg, bass] and Marcus [Jidell, guitar] and Lars's [Åhlund, keyboards] band, but it's my band — our band — and I feel like a part of it in a way that I never felt a part of other bands. Which is completely understandable, and it's something that I knew from the beginning. So, finally, I'm doing my thing, and this is exactly where I want to be. I feel better than ever doing this and having SOEN."

He continued: "Of course, playing one old track [with either OPETH or AMON AMARTH] for fun is something that I could even enjoy, but no full-time. I'm not into full-time, not even with SOEN. I don't wanna have schedules and tours and, 'You have to do this…' 'This year and next year, you're gonna…' I don't wanna have that. I hate that. I've done that, and I hate it. I just wanna play music whenever I want, how I want, and the only way to do that is just with my band, because we are the same level."

The 38-year-old Lopez was born in Sweden and later moved to Uruguay, then back to Sweden. He joined OPETH in 1998, after leaving the viking metal band AMON AMARTH, with whom he recorded the album "Once Sent From The Golden Hall". As a member of OPETH, he played on the albums "My Arms, Your Hearse", "Still Life", "Blackwater Park", "Deliverance", "Damnation" and "Ghost Reveries".

SOEN's latest album, "Lykaia", was released on February 3 via UDR Music.

Frontiers Music Srl will release QUIET RIOT's new studio album, titled "Road Rage", on April 21. Famously known as the first heavy metal band to top the pop charts, the Los Angeles quartet became a global sensation thanks to their monstrous smash hit 1983 album, "Metal Health". The band now continues its historic journey in 2017 with founding member and drummer Frankie Banali who, on this new release, is joined by veteran bassist Chuck Wright (who has been in and out of QUIET RIOT since 1982) and guitarist Alex Grossi (who has been handling his duties since 2004,) together with new vocalist Seann Nicols (a.k.a. Sheldon Tarsha; formerly of ADLER'S APPETITE). "I'm very excited about the release of 'Road Rage' on Frontiers Music Srl which is the first official QUIET RIOT release in eleven years," Banali said. "It contains all newly written and recorded original songs. We stayed true to the great tradition and sound of QUIET RIOT while at the same time always moving musically forward." Banali's history with QUIET RIOT spans over 34 years and he has the distinction of being the only member of QUIET RIOT to have recorded on every single QUIET RIOT release from 1983's "Metal Health" through 2017's "Road Rage". After nearly ten years since the loss of his friend and co-founding member and bandmate Kevin DuBrow, and with careful consideration, soul searching and with the blessings and support of DuBrow's family, Frankie has moved forward with the band to bring the fans "Road Rage". Musically, "Road Rage" offers exactly what you would expect from QUIET RIOT: arena-ready hard rock with strong hooks and infectious riffs, along with maturity in the songwriting that only a band with such a history and pedigree can offer.

Vocalist Jizzy Pearl (LOVE/HATE, L.A. GUNS, ADLER'S APPETITE, RATT) left QUIET RIOT at the end of 2016 to concentrate full time on his solo career.

Banali revived QUIET RIOT in 2010, three years after DuBrow's death, along with Wright and Grossi. The group went through two vocalists — Mark Huff and Scott Vokoun — before settling on Pearl in 2013.

The Pearl-fronted QUIET RIOT recorded six new songs for an album called "10", which was released digitally on iTunes and Amazon.com in June 2014, but Banali pulled the songs from both download stores shortly after putting the effort on sale and hasn't made them available again. He later explained that his decision to remove "10" from iTunes and Amazon.com was motivated in part by the fact that he couldn't find a record label that would properly promote the album. In addition, he said that the system that brought us classic rock music has been forever altered by the times and the promotional and marketing engine that is broken, no longer effectively exposing music from the labels through radio and to the masses. "Road Rage" track listing:

01. Nothing But Trouble02. Let It Go03. Snake Charmer04. Hey Lil' Sister05. I Don't Need You Anymore06. Sledge Hammer07. Never You Mind08. Empty Rooms09. Dirty Money10. The Seeker11. Road Rage QUIET RIOT tour dates:

Feb. 17 - Amarillo, TX @ Amarillo Civic CenterFeb. 18 - Clearwater, FL @ Quaker Steak & Lube (Florida Motorcycle Expo)Mar. 18 - Wichita, KS @ The CotillionMar. 24 - Savannah, GA @ Stage on the BayMar. 25 - Toledo, OH @ John F. Savage ArenaApr. 07 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Bowery LiveApr. 23 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Rainbow (45th Anniversary Celebration)Jun. 02 - Lincolnton, NC @ Court Square @ Alive After 5 Concert SeriesJun. 23 - Lynchburg, VA @ Phase 2Jun. 24 - Spring, TX @ 15th Annual Funtastic 4th FestivalJul. 15 - Lake Ozark, MO @ The Horny ToadAug. 11 - Greenville, TX @ The Texan TheaterAug. 12 - Longview, TX @ Maude Cobb Event CenterAug. 26 - Port Falls, ID @ CruisersOct. 29 - Pekin, IL @ The Avanti's Dome

METALLICA today announced their "WorldWired" 2017 North American tour in support of their new album "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct". The "WorldWired" 2017 tour is produced by Live Nation and kicks off on May 10 in Baltimore, Maryland at M&T Bank Stadium. The tour will crisscross its way across North America into the summer, marking the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees and Grammy Award-winning band's first proper North American tour since 2009. AVENGED SEVENFOLD and VOLBEAT will be the main support acts for the tour run. See below for a list of all confirmed dates.

Presale tickets will be available to Legacy Fan Club members beginning on Tuesday, February 14 at 9:00 a.m. local time, with presale tickets available to all Met Club members beginning on Tuesday, February 14 at 11:00 a.m. local time. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning this Friday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Each ticket purchased will come with a copy of the "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct" album, available as a physical CD or a digital download.

Citi is the official credit card of the "WorldWired" 2017 North American tour. Citi cardmembers can take advantage of a special presale opportunity for all show dates in the U.S. beginning on Tuesday, February 14 at 11:00 a.m. local time.

Every ticket purchased through official outlets includes your choice of a standard physical or standard digital copy of "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct". Fans should expect to receive information from Warner Music Artist Services on how to redeem their albums within 14 business days after their purchase. Full details of how you can gift the album, should you have already purchased, will be given on the redemption page.

METALLICA has partnered with CID Entertainment to offer four options of special enhanced experiences on this tour, including premium tickets and amenities, including: early access to the venue, a visit to the "Memory Remains" exhibit of memorabilia, and meet-and-greets.

Additionally, METALLICA has announced the formation of their All Within My Hands Foundation, which will raise funds to support a cross-section of national, local and Bay Area charities that the individual band members support, along with continuing to donate to music education programs and local food banks. Through a collaboration with Crowdrise, the band encourages fans to make a donation when purchasing tickets to the upcoming shows.

Tour dates:

May 10 - Baltimore, MD - M&T Bank Stadium*^May 12 - Philadelphia, PA - Lincoln Financial Field*^May 14 - East Rutherford, NJ - MetLife Stadium*^May 17 - Uniondale, NY - New Coliseum^May 19 - Boston, MA - Gillette Stadium ^May 21 - Columbus, OH - Rock On The Range Festival (SOLD OUT)June 04 - St. Louis, MO - Busch Stadium^ June 07 - Denver, CO - Sports Authority Field*^June 11 - Houston, TX - NRG Stadium*^June 14 - San Antonio, TX - Alamodome* June 16 - Dallas, TX - AT&T Stadium* June 18 - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field* July 05 - Orlando, FL - Camping World Stadium*^July 07 - Miami, FL - Hard Rock Stadium*^July 09 - Atlanta, GA - Suntrust Park*^July 12 - Detroit, MI - Comercia Park*^July 14 - Quebec City, QC- Festival D'Ete July 16 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre*^July 19 - Montreal, QB - Parc Jean-Drapeau*^July 29 - Los Angeles, CA - Rose Bowl*+August 04 - Phoenix, AZ - University of Phoenix Stadium*+August 06 - San Diego, CA - Petco Park*+August 09 - Seattle, WA - Centurylink Field*+August 14 - Vancouver, BC - BC Place*+August 16 - Edmonton, AB - Commonwealth Stadium*+

*With AVENGED SEVENFOLD^With VOLBEAT+With GOJIRA

METALLICA has not done a full-length U.S. tour in more than seven years, but lead guitarist Kirk Hammett recently promised that the band will end that dry spell in 2017. Speaking with Billboard, Hammett said that the band's home country will finally get the trek it deserves. "We're very excited about it because it's been a long, long time since we've done a proper American tour," he said. "I mean, we've done European tours, Asian tours, South American tours, but we have not done a proper American tour as of late. So we're very, very excited about it, and we're very excited to be able to do it bringing new material to all our fans out there."

METALLICA will be touring in support of its tenth studio album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", the band's first all-new studio effort in eight years.

The album went to No. 1 in 58 countries, including the U.S., where it topped The Billboard 200 album chart.

Hammett also hinted at METALLICA bringing out a "special stage" for the tour, adding, "It's gonna be really cool, really fun and very METALLICA."

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield recently said on the Nerdist podcast that the band will cap its live schedule starting in 2017 at around fifty shows a year. He explained: "My body has told me to tell these guys that fifty shows a year is kind of what we can do, so make the best of those."

Drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio a while back how METALLICA has changed the way it tours. "The old days of a year and a half on the road, I mean, that's not going to happen again," he said. "If our success has bought us anything, it's the freedom to do these things the way we want to do them, on our own agenda, on our own time frame. We don't really even need to have, like they say in the business, a 'product' out there. We can just sort of go out and tour if we wake up one morning and feel like it."

METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo told The Pulse Of Radio that the band is looking forward to getting back on the road in the U.S. "Oh yeah, it's exciting, you know," he said. "We haven't spent enough time in the States in recent years and it's been a while, so rather than going and hanging out in Europe and spending a lot of time there before we come to the States, we're actually hitting the States first. And that's something that I'm really excited about, because it's been a while. It seems like people are hungry for METALLICA again and they've been waiting a long time."

METALLICA played three shows in Copenhagen, Denmark last week and performed at the 59th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 12) in Los Angeles. The band also played an intimate concert for around 3,000 or so fans at the Hollywood Palladium that same night.

Following the release of their acclaimed debut album 1917 and last year's successful Pledge Music campaign, doom pop act Courtesans will release their new 5-song EP, Better Safe Than Sober, on March 31st. Check out the official video for the new song "Mesmerise" below.

Hailing from London, England, Courtesans are reminiscent of Aegis-era Theatre Of Tragedy according to BraveWords scribe Carl Begai.

Tracklist:

"Mesmerise"
"Feel The Same"
"John Doe"
"Knowhere"
"The Tide"

The band has issued the following statement: "We want more women to pick up instruments. Be musicians, tour managers, sound engineers... Don’t leave it up to the boys, but do not dumb down your femininity to be respected, be yourself and be free! We want to not only encourage women in music but for more men to accept that it is ok to look up to female artists."