Bebe Contepomi of the Argentinian show "La Viola" recently conducted an interview with METALLICA frontman James Hetfield. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On whether METALLICA ever goes through previously unused ideas when writing a new album:

James: "It's never old songs. Once an album is finished, the box of riffs is thrown away. We use the best. There's no reason to save it if it's not good, 'cause we will write new stuff. I'm very interested in keeping moving forward. And even it was difficult, 'cause having eight hundred riffs on my phone or my computer or something, and alls I wanted to do was, 'Let's write a new one now. Let's just do it.' There's something magical that happens when Lars [Ulrich, drums] and I get together and I plug into a loud, crunchy guitar sound. It moves me and I can create riffs. It's great."

On his relationship with Lars Ulrich:

James: "Well, you're married, right? That's it. It is like that. Oh, of course it is. It's harder than marriage, 'cause we're both male, and we both want what we want. [Laughs] Well, you know, we're brothers. We love each other, we hate each other and everything in between. We've done so much life together. That's the longest relationship, besides my family, that I've had with anyone, and it's difficult — I tell you, it is. It takes a lot of work, and you have to be honest with each other all the time and you have to communicate, or else. 'Cause we're creative, and in my head, I start making things up about, 'What is he doing? Ahh…'"

On METALLICA's new album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct":

James: "'Death Magnetic', I really liked. It was a little more harsh to the ear. This one sounds a little easier to listen to, but heavy still. I wanted to combine 'Kill 'Em All' and The Black Album, somehow, with some layers, harmonies and simplicity."

On other bands who have been around for as long as METALLICA has who are not able to produce quality new music like METALLICA is:

James: "I think that's a compliment. We're very competitive, [and] we're very competitive within the band too. No one wants to disappoint each other, so we keep our chops up, we keep our throats in good shape. And the older we get, the harder it is, but we're doing what we can. We're giving a hundred and ten percent of whatever our mind, body and spirit can do. I think there are bands… I mean, not to disagree, but there are a few — SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX — they are still going strong out there, and it's impressive. That's all we're trying to do — we're trying to do better than the last record. The next record will be better. The next record, I'll sing better, have a better guitar sound. There's a hunger for that for us."

On still being a fan of new rock music:

James: "Every time I think that I'm tired of new music, I'm tired of listening… 'There's no good new music'… And then something happens, I hear something and, 'Wow! There is hope!' I mean, for me, and my wife will tell you, if she was here, I'm a boy trapped in a man's body, and she treats me like a child a lot. [Laughs] I'm just one of the kids. 'Go to your room.' I don't know… It's just how I am. Yes, I'm maturing. And in rock and roll, you're not supposed to mature; you're supposed to stay young and all this. But I'm not doing it for them."

According to Billboard, METALLICA will likely top The Billboard 200 albums chart for a sixth time next week, as "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" is expected to debut at No. 1. The set, which was released on November 18 through the band's own Blackened Recordings, is projected to move 300,000 equivalent album units in the week ending November 24, with traditional album sales accounting for 280,000 of those units.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

Next week's The Billboard 200 chart is scheduled to be revealed on Sunday, November 27.

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

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. and THE SMASHING PUMPKINS leader William "Billy" Corgan announced that they have completed an agreement to resolve Corgan's litigation against Impact Ventures, parent company of TNA Impact Wrestling. Anthem has acquired Corgan's loan to Impact Ventures on undisclosed terms, and Corgan has dismissed his proceedings against Impact Ventures and TNA Impact Wrestling.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. is a global sports media company that operates Fight Network, Impact Wrestling's exclusive broadcaster in Canada, as well as the exclusive worldwide digital streaming partner for all TNA programming. It is also an equity stakeholder of Impact Ventures.

Anthem executive vice president Ed Nordholm stated: "We are pleased to conclude these arrangements with Mr. Corgan. The events leading to litigation were unfortunate but also reflected all parties' desire in good faith to support the company. The arrangements we have made with Mr. Corgan respect all parties' gratitude for his contributions to Impact Wrestling, both creatively and financially. We can now close this chapter and look forward to making Impact Wrestling a leader in the professional wrestling world."

"I'm pleased that an agreement is now in place that allows wrestling operations to continue," said Corgan, Impact's former president, "for my interest from the start was to provide support, be it material or creative, to such a great roster and crew. And as I plan on continuing in the business side of pro wrestling, I look forward to seeing where Anthem's leadership takes the company in 2017, and wish them the best."

Corgan, 49, is an American musician, songwriter, producer, TV writer and poet, best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and sole permanent member of THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, who have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and won multiple Grammy Awards. Corgan joined Impact in May 2015 as a senior producer.

In a brand new interview with Myglobalmind, EXTREME frontman Gary Cherone spoke about how performing the band's "Pornograffitti" in its entirety in 2015 to celebrate the LP's 25th anniversary influenced the songwriting process for EXTREME's next effort. He said: "I think it had an effect with Nuno [Bettencourt, guitar] on some of the new material. We aren't rediscovering our roots or anything like that. It's just that with the past couple of years touring that record, all of those elements are there in the new material. It's driven by guitar riffs with the harmonies and the big choruses. So it has influenced the new material."

Asked if he had a title or release date for EXTREME's next album that he could share, Gary said: "No, we haven't had those fights yet. [Laughs] Usually, the title will come during the process of writing the songs. So nothing is there yet. I would like to give you dates, I just don't know dates. There will be new music by the time we go out again, as we are just concentrating on new material before we do go out on the road next year."

Cherone recently told Metalholic about the musical direction of the new EXTREME material: "There will be, like all EXTREME records, familiar elements, but also stuff… Over the years, when Nuno and I write, we're affected by our environment and music changes throughout the years, so those elements… There will still be some new elements to the band as well. Hopefully that always happens; you always wanna grow and evolve and move on. But the guitars will be there, the harmonies will be there, the songs, the hooks, the lyrics… There'll still be elements of the past, but certainly new elements [as well]."

EXTREME's first studio album in thirteen years, "Saudades de Rock" (pronounced "sow-dodge") was released in August 2008 on Open E Records and distributed by Fontana. The European version of the CD included a bonus track, the "Americocaine" demo from 1985, the very first studio recording of EXTREME.

To mark the 25th anniversary of "Pornograffitti", "Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown" was released on October 14 by Rock Fuel Media in association with Loud & Proud Records as part of their four-part "Metal Meltdown" DVD series. The concert film captures the Boston band performing "Pornograffitti" in its entirety.

EXTREME released a live CD and DVD, "Take Us Alive", in May 2010 in the U.S. via Frontiers.

Holland's FaceCulture recently conducted an interview with drummer Ian Haugland of Swedish hard rockers EUROPE. You can now watch the chat in three parts below.

Speaking about the EUROPE songwriting process, Haugland said: "What we try with every new album is to actually not repeat [ourselves], but to look at the back catalog and [go], 'Okay, we did on that album, so maybe we'll go crazy about something else.' So that's good. And it's like having an art gallery with different pictures you can look at, and you get different feelings from different pictures. So I think the next EUROPE album is gonna be probably a bit different from [2015's] 'War Of Kings', I guess."

Asked what he has noticed about the direction of the material EUROPE has written for the follow-up to "War Of Kings", Haugland said: "I haven't noticed anything, because I haven't heard anything. [Laughs] the thing is, I know that for Joey [Tempest, EUROPE singer], for instance, he creates a lot of music in his mind before it ends up on tape so you can hear it. So I'm sure he has a lot of song ideas in his mind. I also know that John Levén [EUROPE bassist], he has a couple of really cool riffs; he played it to me. And the same with Mic Michaeli [EUROPE keyboardist]; he's got a lot of song ideas. Actually, after Christmas, we're gonna start rehearsing the songs and go into the studio on February 1st."

Regarding a possible release date for EUROPE's next album, Haugland said: "It's gonna be released sometime after next summer. So it's gonna be an autumn release — probably in September, I would say."

"War Of Kings" was released in March 2015 via UDR Music.

Publisher Heel Verlag Gmbh has set a December 20 release date for the new MOTÖRHEAD hardcover book "Röadkill: Victory Or Die" by Pep Bonet.

The book's official description reads: "Celebrating Lemmy Kilmister's 70th birthday along with the 40th anniversary of his band MOTÖRHEAD, the lavishly illustrated volume presents exciting and intimate behind-the-stage pictures by much-acclaimed Spanish photographer Pep Bonet, who accompanied the band between 2008 and 2011.

"Rock'n'roll celebrities like Slash from GUNS N' ROSES and Brian May from QUEEN provided their contributions to this fascinating documentary. And, last but not least, MOTÖRHEAD's brand new 22nd studio album is included with the book — enthusiasts cannot afford to miss this package! Text in English and German."

Lemmy, who celebrated his 70th birthday last Christmas Eve (December 24), learned two days later that he was afflicted with an aggressive form of cancer. He died two days later, on December 28, at his home in Los Angeles.

The MOTÖRHEAD frontman had dealt with several health issues over the past few years, including heart trouble, forcing him to cut back on his famous smoking and Jack Daniels habits.

The band canceled a number of shows last year, although they did manage to complete one final European tour on December 11, 2015.

In a 2015 interview with Kerrang! magazine, Lemmy was asked how it makes him feel when people call him a legend. He responded: "As long as they don't believe it, that's alright." He continued: "Who wouldn’t want a hero somewhere in their lives? And it might as well be me, 'cause I don't take the piss out of them for it, and I don't laugh at them because of it." But he added, "I'm not a legend. I never thought of myself as being special in particular. Maybe I make brilliant music, but that's about it."

**UPDATE**: Sweet has released the following statement regarding Bach's latest comments:

"Well, since it's been turned into a public bash, here's my side: A while back I was asked by the label (Frontiers) to produce a [Sebastian Bach] album. I spoke to Sebastian's manager and we were discussing possibilities. After a few emails back and forth, Sebastian decided to do something else. I was then asked about this in an interview with Eddie Trunk and I shared (respectfully) what had transpired. Later that evening, Sebastian tweeted and emailed me and said 'shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you.' He also said not to 'ever let his name come out of my mouth again' in an email. I emailed him to make amends and explain yet to no avail. I'd be a liar if I said it didn't bother me. It did. I've got nothing against Sebastian. I don't even know him and he doesn't know me.

"Fast forward to Moriah Formica opening for STRYPER and blowing everyone's minds with her talent and voice on a cover of 'I'll Remember You'. I posted it and took a little grief for saying 'she smokes the original singer.' I must admit that that comment was made based on my opinion as well as my experience with Sebastian. I then commented on a post and referred to Sebastian as a 'tool' based on what had transpired between us a few months back. I suppose I shouldn't have said that. I'll admit to my mistakes and apologize if need be.

"He sent me an email again basically stating to 'be prepared next time we meet face to face' along with a few other nice gestures. I sent him an email basically saying 'let's get along and move on.' I have yet to hear from Sebastian.

"Anyone who knows me knows that I express my opinion and I'm more than willing to back it up. I do my best to be honest yet not to be mean-spirited or destructive. I'm also no pussy. Obviously, Sebastian doesn't know me, because if he did, he'd know that as fact.

"Since we're both adults, should we not take the higher road here? In a perfect world, that would be the right thing to do.

"Unfortunately, I think because I'm a Christian, some people think that I'm supposed to 'turn the other cheek' and let people say and do whatever they want. I guess the 'pussy' in me won't let me do that.

"Thanks for listening and my sincere apologies if I've offended anyone and please know that was not my intention. I'll try a little harder next time."

The original article follows below.

Sebastian Bach has accused Michael Sweet of having "a big fucking mouth" after the STRYPER frontman said a teenage female singer "smoked" Bach with her version of a classic SKID ROW song.

The latest war of words began when Sweet shared a video on Facebook of 16-year-old emerging artist Moriah Formica perfoming the SKID ROW track "I Remember You", along with the caption: "Moriah Formica kills this and in my humble opinion, smokes the original singer."

After a Twitter user posted a screenshot of Sweet's post and included the message, "Michael Sweet posts video to FB of 15 yo girl singing 'I Remember You' Calls @sebastianbach a 'tool' in the process," the former SKID ROW vocalist fired back, writing in a tweet: "Michael Sweet has a big fucking mouth. Behind a keyboard that is. Can't wait to see this pussy in person again someday."

Bach and Sweet previously traded barbs nearly two years ago when Sweet claimed he was asked to produce a Bach solo album, only for those plans to be squashed because Sebastian couldn't make up his mind. Sweet said: "I was approached to do a Sebastian album… to produce it and to co-write with him and basically try to kind of go back to those powerful songs from the past. Not make a dated record, but just that style, the anthemy SKID ROW stuff that everybody loves. And that was the plan." He continued: "Management got involved, and Sebastian and I e-mailed each other back and forth. It was going down the track a little ways and all of a sudden it came to a screeching halt. He decided he wanted to do an acoustic album, or wanted to do this, or wanted to do that. And I was just, like, 'Guys, let me know what's going on, if it's going on.' And I never really heard any more about it, so I guess it's not happening. But it would have been cool."

Michael also offered a theory as to why so few of Bach's 800,000 Facebook followers purchased the former SKID ROW singer's latest solo album, "Give 'Em Hell", when it was first released. Sweet told Trunk: "This isn't a bash against Sebastian at all; it's just my opinion. I think people wanna hear Sebastian of old. They wanna hear the SKID ROW Sebastian. They wanna hear the hits. And he's giving them modern rock. It's ['Give 'Em Hell'] a good album, it's a good-sounding album, but it's not the glory days."

After a fan wrote on Twitter that "the points M. Sweet made about fans wanting 'old school' Bach sounds - are ACCURATE. Not rude or mean. Just true," Bach responded: "ACCURATE? FACT: No member of STRYPER was EVER asked to produce ANY album by Sebastian Bach! EVER. Who do U think asks that?? Omg!"

Sweet later took to his own Twitter to clarify his proposed role in the making of Bach's solo album. Michael wrote: "I was asked by the LABEL to produce Sebastian Bach. I never said by Sebastian."

Formica is featured on Sweet's latest solo album "One Sided War", singing a duet with Michael on a different version of the song "Can't Take This Life".

The idea is simple. Use creativity and collaboration to create change, to do good… and to raise money for a worthy cause.

Longtime admirers of each other's work, the members of Grammy-Award-winning rock band LINKIN PARK and fashion designer and artist Blaine Halvorson of MadeWorn have come together to collaborate on a special project to benefit Music For Relief — the non-profit charity organization LINKIN PARK founded in 2005 to aid survivors of natural disasters and environmental conservation around the world.

From the ineffable MadeWorn studio in Los Angeles, Joe Hahn and Mike Shinoda of LINKIN PARK and Halvorson came together to spray-paint, stencil, and draw by hand — a design that combined both of their unique aesthetics.

Using the iconic street soldier from the album art of LINKIN PARK's multi-platinum debut, "Hybrid Theory", as their starting point, the band members and Halvorson created an original design that reflected both MadeWorn's renowned hand-detailing and the band's own personal narrative.

"The 'Hybrid Theory' street soldier was a team effort between me, Joe and Frank Maddocks," says LINKIN PARK co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda. "We were working on images for the cover of our first album, and we made it to represent the duality of the band's sound — the intersection of contrasting elements, and the hard-versus-soft tension in our band's music. It's an image that's synonymous with the band's name at this point, and one that has become a cornerstone of our group's visual language over the years."

The result is an exclusive line of shirts available only for a limited time. $10 from the sale of each white t-shirt and hoodie, and $100 from each sale of the special edition black t-shirt in the collection will go to Music For Relief.

"MadeWorn is about the process, about craft," explains Halvorson about the project, "and this collaboration with LINKIN PARK was the perfect way to express that. It's about putting that kind of intense attention to detail into every piece, integrating artistry and the touch of the human hand."

To view the collection and donate, go to charity.madeworn.com.

Metal Wani editor in chief Owais "Vitek" Nabi recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza of German thrash metal veterans KREATOR. You can now listen to the chat below.

Speaking about the five-year gap between 2012's "Phantom Antichrist" album and the upcoming "Gods Of Violence", Mille said: "It didn't seem that long, to be honest, because we have been touring so much. And I think in order to come up with something relevant and something exciting, it's definitely important to take some time off, and hat's what we did. After the extensive touring cycle for 'Phantom Antichrist', we just took almost… not two years off — we played a couple of festivals — but, basically, we didn't do much in '15 and until now [in] '16; those two years were free of any long touring. And so, yeah, being able to do this was a luxury, but was also necessary in order to come up with something great."

Mille also talked about the songwriting process for "Gods Of Violence", explaining: "We just wanted to write new songs that are just, 'Wow!' I think that's basically what we had in mind. One thing that we were all conscious about was that we needed to come up with an album that blows everyone away. So whatever it takes, we do. That's the only conscious decision that we made — to come up with something exciting; that's the key."

Regarding KREATOR's decision to return to Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden to record "Gods Of Violence" with producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, AMON AMARTH, KATATONIA), Mille said: "It was fantastic. We had a great time. We knew the location, we knew the studio, and it was really cool. And it was summertime this time, so it was a lot easier, really. It was nice."

"Gods Of Violence" will be released on January 27, 2017 via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork for the disc was created by renowned artist Jan Meininghaus, who also made the limited-edition artwork for KREATOR's last album, 2012's "Phantom Antichrist", and has lent his talents to bands like BOLT THROWER, ACCEPT and OVERKILL in the past.

The exclusive North American cover was created by renowned artist Marcelo Vasco, who has previously worked with SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY and HATEBREED.

The track listing is as follows: 01. Apocalypticon02. World War Now03. Satan Is Real04. Totalitarian Terror05. Gods Of Violence06. Army Of Storms07. Hail To The Hordes08. Lion With Eagle Wings09. Fallen Brother10. Side By Side11. Death Becomes My Light

The video for the "Gods Of Violence" title track can be seen below. The clip was filmed with renowned video production company Grupa13, which has previously worked with AMON AMARTH, BEHEMOTH and ELUVEITIE.

Mille commented: "We have prepared an amazing video trilogy with Grupa13 for our new album. We believe that they are among the most creative artists when it comes to surreal video art. The storyline is linked to our album concept and the first clip visualizes the birth of the KREATOR demon."

Regarding the "Gods Of Violence" title track, Petrozza said: "'Gods Of Violence' was the first song I wrote for this album and it stuck to me as the title track. It contains everything KREATOR is known for and it will blow your minds. Promise!" He added about the album artwork: "The cover of is a perfect reflection of my lyrical vision. I think this is Jan Meininghaus's best work so far."

KREATOR will tour Europe in support of the new CD beginning in early February. Petrozza and his crew will be accompanied by a varied as well as iconic billing. Brazilian-American extreme metal pioneers SEPULTURA are direct support to the headliners, followed by visionary Swedish melodic death metallers SOILWORK and Belgium's finest death/grind outfit ABORTED.



North American cover (by Marcelo Vasco):



International cover (by Jan Meininghaus):

Bassist Peter Iwers has decided to leave Swedish metallers IN FLAMES "to pursue other endeavours." He says in a statement: "As a result, this current U.S. tour will be my last one with IN FLAMES, so if you are around, come and say hi.

"It has been almost 20 years of fun, and I am eternally grateful to you all for all the support you have given me and the rest of the guys throughout all these years. You made it all possible. Now is the time for me to move on with other musical and non-musical adventures.

"I wish the very best to Niclas, Anders, Björn and Joe.

"Hope to see all you Jesterheads down the road in my future endeavors."

Iwers recently revealed that he formed a new band with ex-IN FLAMES guitarist Jesper Strömblad.

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

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

ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE, the project featuring ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello and MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, is in the studio in Hollywood, California recording material for the follow-up to its 2014 self-titled EP. Helming the sessions once again is producer Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, STONE SOUR), with Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, ASHES DIVIDE) returning behind the kit.

The two bassists began writing music together while traveling the world during clinics now known as "Metal Masters".

"What started out as simple bass ideas quickly developed into some really great songs together," said Ellefson.

"Our fans would probably never suspect that a couple of metal bass players would have songs like these inside of us. It's exciting to write melody with diversity while still pushing the limits of lead-bass playing. Frank's singing, and both of us playing guitars and other instruments, gave us a whole new dimension for creative opportunities."

"We thought it would be cool to let fans hear something they wouldn't expect from us — which is what ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE is," added Bello.

Regarding how ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE came together, Ellefson told Guitar World: "We were doing bass clinics for our endorsement of Hartke bass amplification a few years back when the 'Big Four' were playing shows together. I just said to Frank, 'We should really write some of our own material we can play for these clinics. Something unique just for us.' So at Bass Player Live! at the Key Club in Hollywood, Frank got us talking to ANTHRAX producer Jay Ruston, who is also a bass player, and he got excited to get on board to record some songs for us. We agreed to do just a few songs we could release in EP format. This would make the workload easier with all of our schedules and even allow us to continue releasing more songs moving forward as well. Jay brought in Jeff Friedl on drums and even suggested Gus G. to play the solos I wanted to have on the track 'Here Again'."

Stephen Pearcy has announced "the return of the real RATT" in 2017, presumably featuring the band's original singer, along with guitarist Warren DeMartini and bassist Juan Croucier.

A court ruling on November 8 apparently decided in Croucier's favor over RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer with respect to whether Croucier had committed trademark infringement by using the RATT name and logo to advertise his band RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER back in the fall 2015. In addition, the judge decided that the corporation WBS, Inc., of which Blotzer and DeMartini were thought to be the sole shareholders, and which Blotzer has claimed owns the RATT name and brand, did not have ownership interest in the RATT marks and that the name and brand was still owned by the members who were part of the original RATT partnership agreement, including — apparently — Pearcy and Croucier.

A November 28 message on Pearcy's Twitter account reads: "Be ready 2017! From out of the cellar the return of the real RATT."

Pearcy, Croucier and DeMartini performed as the "surprise band" on October 1 on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise West, also known as Monsterwood. Joining them on stage at the event were former QUIET RIOT guitarist Carlos Cavazo, who played on RATT's last studio album, 2010's "Infestation", and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso, who previously played with Y&T, WHITE LION and MEGADETH, among others.

Blotzer has been touring the U.S. for the last year with his own version of RATT, featuring a rotating cast of musicians, including vocalist Josh Alan (ex-SIN CITY SINNERS).

DeMartini filed a lawsuit against Blotzer last year, claiming that the drummer was falsely advertising his "tribute band" as the real thing. That dispute is still pending in California state court.

Speculation about Pearcy, Croucier and DeMartini forming their own version of RATT to rival Blotzer's gained traction in August after they were photographed hanging out together at a Los Angeles birthday party. Bobby later dismissed the idea, telling radio personality Eddie Trunk in an interview: "Well, it's absurd. It ain't gonna happen. Warren can't do that. If Warren was to join up in that thing, he would be in competition with his own band and corporation — RATT, WBS… RATT. He would be kicked out on his rear end so quick… They'd have to call it something else; they couldn't call it anything but something else."

This past summer, Pearcy told Canadian rock journalist Mitch Lafon that he was still friends with DeMartini and Croucier, adding that "Warren and I actually got together and wrote a song a while back, which is phenomenal… Who knows what will happen soon enough? We're just waiting for some dust to settle. I really can't say anything right now, but if the public has any positive message, it's being heard."

"Week two is a wrap," says The Dead Daisies. "And we couldn't be more happy. Loads of shows sold out, you guys really made some noise - and the direction surely is upwards! We love it! So please enjoy this recap video featuring the soon-to-be-famous 'Red Panda' and some high-class dance moves!"

Catch The Dead Daisies live on tour:

November
29 - Magazzini Generali - Milan, Italy
30 - Backstage Halle - Munich, Germany - SOLD OUT

December
2 - Planet Rockstock - Trecco Bay, United Kingdom - SOLD OUT
3 - Knust - Hamburg, Germany - SOLD OUT
4 - Paradiso Nord - Amsterdam, Netherlands
5 - Matrix - Bochum, Germany
7 - Colos-Saal - Aschaffenburg, Germany - SOLD OUT
8 - Le Trabendo - Paris, France
10 - Sala Caracol - Madrid, Spain
11 - LA2 Apolo - Barcelona, Spain
13 - Omega Live - Toulon, France
14 - Transbordeur - Lyon, France
16 - New Age - Treviso, Italy
17 - Container - Grottammare, Italy
19 - Szene - Wien, Austria
20 - Bluesiana - Velden, Austria

"Five years ago just after Thanksgiving, I was asked to play for Nashville Pussy," says bassist Bonnie Buitrago. "Time flies when you're having fun playing bass for your favorite band and family around the world! I'm no longer 'the new guy' - meet Ben Thomas, drummer extraordinaire. Our rhythm section is rockin'!"

Catch Nashville Pussy live on tour with Reverend Horton Heat:

November
29 - The Westcott Theater - Syracuse, NY
30 - Wally's Pub - Hampton, NH

December
1 - The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA
2 - The Chance Theater - Poughkeepsie, NY
3 - Warsaw - New York, NY
4 - College Street Music Hall - New Haven, CT
6 - House Of Independents - Asbury Park, NJ
7 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
8 - Theatre Of The Living - Philadelphia, PA
9 - The National Theatre - Richmond, VA
10 - Black Cat - Washington DC
11 - Chameleon Club - Lancaster, PA
13 - Reverb - Reading, PA
14 - Skully's Music Diner - Columbus, OH
15 - The Southgate House Revival - Newport, KY
16 - Center Stage Live - Atlanta, GA
17 - Cox Capitol Theatre - Macon, GA

 

Ember To Inferno - the album that started it all for Trivium - is available again on CD and double LP, plus the new Ab Initio Deluxe Edition - with 13 bonus tracks on 2 CDs and 5 LPs. Check out the following video preview:

Florida's Trivium are streaming “Lake Of Fire”, a bonus track from the deluxe edition of the upcoming Ember To Inferno reissue, out in December. Listen below:

The band recently released the second video in the Ember To Inferno Origins series, in support of the upcoming reissue of their debut album, Ember To Inferno. In the two clips below, learn about early demos, first shows in Europe, as well as influences - then and now.

Trivium have spent the past decade-plus building their reputation and steadily rising to prominence, becoming one of the main torchbearers of heavy metal in the modern era. With millions of albums sold globally and numerous world tours (from Ozzfest, Mayhem, and Download to opening for Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden to extensive headline treks), Trivium began their journey in 2003 with their debut album, Ember To Inferno.

The record quickly captured the attention of the band's earliest fans as well as the ears of A&R reps at Roadrunner Records, who rapidly signed the band and went on to release their watershed album Ascendancy in 2005. Ember To Inferno was the catalyst for what was to come and it has been out of print for several years… until now.

The band and 5B Artist Management have partnered with Cooking Vinyl to re-release the album, along with a deluxe edition that includes 13 additional tracks that have never been previously available yet have earned evasive legend status among the diehards, on December 2nd. It's a true treasure trove of material that will delight the staunchest Trivium fans and beyond.

"The purpose of this release is to show the very early beginnings of Trivium - perhaps an era unbeknownst to most listeners of the band," said Trivium vocalist and guitarist Matt Heafy. "To look back at Ember as the starting point of Trivium becoming recognized worldwide is a staggering thought for me, considering I was 16/17 years old during the writing and recording of the record.

"As a kid, I always said the 'goal' was to be in a massive metal band. I don't think I actually knew what it would mean to have fans in different parts of the world, and I still can't believe people care so much that they actually want to hear the music that pre-dates our Roadrunner years. To this day, I am still completely blown away that people are singing words to songs I wrote when I was 16 years old. It's an amazing feeling."

Ember To Inferno will be released in four configurations, with the deluxe editions containing the band's early demos "Ruber" (aka the Red Demo), "Caeruleus" (aka the Blue Demo) and "Flavus" (aka the Yellow Demo). Fans can pre-order all formats online here.

The formats available are:

- Ember To Inferno — Standard CD.
- Ember To Inferno — Standard Vinyl LP, which is the original album in a 2LP Gatefold on orange/black marble vinyl.
- Ember To Inferno: Ab Initio - Deluxe CD, which is the original album with new artwork, plus 13 bonus tracks and expanded booklet in a digipak. The 13 bonus tracks are the band's early demos - "Ruber" (aka the Red Demo), "Caeruleus" (aka the Blue Demo) and "Flavus" (aka the Yellow Demo).
- Ember To Inferno: Ab Initio - Deluxe 5LP Box, which is five coloured LPs in a special box including the original album in a 2LP Gatefold on orange/black marble vinyl, the expanded booklet, a poster, a stencil, and 13 bonus tracks over three LPs. The 13 bonus tracks are the band's early demos - "Ruber" (aka the Red Demo) on transparent red vinyl, "Caeruleus" (aka the Blue Demo) on transparent blue vinyl, and "Flavus" (aka the Yellow Demo) on transparent yellow vinyl.

Ember To Inferno Standard Edition tracklisting:

“Inception: The Bleeding Skies”
“Pillars Of Serpents”
“If I Could Collapse The Masses”
“Fugue (A Revelation)”
“Requiem”
“Ember To Inferno”
“Ashes”
“To Burn The Eye”
“Falling To Grey”
“My Hatred”
“When All Light Dies”
“A View Of Burning Empires”

Ember To Inferno: Ab Initio Deluxe Only Bonus Tracks

Ruber (On Transparent Red Vinyl for Box Set)
“Pain”
“Thrust”
“Lake Of Fire”

Caeruleus (On Transparent Blue Vinyl for Box Set)
“To Burn The Eye”
“Requiem”
“Fugue”
“My Hatred”
“The Storm”
“Sworn”
“Demon”

Flavus (On Transparent Yellow Vinyl for Box Set)
“Like Light To The Flies”
“Blinding Tears Will Break The Skies”
“The Deceived”

“The Storm”:

Trivium will return to Europe for headline dates in February / March 2017. Check out a new video trailer below, and for a full list of dates, visit this location.

Desert punk icon Nick Oliveri has announced the release of a series of compilations titled "N.O. Hits At All", to be issued next year on Heavy Psych Sounds Records. Oliveri comments: "This record is the Volume One of a series of compilations in which I recorded the vocals.

"Bands that I like and bands that like my singing voice enough to have asked me to 'guest vocal' on a song for their records. Some of these have been released and some have not until now.

"I have sang and/or recorded bass on 50+ releases of bands I love and had the great honor to work with — DWARVES, MONDO GENERATOR, SVETLANAS, Q.O.T.S.A., KYUSS, BL'AST, BLOODCLOT, MASTERS OF REALITY, VISTA CHINO, MARK LENAGAN BAND, TURBONEGRO, DEATH ACOUSTIC, THE UNCONTROLLABLE, to name a few.

"The good folks at Heavy Psych Sounds Records are releasing a series called 'N.O. Hits At All'. Now for the first time, all these songs and bands I've recorded with over the past 25 years are together and available to you to trip out on. So get your head right, put this record on and play it loud!"

"N.O. Hits At All Vol.1" will be issued on January 27, 2017 on LTD transparent red vinyl, black vinyl and CD, all through Heavy Psych Sounds.

Track listing:

Side A

01. KOMATSU - "Lockdown"02. DEATH ACOUSTIC - "Anything and Everything"03. WINNEBAGO DEAL - "Revenge" Side B

01. SVETLANAS - "Speedfreak"02. DEATH ACOUSTIC - "Time To Think / Surf&Destroy"03. KEN PUSTELNIK'S GROUNDHOGS - "Eccentric Man"

Swabian death metallers, Revel In Flesh, have released a lyric video for “Fortress Of Gloom”, a track from their new and fourth full-length-onslaught, Emissary Of All Plagues, available on December 2nd via Cyclone Empire. Find the new video below.

Emissary Of All Plagues was produced by guitar master Maggesson at the band's own Vault M. Studio. For mix and mastering they worked again with none other than Dan Swanö (Bloodbath, Edge Of Sanity, Nightingale) at his Unisound Studios. The cover artwork was created by Juanjo Castellano Rosado.

Emissary Of All Plagues tracklisting:

“Emissary Of All Plagues”
“Casket Ride”
“Fortress Of Gloom”
’Servants Of The Deathkult”
“Torture Throne”
“The Dead Lives On”
“Lord Of Flesh”
“Sepulchral Passage”
“Dead To This World”
“Doctor Doctor” (UFO cover with members of Puteraeon and Entrails)

“Fortress Of Gloom” lyric video:

“Emissary Of All Plagues” lyric video:

Mainman Haubersson comments: “After intense months of working and recording we are damned excited about releasing “Emissary of all plagues” upon mankind! It's probably our darkest and most melodic output thus far! Expect a haunted trip to the darkside mixed with the previously known Revel In Flesh death metal brutality! We are looking forward to present those new tracks on stage as soon as possible! The restless servants of the Deathkult are back!”

Here's what the Dan “the legend” Swanö has to say about Emissary Of All Plagues: “Another fantastic worship at the altar of SweDeath. To create the best album so far into their career is astonishing. Both me and the band feel this our best sonic co-operation so far, and to me personally, it is extra cool to finally have nailed what I believe to be the ultimate tribute to the SweDeath guitar tone! It takes more than just a HM2 pedal to get the right 'vomiting' to occur 'inside' the distortion! Make sure to check out the vinyl version for a full dynamic mix of this amazing slab of true fucking death metal!”

The fourth album by Scandinavian occult back metallers, Grafvitnir, entitled Obeisance To A Witch Moon, will be released on December 16th in Europe via Carnal Records and in North America through Daemon Worship Productions. Stream new song "The Great Beast" below.

Obeisance To A Witch Moon is highly inspired and composed under the influence of the lingering streams of Gamaliel, the mystifying rays of Gha'asheblah, the White Moon of Chesed and the Black Moon of Geburah. What awaits are nine ominous hymns to the Lightbringer, the Ancient Witch and the Moon Goddess Hecate. This is blistering cold Scandinavian occult black metal fiercely performed and crowned with a haunting piece of art from Chadwick St. John. The album was mastered by Devo Andersson of Endarker Studio Sweden. Layout design by O.O.

Tracklisting:

“Lightbringer”
“The Great Beast”
“Wrath Of The Tempest”
“Nigrum Ignis Serpentem”
“Via Dolorosa”
“Serpent's Blood”
“Children Of The Void”
“Legion Of The Serpent”
“Obeisance To A Witch Moon”

“The Great Beast”:

Contemprorary metal act, Concealed In Clouds, has just released the emotionally-powered music video for "Aspire". Following the atmospheric, yet spectacular path of the band's previous single "Dewdrops", featuring Telle Smith of The Word Alive, "Aspire" provides an impressive visualization and look into the dedication and the passion expressed by the people brave enough to follow their dreams and chosen path in life in a society that very often refuses to acknowledge and perceive the aforementioned devotion.

Speaking about the track, frontman Joshua explains: ""Aspire" is about the process. The process of creating, building and working towards something. It’s about having to remind yourself every day that the struggle is worth it and that you’re good enough. "Aspire" is about the creative process an artist goes through that nobody else sees; a process that in most cases doesn’t require skill, but requires endurance. We want to pay homage to any and all that make it through to the other side, because we know how hard it is to commit- to motivation, to learning, to compiling it all and to consummating your work.”

STONE SOUR will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its classic second album, "Come What(ever) May", with an extraordinary new deluxe edition. "Come What(ever) May: Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition" will be available Friday, December 16 via digital download, streaming services, and 2LP black and gold mixed vinyl — the RIAA-gold-certified, Grammy Award-nominated collection's first ever vinyl release. Pre-orders for "Come What(ever) May: Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition" are available now at STONE SOUR's official webstore, including a number of exclusive limited-edition bundles. "Come What(ever) May: Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition" is heralded by previously unreleased acoustic version of "Zzyzx Rd.", streaming now below. "Come What(ever) May: Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition" has been remastered and appended by an array of bonus material (see track listing below). The album is now joined by an array of rare tracks, B-sides, and more, including never-before-heard versions of "Through Glass", "Zzyzx Rd." and "Cardiff", as well as an electrifying acoustic cover of THE ROLLING STONES' "Wild Horses". STONE SOUR unleashed their eponymous debut album in 2002 and was immediately confirmed as one of the most popular and significant hard rock outfits of the 21st century. "Stone Sour" earned RIAA gold certification while singles "Get Inside" and "Inhale" each received Grammy Award nominations for "Best Metal Performance." "Come What(ever) May" followed in 2006 and proved an even greater accomplishment with a top 5 debut on The Billboard 200 and a #1 entry onto Billboard's "Rock Albums" chart. The acclaimed album spawned still another Grammy-nominated single in "30/30-150" on its own way to RIAA gold certification. STONE SOUR's best selling album to date, "Come What(ever) May" unleashed a series of rock radio classics, including "Sillyworld", "Made of Scars", the #1 hit, "Through Glass", which spent seven weeks atop Billboard's "Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks" while also reaching #2 on Alternative Songs and the Top 40 on the overall Hot 100. The song's companion video was also a favorite, now with over 44 million individual views at YouTube alone. "Come What(ever) May: Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition" track listing:

LP 1

Side A

01. 30/30-15002. Come What(ever) May03. Hell & Consequences04. Sillyworld05. Made Of Scars06. Reborn Side B

01. Your God02. Through Glass03. Socio04. 1st Person05. Cardiff06. Zzyzx Rd. LP 2

Side A

01. Though Glass (Live Acoustic) *02. Wicked Game (Live Acoustic) *03. Wild Horses (Live Acoustic) *04. Cardiff (Acoustic) *05. Zzyxx Rd. (Acoustic) * Side B

01. Suffer02. Fruitcake03. Freeze Dry Seal04. The Day I Let Go05. The Frozen

* Previously Unreleased

STONE SOUR has written and demoed eighteen songs for its sixth studio album, with plans to hit the studio in January for a likely mid-2017 release.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE guitarist Tom Morello paid tribute to Cuba's former communist dictator Fidel Castro on Instagram after Castro died on Friday night (November 25) at the age of 90. Morello wrote: "While I don't agree with all that Fidel Castro did, there is ample reason why he is vilified in the U.S. and yet remains a huge hero throughout the Third World."

He continued: "By defying Yankee imperialism for 50 years, instituting the best health-care, child-immunization and literacy systems in the Western Hemisphere (surpassing the U.S. and Canada), exporting doctors to countries in need all over the globe (the Bush administration turned down his offer to send medical teams to New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina), and being an unrepentant advocate of the poor and exploited, it is no surprise that millions will mourn his passing."

Morello also recalled AUDIOSLAVE's visit to Cuba — the first time an American rock band performed in the Communist country — saying: "That experience will be one I will always treasure, especially the trip we took to a former country club of the wealthy that had been turned into a free college for gifted musicians."

Castro came to power in 1959 after leading a successful attempt to overthrow the corrupt government of Cuban president Fulgencio Batista. But he ruled Cuba for 47 years as a dictator, nationalizing all the country's businesses and banks and making the nation a repressive one-party socialist state.

While he was decorated with various international awards, instituted successful health-care, education and environmental programs, and battled imperialism globally, Castro was also condemned for human rights abuses, having political opponents killed, crushing dissent within his country and bringing Cuba to economic ruin.

Thousands of Cuban Americans in Florida celebrated his death over the weekend, with one woman telling CBS News: "We're celebrating the end of a man who separated so many families throughout the years, a man who killed many, who imprisoned many individuals just for thinking differently and not believing in his revolution, like my father, who was a political prisoner in Cuba."

Castro stepped down from power in 2008, passing the reigns to his brother Raul.

In keeping with its ongoing dedication to preserving and celebrating timeless recordings, The Recording Academy has announced the 25 newest additions to its Grammy Hall Of Fame. This year's collection acknowledges a diverse range of both singles and album recordings at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance. Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. The Hall, now in its 44th year, currently totals 1,038 recordings.

"The Grammy Hall Of Fame represents all genres of music, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which The Academy has become renowned," said Neil Portnow, president/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Memorable and inspiring, these recordings are proudly added to our growing catalog and are an integral part of our musical, social and cultural history."

Representing an array of tracks and albums, the 2017 Grammy Hall Of Fame inductees range from the JACKSON 5's "ABC" to N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton". The list also features DEEP PURPLE's "Smoke On The Water", NIRVANA's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", David Bowie's "Changes", Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock", Billie Holiday's "Lady Sings The Blues", Prince's "Sign 'O' The Times", Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee" and the BEACH BOYS' "I Get Around".

The 59th annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

"Respect Resistance", the new video from WESTFIELD MASSACRE, the Los Angeles-based band featuring former DIVINE HERESY and SNOT singer Tommy Vext, can be seen below. The clip features footage from WESTFIELD MASSACRE's summer 2016 tour with SEVENDUST and TRIVIUM, and sees Vext joined by lead guitarist Ira Black (METAL CHURCH, LIZZY BORDEN), guitarist Stephen Brewer, bassist Erik Tisinger (OTEP) and drummer Dio Britto. This is Black's first video with the band.

"Respect Resistance" is taken from WESTFIELD MASSACRE's self-titled debut album, which was released on April 29 via Urban Yeti Records. The CD was recorded at Echelon Studios with producer Joseph McQueen.

WESTFIELD MASSACRE has started pre-production on its sophomore album, tentatively due in the spring. The band recently finished its contract with Urban Yeti and announced a fan-funded Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to record and produce the record.

Vext said: "In good faith, the success of this campaign will be a further testament to the true power of the artist-fan relationship. In an industry that has been broken through greed and false idols, our community will prove there is still an audience for artists that treat their fans like friends and family rather than just dollar signs."

Regarding WESTFIELD MASSACRE's musical direction, Vext said: "There's definitely a traditional American metal vibe, but we blend power metal, melodic death metal, metalcore all together to get an original flavor to our sound."

Outspoken concervative rocker Ted Nugent has taken to his Facebook page after the death of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro was announced to celebrate the demise of a man he scorned as "a human-rights violating commie stooge."

Castro, who dominated the island nation for decades after seizing power in 1959, died Friday at the age of 90. His brother, Raul Castro, announced his death in a televised statement.

While Castro was credited with bringing health care and education to millions of Cubans, he ruled as a dictator, crushing dissent by imprisoning and executing opponents, seen by many as a ruthless despot who trampled rights and freedoms.

In his Facebook post, Nugent wrote: "Donald Trump must be doing something right.

"The stock market is blazing along over 19,000 for the 1st time ever and one of the world's most evil son of a bitch and hero of Michael Moore is dead: Fidel Castro.

"Castro dying is cause for hyper celebration and that's exactly what many of the Cubans in Miami are doing. The entire world should be celebrating. Massive fireworks should be launched over the United Nations building in celebration of this devilpunk's death.

"Castro was a human-rights-violating commie stooge who lived lavishly while the people of Cuba lived in stifling and abject poverty. Without the financial assistance of the former Soviet Union and Venezuela, Cuba would have long ago swirled down the world's toilet.

"The lesson of Castro is this: tyrants and despots kill and imprison those who disagree with them and the 'economy' quickly lurches toward turd-world status.

"Socialism sucks. Communism is worse. These aren't systems of government. They are systems of repression, tyranny, imprisonment, death and destruction.

"I'm giddy the son of a bitch is dead. It's time to celebrate.

"Eat shit & die, Castro lovers. Evil is as evil does. Hey assholes, is this yours!"

Donald Trump must be doing something right.

The stock market is blazing along over 19,000 for the 1st time ever and one...

Posted by Ted Nugent on Sunday, November 27, 2016

A snippet of a brand new FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH song can be heard in a newly released video containing highlights from the road. Check out the clip below.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH drummer Jeremy Spencer told MikeJamesRockShow.com about the progress of the songwriting and recording sessions for the band's follow-up to last year's "Got Your Six" album: "We've got a few tracks so far that we're really digging on.

"You know, it kind of changes course throughout the whole recording process; it starts one way and it finishes another way."

He continued: "I would prefer if we had more time to be off road and actually record, but we have to kind of fit it in when we can, and it's going well, and we're happy."

According to Jeremy, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will continue working on the new album over the course of the next few months while staying on the road in support of "Got Your Six".

"We'll be back in the studio finishing up [the next] record, but we'll be touring this one up through the end of this year," he said.

"Got Your Six" was officially certified gold on August 8 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

Effective February 1, the RIAA started including on-demand audio and video streams and a track sale equivalent in determining which releases get the coveted album awards, a change that follows a similar tweak in 2013 to include on-demand streams for its digital single award.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recently signed a North American deal with Rise Records. The band's first album with Rise, the BMG-owned rock label, will be released following the completion of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's obligation to its current label, Prospect Park.

We recently spoke to the one and only, very talented Fredrik Åkesson about which bands he'd like to tour with and what songs from each LP would be included on the setlist. You can view the guitarist's answers below.

Opeth has toured with so many amazing bands over the years. Is there anyone you have not yet toured with that you want to?

It’d be awesome to tour with one of the greats like Metallica. We had the opportunity to open up for Iron Maiden once and Black Sabbath once. You can’t really top that for me. It would also be really cool to tour with a band like Rush, but they never have openers.

And is there any band that you already have toured alongside that you’d really like to again?

Yeah, we're friends with the guys in Entombed. We’ve toured with High on Fire. I wouldn’t mind touring again with Mastodon as well.

If you had to pick only one song from each album for a show's setlist, which tracks would they be?

Orchid – “Under the Weeping Moon”
Morningrise – “Black Rose Immortal” because it is the longest Opeth song ever. There’s always one guy in the crowd screaming for that one.
My Arms, Your Hearse – I’d have to pick “Demon of the Fall.” I think it is an Opeth classic and it’s something we usually play live. I have a lot of favorites off that record though like “Karma.”
Still Life – “The Moor.” I love that song. It’s a great track. It is very fun to play live and brings a lot of energy. There are a lot of sections and dynamics that make it difficult to play live though.
Blackwater Park – My favorite is actually the title track. It’s kind of rare for Opeth because it is a 4/4 beat.
Deliverance – I have a lot of favorites there, but I gotta pick the title track again. It’s a very important song for Opeth and we always need to have it in the setlist. It’s a great song to end with too. I think it is one of my favorite albums from the band.
Damnation – We’ve been playing “To Rid the Disease” lately and I think that would be my favorite. The chord progressions are a bit brilliant on that one.
Ghost Reveries – I have a lot of favorites once again, but I’ll go with “Beneath the Mire.” We started playing that during the Ghost Reveries anniversary shows. We hadn’t done it live before, likely because we’d usually do “Ghost of Perdition.”
Watershed – My favorite to play on that one is “Heir Apparent.” It’s one of the most aggressive Opeth tracks I’d say. “Hessian Peel” is also a really good progressive and long track.
Heritage – “The Devil’s Orchard” is one of my favorites, but I’ll pick another one because it’s totally different. “Slither” is a tribute to Ronnie James Dio. We played it on the first leg of that album’s tour.
Pale Communion – “Moon Above, Sun Below”
Sorceress – Maybe the track “Chrysalis.” We’re going to rehearse that one and the title track. We’re also looking at “The Wilde Flowers.”

What are your top three countries to perform for?

I really enjoy playing way up in Norway. It really has a great atmosphere to it. But it’s a tough question because it can vary a lot from show to show. Touring in the states is very convenient and people are nice at the shows. But also, South America has the most enthusiastic crowds especially in Mexico and Chile. So, yeah I guess we would go with Norway, US, and some South American dates. I will also say that we just did a show in Iceland and that was pretty cool too.

METALLICA's latest studio album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart, having shifted 291,000 equivalent album units in the week ending November 24. This marks the sixth time METALLICA has topped The Billboard 200, having previously landed at No. 1 with "Death Magnetic" (2008), "St. Anger" (2003), "Reload" (1997), "Load" (1996) and "Metallica" (1991).

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

In terms of pure album sales, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct" opened with 282,000 copies.

For those interested: 10 tracks sold equal one album sale (since $1.29, the cost for an individual track, multiplied by ten gives you $12.99, a common price for an album, and 1,500 streams is equivalent to one album sale.

"Hardwired... To Self-Destruct" is METALLICA's first studio album since "Death Magnetic", which sold close to a half million copies in just a three-day sales window and topped The Billboard 200 chart back in September 2008.

The band's first studio album since 2003 moved 490,000 copies in its abbreviated frame, scheduled off-cycle on a Friday to accommodate a worldwide release date.

METALLICA's previous CD, "St. Anger", also had an unusual release date after Elektra Records decided to move up its release to Thursday, June 5, 2003 from Tuesday, June 10, 2003 "to ensure that counterfeit copies of the band's first studio album in six years do not proliferate in the marketplace," the label said at the time.

"St. Anger" sold 418,000 copies in its first, shortened week on the streets to land at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart.

METALLICA's "Re-Load" album sold 435,000 units during its first week in 1997, while 1996's "Load" opened at 680,000. 1991's self-titled "black album" debuted with 598,000 and has since gone on to sell more than 16 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" arrived on November 18. It consists of two discs, containing a dozen songs and nearly 80 minutes of music.

METALLICA revealed last weekend that "Hardwired" was No. 1 in 57 countries, with the album going Top 3 in 75 nations and Top 5 in 105 countries.

"Hardwired...To Self-Destruct" track listing:

Deluxe Edition (Digital Download & CD)

Disc One

01. Hardwired02. Atlas, Rise!03. Now That We're Dead04. Moth Into Flame05. Dream No More06. Halo On Fire

Disc Two

01. Confusion02. ManUNkind03. Here Comes Revenge04. Am I Savage? 05. Murder One06. Spit Out the Bone

Disc Three (Bonus)

01. Lords of Summer02. Ronnie Rising Medley03. When a Blind Man Cries04. Remember Tomorrow05. Helpless (Live at Rasputin Music)06. Hit the Lights (Live at Rasputin Music)07. The Four Horsemen (Live at Rasputin Music)08. Ride the Lightning (Live at Rasputin Music)09. Fade to Black (Live at Rasputin Music)10. Jump in the Fire (Live at Rasputin Music)11. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live at Rasputin Music)12. Creeping Death (Live at Rasputin Music)13. Metal Militia (Live at Rasputin Music)14. Hardwired (Live in Minneapolis)

Deluxe Box Set (3LP + 1CD)

Disc One Side A

01. Hardwired02. Atlas, Rise!03. Now That We're Dead

Disc One Side B

01. Moth Into Flame02. Am I Savage?03. Halo On Fire

Disc Two Side C

01. Confusion02. Dream No More03. ManUNkind

Disc Two Side D

01. Here Comes Revenge02. Murder One03. Spit Out the Bone

Disc Three Side E (Bonus)

01. Lords of Summer

Disc Three Side F (Bonus)

01. Hardwired (Live in Minneapolis)

Bonus CD

01. Ronnie Rising Medley02. When a Blind Man Cries03. Remember Tomorrow04. Helpless (Live at Rasputin Music)05. Hit the Lights (Live at Rasputin Music)06. The Four Horsemen (Live at Rasputin Music)07. Ride the Lightning (Live at Rasputin Music)08. Fade to Black (Live at Rasputin Music)09. Jump in the Fire (Live at Rasputin Music)10. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live at Rasputin Music)11. Creeping Death (Live at Rasputin Music)12. Metal Militia (Live at Rasputin Music)

KISS has announced a series of arena shows across Europe in May 2017.

Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer slayed the USA across July, August and September 2016 with a successful arena tour. They heard the calls from their European fans and they return for the first time since 2015's series of festival and arena shows across Europe.

The dates are as follows:

May 01 - Olympiski - Moscow, RussiaMay 04 - Hartwell Arena - Helsinki, FinlandMay 06 - Tele2 Arena - Stockholm, SwedenMay 07 - Spektrum - Oslo, NorwayMay 10 - Scandinavium - Gothenburg, SwedenMay 12 - Westfallenhalle - Dortmund, GermanyMay 13 - Schleyerhalle - Stuttgart, GermanyMay 18 - Olympiahalle - Munich, GermanyMay 21 - Stadthalle - Vienna, AustriaMay 23 - Festhalle - Frankfurt, GermanyMay 24 - Ahoy - Rotterdam, Holland

Stanley told The Morning Call about KISS's setlist for the recent tour: "The cream has always risen to the top, and the people expect certain songs and they'll get those, undoubtedly. And we'll try to mix in some lesser classics. But the idea of playing obscure songs is only appealing to a die-hard fan who knows our albums inside out. To go up on stage and play unknown sons for a handful of people as opposed to playing the songs that everybody wants to hear is really not in our best interests or the audiences."

He continued: "We want to do the best show and we want to blow away people who get to see us once every two years, five years, ten years. Those are the people who we put the show together for. If somebody come night after night or sees ten or fifteen shows on a tour, well, they may be asking why we don't change the show up much. But the fact is we don't change it up that much because once it's great, you don't mess with it. If you mess with it, you're doing it more for yourself than for the audience. We want to do the best show possible."

KISS has earned more gold album record awards than any American band in the history of the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) gold and platinum awards certifications.

In the last 42 years, KISS has earned 30 gold albums (26 KISS albums and 4 solo albums that were all released simultaneously — a feat never before achieved by any band). KISS has 14 platinum albums, with three albums being multi-platinum. KISS remains one of the most influential bands in the history of rock and roll. Decades of record-breaking tours around the globe have included high-profile appearances at Super Bowl XXXIII, the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the Rockin' The Corps concert dedicated to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, special guest appearance on the 2009 "American Idol" finale that boasted 30 million viewers and a 2010 Dr. Pepper Super Bowl commercial and advertising campaign in support of their Hottest Show On Earth tour. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, with longtime members, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, are stronger than ever with a legacy that continues to grow, generation after generation. Their last album, "Monster", proved that they are still at the top of their game with impressive sales and topping the charts worldwide debuting at No. 3 in the U.S. on The Billboard 200 album chart and Top 10 in twenty other countries. The unparalleled devotion and loyalty of the KISS Army to the "Hottest Band in the World" is a striking testament to the band's unbreakable bond with its fans.

"Racing Heart", a brand new song from THE MURDER OF MY SWEET, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's fourth studio album, "Echoes Of The Aftermath", which will be released on January 27, 2017 via Frontiers Music Srl. 2015 saw THE MURDER OF MY SWEET reunite with their original label home, Frontiers, for the release of their concept album "Beth Out of Hell", a magnificent album that was described as "almost Wagnerian in style" (Sonic Cathedral) and favorably compared to such masterpieces as QUEENSRŸCHE's "Operation: Mindcrime" by the U.K.'s Powerplay.

"Echoes Of The Aftermath" musically follows on the heels of the previous record, with a more straight-ahead songwriting approach, but still offering the symphonic and cinematic elements the band is now well-known for. "Echoes Of The Aftermath" showcases a Nordic sound that the members of the band grew up listening to and lyrically takes on issues in tune with our modern day life. Drummer/producer Daniel Flores says: "During the process of writing 'Beth Out Of Hell' with Angelica, I came up with lots of riffs, melodies and music that didn't necessarily fit the concept of the album. The inspiration and creative buzz from those songwriting sessions stayed with us and helped us come up with a new album very quickly. And, of course, the warm reception from fans and media had a helping hand too. I'm personally also really proud of the sonic impact of this record, I've learnt so much during these past years working with Frontiers and I'm so glad I can showcase this in full force on this album. The guys in the band are feeling very creative these days and thanks to the fans we are able to give you our 'Echoes Of The Aftermath'! Singer Angelica Rylin adds: "For me, the writing process for this album became a way to reconnect with my Nordic roots. I've always been a fan of John Bauer (Swedish painter and illustrator) and his portraits of Swedish folklore and fairy tales was a big inspiration for me. And it was a nice break from 'Beth', who had become such a big part of my life for a very long time." "Echoes Of The Aftermath" track listing:

01. Sleeping Giant02. Personal Hell03. Racing Heart04. Cry Wolf05. Echoes Of The Aftermath06. Flatline07. Loud As A Whisper08. Shining After Dark09. Ode To Everyone10. Go On11. In Risk Of Rain12. Inside Outside THE MURDER OF MY SWEET is:

Angelica Rylin - VocalsChristopher Vetter - GuitarPatrik Janson - BassDaniel Flores - Drums, Keyboards

Fan-filmed video footage of ASKING ALEXANDRIA's November 27 perormance at Concrete Street Amphitheater in Corpus Christi, Texas can be seen below.

ASKING ALEXANDRIA drummer James Cassells recently said that the band is planning on entering the studio next year with singer Danny Worsnop to begin work on new material as a follow-up to "The Black" album.

The reunion between Danny and ASKING ALEXANDRIA was confirmed last month following weeks of rumors and speculation regarding the status of Worsnop's replacement, Denis Shaforostov, who joined the band in 2015.

ASKING ALEXANDRIA's October 25 concert in Seattle kicked off the "10 Years In The Black" tour, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the band's label Sumerian Records.

ASKING ALEXANDRIA's set on the current tour does not feature any tunes off the band's sole album with Shaforostov, "The Black", but does reach back into the group's catalog with Worsnop to play songs that had not been performed live in four or five years.

Speaking to Wes Nessman of the KFMX radio station in Lubbock, Texas, Cassells denied that the renewed collaboration between Danny and ASKING ALEXANDRIA puts damper on the band's promotional efforts for "The Black", which has only been out for eight months.

"Don't get me wrong: we all love 'The Black', we had a great time recording it, and we toured it for a year and a half around the world," he explained. "We've had a great time on it, but I think that whole chapter of our lives is now… It's time to go to the next step. 'The Black' was the album we needed to release at the time, but now I feel like we're gonna go back to doing what we were doing with Danny, and we're gonna be moving forward with new music."

He continued: "We toured literally the globe on that album — everywhere from Australia to South America to Europe and North America… everywhere, man — we did some extensive touring on this, so I think a lot of fans that do like it got to see it, and it's cool, but now it's time to look for the next chapter, the next step."

According to Cassells, that "next step" means returning to the studio to work on a new album, the band's first to feature Danny since 2013's "From Death To Destiny".

"Before this tour, I'd only spoken to Danny once very briefly, [and] some of the [other] guys [in the band] hadn't spoken to him at all," the drummer admitted. "We needed to make sure that we would still enjoy touring together. That was a question that we were all asking ourselves, and it's not like we don't know if we can fucking handle it, but when you've been away from playing music on stage with someone for so long, that question does arise. But we've just hit the halfway mark on the tour, and it's been amazing — it's probably been one of my favorite tours, I think, I've ever [done] in my career, and we're having a great time. So now [that we know] we can obviously perform together better than ever, the shows are doing great, now it's, like, 'Let's get some music written.'"

He continued: "I think in the coming year, we're really gonna get ourselves in the studio and start working on new material. We already have — Ben [Bruce, guitar] and me and the guys, we are constantly writing music; that's a constant thing — but we are actually gonna go get in the studio with Danny, go lock ourselves away for a bit and really work on some great new material for people… We are gonna lock ourselves away. It might take a minute, which I think that's good. Danny's a busy guy — he's got a lot of projects on at the moment. We've been touring pretty much constantly for a while now. Having a little bit of time to lock ourselves away, get creative, get back in that flow. So, yeah, the next year, though, is gonna be a busy year for us — not so much in the forefront, like playing shows etc., but for us as musicians, we're gonna be in the studio, we're gonna be in the practice space, we're gonna working. There's gonna be a lot of work going on, man."

Bruce said in a video message last month that Shaforostov had "just stopped talking to us." But the singer later tweeted, "I left AA because I can't be in a touring band at this point in my life. There's no drama and I don't want to be a part of it."

For his part, Worsnop said about the reunion, "I'm now in a place mentally where this is something I can embrace again, with the men I started this crazy journey with."

Worsnop's debut solo album, "The Long Road Home", will be released in February. The effort sees a slight musical departure from Danny's previous work with ASKING ALEXANDRIA, with the singer saying about the disc's direction: "I'm still, for the most part, singing the blues. But I went into it with country in mind."