My Kingdom Music will release Welcome The Dead, the seventh full-length album from Norwegian black metallers Crest Of Darkness, on November 25th. The band has released a video for the title track. Directed by Anders Børresen for MONITORmeda, the video for "Welcome The Dead" can be seen below.

Commenting on the video, founder and frontman Ingar Amlien had this to say: "We wanted to make a video that offers a glimpse into the dark world of Crest Of Darkness. Perhaps we are just story tellers recounting a fairytale,  and the video can certainly be viewed and enjoyed at that level, but we are also  touching on aspects of life itself and those eternal questions that people ask themselves about life and death and the meaning of it all.

"We might not have all the answers, and in all honesty we don't even want to pretend that we do, but what we do want is to make people think for themselves, and find their own answers. Let's face it, we are all Gods. Each of us builds their own universe, and it just happens that the world of Crest Of Darkness is my universe.”

The new album will be available in both CD and digital formats, as well as a double LP format which will feature a special bonus track.

Recorded at the at MLP Studio by Nils H. Mæhlum, and mastered at the Kvålsonic Lab by Tom Kvålsvoll, the nine-track album promises to be the heaviest, darkest and most introspective album in the band's 20+ year history.

The artwork for Welcome The Dead features the extraordinary Zombie Foetus sculptures created by the Italian artist Andrea Falaschi.

Tracklisting:

“Welcome The Dead”
“Chosen By The Devil”
“Scourged And Crucified”
“My Black Bride”
“Borrowed Life”
“The Almighty”
“Memento Mori”
“The Noble Art”
“Katharsis”

Welcome The Dead includes a guest appearance by Norwegian actor Espen Reboli Bjerke, well known for his extensive work in films, theatre, radio and Television. Bjerke, who also won a Spelleman Award, the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammies, performs the spoken part on "Katharsis", the closing track on the album.

Amlien, whose illustrious musical history started with the legendary Concption, and includes Roquefire and Amlien's Inferno, confirms that Welcome The Dead has a particular significance for him: "I've put a hell of a lot of myself and my emotions into this album, even more so than usual. I've always felt that when we are on stage, we create a sort of magic, and this time we have been able to transfer that magic to the recordings. You could say this is my personal Black Mass".

Crest Of Darkness’ lineup of Amlien on bass and vocals, Rebo on guitars, Bernhard (ex-Pale Forest) on drums, and Kristian Wentzel on keyboards, will celebrate the release of Welcome The Dead with a show special Friday the 13th show at Retro in Raufoss, Norway, in January.

Bay Area rock outfit, Black Map, are streaming the new song, “Run Rabbit Run”, from their new album, coming out next year.

“The song is one of my favorites on the record and definitely one of the most intense,” says frontman and bass player Ben Flannagan. “It also really encompasses a lot of what the whole album is about: the damage that’s caused by just blindly following and veering from our individuality; from the elements that make each of us unique.”

The new track is available on all major streaming services and will be offered as an iTunes instant gratification track. Fans who pre-order the album today will get "Run Rabbit Run" immediately as a download.

Black Map will release In Droves on March 10th via Entertainment One (eOne) in North America and SPV overseas. The band only wrapped up production on the effort last month with Aaron Hellam at Oakland’s Hellam Sound (The Trophy Fire) and created an ambitious but no less intense sophomore set, a boundary smashing, down-tuned heavy rock slab.

Tracklisting:

“Transit I”
“Run Rabbit Run”
“Foxglove”
“Ruin”
“Heavy Waves”
“Dead Ringer”
“Octavia”
“Transit II”
“No Color”
“Indoor Kid”
“White Fence”
“Just My Luck”
“Cash For The Fears”
“Transit III”
“Coma Phase”

“Run Rabbit Run”:

After a successful run with Chevelle this year, the band will be heading back out on the road at the top of 2017 for another round. A full list of dates hitting much of the western half of the US can be seen here.

Black Map creates music driven by the pulse of their early genesis as a trio who packed itself into a rehearsal room with pure intentions, a 12-pack and a boundary-smashing lack of prohibitions or rules. Their commitment is to each other, to what feels right; to meditation on big riffs that lurch and churn, dripping with atmosphere, powering bold and evocative statements.

The band is the union of three established Northern California rock musicians, driven by a shared dedication to big riffs, big drums and powerful, straight-ahead, all enveloping rock n’ roll. Black Map consists of the versatile voice and walloping bass groove of Ben Flanagan (Trophy Fire), the wall-of-sound big riff histrionics of guitarist Mark Engles (dredg) and the unstoppable driving force and tasteful skill of drummer Chris Robyn (Far).

A few songs became a few shows and an EP which begat a debut album, …And We Explode (2014), which featured the buzzy single, “I’m Just The Driver”. The metaphorical “black map” of the band’s steadily building catalog and dedicated following led them to secure live performance spots alongside the mighty Chevelle, multi platinum rockers Bush, Circa Survive, and Highly Suspect in addition to multiple club shows as a headlining act.

Songs like “Run Rabbit Run”, “Foxglove”, “No Color” and “White Fence” are united in a lyrical exhortation toward staunch individuality in the face of soul-crushing conformity. These are songs that challenge listeners to focus on what makes them unique as people, to shake off the gloomy dystopian results of mass groupthink, to actualize and harness one’s own humanity.

As they continue forward, ever united in that original pureness of intentionality, Black Map covers bigger ground. Bursts of ambience and mellow contemplation compliment the broadly shaped melodic noise. Unafraid experimentation gives way to a strong dichotomy, to new elements, all within that original structure of Black Map’s monster riffing.

Sonic treasure hunters who study Black Map will find themselves transported to the spirit of the early 90s rock resurgence, when bands jettisoned the superficial fluff of the previous decade without wandering too far into dense pretension and delivered authentic and heavy music. Black Map combine flourishes of beauty alongside the bombast and a modern sensibility that nevertheless will not sacrifice its raw realness.

(Photo - Jen Cash/Calibree Photography)

Hevidence will release their debut album, Nobody’s Fault, on December 2nd. A video for the album track “Overdrive” can be found below.

Hevidence is the brainchild of Italian guitar player Diego Reali, founding member of prog metal masters DGM. After he left the band in 2006, he started dabbling in some different musical styles, but his heart called for him to get back to metal. Thus Hevidence were born and Diego joined up with DGM bass player Andrea Arcangeli, singer Corrado Quoiani and drummer Emiliano Bonini.

"This band is highly inspired by the classic hard and heavy sounds from the '70s and '80s, that's why we worked hard to make this album sound the most vintage that was possible,” says Diego. “We are convinced that a huge dose of improvisation during the recording sessions is needed for the success of an original product. Everyone of us has many different musical influences and they came out in a very spontaneous way within the song writing process, we just believe in the word "ROCK"!”

Hevidence offer a mature and personal vision of hard rock and metal with a style reminiscent of the classic Official Yngwie Malmsteen albums mixed with power metal and melodic hard rock influences (think early Europe). An EPK where you can learn more about the band and hear song samples is streaming below.

The band will be launching the album with a special Release Party show in Roma at the Jailbreak LiveClub on December 1st. More info here.

Nobody’s Fault tracklisting:

“Dig In The Night”
“Nobody' Fault”
“Miracle”
“So Unkind”
“Ave Maria”
“Overdrive”
“I Want More”
“Out Of This Time”
“Pack Your Bags”
“All I Ever Needed”
“Note”

“Overdrive” video:

“I Want More”:

“Miracle”:

“Dig In The Night” video:

EPK:

Hevidence is:

Corrado Quoiani - Vocals
Diego Reali - Guitars
Andrea Arcangeli - Bass
Emiliano Bonini - Drums

Fan-filmed video footage of SKID ROW's performance aboard The KISS Kruise VI, which took place earlier in the month, can be seen below.

Even though SKID ROW has been playing shows with the South African-born, British-based singer ZP Theart (DRAGONFORCE, TANK, I AM I) since the beginning of this year, guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo has stopped short of calling him the band's official new frontman.

"We haven't even discussed it yet," Sabo told News-Press.com. "We just said, 'This feels really good and let's just do it.' It's who we are right now."

Theart's involvement with SKID ROW was exclusively reported by BLABBERMOUTH.NET on December 31, 2015. He stepped into the group following the departure of Tony Harnell, the TNT frontman who joined SKID ROW in April 2015 as the replacement for Johnny Solinger, the band's singer for fifteen years.

Sabo told News-Press.com that, Theart has been doing a great job on the road.

"He's come in," the guitarist said, "and he's a really great source of positive energy. He knew all of our songs coming in, and he knew them well. He started singing the crap out of all of them, and we were all very impressed."

Despite the fact that fans have been clamoring for a reunion of SKID ROW's most popular lineup for nearly twenty years, Sabo told The Aquarian Weekly a few months ago that SKID ROW had no intention of reconnecting with vocalist Sebastian Bach. "Happiness, to me, is my spirit and my soul is more important to me than having dollars in my wallet," he explained. "People may [not] believe that and that's okay. Anybody who knows me knows that to be true. I don't think you can place a price on happiness. We've been hit repeatedly over the years with, 'Why don't you do a reunion tour?' And you know what? I understand the question and I get it. I really do, and if I were on the outside, I'd be asking the same question, but no one feels comfortable with that idea."

Bach has publicly expressed his desire to reunite with his former bandmates, telling Loudwire earlier in the year: "I don't have any reason why not to do that. I have no animosity towards anybody in SKID ROW, and the fact that we're all, five of us, still alive in this world is a pretty amazing feat. So I would someday definitely like to hear the five guys who made those records play live together again. Yes, I would. 'Cause I'm a fan too." He added: "I'm up for it, if they are."

Southern rock legends, The Outlaws, have released a lyric video for the song "It's About Pride", taken from the new double live album, Legacy Live. You can find the video below.

The Outlaws is a band of brothers bound together by history, harmony and the road. It’s about a group that respects its own legacy while refusing to be defined by its past. But most of all, it’s about playing live, playing for their audience.

The sextet proves just how well this combination works with Legacy Live, out now via Steamhammer/SPV. Order the album at this location.

“I want people to hear this album and see our show and realize that The Outlaws are still there,” says founding member and front man Henry Paul. “Our goal is to unite the fans and bring the group back into the limelight.”

Legacy Live consists of two CDs, full to the brim with classics such a “There Goes Another Love Song”, “(Ghost) Riders In The Sky”, “Green Grass & High Tides Forever” and “Freeborn Man” as well as more recent material like “It's About Pride”, “Hidin` Out In Tennessee” and “So Long”. A total of 20 songs, every one of which proves: the gritty southern rock by The Outlaws mark 2016 is as intense and passionate as it’s always been.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
“Intro
“There Goes Another Love Song”
“Hurry Sundown”
“Hidin' Out In Tennessee”
“Freeborn Ma”
“Born To Be Bad”
“Song In The Breeze”
“Girl From Ohio”
“Holiday”
“Gunsmoke”
“Grey Ghost”

CD 2
“South Carolina”
“So Long”
“Prisoner”
“Cold Harbor”
“Trail Of Tears”
“It's About Pride”
“Waterhole”
“Knoxville Girl”
“Green Grass & High Tides Forever”
“(Ghost) Riders In The Sky”

“It’s About Pride” lyric video:

Lineup:

Henry Paul - guitars, vocals
Monte Yoho - drums
Chris Anderson - lead guitar, vocals
Randy Threet - bass, vocals
Dave Robbins - keyboards, vocals
Steve Grisham - lead guitar, vocals

Tour dates:

December
16 - Clearwater, FL - Capitol Theatre
17 - Orlando, FL - The Plaza LIVE Orlando

Dani Filth (Cradle Of Filth, Devilment) recently spoke with HMV.com and revealed some of his favourite albums as part of the ongoing My Record Collection feature. An excerpt from the rundown is available below.

The first record I ever bought with my own money was…

Dani: "It was Ultravox's The Collection, which I’ve actually re-bought since I bought it the first time as there was a different track listing in Germany. Even though I was into pop I did have an affinity for the dark side of pop. I was about 12 years old and I got my hands on a vinyl copy. They were poppy, and quite dark and deep, quite meaningful lyrics. You know when you put your iPod on and hit shuffle, well I’ll be washing the car or something and one of these tracks will come on, and I’ll just go – WOW! God this is great! It’s one of those albums that I grew up with, and when you hear it out the blue you just get a wave of reminiscing about those times."

The record I think is the most underrated of all time is…

Dani: "Don't Break the Oath by Mercyful Fate. It’s amazing but every time you see a compilation of Mercyful Fate stuff or when anyone talks about it, it’s always Melissa they talk about – and even Metallica did a medley on Garage Days Revisited and it was all just tracks from Melissa, nothing from Don't Break the Oath. When I was young I actually thought that Mercyful Fate record was made by ghosts, it was that creepy. It’s just such a good record."

The record I can't understand why everybody loves is…

Dani: "The Dark Side Of The Moon, I hate Pink Floyd. I really hate them. I just hate them – that’s the reason and its reason enough. I just find the record really pompous and you know when everybody just bangs on and on about something… like Game Of Thrones – oh Game Of Thrones this, Game Of Thrones that - it turns you off from ever watching it. Well that’s a bit like Dark Side Of The Moon for me, you hear people just wallowing in their love of it, wearing t-shirts and discussing it – and for that reason alone I can’t stand it."

Go to this location for more.

Witch County nefarious frights Devilment – led by vehement frontman Dani Filth, will released their new album, Devilment II: The Mephisto Waltzes on November 18th via  Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Dani Filth had this to say on the subject of the new record:

“Everybody in Devilment is very excited about the prospect of releasing our latest album, II - The Mephisto Waltzes, which we have worked extremely hard on. The album is definitely a step-up from our debut, featuring a more mature, dissonant presence coupled with a darker edge, yet at the same time utilizing our better musical assets to deliver a unique metal hybrid. I don't even know what to classify it!”

Dani’s crew have meticulously pieced together a second blood-spattered batch of deranged anthems that brings vastly more color, intensity and lyrical versatility to this band’s spectral palate. The second Devilmenet record makes no splintered bones about its nefarious intent, offering a bewildering torrent of disparate and demented ideas and delivering them with refined, ultra-gothic panache and several jolting doses of Dani’s trademark verbal subterfuge. Assisted by long-time collaborators Lauren Francis (keys and vocals), Colin Parks (guitar), Nick Johnson (bass) and new drummer Matt Alston, Dani has arrived at the telling moment where Devilment become a genuine force to be reckoned with.

Regarding the album’s artwork, Dani revealed: “Winner of many international awards, the artist for the new Devilment album is Elena Vizerskayaaka Kassandra, whose photography and photo-manipulation perfectly complements the mysterious and magical world of Devilment. Elena's work is sometimes compared to Dali and Magritte due to the complexity of artistic figures and the perceptible amount of layers, something to be felt and not necessarily understood, exotic dreams filled with reflections and allusion. I have been a fan of Elena's work for a long while now and had originally wanted to utilize it for the Cradle Of Filth album, The Manticore And Other Horrors as far back as 2011, which only fell through when band politics intervened and an in-house label artist was used instead.”

“In conjunction with Elena, the booklet was compiled and further augmented with illustration by Dan Goldsworthy, who has also undertaken album artwork for the likes of Accept, Hell, and Sylosis, amongst others. His contribution to the album has provided it with a minimalist dark uniformity, punctuated by slick and classically macabre imagery, the perfect balance to Elena's gorgeously vibrant photography.”

The album was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered at Grindstone Studios by close friend and long term collaborator Scott Atkins (Cradle Of Filth, Behemoth, Savage Messiah), between March and July of this year.

Dani added: “Scott has worked very closely with the band to share our vision and we are very proud of the finished result, especially the megalithic production values and the hammered-home emphasis on song writing.”

Tracklisting:

“JudasStein”
“Hitchcock Blonde”
“Under The Thunder”
“Full Dark, No Stars”
“Shine On Sophie Moone”
“Life Is What You Keep From The Reaper”
“Dea Della Morte”
“Entangled In Our Pride”
“Hell At My Back”
“The Seductive Poison” (bonus track)
“Father Dali” (bonus track)

“Full Dark, No Stars” lyric video:

"Hitchcock Blonde" video:

“Under The Thunder” lyric video:

Track-by-track videos:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Devilment recently announced an extensive UK tour which will commence this December. The run will kick off on December 6th in Colchester, taking the band through 11 UK cities - before wrapping up at eminent Southampton venue, the Engine Rooms on December 19th.

Waldemar Sorychta — former GRIP INC. guitarist who has produced a number of acclaimed albums from SODOM, MOONSPELL and TIAMAT, among others — played guitar for New Jersey thrashers OVERKILL for three shows on the latter band's current European headlining tour after regular OVERKILL guitarist Dave Linsk was unable to make the dates.

Sorychta, who made his live debut with OVERKILL on November 8 at Batschkapp in Frankfurt, Germany, told BLABBERMOUTH.NET about the experience: "Somehow they called me… well, [they contacted me] through KREATOR.... I listened to some songs and said yes, I can do it. [I had to learn] 15 songs.

"[I] got a call [on a] Friday night... [That] Saturday [I had] to search for all the songs on YouTube.... and make clear which tuning [the songs are played in] etc. and at night started to practice, but I did it.... It's what counts.

"[I] got bloody fingers... It's not only to learn [the songs]. I can do it quick, but to have them for any situation, by heart, memorized without [making a] mistake live with a band you don't even know the songs [of].... Sorry to say. I said to them too; 'That's nothing without respect, [but I] just I didnt know your songs three days ago.'

"[It's a] funny crazy story, but i did it. The first day, of course, I had to watch [my hand] many times, but [by] the last [show], I felt almost like home and then [I had] to leave.... Hahaha… But it was an] amazing, great and funny time. [I] made new friends."

OVERKILL is also once again utilizing a stand-in drummer — their soundman Eddy Garcia, who is also a member of the El Paso, Texas band PISSING RAZORS — for the tour because the band's regular drummer, Ron Lipnicki, is forced to stay home due to undisclosed family issues.

OVERKILL will release its new album, "Grinding Wheel", in February via Nuclear Blast. Singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth told Patch.com about the title: "When we were looking for a title, when you think in terms of the word 'grind,' you think of something that is relentless and doesn't wear down, whether it be an old stone mill or something metallic where sparks are flying through it. It's about an all-purpose tool through all time. It's a good, quality OVERKILL record."

Regarding the musical direction of the follow-up to 2014's "White Devil Armory", Ellsworth told Alternative Nation: "At the end of the day, OVERKILL is OVERKILL. Our trademark is that we are always recognizable on every release. For the three decades we have been around, we were always OVERKILL. So, sure, it is a metal record, and like always, it will have sort of a thrash vibe to it with some melody in it."

As previously reported, OVERKILL and NILE will join forces for a U.S. tour in February/March 2017.

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor says that he wants to make amends with Grammy-winning producer Rick Rubin after bashing him as "overrated" and "overpaid,' and saying he would never work with Rubin again "as long as I fucking live."

During the question-and-answer portion of his 2011 solo show, "An Evening With Corey Taylor", which featured both musical and spoken-word performances, Taylor was asked about working with Rubin on SLIPKNOT's 2004 album, "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". He replied in part: "Rick Rubin showed up for 45 minutes a week. Yeah. Rick Rubin would then, during that 45 minutes, lay on a couch, have a mic brought in next to his face so he wouldn't have to fucking move. I swear to God. And then he would be, like, 'Play it for me.' The engineer would play it. And he had shades on the whole time. Never mind the fact that there is no sun in the room — it's all dark… I will say this: I respect what Rick Rubin has done, I respect the work that he has done in the past to get to where he is now. But… the Rick Rubin of today is a thin, thin, thin shadow of the Rick Rubin that he was. He is overrated, he is overpaid, and I will never work with him again as long as I fucking live."

A few weeks later, Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio that he didn't regret what he said about Rubin at all. "It's an honest answer to a perfectly reasonable question," he explained. "That was my take on it. Now if you asked somebody like Clown [Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, SLIPKNOT percussionist] about the Rick Rubin experience, you'd get a totally different answer. But it is what it is. It's my opinion. At the end of the day it's not scripture. I'm gonna say what I'm gonna say — I don't think enough people do. And if it gets me in trouble, it gets me in trouble. If it doesn't, it doesn't. But I'm just gonna keep walking it."

But earlier today, during an interview with Apple Music's Beats 1 radio DJ Zane Lowe, Taylor walked back his comments about Rubin, saying (hear audio below): "I'm gonna be honest: I think it was more on my end than it was on him. Because he works his way, and he always has. I was not used to working that way. You know, I was a young guy, I was also freshly sober, and being a singer and being sober, 'I need your attention, Rick! I need it!' You know? So that was me just being young, unsure of myself, needing the guidance… which i got from [engineer] Greg Fidelman. All of Rick's engineers are essentially his surrogates, so you know that when you're working with him, you should feel like you're working with Rick, because he's got so many different things going on. For me though, being selfish, being a singer... Like I said, I was unsure. I was, basically, an open wound at that point that just needed to heal and I didn't have anybody there to kind of help me. So I blamed him a lot — in retrospect, probably more than I really should have. And, you know, I feel bad about it, and hopefully someday I'll be able to make some amends with him."

Rubin has worked with numerous artists over the years, including AC/DC, the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Johnny Cash, SLAYER, METALLICA and many more.

Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio at the time that "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)" was released that working with Rubin took some getting used to. "It was definitely frustrating at first, because Rick is kind of renowned for taking his time and, you know, we definitely took our time on this one, with six and a half months," he said. He sat us down, he's like, 'Do you realize that you can be just as extreme with a whisper as you can with a scream? The heavy stuff, you're obviously very good at, but at the same time, we're gonna break outside of this box.'"

SLIPKNOT percussionist Jim Root told Revolver magazine in 2008: "Rick was really attentive to what we needed as a band.... A lot of the guys in the band say Rick was unavailable. And yeah, he takes on a lot of projects at one time, but he also does things that are beneficial. He would listen to what we'd done, then have us retrack things that needed work. He's kind of like Big Brother up on the hill. Even though he wasn't there physically every day, he was."

In that same interview, Taylor said: "I wouldn't know what it's like to work with Rick Rubin. I only saw him about four times. Rick Rubin is a nice man. He's done a lot of good for a lot of people. He didn't do anything for me . . . if you're going to produce something, you're fucking there. I don't care who you are."

In a 2015 interview with Noisey, Taylor described "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)" as his "second least favorite" SLIPKNOT album, and recalled how "Rubin famously told me I needed to change the chorus to [the song] 'Before I Forget', because he said it wasn't a strong chorus, and I told him that's just not going to happen. I agreed with him on a couple of occasions, but when it came to that song, I knew it was powerful enough that the chorus would carry it. And then we won a Grammy for it, so y'know. It was very strange, it was a very strange thing. Plus, a lot of things going on behind the scenes with us as far as management went that people don't even know. We were in such disarray, it's amazing it came out in seven months."

Mayhem guitarist Morten Bergeton Iversen says his life “got weird” this week when he saw the video for Metallica track “ManUNkind”.

In a post on his Facebook page, Iversen writes, “My life just got weird, Metallica copying, not only the Mayhem logo and the old Mayhem characters in their latest video, but they copied an old gig as well.”

BraveWords premiered the video for “ManUNkind” this past Wednesday as Metallica released a video for every song off their new album Hardwired…To Self-Destruct.


Metallica are giving fans a chance to generate their own personalized logo. Simply head to this location, enter your name, and you’re all set!

Out today, November 18th, Metallica's tenth studio album, Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, can be streamed in its entirety via the videos below.

Hardwired...To Self-Destruct is Metallica’s first studio album since 2008's multi-platinum Death Magnetic. The album was produced by Greg Fidelman, who engineered and mixed Death Magnetic, and is available for order at Metallica.com in various configurations including: CD, Vinyl, Digital, Deluxe, and Deluxe Deluxe Versions.

Check out BraveWords’ overview of the album here.

Deluxe Edition (Digital Download and CD)

Disc One
“Hardwired”
“Atlas, Rise!”
“Now That We’re Dead”
“Moth Into Flame”
“Am I Savage?”
“Halo On Fire”

Disc Two
“Confusion”
“Dream No More”
“ManUNkind”
“Here Comes Revenge”
“Murder One”
“Spit Out The Bone”

Disc Three (Bonus)
“Lords of Summer” (2016)
“Ronnie Rising Medley”
“When a Blind Man Cries”
“Remember Tomorrow”
“Helpless’ (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Hit the Lights” (Live at Rasputin Music)
“The Four Horsemen’ (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Ride the Lightning’ (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Fade to Black” (Live at Rasputin Music)
‘Jump in the Fire” (Live at Rasputin Music)
‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Creeping Death” (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Metal Militia” (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Hardwired” (Live in Minneapolis)

"Lords of Summer" video:

"Spit Out The Bone" video:

"Murder One" video:

"Halo On Fire" video:

"Am I Savage" video:

“Here Comes Revenge” video:

“Now That We’re Dead” video:

“ManUNkind” video:

“Confusion” video:

“Dream No More” video:

“Hardwired” video:

“Moth Into Flame” video:

“Atlas, Rise!”:

Florida death metal veterans DEICIDE have parted ways with longtime guitarist Jack Owen and have replaced him with Mark English (MONSTROSITY).

One of the founding members of CANNIBAL CORPSE, Owen joined DEICIDE in 2004 and played on the latter band's last four studio albums: "The Stench Of Redemption" (2006), "Till Death Do Us Part" (2008), "To Hell With God" (2011) and "In The Minds Of Evil" (2013).

Owen most recently played guitar for Dutch symphonic black metallers CARACH ANGREN on their summer 2016 North American tour.

DEICIDE is currently recording its next studio album, tentatively due early next year via Century Media.

DEICIDE drummer Steve Asheim told Metal Wani back in May about the musical direction of the band's new material: "It seems like we're gonna be taking the same approach. I mean, we're not gonna fix what isn't broken, as far as what we do. You know, we've been writing heavy riffs. We're just gonna make 'em heavier as work [on] them together."

He continued: "It was weird. When we did the last record, I was, like, 'Eh, I'm really not that psyched about these songs,' and the album turned out being great. And the way the new material is, it's funny, I'm kind of, like, 'Eh, it could be better.' So we're just gonna be hashing some more stuff out and really make it intense, because we know we did a pretty good one and we're gonna have to beat it. But we're gonna work on it hard, make sure it's good."

Asked what inspires DEICIDE to keep making new music, Steve said: "Well, you know, just wanting to be heavy. We have a nice, steady band lineup that is focused, and we feel that we can really do some good work now that everyone's kind of on the same page. So as long as we focus our riffs and focus our energies on making the songs good and doing good tours, it's gonna give us another few years, another few records, and a good number of years left ahead of us to keep doing this. It still feels good, it's fun, and we'll keep at it as long as we can keep going."

"In The Minds Of Evil" sold 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

The last concert of EVANESCENCE's current U.S. tour, which is scheduled to take place this coming Wednesday, November 23 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York, will be streamed live on Facebook at Live Nation TV, Live Nation's YouTube page and on LiveNation.com.

EVANESCENCE recently debuted a previously unheard song called "Take Cover" during its North American tour. Singer Amy Lee told TeamRock about the electronic-tinged track: "We had a song in the bank and we were, like, 'You know what the fans would really love is a new song. That's all they ever ask for.' So we knocked the dust off an old song called 'Take Cover' that we had in the bank for a while and we loved it. It's one of our favorite moments every night on the tour. I think they like it a lot."

Lee has not said for sure if and when EVANESCENCE will record a new album, which would be its first since 2011.

She has hinted in recent interviews at some sort of non-traditional release, saying: "There is some new EVANESCENCE stuff that we're starting at, but it's not exactly the most traditional thing. It's not just, 'Okay, we're gonna make a new album right now'… First there's something else that's a little bit special and different and [that is] gonna take you down a different path that we wanna try."

EVANESCENCE is releasing a career-spanning vinyl box set this fall containing all three official studio albums along with the rare, early demo album "Origin". Also included in the six-LP set is a disc collecting the band's legendary bonus tracks along with the first new EVANESCENCE studio recording in years, "Even In Death (2016)", a song that originally appeared on "Origin".

Lee also recently unveiled a solo album of children's music called "Dream Too Much".

IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris spoke to Kerrang! magazine about his plan to release the second studio album from his BRITISH LION side project. Asked if BRITISH LION has been road-testing a couple of new songs on its recent tours for the upcoming disc, Harris said: "To be honest with you, we just didn't have enough material [on 2012's self-titled debut to fill a headlining set]. We had to do that stuff. In an ideal world, we probably wouldn't have done. It's weird, though, really, because years ago I had an idea that you couldn't really do now because of the Internet and that. Back in the day, I thought maybe you could have released a MAIDEN album with all-new live material. That would have been possible, maybe. But now you couldn't because obviously no matter where you go in a band, you can't get away with anything, because people film it on their cameras on their phones. It is what it is; it's a different thing now.

"I know some people have probably checked out YouTube footage of the new songs. I still don't think it's going to be as good a version as what we put on the proper album. Hopefully people will still want it. Of course, there'll be other songs as well. It's nice, like you said, road-testing them — I think it makes them better. The way we're playing the songs now is a lot better than the first album was."

Harris also talked about the evolution of the BRITISH LION sound. He said: "The band's been evolving anyway and the songs have been evolving with it, or vice versa. We're finding our feet as a band, finding more of a sense of what we are. Without analyzing it too much, I think the [new] songs are really probably going, if anything, maybe in a heavier direction perhaps. I mean, 'Spitfire', to me, sounds like really heavy THIN LIZZY. But others might think something different about it. But they're really good songs, really powerful songs, and they certainly stand up against any of the other songs, really. And some of the ones we have got up our sleeves are just as good."

BRITISH LION is recording shows on its current European tour for an upcoming live album, tentatively due next year. "We've been talking about a live album for a while," Harris told Kerrang! "We recorded the last couple of tours, and obviously we'll record stuff from this tour and get as much stuff as we can to get a good cross-section of stuff and then we'll definitely put a live album out, because I think it's important."

The band previously debuted two new songs, "Spitfire" and "Bible Black", during its summer 2015 tour.

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

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

Former SCORPIONS drummer James Kottak has thanked fans for their support after he was dismissed from the band during his well-publicized his battle with alcoholism.

Back in September, SCORPIONS announced the addition of former MOTÖRHEAD member Mikkey Dee as a permanent replacement for Kottak, who was previously said to be on break while he sought "medical attention."

Kottak, who had not commented on his SCORPIONS exit until now, has taken to his official web site to offer his gratitude to fans for their words of encouragement while he stepped away from the band to focus on his health.

The drummer wrote: "Hello to all my family, friends, and freaks. I want to send a HUGE thank you from the bottom of my heart for the thousands of messages of hope and positivity during my time of healing! I am humbled and honored by your love and gracious offerings.

"I am healthy and happy living in the now… grateful for yesterday, excited for the future.

"As one chapter of my life closes… a thousand new doors of adventure have opened.

"I have been given the ultimate gift of life with my personal REboot.

"To quote one of my fave songs, 'Tomorrow Is A Brand New Day'.

"With the support of Athena [Kottak's wife and sister of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee] and my three wonderful kids, today IS the first day of the rest of my life!

"I look forward to reconnecting and seeing you all SOON!

"Rock & Roll Forever!"

Kottak rejoined the SCORPIONS on the road in November 2014, eight months after he spent a month in a Dubai, United Arab Emirates jail in April for insulting Islam.

Kottak, who had been receiving treatment for alcohol abuse, released a statement in June 2014 in which he said "this entire incident caused me to realize that it is time to stop drinking once and for all so that I can become the father, musician, and friend that I know I can be."

For some of SCORPIONS' 2014 concerts, Swedish drummer Johan Franzon filled in for Kottak.

Dee was originally scheduled to play drums for THIN LIZZY on the latter band's anniversary shows planned for 2016 and 2017 but was forced to bow out of the dates after he was offered the SCORPIONS gig. He has since been replaced in that group's touring lineup by JUDAS PRIEST's Scott Travis.

According to METALLICA's official web site, the band's new album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", is currently No. 1 in a staggering 57 countries, Top 3 in 75 countries and Top 5 in 105 countries.

METALLICA says: "Wow… what an insane awesome ride it's been. We are stunned, beyond grateful and truly appreciative that not only have METALLICA fans embraced 'Hardwired… To Self-Destruct' beyond our wildest expectations, but more importantly, we're proud to see that hard rock and metal is still viable and matters in 2016… TO SO MANY PEOPLE! The support, excitement, and love from all corners of the planet means so much to us and we are sincerely blown away by the response.

"The story has just begun and there is so much more to come, but we want to thank you for making this such a special time in METALLICA history. We look forward to seeing you out on the road as we're just getting started here."

According to music industry web site Hits Daily Double, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct" is likely to sell between 250,000 and 270,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The SPS figure is expected to be between 260,000 and 280,000.

SPS, a practice used by Billboard magazine, stands for "sales plus streaming," which includes album sales and converted track sales plus converted streaming data.

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.

METALLICA's "Death Magnetic" album 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. 2 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.

"Dog On A Bone", the new video from ENUFF Z'NUFF, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Clowns Lounge", which will be released on December 2 via Frontiers Music Srl.

"Clowns Lounge" is a collection of rarities and early demos that have been reworked and re-recorded by the band. This exceptional collection also features a guest appearance from the late Jani Lane (WARRANT) as well as an appearance from James Young of STYX. As people have been clamoring for a new release from ENUFF Z'NUFF, the band just happened to receive a call from Derek Shulman, and the rest was history: "We had unfinished, unreleased material in the vault, and I went back into the studio in Chicago and started working on all the songs," said Chip Z'nuff. "Guitars, bass, vocals, it all needed to be tweaked, and with help from Chicago Recording Company and Chris Steinmetz of Stonecutter recording studios, we were able to create another rock-solid record. It is basically an archival record featuring original band and ENUFF Z'NUFF as it is today. The record showcases the best elements of ENUFF Z'NUFF in the early days: in-your-face glitter rock with pop overtones. This is a true must have rock record for the diehard ENUFF Z'NUFF fans worldwide." Chip on how the songs came about: "Donnie and I wrote the songs in the later part of 1988-89. They were recorded in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on two-inch analog tape, during the time of our debut. The tracks were never finished, as we were very prolific and focused on laying down as many ideas as possible. Through the resources provided to us — recording studio, production, etc.— we had a plethora of songs during that era and, for one reason or another, this batch slipped through the cracks.

"To restore the record we returned to the studio to record guitar, bass vocals, etc. which took us about six weeks in my studio and at CRC (Chicago Recording Company) along with Stonecutter studio in downtown Chicago. The skeleton of the song was already in place and we wanted to make sure the record had the feel of where the band is today. We also added a bonus single track ('Dog On A Bone') that we plan on releasing as the first single." Of course, a huge contributing member to this release was Donnie Vie. "Donnie and I wrote the songs together, as we have on all the ENUFF Z'NUFF albums," Chip continued. "In 2013, Donnie left the band, disillusioned by the business and facing related health issues, and although he will not tour with the band, he still shares in our vision of putting out great music. As he is dealing with his medical condition, we have his blessings on the record and moving forward with me as lead singer.

"When Peter Gabriel left GENESIS, Phil Collins took over lead vocal duties. That is exactly the template we used here as now I front the band and look forward to moving it into the future."

"Clowns Lounge" track listing:

01. Dog On A Bone 02. Runaway 03. Back In Time 04. She Makes It Harder05. Rockabye Dreamland 06. The Devil Of Shakespeare (feat. Jani Lane and James Young)07. Radio 08. Good Luv 09. Round And Round 10. Nothing 11. Backstreet Kids 12. One More Hit ENUFF Z'NUFF is:

Chip Z'nuff - Vocals, electric bass, guitarTony Fennell - Electric guitar, vocalsTory Stoffregen - Lead guitar, vocalsErik Donner - Drums, percussion, vocals

Fabio Lione, Luca Turilli, Dominique Leurquin, Patrice Guers and Alex Holzwarth have announced the reunion of the original members of RHAPSODY, and the relevant farewell tour of the band.

The Italian band RHAPSODY, one of the greatest icons of symphonic power metal, will gather together to commemorate the 20th anniversary from their first official release, playing their album "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands" in full, as well as other classics of the band. It will be an exciting and emotional event no one should ever miss, as this will be the only and last chance to see the band performing on stage together. The RHAPSODY "20th Anniversary Farewell Tour" will be hosted by Top Link Music.

Since its debut in 1997 with the album "Legendary Tales", RHAPSODY has become a worldwide awarded band thanks to its unique, epic and orchestral sound. Initially baptized in the "Hollywood metal" style, because of its movies-related fascination and its characteristic epic soundtrack elements, the Italian band established itself as one of the biggest names in symphonic power metal thanks to their second release, "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands", which soon became a classic of that music genre. RHAPSODY's main influences also include classical composers such as Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven, Paganini and many others (the song "The Wizard's Last Rhymes" from "Rain Of A Thousand Flames", for example, is based on Antonín Dvořák's "New World Symphony"). These elements made the band clearly unique in the whole heavy metal scene and, thanks to its magic, gathered lots of fans all over the world and inspired many bands, giving birth to a brand new musical wave and genre, that established a real and effective RHAPSODY imagery. The "20th Anniversary Farewell Tour" will represent a last chance for everyone to feel part of that wonderful magic once again. Luca, Fabio, Patrice, Dominique and Alex will celebrate such important and historical event with and for their amazing fans!

Turilli states: "I am really super excited to be part of this unique and special event together with Fabio and my other friends. The fact of playing legendary songs like 'Wings Of Destiny', 'Beyond The Gates Of Infinity' and 'The Dark Tower Of Abyss', never played on stage before, will be the best way to celebrate the 20th anniversary and a great reason to meet together for a very last time.

"This farewell tour represents, for me, the closing of one important chapter of my music career, as in the future I will dedicate myself to the cinematic music style of my new 'LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY' band and to other important projects exclusively.

"Don't miss such amazing event. It will be the last time you will be able to see me, Fabio and Alex Holzwarth together on stage playing some RHAPSODY songs. We wait for all of you to share some wonderful emotions and live together some memorable nights!"

Fabio adds: "'Magic'… this is what I always wanted to find in music… and when I think about this great and unique opportunity to be again on stage with Luca, Holzy, Dominique, Patrice and celebrate with them the 20th anniversary of the band… well… I can say this is truly 'magic'! What an emotional moment remembering our great friend Christopher Lee, our stories, our feelings. After many years and things happened, I feel the time is right now… the time to close this important chapter of my artistic life in the best way, with my old friends, and share such 'magic' once again. We will celebrate 20 years of band history with all of you, beloved fans, in an unforgettable and glorious 'last time party'. Be part of it!"

RHAPSODY OF FIRE keyboardist Alex Staropoli and Turilli in 2011 announced their decision to go their separate ways. Due to legal reasons, Staropoli is continuing under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, is making his efforts available under the LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY moniker, in which he is joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, singer Alessandro Conti (TRICK OR TREAT) and drummer Alex Landenburg (AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS).

Lione left RHAPSODY OF FIRE in September. He has since been replaced by Giacomo Voli.

Ayreonauts take notice and mark September 15 and 16 of 2017 in your calendars! These are the days that you can experience AYREON live. AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen has chosen the best songs from the AYREON albums and "Star One" to create an exclusive live AYREON show: "Ayreon Universe". The show will be performed at the 013 venue in Tilburg by the very best original AYREON vocalists and instrumentalists. You can expect Floor Jansen and Marco Hietala from NIGHTWISH, Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X), Damian Wilson (TRESHOLD), Hansi Kürsch (BLIND GUARDIAN), Tommy Karevik (KAMELOT), Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA), Anneke Van Giersbergen (THE GENTLE STORM), and many other original AYREON singers on stage, as well as an appearance by Arjen Lucassen himself. Regular ticket sales start on Thursday, November 24 at 10.00 am CET via www.ayreon.com/universe. All subscribers to the Arjen Lucassen newsletter will get the chance to buy tickets 24 hours before the regular ticket sales start. 2017 will be an exciting year for Arjen Lucassen, with a new AYREON album to be released and his first AYREON live shows ever with "Ayreon Universe". In contrast to "The Theater Equation", "Ayreon Universe" is fully organized and arranged by Arjen Lucassen personally, assisted by Joost van den Broek.

"After the huge success of the four sold-out AYREON theater shows in 2015, Joost and I decided to boldly go even bigger," says Arjen. "This is a full-on 'best of AYREON' rock show in a big venue with as many original AYREON singers and musicians as possible. We're calling it 'Ayreon Universe', and as you might guess, it's a huge undertaking. We've had an entire team working on it for over a year already. AYREON fans have high expectations, and we want to be sure to give them a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they'll never forget.” There will be no less than 16 original AYREON singers:

* Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH)* Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X)* Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD)* Hansi Kürsch (BLIND GUARDIAN)* Tommy Karevik (KAMELOT)* Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH)* Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA)* Mike Mills (TOEHIDER)* Anneke Van Giersbergen (THE GENTLE STORM)* Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION)* Irene Jansen* Robert Soeterboek (STAR ONE)* Edward Reekers (KAYAK)* Jan van Feggelen* Magali Luyten (NIGHTMARE)* Lisette Marije (SCARLET STORIES)

The hand-picked band of 8 of Arjen's favorite AYREON instrumentalists includes Ed Warby (drums), Johan van Stratum (bass), Marcel Coenen (lead guitar), Ferry Duijsens (guitar), Joost VAN DEN Broek (keyboards), Ben Mathot (violin), Jeroen Goossens (flutes, woodwinds) and Maaike Peterse (cello). "'Ayreon Universe' is bound to become one of the most unique live events ever in the symphonic and progressive rock/metal genre," says musical director Joost Van Den Broek. "We're combining a big selection of top vocalists and instrumentalists who have never been on one stage together before.

"The music of AYREON sets the bar really high, pushing everyone involved to their limits. In the upcoming months of preparation towards the shows, we will do everything possible to create a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience and performance, living up to all the fans' expectations." The "Ayreon Universe" live shows will feature songs from all AYREON albums (including from the upcoming release on Mascot Label Group), as well as a selection of fan favorites from "Star One".

2016 has been a banner year for thrash masters ANTHRAX: the February release of the band's critically acclaimed eleventh studio album, "For All Kings" (Megaforce), two collaborations with director Jack Bennett for the grizzly music videos "Blood Eagle Wings" and "Monster At The End", a "Late Night With Seth Meyers" appearance that paired the band with the iconic Robert De Niro, and sharing stages with bands like SLAYER, IRON MAIDEN, SLIPKNOT, LAMB OF GOD and AVENGED SEVENFOLD.

But the celebrations are not done yet.

In support of Black Friday's Record Store Day (November 25), ANTHRAX will release a limited-edition seven-inch single pressed onto lilac and gold spatter vinyl (Megaforce) for the tracks "Monster At The End" and "Vice Of The People", the latter previously released only in Japan as a bonus track and being made available in North America for the first time.

In addition, an acoustic version of the band's song "Breathing Lightning", also on the "For All Kings" track listing, has just gone to radio. The song was performed and recorded at a special in-studio session at El Paso's rock radio station KLAQ-FM on October 27, the final date of ANTHRAX's recent North American tour with fellow "Big Four" members SLAYER.

The lyrical content of "Monster At The End" — "Your golden halo is burned and melted. Crown the monster at the end" — while not intended to be, sounds as if it could be an indictment on the current state of America, and a nation that has elected Donald Trump as its next president. Earlier in the year, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante hesitantly spoke to Metalholic on the matter of politics. "There is a very scary vibe going on in our country and I'm almost afraid to even talk about it because of the division that there is," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know, if, say, a Donald Trump does become president of our country, I don't know what will happen. I don't know how it's going to be perceived globally."

ANTHRAX will head to New York next month to co-headline (with MEGADETH) the 2016 Epiphone Revolver Music Awards on Tuesday, December 13.

As Benante put it, "ANTHRAX looks forward to blowing the roof off of the Revolver Awards and making metal GREAT again."

"For All Kings" sold 34,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Cut Me Loose", the new video from Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, can be seen below. Directed by Jeremy Danger and Travis Shinn, the clip was filmed on September 8 in Utah's world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats. The video is said to be "a new imagining" of the powerful song from the band's latest album "Incarnate", which was released in March 2016 via Roadrunner Records.

Speaking to Metal Hammer, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach stated about "Cut Me Loose": "My vocal work on this album is the best I've ever done.

"I got my voice in shape from touring and sort of hit my stride, and instead of resting on my laurels, I wanted to take it up a notch.

"I got comfortable with the higher register of my voice and decided to play with it a little bit.

"I actually sat down at a piano with my vocal teacher and learned where my range is. I'd shy just from the top note of that range where certain vowel sounds were easier to hit.

"Knowing your voice and your instrument is important, and I wrote this song very specifically for the top of my range. It's a really personal song, too.

"There's a reason why I reference the word 'noose' in the chorus and it refers to a time when I felt suicidal.

"The song is about looking back on your life, taking stock of where you are and the pain that you've experienced. But the song isn't just about me — it's a mixed message and 'noose' is the key word.

"The song is pretty dark if you read the lyrics with that in mind."

In other KILLSWITCH ENGAGE news, the band will once again participate in Record Store Day festivities. For Black Friday/Record Store Day on Friday, November 25, the Grammy-nominated hard rock band will release "Beyond The Flames: Home Video Part II". The release is a two-disc, Blu-ray and CD package and is exclusive to Record Store Day. Watch the trailer below. "Beyond The Flames: Home Video Part II" is a treasure trove of gripping content containing over three and a half hours of footage that is sure to delight KILLSWITCH ENGAGE fans. At the heart of this release is a 75-minute documentary that chronicles the return of Leach, after nearly a decade of being apart, to the band he helped form back in 1999. 2016 saw KILLSWITCH ENGAGE appearing on a "Stars Wars"-themed Revolver cover, staging an unforgettable and intimate, five-club New York City takeover for album release week, and embarking on an impressive "Incarnate" world tour. The band also released a limited-edition seven-inch single as part of the spring version of Record Store Day on April 16; it featured "Define Love", an unreleased track from the "Incarnate" sessions.

With further plans for Europe, Australia, North America, South America and Asia in the works, 2017 is shaping up to be an equally busy year for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. More U.S. tour details will be revealed soon.

Bruce Dickinson was the guest of honor at Cardiff Devils' Ice Arena in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom on Sunday, November 20. The IRON MAIDEN singer watched the Welsh ice hockey team against Glasgow Braehead Clan and was invited to drop the puck before face-off. Check out video footage below.

Last month, Patrick Bordeleau and Sean Bentivoglio of the Cardiff Devils presented Dickinson with a Devils jersey emblazoned with his name and the number 666.

IRON MAIDEN's "The Book Of Souls" 2016 world tour concluded on August 4 when the band performed at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany, marking the end of the trek that began in late February and touched down on six continents.

"The Book Of Souls" world tour played in six continents from February 24 through August 4. Overall ticket sales from the tour reached $54.6 million from 47 reported shows with 816,721 tickets sold during the 23-week run.

Out of the 13 concerts from the band's final stretch through Europe, the highest gross was logged at Ullevi Stadion in Gothenburg, Sweden, where a crowd of 54,507 saw the band perform on June 17 and grossed $4.1 million in ticket sales.

METALLICA took part in an interview and live performance on the November 15 edition of "Le Grand Journal", a French nightly news and talk show airing every weekday evening on Canal+. You can now watch video footage of their appearance below.

METALLICA performed the following songs:

* Creeping Death* For Whom The Bell Tolls* Moth Into Flames* Atlas, Rise!* One* Hardwired* Enter Sandman

METALLICA celebrated the launch of its new album, "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", with what was being billed as a "very special and intimate live performance" on Friday (November 18), the day of the CD's arrival. The concert in front of 350 lucky fans was livestreamed around the world from House Of Vans in London, England.

"Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", a 2-CD / 2-vinyl set, is METALLICA's first studio album since 2008's multi-platinum "Death Magnetic". Greg Fidelman, who engineered and mixed "Death Magnetic", produced the album.

Instead of a previously announced bonus disc of demos, the deluxe edition of the album features a number of cover songs that the band has recorded over the past few years, including a medley of Ronnie James Dio songs, IRON MAIDEN's "Remember Tomorrow" and DEEP PURPLE's "When A Blind Man Cries".

The deluxe version also features a live set recorded at Rasputin's in Berkeley, California on Record Store Day 2016 and a live version of the new song "Hardwired" recorded in August at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio about the METALLICA songwriting process: "We have all these riffs and it's kind of puzzle-like. We just sort of go through, you know, that process and continue to revisit and 'Oh, wait a minute, that's really cool the way those two fit together but it doesn't really work with that other thing, so why don't we take those two and put them with that other thing, you know, Number Seven from over here' or whatever. So that's very much our process and we just sort of keep going through it until it sort of eventually turns into songs."

"Meliora", the latest album from Swedish occult rockers GHOST, has been certified platinum in Sweden for sales in excess of 40,000 copies. (Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry [IFPI] in Sweden has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach platinum status in the country three times in the last 20 years — from the pre-1996 level of 100,000 to the current 40,000.)

The biggest-selling Swedish hard rock album of all time is believed to be "The Final Countdown" by EUROPE, which shifted more than 100,000 copies back in Sweden in the late '80s. On the metal side of things, CLAWFINGER's debut LP, 1993's "Deaf Dumb Blind", reportedly moved 65,000 or 70,000 copies in Sweden but wasn't certified platinum due to the platinum sales requirement being 100,000. More recently, SABATON's "Carolus Rex" album was certified platinum in Sweden in 2013 after selling more than 40,000 copies.

"Meliora" was released in August 2015 and debuted in the U.S. at No. 1 at Independent Retail, No. 2 at Rock, and in the Top 10 (No. 8) on The Billboard 200 chart. The band capped off a landmark 2015 with their late-night television debut on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"'s Halloween show on CBS with a rousing performance of their offering "Cirice", which reached No. 3 at radio at Active Rock and Mainstream Rock.

GHOST's latest EP, "Popestar", was released on September 16 by Loma Vista Recordings and is available online and in record stores on CD, vinyl, and digital. The surprise five-track offering features leading psalm "Square Hammer" and also contains covers of selections by ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO, EURYTHMICS and IMPERIET. "Popestar" was recorded by Papa Emeritus III and his Nameless Ghouls in Linköping, Sweden and produced by Tom Dalgety (PIXIES, ROYAL BLOOD, OPETH). Additionally, GHOST released a deluxe version of "Meliora". "Meliora Deluxe" contains the "Popestar" EP as a bonus disc (CD or LP or digital). The arrival of the "Popestar" EP coincided with the launch of the band's 41-city U.S. headlining "Popestar" tour, which kicked off on September 16.

Kittie drummer Mercedes Lander has launched a new band called The White Swan, which sees her singing as well as playing drums. The band has posted new behind-the-scenes video which can be viewed below.

"This is a new one called 'North Carolina' introducing our live drummer Sam Charles aka Samhole."

Death By Metal STL recently spoke with Mercedes and bassist Kira Longeuay about forming the band and their plans for the future. An excerpt is available below.

On the band name:

Mercedes - "The White Swan was oddly enough named after a T-Rex song.  I’m a huge fan and went on a T-Rex binge and thought 'Wow, that would make a great band name.' I think Marc Bolan has a really special part in Rock'n'roll history."

On songwriting:

Mercedes - "As of right now I write everything but  if Kira and Shane want to bring songs to the table, I’m always open to that.  So Far out of the eight songs that we do have, with the exception of jet, I’ve done all of the heavy lifting on them and everyone is okay with that.  We’re a team first and foremost.  

Kira - "Mercedes so far, I'm a song-writer by trade as well so I'm sure as we progress both Shane and I will bring in ideas. We work so well together that whenever Mercedes brings in a new idea it clicks right away."

On inspiration:

Mercedes - "Lots of life events and beer helped to shape The White Swan. We basically are a band created out of necessity. I had all these songs that I couldn’t use for any other band I was in at the time so I just decided to go forward with making some demos. Both bands I'm in are kind of inactive right now and I start to get really antsy if I don’t write music for long periods of time."

Kira - "I've always had a love for doom, metal and punk rock but I'd never found anyone who had the same passions for music that I did until I met Mercedes. I've been writing songs since I came out of the womb pretty much so I've always needed an outlet to write and play and the first time Mercedes showed me the riffs for Blood I knew right away that this was a project that we needed to seriously pursue. We both weren't doing much in the realms of music or band wise so it really just made sense to get together and start something new and heavy."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

The White Swan's has confirmed a string of shows for December and January. Their schedule is as follows:

December
2 - Toronto, ON - Cherry Cola's
3 - Windsor, ON - Villains

January
13 - London, ON - 765 Old East Bar (with Hammerhands)

Stream the songs from Anubis below, click on the player or go to this location to purchase the EP.

Anubis by The White Swan

Lander recently offered a track-by-track overview of The White Swan's three song debut EP featuring the songs "Illuminate", "Blood", and a cover of the Wings classic "Jet".

"'Illuminate'  is more or less about the feeling of profound loss, says Lander. "I felt like I wanted to ask all of the questions you would want to ask, or things you would want to tell someone if you've been separate from  each other for a long period of time. 'Blood' originally started as a song I wrote for a friend for her solo album. Gradually I changed the key and wanted to keep it for myself.  The song is about all of the different emotions you cycle through with any relationship, platonic or not."

"In March 2016 we started compiling riffs, songs, and demoing ideas. One night I was driving home from the yoga studio I teach at and 'Jet' came on the radio. Instantly I was like 'Damn, this song is heavy' and asked Kira and Shane if they would be cool with a cover version of the song. From there we started working on a version that would fit The White Swan."

Stay tuned for more. Check out The White Swan Facebook page here. Check out a snippet of "Illuminate" below.

Since 1993, the underground is shaking under the sounds of Profanity. The German tech death three-piece set a heavy mark with their albums Shadows To Fall (1997) and Slaughtering Thoughts (2000) as well as their tour in support of Cryptopsy in 2002 and their appearance at the Maryland Death Fest 2004 alongside Misery Index and Exhumed. After some years of silence, the band is ready to be back with a vengeance. Currently they are working hard on the full-length follow-up to their EP Hatred Hell Within (2014) with producer Christoph Brandes in his Iguana Studios (Spheron, Imperium Dekadenz, Necrophagist) which will be released via Apostasy Records in 2017.

Profanity line-up:
Thomas Sartor – vocals / guitar
Daniel Unzner – bass
Armin Hassmann – drums

 

After a very successful European 30th Anniversary tour with more than 80 shows and the release of the successful double album Pearls (udr-music / Warner Bros) Bonfire are back in the studio to record the new album Byte The Bullet which will be released on March 24th, 2017 worldwide in conjunction with advertising in monthly magazines, radio and TV campaigns, and social media campaigns.

A Bonfire-Locomotive will be inaugurated in Augsburg. That's right, a real life, functioning Bonfire Locomotive. Also a "road video" of "Sweet Obsession" filmed completely by the band themselves while on tour will be released.

Find the band’s live itinerary at this location.

A Killer’s Confession, the new project of former Mushroomhead vocalist Waylon Reavis have released a new lyric video for their debut single “A Killer’s Confession” featuring Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch as guest. The song is taken from the debut full-length LP Unbroken, due out on February 17th, 2017 via EMP Label Group.

Additionally, A Killer’s Confession has announced its first live show, December 17th at Cleveland’s Agora, with special guests Dead By Wednesday, and the band’s lineup as follows:

Guitar: Matt Trumpy
Guitar: Paul Elliot
Drums: Jon Dale
Vocals: Waylon Reavis

Help get A Killer's Confession off the ground at IndieGoGo.

Former DIO Guitarist TRACY G Releases Seven Song Nut Crackers Christmas Album; Audio Samples Available

Guitarist Tracy G has teamed up with vocalist Michael Beatty and recorded a seven song Christmas album entitled Nut Crackers, featuring five seasonal classics and two original tunes. It is available for purchase from Tracy G's official website here.

Audio samples are available at the link above.

The tracklist is as follows: 

"Angels We Have Heard"
"Jingle Bells"
"Merry Christmas Dear"
"What Child is This?"
"O Come O Come Emmanuel"
"O Holy Night"
"A Christmas Prayer"

Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler has released another new song via his Owl Stretching side-project. He has posted the following update:

Hope this Friday finds you filled with joyous wonder anticipating an adventure soaked weekend. New music straight from the Baron Von Bielski audio propulsion lab in Helsinki a song called 'A Girl Named Hollow'. Hope you enjoy it. As always thanks for all the continued support! Plus I have a new FB fan page up at this location should you feel like wandering over."

 

A Girl Named Hollow by Owl Stretching

 

 

Earlier this year, Bieler released another new song via his Owl Stretching side-project back in January He posted the track along with the following update:

 

 

"So strange that I wrote and recorded this song on Friday (January 8th) and did this Bowie 'Fame' vocal nod that I was going to take out just because it was, well, a rip, but now I will leave it in as a small nod to the genius."

 

 

True Love by Owl Stretching

 

 

Saigon Kick recorded a cover of the David Bowie classic 'Space Oddity' for their Water album in 1993 featuring Bieler on lead vocals (check it out below). Bieler checked in with a tribute to Bowie, who passed away at 69 on January 10th following an 18 month battle with cancer.  

 

 

"Getting a message that David Bowie thought a cover you did 'was really good' was a massive career highlight, even if he was just being kind. Knowing that in some microscopic way we briefly crossed paths is like saying you shared a cup of coffee with Dali or rode the train with John Lennon, irrelevant in their worlds but life changing in yours. I had no idea he was that ill when I posted about him on Friday (January 8th). I spent the entire weekend listening to the Blackstar album over and over, talking with my daughter about how amazing it is to be that current, cutting edge and relevant for so long... as he is on her playlists as much as mine. Music and life done right…well done Mr. Bowie."

 

 

 

After celebrating over 40 years together with the same trio lineup, UMe continues the celebration of the Rush catalog with the release of three 40th anniversary expanded editions of the band’s classic 1976 album, 2112.

On December 16th, 2112-40th will be released in three distinct variations. The 2CD/DVD edition will include a newly remastered CD of the original 2112 album by Abbey Road Studios, and an additional CD of rare, live and previously unreleased material including newly-recorded tracks from 2112 featuring Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters along with Nick Raskulinecz, Billy Talent, Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree, Jacob Moon and Alice In Chains.

Listen to Alice In Chains’ cover of the 2112 track “Tears”, streaming below:

The set’s third disc is a DVD featuring a newly restored vintage 1976 Rush concert recorded at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ, plus bonus videos of the Grohl/Hawkins/Raskulinecz track and Billy Talent track, and a new 25+ minute interview featuring Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and longtime producer & engineer Terry Brown. The new 2112 remaster originally appeared on the much-acclaimed 2015 hologram vinyl edition of the album; this marks the Abbey Road Studios master first time on CD.

UMe is also releasing a three-LP 200-gram vinyl edition incorporating all of the aforementioned audio material, plus a special laser-etched LP side, the 2015 hologram on 2112’s side B and a unique turntable mat featuring the band’s iconic Starman character. Fans will also have the option of purchasing a Super Deluxe edition of 2112, incorporating both CDs, the DVD, all three LPs plus its bonus items, and several exclusive collectable items including two 12-inch x 12-inch lithos, one featuring Hugh Syme’s original Starman pencil sketching, the second showcasing a 1976 Massey Hall ticket stub; a reprint of the 1976 Massey Hall handbill and three buttons featuring each band member, all housed in a box lined with velvet flocking.

For a peek inside this wonderous release, enjoy the following video:

For the first 1,000 Super Deluxe pre-order purchases at Rush.com, us.udiscovermusic.com and udiscovermusic.com, the purchaser will receive a limited edition 7-inch pressing of the album’s first single “The Twilight Zone” (b/w “Lessons”) and a custom red star 45 large hole adapter ring, both newly designed by Hugh Syme.

All three versions of 2112-40th feature extensive liner notes by renowned rock historian Rob Bowman, and newly designed artwork by longtime Rush art director Hugh Syme. The set’s rare recordings include “Solar Federation”, spotlighting the isolated Neil Peart vocals that close the song “2112” in “Grand Finale,” two outtakes from the 1976 Massey Hall concerts including “Something For Nothing” and a nearly complete 15+ minute performance of “2112,” as well as a recently-rediscovered live version of the album track “The Twilight Zone,” which has only been performed twice in the band’s long history.

The epic 2112 album which guitarist Alex Lifeson described as “the first record where we sounded like Rush,” is widely regarded as a crucial landmark in Rush’s body of work. Although it was the band’s fourth album, it’s generally considered to be the one on which the band’s epic sound and ambitious conceptual approach blossomed. Resisting record-company pressure to focus on shorter, more radio-friendly songs, the band stuck to its guns and constructed the album’s seminal seven-part, 20-minute title piece, a conceptual suite set in a dystopian future.

In addition to its status as a creative landmark, 2112 was also Rush’s commercial breakthrough, becoming the band’s first album to reach the Billboard LP chart and the first Rush album to achieve Gold sales status in the U.S. (it was subsequently certified Platinum). 2112 was also Rush’s first platinum album in Canada, spawning a now-legendary Canadian tour that culminated in a three-night stand at Massey Hall in Toronto, which was recorded for Rush’s first live album, All the World’s a Stage.

2112 is one of two Rush albums listed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, and it ranked second on Rolling Stone’s 2012 readers’ poll of “Your Favorite Prog Rock Albums of All Time.” In 2006, the non-profit Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada chose 2112 as a culturally significant example of Canada’s audio-visual heritage.

For the complete tracklisting and order options, head to this location.

In other news, Canadian Music Week has announced Rush as the 2017 recipient of the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award. The multi-platinum trio will be honoured for their achievements and longstanding career in the music industry, social activism and support of humanitarian causes at the annual Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards Gala Dinner at the Sheraton Centre on Thursday, April 20th, 2017.

"We are so incredibly honoured to receive the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award. The depth of Allan and Gary Slaight's generosity, consideration and benevolence has no measure. We will strive to carry forward their spirit of charity and goodwill." - Rush

"My father Allan Slaight believes that giving back to one's community is something we should all strive to do and the members of Rush have made a point of this throughout their career, starting with a United Way benefit-concert at Maple Leaf Gardens in the early '80s when Allan was Chair of the Campaign," said Gary Slaight, President and CEO Slaight Communications Inc. "In recent years, the group has raised money for food banks, Casey House, the Kidney Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, AIDS research; the list goes on. Alex, Geddy and Neil have been in my family's rock 'n' roll life since the early days when we started Q107 in the late 1970s, and it gives me real pleasure today to thank these three exemplary musicians, on behalf of the Slaight Family, in awarding them with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Award. Good deeds deserve acknowledgement and this is one group that exemplifies the spirit of giving."

"We are proud to be acknowledging Rush's legacy with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award," added Neill Dixon, President & CEO, Canadian Music Week. "We praise their spirit and determination in philanthropic and humanitarian causes, as their dedication to multiple charities and organizations is very inspirational. They have shown extraordinary support in social involvement and charitable causes, and we are excited to celebrate them at this year's awards."

With more than 40 million records sold worldwide and countless sold-out tours, Rush is not only one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, they remain one of the most popular. According to the RIAA® Rush's sales statistics place them third for the most consecutive gold/platinum studio albums by a rock band, topped only by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. In addition to their consistent commercial success, Rush has also been recognized with nine JUNO Awards and seven Grammy nominations, including one for the acclaimed documentary Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage. The group has remained unwaveringly committed and adventurous throughout their musical journey, and the same characteristics can be used to describe their charitable dedication.

Over the course of their four-decade-long career, the members of Rush have thrown their support behind a wide variety of worthy causes often privately and sometimes publicly. From their earliest shows at Toronto's historic Maple Leaf Gardens, the band started working with the Toronto Food Bank to encourage fans to bring food for those in need. Eventually deciding to do their first charity concert at Maple Leaf Gardens to benefit the United Way in the early '80s, and an amFAR show to benefit Aids Research in the early '90s, engaging themselves and their fans in positive pursuits naturally became part of the Rush ethos.

As dedicated advocates of human rights, in 2008 Rush donated $100,000 from a Winnipeg concert's gate to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. In the same year, on their Snakes & Arrows Tour, the band donated $100,000 from their show in New Orleans to Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation to assist in the revitalization of the city post Hurricane Katrina, and sponsor the construction of a house in The Lower Ninth Ward dubbed "The House that Rush Built."

From their 2010 Time Machine Tour onwards, Rush has donated $1 from every concert ticket sold to various charities including Doctors Without Borders, a total which will soon surpass $2 million over these last five years. In 2013, the band performed an incredibly successful benefit concert at Red Deer's Enmax Centrium with all proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross to help victims of the flooding that devastated many regions of southern Alberta. The event raised more than $575,000 and was one of the largest donations made to the Alberta Flood Relief.

Rush has also been a passionate supporter of Little Kids Rock, a national non-profit organization that works to restore and revitalize music education programs in disadvantaged U.S. public schools. In efforts to provide percussion instruments to schools, the group created a premium Neil Peart Paragon Cymbal Pack, each of which came with a free splash cymbal personalized, autographed and dated by the Rush drummer himself. This cause-based marketing initiative went on to raise over $50,000 for Little Kids Rock. Working with their endorsement companies, they have set up partnerships for their signature items which have seen many positive charitable efforts such as Neil Peart with DW, Sabian and ProMark, where one campaign raised over $60,000 for Child Advocates. Alex Lifeson has donated royalties from his signature Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess guitar to the Domenic Troiano Foundation for guitar music scholarships.

The band members have also donated their time, funds and awareness through their personal interests and events. An avid baseball fan, Geddy Lee donated close to 400 baseballs signed by former Negro League baseball players from his personal collection to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City in 2008. Alex Lifeson is a supporter of Casey House, as well The Kidney Foundation to which he donates his paintings that has led to almost $300,000 in funds raised. As part of their Brush For Hope campaign, Lifeson's current painting, "Aquarium" is available for bids now until November 8th. During the band's South American tour in 2010, Neil Peart was moved by the rescue of the trapped miners in Chile. When he wrote a story about his experiences touring in South America, he rallied Rush fans and his readers to make a $1 donation for his story. Neil matched their donations, and together they raised $10,000 for the Chilean Red Cross.

For more than 10 years, Geddy Lee has been an active board member for the Grapes for Humanity Canada charity, an organization that raises funds to benefit humanitarian causes around the world with the assistance of the international wine community. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson co-host their bi-annual Grapes Under Pressure wine event supporting the local wine growing regions of Ontario. All three members of the band support this cause through their Grapes Under Pressure eBay auction of Rush memorabilia. These combined events have raised over $500,000 to date.

As a band with over four decades of hits, Rush's vast catalogue includes such classics as 1974's self-titled debut, 1976's 2112, 1981's Moving Pictures, 1996's Test For Echo, and 2002's Vapor Trails. Rush released their 20th studio album, Clockwork Angels in 2012 via Anthem/Roadrunner Records. The critically acclaimed collection marks their first studio recording since 2007's Snakes & Arrows, and debuted at #1 in Canada and #2 on the Billboard 200 matching the highest chart debut of the band's career. Rush was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994, made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1996 and inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010. They have received a star on both Canada's Walk of Fame (1999) and Hollywood Walk of Fame (2010). Rush received the highest artistic honour in Canada by winning the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 2012 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

Later this month, the band will be releasing a documentary from their recent R40 Tour, Rush Time Stand Still (Anthem/Ole/Universal). Narrated by Paul Rudd, the film documents the band and their 40 plus year relationship with their legions of loyal fans. The film Time Stand Still will premiere on November 3rdin Cineplex/Landmark theatres across Canada and Fathom in the US, then be released on BluRay/DVD on November 18th.

For more information on the 2017 Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards, go to this location.