In a new interview with music writer Joel Gausten, legendary Iggy And The Stooges guitarist James Williamson discusses a variety of topics including his new children’s charity single and the end of The Stooges. Excerpts from the chat appear below:

On his new single, “I Love My Tutu” / “Never Far From Where The Wild Things Are,” which was released digitally on June 17th and will benefit Project Hawai'i, who assist homeless children in the state:

“It’s patently obvious when you go to Hawaii, especially certain parts, that they have a huge homeless problem. The big island of Hawaii probably has the largest homeless population of anywhere. I started to become aware of the fact that along with that problem comes a lot of homeless children. That's especially gut-wrenching, because they’re caught in the circumstance through no fault of their own. Frankly, every (homeless) person is to some degree… I just became aware of that particular program, which is very positive. They’re taking steps to keep reinforcing these kids to try and lead a better life.”

On the possibility of him working with Iggy Pop again, either under the Stooges name or in another capacity:

“I doubt it. The Stooges is over. Basically, everybody’s dead except for Iggy and I, so it would be sort of ludicrous to try to tour as Iggy And the Stooges with only one Stooge in the band, and then you have side guys. That doesn’t make any sense to me. And frankly, I don’t want to tour anymore; I’m kind of done with it. I also feel like we’re getting a little long in the tooth to be doing these show anymore. I know he does them, and people seem to like them. That’s fine, but I feel like I don’t want to beat it into the ground. In 2013, we were still kind of kicking butt on stage, and I think we could hold up to most bands – young bands, in fact. But these days, I think it’s more of a memory than it is a reality. I’m good with not doin’ nothin.’ By the same token, I still feel I have some music left in me, so I’m enjoying doing these little projects and putting them out there for people.”

The complete interview is available at this location.

Xpress Radio conducted an interview with singer Charlotte Wessels of Dutch symphonic metallers DELAIN at this year's edition of the Download festival, which was held June 10-12 at Donington Park in Leicestershire, United Kingdom. You can now listen to the chat below.

Speaking about the songwriting process for DELAIN's recently completed new studio album, which is tentatively due in late summer, Charlotte said: "For this new album, we cut up… Normally, you would like to take a few months to go into writing mode, to go into recording mode, and then go and put it all together. But we never really had the time for that this year. We kind of did a few writing blocks and a few recording blocks and a few production blocks. I really like the way that has allowed us to keep touring and to not take a break on anything else we were doing. On the other hand, I do also like the feeling of really immersing yourself in that creative process, and for my taste, we've been having to move on very soon. It's not really saying that one is better than the other, but everything comes with a price. And last time we were really, really busy touring, and I wouldn't have done anything else, but you do notice that for everything that you want to do, there's something else that you cannot do. So now we solved that challenge by kind of cutting up that whole production of the new album in different blocks. And I think it was a creative solution that worked."

Regarding the musical direction of the new DELAIN material, Charlotte said: "Listening to the album now, I think that in the style of the songs, it really goes in… It's more varied than our… Like, the production is a lot like our last album, because we really like the mix and we really like the master, so we chose to handle some of those the same, with the same people. But at the same time, if you listen to the songs… For example, on the last album, there wasn't like a real 'ballad ballad,' and there is on this record, but also it has probably some of the loudest tracks. Amd then there is like a really uptempo rock kind of track. There's really a lot of different stuff there, but the overall feel is really dramatic, and I like that. There's not one particular thing that I can pinpoint as being different, but I think in a way that the album is kind of going from one end of the style spectrum to another on this record, I think that's pretty interesting."

DELAIN's new CD, which will contain a cover version of an as-yet-undisclosed song, will be supported by a European headlining tour in the fall, including a U.K. run of dates in November.

As previously reported, DELAIN will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a special show in Amsterdam on December 10 that will also be recorded and filmed for a release on CD, DVD and Blu-ray.

DELAIN released a new EP, "Lunar Prelude", on February 19 via Napalm Records. Mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Ted Jensen, the set offered two brand new songs in the shape of the catchy "Suckerpunch" and the melancholic "Turn The Lights Out". "Don't Let Go" (taken from 2014's "The Human Contradiction") came in a brand new version, while the EP also contained four live cuts, as well as an orchestral reprise of "Suckerpunch".

DELAIN recently announced the addition of guitarist Merel Bechtold to the group's ranks.

Courthouse News Service reports that Robert Plant and Jimmy Page on Monday (June 20th) asked a judge rather than a jury to decide the copyright trial over "Stairway To Heaven," arguing their accuser hasn't proven multiple elements of his case.

In a motion for judgment as a matter of law, Led Zeppelin members Page and Plant say that during the four days of trial so far, former rock journalist Michael Skidmore, who sued the music duo in 2014, failed to establish ownership of "Taurus”, the 1967 Spirit song at the center of the copyright infringement lawsuit. Instead, the ownership of "Taurus" belongs to Lou Adler's Hollenbeck Music, the pair say.

They say the witnesses who took the stand before Skidmore rested his case on Friday did not demonstrate to the jury that Led Zeppelin had heard "Taurus" before they created "Stairway To Heaven" in the early 1970s, and Skidmore's two music experts failed to present "admissible evidence of striking or substantial similarity" between the two songs.

So far, surviving Led Zeppelin members Page and John Paul Jones have taken the stand to testify in the closely watched case. Page said that he did not hear "Taurus" before he created "Stairway To Heaven," but had heard it for the first time a few years ago when a comparison between the two tracks surfaced online.

Read more at Courthouse News Service.

Duff McKagan has described seeing GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose perform with AC/DC as "magical."

AC/DC postponed the last ten dates of its recent North American trek after singer Brian Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss." The band has since completed the European leg of its "Rock Or Bust" tour with the GUNS N' ROSES frontman as a "guest vocalist" and Johnson apparently not returning to the band at all.

McKagan, who is one-third of the reunited partial classic lineup of GUNS N' ROSES, got a chance to watch Rose and AC/DC play on June 4 at the The Stadium at London, England's Queen Elizabeth's Olympic Park. He talked about the experience during a June 17 appearance on "Jonesy's Jukebox". He said: "Me and [GUNS N' ROSES guitarist] Slash and our ladies went over to London just to surprise Axl and to see the AC/DC thing at the new Olympic stadium. And it was amazing."

He continued: "We went for a Saturday, basically. We had to get back… There was a graduation and there were things going on, so I had to take the 9:00 a.m. flight out Sunday morning. But we got to see him do that thing with AC/DC, and it was magical."

For the London gig, Rose was no longer confined to the chair he had been seated on ever since breaking his foot during a surprise GUNS club show in April 1 in Los Angeles. "He was out of his chair; he was up and cruising around," Duff said. "He was kicking the boot; he was doing the kicks. And it was really great to see… I'd never seen him, I guess, play… see him sing. And I think it energized the band — they were pretty energized — and the crowd was into it. It was cool. I'm super stoked for him."

Duff also talked about how Axl's injury has affected the vibe in the GN'R camp since the band's return was announced in January. He said: "It was just strange, the whole thing. [It was] our first show. [It happened during] the second song. He didn't complain once. That's the thing. We finished the show. He said, 'I think I broke my foot.' And sure enough, six pins later… And he didn't complain one time through that whole chair thing. So… I think everything happens for a reason. I think it drew us around… kind of drew us in tighter. And singing those kind of songs sitting down is a tough, tough deal. So, I think, yeah, he persevered."

AC/DC's European tour ended in Germany on June 15 and despite initial fan trepidation, Axl has gotten generally good reviews for his performances so far. AC/DC guitarist Angus Young said: "I mean, under the situation that we had, it was very good that he volunteered and said, 'Hey, if I can help, let me try.' So he's been very good. And he had to learn a lot of songs very quickly, and he's done a great job."

The rescheduled dates of AC/DC's North American tour — which will be the band's first concerts here with Rose on lead vocals — will kick off in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 27, just five days after Rose completes his summer stadium run with GUNS N' ROSES.

The official lyric video for the ANTHRAX song "Zero Tolerance" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "For All Kings", which 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. According to Billboard, ANTHRAX was last in the top 10 back in 1993 with "Sound Of White Noise", which debuted and peaked at No. 7. "For All Kings" also gave ANTHRAX its largest sales week for an album since "Sound Of White Noise"'s second week on sale (40,000; it debuted with 62,000).

"For All Kings" is ANTHRAX's first studio album since 2011's "Worship Music" (No. 12 peak with 28,000 sold in its first week) and follows the 2013 covers set "Anthems" (No. 52; 8,000 sold in its debut frame).

"For All Kings" also topped the Hard Rock Albums chart in both the U.S. and Canada, and landed at No. 5 and No. 7, respectively, on the U.S. and Canada's Top Current Albums charts. Additionally, "For All Kings" debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart, No. 2 on the Independent Albums chart, No. 4 Physical Albums, and No. 5 Vinyl Albums chart.

ANTHRAX will join forces with SLAYER and DEATH ANGEL this fall for a seven-week North American beat down. The dates start in Cleveland on September 9 and will hit both major and secondary markets across the continent.

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante sat out some of the band's recent shows so that he could undergo physical therapy in his continuing battle with carpal tunnel syndrome. He was once again temporarily replaced by Jon Dette, who has previously played with SLAYER, TESTAMENT and ICED EARTH.

Swedish old-school death metallers Centinex will release their new album, Doomsday Rituals, on July 8th via Agonia Records. The album track “Generation Of Flies” is now streaming below.

Centinex originated in 1990 as a riff-oriented part of the classic Swedish death metal movement and disbanded in 2005 after releasing eighth full-length albums. In 2014 they surprisingly resurfaced with a refreshed line-up of Martin Schulman (Demonical) on bass, Sverker Widgren (Demonical, Diabolical) on guitars, Alexander Högbom (October Tide, Spasmodic) on vocals and Kennet Englund (Interment, Centinex 1999-2003) on drums. Year 2014 also saw the release of their come-back record, Redeeming Filth.

The band doesn’t want the fans to be kept waiting another near-decade for a new album. Titled Doomsday Rituals, the record is a natural follow-up to Redeeming Filth.

Martin Schulman (bass) commented: "Heavy riffing, deep brutal vocals, everything from slow via mid-tempo to faster stuff, a perfect mix of the early 90's Florida and Stockholm sound.”

Doomsday Rituals was recorded at Wing Studios with Sverker Widgren (Centinex, Demonical, Diabolical) behind the knobs. The cover artwork was made by Bahrull Marta of Abomination Imagery.

Tracklisting:

“Flesh Passion”
“From Intact To Broken”
“Dismemberment Supreme”
“Generation Of Flies”
“The Shameful Few”
“Doomsday”
“Exist To Feed”
“Death Decay Murder”
“Sentenced To Suffer”
“Faceless”

“Generation Of Flies”:

Doomsday Rituals by Centinex

“Sentenced To Suffer” lyric video:

“Exist To Feed”:

Available formats:

- Digipack CD
- Regular Black LP
- Orange LP (limited to 150 copies)
- White, Grey and Black T-shirts
- Regular "Doomsday Rituals" Black T-shirt
- Digital

Pre-orders at the following links: Digital, Physical.

Centinex live dates:

July
2 - Barcelona, Spain - Move Your Fucking Brain Extreme Fest
9 - Scharnstein (Bäckerberg), Austria - Sick Midsummer Fest

August
18 - Barth, Germany - Barther Metal Open Air

October
29 - Turku, Finland - Turun Kuolema II Festival (headlining with Angelcorpse)

German tech-death force Obscura have released a music video for "Ten Sepiroth”, a track from the band's recent full-length Akroasis. Watch below:

In addition to their series of festival appearances this coming summer (including Brutal Assault, Tuska Open Air, and more), Obscura have also announced a new headlining European tour this October. They'll be laying waste to Western and Eastern Europe alongside a stellar lineup of Revocation, Beyond Creation, and Rivers Of Nihil. View a full itinerary of dates below.

July
7 - Helsinki, Finland - Tuska Open Air
24 - Tel Aviv, Israel - Gagarin / Progstage Festival
24-30 - Tolmin, Slovenia - MetalDays Festival

August
11 - Jaromer, Czech Republic - Brutal Assault
17-20 - Dinkelsbuhl, Germany - Summer Breeze Festival
21 - Brittany, France - Motocultor Festival

October (with Revocation, Beyond Creation, Rivers Of Nihil)
20 - München, Germany - Feierwerk
21 - Weinheim, Germany - Café Central
22 - Haarlem, Netherlands - Patronaat
23 - London, UK - The Dome
24 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation
25 - Aarschot, Belgium - de Klinker
26 - Paris, France - Divan du Monde
27 - Aarau, Switzerland - Kiff
28 - Les Pennes-Mirabeau, France - Jas'Rod
29 - Calenzano/Florence, Italy - Cycle Club
30 - Brescia, Italy - Circolo Colony
31 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Orto Bar

November (with Revocation, Beyond Creation, Rivers Of Nihil)
1 - Wien, Austria - Viper Room
2 - Kosice, Slovakia - Colosseum
3 - Dresden, Germany - Scheune
4 - Prague, Czech Republic - Nova Chmelnice
6 - Oberhausen, Germany - Kulttempel
7 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
8 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
9 - Stockholm, Sweden - En Arena
10 - Oslo, Norway - Parkteatret
11 - Aalborg, Denmark - Aalborg Metal Festival

White Empress bassist Chela Rhea Harper is gearing up to release new material with her long standing side project, Sarasvati. She has checked in with the following update:

"In Sanskrit, Sara means 'essence' and Sva means 'one self', together meaning 'essence of one self'. Inspired by vedic esoterica, Sarasvati is a fusion of ethnic musical influences, melodic doom metal and progressive rock. I'm very proud to announce the release of Sarasvati's first full length album! We have been working hard for a number of years, and now in only a few short months the work will be shared. This project is very dear to my heart. Ashlesha is due for release this October.

Over the next few months we will be documenting our developments. Please continue to follow us as we share our journey with you."

Sarasvati is:

Chela Rhea - vocals, guitar
Joe Waller - vocals, guitar
Justin Biggs - bass
Matthew Paulazzo - drums

For information an updates on Sarasvati go to the official Facebook page here. Check out previously released Sarasvati material via Bandcamp.

Sarasvati - EP by Sarasvati

DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno played a special solo acoustic set inside an Icelandic volcano on Saturday, June 18. The intimate show took place during Iceland's Secret Solstice festival, where DEFTONES headlined a bill that included 177 acts. Moreno was picked to play "Secret Solstice Presents Inside The Volcano," which marked the first time in history an artist has performed publicly inside a volcano, for just 20 lucky ticket holders.

The fans and Moreno were lowered 400 feet into the magma chamber of the volcano, which is dormant and last erupted more than 4,000 years ago.There have been several live performances over the years on top of volcanoes, but never inside one.

The event sold out in mere days, even before any announcement of an artist was made. Icelandic act Snorri Helgason opened for Moreno with a short set.

Secret Solstice 2016 was held between June 16 and June 19, with DEFTONES filling the top slot on June 18.

The festival marked DEFTONES' first-ever visit to Iceland as the band continued its world tour in support of its recently released eighth album, "Gore".

BUSH has teamed with People.com and the UN Refugee Agency for the premiere of "People At War", a video that honors World Refugee Day and today's #WithRefugees petition. "We made this video to raise awareness about the terrible plight of refugees across the world," says BUSH lead vocalist Gavin Rossdale. "These are people who are forced to flee their homes for fear of violence, persecution and death. Please visit www.unhcr.org/bush and sign the #WithRefugees petition today and stand with us as we ask governments to work together to help." "People At War" was directed by Jesse Davey and produced by Matt Phelan. On World Refugee Day, held every year on June 20, UNHCR commemorates the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees. This year, World Refugee Day is a key moment for everyone to show their support for families forced to flee by signing the petition and asking world leaders to take shared responsibility for finding solutions to the global refugee crisis.

BUSH's latest album, "Man On The Run", was released in October 2014. It followed up BUSH's 2011 comeback effort, "The Sea Of Memories", which was the first all-new BUSH album in a decade.

BUSH recorded "Man On The Run" at Studio 606, the private studio owned by FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl.

Fan-filmed video footage of IN THIS MOMENT's entire June 18 performance at 7 Flags Event Center in Clive, Iowa can be seen below.

Just days after revealing that he suffered from acute arthritis in his neck and shoulders, IN THIS MOMENT guitarist Chris Howorth opened up about how his condition led to an addiction to opioids. Howorth has been dealing with the pain for the better part of a decade and in 2008 began to take painkillers after every show. He told Texas radio station KBAT: "I would take one to help me with the pain after the show, and, as everyone knows, one turns into two. I started taking them before the show because it would make me have a better show. That went on for probably about three years, and I think I did a lot of overreaching and overdoing it and I was masking what was going on. I've been clean now for about two years."

Howorth added: "Every time we'd go on tour, I'd have to figure out a way to find enough pills to do the tour. It's a horrible way to live. It's a bummer that I did so much damage over the years and it caught up with me in this way and affected my band and our career a little bit. It's just a lesson, you know?"

In the interview, Howorth cited the dependence of people around the country on opioids and even the death of Prince as reasons for why he wanted to go public with the story of his own addiction.

Despite his arthritis diagnosis, Howorth said last week that he was "determined to continue writing and performing with my band."

Howorth co-founded IN THIS MOMENT with singer Maria Brink over a decade ago. The pair remain the band's only original members.

The band's North American tour kicked off on Friday (June 17) in Sioux City, Iowa. IN THIS MOMENT will also be special guests later this summer on KORN and ROB ZOMBIE's co-headlining trek.

In November 2014 a helicopter landed at the infamous Hard Rock Hotel as KISS invaded Las Vegas for an historic nine-show run. Now, fans will be able to experience this spectacular night for themselves in their own homes as KISS Rocks Vegas (now on PPV in North America – available via cable, satellite, and online) is released on Blu-Ray / DVD with a bonus live acoustic CD on August 10th.

Tracklisting:

Blu-Ray/DVD:

“Detroit Rock City”
“Creatures Of The Night”
“Psycho Circus”
“Parasite”
“War Machine”
“Tears Are Falling”
“Deuce”
“Lick It Up”
“I Love It Loud”
“Hell Or Hallelujah”
Guitar solo
Bass solo
“God Of Thunder”
“Do You Love Me”
“Love Gun”
“Black Diamond”
“Shout It Out Loud”
“Rock ’N’ Roll All Night”
“God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II” (credits)

Acoustic set:
“Comin Home”
“Plaster Caster”
“Hard Luck Woman”
“Christine Sixteen”
“Goin’ Blind”
“Love Her All I Can”
“Beth”

CD:

Disc 1:
“Detroit Rock City”
“Creatures Of The Night”
“Psycho Circus”
“Parasite”
“War Machine”
“Tears Are Falling”
“Deuce”
“Lick It Up”
“I Love It Loud”

Disc 2:
“Hell Or Hallelujah”
Guitar solo
“God Of Thunder”
“Do You Love Me”
“Love Gun”
“Black Diamond”
“Shout It Out Loud”
“Rock ’N’ Roll All Night”

Acoustic Live CD:
“Comin Home”
“Plaster Caster”
“Hard Luck Woman”
“Christine Sixteen”
“Goin 'Blind”
“Love Her All I Can”
“Beth”

As America’s #1 Gold Record Award winning group of all time, and that’s in every category, KISS can easily be named one of rock’s most influential bands. The Rock N Roll Hall Of Famers have released 44 albums and sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. Additionally, KISS were recently honoured by their peers, having received the illustrious ASCAP Founders Award in 2015.

 
Paul Stanley (Lead vocals, rhythm guitar) - “See us from the comfort of your couch with the awesome power of surround sound. Feel like you are in Vegas and don’t be shy. Shout it out loud”!
 
Gene Simmons (Vocals, bass guitar) - “Join us for a Crazy Crazy Night!”

According to a report by KSHE 95, KISS are looking for some special roadies for their upcoming Freedom To Rock tour. The band has teamed up with Hiring Our Heroes and the Veteran Tickets Foundation to hire a currently serving member of the National Guard or Reserve to be a Roadie For The Day for each date on the tour.

KISS is also donating some tickets to veterans in each community and will distribute those tickets through VetTix.org..

Veterans and their family members will also have the chance to purchase discounted tickets through Vet Tix. The offer isn't available in every city on the tour -- head to KissOnline.com for details.

The Freedom to Rock tour starts on July 4th in Tuscon, Arizona. Go to this location for the band'scomplete schedule and ticket information.

Jason Richardson, the total shredder formerly of All Shall Perish, Born Of Osiris, and Chelsea Grin, is releasing his solo album, I, on July 29th. He has premiered the official video for "Fragments”, which features Lukas Magyar of Veil Of Maya, Mark Holcomb of Periphery, and Luke Holland of The Word Alive. Watch the clip below:

Richardson's new album has earned praise from one of the most respected guitarists in rock music — Dream Theater's John Petrucci, who said, "Ridiculous guitar playing, insane drumming and great production! Really heavy, inventive, and unique! LOVE this album!!!"

The fever has spread among fans, as well. When Richardson released the video for "Omni”, it generated over 130,000 plays in one day.

Finland’s Steve'N'Seagulls will release their sophomore studio album on September 9th via Spinefarm Records. A single for the track “Aces High” will precede the album in July. A message from the band follows:

“TIMBER!! Our second studio album, Brothers In Farms, is coming out in September! Are you ready? Are we ready? We had an amazing recording session produced and recorded by Janne Haavisto and Jyri Riikonen at the E-Studio, Pitäjänmäki (FI).

“We took thirteen painstakingly selected classics and even one original on the album. One of the most ravishing songs, where banjo meets balalaika, the first single that will be released in July is… “Aces High”.

Check out the video below and stay tuned for updates.

Depressive black metal merchants, Ghost Bath, have released a video for “Happyhouse”, a track from their new album, Moonlover. Originally only available in Europe, Moonlover is now available digitally worldwide with an exclusive bonus track. A physical release was issued in North America on both CD and vinyl formats on June 10th. The album was produced by Josh Schroeder and Nameless and mixed by Josh Schroeder.

Moonlover tracklisting:

“The Sleeping Fields”
“Golden Number”
“Happyhouse”
“Beneath The Shade Tree”
“The Silver Flower Pt. 1”
“The Silver Flower Pt. 2”
“Death And The Maiden”

Bonus Track:
“Ascension”

“Happyhouse” video:

“Ascension” visualizer:

“Golden Number” video:

Ghost Bath will embark on their first ever North American tour in support of Moonlover this July.

"We look forward to performing for everyone," comments the band. "This will be our first time taking Ghost Bath to a live setting and we hope to see you there."

Tour dates with Underling and He Whose Ox Is Gored include:

July
11 - Vancouver, BC  - Astoria
12 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile
13 - Portland, OR - Lola's At Crystal Ballroom
14 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of The Hill
15 - Los Angeles, CA - Complex
16 - Las Vegas, NV - Divebar
17 - Mesa, AZ - Nile Theater (scaled)
19 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep
20 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
21 - Oklahoma City, OK - 89th Street
22 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog

Ghost Bath will also headline the Shadow Woods Metal Fest in White Hall, MD on September 15th.

The official music video for "Calling You Home", a new song from British heavy metal vocalist Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE), can be seen below. The track is taken from Blaze's eighth solo album, "Infinite Entanglement", which was released on March 1.

In an interview with Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon from Canada's The Metal Voice, Blaze stated about his new album: "I had this idea to write my own book. I had a story that… kind of coming from the character from 'Tenth Dimension' [Blaze's 2002 album] that I really wanted to do. And we started work on it, and we had too many songs for one album. And I thought, you know what? When I did 'Tenth Dimension', I had to keep that down to a certain amount of time because I was working with a record company; I had deadlines to meet. I thought this time… I think this is a really big story. And so, I started thinking about it like 'Dune' and 'The Lord Of The Rings' and something like that. I thought if I was gonna do exactly what I wanted to do, then I would do it in three albums. Well, I am my record company, so I can do what I want to do. So I'm doing it in three albums. And this is my first studio album — full metal studio album — for four years, and it's part one of a trilogy. And the story is told across the three albums. And so far, it's turned out really, really well. And the first few people now have got their pre-orders delivered, and they're really enjoying it. The feedback I've had is great."

Blaze also spoke in more detail about the story that is covered on the trilogy. He said: "It's about a man who does not know if he is human. It's his personal journey, and he is on a mission to discover one of the new Kepler planets. You know, Kepler discovered all these new planets. It's set a hundred years in the future, and he's on a spaceship and it's how he deals with the fact that he will be one of the first people ever to live for a thousand years because of advances in technology, and how he deals with that. And the question is: is he human or not? And that's it in a nutshell. And the story expands from there. And we discover a lot of different things — first, his emotions and how he feels, but also why he's there and how he is reacting to the circumstances. And everything is not what it seems. He's been chosen for the mission, and we find out why. And that's part of the overall story. So it's a kind of mystery horror, in a way, set in space, and this is part one of it. So I'm hoping that you'll like the rest as well."

According to Blaze, he intentionally made "Infinite Entanglement" so that fans of his music can listen to the album and enjoy it without having to be familiar with the entire story. He said: "That is how I started with the whole idea. I had to do something that I would enjoy. So I really wanted to do something more in the 'War Of The Worlds' style and in the 'Operation: Mindcrime'. I wanted it so, as a listener, you can enjoy each song without knowing the story. But if you want to look at the sleeve notes, if you want to get deeper in it, then you'll see the connections. You don't have to listen to all the songs to know the connections. And the order of the songs isn't in a way that you have to play it from start to finish either. And you won't really know where all of the songs fit until that third album comes out and it explains to you the whole story and all of the details."

Asked if he already has a timetable in mind for the release of the second and third albums in the trilogy, Blaze said: "We have half of album two, we have half of the songs ready for that, and we have some of the music and one of the songs for album three. So we kind of have the ending and a bit of the middle. So, as we're going along on tour, and I'm writing the rest of the story, then we'll come up with the rest of the songs."

He continued: "What I've enjoyed with this one is having the liberation of not having to connect everything to reality or directly to me, to be able to use somebody else's emotions and somebody else's thoughts, and have more than one set of eyes to look at the world through. That's been really liberating, and I've enjoyed it very much."

The 53-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to join MAIDEN, with whom he recorded two studio albums — 1995's "The X Factor" 1998's and "Virtual XI" — before Bruce Dickinson returned to the group.

Bayley released a career-spanning double-disc collection, "Soundtracks Of My Life", on October 31, 2013.

"Here Come The Infidels", the new album from STUCK MOJO, can be streamed in its entirety using the SoundCloud widget below. Due on June 24, the CD was once again produced by Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, EXODUS, TESTAMENT, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and ACCEPT, among others.

In addition to STUCK MOJO guitarist and main songwriter Rich Ward and longtime drummer Frank Fontsere, "Here Come The Infidels" features STUCK MOJO's latest additions, vocalist Robby J and bassist Len Sonnier.

Speaking about why a planned reunion of STUCK MOJO's classic lineup — featuring vocalist Bonz and bassist Corey Lowery — fell apart less than a year after playing a well-received show in the band's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Ward said: "The goal was to do a reunion record. And after doing three reunion shows, we just realized it wasn't gonna work — for the same reasons it didn't work the first time. But we'd already started the process into making this new album. And I knew that I wanted to work with Andy, because the best records in my career were done partnering with Andy. And Andy is not a producer in the sense that he sits in the back of the room with a cigar and says, 'Do that again.' So Andy then takes up part of that responsibility of being another member of the band to bounce ideas off of, help me creatively."

Containing eleven tracks of unmistakeable Ward riffing, "Here Come The Infidels" is available for pre-order through Pledge Music.

Said Ward: "Robby J is a fucking ninja, the total package vocalist/frontman. Mark my words, this guy is going to set a new standard for what a band with a rapper looks like."

Hailing from the Texas-Louisiana border, Len is a veteran bass player, best known for his time spent as the touring bassist in KING'S X frontman Doug Pinnick's POUNDHOUND project.

Professionally filmed video footage of OBITUARY's entire June 18 performance at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgum can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Redneck Stomp02. Centuries Of Lies03. Visions In My Head04. Intoxicated05. Bloodsoaked06. Dying07. Find The Arise08. 'Til Death09. Don't Care10. Chopped In Half11. Turned Inside Out

OBITUARY will return to Europe as part of the colossal "Battle Of The Bays" European tour in October / November 2016 alongside San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans EXODUS. Support will come from influential groove crossover metallers PRONG and Australian wrecking machine KING PARROT.

OBITUARY's ninth studio album, "Inked In Blood", sold around 5,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 75 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's first full-length CD in over five years, "Inked In Blood" was recorded by OBITUARY in April 2014 at the group's own RedNeck Studio in Gibsonton, Florida.

Speaking to Full Metal Jackie, OBITUARY drummer Donald Tardy stated about "Inked In Blood": "We don't try to reinvent the wheel; we never would do that. We know that OBITUARY stands for something solid and that mid-tempo, groovy feel that OBITUARY has. So we didn't wanna step too far out of it, we really wanted to stay true to our roots. But, of course, I personally think the band, individually, gets better with every year that goes by, every album that we record, everyone seems to get… We find our knack that much more. And that goes to say with this album. This album just seems so much more just catchy and just easy to listen to, and that simple, groovy metal that we're known for. We really found ourselves with this album."

Donald also spoke about OBITUARY's current lineup, which includes Kenny Andrews (guitar) and Terry Butler (bass): "With Terry and Ken on board, it's a refreshing idea of band members coming in with a positive attitude and professionalism. And they brought to the studio their ideas and their ears. And when me and Trevor [Peres, guitar] were done writing a song, they would listen with us and they would give us [suggestions, like], 'Maybe you should add something here,' or, more importantly, to let us know, 'Maybe this song doesn't even need to be as long as it is.' So it was good to have input from Ken and Terry. And Ken's solo style is a beautiful blend of a little bit of Allen West meets a little James Murphy. And I think that was missing from OBITUARY for these last few years and Ken really brought that back to the table. And I believe that's what fans want and they're really gonna see the difference with Ken's solo style, that it's back to the roots with us. And it's a good feeling."

OBITUARY is: John Tardy - Vocals Trevor Peres - Guitar Donald Tardy - Drums Terry Butler - Bass Kenny Andrews - Guitar

Fan-filmed video footage of THIN LIZZY's June 18 performance at the Monsters Of Rock festival in Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany can be seen below.

Playing bass for THIN LIZZY at all shows in 2016 and early 2017 is AEROSMITH's Tom Hamilton. Tom joins THIN LIZZY guitarists Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson, together with lead vocalist Ricky Warwick and keyboard player Darren Wharton.

Said Hamilton: "I'm really psyched to be playing these shows with THIN LIZZY during my downtime with AEROSMITH this summer. [It is] great to rock out to their classic songs onstage."

In addition to Tom's appointment on bass, MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee has been replaced in THIN LIZZY's touring lineup by JUDAS PRIEST drummer Scott Travis on all shows except August 6 in Sweden, where EUROPE drummer Ian Haugland will be on the drum stool.

On his appointment, Travis said: "First of all, let me offer a sincere thank you to Brian Downey and THIN LIZZY for allowing me to sit in with the band! THIN LIZZY are undisputed legends and to be a small part of their lineage is a humble honor for me. I hope to do the position good. It's gonna' be a blast!"

DEATH ANGEL's Rob Cavestany joined THE BUTLERS on stage this past Friday night (June 17) at the Uptown nightclub in Oakland, California to perform three songs: "The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown)" (originally recorded by FLEETWOOD MAC and later covered by JUDAS PRIEST), "Cold Gin" (KISS) and "Bad Reputation" (THIN LIZZY). Rob's appearance marked the first time he shared the stage with THE BUTLERS drummer Andy Galeon since Andy left DEATH ANGEL in 2009.

In addition to Galeon, THE BUTLERS feature current and former members of JETBOY, RUFFIANS and EXODUS. They play shows throughout California performing a slew of classic rock covers. Members of MACHINE HEAD, TESLA, TESTAMENT, FUEL, EXODUS and FANG have all sat in with the band.

In a September 2009 interview with Metal Rules! Radio, Andy Galeon stated about his departure from DEATH ANGEL, "We had a tour booked, and basically, I had personal things I had to deal with — I had a newborn baby — and I just was like, 'Well, I've gotta do stuff at home.' We [the members of DEATH ANGEL] weren't communicating well or nothing. I wasn't about to ask them to not go [on the road], so I just said, 'I'll just leave then.' I even pointed out a few [other drummers] from the [San Francisco] Bay Area that could be a fill-in or a replacement, whatever you wanna call it. I mentioned Chris Kontos [MACHINE HEAD, TESTAMENT], I mentioned Will Carroll [OLD GRANDAD, SCARECROW, VICIOUS RUMORS, MACHINE HEAD], and I think there was another guy... I knew they were gonna go with Will, because Ted [Aguilar], the rhythm guitar player [for DEATH ANGEL], has played with him in a bunch of bands — he even plays with him in SCARECROW, so I knew it would be easier."

Galeon added that the fact that he and some of the guys in DEATH ANGEL are family has not made it easier for them to be in a band together. "Sometimes being family, it makes it harder, for some reason. I don't know why, but it's just that way sometimes. Imagine being in a band with your brother for over 20 years, jamming with the same guy. You know every little quirk, you know every little thing that pisses him off, and you press those buttons when you have to, and he presses your buttons when he has to... I don't know what it is, man. You'd think we'd communicate more, but at times it's not that way. Musically, we always communicate pretty well; I mean, everything goes smoothly, [and] we push each other musically."

DEATH ANGEL's eighth album, "The Evil Divide", recently entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 98 with first-week sales of just over 6,000 units — nearly all from pure album sales. The set followed the No. 72-peaking "The Dream Calls For Blood", which opened with around 5,400 copies back in 2013.