NetEnt has officially launched the Jimi Hendrix online slot. This is the second branded game in the Rock Series from the popular developer, with the first one being Guns N' Roses which has already become a huge hit among fans at online casinos. The third installment in the series will go live in September and it will be a Motorhead branded online video slot.

Check out a video preview below:

Slots Magic Casino, Casino Adrenaline and Playamo Casino are the first to feature it.

 

 

Rival Sons will release their fifth album, Hollow Bones, on June 10th via Earache Records. A snippet of the new song “Baby Boy” is streaming below:

The first single, "Hollow Bones Pt. 1", is streaming below. The track is also included as an instant download for everyone who pre-orders Hollow Bones on iTunes. Order now and get your instant download of "Hollow Bones Pt. 1" at this location.

The new album features nine brand new tracks of electrifying rock 'n' soul, including a breathtaking cover of "Black Coffee". With a huge range of Hollow Bones products available, including limited edition gold, silver and transparent vinyl, plus ultra-limited signed CD and vinyl editions, there's something for everyone from the casual fan to the die-hard collector.

Pre-order Hollow Bones now on CD and vinyl at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Hollow Bones, Pt. 1”
“Tied Up”
“Thundering Voices”
“Baby Boy”
“Pretty Face”
“Fade Out”
“Black Coffee”
“Hollow Bones, Pt. 2”
“All That I Want”

“Thundering Voices” snippet:

“Hollow Bones Pt. 1”:

Divebomb Records continues its ongoing partnership with Century Media Records to bring about the worldwide reissue of Despair's third and final album, Beyond All Reason. It will be available on June 10th. Preorders are available at this location.

Formed in Germany in 1986, Despair dealt out thrash of the highest order over the course of their next six years together. Originally lead by vocalist Robert Kampf, Despair issued their debut album, History Of Hate, in 1988, but he exited the band before their next full-length so he could concentrate his energy on Century Media, the future label powerhouse he founded that year. The group then hired former Apostasy vocalist Andreas Henschel as Kampf’s replacement and released their critically acclaimed sophomore full-length, 1990’s Decay Of Humanity.

By the time the band went into Tonstudio Mohrmann in Bochum, Germany to record their next album, guitarist Waldemar Sorychta emerged as a force to reckon with, in front and behind the scenes. The guitarist seized the producer reigns on 1991’s Beyond All Reason, a well-rounded onslaught of thrash and more traditionally minded heavy metal that is the finest moment in their discography. As fierce as Beyond All Reason proved to be, it was sadly their swan song.

This reissue features all new digital mastering with expanded layout featuring lyrics and brand new essay by Carlos Ramirez (of NoEcho.net).

Tracklisting:

“Beyond Comprehension”
“Deaf & Blind”
“Imported Love”
“The Day Of Desperation”
“In The Deep”
“Rage In The Eyes”
“Burnt Out Souls”
“Son Of The Wild”
“Crossed In Sorrow”

“Deaf & Blind”:

Swedish metallers Days Of Anger release their new album, III, today (April 22nd) via GoldenCore Records/ZYX Music. The album was mixed and mastered by Philip Crusner (Fatal Smile, Diamond Dawn). Song snippets can be found below.

Tracklisting:

“Burning Inferno”
“Devil You Know”
“Life Will End With A Bullet”
“Lamb To The Slaughter”
“Spirits Of Dead”
“The Chosen One”
“Dead”
“My Drug Of Choice”
“Screams Of Agony”
“The Electric Funeral”
“Shadows” (instrumental)

Song snippets:

Days Of Anger are:

Alex Johnson - lead vocals (Fatal Smile)
Alf Johansson - guitar (Scaar)
Kenneth Nielsen - bass (Astral Carneval)
Kristian Huotari - drums (Scaar)

(Photo by Cathrin Johansson Borgström. Cover artwork design by C.A. Beckston)

Mustaine told Rolling Stone India that his family's move to Nashville was prompted largely by his daughter's decision to launch a country music career. He said: "The reason we moved out here was because I've made four records out here and all those times I was recording, I did live here. It really was comfortable to be here. The last time we were here, Electra was only two years old. We didn't know that she had the gift and once she started singing — I heard her sing one time and I was really convinced."

He continued: "I don't profess to be a singer first and foremost — I'm a guitar player that sings more than a singer who plays guitar. But with her, she really is. That's her strong point. For her, this is music city. It's all about country. It's where she's flourishing.

"I could do my job from anywhere — MEGADETH is that successful. I can do stuff on the 'Net from a desert island if I wanted to. But I think for her, to be here right now and work with other songwriters builds her name. She just goes in and meets people and doesn't tell them who her dad is. [Laughs]"

Electra Mustaine revealed to Rolling Stone that she and her family completed a reality-show pilot that they're seeking to turn into a series. It follows the Mustaines as they relocate from Los Angeles to Nashville.

"Everyone knows the story of MEGADETH and who my dad is," Electra said. "That story has already been told. But the one that hasn't been told is what he's like with his family, what it's like for him to move to Nashville. And what it's like to have him walk into a tractor store and try to fit in. He is funny as heck."

ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann will release his second solo album, titled "Headbangers Symphony", on July 1 via Nuclear Blast.

Wolf Hoffmann has a passion. His life-long love and dedication to heavy metal music is documented in dozens of albums spanning four decades with his long time heavy metal band ACCEPT. But beyond heavy metal, Wolf has an incessant craving for the classics, yes, the ones written decades and centuries ago.

Classical music has always been an influence — albeit limited — on ACCEPT's Teutonic approach to rock and heavy metal. However, it wasn't until 1997 during a extended hiatus from ACCEPT, that Wolf Hoffmann finally had the chance to fully explore and fulfill this interest by recording his first astounding solo album "Classical", a record filled with his rock-guitar-driven interpretations of some of classical music's most loved compositions.

"I have always incorporated classical music in my songwriting with ACCEPT, especially with 'Metal Heart', but I constantly felt there was so much more that I could do and I did not want to overload ACCEPT or force it in any way," he said. "I always knew I could make a whole record of it and that's how the first record 'Classical' was born. Even today, fans tell me that they are still listening to it, that's why it is so fantastic now to do another one."

"Headbangers Symphony" track listing:

01. Scherzo (L. v. Beethoven) 02. Night On Bald Mountain (M. Mussorgsky) 03. Je Crois Entendre Encore (G. Bizet)04. Double Cello Concerto In G Minor (A. Vivaldi)05. Adagio (T. Albinoni)06. Symphony No. 40 (W. A. Mozart )07. Swan Lake (P. Tchaikovsky) 08. Madame Butterfly (G. Puccini)09. Pathétique (L. v. Beethoven)10. Meditation (J. Massenet)11. Air On The G String (J. S. Bach)

Continued Hoffmann: "I am just so excited about 'Headbangers Symphony'. It has taken a long, long time but here we are, it's done, finally!" Wolf is just bursting with vigor as he talks about his latest labor of love. But why now? "It's truly coincidental," he said. "After we completed the last ACCEPT tour, I finally had the time to finish it. I started this a few years ago. The early recordings have been sitting in my archives in my home studio for years, almost completed. The reality was that with the continued success of ACCEPT, I was only able to work on it when ACCEPT was not recording or touring."

The prevalent early challenge was to pick the most suitable compositions. This was an exploratory process that only increased Wolf's adoration for the classics. "I always listen to classical music; it's always playing throughout my house," he said. "I have a huge collection of classics and as I listen — often at random, I take notes if something truly strikes me. When I notice that this or that could work in a translation to rock or heavy metal, I remember it and I pursue it! This has been going on for a long time!"

There are several reasons for the necessary experimentations that faced Wolf. Most classical compositions were written to be performed by a full orchestra. The fluid timing, those multiple, complex layers and sections that stretched out for lengthy periods, classical music was simply never designed to be played to the rigid beat so prevalent in rock 'n' roll.

"Headbangers Symphony" showcases an overabundance of highly skilled improvisations. Wolf took the main pieces, and then wrote riffs that fit them. Lastly, in the grand hard rock tradition, he layered a guitar solo over it. He shaped the sound into a quite adventurous elegance, but the key themes of the originals remained.

The first volume had a focus on the better known pieces; the second, "Headbangers Symphony", takes a similar approach. "In general, it does follow the same path," admitted Wolf, "but this time I did try to add a couple lesser known compositions. Mostly though, listeners will say, hey, I know that melody… so it's pretty much the same path as the 'Classical' record. It was my desire to record melodies I like and melodies people recognize."

Now that the album is done, Wolf is proud looking back and is pleased with this true labour of love; something he has wanted to do since the first record, "Classical", came out almost twenty years ago. While ACCEPT's Peter Baltes added several impressive bass lines, and other notable guest musicians made an appearance as well, the bulk of the work was completed by himself and Italian musician and arranger Melo Mafali.

"There are two major categories," Wolf elaborated. "First, the heavier stuff like Beethoven, the bombastic, full force epics on which you can simply shred along. Of course then there are the ballads, slower compositions that bring out the deeper feelings in each listener."

The highlights on "Headbangers Symphony" are plentiful and easy to pinpoint. The album kicks off with "Scherzo" from the well-known "9th Symphony" by Ludwig v. Beethoven. Many listeners might recognize the opening riff from the ACCEPT song "Teutonic Terror". "Back in 2009," Wolf explained, "when we started working on the songs for the 'Blood Of The Nations' album, I played the classical demos to our producer Andy Sneap. He liked that riff a lot and insisted on using it for the album. So we wrote 'Teutonic Terror' using this 'borrowed' riff."

Other highlights follow in rapid succession: "Night On Bald Mountain" by Russian composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is a very dramatic dark song on the theme of a witches' Sabbath, a perfect fit for Wolf's "metal treatment." "Symphony No. 40" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will be immediately recognizable. "It's a little more uptempo, pretty happy, typical for Mozart. Not mean and heavy as most of the other stuff," Wolf pointed out. Additional highpoints include Wolf's interpretations of such masterworks as Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake", "Pathétique" also from Ludwig v. Beethoven, "Méditation" from the opera "Thais" by French composer Jules Massenet, and, of course, the aforementioned "Madame Butterfly".

All in all, the eleven compositions on "Headbangers Symphony" paint the perfect portrait of Wolf's lifelong passion for the classics and his adoration for heavy metal. "I worked so much and so long on this until I felt it was ready," he said. "Now it is and I am thrilled and proud. This is my baby, my labor of love, ready for me to set it free."

On March 13, former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno performed at a special NWOBHM symposium in Tokai, Japan. More video footage of his performance — during which he was backed by members of the classic Japanese metal bands OUTRAGE and UNITED — can be seen below.

Di'Anno told Argentina's CM TV last August that "injuries" to his knee have forced him to sit down while performing. He added: "But it's worked in Wacken [at the Wacken Open Air festival], and everywhere in Brazil. I think the fans don't give a shit to see me; they just wanna hear me sing. So maybe six months I have to do this before the [knee] operation. I still wanna play, so I sit down and sing."

A year ago, Di'Anno spoke in more detail about the condition of his knee which is making it impossible for him to stand up and perform. He said: "I don't wanna swear… [Laughs] but it's fucked. It's actually fucked. Because this has been [going on for] seven years. I should have done this seven years ago. And now all the ligament is gone and all it basically is is bone rubbing against bone. And, oh my God, it's so painful some days, it's unbelievable. And through my mother, I caught osteoporosis [a progressive bone disease in which the bone density reduces over years] as well. When you get to a certain age. And [I can't be] buggered with that. [I'm like], sod this; I can't be dealing with it. So [fixing] the knee will make it a lot better."

Di'Anno added: "I can't take it anymore. And it will be so nice to be pain-free [after] seven years."

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

ARCHITECTS OF CHAOZ, the new band featuring Di'Anno alongside members of Paul's longtime German touring backing group THE PHANTOMZ, released its debut album, "The League Of Shadows", in North America last July via Metalville Records.

Swedish death metal torchbearers The Crown have launched a brand new video clip for the song “Iblis Bane”, taken from their latest album Death Is Not Dead. What could be better than starting the weekend with a lethal dose of classic and original death metal from one of the originators of the legendary Swedish scene?

The band has also released a full live show in HD. Watch below:

The Crown will play some selected live shows this year. Confirmed dates are listed below, with more to be announced soon.

May
13 - Gaswerk - Winterthur, Switzerland             
14 - Bikini Test - La Chaux De Fonds, Switzerland                                  
15 - Circolo Colony - Brescia, Italy   

Lineup:

Johan Lindstrand – vocals
Marko Tervonen – guitars
Magnus Olsfeld – bass
Robin Sörqvist – guitars
Henrik Axelsson - drums

Metal Church have announced that "guitarist Rick Van Zandt has fully recovered from his recent eyeball surgery and is ready to rock!" The band are set to announce more US tour dates today. Stay tuned for updates.

Metal Church recently hit the US charts at #57 with their Mike Howe reunion album XI. “I can hardly believe the response to this new album,” exclaims guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof on their highest chart position ever selling 10,771.

Howe has been overwhelmed by the response to his return stating: “It has and continues to be an honor for me to be the singer in Metal Church. The out-pouring of support from the fans has truly been amazing!”

Check out BraveWords glowing review of XI at this location. A BraveWords review and gallery of their recent New York City appearance can be found here.

“No Tomorrow” video:

 

 

Evil Masquerade will release their new album, The Outcast Hall Of Fame, on May 19th via Dark Minstrel Music. A video trailer with audio samples can be found below.

The album was produced by Henrik Flyman, and was mixed and mastered by Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Pretty Maids, Jorn). Featured vocalists include Mats Levén (Candlemass), Rick Altzi (Masterplan, At Vance), Apollo Papathanasio (Spiritual Beggars), and Nicklas Sonne (Defecto, Malrun). Backing vocals by Yenz Leonhardt (Stormwarrior, Lacrimosa).

The album’s front cover was once again painted by David Troest, who also did the artwork for the albums The Digital Crucifix and 10 Years In The Dark.

Tracklisting:

“The Outcast Hall Of Fame”
“Death Of God”
“Darkness (I Need You)”
“One Thousand Roses And A Lot Of Pain”
“Lost Inside A World Of Fear”
“The Spineless”
“Märk Hur Vår Skugga”
“On No Way To Broadway”

Trailer:

Video footage of EVANESCENCE guitarist Jen Majura paying tribute to legendary singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer Prince with a performance of his classic song "Purple Rain" can be seen below. Majura sings the track and is accompanied on guitar by Dennis Hormes.

Prince died unexpectedly at the age of 57 on Thursday (April 21) in his Minnesota home.

Reports of Prince's death began surfacing Thursday morning and were soon confirmed by his publicist. At press time, the death was being investigated and a cause of death had not yet been announced. The singer was said to be ill with the flu in recent weeks

Prince's death comes only days after he said he wasn't feeling well, causing the cancelation at least one concert in Atlanta. He eventually played the city, after which his plane made an emergency landing. At the time, his publicist said that he was "fine and at home."

Prince has won seven Grammy Awards, and he won an Oscar for the original song score to the classic film "Purple Rain", in which he also starred.

He recorded some 39 studio albums, recording and touring prolifically even after a very public battle to get out of his major label contract threatened to derail his career.

Majura made her live debut with EVANESCENCE last November. She has previously played with the German metal bands EQUILIBRIUM and KNORKATOR.

Canadian prog outfit, Heaven’s Cry, have released a lyric video for “The Human Factor”, a track from their forthcoming album, Outcast.

Continuing where their 2012 full-length Wheels Of Impermanence left off, Outcast is a concept album that examines the corruption of governments around the world and incites humankind to rally up and fight as this will be the key to our survival and growth.

Scheduled for release on June 3rd via Prosthetic Records, Outcast was self-produced by the band along with Yannick St-Amand.

 

Tracklisting:

“The Human Factor”
“Outcast”
“The Day The System Failed”
“If I Only Knew”
“A Shift In Scenery”
“Symmetry”
“Alive”

“The Human Factor” lyric video:

Teaser:

 

Outcast will showcased live during three record-release shows in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec. Additional support will be provided by Borealis and Hillward.

Dates are as follows:

June
3 - Ottawa, ON - Mavericks
4 - Montreal, QC - Piranha Bar
5 - Quebec City, QC - L'Anti

"Delirium", the title track of the new album from Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL, can be streamed below. Due on May 27 through Century Media, the CD was recorded at BRX Studio in Milan between December 2015 and February 2016. The effort was produced by LACUNA COIL bassist and main songwriter Marco "Maki" Coti-Zelati, with engineering by Marco Barusso and additional assistance from Dario Valentini. Coti-Zelati also created the artwork for "Delirium", which is based on an atmospheric session captured by Italian photographer Alessandro Olgiati.

"Delirium" track listing:

01. The House Of Shame02. Broken Things03. Delirium04. Blood, Tears, Dust05. Downfall06. Take Me Home07. You Love Me 'Cause I Hate You08. Ghost In The Mist09. My Demons10. Claustrophobia11. Ultima Ratio

"Delirium" is LACUNA COIL's first album to featuring American drummer Ryan Blake Folden, who has been touring with the band since 2012.

LACUNA COIL will make its much-anticipated return to North America as part of the "Delirium" tour, starting in San Francisco on May 7. The first leg of the tour will feature BUTCHER BABIES as direct support, with 9ELECTRIC and PAINTED WIVES rounding out the stellar package. The second leg will be announced in the coming weeks and will have a different band as direct support, while the rest of the touring package remains intact.

LACUNA COIL's female vocalist Cristina Scabbia states: "Everything feels different this time in the LACUNA COIL camp. It's something I can hear it and something I can breathe. A new wave of confidence, a renewed essence and pure drops of energy sweating out of our pores. I can't wait to show it to all my friends and welcome you all once again in our family. Trust me, this is a 'Delirium' you will feel the NEED to be part of."

Adds male vocalist Andrea Ferro (male vocals): "'Delirium' is not the beginning of a new chapter in LACUNA COIL's life; it is the beginning of a new book! We're really excited about starting this touring cycle with such a fresh vibe, meeting old and new friends around the U.S. and get such great touring companions. We're just writing the first page of this book and it is already a crazy one."

Says bassist Marco Coti-Zelati: "We're all super excited to finally be coming back to the U.S. and we're ready to kick some asses with the greatest album that we've ever made! New lineup, new sound, a new vibe and new emotions. I can't wait to see the reactions from the audiences when they hear the 'Delirium' songs played for the first time. Fresh, dark and powerful emotions all at the same time. The strength and heavy approach of thrash metal from the '90s — in a modern style. To me, this is the album that I think will be exciting to both of our older AND newer fans. I'm excited, and ready to have some fun on stage, while we spread the 'Delirium' to the people."

States drummer Ryan Blake Folden: "For me, I am truly excited to get on the road and play some new material. This is the first record I got to be a part of with the band and I can't wait to finally see people reactions to songs that I have been really excited about for over a year now. Not to mention I'll finally be expressing myself on stage in a way that I haven't been able to do in some time, having up until this point performed music that predated my arrival to the band. With the manifestation of the theme, costumes and artwork, along with the music, the band creatively and passionately poured itself into making this something special."

Speaking to Revolver magazine, Scabbia stated about the lyrical themes covered on "Delirium": "There's a lot to say about it, and there's a lot of things that we still need to decide, and a lot of things that can change during the process. But overall, it's an album that will be centered on insanity — that was the main inspiration for this album. From simple types of insanity, like being in the same bed with your partner and not talking to each other but having your phone in your hand, or something more serious and specific, like Stockholm Syndrome, where a person loves another person in a crazy way, even if it's the wrong one. We even imagined that the entire record takes place in sort of a hospital or asylum, where different patients are telling us their stories."

Asked if "Delirium" will be a similar kind of record to 2014's "Broken Crown Halo", which had a "cinematic vibe" to it, Scabbia said: "Even more! And we're already discussing stage clothes and stage setup for the tour. I've always liked the theatrical side of the show. I've never agreed with the bands that don't even consider their look onstage, just because only music counts. Of course music counts — but if you go to a show, you want to see a band acting like they're doing a show. So I think costumes are important. It's like going to the theater and seeing the actors without their proper clothes — it's not the same! And honestly, it's more fun for the band — putting on the costumes before you go onstage, it's sort of a ritual, and it puts you into the show even more. It's still you, but it's a different side of yourself."

As previously reported, LACUNA COIL recruited Los Angeles-based musician Daniel Sahagún (BLACK LODGE) as a fill-in guitarist for the band following the recent departure of Marco "Maus" Biazzi.

Sahagún previously played bass for LACUNA COIL in 2014 when the band's bassist and main songwriter Marco "Maki" Coti-Zelati was sick and unable to tour with the group.

Daniel made his live debut as LACUNA COIL's guitarist during tis year's 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise.

Biazzi left LACUNA COIL in January, explaining in a statement: "I felt I couldn't add more in this project any longer so I decided to leave my second family, LACUNA COIL, to take a different path for a new challenge in my life.

LACUNA COIL in February 2014 parted ways with guitarist Cris "Pizza" Migliore and drummer Cristiano "Criz" Mozzati.

Photo credit: Alessandro Olgiati

A new experimental rock band called GONE IS GONE has been formed by MASTODON's Troy Sanders, AT THE DRIVE-IN's Tony Hajjar, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Troy Van Leeuwen and guitarist-keyboardist Mike Zarin. The collaborative group plans to debut an EP later this summer through their own imprint label via Rise Records/BMG. In anticipation of the impending release, GONE IS GONE has unveiled a new song, "Violescent", the video for which can be seen below. The band will also perform its first show ever at the Dragonfly in Los Angeles on April 27.

What was once thought a distant idea is now reality. It began when members Tony Hajjar and Mike Zarin were writing music for film trailers and they realized they had created a sound that needed a life outside of that medium. It needed a band. Fast forward through some phone calls and drinks: Troy Van Leeuwen was in. The trio met and wrote an EP within the first several sessions, but were still in need of the right vocalist. Upon first listen, Troy Sanders understood the vision and flew to Los Angeles to write and record vocals on the spot.

In the interview with RollingStone.com, Tony Hajjar says: "GONE IS GONE is a project that can live even when we are working with our other entities as well. The goal is to be able to compose remotely, if needed, on film, trailers, or on anything else that comes up... It feels good to know that all this music will see the light of day soon."

Adds Sanders: "The vibe from Day One was, and has been, very therapeutic and refreshing for me. The chemistry was immediate." For more information, visit www.GoneIsGoneOfficial.com.

During a brand new interview with Postmedia Network, THE WHO frontman Roger Daltrey was asked for his opinion on the news that Brian Johnson was retiring from AC/DC because he risks substantial hearing loss if he continues to perform in large arenas and stadiums. Daltrey said: "I mean, I really feel badly for Brian. It must be heartbreaking for him after all the service he's given that band over the years.

"I thought [AC/DC's] farewell statement to the press and to Brian was fairly curt, to say the least. I felt for him. That must have hurt."

He continued: "I've spoken to Brian. He's got loads of other things he wants to do in his life.

"I think AC/DC will miss Brian much more than Brian will miss AC/DC. There you go. What do you expect from Australians? [Laughs]... And he's such a lovely guy, Brian. I've known him for 40-odd years, more..."

As for the announcement that Johnson will be replaced by GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose for the remainder of the "Rock Or Bust" world tour beginning May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal, Daltrey said: "I mean, go and see karaoke with Axl Rose? Give me a break. [Laughs]"

Johnson issued a statement on Tuesday detailing the hearing problems that forced him to stop touring. While he promised to continue recording, he couldn't say whether he would ever perform onstage with AC/DC again.

"Being part of AC/DC this past 36 years has been my life's work," he said. "I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person."

Johnson said his hearing problems were interfering with his ability to perform. "I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage and because I was not able to hear the other musicians clearly, I feared the quality of my performance could be compromised," he explained. "Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC."

He added that he has continued to consult with doctors, and was told that he could not "perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness."

Looking forward, he said, "My entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic."

"Stranded", the new Vincent Caldoni-directed video from French progressive metallers GOJIRA, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's brand new studio album, "Magma", which will be released on June 17 via Roadrunner Records. The as follow-up to 2012's "L'Enfant Sauvage" was recorded at GOJIRA frontman Joseph Duplantier's Silver Cord Studio in Queens, New York.

"Magma" track listing:

01. The Shooting Star02. Silvera03. The Cell04. Stranded05. Yellow Stone06. Magma07. Pray08. Only Pain09. Low Lands10. Liberation

The cover artwork for "Magma" can be seen below.

Joseph told RollingStone.com in a new interview that GOJIRA worked on twelve songs for the album before ultimately deciding on ten. "We want a short album," he said. "Something less epic than what we usually do. People's attentions are shorter now. So a lot of the songs are four minutes."

Joseph and his brother, GOJIRA drummer Mario Duplantier, who make up the band's songwriting core, were forced to put the sessions for the new album on hold when their mother got sick and eventually died last summer.

"I felt physically, mentally exhausted," Joseph told RollingStone.com. "At the same time, though, the way it happened was beautiful. We were all around her. We had to cancel a few shows when she died, but it was very enriching at the same time. We learned a lot about death."

"When you read Joe's lyrics, for me, I cry right away," Mario said. "They're very deep and to the point. No bullshit. We recycle our sadness and depression in the music."

"Mario was recording drums, and I was playing guitar with him, just trying to help him know where he's at in the song, and both of us would start crying at the same time," Joseph added.

"The songs were half-written while she was sick," he said. "After she died, I still had to finish them. So one song was like, 'You're going to make it,' but the second verse is 'You didn't make it.'"

GOJIRA's fifth album, "L'Enfant Sauvage", sold almost 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart.

In March 2015, GOJIRA released "Les Enfants Sauvages", a limited edition 5" x 7", 60-page hardcover photo book chronicling the band's journey around the world over the first two years since the release of "L'Enfant Sauvage". The images were taken around the globe, spanning over 150 shows on three continents, and were hand-selected by Joseph and Mario. The package also included a live CD and DVD capturing the band's performance at the legendary Brixton Academy in London, England.

Prince was reportedly treated for a drug overdose six days before his death on Thursday, April 21st, according to TMZ.

Prince’s jet plane made an emergency landing in Moline, IL, last Friday due to a medical emergency. His rep told Variety at the time that the singer was struggling with the flu.

According to the TMZ report, doctors gave Prince a “safe shot” after he was rushed to the hospital, something reportedly given to counteract the effects of opiates. Doctors apparently advised that Prince stay in the hospital for 24 hours — he left, however, after three hours.

Authorities found Prince unresponsive when they arrived Thursday morning, responding to a 911 call. First responders tried CPR, but were unable to revive the pop star and he was pronounced dead at 10:07 a.m.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Prince’s death. His autopsy will be performed on Friday.

The Carver County Sheriff’s Office also released the transcript of the 911 call; that can be read at Variety.com.

Members of the rock community have taken to social media to pay tribute to Prince. A selection can be seen below:

According to an update from Aavntasia, they will shoot their entire show in São Paulo, Brazil on April 24th for a future DVD / Blu-Ray release. In addition, they will also shoot a clip for the Ghostlights album song "Draconian Love" on the day "most probably right before the actual show starts." 

Avantasia also filmed their sold out March 16th show in Prague, Czech Republic for the forthcoming DVD / Blu-Ray. Stay tuned for updates.
 

Just prior to playing Russia as part of the Ghostlights tour with Avantasia, vocalist Amanda Somerville (Trillium, HDK) uploaded a video blog, which can be seen below.

About the following video, Somerville said, "I know this is a rather boring video (and it's already a couple days old; the bane of touring is crappy internet connections!), but I just wanted to give you a little update and I hope you can appreciate it for what it is. There will be bits here and there along the way, but don't expect the video blogs as they used to be; I can't keep up with that anymore! We're headed to Moscow tomorrow - I'm very excited! See many of you along the way. Be well. Be kind. Play your music loud."

Grammy Award-winning Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees and 2016 Record Store Day Ambassadors METALLICA performed live this past Saturday (April 16) at Berkeley, California's legendary record store Rasputin Music in celebration of Record Store Day 2016.

Behind-the-scenes footage from the event can be seen below. While a few lucky Met Club members and Rasputin customers won tickets to see the rare in-store performance in person, fans from around the world were also able to join from the comfort of their own living room via a live stream.

METALLICA ended the show by taking a bow and pointing out some of the special people in attendance, singling out family members, as well as Ray Burton, the father of late METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton; FAITH NO MORE drummer Mike Bordin; and Jonny and Marsha Zazula, who signed METALLICA to the Megaforce label in 1983.

The setlist was as follows:

01. Helpless (DIAMOND HEAD cover)02. Hit The Lights03. The Four Horsemen04. Ride The Lightning05. Fade To Black06. Jump In The Fire07. For Whom The Bell Tolls08. Creeping Death09. Metal Militia

This is the third special show METALLICA has put out for free streaming in the past year, following a headlining set at last year's Rock In Rio USA and the concert they played in February at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Super Bowl weekend.

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield said: "METALLICA has been lifelong supporters of record stores and indie retail, because… well, because we grew up with it and no one would play our stuff, so that's where would meet friends, meet fans, hang out at the record stores and get to find out what cool new music is out there."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich added: "Independent record stores are part of METALLICA's DNA. They have been pivotal in shaping each one of us into the music fanatics we've all become. We could not be any prouder to be Record Store Day Ambassadors for 2016 and are looking forward to screaming from every rooftop the next few months about everything independent record store and beyond."

Previous ambassadors have included FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl and Jack White.

Throughout the nine years that Record Store Day has been in existence, METALLICA has participated with events and special releases.

The band did a meet-and-greet with fans at Rasputin Records in Mountain View, California back in 2008 to help kick off the very first Record Store Day.

Last year the group issued a cassette version of its original 1982 demo, "No Life 'Til Leather", which ended up being Record Store Day 2015's biggest seller.

Following the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015, METALLICA's release for this year's Record Store Day is "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Metallica! - Live At Le Bataclan. Paris, France - June 11th, 2003", a CD featuring a live recording of METALLICA performing at the same venue that was the site of the deadliest of the November attacks.

Proceeds from sales of the CD will benefit Fondation de France's Give For France charity.

METALLICA has also released deluxe reissues of its first two albums, 1983's "Kill 'Em All" and 1984's "Ride The Lightning", on Record Store Day.

On April 19, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine posted a new video on Periscope, a live video streaming platform owned by Twitter, in which he walks the viewer into his house in Nashville, Tennessee. Check out the two-and-a-half-minute clip below.

Mustaine told Rolling Stone India that his family's move to Nashville was prompted largely by his daughter's decision to launch a country music career. He said: "The reason we moved out here was because I've made four records out here and all those times I was recording, I did live here. It really was comfortable to be here. The last time we were here, Electra was only two years old. We didn't know that she had the gift and once she started singing — I heard her sing one time and I was really convinced."

He continued: "I don't profess to be a singer first and foremost — I'm a guitar player that sings more than a singer who plays guitar. But with her, she really is. That's her strong point. For her, this is music city. It's all about country. It's where she's flourishing.

"I could do my job from anywhere — MEGADETH is that successful. I can do stuff on the 'Net from a desert island if I wanted to. But I think for her, to be here right now and work with other songwriters builds her name. She just goes in and meets people and doesn't tell them who her dad is. [Laughs]"

Electra Mustaine revealed to Rolling Stone that she and her family completed a reality-show pilot that they're seeking to turn into a series. It follows the Mustaines as they relocate from Los Angeles to Nashville.

"Everyone knows the story of MEGADETH and who my dad is," Electra said. "That story has already been told. But the one that hasn't been told is what he's like with his family, what it's like for him to move to Nashville. And what it's like to have him walk into a tractor store and try to fit in. He is funny as heck."

On April 6, SOULFLY performed on a Brazilian TV show called "The Noite". You can now watch video footage of the band's appearance below.

Drummer Zyon Cavalera did not play with SOULFLY on the band's South American tour, which concluded on April 16 in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's capital city. Filling in for him was Kanky Lora, who plays drums for SOULFLY guitarist Marc Rizzo's solo band.

SOULFLY will embark on a four-week U.S. headlining tour this weekend. Joining them on the trek will be brutal death metal legends SUFFOCATION, Metal Blade recording artists BATTLECROSS, as well as ABORMALITY and LODY KONG.

SOULFLY's tenth studio album, "Archangel", was released on August 14, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The CD was produced and mixed by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, BEHEMOTH, CHILDREN OF BODOM), and features cover artwork by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, HATEBREED, ICED EARTH, SODOM).

SOULFLY has tapped Mike Leon (HAVOK) to play bass on the band's current tour. Leon said: "I've been a fan of Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY mainman] and his music since I was a little kid, and to be playing with him and the guys now is truly unbelievable!"

Handling bass duties for SOULFLY during some of the group's shows last year was Max Cavalera's son Igor, who also sings for the Phoenix, Arizona band LODY KONG.

Former STATIC-X bassist Tony Campos left SOULFLY in May 2015 and is now touring with FEAR FACTORY.

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor paid tribute to legendary songwriter, singer and producer Prince earlier tonight (Thursday, April 21) by performing a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain" as the opening song of Taylor's solo concert at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Video footage of Corey's rendition can be seen below.

Taylor told the audience: "In a world where so many people treat music like a commodity, it was always refreshing to know that there was always Prince. There was always Prince. And he may be gone, but we have a lifetime of music."

Taylor also performed Prince's "Little Red Corvette" as he has done at previous solo shows. You can watch video footage of that performance on Corey's Facebook page.

Prince died earlier today (Thursday, April 21) at the age of 57.

"It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57," said Prince's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure.

Prince's death comes only days after he said he wasn't feeling well, causing the cancelation at least one concert in Atlanta. He eventually played a show in the city, after which his plane made an emergency landing. At the time, his publicist said that he was"fine and at home."

Prince has won seven Grammy Awards, and he won an Oscar for the original song score to the classic film "Purple Rain". In 2007, he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, for "The Song Of The Heart" from "Happy Feet".

German blues rockers Zodiac will release their new album, Grain Of Soul, on July 29th via Napalm Records. It was recorded and mixed by Arne Neurand (Guano Apes, Subway To Sally, The Intersphere) at Horus Sound Studio in Hannover, Germany. The mastering duties were handled by Grammy Award winning Jean-Pierre Chalbos (Gojira, Kavinsky) at La Source Mastering in Paris, France. Now it's time to unleash the artwork and tracklisting.

Grain Of Soul tracklisting:

"Rebirth By Fire"
"Animal"
"Follow You"
"Down"
"Faithless"
"Crow"
"Ain't Coming Back"
"Get Out"
"Like The Sun"
"Sinner"
"Grain Of Soul"
 
Bonus 7-inch single:

"Shore"
"Dying One"

"The recordings of Grain Of Soul were the most intense so far and the album turned out deep and heavy," says drummer Janosch Rathmer. "It's definitely a new chapter that just happened and it's gonna be a blast getting the material up on stage!"

Prior to kicking off a European headline tour in support of the album in September / October, Zodiac will be playing two exclusive record release shows in Germany.

July
29 - Münster, Germany - Skater’s Palace
30 - Berlin, Germany - Privatclub

Upcoming summer festival dates:

May
21 - Bully-les-Mines, France - Bully On Rocks Festival

June
24 - Hamburg, Germany - Hamburg Harley Days

August
17-20 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze Festival