The Birmingham Mail has released a list of the Top 40 music millionaires in Britain and Ireland. Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne place at number 17 on the list at £135m, which equates to $193 million while Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant come in at 22 and 24 making £105m and £103m.

Tops on the list is Sir Paul McCartney with a whopping £760m which is over $1 billion in earnings. The top 5 is rounded out by Lord Llyod-Webber (£715m), U2 (£500m), Sir Elton John (£280m) and Sir Mick Jagger (£235m.)

Osbourne is currently touring with Black Sabbath on The End tour. These dates mark the end of the epic journey that Black Sabbath began nearly five decades ago. The massive 2016 The End world tour by the greatest metal band of all time will take the band to Australia and New Zealand in April, then Europe fora mix of summer headlining and festival performances, before returning to North America in August.

Led Zeppelin founders Page and Plant lost their bid to avoid a trial that may rewrite the history of rock n’ roll over song-writing credit for the 1971 classic “Stairway To Heaven”, reports Bloomberg.com.

A federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that a jury must decide whether the British rockers ripped off the opening licks of “Taurus”, which was recorded by a band named Spirit that once played concerts with Zeppelin. The judge dismissed some claims in the lawsuit and also said the plaintiff can get only half of any jury award of damages.

Rock powerhouse ALTER BRIDGE recently commenced recording the follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed 2013 album "Fortress". The as-yet-untitled fifth LP is once again being produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette and is tentatively set for release in the fall.

In a brand new interview with Myglobalmind, ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti stated about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's new CD: "Today I'm tracking my ninth out of fourteenth guitar track; the drums and bass are done. We are hoping to have it out the later part of September, because we have another European tour scheduled for early November and we want people to be familiar with it before we go over there."

He continued: For the first time in our careers, we are free agents. We are signing a new record deal and just trying to get the business stuff aside so we can focus on this music as we have the U.S. tour scheduled in July. We will be going out with BREAKING BENJAMIN and DISTURBED."

Regarding what fans can expect from the next ALTER BRIDGE album, Tremonti told TeamRock Radio: "It could go in any direction. I've got a ton of ideas in all different styles. Last time, it was just one heavy idea after another and hopefully this time we can branch out and bring something new to the table."

"Fortress" was released in 2013 and featured the Active Rock Top 15 single "Addicted To Pain".

When ALTER BRIDGE is on hiatus, Kennedy can be found fronting Slash's band, SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS.

Tremonti will release the third effort from his band TREMONTI, titled "Dust", on April 29.

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe has teamed up with photographer/filmmaker Rob Fenn and Oscar-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton to write the upcoming movie "You, Me And A '63".

"You, Me And A '63" is described as a documentary series that follows Fenn around the United States in his 1963 Ford Thunderbird. Fenn also produced and directed the film, which is narrated by Thornton.

Blythe, who has previously described himself as "a decent writer", told Metal Hammer magazine earlier in the year that he is writing a futuristic novel. "It's set 50 to 100 years in the future," Blythe said. "I'm wracking my brain right now, because you have to figure out all sorts of little things we don't think about, because of the incredibly rapid advancement of technology."

Comparing making music to the art of writing, Blythe said: "Writing a book makes writing a record look like going to kindergarten. It's a much more tense, concerted, extended, creative effort — it requires a lot of focus that [the touring] environment does not provide."

Blythe's memoir, titled "Dark Days", focused on his time in a Prague prison while on trial for manslaughter.

To celebrate Record Store Day on April 16th, Metallica invited members of their Fan Club and some old friends from back in the day to Rasputin Music for a little gig. The show is available to download from Live Metallica.

Setlist:

“Helpless”
“Hit The Lights”
“The Four Horsemen”
“Ride The Lightning”
Kirk Solo
“Fade To Black”
“Jump In The Fire”
“For Whom The Bell Tolls”
“Creeping Death”
“Metal Militia”

Show notes:

This was the first time in 17 years that Metallica performed in Berkeley. They last played here on April 21st and 22nd, 1999 while they recorded S&M with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

Metallica first played Berkeley on September 2nd, 1983 at the Keystone Berkeley at the tail end of the Kill 'Em All for One tour.

This was the first time in nearly four years that "Helpless" was played. It was last performed on August 2nd, 2012 in Mexico City.

This was the first time in over a year that "Hit The Lights" was performed. It was last played on February 9th, 2015 at a private party in San Francisco, CA.

Metallica last played "The Four Horsemen" on August 9th, 2014 at the Heavy Montreal festival.

"Jump In The Fire" was last played nearly three years ago on June 8th, 2013 during the secret dehaan set at Orion Music + More in Detroit, MI.

Metallica performed nine songs off of three albums: Kill 'Em All (4), Ride The Lightning (4) and Garage Inc. (1).

Metallica is no stranger to Record Store Day, a special day in support of independent record stores and record store culture worldwide, now in its ninth year. Metallica's support throughout the years has been more than noteworthy with in-store appearances, (remember Mountain View, CA Rasputin Records in 2008, when the band met their fans for hours to kick off the very first Record Store Day) and a healthy handful of special releases. In fact, members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo made big news just last year when the band's cassette-issued demos collection, No Life Til Leather, ended up as Record Store Day 2015's highest seller. As well, Trujillo's lauded biopic, Jaco, about legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, was RSD 2014's Official Film and a special Record Store Day exclusive version was released on DVD for Black Friday 2015, including a bonus CD featuring tracks from Trujillo himself.

On August 20th, Metallica will headline the first rock concert at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the new home of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. They are currently in the studio working on a new album.

It's a phenomenon that we occasionally come across in life: sometimes you have to take one step back to be able to take two steps forward. Combat Cathedral, the latest album release by Düsseldorf speed thrash metal act Assassin, takes two steps forward. It presents a band that is not only highly motivated, bringing to bear all its tried and tested fortes and pushing the pedal to the metal as ever, but that also has the courage to evolve. The band has released the first song from the album with the track “Back From The Dead”.

On the song Jürgen "Scholli" Scholz guitarist commented, "‘Back From The Dead’ is the opener of the new Assassin studio album Combat Cathedral and it hits you right in the face. It shows that Assassin are really back, stronger than ever with our new singer.
 
“The 12 songs were recorded at the Nemesis Studios in Essen with the support of experienced sound engineer Marc Görtz, guitarist and main songwriter with German metal core legend Caliban. Scholz: "Marc made sure that the typically earthy and consciously slightly old-school Assassin sound is ever-present on Combat Cathedral, enhancing it with a contemporary phat production. A perfect symbiosis!" 

 
The album's powerful speed thrash metal blends in perfectly with the new sleeve design. The artwork was created by Brazilian graphic designer Marcelo Vasco, whose work features on albums by Slayer, Machine Head, Soulfly and Borknagar, among others. "Our bassist Joachim Kremer is married to a Brazilian, that's how our contact with Vasco came about," the Assassin guitarist explains this minor sensation. "We're naturally very proud and happy, particularly since the artwork, together with the new material, documents the band's development."

After several months of hard work of song writings and rehearsing at studio At Rock in Grenoble (France) with Pierre Caci behind the desk, Nightmare has entered the studio to start the recordings of their new album, produced and arranged by Patrick Liotard and Joost Van Den Broek (Epica) and recorded at Noise Factory Studio in Belgium with Gerald Jans (Epysode, Channel Zero). Mixing will be done in May at Sandlane studio in The Netherlands by Van Den Broek. Stay tuned for more news & updates from the studio.

Last October, Nightmare introduced vocalist Magali Luyten (Beautiful Sun, Beyond The Bridge, Ayreon) and drummer Olivier Casula (Sangdragon, ex-Thalidomide, The Seven Gates).

Alpha Omega Management has announced the epic power metal legends Omen to its roster.

Omen - formed in Los Angeles, CA in 1983 by guitarist Kenny Powell - released their debut album Battle Cry in 1984, the song "The Axe Man" featured on the soundtrack for the Heavy Metal themed 2009 video game Brütal Legend (in 2009). Their 2nd release Warning Of Danger (1985) established the band as one of the forefathers of power metal. In 1986 was released The Curse which spent several months on the Burn! charts in Japan. Later that year came out Nightmares. With new singer Coburn Pharr (later with Annihilator) the band released Escape To Nowhere in 1988, a milestone for the band that garnered their first US radio single "Thorn In Your Flesh". In 1996 the band was back again with Reopening The Gates (featuring Powell's son Greg on vocals) and toured for the first time in Europe (with Fates Warning), opening the door for what has become one of the bands main stays, playing sold out shows "across the pond". In 2003 original singer J.D. Kimball passed away after a long battle with cancer. Powell vowed to carry on the legacy of the original Omen sound and brought in singer Kevin Goocher for Eternal Black Dawn a definite throwback to the early sound of the band.

2016 will see the release of Hammer Damage a tribute to Kimball, once again featuring Goocher on vocals, veteran of the last three releases Andy Hass on bass and the return of original drummer Steve Wittig. The band plans a heavy tour schedule for this release including Europe, South America (where extensive touring has built them a solid following) and a major focus on re-establishing the band in the US as a major force to be reckoned with.

Omen's statement: 

"Omen is very excited to be signing with Alpha Omega Management and we are looking forward to a long and productive relationship. Coming along at the same time of our new release Hammer Damage we feel like the timing is perfect and consider it a major step forward for the band." 

Alpha Omega Management adds:

"We are excited to welcome these power metal masters in Omen to our family! With the release of the long waited Hammer Damage, the band will confirm that they are ready to reclaim their throne as masters of authentic and unadulterated US metal. Omen is soon back on road, so stay tuned!"

Behexen, the Finnish sovereign of pure devilish black metal, are back 4 years after Nightside Emanations with their new album The Poisonous Path. The band is streaming a new music video for “Chalice Of The Abyssal Water”. The video was created by Håkan Sjödin, aka Mysteriis, from the famous Swedish horde Setherial.

Mixed and mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio, The Poisonous Path, the aptly named, is a raging beast brutally animated by a strong and massive production. The riffing is abrasive, the atmosphere is mephitic and the melodies are bewitching. Behexen has never been so impressive and this new opus is, undoubtedly; their best effort to date.

The sinister artwork was crafted by Kristiina Lehto (Baptism, Horna, Sargeist):

Tracklisting:

“The Poisonous Path”
“The Wand Of Shadows”
“Cave Of The Dark Dreams”
“A Sword Of Protean Fire”
“Umbra Lucifieri”
“Tyrant Of Luminous Darkness”
“Chalice Of The Abyssal Water”
“Pentagram Of The Black Earth”
“Gallows Of Inversion”
“Rakkaudesta Saatanaan”

"Chalice Of The Abyssal Water" video:

The Poisonous Path has been scheduled for release on May 27th through Debemur Morti Productions and will be available on CD, vinyl and digital.

With the release date coming ever closer, Karisma Records have debuted a track from Virus’ fourth full-length album Memento Collider. “Steamer” is streaming below.

Undoubtedly one of the most unique bands to come out of Norway, Virus have, for over a decade now, developed their otherworldly style and garnered themselves a large following that spans both the metal and rock scene world-wide. Memento Collider heralds Virus' return to their original 3-piece lineup of Carl-Michael "Czral" Eide on guitars and vocals, Petter "Plenum" Berntsen on bass and Einar "Einz" Sjursø on drums.  This time the iconic trio have taken Virus' idiosyncratic trademark sound of unusual flowing bass lines, experimental riffs and groovy rhythms a few steps further, to create a sound that is still very much experimental and progressive in the true sense of those definitions, but at the same time is catchy and melodic. 

Set for release on June 3rd and recorded at the Amper Tone Studios in Oslo, Memento Collider marks a spectacular return for Virus, where they once again demonstrate what the true essence of progressive rock is all about. 
 
As with their previous releases, Virus have invited a guest to perform on the album, and on Memento Collider it is Voivod's  Dan Mongrain who contributes a guitar solo.  Artwork for the album is by the Trine + Kim Design Studio. Preorders can be found on Karisma Records.

Tracklisting:

“Afield”
“Rogue Fossil”
“Dripping Into Orbit”
“Steamer”
“Gravity Seeker”
“Phantom Oil Slick”

“Steamer”:

French black metallers Otargos has released a lyric video “Chariots Ov The Godz”. The track is taken from the band’s November 2015 release, Xeno Kaos, a masterpiece of blackened death metal (or dark extreme metal as they call it) inspired by Warhammer 40k, physics, and astronomy.

Otargos live:

April
22 – Amiens, France – Tyrant Fest

June
15 – Chateau-Thierry, France – Castel Metal Fest
18 – Clisson, France – Hellfest

Gritty southern metal four-piece Texas Hippie Coalition are back with their fourth full-length Carved Records album, Dark Side Of Black, to be released on April 22nd.

In celebration of 4/20 and their impending album release, THC have revealed their latest music video for the new track "Angel Fall”. The video is directed by Clark Deal and was filmed at 3130 Studios in Oklahoma City, OK.

Vocalist Big Dad Ritch states, "Putting this video together, we knew we had to make haste, because we had to get on down the highway. As many people out there in the world know, if you're a musician, the only real way to make any money is to take the stage. And we put more miles on tires than any motorcycle club in the nation.
 
“When you take a look at this video, you'll notice the simplicity. I made sure the camera targeted in on the players faces, their emotions, and what they were going through playing the song. We just let what's inside them pour out onto the film. Nothing big about this, no inserts of visions that some director might whip up and to try and show what the singer/songwriter was trying to portray. We kept it pure and raw, just the way I like it. We wanted to keep it plain, let you see the darkness, let the black shine in, let the shadows on the face block exactly how the lips are moving where the words can't be seen.
 
“The song itself is about a young girl who was considered by all to be a beautiful angel. But she chose a path that was not a righteous one. It led her astray, and it left the angel with a broken wing. Now with her broken wing, is she still as pretty to you? Is she still as valuable to you, and can she ever be returned to grace again? It's her road that she has chosen, it's her path. You can't help her down this path, you can only pray for her. And hope that your prayers are answered. And in the Lord so answering your prayers, he guides this little angel back to a mended heart."

Embracing southern roots while exploring a heavier sound than ever before, Dark Side Of Black achieves a murky, groovier feel while not straying too far from THC's tried and true brand of rugged outlaw rock. Pre-orders for Dark Side Of Black are available here.

Dark Side Of Black was recorded at Boot Hill Studio in Corinth, TX and Valve Studios in Dallas, TX with producer Sterling Winfield (Pantera, Hellyeah, Damageplan).

"Dark Side Of Black is our heaviest album to date for sure," states THC vocalist Big Dad Ritch. "We've learned a lot having made four full-length albums prior. We're trying to use that knowledge we learned to make an album that can maintain what Ride On and Peacemaker bring to the table, yet we wanted it to lend itself more to the power that is the RED DIRT METAL of Rollin and Pride of Texas. So it feels like Pride meets Peacemaker. Top shelf THC meets bottom shelf liquor..."

Although Texas Hippie Coalition are experts at their trade, recording Dark Side Of Black wasn't easy at times. THC drummer Timmy Braun comments on his physical struggle while recording the album, having just recovered from a serious infection shortly beforehand. He feels, perhaps, that this struggle influenced his recording style overall.

"About Dark Side Of Black, I have never had such a difficult time completing an album in my life," begins Braun. "I say that because my first session I had just got out of the hospital. It was difficult for me to walk let alone play a drum kit. After being in bed for literally two weeks I felt a bit out of shape. Then for the second session my hand was swollen to almost twice its size because of an injury! I couldn't make a fist let alone play a drum kit. However, I'm hoping the vibe I was able to create will have a special flavor that I wouldn't have been able to offer had my life been in order, per say. In other words, tough times make for better art!"

Guitarist Cord Pool adds, "Between tweaking our writing style and being influenced by personal things, Dark Side Of Black leads the listener a step closer to the darker and heavier side of what we have to offer."

Dark Side Of Black tracklisting:

“Angel Fall”
“Come Get It”
“Dark Side”
“Gods Are Angry”
“Hit It”
“Into The Wall”
“Knee Deep”
“Rise”
“Shakin'”
“Villain”

“Come Get It”:

"Rise”:

In celebration of the album's release, Texas Hippie Coalition will venture out on a US headline tour with support from fellow Texas namesakes and natives Sons Of Texas. The Dark Side Of Black tour will begin its first leg on April 29th in Shreveport, LA and visit a total of 26 cities before ending at River City Rockfest on May 29th. The tour will include five spring festival stops (these will not include Sons Of Texas). Before the tour, the band will perform two headline dates, one of which will act as their official album release party.

Find the band’s complete tour itinerary at this location.

Nearly one year has passed since Israeli thrash metal act Hammercult ,who moved to Berlin last year, released their third album Built For War. One year during where not only the whole world but also the international metal scene have changed. Hammercult have stayed abreast of those changes: more than ever before, the band impressed with their broad stylistic range, increasingly allowing – along with their unmistakable strengths – influences from the punk, hardcore and traditional heavy metal genres. The result was a true, intoxicating thrash metal manifesto with an inescapable knock-on effect.

Now they show their influences with unique cover versions of songs by Accept, Motörhead, Running Wild, Slayer and GG Allin. To give the fans as much as possible for their money they also put three of their signature songs on the digipak and LP version. The provoking artwork was created by Andreas Marshall, famous for his works for Kreator, Sodom and Blind Guardian.

Hammercult’s Legends Never Die EP will be out via Steamhammer/SPV on June 17th as a digipak version, limited LP version and download.

Digi CD EP tracklisting:

“Fast As A Shark”
“Ace Of Spades”
“Soldiers Of Hell”
“No Rules”
“Evil Has No Boundaries”
“Rise Of The Hammer”
“Steelcrusher”
“Let The Angels Burn”

LP tracklisting:

Side 1
“Fast As A Shark”
“Ace Of Spades”
“Soldiers Of Hell”
“No Rules”

Side 2
“Evil Has No Boundaries”
“Rise Of The Hammer”
“Steelcrusher”
“Let The Angels Burn”

Tour dates:

June
22 - Aarschot, Belgium - De Klinker (with Municipal Waste)
23 - Kassel, Germany - K19 (with Municipal Waste)
25 - Berlin, Germany - Bi Nuu (with Municipal Waste)
26 - Munich, Germany - Backstage (with Municipal Waste)
28 - Rome, Italy - Traffic Club (with Municipal Waste)
29 - Milano, Italy - Cicolo Magnolia (with Municipal Waste)

July
2 - Roitzschjora, Germany - With Full Force Festival
3 - Hamburg, Germany - Bambi Galore (with Municipal Waste)
5 - Cologne, Germany - MTC (with Municipal Waste)

October
3 - Krefeld, Germany - Magnapop

Fan-filmed video footage of GUNS N' ROSES' April 19 concert at Foro Sol in Mexico City can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. It's So Easy02. Mr. Brownstone03. Chinese Democracy04. Welcome To The Jungle05. Double Talkin' Jive06. Estranged07. Live And Let Die (WINGS cover)08. Rocket Queen09. You Could Be Mine10. Attitude (MISFITS cover)11. This I Love12. Coma13. Speak Softly Love (Love Theme From "The Godfather") (Andy Williams cover)14. Sweet Child O' Mine15. Civil War16. Better17. Jam18. November Rain19. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (BOB DYLAN cover)20. Nightrain

Encore:

21. Patience22. The Seeker (THE WHO cover)23. Paradise City

For this, GN'R fifth appearance since the reunion of singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, Rose was still confined to a throne after snapping his metatarsal bone while singing during the Troubadour reunion show on April 1. It is apparently the same custom throne Dave Grohl used last year for FOO FIGHTERS concerts after breaking a leg.

Only Rose, Slash and McKagan from GN'R's "Appetite For Destruction"-era lineup took part in the five shows the band has played this month. They were joined by keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus and drummer Frank Ferrer. Also appearing with them was second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

GUNS N' ROSES is scheduled to play one more show at Coachella next weekend and one more gig in Mexico City later this week. A full North American tour is on tap for this summer.

GUNS N' ROSES is getting a reported $8 million for its two appearances at Coachella and an average of $2.75 million per show on the tour.

By comparison, Rose's most recent pre-reunion lineup of GUNS N' ROSES was getting somewhere between $350,000 and $500,000 per show, according to Billboard's industry sources.

GUNS N' ROSES has sold 44.5 million albums in the United States, according to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America).

Ulterium Records announce the release of "Angel In the Ashes”, an all-star charity track for sale with 100% of the income going to feed homeless and refugee families in Greece. The song is being released under the banner Project Aegis, and was composed by Theocracy songwriter and vocalist Matt Smith.

"Angel In The Ashes" features vocals by Rob Rock (Impellitteri), Daísa Munhoz (Vandroya, Soulspell), Vasilis Georgiou (Sunburst, Black Fate), Leah McHenry (Leah) and Smith, as well as a guitar solo by Gus Drax (Sunburst, Black Fate). The artwork was created by Markus Sigfridsson (Darkwater, Harmony).

"I've been wanting to do another charity single since we had such a great experience the first time around," says Smith. "The challenge was finding the time and the appropriate cause, as well as putting together a lineup worthy of the caliber of talent we had on the last song. I think we did it!"

"The song is about someone who decides to take that first step to help a person in a dark or dangerous situation. I was talking to some friends of mine who live in Greece, and every weekend they help feed the huge number of poor, homeless and refugee families in that area. It's a massive need, and the dollar you spend on this song can make a huge difference in providing a hot meal or a blanket for someone. It's a very worthy cause, and everyone involved in the track freely gave their time and talent to make this happen. We hope you enjoy it!"

Purchase "Angel In The Ashes" here.

On May 27th, Six Feet Under will release the fourth instalment of their Graveyard Classics series, this time paying tribute to two of metal's most heralded legends: Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Entitled Graveyard Classics IV: The Number Of The Priest and mixed by Jesse Kirkbride at Kirkbride Recordings in Cape Coral, FL, the album is comprised of five Judas Priest covers (side A), and six Iron Maiden covers (side B), handpicked by Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel. The record is available for pre-order in various formats at this location.

For a new preview of the record, the cover version of "Never Satisfied" is now streaming below:

In regards to this new serving of death metal tributes, Six Feet Under founder Chris Barnes comments: "Get ready to have your ears violated and your mind blown! Graveyard Classics IV: The Number Of Te Priest just crawled out of the Heavy Metal Cemetery! Having a good time playing music is what it's always been about since day one, and that's what the Graveyard Classics albums are to me... a good fucking time! On this trip down memory lane, we cover songs from Judas Priest and Iron Maiden; the two greatest metal bands of all time. Ray Alder from Fates Warning did a guest background vocal appearance on “Invader”, our first single. Ray is a great friend, and an awesome vocalist, and I felt our differences in styles blended well together for the middle section and added some harmony to the rawness. I hope you all enjoy the band's twist on these legendary songs!"

Tracklisting:

Side A: Judas Priest
“Night Crawler”
“Starbreaker”
“Genocide”
“Invader”
“Never Satisfied”

Side B: Iron Maiden
“Murders In The Rue Morgue”
“Prowler”
“Flash Of The Blade”
“The Evil That Men Do”
“Stranger In A Strange Land”
“Total Eclipse”

“Invader”:

Six Feet Under will be on tour this summer in Europe for a very special select run of dates. Chris Barnes comments: "Graveyard Classics The Tour begins June 30th and ends July 9th, with our return to the all powerful With Full Force festival!! Looking forward to that as well as playing an entire set list of cover songs on this tour - something we've never done before! It will prove to be a very special group of shows. If you're anywhere near these places this summer, make sure not to miss this!"

Tour dates:

June
30 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Baroeg

July
1 - Roitzschjora, Germany - With Full Force Festival
2 - Flensburg, Germany - Roxy
3 - Rostock, Germany - Alte Zuckerfabrik
4 - Hamburg, Germany - Bambi Galore
5 - Munchen, Germany - Backstage
6 - Innsbruck, Austria - PMK
7 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
8 - Pratteln , Switzerland - Z7
9 - Essen, Germany - Turok

Six Feet Under lineup:

Chris Barnes - vocals
Ray Suhy - guitars and bass
Josh Hall - drums

"In These Woods, From These Mountains", the new album from Norway's THE WRETCHED END, can be streamed in its entirety below. The CD will be released on April 22 via Indie Recordings.

It has been nearly four years since new sounds have emerged from the fiery studio alliance of former EMPEROR/ZYKLON guitarist Samoth, MINDGRINDER/WINDIR guitarist/vocalist Cosmo, and DARK FUNERAL drummer Nils "Dominator" Fjellstrom.

Boasting a darker foundation than its predecessors, "In These Woods, From These Mountains" was recorded by the band themselves and mixed with producer Marius Strand in Norway. Mastered at Fascination Street in Sweden, it is without doubt the strongest and most varied of the extreme metal band's growing sonic portfolio.

During the creation process of the album, Samoth and Cosmo made a conscious decision to strive for a more organic and spontaneous sound. Samoth notes: "We went into this recording with a do-it-yourself attitude. We recorded everything ourselves in different locations and setups. We really wanted to capture our raw energy. It really was a principle focus for us."

"Dead Icons" opens the album with fervent drumming and the signature buzz of Samoth's celebrated six-strings. Harrowing vocals cater to the songs blasting and calculated cadence. Old friend Attila Csihar (MAYHEM, TORMENTOR) lends hand on "Old Norwegian Soul" while LEPROUS vocalist/keyboardist Einar Solberg and RED HARVEST's LRZ contribute on the band's unexpected adaptation of Bel Canto's "Dewy Fields" for the album's epic closer.

Due to Samoth's extensive involvement with the assemblage of EMPEROR's 20th-aniversary headliner shows for their pivotal album "In The Nightside Eclipse", the recording process of "In These Woods, From These Mountains" has been a longer journey than originally intended.

"It's great to finally have this album ready for release," says Samoth. "It took us some years for various reasons; different things in our every day and professional lives that took a lot of focus on our parts. We never felt any great pressure. Looking back, I think the whole process affected the album in a positive way. I personally feel I've almost come full circle with this new album, bringing more elements rooted in the darkness of black metal."

"In These Woods, From These Mountains" track listing:

01. Dead Icons02. Primordial Freedom03. Old Norwegian Soul04. Misery Harbour05. Atheos06. The Decline And Fall07. Burrowing Deep08. Dewy Fields

The official video for the song "Primordial Freedom" can be seen below.

"In These Woods, From These Mountains" features design work by Norwegian artists Trine Paulsen and Kim Sølve (ULVER, ARCTURUS, ENSLAVED). The album will be available on CD, LP, and digital formats.

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", which can be streamed 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.

Incite will release their new album, Oppression, on April 22nd via Minus Head Records. A full album stream can be found below. Pre-orders for the new album are up at Bandcamp. Oppression was recorded at the Omen Room Studios, Garden Grove, CA with producer Steve Evetts (Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicide Silence, Every Time I Die).

Richie Cavalera states, “The shredding and ferocity on this record will surely fire up all metal heads. It's by far, darker and faster than anything we've released before. The man chosen to take this ride through hell and back with us is no other than producer Steve Evetts.”

Tracklisting:

“Never Surrender”
“Lost Reality”
“Stagnant”
“No Remorse”
“Oppression”
“Life’s Disease” (feat. Connor Garritty)
“Forced Into Life”
“Worse Of Me”
“I Want It All” (feat. Jose Mangin)
“Silenced”

“No Remorse” video:

Album stream:

German death metal band, Deserted Fear, have signed a worldwide deal with Century Media Records.

The band comments: “Since the release of Kingdom Of Worms things went really quick and fast: touring with Morbid Angel and Morgoth, a great festival summer and awesome headliner shows! Furthermore people started talking about us besides 'the metal regulars’ tables' and festival camping grounds. A question came to our minds: Who will release our next record? We’ve never even thought of having the opportunity to choose! No manager and no figures should speak when it came to the final decision. We trusted our guts and our new label is Century Media Records from Dortmund, Germany!”

“As you can see on the photo (above), we went to Century Media, pulled out the ghetto blaster and presented the first raw tracks of the upcoming album. By the way: we signed the contract before - just to be sure hahaha! These guys are no faceless suits to us: Jan (second from left) took care of our promotion since the release of Kingdom Of Worms and helped us a lot when it came to the difficulties of contracts 'n stuff. The guy on the right side is our future A&R partner Jan-Ole, whom we knew since we shared the stage a few years ago and became buddies. On the left: Jens Prüter – Head Of A&R at Century Media Europe and care taker for many legends of our genre. We're really looking forward to work with a team of cool youngsters and guys with decades of experience. We're totally happy with the decision and are burning already for the new record! Now lift your glasses high - for none other than yourselves! Every step we took was granted by your support! Prost!!!”

Jens Prueter, Head Of A&R Century Media Europe: “My friends Heaven Shall Burn already told me a while ago that I should keep an eye on their fellow-countrymen from Thuringia (East Germany). It’s great to see that a young band with an almost Bolt-Thrower-like DIY attitude manages to still keep it underground while kicking major ass at bigger festivals like Party.San (their home base), Summer Breeze and Rock Hard Festival. We’ve never changed bands like Napalm Death, Aspyhx or Grave and I’m glad that also Deserted Fear trust us enough to let us help them grow while not watering them down. I’ve already heard the first demos of the upcoming album and know that they will conquer the throne of their Kingdom Of Worms! Thanks, Deserted Fear and welcome to the family!”

Thuringia's Deserted Fear are crafting their vision passionately and merciless since 2008. Their debut album My Empire (2012) blew up a lot of dust and they are on their way to become one of the most important forces in the European metal scene. Deserted Fear combine the sound of Swedish death metal with US old school death metal to create their very own, modern sound, without losing heaviness and authenticity. Their latest album Kingdom Of Worms, which was recorded in June and July 2014 once more at Eisensound Studio in Eisenberg (Thuringia / Germany) under the knife of guitarist Fabian Hildebrandt, was released in October 2014. Mixing and Mastering duties were handled by legendary Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity, Bloodbath, Witherscape, etc.), who put the finishing touches on Kingdom Of Worms at Unisound Studio.

A new album will be released in early 2017. More details to follow.

Set for release on May 20th via Unique Leader Records, Dasein, the debut full-length from Canadian neoclassical-influenced tech death unit, First Fragment, flaunts a ferocious mesh of over-the-top drum tirades, complex neoclassical-influenced guitar work, boundless solo work, Flamenco and clean guitar passages, proggy death metal bass work and a varied dual vocal approach.

Captured at Humanoise Studios with Mathieu Marcotte (Augury, Humanoid) and mixed by Hugues Deslauriers (Augury, Defilementory, Vengeful etc.), the eleven-track offering features guest appearances from current and former members of Spawn Of Possession, Obscura, Inferi, Augury, and Elderoth, as well as artwork by Sam Nelson (Incandescence, Wayfarer, Stoic Dissention).

The album track Ӄmergence" is streaming below.

Elaborates guitarist/vocalist Phil Tougas: "This track is extremely old [2008-2009]. Almost all of the songs on the album are either entirely written by myself or [guitarist] Gabriel Brault-Pilon, but this one was written as a full collaborative effort, hence the ridiculous amount of counterpoint in both guitar parts and basslines. It is not as neoclassically-influenced in the progressions and phrasing as the other tracks since the melodies present here channel a different atmosphere, but it is just as varied and relentless, and it is probably the most diverse track on the album when it comes to the vocals. Our signature high-pitched riffing style that we've had since 2007 is present throughout the whole song but we've added a lot of twists and turns that you wouldn't find in any other of our songs."

Check out first single/album opener "Le Serment De Tsion”, streaming below.

Pre-order bundles for Dasein are currently available here.

Black Crown Initiate have announced some brand new details surrounding their new release, due out later this year. The band will release Selves We Cannot Forgive on July 22nd via Entertainment One Music (eOne). The tracklisting and visually mindbending cover art created by Travis Smith (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Avenged Sevenfold) is also being revealed today.

"We've been through a great deal as a band since our last release," says guitarist Andy Thomas. "We've grown a great deal as writers, players, and people and put everything we had into this one."

Recorded and mixed by Carson Slovak & Grant McFarland (August Burns Red, Texas In July, From Ashes To New) at Atrium Audio Recording Studio’s in Lancaster PA, Selves We Cannot Forgive will be the follow up to the buzzworthy debut LP The Wreckage of Stars released at the end of 2014. The Wreckage of Stars also propelled the band into the international touring act it is today. BCI quickly found themselves on the road with the likes of Behemoth, Deicide, Napalm Death and Voivod.  

Selves We Can Not Forgive, the band’s sophomore album with Entertainment One, is a lean and focused collection that jettisons the extraneous fat found too often within ambitious metal bands, striking a balance between fearless adventurousness and methodical might. It follows The Wreckage of Stars, which together with their self-financed Song of the Crippled Bull EP introduced Black Crown Initiate’s unapologetic exploration of everything from Friedrich Nietzsche and Greek Sophist Gorgias to Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous mysticism, with a pragmatic skepticism.

Thomas continues on their new release, “We feel it is a more than fitting next chapter for the band; one that we are truly proud and excited to enter. We hope you all enjoy it too. See you on the road!"

Black Crown Initiate have worked their way into the heavy music community’s collective consciousness with steady determination. Likeminded supporters who made the thrilling discovery of songs like “A Great Mistake,” “The Fractured One,” and “Withering Waves” are rewarded in kind by the continued evolution on Selves We Can Not Forgive. As Black Crown Initiate continuously proves, heavy metal and heavy intelligence don’t have to be mutually exclusive. These men are conjuring an awe inspiring body of work that is as unstoppable as it was inevitable, like existence itself. This is high-minded art delivered with a guttural growl.

Tracklisting:

“For Red Cloud”
“Sorrowpsalm”
“Again”
“Belie The Machine”
“Selves We Cannot Forgive”
“Transmit To Disconnect”
“Matriarch”
“Vicious Lives”

Tour dates:

April
29 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
30 - Lowell, MA - Mill City Ballroom

May
2 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom
3 -   Chicago, IL - Reggie's
4 -  Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze
5 -  Winnipeg, MB - Park Theater
6 -  Saskatoon, SK - Obriens          
8 -  Edmonton, AB - Shredmonton Festival
10 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
11 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
12 - Petaluma, CA - Pheonix Theater
13 - Pomona, CA - Glasshouse
14 - Hollywood, CA - Whisky
15 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe's Grotto
17 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
18 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
20 - Ft Worth, TX - Rail Club
21 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog        
23 - New Orleans, LA - Southport Hall
25 - Tampa, FL - Orpheum
26 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
27 - Knoxville, TN - The International
28 - Dayton, OH - Oddbody’s
29 - Greensboro, NC - Arizona Pete's

(Photo - Black Crown Initiate Facebook)

New England-based metal pioneers Unearth will return for another run of European shows this summer, including festival appearances at Summer Breeze, Bloodstock and Brutal Assault.

The band comments: “Europe! We are excited to be coming back this August to play the festival circuit. We'll be throwing some club dates between the fests, so stay tuned for updates and announcements on those.

“We are also releasing a 'new' video for “Never Cease” (off Watchers Of Rule) that was put together with footage from our European tour last spring. We want to thank Lukas Hambach from Frameshock Productions for shooting and editing the video.”

Unearth tour dates are listed below:

August
6 - Sylak Open Air - St. Maurice De Gourdans, France
12 - Brutal Assault - Jaromer, Czech Republic
13 - Into The Grave Fest - Leeuwarden, Netherlands
14 - Bloodstock Open Air - Walton-On-Trent, UK
18 - Club Vaudeville - Lindau, Germany
19 - Schüür - Luzern, Switzerland
20 - Summer Breeze Festival - Dinkelsbühl, Germany
27 - Reload - Sulingen, Germany

"In Cold Blood", the new video from OTEP, the band led by singer, poet, illustrator, author and activist Otep Shamaya, can be seen below. The clip was directed Paul R. Brown, who has previously worked with MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, THREE DAYS GRACE, AUDIOSLAVE, SLIPKNOT, SEVENDUST, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and STATIC-X, to name a few.

"In Cold Blood" is taken from OTEP's seventh studio album, "Generation Doom", which will be released on April 15 via Napalm. The CD was produced by Howard Benson, who has previously worked with such acts as MOTÖRHEAD, PAPA ROACH, THREE DAYS GRACE, FLYLEAF, P.O.D. and HALESTORM.

Said Shamaya about the song: "There are nights I think of you. Suffering in the sweet amnesia of nostalgia. Then I remember the cold loneliness of being by your side and I hear my own voice whispering in the night, 'There's something wrong with me for thinking something's right with you. In cold blood. In cold blood.' This bit of writing created the song 'In Cold Blood'. It was really hard to share something so private and personal but I'm glad I did."

"Generation Doom" track listing:

01. Zero02. Feeding Frenzy03. Lords Of War04. Royals (LORDE cover)05. In Cold Blood06. Down07. God Is A Gun08. Equal Rights, Equal Lefts09. No Color10. Lie11. Generation Doom12. On The Shore

With Shamaya's multifaceted vocal approach, from gut-wrenching roars to soft seductive poetry to singing with a surprisingly magically beautiful voice, to her evolution as a writer and story teller, "Generation Doom" erupts with thunderous, punishing grooves that harmoniously detonate into dark industrial fury with magma flows of hard rock melodies that seamlessly shape shift into a mysterious musical beast we've just discovered.

Speaking about the current lineup of OTEP, Shamaya said, "These are the most talented group of musicians I've ever worked with. We are a family. These are my brothers in arms. My guitarist Aristotle and I have a spiritual connection on an alchemical level that's preternaturally conducive to creativity. Along with my amazing drummer Justin Kier and bassist Corey Wolford, we are a force of nature and resistance fighters. Music is our weapon. They believe in what we're doing, what we stand for, and have the utmost affection and respect for our fans, the OTEP tribe."

OTEP recentyl embarked on the "Generation Doom" tour. Support on the trek, which kicked off April in 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada and runs through May 28 in West Hollywood, California, is coming from Lacey Sturm (ex-FLYLEAF), SEPTEMBER MOURNING, THROUGH FIRE and DOLL SKIN. OTEP was formed in Los Angeles in 2000 and immediately signed to Capitol Records, an achievement based solely on the strength of its live performance. They were selected to appear at Ozzfest after Sharon Osbourne witnessed one of these incendiary performances. Their debut at Ozzfest was only their ninth live show, a major achievement for any band. It would be the kick-off for a career spanning 15 years.

British band Doogie White & La Paz recently released their brand new studio album, Shut Up And Rawk! Today, you can check out the video for the second single, “Daughter Of Time”, streaming below.

Tracklisting:

“Light The Fire”
“Heart Of Stone”
“No Place In Heaven”
“The Revenge Of El Guapo”
“A Certain Song”
“Retribution Blues”
“Daughter Of Time”
“The Prize”
“Faith Hope And Love”
“Throw Me To The Wolves”
“Miss Dynamite”
“Book Of Shadows”

“Daughter Of Time” video:

“Light The Fire” lyric video:

The album was mixed and mastered by Rolf Munkes at Empire Studios in Frankfurt, Germany.

La Paz lineup:

Doogie White - vocal
Chic McSherry - guitar
Alex Carmichael - bass
Andy Mason - keyboards
Paul McManus - drums

London, England’s Zoax will release their self-titled debut album on May 13th via Century Media Records. The band have launched a video for their brand new track "Roses All The Way" off the upcoming album.

Vocalist and frontman Adam Carroll comments: "This is one of our favourite songs that we have ever written and probably one of the most straightforward for us. The whole aim was to capture a track that everyone can jump around to from the word go. One of the most interesting writing ideas for us was creating a unique drum beat that is consistent throughout. The whole track is about being on the brink of being fed up/making mistakes, but always looking on the brighter side and not to dwell in the past all the time. Learn, move on, be a better person."

The new album is now available for pre-order as CD Digipak and LP+CD at CMDistro or EMP.

Tracklisting:

“The Bad Blood”
“Devil Dance”
“Roses All The Way”
“Fly High”
“ZuperHeroez”
“The Wave”
“Good Times”
“Mirrors”
“KSYCHIA”
“King And Queen”
“Alive In Sound”
“Slàn”

Pre-order the digital album at iTunes and get the previously released song “The Bad Blood” and “Roses All The Way” (on April 29th) as Instant Grats.

The video for “The Bad Blood” can be seen below:

In a brand new interview with Metal-Rules.com, ex-DEEP PURPLE bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes was asked about the fact that he and his former DEEP PURPLE bandmate David Coverdale didn't perform with the band at their Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction earlier in the month. He said: "There is a band out there called DEEP PURPLE featuring Ian Paice, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover which was essentially Mach 2. Every artist gets to do three songs. Now let me talk to you openly as there was a 99.9 percent chance that Hughes and Coverdale would not be invited to sing. I'm not going to name names, as there is a member who didn't feel it was appropriate that we should sing. So David and I braved it together as we were arm and arm all the way through. But I knew by the end of the night it would not happen. CHEAP TRICK closed the show and they invited us to play with Sheryl Crow and Grace Potter."

Hughes denied that he bothered by the fact that he didn't end up performing with PURPLE at the event. "Am I upset about not singing with DEEP PURPLE? Not at all," he said. "Everybody knows that David and I can sing. Everybody knows that we were in the band. All that mattered to me was accepting the award on behalf of DEEP PURPLE and the fans."

Glenn also talked about the absence from the induction of original DEEP PURPLE guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. He said: "I can say that David spoke to Ritchie in 2012 during the first nomination. David asked him, 'When we get in, are you going to attend?' He said, 'Oh no, not at all.' David is my brother and he would have no reason to fib to me, but Ritchie had no intention of attending the Hall Of Fame. It had nothing to do with him and Gillan not speaking. He just didn't want to show up. Nobody stopped him, and you can't stop an artist from getting inducted unless the chairman of the Hall Of Fame bans you. The chairman of the Hall Of Fame reached out to Ritchie with both hands and Ritchie gracefully declined. He didn't say anything bad. He just said, 'Thank you. I'm not going to attend.' People need to know it was a gracefully done. There were two guys that didn't show up: Ritchie, who declined; and Jon [Lord, former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist] who had passed."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich inducted DEEP PURPLE into the Rock Hall. PURPLE had been on the ballot three times and Ulrich has been championing their inclusion for years.

DEEP PURPLE's acceptance speeches included turns from Gillan, Glover, Paice, Coverdale and Hughes before the current lineup of DEEP PURPLE — Gillan, Glover, Paice, guitarist Steve Morse and keyboardist Don Airey — took the stage and played a short set consisting of "Highway Star", "Green Onions" (with an image of late DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord behind them), "Hush" and "Smoke On The Water".

Despite Blackmore being a no-show at this year's Rock Hall, he was given several shoutouts during the induction speeches of the DEEP PURPLE members in attendance. In addition, Ulrich praised "Ritchie fucking Blackmore" for one of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time on "Smoke On The Water".

"It's a big disappointment for me that [Blackmore] wasn't here tonight," said Coverdale. "I e-mailed his manager a couple of days ago and extended a personal invitation. I never really got a response. Ritchie and I reconnected in 2012 after the loss of Jon Lord just to express my condolences and we buried the hatchet... which was great."

DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan defended the band's decision to only perform with the group's current lineup at the Rock Hall induction, explaining that "there [was] no slight intended nor any desire to upset anyone" with this move.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony seemed like a rare opportunity for DEEP PURPLE to reunite with Blackmore, who wrote many of the band's most memorable riffs, but hasn't played with the group since 1993.

The DEEP PURPLE members that were inducted are: Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice.

POISON singer Bret Michaels says that he is hopeful the band will play together again.

The multi-platinum "hair metal" rockers haven't done any major touring since taking part in the 2012 "Rock Of Ages" trek with LITA FORD and DEF LEPPARD. Since then, Michaels has been focusing on his solo career and last year released the video for "Girls On Bars", his rock-and-country-crossover track which was written with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Luke Laird.

During an April 18 appearance on the SiriusXM satellite radio show "Eddie Trunk Live", Michaels was asked if he thinks POISON will ever regroup to do some more touring. He responded: "One thousand percent. I still consider 'em great friends. We've been through a lot together. And, you know, we've been out there a lot a few years back — with DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE, we were out with KISS, [LYNYRD] SKYNYRD… We've done a lot of stuff. And just as POISON, playing the amphitheaters and arenas. But I still see something amazing happening."

Michaels added that POISON's future plans depend partly on the health of drummer Rikki Rockett, who last year completed nine rounds of chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiation after being diagnosed with oral cancer in the summer. He said: "Right now we've all got a prayer out for Rikki and his health; we hope that it's great. And that's number one — for our drummer and his health and his kids and everything… He's working really hard at [his treatment]. And you know the combination — it's grace of God and good medical attention and taking care of himself. But I think if all goes great, which it will, I'm hoping in the very near future — I don't wanna say a date — we go out there and do some amazing shows together. And I'm thankful for every minute I have had and will have. Meaning I'm not… I'm not one of those guys, I'm not a bitter guy. I'm happy for what I've got and the amazing time we had together, and hopefully we'll continue to do it in the future. But if not, it was a great journey and a great time."

POISON appeared at the 2013 Indy 500 Miller Lite Carb Day, but has otherwise been mostly playing private shows, including one in January 2015.

Rockett has been critical of Michaels's decision to spend so much time nurturing his solo career. He said in a December 2015 interview: "I don't know that Bret wants to do another record with us. I think he'll do shows, I think he'll do maybe a tour."

He added: "POISON is my baby, you know what I mean? Thirty years. I don't wanna kill it off. But at the same time, it will get killed off if we don't do anything. It'll just automatically start to suffocate itself. And so, it's time to do something. This year is definitely decision time."

EMP Rock Invasion recently conducted an interview with vocalist Johan Hegg of Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about the departure of drummer Fredrik Andersson and AMON AMARTH's decision to enlist a session drummer, Tobias Gustafsson (VOMITORY, CUT UP), during the recording sessions for the band's new album, "Jomsviking", Hegg said: "Tobias was helping to write the album and record the album. We asked him to help us write and record the album, 'cause we didn't wanna go out and find a complete replacement, start working on a new album and then realize halfway through that, 'All right. This is not working out. We need to find someone else.' That wouldn't have been good at all. So we decided to work with someone we know really well. Tobias is an old friend and a great drummer. I mean, he's been playing for years in VOMITORY and now, obviously, he's in CUT UP. I think he contributed a lot to the end result of the album. I think it would not have turned out as great as it did without him. But right now, for the upcoming tours, we're working with a guy called Joakim Wallgren (OCTOBER TIDE, VALKYRJA). We're gonna do a U.S. tour and the summer festivals with him. And then we'll see. If he wants to continue working with us and everything works out fine…"

According to Hegg, AMON AMARTH is in no rush to make a decision regarding who will sit behind the kit for the band on a more permanent basis. "To be fair to anyone, you need to give them a real chance to grow into it, 'cause it is a tough lifestyle and it can be very aggravating," he explained. "You have to make sure that you feel you get along really well and it's the right guy. I have a good feeling about Jocke, but maybe down the road, he'll grow tired of us. Who knows? [Laughs]"

AMON AMARTH's tenth studio album, "Jomsviking", debuted at No. 19 on The Billboard 200, having shifted 21,000 equivalent album units in the week ending March 31.

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

In terms of pure album sales, "Jomsviking" opened with 20,000 copies.

"Jomsviking" was released on March 25 via Metal Blade in North America and Sony Music internationally.

AMON AMARTH's previous album, "Deceiver Of The Gods", sold around 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart.

AMON AMARTH's 2011 CD, "Surtur Rising", opened with around 15,000 units to debut at No. 34. The band's 2008 album, "Twilight Of The Thunder God", registered a first-week tally of more than 11,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 48.

"Jomsviking" — the first concept record in AMON AMARTH's storied career — tells a tragic tale of love and revenge, backed by the Swedes' trademark melodic, anthemic metal, which was produced and mixed once again by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, ACCEPT) and also features special guest session drummer Tobias Gustafsson (VOMITORY). The epic original story is set in the world of the Jomsvikings, the legendary order of mercenary Vikings.

AMON AMARTH's North American tour features support from fellow Swedes ENTOMBED A.D. and young USA metal upstarts EXMORTUS.