THE WINERY DOGS — the power trio featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB), legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, TALAS, DAVID LEE ROTH) and guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON) — debuted an as-yet-untitled brand new song during the first two dates of its current U.S. tour, which kicked off on March 25 and March 26 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

THE WINERY DOGS will release two new special versions of its self-titled debut album in April. "The Winery Dogs Special Edition" will consist of two-CDs. Disc 1 is the standard album and Disc 2 is entitled "Unleashed In Japan 2013", featuring 10 songs recorded live in Japan during the band's July 2013 tour, including "Criminal", a track previously unavailable in the U.S., along with a 16-page booklet of live photos and lyrics. A deluxe package for die-hard fans will be released simultaneously. "Dog Treats: The Winery Dogs Deluxe Special Edition" will be sold in a box resembling a box of dog treats, and will include the "Special Edition" collection of music, a DVD featuring four music videos and interview footage, demos from the original recording sessions, a "studio diary" written by Mike Portnoy, as well as some unique merchandise unavailable elsewhere. THE WINERY DOGS' self-titled debut album sold around 10,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in North America on July 23, 2013 via Loud & Proud Records and in Japan on May 15, 2013 via Victor Entertainment, the CD was mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, ADRENALINE MOB, STONE SOUR and STEEL PANTHER.

"As soon as the three of us got together, we immediately established that we didn't want this to be some instrumental wankfest," Portnoy told NY Music Examiner in a new interview. "This was something that was going to be song-oriented and vocal-oriented, and something that moved us that way. I think that's where we're all at and we're all on the same page. Richie's been doing that for so long now, but Billy and I have always been associated with a million notes and technique and stuff like that. Yet the two of us are such fans of a good song and three-part vocal harmonies, so we were really looking to do something in that vein, and that was always the calling card for this band."

Regarding the reaction from the fans and press alike to THE WINERY DOGS' debut CD and live shows, Portnoy said: "All three of us could not be happier with the reception so far. It's been incredible. We went out for a lot of last year and toured all over the world, from South America to Japan to Europe to America, and everywhere we went it was so well-received. The fans have embraced it, and not only the fans, but the critics and all across the board. So it's so satisfying, especially at this point in all three of our careers. We've all been doing this for a long time now, but when you come together with something new, you kind of build it from scratch, no matter how established you are individually. And the fact that it's been so well received makes us want to continue to take this as far as we can."

He added: "I think the fact that all three of us have had our individual careers and individual acclaim kind of helps to keep the egos in check. It wasn't like a band where you had two guys that had done something and one was a newcomer. All of us had been around the block and have been doing this for 20-30 years now, so we had that mutual respect and we know what each person brings into the big picture.

"We've all been there, done that. We've played the Budokan multiple times and been around the world dozens of times, so at this point it's about the music. When the three of us came together, we didn't have this master plan of being the next GUNS N' ROSES; we had this master plan of getting together and making some music that the three of us enjoy. It was all about us seeing what the three of us could make together. If it gets us off, let's stick with it. That was always the goal, and so far we've achieved that goal. We made an album that all three of us are incredibly proud of and really enjoy listening to and playing."

METALLICA's official YouTube channel MetallicaTV has uploaded "fly-on-the-wall" footage shot by the MetOnTour reporter on March 18 in Quito, Ecuador. The clip, which can be seen below, includes "Ride The Lightning" and "For Whom The Bell Tolls" from the show.

As promised, the band played a nearly all-request set in Quito, with 17 songs chosen online by fans prior to the gig and the last slot filled by the new track "The Lords Of Summer".

Drummer Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone that "The Lords Of Summer" "is fairly representative of where our creative headspace is at right now. It's one of those things that's like, 'Here, we're writing and we're creating.'"

Guitarist Kirk Hammett told The Pulse Of Radio that coming up with music is not a problem for the band. "We're a band that never has a shortage of ideas," he said. "You know, you hear about these bands that are like, oh, they're sitting in the studio and they don't have any songs, what are they gonna do? That's not METALLICA. METALLICA's problem is the total opposite: we have too many ideas, which ones are we gonna use. And so that's pretty much how it stands with us."

Ulrich cautioned, however, that "The Lords Of Summer" may not even end up on METALLICA's next album at all, or at least not in its current form. He explained, "We did the same thing when we went out and played a bunch of dates in 2006. We were writing and played two different new songs over the course of that summer, and none of them made the record (2008's 'Death Magnetic')."

The Metallica By Request tour will hit Europe this summer, with a single North American date confirmed in Montreal, as the band continues working on its 10th studio album. The rest of METALLICA's "by request" show in Bogota featured such "rarities" as "Master Of Puppets", "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", "Sad But True", "Fade To Black", "One" and "Enter Sandman".

BROTHER FIRETRIBE — the Finnish AOR/hard rock band featuring NIGHTWISH guitarist Emppu Vuorinen — will release its third album, "Diamond In The Firepit", on June 3 in North America, May 3 in The United Kingdom and May 2 in the rest of Europe via Spinefarm Records. The "For Better or For Worse" single, which can be streamed below, is available for purchase digitally on iTunes. BROTHER FIRETRIBE singer Pekka Ansio Heino had the following to sat about the band's upcoming release: "We're thrilled to be back in action after five years, which seems like a lifetime!

"We wouldn't be THIS thrilled if the new album hadn't turned out be exactly how we wanted it to be. It's just as bold, big, polished, hooky and sticky as we pictured it. A lot of hard work was spent making it happen, and now it's time for the best part of making music; taking it out and playing it live.

"We can't wait to meet our old friends again and hopefully make some new ones along the way.

"Hope you enjoy 'Diamond In The Firepit'. Thanks for still being there and sorry for the delay. Let's have some serious fun!" According to a press release, "Diamond In The Firepit" is chock-full of melodic rock ear candy; an unbroken string of eleven hits with glistening choruses, heavenly harmonies and lyrics brimming with larger-than life love. Sure enough, this album will be the soundtrack of the coming summer like its predecessors, for in times like these when the reality bites, the economy is down, people feel downtrodden and everyday life seems like a grind, we all need a shot of positive energy and a reminder that there's not a whole lot that can't be fixed with a smile and a song. BROTHER FIRETRIBE will be touring extensively in support of "Diamond In The Firepit". The band has a CD-release show scheduled for May 3 in Helsinki, Finland at Virgin Oil Co and an appearance set for the South Park festival in Tampere, Finland at Eteläpuisto on June 7. More dates will be announced in the coming weeks. "Diamond In The Firepit" track Listing:

01. Intro02. Love's Not Enough03. Far Away From Love04. For Better Or For Worse05. Desperately06. Edge Of Forever07. Hanging By A Thread08. Trail Of Tears09. Winner Takes It All10. Tired Of Dreaming11. Reality Bites12. Close To The Bone

In other news, Spinefarm Records will re-release BROTHER FIRETRIBE's previous two albums, "False Metal" and "Heart Full Of Fire". Due in April, the reissues will contain bonus tracks.

"Heart Full Of Fire" entered the Finnish chart at position No. 6 back in May 2008. The CD has since been certified gold in Finland.

BROTHER FIRETRIBE released a concert DVD, "Live At Apollo", in February 2010 via Spinefarm. The disc was shot on April 15, 2009 at the Apollo in Helsinki and featured a guest appearance by then-NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon on the song "Heart Full Of Fire".

BROTHER FIRETRIBE is:

Pekka Ansio Heino - VocalsEmppu Vuorinen - GuitarTomppa Nikulainen - KeyboardsJason Flinck - BassKalle Torniainen - Drums

Photo credit: Ville Juurikkala

Allen Kovac's Eleven Seven Music Group has announced the signing of San Antonio, Texas alternative rockers NOTHING MORE. With soaring vocal melodies, meticulous atypical rhythmic structures, huge anthemic choruses and lyrical content that restores the art of storytelling, NOTHING MORE is set to take over the airwaves with the upcoming, self-titled Eleven Seven Music debut album. With tracks like "This Is The Time (Ballast)" — released worldwide on March 10 — they are ready to raise the standard for contemporary rock music. The hotly pursued band was thrilled to sign its deal with Eleven Seven Music Group.

"The day has finally come that we are partnering with a label that feels as passionately as we do about conquering the world through music," says NOTHING MORE vocalist Jonny Hawkins. "We couldn't be prouder to be working with the amazing people at Eleven Seven!"

Danny Wimmer from Armsdivsion Management adds: "While most labels in today's new music business are chasing pop culture and radio trends, Eleven Seven Music has stayed true to the rock genre and continues to double down on expanding their reach in the genre. I couldn't be more excited to have NOTHING MORE join the Eleven Seven Music family." Eleven Seven Music Group CEO Allen Kovac states: "Every 10 years or so, there is a band that sonically and lyrically shakes things up and cuts through the clutter. For true rock fans that moment has arrived with NOTHING MORE. That is why we signed them to a five-albums-guaranteed contract." The debut single, "This Is The Time (Ballast)" is available for purchase at iTunes.

POWERMAN 5000 has carved out a corner of the galaxy where their devoted supporters created a culture that's bigger than music, drawing upon a tapestry of comic books, horror films and fantasy cobbled together years before "geek" became a hip buzzword.

New tracks like "How To Be A Human", "Invade, Destroy, Repeat", "Live It Up Before You're Dead" and "Modern World" are turbocharged with the same futuristic, b-movie bite of enduring, electro-tinged POWERMAN 5000 anthems like "When Worlds Collide" and "Nobody's Real".

"I never would have imagined that after all the albums, the band members, the ups-and-downs of the always changing music business, I'd still be here doing this, which is thanks to our most diehard fans," marvels band leader, visionary and sole remaining original member Spider One, who founded POWERMAN 5000 with a 4-track and a drum machine.

Armed with giant hooks and crowd-empowering choruses, Spider and his merry band of musical superheroes have made a record vibrantly reminiscent of their commercial breakthrough "Tonight The Stars Revolt!" (which gave DreamWorks Records their first platinum plaque). "Builders Of The Future" delivers on the promise of 2009's return to form "Somewhere On The Other Side Of Nowhere". POWERMAN 5000 has retrofitted their songwriting prowess even further, sounding hungry yet sophisticated, as if smiling amid a dystopian landscape, flipping middle fingers in the air and dancing till doomsday.

"At the end of the day, we are the ones who will go out and play these songs in every city in America and everywhere else around the world we can," Spider points out. "You have to live and breathe it. If you don't believe in it, it's easy for people to smell a rat. We can sit around and cry all day long about how the music business isn't what it used to be, but none of that really matters. What matters is to have a blast being in a band."

"We've replanted our flag as the weird, sci-fi, electronic band," proclaims Spider. "This is what we are. This is what we do best. This is clearly what people like from us the most, too. So I'm going to love it like they love it. We're back. The fanbase has really rallied around us again. The enthusiasm feels like it's picked right up from the year 2000. The electronic-metal-dance thing, we've locked it down once and for all with this one."

Due on May 27, "Builders Of The Future" is the first release through POWERMAN 5000's partnership with T-Boy Records, a co-venture with Universal Music Enterprises founded by veteran rock manager Andy Gould. T-Boy releases include ROB ZOMBIE's "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor", MEGADETH's "Super Collider" and the self-titled debut album from KOBRA AND THE LOTUS.

"Builders Of The Future" track listing:

01. Invade, Destroy, Repeat02. We Want It All03. How To Be A Human04. You're Gonna Love It, If You Like It Or Not05. Builders Of The Future06. I Want To Kill You07. Modern World08. Live It Up Before You're Dead09. I Can't F-cking Hear You10. Evil World

During a brand new interview with Radio.com, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons was asked about a lawsuit for unpaid royalties that was filed against the band by a group claiming to be late KISS drummer Eric Carr's heirs.

Carr's sister issued a public letter to KISS frontman Paul Stanley thanking him for coming forward and denouncing the lawsuit and Stanley immediately tweeted a response calling the people behind the suit incredulous and vowing to get to the bottom of it.

Asked who the guys are that are suing KISS, Simmons told Radio.com: "We don't know, we have no idea, our lawyers are trying to find out who these people are. The Caravello family — Eric Carr's family — released a statement along with us, saying we have no idea who these people are, these are lies and we intend to find out who they are, and why they're saying these things. For one thing, it's slanderous. They're saying that Eric hated being in the band. What? He was the sweetest guy in the world. Eric and the family and the fans have been slapped in the face by these people and we intend to make sure that there's justice."

Carr — best known to fans as "The Fox" — replaced Peter Criss behind the drums on the road in 1980, and was first heard on the band's 1981 concept album, "Music From 'The Elder'". Illness forced Carr to step down from the band in 1990, and he died at age 41 from complications from a rare form of heart cancer on November 24, 1991 — the same day as Freddie Mercury.

EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee has revealed that she is a "free and independent artist" who is no longer signed to any record label. Writing on her Twitter account on March 18, Lee said: "Today, for the first time in 13 years, I am a free and independent artist. I have wanted this for so long and I am so happy." She added: "[I am] free from my record deal. I'm free to do anything, [EVANESCENCE] included."

Lee in January sued her longtime label, Wind-Up Records, for at least $1.5 million over unpaid royalties and other alleged misdeeds, according to TMZ. Lee also alleged in her lawsuit that the company attempted to sabotage EVANESCENCE's career by assigning them to under-qualified promotion executives who lacked fresh ideas on how to market and promote the group. TMZ did not cite its sources for the report, nor did it obtain any official statements from either the label or Lee, who was seeking over $1.5 million in back royalties.

Back in November, Wind-Up sold most of its back catalog to the Bicycle Music Company and Concord Music Group, including the entire catalogs of EVANESCENCE, CREED, SEETHER and others.

EVANESCENCE, whose third, self-titled album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 when it came out in 2011, has sold 25 million records worldwide.

That last disc came out after a five-year hiatus and Lee told The Pulse Of Radio at the time that she wasn't even sure if she wanted to keep on making rock music. "For me, it had really been such a long time for us coming back after, you know, five years or four years of not doing it, living normal life and not even thinking about EVANESCENCE for a lot of that time, it starts to feel like, is this really still me?" she said. "You know, have I outgrown this thing? Is this going to work anymore? You know. Who am I? [laughs]"

The band toured through mid-2012 in support of the CD, but has been inactive since then.

Lee announced at the end of January that she was expecting her first child. The 32-year-old did not divulge if she knew whether she was having a boy or a girl, or when the baby was due.

The singer has been married to Josh Hartzler, a therapist, since May 2007. The couple live in New York City.

With EVANESCENCE currently inactive, Lee recently completed her first film score, with collaborator Dave Eggar, for the movie "War Story". The film premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.




Today, for the first time in 13 years, I am a free and independent artist. I have wanted this for so long and I am so happy. CHEERS!


— Amy Lee (@AmyLeeEV) March 19, 2014

Two years ago, Canadian rockers HEADSTONES utilized PledgeMusic to ask their fans, "Do you want a new record?" The response was staggering and swift as funding was achieved within 24 hours.

By April of the next year, Headstones had the #1 single with 'Long Way To Neverland', and Love + Fury was a top ten album with international distribution in place, now nominated for a Juno Award.

"We love the PledgeMusic experience," admit Headstones. "It enables us to create new music and continue to have direct contact with our fans."
"One of the exclusives that you were able to purchase along with your pledge was a private acoustic show for 20 of your closest friends.

That acoustic show was an incredible experience. It let us explore our back catalogue and rethink how we could perform and revisit older hits and overlooked deep cuts, or forgotten songs. The acoustic show would not have happened without the support of those fans getting involved through PledgeMusic.

Here's the deal. We are prepared to head back to the studio for Headstones: New & Revised. It will be a couple new tunes, together with songs from our catalogue, rethought, revisited and revised with acoustic guitars, violins, upright basses, mandolins, pianos, and even glockenspiels. Yes glockenspiels. Google it.

So let's do it again... we want your suggestions, so get ready, and prepare for Headstones: New & Revised."

Visit PledgeMusic to contribute and/or get further details.

The green you can’t get enough of, MOTHER’S GREEN, will release their new album, Caught In A View, appropriately on April 20th, via Righteous Princess Entertainment. Caught In A View offers a righteous mix of stoner rock and Latin grooves, giving fans a tripped out view. Check out a band biography video highlighting the recording of the new record, including music video footage, interviews and more below:
Mother’s Green will be performing at their record release party on April 27th, taking place at the Casbah in Hamilton, Ontario. Tickets are available at Dr, Disk, Crazy Bills, or online at this location. The band will also perform on May 3rd at The Hive in Kitchener, Ontario with SAIGON HOOKERS. Tickets are $10.
For more on Mother’s Green visit MothersGreen.com.

Ex-MEGADETH guitarist Jeff Young has posted live acoustic footage of himself and vocalist Sherri Klein performing the ELTON JOHN classic 'Bennie And The Jets':
Young recently checked in with the following JEFF YOUNG & SHERRI update:

"We have new live video on the way from our recent show at Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas at Hard Rock Hotel. In the meantime, you can check out our very first impromptu go at VAN HALEN's classic track, 'Little Dreamer'. This performance is from our first StageIt show. We have another StageIt online web concert planned on the near horizon so, stay tuned for exact show date and time at this location."
Back In October 2013, Young and Klein announced details of two new studio tracks. An update reads:

"We're treating our first release like the old 45 RPM singles with a Side A & B.

Side A: Our first original is called, 'Come Closer' and features an amazing bass performance by James Lomenzo (Megadeth, Black Label Society) and Jeff Bowders (PAUL GILBERT, JUSTIN DERRICO, PUDDLE OF MUDD) on drums. Band tracks were recorded in Los Angeles, live (like how bands used to record) to 2" analog tape. Lead vocals, guitar solos and mixing was completed with Bobby Ferarri at Vegas View Recording.

Side B: 'Wild Horses' is our re-imagining of THE ROLLING STONES classic. This side features fretless bass by Ric Fierabracci (STEVIE WONDER, BILLY COBHAM, SHAKIRA) and Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER) on drums.
The tracks are recorded, mixed and ready for release. We're currently talking with some folks regarding the most appropriate release avenues. In the meantime, we just played our first show in Las Vegas at a benefit for the Mt. Charleston fires. We invite you have a look & a listen to our new live video, 'Funk #49 with Sean McNabb (DOKKEN, QUIET RIOT, SONS OF ANARCHY) - bass and Scot Coogan (ACE FREHLEY, LYNCH MOB) on drums."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Australian retro-rockers WOLFMOTHER have unexpectedly released their new album, "New Crown", through their Facebook page, which provides a link to download it. The disc has arrived with no fanfare or promotional efforts beforehand. The album features original frontman and sole founding member Andrew Stockdale along with bassist Ian Peres and drummer Vin Steele. Stockdale told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that he wasn't sure at first if a different version of WOLFMOTHER would work. "It was definitely weird for a while playing with other people, but once we played like the old songs — for some reason in my mind I thought those songs could never be played again, you know what I mean?" he said. "But then when I did play them with other people, I thought, 'This works! Like, we're able to do this. There's still life within this music and there's still more to do.'"

Stockdale released a solo album last year called "Keep Moving". He said at the time that he was retiring the WOLFMOTHER name and band.

WOLFMOTHER will perform at the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis on May 3 and Rock On The Range in Columbus, Ohio on May 18.

WOLFMOTHER's self-titled debut came out in the U.S. in 2006 and sold more than 590,000 copies.

The band won a Grammy Award in 2007 in the best hard rock performance category for the song "Woman", which was also a hit for the group on the Active Rock chart.

The group's sophomore effort, "Cosmic Egg", came out in 2009 and featured a different lineup alongside Stockdale.


New Crown by Wolfmother

On March 7, Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE were awarded one of Switzerland's most prestigious recognitions in music: a Swiss Music Award in the category "Best Live Act National." ELUVEITIE was chosen to receive the honor after a highly competitive fan voting, marking the very first time ever for a metal band to receive this award.

ELUVEITIE has now returned to the New Sound Studio to begin work on the follow-up to 2012's "Helvetios", once again with producer Tommy Vetterli (CORONER) at the helm. Says the band: "As always, working with Tommy Vetterli is as efficient as it is creative: both drum and guitar tracking is already completed!

"We have now begun work on the folk instruments and vocals at New Sound Studio, Lucerne's Soundfarm Studio, and Chrigel's [Glanzmann, vocals] home simultaneously.

"We are extremely proud of the new material and can't wait to present yet another big step in the evolution of ELUVEITIE later this year!

"We were also able to secure a bunch of exciting guest performers, the first of which we have recorded last week: the wonderful Christine Lauterburg.

"Not only is Christine one of the most original musicians in Switzerland, but she's really a living legend! Like no other, she has practiced and perfected the age-old tradition of Swiss jodel over many decades. She has set many milestones in the history of Swiss folk music, and delivered valuable contributions to the research and preservation of a tradition that may reach back all the way to the early ages, and originated with the Helvetian celts.

"We are proud to have Christine in our ranks. Her singing adds just that much more archaic authenticity to our sound, and contributes to the primeval rawness that will define our new album!"

ELUVEITIE recently announced the addition of violinist Nicole Ansperger to the group's ranks.

ELUVEITIE's latest album, "Helvetios", sold 4,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Helvetios" was released in Europe on February 10, 2012 via Nuclear Blast RecordsNew Sound Studio in Pfäffikon, a municipality in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland, with producer Tommy Vetterli (a.k.a. Tommy T. Baron; CORONER/ex-KREATOR guitarist).

According to WWBT, the NBC-affiliated television station for Richmond, Virginia, investigators looking into whether the death of GWAR lead singer Dave Brockie may have been drug-related.

Law enforcement sources told the station the investigation is leading them to believe Brockie's death Sunday is drug-related, but the Medical Examiner will determine the exact cause. The investigation will include a toxicology report, which could take six weeks or more. Foul play is not expected, according to police.

Brockie was found dead in his home in Richmond on Sunday night (March 2). Brockie was 50 years old. GWAR manager Jack Flanagan released a statement saying, "It is with a saddened heart that I confirm my dear friend Dave Brockie, artist, musician, and lead singer of GWAR, passed away at approximately 6:50 p.m. EST Sunday, March 23, 2014 . . . A full autopsy will be performed. He was 50 years old, born August 30, 1963. My main focus right now is to look after my bandmates and his family."

Brockie is the second member of GWAR to die within the past three years. Guitarist Cory Smoot, who played the character Flattus Maximus, died of a heart attack on the band's tour bus in November 2011 at the age of 34.

Brockie said at the time, "I think Cory's death is a big wake-up call for all of us. We all breathed a big sigh of relief when we found out it wasn't a drug overdose, to speak quite frankly. But then to think that he was 34 and died of a heart attack — it's really scary."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Brockie was the last remaining original member of GWAR, which was founded 30 years ago. The future of the band at this stage is uncertain.

The satirical metal band earned a following for its macabre, over-the-top costumes, offensive lyrics and graphic, gore-soaked shows, in which the band members performed as the descendants of alien warriors who arrived on Earth to enslave and slaughter the human race.

The band released its 13th album, "Battle Maximus", last year.

GuitarWorld.com is hosting the exclusive U.S. premiere of Corey Taylor's new version of DIO's "Rainbow In The Dark".

The track, which can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below, is taken from the Ronnie James Dio tribute album "This Is Your Life", which will be released April 1.

Joining Taylor on the song— which originally appeared on DIO's classic 1983 debut, "Holy Diver" — are STEEL PANTHER guitarist Satchel, STONE SOUR drummer Roy Mayorga and touring friends Jason Christopher and Christian Martucci.

"Ronnie was the most natural singer I have ever witnessed," Taylor said. "He could do anything, hit any note, make any audience lose their minds. He was one of the greatest and I'm so happy I got to see him live. 'Rainbow In The Dark' was the first DIO song I really loved to death — just a powerful, high-energy hard rock song that was so good I wished I'd written it.

"When I was asked to be a part of this album, I knew there was only one track I wanted to record and luckily I got it. I only hope I did it justice. Having had the privilege of meeting Ronnie before he passed, I hope he knows how much I loved him for who and what he was: One of the greatest."

The official East Coast listening party for for "This Is Your Life" will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 10:00 p.m. at Duff's Brooklyn in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The address is:

Duff's Brooklyn168 Marcy Avenue (between S 5th & Broadway)Williamsburg, New York

For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.

Although the songs featured on the album touch on the different eras of Dio's career, several spotlight his time with RAINBOW, including METALLICA's epic, nine-minute "Ronnie Rising Medley", which combines the RAINBOW songs "A Light In The Black", "Tarot Woman", "Stargazer" and "Kill The King". SCORPIONS add a scorching take on "Temple Of The King" while MOTÖRHEAD is joined by Biff Byford from SAXON on "Starstruck". Rob Halford teams with frequent Dio collaborators Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, and Scott Warren for "Man On The Silver Mountain". The final lineup of Dio's solo band — Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren — are joined by Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) for "Catch The Rainbow", a track from RAINBOW's 1975 debut.

ANTHRAX and ADRENALINE MOB honor Dio's memorable stint with BLACK SABBATH with their takes on "Neon Knights" and "The Mob Rules", respectively, as does a group, led by Oni Logan on vocals along with Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy, which performs "I" from "Dehumanizer".

"This Is Your Life" also includes songs from Dio's back-to-back platinum albums "Holy Diver" (1983) and "The Last In Line" (1984), with DORO's take on "Egypt (The Chains Are On)", HALESTORM tackling "Straight Through The Heart", Corey Taylor (STONE SOUR, SLIPKNOT) covering the classic "Rainbow In The Dark" and TENACIOUS D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) putting their signature spin on "The Last In Line". KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's cover of "Holy Diver", a hit in its own right when released in 2006, is also included here.

Fittingly, Ronnie James Dio provides the finale (and the album's title) with his moving performance of "This Is Your Life". Originally released on "Angry Machines" (1996), the song's lyrics explore mortality and are backed by a stark and beautiful arrangement that features Dio accompanied only by his longtime keyboardist Scott Warren on piano. The song serves as a poignant reminder that we will never hear a voice like Dio's again.

"This Is Your Life" track listing:

01. "Neon Knights" - ANTHRAX * 02. "The Last In Line" - TENACIOUS D * 03. "The Mob Rules" - ADRENALINE MOB 04. "Rainbow In The Dark" - Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher * 05. "Straight Through The Heart" - HALESTORM * 06. "Starstruck" - MOTÖRHEAD with Biff Byford * 07. "Temple Of The King" - SCORPIONS * 08. "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" - DORO 09. "Holy Diver" - KILLSWITCH ENGAGE 10. "Catch The Rainbow" - Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren * 11. "I" - Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy * 12. "Man On The Silver Mountain" - Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren * 13. "Ronnie Rising Medley" (featuring "A Light In The Black", "Tarot Woman", "Stargazer", "Kill The King") - METALLICA * 14. "This Is Your Life" - DIO

* Previously unreleased

"Rainbow In The Dark" studio version:

U.S. death metal legends AUTOPSY have completed work on their seventh studio album, "Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves", for an April 29 release via Peaceville Records (April 21 in Europe). The CD was recorded at Fantasy Studios with producer Adam Munoz, and sees a continuation of AUTOPSY's pursuit of the ultimate in metallic horror and extremity, featuring the longstanding combo of Eric Cutler and Danny Coralles on guitars, Joe Trevisano on bass and Chris Reifert on drums/vocals.

"Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves" track listing:

01. Savagery02. King Of Flesh Ripped03. Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves04. The Howling Dead05. After The Cutting06. Forever Hungry07. Teeth Of The Shadow Horde08. All Shall Bleed09. Deep Crimson Dreaming10. Parasitic Eye11. Burial12. Autopsy

The song "The Howling Dead" can be streamed using the SoundCloud eidget below.

From all-out death metal savagery to crawling, doom-filled sludgery, "Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves" further pushes the limits of taste and brutality with this latest relentless onslaught of terror from beyond the grave. Artwork comes courtesy of Wes Benscoter, who was also previously responsible for the stunning "Macabre Eternal" album cover.

Says the band: "Tourniquets tighten... hacksaws rip... graves are filled...This is AUTOPSY, this is death metal. With the stench of 'The Headless Ritual' still permeating the befouled air, AUTOPSY has once again come for your very metal soul with their newest blood-soaked homage to all things dark, twisted and horrific... once again, bone-crushingly heavy nightmares await. 'Tourniquets, Hacksaws And Graves' will awaken the most depraved part of the coldest zombie's stare... blood will flow, brains will be destroyed, coffin lids will be opened."

AUTOPSY's sixth studio opus of horror and all-out madness, "The Headless Ritual", was released in July 2013 via Peaceville Records.

AUTOPSY released a DVD, "Born Undead", in June 2012 in the U.S. via Peaceville Records. The set charts AUTOPSY's birth, death and rebirth with an extensive documentary conducted with the bandmembers themselves, as they describe how the beast came to be, and the impact their music has had on the metal world over a span of more than 20 years. The film also documents the band's long-awaited return to the studio and stage, and includes rehearsal footage of both new tracks and old classics for their live comeback assault.

AUTOPSY had previously decided to make an official comeback after working together on two songs for the special 20th-anniversary edition of debut album, "Severed Survival", in late 2008; the band having originally split before the release of its fourth album, "Shitfun", in 1995. AUTOPSY is: Chris Reifert - Drums/VocalsDanny Coralles - GuitarEric Cutler - GuitarJoe Trevisano - Bass

"Seven Years Alone", the first-ever video from DEVIL YOU KNOW, the creative union of Howard Jones (ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), Francesco Artusato (ALL SHALL PERISH) and John Sankey (DEVOLVED), can be seen below. The clip was filmed last month in Los Angeles.

"Seven Years Alone" is taken from DEVIL YOU KNOW's inaugural effort, "The Beauty of Destruction", which will be made available on both physical and digital formats on April 25 in Europe and April 29 in North America via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

"The Beauty Of Destruction" was produced by Logan Mader (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, GOJIRA, DEVILDRIVER, SOULFLY) and mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SOULFLY). Artwork for the album was created by noted painter and illustrator Travis Smith (OPETH, DEVIN TOWNSEND).

"When Travis Smith presented us with the initial sketches we were blown away,” commented Jones. “He captured the concept of the album perfectly. It’s hugely different than anything that’s out there and will be immediately recognizable as DEVIL YOU KNOW."

"The Beauty Of Destruction" track listing:

01. A New Beginning02. My Own03. Embracing The Torture04. For The Dead And Broken05. Seven Years Alone06. It's Over07. A Mind Insane08. Crawl From The Dark09. The Killer10. I Am The Nothing11. Shut It Down12. As Bright As The Darkness13. Sacrifice (bonus track - vinyl LP only)

As previously reported, DEVIL YOU KNOW will support BLACK LABEL SOCIETY on this year's Revolver Golden Gods Tour, which will kick off on April 16 in Portland and wrap up on June 7 in Los Angeles. Also appearing on the bill is DOWN.

"It's the record I've waited my entire life to make," Artusato said about "The Beauty Of Destruction".

"Logan really pushed us and brought the best out of us and now Zeuss is making it sound amazing!"

DEVIL YOU KNOW's touring lineup is completed by guitarist Roy Lev-Ari and BLEEDING THROUGH bassist Ryan Wombacher.

Said Jones said of the band's new additions: "After a period of being so intensely creative writing and recording the album, it's exciting to finally take it out on the road.

"It's great to have the two new guys.

"Roy is a great fit.

"Ryan and I have played tons of shows together in BLEEDING THROUGH and KILLSWITCH and have known each other for years."

DEVIL YOU KNOW made its live debut on February 15 at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, California. The group also took part in the 2014 edition of Australia's Soundwave Festival.

DEVIL YOU KNOW was born out of Artusato and Sankey's creative quest to stretch beyond their extreme metal backgrounds. The two had written over a dozen songs before even attempting to lock down a singer. "We were unsure if Howard would be interested," said Sankey." Yet, when KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's former frontman received the material, a creative ideal began to solidify.

Finally connecting in Los Angeles during the last months of 2012, a highly distinctive sound began to become apparent. "It turned from bare-bones musical ideas into something that surpassed any of our expectations," said Jones. "It went from something we thought was going to be a fun, heavy project into something very real." It was during a recording session at the start of 2013 with producer and former MACHINE HEAD and SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader that DEVIL YOU KNOW's ideas began to alchemize into something none of the bands members would ever expect. "It became a departure from what I'm known for," said Artusato. "I wasn't focusing on technical guitar parts (even though I still love that aspect of writing) but simply on writing what felt best for each individual song."

The writing and recording process for DEVIL YOU KNOW's debut album "was surprisingly easy," stated Artusato. "When we get together it just works." The band is also quick to sum up the studio vibe with producer Mader as "intensely creative," said Sankey. "Logan definitely helped us realize and define the DEVIL YOU KNOW sound." Jones agreed: "He went from producer, to unsung member, to friend."

"It's a different style of music for me," said Jones of DEVIL YOU KNOW's unique sound. "It's heavy as anything any of us are known for but I get to do some different things people won't expect. I've been singing almost all my life. Being around good songwriters and musicians in my former bands really helped mold me into who I am now."

"Seven Years Alone" video:

"Midnight Driver Of A Love Machine", the new video from WINGER, can be seen below. The clip portrays the band on a live stage performing the opening track of their forthcoming album, "Better Days Comin'", to be released on April 18 in Europe and April 22 in North America via Frontiers Records. Fans who preorder the album now from iTunes will receive instant downloads of "Rat Race" (the first single) and the album's title track. The effort is available for pre-order on Amazon.com in a standard and deluxe configuration. The deluxe edition comes in a glossy digipak and includes the bonus track "Another Beautiful Day" and a DVD including a "Making Of The Album" documentary as well as videos for the first single "Rat Race" and title track, "Better Days Comin'".

WINGER has always been known for its incredible musicianship and the trend continues on "Better Days Comin'".

"On 'Better Days Comin'', we drew from our past to elaborate on our future," explains Kip Winger.

"The band is stronger than ever and very excited about the music on this record. We feel this album exemplifies the true sound of the band in every way."

From the opening riff of album opener "Midnight Driver Of A Love Machine" to the final outro lick of "Out Of This World", it is clear WINGER is back and better than ever. Hard-rocking songs like "Queen Babylon", progressive-rock movements like "Tin Soldier", and touching ballads like "Ever Wonder" show the band's diversity while always centering on great songs.

The debut single from "Better Days Comin'" is the adrenaline-fueled rocker "Rat Race" that showcases some of the band's best work of its 25-year career.

"Better Days Comin'" track listing: 01. Midnight Driver Of A Love Machine 02. Queen Babylon03. Rat Race04. Better Days Comin'05. Tin Soldier06. Ever Wonder07. So Long China08. Storm In Me09. Be Who You Are, Now10. Another Beautiful Day (deluxe edition bonus track)11. Out Of This World

WINGER formed in the late 1980s and soared to immediate success with its 1988 self-titled release. The album spawned the hit singles "Seventeen" and "Headed For A Heartbreak" and achieved platinum sales status. "Winger" also stayed on The Billboard 200 chart for over 60 weeks where it peaked at #21. Their next album, "In The Heart Of The Young", also achieved platinum status behind the singles "Can't Get Enuff" and "Miles Away". The change in musical climate of the mid-'90s, compounded with unprovoked ridicule on MTV's popular "Beavis And Butt-Head" show, led the band to go on hiatus in 1994. In 2001, WINGER reunited and has not looked back since.

Alt-rock band BUSH is currently in the studio with Grammy-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (DEFTONES, FOO FIGHTERS, ALICE IN CHAINS) recording the follow-up to 2011"s "The Sea Of Memories". The quartet (vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale, guitarist Chris Traynor, bassist Corey Britz and drummer Robin Goodrige) is recording at Studio 606, the Northridge, California studio owned by FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl. 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of BUSH's debut album "Sixteen Stone", which hit No. 4 on The Billboard 200 and included the No. 1 hits "Comedown", "Glycerine" and "Machinehead", as well as fan favorites "Everything Zen" and "Little Things".

BUSH last year released "Live From Austin, Texas", an electrifying concert DVD featuring footage from an August 2011 sold-out show at Stubbs. The disc, also available on Blu-ray, features fan favorites "Machinehead", "Glycerine" and "Comedown" — along with new hits "All My Life", "The Afterlife" and "The Sound Of Winter". BUSH made rock radio history with "The Sound of Winter", becoming the first band ever to hit No. 1 at Alternative Radio with a self-released single. The song appears on the group's most recent release, "The Sea Of Memories", which was the first BUSH disc to be released via the band's own imprint, Zuma Rock Records. "The Sound Of Winter" also holds the distinction of being the reunited group's first No. 1 single since 1999's chart-topping hit "The Chemicals Between Us". Over the course of their career, BUSH has sold more than 16 million albums in the U.S. and Canada alone. They've also compiled an amazing string of 15 consecutive Top 40 hit singles on the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, including 11 that hit the Top 5. Five of these became No. 1 hits: "Comedown", "Glycerine", "Swallowed", "The Chemicals Between Us" and "The Sound Of Winter". In 2008, Rossdale returned to the top of the charts with his solo single, "Love Remains The Same", which hit No. 1 on iTunes and generated more than 1.6 million downloads.

Pictured above: Gavin Rossdale and producer Nick Raskulinecz (credit: Jesse Davey)

"Slither", a brand new song from AKANI, the band featuring guitarist Anders Björler (AT THE GATES, THE HAUNTED), vocalist Jorge Rosado (MERAUDER), guitarist Daniel Antonsson (SOILWORK, DARK TRANQUILLITY), bassist Victor Brandt (ENTOMBED, SATYRICON) and drummer Anders Lowren (DEAD REPRISE), can be streamed using the Bandcamp widget below. The track is taken from AKANI's four-song seven-inch single entitled "Santa Muerte", which will be released in May through Demons Run Amok Records (SUBZERO, CRO-MAGS). The effort was produced, recorded and mixed by AKANI and Martin Jacobsson at Rovljud Studios in Örebro, Sweden

Another song "Who's To Blame?", taken from "Santa Muerte", can also be streamed below.

"Who's To Blame?" lyrics:

War, Is What's On My Mind And It's My Only Cause War, For The Better Of Mankind And It's What Frees Us AllI Need War! All-Out War!

War, Is What Settles All And Keeps The Weak In Place War, Starves My Enemies But It Puts Food On My Plate I Need War!

Now You Say You Hate What I Say But You're The One Who Made Me This Way So You Say You Hate What I Say, But Who's To Blame?!

Who's To Blame For My Fuckin Ignorance? I Said, Who's To Blame For My Patriotic Rage? [End of lyrics]

AKANI is:

Jorge Rosado (MERAUDER) - VocalsAnders Björler (AT THE GATES, ex-THE HAUNTED) - GuitarVictor Brandt (ENTOMBED, ex-SATYRICON) - BassAnders Lowgren (DEAD REPRISE) - DrumsDaniel Antonsson (ex-SOILWORK, DARK TRANQUILLITY) - Guitar


Santa Muerte by Akani

GREAT WHITE's new music video, "Complicated", can be seen below. The latest single from the band's "Elation" album is overflowing with rockin' guitar riffs, tight percussion, tickling keys, fresh vocal swagger and an infectious chorus. The boogie-blues track is signature GREAT WHITE through and through, soon to become a fan favorite. The accompanying music video is a far cry from classic GREAT WHITE videos from back in the day. The band enlisted help from Mark Teague of Dream Haven Studios to create a multi-media narrative: a first for the band. "We really had a good time making the video and we hope the fans dig it. They will feel the positive energy coming from the song and video," the band said. Working alongside a green screen and even utilizing acting prowess, GREAT WHITE captures an emotional triumph. The energy and peace is palpable. GREAT WHITE is founder and lead guitarist Mark Kendall, Michael Lardie (keyboards, guitar), Audie Desbrow (drums), Scott Snyder (bass) and lead singer Terry Ilous.

"Elation" sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. Issued on May 22, 2012 via Frontiers Records, the 12-song CD marks GREAT WHITE's first effort with Ilous following the band's split with founding singer Jack Russell.

This version of GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with GREAT WHITE FEATURING JACK RUSSELL (formerly JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE), which features Russell alongside Robby Lochner (FIGHT) on guitar,Chris Tristram on bass, Tony Montana on guitar and Dicki Fliszar on drums.

GREAT WHITE released a live album, "30 Years - Live From The Sunset Strip", on February 22, 2013 in Europe and February 26, 2013 in North America via Frontiers Records.

To mark its 30th anniversary live on March 22, 2012, GREAT WHITE celebrated the only logical way — on stage. In a nod to its early days, GREAT WHITE returned to the infamous Sunset Strip, where a storied past of music's biggest fans are fused into the walls of the Key Club. GREAT WHITE delivered its entire repertoire to a packed house, pining for the band's raw energy and cheering its illustrious history track after track.

The video for the song "Break The Cycle" from FOR TODAY can be seen below. The clip was directed by Frankie Nasso, who has previously worked with ASKING ALEXANDRIA, ESCAPE THE FATE and EMMURE. The track is taken from the band's new studio album, "Fight The Silence", which was released on February 4 via Razor & Tie.

The video for the "Fight The Silence" title cut was directed by Daniel Davison, who has previously worked with AUGUST BURNS RED, THE CHARIOT, MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA and NORMA JEAN. The song has a strong social message and proceeds from the sale of this track and album will go to support the A21 Campaign to help shine a light on the issue of human trafficking.

FOR TODAY lead vocalist Mattie Montgomery had all of the lyrics written for the song before he arrived at the studio to record it. He explains: "The morning before we got in, I watched a video someone sent me called 'Girls Going Wild In The Red Light District'. They were, like, 'Ignore the title. Just watch the video.' In the video, there are six girls standing in the window of a brothel in Amsterdam. This song starts playing and these prostitutes all start doing this synchronized dance to this music. Then at the end of it, these girls get done and the windows go black and this screen at the top of the building comes on and says, 'Every year thousands of girls are promised a dance career in Western Europe. Sadly they many of them end up here."

Mattie sat in the studio and wept for a good twenty minutes. "I was sobbing, snot coming out of my nose, tears coming down my face.

"How can we help? Where do we even start?

"I literally went through the lyrics to this song called 'Hope', which is ironic. I went through the lyrics that I had written and selected everything and I hit delete.

"You know what? I want the world to hear about this thing. So I re-wrote them in 45 minutes that morning. Then we recorded it. That's 'Fight The Silence'."

FOR TODAY will work to raise funds via the album and touring to continue the global effort to rescue and rehabilitate those who have been victimized and to oppose and prosecute those who are responsible for the buying and selling of other human beings. FOR TODAY was confirmed for the 2014 Vans Warped Tour. The band will perform on the entire nationwide run from June 14 through August 3.

The cover artwork for THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's new single, "Happiness Is A Smile", can be seen below. The song will be made available on limited-edition colored seven-inch vinyl via the band's merchandise table and as a cassingle through the group's VIP packages during THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's U.S. tour, which kicks off on April 3 in New York City.

The artwork for "Happiness Is A Smile" was created by BBC Radio One presenter and occult artist Daniel Carter.

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's fifth full-length album, "One Of Us Is The Killer", sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 25 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on May 14 through the band's own Party Smasher Inc., in partnership with Sumerian Records in North America. Party Smasher's partnership with BMG covers the rest of the world, including licensing deals with Grind House for Japan and Remote Control in Australia.

"One Of Us Is The Killer" was recorded in Southern California with longtime producer Steve Evetts (GLASSJAW, THE CURE, SUICIDE SILENCE), with additional production at guitarist/co-founder Ben Weinman's studio. Mastering was handled by Tom Baker (DEFTONES, NINE INCH NAILS, BEASTIE BOYS).

In an interview with Killer Tours, Weinman stated about "One Of Us Is The Killer": "A lot of the inspiration for this record has to do with codependency. This band has a huge impact on everyone in our lives. The conflicts that occur from both being around the same people constantly and also being away from some people constantly makes you evaluate things in a way most people never could. A lot of our lyrical and musical content is a vessel for dealing with that."

Vic Records has announced the signing of VIOLATION WOUND, the punk/rock/metal band formed by Chris Reifert (DEATH, ABSCESS, AUTOPSY) on guitar and vocals. Due on May 26, the band's debut album features guest appearances from Danny Coralles and Eric Cutler (both guitar players in AUTOPSY). The production is raw and primitive and as punk as it can be — like a perfect mixture between AUTOPSY and the RAMONES.

In a 2013 interview with Decibel magazine, Reifert stated about VIOLATION WOUND: "We first got together around beginning of June [of 2013]. I had mentioned the idea of a pure punk band to my friend Joe Orterry, who used to play bass in FOG OF WAR, and he said he was into it. At first I was going to play drums as usual, but after thinking about it decided to switch over to guitar. We hit up Matt O'Connell, who is the current FOG OF WAR drummer, to see if he would like to go for it and after giving him the rundown of what it would be about, he said yeah. It all fell right into place and next thing you know the volume is up and we're stockpiling songs as well as empty beer and whiskey bottles!"

Regarding VIOLATION WOUND's upcoming debut CD, Reifert said: "It's 18 songs in about 26 minutes, so you know there's no fucking around. They're real songs, though, not just noise for the sake of it… This is lots of fun for us, but it's certainly no joke either… We poured our fucking guts into it!

"I've always valued good songwriting and this is no exception. We had a kick-ass time recording and even got Danny and Eric from AUTOPSY to come down to throw down a couple of solos… Good times! But as with AUTOPSY, any sort of proper touring just isn't possible. The main plan right now is to get the album out there and into your ears. Beyond that, who knows?"

On the topic of the VIOLATION WOUND band name, Reifert said: "It just popped into my head one day. It sounds uncomfortable and painful, eh? It can mean several things, all of which would probably be considered awful in one way or another. Heh Heh… It's a pretty striking name, I think, and best of all, no one else was using it. I had a few other ideas at first, and I thought there was no way they could be taken, but sure enough… a bit of research proved me wrong. Ha! I really like the name and it just fits. It's one of those things where I can't imagine it any other way now."

"Ascending Straight In Circle", a brand new song from French death metal veterans LOUDBLAST, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Burial Ground", which will be released in Europe on April 28 and the U.S. on June 10 via Listenable.

Three years ago, the "Frozen Moments Between Life And Death" CD proved to be LOUDBLAST's boldest move, recharged by the arrival of youngsters Alex Lenormand (bass, ex-LOCUS, CODE, SIC) and Drakhian (lead guitar, GRIFFAR, ex-TAAKE, BLACK DEMENTIA), guitaarits/vocalist Stéphane Buriez and his longtime drummer Hervé Coquerel threw all the rules out of the window without turning their backs on their roots.

The result of eighteen months of hard work, "Burial Ground" goes even further. A solid mix of classic old school reminiscent of early DEATH and CELTIC FROST and modern influences with a massive production and dark feel, it also dares transgressing their traditional thrash/death style of yore to achieve a much more malign yet as catchy sound.

The "Burial Ground" cover art was created by Will Kuberski of Worthless Endeavors, who also painted the INCANTATION "Vanquish In Vengeance" cover.

LOUDBLAST is:

Vocals/Guitar: Stéphane BuriezGuitars: DrakhianBass: Alexandre LenormandDrums: Hervé Coquerel

Photo credit: Anthony Dubois

Angela Gossow, who revealed earlier this week that she was stepping down as frontwoman of ARCH ENEMY and was being replaced by former THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz, has released the following message via her official Facebook page:

"Thank you for all your kind words, your support, your understanding. I am sorry some of you are really sad 
So am I, in many ways.

"It's really hard to say goodbye.

"I have had a lot of time to reflect on my life in 2013.. I had to turn a page. We all get to this point in our life sometime. I do embrace this change, I hope you do too.

"I am very busy with [my continued role as the business manager for] ARCH ENEMY right now, as you can imagine. They got a lot of things lined up.

"The music [on the forthcoming ARCH ENEMY album, 'War Eternal'] is still 100% ARCH ENEMY, trust me.

"Thank you for the last 13 years; they have been truly wonderful. I enjoyed playing live for many of you, meeting you, interacting with you.

"I am not sure yet what I'll do with this page, I will most likely use it to keep you up to date with all things ARCH ENEMY, my band management business and whatever else my busy little brain comes across… thoughts, inspirations, things that make me laugh.

"Be well, take good care of yourselves and enjoy life. It's too short to look back."

Due in North America on June 10 via Century Media Records, "War Eternal" was mixed by Jens Bogren (OPETH, PARADISE LOST, KREATOR) at Fascination Street in Örebro, Sweden. ARCH ENEMY will debut new material on a short eastern European tour before the album is released; this trek will then be followed by an extensive run of European summer festivals, including Sweden Rock Festival, Wacken Open Air and many more. A full headlining tour in North America and Europe will take place in fall/winter 2014. ARCH ENEMY in 2012 amicably parted ways with guitarist Christopher Amott and replaced him with American musician Nick Cordle (ARSIS).

SPV/Steamhammer will re-release VIRGIN STEELE's "The Marriage Of Heaven & Hell I+II" and "Invictus" albums in June. These two CD digipak re-releases will come with special bonus material and a huge booklet with new liner notes and previously unseen photos supplied by VIRGIN STEELE singer David DeFeis.

Release dates: Scandinavia: June 11Germany: June 13Rest of Europe: June 16 USA/Canada: June 24 Comments David DeFeis: "It is an honor, and it is my great pleasure, to be able to re-release with SPV the two 'Marriage Of Heaven and Hell' albums and the 'Invictus' album this year. These albums loom large in our catalogue, and so much of our blood, sweat and history can be found within the fabric of these works.

"In addition to the original running order titles, we will also present various bonus tracks. 'The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell' discs contain two live tracks recorded in Germany during 'The Marriage' tour, plus some new songs.

"Originally on the bonus disc for 'Invictus' we had planned to issue this new 19-song 'Ghost Harvest' collection that I had spoken about in the latest interviews. That plan has changed. 'Ghost Harvest', which has now grown into more than one CD at this time, will instead be included in the upcoming box set, and the bonus disc inside 'Invictus', which bears the title 'Fire Spirits', will contain over-the-top acoustic versions of various songs mainly taken from 'The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell' and 'Invictus' albums (but a few others appear as well). It will also contain a brand new track recorded this week.

"The performances on 'Fire Spirits' were captured live and are raw, heartfelt and genuine. We wanted to show those who missed out on the acoustic gigs we had done some of what went on there, and to also express how powerful these stripped down versions can be.

"With the appearance of these reissues and the inclusion of all the various bonus tracks contained within these collections, we give thanks and salute all of you who have taken this barbaric-romantic ride with us.

"We hope you will enjoy these works that celebrate the interaction and chemistry of the group, and which are testament to the enduring strength of our friendship."

"The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell Pt. I+II" track listing:

CD1

01. I Will Come For You02. Weeping Of The Spirits03. Blood And Gasoline04. Self Crucifixion05. Last Supper06. Warriors Lament07. Trail Of Tears08. The Raven Song09. Forever Will I Roam10. I Wake Up Screaming11. House Of Dust12. Blood Of The Saints13. Life Among The Ruins14. The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell15. Angela's Castle (bonus track)16. The Sword Of Damocles (bonus track)

CD2

01. A Symphony Of Steele02. Crown Of Glory (Unscarred)03. From Chaos To Creation04. Twilight Of The Gods05. Rising Unchained06. Transfiguration07. Prometheus The Fallen One08. Emalaith09. Strawgirl10. Devil/Angel11. Unholy Water12. Victory Is Mine13. The Marriage Of heaven And Hell (revisited)14. A Greater Burning Of Innocence (bonus track)15. Life Among The Ruins - Live (bonus track)16. I Wake Up Screaming - Live (bonus track)

"Invictus" track listing:

CD1

01. The Blood Of vengeance02. Invictus03. Mind, Body, Spirit04. In The Arms Of The Death God05. Through Blood And Fire06. Sword Of The Gods07. God Of Our Sorrows08. Vow Of Honour09. Defiance10. Dust From The Burining11. Amaranth12. A Whisper Of Death13. Dominion Day14. A Shadow Of Fear15. "Theme" From The Marriage Of Heaven & Hell16. Veni, Vidi, Vici

CD2 – Bonus

"Dark Distant Future" Medley #1

01. A Whipser Of Death (Intro)02. Unholy Water03. Trail Of Tears

"With Vengeance Divine" Medley #2

04. Rising Unchained05. Veni, Vidi, Vici06. Defiance07. I Will Come For You08. Victory Is Mine

"Hail The Conguering Hero" Medley #3

09. Serpent's Kiss (Intro)10. A Whisper Of Death (Main section of song)11. Great Sword Of Flame12. A Whipser Of Death (Reprise)13. Emalaith14. The Burning Of Rome15. Perfect Mansions (Mountains Of The Sun)16. Do You Walk With God (new song)

In other news, VIRGIN STEELE will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year with the fall release of a 35th-anniversary box set, which will include the CDs "The Book Of Burning" and "Hymns To Victory" as well as the new recordings named the "Ghost Harvest - The Spectral Vintage Sessions". In addition, the box will include an extensive book and a poster. A new studio album and live dates will follow in early 2015.

BLP Music is pleased to announce the 12th album from Swedish hard rock outfit BALTIMOORE entitled Back For More is out now and available at all leading digital music platforms.
Home to 10 new tracks and led as always by enigmatic vocalist Björn Lodin, Back For More sees the band deliver a fresh take on the Baltimoore sound for 2014 with some new and old faces in the current line-up.

Lodin comments: “My main man for this release is guitar player Mats Attaque. He was actually in a band with me right before I started Baltimoore (READY STEADY). Several of the songs from the first album we also played in that band. Teaming up with him again has been truly inspiring. He’s a great guitar player and singer - a great musician! We grew up in the same area and share a lot of the same rhythm interpretation, coming from the folk music around these parts of Sweden. Drummer Klas Anderhell, long time session player and The Guy you call when you need to get the job done. Having him joining us is a treat. Weine Johansson (bass) and Örjan Fernkvist (organ) are returning and nothing pleases me more. I’m proud of this band!”

Songwriting for the album originally began back in 2011 with some ideas being considered for what would have been Lodin’s third release with Hungarian rock out fit HARD.

“It originally started out as a new Hard album, but as the songs developed I knew this had to be for Baltimoore. It’s been a slow process since starting in October 2011. I had the songs written before I got the final line-up together and as players came along, putting their skills and input to them, it all fell into place. I just ignite and feed off others. We’ve been recording on and off since early 2012 but the album gained momentum in late 2013 and here we are… finished”.

On the album’s style, Lodin continues: “Musically, I think it’s where this band should be – loud guitars along with Hammond organ and a vibrant rhythm section. Lyrically, I don’t know, I bitch, bark and moan about whatever comes to mind, like always. However, there’s an ongoing story in our songs. I seem to end up in same ‘place’ over and over. That’s something I want to take further and explore with visual stuff eventually”.
Back For More features the following tracklist

'Cry Out For Innocence'
'Don't Say No'
'Until The End Of The Line'
'Are You On To Me?'
'Break Into Something New'
'Means To An End'
'Gun Of Doom'
'Sunshine In The Rain'
'Say It Like It Is'
'Back For More'

Check out an album teaser below:
Go to Baltimoore's official website here for more information.

CURIMUS come from the city of Loimaa, Finland. The thrash metal band just celebrated their 10th anniversary and are gearing up for the release of their second full-length album, Artificial Revolution. The album will be released on April 25th on the band's own label, Freezing Penguin, and distributed worldwide by Svart Records.

The production on Artificial Revolution is the handiwork of both the band themselves and main producer Tom Gardiner and studio wizard Daniel Rantanen. When compared to debut album Realization (2011), much more work was done with pre-production on this one. After the first round of demos, it was already clear that the material destined to become the second Curimus album was to be more powerful and diverse than ever before. In production sessions, more focus was given to building a solid set of tracks, and this led to many songs experiencing major shape-shifting as the project rolled on. Artificial Revolution is a strong album that has the classic Curimus thrash metal aggression but lighter and melodic nuances, as well, and all of it end up making the album an even more crushing piece of thrash than ever before.

Artificial Revolution tracklisting:

'Reincarnation'
'Free-Standing Nation'
'No Feast For The Vultures'
'Faith & Obsession'
'Love Song'
'In The Darkness'
'Blade In - Blood Out'
'Preachings'
'Unchained'
'Depraved'
'Born Yesterday'

'Preachings' lyric video:

Norwegian/Polish blackened death metal act NAUMACHIA, ) has finished work on their fourth full-length album entitled Machine Of Creation. Last year in Hertz Studio (BEHEMOTH, VADER) the musicians recorded, mixed and mastered 10 new songs.

'Multiple Personality' was chosen as the first song to promote the new album. It features vocal parts recorded years ago by Covan (ex-DECAPITATED), for the planned but never released third ATROPHIA RED SUN album. This song also features vocals by Marcin Urbas (ex-SCEPTIC), and can be heard now:
Machine Of Creation is set for a late Spring release, and features the following 10 tracks:

'Amging Sun'
'Primal Instinct'
'Destroyers'
'Frag-men-ted'
'Men Of Down'
'Machine Of Creation'
'Scorched Earth'
'Multiple Personality'
'Lost'
'Amnesia'

The band comments on the final outcome: “This is an extremely important album for us – when it comes to new approach to songs, the sound quality, but first and foremost because of the fact that we composed it with S?awek, our friend and bandmate that we miss a lot. Wies?awscy Bros quickly caught on our intentions and helped us push Naumachia one step further. Music here is very diversified, there are lots of levels and references. Tempos are a bit slower then before. We’ve worked hard on the rhythm and melodies. One can even notice that we turned to the first album, Wrathorn, in a sense. Most songs appeared naturally during rehearsals, music got more energy and space. You’ll find here lots of electronic parts composed by VX. We’re very satisfied with the final outcome, and can’t wait to present the album live on stage”.

Swedish melodic/symphonic death metal act MEADOWS END are releasing their second full length album called The Sufferwell on June 13th. Check out the cover artwork by Fredrik Burholm below:
The Sufferwell features the following tracks:

'Kings Of Greed'
'Trench Of Souls'
'Ur Askan'
'Devilspeed Loathekill'
'Reap'
'Under A Canopy Of Stars'
'Hung In Gallows By Dawn'
'This Coming Nightfall'
'Funeral Of A Porcelain Doll'
'Masses Flee'
'Insurrection'