German rockers Double Crush Syndrome, fronted by former Sodom guitarist Andy Brings, are streaming their new single "On Top Of Mount Whateverest". Check it out below:

Brings recently checked in with the following update:

"Next show for my band Double Crush Syndrome: September 25th, supporting W.A.S.P. in Oberhausen at the Turbinenhalle! If somebody had told me that in 1984 I would have laughed and said: 'Well, if it takes 31 years I think I will deserve it by then!' Just kidding. But I do. We do" The first W.A.S.P. album was, still is and forever will be one of the biggest chapters in my rock bible!"

Double Crush Syndrome's schedule is now as follows:

September
25 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle (supporting W.A.S.P.)

October (with Ohrenfeindt)
16 - Kiel, Germany - Räucherei
21 - Nürnberg, Germany - Hirsch
22 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
23 - Köln, Germany - Underground
24 - Hannover, Germany - Musikzentrum
31 - Essen, Germany - Freakshow (headline show)

November (with Ohrenfeindt)
5 - Berlin, Germany - Magnet
6 - Fulda, Germany - Kreuz
7 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
13 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
14 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
19 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
20 - Affalter, Germany - Zur Linde
21 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
27 - Duisburg, Germany - Parkhaus (with Phoenix Rising)

Double Crush Syndrome recently released a new single, the first recording to feature Slick Prolidol on bass. He joined Andy Brings (lead vocals, guitar) and Markus Herzog (drums) in 2014 days before the tour with Sebastian Bach (the original voice of Skid Row), replacing Aurora Steffens. Many concerts later the power trio returns with "Can't You Be Like Everyone Else" and a video featuring Stella von Monroe, Germany´s hottest underground model.

Brings: "I´m so proud...the new one take video from my band Double Crush Syndrome featuring everybody´s favourite hot chick Stella von Monroe! Please share it if you like it. If not: don´t tell me!"

For information and updates on Double Crush Syndrome go to this location.

German rockers 21Octayne - featuring vocalist Hagen Grohe (The Joe Perry Project), guitarist Marco Wriedt (ex-Axxis), and drummer Alex Landenburg (Rhapsody) - have released a video for the song "Where You Go", which can be viewed below.

“We are extremely happy how things were unfolding with the clip”, the band states. “Looking back, we were more than lucky that everything fell into place suddenly. When doing video clips, of course the result very much depends on the quality of actors - especially when you work with children - not to forget the director’s intuition and knowledge. With seven day of filming scheduled and a real, lively storyline it definitely was a risky undertaking. But now seeing the final result, we are totally blown away by 'When You Go'. It turned out into a real movie and we are proud to have such an amazing clip representing our song. Also, all this was a lesson for us in another way: just like when we write new songs; follow your gut feeling and believe in what you do. We are certain that this way the most real and authentic music comes to light too.”

The new 21Octayne album, 2.0, will be released on September 25th in Europe and October 2nd in North America. Along with standard CD and Digipak (3 bonus tracks), it will also be available as a Special Edition limited to 300 units; including Digipak, magic mug, bag, signed autograph card and signed guitar pick.

Following the successful debut Into The Open from 2014, the band has crafted 10 diverse, powerful rock songs for the new record (3 additional tracks are featured on the limited digipak).

Tracklisting:

“Devil In Disguise”
“Take Me Back”
“When You Go”
“Love's Just A Heartbreak Away”
“Take Me Away”
“Lost"
“The Circle”
“Date With Myself”
“Fly Away”
“Tale Of A Broken Child”

For information and updates on 21Octayne go to this location.

How do you describe an enigma? In the case of The Great Discord, certain words come to the fore: Cinematic. Grandiose. Haunting. Soaring. Devastating. Unique. But still, it is perhaps impossible to paint a vivid picture of the Swedish unit, whose layered, textured music gets under the skin and is as likely to conjure exhilaration or a sense of poignancy in the listener as it is a profound and deep seated unease.

Today, September 18th, marks the release date for the Echoes EP. Echoes contains edited versions of two tracks that appear on The Great Discord's most recent full-length, Duende. The 5-track EP (released on Metal Blade Records) also contains an acoustic version of current single "The Aging Man" and cover versions of "Inertiatic E.S.P." by The Mars Volta and "Cherry Waves" by The Deftones. It is currently available via all major digital retailers.

Additionally, the video for the acoustic version of "The Aging Man" that appears on the Echoes EP is streaming below:

 
The Great Discord explains: "The reason for this EP is to give you another glimpse into what we are as a musical collective, but in a slightly different musical costume. The title simply refers to the function of an alternative version, serving an an echo of something that already exists. Which, incidentally, is another concept tying this together. Tabula Rasa, and how we become who we are through interactions with others. And of course, since we love Pink Floyd we could not resist the name.

“The EP includes a very special and intimate version of "Aging Man", along with homages to the amazing Deftones, and The Mars Volta, two bands that have been a part of our lives for a very long time and inspired us immensely though their creativity and originality.

“The cover art for this release was made by our very own André Axell. The music was captured by us, and yet again mixed / mastered by the eminent Niels Nielsen at Secret Location Studio.

We do hope you'll like it."

The Great Discord initially came about as a result of the relationship between lead singer Fia Kempe and drummer Aksel Holmgren. Although they'd known one another for many years and connected for many years, it was only when they came together to form The Great Discord in 2013 that their collaboration began. Sharing an interest in progressive music, they count the likes of Genesis and King Crimson as well as contemporary acts such as Meshuggah and The Dillinger Escape Plan among those who have inspired them. At the same time, individually they look up to a diverse array of musicians beyond the confines of this genre, which broaden the musical base they are working from, and from the start the duo were not interested in merely regurgitating their influences.
 
With a sound rooted in weighty, contorted metal with Kempe's formidable, beautiful vocals soaring above the mechanized tumult, they constantly shift between tones, moods and dynamics, and they simultaneously challenge and seduce the listener, eluding easy pigeonholing. "We both have very specific ways of writing and we complement each other very well. The first song we worked on came together in a day, and straight away we could see that we were onto something special," says Holmgren. Recruiting guitarists André Axell and Gustav Almberg alongside bassist Rasmus Carlson the band evolved into a fully-fledged entity, all of whom share the same passion and devotion.
 
While music pundits and critics will fall over themselves trying to label the unique and intriguing sounds of The Great Discord, the band members are more interested in presenting their music to the world, with the hope of making a profound musical connection with the likeminded.  

"We obviously want to take over the world," Kempe smiles. "We really believe in our vision, we really believe in the concept behind everything that we do. We want to entertain people. We want them to come to our shows and experience everything that we have visualized for this band, and we want them to relate to the emotion that we're putting into our songs, to be able to find something in The Great Discord that they cannot find anywhere else."

Canadian symphonic black/death metallers, Erimha, impacted the metal scene after the release of Reign Through Immortality in 2013, and their participation on the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Equipped with their evocative and melodious new album, Thesis Ov Warfare, the band transcends previous works to cultivate a grand, gloomy, and dramatic score.

On the album’s title, vocalist Gore states, “We’ve always seen life as a war and the writing process for this record was not an exemption. Thesis Ov Warfare is clearly an analysis on how to handle your pain and keep on fighting towards your goals, so you can finally see beyond your pre-set boundaries and reach a new level of freedom.”

Pre-orders for Thesis Ov Warfare (in stores October 30th) are available now at VictoryMerch.com and include an instant download of the track "The First Law" (streaming below). Digital pre-orders are also available at iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify and Google Play with instant track download for “The First Law”.

 

In 2005, 1349 released a monumental album in Hellfire.  It was the 1349's third studio album, and perfectly captured the band's intense atmosphere along with its unrelenting speed and aggression. From the ferociousness of the album opener, "I Am Abomination", to the 13 minute, 49 second epic title track, the Hellfire album propelled 1349 to international acclaim.

It is rare that 1349 look to the past, but for one night only, the past will become alive again. Join 1349 in celebrating 10 years of Hellfire on Friday, October 30th at the Vulkan Arena in Oslo, where 1349 will play Hellfire in its entirety.  

Tickets are available here.

 

One Machine, the brainchild of acclaimed guitarist/songwriter Steve Smyth (Testament, Nevermore, Forbidden, Dragonlord, Vicious Rumors), release their second album, The Final Cull, today (September 18th) worldwide via Scarlet Records. A full album stream can be found below.

The Final Cull was tracked at Death Island Studios, with Marco Angioni and Tue Madsen helming. Recording lasted for nine days solid, as the band put in 15-18 hour days on this record.

The album art was illustrated by Gustavo Sazes (Gus G. Morbid Angel, Arch Enemy).

Tracklistings for the two editions are as follows:

Digital Release:

“Forewarning”
“The Final Cull”
“Summoning Of The Soul”
“Screaming For Light”
“The Grand Design”
“New Motive Power”
“Ashes In The Sky”
“Born From This Hate”
“Welcome To The World”

CD Digipak and Limited Edition Vinyl:

“Forewarning”
“The Final Cull”
“Summoning Of The Soul”
“Screaming For Light”
“The Grand Design”
“New Motive Power”
“Ashes In The Sky”
“Born From This Hate”
“Welcome To The World”
“Computer God” (Black Sabbath)

Album stream:

“Forewarning” video:  

"The Final Cull" lyric video:

One Machine is:

Steve Smyth (guitar)
Jamie Hunt (guitar)
Chris Hawkins (vocals)
Stefano Selvatico (bass)

Iowa-based powerhouse, For Today, have released a lyric video for “Forced Into Fire”, a track from their upcoming album, Wake.

Wake will be released worldwide on October 2nd,  and will be available on CD (also as an exclusive CD/t-shirt bundle) as well as on vinyl (black, red) and as digital download. Pre-order from this location..

Tracklisting:

“No Truth, No Sacrifice”
“Broken Lens”
“Forced into Fire”
“Deserter”
“Bitter Roots”
“Wasteland”
“Hopeless Ambition”
“Determination”
“Flooded Earth”
“Time and Tide”
“Two Brothers” (Bonus Track)
“Without You” (Bonus Track)

“Broken Lens” video:

Trailer:

Teaser:

 
For Today will also hit the road on October 1st for an album release tour. They will be traversing the country on a headline run with Fit For A King, Gideon, Phinehas, and Silent Planet in tow. The tour kicks off in Tulsa and winds through the country for the entire month of October before wrapping in Albuquerque on November 2nd.
 

Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler has checked in with the following:

"Sorry for the extended break between songs, it's been a wee bit busy between Saigon Kick shows, moving and setting up the new studio, etc. That being said, here is a brand new song called 'True North'. I hope you like it. It has that 'end of a long night, pub closing' vibe... at least to me. 

True North by Owl Stretching

Bieler recently released yet another five song Owl Stretching EP, this one entitled Delumination. It features five previously released singles:

Delumination EP by Owl Stretching

The tracklist is as follows:

"Fall To Pieces"
"Hell"
"Come Up Hitting The Jack"
"Curtain Closed"
"High"

This brings Bieler's EP count to seven. Go to the official Owl Streching Bandcamp page here for the complete catalogue.

Bieler: "Rockers, music fans and good people of Owlville. The music just keeps coming and I cannot begin to tell you how much fun I have been having creating it! I have said it before but your support both via words and $ has been humbling. This experiment really counts on you to participate, there is no label, no distributor, no PR department, no agents, managers or horrid internet marketing folks. It is really just you and me and a few musical guest along the way...which is what makes it so awesome and special. So all I ask is please support via purchase when you can and if you can't just continue to help spread the music one person at a time...it does make a huge difference over time. Thanks!"

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach was interviewed earlier today (Friday, September 18) on Australia's "The Morning Show". You can now watch his appearance below.

Asked who the craziest rock star was that he has toured with, Bach said: "The craziest tour I did was with a band called PANTERA. They were the craziest. I warm up my voice doing scales — all this boring vocal stuff — and they would warm up by doing 14 shots of Crown Royal [whisky]. 'We're ready! Let's go!'"

Regarding how the touring life has changed since the late '80s and early '90s, Bach said: "I have to say one thing about touring now is that it's as important, or, to some fans, more important to get their picture with you and get the Facebook profile. Every show, I do a VIP meet-and-greet, and the fans flip out about that. And back in '91, we didn't meet anybody. Now it's about the Facebook profile, tagging you on their page. That's what's different."

Bach's latest solo album, "Give 'Em Hell" sold around 4,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The singer's much-anticipated autobiography, "18 And Life On Skid Row", will be released in early 2016 via Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

On September 15, Andy Hall of the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3 conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about the political stalemate over the controversial issue of human-induced climate change, Taylor said: "Everybody's B.S.ed themselves into thinking that, 'Oh, the worst of it's in the future.' No, we're living it. You know, like… Oh, God, it sucks… The fact that Donald Trump is a real candidate for the presidency of the United States of fucking America… Are you kidding me? Okay. At this point, let's just nominate [American entertainer and comedian] Emo Philips too. Philips [and fellow comedian] Pauly Shore…. 2020."

After Hall pointed out that this is the direction the U.S. is moving in, Taylor countered: "It ain't the direction I'm moving. I'm emigrating." Asked where he will go, the singer said: "I don't know… I'll figure it out. England's too expensive. That was my first thought. 'Cause I've actually priced out real estate there. England's way too expensive. So I might end up in Guam or something. I'll just build a hut. Belize. There are tons of islands in Belize that you can buy. I actually looked this up, because, for, like, five seconds, I was, like, 'I'm gonna buy an island. Screw these people.' And there are Caribbean islands for sale [via a dedicated web site]. I don't even know if this still exists anymore, but I could have bought a half-natural for, like, five hundred thousand U.S. dollars, by the way. Unfortunately, I would have had to build a hut there, because there was nothing there."

Corey Taylor released his third book, "You're Making Me Hate You: A Cantankerous Look At The Common Misconception That Humans Have Any Common Sense Left", on July 7 via Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group. The book acts as a commentary on society and pop culture and has been described as "Taylor's take on Peter Griffin's 'You Know What Really Grinds My Gears'."

Taylor promoted the book with a combination of bookstore events and a solo tour which were one-of-a-kind shows featuring readings from the book, acoustic performance, and audience discussion.

Metal Wani's Sandra C Yeomans recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen of Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the EPICA songwriting process:

"We sit down [separately] and we start writing. And then, after a while, we have quite some songs. And then we sit together with our producer, and we go through the songs. He adds some things here and here, he says which songs are strong, which songs are not, and we drop them. Because we are working already on the next album. We have now 25 songs already laying there, to be finished. The next step is to work on the vocal lines. And then we already can record the demo versions. And from there on, we start rehearsing, and then we are ready to record the album."

On the progress of the songwriting sessions for EPICA's follow-up to 2014's "The Quantum Enigma":

"It will be a hard decision, because we have 25 killer tracks. And we recently came together as a band and sat down and listened to all the tracks we wrote. And, yeah, it's gonna be a very hard decision, because the quality is really high. Sometimes you are happy when you can fill an album with killer tracks, but now we have the luxurious position we are in that we have at least that many great tracks, so we have to drop tracks that normally would have been for sure on an album… We have to decide what to do with [the extra tracks], because there are many options. I would like to use them right away. It feels shit to wait three more years for a song that's already great to get released. So let's see. But everything is a possibility."

EPICA last week canceled the remaining dates on its North American headlining tour so that the band's lead singer, Simone Simons, could be by her father's side while he was "fighting for his life." (He is now "slowly recovering," according to Simone.)

EPICA will reschedule its North American tour for early next year.

The group's fall 2015 run was supposed to mark EPICA's long-awaited return to North America after their tour with MACHINE HEAD in late 2014 got canceled. It was also to be the band's first North American trek in support of their latest album, "The Quantum Enigma", which hit the charts all over Europe and beyond.

Metal Wani editor in chief Owais "Vitek" Nabi recently conducted an interview with CARCASS and GENTLEMANS PISTOLS guitairst Bill Steer. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for CARCASS's follow-up to 2013's "Surgical Steel", Steer said: "It really hasn't been possible to work on much. We've been just out playing all year. In January, Daniel [Wilding], the drummer, and myself, we got together and we started working on some tunes. And it's sounding very good. But then we suddenly [started getting] back out there, [playing] festivals [and doing] little tours. You really need a decent chunk of time to focus on music, which hopefully will come up… yeah, maybe over Christmas, New Year period."

Even though a new CARCASS album is probably at least a year away from seeing the light of day, Steer said that he definitely wants to make a worthy follow-up to "Surgical Steel". "I would like to. I think everyone involved would like to," he said. "But it's not something we'd rush into, because we were very fortunate we had good will towards this previous record. I mean, I think it was deserved, 'cause it's a strong album, but it's still surprising how many people got behind it. I actually expected more criticism than we had. So I think now, with that level of expectation, you can't just come back with something of the same standard. It needs to be a little more special. We need to have something else to offer. And so we can't really repeat the same trick, I guess, if you know what I mean."

He continued: "But I like a challenge. I think Jeff [Walker, bass/vocals] does too. I don't think we would attempt something if we didn't think it was gonna be worthwhile. I just say, it will take time. It's something we couldn't take lightly. You don't wanna trash the band to make a CD and throw out a really weak album."

"Surgical Remission / Surplus Steel", a collection of previously unreleased and hard-to-find tracks from CARCASS, sold around 1,840 copies in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 27 on the Billboard Hard Rock chart. All the songs on the EP were recorded during the "Surgical Steel" sessions, which was produced by Colin Richardson (NAPALM DEATH, BOLT THROWER, GOREFEST, CANNIBAL CORPSE, SINISTER, RODRIGO Y GABRIELA) and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ACCEPT, EXODUS, TESTAMENT).

"Surgical Remission / Surplus Steel" was made available on physical and digital formats via Nuclear Blast.

"Surgical Steel" sold around 8,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 41 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on September 16, 2013 in the U.K., September 13, 2013 in the rest of Europe and September 17, 2013 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records.

Vocalist Joakim Brodén of Swedish metallers SABATON recently lost a drunken bet with his bandmates, agreeing that the loser had to walk to the group's next gig, set for October 1 at Trondheim Metal Fest in Trondheim, Norway.

"I will not go into details on exactly what happened, but I can say that it was fun and a bit silly," Brodén told Norway's TRD.by web site.

According to Google Maps, the distance between SABATON's hometown of Falun and Trondheim is around 520 kilometers (approximately 323 miles) and the estimated time required to make the trip on foot is 107 hours.

"It started out almost as a joke, but it evolved to be quite serious," said Brodén, who began his trip this past week. "Now I will take a few days rest. I have made contact with some fans via Facebook, who have provided me with food and shelter."

Brodén told TRD.by that he made his way to Vormsund, Norway without a hitch.

"The first day was the hardest," he said. "That's when I walked for ten hours without proper shoes. It wasn't exactly ideal."

Joakim has since started wearing running shoes, making the trip a lot more comfortable.

"And I do not walk such long stretches of time now. I walk between four and eight hours a day," he said.

SABATON is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, "Heroes", which was certified gold in the group's home country for sales in excess of 20,000 copies.

"Heroes" sold around 3,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 99 on The Billboard 200 chart.

St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada-based post-hardcore act ALEXISONFIRE has reunited for good and has promised its fans "to never leave you again."

ALEXISONFIRE split up in 2011 following the departure of two members, only to reform in March this year for a number of comeback shows, including the Heavy Montreal festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

During ALEXISONFIRE's performance at Riot Fest in Toronto this weekend, guitarist Wade MacNeil told the crowd: "Thank you for believing in this band when we couldn't even believe in this band. Thank you for sticking with us. We promise to never leave you again. No more sentimental shit. ALEXISONFIRE is officially back."

ALEXISONFIRE's 2007 album "Crisis" achieved platinum-selling status in Canada after debuting at #1 on the Top 200 Nielsen Soundscan chart there.

The band's fourth studio album, "Old Crows/Young Cardinals", came out in June 2009 via Vagrant Records in the U.S.A. and on Dine Alone in the rest of the world.

USURPER will hit the stage for the first time in nearly 10 years to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its debut album, "Diabolosis". The concert will take place at the Holiday Of Horror festival on December 26 in Chicago.

Founding member/guitarist Rick Scythe had this to say about the event and the future of USURPER: "It is great to get USURPER back together after nearly 10 years. Myself, along with co-founder Joe Warlord (drums) have been talking about resurrecting USURPER for quite some time, and MACABRE's Holiday Of Horror fest seemed like the perfect event to do so. "This isn't some half-hearted attempt to reunite and run through a few songs, this is the 2015 version of USURPER. You will get the best possible lineup hitting the stage, featuring longtime USURPER frontman Dan Tyrantor, who made his debut at the 2003 Holiday Of Horror fest. "After this show, we will assess things and see what the interest level is in USURPER.

"We currently have some offers to play other shows and fests, and I have many unreleased USURPER songs ready to work on with the band, but only time will tell what we decide to do.

"We will entertain any serious offers for shows or recording, but at the same time we are not under some deadline or under the control of some big label. We will do things if and when we feel like. "USURPER always had a small-yet-strong, loyal, extremely passionate fan base around the globe that have been dedicated to USURPER even long after we disbanded. It is these fans, the USURPER "Warriors Of Iron And Rust" that we feel obligated to, no one else.

"The musicianship and execution within the band is better than ever, and these old songs never sounded as good.

"For this show, we will perform a full headlining set, including at least one song from all seven USURPER releases. After that, only time will tell."

USURPER formed in 1993 and released one demo and seven albums/EPs and toured 17 countries as headliners and as a direct support act. The final show was April 2006, headlining the main stage of the Inferno festival in Oslo, Norway.

GODMACK performed a cover version of the ALICE COOPER classic "School's Out" for the first time last night (Saturday, September 19) at The Shindig festival in Baltimore, Maryland. Fan-filmed video footage can be seen below.

GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin told a Springfield, Illinois radio station on September 14 that the band is already working on material for the follow-up to 2014's "1000hp" album. Larkin revealed, "We've already got a bunch of songs even, and we're gonna try and continue to write on tour [in the fall]. It's not as easy to write when you're on the road. But we have a jam room backstage, and we're gonna and write as much as we can."

Larkin added that the band will take most of November, December and January off before reconvening to work on its seventh studio effort, saying, "The plan is, February, and we'll do it in Florida, where Tony [Rombola, guitar] and I live, and we have a studio down there. We'll start there, start writing the new record, get a batch of songs, and then go up to Boston, where our headquarters is, and we have a recording studio up there that we can do our new record in."

There is no release date set for the next album, with Larkin saying, "We'll just take our time, make sure that we get something fresh."

He added that the new songs will probably be "more high-energy rock and roll… We're just gonna try and keep it to where it's still tough sounding and aggressive and high energy. But it'll be probably a more big rock sound."

"1000hp" was GODSMACK's first new album in four years and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart.

The band began a fall North American tour last night in Baltimore, wrapping up on November 14 in Las Vegas. SEVENDUST, BREAKING BENJAMIN and RED SUN RISING will all appear at various points along the tour route.

Poland's Top Guitar conducted an interview with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson at the fourth annual Warwick Bass Camp, which took place from August 31 to September 4 in Markneukirchen, Germany. You can now watch the first part of the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On who came up with the idea to hire LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler to play on the new MEGADETH album:

"It was not me. We were looking at all of our options after Shawn Drover and Chis Broderick departed to start their new group. And we were at winter NAMM convention in Anaheim, California, and Dave [Mustaine, MEGADETH leader] said that Chris Adler would do the record. So I don't know who approached who about it, but I'm definitely glad it happened. I've known Chris for a long time. He's a super-cool guy, and a great drummer, of course, and the fans love him. So it's a great combination."

On whether Chris Adler has had to adapt to MEGADETH's playing style or the other way around:

"Yeah, he had to adapt to us [laughs], which was not a far stretch for him. He knows the songs well as a fan. And, you know, I think, as a musician, when you know songs because you're a fan of them and you've listened to them your whole life, there's a passion about it that's different than when you learn it because it's necessary for the gig. And either one is fine, but I think for Chris, it was the former; he's a fan of the MEGADETH history, and I think it's really like a labor of love for him."

On whether he is a fan of LAMB OF GOD:

"I am. And, you know, it's funny… I'm a fan of their live show. When I went to go see them, I don't know… Seven [or] eight years ago, they came through Phoenix, Arizona, where I live, and I saw their show, and their live show was incredible. It was like PANTERA on steroids, which was cool to see — see someone be able to come in and stake their claim on that turf, because those are big shoes to fill. They just have such great power. And their new record is great — just really, really great. For them to have that slower track — I don't even know what it's called, but that ballad — it just sticks out, because that's a dangerous road to try to go down for a really, really super-hard metal band. But yet when you do it right, and I think they're very authentic with their lyrics… And Randy Blythe is just… What a journey he's had, you know. And I think when you write your life, it resonates with people. So it's cool to see them widen their scope a little bit and branch out into some other things too."

On the upcoming MEGADETH album:

"You know, I can't really say too much about it. [Laughs] I hate to tell you. You're, I don't know… a few weeks early here. But it's incredibly good. As a bass player — I can speak to that, I guess — very , very progressive, very complex lines. It was one of those fun challenges to record, which is cool. It's nice to have that after all these years, especially after all the records we've made together — to feel challenged. So it was cool. I'm excited for people to hear it."

The first official promotional photo of MEGADETH's new lineup — featuring Mustaine and Ellefson alongside Adler and Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA — can be seen below.

Adler and Loureiro were recruited earlier this year following the departures of drummer Shawn Drover and Chris Broderick, who have since launched a new project called ACT OF DEFIANCE.

MEGADETH recently finished recording its fifteenth album in a Nashville studio for a tentative late 2015 or early 2016 release. The production duties on the follow-up to 2013's "Super Collider" were handled by Mustaine and Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN). The CD is currently being mixed by Josh Wilbur, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, ALL THAT REMAINS and GOJIRA.

In brand new interview with Revolver magazine, BUTCHER BABIES frontwomen Carla Harvey and Heidi Shepherd talked about the period in the band's history when they used to perform topless with tape over their nipples, Wendy O. Williams (PLASMATICS)-style. Asked if fans or promoters ever encourage them to bring that look back, Carla said: "You know, I just saw an ad for a show we're playing later this summer, and it's a photo of me and Heidi wearing the nipple tape six years ago. Obviously, they're trying to promote the show, but we're gonna contact them and have them take it down. We're so much more successful without that look. I just think it's silly to try to rehash it."

Added Heidi: "What's funny is that our Wendy O. Williams phase was only six months long, but everybody talks about it, even after six years. But it was never for attention. I mean, our band is named after a PLASMATICS song. It was all an ode to Wendy O. To us, it wasn't about going out there like, 'Look at my titties!' [Laughs] It was about Wendy O.'s fuck-the-world attitude."

Asked if they see themselves as role models for young women, Carla said: "I absolutely do. Being a kid in the front row at a metal show and being inspired by the lyrics really saved my life, so I think it's a gift to give that back to people and let them know they're not alone."

Added Heidi: "Going back to the nipple tape thing, you can't affect people's lives in a positive way dressed like that. When I started realizing that we were becoming role models, I tried to live my life in a way that tells people, 'Be yourself and don't let anyone tell you not to.' I grew up in a Mormon society where they told me exactly what I was supposed to look like and believe in, so it took a lot for me to learn to be me. I didn't have a positive role model growing up, so if I can be that to just one person, my life is made."

BUTCHER BABIES' second album, "Take It Like A Man", was released on August 21 via Century Media. The CD was produced by Logan Mader, who has previously worked with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, DEVILDRIVER, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and GOJIRA.

Speaking with Overdrive, Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain discusses the future of the metal scene, and whether or not he feels confident in the younger bands carrying the flame once he finally decided to retire?

Says Nicko: “My feeling on that, is if they have a smidgen of the percentage of drive, passion and ferocity that we have as a band, along with being dedicated to what they are doing individually, as a musician and collectively with your brothers that you play with in the band, there will be hope there. You have to do it for the right reasons – a love of music and the brothers that you play with, is the foundation to having a working model that will survive the test of time.

“Its very hard to find to find 2, 3 or 4 guys, who are like minded and doing it for the right reasons. If and when you do it for the best possible reason – well, the best possible reason behind something that you’re doing, is that you’re doing the the best job that you can. If these young bands can have 5% of that energy and devotion, (they really need 100%), but 5% is a start, then you just carry on and don’t get lost along the way. That’s what so many bands do, they believe their own hype.

“Iron Maiden never had hype, we never had mainstream press, we did what we wanted to do and we’ve been fortunate. I’m not trying paint the picture that’s it’s easy. Especially today, agents don’t get behind you like they used to and record labels don’t finance you. The way to make the money in the industry is to keep your guys going and keeping it interesting, different and hardworking. It’s different than 40 years ago, but the same goal is there and some good old fashioned hard work will pay off in the long run. Where there’s a will there’s a way!

“The bad times is when you really get tested, God tests us with everything and it’s the same with music, so keep the drive and the passion. I do believe in these younger bands and they look up to us like “we want be like Iron Maiden”, but if they look behind the book if you like, (pardon the analogy), if they look behind the story and see how it works, what its all about, the essence of the band is always the same and it never changes. We choose this for life and that’s what we are sticking to.”

Read the complete interview at Overdrive.

Iron Maiden’s The Book Of Souls has given BMG’s recorded music operation its best first-week album sales in the US market since the Bertelsmann-owned firm relaunched as an independent in 2008, reports Music Business Worldwide.

According to Nielsen Soundscan, the record sold more than 75,000 units in its opening week, landing at #4 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the SoundScan albums chart (which excludes streaming data). That’s the UK metal group’s best sales performance since Nielsen Soundscan began monitoring the industry in 1991.

BMG, which announced its entry into the frontline of the US recorded music business less than 18 months ago, acquired Iron Maiden’s recording rights following its buyout of Sanctuary Records in 2013.

Read more at Music Business Worldwide.

Iron Maiden are back at the top of the Official Albums Chart in the UK this week with The Book Of Souls, reports OfficialCharts.com.

The veteran heavy metal rockers’ 16th studio album lands straight in at #1 with combined sales of just over 60,000. The band, led by Bruce Dickinson, last topped the charts in summer 2010 with The Final Frontier.

The Book Of Souls also tops this week’s Official Vinyl Albums Chart. The record gained attention after Tesco trialled sales of vinyl with the LP in their 55 biggest stores this week; though it proved equally as popular in independent record shops, also entering at #1 on this week’s Official Record Store Chart.

The Book Of Souls World Tour will open in the US in late February with Ed Force One flying in for three shows before, in early March, heading into Central America visiting Mexico, followed by a much anticipated first ever concert in El Salvador and a return to Costa Rica. Ed Force One then proceeds into South America for concerts in Argentina, Chile and a number of shows in Brazil before flying back to the USA at the end of March for ten more cities covering the USA and, of course, Canada in the first two weeks of April.

A long awaited return to Japan follows later in April, and then the band are delighted to be playing their first ever shows in China before heading to New Zealand and Australia for a comprehensive tour during the first half of May. Shows in South Africa, Maiden’s first visit there with Bruce, will be the last port of call before Ed Force One heads to Europe for a very extensive tour starting in late May and finishing in early August. This will the first time Ed Force One has ever been used on any European Tour dates (other than Bruce’s Fan Club trips to shows) and will provide transport there for at least for the first few weeks.

Dates announced so far can be found here (with ticket links).

Iron Maiden’s recently released new video for "Speed Of Light" racked up over 3.2 million views in just three days, and is now pushing the 4 million mark. Written by guitarist Adrian Smith and vocalist Bruce Dickinson, "Speed Of Light" is taken from their new double album The Book Of Souls, due for global release on September 4th through BMG in North America. New behind-the-scenes footage on the video can be seen below.

The video was produced and directed by Llexi Leon with animation and visual effects by The Brewery Production Company. A huge Iron Maiden fan, this is Llexi Leon’s first music video. Creator of the cult comic book series Eternal Descent – an IP that digitally animated a cast list of metal and hard rock luminaries, Leon has further expanded into the video gaming industry. He chose to collaborate with The Brewery who’s previous film credits include 2010’s punk-rock inspired Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll with Andy Serkis, 2012’s music festival themed Spike Island with Emilia Clarke & more recently were providing VFX for the Sky Atlantic biopic on Ian Fleming.

The video is an homage to four decades of video gaming juxta-posed alongside Iron Maiden’s 40 years of incredible visual canon centring on their talisman, Eddie, as he travels through space and time to complete his Herculean task.

Behind-the-scenes footage:

“Speed Of Light” video:

The Book Of Souls was recorded in Paris with their longstanding producer Kevin “Caveman” Shirley in late 2014, with the finishing touches added earlier this year. However, the band decided to delay its release so that vocalist Bruce Dickinson, who was recently given the all-clear from a tumour, would have time to recuperate sufficiently to join in the preparations for the album’s launch.

The stunning cover art was created by Mark Wilkinson who has worked with the band previously, and because this 11 track album has a total running time of 92 minutes, it is Iron Maiden’s first ever double studio album. There’s a broader split on the song-writing compared to previous Maiden records, with bassist and founder member Steve Harris contributing to seven of the tracks; six of them with Maiden’s guitarists and one sole composition. This is also the first time since 1984’s Powerslave that an Iron Maiden studio album also features two tracks written solely by Bruce Dickinson, one of which is the longest song Maiden has ever recorded! And also two Dickinson/Smith collaborations.

Steve comments: “We approached this album in a different way to how we’ve recorded previously. A lot of the songs were actually written while we were there in the studio and we rehearsed and recorded them straight away while they were still fresh, and I think that immediacy really shows in the songs, they have almost a live feel to them I think. I’m very proud of The Book Of Souls, we all are, and we can’t wait for our fans to hear it, and especially to take it out on the road next year!”

Bruce continues: “We’re really excited about The Book Of Souls and had a fantastic time creating it. We started working on the album in late summer 2014 and recorded it at Guillame Tell Studios in Paris, where we’d done the Brave New World album back in 2000 so the studio holds special memories for all of us. We were delighted to discover the same magical vibe is still alive and very much kicking there! So we immediately felt at home and the ideas just started flowing. By the time we’d finished we all agreed that each track was such an integral part of the whole body of work that if it needed to be a double album, then double its going to be!”

 

 

April Rose of the Chicago radio station WLUP-FM 97.9 took it to the streets before AC/DC's September 15 concert at Wrigley Field to ask loyal listeners how to do Angus Young's "duck walk." The results can be seen below.

AC/DC's sixteenth studio album, "Rock Or Bust", has sold around 547,000 copies since debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart back in December.

It's the band's first album without founding guitarist Malcolm Young, who is suffering from dementia. He has been replaced by nephew Stevie Young.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was arrested last November at his home in Tauranga on charges of threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.

Although Rudd played on "Rock Or Bust", he did not appear in photos or videos for the disc.

One-time AC/DC drummer Chris Slade officially joined the band's lineup for its performance on the February 8 Grammy Awards telecast. Slade is also behind the kit for the group's current world tour.

The band's North American tour will wrap on September 28 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Fan-filmed video footage of UGLY KID JOE performing the band's new song "She's Already Gone" on September 18 in Nottingham, England can be seen below. The track is taken from UGLY KID JOE's new full-length album titled "Uglier Than They Used Ta Be", which will be released in North America on October 16 via Metalville/UKJ Records. The CD was recorded at JT Studios and Balance Studios in Louisiana with producer (and UGLY KID JOE guitarist) Dave Fortman (SLIPKNOT, GODSMACK, EVANESCENCE).

Whitfield Crane (vocals) and Klaus Eichstadt (guitar) teamed up with Sonny Mayo (guitar), Shannon Larkin (drums), Zac Morris (drums), Cordell Crockett (bass) and Dave Fortman (guitar) to form the now seven-member lineup (a.k.a. "Seven-Headed Monster"; pictured below) and write and record in the studio. The result is the most cohesive sounding UGLY KID JOE record to date.

"Uglier Than They Used Ta Be" boasts a collection of well-crafted rock tunes, from the riff-driven "Let The Record Play" to the hard-hitting "She's Already Gone" and "Hell Ain't Hard To Find".

"It's a full circle of sorts," says Crane. "There was a lot of love and talent in one room and that is exactly what this album sounds like."

In addition to the nine newly written original songs, the album features a couple of cover songs, including RARE EARTH's version of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", with Australian chart-topping vocalist Dallas Frasca lending her unmistakable vocals behind Crane, and the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades", with a very special guest appearance from MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell, who lends his signature sound to the timeless track. Campbell also appears on the songs "My Old Man" and "Under The Bottom".

"Uglier Than They Used Ta Be" track listing:

01. Hell Ain't Hard To Find02. Let The Record Play03. Bad Seed04. Mirror The Man05. She's Already Gone06. Nothing Ever Changes07. My Old Man (feat. Phil Campbell)08. Under The Bottom (feat. Phil Campbell)09. Ace Of Spades (feat. Phil Campbell)10. Enemy11. Papa Was A Rolling Stone (feat. Dallas Frasca)

UGLY KID JOE's most recent CD + DVD, "Stairway To Hell", was released in October 2013 via Metalville. The set contained the band's latest EP, "Stairway To Hell", which was originally released independently in 2012, plus three bonus acoustic tracks and a special bonus DVD, including the 2012 Download festival concert, two new video clips and a "making-of" segment.

UGLY KID JOE released three full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the 1990s before disbanding in 1997.

IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson doesn't understand why some of the group's early musical output is being described as "punky," saying that "there was no way on God's green earth MAIDEN were ever, even remotely, a punk band."

Speaking to SPIN.com about the supposed "punk" influence on MAIDEN's classic first LP — which featured the band's previous singer, Paul Di'Anno — Dickinson said: "If you look at all the old Steve Harris [IRON MAIDEN bassist and leader] interviews — he hates punk rock. The first MAIDEN album sounded punky because it sounded like a sack of shit. He hates that record. The first singer [Paul Di'Anno] gave it a little bit of that kind of vibe, but the punk thing was nailed to the band by the press. The band absolutely hated it, because there was no way on God's green earth MAIDEN were ever, even remotely, a punk band. As soon as 'Killers' came out, which was a proper-sounding record, it was obvious — where's the punk thing on 'Killers'? You've got 'Murders In The Rue Morgue', which basically could have been off of DEEP PURPLE's 'In Rock', you've got 'Prodigal Son', a proggy, sweet little ballad, you've got 'Twilight Zone', all this kind of stuff — where's the punk thing? Don't get it."

Dickinson last year made headlines when he said in an interview that "punk was rubbish." He explained to The Guardian: "The closest the 'art establishment' ever came to embracing metal was punk. The reason they embraced punk was because it was rubbish and the reason they embraced rubbish was because they could control it. They could say: 'Oh yeah, we're punk so we can sneer at everybody. We can't play our fucking instruments, but that means we can make out that this whole thing is some enormous performance art.' Half the kids that were in punk bands were laughing at the art establishment, going: 'What a fucking bunch of tosspots. Thanks very much, give us the money and we'll fuck off and stick it up our nose and shag birds.' But what they'd really love to be doing is being in a heavy metal band surrounded by porn stars."

In a 2012 interview with The Quietus, Harris was asked if shared the do-it-yourself sensibility with the punk bands of the late '70s and early '80s. He responded: "I didn't share it with them. I wouldn't share anything with them, because I hated them! They were taking gigs away from us. They came along — the upstarts that they were — and most of them couldn't play their instruments, which was annoying. And most of them were getting gigs and publicity and not letting us get a look in. So we were lucky that we had a few places where we could play like the Cart and Horses, The Ruskin Arms in Stratford and The Bridgehouse in Canning Town. It was really, really tough. So no, we hated them and we hated what they were about. We had nothing in common with them. Most of them seemed to be kids from good backgrounds who were just bullshitting about being young and hungry anyway. They weren't for real, most of them."

MAIDEN's sixteenth — and first-ever double — studio album, "The Book Of Souls", was released worldwide on September 4 through Parlophone Records (BMG in the U.S.A).

Canadian rock legends RUSH had both of their hometown Toronto performances — on June 17 and June 19 at the Air Canada Centre — professionally filmed and recorded for a future live DVD release. It is the first time the band had filmed a hometown concert in almost 20 years — since the recording of RUSH's 1997 show at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre on the "Test For Echo" tour. Prior to that, they recorded the legendary "Exit…Stage Left" at Massey Hall in 1980.

The new RUSH set will be released on CD/DVD on November 20 via Zoe / Rounder Records / Concord Music Group.

Featuring almost three hours of footage, the release includes multiple songs that have either never been performed before or never been captured on video.

Unlike other concert DVDs where the looks is the same throughout, this show has an extremely extensive setup that changes multiple times throughout the show (as the set list moves back in time, the stage setup reflects the band’s stage setup from that period in their career). The song "Roll The Bones" from the upcoming concert CD will be released on September 25 via all digital music outlets. The cover artwork for the single can be seen below.

RUSH's "R40 Live" tour wrapped on August 1 in Los Angeles, California at the Forum.

Asked how he is feeling about the idea of retiring from the road, RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson told The Canadian Press: "I have such mixed feelings about it. In one way, I feel relief. I think that 40 years is a long time to be touring the way we tour. I really like being home with my grandkids. At 61, I don't feel there's anything we need to prove."

He continued: "I still love playing. But in [drummer] Neil's [Peart] case, for example, his job is really tough. Playing the way he does is very, very difficult on his body. He has chronic tendonitis in his arms and he's had problems with his shoulders.

"It's just getting to the point, no matter how much we love doing it, that it's much more demanding and much more difficult."

Lifeson added: "I've always hated the idea of being one of those guys who's just up there, old and barely able to move — just doing it for fear of not doing it, or not making an extra buck or whatever.

"If this is the last major tour that we do, [I want to] go out with flying colors, where everybody remembers the show they went to as the best RUSH they've [seen].

"That's a nice legacy to leave behind — rather than the worn-out shadow of something you once were." Out now is "R40", a RUSH video box set on six Blu-ray discs or 10 DVDs. The collection includes live footage from all four decades of the band's career, including over two hours of previously unreleased material, a rare performance of "2112" in its entirety, three previously unreleased tracks from 1974, and more.



(Thanks: NJthrasher)

On September 12, former MEGADETH axeman Marty Friedman invited another audience-member guitarist, Cristian Nistor, on stage at the North Star Bar & Grill in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for some onstage shredding. Check out video footage below.

Friedman recently embarked on his first tour of North America since 2003 — a 21-date headlining run that kicked off September 9. The trek marks the latest leg of Friedman's ongoing world tour in support of "Inferno", his solo album that so far has seen him complete a record-breaking tour across South America; perform extensively in Europe with acts such as Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE), ARCH ENEMY and KREATOR; and play multiple high-profile gigs in his current home country of Japan, including a set at the country's largest heavy metal festival, Loud Park.

Friedman commented on his return to his home continent: "On the rare occasion that I stop and think I about it, I realize I've done an insane thing: I left a successful international band to concentrate my efforts on the domestic music scene of a country thousands of miles from my home. Different culture, different language, different planet. Since I went to Japan, so many Americans have supported me, and while many doubted I would ever play live in my homeland again, now it's happening. Choosing the setlist and doing prep for this tour has been a blast. Words can not describe how excited I am about finally touring North America!"

The North American leg of the "Inferno" tour started in Friedman's former hometown of Baltimore and will wrap up on the West Coast on October 3.

QUEENSRŸCHE's new song "Hellfire" can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Condition Hüman", which will be released on October 2 via Century Media. The CD was recorded in part at at Uberbeatz Studio in Washington with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with ROB ZOMBIE, HATEBREED, SOULFLY and SHADOWS FALL. "Hellfire" is also the iTunes instant grat track available immediately upon pre-order purchase.

"Condition Hüman" track listing:

01. Arrow Of Time02. Guardian03. Hellfire04. Toxic Remedy05. Selfish Lives06. Eye907. Bulletproof08. Hourglass09. Just Us10. All There Was11. The Aftermath12. Condition Hüman

Singer Todd La Torre tells Billboard.com: "Each song individually is its own story, which does not have to directly relate to the next song. However, each song is harmonious to a larger picture, which is the human experience, mortality and how each of us perceives the world around us based on our own observations and experiences, thus shaping human behavior."

Adds drummer Scott Rockenfield: "This record [is], 'Wow, OK, now we know what we can do together.' We know we have chemistry with Todd, and we wanted to take the band even one step further, which was really dig into everything that we know that we're doing and that we have fun doing, and pull out all the stops, I guess, in a way of things we didn't really visit on the first record [with La Torre]. We wanted to dig deeper more into the elements of QUEENSRŸCHE."

Regarding the more aggressive musical direction of "Condition Hüman" compared to that of 2013's "Queensrÿche", Rockenfield said: "Our fans love metal, and we've been pretty good at doing metal in our past, so [we thought], 'Let's have fun with some of that again. Let's do it and see what it means for us.' We definitely had conscious discussions about it, and now that we have Todd, Todd loves metal, so it was easy to have that conversation about pushing the band in a little bit of that direction."

He added: "I think we wanted to show our fans that we can be a metal band and a rock band, and that we can also write songs that have writer dynamics. I still think we're doing everything within all the realms of what QUEENSRŸCHE is known to be doing. This record is just another extension of that for us."

METAL ALLEGIANCE — the all-star metal band consisting of a rotating cast of musicians, including members of MEGADETH, TESTAMENT — celebrated the release of its self-titled debut album with a special concert last night (Thursday, September 17) at the Best Buy Theater in New York City. The show, presented by D'Addario, featured the following participants:

* Frank Bello (ANTHRAX)* Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)* Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)* David Ellefson (METAL ALLEGIANCE, MEGADETH)* Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY)* Gary Holt (SLAYER, EXODUS)* Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)* Mark Menghi (METAL ALLEGIANCE)* Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL)* Mike Portnoy (METAL ALLEGIANCE, THE WINERY DOGS)* Alex Skolnick (METAL ALLEGIANCE, TESTAMENT)* Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein (MISFITS)

The setlist was as follows:

01. Fast As A Shark (ACCEPT cover)02. The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) (FLEETWOOD MAC/JUDAS PRIEST cover)03. Invaders (IRON MAIDEN cover)04. March Of The S.O.D. (STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH cover)05. Sargent "D" And The S.O.D. (STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH cover)06. Freddy Krueger (STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH cover)07. Can't Kill The Devil08. Refuse/Resist (SEPULTURA cover)09. Territory (SEPULTURA cover)10. Dying Song11. Into The Void (BLACK SABBATH cover)12. Got to Choose (KISS cover)13. Balls To The Wall (ACCEPT cover)14. Scars15. Run To The Hills (IRON MAIDEN cover)16. Last Caress (MISFITS cover)17. Runnin' With The Devil (VAN HALEN cover)18. Eruption (VAN HALEN cover)19. You Really Got Me (THE KINKS cover)20. Lights Out (UFO cover)21. Overkill (MOTÖRHEAD cover)22. Pledge Your Allegiance23. Whiplash (METALLICA cover)24. Iron Maiden (IRON MAIDEN cover)

Encore:

25. We Rock (DIO cover)26. Cold Gin (KISS cover)27. Seek & Destroy (METALLICA cover)

Brought together by METAL ALLEGIANCE principal partner Mark Menghi, the project's original material came together from the creative minds of David Ellefson of MEGADETH, Mike Portnoy of THE WINERY DOGS, and Alex Skolnick from TESTAMENT, alongside Menghi. The four writers then reached out through their metal rolodexes to a diverse lineup of performers, each adding their own personal musical stamp to the collection of nine original songs.

The standard edition CD of "Metal Allegiance" features the nine original songs. A digipak edition was made available that features an all-star tribute to Ronnie James Dio with a cover of his classic song "We Rock" as well as a 45-minute behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the album. A double vinyl version is also available that features all 10 songs.

In a recent interview with HNGN, Skolnick stated about how the METAL ALLEGIANCE album came together: "We started out not thinking about it too much. I think it worked in a lot of ways because we were just very open to anything. We got together to write music. Originally, I think we were hoping to come up with a few good tunes, and as soon as we started writing, from the first moment, it really happened naturally, it just exploded. We had so much music. I think at a certain point, we just said, 'Screw it. We're not putting any covers on this. This can be an original project.' So I think maybe because it started as a small unit, just like any other band, it was really like a power trio, except Menghi was there kind of guiding us along, getting excited when a riff sounded good, giving his opinion when he didn't like something, and I think just as the songs developed we started hearing different options for vocalists. It helped us in a way to not have the limitations of working with just one singer, like most bands do. Instead we came up with songs, and we'd usually come up with a few names for singers, because we didn't talk to anybody yet; nobody knew what we were doing. The songs existed on their own and we all contributed lyric parts. I got involved with vocal melodies, just as guides, never thinking the singers had to follow them strictly — some of them did, actually, Matt from TRIVIUM really liked what I sent him — and then there were other instances, like Phil Anselmo, he was just ready to take a crack at it without anything and just see what he came up with."

"Receipt", the new video from THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new full-length album, "Abysmal", on September 18 via Metal Blade. According to a press release, "this vicious slab of unrelenting aggression showcases TBDM at their very finest with a meticulous, pin-point precise rhythmic assault mixed with ferocious speed and dynamic hooks."

"Abysmal" track listing:

01. Receipt02. Vlad, Son Of The Dragon03. Abysmal04. Re-faced05. Threat Level Number Three06. The Fog07. Stygiophobic08. Asylum09. The Advent10. That Cannot Die Which Eternally Is Dead

Trevor Strnad (vocals) states: "The new album, 'Abysmal', is true to THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER formula, but further down the evolutionary path we began with our 'Ritual' release. It has bigger, more dynamic and developed songs. It sees the band in a darker, faster and more melancholic place than anything we've done to date. It is an album wrought emotion on a scale that we haven't reached with our previous attempts. It's dripping with urgency, and an undeniable sincere life and death purpose. It has moments of triumph and moments of utter abandon and defeat. It runs the gamut.

"If you can't sense the message of despair in a song like 'Receipt' or the title track, 'Abysmal', then you are an unfeeling statue of a person. You speed freaks can also thank the ungodly contribution of our young skinsman Alan Cassidy, as the new album sees us approaching maniacal speeds unseen before in the TBDM catalog."

He continues: "I get a lot of inspiration from our continuing success as a band. There is a tremendous pressure to deliver for our fans. I want to wow them every time we come back and for our new material to keep them excited about us.

"I have had a long, intimate love affair with death metal and I enjoy sharing my continued excitement for it through this outlet. I am still obsessed with the macabre and the darker side of life, and I revel in creating dark lyrical content that makes the listener react in some way. I enjoy straddling the line between fantastic elements and real life horror, as there is constant atrocity all around us in the human experience. You don't have to look far to find something that is happening in the modern world that can fill ones sails with disgust."

"Too Much Is Not Enough", a brand new song from Swedish rockers GRAVEYARD, can be streamed below. The song is taken from the band's fourth full-length album, "Innocence & Decadence", which will be released on September 25 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was recorded at Atlantis Studios in Stockholm, Sweden with Janne Hansson (ABBA, THE HIVES, OPETH) and Johan Lindström (TONBRUKET).

Commented GRAVEYARD: "Somewhere between innocence and decadence is where you will find GRAVEYARD. Hard at work trying to figure out which apples that will fall from what tree. Can you see us? We're that little hopeless case of a fly in denial — since forever stuck between the piles of shit that your ever repeating life keeps lining up for you."

"Innocence & Decadence" will be released in various formats (vinyl look digipak, digital download, black/clear/splatter/orange/green/bi-coloured vinyl as well as a t-shirt/CD bundle). Pre-order your copy here.

"Innocence & Decadence" builds on the solid foundation and formidable reputation that GRAVEYARD has cultivated since its formation in 2006, providing the most shining example to date of a sound the band calls "classic rock with a modern roll." The quartet describes the record as a blend of "everything from old '20s blues to krautrock with synthesizers, Irma Thomas, blast beats and psych rock."

"Just like life in general, it depends on what you choose to see and hear," said the band in a statement. "'Innocence & Decadence' is built on thousands of layers of love, fury and being alive in the year 2015."

Find the stunning cover artwork for "Innocence & Decadence" below.

The self-titled debut album from DEVIL CITY ANGELS, the band originally formed by Rikki Rockett (POISON), Tracii Guns (L.A GUNS), Eric Brittingham (CINDERELLA), and vocalist Brandon Gibbs, can be streamed using the SoundCloud eidget below. Released on September 18, the CD was produced by the DEVIL CITY ANGELS bandmembers themselves in Los Angeles and was mixed in Nashville by Anthony Focx.

Following the recording of "Devil City Angels", Brittingham decided not to continue with the project and his spot has been taken by Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE). "It was kind of by accident how it came together, it really was," Tracii told Lithium Magazine about DEVIL CITY ANGELS' formation. "Rikki and I had done a John Entwistle/Keith Moon tribute show together. We went backstage after playing our songs and the guys backstage were all kind of chanting, 'Guns and Rocketts, Guns and Rocketts' as a joke. And we kind of laughed it off but then Rikki suddenly turned around and said, 'Guns and Rocketts' actually has a pretty nice ring to it, don't you think. So we decided right there to start a band."

Guns, who has a solo project called LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN, continued: "[LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN is] more of a vanity project. I wanted something that I could go and tour with and be in a real band. We thought of a few different players and Rikki said he knew Brandon. He said he knew this guy who was younger than us, but should have been born decades earlier. He had a real bluesy sound and played with Eric. We decided to check him out so I called him and he was a really cool dude. And before you knew it, we had him ask Eric if he was interested. He said absolutely and they flew out here a couple weeks later and we recorded [our] first song [called 'All My People']."

Regarding "All My People", Tracii said: "The song was written by Rikki and Brandon a couple of years before. They each did their parts separately and then we did the vocal tracking. They went home and I spent the rest of the time doing the lead guitar stuff. And we sent it to Anthony Focx, who is an amazing engineer and mixer who has worked with [former] METALLICA [bassist Jason Newsted] and AEROSMITH and a bunch of other bands. He is a good friend of ours and he mixed it really good and we put it out."

He added: "It was eight days from recording to releasing it. It was beautiful the way it came together, kind of old school."

Tracii also spoke about DEVIL CITY ANGELS' musical direction, saying "It's basic. It's simple. We might groove out a little more on some things and we might have a ballad or two. But other than that, we're going to keep it pretty straightforward 1977 rock. Since we have a winner with 'All My People', we are just going to stay in that framework. We feel that kind of music and Brandon surely delivers it."

Def Leppard's new album is to be released as a Classic Rock Fanpack on October 30th. The Fanpack will include the CD (including an exclusive bonus track), a 116-page magazine featuring all-new interviews with all five band members, all-new photos and a track-by-track guide to the album, a series of collectable art cards, and a metal Def Leppard keyring. The album will also be available as a double-vinyl edition, while the regular CD will be released on November 27th.

The Fanpack is available to pre-order now. Orders placed before 12 PM (GMT) on Thursday, October 1st will receive an exclusive window sticker featuring the Def Leppard album artwork, and be entered into a draw to win one of three pairs of VIP tickets aboard Def Leppard's Hysteria On The High Seas cruise, which departs from Miami in January next year. Pre-sale gifts and offers are only open to residents of US and UK.

Def Leppard tracklisting:

"Let's Go"
"Dangerous"
"Man Enough"
"We Belong"
"Invincible"
"Sea Of Love"
"Energized"
"All Time High"
"Battle Of My Own"
"Broke 'N' Brokenhearted"
"Forever Young"
"Last Dance"
"Wings Of An Angel"
"Blind Faith"

"Let's Go”:

Joe Elliott shared the running order of the band's new album via a handwritten note on Instagram:

 

 

In live news, Def Leppard is currently on the last leg of their North American tour with special guests Styx and Tesla; remaining dates are as listed:

September

17 - Ridgefield - WA - Amphitheater Northwest
19 - Mountain View - CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
22 - Chula Vista - CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre
23 - Phoenix - AZ - Ak-Chin Pavilion
25 - Albuquerque - NM - Isleta Amphitheater
26 - Denver - CO - Pepsi Center
28 - West Valley City - UT - USANA Amphitheatre
30 - Spokane - WA - Spokane Arena

October
2 - Bozeman - MT - Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
4 - Bismarck - ND - Bismarck Civic Center