Former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER singer Scott Weiland was recently interviewed on the syndicated radio talk show "Rover's Morning Glory". You can now listen to the chat at this location.

Asked if he still has a relationship with his former banmates in STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and whether he can ever see himself returning to the band again, Scott said: "You never know about the future, but I don't have any… I'm not in touch with them now."

Weiland was also asked if it's strange to see STP's new vocalist, LINKIN PARK's Chester Bennington, singing the songs that he made famous with STP. Scott said: "Yeah, it's strange. It's definitely strange. I know Chester. I've known him for a long time, and he was a big fan of mine. I remember, when we played… toured together, he told me that I was one of his biggest influences."

Scott denied that had any ill will towards Chester for taking Weiland's old job, but acknowledged that he found out "kind of out of the blue" that Bennington was stepping in for him in STP.

Bennington revealed in a recent interview with A-Sides that STONE TEMPLE PILOTS considered changing its name after it dismissed Weiland and began working with Chester in early 2013. Bennington explained: "We did talk about maybe changing the name of the band, and just doing something new. Honestly, my thing was like, why give up what you guys have worked so hard on? This is your legacy, you don't have to give it up just because one person didn't do things the way that everybody wanted them to go, didn't do things everybody planned. We should be able to move forward."

Bennington continued, "I mean, where is the music coming from in the first place? There's no question when you hear the new music that it's STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. Why? Because it's coming from the guys who write the music. It's coming from the source. So, when the source is there, then it's still pure."

Bassist Robert DeLeo told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that keeping STP going after changing frontmen was never in question. "From the beginning, it wasn't 'Hey, let's together and write a song' or 'Hey, let's get together and do this show.' It was 'Hey, let's get together and continue STONE TEMPLE PILOTS with a lot of integrity,'" he said. "That's really what the intent was. It's something that Eric [Kretz, drummer] and Dean [DeLeo, guitar] and myself have worked at for a long time, and we've been trying to hold up the whole integrity of this band for a long time."

STP dismissed Weiland in February 2013, claiming that his erratic behavior held back the band's career. The two parties exchanged lawsuits which have since been settled.

STP recruited Bennington that spring and have so far cut one EP, "High Rise", with the LINKIN PARK singer. A new album is due out later this year.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' next round of tour dates will begin on September 15 in Cleveland.

Canadian cult metal act ANVIL is back. After years of record labels being between them and their fans, ANVIL now want to directly connect with the fans during the making of their new record, and they have chosen PledgeMusic to make that happen. The new record will have no concessions to short-lived trends and no modern frills. It will have traditional metal with lots of classic rock elements — just what ANVIL fans will love. Bringing fans a more intimate experience, PledgeMusic offers pledgers a chance to get up close and personal with their favorite artists, access exclusive content and be a part of something that fans would not normally have access to. With every pre-order, pledgers will get the AccessPass which will give them exclusive looks at behind the scenes videos, photos and messages from the band. Fans will also have several once in a lifetime opportunities to purchase:

* In-person or Skype drum lesson with Robb Reiner* In-person or Skype guitar lesson with Lips* Guest back-up vocal appearance on the new record* One of Lips's amps* The opportunity to attend a live rehearsal* A day in the studio with the band* Signed limited edition CD with bonus tracks* Signed drum head* Exclusive Pledger T-shirt* AMPU (Anvil Metal Pounders Union) deluxe lifetime membership and signed CD* Signed set list* Signed drumsticks* Handwritten lyric sheets

To pledge, please visit www.pledgemusic.com/anvil. ANVIL's 2009 movie documentary "The Story Of Anvil" made the band famous the world over. Their albums are considered landmarks among a musical genre. Their 2011 CD, "Juggernaut Of Justice", and their 2013 effort, "Hope In Hell", were powerful and unrelenting. This new album, which is to be titled "Anvil Is Anvil", will be their most potent yet, and feature guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow, drummer Robb Reiner, and new bassist Chris Robertson in top form. "We are proud to announce to our fans that they can keep in personal touch with the band and be directly involved in the process of creating the next ANVIL album," said the band. "This will be the first time that we've used a pre-sale platform and we are fully confident that getting closer to our fans through making the album will take the making of it and the final album to somewhere fantastic. Considering that almost anyone aware of ANVIL knows our long and sometimes brutal history, we're hoping you would be honored to help and prove us right in our belief in you... and we promise another top notch Anvil recording that we can enjoy for many years into the future." Added Lips: "I grew up in the seventies, and I still like what I listened to back then. You can always rely on ANVIL, we don't write our music for the radio and we don't want to break any records. Some media criticize our uncompromising attitude, but we're proud of never having betrayed our ideals and having remained faithful to our roots."

Take notes as Tony MacAlpine highlights an array of guitar techniques - tap harmonics, sweeping, speed picking ... in this performance of "Red Giant". Tony and his band take to the EMGtv stage for another tune from his latest album, Concrete Gardens, featuring fellow EMG artist Nili Brosh along with Pete Griffin on bass, and Aquiles Priester on drums. Tony and Nili are both playing the EMG 57-7H and EMG 66-7H humbucker pickups for seven string guitar.

 

MacAlpine and his band, who recently wrapped their US tour, had their gear stolen during an overnight stop in Austin, TX in June. They continued to tour using borrowed equipment. MacAlpine has checked in with the following message:

"Thank you to all who came out to rock with me, Bjorn Englen and Aquiles Priester on the 2015 Concrete Gardens US Tour. We had a blast playing for you, and we were also touched by your personal support as well as the incredible help from our endorsement companies, which enabled us to keep the tour going after the unfortunate theft that occurred. 

Thanks also to our brothers LoNero for their support, and friendship; our new friends Hephystus for joining us through the midwest; and Blue Mouth Promotions LLC.

See you all again very soon!"

The Concrete Gardens tour continues in September with stops in Korea and Japan, and in the UK and Europe this October and into November. Dates are as follows:

September 
17 - Rolling Hall - Seoul, South Korea
18 - OZ Hall - Busan, South Korea    
29 - Music Club Janus - Osaka, Japan    
30 - Club Citta -    Kawasaki, Japan

October
15 - Band On The Wall - Manchester, United Kingdom
16 - The Underworld - London, United Kingdom
18 - Le Forum - Vaureal, France
21 - Poppodium Q-Factory - Amsterdam, Netherlands    
23 - Bergkeller -  Reichenbach Im Vogtland, Germany                
25 - Państwowa Szkoła Muzyczna - Nowy Targ, Poland
26 - Teatr Mały    - Tychy, Poland    
27 - Bounty Rock Cafe - Olomouc, Czech Republic
28 - Melodka - Brno, Czech Republic
29 - Blue Note - Nové Mesto Nad Váhom, Slovakia                
30 - A38 - Budapest, Hungary

November
1 - Silver Church - Bucharest, Romania    
11 - Black Box -     Nice, France    
12 - Razzmatazz 3 - Barcelona, Spain    
13 - Sala Lopez    - Calatayud, Spain
14 - Sala Cats - Madrid, Spain

 

This September sees the release of Tarja Turunen’s classical solo debut Ave Maria – En Plein Air.

Ave Maria is a traditional prayer dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, asking for her intercession. It has been set to music in over 4000 songs, some of which kept the original prayer as words while others used a different text than the traditional one.

Ave Maria – En Plein Air features 12 beautiful “Ave Maria” songs by a wide variety of composers. Tarja Turunen breathes life into some of the most loved and rare songs of Paolo Tosti, David Popper, Astor Piazzolla, and of course Johann Sebastian Bach/Charles Gounod, among others. The closing track of the album presents a magnificent composition by Tarja Turunen herself.

Recorded in the stunning Lakeuden Risti Church in Seinäjoki, Finland – a snow-white landmark, both national heritage and significant example of modern Finnish architecture designed by famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto – the Lutheran church offers the perfect soundscape for Tarja Turunen’s crisp clear voice. Combined with a piercing organ, cello and harp, the music blends into a rich sound universe.

Classical music was Tarja Turunen’s first love. The classically trained soprano studied Church Music at Sibelius Academy in Finland as well as German Lied at the Music University of Karlsruhe, Germany. She became one of the most important female voices of metal: first as part of multi-million selling and groundbreaking symphonic metal band Nightwish and later with her successful solo career, carrying her own name and releasing three studio albums so far.

Tarja Turunen has always crossed genres and musical cultures, showing a wide versatility with projects such as Tarja Turunen & Harus and Beauty & The Beat; Harus being a mix of traditional and modern pieces whereas Beauty & The Beat created an interface between classical and rock music, arranged with orchestra and choir.

Tarja Turunen is one of the few artists who can perform at the biggest rock and metal festivals one night, in a cathedral the next. This December, Tarja Turunen will introduce her favorite “Ave Maria’s” as well as her most beloved Christmas carols on tour.

The album will be released as limited super audio CD, vinyl, and download.

CD artwork:

Vinly artwork:

Digital download artwork:

Tracklisting:

“Paolo Tosti”
“Axel Von Kothen”
“David Popper”
“Camille Saint-Saëns”
“Astor Piazzolla”
“J. S. Bach / Charles Gounod”
“Pietro Mascagni”
“Ferenc Farkas”
“Giulio Caccini”
“Michael Hoppé”
“Charles-Marie Widor”
“Tarja Turunen”

Teaser:

Ave Maria Christmas Tour 2015:

December
4 – Olomouc, Czech Republic – Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné
10 – Berlin, Germany – Passionskirche
11 – Bochum, Germany – Christuskirche
12 – Bielefeld, Germany - Altstädter Nikolaikirche
14 – Magdeburg, Germany – Johanniskirche
15 – Mainz, Germany – Frankfurter Hof
16 – Zurich, Switzerland – Theater Spirgarten
21 – Tampere, Finland – Kalevan Kirkko
22 – Helsinki, Finland – Kallion Kirkko
27 – Moscow, Russia – The Great Hall Of Moscow State Conservatory

Finland's Concrete Swine are streaming their new EP Siberia Jam 74 and it is available for streaming on Concrete Swine's ReverbNation page

Siberia Jam 74 EP was recorded by Tero Kalliomäki at Killhill Studio,Riihimäki, Finland. Mixed by Paul Bento (Type O Negative, Carnivore) at Beak Owl Sound Studio in New York, and mastered by Collin Jordan (Ministry, Voivod, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Eyehategod) at the Boiler Room in Chicago.

Siberia Jam 74 tracklisting:

“Darkness”
“Choises”
“Destiny”
“Liquid Bullet”

“Darkness”:

(Photo by: Johanna Penttinen)

It was in 1992 when two promising bands from the Swedish and Finnish death metal scenes, released a split album, that now, 23 years later, it's one of the most cult splits ever released in the early ‘90s. Unfortunately, Cartilage never recorded anything after that and although Altar did a few demos later on, they disbanded shortly after.

But the legacy still lives here and this split album originally released through former Xtreem Music label Drowned Productions, gets a re-issue in form of a double CD with seven bonus tracks by each band taken from their early demos, a total of 14 songs from each one.

All songs have been remastered (not remixed!) for an optimal sound, preserving the essence from the originals and this release comes with a new cover artwork, a remake of the original one made by cult Finnish artist Turkka G. Rantanen. Of course, original cover art is included on the release and booklet comes with extra photos, flyers and demo covers to complete this cult re-issue. A vinyl version with the original split album tracks will follow in the future.

Release date for the 2CD split album is set for August 20 via Xtreem Music.

Altar – “Nothing Human”:

Cartilage – “Why Do I Watch The Dawn?”

Seattle, Washington's hypnotically heavy three-piece sludge/doom act, Serial Hawk, will release their debut, Searching For Light, via Bleeding Light Records on September 18th. The band's penchant for punishing, building riffs and reputation for bringing live audiences to their knees with a wall of sound has been encapsulated in this long-awaited album, which will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital download.

The first single, "Desolate”, is streaming below. Pre-orders for Searching For Light are available here.

Searching For Light tracklisting:

“Desolate”
“Lying In Wait”
“Of Decay”
“Searching For Light”

“Desolate”:

 
For a taste of Serial Hawk's live experience, watch their 2014 in-studio KEXP performance below:

Band lineup:

Will Bassin - Guitar, Vocals
Adam Holbrook - Bass
Sean Bulkley - Drums

 

Washington D.C. area metal band, A Sound Of Thunder, recently announced their new album, Tales From The Deadside, with a Kickstarter campaign that reached full funding in under 24 hours. The new album is a full-length concept album based on Valiant Entertainment's Shadowman comic book series.

The band has now announced the first exclusive KickStarter-only bonus track in their campaign - a cover of Dio’s "Last in Line" featuring Benedictum’s Veronica Freeman. Details on how to get the track can be found here. A sample of the song can be found below:

Tales From The Deadside was recorded at Assembly Line Studios with RIAA-platinum awarded producer Kevin '131' Gutierrez (Shinedown, While Heaven Wept, Raven). Tales From The Deadside is set for release on September 25th and will be available on CD, limited colored vinyl, and in a number of exclusive pre-order packages only on Kickstarter. The standard CD edition of Tales From The Deadside will feature all-new Shadowman cover artwork, while select backers of the Kickstarter campaign can obtain an exclusive cover featuring Shadowman’s arch-nemesis Master Darque.

"The story of Shadowman, his alter-ego Jack Boniface, and the many characters in his world inspired us to create what we believe is our best album to date," said A Sound Of Thunder guitarist Josh Schwartz. "We let the story lead us to places our music has never been before, combining all the elements of supernatural horror, drama, action and adventure found in the comics. Of course everything has gone through our own unique Thunderous filter, and all the familiar ASOT elements will be there, Shadowman's harrowing journey demanded no less!"

A Sound Of Thunder was formed in Washington, DC in 2009. Their most recent album The Lesser Key of Solomon was released on September 9th, 2014 via Mad Neptune Records and debuted at #43 on the Billboard Heatseeker’s Albums chart.

A Sound Of Thunder:

Nina Osegueda- vocals
Josh Schwartz- guitars/ keyboards
Jesse Keen- guitars/ keyboards
Chris Haren- drums/ percussion

Davey Suicide has released the "World Wide Suicide" music video from the sophomore album of the same name, which is available now on iTunes. The video was co-directed & filmed by Needlz & MichellexStar in downtown UnHolywood Killafornia.

“Often times we can be imprisoned by people in our lives that intentionally try and break us. Their ego can't let themselves make the logical decision, so they make it hell for everyone who defies them. This video symbolizes freedom from that.” - Davey Suicide

Catch Davey Suicide in August on The Dirty Rotten Road To Dirt Fest:

August
5 - Club X - Salt Lake City, UT
6 - Roxy Theater - Denver, CO
7 - Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA
8 - Dirt Fest - Birch Run, MI (with Hellyeah, Coal Chamber, Fear Factory, and more)

Long Island, NY metal band To The Pain have released 7, the follow-up to the band's 2013's self-titled debut. The album is available through all major music outlets.  Stream new track "Is it My Turn To Die?" below and more songs from 7 at this location.

Since the release of their debut, which featured the tracks "For The People, Buy The People" and "Burn With Me”, To The Pain have been full throttle, making a name for themselves in the thrash metal arena, garnering radio and press and performing with artists like Generation Kill (featuring members of Exodus and Pro-Pain).   

The band's new release, 7, is a heavy dose of "Big 4" style thrash with elements of Testament, Iron Maiden, King Diamond and Racer X thrown in. It's classic metal with big choruses and loads of guitars. The band is led by the powerful vocals of John Intagliata, the dual guitar work of Steve Shaver (who was considered for Doro's touring band) and Craig Piano, while Jeremy Lustig (bass) and Jimmy Klimatas (drums) bring the thunder. Combined, they are heavy, loud and know how to reel metalheads in with gigantic, catchy choruses. The album was produced at The Locker where Shaver served as engineer and producer.

The album is available on CD and digital formats via Amazon (digital & CD), iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and at this location.

7 tracklisting:

“The March For Mankind - Heavens Carnage”
“7”
“KillZone”
“Is It My Turn To Die?”
“Cry Out For Justice”
“Don’t Eat The Eyes”

“Is It My Turn To Die?”:

To The Pain lineup:

Steve Shaver - Lead Guitar, vocals
John Intagliata - Lead Vocals
Craig Piano - Guitar
Jimmy Klimatas - Drums
Jeremy Lustig - Bass

 

Legendary hardcore/thrash/crossover act, the Crumbsuckers, has teamed up with Dead City Records to release three albums of early rare recordings, Demos, Basement Tapes and Live at CBGB 1984-1985, on July 24th. Compiled by original singer, Dave Brady, this will be the first time these recordings will be available digitally. Stream "Be Yourself" from Live At CBGB 1984-1985 and "Live to Work" from Demos, below.

All recorded before Brady's departure from the band, Demos features early versions of songs which later appeared on the band's debut album Life Of Dreams. Basement Tapes includes early and alternate versions of songs recorded in their rawest form, originally meant for the band's ears only and recorded at various early practice sessions. And finally, Live at CBGB 1984-1985 contains great quality early live recordings from the CBGB's soundboard. Dead City Records is proud to make the tracks available digitally worldwide for the first time.

"Direct from my personal archive of recordings comes the early days of Crumbsuckers material," commented Brady. "These are some of the earliest surviving recordings of the band, and you can hear the progress from our punk rock roots to what would be called the 'crossover' days of the mid-80s. This is the whole enchilada - from basement tapes, to pro demos and some choice early CBGB board recordings."  

The Crumbsuckers formed in 1982 in Long Island, N.Y. as a party band covering songs by bands such as Minor Threat, Bad Brains and Kraut. The band was best known for the release of the classic and highly influential albums Life Of Dreams in 1986 and Beast on my Back in 1998 before disbanding soon after.

Stay tuned for more information on the Crumbsuckers and Demos, Basement Tapes and Live at CBGB 1984-1985, available digitally for the first time ever this month on Dead City Records.

German rockers 21Octayne (featuring members of The Joe Perry Project and Rhapsody) will release their sophomore album on September 25th (Europe) / October 2nd (North America) via AFM Records.

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”

With their impressive debut album Hard Rock´N`Roll (2013), sweating from every pore the shimmering heat of South American megacities and stylistically influenced by legends such as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Creedence Clearwater Revival, 42 Decibel caused a sensation for the first time two years ago.

Their dry-as-a bone sound, the straightforward direction of the songs with blues-rock roots shining through, frontman Junior Figueroa’s rasping voice reminiscent of Bon Scott, and his backyard- and pub-credible lyrics – all this makes the band a compelling natural spectacle that demands a resilient vegetative nervous system on the part of the listener.

For 42 Decibel know only one religion: traditional rock´n`roll guaranteed to make even the hardest men’s muscles turn to jelly mash. Now on their second album, Rolling In Town, the band from Argentina makes no secret of the fact that nothing but audiophilic wholefood is going to be served here.

Rolling In Town will be released by Steamhammer/SPV as CD, vinyl and download on September 18th (North America on October 2nd).

Tracklisting:

“Cant Keep Control”
“Short Fused”
“Rude And Fast ”
“Drop Of Booze”
“Burning Down The Road”
“Eye Of The Hawk”
“Down The Hatch”
“Midnight Teaser (Evil Woman)”
“Cold Steel Rider”
“Smooth Talker”

Band lineup:

Junior Figueroa (Vocals, Guitar)
Nicko Cambiasso (Drums)
Billy Bob Riley (Rhythm & Slide Guitar)
Matt Fraga (Bass)

Swedish cult hard rockers Electric Boys are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut, Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride, which included the hit "All Lips and Hips”. Sign up for the new Electric Boys email list and receive a free download, a cover of "Pinball Wizard", an unreleased demo from Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride.

Sign up here.

The band have announced a trio of live dates in their homeland where they will be performing Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride in its entirety.

Dates:

October
29 - Malmö, Sweden - KB
30 - Göteborg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
31 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fryshuset Klubben

 

King Savage will release their debut album, Full Speed Ahead, via Rock It Up Records / City Of Lights Records on July 24th. The album’s title track is streaming below. On Full Speed Ahead you will hear a dirty sleaze rock mixture of L.A. Guns, Junkyard, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses... enjoy it with beer, bourbon and boobs.

Tracklisting:

“Gimme 5”
“Full Speed Ahead”
“Bastards”
“Wild Life Fever”
“Booze Of Sin”
“Loser”
“Burnout”
“Groove”
“Got It?!”
“Down The Drain”
“The Wolf” (Limited Edition bonus track)

“Full Speed Ahead”:

King Savage are:

Arthur King – vocals/ rhythm guitar
Luke le Duke (V8Wankers) – lead guitar/ vocals
Johnny Savage – bass/ backing vocals
Fast Fred – drums

Dutch death thrash act Izegrim have entered Soundlodge Studio, the German-based recording studio owned by Jörg Uken, to begin tracking the follow-up to 2013’s Congress Of The Insane, scheduled for an early 2016 release. The cover art will be designed by Björn Gooßes from Killustrations design studio.

Guitarist Jeroen Wechgelaer had the following to say: “This album will be a logical follow-up to Congress Of The Insane. This time around, we’re taking the villain’s point of view. It’s going to be intense, catchy and furious. We can’t wait to release this beast!”

Congress Of The Insane was released on September 15, 2013 via Listenable Records. The album contains 11 songs, including "Manifest Of A Megalomaniac", which features a guest appearance by Sabina Classen from Holy Moses.

Izegrim is:

Jeroen Wechgelaer - Guitar
Marloes Voskuil - Bass/Vocals
Bart Van Ginkel - Guitar

In a brand new interview with Rock.About.com, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus was asked about the band's current status and whether there are any plans for the Axl Rose-fronted group to tour next year.

"The current state of GN'R is pretty up in the air," he replied. "The last I heard they wanted to finish up the recordings that we have and put them out next year and start touring. But it has been a while since I've heard from anybody in that camp as far as management or Axl. So I really don't know."

Fortus also discussed the progress of the recording sessions for GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited follow-up to 2008's "Chinese Democracy". He said: "There's a lot of stuff recorded that is in the can. I have no idea what will be used or scrapped or if we'll end up redoing it. I really have no idea as far as what's going on with that stuff."

Regarding what it has been like working with Axl Rose, Fortus said: "Axl has always been cool with me and he's a hell of a musician. Some people are just really musical. They just are music and he is music personified, he really is. He's just one of the cats that just lives it. He always thinks musically. He listens — which is what makes him a great musician. Music is all that matters to him. I've never met anyone with as much musical and artistic integrity as Axl Rose."

He continued: "People talk about not doing stuff for money, but [Axl] really will not do something strictly for money. He's all about the music. It's gotta be about the music. That's why he doesn't do interviews, because it's not about the music. And, to him, that's the only thing that matters. I think that's incredibly admirable. Axl encompasses in a lot of ways what's missing from rock n' roll now — his mystique and he's an enigma. And he won't talk. He won't defend himself. People like Slash know that. They know Axl's not going to defend himself in the press. So they'll say whatever they want about him knowing he's not going to refute it. Because early on he got screwed over so much by journalists over and over again to the point where he won't do it. People are gonna say whatever the fuck they want to say. But he's at a place where it's not about anything other than the music. That's all he cares about and you don't see that anymore."

The last GUNS N' ROSES album, "Chinese Democracy", came out in 2008 and ended a 17-year absence of new material.

Rose, guitarist D.J. Ashba and other members of the current lineup have hinted that more material recorded during the "Chinese Democracy" sessions has yet to surface.

The present lineup of GUNS N' ROSES has toured intermittently since 2006 and played its second Las Vegas residency last year.

A two-part video interview with former Roadrunner Records A&R chief and current Nuclear Blast Entertainment president Monte Conner about the 20th anniversary of "Demanufacture", the highly revered second studio album from legendary pioneers of industrial-tinged extreme metal FEAR FACTORY, can be seen below.

FEAR FACTORY will tour Europe this fall in celebration of the "Demanufacture" anniversary. The trek will be a very rare event for fans, with FEAR FACTORY playing "Demanufacture" in its entirety. They will also showcase songs from their new album, "Genexus", due out August 7 via Nuclear Blast. Commented FEAR FACTORY's Burton C. Bell and Dino Cazares: "If you had told us in 1995 that we would be touring 'Demanufacture' for its 20th anniversary in 2015, we would have said, 'Ya right! Get fucked!'

"The years have flown by in colorful and adventurous memory. 2015 has arrived, and FEAR FACTORY will be performing 'Demanufacture' in its entirety for the very first time for the U.K. and Ireland fans in December. We are very excited to perform this seminal album for the audience that made 'Demanufacture' a legendary success." "Demanufacture" was a landmark release for FEAR FACTORY and for the metal genre. It is generally considered to be the band's defining work and a heavy metal classic, with its refined production, industrial textures, precise musicianship and greater dimension of sound. It succeeded in giving the band a more futuristic feel than previous works. The concept is based around one man's struggles against a machine-controlled government — with each song marking a chapter in his life, taking huge inspiration from the "Terminator" film series. The group's working relationship with "Demanufacture" producer Rhys Fulber continues to this day.

Asked about how it feels to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of FEAR FACTORY's classic "Demanufacture" album in 2015 with only two members of the band's classic lineup remaining in the group, Dino said: "The two main members are in the band right now. The soul of the machine is still intact, and that's me and Burton. And I don't think anything has changed, really."

He continued: "Every album we do always has to have something a little different. From the beginning, from the first album, 'Soul Of A New Machine', it was very death metal inspired, [with] a little bit of industrial. The second album, 'Demanufacture', the classic album… Every record changes. 'Obsolete' was a big difference, you know what I mean?! But my right hand is still there, the passion is still there, Burt's killer melodic vocals are still there. So I think that's all that matters."

"The 20th Anniversary Of Demanufacture" tour dates:

Nov. 07 - FIN - Helsinki - Unioni FestivalNov. 09 - RU - St. Petersburg - Zal OzhidanijaNov. 10 - RU - Ekateringburg - Tele ClubNov. 11 - RU - Moscow - VoltaNov. 13 - ISR - Tel-Aviv - Reading 3Nov. 15 - P - Lisbon - Paradise GarageNov. 16 - ES - Madrid - ArenaNov. 17 - ES - Barcelona - Razzamatazz 2Nov. 19 - FR - Nimes - PalomaNov. 20 - FR - Nilvange - Le GueulardNov. 21 - FR - Paris - La TrabendoNov. 22 - NL - Eindhoven - Epic FestNov. 24 - DE - Aschaffenburg - Colos-SalNov. 25 - DE - München - Backstage HalleNov. 26 - CH - Aarau - KiffNov. 27 - IT - Milan - Magazzini GeneraliNov. 29 - AT - Vienna - ArenaNov. 30 - CZ - Prague - Meet FactoryDec. 01 - DE - Berlin - C-ClubDec. 02 - DE - Hamburg - MarkthalleDec. 04 - DE - Köln - EssigfabrikDec. 05 - FR - Strasbourg - La LaiterieDec. 06 - BE - Ghent - VooruitDec. 07 - UK - Bristol - MotionDec. 09 - UK - Manchester - RitzDec. 10 - IRE - Dublin - AcademyDec. 11 - NIRE - Belfast - LimelightDec. 12 - UK - Glasgow - The GarageDec. 13 - UK - London - The Forum

The follow-up to 2012's "The Industrialist", "Genexus" was mixed by Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD). Artwork was once again handled by Anthony Clarkson. Drums on "Genexus" were performed by Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY).

FEAR FACTORY recently parted ways with bassist Matt DeVries (previously of CHIMAIRA, where he played guitar, and SIX FEET UNDER and replaced him with Tony Campos (ex-SOULFLY, STATIC-X, PRONG, MINISTRY).

FEAR FACTORY will hit the road later this month with COAL CHAMBER.

The Black Dahlia Murder are streaming the new track “Receipt”, from the band’s new full-length album Abysmal, which comes out on September 18th via Metal Blade Records. Listen to “Receipt” below.

Abysmal showcases TBDM at their very finest with a meticulous, pin-point precise rhythmic assault mixed with ferocious speed and dynamic hooks.  The band also re-enlisted the services of renowned producer Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, Whitechapel) and former bass player Ryan Williams, who also helped produce Everblack, with the sole intent to get away from the overt sonic sterility affecting far too many contemporary metal albums.

The album's pre-order bundle packages are now available at this location

Abysmal tracklisting:

“Receipt”
“Vlad, Son Of The Dragon”
“Abysmal”
“Re-Faced”
“Threat Level No. 3”
“The Fog”
“Stygiophobic”
“Asylum”
“The Advent”
“That Cannot Die Which Eternally Is Dead”

“Receipt”:

“Vlad, Son Of The Dragon”:

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. People can expect a more raw and natural sounding TBDM record. It's the most real and live sounding thing we've done since our debut. It has a real energy and urgency to it. We made a conscious effort of having a more lively and dynamic sound and I feel the result is truly excellent. What I hear is my band playing as they do live when I step off the stage at soundcheck. Therefore, this is the real TBDM incarnate. Expect a relentless world ravaging touring cycle from us for the next couple of years. You'd better start exercising your necks now!""

The band will return to North America this fall to headline the IndieMerch Tour with Iron Reagan, Harm's Way and Maruta. The trek will start October 3rd and run through October 30th and marks the group's first official Canadian/US tour supporting Abysmal.

Trevor Strand (vocals) states: "We are beyond excited to bring this mighty line-up to your Canadian eardrums... what a package! We've combined the grinding holocaust of the reunited Maruta, the sheer rage of hardcore's hellions Harm's Way, the thrashing maelstrom that is Iron Reagan and of course yours truly. No venue shall be left standing in our wake! We'll be playing lots of new tastiness from Abysmal for you, as well as the classics, so bring your friends and get ready to bang your heads off. I am looking forward to drinking a Pils, eating some Poutine and raging out with my friends to the great white north. Fuckin' eh!"

Head over to Facebook for all tour dates.

The official video for the song "Breaching The Asylum" from Montreal-based death metallers KATAKLYSM can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Of Ghosts And Gods", which will be released on July 31 via Nuclear Blast. The cover artwork for the follow-up to "Waiting For The End To Come" was created by up-and-coming dark and macabre artist Art By Surtsey and can be seen below.

Says KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono: "'Breaching The Asylum' is a video depicting the different religions, cults and ideology that control most of our society. The song questions the need for humanity to belong to something greater than the physics of the universe and the dangers of its fanatics to silence free will."

According to KATAKYSM, the "cover art echoes a sinister artwork depicting the reality of humanity's beautifully disturbing existence and its impending death through the mortal and the everlasting. The background shows an ancient Incantation written in Aramaic."

"Of Ghosts And Gods" track listing:

01. Breaching The Asylum02. The Black Sheep03. Thy Serpents Tongue04. Soul Destroyer 05. Vindication06. Marching Through Graveyards 07. Shattered 08. Hate Spirit09. Carrying Crosses 10. The World Is A Dying Insect

Guitarist Jean-François "JF" Dagenais tracked drums, guitars and bass for the album, while vocals were recorded by producer Mark Lewis (WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, CANNIBAL CORPSE). The effort was mixed and mastered in the U.K. by British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, AMON AMARTH).

Says the band: "KATAKLYSM has been full of inspiration and are in full determination mode lately; a rejuvenated band that is out to conquer the world with no sign of stopping!

"This promises to be the album that will once and for all establish KATAKLYSM as one of the top pioneers of the genre!

"The latest material will be touching on some new ground while maintaining the aggressive edge the band has always been known for.

"The chemistry with new drummer Oli Beaudoin is incredible, and the four horsemen promise some crushing new material coming your way. Death metal hymns are arriving!"

KATAKLYSM had one of the busiest year in its entire career supporting "Waiting For The End To Come". The band launched a successful run in Australia and Japan and made its way to many other countries, including some first-time stops in places like Brazil and South Africa, among others.

"Waiting For The End To Come" was released in October 2013 via Nuclear Blast.

METAL ALLEGIANCE — the all-star metal band consisting of a rotating cast of musicians, including members of MEGADETH, TESTAMENT — which debuted on MOTÖRHEAD's Motörboat cruise last year, and performed at this year's NAMM show and on the ShipRocked cruise, will release its self-titled debut album on September 18 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

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.

"Metal Allegiance" contains appearances by:

* Philip H. Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)* Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)* Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)* D. Randall Blythe (LAMB OF GOD)* Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN, KILL DEVIL HILL)* Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES)* Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD)* Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY)V* Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)* Gary Holt (EXODUS)* Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED)* Chris Jericho (FOZZY)* Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA)* Misha Mansoor (PERIPHERY)* Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL)* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH)* Doug Pinnick (KING'S X, KXM)* Troy Sanders (MASTODON)* Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL)* Steve "Zetro" Souza (EXODUS)* Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN)

A preview of the "Metal Allegiance" track "Dying Song", featuring a gust appearance by former PANTERA and current DOWN and SUPERJOINT frontman Philip Anselmo, is available below.

"It's always my pleasure to jam with such esteemed musicians and brothers, and my contribution to this project is further proof of that fact. Hail to all heavy metallers the world over!" stated Anselmo.

"I am very honored to be a part of the METAL ALLEGIANCE record. The track 'Can't Kill The Devil' was fun and challenging for me," stated TESTAMENT vocalist Chuck Billy. "Working outside of TESTAMENT lets me try different things with my voice. I think the fans are going to be singing along to this track for sure." MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel added: "So stoked to throw down with legends!"

Blythe said: "When LAMB OF GOD asked Alex Skolnick to rip a guest solo on 'Ashes Of The Wake', it was a big deal to us to have one of the legends of our scene play on our record. Much to my amazement, years later he returned the request, and it's an even bigger deal to me to be asked on a peer level to contribute to a project with so many stellar players. I was honored to be chosen. 'Gift Of Pain' rips! Play it LOUD!"

Mike Portnoy added: "I could not be any more excited or proud of the METAL ALLEGIANCE album... It's everything I've always dreamed of and hoped for and a hundred times more!"

From the blistering opening of album starter "Gift Of Pain" to the final notes of closer "Pledge Of Allegiance", it is clear this collective have created something special. The diversity of the individual tracks is apparent through each musical collaboration.

The standard edition CD of "Metal Allegiance" will feature the nine original songs. A digipak edition will be 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 will also be available that will feature all 10 songs as well.

"Metal Allegiance" track listing:

01. Gift Of Pain

Vocals: D. Randall BlytheLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Gary Holt

02. Let Darkness Fall

Vocals: Troy SandersLead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums & Percussion: Mike PortnoyAdditional Bass: Mark Menghi & Rex BrownAdditional Screams: D. Randall Blythe

03. Can't Kill The Devil

Vocals: Chuck BillyLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Phil Demmel & Andreas Kisser

04. Dying Song

Vocals: Philip H. AnselmoLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: Mark Menghi Drums: Mike Portnoy

05. Scars Vocals: Mark Osegueda & Cristina ScabbiaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick Bass: David EllefsonDrums: Mike Portnoy

06. Destination: Nowhere

Vocals: Matthew K. HeafyLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Matthew K. Heafy

07. Wait Until Tomorrow

Vocals: Doug Pinnick & Jamey JastaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums, Percussion & Additional Vocals: Mike Portnoy

8. Triangulum I. Creation II. Evolution III. Destruction

Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David EllefsonDrums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Misha Mansoor, Ben Weinman, Charlie Benante, Phil Demmel, Matthew K. Heafy & Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

09. Pledge Of Allegiance

Vocals: Mark OseguedaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Charlie Benante, Gary Holt & Andreas Kisser

10. We Rock (DIO cover) (deluxe edition only)

Vocals: Mark Osegueda, Chris Jericho, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Chuck Billy & Steve "Zetro" SouzaLead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex SkolnickBass: David Ellefson Drums: Mike PortnoyAdditional Lead Guitar: Andreas Kisser, Phil Demmel & Gary Holt Nuclear Blast Entertainment president Monte Conner offered up his label as the home for METAL ALLEGIANCE after several meetings. Upon hearing the demos and seeing the list of performers, he felt it was something he wanted to be a part of.

"I am incredibly fortunate to be able to work with legendary musicians and personal heroes like David Ellefson, Alex Skolnick and Mike Portnoy, as well as METAL ALLEGIANCE founder Mark Menghi," he said. "These guys wrote an amazing and diverse record that is 100 percent pure metal, and lined up some killer guest vocalists and lead guitarists to bring it home in an epic, shredding fashion — just the leads on this record alone will blow people away!" he said. "Perhaps the coolest part of all is that unlike similar projects in the past that existed as studio-only creations, METAL ALLEGIANCE were a touring entity first and have now organically evolved into a studio band that makes albums. I am very grateful to these guys for choosing me and the Nuclear Blast team as the vehicle to bring their music to the metal masses."

Stemming from an initial idea in 2011, METAL ALLEGIANCE was born as a way to unite a collection of hard rock and heavy metal's most notable musicians in a setting born under one ideal, a love of music and performing. In 2015, that ideal still holds true and has become the foundation for everything METAL ALLEGIANCE; furthered with the release of the upcoming debut album. While the lineup may change, the passion, the energy and the emotion all remain the same. METAL ALLEGIANCE is more than just a record or a concert, it’s an experience and a lifestyle.

Previous participants in METAL ALLEGIANCE live events have included Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown (PANTERA); Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante and Scott Ian (ANTHRAX); Gary Holt, Kerry King and Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT); Troy Sanders (MASTODON); and Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA). These unforgettable events have also spawned surprise appearances by the likes of Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH), Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee (MOTÖHEAD), Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan (THE WINERY DOGS).

Portnoy previously told MikePortnoyWarriors.com about METAL ALLEGIANCE: "For me, I'm getting to do the full-blown, double-bass shredding drumming that I've only been able to hint at with DREAM THEATER or with AVENGED or with ADRENALINE MOB. So now it's a full-blown album. And the whole album is not thrash. I mean, this album is really kind of the history of metal; there's moments that are early metal, like very [BLACK] SABBATH-esque, and then there's moments that are full-on mid-'80s thrash — EXODUS, SLAYER, early METALLICA, 'Kill 'Em All' METALLICA — so there's a good chunk that's very, very much like that. And then there's moments that get more into '90s type of ALICE IN CHAINS sort of stuff. So it's almost a good history-of-metal sort of album. But I definitely have gotten my metal chops in. It's been fun. It's been really, really cool. I can't wait for people to hear this album."

Regarding how he fits alongside other METAL ALLEGIANCE members, Portnoy said: "To me, METAL ALLEGIANCE is… it's the ultimate hang. And, for me, it's awesome, because I'm really the only guy on the roster that's not normally in a thrash or metal band; I come from a kind of different world. So, on the outside, it may look weird that I do this, but I've always been the biggest metal fan through and through. I grew up listening to the same stuff as all these guys — we all grew up listening to [BLACK] SABBATH and [JUDAS] PRIEST and [IRON] MAIDEN and KISS and AC/DC and MOTÖRHEAD — so I have the same musical background as these guys. And once all the guys in METAL ALLEGIANCE were coming up — in MEGADETH and SLAYER and PANTERA and ANTHRAX — I was coming up around the same time as well, just in a different genre. But these guys were always my friends; I was always hanging out with the ANTHRAX guys and the PANTERA guys… whatever. I felt a close kinship to all the guys in this thrash world, and they became my friends. So, with METAL ALLEGIANCE, for me, it's a natural thing to be involved with these guys. All these guys are great guys, great friends. We love jamming together, and the whole METAL ALLEGIANCE thing is just… You know, we're fans. When we're up on stage playing this stuff, we're as much fans as the people on the other side, in the audience. We're on the side of the stage headbanging and cheering everybody on and having a good time. So that's what it's about: it's just metal by metal guys who are still metal fans."

Frontiers Music Srl will release "Beth Out Of Hell", the new album from the Swedish symphonic metal band THE MURDER OF MY SWEET, on August 21.

The "Beth Out Of Hell" song "Always The Fugitive" can be streamed below.

"Beth Out of Hell" is an apocalyptic love story where Lucifer's Daughter falls in love with the Archangel Michael," says THE MURDER OF MY SWEET singer Angelica Rylin. "The story in the new album basically takes off right where we left you with the last three songs of 'Bye Bye Lullabye'."

Adds THE MURDER OF MY SWEET drummer and producer Daniel Flores: "It took us three years to record this album, and the reason for that is that we wanted to give the fans an album they truly deserve. We made a conscious effort to keep all the songs very interesting and diverse, much like in a film or a musical."

THE MURDER OF MY SWEET released its debut album, "Divanity", in 2009 and received swift praise from media around the world. Much of the positive response was directed at the heavy orchestrations and Angelica Rylin's strong, soaring vocals. The CD's first single, "Bleed Me Dry", reached a peak position of No. 14 on the Swedish international singles chart. In the summer of both 2010 and 2011, the band toured in Sweden, France and Germany and played at festivals like Sweden Rock, Rock Weekend, Baltic Festival, Raismes Fest and Wacken Open Air. The darker Nordic months were spent in the studio where Flores and Rylin worked on the follow-up album, "Bye, Bye Lullaby", which was released in 2012.

Now THE MURDER OF MY SWEET is back with its most ambitious and exciting album to date. The CD is definitely darker and heavier compared to their previous two records, but still features the trademark over-the-top symphonic arrangements, cinematic elements and riffs the band is known for. This release also marks the debut of the band's new bass player, Patrik Janson (PLATITUDE).

"Beth Out of Hell" track listing:

01. Hell On Earth02. The Awakening03. World In Ashes04. Always The Fugitive05. Bitter Love06. Still07. Humble Servant08. Requiem For A Ghost09. Euthanasia10. Tide After Tide11. Poets By Default12. Heaven Succumb13. Means To An End

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "Beth Out of Hell" is available below.

THE MURDER OF MY SWEET is:

Angelica Rylin: lead and background vocals Daniel Flores: drums, keyboards, vocalsChristopher Vetter: guitarPatrik Janson: bass

At this past Sunday night's (July 19) Rockstar Energy Mayhem Drink Festival in Hartford, Connecticut, Metal Insider asked SLAYER guitarist Kerry King about Mayhem co-founder Kevin Lyman's recent comment that metal "chased girls away" because the genre "got gray, bald and fat." King responded: "It's a very generalizing statement and it basically throws his tour under the bus. That's just… that's not even Business 101. That's just insane."

King went on to criticize this year's edition of Mayhem, saying: "Do I know this tour wasn't booked correctly? Absolutely I know this tour wasn't booked correctly. Gary Holt [SLAYER guitarist] made the comment that usually there's the Main Stage, a second stage, a third stage, and then that piece-of-shit record stage… Now what they're calling a second stage is at best a fourth stage and they're wondering why people aren't showing up."

He continued: "I think they waited too long and think all the talent that could have been on this took gigs in Europe. Because there's nobody here touring.

"It's easy to fill these stages, but I guess they wanted a different price point, take away the second and third stage which I think had a lot of value. To me, a second-stage headliner is ANTHRAX, MACHINE HEAD…"

King added: "Whoever booked this made a gigantic error."

Asked if he felt SLAYER was in the position of having to carry this year's Mayhem Festival more so than in previous years, King appeared to agree. "[Without the extra stages] it's basically a glorified SLAYER show," he said. "Let me put it to you this way: last year, SLAYER, SUICIDAL [TENDENCIES] and EXODUS played the Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee and sold it out. Mayhem came through ten days ago and didn't sell it out. That's what I'm going up against here."

He continued: "I understand it from a fan's perspective. I wouldn't spend money to come to this either."

Asked if this would be the last time we saw SLAYER on Mayhem, King responded: "This might be the last time you see Mayhem."

This year's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival kicked off on June 26 in Chula Vista, California and will wrap on August 2 in Dallas, Texas.

Lyman told the Detroit Free Press about Mayhem's 2015 lineup, which includes SLAYER, KING DIAMOND, HELLYEAH and THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: "It was the best available for what we had to work with. We had pressure to keep the package at a certain price and make that work, and we had pressure on headliner expenses." In addition, there are fewer acts on the bill and only two stages this time around because "we had to condense it," Lyman said. "The expenses of putting on those shows had gotten high, so we had to push it all into the concourses. They [venues] don't want to build a fence outside [for third and fourth stages] anymore. Those things cost money."

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine spoke to Revolver magazine about the band's forthcoming fifteenth album, which is currently being recorded in a Nashville studio.

"There's a lot of riffing going on in there, that's for damn sure," he said. "There's a lot of solos, a lot of pounding drums and bass. I knew from the start that I wanted to go back to my roots, and I wanted to make a thrash record."

The new MEGADETH album will be the band's first to feature LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler and Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA. They 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.

"When Chris and Shawn left, it saddened me a little because they didn't say goodbye," Mustaine said. "They were pissed, because they'd gotten word that people wanted the 'Rust In Peace' [lineup] reunion [with guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza]. And frankly, I didn't; I was happy with those two guys. So when they left, it was like, 'It isn't going to be easy to replace them!'"

He continued: "We haven't found a permanent drummer yet, but finding Kiko was really a mind-blower. It was the first time since Marty Friedman joined the band that I was really intimidated as a player. He's such an amazing talent, and he's been coming in with all of these fresh ideas."

Adler, who has previously said that MEGADETH was the band that made him want to start drumming to begin with, was involved during the songwriting process for the group's new album. "MEGADETH is MEGADETH," Mustaine told Revolver, "and the songs will kind of tell you where they go. But there were several times while we were tracking where Chris would say, 'I think these parts should go like this, because that's how my MEGADETH is.' I was like, 'Yeah, I like that 'my MEGADETH' stuff!'"

Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The New Emperor", "Tyrannicide", the two-part opus "Conquer… Or Die" and "Poisonous Shadows". The latter track features piano playing from Kiko as well as orchestration from famed Nashville arranger Ronn Huff, the father of former MEGADETH producer Dann Huff. MEGADETH also recorded two cover versions during the sessions for the new CD: "Melt The Ice Away" by BUDGIE and "Foreign Policy" by FEAR.

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King joined KING DIAMOND on stage last night (Tuesday, July 21) at the Holmdel, New Jersey stop of this year's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival at PNC Bank Arts Center to perform the MERCYFUL FATE classic "Evil".

A couple of photos of Kerry's appearance can be seen below.

Said King Diamond: "Kerry, it was an absolute honor to share the stage with you!"

Kerry King has previously stated that he and fellow original SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman were big fans of MERCYFUL FATE when SLAYER recorded the album "Hell Awaits", so much so that the LP was very influenced by the Danish heavy metal act.

MERCYFUL FATE's last studio album, "9", was released in 1999.

MERCYFUL FATE will be remembered for its unquestionable mark on the history of metal with its innovative sound, complex arrangements, memorable melody, and its influence on bands that later took the genre to new heights.

In 1998, METALLICA paid tribute to MERCYFUL FATE by recording a medley of classic MERCYFUL FATE songs on the album "Garage Inc." Entitled "Mercyful Fate", the medley included parts from "Satan's Fall", "Curse of the Pharaohs", "A Corpse Without Soul", "Into the Coven" and "Evil".

Lars Ulrich of METALLICA (a fellow Dane) played drums on a new version of MERCYFUL FATE's "Return of the Vampire" on the "In the Shadows" album, which came out in 1993.

Asked by Full Metal Jackie if he feels at all uncomfortable when fans share the impact MERCYFUL FATE had on them, King Diamond said: "It's great to hear. I mean, I was very lucky the other day. I went and saw my friends in VOLBEAT play here in Dallas. And ANTHRAX was supporting. I met [ANTHRAX guitarist] Scott Ian before, but I met all of [the ANTHRAX guys] this time around and got to really talk to them. And what an amazing bunch of guys. I mean, really great human beings — nice people. It was amazing. And they just played and put on an amazing show. So it was a very good evening, and it was great to meet [them]. And they also were talking about: 'Hey! Let's do [MERCYFUL FATE's] 'Evil'.' [And I said] 'Okay, I can do 'Evil' in my sleep, so we can do that, if you want to.' And then one of the other guys said: 'Hey, there's a little more to it than just that.' It can quickly go wrong if you have not tested it properly. So some other time we'll do it. But I remember, the drummer [Charlie Benante] said that he could play the entire 'Melissa' album, if need be. So it's nice to hear that people are really that into that old music still."

SLAYER's new album, "Repentless", will be released on September 11 via Nuclear Blast.

UK progressive melodic death metal act De Profundis will release their new album Kingdom Of The Blind worldwide by Wicker Man Recordings on September 28.

A press release states: “Kingdom Of The Blind is beyond a shadow of a doubt the most accomplished and breathtakingly impressive album ever to bear the De Profundis name and sees the band scaling dizzying new heights of accomplishment. Every aspect of this magnificent album simply radiates quality – from the incredible standards of musicianship and song writing to the intensity of the performances, the rich and powerful production to the evocative artwork, courtesy of Costin Chioreanu, renowned for his work with Arch Enemy, Darkthrone, At The Gates, Grave and many others.
 
“These ten exquisitely crafted tracks will surely see De Profundis explode into the wider metal consciousness and with huge touring plans in place with some of the biggest names in death metal to support the album’s release, this is the year of De Profundis...their time has come.”

Kingdom Of The Blind tracklisting:

“Overture”
“Kult Of The Orthodox”
“Illumination”
“All Consuming”
“Kingdoms Of The Blind”
“Beyond The Threshold”
“A Strange Awakening”
“The Antagonist”
“Thrown To The Wolves”
“In Solitude”

“Kult Of The Orthodox”:

High Fighter, the new stoner metal / sludge outfit born in summer 2014 by former members of A Million Miles, Pyogenesis and Buffalo Hump, have posted live performance videos of “In Veins” and “Scars & Crosses” from Klangstadt Open Air on July 17. The last video is Mammoth Mammoth covering the Kyss song “Green Machine” featuring High Fighter’s Mona Miluski from Römer in Bremen, Germany on July 20.

“In Veins”:

“Scars & Crosses”:

Mammoth Mammoth featuring High Fighter’s Mona Miluski covering Kyss’ “Green Machine”:

 

High Fighter recently checked in with the following announcement:

"Thrilled to announce, this fall we will be hitting the road with mighty AHAB and Mammoth Storm! As you can see, Mona the Ahab guys already started to keep their livers in good shape for that run. Here are the first dates, more to come!

October
29 - Frankfurt, Germany - Elfer Club
31 - Hamburg, Germany - Bambi Galore

November
6 - Stuttgart, Germany - Club Cann
8 - Heidelberg, Germany - Schwimmbad Club

High Fighter's summer tour schedule is as follows:

August
14 - Moledo, Portugal - SonicBlast

While the band recorded their debut EP, The Goat Ritual, live and on one weekend in their rehearsal room, what better location could they have picked to film their first video? Right, of course in that same rehearsal room where all magic began!

The official clip for “2Steps Blueskill“, from their EP The Goat Ritual can be viewed below:

Non Serviam Records has announced the signing of Chicago-based black/death metallers Against The Plagues.

A band statement reads: 

“We feel Non Serviam Records will be a great partner for our upcoming endeavors, and will help us with exposure of our new release. Against the Plagues would like to thank Non Serviam owner Ricardo Gelok for his professionalism, and his confidence in our band. We believe our cooperation will open a more exciting chapter for the band's future.”

Against The Plagues released their Extermination Event EP in January. Extermination Event contains two new tracks and full production videos released by Varyen Entertainment in partnership with Kake Multimedia. The EP was recorded at Belle City Sound with engineer/producer Chris Wisco (Lazarus AD, Novembers Doom, Origin, Jungle Rot) and mastered by Trevor Sadler MasterM.I.N.D. Productions (Madonna, Peter Gabriel, Nine Inch Nails, Rush, Triumph). The cover art was made by Swedish artist Par Olofsson (Exodus, Immolation, Malevolent Creation, Immortal).