On June 13, SHINEDOWN took part in an interview and acoustic performance for an exclusive group of listeners of the Worcester/Boston, Massachusetts radio station WAAF. You can now watch the entire 45-minute session below.

SHINEDOWN's fourth album, "Amaryllis", was released last year. The CD debuted atop Billboard's "Rock Albums" chart and at #4 overall on The Billboard 200 — SHINEDOWN's biggest chart debut thus far — with over 105,000 units sold its first week out.

"Amaryllis" arrived in stores almost four years after the band issued "The Sound Of Madness". SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith told The Pulse Of Radio that even though the band really came together on that last effort, they didn't want to rest on their laurels while making "Amaryllis". "We're never really a band that's gonna ever be satisfied," he said. "We're never gonna be complacent with 'Oh, well, that'll do.' We're the band that's looking for the doors that everyone is afraid to find, because we like that. We like pushing the envelope constantly. It keeps us on our toes."

The release of "Amaryllis" was accompanied by an e-book called "For Your Sake: Inside The Making Of Amaryllis", a 75-page, "completely interactive" e-book that contains commentary, photos, video footage and other content exclusively chronicling the creation of the new record.

SHINEDOWN will headline the 2013 Carnival of Madness tour, which will kick off on August 13 in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to SHINEDOWN, the bill will feature PAPA ROACH, SKILLET, IN THIS MOMENT and new act WE AS HUMAN.

It's with mixed emotions that we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of SLAYER's classic fourth album, South Of Heaven, which was released on July 5, 1988. It's been just over two months since the passing of Jeff Hanneman, whose handiwork is all over the masterpiece, the guitar legend wrote the music for the entire album (three with Kerry King) aside from the JUDAS PRIEST cover of 'Dissident Aggressor'. To this day the glorious title track which smashes into 'Silent Scream', 'Mandatory Suicide', 'Live Undead', 'Ghosts Of War' and the haunting closer 'Spill The Blood' are timeless classics that will endure forever.
But how does one follow-up what most people consider the greatest thrash album of all-time, Reign In Blood? The band certainly threw us for a loop with the first notes of the title track, a slow building bruiser with an infectious lead, possibly the band's finest anthem aside from 'Angel Of Death'. "Bastard sons begat your cunting daughters" … pure extreme metal poetry.

South Of Heaven - Slayer's second collaboration with Rick Rubin - peaked at number 57 on the Billboard 200 album chart and on November 20, 1992, became the band's second album to be certified gold in the US.

BraveWords asked guitarist Kerry King recently about how South Of Heaven has stood the test of time.

“Yeah, that’s always historically been not an album I hate," King said, "but in between Reign In Blood and Seasons (In The Abyss), it’s my least favourite of the three. At the time, that’s one of the only times we went out of our way, before we wrote any songs, to say, 'all right, I don’t want it to be like Reign In Blood.' Not because Reign In Blood sucked or because we were tired of doing that, but because it was so fast we needed things to offset it with live. So we wanted to explore the heavier side of Slayer without having eighty-percent of it being light-speed.”

Here's a toast to the Jeff Hanneman-driven South Of Heaven!
Amazon.com Widgets

Official MetOnTour video footage of METALLICA performing the song "Blackened" at the band's sophomore Orion Music + More festival, which took place June 8-9 in Detroit, Michigan, can be seen below.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo said on the ground at the festival that he was eager to bring the show back to Detroit in 2014. "We've got to come back here, you know," he said. "This is a great place. This city needs it. The weekend has been a blast and I can't wait 'til next year. I've already got ideas for next year, so we're looking forward to it."

As previously reported, METALLICA played a surprise set on June 8 under the name DEHAAN, playing their entire 1983 debut disc "Kill 'Em All" from front to back.

The band's headlining set the following night, which closed out the festival, featured rarities like "Carpe Diem, Baby", "I Disappear" and "Disposable Heroes" alongside the band's more traditional hits and live favorites.

The members of METALLICA were also spotted hanging out at their personal lifestyle exhibits, with James Hetfield seen at his custom car display, Trujillo overseeing the skateboarding at the Vans Vert Ramp, and drummer Lars Ulrich premiering a clip from the upcoming movie "Metallica Through The Never" alongside director Nimród Antal.

The Metallica Museum displayed the bass that Cliff Burton played at his final concert before his 1986 death in a Swedish bus crash, as well as other instruments, stage props and vintage concert flyers.

Robert Trujillo played two other sets during the course of the weekend, first with a reunion of funk-rockers INFECTIOUS GROOVES and then with his own TRUJILLO TRIO.

Spokesperson Charlie Walker of promoter C3 Presents said that around 20,000 attended the first day, with possibly more showing up on Sunday. As for whether Orion will return to Detroit next year, he replied, "We'll go through this one, wrap it up, see what the feedback is . . . Then we'll sit down and try to get a grip on what to do next."

A total of 37 groups, including the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, DEFTONES, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, RISE AGAINST and BASSNECTAR, performed on Orion's five stages.

THE JOY FORMIDABLE was unable to perform their show after arriving late in Detroit due to travel issues.

James Hetfield personally introduced the SILVERSUN PICKUPS and watched their set from the side of the stage.

Cliff Burton's father Ray was in attendance for METALLICA's surprise "Kill 'Em All" performance on Saturday.

Detroit native Bob Seger was rumored to be showing up to sing his classic "Turn The Page" with METALLICA. Although the band played the song, Seger was a no-show.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine recently spoke to Radio.com about the band's new album, "Super Collider"; almost hiring late PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abott to play in MEGADETH; and politics, among other topics. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked which band should have included if the "Big Four" (METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX) were expanded and considered the "Big Five", Mustaine said: "You know, people will say there's a whole another generation, like the 'Medium Four' [laughs], and I think there's a lot of great bands that fit that bill, too. But I think probably EXODUS, because there was nobody else at the time that had that kind of pull or that kind of importance in the metal community. Granted, it was with [late EXODUS singer Paul] Baloff, and Baloff had a voice that you had to have an acquired taste for, but you know, I liked him."

"Super Collider" sold 29,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on June 4 via Dave Mustaine's new label, Tradecraft, distributed by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The effort is available as a limited-edition CD with 3-D cover and bonus tracks, regular CD, regular LP, limited LP plus a bonus colored seven-inch single with two bonus tracks, and a download voucher.

"Red Hatchet", the new video from London progressive metallers THE SAFETY FIRE, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's second album, "Mouth Of Swords", which will be released on September 3 in North America via InsideOut Music. The CD was once again produced by the band's own Derya "Dez" Nagle (guitar), who previously worked with Frank Turner (MONGOL HORDE), RISE TO REMAIN, and THE HAARP MACHINE. It follows the release of last year's acclaimed debut album, "Grind The Ocean", which saw the band tour the world with the likes PERIPHERY, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, GOJIRA, PROTEST THE HERO, among others.

The brilliant artwork for "Mouth Of Swords" was created by Kim Taylor. In addition, Tommy Rogers from touring partners BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME has provided guest vocals on one track.

Comments Nagle: "We are all so incredibly proud of this album and feel 'Red Hatchet' is a great introduction to 'Mouth Of Swords'."

"Mouth Of Swords" track listing

01. Mouth Of Swords
02. Glass Crush
03. Yellowism
04. Beware The Leopard (Jagwar) (feat. Tommy Rogers)
05. Red Hatchet
06. Wise Hands
07. The Ghosts That Wait For Spring
08. I Am Time, The Destroyer
09. Old Souls

AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis, who is out of custody on $2 million bond posted at the end of May after being arrested on suspicion of soliciting the murder of his estranged wife, has posted the following message on his official blog:

"I've come across many comments, both private and public, asking me to explain more about my case or to explicitly state what my current worldview is.

"First, I simply am not allowed to do either of those things.

"Some day I will be able to tell the story of all that has happened in detail to get the facts straight and representing the many sides to this fairly complex story. In the meantime, many of you will make your assumptions and take the sensationalism of the press focusing on selling points at face value. I can't stop that from happening, and I've learned something by not having that kind of control. The people who want understanding will wait until the formalities and trials are done. Strangely enough, those type of minds are the people least likely to be judgmental even if I am found guilty. Those reporting from the courtroom will only pass along select facts and the case itself will only require select facts that do not encompass the entirety events. On the other hand, the seemingly larger percentage of people delight in voicing their opinion even though I personally have never said a word about even a single detail related to my case. Unspecific to me, that is a terribly sad reality greatly in contrast to the type of discussion I intend to start by choosing to post again.

"Second, all I have the ability to do right now is keep learning.

"By posting again I hope to attract people like me who are willing to look at all sides of a philosophical issue to learn before they speak. In fact, I'd be happy if this whole thing was just a way to recommend further readings to each other. However, I do accept that there will be some true geniuses who will try to turn each comment section into what topic they would like to discuss instead as if they created the original post and we all stumbled on their page.

"I'm out on bail, but on house arrest. My family has jobs and the ability to run errands or take an afternoon/evening out. I have the unique opportunity of being able to focus and study like I may never have again in life after this. While I can't say that I always enjoy it, it is more valuable than I originally acknowledged.

"Lastly, while I can't say exactly what it is I believe epistemologically or metaphysically, I can explain what I'm interested in learning.

"I grew up in a Christian home and held that belief myself for many years. In the process of sincerely trying to defend that belief in a scholarly way and shortly after finishing my degree, I felt that it was unreasonable to call myself a Christian in light of the evidence. Many AS I LAY DYING fans picked up on the not-so-subtle hints at my worldview change in a couple songs on 'Awakened'. It was never really hidden.

"Anyway, after my incarceration I found myself re-evaluating topics that I had previously sworn I would never waste my time looking at again. Many can chalk that up as one point for pure boredom in an isolation cell, or you can look at it providentially as the needed circumstance and only possible way to get me to humble my mind. Either way, I don't want to just read aimlessly. These daily lists are a way for me understand what I've already covered and which topics I should get more material on to read more in depth. Since these lists are public, it is also a way for me to discover the ignorance of many people who post.

"To be most helpful, please stay on topic."

"Utter Chaos", the new video from Wisconsin death metallers JUNGLE ROT, can be seen below. Masters of no-nonsense riffs, the band dominated a sold-out stage at Reggies rock club in Chicago and Victory Records was there to capture the insanity. The song is comes off the group's eighth studio album, "Terror Regime", which was released on March 19 via Victory Records. Recording took place at Bell City Recording in Racine, Wisconsin with longtime friend and engineer Chris Djuricic. The artwork was once again completed by Gyula Havancsák (DESTRUCTION, ANNIHILATOR, GRAVE DIGGER).

"'Terror Regime' has lots of speed, groove and hate coming your way", warns frontman Dave Matrise.

"Terror Regime" track listing:

01. Voice Your Disgust
02. Terror Regime
03. Utter Chaos
04. I Am Hatred
05. Blind Devotion
06. Scorn
07. Rage Through The Wasteland
08. Ruthless Omnipotence
09. I Don't Need Society
10. Carpet Bombing
11. Pronounced Dead

In a recent interview with Target Audience Magazine, Matrise stated about JUNGLE ROT's new CD: "It's a lot thrashier; we've been doing a lot of touring. We've toured a lot more than we ever did on the 'Kill On Command' record. We played some songs every night we could see which ones go over with the fans. I think just by touring it just gave us a little hint to do on the next one."

Asked if there was any pressure to outdo "Kill On Command", Matrise said: "No, there was no pressure. It was a great record, but like all of them, we try to top every one of them. I think a lot of it had to do with our new drummer, Jesse. We've finally found a drummer that can play anything. This kid is unbelievable; whatever we throw at him, he can do it."

JUNGLE ROT recently announced the addition of Scott Fuller (ABYSMAL DAWN) as a guest drummer for the band's European festival appearances.

The official lyric video for the song "Dead Man's Plight" from ASHES OF ARES, the new band featuring Matt Barlow (ex-ICED EARTH), Van Williams (ex-NEVERMORE) and Freddie Vidales (ex-ICED EARTH), can be seen below. The track comes off the group's self-titled debut album, which will be released on September 6 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in part at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida with legendary producer Jim Morris (ICED EARTH, OBITUARY, JON OLIVA'S PAIN, JAG PANZER). It will be made available as a limited CD in a digipak, including a bonus track, as well as in two different 2LP versions.

"Ashes Of Ares" track listing:

01. The Messenger
02. Move the Chains
03. On Warrior's Wings
04. Punishment
05. This is my Hell
06. Dead Man's Plight
07. Chalice of Man
08. The Answer
09. What I Am
10. The One-Eyed King
11. The Answer (acoustic version; bonus track)

Regarding the album title and the cover artwork, which was designed by drummer Van Williams, Van states: "We discussed a few ideas, but once we had developed the band logo, it felt right to use it as the introduction to the band along with the name as the focal point for our first album. The artwork, for me, reflects where each of us has been and how we are coming together from our pasts in this new endeavour."

ASHES OF ARES is:

Matthew Barlow - Vocals
Freddie Vidales - Guitar/Bass
Van Williams - Drums
Gio Geraca - Guitar (session/touring member only)
Dean Sternberg - Bass (session/touring member only)

ASHES OF ARES is a band which represents the culmination of experiences, trials and tribulations of its founding members. Within months of their departures from the iconic metal bands ICED EARTH and NEVERMORE, the trio came together with a renewed drive to create a sound which is a true collaboration of their personal influences, ideas and visions. Armed with the knowledge acquired through years of the writing, touring and recording cycle, and with the support of an army of loyal fans across the globe, ASHES OF ARES is poised to carve out a new legacy and stand alongside those who have helped pave the way.

In an October 2012 interview with Rocket Queen Promotion, Barlow stated about ASHES OF ARES' musical direction: "Well, most folks know what to expect from me, from my work with ICED EARTH and PYRAMAZE. So you take some of that and mix it with Van's brand of cadence and Freddie's riffage… blam-o….it's ASHES OF ARES!!! It's just straight-up heavy metal!"

Regarding the band's future plans, Barlow said: "The reason we are all doing this is for the love of music. We are metal guys and this is what we do. ASHES OF ARES live shows will be limited, but there will be live shows for fans, friends, and family to come to and enjoy with us. We really just want to create music that we enjoy and have that translate to our listeners."

ASHES OF ARES made its live debut on May 17 at the Rock Hard Festival at Amphitheater in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

"Dead Man's Plight" lyric video:

"Dancer And The Moon", the new video from BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, the renaissance-inspired rock band formed by Ritchie Blackmore and his wife Candice Night, can be seen below. The song is the title track of BLACKMORE'S NIGHT's new album, which was released on June 11 in North America and June 14 in Europe in regular CD configuration and deluxe edition in digipak, including a bonus DVD featuring a 40-minute "making-of-the-album" documentary and acoustic versions of "The Spinner's Tale", "Somewhere Over The Sea/Moon Was Shining", "The Ashgrove" and "Queen For A Day". The album was also made available in a super-deluxe edition strictly limited to 2000 copies packaged in a polyston frame with the cover artwork printed on canvas and including a black tote bag with BLACKMORE'S NIGHT artwork, four BLACKMORE'S NIGHT pins, a certificate of authenticity and, of course, the CD/DVD edition.

The first single from "Dancer And The Moon", entitled "The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over The Sea)", was released digitally in May. This beautiful new song is "based on an old folk Czech melody which Candice [Night, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT singer and Ritchie's wife] and I thought were very melodic and haunting," says Ritchie Blackmore. "We adapted and arranged to suit more of a rock structure. We also played it as a ballad as it was originally intended. We asked several of our Czech friends what it was called but they couldn't tell us, so it remains a mystery"."

Finnish progressive death metallers BARREN EARTH have parted ways with vocalist Mikko Kotamäki.

Says the band: "Due to conflicting schedules, Mikko cannot contribute to BARREN EARTH's activities any longer. The decision was made by mutual agreement with absolutely no drama involved.

"We will keep working on new material, and will launch search for a new vocalist shortly.

"BARREN EARTH wants to thank Mikko for his crucial input for BARREN EARTH's works and wishes him all the best in the future."

BARREN EARTH's sophomore full-length album, "The Devil's Resolve", was released in North America in March 2012 via Peaceville Records. The effort was made available on CD and vinyl, with artwork provided by notable U.S.-based artist Paul Romano (MASTODON).

Mixed by Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA) at Unisound in Sweden, "The Devil's Resolve" continued with all the trademarks one has come to associate with BARREN EARTH: brutal riffs, gloomy growls, majestic melodies, as well as acoustic and progressive passages. But this time the band has delved even deeper, taking this sophomore effort to the extremes through musical landscapes encompassing brutal death metal, doomy vocals, trippy '70s prog lunacy, pastoral passages and even bagpipes.

"The Rains Begin" video:

TEMPLE OF THE BLACK MOON, the new project featuring Dani "Filth" Davey (vocals; CRADLE OF FILTH), Rob Caggiano (guitar; VOLBEAT, ANTHRAX, THE DAMNED THINGS), Tom Cato Visnes (bass; a.k.a. King ov Hell; OV HELL, GOD SEED, GORGOROTH), John Tempesta (drums; formerly of WHITE ZOMBIE and now drumming with THE CULT) and Arve "Ice Dale" Isdal (guitar; ENSLAVED), will enter a Los Angeles studio tomorrow to begin laying down the drums for the band's debut album, tentatively due in late 2013/early 2014 via an as-yet-undisclosed label.

TEMPLE OF THE BLACK MOON spent time in Bergen, Norway last year fine-tuning the material that is set to appear on the CD.

Songtitles set to appear on the effort include:

* Infernal Desire Machine
* Dark Eyes For Trouble
* C.N.T (All That's Missing Is You)
* Catch
* Into The Void (Not Black Sabbath)
* Another Dead Thing Between Us
* Persephone
* Nothing Less Than All Out War
* Beautifully Perverse
* Last Of The Vampire Playboys
* Alchemy, Myself And I
* Don't Call Up What You Can't Put Down
* Batterfang
* Needs Must When The Devil Drives

A demo version of the track "Infernal Desire Machine" can be streamed below. Dani says: "Trust me, this will sound huge when its recorded for the forthcoming album."

When asked about how the idea for TEMPLE OF THE BLACK MOON came about, Caggiano told "Pyro", the weekly hard rock/metal heavy metal show which airs on the national radio station NRK in Norway: "Years ago, I was in the U.K. working with CRADLE OF FILTH on the 'Nymphetamine' record. And I think it was at the end of the session, I was just about to go back to New York, I decided to stay in London for a couple of days. And GORGOROTH was actually playing. So I went to the show, and that's when Tom and I met; it was back in 2005, I think. We got really drunk and we started talking about working on music together, doing something different. Prior to that, Dani and I were talking about possibly doing something. One thing led to another, Tom and I started working on music, and we realized that we worked really well together and it just came naturally. . . But the whole thing is, we're all super busy with our other projects, so just scheduling has been a nightmare for a long time."

Regarding the TEMPLE OF THE BLACK MOON sound, Dani said, "A lot of people have speculated, 'Wow, it's got a guy from CRADLE OF FILTH, ANTHRAX and [GORGOROTH].' It's got a real rock base to it; and I know it sounds strange [to say]. It's heavy, but it's not too extreme. It's not [all] blast beats or anything like that, although we do have a couple of songs a bit like that — really fast. But it's catchy. I don't like using the word 'commercial,' because will think it's watered down, sort of, power pop, or pop rock. I think it's gonna surprise a lot of people. It's really hard to put it into context and say, it's a bit of CRADLE OF FILTH, ANTHRAX, GORGOROTH and THE CULT [laughs] . . . which sounds ridiculous." Caggiano added, "I don't think it sounds like any of our other bands. If it did, what would be the point?"

Brazil's "Stay Heavy" has posted a 30-minute video recap of Barge To Hell — the world's most extreme metal cruise, which sailed Monday, December 3, 2012 from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas and returned to the real world on Friday, December 7. Check out the footage below.

Barge To Hell was described by the organizers as "not one of the cruises where you share the ship with regular cruise guests... It's like everyone has a backstage pass and you can mingle side-by-side with the artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison." You can "see every band play two live shows on three stages, each with its own unique atmosphere: The luxurious 'A Chorus Line' theater, the cozy 'Spectrum' club and the jewel: the open-air stage on the pool deck. Get all your memorabilia signed at the meet-and-greet sessions. Be part of the infamous 'metal karaoke' and many other very special activities with the artists on board. Last but not least: Don't forget that there are bars on board that never close!"

For more information, visit www.bargetohell.com.

Austrian death metallers OUTRAGE have inked a deal with Massacre Records. The band's new album, "Brutal Human Bastard", will be released in the fall 2013. The CD was recorded at Kohlekeller Studio in Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany.

Formed in 2000, OUTRAGE has played death metal since the very beginning — influenced by both U.S. heroes as well as classic metal and rock legends like AC/DC and SEPULTURA. The band released its first demo, "And Deeper...", in 2002 and a studio album, "Switch Off The Pain", followed in 2006.

OUTRAGE played numerous shows in Europe and supported such bands as their now-Massacre labelmates DISBELIEF, MASTIC SCUM and DEBAUCHERY and went on mini-tour with LAY DOWN ROTTEN in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2009. The band's second album, "Contaminated", was recorded at the Kohlekeller Studio and was released in 2009 via Maintain Records/Twilight-Vertrieb.

OUTRAGE's sound is characterized by brutal grooves, blistering riffs and aggressive breakdowns paired with lyrics about anger, melancholy, frustration and social criticism.

OUTRAGE is:

Markus Urstöger - Vocals
Manuael A. Berger - Guitar
Gerhard Turk - Guitar
Michael Mittendrein - Drums
Erwin Forsthuber - Bass

DEATH DEALER, the new band featuring MANOWAR and the DICTATORS guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman alongside vocalist Sean Peck (CAGE), guitarist Stu Marshall (producer and guitarist for such voices as Udo Dirkschneider and Steve Grimmett), bassist Mike Davis (HALFORD, LIZZY BORDEN), and drummer Kenny "Rhino" Earl (MANOWAR), kicked off its first-ever string of live shows this past Friday, July 5 at Ramona Mainstage in Ramona, California.

Fan-filmed video footage of the second concert of the tour, which took place on Saturday, July 6 in Mexicali, Mexico, can be seen below.

DEATH DEALER's debut album, "War Master", was released in Japan on June 12 via Rubicon Records and in the rest of the world on June 13 through Steel Cartel Records.

Priot to embarking on the trek, Ross said: "We planned to get together and do some dates for a while now and it is finally happening.

"I am ready to wreck some stages with these songs!

"I really look forward to getting the band together in the live setting. Not since the MANOWAR days have I been this fired up to jam.

"People are really responding to this record and this new group. The fans who already have the record have been posting some fantastic, real reaction to it. It has really been great so far."

"The DEATH DEALER sound is a mighty combination of five very talented, seasoned musicians," explained Ross. "It's classic power metal with the brutal edge of thrash, speed, and precision."

Formed last year via correspondence over the Internet, as soon as work commenced on the material, Ross knew he had met his metallic match. "Well, after they sent the first tune over, I was blown away, then Stu and Sean tell me they want me to join this band, called DEATH DEALER. I say, 'Who else is in the band? They say, 'Rhino on drums.' I'm in! Stu goes, 'It was either you or we would have asked KK Downing to be on guitar.' Wow!"

As evidenced by such tunes as "Death Dealer", "Never to Kneel" and "The Devil's Mile", for fans of authentic, no-holds-barred, manly heavy metal, "War Master" is an absolute godsend. And soon, DEATH DEALER will be converting metalheads worldwide to their cause. "Our future plans? Obviously to put DEATH DEALER on the worldwide metal map, and to engage large crowds and render them shocked and satisfied," said Ross.

For more information, visit www.deathdealer.co.

NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) legends BLITZKRIEG will release their eighth full-length studio album, "Back From Hell", on September 13. The band's first CD since 2007 will be made available via Metal Nation Records (previously Neat Records) after recently signing a three-album deal with ex-Neat Records boss and TYGERS OF PAN TANG founder/vocalist Jess Cox.

Formed in 1980, BLITZKRIEG has gone through a lineup change since the last release, with three members leaving. Mainman/vocalist Brian Ross's son, Alan Ross, takes over from Guy Laverick on guitar. BLITZKRIEG's current incarnation still includes longtime member Ken Johnson on lead guitar, with new drummer Micky Kerrigan and bassist Bill Baxter replacing the departed Brewis brothers, Phil and Paul. The new lineup has completely revamped its set, bringing in tracks not played for many years, including the very first single, "Buried Alive", which also contained the classic song "Blitzkreig" (famously covered by METALLICA) as its B-side. BLITZKRIEG will also play a couple of numbers from Brian Ross's other band SATAN in an extended two-hour set.

BLITZKRIEG will embark on an extensive world tour, starting with a warm-up show in Tilburg, The Netherlands on September 13, followed by 10 dates in Germany.

BLITZKRIEG would like to apologize to fans in Brazil for the cancelation of the first leg of the "Back From Hell" tour last month and hopes to reschedule the dates later in the year. Part 3 of the trek is being booked now, taking in Spain and Portugal with other dates to follow, promoting the album on a rolling tour over the next two years.

BLITZKRIEG's latest album, "Theatre Of The Damned", was released on August 10, 2007 via Germany's Armageddon Music. The CD was recorded at Absurd Studio in Hamburg with producer Schrödey and co-producer Biff Byford (SAXON).

"Theatre Of The Damned" was the follow-up to "Sins And Greed", which was released in July 2005 via Metal Nation Records.

A two-minute trailer for SOULFLY's as-yet-untitled ninth album can be seen below. Due later this year via the band's new label home, Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the CD was produced by Terry Date, who is known for his work with such acts as PANTERA, DEFTONES and SOUNDGARDEN, among many others.

Date previously mixed SOULFLY's "3" (2002), "Prophecy" (2004) and "Dark Ages" (2005) albums, but has never produced any of the group's CDs.

The drum tracks on the new SOULFLY CD were laid down by Max's 21-year-old son, Zyon Cavalera, who joined the band as its touring drummer for its recent rampage through North America.

Zyon previously played with SOULFLY during the band's tour of Brazil in February 2012.

It is Zyon's unborn heartbeat that can be heard during the intro of SEPULTURA's classic song "Refuse/Resist", which appeared on the band's RIAA-gold-certified "Chaos A.D." album, released three years before Max's departure from the group.

Drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), who played on SOULFLY's eighth album, "Enslaved", left the band last October in order to focus on his personal life.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD will release its sixth studio album, "Hail To The King", on August 27. The title and the cover artwork (see below) were uncovered via an online scavenger hunt that led fans to different web sites that were hosting puzzle pieces.

A 30-second audio sample of what appears to be the CD's title track has been posted on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's official web site and can now streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Asked what fans can expect from the follow-up to 2010's "Nightmare", AVENGED SEVENFOLD guitarist Synyster Gates told Revolver magazine: "I think our songwriting has improved by leaps and bounds. Sonically, this record is our biggest record by fucking far. When you turn this fucking thing on, it blasts your fucking head off."

The new disc was once again produced by Mike Elizondo and is the first to be wholly written without drummer and key songwriter James "The Rev" Sullivan, who died in December 2009. Sullivan has since been replaced by Arin Ilejay, a former member of CONFIDE.

Regarding how Arin did during the recording sessions for the new album, Gates said: "He came in fucking hot and tore us a new asshole. It was really, really cool. He has impeccable groove, which we've always known. But what I don't think we knew is his proclivity for taste. He is one of the most tasteful drummers I've ever heard in my life. He got that caveman, fucking barbaric huge groove philosophy that we were trying to go for on this record. He really got it in his heart and soul. We definitely had to work with him on it. On the first day of recording, I think everybody was getting to him, so he started overplaying and trying to show his stuff a little bit more. And we said, 'Dude, you've just got to lay back and do what we've been talking about for the last fucking nine months.' And he came in the next day and just blew everybody's mind.

"Originally, we thought that maybe we'd have to write the drum parts. M. Shadows [vocals] and I play a lot of drums. I've been playing drums since I was 16. And Jimmy had given me a fucking thousand lessons if he's given me one. We're not great or anything like that, but we definitely understand the drums and are huge fans. We thought that we maybe were going to have to arrange all of these songs, especially on day one. But when he came in on day two, it was just so refreshing. Everybody had goose bumps and we were just looking at each other like, 'Holy shit, this kid's a monster.'"

AVENGED SEVENFOLD will celebrate the album release by playing a free show at the Hollywood Palladium on August 26.

The new disc was once again produced by Mike Elizondo and will follow up 2010's "Nightmare", which earned the band its first No. 1 album on The Billboard 200 chart.

M. Shadows last year hinted at the direction of the band's next studio LP, telling Metal Hammer that it will not sound like "Carry On", the group's contribution to the video game "Call Of Duty: Black Ops II". Shadows explained, "The new album has a lot more of a [BLACK] SABBATH / [LED] ZEPPELIN feel to it than 'Carry On'. There's definitely more SABBATH in what we're writing, and we're proud of 'Carry On', but this album is going to be on a whole new level."

Italian gothic metallers GODYVA welcome their new bass player, Paela. After the separation from Nick Barah and several intensive auditions, the gothic metal band led by Lady Godyva has finally found with Paela not only an excellent musician, but also a guy with all what is required to join the "family" called Godyva.
Says Paela: “For me it's a huge pleasure to join this band. Everybody work professionally and with the right ambition and humility. I can't wait to play with them live!”

Lady Godyva states: “We've been lucky enough getting the chance to check several very talented bass players, but Paela soon seemed to be on a higher level to me... and then it's a great wag with his hometown strange dialect!”

Drummer Enyo: “I've never felt in my entire life a feeling so marked and powerful between my drums and the bass lines.”

G.G.Gohm (guitar): “Paela is cool! When you feel so artistically stimulated by another musician it means that you were made to play in the same band!”

Botys Beezart (keyboards): “A real musician: exceptional technique, melodic taste and excellent arranger!”

Giovanni Zaccaria, aka "Paela", besides being currently a member of a famous DREAM THEATER tribute band (YTSEJAM KR) and having played in the past with bands rather renowned of the Italian underground scene as ARTIFEX and DOPOLAVORO FERROVIARIO, as also often played in support of artists like PAUL GILBERT and VIRGIL DONATI during their Italian clinic tours.

On July 26th Paela will play his first concert with Godyva in the Italian city of Bari at the venue La Nueva Vida. This will certainly be an excellent opportunity to test the new version of a band that has always been in continuous growth.

More on Godyva at this location.

Part two of a new question-and-answer session with former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen can be seen below.

Turunen will release a new single, "Victim Of Ritual", as a digital download, CD single and on seven-inch vinyl on July 12 via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group.

An evocative snare-drum that sounds like it was coming from a mysterious place, the tender sound of an orchestra joins followed by a familiar and seductive melody played by an oboe. When Tarja's distinctive voice resounds through the speakers, her warm timbre fills the room. Her melody is full of emotions and tender, before the song explodes into an epic, heavy chorus: "Hysterical, tragical, Victim of ritual, Cynical, critical, Victim of ritual, She's a killer, killer, She's a killer, killer."

Inspired by the one-movement orchestral piece "Boléro" by Maurice Ravel, the almost-six-minutes-long "Victim Of Ritual" is the first single from Tarja's forthcoming album, "Colours In The Dark".

Both physical releases will surely become rare collector's items, being made available in strictly limited quantities. The four-song digipak CD-single is limited to 3,000 copies worldwide, whereas the two-track sevn-inch vinyl is limited to only 1,500 units worldwide.
A video to "Victim Of Ritual" is scheduled for release in July.

"Victim Of Ritual" 7" vinyl track listing:

Side A: Victim Of Ritual
Side B: Victim Of Ritual (First Demo)

"Victim Of Ritual" maxi single track listing:

01. Victim Of Ritual
02. Victim Of Ritual (first demo)
03. I Walk Alone (live from Luna Park)
04. Underneath (live from Luna Park)

The official lyric video for the song "Never Enough" from former Tarja Turunen can be seen below. The track comes off "Colours In The Dark", which will be released in Europe on August 23 via earMUSIC. The CD wil be made available in North America on August 27 through Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records.

The"Never Enough" lyric video was filmed in Zlin, Czech Republic. Tarja says: "I didn't want to make a traditional, boring lyric video for the song, so I appear on the video not just the lyrics of the song…. This video is not what we can call the official first music video from my new album, but just an improved version of a lyric video. The filming took only couple hours with Martin, who worked also on directing my first solo live rock DVD, 'Act I'."

The cover artwork for "Colours In The Dark" was created by Dirk Rudolph and can be seen below. Also available is the artwork that will grace the CD's "special edition."

Despite her light and shiny personality, Tarja's music has always been dressed "in black" — the color of heavy rock, of mystery and elegance.

With Tarja's new album, fans will find out what happens when a splice of color is added to the mix. Or — better said — when the full-color spectrum enters the picture it does not cover the black but makes it shine through with many emotions and landscapes.

Following up on the success of the multi-platinum and gold-awarded previous records "My Winterstorm" (2007) and "What Lies Beneath" (2010), Tarja finally returns with her long-awaited new rock album.

Mixed and mastered by Tim Palmer (PEARL JAM, U2) in Austin, Texas, the songs on "Colours In The Dark" do not shy away from taking a risk and surprising musical turns, introducing new sounds and new musical atmospheres. Still, they maintain a heaviness that will surely bring a big smile to the hardest of rockers. With its grand orchestra and choir arrangements, Tarja's next milestone emphasizes once again the impressive vocal range of the Finnish artist and shows her artistic growth. With ten brand new songs and over one hour of music, "Colours In The Dark" is definitely going to be one of the brightest moments for rock in 2013.

In a recent interview with the Music Legends web site, Turunen stated about her upcoming CD: "I have just recently found my style and sound so I would like to establish it with the third studio album. The elements on the album will remain the same as in my previous albums, also the versatile style of songs. I like to keep the big dynamic changes between my songs, so that album songs feel radically different from each other."

British black metal pioneers VENOM are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their new album for an early 2014 release via Spinefarm Records.

Commented VENOM drummer Danny "Danté" Needham: "The new songs are sounding amazing; the whole album has a great feel.

"I'd say the strength of this band comes from our determination to create great music, and that comes from forward thinking, new ideas and fresh challenges."

Added VENOM bassist/vocalist Conrad "Cronos" Lant: "I believe this is VENOM at its best. The songwriting keeps getting better, and the live shows are tighter and heavier than ever.

"It's clear to me now that all of the lineup changes this band has been through over the years has been an inspiring journey to find the right band of warriors.

"VENOM continue to keep growing stronger and unstoppable".

VENOM's latest studio album, "Fallen Angels", was released in November 2011 via Spinefarm Records. Featuring 13 recordings produced by Cronos, the follow-up to 2008's "Hell" release saw the trio (completed by guitarist Stuart "Rage" Dixon) adopting a style highly redolent of classic early VENOM with modern studio technology employed only to increase the general level of nastiness.

Photo credit: Terry Attwater

NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) legends PRAYING MANTIS have parted ways with singer Mike Freeland and drummer Gary Mackenzie.

In a statement, Freeland says: "It is with great sadness that I have to tell you all that I am no longer a member of PRAYING MANTIS. Please know that this was not my decision.

"On a more positive note, I've had the most incredible seven years; I have been to some truly amazing places and met some fantastic people — you guys. I can't thank you all enough for your support and for the great times. Keep the faith!"

Adds Mackenzie in his own statement: "Following on from Mike Freeland's post, which some of you may have seen, I am very sad to report that I am also on the list of ex-PRAYING MANTIS members. This was not of my choosing.

"I will miss many aspects of being in the band, but one of the things I'm most sad about is the fact that I won't get to say goodbye in person to the many, many terrific fans I've met around the world — so many of you have shown such amazing support, enthusiasm, commitment and affection for the band and for me, and I am truly grateful to have met and played for you all. Stay lucky, and keep the faith."

PRAYING MANTIS is scheduled to perform at Ipswich Railway on August 3 and at the Cambridge Rock Festival on August 4.

February 2011 saw PRAYING MANTIS release a special limited-edition EP to celebrate 30 years since the release of their critically acclaimed album "Time Tells No Lies". Entitled "Metalmorphosis", the effort included five songs, some of which were from the original album re-recorded by the most recent MANTIS lineup.

PRAYING MANTIS' latest album, "Sanctuary", was released in Europe in June 2009 via Frontiers Records (July 2009 in the U.S.). The CD was recorded in Atlanta, Georgia under the direction of producer/engineer Andy Reilly (ASIA, THE CULT, BRUCE DICKINSON, FM).

Swedish metal veterans ENTOMBED recently teamed up with PledgeMusic to launch a reissue campaign for some of their albums.

Speaking to PledgeMusic, ENTOMBED guitarist Alex Hellid stated: "We've been waiting to reissue these albums for a very long time and, yes, it has definitely been something of a journey to get to this point!

"We started thinking about this project and how to do it about 10 years ago, when our license agreement with then label partner Music For Nations ended, longing for the day we could make sure all our albums would be available again properly.

"In 2007, we actively started to talk to possible partners. It looked like we were going to begin rereleasing stuff in 2008. Never thought it would take this long but was determined to find the right way to do it.

"PledgeMusic was worth the wait and a perfect first step in our quest to reintroduce ENTOMBED to old and new ears exactly like we want to, and tell our story. I'm personally very pleased, to say the least, and glad we waited for some 'new roads' to be built."

Asked if anything surprised him as he went back through the older material, Hellid said: "Yes, I am surprised every day now as I find more and more things I haven't heard or seen in a long time and, in some cases, had forgotten about or didn't even know existed. I've started to rediscover the 'To Ride…' album, for example, and realize how much cool stuff is actually on there, remembering what we went through and what we were thinking at the time. [I am] very much look forward to doing that with that with rest of the albums too and sharing those memories and thoughts."

For more details and to download ENTOMBED's cover version of KING DIAMOND's "Welcome Home", go to this location.

Threeman Recordings, which is owned and run by members of ENTOMBED, recently launched a new collaboration with Ninetone Records. The first release under this arrangement was a single for the re-recorded version of the song "Amok" from ENTOMBED's 2007 album, "Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments", produced by Patrik Frisk (CORRODED).

"Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments" was released in the U.S. on July 31, 2007 via Candlelight/Threeman Recordings. The 10-song effort marked the group's first release with drummer Olle Dahlstedt (ALPHA SAFARI, ex-MISERY LOVES CO.), who replaced Peter Stjärnvind in 2006. Mastering duties were handled by Soren Elofsson at Cosmos Mastering in Stockholm, Sweden.

"Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments" entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 3. This was the highest chart position in the band's career.

The current lineup of ENTOMBED features Victor Brandt (TOTALT JÄVLA MÖRKER, AEON, SATYRICON) and second guitarist Nico Elgstrand (who previously played bass for the group).

The world premiere of "Wagner Reloaded - Apocalyptica Meets Wagner" took place this past Friday (July 5) at the Arena in Leipzig, Germany. The entire performance, which was streamed by the German TV channel MDR, has now been posted on YouTube and can be seen below.

May 22, 2013 was the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer Richard Wagner. The Berlin choreographer, award-winning dancer and artistic director of the Berlin State School of Ballet Gregor Seyffert (best dancer in the world, winner of the German dance award) is staging an exceptional cross-genre spectacle with a combination of dance, artistry, object theatre, audiovisual media and a live concert that enables audiences to experience the oeuvre of Richard Wagner. The focus is not on individual works or dramas but on visual presentation of the unique life and work of Richard Wagner, presented on stage in this form for the very first time.

To stage the theme and Wagner's biography in a contemporary way, Gregor Seyffert wanted to create new musical highlights by bringing today's popular rock music together with compositions by Richard Wagner. A contemporary equivalent is created by the compositions of the Finnish cello-rock band APOCALYPTICA, which, with its unmistakable sound, provides a bridge to modern popular music. Both the influence of Wagner's musical legacy as well as the exemplary innovativeness which links Richard Wagner and APOCALYPTICA today will be made tangible.

A magical universe of mythical figures and acoustic worlds is created, which with the help of today's visual genres of circus, dance and media technology symbolize Wagner's pioneering role and the boundlessness of his creative work. Mobile and moveable objects give the performance the same visual dimensions and force as the standards that Wagner's music itself set.

For more information, visit Wagner-Show.de.

Trenton, NJ-based traditional heavy/speed metallers MIDNITE HELLION have announced their partnership with the recently reactivated German label, Witches Brew.
“Having worked with Cheryl and Witches Brew with a previous band, I am extremely eager to work with them again! It was a purely pleasurable experience, and I am confident in their abilities to propel the band to higher ground with this new alliance,” said drummer Drew Rizzo. “Watch out, Germany, we’re coming for you again!”

Midnite Hellion’s first release with Witches Brew will be a 7” single featuring all-new material. The band will be entering the studio in August, and the single is slated for a September release.

Midnite Hellion has also announced the addition of a new singer, who is yet to be named. They are currently running a contest to win a pair of tickets to their show on Wednesday, July 17th at The Backstage at Champs in Trenton, NJ, if one can correctly guess who their new singer is.

“We are keeping this a bit vague, but those who are already familiar with her work in previous bands should know her distinct trademark vocal style,” Rizzo advised. “The only hint we are providing is that she has been a staple in the NYC Metal scene, having world-wide recognition in her prior bands.”

The contest will end next week, which is when the new singer will be officially announced. A sample of her work is available below:
More on Midnite Hellion at this location.

German folk metallers EMPYRIUM will issue their first release in seven years. Into The Pantheon, out on August 30th via Prophecy Productions, is a recording of the band's legendary debut concert in Leipzig 2011, plus a 100-minute documentary on the band's history.
June 11th, 2011, was a landmark date in Empyrium's history. After more than 15 years, Schwadorf and Helm played their very first show ever on that day, taking place at the Wave Gotik Treffen in the Pantheon of Volkspalast Leipzig. For this memorable event, the two core members put together an illustrious concert lineup, consisting of Konstanz (THE VISION BLEAK), Neige (ALCEST), Eviga (DORNENREICH), Fursy Teyssier (LES DISCRETS), Aline Deinert (NEUN WELTEN) and Christoph Kutzer (REMEMBER TWILIGHT), who had rehearsed pieces from every creative phase of Empyrium as well as the new, so-far unreleased song, 'Dead Winter Ways'.

The show, which lasted about 70 minutes, was captured in sound and vision to be released now as an audio-CD and Blu-Ray/DVD. This magical world premiere, recorded in high-resolution HD video and stereo, respectively 5.1 surround sound, constitutes the heart of Into The Pantheon. In addition to the concert, a documentary of more than 100-minutes provides a detailed and exhaustive account on the band's past by means of interviews with Schwadorf, Helm and the live musicians. Therefore, Into The Pantheon is not only a must for fans, but also serves as an ideal introduction for everybody who wants to get a comprehensive overview of Empyrium.

Formats:
- CD plus booklet in a cardboard case
- DVD/Blu-ray (region code free) plus booklet in a cardboard case
- Slipcase box including both cardboard cases with CD, DVD and Bluray plus booklet and photo cards of the Empyrium live lineup

Pre-order at this location.

Bergen, Norway-based death metal act AMONG GODS have re-signed with Quebec-based underground label PRC Music for their sophomore album, entitled Monument, and due for release on February 25th, 2014.

Monument is a 45-minute long opus into heavy, dark and doomy old school death metal, somewhat similar to the band's self-titled debut, released earlier this year.

PRC Music owner Rémi Côté comments on the band's new material: “I was blown away by the rough studio cuts I have heard of the new album, the music is darker and dare I say more melodic while keeping a gloomy, desperate feel to the general aura of it all. The vocals are amazing! I'm a fan of SYRACH and Ripper's voice is unique! I can't wait to plunge into the whole thing. I am very happy to be working with these guys once again!”

Among Gods are currently putting the final touch to the new recording and making plans for a full blown European tour and yet another release, a limited edition 2-song 7" EP.
Says the band: “Once again Among Gods will crush the earth via PRC Music. Monument will gather the black souls and we'll march towards doomsday!”

More on Among Gods at this location.

IRON MAIDEN kicked off its headlining performance at Download festival on June 15 with a Spitfire TE311 flypast. The classic World War II fighter plane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight stationed at RAF Coningsby crossed the skies at Donington Park in Leicestershire, United Kingdom three times before the British heavy metal legends opened their show with "Moonchild", a song from their 1988 album "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son". Check out video footage below.

Squadron Leader Andrew Millikin was behind the controls of the aircraft as it flew over 90,000 expectant fans. He told Horncastle News: "We do flypasts all over the country but this was something completely different. We don't normally do rock festivals. There's been a lot of interest from fans who attended. I'd have never thought that a bunch of metal fans would be interested in RAF craft but I've been proved wrong. It was fantastic to fly over. I get goose bumps every time I see the Spitfire in the air, so I can't imagine what it was like down there. It was really nerve racking at times, though. We wanted to make sure we were right on time for the start of the band’s performance."

This was IRON MAIDEN's fifth time at the festival, which was known as Monsters Of Rock in its earlier incarnation. They last performed in 2007, on a bill that also included LINKIN PARK, SLAYER and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE.

MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, a commercial airline pilot and established aviation entrepreneur, last year teamed with Joe McBryan and the staff of Buffalo Airways, who star in History Television reality-TV show "Ice Pilots NWT", for an episode in which he flew a World War II–era plane to Yellowknife in Canada. The flight was even covered by a couple of journalists who were enthusiastically covering it live on Twitter.

FAKE FIGURES - featuring ATREYU guitarist Travis Miguel - are set to release their upcoming EP, They Must Be Destroyed, on iTunes July 9th.
The band recently finished production of the effort with producer Beau Burchell (THE BRONX, SAOSIN) and will be posting a new song called 'You Stupid Beast' later this week.
Produced by Beau Burchell (THE BRONX, SAOSIN), They Must Be Destroyed tracklisting is as follows:
'Here Come The Idiots'
'Normal Life'
'The Light'
'You Stupid Beast'
'Ophidian'
'Sit And Burn'

Check out the track 'You Stupid Beast' streaming below:
For more details visit Facebook.

Danish metallers RISING have completed work on their sophomore album, "Abominator". The band states: "[The CD] contains nine tracks displaying a faster, more aggressive and gritty side to the band. We're all happy with the result of the last year's labor and are looking very much forward to share the songs with you. We want to thank everybody involved in the making of the album, especially our producer and good friend, the ever-awesome Jacob Reichert Nielsen."

The group adds: "However, it will be the last album from this incarnation of the band. Three days ago, Jacob Johansen [drums] and Henrik Hald [vocals, bass] left the band and for the time being everything is very uncertain, not at least as to how and when 'Abominor' will be released. We will get the album out one way or the other though, and I hope to post a new song within a foreseeable future and will equally keep you updated on the band and the release of the album."

Since the release of the debut album "To Solemn Ash" (Exile On Mainstream) in October 2011, Danish metallers RISING have had an active year, playing over 50 shows, including two European tours, festival appearances at Spot (Denmark), Copenhell (Denmark) and Hultsfred (Sweden) and co-headlining the Danish MTV Headbangers Ball Tour in November.

Yesterday, Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) honored Chuck Billy, an Antioch resident and the vocalist for Bay Area thrash metal legends TESTAMENT, on the State Assembly floor for the positive influence he has made in the Native American community and on the general public.

On January 14th, 2013, Chuck Billy earned the distinction as the first Native American entertainer to be permanently featured in the memorabilia display at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Chuck was also among those recognized in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian’s exhibit, Up Where We Belong: Native Musicians In Popular Culture.
“The world of music is inhabited by creative and talented individuals whose work enhances the quality of life for all who are fortunate enough to have entered their sphere of influence,” said Jim Frazier. “Not only does Chuck Billy embody all of these admirable qualities, he also personifies the strength and enduring spirit of Native Americans.”

Chuck Billy, a descendent of the Pomo Native Americans, was born in Oakland and spent much of his youth on the Hopland Indian Reservation north of San Francisco. He is best known as the vocalist for Testament, where he plays several songs including 'Trail of Tears', 'Allegiance', and 'Native Blood', in honor of his ancestral lineage.

Testament recently took home the award for “Best Music Video” at the American Indian Film Festival for their clip for the track 'Native Blood'. The song, whose lyrics are about vocalist Chuck Billy’s Native American heritage, was filmed at the Hopland Indian Reservation in Hopland, CA. The clip was directed by Mike Sloat (MACHINE HEAD, STAIND).
The American Indian Film Festival recognizes outstanding Indian cinematic accomplishments from Native media makers and talent. The Festival also provides an opportunity for filmmakers, tribes, media and public audiences to come together and share in the creative experience and celebrate cinematic accomplishment. For more information visit this location.