AC/DC is among the ten artists who will be inducted into The Age Music Victoria Hall Of Fame, which will be celebrated on November 20 with a concert at the Palais Theatre headlined by John Farnham.

Previously known as The Age EG Awards, The Age Music Victoria Awards are the largest publicly voted awards in Australia. The event presents publicly voted awards in categories across all genres which are voted via The Age online.

AC/DC guitarist Angus Young said of the induction: "Victoria has a special place in our hearts, especially the early years of the band. Thank you for the induction into The Age Music Victoria Hall Of Fame. It's an honor."

Although AC/DC formed in Sydney, their legend really began in Melbourne when they moved into 6 Lansdowne Road, East St Kilda which became a 24-hour party house. Rosie, an obese Tasmanian woman who inspired the song "Whole Lotta Rosie", was a neighbor, Angus's school uniform made its debut in Melbourne, and the "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)" video shot in Swanston Street and the naming of AC/DC Lane strengthened the band's ties to the city.

AC/DC's early manager Michael Browning said: "If it hadn't been for Melbourne, AC/DC wouldn't have existed. There wasn't enough of a support system anywhere else in the country."

AC/DC's sixteenth studio album, "Rock Or Bust", has sold around 532,000 copies since debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart back in December.

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 He has been replaced by nephew Stevie Young.

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

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

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

The band will return to North America later this summer for 13 more tour dates, starting on August 22 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts and wrapping up on September 28 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, ALICE IN CHAINS producer Dave Jerden, who worked on the band's "Facelift" and "Dirt" albums, recalled in a new interview with Ultimate Guitar that radio stations refused to play any songs from 1990's "Facelift" for nine months after the record came out. The reason? They didn't like singer Layne Staley's voice.

Jerden explained: "The feedback we were getting was, 'Layne's voice is wrong.' So many program directors said that. 'Cause this is at the time of Axl Rose and Dio and all these high voices. I've always liked a little bluesy voice myself. To say Layne's voice is wrong or to say anybody's voice is wrong is a pretty ridiculous thing to say. But that's the feedback I got."

Guitarist Jerry Cantrell told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the late Staley, who died in 2002, was a singular talent. "Layne was a very unique, one-of-a-kind guy," he said. "There's, like, a handful of those guys in music, for every generation, that are that unique and that hard to cop, but a lot of people try. [Laughs] But there's a lot of people that feel the weight of what that guy brought to music and have been influenced by it."

Eventually stations relented and the first single from "Facelift", "Man In The Box", became a huge breakout hit for the group.

Jerden also recalled working on "Facelift" with ALICE IN CHAINS, saying, "The first record they were wild and crazy guys and the second record they were very subdued… On the first record, we were up in Seattle and basically just partying together."

ALICE IN CHAINS regrouped in 2006 with singer William DuVall and has since recorded two albums.

MikeJamesRockShow.com conducted an interview with vocalist Chuck Billy of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT at the 2015 edition of the U.K.'s Download festival, which was held this weekend in Donington Park. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about the progress of the songwriting sessions for TESTAMENT's follow-up to 2012's "Dark Roots Of Earth", Billy said: "We have about five or six tracks to write left. As soon as we get home [from tour] — we're home next week — we'll jump right into it. We'll be home for a few months."

He continued: "Usually we write and record all in one without any touring. This is the first time we really said, 'Let's take a break. We've got some good offers. Let's go to Europe. [Let's] get away from this.'

"We've been out for ten weeks, so now we’re, like, 'Okay, we go home next week.' We're ready to go home, ready to jump right back into finishing the record…"

Billy added: "Our goal is to have it done by Thanskgiving. And then we're going to South America in November/December with CANNIBAL CORPSE."

Asked if TESTAMENT will release a new full-length album or if there is a chance they will isue an EP instead, Chuck responded: "[A] full album. At first, we said, 'What if…? We've got six [songs already written]. We could do [just release an EP].' But, nah, we'll do an album."

He continued: "I remember reading the NIRVANA book, and I remember back when they would tour, every tour they went and did, they put out new singles. Just singles… 'Here we go. We're going on tour. We've got the new vinyl.' And I thought it was brilliant, because they've always got new promotion, new hype, something new. I thought that was great. There's something to that. I just think, for us… I don't wanna lose focus on getting more songs written. I'd rather just tackle the whole record. 'Okay, here it is. Let's go on tour for a couple of years.'"

TESTAMENT recently completed the "Dark Roots Of Thrash II" North American tour with EXODUS and SHATTERED SUN.

Legendary rocker Alice Cooper recently talked to NME about sharing the stage with MÖTLEY CRÜE as part of the latter band's "The Final Tour", which kicked off last year and will end New Year's Eve at the Staples Center in Los Angeles after one more round of North American gigs.

Speaking about what he liked about the '80s "hair metal" scene, Cooper said (see video below): "There was GUNS N' ROSES and MÖTLEY CRÜE and CINDERELLA and POISON and all these bands, and the thing that I liked about it was that it was glitzy — it was very glitzy and glam. And it's when MTV started, so there was the perfect outlet for a three-minute glitzy, glam rock and roll show. So all these bands had to really look good, they had to play good, they had to have hit songs. I mean, that's a pretty good combination."

He continued: "MÖTLEY CRÜE, all of a sudden, were these guys that looked like girls and were nailing every girl in town, and that was their image. And everybody went, 'Well, what's wrong with that? That seems like the right idea.'"

Cooper added: "The thing that impressed me the most about MÖTLEY CRÜE was Tommy [Lee], the drummer. I looked at them and I said, 'Jesus, the drummer is really good.'

"A lead singer always looks at a band and says, 'Who can I steal out of this band?' That drummer was already on my list. I said, 'If this band breaks up, I'm grabbing this guy.'"

THE BEATLES legend Paul McCartney, actor Johnny Depp and AEROSMITH's Joe Perry make appearances on the forthcoming album from Alice Cooper featuring songs that were originally written and recorded by THE DOORS, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and THE WHO — members of the so-called "Hollywood Vampires" of the early and mid-'70s. Perry has contributed to several tracks on the CD, while McCartney will be heard on a new version of "Come And Get It", the song he wrote and produced for BADFINGER.

The HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES band — featuring Cooper, Perry and Depp — will perform at the Rock In Rio festival in late September, with more tour dates scheduled for that month.

KORN drummer Ray Luzier was interviewed by Canadian rock journalist Mitch Lafon for a recent edition of the "One On One With Mitch Lafon" podcast (Facebook page). You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

Asked if he thinks it still makes sense for bands to record full-length albums instead of focusing on releasing individual tracks, Luzier said: "I'm one of those weirdos… I mean, I'm also 44… But I'm one of those guys who still goes to Best Buy and Target and I'll download… buy albums on iTunes, 'cause I believe in supporting the artist. I know how hard it is for us to work on a record. And it's twelve dollars. You can't afford that? I don't believe that."

He continued: "Yeah, people are coming to the shows, and you can't replace live entertainment, but at the same time, it's a huge deal to me to support what… We're in there for four to six months recording a record, pouring our blood and sweat into it… Buy the friggin' record, man. It's not a big deal…."

"KORN had a [No. 1] single [on Active Rock radio with] 'Never Never', and I think we're at a little over 210,000 copies [sold], and, to me, that's just hilarious… with a band that's sold 38 million. So… You know, what are you gonna do? You can't cry about it. You've gotta adapt with the times. You've gotta stick with what's going on."

Luzier added: "I love the Internet, 'cause it's instantaneous. You can put a song out, and two minutes later it's in Germany, and people can listen to it in full stereo, with full production. But I've had KORN fans bring up CD-Rs to me, blank CD-Rs, with [KORN's latest album] 'The Paradigm Shift' on it, asking me to sign it. And I'm, like, 'Really, dude?' [Laughs] 'You're asking me to sign a blank CD.' 'Yeah, but I'm at your concert and I bought a ticket.' And I'm, like, 'Yes, you did. But the CD is twelve…'

"So I go back and forth. It really upsets me, 'cause I'm one of those old-school guys. But I'm not gonna fight it. [Today's show] is sold out. [We're playing] Carolina Rebellion [and there] is over 45,000 people here. Rock is far from dead, man."

First-call touring and session drummer, Luzier is known for his high-profile gigs with David Lee Roth, Jake E. Lee and ARMY OF ANYONE, and has been a member of KORN since 2007. From movie soundtracks to rock and metal albums, Luzier's playing can currently be found on over 70 recordings. As an educator, he was a Musicians Institute instructor for over 10 years and author of a well-regarded, self-titled instructional DVD.

THE BLACK QUEEN, the Los Angeles-based trio featuring Greg Puciato (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN), Josh Eustis (TELEFON TEL AVIV, NINE INCH NAILS) and Steven Alexander, will release its debut album, "Fever Daydream", in late 2015. The CD was written and recorded while the band cocooned in a Skid Row-adjacent downtown Los Angeles loft. "That played a big part in the sound too," says Puciato. "Just being in this desolate environment of urban blight, completely self-contained, making this heavily emotional music together."

The video for THE BLACK QUEEN song "The End Where We Start" can be seen below. The digital single is available now via iTunes.

"There's a really visual soundtrack element to the music," Puciato says of THE BLACK QUEEN's music. "We talked a lot about the feel of '80s sci-fi, the sort of 'used future' thing where it sounds alien but also familiar and gives you nostalgia for a time you don't remember ever existing. Stanley Kubrick was a big influence as well." THE BLACK QUEEN produced the forthcoming album with Justin Meldal-Johnsen (M83, THE NAKED AND FAMOUS) executive producing. Photo credit: J. Whitaker

Left to right: Josh Eustis, Greg Puciato, Steven Alexander

TWISTED SISTER played its second show with drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, ADRENALINE MOB, THE WINERY DOGS) this past Saturday night (June 13) at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

TWISTED SISTER will embark on its final tour, dubbed "Forty and F**k It", in 2016.

All TWISTED SISTER shows this year will feature the core lineup of Dee Snider (vocals), Jay Jay French (guitar), Mark Mendoza (bass) and Eddie Ojeda (guitar), along with Portnoy.

During an appearance on the May 11 edition of Eddie Trunk's SiriusXM satellite radio show, "Eddie Trunk Live", French was asked how Portnoy came to be involved with TWISTED SISTER.

"That is a really great question," French responded. "Here is how that really went down. I was at the Starland [Ballroom in Sayreveille, New Jersey on March 21] waiting to go on stage with ADRENALINE MOB [as a tribute to Pero], and Mike was there as well. And the two of us were just kind of sitting in the dressing room and shaking our heads, because, don't forget, it was only a day [after A.J. died] — it was the next day. So we were both kind of shaking our heads in disbelief. And he turned to me and he said, 'By the way, I just want you to know, my schedule happens to be clear after mid-May, and if you want me to do it, I'm there.' And I kind of looked at him and I went, 'Wow, that's quite an amazing offer.' He's such a great drummer; he's so legendary."

He continued: "A.J. and Mike, I guess, kind of were interchangeable within the ADRENALINE MOB situation. And most people don't understand how great, technically, A.J. was; he was a spectacular drummer. They had enormous respect for each other; they were brothers, in a way. They really were. And he just said, 'If you want me, I'll be happy to do it.' And I kind of told the guys in the band, and everyone was, like, 'Wow! Really? Wow! That's amazing.' So that's kind of how it transpired."

French also spoke about how the fact that Portnoy was a longtime fan of TWISTED SISTER factored into their decision to work together.

"I'll tell you how much of a fan [Mike] is," French said. "I mean, he is such a fanboy. He came to rehearsal and handed me cassettes he made off the air of our famous shows that were broadcast back in the day, from Hammerheads, on WBAB, WLIR, live in Detroit… He had stuff that I didn't even remembed that we did. And he had 'em, and he had 'em labeled. And he said, 'I just found them.' He goes, 'I want you to know. This is from my personal collection.' And what I said to him was, 'How does it feel to play with a band that you snuck in to see back in the day?' And he said, 'It's really… It's quite amazing.' So, I think, if I look at it through his eyes, if he was 15 or 16 and someone said to him, 'One day you'll be playing with them,' I don't think he would ever think that would happen. So I think that that's something great for him, and, of course, for us, it's an honor. So it goes both ways."

Pero died at the age of 55 while on tour with the band ADRENALINE MOB. After members of that group failed to rouse him on their tour bus on March 20, he was taken to a Poughkeepsie, New York hospital and pronounced dead.

TWISTED SISTER rose to prominence from the New York club scene in the early 1980s. Their biggest album, 1984's "Stay Hungry", contained the hits "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock".

In addition to touring with TWISTED SISTER and ADRENALINE MOB, Pero also recently played with former and current members of IRON MAIDEN and DISTURBED in a band called THE FOUNDRY. He also hosted drum clinics and seminars.

Ohio metallers MISS MAY I will release their new studio album, "Deathless", on August 7 via Rise Records. Fans can pre-order the CD beginning Wednesday, June 17 at MissMayIMusic.com. All pre-orders will come with an instant download of the band's new track "I.H.E." "Deathless" was produced by Joey Sturgis (OF MICE & MEN) and Nick Sampson (ASKING ALEXANDRIA) and was recorded at The Foundation Recording Studio in Connersville, Indiana. The band's fifth record follows their 2014 breakout, "Rise Of The Lion", which debuted at No. 21 on The Billboard 200 chart. "We are very excited about this release," says MISS MAY I vocalist Levi Benton. "Not only have we been working on this record for almost a year, but we recorded it with our old friend Joey Sturgis who did our first two records and really brought out the best in us. This record is about how the last two years have tested us on many levels and how we have come through it all stronger and better. That's where the title comes from, because we are deathless." MISS MAY I's new record is not only a turning point for the band's career, it's also a return to form. Since their inception in 2007, they've steadily amassed a worldwide army of fans with four records, the last three of which have charted higher with each consecutive release. With "Deathless", the band has never sounded more aggressive while remaining as accessible as always. "Deathless" track listing:

01. I H.E.02. Trust My Heart (Never Hope To Die)03. Psychotic Romantic04. Deathless05. Bastards Left Behind06. Arise07. Turn Back The Time08. Empty Promises09. The Artificial10. Born From Nothing

Each episode of Digital Tour Bus's "Bus Invaders" takes you inside the touring vehicle of one of today's top touring acts. In the latest episode, which was filmed on April 11 in Joliet, Illinois, Steve "Zetro" Souza, vocalist for the San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans EXODUS, gives you a tour of his band's bus during the "Dark Roots Of Thrash II" tour with TESTAMENT.

The "Dark Roots Of Thrash II" tour conquered North America for five weeks, beginning April 1 in San Francisco, and included select TESTAMENT and EXODUS festival performances. Support on the tour came from Texas melodic metal assailants SHATTERED SUN.

EXODUS's latest album, "Blood In Blood Out", sold around 8,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in North America on October 14, 2014 via Nuclear Blast, the CD art was illustrated by Swedish artist Pär Olofsson, known worldwide for his incredible renderings that have graced the covers of countless heavy metal albums, including EXODUS' "Let There Be Blood".

"Blood In Blood Out" is EXODUS' first album since the departure of the band's lead singer of nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of his predecessor, Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

Tim Yeung has officially left MORBID ANGEL, five years after he joined the band as the replacement for the group's longtime drummer, Pedro "Pete" Sandoval.

Said Tim in a statement: "I've been waiting to break the news for a while about this. Now seems like the proper time to do so.

"As some of you know, there have been some lineup changes with MORBID ANGEL. Unfortunately, due to financial differences, I will not be continuing with them.

"It has been a great five years being involved with MORBID ANGEL. I've met a ton of great people all over the world, played some amazing shows, and have a ton of great memories as well as stories.

"I wish Trey [Azagthoth, guitar] and MORBID ANGEL all the best. As for myself, I'm always up for the next opportunity life throws my way."

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET reported earlier today, MORBID ANGEL has once again parted ways with bassist/vocalist David Vincent and have reunited with Steve Tucker.

Drum-cam footage Yeung performing the song "Blood On My Hands" with MORBID ANGEL on November 23, 2014 at MegaClub in Katowice, Poland can be seen below.

Asked how it's been playing with MORBID ANGEL the last four years, Yeung told Monster in a 2014 interview: "It's been great. MORBID ANGEL has been awesome as far as we work great together. I fit really good with those guys. We're all a little crazy, so I fit in perfectly with that. It's great. It's awesome. It's an honor to work with them. It's fantastic. The fans are really starting to come through also. It was a little hard at first, because Pete's such a great player; he's really irreplaceable. So I really just kind of filled that slot. I didn't really replace him — I just added my own… They just added me to the element there, what was there. So it's been awesome; really great."

With the inspiration of a songwriting mother and artistic father, Tim began playing drums in 1990 at the age of eleven. Within a few short years he was recording demos and playing live shows within the local muisc scene in upstate New York. He attended Hochstein School Of Music in Rochester and got his first big break in 1997 when he joined the death metal band HATE ETERNAL.

Now based in Los Angeles, Yeung has performed and worked with such national acts as ALL THAT REMAINS, HANK WILLIAMS III, NILE, VITAL REMAINS and DECREPIT BIRTH. His straddling of the extreme and mainstream is perhaps best reflected in his work with DIVINE HERESY, whose music features elements of extreme death metal as well as more mainstream genres.

Legendary U.S. heavy/doom metal band PENTAGRAM has reunited with Peaceville Records for the release of its new studio album, "Curious Volume", due on August 28. Featuring 11 classic heavy metal compositions with catchy hooks from core band members Victor Griffin, Greg Turley and Bobby Liebling (Pete Campbell on the drums completes the band's lineup), "Curious Volume" was recorded with Swedish producer Mattias Nilsson at studios located in Maryland and Virginia. Additional recording took place in Tennessee with Grammy Award-winning producer Travis Wyrick, who also helmed PENTAGRAM's previous album, "Last Rites". The album's cover artwork was provided courtesy of Richard Schouten.

"Curious Volume" track listing: 01. Lay Down And Die02. The Tempter Push03. Dead Bury Dead04. Earth Flight05. Walk Alone06. Curious Volume07. Misunderstood08. Close The Casket09. Sufferin'10. Devil's Playground11. Because I Made It

To support the new album, the band has tours planned in North America and Europe throughout 2015 and 2016. PENTAGRAM, the highly influential American heavy metal/doom act fronted by mastermind Bobby Liebling, formed in the early 1970s, though their debut album — now known as "Relentless" — didn't see a release until 1985. Through four decades of adversity and triumph, PENTAGRAM has become a legendary international act and have firmly stamped their name in the heavy metal history books.

This first-ever official PENTAGRAM video collection, "All Your Sins" recovers, repairs and resurrects the earliest known footage of these doomed metal pioneers and more. It contains two DVDs packed with priceless archive footage, as well as recent shows, "All Your Sins - Video Vault". This definitive collection features numerous historical shows, including a charged performance in 1985 at the legendary CBGB club in New York City, with a mass of classic renditions from the band's catalogue finally gathered together for a live journey spanning over 30 years.

Although always a cult act with a strong and dedicated worldwide fanbase, PENTAGRAM has enjoyed a recent surge in interest due in part to the fly-on-the-wall 2011 documentary "Last Days Here" following the life, trials & tribulations of Bobby Liebling. The film gained international recognition; travelling the worldwide film festival circuit where it won several awards including "Best Music Documentary" at the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam.

In a recent interview with Esquire magazine, BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne said that he saw the "Last Days Here" documentary, calling it a "very, very sad story, because [Bobby is] a guy... He's the only child of his elderly mom and dad and he lives in a crack-smoking, heroin-using world. And why that guy is still alive is beyond me. I mean, I've been there, done it, and by the grace of God, I got out of it. But, you know, I hope the guy doesn't die."

Ozzy added: "I hope he has [cleaned up] because that video was like a good reason not to get stoned. And you know, for what it's worth: That could have been me. That could have been any number of people. That's why I say to myself every day, 'God, you're fucking lucky, Ozzy!'"

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13.

Says the label: "We've had the pleasure of working with Joel for many years while he was in NIGHT RANGER and, of course, now in WHITESNAKE, and greatly look forward to releasing this latest project of his. JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13's debut album will be out this October.

Joel adds: "I'm happy to announce the signing of JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 to Frontiers Music Srl! I've had the pleasure of working with Frontiers for many years while in NIGHT RANGER and, of course, now in WHITESNAKE/David Coverdale and am looking forward to releasing this latest project with them. More details will be unveiled in the coming weeks, but for now, feast your eyes on this stellar lineup of musicians appearing on the album!"

* Joel Hoekstra - guitars, backing vocals* Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TALiSMAN, JOURNEY) - lead vocals, backing vocals* Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X, ADRENALINE MOB) - lead vocals, backing vocals* Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL)- drums* Tony Franklin (THE FIRM, WHITESNAKE, BLUE MURDER) - bass

Special guest musicians:

* Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER) - keyboards* Chloe Lowery - vocals* Charlie Zeleny - percussion* Dave Eggar - cello

Incolors, the young music project that blurs the lines between sophisticated progressive metal and contemporary popular music, have released their debut album. The Unchained is now in stores. A music video for “Last Dance” can be found below.

The Unchained tracklisting:

“Echoes”
“Roses”
“Last Dance”
“Discolored”
“Memento”
“Diamonds”
“The Unchained”
“Oblivion”
“Everything It Takes”
“In The East”

“Last Dance” video:

New Haven-based progressive ensemble, Earthside, has announced "Mob Mentality" as the second single to be released from its upcoming debut album, A Dream In Static. The nearly 10-minute track, which will drop later this week, features guest vocals from Sevendust frontman, Lajon Witherspoon.

"Mob Mentality" began as guitarist Jamie van Dyck's senior thesis while studying music at Yale University; the song also features a full orchestral arrangement composed by van Dyck and performed by the Moscow Studio Symphony Orchestra (MSSO). For further insight, the band has released a teaser video discussing the new song and recording process:

Jamie van Dyck reflected on the experience: "Working with Lajon was surreal to me. Sevendust was my favorite band in high school when I was first finding my identity as a songwriter and all-around musician. Lajon's voice has always moved me. LJ was unbelievably gracious in the studio and dedicated himself to fulfilling my emotional vision for the piece, and unsurprisingly he totally nailed it.

"Before I was even listening to rock music, my parents raised me on Beethoven symphonies and other 18th - 20th century orchestral music and operas so incorporating a full orchestral arrangement into the rock and metal music I love now has basically been a lifelong goal and dream of mine. And my Earthside bandmates were overwhelmingly enthusiastic and supportive in helping me fulfill that dream."

Earthside recently launched some behind-the-scenes studio footage from the recording process of its upcoming debut album, A Dream In Static. The inherently collaborative cross-continental project, due to release later this year, was recorded in Stockholm, Sweden under the watch of renowned producer and mix engineer, David Castillo (Opeth, Katatonia, Bloodbath), and additional mix and mastering engineer, Jens Bogren (Opeth, Soilwork, The Ocean, Devin Townsend).

Jamie van Dyck commented on the recording experience: "New surroundings and collaboration are two of the best catalysts for inspiring creative energy. Living in Stockholm and recording with David Castillo was the opportunity of a lifetime for us. We were immersed in such a vibrant musical space and passionate group of people that ultimately made this record what it is. That inclusive spirit in working with David and the guest musicians on the record brought out that energy in each of us."

The band recently unveiled the first single from A Dream In Static, "The Closest I've Come," which can be streamed below:

Through organic layers of living, breathing orchestra (courtesy of the Moscow Studio Symphony Orchestra), and an eclectic arsenal of world music-influenced instrumentation, Earthside fashions an ever-changing sound that is equally engrossing alongside a work of cinematic art as it is resonating throughout a densely packed concert venue.

A Dream In Static, the group's conceptual mission statement, is a story of purposeful sacrifice and existential yearning told across sweeping instrumental movements, interwoven with adventurous vocal compositions featuring premier voices from across the rock and metal worlds.

A teaser video for the album can be seen below:

Live dates and additional album details will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more information.

Swedish metal veterans, Tad Morose, have unleashed the second video for the track "Your Own Demise”, from their upcoming album, St. Demonius. The video can be viewed below. Directed and filmed by Richard Harryson and edited by ProVid Films, "Your Own Demise" was shot at the Trash Mansion in Bolinas, Sweden.

““Your Own Demise” was filmed at the Trash Mansion in Bollnäs," says Tad Morose mainman, Christer "Krunt" Andersson. "It was originally supposed to be recorded at another location with some grand ideas by the director, but although we live in an era with numerous communication tools everything got real messed up and I don´t think anyone really knew what was going on, haha."

He concludes, "Anyway, we picked up the pieces and completed the video in the end - just before the deadline. Pretty chaotic to say the least! Yes, we know it is another "performance video" with no fire breathing dragons, half naked girls or fire. Nothing fancy at all really, just us performing. But that´s us. METAL! Play it LOUD!"

St. Demonius, the eighth release from Tad Morose, is set for release in late August via Despotz Records, their second album with the Swedish based upstart label.

Recorded throughout March of this year at Claustrophobic Studios in Geffe, Sweden, the album was produced by the band themselves, mixed by singer Ronny Hemlin and Johan Lofberg  and mastered by Per Ryberg at Studio Soundcreation in Bolinas, Sweden.

Fearless Records has announced the signing of Ocala, Florida’s Wage War, who will release their debut full-length, Blueprints, this fall.

Guitarist Cody Quistad states, "We couldn't be more excited about signing to Fearless Records! We have such an incredible team behind us that already feels like family, it's absolutely a dream come true."

To give fans a first listen off Blueprints, the Florida five piece has premiered a music video for their new single "Alive". Filmed in the band's home state of Florida, director Drew Russ showcased the high-energy of a Wage War live performance. The single will be available on iTunes tonight at 8 PM, PST / 11 PM, EST.

"In the context of the record, “Alive” seemed like a natural choice to release first due to it possessing all the key ingredients that make up our band," explains Cody Quistad. "However, it still only captures a small fraction of what the album holds. Lyrically, the song is a reality check to any naysayer who says our generation is hopeless. If you want to see change, be it."

Since forming in 2010, Wage War has been ready to explode into the metalcore community. Enlisting producers Jeremy McKinnon of A Day To Remember and Andrew Wade, Wage War has delivered 11 tracks of uncompromising multi-dimensional hardcore in their debut album Blueprints. Wage War is set to take listeners on a high octane ride through gutteral vocals, crushing breakdowns, and anthemic sprawling melodies.

 

Detroit rockers, Wilson, will release their new album, Right To Rise, via Razor & Tie on June 30th. The band’s second full length album was produced by producer Johnny Andrews (Halestorm, All That Remains, Three Days Grace) in Atlanta, GA. The album track “Waiting For The World To Cave In” is streaming below.

Chad Nicefield of Wilson explains the new music: "This record is for the people out there who wake up everyday with one thing in mind, to survive. Those who roll up their sleeves and put bread on the table. It's a record that any man or woman can be proud of because it's about honest hard work and good times. Right To Rise is OUR record. Not just Wilson's record, but a record for all of the WILSONS out there.  It rips, sweats, and works its ass off. We couldn't be any more proud of the rock and roll jackhammer of Fuckery we created on this thing!"

 

 

Wilson has come a long way since their bombastic, brash, and ballsy 2013 full-length debut album, Full Blast Fuckery. They emerged on to the scene with a raucous, raw, and righteous rock sound that saw them become a live favorite, while sharing the stage with everybody from Black Label Society and Down to Five Finger Death Punch and Motörhead. Finishing up a touring whirlwind, the group decided to approach the creative process for Right To Rise from a new angle. Previously, Chad and Jason comprised the writing core, but they opened composition to the whole band, splitting sessions between the Motor City and Atlanta with producer and writer Johnny Andrews (Halestorm, Three Days Grace, Sick Puppies). Inspired by the band’s home-town of Detroit, MI, the album is armed with a battering ram of riffs and swaggering grooves, songs like the title track capture that spirit, while tapping into a distinctly “live” energy, offering a tribute to their home and rock music.

The band agrees, “Detroit is a city commonly portrayed as the underdog to most of the world. We were discarded by many when the shit hit the fan, but through hard work, passion, and determination we strive to rise again. ‘Right to Rise,’ though written to mirror our beautiful city is a song that we feel encompasses rock ‘n’ roll in the current climate of the industry. It’s for all the underdogs out there with their sleeves rolled up and their blue jeans on.”

 

 

Right To Rise tracklisting:

“Right To Rise”
“Guilty (You’re Already Dead)”
“Crave”
“Windows Down!”
“All My Friends”
“Satisfy Me”               
“The Flood”
“Hang With The Devil”
“I Am The Fly”
“Give ‘Em Hell”
“Waiting For The World To Cave In”
“Before I Burn”

“Waiting For The World To Cave In”:

“Give ‘Em Hell”:

“Hang With The Devil”:

Wilson will have an album release party on Saturday, June 27th at the The Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac, MI. Find the band’s live itinerary here.

Nearly one year following their genre-spanning and utterly gargantuan debut EP Bruises, Nashville’s blackened hardcore power-duo Forest Of Tygers are poised to return with a split 7” alongside fellow Nashville filthmongers Act Of Impalement (pictured above) this July (delayed from June release due to manufacturing issues) via Acteon Records.

The self-titled EP contains two uncompromising tracks layered with the blackest of doom-laden sludge and volatile hardcore, listed as follows:

Forest Of Tygers (Side A)

“Pay Of Pigs”

Act Of Impalement (Side B)

“Trenchwinter”

Forest of Tygers (FOT, pictured above) will also release their jaw-dropping and visceral music video to “Pay Of Pigs”, a short film written and directed by Jim Valosik of FOT.

And if that wasn’t enough! FOT will be hitting the road with NYC black metal outfit Anicon this September… Stay tuned for more details.

 

Horna frontman Spellgoth will be joining Kvelertak's Erlend Hjelvik, Shining’s Niklas Kvarforth, and Sorhin’s Nattfursth on the upcoming album from Swedish Alfapokalyptic rockers Alfahanne, who, together with their label Dark Essence Records, have been running a competition over the past couple of months, inviting fans to guess the guests and win a copy of the new album.

"The competition has been a lot of fun for us" commented the band, "and hopefully the fans have enjoyed it too - we've certainly been receiving entries from all parts of the world. Our guests on this album are all from quite different bands, and are are musicians for whom we have a great admiration and we were more than excited when they agreed to perform guest vocals. From the comments we've been getting it seems that the fans feel the same way too. Obviously we can't reveal too much about the new album at the moment, except to say that it will be out in September, but Dark Essence Records will be revealing more information soon, and you'll get a chance to hear something from it too!"

Formed in 2010 Alfahanne's lineup of Pehr Skjoldhammer on vocals and guitar, Fredrik Sööberg on guitars, Niklas Åström on drums and Jimmy Wiberg on bass, have a good two decades of experience under their belts, having been around the black metal scene since the early ‘90’s, in bands like Hinterland and early Maze Of Torment. Their self-styled “Alfapokalyptic Rock”, which mixes black metal with classic rock and punk, combined with their charismatic and high-energy live shows, has gained the band a legion of fans, both inside and outside of Europe.

Alfahanne's new album will be a follow-up to last year's debut full-length Alfapokalyps, which once again featured guest vocals from Shining’s Niklas Kvarforth, as well as Taake’s Hoest and Helheim’s V’gandr.

 

Former Evile lead guitarist, Ol Drake, is streaming his upcoming solo release, Old Rake. The album is due to be released on June 22nd in Europe and June 23rd in North America. Listen now via Deezer.

Ol Drake recently posted the new track, “Han Valen”, commenting: "Welcome to the first track on my solo album thing. It is entitled “Han Valen” for absolutely no reason and isn't implying anything at all. The intro which goes on for 7 years was written when I was about 16 while showing a friend of mine online (Hammy) how to tap on the guitar. When it came to doing this album I thought it would make a cool addition. With drums from Mike Heller (Malignancy, Fear Factory) and orchestration on the intro by Zino Von Hamersveld, it's definitely a song for guitarists to dig their teeth into. If you want to learn how to play it, there is a guitar and bass tab and notation book available, notated by that me person. Hope you all enjoy!  If you like what you hear, please support the project and get an order in!"
 

Ol Drake previously released the first single from Old Rake, which features instrumental guitar encompassing a myriad of styles, including flat-out shredding, classical, progressive, melodic and acoustic.

The first track, "Guitarists Playing Guitars" - which made its debut recently on the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter - showcases the six-string shredder's phenomenal fretwork and features special guest appearances from the likes of Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer), James Murphy (Death, Testament, Obituary) and Josh Middleton (Sylosis). Also featured is sticksman Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy), who performs drums on the entire album. Listen to "Guitarists Playing Guitars" now on Spotify at this location.

 

 

Ol Drake comments: "Behold the first single from the already-rusty Old Rake. This song was written by trying to write the cheesiest riff possible and going from there.

"I was speaking to Gary Holt and he said he'd like to solo on the album, and it just happened that when he'd said that I'd reached the main 'solo section' in its writing process. Then I Thought 'I might as well go all out'. James got involved and I couldn't believe it; to have two of my idols from growing up on one of MY songs was mind-blowing. I then asked my friend, Josh, from Sylosis, who is a ridiculous shredder, and my other friend, Amit. I met Amit through his working at a metal magazine publication, but mainly from at festivals involving alcohol; ridiculous shredder, too!

"Do not take a full impression of the whole album from this song; every track is different. Hope you enjoy my cheese-fest of “Guitarists Playing Guitars”!”

 

 

Old Rake is available to pre-order now on CD and limited edition signed CD. For anyone brave enough to attempt playing any songs from the album, there is also a deluxe 242-page tab book, featuring full tablature for both guitar and bass, transcribed by Ol Drake himself.

See a sneak peek of the official tab book below, and try your hand at the "Guitarists Playing Guitars" tab at this location.

Old Rake was recorded at the guitarist's home studio and was mixed with producer and former Death/Testament/Obituary guitarist James Murphy. Pre-order the CD, signed CD and official tab book now in Europe at this location or in North America here.

The album is also available to pre-order now on iTunes, including an exclusive bonus track as well as an instant download of "Guitarists Playing Guitars”.

"Spaceship Janitor" demo:

 

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions have signed New Jersey's grindcore fiends, Organ Dealer, and are set to release their punishing debut album, Visceral Infection, on July 14 on CD and digital formats.

Formed in a damp basement in June of 2013, Organ Dealer are a a flash point of sound, 100% full speed and relentless mayhem. Visceral Infection is 20 intense minutes of pain, frustration and relief... the sum of experiences only brought on by living in a place like NJ. This is REAL grind with a death metal backbone and an honest representation of what fast, heavy music is when crammed into one tight space. Prepare yourself to have the back of your head splattered against the wall.

Tracklisting:

“Intro”
“KPC-OXA48”
“No Answer”
“Piss And Gasoline”
“The Pear Of Anguish”
“Festering Maze”
“Anencephaly”
“Consumed ”
“Black Dolphin”
“The Creeper”
“Pyrophillia”
“Small Talk”

“KPC-OXA48”:

Pre-order the CD for only $10 with free shipping at this location. Pre-order the Digital Download for only $6.66 here.

 

Extreme avant-garde black metallers, Dawn Of A Dark Age, will release their new album, Fire, the third chapter of the saga The Six Elements, on July 1st. Fire will be released as a limited edition of 66 copies in jewel case CD, and you can order your numbered copy exclusively at this location.

Tracklisting:

“Awakening Of The Old Flame”
“Enonga’s Bells 1566 A.D.”
“Pompei (Vesuvio’s Waltz)”
“Winter Solstice”
“Homecoming”
“Outro (Kvlt Of The Fire)”

Fire was recorded at 3rd Bloody Floor Studio and the American artist Nino R.Mejia created the cover artwork.

Band lineup:
Vittorio Sabelli: Guitars, Bass, Clarinet, Sax, Piano, Keys, Drums and Programming
Raato: Vocals

Plus:

Marcello Malatesta: Add Keys, Efx
P-Kast: Viola
Karlsson: Cello
Antje Palka: Female Vocals

Ireland’s Stormzone will release their fifth album, Seven Sins, on August 3rd via Metal Nations Records. Recorded at FireMachine studios and produced by guitarist Steve Moore, Seven Sins combines all the elements expected from Stormzone and the classic heavy metal genre, powerful guitars, soaring vocals and crunching bass and drums wrapped with classic melodies.

Set in the 18th century, the album tells the story of the mysterious Dr Dealer, his travelling troupe of various gifted misfits and the Seven Sins Emporium into which he invites men to test their resolve and strength. A story with layers upon layers, it is unarguably the most ambitious Stormzone record to date, unified with a theme, Seven Sins is the very first Stormzone concept album. A difficult feat for most, but a challenge vocalist, lyricist and founding member John ‘Harv’ Harbinson embraced. “It's hard to describe Seven Sins in one paragraph… the story-line is so complex. It's a very dark subject. It’s touch and go at times with regards to how far you can go with it, but at the end of it all there's hope.”

As well as the 12 album tracks there is more. The physical CD booklet includes a code within its pages and fans will have the opportunity to enter it into the official Stormzone website, www.stormzone.tv, and if they get the order correct they can download a further four brand new songs not available on the album.

Tracklisting:

“Bathsheba”
“Another Rainy Night”
“Your Time Has Come”
“The One That Got Away”
“I Know Your Pain”
“Seven Sins”
“You're Not The Same”
“Raise The Knife”
“Abandoned Souls”
“Special Brew”
“Master Of Sorrow”
“Born Of The Damned”

Trailer:

 
Having formed in 2004 Stormzone have gone from strength to strength. On the cusp of releasing their fifth and most ambitious record to date, the band can look back at a series of highlights including appearances on stages across the world and festivals including Sonisphere and Bloodstock Open Air, touring with legendary acts such as Saxon, Stryper, Tesla, etc. and seeing their name spread across the pages of iconic magazines.

This year sees the band carry on as before with Seven Sins being released just before the band embark on a series of Spanish festival appearances, including Skulls of Metal in Jaen and Leyendas Del Rock in Alicante. Further dates including more shows with Saxon are also to be announced shortly.

 

Swedish melodic doom/death metallers, October Tide, have inked a record deal with Agonia Records. The band's as-yet-untitled new album, successor to Tunnel Of No Light (2013), is currently in the pre-production stage and is expected to be released in early 2016.

Formed in 1995 by Katatonia members, Jonas Renkse and Fred Norrman, October Tide spawned two, now-cult releases: Rain Without End (1997) and Grey Dawn (1999), before going on hiatus for over 11 years.

Reunited in 2009, the Swedes continue to push their vision of characteristic melodic doom/death metal to the next level. With a new full-time drummer Jocke Wallgren (Valkyrja, Astrophobos), October Tide are fully engaged in working on their fifth studio album and first one for Agonia.

On the new deal and forthcoming effort, Emil Alstermark (guitars) commented: "During the first glance at this label you KNOW they are into metal. We have always had an good eye to Agonia Records and their great ways of spreading heavy sounds all over the world. As for the deal itself we are very pleased with the terms and conditions which are some serious shit. Agonia is a killer label and a perfect partner to October Tide. We're now finishing up the pre-production and hope to share some pretty cool stuff with you all within a near future. Stay tuned - stay doomed!"

Lineup:

Alexander Högbom - vocals
Fredrik Norrman - guitars
Mattias Norrman - bass
Emil Alstermark - guitars
Jocke Wallgren – drums

Deathseeker is an ultra-aggressive and brutal death metal band hailing from Sarpsborg featuring Kjell-Ivar Andersen (ex-Algol/all instruments and Kristian Kjelsberg (ex-The Helheim Society, Tyr/vocals). 
 
"The project has been in development for some time, but 2014 was a very creative and productive year, and 2015 is starting out very well also. The band is now working on their first album – and folks - be prepared for a cyclone of 
extreme metal madness! So join us now and let us all sing the praise of death!" 
 
For more information check out the official Deathseeker Facebook page here. 
 

Check out more Deathseeker music via Souncloud here.

Legendary hard rock vocalist Graham Bonnet returns to the studio with his new band, the Graham Bonnet Band. The first music from the new group is a two-track single titled “My Kingdom Come”, the title track of which was written by none other than Russ Ballard (who previously collaborated with Graham on hit singles such as Rainbow's 'Since You've Been Gone' and on Graham's solo album Line-up from 1981). This collaboration marks the first time the two have worked together since 1990 (Forcefield's Let The Wild Run Free).

The second new track titled “The Mirror Lies” is a band composition that shows that Graham with his powerful new band have no plans to slow down any time soon.

Drums for the two new songs were performed by legendary progressive metal drummer Mark Zonder (Warlord, Fates Warning).

Mark (who took time out from recording new Warlord material to guest on the sessions) commented:  "I would have never thought this would happen when I first heard Graham sing with Rainbow. It is an honor and a privilege to be recording with him and his band"

Also featured are Keyboardists Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper) on the title track, and Eric Ragno (The Baby's) on 'The Mirror Lies'

The new songs were produced by band guitarist Conrado Pesinato and mixed and mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio 

The full line-up of the band is:

Graham Bonnet - vocals
Conrado Pesinato - guitars
Beth-Ami Heavenstone - bass
Chase Manhattan - drums

The group are currently booking shows worldwide including the USA, Europe , UK and Australia, and are currently on tour in Japan with Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock.

The new songs can also be streamed at the bands Reverbnation page here.

To purchase visit iTunes.

Black Sabbath guitar legend Tony Iommi plans to remix the band’s 1995 album, Forbidden, which celebrates its 20th anniversary on June 20th. The lukewarmly received opus was the last to feature singer Tony Martin, along with drummer Cozy Powell, bassist Neil Murray and keyboardist Geoff Nicholls.

In a Facebook post, Iommi writes, “Joe Siegler (Black-sabbath.com webmaster) reminded me that June is the 20th anniversary of Forbidden. I really like the album, but I was never happy with the overall sound, so I’m going to remix it before it comes out again. Can’t say when, too much going on right now.”

Forbidden's opening track, "The Illusion Of Power", features Body Count’s Ice-T, while guitarist a fellow band member Ernie C also produced, recorded, and mixed the album.

On June 11th, hard rock icons KISS performed at the Arena di Verona in Verona, Italy. Check out official KISSonline footage of "Dr. Love" below:

 

KISS' European tour schedule is as follows:

June
14 - Download Festival - Castle Donington, UK
16 - Le Zenith - Paris, France
18 - Ziggo Dome - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
21 - Saint Jordi - Barcelona, Spain
22 - Barclay Card Arena - Madrid, Spain

Click here for ticket links and more details.

MORBID ANGEL bassist/vocalist David Vincent has released the following statement:

"I am aware of Trey Azagthoth's [MORBID ANGEL guitarist] announcement of a collaboration with Steve Tucker on new music. However, the inference that I have left MORBID ANGEL is incorrect. To be clear, I have not left MORBID ANGEL nor have I been asked to do so."

Azagthoth released a statement earlier today saying that he was "excited to announce that Steve Tucker and I are working together again for MORBID ANGEL and the next record will certainly be an amazingly sick World Beater!"

Tucker added in post on his Facebook page: "Yes! It is true. I am happy to announce that Trey and I are both stoked to be making music together, again?! Thank you for all of the great messages of support that I have received! To the haters, suck it!!! Again!"

Drummer Tim Yeung confirmed his exit from MORBID ANGEL earlier today, explaining in a statement: "There have been some lineup changes with MORBID ANGEL. Unfortunately, due to financial differences, I will not be continuing with [the band]… I wish Trey and MORBID ANGEL all the best. As for myself, I'm always up for the next opportunity life throws my way."

MORBID ANGEL's controversial 2011 album "Illud Divinum Insanus" marked the band's first CD to feature Vincent since 1995's "Domination".

Vincent told Planet Mosh TV in December 2014 that MORBID ANGEL was "done [touring] for awhile" and that "was "time to write" material for the follow-up to "Illud Divinum Insanus".

David also addressed the mixed fan reaction to "Illud Divinum Insanus", explaining: "Listen, I thought a lot of that stuff [that ended up being on the record], it was really interesting to me as well. Trey came in and he had some crazy ideas. And I [said], 'Great. Let's have fun with it.'"

He continued: "We're not really a traditional band; we sort of follow our own path. And it is what it is. I mean, it's always been that way with this band. Most of our records sound different than everything that's ever been out there, [and I think that's] good. I don't wanna sound like everybody else."

Vincent added: "Listen, I've said it before. I'm not very good at being anybody else, but I'm pretty good at being me. So I'll stick with what I know."

"Illud Divinum Insanus" sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 141.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's new single, "Jekyll And Hyde", arrived at rock radio stations on Monday morning (June 15) and can now be streamed at MonsterEnergy.com. The track, which is also available below, is taken from the band's upcoming sixth studio album, "Got Your Six". Drummer Jeremy Spencer told The Pulse Of Radio that the tune clicked immediately for the band. "You know what, I think it's really a different groove for us," he said. "It's something that people are gonna go, 'Man, it sounds like DEATH PUNCH but it's really different for them.' So I'm excited to get it released. As soon as we heard it, we knew that that had to be the first single, 'cause it just kind of leapt out at us, you know."

"Got Your Six" will arrive on August 28.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook told MikeJamesRockShow.com about "Jekyll And Hyde": "It's an interesting song, because Ivan [Moody, vocals] left me a voicemail in the middle of the night, and I woke up the next morning and I took his voicemail and I made it into a song — not realizing that it would be used. I just thought, 'Hey, what about this thing?' Everyone loved it. We, actually, left the voicemail as part of the verse. Like, that's… organic from… it's actual audio from his voicemail. And we included the voicemail on the record at the very end, so you can hear the voicemail in its entirety. It's pretty cool."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory recently told Revolver magazine that "Jekyll And Hyde" was one of his favorite songs on "Got Your Six" "just because it's so bizarre." He said: "That one has a funny story. Ivan doesn't sleep at night, so it's pretty often that he'll call one of us at four or five in the morning and leave crazy messages on our phones. And what happened was, Jason was going through his voicemail and found dozens and dozens of these messages from Ivan. So he copied them onto a hard drive and then we pulled out different words and sentences and put them together. And that's the verses of the song. They're taken directly from Jason's phone. It's one of my favorite songs on the record, just because it's so bizarre."

Regarding the musical direction of the new FIVE FINGER material, Bathory said: "So far, it's a harder, faster record. We don't have a slow song and I don't think we're gonna write one. So it's just a higher-energy effort." He believes that the music has has picked up pace "because when we started to write this time, everybody was in a really good mood. The band has always been a well-oiled machine, but this is one time where we felt, 'Wow, everyone has grown up in some way as a musician.' We also stopped all the partying and the crazy shit and were really focused and sober. And because of that, this record has been probably the most fun one to make. It also maybe contributed to everything being more up-tempo and energetic."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH released its last effort, "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell", in two parts, with the first arriving in July 2013 and the second following in November 2013.

The band will head out on a co-headlining fall tour with PAPA ROACH. The trek kicks off on September 4 in Lexington, Kentucky, winding down on October 9 in Glen Falls, New York. Also along will be IN THIS MOMENT and FROM ASHES TO NEW.

The two headliners actively involved their fans in the routing of the tour by giving them the opportunity to request the tour come to their city via a "demand campaign." Some 1.5 million people responded and made their choices known.