DEATH RAY VISION, the project featuring SHADOWS FALL frontman Brian Fair, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio and former OVERCAST/SEEMLESS guitarist Pete Cortese, will re-release its debut five-song EP, "Get Lost Or Get Dead", on May 14 via Bullet Tooth (the label run by Trustkill Records founder Josh Grabelle) in seven-inch vinyl, digipack CD, and digital download formats.

"Get Lost Or Get Dead" track listing:

01. Shattered Frames
02. Get Lost Or Get Dead
03. Not For Glory
04. Chainsaw Of Bees
05. Drown The Light

"Get Lost Or Get Dead" was originally indepedently released in 2011. The CD was recorded in March 2011 at Mad Oak Studio in Allston, Massachusetts with Benny Grotto (MOTHERBOAR, SLAPSHOT, ACARO, DRESDEN DOLLS) at the helm. The recording captured the raw energy and emotion of the band combined with a modern production, seamlessly bridging the gap between the past and future. The sessions were the creative spark that inspired the band to continue writing and see how far they could push their sound.

"For our first release, we wanted to have a huge-sounding record with modern production but still maintain the energy and rawness of the old-school hardcore seven-inches that influence the formation of the band," Fair explained at the time. "We kept it simple with minimal overdubs, layers and Pro Tools magic that is becoming all to common in music today. We just set up, hit record and let it rip."

DEATH RAY VISION recently completed tracking its new LP with producer Dean Baltulonis (SICK OF IT ALL, AGNOSTIC FRONT) for a summer release.

"The band is really excited to get back in the studio," said Fair. "These new songs have pushed our sound to a new level and we can't wait to unleash them on the world!"

DEATH RAY VISION made its live debut on April 8, 2011 at the Vegas Lounge in Lunenburg, Massachusetts.

Regarding how the band came together, Fair said, "When Mike and I first met, we went to see LEEWAY and BREAKDOWN play in Boston. My love for raw, metallic hardcore began that day and the energy and insanity in that club is something that has stayed with me forever."

"We started the band to have fun, there is really no other reason to do DEATH RAY VISION," stated Mike. "Apparently we were having so much fun when we started writing for the first EP that we just kept writing and writing. All of a sudden, we had a crapload of tunes."

While gathering material for a full-length release, DEATH RAY VISION caught the attention of Bullet Tooth, a label that has a staff with very similar backgrounds and history in the heavy music scene as the band. Having a label that embraces the same DIY ethic as the band was a necessity. Joining forces with Bullet Tooth was the perfect way for DEATH RAY VISION to reach a wider audience without having to sacrifice the independent spirit of the band.

"Josh Grabelle and Bullet Tooth have the capacity to get our record out to more people then we can reach on our own," explained D'Antonio. "It also doesn't hurt that he is an old friend and is really excited about DEATH RAY VISION. What more could you want?"

Grabelle is as enthusiastic about the signing as the band is. He's known the members for years, having almost signed KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2000.

"I'm a huge fan of SHADOWS FALL, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and OVERCAST," he said.

"I first met Brian Fair in 1995 at an OVERCAST show in Erie, Pennsylvania. I've been friends with Mike D for years as well. Mike D told me he had started a new band and I already knew it was gonna be awesome, and it was! I was honored they thought of me and Bullet Tooth and I know we will knock it out of the park together."

According to D'Antonio, the DEATH RAY VISION songs "are much easier to write than KILLSWITCH ENGAGE songs for me, and I can be a bit more old-school in my approach. This style comes very natural to me because I grew up on CRO-MAGS, AGNOSTIC FRONT, MADBALL, LEEWAY and BAD BRAINS. When I want to write, I throw these inspirations on and get to it."

DEATH RAY VISION is:

Brian Fair - Vocals
Mike D'Antonio - Bass
Pete Cortese - Guitar
Zack Wells - Guitar
Colin Conway - Drums

"Under Destruction", the new album from HATEFX, the Fresno/Livermore, California-based metal band featuring guitarist Glen Alvelais (FORBIDDEN, TESTAMENT, LD/50), will be released on March 23 in North America via xXx Music. The effort will be available in two configurations: the Ultimate Limited Edition silver bullet-shaped USB drive (mp3-wav format, lyrics and extras) and a standalone CD.

A picture of the limited edition silver bullet USB drive can be seen below.

Commented HATEFX frontman Gabriel "G" Almazán: "We wanted to innovate as far as the format of our music release and got these special usb drives made with our logo engraved with open code so you get the album in two hi-fi formats as well as lyrics, artwork, pictures, and other extras, plus you can use the drive to carry other information as well since there's additional free space on the USB drive. You can play the music right in your car if you have a USB input. Also we thought it was a portable/convenient format that allows to be carried easily; let's say you get this on a show and it fits right in your pocket! And you get bonus stuff."

"Under Destruction" will include special guest appearances by Anton Reisenegger (LOCK UP, CRIMINAL), Patrick Contreras (master violinist), Amandolyn Rostikus (SPIRIT DESCENDING) on keys and Antonio Godoy (MUSIC MACHINE) on some sequences.

HATEFX has scheduled an "Under Destruction" release party on March 23 at the Starline in Fresno, where they will share the stage with GROOVEYARD and Sacramento's SERPENT AND SERAPH, also including a guest appearance by Contreras.

The band is lining up a number of other live dates in support of the new release in California and Nevada.

"Under Destruction" was helmed by Chilean producer Javier Bassino.

Rock act FILTER will release its sixth studio album, "The Sun Comes Out Tonight", on June 4 via Wind-Up Records. The CD was recorded in Los Angeles at Blue Room studios with producer Bob Marlette (BLACK SABBATH, ATREYU, SALIVA). The follow-up to 2010's "The Trouble With Angels" was written and recorded by leader Richard Patrick and guitarist Jonny Radtke, as well as collaborator Marlette. There are also performances from touring members Jeff Friedl and Elias Mallin (drums) and Phil Buckman (bass).

The lead single, "What Do You Say", will impact radio on May 7.

Another track from the CD, "We Hate It When You Get What You Want", is available for streaming and free download below (e-mail signup required).

"The Sun Comes Out Tonight" track listing:

01. We Hate It When You Get What You Want
02. What Do You Say
03. Surprise
04. Watch The Sun Come Out Tonight
05. It's Got To Be Right Now
06. This Finger's For You
07. Self Inflicted
08. First You Break It
09. Burn It
10. Take That Knife Out Of My Back
11. It's My Time
12. It's Just You

In a 2012 interview with "All Knowing Force", Patrick said about the songwriting process for the new CD, "One of the main things we set out to do, we said let's make a song with all the elements of 'Hey Man Nice Shot', and we sat there and it wrote itself." He added, "We didn't want to write the same bass line or guitar progression, but it had to be an amazing riff; let's start with that. The riff was so good, it's a two-bar pattern, and we throw guitar over it with drums and I scream and the bass line never changes, it's a nonstop bass line that never ever changes."

Regarding the inspiration for the new material, Patrick said, "We were talking about some of the things that are going on in my life; there's been a lot of betrayal from people surrounding me. So we were thinking 'Hey Man Nice Shot', that's something that describes a desperate man's actions and trying to make sense of it, almost like a joke. So we started talking about betrayal and we played around with the words 'Take That Knife Out of My Back' and all of a sudden this song just wrote itself."

On the topic of the overall direction of the new CD, Patrick said, "We have this beautiful record that starts off heavy and mean and then it goes back to the more moody, almost joyful parts of life. For me, the record that we always try to model is the 'Title Of Record' era — that sets the standard in how heavy and how light we can go. We just aspire to make the songs as good and I think the songwriting is superior, we just have to make sure the performances are as desperate and powerful as those crazy takes I did when I was kid."

Stockholm, Sweden-based melodic death metallers DEGRADEAD, whose singer, Mikael Sehlin, recently joined fellow Swedes ENGEL as their new frontman, will release their fourth album, "The Monster Within", on August 23. The CD was recorded between January 14 and February 2 at Panic Room studios in Skara with producer Thomas "Plec" Johansson and marks the group's first release with new drummer Amit Mohla. According to the band, "This album ended up being the best DEGRADEAD album so far! More dynamic, more melodic, more thrashy, more of everything!"

Commented Johansson: "Finally, the new DEGRADEAD album is mastered and is now uploading after three weeks of production...

"It has been great going back to the roots even on this one. No drum triggers or sample replacements used whatsoever, which is otherwise so commonplace in today's metal productions. We did it the hard way, with getting the right sounds from the start and having Amit actually playing the parts until we got the takes we needed, tuning the drums in between takes, switching snares for different songs etc... No plugins were used in the process either other than for very surgical tasks and special FX. All other processing are real chambers, hardware reverbs, delays, compression and EQ. Five times more work, but five times more fun and inspiring plus it's five times more fun to listen to!!

"Be sure to check this monster out..."

Regarding what impact Sehlin's addition to ENGEL will have on his status in DEGRADEAD, DEGRADEAD said: "Mikael is still our vocalist and he is still 100% dedicated to DEGRADEAD and this will not affect DEGRADEAD."

DEGRADEAD's third album, "A World Destroyer", was released in North America on June 28, 2011 via Metalville Records. The CD was recorded at Peter Tägtgren's (HYPOCRISY, PAIN) Abyss studios in Pärlby, outside Ludvika, Sweden, with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CENTINEX, WORLD BELOW).

On August 6, 2010, DEGRADEAD played for their first time at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken. Germany. Their full set, as performed on the W.E.T Stage before an enthusiastic audience, along with many extras, is included on the DVD release, "Live At Wacken And Beyond", which was released on February 28, 2012 via Metalville Records. The disc also contains "From Tullinge To Hyderabad", a 50-minute documentary following DEGRADEAD from their first years in Tullinge, a small suburb south of Stockholm where the band was formed, to their successful tour of India in February 2011. It includes interviews, live clips and a lot of other "interesting stuff for the fans."

Former THE HAUNTED and current AT THE GATES guitarist Anders Björler is continuing work on his first solo album, "Antikythera" (formerly "The Antikythera Mechanism"), tentatively due later this year. He states: "We started yesterday with recording the additional guitars and bass tracks for the album at Martin Brändström's [DARK TRANQUILLITY] Rogue Music Studio. We just finished tracking today after some very fast, productive sessions."

"Antikythera" recording lineup:

* Anders Björler (THE HAUNTED, AT THE GATES) - Guitar, Keyboards, Mellotron & Moog
* Morgan Ågren (MATS & MORGAN BAND, KAIPA, FREDRIK THORDENDAL'S SPECIAL DEFECTS) - Drums, Percussion
* Dick Lövgren (MESHUGGAH) - Bass
* Carl Svensson - Additional Electric And Acoustic Guitars
* Peter Wiberg (OPETH, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) – Piano

Anders previously stated about his upcoming album: "This is NOT a 'metal' project. Those of you who are familiar with my soundtrack/movie stuff for THE HAUNTED and AT THE GATES documentaries will know somewhat to expect. It's inspired by Italian film music from the '60 and '70s, post rock, ambient, progressive, jazz, and Swedish folk music."

Björler announced his departure from THE HAUNTED in October. He explained in a statement, "I feel that I have come to the end of the line regarding THE HAUNTED. This is not a sudden or hasty decision. I have been contemplating it for the last couple of years. Peter's [Dolving, vocals] departure [in early 2012] made me more certain than ever that I had reached my personal goal with THE HAUNTED, and that the time was right to call it quits. I have enjoyed every bit of the ride. It's been an overwhelming journey. I would like to thank the other band members especially, our crew through the years, and our fans worldwide for the experience and opportunity. Thank you so much! The memories will be with me forever. I will, of course, continue writing music, but where that leads me? [It's] simply too early to say."

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal legends RAVEN are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal album "All For One" in 2013. Originally released in 1983, "All For One" was not only the band's breakout LP, it was also a massively influential slab of classic metal. The band's groundbreaking and high-energy approach was a vital element in the development of thrash.

"Wow, hard to believe but it was 30 years ago when we hooked up with mega producer Michael Wagener (and Udo Dirkschneider of ACCEPT) to craft our breakthrough album 'All For One'," said RAVEN vocalist/bassist John Gallagher. "It's still one of our favorites and although we still play quite a few songs [from the album] live, on the upcoming dates we will squeeze a few more into the set as a celebration. We can't wait to dust them off, get out there and kick ass!"

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of "All For One", the NWOBHM lunatics will play select dates dubbed "All For One Forever", during which they will perform many tracks from the album, including some rarely or never performed live.

Confirmed dates follow, with more to be announced:

Apr. 19 - Springfield, VA - Empire (w/ A SOUND OF THUNDER)
Apr. 20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Dead Horse Cantina (w/ A SOUND OF THUNDER)
Apr. 21 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus Bar (w/ A SOUND OF THUNDER, HOLY GRAIL, BRÖHAMMER)
May 11 - Freehold, NJ - Encore Event Center (w/ ANVIL, THE RODS)

Washington, D.C. traditional metallers A SOUND OF THUNDER will provide direct support April 19-21. John Gallagher appeared on the band's latest album, "Out Of The Darkness", (Nightmare Records, 2012), performing a vocal duet with A SOUND OF THUNDER vocalist Nina Osegueda on the title track.

RAVEN's latest album, "Walk Through Fire", was released in the U.S. on March 30, 2010 (one day earlier in Europe through SPV/Steamhammer) via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Assembly Line Studios with engineer/mixer Kevin 131 (PROJECT: FAILING FLESH, DECEASED, DYSRYTHMIA, GARDEN OF SHADOWS).

EMI will release IRON MAIDEN's double-disc DVD "Maiden England '88" on March 25.

A performance clip of the song "Wasted Years" from th forthcoming set can be seen below.

Now available for the very first time on DVD, this live show was filmed across two sold-out nights at Birmingham N.E.C Arena, U.K. in November 1988 during the band's "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son World Tour". Disc one contains the concert which has been specially upgraded and extended from the existing 1989 longform VHS release and now includes three previously unreleased encores — "Running Free", "Run To The Hills" and "Sanctuary" — thereby completing the full concert with a total running time of 110 minutes. MAIDEN's own film producer and director Andy Matthews went back to the 1988 edit and painstakingly remastered each shot digitally; color correcting and grading to give the image the best possible look from that time. As well as the VHS stereo sound track by Martin Birch, the band's producer between 1981 and 1993, the DVD also includes a brand new 5.1 audio surround mix by MAIDEN's current producer Kevin Shirley. The concert was meticulously directed and edited by bass player and founder member Steve Harris, so as to capture the performance from a fans-eye view of the stage, focusing fully on the music, the elaborate stage production and the lighting. Add into the mix an electrifying set list and, of course, Eddie, and "Maiden England" now offers a snapshot of a bygone era in which the band, as they continue to do today, devote their all in delivering the ultimate live experience for their fans.

Disc two is an extensive bonus disc featuring an exclusive documentary charting Part 3 in "The History Of Iron Maiden". This 40-minute film comprises recent interviews with the five band members and manager, Rod Smallwood. Picking up the story in the aftermath of the '84/85 "World Slavery" tour, this interesting and insightful documentary sees the band speak candidly about their memories of an exciting and occasionally turbulent period from which would emerge the albums "Somewhere In Time" and "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son". As the Eighties began to draw to a close, so did another chapter in MAIDEN's compelling history.

Other special extras on the bonus disc include "12 Wasted Years". First released as a longform VHS in 1987 and available for the first time on DVD, this documentary runs for 90 minutes and includes archive interviews and dynamic live footage from the band's beginnings in the now-legendary Ruskin Arms pub, via London's Marquee club and three world tours. Five promo videos for the singles from the aforementioned albums are also featured and have been carefully restored and improved upon from the original films using the very latest software with the audio remastered in digital stereo.

Smallwood comments: "We've been busy upgrading this concert footage for a long time, with our in-house film producer and director Andy Matthews working tirelessly to weave his magic yet again!

"The 1989 VHS video has been largely unavailable for many years and we know how eagerly our fans have been awaiting the new version so we wanted to give it the best possible treatment.

"The current 'Maiden England' world tour, which continues later this year, revisits much of the set list and production from the initial 1989 VHS release so it will be interesting to compare just how much has changed in terms of our 2013 live show production, especially with all the advances in modern technology and the improvements we've been able to make to the set."

The "Maiden England '88" concert soundtrack will also be made available on 2CD album, limited-edition double vinyl picture disc and digital download formats. The audio had previously only ever been available before on CD as part of EMI's 1994 "Sound And Vision" series packaged alongside the VHS, but with two tracks fewer than the video contained. "Can I Play With Madness" and "Hallowed Be Thy Name" were not featured as there was no space on the 1CD disc. Now with the three encores also included, the double disc offers a total of five tracks previously unavailable on CD making this the first full and complete audio recording release of this historic tour.

Disc One - "Maiden England '88"

01. Moonchild
02. The Evil That Men Do
03. The Prisoner
04. Still Life
05. Die With Your Boots On
06. Infinite Dreams
07. Killers
08. Can I Play With Madness
09. Heaven Can Wait
10. Wasted Years
11. The Clairvoyant
12. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
13. The Number Of The Beast
14. Hallowed Be Thy Name
15. Iron Maiden
16. Run To The Hills *
17. Running Free *
18. Sanctuary *

* previously unreleased.

Disc Two - "The History Of Iron Maiden Part 3"

01. The History Of Iron Maiden - Part 3
02. 12 Wasted Years
03. Wasted Years (promo video)
04. Stranger In A Strange Land (promo video)
05. Can I Play With Madness (promo video)
06. The Evil That Men Do (promo video)
07. The Clairvoyant (promo video)

"Wasted Years" performance:

ICED EARTH's first officially filmed headline show, "Live In Ancient Kourion", will hit stores on April 15 in Europe and April 16 in North America via Century Media. This incredibly powerful package will come to you in various configurations and, a first for Century Media Records, also on Blu-ray disc. The limited-edition deluxe book features the main show and a plethora of bonus content on DVD and a Blu-ray disc, as well as the entire concert on a 2CD set (4 discs in total). You can also enjoy the audio version of the full concert in a 3LP gatefold vinyl package or as a 2CD set. A standard DVD and digital audio download will also be available.

A performance of the song "Damien", taken from the forthcoming set, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below (audio only).

The setlist for ICED EARTH's August 19, 2012 concert was as follows:

01. Dystopia
02. Burning Times
03. Angel Holocaust
04. Slave To The Dark
05. V
06. When The Night Falls
07. I Died For You
08. Invasion
09. Motivation Of Man
10. Setian Massacre
11. Stormrider
12. Pure Evil
13. Wolf
14. Dark City
15. End Of Innocence
16. Dracula
17. Ten Thousand Strong
18. End Of Innocence
19. Anthem
20. Decleration Day
21. Days Of Rage
22. Melancholy (Holy Martyr)

Encore 1:

23. In Sacred Flames
24. Boiling Point
25. Damien
26. Watching Over Me
27. Dantes Inferno
28. Iced Earth

Encore 2:

29. The Hunter


Since ICED EARTH's latest album, "Dystopia", was released in October 2011, the band has been on the attack in a big way, playing more shows in the past year than in the previous ten years... combined.

Comments ICED EARTH guitarist/mainman Jon Schaffer: "I feel this is a testament to a new beginning, a new energy and a rock solid determination that will see us taking the music of ICED EARTH to every corner of the globe; spreading the awareness of our brand of metal in a way that hasn't been done before. I've never been more proud of this band, our crew, and the people behind the scenes that are responsible for much of our success."

Early on in the world tour, the band decided that they wanted to capture this newfound energy and passion on film. The biggest question was deciding where to film. There were so many great shows and audiences around the world that it was very challenging to decide which city to choose for this special event. When the offer came in to film at the ancient Kourion Theater in Limassol, Cyprus, they were immediately attracted to that idea. The history and culture there, as well as the Cypriot audience, which the band experienced in December 2011, solidified the decision to film the DVD in Cyprus. Filming and recording a two-and-a-half-hour show in an amphitheater that is 6000 years old and is not set up for a rock concert, paired with 40-degree-Celsius heat, were just some of the obstacles to overcome. But the finished product makes up for any of the challenges that the band and crew faced on that special night.

"Damien" performance (audio):

Multinational melodic metallers MASTERPLAN will release their new album, "Novum Initium", on April 26 via AFM Records. The CD's cover artwork can be seen below.

According to Whiplash.net, the track listing for "Novum Initium" is as follows:

01. Per Aspera Ad Astra
02. The Game
03. Keep Your Dream Alive
04. Black Night Of Magic
05. Betrayal
06. No Escape
07. Pray On My Soul
08. Earth Is Going Down
09. Return From Avalon
10. Through Your Eyes
11. Novum Initium
12. 1492 (digipack bonus track)
13. Fear The Silence (digipack bonus track)

The band last month filmed a video for the song " Keep Your Dream Alive" in the Luftverteidigungsbunker Erndtebrück, also called "Bunker Erich."

A photo of MASTERPLAN's new lineup can be seen below. Joining drummer Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka (CRADLE OF FILTH) are vocalist Rick Altzi (AT VANCE, SANDALINAS, THUNDERSTONE), who replaces Jorn Lande, and bassist Jari Kainulainen (STRATOVARIUS, SYMFONIA, DEVIL'S TRAIN).

Commented MASTERPLAN guitarist/leader Roland Grapow: "The last years have not been easy for MASTERPLAN. Because of several factors, we have been unable to play festivals and tours — even though we had plenty of offers. But this will definitely change now.

"I'm very happy to welcome Rick and Jari on board now. Beside their undoubted musical qualities, they both fit perfectly into our team.

"We feel a huge motivation to get things going now.

"2013 will be see a new MASTERPLAN album, several festivals and a tour! It's time to return with full force."

MASTERPLAN's new lineup:

Rick Altzi - vocals
Roland Grapow - guitars
Axel Mackenrott - keyboards
Jari Kainulainen - bass
Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka - drums

Back in March 2012, Grapow revealed that he had 15 songs written for MASTERPLAN's next album. He added, "We are looking for a more powerful album this time... still with great melodies and feelings, but also with more orchestration and faster stuff again… just more metal."

In an August 2011 interview with the Czech web portal Kultura21.cz, Grapow stated about the status of the songwriting sessions for the next MASTERPLAN album, "This time we tried not to make demo productions, which have a poor sound — so we wanted to make really nice pre-production [recordings] which sound very close to the album sound, which is very easy [to do] in my studio now. I think we have many, many new ideas which, I guess, are a little bit more modern and more aggressive as well. So we try not to follow any trends of MASTERPLAN — I'm not saying we're reproducing the first album or the third one or the fifth one. I think we always have to try to make some surprises for the people. The 'Time To Be King' album is great, but this new album sounds a bit different again. I always want to do this, because I'm not that kind of guy who wants to make every year the same album."

On the topic of MASTERPLAN's numerous lineup changes, Grapow said, "I think it's always difficult in this band, I guess. If you see, the first album just came out after a big turbulence — leaving HELLOWEEN, Uli [Kusch, drums] and me. I think this band always needs some very bad moments to some great songs. [laughs] And it looks like MASTERPLAN, basically, is my main band, and whoever will sing and whoever will play in the band, I'm happy with. But, basically, at the moment, I'm thinking the main songwriters are Axel now and me. So whatever happens, this band will continue. It's very important for me to show that we still have the power and the ability to write beautiful melodies and some aggression and rock and metal songs. Whatever we do, we want just to make good-quality stuff."

MASTERPLAN's last CD, "Time To Be King", was released on May 21, 2010 through AFM Records. The CD's first single, "Far From The End Of The World", was issued on April 16, 2010.

The third trailer for "End Of Disclosure", the new album from Swedish death metallers HYPOCRISY, can be seen below. Due in Europe on March 22 via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was produced by HYPOCRISY mastermind Peter Tägtgren at his Abyss Studio in Sweden. The artwork was created by Wes Benscoter (SLAYER, KREATOR, NILE, VADER).

"This time, I wanted to go back to the basics," says Peter. "[I] felt like we lost it for the last couple of albums. It's straight to the point. It's more HYPOCRISY than ever — the fast, the heavy, the epic. Enjoy!”

"End Of Disclosure" track listing:

01. End Of Disclosure
02. Tales Of Thy Spineless
03. The Eye
04. United We Fall
05. 44 Double Zero
06. Hell Is Where I Stay
07. Soldier Of Fortune
08. When Death Calls
09. The Return

HYPOCRISY's latest DVD/CD, "Hell Over Sofia - 20 Years Of Chaos And Confusion", was released in October 2011 via Nuclear Blast. The disc contains footage of the band's February 27, 2010 concert at the Blue Box club in Sofia, Bulgaria.

HYPOCRISY's latest album, "A Taste Of Extreme Divinity", sold 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 23 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"End Of Disclosure" album trailer #3:

To celebrate the kick-off of Viva Hysteria!, DEF LEPPARD's Las Vegas residency during which the band will play its 1987 album, "Hysteria", in its entirety, the band has released a newly recorded version of "Hysteria", available now for the first time on iTunes and all digital retailers.

DEF LEPPARD last year joined the long list of rockers who have re-recorded their biggest hits in note-perfect renditions. The "2012" versions of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rock Of Ages" are now available at various digital retailers and in December the band cut five acoustic songs performed during their "Rock Of Ages" tour for a medley released to iTunes.

DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliott told

British hard rock legends DEEP PURPLE will release their 19th studio album, "Now What?!", via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group, on the following dates:

* Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Spain: April 26
* UK, France, Benelux, Poland, Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark: April 29
* North America, Italy: April 30
* Sweden: May 1

After various songwriting sessions in Europe, the band recorded and mixed the album in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, PETER GABRIEL, ALICE COOPER, KANSAS). The CD contain 11 tracks, including "Out Of Hand", "Weirdistan", "Uncommon Man" and "Above And Beyond". The latter song references the band's late keyboard player, Jon Lord, in the lyric "Souls having touched are forever entwined."

Speaking to AOL's Noisecreep, DEEP PURPLE frontman Ian Gillan stated about the new CD: "The one weakness that PURPLE always had, to me, was the sound of the records. Generally, I've always been slightly disappointed in sound and this new album wipes away everything we've ever done ever. I'm thrilled and delighted with what Bob was able to do. The first monitor mixes I ever heard from these sessions I just sat back and said 'oh my God, what he has done it's perfect.' Everything was so clearly defined from the guitars to the Hammond organ. The definition is just remarkable. We always had a sort of delightful sound, don't get me wrong. But I felt we were always kind of lacking a power thing that we finally have now."

He continued: "We never used to do much more than just turn up at the studio, plug in our amps and play. We were literally a garage band back then. We disliked all the discipline of studios and all the engineers and all that, so we ended up recording bars and garages in the early days. And so Bob really brought us back around into the 21st century. We're not normally very good at planning. The band turns up a rehearsal with no songs that's always been now we are. We just jam and by about the third or fourth day, we start to have ideas for songs and start developing from there. Back then and today, just like that."

"Now What?!" track listing:

01. A Simple Song
02. Weirdistan
03. Out Of Hand
04. Hell To Pay
05. Body Line
06. Above And Beyond
07. Blood From A Stone
08. Uncommon Man
09. Après Vous
10. All The Time In The World
11. Vincent Price

"Now What?!" will also be released in a limited quantity with a bonus track and a bonus DVD featuring DEEP PURPLE in conversation plus additional audio material. This edition will be available in a digipak with a cut out front cover. "Now What?!" will also be released as double vinyl LP containing a bonus track, as in the limited-edition CD.

The official lyric video for the song "All The Time In The World" can be seen below.

According to a press release, "Now What?!" was recorded with no musical rules… and it shows a modern and fresh production… to the point that DEEP PURPLE have never sounded so close to the spirit of the '70s in the last 20 years as they do now. The CD has the excellence and elegance of "Perfect Strangers" and the wild freedom of "Made In Japan".

The first taste of "Now What?!" will be the release of a double A-side single on March 29 (as a limited and numbered vinyl seven-inch, CD single and digital download).

Seven-inch vinyl (limited to 1000 numbered copies)

Side A:

01. Hell To Pay (radio edit)

Side B:

01. All The Time In The World (radio mix; edit)

CD Single

01. All The Time In The World (radio mix; edit)
02. Hell To Pay (radio edit)
03. Perfect Strangers (bonus track live)
04. Rapture Of The Deep (bonus track live)

Frontiers Records will release the fifth album from Swedish hard rockers THE POODLES, "Tour De Force", on May 17 in Europe and May 22 in North America.

"Tour De Force" is the eagerly awaited follow-up to THE POODLES' Swedish No. 1 album from 2011, "Performocracy". Behind the wheel, taking on the duties of producer for a fourth time, was Mats Valentin and once again, the band wishes to underline with the album title their superb entertaining abilities both as a hard-rocking studio unit and as live act.

"When writing and creating music, we try to do something that we would love to listen to ourselves. It's always been important for us to do music close to our hearts," says bass player Pontus Egberg. "I do feel, however, that there's a newly found playfulness about a lot of the tracks. I'm not quite sure what it is myself, but it's great!"

With songs like "Shut Up", "Happily Ever After", "Kings And Fools" and "Going Down", THE POODLES stay true to their legacy of powerful, melodic metal while at the same time stretching into a new, more playful arena, flirting with influences from the past but always with a watchful eye on the present and in to the future.

In May 2013m the World Championships of Ice Hockey will be held in Stockholm, Sweden and the official theme song for the Swedish team will be performed by THE POODLES!

"The Swedish team wanted a great song to help cheer the team and the fans on during the games," says Pontus. "Apart from a great song, they also needed an artist/band to perform the song that could put some fire in to it." A fruitful collaboration between songwriters Anders Wikström (TREAT) and Fredrik Thomander (SCORPIONS, TREAT, GOTTHARD) and THE POODLES came about and it resulted in the powerful sing-along, raise-your-fist-in-the-air rocker "En För Alla För En", which will be impacting at Swedish radio and TV on March 27 and is an exclusive bonus track for the physical edition of the album. Another single from "Tour de Force" — "40 Days And 40 Nights" — a song which promises to entice both THE POODLES fans and anyone with a passion for rock 'n' roll will impact at radio and available for digital sales on April 26.

"Tour De Force" track listing:

01. Misery Loves Company
02. Shut Up!
03. Happily Ever After
04. Viva Democracy
05. Going Down
06. Leaving The Past To Pass
07. 40 Days And 40 Nights
08. Kings & Fools
09. Miracle
10. Godspeed
11. Now Is The Time
12. Only Just Begun
13. En För Alla För En (bonus track – physical edition only)

THE POODLES will be on the road to promote the new album. "We are kicking off the tour by doing three dates in Spain April 25-27," says Pontus. "Then we are going to start touring mainly in Sweden in May and all through the summer. We are playing the H*E*A*T festival in Germany in November and we are working on more European dates during the fall."

Pontus is looking forward to rocking THE POODLES fans all over the world.

"We love you, missed you, it's been far too long, we hope you'll love the new album as much as we do and we are looking forward to seeing you all soon on tour!" he says.

THE POODLES is:

Jakob Samuel - Vocals
Pontus Egberg - Bass
Christian Lundqvist - Drums
Henrik Bergqvist - Guitar

"All Lips Go Blue", the new single from Finnish "love metallers" HIM, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. A music video for the song will be helmed by Eugene Riecansky, a multi-award-winning director and animation and motion graphics who has previously worked on music clips for Madonna and THE PRODIGY, directed television commercials for MUSE, MTV Europe and MASTODON, and worked with international partners such as Warner Brother Records and the BBC.

HIM's new album, "Tears On Tape", will be released on April 30 via Razor & Tie in North America and on April 29 through DoubleCross (Cooking Vinyl's specialist rock imprint) in the U.K. and Ireland. The "love metal" act's eighth official album was recorded at Helsinki's Finnvox Studios with longtime producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (APOCALYPTICA, AMORPHIS, MOONSPELL) and was mixed in London, England by Tim Palmer, who previously helmed 2005's "Dark Light" and 2007's "Venus Doom".

"Tears On Tape" track listing:

01. Unleash The Red
02. All Lips Go Blue
03. Love Without Tears
04. I Will Be The End Of You
05. Tears On Tape
06. Into The Night
07. Hearts At War
08. Trapped In Autumn
09. No Love
10. Drawn & Quartered
11. Lucifer's Chorale
12. W.L.S.T.D.
13. Kiss The Void

HIM has launched fan pre-order bundles for "Tears On Tape". Unique items featured in the various bundles include a limited-edition HIM poster, an album cover T-shirt, a "snake" T-shirt (available for both men and women), a HIM hoodie, and two different colored vinyl pressings. All bundles include a "Tears On Tape" digital album download, a poster tube, a "Tears On Tape" CD or Vinyl, and an "instant gratification" download of a brand-new version of "When Love And Death Embrace" (recorded live in-studio during the recording sessions for the new album).

The first 2000 orders will receive the deluxe digipak edition of "Tears On Tape" featuring a bonus DVD with five new in-studio videos recorded specifically for this album release. Order now at him.merchnow.com.
In addition to the 13 new tracks, the very exclusive and very limited "fanpack", presented by Metal Hammer magazine and DoubleCross Records features some not-to-be-found-anywhere-else content. Exclusively available from April 29 for four weeks, it comes with a bespoke 132-page magazine edited by frontman Ville Valo himself that plays as the ultimate sleeve notes to the album, including:

* Full studio album + 2 bonus tracks ("Buried Alive By Love" and "The Kiss Of Dawn" recorded live in the studio)
* Giant double-sided door poster
* Exclusive interviews with Ville Valo and all members of HIM
* An extended track-by-track guide to "Tears On Tape"
* An interview with the architects behind the sound of "love metal" Hiili Hiilesmaa and Tim Palmer
* A detailed guide to HIM's extensive back catalog
* The true, exclusive story of the Heartagram
* An exclusive gallery from the band's own private collections
* Interviews by the band with as assortment of their own heroes

The album's artwork, which artist Daniel P. Carter describes as having come about via "a series of strange coincidences involving Lee Dorrian, sacred geometry and the ramblings of a madman," is revealed below.

HIM's current lineup is Ville Valo (vocals), Mikko "Linde" Lindström (guitar), Mikko "Migé" Paananen (bass), Janne "Burton" Puurtinen (keyboards), and Mika "Gas" Karppinen (drums). The band is managed by Seppo Vesterinen at Hinterland, Inc. and represented for U.S. touring by Justin Hirschman/AGI.

Following the sensational success of "Act I", the first-ever live solo album from former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen, earMUSIC and Tarja have announced the renewal of their collaboration for an exciting set of new releases spanning over the next few years.

Kicking off with the long-awaited new studio rock album, the following months will entail many musical areas of interest of the versatile and talented Finnish artist, including exciting new studio material as well as live audio and video recordings.

Although rock will remain Tarja's main musical field in the months to come, earMUSIC and the artist are also planning to release further high quality productions in diverse musical genres.

The spectacular "Beauty And The Beat" tour will be filmed this year, and the success of the album "Harus" will be followed by the first-ever classical studio album by Tarja Turunen.

Tarja's fans will be happy to know that the follow-up to 2010's studio album "What Lies Beneath" will hit the stores between August and September. The new CD, mixed by Tim Palmer (PEARL JAM, U2) is set to be Tarja's next milestone for symphonic heavy rock, thanks to a stellar lineup and a state of the art production.

Details about the first single and its video and the extensive worldwide tour will be revealed soon.

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.

"I am not stressed at all this time, even though I am producing the album on my own again. I have been lucky to gather around a group of musicians who are willing to work with me, so everything is going smoothly."

Tarja and her husband/manager Marcelo Cabuli recently became the parents of their first child.

Turunen, who currently resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina with her husband, kept her pregnancy a secret until the very end.

"Act I" was released in North America on September 4, 2012 in 2-CD, 2-DVD and Blu-ray format via the Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records, in conjunction with Hamburg, Germany-based earMUSIC.

The first-ever live audio/video offering from the former NIGHTWISH soprano, "Act I" is a mammoth undertaking recorded and filmed with 10 HD cameras at the breathtaking Teatro El Círculo in Rosario, Argentina in March 2012. With an elaborate track listing of solo tunes, NIGHTWISH classics and various covers, including a rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom Of The Opera", Gary Moore's "Over The Hills And Far Away", WHITESNAKE's "Still Of The Night" and a variety of video extras, "Act I" provides a full-fledged bill of fare to every diehard Tarja fan.

Tarja's sophomore solo album, "What Lies Beneath", sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 24 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Walldancer", a brand new song from German progressive metal veterans IVANHOE, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Systematrix", which will be released on May 24 via Massacre Records. The band entered The Red Room Studios in February/March 2012 with producer Andy Horn (LANFEAR, EDENBRIDGE, VOICES OF DESTINY) to record the follow-up to 2008's "Lifeline".

IVANHOE was founded in 1986 by Giovanni Soulas (bass), Markus Britsch (keyboards) and Lars Hörnig (drums). After several demo tapes, their debut album, "Visions And Reality", was released in 1994 with vocalist Andy B. Franck and guitarist Chuck Schuler. The second album, "Symbols Of Time", followed a year later.

Chuck decided to leave the band after a successful European tour with NEVERMORE and ICED EARTH due to personal reasons and was replaced by Achim Welsch.

With the departure of their vocalist Andy, "Polarized" (1997) was the last album of the band before they went on hiatus.

But in 2001, Giovanni Soulas and Achim Welsch decided to continue with IVANHOE and recruited Mischa Mang as new vocalist. Richard Seibel (keyboards) and Sebastian Brauchle (drums) completed the lineup and the band released the new album "Walk In Mindfields" via Massacre Records in 2005. A year later, Chuck reunited with the band and IVANHOE released their latest album, "Lifeline", via Silverwolf Productions in 2008.

With the addition of Mathias Biehl as new drummer in late 2010, the band focused on their live activities and drew a lot of attention as support act for QUEENSRŸCHE and the SCORPIONS. They also played at festivals, such as the Bang Your Head!!! and Building A Force.

Achim left the band in mid-2011, putting more responsibility on the shoulders of band leader and founding member Giovanni.

IVANHOE is:

Mischa Mang - Vocals
Chuck Schuler - Guitar
Giovanni "Gio" Soulas - Bass
Richie Seibel - Keyboard
Mathias Biehl - Drums

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine will be a featured soloist with the San Diego Symphony in April, 2014 in a program that will include Wagner's "Ride Of The Valkyries" from "Die Walküre", Vivaldi's "Winter" from "The Four Seasons" and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 (the "New World" symphony).

Executive director Edward "Ward" Gill said it's all about reaching new audiences, while music director Jahja Ling said he had a good meeting with Mustaine, and he may conduct the concert himself (no conductor is listed at this point, and Mustaine's exact involvement is still being worked out).

MEGADETH's new album, "Super Collider", is scheduled for a June release via Mustaine's new label, Tradecraft, which is distributed by Universal Music Enterprises(UMe). Mustaine sang the very last note on the album on March 13 at his Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California. Horn player Bob Findley — who previously appeared on the track "Silent Scorn" from MEGADETH's 2001 CD, "The World Needs A Hero" — is a featured guest on the song "A House Divided" on the new album.

Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM have set "Halo Of Blood" as the title of their eighth studio album, due on June 11 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover art was created by Sami Saramäki, who was responsible for the artwork on previous CHILDREN OF BODOM albums "Follow The Reaper", "Are You Dead Yet?" and "Hate Crew Deathroll".

CHILDREN OF BODOM's new CD was recorded at Danger Johnny Studios in Helsinki. For the recording of the LP, CHILDREN OF BODOM has teamed up with recording engineer Mikko Karmila, who worked with the band on their fan-favorite albums "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Hate Crew Deathroll", as well as Swedish producer Peter Tägtgren (MARDUK, AMON AMARTH), who oversaw production of both vocals and keyboards on the record. The album was mixed at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki.

Commented CHILDREN OF BODOM guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho: "'Halo Of Blood' is the eighth studio album from CHILDREN OF BODOM, and believe it or not, but we still managed to keep it fresh and new while still maintaining the elements that make COB sound recognizable. It's got the fastest and the slowest song we ever made and lyrics wise there are themes we had never had before. It's 10 new songs of pure Nordic metal and whether you enjoy it with a beer or a glass of water, I’m sure you will have a good time."

Added CHILDREN OF BODOM bass player Henkka Seppälä about the artwork: "We wanted to have a winter scene. Somehow it fits well with the atmosphere of the music and the composing session. It could be Lake Bodom, actually, frozen, with people trapped under the ice. Very Finnish looking scene. We were really happy how Sami created the whole imagery!"

"Halo Of Blood" track listing:

01. Waste Of Skin
02. Halo Of Blood
03. Scream For Silence
04. Transference
05. Bodom Blue Moon (The Second Coming)
06. The Days Are Numbered
07. Dead Man’s Hand On You
08. Damage Beyond Repair
09. All Twisted
10. One Bottle And A Knee Deep

"Halo Of Blood" is expected to feature a guest appearance by ANNIHILATOR mainman] Jeff Waters.

"I played on ANNIHILATOR's album 'Metal' in 2007, so the way I see it, Jeff Waters owes BODOM a solo or two! It's payback time," Laiho told Soundi magazine.

The unique, artful Japanese rock band DIR EN GREY will release a mini album, "The Unraveling", on April 3. The effort will contain seven tracks, including a new song, "Unraveling". The cover features original artwork by artist and sculptor Yasuyuki Nishio. This intriguing artwork is the result of the fusion between DIR EN GREY's expressions to this day with Yasuyuki Nishio's perspective of the world, bringing forth yet another release that exhibits an overwhelming sense of existence.

"The Unraveling" track listing:

01. Unraveling
02. Karma
03. Kasumi
04. Karasu
05. Bottom Of The Death Valley
06. Unknown.Despair.Lost
07. The Final

A teaser for "The Unraveling" can be seen below.

For more information, visit www.direngrey.co.jp.

DIR EN GREY released a new single, "Rinkaku", in December. According to a press release, "the track is unlike anything you have heard before, almost overturning the band's musical concept on a new scale, coming in with a range full of depth with Kyo's vocals that evoke classical elements in this beautiful and intricate melodic track which builds up dramatically with the intertwining guitars and bass. 'Rinkaku', mixed by an internationally acclaimed engineer, has turned out to be an inimitable track with an intense sound."

The initial limited version of the "Rinkaku" single features a bonus DVD featuring scenes from the single's recording sessions. The limited deluxe version features a bonus DVD featuring scenes from the recording of "Rinkaku" and the band's November 11, 2011 concert at Tokyo Dome City Hall.

STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok as joined NEWSTED, the new band led by former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Newsted.

NEWSTED is:

Jason Newsted - Bass, Lead Vocals
Jesus Mendez Jr. (THE NAPOLEON BLOWNAPARTS) - Drums
Jessie Farnsworth - Guitar, Backing Voice
Mike Mushok (STAIND) – Guitar

A photo of the current NEWSTED lineup can be seen below.

NEWSTED will make a number of European festival appearances in June:

Jun. 05 - Impact (Second Day) - Warsaw, Poland
Jun. 07 - Sweden Rock Festival - Sölvesborg, Sweden
Jun. 16 - Download (3rd Day/Pepsi Max Stage) - Castle Donington, UK
Jun. 21 - Seerock - Graz, Austria
Jun. 26 - Hegyalja Fesztival - Tokaj, Hungary
Jun. 29 - Rock The Beach - Helsinki, Finland
Jun. 30 - Graspop Metal Meeting - Dessel, Belgium

"Metal", the debut EP from NEWSTED, sold around 6,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 62 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Metal" was released on January 8 exclusively via iTunes. The EP was made available as a physical CD on January 15.

"Metal" contains the following tracks:

* Soldierhead
* Godsnake
* King Of The Underdogs
* Skyscraper

By purchasing all four songs, you will receive a copy of Jason's handwritten lyrics.

In a recent interview on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, Newsted stated about his new group's plans to release more material: "We recorded 11 songs total. We're going to release them in batches and if people dig them, then try to get a full LP out with the last EP with nice vinyl and stuff — that's my plan. If I can get that through and share that with people, then that's going to be really cool. I want to have it on CD. I ultimately want to have it on vinyl — the separate EP and the final one. We have to do it from the ground up like this because you have to take it to the people and selling the CDs at the show and all those kinds of things are the only way we were going to get back any money from the music. I think if you're going to put it online and share it with people that way, you get the downloads you can and then once it does whatever it does, you shouldn't try to really fight it — just present the best source material that you can, try to have it be representative and let it do its thing."

"Soldierhead", the first video from NEWSTED, can be seen below. Directed by Leon Melas, the clip was filmed on December 15, 2012 in an abandoned factory in California.

In a recent interview with Sonic Excess, Newsted stated about the video shoot: "It's just a simple thing, and I just wanted to capture the band. There is no heavy concept, no literal thing about bullets chasing your head or any of those things. It's old-school metal and most likely will be black and white. It was shot in an old factory. It was a gnarly, dusty, old factory and it had energy. That is what I will describe it as. I haven't got to play to the camera like that for a long time, and I was really going for it. The soldier version is something everyone will have. An HD version will be available on iTunes, but I want everyone to have it for free across the world. I want it to be the tip of the spear for everybody to see and hear what exactly it's all about."

"Soldierhead" was premiered on the December 17, 2012 edition of the "Eddie Trunk Live" show on SiriusXM satellite radio.

The Mighty Z of Capital Chaos TV conducted an interview with guitarist Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson of Swedish black metallers MARDUK on March 8 at Metro in Oakland, California. You can now watch the chat below.

MARDUK and Portugal's dark, gothic heavy hitters MOONSPELL have joined forces for the "Voices From The Dark" North American co-headlining tour. Support on the trek is coming from Colombian/American black metal rising demons INQUISITION, Italy's gothic melodic sensation THE FORESHADOWING, and Sweden's dark rock/metal band DEATH WOLF (featuring MARDUK members).

MARDUK's 12th studio album, "Serpent Sermon", sold around 800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 44 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

MARDUK's previous CD, "Wormwood", opened with around 650 units to enter the Heatseekers chart at No. 99.

"Serpent Sermon" was made available as standard CD, vinyl and limited-edition media book with an exclusive bonus track entitled "Coram Satanae".

Interview:

"The New Awakening", a brand new song from Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE — singer Jesse Leach, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarist Joel Stroetzel and drummer Justin Foley — can be streamed below. The song comes off the band's forthcoming album, "Disarm The Descent", which will be released on April 2 via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's 2009's self-titled release is the band's first album with original singer Leach at the vocal helm since 2002's now-classic, genre-defining "Alive or Just Breathing". Leach returned to the band in January 2012 after a decade-long absence. The artwork for the new CD was created by D'Antonio.

"Disarm The Descent" was selected by Alternative Press magazine for its "Most Anticipated Albums of 2013" issue, and the band was profiled in Guitar World as one to watch in 2013. Clearly, buzz from fans and the metal and hard rock community regarding new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE remains deafening.

"It is with a grateful spirit that we prepare for this record's release," Leach said. "From the music, to the lyrics, to the artwork, we are all proud of what we have accomplished. To me, this is by far my best vocal performance, much thanks to Adam's guidance and faith in my abilities. I am very grateful to be where I am in life, back in an amazing band with a record we are all excited for the world to hear. Thanks to all the fans for their warm welcome back and their undying love for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE."

"Disarm The Descent" track listing:

01. The Hell In Me
02. Beyond The Flames
03. The New Awakening
04. In Due Time
05. A Tribute To The Fallen
06. The Turning Point
07. All That We Have
08. You Don't Bleed For Me
09. The Call
10. No End In Sight
11. Always
12. Time Will Not Remain

"Disarm The Descent" was mixed by veteran British producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, ACCEPT, ARCH ENEMY and NEVERMORE.

A 39-second audio snippet of "All Lips Go Blue", the new single from Finnish "love metallers" HIM, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. A music video for the song will be helmed by Eugene Riecansky, a multi-award-winning director and animation and motion graphics who has previously orked on music clips for Madonna and THE PRODIGY, directed television commercials for MUSE, MTV Europe and MASTODON, and worked with international partners such as Warner Brother Records and the BBC.

HIM's new album, "Tears On Tape", will be released on April 30 via Razor & Tie in North America and on April 29 through DoubleCross (Cooking Vinyl's specialist rock imprint) in the U.K. and Ireland. The "love metal" act's eighth official album was recorded at Helsinki's Finnvox Studios with longtime producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (APOCALYPTICA, AMORPHIS, MOONSPELL) and was mixed in London, England by Tim Palmer, who previously helmed 2005's "Dark Light" and 2007's "Venus Doom".

"Tears On Tape" track listing:

01. Unleash The Red
02. All Lips Go Blue
03. Love Without Tears
04. I Will Be The End Of You
05. Tears On Tape
06. Into The Night
07. Hearts At War
08. Trapped In Autumn
09. No Love
10. Drawn & Quartered
11. Lucifer's Chorale
12. W.L.S.T.D.
13. Kiss The Void

HIM has launched fan pre-order bundles for "Tears On Tape". Unique items featured in the various bundles include a limited-edition HIM poster, an album cover T-shirt, a "snake" T-shirt (available for both men and women), a HIM hoodie, and two different colored vinyl pressings. All bundles include a "Tears On Tape" digital album download, a poster tube, a "Tears On Tape" CD or Vinyl, and an "instant gratification" download of a brand-new version of "When Love And Death Embrace" (recorded live in-studio during the recording sessions for the new album).

The first 2000 orders will receive the deluxe digipak edition of "Tears On Tape" featuring a bonus DVD with five new in-studio videos recorded specifically for this album release. Order now at him.merchnow.com.
In addition to the 13 new tracks, the very exclusive and very limited "fanpack", presented by Metal Hammer magazine and DoubleCross Records features some not-to-be-found-anywhere-else content. Exclusively available from April 29 for four weeks, it comes with a bespoke 132-page magazine edited by frontman Ville Valo himself that plays as the ultimate sleeve notes to the album, including:

* Full studio album + 2 bonus tracks ("Buried Alive By Love" and "The Kiss Of Dawn" recorded live in the studio)
* Giant double-sided door poster
* Exclusive interviews with Ville Valo and all members of HIM
* An extended track-by-track guide to "Tears On Tape"
* An interview with the architects behind the sound of "love metal" Hiili Hiilesmaa and Tim Palmer
* A detailed guide to HIM's extensive back catalog
* The true, exclusive story of the Heartagram
* An exclusive gallery from the band's own private collections
* Interviews by the band with as assortment of their own heroes

The album's artwork, which artist Daniel P. Carter describes as having come about via "a series of strange coincidences involving Lee Dorrian, sacred geometry and the ramblings of a madman," is revealed below.

HIM's current lineup is Ville Valo (vocals), Mikko "Linde" Lindström (guitar), Mikko "Migé" Paananen (bass), Janne "Burton" Puurtinen (keyboards), and Mika "Gas" Karppinen (drums). The band is managed by Seppo Vesterinen at Hinterland, Inc. and represented for U.S. touring by Justin Hirschman/AGI.

To honor and celebrate Record Store Day, Nuclear Blast and legendary U.S. thrash metallers OVERKILL will release a limited-edition 10-inch copper-colored vinyl in gatefold containing four live tracks recorded at The Metro in Sidney, Australia on September 25, 2010.

Side A:

01. Horrorscope
02. Long Time Dyin'

Side B:

01. Necroshine
02. Walk Through Fire

Record Store Day celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale.

As previously reported, OVERKILL will release a very special limited tour edition of its latest album, "The Electric Age", in Europe on April 19 via Nuclear Blast Records. The limited 2CD tour edition will include the regular album as well as a four additional live tracks on a bonus CD, recorded at The Metro in Sidney, Australia on September 25, 2010.

"The Electric Age" tour edition track listing:

CD 1 - "The Electric Age"

01. Come And Get It
02. Electric Rattlesnake
03. Wish You Were Dead
04. Black Daze
05. Save Yourself
06. Drop The Hammer Down
07. 21st Century Man
08. Old Wounds, New Scars
09. All Over But The Shouting
10. Good Night

CD 2 - "Live From Oz" recorded in Sidney, Australia, (The Metro on September 25, 2010):

01. Horrorscope
02. Long Time Dyin'
03. Necroshine
04. Walk Through Fire

To order a copy, go to this location.

OVERKILL was forced to drop off the "Dark Roots Of Thrash" tour with TESTAMENT last month due to singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's bout with pneumonia.

"The Electric Age" sold 6,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 77 on The Billboard 200 chart.

OVERKILL's previous CD, "Ironbound", opened with 4,100 units to enter the chart at No. 192. The effort landed at No. 4 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"The Electric Age" was recorded and mixed at Gear Recording Studios in New Jersey, owned and operated by OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni.

OVERKILL is Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (vocals), D.D. Verni (bass, backing vocals), Derek "The Skull" Tailer (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Dave Linsk (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Ron Lipnicki (drums).

To honor and celebrate Record Store Day, Nuclear Blast and TESTAMENT will release a limited-edition (1000 copies) seven-inch picture disc containing two bonus songs the band recorded during the sessions for their latest album, "Dark Roots Of Earth". Side A is a cover of the SCORPIONS song "Animal Magnetism", while side B is TESTAMENT's take on IRON MAIDEN's "Powerslave". Both covers can also be found on the deluxe edition of "Dark Roots Of Earth".

The "Animal Magnetism" / "Powerslave" picture disc will be released on April 20.

In a 2012 interview with Metal Assault, TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson stated about the band's versions of "Animal Magnetism" and "Powerslave": "I picked 'Animal Magnetism' [for us to cover]. For 'Animal Magnetism', we tuned it down to B. It's super low, and we slowed it down. It's already a slow, hypnotic song, but we slowed it down a little bit more. That's where the song just sucks you in. It puts you in a trance, which is what I think the SCORPIONS meant to do with the title 'Animal Magnetism'. It's kind of like a hypnotic beat through the whole song. But ours is, like, hypnotic to death or something. It's got a real drone-like sound to it."

He continued: "The 'Powerslave' song, that's a song you really can't change [laughs], because it's pretty modern and pretty up to date, and it's pretty awesome. But it really fitted in with the rest of the record, and I think what we really do to it is definitely give it justice. It sounds very close to the MAIDEN version, but it's just got that extra tightness and crunchiness to it. And the way Chuck's [Billy, TESTAMENT vocalist] singing it, it really puts a good vibe on it. He doesn't sound like Bruce [Dickinson, IRON MAIDEN singer] at all. He really just sounds like himself."

Record Store Day celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale.

"Doomain", the title track of the fifth album from Swedish epic doom metallers MEMORY GARDEN, can be streamed below. Due on April 15 in Europe and April 16 in North America via Metal Blade Records, the CD was recorded at Annoying Sound Factory and SolnaSound Recording by the bandmembers themselves, with a little engineering assistance from Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND) during the lead guitar sessions. The mix was handled by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE) at Unisound studios in Örebro, Sweden.

"Doomain" track listing:

01. The Evangelist
02. Latent Lunacy
03. Daughters Of The Sea
04. Barren Lands
05. Violate & Create
06. Doomain
07. The King Of The Dead
08. A Diabolical Mind
09. Misfortune

Comments the band: "The recording of 'Doomain' must be the most relaxed album session we've ever done.

"We recorded most of the album ourselves in our own studio and took the time we wanted and needed to get it done. Dan Swanö helped us getting the rig together and he provided us with the tools to do it and from there we did it ourselves. The lead guitar sessions were done at SolnaSound Recording by Simon and Mike Wead. When it all was done, it was sent to Dan Swanö and Unisound for mix and mastering. The final album is amazing and we are so thrilled to get it out to all of you"

Regarding the CD title, the group states: "We wanted a short and effective title to this album. It's a little game of words referring to the style of music we play 'doom metal' and the actual word 'domain.'

"We see this album as a statement of what MEMORY GARDEN stands for music-wise and this album is certainly down our alley, it's in our Doomain."

MEMORY GARDEN was formed in 1992 in Sweden and has since then released four albums, two of them under the flag of Metal Blade Records ("Verdict Of Posterity" in 1998 and "Mirage" in 2000).

MEMORY GARDEN is:

Stefan Berglund - Vocals
Simon Johansson - Lead Guitar
Andreas Mäkelä - Guitars
Johan Fredrikson - Bass
Tom Björn - Drums

"Doomain" (song) audio stream:

A one-minute audio snippet of "Shot Of Reality", a brand new song from the Los Angeles hardcore/metal band TERROR, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the group's sixth studio album, "Live By The Code", which will be released on April 9 via Victory Records.

Regarding TERROR's new deal with Victory, the band's vocalist, Scott Vogel, previously said: "When I was in high school, I would go to Home Of The Hits Records in Buffalo, New York and every week I would check for new Victory releases.

"Growing up, Victory Records always had the best hardcore bands, period. They had this awesome packaging and vibe that I loved. INTEGRITY, STRIFE, BLOODLET, EARTH CRISIS — it was a fucking amazing time for hardcore. Later, I met [Victory Records founder] Tony [Brummel] when he came to Buffalo to see SNAPCASE. We stayed in contact and made plans for my second band, DESPAIR, but soon after we broke up.

"Victory and my band BURIED ALIVE worked together for years. They also had HATEBREED, BLOOD FOR BLOOD, ALL OUT WAR and REACH THE SKY, all bands I've always respected and held in the highest regard.

"This summer, I hung out with Tony and we had a wild night in Chicago. We talked about the good and bad of hardcore today and just had a blast. No business talk, no nonsense. We were under contract at the time so there wasn't even room for it.

"As we got ready to release 'Live By The Code', TERROR and Century Media debated on how to release the record right and Victory Records seemed like the best fit.

"Tony and I are both insane. We both come from the same place. We both scratch and fight to stay afloat. We still believe in the essence of hardcore and still love WARZONE. This is pretty fucking exciting."

Vogel claims "Live By The Code" "hits harder than 'Keepers Of The Faith'," calling it the "dirtiest, rawest and most hardcore record we've done since 'Lowest Of The Low'."

"TERROR are the biggest hardcore band in the world," said Brummel.

"I have known Scott for twenty years and he has remained true to what he believes in, cherishes and helps keep alive which is first and foremost: hardcore.

"If you are just discovering hardcore or have loved it since the movement started in the late 1970s, this album is for you."

The first trailer for "The Bonding", the forthcoming eighth album from Austrian female-fronted symphonic metallers EDENBRIDGE, can be seen below. The effort will be released on June 21 in Germany, June 24 in the rest of Europe and July 2 in the U.S./Canada via SPV/Steamhammer. It will be available as a limited-edition ecol book with a bonus CD and some exciting extras, double gatefold colored vinyl with printed inner sleeves, jewel case version and as a digital download.

Commented EDENBRIDGE bandleader and composer Lanvall: "We are extremely happy and proud to be part of the SPV family. After several months of meetings, we feel that the title of our new album, 'The Bonding', fits perfectly into our new home. Our fans should expect a new album filled with emotional and powerful music and a mystical artwork which will form a unity with the message of the album."

Added Steamhammer A&R representative Olly Hahn: "EDENBRIDGE were always a band way ahead and I'm happy that they decided to join the SPV family. Together we will create some exciting things for the new album which will present the band in a light which they deserve!"

"The Bonding" was mixed by Karl Groom (THRESHOLD) at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey, England. The CD will feature orchestral parts by the Klangvereinigung Vienna orchestra, conducted by Gerald Mair and recorded at Home Music Studio in Vienna with Georg Luksch. Lanvall stated: "The result is overwhelming. We have decided to record strings, brass/woodwinds and percussion seperately this time. Everything sounds more voluminous and cleaner. The musicians of the orchestra did a tremendous job. Be prepared for a real blast!"

The drum tracks for "The Bonding" were recorded by Max Pointner at Sunprojects Studio.

EDENBRIDGE recently announced the addition of bassist Wolfgang Rothbauer to the group's ranks. Wolfgang is a longtime friend of the band who has previously collabororated with EDENBRIDGE drummer Max Pointner in IN SLUMBER and EDENBRIDGE guitarist Dominik Sebastian in THIRDMOON.

EDENBRIDGE's seventh album, "Solitaire", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95 back in July 2010.

EDENBRIDGE's live album, "LiveEarthDream", was released in May 2009. The disc was recorded at various concerts in 2008 and was only available through the band's fanshop.