Savannah, GA's BLACK TUSK have completed recording their upcoming EP, which is scheduled to be released later this spring via Relapse Records. The EP, recorded with producer Phillip Cope (KYLESA, BARONESS) at the Jam Room in Columbia, SC, will serve as a gateway between 2011's Set The Dial and the band's next full-length.

The band recently hit the road for a short run of headline dates, followed up by a month long run of shows with TODAY IS THE DAY, KEN MODE and FIGHT AMP, then a two week run with KVELERTAK and CANCER BATS. A complete list of dates can be found below.

Black Tusk is also scheduled to appear at this year's SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX. The group will be headlining both the Rock of Ages Tattoo Showcase at Yellow Jacket Social Club on Friday, March 15th with label mates HOWL and TRUE WIDOW, and the Official Relapse Records / Chaos in Tejas Showcase with ASG, ROYAL THUNDER, Howl, INTER ARMA and CALL OF THE VOID on Saturday, March 16th at Red 7.

Black Tusk tour dates:

March
5 - Reading, PA - Reverb

March (with Today Is The Day, Ken Mode, Fight Amp)
6 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus Bar
7 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
8 - New York, NY - The Studio at Webster Hall
9 - Washington DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
10 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls
11 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Upstairs)
12 - Tampa, FL - The Local 662
13 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
14 - San Antonio, TX - Korova (SXSW Tone Deaf ) No Fight Amp
15 - Austin, TX - Yellow Jacket Social Club (Rock of Ages Tattoo SXSW Showcase)
16 - Austin, TX - Red 7 (Relapse Records / Chaos in Tejas Official SXSW Showcase)
17 - Dallas, TX - The Double Wide, Spillover Fest, No Fight Amp
19 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
20 - Tempe, AZ - Rocky Point Cantina
21 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
22 - Los Angeles, CA - Satellite
24 - Santa Cruz, CA - Atrium at The Catalyst
25 - San Francisco, CA - Elbo Room
26 - Portland, CA - Rotture
27 - Seattle, WA - The Highline
28 - Bellingham, WA - The Shakedown
29 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
31 - Edmonton AB - Pawn Shop

April (with Today Is The Day, Ken Mode, Fight Amp)
1 - Calgary, AB - The Palomino
2 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos Cantina
4 - Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid
5 - Fargo, ND - The Aquarium
6 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
7 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle

April (with Kvlertak, Cancer Bats)
22 - Detroit, MI - Shelter St. Andrews
24 - Cleveland, OH - The Grog Shop
25 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups
28 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre
30 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge

May (with Kvlertak, Cancer Bats)
1 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
11 - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's (Downstairs)
12 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
13 - Austin, TX - Red 7
15 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
18 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
21 - Montreal, QC - Les Katacombes

May
22 - Toronto, ON - The Wreck Room

Black Tusk guitarist Andrew Fidler is featured on the website Play This Riff. FU MANCHU’s Bob Balch, who owns and operates the site, has videos of Fidler teaching the following songs:

‘Crossroads And Thunder’ (Intro, main riff, and drummer cues)
‘Crossroads And Thunder’ (Verse, bridge, and Outro)
‘Ender Of All’ (Every riff and inspiration)
‘Fixed In The Ice’ (Intro and build up riff)
‘Fixed In The Ice’ (Solo, bridge, and song structure)

‘Crossroads And Thunder’ (Intro, main riff, and drummer cues) can be viewed at Playthisriff.com.

"Take Away", a brand new song from UPON WINGS, can be streamed using the SoundCloud below. The track comes off the project's new EP, "Afterlife", which was released on March 5 via Sword Of The Spirit Records LLC. The CD features guest vocals and production from Brett Hestla (ex-CREED, DARK NEW DAY).

"Afterlife" track listing:

01. Afterlife
02. You Are My Weapon
03. Take Away
04. The Dream (I'm Only Happy When I'm Sleeping)

Rock and metal fans will recognize plenty of names on "Afterlife". KID ROCK recording engineer and Grammy-nominated mixing engineer Glenn Brown mastered the single, while Hestla provided guest vocals and production talents. More metal assistance for the upcoming EP came from producer and guitarist Kevin Jardine, best known as the guitarist of Canadian nu metal giants SLAVES ON DOPE, formerly on Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's Divine Recordings label. Drummer Peter Tzaferis also contributed to the EP.

Recording sessions for "Afterlife" took place at Johnny K's Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, where DISTURBED, 3 DOORS DOWN, STAIND and countless other heavy music-makers have laid down tracks.

UPON WINGS combines operatic, female-fronted goth-pop with rousing rock and metal in a unique, ethereal fashion. Frontwoman Anne Autumn Erickson is a classically-trained dramatic mezzo-soprano, and her lyrics take listeners down a path of heartfelt introspection, pain, joy and faith.

UPON WINGS's debut single, "The Dream", was made available in March 2012 via iTunes, Amazon MP3 and Google Music. "The Dream" was the result of a collaboration between Erickson and Grammy-nominated producer Glenn Brown (EVANS BLUE, SPINAL TAP, THE VERVE PIPE).

UPON WINGS hails from the U.S. and can be described as symphonic metal with a classical influence.

Erickson is also a music journalist for Gannett, Gibson, Loudwire and radio host and managing editor of Audio Ink Radio.

For more information, visit www.uponwings.com.

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal took part in a live chat on Saturday, March 2 from the 2013 National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show.

Asked about the possibility of the current GUNS N' ROSES lineup releasing a new album in the near future, Thal said: "You know what?! Just forget about a new record until it happens. I mean, I can't even begin… How long have we been talking about a new fucking record? And I'm the only that doesn't bullshit you people about it and I say, no, we haven't been in the studio together; no, we haven't started writing together as a band."

He continued: "If something came out at this point, it would be very old material that is just being released now. So it would be unheard material, but to me, I don't consider that a new record, I consider that just releasing old material from a band that doesn't exist anymore. And we need to make an album of this band right now. And I hit up Axl [Rose, GUNS N' ROSES singer] again two days ago. I was, like, 'Hey, while we're in Australia, let's make some music. Let's work on some stuff.' But we'll see what happens.

"I'm all about making music; that's why I make music — to make music. So I'd like to really do that.I would be very happy if GUNS N' ROSES could do that. We'll see what happens. That's all I can say. I mean, at this point, we're just doing shows and doing shows and doing shows. And the shows are great and we're having fun and everything. But I've got the itch. I've had the itch for a long fucking time. I wanna make some music with these motherfuckers. It's a damn good band and we should really have the opportunity to give what we can to all of you, and make some music for you.

"If anyone reads any of my long-ass interviews where I am ranting like I am right now, you know how I feel about it and that's what I'm about. All I can say is, look, it's not up to me. It's gotta be unanimous, so I hope unanimously at some point everyone says, 'Alright, let's just put life to the side, everything to the side, and just focus on this and make it happen and make some music together.' I think it would be fucking great, and I hope it happens.

"But as far as seeing a new album in the future, I don't see it in the near future, no. It's gonna be a while — if it's gonna be with this band writing from the beginning.

"So, yeah, there's reality for you. I wish I had something better I can tell you, guys, because we all want the same thing — we want new music; me and you."

"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, re-entered The Billboard 200 chart in April 2011 after it was made available at BestBuy.com for a reduced price of $1.99.

Best Buy was the exclusive U.S. retailer for "Chinese Democracy", reportedly paying $14 million for 1.6 million copies. But the album was a major sales disappointment, moving less than 700,000 copies to date despite the curiosity and hype surrounding its release.

The CD was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies.

"Chinese Democracy" came out 15 years after its predecessor, 1993's "The Spaghetti Incident". It took more than a decade to record, during which every original member of the band except Rose was replaced and four different producers were used.

Nevertheless, Rose hinted in a 2002 interview that the lengthy sessions for the record had left him with enough material for two follow-ups.

In addition sole original member Axl Rose, the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Thal, Richard Fortus and DJ Ashba, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.

Iggy and the Stooges are ready to set fire to rock 'n' roll again.

The band has released "Burn," the lead single from upcoming album "Ready to Die," a track that crackles immediately into hard-rock flame.



The album's due April 30 on Fat Possum. It's their second since reforming a decade ago, following 2007's "The Weirdness" -- which in turn followed the group's influential late '60s/early '70s trio, "The Stooges," "Fun House" and "Raw Power."

Iggy and the Stooges will promote the new set with an SXSW appearance on March 13, and an Australian and European tour to follow.

Ex-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES guitarist Mike Clark's new project, WAKING THE DEAD, will open for his former band on their upcoming U.S. tour.

Says Clark: "Some of you may be wondering what I've been up to for the last seven months or so. Well, I've always had a dream of fronting my own band, that is playing both rhythm and lead guitars and singing which is why I left SUICIDAL in June to recreate the band I founded in 1985, NO MERCY. Unfortunately I cannot use the name NO MERCY, as it's been trademarked by WWE, so we are now calling the band WAKING THE DEAD. We are re-releasing the NO MERCY original album, which Mike Muir sang on with two additional tracks, also featuring Muir on vocals to let you know where and how the band would sound had it kept going. Also, I, with WAKING THE DEAD, have been given the great opportunity to open the show for SUICIDAL's upcoming tour this April, which is a great honor for us. After that, look forward to a WAKING THE DEAD full-length album in the near future.

"Once again, I can't tell you how excited and honored I am to hit the stage again! So get ready for your ears to bleed, that head to bang and that slam pit to go off!!"

The seventh album from Norwegian/Italian metallers TRISTANIA is being mastered today at Cutting Room Studios in Sweden. The CD will be released in May via Napalm Records.

Pre-production for the effort finished in December. The album was recorded in January/February and mixed by the producer Christer André Cederberg in the latter weeks in February. The entire production has now been brought to Cutting Room Studios and chief mastering engineer Bjørn Engelmann, who has previously worked with bands like MESHUGGAH, ENSLAVED and WITHIN TEMPTATION.

An audio teaser for the new song "Darkest White", to be featured on TRISTANIA's upcoming album, can be streamed below.

Christer André Cederberg started his metal career with Norwegian avant garde extreme metal band IN THE WOODS… in the late 1990s, and has been involved in numerous bands and projects, including his own solo project STILLE OPPRØR and internationally acclaimed ANIMAL ALPHA.

TRISTANIA fans may be familiar with Cederberg's work through his most recent collaboration with ANATHEMA on their award-winning album "Weather Systems" (2012).

Christer André said that he was eager to work with TRISTANIA for a while and was excited about getting involved in the band's latest recording.

"There is a huge amount of talent within each and every band member, and a number of possible variations to work on, not least vocally, which makes this a great challenge for me as a producer," he said. "My aim for the forthcoming album is to dig out the potential, make a heavier album than the previous one, more organic, detailed and refined, but also dirtier and more extreme. TRISTANIA is a band that manage to do all this live, and we will be working together to recreate that energy and quality also on record."

TRISTANIA's sixth album, "Rubicon", was released in August 2010 via Napalm.

TRISTANIA in 2007 announced the addition of Italian singer Mariangela "Mary" Demurtas to the group's ranks. Guitarist Gyri Losnegård was added to the lineup in 2008.

The band's previous CD, "Illumination", was released in January 2007 via SPV. The effort was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Waldemar Sorychta (LACUNA COIL, TIAMAT, GRIP INC.).

Sammy Hagar has posted a photo of himself with fellow original MONTROSE bandmembers Bill Church (bass) and Denny Carmassi (drums) along with caption "Denny and Bill in town. We recorded some new music last week. It was amazing. We still have that MONTROSE chemistry. Keep ya all posted."

Legendary MONTROSE guitarist Ronnie Montrose was found dead at his home in Brisbane, California on March 3, 2012 from a self-inflected gunshot wound. The autopsy also revealed his blood-alcohol level was at 0.31-percent when he died — nearly four times the legal limit in California. Montrose had been battling prostate cancer for five years.

At the time of Montrose's death, Hagar told Rolling Stone: "We were planning a MONTROSE reunion for my birthday in Cabo. Montrose, the whole band, has not been there. Denny's been there, Bill's been there, Ronnie's been there — but (the whole band together) has never been there. I said to Ronnie, 'Come on, man. We're all getting old. Let's do this again while we can.' And he was in, we were all in. It's fucked up that those songs will never be played by those four members again. That's so weird to me. It's like the end of an era. Songs can go forever, but we can't. It's trippy. Ronnie Montrose gave me my first break as a songwriter, as a front man, as a recording artist, as a touring artist, and for that I will always be grateful."

A three-judge panel in the Czech Republic said it could deliver a verdict by today in the manslaughter trial of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe.

Blythe's manslaughter trial in Prague, Czech Republic resumed yesterday (Monday, March 4) after court was adjourned last month due to missing witnesses.

Blythe is facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a May 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, who attended a LAMB OF GOD performance in Prague, died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.

In a brand new posting on his Instagram account, Blythe reflected on his legal battle and mentally prepared for today's verdict, explaining that he "categorically refuse[s] to live in a constant state of guilt and fear."

He wrote: "It's a beautiful morning in Prague, and time for me to go to what is (hopefully) my final day in court here- supposedly judgement will be passed today and I will move on with my life in one direction or the other. Which direction that is, I do not know. I could walk free, or conversely go to prison for up to ten years. Such is my life right now, and I must stay in this moment until its resolution. Whatever happens to me, do not feel sorry for me, for I am at peace and refuse to feel sorry for myself.

"Life happens. Deal with it.

"Some people cannot understand why I have returned, saying I should not come back here. KNOW THIS, and mark my words well — it would be absolutely intolerable for me to hide from this situation.

"I am an innocent man, but a family suffers the loss of a son, a fan of my band. That is what this whole thing is truly about, not prison, not money, not politics, not ME — it is about a young man who lost his life at just 19 years of age. He will never come back, and it breaks my heart. I would not be able to sleep at night knowing that I did not behave honorably and try to give his family some answers. That would be disgraceful, and I do not wish to dishonor myself or my family by acting in such a cowardly manner.

"I was raised to face my problems head on. For me, this is BEING A MAN.

"I categorically refuse to live in a constant state of guilt and fear. I would rather die.

"My morality and convictions are not dependent upon unforeseeable circumstance, nor malleable when difficulty arises.

"So I walk this morning to court with my head held high, no matter what others opinions of me may be. I have to face myself in the mirror, and tomorrow morning, where ever I may wake up, I will be able to do that without regret. This is THE ONLY path to true freedom for me — peace within myself. This is the manner in which I choose to try my best to live my life, and I hope you all do the same — do your best to do what is right, no matter how difficult it may be. I promise you, this will bring you peace.

"I thank you all for your support, I wish you all a good day, and to quote one of my favorite movies: STRENGTH AND HONOR."

The parents of the alleged victim are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).

It's a struggle for some bands to get started, while others appear to seamlessly come together. With years of perspective and experience, the three members of PYRITHION have created a dark and intense death metal record almost overnight. The individual members' prior success aside, the music speaks for itself.

Singer Tim Lambesis, who is best known for his work as the front man of AS I LAY DYING, explains: "I have wanted to do a heavier and more traditionally metal band for a while. Being that I own a recording studio, I thought a great place to start was by asking my engineer who the best guitar player is that he has recorded. I wanted to team him up with one of my favorite guitar players growing up."

Shortly thereafter, Ryan Glisan from ALLEGAEON and Andy Godwin (ex-THE FAMINE, EMBODYMENT) began sending ideas back and forth. Those ideas would form the foundations of the first three PYRITHION songs. Glisan elaborates further on the band's expedited origin: "When Tim first reached out to me to ask if I was interested in starting a new project, I was really intrigued as to where the overall sound would go. Given the short time frame we had to work with, the 'newness' of all the members, and an uncertainty of an overall direction, I wasn't initially 100% confident in how the end product would turn out. After spending a weekend collaborating, recording these initial three songs, and beginning to write new songs going forward, I can say with absolute confidence now that this band will be a major force in the metal scene."

PYRITHION's debut release, "The Burden of Sorrow", stands as a showcase of what the members are capable of putting together over what merely amounted to an extended weekend. The total potential in PYRITHION is incredible and there is much anticipation for how the band will continue to develop as they prepare for a full-length record.

Watch the lyric video for the song "The Invention Of Hatred" below.

"The Burden Of Sorrow" will be released worldwide on Metal Blade Records on April 16.

Irish thrashers GAMA BOMB will release their fourth album, "The Terror Tapes", on April 19 in Europe and May 7 the U.S. via AFM Records. The cover for the follow-up to 2009's "Tales From The Grave In Space" was illustrated by veteran movie poster artist Graham Humphreys, who created pieces for classics "A Nightmare On Elm Street" and "Evil Dead".

"We grew up in terror of VHS covers painted by Graham, but we never knew his name," says GAMA BOMB vocalist Philly Byrne. "We found him, had the audacity to chat to him, and now it's a dream come true to work together and to see the astounding work he's done for us.

"The cover shows a man being consumed by a giant, living tape machine. It's got the feeling of a grubby old 1980s video sleeve, I think. It ties in perfectly with our obsession with old technology and mad horror imagery. It's the best album cover we've ever had. Everyone else's album art sucks because of this."

"The Terror Tapes" will be preceded by a single for the track "Terrorscope", available both as a completely free download on March 26, with a vinyl release following in April.

"It was really important to us to give people some music for nothing," says Byrne. "It's how we get our music and we want people to know we're cool with them doing that, as long as they support us. Support comes from a lot of different places, not just the front pocket."

"The Terror Tapes" track listing:

01. The Wrong Stuff
02. Legend of Speed
03. Backwards Bible
04. Beverly Hills Robocop
05. Smoke The Blow With Willem Dafoe
06. We Started The Fire
07. Terrorscope
08. The Cannibals Are In The Streets - All Flesh Must Be Eaten
09. Shitting Yourself To Live
10. Matrioshka Brain
11. Metal Idiot
12. Wrecking Ball

Regarding the musical direction of "The Terror Tapes", Byrne, says: "I think this album's really going to shock people. We're not afraid to write brash, outrageous songs that will make people stand up and shout. There are some straight-up classics on this album and we can't wait for everyone to hear it."

He adds: "It's been a long road to bring 'The Terror Tapes' to life. I had throat surgery, Domo [Dixon, guitar] had a tendon injury, we changed our lineup, we recorded without a label, did it all the hard way. We worked hard and got through and made a great album which we're proud to be releasing with such great guys as AFM, who really believe in what we're doing. We've spent long enough in the shadows; now we’re ready to re-emerge."

"Tales From The Grave In Space" was given away as a free download via Rapidshare with GAMA BOMB's then-label Earache Records.

POISON singer Bret Micheals was "fired" by "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice"'s Donald Trump during Sunday night's broadcast of the celebrity reality competition's sixth-season premiere on NBC

Michaels was booted from the show after his "Power" team lost the season's first task, which required "Power" and the opposing "Plan B" team to each make signature meatballs and sell them to paying charitable donors and customers at their own little meatball shops.

"I chose a team that took a big chance on [Omarosa Manigault]," Bret said following his ouster, according to Reality TV World. "She is an absolute manipulative villain and she got into Brande's head. But you know what? I'd be back here in a second. If I got asked to come back tomorrow, then I come back and fight again."

One month after suffering a brain hemorrhage and just days after being re-admitted to the hospital for a warning stroke, Michaels won the title of "The Celebrity Apprentice" in May 2010, beating out actress Holly Robinson Peete.

Michaels recently told CBSNews.com that he was honored to be a part of the NBC show.

"It's such an amazing addition to my life and where it's gone," he said.

"I think that winning 'Apprentice' was such an amazing amazing feeling," Michaels added. "At the very end of ours, it came down to three people... Sharon Osbourne, myself and Holly Robinson Peete. And all three were fighting for three very personal causes. Holly's son with autism, Sharon fighting for colon cancer, which has affected her, and me with my diabetes... Passion supersedes everything. You can have as much arguing and fighting as you want but when people are actually fighting for a real cause close to their heart, then that makes it the best emotion to watch."

Orange County, California-based hard rock band LORDS OF RUIN, which features in its ranks members of DROWN, SIX and MOTOR GUN HOTEL, has signed with Sullen Musik for the release of its new "Life Is A War" EP, which is available this Tuesday, March 5 digitally at iTunes.

LORDS OF RUIN is comprised of vocalist Lauren Boquette, formerly of the alt-metal act DROWN as well as Tattoo The Earth's main-stage opener FAMOUS, guitarist Jimmy Craig, bassist Travis Dunn and drummer Eric Dilday.

"With major labels more and more driven by the almighty dollar and how fast they can get it without any artist development, we're extremely thankful to have a union with Sullen Musik," commented Boquette. They are a completely artist-driven label that is focused on helping their acts build a genuine fan base through new marketing strategies, relentless touring and simply getting good music into the hands of the people who dig it! That's all this business needs to be; the rest just happens naturally.

"We're out to destroy people with this music. 'Life is a War' is only the beginning and Sullen Musik is on board to help us achieve our goals by being willing to work just as hard as we do."

LORDS OF RUIN rose from the ashes of SIX, who in 2009 released its critically acclaimed third album, "Between The War and the Warning", The CD featured guest appearances by Mike Clark from SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and bassist Tony Campos from STATIC-X.

Sullen Musik is a new independent music label focused on incubating and launching up-and-coming talent aligned with the lifestyle established by Sullen Clothing, the art-driven apparel brand founded and headquartered in Huntington Beach, California.

Former MEGADETH and KING DIAMOND guitarist Glen Drover — who left Geoff Tate's version of QUEENSRŸCHE before playing a single show with the band — will join the Todd La Torre-fronted QUEENSRŸCHE on stage this coming Thursday, March 7 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to perform the QUEENSRŸCHE classic "Take Hold Of The Flame".

In a posting on his Twitter account, Glen wrote: "Going up onstage with the REAL QUEENSRŸCHE and play 'Take Hold Of The Flame' this thursday at the Phoenix in Toronto. Going to be fun stuff!"

Drover announced his departure from Geoff Tate's version of QUEENSRŸCHE last November. He explained in a statement: "I am really sorry to say that I have decided to bow out of Geoff Tate's QUEENSRŸCHE. I was very excited about doing this gig initially, but learned in the past week or so that it's in my best interest not to do this right now. I feel really bad for those who were excited about the idea, and to Geoff himself, who, I have to say, was very nice to me on my past trip to Seattle. I, of course, am very disappointed for arriving at this point, and making this decision, to say the least. I sincerely wish the Geoff and the band all the luck on what they do in the future."

The Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE has inked a deal with Century Media Records for the release of the band's new studio album. Due on June 11, the CD marks the debut release from the lineup comprised of La Torre (vocals; ex-CRIMSON GLORY), Michael Wilton (guitar), Parker Lundgren (guitar), Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfield (drums).

The Geoff Tate-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE has set "Frequency Unknown" as the title of its new album, due on April 23 via the Los Angeles-based independent label Cleopatra Records. The CD was produced by Jason Slater at a studio in Northern California.

Although a lineup for Tate's QUEENSRŸCHE was originally announced in the fall of 2012, things have changed. The band will now feature Tate along with bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, DIO, WHITESNAKE, QUIET RIOT), guitarist Kelly Gray (QUEENSRŸCHE 1998-2001), keyboardist Randy Gane and new additions, guitarist Robert Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, HURRICANE) and drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, RHINO BUCKET). Guest musicians on the CD include K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST), Chris Poland (MEGADETH), Ty Tabor (KING'S X), Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, TESTAMENT, EXODUS), Lita Ford, Brad Gillis (NIGHT RANGER), Dave Meniketti (Y&T) and Craig Locicero (FORBIDDEN).

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have taken to Twitter in response to the news that LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe was found not guilty of manslaughter earlier today (Tuesday, March 5) by a panel of Czech judges in the concert death of one of the metal band's fans.

Blythe was facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a May 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, who attended a LAMB OF GOD performance in Prague, died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.

Tuesday's ruling by Prague's Municipal Court was confirmed by the court spokeswoman, Marketa Puci.

"We did not find criminal responsibility in the actions of the defendant," presiding judge Tomáš Kubovec said. "We found moral responsibility. There has been the death of a young man who had not been guilty of anything."

"The acquittal does not prevent the defendant, if he feels some moral responsibility, to enter negotiations with the family of the victim and act accordingly," the judge added.

The state prosecutors have announced their intention to appeal the verdict; they have eight days to put this in writing.

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "Motherland", the new album from veteran Danish hard rockers PRETTY MAIDS, can be seen below. The CD will be released on March 22 in Europe and March 26 in North America via Frontiers Records.

PRETTY MAIDS has just released "Sad to See You Suffer", the second digital single off "Motherland". The song shows a more melodic side of the band compared to the initial single/video "Mother Of All Lies", which has already been viewed more than 60,000 times on YouTube.

After their successful and highly acclaimed 2010 album "Pandemonium", PRETTY MAIDS celebrated their 30th anniversary with their debut visual release, "It Comes Alive (Maid in Switzerland)", in 2012. "Pandemonium" showed the world that PRETTY MAIDS were in a creative spring again, with the band in their finest moment. The melodic approach brought a return to the "Future World" / "Red Hot And Heavy" era of the Eighties, but with an updated sound and freshness that consolidated PRETTY MAIDS as strong as ever.

In late spring 2012, the band gathered to finally write the follow-up album. Singer Ronnie Atkins states: "We knew it was going to be a tough one to follow. I remember back in the day when we had to follow-up albums like 'Future World', we tried more or less to copy the songs from the previous album to keep the same kind of balance. But this time we just wrote what came natural to us and that's what became 'Motherland'."

The band teamed up again with producer Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, AMARANTHE) for the new CD. Ronnie says: "Jacob was a natural choice since we had a great experience with him producing the 'Pandemonium' album. The recordings went smooth to begin with, but then we had to start touring again during the weekends and this created some stress. Though I really feel strongly about 'Motherland'. In my view, it has all the ingredients of a good PRETTY MAIDS album, maybe even more melodic than 'Pandemonium' and absolutely, as far as I'm concerned a worthy follow-up."

"Motherland" track listing:

01. Mother Of All Lies
02. To Fool A Natio
03. Confession
04. The Iceman
05. Sad To See You Suffer
06. Hooligan
07. Infinity
08. Why So Serious
09. Motherland
10. I See Ghosts
11. Bullet For You
12. Who What Where When Why
13. Wasted

PRETTY MAIDS will play numerous festivals this summer, such as Wacken Open Air and Bang Your Head!!!, followed by an extensive world tour in support of "Motherland".

PRETTY MAIDS is:

Ronnie Atkins - Vocals
Ken Hammer - Guitars
Morten Sandager - Keyboards
Allan Tschicaja - Drums
Rene Shades - Bass

Swedish death metallers ENTRAILS will release their much-anticipated third album, "Raging Death", on May 13 in Europe via Metal Blade Records on vinyl, as a limited digi-CD with a bonus CD and as a jewelcase CD. In North America, the album will be available on May 14.

"Raging Death" was tracked in different studios: the drum recordings took place at the Racetrack studios while the basis recordings were done at Jimmy Lundqvist's own The Crypt recording studios. The album was mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound.

"Raging Death" track listing:

01. In Pieces
02. Carved To The Bone
03. Blood Hammer
04. Headless Dawn
05. Cadaverous Stench
06. Descend To The Beyond
07. Death League
08. Chained And Dragged
09. Defleshed
10. Cemetery Horrors

The band comments on the album: "This is the perfect next step for ENTRAILS. A massive stench of death, right in your face! 'Raging Death' as a title suited the album as a whole, since it's pure death metal without mercy!"

ENTRAILS formed in the '90s, but split up before they were able to release a demo or even an album. It took them until 2008 to come back when guitarist Jimmy Lundqvist rediscovered some old tapes. In a moment of nostalgia, he decided that they deserved to be released as they should have been originally. With modern recording technology, the first ENTRAILS demo could finally take shape. After releasing another demo in 2009, ENTRAILS recorded and released their debut album, "Tales From The Morgue", in 2010. Just a year later, "The Tomb Awaits" was released, an album that gained worldwide attention of music fans of the extreme and was considered by many as the best death metal release of 2011.

ENTRAILS has played numerous prestigious festivals in 2012 including gigs at Party.San Open Air, Summer Breeze and Hell Inside festival.

ENTRAILS is:

Joakim Svensson - Vocals/Bass
Jimmy Lundqvist - Guitar
Mathias Nilsson - Guitar
Adde Mitroulis - Drums

"Morning Rain", the new video freom Italy's KINGCROW, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "In Crescendo", which was made available in North America on February 12 via Sensory Records, a division of The Laser's Edge. The clip was directed and filmed by Mauro Marani with the collaboration of Devilnax.

While working in a mostly progressive metal direction in the earlier days, KINGCROW has increasingly expanded the scope of their sound to encompass elements of rock, nowadays rounded out in a culmination of strong atmospheric component similar to RIVERSIDE, PORCUPINE TREE and PINK FLOYD but also bearing a heavier, metallic semblance to OPETH and DREAM THEATER. This is boldly present on the band's fifth studio full-length, "In Crescendo", the new album encompassing nearly an hour over eight epic movements. Produced by the band's own Diego and Thundra Cafolla at Sound Under Pressure in Rome, the massive album was then mixed by Giampiero Ulacco and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music.

Over the past two years, KINGCROW has expanded the band's fanbase through a European tours in support of both REDEMPTION and JON OLIVA'S PAIN, in addition to performances at ProgPower Europe and ProgPower USA. Plans for a U.S. tour are being devised for 2013 in support of "In Crescendo".

"In Crescendo" track listing:

01. Right Before
02. This Ain't Another Love Song
03. The Hatch
04. Morning Rain
05. The Drowning Line
06. The Glass Fortress
07. Summer '97
08. In Crescendo

KINGCROW is:

Diego Cafolla - Guitar
Ivan Nastasi - Guitar
Diego Marchesi - Vocals
Thundra Cafolla - Drums
Francesco D'Errico- Bass
Cristian Della Polla - Keyboards

Video footage of WARRANT singer Robert Mason performing an acoustic version of the band's classic song "Heaven" at The Gibson Showroom at FOX5 studios in Las Vegas, Nevada can be seen below.

With over 10 million album sales spanning nearly two and a half decades, WARRANT came into the world spotlight when their debut album, "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich", reached multi-platinum stardom. Consisting of original bandmembers Erik Turner, Jerry Dixon, Steven Sweet, Joey Allen and Robert Mason now on lead vocals, they continue to tour worldwide and play in front of sold-out crowds.

In 2011, the band released "Rockaholic", their latest CD, on iTunes, and their singles "Life's A Song" and "Home" videos received a huge amount of success, which prompted them to launch their 21st-anniversary "Cherry Pie" tour with FIREHOUSE and TRIXTER.

At the helm for "Rockaholic" was mega-producer Keith Olsen (OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, SCORPIONS), while the mixing duties were handled by Pat Regan (KISS, DEEP PURPLE, TED NUGENT).

Last Saturday, only one day after the release of their new album, "To Beast Or Not To Beast", Finnish monster rockers LORDI not only presented their new single, "The Riff", on German TV; "Team Lordi" also competed in Pro 7's "wok racing championships!"

And as cool as the team retained its composure in the ice trail, their performance of "The Riff" was melting snow and ice with lots of flames and pyros.

You can watch video footage of LORDI's "The Riff" performance at this location.

"To Beast Or Not To Beast" was released on March 1 in Europe (excluding Finland) via AFM Records. The CD will be made available in North America on March 19 through The End Records.

"To Beast Or Not To Beast" was recorded last fall at WireWorld Studio in Nashville, Tennessee with renowned producer Michael Wagener (METALLICA, OZZY OSBOURNE, SKID ROW, DOKKEN, RAVEN, MEGADETH). The CD marks the recording debut of LORDI's new members, keyboardist Hella (replacing Awa) and drummer Mana (replacing Otus).

"The road to this album has truly been paved by hardships," LORDI leader Mr. Lordi says. "However, the new lineup of the band has given us new and fresh touch and an energetic edge to the recording process, and to the album itself."

He added: "The album cover painting is actually a part of a larger picture. The original artwork had this vintage-styled lady holding a horned skull, which, however, was not the main point of the art piece. There was something not quite right with the setting, so I made experiments with various versions and framings. Album title was 'Upgradead' at that point in time, and the painting was done with that title in mind. But now, with a changed concept of the artwork, the title did not seem to fit anymore. We did not consider it an A-class name either. Our guitarist Amen came up with the final title, which we felt suitable and perfect both for the cover artwork and the album."

"To Beast Or Not To Beast" track listing:

01. We're Not Bad For The Kids (We're Worse)
02. I Luv Ugly
03. The Riff
04. Something Wicked This Way Comes
05. I'm The Best
06. Horrifiction
07. Happy New Fear
08. Schizo Doll
09. Candy For The Cannibal
10. Sincerely With Love
11. SCG6: Otus' Butcher Clinic

LORDI previously worked with Wagener on 2010's "Babez For Breakfast", which sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 43 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.

Photo credit: ProSieben/Willi Weber

According to Blesk.cz and Novinky.cz, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe has been found not guilty of manslaughter earlier today (Tuesday, March 5) by a three-judge panel in the Czech Republic.

Blythe was facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a May 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, who attended a LAMB OF GOD performance in Prague, died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.

“I have been found not guilty and acquitted of all charges against me," Randy wrote on his Instagram account. "I am a free man.

"Please remember the family of Daniel Nosek in your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. I only wish for them peace. Thank you for your support."

Tuesday's ruling by Prague's Municipal Court was confirmed by the court spokeswoman, Marketa Puci.

The state prosecutors have announced their intention to appeal the verdict; they have eight days to put this in writing.

Blythe is not required to pay any compensation to the victim's family.

Randy's trial resumed yesterday (Monday, March 4) after court was adjourned last month due to missing witnesses (two expert witnesses – criminal psychologist/psychiatrist and a girl who attended the concert).

The presiding judge, Tomas Kubovec, said the opinions found in their reports were basically the same, according to WTVR.com. However, during testimony, they disagreed on how aggressive/anti-social Blythe is.

"I would like to thank the family of Daniel Nosek for not attacking me in the press and for their kind words to me in this court," Randy said in a statement to the court before the verdict was announced (see video below). "I am very sorry for their loss.

"Daniel was a fan of my band. I had no wish to harm him. He was just a biy and I wish he was still here.

"If, ultimately the Czech legal system sentences me to prison, I will do my sentence like a man.

"If I am to remain free, I will do my best to insure that conditions at this concert will not occur again with my band and other bands so that the fans will remain safe.

"I have searched for an answer to this situation. The only one I can find is that it was a tragic, horrible accident."

The parents of the alleged victim were demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).

Grindcore masters PIG DESTROYER have released a never-before-heard EP dedicated to the memory of Pat Egan and to the loving family he left behind. Entitled "Mass & Volume", the EP features artwork by Arik Roper and is available for purchase on Bandcamp. This is the only format that the EP is available in and all proceeds of this recording will be donated to the college fund of Pat Egan's daughter Katie.

Commented the band: "Pat Egan was a friend and a keystone member of the Relapse family for many of the years we have been involved with it. He devoted his life to supporting underground music and he immeasurably helped develop the bands he worked with. His untimely passing on February 18 shocked the many people that his life and work had touched.

"['Mass & Volume'] was written and recorded during the final day of the 'Phantom Limb' sessions, with unexpected extra studio time and resources. In the following years, with 'Natasha' being released on its own and Brian no longer being in the band, our intentions of releasing 'Mass & Volume' basically evaporated. However, looking back now, 'Mass & Volume' serves as a great epilogue to that particular era of the band."

In honor of the man who was so instrumental in the success of so many Relapse bands and records, the label has put together a 20-track compilation featuring a collection of Pat Egan's favorite songs and artists, including MASTODON, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, Brian Posehn, RED FANG, DEATH, and many more, including a never-before-released track from EXHUMED. 100% of proceeds from the compilation will go towards a college fund for Pat's young daughter Katie.

The compilation is available via Bandcamp at this location for only $5 but friends and fans are welcome to donate as much as they want. Direct contributions may also be made via PayPal to wellmissyoupat@relapse.com.

A memorial event for Pat has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST at Idle Hands Bar in New York City. Everyone is invited to attend to pay tribute to a dear friend, colleague and family man who left behind an amazing wife and a wonderful daughter. All proceeds from the event will go directly to his daughter Katie's college fund.

Chicago metallers DIRGE WITHIN, who last November announced Travis Neal (DIVINE HERESY) as their new lead singer following the departure of Jeremy "Jerms" Genske, have issued the following update:

"We have been pretty much buckled down writing and in and out of the studio working our asses off on new music and although it's early in the game, we wanted to share a taste of something fresh and metal for ya all."

Check out the 30-second clip below.

A re-recording of the DIRGE WITHIN song "Without You" featuring Travis Neal can be streamed in the SoundCloud player below. The band states: "We picked the track 'Without You' so all can hear a good balance of what we do in every area, from the heavy grooves to the soaring melodies, and, of course, our new vocalist, Travis Neal, really shows such in all these areas. We also thought what would be the best way to let all have this as we agreed to give this track away as we just want as many people to enjoy this track."

DIRGE WITHIN's sophomore album, "There Will Be Blood", was released on April 10, 2012 via Rocket Science Ventures/THC: Music. The CD was recorded at Mercenary Studios in Zion, Illinois with engineer Scott Creekmore and producer Ari Mihalopoulos and was mixed at Inner Light Studios with Ari and DIRGE WITHIN guitarist Shaun Glass.

Reactivated cult late '80s/early '90s Brazilian thrash metal band CHAKAL is putting the finishing touches on its sixth studio album, "Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!", for release later in the year. The CD will feature 10 tracks, including one instrumental piece; "Possessed Landscape (The Island Of The Dead)", which was released as a single and video in 2011; and "Anubis, The Lord of Necropolis", which the "Mondo Metal" radio show on Elo FM premiered last year.

A new teaser clip for "Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!" can be seen below.

"Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!" tentative track listing:

01. Exorcise Me
02. Killing Van Helsing
03. God Of Gore
04. Headshooting For Dummies
05. Equinox
06. Possessed Landscape (The Island Of The Dead)
07. Anubis, The Lord Of Necropolis
08. Disturbia
09. Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!
10. [as-yet-untitled instrumental]

In 2008, Cogumelo Records reissued two albums from CHAKAL — "The Man Is His Own Jackal" (1990) and "Death Is A Lonely Business" (1993) — as part of the Cogumelo Remasters series. Both albums came in a special edition slipcase CD featuring "exceptional" artwork. The disc also included a bonus instrumental track, an outtake from the "Death Is A Lonely Business" sessions.

Two years after their current release "Juggernaut Of Justice", Canadian metal legends ANVIL are back with their latest studio album. "Hope In Hell", an impressive metal recording featuring 13 haunting songs, is for release on May 27 in Europe and May 24 in Germany on SPV/Steamhammer and will be available in four different formats: as a limited-edition digipak including two bonus tracks, as a jewel case CD, double gatefold colored vinyl LP and as a digital download. These are the first cuts featuring ANVIL's new bassist Sal Italiano, who joined the band a year ago. "

"We're really happy with Sal. His style is powerful and amazingly imaginative," says ANVIL guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow, who composed the entire album along with drummer Robb Reiner. "It's a little as if we'd enlisted Steve Harris."

"Hope In Hell" was written and recorded following an 18-month world tour which took ANVIL around the globe. "We hadn't expected this kind of extensive tour when we brought out 'Juggernaut Of Justice'," Kudlow confesses. "Time just flew by. I could hardly believe it when I found myself in the studio again after the tour, ready to work on the next album. The reactions to 'Juggernaut Of Justice' and the shows had been so positive that we had plenty of ideas and inspiration for new material."

"Hope In Hell" track listing:

01. Hope In Hell
02. Eat Your Words
03. Through With You
04. The Fight Is Never Won
05. Pay The Toll
06. Flying
07. Call Of Duty
08. Badass Rock N Roll
09. Time Shows No Mercy
10. Mankind Machine
11. Shut The Fuck Up
12. Hard Wired (bonus track)
13. Fire At Will (bonus track)

Kudlow promises the kind of album that ANVIL fans will love: no concessions to short-lived trends, no modern frills but traditional metal with lots of classic rock music elements.

"What we do is totally timeless," says ANVIL's frontman. "We've never tried to change our sound or experiment with trends and fashions. We live in our own world and have maintained our individuality and own identity."

Like "Juggernaut Of Justice", "Hope In Hell" was produced by Bob Marlette (BLACK SABBATH, AIRBOURNE, ALICE COOPER) at the NRG Recording studios in North Hollywood, California, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA).

On September 24, 2012, Steamhammer/SPV re-released three albums from ANVIL, all featuring new booklets containing new liner notes from guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner plus new photos.

"Back To Basics" (2004) and "Still Going Strong" (2002) are available again as a high-class "2 in 1" double digipak CD, while 2007's "This Is Thirteen" opus was re-released as a digipak CD, as well as a double gatefold LP, both with an exclusive bonus track.

RATT's first five albums — 1984's "Out of the Cellar", 1985's "Invasion of Your Privacy", 1986's "Dancing "Undercover", 1988's "Reach For the Sky" and 1990's "Detonator" — have just been reissued in the U,K, through Warner Bros. under the "Original Album Series."

A description reads: "The five-CD box set contains a quintet of albums packaged in cardboard mini LP sleeves and housed in a slipcase. This collection of RATT's first five albums covers the years from 1984 to 1990 that saw them have significant commercial success. Tracks such as 'Round And Round', 'Wanted Man' and 'Lay It Down' helped define the glam metal genre, while their later output such as 'Way Cool Jr.' and 'I Want a Woman' featured heavily on MTV. Originally hailing from San Diego California, RATT were a key figure in the formation of the '80s Los Angeles hard rock and glam metal scene."

RATT has tapped Brian Howes, who has previously worked with HINDER, DAUGHTRY and PUDDLE OF MUDD, helm its new album, tentatively due before the end of the year via Roadrunner Records. RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer recently stated about Howes: "Brian is a great guy, great producer, and he's top notch, dude. He's a current A-lister, and we're very excited."

Regarding the songwriting process for the new RATT album, Blotzer said: " Everybody's been writing and everybody has a backlog of material. So we'll just get in like we did with the last record, and there's, like, boom, 35 songs, and then we'll let the producer go, 'OK, let's work these up.' He's got the final say on that. I mean, the last record we worked up in two weeks."

He continued: "I don't think [the new RATT CD is] gonna be super overproduced. I think we're trying to do something new, and really, on all levels of RATT — have everything come out and be a new RATT. [We'll still have] classic-sounding songs, but it's gonna be, obviously, a twist in the production with the way that [Brian] produces."

Original RATT bassist Juan Croucier rejoined the Californian rockers for their show at the M3 Rock Festival on May 12, 2012 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

RATT's first studio record in 11 years, "Infestation", sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 30 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was issued on April 20, 2010 via Loud & Proud.

"Infestation" has sold more than 50,000 copies in the U.S. so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weiland kicked off his solo tour this past Friday, March 1 at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Weiland recently said about the 20-city run of dates during which he is performing songs from the first two STONE TEMPLE PILOTS albums, 1992's "Core" and 1994's "Purple". "It's going to be really exciting — something completely new."

Regarding how the concept for the tour came about, Weiland said: "Well, originally, it was an idea I came up with for STP for the anniversary of 'Core' to do the 'Core' album in its entirety. The rest of the guys didn't want to do it. So, it was still something that there was a lot of public interest in. Having that said, the idea was brought up to me through management. I talked to the guys in my solo band, THE WILDABOUTS, and they were totally into it, as were the promoters. It worked out."

He added: "We're still going to do some of our space jams and have them correlate into some of our STP songs and a couple STP songs into a couple of the covers that we've done during our solo band stuff."

As for the upcoming studio CD, Weiland described it as "more of a rock 'n' roll album, as opposed to more of the sort of outside-the-box artistic sonic adventures that we've gone on in the past.

"The record that we're making, hopefully will attract more of the STP and VELVET REVOLVER fans. I think it will also help that we're doing this tour this way."

Weiland and THE WILDABOUTS have not yet secured a label deal for the upcoming album, which they are producing themselves. He says of the process: "[it] isn't hard, unless you have a group of guys like STP where every single person in the band is a producer. It's not as difficult in this situation. We're writing together. It's actually a lot easier. We're allowing everyone to put in their input and it's coming across much more as a rock 'n' roll record, but it's much more organic sounding."

THE WILDABOUTS consist of multi-instrumentalist Doug Grean, bassist Tommy Black, drummer Dan Thompson and guitarist Jeremy Brown.