METALLICA has denied asking the U.S. military to stop using its music to psychologically torture prisoners of war.

The Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden recently opened up to Esquire magazine about the raid on the Al Qaeda leader's compound and the shots that took his life, as well as the personal aftermath for the SEAL and his family. The SEAL, who is only referred to as "The Shooter" in the article, also mentions that he used the music of METALLICA on prisoners before interrogations — until the band asked them to stop.

The Shooter explained, "When we first started the war in Iraq, we were using METALLICA music to soften people up before we interrogated them. METALLICA got wind of this and they said, 'Hey, please don't use our music because we don't want to promote violence.' I thought, 'Dude, you have an album called 'Kill 'Em All'."

He added, "We stopped using their music, and then a band called DEMON HUNTER got in touch and said, 'We're all about promoting what you do.' They sent us CDs and patches. I wore my DEMON HUNTER patch on every mission. I wore it when I blasted Bin Laden."

"The Shooter" insisted that he did not torture prisoners, but that "repetitive questioning and leveraging fear was as aggressive as he'd go."

In a brand new statement posted on METALLICA's official web site, the band responded to The Shooter's comments in the Esquire article, saying: "There has been a lot of talk recently about us asking the military not to use our music to 'soften people up before interrogation.' We NEVER commented to the military either way on this matter. Any statements that have been made otherwise are not correct."

In a 2009 appearance on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show", METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich said that the band did not "advocate or condone" the use of the band's music for torture, adding that if someone really wanted to use music to torture others, there were groups that were far more extreme:"If there are people that are dumb enough to use METALLICA to interrogate prisoners, you're forgetting about all the music that's to the left of us. I can name, you know, 30 Norwegian death metal bands that would make METALLICA sound like SIMON AND GARFUNKEL."

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield was asked by a German TV network in 2008 how he felt about the band's music being used to torture prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He replied, "Part of me is proud is because they chose METALLICA . . . And then part of me is kind of bummed about it that people worry about us being attached to some political statement because of that."

On March 5th, Experience Hendrix LLC and Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release JIMI HENDRIX' People, Hell & Angels, an essential new album premiering 12 previously unreleased studio recordings completed by Hendrix.
All 12 tracks were recorded between 1968 and 1970 and were meant for First Days Of The New Rising Sun, the follow up to Electric Ladyland that Hendrix was working on when he passed away in 1970.

Now NME is streaming the track 'Earth Blues' at this location.
The full tracklisting for People, Hell & Angels is:

'Earth Blues'
'Somewhere'
'Hear My Train A Comin''
'Bleeding Heart'
'Let Me Move You'
'Izabella'
'Easy Blues'
'Crash Landing'
'Inside Out'
'Hey Gypsy Boy'
'Mojo Man'
'Villanova Junction Blues'

According to Amarillo.com, West Texas A&M University professor Martin Jacobsen recently fused metal music and literature classes by using the "Out Of The Silent Planet" track off IRON MAIDEN's 2000 album "Brave New World" during a class exercise, presenting visual diagrams of lyrics construction with the music playing at the same time.

"The students were mad for it," the professor tells Amarillo.com. "They just thought it was crazy and they loved it. I threw it out there just as an offhand comment one day — 'What we ought to do is have a class in heavy metal' — and there was universal agreement from the students in the class, like, 'Yes, we should actually do that.'"

The class exercise was such a hit that Jacobsen is now teaching a new course called "Introduction To Literature: Heavy Metal As A Literary Genre". The professor explains that many metal lyricist have been inspired by some of the greatest writers of all time.

"You constantly see these nods to the intellectual tradition that these writers, these lyricists come from," he said. "It's connected itself and grounded itself in literary tradition. Therefore it's reasonable to conclude that it is a form of literature as well as a form of music. In much the same way, you might say country music is a species of folklore."

22-year-old student Eric Bauer, who got really into heavy metal in middle school with METALLICA, thinks heavy metal is a broader genre than it gets credit for.

"In the lyrics of heavy metal, you can write about anything," he said. "Social issues, the human experience, wizards and dragons — if you're interested in a subject, there's probably a heavy metal song about it."

Century Media Records has announced the signing of Los Angeles' own AWAKEN THE EMPIRE.

With influences ranging from NIRVANA, THE CURE and SMASHING PUMPKINS to A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS, GWEN MARS and HANS ZIMMER, AWAKEN THE EMPIRE has created an organic and cinematic sound that is all their own, each song complete with soaring vocal melodies, addictive hooks and a passion that is audible with each note.

"Signing with a label that believes in and supports what I want to create as an artist, and what we want to accomplish as a band, has been nothing short of a miracle," says Damien Lawson, the mastermind and vocalist behind AWAKEN THE EMPIRE. "In a world where artists are turned into mindless label slaves, we could not be more excited to be a part of a family will let us create our own destiny."

"We are excited to welcome AWAKEN THE EMPIRE to Century Media's diverse and unique roster of amazing artists," says North American President of Century Media Don Robertson. "Damien has a rare musical and atmospheric vision and we look forward to helping him spread that vision around the globe."

AWAKEN THE EMPIRE's debut single, "Rise And Fall", will be available digitally on March 5. The music video for the track premiered on MTV's Buzzworthy Blog and within 24 hours it peaked as the #7 "Most Popular Music Video" on MTV.com, the #1 "Most Commented Video" and the #1 "Most Shared Video."

AWAKEN THE EMPIRE — Damien Lawson (vocals/guitar), Daryl Falconer (drums) and Shivan Somaratne (guitar) — is preparing its Century Media debut for release later this year.

Glasgow, Scotland-based atmospheric, post-black metal band FALLOCH has issued the following update:

"We're very pleased to announce that we have finalized our lineup for the next album. Taking over the vocals and second guitar position will be Tony Dunn. We are currently finishing off the writing for the second album and are planning to record it over the summer. We will be playing a couple of live shows before we start recording. More info about those will follow soon."

FALLOCH's aim is to create music which conveys atmosphere and emotion through a wide variety of styles including metal, post-rock and folk inspired by the atmosphere of bands such as ALCEST, AGALLOCH and PRIMORDIAL, as well as minimalist composers such as Yann Tiersen and Arvo Pärt. The lyrics focus around the themes of nostalgia, sorrow, nature and longing. Having a deep connection with the Scottish landscape, the band took their name from the Falls of Falloch waterfall in Crianlarich.

FALLOCH started recording its debut album, "Where Distant Spirits Remain", in 2010. Upon the recording's completion, they managed to secure legendary producer Ronan Chris Murphy (ULVER, KING CRIMSON) to master the album in early 2011, with the chance to sign to the revered Candlelight Records shortly after.

According to Britain's The Sun newspaper, Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack is the brains behind the behind-the-scenes video (see below) that takes viewers into the studio for a glimpse of the making of BLACK SABBATH's new album, "13". All three original members — singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler — seem enthusiastic about finally working together again after 35 years, with Iommi saying about the album, "You can't always repeat what you've done, you've just got to go on. It'll be today's version of how it was 40 years ago, I suppose."

Ozzy has consistently said over the years that any new SABBATH project had to live up to the standards of the band's early, classic records. "If I had an album which blew 'Master Of Reality' off the map, I'd be crazy not to do it," he said, according to The Pulse Of Radio. "I don't want to put an album out, just for the sake of us four being on an album."

Elsewhere in the video, Ozzy says, "This BLACK SABBATH album is quite possibly the most important album of my career," while Butler adds, "We'll probably all be dead soon, so while we still can play and sing, then we've got to do it."

The three originals are joined on the album by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE drummer Brad Wilk, who may or may not tour with them as well. Founding drummer Bill Ward is sitting out the reunion over a contractual dispute.

"13" is expected out this June, with a North American tour to follow in July and August.

Jack found fame through his family's MTV reality show "The Osbournes" and has since appeared in several other TV programs. In 2011 he produced a documentary about his father called "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" which, according to The Telegraph, contained admissions from the singer's five children that Ozzy was not a good father in their younger years, and that their abiding memories were of him hopelessly intoxicated, or, more usually, absent altogether.

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."

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.

Photo credit: Grant Yoshino

This year is the 10th anniversary of Arena's classic Contagion album. As most of you will know, the band decided to make it a single disc and put the extra material on two EP's, instead of creating a two disc album. However, plans were made for a a two disc fans only release. The mix for that was actually made, but eventually shelved for various reasons.

The 10th anniversary is an excellent moment to release it after all! Whether this is feasible basically depends on the question how many of you actually would want to buy a copy. If you would buy it (or even pre-order it in advance), please drop us a line at info@welcometothecage.com. We need critical mass to make this happen! In other words, the more positive responses, the better the chance it will actually be released!

Please note that the possible 2-disc version is not intended to replace the original 1-disc version of 2003, the idea is to provide the alternate listening experience of the whole continuous Contagion saga. See also the 2004 preview here at the Cage website.

German psychedelic hard rockers KADAVAR will release their second full-length album, "Abra Kadavar", on April 12 via Nuclear Blast Records. The photo for the cover artwork, which was taken by photographer and ex-STEREOLAB drummer Joe Dilworth, can be seen below.

Comments KADAVAR frontman Lupus Lindemann: "Joe had already worked with us for our debut album. He's one of the best photographers I know and always understood our ideas, which is why we wanted to cooperate with him again. He proudly brought an old camera from the '60s and a color film that had been expired for ten years to the shooting — hard to get and highly coveted, because it causes unpredictable deviants as far as color and contrast are concerned. As one can see: We’ve used this very film!"

"Abra Kadavar" will be available as a limited digi version, including a bonus track as well on different vinyl versions.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Come Back Life
02. Doomsday Machine
03. Eye Of The Storm
04. Black Snake
05. Dust
06. Fire
07. Liquid Dream
08. Rhythm For Endless Minds
09. Abra Kadabra

Bonus track:

10. The Man I Shot

As far as the album recordings are concerned, KADAVAR drummer Tiger explains: "After last year's final show had been played in mid-December, we started writing new songs. We've already had a couple of finished tracks in May 2012, but those were eventually released on a split LP with AQUA NEBULA OSCILLATOR in November 2012, which is why we started at square one again. As we knew that there was no procrastination and no going back for us, we sat down for two weeks straight to finish composing with total commitment. We're perfectly happy with the outcome — I'd even say that 'Abra Kadavar' comprises the best compositions we've created to date. The songs are more diversified, the ideas feel more spontaneous. Moreover, we've tried to capture much more of our live energy, which is why we've recorded almost everything all together in one room, with the amps turned up to the max — solely the vocals and a handful of guitar solos were added afterwards."

It was already with 2012's eponymous debut album that the three-piece from Berlin casted a spell on all fans of solid riff-driven-yet-doom-like '70s hard rock à la BLACK SABBATH and PENTAGRAM. Marrying this with the spacy psychedelic approach of early HAWKWIND and mixing in a distinct own touch while preserving their icons' warm vintage charm can doubtlessly be considered the trio's key to success. Astoundingly high vinyl sales and support slots with such bands as SLEEP, SAINT VITUS, PENTAGRAM and ELECTRIC WIZARD as well as festival appearances at Stoned From The Underground, Yellowstock and Fusion, among others, underline KADAVAR's status as one of the scene's most exciting acts to watch in 2013.

KADAVAR is:

Lupus Lindemann - vocals, guitar
Mammut - bass
Tiger - drums

Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST — who last fall parted ways with lead singer Nitte Vänskä and replaced her with Noora Louhimo — have issued the following update:

"Some slightly disappointing news, friends. Due to business-related reasons, the release of the upcoming album was pushed further until June. It's a long wait, but we promise you it'll all be worthwhile in the end! Believe us, it's gonna kill! To help you cope with this setback, we'll try to put out some cool new stuff in the nearby weeks. We have some SERIOUSLY disturbing video material from the past 12 months some of you crazy people might actually enjoy watching. So stick around, folks, and take care!"

BATTLE BEAST recently toured Europe as the support act for SONATA ARCTICA.

Fan-filmed video footage of the band's November 4, 2012 concert in Berlin, Germany can be seen below.

Regarding Vänskä's departure from the band, BATTLE BEAST previously said: "On August 19th, Nitte sent the rest of the band an e-mail stating that she was leaving the band, effective immediately. As the reason for her leaving, she cited her will to focus on her family life. As this happened without any prior notice, the rest us were slightly disappointed. But what's done is done, and we're thrilled to announce the new BATTLE BEAST vocalist with a voice and character to take the band to heights of glory."

According to a press release, Louhimo "is already experienced in performing some of the most demanding rock songs in existence and is now ready to take her big step into the metal world. With lungs of leather and a voice to order gods with, Noora possesses all the requirements to deliver the kind of power needed for performing BATTLE BEAST's music.

BATTLE BEAST's debut album, "Steel" — which was originally released in Finland in 2011 via Hype Records — was made available internationally on January 27, 2012 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Formed in 2008, BATTLE BEAST won the Wacken Open Air Metal Battle contest in Finland last year, enabling the band to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany and represent its home country in the international Metal Battle finals. The group beat out 26 other acts from all around the world, which led to a record deal with the world's biggest independent heavy metal label.

On February 8, Florida hard rockers took part in an acoustic performance live in the Advance Financial Acoustic Den in front of a small group of 102.9 The Buzz listeners in Nashville, Tennessee. Video footage of the performance — as well as SHINEDOWN singer Brent Smith's Buzz Cab ride with Troy Hanson — can be seen below.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Smith opened up in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times about his four-year struggle with substance abuse that ended with him quitting cocaine, painkillers and alcohol and losing 70 pounds in the process. Smith said that the final straws were a warning from his girlfriend and an insult about his girth on national television. Smith explained, "I've toured for over 12 years, and for the first two records I was addicted to cocaine, OxyContin and alcohol. The coke and Oxy kept my weight down. But for the third album I quit the opiates and started to crave sugar. I was still drinking a lot of alcohol and started to pack on the pounds."

SHINEDOWN appeared on the "Today" show in 2009, where host Kathie Lee Gifford said, "At first I thought he was Meat Loaf."

Smith recalled, "It really stung. I'm a fan of Meat Loaf but she wasn't talking about a musical comparison. My heart kind of fell on the ground — it was like the performance didn't even matter."

Next was an ultimatum from his girlfriend, with Smith revealing, "Teresa sat me down on the first of November last year and said, 'Listen to me, I love you and I'm not going anywhere, but this lifestyle that you're leading is not going to work."

Teresa sent Smith, who weighed 222 pounds at the time, to a trainer. He added, "I felt like I'd been in a death spiral, and I realized I needed to be healthy and strong for my family. I have a four-year-old boy, and he was a huge motivation, and so were the fans. I had an epiphany working out with my trainer that day, and I haven't had a drink since."

Smith's trainer cleaned up his diet and worked out a fitness program that he could do on the road. The singer said, "I look completely different on stage now. The stamina I have in my lungs is so much better. I don't have to wear a big jacket to cover the fat and get overheated. It's amazing how much clarity I have and how my body feels so much better — health is such a big part of who I am now."

SHINEDOWN's fourth album, "Amaryllis", came out last year and hit No. 4 on the Billboard chart.

Interview:

Fan-filmed video footage of GREAT WHITE FEATURING JACK RUSSELL (formerly JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE) performing on Febraury 16 at M15 in Corona, California can be seen below.

GREAT WHITE FEATURING JACK RUSSELL is not to be confused with the other touring and recording version of GREAT WHITE, which features Mark Kendall, Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals).

In a 2012 interview with DoneWaiting.com, Jack stated about the "other" version of GREAT WHITE: "You can't take a lead vocalist out. That's the one thing that distinguishes each band from another. Every guitar kind of sounds the same, every guitar player that is decent can play another guy's riffs. There have been a couple of bands that have been successful after changing lead singers — like, you look at VAN HALEN when they got Sammy [Hagar]. He's a great singer and a friend, but I don't want to hear him sing the songs of David Lee Roth. They should have changed the name of the band to VAN HAGAR. That's the way I feel about any band. There's been talk from some people that Ronnie James Dio went in after Ozzy and BLACK SABBATH was still great. Well, okay, great, he did but it still wasn't BLACK SABBATH to me."

Regarding the split with his former bandmates, Jack said: "It's always about money, it's never about pleasing the fans. I could never do that. I could never intentionally put myself in that situation where people didn't like me. I was close to it the last time GREAT WHITE was out on tour. I look back and here we are, we were out and I'd call the guys, 'Hey, guys, let's go to dinner.' They'd be like, 'Sure, we'll call you.' The phone wouldn't ring so I'd call them later and be like, 'What happened?' and they'd say, 'Oh, we went out to dinner and we forgot to call you. Sorry.' That happens a few times and you're kind of like, 'Maybe they just don't want to hang around you, Jack.' So, whatever, it's unfortunate but it is what it is. I guess money is more important than friendship to some people. We were such good friends for so many years but there's a lot of animosity. I understand. I fired Audie at one point and he was out of the band for years. And Michael was out of the band for years. People have hard feelings they can't ever get rid of."

GREAT WHITE FEATURING JACK RUSSELL last year took part in the "America Rocks" tour alongside FASTER PUSSYCAT, BULLETBOYS, PRETTY BOY FLOYD and LILLIAN AXE.

GREAT WHITE FEATURING JACK RUSSELL is:

Jack Russell - Vocals
Robby Lochner (FIGHT) - Guitar
Matthew Johnson (DOCTOR M, JACK RUSSELL) - Guitar
Dario Seixas (FIREHOUSE, STEPHEN PEARCY) - Bass
Derrick Pontier (GREAT WHITE, SAMANTHA 7) - Drums

For more information, visit www.jacksgreatwhite.com.

"Deadlands", the new video from Sacramento, California-based metallers DEADLANDS, can be seen below. The clip was filmed with director Mike Sloat, who has previously worked with MACHINE HEAD and TESTAMENT.

"Deadlands" comes off DEADLANDS' debut album, "Evilution", which will be released on February 22 via Massacre Records. The CD, which was originally made available in February 2012 via Molten Metal Records, was mixed and mastered at Trident Studios by Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, TESTAMENT) and it features cover artwork by Erick Zombie.

"Evilution" track listing:

01. Pandemic Genocide
02. Deadlands
03. Ground And Pound
04. Final Solution
05. She's On Fire
06. Asphyxiate The Masses
07. Path We've Chosen
08. Gone Wrong
09. Legions Of The Damned
10. Shed My Skin
11. The Last In Line (DIO cover; bonus track)

Some amazing guest legendary metal guitarists can be heard soloing on two songs from "Evilution". The track "Final Solution" features Hank Shermann (MERCYFUL FATE), Michael Denner (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND), Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND), Claudeous Creamer (SERPENT & SERAPH, DRAGONLORD) and Mike Wead (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND); while "Path We've Chosen" contains contributions from Glen Alvelais (FORBIDDEN, TESTAMENT, LD50) and Steve Smyth (NEVERMORE, FORBIDDEN).

DEADLANDS is:

Brian O'Connor - Vocals
Michael J. Gardner - Lead Guitar
Kevin Rohr - Lead Guitar
Steve "Dedbass" Northam - Bass
Danny Sablan - Drums

For more information, visit www.deadlandsmusic.com.

Phoenix, Arizona-based metal veterans FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have returned to Metal Blade Records to release their new album, "Ugly Noise". The lead single and title track is available for streaming below.

"Ugly Noise" is FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's eleventh full-length album, their first release on Metal Blade since 2001, and the follow-up to their 2010 album "The Cold". The record also heralds the return of original members Michael Gilbert on guitar and Kelly David Smith on drums, who hadn't recorded with FLOTSAM AND JETSAM since "High" in 1997.

Commented Smith: "We have just inked a distribution deal for the release of 'Ugly Noise' through Metal Blade Records. 'Ugly Noise' will be released worldwide in late March/early April of 2013. It was the obvious choice for us after our longstanding relationship and Metal Blade's 30-year history of metal. You can't match what they can do with 30 years of experience behind them. We are excited and looking forward to working with Metal Blade in 2013."

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM is currently taking part in "The Dark Roots Of Thrash" tour with TESTAMENT.

Funding for the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM album was aided by the PledgeMusic.com project, which encourages fans to contribute funds to the recording of albums and the artists themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising.

When asked about the songwriting process for the new album, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM guitarist Michael Gilbert told Metal Army America in July 2012, "I worked with [former METALLICA and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist] Jason Newsted on a few songs, and he's given me some tips about some things and opened my view up towards how I look at my music and how I want the listeners to perceive the points I'm trying to make."

He added, "[Jason] is really passionate about music, so when I called him and talked to him, I just wanted him to help out with some lyrical stuff and hear some of the music I was writing. He's a great songwriter, too. I'm not sure if everything that he got to do in METALLICA, if he was restrained a little bit, I'm not sure about all that sort of stuff, but as far as with me, anytime he wants to write with me, he's got full rein and he's got absolute say-so in everything that happens. It's a 50-50 relationship, as it would be with Eric ['A.K.' Knutson], our singer, writing music with us, or Kelly [David Smith], our drummer."

Regarding the musical direction of the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM material, Gilbert said, "It's probably the most mature it's ever been, but if you wanna classify it as close to any other record that we've done, it's probably gonna be close to [1995's] 'Drift'. If we were gonna make a record right after 'Drift', which was out fifth record, 'Ugly Noise' would be the next one — with this lineup, you know."

The band's current lineup is the same as the one that recorded the "Cuatro" (1992), "Drift" (1995) and "High" (1997) albums:

Eric "A.K." Knutson - Vocals
Ed Carlson - Guitar
Michael Gilbert - Guitar
Jason Ward - Bass
Kelly David Smith - Drums

Guitarist Rick Craig has left SLEEPY HOLLOW due to creative differences. He says in a statement: "I wish the remaining members much success for they are all great musicians. A major announcement will be forthcoming in the next week or so detailing the release of my continuing current endeavour that will feature material previously written. Thank you so much to all my friends and fans for all your continued support."

Craig is a founding member of Detroit metal legends HALLOWEEN and is also a former member of classic rock icons HUMBLE PIE and the MC5.

SLEEPY HOLLOW's new album, "Skull 13", was released on March 23, 2012 via Pure Steel Records and High Roller Records. The effort was released on vinyl (limited 500 copies) through High Roller and on CD/DDL through Pure Steel.

"Skull 13" was recorded primarily at No Oulet Studio in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania with producers Steve Stegg and Eric Fisher.

Bassist Mike LePond left SLEEPY HOLLOW in December 2011 due to his commitments with SYMPHONY X. He has since been replaced by Alan D'Angelo.

CANCER BATS, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, CASTLE, EX DEO and WOODS OF YPRES have been nominated in the "Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year" category at this year's Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards), set to be held April 15-21 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

This category is an award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the Canadian recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. Eligible albums include metal, metalcore, hardcore, heavy rock, thrash metal, death metal and their respective sub-genres including (but not limited to) nu-metal, power metal, grindcore, extreme metal, industrial metal, viking metal, folk metal, doom metal, gothic metal, speed metal, and sludge metal.

"Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year" nominees:

* CANCER BATS - "Dead Set On Living" (Distort/Universal)
* CASTLE - "Blacklands (Prosthetic/Sony)
* DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - "Epicloud" (HevyDevy/eOne)
* EX DEO - "Caligvla" (Napalm/Fontana North)
* WOODS OF YPRES - "Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light" (Earache/eOne)

RUSH is nominated for a Juno in the "Group Of The Year" and "Rock Album Of The Year" (for "Clockwork Angels") categories.

Italian metallers KALEDON will release their new album, "Altor: The King's Blacksmith", on April 23 via Scarlet Records. The CD was recorded at Outer Sound Studio in Rome, Italy by Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE) and it features a guest appearance by Italian vocalist Fabio Lione (VISION DIVINE, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, KAMELOT).

"Altor: The King's Blacksmith" track listing:

01. Innocence
02. Childhood
03. Between The Hammer And The Anvil
04. My Personal Hero
05. Lilibeth
06. A New Beginning
07. Kephren
08. Screams In The Wind
09. A Dark Prison (feat. Fabio Lione)

Check out the cover artwork below.

KALEDON's best-of album, "Mightiest Hits", was released in January via Scarlet Records.

The band's most recent studio CD, "Legend Of The Fogotten Reign: Chapter VI - The Last Night On The Battlefield", came out in July 2010 via Scarlet. The sixth installment of the saga started in 2002 was previously described as a return to the band's power metal roots: powerful, melodic and extremely captivating. The artwork was created by renowned artist J.P. Fournier (EDGUY, AVANTASIA, IMMORTAL).

The first of three trailers for "Power & Volume", the forthcoming debut album from FREE FALL, the Swedish rock band featuring guitarist Mattias Bärjed (SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES) and drummer Ludwig Dahlberg (THE [INTERNATIONAL] NOISE CONSPIRACY), can be seen below. The CD will be released on February 22 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Power & Volume" track listing:

01. Power & Volume
02. Free Fall
03. Midnight Vulture
04. Top Of The World
05. Attila
06. World Domination
07. Love Bombing
08. Damnation
09. Meriola Blues
10. Meat

Bonus:

11. Change Coming
12. Yeah!!!

The video for the "Power & Volume" title track can be seen below. The band states: "The purpose of this video is to replace an empty mind with an open mind."

The "Power & Volume" song was made available as a seven-inch single on black (retail version) and white vinyl (Nuclear Blast mailorder only) as well as digitally via iTunes. All versions also include the rare non-album track "Stand Up For Your Rock 'N' Roll".

FREE FALL is:

Jan Martens - Bass
Mattias Bärjed - Guitar
Kim Fransson - Lead vocals
Ludwig Dahlberg - Drums

Dayton, Ohio Christian metalcore band THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA has inked a deal with Roadrunner Records. The group — vocalist Mike Hranica, lead guitarist Chris Rubey, rhythm guitarist Jeremy DePoyster, bassist Andy Trick, and drummer Daniel Williams — will make its label debut with an as-yet-untitled new LP, executive-produced by Adam Dutkiewicz of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE with producer/engineer Matt Goldman, expected to arrive fall 2013.

Commented Hranica: "We’ve put so much time into the new songs already, and we're really happy where things are sitting. I think with Roadrunner in the picture, it's only more encouraging as far as compiling a record that we can be proud of and a record that exists well as 'Dead Throne''s successor."

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA is heralding this announcement with a nationwide co-headlining trek with AS I LAY DYING. The highly anticipated tour gets underway February 22 at Ventura, California's Majestic Ventura Theater Half House and continues through early April. THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and AS I LAY DYING will be accompanied on the road by FOR TODAY, THE COLOR MORALE (February 22 - March 7), and THE CHARIOT (March 8 - April 4).

Furthermore, Mike Hranica has released his brand new book, "One & Half Hearts", a collection of inspirations behind the group’s breakout record "Dead Throne". "One & Half Hearts" looks back on the creation of "Dead Throne" with an in-depth exploration of its lyrical context. Copies of "One & Half Hearts" are available now at MikeHranica.com, TDWPstore.com, Amazon.com and will be available for purchase on the band’s upcoming tour.

In a recent interview with AOL's Noisecreep, Hranica stated about the direction of the new THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA material, "Chris is the one that usually comes up with the riffs and some of the things he's got going right now are absolutely relentless. Since James [Baney, keyboards] left the band, I have to say right now I'm very excited about how the keyboards are sounding — very dark and very intense. Vocally, I learned a lot working on the last record and I can tell you that I'm going further down the road as far as the misery and sadness of the lyrics. This will be darker than 'Dead Throne', for sure."

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA's latest album, "Dead Throne", sold 32,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed "With Roots Above and Branches Below" was recorded at Zing Studios in Massachusetts with producer Adam Dutkiewicz (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, TIMES OF GRACE). Additional synth/key production was handled by Joey Sturgis (who has worked on all of the THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA records so far) with further assistance on the vocal production by Jeremy McKinnon (A DAY TO REMEMBER).

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA released a live CD/DVD, "Dead & Alive", on June 26, 2012 via Ferret Music.

"Dead & Alive" was filmed and recorded in 2011 during THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA's hugely successful "Dead Throne Tour: North America" tour.

DAVID SHANKLE GROUP, the progressive power metal band founded by former MANOWAR guitarist David "The Shred Demon" Shankle, has inked a deal with Pure Steel Records. The group's third album will be released in the summer/fall.

"David Shankle has long been one of my personal faves," says Pure Steel's Andreas Lorenz. "For our label, it's an important step to get the confidence of a well-known artist like David. The new album is a hammer — I can promise already."

Adds Shankle: "I am very excited about releasing this new album in 2013, myself and the DAVID SHANKLE GROUP band have found true metal brothers with Pure Steel Records. This has allowed us to create an epic metal record."

A new DAVID SHANKLE GROUP song, "Ressecution", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

David was a member of MANOWAR from 1988 to 1994, playing on the epic album "The Triumph Of Steel" and co-writing "Master Of The Wind", "The Burning", "Ride The Dragon" and "Demon's Whip". David left in 1994, after countless sold-out tours all over the world, and attended Roosevelt Music University in Chicago to improve his jazz and classical guitar skills.

DAVID SHANKLE GROUP vocalist Warren Halvarson is a Chicago native who began his singing career in the mid-1980s while fronting a band called CRYSTAL AXE. Warren is one of the most respected and talented vocalists in the Chicago metal scene today. His range, power, clarity and dynamic stage presence are well known to legions of fans.

On bass is Mike Dooley, who grew up and lived entire life in or near the southwest side of Chicago. Currently the frontman for SLAYER tribute act HELL AWAITS, he was recruited this past May to dominate the art of shred with the DAVID SHANKLE GROUP.

DAVID SHANKLE GROUP drummer Gabriel Anthony is a true force in the music industry. Gabriel was so good that at the age of 17, he was already performing in clubs all over the Chicago area.

DSG's debut album, "Ashes To Ashes", was released in 2003 on Magic Circle Music. A sophomore effort, "Hellborn", followed in 2007.

DAVID SHANKLE GROUP is:

Guitar - David Shankle
Drums - Gabriel Anthony
Vocals - Warren Halvarson
Bass - Mike Dooley

"Vilify", the new video from DEVICE, the industrial-style project featuring DISTURBED frontman David Draiman and former FILTER guitarist Geno Lenardo, can be seen below. The clip was directed by P.R. Brown, who has previously collaborated with such artists as MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Prince, AUDIOSLAVE, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M.

Experimentation remains the best catalyst for progression. Rather than sticking to any pre-existing blueprints or conventions, modern hard rock icon David Draiman of DISTURBED and studio collaborator Geno Lenardo constructed DEVICE from strands of hard rock, industrial, and electronica. As a result, DEVICE's self-titled debut album for Warner Bros. Records is a focused, fierce, and fiery new machine. With the switch turned on, the next chapter commences now.

While the Grammy Award-nominated multiplatinum powerhouse DISTURBED was on hiatus, Lenardo reached out to Draiman to collaborate on a song for the "Underworld: Awakening" soundtrack in late 2011. As soon as the singer heard the music, he was both intrigued and inspired. The duo then cut "Hunted" in Chicago. Even though the track didn't ultimately make the final soundtrack album due to circumstances beyond their control, Draiman urged that they hold on to it and continue writing music. Soon, they had an entire album's worth of material.

"It started to develop very naturally and organically," recalls the frontman. "Geno is a brilliant songwriter in his own right and a tremendously talented sound designer as far as the electronic palette is concerned. Together, we made this monster. It's not metal. It's got a dark electronic vibe. At the same time, these are big, anthemic, and intensely melodic songs. It's futuristic rock."

Paving the way for that future, the first single "Vilify" stands emblematic of DEVICE's sonic alchemy. A guttural guitar grinds alongside synths and keys as the vocalist's unmistakable delivery resounds commandingly.

"It has all of the elements that identify this body of work and band," he affirms. "It's an excellent introduction to what DEVICE is. From a lyrical standpoint, it talks about how some people love to make me out to be a horrible guy. They (the haters) brand me as an evil egomaniac with a chip on his shoulder, but that's not who I am. I'm a pretty easy-going, mild mannered guy, and I'm also a very strong-willed and outspoken individual. I'm very passionate about what I believe, and I don't apologize for standing behind those beliefs."

Quite a few friends stand beside him on the record too. On "Out Of Line", BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler conjures a staggering bass groove, while SYSTEM OF A DOWN vocalist Serj Tankian trades vibrant and visceral vocal melodies with the singer. "Tom Morello's guitar wizardry," as Draiman puts it, casts a spell over "Opinion", and AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman M. Shadows dives into the shadowy "Haze" as his inimitable wail resounds. Iconic DEEP PURPLE voice Glenn Hughes also makes a cameo on the record's haunting and hypnotic finale "Through It All" — a love letter to Draiman's wife. Meanwhile, HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale teams up with DEVICE for an epic cover of the Ozzy Osbourne and Lita Ford classic "Close My Eyes Forever", which allows both of their voices to reach heavenly heights.

"I took a page from the hip hop guys out there who always have everybody and his mother on their records," Draiman laughs. "It's something we'd never done in DISTURBED, and I wanted to call on my list of colleagues and friends who are so ridiculously talented and accomplished. I was honored and humbled beyond words that everybody was into it. This hasn't been done in our genre of music, and it's time. It's time for a resurgence of this darker, heavier sound."

DEVICE undoubtedly stands at the forefront of that resurgence. Upon finishing the record, Lenardo opted to remain a studio collaborator in the project so he could remain free to pursue his other passions/projects, which include film scoring, and spend time at home with his son rather than tour. So in order to bring the album to life and solidify a band in the truest sense of the word, Draiman enlisted EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt and DOPE guitarist Virus. Both Hunt and Virus jumped at the chance to be a part of this powerhouse trio.

"As soon as I heard the music, I thought it was super cutting edge," Hunt explains. "I knew this was something I wanted to be involved in. It's going to give people goose bumps whether they hear it on their stereo or live." Virus echoes that sentiment. "This is an album from start to finish, and it's meant to be experienced like that. These songs are all strong, and they'll stay stuck in your head."

In many ways, the group's moniker sums up its ultimate goal. "DEVICE does several things," reveals Draiman. "It implies intelligent design, the utilization of technology, and explosive nature." Those three statements will most certainly ring true for listeners as well. "This album is about touching different ends of the spectrum," he smiles. "Some moments are introspective and energizing, while others are mellow and pensive. I want everyone to be taken on an emotional roller coaster. Enjoy the ride."

"Device" track listing:

01. You Think You Know
02. Penance
03. Vilify
04. Close My Eyes Forever (Ozzy Osbourne & Lita Ford cover) (feat. Lzzy Hale)
05. Out Of Line (feat. Serj Tankian, Geezer Butler)
06. Hunted
07. Opinion (feat. Tom Morello)
08. War Of Lies
09. Haze (feat. M. Shadows)
10. Through It All (feat. Glenn Hughes)

"Deconsecrate", the new video from Los Angeles-based progressive death metal titans THE FACELESS, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's third full-length album, "Autotheism", was issued on August 14, 2012 via Sumerian Records. THE FACELESS' first release in over three years saw the group's leader, Michael Keene, enlist a new vocalist, bassist and additional guitarist to help him see his musical vision come to fruition and these new members have delivered tenfold.

THE FACELESS last month parted ways with their drummer of the past five years, Lyle Cooper, "due to a growing difference in the level of commitment to the project." He has since been replaced by Alex Rudinger, who has previously played with THREAT SIGNAL and THE HAARP MACHINE.

"Secular Haze", the new video from the mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST, can be seen at Noisey. The clip was filmed by Amir Chamdin in the band's hometown of Linköping.

"Secular Haze" will be available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon tomorrow, February 19.

GHOST was recently forced to modify its name in the U.S. to GHOST B.C. for "legal reasons."

In the year of 13, the second phase of GHOST B.C. begins with the release of the sophomore psalm, "Infestissumam", on April 9 via Loma Vista Recordings. Papa Emeritus II succeeded Papa Emeritus at the conclusion of phase one in the year of 12, and the Nameless Ghouls joined him under the unholy church's current moniker. Make no mistake, though. The rituals still demand the same reverence and praise, fortified through a delivery of sweetly satanic melodies, snaking distorted riffs, and vaudevillian keyboards.

GHOST B.C.'s tour, Haze Over North America 2013, will bow at this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on April 14 and the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California. The band will also appear during the second weekend on April 21. All fans subscribed to the GHOST B.C. mailing list before Tuesday, February 6 at 6:00 p.m. EST will be sent a password for access to an exclusive tour pre-sale to take place February 6-7. Tickets will be available for purchase to the general public beginning February 8.

Papa Emeritus II recently emerged on the 100th issue of Decibel magazine for an extensive feature detailing the making of the forthcoming "Infestissumam" in which a nameless ghoul declared, "Regardless of your religious beliefs, we like to trigger the imagination of the listener so they can become a devout burner in Hell or a keen participant of devil worship for at least an hour or two. That's the GHOST experience." Decibel editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian said, "For the cover of our 100th issue, we wanted to spotlight a band that embodies the ideals of the magazine: theatricality, black humor, love for both the past and present of extreme music. GHOST meets and exceeds all of those criteria, and we couldn't be more excited to reveal the exclusive story of the making of their sophomore album."

"Infestissumam" track listing:

01. Infestissumam
02. Per Aspera Ad Inferi
03. Secular Haze
04. Jigolo Har Megiddo
05. Ghuleh / Zombie Queen
06. Year Zero
07. Idolatrine
08. Body And Blood
09. Depth Of Satans Eyes
10. Monstrance Clock

Video footage of GHOST performing "Secular Haze" on January 19 at "P3 Guld" — Swedish radio station P3's annual music awards ceremony — at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden can be seen below.

The band's debut album, "Opus Eponymous", was released in late 2010 in Europe and in early 2011 in North America via Rise Above Records.

"Secular Haze" video:

"Antivist", a brand new song from the British metalcore act BRING ME THE HORIZON, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's fourth album, "Sempiternal", which will be released on April 29 in Europe via RCA and one day later in North America through Epitaph.

Proving to be perpetual favorites among fans, the CD's first single, "Shadow Moses", came charging out of the gates last month after premiering on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show, forcing Epitaph to post the song on YouTube a week in advance due to popular demand.

"There's a very euphoric sound coursing through the album, a very uplifting but yet sad sound," says BRING ME THE HORIZON frontman Oliver Sykes. "Electronically, it's far more advanced than anything we've done before."

The five-piece, consisting of Oliver Sykes, Lee Malia, Matt Kean, Matt Nicholls and Jordan Fish, recorded "Sempiternal" over a three-month period with super producer Terry Date (LINKIN PARK, DEFTONES, SOUNDGARDEN). The band also brought in David Bendeth (A DAY TO REMEMBER, PARAMORE) to add to the all-star production lineup and mix the album.

"Writing 'Sempiternal' was a completely different process," comments Sykes. "We worked from a computer, laying down ideas and riffs and working on them tirelessly until we had what we wanted." For the first time, "Sempiternal" sees a new member appearing on the record, Jordan Fish, who takes on keyboard duties on the record as well as during live performances. "Bringing Jordan into the mix changed things completely; he opened up so many more possibilities."

Sykes goes on to say: "The lyrical theme is everything. My head was a lot clearer when writing this time and it allowed me to write from a different perspective. It's the best stuff I've ever written, in my opinion. It's very dramatic, quite blunt, and at times sarcastic, but the biggest part of it — is how it is combined with the music to bring the listener vivid imagery and emotion. I think we really managed to pull that off."

"Sempiternal" is an embracing ride through soaring vocals, supercharged melodies and what can only be described as spine tingling metal anthems.

After the critical and commercial success of their previous albums, "There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret" (2010) and their breakout success "Suicide Season" (2008), BRING ME THE HORIZON plans to take heavy music to the next level, incorporating the most dynamic elements of hard music to create one of the most exhilarating albums of the year.

"Sempiternal" track listing:

01. Can You Feel My Heart
02. The House Of Wolves
03. Empire (Let Them Sing)
04. Sleepwalking
05. Go To Hell, For Heaven's Sake
06. Shadow Moses
07. And The Snakes Start To Sing
08. Seen It All Before
09. Antivist
10. Crooked Young
11. Hospitals For Souls

BRING ME THE HORIZON recently parted ways with guitarist Jona Weinhofen. A replacement axeman has not yet been announced.