"From Can To Can't", the collaboration between SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor (pictured below) and FOO FIGHTERS mainman Dave Grohl, was premiered on BBC radio earlier today and is now available for streaming in the YouTube clip below .

"From Can To Can't" will appear on "Sound City: Real To Reel", the soundtrack to Grohl's upcoming documentary. The track also features CHEAP TRICK guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Scott Reeder, formerly of KYUSS.

Taylor will perform with Grohl as part of a new band called the SOUND CITY PLAYERS on January 18 at a concert in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival. Also scheduled to appear are QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE multi-instrumentalist Alain Johannes, fellow FOO FIGHTERS members Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffe, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear, Grohl's onetime NIRVANA partner Krist Novoselic, Chris Goss (MASTERS OF REALITY), RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE drummer Brad Wilk, John Fogerty, Stevie Nicks, CHEAP TRICK's Rick Nielsen, Rick Springfield, FEAR's Lee Ving and violinist Jessy Greene. The show will feature what a publicist described as "core musicians" as well as "special guests" who appear in, "Sound City: Real To Reel".

The film, which marks Grohl's debut as a feature director, will premiere at the Sundance festival before becoming available in theaters, on DVD and on demand on February 1, according to The Pulse Of Radio. The movie chronicles the history of Sound City, a legendary Los Angeles recording studio where acts ranging from FLEETWOOD MAC to NIRVANA cut some of rock's most classic albums.

In addition to conducting numerous interviews with musicians and producers for the film, Grohl brought together a selection of older and more contemporary artists to create new music together for the movie and its soundtrack.

The first of these collaborations, a song called "Cut Me Some Slack", features Grohl and several other former members of NIRVANA backing up Paul McCartney.

Grohl was inspired to make the film last year after purchasing Sound City's custom-built Neve 8028 recording console, considered by many to be the crown jewel of analog recording equipment.

The film and soundtrack will include contributions from Stevie Nicks, Trent Reznor, Rick Springfield, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, Joshua Homme of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and more.

In a recent interview with Shan Man of the Phoenix, Arizona radio station 98 KUPD, Taylor spoke about his involvement with the "Sound City" documentary.

Taylor revealed: "[Grohl] sent an email to me, basically explaining this huge project he was doing — the documentary around the infamous board that he got from Sound City [studios], which so many people have recorded on, myself included; [SLIPKNOT] did 'Iowa' on that board… He bought it, and I loved the idea that he was like, 'How many albums have been made on this board?'"

He added: "He wrote the song, he sent me a demo of it and I was like, 'This is fantastic,' and I just basically wrote the first thing that came off the top of my head. He didn't even hear it until I went down there to record it. And I laid it down, and he was just like, 'Wow.' Because we did it old school — two-inch tape, take after take after take. And with that board, man. It was really, really cool."

Swedish webshop Bengans.se, which delivers to every country in the world, is accepting preorders for the strictly limited 10-inch clear vinyl version of "Secular Haze", the new single from the mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST. Featured on the single's B-side is GHOST's cover version of ABBA's "I'm A Marionette" with none other than Dave Grohl (FOO FIGHTERS, NIRVANA) handling production duties and sitting behind the drum kit.

In a recent interview with Decibel magazine, one of the Nameless Ghouls stated about GHOST's decision to record an ABBA' cover: "We are Swedish, and ABBA has always been a very, very strong part of our modern musical heritage. We all grew up with their music very present. Not only that-ABBA basically took a few hundred years of traditional Swedish music and made it into pop songs. I'm talking about folk music from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Anybody outside Scandinavia probably isn't familiar with those tones or musical language. But one of the reasons ABBA broke through so enormously first in Sweden was probably because of their folk music influences. I think anyone from Scandinavia is easily infatuated with that sort of music, so ABBA has a deeper meaning to us, I think."

GHOST will release its sophomore album, "Infestissumam", in the spring via Loma Vista Recordings, the new record label founded by Tom Whalley in partnership with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group. Frontman Papa Emeritus and his Nameless Ghouls summoned Nashville-based Grammy Award-winning Nick Raskulinecz (DEATH ANGEL, DEFTONES, FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH) to produce this offering.

"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

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.

Fan-filmed video footage of the Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE performing on January 12, 2013 at Vegas Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Queen Of The Reich
02. Speak
03. Walk In The Shadows
04. The Whisper
05. En Force
06. Child Of Fire
07. Warning
08. The Needle Lies
09. Prophecy
10. Roads To Madness
11. I Don't Believe In Love
12. My Empty Room
13. Eyes Of A Stranger

Encore:

14. Take Hold Of The Flame
15. Jet City Woman
16. Silent Lucidity
17. Empire

QUEENSRŸCHE has finished recording the drums for its new album at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, Washington with producer James "Jimbo" Barton — the man who engineered and mixed the band's classic 1988 LP, "Operation: Mindcrime", and its 1990 follow-up, "Empire", and co-produced 1994's "Promised Land". The rest of the music and vocals are being laid down at several different facilities on the West Coast.

In a recent interview with Metal Assault, drummer Scott Rockenfield stated about QUEENSRŸCHE's renewed collaboration with Barton: "It's a great thing — we're really excited about it, he's really excited about it. We've wanted to work with him for a while, but for whatever reason, we just hadn't gone there yet. This is a great time for us to do that, though. We all discussed who we wanted to do the record with, and he was one of the first names that came up. It was easy for us to pick up the phone and call him. It was like our relationship picked up right where it left off, so it's gonna be a lot of fun. He's a very creative guy that did some great records with us in the past. I think that's one of the most important things when it comes to why we want to work with him."

Asked if fans will see a return to the progressive metal sound QUEENSRŸCHE had in the '80s, Scott said: "What we're trying to do, and what has been really interesting since Todd has jumped into the band, we're trying to revisit the old QUEENSRŸCHE catalog — stuff off of the EP and "The Warning". That's always been a part of what we are, so yeah, definitely! I think in my opinion, we're really revisiting that vibe of why that music was special back then for us. There will be a modern flair to it, though, just because we're in the modern age. The fun thing about Jimbo being a part of it is that he can help tie together the two sides. He does come from our past and some of the great records and some of the great sounds that we're known for, but he's also living in the modern age and doing some interesting things as well. I think it's going to be a really great QUEENSRŸCHE record. People are going to go, 'Wow, that's QUEENSRŸCHE! That sounds just like what we've known them to be, and what we would expect them to now be.' That's what I think peple will get out of it."

U.D.O. — the German metal band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider — has announced the addition of guitarist Andrey Smirnov (pictured below) to the group's ranks. He replaces Stefan Kaufmann, who left the group late last year for health reasons.

Commented U.D.O.: "It was a long search and we met a lot of talented musicians. But at the end, it was an easy decision since Andrey is the perfect fit for the band (as a friend and as a musician). Everybody in the band and around is very happy to have met Andrey just in perfect timing.

"Andrey Smirnov (born December 31, 1983) is the Russian rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter and founder of the Russian modern metal band EVERLOST. He is also the session guitarist of PAUL DI'ANNO, BLAZE BAYLEY (ex-IRON MAIDEN) and once was a part of famous Russian metal bands MASTER, EPIDEMIA and few others. Andrey is a well-respected studio musician. His major label releases only in 2012 consist of EVERLOST single, famous Russian rock star Artur Berkut album, popular Soviet hair-metal legend of the '80s GALAXY and his own solo album, 'Adrenaline'. For most of these albums Andrey worked as the sound producer, arranger and guitarist. Also, for the last few years Smirnov is touring guitarist of Russian retro-heroes ZEMLYANE.

"Andrey was with us in the studio recording the new album and was already a very important part of team. His live debut with U.D.O. will be the U.S. tour scheduled for April. The band is really looking forward to come back to their fans in the U.S. after such a long time. Even better to present something very special to the U.S. fans now."

Confirmed dates are as follows:

April 09 - Amityville, NY - Ollie's Point
April 10 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
April 11 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
April 12 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
April 13 - St-Ferdinand, QC - Style Metal
April 14 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
April 18 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
April 19 - Detroit, MI - Harpo's
April 20 - Joliet, IL - Mojoe's
April 21 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
April 23 - West Hollywood, CA - Whisky A Go Go

Stefan will continue to work with U.D.O. behind the scenes and produce other bands at his Roxx studio.

Kaufmann was the drummer for ACCEPT on nine albums but was forced to give up drumming towards the end of the band's initial run due to health problems.

Stefan joined U.D.O. as a guitar player in 1996, following ACCEPT's second breakup, and has recorded nine albums with them.

"Live In Sofia", the new DVD+CD and Blu-ray+CD from U.D.O., entered the Music DVD chart in Finland at position No. 1 and in Germany at No. 4.

"Live In Sofia" contains footage of U.D.O.'s November 16, 2011 concert at Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria.

U.D.O. 's latest album, "Rev-Raptor", was released on May 20, 2011 via AFM Records.

British metalcore act BRING ME THE HORIZON will release its fourth album, "Sempiternal", 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 week 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. Anti-vist
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.

Frontiers Records will release "Motherland", the new album from veteran Danish hard rockers PRETTY MAIDS, on March 22 in Europe and March 26 in North America.

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

The release of the new album will be preceded by the release of the single/video "Mother of All Lies", which will arrive on January 22.

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

"Anthems", ANTHRAX's long-awaited, eight-track EP that pays tribute to the classic songs by some of the band's favorite acts from the 1970s, will be released in North America on March 19 (MRI/Megaforce), and on March 22 in Europe (Nuclear Blast).

"Anthems" track listing

01. Anthem (RUSH cover)
02. Jailbreak (THIN LIZZY cover)
03. TNT (AC/DC cover)
04. Smokin' (BOSTON cover)
05. Big Eyes (CHEAP TRICK cover)
06. Keep On Runnin' (JOURNEY cover)
07. Crawl (album version)
08. Crawl (special remix)

Said ANTHRAX vocalist Joey Belladonna, "These are all bands I grew up with and have listened to forever. It's just great music. I had fun singing these songs and I was happy recording together with ANTHRAX, doing classic rock songs. Fun stuff!"

On BOSTON's "Smokin'", ANTHRAX brought in a special guest to play keyboards — Fred Mandel, who has played with ALICE COOPER, QUEEN, ELTON JOHN, CHEAP TRICK, SUPERTRAMP and on PINK FLOYD's "The Wall". About the track, drummer Charlie Benante said, "If ever there were a perfect first album, it's BOSTON's first album. The harmony leads they did would later be heard by IRON MAIDEN, which, of course, would lead to thrash metal."

"It was a lot of fun, especially because a lot of those [songs] aren't, I guess, normal for us or like so much of our repertoire — although they are because they're songs we all knew," guitarist Scott Ian told Billboard.com. "Maybe on paper the idea of us doing something like that seems weird, until you hear them and then it makes sense. And Joey's performance on the JOURNEY song, specifically, really blows my mind. Someone mentioned that [JOURNEY guitarist] Neal Schon better not hear this or we might lose our singer." ANTHRAX also also laid down a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's "Neon Knights" for the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.

Asked how the band selected which songs to cover, Ian said, "Like everything else, it's kind of like someone says a song and everyone else is like, 'Yeah, that's a good one.' It's really as simple as that. It's songs that in some shape or form we've been playing or jamming on for our whole lives. Because you really don't wanna have to work too hard on these things, although the RUSH song is a bit of a bitch; I can't say that's an easy one. But it's a song we all know and we're all familiar with, so then, of course, you take on the challenge of just really trying to nail it and do it justice."

According to ANTHRAX, they paid particular attention to the cover of RUSH's "Anthem" in order to recreate the nuances of the original song.

"I have to get every little part of Geddy [Lee, RUSH bassist/vocalist] down, 'cause I'm a fanatic with that stuff, and I have to," bassist Frank Bello said. "It's great. I love it."

Added Scott: "Charlie [Benante, ANTHRAX drummer] bumped into [RUSH drummer] Neil Peart at the [Revolver] Golden Gods Awards a few months ago, and Neil actually said to Charlie, 'Yeah, we heard you guys are covering 'Anthem'. That's so cool. We put the clip of you playing drums [to the song] up on our web site.' And Charlie, I swear to God, he was like, the light, the glow that was coming off him after that was… I'd never seen anything quite like it."

The "Anthems" EP will be available on CD as well as digitally via iTunes and other online retailers. In addition to "Anthems"' cover art, Benante and artist Stephen Thompson have subtly redesigned each track's original album cover art to "Anthrax" it. The "Anthems" EP will first be housed in one of the "re-imagined" digipak covers, and then inserted inside the main CD cover sleeve. The main cover sleeve has been designed in such a way so fans will be able to see which one of the six "re-imagined" covers is inside.

"Anthems" was produced by ANTHRAX, Jay Ruston and Rob Caggiano and recorded for the most part throughout 2012 literally all over the world: at Benante's home studio, in Ruston's New York studio, on the band's tour bus while on last summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, in hotel rooms, and backstage at their Berlin show last December.

The Grammy-nominated ANTHRAX will hit the road in support "Anthems" on February 16 with dates in India and Australia, and then return to North America to headline the Metal Alliance Tour that kicks off March 22. For all of these dates, ANTHRAX will be joined by SHADOWS FALL guitarist Jon Donais.

"Ride The Void", the sophomore album from Southern California traditional metallers HOLY GRAIL, can be streamed in its entirety below. Due in Europe on January 18 via Nuclear Blast Records and in North America on January 22 through Prosthetic Records, the effort will be made available as a limited CD version including a bonus track, a black 2LP version and a strictly limited clear 2LP version.

The follow-up to 2010's "Crisis In Utopia", "Ride The Void" was recorded with producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED, CHILDREN OF BODOM) throughout the year, working around national tours with DRAGONFORCE and VALIENT THORR. The cover artwork was created by famous American digital matte artist Dylan Cole, who is well-known for his work on movies like "The Lord Of The Rings", "Avatar" and "Daredevil".

"Ride The Void" track listing:

01. Archeus
02. Bestia Triumphans
03. Dark Passenger
04. Bleeding Stone
05. Ride The Void
06. Too Decayed To Wait
07. Crosswinds
08. Take It To The Grave
09. Sleep Of Virtue
10. Silence The Scream
11. The Great Artifice
12. Wake Me When It's Over
13. Rains Of Sorrow
14. Can't Hide The Wolf (bonus track)

The artwork for the "Dark Passenger" single was designed by Sam Turner (3 INCHES OF BLOOD), who also did the art for the band's 2011 holiday EP "Seasons Bleedings". The seven-inch edition also includes an unreleased B-side, "Go Down Swinging", which does not appear on "Ride The Void".

Despite having planned his career meticulously over the past 25 years or so, even in the camp of German hard rock master Axel Rudi Pell surprises cannot be ruled out: Before playing in front of a sold-out Cologne crowd on the second leg of his wildly successful "Circle Of The Oath" tour, the opportunity arose for taping the whole show, with cameras being all over. Well, Axel gave it a try. And that was a good move. Ten years after his last live album "Knights Live" (2002), you can — again — be a witness of a complete concert from the Bochum-based guitar virtuoso and his German-American all-star band. To round out the Axel Rudi Pell live package, the recording of the co-headlining gig at last year's Rock Of Ages festival was added to "Live On Fire", the name of his newest live oeuvre.

Obviously, a live album doesn't have the same importance and significance as a new studio output, but it nevertheless is a perfect snapshot in time, because 2012 was the most successful year in Axel Rudi Pell's solo career by far. "Circle Of The Oath", album No. 14, was released on March 23 and rode high on the charts all over Europe: in his homeland Germany, the critically acclaimed disc made it up to No. 16 in the first week, Switzerland welcomed good old Axel on No. 30, Austria on No. 55, Norway on No. 69 and in Sweden he went up to No. 51. And last but not least, he received another gold award for selling out three consecutive nights at the famous Zeche venue in his native Bochum. Apart from that, he rocked the summer crowds at the legendary Sweden Rock and Wacken Open Air festivals, as well as the open-air Rock Of Ages in Germany together with his band.

Even though Axel loves the composing part at home and the recording business in the studio, home is where the heart is and that's being on stage. Being musically socialized in the Golden Age of hard rock (the Seventies) he's probably a bigger fan of live albums than he would admit. As they say: applause is the performer's meat and drink. But without sometimes being anarchistic spontaneously and playing with the audience's emotions, without the sweat coming off the ceiling and the priceless energy being trapped in the middle of an adventure that is called live concert, when the lights go down and every amp is on fire — the life of a true rocker would be incomplete. Speaking of which: besides his success, Axel Rudi Pell has always been that down-to-earth guy and mainly the fan he was turned into when he first heard DEEP PURPLE's "Fireball" back in the day. With "Live On Fire", he accomplishes a long-desired wish and gives his fans what they desperately want for quite some time.

No surprise at all that the main focus is set on the newbies: here's the striking chords of fast and furious opener "Ghost In The Black", the hard rocking pounding of "Before I Die" and without a doubt one of Axel's best songs written in a decade: the brilliant "Circle Of The Oath", which would make Jimmy Page cry out loud. But there's more to listen to on "Live On Fire": the passion for medleys ("The Masquerade Ball"/"Casbah"/"Dreaming Dead") combined with some all-time classics here and there (ZEPPELIN's "Whole Lotta Love" or PURPLE's "Mistreated").

And they aren't finished yet and will enter the studio in autumn of 2013, with a tour coming up in February/March of 2014. This could be something, as after a quarter of a century as a successful solo artist, Axel Rudi Pell and his mates are still "Live On Fire"!

"Live On Fire" track listing:

Cologne, Essigfabrik (October 18, 2012)

01. The Guillotine Suite (intro)
02. Ghost In The Black
03. Strong As A Rock
04. Before I Die
05. The Masquerade Ball / Casbah / Dreaming Dead / Whole Lotta Love / Dreaming Dead
06. Drum Solo
07. Mystica / Mistreated / Mystica
08. Oceans Of Time
09. Circle Of The Oath
10. Fool Fool
11. Keyboard Solo / Carousel / Jam / Carousel
12. Tear Down The Walls / Nasty Reputation
13. Rock The Nation

Rock Of Ages Festival (July 28, 2012)

01. The Guillotine Suite (intro)
02. Ghost In The Black
03. Strong As A Rock
04. Before I Die
05. The Masquerade Ball / Casbah / Dreaming Dead / Whole Lotta Love / Dreaming Dead
06. Drum Solo
07. Mystica / Mistreated / Mystica
08. Oceans Of Time
09. Circle Of The Oath
10. Tear Down The Walls / Nasty Reputation
11. Rock The Nation

"Live On Fire" will be released on March 26 (one day earlier internationally) via SPV/Steamhammer.

"Live On Fire" recording lineup:

Johnny Gioeli - Lead Vocals
Axel Rudi Pell - Guitar
Ferdy Doernberg - Keyboards/Backing Vocals
Volker Krawczak - Bass/Backing Vocals
Mike Terrana - Drums

Configurations:

* Limited Digipak 2CD / 2DVD plus poster and tour pass; Bonus: new interview with Axel Rudi Pell, home story Axel Rudi Pell, "Hallelujah" video clip
* 3LP in colored vinyl (Cologne, Essigfabrik)
* Digipak 2CD (Cologne, Essigfabrik)
* Digipak 2DVD (Cologne, Essigfabrik, Rock Of Ages festival) (also on Blu-ray: release to be announced); Bonus: new interview with Axel Rudi Pell, home story Axel Rudi Pell, "Hallelujah" video clip
* Download (Cologne, Essigfabrik)

"A Silent Void", a new song from Swedish death metallers SYN:DROM, can be streamed using the audio player below. The track comes off the band's sophomore album, "Iconoclasm", which will be released on February 15 via ViciSolum Productions. The CD was recorded in part at Nevo Studios in Sundsvall, Sweden and was mixed by Roger Bergsten (guitar) and Daniel Mikaelsson (drums). The artwork was created by Pär Olofsson and can be seen below.

"Iconoclasm" track listing:

01. Black Dawn
02. A Silent Void
03. Cold Existence
04. The Filth Unmasked
05. Solitude Breeds Death
06. 13th Serpent
07. Reversion
08. Through Divine Intoxication
09. Iconoclastic View
10. Imposing As Gods Amongst Men

The follow-up to 2009's "With Flesh Unbound" includes "10 tracks of furious death metal and is the result of over a year of hard work and a proof of great songwriting skills and musicianship," according to a press release. "The songs on this album are more dynamic than on 'With Flesh Unbound'. There are new dimensions added to the songs and the fact that we have evolved as songwriters since then resulted into a killer album that will blow your mind. It has everything from very fast blast beats and sick guitar parts to heavier groundshaking pieces. Still the main focus is bone-crushing death metal as it should be."

Regarding the artwork for the new CD, SYN:DROM drummer Daniel Mikaelsson states, "We had Pär in mind for 'With Flesh Unbound' as well, but it didn't work out that time. We are extremely pleased with the work he has put in to it and it came out exactly as we wanted it to be from the start. It's a classic already!"

The video for the song "Black Dawn" can be seen below. The clip was directed and edited by Håkan Sjöström.

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "One",, the debut album from the Brazilian female-fronted progressive power metal band VANDROYA, can be seen below. The CD will be released on January 18 via Inner Wound Recordings. The Japanese edition of the album will be made available on December 19 through Spiritual Beast and the Brazilian edition will follow on February 4 via Voice Music. The CD artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ICED EARTH) and can be seen below.

VANDROYA is one of the best-kept secrets from Brazil, led by the fantastic vocalist Daísa Munhoz (SOULSPELL). According to a press release, the band "should be a perfect fit for fans of KAMELOT, SYMPHONY X, ANGRA and SONATA ARCTICA."

"One" track listing:

01. All Becomes One
02. The Last Free Land
03. No Oblivion For Eternity
04. Within Shadows
05. Anthem (For The Sun)
06. Why Should We Say Goodbye?
07. Change The Tide
08. When Heaven Decides To Call
09. This World Of Yours
10. Solar Night

The song "The Last Free Land" can be streamed in the youTube clip below.

"One" can be pre-ordered at the Inner Wound store.

VANDROYA is:

Daísa Munhoz (vocals)
Marco Lambert (guitar)
Rodolfo Pagotto (guitar)
Giovanni Perlati (bass)
Otávio Nuñez (drums)

"Soldierhead", the first video from NEWSTED, the band fronted by former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Newsted, can be seen below. Directed by Leon Melas, the clip was filmed on December 15, 2012 in an abandoned factory in California.

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

"Soldierhead" was premiered on the December 17, 2012 edition of the "Eddie Trunk Live" show on SiriusXM satellite radio. The song comes off NEWSTED's four-song EP, entitled "Metal", which was released on January 8 exclusively via iTunes. The EP will be made available as a physical CD on January 15.

"Metal" contains the following tracks:

* Soldierhead
* Godsnake
* King Of The Underdogs
* Skyscraper

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

NEWSTED is:

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

"The Bad Day", the first video from 6008 DAYS, the new Italian rock band featuring singer Roberto Messina (SECRET SPHERE), drummer Marco Lazzarini (LUCKY BASTARDZ), guitarist Valerio Bulzoni (LINES N' NOSES) and bassist Enrico Carducci (OVRHOL), can be seen below. The clip was written, directed and produced by celebrated visionary Antonio Masiello, whose interest "is oriented towards opportunities that, involving several aspects of education and personal experience, use new technologies as a way of expression and a vehicle of ideas in an image — communication world," according to a press release.

The artistic interaction between the band and the director represents the perfect match between the two styles. Lyrics, music and images merge into an author-marked concept video clip born from the vision of the band to apply a countdown of 6008 days to our existence, through which our sleepy consciousness can be awaken. 6008 days left to free one self, to realize and atone everyone's faults towards a world that is destined to self-destruction. 6008 days to think of a new approach to reality, too often marked by the idealism of "need" and too much into the loop "produce – use – die" introduced by the consumerism and multinational corporations.

Video description: "A modern Messiah (Roberto Messina) resuscitates — unaware — in our days and in his roaming he finds himself in situations (unfortunately) dramatically "normal". Moral and physical downfall, paradoxical circumstances reveal the truth behind the consumer era and the media distortion of reality; "the medium becomes the real message" [cit. McLuhan] and the final sentence is the total paradox of supporting the watcher to never lose hope for his own salvation. A dreamlike trip, through the metaphor of a resurrected Christ, to find each one of us aware and so to blame. An invitation to think about the reality, to change the rules of the establishment and build a new sustainable world. The age of Own without Being is going to an end, the countdown just started, up to the last one Bad Day."

According to the press release, "6008 DAYS play rock as defined by grit and melody together, fine and essential arrangements, a musical proposal of immediate impact that still holds a depth and variety of musical ideas gradually unveiled by the listener."

"We come from the metal and hard rock background, out of which we keep the huge energy and freedom of expression that we use to communicate with a large and wide variety of listeners; basically, anyone who really loves ROCK in its widest terms," the band states.

"Second Skin", the Jakob Arevarn-directed video from Maryland extreme metallers DYING FETUS can be seen below (courtesy of Bloody-Disgusting.com). The song comes off the band's latest album, "Reign Supreme", which sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 186 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 5 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.

DYING FETUS's previous collection of original material, "Descend Into Depravity", opened with around 2,700 units to land at No. 166.

Released on June 19, 2012 via Relapse Records, "Reign Supreme" was recorded at Wrightway Studios in Baltimore with longtime producer Steve Wright (SLIPKNOT, MISERY INDEX). It will feature nine tracks and is "a 'return to roots,' with production focused slightly more on slam than in the band's last few works," according to a press release. "Thematically, the album is set to be a good old-fashioned piece of social and political commentary in the style of DYING FETUS as we have come to know."

Commented DYING FETUS guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher: "The last album had some groove in it, but [it] was basically a lot of tech; this one is a return to form of older DYING FETUS albums, so to speak — more modern production, though, of course. Everything's tight, the sound is crushing, the drums are amazing."

"My Misery", the new video from veteran Italian metallers EXTREMA, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Mauro Tettamanzi for Creative Comics.

Commented the band: "And finally here is 'My Misery', the video clip. This song has been chosen by the director for the horror/western movie 'Undead Men' to be part of the soundtrack. The film will be released in February 2013. Please note, Tommy [Massara; guitar] plays a small role in the movie, The Gravedigger/Philosopher/Zombie."

"My Misery" comes off EXTREMA's latest album, "Pound For Pound", which came out in May 2009 via Scarlet Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Set The World On Fire" saw EXTREMA going back to its thrash metal roots, with a very special guest apearance by HELMET's Page Hamilton on the track "You Make Me Sick".

EXTREMA entered Fear Studio in Alfonsine (RA), Italy in May 2012 to begin recording the follow-up to 2009's "Pound For Pound" with producers Tommy Massara (EXTREMA guitarist) and Gabry Ravaglia.

"It took almost two years to write and arrange the songs," said Massara. He added, "These are the heaviest songs we've ever written."

In September 2010, EXTREMA announced the addition of bassist Gabri Giovanna (FUZZ FUZZ MACHINE) to the group's ranks.

Giovanna previously filled in for bassist Mattia Bigi during EXTREMA's summer 2010 tour.

Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT have entered the studio to begin recording their fifth album for a spring release via on Spinefarm Records/Universal Music. Titled "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies", the sessions are being helmed by former ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano, alongside Jacob Hansen, who has a long history with VOLBEAT, having produced and mixed the band's prior four releases. Caggiano's producer credits include CRADLE OF FILTH, THE DAMNED THINGS, BLEEDING THROUGH and ANTHRAX, among others.

Commented VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen: "We're back in the studio, this time breaking some of our old habits and this sometimes means leaving our comfort zone. We are recording in a new environment, producing with a new setup, breaking new sonic ground and it's exciting! Together with our longtime collaborator Jacob Hansen, we also have the honor of having producer Rob Caggiano on board in the producer's seat. Expect lots of surprises and some of our most rocking heavy songs to date. We feel more than ever that we are taking the VOLBEAT sound to another level without changing what we're all about. Can't wait for it to get out there!"

VOLBEAT will embark on a North American headlining tour in the spring. The trek, which will feature support from DANKO JONES, will kick off on March 6 in Dallas, Texas.

VOLBEAT in 2011 parted ways with guitarist Thomas Bredahl, who had been a member of the band since 2006. He has since been replaced on the road by MERCYFUL FATE's Hank Shermann

VOLBEAT's fourth album, "Beyond Hell/Above Heaven", has sold more than 170,000 copies in the United States since its December 2010 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD was once again recorded at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen. The cover artwork was created by illustrator Karsten Wrysand.

VOLBEAT in 2011 released "Live From Beyond Hell/Above Heaven" via Vertigo/Universal on double DVD, Blu-ray, limited double DVD + audio CD, CD, digital download and VOD. The set included footage from VOLBEAT's sold-out show in front of 10,000 fervent fans at the Forum in Copenhagen, to the House of Blues in Anaheim, California and the Rock Am Ring show in Germany.

Game Over Cycles, the Polish company which specializes in the construction of custom motorcycles and vintage cars restoration, has announced a collaboration with the country's veteran extreme metallers BEHEMOTH.

Commented Game Over Cycles: "This moment has finally come. We are proud to announce unique project which will combine the automotive world with the world of music. Today we officially begin construction of a custom bike endorsed by the global Polish icon of metal music — BEHEMOTH. Behemoth Bike, as the project is initially called, will be a powerful dark machine with exceptional technical parameters and unprecedented ornamentation. Completion of construction is scheduled for May."

Norwegian black metallers DJEVEL (Norwegian word for "devil") have re-signed with Aftermath Music for the release of their second album, "Besatt Av Maane Og Natt". The band will enter Caliban Studios on February 22 to begin recording the effort for a spring release on CD, LP and digital.

"Besatt Av Maane Og Natt" projected track listing:

01. Besatt Av Maane Og Natt
02. Tornekroner Og Geitehorn
03. Og Englene Dinglet Fra Galgene...
04. Stjernesluker
05. Marefar
06. Aapne Kister Og Tomme Graver
07. Saa Tok Alt Slutt

The recording lineup for "Besatt Av Maane Og Natt" will be as follows:

* T. Ciekals (NETTLECARRIER, ex-LJÅ) - Guitar
* E. Hjelvik (KVELERTAK) - Vocals
* Dirge Rep (NETTLECARRIER, ORCUSTUS, ex-ENSLAVED, ex-GEHENNA) - Drums
* Mannevond (KOLDBRANN, NETTLECARRIER) - Bass

Commented DJEVEL: "We have now officially signed with Aftermath Music for the next album. In the vast forest of lame labels, Aftermath and Haavard stands out as bright Morningstar, so to all other labels who tried to sign us, drop dead!"

DJEVEL releases a seven-inch vinyl single, "Besatt Av Maane Og Natt", on August 24. This very limited EP features two demo songs from the band's forthcoming album.

DJEVEL's debut album, "Dødssanger", was released last year via Aftermath Music. The cover artwork was created by DJEVEL's T. Ciekals and Truls Espedal, who has previously worked with ENSLAVED.

DJEVEL was formed in June 2009 when T. Ciekals decided to disband his previous group, LJÅ. With a lot of material already composed for the next LJÅ album, he decided to put all this and more into DJEVEL. Initially DJEVEL was supposed to be a one-man project but it has slowly grown into something resembling a band.

Australian metallers TABERAH and Germany's Rock N Growl Management/Booking are shopping the band's recently completed second album, "MMXII", to interested record labels.

A track from the CD, "2012", can be streamed below.

Formed in 2004, TABERAH's sound and live performance is derived from a vast range of influences, including the traditional heavy metal stylings of IRON MAIDEN and BLACK SABBATH, the rock and roll swagger of AC/DC and THIN LIZZY mixed with the over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek theatrics of QUEEN and THE DARKNESS. All with a slightly modern and original twist.

TABERAH quickly became a staple act in the Tasmanian live music scene in 2006 and has established itself as one of Tasmania's top exports. In early 2011, TABERAH blitzed a nationwide vote, then were handpicked by Lemmy Kilmister himself to open for MOTÖRHEAD at the Sydney stop of their 2011 Australian tour.

2011 saw TABERAH record and release their debut album, "The Light Of Which I Dream", with acclaimed producer Joe Haley of PSYCROPTIC.

Former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis will join forces with fthe Portland, Oregon studio musician Keith Merrow to record a new album.

Commented Merrow: "[Jeff and I] been talking about it for a while, and it just seems right. So we'll start writing some new music for that soon. I'm extremely motivated by the thought of this, and I know that the chemistry between the music... all ideas we have will make for a truly amazing album."

Loomis previously contributed a guest guitar solo to Keith's second full-length instrumental album, "Awaken The Stone King", which came out in January 2011.

According to his official bio, Merrow's extreme style of guitar playing is a unique blend of traditional metal with a dash of obscurity. In May 2009, he released a self-produced EP titled "Lonestar Transcend". The six-song instrumental effort was a compilation of songs that were first heard on Merrow's YouTube page, where he posted play-through videos of the songs. Just six months later, in November 2009 came "The Arrival", which marked Merrow's first album that he wrote from start to finish.

Loomis and drummer Van Williams announced their departure from NEVERMORE in April 2011 due to personal differences with singer Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard. Their replacements have not yet been announced.

Singer Cathrine Paulsen of Norwegian metallers TRAIL OF TEARS has released the following statement:

"[Singer] Ronny Thorsen has decided to leave TRAIL OF TEARS. The band supports him in his decision, although we think the timing is very bad. The reason for his decision has been various problems during the making of [the new TRAIL OF TEARS album] 'Oscillation', where Ronny have contributed with lyrics and vocals.

"The making of the album has been a very hard process on all of us. Ronny Thorsen felt the prosess was going too slow. Meanwhile, others have worked very hard to finish it. This major contrast between those who have spent almost every day during the last three years to make the album as good as possible, and those who have been more busy pushing some in the band to the edge of breakdown, is the main reason in this conflict.

"I have to speak my mind this time, and I really feel that I need to speak the truth.

"Through the years TRAIL OF TEARS have suffered several splitups. Last time the whole band left Ronny. I need to say there are reasons when the whole band leaves like that. Ronny was responsible for their tour in Mexico at the time. He told the band there was a contract for the tour, which there wasn't. In Mexico, all went wrong, and with no contract the band didn't have any rights. Ronny went behind their backs and sent them to Mexico with no contract — and lied about it. That's why the band left last time.

"I was thrown out of the band in 2004. After 'A New Dimension Of Might' [2002], I waited for new songs. Then I received a SMS saying I was no longer wanted in the band. In the magazines I could read that we had agreed that I quit. That was nothing but a lie that they made up. I never quit, I was kicked out without any explanation.

"In many years, Ronny and I had no contact. I was devastated after this treatment and especially when I had to read all these lies in the magazines. I feel okay about this now, but I want to finally tell what happened.

"When the band left Ronny Thorsen after the tour in Mexico, I contacted him for the first time in years. I wanted to say that even though I felt bad about beeing kicked out, I thought it was sad to hear that the band had split up. Then he asked me to work with him again, he wanted to continue TRAIL OF TEARS. I had my doubts about that, but I felt that I still had a lot to do in the band. As I said, it was never my decision to leave the first time.

"I was the one putting the new TRAIL OF TEARS together. I offered my bandmates from LUCID FEAR to join the band. That's how Bjørn Erik Næss and Cato Jensen became a part of it. Endre Moe played with Cato in CUTTHROAT, and we brought him onboard as well. I told Ronny that I expected him to show me respect, and to not backstab me again.

"During this cooperation I have felt frustration and sadness many times. I found out I still don't have any reasons to trust Ronny, as I and the rest of the band have started to read news about the band on Facebook. That means that he doesn't communicate with the band anymore. I cannot work like this, so it's easy for me to support his decision to leave the band.

"Ronny made this decision in October, still he keeps running the show alone, making decisions for the band without even asking or telling the rest. That becomes even more wrong when everyone else do most of the work in this band.

"I feel like shit writing this, but I will not tolerate anything but the truth anymore. This is hard for me, because I am an honest person who really cares for those around me. That means to take care of the other guys' interests, as well as my own. I have to set a limit and put an end to what's going on behind the scenes, before lies will be spread all over the world again."

A short time after the above statement was posted on the TRAIL OF TEARS Facebook page, Ronny Thorsen released the following response, offering his side of the story:

"Wow, what a day!

"I just came home after having dinner with my wife for her birthday. Halfway through dinner, my phone all of a sudden started going nuts and messages from all over the place started ticking in. Apparently it turned out that I had left TRAIL OF TEARS.

"After reading the statement on the official TRAIL OF TEARS Facebook page I can honestly conclude that a certain female singer has lost her final remaining piece of sanity. It is indeed fascinating how much nonsense and lies one person is able to spew forth.

"In all honesty, the working climate within the band has indeed been difficult for a while. This has been the case for quite some time and the whole thing escalated when Cathrine and guitarist Bjørn Erik Næss became a couple about a year ago and started forming their own little alliance within the band.

"It was a mutual decision amongst the members that we were going to finalize and release this new album and then go our separate ways as it was no longer possible to see eye to eye on how to run this band.

"I want to make it perfectly clear that I had every intention to do just that, to release one last killer album and then for everyone to go on with other musical endeavours. This, obviously, was not possible.

"Cathrine says in her statement that the timing is bad. Well, no shit. I had no intention to announce any departure before we had honed up to commitments and released this final album. It was my sincere wish that everyone could act as normal, regular adults here and do the right thing, both towards our fans as well as our business partners. Again, a pure ego trip from her side prevented that from happening.

"What is also interesting to see is that Cathrine failed to mention that both bassist Endre Moe AND drummer Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow have also decided to leave the band. The three of us have done so because we are tired and completely drained from the drama caused by Cathrine and her guitarist boyfriend. So, to quote Cathrine's own words, when several members leave, then there is indeed a reason for it. Well, three members just walked out on you and your boyfriend, Cathrine, including the founder and sole original member of the band, so maybe you should look in the mirror and ask yourself if it's everyone else's fault or if the problem is in fact closer to yourself that what you like to think.

"I have been more than fair with Cathrine and stood by her side and supported her after behaviour where few others would. I also find it puzzling that Cathrine has chosen to stay in the band for as long as she has if everything was as bleak, frustrating and sad as she claims it to have been.

"As for her comments about what happened in Mexico seven years ago, I'm not even going to comment on those, as it is absolutely retarded for someone to have such strong opinions on something that you were not part of.

"Were you in Mexico, Cathrine? No, you were not.

"The last time that the band experienced member exits, I chose to take the high road refusing to to lower myself to the level of those who left, who tried to set a new world record in shit-talking. Because of that, I allowed people who I regarded as friends to be brainwashed by only hearing one side of the story. Well, this will not happen again and this time I will stand up for myself.

"Because of the fact that I have been blocked from the band's official Facebook page (very mature), you can read my words here on my personal page.

"So, as something ends, something else begins.

"I have been planning to launch a new band for a while and there will be some news about that in the near future.

"TRAIL OF TEARS has been a part of more than half my life since it was started more than 15 years ago. It has been a tremendous ride and I've had a blast.

"From now on let's look ahead. There is a lot more fun to be found out there!

"Stay safe all of you, thanks for your amazing support and I look forward to see you all soon!"

TRAIL OF TEARS' seventh full-length album, "Oscillation", will be released on March 22 via Germany's Massacre Records. The CD was recorded earlier in the year at Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes.

The "Oscillation" cover art was created by Finnish artist Jan Yrlund and can be seen below.

Fan-filmed video footage of Norway's TRAIL OF TEARS performing a brand new song, "Eradicate", at last year's edition of the Metal Female Voices Fest, which was held on October 19-21, 2012 at the Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium.

Christian rockers STRYPER will enter the studio in March to begin work on their next all-new original album for a late 2013 release.

In a 2012 interview with Guitar World, STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet stated about the band's plans for the next studio CD: "We're going into this new record with the mentality and thinking of making it like a 'To Hell With The Devil 2'. That's not to say it will actually sound like that album, but we really want it to be as great as 'To Hell With The Devil', which was our biggest album. We want people to put on this record and go; 'Whoa! Wow! This is as good as or better than 'To Hell With The Devil'!' We want the new album to be a powerhouse and we're going to do whatever it takes to make that happen."

Frontiers Records yesterday announced the signing of STRYPER to a multi-album deal. The first CD to be made available the agreement will be a collection of re-recorded versions of the band's classic songs, due in North America on March 26. Entitled "Second Coming" and produced by Michael Sweet, the CD will contain a total of 16 cuts — two from "The Yellow And Black Attack", six from "Soldiers Under Command", six from "To Hell With The Devil", as well as two new tracks, "Bleeding From Inside Out" and "Blackened".

STRYPER's "Live In Indonesia At Java Rockin' Land" DVD was released in October 2012 via MVD Visual. The set was recorded in front of an enthusiastic crowd in 2010.

The band's covers album, "The Covering", was unlike any previous STRYPER recording in that it was a collection of cover songs from bands that inspired them and helped to shape their sound and musical identity, including hits from JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, LED ZEPPELIN, KANSAS and many others. "The Covering" also included "God", a new original recording from STRYPER.

Photo credit: Tina Enos

Virginia's crushing quintet INTER ARMA will release its second album, "Sky Burial", on March 19 (one day earlier internationally) via Relapse Records.

INTER ARMA merges elements of doom, psychedelic sludge, grind, black metal and more through massive, mighty riffs to create a sound wholly their own. Following several solid demos, splits and an LP via Forcefield Records, this volatile act now delivers their Relapse debut, "Sky Burial", an album easily considered an early contender for heavy music record of the year, even making Decibel magazine's "20 Most Anticipated Albums Of 2013" list.

Emerging from the ever-fertile metal breeding grounds of Richmond, Virginia, INTER ARMA has spent the last few years touring relentlessly, perfecting a hypnotically punishing live show. "Sky Burial" brings that focus onto record, an album truly heavy in all senses of the word, invoking a spiritually intense journey through the halls of extreme metal. INTER ARMA has made a decisively loud proclamation with "Sky Burial" — this is a band that could very well be the next crown-holder in a regal line of iconic Relapse bands.

A YouTube teaser for "Sky Burial" can be seen below.

"Sky Burial" track listing:

01. The Survival Fires
02. The Long Road Home (Iron Gate)
03. The Long Road Home
04. Destroyer
05. 'sblood
06. Westward
07. Love Absolute
08. Sky Burial

Former BLACK SABBATH singer Tony Martin was just signed to a new music publishing deal by Alan Bambrough of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Limited. Martin says he is "very pleased" and is "looking forward to expanding into other areas."

Martin's next release will likely be the fourth album from GIUNTINI PROJECT, the Italian heavy metal band started in 1988 by guitarist Aldo Giuntini as a solo project. Tony thinks the CD should be called "The Shadow Of The Stone" after one of the album tracks, but the effort's working title remains "Giuntini 4" until a decision has been made. This will be the third GIUNTINI PROJECT album Martin has appeared on.

Tony is not one to be idle and has other guest appearances being released soon, including one with young German female artist Layla Milou and a more recent one with American female artist Veronica Freeman, vocalist with BENEDICTUM.

Martin's last solo album, "Scream", was released in November 2005 via MTM Music. The CD featured legendary drummer Cozy Powell (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE) on the track "Raising Hell" as well as songwriting contributions by another SABBATH member, Geoff Nicholls.

BLACK SABBATH released six albums with Tony Martin on vocals: "The Eternal Idol" (1987), "Headless Cross" (1989), "Tyr" (1990), "Cross Purposes" (1994), "Cross Purposes Live" (1995) and "Forbidden" (1995).

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory has blasted the "anti-gun" media and liberal Democrat politicians for their call for tougher state bans on "assault" weapons and high-capacity magazines of ammunition.

In the wake of the United States' recent rash of mass shootings, advocates seeking tougher gun-control laws insist an assault weapons ban is critical to addressing the issue.

But Bathory, like other opponents of the proposed ban, claim they need these weapons for self-defense and sporting purposes.

In a posting on his Facebook page earlier today (Friday, January 11), Zoltan wrote: "Let's talk about 'assault' riffles for a second.

"Anti-gun advocates in the media placing all the emphasis on the word 'ASSAULT' for a reason. It sounds menacing to those who don't know much about weapons, and this particular word also embodies the concepts of 'first strike' and 'aggression'... and the media just loooves that.

"The fact IS, however — a rifle is an inanimate object with no free will or intent on its own. It doesn't plan to assault anyone... So really, this is all just playing with words.... If I called my rifle a 'defensive rifle' — it wouldn't throw up the red flag — and in reality THAT'S WHAT IT IS. I have it for defensive measures so that's what it should be called. A 'defensive rifle.'

"The National Rifle Association and everyone in the favor of their constitutional rights should attempt to educate the masses about what those 'scary' misleading phrases actually mean. The non-gun-owning public imagine fire spewing fully automatic weapons. NO. Private citizens don't and can't have those. Even the phrase 'semi-automatic' can be easily misunderstood by the general public... It doesn't mean it's a 'little bit of blazing fire' — or 'sometimes automatic sometimes not. No — it's one bullet per one pressing on the trigger. Just like a musket... without you having to pour gunpowder in the barrel and drop a led ball in there — the semi auto gun does it all for you — but ONE at the time... So no raining fire blaze Rambo style... NONE of that happens... even though in a case of home invasion, some of you'd probably wish it did.

"Anyway... let's hold on to our rights to own DEFENSIVE RIFLES and DEFENSIVE PISTOLS."

Former DIO and current DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell revealed in April 2012 that he is planning to join forces with three other original DIO members to play "some gigs" that will see the musicians performing material from the early DIO records that Campbell appeared on. Dubbed LAST IN LINE, Campbell, Vinny Appice (drums), Jimmy Bain (bass) and Claude Schnell (keyboards) will be accompanied by singer Andrew Freeman, who has previously fronted HURRICANE and LYNCH MOB.

LAST IN LINE resumed rehearsing in December and is scheduled to have another rehearsal session tonight. Vivian says: "It sounds amazing; the original band's energy is incredible and Andy Freeman kills it on vocals. This is gonna be so good!"

According to Campbell, the following songs, among others, are being rehearsed for LAST IN LINE's upcoming live show:

* "Holy Diver"
* "Stand Up And Shout"
* "Don't Talk To Strangers"
* "Last In Line"
* "Caught In The Middle"
* "Straight Through The Heart"
* "We Rock"
* "Egypt"
* "Invisible"
* "Shame On The Night"

In a 2012 interview with the MusicLegends.ca web site, Schnell stated about Andrew's performance at the first LAST IN LINE rehearsal, "He did an outstanding job, and if he didn't, I don't believe that he'd be the one that we'd be pursuing the project with. But he did a very, very good job. His online comments about 'preparing to be the world's most hated singer notwithstanding,' I think he's going to do a very credible and very impressive job of covering this material."

On the topic of LAST IN LINE's setlist, Schnell said, "Well, it's largely gonna be material from the first three albums — 'Holy Diver', 'The Last In Line' and 'Sacred Heart' — the albums on which Viv played. I don't think we're gonna be doing any material from the albums on which Craig [Goldy, Vivian's replacement in DIO] played and the later incarnations of the band. But, fortunately, there is no shortage of material and hits on those first few records, so you can count on 'Rainbow In The Dark' and 'Holy Diver' and 'Rock And Roll Children', and so forth and so on. The list goes on and on, on and on."

Regarding LAST IN LINE's touring plans, Schnell said, "We've been putting out some feelers and getting some kind of feedback about… Actually, [there is] a very strong international interest in seeing this back on the road. Again, this is all kind of very ironic and surprising, because quite honestly, initially, the only interest in doing this is a bunch of friends getting together to have a play and socialize a little bit and kind of catch up. But, like I said, it just seemed so organic once we started playing that the notion of doing it more than once seemed inevitable. And, of course, with that being considered, then it was an obvious conclusion that, 'Well, let's see if anybody would be interested in hearing this.' Needless to say, the ears that were listening within the rehearsal hall were on fire. There was an awful lot of, 'Hey, that sounds like that band from way back when.'"

Campbell and Ronnie James Dio worked together on the first three DIO albums 1983's "Holy Diver", 1984's "The Last in Line" and 1985's "Sacred Heart" — before Irishman Campbell left to join WHITESNAKE in 1987. Their subsequent relationship was strained, to say the least.

Original DIO lineup performing live in 1984:

According to a post on the Twisted Sister In The Clubs (Unauthorized) 1976-1983 Facebook page, German filmmaker Andrew Horn is putting the finishing touches on a new movie about TWISTED SISTER's club days. He states: "It begins with them in their earliest incarnation as a glam cover band in New Jersey and ends with them signing their deal with Atlantic at the end of '82 after their legendary appearance on 'The Tube' in the UK. It includes many performances in the clubs from that time and a lot of their legendary schtick such as the 'Sweet Jane' drink-'till-you-vomit gong show, the destruction of Hammerheads and, of course, Disco Sucks (and all that that implies). And a great story!"

In May 2011, Eagle Rock Entertainment released the landmark metal debut of 1982, "Under The Blade" by TWISTED SISTER. The CD — originally produced by Pete Way of UFO — also contains four tracks from their 1982 "Ruff Cuts" EP (never before available on CD) as well as "Shoot 'Em Down", an '82 live track from England's prestigious Reading Festival. The lavish package features the original "Under The Blade" cover, which has not appeared on any domestic versions of the album until now, and reflects the original Secret Records track list and remastered audio mix. The DVD contains the entire previously-unreleased Reading concert.

"Idle Hands", the new Ben Morgan-directed video from the South Wales, U.K. metal/hardcore outfit CONTINENTS, can be seen below. The song is the title track of the band's new album, which will be released on January 22 via Victory Records.

Commented CONTINENTS vocalist Phil Cross: "[The song 'Idle Hands' is] about questioning your beliefs in God.

"I was brought up in Catholic surroundings. Things, situations and events happen to make you question what is preached to you over the years.

"The beginning of the song is about questioning what's going on around you; why would God let these things 'bad' things happen. As the song goes on, it gets darker and more aggressive because you're not getting the answers you want."

Kerrang! magazine described CONTINENTS' sound as "energy-fueled epic-core with lots of aggression, a healthy blend of raw shouts and low end growls and foot stomping hooks."

"We've always tried to put our own passion for our music before external influence, the most important thing for us is that we enjoy the music we play, and if other people enjoy it too then that's awesome," said Cross. "We like to mix elements of our favorite styles and influences, and then put our own perspective on things to see where it takes us."

Formed in 2010, CONTINENTS quickly established themselves within the U.K. music scene. They are five self-proclaimed "lads with a party attitude who love getting groups of people into a room who share their passion for music." In concert, this bunch throws a blistering barrage of songs and energy at the crowd which is evident in their first music video from the band's self-released single "Trials", which received over 10,000 views on YouTube in just the first few days. Thanks to "Trials", the band was voted as a favorite YouTube U.K. metal act in November 2011 and was featured on the YouTube home page.