MISFITS will release their first "proper" live album since the 1980s, "Dea.d. Alive!", on February 5 on CD and limited-edition 12-inch vinyl plus MP3 card.

With select tracks from the band's encore set at their hometown show in New Jersey added for good measure, (recorded live on "Devil's Night," no less), "Dea.d. Alive!" is an audio Molotov cocktail guaranteed to have bonfires burning bright with pumpkin faces, day or night, all year round. Speakers will virtually melt as a torrential downpour of "Devil's Rain" engulfs the senses, catapulting you front row center into a jam-packed house of horrors.

The diverse set of modern day MISFITS classics included range from current hits like "Land Of The Dead" and "Curse Of The Mummy's Hand", on through all-new live versions of earlier-era material like "Scream!", "Dig Up Her Bones", "Helena" and more — recorded live, with a level of precision and intensity garnered in over three decades of horror business. In addition to 13 fiendish faves from the band's cryptic catalog, the live set also includes a cover version of the anthem "Science Fiction/Double Feature" (from the cult classic "Rocky Horror Picture Show") performed by the MISFITS for the first time ever on any release!

The first pressing will be made available on solid gold vinyl limited to 1,500 pieces.

"Dea.d. Alive!" track listing:

01. The Devil's Rain (3:39)
02. Vivid Red (1:44)
03. Land of the Dead (2:00)
04. Curse of the Mummy's Hand (3:18)
05. Cold in Hell (1:54)
06. Dark Shadows (3:18)
07. Death Ray (4:02)
08. Shining (2:39)
09. American Psycho (1:56)
10. Dig Up Her Bones (2:26)
11. Scream! (2:22)
12. Helena (3:24)
13. Science Fiction/Double Feature (3:17)
14. Saturday Night (4:10)

Former THE HAUNTED and current AT THE GATES guitarist Anders Björler has set "The Antikythera Mechanism" as the title of his first solo album, tentatively due later this year. He has also revealed the first session musician that will appear on the CD: Morgan Ågren (MATS & MORGAN BAND, KAIPA, FREDRIK THORDENDAL'S SPECIAL DEFECTS). Drum recordings started today at Morgan's studio in Stockholm. Check out a video clip below.

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

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

2013 marks death metal juggernauts CANNIBAL CORPSE's 25th year as a band and they are going to celebrate it all year long! The group's official logo has been updated to reflect the monumental occasion and will be used on all things CANNIBAL, from merchandise to packaging, throughout 2013. For the most extreme CANNIBAL CORPSE fan, there are plans to release a box set sometime in March.

In addition to the updated logo only being used this year and the box set, Metal Blade Records issue one picture disc a month from the band's expansive catalog ("Eaten Back To Life", "Butchered At Birth", "Tomb Of The Mutilated", "The Bleeding", "Vile", "Gallery Of Suicide", "Bloodthirst", "Gore Obsessed", "The Wretched Spawn", "Kill", "Evisceration Plague", "Torture"). A total of 12 pictures discs will be released, covering all of the band's full-length studio albums, some of which have never been released on picture disc. The first picture disc available for preorder is "Eaten Back To Life", which was released August 17, 1990. Check back each month to get a glimpse of the next picture disc available for preorder.

CANNIBAL CORPSE's twelfth studio album, "Torture", sold 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Evisceration Plague", also opened with 9,600 units to land at No. 66. That was more than 50 percent higher than the opening tally of CANNIBAL CORPSE's 2006 CD, "Kill", which entered the chart at No. 170 after shifting more than 6,000 copies.

"Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.

The orchestral track "Shred I. Multiverse" from San Francisco Bay Area "blackened, technical post-death metallers" OBLIVION, who feature in their ranks former ALL SHALL PERISH guitarist Ben Orum on bass, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The song is one of three bonus tracks on OBLIVION's new album, "Called To Rise", which was released on January 1.

Commented OBLIVION vocalist Nick Vasallo: "As a band, OBLIVION doesn't want to just fit into the typical death metal category. Sure, we come from primarily a death metal background and we fulfill all the stylistic criteria associated with it. But we want our music to have broad conceptions and extreme depth.

"I composed a piece called 'Multiverse' that exists within two universes: metal and classical. The notes are identical and the music functions both as modern art music and modern extreme metal. We hired some of the top string players in the Bay Area to perform the work and recorded video of the sessions.

"One of the aspects that I want to bring from the metal world into the classical is the physical embodiment of the music. Notice how the musicians are almost obligated to move their bodies and headbang to the music in order to rhythmically play it.

"'Shred' is very rhythmic and, like a metal musician, requires total physical involvement with the music.

"The second movement, 'Long Deaf Hate', is a tribute to a band that every metalhead knows and by the end of the piece they should recognize the quotation from which I draw all the musical material from.

"'Shred' is just one example of the classical music aspects that encompass our structural composition. There is also a lot of counterpoint in our music, like the Canon in E minor, which maybe we'll save for a later video."

"Called To Rise" track listing:

01. Oblivion Part 1 The Chant Of Tyrants
02. Black Veils Of Justice
03. Between Suns Of Light
04. Binary Souls
05. Reclamation
06. Canon 1 In E Minor
07. Annunaki
08. Reigns In Fire
09. Cancer Of Wraiths
10. Multiverse
11. Oblivion Part 2 Infinite Descent
12. Black Veils Of Justice (instrumental version)
13. Shred I. Multiverse (string orchestra)
14. Shred II. Long Deaf Hate (string orchestra)

OBLIVION is:

Nick Vasallo - Vocals
Ben Orum - Bass
Ted O'Neill - Guitar
Victor Dods - Guitar
Luis Martinez - Drums

OBLIVION's video for the song "Reclamation" can be seen below. The special "End Of The World" version of the clip was directed by Brandon Hunt and is the first OBLIVION video to feature the band's two new members: Orum and guitarist Victor Dods (HACKSAW TO THE THROAT).

Orum announced his departure from ALL SHALL PERISH last month, explaining in statement that he "could not fulfill [his] duty as a touring musician any longer" due to the fact that he needed to provide for his family. He added: "While I am done with touring, I will never stop writing music. I am joining the extreme metal band OBLIVION as a bassist and contributing songwriter. We are beyond excited to unleash [our debut album] onto the metal world. I've always been into death metal and extreme music, [and] this is my return to true death metal."

Brazilian death/black metal band GRAVE DESECRATOR check in to reveal their plans for the new year.
Says the band: "We'd like to thank you for all the support during 2012 and inform you some news about the GD activities for 2013. Our split 7" EP in vinyl with the German band AUGRIMMER will be released in some months by the Portuguese/Dutch label, Helldprod. The title is Bloody Deathcross and our title track is 'Satan's Sigh'! It's fucking raw and unclean sound for sure!! Be warned!!!

We're late due to many problems but our waited third full-lengh album shall be launched in 2013 by Pulverised Records. You can wait for some mortal songs in a most particular GD standards. You'll feel some innovations or different approach in some lines, but the same devilish Brazilian blackest metal massacre will stay there and even more destructive and insane!!! Harris Johns will mix and master it, so you can expect one of the most abrasive albuns for this miserable year! Vinyl version by Blood Harvest Records, tape version will be dealed to Helldprod and the US version CD by Hell's Headbangers!!

Some gigs will be announced but no extensive tour for this year... However we're open for proposals to reach all the countries and Brazilian states possible!

The LP version of our live album by Demonhood Productions, as well as other releases, such as a split 7" EP with SLAUGHTERBATH (Chile) and another full 7" EP by Demonhood Productions are in our plans for this year! So beware and stand by the evil metal! The only that never lies!!!"

More on Grave Desecrator at this location.

Frontiers Records has announced the signing of iconic Christian rockers 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 frontman 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".

Commented Sweet: "We're really excited about this record. The re-recorded songs are sounding awesome... better than the originals in many ways! One word to describe the record? Heavier. We've hooked up with some great people — we've got new management, a great album, a great label. We just feel like everything is coming together, and hopefully some big things are to follow."

"Second Coming" track listing:

01. Loud N' Clear
02. Loving You
03. Soldiers Under Command
04. Makes Me Wanna Sing
05. First Love
06. The Rock That Makes Me Roll
07. Reach Out
08. Surrender
09. To Hell With The Devil
10. Calling On You
11. Free
12. The Way
13. Sing Along Song
14. More Than A Man
15. Bleeding From Inside Out (new track)
16. Blackened (new track)

Added Sweet: "Why did we re-record old songs? That's a multiple-answer question.

"First, because we wanted to cut out the middle men and have a little more control over our own songs.

"Second, we wanted to 'fix' some things that have annoyed the 'hell' out of us for the past 30 years such as: no bass in the mix of 'The Yellow And Black Attack' or 'Soldiers Under Command', and no Tim [Gaines, bass] on the mix of 'To Hell With The Devil'. The fact that I sound a little more like a man instead of a helium-induced kid at Disneyland. :-) The sheer joy of still loving these songs and still being able to perform these songs (well, we'll let the experts be the judge of that). And last but not certainly least? We did it just because we wanted to :-)

"So there you go, the mystery is over and the reasons have been revealed.

"Seriously, we're really excited about this record. It's one of the few re-records that I believe will stand against any of the originals if not surpass them.

"If you liked 'The Covering', you'll love 'Second Coming'!"

"Bleeding From Inside Out" audio clip:

German power metallers CRYSTALLION will release their fourth album, "Killer", on March 1.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Run (5:09)
02. Far Cry (4:07)
03. Dead On Arrival (3:38)
04. Heat Of A Thousand Flames (4:22)
05. Ready To Strike (3:39)
06. Killer (4:57)
07. S.O.S. (4:51)
08. I'm Alive (4:41)
09. Push Comes To Shove (3:48)
10. Change Your Heart (5:03)
11. Full Moon Fever (3:49)
12. The Unwanted (3:34)

The song "Ready To Strike" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

CRYSTALLION's third album, "Hundred Days", was released in October 2009 via Dockyard 1. The CD is said to be "a concept album about the return of Napoleon (after his first exile) until his complete defeat in the battle of Waterloo."

CRYSTALLION's second album, "Hattin", was released in the U.S. on August 12, 2008 via Dockyard 1/Locomotive. The CD was issued in Europe on May 16, 2008.

CRYSTALLION's first CD, "A Dark Enchanted Crystal Night", came out in 2006 and was well received by fans and media. Germany's Rock Hard magazine gave it 8/10 points and stated: "From songs to production to the cover, everything fits here. A very well-done debut for a young and promising band!"

CRYSTALLION's bombastic metal is said to be influenced by RHAPSODY, STRATOVARIUS, HELLOWEEN and SONATA ARCTICA. Their most significant asset is singer Thomas Strübler's multi-octave range, which separates the band from their counterparts.

OMMATIDIA (formerly PRETENCE), the new band featuring Nicolas Chevrollier and Vincent Danhier (ex-THE OLD DEAD TREE), Guillaume Host (DUSTBOWL), Gilles (JARELL) and Olivier (SINN), will enter the studio in May to begin recording its sophomore album for a late 2013 release.

"I did fully express myself all along the writing process," Olivier says. "We have given ourselves a little more time on the composing. I easily built my own drums parts alongside the melodic ideas introduced by our main composers and guitarists Gilles and Nicolas. So I really think I have significantly contributed to the final result of all songs. Can't wait to enter the studio right now..."

OMMATIDIA released its debut album, "In This Life, Or The Next", in March 2011 via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at Tour Fine Studio and was mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street (PARADISE LOST, OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK) in Örebro, Sweden.

The music of OMMATIDIA has been described as "dark melodic metal" with influences from such acts as PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA, SLAYER and TOOL.

HAIL OF BULLETS, the Dutch death metal band featuring GOREFEST drummer Ed Warby, THANATOS guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens, vocalist Martin Van Drunen (HAIL OF BULLETS, PESTILENCE, ASPHYX) and former HOUWITSER bass player Theo van Eekelen, will enter the studio next month with Swedish producer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE) to begin recording its third album for a late 2013 release via Metal Blade Records.

In other news, a picture-disc version of HAIL OF BULLETS' debut album, "Of Frost And War", will be released on February 4 via Metal Blade. The picture disc will be strictly limited to 500 copies.

HAIL OF BULLETS's second full-length album, "On Divine Winds", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 75.

"On Divine Winds" was released in North America on October 12, 2010 via Metal Blade. The group recorded 11 songs plus an intro for the CD, which, like its predecessor, was produced by Ed Warby was mixed by Swedish producer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE).

HAIL OF BULLETS' debut album "…Of Frost And War" was a concept album about the Eastern front war of Germany. "On Divine Winds" was another concept effort, this time covering the Pacific battles between Japan and the USA.

The album title "On Divine Winds" is a translation of the Japanese word "kamikaze," as kami stands for "God" and kaze means "wind."

"On Divine Winds" features 12 tracks on the limited first digibook edition and 11 song on the regular jewelcase version.

A three-minute video clip in which Gus and Reggie of the Puppet Shakespeare Players teach you about the letter D with the help of special guest, TWISTED SISTER's Dee Snider, can be seen below.

Puppet Shakespeare Players is a New York City-based troupe dedicated to bringing Shakespeare's work to the masses. Their mission is to reinvent and reimagine the Bard's work through comedy, puppetry and a variety of other mediums while staying true to the original intent and spirit of Shakespeare's plays. It is their belief that these works promote conversation across backgrounds, cultures and ages through language, poetry and pure entertainment.

British metalcore act BRING ME THE HORIZON has parted ways with guitarist Jona Weinhofen and have replaced him with Jordan Fish (formerly of WORSHIP).

Commented Jona: "After a lot of time and thought, I've decided to leave my current position as guitarist with BRING ME THE HORIZON. Things in the band have been very tense, with a lot of disagreements between myself and certain members, who I won't name.

"I'm thankful for my time with BRING ME THE HORIZON and I have met many good friends and been able to travel the world more.

"I'm planning on moving back to Australia to pursue other musical ventures."

BRING ME THE HORIZON's fourth album, "Sempiternal", will be released on April 29 in Europe via RCA and in North America through Epitaph. The follow-up to 2010's "There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret" was recorded in part at Angelic Studio in Banbury, Oxfordshire with producer Terry Date, who has previously worked with such acts as DEFTONES, PANTERA, SOUNDGARDEN and PRONG.

"I've never been so confident about an album," BRING ME THE HORIZON frontman Oli Sykes told Kerrang! magazine. "It makes our last record just sound shit. We're doing stuff we could never dreamed of doing before."

BRING ME THE HORIZON performed its new single, "Shadow Moses", live for the first time when they played their only U.K. show of 2012 at the Alexandra Palace in London on November 10 as the co-headliners of the Vans Warped Tour with LOSTPROPHETS.

"There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret" sold 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD also entered the official chart in the U.K. at position No. 13.

Ohio metallers SKELETONWITCH will enter GodCity Studios in Salem, Massachusetts in April with producer Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, KVELERTAK, BLACK BREATH) to begin recording their fifth album for a late 2013 release via Prosthetic Records.

Commented the band: "First off, thanks to everyone who supported SKELETONWITCH during this past year. We did some serious gigging in 2012, and your support on the road and of 'Forever Abomination' was overwhelming. We would be nowhere without you.

"It's not just idle hands that do the devil's work — we're already deep in the process of writing a new record, which is shaping up to be quite an epic slab of metal, if we may say so ourselves."

SKELETONWITCH recently completed the "U.S. Abomination" headlining tour with support from MUTILATION RITES and HAVOK.

The follow-up to 2009's "Breathing The Fire", "Forever Abomination" was recorded at a Los Angeles studio with producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD, KREATOR). The effort included the track "The Infernal Resurrection", the demo version of which appears as the B-side on the final seven-inch of a limited-edition vinyl trilogy. This marked SKELETONWITCH's first recording with the group's new drummer, former DEMIRICOUS skin-pounder Dustin Boltjes.

The vinyl reissues of the SKELETONWITCH's breakthrough releases "Breathing The Fire" and "Beyond The Permafrost" are now available from the Prosthetic store. Both are available in three variants — splatter, half-and-half and 180-gram black wax — and feature gatefold Stoughton "tip-on" record jackets. The black vinyl versions of both albums were made available in select retail stores in April 2012.

Video footage of SKELETONWITCH's November 9, 2012 prformance at Marquis Theatre in Denver, Colorado can be seen below.

Western Massachusetts metal titans WITHIN THE RUINS will release their third album, "Elite", on February 26 via eOne/Good Fight Music. The follow-up to 2010's "Invade" will feature the following track listing:

01. Terminal
02. Solice
03. Feeding Frenzy
04. New Holy War
05. The Charm
06. Ataxia II
07. Elite
08. I, Blashpheme
09. Absolute Hell
10. Weightless
11. Dreamland

WITHIN THE RUINS will take part in this year's "Eat Your Heart Out Festival" next month alongside acts like WHITECHAPEL, I SEE STARS and MADBALL.

In existence for nearly 10 years, WITHIN THE RUINS has released two full-length albums and has amassed an impressive touring resume.

Commented guitarist Joe Cocchi: "This is extremely exciting for us. We're proud to be a part of this new family. We look forward to growing as a band with eOne/Good Fight now behind us, and we're thankful to be working with people who care."

WITHIN THE RUINS is: Tim Goergen (vocals), Joe Cocchi (guitar), Andrew Tate (bass), Kevin McGuill (drums).

"Cycles Of Suffering", a brand new song from New York death metal veterans SUFFOCATION, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Pinnacle Of Bedlam", which will be released on February 15 via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork was handled this time around by Raymond Swanland and can be found below.

Commented SUFFOCATION bassist Derek Boyer: "This artwork is a perfect portrayal of our music. The cover depicts lyrical content like 'scales tip in degradation' and 'hooded messenger of death is now set forth, punishment for all.' Raymond is an absolute BEAST of an artist!"

Added SUFFOCATION guitarist Guy Marchais: "The artwork for 'Pinnacle' brings another element to an already brutal album. Raymond knew exactly what we were looking for and delivered!"

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" was produced by the band at Full Force Studios in New York with longtime collaborator Joe Cincotta. The mixing and mastering of the effort was handled by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, ARSIS, SUICIDE SILENCE).

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" features 10 genre-defining-bone-crushing tracks and also marks the return of drummer Dave Culross, who previously played on the "Despise The Sun" EP. Founding member and former drummer Mike Smith also makes a special guest appearance on the re-recorded "Breeding The Spawn" track "Beginning Of Sorrow".

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" track listing:

01. Cycles Of Suffering
02. Purgatorial Punishment
03. Eminent Wrath
04. As Grace Descends
05. Sullen Days
06. Pinnacle Of Bedlam
07. My Demise
08. Inversion
09. Rapture Of Revocation
10. Beginning Of Sorrow

SUFFOCATION filmed a video for the track "As Grace Descends" on January 5 at Duff's Brooklyn in in Williamsburg, New York.

Behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the clip can be seen below (courtesy of Jo Schüftan of Horns Up Rocks!).

Stated guitarist Terrance Hobbs: "The meaning of the album title 'Pinnacle Of Bedlam', is the tipping point or most elevated moment as we approach the chaotic climax of this existence. The cosmic scale teeters and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

"People should expect nothing less than sheer brutality, as we perform together with this incredible lineup! We feel this CD will be the best SUFFOCATION album ever to have been released and are confident the fans will love it."

"Cycles Of Suffering" audio stream:

"Requiem (Hollywood Forever)", the new video from L.A. GUNS, can be seen below. The song comes off L.A. GUNS' new album, "Hollywood Forever", which was released on June 5, 2012 via Cleopatra Records. The CD was recorded with legendary producer, and old friend, Andy Johns, who has previously worked with LED ZEPPELIN, THE ROLLING STONES, CINDERELLA and VAN HALEN, and who collaborated with L.A. GUNS on their last three albums.

L.A. GUNS spent a few days in Los Angeles shooting three videos to support the record. Videos for "Araña Negra" and "You Better Not Love Me" were also filmed. Videographer Jack Foster was behind the lens for the shoot at the legendary Circus Disco in Hollywood. With an LED logo in the background, the band meshed theatrics with its expected rock energy on the big stage. Later, additional scenes were filmed in L.A.'s colorful Little Mexico and the landmark Hollywood Forever cemetery.

"Hollywood Forever" track listing:

01. Hollywood Forever
02. You Better Not Love Me
03. Sweet Mystery
04. Eel Pie
05. Burn
06. Requiem (Hollywood Forever)
07. I Won't Play
08. Vine St. Shimmy
09. Araña Negra (originally recorded by THE BICICLETAS)
10. Gonna Take You Down
11. Queenie
12. Underneath The Sun
13. Venus Bomb
14. Dirty Black Night
15. Rattlesnake

L.A. GUNS in December announced the addition of guitarist Frankie Wilsey to the group's ranks.

Commented the band: "We first met [Frankie] back in 2007 when he was playing in Stephen Pearcy's band, ARCADE, on the Rock Never Stops tour. Frankie spent more time on our bus than his own, impressing us with hours of classic bootleg videos from the '70s and '80s. He was clearly a rock aficionado, truly a scholar and a gentleman.

"Frankie's been playing guitar since 1977. He formed his first band, HEAD ON, in San Francisco in '81 and then went on to form the hometown Bay Area champions SEA HAGS in '88. He moved to Los Angeles in the early '90s, where he teamed up with Stephen Pearcy of RATT and Fred Coury of CINDERELLA to form ARCADE. In addition to lots of sessions in Los Angeles, Frankie recently toured with legendary singer John Waite and also had a residency in Las Vegas as Joe Perry in the definitive AEROSMITH tribute band AEROMYTH.

"Frankie joins [L.A. GUNS] with guns blazing, ready to tour the world and get involved in writing and recording new original material."

Says Frankie: "I met Phil [Lewis, vocals] and Steve [Riley, drums] years ago, traveling down this road. Found out they're blessed with classic-rock style and a road-warrior ethic that is rare in this weakling world of music.

"I have to say I think this is a very good matchup. Let's hope the fans feel the same."

Due to "extenuating circumstances and musical differences," guitarist Stacey Blades announced his departure from L.A. GUNS in early December.

Blades played on four L.A. GUNS albums: "Rips The Covers Off" (2004), "Tales Trom The Strip" (2005), "Loud And Dangerous: Live From Hollywood" (2006) and "Hollywood Forever" (2012). He also authored a book, "Confessions Of A Replacement Rockstar", which was published in 2009.

"Dark Side Of Me", the new video from New York progressive rockers COHEED AND CAMBRIA, can be seen below.

The band will perform the song live on the January 21 episode of Conan O'Brien's nighttime talk show on TBS, "Conan".

COHEED AND CAMBRIA's latest album, "The Afterman: Ascension", sold 49,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"The Afterman" is being released in two separate full-length volumes. The first volume, "The Afterman: Ascension", was made available on both physical and digital platforms in the U.S. on October 9, 2012 via Hundred Handed/Everything Evil, and distributed through Fontana/Ingrooves (available in Canada via Universal Music Canada). The second volume, "The Afterman: Descension", is due in February.

A deluxe version of "The Afterman" includes a hardcover coffee-table book with expansive art by Heidi Taillefer and Nathan Spoor with collaborative written work from singer/creator Claudio Sanchez and writer Peter David that creates a song-by-song experience.

The two records follow-up to 2010's "Year Of The Black Rainbow", and feature new bassist Zach Cooper and returning drummer Josh Eppard, who have replaced Michael Todd and Chris Pennie, respectively.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA frontman Claudio Sanchez said of the album: "This is, without a doubt, the most honest record I've ever written. Though all the songs can be interpreted through our main character in the story, they were initially written in a very spontaneous manner. In the past, I've always had a predetermined idea of what the story was going to be when I approached the songs. With 'The Afterman' being a new story within 'The Amory Wars' arc, I allowed the events of my life to drive the concept, and therefore opened up the songwriting to a fuller degree."

Finnish heavy metal monsters LORDI will release their new album, "To Beast Or Not To Beast", on March 8 in Europe (excluding Finland) via AFM Records. The CD will be made available in North America on March 19 through The End Records.

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

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

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

"To Beast Or Not To Beast" track listing:

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

LORDI previously worked with Wagener on 2010's "Babez For Breakfast", which sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 43 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

British hard rock legends URIAH HEEP have released the following statement:

"Trevor Bolder (bass) is going into hospital for an operation which will require several months' recuperation. Everyone connected with URIAH HEEP wishes Trevor a speedy operation and recovery, and Trevor's wishes are that the band should carry on without him, until he is fit and ready to come back.

"Venerated bass player John [JJ] Jowitt has agreed to deputise for Trevor at short notice, to ensure that the band's show in Israel at the end of January can still go ahead, Having spent 20 years with IQ, plus varying stints with ARK, ARENA, JADIS, FROST and other respected bands, John is renowned for his onstage charisma and has won Classic Rock Society's Bass poll on no less than 10 separate occasions.

"We know all of you out there will support Trevor and the band as we move forward together into 2013. Trevor will use his recuperation period to write songs for the new URIAH HEEP album, the follow-up to 'Into The Wild', which will be put together in the next 12 months."

Added URIAH HEEP guitarist Mick Box: "We all wish Trevor a speedy return to the fold, and in the meantime we are very pleased that JJ has agreed to step in and cover Trev's unique bass panache, so crucial to HEEP's sound. JJ will also contribute to the signature five-part vocal operatics."

Stated John Jowitt: "I have long been an admirer of Trevor Bolder's iconic playing, and it is a huge honour to be asked to stand in for one of the all-time greats of the bass. I intend to bring due respect to the legend that is URIAH HEEP, and I hope I can do justice to Trevor's presence, both on and off stage."

URIAH HEEP's latest album, "Into The Wild", was released in April 2011 via Frontiers Records. The CD was produced by Mike Paxman (STATUS QUO, ASIA) and features cover artwork (see below) by the renowned Greek-American artist Ioannis (LYNYRD SKYNYRD, STYX, SAGA).

A two-minute teaser for "Resurrect Me", the upcoming album from female vocalist Pamela Moore, who is best known for her performance as Sister Mary on QUEENSRŸCHE's 1988 epic release "Operation: Mindcrime" and 2006's sequel "Operation: Mindcrime II", can be seen below.

"Resurrect Me" is described in a press release as "an album written in timeless fashion that explores a creative landscape missed by the music industry. [It] is a masterpiece in collaborative effort showcasing powerful, yet intimate vocal imagery, paired with monstrous power metal grooves, and uncompromising musicianship. The album explores the compelling, the infectious and the dramatic. It connects with the listener on a personal level from the first listen."

"Resurrect Me" is collaboration between Moore and Michael Posch, one of Chicago's favorite power metal guitar players who made noise as a founding member of Century Media artists RADAKKA, and was hand-picked by Moore while living in Chicago. While doing shows with the Pamela Moore band, discussions about the direction of Pamela's next work were tossed about. As discussions continued, so many of the traits and concepts were so purely engrained in Posch's own style, it seemed a divine movement was at hand. Early demo work showed a collective vision and energy that was impossible to ignore.

Even after deciding to return to Seattle as a permanent base, and what seemed to be the end of a chapter, Moore requested to continue focus work with Posch, in hopes of letting the addictive collection of songs continue to develop. Both were reluctant to close the book on the collective focus that was manifesting. Magic was being made and something pushed the pair onward. The album survived location changes, loss of financial support due to the economic times, personal highs and lows, and sheer distance… to finally overcome... and achieve a polish, and brightness, that goes beyond any hardship endured in the crafting … and the character that was built thru the labor, is deeply present in the recordings.

"Resurrect Me" represents a power metal album that will ring in your head for days after listening. Song after song take you down paths of atmospheric, dark, but passionate and blood pumping metal. It's sure to satisfy Moore's QUEENSRŸCHE contingent of fans, but this moves beyond.. into a level of energy all its own. It even boasts a heavyweight guest list, including a solo from shred royalty Jeff Loomis (ex-NEVERMORE) and a duet with master vocalist Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR, GAMMA RAY)

Madrid, Spain-based metallers DARK MOOR have entered New Sin Studio in Italy with producer Luigi Stefanini to begin recording their new album.

Commented the band: "Drums and bass have been recorded as well as all rhythm guitars, and now we'll go on with the clean guitars and solos. Alfred [Romero, vocals] has arrived this morning to the studio and will start recording immediately. So far everything sounds great!!!"

DARK MOOR's eighth album, "Ancestral Romance", was released in November 2010 via Scarlet Records.The follow-up to 2009's "Autumnal" was recorded at New Sin Studios in Italy with producer Luigi Stefanini and features cover artwork by artist Samuel Araya (CRADLE OF FILTH, ELVENKING).

Tilburg, Netherlands-based technical/progressive metallers TEXTURES have parted ways with guitarist Jochem Jacobs.

Says the band: "Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a bit quiet around the TEXTURES camp lately. It is for a valid reason: After 12 years being a big part of the band, Jochem Jacobs has decided to leave TEXTURES. It is sad to see him leave, but we respect his decision fully.

"Since the very start of TEXTURES, Jochem has helped the band get to where it is right now and his input will always be part of our music.

"It's a big setback for the band, but we are fully determined to keep on making music. Therefore the search for a replacement guitarist has begun! More news about this coming soon!

"Bear with us, guys! Remember that you, our fans, are the ones that make us want to move on at full-speed and create some more crazy music!"

Adds Jacobs: "I've been with TEXTURES from the very beginning and have had a lot of great adventures in the past 12 years, musically and socially! It was a dream coming true, I was traveling across the world with my best friends and making music!!! What more could you want?!! Strange as it may sound, my priorities changed gradually during the years… Now the time has come for me to start doing more other stuff. There are so many things in life that gives me goosebumps!

"I'm really busy producing great bands and other music at my studio and I want to focus more on that, I will keep on rocking!!!! Also, I will keep being involved with TEXTURES and will continue producing future TEXTURES albums."

TEXTURES's latest album, "Dualism", was released on September 23, 2011 in Europe, South America, Asia and Australia and September 27 in North America. The CD was recorded at Split Second Sound Studio in Amsterdam and was produced by Jochem Jacobs, who helmed all of the band's previous albums. The cover artwork was designed by former TEXTURES frontman Eric Kalsbeek and the band's bass player Remko Tielemans.

THE BOUNDED is a brand new project featuring current and former members from established British and Colombian metal bands: Nicolas and David Bermudez (UNDER THREAT, ex-BLAZE BAYLEY), Mauricio Chamucero (DRAGONFORCE, BLAZE BAYLEY session drummer, ex-ROGUE MALE, SAVAGE MESSIAH) and Fernando Politte (BLOODFATE, THE LAST BREATH).

With a hunger for trespassing all boundaries, beyond conventions and geographical and political limitations, THE BOUNDED has just released its debut song and video. Check it out below.

Following is a preview of NEAL MORSE's latest concert DVD, Live Momentum. The show was shot with 10 HD cameras on October 11th, 2012 in New York City and was produced by Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy (ex-DREAM THEATER) and Pristine Productions. It contains several extras including a behind-the-scenes tour documentary, 5.1 surround mixes and more.

The five disc set will be released on February 19th, pre-sales will be begin on Februaty 1st. The first 200 coppies sold will be signed by Morse.

A promo trailer is available below:
Live Momentum will be available in February 2013. Go to Radiant Records for updates. More details will be revealed soon.

As previously reported, Morse is gearing up for a European tour with THE FLOWER KINGS, due to kick off on February 22nd in Stockholm, Sweden. A show in Paris, France at Le Trabendo on March 4th has been added to the schedule. Click here for details.

The tour schedule as follows; venues for all shows will be confirmed soon:

February
22 - Stockholm, Sweden
23 - Malmö, Sweden
25 - Hamburg, Germany
26 - Cologne, Germany
27 - Pratteln, Switzerland
28 - Milan, Italy

March
1 - Barcelona, Spain
2 - Madrid, Spain
4 - Paris, France
5 - Rüsselsheim, Germany
6 - Zoertermeer, Holland
7 - London, England

Morse recently issued the following update:

"Starting January 1st, the VIP packages for the Neal Morse / The Flower Kings European Tour 2013 will be available! The meet and greet will take place before the show, so fans won't need to stand in line before the show or stay late after. We worked to create a special experience for you, and as part of that we limited the number of spaces. A maximum of 40 tickets will be available for each show. All info can be found here."

GWAR has written and recorded a song entitled "Wheel Of Punishment" for a new segment on "The Dan Patrick Show", the renowned sports television show and syndicated radio program starring "Football Night In America" co-host Dan Patrick. You can hear the track starting around the four-minute mark in the YouTube clip below.

"The Dan Patrick Show" began airing exclusively on DIRECTV on August 3, 2009, and expanded on the radio show format using Patrick's trademark humor and interaction with his production staff. The series is known for its unique blend of situational comedy, breaking sports news, unparalleled insider access and pop culture commentary.

Dan Patrick, regarded as one of the most accomplished, popular and versatile commentators in sports media today, co-hosts NBC's "Football Night In America" NFL studio show, along with host Bob Costas, analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison, and NFL insiders Peter King and Mike Florio. "Football Night" is the most-watched NFL studio show on television, drawing a record 8.9 million viewers in 2011.

Legendary NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) band SATAN has tapped Dario Mollo to mix their new album, "Life Sentence", for a March/April release via Listenable Records. Mollo is part of TONY MARTIN'S HEADLESS CROSS touring project and has worked with numerous artists as a producer and engineer, including SKYCLAD, ANATHEMA, CRADLE OF FILTH, LACUNA COIL, Tony Martin and Glenn Hughes.

"Life Sentence" was recorded September-November 2012 at First Avenue Studios in Newcastle, England and is now being mixed and mastered by Mollo at Damage Inc. Studio in Italy.

"We're really happy to have Dario on board to mix the album," SATAN said in a statement. "We've already had a few tracks back and they sound amazing. We wanted to capture the energy the band produce when playing live and we've done just that."

"Life Sentence" track listing:

01. Time To Die
02. Twenty Twenty Five
03. Cenotaph
04. Siege Mentality
05. Incantations
06. Testimony
07. Tears Of Blood
08. Life Sentence
09. Personal Demons
10. Another Universe

"Life Sentence" is the culmination of a process that began when the original "Court In The Act" lineup got together for an exclusive "one-off" reunion show at Germany's Keep It True festival in 2011 in what marked their first performance together in 28 years. The band was somewhat overwhelmed with the response — 10 minutes into headliners CRIMSON GLORY's set, the crowd could still be heard chanting, "Satan! Satan!" The SATAN bandmembers immediately booked more shows in Germany, Holland, Belgium and London, and have since kept in close contact with each other, writing songs and making demos.

The recording lineup for "Life Sentence" will be the same as that on "Court In The Act":

Brian Ross (vocals)
Steve Ramsey (guitar)
Russ Tippins (guitar)
Graeme English (bass)
Sean Taylor (drums)

Fittingly, "Life Sentence"' arrival will mark the 30th anniversary of the "Court In The Act" release.

SATAN is one of the most important groups that emerged in the early NWOBHM era. Their unique mixture of heavy and power metal spirit with thrash riffage brought a handful of unforgettable tunes and revolutionized heavy music as we know it.

"Court in the Act" was SATAN's debut release and was considered a true milestone at the time of its release (1983). The songs were melodic, but at the same time very aggressive. The band's two guitarists, Russ Tippins and Steve Ramsey, delivered a truly amazing performance; although their styles were completely different, they managed to perfectly complement each other's playing and introduced a handful of timeless riffs and solos.

A digipack reissue of "Court In The Act" was made available in November 2008 featuring three bonus tracks.

Fan-filmed video footage of SATAN's performance at the Keep It True XIV festival, which was held April 29-30, 2011 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany, can be seen below.

For more information, visit www.satanmusic.com.

"The Reptile Gods", a brand new song from Greek symphonic metallers NIGHTFALL, can be streamed using the audio player below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Cassiopeia", which will be released on January 18 via Metal Blade Records in Europe. The recordings for the CD took place in four different places, something NIGHTFALL is quite familiar with. Vocals and keys were recorded in Greece (Soundflakes studios and Cyberia) while the drums got hammered down in Germany in the Soundlodge studios. Guitars and bass were recorded in the U.S. in Nashville, Tennessee in the Boomcave studios.

More than on the previous album, "Astron Black & The Thirty Tyrants", in "Cassiopeia" the spirit of old-school heavy metal larks in almost every riff, with MERCYFUL FATE's and KING DIAMOND's guitar style having its top notch, always the NIGHTFALL way.

"Cassiopeia" track listing:

01. Phaethon
02. Oberon & Titania
03. Colonize Cultures
04. The Nightwatch
05. Stellar Parallax
06. Hubris
07. The Reptile Gods
08. Hyperion
09. Akhenaton, The 9th Pharaoh Of The 18th Dynasty
10. The Sand Reckoner
11. Astropolis

NIGHTFALL singer Efthimis Karadimas stated about the "Cassiopeia" concept: "'Cassiopeia' has a specific thesis and though its name is linked to both the constellation and the mythical character of Andromeda's mother, it refers to arrogance as leading characteristic of the human race; the outcome of this and the overweening state of affairs are so popular these harsh days everywhere. The entire world seems to be shifting from its previous position to a new one and all and each one of us that used to feel like masters of our destiny are now starting to wonder about when, where and how this transition will end. It may be a punishment like Cassiopeia and Andromeda who claimed themselves more beautiful even to nereids suffered, or it may be just another change. Time will certainly tell."

Regarding "Oberon & Titania", Karadimas said: "The song is based on Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer's Night Dream' couple; He is the king of fairies and she is the fairy queen. Despite their apparent close relationship, they end up forcefully using their powers and skills against each other; like maniacs blinded by light of passion and haughtiness they drag themselves to the lowest dungeons of nature. It is the ceaseless passion between two beings; passion that unites before it destroys anything around it once unleashed. It is true we are nothing when it comes to sustaining our gratefulness in front of desire. We are born broken in a dilute world poets' admiration cannot disguise. And none can break the broken."

NIGHTFALL is:

Efthimis Karadimas - Vocals
Evan Hensley - Guitar
Constantine - Guitar
Stathis Ridis - Bass
Stathis Kassios - Keyboards
Jörg Uken - Drums

"The Reptile Gods" audio stream:

A promotional clip for the song "Mesmerized By Fire" from Swedish metallers ENFORCER can be seen below. The band also filmed an official video for the track with director, and the band's longtime friend, Gustav Öhman Spjuth. The group states: "We really feel we have something special to show this time, and it's definitely not just any other video."

The "Mesmerized By Fire" seven-inch single will be released on January 18.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

Side A: "Mesmerized By Fire"
Side B: "You Can Be" (non-album track)

In addition to the limited-edition vinyl, there will also be a digital release.

Commented ENFORCER guitarist/vocalist Olof Wikstrand: "'Mesmerized By Fire' is more or less the title track from the 'Death By Fire' album. I think within four minutes it captures pretty much everything about ENFORCER: intensity and power mixed with a touch of melody and melancholy. The B-side is a cover of NAGAZAKI's 'You Can Be'. It is a track with mega potential from a band that unfortunately never made it in the '80s."

"Mesmerized By Fire" is available for free download at NuclearBlast.de (e-mail sign-up required).

ENFORCER will release its new album, "Death By Fire", on February 1 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD artwork was created by Jonathan Hultèn of Necromantic Art and can be seen below.

"Death By Fire" track listing:

01. Bells Of Hades
02. Death Rides This Night
03. Run For Your Life
04. Mesmerized By Fire
05. Take Me Out Of This Nightmare
06. Crystal Suite
07. Sacrificed
08. Silent Hour / The Conjugation
09. Satan

ENFORCER will hit the road with GRAND MAGUS and the NWOBHM legends ANGEL WITCH in February.

ENFORCER's second album, "Diamonds", was released in May 2010 in Europe by Earache Records and in the rest of the world through Heavy Artillery.

Having released its debut album, "Into the Night", in November 2008, ENFORCER kicked open the floodgates for the return of traditional heavy metal, paving the way for many other young bands to follow. With critical acclaim pouring in from fans and the international music press, ENFORCER wasted no time taking their show to the road for their first European and American tours as well as a litany of appearances at many of Europe's most highly regarded festivals.

MIDNATTSOL vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes — the younger sister of LEAVES' EYES singer Liv Kristine — gave birth to "the most beautiful and lovely girl" on her birthday, September 30, 2012. She said: "Words cannot describe my happiness!"

MIDNATTSOL's latest album, "The Metamorphosis Melody", was released in April 2011 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded at Studio E (THE VISION BLEAK, LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE, SECRETS OF THE MOON) with producer Markus Stock.