MANOWAR have announced that the Warriors Of The World 10th Anniversary Remastered Edition is now available on iTunes and at their webshop.

The brand new edition of the album includes a previously unreleased live version of ‘House Of Death’, recorded in Birmingham, UK during the Battle Hymns 2011 tour.

The physical CD of Warriors Of The World 10th Anniversary Remastered Edition will be released in the spring and will first be available during the upcoming second leg of The Lord Of Steel Tour in March.
Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Call To Arms’
‘The Fight For Freedom’
‘Nessun Dorma’
‘Valhalla’
‘Swords In The Wind’
‘An American Trilogy’
‘The March’
‘Warriors Of The World United’
‘Hand Of Doom’
‘House Of Death’
‘Fight Until We Die’
‘House Of Death’ (Live at O2 Academy 2011)

Catch Manowar live on the second leg of The Lord Of Steel World Tour, confirmed dates include:

March
4 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega
6 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene
8 - Karlstad, Sweden - Nöjesfabriken
9 - Örebro, Sweden - Conventum Kongress
10 - Stockholm, Sweden - Münchenbryggeriet
13 - Oulu, Finland - Club Teatria
14 - Tampere, Finland - Pakkahuone
16 - Helsinki, Finland - The Circus

Israeli progressive metallers ORPHANED LAND recently commenced recording the follow-up to 2010's The Never Ending Way of ORWarriOR. The album is the first to feature guitarist Chen Balbus, who replaced Matty Svatizky this past June "due to personal issues".

An update from the band states: "We are after three days of recordings already (one in Turkey and two in Israel). So far we "nailed" violins, buzuki, cumbus, 12 strings accoustic + classic guitars, flutes and some vocals for one song.

During the upcoming weekend we will rehearse the songs again and again. On Monday next week we will head to Sweden to record the heavy machines - drums, bass, guitars and vocals!"
Stay tuned for further updates.

Following the December release of Solid (1997), No Limits (1998), Holy (1999) and Man And Machine (2002), AFM records will re-release the second wave of classic U.D.O. albums as Anniversary Editions with bonus material. Titles include Animal House, Mean Machine, Faceless World and Timebomb, which will be available on February 15th with the following tracklists:
Animal House tracklisting:
'Animal House'
'Go Back To Hell'
'They Want War'
'Black Widow'
'In The Darkness'
'Lay Down The Law'
'We Want It Loud'
'Hot Tonight'
'Warrior'
'Coming Home'
'Run For Cover'

Bonus:
'Animal House' (Live)
'They Want War' (Live)
'In The Darkness' (Live)
'They Want War' (Video)
'Go Back To Hell' (Video)
Mean Machine tracklisting:
'Don't Look Back'
'Break The Rules'
'We're History'
'Painted Love'
'Mean Machine'
'Dirty Boys'
'Streets On Fire'
'Lost Passion'
'Sweet Little Child'
'Catch My Fall'
'Still In Love With You' (Instrumental)

Bonus:
'Break The Rules' (Live)
'Break The Rules' (Video)

Faceless World tracklisting:
'Heart Of Gold'
'Blitz Of Lightning'
'System Of Life'
'Faceless World'
'Stranger'
'Restricted Area'
'Living On A Frontline'
'Trip To Nowhere'
'Born To Run'
'Can't Get Enough'
'Unspoken Words'
'Future Land'

Bonus:
'Living On A Frontline' (Live)
'Heart Of Gold' (Live)
'Heart Of Gold' (Video)



Timebomb tracklisting:
'The Gutter' (Instrumental)
'Metal Eater'
'Thunderforce'
'Overloaded (Instrumental)
'Burning Heat'
'Back In Pain'
'Timebomb'
'Powersquad'
'Kick In The Face'
'Soldiers Of Darkness'
'Metal Maniac Master Mind'

Bonus:
'Metal Eater' (Live)
Album-EPK (Video)

Vocalist Warrel Dane (SANCTUARY, NEVERMORE) joined forces with Seattle-based multi-instrumentalist JONNY SMOKES for a performance at All Star Acoustic Night in Seattle, WA on Saturday, October 20th, 2012 at Studio Seven. Footage from the show, which was recorded for a future release, is available below:
According to a recent update from Dane via his official Twitter page, Sanctuary will officially sign with Century Media for the release of their new album "in a few days." Watch for updates here.

Sanctuary's new album is tentatively titled The Year The Sun Died. Two songs due to appear on the album - 'I Am Low' and 'The World Is Wired' were performed at Bloodstock 2012 on the weekend of August 9th - 12th. Fan-filmed video is available below:
Dane spoke with Hayley Leggs at Total Rock Radio while at the Bloodstock 2012 Check out the video interview below:

The release date for the new MILKING THE GOATMACHINE album, Stallzeit, has been rescheduled to March 29th. Initially the release was planned for March 1st. Besides this, the grindcore goats from planet GoatEBorg have announced new tour dates for 2013.

The band previously stated: "The album will be, like all other MTG albums, a concept album. The topics are the experiences that we`ve made on your planet and how we narrate everything to our Goatlord on planet GoatEborg... it's effectively a goat diary! The song 'When A Goat Loves A Woman' for example describes the difficulty when you receive a phone number from an earth-doe and you try to dial the number with hooves on your touchscreen smart phone... Musically we stayed true to ourselves and we grind down everything that we are up against.“
Stallzeit tracklisting:

'Only Goat Can Judge Me'
'Goatriders In The Sky'
'Stallzeit'
'3 Room Shed'
'Goatpainter'
'The Day I Lost My Bell'
'Salt Lick City'
'Milk ´Em All'
'Hornbreaker'
'Whoola Hoove Groove'
'Strawless'
'Look @ These'
'When A Goat Loves A Woman'
'Udder Infection'
'In 10 Years We Are Old School'
'Ace Of Spades' (MOTÖRHEAD cover)

The band have recently debuted the video for their cover of Motörhead's classic 'Ace Of Spades'. Check it out below:
Upcoming tour dates include:

March
1 - Wien, Austria - Escape
2 - Ljubljana, Slovakia - Gala Hala

April
5 - Magdeburg, Germany - Factory
6 - Weimar, Germany - Schützengasse
20 - Sulzbach an der Murr, Germany - Belinda
27 - Harderwijk, Netherlands - Estrado

May
11 - Malters, Switzerland - Nothing But Metal Festival
23 - Hünxe, Germany - Extremefest
30-June 6 - Geiselwind, Germany - Beastival

June
29 - Gallio, Vicenza, Italy - Sun Valley Metal Festival

July
27 - Bertingen, Germany - Rock unter den Eichen

August
30-31 - Crispendorf, Germany - Wolfszeit Festival

Johnny Firecloud of Crave Online recently conducted an interview with former PANTERA and current DOWN singer Philip Anselmo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Crave Online: I've heard [your two solo] songs [that appear on the "War Of The Gargantuas" split album with WARBEAST], man... and holy shit. Holy shit. What motivated the solo route?

Anselmo: Thank you, buddy. Well, man... I've always had this great affinity for extreme music. That's a well-known fact. After Dimebag's [PANTERA] death and after things went really sour with SUPERJOINT RITUAL, and DOWN became one of the main focal points, if not the main focal point of my musical output. I won't call it an empty feeling, because at heart I'm a free agent — I can do what I want. DOWN will be there, and all that stuff. But if I was going to put my fingers on something heavy again, I wanted it to be different from anything that I had touched before. Not that it's annoying or anything, but I see a lot of the comments saying it's similar to SUPERJOINT. But it's coming from a musician who knows and played guitar in both projects — it's very different. Maybe they're alluding to the vocal style that I use, but I guess that's just what naturally comes out of me. To do an extreme metal record is something that is well within my capacity as a musician to write stuff out of the box, write stuff that's probably more extreme than the band I'm in at the present time, and it's something that needs to come out of me one way or another. The two songs of mine that are on this split are some of the more straightforward, and honestly, tame in comparison to what the full-length will offer. So I guess I'm really glad that you think it's any good at all. I appreciate that much of it, and there's plenty more to come.

Crave Online: What about this really comes across as tame? I'm not hearing tame in this at all.

Anselmo: It's true. The full-length really touches on a lot of the same stuck-in-my-room, agonizing in fucking pain, what the fuck do I do besides bounce off these fucking walls? But I may touch on some other interior things that I'd like to put into plainer words, but it's best that it comes out in music. Because it can get kind of ugly or might be taken the wrong way, so I guess it's kind of like the freedom of having the stage to vent as one platform without harming anyone else's reputation or integrity in music. But as far as subject matter, it's not the be-all-end-all. I've got so much fucking material to sort through that I did get recorded, and there's about three songs that I haven't even touched vocally yet. I'm just sitting back to see how these songs, and the full-length down the road — we're aiming for early summer release — run. Not everything's been tapped, subject-wise. There's a lot of irons in the fire, a lot to cover.

Crave Online: We talked a year and a half ago about a lot of it being informed by the pain in your back...

Anselmo: Not just the back, now. It's my whole fucking body. I've destroyed this fucking skeleton. So let's clarify, and make sure I'm the Evel Kneivel of fucking goddamn metal. I think anyone who suffers from chronic pain can agree with this — you feel this great significance. What I wanted to capture was that significance, and as a matter of fact, I think that's one of the lyrics on "Confict", on the split. I touch on the significance, and really it's a selfish thing, in an offbeat way. But you can only exist as far as your mind will allow you to exist, and I think chronic pain will stop time dead in its tracks. You feel like you're the only one, and how unfair it is, and a million different feel-sorry-for-yourself-type feelings. In my better sense of mind, I know that I'm far from alone and far from the worst, and the earth keeps spinning. Everything keeps moving, with or without me. So I guess a lot of these songs are very selfishly hedonistic/defeatist attitude. But between you and I and the readers, there is no quit here at the Anselmo camp. But sometimes especially within these songs, you gotta get this whole fuckin' bad day, bad week, bad whatever off the fucking chest, you know?

Read the entire interview from Crave Online.

The Ajna Offensive has set a January 22 international release date for HEAD OF THE DEMON's self-titled debut album.

A mysterious Swedish entity comprising nameless members from known bands, HEAD OF THE DEMON's first CD is a sepulchral, doom-laden slab of occult black/death metal that's Lovecraftian in intent and aims for the abyss.

A press release states: "H.P. Lovecraft is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for those who play metal, and tributes to the great visionary of Providence have been countless. HEAD OF THE DEMON are ones who have seen the faces of the Great Old Ones, yet all but eschew the usual clichés based upon tentacles and unspeakable horrors. Their occult black/death metal is hypnotic and honed, played mainly on the rawness of riffs and chants that are repeated cyclically. Psychedelic vertigo is assured, and with it the stimulation of perceptions that open windows to mysterious parallel dimensions. The voice sounds like that of Tom Warrior mentally dissociated under acid, while the guitars constantly seek ways of expressive, original, yet oblique metal without foresaking metal altogether. The long ramblings of 'Phantasmagoria' and 'They Lie In Wait - Riding The Waste' creep ominously between proto-doom BLACK SABBATH-ian realms and the atmosphere of Mortuary Drape's cenotaph, never fully enjoying one or the other. The key, however, is the ancient and mysterious sound of an organ, which gives additional character to such ritualistic music, making the result extremely gruesome. HEAD OF THE DEMON realize that in order to see the true horror and the unfathomable depths narrated by Lovecraft, you do not need to travel to the edge of the cosmos: just look in our own head...in the demon's head.

"Head Of The Demon" track listing:

01. By Titan Hand (6:30)
02. The Lie In Wait - Riding The Waste (9:22)
03. Phantasmagoria (5:48)
04. The Man From Foreign Land (6:51)
05. The Key (6:22)
06. Fifth House Of The Mausoleum (8:18)
07. Wraith From The Unknown (7:54)

Legendary heavy metal band BLACK SABBATH has set "13" as the title of its much-anticipated new album. The group's first LP with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978 will be released in June via Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. and Vertigo in all other territories. The drum tracks on the CD were laid down by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE sticksman Brad Wilk following original drummer Bill Ward's decision to bow out of the reunion.

Osbourne, Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass) recorded the album primarily in Los Angeles with producer Rick Rubin.

In advance of the CD's release, BLACK SABBATH will head to New Zealand, Australia and Japan for live performances. Additional tour plans will be revealed in the coming months.

Iommi, Osbourne and Butler discussed their new album in a video interview posted at NME.com. Asked how Rubin influenced the band's approach to writing together again, Butler explained, "He sat us down, put the first album on and said 'listen to this', imagine it's 1969, you've just done that, what would you do next?"

Iommi added, "It's taken on the flavor of the old stuff in the way we put things together, but with a different look on it."

Back in August, Butler said SABBATH had recorded 15 tracks, with 12 making the final cut, including a song entitled "God Is Dead".

Ward in May 2012 announced again that he was declining to join his former bandmates for its scheduled 2012 dates, as well as the recording of a new album, due to a contractual dispute.

He also allegedly had his lawyers direct SABBATH to remove him from photos of the band posted at the official BLACK SABBATH web site "so as to not give the public the wrong impression about his involvement in the current BLACK SABBATH lineup," according to a statement issued by the band's publicist.

Butler issued a lengthy retort at his own web site, writing that Ward "hadn't told any one of us he was having contractual problems, and frankly those things are worked out between our representatives, and never between the four of us, let alone in public."

Until now, Iommi told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the members of SABBATH stayed friendly even when there were legal or other issues going on. "We've always been talking. We've always been in touch with each other," he said. "There might be a lawsuit in the thing between us, but we still talk to each other like nothing's happened, you know."

Asked if there is any chance of Ward rejoining the band, Iommi said last October, "We'll always have a heart for Bill, but I think it's gone past that now, because it's gone on so long that I don't see that happening at the moment. Maybe at some point we might [play together again]."

Iommi, Osbourne and Butler performed live together for the first time in seven years on May 19, 2012, playing an intimate show at the 3,800-person O2 Academy in SABBATH's hometown of Birmingham, England. The concert, which served as a warm-up for the group's appearance at the following month's Download festival, was laced with emotion and drama: it was the first live appearance for Iommi since being diagnosed with cancer, and it was the first with stand-in drummer Tommy Clufetos, making the split official between Ward and the rest of SABBATH.

BLACK SABBATH took part in a photo shoot on November 30, 2012 with famed British photographer/artist Sam Taylor-Wood.

HICKS KINISON (formerly RAIJIN) is the name of the hardcore metal project featuring current and former members of NAPALM DEATH, BRUJERIA and BORN FROM PAIN.

A song from HICKS KINISON entitled "Poisonous Words" can be streamed on the band's Facebook page.

HICKS KINISON is:

Chris Paccou (a.k.a. Aa Kuernito) (BRUJERIA) - Guitar
Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH) - Bass
Roel Klomp (ex-BORN FROM PAIN) - Drums
Sofia Magalhaes (ex-WE ARE THE DAMMED) - Vocals

WILDSIDE RIOT, the new band fronted by former WRATHCHILD vocalist Rocky Shades, will release its debut album, "No Second Take", on January 28 via Cargo/Livewire Records.

WILDSIDE RIOT is a new five-piece melodic sleaze band based in the Midlands which composes "instantly infectious songs" with "a heavy edge."

Joining Shades in this new project are Joss Riot (lead guitar), Jimmy Gunn (guitar), James Crofts (bass) and Gaz Wilde (drums).

According to a press release, WILDSIDE RIOT has "an incredible live energy" and "brings an exciting attitude to an at-times-lackluster scene."

The band recently performed at the Hard Rock Hell festival in Wales and has a few London shows lined up in early 2013, including supporting John Corabi (THE SCREAM, MÖTLEY CRÜE) at the Underworld on January 24, and opening for BAI BANG at Surya Kings Cross on February 15. WILDSIDE RIOT's album-launch event will be held on February 2 at the Unicorn.

"No Second Take" track listing:

01. All Hail The Wasted
02. Wildside Riot
03. Broken Toys
04. Fukk Em
05. Candiis Gone Bad
06. That's What Sunday Mornings Are For
07. Babe I Gotta Go
08. Angel On My Back
09. My Paradise
10. Glitter-Tramps
11. Wasted Lust
12. My Woman
13. There Is A Bullet For Each Of You

The official lyric video for the song "Believe" from FREEDOMS REIGN, the band led by Victor Arduini, original guitarist and founding member of FATES WARNING (having played on 1984's "Night On Brocken" and 1985's "The Spectre Within"), can be seen below. The track comes off FREEDOMS REIGN's forthcoming, self-titled sophomore CD, which will be released later in the year.

The group, which features Arduini on lead vocals and guitar, Tom Vumback on guitar, Mike Jones on bass and Chris Judge on drums, recorded the new album at Dexters Lab Recording in Milford, Connecticut with Nick Belmore (TOXIC HOLOCAUST).

States Arduini: "FREEDOMS REIGN is right where I want to pick up from where I left off. This music feels as great to play as it did when we recorded 'Spectre'. It still means something to do this, and I don't think I've ever been a part of anything better."

FREEDOMS REIGN's musical direction is described as "very powerful [with] heavy riffs which hark back to the old FATES" material.

A five-song FREEDOMS REIGN "sampler" video can be seen below.

"Believe" lyric video:



"Shadows Of Doubt" song stream (audio):



Five-song FREEDOMS REIGN "sampler" video:

The Mighty Z conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Jesse Matthewson of Canada's KEN MODE on November 1, 2012 at Sub-Mission in San Francisco, California. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the San Francisco concert.

As previously reported, KEN MODE has inked a deal with Season Of Mist. The band's new album, "Entrench", was recorded with producer Matt Bayles (MASTODON, THE SWORD) and will be released on March 19.

Commented the band: "KEN MODE is proud to be forming an alliance with a label with as heavy hitting and as creatively diverse a roster as Season Of Mist. As (mostly) Canadians, we are excited to take this opportunity to put our 9th-grade-level French skills to use, particularly in our communications with the Season Of Mist head office. We are also excited to visit the Season Of Mist U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia where no doubt the staff will present us with the most extravagantly cheesed Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. As newly anointed cultural treasures of Canada, we look forward to the awards and accolades we are no doubt to receive through our international partnership with Season Of Mist."

The group added: "The only logical way to follow up on the success of our previous album, 'Venerable', was to put our noses to the grindstone and top that record in every way possible. With 'Entrench', we are convinced we have accomplished this. 'Entrench' is our most collaborative effort, and the most creative and sonically diverse album of our entire career. 'Entrench' sees us expand in both our handling of dynamics and general song and album craftsmanship; utilizing piano, keyboards, and strings to build on the classic power trio format. For this album, we have also enlisted guest vocal contributions from Dave Verellen (NARROWS, ex-BOTCH) and former DEADGUY/KISS IT GOODBYE vocalist Tim Singer. Both of them add another layer of icing to the metallic-hardcore-noise-rock-whatever-core cake we've baked."

"Entrench" track listing:

01. Counter Culture Complex
02. No; I'm in Control
03. Your Heartwarming Story Makes Me Sick
04. The Terror Pulse
05. The Promises of God
06. Romeo Must Never Know
07. Secret Vasectomy
08. Figure Your Life Out
09. Daeodon
10. Why Don't You Just Quit?
11. Monomyth

The "Entrench" cover artwork can be seen below. The sculpture is by Lil Duncan (a.k.a. Ben Bonner) and it was photographed by Ryan Klatt, with layout by Randy Ortiz.

KEN MODE will embark on a tour with TODAY IS THE DAY, BLACK TUSK and FIGHT AMP in early March.

KEN MODE was honored in the "Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year" category at last year's Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards), which was held in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on March 26 - April 1, 2012.

KEN MODE is a name synonymous with the Canadian hardcore and metal scenes. The band has effortlessly blended Amphetamine Reptile-styled noise rock with pure hardcore fury to become one of the Canada's most crushing acts. In the process, it has built a reputation for itself through its unique brand of metallic noise rock as well as touring with musical titans such as MASTODON, PELICAN, CURSED, PROPAGHANDI, BARONESS and more.

KEN MODE's "Venerable" was released in March 2011 via Profound Lore Records. The CD was produced by Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, TRAP THEM, TORCHE) at Godcity Studios and was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side.

Interview:

Italian melodic death metallers LUNARSEA will enter OuterSound Studios in Rome next week to record their third full-length album, "Hundred Light Years", for a May release via Punishment 18 Records. The 10-song follow-up to 2009's "Route Code Selector" will be a conceptual effort and will be mixed by Jens Borgen (AMON AMARTH, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA, OPETH) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden.

"Hundred Light Years" will feature guest appearances by the following musicians:

Tim Charles (vocals and violinist from the band NE OBLIVISCARIS)
Tom Nitfield (German producer)
Emanuele Casali (DGM-Astra)
Martin Minor (German pianist)
Michael Sulmann (American violinist)

LUNARSEA is:

Filippo Palma: Vocals
Fabiano Romagnoli: Guitar, Synths
Emiliano Pacioni: Guitar
Cristian Antolini: Bass, Vocals
Alfonso Corace: Drums

Stockholm, Sweden-based melodic death metallers DEGRADEAD, whose singer, Mikael Sehlin, recently joined fellow Swedes ENGEL as their new frontman, will enter the studio on Monday, January 14 to begin recording their fourth album.

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

DEGRADEAD last year announced the addition of drummer Amit Mohla (RAID) to the group's ranks.

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

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

EUROPE frontman Joey tempest recently spoke with Marko Syrjala at Metal-Rules.com. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

Q: It was just announced that you’re going to celebrate the bands 30th Anniversary at Sweden Rock festival in June. Would you tell us something more about it?

A: "Yeah, it was announced and we were just talking about it, on our Facebook we blew it up and… because we are very honored, very pleased and very happy. It feels like we made it you know, we have one of the headline slots. RUSH one night, KISS one night and Europe the other night and we’re going to make the most of it. Play two and a half hours, have some guests, play songs from three decades, bring in some big light shows. It’s going to be – it’s going to be magnificent, we’re going to have a great time."

Q: I was just going to ask how do you count the birth date of Europe because wasn’t the band actually formed in 1982?

A: "Yeah it’s the first – it’s actually 30th, since we released the first album. I think… yeah it’s hard because we changed name to Europe in sort of this late summer 82? and we won a rock competition 13th of December 82? under the name Europe. So I suppose that could be a start but I always think the first album is a good start you know. Lucia competition, the 13th of December 1982 was the night we won the rock competition to record the first album and 2013 is 30 years since the first Europe album was released."

Q: Do you have other plans to celebrate the Anniversary other than at the Sweden Rock show?

A: "Not really. In Stockholm a few weeks ago we played 'In The Future To Come', the song we played on the Lucia night, 13th of December when we won that rock competition with that song so we played that. So that was kind of fun but then we haven’t done anything else because we want to focus on the Sweden Rock, we want to do everything there. There won’t be any 30th anniversary tour or anything, that’s it, that’s the event – that’s the event."

Read the full interview at this location.
As discussed above, in 2013 Europe celebrate the 30th anniversary of the year in which they released their first album and they have confirmed a special show at Sweden Rock Festival 2013. This will be their only Swedish performance of the anniversary year! And it will be a grandiose event indeed, promises singer Joey Tempest. The stage show will be one of the greatest, if not the greatest of the band's entire career (certain very special guest stars will also appear). The setlist will be specially composed from Europe's entire nine-album discography. Including their cult debut Europe (1983), multi-million seller The Final Countdown (1986) and their most recent outing Bag Of Bones (2012) which has now reached gold status.

The performance will also be filmed for a DVD-release, so make sure you'll be present when a piece of Swedish rock history will be both created and preserved for posterity.

For the record: today's version of Europe is identical to the classic The Final Countdown lineup: Joey Tempest (vocals), John Norum (guitar), John Levén (bass), Mic Michaeli (keyboards) and Ian Haugland (drums).
Sweden Rock Festival 2013 will take place June 5th - 8th in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

Confirmed acts now include: ACCEPT, AMARANTHE, AMON AMARTH, AUDREY HORNE, AVANTASIA, AXXIS, BULLET, CANDLEMASS, CIVIL WAR, CRAZY LIXX, DEMON, DORO, JON ENGLISH, FIREWIND, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, HUNTRESS, HYPOCRISY, IHSAHN, KISS, KREATOR, KROKUS, MORGANA LEFAY, LENINGRAD COWBOYS, LEPROUS, MANILLA ROAD, MARTIN PRAHL'S SKELTER WHEEL, NAGLFAR, NINE BELOW ZERO, PARADISE LOST, RAUBTIER, RUSH, SATAN, SAXON, THE SCAMS, SISTER SIN, SONATA ARCTICA, STATUS QUO, TANKARD, THRESHOLD, UFO, VADER, WITCHCRAFT.
Sweden Rock Festival is a four-day festival with a total of 80 bands performing on five outdoor stages. More info can be found at Swedenrock.com.

Colombian death/black metal assassins NEPENTE have inked a deal with Singapore-based independent record label Sonic Blast Media for the worldwide release on the band's sophomore album, "Suffering Is The Seed".

Previously available through the band, the CD will be unleashed though Sonic Blast on February 15. The vinyl version of "Suffering Is The Seed" will come later this year courtesy of badGod Music.

Sonic Blast Media's Imran Manoff commented, "We are very pleased to have NEPENTE join our ever-growing Sonic Blast Media family. 'Suffering Is The Seed' is an extraordinary album which borders on death/ black metal and at times grindcore; and I am sure the fans will enjoy it!."

"Suffering Is The Seed" was mixed and mastered at Poland's Hertz Studio (VADER, HATE, BEHEMOTH, DECAPITATED).

NEPENTE is:

José F. Ospina (vocals)
Mauricio Aristizábal (drums)
Esteban Daza (guitar)
Wilmar Correa (bass)
Pablo Vaquez (guitar)

German classic death metal lunatics DEHUMAN REIGN have signed with FDA Rekotz for the release of one mini-album and two full-length albums.

The band's first release, Destructive Intent MCD will be out in spring 2013.
According to a press release: “Dehuman Reign was formed in 2011 with the intention to follow the path of original death metal. The band strives to create music without any modern influences or trends, pure, authentic and maleficent. After a few member changes, the final line-up was found in March of 2012.”

For more info on the band visit this location.

Christian metallers RIVERA BOMMA will release their third album, "Infinite Journey Of Soul", on January 22 via Retroactive Records.

Having two metal releases on several overseas labels, RIVERA BOMMA storm the U.S. with their first new effort in seven years. Featuring a stunning collection of musicians, the band features Johnny Bomma (ex-HADES) delivering vocal chops with grit, elegance, and swagger. Rivera began studying classical guitar and flamenco before discovering the likes of Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker and Yngwie Malmsteen — incorporating all of those influences in his axe-ellent guitar work. Also playing on the new album is talented drummer Ed Faust, and on bass you will hear the thundering tones of none other than Mike LePond of progressive metal giants SYMPHONY X!

With two strong albums in RIVERA BOMMA's back catalog, fans always wondered what the band could produce if all the right pieces to the puzzle came together… The band offers a definitive answer with the release of "Infinite Journey Of Soul" on the U.S.-based Christian label, Retroactive Records.

"Infinite Journey Of Soul" track listing:

01. I.J.O.S. (intro)
02. Infinite Journey Of Soul
03. Empty Desire
04. In Blood
05. Via Dolorosa
06. Angel And Demons
07. Horizon's End
08. In My Dreams
09. The Maker
10. Before The End - MMXIII (solo)

Geeks Of Doom recently conducted an interview with former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist, and current NEWSTED frontman, Jason Newsted. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Geeks of Doom: You must have seen online that the video and the [NEWSTED] song "Soldierhead" are just everywhere now. Has that surprised you, that reaction to it?

Jason Newsted: There are some surprises now, because there's a lot of unknowing. I haven't been amongst it like this where it's my baby, my control, my name and stuff, since really kind of FLOTSAM days where I had to watch everything and make sure all the I's were dotted and the T's were crossed. So I wasn't sure what to expect once I embraced the social media and everything. I know I had planted some good seeds by always having such rapport with fans and all that, but the way it's flooded back to me now is more than I ever could have imagined because it really is unknown. Many familiar avenues out there that I knew from back in the day and being in a big band or even being in VOIVOD or OZZY [OSBOURNE] or whatever, but a bunch of new stuff that I don't quite know how to fathom yet. So I've been two months or something on the Internet and try to talk to everybody on Facebook each night and get back with the fans and make that reconnection. But to answer you, I'm pleasantly surprised and honestly a bit overwhelmed.

Geeks of Doom: So because the focus is all on you, it sounds like you do relish it, but there's a little bit of trepidation?

Jason Newsted: Yes. I think anybody that plays their game with real conviction and does that — they self-doubt, any true artist. You want to make sure that you are the very best that you can be to present to people. So that's been part of my M.O. from the beginning, I always want to be my very best. So the roles that I am taking on in this band are some new territory for me. I am familiar with the interviews and the people person thing, that's kind of been my forte for a long time. But as far as being a six-string guitar player writing all the songs on guitar and then playing guitar, and singing lead vocals at the same time, or even playing bass and singing lead vocal? That's a lot of new roles to take on, and it's a little bit scary. I have a lot of confidence when I am holding onto my bass, I can play in front of anybody or with any musician, I'm not actually encouraging that at anytime [laughs], but as far as the guitar and stuff, I just don't have the same amount of hours and weeks and use on it. So I feel a little, well, it's just different. So I just knock out the rhythms like, man, I'm like a Roky Erickson [of 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS] type of guitar player. I know a couple of chords and I rock that friggin' chord around the guitar as hard as I can and as loud as I can and make some songs out of it! The other guys put on their pieces and Jessie does his leads and that's awesome. Jesus plays the drums killer and makes it what it is. So, [laughs] there's a lot of new roles for me to take on here and it will be exciting to see what transpires. I know I'm going to have to practice hard and I will. I will make sure that we are ready.

Geeks of Doom: Was it always your choice to sing, or was it something that just happened?

Jason Newsted: I have been working on it for a long time and for what people know about a big band and stuff and I was always just [guttural vocalizing] DIE! [laughs] That guttural, vocal kind of stuff, and I can still do that thing, but that's such a one-dimensional kind of trip and the past ten or eleven years, as I have played in all the different projects, with different kind of people, I have tried to work on my real singing voice over time and developed it and developed it and developed it. In 2002 it wasn't great, 2004 it was getting better, 2008 it's doing okay, and now I am getting someplace where I can actually keep some pitch and play along and sing some leads and play the guitar parts and sing some songs at the same time, which is quite challenging. So it took a while to come around to it, but I am kind of excited about the challenge. I have been fortunate enough to be around [METALLICA frontman James] Hetfield for fifteen years and his weaving of words. He's the best at playing and singing, it's just impossible to do some of those parts that he plays on guitar and still sing a straight vocal line. It just gets my vote forever as far as the capacity to do that. He's just untouchable in that way. So being exposed to that and just being able to let it rub off on you, I just try to take it in. So I will pay a lot of credit to that. Also being exposed, I think even more importantly, to Snake from VOIVOD. We have been friends for decades, but being exposed to him and his actual work and the way he goes about things for three or four years as we made records and got serious about things … that was probably one of the most character-building and musician-building parts of my career so far. Especially with the singing thing, Snake's ability to weave words and it's a second language that he's working in so there's no fodder. He doesn't use like the in-betweens and the little words, the connectors and stuff. He just does info, data, words, no fodder, information, no wasted words, just the story. And the way that he weaves it, the manner in which he weaves it and the music, I give him a lot of credit too by inspiring me to try and find those places and weave those words like that and make it musical yet kind of creepy and stuff. So, between being exposed and being able to work with cats like that, it helped me to find my voice. Even though I sang in FLOTSAM and played bass … that was such a different world and whole different person then. Now I have learned what I have learned and gone through what I have gone through and now I work out my voice like I do my situps and my pushups, man. I do a vocal exercise every day to try and make my voice better all the time. And it's a new voice when it comes right down to it, because it's actually a young voice in this old body! Seriously, I am 19 in my brain and heart, and whatever the calendar says as it goes by, whatever man. [laughs] And I know that the flesh and the bone okay, my shoulders, yeah I got it, now you got my attention [laughs], but it's still how I am inside and I still want to project that for always. It's a young voice.

Geeks of Doom: Obviously the EP is in the bag, so is there talk of a full album?

Jason Newsted: Yeah, we actually recorded eleven songs. We did just short of two weeks in the studio. We went into this little farmhouse literally in the middle of a giant cornfield down in a farmland in Central Valley, California … and locked ourselves in and just rocked it out. We had a cat come in, his name is Anthony Focx, and he has done some pretty big stuff lately. We got to know him, he did all the METALLICA mixes for Guitar Hero, and then he did some other stuff like AEROSMITH records … and he did some other things that aren't necessarily hard rock, but pretty successful, like KELLY CLARKSON and some big time artists. So he came in out of respect 'cause he digs the metal and he digs what I have done in my career and so he came in and recorded the stuff with us. That was quite a big deal because we just plug into the amps and rock the shit and he was able to capture it. I mean, we didn't give him any time, we didn't know him, we threw him into the blue fangs and said, "Let's go, man!" And he plugged it in and he just captured what you are hearing now. And it was really just a matter of hours at a time per song. So we had that on our side. Between those few little things, people from the old METALLICA camp are reaching out to help and friends from the past and it's just for the right reasons. When you keep chasing it for the right reasons, these things show up karmatically, you know?

Read the entire interview from Geeks Of Doom.

"Soldierhead" video teaser:

Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Kenneth "K.K." Downing spoke to Express & Star about what constitutes his "perfect" weekend. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Express & Star: Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekends?

Downing: Apart from myself, it's usually my mom. I make a fortnightly visit to my mom. My job is a seven-day thing, so I'm usually spending it with the staff. Otherwise, I'm over to see my mom, who lives in West Brom.

Express & Star: What is your favourite night spot and why?

Downing: I guess really apart from the real ale scenario, I'd choose any good restaurant. I like a nice dinner and good company: It's not where you go to, it's who you are with. I have a few favourites from my life on the road. If we were in New York, we'd go to Palm Too. In Chicago or Los Angeles we'd go to Lawry's. In Spain, I'd go for anything that's fresh — fish on the beach is always great. I opened my own restaurant here at Astbury Hall last year. I wanted to create same quality of product and same quality of service that I'd enjoyed. We're here to serve.

Express & Star: It's a sunny Saturday, what are you up to?

Downing: If I can get the opportunity to get out and play golf then I do. It's so beautiful around here. The weather has been so terrible that whenever the sun shines, I try to get out and cash in. I'm playing off a handicap of 12, which is pretty good for winter.

Express & Star: What's your recipe for the perfect night in?

Downing: Basically a hot bath and a cold beer. I'll rustle something up in the kitchen, with whatever's in the fridge. Then I'll put on the TV to watch a bit of footy or golf. I bought a brand new Marshall 100-watt amp for Christmas, it's awesome. I like to turn it up and play loud.

Read more from Express & Star.

Experience Hendrix LLC and Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release JIMI HENDRIX' People, Hell & Angels, an essential new album premiering twelve previously unreleased studio recordings completed by Hendrix, on Tuesday, March 5th.

As a teaser for the upcoming album, the track 'Somewhere' makes it's official online debut. Check it out now at RollingStone.com.
People, Hell & Angels showcases the legendary guitarist working outside of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience trio. Beginning in 1968, Jimi Hendrix grew restless, eager to develop new material with old friends and new ensembles. Outside the view of a massive audience that had established the Experience as rock's largest grossing concert act and simultaneously placed two of his albums in the US Top 10 sales chart, Jimi was busy working behind the scenes to craft his next musical statement.

These twelve recordings encompass a variety of unique sounds and styles incorporating many of the elements—horns, keyboards, percussion and second guitar—Jimi wanted to incorporate within his new music. People, Hell & Angels presents some of the finest Jimi Hendrix guitar work ever issued and provides a compelling window into his growth as a songwriter, musician and producer.
As mentioned, People, Hell & Angels will be available Tuesday, March 5th.

With an album title coined by Jimi Hendrix, People, Hell & Angels reveals some of Hendrix's post-Experience ambitions and directions as he worked with new musicians--including the Buffalo Springfield's Stephen Stills, drummer Buddy Miles, Billy Cox (with whom Hendrix had served in the 101st US Army Airborne and later played on the famed R & B 'chitlin circuit' together) and others--creating fresh and exciting sounds for the next chapter in his extraordinary career.

People, Hell & Angels is co-produced by Janie Hendrix, Eddie Kramer and John McDermott. Kramer first met Hendrix at Olympic Studios in London in January 1967. Hendrix, who would have turned 70 on November 27 this year, developed a unique rapport with Kramer. As a result, Kramer engineered every album issued by the guitarist in his lifetime and recorded such famous Hendrix concerts as the Woodstock festival in August 1969. Since 1997, Kramer has teamed with Janie Hendrix and John McDermott to oversee the release of each Jimi Hendrix album issued by Experience Hendrix.

The dozen previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix performances premiering on People, Hell & Angels include 'Earth Blues', 'Somewhere', 'Hear My Train A Comin'', 'Bleeding Heart', 'Baby Let Me Move You', 'Izabella', 'Easy Blues', 'Crash Landing', 'Inside Out', 'Hey Gypsy Boy', 'Mojo Man' and 'Villanova Junction Blues'.
A musical companion piece and successor to 2010's Valleys Of Neptune, the critically acclaimed album showcasing the artist's final recordings with the original Jimi Hendrix Experience, People, Hell & Angels offers tantalizing new clues as to the direction Hendrix was considering for First Rays Of The New Rising Sun, his planned double album sequel to 1968's groundbreaking Electric Ladyland.

Unlike contemporaries such as THE BEATLES or BOB DYLAN, Jimi Hendrix owned his songs and master recordings. He did not have to record his music at recording studios owned and operated by his record company. Hendrix spent countless hours recording his new music at new, independent music studios such as New York's Record Plant and the Hit Factory. Hendrix was so focused on recording his music that, concurrent with nearly all of the sessions featured as part of People, Hell & Angels, he was underwriting the construction of his own recording facility--the state of the art Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village.

Janie L. Hendrix, President/CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC, commented, "We're thrilled to be able to release People, Hell & Angels during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of my brother's birth. The brilliance of the album serves to underscore what we've known all along: that there has never been and never will be a musical force equal to his and that we cherish and take inspiration of what he left us both now and for many generations to come...simply eternity."

"People, Hell & Angels provides us with further insight into the genius of Jimi Hendrix," said Adam Block, President, Legacy Recordings. "Working with new rhythm sections and instrumentation, Jimi Hendrix was opening up the horizons of his music, creating new sounds filled with endless possibilities."



People, Hell & Angels - track-by-track

'Earth Blues': Totally unlike the version first issued as part of Rainbow Bridge in 1971, this December 19, 1969 master take features just Hendrix, Billy Cox and Buddy Miles--stripped down funk at its very origin.

'Somewhere': This newly discovered gem was recorded in March 1968 and features Buddy Miles on drums and Stephen Stills on bass. Entirely different from any previous version fans have ever heard.

'Hear My Train A Comin'': This superb recording was drawn from Jimi's first ever recording session with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles--the powerhouse rhythm section with whom he would later record the groundbreaking album Band Of Gypsys. Jimi shared a deep love for the blues with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. Both musicians understood Jimi's desire to create what he described as a 'new type of blues'. Jimi's menacing lead guitar is the centrepiece of this dramatic addition to his remarkable legacy.

'Bleeding Heart': This Elmore James masterwork had long been a favorite of Jimi's. He had performed the song earlier that year with the Experience in concert at the Royal Albert Hall and had attempted to capture the song in New York studio sessions during the weeks that followed. Recorded at the same May 1969 session as 'Hear My Train A Coming', the track conveys Jimi's firm understanding of the arrangement and tempo he desired. Before they began, Jimi instructed Cox and Miles that he wanted to establish a totally different beat than the standard arrangement. He then kicked off this amazing rendition that was nothing like any other he had ever attempted.
'Let Me Move You': In March 1969, Jimi reached back to another old friend, saxophonist Lonnie Youngblood. Before he was discovered by Chas Chandler in the summer of 1966, Jimi had contributed guitar as a nondescript studio sideman for Youngblood and such infectious rhythm and blues styled singles such as 'Soul Food'. This March 1969 session features Hendrix and Youngblood trading licks throughout this never before heard, high velocity rock and soul classic.

'Izabella': In the aftermath of the Woodstock festival, Jimi gathered his new ensemble, Gypsy Sun & Rainbows, at the Hit Factory in August 1969 with engineer Eddie Kramer. 'Izabella' had been one of the new songs the guitarist introduced at the Woodstock festival and Jimi was eager to perfect a studio version. This new version is markedly different from the Band Of Gypsys 45 rpm single master issued by Reprise Records in 1970 and features Larry Lee, Jimi's old friend from the famed rhythm & blues 'chitin' circuit', on rhythm guitar.

'Easy Blues': An edited extract of this gorgeous, free flowing instrumental was briefly issued as part of the long-out-of-print 1981 album Nine To The Universe. Now nearly twice as long, the track offers fans the opportunity to enjoy the dramatic interplay between Jimi, second guitarist Larry Lee, Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell.

'Crash Landing': Perhaps known as the title song for the controversial 1975 album that featured Hendrix master recordings posthumously overdubbed by session musicians, this April 1969 original recording has never been heard before. Jimi is joined here by Billy Cox and drummer Rocky Isaac of the Cherry People to record this thinly veiled warning to his girlfriend Devon Wilson.
'Inside Out': Jimi was fascinated by the rhythm pattern that would ultimately take form as "Ezy Ryder". Joined here by Mitch Mitchell, Jimi recorded all of the bass and guitar parts for this fascinating song--including a dramatic lead guitar part amplified through a Leslie organ speaker.

'Hey Gypsy Boy': The roots of Jimi's majestic 'Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)' trace themselves to this March 1969 recording. Unlike the posthumously overdubbed version briefly issued as part of Midnight Lightning in 1975, this is original recording that features Jimi joined by Buddy Miles.

'Mojo Man': Jimi would lend a hand to Albert & Arthur Allen, the vocalists known as the Ghetto Fighters, whom he had befriended in Harlem long before he achieved fame with the Experience. When the two recorded this inspired, previously unreleased master at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama they took it back to Hendrix at Electric Lady Studios. Jimi knew just what to do to elevate the recording beyond contemporary R & B to the new hybrid of rock, rhythm and blues he was celebrated for.

'Villanova Junction Blues': Long before his famous performance of this song at Woodstock, Jimi recorded this studio version with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles at the same May 1969 session which yielded 'Hear My Train A Comin'' and 'Bleeding Heart' also featured on this album. Never fully finished, the song stands as an example of the fertile ideas he hoped to harness and bring to fruition.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's long-talked-about "Unblackened" DVD, which was previously scheduled to be filmed in late August at The Mayan in Los Angeles, California, and was then pushed back to January, will now be shot on Wednesday, March 6 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles at 8:00 p.m. The set is expected to contain intimate versions of some of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's most popular songs, as well as songs from mainman Zakk Wylde's solo album "Book Of Shadows" and his Southern rock band PRIDE & GLORY. The show will feature Wylde on guitar and piano, alongside the members of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, as well as a four-piece string section, pedal steel, and special guests.The concert will be broadcast live exclusively on AXS TV. A CD/DVD will be released later this year.

"This is something we haven't done yet, and we wanted to give our fans something new," said Wylde. "You can take a song that you've played thousands of times and rearrange it, and all of a sudden it's something totally fresh. The attitude of the songs doesn't change when we play them acoustically — the tunes are gritty regardless."

"We're gonna do the whole thing with a four-piece string section, a pedal steel guy, and I'm gonna have some of my musician buddies sit in on some of the songs and stuff like that," Wylde said a few months ago. "We're gonna have two solid weeks of rehearsal and then we're gonna knock this thing out. [It will be an] acoustic/electric type of thing. Kinda like how the Christmas record is or like how we did 'The Song Remains Not The Same' where you've got an acoustic and then you can put a rippin' solo something. So I'll still have the Marshalls going with the acoustic stuff. It'd be almost kinda like if PINK FLOYD was doing an unplugged thing and they did 'Comfortably Numb' but Dave [Gilmour] will be sitting down but he'll still rip that solo out. It'll still be electric and then we’ll have the string section behind it and the whole band and it'll be killer."

Tickets for the "Unblackened" filming will go on sale on Friday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m. from GoldenVoice.com.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "The Song Remains Not The Same" sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 41 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on May 10, 2011 via Entertainment One Music, the offering featured unplugged versions of material from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's latest album, "Order Of The Black", as well as additional material recorded during the "Order Of The Black" sessions. "The Song Remains Not The Same" was conceived, created and compiled by Wylde himself and the title is, of course, a nod to one of Wylde's favorite bands, LED ZEPPELIN.

"Order Of The Black" was released in North America in August 2010 via E1 Music. The CD featured four unique covers designed by Zakk Wylde himself — one for each territory: North America, Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.

Fort Worth-based duo PINKISH BLACK has finished recording its new album for a tentative spring release via Century Media Records. Produced by PINKISH BLACK's own Jon Teague and Daron Beck, the as-yet-untitled untitled CD was recorded at The Echo Lab, with Matt Barnhart handling engineer duties. Mastering will be handled by James Plotkin.

To hear some new tracks from the record, fans can catch PINKISH BLACK live on March 7 in Denton, Texas at NX35 where the duo will be direct support for EYEHATEGOD. Additional tour dates will also be announced soon.

PINKISH BLACK is the continuation of THE GREAT TYRANT, a three-piece that released one LP following the passing of their bass player, Tommy Atkins. When Atkins died, Teague and Beck decided to change the band's name and remain a two-piece, yet still retain THE GREAT TYRANT's groundbreaking sound. With no stringed instruments, the duo now relies on aura and raw emotions to obtain their unique heaviness. Their resulting effort, PINKISH BLACK's self-titled debut (Handmade Birds Records), features seven tracks of dark, haunting deathrock — and was named one of the best albums of 2012 by Brooklyn Vegan.com, Stereogum.com, Pitchfork.com and countless others.

PINKISH BLACK is:

Jon Teague - Drums, Synth, Loops
Daron Beck - Vocals, Keyboard, Synth

Italian death metal veterans WORSTENEMY have inked a deal with Wormholedeath/Aural Music Group. The band's debut album, "Revelation", will be released in the spring worldwide through Aural Music Group, with a further help from Grom Records in the Eastern countries. The album was recorded and mixed at Mathlab Recording Studio in Italy with producer Jonathan Mazzeo and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finvox Studios in Finland.

Commented Wormholedeath A&R rep "Worm": "WORSTENEMY is a solid band since 1997 and finally they have found their way with this great new album. Wormholedeath decided to support them as they never gave up in 15 years of hard work and struggle. This is not a release for death metal fanatics only, as we are sure that fans from many other musical styles will love this very fresh and tuneful release. Check WORSTENEMY out, this is not only a sonic assault… this is true passion for death metal and underground."

WORSTENEMY is:

Mario Pulisci (vocals, guitar)
Andrea "Döf" Fodde (drums)
Elena Zoccheddu (bass)

Guitarist Mike Reynolds has quit the Christian metalcore band FOR TODAY — just one day after posting a string of controversial tweets on homosexuality and religion.

The remaining members of FOR TODAY have released the following statement regarding Mike's exit from the group:

"Mike Reynolds is no longer a part of FOR TODAY. He has decided that now is the time for he and his wife to put their plans in motion to enroll in Bible college, and to begin working toward full-time missions work in the Middle East. Mike will be replaced by longtime friend of the band, and former IN THE MIDST OF LIONS guitar player, Sam Penner, who will be appearing with the band as they headline their upcoming Fight The Silence tour."

In addition, FOR TODAY frontman Mattie Montgomery has released a public statement to anyone affected by Mike's recent comments regarding homosexuality. The video can be viewed below.

Reynolds took to Twitter on Thursday to offer his response to the news of Pastor Louie Giglio's withdrawal from President Barack Obama's second-term inauguration ceremony after reports emerged of an anti-gay sermon the Atlanta pastor delivered in the 1990s.

Reacting to the report that LGBT advocates responded to Giglio's selection by launching a petition calling for Obama to replace him with a pastor who has a history of supporting LGBT equality, Reynolds wrote: "There IS a state church being formed, there is going to be an exclusive acceptance of preachers who advocate the LGBT.

"Don't be deceived, homosexuality is a sin. This sin with all other sins is what Jesus died for. He conquered so that we would be free."

He continued: "[There is] no such thing as a gay Christian, the same as there is no such thing as a Christian who loves his sin.

"Don't be fooled by the formation of a state church as though the government is being converted, they only use the name of Jesus for their progressive liberal agenda.

"If you are a Christian, then separate yourself from this civil religion that advocates sin. Be true to God."

After the guitarist's comments drew ire from some of his followers, the band issued the following collective statement via its Facebook page: "FOR TODAY has always and will always be a band that is about loving people. We have no hatred towards any people, regardless of what they believe or how they live. We may not agree on everything, but Jesus loves you and died for you. And so would we."

FOR TODAY's latest studio album, "Immortal", sold nearly 15,000 copies in its first week of release in the United Sattes to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was issued to major critical acclaim, with Revolver magazine declaring it to be "rife with crafty guitar hooks and scream-along choruses." Alternative Press commented: "FOR TODAY have dialed back the bombast just enough to make their pounding combination of furious punk and vicious metal sound more immediate and live sounding."

"Immortal" was produced by Will Putney (LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE) and features special guest appearances from Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D., Jake Luhrs of AUGUST BURNS RED and Tommy Green of SLEEPING GIANT.

"Vilify", the first single from DEVICE, the new industrial-style project featuring DISTURBED frontman David Draiman and former FILTER guitarist Geno Lenardo, will go for radio adds on February 19. The band's full-length debut will follow on April 9 via Warner Bros.. Other songtitles set to appear on the CD include "You Think You Know", "Recover", "Hunted" and "War Of Lies".

DEVICE is filming video today (Friday, January 11) for "Vilify" with renowned director P.R. Brown, who has previously collaborated with such artists as MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Prince, AUDIOSLAVE, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M. DEVICE will also take part in a photo shoot for the new record at the same time.

In addition to Draiman and Lenardo, DEVICE's touring lineup will include EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt and DOPE lead guitarist Virus.

Special guest musicians on the DEVICE album:

* Terry "Geezer" Butler (BLACK SABBATH)
* Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION)
* M. Shadows (AVENGED SEVENFOLD)
* Serj Tankian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN)
* Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE)
* Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM)

Draiman revealed the existence of the project last March, saying it would be in the vein of industrial acts like NINE INCH NAILS and MINISTRY. He later announced that Lenardo was joining the group, although further members' identities have yet to be unveiled.

DISTURBED went on an open-ended hiatus in 2011, with Draiman saying at the time that all four members wanted some time to pursue other endeavors. "We've got other things that each of the band members wanted to pursue individually, outside of DISTURBED," he said. "There's other businesses we have, there's other interests. We've got futures hopefully to help cultivate for our families and our children, and they can't all revolve specifically around DISTURBED."

DISTURBED has not indicated when it plans to return, although all four members say they're likely to come back.

Aside from Draiman, DISTURBED bassist John Moyer has branched out recently by joining ADRENALINE MOB, a new group also featuring ex-DREAM THEATER and AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer Mike Portnoy.

Drummer Sebastian Natas has left Romanian female-fronted metallers MAGICA in order to concentrate on his new pop fusion project. The remaining members of the band state: "We respect his decision and wish him all the best in his new chosen path. We'll still have many beers together Soon MAGICA will start looking for a new drummer."

MAGICA's sixth album, "Center Of The Great Unknown", was released last October via AFM Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Claudio Bergamin and can be seen below. The album is based on "The Diary Of Admiral" by R.E. Byrd, "Godess Of Atvatabar" by W. Bradshaw, "Beasts, Man And Gods" by F.A.Ossendowsky and a few more authors and adventurers.

"Center Of The Great Unknown" track listing:

01. Center Of The Great Unknown
02. Masterspell
03. King Of The World
04. Open
05. The Earth Is Young?
06. Step Into The Night
07. No Horizon
08. One Angry Gaia
09. Mark Of Cain
10. Under The Auroras
11. Daca 2012 (bonus track)

The video for the "Center Of The Great Unknown" title track can be seen below.

"Center Of The Great Unknown" video: