"King Of Lava", the new video from Chilean thrashers RATZINGER, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Claudio Araya for Pata de Cabra Producciones in Santiago.

"King Of Lava" comes off RATZINGER's latest album, "2012", which was released in 2010. The follow-up to 2007's "State Of Enemy" was recorded at Studio 15hz Sonido and contains 15 tracks, including five remixes. The CD is distributed in the U.S. by Digmetalworld Records.

"2012" track listing:

01. Make Make
02. Zeitgeist
03. Global Defect
04. Slave Of The Gods
05. Time Wave Zero
06. Beginning Of The End
07. King Of Lava
08. Eye Of The Hurricane
09. El Tiempo Del No Tiempo
10. Life Goes By
11. Nuclear Day (remix)
12. Gusano (bonus)
13. Black September (remix)
14. Evolution Disaster (remix)
15. Just A Dream (piano cover)

BLACK LIGHT BURNS, the avant-garde alter ego of LIMP BIZKIT guitarist Wes Borland, will release a new album, "Lotus Island", on January 21 through digital retailers such as Amazon or iTunes, as well as via the band's official web site. The 40-minute effort includes seven instrumental tracks, three brand new songs, and a complete remix and remaster of the "It Rapes All In Its Path" tune.

Wes recently hinted that "Lotus Island" can be listened to on its own or experienced along with the 1973 Alejandro Jodorowsky film "The Holy Mountain" as an alternative soundtrack during the first 40 minutes, "before and up to the point where the movie launches into the individual stories of the most powerful people in the world."

"Lotus Island" track listing:

01. The Alchemist
02. The Thief
03. The City
04. It's Good To Be Gold
05. The Opportunists
06. The Hate Of My Life
07. The Dancers
08. It Rapes All In Its Path
09. The Parasite
10. My Love Is Coming For You
11. The Master

Check out audio samples of the entire album at Amazon.com.

"Lotus Island" was mixed by Borland and follows last year's "The Moment You Realize You're Going To Fall", which sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 20 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.

"The Moment You Realize You're Going To Fall" was issued on August 14, 2012 via Rocket Science Ventures/THC: Music.

California thrash metal veterans SLAYER became the first metal band other than METALLICA to make it into the Dutch Top 2000, the annual countdown which is broadcast every year between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Dutch metalheads united and contributed heavily to the poll, which was based on a public vote, with "Angel Of Death" managing to make it to the No. 199 spot.

The past Monday (December 31), the countdown was aired was live on national radio and TV and video footage was captured of of the DJs headbanging and "slamming" in the studio while the SLAYER track was being played. Check out the clip below.

"Angel Of Death" is the opeing track on "Reign In Blood", the third studio album and the major label debut by SLAYER.

"Reign In Blood" was released on October 7, 1986 through Def Jam Recordings. The album was the band's first collaboration with record producer Rick Rubin, whose input helped the band's sound evolve. Kerrang! magazine described the record as "the heaviest album of all time," and a breakthrough in thrash metal and speed metal.

"Reign In Blood"'s release was delayed because of concerns regarding its graphic artwork and lyrical subject matter. "Angel Of Death", which refers to Josef Mengele and describes acts such as human experimentation that Mengele committed at the Auschwitz concentration camp, provoked allegations of Nazism. However, the bandmembers stated numerous times they do not condone Nazism, and are merely interested in the subject.

On the topic the controversy surrounding "Reign In Blood"'s lyrical content, SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman said, "'Angel Of Death' was a big problem. I remember getting a phone call after the album was done: Sony wasn't going to release it. I remember being at home, pissed, throwing things. What the fuck? I didn't think anything was wrong with 'Angel Of Death' or anything else we did, it's a documentary! There's no 'Heil Hitler' or 'white people rule,' it's a documentary; grow up, people. It took months before they picked it up again. Finally, we got signed by a distributor."

"Reign In Blood" was SLAYER's first album to enter The Billboard 200 chart (at No. 94). The LP was certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) on November 20, 1992 for sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

Singapore's ZUSHAKON will release its self-titled full-length debut digitally on January 13 via Sonic Blast Media.

Influenced by MAYHEM, BATHORY, CELTIC FROST and DARKTHRONE, ZUSHAKON was formed in 2006 by Kyng Hades Almighty (vocals and lyrics) and Armaros (guitar, bass and drums) with a desire to unleash their "sick and twisted" blend of black and death metal to the "safe and sterile" music scene of Singapore.

In 2007, ZUSHAKON released its debut EP, "Chaosphist", which received positive reviews in the Singapore underground scene despite a limited pressing of just 150 copies.

In 2009, ZUSHAKON released its second EP, "World Ablaze", to much critical acclaim on the Singapore and European underground scenes, especially in Norway and Russia, where copies of "World Ablaze" have been bootlegged and circulated to friends and fans alike.

In 2011, Armaros left ZUSHAKON for personal and musical reasons, eventually forcing ZUSHAKON to disband indefinitely. However, in 2012 ZUSHAKON was resurrected once again with the addition of Lord Kathir of pioneering Vedic metal band RUDRA coming on board and taking over the helms of music and songwriting for a new album, scheduled for release in late 2013/early 2014.

To announce a new chapter in the history of ZUSHAKON, Kyng Hades Almighty decided to remaster their previous two releases ("Chaospist" and "World Ablaze") and make them available as a single full-length album entitled "Zushakon".

"Having ZUSHAKON on board is a dream come true," says Imran Manaff from Sonic Blast Media. "We have always liked their music and their attitude; and welcome them in our roster. ZUSHAKON brings back the sound of all the great 'old-school' black/ death metal bands like MAYHEM and BATHORY. This album ('Zushakon') is a blueprint of where black/death metal has been and where it is heading to."

Lugano, Switzerland-based modern melodic death metal act DREAMSHADE will release their third album, The Gift Of Life, on January 25th via Spinefarm Records/Universal Music. The band have released a teaser for the second single called 'Consumed Future'.
Singer Kevin Calì comments: "'Consumed Future's about the bullshit we see in TV everyday and how it may condition the life of some people, even taking them to desperation. The idea came to my mind one day while sitting on my sofa and zapping. Switching from a channel to the other, I was disgusted of what I heard and saw. Too many dirtbag-programs with no sense, pathetic reality shows, and so much advertising. I found it all so disrespectful! Just a constant load of fake shit thrown in people's face! TV has lost his entertainment and amusement side it used to have in the old days and seems to have become an instrument used to wash the brain of the weak ones. In the video we can see a girl addicted to this "world", slave of these TV shows leading her to live a life which, day after day further from reality, is not her own anymore. This is the main message of the song: Be yourself and never try to be somebody else!"
Check out the teaser below:
The Gift Of Life tracklisting:
'Photographs'
'Your Voice'
'The Gift Of Life'
'Sandcastles'
'Consumed Future'
'Our Flame'
'Late Confessions'
'Sincere'
'Elisabeth'
'Wants & Needs'

Check out the clip for 'Photographs' below:
Dreamshade lineup:

Kevin Calì - vocals
Fernando "Fella" Di Cicco - guitars/vocals
Rocco Ghielmini - guitars
Ivan Moccia - bass guitar
Serafino "Sera" Chiommino - drums
More on Dreamshade at this location.

New York City-based melodic power metallers GOTHIC KNIGHTS have parted ways with singer Rick Sanchez.
A message from the group states: "We are currently seeking an experienced and skilled vocalist who is also a capable frontman. As we are, the individual must have the creative energy, passion, and commitment of all things heavy metal! If interested please email metal@gothicknights.com. We are accepting all local and worldwide submissions."

More on Gothic Knights at this location.

The second in a series of clips featuring track-by-track descriptions of "Straight Out Of Hell", the new album from German power metallers HELLOWEEN, can be seen below.

The official video for "Nabataea", the first single from "Straight Out Of Hell", can be seen below. The seven-minute-plus composition about the legendary kingdom, located in today's Middle East, where the first real democracy existed over 3000 years ago, develops on several levels, including 3-D animation at motion picture level. The secret Nabatean city, Petra, only discovered last century, is the backdrop for many myths and legends, and here it provides the ideal subject matter for a set of lyrics far removed from the rock 'n' roll norm. HELLOWEEN singer Andi Deris was inspired to write the song during a holiday.

"Straight Out Of Hell" will be released in Europe on January 18 and in North America on January 22, 2013. The cover artwork for the CD was once again created by Martin Häusler, who previously worked with the band on the "7 Sinners" and "Gambling With The Devil" CDs.

"Straight Out Of Hell" was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, who also worked on "7 Sinners", and sees the five musicians maintaining a rawer edge throughout, working quickly in the studio (MiSueno Studio in Tenerife) and delivering 13 brand new compositions that, in the words of founding member, guitarist Michael Weikath, will "kick even the laziest listener's ass!"

Bristling with positive energy, songs such as "Make Fire Catch The Fly", "Far From The Stars" and the title track itself, written by bassist Markus Grosskopf, show that when HELLOWEEN push their collective foot to the floor they are never too keen to ease off the gas; and they take chances, ever willing to use their well-documented virtuosity to break out of the mould.

Says Deris: "We've always followed our own path when it comes to music… and if someone had ever tried to stop us, well, we'd have done what we wanted, anyway! Some of our moves have attracted negative reactions at first, but in time they've gone on to reap success and reward, and that's the kind of freedom you can feel on this new album — we don't allow ourselves to be put under pressure…"

With Deris, Weikath, Grosskopf (also a founding member) and guitarist Sascha Gerstner all providing material, "Straight…" is a passionate, multi-layered affair, complete with a limited-edition premium package featuring a special Hammond organ run-through of Weikath outing, "Burning Sun" — this version conceived as a tribute to DEEP PURPLE's Jon Lord.

On the live front, meanwhile, HELLOWEEN (fresh from appearing at prestigious Japanese festival Loud Park) will be returning to the road in March 2013 — the first part of a world tour set to kick off in mainland Europe, with GAMMA RAY as special guests. The follow-up to the "Hellish Rock Tour" of 2007-2008, this extended outing, dubbed "Hellish Rock Part II", will bring the band to the U.K. on April 16 for a one-off date at the London Forum.

"Straight Out Of Hell" track listing:

01. Nabataea
02. World Of War
03. Live Now!
04. Far From The Stars
05. Burning Sun
06. Waiting For The Thunder
07. Hold Me In Your Arms
08. Wanna Be God
09. Straight Out Of Hell
10. Asshole
11. Years
12. Make Fire Catch The Fly
13. Church Breaks Down

Limited-edition bonus tracks:

14. Another Shot Of Life
15. Burning Sun (Hammond version; dedicated to Jon Lord)

"World Of War" description:

Acclaimed Swedish metallers GARDENIAN reunited for a one-off concert last night (Saturday, January 5) at the inaugural edition of the Gothenburg Sound Festival at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Fan-filmed video footage of the "Ecstasy Of Life" performance from the 1999 album "Soulburner" can be seen below.

The double-CD reissue of GARDENIAN's "Soulburner" and "Sindustries" (2000) albums came out in February 2008 via Metal Mind Productions. The limited-edition digipack release (limited to 2,000 copies) was made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.

GARDENIAN was yet another spawn of the Swedish metal community, but unlike many other bands from the Gothenburg region, they managed to stand up to the fathers of the genre and deliver a huge dose of solid melodic death metal, at the same time presenting a sound of their own.

The two GARDENIAN albums that were originally released through Nuclear Blast — "Soulburner" and "Sindustries" — received an impressive number of positive reviews over the years, but GARDENIAN sadly never managed to get the acclaim it deserved, resulting in the band's breakup in 2004.

GARDENIAN is:

Jim Kjell - Vocals, Guitar
Niklas Engelin - Guitar
Thim Blom - Drums
Håkan Skoger - Bass

CEREMONIAL OATH, the reunited late '80s/early '90s Swedish extreme metal band whose members went on to create or join such acclaimed acts as IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL and TIAMAT, played their first show in 20 years on January 4 at the inaugural edition of the Gothenburg Sound Festival at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Sworn To Avenge (intro)
02. The Invocator
03. For I Have Sinned/The Praise
04. Enthroned
05. Only Evil Prevails
06. Thunderworld (Welcome To Forever)
07. Lords Of Twilight
08. Ceremonial Oath
09. The Lost Name Of God
10. The Book Of Thruth
11. Hellbound
12. Submit To Death (GROTESQUE cover with Tomas Lindberg on vocals)

A review of the concert, including live photos, can be found at this location.

Formed in 1988 under the name DESECRATOR, CEREMONIAL OATH released three demos, one EP and two full-length albums before calling it quits in 1995. The band's former members include such internationally recognized names as Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES), Oscar Dronjak (HAMMERFALL), Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES) and Anders Iwers (TIAMAT).

CEREMONIAL OATH has inked a deal with Century Media Records for the re-release of the majority of its catalog, up to and including the 1993 CD "The Book Of Truth". A remixed version of the latter effort will be made available on January 28.

CEREMONIAL OATH is:

Oscar Dronjak (HAMMERFALL): Guitar, vocals
Anders Iwers (TIAMAT): Guitar
Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES, DIMENSION ZERO): Bass
Markus Nordberg (THE CHUCK NORRIS EXPERIMENT): Drums

More CEREMONIAL OATH dates will be announced soon.

Photo credit: Daniel Falk of FramedNoise.com (courtesy of CEREMONIAL OATH's Facebook page)

A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH, the band featuring Brooklyn, New York native Sal Abruscato — who played drums on three TYPE O NEGATIVE albums ("Slow, Deep & Hard", "Origin Of The Feces", "Bloody Kisses"), as well as four LIFE OF AGONY releases ("River Runs Red", "Ugly", "River Runs Again", "Broken Valley") — on guitar and vocals, will release its sophomore album on May 27, 2013 via Steamhammer/SPV. The group has once again commissioned famed artist Sam Shearon (a.k.a. Mister-Sam; ROB ZOMBIE, FEAR FACTORY, RAMMSTEIN) to create the artwork for the CD, which will be mastered on January 17 by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City. Abruscato states: "I can now say with satisfaction that we have created a very deep, dark, sonically brutal album. I can't wait for all of you wonderful fans to hear it."

Regarding the musical direction of A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH's forthcoming album, Abruscato said: "The sound has evolved and become a bit more orchestrated. More harmony work has been done on this album, including new elements such as a Hammond B3 organ and piano. To me, the album has an even darker sound and feel than the first one."

He continued: "The new album is a natural progression in songwriting and vocals yet keeping continuity with the first album musically and artistically. Fans of our first album will find all the traits they love melded with even bigger production and mastering."

A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH's debut album, "And Hell Will Follow Me", came out in 2011.

The band made its live debut on February 20, 2011 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey as the support act for MONSTER MAGNET and SEVENTH VOID.

A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH is:

Sal Abruscato - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Matt Brown – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Johnny Kelly - Drums
Eric Morgan - Bass
Eddie Heedles - Guitar

For more information, visit www.apalehorsenameddeath.com.

Legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES) performed at the opening party for actor Charlie Sheen's new bar, El Ganzo (The Goose), on December 28 in the Mexican resort area of Los Cabos. Also appearing at the event were Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and "The Biggest Loser"'s Dr. Robert Huizenga.

Video footage of Slash's performance can be seen below.

During his introduction of Slash, Charlie yelled out, "How we doing? ... Lying bunch of f**got a**holes, HOW WE DOING?"

Charlie later expressed regret saying, "I meant no ill will and intended to hurt no one. I apologize if I offended anyone." He then added, "I meant to say maggot but I have a lisp."

Sheen, a neighbor and personal friend of Slash's who called himself a "Rock Star From Mars" when he underwent a public meltdown amid his firing from the CBS show "Two And A Half Men", spoke at Slash's Hollywood Walk Of Fame induction ceremony in July. He said, "It's quite fitting that Slash is getting a star on the very street Axl Rose will one day be sleeping on."

He added, "This star is going to be stepped on more than the coke we did in the '80s."

In an interview with Australia's long-running rock station Triple M during his tour with the Soundwave rock festival in March 2011, Slash spoke about the troubles Sheen was facing at the time.

"I love Charlie," Slash smiled. "Charlie is probably the most rock 'n' roll character in entertainment today. All things considered, he's been having a little bit of a hard time recently with all the bad press and everything. But he's been managing to get away with what he's been doing on that show and get a raise over the last more than ten years. I think that's pretty cool," he laughed.

German death/black/viking metallers OBSCURITY have released their new self-titled album via Trollzorn Records. The album artwork can be seen below:
Obscurity tracklisting:

'In Nomine Patris'
'Obscurity'
'Germanenblut'
'Strandhogg'
'Ensamvarg'
'Blutmondzeit'
'Jörmungandr'
'Weltenbrand'
'Fimbulwinter'
'Kein Rückzug'
'So endet meine Zeit'

An album trailer can be found below:
The tracks, 'Fimbulwinter' and 'Kein Rückzug', can be streamed below:
Obscurity lineup:

Agalaz - Vox
Cortez - Guitars
Dornaz - Guitars
Ziu - Bass
Arganar - Drums
More on Obscurity at this location.

Reformed Ottawa-based metallers SHOCK have released the music video for the track ‘Slashing To Live’ off their forthcoming album Once Denied which will be released later in the year. The video features illustration by Gary Frederick and was produced by Mike Bond.

Watch the clip below:

Shock spent the balance of 2012 in Pebble Studios, recording eight of its classic songs such as 'I'm Dangerous', 'Paths Of Glory' and 'Fighting Chance'.
According to a press release, "the band is excited to finally make these songs available to its loyal legion of followers, with a production quality worthy of the material."

More information about Shock can be found on Facebook.

A three-and-a-half-minute trailer for the forthcoming "Hair I Go Again" "documentary" can be seen below.

Film synopsis: "The year was 1985. Thousands of miles away from the sonic debauchery of the Sunset Strip, a group of teenage friends shared aspirations of glam rock grandeur. Rising from the ashes of countless garage jams and taking a page straight out of Hit Parader, a hungry, determined band was ultimately born. Fame and fortune were well within reach, as they toured the skating rink circuit of West Central Florida, but fate intervened and the group unceremoniously imploded... probably over some chick.

"In this humorous-yet-shameless documentary, two longtime friends ultimately realize their mortality and decide to give the dream one last shot. Gone are the long hair, leopard-skin spandex and all-night parties. Only to be replaced, some twenty-five years later, by male-pattern baldness, XXL fashion and the mundane grind of 9-to-5. Their mission: reunite the band and appear as an opening act for their heavy metal idols.

"Their journey will take them cross-country as they seek out (OK, stalk) their musical heroes with the hopes of hearing the words: 'You've got the gig.'

"Countless questions remain. Will they find their long-lost bandmates (particularly the bastards that still owe them money)? Can any of them still hold a tune? And who was that skank that broke up the band in the first place?

"Failure might be their only option."

Directed by Steve McClure and written by Kyle Kruger and Steve McClure, "Hair I Go Again" features candid interviews with some of the most influential musicians and industry professionals in the business:

* Share Ross (VIXEN)
* Kip Winger (WINGER)
* Steve Blaze (LILLIAN AXE)
* Brian Vollmer and Brent Doerner (HELIX)
* Kenny McGee (JULIET)
* Bruce Batten (BRAT)
* Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, DIO, FOREIGNER, T&N)
* Frankie Banali (QUIET RIOT)
* Jaime St. James (BLACK 'N BLUE, WARRANT)
* THE IRON MAIDENS (all-female tribute to IRON MAIDEN)
* Erik Turner and Robert Mason (WARRANT)
* Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS, BROKEN TEETH)
* Beau Hill (producer for ALICE COOPER, TWISTED SISTER,RATT, KIX, WINGER, WARRANT, EUROPE, ROXX GANG)
* Ron Keel (STEELER, KEEL)
* Paul Shortino (ROUGH CUTT, QUIET RIOT, KING KOBRA)
* Sam McCaslin (Retrospect Records)
* Johnny Lee Middleton (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA)
* Marla Stone (95YNF and 98ROCK in Tampa Bay, Florida)
* CJ Snare (FIREHOUSE, RUBICON CROSS)
* Dave Meniketti (Y&T)
* Jason Bieler (SAIGON KICK, SUPER TRANS ATLANTIC, OWL STRETCHING)
* Jack Russell (GREAT WHITE)
* Oz Fox (STRYPER)
* Brent Muscat (FASTER PUSSYCAT)
* Phil Campbell (MOTÖRHEAD)
* Joey Belladonna and Frank Bello (ANTHRAX)
* Lorraine Lewis (FEMME FATALE)
* Jimmy D'Anda (BULLETBOYS)
* Brian Forsythe (KIX)
* Stevie Rachelle (TUFF)
* Sandy Sledge and Leather Leone (SLEDGE LEATHER PROJECT)
* Vicky Hamilton (manager and consultant for MÖTLEY CRÜE, POISON, GUNS N' ROSES)
* Terry Ilous (XYZ, GREAT WHITE)
* Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE)
* Ryan Roxie (ALICE COOPER, ELECTRIC ANGELS, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, ROXIE 77)
* John Corabi (MÖTLEY CRÜE, UNION, THE SCREAM, RATT, BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION)
* Kevin Steele (ROXX GANG, MOJO GURUS)
* Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, JON OLIVA'S PAIN)

The first song from FARMIKOS, the new band led by former OZZY OSBOURNE/DAVID LEE ROTH guitarist Joe Holmes, can be streamed at Farmikos.com. Holmes is joined in the new group by former LAIDLAW singer Robert "Robbie" Locke (pictured below with Holmes).

Says Holmes: "It's been a long time coming. I'm really proud of this music and am excited about getting it out. So far everything has been done without a label or management and we're in the process of figuring the best way to put this music out.

"I've been working with a great vocalist Robbie Locke and fortunate to have had Robert Trujillo [METALLICA, ex-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES] and Brooks Wackerman [BAD RELIGION] guest on this set of songs along with songwriting contributions from Brent Hoffort [MY OWN MACHINE]."

Holmes, 49, took lessons from legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT) in 1979 before forming the Los Angeles-based band TERRIFF in 1983. Holmes briefly left TERRIFF in 1987 to join LIZZY BORDEN and stayed with the latter group for a year before reforming TERRIFF.

After guitarist Jason Becker was diagnosed with ALS while recording DAVID LEE ROTH's album "A Little Ain't Enough" in 1990, Holmes stepped in to replace him.

In 1995, after Ozzy Osbourne had finished recording the "Ozzmosis" album, a replacement for Zakk Wylde was needed for the tour and Holmes got the job.

"It's really spooky," Ozzy once said in an interview, "because when Joe plays the Randy Rhoads stuff, he plays just like him — it's like I can see Randy's fingers."

Holmes remained Ozzy's guitarist for five years, before leaving the band during the writing sessions for the "Down To Earth" album. Although Holmes does not play on the CD, the songs "Facing Hell", "Junkie" and "That I Never Had", which were co-written by Holmes, appear on the album.

German black metallers NEBELKRÄHE have inked a deal with Mighty Music.

Three years after the release of its debut album, NEBELKRÄHE has completed work on the follow-up, "Lebensweisen", to be made available on February 18.

NEBELKRÄHE was founded as a traditional death/black metal band in early 2007 in Munich. Not long after this, the style of the band changed in to a slightly progressive yet melancholic black metal, and in early 2008 umbrA (ATRORUM) joined the band, thus completing the lineup. NEBELKRÄHE released its debut CD, "entfremdet", in June 2009 and is now ready with its second full-length album, "Lebensweisen". The CD was mixed and mastered by Christoph Brandes at Iguana Studios (IMPERIUM DEKADENZ, NECROPHAGIST, UNLIGHT). The aim of his work was to give the material a contemporary sound, yet maintain the charm of a "natural“ black metal production, as well as combine tradition and a modern feel in the sound.

According to a press release, "Lebensweisen" offers a versatile and highly individual combination of traditional black metal elements and a plethora of influences from other genres, that makes the sound progressive and vintage at the same time, and clearly aimed at fans from both ends of the genre. Markus Stock (EMPYRIUM, THE VISION BLEAK, NOEKK) calls it "a very original album that can hardly be compared to others."

It's official: California metallers BLEEDING THROUGH are calling it a day. Prior to going their separate ways, they will embark on one final tour spanning North America, Europe and Australia.

The Orange County band began 14 years ago, embarking on countless international tours, inspiring multiple logo/lyric tattoos on rabid supporters, releasing no less than seven studio albums and two DVDs and changing the face of heavy music alongside the rest of the NWOAHM (New Wave Of American Heavy Metal).

BLEEDING THROUGH participated in two Ozzfests, Vans Warped Tour, MTV2's Headbanger's Ball Tour, Australia's Soundwave festival, Europe's Never Say Die! and more. They've supported bands like SLAYER, MARILYN MANSON, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, AFI, HIM and MACHINE HEAD. Over the years, they headlined the Strhess Tour and other package tours. Their U.S. headlining trek in support of "The Truth" featured support from EVERY TIME I DIE, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and HASTE THE DAY and sold out two nights back to back at the Anaheim House Of Blues.

BLEEDING THROUGH has been featured on the cover of magazines like Outburn and Metal Edge. Alternative Press included their albums in "Most Anticipated" lists and Revolver twice featured keyboardist Marta Peterson on the cover of their "Hottest Chicks in Metal" issues.

The band's breakthrough album, "This is Love, This is Murderous", sold close to 150,000 copies in the U.S. alone. The follow-up CD, "The Truth", sold over 17,000 copies in its first week of releae in January 2006. They worked with producers Ulrich Wild (STATIC-X), Rob Caggiano (ANTHRAX), Devin Townsend (MISERY SIGNALS, GWAR, LAMB OF GOD) and Chris "Zeuss" Harris (MUNICIPAL WASTE) over the years.

BLEEDING THROUGH began as a side-project for then-EIGHTEEN VISIONS guitarist Brandan Schieppati, whose lyrics and persona remained the consistent voice through the band's evolving lineup. "Dust To Ashes" was issued by Prime Directive in 2001. Brian Leppke (guitar) and Derek Youngsma (drums) joined for the following year's "Portrait Of The Goddess" on Indecision. Ryan Wombacher (bass) and Peterson had come onboard by the time "This Is Love..." was issued in 2003. Lead guitarist Scott Danough was the last founding member (aside from Schieppati) to part ways with the band sometime after the release of "The Truth". Dave Nassie (ex-NO USE FOR A NAME) contributed a guest solo to 2008's "Declaration" and was an official member by the time the band released their 2010 self-titled album on Rise Records. Last year, Rise released "The Great Fire".

"This is Love..." and "The Truth" were released internationally through Roadrunner. "Declaration" was issued overseas by Nuclear Blast. In North America, those albums were handled by Trustkill. BLEEDING THROUGH's struggles with Trustkill Records became public in 2008. Trustkill eventually filed for bankruptcy, reportedly owing significant sums to BLEEDING THROUGH, THROWDOWN and other bands.

Through it all, BLEEDING THROUGH always relied on their fans, who often shared stories with how much their music had helped them, in turn.

In an exclusive statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Schieppati had this to say regarding the band's decision to wrap things up with BLEEDING THROUGH with final tours in 2013:

"When you have some success doing something that you love, you never really think about writing a statement about that something coming to an end. Well, that dream that we have had as BLEEDING THROUGH has come to an end.

"I think I can speak for the rest of my bandmates in saying that we always hoped it would end on our terms, and it has.

"We have been fortunate to have a strong fan base worldwide and have brought joy to many and pissed off many more.

"BLEEDING THROUGH was always a band that wore the emotion of the music on our sleeves. We cared about everyone like family that ever took the time to listen to our band, support our merchandise and go to our shows.

"Since 1999, we have been blessed to be able to tour the world, record seven records with some great musical minds, tour with amazing bands and people, work with people with character such as management, booking agents and road crew. Most importantly, we made lasting friends from this journey.

"We have been honored to be part of a expanding the musical movement of heavy music and hope to be remembered as a benchmark and pioneer of a specific style of music.

"We have been a band since 1999, and many of us just had life catch up with us in the way of marriages, kids, businesses and other endeavors. We can no longer dedicate what we need to to keep BLEEDING THROUGH going.

"Personally, I feel doing this band in a part-time fashion is not what this band is about and and feel like we have always been an all-or-nothing band. With that being said, and because we have established a worldwide following over the last 14 years, we want to give us and those people one more chance to share in this music together. We are setting up farewell tours. Dates will be up and promoted very soon.

"To those who supported this band: It has been an honor."

The other members of BLEEDING THROUGH will issue personal letters via social-networking sites as well, so stay tuned.

Originally released in 1989, VAMP’s The Rich Don't Rock album should be held in the same regard as other classic hard rock albums of the era. Produced by Tony Platt (AC/DC, FOREIGNER) and stuffed to the rafters with arena-ready choruses, hooky guitars and Tom Bellini's ballsy vocals, The Rich Don't Rock was a creative triumph for the German group.
But like the other artists made part of the Divebomb Records family, Vamp were victims of their record label's shortsightedness and their album went nowhere commercially. Being the hard rock fiends they are, Divebomb Records has tracked down the members of Vamp and have partnered with the band to bring The Rich Don't Rock back with the love and attention it deserves.

The Rich Don't Rock has been unavailable since the late '80s and this Divebomb Records Deluxe Edition features newly remastered band-supplied audio, 15 unreleased professional studio demos, 2012 interview with the entire band and archival live photos.
Due for reissue on January 8th digitally and on CD, The Rich Don't Rock (Deluxe Edition) includes the following tracklisting:

Disc 1:
'Heartbreak, Heartache'
'Like I Want'
'The Rich Don't Rock'
'Love Games'
'Renegade'
'All Nite'
'Lonely Nights'
'Stand By Me'
'Bleeding'
'Talk Is Cheap'
'Shout'
'Why'

Bonus tracks:
'The Rich Don’t Rock' (12” EP Version)
'Why' (12” EP Version)
'Shout' (12” EP Version)

Disc 2:
One Smack Killer - Demos
'Little Bit'
'Love Starved Woman'
'Dead In The Backseat'
'Junkyard D.O.G. (Dirty Old Geezer)'
'One Smack Killer'
'Gimme Some Lovin''
'I Don’t Know'
'The Big Mess'

The Rich Don't Rock - Demos
'Lonely Nights'
'What About Love'
'Down And Dirty'
'Waste Of Time'
'Love Games'
'Don't Bite'
'Talk Is Cheap'

Three years after announcing they were winding down their career, German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS appear to have changed their minds.

In an interview in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine, the band's lead singer, Klaus Meine, explained: "As the emotion built, it [not retiring] became a gradual decision. It's one thing to say, 'This is going to be the end of the SCORPIONS,' and another to do it. Our 'Sting In The Tail' album [2010] was such a success that a whole new generation of fans joined the party. It was amazing. And you know that with all the best parties, it's sometimes hard to find the door?"

SCORPIONS spent the first three months of 2012 in the studio with producers Mikael "Nord" Andersson and Martin Hansen resurrecting a dozen unfinished songs from what some people believe was the band's best and most creative period — leftovers from the albums "Blackout" (1982), "Love At First Sting" (1984), "Savage Amusement" (1988) and "Crazy World" (1990) — for an album that is tentatively scheduled for release later this year. "It will be material that was never finished; songs with pure SCORPIONS DNA from a very exciting time," Meine confirmed to Classic Rock. "Once we close the book on the crazy touring schedule, that's something we'll pick up again." An album of all-new SCORPIONS material may surface as well, according to Meine. "At this point nothing is out of the question," he said. "When we said adios with 'Sting In The Tail', our label, Sony Music, cried, 'No, no, no… What about this idea? What about that idea?' There are some offers you just can't refuse. I don't want to say too much right now, but I can reassure you there is still life in those bloody old SCORPIONS."

He added: "We'll just have to see what's realistic. We're working on a documentary movie about the band's history. We filmed the tour's big finale in Munich, which was very emotional."

Fan-filmed video footage of SCORPIONS' July 7, 2012 concert at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York can be seen below.

Brendan Crabb of Australia's Loud magazine recently conducted an interview with bassist/vocalist Marco Hietala of Finnish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Loud: This is your third tour here and you've had a different vocalist in tow on each occasion. How has [Dutch singer] Floor [Jansen] slotted into the band?

Marco: It's been coming together really well. I mean, of course, we knew her from, like, over ten years back when we were doing a tour together. In 2002, AFTER FOREVER was warming up for NIGHTWISH and we've known her since then. We knew that when we had kind of an emergency, she would be one vocalist who would be able to pull it off, and not only that, be able to pull it off fast. And she really did, so she's got my respect as a professional and the way she handled the fast call of the whole thing. She really nailed it down really fast. So it's all for the good.

Loud: She's out there performing material that was obviously written for other vocalists. Do you think she approaches the songs somewhat differently to her predecessors?

Marco: Well, of course, you've got to have room enough for the vocalist to have some kind of an interpretation of her own in the songs. It's just a matter of physics, that some things actually fit some people better. As a singer, I know it myself, that it comes down to little things also, and you've gotta have room enough. But I think she's been able to give quite a nice, personal perspective into the songs that she's doing live now. I'm really pleased with the way she's doing her thing.

Loud: It seems like the band are taking baby steps with the whole process too; taking her on tour and seeing how she fits into the band, without the pressure of having to make a final decision yet.

Marco: Yeah, because this is the thing, that when you need to change vocalists in the middle of the tour, you actually give yourself the luxury of doing just the immediate plans. Like, "Let's do the shows and see how it goes" and really get to know each other backstage, sitting around in the pubs and bars, buses and airplanes and all that. All this is in order to see how we fit together. So that is kind of a luxury that we've never had before, that we can do the shows and everything and then make our decision based on how well we really got along.

Loud: Regarding Anette's [Olzon] departure, I know Tuomas [Holopainen, NIGHTWISH keyboardist/mainman] has been asked in other interviews about it and his response was that the statement the band issued at the time said all that they wanted to tell the public about the split. Did you learn something from the manner in which Tarja [Turunen] left that you applied to the situation with Anette?

Marco: Yeah, we learned that it's probably better if you don't go into too much personal detail, and just let it lie. We agreed that this time we would do it this way in order not to create too much media hassle; which was pretty overwhelming at the time with Tarja, when the split happened with Tarja. Like six months in Finland doing no interviews at all and still the press found something to write every day. So yeah, we wanted to keep it simple this time.

Read the entire interview from Loud magazine.

SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo joined METALACHI — billed as the first and only heavy metal mariachi band — on stage last night (Friday, January 4) at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California to perform the SLAYER classic "Raining Blood". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

METALACHI is described as "a five-piece ensemble of classically trained mariachi musician brothers, but taking their cues from KISS, GWAR and ROB ZOMBIE. Their show includes outrageous costumes, personas and on-stage antics." The band features Vega De La Rockha on vocals, Maximilian "Dirty" Sanchez on violin, Poncho Rockafeller on guitarron, Ramon Holiday on guitar, El Cucuy on trumpet and is managed by mysterious impresario Warren Moscow.

Using traditional mariachi instruments, METALACHI plays such songs as JUDAS PRIEST's "Breaking The Law", OZZY OSBOURNE's "Crazy Train", GUNS N' ROSES' "Sweet Child O' Mine" and a METALLICA medley.

METALACHI is a music/comedy stage show that seamlessly blends the worlds of SPINAL TAP and Cheech & Chong into an all-out stage spectacle for the eyes and ears. METALACHI has been performing to sell-out crowds throughout the U.S. for over two years and have already built a devoted and diverse fan base comprised of metalheads, hipsters, fashionplates, lowriders, artwalkers, loft-dwellers, and street urchins alike.

Portugal's SCAR FOR LIFE has announced that British bassist NEIL MURRAY (WHITESNAKE, BLACK SABBATH, BRIAN MAY / QUEEN, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) and guitarist NEIL FRASER (ex-TEN) will be part of the new track, 'Retrospective', that will be out very soon along with a new video.

'Retrospective' is an instrumental tune that will appear on a forthcoming compilation alongside nine previously released songs.

British heavy metal flag-bearers BEHOLDER will release their new album, "The Order Of Chaos", in February. Produced by frontman Simon Hall in conjunction with Simon Cliffe, the CD contains "twelve tracks of uncompromising metal fuelled and driven by Hall's signature roar," according to a press release.

"Fiercely proud to be British yet disillusioned with much the nation offers has meant anger, frustration and pure bloody fury has lyrically shaped this album as an all-out attack!" the press release adds. "With undeniable hook lines, complexity and brutal delivery that will draw you in kicking and screaming as we again point scorn and derision at a world marked by massive inequalities of wealth and power. Whether it is politicians, bureaucrats, celebrity, media, war tyrants, plastic faced hags, those who have simply shaped the world, or just a need for a flesh-ripping zombie apocalypse fix, all are thrown into the album."

"The Order Of Chaos" track listing:

01. Black Flag
02. Profit Of The Lie
03. Here I Stand
04. Splinter
05. The Tale Of Eleanor Grey
06. Killing Machine
07. Morphine Serenity
08. Liar
09. Toxic Nation
10. Out Of Ashes (instrumental)
11. Footprints
12. This Blackened Earth

Check out an album teaser below.

"Eyes Popping Out", the new video from Danish extreme metallers ILLDISPOSED, can be seen below. The clip was directed by MNEMIC guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie.

"Eyes Popping Out" comes off ILLDISPOSED's new album, "Sense The Darkness", which entered the official chart in Denmark at position No. 78. Released on September 21, 2012 via Massacre Records, the CD was recorded at Antfarm Studio in Aabyhøj, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, GOREFEST, SICK OF IT ALL). The artwork was created by Mircea Gabriel Eftemie.

ILLDISPOSED recently parted ways with bassist Jonas "Kloge" Mikkelsen and replaced him with Kussen. The band states, "That's Danish for 'The Cunt.' Unfortunately, Jonas couldn't find the time to keep up with our activities anymore."

Swedish death metallers SOREPTION will release their second album, "Engineering The Void", in early 2013 via Ninetone Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Deterioration Of Minds" was recorded, mixed and produced by Tommy Rehn at Ninetone Studios. The CD cover artwork was created by Raphael Gabrio of Insane Visions and can be seen below.

"Engineering The Void" track listing:

01. Reveal The Unseen
02. The Nature Of Blight
03. Breaking The Great Narcissist
04. A Speech To Survival
05. Utopia
06. Monumental Burden
07. I Am You
08. Engineering The Void

Formed in 2005, "SOREPTION unleash their surgically precise and unique, razorsharp voilence with technically and artistically advanced riffs topped off with in-your-face brutal vocals, leaving the listener nothing short of stunned and ready to bow down to the mature display of how death metal should be played," according to a press release.

SOREPTION is:

Fredrik Söderberg - Vocals
Anton Svedin - Guitars
Stefan Nordlander - Session Guitarist
Rickard Persson - Bass
Tony Westermark - Drums

SHATTER MESSIAH, featuring founding members Curran Murphy (guitars) and Robert Falzano (drums) are gearing up for the release of their third full length album, Hail The New Cross. The album features a revamped line-up that now includes Michael Duncan (vocals), Pat Gibson (guitars) and Jim Lewis (bass). More details and pictures will be available soon.
The band has announced four live dates to kick off 2013, with more shows to be announced soon:

February
1 - Phoenix Hill Tavern - Louisville, KY
2 - The Brick Alley - Frankfurt, KY
8 - The Foundry - Lakewood, OH
9 - The Tap House - Akron, OH

Norwegian/Italian metallers TRISTANIA entered the studio on Friday, January 4 to begin recording their seventh full-length album for a late May release via Austria's Napalm Records. The first part of the recording sessions (drums) will take place at Tanken Studio in Oslo with engineer Fredrik Wallumrød, before the band moves to another location where they will join the CD's producer for the remainder of the recordings.

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

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

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

Cooper City, FL-based doom/black metal act ANTITHEIST have released their debut EP, entitled Heretical Musings.

The band consists of Zachary D. Randall on guitars, vocals and synth and Ken Hayward, formerly of IMPURITY on bass, guitar and vocals and features Lars Wagner of THE HITTING ROOM who performed and recorded drums for the EP.

Each of the tracks on the EP, styled as "a pentalogy of rituals for the rational mind", was crafted by Zachary D. Randall and Ken Hayward during the months of February through November in 2012 of the Common Era. Randall’s guitars are symphonic in their complexity and bone-crushing in intensity. Hayward’s bass creates unity while transcending the typical role of the black metal bassist by adding depth through harmony with Randall’s guitars.

"The Empty Throne takes me to that world of EMPEROR, DISSECTION and DISMEMBER - blackened death metal - I love it. More please!", enthused Mike Campbell, guitarist in progressive metal outfits SUNS OF THE MORNING STAR and MANIFEST TEST SUBJECT.
Heretical Musings tracklisting:

'Ritual of Becoming'
'Bridging the Gap'
'The Empty Throne'
'Pursued By the Magi'
'Heretic's Fight'

Listen to the tracks below:

Heretical Musings by Antitheist

More on Antitheist here.