"Trapped In Black", a brand new song from New Jersey metallers ATTACKER, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the group's new album, "Giants Of Canaan", which is due later in the year. The CD will feature recently recruited singer Bobby "Leatherlungs" Lucas (SEVEN WITCHES, OVERLORDE, MORBID SIN) and bassist Jon Hanemann, who replaced Lou Ciarlo in April 2012.

"Giants Of Canaan" was recorded at Katalomi Studios in Jersey City, New Jersey and engineered and mixed by Pat "Taps' Guden and drummer Michael Sabatini. The CD was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.

"Giants Of Canaan" track listing:

01. As They Descend
02. Giants Of Canaan
03. Trapped In Black
04. The Hammer
05. Washed In Blood
06. Sands Of Time
07. Curse The Light
08. Black Winds Calling
09. Steel Vengeance
10. Born Into Battle
11. The Glen Of The Ghost

Audio samples of all the songs from the CD can be streamed below.

Lucas in April 2012 laid down his vocals on the track "Steel Vengeance" (formerly "Condemned"). The song, which has never appeared on an ATTACKER album, was previously released as an extremely limited-quantity single for the band's 2008 Keep It True X festival appearance.

Video footage of the three-robot act COMPRESSORHEAD playing a stirring rendition of the classic MOTÖRHEAD anthem "Ace Of Spades" during band practice at the Robocross headquarters in Berlin can be seen below.

COMPRESSORHEAD, which hails from Germany and consists of guitarist Fingers, bassist Bones and drummer Stickboy, will perform at this year's edition of Australia's Big Day Out festival. Playing a selection of well-known covers, the mechanical trio will join the likes of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, THE KILLERS, VAMPIRE WEEKEND, BAND OF HORSES, CHILDISH GAMBINO and ALABAMA SHAKES.

"When Stickboy debuted at Big Day Out 2008, I knew that if he found the right musicians to work with the sky would be the limit," said Big Day Out producer Ken West. "Stickboy's solo performance is still the most viewed YouTube act performing that year including RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. Now with Fingers and Bones by his side, I believe the world debut of COMPRESSORHEAD at Big Day Out 2013 will be the highlight not to be missed."

COMPRESSORHEAD's mission statement:

"Did you ever wonder what Danny Carey would sound like if he had four arms?

"How about if Angus Young had 78 fingers? Imagine what Robert Trujillo would sound like if he was actually made of metal?

"Well, wonder no more, meatbags.

"COMPRESSORHEAD is the world's heaviest metal band.

"Stickboy, Fingers and Bones are guaranteed to shake and rattle the world of meatbag music.

"Stickboy was created to exacting specifications. Four arms, two legs, one head, no brain. he plays a Pearl 14-piece kit with double kick. Stickboy junior, the bastard child of an unknown mother, takes control of the hihat shuffle. Inception date: 2007.

"Fingers joined Stickboy in 2009 and brings 78 purpose-built fingers, enough to play the entire fret board and pluck.

"Bones is the highest-precision bass player in known existence, and the youngest member of the band. Inception date: 2012.

"Stand aside, meatbags. Oil is thicker than blood."

Sweden Rock Magazine, Scandinavia's biggest hard rock magazine and Sweden's top-selling music magazine, has joined forced with two of the country's most legendary metal bands. To celebrate Sweden Rock Magazine's 100th issue, CANDLEMASS and ENTOMBED have recorded cover versions of each other's songs for a CD single sent exclusively to the magazine's subscribers with issue #100, out January 8. It will not be available elsewhere.

CANDLEMASS has recorded a heavy version of ENTOMBED's classic death'n'roll song "To Ride, Shoot Straight And Speak The Truth". This marks vocalist Mats Levén's (KRUX, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION) first official CANDLEMASS recording since he took over from the recently departed Robert Lowe.

ENTOMBED laid down a cover of CANDLEMASS' uptempo song "Black Dwarf" from 2005's comeback album "Candlemass".

These covers, which can be streamed below, will be performed live when CANDLEMASS and ENTOMBED take the stage for two special concerts at Sweden Rock Magazine's 100th-issue party at Debaser Medis in Stockholm, Sweden on January 26. There might also be a guest appearance or two. Tickets are on sale and cost SEK 220.

For information on how to subscribe to Sweden Rock Magazine, go to this location.

The first 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)

"Nabataea" description:

Canadian progsters PYRAMID THEOREM, hailing from Toronto (Richmond Hill), Ontario released a video for their new song 'Another Day Slips By' in December 2102. Check it out below:
The band released their new self-titled album in July 2012. It is now available via CDbaby.com here and through the Amazon widgets at the bottom of the page.

The tracklist is as follows:

'The Old Knew'
'Forever In Chains'
'Another Day Slips By'
'Primitive Design'
'The Dream'
Pyramid Theorem is:

Stephan Di Mambro - synth/guitars/vocals
Sam Ermellini - guitars/vocals
Christian Di Mambro - bass/vocals
Vito De Francesco - drums/percussion

Check out their official website here.

Producer/ex-SOILWORK guitarist Peter Wichers has issued the following update:

"Super stoked about the new JAMES LABRIE (DREAM THEATER) solo album. I am honoured to be a part of a project with amazing musicians and and people such as James LaBrie , Matt Guillory , Ray Riendeau , Peter Wildoer and Marco Sfogli . All I can say is that this album will be great. I am also working on two other projects which I am super exited about. Can't say exactly what it is, just yet. This year will kick ass!"
Wichers officially left Soilwork in June 2012 for the second time due to “creative differences.” Back in December 2005, Wichers left Soilwork, only to rejoin in September 2008. At the time of his initial hiatus from the band Wichers said, "I was at a place in my life where I felt burnt out on touring and I needed to get my life into a more stable situation."

Peter’s current statement is as follows:

"I want to thank everyone who has supported Soilwork over the years. It has been a wild and fun ride, but it’s time for me to explore different options in my career. I will cherish all the amazing moments I have gathered from my time with Soilwork, and I would not be where I am today without the help from you fans, my family and Soilwork. Thank you!"

Wichers has played on every Soilwork album with the exception of 2007's Sworn To A Great Divide; for which he was replaced by Daniel Antonsson (DARK TRANQUILLITY, DIMENSION ZERO).

Bulgaria-based modern thrash/melodeath/power metal band WARTIME have released their new album, Solar Messiah.
Solar Messiah tracklisting:

'Dreams Of Pale'
'The Deepest Fear'
'Sanity' (Introduction)
'For One Moment In Time'
'Memories'
'Inner Sight'
'Endless Horizon'
'God's Sun Hours'
'Solar Messiah'
'The Day Of No Return'
'Palette Of Grey'

Check out the new video, for the album track 'For One Moment In Time', below:
More on Wartime at this location.

Ludwigshafen, Germany-based technical death metallers SPHERON have inked a deal with Apostasy Records. The band's debut album, "Ecstasy Of God", will be released soon. The CD was produced by Christoph Brandes at Iguana Studios (NECROPHAGIST, DEADBORN, MALADIE).

A track from the album, "Saturnian Satellites", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Formed in 2008, SPHERON released an EP, "To Dissect Paper", two years later.

SPHERON is:

Daniel Spoor - Vocals
Tobias Alter - Lead Guitar
Mark Walther - Rhythm Guitar
Matthias Minor - Bass
Tobias Blach - Drums

Swedish metallers ENGEL have recruited Mikael Sehlin (DEGRADEAD) as their new singer.

Sehlin (pictured below) made his live debut with ENGEL earlier tonight (Friday, January 4) at the Gothenburg Sound Festival at Trädgårn in Gothenburg, Sweden.

ENGEL parted ways with singer Magnus "Mangan" Klavborn in November and recruited Lenne (ex-TWELVESTEP) as his temporary replacement. In a statement announcing his departure from the group, Klavborn said: "I'm not going to rant about the who's and why's, just say goodbye." He added: "I have had a lot of good times and I am sad to leave it behind, but that's how it goes sometimes. It's not a farewell forever; I'm not going to quit music."

ENGEL's latest album, "Blood Of Saints", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 60. Released on May 18, 2012 via Season Of Mist, the CD was recorded at Antfarm studios in Aabyhøj, Denmark. According to the group, the album is "a good mixture between both [previous ENGEL efforts] 'Threnody' [2010] and 'Absolute Design' [2007], but with some new angles as well!"

"Broken", the new video from the Irish hard rock band MILLION $ RELOAD, can be seen below. The song comes off the group's second album, "A Sinner's Saint", which was released last July via Frontiers Records.

Formed in Northern Ireland in 2005, MILLION $ RELOAD started immediately to develop their craft by playing live in the local club circuit leaving behind them a trail of fans hungry for more. Their catchy anthemic tunes soon gained them a recording deal, which culminated with the release of the debut album "Anthems Of A Degeneration" in 2008. A tour-de-force of vast hooks, killer riffs and moments of joyous, snake-hipped abandon, with shades of everyone from AC/DC and AEROSMITH through to THIN LIZZY and THUNDER confirming that these young Irishmen know their history and salute it with style, while also displaying a powerful and compelling character and atmosphere that is all their own.

"MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD sound is the culmination of our individual influences: no-frills, balls-to-the-wall, straight-up rock and roll," says singer Phil Conalane. "Loud guitars , big vocals and the odd guitar solo with killer hooks. We have a definite sound, it's not a new sound and we are not trying to re-invent the wheel, there are no delusions of grandeur in M$R. We know what we are about. All of us have our own personal influences that clearly can be heard in our songs, AC/DC, AEROSMITH, early GN'R. We don't try to emulate those bands, we have our own take on modern day rock n roll, but they are definitely a big influence."

The band toured heavily in support of the album and shared stages with THUNDER, THE DARKNESS, BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH and more. This has further pushed the band's abilities and focused their songwriting abilities. The result is the new killer album, "A Sinner's Saint", which has sparkled the attention from the Italian label Frontiers Records which immediately signed the band upon hearing the new stuff the Irish five-piece created.

Indeed, from blistering, cocksure sing-alongs like "Blow Me Away", "Bullets In The Sky" and "Wicked", through to the irresistible bluesy ballad "Broken", "A Sinner's Saint" is a flawless exercise in smart, sassy songwriting and a superb showcase for the electrifying chemistry that exists between these five musicians. You can't keep a band this good, or an album this strong, down for long, and now that they have started to build momentum once again, MILLION $ RELOAD must surely be on the road to rock 'n' roll glory. They've got the balls, the belief and the tunes to make it happen.

"Rock 'n' roll is escapism…you can forget about your everyday troubles and woes, rock out, sing and scream along, have a beer and a smoke!" grins Phil Conalane. "It's nothing new, this kind of balls-out rock 'n' roll, but it's been buried away these last few years because too many people in the industry wrote it off as old fashioned and out of touch, but people are beginning to realise what proper rock 'n' roll really is! We're the real deal and we're here to stay!"

"A Sinner's Saint" track listing:

01. Fight The System
02. Bullets In The Sky
03. Blow Me Away
04. Can't Tie Me Down
05. Broken
06. I Am The Rapture
07. Wicked
08. Smoke N Mirrors
09. Headrush
10. Pretty People
11. It Ain't Over
12. Protest (bonus track)

PAIN OF SALVATION frontman Daniel Gildenlöw has issued the following update:

"Hi all! We hope you all had a great Christmas, and that you will walk into 2013 with smiles on your faces tonight. We are getting our work visas for
Russia ready and long to get there and play again. Meanwhile, I am busy cutting and mixing the acoustic album and building big jumps for my sons' snowracers :) This winter has truly been the most beautiful one I can recall, and I am glad I could spend so much of it at home.

Happy New Year everyone, see you on the other side!"
Watch Pain Of Salvation's official website here for updates on their live schedule.

Spanish industrial metal/rock four-piece combo KILLUS is putting the finishing touches on its as-yet-untitled fourth album for release in the first half of 2013 via Art Gates Records. In the meantime, the band is featured on a MARILYN MANSON tribute album entitled "Sampled And Souless", which will be released in February through Engraved Ritual. The group's cover version of the track "Get Your Gunn", which is included on the CD, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

KILLUS' third album, "Never Something Was So Real", which was released in 2011, featured collaborations with Richard Sjunnesson (SONIC SYNDICATE) and Cat Casino (DEATHSTARS).

"The Azathoth Cycle", the new video from Swedish death metallers PUTERAEON, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's sophomore album, "Cult Cthulhu", which was released lasy June via the German label Cyclone Empire. The 11-song follow-up to 2011's "The Esoteric Order" was tracked at RZA Mobile Recording with sound engineer Kristian "Risza" Isaksson (EVERGREY, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, PSYCORE, RECLUSION, NOTRE DAME) and was once again be mixed by KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque at his Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden.

Coming from the Gothenburg area, PUTERAEON caused quite a bit of a stir with its three demo CDs, "Fascination For Mutilation", "The Requiem" and "The Extraordinary Work Of Herbert West".

PUTERAEON was spawned in 2008 by mainman Jonas Lindblood (TAETRE, THORIUM), who states the following: "I started doing some riffs that took me back to my roots in death metal, the glorious early '90s!"

In addition to Jonas (vocals, guitar), PUTERAEON features Anders Malmström (NOMINON, PROPHANITY, IMMEMORIAL, INVERTED) on drums, Daniel Vandija (13ITCH) on bass and Rune Foss on second guitar.

Slash has blasted Scott Weiland for claiming in various interviews that he was going to be rejoining VELVET REVOLVER, saying, "None of us have a clue what he's talking about… We're not buying it."

Weiland recently said that he thought it was "the perfect time for VELVET REVOLVER to get back together," telling Rolling Stone magazine, "I am completely open to it, and I know there are other guys in the band that are completely open to it."

VELVET REVOLVER has been without a singer and on more or less permanent hiatus since Weiland was dismissed from the band in April 2008. He rejoined STONE TEMPLE PILOTS at that time and has toured constantly and cut one album with them.

In an interview in the new issue of Classic Rock, Slash was reluctant to address Weiland's recent comments, saying "I don't even want to give him this attention, to tell you the truth."

He added: "I think at this point Scott just got fired from STP and I think he's trying to pull off that trick of trying to get something else going on, and we're not buying it. The door's shut on this side and it's probably shut on that side too, so he's on his own. And he deserves it, too."

Slash continued: "Scott is completely speaking out of his ass [about the VELVET REVOLVER reunion]. Nobody at this end has had any conversations with Scott on this subject, except maybe [VELVET REVOLVER guitarist] Dave Kushner, because he was the only one in the band who was really close to him. And all things considered, we don't have a good professional relationship with Scott.

"And it also pisses me off because he's put STP through so much shit over the years, and put us through shit too when we were working with him. In 2008, that was all over with, so at this point, when he starts coming up with this stuff, it's like, whatever."

The guitarist said he is in a good frame of mind these days and he had no intention of bringing a begative influence like Weiland back into his life. "It's been great," Slash said. "It's basically since I got my shit together and stopped touring with Scott. Even if I didn't have my solo thing going on, I still wouldn't work with him."

VELVET REVOLVER did reunite with Weiland for a four-song set in January 2011 at a Los Angeles tribute concert for late songwriter John O'Brien (see video below), but the band has otherwise remained inactive.

Austrian melodic death veterans THE MORPHEAN have announced the release of their music video for the track ‘Crossroads’.

The video was directed by Stefan Lenz (GODHATECODE, ZOMBIE INC, MOSFET). The track is released via Refused Records.

Check it out below:
‘Crossroads’ comes off the band’s forthcoming new album which the band has now entered the studio to begin recording.

Gore metal pioneers NECROPHAGIA have posted a rough demo of the new track, 'Warlock Messiah'. Listen below:
Necrophagia recently confirmed that their upcoming release, WhiteWorm Cathedral, will feature the return of Mirai Kawashima (SIGH) on keyboards/synthesizer.

WhiteWorm Cathedral is expected in May or June, and will be followed by festival appearances in support of the release.
Other previously posted demo tracks can be heard below. Stay tuned for updates.

'Hexen Nacht (All the Witches Dance)':
'March Of The DeathCorps(e)':

Italian alternative metallers NETHERFALL have released the video for the track, ‘Memories’, off their self-titled debut album, which was released earlier in the year. Check it out below:
The band released the video for the track ‘Break Out’ back in May. Check it out below:
More on Netherfall at this location.

German metallers CIRCLE OF SILENCE are recording their new album, "The Rise Of Resistance", at Maranis Studios in Backnang, Germany for a late spring release via Massacre Records. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Eyes Of Anarchy", "Mind Conspiracy", "An Oncoming Storm", "Slave To The Greed Machine", "Blood Of Enemies" and "One Moment Of Hate".

Commented the band: "The first impression is that the new [songs] are a bit heavier than the stuff from [2011's] 'The Blackened Halo' and a bit more straight-forward. A lot of double-bass action is going on in those first songs!"

The cover artwork for "The Rise Of Resistance" was created by Francisco Garcés (a.k.a. Dibujante Nocturno) and can be seen below.

Finnish horror metallers DIRGE ETERNAL, who feature former TURISAS bassist Hannes Horma on guitar, have announced the addition of former DREAMTALE singer Nils Nordling to the group'sranks.

DIRGE ETERNAL parted ways with vocalist Jani Perta in November. The band explained in a statement: "Everyone agrees that taking this band to the next level is not possible with the current lineup. Jani made the decision himself, so there is no firing involved or any other hard feelings."

DIRGE ETERNAL last year completed work on the "Under The Spell" EP at Sound Supreme Studio in Hämeenlinna, Finland. In addition to playing lead guitar on the CD, Horma served as engineer and producer during the sessions.

"Under The Spell"'s release was celebrated with a performance on May 5, 2012 at Escape in Riihimäki, Finland.

DIRGE ETERNAL's second music video, "The Slaughterhouse", was premiered on May 4, 2012 at the Biorex movie theater in Hämeenlinnna.

Pictured below: DIRGE ETERNAL's 2012 lineup

Swedish melodic rockers COVERED CALL have tapped producer/engineer Lars Chriss (LION’S SHARE) to mix their brand new studio album, tentatively due in early 2013 via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

The band’s sophomore CD, "Impact", will mark the recording debut of COVERED CALL's new singer, Göran Edman (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOHN NORUM, MADISON), and bass player, Andy Loos (LION’S SHARE, GLORY).

"To hear Göran belt out the vocals made me shiver," says COVERED CALL founding member and drummer Ronny Svanströmer. "It was exactly what I pictured the songs like."

COVERED CALL's North American debut, "Money Never Sleeps", was released in January 2009 (end of March 2009 in Europe) via Blistering Records. The CD was recorded and mixed at Studio Fredman by Fredrik Nordström (IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL, DIMMU BORGIR) and Henrik Udd.

Three former members of the Swedish modern metal band ONE WITHOUT have launched a brand project called CHARACTERS. The new group's debut single, "Save The Fallen", offers the first taste of what fans can expect from CHARACTERS' upcoming EP.

"Save The Fallen" will be made available on January 2 via the biggest digital music providers.

CHARACTERS was formed in late 2012 by Joonas Niskanen and Joni Kaartinen following the breakup of ONE WITHOUT after almost a decade of existence. The band started out in September as a studio project in Gothenburg, with Robin Wiberg (keyboards) and Olle Töpel (ONE WITHOUT) joining shortly thereafter. After weeks of auditioning at Audio G8 Studio, CHARACTERS found the voice that fit perfectly the sound that they were after, and Ludvig Haby was recruited as the band's frontman.

CHARACTERS is:

Joonas Niskanen (ex-ONE WITHOUT) - Guitar
Joni Kaartinen (ex-ONE WITHOUT) - Bass
Ludvig Haby - Vocals
Olle Töpel (ex-ONE WITHOUT) - Drums
Robin Wiberg - Keyboards

Swedish rock act WE ARE THE CATALYST, featuring ex-ONE WITHOUT singer Catrin Feymark and growler/guitarist Kenny Boufadene, has released the music video for the new cover of SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA’s track ‘Don't You Worry Child’. Check it out below.

The cover was Produced and mixed by Kenny Boufadene at Studio Meltdown.
The band released the music video for the track ‘This Is Paranoia’ which can be seen below:
‘This Is Paranoia’ was written by We Are The Catalyst and Produced and mixed by Kenny Boufadene at Studio Meltdown.

German a cappella metal act VAN CANTO have checked in with the following update:

"We can tell you that you can expect a new Van Canto album in 2013. We don't know when exactly, but definitely before Christmas."
Back in May 2012, Van Canto released a video for the song 'If I Die In Battle', taken from their latest album Break The Silence. Check it out below along a track- by-track rundown and studio outtakes for Break The Silence.

For information on Van Canto, click here.

Israeli progressive metallers ORPHANED LAND have commenced recording the follow-up to 2010's The Never Ending Way of ORWarriOR in Istanbul, Turkey. The band had previously announced that "the recording sessions of our new album will take place in Sweden, Turkey and Israel!"

They have checked in with the following studio update:

"Twelve hours into the recording session and we are with violins, cello and viola for 8 songs already. Soon we'll start editing and recording Turkish Qannun. It's gonna be a long night."

The album is the first to feature guitarist Chen Balbus, who replaced Matty Svatizky this past June "due to personal issues."
As reported in October, a petition to the Norwegian Nobel Committee has been submitted to consider Orphaned Land for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

Kobi Farhi, singer of Orphaned Land remarked: “This is my personal request to all my friends from the Middle East, Turkey, and in general from all my Muslim friends! We know for a long time now that we are above politics, we know that if it was in our hands, peace would have prevailed right away. Please enter this link and sign if you find us worthy, please also spread the word and share it on your pages. I send my endless love to all of you and all my love and best greetings for the coming holyday in a few days."

Follow this link to enter the petition.

Canadian heavy metallers GALES OF AVALON have released the track ‘The Ocean Ranger’, off the band’s forthcoming EP When Ravens Return, for free download and streaming. Check it out below:

Free Electronic Press Kits from ReverbNation.com

A video for the song 'What Hell Have I’, off the new album can also be seen below:

Keswick, Ontario-based guitarist/vocalist Cory Manahan, frontman for the band MANAHAN, posted his cover of the AEROSMITH classic 'Dream On' online back in August. BW&BK got wind of the track earlier this week and we've posted it below:
Manahan released a video for the song 'Narcotic' in early 2011. The track is taken from their debut album, Commence, which is available via the Amazon link at the bottom of the page.

For information on Manahan go to this location.

British metallers ARCHITECTS have released their new video, for the Daybreaker album cut, 'Even If You Win, You're Still A Rat', featuring Oli Sykes of BRING ME THE HORIZON. The clip can be seen below:
Daybreaker was released on May 28th in Europe and June 5th in North America via Century Media Records. Previews of tracks on the album can be heard in the YouTube clip below:
The album was produced by the band together with John Mitchell and Ben Humphreys at Outhouse Studios in Reading, the same team that already worked on Hollow Crown. The artwork was done by Paul Jackson (Tank.Axe.Love). Check it out below:
Architects are among the acts confirmed for Germany’s Summer Breeze Open Air - which will take place from August 15th to 17th at its usual location in Dinkelsbühl.

Confirmed acts include: AGNOSTIC FRONT, ALESTORM, AMORPHIS, ANTHRAX, ARCHITECTS, BENEDICTION, THE BONES, DARK FUNERAL, DER WEG EINER, DEVILDRIVER, DR. LIVING DEAD, DYING FETUS, EISBRECHER, EMMURE, END OF GREEN, ENSIFERUM, ENSLAVED, EVERGREEN TERRACE, EVOCATION, FEAR FACTORY, FEUERSCHWANZ, FIDDLER'S GREEN, FIREWIND, GRAVE, HAGGARD, HATE, HATEBREED, ILLDISPOSED, IN FLAMES, KNORKATOR, LAMB OF GOD, LETZTE INSTANZ, LONG DISTANCE CALLING, MARDUK, MUSTASCH, NACHTMYSTIUM, NEAERA, NECROPHOBIC, ORDEN OGAN, ORPHANED LAND, POWERWOLF, PRIMORDIAL, PRO-PAIN, ROTTEN SOUND, SABATON, SALTATIO MORTIS, SISTER SIN, SOILWORK, SOLSTAFIR, THE VISION BLEAK, TIAMAT, VAN CANTO, WALLS OF JERICHO, WE CAME AS ROMANS, and WHITECHAPEL.
For more info on the festival visit this location.