TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA were the featured guests on US nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn on Christmas Eve (December 24th). A replay of the show is now available at this location.

TSO's new EP, Dreams Of Fireflies (On A Christmas Night) recently debuted at #9 on the US Billboard 200 charts.
Dreams Of Fireflies (On A Christmas Night) tracklist is as follows:
'Winter Palace'
'Dreams Of Fireflies (On A Christmas Night)'
'I Had a Memory'
'Someday'
Time You Should Be Sleeping'

Confirmed TSO tour dates are listed below:



December
26 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
26 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
27 - Buffalo, NY - First Niagara Center
27 - St Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
29 - Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
29 - St Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
30 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
30 - Milwaukee, WI - BMO Harris Bradley Center

Long-running German pirate metallers RUNNING WILD have made a brief announcement that 2013 will see a new studio album from the band, the follow-up to 2012's Shadowmaker. More news will be revealed soon.
In the meantime, GIANT X, the band founded by Running Wild’s Rolf Kasparek and Peter J. Jordan, will release their debut album, entitled I, on January 18th in Germany, January 21st in Europe and January 22nd in US/Canada via Steamhammer/SPV. Audio samples of all tracks can be heard at this location.
I tracklisting:
'The Rise Of The Giant X' (Intro)
'On A Blind Flight'
'Don`t Quit Till Tomorrow'
'Badland Blues'
'Now Or Never'
'Nameless Heroes'
'Go 4 It'
'The Count'
'Rough Ride'
'Friendly Fire'
'Let`s Dance'
'Soulsurvivors'
'R.O.C.K.'

Check out two video clips below, documenting the making of the album:
Giant X has also announced an in-store signing session for January 18th 2013 at 5:30 PM at Hot Shot Records in Hannover, Germany. For more info visit this location.

French glam rockers BLACKRAIN are currently finalists on the talent competition France Has A New Talent. The season finally for the show airs today, December 26th at 8:50PM (CET). The band will perform live on the show.

For the time being the band has released a pre-mixed version of a new song entitled ‘Blast Me Up’ as free MP3 download at this location.

The final version of this song will appear on It Begins, their new album to be release in Spring 2013 and produced by American producer Jack Douglas (AEROSMITH, CHEAP TRICK, ALICE COOPER).
BlackRain entered Marcadet Studios in Paris, France in August to begin work on the new album.

The final mix was completed in October in Los Angeles, CA. The band is talking to a several labels for a Worldwide release early 2013.

Video of BlackRain performing on France Has A New Talent can be seen at this location.

Dutch classical guitarist THOMAS ZWIJSEN has released a video for his classical arrangement of IRON MAIDEN’s ‘The Clansman’ which features former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley (WOLFSBANE) on vocals. Check it out below:



Zwijsen will release Nylon Maiden, his album of unique arrangements of Iron Maiden tracks on classical guitar, on January 8th. Additional musicians on the album are Anne Bakker (violin), Nathanael Taekema (drums), Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX; bass) and Blaze Bayley.

Nylon Maiden tracklisting:
'Aces High'
'Rainmaker'
'The Trooper'
'Dance Of Death'
'Can I Play With Madness'
'Blood Brothers'
'The Clairvoyant'
'Wasting Love'
'Wasted Years'
'The Clansman' (featuring Blaze Bayley)
'The Talisman' (featuring Tony Newton)

Nylon Maiden will be released on CD and as digital download. Zwijsen released a single with 2 non-album tracks ('The Evil That Men Do'/'Run To The Hills') on red vinyl and as digital download on November 26th.

Zwijsen has worked closely with Blaze Bayley; as composer, co-producer and lead guitarist on Blaze's most recent The King Of Metal album and tour and the following acoustic UK tour. He is, however, better known for his Nylon Maiden videos have had two million views on YouTube.

Supporting this album Zwijsen played with Maiden uniteD in November/December and he will tour with Blaze Bayley from January 2013. Dates have been booked in South America, Europe and Australia.

For tour dates, album information and pre-ordering, visit ThomasZwijsen.com.

Italian metalcorers TERMINAL SICK new album entitled Nothing More, has now been released on CD and digital version.

The album can now be streamed and downloaded at the React Records’ BandCamp page.

The new album was produced, recorded and mixed by Dualized and Eddy Cavazza (dysFUNCTION Productions) and mastered by Troy Glassner at Spectre Studio in Seattle.



Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Hibernation’
‘Red Eyes’
‘Alive In Memory’
‘Broken Family’
‘A New Opportunity’
‘Everlasting’
‘No Glory For The Heroes’
‘On The Ocean Floor’
‘My Dimise’
‘Iridescence’

The track ‘Red Eyes’ can be heard below:

In 2013 the band will be releasing a new official video and will be going on tour in Europe.

As a way to celebrate a successful 2012 and say "thank you" to all of his fans, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal is offering an unreleased, heavier version of the song "Misery" from his "Abnormal" album as free download to everyone who joins his brand new e-mail list at Bumblefoot.com. Bumblefoot wants to keep you updated on his 2013 plans with GUNS N' ROSES, his work with ex-TNT vocalist Tony Harnell, new products such as the Bumblefoot hot sauces, and much more.

Bumblefoot has 20 years of releasing music, international festivals and headlining solo tours, and covers of guitar magazines. Bumblefoot's latest releases were an innovative song-a-month series that include transcriptions and backing tracks for guitarists and recording stems for remixers, including a cover of "The Pink Panther Theme" featuring members of GUNS N' ROSES. Lead guitarist of GUNS N' ROSES since 2006, Bumblefoot has toured sold-out shows in over 40 countries, headlining festivals with crowds of 150,000. Bumblefoot's unique "fretless guitar" can be heard throughout GN'R's "Chinese Democracy" album.

Bumblefoot has collaborated as a songwriter/producer with many artists, his music often heard in TV, film and video games including theme songs to Spike TV's "MXC" and VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show", "So You Think You Can Dance", Oprah Winfrey, ESPN, UFC, WWE, NFL, dozens of MTV/VH1 shows and more. Bumblefoot has appeared on stage with Joe Satriani, Nancy Sinatra, Chris Jericho and FOZZY, Cyndi Lauper, members of BADFINGER, Paul McCartney & WINGS, and on recordings with diverse artists such as DREAM THEATER's Jordan Rudess, ANVIL's Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Jessica Simpson, rapper Scarface, comedian Don Jamieson and many more.

Studying music since age 7, he began teaching at age 13 and for the last 10 years has taught music production at SUNY Purchase College. He teaches master-classes at schools and venues around the world, and has been a guest music coach on MTV's "Made".

Bumblefoot is continuously donating songs and performances to fundraising CDs, often making appearances and donating autographed items for charities. He often performs at events for medical research, disaster relief, and children's health issues, visiting patients at children's hospitals all over the world with guitar in hand.

Upcoming projects in 2013 include accompanying vocalist Tony Harnell and THE WILDFLOWERS on acoustic guitar, releasing his own line of Bumblefoot hot sauces.

MEGADETH recently resumed work on its fourteenth studio album with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND. The CD is currently being recorded at MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California for an early 2013 release via an as-yet-undisclosed label following the band's recent split with Roadrunner Records.

In a tweet earlier today, Mustaine wrote: "Cutting vocals today! Some inspiration! Jesus and Clint Eastwood!"

Mustaine also attached a photo with his tweet (see below) which appears to reveal a new songtitle: "Nothing To Remember".

Mustaine previously told NME about the direction of MEGADETH's new material, "Some of it's a little darker, some of it's a little faster. Being in this position right now, not knowing where we're gonna go or what we're gonna do, it's kind of like the world's ours to do what we want. Are we gonna go back to the speed and thrash metal roots that made us who we are? Are we gonna experiment and rely on the melody that we've discovered in MEGADETH songs?"

Mustaine also spoke about how he likes to keep MEGADETH's music more melodic than that of most thrash bands. "We've tried to do that in MEGADETH, have a little melody so that it's not just the same old grinding music like everybody else has," he said. "We're just happy to get going and get to the studio."

Johnny K produced MEGADETH's last album, 2011's "TH1RT3EN", which was also recorded at Vic's Garage. Mustaine previously stated about the recording process for "TH1RT3EN", "We've got a great new partner with Johnny K. I mean, I was satisfied with our last co-producer, with Andy Sneap, and Andy really took us — and he even admits — as far as he could take us, and it was great because we wanted to go back to the big leagues where we were, and we feel that Johnny is, obviously, a big-league producer; not that Andy isn't — don't get me wrong. But we feel that this record is definitely one of our best. It's a great feeling, because, you know, finishing some of the last record, I can honestly say, in my heart I knew that it wouldn't contend with some of the great records in the past, just because of the timing, the label that we were on and stuff like that. Lineup changes and stuff… But I really think that everything just lined up for this record."

"TH1RT3EN" sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD marked the recorded return of bassist David Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002. In a move that delighted the band's legion of diehards, Ellefson returned to performing live with MEGADETH in early 2010 and has remained a fixture on the stage ever since. This was the first time Ellefson has played on a MEGADETH record since 2002's "Rude Awakening".

Long Beach, New York-based hard rock band TERRA STIGMA will enter the studio in January with producer John Moyer (bassist for DISTURBED and ADRENALINE MOB) to record new material.

"We are thrilled to have a chance to work with such an accomplished music industry veteran on this record," said TERRA STIGMA bassist and songwriter Shawn Stuart. "We look forward to finally getting our new songs out there as they are our most meaningful, powerful songs to date."

TERRA STIGMA previously released two well-received CD EPs in 2008 and 2011, produced by Marc Jordan (VELVET REVOLVER, THE CULT) and mastered by Tom Baker (DEFTONES, SEETHER). The gained a reputation for hitting the streets hard, playing over 200 venues and scoring opening slots for such national acts as REV THEORY, TAPROOT, ADEMA, REACH 454 and PHANTOM PLANET over the past several years. With the recent addition of lead guitarist Jared Elliot, more of the same is expected in 2013.

Massachusetts metallers UNEARTH will begin 2013 in a big way on tour alongside WHITECHAPEL and EMMURE. The "Brothers Of Brutality Tour" will kick off on January 8 in Knoxville, Tennessee and wrap up February 11 in New York, New York.

Commented UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps: "[Bassist] John 'Slo' Maggard will, unfortunately, be sitting out the 'Brothers Of Brutality Tour' this coming January/February. His absence is simply to take care of personal matters at home and is only temporary. Slo will remain a member of UNEARTH moving forward and is actively involved in the writing process for our next album, which we plan to record and release some time in 2013. Luckily, our longtime friend Matt DeVries (FEAR FACTORY, ex-CHIMAIRA) will be taking over bass duties for the tour. Slo will certainly be missed on this tour, but having DeVries on board is something we are all looking forward to. He's a true pro, a great performer and one of our closest friends in the business. Good times ahead!"

Added DeVries: "I couldn't be more excited to be filling in on bass for my longtime friends in UNEARTH on the upcoming 'Brothers Of Brutality Tour'. They are like family to me, and I'm extremely happy to step up to the plate for my good buddy Slo!"

UNEARTH's new album, "Darkness In The Light", sold 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The March", opened with around 11,000 units back in October 2008 to land at No. 45.

"Darkness In The Light" was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer (and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz. The effort was mixed by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM) from Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.

HALCYON WAY guitarist Jon Bodan is gearing up for the debut release from his electronic/industrial side project KARBONBLACK, entitled Deadlights Shine. It is currently in mixdown for an early 2013 release.

Bodan: "This remix below was done in summer/fall 2011 for the band RAUNCHY from Denmark. The album this came from, A Discord Electric, is one of my favorite albums ever, and this is one of my favorite tracks on there, so this was a lot of fun. The song has a brilliant hook and a great main riff so I focused in on those two elements to build the remix around."
Halcyon Way's latest album, IndoctriNation, is the sequel to 2010's Building The Towers and continues the sound and theme of that album. The tracklisting is as follows:

‘On Black Wings’
‘Our Finest Hour’
‘IndoctriNation’
‘Revolution Is Now’
‘The Wages Of War’
‘Stand Up’ (Sammy Hagar Cover)
‘The Age Of Betrayal’ (radio Edit)
‘The System’

BW&BK scribe Carl Begai caught up with Bodan in September 2011 to discuss the album and his battle with cancer. An excerpt is available below:

Bodan reveals the new album features material that was penned during the Building The Towers sessions and polished while he was being treated for lymphoma over the last 10 months. The material has been on the backburner for quite some time.

“When we did A Manifesto For Domination, from the time we started tracking it to the time it came out, it was nearly five years. We changed vocalists, there were other line-up changes, so it took a long time. That whole time we were writing new material, so we had a ton of new songs written for Building The Towers ready to go. We actually tracked 16 songs during the Building The Towers sessions and were kind of torn the whole time, because we felt very strongly about all the material. We didn’t know if we were going to put out a double CD, which would have been too long, or if we should put out two albums. We ultimately decided to go with two albums, putting them out as a Part 1 and Part 2. It was just a matter of hashing out the details once Building The Towers came out.”

IndoctriNation continues Halcyon Way’s “equal parts prog and metal” direction, a sound that has roped in fans from both sides of the fence. For every DREAM THEATER or FATES WARNING fan that may be put off by bassist Kris Maltenieks’ death-inspired growls, the band’s melodic assault is attractive. Likewise, traditional metal fans that get off on acts like CAGE or PRIMAL FEAR can find worth in Halcyon Way’s no-nonsense crush groove in spite of their technical overtones. None of it is a put-on; Bodan and Company come by their musical schizophrenia honestly.

“I grew up as a fan of Bay Area thrash, went from there and got into death metal. But at the same time I veered off and got into prog metal as well. I’m really into stuff like old QUEENSRYCHE and Fates Warning, things along those lines that are technical yet song-oriented. Our bass player and drummer have a black metal side project, my first band was a death metal band, so we’re definitely geared in a heavier direction rather than music featuring frilly keyboards and accompanied by silk shirts and lace-up leather pants (laughs).”

Go to this location for the full story.

Hells Headbangers has announced the signing of BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY and PERDITION TEMPLE. Both bands are helmed by guitarist Gene Palubicki, founder/songwriter of the legendary ANGELCORPSE.

Commented Palubicki: "Been a while since there has been any actual 'production' news concerning either of my active works, namely PERDITION TEMPLE and BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY. It is official at this point that both bands are no longer part of the Osmose Productions roster. It was not a bad split with my longtime former label, simply the direction the label and my bands are pursuing differs enough to make it time for a change.

"I'm quite happy to announce the new home for BOTH bands is Hells Headbangers Records! Of the several labels who contacted me and made various offers, Hells Headbangers clearly shares my vision for the course I wish to go for both bands. Hells Headbangers has a dedication to releasing the sort of products that are very much a best fit for my bands. In development currently are the sophomore full-length from PERDITION TEMPLE, and a forthcoming MLP of new BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY material."

Palubicki continued: "For lineups concerning both bands, I couldn't be more satisfied! In PERDITION TEMPLE I've got drummer Ronnie Parmer, who's been tearing it up with devilish precision with me for all the shows we've been doing for the last year now, as well as Gabriel Gozainy on bass, who completely shreds my riffs and gives our sound just that much more mayhem! And in a somewhat recent development, the lineup is now also joined by my former bandmate from past ANGELCORPSE times, Bill Taylor on second guitar! So on the forthcoming album, it will have been nearly 15 years ago that we both appeared on an album together [1998's 'Exterminate' by ANGELCORPSE]! So the feeling going into this new is right where it needs to be!

"For BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY, the lineup remains unchanged from the previous record. I am once agained joined by both Alex Blume on bass/vocals and drummer Gina Ambrosio on drums, and anyone who might have caught our debut live show a few months ago knows that we clearly give no quarter and no compromise on our lightning warfare attack! The new material of BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY will appear in the form of a MLP/MCD to feature three or four new original songs and maybe one or two cover tracks of our liking."

According to New York Natives, charges against New York hardcore veteran Harley Flanagan in connection with an alleged assault of several members of the new CRO-MAGS lineup have been dismissed.

Flanagan, who founded the legendary hardcore band the CRO-MAGS at the age of 14 and toured with the band for some twenty years, was arrested in New York City on July 6 on charges of attacking several musicians fromf the current version of the CRO-MAGS during the CBGB Festival. Flanagan, who had been a panelist at one of the event's seminars, allegedly attempted to attend the concert of his former band. Neither Harley Flanagan nor Parris Mayhew, the two founding members of the band, is still in the CRO-MAGS.

Over the past five months, Flanagan has appeared before the court in New York City on three separate occasions facing four second degree felony assault charges and weapons possession, each resulting in an adjournment.

In a New York Natives exclusive video interview, which can be seen below, Flanagan appeared happy to get back to his life, clearly, yet humbly confident that things would turn out as they have.

Said Flanagan: "I'm very glad to have all this behind me … It wasn't until I was in the hospital that I realized that I was the one getting charged with attacking them, which was a surprise to me. I thought we were all going to get charged with having a fight or whatever. I didn't see how it could make sense that one person could attack a room full of people. It didn't make sense then and it makes no sense now, 'cause it just didn't happen, and that's basically why I'm getting off today is because they had a lot people making statements then saying that I did this and I did that, but it all started falling apart because they were all giving conflicting statements."

Arizona grinders LANDMINE MARATHON recently re-recorded two songs — "Bile Towers" and "Dead Horses" — with new vocalist Krysta Martinez (TRANSIENT) that are now available digitally worldwide through iTunes. Martinez recorded the vocals for both tracks remotely from Haywire Studios in Portland, Oregon.

"The biggest obstacle," stated Martinez, "was in making certain the tracks didn't sound robotic because these tracks were written by Grace [Perry, former LANDMINE MARATHON vocalist].

"The lyrics for the songs contain some great images and emotions. I really had to study and absorb the content quickly and fully to ensure that I could project that catharsis.

"Any careful listener will know that there's some intense emotion driving these songs. It's really important to me to do justice to the songs as they exist while still making them my own, and I loved the process of recording them."

Added guitarist Ryan Butler: "We are so excited to be working with Krysta. She's breathing new life into the band, has brought a new level of power to our tracks and is a pleasure to be around. I am really excited for 2013 and releasing new material, but these tracks are a great idea of where the future will lead us."

On her vocal technique, Martinez commented: "In the studio setting, the room is often somewhat sterile, as there's no energy from a crowd and there's definitely a risk of that sterility carrying over into the sound. You have to make a point to overcome that and scream and growl into the mic like you're in terrible agony or attack mode."

LANDMINE MARATHON's next scheduled performance is alongside NAPALM DEATH, PHOBIA, MACABRE, DISGORGE and DYING FETUS at Mexico's Obscene Extreme festival in late March.

LANDMINE MARATHON's fourth album, "Gallows", was released in September 2011 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was recorded by LANDMINE MARATHON guitarist Ryan Butler at Arcane Digital Recording Studio (EXHUMED, NIGHTRAGE, MISERY INDEX, PHOBIA) and mastered by Dave Shirk at Sonorous Mastering. The album features the debut of the band's new drummer, Andy York.

The "Gallows" cover art was created by U.K. artist Rob "Mid " Middleton, who has previously worked with NAPALM DEATH, EXTREME NOISE TERROR and DEVIATED INSTINCT (in which Middleton plays guitar), among others.

"Astro Khaos 2012 - Official Live Bootleg", a brand new CD+DVD release from Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY, has just been made available in Japan.

Says the band: "At the end of our Japan tour in April 2012, we played two suddenly announced special intimate shows with setlists voted by the Japanese fans... The CD+DVD captures these very special moments…"

"Astro Khaos 2012 - Official Live Bootleg" track listing:

01. Enemy Within
02. In This Shallow Grave
03. Fields of Desolation
04. Nemesis
05. Bury Me An Angel
06. Dead Eyes See No Future
07. The Immortal
08. Bridge Of Destiny
09. Blood On Your Hands
10. Silverwing
11. Khaos Overture
12. Yesterday Is Dead And Gone
13. We Will Rise

ARCH ENEMY's front-of-house engineer Clem Bennett posted a five-minute video recap of the band's Japanese tour. Check it out below.

ARCH ENEMY's recent tour of South America and Mexico was documented for the band's next DVD, to be released in late 2013. German production company Filmefahrer Pictures, known for its work on "2012 - The Movie" and THE VERY END's music video for "A Hole In The Sun", filmed the shows, conducted interviews with the bandmember and shot backstage footage, fans and other incidentals during the tour.

ARCH ENEMY's ninth album, "Khaos Legions", sold around 6,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 78.

The band earlier in the year amicably parted ways with guitarist Christopher Amott and replaced him with American musician Nick Cordle (ARSIS).

Audio samples of all the tracks that will appear on "The Savage Playground", the fourth album from Swedish rockers CRASHDÏET, can be streamed at Amazon.co.uk. The CD will be released on January 25 in Europe (excluding Scandinavia) and January 22 in North America via Frontiers Records.

With "The Savage Playground" recorded during summer/autumn 2012 at Kingside Studios outside Stockholm with producer Otto Wellton, the band has their minds set to break through on a worldwide basis with a tour that will see the band going back to the U.S. as well as going to Japan for the first time.

The new album sees CRASHDÏET going in a heavier and direction. "'The Savage Playground' is our playground, it's the beginning and the end, it's the place where we eat and breed," says guitarist Martin Sweet. "We thought the time was right for us to do a edgier and not-so-polished-sounding album, kinda like what we sound like live. It's more organic and rough-sounding. And, of course, we're always evolving as musicians and like to try new ways of expressing ourselves, and that can most definitely be heard this album."

"The Savage Playground" track listing:

01. Change The World
02. Cocaine Cowboys
03. Anarchy
04. California
05. Lickin' Dog
06. Circus
07. Sin City
08. Got A Reason
09. Drinkin' Without You
10. Snakes In Paradise
11. Damaged Kid
12. Excited
13. Garden Of Babylon

The official Richard "Rick-y" Frantzén-directed video for "Cocaine Cowboys", the first single from "The Savage Playground", can be seen below.

CRASHDÏET released a new DVD entitled "Shattered Glass And Broken Bones – Three Years Of Generation Wild" on December 4. The disc features three hours of live and behind-the-scenes footage complied by the band with Bear Productions.

Ruben Mosqueda of Sleaze Roxx recently conducted an interview with John Corabi, former lead singer of MÖTLEY CRÜE, THE SCREAM and UNION. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Sleaze Roxx: Moving on to the "Mötley Crüe" album; Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) sang background vocals on "Misunderstood". How did he wind up on that and is he featured in other songs?

John Corabi: He basically just did "Misunderstood". That was such a fluke. I'm a huge DEEP PURPLE fan, so when I first met Glenn, I was probably in the band about three weeks. Glenn and his girlfriend came in and I didn't recognize him right away. It's common knowledge that in the past Glenn has had "substance" issues. He had gone into rehab, cleaned himself up, and had gained some weight and cut his hair. I said, "Who is that English guy over there?" Tommy Lee said, "Dude, that's Glenn Hughes!" I'm like, "What?!" I went over introduced myself. At one of the rehearsals Glenn and I started jamming to some blues and we became friends. When we did the record, we recorded it in Vancouver and we were doing overdubs and mixing it in L.A. Glenn found out that we were at A&M Studios and he decided to come by the studio. Bob Rock is also a huge DEEP PURPLE fan and we're all sitting around bullshitting when Bob said, "Would you guys be cool if we had Glenn do some vocals?" I said, "Yeah that would be awesome! I'd love that!" It just so happen that the reels were up and that was the song that was on at the time because Bob had been working on that particular song. Bob said, "Hey, Glenn, would you like to do some vocals?" Glenn said, "Yeah, man, sure." Bob said, "Well how about this one?" Glenn said, "Yeah great." I swear to God, dude, if you know anything about recording at all — we were standing in the control room. Glenn went into the next room, the engineer set up a pair of headphones for him and a microphone, and he begins to test his vocals. Glenn said, "Alright, run it down one time. Let me hear it." So they play the song for him one time top to bottom and he's sitting there with his eye closed listening to the song. Glenn said, "Okay, cool, man, that's great. I got it. Awesome. Roll tape." He went through the song ONE TIME! What you hear on the record is what he came up with off the top of his head!

Sleaze Roxx: Are you saying it was one take?

John Corabi: Dude, it was one... is this being taped?

Sleaze Roxx: Yeah.

John Corabi: Okay, cool. ONE FUCKING TAKE! I'm like, "Holy shit! How? Are you fucking kidding me?" I could not believe that he had done this off the cuff and laid down this amazing vocal. We were sitting there looking at each other. Bob Rock was sitting there pissing himself laughing, saying, "I can't believe what just came out of this guy's mouth!" I got a chance to record with one of my heroes as far as rock and roll goes but also one of my vocal heroes. I'm a huge Glenn Hughes fan. From a vocal standpoint, Glenn Hughes is just a God. Ten days later, we had Billy Preston come in a play a bunch of keyboards for us on a bunch of shit. I was in my glory hanging out doing this record. It was amazing.

Sleaze Roxx: You're friendly with the guys in MÖTLEY CRÜE, right? How do you maintain a relationship after suing them?

John Corabi: To be quite honest with you, a lot of people don't realize that Nikki Sixx and I did BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION after the lawsuit. Nikki and I would fuck with each other during the writing of the BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION record and we'd have a disagreement. Nikki would look at me and say, "What are you gonna do? Sue me?!" We'd do that back and forth jokingly. I would look at him and say, "Only if you give me reason to!" [laughs] I know why I did it. I think Nikki knows why I did it. So does Tommy Lee and Mick Mars. We don't talk a lot on the phone. If I saw any of those guys, including Vince Neil, right now... Vince would say, "Hey, buddy, how are you doing? Let's go have a beer." We'd be fine. Nikki and I still have our moments when we get pissy with each other, but we're like brothers. I don't agree with everything that he does and he doesn't agree with everything that I do. You gotta do what's right for you and they gotta do what's right for them. I don't have any ill will — nothing at all toward those guys. Mick and I, about three months ago, had a three hour conversation about life, ours kids, our girlfriends, our health and there was some stuff that I never had a chance to sit down with Mick and discuss at great length. I wanted to explain to him things related to my exit from the band so he knew. He totally understood what I said and why I did some of the things that I did. We're fine. It's funny, Mick just did an interview for a music magazine and he was asked what his favorite album that he's recorded he said, "The one we did with John." We're fine. It's not like we're hanging out having dinner together, but we're fine.

Read the entire interview from Sleaze Roxx.

MEGADETH has posted the following message on its official Facebook page:

"[MEGADETH mainman] Dave Mustaine will be moving his studio, Vic's Garage in San Marcos, California, to a new location in the New Year. There will be a huge clearance of studio gear and professional audio equipment available at MEGADETH's official eBay store coming soon. There will also be guitars going up, and Mustaine is considering offers on his Jackson No. 1! Check out all the items currently up at the store. The store is stocked with rare and hard-to-find promotional items, photos, stage equipment, oddities, personal items, shirts, used strings, set lists, and much more! If you are looking for MEGADETH, look no further!"

MEGADETH's 14th album is currently being recorded at Vic's Garage with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis) for an early 2013 release via an as-yet-undisclosed label following the band's recent split with Roadrunner Records.

Johnny K produced MEGADETH's last album, 2011's "TH1RT3EN", which was also recorded at Vic's Garage.

"TH1RT3EN" sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD marked the recorded return of bassist David Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002.

"Death Comes To The Sleeping", the new video from Danish heavy rockers HELHORSE, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Rasmus G. Sejersen of THE PSYKE PROJECT, who has previously worked with EMMURE, NASUM, THE CHARIOT and THE KANDIDATE.

"Death Comes To The Sleeping" comes off HELHORSE's sophomore album, "Oh, Death", which was recorded this past summer at Grapehouse Studios in Copenhagen and was produced, mixed and mastered by Emil Buus Saur. According to a press release, the CD "shows a band that is intensely focused, brimming with self-confidence, but at the same time are not afraid to show vulnerability, ferocity and enormous love for music. "

Lyrically, "Oh, Death" is a concept album circling around the theme of death. However, it is not death in a normal "metal" interpretation with fire and brimstone. The focus is death as catharsis. It is about cleansing the things that drag you down; the impossible expectations, dying love, the warped idea of perfection and to celebrate our mistakes and shortcomings, because they are the ones that create life and give us an identity.Therefore, the CD was given the title "Oh, Death", taken from the poem "Oh, Death", an old Appalachian Mountain funeral dirge that beautifully describes death in all its complexity.

Regarding the "Death Comes To The Sleeping" video, HELHORSE vocalist Mikkel Wad Larsen said: "Just like our new album, we wanted our visual expression to be more direct, honest and show the band where it's best — LIVE!

"We are blown away by Rasmus's work and the way he taps into the very core of the band is simply amazing."

"Oh, Death" is tentatively due in the spring.

Reactivated German metallers MAJESTY will release their comeback studio album, "Thunder Rider", on January 4 In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and on January 25 in the rest of Europe via Austria's NoiseArt Records. In addition to a standard CD release, "Thunder Rider" will be made available as a special edition, including a bonus track and a DVD with the "Metal Union" documentary, along with a vinyl edition.

"Thunder Rider" track listing:

01. Thunder Rider
02. Warlords Of The Sea
03. Anthem Of Glory
04. Make Some Noise
05. Metalliator
06. Raise The Beast
07. New Era
08. Asteria
09. Young And Free (special-edition bonus track)
10. Rebellion Of Steel
11. Metal Union

The video for the album's title track, "Thunder Rider", can now be seen below.

Commented MAJESTY vocalist Tarek "MS" Maghary: "We are already excited about the dedication, the enthusiasm and the professionalism of NoiseArt. Those guys are true metalheads like ourselves who fight with full force for heavy metal.
"It's the beginning of a new era for MAJESTY and 'Thunder Rider' is a mighty kick in the ass for everybody who had doubts about MAJESTY and our will for victory. We are back — stronger than ever and with NoiseArt we have a mighty partner on our side!"

Added NoiseArt: "We are proud to welcome the band MAJESTY in our roster! We were tracking the activities of the band for years and are looking forward to successfully work together with MAJESTY in the future!"

The song "Metal Union", which ends the "Thunder Rider" album, is the musical conversion of that theme. Along with Tarek, Sven D'Anna (WIZARD), Hannes Braun (KISSIN' DYNAMITE), Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER), Patrick Fuchs (ROSS THE BOSS), Andreas Babushkin (PARAGON) and Marta Gabriel (CRYSTAL VIPER) sing on the track.

Germany's southern groove metal machine DIRT released its sophomore album, "Rock 'N Roll Accident", on November 23 via Massacre Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Seven Days
02. Dirty
03. Rock 'N' Roll Accident
04. Fast Lane
05. Face Down
06. Never Change
07. Crush
08. Breathe In
09. One Step Away
10. Nice To See You

The video for the song "Fast Lane" can be seen below.

Vocalist Sven Zaklikowski founded DIRT back in 2008. Thiemo Hille was the first to join the group as guitarist. He was followed by Marius Rebmann (bass), Florian Stollberg (guitars) and Marcel Unger (drums).

DIRT's debut album, "Suicide Blues", was released in July 2009 via the band's own label, Dirt Rock Records.

The band played gigs at various clubs and local festivals between 2010 and 2011, where they gained new fans.

DIRT's sound can be described as sludge/doom metal with strong blues and southern rock influences, even though they prefer to call their style "southern groove metal."

DIRT is:

Sven Zaklikowski: Vocals
Thiemo Hille: Guitar
Florian Stollberg: Guitar
Marius Rebmann: Bass
Marcel Unger: Drums

"Crucified", the new album from MPIRE OF EVIL (formerly PRIMEVIL) — the band formed in 2010 by ex-VENOM members Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (guitar) and Tony "The Demolition Man" Dolan (bass, vocals) — will contain re-recorded versions of VENOM tracks from Dolan's time with the group.

"Crucified" track listing:

01. Temples Of Ice
02. Parasite
03. Kissing The Beast
04. Blackened Are The Priests
05. Carnivorous
06. Black Legions
07. Need To Kill
08. Wolverine
09. Crucified
10. Demone

The song "Demone" can now be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

After completing a successful U.S. tour with drummer Marc Jackson (who replaced Antony "Antton" Lant earlier this year), MPIRE OF EVIL in May announced that Marc had joined the group on a permanent basis.

MPIRE OF EVIL released its full-length debut, "Hell To The Holy", on March 26 via Scarlet Records. The CD boasts 10 brand-new tracks displaying the band's infectious and groovy heavy metal assault, conveying Mantas' thunderous riffs, a huge rhythm section and Dolan's abrasive vocals into a monstrous musical holocaust which will appeal to both old-school and modern metal fans.

Produced by Mantas himself and featuring stunning cover artwork by Gyula Havancsák (ANNIHILATOR, DESTRUCTION, GRAVE DIGGER), "Hell To The Holy" is without any doubts a "must have" album for 2012.

MPIRE OF EVIL earlier in the year completed a North American tour with fellow British thrashers ONSLAUGHT.

Jo Schüftan of Horns Up Rocks! conducted an interview with bassist Mike D'Antonio of Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE prior to the band's December 16 performance at the Music Hall Of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York. You can now watch the chat below.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE vocalist Jesse Leach announced during the Brooklyn show that the band's new studio album will be released in April 2013 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, an acclaimed producer who has previously worked with ALL THAT REMAINS, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and AS I LAY DYING, among others. The mixing sessions were overseen by veteran British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, ACCEPT, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE).

Asked for more information about the status of the upcoming CD and how it came together, D'Antonio said: "We've got the title, I've got all the artwork finished for it. I've just gotta fit in the lyrics. [There are] 12 songs on it. It was hard to whittle down which songs were actually gonna make it on the record, 'cause we like them all; we're really excited about it."

He continued: "It was weird. Jesse did two songs and then kind of wanted to get a feel for how the band was communicating and hanging out together. And he was, like, 'Let's go out on tour and see how it is and then I can come back and finish the rest of the record and really have a better headspace for what's going on with the band.' So he did two songs, we went out on tour, came back and all of a sudden, he started doing all this new stuff — like, eight or nine different, new voices we had never heard before. And we were were, like, 'Wait a minute, man! Now you're gonan have to redo the last stuff we did, because this stuff sounds so great.' So he just blew us away. This guy… I don't know if he's got split personalities or what's going on in his head, but he's got a million different voices going on there, and it sounds really cool on the record."

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's forthcoming album will mark the return of Leach, who rejoined the group earlier this year following the departure of Howard Jones after nine years and three successful albums.

Leach sang on the band's first self-titled album, which came out in 2000, and on their landmark release, 2002's genre-defining "Alive Or Just Breathing".

Los Angeles-based extreme prog metallers ANA KEFR have checked in with the following update:

"In just one week and two days, on December 21st, Ana Kefr friends XANTHOCROID will be releasing their full-length debut album, Blessed He With Boils, via Erthe And Axen Records. The album features multiple guest appearances from AK frontman Rhiis Lopez, doing choral and brutal vocals. Be sure to 'like' them on Facebook, sign up for their mailing list via this link and order their album."

Ana Kefr updates are coming. Brace yourselves."

Xanthcroid's first single 'In Putris Stagnum', featuring Lopez, is available for free here.
Lopez recently issued the following statement regarding the recent departure of Ana Kefr lead guitarist Brendan Moore and drummer Shane Dawson:

"After three years of working together, recording the digi-single ‘Tonight We Watch the Children Fucking Burn’ and our critically-acclaimed second full-length album The Burial Tree (II), we have decided that it would be in the best interests of all involved to let Brendan and Shane pursue their own different musical paths. The reasons all boil down to a conflict of personal interests, but the parting has been on amicable terms and we genuinely wish them the absolute best in their future endeavors. It has been a good ride these past three years!

At the moment, Ana Kefr is focused on the future and writing, for a strong return in 2013. We are extremely excited about the new material and can't wait to share it with everyone!"

Ana Kefr released their latest album The Burial Tree (II) in 2011. The album was produced and mixed by Ana Kefr and David Franklin, engineered by David Franklin.

KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean François Dagenais has been tapped to produce the new album from Brazilian metallers PSYCHOTIC EYES. He had previously worked with the band on their latest album, I Only Smile Behind The Mask. Still untitled, the new album is in the pre-production phase and will be released in the first semester of 2013.

Vocalist/guitarist Dimitri Brandi comments:

"One of the most touching moments of my career as musician happened when I listened, for the first time, one Psychotic Eyes song mixed by Dagenais. He was starting to work on what would turn our second album, and sent me the track 'Welcome Fatality', already mixed, for me 'to see what I thought.' The song was perfect, with all the timbres brutal and aggressive, but without loosing clarity and definition. Just like I always thought how Psychotic Eyes should sound. We are very excited to work with him again. The recordings will happen in Brazil, but the mixing and mastering will be done on his new studio in Dallas (USA). This time he invited us to follow the job personally, I hope it works, will be a great lesson".
As for Jean François Dagenais, the continuing of a work brings expressive results: "It was a great experience to have worked with Psychotic Eyes on I Only Smile Behind The Mask. It's very good to have the privilege to work with the same band with several albums because it makes you grown with the musicians and develop a work dynamic that, I believe, brings very good results."

For more details visit Psychoticeyes.com.

North American syndicated rock radio show "In The Studio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands" goes one-on-one with Ozzy Osbourne, singer for heavy metal godfathers BLACK SABBATH, to get the story behind "Vol. 4", which is widely viewed as the last great album from the original SABBATH lineup, on its 40th anniversary. BLACK SABBATH was fracturing under its own internal pressures with the added complication of substantial substance abuse, but by his own admission, Ozzy tells "In The Studio" host Redbeard what the real culprit was to the eventual demise of the original band.

"What happened with me and BLACK SABBATH was that, in the beginning we all had a purpose, but as we went along that inevitable thing stepped in called ego," Ozzy said. "The fact is that success does change you. It affected me. I was full of cocaine. That stuff makes you talk the biggest load of horse crap. There shouldn't be a problem (left) in the world, 'cause we solved them all in the bathroom of a hotel with a bag of that white powder."

BLACK SABBATH "Vol. 4" "In The Studio" program is available now to stream at this location. It can also be heard below.

California rockers L.A. GUNS have announced the addition of guitarist Frankie Wilsey to the group's ranks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dutch thrashers LEGION OF THE DAMNED have announced the addition of session guitarist Hein Willekens to the group's rank.

Commented LEGION OF THE DAMNED frontman Maurice Swinkels: "Ever since we started as LEGION OF THE DAMNED with the four of us, we felt this was the best way to continue our journey. Now and then we got comments that we could be more powerful live with an extra guitar, but our bond was so strong that we truly believed that when another person would enter the band, the band would eventually collapse and that no one would fit in perfectly." In addition, LEGION OF THE DAMNED's former guitarist Richard Ebisch was strongly against bringing an extra person into the band.

"Bringing this topic up in the band sometimes resulted in heavy discussions with our management as well as in the band itself, because opinions changed," Maurice added.

After Richard's departure and with Twan van Geel having spent more than a year as LEGION OF THE DAMNED's lead guitarist, the band gave the idea of expanding the lineup more thought and discussed it internally. After numerous meetings, LEGION OF THE DAMNED decided it was time to take the step.

Stated Twan van Geel: "After years with just one guitar player, we felt it was time to extend. The use of a second guitar player shall bring more audial hell on stage and more exiting options in songwriting."

Asked if he is happy being part of LEGION OF THE DAMNED, Hein said: "If one would ask me: What would you like to do most? For me, it would be an easy answer: playing guitar like a madman and destroy every stage I'm playing on. I'm very proud, grateful and excited to announce that LEGION OF THE DAMNED is giving me the opportunity to join them as their second live guitarist, and do exactly that! This is a big once in a lifetime chance for me and I can't wait to hit the road with these guys. Let's crank up the volume and kick some major ass!"

LEGION OF THE DAMNED is:

Maurice Swinkels - Vocals
Twan van Geel - Guitar
Harold Gielen - Bass
Erik Fleuren - Drums
Hein Willekens - Guitar

LEGION OF THE DAMNED's latest album, "Descent Into Chaos", was released in January 2011 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Abyss Studios in Pärlby, Sweden with producer and PAIN/HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren, who also makes a guest appearance on the limited-edition bonus track "Legion Of The Damned".

"No Wisdom Brings Solace", the new video from Swiss metallers SYBREED, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Anthony Dubois and was filmed on October 18 during the Euroblast Festival 2012 at the Underground in Cologne, Germany.

"No Wisdom Brings Solace" comes off SYBREED's fourth album, "God Is An Automaton", which was released on September 24 in Europe and October 2 in North America via Listenable Records. The follow-up to 2010's "The Pulse Of Awakening" was recorded at Downtone Studio in Geneva and was once again mixed in Los Angeles by Rhys Fulber, who has previously worked with FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, FEAR FACTORY and PARADISE LOST, among others. The artwork was created by Seth Siro Anton (SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, SEPTICFLESH) and can be seen below.

Seth Siro Anton previously commented on his artwork for "God Is An Automaton": "My works are distorting dream mirrors of the body and soul. Human nature attracted often to specific art forms which are essentially attracted by the reflected dream world. On SYBREED new artwork, I tried to decode-externalize the architect of the blackest light, an automated God, an ironic priest which is fighting between two different levels of reality. An ironic synthesis combination of modern classicism. It was a great challenge and pleasure trying to visualize their new masterpiece."

A Hungarian black metal documentary, entitled "Attention! Black Metal!", will be released at the end of this month.

According to a press release, "This documentary shows symphonic black metal by respected musicians like Fernando Ribeiro and Mike Gaspar (MOONSPELL), Ardek (CARACH ANGREN), Miron Chirva (TVANGESTE), Sakis Tolis (ROTING CHRIST) and many more. Fans, academic people, and outsiders are also speaking in the documentary. There will be some surprises like Nigel of HECATE ENTHRONED who doesn’t give interviews but this time he made exception, or two members of BISHOP OF HEXEN reveal their faces, what have never been seen before."

The English version of "Attention! Black Metal!" will be available on December 29, with the Hungarian and Russian editions to follow in the early months of 2013. All versions will be freely downloadable from the movie's web site in 720p HD format.

Synopsis: "People in many cases think that black metal is a mean and satanist way of music making. Others think it's just an unworthy noiesemaking thing which is just a crooked mean to express agression and confronting conduct. The problem is that they don't take a look behind the mask.

"This documentary doesn't want to engage in the deviant behave and doesn't want to be another historical black metal doc. It has some parts from history of black metal and introduces some events of the early '90s, but just as much as it is needed to understand why people look at black metal like a freak of nature. This documentary investigates and shows three important points of this genre.

1. What is black metal? How do the musicians, the fans and the outsiders look at this, and how do they feel the point of it.

2. Black metal as art. How can it be an art and how does the artistic way delineate.

3. Social contexts of black metal. In this point we examine what stereotypes hits black metal and the fans."