January 1st marks the day on which San Marcos/Austin, TX-based progressive death/black metal horde VEX will release the follow-up to the 2010 full-length, Thanatopsis. The band's sophomore offering is entitled Memorious, and will be released through Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.
Memorious tracklisting:

'Terra Soar'
'Carve My Eyes'
'Astride A Grave'
'No Such Thing'
'Spectral Nation'
'Away From The Sun'
'Wasteland (How Long Ago...)'
'Solace In Sleep'
'Those Days Are Gone'
'A Drinking Song'
More on Vex at this location.

Graz, Austria-based GIVE EM BLOOD recently announced the departures of bassist Martin and guitarist Benny from the band. The group have now released their new video, for the track 'Beautiful Black Heart'.

Says the band: "This one is dedicated to our ex-members Benny and Martin."
Filling Benny and Martin's spots will be guitarist Christop (WITHIN THE DECEASED) and bassist Daniel (ex- HERE COMES THE KRAKEN).

The band commented on the new members: “We are so damn excited to take Give Em Blood to the next Level with these motherfuckers.”

For more info on Give Em Blood visit their Facebook page.

The band released their new album entitled Seven Sins on September 9th via Bastardized Recordings.

Svart Records has announced January 11th, 2013 as the worldwide release date for ATOMIC CRIES' new 7", Suspended Between The Mouth Of God And The Fist Of Man.

Self-professed primitive doom metallers Atomic Cries' Suspended Between The Mouth Of God And The Fist Of Man 7" contains two new tracks, both of which are available for streaming below, and is a precursor to the band's forthcoming debut album.



Suspended Between The Mouth Of God And The Fist Of Man tracklisting:

'False Prophecies'
'The Athiest'

The 7" is now available for pre-order at this location.

On the topic, the band states: "We are Atomic Cries, and since 2010 we have played primitive doom metal exclusively. No flares, no bongs, no irony, no pseudo-occult nonsense. We worship at the altar of Armando Acosta. We love SAINT VITUS, TROUBLE, and BLACK SABBATH, but we sound like none of them. This 7" contains two tracks of uncompromising, slow downer-rock that refuses to be easily categorised. We are Saúl Do Caixão (lead/rhythm electric/acoustic guitars and vocals) and Andy Lippoldt (drums/organ/bass/backing vocals). Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle."

More on Atomic Cries at this location.

Suspended Between The Mouth Of God And The Fist Of Man by Atomic Cries

UK-based prog legends MARILLION check in with the following 2012 wrap-up:

"2012 - what a year!

As yet another year draws to an end we'd like to, again, say HUGE thanks to all our fans out there for your faith and unflagging support throughout 2012. It's been as intense a year as we can remember (and, at times, it was in danger of feeling like ACTUAL WORK) but we feel that, however difficult a birth, we've been richly rewarded by the reviews of Sounds That Can't Be Made and we are still bowled over by the emails we get on a daily basis about how much you love the songs. What more could we as musicians ask for? (he said - leafing through the Walmart catalogue..)
As well as finishing and releasing an album, we've been around the world to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, USA, Venezuela and Wales. The fans at every show have been magnificent (and although it's unfair to single out one city - if you were involved in the "religious experiences" you probably know who you are..) We apologise if we never made it to you this time out but we still haven't quite finished and offers for the future are still being considered..

Next year we are back to France, then onto Italy and Spain, finishing with our three Marillion Weekends in Holland, Canada and the UK. We will then be taking a much-needed break for a few months and hope to start touring again towards the end of 2013. Marvelous!
Thanks too if you bought a t-shirt, CD, DVD or Blu-ray from us this year - or even a car-sticker, mug, mouse-mat or the much-acclaimed personalised elephants foot umbrella stand - we really do appreciate your support and hope that you enjoy the merchandise that we produce (even if we just made it up). You're keeping our business (and therefore our music) alive.

Not to put too fine a point on it, YOU are OUR Christmas present. We hope whatever faith you are (or aren't), that you have a wonderful end of 2012 and that 2013 brings you all joy, prosperity and PEACE.

We look forward to seeing more of you on the road next year."

More on Marillion at this location.

UK technical metallers CHRONOGRAPHS, have released new video for the rack ‘Opticks’. Watch the video below:
‘Opticks’ comes off the band’s upcoming EP Nausea, which will be released on January 7th via Ghost Music.

Fusing huge choruses with frenetic tech-metal, hardcore abrasion and a progressive sensibility, Chronographs display technical proficiency and a song writing prowess that belies their average age of just 20.The band hit the scene in 2010 with the online release of free EP, The Outhouse Sessions, creating a huge online buzz and demand for the live show, quickly prompting a string of headline shows around the UK, and a nationwide tour as main support for Mediaskare’s HERO IN ERROR.

Following their initial wave of underground success, the band set out to write a new record with the intent of further raising the bar in terms of song writing and technicality, and the resulting Nausea EP, has exceed all expectations. Boasting five tracks of raw aggression, fresh, bandwagon-dodging riffery and glorious refrains, this EP is the soundtrack of a band with a burning desire to breathe fresh life into the metal scene and a great taster of things to come.
Tracklisting:

'Opticks'
'Veritas '
'Inanis'
'Nausea '
'Resolve'

More on Chronographs at this location.

Italian symphonic metallers SILENT OPERA have released the following update:

“Unfortunately the best things don't always last forever...

We have to announce that our singer, Aria, decided to leave the group due to personal reasons. So the road we took together just one year ago, has come to an end. We wish her the best success and satisfactions.

‘Symphony Of time’, our new single, is ready to be released, with our new singer, who'll be revealed soon!

We apologize to our fans, and all people who work with and for us, but we promise your waiting will be repaid with big great news!”

Portuguese metallers WE ARE KILLING OURSELVES (W.A.K.O) have released the new music video for the track ‘Extispicium’ off the band’s latest album The Road Of Awareness.

According to a press release: “This exclusive world premiere of the bludgeoning video for the song ‘Extispicium’ features Portugal's We Are Killing Ourselves (or WAKO for short) doing what they do best... playing live and brain-bashing audiences with their auditory assault!”

The video was produced by the band and features live footage provided by Rockline Tribe.

Check it out below:

Leeds, UK-based trio WIHT will release their only album The Harrowing Of The North digitally and on coloured vinyl on February 4th.

The Harrowing of The North is a two song, 33-minute concept piece taking influence thematically, from the subjugation of the North of England by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it tells the troubled history of Doomsday-era Yorkshire. Track 1 ‘The Harrowing of The North’, contains 8 movements which follow the raids from their beginnings in 1069- when the King massacred Yorkshire’s people and destroyed the land ensuring it held no economic or cultural worth and remained subservient under his rule- to his remorseful deathbed nearly 20 years later. The second track is dedicated to outspoken chronicler ‘Orderic Vitalis’ who, though loyal to his king, was outraged at his cruelty and condemned him in his writings.

Wiht called in Quits in March and their only album, The Harrowing Of The North, is available for streaming below:



Tracklisting is as follows:

‘The Harrow Ing Of The North’
‘Orderic Vitalis’
‘End Of The Reign’ (bonus track)

On December 7th, AMERICAN DOG played a show at Sala Texola in Elda, Spain. Vocalist/bassist Michael Hannon has just issued the following live performance clip of 'Old Dog, New Tricks', which initially appeared on the Poison Smile album.
American Dog is getting into the holiday spirit with the release of their new album, Merry Christmas Asshole.

The 15-track disc features the brand new festive diddy 'Merry Christmas Asshole', plus a 13-song live set from Sonic Lounge Studios. The tracklisting is as follows:
'Merry Christmas Asshole'
'Devil Dog'
'Old Dog, New Tricks'
'Splinterin' Sally'
'The Real Nitty Gritty'
'Poison Smile'
'Cat Has Got You By The Tongue'
'Another Day In Paradise'
'Human Garbage Can'
'TV Disease'
'Beaten, Broken, Etc.'
'Boozehound'
'Just Like Charlie Sheen'
'Sometimes You Eat The Pussy'
'Merry Christmas A** (Radio Friendly Edit)'

Order yours for only $10 at AmericanDog.us.

The progressive metal purveyors at Sensory Records, a division of The Laser’s Edge Group, have confirmed the release of the debut studio opus from British prog outfit My Soliloquy, in North America on January 29th, 2013.

My Soliloquy was formed by multi-instrumentalist Pete Morten in 2002. Since then the quintet has released a number of demos, gaining traction in the metal underground, and have performed a number of notable support shows with PAGANS MIND, POWER QUEST, OLIVER AND RICK WAKEMAN and THRESHOLD, as well as a second-to-headlining set at Bloodstock 2005 and a showcase at ProgPower UK II in 2007. Additionally, since 2007, Morten has been an active member of British prog metal legends Threshold. His membership has raised awareness (and created anticipation) for My Soliloquy’s long awaited debut.

The essence of My Soliloquy is pure forward thinking metal – symphonic keyboards, shredding guitar leads, soaring vocals – all finely woven together through a blend of intricacy and melody into a powerful force fans of Threshold, DREAM THEATER and CURCUS MAXIMUS will flock to. Following a pair of demos and an EP release, Sensory is proud to finally unleash the newly-completed first full-length from this act. With nearly all instrumentation on the recording executed solely by Pete Morten, minus the drumming, The Interpreter flows with over fifty minutes of grand musicianship, expertly mixed and mastered by Rob Aubrey, a mainstay of MARILLION's camp for many years.
The Interpreter tracklisting:

'Ascension Pending'
'Flash Point'
'Corrosive De-Emphasis'
'Fractured'
'Six Seconds Grace'
'Dream In Extremis'
'Inner Circles'
'Star'

Check out a trailer for The Interpreter below:
My Soliloquy live lineup:

Pete Morten - vocals, guitars
Damon Roots - drums, percussion
Mike Gilpin - guitars, vocals
Andy Berry - keyboards
Chris Sharp - bass
More on My Soliloquy at this location.

MANDY LION (ex-WWIII) has announced that former DIO/RAINBOW bassist Jimmy Bain (pictured below) will be collaborating with him on future song writing, recordings and live shows.
Mandy Lion recently announced a one-off show at the Brick By Brick in San Diego, CA on December 18th, 2012. Guitarist, songwriter and producer Roy Z who is most notably known for his work with BRUCE DICKINSON (IRON MAIDEN), ROB HALFORD and JUDAS PRIEST, will be joining Mandy Lion for this performance, along with Jimmy Bain.
It was recently announced that Roy Z will also be collaborating with Mandy Lion on new material for the upcoming release. Songwriting for the next Mandy Lion project is underway with the new release scheduled to be released in early 2013 on Highvolmusic, which Mandy Lion recently inked a worldwide deal.

Mandy Lion is set to bring his signature brand of metal to the world once again with a stellar line-up backing him. Additional details will be announced.

Brazil’s modern metallers PAINSIDE have released their new single ‘Break The Hive’ For streaming. The track will be released on December 13th digitally.

Check it out below:
‘Break The Hive’ comes off the band’s new EP entitled Build Your Fiction, which is due out in early 2013.

The new effort was mixed by Mark Lewis (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, UNEARTH, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL) from Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, FL.

The band recently released a teaser video for the upcoming material, which can be found below:

KILLING JOKE celebrate their 35th anniversary in style, commencing in 2013 with the release of The Singles Collection 1979-2012 and a world tour starting in Europe. This important year will also see the band release a new studio album.
With a fierce intelligence plus a thirst for esoteric knowledge that matches a music that is visceral and almost spiritual in its primal spirit, Killing Joke are like no other band. This is a group who came out of punk and then set out on one of the most remarkable and idiosyncratic journeys ever. The Singles Collection 1979 -2012, on Spinefarm/Universal captures their ever-evolving story with a series of dark, apocalyptic songs, they have successfully combined disco and funk and a shamanic wisdom with the dark side of the punk fall-out.

Their influence has been enormous, with an unlikely roll-call of musicians taking their cues from the KJ catalogue – from NIRVANA to most modern American metal to many DJs and dance music mavericks… few, however, coming close to the band’s innate power.

Killing Joke, with their original line-up of Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Youth and Big Paul continuing to hold firm, have signed a brand new deal with Spinefarm, and will soon set about recording a third studio album for the label. The release date of this new studio album is likely to be late 2013.
The Singles Collection 1979 – 2012 is released on three formats - DL, Limited Edition CD and Super Deluxe Edition. To pre-order the limited edition 3CD, go to this location.

The Super Deluxe version will be released on the bands site via Spinefarm / Universal in conjunction with PledgeMusic. To order the Super Deluxe go to this location.

The 3CD version will then be available to order via Amazon.co.uk, Play.com and other good retailers within the next week.
Formats:

3 x CD - 33 career-spanning singles over 2 CDs + a third disc of rarities, including previously unreleased studio tracks.This 3 x CD version will be strictly limited in number, reverting to 2 CDs containing the singles tracks.

Super Deluxe - this limited edition package includes:

*Hand-numbered hinged-lid 'cigar box' made from 1500mcn black-lined rigid board finished with matt print retrospective artwork.
*33 career-spanning CD singles plus selected B-Sides in full-colour card wallets featuring original artwork.
*Rarities disc, including previously unreleased studio tracks.
*32-page perfect-bound book including rare photos, archive notes, band commentary.
*Poster designed and personally signed by long-time Killing Joke artist/champion, Mike Coles, printed on 250gsm silk art.
*Aluminium screw-top branded cigar tube containing original wrappers of cigars smoked by Jaz Coleman and Paul Raven during the recording of the Hosannas From The Basements Of Hell album.

2013 tour dates confirmed so far (Australian and New Zealand dates to be announced next week) include:

March
15 - Hammerfest - Wales, UK
16 - Forum - London, UK
18 - Trix - Antwerp, Belgium
20 - Bataclan - Paris, France

April
19 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
23 - Cafe Campus - Montreal, PQ
24 - Lee’s Palace - Toronto, ON
26 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
27 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
30 - Neumos - Seattle, WA

May
1 - Rickshaw Theatre - Vancouver, BC
3 - Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
4 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
5 - Henry Fonda - Los Angeles, CA

Says Jaz Coleman: "Considering it's supposed to be the end of the world in a short time, it gives me great pleasure to announce a new singles album with some real rarities on it, shortly followed by a new studio recording. The book, Letters From Cythera, is coming out, and yes, gigs are starting in March. Have a great 2012 and fuck the Mayans! After all, their calendar didn't predict their own demise."

Letters From Cythera is available to purchase here.

German-based "brutal thrash party metallers" THE PROPHECY²³ have completed their lineup, having parted ways with bassist Mario Macaroni some time ago.
Says the band: "But who is the latest addition to the band's lineup? Phil Butcher gave up his professional career as an Ashton Kutcher double to join The Prophecy²³ on their mission to world domination! He has the ability to open beer cans just with his awesomeness and really is a true virtuoso on the bass guitar. Sometimes he wakes up at night at a bar and wonders where he is - and why he is naked (again). Phil Butcher is the best skateboarder in the band and invented the double-ass-crack-penetrator jump just to humble the other band members. On tour it's always pretty hard to get his special "beer pizza" (Phil always needs everything at once) but otherwise Phil is very easy to maintain."

In the video below, Phil Butcher pays tribute to the late "Dimebag" Darrell Abbot (PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN):
The Prophecy²³ have the following live dates scheduled:

December
14 - Frankenthal, Germany - Zuckerfabrik
15 - Weinheim, Germany - Café Central
22 - Bad Rappenau, Germany - Mühltalhalle (X-Mas-Rockt Festival)
More on The Prophecy²³ at this location.

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Ålesund, Norway-based act BLODIG ALVOR. The band will release their new album, Mørkets Frembrudd, on Feburary 12th in Europe and February 8th in Norway/Germany/Austria.
Today Blodig Alvor release the first single from the debut album. Check out 'Vår Resignasjon' below:
Blodig Alvor is the next band breaking out of the new Norwegian rock scene spearheaded by bands like KVELERTAK, MAN THE MACHETES, BLOOD COMMAND and OSLO ESS. It’s catchy, punky and filled with elements of classic rock.

Blodig Alvor was formed in 2009 and now, four years later, they’re ready to release their new album on Indie Recordings. Despite their young age, they’ve had a long carrier in music, including support slots for Oslo Ess and a bunch of other big Norwegian acts. Inspired by their favourite bands, the new album is clearly influenced by classic rock, as well as punk and metal. The record is a result of hard work and an intense desire to release their own music.

More on Blodig Alvor at this location.

Twelve hours to Atlanta. Twelve hours back. In that time Oklahoma-city band VANGOUGH developed the idea behind their latest creation, Acoustic Scars, which will appeal to both fans and new listeners with its haunting arrangement of cello, violin and djembe. Once again mixed by long-time collaborator Sterling Winfield and housed in a beautiful glossy jacket, this five-song EP serves as a chilling narrative chronicling the band’s career.
"This EP is a testament to our vulnerability as a band and as human beings," explains vocalist and guitarist Clay Withrow. "Long story short, the title Acoustic Scars is symbolic of our experience in Atlanta and is also a dedication to our ProgPower fans who we unfortunately missed during the trip."

Blending a distinct Eastern European folk flavor with hard rock roots, Acoustic Scars is a soundscape of raw emotion. Beginning with a dreary and atmospheric instrumental before segueing into the marquee track 'A Song For Crows' and the Latin-flavored 'Throne Of Rust', the EP closes in celebratory fashion with the Watership Down-inspired suite 'The Rabbit Chronicles'. Vangough's latest creation, releasing on December 18th via Bandcamp and CDBaby, provides a thoughtful and dramatic musical twist that will hold fans over until the arrival of their third studio album in 2013.
Tracklislting:

'Leaving Bricolage'
'A Song For Crows'
'Throne Of Rust'
'The Rabbit Chronicles'
'Road To Blighttown'

Band lineup:

Clay Withrow - Vocals/Guitars
Kyle Haws - Percussion
Jeren Martin - Bass
Justus Johnston - Violin
Jose Palacios - Cello

More on Vangough, including their live itinerary, at this location.

German death metallers SEPTEMBER MURDER have completed work on their sophomore full-length album, "He Who Invokes Decadence", for an early 2013 release. The CD was once again produced by Jens Martinek at his Schmiedeberg 7 Studios in Rübeland, Germany. The recording sessions started in March 2011 and were finished in the spring of 2012. The editing, mixing and mastering process was finalized earlier this fall.

A track from the CD, "In Celebration Of Mankind's Wretchedness", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

Commented SEPTEMBER MURDER guitarist Emanuel Brauer: "We've been working on our second album for the past two years. It took one year to write it and another on for the recordings and final production. By giving you first tangible information, we feel proud and relieved at the same time. This album turned out as the stiffest piece of work we've ever dedicated to, but rarely did a result inspired and spurred us likewise.

"Concerning our own concept of sound and songwriting, we wanted to tear down self-set boundaries and conquer new paths. Of particular importance was to push our creativity to the next level to show also ourselves in what degree we matured in our work and what our own musicality can offer us."

SEPTEMBER MURDER's full-length debut, "Agony In Flesh", came out in 2009 via Maintain Records. The CD was mastered by Peter Neuber, who had previously done work with NASUM, VOMITORY and WAR FROM A HARLOTS MOUTH.

According to a press release, SEPTEMBER MURDER's "After Every Setting Sun" EP (November 2007) drew the attention of the European press with its explosive sound that has been described as a mixture of CANNIBAL CORPSE, ENTOMBED and SUFFOCATION.

Cape Cora, Florida-based hard rockers MODERN SUPERSTAR have announced that original member and vocalist Jamie Fletcher will be stepping down from the band for personal reasons.

The band enlisted Mike Hatfield (SCRAP YARD) to fulfill their December 8th gig at the Twisted Spoke Saloon in Tremont, IL and he will be fronting Modern Superstar for the interim. "Several vocalists have auditioned or will audition but no decisions have been made as of yet. Mike Hatfield is the guy for now," says Ryche Green.

The band continue to move forward and are recording their new material with Chip Z' Nuff (ENUFF Z’NUFF, ADLER’S APPETITE) at Chip Z' Nuff Studios in Blue Island, IL.

"The Watcher", the first song from DEEP ARCHITECTURE, the new "musical collaboration" between former THE HAUNTED drummer Per Møller Jensen has joined forces with Danish musician Carsten Lender, can be streamed at this location.

Per Møller Jensen quit THE HAUNTED in October. He said in a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "This decision has been underway for a long time and cannot be attributed to [former THE HAUNTED frontman Peter] Dolving's departure earlier this year.

"My penchant for music, creating — as in digging deep — and practicing has never been at a higher peak than now. When you throw musical differences between members in with that, I started feeling unfulfilled. This is not pointing fingers at anybody, but rather just seeing, accepting and acting on that fact."

THE HAUNTED's seventh studio CD, "Unseen", landed at position No. 33 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.

Calgary-based KOBRA AND THE LOTUS recently wrapped up European and UK tours with STEEL PANTHER and BUCKCHERRY respectively, and on December 11th they kicked off a support tour with SONATA ARCTICA in Toronto, Ontario at the Opera House. Fan filmed live video is available below:
Their schedule is as follows:

December
14 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI
15 - Mojoes - Joliet, IL
17 - Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO
20 - Whisky A Go Go - West Hollywood, CA

Guitarist Jasio Kulakowski recently spoke with Infernal Rock Radio at Hard Rock Hell, which took place in Pwllheli, North Wales from November 29th - December 3rd. Check it out via the player below:

HAWKWIND guitarist HUW LLOYD-LANGTON passed away December 6th at the age of 61. Huw had been battling cancer for the past several years and died peacefully at home in England with his devoted wife Marion by his side.

Before Huw Lloyd-Langton passed away, he had put the finishing touches on a very personal, very unique collection of tracks from his private vault. On January 29, 2013, Cleopatra Records will proudly release Huw Lloyd-Langton: Rare & Unreleased Anthology 1971-2012. This 2CD set includes seldom or never-heard gems that highlight Huw’s legacy of dynamic and melodic guitarwork.

Rare & Unreleased Anthology features unheard solo acoustic recordings of 'Rocky Paths' and 'Damn Shame' (later recorded by Hawkwind and THE LLOYD LANGTON GROUP), full-band recordings from side projects MAGILL and JAWA, and brand new acoustic recordings from 2012 being released for the first time here.
Self-taught guitarist with mind-bending scope and range, Lloyd-Langton joined Hawkwind as a teen in 1970 and immediately made his mark by contributing his unique guitar stylings on the band’s groundbreaking self-titled debut album, considered one the first space-rock albums to be released. While maintaining an important albeit inconsistent role in Hawkwind for many years, Lloyd-Langton expanded his personal creativity with heavy focus on songwriting and via bands he formed, like Magill.

Comfortable and exceptional playing all styles of music – from hard rock to classical to blues – Lloyd-Langton toured with LEO SAYER before co-founding acclaimed UK hard rock band WIDOWMAKER. He taught himself classical music composition, and always stayed aware of newer music climates. As a much-loved member of the Cleopatra Records family, Lloyd-Langton had been a significant part of projects, like working with THE KINKS legend Dave Davies on a track for THE BLACK KEYS tribute album Black On Blues, and with Joe Elliott, Rick Wakeman and Carmine Appice on Who Are You, an all-star tribute to THE WHO. His innovative guitar work was featured on the Space Rock Invasion DVD taken from the 2011 Space Rock Invasion tour.

Rare & Unreleased Anthology, curated by Lloyd-Langton himself, is now, sadly but beautifully, a remarkable tribute to the life’s work of a musical genius whose broad-minded explorations offered so much to so many.



Tracklisting:

Disc 1: Rare & Unreleased 1971-2012

Solo Acoustic Recordings 1971:
'Got A Love (Blues)'
'I Can See It All Again'
'Things Just Ain’t The Same'
'Sleep'
'The Morning Dove’s Song'
'Damn Shame' *
'Seasons'
'Love You Wear A Pretty Face'
'Painted Evergreen' (a/k/a 'Night Air')
'Little Girl' *
'Battle Of Battles'

Magill with Pete Scott, John Clark & Rob Rawlinson (1973):
'Rag Man'
'Feed Your Friends With A Long Handled Spoon'
'I Can’t Be Satisfied'
'Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood'

Jawa with Simon King & Nic Potter (1979):
'Rocky Paths' ** (listen below) https://soundcloud.com/brosseaupr/rocky-paths-huw-lloyd-langton
'Jealousy' *
'Heart Of Stone'
'Damn Shame' *
'Dark, Dark Night'

Lloyd-Langton Group:
'Hurry On Sundown' (Unreleased Hawkwind tribute track)

* Later recorded by LLG
** Later recorded by Hawkwind

Disc 2: Instrumentals 1985-2012

From Night Air (1985):
'Für Kristy'
'Alien Jiggers'

From Like An Arrow...(Through The Heart) (1987):
'On The Move'
'Can You Feel'

From Elegy (1991):
'Farewell'
'Elegy'

From River Run (1994):
'All Jigged Up'
'Louise'

From Chain Reaction (1999):
'Dedications'
'5 To 4'
'Who Went Before'

From Hard Graft (2010):
'So Long Baby'
'Cowboy Blues'

New Acoustic Tracks:
'12 String Shuffle'
'Fragile Journey'
'Into The Storm'
'Out Of The Storm'
'Fast Lane To McFaden'
'She Moves Through The Fair'

Über Röck recently conducted an interview with QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Über Röck: If QUEENSRŸCHE with your three former bandmates were playing somewhere that you happened to be, would you go check them out?

Tate: Would I go watch my former bandmates play?

Über Röck: Yeah.

Tate: No. I'm not interested in that at all.

Über Röck: Hypothetically, if you were stuck in [an elevator] with them, who do you think would speak first?

Tate: If we were in a situation where we were put together who would speak first? Oh, it would be me.

Über Röck: And who do you think would throw the first punch?

Tate: Throw the first punch? Well, probably me. Those guys can't fight their way out of a paper bag. I've never seen such a bunch of... How can you be a man and not, like, defend yourself? How can you do that? I don't understand it. I probably shouldn't talk about that… I could get in trouble. [laughs] You know, Americans are really touchy about that stuff. I spit in Scott's [Rockenfield, QUEENSRŸCHE drummer] face and that is an ancient act of defiance and contempt: it's a symbolic gesture. It's ancient, people have been doing that for centuries and Americans can't wrap their head around that. They think it's juvenile, like it's something a kid does. They can't understand guys getting in a punch-up. They fear that, they're appalled by it. In other countries, Ireland for example, the Irish don't see anything wrong with it at all.

Über Röck: If it all ended now and QUEENSRŸCHE, in whatever form stopped right now, how would you like the band to be remembered?

Tate: I had a different idea of how I wanted things to end than the way they have. I've always tried very hard to take care of the name and present the band in an elegant way — since I'm the one that does all the interviews and TV appearances and radio appearances and all that, and I've always tried to communicate to the world that we are a bunch of friends who make music together and that we care about each other and always stand by each other’s side, and that we were out to, ultimately, make music for as long as we possibly could. The whole way the other guys have handled the breakup thing really saddens me because it's in direct opposition to what my belief system is. I think that we could easily have sat in a room and talked about our problems, we could have addressed things in a real civil manner, we could have come to conclusions easily without dragging our laundry through the public, so to speak. The way that they've gone about firing everybody in our organization is just cold-hearted, you know, very cold and ruthless, and honestly it's not the way I envisioned the band ending its days, to be honest... I'm really humiliated by their actions, actually…

Read the entire interview from Über Röck.

Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral

Back in July, Japan's BLOOD STAIN CHILD parted ways with Greek female vocalist Sophia after only one album. The band has checked in with the following update:

"With careful and thorough screening, Kiki has been selected to be the lead singer of Blood Stain Child. She has been performing as a singer/songwriter and actively involved with studio works and live scenes in various fields. What makes her so unique and talented is to be able to handle both clean voice and scream voice.

Some demos will be out soon hopefully soon for you to check out. We already can see your face going 'damn!'"
The band's latest album, Epsilon, featuring Sophia is out now via Coroner Records. The tracklist is as follows:

'Sirius VI'
'Forever Free'
'Stargazer'
'S.O.P.H.I.A.'
'Unlimited Alchemist'
'Electricity'
'Eternal'
'Moon Light Wave'
'Dedicated To Violator'
'Merry-Go-Round'
'LA+'
'Sai-Ka-No'

Check out BW&BK's review of the album here.

The American Country Awards aired live on FOX, on Monday, December 10th. Legendary US southern rock band LYNYRD SKYNYRD teamed up with country star TRACE ADKINS for a performance of 'What's Your Name'. Video of the performance can be seen below:
Lynyrd Skynyrd have released the lyric video for the track ‘Good Teacher’, from their latest album, Last Of A Dyin' Breed'. Check it out below:
The band recently released the music video for the track 'Homegrown'. Check it out below:
Last Of A Dyin' Breed debuted at #14 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart upon it's release, the highest charting for a Skynyrd album since 1977.

Look for the limited vinyl repressing of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER's current release, Ritual, available as glow-in-the-dark vinyl along with the band's 2007 release, Nocturnal, which is being made available for the first time on vinyl and will be in transparent blue.
Both items will be available exclusively at this location, starting this January.
Further details to follow.

During a recent interview with Rafabasa.com, IRON SAVIOR frontman Piet Sielck commented on former bandmate Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-HELLOWEEN) joining UNISONIC:
Q: Do you like the fact Unisonic sees Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen together again? Do you think it will be possible to have a complete Helloween meeting (of the original line-up) in the future?

Piet: Piet: "I think it's good for Kai to have something that allows him to get some distance from Gamma Ray. About Michi, I do not see too much him singing metal again, and I think Unisonic will be as heavy as he wants, no more, but that would not be enough for Helloween and Gamma Ray. We'll see; for now they are really enjoying the whole Unisonic experience, that's for sure. Moreover, for Kai it's good because it will allow him to free his mind and then work better again with Gamma Ray. (That sort of thing) allows you to return to your band with new energy and new ideas."

Go to this location for the complete interview (in Spanish)

Bushido Brazil and Bamberg recently released the SEPULTURA Weizen beer to celebrate the 25 years of the legendary Brazilian/American thrash metal band. The drink is said to have "a turbidity caused by natural yeast in suspension" and "aroma and flavors of banana and clove from a special strain of yeast that produces the chemicals that lead to these perceptions."

Video footage of the SEPULTURA Weizen beer launch, which was held this past October in Bamberg, Germany, can be seen below.

SEPULTURA's 12th studio album, and Nuclear Blast Records debut, "Kairos", hit stores in July 2011.

21-year-old drummer Eloy Casagrande joined SEPULTURA last year as the replacement for Jean Dolabella, who left the band because he could no longer handle being away from home for long periods of time.

Mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST played a special concert last night (Saturday, December 15) in its hometown of Linköping at Cupolen during which it premiered a brand new song, "Secular Haze", as well as its cover version of ABBA's "I'm A Marionette". In addition, a switch was made during the show where the band's lead vocalist, Papa Emeritus I, was apparently "replaced" by Papa Emeritus II, with both characters played by GHOST's real-life frontman, Tobias Forge of REPUGNANT and SUBVISION fame. Professionally filmed video footage of the "Secular Haze" track (featuring the singer "switch"), as well as fan-filmed video clips of the rest of the concert, can be seen below.

GHOST is putting the finishing touches its next studio album, due out in 2013 on Loma Vista Recordings, the new record label founded by Tom Whalley in partnership with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group. Papa Emeritus and his Nameless Ghouls have summoned Nashville-based Grammy Award-winning Nick Raskulinecz (DEATH ANGEL, DEFTONES, FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH) to produce this offering.

The band's debut album, "Opus Eponymous", was released in late 2010 in Europe and in early 2011 in North America via Rise Above Records.

In an early 2012 interview with Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, one of the "Nameless Ghouls" from GHOST was asked why he thinks his band has garnered support from such high-profile musicians as James Hetfield (METALLICA) and Phil Anselmo (DOWN, PANTERA). "We like to think [it's because of] our playfulness in terms of not — I almost said think[ing] too much — obviously, we think, but we feel a lot and we try not to limit ourselves to genre," he said. "Even though we're a hard-rocking band, we try to mix everything from death metal elements to new-wave choruses. And I think that sort of resonates to… I wouldn't say only an older generation [because] we have a lot of new, younger fans, but I think that anybody who is older than 35 might have a stroke of nostalgia or whatever."

On the topic of whether he can foresee a day when the members of GHOST won't be anonymous anymore, he said, "I think there is a difference between being anonymous and unmasked. Where SLIPKNOT actually wear masks still, while KISS during their unmasked days didn't. Obviously, it's a thing of the times. What we're trying to do, it's very hard to maintain. If the actual goal was to not be known, we try to maintain that, but in the long run we can't really expect that to be something everlasting. Most of our fans are actually quite keen on not knowing, which works to our favor, but I think there is a difference between people knowing who is behind the mask or being unmasked. We can't really see ourselves going up on stage and afterwards just dropping the masks saying, 'Oh, it's me, it's me, actually. Can you see?' No, no, no… We don't want that. We don't want to spoil it. That's the whole reason why we are anonymous and we try not to show ourselves. We try to eliminate, not the human aspects, but the humane aspects, if you want. We want to put Papa Emeritus in the limelight. He's supposed to be the living character, even though rigor mortis has basically set in in his poor old body. But that's the face of the band. He's the person, everybody else are just puppets."

Metal Mark of SkullsNBones.com has posted a video recap of Barge To Hell — the world's most extreme metal cruise, which sailed Monday, December 3, 2012 from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas and returned to the real world on Friday, December 7. Check out the footage below.

Make no mistake, this is not one of the cruises where you share the ship with regular cruise guests... It's like everyone has a backstage pass and you can mingle side-by-side with the artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison.

See every band play two live shows on three stages, each with its own unique atmosphere: The luxurious "A Chorus Line" theater, the cozy "Spectrum" club and the jewel: the open-air stage on the pool deck. Get all your memorabilia signed at the meet-and-greet sessions. Be part of the infamous "metal karaoke" and many other very special activities with the artists on board. Last but not least: Don't forget that there are bars on board that never close!

For more information, visit www.bargetohell.com.