A limited vinyl edition of ALCEST's BBC Live Session will be released on December 14th, and is available for pre-order through Prophecy Productions' online store, at this location.

In spring 2012, Alcest were honoured to play a live session at the venerable BBC, Britain’s biggest radio station and promoter of the development of rock music for decades. Recorded on February 27th, 2012 by the producer who already captured the BBC Sessions of NIRVANA, DEAD CAN DANCE, SLOWDIVE and many other icons of alternative music, these live songs show the magic of a band that is also about to take their own place on the pantheon of rock. Side A contains the three songs of the session, while side B is embellished with an etching.
Tracklisting:

'Souvenirs D'Un Autre Monde'
'Écailles De Lune Part 1'
'Autre Temps'

More on Alcest at this location.

‘Crying My Name’, the newest and possibly last single by Chicago's SEVEN DAY SONNET, showcases the band’s potential and possibilities more so than ever before. ‘Crying My Name’ was recorded with Johnny K at Groovemasters Studios in Chicago, IL. The MP3 is available to purchase now from most digital retailers. Listen to the track below:
The strains of today’s harsh economy, mixed with the standard financial pressures of being in a band has caused Seven Day Sonnet to struggle greatly in their pursuit to create new and appealing music. Please let Big Time Records and the band know what you think and enforce your support in them continuing to pursue this endeavor.

Syrian thrashers ANARCHADIA have released a small teaser of new material off their upcoming new album, Release Let Us All Unite. Check it out below:



The band recently announced that ICED EARTH's Jon Schaffer will be featured as guest vocalist on Let Us All Unite; performing alongside the band’s singer Nour on a track entitled 'True World Order'.



Jon stated: "I have always been impressed with the efforts and music from metal bands coming from the Middle East and when I got the invite to guest on Anarchadia’s album, I was immediately into it. I am hoping these guys will go far in their career, they certainly deserve it."

Anarchadia had the following to say about the collaboration: "No words can express how honored we are to work with a heavy metal icon such as Jon who happens to be a very cool and down to earth guy and a true metal brother. Cheers guys hope you will dig the new stuff!"



More on Anarchadia at this location.

Madrid, Spain-based speed/thrash metallers OMISSION have released the music video for the track ‘The Slaughter Hour’. Check it out below:



‘The Slaughter Hour’ comes off the band’s latest album, Pioneers Of The Storm, which was released in October via Emanes Metal Records.



Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Ab Intra’
‘The Slaughter Hour’
‘Drunken, Junkie & Punter’
‘I Am the Devil Scythe’
‘In Mourning We Dwell’
‘Totally Fucked Up’
‘At Last we will Have Revenge’
‘Crushing Defeat’
‘Deathwish’
‘Attack Of The Living Dead’

The track ‘In Mourning We Dwell’ can be heard below:

RECKONER, the Virginia Beach, Virginia-based psychedelic, noise-encrusted, and rhythmic doom act which features members of FJORD and THE END OF THE UNIVERSE, has announced the addition of former SOURVEIN and THE MISANTHROPE PROJECT bassist Ahmasi O'Daniel to the group's ranks.

Commented O'Daniel: "I have been playing heavy music for the last 23 years and have finally found some success, however limited or not, within the last decade. Sadly though, I have recently left my doom/sludge bands because touring year round proved too difficult to juggle along with a full-time teaching career, so I have joined RECKONER, a locally grown, national and experimental, underground act, who have been gracious enough to schedule all future tours around my vacation time."

According to the band's official bio, RECKONER "is what hardcore and metal have failed to provide in a very long time, sincere unabashed anger that does not blur the lines nor confuse with clichéd, cookie cutter images and replicated musical textures a sonic assault with guitar and bass ingenuity reminiscent of early greats such as BOTCH and blisteringly angry chaotic vocals."

RECKONER is:

Kenneth Daugherty - Guitar
Jordan Smith - Vocals
Chase - Drums
Ahmasi O'Daniel - Bass

According to The Pulse Of Radio, ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell has confirmed to Guitar World that the band has finished recording its fifth studio album and second without original vocalist Layne Staley. The new disc will follow up 2009's "Black Gives Way To Blue", which ended a 14-year gap between studio efforts for the group and featured singer/guitarist William DuVall. Cantrell said, "In my opinion, that record stood up to anything else we've put out in our career and this new one is right up there, as well."

ALICE IN CHAINS began working on new material in 2011, but the sessions for the album were delayed when Cantrell had to undergo shoulder surgery.

He said that the pressure in following up "Black Gives Way To Blue" was like "having to deal with the sophomore jinx for the second time in our career."

ALICE IN CHAINS all but faded from the scene after the release of its self-titled third album in 1995. Staley's death in 2002 seemed to seal the band's fate as well.

But Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez regrouped in 2006 with DuVall, first for several tours and then eventually to create new music.

Although no official release date has been confirmed yet for the new album, it has likely that the disc may make its debut in early 2013.

Video of DECAPITATED performing the track ‘Pest’ at Scion A/V Rock Fest 2012 earlier this year, can be seen below.

‘Pest’ is featured on the band's 2011 release, Carnival Is Forever.

Decapitated are currently touring as main support of label mates MESHUGGAH. During the tour they will play a couple of headlining shows. Headlining dates can be seen below:

December
3 - Grenoble, France - Club Capa
10 - Braunschweig, Germany - Hansa Kultur Club
14 - Wangen, Germany - Jugendhaus
15 - Schweinfurt, Germany - Stattbahnhof



Remaining Meshuggah, Decapitated tour dates can be found below:

December
2 - Paris, France - Bataclan
4 - Zürich, Switzerland - Komplex
5 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
6 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Halle
7 - Vienna, Austria - Arena
8 - Berlin, Germany - C-Club
9 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Distortion Festival
11 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
12 - Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - Kulturfabrik
13 - Köln, Germany – Essigfabrik

Vocalist Mandy Lion (WORLD WAR III, WICKED ALLIANCE) has inked a deal with HighVolMusic (HVM).

Commented Lion: "I am honored and pleased to announce my collaboration with HighVolMusic! A company run by stellar gentlemen with drive and vision to move forward in a modern business model.

"I would like to thank Bill and John for inviting me to be apart of their tribe. I am looking forward to a long and successful partnership!"

Mandy is best known for his work with WORLD WAR III, which also included Jimmy Bain (RAINBOW, DIO), Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO) and Tracy G. (DIO). The band produced several videos and toured extensively, headlining and opening for such acts as IRON MAIDEN and ANTHRAX. Appice would eventually be replaced by James Kottak (SCORPIONS, KINGDOM COME) and Mikkey Dee (KING DIAMOND, MOTÖRHEAD).

Fast forward to 2013, Lion is solo and better than ever ready to take the world by storm. Pure no-nonsense hard rock with no compromise. Sexy, dark, aggressive and captivating, like no other. His recent sold-out performances at the House of Blues and Key Club in Hollywood, California more than solidified that Lion is back and taking no prisoners.

Commented HighVolMusic VP of A&R John Guarnieri: "In a field dominated with egos, it was a breath of fresh air to get to know Mandy Lion over the course of these last months. From our initial meeting at the Rainbow in L.A. to recently hanging out in Maryland at Rock Harvest, it was clear that Mandy is a class act. His music speaks for itself, but it was his charity work that blew me away. Whether it is for dog rights, veterans, or police, Mandy is always ready to lend a hand. It's going to be a blast working with Mandy at HVM, as we have some great things planned. The music community will once again hear the roar of the mighty Lion!"

Mandy is set to bring his signature brand of metal to the world once again with a stellar lineup backing him. New music is underway, with plans to tour and conquer, so stay tuned.

IRON MAIDEN, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX and LAMB OF GOD are among the nominees for the 55th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category are as follows:

ANTHRAX - "I'm Alive"
Track from: "Worship Music"
(Megaforce)

HALESTORM - "Love Bites (So Do I)"
Track from: "The Strange Case Of..."
(Atlantic)

IRON MAIDEN - "Blood Brothers"
Track from: "En Vivo!"
(Ume)

LAMB OF GOD - "Ghost Walking"
Track from: "Resolution"
(Epic)

MARILYN MANSON – "No Reflection"
Track from: "Born Villain"
(Cooking Vinyl)

MEGADETH - "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)"
Track from: "TH1RT3EN"
(Roadrunner)

Nominations for the 55th annual Grammy Awards were announced tonight by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fifth year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night", a one-hour CBS entertainment special broadcast live for the first time ever at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The 55th annual Grammy Awards will be held on "Grammy Sunday," Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, (8:00-11:30 p.m., live ET/delayed PT) at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

"The Grammy Awards process once again has produced a diverse and impressive list of nominations across multiple genres," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This year's nominees truly represent an exceptional and vibrant creative community that exemplifies some of the highest levels of artistry and excellence in their respective fields. Combined with the fifth year of our primetime nominations special, we're off to an exciting start on the road to Music's Biggest Night, the 55th annual Grammy Awards, on February 10."

This year's Grammy Awards process registered more than 17,000 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period, October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012. Grammy ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Wednesday, December 19 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Wednesday, January 16, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the 55th Grammy broadcast.

THE 55th annual Grammy Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer and Louis J. Horvitz is director.

Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet, the feature-length documentary that chronicles the heroic and incredible true story of guitar legend JASON BECKER, is coming to DVD on December 3rd. Guitar Interactive Magazine, Issue 14 has been released and features two extra exclusive clips from the forthcoming DVD. Check them out at this location.

Check out a trailer for the issue below:
The full issued can be found at this location.
Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet chronicles Jason's life from his youth, to his days as a lightning fast guitar player and rock star, and to his present-day struggles with an incurable disease.

Jason's amazing story is told through interviews, never-before-seen archive footage of his performances; as well as unreleased family photos and footage from the Becker archives. The soundtrack is comprised of Jason's released and unreleased material including demos from his childhood and new material he has been working on. The film was shot using a combination of full 1080p HD cameras and 16mm film.

Rare MORTIIS material is now being auctioned off on eBay.

Included in the auction are limited handmade vinyls, vintage vinyl and CD. Also Almost all items are bundled with extras such as original promo flyers, posters, stickers and prosthetics.
Every item on auction is signed by Mortiis and other members of the band.



Mortiis recently made available for free download the short film Vardøger, which features their track ‘Geisteskrank’, via their website.



The film, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Reinert Kiil, debuted at the BUT film festival in Breda, The Netherlands, on September 8th along with Kiil's full-length films, Hora and Inside The Whore.

A preview for the film can be seen below:



‘Geisteskrank’ was created during the The Great Deceiver sessions.

Australian metallers TERAMAZE will enter the studio in January to begin recording their new album. The follow-up to this year's "Anhedonia" will be produced by Dean Wells and TERAMAZE and will be mixed by Lasse Lammert (ALESTORM, STUCK MOJO), who also mastered "Anhedonia". The new CD will once again be made available through Nightmare Records.

While loosely befitting the genre of thrash metal, the music of TERAMAZE conjures such adjectives as "innovative", "progressive" and "groove-laden" but most notably, "engaging". Keeping the fundamental elements of metal alive in their music, TERAMAZE pushes metal into unchartered waters with guitar work that is incendiary and powerfully aggressive vocals that drive the song.

The "Anhedonia" video can be seen below.

"Introspective", the debut album from the Victoria, Australia-based project VESSEL, will be released on December 21. The CD features a guest appearance by British heavy metal vocalist Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) on five tracks, including the opening cut, "Werewolf", which can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

In addition to Bayley, "Introspective" features guest appearances by Lord Tim (LORD, ex-DUNGEON), who also mixed and mastered the album), and members of the Australian death metal band ORDNANCE.

"Introspective" track listing:

01. Werewolf
02. Desire Disdain
03. Masterpiece
04. This Cage
05. Introspective
06. Elements

For more information, visit the VESSEL Bandcamp page.

Bassist Dirt Von Karloff has returned to SOCIETY 1 after a year-and-half hiatus.

Dirt spent seven years in SOCIETY 1 before leaving the band on amicable terms to explore other musical opportunities. After some time had passed, his desire to return to the group resurfaced. Following some contemplation and after hearing some of the rehearsal footage posted on the SOCIETY 1 YouTube page, he decided to make the call and ask if he could rejoin the band.

"In the first rehearsal, it felt like coming home except now playing with new drummer Pete Pace (LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT) is like jamming with Neil Peart on crack," said Karloff.

SOCIETY 1 vocalist Lord Zane and guitarist Brian Jackson were eager to bring him back into the fold.

"I've toured the world with Dirt," explained Zane. "We've shared the stage hundreds of times. He was at my right hand side when we played the Download festival suspended in front of 80,000 people. Sharing those experiences with someone creates a strong bond and friendship. It's good to have him back and am looking forward to sharing the stage one again."

SOCIETY 1 is currently tracking at AM Recording Studios with Raymond Herrera (FEAR FACTORY, ARKAEA) in the producer chair and Jeremy Blair (FEAR FACTORY, DEVILDRIVER) engineering. The band is compiling songs for a new EP entitled "Screams Of Sadist" and preparing to tour in 2013.

Blood Music will release an ultra-limited edition of SIGH’s 2005 album Gallows Gallery on vinyl. Also available will be a deluxe two CD edition.

The vinyl package will include full audio remasters from the original mixes, including a bonus disc of the original demos for the album, in a special edition layout.

Other Vinyl packages include:

Limited to 100 copy release on heavyweight 180-gram smashed-color vinyl for US/Canada (100 copies to be released for rest of the world).

Limited to 50 copies on heavyweight 180-gram black vinyl for US/Canada (50 copies to be released for rest of the world).

The album is 100% re-mastered for vinyl from the original mixes and includes full bonus LP of original demos, and both records on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl as well as an A3 poster.

The two CD package will include full audio remasters from the original mixes, including a bonus disc of the original demos for the album, in a special edition layout.

The CD release will be limited to 250 copies in six-panel digipack in US/Canada (250 copies to be release for rest of the world).



Preorders will begin on December 6th at this location.

Tracklisting for Gallows Gallery is as follows:

‘Pale Monument’
‘In A Drowse’
‘The Enlightenment Day’
‘Confession To Be Buried’
‘The Tranquilizer Song’
‘Midnight Sun’
‘Silver Universe’
‘Gavotte Grim’
‘Messiahplan’
‘(untitled)’
‘The Tranquilizer Song’ (Dave Harrow Mix)

Two promo videos for the release can be found blow:

Metal God Records ha released HALFORD - Live In London, a full-length two CD release from JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford's solo band, featuring twenty-one tracks recorded live at the Astoria Theatre in London, UK on December 6th, 2000.



Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Resurrection’
‘Made In Hell’
‘Locked And Loaded’
‘Into The Pit’
‘Nailed To The Gun’
‘Stained Class’
‘Jawbreaker’
‘Running Wild’
‘Savior’
‘Silent Screams’
‘Cyber World’
‘Night Fall’
‘The Hellion’
‘Electric Eye’
‘Riding On The Wind’
‘Genocide’
‘Beyond The Realms Of Death’
‘Metal Gods’
‘Breaking the Law’
‘Tyrant’
‘The One You Love To Hate’ (Bonus From Live Insurrection)

For more info visit this location.

Spain’s BEAST have released their new mini-CD, entitled Thrash Metal Propoganda.

According to a press release, the album: “Includes five pure thrash metal songs. Brutal cuts inspired from thrash metal classics of the eighties and nineties.”

It was recorded and mixed during June 2012 by Ángel Muñoz in Traste Cero Studios in Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain.

Artwork for the album was created by French artist Maxime Taccardi (NECROPHAGIA). Check it out below:



Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Toxic Wastes’
‘One Body, Two Bags’
‘Black Death’
‘Thrash Metal Holocaust’
‘Bloop Upon The Snow’

The track ‘Thrash Metal Holocaust’ can be heard below:

Thrash Metal Propaganda by Beast

Spain-based viking pagan metal act INCURSED have released their new album, entitled Fimbulwinter.
Fimbulwinter tracklisting:

'Endless, Restless, Relentless'
'Svolder’s Battle'
'Ginnungagap'
'Jörmungandr'
'Feisty Blood'
'Homeland'
'Nordwaldtaler'
'Northern Winds'
'Finnish Polkka'
'Guardians Of Time'
'Erik The Deaf'

Incursed was formed in October 2007 by Narot Santos (vocals and guitar). Their first EP, Time To Unsheathe Our Rusty Swords, was released in 2009. In 2010 the band's lineup was completed and they released their first full-length, called Morituri.

A year later Incursed changed it's lineup. They became fairly known in Bilbao and some other places in Spain, and even played in Italy due to a contest won in Bilbao. Incursed have high expectations with their new studio album, Fimbulwinter, released this month.
Incursed lineup:

Narot Santos - Vocals and guitar
Jon Koldo Tera "Jonkol" - Vocals and keyboards
Asier Fernandez - Guitar
Juan Sampedro - Bass
Asier Amo "Amo" - Drums

More on Incursed at this location.

Audio samples from the new album can be heard below:

Paris, France-based progressive death metal act SENTENCE are streaming the track 'One Day, from their upcoming debut album, entitled Everywhere. Listen to the track below:
The band previously uploaded an extract of the track, 'Everywhere Of Nowhere'. Listen below:
Having released a demo in 2009 and an EP called H.A.A.R.P in 2010, Sentence is coming again with their first full-lenght album, Everywhere, featuring 56 minutes of original and technical metal, mixing a lot of influences.

Everywhere will be released on December 15th. The album artwork can be seen below:
Everywhere tracklisting:

'Spirit Of Birth'
'Birth'
'Solitude'
'Everywhere Of Nowhere'
'One Day'
'D Day'
'Eightfold Path'
'Opposition'
'The Fall'
'Death'
'Horror'
'Sidestep'
'Run Away'
Sentence lineup:

Guillaume Pingard: Guitar / Vocals
Pierre Jean Catez: Guitar / Vocals
Benoit Jean: Bass
Alexandre Vignaud: Drums

More on Sentence at this location.

Quebec-based underground label PRC Music has announced a new addition to its roster of bands, Bergen, Norway's AMONG GODS.
Featuring current and ex-members of SYRACH, ARVAS and VINTERBRIS, Among Gods plays a very heavy and groovy old school death metal with great arrangements and superb vocal lines.

PRC Music is now offering as a free download,'Martyr', the first single from the upcoming self-titled album, to be released in April of 2013.

A limited 12" LP edition will be available from the band directly in January.

Download the first single here. Listen to the track below:
More on Among Gods at this location.

Guelph, Ontario metal outfit WAKELESS has signed with Year Of The Sun Records.

The band’s debut album Desolation Diaries is released today, Tuesday November 27th.

The album was produced by Wakeless bassist Colin Canning and mastered by Jamie King (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, WRETCHED, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT).

A video teaser for the album can be heard below:
Tracklisting is as follows:

‘Lost Alone’
‘Descend Beneath’
‘The Mercy Of Defeat’
‘Defibrillator’
‘The Sound Of Falling Down’
‘Desolation’
‘Scoundrel’
‘Wrong With You’
‘Happy Entrails’

The track 'Lost Alone' can be heard below:

From the one man musical force behind TRILLION RED's Metaphere, comes a shockingly brutal new project, KING CARNAGE.

Lending and restarting from the 1994 occult demo Ligeia: In Death Overshadow Thee, King Carnage is an old school black/death metal band with a new bloody edge. Filth, destruction and slaughter are what you will find.

The Left Hand, purveyor of all things King Carnage, has just released a one song demo called 'Slashing In The Black', as a brief introduction of what is to come. There will be an early 2013 full length LP issued via badGod Music titled Ounce Of Mercy, Pound of Flesh, featuring nine songs in total.

Slashing in the Black Demo Version by King Carnage

"Wake Me Up", the new video from Swedish hard rockers ECLIPSE, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Bleed & Scream", which was released on August 28 via Frontiers Records.

"Bleed & Scream" comes four years after ECLIPSE's acclaimed album "Are You Ready To Rock", which gained the band a solid reputation and a steady following, thanks also to their live appearances which culminated with dates as the opening act for DEEP PURPLE and a Firefest show in 2009.

ECLIPSE singer Erik Martensson has been busy producing and writing a number of successful songs and records for such artists as W.E.T., Toby Hitchcock, GIANT and Jimi Jamison. Erik and ECLIPSE guitarist Magnus Henriksson also wrote the track "Brothers In Arms" (originally an ECLIPSE cut), which was voted the No. 1 song of the year in MelodicRock.com awards for 2009.

In 2011 ECLIPSE regrouped to write what has now become "Bleed & Scream". The bar was set high and the initial goal was to top "Are You Ready To Rock". "We knew we had to do everything better on this album. If we couldn't have achieved that we never would have released it! But boy did it turn out well! When it was taking shape we realized this was to be a monster of an album," says Henriksson.

"With ECLIPSE we never think of what other people want or expect from us," adds Martensson. "We write for ourselves and make the music we love to listen to. If I'd think of a perfect album this is how it will sound! And once the album was written the recording process went pretty smooth as we knew exactly what goal we aimed for. I'd say it's our own pimped version of the classic hard rock we grew up listening to."

"Every song has qualities as a single," concludes Magnus. "Erik's vocals are way better than ever. The guitar sound is just awesome! The whole production is just in your face. It has something for everyone in it! We worked so hard at making this record that it drove us nearly nuts and made us wanna scream, but now it's your turn to bleed and scream."

"Bleed & Scream" track listing:

01. Wake Me Up
02. Bleed & Scream
03. Ain't Dead Yet
04. Battlegrounds
05. A Bitter Taste
06. Falling Down
07. S.O.S.
08. Take Back The Fear
09. The Unspoken Heroes
10. About To Break
11. After The End Of The World

ECLIPSE is:

Erik Martenssom - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Magnus Henriksson - Lead Guitar
Robban Bäck - Drums
Johan Berlin - Synthesizers

Rock legends KISS were the first signing to the late Neil Bogart's then-newly formed Casablanca label after he saw and recognized their talent and showmanship at their spectacular performance at a showcase concert at New York City's Le Tang's Ballet Studio in 1973, offering them a contract on the spot. Now, KISS celebrates their 40th anniversary in 2013 having broken box office records set by THE BEATLES and ELVIS PRESLEY, more than 28 U.S. gold albums, the most gold records for any American rock band, 40 million sales in the U.S. and a total exceeding 100 million worldwide.

In their early years, KISS released a total of 29 singles on seven-inch 45 RPM records for the Casablanca label. These were available for sale to the public, used for commercial radio airplay and to promote album sales. Many of these singles had entirely different mixes, edits and material that didn't appear on their vinyl albums. Now for the first time, these musical snapshots of KISS' formative years, which have never been available in a commemorative singles edition, entitled "The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982", on Mercury/Casablanca/UMe, is available in two box set configurations:

* 29 Seven-Inch Vinyl
* 29 CDs (available through all retail)

In typical KISS fashion, these are no ordinary boxes. The sets are housed in a beautiful die cut shadow box with a limited edition etched silver metal plate and ribbon pull magnetic closure custom KISS 45s box with 26 collectible picture sleeves from original single releases around the world, including Japan, Germany, Holland, Spain and Britain. The vinyl collection also features singles from all four solo albums in purple, blue, red and green vinyl with a mask picture sleeve representing each individual member as originally released in the U.K. Both sets include a booklet which tracks the genesis and chart history of each single represented in the package.

"The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982" covers KISS' remarkable eight-year stay on Bogart's label, from their very first, "Nothin' to Lose" b/w "Love Theme from KISS", from their self-titled debut to their very first charted 45, "Kissin' Time". The band's subsequent string of hits included "Dressed to Kill"'s live version of "Rock and Roll All Nite" (#12 on Billboard's Hot 100), "Destroyer"'s "Shout It Out Loud" (#31) and the Top 10 ballad "Beth", "Rock And Roll Over"'s "Hard Luck Woman" (#15) and "Calling Dr. Love" (#16), "Love Gun"'s "Christeen Sixteen" (#25), Ace Frehley's solo hit, "New York Groove" (#13) and "Dynasty"'s "I Was Made for Lovin' You" (#11).

"Even I haven't heard some of this stuff, but this is all part of our master plan to celebrate KISS at this milestone in our careers," says Gene Simmons. "This box set represents us at the very beginning of our career, and documents the band's early success and subsequent growth."

Adds Paul Stanley: "This collection is meant for the true KISS aficionado. The packaging really captures the development of both our music and image at a very crucial period in the band's history."

The special set comes out a month after the release of "Monster", their 20th studio album. Showing the band at the top of its game, "Monster" embodies all that is KISS and the music that first inspired them to pick up their guitars and flame-throwers and don makeup to entertain millions. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, with longtime members guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, return stronger than ever with their new album to continue the legacy of the spectacular larger-than-life extravaganza, known as, KISS.

A two-minute promotional video for "The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982" can be seen below.

For more information, go this location.

DEATH WOLF (formerly DEVILS WHOREHOUSE), the "horror-death rock" side-project of MARDUK guitarist Morgan Håkansson, will release its new album, "II: Black Armoured Death", in February 2013. The cover artwork for the CD perfectly catches the spirit of DEATH WOLF's music: pale, horrid and stripped down black punk rock.

"II: Black Armoured Death" was recorded at Endarker Studio in Östergötland, Sweden and it includes 13 tracks with a huge variety in sound. Besides the DANZIG-influenced material in the vein of the songs of DEATH WOLF's self-titled debut album, you also get some thrash-induced wrecking balls like the in-your-face cover song with its super-catchy chorus, "Sudden Bloodletter" and "World Serpent". "II: Black Armoured Death" offers a wide musical spectrum in its entirety and will surely be worth a listen for every fan of dark sinister punk rock with a certain metal edge.

"II: Black Armoured Death" track listing:

01. Noche De Brujas
02. World Serpent
03. Lord Of Putrefaction
04. Darkness Of Hel
05. Sudden Bloodletter
06. Malice Striker
07. Night Stalker
08. Luciferian Blood Covenant
09. Black Armoured Death
10. Death Wolf March
11. Little Black Angel
12. Snake Mountain
13. Rothenburg

DEATH WOLF will release a limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single, "Bloodscent", on December 17. The set includes two brand-new tracks that server as a teaser for the second DEATH WOLF full-length album, to be made available in early 2013.

"Bloodscent" will be limited to only 500 hand-numbered copies worldwide and it will contain the following track listing:

Side A:

* Snake Mountain

Side B:

* Sudden Bloodletter

The band's self-titled new album was released in May 2011 via Regain Records/Blooddawn.

DEVILS WHOREHOUSE changed its name to DEATH WOLF (symbolizing the strength, dedication and will shown in its creations) because "the music and philosophy behind the orchestra has outgrown its name," according to a press release.

DEATH WOLF made its live debut in June 2011 at the Wave Gotik Treffen festival in Leipzig, Germany.

DEATH WOLF is:

Morgan - Bass
Makko - Guitar
Maelstrom - Vocals
Hrafn - Drums

For more information, visit www.deathwolf.net.

Greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS have announced the addition of guitarist Chris Tsitsis to the group's ranks. Chris replaces Panos Spanos, which left the band in October.

Commented SUICIDAL ANGELS: "Today is a big day for SUICIDAL ANGELS. It's the day we welcome a new family member, our new guitar hero, Chris!

"The last couple of months we've been through a lot of rough times, but this young wolf has restored balance in the SUICIDAL ANGELS camp.

"Our first shows with Chris will be in South America on January and we're confident that our friends there will welcome him in ways that only the Moshing Crew knows! Europe is next, with a tour yet to be announced.

"For our Greek friends, there's a big-ass poster of the new lineup on this month's Metal Hammer Greece! Check it out and let us know!

"In conclusion, everyone welcome Chris onboard and see you all on the road soon enough!!!"

SUICIDAL ANGELS new lineup:

Nick Melissourgos (vocals, guitar)
Chris Tsitsis (guitar)
Orfeas Tzortzopoulos (drums)
Angel Kritsotakis (bass)

On January 11, NoiseArt Records will reissue SUICIDAL ANGELS' 2007 debut album, "Eternal Domination". The limited digipack will include a bonus CD with the EPs "Bloodthirsty Humanity" and "Armies Of Hell".

The band looks back at the album: "Old times, lack of experience and knowledge, hunger. It was a period that we didn’t know much, we just wanted to play fast, play well and record aggressive riffs! We were very proud by the time the album was done, Colin Davis did a great work mixing it no matter how troublesome the process was. It’s only been five years since the release of 'Eternal Domination' but it feels so far away right now."

The band adds: "A lot of people have been asking for our debut album, saying they can't find it anywhere and it's true. Some of them have even been victims of fraud by buying a supposedly original copy, and getting some cheap bootleg or imitation of the actual thing. So we decided it was about time to put it out there again, so people can know the band's roots and get a more complete image of our evolution so far."

SUICIDAL ANGELS' latest album, "Bloodbath", was released on January 27 via NoiseArt Records. The CD features cover artwork by Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH and DEATH, and who was responsible for the cover to last year's "Dead Again".

Dallas, Texas-based hard rock outfit BRAND NEW MACHINE has inked a deal with Epochal Artist Records for the release of its debut album, tentatively due in March 2013.

The band will hit the road in December as direct support to GUNS N' ROSES on a string of tour dates across Indonesia.

"It is a dream come true for us, especially getting a chance to play with an iconic band like GUNS N' ROSES," says BRAND NEW MACHINE vocalist Brantly Thompson. "BRAND NEW MACHINE and GUNS N' ROSES is a match made in heaven for us. We can't wait to experience these countries and give them a shot of our culture right in the arm. BRAND NEW MACHINE is ready to bring a sleazy rock show to Asia. This is going to be one giant party and we can't wait."

BRAND NEW MACHINE is riding high off the success of the band's current single, "Girls Like You", which began to heat up local radio request lines around Dallas earlier this year. The group's brand of hard rock takes the members' hard-living lifestyle and mixes it with arena-ready rock anthems to create a soundtrack for debauchery.

BRAND NEW MACHINE's explosive live show had label's eager to sign the band and has earned them countless opening slots for national acts.

On December 10, METALLICA will release a live DVD called "Quebec Magnetic" through the band's newly launched Blackened Recordings label. The double DVD and single disc Blu-ray will be available for a price a "very METALLICA fan-friendly" price — suggested retail will be $15.98 for either format. Filmed by Wayne Isham during a two-night stand in October of 2009 in Quebec City, it will be METALLICA's first self-released project. "We just played two really phenomenal shows. They were outrageously great and the audience was great and we had a bunch of people filming it," METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett told Billboard.com. "We felt like we're really doing a disservice just sitting on this great live footage, so we decided to put it out."

"Quebec Magnetic" track listing:

01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. The Four Horsemen
04. The Shortest Straw
05. One
06. Broken, Beat & Scarred
07. My Apocalypse
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. The Judas Kiss
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Battery
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
16. Killing Time
17. Whiplash
18. Seek & Destroy

Bonus songs:

19. For Whom The Bell Tolls
20. Holier Than Thou
21. Cyanide
22. Turn The Page
23. All Nightmare Long
24. Damage, Inc.
25. Breadfan
26. Phantom Lord

The "Master Of Puppets" performance clip from "Quebec Magnetic" can be seen below.

Wayne Isham, 54, is an American movie director who has directed music videos of many popular artists such as MÖTLEY CRÜE, SIMPLE PLAN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, PANTERA, 'N SYNC, SHANIA TWAIN, GODSMACK, BRITNEY SPEARS, LEONA LEWIS, PINK FLOYD, SHERYL CROW, JOSS STONE, MADONNA, AVRIL LAVIGNE, DEF LEPPARD and BON JOVI, among others.

Previous METALLICA videos that were directed by Wayne Isham:

* "Enter Sandman"
* "Wherever I May Roam"
* "Sad But True"
* "Fuel"
* "No Leaf Clover"
* "Nothing Else Matters" (from "S&M")
* "I Disappear"
* "Frantic"
* "Broken, Beat And Scarred"

METALLICA announced on Friday (November 30) that it has taken ownership of all the band's master recordings and long-form videos under a provision of the band's 1994 joint venture agreement with the Warner Music Group. According to that provision — almost unheard of for acts signed to major label contracts — all the masters reverted back to the band as of Friday. Frontman James Hetfield said in a statement, "We would like to thank everyone at the Warner Music Group for 28 years of a fantastic relationship, particularly since 1994 where we truly felt we had partners in every aspect of our business in North America."

The band has also revealed that it is launching its own label, called Blackened Recordings, that will be the new home for all of their recordings and videos, as well as anything else that the band may come up with. All marketing and promotion will be handled by Blackened, with distribution through Rhino Entertainment in North America and the Universal Music Group internationally. Drummer Lars Ulrich said, "Forming Blackened Recordings is the ultimate in independence, giving us 100 percent control and putting us in the driver's seat of our own creative destiny."

Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that METALLICA was long past the point where the band needed a corporate record label to support it. "The great thing about being in a band like us is that we're in a position to bypass the record company," he said. "Basically record companies act like banks. And when you don't need the bank element of a record company, then you can kind of do it yourself."

METALLICA is also working on a 3D feature film for release next summer, as well as a new studio album that should surface in early 2014.

Since the release of the band's debut album, "Devil's Messenger", earlier this year, Riverside, California's THE DEVASTATED has stayed busy on the road playing dates with FEAR FACTORY, SHADOWS FALL, THE BROWNING and more. Now, the group has teamed up with StuffYouWillHate.com to premiere a previously unreelased song, "Grate Minds", recorded during the "Devil's Messenger" sessions. Check it out using the SoundCloud player below.

In other news, THE DEVASTATED has announced the addition of bassist David Sittig (IMPENDING DOOM) to the group's ranks. The band states, "David has been a close friend of ours for many years and we are proud to have him aboard."

Sittig will make his live debut with THE DEVASTATED during the band's holiday mini-tour December 27-30 with POLARIZATION and WRATH OF VESUVIUS.

"Devil's Messenger" featured a guest appearance by SUICIDE SILENCE frontman Mitch Lucker in the song "Spit Vitriol".

"Objetofilia Platónica", the new video from Portuguese masters of gore HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's third full-length album, "Gorefilia", which was released in April via Xtreem Music (in Portugal, the CD was made available through Raging Planet Records and Raising Legends Productions). The 18-song effort was recorded at 213 Studios in Portugal and was mixed and mastered at Hertz Studio (BEHEMOTH, VADER, KRONOS, DECAPITATED, ABORTED) in Bialystok, Poland.

According to a press release, "Gorefilia" showcases HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL's more brutal and intense, songwriting, with songs varying from one to three minutes without fillers, [with] influences from bands like ABORTED, CANNIBAL CORPSE, early DERANGED, NAPALM DEATH, SUFFOCATION, CARCASS."

HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL previously described "Gorefilia" as a "concept album [which] involves sexual arousal and gratification towards sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. As always, you can expect self-torture, bizarre love and loads of sperm tainted with blood. Musically, some big changes are expected; however, the band is still committed to death metal and grind."