Montreal technical death metallers DERELICT have made their new track ‘Yours To Surpass’ available for free download via their Bandcamp page.

Vocalist Eric Burnet commented: "'Yours To Surpass' is about personal strength and determination. Metal is typically very angry music, but we got a little tired of letting our negative emotions feed themselves, and so this song seeks to turn anger into personal power. You're only helpless if you let yourself be."

A live video of ‘Yours To Surpass’ from the Perpetuation album launch show in Montreal, can be seen below:
‘Yours To Surpass’ comes off the band's new album entitled Perpetuation, released independently on April 20th.
Derelict recently announced the addition of guitarist Simon Cléroux (THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND) and bassist Xavier Sperdouklis (ex-VENGEFUL) to their permanent lineup.

After years of holding out, Anglo-Australian hard rockers AC/DC have made their entire catalog available in digitial form through iTunes.

AC/DC's selection includes the "Complete Set" for $149.99, "Studio Collection" for $99.99, ringtones, "Live At River Plate", as well as individual albums.

AC/DC had previously rejected iTunes distribution in an attempt to preserve the concept of the album.

"Since iTunes came into existence, we've actually increased our back-catalog sales without being on the site. We were sternly warned by our management team and our record label that the complete opposite would be the case," guitarist Angus Young said in an interview.

"I know THE BEATLES have changed but we're going to carry on like that," Angus told Sky News. "For us, it's the best way. We are a band who started off with albums and that's how we've always been. We always were a band that if you heard something [by AC/DC] on the radio, well, that's only three minutes. Usually the best tracks were on the albums."

Speaking to The Telegraph in a 2008, Young said, "If we were on iTunes, we know a certain percentage of people would only download two or three songs from the album — and we don't think that represents us musically."

"Maybe I'm just being old-fashioned, but this iTunes, God bless 'em, it's going to kill music if they're not careful," singer Brian Johnson told Reuters. "It's a...monster, this thing. It just worries me. And I'm sure they're just doing it all in the interest of making as much... cash as possible. Let's put it this way, it's certainly not for the... love, let's get that out of the way right away."

AC/DC will release "Live At River Plate" on November 20 as a the three-disc red vinyl or a two-CD set featuring multiple covers and a 24-page booklet. The live record follows last year's "Live At River Plate" DVD, filmed during their three triumphant Buenos Aires concerts on the "Black Ice" world tour, in December of 2009 in front of nearly 200,000 fans.

"Hard Times", the new video from hardcore/metal veterans VISION OF DISORDER (a.k.a. V.O.D.), can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "The Cursed Remain Cursed", which was released on September 18 (one day earlier in Europe) via Candlelight Records. The CD was produced by Will Putney (SHADOWS FALL, SUICIDE SILENCE) and mixed by Cameron Webb (MOTÖRHEAD, SOCIAL DISTORTION).

Several artists were considered for "The Cursed Remain Cursed"; the band looking for images that would reflect the near four years of intense work that comprised the making of the album. It was the vision of East Anglia-based illustrator Tom Bates that struck the right chord with the band in making the final selection. Guitarist Mike Kennedy says, "Some of the best album covers, like SOUNDGARDEN's 'Badmotorfinger' and FAITH NO MORE's 'Angel Dust', say everything and nothing at the same time. We felt like Tom's art really impacted us profoundly in that way. None of us were thinking in that direction yet as soon as we saw it, the band unanimously wanted it on the cover."

Lyrical inspiration for "The Cursed Remain Cursed", as detailed by vocalist Tim Williams, came from a personal place. "There was a lot going on in my life at the time we began writing songs for the record and I had a lot to reflect upon," he reveals. "Looking back over the past few years, I have had to make some difficult decisions. There were things that needed to change. Some things die quietly, while other things take years to pass.. Your life is what you make of it, to live is to learn." He adds, "Some songs came very easy, like 'Skullz Out'. Songs like 'Loveless' and 'Set To Fail' took a little bit more effort because they were already saying something musically, so I had to work extra hard to push the vocal over the top."

"The Cursed Remain Cursed" track listing:

01. Loveless
02. Set To Fail
03. Blood Red Sun
04. Hard Times
05. Annihilator
06. Skullz Out (Rot In Pieces)
07. The Enemy
08. The Seventh Circle
09. New Order of Ages
10. Be Up On It
11. Heart And Soul

VISION OF DISORDER's current lineup includes singer Tim Williams, guitarists Matt Baumbach and Mike Kennedy, Fleischmann and drummer Brendon Cohen.

The band's last studio album, "From Bliss to Devastation", came out in 2001 via TVT Records.

VISION OF DISORDER toured with some of metal's biggest names during the late 1990s — including PANTERA, BLACK SABBATH, TYPE O NEGATIVE, ANTHRAX and BAD BRAINS — before calling it quits in 2001, and then reuniting in 2008.

The official lyric video for the song "Running Away" from Swedish hard rockers BULLET can be seen below. The track comes off the band's fourth album, "Full Pull", which was released in North America on September 25 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gutterview Recorders in Solna, Sweden with producers Nicke Andersson (HELLACOPTERS, ENTOMBED) and Fred Estby (DISMEMBER).

"Full Pull" track listing:

01. Midnight Oil
02. Full Pull
03. Running Away
04. All Fired Up
05. Rolling Home
06. In The Heat
07. High On The Hog
08. Rush Hour
09. Freeriding
10. Gutterview
11. Warriors

Bonus track:

12. Get On

A single, "Full Pull", was released on July 13 via Nuclear Blast Records. The single was made available digitally and on vinyl, with various colors.

The track listing is as follows:

Side A: "Full Pull"
Side B: "Get On"

BULLET's third full-length album "Highway Pirates", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 3.

Finnish dark metallers HANGING GARDEN will release their third album, "At Every Door", on January 28 in Europe and February 5 in North America via Lifeforce Records.

Musically, the CD "has much more variety than the previous two, combining influences from CULT OF LUNA all the way to SIGUR ROS," according to a press release. "When it comes to lyrical themes, HANGING GARDEN has always been about dystopic visions of the ouroborean fate that quite likely awaits man. Before, Matti Reinola was mostly responsible for the lyrics, but on this album they were mostly done by Toni [Toivonen, vocals]."

Says Toni: "Continuing the lyrical themes that have been prevalent on the first two albums came quite naturally for me. This album concentrates on different stories, protagonists and viewpoints of what might come after, should our future take a turn for the worse and end in cataclysmic consequences that spring from our actions. As the music, the lyrical atmosphere is likewise quite sombre, with a few glimpses of lighter tones. A great influence for myself came from a lengthy trip to the Far East, and visiting some sites that have once witnessed great destruction and human suffering. Thus, intertextuality is present here, but I'll leave it for the listener to discover."

A teaser for the new album is available below.

HANGING GARDEN is:

Jussi Kirves - Bass
Jussi Hämäläinen - Guitar, Vocals
Mikko Kolari - Guitar
Antti Ruokola - Drums
Toni Toivonen - Vocals
Nino Hynninen - Keyboards

"Vertikal", the new studio album from Swedish "art rockers" CULT OF LUNA, will be released in Europe on January 25 via Indie Recordings and in the U.S. on January 29, 2013 through Density Records. In addition to the regular CD, there will be released a limited edition of "Vertikal", including one bonus track. The vinyl will also be available through Back On Black.

"Vertikal" track listing:

01. The One (02:16)
02. I: The Weapon (09:24)
03. Vicarious Redemption (18:51)
04. The Sweep (03:09)
05. Synchronicity (07:13)
06. Mute Departure (09:08)
07. Disharmonia 00:45)
08. In Awe Of (09:56)
09. Passing Through (06:03)
10. The Flow Reversed (limited-edition bonus track)

According to a press release, "Vertikal" marks a much-anticipated return for the band after five years spent cultivating the ideas and directing the influences that have helped form a concept for the album. Distilled throughout are themes of machinery, repetition and clear, linear structures honed to the visual imagery of Fritz Lang's classic expressionist science fiction film "Metropolis". The music broods, builds and boils as you may expect from CULT OF LUNA, but never overcomplicates itself or veers from its intentions; it is arguably their finest and most cohesive piece of work to date.

Commented the band: "Before we started writing, we were keen to find a theme that in a very direct way could be shown through the music, and we hope to have achieved this. We developed clear structures — very linear, refusing to over complicate the writing process.

"We realize fans have been waiting for what seems like an age for us to return to the live arena properly, but we were not keen on playing shows before we had the new material ready. There have been changes, and we wanted to come back on our own terms with something completely new. It is very important for us to transpose the idea of a new album into the live setting, to not tread water, and to include the fans in what we’ve been working on; you will be hearing this very soon."

CULT OF LUNA will return to the live arena for a full European tour, with a new set of dates just announced in April and May in addition to the previously announced period around the album's release in January and February. There are U.S. dates being planned and the band intend to tour further in late 2013.

CULT OF LUNA released a hardback book/audiobook called "Eviga Riket" on February 23, 2010 via C.O.L Press. According to the band, the book is "a short story covering the life and times of Mr. Holger Nilsson, the full story behind the 'Eternal Kingdom' [CULT OF LUNA's latest album] theme. The book will be bilingual, written in Swedish and translated into English. The narrated versions of this short story is accompanied by newly written CULT OF LUNA pieces and soundscapes."

CULT OF LUNA's DVD, "Fire Was Born", was released in April 2009 via Earache Records). Along with an epic live show recorded on July 1, 2008 at Scala in London, England, the disc — which was mixed, edited and designed by the band — features footage of mainman Johannes Persson and Anders Teglund (keyboards) answering questions from fans all around the world and the videos for "The Watchtower", "Leave Me Here" and "Back To Chapel Town".

Italian metallers ECHOTIME have inked a deal with logic(il)logic Records. The band's debut album, "Genuine", will be released in late December.

According to a press release, ECHOTIME "is inspired and influenced by artists such as DREAM THEATER, SYMPHONY X, KAMELOT, QUEEN, Ronnie James Dio, Jorn Lande, PAIN OF SALVATION, CIRCUS MAXIMUS and WINGER. It tries to create a personal sound, different from progressive and metal cliché and contaminated by pop, rock, latin and funk styles, influenced by soundtracks from action and adventure movies, with a unique attention to arrangements and sounds. With its music, strength, energy, the costumes used to perform and the catchy atmospheres, the band involves the audience and drags it to ECHOTIME's world!"

ECHOTIME is:

Alex "Kage" Cangini - Vocals
Federico "Face" Fazi - Drums
Andrea "Bana" Anastasi - Guitar
Stefano "Ego" Antonelli - Bass
Filippo " Phil" Martignano - Keyboards

The self-titled new album from Canadian extreme metallers CRYPTOPSY is being released in the U.S. today (Tuesday, November 20) via Cryptopsy/Defen Society in association with Revolution Harmony/Candlelight Records. The cover artwork for "Cryptopsy" was created by Mircea Gabriel Eftemie (MNEMIC) and can be seen below.

"Cryptopsy" track listing:

01. Two-Pound Torch
02. Shag Harbour's Visitors
03. Red-Skinned Scapegoat
04. Damned Draft Dodgers
05. Amputated Enigma
06. The Golden Square Mile
07. Ominous
08. Cleansing The Hosts

You can now stream the entire CD using the SoundCloud player below.

CRYPTOPSY in January tapped bassist Olivier Pinard (NEURAXIS, VENGEFUL) as the replacement for guitarist-turned-bassist Youri Raymond.

Raymond left CRYPTOPSY in December, explaining in a statement that "it's in the best interest of both the band and I to part ways." He added, "As a musician, moving from guitar to bass was a great challenge, but honestly, I never really felt comfortable in that position and my motivation in general was stagnating."

Lead guitarist and songwriter Jon Levasseur rejoined CRYPTOPSY in May 2011.

"The Unspoken King", CRYPTOPSY's sixth full-length and first to feature new vocalist Matt McGachy, was released on June 24, 2008.

A 2-CD best-of collection from CRYPTOPSY, featuring demo and live recordings as well as three exclusive new tracks (written with Youri Raymond and Eric Langlois), was released on November 12 in Europe and is being made available on November 20 in North America via Century Media. Entitlted "The Best Of Us Bleed", the set comes with extensive new liner notes written by Decibel magazine's Adrien Begrand. The cover artwork was created by Toshihiro Egawa (SUICIDE SILENCE, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS).

CRYPTOPSY is:

Flo Mounier: Drums/Vocals
Jon Levasseur: Lead, Rythm guitar
Chris Donaldson: Lead Guitar
Matt McGachy: Lead Vocals
Olivier Pinard: Bass Guitar

NIGHTWISH's long-awaited "Imaginaerum" film — based on the band's album of the same name — will be released theatrically in Finland on November 23.

The movie had its premiere on November 10 at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, where the audience was treated to both a full-scale NIGHTWISH concert and the first-ever public screening of the movie.

The "Imaginaerum" screening at Hartwall Arena waspreceded by a show by the musicians in NIGHTWISH themselves in what was their last concert in Finland this year.

Professionaly filmed video footage of NIGHTWISH performing the song "I Want My Tears Back" at the Hartwall Arena can be seen below.

The official soundtrack of the movie, "Imaginaerum By Nightwish: The Score", was released on the day before the premiere — Friday, November 9. The album features 13 grandiose, unreleased re-interpretations of "Imaginaerum" tracks by Petri Alanko.

Eagerly anticipated around the world, "Imaginaerum" creates a musical fantasy world in the vein of David Lynch, Neil Gaiman, and Cirque du Soleil. The movie is an innovative mixture of story-telling and music, an extraordinary tale of the power of imagination… and what's ultimately important in life.

Shot and post-produced in Canada, the movie was directed by Stobe Harju and produced by Solar Films, and features appearances by all NIGHTWISH members. The screenplay is based on a wild vision that Tuomas Holopainen, the mastermind of the band, devised after the album "Dark Passion Play" came out in 2007.

Dutch singer Floor Jansen (REVAMP, ex-AFTER FOREVER) made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on October 1 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington.

Jansen is handling lead-vocal duties on all of NIGHTWISH's currently scheduled tour dates after the group parted ways with Anette Olzon at the end of September.

"A Tomb For The Haunted", the new album from Mexico's AGONY LORDS, will be released on November 26 via Chaos Records. The concept effort consisting of 10 dark chapters extracted directly from the crypt will be made available as a six-panel digipak with a 24-page booklet that includes artwork, history and lyrics for each track. A special limited edition version (500 copies) will also be released and includes bonus track "The Torture Never Stops" (W.A.S.P. cover) and an exclusive bonus DVD with official videos; photo gallery; biography; the making of "The Spirit In The Tower" video; official bootlegs; and "Unions" recording sessions from 1992.

After a decade in the shadows, AGONY LORDS returns with its most fully realized effort, one anchored in dark and powerful melodies and a mighty melo-death punch that in combination can only be termed "graveyard occult metal."

"A Tomb For The Haunted" track listing:

01. Enter The Mausoleum
02. Raising The Occult
03. Dead Eyes
04. The Spirit In The Tower
05. Emily
06. Witches Board
07. Writer Of The Dead
08. The Phantom Boo
09. The Tree Of The Hange
10. A Tomb For The Haunted
11. Torture Never Stops (W.A.S.P.) (limited-edition exclusive bonus track)

"Feed On", the new video from Raleigh, North Carolina legends CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new EP, "Megalodon", which was released on November 13 via Scion Audio/Visual, (a.k.a. Scion A/V), the in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division of the Scion marque produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market.

"Megalodon" track listing:

01. Feed On
02. Priest Brains
03. The Megalodon
04. Strong Medicine Too Late
05. The Vulture

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist Woody Weatherman stated about "Megalodon", "We did that in our hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, which is kind of nice, to be able to hang around in town and not have to go out somewhere, go to L.A. or New York. Sometimes it's nice to record at home. You get a little better vibe. Plus I got to use all of my own gear. So it was fun."

Candlelight Records has just re-released CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's "Eye For An Eye". This special reissue has been remastered/packaged and includes the EP "Six Songs With Mike Singing". Both titles have been out of print for years. It follows the successful release of the band's self-titled album earlier this year. A deluxe digibook edition of the album, limited to 1000 for North America, is available at limited retailers and via Candlelight's official webstore. The digibook version includes extended liner notes and a rare pictorial gallery.

Formed in Raleigh in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY quickly transformed heavy music. Politically charged and socially aware, the band has influenced countless others and today remains humble about their accomplishments. With over 1.1 million albums sold in the United States, the band continues to find new fans via nonstop touring.

TWISTED SISTER have confirmed that they will be doing Christmas shows to benefit those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
The first show is scheduled for December 16th at at the Emporium in Patchouge, New York. More dates to be announced soon.

CBS MInnesota recently reported:

Twisted Sister is known for their big hair, flashy makeup, catchy lyrics and stage antics. But to Cody Allen and Wesley Kaake, they are now a threat to their business.

“I cried. I really did. I was just in shock,” said Kaake, owner of the Twisted Sister House Of Hunger food truck.

The House of Hunger is known for their deep-fried hot dogs and Philly sandwiches. In July, Kaake received a cease and desist letter from the band’s guitarist and manager, J.J. French, and his attorney.

“It is the opinion of our client, with which we concur, that your use of the name Twisted Sister will cause dilution of our client’s famous mark and will cause confusion among consumers,” the letter read.

“They want us to pull all existence of ourselves from the Internet, all advertising,” Kaake said. “It’s a big list of demands.”

Read more at CBS MInnesota.

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of MEMORY GARDEN, the Sweden-based doom metal band featuring former ABSKTRAKT ALGEBRA and current WOLF guitarist Simon Johansson. The group has jst completed recordings its as-yet-untitled new album for an early 2013 release. The CD is being mixed by acclaimed Swedish producer and multi-instrumentalist Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA, DISSECTION).

Comments the band: "We are back where we belong! MEMORY GARDEN and Metal Blade Records are finally back together and we are really excited to be a part of the family again and to have them release our new album. The album is almost finished and will be mixed by Dan Swanö for an early 2013 release so better be prepared for another massive dose of Swedish heavy doom metal!"

MEMORY GARDEN was formed in 1992 in Sweden and has since then released four albums, two of them under the flag of Metal Blade Records ("Verdict Of Posterity" in 1998 and "Mirage" in 2000).

MEMORY GARDEN is:

Stefan Berglund – Vocals
Simon Johansson – Lead Guitars
Andreas Mäkelä – Guitars
Johan Fredrikson – Bass Guitar
Tom Björn – Drums

"Not Alone", a brand new song from Los Angeles metallers THROWN INTO EXILE, can be streamed on the band's Facebook page. The track comes off the group's self-titled EP, which is due in early 2013. DEVILDRIVER guitarist Mike Spreitzer handled production duties, with MUTINY WITHIN singer Chris Clancy mixing and mastering the song.

Commented guitarist Mario Rubio: "We're excited and proud to finally share our music with everyone.

"In the past year, we've laid the foundation for what THROWN INTO EXILE will become. This is just the beginning."

In just under a year, THROWN INTO EXILE has upped the ante for all area metal bands, appearing on this year's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and Summer Slaughter tours as well as key opening slots with the likes of FEAR FACTORY, SEPULTURA and MORBID ANGEL. They will next appear at the California Metal Fest in San Bernardino, California on November 24.

On December 10, METALLICA will release a live DVD called "Quebec Magnetic". 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

A 33-second teaser trailer for "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"

Pompano Beach, Florida-based hardcore/metal band SHAI HULUD will release its new album, "Reach Beyond The Sun", on February 19, 2013 (one day earlier internationall) via Metal Blade Records. New music and pre-orders will be available on December 10, but for now, fans can sample a portion of a new track in a teaser video below.

"Reach Beyond The Sun", the fourth entry in SHAI HULUD's storied catalog, was produced by current NEW FOUND GLORY guitarist, and notably, vocalist on HULUD's debut LP, "Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion", Chad Gilbert. In addition to producing, Gilbert also returned to sing on the album — his first offering of recorded vocals with the band in over a decade.

Not unlike SHAI HULUD's previous releases, "Reach Beyond The Sun" was born of several years of toiling before ever entering a studio. The band's previous effort, "Misanthropy Pure", a polished, metallic and frenzied piece of masterwork, is contrasted by the much more visceral, instinctively compositional songs found on "Reach Beyond The Sun", an embracement of the raw hardcore/punk elements that sit at the cornerstone of the band's influences. Longtime bass player Mad Matt Fletcher asserts, "Anyone who really knows the band will agree this album is our definitive sound, encompassing all of our different influences and styles." He conclusively reiterates, "Yep, this sounds like SHAI HULUD."

Lyrically, SHAI HULUD continues to evoke deeper thought, and a range of true human emotions practically unique to the band as the modern underground often shies away from depth for fear of the vulnerability of inner exposure. SHAI HULUD affirms "true strength is inviolate" in the song "Monumental Graves", and introspectively queries, "Is ours, indeed, a sunless path to waiting graves we prepare for ourselves?" and "Will we bring our hearts back to life?" in the songs "I, Saturnine" and "A Human Failing", respectively, boldly turning their insides out. Regarding "A Human Failing", a song about a generation willing to turn numb in lieu of a life of pain and feeling, guitar player Matt Fox comments "It's become 'cool' to be cold. No pun intended." In the interest of challenging misinterpreted notions of pessimism, the song "Think The Adder Benign" professes, "No, I do not believe roses only bloom just to conceal the thorns. I merely accept the thorn pricked finger bleeds" while "To Suffer Fools" maintains the band's active frustration and misanthropy, a trait by which SHAI HULUD are notorious: "Pour the salts of acumen straight into the eyes to recondition the mind."

In recording "Reach Beyond The Sun", SHAI HULUD welcomed the vocal talents of accomplished friends from throughout the hardcore community. Fans will note guest vocals from: Jay Pepito (REIGN SUPREME, BLACKLISTED) on "A Human Failing", John Vigil (THE GHOST INSIDE) on "If A Mountain be My Obstacle", Louis Hernandez (ALPHA & OMEGA) on "Man Into Demon", all officially recorded former HULUD vocalists Matt Mazalli, Damien Moyal, and Geert van der Velde on "Medicine to the Dead", as well as additional vocals throughout the album from the likes of Justin Krauss (WITH LIFE IN MIND), Martin Stewart (DONNYBROOK, TERROR), David Wood (DOWN TO NOTHING, TERROR), among others.

Since the release of "Misanthropy Pure" in 2008, SHAI HULUD has toured Europe, Southeast Asia, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Most recently, the band appeared at the Revelation Records' 25th-anniversary shows, both in Los Angeles and New York. Plans are already beginning to unfold for 2013, beginning with SHAI HULUD's trek to Australia for the first time as part of Soundwave 2013, which also features METALLICA, BLINK 182, THE OFFSPRING, SLAYER, and many more. More plans are beginning to unfold in support of "Reach Beyond The Sun", which will invariably see HULUD performing in front of more fans, new and old, than ever before.

Napalm Records has set a February 5, 2013 North American release date for "Solarflesh", the new album from Polish extreme metallers HATE. The follow-up to 2010's "Erebos" was recorded at Sound Division Studio in Warsaw with Filip "Heinrich" Halucha (VESANIA, DECAPITATED) and Arek "Malta" Malczewski (BEHEMOTH's sound guy). The CD was mixed at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland with producers Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawski (DECAPITATED, VADER).

"Solarflesh" track listing:

01. Watchful Eye Of Doom
02. Eternal Might
03. Alchemy Of Blood
04. Timeless Kingdom
05. Festival Of Slaves
06. Sadness Will Last Forever
07. Solarflesh
08. Endless Purity
09. Mesmerized
10. Hatehammer (limited-edition bonus track)
11. Venom (limited-edition bonus track)
12. Fall Of All Icons (limited-edition bonus track)

Commented HATE guitarist/vocalist Adam "ATF Sinner" Buszko: "I believe 'Solarflesh' is the most insane and haunting record we've done thus far. It's nothing but pure darkness… We're extremely satisfied with this 61-minute monster (12 songs) that we've put to life. Now we're working on a documentary about creation of 'Solarflesh', its ideological sides, the band's history, touring etc. It's going to be much more than just a studio report. We want it to be an in-depth interview revealing some unknown facts, hidden meanings etc. I'm sure people will find it interesting."

Buszko previously stated about "Solarflesh": "On this album we definitely explore new territories and push the boundaries of this beautiful and sick genre to its absolute limits! The material contains 12 collages. Most of them are insanely fast (270 bpm). Others are groovy, trance-like mantras that seem to haunt you forever. They all have rich background of samples and other elements that make them sound multidimensional. We also have several dark, ambient compositions that seem like complete avantgarde. I've been working on them with Michal Staczkun, the guy who did excellent job on our previous album, 'Erebos'. We are also working on a few songs with Androniki Skoula, a singer from Greece, known for her involvement in the band CHAOSTAR, as well as collaboration with SEPTICFLESH and ROTTING CHRIST. She's adding some 'Hellenic' flair to the songs that makes them even more elaborate."

Check out photos from the studio at this location.

"Injected", the new video from ANNIHILATED, the Los Angeles-based death metal band featuring current ABYSMAL DAWN drummer Scott Fuller, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Matt Zane (SOCIETY 1) who is no stranger to pushing the envelope, both on stage and off.

Zane, who has previously directed videos for Wayne Static and the recently reformed ORGY, stated: "I wanted to make a video that followed the speed and intensity of death metal. It always seemed to me that most death metal videos were edited to slow for the music."

The finished product is a seizure-inducing music video with 4,508 cuts in just under four minutes. The clip took just 12 hours to shoot, but another "seven days total to edit," according to Zane. "It wasn't difficult keeping up with the kick drum, just time-consuming," he explained. "Being in sync with all the stops and drum patterns was more challenging. It's crazy to think that in certain parts of the video almost 100 images are passing every four seconds. The band asked if we should issue a warning for people who are prone to seizures."

Metal Hell Records has announced the signing of SCREAMING SAVIOR.

Hailing from Shanghai China, SCREAMING SAVIOR performs epic and symphonic black metal with a huge and dynamic sound.

The band has released two full-length albums so far, "Eclipse Of The Dark Lunar" and "Infinity", as well as an EP, "Ocean Of Asura".

SCREAMING SAVIOR's first release through Metal Hell will be the band's obscure 2012 China-only album "Infinity" plus two bonus tracks for CD, remixed and remastered for the U.S. with all-new artwork and a full-color T-shirt.

The "Infinity" U.S. remix should be out in early 2013 prior to the release of SCREAMING SAVIOR's third album.

Original GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin has released a new single, "Baby-Rann". It features Izzy on guitar and vocals, bassist J.T. Longoria, JU JU HOUND guitarist Rick Richards and ex-REVEREND HORTON HEAT drummer Taz Bentley. The video below was edited by Ed Shiers and filmed earlier this month at Oceanway Studios in Hollywood, California.

Stradlin's last two iTunes-only albums, "Smoke" (December 2009) and "Wave Of Heat" (July 2010) featured guest appearances by Stradlin's former GUNS N' ROSES bandmate Duff McKagan (bass).

In 2010, Stradlin appeared as a guest on his former GN'R bandmate Slash's first solo album. He performs rhythm guitar on the first track, "Ghost".

Both Izzy and GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose skipped the band's April 2012 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Stradlin issued a statement the week before the induction, thanking his bandmates, the Hall Of Fame for "the acknowledgment of our works over the years," and the fans who "have supported GUNS N' ROSES from day one."

Zyon Cavalera, the 19-year-old son of SOULFLY mainman Max Cavalera, will join the band as its touring drummer for their next rampage through North America in early 2013.

Zyon, who is also a member of LODY KONG, previously played with SOULFLY during the band's tour of Brazil in February 2012.

It is Zyon's unborn heartbeat that can be heard during the intro of SEPULTURA's classic song "Refuse/Resist", which appeared on the band's RIAA-gold-certified "Chaos A.D." album, released three years before Max's departure from the group.

Video footage of Zyon playing SOULFLY's "Prophecy" can be seen below.

Drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), who played on SOULFLY's latest album, "Enslaved", left the band last month in order to focus on his personal life.

"Enslaved" sold 5,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 82 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Omen", opened with 6,000 units in June 2010 to land at No. 73.

"Enslaved" was released on March 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at TallCat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, the seasoned knob twiddler behind some of the most notable bands in metal today, such as SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and more.

Swedish progressive metallers OPETH have made their brand new glassware available via the band's official webstore.

Five different glasses are available for purchase:

* 29cl tall beer glasses
* 50cl tall beer glasses
* Drinks glasses
* Shot glasses
* Whiskey glasses

OPETH's new album, "Heritage", sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous studio CD, 2008's "Watershed", opened with more than 19,000 units to land at No. 23.

"Watershed" was the follow-up to the band's acclaimed "Ghost Reveries" CD, which debuted at No. 64 on the Billboard chart back in September 2005 with first-week sales of just under 15,000.

OPETH's 2003 album, "Damnation", premiered with a little over 5,000 copies.

Greek symphonic metallers NIGHTFALL have launched a landing page featuring the artwork and a new song off their upcoming album, "Cassiopeia". Go to this location to check out the pre-order possibilities and the lyric video for "Oberon & Titania".

NIGHTFALL singer Efthimis Karadimas stated about the "Cassiopeia" concept: "'Cassiopeia' has a specific thesis and though its name is linked to both the constellation and the mythical character of Andromeda's mother, it refers to arrogance as leading characteristic of the human race; the outcome of this and the overweening state of affairs are so popular these harsh days everywhere. The entire world seems to be shifting from its previous position to a new one and all and each one of us that used to feel like masters of our destiny are now starting to wonder about when, where and how this transition will end. It may be a punishment like Cassiopeia and Andromeda who claimed themselves more beautiful even to nereids suffered, or it may be just another change. Time will certainly tell."

Regarding "Oberon & Titania", Karadimas said: "The song is based on Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer's Night Dream' couple; He is the king of fairies and she is the fairy queen. Despite their apparent close relationship, they end up forcefully using their powers and skills against each other; like maniacs blinded by light of passion and haughtiness they drag themselves to the lowest dungeons of nature. It is the ceaseless passion between two beings; passion that unites before it destroys anything around it once unleashed. It is true we are nothing when it comes to sustaining our gratefulness in front of desire. We are born broken in a dilute world poets' admiration cannot disguise. And none can break the broken."

"Cassiopeia" will be released on January 18, 2013 via Metal Blade Records in Europe. The recordings for the CD took place in four different places, something NIGHTFALL is quite familiar with. Vocals and keys were recorded in Greece (Soundflakes studios and Cyberia) while the drums got hammered down in Germany in the Soundlodge studios. Guitars and bass were recorded in the U.S. in Nashville, Tennessee in the Boomcave studios.

More than on the previous album, "Astron Black & The Thirty Tyrants", in "Cassiopeia" the spirit of old-school heavy metal larks in almost every riff, with MERCYFUL FATE's and KING DIAMOND's guitar style having its top notch, always the NIGHTFALL way.

"Cassiopeia" track listing:

01. Phaethon
02. Oberon & Titania
03. Colonize Cultures
04. The Nightwatch
05. Stellar Parallax
06. Hubris
07. The Reptile Gods
08. Hyperion
09. Akhenaton, The 9th Pharaoh Of The 18th Dynasty
10. The Sand Reckoner
11. Astropolis

NIGHTFALL is:

Efthimis Karadimas - Vocals
Evan Hensley - Guitar
Constantine - Guitar
Stathis Ridis - Bass
Stathis Kassios - Keyboards
Jörg Uken - Drums

Past and present members of FROST, PAIN OF SALVATION, THRESHOLD, DARKWATER and the Neal Morse band have joined forces in ALPHA FLOOD. The idea for this project originated in the mind of Dec Burke, former vocalist and guitar player of FROST and DARWIN'S RADIO.

"I had the desire to form a band that would combine modern progressive rock and metal elements with more song-oriented music," Burke explains. "And when time and opportunity presented itself to work with some world-class musicians that I have respected and admired for many years, I went all in."

First on board was Collin Leijenaar, longtime touring drummer for Neal Morse.

"While I was finishing my AFFECTOR album, Dec called to ask if I would be interested in joining his new band," says Collin. "Being a fan of Dec's music, I jumped in without hesitating."

Kristoffer Gildenlöw (ex-PAIN OF SALVATION), Simon Andersson (DARKWATER) and Richard West (THRESHOLD) soon followed to complete the lineup.

Says Richard: "I wasn’t looking to join another band, but when I heard the music, it was so compellingly beautiful that I couldn't resist." Simon adds: "To be asked to form a band with these musicians was a true honour. Years ago, I used to play along to their songs, imagining how it would be to be in a band with them. And now here we are. I'm thrilled!"

Adds Dec: "As soon as we started writing music together it was obvious that there's an awesome chemistry between us. And rest assured, this is not a one-album project, but a band that's here to stay!"

ALPHA FLOOD is currently in the studio recording its debut album for a 2013 release.

Kristoffer says: "We can't wait to bring this music to the stage and kick some serious ass!"

ALPHA FLOOD is:

Dec Burke - Vocals, Guitar
Kristoffer Gildenlöw - Bass
Richard West - Keyboards
Simon Andersson - Guitar
Collin Leijenaar - Drums

Photo credit: Tom Barnes

Regina, Saskatchewan-based Canadian extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY earlier in the year tapped Amanda Kiernan of the Edmonton, Alberta-based metal band THE ORDER OF CHAOS as their new touring vocalist. Kiernan took over from Stu Block, who was hired away last year by American metallers ICED EARTH, leaving INTO ETERNITY without a full-time singer.

Commented INTO ETERNITY founder and guitarist Tim Roth: "We have been demoing new music at Justin Bender's home studio and things are sounding really epic! Stu was over recording some killer death vocals and harmony vocals to a new song called 'Devoured By Sarcopenia'. Amanda will be recording on the new song when she gets down as well, so we are excited to hear her on all the new songs! So far the new track is over seven minutes long and will go down as a personal favorite."

INTO ETERNITY played a special, hometown new-album-fundraiser show yesterday (Sunday, November 18) at The Exchange where they performed a special early set of old and new material.

Kiernan made her live debut with INTO ETERNITY on February 24 at the 11th edition of the Manitoba Metalfest at The Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

INTO ETERNITY's signature sound has often been described as a hybrid of latter-day DEATH and CONTROL DENIED, combined with the technical stylings of DREAM THEATER.

INTO ETERNITY's last album, "The Incurable Tragedy", came out in 2008 via Century Media.

According to a post on BLACK SABBATH's official Facebook page, the band's guitarist, Tony Iommi, "is tracking more guitars on the new [SABBATH] album today."

Iommi clarified the status of the band's new CD in an interview with "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show". Although it has been reported that the band has recorded 15 songs, Iommi explained, "That's wrong . . . We've written 15 songs and we've played them all. But now, at the moment, we're recording them. We recorded them at my house first, in England, just as demos, but now we're doing them for real. So we're about six tracks in now, at the moment."

Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler are recording their first album together under the SABBATH name since 1978's "Never Say Die".

The drums on the disc are being handled by Tommy Clufetos, who has replaced founding drummer Bill Ward due to a contractual dispute between Ward and the rest of the group.

Asked if there is any chance of Ward rejoining the band, Iommi said, "We'll always have a heart for Bill, but I think it's gone past that now, because it's gone on so long that I don't see that happening at the moment. Maybe at some point we might [play together again]."

Meanwhile, SABBATH has announced an Australian tour for next April and has also revealed that it will headline the first-ever Japanese version of Ozzfest on May 11-12, with SLIPKNOT also on the bill.

Singer Veronica Freeman and her band BENEDICTUM have been busy working on a new studio album which will be "a complete return to a traditional-but-powerful feel — much like the band's first two [CDs]," according to a press release. Working with the band on the production is Grammy Award nominee and Billboard-charting producer John Herrera and longtime collaborator Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, FOREIGNER), who has just completed his second writing session with Veronica. Craig Goldy (DIO) has been writing with BENEDICTUM as well and there will probably be some vocal duet surprises on the album too. The songwriting team of Pete Wells and Freeman is, however, still in full effect, and with Rikard Stjernquist (JAG PANZER) adding to the mix, there are some powerful great ideas coming to life.

In other news, Veronica is planning to record a solo album which will be released under the moniker THE V. She states, "I had a lot of input and encouragement from Frontiers in the previous months to try and stretch myself with different musical styles and approaches. So I have decided to accept their proposal for a solo album."

Musically, Veronica will be pursuing a much more melodic and hook-friendly direction. John Herrera will also produce this endeavor and there should be some special guests appearing in the writing and performing department, including a song from Jerry Dixon from WARRANT and some bass performances from Brad Lang from Y&T and Jeff Pilson. Pete Wells will also show his other side with some of the music he is contributing to this project. A 2013 release is expected.

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal makes a guest appearance on "LIVE4EVR", a new solo track from HOTEL DIABLO vocalist Rick Stitch. The song, which will be made available on November 27 via iTunes, Amazon and RickStitch.com, will appear on Stitch's forthcoming solo album.

A sample of "LIVE4EVR" can be heard in the YouTube clip below.

"This is the first tune from my album which will drop next year and it's exciting to do something new and be able to bring some old and new friends on board," says Stitch. "I have been a big fan of Bumblefoot's for some time now and his playing seemed like a natural fit for this track. He's really pro and an all-around great guy so it was a great experience having him add his signature style solos to the track. I'm looking forward to more tracks featuring him as well as other great players."

As previously reported, HOTEL DIABLO — the new band featuring guitarist Alex Grossi (QUIET RIOT), vocalist Rick Stitch (LADYJACK, ex-ADLER'S APPETITE), bassist Mike Duda and drummer Mike Dupke (both of W.A.S.P.) — has tapped nine-time Emmy Award-winning and MTV Video Music Award-nominated director Fabio Jafet (PITBULL, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, CHILDREN OF BODOM) to direct the video for the song "Psycho, California". Shooting will take place in December in Los Angeles.

HOTEL DIABLO's "The Return To Psycho, California" was released in September via Scarlet Records. The CD was produced by Gilby Clarke (GUNS N' ROSES, ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA), with additional production by Matt Starr (ACE FREHLEY, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES). "The Return To Psycho, California" is also available digitally via iTunes, Amazon and other online music retailers.

Universal Music has set a December 12 U.K. release date for BLACK SABBATH's "The Vinyl Collection: 1970-1978", a limited-edition box set celebrating the iconic albums featuring the full original BLACK SABBATH lineup.

Details:

* 9×12" LP: full reproductions of the original album releases, remastered from the band's personal archives on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl. Included are the following titles: "Black Sabbath", "Paranoid", "Master Of Reality" (with poster), "Volume 4" (with photo insert book), "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", "Sabotage", "Technical Ecstasy", "Never Say Die", "Live At Last".

* 7" single: featuring the band's debut single, "Evil Woman", and non-album B-side "Wicked World".

* 12" x 12" hard-backed book: containing original tour programs from 1970, 1975, 1976 and 1978.

* Back to BLACK SABBATH download voucher: for easy download of the full set

* Includes an exclusive limited-edition 12×12 print of the box set design. Only 50 prints available.

Pre-orders are currently being accepted at this location.

A two-minute "The Vinyl Collection: 1970-1978" unboxing video can be seen below.

Swedish progressive metallers OPETH performed a special "unplugged" show this past Friday , November 16 at the Union Chapel in London, England.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Heritage
02. Credence
03. In My Time Of Need
04. Häxprocess
05. Var Kommer Barnen In? (HANSSON DE WOLFE UNITED cover)
06. Solitude (BLACK SABBATH cover)
07. Benighted
08. Demon Of The Fall
09. Hope Leaves
10. Atonement
11. Marrow Of The Earth

Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

In a recent interview, OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt stated about where the idea to do an acoustic show came from, "We're constantly looking for new ways to push things forward with the live set. We've done so many, so to speak, run-of-the-mill type of tours, meat-and-potatoes type of tours where we just go up and play our songs. So this is a little bit of an odd thing, which both makes me excited and a bit nervous; I kind of wanna run away and hide. We've never done unplugged shows. I'm not sure if it's gonna be 'unplugged' unplugged; it's just gonna be laid back. But it was out manager, Andy [Farrow of Northern Music Company, who came up with the idea of doing this]. He's constantly working with the band what we can do, and we say 'yes' or 'no.' So this was his idea, because he had done a show there with Devin Townsend before, and said it's a beautiful place and it would really fit our music. And our discography is quite diverse and we can do things like that, so we figure, why not?"

Asked what he enjoys about the live acoustic format, Mikael said, "Well, there's more emotion in our playing, firstly because the volume is lower, and I always felt that singing clean is more… it looks more emotional than when I'm doing full-on metal. We sound really good as a band when we kind of hold back a little bit. We sound good when we play really heavy and fast [as well], but when we play those heavy songs, I kind of tend to listen to what I'm doing as opposed to what we're doing. So when we kind of take it down a little bit, we become more of a band."