The song "Bitch" from punk metal derelicts TOXIC HOLOCAUST will be clawing its way through your speakers during next week's episode of FX drama series "Sons Of Anarchy" (season 5; episode 11).

Comments TOXIC band leader Joel Grind: "We are all excited to announce the inclusion of our song 'Bitch' in the upcoming episode of 'Sons Of Anarchy'. All of us are huge fans of the show and this season especially seems to be upping the ante with each episode."

Tune in to FX on Tuesday, November 20 at 10:00 p.m. EST/PST to check it out.

"Sons Of Anarchy" is based on the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club from a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on then-vice president Jackson "Jax" Teller (Charlie Hunnam), who begins questioning the club and himself. "Sons Of Anarchy" premiered in the fall of 2008 and has since become FX's highest rated series ever.

"Bitch" comes off TOXIC HOLOCAUST's mercilessly abrasive "Conjure And Command" full-length, released last year via Relapse Records. The record, which Revolver praised for its "nuclear reactive riffage and Repo Man punk attitude," continues to reap critical hails.

"Conjure And Command" is available across several formats including a limited edition, deluxe CD and DVD set that includes a full TOXIC HOLOCAUST live show.

"Bulldozing It True", a new DVD from the Japanese heavy metal cult act METALUCIFER, will be released on November 23 via Iron Pegasus Records.

The band was formed in 1995 as a side project of Gezol, mainman of the legendary Japanese black metal act SABBAT, and quickly gained an incredible reputation and respect in the heavy metal underground. Their albums such as "Heavy Metal Drill", "Heavy Metal Chainsaw" and "Heavy Metal Bulldozer" already have cult status, while their song "Heavy Metal Hunter" became unofficial anthem of all heavy metal collectors around the world.

"Bulldozing It True" was recorded live at the Keep It True festival (professional soundboard recording, multiple camera shoot), by an ultimate METALUCIFER lineup featuring Gezol, and current and former members of SABBAT, DESASTER, GORGON, MIDNIGHT RIDER and METAL INQUISITOR. The disc includes lot of bonus features such as rehearsal recordings, clips from other shows, etc. The set will be available as special DVD + LP or DVD + CD package.

U.K. hard rockers HEAVEN'S BASEMENT will release their debut album, "Filthy Empire", in North America on February 5, 2013 via Red Bull Records. The follow-up to the independently released "Unbreakable" EP was produced by John Feldmann (THE USED, PAPA ROACH, BLACK VEIL BRIDES). The video for the CD's first single, "Fire, Fire", was directed by Michael Maxxis (OURS, SUM 41, OUR LADY PEACE), and can be viewed below.

"Filthy Empire" track listing:

01. Welcome Home
02. Fire, Fire
03. Nothing Left To Lose
04. When The Lights Go Out In London
05. I Am Electric
06. The Long Goodbye
07. Heartbreaking Son of a Bitch
08. Be Somebody
09. Can't Let Go
10. The Price We Pay
11. Jump Back
12. Executioner's Day

HEAVEN'S BASEMENT has been making a name for itself overseas via their relentless touring and fiery live show plus music that features huge guitar riffs, killer melodies and an arena-rock sound. The band is currently on tour as support for HALESTORM in Europe and will then hit the road to support SEETHER later this year, also in Europe.

Originally formed in the East Midlands in England in 2007 (although the band's current lineup came together more recently in 2009), HEAVEN'S BASEMENT has already toured with the likes of BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, SHINEDOWN, and more and played this year's Download festival in the U.K. to a packed tent of more than 5,000 fans. Kerrang! magazine declared, "HEAVEN'S BASEMENT play as if their lives depend on it. They should already be a big name — bristling riffs and jagged, riotous hooks are their poison and exceptional is not too strong a word."

HEAVEN'S BASEMENT is Aaron Buchanan (vocals), Sid Glover (guitar), Rob Ellershaw (bass), and Chris Rivers (drums).

The official lyric video for "Power & Volume", the title track of the forthcoming debut album from FREE FALL, the Swedish rock band featuring guitarist Mattias Bärjed (SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES) and drummer Ludwig Dahlberg (THE [INTERNATIONAL] NOISE CONSPIRACY), can be seen below.

"Power & Volume" will be released in early 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records.

On November 30, the "Power & Volume" song will be made available as a seven-inch single on black (retail version) and white vinyl (Nuclear Blast mailorder only) as well as digitally via iTunes. All versions will also include the rare non-album track "Stand Up For Your Rock 'N' Roll".

FREE FALL is:

Jan Martens - Bass
Mattias Bärjed - Guitar
Kim Fransson - Lead vocals
Ludwig Dahlberg - Drums

Finnish production company Illume Oy has acquired exclusive rights to make a film about Finnish heavy metal monsters LORDI. The film follows the band and its leading man, Mr. Lordi, behind the scenes for the first time. It will include new archive material from Tomi Putaansuu's childhood and from the very birth of the band twenty years ago.

The international project's premiere is planned for spring 2014. Filming has taken place in Finland and elsewhere in Europe as well as in the U.S. Development support has come from Finnish funders and also from the MEDIA programme of the European Union.

The director, Antti Haase, is an award winner, for example, Film Australia Documentary Award and Luleå Art Bienniale. Producers for Illume Oy are Venla Hellstedt and Jouko Aaltonen.

Haase says: "When we were children, Mr. Lordi was the one and only friend who passionately wanted to be a monster. I believe that Lordi's story will appeal to everyone who refuses to give up their dreams, despite the greatest obstacles."

Mr. Lordi says: "We wanted to lift the curtain on the band's image at long last and enlighten the reality behind the masks and the costumes that is sometimes not so glamorous. Never before have we let cameras in to follow our life so closely. Antti is the best director for this film, because he knows where the band and I spring from. Our childhood homes are just a few hundred meters apart in Rovaniemi, Lapland."

For more information, visit www.lordifilm.com.

earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group, has announced the signing of THE RESISTANCE, the Swedish extreme metal band featuring former members of IN FLAMES, THE HAUNTED and GRAVE. The group's debut EP, "Rise From Treason", will be released in January and will be followed by a full-length album in April.

Commented Jesper: "We're extremely happy that we have been given the opportunity to sign a worldwide recording deal with earMUSIC. Together with them, we will spread our vision of Swedish old-school death metal with a nice blend of hardcore energy.

"Watch out for our upcoming EP and album. This is gonna be some good violent fun."

"Rise From Treason" will contain four tracks and will be made available on on January 25. The EP will be released on CD, limited-edition seven-inch vinyl and as a digital download.

A track from "Rise From Treason", entitled "Slugger", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

According to a press release, "THE RESISTANCE is not a supergroup or a side project. It is a band, it's a gang, embracing the musical attitude and sounds of Swedish old-school death metal and the old 'no-compromise' values of hardcore. Shredding guitar riffs, blasting beats and screaming out a lot of anger, THE RESISTANCE will take no prisoners and make no compromises with their old school death-metal."

THE RESISTANCE recently parted ways with bassist Alex Losbäck Holstad (ex-DESPITE, DECAMERON, CARDINAL SIN) and recruited Claudio Oyarzo, the guitarist in the progressive metal band MINORA, as its new session bassist..

The band's song "Eye For An Eye" is available for free download at PledgeMusic.com (e-mail sign-up required).

"Eye For An Eye" was originally made available on the sampler CD that was distributed to the subscribers of Sweden's Close-Up Magazine in the August 2011 issue.

THE RESISTANCE made its live debut on October 8, 2011 at Club Distortion in Stockholm, Sweden.

THE RESISTANCE's lineup is as follows:

* Marco Aro (FACE DOWN, ex-THE HAUNTED) - Vocals
* Jesper Strömblad (ex-IN FLAMES, DIMENSION ZERO) - Guitar
* Glenn Ljungström (ex-IN FLAMES, DIMENSION ZERO) - Guitar
* Chris Barkensjö (CARNAL FORGE, GODSIC, ex-GRAVE) - Drums

Strömblad quit IN FLAMES in February 2010 in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

Jesper signed an exclusive songwriter agreement with BMG Germany earlier this year.

Strömblad is also a talented film composer. Together with Daniel Flores, he wrote the score for the film "Isdraken" ("The Ice Dragon"), which was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.

The official lyric video for the song "Before I Die" from Californian rockers PAPA ROACH can be seen below. The band recently filmed a video for the track, which included an underwater scene.

"Before I Die" comes off PAPA ROACH's new album, "The Connection", which sold 22,000 copies in its first week of release to debut at No. 17 on the Billboard album chart.

PAPA ROACH performed for a worldwide live stream and took questions from fans on October 23 via YouTube, marking the first time the band played live since vocalist Jacoby Shaddix underwent surgery in September to remove nodes from his vocal cords. Shaddix's condition forced him to stop singing and led his band to drop off this past summer's Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival tour.

Shaddix told The Pulse Of Radio that pulling out of that tour and going straight into surgery was probably the smartest thing he could have done. "Best decision I ever made," he said. "You know, it was a tough decision, but best decision. Went in and got the surgery — I was freaking out. I remember I was going into surgery, I'm like, tear rolling down my face, like, 'God, please guide this surgeon's hands,' cause, you know, I mean, shit could go bad real quick."

Shaddix told Loudwire, "I couldn't talk at all so that sucked. It was the longest silence of my life since I was born; I just wanted to talk so bad."

Even before his vocal problems started, Shaddix admitted in several new interviews that he came close to committing suicide earlier in the year as he struggled with both marital problems and falling off the wagon.

Los Angeles, California-based death metallers EUPHORIC DEFILEMENT will release their debut album, "Ascending To The Worms", on February 19, 2013 via Unique Leader Records. The follow-up to the band's 2011 promo disc was recorded at Pure Rock Studios and it "ombines all brutal death metal elements along with technicality and melody without compromising catchiness," according to a press release. "It will keep your ears interested from beginning to end and listeners will quickly notice that each track has its on sound and personality. Nothing is overdone and the lyrics are just as interesting as the music accompanied by great production."

After three years of playing shows with such bands as CATTLE DECAPITATION, ASESINO, SEPTYCAL GORGE, CEREBRAL BORE, DISGORGE and MALIGNANCY, EUPHORIC DEFILEMENT has established itself as a serious contender in the extreme metal scene, with many fans eagerly awaiting the group's new release.

A track from the forthcoming album, "Abolishing The Divine Structure", is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

Frontiers Records will release ROYAL HUNT's new box set, "20th Anniversary - Special Edition", on November 23 in Europe and January 21, 2013 in North America.

After the highly successful 20th-aniversary tour in support of ROYAL HUNT's latest album, "Show Me How To Live", ROYAL HUNT decided to celebrate the occasion with this very special "best-of" package containing three CDs and one DVD. The release will include the best ROYAL HUNT songs from all 11 albums, a brand new song plus three newly recorded acoustic versions of three additional tracks and a DVD featuring all the promotional video clips shot by the band during their long ride.

Disc 1:

01. Flight
02. Kingdom Dark
03. Stranded
04. Clown In The Mirror
05. Wasted Time
06. Epilogue
07. Time
08. Far Away
09. 1348
10. River Of Pain
11. Tearing Down The World
12. Message To God

Disc 2:

01. Cold City Lights
02. Follow Me
03. Surrender
04. The Mission
05. Can't Let Go
06. Paper Blood
07. Season's Change
08. The First Of Rock
09. Tears Of The Sun
10. The Well
11. Shadowman
12. Hard Rain Is Coming
13. Half Past Loneliness

Disc 3:

01. Save Me (new song)
02. One By One (new recording, unplugged version)
03. Bodyguard (new recording, unplugged version)
04. Restless (new recording, unplugged version)
05. Bad Luck
06. Double Conversion
07. U-Turn
08. Sixth Sense
09. Day Is Dawning

Disc 4 DVD:

Videos:

01. Land Of Broken Hearts
02. Day In Day Out
03. Clown In The Mirror
04. Far Away
05. Last Goodbye
06. Stay Down
07. River Of Pain
08. Tearing Down The World
09. Martial Arts
10. Third Stage
11. Wasted Time
12. Interview
13. Message To God

A promotional video for "20th Anniversary – Special Edition" can be seen below.

ROYAL HUNT mastermind, writer and keyboard player Andre Andersen says: “To our fans, this will be a great journey through memory lane and for the new fans, a chance to poses a sample of the BEST there is to offer from the Royalty itself! Enjoy!"

ROYAL HUNT is:

Andre Andersen - Keyboards
DC Cooper - Vocals
Allan Sorensen - Drums
Andreas Passmark - Bass
Jonas Larsen - Guitar

Justin Sullivan, lead singer of the English band NEW MODEL ARMY, will contribute guest vocals to the song "The Windswept Mercy" on the new SOILWORK double album, "The Living Infinite". The CD, which is currently being tracked with producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, AMON AMARTH, BLOODBATH), will mark the recording debut of SOILWORK's longtime touring guitarist David Andersson (THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA).

Formed in 1980 in Bradford, England, NEW MODEL ARMY was and still has a very loyal following and SOILWORK frontman Björn "Speed" Strid counts himself among it.

Sullivan shares the serendipitous back-story on how he met up with Sweden's melodic metal maestros SOILWORK: "Some years ago, I met Björn somewhere in the deserts of the southwestern U.S. I expect we both had good reasons for being there — though things like reason get swallowed up in the strangeness of deserts. Anyway, I'm sure we were talking about deserts and the idea of desert music as Europeans always have an unending fascination with these wondrous alien places. 'Would you sing on a SOILWORK record?' he asked. 'Yes, of course,' I replied, and so, many years later, I suddenly get an e-mail from SOILWORK in a studio in Stockholm at exactly the same moment NMA were in a studio in London. And by a miracle of technology was able to do a quick vocal on this great and strangely beautiful song.

"Perhaps you beat me to the desert music thing after all, Björn. Love the track. All the best."

Adds Strid: "It's a true honor to have one of my absolute favorite lyricists and singers, Justin Sullivan from NEW MODEL ARMY, contributing with guest vocals for our new album. I have been a longtime fan and I recall growing up in the small Swedish city of Landskrona, where so many people listened to the first wave of death metal AND NEW MODEL ARMY, including myself.

"I met Justin at a NEW MODEL ARMY show in Phoenix, Arizona three years ago and we talked quite a bit. He listened very patiently to my story. He also ran out to his tour bus to get his new solo album and gave it to me. I will never forget that.

"The man is a true legend, a gentleman, and he has a very unique presence in his voice, on stage and in his lyrics. The fact that he wanted to lend his amazing voice to 'The Windswept Mercy' brought me to tears. He will forever be my hero!"

Next year's world-tour launch in North America marks SOILWORK's first headlining run in this territory in almost three years. The 54-show trek through the U.S. and Canada will feature support from JEFF LOOMIS, BLACKGUARD, THE BROWNING and WRETCHED.

Photo credit: Hannah Verbeuren

In time for 21/12 celebrations, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release deluxe editions of RUSH's landmark album "2112" that will feature 5.1 Surround Sound mixes, unreleased live tracks and the first-ever RUSH comic book, available globally starting December 18.

There will be three configurations of "2112": deluxe editions (CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray) and a special super deluxe edition (CD/Blu-ray/hardbound book case). The deluxe editions contain a CD/DVD or CD/Blu-ray material including the remastered "2112" CD with three live bonus tracks and a DVD or Blu-ray disc with a 5.1 Surround Sound audio mix and an interactive digital comic book, a new album cover by original album designer Hugh Syme, liner notes and unpublished photos.

The super deluxe contains the CD/Blu-Ray and is meticulously assembled in a hardbound bookcase packed with a 40-page comic book representing every song on "2112".

The cover artwork for the "2112" deluxe edition can be seen below.

For the complete details, visit Rush.com.

"Every album is a point in RUSH's history," Geddy Lee said in 1978. "And if it's not getting better, something's wrong. Every album has to be the perfect RUSH album."

"The first record," Alex Lifeson says about '2112', "where we sounded like RUSH."

Originally released in 1976, RUSH's epic, landmark release "2112" was their creative and commercial breakthrough as well as one of the band's most highly regarded releases among both fans and critics alike. With lyrics written by Neil Peart, and influenced by author Ayn Rand, "2112" kicks off with the ambitious seven-suite title track (side one), set in a futuristic world run by the "Priests Of The Temples Of Syrinx" who regulate "every single facet of every life," which includes books, music, work and play. "2112" conveys the story of humanity's instinctual, inner need for one's free will.

After the mythological journey through "2112", side two brings you back to the present and continues with five stand-alone tracks. From hard-rocking tracks such as "A Passage to Bangkok", "Lessons", and a trip to into the fourth dimension with "The Twilight Zone", to the album's soaring conclusion, "Something For Nothing", "2112" is the album that ushered in the next stage in their continuing evolution as artists.

After more than 20 years at Roadrunner Records, including 12 as president, Jonas Nachsin is stepping down from that post.

In Nachsin's exit letter to his staff, which Billboard.biz has obtained, he wrote, "Twenty-plus years ago I was hired as U.S. director of sales and marketing at an upstart European-based metal label named Roadrunner Records. Through the years I took on a variety of posts, spending the last twelve years as Roadrunner’s President, during which time the label evolved into a rock powerhouse.

"The moment has come for me to move on to my next challenge. It’s been a great ride, and I will cherish the hours spent with so many talented and wonderful people, including the artists, managers and extremely dedicated staff I was fortunate enough to work with. I am so proud of what we have accomplished to showcase Roadrunner as not only a 'record company' but as a lifestyle and cultural beacon for fans around the globe. The chemistry of groundbreaking artists worked by a world-class group of truly committed employees has made Roadrunner a name with no equal over the years. That will continue.

"I would especially like to express my gratitude to founder Cees Wessels who gave me my start and the opportunity to help grow Roadrunner into the important, vibrant label it has become. I wish the great team here much success as they move forward into a new chapter for Roadrunner."

Craig Kallman and Julie Greenwald of Atlantic Records Group, the umbrella label founded in 2004 by Warner Music Group to oversee the labels (including Roadrunner) assigned to its Atlantic Records unit, issued a separate memo thanking Nachsin for his contributions. "For two decades, Jonas has been a passionate champion of Roadrunner's incredible roster of artists and helped forge the unique identity of one of the world's great labels," they wrote. "Everyone who has worked with Jonas — including artists, managers, the Roadrunner team and the wider Warner Music family — have all been touched by his commitment and leadership. He has been instrumental in the careers of so many extraordinary artists, from superstars including NICKELBACK and SLIPKNOT to breaking talents YOUNG THE GIANT and STONE SOUR. We will all miss Jonas and wish him the best in his next endeavor."

Roadrunner's April 2012 "restructuring" under Warner Music Group resulted in roughly 36 staff members worldwide being let go and several regional offices being closed (including the office in the U.K.).

In the U.S., Roadrunner is continuing to operate as a standalone frontline label. In addition, Roadrunner Records founder/CEO Cees Wessels left the label 17 months after the completion of its sale to the Warner Music Group.

Initially founded in the Netherlands in 1980, Roadrunner Records earned its place as one of the most prominent international independent record labels. The Roadrunner catalog boasts early releases from such seminal artists as KING DIAMOND, TYPE O NEGATIVE, SEPULTURA and ANNIHILATOR. More recently, the label has experienced unprecedented success with multi-platinum artists NICKELBACK and SLIPKNOT, gold-certified STONE SOUR and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, as well as modern heavy hitters TRIVIUM and MACHINE HEAD.

Twin Cities technical metallers REAPING ASMODEIA - featuring former members of WITH DEAD HANDS RISING - have released the title track to their forthcoming album, Poison Of The Earth. The album, which was mixed and mastered by Zack Ohren (AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK, ALL SHALL PERISH), is set to be released in early 2013. Check it out below:
The band is currently out on the How The Midwest Was Won Tour this month, and will be supporting VEIL OF MAYA on two dates in December. All upcoming tour dates are below:

November
13 - The Boobie Trap - Topeka, KS
14 - Mur Mur Music Venue - Mason City, IA
15 - The Brass Rail - Peoria, IL
16 - Last Shots - South Elgin, IL
17 - The Arena - Elkhorn, WI
18 - Dale’s Weston Lanes - Weston, WI

December
16 - Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
17 - Clyde Iron - Duluth, MN

A two-and-a-half-minute video recap of this year's edition of the Kiss Kruise can be seen below.

The second Kiss Kruise set sail October 31 - November 4, 2012 from Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas onboard the Norwegian Pearl.

In an interview with Wallace Immen of AvidCruiser.com, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons stated about the first-ever Kiss Kruise (which was held in October 2011), "The Kiss Kruise is a chance for all of us — the band and the fans — to have a ball. Just let your hair down and not worry about it at all. KISS has always been about breaking the rules. We've never liked that moat — the stage — separating the band from the fans. So whenever we do a show, we try to take the action right to your face. A cruise will let the fans get up close. We try to take it inside you, we want you to smell it and taste it and feel it."

When asked if the fans were going to get to interact with the band on the cruise, Gene said, "We're going to have a deck up top to ourselves and we will certainly want to bring up fans. It may to a little difficult to get down to the lower levels and hang out a lot, because you've got 3,000 people on board, who are basically going to shred you to pieces. It's all appreciated, of course, and I say all this with tongue in cheek — I don't mean my tongue in your cheek, but you know what I mean. The real idea of this cruise is to have fun. Everything about KISS is over the top. Everything about it is meant to really make every day we have above ground a fun day."

According to a post on BLACK SABBATH's official Facebook page, the band's bassist, Geezer Butler, "is all set to record some more bass tracks on the new album today."

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony 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.

Massacre Records has announced the signing of the Croatia-based thrash metal act INFERNAL TENEBRA.

Brutally honest, creative and constantly evolving, INFERNAL TENEBRA withstood the test of time in the metal underground, originating with pure black metal in 1999, adding a death metal foundation in the following years.

INFERNAL TENEBRA has shared the stage with a vast number of metal icons, including KREATOR, VADER, SYMPHONY X, EXODUS, BLIND GUARDIAN, AGATHODAIMON, PRO-PAIN and GRAVE DIGGER, and played festivals like Bloodstock Open Air, Metalcamp and Metalfest.

With two independently released albums, "Beneath The Twilight" and "The Essence Of Chaos", INFERNAL TENEBRA is heading to a new chapter with the upcoming CD, "New Formed Revelations", which will be made available on December 7.

INFERNAL TENEBRA is:

Darko Etinger - Guitar, Vocals
Paolo Grizonic - Bass
Ivo Petrovic - Guitars
Sandi Orbanic - Drums

SEVENDUST has set "Black Out The Sun" as the title of its ninth album, tentatively due in April 2013. The CD was recorded at Architekt Music studios in Butler, New Jersey with engineer Mike Ferretti.

"It's a basic SEVENDUST record," guitarist Clint Lowery recently told "Source Of The Sound With Wendy Campbell". "There's nothing, like, too completely different than anything we've done before. It's got a darker vibe to it. We've got a good amount of the programming element in there. It's a lot of what we do — it's heavy and it's got its melodic element in it. So if you're a SEVENDUST fan, it's more along the lines of the second and third records we did — it's kind of like that. It's got a couple of throwback vibes to it. 'Animosity' [2002] and 'Home' [1999], if I can put those two records together, it would [sound similar to the new CD]."

According to Lowery, SEVENDUST is in talks about hitting the road in early 2013 with LACUNA COIL and COAL CHAMBER.

SEVENDUST's latest CD, "Cold Day Memory", sold around 27,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous effort, "Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow", opened with 25,000 units back in April 2008 to land at position No. 19.

"Cold Day Memory" was released on April 20, 2010 on the band's own 7Bros. Records, through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group. The CD — produced by Grammy Award winner Johnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND, 3 DOORS DOWN, PLAIN WHITE T'S) — was the group's first new album with its original lineup back together with Lowery's return after his departure in 2003.

Century Media Records has announced the signing of DEEZ NUTS. The brainchild of vocalist JJ Peters, the band was formed after his previous group, acclaimed Australian metalcore outfit I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN, decided to split up in early 2008.

DEEZ NUTS' third album, "Bout It", was produced by Shane Frisby (BURY YOUR DEAD, THE GHOST INSIDE) at The Brick Hit House in Massachusetts is scheduled for release in Europe in the first quarter of 2013. Arguably the band's most diverse work to date, the CD features guest appearances by Freddy Cricien (MADBALL), Sam Carter (ARCHITECTS) and Jon Blake (ON BROKEN WINGS), among others.

Says Peters: "DEEZ NUTS and myself are extremely proud to announce we've joined the family over at Century Media and will finally have a label to call home in Europe and the U.K. for our upcoming full-length, 'Bout It'. Look at what we've achieved in Europe and U.K. doin' it DIY. With Century Media in our corner, there's no stopping us."

DEEZ NUTS are:

JJ Peters - vocals
Matt "Realbad" Rogers - guitar
Jon Green - bass
Alex Salinger - drums

Leipzig, Germany-based opera metal act MOLLLUST are gearing up for the release of their debut full-length album, Schuld. Complete album details, including the release date, will be announced soon.
On Schuld, the East German ensemble shows it's strongest, most aesthetic, most emotional and in substance, most profound side.
The percussion and driving, distorted sounds of guitar and bass form the basement. On that the classic instrumentation encounters, consisting of piano and cello as well as an e-violin which connects both styles with an interplay between classic play and distortion.
Molllust lineup:

Janika Groß - vocals, piano
Frank Schumacher - e-guitar, vocals
Sandrine B. - e-violin
Lisa H. - cello
Johannes Hank - bass
Tommaso Soru - drums

More on Molllust at this location.

CREST OF DARKNESS founder and frontman Ingar Amlien, together with drummer Kjetil Hektoen, will join members of LEGIONES, ENTHRAL and THE EMBRACED in a specially formed band called SYTHANAGON WINGED, to perform five songs by the late Thomas “Quorthon” Forsberg, founder of BATHORY and one of the pioneers of the first wave of black and Pagan/Viking metal.

The event, which is billed as Blood Fire Death – In Memory Of Quorthon, will take place on Saturday, November 17th at the Fru Lundgreen in Trondheim, Norway, and as well as Sythanagon Winged, other bands taking part include CHTON, CLEAVER, LAW OF THE HORSEMEN and A SORCERY WRITTEN IN BLOOD.
Commenting on the Quorthon tribute event, Amlien, who started his musical career with the progressive band CONCEPTION before forming Crest Of Darkness, a vehicle that allows him to explore the more vampiric and satanic elements that interest him, said: “It’s a huge honour to be part of a tribute to an incredible musician. One who has influenced and inspired, and will continue to influence and inspire, generations of other musicians. It’s no exaggeration to say that many of today’s bands would probably not be around without him. Kjetil and I have been rehearsing hard with the rest of the guys and we are ready and very much looking forward to performing the BATHORY songs and do them the justice they deserve.”
In The Presence Of Death, Crest Of Darkness’ sixth full-length album, is set for release via My Kingdom Music on February 11th, and according to Amlien it will be “the most complete, extreme and dark album the band has ever recorded”. Aside from Amlien himself on bass and vocals, the band’s lineup includes Rebo on guitars, Kjetil Hektoen on drums and the recently recruited DJEVELKULT guitarist Jan Fredrik Solheim.

Further details to follow.

The official video for the track 'Dru Nasu', from Crest Of Darkness’ album, Give Us The Power To Do Your Evil, can be seen below:

Listenable Records has announced the signing of French metal innovators SUPURATION.

Don't be fooled by the band monicker, SUPURATION do not specialize in unleashing short grind-gore blasts but deliver more of measured yet muscular balanced metal through a more profound, subtile and enigmatic musical world.

Former in Valenciennes in the north of France in 1989, SUPURATION, or its more progressive incarnation S.U.P., has issued a number of records over its 20-year career, developing a series of conceptual releases called "The Cube". "The Cube 3" will see the light of day in 2013, exactly 20 years after the debut album release, which launched the story of "The Cube" and 10 years after a conceptually similar release "Incubation" in 2003.

Popular for its massive wall of guitars and tasteful vocal delivery making it sound like an unexpected mixture of a crushing CARCASS and an intimate PINK FLOYD, SUPURATION has become a cult name in the live circuit by not playing out very frequently and delivering mesmerizing and unique performances.

Century Media Records has announced the signing of Swedish black metallers WATAIN. The band's much-anticipated fifth studio album will be made available next year via His Master's Noise in collaboration with Century Media.

Commented WATAIN: "We are writing this from a magical place of desolation and desert-like vastness, where wondrous things are at this very moment taking place. Things that will come to colour our world as well as yours in the strangest hues for many years to come. We are entering this new chapter of WATAIN with a will and confidence to make it the most diverse and rememberable so far. And with the things that we have in mind for the future, it looks like it will be just so. Just wait and see, fuckers! Loud and terrible shall the trumpets of Devil's sound..."

Adds Antje Lange, general manager of Century Media Europe: "Century Media is massively excited to work with WATAIN. This band has it all: charisma, the firm will to conquer the world, and an authenticity you rarely find these days. Mixed with their creativity and musical impact, this band will make it to the top. They are a healthy slap in the face for any metal bourgeois. We are ready to kill for them!"

States Don Robertson, president of Century Media in USA: "I am very proud and excited to welcome WATAIN to the Century Media family. There are few bands that remind me of when I first discovered metal as a teenager that could give me the same feeling of extreme release and evil such as SLAYER, VENOM and MERCYFUL FATE did. WATAIN is one of those rare bands and I look forward to being a part of their growing career and helping today's future metalhead find their way!"

WATAIN released a new DVD, "Opus Diaboli", in North America on June 5. The production commemorates the band's 13 years of chaos by providing a visual and audio documentation of their ceremonial anniversary concert performance in Stockholm and the long years of physical, intellectual and spiritual work leading up to it. "Opus Diaboli" is an epic 90-minute journey into the forbidden realms of wild-hearted Satanic metal and the manifestation of a unique band that has truly chosen a path few have ever dared to tread upon.

Swedish metallers DEATHDESTRUCTION will enter Bohus Sound studios in Kungälv, Sweden on Monday, November 19 with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE) to begin recording their sophomore album for a 2013 release.

DEATHDESTRUCTION recently announced the addition of singer Tony Jelencovich to the group's ranks.

Commented the band: "Tony is a friend to the band, and he has truly made a mark in the Gothenburg scene with bands like B-THONG, TRANSPORT LEAGUE and MASSIVE AUDIO NERVE. He's also worked with bands like MNEMIC and the Russian band ICON IN ME.

"Tony has everything we look for in a lead singer and a frontman, so the choice was just so easy when we had to find ourselves a new singer. We're totally stoked about what he will contribute to DEATHDESTRUCTION! This is going to be so fucking good, people!!"

Added Tony: "I'm really happy and excited to be the new singer and frontman in DEATHDESTRUCTION! This is now, and the new tracks will swing, groove and be hard like God's own dick!!!"

Vocalist Jimmie Strimell quit DEATHDESTRUCTION in June in order to focus on his other band, DEAD BY APRIL.

DEATHDESTRUCTION last year inked a deal with the Swedish branch of Sony Music Entertainment. The band's three-song EP, "Fuck Yeah", was released in April 2011 and was followed by the group's self-titled debut album in August. The CD was recorded at IN FLAMES' IF Studios with Laghi.

DEATHDESTRUCTION is:

* Tony Jelencovich (B-THONG, TRANSPORT LEAGUE, MASSIVE AUDIO NERVE) - Vocals
* Henrik Danhage (ex-EVERGREY) - Guitar
* Fredrik "Loppan" Larsson (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
* Jonas Ekdahl (ex-EVERGREY) - Drums

SLEDGE LEATHER, the Los Angeles/San Francisco-based project featuring singer Leather Leone (CHASTAIN, RUDE GIRL, MALIBU BARBI) and drummer Sandy Sledge (RUDE GIRL, MALIBU BARBI, WARBRIDE, WEAPONSVAN), has begun writing material for its second full-length album, scheduled for 2013. Leone and Sledge have already written four new tracks out of the nine new songs scheduled for as-yet-untitled concept CD.

SLEDGE LEATHER has launched a Kickstarter fundraiser campaign on to help complete production for the release. The campaign will run through December 18 and offers fans an opportunity to purchase some great items. Some pledges include classic releases long out of print, new material, and Leather's classic leather jacket dating back to RUDE GIRL and her time before CHASTAIN.

SLEDGE LEATHER was embraced by media and radio contacts everywhere with the "Imagine Me Alive" CD and DVD releases. The band's debut engulfs the listener in an onslaught of heavy metal that resurrects a classic heavy metal sound with contributions from former DIO bandmembers Scott Warren (keyboards) and Jimmy Bain (bass), both of whom return for the new release.

Says Sledge: "'Imagine Me Alive' shows the different ways that Leather's voice can create music." Leather adds: "This new record will kick that in the ass and take us further."

"Imagine Me Alive" was inspired in 2010 when Leone called Sledge to collaborate on the Ronnie James Dio track "Egypt" for a demo tribute recording. Due to the overwhelming response for more material, SLEDGE LEATHER was born and were confirmed for Germany's Keep It True festival in April 2011.

Brian Aberback of Patch.com recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Patch.com: What was the band's mood as you entered the studio to record "Countdown To Extinction" 20 years ago?

Mustaine: We were really excited about what was taking place at the time. The music industry was very confused with the success of NIRVANA and all of the grunge bands. The only real hope in metal was what we were calling poseur metal, like DEF LEPPARD. We were on our own and had to make a decision: Were we going to listen to the labels, who wanted us to write an alternative album, or go the way of the DEF LEPPARDs. We didn't want to do either; that wasn't who we were. The only choice we had was to follow our hearts and do what we thought was right, which was an experiment for us, a melodic, though not commercial, metal record.

Patch.com: Is the stage show elaborate or more back to basics?

Mustaine: We've added video production to our show. We've tried some pyro, which is cool, but I think concussion bombs are kind of passé. So I got this fabulously talented video director, Charles Terrell, he's worked with Trent Reznor and Bruce Springsteen, to give you an idea of his caliber, and he did his own interpretations of the songs. There wasn't one video where I had to go back and say, "I need you to change something.” He got it. Doing something like this has always been a matter of affordability and I finally just said, "I don't care what happens, I'm successful, I've had a great run. If we go in a hole and I have to use up my savings to change this band from being a normal band with a backdrop to having really incredible production, I'm going to go for it." It's one thing to see MEGADETH and one thing to hear it, but it's another thing to feel it.

Read the entire interview from Patch.com.

Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST — who recently parted ways with lead singer Nitte Vänskä and replaced her with Noora Louhimo (pictured below) — are currently touring Europe as the support act for SONATA ARCTICA.

Fan-filmed video footage from the first few shows of the tour can be seen below.

Regarding Vänskä's departure from the band, BATTLE BEAST previously said: "On August 19th, Nitte sent the rest of the band an e-mail stating that she was leaving the band, effective immediately. As the reason for her leaving, she cited her will to focus on her family life. As this happened without any prior notice, the rest us were slightly disappointed. But what's done is done, and we're thrilled to announce the new BATTLE BEAST vocalist with a voice and character to take the band to heights of glory."

According to a press release, Louhimo "is already experienced in performing some of the most demanding rock songs in existence and is now ready to take her big step into the metal world. With lungs of leather and a voice to order gods with, Noora possesses all the requirements to deliver the kind of power needed for performing BATTLE BEAST's music.

Noora will lay down all the lead vocals on BATTLE BEAST's forthcoming second album, to be released in early 2013.

BATTLE BEAST's debut album, "Steel" — which was originally released in Finland last year via Hype Records — was made available internationally on January 27 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Formed in 2008, BATTLE BEAST won the Wacken Open Air Metal Battle contest in Finland last year, enabling the band to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany and represent its home country in the international Metal Battle finals. The group beat out 26 other acts from all around the world, which led to a record deal with the world's biggest independent heavy metal label.