Quality video footage of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' entire August 10, 2012 concert at the This Is Hardcore festival at Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can be seen below (soundboard mix by Len Carmichael).

When asked why he thinks the sound of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES has stood the test of time, the band's frotnman, Mike Muir, told Loudwire in a recent interview, "I think for us, when we started we didn't really know what we were doing. We didn't really set out and try to do something for other people. We stood there and did what we liked. We didn't care what other people thought. After we did our first record, one of my good friends came up to me and said, 'Yo, Mike, I got to talk to you. People aren't going to like the album. It's not music. You have an opportunity to make music that people can listen to on the radio.' But I didn't think that was an opportunity because I didn't like what I was hearing on the radio. Our barometer is not what people are going to think or how many records we can sell. We just want to be proud of what we make. That's why it stands the test of time. We did records that we thought were really good."

On the topic of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' plans to release a new studio album, Muir said, "We've always had new music in the works. Now it's actually to the point that we have some that we're ready to put out. Now is the time to put out a new record and we feel really, really good about it. There will definitely be a record out this year.

Regarding what fans can expect from the upcoming CD, Muir said, "The way we look at it is that next year will be the 30th anniversary of our first record. When we look at a record, we don't want to have it sound like 2012. We want it to sound awesome 25 years from now, so when a kid who wasn't even born when we made it listens to it, he's like, 'Damn, that's a cool record!' I just had a guy from a radio station tell me that some listeners have been requesting the new song 'Institutionalized'. The young listeners don't realize that's an old song! Something like [METALLICA's recent Orion Music + More festival] is good for us, too, because a lot of people who wouldn't have listened to us will check us out because they know Robert [Trujillo, METALLICA bassist] was in the band."

"The Death Of Me", a brand new song from melodic power metallers ARTIZAN, can be streamed below. According to a press release, the track "showcases all of the elements ARTIZAN established on their first album, 'Curse Of The Artizan'." Fantasy artist Marc Sasso created artwork for the "The Death Of Me" single which displays the Artizan character with Sasso’s unique conception of the Grim Reaper.

"The Death Of Me" comes off ARTIZAN's sophomore album, "Ancestral Energy", which was recorded at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida with legendary metal producer Jim Morris. Ex-ICED EARTH singer Matt Barlow makes a very special guest appearance on the CD's title track.

"Ancestral Energy" is scheduled for an April 2013 release through Pure Steel Records.

In a rare interview, GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose spoke to Edna Gundersen of USA TODAY about the classic GUNS lineup, the band's next album and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. A couple of excerpts follow below.

On the next GUNS N' ROSES album: "All the guys are writing, and we recorded a lot of songs over the years. We'll figure out what we feel best about. 'Chinese Democracy' was done in piecemeal with one person here and one there at different times. 'Appetite For Destruction' was the only thing written with lyrics and melody fitting the guitar parts at the same time. After that, I got a barrage of guitar songs that I was supposed to put words to, and I don't know if that was the best thing for GUNS. I do want to lean more toward lyrics and melody."

On 2008's "Chinese Democracy", which was reportedly in the works for 13 years: "I had to deal with so many other things that don't have to do with music but have to do with the industry. There's such a loss of time. It was more about survival. There wasn't anyone to work with or trust. Someone would come in to help produce and the reality was they just wanted to mix it and get it out the door. They had a different agenda. (The next album) will come out sooner."

On how the original GUNS N' ROSES lineup might have survived: "Maybe if we could have worked together in the way 'Appetite' was put together. I was really naïve. I thought the success of that record would bring everyone together more. It did the exact opposite. They got success and wanted to run in their own directions. I thought they'd go, 'Whoa, it did work.' But they wanted to do their own huge bigger success off of GUNS."

On the possibility of a GUNS truce: "I feel that ball's not in my court. I'm surviving this war, not the one who created this war."

On his decision to skip GUNS N' ROSES' 2012 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction: "It wasn't painful to not be there. It was a beating to deal with all the pressure of feeling I was supposed to be there and deciding what to do. I try to be respectful about getting an honor or recognition, but I don't really know what the Rock Hall actually is. In my experience with the people who run it, I don't see it having to do with anything other than them making money."

Read the entire interview at USA TODAY.

Coinciding with the start of their forthcoming U.K. concert tour, QUEEN guitarist Brian May and acclaimed singing star Kerry Ellis will release a new single, their version of "Born Free", the Oscar-winning song written for the 1966 film.

The single is being released to support the work of the Born Free Foundation, the global organization which works to protect and conserve threatened species.

The single was recorded by Brian and Kerry, having seen the work of the foundation at the Shamwari game reserve and rescue centre in South Africa's Eastern Cape, and for their version, writer Don Black has specially rewritten some of the song's original lyrics for Brian and Kerry.

Available in three formats, the single is a digital-only release and will be issued on Monday, November 5, the day May and Kerry Ellis start their 11-date "Born Free" tour with a concert at The Apex in Bury St. Edmunds.

In a departure from their more recent rock shows, the tour sees May and Kerry Ellis present a unique series of intimate and totally acoustic shows performed under candlelight.

The two will perform a new collection of their own personal favourite songs as well as new arrangements of some of those they have previously performed in concert and recorded together, sung by Kerry with Brian accompanying her on both guitar and vocals.

Having recorded both a large-scale production version and an acoustic version of "Born Free", Brian and Kerry will release both versions, with all proceeds going to the Foundation. A third version will also include a video filmed during their South African visit.

The "Born Free" single and concert tour is the latest collaboration for Brian and Kerry following their "Anthems" album released in 2010 which Brian produced and wrote news songs for, and their highly successful series of "Anthems" concerts last year. More recently the pair performed at Sunflower Jam 2012 at the Royal Albert Hall as well as Italy's San Remo song festival.

Hurricane Sandy has wreaked significant damage to Sammy Hagar‘s Beach Bar & Grill in Atlantic City, New Jersey, which was arguably the worst hit of a string of resort towns. Hagar says, "Hope all Redheads and Beach Bar & Grill staff are safe and dry! Here is a look at the damage — we will rebuild!"

Located at Bally's Atlantic City Hotel and casino since May 2010, the restaurant is only open from May through Labor Day weekend.

Profits from the Beach Bar & Grill go to the Hagar Family Foundation, which supports local children’s charities.

Check out more photos on Facebook.

VAN HALEN's former frontman owns nightlife venues in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Las Vegas and St. Louis, and with his branding on this oceanfront deck, Bally's remade the beachfront bar an outdoor destination with nightly entertainment and all-day deals on drinks.

BLACK SABBATH will embark on an Australian tour next April. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Apr. 25 - Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Apr. 27 - Allphones Arena, Sydney
May 01 - Rod Laver, Melbourne
May 04 - Perth Arena, Perth

General public tickets go on sale midday Thursday, November 8 and an exclusive presale will be available to Live Nation members from 9 a.m. Friday, November 2 until 5 p.m. Monday.

Original BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler are working with producer Rick Rubin on their first recording project together in 34 years. According to Metal Injection, 15 songs have been written for the CD, with 12 making the final cut and the additional three serving as bonus tracks for different special editions. The band has one songtitle confirmed: "God Is Dead".

Apparently, Iommi completed all 15 guitar tracks during the band's sessions in England earlier this year, and judging by the way most bands record, that would mean drums are done as well. Ozzy and Geezer are working to complete the tracks in five-song increments, with the first five being worked on currently at Shangri La Studios in Malibu, California. Ozzy is tracking vocals, with Butler writing all the lyrics.

As for Iommi, Ozzy told SiriusXM Liquid Metal DJ Jose Mangin that he spoke to the guitarist recently and he is in good spirits and recovery is coming along very well from his cancer scare earlier this year.

Iommi, Osbourne and Butler discussed their new album in a video interview posted at NME.com. Osbourne dropped a clue about the set's title, hinting, "Next year, 2013, is a good clue to what we're going to call the album."

As for how Rubin influenced the band's approach to writing together again, Butler explained, "He sat us down, put the first album on and said 'listen to this', imagine it's 1969, you've just done that, what would you do next?"

Iommi added, "It's taken on the flavor of the old stuff in the way we put things together, but with a different look on it."

BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward announced earlier this year that he was declining to join his former bandmates for its scheduled 2012 dates, as well as the recording of a new album, due to a contractual dispute.

In addition to Download, the members of SABBATH played at Lollapalooza in early August in Chicago, their only U.S. gig. The rest of the scheduled SABBATH tour dates were played by Ozzy and billed as "Ozzy & Friends."

"Prophesy", a brand new song from the American power metal band VAINGLORY, which features in its ranks vocalist Kate French (CHASTAIN) and lead guitar virtuoso Corbin King, can be streamed below. French says, "This track was written for a horror movie. The plot was a madman murderer traps seven girls representing the seven deadly sins in a house killing them one by one. One survives and kills the murderer. I decided to write it from her perspective. I usually write from what I feel; it's different writing to make a song fit a scenario."

VAINGLORY's follow-up to 2007's self-titled "Vainglory" album, entitled "Manifesting Destiny", is expected in the coming months.

The band's last year announced the addition of second guitarist Jerry Tharp to its ranks.

According to a press release, "The sound of ['Manifesting Destiny'] will be a bit different than the previous in that the songs are heavier, tougher, the choruses bigger, and feature the best performances from all the bandmembers." Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Ballistic" (see video below), "Epidemic", "Manifesting Destiny", "Comin' Back", "Force Centrifical", "Spit", "Time of Reckoning", "Getchu Some", "Waste Of Skin", "Dead To Me" and "To My Face".

French previously stated about "Manifesting Destiny", "It is KICK-ASS!! No fancy frills, no guest appearances, no pricey names backin' us up, no name-droppin' or regurgitated, fake, money-making BULLSHIT, but if you wanna hear US do what we do, with no sugar-coating, THE REAL DEAL... that is what your gonna get and it is IN-YOUR-FACE, total groove-oriented HEAVY METAL!!!"

She added, "This CD, it's much different than anything I've done vocally. I wanted to show every kind of metal vocal style I can do, and I can do it ALL. From death to screamo to the Halford highs, to sissy L.A. girl fairy princess (I don't do that on this, though), but it is still me. Don't be too shocked, I think you'll like it. Not too much, but just enough of everything."

VAINGLORY's self-titled CD was released in Europe in April 2007 via MTM Music.

Swedish blackened death metal band GRIEF OF EMERALD will release a new album, "It All Turns To Ashes", in December via Non Serviam Records. The CD was recorded by Stefan Karlsson (SOUL REAPER) and Dragan Tanaskovic at Bohus Sound studio in Kungälv, Sweden. The effort contains nine crushing songs with "dark, world-ending, anti-religious themes," according to a press release.

Commented drummer Carl Karlsson: "I think GRIEF OF EMERALD are one of the most potential bands in the black/death metal scene. GRIEF OF EMERALD gives their fans what they always have done. A mix of death and black metal with some epic feeling. I promise you that 'It All Turns To Ashes' is not gonna disappoint our fans. We are more darker, faster and more hatred than ever."

GRIEF OF EMERALD's fourth album, "The Devils Deep", came out in June 2011 through Non Serviam Records.

The band's previous three CDs — "Nightspawn" (1998), "Malformed Seed" (2000) and "Christian Termination" (2002) — were all made available through Listenable Records.

Drummer Skylar Feigel has announced his departure from the Los Angeles-based metal act ALL HAIL THE YETI. He says in a statement, "Being in an environment where my passion to create and contribute will be looked favorably upon is crucial to me so that visions can be shared and opinions can be voiced without crucifixion, as an equal member … This departure will not only enable me to progress further as an artist, but also accomplish the goals I have set for myself, and I welcome what the future will bring."

ALL HAIL THE YETI's "The Art Of Mourning" video can be seen below. The song comes off the band's self-titled debut album, which was released in North America on August 28 via AFM Records.

Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia with director Rob Cantin, the clip combines close-up performance footage of ALL HAIL THE YETI cut into a gritty, Western movie storyline chock full of old-school debauchery, brutal gunfights and gory head-shots utilizing actual .45 revolvers, a full-on lynching and all kinds of high-action entertainment!

Featuring well-known tattoo artist Connor Garritty of Timeless Tattoos in L.A., ALL HAIL THE YETI have forged their own path through what they see as a desolate Hollywood music scene, the hard-working unit dead-set against burning out like so many bands from the same town and scene have over the past few decades of heavy music. Coinciding with their 2010-released "Trees On Fire With Songs Of Blood" EP, the band broke into the local scene with a surge of shows which led them to support slots for major national acts including TIMES OF GRACE, SOULFLY, FEAR FACTORY, SUICIDE SILENCE and more. With no record deal in place at the time, last year AHTY took it upon themselves to get things moving and entered the studio with producers Tommy Decker and Mike Sarkisyan to record their self-titled, debut LP. Upon its completion, the album received attention from several labels, and after some talks with AFM about the direction and goals of the band, happily took the deal the label offered them for the release of "All Hail The Yeti".

Atlanta's NORMA JEAN will enter the studio in December with producer Joshua Barber (YOUR MEMORIAL, HANDS) to begin recording its new album for an early 2013 release.

Commented NORMA JEAN frontman Cory Brandan: "[We] will be in the studio all of December and January, save for the holidays.

"We've already met with Josh to go over ideas and have been keeping in contact with him regularly. He came down and sat in on our last writing session in September. We worked really well together and had tons of ideas."

NORMA JEAN's last album, "Meridional", sold 9,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 45 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's fourth CD, "The Anti Mother", opened with more than 16,000 copies back in August 2008 to land at No. 29.

"Meridional" was released on July 13, 2010 via Razor & Tie.

Former EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn's debut solo album, "The Adversary", will be re-released as a limited two-LP edition, including layout by Trine + Kim Design Studio.

Pre-orders will be taken starting on November 6 via Blood Music.

"The Adversary" was originally released in April 2006 via Mnemosyne/Candlelight Records.

All music and lyrics for "The Adversary" were written and performed by Ihsahn with exception of drums, which were played by Asgeir Mickelson (BORKNAGAR, SPIRAL ARCHITECT).

"The Adversary" was written and recorded over a one-year period at Symphonique Studios in Norway and features a guest appearance by Garm from ULVER on one song.

Ihsahn's fourth album, "Eremita", sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 32 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Fan-filmed video footage of LACUNA COIL's October 26 performance at Academy 2 in Manchester, England can be seen below.

On October 17, LACUNA COIL filmed a video for an as-yet-undisclosed song with Italian director Roberto Cinardi (a.k.a. Saku).

LACUNA COIL previously worked with Saku on the clips for the songs "Spellbound" and "I Won't Tell You", taken from the band's 2009 album "Shallow Life".

LACUNA COIL earlier in the year completed the "Dark Legacy" North American tour. The band's only headlining run in the United States in 2012 featured a set of more than two hours, with material spanning all of LACUNA COIL's albums.

LACUNA COIL's new album, "Dark Adrenaline", sold around 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart.

In an interview with Oregon Music News, LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia stated about the band's musical progression over the years: "We've never really changed — an evolution isn't a change. We never stopped using heavy guitars, we never stopped playing heavier songs, I think we might write 'heavier' music now than we did in the past. I think for some reason people think that our early albums are 'more metal,' but if I think about a song like 'No Need To Explain', that was not a heavy song. If you take a close listen you could say it was almost a pop song. I think people's perception regarding our change has something to do with our look. If you look at 'Shallow Life', people didn't understand the way we were dressed — they were costumes. They were meant to make fun of the 'shallow life.' I was dressed up like a 'pop princess' and Andrea [Ferro] was dressed up like a 'hip-hop pimp.' People would come up to us and say, 'You guys changed your look?!' I said, 'What the fuck?! You think we're really going to be dressed up like that?! Didn't you see that we even enhanced my boobs on the photos just to make fun of this fake world?!' I bet you if we would have gone with the typical black look people wouldn't have said a thing. That's frustrating because you have to go with the most obvious choice, the more bland choice, so people will get it."

LACUNA COIL singer Andrea Ferro married his longtime girlfriend Paola Penny Gigliotti on September 8.

"The Ghost Behind", the new video from YEARS OF COLD, the El Paso, Texas-based band featuring ex-PISSING RAZORS guitarists Mat Lynch and Cesar Soto, alongside vocalist Dewey Bragg (KILL DEVIL HILL, ex-PISSING RAZORS), can be seen below. The performance footage for the clip was filmed at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas with DoubleScope Films at the helm.

"The Ghost Behind" comes off YEARS OF COLD's self-titled EP, which was released on October 30 via iTunes through YEARS OF COLD's own HeavenPoint label.

"Years Of Cold" was produced by Justin Leeah (MINISTRY, CANNIBAL CORPSE, DEVILDRIVER) at DownTown Sound And Vision Lab in El Paso and Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas.

According to Soto, "Years Of Cold" is "unique, driven and [is] sure to crush!"

KING'S X drummer Jerry Gaskill and Nashville-based songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist D.A. Karkos will track drums for Gaskill's solo record in late November with legendary producer/engineer/mixer Michael Wagener at Wagener's WireWorld studio in Nashville. The rest of the record will be recorded at Karkos' Underdog Studio in Nashville.

Jerry writes: "One month from today, I will be in Nashville to start recording drums for my next solo record at Michael Wagener's WireWorld Studio. What a gift and what an honor! Me, my friend D.A. Karkos (who I'm making this record with) and Michael are all very excited. Can't wait for everyone to hear it. Just thought you might want to know..."

D.A. adds: "Some great news for the Jerry Gaskill project! A month from now... Jerry and I are heading over to Michael Wagener's WireWorld studio to track drums for Jerry's record! Words can't describe the way I (we) feel. Way beyond excited about this! This is HUGE!"

D.A. Karkos, who also plays lead guitar in John Corabi's band, produced/recorded Corabi's new album, "Unplugged", at Underdog.

Wagener produced the last two KING'S X albums, "Ogre Tones" and "XV".

In 2005, Karkos was guitarist and backing vocalist for Gaskill's well-received solo performances on the East Coast and became songwriting foil and producer afterward. He helped Jerry write and arrange the song "Julie", which appeared on KING'S X's fifteenth album.

TESLA frontman Jeff Keith will release a country-music EP, "Jeff Keith And Country Music Friends", on November 9. The six-song effort is now available for pre-order at Jeff's newly launched web site, JeffKeithCountry.com, with the first 500 copies being personally autographed by Keith.

Says Jeff: "Once upon a time, I was playing a TESLA show in Canada when Kent Goodson and Pat Boone from the George Jones band came to see us. The next thing you know, us three were on a pontoon boat in Nashville fulfilling a dream I've always had writing country music songs."

He continues, "I've wanted to do a country project since my early days of growing up in Oklahoma, and with the help of a couple of buddies of mine, it's now reality.

"Kent played with George Jones for 28 years, and Pat still runs sound for George now for over nine years, and I have been the lead singer for TESLA for over 25 years now.

"We hope that this EP will allow us to record a full-length studio album, recorded in Nashville, Tennessee!

"Put on your cowboy hat and chime on in. There is a lot more yet to come."

"Jeff Keith And Country Music Friends" track listing:

01. Same Ol' Cowboy
02. Life Is Just A Roller Coaster Ride
03. I Can't Let Go
04. Life On The Road
05. Oklahoma Bound
06. Oh Hell
07. CMF Interviews

Orillia, ON's thrash progressive metallers ADRENECHROME have announced the official release of their debut EP, Hideous Appetites, on Tuesday, November 20th.
Vocalist/ guitarist Chris Friesen states: "We are extremely excited about the release of our first EP. We feel we have condensed our influences and come out with something that pays homage to our hero's while still leaving room for us to break new musical ground. We welcome news from the world and their thoughts and comments on our take on the genre... classic thrash with progressive tendencies... much love folks."

The EP features seven explosive tracks produced by Darius Szcespaniak whom has engineered on albums by SACRIFICE, SUM 41, BLACK CROWES to a name a few. With its blend of innovative guitar shredding, furious operatic vocals, thundering drums and rumbling, gut-busting bass, this beast stands out from the herd. The first single off the the EP is 'Titans Fall', which is available for free download here.

The video for the track can be seen below:
Hideous Appetites tracklisting:

'Titans Fall'
'Six Guns'
'The Horror'
'Hymn For The Heathens'
'Winds Of The Void'
'Locust Wings'
'Hobbled'

More on Adrenechrome at this location.

BUCKCHERRY's sixth studio album, "Confessions", will be the California band's first domestic release with new label Century Media Records. The CD is due in early 2013 on Century Media in the United States and via Eleven Seven Music in other parts of the world, with new tracks to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

"The time has come to finally announce the release of our sixth LP, 'Confessions'," says BUCKCHERRY frontman Josh Todd. "This is our coolest album yet and I think a lot of people will relate. If you love BUCKCHERRY, you are going to get a chance to be part of a great story. Join the revolution and let's rock!"

"This is, by far, our most ambitious record," says guitarist Keith Nelson, who co-founded BUCKCHERRY with Todd in 1995 after the duo met in a Los Angeles tattoo shop. "We are very proud of the work we've done and we are looking forward to presenting it to our fans."

"Confessions" is an album based on the seven deadly sins, and is part of a larger vision that includes a film written by Josh Todd, who based the album's lyrics on his childhood and transformation into adulthood.

Asked about the reports that "Confessions" is a "concept" album, Nelson told PopCultureMadness.com, "Basically, it kind of started off as a concept record and then evolved away from that, so I wouldn't really call it a concept record right now. But it definitely has a theme to the record. And the record, it evolved into Josh writing a screenplay, basically, loosely based on some events of his life. So the story of the record goes with the film and the film goes with the record and they really work together. It tells a story."

He added, "The whole idea was to, basically, make the record stand alone on its own and the film stand alone on its own, but they could both come together and work really well together. And same thing with the songs — there isn't anything on the record that is so weird that you wouldn't understand it unless you saw the movie. So the record really needs to stand on its own, like every other record we've made."

Todd told an Oklahoma radio station about the "Confessions" screenplay, "It's based around the seven sins and true events that happened in my life as well, when I was younger."

Todd, however, shot down the idea of playing the lead role in the film, although he did say that the band will appear somewhere in it.

He added, "I think (the film is) gonna be a real treat for people who love this band and people who are just discovering BUCKCHERRY for the first time."

As for "Confessions", Todd said that the new disc is "definitely a heavier, musically, record than we've ever had, and more melodic. It's pretty intense, but everybody's gonna love it. It's quintessential BUCKCHERRY at the end of the day."

California thrashers HIRAX have released a new single, "La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)", through iTunes. A very special limited-edition 12-inch vinyl version of the single with bonus tracks is also planned for a December 14 release on Black Devil Records.

"La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)" will be included on HIRAX's as-yet-untitled new full-length album, tentatively scheduled for a spring 2013 release. The song was recorded, produced and mastered by Bill Metoyer at Skull Seven Productions.

A promotional video that includes the song and a comprehensive photo slideshow can be seen below.

"La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)" track listing:

Part I: The Conquest - Guitar Intro
Part II: Thunder Roar
Part III: La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)

HIRAX is:

Katon W. De Pena (vocals)
Lance Harrison (lead guitar)
Steve Harrison (bass guitar)
Jorge Iacobellis (drums)
Mike Guerrero (lead guitar)

Finnish power metallers THAUROROD have announced the addition of Swedish singer Andi Kravljaca (SILENT CALL, SEVENTH WONDER) to the group's ranks.

Commented the band: "As you might know, it hasn't been too easy for us with the previous vocalists.

"Facing a vocalist change is never easy and facing a lot of them is just something really hard for a band.

"We went through a lot of vocalist candidates and wanted to pick a guy who can really kill on stage and who is reliable and we can count on him to deliver his 110% input now and always. We wanted to find a guy who is not only our new vocalist but also our very last!

"We are so relieved to be able to announce our new vocalist finally!

"We made two shows with Andi in Finland warming up for WINTERSUN and everything felt amazing and we had so much fun together! He easily impressed the band and the audiences with his energetic performances on both shows... what a crazy dude on stage!"

THAUROROD parted ways with Italian singer Michele Luppi in July. They attributed the split to the fact that Luppi "[didn't] have enough time for THAUROROD" and the group's desire to find someone who was "more motivated [and] who share[d] the same passion and hunger to go on with THAUROROD as the rest of the band."

THAUROROD's debut album, "Upon Haunted Battlefields", came out in Europe on September 24, 2010 via NoiseArt Records and Rock The Nation.

The group is currently working on the follow-up effort for a 2013 release.

Southern Germany-based melodic metallers FREEDOM CALL will release a digital single, "Power & Glory", containing their best-known "happy metal" tunes on November 2 via SPV/Steamhammer. The single release will coincide with the start of the band's European tour as the support act for LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY.

"We can't wait to bring our 'happy metal' to the fans in Europe," said FREEDOM CALL vocalist/guitarist Chris Bay. "Be prepared for a killer setlist with fan favorites and some surprises!"

"Power & Glory" track listing:

01. Power & Glory (3:25) (taken from the album "Land Of The Crimson Dawn")
02. A Perfect Day (3:58) (taken from the album "Legend Of The Shadow King")
03. Far Away (3:19) (taken from the album "Dimensions")

FREEDOM CALL's latest album, "Land Of The Crimson Dawn", was released on February 24 in Germany, February 27 in the rest of Europe and February 28 in the USA/Canada via SPV/Steamhammer.

SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner has been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and has canceled his previously announced appearance at the 2012 PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), set to take place October 31 through November 4 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.

PASIC is the largest percussion event in the world, which consists of over 120 concerts, clinics, panels, presentations and much more.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Bittner says, "Due to my recent health issues, I am under doctors orders to cancel my trip to Austin this week to perform at PASIC 2012.

"For over a week, what I thought was a stomach bug (and I was still on tour when all of this started), I came home last week and went to the doctors, and it was written off as just that, a bug. This past Saturday, the pain came back and lingered into Sunday, which forced me into the emergency room yesterday. After a day in the hospital, I was poked, prodded, tested and it turns out I have acute pancreatitis, which I'm told can be very serious if left untreated. They're not sure what brought it on (my doctor thinks it was viral), but I have been told by my doctors to not leave this week because I need to sent for more tests/MRI, etc., to make 100% sure I'll be road ready for the second leg of the SHADOWS FALL tour, which starts November 8. I should be fine, but needless to say, I'm very disappointed I will not be able to come perform in Austin this week! Maybe PASIC 2013??"

SHADOWS FALL's tour with GOD FORBID, THY WILL BE DONE and TRUMPET THE HARLOT will kick off in Norfolk, Virginia.

The band is touring in support of its new album, "Fire From The Sky", which sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Fire From The Sky" was released on May 15 via Razor & Tie.

Leviathan Records has just released "Metal In Your Face" from CHASTAIN. This CD features the heaviest tracks from the Kate French-era CHASTAIN CDs: "In An Outrage", "Sick Society" and "In Dementia". All songs were remastered in 2012.

Throughout the band's storied career, CHASTAIN has been recognized as one of the truly unique metal bands. The group has always had a female vocalist, even when it wasn't cool to do so. Guitarist David T. Chastain has been roundly praised for being one of the few "guitar masters" who actually writes coherent songs and not just vehicles to show off his technical mastery. Vocalist Kate French manages to combine sheer power and sultry sexiness in her vocals. Other featured musicians include drummers Dennis Lesh and Larry Howe as well as bassists Kevin Kekes and Dave Starr.

"Metal In Your Face" track listing:

01. Seven
02. In Dementia
03. Human Sacrifice
04. Tongue
05. Blackening
06. Bullet From A Gun
07. Tortured Love
08. Lucky To Be Alive
09. Hamunaptra
10. Destructive Ground
11. Violence In Blame
12. The Vampire
13. Angel Falls

Chicago-based progressive metal hybrid BORN OF OSIRIS will enter the studio on March 22, 2013 with producer Nick Sampson (I AM ABOMINATION, IN FEAR AND FAITH, ADESTRIA) to begin recording its new album for a summer 2013 via Sumerian Records. Mixing the CD will be Joey Sturgis, who has previously worked with ASKING ALEXANDRIA and EMMURE, among others.

Commented BORN OF OSIRIS guitarist Lee McKinney: "We're very excited to work with [Nick] in the studio. He's a shredder and aside from that a great engineer/producer.

"We felt [Sturgis] was the best for the job since we have a lot of electronic elements in our music and he seems to be the master of all that these days. Not to mention he obviously has insanely tight production and mixing skills."

Regarding the sound of the new BORN OF OSIRIS material, McKinney said, "I would say the direction of this album is along the lines of [2010's] 'The Discovery', but definitely a lot heavier and a lot more focused when it comes to song structure. We're trying to give each song a powerful, thematic feel.

"This next record takes all of the best aspects of 'The Discovery' and develops the ideas even further.

"We already have so much material that we plan on revising and refining over the next few months. While we do that, we will still continue to write more and in the end I think we'll pick the strongest 10-12 songs so we can drop the best BORN OF OSIRIS record to date."

BORN OF OSIRIS will cap off a stellar 2012 with a co-headlining tour alongside UNEARTH, starting November 1. The month-long trek also features THE CONTORTIONIST, OBEY THE BRAVE and WOLVES AT THE GATE. BORN OF OSIRIS has also announced its return to Europe in February with a stacked headlining tour that is not to be missed. AFTER THE BURIAL, MONUMENTS and THE HAARP MACHINE round out the stellar bill.

Commented McKinney: "It's such an honor to be able to bring [UNEARTH] with us on tour. I remember being 16, delivering pizzas [and] blasting 'The Oncoming Storm' in my car. We've toured with them before a couple times as well and they are some of the most fun dudes to be on the road with.

"People can expect to see our longest live set yet. We're playing songs off 'The Discovery' that we have yet to play on any other tours."

The music industry is buzzing about the new concept album by former URIAH HEEP/LUCIFER'S FRIEND vocalist John Lawton titled "The Power Of Mind". An innovative new CD, conceived, written and produced by the CGI member Dr. Milen Vrabevski, but performed by John Lawton and Bulgarian ensemble Diana Express, "The Power Of Mind" is an exploration into the science of positive thinking and its applications to the subconscious mind. It features 14 amazing songs that showcase the soulful vocals of John Lawton and the powerful instrumentals by Diana Express which will leave you wanting to hear it again and again...

"'The Power Of Mind' is a concept album with positive thinking being the theme," John explains. "In the world of today, I don't think there are many better things to focus on. The way the songs flow into each other is really the way one would read a book or relate stories to friends. The melodies and lyrics say a lot about how we should view each other."

Lawton has built a reputation on his powerful vocals and charismatic personality and is regarded as one of the best singers around today. And now with "The Power Of Mind', John has reached an artistic peak.

In conclusion, John has this to impart to his longtime listeners, "People who know me and my background will expect something new and with 'The Power Of Mind' they have exactly that. The album is a collection of excellent songs very well played and produced and one which I am very proud of...so make sure you give it a good listen. Think positive and trust in the Power Of Mind."

Available soon on iTunes, "Fairy Tale" is the first single from "The Power Of Mind".

"The Power Of Mind" will be released on November 12 via Intelligent Music.

An audio recording of Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE performing their new song "Temper Temper" live at London, England's Maida Vale studios on October 22 during BBC Radio 1's "Rock Week" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

"Temper Temper" is the title track of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's fourth album, which will be released on February 11, 2013 in the U.K. via Sony Music. The song will be released on November 25 across all digital providers.

"Temper Temper" was once again produced by Don Gilmore (LINKIN PARK, GOOD CHARLOTTE), who worked on the group's last LP, 2010's "Fever", and was mixed by noted engineer Chris Lord-Alge (DEFTONES, NICKELBACK, AVENGED SEVENFOLD).

As previously reported, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will embark on a U.K. tour in March. Support on all dates will come from HALESTORM.

"Temper Temper" performance:

Renowned multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer and now ringleader Devin Townsend played a special concert this past Saturday, October 27 at the Roundhouse venue in London, England as part of a one-night-only event that was recorded for both DVD and Blu-ray, likely to be released sometime in the second quarter of 2013 via InsideOut Music.

Professionally filmed video footage of the entire show can be seen below.

Devin described The Retinal Circus as "a retrospective of my career in music to date, with the central theme being a metaphor of how life and the adventures therein are a 'circus' of sorts. The show involves a cast of characters and guests that support this theme through carnival type performances. A story about how a troubled young man dreams of fantastic scenarios, (illustrated through the music of my back catalogue), which ultimately crests in the characters realization that life is all about the relationships we have with each other. This is the first opportunity I have been given to make theatrical representations of my music."

This three-hour performance included:

* A retrospective of Devin Townsend's entire career
* Full choir and theatrical cast
* Visual and aural enhancements unlike any show Devin has done to date
* Several special guests
* Circus and carnival performances and cast
* Art exhibit of Devin's albums, including explanations of each album

Devin Townsend played four shows in London in November 2011 dedicated to his tetralogy album concept — a great journey through Devin's different states of musical moods — which he started in 2009 with the albums "Addicted" (2009) and "Ki" (2009) and finished with last year's "Deconstruction" and "Ghost". The concerts were professionally recorded and filmed for a unique box-set release, which he has decided to call "By A Thread - Live in London 2011".

Released on June 18 in Europe and June 19 in North America through HevyDevy Records/InsideOut Music, "By A Thread - Live in London 2011" contains all four shows on four DVDs, plus a five-CD set (the four albums and one disc with all of the encores).

ANNIHILATOR has posted footage online of the band covering JUDAS PRIEST's 'Hell Bent For Leather' in Tokyo, when the band toured Japan in 1993.

Bassist Wayne Darley could not make it into Japan (and this ended his tenure in the band) so rhythm guitarist Dave Davis had to literally learn the bass parts in a day in a hotel room. Jeff Waters had to figure out how to play two-guitar songs with one guitar. Sloppy performance, but it is live and understandable considering the loss of the bass player.
This was a very successful short tour for the band and led to Annihilator's biggest selling tour and CD in 1995, King Of The Kill.

Note that Waters gets crushed at the end. He quickly admitted after the show "that was one of the stupidest things I've ever done; 3000 kids pushing towards me!"

Going back in time some more, the following video showcases Annihilator live in Japan in 1995. The band, consisting of Jeff Waters on guitar/vocals, Dave Davis on guitar, Cam Dixon on bass and Randy Black on the drums, perform 'Set The World On Fire', 'Knight Jumps Queen', and 'Bad Child'.
The blast from the past continues with this rare footage from the King Of The Kill tour in Japan in 1995; Annihilator play 'Snake In The Grass', 'Only Be Lonely', and 'Second To None'.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER recently recorded a live concert in their hometown, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. That concert will be released as a two-disc live DVD on December 15th.

The band has now announced that the DVD will be titled Bridges Are Born. The artwork for the release was created by Gabor Fetyko of Resize Media. Check it out below:



The first DVD in the release is a full of live concert footage with the second DVD containing a documentary featuring footage from the band's inception to today.

The DVD was produced by Resize Media , co-production with Mad Productions and Baracca Film and directed by Diamonds Are Forever drummer Marcu Dorin.

A preview can be seen below:

Finnish thrashers LOST SOCIETY have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's debut album was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki with producer Nino Laurenne and is scheduled for release in the spring.

Founded in early 2010 by thrash/speed metal enthusiast Samy Elbanna in the Finnish town of Jyväskylä, LOST SOCIETY played a number of gigs around Finland before taking part in the world-renowned GBOB (Global Battle Of the Bands). After winning the preliminary round in their hometown, they were invited to the finals held in Helsinki, where they prevailed over 13 other contestants. The grand finals of GBOB 2012 will take place at The Scala in London on December 9 and will feature 18 bands from all over the world, including LOST SOCIETY.

Commented Nuclear Blast A&R representative Jaap Wagemaker: "Nuclear Blast has a very long history when it comes to signing new bands from Finland and transforming them into household names. Once in a while, a new band comes along that is so driven, energetic, powerful, enthusiastic, passionate and professional that you immediately see its potential to make the breakthrough. After we had seen LOST SOCIETY playing at the Global Battle Of The Bands, we knew that this is a combo of that kind! [LOST SOCIETY's debut] will doubtlessly be a real highlight for all fans of speed and thrash metal. The future belongs to LOST SOCIETY. Welcome to the Nuclear family!"

Added LOST SOCIETY: "We are more than happy to announce that we've been signed to Nuclear Blast and we're looking forward a lot to cooperating with the label. Our debut album will be an old-school-thrash-oriented one that'll surely leave a lasting impression!"

LOST SOCIETY is:

Samy Elbanna - Vocals, Guitar
Arttu Lesonen - Guitar
Mirko Lehtinen - Bass
Ossi Paananen - Drums