According to YLE.fi, NIGHTWISH has declined all interview requests in the wake of the band's split with singer Anette Olzon at the end of last month in the middle of the group's North American headlining tour. NIGHTWISH keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen told the web site in an e-mail, "We are not doing any interviews at the moment, The press release that was issued [announcing Anette's departure] covers all the essentials." Drummer Jukka Nevalainen added in a separate message, "We are concentrating fully on the tour right now. So no comments at this time. I'm sorry."

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

In a blog post on her official web site at FloorJansen.com, Floor said, "It is now 10 years ago I joined NIGHTWISH on tour with AFTER FOREVER as their support act. We stayed in touch ever since and that made the whole situation so much easier and smooth."

Olzon joined NIGHTWISH in 2007 as the replacement for Tarja Turunen after the latter was fired in 2005.

NIGHTWISH stated about the sudden singer switch, "In recent times it has become increasingly obvious that the direction and the needs of the band were in conflict, and this has led to a division from which we cannot recover."

They added, "We are all strongly committed to this journey, this vehicle of spirit, and we are sure that this will lead to a brighter future for everyone.

"We forever remain excited about the adventures to come, and we are extremely proud of the two beautiful albums and the wonderful shows we shared together."

Fan-filmed video footage of NIGHTWISH's October 5 performance at The Grove Of Anaheim in Anaheim, California can be seen below.

DIO DISCIPLES — the project featuring former DIO members Simon Wright (drums), Craig Goldy (guitar) and Scott Warren (keyboards)— will embark on a North American tour at the end of October.

The group, which pays tribute to legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) and is fully supported by Dio's widow/manager, Wendy, currently consists of the following musicians:

* Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) - Vocals
* Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB) - Vocals
* Craig Goldy (DIO) - Guitar
* Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Bass
* Scott Warren (DIO,HEAVEN & HELL) - Keyboards
* Simon Wright (DIO, AC/DC, UFO) – Drums

Commented Goldy: "After Ronnie's passing and a lengthy mourning period, Wendy Dio and the band that was left behind have decided it was time to honor and keep the memory and legacy of Ronnie James Dio alive in the most respectful way possible!

"The [new] tour dates have been [announced] and I hope that any of you that can... will come experience this!

"And it is an experience! There is something special that happens when a group of people gather together with the same heart, mind and spirit as one another... and that is what happens every night we (the DIO DISCIPLES) perform! I never know when... but I know that it will happen because it always does... some time during the concert, the audience and the band connect and become as one!

"And with the large speaker system, lights and special performances by past members of AC/DC, JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and LYNCH MOB... you don't want to rely on all the crappy little cell phone recordings that look and sound like shit posted on YouTube!

"I've never lied about anything to any DIO fan and I'm not about to start now! Every time we perform there's always several very special moments that just can't be defined into words! You just have to trust me and come experience it for yourselves! And I hope you do!"

Upcoming DIO DISCIPLES shows:

Oct. 20 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
Oct. 21 - San Luis, Obispo - Slo Brew
Oct. 23 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Oct. 24 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne
Oct. 26 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock on Strip
Oct. 27 - Tempe, AZ - Club Red
Oct. 28 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Theatre
Oct. 31 - Hollywood, CA - The Avalon (Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund charity show)
Nov. 08 - Ft Wayne, IN - Pierre's
Nov. 10 - Detroit, MI - Harpos
Nov. 11 - Etobicoke, ON - Rockpile
Nov. 13 - Portland, ME - Asylum
Nov. 15 - Sayerville, NJ - Starland
Nov. 17 - Amityville, NY - Revolution
Nov. 18 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Nov. 20 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock

Polish metallers HELLECTRICITY – featuring members of CORRUPTION, LOSTBONE, HEDFIRST, CARNAL, and THE SUPERGROUP - will release their debut studio album Salem Blood on October 29th in Europe via Metal Mind Productions and December 11th in USA (via MVD).

The official video for the lead-off track 'Silver Bullets' can be viewed below:
Salem Blood tracklist:
'Silver Bullets'
'Endless Lie'
'Wolf Or Man'
'Plaque LXIX'
'Nightmare'
'Don't Burn The Witch'
'Eat Me Alive'
'Beware Of Light'
'Salem Blood'
'Prophecy'

Fan-filmed video footage of CANDLEMASS' August 18 performance at Dalsjöforsparken in Borås, Sweden can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Marche Funebre
02. Prophet
03. Bewitched
04. Dark Reflections
05. Dancing In The Temple (Of The Mad Queen Bee)
06. Waterwitch
07. At The Gallows End
08. The Lights Of Thebe
09. Black Dwarf
10. Seven Silver Keys
11. Psalms For The Dead
12. Black As Time
13. Hammer Of Doom
14. Solitude

CANDLEMASS played its first show with stand-in singer Mats Levén on June 5 at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm, Sweden.

Levén is a former member of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION and TREAT, who also plays with CANDLEMASS bassist/mainman Leif Edling in KRUX.

Also joining the group for the current live performances is keyboard player Per Wiberg (OPETH, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS).

CANDLEMASS in June parted ways singer Robert Lowe. According to the band, this was "a very difficult decision" to make and "has mainly to do with the quality of the live performances."

Lowe — who is still a member of SOLITUDE AETERNUS — joined CANDLEMASS in January 2007 and sang on the band's last three studio albums: "King Of The Grey Islands" (2007), "Death Magic Doom" (2009) and "Psalms For The Dead" (2012).

CANDLEMASS released its 11th and final album, "Psalms For The Dead", on June 8 via Napalm Records. A limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single contaning two album tracks —"Dancing In The Temple Of The Mad Queen Bee" and "The Killing Of The Sun" — preceded the full-length effort on April 13.

Guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH will release his autobiography, "Sacrum Profanum", in Poland on October 17. The book, which was previously described by Nergal as "a really long in-depth interview," will initially only be made available in Polish, but "depending on interest, we might be translating this into English," he said.

The "Sacrum Profanum" cover photo was taken by Ivo Ledwozyw, with post-production by Seth Siro Anton (PARADISE LOST, KAMELOT, MOONSPELL, SOILWORK, EXODUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, DECAPITATED, VADER).

Several promotional clips for "Sacrum Profanum" were recently directed by Dariusz Szermanowicz of Polish producers Grupa 13, with whom Nergal previously collaborated on the BEHEMOTH videos "At The Left Hand Ov God" and "Ov Fire And The Void".

The trailers were scripted by Nergal and are "little portraits of certain chapters of the book," according to the BEHEMOTH frontman. The clips show Nergal reading excerpts from the autobiography as well as acting out parts of stories that he describes as "some funny, some sad, some evil — some related to the band, some not." The series of trailers are in the Polish language with English subtitles.

The fifth trailer can now be seen below.

An excerpt from the book (in Polish) can be downloaded at this location.

In December 2010, Darski underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure after being diagnosed with a life-threatening form of leukemia.

Trailer #5:

"New Blood", the new video from the genre-defying Denton, Texas-based experimental noise merchants SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS, can be seen below.

"We are super excited for this new video," commented the band. "Director Justin Beasley always does amazing work. He took our ideas and made them exactly what we wanted. This video really reflects the feel of the song and we couldn't be happier with how it came out."

"New Blood" comes off SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS' new album, "Novella", which will be released on October 22 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Infrasonic Sound and Bucket Of Truth studios in Los Angeles, California with producer and IWRESTLEDABEARONCE guitarist Steven Bradley. The cover artwork was created by Rick McDonald.

SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS is currently on the road with IWRESTLEDABEARONCE and OCEANO, among others.

"New Blood" video:

"Devoured By The Black Hole", the new single from Norwegian extreme metallers DOMINANZ, will be released digitally on October 10. The cover artwork for the effort was designed by Cadiesart.

"Devoured By The Black Hole" is the first single from DOMINANZ's second album, to be released in 2013.

A video teaser for the track is available in the YouTube clip below.

According to a press release, DOMINANZ's music is a combination of "atmospheric and black gothic" influences with "various industrial elements … It is aggressive and groovy, and creates a creepy atmosphere. The lyrics deal with everything from depictions of erotic oppression, slavery and ways to dominate fellow man. The main theme is on the bleak and destructive and living on the edge between life and death."

DOMINANZ is:

Roy N. Mathisen (ex-TAAKE, OFRYSKJE) - Vocals, Bass
Jørn Tunsberg (HADES ALMIGHTY, ex-IMMORTAL, OLD FUNERAL) - Guitar
Frode Gaustad (ex-THY GRIEF) - Drums
Lars Skulstad (ex-HELHEIM) - Synthesizers

DOMINANZ's debut album, "As I Shine", came out in 2011.

KISS are the latest act confirmed for Sweden Rock Festival 2013, which will take place will take place June 5-8 in Sölvesborg, Sweden
Confirmed acts now include: AMARANTHE, AMON AMARTH, AXXIS, DEMON, HUNTRESS, KISS, KROKUS, MORGANA LEFAY, RUSH, THE SCAMS, STATUS QUO, UFO, WITCHCRAFT

Sweden Rock Festival is a four-day festival with a total of 80 bands performing on five outdoor stages. More info can be found at www.swedenrock.com.

New York death metal veterans SUFFOCATION are putting the finishing touches on their new album, "Pinnacle Of Bedlam", for an early 2013 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by the band at Full Force Studios in New York with longtime collaborator Joe Cincotta. The mixing and mastering of the album is set to be handled this time around by world renowned producer/engineer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, ARSIS, SUICIDE SILENCE).

"Pinnacle Of Bedlam" will feature 10 genre-defining-bone-crushing tracks and also marks the return of drummer Dave Culross, who previously played on the "Despise The Sun" EP.

Commented SUFFOCATION bassist Derek Boyer: "The recording process of our new album, 'Pinnacle Of Bedlam', began Monday, August 13th. We brought in our gear, mic'd up the drum kit, imported tempo maps from our pre-production sessions, then dove right in!

"The drum tracking came out amazing! Dave Culross killed it! Once I laid down the bass tracks, the foundation of the album was built and was very solid and ready for Terrance [Hobbs] and Guy [Marchais] to begin recording guitars, which they have. Thereafter, Frank [Mullen] began working on his vocals.

"The recording process is just about wrapped up. We just have some tweaking to do before we send it off to get mixed and mastered."

Added guitarist Terrance Hobbs: "The meaning of the album title 'Pinnacle Of Bedlam', is the tipping point or most elevated moment as we approach the chaotic climax of this existence. The cosmic scale teeters and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

"People should expect nothing less than sheer brutality, as we perform together with this incredible lineup! We feel this CD will be the best SUFFOCATION album ever to have been released and are confident the fans will love it."

As previously reported, SUFFOCATION is among the inductees for this year's class of the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame. TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider will receive the Harry Chapin Award at the event, which will be held on October 18 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York. Snider will also perform selections from his "Dee Does Broadway" album.

Inductees are selected by the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame Board Of Directors from anevolving and growing list of people, artists, and entities that wereborn, raised, founded, or have resided on geographic Long Island (Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk) for a significant portion of theircareer. Induction is based on historical importance and thesignificance of their contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage.

"So You're Afraid", the new video from ALTER BRIDGE and CREED guitarist Mark Tremonti, can be seen below.

Many of you know the variation of this riff from Tremonti's "The Sound And The Story" guitar instructional DVD as part of a riff exercise. The riff stuck around and eventually blossomed into the four-minute alternative metal tune we all know as "So You're Afraid".

Fret12 is bringing you this brand new live music video which was recorded and shot live at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, Illinois back in April. Watch Mark and company blaze through "So You're Afraid" with all live audio recorded by Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K.

VAN HALEN bassist Wolfgang Van Halen made his first appearance as part of Tremonti's solo band last month at a show in Rhode Island. This marks the first time Wolfgang has played with anyone outside of his father Eddie, his uncle Alex and singer David Lee Roth.

Wolfgang Van Halen is replacing Tremonti's bandmate from CREED and ALTER BRIDGE, Brian Marshall, who is sitting out the Tremonti trek for undisclosed personal reasons. The other members of Tremonti's touring band include Eric Friedman on guitar and Garrett Whitlock on drums.

Tremonti is on the road behind his debut solo album, "All I Was", which came out this past July.

"Live At Wacken", the new DVD+CD package from Arizona thrashers SACRED REICH, will be released on October 12 in Europe via Golden Core/ZYX and on November 19 in North America through Metal Blade. The set contains professionally filmed and recorded footage of the band's August 4, 2007 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany in front of 60,000 heavy metal fans.

"Live At Wacken" track listing:

01. The American Way
02. Administrative Decisions
03. One Nation
04. Love… Hate
05. Ignorance
06. Crimes Against Humanity
07. Who's To Blame
08. State Of Emergency
09. War Pigs (BLACK SABBATH cover)
10. Independent
11. Death Squad
12. Surf Nicaragua

In a recent interview with MetalRecusants.com, SACRED REICH bassist/vocalist Phil Rind was asked why the band hasn't made a new studio album after reuniting for sporadic live shows six years ago. "Our lives are different now," he said. "I mean, it's funny… Our old drummer Dave's [McClain] in MACHINE HEAD and they're touring and doing great; they're very successful. And I said [to the other guys in SACRED REICH recently], I wouldn't even wanna [get back into a full recording and touring cycle]. I wouldn't wanna be gone from my family. I have four kids. As much as I like this, as much as I appreciate the fans, what’s important — the family or playing live music? I mean, really?! What's important — being a dad to my kids? My kids need their dad more than the fans need a new SACRED REICH record. And that's really the bottom line. It's a choice. We have a choice to make. What do you wanna do? You have kids now. What are you gonna do — blow it off or are you gonna be their dad? The world will be a better place if I'm [my kids'] dad."

SACRED REICH launched its 25th-anniversary European tour in June.

The remastered edition of SACRED REICH's classic 1992 album "Independent" was released as a digipack and jewelbox on March 15, 2010 via Displeased Records. The first 2,500 copies contain a free SACRED REICH patch.

Displeased Records' reissue of SACRED REICH's classic album "The American Way" came out in February 2009. With upgraded layout, to-the-point remastering plus unreleased pre-production demo bonus tracks and a video clip, this new and improved CD reissue is an essential addition to every thrash metal collection.

"The American Way" was made available in a limited digipak version and standard jewel case version. The first 2,500 copies came with a free logo patch.

Leander Games has released the brand new MEGADETH-branded slot game on Facebook. This is a play-for-fun version available on the Facebook slots app AvaTingo. There are no prize rewards given, so it is not considered gambling, therefore legal in all countries, including the U.S. The slot game features images and songs from the band, multiple levels, free spins, a Head Crusher bonus round, and much more.

Click this promo link to play the MEGADETH slot game with 2,000 free coins.

The gambling version of the MEGADETH slot game is a top performer in the first three online casinos it was released (Betsson, Unibet and Betmotion) and during this week it will be published in six more casinos.

Go to this location for more information about the game.

In a brand new interview with RollingStone.com to promote "Celebration Day", the new film of LED ZEPPELIN's 2007 reunion concert in London, the band's guitarist, Jimmy Page, was asked about the possibility of further reunion shows in the foreseeable future. "I think if there had been any more concerts to be done, we'd already be talking about them," he said. "So I don't see it." "Celebration Day", he added, "is a testament to what we did in 2007. There it is."

"Celebration Day" will make its U.S. debut at the historic Ziegfeld Theater in New York's theater district on October 9. Prior to the premiere, founding members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant will be joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham, for a press conference at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

"Celebration Day" will then have its U.K. premiere at London's legendary Hammersmith Apollo on October 12. Jones, Page, and Plant will also be attendance for this special event and a limited number of tickets will be made available to fans for £20.

Premieres for the film will follow in Berlin on October 15, where Jones is confirmed to attend, and Tokyo on October 16, which will have Page in attendance.

LED ZEPPELIN took the stage at London's O2 Arena on December 10, 2007 to headline a tribute concert for dear friend and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. What followed was a two-hour-plus tour de force of the band's signature blues-infused rock 'n' roll that instantly became part of the legend of LED ZEPPELIN. Although 20 million people applied for tickets, the band's first headline show in 27 years was seen only by the 18,000 ticket holders who were fortunate enough to have secured seats through the worldwide lottery.

The film of "Celebration Day" will see a worldwide theatrical release by Omniverse Vision on 1,500 screens in over 40 territories on October 17. Tickets for the public screenings are available now via LedZeppelin.com.

"Celebration Day" will then be available in multiple video and audio formats on November 19 from Swan Song/Atlantic Records. Available for pre-order now, the details on all configurations of "Celebration Day" are listed below.

* Standard Editions – 1-DVD/2-CD set and 1-Blu-ray/2-CD set
* Deluxe Editions – 2-DVD/2-CD set and 1-Blu-ray/1-DVD/2-CD set featuring exclusive bonus video content including the Shepperton rehearsals, and BBC news footage.
* Music Only CD Edition – 2-CD set
* Music Only Blu-ray Audio Edition – Blu-ray Audio release featuring high-resolution 48K 24 bit PCM stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound audio only, no video
* Vinyl Edition – 3 LPs, 180-gram, audiophile quality vinyl (Available December 11)
* Digital Edition – Audio will be available at all digital retail outlets

A "Celebration Day" widget is available below.

"Kashmir" traser:

Ex-OZZY OSBOURNE/BADLANDS guitarist Jake E. Lee is back after over a decade in seclusion. In great shape mentally, physically and spiritually, Jake is ready to return and bring his brand of unique playing and music to the world.

In the process of recording his new album at Las Vegas' The Hideout Studios — owned and operated by Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, IN THIS MOMENT) — Lee's first new release will feature a combination of legendary rock artists and some of the biggest names of new metal. Already recorded are guest appearances by Robin Zander (CHEAP TRICK), Paul Di'Anno (IRON MAIDEN), Maria Brink (IN THIS MOMENT), with many other big names attached to the project.

Jake has launched search for a new vocalist who will sing at least one track on the new album and will join Lee on a world tour starting in late spring 2013.

Criteria: Must be capable of singing a couple of OZZY OSBOURNE and BADLANDS songs, plus tracks from Lee's new album while still having a strong enough identity to be able carry the band into the future, as Jake will head straight back into the studio after the touring to begin a new album with the new band.

What to do: Send an email to Ronnie@HideoutLV.com containing an MP3, or a link to an MP3 of yourself singing a OZZY OSBOURNE or BADLANDS songs. Then submit one other song or video of your choosing that you feel best represents who you are as an artist. Listen to BADLANDS' "High Wire" to see the range required for this gig. Only those vocalists that really fit what Lee is looking for will be contacted with further instructions.

Lee's new solo album is being recorded with the help of guitarist Ronnie Mancuso of BEGGARS & THIEVES, whose 2011 video, "We Come Undone", featured an appearance by Jake.

According to the All Music Guide, Lee helped Ozzy Osbourne score two of the most commercially successful releases of the singer's long and illustrious career — 1983's "Bark at the Moon" and 1986's "The Ultimate Sin". Lee eventually joined up with another former BLACK SABBATH singer (albeit briefly), Ray Gillen, and formed the LED ZEPPELIN/classic rock-esque outfit BADLANDS. Subsequently, Lee played briefly with a band called WICKED ALLIANCE before setting off on his own, issuing his solo debut, "A Fine Pink Mist", in August of 1996.

Jake E. Lee's "covers" album, "Retraced", was released in the U.S. in April 2005 via Shrapnel Records. All the songs were recorded in a "power trio" format ala BADLANDS and the tracks for the project were cover songs along that style (bluesy power rock).

Following the immensely successful "Human Remains" tour of 2011/2012 which saw the band gracing the stages of no less than 16 different countries across Europe and Scandinavia, legendary British occult metal act HELL has announced its only confirmed U.K. show of 2013 — on Saturday, February 23 at the Assembly Rooms, Darwin Suite, Derby. This gig will showcase the band's biggest-ever stage production, featuring a 100-minute lunacy-fest of epic proportions — including fire-breathing, stilt-walking, a four-truss movable lighting rig, some astonishing new additions to the "Church Of Hell" stage set, along with their full-on (and previously unseen in the U.K.) firestorm and pyro show — all belted out through the biggest PA rig ever crammed into this venue. There will be a few additional surprises which are being kept under wraps.

HELL's concert at Assembly Rooms will see the band unveiling brand-new tracks from their forthcoming second album, and the whole show will be filmed/recorded for a live DVD release, so front-row looney-tune crowd surfers are even more welcome than usual. The venue, the Derby Assembly Rooms Darwin Suite, is the spiritual home of Midlands metal where Bloodstock all started way back in 2001. It provides the perfect combination of a big-stage production platform, but without losing the "up-close-and-personal" vibe which is so important to the band and fans alike. There will even be a special HELL beer for this event — a fabulously dark 6.66% ABV 5-malt real ale called "The Devil's Deadly Weapon" created especially for this show by the band's fans at the Northstar Brewing Company. This will be available at the venue both on cask and in commemorative bottles for you to take away and keep. Or drink. Support at the concert will come from WINTERFYLLETH and A THOUSAND ENEMIES, while the event will be compered by Bloodstock Open Air's very own Master Of Ceremonies Rob Bannister. Extremmetal's ace Swedish photographer Soile Siirtola will also be in residence, snapping anyone wearing a HELL shirt for inclusion on a commemorative photo wall which will appear within the DVD cover artwork.

HELL's last U.K. headline show attracted fans from a staggering 34 different counties of the U.K., along with a healthy scattering of overseas diehards from Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and even Brazil, so if you really want to make a night of it, the band has provided links which give a whole raft of low-cost accommodation in the area. Several of the listed hotels partner with the Derby Live organization, and offer special cheap rates (like £25 per person including full English brekkie at the Days Hotel) for gig accommodation if you mention "Derby Live" when booking.

A 10-minute video clip featuring highlights of HELL's July 21 performance at the Zwarte Cross festival in Lichtenvoorde, The Netherlands can be seen below.

HELL's latest album, "Human Remains", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 46.

Cited as a huge indirect influence, and as one of the true founding fathers of occult metal, HELL formed in 1982 from the carcasses of U.K. metal bands RACE AGAINST TIME and PARALEX, whose "White Lightning" EP was listed by METALLICA as a favorite, and which was subsequently included on the Lars Ulrich, Geoff Barton "NWOBHM '79 Revisited" sampler album.

Despite over five years of constant touring, the band was cruelly overlooked by the '80s music press, who just didn't get it. HELL were too different, too extreme, too musically intelligent and far too thought-provoking for all but the most enlightened to understand them. The final crushing blow came when their long-awaited 1986 album deal with Mausoleum collapsed as the label went bankrupt, followed by the tragic suicide of singer/guitarist Dave Halliday in 1987. The remaining members drew a line in the sand and stopped playing overnight.

A teenage Andy Sneap was a permanent fixture on the front row of almost every show HELL played and was also taught to play guitar by Halliday. He then went on to form SABBAT and become a renowned metal producer. Upon meeting again, the remaining members of HELL — Kev Bower (guitar/keyboards), Tony Speakman (bass) and Tim Bowler (drums) — talked with Andy about re-recording the old material to release in conjunction with the old demos. With Sneap replacing Halliday on guitar and David Bower on vocals, the band has recorded 10 HELL classics from the '80s.

German metallers PARADOX will release their new album, "Tales Of The Weird", on December 14 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by PARADOX mainman Charly Steinhauer and was mixed and mastered by Victor Bullok (a.k.a. V. Santura; TRIPTYKON, DARK FORTRESS) at Woodshed Studio in Landshut, Germany. The cover art was created by Claudio Bergamin.

"Tales Of The Weird" features guest appearances by Bob Katsionis (FIREWIND) and Gus Drax (SUNBURST).

"Tales Of The Weird" track listing:

01. Tales Of The Weird
02. Day Of Judgement
03. Brutalized
04. Fragile Alliance
05. Slashdead
06. Drowning In Lies
07. Zeitgeist
08. Escalation
09. Brainwashed
10. The Downward Spiral
11. A Light In The Black (RAINBOW cover) (Japanese bonus track)

The new PARADOX lineup is as follows:

Charly Steinhauer (vocals, guitar)
Christian Muenzner (guitar)
Olly Keller (bass)
Daniel "Evil Ewald" Buld (drums)

Commented new PARADOX guitarist Christian Muenzner (also of OBSCURA): "I already applied for PARADOX 10 years ago, even before I was in the band NECROPHAGIST. Logisitically, this is even the closest band to where I live; we're not even 45 minutes apart, so this makes a lot of sense. Been a fan of that band for years and always wanted to play thrash, so here we go. The new songs sound fucking amazing, I'm stoked to be a part of this!"

New Jersey metallers ATTACKER recently entered the studio to begin recording their as-yet-untitled new album for an early 2013 release. The CD will feature recently recruited singer Bobby "Leatherlungs" Lucas (SEVEN WITCHES, OVERLORDE, MORBID SIN) and bassist Jon Hanemann, who replaced Lou Ciarlo in April.

Tracks to appear on the forthcoming ATTACKER album;

01. Giants Of Canaan
02. Trapped In Black
03. The Hammer
04. Born Into Battle
05. Black Winds Rising
06. Steel Vengeance
07. Curse The Light
08. Sands Of Time
09. Washed In Blood
10. Chronicle 1 (The Reformation)

A rough-mix version of the song "Curse The Light" can be streamed below.

Commented drummer Mike Sabatini: "We've had requests form people wanting to hear some new stuff with vocals, so here ya go. The song is still missing guitar solos, but they are coming very soon as well!"

Lucas in April laid down his vocals on the track "Steel Vengeance" (formerly "Condemned"). The song, which has never appeared on an ATTACKER album, was previously released as an extremely limited-quantity single for the band's 2008 Keep It True X festival appearance.

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, the band led by brothers and founding SEPULTURA members Max (also of SOULFLY) and Igor Cavalera, has recruited SOULFLY bassist Tony Campos for its upcoming tour of South America and Mexico.

Johny Chow, who has been touring and recording with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY for the past few years, recently joined STONE SOUR as that band's new touring bassist.

"Blunt Force Trauma", the sophomore album from CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 122 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's debut CD, "Inflikted", opened with 9,000 units to enter the chart at No. 72.

"Blunt Force Trauma" was once again tracked with ex-MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader, who co-produced the LP with Max. Logan also mixed the follow-up to the band's debut album, "Inflikted", which has sold less than 50,000 copies in the United States since its March 2008 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

ALASTOR, the legendary thrash metal band from Poland, will release a new album, "Out Of Anger", on November 26 in Europe via Metal Mind Productions and January 15, 2013 in the U.S. through MVD. The group's first release since replacing singer Robert Stankiewicz with Mish Jarski in 2010 was recorded in late 2011 at ZED Studio in Olkusz, Poland.

"Out Of Anger" track listing:

01. Beaten
02. Look At Me
03. Real Face
04. Crawling
05. Out Of Anger (In Your Face)
06. Righteous Kill
07. Hatemate
08. My Soul

"Out Of Anger" recording lineup:

Slawomir Brylka - Drums
Mariusz Matuszewski - Guitar
Mish Jarski - Vocals
Artur "Naho" Banach - Guitar
Jakub Kubasinski - Bass

The album will also feature the band’s ex-guitarist Marcin "Crowbar" Bilicki and a couple of guest musicians: Bartosz "Barton" Szarek (LOSTBONE, CHAIN REACTION) and Adam "Baryla" Brylka (HORRORSCOPE) on vocals and Lech "Blackpitfather" Smiechowicz (HORRORSCOPE) on guitar.

Boston power/thrash veterans MELIAH RAGE will release video for the song "Where Nothing Ever Grows" later today. The clip was produced by Brad Piche and Branden Maxham of from Omnidawn Productions, who previously worked with the band on the "Hourglass" and "Halo Of Flies" videos.

Check out photos from the "Where Nothing Ever Grows" video shoot at this location.

"Where Nothing Ever Grows" comes off MELIAH RAGE's seventh full-length studio album (or eighth, if you also count the "Unfinished Business" CD), "Dead To The World", which came out in July 2011 via Italy's Metal On Metal Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Jowita Kaminska, who previously worked with EXODUS ("Tempo Of The Damned"), WITCHBURNER ("Final Detonation", "Blood Of Witches", "Demons"), MANILLA ROAD ("Gates Of Fire"), ATTACKER ("The Unknown"), FORSAKEN ("Dominaeon", "After The Fall"), DANTESCO ("De La Mano De La Muerte", "Pagano"), METAL INQUISITOR ("Doomsday For The Heretic"), PARAGON ("Screenslaves") and DECEASED ("As The Weird Travel On"), among others.

"Dead To The World" track listing:

01. Up In Flames
02. Valley Of The Shadowless Souls
03. Skin And Bones
04. Absolute Obedience
05. Where Nothing Ever Grows
06. Never From Me
07. Cold Cruel Fate
08. Time Won't Let Me Breathe
09. Awaken Sorrow

MELIAH RAGE reunited with singer Paul Souza after the band's original vocalist Mike Munro became very dedicated to his church and spent time volunteering in Haiti. Mike subsequently felt these and other missions of goodwill would not allow him the flexibility of schedule to tour with MELIAH RAGE.

Souza recorded two albums with MELIAH RAGE — "Barely Human" and 2006's "The Deep And Dreamless Sleep". In addition, he toured with the band when it supported METAL CHURCH across the U.S. in 2007.

Danish melodic progressive power metal band ANUBIS GATE has parted ways with guitarist Jesper M. Jensen and has replaced him with Michael Bodin (THIRD EYE, NORTHERN EMPIRE).

Commented the group: "Jesper's decision to leave the band to pursue other musical interests has been some time in the making. Actually, Jesper announced his leaving to the band three months ago, leaving us with good time to the difficult task of finding the right replacement.

"We feel it's important for everybody to know that Jesper's exit has nothing to do with personal differences. In fact, we are still the best of friends. Jesper simply found that now was the right time to try something new. We are, of course, sad that he is leaving, but respect his decision and wish him nothing but the best."

"[Michael] is a fantastic player who can contribute with very interesting material. In fact, he is already writing great new stuff for the new album, which we expect out late 2013.

"We are looking very much forward to presenting the new lineup for you both on stage and on record."

ANUBIS GATE is:

Henrik Fevre: Vocals, Bass
Kim Olesen: Guitar, Keyboards
Michael Bodin;: Guitar
Morten Srensen: Drums

ANUBIS GATE's latest, self-titled album was released in September 2011 via Nightmare Records.

Pictured below: Michael Bodin

According to Heavy Rock, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release a collection of KISS singles on November 19. The set will consist of 29 singles, 26 of which are picture-sleeve singles, with the solo singles in colored vinyl (red, green, red, blue) and featuring a mask of each member, just as they were released in the U.K. The box set comes in a black case with a fiery KISS logo emblazed on the front.

Featured singles:

* Nothin' To Lose / Love Theme From Kiss
* Kissin' Time / Nothin' To Lose
* Strutter / 100,000 Years
* Let Me Go, Rock 'N Roll / Hotter Than Hell
* Rock And Roll All Nite / Getaway
* C'mon And Love Me / Getaway
* Rock And Roll Nite (live) / Rock And Roll All Nite
* Shout It Out Loud / Sweet Pain
* Flaming Youth / God of Thunder
* Detroit Rock City / Beth
* Beth / Detroit Rock City
* Hard Luck Woman / Mr. Speed
* Calling Dr. Love / Take Me
* Christeen Sixteen / Shock Me
* Love Gun / Hooligan
* Shout It Out Loud (live) / Nothin' To Lose (live)
* Rocket Ride / Tomorrow And Tonight (live)
* Strutter '78 / Shock Me
* Hold Me, Touch Me / Goodbye (Paul)
* New York Groove / Snowblind (Ace)
* Radioactive / See You In Your Dreams (Gene)
* Don't You Let Me Down / Hooked On Rock 'N Roll (Peter)
* You Matter To Me / Hooked On Rock 'N Roll (Peter)
* I Was Made For Lovin' You / Hard Times
* Sure Know Something / Dirty Livin'
* Shandi / She's So European
* Tomorrow / Naked City
* A World Without Heroes / Dark Light
* I Love It Loud / Danger

"Ephemera", a brand new song from the extreme metal formation SYSTEM DIVIDE — featuring members of FEAR FACTORY and ABORTED — can be streamed using the audio player below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). The track's release coincides with the start of the band's North American tour with EPICA, ALESTORM and INSOMNIUM. The single was mixed by producer Pete Rutcho (THE GHOST INSIDE, REVOCATION, BURY YOUR DEAD) and serves as teaser for SYSTEM DIVIDE's upcoming second full-length album, due out on Metal Blade Records in 2013.

Comments SYSTEM DIVIDE vocalist Sven De Caluwé: "We are extremely excited to get this out, having just completed the mix of the tune, it has been amazing to see Pete transform this into the mastodon it turned out to be. This is, without a doubt, the most epic and challenging material the band has EVER worked on just the tip of the iceberg in regards to what we have in store for the second album. I hope people will be as excited about it as we are, it has been a lot of hard work and we cannot wait to play the song live on our upcoming North American tour with EPICA! See you all out there to crush some skulls in the name of metaaaal!"

SYSTEM DIVIDE's tour with EPICA, ALESTORM and INSOMNIUM is scheduled to kick off on October 23 in Washington, D.C.

SYSTEM DIVIDE is:

Miri Milman: Vocals
Sven De Caluwe: Vocals
Mike Heller: Drums
Mendel Bij De Leij: Guitar
Andrei Aframov: Bass

SYSTEM DIVIDE's full-length debut, "The Conscious Sedation", was released on September 14, 2010 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Conquistador studios in Cleveland, Ohio and was mixed and mastered by James Murphy (OBITUARY, TESTAMENT, DEATH).

Founded in summer 2008, SYSTEM DIVIDE set out to revolutionize the conventions of the over-saturated melodic death metal genre, proving that extreme metal can have more depth than blast beats, while female vocals do not have to conform to the precepts of the "goth" genre.

"Ephemera" audio stream (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep)

"Keep It Together", a brand new song from HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS — the project featuring NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor and his wife Mariqueen Maandig (ex-WEST INDIAN GIRL) along with frequent NIN collaborator Atticus Ross and NIN's longtime graphic designer Rob Sheridan — can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's second EP, "An Omen EP", will be made available on November 13 and will contain six songs, some of which will also appear on HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS' upcoming LP, to be issued early next year via Columbia Records.

"Regarding our decision to sign with Columbia," Treznor noted in his Facebook announcement, "we've really spent a long time thinking about things and it makes sense for a lot of reasons, including a chance to work with our old friend Mark Williams. There's a much more granular and rambling answer I could give (and likely will in an interview someplace), but it really comes down to us experimenting and trying new things to see what best serves our needs. Complete independent releasing has its great points but also comes with shortcomings."

HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS released a self-titled EP in 2010, and covered BRYAN FERRY's "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" for the soundtrack to "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" (scored by Reznor and Ross).

"An Omen EP" unconfirmed track listing:

01. Keep It Together
02. Ice Age
03. On The Wing
04. The Sleep Of Reason Produces Monsters
05. The Loop Closes
06. Speaking In Tongues

Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES will release their new concept album, "Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones", in January 2013. The cover artwork for the CD was created by the band's longtime friend, artist Richard Villa, and can be seen below..

The group was assisted by GOLDFINGER's John "Feldy" Feldmann during the tracking sessions for the CD, which is tentatively due in January 2013.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES frontman Andy Biersack previously stated about the band's new effort, "I'm so happy, excited and proud of this album!" He added, "Thank you, [Feldy] for helping us to create something we are all so proud of! This entire record is a dream come true!!"

Biersack told NME earlier this summer that the follow-up to "Set The World On Fire" was going to be "more of a punk rock record than anything we've done before. It's SOCIAL DISTORTION meets METALLICA." Biersack also confirmed that the album has a title, but declined to reveal it, explaining, "Of course we've got a title. I don't do anything unless I think about it six months in advance. We've got a title, we've got a story. It's a bit of concept record, there's a very serious story behind it. It's full of surprises."

BLACK VEIL BRIDES' new song, "Unbroken", appeared on the soundtrack to this year's movie, "Marvel's The Avengers". "Unbroken" is included on "Avengers Assemble", a 14-track compilation of music from and inspired by the film. "Avengers Assemble" was released on May 1.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES' latest EP, "Rebels", was released last December, exclusively through iTunes.

"Dreaming Of Breathing", the new video from DAYLIGHT DIES, can be seen below. The clip was filmed by Ramon Boutviseth, who previously worked with the band on the "Lies That Bind" clip.

"Dreaming Of Breathing" comes off DAYLIGHT DIES' new album, "A Frail Becoming", which will be released in North America on October 9 via Candlelight Records. Mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (OPETH, KATATONIA, DEVIN TOWNSEND), the CD features photography from Jonathan Mehring and packaging design by Agni Kaster.

The release of "A Frail Becoming" silences a nearly four-year writing gap from the quintet.

"'A Frail Becoming' is an album which, at many times during its creation, felt as if it may never be realized," states drummer Jesse Haff. "As each of our lives proceeded down different paths, the challenges and obstacles we faced felt daunting and at times impassible. Out of this struggle, we forged ahead, determined to write the best collection of music we've ever created. Thankfully our perseverance prevailed and 'A Frail Becoming' stands as the most accomplished and varied album of our career."

Recording of "A Frail Becoming" commenced late 2011. Bassist/vocalist Egan O'Rourke coordinated capturing individual performances of Haff, guitarists Barre Gambling and Charley Shackelford, and vocalist Nathan Ellis. By year's end, the raw tracks were ready for Bogren's impressive and critical touches. Haff notes, "While still sounding distinctly DAYLIGHT DIES, each songs stands independently on its own, uncompromisingly representing a reflection of the moment in time they were each born in. Expect beautiful and haunting guitar-driven dark metal, enveloped by a wall of rhythms and textures one minute, and deeply expressive guitar leads, solos and acoustic passages the next."

"A Frail Becoming" track listing:

01. Infidel
02. The Pale Approach
03. Sunset
04. Dreaming Of Breathing
05. A Final Vestige
06. Ghosting
07. Hold On To Nothing
08. Water's Edge
09. An Heir to Emptiness

DAYLIGHT DIES recently completed work on a video for the song "Dreaming Of Breathing". The clip was shot by Ramon Boutviseth, who also directed "Lies That Bind", a video filmed shortly after the release of 2006's "Dismantling Devotion".

"The Afterman: Ascension", the new album from New York progressive rockers COHEED AND CAMBRIA, can be streamed in its entirety at RollingStone.com.

"The Afterman" will be released in two separate full-length volumes. The first volume, "The Afterman: Ascension", will be available on both physical and digital platforms in the U.S. on October 9 via Hundred Handed/Everything Evil, and distributed through Fontana/Ingrooves (to be available in Canada via Universal Music Canada). The second volume, "The Afterman: Descension", is due in February 2013.

"The Afterman: Ascension" track listing:

01. The Hollow
02. Key Entity Extraction I: Domino The Destitute
03. The Afterman
04. Mothers Of Men
05. Goodnight, Fair Lady
06. Key Entity Extraction II: Hollywood The Cracked
07. Key Entity Extraction III: Vic The Butcher
08. Key Entity Extraction IV: Evagria The Faithful
09. Subtraction

A deluxe version of "The Afterman" will include a hardcover coffee-table book with expansive art by Heidi Taillefer and Nathan Spoor with collaborative written work from singer/creator Claudio Sanchez and writer Peter David that will create a song by song experience.

The two records follow-up to 2010's "Year Of The Black Rainbow", and will feature new bassist Zach Cooper and returning drummer Josh Eppard, who have replaced Michael Todd and Chris Pennie, respectively.

The concept albums will continue to be set in the band's alternate universe of "Heaven's Fence", which are part of their series titled "The Amory Wars". "The Amory Wars" is currently being developed by Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson of Leverage Productions for a live-action feature film. It follows the story of a superhuman dictator named Wilhelm Ryan, and a family that may have the ability to free the world from his control.

"The Afterman" albums will focus on a character named Sirius Amory, a scientist who discovers an energy force that can connect the universe's 78 planets together.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA frontman Claudio Sanchez said of the album: "This is, without a doubt, the most honest record I've ever written. Though all the songs can be interpreted through our main character in the story, they were initially written in a very spontaneous manner. In the past, I've always had a predetermined idea of what the story was going to be when I approached the songs. With 'The Afterman' being a new story within 'The Amory Wars' arc, I allowed the events of my life to drive the concept, and therefore opened up the songwriting to a fuller degree."

Malaysian female-fronted heavy metallers NUCLEAR STRIKES have signed a digital deal with Defox Records and Heart Of Steel Records. The band will release their first EP entitled Megastorm Eyes worldwide digitally in early November 2012 via MadRatts Productions.



Megastorm Eyes tracklisting is as follows:

‘Megastorm Eyes’
‘Last Savior’
‘Memoir For Of Friend’
‘Red Soldier’
‘Terminal Danger’
‘Memori Hidup’ (bonus Track)

lineup:
Steelgirl Ladyana - vocal
Rex Strike - lead guitar
1,2 Kill - guitar
Thunderbolt - bass
Iron Speed - drum

An eight-minute video clip in which Matias Kupiainen and Timo Kotipelto of STRATOVARIUS answer fan-submitted questions about the band's upcoming tour, their next album and much more can be seen below.

STRATOVARIUS's new DVD, "Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere", recently entered the Music DVD chart in Finland at position No. 1.

The news of drummer Jörg Michael's departure from the Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS in September 2011 was a shock for all of the band's fans.

To say goodbye to a friend, hero and member who characterized STRATOVARIUS' sound for over a decade, the group embarked on a five-show farewell tour of Finland in November of last year.

Before coming back with a brand new studio album in 2013, STRATOVARIUS released a two-hour DVD filmed and recorded in Tampere, Finland on November 19, 2011. This is one of the very last shows the band played with Michael.

Released on June 29 via earMUSIC, "Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere" marks the end of an era as well as a new beginning. Hits and classics like "Under Flaming Skies", "Speed Of Light" and "Hunting High And Low" as well as exclusive bonus material (30-minute documentary about the band's history, exclusive interviews with each member as well as a special comment from Jörg Michael about the reasons to leave the band) makes it a must-have for every fan and a real collector's item not to be missed.

STRATOVARIUS in June announced the addition of 24-year-old drummer Rolf Pilve to the group's ranks.

Métal Obscur recently conducted an interview with former GORGOROTH and current GOD SEED bassist King Ov Hell (real name: Tom Cato Visnes). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Métal Obscur: You took everyone by surprise earlier this year when you announced the resurrection of GOD SEED, with Gaahl back at vocals. What's the story behind this event, after all that was said and written about this project since 2009?

King Ov Hell: I don't view it like this. I have worked with Gaahl since 1999. This album is what we want to make in 2012. There have been lots of things happening in the outside world which has been sort of disturbing, but our musical work has never stopped or been affected by this. Gaahl had a little break with his retirement from metal, but we just put it on ice for a while.

Métal Obscur: Gaahl stated in a 2009 Terrorizer magazine interview that he was done with metal and its imagery. Why did he change his mind about it? Did you have to convince him?

King Ov Hell: Well, you have to adress this question to Gaahl. We never stopped working musically, but I guess neither of us would classify our new record as a metal record in sense of lifestyle or metal brotherhood. I have never viewed myself as part of any metal culture and we use metal music as a platform to express our art.

Métal Obscur: What can we expect with the first GOD SEED album? Will it sounds like GORGOROTH's late albums, or did you take a different path? If you had to describe this first record, what would you say?

King Ov Hell: Well, it's hard to describe your own music, but I wanted a different sound on this record than we had done before. It is always important to change. You cannot grow if you stagnate in common patterns. I have therefore incorporated some of my '70s influences into "I Begin". We also got new members in the band. These members have been important creating the sound which is GOD SEED. They all have a unique way of playing and able to go into musical territories without limits and narrow minded stupidity.

Métal Obscur: Did you compose "I Begin" alone, or did other members help you in the process? If so, how did they contribute?

King Ov Hell: I wrote most of the material for this record prior anyone else got involved in the process. Since the other members joined, we have functioned as a band, resulting Lust Kilman writing a song on the album and Geir Bratland doing a track. I have also worked closely with Geir on making the key arrangements on the record. Kenneth Kapstad is originally a jazz drummer and has a unique playing style. "I Begin" is the first chapter for the band. I am looking forward to work as a tight unit on the next record. I believe this to be the strongest lineup I have taken part of so far.

Métal Obscur: It's been three years now since the end of the judiciary saga surrounding GORGOROTH's name and imagery ownership. Looking back at it now, do you have any regrets, things you would have done differently, or do you still think it was the right battle to wage?

King Ov Hell: I don't think too much about this. It's part of the past.

Métal Obscur: Is OV HELL still an active project?

King Ov Hell: It's not an active project. I am too busy with my other activities right now, but you never know what the future brings.

Read the entire interview from Métal Obscur.