HATRIOT, the new San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal band led by former EXODUS frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza, has completed recording its debut album, "Heroes Of Origin", for a January 2013 release via Germany's Massacre Records. The CD was recorded with producer Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, TESTAMENT) and features guest appearances BY TESTAMENT 's Chuck Billy and MACHINE HEAD 's Phil Demmel . The cover artwork is being created by Mark Devito, who has previously worked with MOTÖRHEAD and ANVIL CHORUS, among others.

Souza previously stated about HATRIOT's label home: "HATRIOT is very excited and extremely proud to announce that we have signed with one of the premiere metal labels in existence today, Germany's Massacre Records, who join us to fulfill our goal of world domination and relentless touring, to bring our fans the heaviest Bay Area thrash music of the modern era! Thank you all for the support that has made this dream of ours come alive!"

HATRIOT's new drummer is none other than Steve's 18-year-old son, Nicholas Souza. Nicholas auditioned for the band after the recent departure of Alex Bent and "proved himself to be the best choice," according to Steve.

HATRIOT's lineup also includes Zetro's 21-year-old son Cody, who got his first bass as a present from his father after Zetro bought it off current EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson. "I told him," Zetro said in a recent interview with Metalholic.com, "'You have to try out [for the bassist position in HATRIOT if you want to be in the band]. There's no nepotism here, boy. If you can hang, you're on.' So he actually tried out, and he got the gig."

Regarding HATRIOT's musical direction, Zetro said, "It's in the vein of typical Bay Area thrash, but these guys are a lot younger, so there's gonna be some blast-beats in there. There's gonna be some kind of death [metal] approach to it, a little bit. 'Cause these guys are new. They're raw, and they're fast, young, heavy, hard and aggressive, and I'm trying to convey that along as well."

He added, "These new kids seem to understand what we did in the '80s, but still bring a little bit of a new essence to it. We put that together with what I write vocally and it's turned out to be really, really killer. It's good stuff."

Asked why he thinks thrash metal has enjoyed something of a revival in more recent years, Zetro told Über Röck, "You know, I get asked this a lot, and I think it is because the first wave of thrash came and went so fast. I mean, it started in the mid-'80s and was gone by 1991 or so. The older bands still have something to say, and I feel that's why they are still able to put out great music so many years later. Now the fans that were young kids back then have bands of their own, so these new bands are naturally influenced by the old sound and it has come full circle. Of course, with technology and things like they are today, it is a totally different ballgame when it comes to marketing the music. I don't know that there will ever be another band as big as the 'Big Four' or anything, because the business structure just isn't there anymore, but it is really cool to see these new bands carrying the torch of what we helped invent back in the old scene."

HATRIOT's "Blood Stained Wings" video can be seen below.

HATRIOT is:

Steve "Zetro" Souza - Vocals
Kosta Varvatakis - Guitar
Miguel Esparza - Guitar
Nicholas Souza - Drums
Cody Souza - Bass

A new video message from Finnish/Swedish metallers STRATOVARIUS about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's new studio album 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.

According to ListinDiario.com, the drummer for the heavy metal band EXSANGUINATION THRONE was murdered this past weekend in the Dominican Republic in a case of mistaken identity.

23-year-old José Carlos Hernández, who performed under the name Asmodeo Nefastdrum Shiva, was stabbed more than 27 times early Sunday by a group of men outside the Gustavo Live Pub in Santo Domingo.

Three men between the ages of 24 and 28 — Josaías Benjamín Mota Lorenzo, Máximo Dalvin Almánzar Guerra and Miguel Ángel Bautista Mota — were arrested in connection with the attack.

One of the suspects — who was caught with the 10-inch knife used in the killing — told police that he and the other men mistakenly thought Hernández raped a woman they knew a month ago, police spokesman Diego Pesqueira said.

José Carlos Hernández was the son of the late musician Jochy Hernández and reporter María del Carmen Hernández, who was a presenter on the program "Despierta América" on Univision.

The newly released Ronnie James Dio pint glass from Rock N Roll By The Pint is now available for order at this location.

Rock N Roll By The Pint is the creation of legendary rock photographer Gene Kirkland. His career spans over three decades and includes a who's who from A to Z. Being a fan of music and photography himself, this is his own unique way of blending the two arts to create a pint glass that can be displayed proudly either in your hand or on your shelf. If you appreciate music, photography or collectibles, these unique creations cover all the bases!

Each of Gene's images has been carefully chosen and is certain to make that beverage of your choice even tastier. He is as much of a fan of these artists as you are and he's an even bigger fan of quality and the "cool factor." Every glass is made in the USA and always will be. Fill your glass and toast to your favorite band or your favorite song and just sit back and quench your thirst.

"All Fired Up", a brand new song from Swedish hard rockers BULLET, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Full Pull", which will be released on September 14 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gutterview Recorders in Solna, Sweden with producers Nicke Andersson (HELLACOPTERS, ENTOMBED) and Fred Estby (DISMEMBER). The band states, "We think this is going to be our best album thus far. Expect the hardest-rocking BULLET album yet recorded!"

"Full Pull" track listing:

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

Bonus track:

12. Get On

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

The track listing is as follows:

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

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

"Highway Pirates" was mixed by Tobias Lindell, who has previously worked with such Swedish rock bands as EUROPE, MUSTASCH and HARDCORE SUPERSTAR.

Swedish metallers REVENGIA have announced the addition of touring guitarist Andreas Stolt to the group's ranks.

Commented the band: "To make REVENGIA's music justice live, we have decided to add an extra guitarist for live shows.

"Andreas is guitar player in the metal band NASCENCY and will be a perfect addition to the REVENGIA camp. We're very grateful for having him with us.

"First time Andreas will be performing with REVENGIA will be at the Snowy Shaw Halloween gig, where REVENGIA has been chosen to open up for. The gig will take place on November 3 at Sparbankshallen in Varberg, Sweden."

REVENGIA recently completed work on a new album with producer Matti Almsenius. A release date for the effort has not yet been announced.

The band previously described its new songs as "heavy, fast, doomy and melodic, just as usual in REVENGIA-land!"

REVENGIA's last album, "Eraser", was released in Japan on November 21, 2007 via Soundholic Records.

The band in 2007 split with ARCH ENEMY drummer Daniel Erlandsson due to scheduling conflicts. He has since been replaced by Conny Pettersson (ANATA, TRENDKILL, ETERNAL LIES).

The band recently stated:

"We want to share that Andres joined our band! He lives in Hungary but he comes from Venezuela. We still have a very good relationship with Tomi and we still keep up our alcoholic seances!"

Andres started to sing when he was 13 years old with his first band Sociedad Anonima. He was also a member of The Ministers, Monastery(Hayseed), Progness and Room Of The Mad Robots.

Andres commented:

"I am very happy to be a part of EYE BEYOND SIGHT! The guys are very talented and they are like brothers to me."

EYE BEYOND SIGHT are: Andres Vincze (vocals), Attila Sill (Rhythm Guitar & Vocals), Juraj Tóth (Bass Guitar), Bálint Varga (Drums), Zoltán Machala (Lead Guitar)

After the release of their long-awaited 26-song opus "The Cigar Chronicles", Christian rockers LIBERTY N' JUSTICE will stop being a project and start being a band that will feature JK Northrup (KING KOBRA, NORTHRUP-SHORTINO, XYZ) on guitar, Eric Ragno (CHINA BLUE, GRAHAM BONNET, TED POLEY) on keyboards, Justin Murr (LIBERTY N' JUSTICE founding member) on bass, and introducing David Cagle on lead vocals.

Commented Murr: "Cagle is a well-known studio singer whose voice I really dug the first time I heard him. JK, Eric, and I knew he would be the perfect fit and will give us a distictive voice that will be unique just to LIBERTY N' JUSTICE. We have been working on some new songs and loving what we are coming up with."

In 2009, LIBERTY N' JUSTICE, along with JK Northrup and with help from CJ Snare (FIREHOUSE), started recording a double CD called "The Cigar Chronicles" at JK's studio, Alien Productions. 26 songs (half covers and half originals that were penned by JK and Justin Murr) were laid down with guest appearances by over 60 musicians, including Jani Lane, Kip Winger (WINGER), George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB), Jeff LaBar (CINDERELLA), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES), Tony Harnell (TNT), CJ Snare, Phil Lewis (L.A. GUNS), Gunnar Nelson (NELSON), Mark Slaughter (SLAUGHTER), Ted Poley (DANGER DANGER), Jamie Rowe (GUARDIAN), Stevie Rachelle (TUFF), James Christian (HOUSE OF LORDS) and Steve Brown (TRIXTER), among others. After many delays, the album is finally completed and will be released once a suitable label home for it has been found.

The complete "The Cigar Chronicles" track listing can be found at this location.

LIBERTY N' JUSTICE's 11th studio album, "Hell Is Coming To Breakfast", was released on April 24 via Roxx Records. In addition to seven brand new tracks and various demos, the effort included the original acoustic demo version of the song "Sin" featuring late WARRANT singer Jani Lane in what was said to be one of his last recorded performances.

Dutch female-fronted black-death metal band EDGE OF SERENITY will release a new single, "The Royal Hunt", later in the year. The effort marks the recording debut of the group's new vocalist Nanette V. and includes a guest appearance by Swedish drummer Adrian Erlandsson (PARADISE LOST, AT THE GATES, NEMHAIN, VALLENFYRE, ex-CRADLE OF FILTH).

EDGE OF SERENITY decided at the end of last year to continue as a female-fronted metal band with a darker and sinister sound. Founding member Wietze Halma states, "As I always say, writing music is like living your life — it changes once in a while, and so at this moment, I just have the feeling of writing more darker songs than I did before. And I think with this sound I have found, we will continue, as it's not as friendly as the tracks on our debut album, 'The Chaos Theory', it gives me a more satisfying feeling overall."

EDGE OF SERENITY has finished several new tracks for an upcoming release, which will contain more special guest appearances.

The band's debut album, "The Chaos Theory", came out in May 2009 through Romulus X Records.

The official lyric video for "Grime Of The Century", the first new single in over seven years from ORGY — the reactivated "death pop" band from California — can be seen below. The track, which was recorded at NRG Recording and Entourage studios in North Hollywood, California, will be made available digitally on September 4 and as a physical CD on September 10.

Several photos from the studio can be found at WireImage.com.

ORGY will promote the single release by embarking on three-to-five-week tour in November. Additional dates in "major markets" will take place at the end of 2012 and in early 2013.

ORGY canceled the last five shows of its spring "Bad Blood Tour 2012" "due to high demand for new music."

Joining vocalist and sole remaining original member Jay Gordon in ORGY's new lineup are Carlton Bost (DEADSY, THE DREAMING, LUNARCLICK) on guitar, Ashburn Miller (DEADSY) on guitar, Nic Speck (RUN RUN RUN) on bass and Jamie Miller (SNOT, THE START) on drums.

In a recent interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Gordon was asked what the catalyst was for rebooting and moving forward with the project. "Ya know, it had just been too long," he said. "I was really interested in getting back out on the road. That was the first thing I wanted to do. It had been so long, I just wanted to get out there, brush the rust off and roll with it to see what happens. To do that you have to have a band and start playing gigs right away and that is exactly what I did."

On the topic of ORGY's new members, Jay said, "The new lineup is amazing! I don't plan on looking back, let's put it that way, they are that good. They are all amazing artists. Both guitar players, Carlton Bost and Ashburn Miller, came from DEADSY. The bass player, Nic Speck came from RUN RUN RUN. The drummer, Jamie Miller, is from SNOT and THE START. He is an amazing drummer! All of the guys are truly amazing performers and we get along great."

Swedish hard rockers THE POODLES will enter the studio in February 2013 to begin recording their fifth album for a tentative late spring release.

Commented the band: "It's been way too long, I know. [We] hope you've missed us as much as we miss you.

"By now you probably think we have all quit, retired, moved to a small house in the countryside and are sitting on the porch sipping iced tea in a rocking chair all day long, but that's not so. We've been keeping busy these last seven-eight months with all kinds of different stuff and we've enjoyed some well-earned time off as well!

"Last week we all got together again though, sat down, had a cold one and tried to figure out a plan for things to come. So, just to give you guys a quick update we have just started writing material for a new album and it's sounding awesome. Some really great stuff has been coming up already and there'll be plenty more before we're done, rest assured!"

THE POODLES' fourth album, "Performocracy", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 1. Released on April 15, 2011 in Europe (May 5, 2011 in North America) via Frontiers Records, the CD was again produced by Mats Valentin, but this time Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTASCH) mixed the 12 outstanding tracks that make up the effort.

The "I Want It All" video can be viewed below.

Swedish hard rockers BULLET will release their new album, "Full Pull", on September 14 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gutterview Recorders in Solna, Sweden with producers Nicke Andersson (HELLACOPTERS, ENTOMBED) and Fred Estby (DISMEMBER). The band states, "We think this is going to be our best album thus far. Expect the hardest-rocking BULLET album yet recorded!"

"Full Pull" track listing:

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

Bonus track:

12. Get On

A new two-minute teaser for "Full Pull" can be seen below.

A new single, "Full Pull", will be released on July 13 via Nuclear Blast Records. The single will be available digitally and on vinyl, with various colours.

The track listing is as follows:

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

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

"Highway Pirates" was mixed by Tobias Lindell, who has previously worked with such Swedish rock bands as EUROPE, MUSTASCH and HARDCORE SUPERSTAR.

Former VIRGIN STEELE guitarist and current BURNING STARR mainman Jack Starr will guest on the upcoming album from Sydney, Australia-based "epic, aggressive" metallers DRAGONSCLAW. The guitar solo for the track featuring Jack, which is a tribute to late RIOT guitarist Mark Reale, were recorded at Kenny "Rhino" Earl's (ex-MANOWAR) studio.

DRAGONSCLAW's debut album, "Prophecy", was released in January via Arkeyn Steel Records. The CD features guest appearances by Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (EDGE OF FOREVER, EDEN'S CURSE).

The band's lineup is as follows:

Ben Thomas - Guitar
Giles Lavery - Vocals
Ray Martens - Keyboards
Aaron Thomas - Bass, Orchestration
Alcides "Seed" Stowe - Drums

"Darkness Within" video:

Irish thrashers GAMA BOMB have released a four-minute video clip featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for their forthcoming fourth album.

The video, shot in the band's native Dublin, reveals snippets of two new tracks titled "Backwards Bible" and "Metal Idiot" from the as-yet-untitled CD.

"We faced down a lot of challenges to make this album," says vocalist Philly Byrne. "We've been through surgery, injuries, a member departing and the occasional dose of the shits, but we're finally there and it's sounding completely badass.

"Some bands struggle to change themselves from album to album, but we don't. Our aim with this album, just like all our other ones, is to do what we do even better."

GAMA BOMB's new album, slated for release in early 2013, comes four years after the release of 2009's "Tales From The Grave In Space", which the band gave away as a free download via Rapidshare with then-label Earache Records.