"Domino The Destitute", the new video from New York progressive rockers COHEED AND CAMBRIA, can be seen below. The clip was helmed by director Roboshobo (a.k.a. Robert Schober), who previously worked on METALLICA's "All Nightmare Long" and MASTODON's "Curl Of The Burl", "Divinations" and "Sleeping Giant" videos.

"Domino The Destitute" comes off COHEED AND CAMBRIA's sixth studio album, a double concept album entitled "The Afterman", which 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."

COHEED AND CAMBRIA is currently touring with IRON MAIDEN and will be hitting the road for a headline run beginning in mid-September.

On November 6, AEROSMITH — Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums) — will release "Music From Another Dimension" on Columbia Records. It marks the band's 15th studio album and their first studio collection of all-new material in 11 years. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and at the band's studio in Massachusetts; it was produced by Jack Douglas, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, with the exception of three tracks produced by Tyler and Marti Frederiksen.

"Music From Another Dimension"'s first two singles have been released simultaneously to radio this week. "What Could Have Been Love" is now impacting at Hot AC and "Lover A Lot" at Rock, Active Rock, and Classic Rock. The album features 15 new tracks, including two songs that audiences in North America were treated to on the first leg of the band's triumphant, sold-out "Global Warming Tour".

"Music From Another Dimension" presents AEROSMITH in ferociously fine form and at the peak of their powers. They're the only band of their stature with all-original members and who are playing better than ever have before. The album abounds with one highlight after another, including "Out Go The Lights", "Oh Yeah", "Luv XXX", "We All Fall Down", "Street Jesus" and "Can't Stop Loving You", on which Tyler duets with Carrie Underwood. The album also includes "Freedom Fighter", which features Johnny Depp on backing vocals.

AEROSMITH wrapped their U.S. tour August 12 in Bristow, Virginia. The dates included the band's triumphant, sold-out return to the legendary Hollywood Bowl (August 6) in Los Angeles, where Depp joined the band onstage. A new leg of fall dates will soon be announced to support the release of "Music From Another Dimension".

"It's not that it took ten years," Steven Tyler says, "but that we were busy getting ready!"

"This is the album we wanted to make since the band got back together in 1984," Joe Perry says. "Can't complain about number one singles or album-driven sold-out world tours, as we blaze the AEROSMITH trail with our fans. But this is the record that when the five of us are in a room yelling turn up the volume, that room could be 1325 Commonwealth Avenue (a reference to the band's first apartment where they lived and wrote their first song)."

A deluxe version of "Music From Another Dimension" will include:

* Four live performance videos: "Rats In The Cellar", "Train Kept A Rollin'", "Oh Yeah" and "Same Old Song and Dance"

* Exclusive interviews with the members of AEROSMITH bandmembers

* Three exclusive new bonus tracks: "Up On A Mountain", "Oasis" and "Sunny Side of Love"

The "Music From Another Dimension" track listing is as follows:

01. Luv XXX
02. Oh Yeah
03. Beautiful
04. Tell Me
05. Out Go The Lights
06. Legendary Child
07. What Could Have Been Love
08. Street Jesus
09. Can't Stop Loving You
10. Lover A Lot
11. We All Fall Down
12. Freedom Fighter
13. Closer
14. Something
15. Another Last Goodbye

New Jersey/New York's ILL NIÑO has set "Epidemia" as the title of its sixth full-length album, due on October 22 via Victory Records. The recording sessions for the CD took place in Hoboken, New Jersey; Austin, Texas; and Denver, Colorado.

The "Epidemia" cover artwork can be seen below.

ILL NIÑO drummer Dave Chavarri previously stated about the upcoming album: "This time around, we want to explore Latin and tribal rhythms we have never explored in the past five releases, giving us no musical boundaries at all."

ILL NIÑO's fifth LP, "Dead New World", sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 164 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous effort, "Enigma", opened with 5,000 units to land at No. 145 back in March 2008.

"Dead New World" was released on October 26, 2010 via Victory Records.

Fact is stranger than fiction: An A&R of a record company clicks on a friend's posting on a social network — more or less by accident and out of pure boredom on a gloomy winter night. Within a few seconds, the talent scout is electrified and has to watch the low budget video for "Die Stadt gehört den Besten" over and over again — even though you don't get to see much more than four guys bellowing out their emotions. Raw, snotty, unpolished, true and honest.

The friend asks: "They are good, aren't they?” The A&R agrees: "The song is great!"

To sign a band just based on an EP is simply the contrary to what seems to make sense in nowadays' music industry. Still, MARATHONMANN's EP has really gotten under the skin of the Century Media family by telling the band's story with a mix of Escapado, Muff Potter, Turbostaat and La Dispute.

Just half a year later several chapters have been added to their history: The "Die Stadt gehört den Besten" EP was released as digital download via Acuity. Music as well as MCD via Let It Burn Records. It received extremely positive feedback from the media as well as fans. Their first shows were a real rollercoaster ride: MARATHONMANN played anywhere from youth centres (including a power shortage), tours with hardcore icons such as COMEBACK KID and NO TURNING BACK, opening slots for German chart-stormer CASPER as well as festivals ranging from 1,000 to 20,000 people.

It just took a tiny nudge to convince them of making the right move to join the Century Media family.

Commented MARATHONMANN: "We were stoked that Century Media sent their 'friends' to make sure that everything went smoothly while we were signing the deal. It was probably a good hint for how things would be handled in the future...

"Seriously: We can hardly wrap our heads around everything that has happened since we started. Still, signing to one of the coolest labels for heavy music is definitely the icing on the cake! We feel 110% comfortable with joining their amazing roster that is featuring bands such as ARCHITECTS, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SICK OF IT ALL, IN FLAMES, SUICIDE SILENCE or TERROR despite being a bit different from the rest. Of course, it wasn't a troop of ghetto thugs that convinced us, but all the wonderful people working for CM who just embraced us the way we are. We are really looking forward to working with them!"

In July, MARATHONMANN started recording its debut album, "Holzschwer", at the Tonmeisterei in Oldenburg and are still working on the last bits and pieces. They are just taken a break to play a European tour supporting LIVING WITH LIONS as well as festivals and some single shows including the DONOTS' end-of-the-year show in Osnabrück on December 28.

MARATHONMANN is:

Michi Lettner - Bass, Vocals
Marcel Konhäuser - Drums
Robin Konhäuser - Guitar
Thomas Fischer - Guitar

The self-titled debut album from CHICKENFOOT will be re-released as a deluxe double-disc version on October 16. The set will feature live tracks recorded on the band's "Different Devil" tour this past spring while supporting its sophomore album, "Chickenfoot III".

Commented CHICKENFOOT frontman Sammy Hagar: "'Chickenfoot' will always be special to me for exactly what it is.

"Our former label went out of business and the album had been discontinued. You could not find the album anywhere, which is crazy! We got the masters back and our new label will re-release the first album and we thought we should include some live tracks from 'Chickenfoot lll'."

"Chickenfoot" deluxe version track listing:

Disc 1

01. Avienda Revolution
02. Soap On A Rope
03. Sexy Little Thing
04. Oh Yeah
05. Runnin Out
06. Get It Up
07. Down The Drain
08. My Kinda Girl
09. Learning To Fall
10. Turnin Left
11. Future Is The Past

Disc 2

01. Bitten By The Wolf
02. Lighten Up (live in Chicago May 12, 2012)
03. Big Foot (live in Seattle June 6, 2012)
04. Last Temptation (live in Seattle June 6, 2012)
05. Something Going Wrong (live in Boston May 16, 2012)

CHICKENFOOT's sophomore album, "III", sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's self-titled debut opened with 49,000 units back in June 2009 to debut at No. 6.

"It Starts Today", the new Jessy Fuchs-directed video from OBEY THE BRAVE — the Canadian metal/hardcore band featuring former members of DESPISED ICON and BLIND WITNESS — can be seen below. The song comes off OBEY THE BRAVE's debut album, "Young Blood", which is being released today (Tuesday, August 28) via Epitaph Records.

"I remember listening to my PENNYWISE and RANCID cassettes back in high school and daydreaming endlessly about being in a band and touring the world," says OBEY THE BRAVE lead vocalist Alex Erian. "If someone would have told me back then that I'd sign one day with the label that started it all, I would have never believed it. It feels unreal but my boys in OBEY THE BRAVE and I are definitely up to the challenge. We're extremely honored to now be part of the Epitaph family and are looking forward to many years of pure fucking destruction together!"

Originating from Montreal and Ottawa, Canada, OBEY THE BRAVE is vocalist Alex Erian (ex-DESPISED ICON), bassist Miguel Lepage, guitarist John Campbell, guitarist Greg Wood and drummer Stevie Morotti. Fueled by passion and a strong DIY ethic, OBEY THE BRAVE formed in January 2012 and gained over 14,000 Facebook fans in their first two weeks of existence, all without releasing a single song.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/obeythebrave.

According to TMZ.com, Nikki Sixx's girlfriend Courtney Bingham is planning to treat the MÖTLEY CRÜE/SIXX: A.M. bassist and CRÜE's fans to a special burlesque show.

Bingham will celebrate her 27th birthday on September 5 by performing a striptease to the MÖTLEY CRÜE song "Girls, Girls, Girls" at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, Michigan.

Photos of what she apparently plans to wear during the burlesque show can be seen at TMZ.com.

Sixx and Bingham have been dating since 2010, shortly after the breakup of his relationship with tattoo artist Kat Von D.

In his autobiography, "Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back with One of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen", MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil took aim at Sixx for his dating habits, writing, "Just like Tommy [Lee, MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer], [Nikki's] another one of those guys who just love the whole fame thing. He wouldn't have been with the tattoo artist Kat Von D if she wasn't famous. And [former 'Baywatch' actress] Donna D'Errico before her; she was a huge star at the time he married her. He just really likes to see his face in the paper. He likes the press buzz. He likes being that guy from the band with famous girlfriends."

Sixx, 53, has been married twice, to Playboy Playmate Brandi Brandt and actress Donna D'Errico, and has five children.

Metalodic Records has announced the signing of Marseille, France-based power metallers GALDERIA. The band's debut album, "The Universality", will be released at the end of November. According to a press release, the CD is "based on the universal spirit of unity. It drives the idea that we are all a part of a cosmic ocean of energy. An infinite and eternal consciousness that is all and in all. This is the idea behind the word universality."

"The Universality" was smastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland by Mika Jussila and features the artwork of Felipe Machado (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY, RAGE, IRON SAVIOR).

Commented Metalodic's head honcho: "I'm really happy to have GALDERIA in the Metalodic's family. As a true fan of power metal, their music is exactly what I enjoy the most, a perfect mix between GAMMA RAY and FREEDOM CALL. This first album is really amazing and I'm sure they will conquer the 'cosmic" heart of everyone around the world.'"

Added the band: "Galderians of the world, we are very proud to announce that we will work with Metalodic Records for our first album called 'The Universality'. We know that the label will make a great job to help us in the spreading of the cosmic message of GALDERIA, kingdom of the Universality of Creation. Hope you will enjoy it!! Keep the power and the joy of life!"

"The Universality" track listing:

01. Universal Glory
02. Children Of The Earth
03. Universality
04. Raise The World
05. Sundancers
06. Farspace
07. Galderians
08. Ocean Of Light
09. Beyond The Cosmic Winds
10. Rising Soul
11. One Million Dreams
12. Call To The World
13. Outro

A sample mix of four songs can be streamed using the audio player below.

Boston metal/punk crossover act MONGREL will release its fifth CD, "Reclamation", on September 25 via THC: X, the digital/alternative imprint of THC: Music.

While making "Reclamation", MONGREL "went through hell," according to guitarist and MONGREL mainman Adam Savage. "It was a four-year, five-bandmember change, two-studio, two-label and countless-hour process and now it's finally coming out!"

As the members of MONGREL were recording the new album, tensions within the band were tearing it apart and just as the CD was being completed. MONGREL ended up parting ways with its singer and drummer. They quickly recruited Dave Kazukiewicz to sit behind the kit, but finding a singer wouldn't prove to be as easy. "We found a male singer and then life circumstances put an end to that pretty fast," says Savage. "We then asked my friend Jessica Sierra to cover some shows with us."

After filling in for a few shows, Jessica joined MONGREL on a permanent basis and the band returned to the studio to re-record what would become "Reclamation" from scratch.

From the sludgy back-alley-infused opener "Bored To Death" through to the punk anthem "C And A Half" and to the final track, "No Gods, No Masters", the work of veteran producer Jim Foster is captured perfectly on this unrelenting, raunchy, thunderous twelve-track affair.

Swedish rockers PSYCHOPUNCH have inked a worldwide deal with SPV/Steamhammer. The band's new album will be released in early 2013.

Commented Georg Schröder, A&R at SPV/Steamhammer: "I know PSYCHOPUNCH since they started their career on the now-legendary Swedish White Jazz label — back in the day home of bands like GLUECIFER, HELLACOPTERS and many others — and these guys still out there playing rock 'n' roll as it should be. Straight guitars, great hooks — this is the perfect soundtrack for the next rock 'n' roll party. We’re very proud to have this band on board now and can’t wait to release studio album number 10!"

Added PSYCHOPUNCH's JM: "We are really happy to have finally signed the deal with SPV and are are looking forward to our collaboration with them on the release of our next studio album. After releasing records on both legendary label White Jazz Records and Silverdust Records, we felt that this was a great and natural step for us to take. We have great expectations on SPV and I’m sure they have that on us and we will do our best not to disappoint anyone! Think that some of the best stuff we ever recorded will be found on the new album!"

PSYCHOPUNCH is:

JM: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Joey: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jocke: Drums
Lindell: Bass, Backing Vocals

Pictured below: PSYCHOPUNCH with Georg Schröder

Former ICED EARTH members Matt Barlow (vocals) and Freddie Vidales (bass, guitar), along with ex-NEVERMORE drummer Van Williams, have set ASHES OF ARES as the name of their brand new project, which is currently working on original material. A new taste of what is to come can be heard in the YouTube clip below.

Commented Barlow: "Well, though we are still in the early stages of progress, we are really excited about what we are hearing thus far. We hope that you have patience with us as we continue with this creative process and search for a record label that will help us bring our music to you all in the best way. Thanks for all your support.... More to come!"

Barlow announced his retirement from ICED EARTH in March 2011, citing his commitment to his family and the need for the group to tour more as the reasons for his exit.

Vidales left ICED EARTH earlier this year for reasons which were not disclosed. He says, "I know from the outside it seems nuts to leave a band with so much going for it, but from the inside it made a lot of sense to me." He adds, "I did not leave because Matt left or so we could work on this [new project], I also did not leave because of the heavy touring. I was actually glad that the touring had picked up. My reasons are private. The guys in the band know, and that's all who need to know."

Williams and guitarist Jeff Loomis announced their departure from NEVERMORE in April 2011 due to personal differences with the band's lead singer, Warrel Dane, and bassist, Jim Sheppard.

A "closer look" at the track "I Believed In God" from Canadian rockers DANKO JONES is available in the YouTube clip below. The song, which features a gospel choir, comes off the band's new album, "Rock And Roll Is Black And Blue", which will be released in North America on October 9.

Over the course of six full-length albums, DANKO JONES has forged a singular sound that draws equally from the blues, '60s garage, '70s hard rock, '80s hardcore, punky power-pop, Scandinavian metal, and classic stand-up comedy records without ever being fully defined by any of those sources. But while built from the same rudiments, each DANKO JONES record possesses a distinct sonic identity. "Born A Lion" (2002) brought the boogie and sledgehammer soul; "We Sweat Blood" (2003) was, by contrast, more anxious and aggro. "Sleep Is The Enemy" (2006) wielded the sharpest hooks. "Never Too Loud" (2008) was as slick as "Below The Belt" (2010) was stripped-down. But, compared to all that's come before, "Rock And Roll Is Black And Blue" is, hands down, the most emotional and, as a result, the most epic DANKO JONES album to date.

Now, don't be scared off by those E-words — there's not a children's choir, orchestra or piano ballad to be found within a 500-mile radius of this album. But what you hear on "Rock And Roll Is Black And Blue" is the DANKO JONES ideal blown up to skyscraping proportions, resulting in 13 tracks that are bolder, brasher, and brawnier than anything they've attempted before. The album is produced in full by their longtime partner in crime Matt DeMatteo and was mixed by Mike Fraser, known for his work with AC/DC, AEROSMITH, FRANZ FERDINAND and ELVIS COSTELLO, to name a few. It is also the first album recorded with "new" drummer Atom Willard — the sixth person in DANKO JONES history to hold the "drummer" title, but the first to stand on equal creative footing with Danko and his longtime foil, bassist John "JC" Calabrese. The man's résumé speaks for itself: Not only was Willard the driving percussive force behind Danko's all-time favorite San Diegan garage-punk armada ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT, he's also been keeping time for the multi-platinum likes of THE OFFSPRING, SOCIAL DISTORTION and ANGELS & AIRWAVES, so he knows how to drum his way around a massive tune.

The new DANKO JONES album follows the June release of "Bring On The Mountain" — a two-disc DVD featuring a 90-minute documentary, a short film, exclusive live clips from around the world and all the music videos they have ever done. A lengthy European tour scheduled for October/November was announced during spring. Tour dates in Canada, U.S. and Australia will be announced soon, with more European touring and a busy festival summer in 2013 also on the horizon.

Video footage of EXODUS's headlining performance at the third annual Slaughter By The Water festival, which took place this past Saturday, August 25 on the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier in Alameda, California, can be seen below (courtesy of Capital Chaos TV).

When asked whether EXODUS has plans to record the follow-up to 2010's "Exhibit B: The Human Condition" album, bassit Jack Gibson told Peek From The Pit in June, "We're way overdue to do it. We've just been so busy. Actually, we've been getting great tour offers over and over, and we just keep wanting to take them, and that, coupled with the fact that Gary [Holt], our main guitar player and songwriter, is out playing with SLAYER, he's filling in for [SLAYER guitarist] Jeff [Hanneman] on this whole [SLAYER tour]. Nobody really knows how long that's gonna take, how long Jeff's gonna take [to recover from contracting necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, in January 2011]. I mean, it was pretty severe what happened to him, from what I understand. So we just haven't had the time, to be perfectly honest. I know that Gary has songs, and Lee [Altus, guitar] has some stuff — they've been coming up with stuff — [but] we just really haven't had the time to sit down and hammer it all out and then record it. That takes a few months together to make that happen, and we just haven't had the time, basically. But there is gonna be another album, for sure. The way that our writing has been going and our albums have been going, it's gonna be great — I know it. What I've heard Gary noodling with. Me, him and Tom [Hunting, drums] have kind of just fooled around with it here and there, and man, it's gonna be good. Gary, he's the main driver, and [the songwriting] keeps evolving. It's one of the things I really like about the band — the music keeps getting good; it doesn't just stay the same or we don't rewrite the last one. We kind of throw the last one out and do something new each time. So I expect the same and more from the next album."

"Exhibit B: The Human Condition" was released in North America on May 18, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The CD sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 114 on The Billboard 200 chart.

EXODUS' previous album, "The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A", opened with 3,600 units back in October 2007.

British heavy metal legends SAXON have completed recording their new album for a tentative February 2013 release. The follow-up to 2011's "Call To Arms" is scheduled to be mixed by British producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, ACCEPT, NEVERMORE, EXODUS and ARCH ENEMY, among many others.

A new video podcast from the studio can be seen below.

SAXON in April released "Saxon - Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken", the no-fat-no-bullshit-100%-pure CD/DVD featuring DVD highlights from the band's Wacken shows in 2004, 2007 and 2009 comprising thirty songs, plus a live CD from Glasgow in 2011. Each set captures the Barnsley-bred British heavy metal legends delivering classic after classic, from "Denim & Leather" to "Metalhead" to "Heavy Metal Thunder" to "Princess Of The Night" to "Crusader" in front of 75,000-pluds loyal, ravenous fans, who have come to expect (and receive) the levels of performance SAXON have been delivering for 32 years.

"Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken" is available in a variety of formats, including the Golden Ticket D2C/Direct To Consumer Box.

Strictly limited, this exclusive package contains the "Best Of Wacken" DVD, plus the full and complete SAXON Wacken Open Air performances from 2004/2007/2009 each on a separate DVD, plus a SAXON flag.

"Call To Arms" sold around 700 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 51 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. The digipack version of "Call To Arms" includes a glorious bonus — a free seven-track CD, "Live At Donington 1980".

Frontiers Records has set a September 25 North American release date for "Broken Bones", the 11th studio album from melodic hard rockers DOKKEN. The effort will be released in two configurations: standard CD and limited-edition CD in digipak with a bonus DVD, which features a comprehensive "Making Of The Album" documentary.

"Broken Bones" was produced by DOKKEN frontman and namesake Don Dokken and was mixed by Bob St. John (EXTREME, DURAN DURAN, COLLECTIVE SOUL) and Wyn Davis (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, WHITESNAKE) and mastered by famed engineer Maor Appelbaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA). The new set features a return to the band's signature sound of catchy melodies, hot riffs and monster production.

"Broken Bones" track listing:

01. Empire
02. Broken Bones
03. Best Of Me
04. Blind
05. Waterfall
06. Victim Of The Crime
07. Burning Tears
08. Today
09. For The Last Time
10. Fade Away
11. Tonight

The drums for the CD were laid down at MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's The Atrium studio in Calabasas, California.

Don Dokken stated in a recent interview about the "Broken Bones" album title, "[It] is a metaphor that we all have broken bones, be it from an accident, failed relationship, or a broken heart. Everybody gets wounded as we go through life, but, as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Dokken previously described the band's new material as "very uptempo and heavy." He added, "We know our fans like the classic DOKKEN sound, and this is where our new music is headed. It's been a band of brothers doing what we love: 'music.'"

Regarding the new songs' lyrical approach, Dokken said, "I write what comes from the heart, I don't believe in writing music trying to repeat what you've already done. I understand what the fans want but as an artist I see no point in painting the same picture over and over."

The first single from "Broken Bones" will be "Empire". An audio sample of the song is available for streaming using the player below.

"Empire" audio sample:

Romanian female-fronted metal band MAGICA will release its sixth album, "Center Of The Great Unknown", on October 12 via AFM Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Claudio Bergamin and can be seen below. The album is based on "The Diary Of Admiral" by R.E. Byrd, "Godess Of Atvatabar" by W. Bradshaw, "Beasts, Man And Gods" by F.A.Ossendowsky and a few more authors and adventurers.

According to a press release, "Fans can look forward to a diverse and powerful album, again very much effected by Ana's [Mladinovici] outstanding vocals and the guitar work of Bogdan Costea."

"Center Of The Great Unknown" track listing:

01. Center Of The Great Unknown
02. Masterspell
03. King Of The World
04. Open
05. The Earth Is Young?
06. Step Into The Night
07. No Horizon
08. One Angry Gaia
09. Mark Of Cain
10. Under The Auroras
11. Daca 2012 (nonus track)

MAGICA's fifth album, "Dark Diary", was released in May 2010 via AFM Records.

MAGICA is:

Ana Mladinovici - Vocals
Bogdan Costea - Guitar
Emy Burcea - Guitar
Tiberiu Dutu - Bass
Sebastian Natas - Drums

KYLESA will issue a new collection, "From The Vaults, Vol. 1", on November 20 (four days earlier in Europe). The CD features previously unreleased, new and alternate versions of songs spanning the band's catalogue, including one entirely new song ("End Truth") as well as the band's legendary cover of PINK FLOYD's "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun".

"This project has been a labor of love," explained guitarist/singer/producer Phillip Cope. "We have spent over a year going through old songs, covers, etc., and collected those we felt went well together; remixing and finishing them up. We didn't want to release something just thrown together so we put a lot of thought and time into it. I am really happy about how this came together. I think it is a good representation of KYLESA's different styles from early on to present day."

The Savannah-based band recently wrapped up a European tour, which included stops at the Wacken Open Air and Area 4 festivals, and will enter the studio to begin work on a new album for 2013.

KYLESA's most recent release, 2010's "Spiral Shadow", was revered by fans and critics alike as a "record that trashes everything you might expect from the genre" (Pitchfork) and is "as sweaty as a south Georgia summer" (Spin). Singer/guitarist Laura Pleasants was recently featured on the cover of Decibel magazine's inaugural Women In Metal issue.

"From The Vaults, Vol. 1" track listing:

01. Intro **
02. Inverse **
03. 111 Degree Heat Index ***
04. Between Silence and Sound II ***
05. Paranoid Tempo **
06. End Truth *
07. Bottom Line II ***
08. Wavering **
09. Bass Salts **
10. Drained **
11. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun **
12. Drum Jam **

* New
** Previously unreleased/limited availability
*** Alternate Version

Photo credit: Geoff L. Johnson

German guitar wizard AXEL RUDI PELL will release a digital single, "Before I Die", on September 14. In addition to the title track, the single will contain the song "Where The Wild Waters Flow".

"Before I Die" comes off AXEL RUDI PELL's new studio album, titled "Circle Of The Oath", which registered the following European chart positions:

Germany: #16 (highest entry ever in Axel's nearly 25-year solo career)
Switzerland: #30
Sweden: #51 (#5 on the Hard Rock chart)
Austria: #55
Norway: #69

AXEL RUDI PELL — singer Johnny Gioeli, drummer Mike Terrana, keyboard player Ferdy Doernberg, bass player Volker Krawczak and guitarist Axel Rudi Pell — entered the studio in late November 2011 with engineer and co-producer Charlie Bauerfeind, to record "Circle Of The Oath". The CD was released on March 23 in Germany, March 26 in the rest of Europe and on March 27 in the USA/Canada via SPV/Steamhammer.

Configurations: limited-edition digipak including a bonus live track and poster; double gatefold LP with colored vinyl; standard version and download. Also available is a box set including two LPs, a digipack, poster, postcard, sticker and much more, limited to 1,000 copies worldwide.

AXEL RUDI PELL will embark on the second leg of the "Circle Of The Oath" tour in October. Special guest will be MAD MAX, and on three dates they will also welcome JADED HEART.

San Francisco based doom rockers ORCHID will release an EP featuring three brand new tracks and one song from their latest full-length album, "Capricorn", on September 7. The EP, entitled "Heretic", marks the band's first release for Nuclear Blast Records and will be made available both digitally as well as on 10-inch vinyl.

"Heretic" EP track listing:

01. Heretic
02. Falling Away
03. Saviours Of The Blind
04. He Who Walks Alone

A one-minute clip containing an audio sample of the song "Saviours Of The Blind" and commentary from the band can be seen below.

Commented ORCHID guitarist Mark Baker: "Late in 2010, after we submitted the 'Capricorn' full-length to our label and waited for the release, we realized that there wouldn't be any extensive touring, so we just kept writing and rehearsing new material. A few months later, we were back in the studio cutting basics for new songs. By the time we finished the business of changing labels, we had way more than one album worth of new songs. We, along with Nuclear Blast, decided it would be a great idea to release a few of those on an EP this year while we wrap up everything for our next full-length. We're really excited for people worldwide to get a chance to check out what we've been up to in the last year. These new songs have the classic, anthemic ORCHID sound that people expect from us, along with a few elements that we've never shown before."

Since its inception in 2006, ORCHID — which features in its ranks well-known tattoo artist Theo Mindell on vocals — has achieved massive global awareness with their stunning releases "Through The Devil's Doorway" (EP, 2009) and "Capricorn" (full-length, 2011).

ORCHID is:

Theo Mindell: Vocals
Carter Kennedy: Drums
Mark Thomas Baker: Guitar
Keith Nickel: Bass

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of NIDINGR, the Norwegian band featuring former and current members of such acts as MAYHEM, GORGOROTH, DHG (DØDHEIMSGARD), 1349 and GOD SEED.

NIDINGR, known for its efficiently complex songwriting, ravaging, dissonant, but at the same time very catchy riffs and breakneck tempos, is back. Their two previous albums — "Wolf Father", featuring MAYHEM's Hellhammer on drums; and the critically acclaimed "Sorrow Infinite And Darkness" — show what this band is capable of.

Commented Nidingr in a statement: "NIDINGR is looking forward to working with a great label on Norwegian soil, finally we will get proper backup from a decent label. We are sure Indie Recordings is the label we need to get us out to the masses and up to the next level."

A series of special limited-edition IRON MAIDEN vinyl picture-disc albums are due to be released by EMI starting in October. Comprised of the first eight albums of MAIDEN's career, all released in the 1980s, each picture disc will be packaged in a gatefold sleeve with full-color printed inner bags and the heavyweight vinyl will be cut from the original album master tapes.

The albums will be released chronologically between October and February, starting with "Iron Maiden" and "Killers" on October 15, followed by "The Number Of The Beast" and "Piece Of Mind" in November.

To open the New Year, "Powerslave" and the double album "Live After Death" will be released in January, with the final two titles, "Somewhere In Time" and "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son", coming out in February.

These vinyl picture discs are being released to commemorate IRON MAIDEN's current "Maiden England" tour, which comprises largely '80s material, in particular focusing on the "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" album.

Once one of the leading melodic death metal acts from Sweden, ETERNAL OATH has reunited after a five-year absence.

Commented the band: "After 15 years, we needed this break. From the band, from each other, and to be able to focus on other things in life for a while. Now we are back with a new perspective, recharched batteries and tons of new ideas. It has been truly fun to exchance ideas and start rehearsing again."

The new ETERNAL OATH lineup features four founding members — Peter Nagy-Eklof (ex-MÖRK GRYNING) and Petri Tarvainen on guitar, Ted Jonsson on drums and Joni Mäensivu on vocals — along with Mika Kajanen (GODPHOBIA) on bass and Johan Adler (DEVAN) on keyboards.

ETERNAL OATH will enter Studio Fredman in Gothenburg in early 2013 to record a new album.

A demo version of a new ETERNAL OATH song called "Sunborn" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

ETERNAL OATH's third full-length album, "Wither", came out in March 2005 via Black Lodge Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Righteous" was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg and was mastered at Polar studios in Stockholm.

ETERNAL OATH in 2006 released its first two albums on one CD. The set, entitled "Re-Released Hatred", included the band's debut mini-CD, "So Silent" (1996), as well as its follow-up, "Through the Eyes of Hatred" (1998), both of which have been hard to come by for several years. In addition, it featured a bonus track: a "mind-blowing" cover of AT THE GATES' "The Fevered Circle". All tracks were re-mastered with greatly enhanced sound and the CD also included a completely new, re-designed booklet.

The Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone magazine has uploaded video footage of reunited hard rockers UGLY KID JOE performing an acoustic version of the song "No One Survives" during the band's recent visit to South America. Check it out below.

UGLY KID JOE released a new six-song EP, "Stairway To Hell", digitally on June 5 and physically on July 9.

"Stairway To Hell" heralds UGLY KID JOE's return, containing songs spanning the full repertoire of influences which made UGLY KID JOE one of the prime soundtracks for young snowboarders, surfers, keggers and characters worldwide. Whether it's "Devil’s Paradise", with it's hypnotic riffery and hook line, grooving and grinding its hips seductively, the melodic power-fueled darkness of "No One Survives" or the irrepressibly memorable chug-and-chorus of "I'm Alright" it's clear that UGLY KID JOE have everything they started with plus fatter chops and a (frankly) superior curve on songwriting.

"Stairway To Hell" track listing:

01. Devil's Paradise
02. You Make Me Sick
03. No One Survives
04. I'm Alright
05. Love Ain't True! (feat. Angelo Moore and Dirty Walt of FISHBONE)
06. Another Beer

UGLY KID JOE released three full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the 1990s before disbanding in 1997.

UGLY KID JOE 2012 is:

Whitfield Crane - Vocals
Klaus Eichstadt - Guitar
Dave Fortman - Guitar
Cordell Crockett - Bass
Shannon Larkin - Drums

French symphonic gothic ensemble WHYZDOM will release its sophomore album, "Blind?", on October 30 via Scarlet Records. According to a press release, the band "blends intricate orchestral parts (including all the subtleties of strings, winds, brass, classical percussions, piano, harp, etc.) and a real choir with the power of heavy metal. Through a coherence that hides the inherent complexity of this genre, Elvyne Lorient's passionate melodies immediately stick into your mind, conveying pure emotions right from the very first note she sings.

"The album title not only refers to the blindness of people towards what's happening around them, but also to the fact that we, as humans, often deliberately choose to be blind in many uncomfortable circumstances, which eventually lead us on the wrong path of life."

"Blind?" was produced by Vynce Leff, recorded and mixed in Paris at Powermania Studio and mastered by Mathieu Gillon and Vynce Leff at 120dB Studio. The stunning artwork is a collaboration between X-Nihilo Design, Les Créations Vultus and Florent Cuaz.

The song "The Lighthouse", taken from "Blind?", can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

WHYZDOM's debut album, "From The Brink Of Infinity", was released in September 2009 via Ascendance Records.

"Shitload Of Money", the new video from Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA, can be seen below. The clip, which features the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada (a.k.a. "Sin City"), was made by the Finnish production company Optipari Ltd.

In an interview with Blistering.com, SONATA ARCTICA lead singer Tony Kakko stated about the "Shitload Of Money" song, "You cannot sell something you cannot buy back. A lot of people, especially on Facebook and other social media — and they should consider this! — they are putting their face and privacy out there and you can't get it back."

"Shitload Of Money" comes off SONATA ARCTICA's new album, "Stones Grow Her Name", whicih was released on May 18 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded in several studios all over Finland, mixed at Sonic Pump Studios by Mikko Karmila and mastered at Chartmakers by Svante Forsbäck. The effort was made available as a limited-edition digipak, standard jewel case, vinyl and download.

"Immortal", a brand new song from WILDESTARR, the band featuring guitarist/bassist Dave Starr (VICIOUS RUMORS, CHASTAIN) alongside vocalist London Wilde, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track, based on the Edgar Allen Poe short story "Ligeia", comes off the group's forthcoming sophomore album, "A Tell Tale Heart", which is described in a press release as "an epic collection of thundering metal full of power and passion, destined to please old fans and win over a legion of new ones as well."

Due on October 30 via Scarlet Records, "A Tell Tale Heart" is "symphonic, majestic, frantic, and melodic... with London Wilde's soaring vocals, Dave Starr's extraordinary guitar and bass work, and new drummer Josh Foster's frantic pounding."

WILDESTARR released its debut album, "Arrival", in August 2009 via the band's own label, Furnace Maximus Records.

For more information, visit www.wildestarr.com.

"Honor Found In Decay", the tenth studio album from NEUROSIS, will be released in North America on October 30 through the band's own Neurot Recordings.

NEUROSIS forged the songs on "Honor Found In Decay" with the revered Steve Albini, marking their fifth collaboration with the engineer in their longstanding relationship. Their monolithic sound captured at Electrical Audio studios in Chicago, the seven tracks were then mastered by John Golden at Golden Mastering in Ventura, California.

Aesthetics have always been paramount for NEUROSIS and with "Honor Found In Decay", Steve Von Till, Scott Kelly, Noah Landis, Jason Roeder and Dave Edwardson's musical vision is brilliantly evoked by NEUROSIS's visual guru Josh Graham.

"Honor Found In Decay" track listing:

01. We All Rage In Gold
02. At The Well
03. My Heart For Deliverance
04. Bleeding The Pigs
05. Casting Of The Ages
06. All Is Found... In Time
07. Raise The Dawn

In a recent interview with The Quietus, Von Till revealed that with "Honor Found In Decay", NEUROSIS has "Found new ways to be heavy," saying, "The emotions that our music needs to put forth are always going to be heavy, whether it be mellow, subdued or tranquil, in volume or in atmosphere; it's always got to be emotionally heavy."

He added, "I think that's what we gained on this record, we gained an increased sense of flow; new ways to contrast dissonance and melody, harmony and disharmony. I always see our evolution as spiralling inward towards a core; we're constantly getting purer and purer; to the essence of what our music is supposed to be."

Asked about the five-year gap between NEUROSIS's new album and its predecessor, Von Till said, "Maybe we deal with more of a glacial concept of time. For us it doesn't seem like that long. I mean, we've been together for 27 years now and [the album] just happened when it was right for it to happen; the whole 'Given To The Rising' time period doesn't feel that long ago to me."

He continued, "We don't have any kind of schedule hovering over us and it was a couple of years ago when we were finally like, 'Okay, it's time to start getting it together,' and that some of our seeds were starting to grow."

NEUROSIS has been invited to perform at ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas at Camber Sands Holiday Camp, England on November 30 through December 2, which Steve Albini's band SHELLAC has been asked to curate.

NEUROSIS is:

Scott Kelly - Vocals/Guitars
Steve Von Till - Vocals/Guitars
Dave Edwardson - Bass
Jason Roeder - Drums
Noah Landis - Keyboards
Josh Graham - Visual Effects, Art

DEVILDRIVER and COAL CHAMBER frontman Dez Fafara (pictured below) has recorded a benefit song for his sister Kerri, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Entitled "Dark Meadowlark", the track was produced by Greg Weiss (DEVILDRIVER) and is currently being mixed by Logan Mader (SOULFLY, GOJIRA, DEVILDRIVER). "[It] sounds badass," says Dez.

Even with insurance, Kerri's family can't cover the costs of her surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for the upcoming year. "We have two daughters still at home, we've relocated from Boise to Irvine (really close to UCLA/UCI treatment center — what good fortune!), but the cost of two years of what's called 'out of pocket maximum costs' are definitely a burden," she says.

To help Kerri with the costs associated with her breast cancer treatment and follow-up care, you can make a donation via the online fundraising web site Microgiving at this location.