ICS Festival Service GmbH, which organizes the Wacken Open Air festival, has released the following statement:

"Unfortunately, we have sad news: We were informed by the German Red Cross that there has been a death at the Wacken Open Air 2012.

"We are shocked and send our condolences to family and friends of the deceased.

"Final details are not known at this point.

"You will find the official press release from the emergency medical service below."

Statement from the emergency medical service:

"At this year's Wacken Open Air festival, a tragic accident took place on the camping ground. As far as is known now, a festival guest laid down on canvas-covered trailer, where he fell asleep. A power generator was also located underneath the cover and running, filling the space between trailer and canvas with poisonous carbon monoxide. As it appears, the person on the trailer was breathing in this gas and consequently died. After approximately two hours, the friends of the deceased went looking and discovered the lifeless body under the canvas on the trailer. Emergency services and doctor were called immediately, but couldn't successfully resuscitate the person.

"The State Attorney has started investigations."

German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION have set "Spiritual Genocide" as the title of their 30th-anniversary album, to be released in November via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented the band: "The drum recording for the upcoming DESTRUCTION album, 'Spiritual Genocide', is finished! Vaaver [real name: Wawrzyniec Dramowicz] did an amazing job on the fastest DESTRUCTION album in history!"

DESTRUCTION vocalist/bassist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer previously said that the band's new CD would be "much more intense than 'Day Of Reckoning'! And that wasn't a blues album ...haha!"

DESTRUCTION recently completed the North American "30th Year Anniversary Tour" with support from WARBRINGER, VITAL REMAINS (who were alternating each night) and PATHOLOGY.

Inspired by IRON MAIDEN, MERCYFUL FATE, MOTÖRHEAD and VENOM, DESTRUCTION was formed as KNIGHT OF DEMON in 1982. The band's original lineup included vocalist and bassist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer, drummer Tommy Sandmann, and guitarist Mike Sifringer. They soon changed their name to DESTRUCTION and released a demo titled "Bestial Invasion Of Hell" in 1984.

"Day Of Reckoning", the latest album from DESTRUCTION, sold around 800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 58 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.

"Day Of Reckoning" was the first album to feature Vaaver (INDUKTI, ex-UNSUN).

Vocalist Michele Madden (MELDRUM, TOURETTES) is currently in the running to be named Miss Inked Australia 2013.

Australia and New Zealand's leading tattoo/culture magazine Inked is hosting its annual Miss Inked Australia contest that features the model/singer and other "inked" beauties vying for the honor.

For more information on voting, go to blog.inkedaustralia.com. Votes will be counted based on comments/likes on the blog and likes on Facebook.

Contest runs until August 20.

"A Toast To Romance", the new single from MELDRUM, the multinational hard rock/metal band formed by late ex-PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum, is available now as a digital download at this location. The song comes off MELDRUM's long-awaited third album, "Lifer", which will be released this fall via Reversed Records. The CD was produced by Rob Shallcross (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, GWAR, ZIMMERS HOLE, WEST OF HELL) and Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENT, DEATH, DARK ANGEL, DETHKLOK).

Michelle Meldrum died in May 2008 as a result of a cystic growth that had restricted oxygen and blood flow to her brain, rendering her braindead. Since she passed away before any of her guitar tracks for "Lifer" were laid down, Laura Christine played the majority of the rhythm and bass guitars, as well as all the leads, on the album as a tribute to Michelle and her vision.

"Lifer" stands as a proud tribute to Michelle, who wrote the material for the CD with Hoglan, along with Laura Christine (bass) and Michele Madden (vocals).

Commented Michele: "I stand behind 'Lifer' as not only one of the best projects that I have ever had the honor to be involved with but also as a testament to Michelle Meldrum's incredible and much-missed talent. I hope that this album reaches a lot of people and shows the world how amazing she was. Knowing that it is coming out at last is not only a victory but a relief. I know that Gene and Laura feel the same. Being a part of this band is and shall remain a game-changer for me. I carry it into everything that I do."

Michele's new band SAINT CECILIA is in the process of recording its debut album. Madden describes the group as "THE FLEETWOOD MAC of doom, seasoned by SOUNDGARDEN."

A live performance of a new track from Madden's soon-to-be-recorded acoustic album, "False Sense Of Security", can be seen below. The clip was filmed at the May 23, 2012 benefit concert for legendary HARD-ONS guitarist Peter "Blackie" Black.

Video footage of SABATON's performance at this year's edition of the Przystanek Woodstock festival, which was held August 2-4 in Kostrzyn on the Oder, Poland, can be seen below.

Przystanek Woodstock is organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation in order to thank all its volunteers and supporters who take part in the annual Grand Finale fundraising event in January.

Every year, Przystanek Woodstock features a few dozen bands from Poland and abroad. The guests are invited to perform on one of two stages: the Big Stage or the Small Stage, also known as the Folk Stage.

For 15 years, the Orchestra has been organizing auditions for bands willing to perform for the Woodstock audience.

SABATON's new album, "Carolus Rex", was released on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. The lyrics for the CD, which was made available in both English and Swedish, deal with the Swedish Empire (referring to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721).

The band previously stated about "Carolus Rex": "For the first time ever we have had an expert to help us out with the theme, the well-known Swedish historian Bengt Liljegren. We have also added some extra time in the studio to find the absolute right sound on 'Carolus Rex', and our producer, Peter Tägtgren, says that this album will mark a brand new standard for how a heavy metal album should sound like!"

Liljegren's published works include acclaimed biographies of Adolf Hitler and Karl XII. He also appeared in the popular Swedish TV series "Boston Tea Party".

SABATON recently parted ways with guitarists Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén, drummer Daniel Mulback and keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr. The band's new touring lineup is as follows:

Joakim Brodén - Vocals
Pär Sundström - Bass
Chris Rörland (NOCTURNAL RITES) - Guitar
Thobbe Englund (WINTERLONG, RAUBTIER) - Guitar
Robban Bäck (BALTIMOORE, PREY) - Drums

German death metallers FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING have completed work on their fifth album, "The Art Of Coming Apart", for a late 2012 release via Cyclone Empire. According to the band, the CD "will contain eight brutal Swedish death metal songs and two instrumentals."

The group adds, "The songs sound awesome after being mixed in Soundtunnel Studio by Ingo Maier and mastered by Dan Swanö."

"The Art Of Coming Apart" track listing:

01. The Art Of Coming Apart
02. Barren And Bleak
03. Four Winters
04. Hours Of Suffering
05. Memorial Stone
06. A Silence Dressed In Black
07. Sundown (instrumental)
08. Trapping The Unseen
09. Seasons Of Tranquillity
10. Fathomless (Epilogue)

FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING's fourth album, "The Everhaunting Past / Chapter IV - A Splendid Retrospection", came out in October 2009 via Cyclone Empire. The CD's cover artwork was once again created by Sascha Ehrich.

FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING in 2009 announced the addition of bassist Christopher Körtgen (SMILODON, CHAOS HD) to the group's ranks.

The band's third album, "Sterling Black Icon", was released in March 2006 via Metal Blade.

Quality multi-camera video footage of DEMON HUNTER's July 27 performance at Ace Of Spades in Sacramento, California can be seen below.

DEMON HUNTER's sixth album, "True Defiance", was released on limited-edition vinyl on July 31 via Solid State Records. Limited to a one-time pressing of 1,000 copies, the double LP, double gatefold package features stunning large-scale versions of DEMON HUNTER frontman and graphic artist Ryan Clark's beautiful artwork — making this a must-have for DEMON HUNTER fans and vinyl collectors.

DEMON HUNTER is currently headlining the True Defiance tour with support from CANCER BATS, THE PLOT IN YOU and WILLOWS.

"True Defiance", sold 12,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 36 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on April 10, 2011 via Solid State Records.

Produced by Aaron Sprinkle (ANBERLIN, EMERY) and mixed by Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM), "True Defiance" finds DEMON HUNTER continuing in their hard rock evolution while embracing the components that have always formed the backbone of their music: true metal, dark rock and balladry.

DEEP PURPLE, NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS, ARCH ENEMY, SABATON, DORO, ANTHRAX and SUBWAY TO SALLY are the first confirmed bands for next year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 1-3, 2013. AMORPHIS will perform an acoustic set, while Doro will celebrate her 30th anniversary in the music business. More acts will be announced soon.

Wacken Open Air was first held in 1990 as a small event for local German bands. By 1998 the event had become the major festival on the European metal calendar and has included over 70 bands from all over Europe, North America and Australia.

Wacken Open Air is usually held at the beginning of August and lasts three days, during which the festival-goers camp on several large camping grounds surrounding the actual festival area. The 70 or more bands perform across four separate stages over the course of the event.

Wacken Open Air, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, was honored with a Live Entertainment Award in 2008 in the "Festival Of The Year" category. This award recognizes distinguished achievements in live entertainment and is given out by Live Entertainment Award (LEA) committee.

Swedish hard rockers IMPERA will release their debut album, "Legacy Of Life", in October through the U.K. label Escape Music. The CD was produced by Lars Chriss of LION'S SHARE.

According to a press release, IMPERA "consists of solid musicians who have earned their wings through hard work with an impressive number of world-class stars over the years. Their combined CV reads as a who's who in today's rock."

IMPERA is:

* Tommy Denander (TOTO, PAUL STANLEY, MICHAEL JACKSON, ALICE COOPER) - Guitar
* Matti Alfonzetti (JAGGED EDGE, SCOTT GORHAM, SKINTRADE, ROAD TO RUIN, RED WHITE & BLUES) - Vocals
* J.K. Impera (BRUCE KULICK, GRAHAM BONNET, VINNIE VINCENT, JOHN CORABI, BRIAN ROBERTSON) - Drums
* Mats Vassfjord (VINNIE VINCENT, JOHN CORABI, SCAAR, GRAND DESIGN, LANEY'S LEGION) - Bass

IMPERA is described as "the perfect amalgamation of everything that makes rock 'n' roll with the punches. A guitar player who, seemingly effortlessly, delivers stunning solos and riffs of that classic, timeless grit you thought were killed off by grunge. Pounding bass that will put you through the wall. Blistering drumming that's as solid as it is technically challenging. And on top of all that, add a vocalist that sings circles around the competition."

IMPERA's style "lies firmly on a classic hard rock ground with a dose of strong melodies collected from the AOR world."

For more information, visit www.impera.org.

British vocalist Martin Walkyier (SABBAT, SKYCLAD, THE CLAN DESTINED) will host a free all-day heathen music and performing arts festival called Viking Funeral on Saturday, September 22 at The Nottingham Irish Centre.

Martin will play a headline set of classic SKYCLAD folk metal tunes with Emilio Souto and Matias Pena (SKILTRON), plus Simon Gimli Cliffe, Elizabeth Prendergast, Pete Hawthorne and Jacqueline Taylor.

Says Martin: "Admission to this event is absolutely FREE of charge; All we ask in return is that you each kindly make a small, or large as you like, charitable contribution to Cancer Research UK on the day."

The Viking Funeral lineup includes EIBON LA FURIES, BULL-RIFF STAMPEDE, SEVERED HEAVEN, REZINWOLF, CYNEGETICS, A VULGAR PICTURE and KHYTHON; plus "stand-up misery" from Grim Rita, a vast plethora of varied pagan artistes and very special guest performers to be confirmed.

Former THE RUNAWAYS vocalist Cherie Currie has revealed via her Facebook page that she spent time in the studio last week with Glenn Danzig recording a duet for his new album, due out this fall. "Great guy," she wrote.

Danzig is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on the as-yet-untitled covers record.

A song from the CD, "Devil's Angels", was recently premiered the former SAMHAIN and MISFITS frontman's official web site. It was originaly the theme song for the late '60s biker film of the same title.

Commented Glenn: "I've wanted to record this song since 1979 and this is exactly the same arrangement I had for it back then, so it pretty much sounds like that late '70s style of mine. I'm really happy with the way it turned out; it actually came out much better than I had hoped it would. We're going to be playing it live on these upcoming shows."

In a 2011 interview, Danzig stated about his upcoming collection of covers, "It's [got] lots of different stuff [on it]. Of course there's an Elvis [Presley] song on there, there's a BLACK SABBATH cover… Then I took some old biker-movie theme songs and made them all old punk-sounding or whatever… Just fucking around, really — just having a good time taking songs and giving them a different life or a different dimension. I just do what I feel like doing, as long as I don't just cover it, because that's boring to me. I wanna take it and change it and give it some other kind of thing. Otherwise just leave it alone."

Photo below courtesy of Cherie Currie's Facebook page

Fan-filmed video footage of KORN performing the song "Narcissistic Cannibal" on August 3 at the Kubana festival in Veselovka, Russia can be seen below.

Photos of the concert are available at this location.

KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu is sitting out the band's shows in Europe this month so that he can be home for the birth of his child. Filling in for him is Ryan Martinie of MUDVAYNE.

Fieldy married Dena Beber on May 13, 2006 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California. It was her first marriage and his third. Fieldy has two daughters, Sarina and Olivia Arvizu, from his second marriage from Shela Arvizu; he and Dena had a son in early 2007 and named him Israel.

Fieldy's 2009 memoir, "Got The Life: My Journey Of Addiction, Faith, Recovery And Korn", details his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction during KORN's early years and how he became a born-again Christian to help get his life together and get sober.

After its dates in Europe, KORN will co-headline the fourth annual ShipRocked, the ultimate rock music cruise vacation which sails November 27 - December 1.

Professionally filmed video footage of OVERKILL's August 3 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany can be seen below.

OVERKILL will play a special show at the legendary punk rock concert venue 100 Club on August 9 during this year's Olympic Games in London, England.

The band's new album, "The Electric Age", sold 6,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 77 on The Billboard 200 chart.

OVERKILL's previous CD, "Ironbound", opened with 4,100 units to enter the chart at No. 192. The effort landed at No. 4 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 Electric Age" was recorded and mixed at Gear Recording Studios in New Jersey, owned and operated by OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni.

OVERKILL is Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (vocals), D.D. Verni (bass, backing vocals), Derek "The Skull" Tailer (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Dave Linsk (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Ron Lipnicki (drums).

Fan-filmed video footage of EVANESCENCE's August 3 performance at the House Of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey can be seen below.

EVANESCENCE is headlining this year's edition of Carnival Of Madness, the annual touring rock extravaganza, with support from CHEVELLE, HALESTORM and NEW MEDICINE. The trek kicked off on Tuesday, July 31 in Springfield, Illinois and will hit major cities across the U.S. including Boston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Nashville, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh.

EVANESCENCE's self-titled third major label album came out last October, five years after the group issued its last effort, 2006's "The Open Door".

"Evanescence" sold 127,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart.

On July 27, Artisan News spoke to ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Frank Bello at the Camden, New Jersey stop of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival about the band's trip recent to the studio to lay down several cover versions of some of their favorite rock classics.

"By studio, you mean the back lounge of the tour bus, with Rob's [Caggiano, guitar] laptop," Scott quipped. "Yeah, the drums are done and some of the guitars are done, but we're trying to finish off these last two songs — 'Smokin'' from BOSTON and 'Anthem' from RUSH — for this re-release thing of [ANTHRAX's latest album] 'Worship Music' that will hopefully come out in time for the fall tour with a bunch of these bonus tracks on it."

Asked how the band selected which songs to cover, Ian said, "Like everything else, it's kind of like someone says a song and everyone else is like, 'Yeah, that's a good one.' It's really as simple as that. It's songs that in some shape or form we've been playing or jamming on for our whole lives. Because you really don't wanna have to work too hard on these things, although the RUSH song is a bit of a bitch; I can't say that's an easy one. But it's a song we all know and we're all familiar with, so then, of course, you take on the challenge of just really trying to nail it and do it justice."

According to ANTHRAX, they're paying particular attention to the cover of RUSH's "Anthem" in order to recreate the nuances of the original song.

"I have to get every little part of Geddy [Lee, RUSH bassist/vocalist] down, 'cause I'm a fanatic with that stuff, and I have to," Bello said. "I'm still working on little bits. It's great. I love it."

Added Scott: "Charlie [Benante, ANTHRAX drummer] bumped into [RUSH drummer] Neil Peart at the [Revolver] Golden Gods Awards a few months ago, and Neil actually said to Charlie, 'Yeah, we heard you guys are covering 'Anthem'. That's so cool. We put the clip of you playing drums [to the song] up on our web site.' And Charlie, I swear to God, he was like, the light, the glow that was coming off him after that was… I'd never seen anything quite like it."

In addition to the RUSH and BOSTON covers, ANTHRAX is also recording its versions of AC/DC's "T.N.T.", JOURNEY's "Keep On Runnin'" and BLACK SABBATH's "Neon Knights". The latter song is expected to appear on the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.

Official Metallica.com footage of METALLICA's pre-show tuning-room jam and "Ride The Lightning" performance on July 28 at the opening show of the band's eight-concert run at Palacio de los Deportes (Sports Palace) in Mexico City can be seen below.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, video footage posted online suggests that two members of METALLICA's road crew caught fire and suffered burns during the first Mexico concert, as the two stagehands were seen struggling with a malfunctioning pyro launcher during "Enter Sandman" when both were suddenly engulfed in flame. As frontman James Hetfield called for the band to stop playing, other crew members doused the men with fire extinguishers and took them off the stage in stretchers, with the band resuming its show a few minutes later.

But was it real? A spokesperson for the promoter said it was "all part of the show," and in fact METALLICA has staged this type of "accident" before during its 1997 tour, on which the show ended with the stage seemingly collapsing around the band as one crew member caught fire and another dangled upside down from the fallen lighting rig. The effect was caught on the band's "Cunning Stunts" DVD.

The show on July 28 marked the debut of a new 140-foot-by-50-foot stage that features "colossal components and striking visual elements spanning METALLICA's entire 30-year career," meaning that the "accident" stunt could be back for an encore.

At a press conference before the show, frontman James Hetfield said that the band was focused on "staying alive" while performing alongside the "dangerous elements" of the new production, with bassist Robert Trujillo adding, "Like James said, it's very dangerous — we've got stuff flying every which way."

A post in the "Tour Journal" section of METALLICA's official web site related that "shit really hit the fan (during 'Enter Sandman' with) loud bangs, random fireworks, falling towers, falling spot light guy, falling scaffolding, guy was caught on fire . . . then a complete blackout."

Following its Mexico City stand, METALLICA next plays the Outside Lands festival in San Francisco and then two shows in late August in Vancouver, which will be filmed for the band's upcoming 3D movie.

METALLICA's setlist for Saturday night's concert:

01. Creeping Death
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls
03. Fuel
04. Ride The Lightning
05. One
06. Cyanide
07. The Memory Remains
08. Wherever I May Roam
09. Sad But True
10. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
11. ...And Justice For All
12. Fade To Black
13. Master Of Puppets
14. Battery
15. Nothing Else Matters
16. Enter Sandman

Encore:

17. Die, Die My Darling
18. Seek & Destroy

Photos of Saturday night's show can be found at Metallica.com. A few of the pictures are also available below.

Official Metallica.com footage:

Fan-filmed video footage of SYSTEM OF A DOWN's August 2 performance at Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey can be seen below.

During a brand new interview with Loudwire, SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian was asked when fans can expect to hear a new studio album from the reunited band. "It's a good question and the answer is the same — we haven't made plans of recording the new record as of yet," he said. "When we do, everyone will know. We haven't really discussed another record as of now with any of the guys, really. It's something that, when it's the right time, we'll do it. Right now I'm busy with my own stuff and that's gonna take me a bit, but when it's the right time, everyone will know. I don't even want to say there's [a new SYSTEM OF A DOWN album] coming because we haven't really talked about it. I just assume when it's the right time, it'll materialize, like everything else in the universe."

On the topic of what the band's chemistry has been like since reuniting after a lengthy hiatus, Tankian said, "We've had a fuckin' blast playing all of these shows. I think we've played better because of it. There was new excitement in playing together and all of the shows have been really great. Everyone's told us that we sound better than we did in 2006 when we left off, so I think it's great. We're having a great time doing it. We got two weeks on the East Coast in August that we're gonna do with DEFTONES and it's gonna be exciting. DEFTONES are great; they're friends of ours, obviously. It's going to be a fun tour."

SYSTEM's last two albums, "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize", were released in 2005.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan previously told Straight.com about the band's five-year hiatus, "I personally don't like breaks — I like to continue playing. But it was nice to go off and be John Dolmayan, as opposed to John from SYSTEM, for a while. I think everybody had similar feelings."

The drummer explained that a desire to pull off the road for a while and reconnect with their lives is what led SYSTEM to take an extended vacation from each other, saying, "When you're on the road and in the studio all the time, it's kind of like traveling at light speed. When you come back, it's like 20 years have passed by, and you're only one or two hours older . . . You're living a nomadic life, and you lose touch with people because they have grown away from you. People get older, get married, die — life is still going on."

Three-quarters of the original BLACK SABBATH lineup performed last night as the headliner of this year's edition of the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, with founding drummer Bill Ward sitting out the reunion due to a contract dispute. His fill-in is Ozzy Osbourne touring drummer Tommy Clufetos.

This was SABBATH's only North American performance of 2012 as guitarist Tony Iommi continues his treatment for cancer. The rest of the scheduled SABBATH tour dates were played by Ozzy Osbourne and billed as "Ozzy & Friends."

BLACK SABBATH's Lollapalooza setlist was as follows:

01. Black Sabbath
02. The Wizard
03. Beyond The Wall Of Sleep
04. N.I.B.
05. Into The Void
06. Under The Sun
07. Snow Blind
08. War Pigs
09. Electric Funeral
10. Sweet Leaf
11. Symptom Of The Universe / Drum Solo
12. Iron Man
13. Faries Wear Boots
14. Dirty Women
15. Children Of The Grave

Encore

16. Paranoid

Drummer Chad Smith of the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS — who are performing at Lollapalooza tonight — told The Pulse Of Radio that he was looking forward to seeing BLACK SABBATH, but added a disclaimer. "I'm little disappointed that — I mean, I'm happy for my hometown boy Tommy on drums, but no Bill Ward," he said. "Disappointing. It's like the VAN HALEN thing — you get back together and then you don't have the guy that's the original guy? [groans]"

Ward in May announced again that he was declining to join his former bandmates for its scheduled 2012 dates, as well as the recording of a new album, due to a contractual dispute.

He also allegedly had his lawyers direct SABBATH to remove him from photos of the band posted at the official BLACK SABBATH web site "so as to not give the public the wrong impression about his involvement in the current BLACK SABBATH lineup," according to a statement issued by the band's publicist.

Bassist Geezer Butler issued a lengthy retort at his own web site, writing that Ward "hadn't told any one of us he was having contractual problems, and frankly those things are worked out between our representatives, and never between the four of us, let alone in public."

Until now, Iommi told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the members of SABBATH stayed friendly even when there were legal or other issues going on. "We've always been talking. We've always been in touch with each other," he said. "There might be a lawsuit in the thing between us, but we still talk to each other like nothing's happened, you know."

The members of SABBATH will play at Lollapalooza this August in Chicago, their only scheduled U.S. gig. The rest of the scheduled SABBATH tour dates were played by Ozzy and billed as "Ozzy & Friends."

Ozzy, Iommi and Butler are working on their first new album together in 33 years. Clufetos is a member of Ozzy's solo touring band.

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe landed on U.S. soil this afternoon after spending more than a month at a Prague, Czech Republic prison on manslaughter charges. The singer boarded a direct flight to New York at approximately 1:00 p.m. CEST (Central European Summer Time) and made his way back home to Richmond, Virginia where he was expected to be met by his wife, Cindy Blythe.

On his layover in New York, Blythe updated his Instagram with photo of him and a fan who came to the airport to greet him (see picture below). He also included this heartfelt message:

"I apologize for my absence. I had an unexpectedly lengthy layover in the Czech Republic.

"This lovely young woman named Lia came to the [New York City] airport just to say, 'Randy, I'm glad you're home.' WHAT A SWEETHEART! Her boyfriend Gary had to work, so we called him on his cell.

"WE HAVE AWESOME FANS! How rad to be greeted by one for my layover in NYC.

"Soon I'll be home in [Richmond, Virginia].

"Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers.

"I'll release a statement soon.

"Yee-haw and God bless the U.S.A.!!!!!!!!!"

Blythe was arrested at the Prague airport on June 27 and was accused of shoving a local fan off the stage during LAMB OF GOD's May 2010 concert in the city. The man, who is said to have stormed the stage three times during the show, reportedly suffered a brain hemorrhage that resulted in his death nearly a month later.

After the court doubled Blythe's bail last month from about $200,000 to about $400,000, the prosecutor once again filed a complaint against the singer's release.

A Prague court on Thursday (August 2) dismissed the request that Blythe be banned from leaving the country.

Blythe confirmed earlier today that he will return to the Czech Republic — if necessary — to face trial. "I'm an international touring artist," he said. "I have to clear my name. So, yes, I will come back [to Prague] if I'm called to court."

San Francisco Bay Area speed/thrash metallers TAUNTED will release their third full-length album, "9 Sins", before the end of the year. The CD features a special guest appearance by drummer Larry Howe of the American power metal band VICIOUS RUMORS.

"9 Sins" was tracked at Fang Studios in San Mateo, California and Trident Studios (MACHINE HEAD, TESTAMENT, EXODUS) in Pacheco, California. The effort was mixed/mastered by Juan Urteaga at Trident Studios. The production was handled by Joey Genoni and the rest of TAUNTED.

"9 Sins" track listing:

01. 7 Colors
02. Laceration
03. Chaos Theory
04. Dead Doll
05. Room 237
06. Tower Of Hellions
07. Sinner's Language
08. Written In The Flames
09. Taunted 2

Recording lineup:

Jacques Serrano - Vocals
Joey Genoni - Guitar
Matt Gower - Guitar
Elena Repetto - Bass
Larry Howe - Drums

KORN has released the following statement:

"Fieldy [bassist Reginald Arvizu] and his wife are expecting a child this August! While Fieldy is home with his family for this incredible new arrival, bassist Ryan Martinie of MUDVAYNE has graciously agreed to fill in on the road for some of the upcoming shows.

"We are so happy for Fieldy and his family, and welcome Ryan onboard for these select shows!"

Fieldy married Dena Beber on May 13, 2006 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California. It was her first marriage and his third. Fieldy has two daughters, Sarina and Olivia Arvizu, from his second marriage from Shela Arvizu; he and Dena had a son in early 2007 and named him Israel.

Fieldy's 2009 memoir, "Got The Life: My Journey Of Addiction, Faith, Recovery And Korn", details his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction during KORN's early years and how he became a born-again Christian to help get his life together and get sober.

KORN will play some shows in Europe this month before they co-headline the fourth annual ShipRocked, the ultimate rock music cruise vacation which sails November 27 - December 1.

Former EVERCLEAR bassist Craig Montoya has joined forces with drummer Jimmy Littlefield (BODY BAG, KAPUDA) in a SLAYER tribute band called LIVE UNDEAD. The group will make its live debut tomorrow (Saturday, August 4) at Dante's in Portland, Oregon.

Commented Montoya: "I've always been a huge SLAYER fan. People really trip out, because I was in a pop band called EVERCLEAR."

Added Littlefield: "[Playing SLAYER songs is] in my blood, naturally, having been into heavy music all my life."

He continued, "You should see the looks we get when people find out Craig is from EVERCLEAR and he does a smash-up job as Tom Araya. It's freaking funny, but we all do our parts really well and will not disappoint."

LIVE UNDEAD is rounded out by guitar players Brandon Cook and Mark Trees.

Montoya was a member of EVERCLEAR from 1992 until 2003.

Montoya and Littlefield have their own original bands going in addition to their work with LIVE UNDEAD. Montoya is keeping busy with KANDLES AT NINE (also featuring drummer Deen Castronovo; JOURNEY, WILD DOGS) and Littlefield is pursuing AGNOZIA (ReverbNation page), with Micheal Wilton (QUEENSRŸCHE) handling lead guitar duties.

Guitarist Jeremy "Jinxx" Ferguson and bassist Ashley Purdy of Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES joined Sebastian Bach on stage during his August 2 concert at Club Nokia in Los Angeles to perform a couple of songs. Video footage of their appearance can be seen below.

Commented Bach: "Words cannot describe how thankful and appreciative I am to the band BLACK VEIL BRIDES for helping me out in Los Angeles the other night. Jinxx came up on stage and kicked ass on a couple of tunes and looked incredible in his full stage regalia. Ashley came up on 'Youth Gone Wild'; it was totally great. These guys are such an awesome band and such true rockers and very good friends, too. Thank you so much Jinxx, Ashley and CC for coming to the show. I am proud to call you freaks my true rockin' brothers!"

In an August 2011 interview, Bach said that BLACK VEIL BRIDES was one of several new bands that he enjoyed listening to, describing them as "like early MÖTLEY CRÜE wearing black leather, studs and teased up hair." He added in a separate interview, "I love the new record by BLACK VEIL BRIDES, 'Set The World On Fire'. I listen to it from the first song right to the last song and I love it! That's a great new album!"

Shortly before boarding a flight to New York earlier today after spending more than a month at a Prague, Czech Republic prison on manslaughter charges, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe spoke to TV Nova about his ordeal and vowed to "clear his name." You can watch the seven-minute chat below.

On how he is feeling after being released from prison:

Randy: "I'm relieved to be out of Pankrác jail. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly fun. I'm relieved to be out of jail, but if it's necessary for me to return to Prague to go to this court thing, I certainly will. I'm no flight risk."

On the alleged incident that resulted in a death at a LAMB OF GOD concert:

Randy: "This concert that happened, it was a… I've played thousands of concerts. To people who are not used to this type of music, I know it must seem crazy and violent, the appearance, but that sort of activity is normal at a concert, that type of dancing. That sort of behavior is normal at concerts. It is very tragic that a young man died. I feel very bad that a fan of my band is dead and that his family has to go through it — it's terrible, I feel awful for them — but it's a tragic coincidence in my mind.

"As I told the judge and the police when I gave my statement, that concert was, like, one of literally thousands I've played… I certainly did not know anyone was hurt. When I showed up in Prague, I was very surprised to be arrested. We had no knowledge whatsoever that someone had been injured, much less died."

On what his prison experience was like:

Randy: "Prison is not exactly a fun place to be, but I had three meals a day, a roof over my head and clothes on my back, so I tried to be grateful for what I had instead of what I [didn't] have. I read a lot, I wrote a lot, I wrote some new songs, I exercised in my cell and I talked to cellmates. There's not much to do in prison."

"Some prisoners who knew I was and I signed some autographs for them and for some guards. But even the people that didn't know who I was, they knew why I was in there; obviously, this case is in the media. The inmates were very cool to me. Nobody was mean to me at all. I had no problems."

On whether he will return to Prague:

Randy: "Of course — if it is necessary. My bail, there was an appeal against it twice. I'm no flight risk. I'm an international touring artist. I have to clear my name. So, yes, I will come back here if I'm called to court."

Blythe was arrested at the Prague airport on June 27 and was accused of shoving a local fan off the stage during LAMB OF GOD's May 2010 concert in the city. The man, who is said to have stormed the stage three times during the show, reportedly suffered a brain hemorrhage that resulted in his death nearly a month later.

After the court doubled Blythe's bail last month from about $200,000 to about $400,000, the prosecutor once again filed a complaint against the singer's release.

A Prague court on Thursday (August 2) dismissed the request that Blythe be banned from leaving the country.

The Prague Municipal Court's ruling against the prosecutor of the Prague 8 District Court was made Thursday afternoon at approximately 4:00 p.m. behind closed doors.

"The decision was reached yesterday at the end of a closed session," said Martina Lhotáková, spokeswoman for Prague's Municipal Court.

"The only condition of release was the approximately 8 million Czech Koruna bail [which has already been paid]," she added.

Blythe's Czech attorney Martin Radvan told Radio Prague that Blythe will have to return to the Czech Republic to face trial. "That's what he wants to do," Radvan said. "As a world-renowned artist, in a specific genre of music, of course, he cannot afford to simply disappear."

Radvan added that Randy's stature as a public figure makes it highly unlikely that he would vanish before the trial, saying, "There would be posters with his picture all around the world, and if he wants to continue performing, he will have to return. And he wants to return because he believes he is not guilty of anything he has been charged with."

The lawyer said earlier today that the police investigation is unlikely to be completed until winter. "We don't know yet if [the fan's death] was caused by our client or in a different way," he said.

Jonathan Crane, a reporter from the Prague Post, told WTVR-TV that a legal expert believes the Blythe's defense team should have quite a strong case. "Even if Randy was responsible for the alleged attack, the expert said that who is to say that he wasn't accidentally kicked or trodden on or left without help by fans below the stage," Crane said.

During an appearance on the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania radio station 105.9 The X, Crane discussed the way that both the Czech media and police have been handling the incident. He explained, "At the start, the Czech tabloids were quite vociferous about Blythe and the reputation of LAMB OF GOD, and portraying Blythe especially to be quite a violent person, an aggressive person."

He added, "Obviously, there have been these videos put up on YouTube of the alleged incident. LAMB OF GOD's management say this is the key to proving Blythe's innocence, that you can clearly see it's a security guard that throws a boy or a man off the stage. Now, other people I've spoken to here, who were at the gig … they say actually the man in the videos is not Daniel, the young man who unfortunately died two years ago."

German metal queen Doro Pesch joined U.D.O. — the German metal band fronted by former ACCEPT singer Udo Dirckschneider — on stage yesterday (Thursday, August 2) at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany to perform the song "Dancing With An Angel". Professionally filmed video footage of her appearance can be seen below.

U.D.O.'s November 16, 2011 concert at Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria was professionally filmed for release as a DVD+CD and Blu-ray+CD. Entitled "Live In Sofia", it will be made available on September 28 via AFM Records.

"Celebrator", a collection of rare tracks from U.D.O., will be released on double vinyl on August 17 via High Roller Records. It is limited to 500 copies in three different colors.

Pesch's new EP, "Raise Your Fist In The Air", was released on August 3. A full-length album, "Raise Your Fist", will follow in the fall via Nuclear Blast Records.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of KILL DEVIL HILL's August 2 performance at the Martini Lounge in Scottsdale, Arizona can be seen below.

KILL DEVIL HILL is the new band featuring legendary drummer Vinny Appice (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, KILL DEVIL HILL) alongside Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals.

The self-titled debut album from KILL DEVIL HILL sold around 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 9 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.

"Kill Devil Hill" was produced by Warren Riker, who is best known for his work with DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SUBLIME and CATHEDRAL. The effort was made available in a standard CD edition, as an iTunes digital download, and double gatefold LP.

According to Appice, KILL DEVIL HILL's sound is "like a cross between BLACK SABBATH, ALICE IN CHAINS and a little bit of LED ZEPPELIN thrown in. It's heavy, but with a lot of cool hooks and melodic overtones, too."

The members of KILL DEVIL HILL previously stated about their songwriting and recording approach, "We are going old school meets new; no sample drums here!!"

KILL DEVIL HILL is:

* Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) - Vocals
* Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) - Guitar
* Rex Brown (DOWN, PANTERA) - Bass
* Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) - Drums