Ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin joined his former band on stage last night (Saturday, July 21) to perform almost a dozen songs during a hastily scheduled concert at a private wedding in Saint-Tropez, France. Izzy and the current lineup of GN'R reportedly played the following tracks: "You're Crazy", "Welcome To The Jungle", "It's So Easy", "Mr. Brownstone", "Used To Love Her", "14 Years", "Dead Flowers", "Nightrain", "Patience", "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "Paradise City". Also performed last night — without Stradlin — were the songs "This I Love", "Rocket Queen", "Estranged", "Live And Let Die", "Street Of Dreams", "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Don't Cry".

The Saint-Tropez concert was a last-minute addition to GN'R's itinerary, following the band's performance at Costa De Fuego festival in Benicassim, Spain on Friday and before tonight's gig at Son Fusteret in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Reports suggest the event was a private wedding for a billionaire and that Bryan Adams was also on hand to perform before GN'R hit the stage.

After last night's show, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist DJ Ashba tweeted, "Just finished playing a private concert in St. Tropez, France. It was great having Izzy back on stage with us."

Fellow GN'R axeman Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal appeared less enthused about the prospect of playing a last-minute concert, tweeting before the show, "Wow. Diverted without info (or gear or clothes or sleep) to play a wedding in France. Yep. Guess it's not *one show left*." He added, "Crew working dangerously nonstop due to added show. Not ok with that..."

Afterwards, Thal tweeted, "That was actually fun as fuck & everybody was so sweet :)"

Stradlin previously performed with GUNS N' ROSES on May 31 at the O2 Arena in London, England.

Both Izzy and GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose skipped the band's recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Stradlin issued a statement the week before the induction, thanking his bandmates, the Hall Of Fame for "the acknowledgment of our works over the years," and the fans who "have supported GUNS N' ROSES from day one."

Former GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan joined Axl Rose on stage for the first time in seventeen years at the band's October 14, 2010 concert in London.

For the Rock Hall induction performance, McKagan, guitarist Slash and drummer Steven Adler were joined by guitarist Gilby Clarke and drummer Matt Sorum for three songs — "Mr. Brownstone", "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City" — from the band's classic 1987 debut, "Appetite For Destruction". Providing vocals in the absence of Axl Rose was Myles Kennedy, the singer for ALTER BRIDGE and Slash's current solo band.

Sorum played drums for "Mr. Brownstone", while original drummer Adler took over for the other two songs.

Photo below courtesy of GUNS N' ROSES Facebook page

Vocalist James LaBrie (pictured below) of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.

Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Speaking to Tri-State Rock, LaBrie said, "I've done that several times in the past, where someone's gotten on stage and you just, you know, eventually… In fact, you can go on YouTube and you can see where one time I literally [got hold] of the guy and [threw] him offstage and the guy went flying. And he hit the barricade and he was lucky enough to have somebody pretty much catch him to cushion the fall a bit. But, I mean, it happens, and you get caught up in the moment. And first and foremost, as cool as it might seem, jumping around with the band… You're caught up in the moment, you're into the music, your adrenalin is pumping, [but at] some point, it's like, 'Hey, man, get off the stage, this is our thing.' And it's not even meant as a vindictive or a menacing act, like, 'You know what?! I'm gonna knock you out.' It's more like, 'Goodbye. Get out of here.' So I think it's really unfortunate that [Randy's] gonna be held liable for this, for something that, absolutely those were not his intentions. It was a freak accident, and the guy [alleged victim], getting up three times… You'd think after the first time he'd get the message. The first time, that's cool, it's fun. Now let the band do their thing. I really can't see this going through. I can't see [Randy] being charged, and if he is charged, I think that's completely wrong. So what does that mean now? Does that mean we've gotta put up a 15-foot gate in front of the fans now so that there's no risk of that? Because they're gonna have to do something. If Mr. Blythe gets charged, then what are you gonna do to insure that we're not put into a situation like that that we have to answer for, just because someone else got a little too excited? I don't know. I hope that this is taken care of. I'm sure… There's no doubt that they would have legal representation at this point and they're discussing the matter. But I don't think this is right. This is gonna open up a whole can of worms. Like I said, what are you gonna do to insure us that it will never happen again in the future? And then what's the sense? Then [it's gonna] become more like a freakshow as far as I'm concerned. . . I'm rooting for him. I seriously can't see that charge being followed through."

Vocalist Travis Ryan of San Diego-based deathgrind masters CATTLE DECAPITATION is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.

Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Speaking to SkullsNBones.com, Ryan said, "If that video [of the alleged incident that led to Daniel's death] we've all seen is true and legit, then anyone that watches that video and still thinks [Randy] is guilty of manslaughter has not a brain in their head or really need to get their eyes checked out, because what I'm seeing is one giant-ass security guard directly behind the kid and Randy's hand barely touching the kid. I haven't heard about anyone indicting the security guard. Where the hell is HE in all this? What the fuck is going on here!?!?! I just don't get it. We must be seeing the wrong video or something. Why is it so hard for people to see that this guy didn't 'throw' that kid off the stage, resulting in his death? It seems like someone is playing favorites here or something because if anyone is more guilty than the other, it's that fuckin security guard who looks like a goddamn tank that rushes up behind the dude. Unless Randy has eyes on the back of his head, he's not even looking in the kid's direction."

When asked what he does when a fan jumps on stage and doesn't jump off, Ryan said, "It depends. I usually don't do anything. I guess it depends on how they're acting. Some go out of their way to say, 'Look at me! Look at me!' through their actions, and I can't stand that. Those that physically get involved with you in any way can take a hike, unless it's a simple arm around the shoulder or something. Bottom line, though, is that's [the band's] stage and you must take accountability for your actions. If you go up there three times, expect that on the third time someone is going to be waiting to send you off. Not out of maliciousness or violence, but because you're directly and repeatedly involving yourself in a territory that is considered by the club, the performers, and even the rest of the fans, as trespassing."

THE DEVIL’S BLOOD Gitarrist Selim Lemouchi verprügelte während des Bang Your Head Festivals Auftrittes einen Fan. Zu diesen unschönen Szenen kam es als ein Festival Besucher zwei ausgestreckte Stinkefinger in Richtung Bühne zeigte. Das schien Selim Lemouchi gar nicht zu gefallen, er sprang von der Bühne runter verprügelte den Festival Besucher und kletterte im Anschluss wieder auf die Bühne zurück um das Set ohne zusätzlichen Kommentar weiter zu zocken.

Der Festivalbesucher wurde mit dem Verdacht auf eine Nasenbeinfraktur in ein Krankenhaus eingeliefert. Die Polizei rückte nach diesem Vorfall aus und deutet in ihrem Abschlussbericht juristische Folgen für den Gitarristen an.

Das neue Album „WalHalliGalli“: die pure Lebensfreude erscheint am 31. August 2012!

Nürnberg - Deutschlands ausgefallenster Beitrag in Sachen Rockmusik veröffentlicht ein neues Album: am 31. August erscheint mit dem Titel „Walhalligalli“ ein neues Werk von FEUERSCHWANZ, die als erste und einzige Formation Humor, Historisches, Feierlaune, Show und energetische Rockmusik miteinander verknüpfen.

Bei dem mitreißend-spektakulären Musikschauspiel, das sowohl optisch, wie auch musikalisch einzigartig ist, verschmilzt all das, was die Menschheit seit Anbeginn ausmacht und was sich auch nach 500 Jahren Fortschritt nicht geändert hat: ein bisschen Sarkasmus, ein wenig Spießigkeit, die immerwährende und ungezügelte Lust, Feste zu feiern, zu trinken und ganz viele menschliche Schwächen mehr. Bei FEUERSCHWANZ und in ihrer selbst erbauten Festung erlebt die Welt des Mittelalters genau jenes zeitgemäße Flair ausufernder Freiheiten, die dieses Zeitalter vermutlich gar nicht hatte. War diese Epoche in erster Linie von gesellschaftlichen Zwängen geprägt, dazu schmutzig und voll niederer Beweggründe, so beinhalten diese Attribute hier, angereichert mit der Toleranz der Neuzeit, jegliche Offenheit, sich noch ungehemmter zu entfalten. Bei FEUERSCHWANZ regiert - geprägt vom Zeitgeist, alles sagen und tun zu dürfen - ein ganz besonderer, charakteristischer Schalk.

Das Album „Walhalligalli“ entführt dabei in die höchsten Sphären überhaupt. Musikalisch hat man sich noch einmal um ein ganzes Stück weiterentwickelt und präsentiert präzise gespielte Rockmusik mit charmanten Folk-Einflüssen, die in ihrer Instrumentierung völlig tabulos ist und sich bei Weitem nicht auf Schlagzeug, Bass und Gitarre beschränken will. Produziert und gemischt hat das Ganze der renommierte Produzent Thomas-Heimann-Trosien, der u.a schon für solch bekannte Acts wie In Extremo / Subway To Sally / Schandmaul / Saltatio Mortis und Coppelius an den Reglern saß. Textlich geht es gar in göttliche Gefilde. Zwischen dem paradiesischen Aufruf „Mach Dich Frei“ oder der übersinnlich schönen „Johanna“ erlebt der Zuhörer auf seiner Reise durch den FEUERSCHWANZ-Olymp auch „Metnotstand Im Märchenland“ und muss sich mit irdischen Geizhälsen herumschlagen.

Kurzum – im Walhalla von FEUERSCHWANZ ist ein ganz schönes Halligalli geboten. Hier hätte sich sogar der ansonsten eher auf Krieg gepolte Donnergott Thor bei einem gepflegten Gläschen amüsiert.

Frivole Anekdoten und Tabu-Themen avancieren zu einem beinharten Wortwitz. Schmutz, finstere Ereignisse und der unstillbare Durst nach Hochprozentigem sind in ein modernes Gewand gekleidet:

Bei FEUERSCHWANZ wird gefeiert. Partylaune und Trinkfestigkeit haben neben allem Kulturellen und Kabarettistischen einen festen Platz im musikalischen Wirken. Die Bandmitglieder Hauptmann, Hodi, Lanze, der Knappe, Hans, Johanna und die Miezen sind sich für nichts zu schade. Sechs Musiker und zwei Tänzerinnen, eine Besetzung mit Charakteren, wie sie unterschiedlicher und sympathischer nicht sein könnten.

Dazu gesellen sich Lieder wie ein überlaufendes Metfass voll verspielter Kreativität, fast so wie ein Zapfhahn für Witze, die das moralische Brett vorm Kopf auflösen.

FEUERSCHWANZ haben einst auf Mittelaltermärkten begonnen und sind längst ein breites Phänomen. Publikum unterschiedlichster Couleur versammelt sich, wenn die unterhaltsamen Barden aufspielen. Aus der anfänglich wenig ernst genommenen Klamauk-Truppe ist eine kredibile Rockgröße geworden, die die deutsche Musiklandschaft facettenreicher macht und entscheidend mit prägt. Große Festivalauftritte auf dem Wacken oder Summer Breeze Open Air entwickelten sich zu gefeierten Partys, die Tournee zum letzten Album „Wunsch Ist Wunsch“ war so gut wie ausverkauft.

„Ungezügelte Spielwut“, titulierte die Freie Presse. „Musikalisch macht man ihnen nichts vor“, lobte die Neue Presse. „Neben Partylaune hat auch Kulturelles seinen Platz“, beurteilte die Saarbrücker Zeitung. Und die Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung beschrieb „eine wilde Mischung aus Rockmusik, Party, Mittelalter und Kabarett.“

„Walhalligalli“ entwickelt die ungezügelte, Feuerschwanz geprägte, Lebensfreude weiter! Ein niemals endendes Gelage: Leidenschaft, Freiheit und frenetische Feierlaune auf göttlichem Niveau.

Durch mittlerweile 4 full length Alben und zahlreiche Live Konzerte haben sich MINAS MORGUL in der deutschen und internationalen Metalszene etabliert und einen beständigen Namen geschaffen. Stilistisch bieten sie vielseitigen melodischen Black/Death Metal gespickt mit traditionellen und modernen Einflüssen. Fette Gitarrenriffs, hymnische Melodien, treibendes Drumming, Blastbeats und groovige Parts, geführt von wechselnd hohen und tiefen Growls, füllen die Songs und machen sie durch die typisch eigene "Morgul Note" unverwechselbar.

Druckvoll, heroisch, brachial und destruktiv meißelt sich die Musik in die Gehörgänge. Zum 15jährigen Bandbestehen vertonen MINAS MORGUL ihr 5. Album und veröffentlichen im Herbst die "Ära". Mit 13 Tracks und über 70 min Spielzeit trumpfen sie mit ihrem wohl ausgereiftesten und abwechslungsreichsten Longplayer auf. 13 Songs, die unterschiedlicher wohl kaum sein können, die eine fassettenreiche Bandbreite des extremen Metals repräsentieren und alle doch eins gemeinsam haben. Sie klingen nach orginal schwarzmetallischen MINAS MORGUL und werden den gefesselten Hörer eine neue Ära ins Hirn blasen. Die ÄRA 1313.

"Ara" Track List:

01. EINKLANG 2:03
02. WINTERHERZ 7:09
03. LEBEN 6:27
04. STIMME IN MIR 5:33
05. IM KRIEG 6:48
06. EGO 6:18
07. HALBZEIT 2:35
08. AUS ALTEN WUNDEN 7:40
09. KARDIA 5:52
10. WIR 6:00
11. RELIGION 5:45
12. KALT 5:02
13. ÄRA 5:33

San Francisco Bay Area metallers EXODUS inaugurated their summer festival season with a performance on June 2 at the Scion Rock Fest in Tampa, Florida. With Gary Holt still handling guitar duties for Jeff Hanneman on SLAYER's North American and European tours, EXODUS invited out none other than former bandmember Rick Hunolt to fill in for Scion and other shows.

Longtime EXODUS fans will recall that Hunolt — the other half of the famed EXODUS "H-Team" who is on every studio recording from 1985 through 2004 and co-wrote some of the band's best-known songs such as "A Lesson In Violence" and "Deliver Us To Evil" — left EXODUS after the band's highly-acclaimed 2004 reunion album, "Tempo Of The Damned". "Murder In The Front Row", the recent photo book documenting the pinnacle of the Bay Area thrash scene, aptly documents Hunolt's tenure in the band.

Following his departure, Hunolt was replaced by HEATHEN guitarist Lee Altus.

Holt joined his EXODUS bandmates for their Graspop Metal Meeting performance in Desel, Belgium on June 23 for a special lesson in violence with a three-guitar attack! Check out fan-filmed video footage of the performance below.

Hunolt previously rejoined his former bandmates at a special concert in celebration of Holt and Lisa Perticone's wedding on September 24, 2011 at Avalon in Santa Clara, California. He also performed with them at "Bonded By Baloff: A Decade Of Remembrance", a special concert which marked the 10-year anniversary of former EXODUS singer Paul Baloff's passing. The event took place February 4 at the Oakland Metro Operahouse in Oakland, California.

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe's Czech attorney Martin Radvan spoke to Radio Prague about the singer's arrest in Prague last month on manslaughter charges.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel Nosek — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.

In a closed session, which was originally scheduled for July 19 but took place earlier than planned, a panel of municipal judges reportedly dismissed the Prague State Attorney's Office complaint against Blythe's release on bail. In addition, the court increased Blythe's bail from $200,000 — which has already been paid — to $400,000, which is said to be equivalent to twice Randy's annual income.

"We are now waiting for his release because the band has already collected the additional 200,000 dollars, and only due to long travel time between the Prague Municipal Court and the court for Prague 8, we are still waiting," Radvan said. "Otherwise, he should have already been released."

When asked if Blythe will have to stay in the Czech Republic or if he will be allowed to leave the country upon his release from jail, Radvan said, "Everything indicates that he will be allowed to travel home. But he will have to come back either for further investigation or the trial, and that's what he wants to do. As a world-renowned artist, in a specific genre of music of course, he cannot afford to simply disappear. This is a wrong assumption by the Czech police and the Prague municipal prosecutor who still believe there is a possibility he will disappear and never show up again. But 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."

On the topic of why no one made any attempt to approach them after the incident — not even the police or the family members of the fan — in the two years following the concert in question, Radvan said, "I really don't know. Let me put it this way: nobody was expecting that, unfortunately, this young man Daniel Nosek would die a month after the concert. His father then spoke to the police who launched an investigation and called several witnesses who were at that concert. They also approached the U.S. Department Of Justice and asked them to take part in the investigation, which the department refused to do. Refusing to do so, they did not notify anyone from the band or the management, so no one really knew that investigation was underway, which I think is not something the U.S. Department Of Justice can be proud of.”

On how Randy Blythe is coping with being in jail and whether it's true that he is teaching his Mongolian cellmate English and picking up some Mongolian in return:

Radvan: "Randy Blythe is an intelligent man, he writes songs and now in jail, he has started writing a book. As regards his Mongolian 'neighbor,' Mr. Blythe is not really learning Mongolian from him all the time; we just bought the guy a book of Sudoku so that Randy has a little more time to do things he wants to do."

On whether Randy has complained about the conditions in jail:

Radvan: "Not at all. He says he is being treated in a fair way, and he has no complaints whatsoever about the guards or anybody in the Pankrác prison. He realizes he cannot do anything about the fact that the prison is old... it's not a place where he would like to spend more time, but well, that's how it is."

You can listen to the Radio Prague report using the audio player below.

Radio Prague report (audio):

A vital part of rock history, British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have spent four decades writing classic songs and putting on spectacular live shows. During this period, the band has sold in excess of 30 million albums, and played to countless millions of fans across the globe. In 1982, they released their eighth studio album, "Screaming For Vengeance", containing their hugely successful "You've Got Another Thing Comin'", the single which proved that metal could get mainstream radio airplay in the U.S. — leading the way for a whole generation of new metal bands.

To celebrate the 30-year anniversary of this epic release, JUDAS PRIEST present you with "Screaming For Vengeance – Special 30th Anniversary Edition", containing not only the remastered original album plus bonus tracks, but also a live DVD from the 1983 US Festival show, filmed in San Bernadino CA on May 29, 1983.

The US Festival was intended to be a celebration of evolving technologies; a marriage of music, computers, television and people — organized by Steve Wozniak, formerly of Apple.

The "Screaming For Vengeance – Special 30th Anniversary Edition" live DVD was filmed at the second, and what turned out to be last, US Festival in 1983. The Sunday was the Heavy Metal Day. "It was the day new wave died and rock 'n' roll took over." It set the single-day concert attendance record for the U.S. with an estimated 375,000 people.

JUDAS PRIEST had this to say about this memorable day in metal history: "On the day that we performed, we flew in by helicopter — and the first sight we saw was that of thousands of abandoned cars piled up around the crests of the hills that surrounded the festival arena, which as we went over took our breath away. For there below us, spread throughout hundreds of acres was a massive crowd — over three hundred thousand strong! The summer heat was raging and combined with the hot Santa Ana winds made for a scorching metal furnace on stage."

CD track listing:

01. The Hellion
02. Electric Eye
03. Riding On The Wind
04. Bloodstone
05. (Take These) Chains
06. Pain And Pleasure
07. Screaming For Vengeance
08. You've Got Another Thing Comin'
09. Fever
10. Devil's Child

Bonus tracks:

11. Electric Eye (live) *
12. Riding On The Wind (live) *
13. You've Got Another Thing Comin' (live) *
14. Screaming For Vengeance (live) *
15. Devil's Child (live)
16. Prisoner Of Your Eyes

* Live from the San Antonio Civic Center - September 10, 1982

DVD track listing:

US Festival Show - San Bernadino, California - May 29, 1983

01. Electric Eye
02. Riding On The Wind
03. Heading Out To The Highway
04. Metal Gods
05. Breaking The Law
06. Diamonds And Rust
07. Victim Of Changes
08. Living After Midnight
09. The Green Manalishi (with the two-pronged crown)
10. Screaming For Vengeance
11. You've Got Another Thing Comin'
12. Hell Bent For Leather

* Plus booklet featuring photos from Mark Weiss and sleeve notes written by Eddie Trunk (long-standing and well-respected U.S. rock journo, author, radio and TV presenter)

"Screaming For Vengeance – Special 30th Anniversary Edition" will be released on September 4 (one day earlier internationally) via Sony Music.

Fan-filmed video footage of IRON MAIDEN's July 19 concert at Klipsch Music Center in Indianapolis, Indiana can be seen below.

During the opening notes of "Wasted Years", IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson can be heard addressing a fan in the audience, Oh, for fuck's sake, the man the white shirt, you've been texting for the last three fucking songs! You're a wanker!"

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Moonchild
02. Can I Play With Madness
03. The Prisoner
04. 2 Minutes To Midnight
05. Afraid To Shoot Strangers
06. The Trooper
07. The Number Of The Beast
08. Phantom Of The Opera
09. Run To The Hills
10. Wasted Years
11. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
12. The Clairvoyant
13. Fear Of The Dark
14. Iron Maiden

Encore:

15. Aces High
16. The Evil That Men Do
17. Running Free

The 34-date "Maiden England" tour is IRON MAIDEN's most extensive visit to North America for many years and includes a number of other cities the band have not played in a very long time such as Atlanta, Milwaukee, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City and Sacramento, and places like Sarnia (Ontario, Canada) and Cadott, Wisconsin where they have never visited before. The tour is based on the band's "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son Tour", with a setlist almost exclusively from the 1980s featuring all the classic songs and hits. The same spectacular stage set as was used on the original 1988 tour has been recreated, complete with a magnificent light show, pyro and a newly reincarnated Eddie!

When asked by The Aquarian Weekly what the reason was behind choosing a setlist like that of the famous 1988 excursion, 7th Tour Of A 7th Tour, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith said, "Well, we just thought it'd be fun to revisit that period in time — there were some good songs there. It's just great revisiting some of the songs we haven't played for a long while. It keeps us fresh and it's just, you know, we got a lot of new fans coming on board now, a lot of younger fans who probably never saw or were around when we did that tour. That's one factor of it for us revisiting that time and I think there's some good songs from that period, so it's fun to do."

On the topic of how this tour differs from those in the recent years, Adrian said, "Well, this is a new set; we haven't taken the stage set out, for example, so it's a new stage set. We got new effects. I think it's going to be actually more spectacular than the original tour and probably, technically, you got more stuff now to put into a live show in terms of lighting and that, which will make it quite spectacular, so I think this is going to be pretty special, this tour. What with the songs, we love playing these songs, and with the stage set and effects and of course we got Eddie, he's back, so it should be fun."

The extraordinary and legendary ALICE COOPER is IRON MAIDEN's very special guest on all shows up to July 21. After that date, special guest will be COHEED AND CAMBRIA, the inspiring, cutting-edge band from New York.

For a complete list of "Maiden England" 2012 tour dates, visit IronMaiden.com.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook (pictured below) is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.

Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Speaking to Loudwire, Hook said, "I think it stinks. I'm reminded how scary life can get and how quickly things can go south. I saw the video [of something that could have been the alleged incident] and Randy wasn't even looking at this kid. He was singing to the crowd. Anytime someone comes up on stage, it's pretty much you get what you get. It's not like Randy took a heavy object and smashed this guy on the head. Randy was just singing, the guy came up behind him and it looks like he kind of just shoved him off the stage. That's my take on it. It seemed like a completely innocent maneuver. The fact that the guy perhaps landed on his head and died several weeks later as a result of a bad accident, my guess is they'll get it figured out and he'll get off. It doesn't seem like there was any intentional malice there."

Singaporean grindcore trio WORMROT has just wrapped up a mammoth six-week tour of Europe, which culminated in an unforgettable performance at Obscene Extreme festival in the Czech Republic.

Following the tour, the band has revealed that it will be taking a break from touring for a few years to attend to personal commitments. Contrary to rumors, however, WORMROT is not disbanding and will return with a new album in 2013 or 2014, with plans to tour again in 2015.

WORMROT vocalist Arif Rof has issued the following statement: "In regards to our post about taking a break on Facebook, some people misunderstood that we have broken up right after the recent tour. But that is definitely false information. We are taking a break from TOURING as we have other personal commitments to attend [to] this time around. It's definitely not because of what happened to us during the tour (ripped off, abandoned, etc.). That was part and parcel of touring. No big deal and it's probably a dead fucking issue now anyway. NONE of these relate to why we are taking a break.

"We played a couple of new songs on the tour from the next album. And still writing as we speak. So calm down, get your facts straight. All you need to know is that we are still very much alive and still writing new material for the upcoming album. We have been touring four years straight, every year. So we need a breather before we rage again across the globe. I said it before and I will say it again: WORMROT IS NOT DEAD. PERIOD."

WORMROT recently released the "Noise" EP on iTunes, including a unique cover of Texan indie rockers EISLEY's "Many Funerals".

WORMROT's latest album, "Dirge", is available now on limited-edition CD with an exclusive bonus DVD.

Multinational metallers RAVEN LORD have announced the addition of keyboardist Pontus Larsson (VINDICTIV, FIRECRACKER) and drummer Henrik Hedman (CELESTIAL DECAY, LAST KINGDOM) to the group's ranks.

RAVEN LORD is:

* Csaba Zvekan (KILLING MACHINE, SARDONYX, EMERGENCY) - Vocals
* Stefan Lindholm (VINDICTIV) - Lead Guitar
* Jamie Mallender (TONY MARTIN) - Bass
* Pontus Larsson (VINDICTIV, FIRECRACKER) – Keyboards
* Henrik Hedman (CELESTIAL DECAY, LAST KINGDOM) - Drums

RAVEN LORD is currently putting the finishing touches on its debut album.

Commented Mallender: "Make no mistake, we have made an album that's gonna smack you in the face with both fists! This is the record that has been missing from the metal scene for far too many years. But, despite the obvious anger and power of this music, there's a lot of melody and harmony in there and we wanted to bring in a keyboard player that loved metal, to complement the melodic side, but not water things down or get too Wakeman on our asses. Meet Pontus Larsson, who has filled this role perfectly, he's done exactly what we wanted him to and we are absolutely thrilled to have him onboard."

Added Larsson: "I was in the studio recording an album with VINDICTIV when I was asked to join RAVEN LORD. I was kind of busy, but after I listened to the songs and checked out the band members, it only took me 1 second to say yes! I'm proud to be a part of the band! It's great to play with all these talented musicians."

RAVEN LORD was also searching for a world-class, powerhouse drummer with the right chops and staggering technical ability to make a truly devastating rhythm section statement with this album. Enter Henrik Hedman, from Järvsö, a small village in the southern part of Norrland, Sweden, who has previously played with the bass guitar virtuoso Magnus Rosén (ex-HAMMERFALL).

Overjoyed at the new addition, Zvekan had this to say: "Henrik Hedman's future is pretty clear he will be a big player in the music industry. We are fortunate to have him on board with RAVEN LORD!"

Hedman is just as excited about the alliance: "I feel a great honor and exaltation at having been invited to the RAVEN LORD family. My fellow musicians are all wonderful people, extremely talented in their art and the creativity is overwhelming! No bullshit, this is an old dream come true! The RAVEN has spread its wings, and it's heading your way! The RAVEN LORD of Thunder."

MOTÖRHEAD will release "The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" in Germany on September 21 (three days later in the rest of Europe) via UDR/EMI. The follow-up to 2011's "The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 1: Everywhere Further Than Everyplace Else" will feature the band's 2011 Wacken Open Air headline appearance as well as highlights from Sonisphere (United Kingdom) and Rock In Rio (Brazil) shows.

"The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" will be available as a digipack (DVD plus two CDs), double-CD, double-vinyl (Wacken Open Air show), Blu-ray and direct-to-consumer version featuring 2 CDs, a DVD/Blu-ray and a special booklet.

"The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" track listing:

Wacken Open Air - August 8, 2011 in Wacken, Germany

* Iron Fist
* Stay Clean
* Get Back In Line
* Metropolis
* Over The Top
* Rock Out
* One Night Stand
* The Thousand Names of God
* I Know How to Die
* The Chase Is Better Than the Catch
* In the Name of Tragedy
* Just 'Cos You Got The Power
* Going To Brazil
* Killed By Death
* Bomber
* Ace Of Spades
* Overkill

Sonisphere - July 10, 2011 at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire:

* Iron Fist
* I Know How To Die
* In The Name Of Tragedy
* Killed By Death
* Ace Of Spades
* Overkill

Rock In Rio - September 25, 2011 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil:

* Stay Clean
* Over The Top
* The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
* Going To Brazil
* Killed By Death

Bonus material: festival impression Wacken Open Air

MOTÖRHEAD's latest album, "The Wörld Is Yours", sold 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 94 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous effort, "Motörizer", premiered with 6,400 units back in 2008 to debut at No. 82, while 2006's "Kiss Of Death" registered a first-week tally of 3,500.

"The Wörld Is Yours" was released in North America on February 8, 2011. The CD is a vital, scorching statement of intent from the band as they launch Motörhead Music, their very first record label.

Written and performed by Lemmy Kilmister, Philip Campbell and Mikkey Dee in both Los Angeles, California and Wales, with production once again by Cameron Webb, "The Wörld Is Yours" serves to remind everyone that you should never stop questioning or critiquing a society that would surely chew you up and spit you if given half a chance. And with 10 soul-scorching testaments to the unbridled power this world-famous trio continually maintain, "The Wörld Is Yours" delivers some of the finest, most important Motörmusic yet.