Original BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler performed live together for the first time in seven years on Saturday night (May 19), playing an intimate show at the 3,800-person O2 Academy in SABBATH's hometown of Birmingham, England. The show, which served as a warm-up for the group's headlining appearance next month at the Download festival, was laced with emotion and drama: it was the first live appearance for Iommi since being diagnosed with cancer, and it was the first with stand-in drummer Tommy Clufetos, making the split official between founding drummer Bill Ward and the rest of SABBATH.

Commented Iommi: "I was extremely nervous beforehand about playing a long set, not knowing whether I'd be able to last. It turned out to be no problem whatsoever because Ozzy, Geezer and Tommy were nailing everything; no chance to feel tired! I'm really pleased with how it turned out, fantastic crowd and I want to say thank you to all of them for giving me such an amazing reception. On our way again at last! Finally, a special thanks to Tommy; we invited him to play and he was brilliant."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Iommi was visibly moved when the audience began chanting his name after opening number "Into The Void", and continued chanting it intermittently throughout the show.

Reviews of Saturday night's concert can be found by following the links below.

* Kerrang!
* Rolling Stone
* The Midlands Rocks
* Counteract Magazine
* ThrashHits.com
* Classic Rock
* Terrorizer
* Metal Hammer
* Noise11
* Birmingham Mail

Ward, meanwhile, 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.

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."

Butler added that the band did not expect to make a lot of money from its Download appearance and planned to donate the proceeds from the Birmingham gig, saying, "Apparently, this wasn't acceptable to Bill's representatives, they wanted an amount that was so unrealistic that it seemed to have been a joke."

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."

In addition to Download, 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 will be 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.

Swedish death metal masters DIABOLICAL are preparing to enter Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, UNANIMATED, DESTRÖYER 666) in Alvik, Sweden to begin recording their as-yet-untitled fifth album. The CD will once again be produced by the band's vocalist/guitarist Sverker Widgren.

Commented guitarist Carl Stjärnlöv: "We have more than enough material written and pre-produced already, and we are confident that this album will be a milestone for DIABOLICAL as a band and for metal as a genre."

The first in a series of video clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the studio can be seen below.

DIABOLICAL's latest album, "Ars Vitae", came out in February 2011 via Abyss Records.

The band's third full-length CD, "The Gallery of Bleeding Art", was released in November 2008 through ViciSolum Productions.

Century Media Records has announced the signing of the London, England-based tech-metal quintet MONUMENTS. The band's long-awaited debut album, "Gnosis", will be released in August.

Commented MONUMENTS: "We're looking forward to working with Century Media and getting our music to every corner of the world. Expect to have your ears and minds destroyed before the end of 2012. Get ready, planet Earth, we're coming to fuck you!"

MONUMENTS recently recruited singer Matt Rose after they went through a long, grinding, and global search for a new frontman. "We have found the perfect guy right here in our own back yard, we couldn't be happier with the work Matt has done so far," says MONUMENTS guitarist John Browne.

For the past seven months, Rose has been working with the band to make this a monster of an album. Rose will enter Fortress Studios later this month with Dan Weller (SIKTH) for final vocal production and recording.

"Gnosis" was originally supposed to be released last year via Basick Records. MONUMENTS has since split with the U.K.-based label, which issued the band's debut EP, "We Are The Foundation", in 2010.

MONUMENTS is:

John Browne - Guitar
Olly Steele - Guitar
Adam Swan - Bass
Mike Malyan - Drums
Matt Rose - Vocals

The latest episode of the "Focus In The Mix With Denise Ames" TV show features an interview with GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall and singer Terry Ilous and the world premiere of the band's new video, "(I've Got) Something For You". Kendall talks about the beginnings of GREAT WHITE in Hollywood; the Rhode Island fire at a GREAT WHITE concert that claimed 100 lives; the late WARRANT singer Jani Lane; GREAT WHITE's new album, adding Ilous to the lineup and much more. You can now watch the episode below.

"Focus In The Mix With Denise Ames" airs the first and third Friday of each month on Time Warner's channel 165 at 7:30 p.m. throughout North L.A. County and streaming at this location.

GREAT WHITE — Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals) — filmed the "(I've Got) Something For You" video on April 27, in Tujunga, California. Photos from the video shoot can be found at this location. A couple of the pictures are available below.

"(I've Got) Something For You" comes off GREAT WHITE's new studio album, "Elation", which is scheduled for a May 22 North American release (four days earlier in Europe) via Frontiers Records. The 12-song CD will mark GREAT WHITE's first effort with Ilous following the band's split with founding singer Jack Russell.

"This is a new birth of the band," Desbrow said. "I wanted to call the album 'Tabula Rasa', which means rebirth, but we went for 'Elation' because of the euphoria in the atmosphere. It's a fresh and healthier start than ever before. I'm like a kid in a candy store."

Kendall, one of rock's most notable guitarists, echoed Desbrow's pure excitement. "The energy in the studio [was] amazing," Kendall said. "This is the most excited I've been since I was nine years old and got my first guitar. It's remarkable to be doing our third record with Frontiers Records and to feel the love and support from Serafino and his team. They are truly part of the GREAT WHITE family."

Lardie, who also served as "Elation"'s producer, applauded the band's teamwork in the studio. He was struck by the group's songwriting approach and enthusiasm, and is certain that fans will embrace the record.

"The difference in this studio experience was simple," he said. "Everyone was completely present and contributed to the making of this album. As a producer, I feel my part is to get the best out of each of us and I got better than anyone's best!"

"Elation" track listing:

01. (I've Got) Something For You
02. Feelin' So Much Better
03. Love Train
04. Heart Of A Man
05. Hard To Say Goodbye
06. Resolution
07. Shotgun Willie's
08. Promise Land
09. Lowdown (bonus track)
10. Just For Tonight
11. Love Is Enough
12. Complicated

This version of GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE, which features Russell alongside Robby Lochner (FIGHT) on guitar, Matthew Johnson (DOCTOR M, JACK RUSSELL) on guitar, Dario Seixas (FIREHOUSE, STEPHEN PEARCY) on bass and Derrick Pontier (GREAT WHITE, SAMANTHA 7) on drums.

Russell filed a lawsuit against his estranged bandmates in March claiming that they fired him and stole the group's name while he was recovering from surgery to repair a perforated bowel. Named in the complaint were Kendall, Desbrow, Lardie and talent agency Bigg Time Entertainment. Kendall, Desbrow and Lardie responded with a 30-page counterclaim, filed on April 24 in a federal court in Los Angeles, accusing their former frontman of, among other things, "miss[ing] 80 performances in 18 months" before leaving the band; "irreparably damag[ing]" their "market reputation" by putting on performances that "are not up to the standard of GREAT WHITE; and misleading the public by stating that the musicians in Jack's new band "were once full members of GREAT WHITE." They also accuse Russell's new bandmates of "profit[ing] from their wrongful affiliation with the GREAT WHITE brand."

GREAT WHITE's last studio album, "Rising" (featuring Russell on lead vocals), was released in North America in April 2009 via Shrapnel Records. The CD was issued in Europe in March 2009 through Frontiers Records.

Chicago-based death metallers BLACK SEPTEMBER have entered the studio to begin recording their sophomore album, "Into The Darkness Into The Void", for a fall release via Prosthetic Records. The CD is being tracked in the band's hometown with Andy Nelson at Bricktop Recording (WEEKEND NACHOS, VEIL OF MAYA), the same studio where they recorded their debut full-length, "The Forbidden Gates Beyond", which Decibel magazine praised for its "savage riffing and elemental leads."

Commented BLACK SEPTEMBER guitarist C.M.: "This record enters the depths of our past while retaining the fire from 'The Forbidden Gates Beyond'. One step beyond our previous efforts into a realm of untamed energy. Ravenous and pure."

BLACK SEPTEMBER just played a show with TRAGEDY and will next perform on June 6 at Chicago's Archer Nemesis.

Jeremy Lafrentz of Backstage Entertainment conducted an interview with former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach at this year's Lazerfest on May 13 at the Central Iowa Expo in Boone, Iowa. During the chat, which can be seen below, Bach introduced his new guitar player, Andy Wood, who previously played in the Knoxville, Tennessee hard rock band DOWN FROM UP. It is not presently clear if Wood is a permanent replacement for Nick Sterling, who played guitar, and co-wrote many of the songs, on Bach's latest album, "Kicking & Screaming".

Shortly after joining forces with Sterling in 2009, Bach stated about the young guitarist, "After searching for 'my Randy Rhoads' for the last couple of decades, I am very excited to introduce to you a guitar player whom I feel has what it takes to take on the world of rock n' roll and beyond...

"After flipping through an issue of Guitar World magazine (good place to find guitar players, it turns out!), I saw an ad for an amplifier that featured Nick Sterling. After I found Nick's web sites, I could not believe how talented this guy was... He sings, plays all guitars and basses, and all the drums on his recordings! Now that's something I know very few people are capable of. His songs rock, he plays great... I was very interested in making some music with this dude. I contacted him through his MySpace page, and soon we were emailing song ideas back and forth.

"Nick is younger than I am. The reason I dig his tunes is that, to me, rock 'n' roll is all about the spirit of the 'youth gone wild,' and honestly, some musicians, as they get older, tend to 'write older.' I am simply far too in love with rock n' roll, still, to change my 'musical direction' right now. I just want to keep making albums that have tons of energy, are melodic, cool, groovin' and fit into the catalog of what I have put out so far. Nick's songs and vibe fit perfectly alongside such tracks as 'Youth Gone Wild', '18 & Life', etc."

Bassist Jason Christopher — who filled in for Shawn Economaki during STONE SOUR's spring 2011 tour and who previously played with SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor in the JUNK BEER KIDNAP BAND — recently joined Bach's solo group.

Bach completed a short run of North American dates in February and took part in the Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour, which hit the road in South America in late April.

Interview:

Long Island, New York-based hardcore/metal band LETTER TO THE EXILES has inked a deal with Facedown Records. The group's new album, "Make Amends", will be released on August 14.

According to a press release, LETTER TO THE EXILES has persisted in sharpening their skill and sound, honing it into finely pointed hardcore-influenced metal even during the most formidable of times. LETTER TO THE EXILES know the struggle to keep moving forward is worth it; know that the creative push that allows them to write the honest and direct lyrics that comprise their new album, 'Make Amends', is essential to what the band is at its very core.

"'Make Amends' promises to be aggressive, following in the immortal footsteps of the great New York hardcore and metal bands that have come before, while simultaneously exhibiting the band's ability to keep things progressive by interspersing the hard with the soft, and unveiling the moments of peaceful calm they have interwoven throughout the album."

Commented LETTER TO THE EXILES: "As a band we recognize that nothing is going to be given to us. But we also know that great things and great potential lie ahead if we just keep moving forward."

Swedish death metal juggernaut THE FORSAKEN will release its fourth album, "Beyond Redemption", on June 29 via the German label Massacre Records. The CD, which was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden, features the same trademark THE FORSAKEN sound and hellish groove established on previous releases ("Manifest Of Hate" [2001], "Arts Of Desolation" [2002] and "Traces Of The Past" [2003], all of which were released worldwide via Century Media Records), as well as showcased during European road work with such bands as NILE, THE HAUNTED, GRAVE, SOILWORK and CALIBAN.

"Beyond Redemption" track listing:

01. Beyond Redemption
02. Only Hell Remains
03. Foul Messianic Grace
04. No Dawn Awaits
05. There Is No God
06. As We Burn
07. Reap As We Have Sown
08. The Light Divine
09. Force Fed Repentance
10. Blessed With Wrath

THE FORSAKEN's current lineup consists of almost all original members, the latest addition being guitarist Calle Fäldt (ex-DERANGED, FEARED CREATION), who replaces Stefan Holm. A full-time member since winter of 2010, Calle is a perfectly adjusted wheel in the machinery of THE FORSAKEN, fitting perfectly both in his string execution and in the band's chemistry.

THE FORSAKEN 2012 is:

Anders Sjöholm - Vocals
Patrik Persson - Guitars
Calle Fäldt - Guitars
Stefan Berg - Bass
Nicke Grabowski - Drums

German rockers GLOOMBALL have issued the following update:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new drummer. Our friend Sewy decided to leave the band couple of weeks ago and we wanna wish him nothing but the best of luck in the future! Thank you for your time and efforts. We appreciate it.

Time to welcome our new family member, Danny Joe. He kicked ass at Watzstock Festival! We are glad to have you among us.

We are working hard on the release of "The Distance". We still don't have a release date yet, but keep in mind that it's worth the wait! This album will blow your minds!"

British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH recently entered Grindstone Studios in Suffolk, England with producer Scott Atkins (SYLOSIS, GAMA BOMB) to begin recording their tenth album for a fall release.

A two-minute video clip of the drum-recording sessions can be seen below.

CRADLE OF FILTH vocalist, Dani "Filth" Davey recently stated about the band's new material, "I would personally liken it to a hubbub of CRADLE through the years but with a fresh energetic streak racing prominently throughout… it's fast, innovative, melodic, brutal and utterly uncompromising, VERY cinematic (there is a noticeable rise of the orchestral thanks to Martin [Skaroupka, drums] who has been working alongside Paul's [Allender, guitar] feverous songwriting both on these and the drum tracks, which are astonishing to say the least…), romantic, necromantic, angry and reflective. Fuck me, it's a new CRADLE OF FILTH album, and a really bloody good one at that, if the demos alone are taken as a foretaste of the thunderstorm to come."

He continued, "The album itself is not a concept album this time around (you think you're sighing with relief!), but a bestiary of songs all revolving around a chimerical theme. Titles thus far include the following… 'Siding With The Titans', 'The Abhorrent', 'Illicitus', 'Frost On Her Pillow', 'For Your Vulgar Delectation', 'Death, The Great Adventure', 'Manticore', 'The Unveiling Of O', 'Pallid Reflection' and 'Huge Onyx Wings Behind Despair'."

"Midnight In The Labyrinth", an orchestral album which reinvents tracks from CRADLE OF FILTH's first four albums and includes choirs, strings and some narration, was released on Record Store Day (April 21) in participating countries and as a strictly limited-edition two-disc set of delectable magic in the rest of the world.

GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose fell last night (Sunday, May 20) while leaving the stage after performing the final song of the band's set in Liverpool, England. Axl was apparently walking backwards and waving the crowd goodbye after the group finished playing "Paradise City" at the Echo Arena and tripped on what appeared to be either a piece of equipment or a set of steps that led from the main floor to the drum-riser floor.

Two separate fan-filmed video clips capturing the incident from different angles can be seen below.

As previously reported, Rose underwent treatment for a suspected hematoma (a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel) after bruising his leg in Russia earlier in the month. The singer was reportedly injured during a wild weekend of partying with his bandmates, celebrating their two sold-out shows in Moscow.

In addition sole original member Axl Rose, the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Richard Fortus and DJ Ashba, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.

Swedish death metallers ENTRAILS have inked a deal with Metal Blade Records. The band is in the final stages of songwriting for its third studio album, to be recorded during the summer.

Commented the group: "Our upcoming third opus is filled with old-school and rotten bastards of songs. Groovy and heavy like a pile of flesh that will be like a punch in your face. To us, it's the perfect step from 'The Tomb Awaits' album… beware!"

ENTRAILS formed in the '90s, but split up before they were able to release a demo or even an album. It took them until 2008 to come back when guitarist Jimmy Lundqvist rediscovered some old tapes. In a moment of nostalgia, he decided that they deserved to be released as they should have been originally. With modern recording technology, the first ENTRAILS demo could finally take shape. After releasing another demo in 2009, ENTRAILS recorded and released their debut album, "Tales From The Morgue", in 2010. Just a year later, "The Tomb Awaits" was released, an album that gained worldwide attention of music fans of the extreme and was considered by many as the best death metal release of 2011.

ENTRAILS is:

Joakim Svensson - Vocals/Bass
Jimmy Lundqvist - Guitar
Mathias Nilsson – Guitar
Adde Mitroulis - Drums

Paul Kuhr and Mike Feldman of U.S. death/doom pioneers NOVEMBERS DOOM have launched Charred Owen, a record label catering to vinyl enthusiasts and collectors.

Commented Paul: "Having a mutual love for what is collectable and a vinyl format now considered classic, [we] have brought to life a newly formed record label. Charred Owen was created out of nostalgia and a desire to see our own work released on a timeless format, vinyl. Not only is it collectable, but no other format has even been able to capture the full beauty of cover art, along with a tonal warmth only vinyl could bring.

"We will start with a collaboration with The End Records to release select NOVEMBERS DOOM titles, starting with 'Aphotic' available June 19th, but we won't stop there. Plans for other releases in the future are already in the works, with other bands in consideration.

"As musicians in the metal industry and fans of the same genre, our goal with Charred Owen is to create collectable quality vinyl, from talented bands. We have many plans for the future, and we're looking forward to seeing it all come to life.

For more information, visit www.charredowen.com.

Californian blues-rockers RIVAL SONS have finished recording and mixing their eagerly anticipated new album in Nashville, Tennessee. The as-yet untitled follow-up to 2011's "Pressure & Time" was recorded with Grammy-nominated producer Dave Cobb and Grammy-winning engineer Vance Powell. A late August release via Earache Records is expected.

Commented RIVAL SONS guitarist Scott Holiday: "We have officially completed and turned in our next full-length record. We thought we might give ourselves a bit more time to work this time around, as opposed to the 20 days for 'Pressure & Time'... BUT, it was even MORE crazy this time. Everything was finished in about the same amount of time (22 days), but this time we are giving much more music (a much longer record) — nearly twice that of 'Pressure & Time'.

"Done in Nashville this time — amazing people, music, music scene, countryside, and some cool record shops. We re-enlisted our long-time producer and friend, Dave Cobb (Jamie Johnson, SECRET SISTERS, Shooter Jennings, and uh... RIVAL SONS), and this time we brought in the engineering and mix wizardry of one Mr. Vance Powell (Jack White, DEAD WEATHER, KINGS OF LEON).

"Songs were once again written and recorded on the spot, allowing the listener to really peer in and catch a snapshot of the moment, and our immediate instincts. Most songs were captured in a few takes, not to mention plenty of first-takers. Pretty off the cuff and unadulterated. We have never had a wish to be predictable or sedentary with our music, and this record explores and supports that ethos pretty well. In other words, this record is not 'Pressure & Time', but delves into a bunch of other musical ideas and sounds. Much more of a 'long-form' record as a whole. Fist-pumpers, ass-shakers, foot-stompers, air guitaring/bassing/drummers, tear-jerkers, heart-string-pullers, and a few straight up freak outs. That's all I'll say for now."

RIVAL SONS has been confirmed as the main support act for GUNS N' ROSES for two shows in Europe this summer.

RIVAL SONS will be joining GUNS N' ROSES at Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands on June 4, and then at the Warsteiner Hockey Park in Mönchengladbach, Germany on June 8.

Johan Hegg of AMON AMARTH has laid down guest vocals on the forthcoming fourth album from Swedish death metallers EVOCATION. The as-yet-untitled CD is being recorded in part at IF Studios, the IN FLAMES-owned facility in Gothenburg, Sweden, with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR). A late 2012 release is expected via the band's new label home, Century Media Records.

Commented EVOCATION: "Do we need to say that [Johan] did an amazing job? As always when Johan is around, it's easy to think that the thunder is roaring outside, when, in fact, it's just his mighty voice which makes you think so! Thanx, Johan, for an amazing job!"

EVOCATION recently parted ways with bassist Martin "Tore" Toresson and is currently seeking a replacement.

As previously reported, Century Media Records will release the complete demo recordings of EVOCATION. Entitled "Evoked From Demonic Depths - The Early Years", it will feature the following tracks:

01. A Wind Has Risen
02. Through The Darkened Peril
03. The Ancient Gate
04. Desolated Spirits
05. On A Journey To Heaven
06. Where The Headstones Shine
07. Veils Were Blown
08. Spiritual Affinity
09. Outro
10. On A Journey To Heaven (rehearsal)
11. Where The Headstones Shine (rehearsal)
12. Spiritual Affinity (rehearsal)
13. Veils Were Blown (rehearsal)
14. Genesis

Video enhancements

15. The Ancient Gate (live at Gamlestaden, Gothenburg 1992)
16. Genesis (live at Gamlestaden, Gothenburg 1992)
17. Where The Headstones Shine (live at Gamlestaden, Gothenburg 1992)

Tracks 1 to 4 are taken from the "The Ancient Gate" demo, tracks 5 to 9 from the "Promo 1992" demo. Tracks 10 to 13 are previously unreleased rehearsal tracks and as a very special the band has recorded the unreleased track "Genesis", which has been written in 1992, but so far has never ever been available before (track 14). "Genesis" was recorded at IF Studios (IN FLAMES, THE HAUNTED) by producer Robert Laghi. All tracks have been mastered at Fascination Street Studio (OPETH, PARADISE LOST, ENSLAVED, GRAND MAGUS and many more). The remastering of the demo tracks was done using the original master tapes. The CD version also includes three live bootleg video enhancements as a bonus.

Besides the historical musical content, the release is packed with in-depth information on the history of EVOCATION. A foreword has been written by Anzo Sadoni (Metal Hammer), Björn-Thorsten Jaschinski (Rock Hard, Legacy) and Frank Schenk (Chaos magazine) took a deep dive into EVOCATION's history from their start in 1991 until the reunion in 2005 and on until the release of the band's highly praised third studio album "Apocalyptic". Guitarist Marko Palmén comments on every song and gives not just a glimpse but a detailed view into the writing process of the demos. All this information gets underlined by an elaborate usage of band photos, concert flyers and other visual content from the years 1991 to 1993 and the noble and balanced layout by Xaay (NILE, BEHEMOTH).

"Evoked From Demonic Depths - The Early Years" will be released as CD with 32-page booklet and an O-card as well as on deluxe 2LP (180g vinyls, gatefold sleeve, printed inner sleeves) and as digital download.

The album will be released on the following dates:

* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway: Friday, June 22
* Spain, Italy: Tuesday, June 26
* Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, June 27
* Rest Of Europe: Monday, June 25
* Australia, New Zealand: Friday, June 29

EVOCATION's third album, "Apocalyptic", was released on October 29, 2010 via Cyclone Empire Records.

Audio samples of several songs that appear on "We Are The Others", the third full-length studio album from Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers DELAIN, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The CD will be released in North America this summer via the New Jersey-based top-tier progressive metal label Sensory Records. CNR Entertainment will handle the release in The Netherlands and Roadrunner Records will issue the CD in the rest of Europe.

"We Are The Others" track listing (North American version):

01. Mother Machine
02. Electricity
03. We Are The Others
04. Milk And Honey
05. Hit Me With Your Best Shot
06. I Want You
07. Where Is The Blood (feat. Burton C. Bell)
08. Generation Me
09. Babylon
10. Are You Done With Me
11. Get The Devil Out Of Me
12. Not Enough
13. The Gathering (live)
14. Control The Storm (live)
15. Shattered (live)
16. Sleepwalkers Dream (live)

The lead single, "Get The Devil Out Of Me", hit stores on April 13 (April 15 for U.K.) to coincide with the start of the band's European tour.

The "Get The Devil Out Of Me" video can be seen below. The clip features footage from the recording sessions for the new CD and live material, including footage from the Sonisphere festival in the U.K. (used with kind permission of BlinkTV).

Described as "the band's most powerful, most atmospheric and intoxicating album to date," "We Are The Others" was helmed by producer Jacob Hellner — renowned for his work with RAMMSTEIN, CLAWFINGER and APOCALYPTICA — while the vocals were tracked with the Epicentre team of Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikström (SCORPIONS, BACKYARD BABIES).

At first glance, some songtitles on "We Are The Others" may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.

Commented singer Charlotte Wessels: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere.

"'We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."

"We Are The Others" samples:

AMARANTHE's video for the song "1.000.000 Lightyears" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's self-titled debut album, which was released in Europe in April 2011 via Spinefarm Records.

AMARANTHE is the project featuring Olof Mörck (NIGHTRAGE, DRAGONLAND), Jake E (ex-DREAM EVIL, DREAMLAND), Andy Solveström (WITHIN Y, EVILDOER, CIPHER SYSTEM), Morten Lowe Sorensen (THE ARCANE ORDER, SUBMISSION) and Johan Andreassen (ex-ENGEL).

"Amaranthe" track listing:

01. Leave Everything Behind
02. Hunger
03. 1.000.000 Lightyears
04. Automatic
05. My Transition
06. Amaranthine
07. Rain
08. Call Out My Name
09. Enter The Maze
10. Director's Cut
11. Act Of Desperation
12. Serendipity

AMARANTHE vocalist Elize Ryd has been filling the female singer spot on KAMELOT's European, South and North American tours.

AMARANTHE is:

* Olof Mörck (NIGHTRAGE, DRAGONLAND) - Guitar, Keyboards
* Jake E (ex-DREAM EVIL, DREAMLAND) - Clean Vocals
* Andy Solveström (WITHIN Y, EVILDOER, CIPHER SYSTEM) - Screams
* Morten Lowe Sorensen (THE ARCANE ORDER, SUBMISSION) - Drums
* Johan Andreassen (ex-ENGEL) - Bass
* Elize Ryd - Female Vocals

"Heartless", a brand new song from RISE TO REMAIN — the up-and-coming London, England metalcore outfit featuring singer Austin Dickinson, the son of IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson — is available for free download at this location. The track is described in a press release as "a visceral, brutal statement of renewed intent that scorches its way firmly into your head, heart and soul."

"Heartless" is one of four tracks RISE TO REMAIN recorded for inclusion as bonus tracks with the U.S. version of their debut release, "City Of Vultures", which hits stores across in America on June 5.

In other news, RISE TO REMAIN has announced the full time additions of bassist Connor O'Keefe and drummer Adam Lewin on drums to the group's ranks. Fans will recognize Lewin from RISE TO REMAIN's recent U.K. headlining tour. The brand new lineup hits the road with a set of British shows before festival performances in Spain (Sonisphere) and Germany (Rock Am Ring).

On June 8, RISE TO REMAIN will play the Download festival for the fourth year running. This year, the band has graduated to a well-deserved main stage slot, where they'll open the festival with all guns blazing. After Download, they make their way overseas to the USA for the first time ever, to embark on the Vans Warped Tour, which sees them playing 40 different cities in North America over the period of three months.

"Strange", the debut video from KILL DEVIL HILL, 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, can be seen below. The song comes off the group's self-titled debut album, which will be released via SPV/Steamhammer on the following dates:

U.S./Canada: May 22
Germany: May 25
Rest Of Europe: May 28

"Kill Devil Hill" was originally due on March 27 but had its release date pushed back so that the band could record another track at the last minute. The group explained, "It was decided that a song that was to be a bonus track might be released as a single, so in order to include that song on the CD we needed an additional track to include as a bonus in its place."

"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 will be available in a standard CD edition, as an iTunes digital download, and double gatefold LP.

"Kill Devil Hill" track listing:

CD:

01. War Machine (3:09)
02. Hangman (3:40)
03. Voodoo Doll (3:53)
04. Gates Of Hell (4:53)
05. Rise From The Shadows (4:03)
06. We're All Gonna Die (4:26)
07. Strange (3:31)
08. Time & Time Again (3:50)
09. Old Man (3:06)
10. Mysterious Ways (2:25)
11. Up In Flames (6:04)
12. Revenge (4:54)

Double Gatefold LP:

Side 1 (14:56)

01. War Machine (3:09)
02. Hangman (3:40)
03. We're All Gonna Die (4:26)
04. Time & Time Again (3:50)

Side 2 (10:21)

01. Old Man (3:06)
02. Mysterious Ways (2:25
03. Revenge (4:54)

Side 3 (10:07)

01. Rise From The Shadows (4:03)
02. Up In Flames (6:04)
03. Strange (3:31)

Side 4 (12:56)

01. Voodoo Doll (3:53)
02. Gates Of Hell (4:53)
03. Drawbridge (5:58) (bonus track)

iTunes Digital Download:

01. War Machine (3:09)
02. Hangman (3:40)
03. Voodoo Doll (3:53)
04. Gates Of Hell (4:53)
05. Rise From The Shadows (4:03)
06. We're All Gonna Die (4:26)
07. Strange (3:31)
08. Time & Time Again (3:50)
09. Old Man (3:06)
10. Mysterious Ways (2:25)
11. Up In Flames (6:04)
12. Revenge (4:54)
13. Gates Of Hell (acoustic version; bonus track)

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 made its live debut on April 29, 2011 at the Key Club in Hollywood, California.

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

"Strange" video:

Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) played four shows in London in November 2011 dedicated to his tetralogy album concept — a great journey through Devin's different states of musical moods — which he started in 2009 with the albums "Addicted" (2009) and "Ki" (2009) and finished with last year's "Deconstruction" and "Ghost". The concerts were professionally recorded and filmed for a unique box-set release, which he has decided to call "By A Thread - Live in London 2011".

Due on June 18 in Europe and June 19 in North America through HevyDevy Records/InsideOut Music, "By A Thread - Live in London 2011" will contain all four shows on four DVDs, plus a five-CD set (the four albums and one disc with all of the encores).

An official pre-release screening event will held on June 5 at the Prince Charles Cinema in London where, over the course of three to four hours, Devin himself will talk all attendees through a summary of all that the DVDs have to offer. Only a limited number of first-come-first-served tickets will be available to a lucky crowd of 250 people. Lucky, because besides being the first to see the DVD they will also have the exclusive opportunity to be the first to purchase the DVD box set two weeks before anyone else can have it. And it'll be signed, no less!

A two-minute cinema-screening teaser for "By A Thread - Live in London 2011" can be seen below.

Commented Devin: "The amount of work and memory that went into that event has been captured by an even more herculean event by the folks making the DVDs, and finally I get to see what we did those nights! It's another situation of releasing a product that we think is really cool, and have gone the extra distance to make it worth your while if you're the type that supports by buying physical product... it's great! So if you weren't there, this is as close as you can get... please enjoy and maybe I'll meet you at the screening!"

The screening will be held on Tuesday, June 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and tickets are £15 each. Tickets can be purchased at the Prince Charles Cinema via this link. The screening event will be followed up with two acoustic solo shows on June 6 and June 7, both held at London's The Borderline. And then Devin is off to headline the third stage at the Download festival on Friday, June 8.

"Delirium Of The Fallen", the new video from multi-national thrashers NIGHTRAGE, can be seen below. The clip was filmed on April 28 at the Eightball Club in Thessaloniki, Greece. Directing the video was Gabriel Psaltakis, who helmed the latest PSYCHO CHOKE clip, "Get Down".

"Delirium Of The Fallen" comes off NIGHTRAGE's fifth album, "Insidious", which was released last September via Lifeforce Records. The CD featured guest appearances by Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND), Tomas S. Englund (EVERGREY), Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS), John K (BIOMECHANICAL) and the band's former frontman Tomas Lindberg (also known for his work with AT THE GATES, THE CROWN and LOCK UP). Lindberg appeared on the band's first two albums — 2003's "Sweet Vengeance" and 2005's "Descent Into Chaos" — before being replaced by Jimmie Strimell, who sang on 2007's "A New Disease Is Born".

"Insidious" track listing:

01. So Far Away (intro)
02. Delirium Of The Fallen (w/ Apollo Papathanasio)
03. Insidious (w/ Tomas Lindberg)
04. Wrapped In Deceitful Dreams (w/ Gus G. and Tom S. Englund)
05. Hate Turns Black
06. Sham Piety (w/ Tomas Lindberg)
07. Cloaked In Wolf Skin
08. This World Is Coming To An End (w/ Tomas Lindberg, Apollo Papathanasio)
09. Utmost Ends Of Pain
10. Poignant Memories
11. Hush Of Night
12. Poisoned Pawn
13. Solar Eclipse (Prelude) (w/ John K)
14. Solar Corona (w/ Gus G. and Tom S. Englund)
15. Emblem Of Light (outro) (w/ John K)

Japanese bonus track and digital-only bonus:

16. Photograph (DEF LEPPARD cover; w/ Apollo Papathanasio)

The "Insidious" cover art was created by Gustavo Sazes (MORBID ANGEL, ARCH ENEMY, FIREWIND, SONIC SYNDICATE, GOD FORBID) of Abstrata Art.

NIGHTRAGE is:

Antony Hämäläinen - Vocals
Marios Iliopoulos - Guitar
Olof Mörck - Guitar
Anders Hammer - Bass
Johan Nunez - Drums

Alexandre Locher (also known as Xytras or Xy) of Swiss industrial black metallers SAMAEL recently travelled to Finland to oversee pre-production on the new album from the Finnish modern thrash/death-influenced metal band DEAD SHAPE FIGURE.

It's been years since Xy produced an album for another band; it started with MISERY's "Mystic" CD in 1993; he would later produce two albums for Greek death/black metal veterans ROTTING CHRIST (1997's "A Dead Poem" and 1999's "Sleep Of The Angel") as well as the first two LPs from Germany's MY INSANITY.

A short video clip of Xy in the studio with DEAD SHAPE FIGURE can be seen below.

DEAD SHAPE FIGURE's mini-CD, "Dev!lle Ride", was released via Dynamic Arts Records.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Strangle The Hero
02. And They Adore The Replacement
03. Leave Your Buildings
04. Dead Again

Guitarist Kride Lahti left DEAD SHAPE FIGURE last year "due to personal reasons and lack of motivation." He has since been replaced by Silver Ots (THE NIBIRUAN, ex-AMORAL).

DEAD SHAPE FIGURE's second full-length album, "The Disease Of St. Vitus", was released in October 2010 via Dynamic Arts Records. The CD was mastered at Virtalähde Analog Audio Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

The band's debut album, "The Grand Karoshi", came out in 2008 via Season Of Mist. The CD's lyrical content was translated by Kallio into Finnish as a book of poetry, entitled "Loppusäkeet".

TESLA's video for the song "I Love You" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's latest album, "Twisted Wires And The Acoustic Sessions", which was released in July 2011 via Scarlet Records. The CD features six songs that were recorded back in 2005 at bassist Brian Wheat's J Street Recorders studio — which also serve as the last recordings with original member Tommy Skeoch — and six newly recorded tracks, including acoustic remakes of songs from TESLA's entire catalog and two brand new songs, "Second Street" and "Better Off Without You".

TESLA received the key to the city from Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson last December at the Sacramento Rock And Radio Museum.

Known as the originators of the "unplugged" craze of the '90s, California rockers TESLA launched the 20th-anniversary tour last year of their legendary "Five Man Acoustical Jam" in full acoustic fashion in support of "Twisted Wires And The Acoustic Sessions".

TESLA released a live album, "Alive In Europe!", in Europe on April 23, 2010 via Frontiers Records.

TESLA's latest studio album, "Forever More", sold more than 16,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 33 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on October 7, 2008 on Tesla Electric Company Recordings. The European version of the album, which was made available on November 7 via Frontiers Records, contains two bonus tracks not found on the American version.

For "Forever More", TESLA reunited with producer Terry Thomas, who was behind the boards for the band's 1994 gold-certified "Bust A Nut" album, and engineered by Michael Rosen who worked with TESLA on "Into The Now".