Fan-filmed video footage of reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT performing on April 13 at Messehalle in Straubing, Germany can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Hellfire (new song)
02. Stalingrad (new song)
03. Restless And Wild
04. Living For Tonite
05. Breaker
06. Son Of A Bitch
07. Monsterman
08. Bucket Full Of Hate
09. Shadow Soldiers (new song)
10. Guitar Solo (Wolf Hoffmann)
11. Neon Nights (extended version)
12. Bulletproof (extended version)
13. Losers And Winners
14. Aiming High
15. Princess Of The Dawn
16. Up To The Limit
17. No Shelter
18. Pandemic
19. Fast As A Shark

Encore:

20. Metal Heart
21. Teutonic Terror
22. Balls To The Wall

ACCEPT's new album, "Stalingrad", was released on April 6 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was once again helmed by British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY), who worked on the band's critically acclaimed comeback effort, "Blood Of The Nations".

"Stalingrad" was made available in the following formats:

* Limited CD+DVD
* CD
* 2LP (red) in gatefold
* 2LP (white/red) in gatefold - exclusive Nuclear Blast mailorder edition

Commented ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffman: "ACCEPT and Andy Sneap have the perfect synergy. This was so clear with 'Blood Of The Nations' and we are excited to continue on that path. Andy is not only an amazing and prolific producer but also a very good friend who has long become a member of the ACCEPT family."

Regarding the musical direction of ACCEPT's new album, Hoffmann told The Rock Pit last year, "We're just gonna have the same attitude, the approach; we're just gonna do more of the same, you know, without it being the same. More similar-style stuff, hopefully fresh new ideas. And I mean, we're not gonna… The intention is not to change it right now. I mean, why would we? . . . But I have to say, it's always easier said than done. It's incredibly difficult to write songs that are sort of reminiscent of the past but they're not, you know, rip-offs of your own music. That sounds incredibly very simple, but it's really not, especially if you have a sort of history of 15 albums or whatever we have. Then there are always similarities that you have to avoid. It can't be too close, but it can't be too far away from it. So it's a pretty fine line that you have to walk sometimes, but, you know, hopefully we'll manage again."

ACCEPT 2012 is:

Wolf Hoffmann: Guitar
Peter Baltes: Bass
Herman Frank: Guitar
Mark Tornillo: Vocals
Stefan Schwarzmann: Drums

Nuclear Blast Records has announced the signing of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans HEATHEN.

Commented HEATHEN founding member and guitarist Lee Altus: "I'm really happy and couldn't think of a better label for HEATHEN. I've known people at Nuclear Blast, some of whom have been fans of the band going as far back as the early demo days, and have been friends with them for many years. It's amazing for me to think that throughout this band's career, every album we recorded has been released on a different label. I can finally say that we have found home. Nuclear Blast has become a mecca for Bay Area thrash bands and we are happy to join our friends and partners in crime EXODUS, DEATH ANGEL, TESTAMENT and FORBIDDEN. Now it's time to get to work on the new album!"

Added HEATHEN lead singer David White: "I want to thank all the fans for their amazing support; we do not take any of this lightly! Now we move forward with a true metal record company that really understands what we're all about, 2012 and beyond!!!"

Stated Jaap Wagemaker of the A&R Department at Nuclear Blast in Germany: "It is no secret that the staff of Nuclear Blast has a soft spot for thrash metal. We all grew up here with classics such as 'Breaking The Silence' and 'Victims Of Deception', and who doesn't remember that legendary tour from 1991 with SEPULTURA, SACRED REICH and HEATHEN destroying the stages night after night! We are totally stoked to announce that these legendary Bay Area Thrashers have inked a deal with us and are now labelmates with EXODUS, DEATH ANGEL, TESTAMENT, FORBIDDEN, ANTHRAX, SEPULTURA, OVERKILL, KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD!!!

"Since HEATHEN's reunion for 'Thrash Of The Titans' [in 2001], we had been following the band very closely over the last couple of years with first-hand information from Lee Altus — who is also swinging the axe in EXODUS — and what we heard from him made us very curious! After seeing HEATHEN play an amazing show at Rock Hard and their release of another classic album with 'The Evolution of Chaos', it was very clear to us that the band needed to become part of the Nuclear family as well. Seeing the band play several times at last year's Thrashfest Classics, we were finally able to make this work!! With the signing of HEATHEN, another thrash dream has came true!! Welcome home, guys!!!"

HEATHEN played its first show with returning bassist Jason VieBrooks on February 4, 2011 at Madhouse in San Francisco, California.

VieBrooks replaced previous HEATHEN bassist Jon Torres, who was forced to leave the group in order "to focus on his health."

HEATHEN's current lineup is as follows:

David White - Vocals
Lee Altus - Guitar
Kragen Lum - Guitar
Jason VieBrooks - Bass
Darren Minter - Drums

HEATHEN's latest album, "The Evolution Of Chaos", was released in the U.S. on February 16, 2010. The CD was issued in Japan on December 23, 2009 via King Records and was made available on January 25 in Europe via Holland's Mascot Records.

Photo by Alina Michelle of PhotoMistress.com

A new book spanning the career of legendary rocker Alice Cooper will be published on June 13 in the U.K., and September 1 in the USA via Omnibus Press. Titled "Welcome To My Nightmare: The Story Of Alice Cooper", it is written by Dave Thompson, who has many rock books under his belt.

The book's official description: "Drawing from exclusive and unpublished interviews with a variety of names and faces from throughout Alice's career, the book follows Cooper's tale from his life growing up as a preacher's son in Arizona, through the early years of struggle in Phoenix and then Los Angeles, and then onto the roller coaster ride that has been the years since then. Includes interviews with original bandmates Michael Bruce and the late Glenn Buxton, drummer Neal Smith, the late Frank Zappa, manager Shep Gordon and producer Bob Ezrin. Includes tributes and recollections from many of the artists who call Alice an influence — from THE DAMNED and THE CRAMPS, to WHITE ZOMBIE and GWAR. Session players and songwriters who have made their own contributions to the Alice story recall their days spent with this Prince of Hell-raisers. The result is a story that alternately thrills, shocks, surprises and delights. Includes full discography and bibliography."

ORKAN drummer Rune Nesse has joined Norwegian blackened metallers BYFROST as a permanent replacement for the recently departed Alkolust.

After originally intending not to find a full-time replacement but rather to use session drummers both for live performances and in the studio, BYFROST quickly changed its mind after rehearsing with Nesse.

Commented frontman HeavyHarms: "The Bergen music community is very tightly knit, and we had known of Rune's work for a long time. When our old drummer left, we immediately started rehearsing with Rune and it was obvious that he not only understood BYFROST's music, but that he also shared our vision for the band. So we did the logical thing and asked him to join as a full-time member."

BYFROST's second full-length album, "Of Death", was released last June via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at the Conclave & Earshot Studios in the band's home town of Bergen, Norway, and was produced by ENSLAVED's Herbrand Larsen together with BYFROST, and co-produced by ENSLAVED guitarist Ice Dale. Mastering was carried out by Knut Fug Prytz at the Magica Mastering Studio. Artwork and design were once again in the hands of Christian Sloan Hall, known for his work with bands like DIMMU BORGIR and SLAYER.

Formed in 2007 by HeavyHarms and bassist R.I.P Meister, BYFROST's first release was the "Byfrostmetal" EP, which appeared in 2008 whilst the band was still a four-piece. The debut full-length album, "Black Earth", was released in 2010, by which time BYFROST had become a three piece, and had been joined on drums by Mads Liletvedt (HELLISH OUTCAST). "Black Earth" marked the continuing cooperation between the band and ENSLAVED members Ice Dale, who guested on the album, and Larsen, who, aside from producing both full-lengths, also features on two tracks on "Of Death".

BLACK LIGHT BURNS, the avant-garde alter ego of LIMP BIZKIT/ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist Wes Borland, is currently mixing its long-awaited sophomore album, "The Moment You Realize You're Going To Fall", for a summer release via Rocket Science Ventures/THC: Music.

"This is a really personal record for me," says Wes. "I spent three years writing it and trying to find the right home, and I am confident it's the best BLACK LIGHT BURNS record yet. I'm really looking forward to working with THC/Rocket Science to get it out to the fans. It's really exciting to be working with a great team who loves the band; I couldn't be happier."

BLACK LIGHT BURNS released its debut album, "Cruel Melody", in 2007 through I Am: Wolfpack, the record label headed by producer Ross Robinson (KORN, SLIPKNOT, SEPULTURA, SOULFLY, LIMP BIZKIT). The group's original recording lineup featured Danny Lohner (NINE INCH NAILS), Josh Eustis (PUSCIFER) and Josh Freese (WEEZER, A PERFECT CIRCLE, GUNS N' ROSES, DEVO). An LP/DVD of unreleased B-side material, "Cover Your Heart And The Anvil Pants Odyssey", followed in 2008. In 2009, after a yearlong stint playing guitar for MARILYN MANSON, Wes and BLACK LIGHT BURNS hit the road for an extended run with industrial powerhouse COMBICHRIST, and contributed the track "I Want You To" to the "Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans" soundtrack. BLACK LIGHT BURNS took a temporary hiatus while Borland stayed busy with the reformed LIMP BIZKIT, who embarked on an ongoing world tour supporting their recently released LP "Gold Cobra". In 2012, BLACK LIGHT BURNS returned, to the delight of fans, with the track "It Rapes All In Its Path" on the "Underworld: Awakening" soundtrack.

BLACK LIGHT BURNS 2012 touring lineup:

* Wes Borland
* Dennis Sanders
* Nick Annis
* Joe Letz

British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST will release their new album, "Tragic Idol", on April 24 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded in part at The Chapel studios in Lincolnshire, England and features cover art by by Parisian designer Valnoir, who has previously worked with MORBID ANGEL, LAIBACH, ULVER and WATAIN, among others.

"Tragic Idol" track listing:

01. Solitary One (04:08)
02. Crucify (04:08)
03. Fear Of Impending Hell (05:25)
04. Honesty In Death (04:08)
05. Theories From Another World (05:02)
06. In This We Dwell (03:55)
07. To The Darkness (05:09)
08. Tragic Idol (04:35)
09. Worth Fighting For (04:12)
10. The Glorious End (05:23)

In addition to the standard CD, "Tragic Idol" will be made available in the following formats:

* 180-gram gatefold LP (black vinyl)

* Limited 2-CD box set including:
- Alternative cover artwork in matte/glossy print on the box
- CD Digipak, coated in silver foil, imprinted with glossy varnish
- Extended 24-page booklet, imprinted with glossy varnish and special Pantone gold color
- Bonus CD including one brand new studio track "Ending Through Changes" and the SPEAR OF DESTINY cover version "Never Take Me Alive"

* Strictly limited deluxe box set (box with a golden foil print)

* EMP edition (200 copies) including:
- Limited 2-CD box set
- Gatefold LP (gold colored vinyl)
- 7-Inch (gold colored vinyl)
- PARADISE LOST army cap
- A1 "Tragic Idol" poster
- Tragic Idol slipmat
- Hand-numbered certificate of authenticity

* Amazon edition (GER 400 copies & FR 200 copies) including:
- Limited 2-CD Box Set
- Gatefold LP (White Colored Vinyl)
- 7-inch (White Colored Vinyl)
- Paradise Lost Army Cap
- A1 Tragic Idol poster
- "Tragic Idol" slipmat
- Hand-numbered certificate of authenticity

* Nuclear Blast edition (400 copies) including:
- Limited 2CD box set
- Gatefold LP (dark-blue-colored vinyl)
- 7-inch (dark-blue-colored vinyl)
- PARADISE LOST army cap
- A1 "Tragic Idol" poster
- "Tragic Idol" slipmat
- Hand-numbered certificate of authenticity

Band edition (250 copies) including:
- Strictly limited 2CD box set
- Gatefold LP (dark sand marbled colored vinyl)
- 7-inch (dark sand marbled colored vinyl)
- PARADISE LOST Army Cap
- A1 "Tragic Idol" poster
- "Tragic Idol" slipmat
- Hand-numbered certificate of authenticity

A track from "Tragic Idol" entitled "Crucify" can be streamed below. Singer Nick Holmes stated about the song, "My father always used to say that typical life stresses were crucifying him. I always thought it was such a dramatic way of stating that. He was just uncomfortable with a situation that would soon be remedied. I also refer to an actual person as a literal crucifixion at the end. The words 'for eternity you’re my sentence' is my favorite line on the whole album."

PARADISE LOST's new video, "Honesty In Death", can be seen below. The clip was filmed in the United Kingdom with director Matt Green, who previously helmed the "Cathedrals Of Dread" video for Mackintosh's death metal side project VALLENFYRE.

Commented guitarist Greg Mackintosh: "We are very excited about the premiere of our 'Honesty In Death' video. In my opinion, it is the best video we have ever done. Matt Green, who I had previously worked with on the VALLENFYRE 'Cathedrals Of Dread' video, directed it. He did such a great job with VALLENFYRE that we knew he would be able to do something really special for PARADISE LOST. The result is a very powerful, but very grim short film with brief cameos by the band, that is sure to resonate with people who see it."

Canadian female-fronted old-school thrash warriors MORTILLERY have inked a deal with Napalm Records. The band's new album, "Murder Death Kill", will be released at the end of June.

Says the group: "We are so excited for this opportunity. We feel like we fit right in with Napalm and can’t wait to work with them from now on! We're proud to represent western Canada and the thrash community on such a successful label, and we believe this is the right step for MORTILLERY! Thanks so much, and we want Europe to know... We're coming for you!"

Drawing influence from a wide range of artists such as JUDAS PRIEST, ENGLISH DOGS, WARFARE, BROKEN BONES, IRON MAIDEN, CRUCIFIX, SLAYER, W.A.S.P. and early METALLICA, the unstoppable force of MORTILLERY is reminiscent of the glory days of Bay Area thrash as well as the primal aggression of intense hardcore/punk. A must have for fans of THE ACCUSED, ANTHRAX, DEATH ANGEL, DESTRUCTION, DETENTE, DISCHARGE, RAZOR, SACRILEGE, SENTINEL BEAST, TANKARD, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, VIOLATOR and ZNOWHITE.

"Murder Death Kill" track listing:

01. Murder Death Kill
02. Sacrifice
03. Evil Remains
04. Fritzls Cellar
05. Outbreak
06. Despised By Blood
07. Countless Suicide
08. Voracious Undead
09. Without Weapons
10. Mortal Artillery

New EPICA bassist Rob van der Loo (MAYAN, DELAIN), who recently joined the band as the replacement for Yves Huts, has released the following statement:

"Yesterday I've experienced some serious and unexpected health issues. To make sure I can be treated correctly, I have to run a couple of tests at the hospital, and my doctors also advised me to take some rest before going on full power again. Though this is hard for me to accept, it's also something which I have to respect since health is a very precious thing. This does mean that I won't be able to be on the [EPICA] European tour until all examinations are done (hopefully wihin the next couple of days). Of course I will join the band as soon as possible, but unfortunately I can't give an exact date as of yet. I wish the rest of the band and crew all the best for the start of the tour and I really can't wait to join!"

The rest of EPICA said in a statement, "Despite these unforseen circumstances, we'll kick off the European tour today with a temporary solution for Rob's absence. While we await his return we wish him a swift recovery. The show must go on!"

EPICA's fifth full-length album, "Requiem For The Indifferent", sold 4,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 104 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Design Your Universe", opened with 2,100 units to land at position No. 12 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.

"Requiem For The Indifferent" was released on March 9 in Europe and four days later in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth.

A video for "Storm The Sorrow" was filmed in February and it "will show the band in a way you have never seen before," according to a press release.

New York-based progressive/gothic metallers DESDEMON have officially called it quits. The group says in a statement, "We as a band would like to thank everyone that has supported DESDEMON. With a humble heart, we will no longer continue down this path together. We all mutually feel that through thick and thin, this band has lived its life. Again, we thank you all, past members, fans, and anyone that we have had the pleasure of crossing paths with."

DESDEMON last year announced the addition of female singer Chelsea Knaack to the group's ranks.

After a series of auditions, this Minnesota native flew out to New York and recorded DESDEMON's most recent album, "Through The Gates", which came out last summer. The CD featured guest appearances by Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, BEYOND FEAR), Amanda Somerville (AVANTASIA, SOMERVILLE/KISKE, HDK, EPICA), Sander Gommans (AFTER FOREVER, HDK, SOMERVILLE/KISKE) and Joe Stump (HOLYHELL)

Artist Series Guitar (ASG) has announced the release of the exclusive signature guitar from one of the most influential hardcore bands of all time, AGNOSTIC FRONT. The guitar, a.k.a. Stigma, marks the 30th anniversary of this gritty New York City punk institution and is named for main songwriter and guitarist Vinnie Stigma.

Responsible for helping to define the urban New York hardcore sound with 1984's "Victim In Pain" album and known as one of the first bands to introduce heavy metal to hardcore punk in 1986's "Cause For Alarm", AGNOSTIC FRONT's Stigma guitar was designed by the bandmembers themselves and is a flat-back SG classic adorned with the band's signature combat boot logo.

AGNOSTIC FRONT vocalist Roger Miret speaks of the symbolism of the guitar, saying, "I think the guitar is perfect for the working class musician endorsed by the ultimate working-class band! The boots symbol has always been of the same character. Hardcore has been our life. Our dedication to this movement has been our passion. Our boots stomped the way into NYHC history."

Stigma will be available to purchase on April 24 and has a limited production of 500 guitars worldwide.

For more information, go to this location.

HALESTORM singer Lzzy Hale and TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider conducted an interview with EVANESCENCE at the fourth annual Revolver Golden Gods awards, which was held on April 11 at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles, California. You can now watch the chat below. EVANESCENCE frontwoman Amy Lee was also honored with the "Best vocalist" award at the event, which was broadcast for the first time live in its entirety on Xbox LIVE, as well as on the Xbox and Revolver Facebook pages.

EVANESCENCE released its self-titled third major label album last October, five years after the group issued its last effort, 2006's "The Open Door". But one of the reasons the new record took so long to come out is that Lee began work on a version of it in 2010 that she ended up scrapping. The Pulse Of Radio asked Lee why that first attempt at recording didn't work out. "I think it really was a case of us going in the studio too soon," she said. "I think people a lot of times get pressure for moving fast, especially in this day and age — you know, the public has a short attention span, you know, it's all about striking while the iron's hot. I don't believe that. I believe in great music. If this is gonna be our big EVANESCENCE comeback record, it wasn't there yet. So we kept working. We ended up making a record that I'm just, it's my favorite so far. We're all really proud of it."

"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.

Lee, who got married in 2007, says she and her husband are ready to deal with the reality of her being away on tour for months. She told Noisecreep, "It's always going to be hard on a relationship, being in a band, but my husband and I have really had a chance to build our life together and so now we're ready for everything that happens when I'm on the road."

Interview:

Former GUNS N' ROSES members Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke reunited on stage last night (Friday, April 13) at the House Of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio where Duff celebrated the paperback release of his critically acclaimed memoir, "It's So Easy (And Other Lies)", with a book reading. Billed as "A Punk's Revue", McKagan's appearance saw him reading selections from his memoir, with musical accompaniment by Mike Squires on guitar, Jeff Rouse on bass and Paul Huxtler on pedal steel guitar. The multimedia presentation also included photographs and video, too.

McKagan was joined by Sorum and Clarke on a few numbers, including GUNS N' ROSES' "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Patience".

Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

The original five members of GUNS N' ROSES, along with Sorum and keyboardist Dizzy Reed, will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame today (Saturday, April 14) in Cleveland.

Video footage of former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis and his solo band performing on April 9 at Pop's in St. Louis, Missouri as part of a 24-date, coast-to-coast U.S. tour with PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, THE SAFETY FIRE and TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE can be seen below.

Jeff is being accompanied on the stage by the following musicians:

* Joe Nurre (SHADED ENMITY) - Guitar
* Gregory Macklin (SYSTEM DIVIDE, ORDINANCE) - Bass
* Anup Sastry (INTERVALS, SKYHARBOR) - Drums

Jeff Loomis' second solo album, "Plains Of Oblivion", was released on April 10 in North America (one day earlier in Europe) via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES) and features cover artwork by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design, who has previously worked with ALL SHALL PERISH, THE END and XERATH.

"Plains Of Oblivion" track listing:

01. Mercurial (feat. Marty Friedman)
02. The Ultimatum (feat. Tony MacAlpine)
03. Escape Velocity
04. Tragedy And Harmony (feat. Christine Rhoades)
05. Requiem For The Living (feat. Attila Voros)
06. Continuum Drift (feat. Chris Poland)
07. Surrender (feat. Ihsahn)
08. Chosen Time (feat. Christine Rhoades)
09. Rapture
10. Sibylline Origin

After Jeff's departure from NEVERMORE and the release of his solo debut — 2008's "Zero Order Phase" — fans have been craving a new album. With a number of influential musicians appearing on the upcoming release, Loomis is more than ready to deliver.

Jeff was the lead guitar player and main songwriter of NEVERMORE, a band that has certainly made its mark on modern music by forging a unique sound that fuses different forms of metal that has given birth to an authentic and very influential style. His solo CD, "Zero Order Phase", took the #4 spot in a April 2009 Guitar World magazine's readers' poll in the "Best Shred Album Of The Year" category — a notable accomplishment when you consider the top three vote-getters, Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani. Jeff has become one of his generation's most recognizable guitarists and the source of many of the last decade's best riffs.

Jeff's complex shredding has been a central part of the progressive power guitar scene since 1992 and is responsible for some of the most awe-inspiring riffs modern metal has ever heard. Nearly every aspiring musician who has been listening to metal for the past 10 years or so has undoubtedly had the pleasure of hearing Jeff Loomis' progressive and technically superior playing.

Loomis' first solo album, "Zero Order Phase", was released in September 2008 through Century Media Records.

According to a Facebook posting by vocalist Phil Labonte of Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS, "rumor has it" that HALESTORM singer Lzzy Hale will sing a duet with Labonte on a song on ALL THAT REMAINS' new album, tentatively due before the end of the year.

ALL THAT REMAINS is once again working with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who also helmed ALL THAT REMAINS' latest album, 2010's "For We Are Many", as well as 2004's "This Darkened Heart" and 2006's "The Fall of Ideals".

ALL THAT REMAINS's "The Last Time" video (directed by Nathan Cox) was recently added to MTV2. The clip was filmed on January 30, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois with director Nathan "Karma" Cox (LINKIN PARK, BLACK VEIL BRIDES, MARILYN MANSON). The song comes off "For We Are Many", which debuted at No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart while also coming in at No. 1 on the Hard Music Albums chart.

"For We Are Many" sold 29,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The band's previous CD, "Overcome", opened with just under 29,000 units in September 2008 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 16.

"For We Are Many" was released through a joint venture between Prosthetic Records and Razor & Tie. The CD was recorded last spring at Zing Studios in Massachusetts and produced by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who also helmed ALL THAT REMAINS' "This Darkened Heart" and "The Fall of Ideals".

The next album from Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend to be released under the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT banner is "Epicloud", a "poppy, proggy" record which will feature a guest appearance by former THE GATHERING frontwoman and previous Devin collaborator Anneke Van Giersbergen.

Anneke, who is currently recording her vocals for "Epicloud" at Devin's studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, wrote in a Facebook posting, "Mister Devin Townsend is a genius. I cannot tell you how awesomely fantastic his album will be. Epic! Epic! Epic! And he made me do 20 hours of the loudest and most gorgeous vocals I've ever done."

Added Devin, "Epicloud: weirding out one gospel choir at a time since this afternoon, 2012. Anneke killing it, yet again..."

Townsend debuted a song from "Epicloud" called "Back Where We Belong" during an acoustic performance this on March 31 at Club Saw in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada as part of this year's Junofest.

The idea for "Epicloud" came about while Devin was attempting to write material for the follow-up to his 2007 "Ziltoid The Omniscient" concept album about a fictional extraterrestrial being named Ziltoid from the planet Ziltoidia 9.

In a recent interview with Soundwave TV, Devin stated about how "Epicloud" was conceived, "In this sort of process of writing that I've discovered that I guess I'm capable of now, with a sober frame of mind, part of that is just not second-guessing it, so if I write something like that, I just do it, and just finish it."

He continued, "Over the past couple of years, I thought, 'OK, I've gotta write this next 'Ziltoid' thing; I'm inspired to make this epic space opera and, like, really overdo it, and [make it] really dark. And so I sat down to write, but every time I went to write, I'd write some poppy hard rock thing. And I was like, 'OK, we'll get that one out of the way and then I'll write 'Ziltoid'.' And I got it out of the way and I'd go write 'Ziltoid'. And I'd write another one. So I'm thinking, 'OK, it's pretty obvious to me that I've got this that wants to come out before that.'"

Regarding the musical direction of "Epicloud", Devin told Noisecreep, "Over the course of the full record, there's sort of new agey stuff, jazzy stuff, really heavy stuff. We basically cover the gamut. 'Epicloud' is the first record that I felt confident enough to include all those things on one record so it goes between melodic hard rock to schizophrenic heavy metal to country to really ambient stuff and it's all in one place. I'm using a gospel choir, a string section and a horn section for this one as well. On [the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT album] 'Deconstruction', I got to use the Prague Philharmonic [orchestra] and really go far into making an absurd album as over the top as possible and on 'Epicloud' I'm trying to take the same advantages to make some things musically very pleasing, as opposed to just claustrophobic."

"Epicloud" will contain the following tracks:

* Taurus
* Animals
* Liberation
* Back Where We Belong
* Save Our Now
* Kingdom (re-recording of PHYSICIST song)
* Divine
* Grace
* More!
* Heatwave
* Hold On
* Angels

On the topic of his decision to re-record "Kingdom", a song from his PHYSICIST album, which came out in 2000 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records, Devin said, "We re-did 'Kingdom' because it's a live set staple, and so much better now than the PHYSICIST recording."

Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD debuted a brand new song, "Target Earth", during their April 12 concert at the Roadburn festival at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. You can watch fan-filmed video footage of their performance below.

VOIVOD entered Pierre Rémillard's (OBLIVEON, CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN, MISERY INDEX) Wild Studio in January in a small town called St-Zénon in Quebec, Canada to begin recording its new album for a tentative summer release. The follow-up to 2009's "Infini" will contain the band's first music to be written with new guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain (MARTYR) following the passing of original axeman Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005.

Several photos from the recording sessions can be found on the band's Facebook page.

According to a posting on the page, fans can "expect something in the vein of 'Nothingface' with some elements from the other albums. It will be a classic VOIVOD album."

Regarding what the new VOIVOD songs sound like, Mongrain said in a recent interview, "As a VOIVOD fan since I am 12 years old and early rise of VOIVOD in late '80s and everything, I think… I'm in conflict of interest right now. [Laughs] I like the old stuff as much as the new stuff, so I think it's a blend of everything. It's really a team work and Blacky [Jean-Yves Thériault] is back on the 'blower bass' — he's got the original sound — and we're having a blast jamming, improvising and writing. I think it's working pretty good."

On the topic of the lyrical themes covered in the new VOIVOD tracks, singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger said, "The song we played [on the recent European tour] ['Kaleidos'; see video below] is about conspiracy involving drugs and the FBI… [Laughs] It's hard to describe because we're kind of early in the process. There's another song called 'Target Earth', which is more like a spacy, conspiracy, controlling the information around the world. The main thing is the 'war' of information. You know, somebody Osama Bin Laden is dead, someone [else] says he's not… It gets to a point where everybody has his own story and nobody is sure what the truth is. There's people above everything controlling the information."

In an interview with Exclaim.ca, Away stated about VOIVOD's forthcoming studio album, "It's more in the progressive metal vein, so it's reminiscent of the 'Dimension Hatröss' era."

VOIVOD 2012 is:

Denis "Snake" Bélanger - Vocals
Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain - Guitar
Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault - Bass
Michel "Away" Langevin - Drums

Fan-filmed video footage of Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL performing the song "Heaven's A Lie" on April 10 at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California can be seen below.

LACUNA COIL kicked off its "Dark Legacy" tour last Saturday (April 7) at Soma in San Diego, California. The band's only headlining run in the United States in 2012 features a set of more than two hours, with material spanning all of LACUNA COIL's albums.

Commented LACUNA COIL frontwoman Cristina Scabbia: "The 'Dark Legacy' tour is a dream come true! This tour will present the history of LACUNA COIL, melding old fans with a new generation of Coilers. The 'Dark Legacy' set will offer both the electric and acoustic vibe and absolute melodic epicness!"

Added frontman Andrea Ferro: "We wanted to give our fans a special present for LACUNA COIL's fifteenth anniversary and that was the inspiration for the 'Dark Legacy' tour. The 'Dark Legacy' show will be very special, with a lot of our history in a surprise-filled set. You won't want to miss it!"

LACUNA COIL's new album, "Dark Adrenaline", sold around 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous CD, "Shallow Life", opened with 21,000 units back April 2009 to land at No. 16.

LACUNA COIL's 2006 album, "Karmacode", premiered with 34,000 copies back in April 2006 to enter the chart at No. 28. It has since sold more than 200,000 units in the U.S.

The band's 2002 album, "Comalies", has shifted more than 300,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

DERIDE, the Norwegian band featuring Kjetil Greve (AUDREY HORNE) on drums and Ole Walaunet (GRIMFIST) on guitar, will release its new album, "The Void", on April 27 via Massacre Records.

"The Void" track listing:

01. Deathshake
02. I Rage
03. Dead To Me
04. Blood-Red & Black
05. Only One
06. Fallen
07. All Must Be Revealed
08. Soul Depart
09. Devil In Me
10. Lesson Learned

Check out audio samples at Amazon.com.

DERIDE has been lurking around for well over a decade by now, having made its first appearance in the summer of 1995.

The band released a self-titled EP as well as a three-track demo tape before issuing its first album, "Scars Of Time", in 2001 and the follow-up CD, "First Round Knockout", in 2003.

After a break of several years, DERIDE is now back with a new kick-ass lineup: founding members Ole Walaunet and Kjetil Greve have been joined by vocalist Per Helge Lande and bassist Tony Vetas.

DERIDE 2012 is:

Per Helge Lande - Vocals
Ole Walaunet - Guitar
Tony Vetaas - Bass, Vocals
Kjetil Greve - Drums

SCYTHE, new band formed out of the ashes of legendary underground metal act USURPER, will play a record-release show for its debut CD, "Beware The Scythe", on April 27 at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago. Also scheduled to appear are STONE MAGNUM, MIDNIGHT and THE GATES OF SLUMBER.

"Beware The Scythe" is out now on CD through Primitive Reaction Records (Finland); limited-edition vinyl via R.I.P. Records; as well as a digital download through iTunes and Amazon MP3.

According to a press release, SCYTHE takes up where USURPER left off, with traditional thrashing black/death metal anthems and complete poser annihilation!"

"Beware The Scythe" track listing:

01. The Iron Witch
02. Mastermind
03. Beware The Scythe
04. Tyrannical Stranglehold
05. Tunguska Death Ray
06. Opus Dei Of The Dead
07. Talons Of Steel
08. Eye Of The Crow
09. Planet Of The Humans

SCYTHE is:

Rick Scythe: Guitar, Vocals
Dan Geist: Bass, Vocals
Tim Pearson: Drums

For more information, visit www.scythe.us.

"Liar In Wait", the new album from AMON — the resurrected Florida-based death metal band featuring former DEICIDE members Eric Hoffmann (guitar) and Brian Hoffman (guitar) alongside Jesse "Jecheal" Jolly (PROMETHEAN HORDE, DIABOLIC, SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY, AFTER DEATH) on vocals/bass and Mike Petrak (LEPROSY, SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY) on drums — will be released on May 23. Pre-orders for the CD — which was recorded and mixed at RedRoom Recorders in Tampa with producer Mark Prator — will be accepted starting on April 18 at Amon.mobi.

"Sacrificial Suicide" audio sample:

"Spell Eater", the title track of the debut album from Los Angeles-based female-fronted metallers HUNTRESS, can be streamed at the band's Facebook page. The CD will be released on April 27 via Napalm Records.

"Spell Eater" track listing:

01. Spell Eater
02. Senecide
03. Sleep and Death
04. Snow Witch
05. Eight of Swords
06. Aradia
07. Night Rape
08. Children
09. Terror
10. The Tower
11. The Dark

HUNTRESS vocalist Jill Janus told AOL's Noisecreep about the "Spell Eater" artwork, "The album cover captures the beauty and brutality of HUNTRESS. Vance Kelly is a warlock and he took our vision and created a magical illustration that breathes glory into the old crone. We contemplated having either a sultry sorceress or decrepit forest witch as our cover babe. Ultimately, the crone won because she is the true Huntress."

According to a press release, "HUNTRESS lead singer Jill Janus is an operatic banshee with an unparalleled four-octave range and lust for the occult. Born and raised in the Catskill Mountains of New York, she toured Europe as a teenage opera starlet. Upon her return to the States, Janus embraced Manhattan nightlife, creating Felliniesque cabarets and parties in a nihilistic club scene. Years later, Janus moved to Los Angeles and began the gestation period of HUNTRESS. In 2009 she met underground metal band PROFESSOR. The universe spread her legs and delivered HUNTRESS to Janus, combining former members of PROFESSOR, DARK BLACK and SKELETONWITCH."

HUNTRESS will support DRAGONFORCE on a North American tour starting on April 21 at the annual New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts.

HUNTRESS is:

Vocals: Jill Janus
Lead Guitar: Blake Meahl
Rhythm Guitar: Ian Alden
Drums: Carl Wierzbicky
Bass: Eric Harris

Video footage of HUNTRESS performing on April 1 at Club Soda in Montrea, Quebec, Canada as part of the "Paganfest America Part III" tour with TURISAS, ALESTORM and ARKONA (EX DEO also appeared at the Montreal show) can be seen below.

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

"Lionheart", the new video from the U.K. metalcore act BURY TOMORROW, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's second album, "The Union Of Crowns", which will be released on July 16 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"We are unbelievably honoured to be signing to Nuclear Blast," said the the group in a statement. "It feels unreal to be part of a label with such immense pedigree that has so much faith in our music. From the first demo they were sent, the guys at Nuclear Blast were just as stoked on the potential of the record as we were, and that means an awful lot to us.

"We have always said that this album would be how we defined the genre we've grown up in; what better place to start this path on, than with the world's biggest heavy metal label!"

Jaap Wagemaker at Nuclear Blast says, "After listening to the first music that was sent to us, we decided that we HAD to work with this young band immediately! Having just finished recording their debut album for Nuclear Blast, 'The Union Of Crowns'… this incredible record clearly shows that this band has everything to make it big in today's metal scene and go far beyond that! We at Nuclear Blast are looking forward to bring this band to the next level!"

"The Union Of Crowns" track listing:

01. Redeemer
02. The Maiden
03. Lionheart
04. Message to a King
05. An Honourable Reign
06. Knight Life
07. Royal Blood
08. Bitemarks
09. Abdication of Power
10. Kingdom
11. 1603
12. Sceptres
13. Vacant Throne
14. A Curse

BURY TOMORROW is:

Davyd Winter Bates - Bass
Mehdi Vismara - Guitar
Daniel Winter Bates - Vocals
Adam Jackson - Drums
Jason Cameron - Vocals/Guitar

Jordanian dark oriental metallers BILOCATE have inked a deal with the Italian label Code666 (part of the Aural Music group) for the release of their third studio album, "Summoning The Bygones". The CD was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studio in Sweden with producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, BLOODBATH, AMON AMARTH, SYMPHONY X, PARADISE LOST).

BILOCATE bassist Hani Al Abbadi commented on the deal: "It's an honor to join Code666 roster and a step forward in BILOCATE's musical career.

"'Summoning the Bygones' has the most intense and best material we've done so far. We are pleased to release it with a sub-label of one of the biggest musical companies in Italy — Aural Music."

According to a press release, "Summoning The Bygones" includes a reworked version of the song "Days Of Joy" under a new title, as well as cover version of PARADISE LOST's "Dead Emotion".

The tracks "Hypia" and the 20-minute "A Desire To Leave" feature a guest appearance on vocals by Dan Swanö (ex-EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE).

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. The Tragedy Within
02. Beyond Inner Sleep
03. A Deadly Path
04. Passage
05. Dead Emotion (PARADISE LOST cover)
06. Hypia
07. 2nd War In Heaven
08. A Desire To Leave
I. Obscurity
II. Surrounding Hell
III …Of Leaving

Fan-filmed video footage of JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE's April 6 performance at the Boardwalk in Orangevale, California can be seen below.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE kicked off its "High Seas" tour on March 3 at Route 46 in Sanford, Florida.

The band's hour-long set featured the following tracks:

01. Call It Rock N' Roll
02. Lady Red Light
03. On Your Knees
04. Save Your Love
05. Face The Day + Guitar Solo
06. House Of Broken Love
07. Mista Bone
08. Rollin' Stoned
09. Save Me
10. Desert Moon
11. Rock Me
12. Paradise
13. Can't Shake It
14. Once Bitten Twice Shy

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE is:

Jack Russell - Vocals
Robby Lochner (FIGHT) - Guitar
Matthew Johnson (DOCTOR M, JACK RUSSELL) - Guitar
Dario Seixas (FIREHOUSE, STEPHEN PEARCY) - Bass
Derrick Pontier (GREAT WHITE, SAMANTHA 7) - Drums

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with the other version of GREAT WHITE, which features Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals).

According to the Courthouse News Service, Russell filed a lawsuit (PDF file) against his estranged bandmates last month 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.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE will headline this summer's "America Rocks Tour" with support from FASTER PUSSYCAT, BULLETBOYS, PRETTY BOY FLOYD and LILLIAN AXE.

VAN HALEN's video for the song "She's The Woman" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", which sold 187,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"A Different Kind Of Truth" is the band's first full-length offering with original singer David Lee Roth since "1984" was released in January 1984.

Roth exited the group in 1985, a year after its "1984" album was released. According to Billboard.com, "1984" spent five weeks at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 — VAN HALEN's highest charting set with Roth. (1996's "Best Of Volume 1" hits album, which included two new songs with Roth, debuted at No. 1 with 233,000 sold in its first week.)

VAN HALEN's other four other No. 1s were their four studio albums with Roth's replacement, Sammy Hagar: "5150" (1986), "OU812" (1988), "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" (1991) and "Balance" (1995).

VAN HALEN's previous all-new album, 1998's "Van Halen III", debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard chart and was certified gold for sales of 500,000 copies, a disappointment compared to their previous platinum efforts.

"She's The Woman" originally appeared on the 1976 demo, produced by KISS bassist Gene Simmons, that got VAN HALEN their record deal with Warner Bros. It was left off the group's 1978 debut but has been resurrected for the new disc.

"Summers End", the new video from the Croatian female fronted doom-gothic metal band ASHES YOU LEAVE, can be seen below. The track comes off group's forthcoming sixth album, "The Cure For Happiness", due later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

"The Cure For Happiness" marks ASHES YOU LEAVE's first recording with singer Giada "Jade" Etro, who hails from Italy.

ASHES YOU LEAVE is:

Giada "Jada" Etro - Vocals
Berislav "Bero" Poje - Vocals, Lead Guitar
Matija Rempesic - Guitar
Marta Batinic - Violin
Luka Petrovic - Bass
Sasa Vukosav - Drums

ASHES YOU LEAVE's fifth album, "Songs Of The Lost", came out in March 2009 through the Greek label Sleaszy Rider.