SHINEDOWN took part in a private acoustic performance last week for the Minneapolis, Minnesota radio station 93X as part of a promotional tour in support of their fourth studio album, "Amaryllis".

An edited four-minute video clip featuring footage from the event can be seen below. Photos are available at this location.

Due on March 27, "Amaryllis" follows up the band's biggest success yet, 2008's "The Sound Of Madness".

"Amaryllis" sees SHINEDOWN joining forces once more with multiple Grammy Award-winning producer Rob Cavallo (KID ROCK, GREEN DAY), who previously collaborated with the band on "The Sound Of Madness". Recorded at Cavallo's Lightning Sound studios outside of Los Angeles and a pair of Hollywood landmarks, Ocean Way Recording and Capitol Studios, the album was recently named among "This Year's Best Bets" by Billboard, which noted the inventive addition of synths, a 27-piece orchestra, and a 10-piece horn section to the band's powerful hard rock.

"I've always seen SHINEDOWN as its own entity," says SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith, "this living thing that's been growing and developing and evolving over the past 10 years. During the recording, the vision of what SHINEDOWN is and where it's going became completely clear. 'Amaryllis' is the manifestation of that vision, the centerpiece of what SHINEDOWN is. It reflects on everything we've done and where we're heading. It's a message of empowerment, perseverance, and inspiration that I think speaks to fans that have been with us since the beginning as well as those who are just learning about who we are and what we're about. I can't wait for the world to hear it."

"Amaryllis" track listing:

01. Adrenaline
02. Bully
03. Amaryllis
04. Unity
05. Enemies
06. I'm Not Alright
07. Nowhere Kids
08. Miracle
09. I'll Follow You
10. For My Sake
11. My Name (Wearing Me Out)
12. Through The Ghost

"The Sound Of Madness" sold more than a million copies and produced six hit singles, including a number of rock radio chart-toppers.

SHINEDOWN will lead the 2012 edition of the Avalanche Tour. The North American trek will kick off on March 27 in Anaheim, California, with ADELITAS WAY, NEW MEDICINE and ART OF DYING also on the bill.

KSSU Loud Rock Director Daniel Cordova recently conducted an interview with Øystein G. Brun of Norwegian avantgarde metallers BORKNAGAR. You can now listen to the entire 33-minute chat below.

BORKNAGAR's new album, "Urd", will be released on March 26 in Europe and March 27 in North America via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded with Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (OPETH, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA) in Örebro, Sweden.

The "Urd" artwork was designed by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco, who has not only already worked on BORKNAGAR's previous "Universal" release but also with artists such as SOULFLY, BELPHEGOR, EINHERJER and KEEP OF KALESSIN.

"Urd" track listing:

01. Epochalypse
02. Roots
03. The Beauty Of Dead Cities
04. The Earthling
05. The Plains Of Memories
06. Mount Regency
07. Frostrite
08. The Winter Eclipse
09. In A Deeper World

BORKNAGAR recently recruited Baard Kolstad (ICS VORTEX) as its new drummer.

BORKNAGAR 2012 is:

* Øystein G. Brun (Cronian, ex-Molested) – Clean and Electric Guitar
* Vintersorg (VINTERSORG, FISSION) - Grim Vocals, Clean Vocals and Choirs
* Lars A. Nedland (SOLEFALD, ex-CARPATHIAN FOREST) - Keyboards, Clean Vocals, Choirs
* Jens F. Ryland (ICS VORTEX) - Lead Guitar
* ICS Vortex (ex-DIMNMU BORGIR, ARCTURUS, ICS VORTEX) - Bass, Clean Vocals and Choirs
* Baard Kolstad - Drums

Drums and percussion on "Urd" were performed by David Kinkade (SOULFLY, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION).

Interview:

Fan-filmed video footage of ORGY's March 6 concert at Irving Plaza in New York City can be seen below.

Joining vocalist and sole remaining original member Jay Gordon in ORGY's new lineup are Carlton Bost (DEADSY, THE DREAMING, LUNARCLICK) on guitar, Ashburn Miller (DEADSY) on guitar, Nic Speck (RUN RUN RUN) on bass and Jamie Miller (SNOT, THE START) on drums.

In a recent interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Gordon was asked what the catalyst was for rebooting and moving forward with the project. "Ya know, it had just been too long," he said. "I was really interested in getting back out on the road. That was the first thing I wanted to do. It had been so long, I just wanted to get out there, brush the rust off and roll with it to see what happens. To do that you have to have a band and start playing gigs right away and that is exactly what I did."

On the topic of ORGY's new members, Jay said, "The new lineup is amazing! I don't plan on looking back, let's put it that way, they are that good. They are all amazing artists. Both guitar players, Carlton Bost and Ashburn Miller, came from DEADSY. The bass player, Nic Speck came from RUN RUN RUN. The drummer, Jamie Miller, is from SNOT and THE START. He is an amazing drummer! All of the guys are truly amazing performers and we get along great."

"Half Human, Half Dynamite", a song from STUDFAUST, the new project featuring Bård "Faust" Eithun (EMPEROR, BLOOD TSUNAMI, MONGO NINJA) and Tore Bratseth (a.k.a. Stud Bronson of THE BATALLION, OLD FUNERAL), can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The cut is one of two "dirty, firesparking tracks in the spirit of the old school of metal/punk" that the band recorded last November for a seven-inch single, which will be released on March 16 via Soulseller Records

According to a press release, "Music like this is rarely made nowadays with such authenticity and passion, and these veterans in the metal scene now show their musical muscles with a 'piss-off' attitude."

The seven-inch single will most likely become a cult collector's item, as only 500 copies are being pressed.

For more information, go to this location.

LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY has finished filming a video for the song "Dark Fate Of Atlantis" in Stockholm, Sweden with director Owe Lingvall of Dream Day Media (THE RASMUS, KAMELOT's "The Great Pandemonium"). The track comes off the band's new album, "Ascending To Infinity", which will be released on June 29 via Nuclear Blast.

Commented the group: "We are impressed by the visionary style of Owe’s works. For a band willing to sound and look cinematic like RHAPSODY, there was no better choice possible. The video will be spread for free around the world in the beginning of April. Our friend Owe will also be responsible for a bonus DVD including the video, the 'making-of' documentary related with it, and exclusive interviews with all the RHAPSODY bandmembers. Nuclear Blast will release this extra DVD with a playtime of more than one hour in the limited edition of the new upcoming album, 'Ascending To Infinity', to be released worldwide on June 29. An additional gift to all our fans around the world!"

In August 2011, RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboardist Alex Staropoli announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli will continue under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, will make his future efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he will be joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, and drummer Alex Holzwarth. A singer for the group has has yet to be announced.

"Ascending To Infinity" track listing:

01. Quantum X
02. Ascending To Infinity
03. Dante’s Inferno
04. Excalibur
05. Tormento E Passione
06. Dark Fate Of Atlantis
07. Fantasia Gotica
08. Clash Of The Titans
09. Of Michael The Archangel And Lucifer's Fall
I. Alma Mundi
II. Fatum Mortalis
III. Ignis Divinus

You can check out the "Ascending To Infinity" cover artwork below.

The album will have a running time of around 65 minutes.

LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY will embark on the "Ascending To Infinity" headlining tour in the fall.

In a recent interview, Turilli stated about "Ascending To Infinity", "Honestly, this album is very important for me, Alex Holzwarth, Patrice and Dominique and personally it is the one I always dreamed to record. The basic composition process lasted around five months. In this period of time I worked at the rhythm of 12-14 hours per day and, while very hard because very demanding mentally and spiritually, this was one of the most rewarding sessions of composition of my whole life. It rarely happened I had so much fun playing the guitar, the keyboards or my beloved piano and creating original classical parts, cinematic interludes, orchestrations and all the rest. Now all the songs are ready and I am actually in the process of arranging everything. As you know, I don't hire external people to orchestrate the music, but I do all by myself writing the music for each section of the orchestra, the choirs etc. and this sometimes can be a very long and hard process stealing a lot of time and energy. I can not deny that this is a very ambitious album, because of the investment, artistic vision etc., and all the people working on it, Nuclear Blast included, are thinking the same. That's why in the upcoming months of intensive studio work I want to go on dedicating myself night and day to it, without thinking to anything else."

Regarding the change in the production team for the LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY album, Luca said, "After many years of work in Wolfsburg at the court of our friend Sascha Paeth, I decided to start this new artistic adventure with a different team of people. Sascha and the other friends of the Gate Studio (Miro, Olaf, Robert, Simon, etc.) are a winning team and their help in the past was really important for RHAPSODY. But it's since many years already that Alex and I took the productions in our hands becoming producers of our own albums, despite Sascha remaining always fundamental as engineer and mixer man. His mixes will remain legendary and our list of thanks will be never long enough for all the professional contribution he gave. All the years of work, fun and sufferance in the Gate studios of Wolfsburg will surely remain unforgettable and are carved in our heart. For LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY and the new band adventure I decided to change the studio and the main man behind the console. We are now recording the new album at the Backyard Studio of Kempten, Germany. Our new engineer and main mixer man is the same owner of the studio and his name is Sebastian Roeder, the person who worked for RHAPSODY OF FIRE in the last worldwide tour making real miracles while mixing our music live. Apart from being a talented engineer, he is a great person and he shares with us the love for this style of music. To resume, the new album will be produced by me as usual, while Sebastian will take care of the engineering, mixing and mastering process."

On the topic of the singer for LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY, Luca said, "As you can imagine, this will be one of the most important news to be given in the upcoming months, but for the moment we prefer to keep all top secret. Speaking about singers, please allow me to say a few words about Olaf Hayer, singer and talented voice of LUCA TURILLI, my old solo band. The truth is that, as many people could already imagine, I stopped my solo activity as LUCA TURILLI definitely, willing to dedicate myself to LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY at full time. That's why I want to publicly thank Olaf for the fundamental contribution he gave to our solo albums. All the three albums of the trilogy entered the charts establishing some important records and this was possible mainly because of my friend Olaf. Who knows?! Maybe sooner or later we'll still have the chance to work together. Never say never."

During his trip to California to shoot the video for "The Fatal Feast", drummer Dave Witte of the Virginia crossover thrash metal band MUNICIPAL WASTE had the opportunity to visit the Southern California offices of Paiste America, Inc. Check out video footage below.

The official lyric video for "The Fatal Feast", the title track of the forthcoming fifth studio album from MUNICIPAL WASTE, can be seen below.

"The Fatal Feast" will be released on April 10 in North America and April 13 in Europe via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Justin Osbourn of Slasher Design and can be seen below.

"The Fatal Feast" track listing:

01. Waste In Space
02. Repossession
03. New Dead Masters
04. Unholy Abductor
05. Idiot Check
06. Covered In Sick/The Barfer
07. You're Cut Off
08. Authority Complex
09. Standards And Practices
10. Crushing Chest Wound
11. The Monster With 21 Faces
12. Jesus Freaks
13. The Fatal Feast
14. 12 Step Program
15. Death Tax
16. Residential Disaster

Both the digipack and vinyl editions will include the bonus track "Eviction Party".

"The Fatal Feast" features guest appearances by John Connelly (guitarist and vocalist for NUCLEAR ASSAULT), Steve Moore (who plays bass and synthesizers for ZOMBI), and vocalist Tim Barry (ex-AVAIL).

Dave Witte at Paiste America, Inc.:

SHINEDOWN video for the song "Unity" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's fourth studio album, "Amaryllis", which comes out on March 27 and follows up the band's biggest success yet, 2008's "The Sound Of Madness".

"Amaryllis" sees SHINEDOWN joining forces once more with multiple Grammy Award-winning producer Rob Cavallo (KID ROCK, GREEN DAY), who previously collaborated with the band on "The Sound Of Madness". Recorded at Cavallo's Lightning Sound studios outside of Los Angeles and a pair of Hollywood landmarks, Ocean Way Recording and Capitol Studios, the album was recently named among "This Year's Best Bets" by Billboard, which noted the inventive addition of synths, a 27-piece orchestra, and a 10-piece horn section to the band's powerful hard rock.

"I've always seen SHINEDOWN as its own entity," says SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith, "this living thing that's been growing and developing and evolving over the past 10 years. During the recording, the vision of what SHINEDOWN is and where it's going became completely clear. 'Amaryllis' is the manifestation of that vision, the centerpiece of what SHINEDOWN is. It reflects on everything we've done and where we're heading. It's a message of empowerment, perseverance, and inspiration that I think speaks to fans that have been with us since the beginning as well as those who are just learning about who we are and what we're about. I can't wait for the world to hear it."

"Amaryllis" track listing:

01. Adrenaline
02. Bully
03. Amaryllis
04. Unity
05. Enemies
06. I'm Not Alright
07. Nowhere Kids
08. Miracle
09. I'll Follow You
10. For My Sake
11. My Name (Wearing Me Out)
12. Through The Ghost

"The Sound Of Madness" sold more than a million copies and produced six hit singles, including a number of rock radio chart-toppers.

SHINEDOWN will lead the 2012 edition of the Avalanche Tour. The North American trek will kick off on March 27 in Anaheim, California, with ADELITAS WAY, NEW MEDICINE and ART OF DYING also on the bill.

"Decimate The Ancestry Of The Only God", a brand new song from Italian death metallers HOUR OF PENANCE, can be streamed below. The track comes off the band's fifth album, "Sedition", which will be released on March 27 in North America, April 2 in the U.K. and April 6 in mainland Europe via Prosthetic Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Paradogma" (Unique Leader) was recorded at Cellar Studio in Rome with producer Stefano Morabito.

"Sedition" track listing:

01. Transubstantiatio
02. Enlightened Submission
03. Decimate The Ancestry Of The Only God
04. Fall Of The Servants
05. Ascension
06. The Cannibal Gods
07. Sedition Through Scorn
08. Deprave To Redeem
09. Blind Obedience

The band will hit North American shores for the first time the week of release, to support THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, NILE and SKELETONWITCH on a full U.S. tour, which includes a stop at the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival.

HOUR OF PENANCE's fourth album, "Paradogma", came out in March 2010 via Unique Leader Records.

HOUR OF PENANCE's current lineup:

Giulio Moschini - Guitar
Simone Piras - Drums
Silvano Leone - Bass
Paolo Pieri - Vocals

"Decimate The Ancestry Of The Only God" audio stream:

A CANCEROUS AFFAIR, the new project featuring ex-DARKEST HOUR members Kris Norris and Ryan Parrish, will enter Jeremy Kling's (ex-THE ABSCENCE) studio in late March with James Murphy (TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY) at the helm to record pre-production/demo versions of some of its new songs.

A CANCEROUS AFFAIR is:

* Kris Norris (ex-DARKEST HOUR)
* Ryan Parrish (ex-DARKEST HOUR)
* Kristen Randall (ex-WINDS OF PLAGUE)
* Dave Sheldon (ex-ANNIHILATOR)
* Pat Kavanaugh (THREAT SIGNAL)

According to a press release, A CANCEROUS AFFAIR's music has been described as "melodic swedish metal with a touch of prog, ambient, and rock. Fans of Kris and Ryan's work together on 'Undoing Ruin' and 'Deliver Us' will have a lot of new music to enjoy with some suprises and twists, including the varying vocal talents of Dave Sheldon."

Norris previously stated about A CANCEROUS AFFAIR, "I love all styles of music — from pop and jazz to black metal — and with this being a project band with no intentions other than to write music we enjoy, I'm not pigeonholed into oh this song needs a fast riff or a crazy solo. It's a nice relief from the other projects and bands I'm involved in and have been involved in. I get to take my experiences from all of them and combine it into one."

Regarding the project's name, Norris said, "The title comes from Dave. I liked it alot because it fits what we are doing. Just a bunch of musicians from different parts of the world, getting together behind their other various music projects backs almost, and creating something. His voice to me is just infectious, so when he said the name, I was, like, 'Hmmm, that's it.'"

Guitarist Toby Knapp has resurrected the power metal band ONWARD with the addition of new members Dean Sternberg (vocals, bass; ex-INTO ETERNITY) and Andy Jones (drums; ex-GODLESS RISING).

Sternberg sang at the most recent ONWARD live shows and was featured on Knapp's solo album "Misanthropy Divine", which came out in 2008 via Rock It Up Records.

The new ONWARD lineup will enter the studio soon to record its fourth CD, "Cauldron Of Regeneration", for a late summer release via Rock It Up Records. The effort will include a guest appearance by guitarist Joe Stump (HOLYHELL, REIGN OF TERROR). Toby said: "Musically, this album will return to the sound of ONWARD's debut, 'Evermoving'."

ONWARD 2012 is:

Dean Sternberg – Vocals, Bass
Toby Knapp - Guitar
Andy Jones – Drums

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

WATCH ME BLEED — the German "groove" thrash metal band featuring MYSTIC PROPHECY guitar player Markus Pohl and ex-SYMPHORCE drummer Steffen Theurer — will release its sophomore album, "Kingdom", on May 4 via the "label alternative" SAOL/H'art. The CD was produced, mixed and mastered by Eike Fresse (DARK AGE, CALLEJON, GAMMA RAY) at the Hammerstudios in Hamburg. The cover artwork was once again created by the German artist Matthias Bäuerle from Season Zero.

"Kingdom" track listing:

01. The Rising Tide (intro)
02. The World Stops Turning
03. Here Come The Red
04. War Calls Us
05. The Blackest Of The Black (interlude)
06. Kingdom
07. Rack The Slide
08. Death And Pain
09. A Question Of Honor (interlude)
10. Judgement
11. The Sons Of Fenris
12. From Down Below
13. Let Them Try
14. Will You Stand With Me (outro)

The song "Rack The Slide" can be streamed using the player below.

Commented Pohl: "'Kingdom' is our statement. It's a big 'fuck you!!!' to all the people who can't stand loud guitars and aggressive singers. That's us…raw, heavy and loud"

WATCH ME BLEED's debut album, "Souldrinker", was released in October 2009 via Silverwolf Productions.

Guitarist Marcelo Fernandes and drummer Ulrich Retzow have left the Munich, Germany-based black metal sextet SYCRONOMICA. Christian Metz, a founding member of the band, has returned on guitar while the vacant drummer slot was filled by Thomas Hagl.

In other news, a brand new SYCRONOMICA song, "Neverest", can be streamed on the band's Facebook page. It was recorded last October at SOS Studios in Munich with producer Michael Zech (SECRETS OF THE MOON, ODEM ACARUM).

SYCRONOMICA will play a number of 15th-anniversary shows this spring and summer starting on April 14 at the Ragnarök Festival in Lichtenfels, Germany.

SYCRONOMICA's third album, "Sycroscope", was released in October 2009 via the Bavarian label Silverwolf Productions. The CD was recorded at Munich's Helion Studios, where both of SYCRONOMICA's previous albums — "Paths" (2004) and "Gate" (2006) — were tracked. The cover artwork was created by drummer Michael Bayer.

SYCRONOMICA 2012 is:

Oliver Walther - Vocals
Florian Winter - Keyboards
Johannes Jüde - Guitar
Ruben Raff - Bass
Christian Metz - Guitar
Thomas Hagl - Drums

Death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER will release their new album, "Undead", in May via Metal Blade Records. The CD was mixed at Audiohammer studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM).

Comments SIX FEET UNDER singer Chris Barnes: "SIX FEET UNDER is not dead! We are 'Undead'!

"With our return to the European festivals this summer, and the addition of new bandmembers to the group's lineup, SIX FEET UNDER is poised to murder and KILL!!

"With the release of the new SIX FEET UNDER album, 'Undead', this spring we will prove that the undead shall rise from the crypts of Germany and Europe in 2012!"

SIX FEET UNDER's European tour will kick off on August 11 in Jaromer, Czech Republic and will conclude on August 18 in Hamburg, Germany. Support on the trek will come from DEW-SCENTED.

SIX FEET UNDER recently parted ways with bassist Matt DeVries and replaced him with Jeff Hughell, formerly of the Santa Cruz, California technical death metal band BRAIN DRILL and Concord, California death metal group VILE, and currently of RECIPROCAL.

Bassist Terry Butler and drummer Greg Gall announced their departures from SIX FEET UNDER in January 2011. Butler has since joined OBITUARY as a permanent member.

SIX FEET UNDER is:

* Rob Arnold (CHIMAIRA) - Guitar
* Kevin Talley (DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA) - Drums
* Chris Barnes (CANNIBAL CORPSE) - Vocals
* Steve Swanson - Guitar
* Jeff Hughell (RECIPROCAL, BRAIN DRILL, VILE) - Bass

London, England-based industrial-metal band HANNIBAL will release its second album, "Cyberia", on April 20 through Echozone/Soulfood.

A concept album based on the signs of the times, "Cyberia" was mixed by HANNIBAL leader Alex Balakakis, the former singer of the legendary Greek heavy metal act SPITFIRE.

The recenfly spent time on the road in Europe as the support act for former NIGHTWISH singer TarjaTurunen.

The first official video from "Cyberia" — for the song "Rise" — was recorded live in Eindhoven, Holland and can be seen below.

HANNIBAL's debut album, "This Is U", came out in 2006 via Sleaszy Rider Records.

HANNIBAL is:

Hannibal: Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar, Music, Lyrics
Stelios Sovolos: Electric Guitar
Stelios "Hulk" Apostolou: Bass
Dimitris Xekalakis: Drums
Herc: Piano, Keyboards, Backing Vocals

For more information, visit www.hannibalnation.co.uk.

Video footage of veteran British female hard rockers GIRLSCHOOL performing the song "Hit And Run" on March 10 at the Garage in London, England can be seen below.

GIRLSCHOOL recently issued a re-recorded version of its classic second album, "Hit And Run", complemented by two awesome bonus tracks. Available in Europe since last September, "Hit And Run - Revisited" was released in the U.S. on January 24 via UDR in three versions: a CD digipak, a regular jewel case CD and a vinyl LP with gatefold sleeve.

Following its original release, "Hit And Run" instantly hit it big. The album climbed the charts fast in America and Canada (even making the gold mark!), made No. 5 in the U.K. and opened the doors to major venues for GIRLSCHOOL.

Naturally, re-recording their classic under ideal studio conditions brought back memories for GIRLSCHOOL of days gone by. At the same time, the musicians took the artistic liberty of updating a number of arrangements. Guitarist/singer Kim McAuliffe says, "We've made quite a few changes. But I'm not gonna say anything about them because we're hoping that our fans will notice for themselves, just to see how well they know the original ones. But, of course, it's a different sound, we have Jackie [Chambers, guitar] play now, obviously, instead of [late GIRLSCHOOL guitarist] Kelly [Johnson], and also again, studio-wise it's just a completely different experience because the technology now is incredible compared to what we had in those days."

"Hit And Run - Revisited" track listing:

01. C'mon Let's Go
02. The Hunter
03. (I'm Your) Victim
04. Kick It Down
05. Following the Crowd
06. Tush
07. Hit and Run
08. Watch Your Step
09. Back to Start
10. Yeah Right
11. Future Flash

Bonus tracks:

12. Demolition Boys
13. Hit and Run (with Doro)

New honorees, presenters, performers and special guests have been announced for the fourth annual Revolver Golden Gods, presented by Epiphone, America's only hard-rock and heavy-metal award show. The event will take place Wednesday, April 11, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles and is almost sold out. Fans without tickets can still watch the show though, as it will be broadcast live in its entirety on XBOX LIVE, as well as on the XBOX and Revolver Facebook pages. The award show live broadcast is the first ever of its kind and kicks off globally at 6 p.m. PDT/9 p.m. EDT.

The Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by XBOX LIVE, will go to prog-rock pioneers RUSH, who will release their highly anticipated 19th studio album, "Clockwork Angels", this year on Roadrunner Records. (Previous honorees include hard-rock and metal legends MÖTLEY CRÜE, Lemmy Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD and Ozzy Osbourne.) The award will be presented by Jack Black and Kyle Gass of TENACIOUS D, whose new record, "Rize Of The Fenix", hits stores on May 15. RUSH's Neil Peart commented, "We are honored and delighted to receive this honor — especially because it will be presented by Jack and Kyle. Our 'lifetimes' are not over yet, and we dearly hope our 'achievements' are not either, so I suppose you could say that to us this is the 'So Far, So Good' award." Of presenting the award, Black commented, "RUSH was the most impressive band, musically, when I was just learning about rock. Weirdly, they got your body moving in interpretive-dancing ways, but it was still aggressive. Their stuff was just so complex and so tasty!"

Right before the official start of the show, PANTERA will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark album, "Vulgar Display of Power", with the worldwide debut of their first music video in 12 years, for the previously unreleased song, "Piss", from the "Vulgar" recording sessions. PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul commented, "'Piss' is the only unheard complete PANTERA track in existence. It was recorded at the same time as 'Vulgar Display Of Power' and it's 100 percent PANTERA with attitude and our signature groove! After mixing it, I can't believe it didn't make the record! So it's 2012 and 20 years later and new PANTERA music has been delivered. Cheers!"

Adding to the festivities, The 2012 Revolver Golden Gods Awards show will feature one-of-a-kind special performances and collaborations. Newly announced performers include KORN, who are nominated for multiple Golden Gods awards. "Revolver rocks! We are psyched to be nominated for Album of the Year — looking forward to rocking the house, too!" said KORN frontman Jonathan Davis. Heavy-metal heavyweights TRIVIUM have also been added to this jam-packed bill, as well as legendary guitar shredder Yngwie Malmsteen, who will open the show, playing "The Star Spangled Banner", alongside a full military color guard. Finally, TWISTED SISTER's Dee Snider is set to appear with previously announced performers BLACK VEIL BRIDES for a performance of his band's '80s anthem "I Wanna Rock".

The live concert will also include MARILYN MANSON, who appears on the cover of the latest issue of Revolver; iconic Grammy-winning guitarist — featuring Myles Kennedy and the CONSPIRATORS; EVANESCENCE; and SIXX: A.M., featuring Nikki Sixx of MÖTLEY CRÜE, acclaimed rock producer and songwriter James Michael, and DJ Ashba of GUNS N' ROSES, in their first performance in almost four years.

Also on April 11, the Grammy Museum, next door to Club Nokia, will open its new exhibit Golden Gods: The History of Heavy Metal. Mounted in coordination with Revolver, the exhibit will feature never-before-displayed artifacts including instruments, stage props, handwritten lyrics, clothing and costumes, alongside original album artwork, posters and live-performance and interview footage. The exhibit will also feature a variety of interactive displays.

Danish modern metallers MNEMIC have set "Mnemesis" as the title of their fifth album, due later in the year via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm studios in Aabyhøj, Denmark with longtime producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, HIMSA, SICK OF IT ALL). The cover artwork was created by Metastazis (MORBID ANGEL, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, PARADISE LOST, ULVER) and can be seen below.

Commented guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie: "We can say that the new record is done, completed and our mission is finally accomplished.

"Since the disruption and chaos within the band last year, and the acquirement of new members, I never thought we would make it this far. Today everything converged and we ascended from the depths of turmoil, catharsis and hard work everyone has put into this new record, which is entitled 'Mnemesis'. Yes, again we chose something no one can pronounce, just like our band mname.

"For the ones that are curious about our new opus, I can say it's more melodic than what we've done in the past, but at the same time more energetic and not so technical. We tried to incorporate the traditional MNEMIC-esque sound and universe into the compositions, as good as we could. At the same time, we tried to move forward, like everything else in life. All in all, it's more of an atmospheric and melodic record, at least for me."

Working songtitles set to appear on the new MNEMIC album:

* Empty Planet
* Haven At The End Of The World
* Valves
* Blue Desert In A Black Hole
* Transcend
* Junkies On The Storm

MNEMIC last year parted ways with drummer Brian "Brylle" Rasmussen and guitarist Rune Stigart and replaced them with Brian Larsen and Victor-Ray Salomonsen, respectively.

MNEMIC 2012 is:

Guillaume Bideau - Vocals
Mircea Gabriel Eftemie - Guitar
Victor-Ray Salomonsen - Guitar
Simone Bertozzi - Bass
Brian Larsen - Drums

MNEMIC's fourth studio album, "Sons Of The System", was released in Europe on January 15, 2010 and in North America on January 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Christian hard rockers P.O.D. (PAYABLE ON DEATH) have completed work on their new album for a summer release via Razor & Tie. The CD was recorded with longtime producer Howard Benson, who also helmed the group's massive "Satellite" CD and has worked on major hit releases for such artists as 3 DOORS DOWN, KELLY CLARKSON, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, DAUGHTRY, ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE.

P.O.D. will head out this spring and summer for a series of high-profile radio shows and festivals and will co-headline a tour with RED with support by LOVE AND DEATH (featuring ex-KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch) and ICON FOR HIRE. The tour will make stops throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

P.O.D.'s last album, "When Angels & Serpents Dance", sold 34,000 in the United States in its first week of release in April 2008 to debut at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous CD, "Testify", registered a first-week tally of just over 54,000 back in February 2006 to land at No. 9.

"When Angels & Serpents Dance" featured guest appearances from the MARLEY SISTERS, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES singer Mike Muir and HELMET guitarist Page Hamilton.

The cover artwork for "Trial Through Fire", the sophomore album from CITY OF FIRE — the band featuring Burton C. Bell (FEAR FACTORY), bassist Byron Stroud (3 INCHES OF BLOOD, FEAR FACTORY, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD), guitarist Terry "Sho" Murray, and drummer Bob Wagner — can be seen below. The CD was recorded at The Factory studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and is tentatively due late summer.

In a recent interview with The Sanctuary Of Rock, Bell stated about CITY OF FIRE's forthcoming CD, "The writing process is very similar to other bands. The guys had music ideas and were recorded on a demo. I would sit with Terry in the studio and just sing out ideas. I usually have some words to 'throw down' and I try to incorporate them into the song. A lot of times, I just say things that come out, like speaking in tongues.

"There is no theme, but everything we were writing about was happening in our lives, so that is why we call the album 'Trial Through Fire'.

"It was a very difficult writing process. We were all going through personal issues, and also the band was dealing with business issues.

"I am very proud of the work we have done. We 'found' our sound on this record."

He added, "The main difference [between the recording process for 'Trial Through Fire' compared to that of CITY OF FIRE's 2010 self-titled debut] was that we knew what we wanted to achieve. We knew what are strong points were with the band's music. We all had a great understanding of the band itself. Terry has a great sense of what my voice can do, so he and the guys were able to write the music that suited everyone. We were very 'cohesive' as a band. We knew everyone's strong points."

Funding for the new CITY OF FIRE CD was aided by the PledgeMusic.com project, which encourages fans to contribute funds to the recording of albums and the artists themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising.

Said Burton: "That was our [manager's idea]. She found success in it with another band she has worked with. It was a fantastic idea. Not only did it generate the funds we needed, it also created a grass-roots fan base that is important for a new band. It created a personal network between the band and our new fans, and they are a very happy, as we are."

CITY OF FIRE's "Bad Motivator" video can be seen below (courtesy of Metal Hammer magazine). The clip was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with director Cody Calahan, who previously co-created, produced and directed a pilot for a television show called "The Rusty Kitchen".

Commented Burton: "The video was created through the program MuchMusic in Canada — it is Canada's MTV. Every year, they give grants to new bands to make a video. We applied and got the grant. The video was made through all Canadian videographers, directors etc. . . It was the first time I met Cody Calahan, and I look forward to working with him again. He is very ambitious and I like his creative ideas."

"My Destiny", a brand new song from Seattle-based Christian metallers DEMON HUNTER, can be streamed on the band's Facebook page. The track comes off the group's sixth full-length album, "True Defiance", which will arrive on April 10 via Solid State Records.

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

The "True Defiance" album art, created by Ryan Clark, frontman and co-owner of Grammy-nominated design firm Invisible Creature with his brother (and former DEMON HUNTER guitarist) Don Clark, and illustrated by Angryblue (KORN, BLEEDING THROUGH, THE ACACIA STRAIN) shows continued commitment to excellence in all facets of the band.

"True Defiance" marks DEMON HUNTER's first outing since 2010's "The World Is A Thorn", which debuted in the Billboard Top 40 and was hailed as the heaviest, fastest, and most aggressive record of the band's career.

"True Defiance" track listing:

01. Crucifix
02. God Forsaken
03. My Destiny
04. Wake
05. Tomorrow Never Comes
06. Someone To Hate
07. This I Know
08. Means To An End
09. We Don't Care
10. Resistance
11. Dead Flowers

"Zerospan", the new video from CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED — the project led by acclaimed metal drummer Richard Christy (ICED EARTH, DEATH, LEASH LAW, CONTROL DENIED, BURNING INSIDE) — can be viewed below. The clip was directed and edited by Mike Schiff (CHARRED WALL's previous video, "Ghost Town") and Sean McEwen ("Albino Farm"), with special effects/make-up by Brian Spears and Pete Gerner from G and S Effects ("Stakeland"). The lead actor in the video is Bryan Haeffele.

Commented Christy: "I'm so excited that fans will finally be able to see the 'Zerospan' video after many months of hard work! For fans of horror like myself, this video is the perfect mix of technological horror and all out brutality. The 'Zerospan' video is like a mini horror film and the story follows the lyrical subject matter perfectly and creates a haunting vision of a man absorbed by the world's ever-growing technology. What it comes down to, though, is that it's pretty much just a kick-ass heavy metal video! Big thanks to Mike, Sean, Brian, Pete, Bryan, Metal Blade, and everyone who helped make this video awesome!"

"Zerospan" comes off CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED's sophomore album, "Cold Winds On Timeless Days", which sold around 1,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 14 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

The self-titled debut album from CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED opened with around 2,200 units to enter the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart at No. 6.

"Cold Winds On Timeless Days" was released on October 11, 2011 via Metal Blade Records. Audiohammer's Jason Suecof produced and Mark Lewis mixed, while mastering was handled by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.

The writing process for "Cold Winds On Timeless Days" actually began while the band was mixing its 2010 debut. Christy used his experience on the first album to write songs that catered not only to each member's playing style, but to Jason Suecof's production style. The result: demos that turned out nearly identical to what ended up on the album.

With 12 songs clocking in at 58 minutes, fans are getting a lot more music this time around. Recording twelve songs in a short amount of time is no easy feat, but one that was accomplished because of the stellar talents in the band. Christy elaborates further: "I wanted to get a natural sound out of this album, I wanted everyone to be well rehearsed, not that I wanted the album to be rushed, but I wanted the spontaneous live feel and not over think anything too much." Christy describes "Cold Winds on Timeless Days" as a "perfect storm of producing."

"Cold Winds On Timeless Days" track listing:

01. Timeless Days
02. Ashes Falling Upon Us
03. Zerospan
04. Cold Winds
05. Lead The Way
06. Forever Marching On
07. Guiding Me
08. The Beast Outside My Window
09. On Unclean Ground
10. Bloodworm
11. Admire The Heroes
12. Avoid The Light

The cover artwork for the album can be seen below.

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED's recording lineup:

* Richard Christy - Drums
* Jason Suecof - Guitar, Producer
* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH) - Vocals
* Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, TESTAMENT) – Bass

On May 21, Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM will release "Holiday At Lake Bodom (15 Years Of Wasted Youth)", a very special CD+DVD career retrospective in celebration of the band's 15th anniversary. The release will spotlight specially selected tracks from every one of the group's critically acclaimed albums (1997's "Something Wild", 1999's "Hatebreeder", 2000's "Follow The Reaper", 2003's "Hate Crew Deathroll", 2005's "Are You Dead Yet?", 2008's "Blooddrunk" and 2011's "Relentless Reckless Forever"), plus two newly recorded (and undeniably fun) cover songs and detailed liner notes penned by the members of CHILDREN OF BODOM themselves. The DVD portion of the package will include "candid touring and backstage footage from around the world”, plus the never-before-seen music video for "Relentless Reckless Forever"'s "Shovel Knockout".

"'15 Years Of Wasted Youth' is the sound of CHILDREN OF BODOM working hard, partying hard, being relentless and stubborn," says the band's guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho. "We went through many brick walls to get to where we are, and after seven studio albums, two live albums, non-stop touring, bleeding and breaking a lot of bones, I think we are justified in putting this album out. Let the music speak for itself. You have been warned."

The release of "Holiday At Lake Bodom (15 Years Of Wasted Youth)" continues CHILDREN OF BODOM's year-long anniversary celebration, which kicked off with the band's highly successful "15th Anniversary" headlining tour of North America.

In an interview with MusikUniverse.net, Laiho said that the band is scheduled to commence the songwriting sessions for its next album this fall for a 2013 release. "I have ideas, but I haven't done anything about it," Alexi said. "'Cause the thing is, I can't write when I'm touring; it's not the right kind of environment for me. I know a lot of people do it, but I just can't. And it's OK, 'cause I build a lot of ideas in my head, and my memory sucks, but one thing that I never forget is the riffs; they're always in my head somehow. So it's really not a problem."

CHILDREN OF BODOM's last album, "Relentless Reckless Forever", sold nearly 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 42 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, 2008's "Blooddrunk", opened with 19,000 units to land at No. 22. This number was roughly four times the opening tally of "Blooddrunk"'s predecessor, "Are You Dead Yet?", which premiered with 5,000 units back in October 2005 to enter the chart at No. 195.

"Relentless Reckless Forever" was certified gold in the band's home country for first-day sales of over 10,000 copies. The CD was recorded in Finland's Petrax Studios with famed rock producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET).

"Hordes Of Zombies", the new video from the legendary grindcore act TERRORIZER, can be seen below. The clip, the band's first, was shot and filmed entirely by the band in Los Angeles and includes some of the first footage of drummer Pete Sandoval after his well-publicized back surgery.

"Hordes Of Zombies" is the title track of TERRORIZER's new album, which was released on February 28 via the French label Season Of Mist.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Intro
02. Hordes Of Zombies
03. Ignorance And Apathy
04. Subterfuge
05. Evolving Era
06. Radiation Syndrome
07. Flesh To Dust
08. Generation Chaos
09. Broken Mirrors
10. Prospect Of Oblivion
11. Malevolent Ghosts
12. Forward To Annihilation
13. State Of Mind
14. A Dying Breed

A bonus track, "Wretched", appears on the vinyl and digital versions of the album, while the limited-edition digipak also contains a demo version of the title cut.

TERRORIZER's 2012 lineup includes Commando (a.k.a. Pete Sandoval) who remains dug into position on drums, blasting out armor-piercing beats and defending his territory as one of the most brutal drummers alive.

Wolf (a.k.a. Anthony Rezhawk), the vocalist on the previous TERRORIZER album release, "Darker Days Ahead", returns for his second menacing oration of dark politicized prophecies about the apocalyptic near future.

The new TERRORIZER lineup also features David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL) on bass, ready to continue the onslaught he began with TERRORIZER's debut album masterpiece, "World Downfall".

On guitar, it is the great honor of Katina Culture (RESISTANT CULTURE) to shred in place of the late Jesse Pintado, who's still felt to be in the band in heart and spirit. She's attempted to do justice to Jesse's frantic-yet-precise tornado of riffing while adding her own style to the mix of sonic wreckage.

TERRORIZER 2012 is:

Wolf (a.k.a. Anthony Rezhawk) - Vocals
Katina Culture - Guitar
David Vincent - Bass
Commando (a.k.a. Pete Sandoval) - Drums

Pintado, a founding member and guitarist of TERRORIZER, died at Holland's Erasmus MC hospital on August 27, 2006 due to liver failure, only less than a week after the release of TERRORIZER's second album "Darker Days Ahead". His death effectively put TERRORIZER's future in question.

Fan-filmed video footage of VAN HALEN performing the song "Hang 'Em High", from the band's 1982 album "Diver Down", this past Sunday (March 11) at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts can be seen below.

According to online fan reports, VAN HALEN previously soundchecked "Hang 'Em High" and the 1979 classic "Bottoms Up!" on March 5 in Philadelphia but didn't include either track in the set until yesterday.

VAN HALEN's new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", 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.

MEGADETH performed a cover version of the MOTÖRHEAD classic "No Class" at the closing show of this year's Gigantour on March 3 in Austin, Texas. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

MOTÖRHEAD was forced to miss the last four shows of Gigantour after the band's founder, bassist and principal songwriter Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister came down with a combination of a viral upper respiratory infection and a voice strain, resulting in severe laryngitis.

"I'm giving my voice a good rest," Lemmy said in a statemement, "and will be better than ever for our shows on the [Rockstar Energy Drink] Mayhem [Festival] tour this summer. Hope to see you all there!"

Gigantour — the critically acclaimed package festival founded in 2005 by MEGADETH — made its highly anticipated return for the first time since 2008. The multi-artist bill — with metal heavyweights MOTÖRHEAD, VOLBEAT and LACUNA COIL all personally picked by Mustaine — kicked off on January 26 in Camden, New Jersey and wrapped on March 3 in Austin.

MEGADETH was among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which was held on February 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band's tenth Grammy nomination was for its new single, "Public Enemy No. 1", off MEGADETH's latest album, "TH1RT3EN", which came out on November 1, 2011.

"Public Enemy No. 1" actually marked the second Grammy nomination for music from "TH1RT3EN", as the song "Sudden Death" was first unveiled in the 2010 video game "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock" and received a "Best Metal Performance" nod.

Swedish goregrind legends GENERAL SURGERY have premiered two songs from their upcoming singles compilation "A Collection Of Depravation". The tracks "Foetal Mush" and "The League Of Extraordinary Grave Robbers" are available for streaming below.

"A Collection Of Depravation", a compilation of 30 GENERAL SURGERY choice cuts, will be released on March 27 via Relapse. The collection was digitally remastered by PIG DESTROYER's Scott Hull and contains a 24-page booklet with extensive liner notes from the band.

In other news, GENERAL SURGERY will release a new seven-inch EP and record its highly anticipated third full-length album in the near future.

Originally formed in 1988, GENERAL SURGERY (Joacim Carlsson - guitar, Andreas Eriksson - bass, Andreas Mitroulis - drums, Erik Sahlström - lead vocals) released the seminal "Necrology" EP via Relapse in 1991 before going on a long hiatus until 2002. The band issued numerous splits, EPs, and two full-length albums since then.

German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN were the featured guests on the March 9 episode of the German TV show "Nachtfahrt TV", featuring a bus that drives around German cities. The band answered some questions and then performed an acoustic version of the song "The Bard's Song - In The Forest". You can now watch video footage of their appearance below.

"Memories Of A Time To Come", the ultimate collection of BLIND GUARDIAN music from 1987 to 2011, was released on January 20 via Virgin/EMI.

"Memories Of A Time To Come" is available as a double CD, three-CD deluxe limited edition, including the band's demo recordings when they were called LUCIFER'S HERITAGE, and as download.

BLIND GUARDIAN is currently collaborating with Germany's best fantasy author Markus Heitz on an orchestral album which is expected to be released in 2013.

"At The Edge Of Time", the tenth studio album from BLIND GUARDIAN, sold around 4,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 108 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 1 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.

BLIND GUARDIAN's previous CD, "A Twist In The Myth", opened with 3,000 units back in September 2006.

"At The Edge Of Time" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 2 — the band's strongest chart showing ever in its home country.

Chicago heavy rockers SOIL will release their first-ever DVD, entitled "Re-LIVE-Ing The Scars", on May 8 via Bieler Bros. Records. The two-disc set, which was recorded live on October 14, 2011 at Electric Ballroom in London, England, will contain an audio CD version of the same concert. Also included is over one hour of backstage and behind-the-scenes bonus footage and photos.

SOIL's current lineup consists of founding members Ryan McCombs (vocals; ex-DROWNING POOL), Tim King (bass) and Adam Zadel (guitar) alongside former STAIND drummer Jon Wysocki.

"Re-LIVE-Ing The Scars" track listing:

01. Breaking Me Down
02. Need To Feel
03. My Own
04. Redefine
05. Cross My Heart
06. Inside
07. The One
08. Wide Open
09. Black 7
10. Unreal
11. Halo
12. Pride

The 10th-anniversary edition of SOIL's breakthrough album "Scars" — featuring the hits "Halo" and "Unreal" — was made available digitally on October 10 through Sony Music. The release features the rare B-side "Center" and the previously unreleased track "Damaged You" from the "Scars" recording sessions.

Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TED NUGENT), Roy Z (JUDAS PRIEST, HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON) and Bobby Rondinelli (RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH) have joined forces in a new "supergroup called COMMUNION.

The band's official web site has been launched at this location.

According to a posting on the site, COMMUNION is "the new supergroup of grounded, seasoned, professional rock stars who have come together to share in the purpose of mass participation in life."

COMMUNION is:

* Mark Boals (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ROYAL HUNT) - Vocals
* Roy Z (JUDAS PRIEST, HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON) - Guitar
* Bobby Rondinelli (RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH) - Drums
* Edward Roth (HALFORD, GLENN HUGHES) - Keyboards
* Willie Basse (BLACK SHEEP) - Bass

Australian thrash metal veterans MORTAL SIN have recruited Dave Tinelt as their new vocalist. The group states, "Dave comes to us from another great Aussie band, NEKROFEIST, we are very excited for him to join the family. Our first show with Dave will be this Saturday at Venom in Sydney, [with] more shows to follow in the next few weeks."

A photo of the new MORTAL SIN lineup can be seen below.

For a sample of Tinelt's vocal work, check out video for NEKROFEIST's "Kills Everything" below.

Vocalist Mat Maurer quit MORTAL SIN last month "for personal reasons and irreconcilable differences." He added, "Last year was an incredibly difficult year for me personally and I have decided to put my family first."

MORTAL SIN's latest album, "Psychology Of Death", was released in Europe on November 18, 2011 via NoiseArt Records. The effort includes the group's classic debut LP, "Mayhemic Destruction", as a bonus disc in the limited digipak version. The follow-up to 2007's "An Absence of Faith" was mixed with producer/engineer Darren "jENK" Jenkins and marks the recording debut of guitarist Ryan Huthnance, who replaced Mick Sultana.

Once hailed as the next METALLICA, MORTAL SIN have become legends in their home country Australia, having been inducted into the Kerrang! Heavy Metal Hall of Fame in 2005 and being the only Australian band to have played with the big five of thrash — METALLICA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, MEGADETH and TESTAMENT — on tours in Australia and overseas.