KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono's Ancient Roman-themed arsenal EX DEO will release its sophomore album, "Caligvla", on August 31 via Austria's Napalm Records. The CD is being recorded with producer Jean-François Dagenais (KATAKLYSM, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON) and will feature guest appearances by Italian singer Mariangela "Mary" Demurtas of Norway's TRISTANIA and Italian guitar virtuoso Francesco Artusato from ALL SHALL PERISH. The artwork and layout for the album will be handled by classic artist Seth (SEPTICFLESH). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "I, Caligula", "Burned to Serve the Nocturnal Light", "In War & Conquest/Roma Caput Mundi" and "Teutoburg (The Ambush of Varus) - Part 1".

"Caligvla" track listing:

01. I, Caligvla
02. The Tiberius Cliff (Exile To Capri)
03. Per Oculos Aquila
04. Pollice Verso (Damnatio Ad Bestia)
05. Divide Et Impera
06. Burned To Serve As Nocturnal Light
07. Teutuborg (Ambush Of Varus)
08. Along The Appian Way
09. Once Were Romans
10. Evocatio: The Temple Of Castor & Pollux

Iacono recently completed laying down vocals for "Caligvla". He said in a Facebook posting, "It wasn't without any hard work, blood and sweat and also close to a fainting spell after one of the hardest-longest screams I ever made. Ten days of vocal tracking, some of my best work in my career, the gods will be pleased … Some solos are left, some guest appearances to track and we start mixing this beast, should be all done by end of March.. Eight months in the making, people. Soon we will give the metal world a well-deserved punishment!!"

EX DEO recently canceled its participation in the "Paganfest America Part III" tour with TURISAS, ALESTORM, ARKONA and HUNTRESS.

Commented Iacono: "We were all excited to play this festival and premier some new material, but unfortunately our new album, 'Caligvla', has been delayed, and we need to finish it and make it perfect. Add to that, the KATAKLYSM DVD is also on its final production phase... We decided it would be best to concentrate on giving every bit of attention to the album you have been waiting for, and also for the KATAKLYSM documentary to kick major ass. This being said, we will still perform with EX DEO on the Montreal [April 1 at Club Soda] and Toronto [April 2 at The Opera House] shows with Paganfest, as we will be in studio in the area, closing up the album 'Caligvla'. Everything else is cancelled for EX DEO. We will return to support the album in the fall... Word from Rome is that the plans are already in motion for world conquest! We ask our fans to support Paganfest and the great bands playing this year!"

EX DEO last year completed a North American tour with NILE, PSYCROPTIC and KEEP OF KALESSIN.

"Romulus", the debut album from EX DEO, landed at position No. 90 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.

Due to "unfortunate scheduling conflicts," the release of "Self 2.0"Christian Älvestam (SOLUTION.45, MISERATION, TORCHBEARER, ex-SCAR SYMMETRY), has been pushed back to the fall. Christian
The EP will be released exclusively in all major web-retail outlets and streaming services via Pivotal Rockordings.

Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Departure Theme", "En Knippa Ljung" and "The Unforsaken".

Perhaps most well known in the metal community as the singer on SCAR SYMMETRY's first three albums, and currently front man in SOLUTION .45, Älvestam also garnered fandom in the house music scene through his collaboration on a single MCD with DJ Henrik B, entitled "Now And Forever". The single not only received rave reviews in the electronic music scene, but also was immediately picked up by DJ Tiesto, who played it in regular rotation on his world tour to tens of thousands of people. With additional contributions of his signature vocal style as a guest in the most recent DEMON HUNTER and BLOODBATH releases, Älvestam's name has become a fixture among hordes of fans.

However, "Self 2.0" promises to be something different from what fans expect from the singer/songwriter, as Älvestam explains:

"It's not exactly a secret that I have a weak spot for more pop-oriented stuff - especially in the vein of the sound of the '80s," he says. "In fact, I have always been listening to softer music, alongside the heavier stuff, which is probably why my own music so often, unintentionally, tend to end up being a mixture of the two. I simply can't help myself when it comes to merging the aforesaid styles together, it seems. I'd like to call it unavoidable influence, as a direct result of having been indoctrinated with both, from childhood upwards. With that said, fighting against it is not an easy thing, whether you want to or not. At the same time, some would call it a mixed blessing, I guess. Anyhow, I have wanted to do something a bit different from what I usually do for a long time now and that is to make an all-stripped-down and laid-back album, where I use my clean vocals only. You who have followed me since the early days know I've made brief digressions, musically, of that sort before, like the 'Final State' trilogy (UNMOORED) and 'Lethean Tears' (SOLUTION .45), to name a few, so it's not like 'Self 2.0' is me heading out into completely unexplored territory. I've been there before, grubbing in its periphery. Then again, I guess you could see 'Self 2.0' as me going all the way for the first time, if you like!

"What can you expect of 'Self 2.0' then, taken as a whole? Well, if you, like me, dig bands/artists such as Michael Cretu (SANDRA/ENIGMA, etc.), Krister Linder (GRACE/DIVE, etc.), 30 SECONDS TO MARS, MUTE MATH, NEPHEW, DEAD LETTER CIRCUS, PENDULUM, MEW, THE RADIO DEPT. and so on, chance is 'Self 2.0' may strike your fancy!"

Video footage of HAIL! — the supergroup featuring vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, BEYOND FEAR), guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), drummer Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN) and bassist James Lomenzo (MEGADETH) — performing on March 4, 2012 at Blackmore Bar in São Paulo, Brazil can be seen below.

A slightly different lineup of HAIL! — featuring Owens, Bostaph, Lomenzo and guitarist Glen Drover (MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND) completed a tour of China and Taiwan in December.

HAIL! is planning to release a DVD that will capture the band's entire history and spotlight all of its live shows and special guests and contain exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from its travels, rehearsals, soundchecks, interviews, meet-and-greets.

In April 2010 it was announced that SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray had joined HAIL! He was supposed to replace the group's original member, David Ellefson, who was unable to take part in HAIL!'s touring activities due to his renewed collaboration with MEGADETH.

Gray was found dead in an Iowa hotel room in May 2010. He was 38 years old.

"True Defiance", the sixth full-length album from Seattle-based Christian metallers DEMON HUNTER, will be released on April 10 via Solid State Records.

The "True Defiance" deluxe edition includes a bonus DVD featuring behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with lead singer Ryan Clark, live acoustic songs, and much more.

A trailer for the DVD can be seen below.

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.

With DEMON HUNTER, the album artwork carries just as much of a creative and personal significance as the music. Artwork and imagery have been paramount ever since the now iconic DEMON HUNTER symbol first appeared on t-shirts and stickers in 2002.

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.

"Anyone that knows DEMON HUNTER understands that the visual element of the band means a great deal to us," explains Ryan Clark. "Every album cover is a challenge, in that it's a re-envisioning of the band's iconic logo. We try, with each record, to make sure that re-envisioning is creative, unique and well-executed. Justin Kamerer is the artist behind the work this time, and I really love how the vision for 'True Defiance' has turned out. His attention to detail and his creative approach to our logo bring a really fresh look to something that's been used in over 100 different ways over the last decade. To me it feels like this is what the DEMON HUNTER logo was always supposed to look like."

On "True Defiance", Grammy-nominated artist Ryan Clark, Tim "Yogi" Watts (drums), Jonathan Dunn (bass) and Patrick Judge (lead guitar) are joined by their longtime friend Jeremiah Scott (guitar), whose credits as a metal musician (THE SHOWDOWN) and producer (LIVING SACRIFICE) are well established. The partnership marks a vital new chapter in the celebrated history of DEMON HUNTER, who are currently marking their 10th year of writing, breaking and erasing the rules of hard rock. Not ones to rest on their laurels, however, the members have created an album that not only lives up to their own lofty standards, but sets a new high-water mark for what DEMON HUNTER is capable of.

"We've been extremely underwhelmed with metal for the last five years or so, and that's been the fuel to create this record," Clark explains. "With an extreme over-saturation of false, fleeting, trend-hopping noise in today's metal scene, we had to make something we've been longing to hear. Something truly meaningful and artistic. Something our fans would love and something that will turn the heads of those who have ignored us for the past decade."

"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. The album yielded hit videos in "Collapsing", which has racked up 1 million views online, and "LifeWar", which was viewed over 100,000 times in the past month. "The World Is A Thorn" was preceded by "Storm The Gates Of Hell" (2007), "The Triptych" (2005), "Summer of Darkness" (2004), "Demon Hunter" (2002), and the three-disc CD/DVD set "45 Days", which collectively sold half a million copies and garnered airplay on college and specialty radio, Fuse and MTV2's "Headbangers Ball" and earned the band cover features in publications like Revolver and HM.

"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

"This record is without a doubt our most aggressive," says Ryan Clark. "Every DEMON HUNTER record must be a step up from the last. I know that's a goal for every band, but it seldom works that way — especially today, especially in metal. It seems like most bands' prime years are long behind them. I refuse to let that be the case for us."

In other news, DEMON HUNTER has announced a string of European dates with support from DEADLOCK, NIGHTRAGE and INSENSE. The trek will kick off on April 30 in Kouvola, Finland and conclude on May 5 in London, England.

A four-and-a-half-minute "album sampler" featuring audio snippets of the tracks that will appear on "Plains Of Oblivion", the forthcoming second solo aCD from former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis, is available below. Due 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

Loomis last month released a guitar playthrough video for the track "The Ultimatum". Check it out below.

Pre-orders for "Plains Of Oblivion" have just launched and are now available exclusively through CMDistro. A limited supply of pre-order packages including a CD, t-shirt and guitar pick are available for $22 and can be purchased here.

Loomis has been added to the 24-date, coast-to-coast U.S. tour with PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, THE SAFETY FIRE and TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE.

Jeff has revealed the quality players he's enlisted to accompany him on the stage:

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

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.

The official lyric video for "Do Not Look Down", a brand new song from Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Koloss", which will be released in Germany on March 23 and the rest of Europe on March 26 (March 27 in North America) as a CD digi, limited-edition Magic Cube (CD digi plus DVD exclusive to Nuclear Blast mail order) and two-LP brown vinyl via Nuclear Blast Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. I Am Colossus
02. The Demon's Name Is Surveillance
03. Do Not Look Down
04. Behind The Sun
05. The Hurt That Finds You First
06. Marrow
07. Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion
08. Swarm
09. Demiurge
10. The Last Vigil

In a recent intervie with MSN's metal music section Headbang, MESHUGGAH drummer Tomas Haake stated about the band's decision to call the new album "Koloss", "It's not so much like a theme, it's kind of how the overall album is more towards something heavier than anything that we've ever done. We wanted something that had that sound to it, something monolithic, something huge. Also a few things that tied into that was the stress and anxiety that a few of us went through up until we started recording this album because of previous sessions where we felt we were doing things the wrong way. That lingers with you, you don't want to do the same mistakes again, you want to save the mental health of a few in the band as well, try to do things another way. So it felt like a colossal thing to get out of the hat this time, even though it went smoother in a lot of ways. Also once we knew what artwork we were using, because it's not artwork that was designed for this album, it was an existing piece of art by this Russian artist Luminokaya, we just fell in love with the piece and we found out it hadn't been used for anything, so we could buy the rights for it. Once we saw that, and we already had the title 'Colossus', we had that song in there, we just felt like this creature on the cover looks like, is it a god, is it a devil, what is it? The word 'Koloss' just fit for some reason."

On the topic of how the band found the album artwork, Haake said, "I don't even remember, I think I was just looking through random art online probably three or four years ago I saw this guy's art the first time. I got in contact with him, and initially he was supposed to do something for the album but we trailed off into other things and we didn't stay in touch for a while. I just took for granted that the piece had been used for something already, but when I finally asked him he said no, it was up for grabs. He's done a lot of additions and renditions and versions of it for the whole layout, so he's spent a lot of time on it too, and we're really stoked that we ended up using this art."

Regarding the suggestion that "Koloss" sounds like MESHUGGAH deliberately tried to expand its sound even more than on "ObZen", Haake said, "We definitely pushed ourselves hard with 'ObZen', too, but maybe that one feels even more like a flirtatious thing with the stuff we were doing earlier on and the stuff we grew up with. I still feel there's some of that on this one too, with the different tunings, and a couple of the songs are actually written for six-string guitar and not all of them being really down-tuned eight-stringed stuff. That's definitely to get that old-school thrash vibe in there, even though the music is different, of course. There's definitely a little bit of that going on this album, too. But apart from that, we basically tried to create something that we find intriguing. We always try to find new ways of writing our own music, so to speak, to see if there's an additional lateral movement, a sideways step that we can take for ourselves to feel that we did something new with this one and that we pushed ourselves into doing something that came out cool and refreshing. That's kind of what we always aim for, and this time it came out like this."

Released in March 2008, MESHUGGAH's last album, "obZen", debuted at No. 59 on The Billboard 200 chart and at No. 14 on the iTunes Top Rock Albums chart.

MESHUGGAH's first DVD, "Alive" sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on the Top Music Videos chart.

"Do Not Look Down" lyric video:

"Fire Make Thunder" marks the fourth undertaking for the collaborative duo known as OSI. The CD is slated for a March 27 release via Metal Blade Records.

Formed in 2002 by Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING, ARCH/MATHEOS) and Kevin Moore (CHROMA KEY, former DREAM THEATER keyboardist), OSI is a long-distance partnership, both musicians typically writing and recording alone and sending song ideas back and forth for further elaboration.

Written and recorded throughout most of 2011, this latest release once again reflects the eclectic influences of both Matheos and Moore.

Returning as OSI's session drummer is Gavin Harrison of PORCUPINE TREE, this time co-writing one of the tracks with the band. All other instruments and programming were performed by both Matheos and Moore, while vocals and lyrics were handled exclusively by Moore.

All of the recording for "Fire Make Thunder", with the exception of drums, was done by Moore and Matheos at each musician's respective home studio with drums being recorded at Harrison's home in London. Final overdubs as well as some additional writing/arranging was completed in July 2011 in Jamaica, Iowa, where the band mixed alongside engineer Matt Sepanic at Sound Farm Studio & Recording Environment. Mastering was handled by renowned engineer Roger Siebel. The record was produced by both Moore and Matheos.

"Fire Make Thunder" track listing:

01. Cold Call
02. Guards
03. Indian Curse
04. Enemy Prayer
05. Wind Won't Howl
06. Big Chief II
07. For Nothing
08. Invisible Men

The track "Cold Call" can now be streamed using the audio player below. Also available is an audio medley of tracks from "Fire Make Thunder".

Four musicians who performed on KING DIAMOND's 1990 album, "The Eye" — guitarists Andy La Rocque and Pete Blakk, bassist Hal Patino and drummer Snowy Shaw — are featured on "Free Falling Angels", the forthcoming debut album from Patino's son, Danish rock singer Maryann Cotton (born Jackie Patino). The CD, which also features guitarist Sebastain Sly, has already been recorded and will be mixed this week for a May release via Pure Steel Records.

"Free Falling Angels" track listing:

01. Heaven Send For Me
02. Never "Waste" Land
03. Crazy
04. Get It On
05. Free Falling Angels
06. Nighttrain To Paris
07. Die In Britain
08. Miss Misery
09. Shock Me
10. The One
11. "Maryann"

Check out the cover artwork below.

Said Maryann: "The album will consist of 11 old school garage rock songs, combined with a brutal and dirty rhythm sections, to the most beautiful orchestra arrangements."

Blakk, Hal Patino and Shaw are also expected to be part of Cotton's touring band, which will begin playing shows in the fall.

Maryann Cotton's career was launched in 2006 when he performed live on Danish TV as part of the "Scenen Er Din" program (Danish version of "Star Search").

King Diamond stated about Maryann's Shock Me" single (which also featured appearances by La Rocque, Blakk, Hal Patino and Shaw), "I checked out the Maryann Cotton song 'Shock Me'. I really liked it. It reminded me in a positive way of Alice Cooper 1971. I think his vocals fit really well in the music, and the few backing vocals he did seemed to make everything sound a lot bigger. Normally horn sections really give me the creeps, but the way they used it in this song, I didn't mind. Great musicians, of course. I really look forward to hear more songs from him, so I can begin to get the full picture."

"Onward", the new studio album from legendary mavericks HAWKWIND, will be released on April 30 via Eastworld Recordings. Recorded at Earth Studios, the eagerly awaited follow-up to "Blood Of The Earth" (2010, Eastworld) "encapsulates the band in full creative flight with a lavish collection of new music featuring soundtracks for Internet warfare, mantra's for self-realization and electrical systems checks," according to a press release.

"Onward" will include luxurious packaging across multi-formats, with exclusive bonus live tracks taken from the HAWKWIND vaults, demonstrating the prowess of the late Jason Stuart's exceptional keyboard playing.

"Onward" track listing:

01. Seasons
02. The Hills Have Ears (guest guitarist: Huw Lloyd Langton)
03. Mind Cut
04. System Check
05. Death Trap
06. Southern Cross
07. The Prophecy
08. Electric Tears
09. The Drive By
10. Computer Cowards
11. Howling Moon
12. Right To Decide (bonus track)
13. Aerospace Age (bonus track)
14. The Flowering Of The Rose (bonus track)
15. Trans Air Trucking
16. Deep Vents
17. Green Finned Demon

The band is currently working on a new multimedia live show for forthcoming dates.

HAWKWIND features Dave Brock on vocals, guitar and synthesizer, Richard Chadwick drums and vocals, Tim Blake on keyboards and theremin, Mr. Dibs on vocals and bass and Niall Hone on bass, synthesis, sequencing and guitar.

Long-running, female-fronted German thrashers HOLY MOSES will release the "30th Anniversary - In The Power Of Now" double album on April 30 in Germany, April 23 in the rest of Europe and early May in North America via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD contains re-recorded versions of 20 of the most important songs in HOLY MOSES' 30-year catalog along with two brand new tracks.

A 45-second video teaser for "30th Anniversary - In The Power Of Now" can be seen below.

As previously reported, HOLY MOSES parted ways with drummer Atomic Steif (a.k.a. Guido Richter; ex-SODOM, LIVING DEATH, STAHLTRÄGER) and replaced him with Gerd Lücking (GIFT DWARF, ex-REBELLION).

Commented Gerd: "As an old MOSES fan, it is, naturally, an honor for me to do the drumming for this pioneer thrash metal band! The recordings are being really powerful and we blow away all the material live!!!"

"30th Anniversary - In The Power Of Now" track listing:

CD 1

01. Clash My Soul (02:36)
02. Jungle Of Lies (03:46)
03. Finished With The Dogs (02:29)
04. Symbol Of Spirit (03:42)
05. World Chaos (03:12)
06. SSP (03:40)
07. Borderland (03:27) (brand new song)
08. Lost In The Maze (05:51)
09. Walpurgisnight (02:58)
10. Welcome To The Real World (03:31)
11. Near Dark (05:30)

CD 2

01. Reborn Dogs (03:50)
02. DefCon II (04:26)
03. I Feel Sick (03:48)
04. Nothing For My Mum (03:51)
05. Disorder Of The Order (04:14)
06. Corroded Dreams (04:04)
07. Entering The Now (03:40) (brand new song)
08. Creation Of Violation (03:56)
09. Panic (03:13)
10. Decapitated Minds (03:40)
11. Master Of Disaster (03:45)

HOLY MOSES is:

Sabina Classen - Vocals
Michael Hankel - Guitars
Oliver Jaath - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Gerd Lücking - Drums
Thomas Neitsch - Bass

"Agony of Death", the latest album from HOLY MOSES, was released in September 2008 in Europe via Wacken Records/SPV. The CD was recorded at the Blue Castle Studio near Hamburg with producer/guitar player Michael Hankel. DESTRUCTION, OBITUARY and AXEL RUDI PELL members are among the guest musicians who appear on the album.

Fan-filmed video footage of VAN HALEN's March 5 performance at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Unchained
02. Runnin' With The Devil
03. She's The Woman
04. The Full Bug
05. Tattoo
06. Everybody Wants Some!!
07. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
08. China Town
09. Hear About It Later
10. Oh, Pretty Woman (ROY ORBISON cover)
11. Drum Solo
12. You Really Got Me (THE KINKS cover)
13. The Trouble With Never
14. Dance The Night Away
15. I'll Wait
16. Hot For Teacher
17. Women In Love
18. Girl Gone Bad
19. Beautiful Girls
20. Ice Cream Man (JOHN BRIM cover)
21. Panama
22. Guitar Solo
23. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
24. Jump

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.

"Untouchable, Part 1", a brand new song from the U.K. atmospheric rock band ANATHEMA, is available for free download at PopMatters.com. The track comes off the group's new album, "Weather Systems", which will be released on April 24 via The End Records. The follow-up to 2010's "We're Here Because We're Here" was recorded in Liverpool, North Wales and Oslo, each place significant to ANATHEMA past, present and future. The record was produced and mastered by Christer-André Cederberg (ANIMAL ALPHA, IN THE WOODS..., DRAWN), whom ANATHEMA's Daniel Cavanagh has described as "a revelation. His calmness and brilliance has helped to bring about the greatest inter-band chemistry that ANATHEMA have experienced together in their career."

The bar for "Weather Systems" has been set pretty high, but Daniel Cavanagh is certain that the album will exceed these lofty expectations, stating, "it feels like we are at a creative peak right now, and this album reflects that. Everything from the production to the writing to the performances are a step up from our last album."

He continues, "This is not background music for parties. The music is written to deeply move the listener, to uplift or take the listener to the coldest depths of the soul."

The intertwining melodic structures of these profoundly beautiful songs are intensely powerful, yet simple. These are songs that will transport the listener closer to the heart of life, that is to say, to the heart of themselves.

It is also an album of polarity. The play of opposites; light and shade, birth and death, love and fear. The simple truths of life and loss, hope and strength and darker internal themes are all explored here.

ANATHEMA's career stretches back to 1990 when the band formed in Liverpool. Since then the band has embarked on a remarkable musical journey, initially emerging as pioneers of melodic heavy music and continually evolving over the ensuing years, always remaining true to their original goal of creating forward thinking, meaningful, passionate and honest music.

"Weather Systems" will please fans who call for more of Lee Douglas' vocals, as her role within ANATHEMA's brand of alternative, melodic rock has matured to become an integral energy. In this way and more, "Weather Systems" is the sound of a band finding their voice and growing in stature, moving further along their artistic path with a truly stunning musical vision.

Their best ever work? "Not yet," says Daniel, but he does believe that with "Weather Systems" they have surpassed previous glories. "We are pleased and proud of the record and we feel that, alongside the best moments of 'We're Here Because We're Here', this record contains our very best work so far in what is becoming a long career."

"Weather Systems" track listing:

01. Untouchable, Part 1
02. Untouchable, Part 2
03. The Gathering Of The Clouds
04. Lightning Song
05. Sunlight
06. The Storm Before The Calm
07. The Beginning And The End
08. The Lost Child
09. Internal Landscapes

"Untouchable, Part 1" audio stream:

Slash, the iconic, Grammy-winning rock guitarist and songwriter, has just finished recording a six-show radio series for BBC Radio 2 "full of hard rock and metal that was a major influence on me," he states via Facebook. The series will begin airing sometime in in April, stretched over six weeks.

Slash will release his second solo album, "Apocalyptic Love" on May 22 via his own label Dik Hayd International distributed through EMI. The CD will follow his 2010 debut album, "Slash", and his November 2011 first-ever live solo album, the two-CD/DVD set "Made In Stoke 24/7/11". Notably, the "Slash" album debuted on The Billboard 200 chart at #3 (#1 on the Rock chart, #1 on the Independent chart, and #1 on the Hard Music chart). Digitally, the album also became the #1 overall digital album and hit #1 on iTunes in 13 countries. Internationally, the disc achieved Top 5 chart positions in over a dozen major territories, hitting #1 in both Japan and New Zealand.

In the U.K., the album will be released on May 21 in exclusive Classic Rock Fan Pack form — providing a unique collectable package containing the studio album with bonus tracks ("Carolina" and "Crazy Love") alongside a specially created magazine with unseen behind-the-scenes content put together by Classic Rock. The Fan Pack format will also come with free gifts, including a pin badge and artwork poster and will be available to buy via more than 2000 retail outlets on newsstands nationally as well as the traditional high street and online music retailers. Roadrunner Records will simultaneously release the record digitally. The standard physical release of the Slash album will follow through Roadrunner Records on June 18.

For the new album, Slash — along with and his bandmates Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass) — teamed with producer Eric Valentine, who also produced the "Slash" disc. All the songs were written together by Slash and Kennedy, and cameras have been rolling throughout the entire making of the album.

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

French atmospheric doom metal combo ANGELLORE has inked a deal with Dreamcell11/Aural Music Group. The band's debut album, "Errances", will be released later in the year. According to a press release, the seven-song CD was recorded, mixed and mastered in December 2009. The mixing part was taken care of by Florent Krist at Studio AV in France and mastering was handled by Markus Skroch (HEL, NATTSOL, ELANE).

Commented the band: "ANGELLORE really feels honored and proud to be part of Aural Music/DreamCell11 roster. After months of work, our first album, 'Errances' (French word for 'wanderings') is now ready to see the light, and we can’t wait to work with this great label and spread out our music to new horizons. Things are really taking a start now!"

Added Dreamcell11 A&R representative Worm: "When I listened to this album for the first time, I felt the emotions that the real doom metal bands that I loved in past have been able to create… I have always been a doom metal fanatic, and I will never stop supporting the bands that really believe into this elitarian music genre… like ANGELLORE do. This album will make you dream, fly, cry, smile and you will understand the difference between truly inspired music and the commercially driven releases that are infesting the market nowadays… Support this band, you won't regret it."

A track from "Errances" entitled "I Am The Agony" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

South German dark rockers END OF GREEN have signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band previously spent a decade with Silverdust Records.

Commented END OF GREEN guitarist Michael "Sad Sir" Setzer: "When Silverdust informed us that they were calling it quits with the label, we agreed to reach out with our antennas to search for new possibilites. I think Napalm Records fits like a glove. They are independent, they care about music, and I think they know what we're about. And when you call them or text them, they know that you are signed to the label. That's rare, nowadays."

END OF GREEN’s follow-up to "High Hopes In Low Places" is expected to see the light of day "sometime in the summer of 2013." Sad Sir said, "We're not in a hurry. Right now we're celebrating our 20th anniversary with the '20 Years Of Self-Destruction' [tour]. After that, it's time to kick off the next twenty."

"High Hopes In Low Places" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 17. Released in August 2010 through Silverdust Records, the LP was recorded at Munich's Weltraumstudios with producer Corni Bartels.

Swedish hard rockers OUTSHINE will release their new album, "Addiction", on May 2 via Rambo Music, a division of Gain Music Entertainment (which is distributed and partly owned by Sony Music). The CD was recorded last fall at Grand Recordings studio in Gothenburg, Sweden with producers Svein Jensen (M.A.N, SISTER SIN, HIDE THE KNIVES, TROUBLEMAKERS, DEVILICIOUS) and Jimmy Norberg (OUTSHINE guitarist) and was mastered by Göran Finnberg (MESHUGGAH, OPETH, THE HAUNTED, IN FLAMES).

Commented Norberg: "The album, written as an album, is more direct, straightforward and has a dark and melodic touch to it. The album has been written and recorded under great stress and agony, with two member changes, broken relationships, broken down studio work and economy crisis making it tough and time-consuming.... but in the end it turned out great. It think your hear it in the sound, the vibe and the lyrics. A perfect set-up for a dark, melancholy, powerful OUTSHINE album!"

OUTSHINE is:

Erlend Jegstad - Vocals
Jimmy Norberg - Guitar
Fredrik Kretz - Drums
Reine Svensson - Bass

"The Great Denial", a brand new song from DEDVOLT, the San Francisco Bay Area rock/metal band featuring SKINLAB frontman Steev Esquivel on guitar, is available for free download at this location. It can also be streamed using the ReverbNation TuneWidget below.

DEDVOLT played its first show on December 10, 2011 at the Mutiny M.F.B. in Antioch, California. Video footage of the performance can be seen below.

DEDVOLT is currently recording a five-song EP for an early 2012 release.

Commented Esquivel: "[I'm] really excited about this band. [It's] in the vein of [Steev's previous group] RE:IGNITION — just a little more metal... more distortion and heavy as hell!"

DEDVOLT is:

Brian Giguere - Vocals
Steev Esquivel - Guitar
Carlos Barrientos - Guitar
John Riggs - Drums
Slim Vengince – Bass

For more information, visit DEDVOLT's Facebook page.

On Tuesday, March 20, Los Angeles-based hard rock band HEAVEN BELOW will release its sophomore full-length album, "Falling From Zero", in both digital and CD formats via Broken Halo Media. The effort includes the Children Without A Voice charity single, "The Mirror Never Lies", as well as "Gravity Killed The Spaceman", a track that pays tribute to David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and Peter Schilling's '80s hit "Major Tom" fused within an original composition. The CD version of the album contains four exclusive bonus tracks and alternate artwork from the digital release. Each CD order will ship with a free copy of "The Mirror Never Lies" mega-single.

"Falling From Zero" track listing:

01. The Last Goodbye
02. Brutal As The Truth
03. Dodging A Bullet
04. The Mirror Never Lies
05. Higher Than Heaven
06. My Undoing
07. Demonocracy
08. Falling From Zero
09. Gravity Killed The Spaceman (Pt. III of the "Space Oddity", "Major Tom" trilogy)
10. Nations Of Fire
11. Villains Of Virtue
12. Facing Angels
13. Be All End All
14. Failure Notice
15. Legions Of The Brave

CD-only bonus tracks:

16. Higher Than Heaven (Jesus Face In The Tortilla Version)
17. Dodging A Bullet (Chuck Wagon Version)
18. The Mirror Never Lies (Live)
19. Heartbreaker (Live)

Fronted by Patrick Kennison — formerly of THE UNION UNDERGROUND — and supported by members Jesse Billson on guitar, John Younger on bass, and Elias "Bones" Andra on drums, HEAVEN BELOW has forged a tour de force of sonic power and songwriting — that is poised to lead the way for new rock music.

HEAVEN BELOW is:

Patrick Kennison - vocals/guitar
Jesse Billson - guitar
John Younger - bass
Elias "Bones" Andra - drums

For more information, visit www.heavenbelow.com.

DeFox Records and Heart Of Steel Records have released the new album from the Greek classic heavy metal band PRASSEIN ALOGA. Entitled "Midas Touch", the CD features a guest appearace on two songs by former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno.

PRASSEIN ALOGA was formed back in 1995 and became an instant success in its homeland with its hard sound and the use of the Greek language in the lyrics.

The group performed as Di'Anno's backing band for two Greek tours — in 2008 and 2010 — and opened for the SCORPIONS in 2009.
In November 2011, PRASSEIN ALOGA signed a deal with Heart Of Steel Records, the division of DeFox Records dedicated to hard rock, progressive rock and heavy metal music.

"Midas Touch" track listing:

01. Intro
02. Lamb To The Slaughter
03. See The Bodies (feauturing Paul Di'Anno)
04. Madness
05. Flesh Of Life (featuring Paul Di'Anno)
06. Hunt You Down
07. I Hate You
08. Stain
09. Inner War (featuring Kosta Vreto)
10. Midas Touch
11. Your Holiness (featuring Kosta Vreto)
12. Waiting For Redemption
13. Shade Of Grey
14. Melancholy Of Midas

"Flesh Of Life" audio stream:

"Carolus Rex", the new album from Swedish metallers SABATON, will be released in Europe on May 25 via Nuclear Blast Records. The lyrics for the CD, which will be made available in both English and Swedish, deal with the Swedish Empire (referring to the Kingdom of Sweden between 1561 and 1721).

Commented the band: "The topics of the songs will remain quite the same and deals with the Swedish Empire, from its rise to its fall.

"'Carolus Rex' will be available for purchase on single Swedish CD (Sweden only) and single English CD plus a limited edition which features a double CD with both language versions. The double CD will also feature a different cover artwork.

"The release is set for Europe and in North America the last week in May, but already now you can pre-order the album.

"The album is produced by Peter Tägtgren who is also doing guest vocals on one song.

"During the recording of 'Carolus Rex', we also recorded a song where Joakim [Brodén] sings in German, a cover of 'Feuer Frei' by RAMMSTEIN.

"We are currently booking a huge tour and will present more countries in the upcoming days."

"Carolus Rex" - English version track listing:

01. Dominium Maris Baltici
02. The Lion From the North
03. Gott Mit Uns
04. A Lifetime of War
05. 1 6 4 8
06. The Carolean's Prayer
07. Carolus Rex
08. Killing Ground
09. Poltava
10. Long Live the King
11. Ruina Imperii

"Carolus Rex" - Swedish version track listing:

01. Dominium Maris Baltici
02. Lejonet från Norden
03. Gott Mit Uns
04. En Livstid i Krig
05. 1 6 4 8
06. Karolinens bön
07. Carolus Rex
08. Ett Slag Färgat Rött
09. Poltava
10. Konungens Likfärd
11. Ruina Imperii

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

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

SABATON will embark on a North American headlining tour in the spring. The "Swedish Empire Tour 2012" will kick off on April 10 in Tampa, Florida.

SABATON bassist Pär Sundström was forced to sit out several shows on the Canadian leg of the band's most recent North American tour due to a knee injury.

"World War Live: Battle Of The Baltic Sea", the first-ever live album from SABATON, was released on August 5, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

According to Robin Leach of the Las Vegas Sun, MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil will open a topless nightclub, Vince Neil's Girls, Girls, Girls, later this month in Las Vegas. The club will occupy the former Déjà Vu location opposite the Orleans off Tropicana Avenue a mile from the Las Vegas Strip.

"It's something I always wanted to do," Neil said. "So it's like a dream come true. But this will be different and unique. It will be the first rock and roll strip joint. It was a business opportunity to become a partner that was too good to pass up."

Regarding the kind of entertainment that will be available at Vince Neil's Girls, Girls, Girls, Neil told the Las Vegas Sun, "First, the girls will be edgier. Tattoos won't be banned. They will look like they stepped out of a music video. Hot, provocative and edgy. I know it all comes down to G-strings in the end, but they'll start out with much sexier outfits than you find elsewhere. Second, the music isn't going to be boring. None of that house, generic strip club music. This will be full-on rock and roll."

Kosta Zafiriou, drummer and original member of German/British melodic hard rockers PINK CREAM 69, has left the band. He will be replaced by his good friend and longtime drum tech Chris Schmidt, who has previously played with SUNSTORM, Harry Hess' FIRST SIGNAL and more.

Commented Kosta: "It was a very hard decision to leave the band I co-founded back in 1987, but I am sure this is the right step. Due to my various activities with my company Bottom Row, plus being the drummer and manager of my new band UNISONIC, more and more I felt I was retarding PINK CREAM 69's career.

"Chris is a great drummer and a good friend of the band [for] many years, which makes him the perfect match for PINK CREAM 69.

"I wish the guys only the best and look forward to see the first show with him — as a visitor, enjoying the songs that accompanied me half of my life!"

PINK CREAM 69 entered the studio on March 1 to begin recording the as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2007's "In10sity" for a fall release via Marquee/Avalon (Japan and Southaast Asia) and Frontiers Music (rest of the world).

Added PINK CREAM 69 guitarist Alfred Koffler: "The vibe within the band is very enthusiastic and creative. There are far too many strong songs by Dennis [Ward], David [Readman] and myself to pick from. There will be eleven of them on the album plus a couple of bonus tracks for the different markets and formats. We also will have guest appearances by two famous musicians on the new record — both fans of the band. More on that soon!"

The release of the new PINK CREAM 69 album will be accompanied by the arrival of the band's first video clip since "Shame".

The band will make several European festival appearances during the summer and will tour after the release of the new CD.

Pictured below: Chris Schmidt

TWISTED SISTER and Y&T played at the John Falcone Memorial Concert this past Saturday, March 3 in Poughkeepsie, New York at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. Falcone, a City of Poughkeepsie police officer, was killed in the line of duty February 18. All proceeds will go toward the John Falcone PBA Fund, the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund and Fallen Blue.

Fan-filmed video footage from the event can be seen below. Photos are available at PowerlineMag.com.

TWISTED SISTER drummer A.J. Pero was last year named the national spokesperson for Fallen Blue, which was created as a means to provide support, both emotional and financial, for the families of police officers who are killed outside the line of duty.

Pero has spent his life entertaining rock music fans as the drummer for TWISTED SISTER. He has also dedicated his life to helping others less fortunate with his charity work.

"We tend to do our benefits based on the proximity of the person and the place, the conditions, the circumstances, as it relates to us," TWISTED SISTER guitarist Jay Jay French told the Poughkeepsie Journal. "This is meaningful to the guys in my band, who have close relationships with various police departments."

"Blood Ties", the new video from Wisconsin death metallers JUNGLE ROT, is available below, The song comes off the band's latest album, "Kill On Command", which sold 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. Released on June 21, 2011 via Victory Records, the CD landed at position No. 76 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 Kenosha-based quartet has garnered a great and faithful following in the last 17 years due in large part to having a style more similar to the "Big Four" heavyweights rather than the typical CANNIBAL CORPSE and SUFFOCATION imitations that the underground extreme music scene is so oversaturated with. The style and approach JUNGLE ROT exposes the public to is one of efficiency and execution that has been perfected over the years. Touring with such notable acts as HATEBREED, DEICIDE, CATTLE DECAPITATION, GOATWHORE, VADER, and many others has solidified the band's place in metal history.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of BEHEMOTH's March 4 performance at the Neurotic Deathfest at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands can be seen below.

BEHEMOTH is taking part in a European tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, MISERY INDEX, SUICIDE SILENCE and NEXUS INFERI.

Commented BEHEMOTH guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski: "We are in the middle of this tour and on behalf of the band I must state that's probably the best European run we've done ever! And it's not just courtesy but a fact. Never seen European venues so crowded and enthusiastically reacting to our show. I know, we've been away for a while, the band's future was a big question mark and if you ask me, I have to say I was seriously worried if I can pull it off at all. Now I can finally admit: Fuck yes! I can still get my ass on stage and give my blood, sweat and heart to the people who truly deserve that. These 'return' shows have some transcendental touch to it and I can't get rid of the feeling, it's a new life injected in band's veins. I am proud. Of my band, myself and all the fans coming to the shows. Thank you. Stay strong and see you soon!"

BEHEMOTH, WATAIN, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE will join forces for the inaugural Decibel Magazine Tour in April/May.

BEHEMOTH's "Evangelia Heretika - The New Gospel Three" DVD (2010) — a three-disc set featuring two full shows ("Live In Paris 2008" and "Live In Warsaw 2009"); every BEHEMOTH music video ever made; "Evangelion" tour documentary featuring band interviews plus tons of backstage footage; and a bonus "Live in Warsaw" audio CD — was certified platinum in the Poland for sales in excess of 10,000 copies.

BEHEMOTH recently released a video for the song "Lucifer", off "Evangelion". The Grupa 13-directed clip features Polish singer, guitarist, and poet Maciej Malenczuk, who also contributed guest vocals to the track.

Guitarist Christopher Amott has released the following statement regarding his departure from Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY:

"I have left ARCH ENEMY to pursue my solo career. I'm gonna continue to be very active in music, working with all kinds of styles — this does not rule out metal. I have just recorded a new solo album, set to be released in April."

ARCH ENEMY has recruited 26-year-old American guitarist Nick Cordle (ARSIS) to replace Christopher. The band said in a statement, "There is no drama behind the scenes here. This is the best way forward for all involved. Christopher simply isn't into playing extreme metal anymore. We have already chosen and rehearsed with a new guitar player and we will complete the 'Khaos Legions' 2012 touring cycle as planned."

Added Christopher's brother, ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott: "Nick was my first choice as he ticks all the right boxes for ARCH ENEMY with his musicality and technicality as well as his personality and dedication. [We are] looking forward to having him join us stage, the rehearsals have shown we have a devastating twin axe attack going on!"

Christopher Amott started his career in music in 1995 as a founding creative force and guitarist in ARCH ENEMY. In this context, he is known for his tastefully technical guitar work and memorably emotive playing style.

After garnering his early success, Christopher had the desire to express himself on a personal level in the same genre. At this time he began writing albums under the name ARMAGEDDON. Christopher wrote and recorded three albums over the next few years as ARCH ENEMY grew into an internationally recognized act, with his compositions featuring his own vocal stylings on the last album. This would be Christopher's first foray into singing and a spark of inspiration for his later musical ventures.

In 2008, Christopher began to consider his creative options as a mature musician. He began writing songs of an entirely different atmosphere, which saw his guitar playing focused less on technical ecstasy and more on a chord-based blues rock ambience as a foundation for more prominent vocal and lyrical ideas. These compositions developed into his next solo project; the album would be called "Follow Your Heart", released under his own name in 2010.

"Encased In Concrete", a brand new song from Florida-based death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE, can be streamed below. The track comes off the band's twelfth studio album, "Torture", which will be released on March 13 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Evisceration Plague" offers up 12 tracks of maniacally precise, soul-searing death metal. "Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.

While "Torture" marks the latest progression in the band's sound, it also witnesses a return to what drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz accurately terms "the frenzied attack of 'Butchered At Birth' (1991) or 'Tomb Of The Mutilated' (1992)," infusing the band's advanced musicianship with the raw savagery that haunted their earlier releases, and in the process conceiving the definitive CANNIBAL CORPSE record. Adds bassist Alex Webster on the outcome of the record: "We're extremely happy with how 'Torture' turned out. Erik Rutan did an amazing job with the production, and the songwriting and performances may be our strongest yet. We can't wait until our fans get to hear the whole thing!"

From the monstrous chugging of "Sarcophagic Frenzy" to the deeply sinister "Followed Home Then Killed" or the loping evil of "Scourge of Iron", every track hits with sledgehammer force, and each one boasts its own hideous character, the band refusing to repeat themselves at any point.

"While we make everything as heavy as possible there's a very strong emphasis placed on song writing in this band, trying to make every song individual, and I think you should be able to hit play at any point on a record and be able to tell one song from another almost instantly," states Webster. "We want all the songs to be brutal death metal, but we also want them to be instantly identifiable from one another, and that's something that is definitely true of the songs on 'Torture'."

Webster also believes that stability in the band's ranks greatly contributes to the record's strength, "Torture" being the third consecutive album featuring the current lineup of himself and co-founding member Mazurkiewicz, alongside guitarists Rob Barrett and Patrick O'Brien, and vocalist George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher. "The band is at its strongest right now, and I think we're at our very peak as far as playing ability and song writing maturity. As a result of that this is the album where we've been able to finally best get across what we wanted to do as players and as song writers." Equally, this is their third release to be helmed by producer Erik Rutan (of HATE ETERNAL fame), and while "Kill" and "Evisceration Plague" were recorded entirely at Rutan's Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida, this time out the sessions were split between Mana and Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas. Having tracked 1999's Colin Richardson-produced "Bloodthirst", as well as 2002's "Gore Obsessed" and 2004's "The Wretched Spawn" (both produced by Neil Kernon) at Sonic Ranch, the band were keen to once again experience the isolation of working essentially in the middle of nowhere, this time with Rutan calling the shots.

"The studio is about forty miles outside of El Paso, and we made a point of not having a rental car so we were stuck there, that way all we could think about was the record," Webster states. "When we record in Florida usually the only guy in the studio with Erik is the one recording that day, and having us all together rather than scattered really helped us focus and totally immerse ourselves in the music, and I think that it's a far better record for it." This approach has resulted in a record that not only delivers a devastating punch but also eschews merely replicating the sound of their previous collaborations, and Mazurkiewicz asserts that their relationship with the producer is a tremendously beneficial one. "He's a death metal guitar player and a death metal singer, which makes him 'one of us'. On top of that he's a great guy, a workaholic, and a great motivator because he's not only an extremely talented peer but he's always nitpicking and doing what he's got to do to make everything better. He pushes us to make the best possible record and does what needs to be done to give it a distinctive sound of its own."

Though the band continue to dwell on dark and disturbing lyrical areas, they long ago transcended the early notoriety bestowed upon them (based solely upon their artwork and lyrics) through proving themselves one of the best — and hardest working — live bands in modern heavy music. As such, while they certainly stand defiant as part of the old guard in death metal, through their devotion to touring and consistently releasing bigger and better records they have retained both their relevance and bite while many of the bands that hacked their way out of the scene twenty years ago have fallen by the wayside. Equally, as the genre's profile has begun to once again grow in recent years the band do not concern themselves with thoughts of being dethroned by younger generations of bands following in their wake.

"We get inspired by seeing these other bands doing killer music, but we definitely don't feel threatened by it," Webster states. With a great many contemporary death metal bands perhaps overly concerned with being recognized as the 'fastest' or 'most technical', the art of the song itself seems often overlooked, and that is a trap CANNIBAL CORPSE have never fallen into. "I am very into ultra-fast music that shows off chops, but I think that it's important to develop ability as a musician not to show off that ability but rather to use it to write killer songs. Writing a genuinely memorable, killer song is very challenging, but the best albums are the ones with the best songs, period."

In 2012, CANNIBAL CORPSE have ensured that the twelve songs comprising "Torture" are the very best and therefore cohere to make the best possible album, though they are not content to rest upon their laurels and they are as hungry as ever to unleash their distinctive breed of aural horror upon heaving mosh pits. "I haven't been this excited about a release in a long time," enthuses Mazurkiewicz. "We worked so hard at it and we hope that the fans feel the same way we do. Being out there and getting to play these songs live will once again prove to people we're not going anywhere. We're not going through the motions, we're really trying to be the best band we can be, and we're just getting better."

"Torture" track listing:

01. Demented Aggression
02. Sarcophagic Frenzy
03. Scourge Of Iron
04. Encased In Concrete
05. As Deep As the Knife Will Go
06. Intestinal Crank
07. Followed Home Then Killed
08. The Strangulation Chair
09. Caged...Contorted
10. Crucifier Avenged
11. Rabid
12. Torn Through

As a precursor to the release, CANNIBAL CORPSE will perform a special one-off show at the Culture Room in West Palm Beach, Florida on January 22 then head to the seas to take part in this year's edition of the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise. The band will get a short break before a near month-long march through Europe on the Full Of Hate 2012 tour with labelmates BEHEMOTH.

"Encased In Concrete" audio stream: