"Ex Lives", the highly anticipated new album from magnificently brutal rockers EVERY TIME I DIE, can be streamed in its entirety at this location. It is also available below. The CD is set for release on March 6 via Epitaph Records.

"Ex Lives" was helmed by renowned heavy rock producer Joe Barresi (THE MELVINS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, PARKWAY DRIVE) and offers an unrelenting onslaught of ingeniously composed and furiously executed cathartic hardcore. This is the band’s highly anticipated follow up to their 2009’s raging masterwork "New Junk Aesthetic", which Absolute Punk heralded as a musical "weapon of mass destruction."

"Ex Lives" track listing:

01. Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space (02:43)
02. Holy Book Of Dilemma (01:49)
03. A Wild, Shameless Plain (01:49)
04. Typical Miracle (02:25)
05. I Suck (Blood) (02:55)
06. Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow (03:12)
07. The Low Road Has No Exits (02:51)
08. Revival Mode (03:46)
09. Drag King (04:11)
10. Touch Yourself (02:17)
11. Indian Giver (04:09)
12. Grudge Music (bonus) (02:24)
13. Business Casualty (bonus) (02:45)
14. Starve An Artist, Cover Your Trash (bonus) (02:53)

The intensely moody and ambitious cinematic accompaniment to the song "Revival Mode" can be seen below.

Commented EVERY TIME I DIE singer Keith Buckley: "We worked with director Robert Schober who has done incredible work for MASTODON, DEFTONES, METALLICA and now, us. The clip has a very ambiguously creepy David Lynch vibe to it and might be the first time we've never included a single one of our instruments in lieu of a story line that exists outside of us as members of a band. It's dark and weird and while not completely adhering thematically to the lyrics, it sets a larger, broader mood which marries the song perfectly."

Director Robert "Robo" Schober adds,"The video is a surrealist crime drama set on a lost highway...the story loosely interprets key phrases from the song...the guys were awesome and put up with many hours of freezing temperatures in the middle of the desert."

EVERY TIME I DIE is currently on tour and will spend the summer adding their patented punk-infused metal to the annual Vans Warped Tour.

SOCIETY 1's new video, "Kill Me", which was directed by Amy Sampson and SOCIETY 1 frontman Lord Zane, can be viewed below. The first song from the group's upcoming EP, "Screams Of A Sadist", signals "a return to the earlier industrial roots of SOCIETY 1 yet the video breaks new ground conceptually compared to previous efforts of the band," according to a press release.

Comments Zane: "This video ties in directly to the lyrical content where every other video SOCIETY 1 created had a very vague connection to the song if any at all. I really wanted the images to reflect what I am singing about so I made the scenes very literal yet interesting. The song is called 'Kill Me' and that's what is happening in the majority of the video. I'm being killed through erotic asphyxiation, I'm bleeding out during an orgy after getting my wrists slashed, I'm dying through crucifixion which is the most famous way of being murdered thanks to Jesus Christ so on and so forth."

These scenes, when understood within that context, make perfect sense but there is the one role Zane plays in the video that is bound to raise some questions of his intentions.

"I actually play Adolf Hitler in the video," he says. "It is the first time I acted out a role as someone else. It was an interesting transformation I had to go through in order to be able and do it. You have to drop all social stigma associated with the symbols and history and approach it from the other direction. As if it's something you believe in or the character wouldn't really come across well."

This still leaves the question of why he would portray Hitler in the first place. Zane explains how this decision was again based on the lyrical content of the song.

"I talk about Hitler in the song as if I could have been him in a previous life because of how hated I am in this life, not to mention how horrid my karma has seemed to be these past seven years," he says. "It's kind of been a joke between my close friends and I. They would always ask why everyone seems to hate me with such intensity. I would say I must have been Hitler in my past life. The melding of that idea and expressing it through music finally happened, and if you ask me, my portrayal of him is rather disturbing."

The "Kill Me" single can be purchased on iTunes.

SOCIETY 1 is:

Vocals - Lord Zane
Guitar - Eric Anthony
Bass - Dirt Von Karloff
Drums - Francisco Zamudio

Having last week announced a special one-off U.K. concert performing with U.S. singer-songwriter, and "American Idol" finalist, Adam Lambert at the Sonisphere festival on July 7, legendary rock band QUEEN has announced it will play an additional earlier date with the singer when QUEEN and Lambert appear at Moscow's Olympic Arena on June 30.

These two shows are the only concerts presently planned for QUEEN and Lambert in 2012.

The potent chemistry between QUEEN and Lambert broke the surface when at the invitation of Brian May and Roger Taylor, Lambert joined them for the closing showcase at the recent MTV Europe Music Awards where QUEEN were present to collect their "Global Icon" award.

During a recent interview with NME.com, Lambert insisted that he is not trying to replace the later Freddie Mercury. He said, "The way I look at it is I'm not trying to imitate or outdo him or compete in any way, that's not even in my mind at all, I think it's really an honor to be asked to sing the music that he and the band wrote and get up there and put on a good show. If people are too busy trying to compare, they're not going to enjoy the music."

Although Lambert did not rule out another collaboration with QUEEN in the future, he insisted that for now the Knebworth show is simply a one-off. He told NME.com, "One of the things [people have said] was, 'He's gonna be the permanent frontman of QUEEN.' And although that would be a beautiful experience, the tricky thing this year for me is I also have my album coming out, 'Trespassing', and that's gonna take a lot of work and time and energy. So it's really a one-off experience with the band, and I'm really excited for it. But I'm not joining the band and touring with them."

Sacramento, California-based heavy metal group DEADLANDS released its debut album, "Evilution", on February 1 via Molten Metal Records. The CD was mixed and mastered at Trident Studios by Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, TESTAMENT).

DEADLANDS is:

Brian O'Connor - Vocals
Michael J. Gardner - Lead Guitar
Kevin Rohr - Lead Guitar
Steve "Dedbass" Northam - Bass
Danny Sablan - Drums

Some amazing guest legendary metal guitarists can be heard soloing on two songs from "Evilution". The track "Final Solution" features Hank Shermann (MERCYFUL FATE), Michael Denner (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND), Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND), Claudeous Creamer (SERPENT & SERAPH, DRAGONLORD) and Mike Wead (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND); while "Path We've Chosen" contains contributions from Glen Alvelais (FORBIDDEN, TESTAMENT, LD50) and Steve Smyth (NEVERMORE, FORBIDDEN).

DEADLANDS is currently shopping for a label worldwide while booking shows in Northern California with Iron Fist Circle Productions and Man Down Productions, playing support with such acts as EXODUS, DEATH ANGEL, ANVIL, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, HEATHEN and more.

For more information, visit www.deadlandsmusic.com.

Swedish death metallers SYN:DROM will enter Nevo studios in Sundsvall, Sweden on March 26 to begin recording their sophomore album for a late 2012 release via ViciSolum Productions. The new CD will be recorded, mixed and mastered by SYN:DROM members Roger Bergsten (guitar) and Daniel Mikaelsson (drums).

SYN:DROM previously stated that their forthcoming album would contain "the most powerful and aggressive material" the group has ever created.

A four-and-a-half-minute video clip containing behind-the-scenes footage from the pre-production sessions for the new CD can be seen below.

SYN:DROM's debut album, "With Flesh Unbound", came out in April 2010 via ViciSolum Productions.

The band previously described its musical direction as "high-quality death metal in the vein of HATE ETERNAL, AEON and DECAPITATED."

SYN:DROM is:

Jonny Pettersson (BONEGOD, MOURNING, HUMAN HARVEST) - Vocals
Roger Bergsten (PSYCHO POETRY, ex-HECTORITE) - Guitar
David Karlsson - Lead Guitar
Daniel Mikaelsson (MOURNING) - Drums
Daniel Åsén - Bass

A demo version of "Systematic Avenger", a brand new song from Australian/Los Angeles tech-metal masters DEVOLVED, can be streamed in the the YouTube clip below. The track will be featured on the band's next album, to be released later in 2012. All music was written and performed by John Sankey and Mark Hawkins, with lyrics and arrangement by John Sankey. The vocals were performed by DEVOLVED's new lead singer, Mark Haggblad (UNVEIL THE STRENGTH), following the recent departure of Kyle Zemanek (DEADSETT).

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares stated about the new DEVOLVED material, "Systematic brutality at its best. Raising the bar once again with their intellectual song arrangements [and] insane drum patterns that would make any tech metal fan turn their heads. This band just keeps getting better and better. Welcome to the end of everything that you once knew and say hello to the future."

Sankey previously said about DEVOLVED's new music, "After the recording of the last DEVOLVED album, 'Oblivion', guitarist Brett Noordin took some time off back in our homeland of Australia and will not be returning to Los Angeles to continue as part of DEVOLVED. . . I have since been working on brand new DEVOLVED material with guitarist Mark Hawkins from Florida-based band ROBOTS PULLING LEVERS. Mark is an exceptional guitar player who definitely enables us to take the band's sound far beyond anything we have done before. He and I already have a number of new tracks completed which are easily the most intense and technically proficient DEVOLVED material to date.

"My vision for the next album is to make it as brutal as possible and return to a more death metal-orientated sound.

"The songwriting process for DEVOLVED has always been based around drum patterns, which I write first, then we build guitars and vocals around the drum arrangement.

"I had a lot of drum parts written for the 'Oblivion' sessions that were not used because I felt they were too extreme to fit with the concept and style of that album.

"We really wanted to expand the band's sound on 'Oblivion' and experiment with new ideas, which we hadn't yet incorporated on our previous CDs.

"I'm extremely proud of 'Oblivion' — it is a very diverse album while still being very dark and heavy — but this time around I want to focus more on making a far more brutal and in-your-face album, and working with Mark has definitely allowed me to do that!"

"Oblivion" was released in May 2011 via Unique Leader Records.

John Sankey is the founding member of DEVOLVED and was also the original drummer for DIVINE HERESY but was forced to leave the position due to visa issues. He and DIVINE HERESY guitarist Dino Cazares co-wrote tracks on the band's debut album, "Bleed The Fifth". Sankey also collaborated with Cazares on the song "Designing The Enemy", which appears on the latest FEAR FACTORY release, "Mechanize", and the song "No Mas Control", recorded with ILL NIÑO vocalist Cristian Machado for the "Roadrunner All-Stars" album.

In a brand new interview with RollingStone.com, AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's long-awaited new album, which is tentatively due later this year.

AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.

The band has been working with producer Jack Douglas, who collaborated with them on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks".

"We're gonna have a vintage sound, 'cause we're going to tape and a lot of good things like that," Tyler told RollingStone.com. "We're keeping tracks lean, not a lot of overdubs, and like I said, we're using Jack to his fullest. So you're gonna hear some stuff where you might think AEROSMITH's back."

He added, "I'm having such a good time writing again. You got the songs right now where they're like shells, with no lyrics and no melody, and I get to fill in the blanks like I did with 'Back In The Saddle' when it was just a track."

AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry recently revealed via Twitter that the band will embark on a U.S. tour in June. Tickets will go on sale in March. Exact cities and dates will be announced during the coming weeks.

In a recent interview with the QMI Agency, Perry stated about AEROSMITH's new material, "It definitely has a feel like some of the early stuff. We've tried to bring that back. People are always asking for something that sounds like the old stuff, but you can't rewrite 'Mama Kin' or 'Same Old Song And Dance'. All you can do is go in and start from the same place you started when you made those records. So we just went in with (producer) Jack Douglas and we all worked on the record. There's a song or two that the band helped write, and Tom (Hamilton, bass) wrote and Brad (Whitford, guitar) has a track on there. So from that point of view, it's a lot more like an early AEROSMITH record. We were all in the room when we were pulling these songs together and recording them. Every way that we used to make our records, that's what we did to get this to where it is. Right down to what we're doing now, which is going over the tracks and bringing them up to speed. Steven [Tyler] is finishing up the lyrics and we're just going to put the finishing touches on it."

Audio samples of all the tracks that will appear on "Neverworld's End", the new album from German female-fronted symphonic metallers XANDRIA, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The CD will be released in North America on March 6 via Napalm Records.

"Neverworld's End" track listing:

01. A Prophecy Of Worlds To Fall
02. Valentine
03. Forevermore
05. Euphoria
04. Blood On My Hands
06. Soulcrusher
07. The Dream Is Still Alive
08. The Lost Elysion
09. Call Of The Wind
10. A Thousand Letters
11. Cursed
12. The Nomad's Crown
13. When The Mirror Cracks (bonus track)

Commented the band: "Although the title may indicate it, this is not a concept album, but there is an overall theme threading its way through most of the songs."

XANDRIA last year took part in the "Out Of The Dark" European tour with VAN CANTO, TRISTANIA, SERENITY and AMBERIAN DAWN.

XANDRIA in December 2010 announced the addition of singer Manuela Kraller to the group's ranks.

Commented Manuela: "My musical life started very late, at the age of 23. In a choir in Finland I discovered singing for me and since then it became my passion. I began to take classical singing lessons, sang in church and gospel choirs and soon I was asked to be a solo singer in choirs, at churchly and also at private occasions. But as I have grown up with metal and rock music I soon wanted to combine it with my classical background. So I started singing rock and metal songs with a friend and also wrote own songs for the first time. Soon after that I joined a metal band called NAGOR MAR (Switzerland) and I also became a singer in the German band HAGGARD, where I had great experiences on stage and on tour. And now a 'new age' has begun for me and I am very pleased to be the new singer of XANDRIA!"

XANDRIA performed several concerts in 2009 with the band's former frontwoman, Lisa Middelhauve, filling in.

XANDRIA in February 2011 parted ways with its singer of one year, Kerstin Bischof. The group stated at the time, "Due to occupational and private reasons, [Kerstin] wants to concentrate on her non-musical career in the future and cannot support XANDRIA the way it would be necessary."

Bischof joined XANDRIA in February 2009 as the replacement for Middelhauve, who left the band in May 2008 for "personal reasons." Lisa stated at the time, "My exit has nothing to do with dispute or controversy within the band. It was just time to split."

XANDRIA's fourth album, "Salomé - The Seventh Veil", was released in May 2007.

"Neverworld's End" audio samples:

Some things just go together...heavy metal and thunder...denim and leather ...SAXON and Wacken.

They've been old friends for many years now, their harmony collecting an army of thousands upon thousands who view SAXON live as a pilgrimage to the heart of metal music. And when that pilgrimage takes you, repeatedly, to the largest heavy metal festival in the world, Wacken Open Air in Germany, the results will always be electric.

"When we first played Wacken, it was a small festival with a small stage in a small field, driven by nothing more than raw enthusiasm, which appealed very much to us," says Biff Byford, SAXON's venerable frontman. "It started as fans putting on a festival for fans, and now it's fair to say that it is to heavy metal what the Donington festival used to be. That was the iconic heavy metal festival of the '80s, and Wacken is the iconic heavy metal festival of now."

Now you can feel that electricity for yourselves thanks to "Saxon - Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken", the no-fat-no-bullshit-100%-pure CD/DVD featuring DVD highlights from SAXON's Wacken shows in 2004, 2007 and 2009 comprising thirty songs, plus a live CD from Glasgow in 2011. Each set captures the Barnsley-bred British heavy metal legends delivering classic after classic, from "Denim & Leather" to "Metalhead" to "Heavy Metal Thunder" to "Princess Of The Night" to "Crusader" in front of 75,000-pluds loyal, ravenous fans, who have come to expect (and receive) the levels of performance SAXON have been delivering for 32 years.

"And when the eagle comes down at Wacken, when it opens up over the audience, it is always an electric moment for those there," says Biff emphatically of the famous SAXON eagle, a ton or so of steel and lights, rescued from a storage space in the British home counties where it had lain dormant gathering rust. In many ways, the eagle's rebirth and Wacken's ascent are partners on the journey, as it was Wacken's organizers who offered to restore the mighty metal bird so as it could become a live centerpiece of both Wacken and SAXON's history.

And when it comes to heavy metal, SAXON's history is, indeed, rich. Rightly seen as one of the premier vanguards of heavy metal alongside the likes of IRON MAIDEN, SAXON were a major influence behind platinum-coated stars such as METALLICA and MEGADETH. Formed as SON OF A BITCH in 1976 (and becoming SAXON in 1978) they enjoyed tremendous commercial success in the U.K. during the '80s, with 8 U.K. top 40 albums, and have sold over 13 millions albums worldwide, while albums such as "Wheels Of Steel", "Strong Arm Of The Law", "Denim & Leather" and "The Power & The Glory" have become legendary staples of any self-respecting metal fan’s collection.

But it has always arguably been on stage where SAXON have excelled the most. There's no hiding once you hit the boards, and whether playing to 20000 people in Buenos Aires or 2000 people in Bolton, Byford, Carter, Glockler, Quinn and Scarratt source the same high-voltage energy reserves and deliver the same high-octane, blood and sweat-soaked show that makes SAXON a perennial touring favorite.

"We've consistently tried to write, and perform songs which both us and our audience enjoy," says Biff, "and we've worked very hard to maintain that link with our audience, because if you don't have that connection it can be very dangerous. We need them, and we need to be ready to deliver for them at every show, that's the challenge and it's one we gratefully accept and enjoy. If the audience are prepared to get crazy, then it's always going to be a strong show, and Wacken always delivers us a fantastic connection. You cannot fake that electricity, everyone wants that 'charged' atmosphere and it is absolutely priceless..."

"Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken" is available in a variety of formats, including the Golden Ticket D2C/Direct To Consumer Box.

Strictly limited, this exclusive package contains the "Best Of Wacken" DVD, plus the full and complete SAXON Wacken Open Air performances from 2004/2007/2009 each on a separate DVD, plus a SAXON flag.

The real surprise is that 10 Golden Tickets are randomly included in the box sets, which will allow the lucky winners to visit any SAXON concert in any city around the world (excluding festival appearances).

Silver Tickets giving access to special online content are for the remaining boxes so there are no losers - only winners.

Release dates:

April 23 - U.K.
April 20 - Rest Of Europe
May 22 - North America

Several preview clips from "Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken" can be seen below.

Video footage of the Atlantic recording group HALESTORM performing an acoustic version of their new single, "Love Bites (So Do I)", at the studios of Kerrang! Radio can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album. "The Strange Case Of…", which arrives in stores and at all DSPs on April 10.

"Love Bites (So Do I)" — as well as three other highlights from "The Strange Case Of…" — is featured on HALESTORM's new EP, "Hello, It's Mz. Hyde", which is available at all leading digital retailers.

Produced by Howard Benson (who previously collaborated with the Pennsylvania-based hard rock band on their self-titled 2009 debut), "The Strange Case Of…" was recently named among Revolver's "Most Anticipated Albums of the Year." "Led by one of our favorite rocker babes, singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale, (HALESTORM) promise a more personal album for their follow-up," the magazine noted. "But don't expect them to get all sappy on us. There should still be more than enough of the band's now signature raucous attitude and righteous riffs for any headbanger to get off."

HALESTORM will hit the road hard to support "The Strange Case Of…", beginning with a major U.S. trek alongside GODSMACK and fellow Atlantic recording group STAIND. The dates get underway April 13 at Augusta, Georgia's John Paul Jones Arena and then continue through mid-May.

Formed by frontwoman Lzzy Hale and her brother, drummer Arejay Hale, HALESTORM has been hailed far and wide as an incendiary new force in modern hard rock. "Halestorm" made a top 5 debut on SoundScan's "Hard Music" chart upon its 2009 release, simultaneously bursting into the top 40 on the comprehensive The Billboard 200. The album subsequently sold more than 300,000 copies, and half a million cumulative tracks. Produced by Howard Benson (DAUGHTRY, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, FLYLEAF), the album earned extensive acclaim for its infectious hard rock anthems, sexy hooks, and rough-and-tumble grooves.

"The Strange Case Of…" marks HALESTORM's first release since last year's "ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP", which saw the band putting their unique stamp on a diverse collection of classic songs, including tracks by GUNS N' ROSES, THE BEATLES, HEART, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, SKID ROW, and LADY GAGA. HALESTORM also unleashed their first-ever live CD/DVD, "Live In Philly 2010", featuring such favorites from the band's self-titled debut as "It's Not You", "Familiar Taste of Poison" and the rock radio smash "I Get Off".

True road warriors, HALESTORM made its bones as a major league hard rock outfit via countless North American gigs alongside such artists as SHINEDOWN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED. Last year saw the band traveling the country on the blockbuster "Avalanche Tour 2011", joining such hard rock luminaries as STONE SOUR, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, ART OF DYING, and fellow Atlantic recording group SKILLET.

"Hello, It's Mz. Hyde" EP track listing:

01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Rock Show
03. Daughters Of Darkness
04. Here's To Us

"The Strange Case Of…" track listing:

01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Mz. Hyde
03. I Miss The Misery
04. Freak Like Me
05. Beautiful With You
06. In Your Room
07. Break In
08. Rock Show
09. Daughters Of Darkness
10. You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing
11. American Boys
12. Here's To Us

"Love Bites (So Do I)" acoustic performance:

Punk rock legends SEX PISTOLS have signed with Universal. The back-catalog deal will cover the world excluding North America. An "expanded and repackaged edition" of the band's "Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols" album will be released later this year as the band and their new label mark the 35th anniversary of the landmark LP. There will also be other releases throughout 2012 and beyond.

"To be given the opportunity to re-evaluate the SEX PISTOLS catalogue is every music lover's dream," said Universal's Karen Simmonds."We're looking forward to working with the band and celebrating their impact on worldwide culture."

Famous for inspiring a generation to rise against the musical establishment in the late 1970s, the SEX PISTOLS changed the face of music and popular culture overnight with one of the most influential and controversial records in British music history. 35 years after its release, "Never Mind The Bollocks" and the SEX PISTOLS' legacy continues to grow as new generations discover its powerful message and still relevant, seminal songs.

According to The Telegraph, legendary guitarist Gary Moore suffered a heart attack brought on by a massive amount of alcohol he consumed prior to being found dead in bed at a luxury Costa del Sol hotel last February.

Moore had 380 mg of alcohol per deciliter of blood in his system, enough to put himself nearly five times over the the legal limit for drunk driving, tests have shown. That amount was just short of the 416 mg pop singer Amy Winehouse had in her body when she died surrounded by three empty vodka bottles.

Karen Rice of the U.K.'s Mail Online last year penned an extensive article detailing Moore's final days with his girlfriend Petra Nioduschewski, who was the last person to see Gary alive at the five-star Kempinski resort on the Costa del Sol in Spain.

A hotel source told the Mail Online, "At around four o'clock in the morning [on Sunday, February 6], [Petra] called for help and a security guard went to the room and found Gary on the bed in his underpants.

"He tried to pump his heart but he was already cold. She was in a bathrobe, completely shocked. She had tried to resuscitate him before the security guard got there. When the ambulance came, they didn't try to shock his heart because he was already gone.'

A friend said: "Petra tried to help Gary. She gave him mouth to mouth and tried his heart until help came — they told her she did everything right. There were no signs of trouble, he had been fine all day and then he just stopped breathing. She knew there was something up when she couldn't hear him breathing any more."

Read the entire article from Mail Online.

New York hardcore/metal veterans BIOHAZARD kicked off their appearance at this year's Soundwave Festival on Saturday, February 25 in Brisbane, Australia. Video footage of their appearance can be seen below.

BIOHAZARD's new album, "Reborn In Defiance", was released in Europe on January 20 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.

Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.

The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.

BIOHAZARD bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld left the band in June 2011 after the band's new CD was completed and was replaced by Scott Roberts, who played on the band's 2005 "Means To An End" album and has been part of the BIOHAZARD extended family since.

BIOHAZARD last month took part in the "Persistence Tour 2012" alongside SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, TERROR, WALLS OF JERICHO, LIONHEART and CRUSHING CASPARS.

Pilar Rubio, a top Spanish model, "Dancing With The Stars" host, and designer/owner of Metalhead Clothing, will be featured as the cover model on the next album from Canadian metal veterans ANNIHILATOR. According to a posting on ANNIHLATOR's Facebook page, "The shoot was done by famed Spanish photographer Rebeca Saray and [Pilar] looks like the perfect cross between gorgeous and evil! As always, ANNIHILATOR's longtime artist Gyula Havancsak has done his genius magic to the chosen Pilar-is-evil photo!"

Pilar, who is said to be the girlfriend of the singer of the long-running Spanish metal band HAMLET, dropped by ANNIHILATOR mainman/guitarist Jeff Waters' bus last September in Madrid, Spain to hang out and see his Epiphone/Gibson metal guitar clinic. She's is a fan of the band and, of course, a metalhead!

ANNIHLATOR is currently working on its 14th studio release as well as a "special" recording that Waters describes as "a treat for the faithful ANNIHILATOR fans and a welcoming to our new fans." The band is also in talks with labels about a record deal for Canada and the USA.

ANNIHILATOR's self-titled album was released in Europe on May 17, 2010. The CD was made available in Europe via Earache Records, in Japan through Marquee and in Australia via Riot Entertainment. It was also released in the U.S. and Canada via iTunes and most all other digital/online outlets.

Chicago hard rockers TRUE WITNESS will release their debut album, "The Human Condition", on April 10 via Dark Star Records.

Comprised of Allen James (vocals), Randy Gonet (guitar), Brian Gordon (bass), and Tom Miller (drums), TRUE WITNESS took its time crafting "The Human Condition" — going as far as tracking nearly two albums worth of material, so they could select strictly the crème de la crème for the final product. As a result, such standout tunes as "The Face Of Evil", "Waking With The Dead" and "High Time" pack quite the metallic punch.

Once "The Human Condition" is released, the quartet is planning on launching a full U.S. tour in the summer, will be thoroughly promoted at rock radio, and will film a music video (the song has yet to be determined). And another key selling point — the ten-track album is going to be modestly priced at $11.99, which will obviously attract many a headbanger on a budget.

"The Human Condition" track listing:

01. Slippin'/Slidin'
02. The Face of Evil
03. High Time
04. Forming My Religion
05. Seeds
06. Walking With The Dead
07. Tell Me
08. Take The Wheel
09. Fade With The Night
10. Wake Up Call

TRUE WITNESS is:

Allen James (Vocals)
Randy Gonet (Guitar)
Tom Miller (Drums)
Brian Gordon (Bass)

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

Slash has released "You're A Lie" to radio today worldwide. The hard-charging song, which is available for streaming in its entirety at Loudwire.com, marks the first single off the iconic, Grammy-winning rock guitarist and songwriter's forthcoming second studio album "Apocalyptic Love".

"'You're A Lie' is the second song I brought to the band in 2011 during the last tour,” explains Slash. “We worked on it at soundcheck somewhere, I can't remember where. It's gone through some minor changes along the way, mainly the chorus. But for the most part, it's remained true to its original arrangement. I can't wait to play this live."

"Apocalyptic Love" will be released on May 22 via the guitarist's 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 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.

More video footage from the recording sessions for "Torture", the twelfth studio album from Florida-based death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE, can be seen below. Due 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

The song "Demented Aggression" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

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.

"Someone To Hate", 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.

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.

"Crystal Eye", the new album from Dutch hard rock veterans VENGEANCE, can be streamed in its entirety at AOL Music. Released on February 24 in Germany, February 27 in the rest of Europe and due on February 28 in the USA and Canada through SPV/Steamhammer, the effort will be available as a limited-edition digipak (including two bonus tracks), standard jewel case and as a digital download.

Digipak track listing:

01. Me And You (4:02)
02. Bad To The Bone (4:51)
03. Barbeque (3:31)
04. Shock Me Now (3:28)
05. Five Knuckle Shuffle (4:10)
06. Desperate Women (4:03)
07. Whole Lotta Metal (4:11)
08. Promise Me (3:43)
09. Crystal Eye (6:13)
10. Missing (4:51)
11. Jans End Piece (1:16)
12. Paint This Town (3:25) (bonus track)
13. Barbeque (radio edit) (3:35) (bonus track)

Jewel case track listing:

01. Me And You (4:02)
02. Bad To The Bone (4:51)
03. Barbeque (3:31)
04. Shock Me Now (3:28)
05. Five Knuckle Shuffle (4:10)
06. Desperate Women (4:03)
07. Whole Lotta Metal (4:11)
08. Promise Me (3:43)
09. Crystal Eye (6:13)
10. Missing (4:51)
11. Jans End Piece (1:16)

"Barbeque" audio stream:

THE SKULL, the new band formed by two original members of Chicago doom legends TROUBLE — vocalist Eric Wagner and drummer Jeff "Oly" Olson — alongside the band's longtime bassist, Ron Holzner, has recruited Glen Drover (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, KING DIAMOND) as its guest touring guitarist.

Commented Wagner, Olson and Holzner in a statement: "We are ready to rock you with the sounds and spirit of TROUBLE... past-present-future.

"Please welcome our guest touring guitarist Glen Drover. We are excited to have him on board.

"A tour is currently being planned for 2012 and will be announced soon as well as our guest dueling guitarist. Stay tuned."

When asked why they decided now was the right time for THE SKULL to come together, Ron told Metal Kaoz, "The 'TROUBLE jam' set at last year's Days Of The Doomed Fest [in Kenosha, Wisconsin] was the catalyst for this whole thing. Eric and Oly hadn't had the chance to talk much before [Days Of The Doomed Fest], and then when I got there the next day and we all got to hang out and talk... it was really nice! Playing 'End Of My Daze' with the whole fucking crowd singing... that's what it's all about! We all looked at each other on stage and simply went, 'Wow!'"

He added, "All of us have our [respective] bands that are doing well, but the fans really want to hear the old [TROUBLE] songs the way they're meant to be heard.

"After the [Days Of The Doomed] fest, Eric basically said to me, 'Let's start a band!', and after that night the three of us thought, 'That would be cool.' We want to give the fans to the best of our ability what they deserve. When people speak loud enough, you hear it. Well, we hear it! We're doing this because we want to, and because the fans want us to. It's all about the fans. The fans spoke out, and the fans have been heard.

"The thing is, we can't just sit back and not listen to the fans. We want to go out and have fun and play the old songs. We don't have to go out and do this because we all have our own bands that are doing well with records coming out. We're doing this because we want to, and because the fans want us to."

Olson was equally enthusastic about the formation of THE SKULL, telling Metal Kaos in an e-mail, "[I'm] excited to jam some TROUBLE again! [I] was a little worried there would be some drama with the fans, like with the two L.A. GUNS bands performing the same material, but there is nothing I want more than a reunion with all TROUBLE members. For now, this will do."

Wagner, Olson and original TROUBLE bassist Sean McAllister shared the stage for the first time since 1986 during Olson's RETRO GRAVE set on June 18, 2011 at the Days Of The Doomed Fest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Video footage of Wagner, Olson and McAllister performing the song "Victim Of The Insane", which was written by Olson for TROUBLE's full-length debut "Psalm 9" (1984), can be viewed below.

TROUBLE formed in 1979 and released several classic albums like "Trouble", "Manic Frustration" and "Plastic Green Head".

Eric was one of the guest singers on Dave Grohl's (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS) heavy metal side project PROBOT, whose 2004 album featured heavy metal vocalists from the '80s and '90s. Wagner also makes a guest appearance in the forthcoming horror film "Jezebeth" (written and directed by Damien Dante of Satania 6 Films), to be released on Blu-ray in early 2012.

Eric Wagner left TROUBLE in April 2008, citing his disdain for the touring life as the main reason for his departure.

Legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES) joined ALTER BRIDGE on stage last night (Sunday, February 26) at the Soundwave Festival in Sydney, Australia to perform the song "Rise Today". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be viewed below.

ALTER BRIDGE singer Myles Kennedy has served as Slash's touring vocalist for the past couple of years, and has contributed vocals and songwriting to all of the guitarist's forthcoming second solo album, "Apocalyptic Love", which will be released on May 22 via Slash's own label Dik Hayd International distributed through EMI. To reflect Myles' increased contributions to the new CD, "Apocalyptic Love" is being made available under the name "Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the CONSPIRATORS."

'Just because I'm in Oz doesn't mean we're not busy mixing ['Apocalyptic Love']," Slash wrote on Twitter. "We're 9 songs in. Modern technology."

ALTER BRIDGE will release its new DVD, "Live At Wembley", on March 27. The disc contains footage of one of the biggest headline shows of ALTER BRIDGE's career, which took place on November 29, 2011 at Wembley Arena in London, England. The 2D version (complete with a live CD) will be released everywhere late next month while the 3D version will come out in the summer of 2012. Longtime ALTER BRIDGE director Daniel E Catullo III ("Live From Amsterdam", "One By One", "Isolation", webisodes, etc.) was brought in to direct "Live At Wembley" by The Dude Films, a new production and distribution company with offices in Laguna Beach, California and Maui, Hawaii headed up by "One By One" executive producer Stuart Margolis and executive producer Chris LaBabera. Lionel Pasamonte, who produced the band's last DVD, "Live From Amsterdam", is producing with Catullo.

ALTER BRIDGE drummer Scott Phillips told Stereoboard that it's unlikely fans will hear from the band again until 2013, but that they shouldn't take that as a bad sign. Phillips explained, "We'll certainly be visible [in 2012], but it'll be on various projects and then probably 2013 will be the reunion there of ALTER BRIDGE and we'll diligently get to work on a new record and tour as soon as we can."

ALTER BRIDGE spent much of 2011 on the road behind its last album, "AB III", but 2012 will see singer Myles Kennedy return to work as the lead singer in Slash's band, while the other three members of the group will reunite with vocalist Scott Stapp for a new CREED tour and album.

Phillips said, "Each of us have our own thing. I think we've got a lot of different paths we're heading on in 2012," adding that in addition to working with CREED, guitarist Mark Tremonti is prepping his first solo album for release.

Last fall, ALTER BRIDGE released a special edition of "AB III" featuring three previously unheard songs and an hour-long documentary on the group's career.

Belgian thrashers AFTER ALL have tapped Swedish producer Dan Swanö to mix and master their new album, set for release on March 23 through Roadrunner Records. Swanö also worked on AFTER ALL's last album. "Cult Of Sin" (2009), and the band's two EP releases, "Betrayed By The Gods" (2010) and "Becoming The Martyr" (2011).

"As these releases led to the deal with Roadrunner, it was a no-brainer to get Dan on board again", commented AFTER ALL guitarist Dries Van Damme. Dan Swanö will mix and master the new AFTER ALL album at the infamous Unisound Studios in Örebro, Sweden.

In related news, legendary illustrator Ed Repka is currently finishing the artwork for AFTER ALL's forthcoming album. "Ed is a metal legend", said Dries Van Damme. "His artwork is what added extra greatness to our favourite releases of bands such as MEGADETH, EVIL DEAD, TOXIK, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, DEATH, and many others from the 1980s thrash scene. We're absolutely psyched to work with Ed on the concept and the design of the artwork."

AFTER ALL's new album is set for release on March 23. The as-yet-untitled record will be the band's eighth full studio album. AFTER ALL described the new songs as both the heaviest and the most versatile of their long-running career.

AFTER ALL is confirmed as direct support to NWOBHM legends ANGEL WITCH at their Belgian show on March 16 at JH Nijdrop in Opwijk.

SYLENCER (formerly ASYLUM), the Illinois-based project featuring Markus Johansson (lead vocals, lead guitar) and Johnny Rox (bass), has inked a deal with dPulse Recordings/Ovrtone Music Group, Inc. for the release of its as-yet-untitled debut album (formerly "A Lethal Dose Of Truth"). Due in early summer, the CD features vocal production by Christian Olde Wolbers (ARKAEA, FEAR FACTORY) and mixing by Orlando Villasenor. The effort was mastered by Maor Applebaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN).

SYLENCER is:

* Markus Johansson - Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals
* Johnny Rox - Bass

Featuring:

* Kevin Talley (DAATH, CHIMAIRA, DYING FETUS) - Drums
* Larry Tarnowski (ICED EARTH) - Lead Guitar

Guest Appearances:

* Gene Hoglan - Drums (SYL, DETHKLOK, ZIMMERS HOLE, DEATH, DARK ANGEL)
* Brendon Small (DETHKLOK/METALOCALYPSE) - Lead Guitar
* Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND, DEATH) - Lead Guitar
* Michael Angelo Batio (NITRO) - Lead Guitar
* Roland Grapow (HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN) - Lead Guitar
* The Heathen (ZIMMERS HOLE) - Vocals
* Emil Werstler (DAATH) - Lead Guitar
* Rob Caggiano (ANTHRAX) - Lead Guitar
* "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (ROB HALFORD, SEBASTIAN BACH, PAINMUSEUM) - Lead Guitar
* Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, DEATH, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH) - Bass
* Sean Reinert (CYNIC, AEON SPOKE, DEATH) - Drums
* Jordan Rudess (DREAM THEATER, LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT) - Keyboards
* Steve Smyth (FORBIDDEN, TESTAMENT, NEVERMORE) - Lead Guitar
* Christian Lasegue (JAG PANZER) - Lead Guitar
* Marco Minnemann (NECROPHAGIST, PAUL GILBERT, KREATOR) - Drums

For more information, visit www.sylencermusic.com.

Fan-filmed video footage of LAMB OF GOD's February 20 performance at Fort Canning Park in Singapore as the opening act for JUDAS PRIEST can be seen below.

In other news, LAMB OF GOD's April 1 appearance in Curitiba, Brazil with HATEBREED and LACUNA COIL has been canceled "due to irreversible logistics problems." LAMB OF GOD's performance in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which was originally going to happen on April 3, had to be moved to April 2, which ended up affecting the band's travel schedule and forced the promoters to cancel their second show in Brazil. Tickets for the Curitiba show will be refunded at point of purchase.

LAMB OF GOD's seventh album, "Resolution", sold around 52,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Wrath", opened with around 68,000 units back in March 2009 to enter the chart at No. 2. This figure was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by 2006's "Sacrament", which shifted around 63,000 units to debut at No. 8. It also represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, "Ashes Of The Wake", which premiered with 35,000 copies in September 2004.

"Resolution" was released in the U.S. via Epic and internationally through Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at various studios in Virginia and New York with producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band's last effort, 2009's "Wrath".

"Resolution" features 14 songs and comes in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.

Fan-filmed video footage of JUDAS PRIEST's February 20 performance at Fort Canning Park in Singapore can be seen below.

"The Chosen Few", the recently released compilation album from JUDAS PRIEST, sold 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The collection, which came out on October 11, 2011 via Legacy/Sony, contains songs that were selected by some of the biggest names of the hard rock/heavy metal world, including KISS' Gene Simmons, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, METALLICA's James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, Alice Cooper and SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor.

Regarding JUDAS PRIEST's farewell world tour, singer Rob Halford previously said, "We're pulling out all the stops. We've built a brand new stage set, we've got all the effects that people love us for — the lasers, the fire, the bombs, the smoke, new costumes, and the bike. It's just a full-on metal extravaganza."

As for whether this is really the end of JUDAS PRIEST's touring days, guitarist Glenn Tipton said, "We don't plan on retiring. We've said that this is our last world tour. It takes a chunk out of your life — 18 months. We won't be doing any more world tours as such and in many parts of the world, it will be the last time people will get a chance to see us. But we're not gonna stop. We've got an album in the can now, we will start to write with [new guitarist] Richie [Faulkner], there will be more albums, and who knows?! There might be a string of dates that we can manage to do. We're just not gonna do another major world tour. We've been doing it for 40 years and it's time to let the younger bands have the chance."

Few heavy metal artists have built as stellar a discography as JUDAS PRIEST over the years. And now, fans have a chance to acquire all of PRIEST's classics in one fell swoop. On January 24, Columbia/Epic/Legacy released the 17-CD box set, "The Complete Albums Collection", which contains every studio and live album that featured the classic line up of Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing and Ian Hill. Included are brand new remasters of PRIEST's first two albums, 1974's "Rocka Rolla" and 1976's "Sad Wings of Destiny" (which have never been released before as authorized remasters by the band), in addition to each individual album being packaged in a replica mini-LP sleeve reproducing that album's original cover art. And although the 2009 live compilation, "A Touch of Evil…Live" is included; no other compilations are present. Also featured in the set is a 40-page booklet with photos, album credits, and liner notes by rock journalist/PRIEST fan Greg Prato.

"The Complete Albums Collection" is available for purchase exclusively via Popmarket.com.

"The Chosen Few", the recently released compilation album from JUDAS PRIEST, sold 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The collection, which came out on October 11, 2011 via Legacy/Sony, contains songs that were selected by some of the biggest names of the hard rock/heavy metal world, including KISS' Gene Simmons, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, METALLICA's James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, Alice Cooper and SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor.

SHATTERED DESTINY, progressive power/thrash band created by lead singer/songwriter JJ, has released the first webisode featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the upcoming EP, "Fragments". Due on March 20 through all digital music services, the effort was recorded in early 2012 at Rogue Studios by Martin Brändström (DARK TRANQUILLITY) under the supervision of Joacim Cans (HAMMERFALL). Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL) mixed the EP, which features original artwork by Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY) and was mastered at Fascination Street by Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH, OPETH).

"Fragments" track listing:

01. Welcome
02. Deceitful Heart
03. Oblivion
04. Epilogue

"Fragments" recording lineup:

* JJ - Vocals and Keys
* Roman Guryev - Lead Guitar
* Steve S. - Rhythm Guitar
* Lena H. - Bass
* Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING) - Drums
* Johan Aremyr, Pontus Norgren, and Joacim Cans - Additional Backing Vocals

The first track from "Fragments" is available for streaming using the SoundCloud player below.

SHATTERED DESTINY has completed writing the full-length follow-up to "Fragments" and is seeking a label home.

For more information, visit www.ShatteredDestiny.net.

An audio recording of a new song, "La Boca De La Bestia" (Mouth Of The Beast) from veteran California metallers HIRAX captured at band rehearsal on a Zoom H4 digital recorder can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

HIRAX will enter Skull Seven Studio in North Hollywood, California in early June with producer Bill Metoyer (SLAYER, W.A.S.P. , ARMORED SAINT, DARK ANGEL, SACRED REICH, CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER, D.R.I.) to begin recording their fourth full-length album for a late 2012 release via Black Devil Records.

"El Rostro De La Muerte", the latest video from HIRAX, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's "El Rostro De La Muerte" album, which was released in October 2010. It was the veteran band's first full-length since 2004's "The New Age Of Terror".

"El Rostro De La Muerte" is a dual-studio effort, combining the skills of two HIRAX producers which the band has worked with on their past three releases. The ten new tracks were recorded and engineered by John Haddad at Trench Studio in Corona, California, and mixed by Andy Haller. The new CD also contains one bonus track from the "Chaos And Brutality" EP, which was previously unavailable in the U.S.

"El Rostro De La Muerte" was made available on Black Devil Records and Deep Six Records and is distributed through CMDistro.com. It was pressed in CD and vinyl formats as well as a limited-edition picture disc.

On June 29, 2010 (one day earlier internationally), Season of Mist released a new compilation album from HIRAX, "Noise Chaos War". Consisting of three thrashing EPs — remastered, remixed and available on CD for the first time — this release also includes a video for "Bombs of Death", filmed live in Japan in 2009.

Originally signed to Metal Blade in 1985, HIRAX has been at the forefront of the thrash movement for over 25 years. Their music has stood the test of time and their legions of fans continue to grow.

"La Boca De La Bestia" rehearsal (audio):

"Revocation", the new video from Montreal death metallers DEPTHS OF HATRED, can be seen below. The clip features a guest appearance by Elliot Desgagnes (BENEATH THE MASSACRE).

"Revocation" comes off DEPTHS OF HATRED's debut album, "Aversionist", which will be released on March 10 via Galy Records. The CD was recorded throughout 2011 and was mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, NEURAXIS, THE LAST FELONY).

Commented the group: "We've laid low in 2011 but it's great to finally be releasing all the stuff we've been hard at work on this past year. Galy has been great with us, it's an honor to be with a label who put so many of the bands we listen to today on the map. We're excited for 2012."

DEPTHS OF HATRED is:

Dominic D.D.: Vocals
Martin Trottier: Guitar
Karl Desjardins: Drums
Antoine Millette: Bass