Colorado-based modern melodic death metallers ALLEGAEON entered Lambesis Studios in San Marcos, Caliornia last month with producer Daniel Castleman (AS I LAY DYING, IMPENDING DOOM, CARNIFEX, WINDS OF PLAGUE) to begin recording their new album, "Formshifter". The CD brings forward a sound that both plays off the band's previous releases mixed in with some new flavors that will be sure to enthrall old and new fans alike.

Comments ALLEGAEON guitarist Greg Burgess: "With 'Formshifter', I think we kept the sound a lot of our fans love about us, but achieved them through certain compositional challenges. Be it style, or genre mixing, I believe that we seamlessly applied certain elements we didn't have on 'Fragments', and it added a color and dimension we didn't have before". Guitarist Ryan Glisan adds, "This album, to me, indicates the future of the band but nods to our past as well. It, to me, is more of where I have envisioned our band being since I started the band a couple years back, it relies on similar songwriting structures and musicality but adds more groove and memorable riffing than our previous efforts."

Lyrics, an oft over-looked facet of death metal, is one the more interesting aspects of ALLEGAEON. The band crafts their prose with a bit of a different mindset — often touching on space, civilization and philosophy. Vocalist Ezra Haynes elaborates on the band's first single from the album; "'Tartessos: The Hidden Xenocryst' is definitely one that sticks out to me," he says. "I was raised on Edgar Cayce readings and tales of Atlantis. When Greg [Burgess] and I knew we wanted to touch base on an ancient civilization, Atlantis was the logical choice."

"Formshifter" will be released on May 8 via Metal Blade Records.

Norwegian blackened death metallers FESTER have risen from their grave to unleash the fury that is "A Celebration Of Death". The band's first collection of new material in 17 years is a whirlwind of dark musical flavors mixing black, death, thrash, heavy metal and jazz. Guitarist/vocalist Bjorn "Tiger" Mathisen states, "FESTER has never made music to please a certain crowd and this dark anthem really proves that darkness and death can come in many different disguises."

"A Celebration Of Death" is due in mid-March through Abyss Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Rites of Ceres
02. The Black Tower
03. March of Death
04. I'll Hunt You Down
05. Metalized
06. Jeg Spytter På Deg
07. Last Day of Battle Pt. I
08. Last Day of Battle Pt. II
09. A Face for a Funeral (bonus)
10. Rites of Mortiis (Remix of Ceres by Mortiis)

The song "Rites of Ceres" is currently streaming at the band's MySpace page.

In addition to core members Jon Bakker (bass), Thomas Andersen (vocals) and Bjorn "Tiger" Mathisen (guitar/vocals), "A Celebration Of Death" features Audun Kleive (session drums), Raymond Pellicer (additional guitars, programming and synth), Eivind Aarseth (additional guitars), Guido Saint Roch (guest vocals on "Metalized") and Mortiis (Dark Converter). The cover for "A Celebration Of Death" was painted by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, SODOM, ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS). The rest of the layout was handled by Joce of Industrie Chimere Noire (PORTAL, GHÄST, TOTAL HOLOCAUST). The CD release will include a 16-page booklet. Flooga Records will be issuing a vinyl version of the album with laminated gatefold and heavy inner sleeve. Total Holocaust Records will release a limited-edition cassette version (100 copies only) with alternate, hand-drawn cover and artwork.

"Fire & Damnation", the first album in 24 years from German thrash metal veterans EXUMER, will be released in North America on April 10 via Metal Blade Records. The 10-track CD, which was recorded with renowned producer Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., THERION, SODOM, MOONSPELL), "combines a punishing production with aggressive songwriting," according to a press release. "EXUMER manages to capture the intensity and feel of the 1980s thrash metal gems and yet sound up to date on their latest output."

Comments singer Mem V. Stein: "With 'Fire & Damnation', we tried to create the most punishing and dominant thrash metal album of our career. No lackluster songs, no fillers, no lazy performance and no compromises. It moves straight forward from the the very first song to the last, delivering a vibrant mix of skilled musicianship with the urgency of the classic thrash records from the 1980s!"

"Fire & Damnation" track listing:

01. Fire & Damnation
02. Vermin Of The Sky
03. The Weakest Limb
04. A New Morality
05. Waking The Fire
06. Fallen Saint
07. Crushing Point
08. Devil Chaser
09. I Dare You
10. Tribal Furies
11. Destructive Solution (bonus live track)
12. A Mortal In Black (bonus live track)
13. Xiron Darkstar (bonus live track)

The "Fire & Damnation" title track is available for free download at this location.

EXUMER is:

Mem V. Stein - Vocals
Ray Mensh - Guitar
T. Schiavo - Bass
H.K. - Guitar
Matthias Kassner - Drums

Formed in 1985 by Mem V. Stein and guitarist Ray Mensh, EXUMER went on to release two albums (1986's "Possessed By Fire" and 1987's "Rising From The Sea") that are regarded as some of the most cult thrash metal releases ever to come out of Germany. EXUMER was also one of the first thrash metal acts to capture exotic, foreign markets like Poland and Brazil, where their albums were domestically released in the 1980s. The subsequent tours that followed those releases secured the band live shows in front of thousands of fans and an unusually large following outside of Germany.

Plagued by lineup changes and internal turmoil, the band broke up in 1990, and did not perform live, with the exception of 2001 appearance at the prestigious Wacken Open Air festival, until 2009.

Mem and Ray decided to re-activate EXUMER in 2008, and the band embarked on their first tour since 1988. The "5 Nights of Fire Tour", took the band through Europe (Germany, Holland, Greece), and the USA, where they headlined the "Thrasho de Mayo Festival" in front of 1,300 fans in Los Angeles.

EXUMER returned to Europe in spring and the fall of 2010, where the band appeared at Norway's Inferno Festival, among other stops in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Poland and Bulgaria during the "European Ignition Tour Part I & II".

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

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

"The Fatal Feast" track listing:

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

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

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

MUNICIPAL WASTE will film a video for "The Fatal Feast" title track this weekend with Jeff Speed Films.

Magnificently brutal rockers EVERY TIME I DIE are unleashing an intensely moody and ambitious cinematic accompaniment to their powerful song "Revival Mode". The track is from the band’s highly anticipated new album, "Ex Lives", set for release this March 6 via Epitaph Records.

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."

"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)

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

The fourth and final in a series of clips in which vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway of British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH explains the lyrics and meaning behind each and every song on the band's new album, "Utilitarian", can be seen below. The eight-minute video covers the tracks "Nom De Guerre", "Analysis Paralysis", "Opposites Repellent" and "A Gag Reflex".

NAPALM DEATH will release its 14th studio album (excluding the cover album "Leaders Not Followers"), "Utilitarian", on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.

In anticipation of this release, the band has now launched an "Occupy Napalm" Facebook tab to show their support for the Occupy movement and to provide fans with the latest news about their politically-charged "Utilitarian". With downloadable Occupy-themed stencils and screensavers, plus a special video teaser for "Utilitarian" created by Mitch Harris (guitar, vocals), this Facebook tab is the place to go for everything NAPALM DEATH!

"Utilitarian" track listing

01. Circumspect
02. Errors In The Signals
03. Everyday Pox
04. Protection Racket
05. The Wolf I Feed
06. Quarantined
07. Fall On Their Swords
08. Collision Course
09. Orders Of Magnitude
10. Think Tank Trials
11. Blank Look About Face
12. Leper Colony
13. Nom De Guerre
14. Analysis Paralysis
15. Opposite Repellent
16. A Gag Reflex
17. Aim Without An Aim (bonus track)
18. Everything In Mono (bonus track)

Upon "Utilitarian"'s release, NAPALM DEATH's limited-edition "Analysis Paralysis" seen-inch EP will also be available for purchase at CM Distro in black and clear vinyl. Its B-side includes the exclusive track "Youth Offender", making this a very collectable piece for any diehard NAPALM DEATH fan.

Greenway explains the album title and concept: "After some deliberation, we have decided on 'Utilitarian' as the album title. We generally try to avoid generic titles, and this seemed to have a lot of scope to it. I won't explain the full meaning of utilitarianism here because it's an ethical theory, and as ethical theories go, the depth and debate around it is quite heavy at times. It has a certain 'morality' aspect to it and that isn't something that drives me, so I also certainly have issues with it."

"So, rather than just nail that straight to the mast, of course we wanted to put our own spin on it by suggesting that those (i.e. the utilitarian in us, perhaps) who try to challenge everything, or fight against conventions, well, we go through periods of real self-doubt where we wonder if we're really making a difference. I suppose the conclusion is that, for the sake of all our freedoms, you should never stop, as even the feeling of resistance is at least a signal to those who would like to entirely control and dominate us — meaning everything from our instinctive behavior to our human entitlement to walk the earth unprovoked.

"Regarding the album overall, the final creases should be ironed out fairly soon, and immediately after that, we thought it would be good to top it off with a few U.K. dates. We've been playing one new song ('Quarantined') out on a tour of Canada and it's been well received, so we hope to perhaps throw in another one for now. Either way, we'll be bouncing off the walls again near you very soon."

Fan-filmed video footage of NAPALM DEATH performing two new songs — "Analysis Paralysis" and "Quarantined" — on January 27 at the Vortex club in Siegen, Germany can be seen below.

"Utilitarian" track-by-track - part 4:

San Diego extreme metallers CATTLE DECAPITATION wrapped up recording their new album last week and have returned home for a couple weeks before heading off to their European tour with SUFFOCATION. The highly anticipated follow-up to their critically-acclaimed album "The Harvest Floor" (2009 on Metal Blade Records) was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Dave Otero of Denver's Flatline Audio. According to a press release, "the humans of earth can expect a much more updated production complete with some surprising guest appearances and the kind of musical exploration that gained the band even more fans with 'The Harvest Floor'. Once again CATTLE DECAPITATION gives us more extravagantly intense artwork from artist Wes Benscoter and the CD/LP layout are as over the top as the album's concept itself."

All of the details of the new album including cover art, track list, guest appearances and pre-order info will be revealed in the final week of March, with the first single and music video quickly to follow.

CATTLE DECAPITATION will join forces with ORIGIN, DECREPIT BIRTH, ABORTED, RINGS OF SATURN and BATTLECROSS for the "Occupation Domination" U.S. tour in April/May.

Australian death metallers DEFAMER have released their sophomore album, "Decrepit Rituals", via Obsidian Records. The CD was recorded late last year with Ean Redman and mastered by Jason "PC" Fuller at Goatsounds in Melbourne.

After the success of DEFAMER's 2009 debut, "Chasm", and the departure of guitarist Mitchell Rogers, the band made the executive decision to remain with one guitarist.

According to a press release, "Sam Alcock has twisted contemporary death metal with the older schooled sound of the yesteryear. Guitar riffs invert at a bile-evoking pace into fever pitched insanity."

DEFAMER will embark on an eleven-date Japanese and Australian tour in February and March.

DEFAMER is

Sam Alcock - Guitar
James Geekie - Drums
Kris Sadler - Bass
Tim Smith - Vocals

Decrepit Rituals by Defamer

New York death metal veterans SUFFOCATION have reportedly parted ways with drummer Mike Smith.

Although Smith's exit from the group has not yet been officially confirmed by SUFFOCATION, the band played a couple of East Coast shows this past weekend with former member Dave Culross (MALEVOLENT CREATION, HATEPLOW) once again sitting behind the kit.

Fan-filmed video footage of SUFFOCATION's February 18 performance at Jimmy's Place in Allentown, Pennsylvania (featuring Culross on drums) can be seen below.

In a cryptic posting on his official Facebook page, Smith wrote earlier tonight, "There are not many things related to the SUFFOCATION brand I can honestly say brings me sadness. Except the lack of pride that exists within those who have the 'right' to claim the name as their own.

"This battle has been one that to any focused being should make obvious sense, but has evaded some for two decades.

"Within any foundation, the weakest link will always cause all structure to crumble.

"The one fact that keeps me at peace is the fact that anyone who has ever seen or spoken to me regarding SUFFOCATION and the industry as a whole has always left with an understanding of the level of focus and pride that I personally hold for myself, the brand that is SUFFOCATION and the genre we influence and helped create.

"As I've always said, if you are willing to put your time and soul towards anything, be willing to speak truths, fight and bleed for it, if need be."

SUFFOCATION is currently hard at work on material for the band's new album, tentatively due this summer via Nuclear Blast Records.

In the February 2012 issue of Decibel magazine, SUFFOCATION bassist Derek Boyer stated about the upcoming CD, "We're in the pre-production stage [and are] currently working on final arrangements, lyrical placement and content."

He added, "Each album is an evolution process. As always, we take the key elements that are SUFFOCATION, add current feelings and outside influences, the begin collaborating. We're very happy with the direction we're headed!"

Relapse Records released SUFFOCATION's only official live record, "The Close Of A Chapter: Live In Quebec City", on October 27, 2009 in North America and November 2, 2009 internationally. Recorded in 2005 during the band's "Souls To Deny" world tour, the CD contains the band's complete, unedited performance.

SUFFOCATION's latest album, "Blood Oath" (Nuclear Blast), sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 135 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 2 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 follow-up to 2006's self-titled record, "Blood Oath" was recorded with Joe Cincotta (who worked on the band's last two releases) and was mixed by Zack Ohren (ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH). The cover artwork was once again brought to life by Jon Zig (DEEDS OF FLESH, DISGORGE, GORGASM).

Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY have released the fifth promotional video from their latest album, "We Are The Void", that came out in early 2010. The "In My Absence" clip was filmed by the bandmembers themselves on the road, with guitarist Niklas Sundin taking care of the editing/post-production duties. Additional live footage was provided by Anders Björler (THE HAUNTED, AT THE GATES) and Nikolas Pegler.

Commented Sundin: "I wanted to create a live video that would capture the energy of our show both from the audience's perspective as well as from the stage. To accomplish this, we headed out on our recent Europe/Russia tours equipped with a GoPro HD camera, which was mounted on various objects (guitar necks, vocal microphone, member's bodies etc.) on most of the shows. Despite probably looking pretty weird for those in the crowd that noticed the little device, we arrived home with a lot of interesting footage, and after a lot of editing we're happy to present the final result: A clip for 'In My Absence', filled with an energy and closeness out of the ordinary. Enjoy!"

The unstoppable metal machine from Gothenburg, Sweden already played over 160 shows all over the world in support of "We Are The Void" and continues to tour exotic places like China, Japan, South Korea, Israel and Turkey, as well as make appearances at various European summer festivals. In fall 2012 they will take a break from touring to focus on writing material for a new album.

DARK TRANQUILLITY's ninth album, "We Are The Void", sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 15 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.

"We Are The Void" was released in North America on March 9, 2010 via Century Media Records. The LP was made available in Europe as a CD, digital download and strictly limited-edition die-cut digipak featuring two bonus songs ("Stars Of Nothingness" and "To Where Fires Cannot Feed") and a bonus DVD.

While in Helsinki, BraveWords.com learned that NIGHTWISH's feature length Imaginaerum film is currently working on post-production special effects, with an anticipated completion in early April. Plans include a possible screening at Cannes. Can you envision our favorite Finns mingling on the French Riviera? Come August 8th, the band will debut the film to fans with a special showing at the Hartwell Arena. The 11,000 capacity arena has hosted previous Nightwish live gigs, but this would be the largest movie premier in Finnish history. Stay tuned for more information, as it becomes available.

KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono has completed laying down vocals for "Caligvla", the sophomore album from his Ancient Roman-themed arsenal EX DEO. He says, "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 — the Ancient Roman-themed arsenal led by KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono — has 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's sophomore album, "Caligvla", is being recorded with producer Jean-François Dagenais (KATAKLYSM, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON). The CD is tentatively due late summer via Austria's Napalm Records.

The artwork and layout for "Caligvla" 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".

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.

METALLICA recently announced the creation of the Orion Music + More festival, a new music, arts, and lifestyle festival founded and headlined by the band. The event will take place June 23-24 at Bader Field in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Much to the surprise of many fans, the festival will feature a diverse range of music and not focus exclusively on metal and heavy rock. Drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio why the band made this choice. "This whole thing is kind of based more around the classic festivals that we've been playing in Europe for the better part of the last 25, 30 years, which is really about diversity and really about kind of many, many different musical experiences," he said. "So that's kind of what we're going for. Now whether anybody buys into that or not, we'll find out, but there's gonna be lots and lots of cool, heavy stuff, trust me."

Acts like ARCTIC MONKEYS, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, MODEST MOUSE, THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM, CAGE THE ELEPHANT, BEST COAST, GARY CLARK JR. , LUCERO, ROKY ERICKSON, THE SWORD and others are either already on board or being confirmed in the coming weeks.

Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio that the show will feature a tent devoted to smaller, up-and-coming thrash and punk acts.

Orion Music + More will feature multiple live music stages plus a lifestyle element that reflects the personal interests of each member of METALLICA.

The band will headline both nights, playing 1991's self-titled "black album" in its entirety one night and 1984's "Ride The Lightning" the other. This will be the only time the band will perform these albums in North America in 2012.

For more information, visit www.orionmusicandmore.com.

Los Angeles cyber metallers FEAR FACTORY have finished mixing their new album, "The Industrialist", with Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY) at a studio in Canada. Due this summer in Europe via AFM Records and in the U.S. through Candlelight, the CD was once again co-produced by the band with Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, PARADISE LOST), with additional tracking by Logan Mader (DEVILDRIVER, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SOULFLY).

FEAR FACTORY recently enlisted Matt DeVries as the band's new bass player. DeVries, previously of CHIMAIRA (where he played guitar) and most recently SIX FEET UNDER, joined FEAR FACTORY as the replacement for Byron Stroud (now with 3 INCHES OF BLOOD).

Cazares and vocalist Burton C. Bell commented: "We are very excited to have Matt playing bass for FEAR FACTORY. We feel he is a great addition to our touring lineup. He has been a friend for a very long time and he is a great musician who will be a perfect instrument in the FF machine."

DeVries added: "I have been asked by Dino and Burton to join one of my favorite bands. I have been a fan of FEAR FACTORY since 1992 and I could not be more excited to be part of this incredible band. We have shared the stage many times together and now I'm beyond stoked to be on the same stage playing together. Thank you to all my fans worldwide for sticking by me and I will be seeing you all on the road very soon."

FEAR FACTORY's most recent touring lineup featured original FF members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals) alongside Stroud (who was credited on the last three FEAR FACTORY albums in addition to touring and recording with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and ZIMMERS HOLE) and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, TESTAMENT).

GUNS N' ROSES' concert this past Sunday, February 19 at the House of Blues in Chicago was made available via pay-per-view live stream from GunsNRoses.com for $5.00. A percentage of the proceeds from the live stream are going to fight world hunger. For this initiative, GN'R has partnered with Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief organization. Through the leadership of Feeding America, proceeds from domestic-based subscribers are being allocated throughout the U.S.

Video footage of GUNS N' ROSES' performance in Chicago can be seen below. (Note: Axl Rose was reportedly fighting a cold at the time of the show.)

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

"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies. The long-in-the-making, 14-song CD finally arrived 17 years after the last full-length collections of original GUNS material, "Use Your Illusion I" and "II", were released, and nine years after the non-album track "Oh My God" surfaced on the soundtrack of the movie "End Of Days".

"Chinese Democracy" was made available exclusively through Best Buy.

The original five-piece group, along with drummer Matt Sorum and keyboardist Dizzy Reed, will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland on April 14.

FOZZY's Frank Fontsere has completed laying down the drum tracks for the follow-up to 2010's "Chasing The Grail", tentatively due before the end of year via the group's new label, Century Media Records.

In a recent posting on his Facebook page, FOZZY guitarist Rich Ward stated about the band's new material, "Based on the songs and the early demos, my gut feeling is that when this album is completed, it will be the best overall album that I have been a part of."

FOZZY last year parted ways with bassist Sean Delson and replaced him with Paul DiLeo (ADRENALINE MOB).

FOZZY released the "Remains Alive & Chasing The Grail" two-CD set on July 18, 2011 via Edel's international rock label earMUSIC.

FOZZY was already on the map as the band with the pro wrestler singer, but "Chasing The Grail" broke them as a proper band. It hit #6 on the U.S. Heatseekers charts and the single "Martyr No More" was a theme song for the WWE Royal Rumble. "Remains Alive" is a 2005 live album (recorded in Australia) that was previously available in digital format only.

"Chasing The Grail" sold around 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 6 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 long-awaited new album from U.S. doom legends SAINT VITUS, "Lillie: F-65", will hit the stores in Europe on April 27 via Season Of Mist. Due to "manufacturing issues," the CD wil be released in North America in May.

"Lillie: F-65" track listing:

01. Let Them Fall
02. The Bleeding Ground
03. Vertigo
04. Blessed Night
05. The Waste of Time
06. Dependence
07. Withdrawal

In the meantime, SAINT VITUS will release a seven-inch single featuring "Blessed Night", a track from "Lillie: F-65". The B-side is a live version of classic VITUS tune "Look Behind You", recorded in December 2010 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland.

Due on March 23, the "Blessed Night" seven-inch single is limited to 1,000 hand-numbered copies. Pre-order it at this location.

Speaking to Terrorizer magazine, SAINT VITUS frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich stated about the band's new album title, "Y'know the reason we called it 'Lillie: F-65'? It was a powerful downer back in our day and well, Dave [Chandler, guitar] really had a thing for his downers."

SAINT VITUS' current lineup features Chandler, drummer Henry Vasquez, bassist Mark Adams and Weinrich.

"Making this album was really a blast," said Chandler. "Being able to live in an environment where all we had to concentrate on was the new material, became very inspiring. And along with our new drummer, Henry Vasquez, and label, Season Of Mist, this record has given us a new opportunity to show everyone that we still have more to shove in your face."

When asked why he thinks SAINT VITUS' music continues to resonate, Wino said in an interview, "Because it comes from the gut. The music has that low tone and it hits you in those emotional places. I've always tried to make the lyrics just as interesting as the music. It's always been a little bit dark but I'm not drawn to the happy stuff. I like music that grabs you by the balls."

"Superskum" (web site) has uploaded quality video footage of SAINT VITUS performing the song "Blessed Night" on March 29, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Check out the clip below.

Norwegian avantgarde metallers BORKNAGAR have recruited Baard Kolstad (ICS VORTEX) as their new drummer.

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

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

"Urd" track listing:

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

BORKNAGAR 2012 is:

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

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

"Roots" audio stream:

The original lineup of Texan thrash metal veterans RIGOR MORTIS — Mike Scaccia (guitar), Casey Orr (bass), Harden Harrison (drums), and Bruce Corbitt (vocals) — has finished laying down 10 new songs for the band's first album since 1991's "Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth". The group recorded the new CD at 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, Texas, home to MINISTRY and BUCK SATAN AND THE 666 SHOOTERS. Production duties were handled by Sammy D'Ambruoso and MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen.

Commented Orr: "Expect a brutally fast, sick and twisted record. We're not fucking around."

The RIGOR MORTIS members have been feverishly writing new material in between other projects. Scaccia and Orr recently contributed songs to the upcoming MINISTRY record, "Relapse", and are gearing up for the "Defibrillatour" this summer. Corbitt has been busy touring with his band, WARBEAST, most recently in support of the mighty GWAR. Harrison was recently in the studio recording with his band MITRA.

The return of RIGOR MORTIS has been a long time coming. Though the band has reunited for a handful of shows over the last several years, schedules and personal lives just wouldn't allow for the time and commitment necessary for the band to properly reemerge with new material and a determination to take RIGOR to the next level.

RIGOR MORTIS lineup:

Mike Scaccia - Guitar
Casey Orr - Bass/Vocals
Harden Harrison - Drums
Bruce Corbitt - Vocals

Frontiers Records has set an April 24 North American release date for "Dig In Deep", the first new album in 18 years from the original lineup of New Jersey rockers TYKETTO.

With recent appearances at Sweden Rock, Download, Firefest, Hard Rock Hell and Hard In Rio, the band realized they still had a huge fan base worldwide and the timing was perfect for a new album.

Formed in New Jersey in 1990, TYKETTO released their major label debut, "Don't Come Easy", in 1991. The album contained the hit AOR songs "Forever Young" and "Seasons" as well as "Wings" and "End Of The Summer Days", whose respective videos, along with "Forever Young", were in heavy rotation on MTV.

"Dig In Deep" track listing:

01. Faithless
02. Love To Love
03. Here's Hoping It Hurts
04. Battle Lines
05. The Fight Left In Me
06. Evaporate
07. Monday
08. Dig In Deep
09. Sound Off
10. Let This One Slide
11. This Is How We Say Goodbye

TYKETTO is:

Danny Vaughn (lead vocals)
Brooke St. James (lead guitar, backing vocals)
Jimi Kennedy (bass, backing vocals)
Michael Clayton (drums, backing vocals)

A two-minute video report from the Christian Broadcasting Network on Pantokrator — Greek for all-powerful — the Colombian heavy metal chuch which claims 50 members who gather weekly to sing along with heavy metal hymns and join in head-banging prayers can be seen below.

"I think that if Jesus was present right now, in the flesh, he would accept everyone without differentiating or under-appreciating anyone," 31-year-old Church founder and pastor Cristian Gonzalez told the Christian Broadcasting Network.

"Whether it is tattoos or piercings, the book of Corinthians says there are people who may judge you based on your appearance, but they cannot judge your heart," he said.

Regardless of their appearance, most of the members claim they are free from drugs and alcohol.

"Jesus Christ was able to demonstrate that he himself got involved with people no matter their condition, if they were prostitutes, pharisees, thieves, tax-collectors, whatever they were, he got close to them no matter what they were and in spite of the prevailing concept of religion of those times that one couldn't let themselves be contaminated. He broke that pattern through action," Gonzalez told Reuters in a 2008 interview. "We have busted the myth of drugs, sex and rock and roll through very forceful action, and it's done through Jesus Christ, which is the only way to show that what we do is different, it's only through Jesus Christ," he added.

Legendary Swedish viking/death masters UNLEASHED will release their new album, "Odalheim", on April 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by Fredrik Folkare and recorded in at Chrome Studios in Sweden.

With "Odalheim", UNLEASHED not only presents the follow-up to "As Yggdrasil Trembles" in the year 2012, but also continues telling its post-doomsday story, embedded into the Norse mythology.

After the mighty world tree Yggdrasil had trembled and rung in the end of the world, Fimbul winter followed: Three years of darkness and coldness, during which Mother Nature took back what was rightfully hers. This caused the end of life as we know it. Ragnarök. But the warriors who've survived will build a new world out of the old one's ashes. Right here, the story of "Odalheim" begins.

Commented UNLEASHED bassist/vocalist Johnny Hedlund: "The artwork is made by Sebastian Ramstedt, just like our previous three albums. It shows the new world 'Odalheim' at the break of dawn at Birka shores, and just before the attack of White Christ. The concept of the album is taken from the book by the same name. A book I haven't yet had the time to complete."

"Odalheim" track listing:

01. Fimbulwinter
02. Odalheim
03. White Christ
04. The Hour Of Defeat
05. Gathering The Battalions
06. Vinland
07. Rise Of The Maya Warriors
08. By Celtic And British Shores
09. The Soil Of Our Fathers
10. Germania
11. The Great Battle Of Odalheim

Hedlund previously stated about "Odalheim": ""Anders [Schultz, drums] asked me if this might be the fastest UNLEASHED album to date. I'm not sure, but it's likely close anyhow."

UNLEASHED's most recent CD, "As Yggdrasil Trembles", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 85 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.

"As Yggdrasil Trembles" was released on April 6, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at guitarist Fredrik Folkare's Chrome studio, and is "the logical continuation from 'Midvinterblot' [2006] and 'Hammer Battalion' [2008]," according to the group. "Lyrically, you will recognize what has become the UNLEASHED trademark since more than 20 years, the combination of the past, present and future of viking struggle and way of life. A few of the songs also mark the beginning of a story never before told."

UNLEASHED's current lineup:

Johnny Hedlund: Bass, Vocals
Tomas Måsgard: Guitar
Fredrik Folkare: Guitar
Anders Schultz: Drums

A promotional clip for British heavy metal singer Blaze Bayley's (WOLFSBANE, ex-IRON MAIDEN) upcoming solo concert in Sofia, Bulgaria can be seen below. The 37-second video includes a snippet of a new track which will appear on Bayley's next studio album, "The King Of Metal", to be released in early March.

"The King Of Metal" was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy. A European headlining tour in support of the CD will kick off in early March in Belgium.

When asked about the recording process for "The King Of Metal", Blaze recently told Metal Shock Finland, "I don't like to spend a lot of time in the studio, I don't feel it's a very creative environment. I like to spend most of my time on an album in the writing process and the composing. I feel that's the bit that really counts. I'm always thinking of the audience, the fans and how I'm going to perform the songs live."

On the topic of what the new album will sound like, Blaze said, "It'll be a bit different to what I've done before because I'm producing it. There will be a lot of heavy metal, as you would expect from a Blaze Bayley album. We decided to have no rules; if we feel something is appropriate to sing or play, we will. It's all about the vibe and passion. I'm very hopeful it will turn out to be my best work."

Blaze has announced that he will be accompanied by the following musicians on his upcoming "King Of Metal" tour:

* Matteo "Lehmann" Grazzini (NEURASTHENIA) - Bass
* Claudio Tirincanti - Drums
* Andrea Neri (ASTARTE SYRIACA) - Guitar
* Thomas Zwijsen (NYLON MAIDEN) - Guitar

In a recent interview with Metal Blast, Bayley stated about "The King of Metal", "This album is a bit more back towards my classic metal style; it's closer to the 'Silicon Messiah' and 'Tenth Dimension' albums. Although I didn't plan it that way, this is how it has worked out. . . I've been working very closely with a young guitar player called Thomas Zwijsen, who has co-written most of the songs, and it has worked very well. Now, the title track, 'The King Of Metal', is dedicated to the fans, because they are the real kings of metal. Without the fans, there's no heavy metal, and I think that people trivialize that and even disrespect heavy metal fans, compared to fans of pop or jazz. I've called the album 'The King Of Metal' as a tribute to heavy metal fans, thanks to whom it has been possible for me to have such a wonderful career and spend my life as a professional singer."

Blaze last year parted ways with the rest of his band in order to pursue a career as a solo artist and the lead singer of WOLFSBANE. He explained the decision by saying that "the mental, financial and emotional strain of keeping the BLAZE BAYLEY band together has proven to be too much for me and has taken a terrible toll on my mental health. . . It has been an upsetting, frustrating and sad time because the BLAZE BAYLEY band will not be going on any more, but it is also for me a huge relief and a time to look forward."

A statement from former members of Blaze Bayley's solo band — David Bermudez (bass), Nico Bermudez (guitar) and Jay Walsh (guitar) — regarding the group's split can be found at this location.

AS I LAY DYING ended 2011, the year of their tenth anniversary as a band, with an extremely successful headlining tour. The Decade Of Destruction Tour ran November-December through the US.

While on the tour, the band captured live footage from several shows. The footage was edited by the band's own Nick Hipa into what has become the band's next video: 'Paralyzed'. The video encapsulates As I Lay Dying in a special moment in time; their tenth anniversary tour in front of sold-out crowds full of devoted fans.

Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM recently entered the studio to begin recording their fifth album for a fall release via Spinefarm Records. The band states, "[We] started working at the famous Petrax studio (CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH) [in Hollola, Finland] last week with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED) who is also mixing the album. From Petrax studio, the band will move on to two other locations in the Hämeenlinna area.

ENSIFERUM's new album will contain 10 tracks and will include guest appearances by members of DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and the legendary Finnish singer and actor Vesa-Matti Loiri.

The first in a series of websidodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the new CD recording process can be seen below.

ENSIFERUM's fourth album, "From Afar", sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 44 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.

"From Afar" was released on September 9, 2009 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was produced by Tero Kinnunen (NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS) and Janne Joutsenniemi ('Victory Songs' producer) and was mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED, AMORPHIS).

Leading German extreme metal drummer Norman Lonhard (TRIPTYKON, PIGEON TOE) will join Croatian black metal/extreme metal band GORTHAUR'S WRATH in the studio for the recording sessions of their upcoming sophomore album. Entitled "War For Heaven", the CD will be tracked in May at Woodshed Studios in Germany by V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS, TRIPTYKON).

Formed in 1998, GORTHAUR'S WRATH recorded four demos before releasing its debut album, "Ritual IV", in early 2011 through the U.K. label Casket Music.

During GORTHAUR'S WRATH's first European tour, the band's leader, Morbid, joined forces with longtime spiritual brother Mara (bass guitar/synths). German guitarist and songwriter Ross Feratu came aboard in early 2011 and is now the lead guitarist and main songwriter for the upcoming album.

Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI recently entered the studio to begin recording their new album for a tentative late summer release via Nuclear Blast Records. The as-yet-untitled CD will mark the recording debut of the band's new fiddler, Tuomas Rounakari.

Commented the band: "We took Tuomas aboard when we noticed that he was actually the only sensible choice for us. We had already thought of him before, but were always afraid that he'd be too busy to join us, because KORPIKLAANI demands much time from every band member. When we finally asked him, he replied that it'd be an exciting challenge and big chance for him, so he agreed to take over the fiddle for us. We're more than happy about his decision!

"At the moment, the whole band is gathered in the studio where we've recently entered the final stage of recording, with Jonne laying down his vocal lines and only a few folk parts waiting to be recorded. If all goes to plan, the album will be ready for mixing at the end of March."

Get a first idea of Tuomas' instrumental skills by watching a video of his solo project "Shamanviolin" below.

A new KORPIKLAANI song called "Metsälle" was originally recorded late last year when the band was competing to represent Finland in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. The track, which will also appear on the forthcoming CD, has since been released as a single and can be downloaded at this location.

According to KORPIKLAANI, "Metsälle" "is about the hunt on Hiisi's magical moose in the Northland. He (Lemminkäinen) puts on his charmed ski's and takes off for a prolonged hunt through forests and meadows, marshlands and woodlands, rapids and rivers. This song describes part of the Kalevala story, the national epic of Finland."

KORPIKLAANI's latest album, "Ukon Wacka", was released in North America on February 25, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"In Reverie", the new video from Poland's KRUK, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's second studio album, "It Will Not Come Back", which came out in 2011. The CD features a guest appearance by enowned Scottish singer Doogie White, who has worked with such bands as RAINBOW, CORNERSTONE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, MIDNIGHT BLUE and PRAYING MANTIS and TANK.

Commented KRUK guitarist Piotr Brzychcy: "Doogie isn't only a great singer, but also a wonderful man. On the set of the video for 'In Reverie', he created a friendly atmosphere, which influenced everyone so much that soon we all forgot about the stress that took hold of us at first. He motivated us to forget about all our inhibitions and to feel the rock 'n' roll madness. We also heard lots of various stories from White's colorful history, usually full of vivid details of the kind that you would never find in an interview. On that day, however, what was the most important for us were the words of acknowledgment and praise which he expressed on several occasions with reference to KRUK."

"It Will Not Come Back" was released last June via Metal Mind Productions in Europe and in July through MVD in in North America.

Hungarian pagan/black metal band BORNHOLM is working on its new album, "Inexorable Defiance", at Pannonia Studios with Viktor Scheer (ex-SEAR BLISS) as producer. The CD will contain 11 tracks which are said to be "more complex and much detailed than anything before in the history of the band. Wrath, monumentality and sparkling splendor that marks the new opus."

"Inexorable Defiance" track listing:

01. Fear Of Wonders
02. Swordbearer
03. Flaming Pride and Inexorable Defiance
04. Walk On Pagan Ways
05. Archaic Pale Visions
06. Throne Of Crows
07. Moonlight Wanderer
08. Equinox
09. The Spiral Path
10. Fiery Golden Dawn
11. Towards the Golden Halls

A short video clip from the studio can be seen below.

Swedish hard rockers EUROPE will release their ninth studio album, "Bag Of Bones", on April 27 via earMusic/Edel. The CD was produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, JOE BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK STONE CHERRY and JOURNEY, among others.

The "Bag Of Bones" cover artwork can now be seen below.

Regarding the new CD title, EUROPE drummer Ian Haugland said, "It's not [called 'Bag Of Bones'] because we all have lost tons of weight or found a new interest in archeology or dogs... It's just because it sounds fuckin' cool!"

In a July 2011 press release, EUROPE singer Joey Tempest stated about the band's new CD, "We still feel we have one hell of a rock record to make. Kevin's the man for the job. We love his work with BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, and BLACK STONE CHERRY. He's the real deal. We're ready to do some serious damage."

Last year, EUROPE met up with Shirley in Stockholm to discuss the direction of the next album. Based on reactions from the fans and media, EUROPE's 2009 album, "Last Look At Eden", proved to be the band's most important record since "The Final Countdown". "I've been a big fan of EUROPE's work for many years," said Shirley. "The band is influential and highly underrated. I can't wait to make the upcoming album their most explosive to date."

The new material suggests a more straightforward rock approach evident in "Doghouse" — a new song EUROPE performed on their most recent U.K. tour (see video below). The song is also featured on EUROPE's "Europe: Live at Shepherd's Bush" DVD, released in August 2011 via earMUSIC CDs and DVDs.

earMUSIC last year released a limited deluxe book with pictures by Denis O'Regan. "Live Look At Eden" features exclusive live audio and the stunning performance at 2010's iTunes Festival in London.