Earlier this week, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine was interviewed by Josh Kerns for Sunday's episode of "Seattle Sounds", which airs on on Seattle's KIRO 97.3 FM radio station. When asked if he supports gay marriage, Mustaine said, "Well, since I'm not gay, the answer to that would be no." Dave was then questioned if he would support legislation to make marriage between a man and another man legal. He replied, "I'm Christian. The answer to that would be no."

Regarding what it means that an average price of a gallon of gasoline was $1.83 when Barack Obama came into office and now it's almost $4, Mustaine said, "It means the same thing that's happened to all of our grandparents with their social security being taken away. It means the same thing for all the homeowners who've had their houses ripped out from under them with all these robo-mortgages. America is being emasculated. I think as long as George Soros is going to be president Obama's main mentor, we need to get ready to start wearing red."

Mustaine on Wednesday issued a statement to clarify media reports that he has endorsed Republican Rick Santorum for president. He said, "Contrary to how some people have interpreted my words, I have not endorsed any presidential candidate. What I did say was that I hope to see a Republican in the White House. I've seen good qualities in all the candidates but by no means have made my choice yet. I respect the fact that Santorum took time off from his campaign to be with his sick daughter, but I never used the word 'endorse.'"

In the interview that shocked some of his longtime fans, Mustaine told MusicRadar.com, "I'm just hoping that whatever is in the White House next year is a Republican. I can't bear to watch what's happened to our great country. Everybody's got their head in the sand. Everybody in the industry is like, 'Oh, Obama's doing such a great job ...' I don't think so. Not from what I see."

Mustaine was critical of most of the candidates in the Republican presidential race, telling the site, "I was floored the other day to see that Mitt Romney's five boys have a $100 million trust fund. Where does a guy make that much money? So there's some questions there. And watching Newt Gingrich, I was pretty excited for a while, but now he's just gone back to being that person that everybody said he was — that angry little man. I still like him, but I don't think I'd vote for him."

The MEGADETH frontman added that Santorum, who won caucuses in Colorado and Minnesota as well as the Missouri primary last week, "has some presidential qualities." He said, "I'm hoping that if it does come down to it, we'll see a Republican in the White House... and that it's Rick Santorum."

MelodicRock.com is very excited to be able to preview some audio from the brand new Jeff Scott Soto solo album, due out March 24 via Frontiers Records in the USA and Europe. And even better - we are going to preview more tracks every day this week. So without further delay - the first three tracks from the album Damage Control can be sampled right now!

Check out: Give A Little More // Damage Control // Look Inside Your Heart.

"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 can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

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".

Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) played four shows in London in November 2011 dedicated to his tetralogy album concept — a great journey through Devin's different states of musical moods — which he started in 2009 with the albums "Addicted" (2009) and "Ki" (2009) and finished with last year's "Deconstruction" and "Ghost". The concerts were professionally recorded and filmed for a unique box-set release, which he has decided to call "By A Thread".

Speaking to AOL's Noisecreep, Townsend stated about the upcoming multi-disc package, "I submitted the mixes for the audio and we just finished the cover. I think the entire project is like a 10-disc set or something ridiculous. . . We're going to do the four DVDs, four audio discs [CDS], one of bonus footage, and because the shows are too long to fit the encores on the audio discs, we have a disc of just the encores. . . There's bonus material from 'Ghosts' and 'Deconstruction'. We did a bunch of PUNKY BRÜSTER stuff [Townsend's 1996 project] and for 'Addicted' [concert] we did a bunch of old catalog stuff, just to flesh it out. So the people that come to the show are not just feeling ripped off that we played for 55 minutes and then buggered off."

Devin also spoke about his next project, which he will begin recording next month after completing his appearance at Australia's Soundwave Festival. "I'm doing this record called 'Epicloud'," he said. "Over the course of the full record, there's sort of new agey stuff, jazzy stuff, really heavy stuff. We basically cover the gamut. 'Epicloud' is the first record that I felt confident enough to include all those things on one record so it goes between melodic hard rock to schizophrenic heavy metal to country to really ambient stuff and it's all in one place. I'm using a gospel choir, a string section and a horn section for this one as well. On 'Deconstruction', I got to use the Prague Philharmonic and really go far into making an absurd album as over the top as possible and on 'Epicloud' I'm trying to take the same advantages to make some things musically very pleasing, as opposed to just claustrophobic."

DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT released "Contain Us", a special tribute box set for its epic quadrology ("Ki", "Addicted", "Deconstruction" and "Ghost") on November 29, 2011 in North America. "Contain Us" was designed and created by Man Alive's Tom Bejgrowicz (who also conceived the classic and must-have MISFITS "Coffin" box-set) and is the ultimate collection for every diehard Devin fan. The standard box-set is priced at $80.00 while the hand-numbered box with the 10" and a lithograph drawn and autographed by Devin is $100.

Former CHIMAIRA drummer Andols Herrick will guest on one track on the upcoming debut album from United Arab Emirates-based metallers BENEVOLENT. The CD will be released in the spring via Spellbind Records.

Commented Herrick in a statement, "I was approached by [BENEVOLENT's co-founder and lead guitarist] Hadi Sarieddine awhile back about the possibility of tracking drums for BENEVOLENT. I was quite impressed with the quality of the music and vocals."

He continued, "I love having the opportunity to work with a great band, who happens to represent the Middle East metal scene very well. I do know it is very vibrant having had the pleasure of performing with CHIMAIRA at the Desert Rock Festival in Dubai back in 2009."

Regarding the track that Andols is recording for the BENEVOLENT CD, the drummer said, "This song presented numerous rhythmic challenges as I was learning it. If you were a drummer with limited music theory experience, I'd just say 'Good luck trying to learn it!' The song is loaded with 'over-the-bar-line' guitar riffs, and I found myself, on occasion, discovering some of my transcriptions would be a sixteenth note off here or there!"

Added Sarieddine, "It is pretty crazy thinking that Andols Herrick is going to be drumming on one of our songs; if I go back in time and tell past-me that this was happening I'd probably get a pretty sarcastic reaction.

"The last couple of years since we started the band have been absolutely insanely great for us; getting such great reviews for the debut record, getting signed to Spellbind Records, and now this? I can't think that things could be any better for the band, I'm really proud of how things are coming together."

BENEVOLENT's debut EP, "Divided", came out in 2010. The band landed a deal with Spellbind Records in September 2011.

According to Hadi, the forthcoming CD will be "a lot more technical than 'Divided'; the songs have a lot going on and while it preserves that sound that we've created in our debut EP this is a step forward on many levels and it tells a story about lots of dark themes with the lyrical and instrumental direction on the album."

For more information, go to this location.

British heavy metal legends SAXON have commenced the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to last year's "Call To Arms". Drummer Nigel Glockler writes on his Facebook page, "Expecting Quinny [Paul Quinn; guitar] down this week, so he, Doug [Scarratt; guitar] and myself will be in the home studio working on songs for the next album before the whole band meet up again in March. The plan (at the moment) is to have the album written by May, then studio between festivals this summer. We are hoping for a January 2013 release, but as you know, things are always subject to change."

SAXON will release "Saxon - Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken", the no-fat-no-bullshit-100%-pure CD/DVD featuring DVD highlights from the band'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.

"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.

Release dates:

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

"Call To Arms" sold around 700 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 51 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 digipack version of "Call To Arms" includes a glorious bonus — a free seven-track CD, "Live At Donington 1980".

Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based extreme metallers KATAKLYSM will release a multidisc DVD, "The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined", in the spring via Nuclear Blast. The set will depict the ups and downs of the band's long, turbulent career, as well as footage of KATAKLYSM's performance at last year's Summer Breeze festival, which took place August 18-20, 2011 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. The cover art for the release was created by artist Colin Marks (ORIGIN, EXODUS, NEVERMORE) and can be viewed below.

Commented KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono: "Just watched most of [the DVD] yesterday. Director Tommy Jones has really captured the band's story and magic on this thing. I'm super excited; this DVD will turn many heads. Our fans will be proud. Most of all, I got memories immortalized of a beautiful story. If we don't earn the respect with this, then the ones not giving it are in the wrong biz."

KATAKLYSM recently recorded the single "The Iron Will" in Montreal, Canada with guitarist/producer Jean-François Dagenais. It was mixed Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, BEHEMOTH, MNEMIC) in Denmark and will be made available with a video clip on iTunes one month before the release of "The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined".

KATAKLYSM's "At The Edge Of The World" video was filmed on March 20, 2011 at the band's hometown show at Club Soda. This concert also marked the end of the group's "Spread the Venom" European/North American tour. The video was helmed by director Tommy Jones (DEATH ANGEL, SOILWORK), who is also working with KATAKLYSM on "The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined".

KATAKLYSM's latest album, "Heaven's Venom", sold around 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 8 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.

KATAKLYSM's previous CD, "Prevail", opened with 2,250 units back in June 2008.

"Heaven's Venom" was produced by Jean-Francois Dagenais and was mixed by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MNEMIC, DARK TRANQUILLITY).

Radio Metal recently conducted an interview with KORN singer Jonathan Davis. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Radio Metal: How do you make such two different musical worlds, metal and dubstep, work together? I guess a metal band such as KORN has a very different way of working compared to dubstep artists such as Skrillex?

Jonathan: No, there's a lot of similarities there; there really is. Dubstep music is really heavy. Some of those sounds were just so heavy that we thought it would work so we wanted to experiment. We didn't know if we were going to make an album or what we were going to do, but when we got with Skrillex, we did a few soungs, and once we got there, [we were like] "Fuck the EP. Let's do a whole album. I guess we'll work with all these different amazing producers."

Radio Metal: Was it difficult to mix these two different musical worlds?

Jonathan: Yeah, it was tough. We had no clue about what we were doing. That was something that hadn't been done before. It was a big huge learning curve. That's why we had asked the producer to mix the album with our engineer and he taught Bud [engineer Jim "Bud" Monti] all kind of stuff and Bud taught him all kinds of stuff so we were exchanging information and getting together and making the thing work. Of course it was a hard record to make, but it was the funnest record I've ever made.

Radio Metal: In the Roadrunner Records biography you were quoted defining the mixture found on "The Path Of Totality" as "future metal." So do we have to expect KORN to further explore that direction in the future or do you think you've been as far as there was to explore with combining metal and dubstep?

Jonathan: I think that since we did this record, it wouldn't be necessary to do another dubstep album, so it's on to the next thing. Our records are always kind of different, so I think we'll take what we've learned from this, and there might be subtle influences here and there, but I think overall the next KORN album will be different from the last one.

Radio Metal: You said that people were going to be pissed about "The Path Of Totality" and that made you even more excited about it. Why does it excite you so much? What satisfies you in pissing people off?

Jonathan: What made me excited about it? There's a lot of closed-minded metal purists that would hate something because it's not true to metal or whatever, but KORN has never been a metal band, dude. We're not a metal band. We've always been looked as as what they called the nu-metal thing. But we've always been the black sheep and we never fitted into that kind of thing, so… We're always ever-evolving, and we always piss fans off and we're gaining other fans, and it is how it is. And I love them all, I even love the ones that hate on us, because if they take the time out to go and say that they hate us; it means that they care. [laughs] You can't make everybody happy, but I've been around for 18 years, so I'm like, "I don't give a fuck, I really don't!" I wanna do what makes me happy and makes the band happy. But that doesn't bother us at all. There will always be people who are going to hate, no matter what the hell we do.

Radio Metal: Do you think that people need to have their convictions and habits shaken sometimes?

Jonathan: Yeah, man, that's what keeps everything sweet. You just do one thing and then change and do another thing… It trips them out and in the end they come around. Yeah, and they like that. I like being surprised. It's all about not being closed-minded and enjoy all kinds of music. And, fortunately, there are people like that.

Read the entire interview from Radio Metal.

On Thursday evening, February 16, GUNS N' ROSES played a private, invite-only show at Hiro Ballroom that closed out New York Fashion Week. A number of celebrities attended the concert, including Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso, who sat in a VIP section with Chelsea Clinton, Justin Timberlake, Sienna Miller and Tom Sturridge, Taylor Momsen, Alexandra Richards, Jared Leto, Evan Rachel Wood, Danny Masterson, Mario Sorrenti and the Winklevoss twins.

GUNS N' ROSES reportedly hit the stage on time and played "Welcome To The Jungle", "It's So Easy" and "Mr. Brownstone" as part of a set that went well past 2 a.m.

According to Women's Wear Daily, two men in the crowd got into a fight minutes before the show started and ended up getting whisked away by security.

After GUNS N' ROSES took the stage, a member of the audience threw a glass. Axl Rose stopped singing and yelled to the offender, "You little [bleep], you want to throw a glass?"

"See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya," said Rose, as GN'R guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal ran after the perpetrator.

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.

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.

"Monarch Of All", the new video from the Danish death/thrash metal act MORDAX, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's debut album, "Violence Fraud Treachery", which will be released on February 24 via Ultimhate Records. The CD was recorded at CB Studios and Redhead Recordings in Denmark and mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (BLOODBATH, OPETH, EDGE OF SANITY) at Unisound in Örebro, Sweden.

According to the band's official bio, MORDAX "reaches back towards a sound that is raw, real and human. Combining various elements from thrash and death metal with a rock-inspired approach to songwriting, the band's sound is first and foremost its own: Simplistic thrash/death metal with fear-inducing growled vocals, catchy guitar lines and organic grooves center stage. The band plays around with metal clichés mixing them with their own new ideas, and in the process they come up with something that invokes nostalgia yet sounds decidedly new."

MORDAX is:

Asbjørn Steffensen: Vocals
Ejnar Videbæk: Drums
Jeff: Bass
Mads Bertram: Guitar
Lord Insane: Guitar

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

DEF LEPPARD guitarist and MANRAZE frontman Phil Collen took part in an interview and acoustic performance on the "Out Of The Box" show, which airs on the Q104.3 radio station in New York. You can now watch video footage of his appearance below.

As previously reported, Collen will take part in a Twitter question-and-answer session with fans on Wednesday, February 22 at 6 p.m. EST. Phil will be on the band's official Twitter page answering questions live.

To post a question: In the "What's Happening" box on your Twitter profile, type your question. Add the hashtag, #AskPhil to your post and click "tweet."

Example: What is your favorite Def Leppard song to play live? #AskPhil

For more information, visit DefLeppard.com.

DEF LEPPARD drummer Rick Allen confirmed in a new video message that his band will tour with POISON this summer. Exact cities and dates have yet to be announced.

MANRAZE has just released a brand new high-energy rock/dance track and video called "Take On The World".

The release will be in conjunction with renowned U.K. film director Mark Sloper's sequel to his 2010 release documentary "I Superbiker". Part two, known as "The Showdown: I Superbiker II", chronicles the rise of Tommy Hill as the 2011 British Superbike racing champion.

MANRAZE has once again created an electric theme song that will serve as a tribute to Tommy Hill's historic win.

"Als De Dood Weer Naar Ons Lacht", the new video from the Dutch folk metal six-piece HEIDEVOLK, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Batavi", which will be released on March 2 through Napalm Records.

With "Batavi", HEIDEVOLK takes you back 2,000 years to a time where numerous Germanic tribes and one massive Roman empire were struggling for dominance in north-western Europe, along the shores of the river Rhine. Caught in the middle of this where the Batavians, protagonists and name-givers of the new album.

"Batavi" is a concept album that deals with the early history of the Batavian tribe, from its origination to a daring revolt against one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. Set against a background of wars, alliances, intrigues and betrayal in a tumultuous era, "Batavi" tells the story of a people that find themselves in various frontlines and struggle for survival.

Though still unmistakably in line with their musical tradition, on "Batavi" you will hear a faster and more determined HEIDEVOLK. With nine songs of brutal power and epic highlights, HEIDEVOLK shows you its teeth like never before. Heavy, powerful guitar riffs and fast thundering drums, mixed by Peter Tägtgren, create the HEIDEVOLK sound of 2012. Trademark dual clean male vocals will guide you through the story of the "Batavi" and take you straight to the battlefields of Roman-age north-western Europe.

Commented the band: "Our new CD, 'Batavi', is about to see the light of day, and after many hours of hard work in the rehearsal room and studio we feel like a bunch of starved caged animals! Armed to the teeth with new songs, we're ready to satisfy our hunger and break free!"

"Batavi" track listing:

01. Een Nieuw Begin (A New Beginning)
02. Als Ons De Toekomst Lonkt (When The Future Beckons)
03. Het Verbond Met Rome (The Alliance With Rome)
04. Wapenbroeders (Brothers In Arms)
05. In Het Woud Gezworen (Sworn In The Woods)
06. Veleda
07. Als De Dood Weer Naar Ons Lacht (When Death Smiles At Us Again)
08. Einde Der Zege (The End Of Victory)
09. Vrijgevochten (Fought To Freedom)

An edited version of the song "Een Nieuw Begin" can be streamed using the audio player below.

The metal juggernaut known as HELLYEAH — featuring Vinnie Paul Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN), Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett (MUDVAYNE), Tom Maxwell (NOTHINGFACE) and Bob "Zilla" Kakaha (DAMAGEPLAN) — has set "Band Of Brothers" as the title of its third album, to be released in early June via the grup's new label home, Eleven Seven Music. The CD was recorded in Dallas, Texas at Vinnie Paul's home studio, VP's Upstairs Studio, and was produced by the band and Jeremy Parker (GODSMACK, EVANESCENCE), who also served as engineer.

Having produced track after track of heavy-hitting, in-your-face, feel-good rock and roll on their previous two albums (2010's "Stampede" and 2007's self-titled debut), HELLYEAH takes a slightly different musical direction on "Band Of Brothers". Drawing on their former bands' collective metal roots for inspiration, the influences and style of MUDVAYNE, PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN and NOTHINGFACE are immediately recognizable in tracks such as "Band Of Brothers", "War In Me" and "Rage Burn", while the party anthem "Drink, Drank, Drunk" retains the essence of earlier HELLYEAH.

Commented Gray, "I'm really excited about what we've done on this new album. I've always separated MUDVAYNE and HELLYEAH as much as I could, even though it was my voice. Melodies, lyrics and just the overall style of writing were different. With 'Band Of Brothers', I just quit being afraid of who I am in relation to this band. I think we've all really gotten back to the original roots of what we've done individually and brought it together on this album. As an artist, as long as you're painting with your own brush, no one can compare or challenge you. I just painted with a bigger, heavier brush than I had with HELLYEAH in the past. I think this is what fans have always expected to hear from us, and now were giving it to them."

Added Jeremy Parker, "It's impossible not to have a good time jamming this record. It has the anger and violence of PANTERA and MUDVAYNE, but a party vibe that can only be HELLYEAH!"

In a recent interview with Loudwire, Vinnie stated about "Band Of Brothers" , "On our first two records, we were a new band. We really wanted to branch out and expand and experiment with all different styles. We all come from traditional metal bands and backgrounds, so it was a great breath of fresh air to play in a band that was rock 'n' roll, blues and Southern rock. We got that out of our system and got really focused on going back to our metal roots. It's heavy, focused, groove-oriented and I'm excited about it."

When asked if the bluesy, Southern rawk element been abandoned altogether or if it's still there somewhat, just in lesser form, Vinnie said, "There is some of that in there, but when we started writing, we thought, 'Let's take this to a place we haven't been all the way yet.' We've been super diverse, from songs like 'Alcohaulin' Ass' to 'Better Man', but this one honks from start to finish! . . . It's about getting your groove on — that's what we used to do. The first two records were the chance to breathe and expand and do something we hadn't done in our past and in our other bands. When you meld guys from PANTERA, MUDVAYNE and NOTHINGFACE, this is what you get. It just honks."

On the topic of how he thinks PANTERA fans truly feel about HELLYEAH, Vinnie said, "Some PANTERA fans are on the fence and I understand that. PANTERA is a marquee band, with the most diehard fans. We sold over 20 million records without MTV or radio. For some people, that's the only band they'll do. But then again, a whole lot of them understand this and have followed HELLYEAH and have been in line with us. HELLYEAH have great fans. We're a beer-drinking, hell-raising band that kicks ass live. I love both the records. It's a good release, to play songs that are not full throttle 24-7. But this new one is a great combo of what we previously did, with more metal."

HELLYEAH's sophomore album, "Stampede", sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on The Billboard 200 chart.

HELLYEAH's self-titled debut CD opened with 45,000 units back in April 2007 to land at No. 9.

SkullsNBones.com's Sam Roon sat down at Eleven Seven Music's New York City offices with Jason Lekberg to get an exclusive preview of HELLYEAH's third album. A five-minute video clip of the session, which includes audio samples of several of the new HELLYEAH tracks, can be seen below.

Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH has recorded a guest appearance on the new album from Polish guitarist Grzegorz Skawinski. Entitled "Me & My Guitar", the CD will be released on March 12.

Commented Darski: "Style-wise, it's very far from what I do in BEHEMOTH… but I know Grzegorz for years… The guy is a guitar hero in my country and I couldn't turn down his offer when he asked me to play a lead in the title track. It came out great, and I'm sure many of you out there will dig it… it's a very crafty and catchy stuff."

Skawinski is a guitar virtuoso, famous in Eastern Europe as a former member of KOMBI, a Polish supergroup.

Joe Satriani, one of the most respected and innovative guitarists in the world today, announces the release of the live-concert film, "Satchurated: Live In Montreal". "Satchurated" was filmed during Satriani's "The Wormhole Tour", supporting his studio album, "Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards", at the Metropolis in Montreal, Canada. The December 12, 2010 concert was filmed by Grammy- and Emmy-award-winning concert filmmakers Pierre and Francois Lamoureux. "Satchurated: Live In Montreal" will be released to select theaters throughout the country on March 1 for a limited engagement.

For a complete list of theaters, go to this location.

With a total of ten cameras working to capture the sold-out concert, Satriani's musical best was recorded in both 2D and 3D HD formats. The high-definition filming makes Satriani's playing as much a pleasure to watch as it is to hear. Every chord change is captured and presented as if one were experiencing a living room concert of your very own! Fans of "Satch" will be eagerly awaiting the film's worldwide release in March, with theatrical presentations in both 2D and 3D formats, followed by a shorter version for television broadcast. The soundtrack from "Satchurated" was produced by Satriani and Mike Fraser and will be released on April 10 through Epic Records.

Over the last two decades, Satriani has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star "G3" guitar extravaganza. His studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. His side project, CHICKENFOOT, featuring former VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith, saw their debut album certified gold and have just released their second studio album. Satriani also appears in the Academy Award-nominated film "Moneyball" starring Brad Pitt, recreating a national anthem performance he gave at the 2002 opening day of Major League Baseball's Oakland As. In late 2010, music sensation Nicki Minaj sampled the classic Satriani song "Always With Me Always With You" in her song "Right Through Me" from her multi-platinum debut album and in March, Satriani will revive his "G3" tour "Down Under" when he is joined by fellow legendary guitarists Steve Vai and Steve Lukather for a spring tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The video below gives you an exclusive look at the song "War" from the upcoming film.

Michael Davis, bassist influential late 1960s rock band MC5, has died of liver failure at the age of 68, the BBC reports. He had been undergoing treatment for liver disease for a month before he died at Enloe Medical Center in Chico, California, his wife said.

Davis was MC5's (short for "Motor City Five") second bass player, having replaced Pat Burrows prior to the recording of the band's 1969 album "Kick Out The Jams". Davis left MC5 shortly before the band broke up in 1972 and went on to pursue a career in art.

MC5 reformed in 2004 with Handsome Dick Manitoba replacing original vocalist Rob Tyner, who died in 1991.

Davis is survived by his wife, their three sons, and a daughter from a previous marriage.

Las Vegas "djent-core" outfit AECHOES will release its debut album, "The Human Condition", this spring via Swimming With Sharks Records. The CD boasts an all-star cast of contributors, including Daniel Braunstein, guitarist for the band VOLUMES, heading up vocal tracking, mixing and mastering at DB Studios. All instrument tracking was done by Diego Farias, also a guitar player from VOLUMES, who also provided a piano composition for the album. Other notable contributions include a guitar solo from Chris Storey (ex-ALL SHALL PERISH) and guitar work from Travis Montgomery (THREAT SIGNAL). The CD is described in a press release as "a complex and creative blend of the best elements of progressive deathcore, hardcore, metalcore, and djent."

Commented AECHOES vocalist Kiernan McArdle: "We are very pleased to announce our new partnership with Swimming With Sharks Records. Noah Robertson works harder than most label owners, and understands the trials and tribulations that bands go through. He shares the same exhausting work ethic that we see daily with the record label and his band THE BROWNING. We have complete confidence that AECHOES, and Swimming With Sharks will grow together and do great things. We are excited that our long-awaited debut album, 'The Human Condition', is being released by such an awesome, artist-friendly label. We look forward to hitting the road this spring and summer in support of the album."

AECHOES recently inked a publishing deal with band management and publishing company Salem Rose Music (ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, PATHOLOGY, BONDED BY BLOOD). "We are very excited to be signing with Salem Rose. We've wanted to work with Marco [Barbieri] for a long time now. We've seen his success with Metal Blade and Century Media, and are glad to have his support," explained McArdle. "We've worked hard, and we have accomplished a lot within our first year of being AECHOES. We have a lot in store for the future, and this milestone is just the beginning."

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

German progressive death thrashers NONEUCLID — who feature in their ranks members of DARK FORTRESS, TRIPTYKON, OBSCURA and REVAMP — will debut their new lineup this coming Sunday, February 19 in their hometown of Landshut, supporting DARK FORTRESS and DIABOLUS DUST.

After singer Bruce amicably quit NONEUCLID recently, the band will continue as a compact four-piece — guitarist Morean will take over vocal duties as well from now on.

Says Morean: "We tried different candidates, and my band mates encouraged me to try out for the part myself. Even though for me it is the next big challenge in this band, since my guitar parts and the vocals rarely have anything to do with each other — they hardly ever take place in the same key, rhythm or, at times, even tempo — I am honored and excited to continue Bruce's heritage in this band, and we are ready to open the next chapter. Stretching our brains to the utmost to play our complex and at times insane music has always been the modus operandi for us, so in that sense nothing's changing."

"We want to thank Bruce for the years of pleasure and madness we had together, for being a trooper and a good friend, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours."

NONEUCLID is taking on the future head-on; besides expanding the symphonic repertoire, as they did in 2008 with the Dutch Metropole Orchestra and recently with Orchester des 13.Tons in Germany, plans for a club tour later this year are currently in the making.

NONEUCLID is:

Morean - Guitar, Vocals
V Santura - Guitar
Linus - Bass
Seraph - Drums

In 2010 NONEUCLID received an invite from Tom G. Warrior to play at the Roadburn festival. In November of the same year, a second symphonic project "Transition Metal" was premiered in collaboration with newly founded Orchester des 13. Tons, conducted by Ulf Klausenitzer. In additition to a brand new work for orchestra and metal band, music of Richard Wagner and NONEUCLID were interpreted in different versions by both band and orchestra.

A DVD of "Transition Metal" and a studio CD with "Transition Metal" and "Black Vortex Cathedral" are currently in the making. Further orchestral and other unusual collaborations are in the works.

VAN HALEN's 2012 tour in support of their comeback album, A Different Kind Of Truth, kicked off on Saturday, February 18th in Louisville, KY. Fan-filmed footage can be viewed including video of 'Women In Love' (from Van Halen II) - a first since 1980 - can be viewed below. Check out a television report by WDRB.com below and photos at this location.




Van Halen set-list:
'You Really Got Me'
'Runnin’ With The Devil'
'She’s The Woman'
'Romeo Delight'
'Tattoo'
'Everybody Wants Some'
'Somebody Get Me A Doctor'
'China Town'
'Mean Street'
'(Oh!) Pretty Woman'
Alex Van Halen Drum Solo
'Unchained'
'The Trouble With Never'
'I’ll Wait'
'Dance The Night Away'
'Hot For Teacher'
'Women In Love' (a first since 1980)
'Outta Love Again' (a first since 1979)
'Beautiful Girls'
'Ice Cream Man'
'Panama'
Eddie Van Halen Solo
'Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love'
'Jump'

MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil celebrated his 51st birthday by hopping aboard drummer Tommy Lee's 360-degree circular drum coaster Wednesday night (February 8) during the band's residency show at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Neil's bandmates — Lee, guitarist Mick Mars and bassist Nikki Sixx — also surprised him with a 3-foot-tall, guitar-shaped birthday cake. According to the Las Vegas Sun, the sweet concoction by Caked Las Vegas featured some of the group’s album covers and a replica of Vince's 1932 Ford Coupe hot rod which is on display in the front Hard Rock lobby.

Check out photos from HauteLiving.com. Also available is video footage of the birthday celebration.

Neil said in arecent interview with the Las Vegas Sun that is considering splitting from MÖTLEY CRÜE after the band's first-ever rock band residency later this month. The singer, who had been sitting on his boat in the Bahamas for a few weeks pondering his next move, explained, "I'm having a great time here — I could stay a year! I'm sitting on my yacht, contemplating my future, and I'm not sure it will be with MÖTLEY CRÜE after Las Vegas. Great things are coming up and pushing me in another direction."

He added, "This is all about me thinking about the second half of my life, thinking about my future, and that future might not include MÖTLEY CRÜE after Vegas. There are so many opportunities that are in front of me that I'm really excited about. I just don't want to look back later in life and regret that I didn't pursue them. I'm just not sure I can give these opportunities the time and effort I'll need to and continue with the band. It's been a great ride, and I've enjoyed every second of it, but being out here relaxing in this beautiful place has given me the chance to reflect on what direction I want the rest of my life to take. I'm really giving it a lot of thought."

In an interview with NewsTimes.com, Neil gave the following advice to young musicians: "Don’t get in the business. It's tough. There [are] so many different outlets for music now. Thirty years ago you had MTV; everybody watched MTV and everybody saw your video. There was one place to go; now there [are] thousands of places to go. It's a lot tougher. There [are] more eyes out there; it's just harder to get everybody to look at you at the same time."

"Fallen World", "the fastest song" ever recorded by British epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's fifth studio album, "The Power Within", which will be released in the U.K. on April 16 via the band's own Electric Generation Recordings, distributed by Essential Music. The ten-track monster, which will be made available in North America on April 17 through Roadrunner, is the band's first with new singer Marc Hudson in the fold.

DRAGONFORCE guitarist Herman Li recently stated about "The Power Within", "The last two years have been the most fun we ever had making an album. Through writing, jamming and touring together, we have built this incredible energy and it has been fully captured on the new album.

"This time around we've really brought our metal side to the surface and made some of the best music of our career. From the fastest song we've ever recorded ['Fallen World'] to the slower songs, and some things you would never expect from us, this is by far the most diverse DRAGONFORCE album yet."

Li added, "This is an exciting new era for DRAGONFORCE with Marc joining the band, so we figured this was an ideal time to take full control of our own destiny and establish our own record label for Europe. It's all hands on deck running it, but a great buzz!"

"The Power Within" track listing:

01. Holding On
02. Fallen World
03. Cry Thunder
04. Give Me The Night
05. Wings of Liberty
06. Seasons
07. Heart Of The Storm
08. Die By The Sword
09. Last Man Stands
10. Seasons (acoustic version)

There will also be a digital and vinyl version featuring bonus tracks "Cry Thunder (Live Rehearsal)", "Heart of the Storm (Alternative Chorus Version)" and "Avant La Tempête (Instrumental)", plus an exclusive box set featuring:

* CD Version
* Access Code for Bonus Material plus
* DRAGONFORCE Flag,
* DF Flashlight/Bottle Opener,
* Set of 6 DF Beer Mats featuring band cartoons by bassist Frédéric Leclercq.

DRAGONFORCE will kick off its North American tour at the 14th annual New England Metal & Hardcore Festival on Saturday, April 21 at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

"We are really excited to be playing the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival again, especially as it's the North American launch show for the new album," said DRAGONFORCE guitarist Sam Totman. "Anyone who hasn't had a chance to see new singer Marc Hudson in action will witness what a great singer he is! It's been a long time since we last played the festival and are looking forward to seeing old friends again and giving everyone a great show."

After entries from thousands of hopefuls across the globe, DRAGONFORCE in March 2011 welcomed Hudson to the band to fill the boots left by ZP Theart, who parted ways with the group in March 2010.

Born in Oxford England, Marc was picked from the thousands of applications via a number of impressive video auditions and live performances, which left the rest of the band in no doubt that they'd found their man. Since the age of 16, Marc has been building his vocal skills gigging with bands in the U.K. underground scene, developing a powerful style with influences which include Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske and Sebastian Bach.

Kaaos TV conducted an interview with Li and Hudson during the the Spinefeast At Sea cruise, which which set sail on January 19 aboard the Tallink Baltic Princess from Helsinki, Finland and returned the following day. You can now watch the chat below.

"Fallen World" audio stream:

Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM have entered the studio to begin recording their fifth album for a late spring/early summer release via Spinefarm Records. The drums, bass, grand piano and Hammond organ parts are being tracked at Petrax studio in Hollola, Finland while the rest will be laid down at Yellow House studio in Hämeenlinna, Finland with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, LORDI, APOCALYPTICA, SENTENCED, AMORPHIS).

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).

Fan-filmed video footage of SHADOWS FALL performing a brand new song, "Fire From The Sky", this past Thursday, February 16 at the Montage Music Hall in Rochester, New York can be seen below. The track is the title cut of the band's seventh album, which will tentatively be released on May 8 via Razor & Tie. The CD was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with longtime friend, producer/engineer and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE/TIMES OF GRACE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz. Adam D., who has previously manned the boards on albums by ALL THAT REMAINS, AS I LAY DYING, UNEARTH, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and EVERY TIME I DIE, was also intimately involved in the writing of the new SHADOWS FALL material.

SHADOWS FALL is wrapping up a string of intimate headlining warm-up shows in select cities before heading to Australia for this year's Soundwave Festival.

SHADOWS FALL's "Madness In Manila: Shadows Fall Live In The Philippines 2009" concert DVD/CD was released on October 25, 2010 via Everblack Industries/Ferret Music. The set includes over 60 minutes of footage that was shot on April 30, 2009 at the Pulp Summer Slam in Manila, Philippines as well as a live audio CD.

SHADOWS FALL's latest album, "Retribution", came out on September 15, 2009. The CD sold around 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort was made available via Everblack Industries, the label SHADOWS FALL created in conjunction with Warner Music Group's ILG, Ferret Music and ChannelZERO Entertainment.

ONE-WAY MIRROR — the French band featuring Guillaume Bideau (MNEMIC) and David and Franck Potvin (LYZANXIA, PHAZE I) — will release its sophomore album, "Destructive By Nature", on April 16.

A one-and-a-half-minute trailer for the CD can be seen below.

ONE-WAY MIRROR previously stated about the upcoming album, "Even though they composed these latest bombtracks in the similar vein of their first album, ONE-WAY MIRROR was able to nurture the fresh and perfectly controlled combination of violence and pure melodies with catchy components.

"This album is not unlike shrapnel as it will embed itself in your system upon explosion. Some songs will make the fans bang their heads while others will simply decimate them altogether.

"The band’s goal will remain playing the very music they want to listen to. No constraints, no limits or barriers and no rules apply. The musicians of ONE-WAY MIRROR agree that the motivation to compose and to record a metal album is pure pleasure before any other consideration.

"David Potvin and Guillaume Bideau are producing the album and . . . the sound is extremely powerful, natural and modern."

ONE-WAY MIRROR's self-titled debut album was released in June 2008 via Metal Blade Records.

ONE-WAY MIRROR is:

Guillaume Bideau (MNEMIC) - Vocals
David Potvin (LYZANXIA, PHAZE I) – Lead Guitar
Franck Potvin (LYZANXIA, PHAZE I) – Rhythm Guitar
Clément Rouxel (T.A.N.K) - Drums
Vincent Perdicaro (GENERAL LEE) - Bass

According to an online posting by the moderator of the official DOKKEN forum, the band has set "Broken Bones" as the title of its new album. DOKKEN began tracking the effort this past Monday for a late spring/early summer release via Frontiers Records.

The cooperation between Frontiers and DOKKEN started with the European release of the group's "Lightning Strikes Again" CD in 2007. The album marked a return to DOKKEN's signature style with melodic hooklines and blazing guitar riffs that epitomized the band's sound on such records as "Tooth And Nail", "Under Lock And Key", "Back For The Attack" and "Dysfunctional".

In a November 2011 press release, DOKKEN frontman Don Dokken described the band's new material as "very uptempo and heavy." He added, "We know our fans like the classic DOKKEN sound, and this is where our new music is headed. It's been a band of brothers doing what we love: 'music.'"

DOKKEN plans to finish the new album recordings by the end of February and go out on the road in June.

"In a perfect world, we would like to release the new album before the summer and then play the festivals in Europe. Then hopefully we can jump on a package tour in the U.S.," said Don Dokken. "We want to give everyone a great CD that will keep all music fans 'rokkin'' during these troubled times!"

DOKKEN's current lineup consists of Don Dokken on lead vocals, Jon Levin on guitar, Sean McNabb on bass and Mick Brown on drums.

DOKKEN's greatest-hits package, "Greatest Hits 2" — a collection of all-new versions of tracks such as "Dream Warriors", "Breaking the Chains" and "Just Got Lucky", paired two new songs and two covers (including a version of "Lies", originally recorded by THE KNICKERBOCKERS, available on the Japanese version of the CD only) — was released in Japan on April 21, 2010 via King Records and in the U.S. on Cleopatra's Deadline Records imprint.
DOKKEN's latest album "Lightning Strikes Again", was released in the U.S. on May 13, 2008 via Rhino Records. and definite return" to the band's classic sound, according to a press release.

In addition to the regular European version of "Lightning Strikes Again", Frontiers released a special limited edition of the CD on April 11, 2008 in a glossy slipcase. The limited-edition version included an exclusive bonus track for Europe, entitled "Sunset Superstar".

Earlier in the month, BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward announced that he will not be able to participate in the recording of the reunited group's new album or perform with them on tour unless he is presented with what he described as a "fair agreement" and a "signable contract" that financially reflects his contributions to SABBATH's history and his standing as a founding member of the band.

BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Geeer Butler vowed to continue recording their new album without Ward, saying in a statement that they "were saddened to hear via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current BLACK SABBATH plans... We have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open... We are still in the U.K. with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll."

In a statement posted on his official web site earlier today, Ward said, "Dear SABBATH fans, I wanted to let you know where things are at, from my point of view, as of today, February 17, 2012.

"As my statement of February 2, 2012 indicated, I have not declined to participate in the SABBATH album and tour. At the earliest opportunity, I am prepared to go to the U.K. and record, and later tour with the band.

"Last week, we sent further communication to the attorney handling the negotiations to try to reach an agreement. At this time we are waiting to hear back. I remain hopeful for a 'signable' contract and a positive outcome.

"I want to thank everyone who has voiced and posted their opinions, thoughts, support and love through all media, including the newly constructed sites. I applaud your worldwide reaction in support of the original band. And speaking for myself, your intent and truth will always be respected.

"While believing in your freedom for expression, keep in mind that Tony, Ozzy and Geezer are still my lifetime friends, and I cannot support comments with an objectifying or derogatory theme toward them or their various representatives.

"Many thanks to all of you. You are truly phenomenal."

BLACK SABBATH toured without Ward when the original lineup reformed in 1997, but he rejoined the group the following year. In 2004 a contract dispute nearly caused him to not participate on that summer's Ozzfest tour, but the matter was eventually resolved and the trek went ahead as scheduled.

On February 2, Ward issued a statement in which he said in part, "At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the BLACK SABBATH album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band."

Ward added that he worked last year in "good faith" with fellow original members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, including rehearsals and a November press conference in Los Angeles. But then, he wrote, "Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another 'unsignable' contract was handed to me."

The drummer, who played on 10 of SABBATH's first 11 studio albums, emphasized, "Although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with BLACK SABBATH."

The recording sessions for the original band's first new album in 33 years were recently moved to London so that Iommi, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, could be close to his doctors.

Ward wrote that he's "spent every day" getting ready to head to England, but added, "My guess is . . . I will know nothing of what's happening unless I sign 'the unsignable contract.'"

He also wrote, "The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign 'as is,' I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician."

Ward addressed the possibility of his being replaced, saying, "I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original BLACK SABBATH lineup as promoted . . . It would be a sad day in rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few."

SABBATH is scheduled to release its new album later this year and is confirmed to play the U.K.'s Download festival in June. All other tour plans, however, are up in the air pending Iommi's ability to overcome his illness.

TURISAS, INSOMNIUM and NIGHTWISH were among the artists honoured at the Finnish Metal Awards during Finnish Metal Expo. The results were revealed today in Helsinki. The public could vote freely, without a given selection, in the months preceding the event, by internet and sms. All in all, 20567 votes were counted. The results can be viewed below.

Band Of The Year 2011:
1. TURISAS
2. INSOMNIUM
3. NIGHTWISH
4. AMORPHIS
5. AMORAL
6. TURMION KÄTILÖT
7. BEFORE THE DAWN
8. STRATOVARIUS
9. OMNIUM GATHERUM
10. MEDEIA

Album Of The Year 2011:
1. Turisas - Stand Up And Fight
2. Insomnium - One For Sorrow
3. Nightwish - Imaginaerum
4. Amoral - Beneath
5. Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times
6. Turmion Kätilöt - Perstechnique
7. Omnium Gatherum - New World Shadows
8. Before The Dawn - Deathstar Rising
9. Medeia - Abandon All
10. Stratovarius - Elysium

Vocalist Of The Year 2011:
1. Mathias "Warlord" Nygård (Turisas)
2. Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis, SINISTHRA)
3. Niilo Sevänen(Insomnium)
4. Ari Koivunen (Amoral)
5. Marco Hietala (TAROT, Nightwish)
6. Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius)
7. Tuomas Saukkonen (Before The Dawn, BLACK SUN AEON, ROUTASIELU)
8. Jules Näveri (PROFANE OMEN, THE NIBIRUAN)
9. TARJA TURUNEN (HARUS, solo)
10. Keijo Niinimaa (Medeia, ROTTEN SOUND, NASUM)

Musician Of The Year 2011:
1. Tuomas Saukkonen (guitar/drums/keys, Before The Dawn, Black Sun Aeon, Routasielu)
2. Olli Vänskä (violin, Turisas)
3. Alexi Laiho (guitar, CHILDREN OF BODOM)
4. Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards, Nightwish)
5. Ben Varon (guitar, Amoral, TORNADO)
6. Markus Vanhala (guitar, Omnium Gatherum, Insomnium, MALPRACTICE)
7. Ville Friman (guitar, Insomnium)
8. Esa Holopainen (guitar, Amorphis)
9. Matias Kupiainen (guitar, Stratovarius)
10. Vesa Pännäri (bass, WANKERS OF THE ZOO CREW)

Newcomer Of The Year 2011:
1. CONSTANTINE
2. ROUTASIELU
3. BATTLE BEAST
4. GHOUL PATROL
5. BOB MALMSTRÖM
6. DISEASE OF THE NATION
7. BRYMIR
8. FOR THE IMPERIUM
9. MORS SUBITA
10. RAGE MY BITCH

Demo / Self-Release Of The Year 2011:
1. ARTIFICIAL HEART - Broken Bones & Buried Dreams
2. NERVE END - Axis
3. STANDING OVATION - Scars Suit Me
4. Wankers Of The Zoo Crew - Modulated Launderings
5. MEKANISM - Cicatrized
6. UNBORN GENERATION - Culture Of Violence
7. UNHOPED - Die Harder
8. DREADFUL - It's Killing Me Inside
9. LOST SOCIETY - Lost Society
10. HUMAN SCULPTURE - Our World - Torn Down

Album Artwork Of The Year 2011:
1. Turisas - Stand Up And Fight
2. Insomnium - One For Sorrow
3. Nightwish - Imaginaerum
4. Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times
5. Amoral - Beneath
6. Stratovarius - Elysium
7. Before The Dawn - Deathstar Rising
8. GHOST BRIGADE - Until Fear No Longer Defines Us
9. Children Of Bodom - Relentless Reckless Forever
10. Wankers Of The Zoo Crew - Modulated Launderings

SOUNDGARDEN/ex-AUDOSLAVE singer Chris Cornell paid tribute to late pop superstar Whitney Houston by performing a very special vcover version of "I Will Always Love You" during his appearance last night (Thursday, February 16) at a benefit show in San Francisco to help raise funds for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign. During his set, Cornell also played "Redemption Song" (BOB MARLEY), "Ground Zero", "Wide Awake" (AUDIOSLAVE), "Imagine" (JOHN LENNON) and "Peace, Love, and Understanding" (NICK LOWE).

Fan-filmed video footage of Cornell's "I Will Always Love You" performance can be seen below.

Tickets ran $100 for general seating, $1,000 for preferred seating, and $7,500 for a package that included preferred seating and an individual photo with the President. More people could be added to the photo for $2,500 per head.

SOUNDGARDEN just finished playing Australia as one of the performens on the Big Day Out festival tour.

SOUNDGARDEN has been recording its long-awaited follow-up to 1996's "Down On The Upside" since last spring, with tentative plans to release the album sometime this year. The band has booked several European festival dates for the summer.