Quebec's resurrected dark metallers MOONLYGHT have been rejoined by their original bassist Christian Jacques. The band states, "Christian played bass in MOONLYGHT from 1995 to 1998 and during that period he laid down his bass tracks on our first demo, 'Midwinter Melodies', besides participating with us for the composition of many songs.

"Christian has great musical knowledge. He played, among others, in the Quebec punk band MAP, but also with traditional music group MAUVAIS SORT. He is also author-composer-interpreter (he will release a solo album on February 21) and finally in the punk band ACHIGAN. Christian is very happy to work with us on that third opus!"

MOONLYGHT will enter the studio this summer to record its third album, "Return To Desolation". Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Return To Desolation", "Human Rememberance", "Dwelling In Earth's Shadow", "A Distant Illusion Of Freedom" and "The Sweet Poisonned Light".

Commented MOONLYGHT mainman Sebastien Robitaille: "I think that the essence of the 'new' MOONLYGHT 2012 is much more complete than what we've ever done in the past on 'Progressive Darkness' and 'Shining'."

MOONLYGHT is currently searching for a label home.

The band's sophomore album, "Shining", came out in March 2008 via Mankind's Demise Records (with Galy distribution).

MOONLYGHT re-released its first album, "Progressive Darkness" (originally issued in 2002 on the now-defunct Metal Disk Records), in 2004 via Sweden's Escapi.

U.D.O., the German metal band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, will release a "rare-tracks" album with some very special gems for the fans. Entitled "Celebrator", the effort will be made available on April 20 via AFM Records. The group is currently finalizing the track listing for the CD, the details of which will be announced later this month.

U.D.O.'s November 16 perormance at Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria was professionally filmed for the band's next official live DVD, due in 2012.

U.D.O.'s latest album, "Rev-Raptor", was released on May 20, 2011 via AFM Records. The recordings for the CD took place between June 2010 and February 2011 at Roxx studios (owned by U.D.O. guitarist and ex-ACCEPT drummer Stefan Kaufmann) in Pulheim, Germany. The effort was mastered by Manfred Melchior at MM Sound Digital studios in Steinhagen, Germany. The album's cover artwork is once again a comic-like motif: but the "Dominator" character is this time "a lot more effectual and colorful," according to a press release.

Century Media Records, the Finnish Metal Expo, Inferno magazine, Terrorizer magazine and Imperiumi.net joined forces in 2010 to find the "Suomi Metal Star 2011." Around 240 Finnish bands signed up to take part in the contest and 12 were selected to be voted on by the public prior to the end of that year. The four finalist bands played at the Finnish Metal Expo in Helsinki in February 2011 and it was ODDLAND from Turku who won over the majority of the jury members with its brand of sophisticated prog metal/rock — described as a cross between DEVIN TOWNSEND, OPETH and KATATONIA.

After spending months writing new material, ODDLAND will finally release its debut album, "The Treachery Of Senses", on April 30. The effort will be made available as regular CD and digital download.

"This record was long in the making, as most of the tracks were already composed when we got signed by Century Media, but even the older songs evolved a lot during pre-production," says ODDLAND vocalist/guitarist Sakari Ojanen. "We feel that in the end we succeeded in making a great record as a whole, rather than just a collection of individual songs."

He adds, "Working with Dan Swanö was very satisfactory — he really helped us attain the sound we were after. Also worth mentioning is the contribution of Samu Oittinen at Fantom Studios, who helped us nail the organic sound we wanted for the raw tracks.

"We feel there isn't too much of this kind of music out there, so hopefully 'The Treachery Of Senses' won't go unnoticed. In the end, we couldn't be happier with the outcome — we feel we made a killer debut album."

Swanö states: "One of the best albums I have mixed. Ever! Incredible songs, stellar musicianship. I am proud to be a part of this amazing record!"

ODDLAND teamed up with Elton Fernandes to perfect their artistic vision for "The Treachery Of Senses" album. Check out the cover artwork below.

"The Treachery Of Senses" track listing:

01. Above And Beyond
02. Flooding Light
03. In The Eyes Of The Mourning
04. Aisle Of Array
05. Past The Gates
06. Still The Spirit Stays
07. In Endless Endeavour
08. Sewers
09. Lines Of Silver Blood
10. Ire

ODDLAND was formed in 2003 when four 18-year-old "wimps" decided to play heavy music to as a mental anti-acne medication. The mental acne never disappeared, but neither did the passion to play overdriven music with captivating melodies and intense energy. So far they made two recordings: the EP "Connecions Critical Behind" (2007) and the demo/promo "Away From The Watching Eye" (2009).

For more information, visit the ODDLAND Facebook page.

"Superskum" (web site) conducted an interview with Anna Murphy of Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE before the band's February 7 concert at the Gothic Theatre in Englewood, Colorado as the support act for CHILDREN OF BODOM. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the Englewood show.

ELUVEITIE has joined CHILDREN OF BODOM on the Finnish metallers' North American headlining tour in celebration of the band's 15th anniversary. The trek kicked off on January 30 in Rochester, New York and will run through March 4, hitting 26 cities over the course of the five-week jaunt. Boston-based extreme metal band REVOCATION and Canada's THREAT SIGNAL are also on the bill.

ELUVEITIE's new album, "Helvetios", was released in Europe on February 10 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at New Sound Studio in Pfäffikon, a municipality in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland, with producer Tommy Vetterli (a.k.a. Tommy T. Baron; CORONER/ex-KREATOR guitarist). According to the band, Vetterli "record[ed] drums, guitars and vocals and also produc[ed] and mix[ed] the record. Most folk instruments and also vocals [were] recorded by Anna Murphy and Marco Jencarelli at the Soundfarm studios in Lucerne."

"Helvetios" track listing:

01. Prologue
02. Helvetios
03. Luxtos
04. Home
05. Santonian Shores
06. Scorched Earth
07. Meet The Enemy
08. Neverland
09. A Rose For Epona
10. Havoc
11. The Uprising
12. Hope
13. The Siege
14. Alesia
15. Tullianum
16. Uxellodunon
17. Epilogue

Interview:

"Asesino", the new video from Chilean thrashers KRUDO, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Demencial", which was released last month via Digmetalworld. The clip was directed and edited by Mario Ruiz, with camera work by Amaro and Mario Ruiz.

"Demencial" track listing:

01. Hacia La Demencia
02. Biotipo Criminal
03. Cuando La Mente Se Ciega
04. Asesino
05. Desierto
06. Dueños Del Orden
07. Carne Muerta
08. En Mi Agonía
09. Almas Carniceras
10. Progenitor

KRUDO is:

Cristian Arriola: Vocals
Giordano Moglia: Guitar
Mario Ruíz: Guitar
Lucio Pérez: Bass
Roberto Zúñiga: Drums

For more information, visit KRUDO's Facebook page.

FOO FIGHTERS were honored with a Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which are being held tonight (Sunday, February 12) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. FOO FIGHTERS were nominated for the track "White Limo", from the band's 2011 album "Wasting Light".

The nominees in this year's "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category were as follows:

* DREAM THEATER - "On The Backs Of Angels"
* FOO FIGHTERS - "White Limo"
* MASTODON - "Curl Of The Burl"
* MEGADETH - "Public Enemy No. 1"
* SUM 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"

To be eligible for nomination, an artist's work must have been released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.

The 54th annual Grammy Awards are once again being broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

In an effort to continuously evolve its Grammy Awards process, The Recording Academy announced in April 2011 that it had restructured the Grammy categories across all genres and fields, bringing the total number of categories to be recognized at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012 to 78 from 109. As a result, instead of separate "Best Metal" and "Best Hard Rock" performance prizes, there is now a single "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" award.

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

Fan-filmed footage of TRIVIUM performing a cover version of METALLICA's classic track "The Four Horsemen" on February 10 at the Summit Music Hall in Denver, Colorado can be seen below. TRIVIUM played the song as a three-piece, with vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy watching his bandmates — Corey Beaulieu (guitar), Paolo Gregoletto (bass) and Nick Augusto (drums) — from the side of the stage (Corey handled lead vocals in the track).

In a 2010 interview, Heafy was asked who inspired him the most when he was first starting out as a musician. "If it weren't for James Hetfield [METALLICA], I literally wouldn't be here," he said. "I mean, I know that there are a lot of other musicians, in that band as well, especially from the 'Black Album' era, but it was Hetfield who really brought me into metal. To see their live shows and see what a commanding presence he was, and to see how good of a guitar player he is. So, he got me into everything, then I bridged out from there."

TRIVIUM has joined forces with Swedish metallers IN FLAMES for a co-headining North American tour in January/February. Support on the trek is coming from VEIL OF MAYA and KYNG.

TRIVIUM's latest album, "In Waves", sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart — the highest U.S. chart entry of the band's career. The group's previous CD, "Shogun", opened with just under 24,000 units back in October 2008 to debut at No. 23. The effort followed up "The Crusade", which registered a first-week tally of 31,000 copies in October 2006 to enter the chart at No. 25.

"Where Orchidectomy And Mastitis Street Meet Is Why I Will Die", the new video from Sydney, Australia-based metallers KUNVUK, can be seen below. This is the third and most ambitious music video from the independent metal band so far. Shot across eight different locations, stretching across thousands of kilometres, culled from over 200 individual clips and taking 10 months to compile, the epic nine-minute music video was directed by Luis Barra, the band's bass player.

KUNVUK is currently working on the follow-up to its debut album, "Immute:Jackals", which is expected to be released in May.
"Immute:Jackals" was recorded, engineered, mixed and produced by the band's lead guitarist/vocalist David Hart and mastered by Rick O'Neil (FAITH NO MORE, GRINSPOON, BOB DYLAN) at Turtlerock Mastering.

Recorded at the band's own Shadow Mekanik Studios, "Immute:Jackals" was released as a two-disc, DVD-sized, eight-panel digipack with 24-page booklet. The first disc contained 12 new compositions rallying from the brink of insanity to the pinnacle of clarity. Coupled with this was a second disc which contained the reconstructed, re-recorded, remixed and remastered version of the band's demo EP, "The Gone Mekanik Anticipation Demonstration".

For more information, visit www.kunvuk.com.

German death metallers DEADBORN, who feature in their ranks former members of NECROPHAGIST and JACK SLATER, have inked a deal with Apostasy Records. The band's sophomore album, "Mayhem Maniac Machine", will be released on April 20. The nine-song CD was again recorded at Iguana Studios (NECROPHAGIST) with producer Christoph Brandes.

"Mayhem Maniac Machine" rack listing:

01. Premises Of Cryonics
02. Profanatic Reanimation
03. Bionic Abomination
04. Insane Motor Cortex
05. Replicants Device
06. Slaves Of Megatron
07. Reinvented Power Process
08. Second Order Cybernetics
09. Kraftwerk D

The song "Bionic Abomination" is available for streaming using the SoundCloud player below.

DEADBORN's debut album, "Stigma Eternal", came out in October 2007 via Massacre Records.

DEADBORN is:

Mario Petrovic (ex-NECROPHAGIST) - Vocals
Slavek Foltyn (ex-NECROPHAGIST) - Drums
Jo Morath - Rhythm Guitar
Kevin Olasz (ex-JACK SLATER) - Lead Guitar

Dutch death/thrash metallers DEVIOUS have entered Soundlodge Studios in Rhauderfehn, Germany to begin recording their new EP, tentatively titled "Wolfhagen". Due on May 11, the seven-minute effort will include five new songs and two previously unreleased bonus tracks.

The bass tracks on the new EP are being laid down by Alwin Zuur (ASPHYX) following the departure of Daniël Centiago.

"Wolfhagen" will mark the recording debut of DEVIOUS' new singer, Dennis Lusseveld, who joined the band in November.

DEVIOUS' third full-length album, "Vision", was released in December 2009 via Deity Down Records.

For more information, visit www.devious.nl.

According to IceNews, the State Alcohol and Tobacco Company of Iceland (ÁTVR), which has a monopoly in sales of alcohol in Iceland, has refused to sell a red wine marketed under the branding of the heavy rock band MOTÖRHEAD. The decision was taken because the name is apparently a nod to amphetamine abuse and because the band sings about war, unsafe sex and drugs.

Hjörleifur Árnason, the wine's Icelandic importer, has now appealed the case to the parliamentary ombudsman.

Although ÁTVR has a monopoly on alcohol retail in Iceland, importers and distributors are able to deal directly with bars, restaurants and cafés; meaning the MOTÖRHEAD brand could still be sold in the country and can now expect a higher profile following this controversy.

The English word "Motorhead" is a slang term for an amphetamine addict and furthermore the band sings about war, abuse of power, irresponsible sex and substance abuse, ÁTVR said.

Read more from IceNews.

For more information on the MOTÖRHEAD wine, visit www.motorheadwine.com.

The original lineup of KILLING JOKE will release its new album, "2012" (MMXII), on April 2 via Spinefarm Records. The effort will be released in CD hardcopy and digital formats. It will also be made available on double colored gatefold vinyl.

The album's key is the end of times, an age of flux, a shift in consciousness…

"I can't see the point contemplating extreme life extinction — it's good for nothing. It's nihilism in the absolute even considering it," states KILLING JOKE mainman Jaz Coleman.

This kind of thinking sets the tone for this powerful record, with 2012 and the state of flux the key issue…

"It's in many different calendars — the great unveiling, the sky and the earth coming together. It's a significant date. In the autumn, there is a major planetary alignment, and on that day I'm doing this rock festival, 'A Party At The End Of The Earth', which is going to be in New Zealand. Everything is speeding up. It's not just our minds shrinking. We are heading towards the Eschaton and no-one really knows what's going to happen."

The album reflects this dark vision, but Jaz Coleman sees the great change in a more positive light — the dawning of the Age Of Aquarius…

"All the remote viewers I know, myself included, cannot penetrate beyond," he says. "This year is about getting our collective dreams in order, restoring the biosphere, the idea of well-being as opposed to economic growth, the idea of partnership and co-creation with fellow human beings, moving away from national boundaries and more towards what Schiller and Beethoven were saying in some of their work."

The album's themes are political, anti-capitalist and forward-looking…

"If we can concentrate on what it can be, the dream of clean streams, of re-forestation, of permaculture, of disengaging all the banks — identifying all the majority shareholders of the top 100 corporations and dismantling them," Coleman says. "If we start dreaming of a fairer system and defining what an elite should be – an intellectual powerhouse and not international bankers."

Jaz laughs that wild laugh and stares.

"This is what I'm touching on with the songs; 'Fema Camp' is about the concentration camps they have been building in America; 'Corporate Elect' needs no explanation; 'Rapture' is the way I perceive a KILLING JOKE concert – it's a spiritual experience for myself to get into that state of grace… music is the theme of mantra. I'm not into organised religion at all, but I've always liked what Fela Kuti did in Nigeria, playing music like it was a temple. Maybe we will evolve into a time where we will be performing for ritualistic and spiritual reasons alone and not for monetary reasons?"

"There's a song called 'On All Hallows Eve', which is about my belief in ancestor worship, backed up by quantum theories that there is no death. You only ever remember the time-line that you are alive in — you can't remember being dead because you never were. 'Colony Collapse' is about what's happening, what's going on out there. 'Poleshift' is the first track on the album and about the potential polar shift of the earth's magnetic field, its erratic behaviour, and also the polar shift that will be needed."

The 11 album tracks are an avalanche of sound that is empowering whilst jolting you awake. They are as fascinating as chatting with Coleman, as he talks of future humans living forever but with no emotions, and of the Age Of Aquarius and the cycles of time, the shift in the earth's electro-magnetic field, the end of extreme capitalism, the Arab Spring and how his trips to Cairo to record music have added to his belief that when Cairo falls everywhere else follows…

"2012" is possibly KILLING JOKE's best album ever, and fittingly Mike Coles, long-time KILLING JOKE collaborator and artistic genius, has completed the artwork.

To celebrate the album's release, KILLING JOKE is streaming the track "Rapture" as a taster on YouTube.

"2012" formats and track listing:

CD/Digital Album

01. Pole Shift
02. Fema Camp
03. Rapture
04. Colony Collapse
05. Corporate Elect
06. In Cythera
07. Primobile
08. Glitch
09. Trance
10. On All Hallow's Eve

Double Colored Gatefold Vinyl

Side A:

01. Pole Shift
02. Fema Camp

Side B:

01. Rapture
02. Colony Collapse
03. Corporate Elect

Side C:

01. In Cythera
02. Primobile
03. Glitch

Side D:

01. Trance
02. On All Hallow's Eve

iTunes exclusive track

11. New Uprising

When their original line-up of Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Youth and Big Paul reconvened in 2008 after working together intermittently, that strange voodoo once again filled the room. Individually, they have a power, but together they have something sulphurous and strong that few bands can match. KILLING JOKE are not an average band with an average agenda; they lock the door and let the ritual commence, and "2012" is the result.

Guitarist Russ Strahan (HOUNDS OF HASSELVANDER, PENTAGRAM, LAND OF DOOM) has issued the following statement:

"In light of recent statements and after much thought, I have decided to not pursue THE BONES OF CHILDREN project with Kory Clarke [vocals; WARRIOR SOUL, TROUBLE].

"I have been working on several projects as of late doing studio work for Joe Hasselvander, DOOMSDAY and several other projects I cannot disclose at this time.

"I wish Kory all the best with his future endeavors and hope to see you all when I am back out on the road."

Clarke announced this past week that he was leaving Chicago doom metal legends TROUBLE to start THE BONES OF CHILDREN with Strahan.

Dayton, Ohio radio station New Rock 103.9 The X conducted a short interview with Marilyn Manson on February 10. During the chat, which can be streamed below, Manson revealed that the first single from his upcoming album "Born Villain", a song called "No Reflection", will be released in May.

In a separate interview with Alan Cox on the Ohio rock station 100.7 WMMS, Manson said, "The first single you'll be getting shoved up your ears very soon is called 'No Reflection'." He went on to say, "The record’s done, shooting the video, I think next week." He added, "It's got a very special bonus track on it, features a good friend of mine. I won't mention his name yet. He plays guitar and he's very very well known in different things."

Marilyn Manson's eighth studio album, "Born Villain", will be made available later in the year through Cooking Vinyl Records.

The singer last September unveiled a new music video for the song "Born Villain" directed by actor Shia LaBeouf. Manson and the "Transformers" star met at a KILLS concert, when LaBeouf, a longtime Manson fan, struck up a conversation. LaBeouf said, "He's a big deal to me, and in my childhood, I don't know of a scarier figure in art. He, in my teenage years, was the scariest thing in the world, so part of me has always been intrigued." LaBeouf offered to direct Manson's next video and the singer agreed after LaBeouf showed him a clip he had directed for a band called CAGE. LaBeouf said that Manson is "like a brother to me now. He's a real sweet dude, a real close friend."

Drummer Ginger Fish (real name: Kenneth Robert Wilson) quit MARILYN MANSON in February 2011 and has since joined ROB ZOMBIE. He has been replaced by the Los Angeles-based drummer Jason Sutter.

MARILYN MANSON in 2009 parted ways with longtime record label Interscope following the disappointing sales performance of the shock-rocker's latest album, entitled "The High End Of Low".

"The High End Of Low" was Manson's first album with longtime bassist Twiggy Ramirez since 2000's "Holy Wood".

22-year-old Norwegian seven-string guitarist/singer/songwriter The Commander-In-Chief will release her debut EP, "Evolution", on February 15. The effort was produced by Sterling Winfield (PANTERA, HATEBREED, HELLYEAH), who previously mixed The Commander-In-Chiefs' "brutal, adrenalin-fueled" cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Paranoid" (audio stream avialable in YouTube clip below).

According to a press release, "the recording process of the EP was very different from what normally happens in studio these days, so Sterling Winfield made a statement about it.

He said, "I would first like to say thank you again to 'The Commander' and Elisabeth Hagen for giving me the opportunity to work on such an original project. It is refreshing to work on a recording that is nothing like everything else that is going on in music currently. Furthermore, as a producer and engineer for the last twenty-one years, I feel that the following needs to be said for many reasons: I am very proud to acknowledge the fact that what you are hearing is all 100 percent musician-played performances! During the course of listening to these songs, you will NOT hear one drum hit that was moved around, placed on a grid, 'sound replaced' or augmented in any way whatsoever. You will also NOT hear Auto-Tune, Melodyne or any other vocal-tuning software of ANY kind!

"That being said, I will answer the burning question looming in your minds… Yes, The Commander-In-Chief played ALL of the guitars you're hearing and sang every single note. Not only did she do all of this, but she did it all with more great attitude, and professionalism than a lot of the veteran musicians I know that have been doing this almost longer than she has been alive. All of the musicians that played on this project were truly great! They all performed above and beyond the call of duty and I was proud to be a part of it. I think that it is important to mention these things so that listeners and musicians alike can see that music can be made without all of the trappings or abuse of digital recording tools. This experience was also proof to me that there are musicians out there that still take pleasure in playing/singing and relying upon the discipline it takes to do so."

In a 2010 interview with Metal Express Radio, The Commander-In-Chief stated about her music, "I used to call it hybrid rock; the power of rock with the message of punk, and the catchiness of pop inspired by metal techniques. NOW my music has taken a more heavy direction than last year, so it's less punk and more metal."

Regarding her name, The Commander-In-Chief, she said, "I wanted a powerful artist name, since I've always been doing my own thing and still am. I do all the songwriting, guitar playing, singing and I write all the lyrics. For the first demo I made in Chicago I also made my own animated music video which generated quite a buzz on MySpace and gave me all my first fans. I also created illustrations for all my songs, mixing the music with visual arts. I don't do that anymore though, as I just don't have the time."

For more information, go to this location.

Denver, Colorado-based metallers ARCANIUM have entered Mercenary Studios in Zion, Illinois with producers Scott Creekmore and Shaun Glass (SOIL, DIRGE WITHIN) to begin recording their sophomore album, to be released later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

The first in a series of video blogs featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the new studio sessions can be seen below.

Originally formed in March 2007, ARCANIUM set forth to unleash an unabashed musical barrage on unsuspecting hard rock and metal fans worldwide.

In their relatively short existence as a band, ARCANIUM has toured with such bands as MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and has earned a respectably loyal fan base throughout the state of Colorado.

ARCANIUM released a self-titled EP in 2008 and followed it up with a debut album, "The Architects", in 2009.

WATCH ME BLEED — the German death/thrash metal band featuring MYSTIC PROPHECY guitar player Markus Pohl and ex-SYMPHORCE drummer Steffen Theurer — has inked a deal with the "label alternative" SAOL/H'art. The band's new album, which was produced by Eike Fresse (DARK AGE, CALLEJON, GAMMA RAY), will be released in late spring.

Commented WATCH ME BLEED vocalist Chris Roden: "We are very happy and proud to join the SAOL family. This is a new way of distributing our music, an alternative to the 'normal' label structure. We are convinced that this collaboration is for us a unique chance to work in the best conditions with experienced and passionate people."

WATCH ME BLEED's "Bloodred Rain" video can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's debut album, "Souldrinker", which was released in October 2009 via Silverwolf Productions.

"Souldrinker" was mixed by Christian "Moschus" Moos (DELAIN, C-187, EVERON) at Spacelab studios and was mastered by Eroc (SODOM, DELAIN) at the Mastering Ranch. It contains eleven songs with guest appearances by Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM), Nemesis (EIGENSINN) and Greek guitar wizard Constantine (MYSTIC PROPHECY, THE DESCENDING).

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/watchmebleed667.

Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach has posted the following statement regarding the passing of legendary singer Whitney Houston:

"This is hitting me hard. I used to sing ALL of Whitney Houston's songs all the time. I absolutely loved her voice. I practiced along to her songs countless times and her music affects me deeply.

"I cannot believe how temporary life is. How fragile music is. Everything you know, everything you hold dear can be ripped away at a moment's notice and you won't even see it coming.

"I always figured Whitney would record another record that would blow us all away. So sad that was not meant to be.

"48 years old? Ugh. It makes me sick. Such a loss.

"RIP, Whitney Houston.

"My condolences to my friend Bobby Brown and his children."

Rolling into today's Super Bowl festivities where they were featured in the KIA Optima commercial airing during the third quarter, the world's most notorious band took the world's most notorious city by storm. MÖTLEY CRÜE — vocalist Vince Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee — launched Las Vegas' first-ever hard rock residency with "Mötley Crüe In Sin City" at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with the first two rapturously received sold-out shows.

A two-minute video report from FoxNews.com's Fox411 can be seen below.

The "Mötley Crüe In Sin City" experience got underway on Friday, February 3 — also declared "Mötley Crüe Day" by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman — as The Joint transformed into a rock 'n roll carnival extravaganza bringing in elements of MÖTLEY CRÜE's arena show, including Tommy Lee's 360 drum coaster and the biggest lighting and sound production ever brought into The Joint, including their over-the-top signature pyrotechnics which fittingly incorporated a Vegas feel. The shows are produced and promoted by AEG Live.

From costuming — which included Vince Neil's illuminated poker-hand belt buckle and rogue carnival styled seat ushers -- to showgirl dancers, female aerialists, little people, macabre clowns and stilt walkers, each element dazzled the eye throughout. In addition to MÖTLEY's high-octane numbers, which included "Kickstart My Heart", "Shout At the Devil", "Saints Of Los Angeles", "Same Old Situation" and "Girls, Girls, Girls", the band also dedicated a portion of the show to an acoustic performance. High above the audience on a floating circular platform, they performed stunning renditions of "Without You", "On With the Show" and "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)". Other songs in the set included rare live gems "Piece Of Your Action" and "Afraid", which haven't been performed live in over 10 years.

On February 4, MÖTLEY was joined by their friend Jacoby Shaddix of PAPA ROACH who jumped on stage for "Smokin' In the Boys Room". Rumor has it that there will be more guests jamming with MÖTLEY CRÜE throughout the residency.

"The 'Mötley Crüe In Sin City' residency transformed the town, not only the Hard Rock Hotel," states Paul Davis, Vice President of Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. "It's never been done like this before." Billboards on the world-famous Sunset Strip in Los Angeles and the 15 Interstate upon entering Vegas beckoned fans to the Hard Rock. Upon entering the casino lobby, Vince Neil's custom 1932 Ford Coupe hot rod was displayed and poker players found themselves gaming on MÖTLEY CRÜE-branded tables. Even maid service signs for hotel guest rooms indicated cleanup for "Home Sweet Home".

On February 5, the quartet returned for the third night of the run which lasts through February 19. Leading up to it, fans experienced the band's current KIA automotive TV commercial during the third quarter of the Super Bowl. The 60-second spot, titled "Drive The Dream", stars Vince, Mick, Nikki and Tommy in a race car dream sequence performing their 1989 smash hit "Kickstart My Heart". Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima, mixed martial arts legend Chuck Liddell and champion bull rider Judd Leffew are also featured in the commercial.

Don't miss "Mötley Crüe In Sin City" at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas now through February 19:

* Sunday, February 12
* Tuesday, February 14
* Wednesday, February 15
* Friday, February 17
* Saturday, February 18
* Sunday, February 19

Tickets, starting at $45 (plus applicable service fees) are available at the Hard Rock box office.

A teaser trailer for FOO FIGHTERS frontman and ex-NIRVANA drummer Dave Grohl's upcoming documentary about the studio where NIRVANA recorded its landmark album "Nevermind" can be seen below.

A web site for the film has been launched at SoundCityMovie.com.

Before Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California closed its doors as a commercial studio in May 2011, it was used by a number of legendary musicians, including FLEETWOOD MAC, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton and NINE INCH NAILS. The studios on Cabrito Road off the 405 freeway have been refurbished and are now rented out to producers, though the Skeeter family still owns and manages the place.

Grohl has been vocal about his appreciation for the role the studio has played in furthering his career and has reportedly acquired the 1970s Neve sound board that served many artists, telling a member of the Skeeter family, "Thank you so much for the opportunity to own the board. I wouldn’t even have the computer I’m sending you this e-mail on if it wasn’t for this board."

Sandy Skeeter told the Daily News last September, "I think there were a few other things that went into the ['Nevermind'] record beside the board, like [NIRVANA's] songwriting and their playing and production. But he's just the right person to have the board."

Last month, Grohl opened up about the upcoming film in an issue of Rolling Stone magazine, saying, "When Sound City closed last year, it was a very sad day. That place was like a church. The list of people that recorded there reads like a virtual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame... We recorded 'Nevermind' there back in 1991."

He continued, "That funky old place had the best drum room in world. The drum sound at the beginning of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' — that's Sound City.

"I decided to make a film about that feeling you get when you put five guys in a room, hit 'record' and the hair on the back of your neck stands up."

He added, "Expect some epic jam sessions."

Artisan News caught up with Taylor last month at the first-ever Rock & Roll Roast at The Grove in Anaheim, California and asked him about the experience of working with Grohl (see video below).

"[Dave is] doing a documentary about the legendary board from Sound City that everybody and their mom recorded on — everybody from 'Nevermind' to, actually, [SLIPKNOT's] 'Iowa'," Corey said. "And he's slowly but surely gotten all these people together to make music on that board again. And he called me. He was like, 'Would you like to do a tune?' I was like, 'Are you serious? I'm on a plane right now.' And it's really cool, because it's me, Dave and Rick Nielsen [CHEAP TRICK] on one tune. And I'm like, 'Ahh…. Excuse me?!' It's just a huge check mark on my bucket list, let's put it that way. And I'm really ecstatic. It's a really good tune."

Other musicians that are expected to take part in the documentary include RATT's Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini, Lars Ulrich (METALLICA), Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) and Josh Homme (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE).

POISON singer Bret Michaels has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary singer Whitney Houston:

"My deepest condolences to Whitney Houston's family and friends.

"I first met Whitney when we were in Rome on tour. I couldn't sleep so I went down to the lobby. There she was sitting on the couch reading a book. Apparently she couldn't sleep either. We sat and hung out chatting for quite a while. She was awesome.

"Over the years, we ran into each other at several other events, the most memorable being when we were performing in Rio for the Hollywood Rocks festival. I happened to walk up to my room from the pool where a bunch of us had been sitting and saw the news about the Northridge earthquake. I remember telling her, the guys from AEROSMITH and others about the news...

"Again... what a great person with a great voice and amazing talent. She will be missed."

North Carolina's DAYLIGHT DIES has issued the following update:

"We're proud to announce that the fourth full-length DAYLIGHT DIES album will be mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. Mixing will begin on April 1st. Jens was also responsible for mixing 'Lost To The Living' and 'Dismantling Devotion' and we couldn’t imagine the new album being in more capable hands.

"Progress continues to be brisk on the recording front, as clean guitars and keys have been completed. Vocal recording is now underway."

As previously reported, DAYLIGHT DIES's new material is its most varied yet, due in part to bassist Egan O'Rourke's "significant songwriting contributions" this time around.

DAYLIGHT DIES played three shows in Europe in December — including at the third edition of the Madrid Is The Dark festival on December 8-10 at the Old School venue in Getafe, Spain.

DAYLIGHT DIES's latest album, "Lost To The Living", was released in the U.S. in June 2008 via Candlelight Records. The CD features captivatingly dark original artwork from renowned artist Travis Smith, who has worked with the band before and whose other previous collaborations include OPETH, ANATHEMA and KATATONIA.

Portugal's most brutal, depraved and infamous band known as HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL has inked a deal with Xtreem Music for the worldwide release of its third full-length album, "Gorefilia". Due in April, the 18-song CD was recorded at 213 Studios in Portugal and was mixed and mastered at Hertz Studio (BEHEMOTH, VADER, KRONOS, DECAPITATED, ABORTED) in Bialystok, Poland.

According to a press release, "Gorefilia" will showcase HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL's more brutal and intense, songwriting, with songs varying from one to three minutes without fillers, [with] influences from bands like ABORTED, CANNIBAL CORPSE, early DERANGED, NAPALM DEATH, SUFFOCATION, CARCASS."

HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL previously described "Gorefilia" as a "concept album [which] involves sexual arousal and gratification towards sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. As always, you can expect self-torture, bizarre love and loads of sperm tainted with blood. Musically, some big changes are expected; however, the band is still committed to death metal and grind."

Commented bassist Z. Pedro: "Back in 1997 when HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL was born, bands such as INCANTATION, VADER, DERANGED, IMMOLATION, DEEDS OF FLESH… were not only an influence to the sound which we were creating, they also had released material though the legendary death metal label Repulse Records. This label became Xtreem Music a few years ago and is still releasing brutal music, gathering over 100 releases so far, [with] 'Gorefilia' [being] their 108th release."

Added guitarist/vocalist Eduardo F. : "We've known Dave Rotten [Xtreem Music A&R] for over a decade, having in on stage in some gigs as special guest and we also shared stage with AVULSED in several European festivals. Adding to this, a release history of more than 100 titles, make us strongly believe that Xtreem Music is the reliable and hardworking label that we were looking for."

California-based extreme metallers VILE have issued the following update:

"VILE seeks bassist and lead guitarist for future shows in California and eventually a European tour. Must have extensive band experience, pro gear, etc. Prefer those without edgy or hostile personalities and cigarette smokers are not eligible, sorry. Tuning is straight 1/2 step down on seven-string guitar or five-string bass (starting at Bb). Send private message to Colin Davis on Facebook with links to videos of your live performace and stodio recordings. Tab for VILE songs is available on the web. Audition videas are a good idea, but you can make them private if you choose. Guitarists, pick a song from 'New Age of Chaos' with solos to show your solo skills."

VILE's fourth full-length album, "Metamorphosis", came out last November via Willowtip Records. According to the band, the CD is "a concept album which contains a wide variety of styles, tempos and lyrical topics with an interlocking philosophical and lyrical concept."

The group added, "We are confident that old-school VILE fans will love it and also that fans of other styles of metal, not only American death metal, will be quite pleased. The recording quality is the best we have released to date and we expect the album to be a standard-raising release for the genre of extreme metal."

"Metamorphosis" is the follow-up to "The New Age of Chaos", which was released in North America in October 2005 via Unique Leader Records.

The fourth teaser for "Requiem For The Indifferent", the forthcoming fifth full-length album from Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA, can be seen below.

Commented the band: "This time we're doing it like no one has done before, by weekly releasing an extra layer of music, giving our fans a little more insight in the complexity and the different aspects of EPICA's music.

"[In the previous weeks] you could hear Ariën van Weesenbeek's drums, Yves Huts' bass and the rhythm guitars from Mark Jansen and Isaac Delahaye. This week we add the orchestration.

"The next [two] weeks we will add layer by layer, and make the sample longer and longer. Through these videos we will also weekly release backstage pictures, pieces of the album artwork, tour updates, etc, to make the wait for the album just a little bit more bearable!"

"Requiem For The Indifferent" will be released on March 9 in Europe and four days later in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth.

"Requiem For The Indifferent" track listing:

01. Karma
02. Monopoly On Truth
03. Storm The Sorrow
04. Delirium
05. Internal Warfare
06. Requiem For The Indifferent
07. Anima
08. Guilty Demeanor
09. Deep Water Horizon
10. Stay The Course
11. Deter The Tyrant
12. Avalanche
13. Serenade Of Self-Destruction

North American bonus tracks:

14. Twin Flames (Soundtrack Version)
15. Nostalgia

The artwork for the CD was created by Stephan Heilemann and can be seen below.

EPICA debuted a brand new song, "Storm The Sorrow", during the band's headlining concert on January 12 at Metropool in Hengelo, The Netherlands. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

Regarding the "Requiem For The Indifferent" album title, the band previously said, "This title refers to the end of an era. Mankind can no longer stick their head in the sand for the things that are happening around us. We are facing many challenges. There is an enormous tension between different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters and a huge financial crisis, which is getting out of control. More than ever we will need each other to overcome these problems. As we are all connected; the universe, earth, nature, animals and human beings, this period in time will be the prelude to the end for those who still don't want to, or simply won't see it. 'A Requiem For The Indifferent', but also a possibility for a new beginning with great new chances!"

A CD-release party for the new EPICA album will be held on March 16 at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands.

EPICA will play the new album in its entirety, along with some older tracks, during the more-than-two-hour event. Pyrotechnics and special show elements will be added as well.

EPICA's last album, "Design Your Universe", landed at position No. 12 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.

"Requiem For The Indifferent" teaser #4:

Guitarist Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL) has confirmed via Facebook that he will take part in a South American tour dubbed "Titans Of Rock" featuring the following all-star lineup of musicians:

* Duff McKagan (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER)
* Joe Elliot (DEF LEPPARD)
* Gilby Clarke (GUNS N' ROSES, ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA)
* Ed Roland (COLLECTIVE SOUL)
* Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL)
* Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION)
* Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER)
* Jason Newsted (METALLICA, VOIVOD, ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA)
* Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW)
* Vince Neil (MÖTLEY CRÜE)

"Titans Of Rock" tour dates:

April 19 - Lima, Peru
April 21 - Sao Luis, Brazil
April 22 - Sao Paulo, Brazil
April 24 - Paraguay
April 26 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
April 28 – Santiago, Chile
April 30 - Guatemala City, Guatemala
May 02 - San Jose, Costa Rica

LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia joined MEGADETH on stage on February 9 during this year's Gigantour at the Palace Of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan to perform the MEGADETH song "A Tout Le Monde".

Fan-filmed video footage of her appearance can be seen below.

MEGADETH's setlist for the concert was as follows:

01. Trust
02. Wake Up Dead
03. Hangar 18
04. She-Wolf
05. Foreclosure of a Dream
06. Dawn Patrol
07. Head Crusher
08. A Tout Le Monde (with Cristina Scabbia)
09. Public Enemy No. 1
10. Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)
11. Guns, Drugs & Money
12. Symphony of Destruction
13. Peace Sells

Encore:

14. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due

"A Tout Le Monde", which originally appeared on MEGADETH's 1994 CD "Youthanasia", created controversy in September 2006 because the song was cited in an online post by Dawson College killer Kimveer Gill as one of his favorites before his Montreal shooting spree. MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine contends that he wanted to give the song a second shot at success, as the original video for it had been banned by MTV, and most radio stations followed suit. The track ended up featuring Cristina Scabbia after "the first singer didn't work out," Mustaine told Straight.com. "The second one didn't work, and the third one was Lisa Marie Presley. She was on the way to the airport, and we had to call and say, 'Sorry, we changed our minds.' I would have loved to have heard what Lisa Marie Presley would have done, but because of the demographics of the LACUNA COIL fan base, and Cristina's reign in the heavy-metal business, it was the right thing to do."

In a 2008 interview Cristina stated about her collaboration with MEGADETH, "[Dave Mustaine] actually asked me to be part of this duet, and I was really surprised about it because 'A Tout Le Monde' is a song that I've always loved, even if it's not like the new [version] because [the original song] [was released on] the album 'Youthanasia'. It was a big surprise for me to get this invitation — I was really honored to be part of it. And seriously, when I heard the final result, I was awesomely surprised 'cause I think that the two voices are fitting incredibly [well together]. I think that the version of 'A Tout le Monde' 2007 has a stronger attitude. If the original version was for the mellow mood, this one is way more rock, way more powerful. I totally love it. I was surprised myself, and I think that a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised. It was recorded, like an hour from Birgmingham [England]. So I flew in and recorded my parts with Andy Sneap [producer]. He's [Andy] an amazing guy — super professional — and the atmosphere in the studio was so relaxed. It was like a family vibe, and I think that's the most amazing thing when you have to work. You can work and still smile, you know, and be relaxed. I tracked the entire song because we weren't really sure what we had to do, so we just wanted to be totally sure, so we recorded all the parts that Dave sung with some improvisation with it, double vocals. We basically made anything possible, so they could pick up whatever they wanted to."

"A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)" appeared on MEGADETH's 2007 album "United Abominations", which was released via Roadrunner Records.

Video footage of Canadian extreme metallers CRYPTOPSY practicing a brand new song from their forthcoming album can be seen below.

CRYPTOPSY last month tapped bassist Olivier Pinard (NEURAXIS, VENGEFUL) as the replacement for guitarist-turned-bassist Youri Raymond.

Raymond left CRYPTOPSY in December, explaining in a statement that "it's in the best interest of both the band and I to part ways." He added, "As a musician, moving from guitar to bass was a great challenge, but honestly, I never really felt comfortable in that position and my motivation in general was stagnating."

Lead guitarist and songwriter Jon Levasseur rejoined CRYPTOPSY in May 2011.

"The Unspoken King", CRYPTOPSY's sixth full-length and first to feature new vocalist Matt McGachy, was released June 24, 2008 to a wide array of reactions. Drummer Flo Mounier explained his intention in reshaping the dynamics of the band to Decibel magazine: "I'm a fan of different sorts of music, and I think it's most fun when a band puts out an album that has elements of everything; you get this thing called diversity, not boredom. That's what we're trying to do. Still, I think people are going to be surprised how brutal this album is."

Swedish death/black metallers APOSTASY will enter the studio on March 30 to begin recording their fourth album for a late 2012 release. The drums will be laid down at Studio Seven Studio with Ronny Milianowicz at the helm.

APOSTASY's third album, "Nuclear Messiah", was released last August 24 via Gothenburg, Sweden's Rambo Music, a division of Gain Music Entertainment (which is distributed and partly owned by Sony Music).

Vocalist Fredric Edin previously stated about "Nuclear Messiah", "It's been a rocky road for us when we lost [guitarist] Henrik [Johansson], but now we are stronger than ever and can guarantee you folks that this will surely be the most brutal and most technical we have ever made, so what I want to say is: We don't slow down like everybody else does, we just accelerate and make it more brutal. It is worth waiting for!"

APOSTASY made national headlines in Sweden in 2006 when the group's guitarist, Henrik Johansson, was stabbed to death by his girlfriend. At 3:55 a.m. on March 9, 2006, the 19-year-old woman dialed 112 (the Swedish equivalent of 911 in the U.S. or 999 in the U.K.) and said that her boyfriend was lying bleeding on the floor in the couple's apartment in Kramfors, Sweden. When the paramedics and police arrived, Johansson was already dead.