Fan-filmed video footage of former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno's November 5, 2011 concert in Valencia, Spain can be seen below.

On August 27, 2011, Di'Anno played his first show since serving time in a U.K. prison after he falsely collected U.K. government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.

After serving his jail term last spring, Di'Anno issued a short statement in which he thanked his fans for their support and claimed that he "managed not to drop the soap" during his stint behind bars.

Di'Anno, 53, was sentenced to nine months for swindling £45,000 (approximately $72,000) in benefits. He was told he would serve at least four and a half months of the sentence behind bars before being released on conditional bail.

D'Anno was reportedly busted when investigators at Department Of Work And Pensions (DWP) received an anonymous tip that he was still singing. They then found videos and pictures on YouTube and the rocker's own web site of Di'Anno "energetically leaping around on stage, singing to fans around the world."

Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.

"In 1991 I did a couple of stints in jail for guns and drugs," Di'Anno explained in a 2010 interview. "I was stupid. But after I'd done my stretch they still treated me like a criminal. And I was — but I wasn't that bad. So I didn't feel good about America. The government, not the people.

"Prison was tough, but I'm tougher. I was nobody's bitch, put it that way. You've got to do it; otherwise people will walk all over you."

ADRENALINE MOB — the band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) — has announced the addition of DISTURBED bassist John Moyer to the group's ranks.

Moyer will make his live debut with ADRENALINE MOB on March 12 at Hiro Ballroom in New York City.

Said Moyer in a statement: "Mike Portnoy called me about auditioning for his new band ADRENALINE MOB. He had heard through the grapevine that I was looking to stay busy while DISTURBED is on hiatus. After jamming with Russ, Mike Orlando, and Portnoy, the chemistry as musicians was undeniable. I am super stoked about joining 'The Family' and I can't wait to hit the road with these guys and see what kind of musical mayhem we can create!"

ADRENALINE MOB's debut album, "Omertá", will be released in Europe on March 19 in Europe via Century Media Records. The CD will be made available in the U.S> on March 13 through the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services.

The 11-song effort — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.

"Omertá" track listing:

01. Undaunted
02. Psychosane
03. Indifferent
04. All On The Line
05. Hit The Wall
06. Feelin' Me
07. Come Undone (feat. Lzzy Hale)
08. Believe Me
09. Down To The Floor
10. Angel Sky
11. Freight Train

Audio samples of the songs "Indifferent" and "All On The Line" can be found on the ADRENALINE MOB Facebook page.

The "Undaunted" video can be seen below.

ADRENALINE MOB will perform at several European festivals this summer, including Graspop Metal Meeting (June 22-24 in Dessel, Belgium) and Gods Of Metal (June 21-24 in Milan, Italy).

ADRENALINE MOB's first-ever headline tour made stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. ADRENALINE MOB also opened for GODSMACK on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.

ADRENALINE MOB formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as ADRENALINE MOB was born.

Guitarist Rich Ward (STUCK MOJO, FOZZY) and bassist Paul DiLeo (FOZZY) announced their departures from ADRENALINE MOB last month due to scheduling conflicts with their other projects.

Photo by Kellie Hoeke

Wisconsin’s Product of Hate has posted the band’s first official music video online for “Blood Coated Concrete.”

Shot simultaneously alongside the “Unholy Manipulator” short film (which stars horror icon Ashley Laurence of Hellraiser and Slipknot’s “Snuff”), “Blood Coated Concrete” introduces audiences to one of the Midwest’s rising stars of the metal scene as the band takes position and readies an aural assault with a viciously-addictive blend of thrash, groove, and new wave metal.

The official video for “Blood Coated Concrete” was directed and edited by James Zahn. Director of Photography was Franklin Purtiman, with additional cameras by David H. Greathouse and Robert Kurtzman. The video was shot inside the “Perfect Rubber Mulch” factory in Galion, Ohio.

Hugely influential British melodic hard rock group MAGNUM has issued the following update:

"This week we are back at M2 studios [in the West Midlands] and all set to record the new album due out later this year. We do have a title and will let you know what it is very soon. We have just spent a week putting down guide vocals and some guitar parts and it's sounding really powerful once again. If the early songtitles have anything to go by, the album will tick all the boxes for all the fans."


MAGNUM's last album, "Evolution", came out in November via Steamhammer/SPV. The CD contained partially re-recorded and fully remixed versions of eight songs from MAGNUM's previous albums, including two tracks from MAGNUM's acclaimed "The Visitation" album (which cracked the Top 20 in Germany and made it to No. 3 on the U.K. Rock chart) and two newly recorded songs.

MAGNUM's lineup consists of guitarist/songwriter/producer Tony Clarkin, vocalist Bob Catley, keyboard player Mark Stanway, bassist Al Barrow and drummer Harry James.

Metal Injection boarded the second edition of the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise this past January and has posted a recap of all the madness that happened on the high seas in a five-minute video clip, featuring footage of fans and bands and all the craziness that happened aboard the Majesty Of The Seas cruise ship. Additionally, over 500 photos from the cruise have been uploaded to the Metal Injection photo gallery, including copious amounts of photos of all the fans in attendance. Finally, a video clip featuring artists who played the cruise is available. Members of CANNIBAL CORPSE, CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS, CROWBAR, ELUVEITIE, ATHEIST, STRATOVARIUS, PESTILENCE and KATAKLYSM discuss what their favorite part of playing the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise is.

The 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise set sail January 23 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, Florida to George Town, Cayman Islands and returned four days later.

The following bands performed on this year's cruise:

ALESTORM
AMORPHIS
ANNIHILATOR
ATHEIST
CANDLEMASS
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CHANNEL ZERO
CHILDREN OF BODOM
CORONER
DARK FUNERAL
DIAMOND PLATE
EDGUY
ELUVEITIE
EXCITER
GOD DETHRONED
GRAVE DIGGER
HAMMERFALL
IN EXTREMO
KAMELOT
KATAKLYSM
MASSACRE
MEGORA
MOONSORROW
MY DYING BRIDE
NIGHTWISH
OVERKILL
PENTAGRAM
PESTILENCE
PRETTY MAIDS
RIOT
SAMAEL
SAPIENCY
STRATOVARIUS
SUFFOCATION
TANKARD
THERION
TRISTANIA
VENOM
VICIOUS RUMORS
VIRGIN STEELE
WHIPLASH

For more information, visit www.70000tons.com.

DARK DAY SUNDAY, the old-school thrash band featuring FATES WARNING guitarist Frank Aresti and SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner, is giving fans a taste of what they'll be bringing this year by offering a free MP3 of the song "Halfway To Godz". Starting today, fans can visit the DARK DAY SUNDAY's official Facebook page and unlock the free MP3 by clicking to "Like" the band.

Inspired by Bay Area thrash bands like METALLICA, EXODUS, and MEGADETH, DARK DAY SUNDAY brings together old and new elements to create a brand new sound. The result: pure, raw energy.

DARK DAY SUNDAY is composed of four guys with a common love for headbanging fury, wailing guitar solos, melodic vocals that simply won't quit, and a rhythm section so in tune with one another you'd swear they were born of the same insanity.

Frank Aresti started his career with seminal prog-metal band FATES WARNING. As inspiration to many later bands, from DREAM THEATER to SLIPKNOT, Frank's guitar playing helped propel the band to commercial success and critical acclaim.

"I love playing with FATES," comments Frank, "but DARK DAY SUNDAY has a special place in my heart. I grew up listening to late '70s British punk and hardcore, then to early American thrash. I absolutely love this music."

In the drummer's seat is one of the most highly regarded metal drummers today, Jason Bittner of SHADOWS FALL. A Berklee College Of Music alum, "Jason brings a great energy to this band," says Aresti. "He lends an aggressive approach, pushing the beat while completely locking up with the rhythm section. It's a powerful feeling when you hear us live."

Rounding out the rhythm section on bass is Ed Lanouette. Ed earned his bachelor's degree at Berklee College Of Music and graduated with a master's degree in jazz performance from the Boston Conservatory. He cites his main influences as Jaco Pastorius and BLACK SABBATH's Geezer Butler.

Soaring above the ferocious riffs and pounding rhythm section is vocalist Marc Lopes. Marc cites his main influence as Bruce Dickinson of IRON MAIDEN. "Bruce has the ability to be melodic and aggressive at the same time," says Marc. "I love that, and that's what I go for in my singing."

When asked about the future of DARK DAY SUNDAY, Frank replies, "I want to take this band on the road, across the world. I want to continue making and recording music as long as we can. And judging how all four of us love doing this, that's going to be a long time."

DARK DAY SUNDAY expects to release its debut album later this year.

DARK DAY SUNDAY is:

Marc Lopes - Vocals
Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) - Guitar
Ed Lanouette - Bass
Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL) - Drums

SiriusXM Radio announced today that Ozzy's Boneyard, the new classic hard rock and metal music channel, will launch with a full slate of content featuring Ozzy Osbourne, his family members, bandmates and other musicians on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Hard rock and heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne will, for the first time, discuss the recent news of BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi's lymphoma diagnosis during a one-on-one conversation with SiriusXM host Jose Mangin on Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Ozzy's Boneyard, channel 38.

Ozzy's Boneyard will also present Ozzy himself counting down his personal top 10 rock guitarists of all time.

The channel will also include the regular specials "The Diary Of A Madman", Ozzy's thoughts on everything from music to life itself, and "God Bless The Prince Of Darkness", the special featuring musicians, Osbourne family members and other notables talking about their appreciation of Ozzy. Listeners will also hear guest DJ specials, concerts and classic hard rock and metal music from artists like BLACK SABBATH, METALLICA, AC/DC, JIMI HENDRIX, PANTERA and VAN HALEN.

"After everything I've been through in my career I never imagined I'd end up with my own radio channel on SiriusXM. This is fucking amazing! Does this mean I can play whatever I want?" said Ozzy Osbourne.

"No one represents the evolution of hard rock and heavy metal more than Ozzy Osbourne," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "We know Ozzy's Boneyard will be alive and kicking."

Ozzy's Boneyard joins SiriusXM's roster of channels created in partnership with legendary musicians, including Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, Pearl Jam Radio, Eminem's Shade 45, Willie Nelson's Willie's Roadhouse, B.B. King's Bluesville, Elvis Radio, Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville and Siriusly Sinatra.

For more information on SiriusXM, visit www.siriusxm.com.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, a source has told MetalTalk.net that the three remaining original members of BLACK SABBATH have recruited Tommy Clufetos, who plays drums in singer Ozzy Osbourne's solo band, to sit behind the SABBATH kit for the foreseeable future. The source added that manager Sharon Osbourne has effectively "fired" founding drummer Bill Ward, who announced last week that he could not participate in the recording sessions or tour plans due to his unhappiness with the contract he was offered.

Ozzy, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler responded to Ward's February 2 statement by saying, "We have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open."

The absence of Ward effectively prevents this from being the full-blown regrouping of the original SABBATH lineup that was first envisioned last year.

A number of SABBATH fans have rallied around Ward and have launched a new Facebook page dubbed "1,000,000 Black Sabbath Fans Say Yes To Bill Ward".

Ward said in his statement that he could not participate in the reunion, which was announced last November, unless presented with what he described as a "fair agreement" and a "signable contract" that financially reflected his contributions to SABBATH's history and his standing as a founding member of the band.

The recording sessions for what was meant to be 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.

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.

The second in a series of four clips in which vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway of British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH explains the lyrics and meaning behind each and every song on the band's new album, "Utilitarian", can be seen below. The seven-minute video covers the tracks "The Wolf I Feed", "Quarantined", "Fall On Their Swords" and "Collision Course".

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

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

"Utilitarian" track listing

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Utilitarian" track-by-track - part 2:

Swedish metallers REVENGIA have issued the following update:

"We're proud to announce that we've finalized the work on our new record. It has been hard work sometimes and sometimes we've been forced to take breaks, hence the long time to record the record. It's a proud number of 11 new heavy tunes and two extras for other stuff that was recorded on various locations, using the ZerOonE recording unit. It was produced by Matti Almsenius and REVENGIA. The album was mixed by Matti as well. It still has to be mastered and we already been in contact with a studio for that.

"There is still some artwork to do, photos to shoot a record title to be set and we will do our first REVENGIA video! The band has already a publishing contract, but will start looking for a suitable company to work with for a proper release. Any interested parties can contact the band at our website, www.revengia.se.'

A short audio sample of a new REVENGIA song called "Lake Of Fire" can be streamed using the player below.

"The Cage", the first video from RED LAMB, the new Palm Beach, Florida-based rock trio led by former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's self-titled debut album, which was released earlier this week via iTunes. The 12-song effort was co-produced by Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH) and Spitz and is described in a press release as "explosive hard rock, pop punk, alternative rock, with a taste of thrash." The CD was mixed by Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (DISTURBED, 3 DOORS DOWN, DROWNING POOL, MEGADETH) and it features cover artwork by John Lorenzi, who worked on the last three MEGADETH studio albums — 2007's "United Abominations", 2009's "Endgame" and 2011's "TH1RT3EN" — as well as the band's 2007 box set, "Warchest". Grammy Award winner Chris Vrenna (NINE INCH NAILS, MARILYN MANSON) handled all synths and additional programming on the entire CD.

RED LAMB features Spitz (lead guitar, guitar, bass guitar, programming, background vocals, engineering,co-producer), Patrick Johansson (drums; YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P.) and Don Chaffin (vocals and video productions).

"Red Lamb" track listing:

01. Watchman
02. The Cage
03. Get Up
04. Runaway Train
05. Angels Of War
06. Puzzle Box
07. Keep Pushing Me
08. Warpaint
09. One Shell (In The Chamber)
10. Standby Passenger
11. Temptation
12. Don't Threaten To Love Me

In a December 2010 interview, Mustaine revealed that he helped fine-tune the songs on RED LAMB's debut album after hearing some of the material in its early stages of development.

"[Dan] was working on a little side project, and I'd heard it a while ago and it kind of went by in passing 'cause he was just starting it," Mustaine said. "And I heard it about three weeks ago; he was almost done. And I said, 'Man, I love this record.' I said, 'And do you think it's done?' And he goes, 'Yeah.' And he goes, 'Why? What do you think?' And I said, 'Well, I would kind of do this and that.' And he goes, 'Really? Go ahead.' And I went, 'Really?' So I rolled up my sleeves and I completely dedicated myself to Danny's record for the last three weeks, working tirelessly in my studio on this record with him. And it's that good. I heard it and I just went, 'Oh my God!' It's like a cross between, say, DISTURBED, SOUNDGARDEN and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE kind of thing. Little bit of some smatterings of ANTHRAX because of the speed stuff, but it's much more modern and much more heavy sounding."

QUIET RIOT played its first show with ex-MONTROSE singer Keith St. John on February 1 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Run For Cover
02. Slick Black Cadillac
03. Mama Weer All Crazee Now
04. Sign O The Times
05. Loves A Bitch
06. Condition Critical
07. Put Up Or Shut Up
08. Thunderbird
09. Breathless
10. Bass Case
11. Breathless
12. The Wild And The Young
13. Let's Get Crazy
14. Cum On Feel The Noize
15. Metal Health

Several fan-filmed video clips of the performance can be seen below.

Photos of the show can be found at this location (courtesy of Brian Matus).

QUIET RIOT released a statement on January 12 announcing that it had split with singer Mark Huff and that Keith St. John had been recruited to front the band for three East Coast shows in early February.

A short time later, Mark posted a message on his Facebook page, stating, "As I sit in hospital… wait for my brain surgery… I have been let go from QUIET RIOT. And nobody's had balls to tell it to my face. Interesting … the rock 'n' roll business. I have to read the news in a post that's not even directed to me?… WTF?"

He continued, "Let me tell all my friends… don't count me out… Watch what happens. It's obvious what I ever meant to this situation… I deserve better treatment… Don't worry about me… Worry about your own bad selves. And I am gonna take the high road… I have so much shit I could speak… Stay tuned, my friends."

This was followed by a Facebook post from QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali, who wrote, "With regards to Mark Huff: My policy has always been not to air out the dirty laundry in public. That policy remains the same even in light of those who chose to make accusations. The fact is that Mr. Huff's medical condition had nothing to do with the decision that was made, though it is unfortunate that it comes at such a time. His wife assured me that Mark would be home this week, and as legal protocol dictated, a certified letter was sent informing Mark of the decision that was made and why it was made. This was days ago. The content of that letter is a private matter unless Mr. Huff decides to make the reason for his dismissal made public, which I believe would be counterproductive for him. I will not go tit for tat with this issue. If certain persons wish to villainize me, that is their prerogative."

Brazil's Wikimetal podcast conducted an interview with METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich when the band performed at the Rock In Rio festival last September. You can now stream the podcast using the audio player below. (Note: The Ulrich interview begins around the 21-minute mark.)

When asked why METALLICA chose to make "Lulu", its controversial collaborative album with former THE VELVET UNDERGROUND frontman Lou Reed, Lars said, "I can give you some bullshit answer, but I don't look at things like that. The freedom of being in METALLICA… What the success of METALLICA affords us is to do these types of things. It's only in interviews six months later when you sit and talk about it and all of a sudden you have to figure out 'why.' I never asked, 'Why?' So Lou Reed says, 'Hey, you wanna make a record together one day?' 'OK.' I don't think it has to be more complicated than that. I would say maybe when the next METALLICA record comes out, maybe in another year or two, I'll have more answers about this thing. I don't really know yet, 'cause I haven't had any distance from it yet. There's a lot of music and it's very overwhelming, and there's a lot to digest, so I don't even know the fucking answer to it all, but I hope that in a couple of years I'll be able to look back on the experience and maybe I can answer it better. It's definitely very unique, and whether it's unique in a good way or unique in a not-so-good way, I have no idea yet. The people whose opinions I trust say it's very good. It feels very good; it's a lot of fun to do. But whether it's making a new sound, or paving a new way, I have no idea."

He added, "METALLICA lives and breathes on being able to do these types of things, and I think that 30 years in, we have to kind of do these things to keep us alive. If we get stuck doing the same thing over and over again, it becomes automatic — [you start doing things on] autopilot. To me, that's not the band I'd like METALLICA to be. I know some people would like METALLICA to make the same record every two years, but that's not what I want METALLICA to do, and I'm not interested in doing that."

Wikimetal podcast (audio):

According to the Helensburgh Advertiser, IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson spent three nights earlier this week on board the nuclear submarine HMS Victorious at the Faslane naval base in Scotland.

The captain of the boat is believed to have given Bruce a special invitation to come on board and get a taste of what life is like living and working on a nuclear submarine.

VIPs are sometimes invited on to the boats for a short period of time and a spokesman for Faslane confirmed to the Helensburgh Advertiser that the private visit had taken place.

A self-confessed submarine fan, Dickinson previously toured a Royal Navy submarine base in December 2003. On that occasion, he toured two classes of boat, the 8,000-ton HMS Sovereign, and the 16,000-ton HMS Victorious at Scotland's largest military establishment, the HM Naval Base Clyde near Helensburgh.

This was the first time Dickinson has been on a submarine, after his fascination was sparked when he met Clyde-based submariner and guitar maker, Leading Operator Mechanic (LOM) Richard Banks.

Banks first met Dickinson when he made a guitar for Dave Murray, IRON MAIDEN's lead guitarist, and the pair soon discovered a mutual interest in music and submarines.

THE SANITY DAYS — the project featuring four former members of legendary Bristol, England thrash metallers ONSLAUGHT who have teamed up to play music from the band's most commercially successful album, "In Search of Sanity" — has recruited ONSLAUGHT's first vocalist, Paul "Mo" Mahoney (who sang on the band's very first record, "Power From Hell", and bass guitar on ONSLAUGHT's second album, "The Force") to play some limited shows in 2012. Paul will make his comeback debut at Hammerfest in March, where THE SANITY DAYS will now play most of the "Power From Hell" album along with Steve Grimmett on vocals playing the entire "In Search of Sanity" LP. This now means THE SANITY DAYS has three of the original four members from "Power From Hell" on stage and four original members in total!

Commented THE SANITY DAYS drummer Steve Grice: "We had our first rehearsal last week, this is the first time Mo has sang these songs for 25 years or so and I have to say they sounded just like they did in 1985. We will be looking to play a handful of festivals and maybe even a few headline shows this year with Mo at the helm alongside Steve Grimmett singing the 'In Search Of Sanity' stuff."

THE SANITY DAYS performed at the Metal Assault II Festival on January 14 at Posthalle in Würzburg, Germany.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. In Search Of Sanity (ONSLAUGHT song)
02. Shellshock (ONSLAUGHT song)
03. Blood Upon The Ice (ONSLAUGHT song)
04. Welcome To Dying (ONSLAUGHT song)
05. Lightning War (ONSLAUGHT song)
06. Rock You To Hell (GRIM REAPER cover)
07. Atomic Punk (VAN HALEN cover)
08. See You In Hell (GRIM REAPER cover)
09. Let There Be Rock (AC/DC cover)

Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

THE SANITY DAYS is intended as a bit of fun for the musicians and an opportunity for fans to hear music that no longer features in ONSLAUGHT's live repertoire.

THE SANITY DAYS was launched by Steve Grice, former drummer and founding member of the ONSLAUGHT, who played on all ONSLAUGHT albums thus far. He is joined in the new project by former ONSLAUGHT guitarist Alan Jordan (2007's "Killing Peace"), bassist Jase Stallard (1985's "Power From Hell" and 1986's "The Force"), and ex-GRIM REAPER singer Steve Grimmett, who fronted ONSLAUGHT for the 1989 album "In Search Of Sanity".

Released on London Records in 1989, "In Search Of Sanity" was the last album ONSLAUGHT recorded before it disbanded. Despite reaching the U.K. Top 50, its mainstream production proved controversial among bandmembers and fans alike. "We were always pleased with the songs, though," states Grice. "Over the past few years, people have nagged me to play tracks from the 'Sanity' album, but we always struggled to get them sounding right without Steve Grimmett's involvement."

Former GRIM REAPER frontman Grimmett lent his powerful voice to ONSLAUGHT for just this one album and now returns as a member of THE SANITY DAYS. "It's been a long time since I sang any songs from 'In Search of Sanity', but this was an opportunity I couldn't turn down," he says. "I have also been asked to play these songs, but it never seemed the right thing to do after ONSLAUGHT got back together."

"I'm really excited to be involved with Steve Grice again, and playing with Al and Steve Grimmett makes it extra special to me," says Stallard. "For the past six years I have been watching ONSLAUGHT's progress, thinking to myself how much I would love to get out and play again. Now this chance has arisen, I intend to enjoy every second of it."

Hungarian extreme metallers EKTOMORF will release a very special "acoustic" album, "The Acoustic", on February 17 via AFM Records. All artwork for the CD was created by Tim Eckhorst, who previously did illustrations for the Wacken Open Air festival and various other bands.

"The Acoustic" track listing:

01. I Know Them
02. I'm In Hate
03. Be Free
04. Redemption
05. Simple Man
06. To Smoulder
07. Folsom Prison Blues
08. Again
09. Through Your Eyes
10. Fate
11. Stigmatized
12. Who Can I Trust

The song "I'm In Hate" is available for free download until Sunday at this location.

EKTOMORF's latest album, "Redemption", was released on December 17, 2010 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm studios in Århus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen, who has previously worked with DARK TRANQUILLITY, THE HAUNTED and HEAVEN SHALL BURN, among others.

Virginia crossover thrash metal band MUNICIPAL WASTE will release its fifth studio album, "The Fatal Feast", on April 10 in North America and April 13 in Europe via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork for the cD was created by Justin Osbourn of Slasher Design and can be seen below.

Osbourn recently answered a few questions about the artistic process for his masterpiece.

Q: Did you hear any new music before you created this bad boy?

Osbourn: Nope, I wasn't given any of the new song demos beforehand. Ryan [Waste, guitarist] kinda gave me an overall theme and certain elements that they wanted to see in the artwork. Being a fan of the band, I just took that and added what I thought would enhance it further.

Q: Why does the guy being eaten resemble Captain James Tiberius Kirk?

Osbourn: It's kinda weird that you say that... I happen to be quite the fan of the original "Star Trek" series. It would have totally made sense for that to be Captain Kirk being devoured, but unfortunately, that was never my intent. Perhaps it was subconsciously, though? How 'bout we just tell everyone it is.

Q: Anything hidden in the artwork (a la Derek Riggs/IRON MAIDEN covers) that fans should keep an eye out for?

Osbourn: Sorta. The number of cheap beer cans/bottles laying around on the cover are just about the right number I would drink on a night I would call a Pretty Damn Good Night. Oh, and there's an empty half pint of Viaka Vodka in there as well; it's just that it's laying behind The Waste-oids devouring Captain Kirk. Ha ha.

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

"Massive Aggressive", the last album from MUNICIPAL WASTE, landed at No. 10 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.

"Massive Aggressive" was released on August 25, 2009 via Earache Records.

"Submission For Liberty", the new video from the Australian metal outfit 4ARM, can be seen below. The clip was shot five hours out of Melbourne over two days in blistering heat amongst wheat fields and salt lakes, capturing concepts of both the song itself and the album artwork. Once again the video was filmed and edited by Steve Ravic of Majestic Films, who was responsible for the band's previous clip, "Carnal".

"Submission For Liberty" is the title track of 4ARM's recently released third studio album, which was recorded at Melbourne Records with frontman Danny Tomb and drummer Michael Vafiotis producing. Mixing the CD was U.K. engineer Matt Hyde (MACHINE HEAD, SLIPKNOT, TRIVIUM) and mastering duties were handled by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City. The cover artwork was designed by Brent Elliot White, who previously worked on ARCH ENEMY's "Khaos Legions".

In regards to the musical direction of the new album, Tomb said, "'Submission' is far more energy- and passion-driven than anything we've done before. There is a lot more melody and a hell of a lot more thrash. The plan was to create an album that harnessed an energy to it that could be felt, not just heard."

"Submission For Liberty" track listing:

01. Sinn Mact Frei
02. While I Lie Awake
03. Raise A Fist
04. Submission For Liberty
05. The Oppressed
06. I Will Not Bow
07. Taken Down
08. My Fathers Eyes
09. The Warning
10. Blood Of Martyrs

"Let The Blood Spill Between My Broken Teeth", the new video from France's death metal warriors BENIGHTED, can be seen below. The clip, directed by Thibault Chaumont at Deviantlab (KLONE, TREPALIUM), combines live footage of the band with the story of a man who makes a devastating discovery.

"Let The Blood Spill Between My Broken Teeth'" comes off BENIGHTED's latest album, "Asylum Cave", which came out in March 2011 via Season Of Mist.

BENIGHTED will play a number of festivals in the coming months, including Hellfest in France, Neurotic Deathfest in Holland and Inferno in Switzerland.

"Parasitic Twins", the new video from THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, can be sen below. The hilarious clip was directed by David Merenyi and produced by Greg Toth. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Option Paralysis", which was re-released last year in a "Paralyzing Edition" exclusively as a digital download. This first-anniversary reissue included four bonus tracks, plus a video in the iTunes version.

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will head over to the United Kingdom in February to support MASTODON for a week's worth of dates before travelling to Australia for this year's Soundwave Festival. The group states, "While we are in that part of the world, we are going to be playing a few shows with SYSTEM OF A DOWN, plus headlining Malaysia and Thailand for the first time ever!"

In a recent interview with Australia's Loud magazine, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN guitarist Ben Weinman stated about the band's next album, "We're about to start working out ideas and we'll be doing that basically until we come to Australia [in February]. I traditionally come up with the start of most of the ideas and then myself and our drummer will kind of work on them and formulate songs and get the ball rolling."

Regarding the band's songwriting process, Ben said, "You know, every time I finish a record, I feel like I can't make another one. I'm done. I have no more DILLINGER in me. Then after a year or two of just touring heavily on that music, it just seems to come naturally, to start working on new stuff."

On the topic of how each THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN album is recorded, Ben said, "It takes a while. Because one of the things that we try to maintain is a certain level of… we're pretty critical about how we record and the music we make. Sometimes playing those guitars parts takes hours and hours because not only do we have to get it done once correctly — which is difficult enough — we have to do four or five more overdubs. It certainly can be pretty daunting."

South Florida-based female-fronted extreme metallers WYKKED WYTCH have released their cover version of the METALLICA classic "Fade To Black". You can listen to it using the SoundCloud player below.

WYKKED WYTCH's version of "Fade To Black" comes off the band's fifth full-length album, "The Ultimate Deception", which will be released on February 14 via Goomba Music. The follow-up to 2008's "Memories Of A Dying Whore" "continues where its predecessor left off and pushes the boundaries of extreme music as well as the legacy of WYKKED WYTCH," according to a press release.

Led by the demonic vocal assault of frontwoman Ipek, WYKKED WYTCH's sound is described as "a unique mixture of black, death, thrash metal with melody, technicality, and aggression which has gained them a strong cult following throughout the world."

Regarding the recent signing and forthcoming release, Ipek said, "We are very excited and proud to announce that WYKKED WYTCH has signed with Goomba Music for the release of our fifth full-length album, 'The Ultimate Deception'.

"Over the past two years we worked really hard creating a modern metal masterpiece and with Goomba behind us we will spread the word worldwide. We would also like to thank Mark and the crew at Goomba for this new partnership. It was the right choice for us and glad to know there is an experienced team of industry vets behind the label that respect the integrity of their artists."

"The Ultimate Deception" was recorded in April/May 2011 at Lambesis Studios in San Diego, California with producer Daniel Castleman (AS I LAY DYING, WINDS OF PLAGUE). The CD was mastered by Alan Douches (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York. The cover artwork was created by Marcelo Vasco (DIMMU BORGIR, THE FACELESS).

"The Ultimate Deception" includes 10 tracks with a running time of 47 minutes — nine original songs and a cover of METALLICA's "Fade To Black". It marks the recording debut of lead guitarist/songwriter Nate Poulson, who composed nine "badass" tunes that add a whole new dimension and flavor to the band's constantly evolving sound. According to a press release, "the songs are heavy, technical, and melodic with each one standing on its own. Showcased on this release are vocalist Ipek's true abilities that drive the album. Not afraid to take chances, Ipek doesn't hold back and has stepped out of her comfort zone; moving from death growls to high pitched screams to operatic, and clean catchy choruses in the course of a single song. The intense and insane vocals are performed by 'one' woman, not three different vocalists. Also featured is one of the best drummers in metal today, Kevin Talley (DAATH, SIX FEET UNDER, CHIMAIRA) who appears as a session musician and complements the songs with his killer double bass and blast work."

"The Ultimate Deception" track listing:

01. Birthing The Beast
02. The Ultimate Deception
03. Serpents Among Us
04. Despised Existence
05. Prayers Of The Decapitated
06. When The Sleepers Rise
07. Ecstasy
08. Fade To Black (METALLICA cover)
09. Abolish The Weak
10. Eyes Of A Vulture

WYKKED WYTCH "The Ultimate Deception" recording lineup:

Ipek - Vocals
Nate Poulson - Guitars, Bass, Programming
Kevin Talley - Drums (Session)
Salvatore Lopresti - Keyboards/Samples

Touring lineup:

Ipek - Vocals
Nate Poulson - Lead Guitar
Salvatore Lopresti - Keyboards/Samples
Kenny B. - Bass
Matt - Guitar
Steve Brubaker - Drums

"Fade To Black" audio stream:

"Voices From Valhalla", a BATHORY tribute double CD, will be released in May via Godreah Records.

The following artists are scheduled to contribute to the set:

TAAKE
NINE COVENS
OLD CORPSE ROAD
FOLKVANG
THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL
EASTERN FRONT
GODS TOWER
SKYFORGER
SIGH
NOKTURNAL MORTUM
MAEL MÓRDHA
DARKEST ERA
ANCIENT ASCENDANT
VRANI VOLOSA
THRONE OF KATARSIS
RAVENS CREED
BLOODSHED WALHALLA
FOLKVANG
DRACONIS INFERNUM
THORNIUM
HELL SWORD

In addition, there will be a bonus 20-minute rare audio interview with late BATHORY mastermind Quorthon recorded in 1996 for the Godreah 'zine when Quorthon was promoting BATHORY's "Blood On Ice" album.

For more information, visit www.godreah.com.

Rare video footage from the DVD that accompanied BATHORY's career-spanning box set, "In Memory of Quorthon", can be viewed below in three parts.

Released in June 2006 via Black Mark, "In Memory of Quorthon" contains three CDs, one DVD, a book and a poster. Börje "Boss" Forsberg — owner of Black Mark Records and father of late BATHORY mainman Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg — had previously stated that the package would contain "Quorthon's and BATHORY's complete musical history."

Quorthon was found dead in his apartment in Stockholm, Sweden on June 7, 2004. The 39-year-old, widely considered to be one of black metal's founding fathers, reportedly died of heart failure.

Part 1:

Chicago doom-metal legends TROUBLE have recruited Kyle Thomas as their new singer.

Thomas, former lead vocalist for EXHORDER, FLOODGATE, WITCH, and ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, is no stranger to TROUBLE as he previously fronted the band for four live shows between 1997 and 1999, including Stoner Hands Of Doom festival in Maryland (see video below) and Expo Of The Extreme in Chicago. Thomas has also collaborated on projects with members of SLIPKNOT, DOWN, OBITUARY and DEICIDE.

"We are really excited to be working with Kyle again," states Rick Wartell, TROUBLE co-founder/guitarist. "The shows we played with him in the past were very well-received by the fans and now we'll have an opportunity to work with him in the studio on our new record. His vocals are amazing and a perfect fit for the band."

Bruce Franklin, TROUBLE's other co-founder/guitarist, adds, "The history with Kyle and TROUBLE really goes back to his teenage years as he told me that he and Jimmy Bower (of DOWN) would drive around in his old Pinto and listen to TROUBLE. He's an excellent, highly energetic singer and it's great to have him be an official member of the band now."

TROUBLE is currently working on its ninth studio album with Thomas on vocals and plans to release the record this spring.

TROUBLE's current lineup is:

Kyle Thomas (vocals)
Rick Wartell (guitar)
Bruce Franklin (guitar)
Shane Pasqualla (bass)
Mark Lira (drums)

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

Singer Kory Clarke (of WARRIOR SOUL fame) announced his departure from TROUBLE earlier today to start a new project with guitarist Russ Strahan (PENTAGRAM, LAND OF DOOM) called THE BONES OF CHILDREN.

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

Slash — the iconic, Grammy-winning rock guitarist and songwriter — is currently in a Los Angeles studio putting the finishing touches on his second solo album. The as-yet-untitled disc is due out May 22 on Slash's own label Dik Hayd International distributed through EMI.

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

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

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

Technical-thrash metallers BELIEVER are writing material for their fifth album, due later in the year via Metal Blade Records.

Commented BELIEVER guitarist/vocalist Kurt Bachman: "As we begin the writing process, I feel that this will be the most sensual of all BELIEVER releases. Once again we are striving to create something unique while not throwing away any riff just because it might not fit the typical BELIEVER mold. This is part of the process we love and hate. We love being creative, yet we place intense pressure on ourselves to write something we'll enjoy hearing and playing at least 2060 times. Of course, we are sticking to our two main goals: 1) Have fun and 2) Don't die in the process."

BELIEVER's last album, "Transhuman", was released in April 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was produced by Trauma Team Productions and was mixed by Kevin Gutierrez (RAVEN, PROJECT: FAILING FLESH, DECEASED, DYSRYTHMIA, GARDEN OF SHADOWS) at Assembly Line Studios in Virginia. The mastering duties were handled by Maor Appelbaum of Maor Appelbaum Mastering in Los Angeles.

The band's fourth album, "Gabriel", was released in March 2009 through ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Howard Jones's imprint label Cesspool Records via Metal Blade. The CD featured guest appearances by Jones, Joe Rico (SACRIFICE), CKY/WORLD UNDER BLOOD guitarist/vocalist Deron Miller and Rocky Gray (EVANESCENCE, SOUL EMBRACED, LIVING SACRIFICE).

BELIEVER is:

Kurt Bachman - Guitar/Vocals
Joey Daub - Drums
Jeff King - Keyboards/Guitar
Kevin Leaman - Guitar