Vocalist Jesse Leach, who left Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2002, has officially rejoined the band. The news was broken via a splash image on the group's official web site, featuring Leach along with the rest of KILLSWITCH's current lineup — Mike D'Antonio (bass), Adam Dutkiewicz (lead guitar, backing vocals), Joel Stroetzel (rhythm guitar) and Justin Foley (drums).

In a recent interview with Australia's Loud magazine, Leach was asked if he has been approached to rejoin KILLSWITCH ENGAGE following the recent exit of his replacement, Howard Jones. "I'm not going to comment," he responded. "Everyone wants to know… I'd rather those guys go through what they've got to go through and whenever they make that decision… They're good friends of mine, so I'm respecting their space at the moment. It's more fun, more mystery, too; you don't have to know everything. These days everybody is on Facebook and tweeting everything that happens. What's happened to the mystery of music and not knowing everything?"

He added, "My viewpoint is to respectfully step back from the situation and support them. Whatever decision they make will be the right one for them and I look forward to what it is."

Leach spent most of the past year touring with TIMES OF GRACE, his collaborative project with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE members Adam Dutkiewicz (guitar) and Joel Stroeltzel (guitar). That band's debut album, "Hymn Of A Broken Man", came out in January 2011 via Roadrunner Records.

Jones issued a statement regarding his departure from the group, which was announced last month. Jones wrote in part, "I've had a pretty interesting couple of years, to say the least, battling with some personal issues. One of the low points being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes that went unchecked for years. The rest of the band stuck with me through it, and, to be honest, they are the ones that kept me going. The whole experience definitely put a scare in me."

He continued, "Recently we've all been in writing mode, but somehow I couldn't get excited about the new album and all the touring that would go with it. The guys saw it before I did. In hindsight, I now realize that my heart wasn't in it."

Jones thanked the rest of the band for "an amazing decade," adding, "I have so many good memories, and those are the ones that I will keep."

The band said in its statement, "We love Howard and are thankful for the nine years that we've had him in the band. Out of respect for everyone involved we will not be discussing the specific reasons behind this decision. Howard is a part of our family and always will be, and we wish him well."

The 41-year-old Jones joined KILLSWITCH in 2002. He sang on the band's last three studio efforts, including 2009's self-titled set.

SPIRITUAL BEGGARS — the Swedish band featuring ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott and bassist Sharlee D'Angelo, along with vocalist Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND) — is busy in the studio all this week, writing "new riffs" and coming up with "new songs," according to Amott.

SPIRITUAL BEGGARS last year released a live CD entitled "Return To Live: Loud Park 2010" in Japan via Trooper Entertainment. The disc features eight songs, capturing the bands high-energy performance at Loud Park 10 at Saitama Super Arena, Japan on October 17, 2010. The live recording was mixed in Sweden by Staffan Karlsson and Rickard Bengtsson at Studio Landgren 5.3 and The Sweet Spot Studio in December 2010. The artwork and design was handled by Hippograffix.

The new lineup of SPIRITUAL BEGGARS made its live debut on October 1, 2010 at Kyttaro club in Athens, Greece.

SPIRITUAL BEGGARS's seventh studio album, "Return To Zero", was released in Japan on August 25, 2010 via Trooper Entertainment Inc. — the label founded by legendary Japanese heavy metal music industry guru Tetsu Miyamoto. The Japanese special edition comes in a glossy paper box with a poster and a sticker of the CD front cover. The Japanese edition also features a bonus track, a thunderous cover of URIAH HEEP's "Time To Live" off the legendary U.K. band's 1971 "Salisbury" record.

"Return To Zero" was released in North America on October 12, 2010 via InsideOut Music. The follow-up to 2005's "Demons" was recorded at Sweetspot Studio with producer Rickard Bengtsson.

SPIRITUAL BEGGARS 2012 is:

Michael Amott (ARCH ENEMY, CARCASS) - Guitar
Ludwig Witt (FIREBIRD) - Drums
Per Wiberg (OPETH) - Keyboards
Sharlee D'Angelo (ARCH ENEMY, MERCYFUL FATE) - Bass
Apollo Papathanasio (FIREWIND) – Vocals

Italian technical death metallers GORY BLISTER will release their long-awaited new album, "Earth-Sick", on April 23 via Bakerteam Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Graveyard Of Angels" contains ten brand-new technical and brutal death metal tracks in the signature style that has always identified the band over the past 20 years. The CD also features NILE frontman Karl Sanders who guests on two tracks, including "Soul-Borne Maladies", which can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.



Commented GORY BLISTER guitarist Raff: "This new album is probably the best we've ever done. It displays the raw energy we always put into our shows but also the passion that drives us through good and hard times.

"Death metal is not about money, nor about fashion; it's a way of life that requires no compromises. We do this because we believe in it and we want to keep the flame high. Our fans are going to love 'Earth-Sick'!"

GORY BLISTER released its last album, "Graveyard Of Angels", via Mascot Records.

PAPA WHEELIE bassist Joe Ledesma (a.k.a. Joefus) and his band ORBITER 500 from Oakland, California just released its new album, "XL".

ORBITER 500's sonic road trip takes you through super-heavy riffs and crushing grooves mixed with powerful vocals and uncompromising, explosive, live performances.

Putting rubber to the road in 2008, the Bay Area band began bringing its high-octane throwback style of rock to stages across the West Coast. Two demos and two years of touring later, the 500 crew is poised and ready to release the fury of its first full-length album upon the masses.

ORBITER 500 is:

Greg Philpott - Guitar
Rob Campbell - Vox
Joe Ledesma - Bass
Rob Tucker - Drums

For more information, visit www.orbiter-500.com.

DERIDE, the Norwegian band featuring Kjetil Greve (AUDREY HORNE) on drums and Ole Walaunet (GRIMFIST) on guitar, has inked a deal with Massacre Records. The band's new album, "The Void", will be released on April 27.

DERIDE has been lurking around for well over a decade by now, having made its first appearance in the summer of 1995.

The band released a self-titled EP as well as a three-track demo tape before issuing its first album, "Scars Of Time", in 2001 and the follow-up CD, "First Round Knockout", in 2003.

After a break of several years, DERIDE is now back with a new kick-ass lineup: founding members Ole Walaunet and Kjetil Greve have been joined by vocalist Per Helge Lande and bassist Tony Vetas.

DERIDE 2012 is:

Per Helge Lande - Vocals
Ole Walaunet - Guitar
Tony Vetaas – Bass, Vocals
Kjetil Greve - Drums

DRAGGING THE CASKET, the solo project of guitarist L-G Hakamo (formerly L-G Jonasson) of the Swedish death/thrash outfit ARISE, has released the digital single "Kreation Of Time".

The single is available through all major digital outlets as well as from the band's web site.

"Kreation Of Time" will be included on DRAGGING THE CASKET's sophomore album, "From Hell", tentatively due this spring. The CD will once again feature vocalist Jonatan Storm.

A video for "Kreation Of Time", which was filmed last fall, can be seen below. The clip was produced and directed by Hakamo.

DRAGGING THE CASKET released its debut album, "The Undead", in June 2011.

Leviathan Records has just released a best-of collection from the progressive power metal band KENZINER, entitled "The Absolute Best Of".

KENZINER features the soaring vocals of Stephen Fredrick (who went on to front FIREWIND and KINRICK) and guitarist Jarno Keskinen. Jarno wrote the amazing music that went perfect with Stephen's powerful-yet-melodic vocals. This collection features the best tracks from the band's two releases, "Timescape" and "The Prophecies".

Producer David T. Chastain states: "Jarno wrote some of the best music in metal. It is too bad that Jarno and Stephen did not record longer together as I am sure their 'magic' would have continued to produce more classic metal music."

It is rumored that Jarno and Stephen have been writing new material together, although this has not been confirmed.

For more information, go to www.KenZiner.com.

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the English-American rock band featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE, BLACK SABBATH), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER), will release its first concert CD, "Live Over Europe", on February 28 on the J&R Adventures imprint. This two-disc CD follows up the October 2011 release of the two-disc DVD by the same name.

Recently named by Eddie Trunk and co-hosts as "Best New Band Of The Last 10 Years" on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show", BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION taped "Live Over Europe" during its debut tour in the summer of 2011. On the album, the band blazes through 17 tracks, recorded in surround over three nights, playing to packed venues in Hamburg, Munich and Berlin. The setlist includes songs from both of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's albums — 2010's self-titled debut and 2011's sophomore release, "2" — including "Black Country", "One Last Soul", "Save Me", "Man In The Middle", "Cold" and "Song Of Yesterday". Also included in the mix is "The Ballad Of John Henry" from Bonamassa's 2009 solo album and the DEEP PURPLE classic "Burn".

Producer Kevin Shirley explains: "We saw that this live act could be an awesome force of nature to behold; one that promised legendary performances like those of our heroes of classic rock. The plan was to get them out there for the entire world to hear. Records allow a certain musical finesse, but live performance promises so much in the very transient nature of a gig; chances are taken, boundaries are crossed and the most exciting performances explode. Two studio albums built a repertoire big enough for a full concert which allowed us to unleash the monster for all the world to see and feel."

"Live Over Europe" track listing

Disc 1

01. Revolution Of The Machine
02. Black Country
03. One Last Soul
04. Crossfire
05. Save Me
06. The Battle For Hadrian's Wall
07. Beggarman
08. Faithless
09. Song Of Yesterday
10. I Can See Your Spirit

Disc 2

11. Cold
12. The Ballad of John Henry
13. The Outsider
14. The Great Divide
15. Sista Jane
16. Man In The Middle
17. Burn

MUNICIPAL WASTE frontman Tony Foresta makes a guest appearance on the new album from PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION, the band featuring members of D.R.I., DEAD HORSE and VERBAL ABUSE. Tony wrote lyrics to, and sang, one song and added backing vocals to many of the other tunes on the CD, which was recorded in Austin, Texas.

D.R.I. frontman Kurt Brecht, who sings in PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION, asked Tony over six months ago if he would consider helping out on the PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION CD. There has also been talk of Brecht making a guest appearance on an upcoming release from Tony's side project IRON REAGAN.
"I had one tune on the album that I was really having problems with," says Brecht. "I was not happy with my lyrics or the delivery on the studio recording. I knew the song deserved better. Tony wrote new words and changed the phrasing to really save the day."

The release of the PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION album should coincide with the arrival of the new MUNICIPAL WASTE LP as well as the 30-year anniversary tour of D.R.I. Talk about perfect timing!

PASADENA NAPALM DIVISION is:

Kurt Brecht (D.R.I.) - Vocals
Greg Martin (DEAD HORSE) - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Ronny Guyote (DEAD HORSE) - Drums/Backing Vocals
Scott Sevall (DEAD HORSE) - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Bubba D. (VERBAL ABUSE) - Bass/Backing Vocals

Los Angeles-based hardcore band STRIFE will head down to Brazil next week to start recording its as-yet-untitled new full-length album. The group has enlisted longtime friend Igor Cavalera (SEPULTURA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY) to play drums on the CD, which will be produced by TERROR drummer Nick Jett (TAKE OFFENSE, LIONHEART). The effort will be laid down at Mix Nova Studios in Brazil, with additional recordings set to take place at Blood Tracks Studio and Sunset Lodge in Los Angeles. Producer Matt Hyde (HATEBREED, SLAYER) will take care of the mastering duties.

Commented STRIFE guitarist Andrew Kline: "This album is going to be our best release yet… We have been working on pre-production tracks for the last few months, and the songs are amazing. This record is more along the lines of [1997's] 'In This Defiance', but with a harder and a little more modern edge. Plus Igor's drumming is really going to take everything to the next level."

A final release date, label, cover art and additional information will be revealed in the near future.

Cavalera previously made a guest appearance on STRIFE's second album, 1997's "In This Defiance".

According to the unofficial BLACK SABBATH web site Black-Sabbath.com, Universal Music has set a March 19 European release date for the "deluxe-edition" reissues of the first three DIO albums: "Holy Diver", "The Last In Line" and "Sacred Heart". These reissues are being made available worldwide, except in North America, where Warner Bros. owns the rights to the material.

In May 2010, the world of hard rock and heavy metal had lost one of its most gifted and fervent ambassadors, with the passing of Ronnie James Dio. In his position as lead vocalist for rock giants such as RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH, as well as fronting his own eponymous band for nearly three decades, Dio created some of the genres most defining and respected works. Albums such as "Holy Diver", "Sacred Heart" and "The Last In Line" all stand as towering monuments of sheer class and brilliance in the rock pantheon. Dio was also to pave the way in regards to performing live, as few equaled him. With his incredible vocal range, Dio was to preside over countless memorable rock shows, enthralling his millions of fans worldwide.

As well as the original CD being remastered, these reissues each feature a bonus CD containing an expanded booklet with notes from Malcolm Dome and has been endorsed by Ronnie's widow Wendy Dio.

"Holy Diver" was the debut album from DIO, released May 25, 1983. It was hailed by critics as some of his best work and in January 1986 it was awarded silver certification in the U.K. The upbeat sounding "Rainbow In The Dark" was to catch MTV's attention, with the title track also standing out.

"The Last In Line" was the second DIO studio album. It was released on July 13, 1984 and was the first album from DIO to reach platinum status as well as No. 4 in the U.K. chart. This new album showcased the anthemic tracks "We Rock" and "I Speed at Night" as well as the seven-minute epic "Egypt ( The Chains Are On)".

Issued in October 1985, "Sacred Heart" was the third studio album from DIO. The album reached No. 4 in the U.K. chart and was to go on to be certified gold. This was to become a much-loved DIO album, and contained the tracks "Rock N' Roll Children" and "Hungry For Heaven". The stage show that was to accompany this album was hailed as a spectacle, involving a mechanized dragon as well as lasers. Ronnie and his band were to refer to the dragon as Denzil. This was the last studio album to be released by DIO that included guitarist Vivian Campbell.

The first disc in each reissue consists of the original album, remastered by Andy Pearce. The following are details for the bonus disc included with each reissue.

"Holy Diver" - Disc Two (one studio track, along with live recordings)

01. Evil Eyes
02. Stand Up And Shout
03. Straight Through The Heart
04. Stand Up And Shout
05. Shame On The Night
06. Children Of The Sea
07. Holy Diver
08. Rainbow In The Dark
09. Man On The Silver Mountain

"Last In Line" - Disc Two

01. Stand Up And Shout (live) (B-side of "Last In Line" single)
02. Straight Through The Heart (live) (B-side of "Last In Line" single)
03. Eat Your Heart Out (live) (from "Mystery" single)
04. Don't Talk To Strangers (live) (from "Mystery" single)
05. Holy Diver (live) (B-side of "We Rock" single)
06. Rainbow In The Dark (live) (B-side of "We Rock" single)
07. One Night In The City (live) (recorded Pinkpop festival)
08. We Rock (live) (recorded Pinkpop festival)
09. Holy Diver (live) (recorded Pinkpop festival)
10. Stargazer (live) (recorded Pinkpop festival)
11. Heaven And Hell (live) (recorded at Pinkpop festival)
12. Rainbow In The Dark (live) (recorded at Pinkpop festival)
13. Man On The Silver Mountain (live) (recorded at Pinkpop festival)
14. Don't Talk To Strangers (live) (recorded at Pinkpop festival)

"Sacred Heart" - Disc Two

01. Hide in the Rainbow (studio track, originally on the soundtrack to the movie "Iron Eagle")
02. We Rock (live) (B-side of "Rock N Roll Children" single)
03. The Last in Line (live) (B-side of "Rock N Roll Children" single)
04. Like the Beat Of A Heart (live) (B-side of "Rock N Roll Children" single)
05. King of Rock & Roll (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
06. Rainbow In The Dark (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
07. Sacred Heart (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
08. Time To Burn (studio) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
09. Rock 'N' Roll Children (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
10. Long Live Rock 'N' Roll (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
11. Man On The Silver Mountain (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)
12. We Rock (live) (taken from "Intermission" EP)

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx will make his acting debut in the proposed short film "Shoot'er", which is being helmed by his longtime friend and veteran video director Paul R. Brown (STONE SOUR, SLIPKNOT, MÖTLEY CRÜE, KORN, GODSMACK, AVENGED SEVENFOLD).

Brown is currently trying to raise $44,000 via Kickstarter, an online threshold pledge system for funding creative projects, by March 15 in order to make the film about a gunman-for-hire, which explores the fine line between being human and fulfilling your objectives.

Sixx will play an "adulterous scoundrel" in "Shoot'er", which will also star Trent Ford, an American-born actor who spent the majority of his adolescent life growing up in England, and model Sarah McNeilly,

The fundraising campaign began this week and Brown has so far attracted 44 backers, garnering nearly $1,800. Everyone who invests in the film will land a mention in its closing credits.

Tweeted Sixx on February 3, "Paul Brown, who does all CRÜE's videos and photos, is doing a short film... Let's help out. I am."

If Brown manages to raise the necessary funds to make the film, "Shoot'er" will be released in July.

Century Media Records has announced the signing of France's NECROWRETCH.

Combining influences from the early works of bands such as MERCILESS, MORGOTH, GROTESQUE and tons of others unforgettable acts with their own vision, NECROWRETCH is currently one of the most promising young death metal bands.

NECROWRETCH's guitarist/vocalist Vlad comments: "We are, of course, very happy and proud to join the Century Media Records family in which we already feel really comfortable! We are convinced that this collaboration is for us a unique chance to work in the best conditions with experienced and passionate people. We are now eagerly waiting to start working on our first unholy album. Finally, I would like to thank Jens Prüter, Philipp Schulte and Jerry Maréchal for their confidence and dedication!"

Jens Prüter, head Of A&R at Century Media Europe, comments: "It already surprised the metal scene that we signed the, back then, rather unknown band SONNE ADAM from Israel. And I can just repeat myself: it's about the unique quality and we have a history signing death metal newcomers. Bands like GRAVE, MORGOTH and ASPHYX had just a couple of demos out before we signed them over 20 years ago. Let's continue with the next generation and welcome NECROWRETCH! The 'Putrefactive Infestation' 12" dominated my turntable for some months and I'm sure the upcoming album will be as sick and heavy! Bands like MASSACRA, AGRESSOR or MERCYLESS can be proud that NECROWRETCH is carrying on the torch of French death metal."

Jerry Maréchal, A&R at Century Media Europe, comments: "It has been four years now that I follow the progression of the band and all I can say is that it has been truly impressive! From the first demo to the 'Putrefactive Infestation' 12", the two main characters behind the band managed to establish NECROWRETCH as a solid newcomer in the death metal field by transcending their excellent early '90s underground influences while remaining faithful to what is genuine death metal. Hail to them!"

NECROWRETCH will start writing its first album after the release of the band's first seven-inch EP on Detest Records. This EP will be released March 10 during the band's first German live appearance at the ASPHYX new album release party at the Turock club in Essen, followed by an appearance at the Hell's Pleasure Festival on July 20-21 in Pößneck, East Germany.

RED LAMB, the new Palm Beach, Florida-based rock trio led by former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz, has just released its self-titled debut album 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."

American blackened deathcore band SERPENTS has recruited vocalist Louis Tanuis Jr. (formerly of CONDUCTING FROM THE GRAVE) and drummer Ramon "Lord Cocos" Villarreal (ex-UPON A BURNING BODY).

The group has returned to the studio to resume pre-production on its long-awaited debut album, "Hymns Of The Serpent", due later in the year.

Commented SERPENTS guitarist and founder Andrew Mikhail: "On this day two years ago, I left OCEANO. On this day a year ago, SERPENTS and its 'Movement' were unveiled to the world. Today, I am happy to announce a new chapter for SERPENTS. We now have Lou and Cocos on board and we can finally release some details about this damn album that I've been working on for a year now. Nonetheless, after a couple successful tours and a very unpredictable past and future to come, 'The Movement' is still going strong as it should rightfully be and I couldn't be any more proud! As for new music with the new lineup, be on the lookout for that dropping within the month."

According to the band's official bio, "SERPENTS are a movement, an idea of a musical and artistic liberation — hailing from the Midwest, initiated by Andrew Mikhail along with his fellow brothers in arms. SERPENTS bring their infectious brand of venomous yet pulverizing music to the unsuspecting masses to bring you a new 'beginning of the end.'"

VAN HALEN played an hour-long secret show on Wednesday night (February 1) at Henson Studios in Hollywood, California. The audience of about 250 attendees saw the band perform three songs from its new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", including "She's The Woman", "The Trouble With Never" and first single "Tattoo", as well as a brace of classics like "You Really Got Me", "Runnin' With The Devil", "Unchained" and "Dance The Night Away". The show served as a launch party for the record, as well as a warm-up for the band's tour, which kicks off on February 18 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The unofficial VAN HALEN web site Van Halen News Desk is now streaming audio of three songs from last week's show. Check out "You Really Got Me", "Runnin' With The Devil" and "Unchained" below.

The encore of "Jump" featured an eight-person drum line and a dozen Vegas showgirls that led the crowd out at the end of the song.

"A Different Kind Of Truth" is VAN HALEN's first album with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years.

Roth told the Los Angeles Times that the band has gone back into its archives to find previously unreleased material upon which to build the record, saying, "It's material that Eddie [Van Halen, guitar] and I generated, literally, in 1975, 1976 and 1977."

Check out photos from Getty Images.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based metallers WRETCHED have entered the studio to begin recording their third full-length album, "Son Of Perdition", for a March 27 release via Victory Records. The CD is being produced by Jamie King (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, HE IS LEGEND, FOR TODAY) at The Basement Studio in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Last year, WRETCHED solidified its lineup with the addition of industry veterans Adam Cody (GLASS CASKET) and Andrew Grevey (LOCULUS) taking the positions of vocalist and bassist, respectively. "Son Of Perdition" marks the first official appearances by Cody and Grevey since their inception into WRETCHED.

The band took "a huge step forward, musically," on the new record, confirms guitarist, and one of the two founding members, Steven Funderbunk. He adds, "Lyrically, the fans can expect an apocalyptic-type theme that portrays a very personal experience. This record will include some of our darkest and most mature material written to date." "Son Of Perdition" also exposes a "more melodic approach to the Wretched sound," says Funderbunk. "A lot of the drums are harmonically matched with a lot of the guitar riffs. We also used a lot of cool chords we haven't used in the past. It's far more rhythmic and grooves more than our previous records."

WRETCHED will support "Son Of Perdition" on this spring's Metal Alliance Tour beginning in March, hitting 31 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

"Scourge Of Iron", a new song from Florida-based death metal veterans CANNIBAL CORPSE, can be streamed below (courtesy of RevolverMag.com). The track comes off the band's twelfth studio album, "Torture", which will be released on March 13 via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Evisceration Plague" offers up 12 tracks of maniacally precise, soul-searing death metal. "Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.

"Hero On Video", the new video from German melodic metallers FREEDOM CALL, can be seen below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). The song comes off the band's new album, "Land Of The Crimson Dawn", which will be released on February 24 in Germany, February 27 in the rest of Europe and February 28 in the USA/Canada via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will be made available in three versions: as a jewel case featuring 14 songs; as a limited double CD digipak including six additional bonus tracks (versions of popular FREEDOM CALL numbers by POWERWORLD, SECRET SPHERE, DOWNSPIRIT, MANIMAL, NEONFLY and Hannes Braun [KISSIN' DYNAMITE]); and on double colored vinyl LP.

Commented FREEDOM CALL vocalist/guitarist Chris Bay: "The new tracks simply have more of that rock 'n' roll feel. Everything sounds much rawer, there's more focus on the guitars than before, and the musicians had more freedom during the recordings than they used to have."

Digipak track listing:

CD 1

01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37)
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)
04. 66 Warriors (5:20)
05. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
06. Sun In The Dark (4:49)
07. Hero On Video (3:50)
08. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
09. Killer Gear (4:42)
10. Rockin' Radio (4:13)
11. Terra Liberty (4:09)
12. Eternity (4:23)
13. Space Legends (4:04)
14. Power & Glory (3:30)

CD 2

01. Flame In The Night (performed by POWERWORLD)
02. Hunting High And Low (performed by DOWNSPIRIT)
03. Fairyland (performed by SECRET SPHERE)
04. Palace Of Fantasy (performed by MANIMAL)
05. Land Of The Light (performed by NEONFLY)
06. Warriors (performed by Hannes Braun of KISSIN' DYNAMITE)


Jewel case track listing:

01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37)
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)
04. 66 Warriors (5:20)
05. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
06. Sun In The Dark (4:49)
07. Hero On Video (3:50)
08. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
09. Killer Gear (4:42)
10. Rockin' Radio (4:13)
11. Terra Liberty (4:09)
12. Eternity (4:23)
13. Space Legends (4:04)
14. Power & Glory (3:30)

LP track listing:

LP 1

Side A

01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)

Side B

01. 66 Warriors (5:20)
02. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
03. Sun In The Dark (4:49)

LP 2

Side A

01. Hero On Video (3:50)
02. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
03. Killer Gear (4:42)
04. Rockin' Radio (4:13)

Side B

01. Terra Liberty (4:09)
02. Eternity (4:23)
03. Space Legends (4:04)
04. Power & Glory (3:30)

FREEDOM CALL's current lineup:

Chris Bay - Vocals & Guitar
Lars Rettkowitz - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Samy Saemann - Bass, Backing Vocals
Klaus Sperling - Drums, Backing Vocals

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 22nd on Slash's own label Dik Hayd International, distributed through EMI, and will follow his 2010 self-titled debut album and his November 2011 first-ever live solo album, the two-CD/DVD set Made In Stoke 24/7/11.

Notably, the Slash album debuted on the Billboard Top 200 chart at #3 (#1 on the Rock chart, #1 on the Independent chart, and #1 on the Hard Music chart). Digitally, the album also became the #1 overall digital album and hit #1 on iTunes in 13 countries. Internationally, the disc achieved Top 5 chart positions in over a dozen major territories, hitting #1 in both Japan and New Zealand.

For the new album, Slash - along with and his bandmates Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass) - have 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.

"Omertá", the full-length debut from ADRENALINE MOB — the band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) — 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 earlier in the month due to scheduling conflicts with their other projects.

A new video message from guitarist/vocalist Rock 'N' Rolf of reunited German metal legends RUNNING WILD can be seen below.

RUNNING WILD will release its brand new album, "Shadowmaker", in Germany on April 20, in the rest of Europe on April 23 and in the U.S./Canada on April 24 via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will be released as a limited first edition in a black jewel case with silver printing and slipcase plus a 40-minute bonus DVD with a "making-of" documentary and a track-by-track commentary by RUNNING WILD mainman Rock 'N' Rolf. The double gatefold LP will come with printed innersleeves and clear vinyl. There also will be a boxset limited to 1,000 copies worldwide. It contains 2 LPs, the black jewel case with the DVD, a poster, a sticker, a postcard and a 30-page book in LP size about the history of the band.

The cover of "Shadowmaker" is the most unusual in the history of the band, but when you listen to the title track and read the lyrics, you will understand the meaning of it. It was created by Rock 'N' Rolf and Jens Reinhold (EVERGREY, FREEDOM CALL, VIRGIN STEELE), who will also handle artwork for all configurations.

Black Jewel Case + DVD track listing:

CD

01. Piece Of The Action (4:25)
02. Riding On The Tide (4:18)
03. I Am Who I Am (4:51)
04. Black Shadow (5:13)
05. Locomotive (4:35)
06. Me & The Boys (5:00)
07. Shadowmaker (4:25)
08. Sailing Fire (4:14)
09. Into The Black (4:57)
10. Dracula (7:29)

DVD

* Making of "Shadowmaker"
* Track-by-track commentary by Rock 'N' Rolf

Length: approximately 40 min

LP track listing:

LP 1

Side 1

01. Piece Of The Action (4:25)
02. Riding On The Tide (4:18)
03. I Am Who I Am (4:51)

Side 2

01. Black Shadow (5:13)
02. Locomotive (4:35)
03. Me & The Boys (5:00)

LP 2

Side 1

01. Shadowmaker (4:25)
02. Sailing Fire (4:14)
03. Into The Black (4:57)

Side 2

01. Dracula (7:29)

Box Set:

* 2 LPs, clear vinyl
* Black jewel case including DVD
* Poster
* Postcard
* Sticker
* 30 page book in LP size about the history of the band plus photos
* 35 x 35 cm
* Hard cardboard material with top

Chicago's DIRGE WITHIN will release its sophomore full-length album, "There Will Be Blood", on April 10 via Rocket Science Ventures/THC: Music. The CD was recorded at Mercenary Studios in Zion, Illinois with engineer Scott Creekmore and producer Ari Mihalopoulos and is currently being mixed at Inner Light Studios with Ari and DIRGE WITHIN guitarist Shaun Glass.

Check out the cover artwork below. Also available is video footage from the recording sessions.

Guitarist Matt Szlachta recently left DIRGE WITHIN to continue to focus on his passion for teaching guitar to his students and for other personal reasons. He has since been replaced by Chuck Wepfer.

"There's no bad blood at all, man," said vocalist Jeremy "Jerms" Genske. "We're all still good buds and very close. His head and heart just weren't in it anymore, and he wanted to go back to teaching. He really loves it, and that's where he felt he had to be."

DIRGE WITHIN's forthcoming album will be the band's first to feature drummer Frankie Harchut and bassist Jeff Paulick (bassist/vocalist of LAZARUS A.D.), who has been filling on bass duties on tour with DIRGE WITHIN.

"I am very excited about the new songs we've written for this new album, and that people will be able to check out my style of playing a little more," stated Harchut. "We worked our asses off writing these new songs, a lot of long nights, and I'm personally stoked to have our fans hear 'em. I really think they're gonna be into it." Jeremy added, "The songs are heavier, smarter, and more melodic in parts. Some are even a little slower! There were no rules when we were writing at all. No holds barred. Whatever came out, came out. And I think it's gonna make a really good, well-rounded metal album."

DIRGE WITHIN's "Absolution" EP was made available on August 16, 2011. The three-song effort gives fans a taste of what's to come from the band's forthcoming sophomore album.

DIRGE WITHIN's debut album, "Force Fed Lies", came out on September 1, 2009 via E1 Music.

"This Harmonic Consonance", the sixth album from German power metallers LANFEAR, will be released on February 24 via Pure Steel Records. The group previously described the effort as "the heaviest LANFEAR album until now. [It contains] some pretty fast tracks but also the very first doom song in our history! The end result will blow your heads off! You can definitely achieve a natural and authentic production without sounding as if the recording sessions were held in a garbage can!"

"This Harmonic Consonance" track listing:

01. Giorno Del Giudizio (1:06)
02. Colours Of Chaos (4:40)
03. By-Product Nation (3:37)
04. The Reverend (6:22)
05. Idiopathic Discreation (7:43)
06. Camera Silens (5:33)
07. I, Robo Sapiens (4:12)
08. Spectrophobia (5:55)
09. Word Not Spoken (6:05 )
10. Disharmonic Consonance (4:28)

LANFEAR's fifth album, "X to the Power of Ten", was released in August 2008 via Locomotive Records.

According to LANFEAR's official bio, the band "play[s] powerful and melodic metal with a progressive edge. Originality, subliminal details and intelligent songwriting combined with haunting melodies and the constant urge to evolve — that’s what it's all about! Certainly not the easy way to success in the superficial pseudo-scene of these days — but LANFEAR don't give a fuck! No breakdowns, no kilts, no horns, no makeup, no image, no rockstar-dom, no support by mass media — no hot air! LANFEAR play[s] 100% underrated metal exclusively!"

Video footage of ELECTRIC BOYS frontman Conny Bloom playing a short acoustic set for Expressen TV's XL Live can be seen below.

The reunited original ELECTRIC BOYS lineup — Franco Santunione (guitar), Andy Christell (bass), Niklas Sigevall (drums) and Conny Bloom (guitar, vocals) — released its first album since 1992, "And Them Boys Done Swang", in April 2011 via Supernova Records, a division of the Cosmos Music Group.

"And Them Boys Done Swang" track listing:

01. Reeferlord
02. My Heart's Not For Sale
03. Father Popcorn's Magic Oysters
04. Angel In An Armoured Suit
05. Ten Thousand Times Goodbye
06. The House Is Rockin'
07. Welcome To The High Times
08. Sometimes U Gotta Go Look For The Car
09. Put Your Arms Around Me
10. The Day The Gypsies Came To Town
11. Rollin' Down The Road
12. A Mother Of A Love Story
13. Chickalicious (Japanese bonus track)
14. Down On Shakin' Street (Japanese bonus track)
15. Nowhere To Go But Up (Japanese bonus track)

ELECTRIC BOYS in 2009 released a 20-track "best-of" collection, titled "Now Dig This!", via Spinefarm Records. It features songs from the band's three studio albums, including "Psychedelic Eyes", "Mary In The Mystery World", "Groovus Maximus", "The Groover", "Rags To Riches", "Captain Of My Soul" plus a 2009 remix of "All Lips N' Hips", along of course with the original version, a longstanding staple of rock clubs around the world.

Formed in 1988, ELECTRIC BOYS achieved recognition around the known rock'n'roll world with signature hit single "All Lips N' Hips" plus a series of albums that tapped into the very essence of long-haired, leather-trousered, late-night cool.

Touring alongside bands such as THUNDER and MR. BIG, and drinking from the same well as rock legends like AEROSMITH, the band offered an alternative to the late '80s hair-metal scene, fusing hard rock and heavy funk to create an instantly recognizable style ("Groovus Maximus") built riff by riff on the sturdiest possible foundations, unswervingly provided by drummer Niklas Sigevall.

Lauded by the media, feted by the industry, respected by the top producers of the day (including Bob Rock) and supported by a genuinely international fanbase, the ELECTRIC BOYS — led into action by flamboyant frontman Conny Bloom, who has continued to play and record both under his own name and with SILVER GINGER 5 and HANOI ROCKS, as well as appearing in TV ads for Jameson Whiskey — consistently showed that the great rock'n'roll dream was available in many colours, and that the sitar did indeed have a serious part to play!

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA — the new classic-rock band featuring Björn Strid (SOILWORK) and Sharlee D' Angelo (ARCH ENEMY, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) — has inked a deal with Coroner Records. The group is currently recording its debut album for a June release.

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA started like so many others as an innocent yet serious drunken idea when Strid and David Andersson (MEAN STREAK, session musician for SOILWORK) were on the road together somewhere in North America in 2007. Björn and David were bonding over what they considered "classic" or not, from rock and roll conspiracies to being arrested in a lobby with nothing but leather pants on. All those scenarios, fictional or real, needed a soundtrack. They also came to think that whether you're on a metal tour or not, a lot of classic rock songs say it all and can really lend you a helping hand and make you forget about everything, especially when in motion or travelling. The classic escape. The never-ending road trip. The transatlantic night flight. It may sound simple and naive, but what it all comes down to is that we all need that soundtrack to feel extra special, whether you have been arrested in a lobby or not.

It didn't take long before bass player D' Angelo joined forces as well as keyboard player Richard Larsson (VON BENZO) and drummer Jonas Källsbäck (MEAN STREAK). The goal was to reclaim the '70s/early '80s sense for classic melody, the forgotten recipe to a timeless song, preferably a song mentioning a city, street name or an exhilarating alcoholic beverage. Anything that will have you spitting out the word "classic." From "Tarot Woman" to "Badlands", from "Rhiannon" to "Running on Empty", from "Blind Man" to "Night Moves", from "Deuce" to "Separate Ways", from "Elected" to "Set me Free". The list goes on. It's all about reclaiming the "classic."

Two songs from THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA — "1998" and "California Morning" — can be streamed below.

"1998" audio stream:

Video footage of former IRON MAIDEN and current WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley performing a couple of MAIDEN classics with the Romanian band TROOPER on January 27 at the Hard Rock Café in Bucharest, Romania can be seen below.

TROOPER, which is said to be "the leading hard 'n' heavy band in Romania," will release its seventh album later in the year.

The 48-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to replace Bruce Dickinson as the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN.

Bayley is currently at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy recording his new studio album, "The King Of Metal", for a spring release. A European headlining tour in support of the CD will kick off in early March in Belgium.