Austrian symphonic extreme metal outfit HOLLENTHON has made professionally filmed video footage of its entire December 4, 2010 concert at Szene in Vienna available for streaming in five parts. The fifth and final clip can be seen below.

HOLLENTHON's latest EP, "Tyrants and Wraiths", came out in 2009.The CD featured four new tracks and two live videos from the 2008 Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium.

HOLLENTHON's most recent album, "Opus Magnum", was released in June 2008 via the Austrian record label Napalm Records. The CD featured eight songs and a cover version, plus a video.

HOLLENTHON issued two critically acclaimed albums a decade ago — "Domus Mundi" (1999) and "With Vilest Of Worms To Dwell" (2001).

Part 5:

VALLENFYRE — the new U.K. death metal band featuring Gregor Mackintosh, songwriter and guitarist of PARADISE LOST, alongside members of MY DYING BRIDE, AT THE GATES and DOOM — made its live debut last night (Thursday, February 2) at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland.

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

Commented Gregor: "I have a long and happy history with Helsinki. From the Lepakko club 20 years ago, right up to the present day, it has always been one of my favorite places to be. I have many fond memories and have made many great friends over the years. It is for this reason I decided that the very first live performance by my new band VALLENFYRE should be in Helsinki."

VALLENFYRE is:

* Gregor Mackintosh (PARADISE LOST) - Vocals and Lead Guitar
* Hamish Glencross (MY DYING BRIDE) - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
* Mully - Rhythm Guitar
* Scoot (DOOM, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND) - Bass
* Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST) - Drums

VALLENFYRE's debut album, "A Fragile King", was released on October 31, 2011 in Europe and on November 1 in North America via Century Media Records. The effort is available as a CD, limited digipack (including bonus track) and 180-gram vinyl LP (including a bonus track and a poster). The vinyl is limited to:

* 200 copies on clear vinyl
* 100 copies on gold/black marbled vinyl
* black vinyl is not limited

"A Fragile King" track listing:

01. All Will Suffer
02. Desecration
03. Ravenous Whore
04. Cathedrals Of Dread
05. As The World Collapses
06. A Thousand Martyrs
07. Seeds
08. Humanity Wept
09. My Black Siberia
10. The Divine Have Fled
11. The Grim Irony
12. Majesty Dethroned (digipack bonus track)

The sound of VALLENFYRE goes back to Gregor's youth.

"I was first introduced to more extreme music by my older brother in 1981." Gregor says. "Over the next few years in my early teens, I grew to love various early hardcore punk bands like DISCHARGE, ENGLISH DOGS, CONFLICT, etc. Around a similar time I was becoming aware of other more metal music like MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK SABBATH. In '84/85' I got into bands who were fusing these styles like HELLHAMMER, ANTISECT and AMEBIX. A couple of years later I started tape-trading with people all around the world, which enabled me to hear lots of really cool, interesting, extreme music. AUTOPSY, NAPALM DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, REPULSION, NIHILIST are some of the more well-known names I started to get into, but there were many, many more which never gained the same notoriety. At the same time, I formed PARADISE LOST with my friends. Our early stuff was a bit of a mixture of all this stuff but we also had a lot of doom influence from the likes of CANDLEMASS, TROUBLE and ST. VITUS."

The events that led to the conception and formation of VALLENFYRE are not particularly happy or pretty ones.

"In the late summer of 2009, my father, John Mackintosh, was diagnosed with prostate cancer," Gregor explained. "Later in the autumn as his treatment progressed, PARADISE LOST embarked on their European tour to support the latest album ['Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us']. A week into this, I received a call from my mother telling me that the doctors had found cancer in his lungs and it was terminal. He only had weeks to live. I made the decision to leave the tour, leaving my very able guitar tech Milly [not be confused with VALLENFYRE's Mully] to take my place. I went and stayed with my parents for the next few weeks. After a very sad and painful time, he passed away on the 2nd December early in the morning. Over the next few weeks I experienced all the famous stages of grief. It started to become very self-destructive so I decided to channel it into creating something. To pay respects to the man that drove us to our very first gigs because none of us could drive. The only dad I knew that listened to BOLT THROWER's 'Peel Sessions' on the radio. The guy who gave me my first chord book. I decided that I was going to go right back to the beginning. To my roots in death, crust and doom. It all started very angst ridden. This wasn't originally meant for anyone else to hear. It was a release. After recording some material, I realized that I was actually enjoying doing this but I wanted friends involved so it could actually become real fun."

Added Gregor: "The album is called 'A Fragile King', which is a reference to my father's battle with cancer. The lyrics are predominantly about the same thing, but also include gripes with society, religion, politics and relationships as well. It's all pretty grim."

The cover artwork for "Téras", the sixth album from Swedish black metallers NAGLFAR, can be seen below. Responsible for the artwork is Niklas Sundin of DARK TRANQUILLITY, who has previously worked with such bands as IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY and AT THE GATES. The album cover only shows a part of the overall motif, which is going to be shown in its entirety with the release of the new CD.

Due on March 27 via Century Media Records (one day earlier internationally), "Téras" will include the following nine tracks:

01. Téras
02. Pale Horse
03. III: Death Dimension Phantasma
04. The Monolith
05. An Extension Of His Arm And Will
06. Bring Out Your Dead
07. Come Perdition
08. Invoc(H)ate
09. The Dying Flame Of Existence

"Pale Horse" is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below.

The drum tracks on the CD were laid down by Dirk Verbeuren (SOILWORK).

The album will be available as regular CD, limited deluxe CD digipak (including the studio bonus track "Tired Bones" and a logo patch), digital download and noble deluxe 2LP with 180-gram vinyls, gatefold sleeve, an etching on side D, printed inner sleeves as well as the aforementioned bonus track.

Prior to the album, Century Media Records will release the "An Extension Of His Arm And Will" seven-inch EP, limited to 500 hand-numbered copies. The EP includes the exclusive non-album track "As Long As They Fear". Check out www.cmdistro.com for the ultra-rare colored vinyl version.

NAGLFAR's current lineup is as follows:

Kristoffer W. Olivius - Vocals
Marcus E. Norman - Guitar
Andreas Nilsson - Guitar

KORN appeared on last night's (Thursday, February 2) edition of ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The band — Jonathan Davis (vocals), James "Munky" Shaffer (guitar), Reggie "Fieldy" Arvizu (bass) and Ray Luzier (drums) — along with very special guest Kill the Noise, performed their Top Five active rock single "Narcissistic Cannibal", as well as "Get Up!", on the show's outdoor stage. Check out video footage of their appearance below.

"Narcissistic Cannibal", produced by Skrillex and Kill The Noise, is off KORN's current release, "The Path Of Totality" (Roadrunner), another experimental chapter in their rich canon and history. The album finds the groundbreaking, influential and multi-platinum band shifting gears, taking a bit of a creative left turn (something they've been known to do throughout the course of their two-decade career) and exploring thrilling new territory with some of the hottest emerging producers and talent in the burgeoning electronic scene. It debuted Top 10 on the Billboard chart and was met with critical applause thanks to the band's ability to remain fresh and relevant while collaborating with electronic producers Skrillex, 12th Planet, Kill the Noise, Excision, Flinch, Noisia, Datsik, Downlink, Feed Me and more.

KORN was recently profiled in the New York Times' Sunday section, celebrated for their ability to embrace dubstep. "The Path Of Totality" has garnered praise and buzz, while being featured in NME, SPIN, Electronic Musician and Revolver, where it was named "Album Of The Year," as well as on tastemaker sites such as RollingStone.com and Hype Machine.

A new three-and-a-half-minute video clip in which vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway of British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH describes the concept of the band's new album, "Utilitarian", can be seen below.

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" album concept explained:

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

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

"Last week you could hear Ariën van Weesenbeek's drums and Yves Huts' bass. This week we add the rhythm guitars from Mark Jansen and Isaac Delahaye.

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

QUIET RIOT played its first show with ex-MONTROSE singer Keith St. John this past Wednesday, 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 short fan-filmed video clips of the performance can be seen below.

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."

Professionally filmed video footage of HOTEL DIABLO's January 28 performance at the Key Club in Hollywood, California can be seen below.

HOTEL DIABLO is the new band featuring vocalist Rick Stitch (LADYJACK, ex-ADLER'S APPETITE), guitarist Alex Grossi (QUIET RIOT), bassist Mike Duda and drummer Mike Dupke (both of W.A.S.P.).

The band has begun tracking new material with producer (and former GUNS N' ROSES/ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA guitarist) Gilby Clarke and expects to have an entire album's worth of music ready for a spring release.

HOTEL DIABLO's "Psycho, California" six-song EP was recorded with Clarke and is now available on iTunes and other online music stores. The entire EP can be streamed on the band's official web site, www.thehoteldiablo.com.

"Psycho, California" is "a collection of stories, true stories, experienced during a time when our lives were filled with mind-altering shots of wretched adrenaline," says Stitch. "Strings got bent, knobs were turned and an uncontrolled visceral energy screamed life" into what has become "Psycho, California".

Estonian death metallers NEOANDERTALS will release their new album, "Australopithecus", on February 17 via Kunaki, LLC. The follow-up to 2011's "Ebu Gogo Gutting The Child" was recorded in Otepää, Estonia in 2009 with original member Roland Seer behind the drum kit. Mixing and mastering was done in January by NEOANDERTALS mainman Rain Pohlak.

According to a press relese, "Australopithecus" "is something really different. Dedicated to lesser-known, simpler hominids, it is an instrumental record containing adventurous drumbeats and a fresh approach towards bass-heavy music."

"Australopithecus" track listing:

01. Australopithecus Robustus
02. No Control Over Fire
03. Nocturnal Creatures
04. Dead Hominids
05. Frugivorous
06. Extinction

The album cover is an oil painting of the skull of an Australopithecus (Paranthropus) robustus done by Rain Pohlak.

The song "Dead Hominids" is now available for streaming via www.neoandertals.com.

NEOANDERTALS was among the nominees in the "Metal" category at the 15th annual Estonian Music Awards (the Estonian equivalent to the Grammy Awards). The largest and oldest Estonian music awards show was held Thursday, February 2 at the Nokia Concert Hall in Tallinn, Estonia and was broadcast live on the Estonian channel TV3.

NEOANDERTALS is:

Rain Pohlak - Vocals, Bass
Sandra Vungi - Drums

TORTURE DIVISION, the Swedish death metal project featuring guitarist Lord K. Philipson (THE PROJECT HATE, ex-GOD AMONG INSECTS, LEUKEMIA), bassist/vocalist Jörgen Sandström (VICIOUS ART, THE PROJECT HATE, ex-ENTOMBED, GRAVE) and drummer Tobias "Tobben" Gustafsson (VOMITORY, THE PROJECT HATE), has made a new three-song recording, "Satan, Sprit Och Våld", available for free download at TortureDivison.net.

The effort, which was mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (ex-EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE) at Unisound in Örebro, Sweden, contains the following tracks:

01. Cirkelstryk
02. Otukt
03. Satan, Sprit Och Våld

Commented the band: "We can never thank [Dan] enough for supporting us and getting us such a great fucken sound time and time again.

"Now to some serious business — you know we will always give you our music for free. That's our agenda and all. BUT, if you like what you hear (which you do, or you are absolutely retarded), show us some gratitude by donating a dollar or 5 to our PayPal. That's not asking too fucken much, now is it? Thing is, we use any eventual cash we get in donations for further recordings and merch and whatnot. You don't have to donate, of course not, but we'd appreciate it 'coz it helps us big time in keeping this band alive. And hey, buy a shirt while you're at it. That way you'll be the coolest kid in church on Sunday wen you sport it in front of your pedophile minister. You don't like shirts? Then buy a goddamn CD from us. Them bastards are downright excellent, you know.

"Anyways, enjoy this fantastic slab of utter death and come over to our forums and share your opinions on this masterpiece. Hopefully we'll be faster with the next effort, but sometimes shit happens and it's not like we do anything according to anyone's rules but our own. So, put on the bulletproof vest you got hidden in your closet, coz 'Satan, Sprit Och Våld' is lethal."

MÖTLEY CRÜE recently became the first hard rock band to sign a short-term residency at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The CRÜE kicked off a three-week series of four-night concerts a week at the off-Strip casino last night (Friday, February 3), with dates scheduled to run through February 19.

Commented MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx: ""First shows are always cool 'cause they're not perfect and sometimes it feels like the band and crowd are surfing the chaos together.

"We had so much fun last night.

"Back to rehearsal today to work on some more stuff we're adding tonight. So excited for tonight; so many of our friends showing up. Maybe we should pull someone on stage to jam?"

Fan-filmed video footage of last night's concert can be seen below.

Speaking to USA Today, MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil said the show will be more of a spectacle — "something we could not do on a regular tour" when sets have to be put up and pulled down every night. There will be nine dancers, aerialists, plus "a lot of songs MÖTLEY hasn't played in many years," according to Neil, including "Piece Of Your Action".

Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee have big plans for Mötley Crüe In Sin City to create a never-been-done-before and incredibly interactive Vegas experience.

Said Neil, "A lot of the perception is that musicians go there to die ... 'Oh, you guys must be ending your career.' " In reality, Vegas is a happening place where "you can be so creative."

To purchase tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com.

Dutch death metallers PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT have parted ways with guitarist Danny Tunker "due to different musical interests." The band, which recently completed a three-week European tour with VOMITORY, has since been reinforced with guitarists Frank Schiphorst and Martijn Moes.

PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT's new lineup:

Niels Adams (CENTURIAN, ex-NOX): Vocals
Patrick Oosterveen: Bass
Michiel van der Plicht (GOD DETHRONED, ex TOXOCARA): Drums
Frank Schiphorst (MAYAN, ex-SYMMETRY): Guitar
Martijn Moes (TOXOCARA, ex-THE MONOLITH DEATHCULT): Guitar

PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT will record a new album in the middle of 2012.

The band's fourth full-length CD, "Descendants Of Depravity", came out in 2008 via Neurotic Records.

South Bend, Indiana Christian metallers THE BURIAL have inked a deal with Facedown Records for the release of their new album, "Lights And Perfections". The follow-up to 2010's "The Winepress, Lights And Perfections" was recorded at Random Awesome Studios and will be made available on March 27.

THE BURIAL has developed and grown as a band immensely since starting in 2005. Their third CD is "a dynamic, progressive metal album that is as powerful as it is convicting, both musically and lyrically," according to a press release.

THE BURIAL is:

Elisha Mullins - Vocals/Guitar
Todd Hatfield - Guitar
Jake Neece - Bass
Kaleb Luebchow - Drums

Commented Hatfield: ""We are so grateful to be a part of the label and are stoked to hit the road with new material."

The first song from their new album, "Pearls; The Frailty Of Matter", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

METALLICA will make a special announcement on Tuesday, February 7 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time.

A teaser video for the announcement can be seen below. The text in the clip reads, "You've seen them at festivals across the world. But you've never seen them… Tune in Tuesday, February 7 at 11 a.m. PST. Metallica.com."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich hinted during the band's 30th-anniversary celebration in December that the group would make an announcement in January about a special interactive fan event to take place in June.

Ulrich recently told Rolling Stone that the band is "seven, eight songs" into the writing of its next album. Ulrich explained, "We do it in rounds. We come up with something, we leave it, go to the next thing, come up with something basic, leave it and circle back around." Guitarist Kirk Hammett added, "The stuff we're coming up with is more groove-oriented — a heavier version of what we were doing in the early '90s. If (2008 album) 'Death Magnetic' was a logical successor to (1988's) '...And Justice For All', the next album will be a heavier 'black album.' We're not going to the depths of complexity that we did for 'Death Magnetic'."

Ulrich added that the songs on the new disc — which will be produced once again by Rick Rubin — will be "shorter, more to-the-point."

Bassist Robert Trujillo told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that he thought "Death Magnetic" paved the way for an even better next effort. "I have a feeling that this next record is gonna be really cool," he said. "'Death Magnetic', as great as it is, I think it's, to me it was like establishing ourselves as a creative team with this unit, and you know, also reuniting with that thrashy element which is apparent in a lot of the material."

METALLICA will play the "black album" — its 1991 self-titled fifth effort that has sold nearly 16 million copies — in its entirety at selected European festivals this summer.

As for another project — the recently announced 3D METALLICA movie — Ulrich shed some light on what the band has in mind. He said, "Imagine if you took (LED ZEPPELIN's (concert film) 'The Song Remains The Same', which is 75 percent concert, 25 percent other stuff, and flipped it around. And all the non-concert footage, instead of being about the band members, is a story that unfolds, set against the backdrop of the concert."

METALLICA's four-song EP called "Beyond Magnetic", which was made available digitally last month, was released as a physical CD on January 31 (one day earlier internationally). The effort consists of the quartet of previously unheard tracks that the band unveiled in concert in December during its 30th-anniversary celebration. All four tunes — "Hate Train", "Just A Bullet Away", "Hell And Back" and "Rebel Of Babylon" — were recorded during the sessions for the band's 2008 "Death Magnetic" album but left off the final track list.

Quality video footage of Swedish heavy metallers PORTRAIT performing on January 26 at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands can be seen below (courtesy of "letthedeathmetalflow").

PORTRAIT released its second full-length album, "Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae", in May 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, UNANIMATED, DESTRÖYER 666) in Alvik, Sweden. The album features cover artwork by Tobias Forge of REPUGNANT/SUBVISION fame and a guest appearance by Kimmo Kuusniemi from the Finnish cult act SARCOFAGUS.

A landing page for "Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae", featuring pre-order options (CD and 2-gatefold LP) and a stream of the opening track, "Beast Of Fire", can be accessed at this location.

According to a press release, "Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae" "is an album transcending the most glorious moments of '80s heavy metal. . . You can only describe this album as the wet dream of any fan of heavy metal. [This] is metal in its purest form — relentless, energy-driven, complex, dark, catchy and HEAVY!"

Comments PORTRAIT guitarist Richard Lagergren: "The eight songs on 'Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae' constitutes PORTRAIT's by far darkest, hardest and most intense material to date.

"This album is an outburst of a long time of targeted hard work, an intense creative process and pure black magic. To hell and back and to hell again!

"To achieve the goals we had for this album, working with someone not being the obvious choice for our type of music proved to be just the right (or if you will, wrong) decision.

"'Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae' sounds like PORTRAIT was always meant to. It is hate, and it is love. And in many ways, it is our true debut album."

PORTRAIT guitarist Christian Lindell stated about the recordings: "Outside the walls danced the plague that is man its one-way dance, so blindly strutting about the path that leads to its ever-hungry end. Inside the fires burned and the cauldron bubbled, enhancing forever the fierce opus that is 'Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae'. A beastly support was present in the Necromorbus Studio, pointing us in the right directions all the way through those dark days in November. The songs could not have materialized in a more satisfying way than they have on this album. Prepare to get burnt to ash by its fires, swallowed by its darkness and forever trapped in its boundless abyss, in anguish trying to convince yourself that what you've gone through was only music. If this one doesn't kill you, you're already dead!"

PORTRAIT is:

Per Karlsson - Vocals
Richard Lagergren -Guitar
Christian Lindell - Guitar
David Olofsson - Bass
Anders Persson - Drums

For more information, visit www.portraitband.se.

Bård "Faust" Eithun (EMPEROR, BLOOD TSUNAMI, MONGO NINJA) and Tore Bratseth (a.k.a. Stud Bronson of THE BATALLION, OLD FUNERAL) have joined forces in a new project called STUDFAUST. They entered the studio in late November 2011 and the result was two dirty, firesparking tracks in the spirit of the old school of metal/punk. Music like this is rarely made nowadays with such authenticity and passion, and these veterans in the metal scene now show their musical muscles with a "piss-off" attitude.

Due on March 16 via Soulseller Records , this seven-inch single will most likely become a cult collector's item, with only 500 copies to be pressed.

For more information, go to this location.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada traditional metallers 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will release their fifth studio album, "Long Live Heavy Metal", on March 27 via Century Media Records. According to a press release, "fans can expect a blast of pure metal assured to leave no face unmelted."

"'Long Live Heavy Metal' is the fifth chapter in the book of 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, and we couldn't be more pleased and proud of our new onslaught of honest heavy metal," says guitarist Justin Hagberg.

For "Long Live Heavy Metal", 3 INCHES OF BLOOD reunited with producer and engineer Terry "Sho" Murray (CITY OF FIRE, EXHIBITIONISTS), who worked with the band on their seven-inch single, "Anthems For The Victorious".

"When a band is releasing a new record, they often speak about it being their most important work or best album to date," explains vocalist Cam Pipes. "Regardless of how clichéd either statement may sound, I think we would say both apply to this album. All of us have a special feeling about this one. We're more committed than ever to the cause of real, honest, no-bullshit heavy metal. No trends, no fucking around!"

3 INCHES OF BLOOD teamed up with Kim Thiessen to perfect their artistic vision for the album, which will be released as a digipack and when opened, lays out similar to that of a book.

"Long Live Heavy Metal" track listing:

01. Metal Woman
02. My Sword Will Not Sleep
03. Leather Lord
04. Chief And The Blade
05. Dark Messenger
06. Look Out
07. 4000 Torches
08. Leave It On The Ice
09. Die For Gold (Upon The Boiling Sea IV)
10. Storming Juno
11. Men Of Fortune
12. One For The Ditch

"Leather Lord" audio stream:

AmbPirate of Capital Chaos conducted an interview with vocalist John Kevill of Los Angeles thrashers WARBRINGER when the band performed at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California on January 20 as the support act for DEATH ANGEL. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the Sacramento concert.

As previously reported, longtime guitarist Adam Carroll left Los WARBRINGER. The band enlisted friend and talented young guitarist Andrew Bennett for the upcoming North American tour with ICED EARTH, with the hope that he may become a permanent member of the group.

Commented Carroll: "To all fans and friends, I, Adam Carroll, have officially quit WARBRINGER. I have financial issues at home that have to be addressed sooner than later. I hope you all can understand and respect my decision. It's been some of the best years of my life and I appreciate all the support you the fans have given us and continue to give. I will forever be part of the WARBRINGER family. Many thanks and until I see the rest of you again, keep the metal alive."

Added Bennett, "Last month I received a message from the guys, which basically stated that Adam was requesting to step out. As a result, they were searching for a possible replacement who could learn the material in time for the upcoming ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X tour. I jumped at the opportunity and started learning some tracks. Around the beginning of this month I went down and jammed with the guys and the rest is history.

"I am eternally grateful to my friends in WARBRINGER for giving me the opportunity to play with them and I am very excited about what the future may hold. But one thing that I would like to make clear is that I don't view myself as Adam's replacement, as much as I view myself as filling the position instead of him. Adam's work with the band and time with them is not something that can be erased and I would just like to make it clear that I respect him greatly. He has left big shoes to fill and I have a lot of work ahead of me if I am going to honor his legacy with the band.

"I'm looking forward to interacting with, and playing for, the fans on the road! It's time to shred!"

WARBRINGER's third album, "Worlds Torn Asunder", sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 11 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.

WARBRINGER's sophomore CD, "Waking Into Nightmares", also opened with around 2,000 units back in May 2009 to debut at No. 14 on the Heatseekers chart.

"Worlds Torn Asunder" was produced and mixed by Steve Evetts (SUICIDE SILENCE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SYMPHONY X), and features artwork by Dan Seagrave, who designed WARBRINGER's previous album cover (in addition to art for bands such as ENTOMBED, SUFFOCATION and MORBID ANGEL).

EVANESCENCE performed the song "Made Of Stone" on this past Thursday night's (February 2) episode of Conan O'Brien's nighttime talk show on TBS, "Conan". You can now watch video footage of their appearance below. Also available is a special, web-only performance of "The Other Side".

As previously reported, EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee has been chosen as the recipient of the Luella Bennack award at United Cerebral Palsy's 11th annual Women Who Care luncheon on Thursday, May 3 at Cipriani on 42nd Street in Manhattan. The Women Who Care luncheon is a celebration of women who have blazed new paths, broken glass ceilings and inspired others through their professional and charitable endeavours.

Luella Bennack invested over 20 years of her life to helping disadvantaged children and adults with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism and related developmental disabilities and conditions by giving tirelessly of her time, efforts and contacts for United Cerebral Palsy Of New York City. Upon her passing in 2002, with the blessing of her husband Frank A. Bennack, Chairman and CEO of the Hearst Corporation, UCP Of NYC dedicated the marquee Women Who Care award in her honor. This award is presented annually to a high profile individual who has dedicated themselves in service to others at home and around the world.

Warsaw, Poland's revolutionary grind/metal assassins ANTIGAMA have announced their return to Selfmadegod Records.

Following two full-length releases via Relapse Records over recent years, ANTIGAMA has re-signed with its longtime friends at Selfmadegod and is currently locked away in Warsaw's Progresja Studio with sound engineer Pawel "Janos" Grabowski. The band is in the process of recording several brand new tracks for two different upcoming releases — a three-way split with NOISEAR (USA, Relapse) and THE KILL (Australia), as well as a MCD tentatively entitled "Stop The Chaos". The session started on February 1, and final mixes and mastering duties will be completed by none other than the band's longtime friend and famous Polish music producer Szymon Czech (NYIA, THIRD DEGREE). Both releases are due this spring via Selfmadegod Records, and the band plans on recording a new full-length for the label later in the year as well.

ANTIGAMA has gone through several lineup changes over recent years. Founding guitarist Sebastian Rokicki remains, as always, joined once again by the band's original vocalist Lukasz Myszkowski. The lineup also includes new bassist Michal Zawadzki as well as new drummer Pawel Jaroszewicz (LOST SOUL, CHRIST AGONY, ex-VADER).

Legendary death metallers MASTER have set "The New Elite" as the title of their eleventh album, due later in the year via Pulverised Records. The CD, which was once again recorded, mixed and mastered at Shaark Studios, contains "11 tracks of unambiguous death metal in its wretched form, in perfect coalition with the offensive Paul Speckmann-spewed lyrical shitstorm," according to a press release.

The album artwork for "The New Elite" features a more concise, organic and symbolic concept, exclusively produced and designed by German graphic illustrator Mark Bridgeman.


"The New Elite" track listing:

01. The New Elite
02. Rise Up And Fight
03. Remove The Knife
04. Smile As You're Told
05. Redirect The Evil
06. Out Of Control
07. As Two Worlds Collide
08. New Reforms
09. Guide Yourself
10. Souls To Dissuade
11. Twist Of Fate

Commented MASTER mainman Paul Speckmann: "'The New Elite' deals with the problems we face in society at this current time. The rich are getting richer and the poor are starving on the streets all around the world while men battle each other for world dominance! Governments are grabbing the world by the balls and dictating the new rules of the soon-to-be New Elite, while the youth of today just sit down and take it. I really wonder if and when the youth of today will take a stand against these crazy fucked-up ruthless world leaders. The time has come to stand up and be counted!"

A brand new track entitled "Smile As You're Told" is now available for streaming below.

MASTER is:

Paul Speckmann - Vocals, Bass
Alex Nejezchleba - Guitar
Zdenek Pradlovsky - Drums

Swedish producers/songwriters and musicians Chris Rehn (ANGTORIA, ABYSSOS) and Tomas Wallin (TAKIDA) have joined forces in a brand new project called DREAMSTATE.

Formed in November 2011, DREAMSTATE set out to "write and record music that doesn't have any boundaries, music that doesn't have any restraints or have any ties to anything but themselves and their own inspiration," according to a press release. "Music that doesn't need to fall under a certain genre, and that could include any style, feeling, instrument and production they themselves felt fit to a specific song.

"With inspiration taken all the way from metal to pop music, mixing all types of instruments and genres together, the music of DREAMSTATE is all about not being restricted to any genre of music. It's simply about making music for themselves, with inspiration from all the music they listen to, and having fun while doing it."

In December, DREAMSTATE was asked to write and record the official song for a Swedish rally car driver named Ramona Karlsson and her 2012 world championship effort, sponsored by Mitsubishi and Höganäs. Chris and Tomas wrote, produced and recorded the track "Evolution" at Boxroom Studios (owned and operated by Chris Rehn), and asked singers Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE, KAMELOT) and Tommy Levin to contribute their vocals to the tune.

"Evolution" has already been played on Swedish television and will be made available shortly through all digital channels (iTunes, Spotify, etc.).

Video footage of the "Evolution" recording sessions, featuring an audio stream of the entire song, is available below.

For more information, visit www.dreamstate.se.

BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has announced that he will not be able to partake in the recording sessions for the band's new album and subsequent touring activities unless he is presented with a "fair agreement." His official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"Dear SABBATH fans, fellow musicians and interested parties,

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

"Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with [fellow original SABBATH members] Tony [Iommi, guitar], Ozzy [Osbourne, vocals] and Geezer [Butler, bass]. And on [November 11, 2011, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference.

"Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another 'unsignable' contract was handed to me.

"Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with BLACK SABBATH.

"Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent every day getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting 'the cold shoulder' (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what'shappening unless I sign 'the unsignable contract.'

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

"I believe in freedom and freedom of speech.

"I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

"If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved SABBATH fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original BLACK SABBATH lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to SABBATH is intact.
"So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a 'signable' contract.

"I don't want to let anyone down, especially BLACK SABBATH and all the SABBATH fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

"My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a 'big piece' of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago.

"After the last tour, I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to BLACK SABBATH since its beginning.

"That's the story so far.

"Stay safe and stay strong.

"I love every single one of you."

According to U.K.'s The People, BLACK SABBATH's planned world tour and festival appearances are expected to earn the musicians in excess of £100 million (around $159 million), meaning each member of the band could take home up to £25 million (approximately $40 million).

The Ozzy-fronted lineup of SABBATH hasn't toured since 2005 and last appeared together when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006. They attempted to cut a new album — their first since 1978's "Never Say Die!" — with Rick Rubin in 1999, but the sessions fell apart after just a couple of songs and Osbourne turned his attention to his solo career. The Ronnie James Dio lineup reunited under the moniker HEAVEN & HELL in 2006 but split four years later, after Dio passed away.

Osbourne and Iommi in 2010 amicably resolved their problems over the ownership of the BLACK SABBATH name and court proceedings in New York were discontinued.

Ozzy filed a lawsuit against Iommi in May 2009, claiming that Iommi illegally took sole ownership of the band's name in a filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Osbourne sued Iommi for a 50 percent interest in the "Black Sabbath" trademark, along with a portion of Iommi's profits from use of the name.

The Manhattan federal court suit also charged that Osbourne's "signature lead vocals" are largely responsible for the band's "extraordinary success," noting that its popularity plummeted during his absence from 1980 through 1996.

Lawyer Andrew DeVore argued that Osbourne signed away all his rights to the BLACK SABBATH trademark after he quit the band in 1979.

Osbourne's lawyer, Howard Shire, called that agreement a "red herring" that was "repudiated" when the singer rejoined in 1997 and took over "quality control" of the band's merchandise, tours and recordings.

Italian rock/metal band LACUNA COIL played a special acoustic set and took part in a question-and-answer session on January 24 at the acclaimed record store Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey. Quality multi-camera video footage of their performance can be seen below.

LACUNA COIL's new album, "Dark Adrenaline", sold around 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous CD, "Shallow Life", opened with 21,000 units back April 2009 to land at No. 16.

LACUNA COIL's 2006 album, "Karmacode", premiered with 34,000 copies back in April 2006 to enter the chart at No. 28. It has since sold more than 200,000 units in the U.S.

The band's 2002 album, "Comalies", has shifted more than 300,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Dark Adrenaline" was released in North America on January 24 via Century Media Records. The CD was helmed by acclaimed producer Don Gilmore (LINKIN PARK, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE) and "deliver[s] the melodic, sensual, metallic rush for which the band has come to be known," according to a press release.

Fans both old and new have a variety of options to choose from, as "Dark Adrenaline" was released in numerous formats, including standard-edition CD and vinyl, deluxe edition digipak with a bonus DVD, sticker, poster and guitar pick and as an iTunes LP with expanded packaging, five bonus audio tracks and video. The Metal Club edition features exclusive artwork designed by the band and will be limited to 3,000 units. The Hastings edition features a bonus 10-track LACUNA COIL sampler, and the Amazon digital edition comes with a free five-track sampler. Finally, for true fans of the band, is the "Darkest Adrenaline" box set, which includes both the digipak and vinyl versions of the album along with a hardcover photo book, a LACUNA COIL custom syringe pen and ink, a lyric pad, signed lithographs created by the band and more, all housed in a LACUNA COIL medical box. This box set is limited to 500 pieces and is available exclusively through CM Distro.