According to a post on BRING ME THE HORIZON's Facebook page, the British metalcore act will commence the songwriting sessions for its next studio album in late February.

BRING ME THE HORIZON's third full-length CD, "There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret", sold 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD also entered the official chart in the U.K. at position No. 13.

The team at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden (where BRING ME THE HORIZON recorded 2008's "Suicide Season") was again at the helm of the recording, this time bringing in electronic and programming authority KC Blitz to assist with the instrumental aspects of the album. The CD also includes appearances from various special guests, including Josh Franceschi of YOU ME AT SIX (on "Fuck"). Also featured on the album are Josh Scogin of THE CHARIOT (on "The Fox And The Wolf"), Sonny Moore (a.k.a. Skrillex) with electronica contributions and Canadian electro-pop starlet Lights (on "Crucify Me" and "Don't Go").

"Alligator Blood" video:

Former HANOI ROCKS singer Michael Monroe has been named "Vuoden Turkulainen" ("Person Of The Year") in his hometown of Turku, Finland. He writes on his Facebook page, "A million thanks to everyone who voted for me!"

Monroe relocated to Turku, the former capital of Finland, in February 2000 after having had more than enough of troublesome country life. Having grown up and lived all his life in the city, he found himself quite comfortable once again living in the middle of a city, not too small and not too big, in a very special and private flat he was blessed with.

As previously reported, Monroe was honored with the "Rock Album Of The Year" (for "Sensory Overdrive") and "Band Of The Year" awards at this year's Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammy equivalent), which was held on Friday, January 20 at Barona Areena in Espoo, Finland.

A four-and-a-half-minute CNN video report on this year's installment of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise — which set sail Monday, January 23 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, Florida to George Town, Cayman Islands and will return to the real world today (Friday, January 27) — can be seen velow. The segment features interview clips with crew members, fans and members of the heavy metal media and contains performance footage of a couple of the participating bands, including NIGHTWISH and ALESTORM.

CNN's Percy von Lipinski reports: "I'm on board of 70000 tons of metal, Heavy Metal that is. Heavy metal is actually part of a very wide range of music that can utilize much more than typically loud guitars and drums. I saw everything from bagpipes to harps. This concert though took place on a cruise ship and without having to worry about disturbing the neighbours you can rest assured ear plugs were in high demand."

Participating artists:

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.

MPIRE OF EVIL (formerly PRIMEVIL) — the band he formed in 2010 with fellow ex-VENOM members Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (guitar) and Tony "The Demolition Man" Dolan (bass, vocals) — will release its full-length debut, "Hell To The Holy", on March 26 via Scarlet Records. The CD boasts 10 brand-new tracks displaying the band's infectious and groovy heavy metal assault, conveying Mantas' thunderous riffs, a huge rhythm section and Dolan's abrasive vocals into a monstrous musical holocaust which will appeal to both old-school and modern metal fans.

Produced by Mantas himself and featuring stunning cover artwork by Gyula Havancsák (ANNIHILATOR, DESTRUCTION, GRAVE DIGGER), "Hell To The Holy" is without any doubts a "must have" album for 2012.

A North American tour with British thrash legends ONSLAUGHT has already been confirmed but many more dates will follow soon.

Despite having played on the album, drummer Antony "Antton" Lant (ex-VENOM) has since left the band for personal reasons but a replacement for the tour will be announced soon.

"Hell To The Holy" track listing:

01. Hellspawn
02. Metal Messiah
03. Waking Up Dead
04. Hell To The Holy
05. Snake Pit
06. All Hail
07. Devil
08. Shockwave
09. The 8th Gate
10. M-pire (Prelude)

MPIRE OF EVIL released its debut mini-album, "Creatures Of The Black", on October 21, 2011 via Scarlet Records. The CD features cover versions of four songs that influenced the members of M-PIRE OF EVIL ("Exciter" by JUDAS PRIEST, "God Of Thunder" by KISS, "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be" by AC/DC and "Motörhead" by MOTÖRHEAD), plus two new songs, "Hellspawn" and "Reptile", which are available for streaming on the group's Facebook page.

In a 2010 interview with Metality, Dolan stated about the formation of M-PIRE OF EVIL,"Well, I think it came about as Mantas and Antton who were both doing separate music projects (DRYLL and DEF-CON-ONE) came together in DRYLL. Mantas needed a drummer and Antton offered his services. People kept wondering what it would be like if Mantas and Antton played with me and it was kind of, 'Oh, yeah that would be fun perhaps,' but then DRYLL played a show and performed the VENOM track 'Black Metal' [with Antton] and that was kind of it. People started saying I had to come in and play, too. So I got a phone call and had a few chats with Mantas and that was that; we decided we'd see if it worked. It does, very well, but then again myself and Mantas have always been friends and played well together. The addition of a drummer as good as Antton was something too cool to pass up! [M-PIRE OF EVIL] is old school, I guess, melodic, heavy, powerful. [As to how MPIRE OF EVIL is] different from VENOM, [I'm] not sure. We will inevitably be compared, as we are all ex-VENOM [members] and, of course, Mantas was the main songwriter for VENOM, so... But I feel we are more like classic metal. MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH.... PRIEST and VENOM."

A 90-second sample of "China Town", a brand new song from VAN HALEN, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", which will arrive on February 7 via Interscope.

"A Different Kind Of Truth" track listing:

01. Tattoo
02. She's The Woman
03. You And Your Blues
04. China Town
05. Blood And Fire
06. Bullethead
07. As Is
08. Honeybabysweetiedoll
09. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin'

The deluxe-edition version of "A Different Kind Of Truth" will contain a bonus DVD featuring four brand new acoustic-performance videos titled "The Downtown Sessions" including the songs "Panama", "You And Your Blues", "You Really Got Me" and "Beautiful Girls".

A 90-second excerpt of another VAN HALEN song called "Blood And Fire" was posted online earlier this week, and it turns out that the track is yet another reworking of an older, more obscure track. A recording has been found on YouTube of an instrumental called "Ripley" that dates back to 1984 and was heard on the soundtrack of a movie called "The Wild Life" which starred the late Chris Penn and was written by Cameron Crowe, who went on to direct "Jerry Maguire" and other films.

Guitarist Eddie Van Halen wrote a score for the movie, but only one song called "Donut City" was issued on the soundtrack. The rest of Eddie's music can be heard throughout the film.

"Blood And Fire" is taken from "A Different Kind Of Truth", which is VAN HALEN's first album in 13 years and first with original singer David Lee Roth since 1984. It's the fourth track from the disc that's confirmed to have its roots in older material.

First single "Tattoo" is based on an unreleased 1977 track called "Down In Flames", while "She's The Woman" was first recorded on a 1976 demo. Another tune called "Bullethead" also dates back to the group's early days.

VAN HALEN kicks off a North American tour on February 18 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Reunited Dutch death metallers CENTURIAN will enter the We Are (Music) Junkies studio in Eindhoven on April 27 with producer/sound engineer Jo Peeters (ABORTED, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEVERE TORTURE) and Ralph Timmermans (MINDPARK) to begin recording their third full-length album, "Contra Rationem". The band's first studio release in 11 years wil be made available later in the year via Listenable Records.

Songtitles set to appear on the CD:

* Judas Among Twelve
* Adversus
* The Will Of The Torch
* Thou Shallt Bleed For The Lord Thy God
* Antinomian
* Feast Of The Cross

Commented guitarist Rob Oorthuis, CENTURIAN's founding member and writer/composer, "The new record should appeal anyone who is prepared to die for his stands. Believe nothing, dare all!!! 333."

Video footage of CENTURIAN rehearsing the new song "Judas Among Twelve" can be seen below.

Oorthuis previously stated about CENTURIAN's new material and decision to reform, "The new songs are more CENTURIAN-esque than they are NOX songs. The chemistry among the bandmembers, musically and technically, leans on an approach we had back in the CENTURIAN days. Because of this I coined the idea about changing back the name."

CENTURIAN is:

Niels Adams - Vocals
Rob Oorthuis - Guitars
Patrick Boleij - Bass
Seth Van De Loo - Drums

CENTURIAN's last album, "Liber Zarzax", was released in 2001 via Listenable Records.

Austrian symphonic metallers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS have set "Ethera" as the title of their fifth album, due later in the year via Napalm Records. The CD is currently being recorded at Artesonika Studios in Pordenone (near Venice), Italy.

Regarding the new album title, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS said, "'Ethera' is a word mix out of 'ether' as the quintessence of this band, the energy between the five band members, the fifth album and 'era,' leading VISIONS OF ATLANTIS to some new and interesting musical and lyrical shores while still remaining typically VISIONS OF ATLANTIS!"

Fabio D'Amore (SERENITY) and Ivan Moni Bidin, who is also a master at the mixing desk, are producing this latest work.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS' "Maria Magdelena" EP was released last October.

The band's October 23, 2011 performance at the Metal Female Voices Fest at Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium professionally filmed for an upcoming DVD.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS' fourth album, "Delta", was released in North America on March 15, 2011 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded Dreamscape Studios in Munich, Germany and marks the debut of the group's new singer, Maxi Nil, who joined the group in 2009.

Guitarist Hank Shermann (MERCYFUL FATE) made his live debut with Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT last night (Thursday, January 26) at the opening show of this year's Gigantour at the Susquahana Bank Arena, in Camden, New Jersey. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Shermann most recently shared the stage with METALLICA at one of four intimate shows which took place at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of the week-long celebration of METALLICA's 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only.

"It's a true honor getting to work with Hank, whose guitar work has inspired all three bandmembers long before VOLBEAT was formed," VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen said in a statement. "I'm very thankful that Hank has the time to join us on Gigantour in his busy schedule."

The multi-artist Gigantour bill — with metal heavyweights MOTÖRHEAD, VOLBEAT and LACUNA COIL all personally picked by Dave Mustaine of headliners MEGADETH — will wrap on February 28 in Denver, Colorado.

VOLBEAT recently parted ways with guitarist Thomas Bredahl, who had been a member of the band since 2006.

VOLBEAT last year released "Live From Beyond Hell/Above Heaven" via Vertigo/Universal on double DVD, Blu-ray, limited double DVD + audio CD, CD, digital download and VOD. The set includes footage from VOLBEAT's sold-out show in front of 10,000 fervent fans at the Forum in Copenhagen, to the House of Blues in Anaheim, California and the Rock Am Ring show in Germany. It's VOLBEAT conquering performance territory Stateside and across Europe, showing fans that the band is just as comfortable, charged and throttled in front of an audience as intimate as 1,100 or as vast as 80,000.

It's universally agreed amongst headbangers that MOTÖRHEAD is responsible for some of the greatest all-time hard rock/heavy metal songs ("Ace of Spades", "Overkill", etc.) and albums ("Ace of Spades", "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith", etc.) — not to mention featuring one of rock's all-time great characters in their ranks, Lemmy Kilmister. As a result, MOTÖRHEAD fans are always on the hunt for uncommon and rare items to complete their collection. And now, the group is offering a true treat for their fans, known as "The Motör-Bag".

Available online via www.merchdirect.com/Motorhead, "The Motör-Bag" is limited to 4,000 copies worldwide, and is packed with exclusive items that you will not find anywhere else. Housed in a MOTÖRHEAD messenger bag, inside you will find two double vinyl LPs of stunning MOTÖRHEAD performances (in their entirety), recorded in New York and Manchester — that can only be found in "The Motör-Bag" package. Additionally, a laminate pass is included, and a piece of "The Wörld Is Yours" 2010/2011 stage backdrop, mounted and numbered.

Once the 4,000 copies are sold out, this one-of-a-kind MOTÖRHEAD set will be gone, so order the ultimate live Motör-experience package NOW!

The Wörld Is Ours…

Manchester Apollo, Manchester, UK, Nov. 16, 2010

Side A

01. We Are Motörhead
02. Stay Clean
03. Be My Baby
04. Get Back In Line
05. Rock Out

Side B

01. Metropolis
02. Over the Top
03. One Night Stand
04. The Thousand Names of God
05. I Got Mine

Side C

01. I Know How to Die
02. The Chase Is Better Than the Catch
03. In the Name of Tragedy
04. Just 'Cos You Got the Power

Side D

01. Going to Brazil
02. Killed by Death (with Nina C. Alice)
03. Ace of Spades
04. Born to Raise Hell (with Michael Monroe)
05. Overkill

The Wörld Is Ours…

Best Buy Theater, New York, USA, Feb. 28th, 2011

Side A

01. We Are Motörhead
02. Stay Clean
03. Get Back In Line
04. Metropolis
05. Over The Top

Side B

01. One Night Stand
02. Rock Out
03. The Thousand Names Of God
04. I Got Mine

Side C

01. I Know How To Die
02. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
03. In The Name Of Tragedy
04. Just Cos You Got The Power

Side D

01. Going To Brazil
02. Killed By Death (feat Doro and Todd Youth)
03. Ace Of Spades
04. Overkill

Legendary San Francisco Bay Area gore grind act AUTOPSY will release its new collection, "All Tomorrow's Funerals", on February 28 via Peaceville Records. This monstrous 22-track effort contains all of AUTOPSY's EPs remastered by the bandmembers themselves, as well as new cuts. Everything from "Retribution For The Dead" to the now-sold-out "The Tomb Within" will be presented on CD and DLP with all original artworks, liner notes from the band and new cover art from renowned artist Matt Cavotta.

"All Tomorrow's Funerals" track listing:

01. All Tomorrow’s Funerals (new track)
02. Broken People (new track)
03. Mauled To Death (new track)
04. Maggot Holes (new track)
05. The Tomb Within
06. My Corpse Shall Rise
07. Seven Skulls
08. Human Genocide
09. Mutant Village
10. Horrific Obsession
11. Feast of the Graveworm
12. Funereality
13. Fiend For Blood
14. Keeper Of Decay
15. Squeal Like A Pig
16. Ravenous Freaks
17. A Different Kind of Mindfuck
18. Dead Hole
19. Retribution For The Dead
20. Destined To Fester
21. In The Grip of Winter
22. Sign of the Corpse

Commented the band: "[The] few new tracks for 'All Tomorrow's Funerals' came out brutal and heavy as hell. Along with the newly written songs, we did a revamped version of 'Mauled To Death', which is the very last of the old songs that needed a proper album quality recording. This album will also contain all four EPs, all of which are out of print, as well as a compilation track from 1991, so the grand total is 22 tracks. It's something we've wanted to do for quite awhile, getting all the loose chunks together in one place rather than having them split up and added on as bonus tracks here and there. Everything has been painstakingly remastered with the band's guidance and sounds better and more crushing than ever. And don't worry, we didn't get carried away and ruin anything! Combine all that with killer new cover art from Matt Cavotta and we've got one hell of release."

AUTOPSY is currently working on all new material for its next album, due out late 2012/early 2013. The band states, "We can definitely promise more of what you would expect from AUTOPSY. There will be no compromise and no holding back. If you want 100% pure death metal brutality, you will certainly get it."

"Macabre Eternal", the first full-length album from AUTOPSY since 1995's "Shitfun", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 67 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.

"Macabre Eternal" was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California and includes AUTOPSY's first 10-plus minute song "Sadistic Gratification".

AUTOPSY had previously decided to make an official comeback after working together on two songs for the special 20th-anniversary edition of debut album, "Severed Survival", in late 2008; the band having originally split before the release of its fourth album, "Shitfun", in 1995. A five-song EP, "The Tomb Within", came out last September and saw the original trio of Chris Reifert, Danny Coralles and Eric Cutler joined on bass by Joe Trevisano (ex-ABSCESS).

According to a posting on RATT singer Stephen Pearcy's Facebook page, the band is continuing to write material for its new album, tentatively due this summer. Before then, "there could be a few surprise shows," he says.

"Infestation", the first studio record in 11 years from RATT, sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 30 on the Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on April 20, 2010 via Loud & Proud.

"Infestation" was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (CHEVELLE, ALTER BRIDGE) at his Virginia studio, marking the first time the band has recorded outside of Los Angeles. The album is full of attitude and of reflection, cycling through a range of emotions. There are party anthems that RATT are known for alongside more contemplative, thoughtful tunes.

West Virginia metallers BYZANTINE have officially reformed almost four years to the day since their last album, "Oblivion Beckons", was released.

The group's 2012 lineup is as follows:

Chris Ojeda: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Tony Rohrbough: Lead Guitar
Michael Cromer: Bass
Matt Wolfe: Drums

Commented Ojeda: "We've all kept in contact through the past few years and have worked on each other's projects as well. With our guitarist Tony moving back to West Virginia from North Carolina, we decided it would be a perfect opportunity to hang out again and jam. Before we knew it, we were tossing around riffs and song ideas and realized we had what seemed to be the foundation for a pretty kick-ass BYZANTINE album."

Since BYZANTINE is no longer tied to any record company, the band has decided to finance the recording of its fourth CD independently. The group will record most of the music themselves alongside engineer/producer and GIZMACHI guitarist Jason Hannon of 7 Over 8 Studios. Vocal tracking will be handled by BYZANTINE's longtime engineer Aaron Fisher at 101 Studios. Ojeda states that no time frame has been set for the release and no show dates have been scheduled. He says, "We are not focusing on playing live just yet. We all still live pretty far away from each other and have family and career obligations to meet. Our focus right now is to put together a real nice collection of songs that we and our fans can be proud of. Doing it on a smaller budget will be a little harder but it will be fun to take our time and be able to be creative on our own terms."

In the meantime, BYZANTINE has decided to enlist the help of Kickstarter.com for the financing of the album.

Kickstarter, the world's largest funding platform for creative projects, will allow the fans of BYZANTINE to help back the release of their new album through donations. Donations will be set up on a tier program and each tier will have incentives packages such as signed CDs, backstage passes, official sheet music and early digital downloads, etc.

Information on how to help BYZANTINE finance their new album can be found at this location.

Former KORN drummer David Silveria has joined forces with ANYONE members Riz Story and Miki Black in a brand new project called INFINIKA.

The group, whose lineup is completed by former TRAK 13 bassist Cory Tarallo, has just released a six-and-a-half-minute promotional clip featuring music from the upcoming release "Echoes And Traces". Check it out below.

INFINIKA is:

Riz Story (ANYONE): Lead Vocals, Guitars
Miki Black (ANYONE): Guitar, Keyboards
Cory Tarallo (TRAK 13): Bass
David Silveria (KORN): Drums

Silveria left KORN in late 2006 and was reportedly focusing on family life along with running his steak house and sushi restaurant. In December 2009, David reportedly changed his steak house into the rock and sports-themed bar Silvera's Rockbar and is no longer 50 percent owner of his sushi restaurant, having agreed to sell his half of ownership over to his ex-wife after a year-long court battle.

During a 2010 interview, KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer stated that David "has sold or gave away all his drums. I heard he doesn't even own a drumstick anymore."

Riverside, California-based Christian death metallers IMPENDING DOOM will release their fourth full-length album, "Baptized In Filth", on March 13. The CD was produced by Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE FAMINE) and was mixed by Machine, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE and DEMON HUNTER, among others.

The cover artwork for "Baptized in Flith" can be seen below. Bassist David Sittig states, "'Baptized In Filth' represents the mindless indulgance and self-worship in the vile world we live in. This album is meant to scare the hell out of you!"

The official lyric video for the new IMPENDING DOOM song "For The Wicked" can be seen below.

IMPENDING DOOM will take part in the Metal Alliance Tour 2012 alongside DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD.

IMPENDING DOOM is Brook Reeves on vocals, Cory Johnson on guitar, David Sittig on bass and Brandon "B-Town" Trahan on drums.

IMPENDING DOOM's third full-length album, "There Will Be Violence", was released on July 20, 2010 via Facedown Records.

Swedish industrial goth metal band DEATHSTARS will once again support RAMMSTEIN on their upcoming European tour.

Commented DEATHSTARS: "We're thrilled to be given the opportunity to join RAMMSTEIN again for the second leg of their tour. The last run was amazing and this one will as well be filled with darkness!"

Upcoming DEATHSTARS tour dates:

Supporting RAMMSTEIN

Feb. 03 - Hannover, Germany - TUI Arena
Feb. 06 - Kaunas, Lithuania - Zalgiris Arena
Feb. 07 - Riga, Latvia - Arena (Latvia)
Feb. 10 - Moscow, Russia - Sport Complex Olympiski
Feb. 11 - Moscow, Russia - Sport Complex Olympiski
Feb. 13 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Sport Concert Complex
Feb. 15 - Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
Feb. 17 - Stockholm, Sweden - Ericsson Globe Arena
Feb. 19 - Oslo, Norway - Vallhall
Feb. 21 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Forum
Feb. 22 - Herning, Denmark - Jyske Bank Boxen
Feb. 24 - London, UK - O2 Arena
Feb. 25 - Birmingham, UK - LG Arena
Feb. 27 - Dublin, Ireland -The O2
Feb. 29 - Newcastle, UK - Metro Arena
Mar. 01 - Manchester, UK - Men Arena
Mar. 02 - Nottingham, UK - Capital FM Arena
Mar. 04 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands - Ahoy
Mar. 06 - Paris, France - Bercy
Mar. 07 - Paris, France - Bercy
Mar. 08 - Antwerp, Belgium - Sportpalais

Headlining

Feb. 18 - Karlstad, Sweden - Nöjesfabriken
Feb. 28 - Glasgow, Scotland - Cathouse Saint Barthelemy
Mar. 03 - Southampton, UK - The Cellar
Mar. 09 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
Mar. 10 - Köln, Germany - Luxor
Mar. 12 - München, Germany - Halle / Backstage Club
Mar. 13 - Budapest, Hungary - Dürer-Kert
Mar. 14 - Vienna, Austria - Szene
Mar. 15 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Gala Hala
Mar. 16 - Pinarella Di Cervia, Italy - Rock Planet
Mar. 17 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
Mar. 18 - Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - Rockhal
Mar. 20 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
Mar. 21 - Berlin, Germany - Postbahnhof
Mar. 22 - Warzaw, Poland - Progresja

"Metal", the latest video from DEATHSTARS, can be seen below. The song is one of two new tracks featured on the group's best-of compilation, "The Greatest Hits On Earth", which was released physically and digitally on November 4 via Nuclear Blast. Both new songs showcase the musical direction of the next DEATHSTARS CD.

DEATHSTARS recently announced the addition of drummer Vice (a.k.a. Oscar Leander of CRESCENDOLLS) to the group's ranks.

Commented Vice: "I'm really excited to be a part of DEATHSTARS and I really feel that my drumming complements DEATHSTARS music in a perfect way."

Added DEATHSTARS guitarist, songwriter and producer Emil "Nightmare Industries" Nödtveidt: "With this addition to our band our recordings and live shows will deliver more energy than ever before. We are really pumped up about the future!"

LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia joined MEGADETH on stage last night (Thursday, January 26) at the opening show of this year's Gigantour at the Susquahana Bank Arena, in Camden, New Jersey to perform the MEGADETH song "A Tout Le Monde".

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

MEGADETH's setlist for last night's concert was as follows:

01. Trust
02. Wake Up Dead
03. Hangar 18
04. Sweating Bullets
05. Angry Again
06. Poison Was The Cure
07. Dawn Patrol
08. Public Enemy #1
09. Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)
10. Guns, Drugs & Money
11. A Tout Le Monde
12. Symphony Of Destruction
13. Holy Wars…Punishment Due

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

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

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

METALLICA, SOUNDGARDEN, SLAYER, WITHIN TEMPTATION and MASTODON are among the confirmed bands for this year's installment of the Spanish edition of the Sonisphere festival, set to take place May 26 at Getafe Open Air in Madrid.

The billing is as follows:

METALLICA
MASTODON
SLAYER
SOUNDGARDEN
CLUTCH
GOJIRA
VITA IMANA
GHOST
KYUSS LIVES
SKINDRED
WITHIN TEMPTATION
CHILDREN OF BODOM
ORANGE GOBLIN
SISTER

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 31 at 10:00 a.m.

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, including Sonisphere, this summer.

Video footage of the Stockholm, Sweden-based "melodeath" metal band FRANTIC AMBER performing the song "Doomed To Walk This Earth" at "P3 Guld" — Swedish radio station P3's annual music awards ceremony — on January 21 at Lisebergshallen in Gothenburg, Sweden can be seen below.

FRANTIC AMBER recently recruited a new drummer — and its first male member — Erik Röjås. Erik has been performing with the band since last year's Sweden Rock Festival and accompanied the group on its second tour of Russia in September.

FRANTIC AMBER is currently recording its second EP with producer Ralph Santolla (guitarist for such acts as DEATH, DEICIDE, OBITUARY, ICED EARTH) for a spring release.

The P3 Guld award in the "Best Rock/Metal Album Of The Year" category went to GRAVEYARD. Also nominated for the "Rock/Metal" award were IN FLAMES, OPETH, ARCH ENEMY and THE HAUNTED.

Mick Stingley of Rocksalt.mx recently conducted an interview with vocalist Angela Gossow of Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Rocksalt.mx: This is your sixth full-length album with ARCH ENEMY. Are you still as energized and excited as when you began?

Angela: Yeah, this is sixth. I feel a lot better: perhaps a mixture of anxiety, excitement and having more knowledge about the whole thing. It's just like dropping into cold water: it's very exciting but at the same time it's very nerve-wracking and now we've all learned to swim. And in a very good way, you know? It's not just staying on the surface, staying alive, but to actually, you know, be able to compete with the best right now. And we're just kinda like a big fish in a pond – a bigger fish — not so small anymore. So, it actually feels — I don't wanna… it feels like if somebody asked you if you wanted to be 15 or 16 or 18 again. I neither want to be 18 again nor do I want to go back ten years. You know? I'm really happy where we are right now.

Rocksalt.mx: Did you foresee this kind of longevity with the band when you started out?

Angela: Well… I don't dwell on the past at all. I'm very much here in the present. Always. I do plan the future, as, you know, when I do something I want to make it last — it's just like with a relationship or anything I do. So we were always planning two, three years ahead, you know, but obviously you can't plan ten years ahead, so: no. I didn't think that I'd be doing this when I'm approaching my 40s! (laughs) But, hey — I am and it just feels really, really good. And my health is totally there — I'm actually fitter now than I was ten years ago, so that's awfully interesting. I think women peak in their 30s and 40s. I think that comes very handy, you know? Because when they have kids and they have to multi-task and take a lot of shit and be very, very flexible. And it's a lot. I think I'm actually peaking. I would say I'm stronger now than I was then. So, yeah — I didn't put the years out ahead but I am glad we are still here and still relevant and that we can still do it. Yeah.

Rocksalt.mx: You said you were sitting around listening to music late at night when you're stoned. And I want to make sure there's no misunderstanding by what you mean by "stoned."

Angela: Oh, I mean, obviously, weed — the stuff that grows outside in my garden and (laughs) it's obviously not legal, unfortunately, but — that's one of our political agendas in [ARCH ENEMY's new album] "Khaos Legions" is to legalize it. You know? (laughs)

Rocksalt.mx: Really? How come you're not covering "Legalize It" by Peter Tosh?

Angela: Yeaahhh… that's too obvious. But, uh…

Rocksalt.mx: Too obvious?

Angela: Well, yeah — maybe we should do it one day. Yeah, I think it's an awesome recreational… herb. I wouldn't call it drug, that's so negative. It's like, yeah, it's something you can buy at a drugstore, hopefully one day. So let's call it a drug.

Rocksalt.mx: What is the — you're in Sweden, right?

Angela: Yeah – oh, yes! The young generation, they've had a couple of votes now. They're trying to get it legalized. Which is good. It doesn't do any damage to people, except when you're prone to paranoia and schizophrenia then you've got to, you actually have to see a doctor if you've got problems like that. But for most people it's very harmless, compared to hard liquor. And Sweden is very damaged by hard liquor. They have a very high alcoholic rate here, you know. Especially among teenagers, and drinking hard stuff… I mean, honestly, I'd rather see a 16-year-old smoke a spliff than having a bottle of vodka in their hands, you know. So I just hope; but they're very tough on it. You can go to jail for it if you're caught with a spliff. Yeah. It's not nice. It's not like California or anything like that. And then you've got obviously neighboring countries — in my country, Germany, they're totally lax on it. If you get caught with it nobody says anything. And in Holland it's legal. Yeah… I might have to move one day. I might have to relocate! (laughs)

Rocksalt.mx: Even in New York City now they have this thing, if you're caught with less than an ounce they will let you go.

Angela: Yeah, it's nice. Because I think that they could really use that money they are wasting on the war on drugs for better education, and maybe health care and all these things that have a massive shortage in the U.S. So that's a good move, I think. I hope a lot of people and a lot of, different states, will catch up to that.

Rocksalt.mx: One would hope. And not to dwell on it too much: do you roll your own or do you use a bong?

Angela: Oh, I use a vaporizer. I'm an asthmatic, so I don't smoke at all. So I use a vaporizer because it doesn't irritate my throat at all and it helps my asthma a lot. And you know, since I've been using weed, I haven't had to use any of my steroid inhalers. It really relaxes the airways, opens it up. And also, I will bake cookies with chocolate with it.

Read the entire interview from Rocksalt.mx.

Angela talking about weed - part 1 (audio):

METALLICA will headline this year's installment of the Finnish edition of the Sonisphere festival, set to take place June 4 at Kalasatama in Helsinki, Finland. Also scheduled to appear are MACHINE HEAD, AMORPHIS, GOJIRA and GHOST.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. at Lippupalvelu.fi and Tiketti.fi.

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, including Sonisphere, this summer.

METALLICA's four-song EP called "Beyond Magnetic", which was made available digitally last month, will be 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 last month 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.

According to TMZ.com, JOURNEY drummer Deen Castronovo was arrested this past Saturday, January 21 in Oregon for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Deen was booked into Polk County Jail on a number of charges, including coercion, assault, criminal mischief , interfering with making a report and harassment.

Sources tell TMZ.com that some of the charges stem from an altercation that occurred after the alleged physical blowout when Deen's girlfriend ran out of the house to call her father and the musician allegedly grabbed the phone out of her hand and refused to let her contact her dad.

A representative for Deen tells TMZ.com that the incident "was a misunderstanding that should not have been escalated to such a level in the first place."

Deen was released after posting $52,500.00 bail.

Castronovo's booking photo can be seen at TMZ.com.

"Follow The Signs", the new Andrew Pulaski-directed video from the Chicago-based progressive metal hybrid BORN OF OSIRIS, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's third full-length album, "The Discovery", which sold around 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 87 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's previous CD, 2009's "A Higher Place", entered the charts at No. 73 with first-week sales of over 6,000 copies.

"The Discovery" was released on March 22, 2011 via Sumerian Records. The CD was recorded at BOTA Studio in Lake In The Hills, Illinois and was mixed by Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER).

When asked by AOL's Noisecreep if the band toned down the technicality of the playing and arrangements for the new album or if they dialed it up, BORN OF OSIRIS guitarist Lee McKinney said, "I would say it's more and less at the same time. The instrumentals are more technical, as far as playing each part. As for structure and arrangements, we tried to organize our songs a little better. We wanted to bring back key parts and have more structure in our songs. That being said, these songs are still by far harder to play than any of our other material. We really pushed ourselves with this one."

BORN OF OSIRIS recently parted ways with guitarist Jason Richardson. The band said in a statement, "This was something that just needed to happen. We will be a more creative, energized, and focused unit as a result."

Dutch folk metal six-piece HEIDEVOLK will release its fourth album, "Batavi", on March 2 through Napalm Records.

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

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

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

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

"Batavi" track listing:

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

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

Mumbai, India-based horror/heavy metal band ALBATROSS has recently released a single from its upcoming EP, "The Kissing Flies". The track titled "Uncle Sunny At The Tavern", which can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below, features Niklas Stalvind (vocalist/rhythm guitarist of Swedish heavy metallers WOLF) sharing vocal duties with ALBATROSS frontman Biprorshee Das.

Bassist Dr. Hex explains the concept behind the song: "An unnamed narrator returns to his native town, Raptorsville, after sixteen years to find it in shambles. An element of decay pervades every inch of the town; an atmosphere of wither which seems to have infected even the townspeople. Unable to come to terms with this disarray, he walks into the local tavern and meets a figure he recognizes from his youth, the mysterious Uncle Sunny. What ensues is left for you, the listener, to discover."

"The Kissing Flies" is ALBATROSS's second release and the follow-up to the band's 2010 debut, "Dinner Is You". The EP forms a part of a split release with American occult metal band VESTAL CLARET and is slated for an April 2012 release.

Dr Hex adds: "Exciting things are happening in the ALBATROSS camp. We've recently signed on to a merchandising company, and a label announcement will be made at a later date."

Radio Metal recently conducted an interview with singer Hansi Kürsch of German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN. An excerpt from the chat follow below.

Radio Metal: Could we have an update on your work on this orchestral album which is expected to be released in 2012?

Hansi: (huge sigh) I would say 2012 is history already! (laughs) That's how far I can go. We worked on the orchestral stuff as well as on stuff for a regular BLIND GUARDIAN album between our tours and the finalizing of "Memories From A Time To Come". My goal would be to release either the regular BLIND GUARDIAN album or the orchestral album in 2013. It is doable, but it's tough work for us. There are so many elements involved in the orchestral album, as well as in the regular album, all the way from songwriting to production… I'm really cautious when it comes to guessing release dates. But as I said, I assume it will be late 2013, possibly in the fall, before another BLIND GUARDIAN album.

Radio Metal: It sounds like you're kind of exhausted by this orchestral project!

Hansi: I'm not exhausted, but it's so much work. It's fun doing it. We did like six songs in a concert hall already, and we recorded them, but I still have to do the vocals. I did a pre-production for these songs already. But we also have to complete the other songs we have done, and it takes a lot of time, in terms of finalizing the scores and all that. If we don't feel the time is right to work on this, we prefer to work on the regular BLIND GUARDIAN stuff. That's on the same priority level. Both are too important to rush. We never did that in our whole career, and we certainly won't start after 25 years, even if we would like to release something next year. It's not important to be as quick as possible, it's more important to keep the quality.

Radio Metal: Do you think you'll promote this orchestral album live, and most importantly, is it possible for you, financially speaking?

Hansi: Financially speaking, I would say it could be beneficial! But the problem is to find the right occasion, the right venue and the right orchestra to do it. You cannot do something like this in a regular concert hall. Depending on the country, the audience at our shows is between 500 and 7,000 or 8,000 people. Finding venues that can accommodate these different audiences would be very, very difficult. What I think would be possible would be a small festival tour with an orchestra, or a very limited number of BLIND GUARDIAN concerts, like four in Europe or so. That's something we could consider, especially in connection with a regular BLIND GUARDIAN show. This might be an option. But we'll deal with it when we're there. Right now it's more getting all the composition out of the way, then finalizing the various elements. Once this is done, we'll be a big step further, and then we'll need to consider how to promote this album and how live situations could be organized.

Read the entire interview from Radio Metal.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada traditional metallers 3 INCHES OF BLOOD have recruited Byron Stroud (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY) as their new bassist.

Stroud and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD have been working together on a variety of things, and Stroud is beyond pleased shift his involvement to a creative level.

"I am super stoked to let everyone know that I have joined my brothers in 3 INCHES OF BLOOD," exclaims Stroud.

"We are busy rehearsing for touring of the new record, 'Long Live Heavy Metal'.

"The band asked me to come on board as manager earlier last year.

"We rehearse in my bike shop. I've toured with them in the past and being involved in many aspects of the new record has been extremely gratifying for me.

'I'm looking forward and see a great future for this band.

"I'll see you all on tour this year."

3 INCHES OF BLOOD will release its 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!"

Check out photos from the studio on the 3 INCHES OF BLOOD Facebook page (all photos by Aaron Aubrey).

Beginning March 16, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will head out on the "Metal Alliance Tour 2012" alongside DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, IMPENDING DOOM and WRETCHED.

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson hopes the band will return to the studio later this year to begin work on the follow-up to the hugely successful 2008 album "Black Ice".

During an appearance on a recent edition of "The Cowhead Show", the American radio program hosted by Mike "Cowhead" Calta, Johnson revealed that health issues were affecting one of his bandmates, which may have put new album plans temporarily on hold. "One of the boys is a little sick and I can't say anything, but he's getting better," Brian said. "He's doing wonderful. Full recovery fully expected."

The singer added, "It's a wonderful thing when we get in a room. Whenever the boys get back together, I get all excited. The boys, after a while, pick the guitars up, Phil [Rudd] will make his way to the drums, Cliff [Williams] will pull his bass out and then all of a sudden this noise comes out and I sit there with just this big old grin on my face."

You can listen to Johnson's appearance on "The Cowhead Show" using the SoundCloud player below.

AC/DC earned AUD 131.4 million (approximately USD $127 million) in 2009-10 (up from AUD $105 million [approximately USD $102 million] the previous year) to land at the second place on a list of Australia's richest entertainers, according to Business Review Weekly magazine.

AC/DC was honored in the "Top Boxscore" category at the Billboard Touring Awards, which were handed out at a special reception in New York on November 4, 2010. The awards were primarily based on global box office numbers reported to Billboard Boxscore from October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2010.

Interview (audio):

Former EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn (real name: Vegard Sverre Tveitan) will make a guest appearance on the sophomore solo album from ex-NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis. The CD, which is being produced by Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES), is scheduled for release later in the year via Century Media Records.

Commented Ihsahn: "I was both surprised and honored when Jeff asked me to sing on one of the songs for his upcoming album. He sent me a killer track, so it was easy to get inspiration for both words and vocal ideas, and I think it came out really well.

"Jeff is an amazing musician and I'm really looking forward to hearing the final album. Also, in the collaborative spirit, I got him to lay down a solo for my own new album."

Added Loomis: "I know most of you are aware that Christine Rhoades is doing some vocals on my album. At first I thought she'd be the only guest singer on the record, but then this one song started coming together, it's pretty brutal.

"I've always wanted to do really, really heavy music and after hearing this, both Aaron and myself thought we needed some crazy, sick singer on it. We just sat around tossing names out for a bit, nothing really was sticking and then Aaron says, 'I got it...Ihsahn' and it was one of those moments where you knew that was the answer all along, it just hadn't been unlocked in your mind yet.

"Anyway, a few short emails back and forth and we had his vocal track in. It came out amazing. I can't wait for you to hear it.

"Ihsahn, thanks again, it's an honor to have you on my record."

Other musicians who have recorded guest appearances on Loomis' new solo album include fellow axemen Marty Friedman (ex-MEGADETH), Tony Macalpine and Chris Poland (ex-MEGADETH).