"Open Your Eyes", the new video from Birmingham, Alabama hard rockers MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER, can be seen below. The clip, which stars the one and only Danny Trejo, is stylized as a short film.

Commented MAYLENE frontman Dallas Taylor: "We've always been huge fans of Danny Trejo. We were on the same flight a few years ago but I didn't get a chance to meet him. Ever since then, I've wanted him to be in one of our videos. Never in a million years did I think it would happen, so this is really special for us."

As it turns out, video director Scott Hansen had worked with Trejo before and was able to make it happen.

The video was shot in one day in Los Angeles, and stars Trejo as a sadistic mechanic.

The hard rock innovators are gearing up for a nationwide headlining tour in support of their acclaimed new album "IV", out now via Ferret Music. The four-week trek will kick off January 25 in New Orleans and take the band to both coasts, with support from LIONIZE.

Produced by Brian Virtue (JANE'S ADDICTION, DEFTONES, AUDIOSLAVE), "IV" is a departure from MAYLENE's previous albums, shining a spotlight on the band's sleek songcraft, virtuosic prowess and depth of musical identity. The primal-scream therapy of underground star frontman Dallas Taylor takes on a much more multidimensional sense of atmosphere and texture on the record, finding the perfect balance of heavy-meets-euphoric while the band's strong, fluid rock features big riffs, shifting tempos and a spot-on sense of balance. The new saga of MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER's compelling concept has been called "catchy, southern-infused hard rock" by MetalSucks and the band's "most mature and unadulterated album" by Prefix.

On the record, the band continues its focused conceptual and lyrical bent which plots MAYLENE as renegade outlaws from a 1920s gangster / prohibition era real-life crime family. The record's gritty musical shootouts are filled with intricate guitar riffing and whiskey drenched grooves, while the lyrics take your imagination back to a time when the exploits of gangs of criminals gripped the American people and press.

MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER features Dallas Taylor (vocals), Chad Huff (guitar), Jake Duncan (guitar / vocals) and Brad Lehmann (bass).

Vintage Rock's Junkman conducted an interview with legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB, SOULS OF WE, TOOTH AND NAIL) at the 2012 NAMM show on January 21 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. You can now watch the chat below.

Regarding the current status of LYNCH MOB, George said, "We've got a new singer, Jesse Forte from VAINS OF JENNA. So it's Scot Coogan on drums from ACE FREHLEY, we've got Robbie Crane from RATT and myself and Jesse Forte, and that's the new LYNCH MOB. We're gonna be doing a lot of touring this year. And we're trying to get back in the studio in the late winter/early spring to finish up the record that we were doing with Oni [Logan, former LYNCH MOB singer] before we lost Oni last year. So a revamped LYNCH MOB with fresh blood in it, with Jesse — a young guy, great chops, great look."

LYNCH MOB's comeback album, "Smoke And Mirrors", was released in Europe on September 18, 2009 (October 13, 2009 in the U.S.) via Frontiers Records. The recording lineup on the CD included Lynch and Logan alongside bassist Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE, THIN LIZZY) and Coogan.

Lynch has joined forces with fellow former/current DOKKEN members Jeff Pilson (bass) and Mick Brown (drums) in a new project called TOOTH AND NAIL. The band's debut album is tentatively due in March. The CD will feature new original material as well as reworked versions of around five or six DOKKEN classics.

Lynch's eleventh solo album in nearly twenty years, "Kill All Control", was released last July via Rocket Science, Inc.

What began as a follow-up to the SOULS OF WE debut, "Let The Truth Be Known", George quickly realized the project was taking on a new direction with the addition of POWERMAN 5000 drummer Adrian Ost. While writing with SOULS OF WE singer London LeGrand (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION), George noted, "The creative juices flowed and we wrote most of the CD in 10 days."

Flamboyant Finnish rockers RECKLESS LOVE will release a new digital single, "On The Radio", in the U.K. on February 20. In addition to the title track, the single will include the song "Push", which was previously unavailable in the U.K. The accompanying video was partially filmed in Los Angeles and is very much in keeping with the band's "glass half full" approach to both music and life in general.

"On The Radio" comes off RECKLESS LOVE's second album, "Animal Attraction", which was released in October 2011 in Finland via Universal Music.

"Animal Attraction" track listing:

01. Animal Attraction
02. Speedin'
03. Born To Break Your Heart
04. Hot
05. Fantasy
06. Dirty Dreams
07. Dance
08. Fight
09. Switchblade Babe
10. On The Radio
11. Coconuts

RECKLESS LOVE singer Olli Herman (a.k.a. H. Olliver Twisted) joined CRASHDIET in 2006 as the replacement for David Hellman (a.k.a. Dave Lepard), who committed suicide in January 2006.

Olli left CRASHDIET shortly after the release of the band's second album, "The Unattractive Revolution", in order to focus all his attention on RECKLESS LOVE.

The self-titled debut album from RECKLESS LOVE entered the official chart in the band's home country of Finland at position No. 13.

RECKLESS LOVE plays exceptionally good rock n' roll. With its rousing and joyful attitude, the band offers a true alternative for today's rock scene where everything seems too dull, dark and serious. RECKLESS LOVE's formula is simple; big hard rock just for the fun of it!

The band was founded in 2001 and started to gradually gain underground reputation as an energetic live act. Eight years of small scale touring, two lineup changes and four demos later the band finally took its current form and found its own recognizable sound.

Italian dark metal outfit GRAVEWORM has announced that founding member and guitar player Stefan Unterpertinger will return to the band after 10 years. He replaces Thomas Orgler, who left the group for personal reasons. Keyboard player Sabine Mair also exited GRAVEWORM due to personal reasons.

Commented GRAVEWORM vocalist Stefano Fiori: "It's a pity not to have Thomas and Sabine in the band anymore. But, of course, we wish them all the best for their future. All the more we are glad to have Stefan back in the band. We practice hardly and we feel that there's still good chemistry between us. With Stefan, a GRAVEWORM founding member is back, so, welcome home Stefan!"

"See No Future", the latest video from GRAVEWORM, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed in Venlo, Netherlands by Maurice from LEGION OF THE DAMNED.

"See No Future" comes off GRAVEWORM's new album, "Fragments Of Death", which was release last October via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Diabolical Figures" was recorded in July 2011 at the Dream Sound Studios in Munich, Germany and was mastered by Jan Vacik. According to a press release, "The songs are about the death in its thousand faces, which is also reflected in the album title and cover art. Musically, the album can be seen as a mixture of the best of the last four records, with some old-school roots and definitive darker than its predecessors."

"Fragments Of Death" track listing:

01. Insomnia
02. Only Death In Our Wake
03. Absence Of Faith
04. Living Nightmare
05. The World Will Die In Flames
06. Anxiety
07. See No Future
08. The Prophecy
09. Remembrance
10. Old Forgotten Song
11. Where Angels Do Not Fly

Bonus track:

12. Awake

U.K. progressive metallers TESSERACT are working on an acoustic EP, tentatively titled "Perspective", for a spring release via Century Media Records. The effort will contain reworked versions of tracks from the band's debut album, "One", plus "a very special" cover version.

Commented TESSERACT bassist Amos Williams: "The EP was inspired by an acoustic session we filmed last year in New York, whilst on tour with PROTEST THE HERO. It made us realize that a few of the tracks sounded really great when re-arranged and approached at from a different perspective.

"Once we finish off this EP, we will stay in the studio and begin work our new album. This is shaping up to continue the TESSERACT sound we began to develop on 'One'. A sound that is dynamic, tender, crushing, soaring, visceral, beautiful, emotive and heavy. A box of contradictions and infinite possibilities. With maybe the exception of Euro House... we're not really that into Euro House... sorry."

In other news, TESSERACT will play day three of Bamboozle Festival on May 20 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

"Festivals are always great to do, but for our first U.S. festival to be Bamboozle is crazy," said the band. "To be on the same bill as INCUBUS, FOO FIGHTERS and BON JOVI is a great boost for us. Bamboozle has a great tradition of mixing things up, and the bill for the 10 year anniversary festival looks to be adhering firmly to this, with bands like TESSERACT, PERIPHERY and WHITECHAPEL sharing the stage with SKRILLEX, JIMMY EAT WORLD and ALL AMERICAN REJECTS. It looks like it's going to be great fun!"

Relapse Records has announced the signing of Melbourne, Australia's doom dwellers INVERLOCH. Featuring one half of the legendary diSEMBOWELMENT, INVERLOCH (Matthew Skarajew - guitar, Paul Mazziotta - drums, Ben James - vocals, Mark Cullen - guitar, Tony Bryant - bass) pick right up where diSEMBOWELMENT left off close to two decades ago, composing crawling, lurching, plodding and downtuned dirges, that are sure to be some of the most powerful and beautiful pieces of crust/death/doom heard in years!

INVERLOCH has completed recording its debut mini-LP, which is set for a spring 2012 release.

In other news, INVERLOCH has been invited to play a pair of rare festival shows this spring, performing for a limited time under the name d.USK. They will be presenting diSEMBOWELMENT's legendary funeral doom opus "Transcendence Into The Peripheral" live in its entirety at Roadburn in the Netherlands and offering a different, though equally devastating set at the legendary Hellfest in France.

Commented drummer Paul Mazziotta: "It has been a pleasure to bring the old diSEMBOWELMENT songs to life, and along the journey we have discovered some new music inside of us that we felt compelled to capture. INVERLOCH is our musical voice of the past, re-discovered...combining heaviness and ambience once more …"

Finnish death metallers TORTURE KILLER will release a new three-song EP entitled "I Chose Death" on March 7 via Dynamic Arts Records. It contains two new tracks and a cover version of DEMIGOD's "Succumb To Dark" song from the "Unholy Domain" demo tape. The cover artwork was created by Mark Riddick and can be seen below.

"I Chose Death" will mark the recording debut of the group's new singer, Pessi Haltsonen (RETALIATORY MEASURES), who is described by his new bandmates as "a perfect fit" and "a human powerhouse."

"I Chose Death" track listing:

01. All Will End In Terror
02. Succumb To Dark
03. I Chose Death

TORTURE KILLER's third album, "Sewers" came out in 2009 via Dynamic Arts Records.

The band's sophomore CD, "Swarm!", was released by Metal Blade Records and featured legendary death metal vocalist Chris Barnes from CANNIBAL CORPSE and SIX FEET UNDER.

For more information, visit www.torturekiller.com.

Solid State Records has set a March 13 release date for MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE's third, self-titled album. The eagerly awaited CD is the band's third release in six years, and the first since 2010's lauded "Lost Boy", which debuted at No. 183 on The Billboard 200 chart.

For MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE, the self-titled album represents a new chapter for the band, and stamps the advent of a refined sound the members have been chasing since the group's inception.

"That's exactly what this album is, a new beginning," says guitarist Robert Bloomfield. "I really do feel we found our sound. It's definitely MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE still, but with this new flare that we've all loved and understood but never figured out a way to translate it to our music."

Recorded with esteemed producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL), MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE finds the band reaching deep mentally and emotionally for what is without a doubt their crowning achievement thus far, a hard-hitting, experimental, cinematic opus that will set a fire in the hearts of old and new fans alike. With a no-holds-barred approach to programming and effects, and good, old-fashioned brutal riffage — not to mention a new level of dynamics from frontman Matthew Hasting — MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE have boldly redefined themselves for this new chapter of their career.

"I feel like everything we've done as a band all comes together in this one record," Bloomfield says. "Everything we've learned along the way. We put all our love and hate into it. It's the best album in our career so far."

In celebration of the release, the band will be setting sail on a two-month trek alongside FOR TODAY, A SKYLIT DRIVE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS and MAKE ME FAMOUS that includes dozens of stops throughout the U.S. and Canada, culminating in a spot at the infamous New England Metal And Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts.

"Dry Bone Valley", the new video from Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON, can be seen below. The clip was directed and animated by Tim Biskup.

MASTODON bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders recently confirmed that the band will team up with Sweden's OPETH and GHOST for a North American tour in April.

MASTODON is among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band's Grammy nomination is for "Curl Of The Burl", the first single from MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter".

MASTODON received its first Grammy nomination in 2006 for the single "Colony Of Birchmen", from the band's Reprise Records debut album, "Blood Mountain".

"The Hunter" sold 39,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Crack The Skye", opened with 41,000 units back in April 2009 to debut at No. 11. MASTODON's 2006 effort, "Blood Mountain", came in with just over 24,000 units — significantly more than the 8,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2004's "Leviathan" — which put it at No. 32.

"The Hunter" was made available in several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.

The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" was MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.

ANTHRAX's video for the song "The Devil You Know" can be seen below. The clip contains clips of all the band highlights of last year.

"The Devil You Know" comes off ANTHRAX's latest album, "Worship Music", which sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous studio CD, 2003's "We've Come For You All", opened with just under 10,000 units to debut at No. 122.

The CD cover artwork for "Worship Music" was handled by renowned comic book artist Alex Ross, who has worked with Marvel Comics and DC Comics and is known for his "Marvels", "Kingdom Come", and "Astro City" illustrations. Ross also did the original artwork for ANTHRAX's "We've Come For You All" and "Music Of Mass Destruction" albums.

"Worship Music" was produced by ANTHRAX, Rob Caggiano and Jay Ruston and recorded over a four-year period at studios in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Singer Joey Belladonna's return to the band prompted some of the songs originally recorded with previous singer Dan Nelson to be re-crafted with fresh lyrics or tweaked to better suit his overall vibe and energy. Some of the songs were completely replaced with brand-new songs and, of course, all have Belladonna's inimitable vocal stamp on them.

ANTHRAX has just kicked off the second leg of its U.S. tour with TESTAMENT and DEATH ANGEL.

ICED EARTH have released their new video for 'Anthem', shot in Cologne, Germany during the European leg of the band's world tour.

“We had a blast making that video,” said Iced Earth mainman Jon Schaffer. “I think the fans can see it on our faces. ‘Anthem’ captures the energy of our live shows, as well as the fun we’re having together as a band.”

Produced and directed by Kosch Fabian Film, 'Anthem' is the second music video released from Iced Earth’s 10th studio album, Dystopia. Check it out below:

SHEAR, the Helsinki, Finland-based six-piece metal act featuring former/current members of AMORAL, OMNIUM GATHERUM, IMPERANON, ELENIUM and CRYSTAL BLAZE, will release its full-length debut, "Breaking The Stillness", via Lifeforce Records on the following dates:

March 13 - North America
March 23 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland
March 28 - Finland
March 26 - Rest Of Europe

A new SHEAR song, "Someone Else's Eyes", is available for streaming on the Lifeforce Records Facebook page ("like" required).

The fourth song on SHEAR's new CD, "Someone Else's Eyes" demonstrates the band's "recognizable sound . . . including the seamless interplay between the guitars, bass, and drums combined with the strong vocal melodies," according to a press release. "The song flows from a heavier verse to a memorable and atmospheric chorus."

Fan-filmed video footage of SHEAR performing two songs from the forthcoming album — "Wounded" and "No Way Out" — on January 19 in Helsinki can be seen below.

The current lineup of SHEAR was finalized in 2008. The members have, however, played together for many years. The guitarists Mikael Gronroos and Lauri Koskenniemi, and keyboardist Lari Sorvo have played together since 2001. Bass player Eerik Purdon joined the group in 2004, and the drummer Juhana Karlsson in 2007.

SHEAR last year made its entire four-song EP, "In Solitude", available for free download on the group's official web site. The CD was recorded in August-September 2009 at Arcada Studios by Mikael Grönroos and was mastered at Chartmakers studios.

SHEAR is:

* Alexa Leroux - Vocals
* Mikael Grönroos (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Guitar
* Lauri Koskenniemi (THE NIBIRUAN, ELENIUM, CRYSTAL BLAZE, ex-IMPERANON) - Guitar
* Eerik Purdon (THE NIBIRUAN, CRYSTAL BLAZE, ex-OMNIUM GATHERUM) - Bass
* Lari Sorvo (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Keyboards
* Juhana Karlsson (AMORAL, CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Drums

A trailer for "The Devil's Resolve", the sophomore full-length album from Finnish progressive death metallers BARREN EARTH, is available below.

"The Devil's Resolve" will be released in North America on March 13 via Peaceville Records. The effort will be made available on CD and vinyl, with artwork provided by notable U.S.-based artist Paul Romano (MASTODON).

Mixed by Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA) at Unisound in Sweden, "The Devil's Resolve" continues with all the trademarks one has come to associate with BARREN EARTH: brutal riffs, gloomy growls, majestic melodies, as well as acoustic and progressive passages. But this time the band has delved even deeper, taking this sophomore effort to the extremes through musical landscapes encompassing brutal death metal, doomy vocals, trippy 70's prog lunacy, pastoral passages and even bagpipes.

"The Devil's Resolve" track listing:

01. Passing Of The Crimson Shadows
02. The Rains Begin
03. Vintage Warlords
04. As It Is Written
05. The Dead Exiles
06. Oriental Pyre
07. White Field
08. Where All Stories End
09. Martyrs of Devotion (special edition)
10. World in Haze (special edition)

BARREN EARTH is:

Mikko Kotamäki (SWALLOW THE SUN) - Vocals
Olli-Pekka Laine (ex-AMORPHIS, MANNHAI) - Bass
Kasper Mårtenson (ex-AMORPHIS, BEN GRANFELT BAND) - Keyboards
Janne Perttilä (RYTMIHÄIRIÖ) - Guitar
Marko Tarvonen (MOONSORROW) - Drums
Sami Ylisirniö (KREATOR, WALTARI) - Guitar

Atlantic recording group HALESTORM has announced the release of its hugely anticipated new album. "The Strange Case Of…" arrives in stores and at all DSPs on April 10. The CD is heralded by the electrifying new single, "Love Bites (So Do I)", impacting now at rock radio outlets nationwide. The track — as well as three other highlights from "The Strange Case Of…" — is featured on HALESTORM's new EP, "Hello, It's Mz. Hyde", which is available today at all leading digital retailers.

Produced by Howard Benson (who previously collaborated with the Pennsylvania-based hard rock band on their self-titled 2009 debut), "The Strange Case Of…" was recently named among Revolver's "Most Anticipated Albums of the Year." "Led by one of our favorite rocker babes, singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale, (HALESTORM) promise a more personal album for their follow-up," the magazine noted. "But don't expect them to get all sappy on us. There should still be more than enough of the band's now signature raucous attitude and righteous riffs for any headbanger to get off."

Currently poised to embark on a European tour alongside Atlantic's own SHINEDOWN, HALESTORM will hit the road hard to support "The Strange Case Of…", beginning with a major U.S. trek alongside GODSMACK and fellow Atlantic recording group STAIND. The dates get underway April 13 at Augusta, Georgia's John Paul Jones Arena and then continue through mid-May.

Formed by frontwoman Lzzy Hale and her brother, drummer Arejay Hale, HALESTORM has been hailed far and wide as an incendiary new force in modern hard rock. "Halestorm" made a top 5 debut on SoundScan's "Hard Music" chart upon its 2009 release, simultaneously bursting into the top 40 on the comprehensive The Billboard 200. The album subsequently sold more than 300,000 copies, and half a million cumulative tracks. Produced by Howard Benson (DAUGHTRY, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, FLYLEAF), the album earned extensive acclaim for its infectious hard rock anthems, sexy hooks, and rough-and-tumble grooves.

"The Strange Case Of…" marks HALESTORM's first release since last year's "ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP", which saw the band putting their unique stamp on a diverse collection of classic songs, including tracks by GUNS N' ROSES, THE BEATLES, HEART, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, SKID ROW, and LADY GAGA. HALESTORM also unleashed their first-ever live CD/DVD, "Live In Philly 2010", featuring such favorites from the band's self-titled debut as "It's Not You", "Familiar Taste of Poison" and the rock radio smash "I Get Off".
True road warriors, HALESTORM made its bones as a major league hard rock outfit via countless North American gigs alongside such artists as SHINEDOWN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED. Last year saw the band traveling the country on the blockbuster "Avalanche Tour 2011", joining such hard rock luminaries as STONE SOUR, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, ART OF DYING, and fellow Atlantic recording group SKILLET.

"The Strange Case Of…" track listing:

01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Mz. Hyde
03. I Miss The Misery
04. Freak Like Me
05. Beautiful With You
06. In Your Room
07. Break In
08. Rock Show
09. Daughters Of Darkness
10. You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing
11. American Boys
12. Here's To Us

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

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

Black Jewel Case + DVD track listing:

CD

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

DVD

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

Length: approximately 40 min

LP track listing:

LP 1

Side 1

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

Side 2

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

LP 2

Side 1

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

Side 2

01. Dracula (7:29)

Box Set:

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

Swedish death metal veterans UNLEASHED have set "Odalheim" as the title of their 11th full-length album, due on April 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. According to the band, the CD "is the story about the future of Yggdrasil and those who survive Ragnarök. It is the story of the Midgard Warriors who carry on the Viking tradition into the new world Odalheim."

"Odalheim" was produced by UNLEASHED guitarist Fredrik Folkare at his Chrome Studios in Sweden.

UNLEASHED bassist/vocalist Johnny Hedlund previously stated about the CD: ""Anders [Schultz, drums] asked me if this might be the fastest UNLEASHED album to date. I'm not sure, but it's likely close anyhow."

UNLEASHED's most recent CD, "As Yggdrasil Trembles", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 85 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.

"As Yggdrasil Trembles" was released on April 6, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at guitarist Fredrik Folkare's Chrome studio, and is "the logical continuation from 'Midvinterblot' [2006] and 'Hammer Battalion' [2008]," according to the group. "Lyrically, you will recognize what has become the UNLEASHED trademark since more than 20 years, the combination of the past, present and future of viking struggle and way of life. A few of the songs also mark the beginning of a story never before told."

UNLEASHED's current lineup:

Johnny Hedlund: Bass, Vocals
Tomas Måsgard: Guitar
Fredrik Folkare: Guitar
Anders Schultz: Drums

SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan will make his acting debut in "The Devil's Carnival", the new project Darren Lynn Bousman is directing that is being seen as a companion piece of sorts to "Repo! The Genetic Opera".

Commented Crahan: "I am very honored to have been asked to be a part of this project.

"I play a character called The Tamer. And let me tell you, there is a little Tamer in all of us.

"It's always been a dream and a goal for me to try and act in something that is filmed besides music videos.

"I am very honored to have the opportunity to have worked with so many talented actors and people who are involved in making this production come to life."

In addition to Crahan, the "The Devil's Carnival" cast consists of "Repo! The Genetic Opera" co-creator Terrance Zdunich, as well as "Repo!" stars Alexa Vega, Ogre (from SKINNY PUPPY) and Paul Sorvino. Emilie Autumn and Sean Patrick Flanery have also joined previously announced Bill Moseley and Briana Evigan and Marc Senter.

CREED and ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti has set "All I Was" as the title of his debut solo album, tentatively due this spring.

Working songtitles set to appear on the CD:

* All I Was
* Brains
* So You're Afraid
* You Waste Your Time
* Decay
* New Way Out
* Leave It Alone
* Wish You Well
* Don't Claim
* Proof
* Gone
* All That I Got
* Giving Up
* Doesn't Matter

Tremonti handles all lead vocals on the CD, with additional contributions from Eric Friedman (backing vocals, guitar, bass) and Garrett Whitlock (drums)

Tremonti recently said that his upcoming solo album will be heavier than both CREED and ALTER BRIDGE — and contain even more lead guitar solos than he does with either group. Speaking with ARTISTdirect, Tremonti explained, "It's a dynamic record. It's probably heavier than either CREED or ALTER BRIDGE, but it's still melody-driven. Most of the stuff is more up-tempo and heavy-riffing though. I had to write eleven solos for this record so it took me a long time. There's lots of soloing."

Tremonti added that he has finished his parts for the album, and is now just doing some last minute fixes here and there. He hopes to mix the record in February and have it in stores in either March or April. The guitarist told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago about his tentative release plans for the project. "We're trying to do it different," he said. "We're trying to every month put out two songs with, you know, your ringtones, your T-shirts, with — I'm gonna do instructional DVDs and the other guys will do instructional stuff, tutorials on how to play the songs and whatnot. After six months we'll release the whole album, and if everybody downloads the songs along the way, they'll get a signed copy of the whole record. We'll do everything we can to make it appealing to people."

Tremonti probably won't get a chance to mount a solo tour as he and the rest of CREED are heading out on a spring trek in which the band will play its first two albums, 1997's "My Own Prison" and 1999's "Human Clay", in their entirety.

All the small-venue shows will also feature additional tunes from the quartet's four-album catalog.

CREED is also working on a new album for release in 2012, while ALTER BRIDGE is set to tour Australia in late February/early March.

Legendary Danish/American/Swedish heavy metal band KING DIAMOND will play only two shows in Europe this summer:

June 09 - Sweden Rock Festival – Sölvesborg, SWE
June 15 - Hellfest - Clisson, France

A video message from KING DIAMOND's 55-year-old frontman/namesake in which he announces his band's appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival can be seen below.

King Diamond (real name: Kim Bendix Petersen) underwent open-heart triple-bypass surgery in November 2010. He has since completed his cardiac rehabilitation program and has stopped smoking entirely, changed his diet and is getting regular exercise, according to his wife Livia Zita.

King Diamond made his long-anticipated return to the stage with his MERCYFUL FATE bandmates Hank Shermann, Timi Hansen and Michael Denner on December 7, 2011 at the second of four intimate shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of METALLICA's week-long celebration of its 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only.

KING DIAMOND received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the group's latest album, "Give Me Your Soul … Please".

"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 28. The CD also landed at No. 58 on the Danish chart (the second highest new entry on the chart behind VELVET REVOLVER).

"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 174 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Southern California's vaunted heavy metal "triple axe attack" LEATHERWOLF will have its January 28 headlining concert at the Ramona Mainstage in Ramona, California professionally filmed for an upcoming DVD.

Featuring original members Michael Olivieri (vocals, guitar), Carey Howe (guitar), and Dean Roberts (drums) along with bassist Patrick Guyton and new guitarist Rob Math, LEATHERWOLF is celebrating both its 30th band anniversary as well as the 25th anniversary of its highly acclaimed major label debut album for Island Records which spawned the MTV single "The Calling".

"We had originally planned to release the 'Live At The Galaxy' DVD but with Rob in the fold we've decided to re-shoot everything. Rob is a killer player who has brought a lot of new energy to the band and we wanted to capture the new and improved LEATHERWOLF for prosperity", states drummer Dean Roberts. "We've already talked to Roy Z (HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON) about mixing and should have everything completed in another couple of months in time for a tentative summer release."

LEATHERWOLF emerged in the early '80s as part of the burgeoning Orange County metal scene, playing shows with contemporaries such as METALLICA, SLAYER and STRYPER before signing with local indie label Tropical/Enigma for the release of their Randy Burns-produced (MEGADETH, KREATOR) eponymous debut in 1984. The band soon caught the attention of Island Records resulting in two further, highly acclaimed releases, "Leatherwolf" (1987) and "Street Ready" (1989). After a lenghty hiatus, LEATHERWOLF re-grouped for a number of shows and issued the "Wide Open" live album in 1999. A new studio album, "World Asylum", followed in 2006, reissued in 2008 as "New World Asylum" with returning frontman Michael Oliveri re-cutting all lead vocals.

Video footage of guitarist Vivian Campbell performing DEF LEPPARD's "Rock Of Ages" and DIO's "Rainbow In The Dark" with STEEL PANTHER on January 21 at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, California can be seen below.

STEEL PANTHER last month completed a short U.K. tour with MÖTLEY CRÜE and DEF LEPPARD.

STEEL PANTHER's sophomore album, "Balls Out", sold nearly 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 40 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on November 1 via Universal Republic Records, the follow-up to 2009's "Feel The Steel" contains 14 soon-to-be classics such as "Just Like Tiger Woods", "Gold Digging Whore" and "Weenie Ride". The album also features cameos by Dane Cook on the album opener "In The Future" and NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger and EXTREME axeman Nuno Bettencourt show up on an instant classic "It Won't Suck Itself". "Balls Out" was produced by Grammy-nominated producer/mixer Jay Ruston who produced the band's "Feel The Steel" debut and is known for his work with ANTHRAX, MEAT LOAF, THE DONNAS and MORRISSEY, to name a few.

STEEL PANTHER is Michael Starr (vocals), Satchel (guitar), Lexxi Foxx (bass) and Stix Zadinia (drums).

EYEHATEGOD frontman Mike Williams, who resides on Philip Anselmo's (DOWN, PANTERA, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ARSON ANTHEM) 17-acre property in rural south Louisiana, revealed in a tweet yesterday (Thursday, January 19) that Anselmo is currently rehearsing with his solo project. Williams wrote, "Listening to some guy Phil Anselmo's new solo band practice 20 feet from my bedroom and all I can say is you folks are in for a real treat!!"

In a 2010 interview with Hellbound.ca, Anselmo stated about his upcoming solo album, "I'd been demoing, I guess about a year with this one kid on drums, just a local guy, a session guy. So I had, the basic skeletons for these songs sort of in place. You know, not married to one particular part or another. Then I did a whole lot of fine-tuning and I found a drummer that I wanted to jam with: the kid from WARBEAST (Joe Gonzalez), an excellent drummer, a great, great, great drummer. He does play thrash metal in WARBEAST but that doesn't limit him from all spectrums of heavy metal. He's very flexible and diverse, so it's awesome. I get the best of both hands and feet, if you will, out of a drummer. . . I'd say [I will play] about 99% [of the guitar parts on the album], for sure. I might have a couple of guys do some leads. I'm nothing great at leads, I'm kind of creative with themes but as a lead guitar player I'm pretty God-awful! Depending on the music, you know, I'm thinking this particular project might call for someone with a little more lead guitar talent."

He added, "You know, the supergroup thing has been beaten to death in the ground. I didn't want to just assemble this band, another band again, ala SUPERJOINT, ala DOWN, ala something I've done before. So, [this is a] total solo record. I wish I could play drums, though, I tell you that! But this kid is fucking insanely good, I would never aspire to be as good as this kid. He's fucking pretty incredible."

In a separate interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Anselmo said about the musical direction of his solo project, "Well, it's vicious. I have been in so many different side projects, I like to say that not all of them sound alike. With that being said, there is no way I would want to rehash anything traditional, so to speak. I'm gonna touch on tradition, ya know. Tradition is distorted guitar, drums, bass. But yes, I have been writing new stuff. Yes, it is super motherfuckin' aggressive." He added, "I know heavy music. I see where heavy music is. I want to take heavy music like a ball of clay and reshape it, if you catch me. Reshape it differently than it has been shaped before. That is where I am at right now."

Anselmo recently spent time at his barn studio, Nodferatu's Lair, laying down vocals on the six songs that will make up DOWN's new EP, due later in the year. The studio's name is a play on classic horror film vampire Nosferatu, altered to reflect certain musicians' tendency to nod off.

Brazilian gothic metallers ...IN DEVILTRY, featuring founding THEATRE OF TRAGEDY guitarist Tommy Lindal, have checked in with the following update:

"The holidays are over and now 2012 is at our feet. The past year was filled with hard work both inside and around the band. ...in Deviltry is still searching for a second guitar and a permanent keyboarder. Even so, during 2011 they released two new brilliant tracks, 'Even Kings Must Crawl At Feet Of Death', and a short version of 'Where The Grass Of Calm Grows'.

The wait for the first material from ...in Deviltry has been long, as people had big expectations about the band. But we think that everybody can now agree on that it was totally worth waiting for. The feedback has been enormous and very positive both from press and most importantly, the fans. We are all asking for more.

At the current time, the band is concentrating on writing new material, so will the debut and live shows follow in 2012? We are waiting anxiously like never before."

Musicians interested in auditioning for the band should contact them via Facebook here.

"The New Blood", the new video from the Los Angeles hardcore/metal band TERROR, can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's fifth album, "Keepers Of The Faith", sold around 2,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. 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.

TERROR's North American tour with EVERY TIME I DIE, STRAY FROM THE PATH and FORMER THIEVES will kick off next month.

"Keepers Of The Faith" was released on August 30, 2010 in Europe and September 14, 2010 in North America via Century Media Records. Doom Patrol issued the album in Japan on September 1, 2010. The CD contained 13 new tracks produced by Chad Gilbert of NEW FOUND GLORY at Buzzbomb Studios in Orange County, California. It was engineered by Paul Miner (DEATH BY STEREO, ADAMANTIUM) and mixed by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED).

On November 1, TERROR released the "Defining The Faith" DVD as part of the special deluxe reissue of the group's latest CD, "Keepers Of The Faith". Produced, edited, and authored by Carlo Oppermann and Ambitious.Films, "Defining The Faith" features a full live set that is composed of three different TERROR shows in three distinct settings: a small club, a big hall, and a massive European festival. These live performances were filmed at the following concerts: Mach1 festival in Montabaur (June 24), Cafe Central in Weinheim (June 28), and Essigfabrik in Köln (June 29). "Defining The Faith" also features a European tour documentary with band interviews, backstage footage, and more-plus, four music videos taken from the band's "Keepers Of The Faith" album: "Stick Tight", "Keepers Of The Faith", "Return To Strength", and "You're Caught". And as yet another additional bonus, the making-of footage for the band's latest music video, "You're Caught", is also be included in the DVD.

TERROR is tentatively scheduled to enter the studio in May 2012 to begin recording its next album for a late 2012 release.

"When Steel And Bone Meet", a new song from New Orleans, Louisiana's sons of American no-frills-black-metal-meets-death-'n'-roll GOATWHORE, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's new studio album, "Blood For The Master", which will be released in North America on February 14 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was once again recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer with Erik Rutan.

"Blood for the Master" track listing:

01. Collapse In Eternal Worth
02. When Steel And Bone Meet
03. Parasitic Scriptures Of The Sacred Word
04. In Deathless Tradition
05. Judgement Of The Bleeding Crown
06. Embodiment Of This Bitter Chaos
07. Beyond The Spell Of Discontent
08. Death To The Architects Of Heaven
09. An End To Nothing
10. My Name Is Frightful Among The Believers

"Blood For The Master" will be available on CD, vinyl, and digitally. Fans of vinyl should note that there will be three different versions of the LP; red with black splatter, half red/half black, and standard black. Also available will be a limited amount of special pre-order bundles containing merch items exclusive to these bundles.

In a recent interview with Decibel magazine, GOATWHORE guitarist Sammy Duet stated that the band's forthcoming CD will feature "the same exact [guitar] sound I used on 'Carving Out The Eyes Of God'. We're just trying to improve on that sound — make it bigger and fatter. That 'Carving' guitar sound was fucking incredible, and that's why me and Rutan spent half the week trying to get it to sound even better, which I believe we achieved. It's gonna have that growly, sub-nuclear kind of sound, but I think it's gonna be almost more refined in a way — but still very nasty."

He added, "The drums are a lot more natural-sounding. A lot of producers today, I don't know; they make the drums sound fake. They sound good, but almost too good. We're just trying to make it sound real and not like a drum machine.

"There's the same amount of solos on 'Carving'; maybe a few more. But there's gonna be a lot of other… I wouldn't exactly call them guitar solos that are gonna be going on underneath the music, but there's gonna be certain things there that will be very different. There's definitely some shit I've never really done before ever that I've just been experimenting with. You have to hear it. It's hard to explain. It's like a solo and not a solo."

"I think a lot of people are expecting us to repeat ourselves, but it's not gonna be like that. We could have easily gone and written 'Carving Out The Eyes Of God Part II' because that album is such a natural feeling for us musically. But we didn't want to do that."

The first single off the album, "Collapse In Eternal Worth", along with "In the Studio" video footage, is now available at MetalBlade.com/Goatwhore. Fans can stream or download the single as well as check out the lyric video for the track that incorporates the artwork from both the CD and vinyl versions of the release, each which features different artwork.

"When Steel And Bone Meet" audio stream: