Drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB), bassist Billy Sheehan (STEVE VAI, DAVID LEE ROTH), guitarist Tony MacAlpine (neo classical-metal style, STEVE VAI) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, PLANET X, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) headlined SABIAN Live on Friday January 20 at the Sheraton Park Hotel (next to the Hilton) in Anaheim, California as part of the the 2012 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show. Video footage of their performance can be seen below. Also appearing at the event were Virgil Donati with Allan Holdsworth, Jimmy Haslip and Dennis Hamm; Tony Royster Jr. and friends; with special guest appearances by Orestes Vilato and Sandy Perez.

Portnoy, Sheehan, MacAlpine and Sherinian previously performed together on January 14 at the twenty-third annual Guitar Center's Drum-Off, the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered drummer, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California.

Three-camera video footage of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans DEATH ANGEL performing the song "I Chose The Sky" on January 20 at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, California can be viewed below (courtesy of Capital Chaos).

DEATH ANGEL will release a DVD entitled "A Thrashumentary" in the spring. According to a press release, "A Thrashumentary" is a combination live video and documentary, all wrapped up in one thrashing DVD. The footage was directed by Tommy Jones (SOILWORK, KATAKLYSM) and mixed by Chris Clancy of The Studio. The film gives the viewer an in-depth look into one of the longest-running thrash acts out of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region known for turning out historic thrash bands such as METALLICA, TESTAMENT and EXODUS.

"Relentless Retribution", the latest album from DEATH ANGEL, sold 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 10 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The band's previous album, "Killing Season", opened with around 2,300 units back in March 2008. This number was in line with the performance of its predecessor, "The Art of Dying", which registered a first-week sales tally of around 2,100 back in May 2004.

AEROSMITH's Joe Perry and Steven Tyler were joined by Tyler's "American Idol" co-judge Randy Jackson for a performance of the AEROSMITH classic "Chip Away The Stone" on the January 20 episode of NBC-TV's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno". You can now watch video footage of their appearance below.

As previously reported, Tyler and Carrie Underwood are teaming up for a special "CMT Crossroads", which will air live the night before the Super Bowl. "CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood Live From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam" will air on February 4 at 11 p.m. ET.

Carrie and the AEROSMITH frontman and "American Idol" judge teamed for the first time during last year's Academy Of Country Music Awards, where they weaved together a performance of "Undo It" and "Walk This Way".

"CMT Crossroads" will take place in front of an invitation-only audience at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis.

This is the second year "CMT Crossroads" will broadcast from the Super Bowl Fan Jam. The first took place with Faith Hill and THE PRETENDERS.

Steven Tyler sang the US national anthem during the AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens yesterday (January 22nd). Tyler appeared with his trademark scarf - this one with the Patriots logo in red, white and blue sequins - as he sang 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.

New Jersey thrash metal veterans OVERKILL will release their new album, "The Electric Age", in North America on March 27 via eOne Music. The CD will be made available in Europe on March 30 through Nuclear Blast Records.

"The Electric Age" was recorded and mixed at Gain Studios in New Jersey, owned and operated by OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni.

OVERKILL will embark on the "Killfest 2" headlining tour in April/May. Support on the trek will come from BELPHEGOR, ABORTED, BLACKGUARD, SYSTEM DIVIDE and DIAMOND PLATE.

OVERKILL's latest CD, "Ironbound", sold 4,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 192 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort landed at No. 4 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.

OVERKILL's previous album, "Immortalis", opened with 2,800 units back in October 2007.

"Ironbound" was released on February 9, 2010 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The CD, which was issued in Europe on January 29, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records, was mixed by PAIN/HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren and is described in a press release as "a true thrasher-piece."

OVERKILL is Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (vocals), D.D. Verni (bass, backing vocals), Derek "The Skull" Tailer (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Dave Linsk (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Ron Lipnicki (drums).

A trailer for "Fire & Damnation", the first album in 24 years from German thrash metal veterans EXUMER, can be seen below. Due in April via Metal Blade Records, the 10-track CD, which was recorded with renowned producer Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., THERION, SODOM, MOONSPELL), "combines a punishing production with aggressive songwriting," according to a press release. "EXUMER manages to capture the intensity and feel of the 1980s thrash metal gems and yet sound up to date on their latest output."

Comments singer Mem V. Stein: "We are extremely happy and proud to have found a home with Metal Blade Records, a label that has the 'know-how,' integrity and appreciation for what EXUMER is about and stands for.

"We tried to do everything 'right,' with this album, from writing the new material to working with Waldemar Sorychta as our producer. Hence, Metal Blade Records as a label is the most logical choice for the band, in order to be represented globally and reach every fan that is interested in what EXUMER has to offer in 2012, and beyond."

EXUMER is:

Mem V. Stein - Vocals
Ray Mensh - Guitar
T. Schiavo - Bass
H.K. - Guitar
Matthias Kassner - Drums

Formed in 1985 by Mem V. Stein and guitarist Ray Mensh, EXUMER went on to release two albums (1986's "Possessed By Fire" and 1987's "Rising From The Sea") that are regarded as some of the most cult thrash metal releases ever to come out of Germany. EXUMER was also one of the first thrash metal acts to capture exotic, foreign markets like Poland and Brazil, where their albums were domestically released in the 1980s. The subsequent tours that followed those releases secured the band live shows in front of thousands of fans and an unusually large following outside of Germany.

Plagued by lineup changes and internal turmoil, the band broke up in 1990, and did not perform live, with the exception of 2001 appearance at the prestigious Wacken Open Air festival, until 2009.

Mem and Ray decided to re-activate EXUMER in 2008, and the band embarked on their first tour since 1988. The "5 Nights of Fire Tour", took the band through Europe (Germany, Holland, Greece), and the USA, where they headlined the "Thrasho de Mayo Festival" in front of 1,300 fans in Los Angeles.

EXUMER returned to Europe in spring and the fall of 2010, where the band appeared at Norway's Inferno Festival, among other stops in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Poland and Bulgaria during the "European Ignition Tour Part I & II".

"Fire Make Thunder" marks the fourth undertaking for the collaborative duo known as OSI. The CD is slated for a March 27 release via Metal Blade Records.

Formed in 2002 by Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING, ARCH/MATHEOS) and Kevin Moore (CHROMA KEY, former DREAM THEATER keyboardist), OSI is a long-distance partnership, both musicians typically writing and recording alone and sending song ideas back and forth for further elaboration.

Written and recorded throughout most of 2011, this latest release once again reflects the eclectic influences of both Matheos and Moore.

Returning as OSI's session drummer is Gavin Harrison of PORCUPINE TREE, this time co-writing one of the tracks with the band. All other instruments and programming were performed by both Matheos and Moore, while vocals and lyrics were handled exclusively by Moore.

All of the recording for "Fire Make Thunder", with the exception of drums, was done by Moore and Matheos at each musician's respective home studio with drums being recorded at Harrison's home in London. Final overdubs as well as some additional writing/arranging was completed in July 2011 in Jamaica, Iowa, where the band mixed alongside engineer Matt Sepanic at Sound Farm Studio & Recording Environment. Mastering was handled by renowned engineer Roger Siebel. The record was produced by both Moore and Matheos.

"Fire Make Thunder" track listing:

01. Cold Call
02. Guards
03. Indian Curse
04. Enemy Prayer
05. Wind Won't Howl
06. Big Chief II
07. For Nothing
08. Invisible Men

An audio medley of tracks from "Fire Make Thunder" is available in the YouTube clip below.

Massachusetts-based hardcore/metal band CONVERGE will enter guitarist Kurt Ballou's Godcity studios in Salem, Massachusetts today (Monday, January 23) to begin recording its new album, tentatively titled "All We Love We Leave Behind", for a late spring/early summer release via Epitaph.

CONVERGE's latest CD, "Axe To Fall", sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 163 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort was released on October 20, 2009 through Epitaph Records.

Produced by guitarist Kurt Ballou at Godcity, "Axe To Fall" featured guest appearances from Steve Brodsky (CAVE IN), Adam McGrath (CAVE IN), J.R. Connors (CAVE IN, DOOMRIDERS), Uffe Cederlund (DISFEAR, ex-ENTOMBED), John Pettibone (THE VOWS, HIMSA), Steve Von Till (NEUROSIS) and Mookie Singerman (GENGHIS TRON).

Drummer Danny Schuler of New York hardcore/metal veterans BIOHAZARD has left the band's current European tour in order to be at home with his wife and family for the birth of their baby. Danny Lamagna of SWORN ENEMY will sit behind the kit for BIOHAZARD at all upcoming shows until Danny returns.

Remaining dates on the Persistence Tour 2012 — which also includes SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, TERROR, WALLS OF JERICHO, LIONHEART and CRUSHING CASPARS — are as follows:

Jan. 23 - Berlin, Germany - Astra
Jan. 24 - Munchen, Germany - Werk
Jan. 25 - Wien, Austria - Gasometer
Jan. 26 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn
Jan. 27 - Saarbrucken, Germany - Garage
Jan. 28 - Dresden, Germany - Eventwerk
Jan. 29 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13
Jan. 30 - Paris, France – Bataclan

BIOHAZARD's new album, "Reborn In Defiance", was released in Europe on Friday (January 20) via Nuclear Blast Records.

Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.

Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.

The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.

BIOHAZARD bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld left the band in June 2011 after the band's new CD was completed and was replaced by Roberts, who played on the band's 2005 "Means To An End" album and has been part of the BIOHAZARD extended family since.

Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD kicked off their short East Coast tour last night (Sunday, January 22) at The National in their hometown. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

In a recent interview with The Aquarian Weekly, LAMB OF GOD bassist John Campbell stated about whether he and his bandmates still feel competitive as performers, "Yeah, from every moment that we're onstage that's kind of part of the character that we take on when we becoming LAMB OF GOD up onstage. DETHKLOK kind of mocks the idea, but when you're onstage, you're the fucking baddest band in the world. And if you're not, what the fuck are you doing onstage? For us, we've worked really hard writing songs that we feel are great songs, that we can perform and blow people away with. And we've made a career of doing that."

LAMB OF GOD's new album, "Resolution" will be released in North America on January 24 via Epic Records (one day earlier internationally through Roadrunner Records). The CD was recorded at various studios in Virginia and New York with producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band's last effort, 2009's "Wrath".

"Resolution" features 14 songs and will come in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.

In other news, LAMB OF GOD has scheduled the following European tour dates:

May 26 - Palace Grounds - Bangalore, India
May 28 - Fuzz Club - Athens, Greece
May 30 - Hangar 11 - Tel-Aviv, Israel
Jun. 01 - Rock Am Ring - Rock Am Park, Germany
Jun. 02 - Forta Rock - Holland
Jun. 05 - Studio - Krakow, Poland
Jun. 06 - Majestic - Bratislava, Slovakia
Jun. 07 - Backstage Werk - Munich, Germany
Jun. 08 - Nova Rock - Austria
Jun. 10 - Download Festival - UK
Jun. 12 - Mandela Hall - Belfast, Ireland
Jun. 13 - Academy - Dublin, Ireland
Jun. 15 - Metaltown - Sweden
Jun. 16 - Copenhell, Denmark
Jun. 17 - Hellfest - France
Jun. 19 - Riviera - Madrid, Spain
Jun. 20 - Razzmatazz 2 - Barcelona, Spain
Jun. 22 - Graspop - Belgium
Jun. 23 - Ear Shaker Days - Switzerland
Jun. 24 - Gods Of Metal - Italy
Jun. 26 - Boogaloo - Zagreb, Croatia
Jun. 27 - Kino Siska - Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jun. 28 - Rock Cafe - Prague, Czech Republic
Jun. 29 - With Full Force - Germany
Jul. 01 - Tuska – Finland

A four-and-a-half-minute trailer for "Steel", the debut album from Finnish female-fronted metallers BATTLE BEAST, can be seen below.

"Steel" — which was originally released in Finland last year via Hype Records — will be made available internationally on January 27 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Formed in 2008, BATTLE BEAST won the Wacken Open Air Metal Battle contest in Finland last year, enabling the band to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany and represent its home country in the international Metal Battle finals. The group beat out 26 other acts from all around the world, which led to a record deal with the world's biggest independent heavy metal label.

Commented Andy Siry, head of A&R at Nuclear Blast: "Young, dynamic but still deeply rooted in traditional heavy metal, BATTLE BEAST breathe new life into the scene and rekindle the sound of the '80s with a fulgent livery. The well-deserved victory at the Wacken Open Air Metal Battle 2010 was the first important step to which we want to live up by supporting these up-and-coming talents energetically. We're looking forward to the cooperation!"

Added BATTLE BEAST guitarist Anton: "We feel honoured that Nuclear Blast show their interest in BATTLE BEAST by releasing 'Steel'. Many thanks to our partners, closest people and most of all to our fans who believed in us and gave us their support. The journey continues!"

"Steel" track listing:

01. Enter The Metal World
02. Armageddon Clan
03. The Band Of The Hawk
04. Justice And Metal
05. Steel
06. Die-Hard Warrior
07. Cyberspace
08. Show Me How To Die
09. Savage And Saint
10. Iron Hand
11. Victory
12. Stay Black (bonus track)

BATTLE BEAST is:

Nitte Valo (vocals)
Anton Kabanen (guitar, vocals)
Pyry Vikki (drums)
Juuso Soinio (guitar)
Eero Sipilä (bass, vocals)
Janne Björkroth (keyboards, vocals)

BATTLE BEAST will support NIGHTWISH on a European tour beginning on April 11, 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The first teaser for the forthcoming seventh album from Norway's TRAIL OF TEARS is available below.

TRAIL OF TEARS in September finished recording its as-yet-untitled new CD at Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes. The band is currently seeking a suitable record label to release the effort.

Commented the band: "Cathrine [Paulsen] came through the extreme schedule with flying colours, putting the finishing vocals on the end result and delivered a performance for the history books!

"We believe that we have created something extraordinary and can't wait to share it with you all. Never before has a recording process involved so much blood, sweat and tears!"

TRAIL OF TEARS in 2010 parted ways with guitarist Pål Olsen and opted to carry on as a five-piece.

TRAIL OF TEARS's sixth album, "Bloodstained Endurance", was recorded and mixed over a six-week period at Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes. Mastering duties were handled by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Finland. The cover artwork for the album was designed by acclaimed artist Travis Smith (AMORPHIS, OPETH, NEVERMORE).

In 2007, TRAIL OF TEARS was rejoined by vocalist Cathrine Paulsen, who sang on the group's 2002 album, "A New Dimension of Might".

Belgian black metallers ENTHRONED will release their new album, "Obsidium", on March 20 in Europe and on April 10 in North America via Agonia Records.

The cover artwork, which was created by Olve J. W.l., can be seen below.

As previously reported, ENTHRONED's touring guitarist Tzelmoth has quit playing and performing in order to focus on his private life.

ENTHRONED released its eighth album, "Pentagrammaton", on March 22, 2010 via Regain Records.

ENTHRONED in 2010 parted ways with Nguaroth (guitar) and Ahephaim (drums) and replaced them with Neraath and Garghuf (ex-GORGOROTH), respectively.

ENTHRONED is:

Nornagest - Vocals, Guitar
Neraath - Guitar, Effects
Phorgath - Bass, Vocals
Garghuf - Drums
Noens - Live Guitar

METALLICA have issued the following tour update:

"Two announcements today! We'll be kicking off our European trek this year by starting in Prague, Czech Republic on May 7th at Synot Tip Arena, followed the very next day by a visit to Belgrade, Serbia at Usce Park on May 8th. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Black Album is on the agenda (of course!) in keeping with the theme of the summer, and these will be the first two performances of it in its entirety.

Tickets for both shows go on sale this Friday, January 27th. The sale in Prague begins at 9:00 AM, Belgrade at 10:00 AM. Met Club members should log in for details about their special pre-sale in Prague. The Prague pre-sale begins on January 24th at 8:00 AM local time and will end on January 25th at 7:00 PM local time.

You know the drill... keep watching here as we should have a few more additions later this week."

According to the Birmingham Mail, a Birmingham music craftsman is hoping to give cancer-stricken rock legend Tony Iommi a boost – with some guitar therapy.

John Diggins has just delivered a cherry red SG guitar to the Handsworth-born founder of BLACK SABBATH.

And he’s now working on another, which will be ready for Tony – who is battling lymphoma – in two months.

Both are replicas of Tony’s famous ‘Monkey’ SG, crafted by John in 1975. Now in mothballs, the guitar is one of the most famous in the world.

John – head of Jaydee Custom Guitars, a family business he runs with sons Mike and Andy – told the Mail Iommi wants a collection of the instruments, all given a ‘fatigued’ finish so they look old.

He said: “The guitars keep him occupied, which I think is important. He told me he wants a wall covered with them.”

The 67-year-old refused to comment on costs, but admitted it ran into thousands.

Read more at the Birmingham Mail.

Swedish melodic death metallers AMON AMARTH will celebrate their 20th anniversary with five special shows which will take place this August in Germany, Poland and Holland. The band states, "We will perform two whole sets containing songs from our entire career and we will also arrange a meet-and-greet on all shows."

"An Evening With – 20th Anniversary Shows" will include the following dates in Germany:

Aug. 05 – Chemnitz, GER - Südbahnhof
Aug. 14 - Saarbrücken, GER - Garage
Aug. 17 - Hamburg, GER - Markthalle

AMON AMARTH's eighth studio album, "Surtur Rising", sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Twilight of the Thunder God", opened with more than 11,000 copies back in 2008 to land at No. 48.

Named in tribute to Surtur, leader of the fire giants of Muspelheim ("flame land") and the oldest being in the nine worlds of Norse mythology, "Surtur Rising", which came out in North America on March 29, 2011 via Metal Blade Records, features 10 tracks of sword-wielding, fist-pumping, hyper climactic battle anthems. The album was once again recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren and features strikingly brutal cover art by Tom Thiel.

Swedish metallers AVATAR have posted a six-minute clip containing behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for the band's new album, "Black Waltz", and making of the "Black Waltz" video, which was directed by Johan Carlén and shot in Sweden's largest amusement park.

AVATAR recently inked a North American deal with eOne Music. The band's fourth full-length album, "Black Waltz", which will include songs from a limited-edition EP that was released in Sweden at the end of October 2011, will be made available in the U.S. on February 14.

AVATAR's "Black Waltz" video can be seen below. The clip features an appearance by the world-famous American circus sideshow Hellzapoppin.

The limited-edition "Black Waltz" EP included the tracks "Torn Apart", "One Touch" and "Black Waltz", all of which will also appear on AVATAR's upcoming album, produced by Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTASCH, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR).

AVATAR's third, self-titled album was released in 2010.

AVATAR is:

Johannes Eckerström - Vocals
John Alfredsson - Drums
Jonas Jarlsby - Guitars
Simon Andersson - Guitars
Henrik Sandelin - Bass

Making of "Black Waltz":

Video footage of HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger performing an acoustic cover version of the HEART classic "All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You" at the Gibson booth at the 2012 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show — a massive music-products convention which took place January 19-22 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California — can be seen below.

HALESTORM is currently prepping its second album for release, but singer and guitarist Lzzy Hale says she'd love to do a sequel to the band's covers EP released last year, titled "ReAnimate". Asked by Loudwire about doing a follow-up, Hale replied, "Absolutely . . . It's fun for us and you have no idea how much you learn as a musician and as a singer and songwriter by learning somebody else's material and having to own it and make it your own; it's really like homework. You come out on the other side better for some reason, as a better musician so we definitely want to do it again."

Hale gave The Pulse Of Radio a few other reasons why so many bands enjoy playing cover songs. "It's a reminiscent thing of when you're trying to make it and coming up in the club scene and also maybe it's kind of nostalgic, like when you're first learning how to play guitar, some of the songs that you used to jam to with your bandmates, and it's really cool," she said.

HALESTORM's "ReAnimate" EP featured covers of songs by SKID ROW, GUNS N' ROSES, LADY GAGA and THE BEATLES. Hale told Loudwire that the band had 50 songs it could have covered for the six-song EP.

The singer added, "The EPs are little one night stands, they're fun and you just put it out there and you see what happens and nobody really cares. (laughs) 'You wanna do a WHAM song, sure let's do it,' so you'll definitely see more of that coming from us."

German upstarts EDGUY will be the special guest of legendary DEEP PURPLE on their German tour which commences in November. Dates include:

November
15 - Köln, Germany - Lanxess Arena
16 - Bremen, Germany - Halle 7
17 - Hannover, Germany - Awd Hall
20 - Kiel, Germany - Sparkassen Arena
22 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle
23 - Oberhausen, Germany - KÖNigspilsner Arena
24 - Hamburg, Germany - O2 World
26 - Leipzig, Germany - Arena
27 - Berlin, Germany - O2 World
29 - Augsburg, Germany - Schwabenhalle
30 - MÜNchen, Germany - Olympiahalle

December
12. Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle

According to The Pulse Of Radio, CHEVELLE frontman Pete Loeffler said in an interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com that the rampant illegal file-sharing which has contributed to the decline of the traditional music business has had its positive side. Loeffler explained, "I guess I don't like the fact that it is in our human nature to steal things like music, and I wish we could change that. But one good thing that has happened is that there was a change that needed to be made as artists have always been taken advantage of . . . where now if you can, you can start on your own and do it on your own and that is a good thing for artists. And that's one of good things to come out of the whole file sharing thing."

Although it is not the sole cause, illegal downloading has contributed to the slow death of CD sales. Very few records sell one million copies, a number that was commonplace as little as 10 years ago.

Drummer Sam Loeffler told The Pulse Of Radio that he thinks fans still love to listen to music even if they don't buy CDs like they used to. "I think the passion and excitement is still there, without a doubt, and music's one of those things that — only poets read poetry, but everyone listens to music, you don't have to be a musician," he said. "And that excitement, it will always be there, I think."

CHEVELLE's latest album, "Hats Off To The Bull", has sold 99,000 copies since coming out in December and sits at No. 72 on the Billboard album chart. The first single, "Face To The Floor", is No. 1 on Active Rock radio.

The band recently announced the dates and venues for a new headlining U.S. tour that will kick off on February 24 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and wrap up a little over three weeks later on March 16 in Oklahoma City.

French drone/sludge collective MONARCH have confirmed the details of their recently completed sixth album, Omens - the band's first release for Maryland-based At A Loss Recordings - now confirmed for public consumption on February 28th.

A thirty-four minute down-tempo/down-tuned ethereal funeral dirge comprised of three tracks, Omens perfectly personifies what fans have come to embrace about Monarch since their 2005 inception, their caustic, crushing style of slow-motion apocalyptic doom coming alive with haunting moans and layered, ghostly shrieks throughout Omens' entirety. The record features artwork by Yann Black and Valérie Poulin and will be released as a six-panel digipak CD in an initial pressing of 1,000 copies.

Monarch recorded Omens over a four month period in four different countries with four different producers - Osaka, Japan by Hironori Ochi at Kakurega, Melbourne, Australia by Neil Thomason at Head Gap, Montreal, Canada by Matt Cartman at Crane Studio, and Chicago, IL by Sanford Parker at Engine Studios - then mixed by Sanford Parker and mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room.

The album features newest member Rob Shaffer (DARK CASTLE, YOB) along with guitarist Shiran Kaïdine (YEAR OF NO LIGHT), bassist MicHell Bidegain, and as always the ethereal, penetrating vocals of Emilie Bresson. The record also includes guest appearances by Atsuchi Sano (BIRUSHANAH), Yailen Munoz (ENSSORCELOR), Eric Quach (THISQUIETARMY), Jeanne Peluard (THE SPARTEENS) and Robert MacManus (ex-GREY DATURAS, ex-Monarch).

A brand new teaser clip for Omens has been constructed to give fans a glimpse of what to expect from the album. Check it out below:

Omens tracklisting:

'Blood Seeress'
'Transylvanian Incantations'
'Black Becomes The Sun'

Continuing their tradition of constantly touring worldwide, Monarch have already confirmed several appearances throughout regions of Europe for February and March, with upcoming tours of Europe, Japan, and North America in the works as well.

German a cappella metal act VAN CANTO vocalist Stefan Schmidt and drummer Bastian Emig played in the German band JESTER'S FUNERAL from 1996 - 2006. Their four album catalogue in now available for free download, although fans are welcome to pay what they want. Go to this location to check out the material and to dowbload. Click here for a career overview.

Van Canto recently issued the following update:

"Our winter tour is over. Thanks to all fans coming to our concerts, we had more than 3500 visitors at 6 shows!

We are very proud of what we have created since 2006 and we are happy that we are allowed to enjoy all these unbelievable moments. We have never expected such a huge response to our music. At the last show in Düsseldorf we played in front of 1000 people, some of them from Sweden, Norway, Holland and Poland. That’s awesome! Thank you Van Cantians!

Special thanks to our special guests from ORDAN OGEN and IN LEGEND and of course thanks to the crew for making the days thrilling and relaxed at the same time.

We will now take a live break, but we’ll be back soon with news from the Van Canto universe. Rakkatakka!"

Vocalist SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA has checked in with the following update:

"On Sunday (January 22nd) our drummer Damjan Stefanovic will enter Legacy London Studio's to record his drums on three new songs for a digital release called Malediction. These three tracks will be released prior to our May UK tour, to help promote our shows but to also further promote our last album The Corruption Of Mercy, which was released June 2011 on Listenable Records. We plan of having a special guest on one of the songs which could in turn, end up being our second music video IF our bass player successfully sells one of his limbs to fund it ;)

Tour dates will follow soon, so stay tuned!

Oh, and remember, our lovely guitarist Dan Abela is playing his first ever gig with VOICES (featuring members of AKERCOCKE) on February 18th at The Intrepid Fox in London. Its also their first ever gig, so add them and show some support."

Video footage of British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH performing a new song, "Quarantined", on December 13, 2011 in Sheffield, England can be seen below. The track comes off the band's 14th studio album (excluding the cover album "Leaders Not Followers"), "Utilitarian", which is scheduled for release on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.

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

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

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

NAPALM DEATH last year contributed a brand new track called "Legacy Was Yesterday" to Decibel magazine's monthly flexi disc series. The song — the band's first new material since 2009's "Time Waits for No Slave" LP — was recorded at Rapture Audio with James Walford and mastered by Russ Russell.

"Time Waits For No Slave" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95. The CD, which was released in the U.S. in February 2009 via Century Media Records, was recorded with producer Russ Russell. Drums were tracked at Parlour Studios in Kettering and guitars, bass and vocals were done at Foel Studios in Wales. The band then returned to Parlour for the mixing sessions.

CHICKENFOOT's January 19, 2012 concert at Mitsubishi Electric Halle in Düsseldorf, Germany was professionally filmed by WDR's (German public TV) series "Rockpalast" and will be premiered on February 27.

A sample clip of CHICKENFOOT's performance is available at this location.

An interview with the entire band can be seen by clicking here.

CHICKENFOOT's sophomore album, "III", sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled debut opened with 49,000 units back in June 2009 to debut at No. 6.

"III" was produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA) and is the much-anticipated follow-up album to the successful eponymous debut of a rock band packed with successful veterans.

Featuring guitar hero Joe Satriani and former VAN HALEN members Michael Anthony (bass) and Sammy Hagar (vocals), CHICKENFOOT's touring lineup includes legendary drummer/musician Kenny Aronoff, who is filling in for Chad Smith while Smith hits the road with his main band, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.

Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN) and Chris Slade (ex-AC/DC) took part in the "Living Legends Jam" on January 20 on the main lobby stage at at the 2012 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, a massive music-products convention that is taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. You can now watch video footage of the jam in two parts below.

The following artists were scheduled to take part in the "Living Legends Jam":

* Bob Berryhill (THE SAFARIS)
* Dennis Tufano (THE BUCKINGHAMS)
* John Payne (ASIA)
* Robert Sarzo (HURRICANE)
* Scott Warren (DIO)
* Roger Fischer (HEART)
* Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN)
* Pete Lockett
* Roger Wheeler (SWEET REASONS)
* Jeff Pevar (STARSHIP, JOE COCKER)
* Richie Castellano and Buck Dharma (BLUE ÖYSTER CULT)
* Doug Rappoeport (EDGAR WINTER BAND)
* Joey Mollandj (BADFINGER)
* Christy McKinnon
* Teddy Zig Zag (GUNS & ROSES, ALICE COOPER)
* Koko Powell (SPENCER DAVIS, EDGAR WINTER)
* Jeff Ganz (JOHNNY WINTER, JOHN LEE HOOKER)
* Sean McNabb (QUIET RIOT, DOKKEN, GREAT WHITE)
* Micky Dolenz (THE MONKEES)
* Terry Hous (XYZ, GREAT WHITE)
* Robin McAuley (Survivor, MSG)
* Jimy Shons (SHADOWS OF KNIGHT)
* Bobby Kimball (TOTO)
* Alan White (YES, PLASTIC ONO BAND)
* Denny Seiwell (WINGS, ART GARFUNKEL, JAMES BROWN)
* Frankie Banali (QUIET RIOT)
* Chris Slade (AC/DC, ASIA)

This year's NAMM marks the 110th anniversary of the legendary trade show and is the meeting place for musical instrument retailers to view and purchase the latest musical innovations being shown by more than 1,400 manufacturers.

Fan-filmed video footage of former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's January 20 performance at Majestic Music Club in Bratislava, Slovakia can be seen below.

Turunen's new project, HARUS, last month released a CD/DVD/Blu-ray, entitled "In Concert - Live At Sibelius Hall".

The HARUS live album/DVD was made available worldwide by earMUSIC in collaboration with Edel's classic music division Berlin Classics. This joint venture from two music labels apparently far away from each other would probably sound bizarre at first sight (a label operating in alternative and metal music with one representing traditional classical music artists). The reason lies beneath the many sides of Tarja Turunen's music.

The first output of HARUS features traditional and emotional music from Finland presented together with more international repertoire.

Tarja's sophomore solo album, "What Lies Beneath", sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 24 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.

"What Lies Beneath" was released in North America on September 14, 2010 via The End Records.

BIOHAZARD bassist/vocalist Scott Roberts was rushed to the hospital prior to the kick-off concert of the band's "Persistence Tour 2012" on Friday, January 20 in Deinze, Belgium.

"Persistence Tour 2012", which also includes SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, TERROR, WALLS OF JERICHO, LIONHEART and CRUSHING CASPARS, played Oberhausen, Germany last night before moving to Hamburg on Sunday.

Commented the group: "Great news. Scott's alive and well! [He] made it out of the hospital with all new blood and fluids in his system, 100% BIOHAZARD! He never missed a step! Mad props to him for being a hardcore/metal trooper and sticking it out, anyone else would had quit the tour! We just rocked Oberhausen, Germany. Hamburg, here we come!"

The first in a series of video clips featuring footage from the road can be seen below.

BIOHAZARD's new album, "Reborn In Defiance", was released in Europe on Friday (January 20) via Nuclear Blast Records.

Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.

Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.

The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.

BIOHAZARD bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld left the band in June 2011 after the band's new CD was completed and was replaced by Roberts, who played on the band's 2005 "Means To An End" album and has been part of the BIOHAZARD extended family since.