RIOT founder and guitarist Mark Reale has been admitted to a San Antonio hospital in critical condition due to complications of Crohn's disease. Subsequently, there is a possibility that he may not appear in the band's upcoming performances in the Northeast and aboard the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise to Grand Cayman.

Mark has been battling Crohn's for most of his life, working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for his illness. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn's symptoms leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility.

The band has agreed that the performances will take place as scheduled with the possibility that Mark may not be well enough in time to appear. RIOT would also like to acknowledge that Mark has been struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of their new album, "Immortal Soul", and that guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the album with Mark's creative direction while he was unable to perform. For this reason, fans can be assured that the show will be as exciting as anything RIOT has ever staged, even if Mike needs to hold down double guitar duty. Mark will be sorely missed in this event, but the shows will go on.

RIOT is asking fans and friends of the band to pray for Mark's speedy recovery, and to support the group in their efforts to bring you the RIOT reunion shows that have been so long in the making. While Mark's family insists on privacy during this difficult time, your prayers and good wishes will make it to his bedside until he is able to return to the stage.

Art Scenics recently conducted an interview with bassist Adam Duce of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD. You can now watch the chat below.

When asked about MACHINE HEAD's former touring mates METALLICA, Duce said, "METALLICA is a phenomenon. So many things have lined up perfectly for those guys, and it just exploded. They are so many miles beyond the closest one in the pack. There's METALLICA way out here and then there's everybody else way back here. We're way back here with everybody else. [Laughs] And they've been pretty bulletproof up until now. They could do whatever they wanted to and it was gonna sell because it had METALLICA's name on it, because METALLICA has consistently put out outstanding quality.

"I'm not a fan of the 'Lulu' thing [referring to METALLICA's collaborative album with Lou Reed. — Ed.], but what I can say about it is that [METALLICA] do whatever they want, and they don't care what you think about it, and I think that's awesome. [Laughs]"

MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Unto The Locust", sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.

MACHINE HEAD has consistently averaged more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. for each of its seven albums and has shifted double that overseas (accruing several silver records in the U.K.), resulting in cumulative worldwide sales of more than 2.4 million.

MACHINE HEAD's previous CD, "The Blackening", opened with just under 15,000 units back in April 2007 to debut at No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2004 effort, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", premiered with less than 12,000 copies to land at No. 88.

MACHINE HEAD will embark on a North American headlining tour in January/February with support from SUICIDE SILENCE and DARKEST HOUR.

Interview:

Former Metal Blade recording artists HERETIC have announced the addition of ex-HIRAX/REVEREND bassist Angelo Espino and drummer Ignazio Copolla to the group's ranks. The band's current lineup is rounded out by original members Julian Mendez on vocals and Brian Korban on guitar, along with new addition Glenn Rogers (ex-HIRAX) on guitar.

HERETIC is writing material for a new studio album, to be released later in the year.

According to The BNR Metal Pages, "HERETIC was a rather typical power/thrash metal band of the Eighties, managing one EP and one album before calling it a day. At least part of the reason for the band breakup was vocalist Mike Howe's departure to METAL CHURCH — ironically, the man he replaced there, David Wayne, recruited two HERETIC members for his then-new band, REVEREND."

HERETIC 2012 is:

Julian Mendez - Vocals
Brian Korban - Guitar
Angelo Espino - Bass
Glenn Rogers - Guitar
Ignazio "Iggy" Coppola - Drums

The new and second single from NIGHTWISH's latest album Imaginaerum is the track 'The Crow, The Owl And The Dove', which will be released on March, 2nd. The single will also feature the previously unreleased song called 'The Heart Asks Pleasure First' (theme from movie The Piano) in two different versions, including an instrumental one. 'The Crow, The Owl And The Dove' is featured in three versions: the radio-edit, album version and an instrumental.

Tampa-based death metal legends CANNIBAL CORPSE have just completed work on their twelfth studio album appropriately titled Torture, which is due out through Metal Blade in March.

"We've approved the artwork and the album has been finished since the middle of November," Alex Webster tells BraveWords.com. But how hard is it this deep in their career to choose a title that the band and their rabid fanbase can revel in?

"Possibly Paul (Mazurkiewicz; drums) has chosen the most titles," the bassist reveals. "We all work together on this stuff. We have a lot of ideas and it doesn't automatically just happen. Basically in this band we have two kinds of album titles. We have the lengthier ones that are a bit more descriptive like Eaten Back To Life or The Wretched Spawn and then we have the simple one-word titles like Vile, The Bleeding, Bloodthirst, Kill and now this one, Torture. It's kind of cool being in the position that we're in because it might be a little more difficult for a smaller, less-known death metal band to use a title like Kill or Torture. Something like that works well for some reason. You'll notice a lot of underground bands that have very complex titles. For us we like to keep it simple. There are a lot of songs that relate to torture and execution on this album and it seemed to work for that reason. Naming it something loner and descriptive, I don't know if it would've been as effective."

Torture was recorded in September at Sonic Ranch studios in Tornillo, Texas with producer Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL) and the following month completed at Rutan's Mana Studios in Tampa, Florida. Rutan worked with Cannibal Corpse for both Kill (2006) and Evisceration Plague (2009) and is returning for a third battle.

Webster dissects the process: "We did the first part of the recording at Sonic Ranch; bass, drums and most of the rhythm guitar tracks. We did the guitar solos and George's ("Corpsegrinder" Fisher) singing in Florida. And we did the mix in Florida. We love Sonic Ranch. The isolation, the tranquillity and the excellence in gear they have out there is a great place to work on music."

This is just a sample of our chat today (January 11th) with Alex Webster who also talks about his jazz-fusion influences, the longevity of a death metal band, the upcoming Torture tour which will hit North America twice this year (prior to that: Destroyers Of The Faith in the UK, Extremefest and Full Of Hate in Europe) and more torture tactics in creating album number 12! Stay tuned!

Vocalist SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA, who has made a one-off return to CRADLE OF FILTH for their forthcoming Midnight In The Labyrinth orchestral album, has checked in with the following update:

"Now, I know a lot of people HATE the COF techno-styled tracks, but Dani and I loved this. I read on a thread that the female samples are from a film; no, that's little old me, all of it. Unless it sounds like Dani of course ;) So I just wanted to know people's view on bands when they do something like this? Check it out!"

Former DEATH manager and President of Perseverance Holdings Ltd. Eric Greif has issued the following statement:

"The giant news announcement... kinda got out of hand. Making announcements in this running format (on Facebook) is weird because there is then a thread of hundreds of responses (some, about Chuck coming back from the dead, were a bit OTT... but nevermind). I know it isn't possible to make everyone happy, but we're trying like hell for the fans. Anyhow, the news is this: Roadrunner has sent me a contract after working on this for well over a year, allowing for Symbolic to be part of a monster Death, 14 disc box set on Relapse. Obviously that would allow us to do Symbolic-era bonus material, as well. We could also (obviously) include stuff NOT on the reissues. Looking at 2013 +. If this hadn't been worked out with RR, it would have only included 6 Death albums. So, this is fucking killer news."

Coming a little sooner is the next chapter in Relapse's Death reissue campaign - Vivus! - a deluxe 2CD collection compiling two separate Death concerts.

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, it was revealed on Monday (January 9). Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the immune system. According to a statement issued by his publicist, the 63-year-old metal legend is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan and remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

The news comes as the original SABBATH lineup — Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — are writing and recording their first album together in 33 years. The disc is set for release this fall and SABBATH is scheduled to embark on a world tour, although Iommi's illness could affect those plans.

SABBATH has been working on its new album in Los Angeles, but now will head back to London to accommodate Iommi's plans for treatment.

In a brand new statement posted on his official web site, Iommi writes, "My fans, friends and colleagues,

"I just want to say how overwhelmed I am with all your messages of support, thank you so much.

"Well, it's not what I wanted for Christmas, that's for sure, but now I can't wait for the test results to come in and get going with the treatment.

"It's really good that the guys are coming over so that we can continue working on the album as things are going great in the studio.

"Well, not much else to say at this time, so thanks again.

"Bless you all, Tony."

Iommi told The Pulse Of Radio that ever since re-learning how to play guitar after severing two fingertips as a teenager, he's always been determined to fight his way through anything. "I've always been the same," he said. "I always have to try to get over that barrier, whatever it may be, and do it, you know. And that's continued in what I do with the music. People have said over the years, 'Well, why do you still keep playing and why do you still hold BLACK SABBATH together through the different lineups?' Because I'm determined to do it, I'm determined to carry on. And it's been with everything like that."

Iommi's bandmate in SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, died of stomach cancer in May 2010 at the age of 67.

Acclaimed Swedish producer Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with such acts as KATATONIA, OPETH, PARADISE LOST and AMON AMARTH, started mixing the new album from New Brunswick, New Jersey's melodic, thrash-metal warriors GOD FORBID earlier today (Thursday, January 12) at Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden. Due this spring via Victory Records, the bulk of the CD was recorded by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM), with Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER) stepping in during the the vocal-tracking stage.

A demo version of a new GOD FORBID song, "Where We Come From", is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below. The track was originaly given away as a free download as part of a Victory Records Labor Day digital sampler.

GOD FORBID guitarist Doc Coyle previously stated about the material for the band's forthcoming CD, "It's always difficult to tell how a new album will sound this early in the process, but I can say that our new guitar player Matt Wicklund [ex-HIMSA] is contributing tons of material. His stuff is very hook-oriented with a Scandinavian twinge.

"The stuff I've been writing has been varied from evil MORBID ANGEL, black metal shit to mid-tempo/power groove MACHINE HEAD-type stuff, and signature GOD FORBID material that is a logical progression from our previous albums."

GOD FORBID will debut some of its brand new material at the following East Coast shows in February:

Feb. 18 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus
Feb. 24 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz

Commented Doc Coyle: "With only one show in 2011 and two months spent in the recording studio, we have been itching to get out and play. We thought it would be a great idea to get into an intimate setting in our area for the real GOD FORBID fans. Expect to hear some new songs and some old cuts that haven't played in a while."

"Where We Come From" (demo version):

Mama's Fallen Angels recently conducted an interview with GUNS N' ROSES/SIXX: A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

When asked how soon fans can expect to hear a new GUNS N' ROSES album, Ashba replied, "I can't give anybody a definite date, because I'm not gonna give anybody false hope. But what I can say is [making a new album] absolutely is our main priority. And I cannot wait to get [working on it]. I mean, Axl [Rose, GN'R lead singer] has tons and tons of stuff recorded as it is. I mean, he sits there in his hotel room and he'll play me hours of stuff. And I've written over ten songs — I think 12 songs now — for him that he really likes. And I think now that we're off tour, we're gonna kind of start talking about, 'Hey, let's start piecing together what we feel would be the next best GUNS N' ROSES record.' It's absolutely everybody's goal to get out an album within a reasonable amount of time. That is everybody's focus."

SIXX: A.M. — the band consisting of Nikki Sixx (also of MÖTLEY CRÜE), DJ Ashba and James Michael — has begun writing material for its third album. According to Sixx, the CD will "probably [be] a 2013 release considering the body of work we're setting as a goal."

"7", the latest EP from SIXX: A.M., came out last month and sold around 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The effort contains acoustic versions of songs from the group's first two albums — 2007's "The Heroin Diaries" soundtrack and 2011's "This Is Gonna Hurt".

SIXX: A.M. will be "doing a proper video" for its next single soon, according to Sixx. In addition, "tour options keep coming, but we haven't found the right fit yet to open up the conversations," Nikki writes on his Facebook page.

SIXX: A.M. recently revealed plans to film a video for the song "Skin" in the Los Angeles area. The band put out a casting call for people whom the song has affected personally because of their own scars — whether physical or under the surface.

In addition to Ashba and sole original member Axl Rose, the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Richard Fortus, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.

"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies.

"Chinese Democracy" was made available exclusively through Best Buy.

After playing select shows in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, USA and Canada to give fans a chance to get "up close and personal" with new singer Marc Hudson, U.K. based metal heroes DRAGONFORCE have announced their first U.K. headline concert with Hudson on February 16 at at the 100 Club on Oxford Street in London. The gig is timed to give DRAGONFORCE fans an opportunity to celebrate with the band the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon, and the fact that the group's new album is finally finished and due for release in the spring.

Commented guitarist Herman Li: "We are all glad to be finished in the studio, especially given that the new record is sounding fantastic! We're looking forward to letting off steam at the 100 Club and announcing that in the Year of the Dragon, DRAGONFORCE are well and truly back!"

DRAGONFORCE performed two brand new songs — "Last Fallen World" (described by singer Marc Hudson as "the fastest, most extreme DRAGONFORCE song so far") and "Cry Thunder" — during its October 21, 2011 concert at the Gramercy Theater in New York City. Fan-filmed video footage of the show can be seen below.

After entries from thousands of hopefuls across the globe, DRAGONFORCE in March 2011 welcomed 23-year-old Marc Hudson to the band to fill the boots left by ZP Theart, who parted ways with the group in March 2010.

Born in Oxford England, Marc was picked from the thousands of applications via a number of impressive video auditions and live performances, which left the rest of the band in no doubt that they'd found their man. Since the age of 16, Marc has been building his vocal skills gigging with bands in the U.K. underground scene, developing a powerful style with influences which include Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske and Sebastian Bach.

The band has been working on a new album since early 2010, recording in various studios in California, London and the South of France. The follow-up to 2008's hugely successful "Ultra Beatdown" album will be highly anticipated, with top 10 and top 20 chart positions all over the world and a Grammy nomination in the United States setting the precedent. With Marc brought into the fold, the band is enjoying an injection of enthusiasm and hunger that sees DRAGONFORCE prepared to return more focused and determined than ever before.

For this year's Record Store Day (April 21), Niji Entertainment Group, the record label Wendy Dio and her late husband Ronnie James Dio (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, RAINBOW, ELF) formed before his untimely passing, will release a deluxe picture disc of RAINBOW's "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll". Each picture disc is numbered and only 2,500 were made. 250 units will be held back for fans that live outside the USA and will be made available via the Niji webstore.

About Record Store Day: Record Store Day is managed by the Music Monitor Network and is organized in partnership with the Alliance Of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition Of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale.

Record Store Day takes place annually on the third Saturday of April.

Bassist Bob Daisley, who was a member of RAINBOW from 1977 to 1979, in August 2010 posted high-quality video footage of of RAINBOW performing the songs "Gates of Babylon", "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" and "L.A. Connection" at a New York studio prior to the release of the band's third studio album, 1978's "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll'. You can watch the clips below.

Although Bob Daisley and David Stone are listed on the "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" credits for their contributions, they joined RAINBOW after the recording sessions had already commenced and only appear on a couple of tracks. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore played most of the bass parts himself for the album.

"Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" was remastered on CD for the U.S. market in April 1999, with the European version following later. The U.S. version had a matte booklet/insert, which matched the original vinyl sleeve for all markets, whereas the European issue was the standard glossy type.

This was RAINBOW's last album to feature Ronnie James Dio on vocals. He left, later to join BLACK SABBATH, and was replaced by Graham Bonnet.

In June 2009 a CD-size book about the making of album was released in the series "Rock Landmarks" called "Long Live Rock N' Roll Story". It was written by RAINBOW and Blackmore expert Jerry Bloom.

Finnish horror heavy metallers DOMINATION BLACK will release their long-waited third full-length studio album, "Dimension: Death", on February 22 via Kanki Rekords.

In the fall of 2009, DOMINATION BLACK went on a break during which the former singer Kari A. Killgast was replaced by Matias Palm (MERGING FLARE, HEAVY METAL PERSE). The band started arranging new material right away and entered the studio in the spring of 2011 to begin recording the new CD.

Commented DOMINATION BLACK guitarist Ville Wiren: "I guess no one really expects an album like this from us. There's so much new going on with the music that many will be surprised!"

DOMINATION BLACK has already put the new lineup to the test by playing several shows, not only in Finland, but also in Russia, where they were welcomed warmly. More gigs will follow the release of the new CD.

"Dimension: Death" track listing:

01. Legacy Of Fears
02. Passage Of The Dead
03. Porter At The Gates Of Hell
04. The Final Sigh
05. Dimension: Death
06. Cold Touch
07. Angel Dark
08. Evilizer
09. The Hellbound

The song "Passage Of The Dead" is available for streaming using the SoundCloud player below.

Chicago-based progressive metal hybrid BORN OF OSIRIS has parted ways with guitarist Jason Richardson.

Commented the band in a statement: "To all of our fans and followers, we have decided to part ways with guitarist Jason Richardson. This was something that just needed to happen. We will be a more creative, energized, and focused unit as a result.

"The past year was the band's most successful and we owe it all to our amazing fans. We promise everyone that 2012 will see us take further steps to bringing every aspect of our band to a new level.

"We couldn't possibly be more excited for what the future holds. Also, since the finishing touches were put on 'The Discovery', we've already been in the process of writing our next album. The past month and next two we will be home writing and finalizing the record that will be released this summer/fall.

"Big news coming soon regarding our summer touring schedule. We can't wait to see all of you again soon with some new music to play for you!

"We will TEMPORARILY be accepting video submissions for the [vacant guitarist] spot at BOOlessons@yahoo.com."

The group added, "[There is] no reason to tear Jason down for this. He joined CHELSEA GRIN after he found out about us moving on without him. We still love Jason and the rest of the dudes in CHELSEA GRIN, and wish them the best of luck.

"The five of us have been and written all three albums thus far, so if you like the direction we took on 'The Discovery', then you should only be more excited for what we're about to create next."

In a separate statement, Richardson said about his departure from BORN OF OSIRIS, "Just to clarify to everyone, I did NOT quit BORN OF OSIRIS. I would have never been able to bring myself to do such a thing no matter how much tension was between us. All of those dudes were essentially my family; I lived in the same house as them for over two years.

"This was by no means at all my decision (not that I was involved in the decision in any way shape or form, lol). I have been fired from the band because I 'don't agree with the way they want to live their lives' and 'it felt like their dad was in the band.' So instead of confronting me . . . they decided that calling me at 130 in the morning four days before christmas while I'm home visiting family to tell me that all of my belongings from the new BORN OF OSIRIS house were in my trailer on the way to me in Virginia was the professional way to handle it. So I can say with pride that I will NEVER play another note on stage with the group of cowards that is BORN OF OSIRIS. . . I'm just happy the truth finally came out and now I know what truly matters to them and it is NOT putting out albums like 'The Discovery'."

BORN OF OSIRIS' third full-length album, "The Discovery", 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).

The next chapter in Relapse's DEATH reissue campaign is "Vivus!", a deluxe two-CD collection compiling two separate DEATH concerts, both of which were recorded in 1998. Disc One features the band at the height of its prowess, tearing the roof off the infamous Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California, while Disc Two is a brilliant recording of the band on the festival stage at Dynamo Open Air in Eindhoven, Holland.

"Vivus!" will be made available on February 28 in North America, March 2 in the Benelux and Germany, and March 5 in the rest of Europe.

"Vivus!" follows the recent Relapse Records reissues of "Individual Though Patterns", "The Sound Of Perseverance" and "Human". Like those reissues, this collection will contain extensive liner notes from DEATH insiders and never-before-seen photos of the band.

"Vivus!" track listing:

Disc 1 - Live In Hollywood (1998)

01. The Philosopher
02. Spirit Crusher
03. Trapped In A Corner
04. Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
05. Crystal Mountain
06. Flesh And The Power It Holds
07. Zero Tolerance
08. Zombie Ritual
09. Suicide Machine
10. Together As One
11. Empty Words
12. Symbolic
13. Pull The Plug

Disc 2 - Live In Eindhoven (1998)

01. The Philosopher
02. Trapped In A Corner
03. Crystal Mountain
04. Suicide Machine
05. Together As One
06. Zero Tolerance
07. Lack Of Comprehension
08. Flesh And The Power It Holds
09. Flattening Of Emotions
10. Spirit Crusher
11. Pull The Plug

A live version of the classic DEATH track "Zero Tolerance" taken from "Vivus!" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND, who are led by current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G., have signed a new worldwide deal (excluding North America) with their longtime partners Century Media Records. The band is currently in the studio in its hometown of Thessaloniki recording a new studio album, to be titled "Few Against Many", for a late spring release.

Commented Gus: "We're currently completing work on our upcoming FIREWIND studio album, which is coming out killer! I think this album will turn a lot of heads and I can't wait for you to hear it!

"Whether I've been working with Century Media on FIREWIND since 2005 or earlier projects since 2002, we've always had a winning team. Together we've achieved fantastic things in the band's career and the proof is the ever growing fanbase and popularity of FIREWIND.

"When I explained them my vision and ideas for the new album, they convinced me they're the right partner to take this to a new level!"

Added Antje Lange, Century Media's European label manager: "We feel very honoured to work with Gus G. further on and play our part in the fast development of this outstanding Greek talent.

"FIREWIND is one of the few fast-growing bands in their genre. They have the ability to write excellent songs, Gus G. is a true magician on guitars and their live performance is breath-taking. Anyone out there asking for more?"

In a 2011 interview with Oregon Music News, Gus stated about the relative lack of promotion in North America for FIREWIND's latest studio album, "Days Of Defiance", "If were up to me, I would have released the album after I would be available to tour behind it. This was the label's idea who wanted to the album out. Our current label, Century Media, wanted it released. They said, 'We paid you to record the album and we want the masters.' I said, 'Okay, here you go.' I didn't feel good about it. This is the politics of the music business, I tried to make the label see that sure we'd get some press due to my involvement in Ozzy's band, but we would not be able to tour. Waiting 10 months to tour behind an album isn't a good business."

When asked if there were any plans for FIREWIND to re-release "Days Of Defiance" as an "expanded" edition to coincide with the band's recent North American headlining tour, Gus said, "We have thought about it but it goes back to the politics with our label. This was our last album for Century Media [under the previous deal] and unless you're signed for a long-term contract, they aren't going to do much for you. So for FIREWIND, this time around, there wasn't any creative marketing behind the album. It's sad, because I do feel that it's our best album to date and the fans absolutely love it. Unfortunately, there could have better promotion and Century Media should have waited a few months to release it, but that's record label politics for you."

FIREWIND will play two special shows this week in Greece to conclude the worldwide touring cycle for "Days Of Defiance". In addition, FIREWIND has already announced the first couple of European summer festival appearances: Masters Of Rock (Czech Republic) and Summer Breeze (Germany).

"Days Of Defiance" landed at position No. 53 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 CD was released in North America on October 26, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media.

Lita Ford has signed a worldwide deal with SPV/Steamhammer. Her new album, "Living Like A Runaway", is tentatively due in May.

Best known for her work with THE RUNAWAYS and her solo career, including hit singles "Kiss Me Deadly" and the Billboard-charting duet with Ozzy Osbourne, "Close My Eyes Forever", Lita is ready to make a return to the throne as the queen of metal.

"SPV gets who I am, my work, and what it takes to bring this project to life. I'm very excited to have them on my team," says Lita.

"Living Like A Runaway" was co-written and produced by rock guitarist Gary Hoey and represents a return to form for Lita, who drew inspiration from her "ugly divorce" from NITRO singer Jim Gillette.

"Gary Hoey and I wanted to approach this record by getting back to basics," she said. "We want to strip away all the electronics and plug-ins and keep it to vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Going back to basics is going back to what punk, metal and THE RUNAWAYS was for me."

She added, "[The album title] 'Living Like A Runaway' means freedom and empowerment. To do what I want and to pursue my dreams while answering to no one."

SPV A&R representative/product manager Olly Hahn commented on the signing of Lita Ford: "When I bought 'Dancin' On The Edge' back in 1984, I never thought that I would ever sign Lita Ford to a label. But a dream of mine came true and it's a huge honor for us at SPV/Steamhammer to have one of the leading women in rock 'n' roll on our label."

In a 2011 interview with Classic Rock Revisited, Lita said that "Living Like A Runaway" will be her "real comeback album." She explained, "The last album I did was called 'Wicked Wonderland', I put it out with Jim Gillette, and we were married at the time. It is kind of a Jim/Lita album and not a really true Lita album. I got a lot of spiel about that. A lot of people have told me that they want a real Lita album, and I know what they mean. They are going to get it."

She continued, "I really wasn't that comfortable with 'Wicked Wonderland' — not at all, to tell you the truth. There are parts of it that are good but it doesn't sound like a Lita record. When it got released, a lot of my fans felt weird about it and said it wasn't a Lita album. This time I want to do it on my own. The last one turned out to be more of a Jim album. We worked pretty well together. It doesn't suck, it's not a bad album; it's just not a Lita album."

Lita and Jim are the parents of two sons, Rocco and James.

"Wicked Wonderland", the first album in 15 years from Lita Ford, sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 31 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart.

Former IRON MAIDEN and current WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley has announced that he will be accompanied by Matteo "Lehmann" Grazzini, bassist of the Bologna, Italy-based thrash metal band NEURASTHENIA, on the upcoming "King Of Metal" tour. Also joining Blaze in his touring band are Claudio Tirincanti (drums) and Andrea Neri (guitar; ASTARTE SYRIACA).

Bayley has commenced work on his new solo album, "The King Of Metal", for a tentative March release. A European headlining tour in support of the CD will kick off in early March in Belgium.

Commented Blaze: "Over the many years I have been a professional singer, and through my ups and downs, I have noticed how some artists and bands take their success and their fans for granted.

"For me, there is no heavy metal without heavy metal fans.

"I am dedicating the new album and tour to my fans and the fans of heavy metal. It is called 'The King Of Metal' because you the fans are the real kings of metal. Each one of you that buys albums and merchandise and tickets to gigs is a king of metal to me."

Blaze last year parted ways with the rest of his band in order to pursue a career as a solo artist and the lead singer of WOLFSBANE. He explained the decision by saying that "the mental, financial and emotional strain of keeping the BLAZE BAYLEY band together has proven to be too much for me and has taken a terrible toll on my mental health. . . It has been an upsetting, frustrating and sad time because the BLAZE BAYLEY band will not be going on any more, but it is also for me a huge relief and a time to look forward."

A statement from former members of Blaze Bayley's solo band — David Bermudez (bass), Nico Bermudez (guitar) and Jay Walsh (guitar) — regarding the group's split can be found at this location.

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

Blaze's latest album, "Promise and Terror", was released on February 1, 2010.

The singer's double live album and live DVD, "The Night That Will Not Die" — recorded on December 13, 2008 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland — were released on Blaze Bayley Recordings; the concert was filmed by director Kris McManus and all audio mixed and mastered by producer Jase Edwards.

According to the Arab television network Al Arabiya, Norwegian black metallers TAAKE have sparked outrage after being nominated for a prestigious Norwegian music award despite having written lyrics that are allegedly anti-Islamic.

TAAKE's "Noregs Vaapen" album, along with the latest releases from INSENSE, SHINING, VREID and ÅRABROT, has been nominated in the "Metal" category at the 40th annual Spellemann awards (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy Awards). The largest and oldest Norwegian music awards show will be held Saturday, January 14 at Folketeateret in Oslo, Norway and will be broadcast live on the Norwegian channel NRK1.

TAAKE's critics argue that the lyrics in the band's song "Orkan" (Hurricane) are xenophobic as they include the phrase "To hell with Muhammad and the Mohammedans" and their "unforgivable customs."

However, Hoest, TAAKE's front man, has refuted these claims and said that their sole intention was to criticize religion. "Our view, in the name of freedom of expression, is that it is shameful to adhere to Christianity or Islam," he said.

Marte Thorsby, chairman of the prize committee's board, denied any allegations that the judges had not properly listened to the album before its nomination. "We enjoy full freedom of expression in Norway and a Spellemann jury is not going to censor content in any way," she told the Aftenposten newspaper.

Hoest previously found himself at the center of controversy in March 2007 after he appeared on stage in Essen, Germany with a swastika symbol drawn on his chest. This led to the cancellation of the band’s European tour and outrage among many heavy metal fans across Germany.

Hoest responded to the controversy by saying, "We truly apologize to all of our collaborators who might get [into] problems because of the Essen swastika scandal, except for the Untermensch (subhuman) owner of that club; you can go suck a Muslim."

TAAKE's most recent statement takes a slightly less offensive tone: "TAAKE has never been a political band, and we do not encourage either violence or racism."

The lyric video for "Left Hand", a new song from Montreal's monsters of tech-death mayhem BENEATH THE MASSACRE, can be seen below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Incongruous", which will be released in the U.S. on February 14, in the U.K. on February 20, in mainland Europe on February 24 and in Canada on February 28 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was produced and mixed by Chris Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY) and mastered by Alan Douches (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, CONVERGE).

"Incongruous" track listing:

01. Symptoms
02. Hunted
03. Left Hand
04. Hopes
05. It
06. Light
07. Incongruous
08. Pedestal
09. Grief
10. Damages
11. Unheard

BENEATH THE MASSACRE will take part in Europe's "Bonecrusher Fest" tour in February and March alongside CARNIFEX, WITHIN THE RUINS, MOLOTOV SOLUTION and BETRAYING THE MARTYRS.

BENEATH THE MASSACRE's "Marée Noire" EP was released in mid-2010.

The band's last album, "Dystopia", came out in 2008. Since then, the group has toured extensively throughout North America (including Summer Slaughter Canada 2008 and Sumer Slaughter 2009) and Europe.

In 2009, BENEATH THE MASSACRE was nominated for in the for "Best Underground Band" category at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.

Italian folk/power metallers ELVENKING will enter Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland on February 24 with producer Nino Laurenne (AMORPHIS, LORDI, SONATA ARCTICA, APOCALYPTICA) to begin recording their new album for a mid-2012 release via AFM Records. Nino previously worked with the band on "The Winter Wake" and "The Scythe" CDs.

"I think it is too soon even for us to understand exactly how the new album is going to sound in the end," says ELVENKING guitarist Aydan. "We know that the final result could be very different from what we expect at the beginning of the recordings and we are still putting the final touches to the songs and we need to choose which one are good enough (or less crappy at least!) to be recorded. But for all of those who is asking me how it is going to sound, I would say it will be surely heavier, still very melodic and a bit back to the roots with a lot of good old folklore in it. Expect some great surprises as in ELVENKING tradition. You're going to love it!"