THE GATES OF SLUMBER's "Suffer No Guilt" album will be reissued in a glorious six-panel, matte-finished digipak through Deep Send Records.

THE GATES OF SLUMBER should be a household name to all lovers of true doom metal. To the uninitiated, their magnum sophomore album, "Suffer No Guilt", is the perfect place to start your journey.

THE GATES OF SLUMBER started in 1998 as a backlash against the stoner rock trend prevalent at the time and with their mixture of BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS, PENTAGRAM, and prime-era CELTIC FROST, the band has crushed or converted unbelievers ever since. Considered by many to be their most powerful and crushing opus, "Suffer No Guilt" features stunning artwork by Ken Kelly (KISS, MANOWAR, RAINBOW) that perfectly illustrates this totalitarian doom metal crusade!

For more information, visit www.deepsend.com.

THE GATES OF SLUMBER' latest album, "The Wretch", was released in May via Rise Above/Metal Blade. The CD was recorded at England's Orgone Studios with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (GHOST, ANGEL WITCH).

Former INTO ETERNITY guitarist Rob Doherty has released the long-awaited debut album from FINAL DARKNESS. The project was put on hold when the label it was originally to be released under changed priorities and decided to go in a different direction, but Rob remained determined to push forward and bring FINAL DARKNESS to life.

Doherty rewrote and reworked some of the songs from the original project and began recording the new music earlier this year at Touchwood Studios. The recording was engineered by Justin Bender (INTO ETERNITY), who also provides additional guitars on the track "Memories". The album also features guest performances from Tim Roth (INTO ETERNITY) on the songs "Kill Room", "Memories" and "Darkness Falls".

A big break came when legendary producer/engineer Neil Kernon (NILE, NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE) agreed to do the final mix for the project. Neil also helped hook Rob up with mastering engineer Alan Douches from West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York to help give the album a killer sound.

The video for the song "Memories" can be seen below.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/final_darkness.

According to the UK's The Sun, the chances of Led Zeppelin playing the London Olympics are slim. The band peformed a one-off show at London's O2 in 2007 but shelved a full-scale reunion because singer Robert Plant refused to sign up.

Now Jason Bonham, who covered for his late father John on drums at the charity gig, has admitted a performance for the Games is unlikely.

He said: "I haven't spoken to Robert for about six months but he is really enjoying himself.

"For me you can never say never. If you ask me today is it gonna happen immediately, well no, there is no talk of it. But if you said to me in 2007 I would play with Led Zeppelin in December that year I would say you're nuts, so you never know."

STYX vocalist/guitarist Tommy Shaw has posted the following update:

“It was truly an amazing year. Some of the highlights: Styx toured with YES, and released Regeneration: Volume II, and did our best to come to a venue close enough so you could come get your Styx fix, Lawrence released and toured behind Return Of The Strange Animal, Todd released Methods And Mechanics II and I finished and released The Great Divide and performed songs from it live at the Grand Ole Opry. Plus we returned to the UK and toured with JOURNEY and FOREIGNER, then we continued on our own to Sweden Rock. Now we're all enjoying some time with our families and friends at home, and the schedules are starting to come together for what looks like another very busy Styx year in 2012. Thank you all for making this possible! Cheers! T Shaw”

Italian thrashers NEURASTHENIA will release their new album, Possessed By Your Omen, on April 10th, 2012.

The album is a compilation of songs extracted from their albums Possessed (2009) and Your Omen (2009), all competeley re-recorded, re-arranged, remixed and remastered. The album will also include the single, 'When Nightmare Comes True' (released only in digital version by Spider Rock Promotion in 2011), 'I, Walking With A Zombie' (previously unreleased taken from the demo tape, Full Force Of Thrashers), and KISS cover 'I Love It Loud'.

The album has been recorded in Neura-studios by Lehmann, and it will be a co-production by Neurasthenia, Bologna Rock City (responsible of worldwide physical distribution in CD and vinyl) and Spider Rock Promotion (digital distribution and promotion). Mastering will be done by Simone Mularoni (DGM, EMPYRIOS) in Domination Studios.

Possessed By Your Omen tracklisting:

'When Nightmare Comes True'
'I, Walking With A Zombie'
'Fell Possessed'
'No Politics'
'Screaming Corpse'
'Go Fuck Themselves'
'Assassination'
'T.B.T (Thrash Is Back In Town)'
'Your Omen'
'The Last Order Of God'
'I Love It Loud' (KISS cover)

InsideOut Music recently announced the signing of THE SAFETY FIRE. As a part of the ever-growing UK progressive metal scene, The Safety Fire features Sean McWeeney on vocals, Lori Peri on bass, Calvin Smith on drums, and Derya Nagle and Joaquin Ardiles on guitar.

With their expansive atmospheres and soaring melodies, The Safety Fire has pushed the boundaries of technical progressive metal in the ever-growing British progressive music scene since their inception in 2006, and now the band is finally ready to release their first full-length album, Grind The Ocean.

As the epic sequel to their critically acclaimed EP Sections, Grind The Ocean will be released on February 27th in Europe and February 28th in North America, so be prepared for The Safety Fire's new progressive metal masterpiece coming soon.

The Safety Fire guitarist Derya "Dez" Nagle produced and mixed Grind The Ocean as part of his BlackBear Productions operation, through which he also produced bands such as RISE TO REMAIN (Century Media), THE HAARP MACHINE (Sumerian), and PALEHORSE (Eyesofsound).

Grind The Ocean tracklisting

'Huge Hammers'
'Floods Of Colour'
'DMP (FDP)'
'Anomalous Materials'
'Animal King'
'Circassian Beauties'
'Sections'
'Seagraves'
'Grind The Ocean'

For anxious fans that can't wait for Grind The Ocean's release, the album's first single, 'Huge Hammers', is now available for purchase on iTunes here. The Safety Fire will also be premiering their music video for 'Huge Hammers' in the coming days, so stay tuned for even more new material from the band coming soon.

Southern Lord Recordings have announced they will be re-releasing several titles from Portland, OR's explosive punk/hardcore metallers POISON IDEA.

Southern Lord will be releasing CD versions of several Poison Idea re-issues that TKO Records are currently re-releasing on vinyl. All of the material is being re-mastered by Jack Control (WORLD BURNS TO DEATH) and each release includes new, extensive liner notes as well as never before seen photos and previously unreleased bonus material.

The Poison Idea reissue series kicks off January 31st, with the re-release of Darby Crash Rides Again: The Early Years. Boasting twenty-nine tracks from the band's earliest days, the album includes the 100% previously unreleased ‘Boner's Kitchen’ demo from 1981, the complete Darby Crash Rides Again demo from 1982, the complete uncut live-on-the-air set from the 1983 KBOO radio benefit, and outtakes from the Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes recording session.

Much of this material has either been out-of-print or never before officially released! The booklet contains liner notes, old flyers and tons of previously unpublished photos from the band's beginnings.

Following Darby Crash Rides Again in January, Southern Lord will also re-release The Fatal Erection Years (Pick Your King/Record Collectors are Pretentious Assholes), War All The Time, Ian Mackaye, Feel The Darkness, We Must Burn and Last Will & Testament throughout 2012.

Austria's CRIMSON CULT, featuring ex-STYGMA IV members Günter Maier and Alex Hilzensauer, have inked a deal with Pure Steel Records subsidiary Pure Legend Records, and will release their new album, Tales Of Doom, in March 2012, worldwide.

The label states: "Another really fine band with found with the austrian Rockers of Crimson Cult. The new album from the band is in the same great quality the metal public now wants from the Austrian metal scene."

The band states: "Its a honour to us now being part of the Pure Steel family. "We are very glad and proud on the worldwide releases of our new CD, Tales Of Doom, to be in the shops in March 2012."

Indie Recordings have announced the signing of RIBOZYME for the release of their new album out on February the 10th in Europe and February the 14th in North America.

According to a press release, "for over a decade Ribozyme has been a connoisseur’s choice and a front-runner for the diversity and integrity of Norwegian rock and metal. Ribozyme’s solid approach to their work has been evident from day one. Ribozyme has been compared to numerous giants of their genre: from TOOL to FILTER, from NINE INCH NAILS to SIGUR RÔS, although the distance to the above has never been greater."

With their new album, Ribozyme once again continue to push boundaries and redefine the trio format, through a horizontal vision on songwriting and, in the words of lead singer and guitarist Kjartan Ericsson; ”combining power, precision and melody in an unpretentious way.

Three former members of the Baltimore-based sludge/thrash/hardcore act SWARM OF THE LOTUS have joined forces with vocalist Jason Borowy in a brand new project called GRAVEN. The band states, "[Jason] is an old friend as well as a sick vocalist and has played in local Baltimore area bands, which some of you may remember, DEADLAMB, SET THE WHORE ON FIRE and LAST PIG IN THE YARD. The first two being with our own drummer, Chris Csar. It's a natural fit, personally and stylistically, and [we] feel it's a good marriage. We've had a few rehearsals and he already has vocals/lyrics for three out of the five tracks on the forthcoming EP. Our focus now, as well as his, is to get in the studio [as soon as possible] to finish that up and get it out. We're very excited about this and the practices we've had have been sick. Sends everything over the top and finally puts the icing on the cake."

GRAVEN is:

Peter Maturi - Guitar
Chris Csar - Drums
Bobby "Digital" Brockmeyer - Guitar
Jason Borowy - Vocals

French black metallers OTARGOS have released a video for 'Worship Industrialized'. This is the second video from their new album, No God No Satan, that was directed by Federico Anastasi.

The video shows an avant-garde view of a post-apocalyptic world where ideas such as the stock market and currencies are worshiped as gods by a mutated civilization.

The band stated that, “this video masterpiece is just the beginning of a new era for Otargos.”

Shred-metal adventurers BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART are charging forth with a new glam-tastic tour de force, Feel The Power, out January 23rd on Tooth & Nail / Rude Records.

The band have revealed that the Japanese edition of the album will include three bonus tracks: 'Champion', 'Shred The Dead' (Shred Sean instrumental), 'Unleash The Fury' (Shred Sean instrumental).

'Forever' is available for digital purchase for fans who don’t want to wait that long to own a piece of Feel The Power, which is set to drop in stores and online January 23rd. 'Forever' is indicative of the type of pulse-rasing, headbang-inducing, '80s-influenced rock assault that Blessed will deliver on their Tooth & Nail / Rude Records debut.

Feel The Power, the follow-up to the band's celebrated 2008 album Pedal To The Metal (Century Media), sees the band shrugging off metalcore trappings in favor of something more heartfelt.

The band is at the same time giving fans a first glimpse at the album's tracklisting (listed below), as well as the artwork, reminiscent of the space-punk apocalypse for which BBABH's music is the perfect soundtrack.

"The whole band is still obsessed with the ’80s, and that's bled into our lifestyles. It's not just when we're on tour: We all kind of dress ’80s; we still have mullets. It's become part of our lives,” explains singer Tony Gambino. “On the last album, we used more of the cheesy side of the ’80s, and this album we used a little more of the mature side. It's a little less fluff, a lot less cheese, a little more serious. We’ve kind of gone a little more classic metal and heavy rock ‘n’ roll. It's real organic how it all came together," he adds. "We're not in this to follow the trends—we're in it to do what we love.”

Cleveland, Ohio-based metallers CHIMAIRA have issued the following update:

"We are proud to announce the addition of Matt Szlachta [DIRGE WITHIN] and Jeremy Creamer [DAATH] to CHIMAIRA.

"The plan was to build an undeniable string section and we have done just that.

"Jeremy will be pounding on the bass, and Matt shredding alongside Emil [Werstler, DAATH] on guitar.

"As a way to say hello to the CHIMAIRA fans, Jeremy recently remixed a couple of tracks from [CHIMAIRA's latest album] 'The Age Of Hell'.

"We look forward to 2012.

"Thank you all for your overwhelming, and continuous support."

CHIMAIRA 2012 is:

Mark Hunter - Vocals
Matt Szlachta (DIRGE WITHIN) - Guitar
Jeremy Creamer (DAATH) - Bass
Emil Werstler (DAATH) - Guitar
Sean Zatorsky (DAATH) - Keyboards
Austin D'Amond (BLEED THE SKY, THE ELITE) - Drums

"Smoke And Red Light" , the new video from reunited U.K. rockers WOLFSBANE — featuring former IRON MAIDEN frontman Blaze Bayley — can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "Wolfsbane Save The World", which is now available from Wolfsbanehms.com.

"Wolfsbane Save The World" track listing:

01. Blue Sky
02. Teacher
03. Buy My Pain
04. Starlight
05. Smoke And Red Light
06. Illusion Of Love
07. Live Before I Die
08. Who Are You Now
09. Everybody's Looking For Something Baby
10. Child Of The Sun
11. Did It For The Money

WOLFSBANE guitarist Jase Edwards previously stated about the band's new album title, "It's a suitably modest title... self-effacing, not too ambitious!!!! But the world does need saving and we are gonna start doing it with the help of our fantastic Howling Mad Shitheads. So spread the word and let's get this record out there to the people who NEED to hear it! They dont know they need to hear it, but they do!! So we can infect and affect the unknowing masses with our Howlingmad optimism and who gives a fuckery!!"

The "Wolfsbane Save The World" cover artwork can be seen below.

WOLFSBANE — which features Bayley, Jase Edwards, bassist Jeff Hateley and drummer Steve Danger — released its first record in 17 years in April. Entitled "Did It For The Money", it contained the brand new title track along with re-recordings of four old WOLFSBANE numbers.

Commenting on the reunion, Blaze said, "Although we have done other things over the years, we always had WOLFSBANE in our hearts and following our tour with THE QUIREBOYS, we had so much fun and have had so much interest that we decided to get back in the studio."

Formed in 1984 in Tamworth, England, WOLFSBANE signed to Def American Records, and Rick Rubin produced the band's first album, "Live Fast, Die Fast", released in 1989. WOLFSBANE's second release, an EP titled "All Hell's Breaking Loose Down", followed in 1990. The band's second studio album, "Down Fall the Good Guys", was released in 1991, giving WOLFSBANE its only U.K. chart entry, with the single "Ezy" landing at No. 68.

After Def American dropped WOLFSBANE, the band released a live album, "Massive Noise Injection", through the Bronze label in 1993. The group's third studio album, the self-titled "Wolfsbane", followed in 1994.

On September 9, 2007, WOLFSBANE reformed for a one-off short set at the Rock of Ages festival in Tamworth. This was followed by their first U.K. tour in 13 years, with the band playing five dates as support for the THE WILDHEARTS in December 2007. Their next tour came in December 2009 supporting THE QUIREBOYS on the aforementioned "A Little Bit of What You Fancy 20th Anniversary Tour".

Vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva, who recently announced that a new ANGTORIA album was in the works, has issued the following update on the production:

"Just to update the Angtoria fans, the writing process has begun between Chris Rehn and I. The album will be written in the same way, with the same drive that Chris had in 2006. However, although in the same vein, the Angtoria name will change! We are older now, more mature as musicians, and we will, in the near future, post a few samples so you can see how this is a strong follow up from God Has a Plan For Us All, virtually no change in writing skills from us! Very excited..."

Tommy Rehn (CORRODED, MOAHNI MOAHNA), a co-founding member of the British/Swedish metal project ANGTORIA, has released the following statement regarding the recent announcement that ANGTORIA would return in 2012 with a new name and a brand new album:

"When reading the news all over Internet about 'ANGTORIA's return,' I felt like stating a few things for the record.

"I was one of the founders of ANGTORIA and co-writer/producer of the ANGTORIA songs, including the video track 'God Has A Plan For Us All'. I also was responsible for recording and mixing the album. This was a project between me and my brother Chris (ABYSSOS) and Sarah Jezebel Deva (CRADLE OF FILTH, THERION, MORTIIS). Me and Chris wrote the songs and worked with the orchestrations and Sarah did the lyrics.

"Musically, me and Chris built the ANGTORIA sound and maybe in the future we can do it again under that name.

"ANGTORIA did not do any live shows in 2006-2007 as planned due to things out of my and Chris' control. We then saw no other way than putting the project on hold.

"The name ANGTORIA comes from a song I wrote for symphonic hard rock band MOAHNI MOAHNA's album 'Why' (with Henrik Flyman of EVIL MASQUERADE).

"MOAHNI MOAHNA is my old band which released two albums in the '90s in Europe and Japan (JVC Victor).

"On January 20, 2012 Pantherfarm/Ninetone will re-release all MOAHNI MOAHNA recordings ww on Spotify/iTunes and all other digital markets.

"Since Sarah and Chris want to start a project of their own, it is just that… a new project, which never can be or sound like ANGTORIA without my participation.

"I wish them luck with their future album and with branding their own name.

"I am now permanent member in CORRODED and will focus on our third album, which will be released worldwide summer 2012 following the success with
'The Age Of Rage' song for Battlefield Play 4 Free. Touring in Europe and U.S. is on the planning stage for 2012."

Sarah Jezebel Deva and Chris Rehn announced on December 25 that they will begin work on a new album in January which will pick up where ANGTORIA's last collaborative effort, ANGTORIA, left off five years ago. According to Sarah, "the music will continue in the same vein as [ANGTORIA's 2006] debut album, 'God Has A Plan For Us All', blending the world of epic orchestral music with metal."

"God Has A Plan For Us All" was released in Europe in April 2006 via Listenable Records. The CD was issued in North America in October of that same year.

fter various splits, demos and EPs it's finally time for the first full length from obscure death metal masters OMINOUS CRUCIFIX.

Hailing from the crypts of Mexico, the band offers the world The Spell Of Damnation, eight new tracks of crawling, rancid and occult death metal that will tear the ribs out of your putrid body. The album will be released through FDA Rekotz on January 13th in Germany and February 6th for the rest of the world.

The Spell Of Damnation tracklisting:

'Third Day Resurrection'
'Putrid Purity'
'Primitive Sin'
'Defiling The Altars Of An Absent God'
'Secular Omens Of Doom'
'Church Of Death'
'The Spell Of Damnation'
'Repulsive Sanctification Of The Absurd'

Pre-orders are being taken now for 1,000 digipaks, each of which includes a bonus sticker. The first 50 sold also come with an embroidered patch. Visit this location for more information.

EMPIRES OF EDEN have released their new Christmas single, 'We Three Kings'. Featuring the soaring vocals of Sean Peck (CAGE), the arrangement of the classic Christmas anthem is taken into the epic realm of heavy metal.

All proceeds from iTunes will go to the charity, Metal For Cancer, to support cancer research. This is available for a strictly limited time.

Empires of Eden’s creator Stu Marshall comments: “This track came into being when I was hanging with Sean in California on a recent trip. It seemed a great way to honour a great song and at the same time offer something positive towards the fight for cancer. The usual covers of Christmas carols are fairly comical and we wanted to take it the other way, much heavier and dramatic. Working with Sean on the last EOE CD was an incredible experience so it was natural for us to work on this”.

From singer Sean Peck: ”Cancer has affected all of our lives directly or indirectly and we would encourage all metal heads to take the time to give just a small donation towards defeating this killer.”

With the recent success of the release by Cage, The Supremacy of Steel, and the third Empires Of Eden CD about to commence, this release is a must have for fans of metal music.

German female-fronted rockers SKEW SISKIN have announced the addition of bassist Jan Le Grow to the group's ranks. SKEW SISKIN states, "Jan has the right attitude and fits in the band both musically and personally."

During SKEW SISKIN's bassist search, the band re-released some of the cover songs it recorded, including MOTÖRHEAD's "Boogeyman" and THE WHO's "My Generation" and "Young Man".

SKEW SISKIN released its latest album, "Peace Breaker", in May 2007 via Monongo Records.

STRATOVARIUS' November 19, 2011 concert at Pakkahuone in Tampere, Finland was filmed for future DVD release. The show was part of the band's "Jörg Farewell Tour" — the last one to feature STRATOVARIUS' longtime drummer Jörg Michael, who is leaving the group for personal reasons. Jörg, who has been in the band for sixteen years, will play all the remaining tour dates until the end of January.

STRATOVARIUS is inviting its fans to come up with a title for the forthcoming DVD by posting their suggestions on the band's official Facebook page. The winner will receive two copies of the DVD and a credit in the liner notes.

You must have an active Facebook account to take part.

STRATOVARIUS' setlist for the Tampere concert was as follows:

01. Under Flaming Skies
02. I Walk To My Own Song
03. Speed Of Light
04. The Kiss Of Judas
05. Deep Unknown
06. Eagleheart
07. Paradise
08. Visions (Southern Cross)
09. Coming Home
10. Legions
11. Darkest Hours

Encore:

12. Burn (DEEP PURPLE cover)
13. Behind Blue Eyes (THE WHO cover)
14. I Don't Believe In Love (QUEENSRŸCHE cover)
15. Winter Skies
16. Black Diamond

Encore 2:

17. Father Time
18. Hunting High And Low

Quality fan-filmed video footage of the Tampere show can be viewed below.

Jörg joined STRATOVARIUS in 1995 and made his recording debut with the band on the "Episode" album (1996). He has appeared on nine full-length releases from STRATOVARIUS and has played nearly 1,000 shows with the band.

Commented STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto: "The rest of us just has to accept Jörg's decision with a lot of sadness and wish him all the best for the future. But we can also assure that the band will still go on."

STRATOVARIUS and Jörg will not completely go their separate ways, however, since Jörg will still be working for the band through his booking agency, Twisted Talent Concerts.

Canadian label War On Music has announced the long-overdue vinyl release of GORGUTS' 1998 album, "Obscura". The groundbreaking record is highly regarded as an unrivalled masterpiece of the death metal genre. When it first was unleashed in 1998, "Obscura" was a drastic but not unexpected departure from the earlier more traditional death metal GORGUTS offerings. Technical, extreme, often odd and discordant but deeply compelling, "Obscura" was an album which appeared difficult at first but commanded repeated listens and unquestioned respect. Over an hour of relentless, punishing, highly evolved compositions bearing no worthy comparison, but fitting in comfortably and confidently among the highest ranks of eastern Canadian metal such as VOIVOD, CRYPTOPSY and KATAKLYSM.

Never before on vinyl, the highly anticipated monstrous onslaught will be released as a double gatefold LP available early spring 2012. Watch for release details and pre-orders at www.waronmusic.com.

Track listing:

Side A

01. Obscura
02. Earthly Love
03. The Carnal State
04. Nostalgia

Side B

05. The Art of Sombre Ecstasy
06. Clouded

Side C

07. Subtle Body
08. Rapturous Grief
09. La Vie Est Prelude… (La Morte Orgasme)

Side D

10. Illuminatus
11. Faceless Ones
12. Sweet Silence

GORGUTS recently reformed with a new lineup including genre heavyweights John Longstreth (drums; DIM MAK, ORIGIN, THE RED CHORD, SKINLESS, POSSESSION, ANGELCORPSE), Colin Marston (bass; DYSRHYTHMIA, BEHOLD... THE ARCTOPUS, BYLA, KRALLICE, INDRICOTHERE) and Kevin Hufnagel (guitar; DYSRHYTHMIA, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, BYLA, EUCLID STREET, THE FIFTH SEASON, GREY DIVISION BLUE). They are currently putting the finishing touches on their new record, which is expected sometime in early 2012.

Belfast heavy rockers Trucker Diablo have released their debut “The Devil Rhythm.” The U.S. version of the album has a previously unreleased track and two live songs from the Download Festival 2011. The band has been chosen to support Black Stone Cherry on the Irish leg of their tour. We have posted an official video Trucker Diablo just released for the track “Drink Beer, Destroy,” which was filmed in Belfast by Red Cap Production.

Sweden’s Bult has posted an official music video online for the song “Overtly Powerless,” tkane from the “Amidst the Throng” EP. The band commented:

“On October 21st, Bult from Gothenburg, Sweden, released their new EP ‘Amidst the Throng’ On HoboRec, and it’s now available on iTunes and Spotify. As a Christmas gift to all Bult enthusiasts we have recorded a video to the 1st track ‘Overtly Powerless’ taken from the new EP!

“In camp Bult we are also putting the finishing touch on planning and booking a new mini tour in Texas, USA in March 2012. We will do a couple of shows in Austin during the South By South West festival as well as other cities in Texas. Keep your eyes open on our Facebook page for updates on where and when we’ll be playing!”