"LifeWar", the new Cale Glendening-directed video from Seattle-based Christian metallers DEMON HUNTER, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "The World Is A Thorn", which debuted with the group's highest placement on The Billboard 200 chart thus far, signifying the continued passion of the "Hunters" and the "Blessed Resistance", as their official fan community is called. Also available online is "The World Is A Thorn" Digital Deluxe Edition, which contains the band's music video for "Collapsing" and four acoustic tracks, including the never-before-heard cover of the ALICE IN CHAINS classic "Down In A Hole".

"Ten Of Swords", the new video from Los Angeles female-fronted progressive metallers ECHOES OF ETERNITY, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's second album, "As Shadows Burn", which was released in September 2009 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records (the LP was issued in Europe through Massacre). The follow-up to 2007's "The Forgotten Goddess" was produced and mixed by former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader, who has previously worked with GOJIRA, DIVINE HERESY, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY.

"Blood Of My Enemies", the new video from long-running Australian thrashers MORTAL SIN, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "Psychology Of Death", which was released in Europe on November 18 via NoiseArt Records. The effort includes the group's classic debut LP, "Mayhemic Destruction", as a bonus disc in the limited digipak version. The follow-up to 2007's "An Absence of Faith" was mixed with producer/engineer Darren "jENK" Jenkins and marks the recording debut of guitarist Ryan Huthnance, who replaced Mick Sultana.

Commented the band: "What we wanted to do was a simple thrash album.

"Sometimes you can get so caught up in the complexities of everything that you forget about what thrash is all about. This time around we said we wanted to go back to our roots, we were going to write an album like 'Mayhemic Destruction' — simple old-school thrash!

Veteran U.S. death metal act INCANTATION is writing material for a new studio album, tentatively due sometime in 2012.

Commented INCANTATION drummer Kyle Severn: "The new material we have been writing with new members Alex [Bouks, also of GOREAPHOBIA] and Chuck [Sherwood, also of BLOODSTORM] is beyond brutal, as these songs have come together they are by far the darkest and most demented INCANTATION tracks I've been a part of since 'Diabolical Conquest'."

In related news, Kyle has finished up with his first foray into the cinema realm with a new horror/slasher movie called "After Party Massacre". Co-written/co-directed with Kristoff Bates (of Horrormerch.com), this slasher starts with live performances by INCANTATION and SOULLESS, which then takes a deadly turn after the bands are finished as this unrated movie is filled with blood, scantily clad female flesh and lots of death metal.

Texas heavy rockers DROWNING POOL have parted ways with vocalist Ryan McCombs.

A member of DROWNING POOL since 2006, McCombs replaced singer Jason Jones, who joined the band following the tragic passing of Dave Williams.

Ryan recently rejoined his former bandmates in SOIL for a tour of the U.K. that featured a setlist comprised of select cuts from the "Scars" and "Re.de.fine" albums, along with a song from the debut "Throttle Junkies" release.

Commented DROWNING POOL guitarist C.J. Pierce: "We have always been a band who has gained success despite having multiple singers... maybe we suffer from reverse 'lead singer's disease.'

"Changing things up has not always been easy, but the band has become re-energized time and time again.

"We are looking to find a new singer who will give both us, and most importantly our fans, the new adrenaline shot they deserve." He went on to say, "We do wish Ryan great success in his future endeavors."

Danish/American metallers PYRAMAZE have recruited "longtime producer and very good friend" Jacob Hansen (INVOCATOR, ANUBIS GATE, BEYOND TWILIGHT) as the band's new guitarist.

Commented the group: "It seemed so natural to us to bring Jacob on board, given that he has always felt like an extra member of the band anyways. He has been with us since the beginning, producing, mixing and mastering 'Melancholy Beast' and 'Legend Of The Bonecarver', and mixing and mastering 'Immortal'.

"It's no secret that Michael [Kammeyer] was the main songwriter in PYRAMAZE, as well as the backbone of the band in every conceivable way. However, with our new lineup that also consists of original members Morten Gade (WUTHERING HEIGHTS) and Jonah Weingarten (STRUCTURE OF INHUMANITY, ECHOTERRA), longtime lead guitarist Toke Skjønnemand and new vocalist Urban Breed (TAD MOROSE), we have split up the songwriting duties, and pledge to put our hearts and souls into this new album and the future of PYRAMAZE.

"Michael's shoes are big ones to fill, (literally) and in doing so we feel that we are honoring his legacy to the best of our abilities.

"Before Michael and Niels (bass) had announced their departures from the band, we had already arranged to have Jacob mix the new album, so the transition has gone smoothly to say the least.

"We want to thank our fans for standing by us through all of our hardships, and we promise to deliver the best album we can. We love you all!"

MACHINE HEAD, CANNIBAL CORPSE, AMON AMARTH, DEVILDRIVER and EXODUS are among the confirmed bands for next year's edition of Hellfest, set to take place June 15-17, 2012 in Clisson, France.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

ABORTED
ACID KING
ALCEST
ALL FOR NOTHING
ALL PIGS MUST DIE
ALPHA TIGER
AMENRA
AMON AMARTH
ANAAL NATHRAKH
AOSOTH
ARCTURUS
ASG
AUGUST BURNS RED
AVULSED
BENEDICTION
BETRAYING THE MARTYRS
BLACK SABBATH
BLOOD RED THRONE
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT
BRAIN POLICE
BRUJERIA
BRUTAL TRUTH
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CHANNEL ZERO
CHILDREN OF BODOM
COLOUR HAZE
CRASHDIET
DARKEST HOUR
DARKSPACE
DEATH ANGEL
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR
DEVILDRIVER
DIMMU BORGIR
DISEMBOWELMENT
DJERV
DO OR DIE
DOG EAT DOG
DYING FETUS
DYSE
EMMURE
ENDSTILLE
ENSLAVED
EXODUS
EXTINCTION OF A MANKIND
FROM ASHES RISE
GAMA BOMB
GIRLSCHOOL
GLORIOR BELLI
H2O
HAEMORRHAGE
HATEBREED
HOODS
HOUR OF PENANCE
IN EXTREMO
INTEGRITY
LAMB OF GOD
L'ESPRIT DU CLAN
LIZZY BORDEN
LYNYRD SKYNYRD
MACHINE HEAD
MADBALL
MERRIMACK
MOLLY HATCHET
MONKEY 3
NAPALM DEATH
NASUM
NECROS CHRISTOS
ORANGE GOBLIN
ORANSSI PAZUZU
ORIGIN
PENTAGRAM
ROMPEPROP
SACRED REICH
SAINT VITUS
SOLSTAFIR
SPUDMONSTERS
STRIFE
SUICIDAL ANGELS
TAAKE
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
THOU
TRIVIUM
UFOMAMMUT
UNEXPECT
VANDERBUYST
VICTIMS
VOMITORY
VULTURE INDUSTRIES
WALLS OF JERICHO
WHITECHAPEL
WINTERFYLLETH
YEAR OF NO LIGHT
YOB

Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT have issued the following update:

"VOLBEAT has decided to part ways with Thomas Bredahl.

"Being in a band is in many ways similar to a marriage with ups and downs. At times you can work it out and sometimes you need to go separate ways...

"We want to thank him for the work he has put in for VOLBEAT and we wish him all the best in the future.

"VOLBEAT will play all shows as announced, either as a trio or with a replacement guitarist. Right now we'll take a well-deserved break and we will be back on the road in January, ready to rock the Gigantour and Wacken."

Bredahl had been a member of VOLBEAT since 2006.

LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — will release a digital-only EP, "Melusine", on December 16 in Europe and December 20 in the U.S. via Napalm Records. The five-track EP effort includes no less than four previously unreleased songs.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Melusine
02. To France (unreleased mix)
03. Tell-Tale Eyes (alternate version)
04. The Battle Of Maldon
05. Legend Land (acoustic version)

Dutch singer extraordinaire Floor Jansen, formerly with AFTER FOREVER and currently fronting her own band REVAMP, returned to the stage this past Saturday night (November 26) at Carioca Club in São Paulo, Brazil as a special guest of MAYAN, the band featuring EPICA/ex-AFTER FOREVER guitarist/songwriter Mark Jansen alongside Jack Driessen (ex-AFTER FOREVER) and Frank Schiphorst. This marked his first live appearance since her burn-out earlier this year, which forced her to put on hold concert activities until further notice.

Dutch brutal death metallers SUPREME PAIN have announced the addition of drummer Eric De Windt to the group's ranks. According to the band, Eric "is a very experienced musician and was part of many bands, such as SEVERE TORTURE (vocalist), SINISTER (vocals on 'Aggressive Measures') and PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT, INHUME and DESTROYER666 (drums). At the moment he is also drummer for the Dutch death metal band TEMPLE."

Former DIMMU BORGIR and current BORKNAGAR member ICS Vortex (real name: Simen Hestnæs) will handle the lead vocals on the upcoming debut album from GOD OF ATHEISTS, the Norwegian extreme metal project led by Asgeir Mickelson (SARKE, SPIRAL ARCHITECT, BORKNAGAR, TESTAMENT). Drums on the CD were recorded by Trym (EMPEROR, ZYKLON, ENSLAVED), while the rhythm guitars were laid down by Mickelson.

Commented Asgeir: "GOD OF ATHEISTS is the extreme metal project which I wrote most of the music for in 2008. One song were originally written for BORKNAGAR back in 2004, but was never finished, so I rewrote it and it's now way too brutal for BORKNAGAR's style. The overall style is kind of 'Norwegian black metal done death metal.' It's brutal but also very melodic.

"Both Mr. Vortex and I are looking forward to work on this album the upcoming months, and I'm sure Vortex's awesome vocal style will add a new dimension to the songs. I just need to write some venomous lyrics first… Thankfully, there's a lot of venom in my head…"

He added, "And if you like a project with Trym, Vortex and me, I think you will like the other musicians who've agreed to play on it."

HOTEL DIABLO, the new band featuring vocalist Rick Stitch (LADYJACK, ex-ADLER'S APPETITE), guitarist Alex Grossi (QUIET RIOT), bassist Mike Duda and drummer Mike Dupke (both of W.A.S.P.), will release an EP on January 10 via iTunes and other online stores. The six-song effort will consist of the material the group recently recorded with producer (and former GUNS N' ROSES/ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA guitarist) Gilby Clarke.

"We are very excited to get this stuff out there," says Grossi. "We have been taking our time in the studio and I think people will be into what we have so far."

Audio samples of the tracks "All These Years", "What You Do To Me" and "Psycho California" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

HOTEL DIABLO will debut many of the new songs live on December 8 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.

Clarke is best known for his tenure as the rhythm guitarist of GUNS N' ROSES. He joined the band in November 1991, replacing Izzy Stradlin, who quit the group in the middle of a 28-month world tour. Gilby has also played with ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA, HEART, NANCY SINATRA, Kathy Valentine (of THE GO-GO'S) and the reformed MC5 on their 2005 European tour.

Drummer Pasi Pasanen (ex-SWALLOW THE SUN, PLUTONIUM ORANGE) has joined the Jyväskylä, Finland-based rock/metal band BONE5.

The group's new album, "From The Ashes", will be released on December 7. It was recorded in Jyväskylä with producer Teemu Liekkala.

BONE5 was founded in 2007.

"From The Ashes" track listing:

01. Morbid Desires
02. Back On Track
03. Rain
04. Black Eyed Beat
05. The Dark That Binds Me
06. Twisted
07. By Death
08. Long Gone
09. Futility Of War
10. Last Dance

BONE5 is:

* Tony Kaikkonen (CODE FOR SILENCE, DARK DAYS AHEAD) - Vocals
* Heikki Viinikainen - Guitar
* Mikko Argillander - Guitar
* Jani Juutilainen - Bass
* Pasi Pasanen (SONS OF AEON, PLUTONIUM ORANGE, ex-SWALLOW THE SUN) - Drums

Cleveland metallers ALTERNATE REALITY have released a video for their song "The King That Never Was". The track will appear on the band's forthcoming EP, scheduled for release in 2012. The clip was filmed on location at historic Squire's Castle in Willoughby Hills, Ohio between July and November of 2011. DESTRUCTOR vocalist and guitarist Dave Overkill has a staring role in the video as the character Mordred.

British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST have entered The Chapel studios in Lincolnshire, England to begin recording their new album, "Tragic Idol", for an April 24, 2012 release via Century Media Records.

Commented Gregor Mackintosh: "The [new CD] will again be produced by Jens Bogren and is influenced by classic doom metal and classic metal. I would say it is more melodic than the last record whilst retaining the heaviness. There are lots of guitar solos and melodies. The album will contain such track titles as 'Honesty in Death', 'Theories from Another World', 'In this We Dwell' and the title track, 'Tragic Idol'."

NME TV recently conducted an interview with legendary rocker Alice Cooper. You can now watch the chat below.

When asked for his thoughts on "Lulu", METALLICA's collaborative album with former THE VELVET UNDERGROUND frontman Lou Reed, Alice said, "It's such an odd combination that I really wanna hear it, because I love Lou Reed and I love METALLICA. I would like to have been a fly on the wall when somebody said, 'Why doesn't Lou Reed and METALLICA get together and make an album?' 'Cause I would have gone, 'What?' It's like Iggy Pop making a record with ABBA. You're sitting there going, 'Where's the connection here?' [Laughs] So I really wanna hear it. Lou Reed's lyrics are as dark as can be. And METALLICA is this gigantic, steroid metal band. How does this gel? I can't wait to hear it."

THE 11TH HOUR — the doom metal project led by Ed Warby (drums, guitar, bass, vocals, programming; GOREFEST, DEMIURG, HAIL OF BULLETS) — will release its second album, "Lacrima Mortis", on January 27, 2012 via Napalm Records.

According to a press release, "the seven tracks on 'Lacrima Mortis' are a dark collection of stories revolving around death, sorrow, and painful loss. Warby stays true to his chosen path of somber themes cloaked in funeral garb. Heavy and monumental riffs unite with melancholic piano arrangements to create a strong hypnotic vibe. The lyrics use both personal experiences, as well as fictitious accounts, to weave a funerary wreath ornamentally laid atop the music.

"Warby did not only compose all the tracks, but he also played all the instruments on this album. He took on the production and about half of the vocals, while Pim Blankenstein (OFFICIUM TRISTE) was responsible for the growls.

"'Lacrima Mortis' provides a window to the dying soul. It is a confident and thorough doom album that reveals the morbid complexities inherent in the world of human emotion and thus, will appeal to more than just fans of the genre."

"Lacrima Mortis" track listing:

01. We All Die Alone
02. Rain on Me
03. The Death of Life
04. Tears of the Bereaved
05. Reunion Illusion
06. Nothing but Pain
07. Bury Me

Commented Warby: "'Lacrima Mortis' is another glimpse into the darker side of my musical persona: a thick slab of epic doom metal dealing with the subject of death and its repercussions. I've worked on it feverishly for the past year and to my mind it surpasses 2009's 'Burden Of Grief' in every way. I hope you'll agree!"