"Devil's Island", the new single from British metallers ARCHITECTS, will be made available on the following dates:

* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Italy: Friday, December 2
* U.K.: Sunday, December 4
* Benelux, France, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, Rest Of Europe: Monday, December 5
* Spain: Tuesday, December 6
* Sweden, Finland, Hungary: Wednesday, December 7
* USA: Tuesday, December 13

You can also get "Untitled" (and yes, "Untitled" is the title), another new track that is digitally exclusive to iTunes.

"Under The Sign Of Hell 2011", the re-recording of GORGOROTH's third album, has now finally been pressed and CD will be sold at the merchandise booth during the band's upcoming European tour. The group has only a limited amount of CDs available for sale so they will only be available for purchase while stocks last. A physical CD release date will be announced once details have been provided by Regain Records.

Century Media Records has announced a partnership with Swedish black metallers MARDUK and the band's record label, Blooddawn Productions.

Morgan Håkansson, owner of Blooddawn Productions, guitar player and founding member of MARDUK, as well as bass player in DEATH WOLF, comments: "It's with great pleasure that I can announce the cooperation between MARDUK and Century Media as we enter into a long-term deal.

"After over 20 years as a band and the last 10 years on Regain Records, we decided to march on. We have received an enormous amount of offers. But in the end, we see Century Media as the best partner and best platform for us to operate from. Century Media has a strong foundation and the vision that we have been looking for.

"So from this November day, MARDUK as well as my label Blooddawn Productions, including the band DEATH WOLF, are in league with Century Media."

Jens Prueter, head of A&R at Century Media Records in Europe, states "We always had a soft spot for bands with a history: legendary bands like CELTIC FROST, NAPALM DEATH, PARADISE LOST, SICK OF IT ALL, etc. Bands that helped to define a whole genre and who haven't been afraid to follow their own vision — with all consequences. Therefore I feel honored to announce the new worldwide cooperation between Century Media Records and Blooddawn Productions.

"MARDUK released their groundbreaking demo 20 years ago and laid the foundation of Swedish black metal — so 2011 marks a historic anniversary to start with a new team to continue their path."

MARDUK completed the "7 Bowls Of Wrath" North American tour in early June.

SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell tells Billboard.com that the band's new album — its first studio set since 1996 — is "mostly done. We just need to finish a couple of songs and mix it, so that will be happening probably over the holidays."

As to what it sounds like, Cornell says that, "It's certainly not nostalgic. It's definitely forward. It sounds to me exactly like it should sound — like we took a break and we got together and we're making an album. I don't think we've taken any dramatic new approaches to writing or recording, and yet there's definitely changes. We've all had a decade-plus of more experience in writing and recording and took a long break... So it's very refreshing and it feels to me like the next logical step in SOUNDGARDEN, creatively."

Audiences at Cornell's upcoming "Songbook" tour solo shows shouldn't expect to hear previews of any of the new songs, however. "I think it's definitely a SOUNDGARDEN record," Cornell says, "and I wouldn't want to take it out of that context just yet."

Vocalist Randy Blythe of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD has released the following statement regarding the passing of GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot (a.k.a. Flattus Maximus):

"I am very saddened by the passing our friend Cory Smoot (a.k.a. Flattus Maximus) of GWAR. He was an awesome dude and a great guitar player, as well as a talented engineer and producer. I recorded guest vocals for a few projects at his studio (the Kris Norris project, the [Jamey] Jasta solo record) and as a friend he refused to take my money in payment for the sessions. Last session just gave me some killer tracks of HIS solo work and asked me if I ever had time to lay down some vocals for him. I really regret now not having had the opportunity to record those sessions with him. He was always fun to tour with, hang with, and we will be deeply missed, especially in our hometown of Richmond. It was an honor to work with such a kind human being.

"My most sincere condolences to his wife, family, and the rest of the GWAR family.

"Rest in peace, brother. I'll catch you on the flip side."

Smoot was found deceased this morning as GWAR was preparing to cross the border into Canada to play shows in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver over the weekend. There is no word as to the cause of death.

Razor & Tie has announced the addition of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida rockers NONPOINT to its label and publishing rosters. The band has been on a major roll recently, having wrapped up a two-year tour in support of their album "Miracle" with a triumphant show in front of 6,000 fans at Wisconsin's at Taste of Madison. The "Miracle" tour also saw other exciting benchmarks for the band, including performances at the Metal Hammer Awards, U.K.'s Download festival and Australia's Soundwave Festival, where they were the recipients of an MTV Soundie Award (courtesy of MTV Classic Australia). NONPOINT also re-established itself at Active Rock radio, with its hit "Miracle" breaking into the Top 15.

NONPOINT is already deep into writing its forthcoming album, having demoed over two dozen songs. The new CD is currently slated for a spring of 2012 release.

"We couldn't be happier or more excited about our upcoming new partnership with Razor & Tie," commented NONPOINT vocalist Elias Soriano. "Their aggressive staff and fresh plan of attack has us excited to get this record on the shelves and on the airwaves because I know they will reach for greatness and are as proud of being a part of this project as we are. We're very much looking forward to the next album cycle."

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland tells Billboard.com that "there is another album coming" to follow 2010's self-titled effort. The group plays three shows in South America this month, then Weiland expects his bandmates to start working on new material. "They usually start before me, just getting some rough ideas together and then putting rough ideas down on ProTools with no lyrics and no melody," he explains. "And then I start listening to it and see if it's just a straight-ahead rock 'n' roll record or if it's more of a concept album like [2001's] 'Shangri-La Dee Da' was. Once we decide that, it should go full speed ahead."

The main page of BLACK SABBATH's official web site has updated with the date 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011) below the band's classic logo. All four original members of the legendary heavy metal group — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — will attend a special announcement ceremony that day. Former BLACK FLAG frontman Henry Rollins will host the private event, which will be held at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California — the same venue where the band made its Los Angeles debut on November 11, 1970 (41 years ago), opening for ALICE COOPER — at exactly 11:11 a.m.

British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH are putting the finishing touches on their 14th studio album (excluding the cover album "Leaders Not Followers"). This new piece of brutality is entitled "Utilitarian", and it will hit stores 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.

Land Of The Dead", the new album from U.S. power metallers JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR — the band led by former VIRGIN STEELE guitarist Jack Starr — will be released on November 11 via Limb Music. The CD was produced by Bart Gabriel (CRYSTAL VIPER, SACRED STEEL, LONEWOLF), and features cover artwork by Ken Kelly (RAINBOW, KISS, MANOWAR).

"Land Of The Dead" was recorded by the same linup that was responsible for 2009's "Defiance" album: Starr on guitar, Ned Meloni on bass, Kenny "Rhino" Earl (ex-MANOWAR) on drums, and Todd Hall on vocals. The CD also features guest appearances by David Shankle and Ross The Boss (both ex-MANOWAR) on lead guitar, and Marta Gabriel (CRYSTAL VIPER) on grand piano and keyboards.

"Land Of The Dead" track listing:

01. Land Of The Dead
02. Sands Of Time
03. Twilight Of The Gods
04. Stranger In Paradise
05. Here We Are
06. Warning Fire (feat. Ross The Boss)
07. Daughter Of Darkness
08. When Blood And Steel Collide
09. On The Wings Of The Night
10. Never Again (feat. David Shankle)
11. Until The End

Finnish fantasy metallers BATTLELORE have released the following statement:

"BATTLELORE played their last foreign show for the time being in Belgium, at Metal Female Voices Fest IX, on Friday, October 21st 2011. After that the band is going on an indefinite break from touring and making music. This is not the end, however, just a time-out to focus on other aspects of life and build up more creative energy for the future. The plan is to play one more show in Finland before the break to thank the Finnish fans for their support over the years. The details of the last show are not confirmed yet but will be announced as soon as the information comes.

"There's no drama behind the decision to go on break, just a need to take a step back and have a breather.

"We want to thank all of our associates and supporters for the help and work over the past nearly 12 years. We've been lucky to have met and worked with such wonderful people! The biggest thanks definitely go to our amazing fans, without whom none of this would've been possible. We are honoured to have met you all and are humbled by your generosity and support! You all have a place in our hearts and we will always cherish the amazing moments we've shared with you on and off stage. THANK YOU!"

MEGADETH's video for the song "Public Enemy No. 1" can be viewed below. The clip was shot on September 17 in Santa Clarita, California on a movie set where old Westerns are filmed. Bassist David Ellefson stated in a video message about the "Public Enemy No. 1" clip, "We have never shot a video like this before; there's actually animals in the movie and that's all we can say."

On the topic of how the song "Public

Video footage of IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, the Shreveport, Louisiana quintet now transplanted to Los Angeles, California, performing a cover of SLIPKNOT's "(sic)" while donning red jumpsuits and older versions of SLIPKNOT's trademark masks this past Halloween (October 31) at Ace of Spades in Sacramento, California can be seen below. IWRESTLEDABEARONCE said, "[We] never even practiced this as a full band, but who doesn't know SLIPKNOT by heart? I mean, really... if you don't like SLIPKNOT, then you're a fucking terrorist.

Norwegian "blackjazz" outfit SHINING (not to be confused with the Swedish extreme metal band of the same name) will release its first-ever live DVD and CD, "Live Blackjazz", on November 11 via Indie Recordings. The effort was produced by SHINING frontman Jørgen Munkeby and was mixed by Sean Beavan (MARILYN MANSON, NINE INCH NAILS, SLAYER). The mastering duties were handled by Tom Baker (MARILYN MANSON, NINE INCH NAILS).

A performance clip of the song "Fisheye", taken from the forthcoming DVD, can be seen below (courtesy of the German edition of Metal Hammer).

According to TheWeek.com, AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler is one of the rock stars helping to fund a special gel that replicates the action of human vocal cords — a help to musicians and cancer patients alike.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing a special gel that mimics the vibrations of human vocal cords. The project could have profound effects on people with damaged voices, from aging singers to throat cancer patients.

Danish metallers AS WE FIGHT have issued the following statement:

"After 10 years we have decided to end AS WE FIGHT. It has been one hell of a ride with many memorable experiences, but it is time for new adventures for all of us. A huge thank you goes out to all the bands, labels, venues, festivals and partners crossing our road and not least all the people, who came out to our shows making it a time to remember! We are looking forward to go out with a bang with our upcoming tour with THE PSYKE PROJECT, and we hope to see you all."

STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet is working on material for a new solo album. He states, "I've got 15 songs ready to go but the goal is 25 by December 22nd, when we track basics!"

Sweet's last solo album, "Touched", was released on December 3, 2007 exclusively through Michael's official web site, MichaelSweet.com. The CD, which included reworked versions of four STRYPER songs, was not made available in stores.

For over 25 years, Christian rock pioneer Michael Sweet has broken down walls and seen unprecedented success bringing his music to the masses. Best known as the singer and songwriter for righteous rockers known as STRYPER, his role in STRYPER only scratches the surface of this multi-talented artist.

Michael Sweet, in addition to his very visible role in STRYPER, is also a Nashville songwriter, producer, acclaimed solo artist, and in 2008 was even a member of the legendary band BOSTON. With over 8 million records sold worldwide, a Grammy nomination, and a Dove Award, Michael Sweet continues to break new ground in all aspects of his diverse career.