Finnish melodic rockers MYON have inked a worldwide deal with Rock N Growl Management/Promotion.

Says the band: "Myon proudly presents the new management deal in courtesy of Rock N Growl Promotion! With this new management deal we expect great international success with our forthcoming album; Vitalworks! We expect a great increase in live performances and touring. Also it is to be expected, that we will establish a more permanent and secure place within the European Central markets. And with this, more media visibility."

The band's fifth full-length album, Vitalworks, will be released in 2012.

Myon’s fifth album Vitalworks (countdown to ground zero) is done. With this album, you have access to the biggest unused resource – unique album with unique sound - in the music industry today. As earlier albums have proved, Myon’s tracks works for everybody involved in the rock scene. Ground Zero is a strong package of genius songs made with the highest level of professional touch.

The new single, 'After It's Gone', proves that all once again. Myon is taking music to the new direction and brings the rock to the new era 2011. Vitalworks era has began.

Check out the video for 'After It’s Gone' below:

DOL AMMAD, the band led by Greek keyboard player Thanasis Lightbridge, have announced that they have started recording their 12-member choir for their upcoming third full album. The choir includes three sopranos, three tenors, three altos and three barritones.

Lightbridge shares the production process with three samples from the choir recordings from the songs 'Stargate Pyramid', 'Supernova' and 'Xenocide'. The 'Stargate Pyramid' sample contains a women-only phrase, 'Xenocide' a men-only and 'Supernova' includes the full tutti choir in unison.

Thanasis and Dol Ammad are working full time on the upcoming album, entitled Hyperspeed, which will be once again influenced by space and sci-fi themes.

More details and samples at this location.

Brazil's modern metal band PAINSIDE has announced the addition of bass player Thiago D. (STATIK MAGIK) and drummer Eduardo Julião to their ranks. The all-new lineup will make its live debut on October 23rd during the Garage Heavy Metal Days festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The band is already working on material to follow-up to their debut, Dark World Burden, released in 2010 by Inner Wound Recordings.

The Swedish heavy metal band MALISON ROGUE have announced the addition of guitar player Mats Johansson to the band. Mats has peformed with Malison Rogue as a session member for the last six months, but now everyone involved think that the next step is to add him as an official member of the band.

Malison Rogue vocalist Zeb comments: "We've known Mats for several years and he's a good friend of us and a great guitarplayer. Mats fits in the band like a glove! Now we're able to create our guitar harmonies live, which is awesome! We're very excited about what the future will bring to Malison Rogue, we hope to see you on tour soon!"

David Fricke of RollingStone.com spoke to Lou Reed and METALLICA about their unlikely musical collaboration, "Lulu", which is scheduled for release on November 1 in North America via Warner Bros. Records and one day earlier (October 31) in the rest of the world through Universal Music. The CD was co-produced by Reed, METALLICA, Hal Willner — who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others — and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.. The 10 songs are Reed's — harrowing examinations of sexual taboo and moral peril originally composed for a new Berlin production of works by the German expressionist playwright Frank Wedekind. But "Lulu" is a true collaboration: METALLICA wrote new riffs and arrangements and recorded almost everything, including vocals, live with Reed in this studio.

"They're as powerful as you can get," Reed said of METALLICA. "The drums are no joke, and Hetfield is like that." Reed pounded a hand on his heart. "Then you have lyrics that are high-octane. It's so easy, because we're not trying to change anyone."

"It wasn't 'This is my shit, do as you're told,'" Ulrich confirmed. "Lou understood we were going to give him something nobody else would." "Lulu" "is almost like two languages," Ulrich said. "We have m-e-t-a-l in our name. But we can go fucking anywhere and do anything."

"Lou and us — we're kindred souls," METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett said. "We both have a clear vision of what you should sound like and say. Also, he has an edge that totally fits. He speaks our language, slightly sarcastic and blunt, like another pea in the pod."

Ulrich recalled listening with Hetfield to Reed's original "otherworldly" tapes, featuring spare guitar and long drones on cello and an electronic instrument, the Continuum, played by Reed and Sarth Calhoun, a member of Reed's band.

"He was defensive, ready to roll his eyes," Ulrich said of Hetfield's initial response. "Then you could see this weight lifted off his shoulders. He felt a connection. He had not expected that."

According to Ulrich, "Lulu" has had an effect on the writing for METALLICA's next album. Instead of starting with riffs, "James is talking about bringing lyrics in first," the drummer said. "What happens if the music is inspired by that?"

A few days after "Lulu" was mastered, Ulrich described listening to the album on a late-night car ride. "I was overwhelmed," he confessed. "I also felt, 'This is really unique.'" How unique? He laughs. "This makes [METALLICA's 1988 LP] '...And Justice For All' sound like the first RAMONES album."

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have announced the following European tour datesL

Apr. 10 - Lisebergshallen - Göteborg, Sweden
Apr. 11 - Falconer Theater - Copenhagen, Denmark
Apr. 13 - Heineken Music Hall - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Apr. 14 - ISS Dome - Düsseldorf, Germany
Apr. 16 - Forest National - Brussels, Belgium
Apr. 17 - Bercy - Paris, France
Apr. 18 - Zenith - Nantes, France
Apr. 20 - Halle Tony Garnier - Lyon, France
Apr. 21 - Rockhal - Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Apr. 23 - Jahrhunderthalle - Frankfurt, Germany
Apr. 24 - Hallenstadion - Zurich, Switzerland
Apr. 25 - Forum - Milano, Italy
Apr. 27 - Gasometer - Vienna, Austria
Apr. 29 - Budapest Arena - Budapest, Hungary
Apr. 30 - Tesla (T-Mobile Arena) - Prague, Czech Republic
May 01 - Arena - Leipzig, Germany
May 03 - o2 World - Hamburg, Germany
May 05 - Arena - Nuremberg, Germany
May 06 - Schleyerhalle - Stuttgart, Germany
May 08 - Krizanke - Ljubljana, Slovenia

Drummer Varyen Chylinski (AGAINST THE PLAGUES, FOREST OF IMPALED, DAMNATION) has joined ROAD'S END, the band led by bassist Marcin "Novy" Nowak (BEHEMOTH, VADER). This is the first project that Novy has assembled himself and he's looking forward to having Varyen assist him during live performances.

Chylinski and Nowak have known each other for a long time, having both grown up in the Polish heavy metal scene.

Novy previously described ROAD'S END's musical direction as "American-style heavy metal with a European soul."

ROAD'S END last week began the audition process for a permanent lead singer and lead guitarist. Individuals interesting in auditioning should already have touring experience, their own equipment and ideally be in the Chicago, Illinois area or at least be willing to relocate. For the lead singer, gender is not important, but the ability to sound like the singer on the streaming audio tracks is critical.

Novy has recorded 17 full-length CDs and taped five official DVDs, all with worldwide distribution. He was also named one of the best bass players in all of the industry-related magazines.

Novy is an extremely versatile musician who is inspired not only by heavy metal, but also jazz, classical and other "good" music.

Legendary NWOBHM act CLOVEN HOOF has announced the addition of singer Ash Cooper (pictured below) to the group's ranks. According to the band, "Ash's vocal delivery is brutal and aggressive, yet he can tackle ballads with great sensitivity and emotion. Ash sings with his heart on his sleeve with great power and passion."

An audio sample Cooper singing the new CLOVEN HOOF song "I'm Your Nemesis" can be streamed below.

Chicago's KOMMANDANT has inked a deal with the Italian record label Aeternus Tenebrarum Music Foundation. The band's new full-length album, "The Draconian Archetype", is being recorded and engineered by Chris Djuricic at Belle City Sound in Racine, Wisconsin for an early 2012 release.

Commented the band in a statement: "KOMMANDANT has grown tremendously as a band over the last year and has really come into its own. We view Aeternus Tenebrarum Music Foundation as important allies and look forward to flying under their banner."

"The Draconian Archetype" preliminary track listing:

01. Hate Is Strength
02. Call Of The Void
03. Arbiter Of Enslavement
04. Obsidian Gravitational Torrent
05. The Transition
06. Atavistic Species
07. We Are The Angels Of Death
08. Of Blood And Iron
09. Fore-Aft Synthesis
10. Downfall

KOMMANDANT guitarist James Bresnahan previously said about the band's new album, "We have been constantly pushing the KOMMANDANT sound into new extremes. 'The Draconian Archetype' is the best representation yet of who we are and what we stand for. ['Draconian archetype'] is the idea of applying an older or more traditional set of values or rules to modern situations. [The] songs explore the concept of promoting strength, decisiveness and traditional virtues instead of coddling weakness and obfuscation. Obviously metal in general promotes stripped-down hyper-masculine concepts like war, and in that respect we are similar, but that's where the similarity generally ends. I think it would be rather short-sighted to classify us as simply a 'war metal' band, since our songs range quite a bit beyond conflict in their subject matter."

According to Musical Instrument Professional, Premier has introduced the "Spirit Of Maiden" drumset, a new kit designed in collaboration with IRON MAIDEN's Nicko McBrain.

Since 1993, the relationship between McBrain and Premier has resulted in a series of drumsets created to support IRON MAIDEN's world tours. This new kit is the first product from Premier that offers fans an affordable drumset officially licensed by IRON MAIDEN.

The artwork depicts the band's mascot Eddie from the "Piece Of Mind" album — the first MAIDEN record to feature McBrain on drums. Finished in two-tone metallic grey and silver, the covering is produced in the U.K. at the same facility used for the drummer's personal tour kits. Each drum includes a silver embossed IRON MAIDEN badge, while the bass drum head includes the Premier logo in MAIDEN's signature font.

Read more from Musical Instrument Professional.

Hard rock fans who love wine, but hate the image can now pick up a bottle of ruby that's been approved by the crown prince of rock and metal himself, Lemmy Kilmister — Motörhead Shiraz.

The Australian Shiraz, which is available in the U.K. from Great Wine Online, has been carefully selected by the hard rock legends and has been described as a wine with a fruity aroma, flavors of vanilla, blackberries, plums, eucalyptus and liquorice, but with soft rounded tannins. Or, as Lemmy Kilmister, lead singer, bass player and founder of the band, puts it: "My advice is — approach it with caution. I mean, wine is deceptive, anything can happen."

MOTÖRHEAD's signature wine made its world debut in Sweden in 2010, and has been hitting Scandinavia like a Lancaster bomber, perhaps due to the band's tremendous following there. 120,000 bottles have already flown over the counters.

Ewen Cameron from Great Wine Online, the U.K. wholesaler and distributor, comments: "This is rock 'n' roll's grape number one, and just like Lemmy, it can survive just about anything. It was selected together with the band, and we're certain that hard rock fans in the U.K. will love it. Wine is perhaps not their traditional drink choice, but this Shiraz has all the attitude to win them over — from the iconic label to the intense taste."

The wine, which should be served slightly cooler than usual around 16-18 degrees, goes well with lamb or beef dishes, as well as pasta and flavoursome cheeses. The band recommends drinking it with grilled lamp chops with garlic and rosemary, while listening to anything by MOTÖRHEAD, from 1980's "Ace Of Spades" to last year's universally acclaimed "The Wörld Is Yours" — denim and leather optional.

The initiative for Motörhead Shiraz came from Bevarages Per Minute Sweden who contacted the band with the idea. Grapes Svenska AB was commissioned to produce it.

Name: Motörhead Shiraz 2010
Price: £86.40 for Case of 6 bottles á 750 ml
Producer: Broken Back Winery, South Eastern Australia
Region: Australia, South Eastern Australia
Distribution: www.greatwineonline.co.uk

For more information, please visit www.motorheadwine.com.

DEVILDRIVER/COAL CHAMBER frontman Dez Fafara has recorded guest vocals for a new SOULFLY song, to be featured on the band's new studio album, due in early 2012 via Roadrunner Records.

Fafara posted the following message (along with a picture of him and SOULFLY frontman Max Cavalera) via Twitter: "I just co-wrote and sang with Max Cavalera on the heaviest track I’ve heard from SOULFLY ever. RESPECT."

"No Halos", the new video from BLACK WATER RISING — the New York-based band featuring former members of BOILER ROOM and DUST TO DUST — can be seen below. The clip, which features Jose Hernandez Jr. (HBO's "Oz") in the starring role, was helmed by acclaimed director Noah Shulman (SOIL, HELLYEAH) and depicts religion as cult and uses media as a brainwashing tool. The viewer follows the preacher as he descends into madness caused by society's ills.

Commented BLACK WATER RISING drummer Mike Meselsohn: "We are so proud and psyched to show our new video to the world. We jumped at the opportunity to work with Noah again and he didn't disappoint. He came up with an awesome concept that really captures the vibe of the song and is visually captivating at the same time."

Ohio-based metalcore quintet LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES has inked a European deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's full-length debut, "When We Don't Exist", is scheduled for a November 11 release.

Commented LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES singer/mainman Chris Roetter: "We are very excited to have our debut album, 'When We Don't Exist', released by Nuclear Blast in Europe. Their history of signing incredibly heavy bands combined with some of their more recent signings excites us greatly. We cannot wait to come over to Europe in support of the album, and are thankful to have a label there who will ensure our music is heard!"

Added the label in a statement: "We're proud to work with LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES from now on. Their EP already blew us away, but their debut album simply kicks even more ass. A lot more varied, a lot more matured and a real inferno of modern metalcore. Even if there's a lot of melody to LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES' sound, the band definitely focusses on heavy riffing and brutal breakdowns. Watch out!"

A new LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES song, "You Won't Be Missed" — taken from the forthcoming CD — can be heard in the YouTube clip below.

Polish avantgarde metallers STROMMOUSSHELD have just finished the pre-production process for their long-awaited second full-length album, entitled "No Direction Home".

Commented the group: "We confirm the rumours about coming back to life as a real band. We ended up putting together all the riffs and soundscapes we managed to gather during all those fuckin' years. Now, when we have the vision of this yet unborn bastard we may say the new album is going to be something you would never expect from us!"

STROMMOUSSHELD is preparing to enter the studio to begin recording the new CD. The drum tracks will be laid down at the Huge Studio while the rest of the instruments and vocals will be tracked at SH Studio. The production will be handled by Maels Strommo, band's vocalist and guitarist.

STROMMOUSSHELD's full-length debut was released in 2003 by Avantgarde Music.

dary British power metal mercenaries TANK — featuring Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans on guitar alongside ex-RAINBOW/YNGWIE MALMSTEEN frontman Doogie White and ex-BRUCE DICKINSON bassist Chris Dale and drummer Dave "Grav" Cavill (ZODIAC MINDWARP) — have commenced work on the follow-up to last year's "War Machine" album for a spring 2012 release via Metal Mind Productions. According to a press release, the new material is "in a similar vein to 'War Machine', but with a heavier angle." Working songtitles so far include "One Thousand Deaths", "War Without End" and "Heavier Than Thou".

"War Machine" was released on October 25, 2010 in Europe via Metal Mind Productions (December 7, 2010 in the U.S. through MVD). The production was handled by Pedro Ferreira (THE DARKNESS, THERAPY?, MEAT LOAF) and the bulk of the recording was done at Pedrock Studios in London. Drums were laid down by Tony Newton at Steve Harris' (IRON MAIDEN) Barnyard Studios.

"War Machine" was made available in four different versions: as a jewel case CD, a limited-edition digipak CD including two bonus tracks and LP with one bonus track. The Japanese edition of the album includes two exclusive bonus tracks which aren't available elsewhere.

Audio samples from "A Decade Of Dusk", the forthcoming debut album from LUX INCERTA — the French gothic doom metal band featuring members of PENUMBRA and THE OLD DEAD TREE — are available for streaming on the group's official web site. The CD was recorded and mixed by JJ Moréac (MISANTHROPE) and features a guest appearance by Manuel Munoz (THE OLD DEAD TREE) in the song "Shelter".

"A Decade Of Dusk" track listing:

01. Shelter (feat. Manuel Munoz)
02. Winternity
03. The Monk (Mix '11)
04. Clearwater (Mix '11)
05. Profundis
06. Alone
07. Miserabilis Miserabile (Mix '11)

LUX INCERTA is:

Benjamin Belot (PENUMBRA, SYNOPTIA) - Bass, Vocals
Gilles Moinet (THE OLD DEAD TREE) - Guitar

Brazilian heavy metal singer Eduardo "Edu" Falaschi (ANGRA, ALMAH, SYMBOLS) has released the following statement:

"Dear friends,

"At last I would like to clarify some facts about my voice with all the sincerity, humility and integrity that I may have.

"For over 20 years I have worked without a day off in the heavy metal style, and we all know how difficult and technically demanding it is. Joining ANGRA, I had to fit a particularly high way of singing, which was totally out of my range, and of the vast majority of the singers! At the time I took the responsibility and faced all the pressure. But 10 years ago it was much easier due to the physical factor, excitement and age. I started to feel, year after year, gradually, the difficulties of singing something so high and out of my natural trait. I fought to the end! I did everything possible to continue to sing the songs, particularly the old ones, always in high pitches, because the melodic metal audience has ever 'demanded' this of us singers. But unfortunately, today, older and more experienced, I assume that I am no longer able to sing so high. I am extremely tired and feeling the weight of all that in my voice, including the region that has always been the most comfortable for me! I'm a baritone singer who dominates the mediums and lows, with drive, singing with a more aggressive chest voice, as I did in SYMBOLS and do in ALMAH. I have conquered many things and built much of my story with my own style.

"Therefore, I made a decision, thinking only and exclusively about the health of my voice and integrity of my career, which I have built with so much struggle and dedication.

"After fulfilling all the promotional activities of [the new ALMAH album] 'Motion', scheduled until the end of the year, I will stop indefinitely to finally rest and be able to deal properly with my health. But I have to point out that from today on I'll just sing whatever is in my natural range, be it in ANGRA or any other band, for my own good! I want to be who I really am, instead of being what people want me to be! In the meantime, I'll continue with my activities as a producer and composer, which are things I love doing, and will not harm at all the progress of my recovery.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the fans who always supported me and defend me unconditionally! I will always do my best writing and singing good music for you guys, with all my truth and emotion! This is the first step to a new time in my life! I have confidence in the future and will always be passionate about the greatest music ever, HEAVY METAL!"

Professionally filmed video footage of ANGRA performing at this year's Rock In Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil can be seen below.

ALMAH's third album, "Motion", will be released on the following dates:

* Europe (via AFM Records): October 14
* Brazil (Laser Company): September 16
* Rest Of Latin America (Icarus Records): October 14
* Japan (Victor JVC): October 19

German melodic metallers EDGUY have been forced to postpone three concerts in their home country this weekend (Essen, Fulda and Bamberg) after the band's lead singer, Tobias Sammet, was diagnosed with a virus infection and an accute laryngitis. The group is working on rescheduling the concerts in late October. Tickets for all three shows will be honored on the new dates.

Commented Sammet: "I am really sorry; it is the second consecutive tour this shit happens to me! I have just returned from the phoniatrics unit of the university hospital Essen, because I so desperately wanted to play those shows this coming weekend, but my throat just says 'no.' It doesn't work. I sincerely apologize to all of you who might be disappointed, be sure I must be the most disappointed one myself. We'll do everything to reschedule those dates after the regular tour is finished. We keep you updated regarding the dates."

The rescheduled dates are as follows:

Oct. 25 - Essen, Germany
Oct. 26 - Fulda, Germany
Oct. 27 - Bamberg, Germany

Dutch female-fronted rock/metal outfit NEMESEA will release their third album, "The Quiet Resistance", via Napalm Records on the following dates:

* Spain, Finland, Sweden: November 17
* Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy: November 18
* Rest Of Europe: November 21
* USA, Canada: November 22

"The Quiet Resistance" was produced and mixed by Joost van den Broek, who has previously played with AFTER FOREVER, AYREON, SUN CAGED and VANDENBERG.

Der wohl umstrittenste Künstler seit bestehen der Black Metal Szene, Varg Vikernes, veröffentlicht mit "From The Depths Of Darkness" eine neue Platte gegen Ende November 2011.

Auf dem Album werden die Stücke der ersten zwei BURZUM Platten enthalten sein die Vikernes im Jahre 2010 neu aufgenommen hat. Es handelt sich hierbei um die Favorite Tracks von Varg!

"From The Depths Of Darkness" Tracklist so wie Cover Artwork:

01. The Coming (Introduction)
02. Feeble Screams From Forests Unknown
03. Sassu Wunnu (Introduction)
04. Ea. Lord Of The Depths
05. Spell Of Destruction
06. A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirit
07. My Journey To The Stars
08. Call Of The Siren (Introduction)
09. Key To The Gate
10. Turn The Sign Of The Microcosm (Snu Mikrokosmos' Tegn)
11. Channeling The Power Of Minds Into A New God

British clothing brand Ed Stone and Dutch technical metal band TEXTURES have announced the launch of an exclusive TEXTURES x Ed Stone T-shirt line. The line of T-shirts will be based around the band's new album, "Dualism", which was recently released through Nuclear Blast Records. The T-shirts will be limited to a 100 pieces per design once they have sold out the next design in the series will be revealed. The first design was created by Jeremy Packer at ZombieYeti Studios and is based on the TEXTURES song "Arms Of The Sea".

Commenting on the new venture, the band had this to say, "It's really cool to be able to expand our collaboration with Ed Stone even more, with the release of the TEXTURES / Ed Stone clothing line! Oh yeah!"