Bassist Ray Riendeau (HALFORD, JAMES LABRIE) has launched a new project called STAR MONARCHY. The music will feature songs written by Ray and some collaborations with other artists. It will be recorded by an ongoing cast of players/singers in various metal genres. "Volume 1" features Francesco Artusato (ALL SHALL PERISH) guitar, Dan Tompkins (TESSERACT) vocals and Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, JAMES LABRIE) drums,. More players will be announced soon.

Mediaskare Records has announced the signing of CONFESSION, the Australian band featuring former I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN vocalist Michael Crafter. The band's new album, "The Long Way Home", will be released in the U.S. on September 27 through digital retailers and November 8 through retail stores.

CONFESSION recorded "The Long Way Home" at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström, who has previously worked with AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ARCH ENEMY, SOILWORK and BRING ME THE HORIZON, among others.

According to a press release, "The Long Way Home" "presents an assured and strengthened outfit that is out to stake their claim as the next force in the international hardcore community. Lyrically, 'The Long Road Home' explores themes relating to decisions that we make regarding the life path we follow." "It's about being happy and doing what we want to do," stated Crafter. "We take roads that lead us very far away from the people we love and place we call home, but our family and friends will always be there for us when we need them."

Some bands release mere snippets of songs to preview their upcoming tours. Some release a single song. In typical balls-to-the-wall ICED EARTH fashion, the legendary metal band has re-recorded the entire 17-minute fan-favorite epic "Dante's Inferno" — and is giving it away free on the group's official web site.

"If there's one song fans have asked us to play live more than any other it's 'Dante's Inferno'," ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer said. "The simple reason why we haven't is because the original click track was erased, therefore requiring a keyboard player to do the parts live. That's OK for a special event like when we recorded 'Alive In Athens', but to hire a keyboard player for a full tour, for one song, just isn't financially feasible."

This summer, during the recording of "Dystopia", ICED EARTH's soon-to-be-released 10th studio album, the band entered the studio for the express purpose of remedying that situation — and emerged with a powerful rendition that's (if possible) even more monumental than the original, which was the closing track on the band's 1995 album "Burnt Offerings".

Schaffer and new vocalist Stu Block talk about the recording of "Dante's Inferno" in an exclusive video clip which can be seen below.

HELLOWEEN fans in Russia are invited to the ‘Dr. Stein contest’: come to one of the shows of the upcoming “7 Sinners Tour 2011” in Russia, dressed as Dr. Stein (picture attached) and secure yourself the chance to get on stage LIVE with HELLOWEEN at the finale of the particular concert. Because, at every show the 10 best Dr. Stein outfits are going to be chosen to rock with the guys on stage to “Dr. Stein”.

These 10 coolest Dr. Steins will also make it to the “Hall of Dr. Stein” at Helloween.org, amongst which the winners will be elected after the world tour. Of course, for these best Doctors of the planet, there will be appropriate, scientifically approved prizes. And all of this without a degree!

"In These Walls", the new video from German metallers BRAINSTORM, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's new album, "On The Spur Of The Moment", which will be released on September 30 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Studio 22 in Ludwigsburg, Germany with Axel Heckert. According to BRAINSTORM, "Axel is a huge fan of the band and he [helped] us to reach a whole new level."

"On The Spur Of The Moment" track listing:

01. Below The Line
02. In The Blink Of An Eye
03. Temple Of Stone
04. In These Walls
05. Still Insane
06. Dark Life
07. No Saint - No Sinner
08. Where Your Actions Lead You To Live
09. A Life On Hold
10. My Own Hell

Croatian female-fronted metallers RISING DREAM will enter The Sweetspot studio in Halmstad, Sweden next week to begin recording their new album, titled "System Corrupt", for a mid-2012 release. Twelve new compositions will be laid down during the sessions with producer Rickard Bengtsson (ARCH ENEMY, FIREWIND). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Religion For The Weak", "Jericho", "Gunshot Melodies", "System Corrupt", "Probe The Bloodline" and a cover version of A PERFECT CIRCLE's "The Outsider".

Commented RISING DREAM: "This time around we wrote more diverse material, mostly due to [the addition of singer Ines Tancheva) and somewhat more refined music taste. The new songs are some of the heaviest and some of the easiest stuff we have ever written. This will surely be more compact RISNG DREAM sound!"

RISING DREAM's latest CD, "Failed Apocalypse", was released in July 2008 via Dallas Records. The album featured a guest appearance by former VISIONS OF ATLANTIS singer Melissa Ferlaak on the song "Dreams Come True".

RISING DREAM has previously opened for such bands as IRON MAIDEN, HELLOWEEN, AMON AMARTH and DEEP PURPLE, and has played at major European open air festivals.

Yossi Sassi, guitarist, founding member and musical mastermind of Israeli progressive folk metal masters ORPHANED LAND, is working on his first album as a solo artist. The CD will feature guest appearances by former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman and "other leading musicians."

Although Sassi is known for pioneering Middle Eastern and folk progressive metal for over 20 years, his solo effort is will be of a semi-instrumental nature and "far from being ORPHANED LAND No. 2," Sassi stated.

ORPHANED LAND's new concert DVD, "The Road To OR-Shalem", will be released on October 24 in Europe and November 1 in the U.S. via Century Media Records.

According to a press release, "The Road To OR-Shalem" "is the premier Middle Eastern progressive metal crusaders' DVD debut and documents the band's incredible mission to unite warring factions in their home region through the power of music. Filmed in Tel Aviv, Israel in December 2010, 'The Road To OR-Shalem' features nearly two hours of stunning live material, as well as a second bonus DVD. The bonus DVD material includes additional live footage, a behind-the-scenes documentary and video clips."

Slash's (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES) "homecoming" gig on July 24 at the Victoria Hall in the British town of Stoke-On-Trent, where he was raised until he was five, was filmed for a DVD and Blu-ray release, "Made In Stoke - 24/7/11", due on November 15 via Eagle Vision.

Slash's setlist was as follows:

01. Been There Lately (SLASH'S SNAKEPIT song)
02. Nightrain (GUNS N' ROSES song)
03. Ghost
04. Mean Bone (SLASH'S SNAKEPIT song)
05. Back From Cali
06. Rocket Queen (GUNS N' ROSES song)
07. Civil War (GUNS N' ROSES song)
08. Nothing To Say
09. Promise
10. Starlight
11. Doctor Alibi (with Todd Kerns on vocals)
12. Speed Parade (SLASH'S SNAKEPIT song)
13. Watch This
14. Beggars & Hangers-On (SLASH'S SNAKEPIT song)
15. Patience (GUNS N' ROSES song)
16. Guitar Solo / Godfather Theme
17. Sweet Child O' Mine (GUNS N' ROSES song)
18. Slither (VELVET REVOLVER song)

Encore:

19. By The Sword
20. Mr. Brownstone (GUNS N' ROSES song)
21. Paradise City (GUNS N' ROSES song)

Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA have issued the following update:

"As of today, EPICA has started the recordings for their fifth full-length album. This still-untitled album will expectedly be released by Nuclear Blast on March 9th, 2012. EPICA entered the famous Gate studios in Germany once more to work with world-renowned producer Sascha Paeth [KAMELOT, AVANTASIA, RHAPSODY OF FIRE]. First up is Ariën Van Weesenbeek to record his drum parts (see photo below)."

"Hell Over Sofia - 20 Years Of Chaos And Confusion", the new DVD from Swedish extreme metallers HYPOCRISY, will be released on October 21 via Nuclear Blast. The disc will contain footage of the band's February 27, 2010 concert at the Blue Box club in Sofia, Bulgaria. Guitarist Mikael Hedlund states, "It was a show that had everything! The crowd was helping us doing one of our best shows ever in our history and it was recorded with several cameras. The DVD will also contain a one-and-a-half-hour documentary that will show you our 20 years of chaos and confusion."

He adds, "We would like to give our fans the true story of the past and give them all the details what have happened on our journey over all these years. There are secrets that never have been told plus pictures and clips that never have been shown. This DVD will give you the full cover of HYPOCRISY!"

A report on the DVD shoot can be found at Tangra Mega Rock. Photos are available at this location.

DVD – "Hell Over Sofia" (94 minutes) (live at Bluebox, Sofia, Bulgaria – February 27, 2010)

01. Valley Of The Damned
02. Hang Him High
03. Fractured Millenium
04. Adjusting The Sun
05. Eraser
06. Pleasure – Osculum - Penetralia (medley)
07. Apocalypse - 4th Dimension (medley)
08. Killing Art
09. A Coming Race
10. Let The Knife Do The Talking
11. Weed Out The Weak
12. Fire In The Sky
13. The Final Chapter
14. Warpath
15. Roswell 47

"20 Years Of Chaos And Confusion" (documentary) (91 minutes)

CD: Hell Over Sofia
01. Valley Of The Damned
02. Hang Him High
03. Fractured Millenium
04. Adjusting The Sun
05. Eraser
06. Pleaser Of Molestation
07. Osculum Obcenum
08. Penetralia
09. Apocalypse
10. Fourth Dimension
11. Killing Art

CD 2: "Hell Over Sofia"

01. A Coming Race
02. Let The Knife Do The Talking
03. Weed Out The Weak
04. Fire In The Sky
05. The Final Chapter
06. Warpath
07. Roswell 47

Italian thrashers MERENDINE (formerly MERENDINE ATOMICHE) have completed work on their fourth studio album, "New World Disorder", for a November release. The band entered New Sin Studios in Loria (Treviso), Italy on July 25 with producer Luigi Stefanini and laid down 12 tracks in three weeks.

MERENDINE will embark on a European tour in October as direct support for Doro Pesch. The trek will include dates in Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, Italy, France and the Czech Republic.

MERENDINE ATOMICHE's third full-length album, "Rude Rebel Brotherhood", was released in April 2009 via Locomotive Records. The CD was recorded at New Sin studios in Loria, Treviso, Italy and was produced by Luigi Stefanini and SAVATAGE guitarist Chris Caffery, who also played and sang on the disc.

New Jersey's DIM MAK will release its new album, "The Emergence Of Reptilian Altars", on November 29 via Willowtip Records. The CD features stunning artwork by Alex Eckman-Lawn and marks the recording debut of the band's new vocalist — and longtime friend — Joseph Capizzi (ex-DYING LIGHT, CATTLEPRESS), following the departure of founding DIM MAK frontman Scott Ruth.

Commented guitarist Shaune Kelley: "I have known Joey for a couple of decades, so after being notified that Scott Ruth is stepping down, I am proud to say I have the best man for the job. I would like to also thank Scott Ruth for 25-plus years of amazing performances and lyrics in the extreme underground. You will be missed. But the time has come to usher in some new blood, fresh ideas, and new sounds. So fans of DIM MAK, please welcome to the mix on vocals, Mr. Joseph Capizzi."

"The Emergence Of Reptilian Altars" tentative track listing:

01. Thrice Cursed
02. The Sounds Of Carnage
03. The Secret Of The Tides Of Blood
04. Between Immensity And Eternity
05. Through The Rivers Of Pestilence
06. Fully Disassembled
07. Kutulu
08. The Emergence Of Reptilian Altars

"The Sounds Of Carnage" is available for free download at this location. It can also be streamed below.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and the Rockstar Uproar Festival are working with Hartford, Connecticut radio station WCCC to raise funds in remembrance of the 10th anniversary of September 11 this year. The tour and the band will both make a dollar for dollar match of all donations up to $10,000 made through the station's official web site from now through September 11, 2011. All the money will go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Checks will be presented to both organizations when avenged and the Uproar Tour pull into Hartford on Sunday, September 11.

The Uproar Tour might be the last time you'll see AVENGED SEVENFOLD on this touring cycle, which began over a year ago with the release of the band's "Nightmare" album.

Singer M. Shadows told The Pulse Of Radio that the group is thinking about releasing some sort of live package, but nothing's definite yet. "You know, we've already been recording, but there's no real plans — I don't want to get kids excited about it yet," he said. "But we've been recording stuff that we think are rare songs or B-sides that we might not play coming up, so we're getting stuff together to do a huge, massive live record, and we're just kind of compiling stuff so that when they do get it, it's like the ultimate."

The cover artwork for MEGADETH's new album, "TH1RT3EN", and single, "Public Enemy No. 1", can be seen below. The artwork was once again created by artist John Lorenzi, who worked on the last two MEGADETH studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame", as well as the band's 2007 box set, "Warchest".

"TH1RT3EN" is scheduled for release on November 1 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND, among others.

"TH1RT3EN" marks the recorded return of bassist David Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002. In a move that delighted the band's legion of diehards, Ellefson returned to performing live with MEGADETH in early 2010 and has remained a fixture on the stage ever since. This is the first time Ellefson has played on a MEGADETH record since 2002's "Rude Awakening".

"Age Of The Joker", the new album from German melodic metallers EDGUY, has entered the Media Control chart in the band's home country at position No. 3.

Commented the band: "Thank you all for getting an original copy of 'Age Of The Joker' and making this possible. It might have been the strongest chart week of the year, with seven new albums hitting the album Top10. There was stiff competition, but YOU were there for us!!! We have given our very best to deliver the best possible album, but YOU, our fans, are responsible for making it such a great success. We are in the middle of our rehearsals for the tour that will kick off on September 23rd and the news hit us in the rehearsing room, where we are sitting right now! Now we're gonna rehearse so hard, we'll make sure to blow you all away during the forthcoming live shows and celebrate the biggest heavy metal party you won't be able to imagine... Be prepared for a great set with a lot of specials, and we are looking forward to seeing you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you — and cheerzzz!"

"Age Of The Joker" was released in Europe on August 29 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Peppermint Park studio (SCORPIONS, PHIL COLLINS) in Hannover, which was previously described by the group as "a recording temple with a tremendously great-sounding room." The album features 11 songs with a total running time of over one hour. The limited-edition digipack contains a bonus disc with six additional songs.

Following the release of "Evinta" earlier this year, in which the band marked 20 years of existence with a release of symphonic compositions re-imagining past MY DYING BRIDE themes, the U.K. doom legends now present their latest chapter in the form of new EP, "The Barghest O' Whitby", to be released November 7 through Peaceville Records on CD and limited vinyl.

This single track, 25-minute epic represents the epitome of poetic grace and funeral soundscapes from one of gothic doom's most celebrated acts. With a masterful blend of pounding guitar riffs and sombre atmospheric passages, MY DYING BRIDE embarks on a chilling journey through superstition and folklore.

Said the band on the origin of the idea, "Carrying straight on from the success of 'Evinta' found us kind of out of breath for a second; we were already aware of a new-found love of all things bleak and grey and were eager to start writing in a more traditional MY DYING BRIDE style. What did catch us off guard was the increased heaviness and the fresh approach to song writing. Moving away somewhat with the lyrical theme from our usual feeding ground, we found ourselves on the rainy moors of Yorkshire contemplating the story of the Barghest, a supernatural entity hell bent on revenge. The tale now to be told wove itself into a 25-minute epic which initially we thought would be a three part EP, but it simply became one very long song full of everything MY DYING BRIDE and more. The violins conjure lonely tears atop a chasm of epic British doom."

"The Barghest O' Whitby" was recorded at Futureworks Studios in Manchester with longtime production partner and engineer, Mags. The release is the first to feature violin/keyboardist Shaun Macgowan, and sees the return of Shaun "Winter" Taylor Steels to the drum stool for this recording. The cover artwork for "The Barghest O' Whitby" also appears courtesy of vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe.

"We've never been heavier or more cataclysmically connected to doom metal as a state of mind; it's no longer just a musical style to us," the band states.

After auditioning "147 guitar players" and listening to countless demo CDs, NWOBHM legends CLOVEN HOOF have finally found their ultimate guitar hero, Joe Whelan, courtesy of the Express & Star newspaper. Joe's previous band was called DEMENTIA and his high-octane fluid lead style will bring a whole new dimension to the band. He is currently working on his lead breaks on the new CLOVEN HOOF studio track called "I'm Your Nemesis" and will take part in the band's first "big-budget" video filming, which will start on September 27.

CLOVEN HOOF last year released a five-song EP entitled "Throne Of Damnation". It contained three new songs — "Prime Time", "Running Man" and "Freak Show" — along with reworked versions of "Whore Of Babylon" and "Night Stalker", the latter of which is featured on the Brütal Legend game.

CLOVEN HOOF re-recorded 24 of its classic songs for a two-part "best-of" compilation, "The Definitive Part One" and "The Definitive Part Two".

Music Buy Mail has set an October 28 European release date for the new VAIN album entitled "Enough Rope".

Davy Vain has a list of accomplishments under his belt few artists today can rival. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, Davy began his rise as the frontman/songwriter/producer for the band VAIN. Their debut record, "No Respect" (originally released by Island Records), continues to receive critical acclaim worldwide having landed them on the cover of such notable music publications as Kerrang! and BAM. It is clearly evident from the praise garnered from the music press and more importantly other musicians, that Davy has an incredible knack for writing great songs.

As the music industry progressed and changed, Davy explored his creativity and musicianship even further. Remaining true to his musical integrity each of his recordings is filled with catchy hooks and choruses, rampant with melodies, and loaded with fresh and creative guitar sounds. Davy's voice is one of the most unique, hypnotic and original voices in rock and roll. It invokes and inspires you with a style that is entirely his own. His recorded and live performances are electric, raw, and infused with a power and magic that is as rare today as it was when Davy first started playing out.

"Enough Rope" follows on seamlessly from the glory days of their debut, "No Respect". Even the upcoming film "Rock of Ages" with Tom Cruise pays respect to VAIN by featuring posters and music of this all-time classic band.

"Enough Rope" track listing:

01. Greener
02. Enough Rope
03. Stray Kitten Burns
04. Hot Stage Lights
05. Distance Of Love
06. Cindy
07. Treasure Girl
08. Solid Gold
09. Worship You
10. Vain
11. Triple X

"Enough Rope" is being released on CD and digital format in Europe and USA by Music Buy Mail (with an online limited edition) and in Japan by Spiritual Beast/Universal, followed by a tour in early 2012.

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of Swedish heavy metallers RAM. The band's third album, "Death", will be released in early 2012. The CD was recorded at Welfare Sounds Studios in the group's hometown and was mastered by Dragan Tanaskovic at Bohus Sound.

Comments the band: "We are very pleased and proud to sign with a metal label that has done so much for heavy metal and has such an amazing legacy. We are also very pleased to become labelmates with our good friends and fellow Swedish old-school headbangers PORTRAIT and IN SOLITUDE. Now with the Blade of metal behind our backs the conquest of demolition continues! HEAVY METAL TYRANNY!"

"Death" track listing:

01. Death...
02. ...Comes From The Mouth Beyond
03. I Am The End
04. Release Me
05. Defiant
06. Frozen
07. Under The Scythe
08. Hypnos
09. Flame Of The Tyrants
10. 1 7 7 1

"Death" features a guest appearance by Swedish multi-instrumentalist Freddie Wadling who has had a very successful solo career in addition to having played with such cult acts as THE LEATHER NUN, BLUE FOR TWO and FLÄSKKVARTETTEN.

RAM vocalist Oscar Carlquist previously stated about the band's new album, "Again we are pushing the envelope of the RAM sound.

"This album differs quite a bit from our 2009 release, 'Lightbringer'; the sound is rawer and has a strong nerve and honest live-like feel, but still it is extremely powerful. It was produced by me and Harry Granroth (guitars) and Per Stålberg and Olle Björk and recorded at Welfare Studios here in Gothenburg. Dragan Tanaskovic is also a huge part of this by contributing massive power in the mastering process. Song-wise, we are showing new sides of the band.

"The album is a 10-song sonic rollercoaster displaying an array of different styles, emotions tempos and aggressions, but all within the concept of traditional heavy metal, of course.

"In all honesty, I can't choose one single song that is representative of the sound of the album as a whole. We are really pleased with this album that feels like a really cool direction to take from 'Lightbringer' and we can't wait to blast these new song live!"

RAM last year parted ways with bassist Christian Strömblad and replaced him with Tobias Pettersson from the underground black metal band VORNTH.

With a newly rejuvenated lineup and its signature sound intact, San Francisco's HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE has returned with "17th Street", a brash and heartfelt song cycle, blending the best elements of NWOBHM, thrash, doom, and American folk music while somehow sounding unlike any of these.

Due in Europe on October 24 (three days earlier in Germany), "17th Street" takes the band's inimitable sound to a new level, creating an emotional gravity that only further accentuates the band's formidable songwriting chops. "I can see how someone could find it an upbeat record," says John Cobbett, guitarist and producer of the band, also of underground metal legends LUDICRA and SLOUGH FEG. "There are glimmers of hope there. But if you listen carefully to each song, you'll find that each one has its own point of view; you might find hope, or something very different, very dark."

From tomorrow (Tuesday, September 7) on, you can hear the first single "The Grain", which has been made into a lyric video.

Fans can now pre-order a copy of the album, which is available on both CD and double LP gatefold vinyl.

"17th Street" track listing:

01. 317
02. 17th Street
03. The Grain
04. Staring (The 31st Floor)
05. The Day the City Died
06. Romance Valley
07. Summer Tears
08. Grey Wednesday
09. Going Somewhere

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of GYPSYHAWK, a band which hails from Pasadena, California and is part of the so-called Modern Wave Of Classic Heavy Metal. Combining the sound of THIN LIZZY, HAWKWIND and DEEP PURPLE with contemporaries like THE HELLACOPTERS, somehow just a few average dudes with a penchant for riffs have set out to return music to the people that really appreciate it. GYPSYHAWK is a band's band, a fan's band, and a flat-out rock and roll band when music needs it most.

Commented the band: "Metal Blade Records has been making the hits since before most of us were born. They inherently had a latent inspiration on all of us, cranking out some of the most inspirational sounds to come out after the '70s. To be part of this family doesn't leave much to be desired. In the meantime, we'll be doing our best to live up to the Metal Blade legacy and couldn't be more eager for everything we've been working for during the last two and half years."

"GYPSYHAWK captures the epic '70s hard rock riffs of such great '70s bands as THIN LIZZY and JUDAS PRIEST with their own updated twist. We are excited to be working with such a gifted band and look forward to their first album on Metal Blade," comments Michael Faley of Metal Blade Records.

Fronted in true Phil Lynott style by singer/bassist Eric Harris (former bassist of Ohio blackened thrashers SKELETONWITCH), GYPSYHAWK's foursome is rounded out with guitarists Andrew Packer and Erik Kluiber, and drummer Ian Brown.

GYPSYHAWK is:

Andrew Packer - Guitar
Eric Harris - Bass and Voice
Ian "P.P. Rider" Brown - Drums
Erik "Ron Houser" Kluiber - Guitar

JAM Magazine's Andy Laudano recently conducted an interview with drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) about ADRENALINE MOB, Mike's new band with SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP), bassist Paul DiLeo and STUCK MOJO/FOZZY axeman Rich Ward. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On the fact that ADRENALINE MOB does not sound anything at all like DREAM THEATER with SYMPHONY X's singer:

"That's the whole fucking point. People need to realize before they even pop in our CD or come to one of our shows that if they're expecting anything in the vein of DREAM THEATER or SYMPHONY X they're in for a shock because this is a whole other animal. Russ and I have been doing progressive metal forever and we both wanted to do something different. Even when I was doing TRANSATLANTIC, O.S.I. or LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, all those projects had prog elements in them. ADRENALINE MOB is just straight-ahead, balls out, slammin', groovin' metal. If you're into PANTERA, STONE SOUR and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY I think you'll dig this as much as I do. Yeah, I'm a prog guy and I've spent 25 years in a prog band but I also love SLAYER, MEGADETH, IRON MAIDEN and METALLICA."

"Fans that come into this without any preconceived ideas about what it should sound like should enjoy this, especially after they've seen the live show. Anybody that was unsure coming in walks away from the live show completely convinced this is the real deal. When you come see the show live, it's literally a five ring circus. For the first time in my career I'm surrounded by guys that are flying off the handle with energy. If anything I'm probably the most low key and that's a first for me in any band I've ever been in. That's why the name is so fitting. The adrenaline in this band is completely off the charts."

On ADRENALINE MOB's recent tour with GODSMACK:

"We were gonna wait until the album came out and tour next year. But then we got the GODSMACK offer and in the immortal words of The Godfather, 'It was an offer we couldn't refuse.' Musically, it's a great double bill. Our music is rooted in riffs and grooves and that's what GODSMACK does. When I was in AVENGED SEVENFOLD, we did the [Rockstar Energy] Uproar tour with STONE SOUR, DISTURBED and HELLYEAH. After I left I knew I wanted to do something in that vein and tap into that audience."

On whether there any hope at all for a reconciliation with DREAM THEATER somewhere down the line:

"I never say never. They've moved on and I've moved on. [New DREAM THEATER drummer] Mike Mangini's an amazing drummer. But if the opportunity presented itself a few years down the road and I was available, I would definitely consider it. That band was my heart and soul for 25 years. There's too much history there to ignore."

The musical collaboration between Lou Reed and METALLICA, "Lulu", will be released 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.

"Lulu" final track listing:

01. Brandenburg Gate (4:19)
02. The View (5:17)
03. Pumping Blood (7:24)
04. Mistress Dread (6:52)
05. Iced Honey (4:36)
06. Cheat On Me (11:26)
07. Frustration (8:33)
08. Little Dog (8:01)
09. Dragon (11:08)
10. Junior Dad (19:28)