"(Won't Go) Home", a brand new song from the Finnish metal/hard rock outfit AMORAL, can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Beneath", which is scheduled for release in October.

Whereas the CD's first single, "Same Difference", leaned towards hard rock, "(Won't Go) Home", with its riff-oriented structure and growling vocals, represents the heavier side of the new LP.

"'(Won't Go) Home' is a heavy and technical track through and through," singer Ari Koivunen said. "Masi's [Hukari, guitar] Indian-flavored solo is also one of my favorites. Vocal-wise, this song was the hardest to pull off, as my voice was pretty blown after two weeks of singing in the studio. I ended up recording the vocals by myself during the small hours, and I'm very happy with the results."

Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA will release a concert DVD, "Live In Finland", on October 28. The set will include the band's entire April 15, 2011 performance at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland as well as a bonus disc containing four songs that were filmed at the band's own festival on August 8, 2009 in Kemi, Finland. Also featured on the DVD will be SONTA ARCTICA's promotional videos for the songs "Don't Say A Word", "Paid In Full" and "Flag In The Ground" as well as a photo gallery and behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the DVD. There will also be a bonus CD containing eight songs that were recorded at the Kemi festival concert.

Commented SONATA ARCTICA keyboardist Henrik "Lance" Klingenberg: "It's been a very hot summer here in Finland, and while most people headed to the beach, we've been working our asses off editing and compiling our new DVD.

"This time around we wanted to give you a show from our home country Finland.

"The main show was filmed at the Teatria club in Oulu, Finland, last April. It showcases SONATA ARCTICA towards the end of 'The Days Of Grays' world tour, which started back in 2009.

"We played a total of over 180 shows in almost 40 countries during the tour.

"This will be a two-DVD release with lots of bonuses. We'll have tour documentaries, making-ofs as well as music videos and bonus songs from our very own Sonata Arctica Open Air festival, held in our hometown Kemi in August 2009.

"Whether you missed us or checked us out during this world tour, this DVD will be the complete guide to what we've been up to these past two years.

"I'm sure you all will enjoy watching this DVD as much as we've enjoyed making it.

"'The Days Of Grays' world tour has been absolutely fantastic and I'm very happy that we've managed to capture all the ups and downs on film. You'll know what I'm talking about when we get this monster package out!"

"The Days Of Grays", the latest album from SONATA ARCTICA, sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 19 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

California-based Christian death metallers IMPENDING DOOM will enter the studio this week to begin recording their as-yet-untitled new album. The CD will be produced by Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE FAMINE) and will be mixed by Machine, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE and DEMON HUNTER, among others.

Commented IMPENDING DOOM guitarist Cory Johnson: "After months of preparation, the time has finally come to start production on our next full-length! Without going into the cliché of trying to explain how this is our 'heaviest' or 'most mature' material, I will spare the insincere rant and just say that this is by for OUR favorite material and we can't wait to share it with you guys."

Reunited heavy metal band SLEEPY HOLLOW has recruited Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) as its new bassist.

LePond will make his live debut with SLEEPY HOLLOW on November 5 at Metal'cuse at the Fusion Room in Syracuse, New York. This will be SLEEPY HOLLOW's first show in over 20 years. The band is also planning a few more concerts for later this year in mid-November and into early December.

Commented SLEEPY HOLLOW: "Our original bass player, Steve Brink, was not able to commit to us in any capacity. He did contribute the artwork for our new album and we thank him with the understanding that although he will not participate in any future projects with us, he will, however, always be a part of the SLEEPY HOLLOW family. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors. As for Mike LePond, he has graciously accepted to step in for us until a permanent member is found and needless to say we are thrilled to have him with us for our live shows later this year."

"Kicking & Screaming", the first video and title track from former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach's forthcoming album, can be seen at RevolverMag.com. According to a press release, the clip — which is one of two videos that the singer filmed on June 28 in Hollywood, California with director Devin DeHaven of Fortress Entertainment (PAPA ROACH, WHITESNAKE, METHOD MAN, TALIB KWELI) — shows Bach "in fine form highlighting his inimitable vocal prowess, as well as the bone-crunching riffs and catchy hooks of the single."

ADRENALINE MOB — the new band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP), bassist Paul DiLeo and STUCK MOJO/FOZZY axeman Rich Ward — will release its debut EP on August 9. The self-titled effort will available via iTunes as well as sold in physical form at the group's upcoming shows and online store. Self-produced by the band, "Adrenaline Mob" features four original tracks as well as a blistering cover of the Ronnie James Dio-era BLACK SABBATH classic "The Mob Rules". From the opening riff of "Psychosane" through the over-six-minute epic-sounding "Hit The Wall", it is clear that ADRENALINE MOB are in class all their own as musicians.

"Releasing the EP gives fans around the world a chance to get a taste of the MOB NOW without having to wait until the full-length album comes out at the beginning of next year," states Portnoy.

"Adrenaline Mob" track listing:

01. Psychosane
02. Believe Me
03. Hit The Wall
04. Down To The Floor
05. The Mob Rules

"Singularity", a brand new song from Dutch progressive metallers TEXTURES, can be streamed on the band's Facebook page. (Note: You must "like" the group in order to hear the cut.) The track comes off TEXTURES' fourth album, "Dualism", which will be released in Europe, South America, Australia and Asia on September 23 and in North America on September 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Split Second Sound Studio in Amsterdam and was produced by TEXTURES guitar player Jochem Jacobs, who helmed all of the band's previous albums. The first single, "Reaching Home", will be released on August 19 through all major download sites.

New ICED EARTH singer Stu Block, who is also a member of INTO ETERNITY, has released the following statement regarding one of the tracks, "End Of Innocence", which will appear on ICED EARTH's next album, "Dystopia":

"Just wanted to clear something up: The song 'End Of Innocence' was written and named way, way, way before I ever knew that SYMPHONY X had the same name song on their new album. I have the Pro Tools stamped dates to verify it was written before any press release that SYMPHONY X had released.

"When I found out they had a song called the same thing, I WAS going to change it... but the song is about my mom, who currently is battling cancer, and I really truly couldn't change it because of the depth of it."

Although "Dystopia", ICED EARTH's 10th studio offering, is not a concept album, founder Jon Schaffer admits there are unifying themes to several of the songs — and even an appearance by band mascot "Set Abominae."

"I've always been fascinated by the darker side of life," Schaffer said during a break from master tracking ICED EARTH's forthcoming CD. "Movies like 'Metropolis', 'Brazil', and 'The Matrix' resonate with me. The same for albums like '2112', 'The Wall', and, of course, 'Operation: Mindcrime'. Their images of a soulless, repressive society stuck with me over the years. It must be the sci-fi fan in me."

In much the same way "Horror Show" (ICED EARTH's tribute to classic characters from literature and movies) was born, Schaffer said his interest in dystopian themes in music and movies led him to try his hand at that genre as well — even paying homage on the new album to the movies "Dark City", "V For Vendetta", and "Soylent Green". The end result is ICED EARTH meets the nightmarish offspring of "Brave New World" and "Blade Runner".

Of special interest to long-time fans are two songs on "Dystopia" (the title track and "Tragedy and Triumph") that feature the return of the "Something Wicked" storyline and Set Abominae — who, when last seen in "The Crucible of Man" (2008), had taken his position as ruler of the world.

"The opening song is a step back timeline-wise from the 'Come What May' track," said Schaffer. "'Come What May' [the last track on 'Crucible'] sets the scenario that it's up to us and the decisions we make that will determine the future of the human race. These two songs [on 'Dystopia'] take place at a time when people are in highly controlled prison-like city states, and their eventual emancipation in the closer, 'Tragedy and Triumph'."

In an uncanny case of art imitating life, Schaffer said Set Abominae fit perfectly with the general theme of "Dystopia".

"I remember it hit me like a ton of bricks in '97, the whole 'Something Wicked' story did," Schaffer said. "I thought, 'Man, this is going to be so cool.' Many years later, we were on tour for 'Crucible' and we were doing an interview over in Eastern Europe. A buddy of mine said, 'You know, Jon, this whole 'Something Wicked' thing could be true.' I thought about it a moment and said, 'Well, I don't know about that. But there are some creepy parallels in contemporary life.'"

"So as I was thinking about all of the great movies, albums, and books with dystopian themes, I remembered that conversation and it occurred to me that the 'Something Wicked' story could continue in a few tracks here very nicely," Schaffer said.

Schaffer admits the recording of "Dystopia" has been especially challenging because of the band's summer festival gigs requiring him to criss-cross the ocean numerous times.

Despite the challenges, Schaffer says working with new vocalist Stu Block is "a pleasure."

"You just can't ask for a better attitude," said Schaffer. "Stu is so excited to be here. He brings a youthful exuberance to the band, which is a lot of fun. And he's a real dude. He's down to earth, and willing to try anything that Jim [Morris, co-producer, engineer] or I throw at him. He's stepping into the shoes in a very natural way."

Schaffer continued: "We're opening up a part of his voice and a style of singing that he didn't even really know he had. We're exploring this whole new range. And we're just getting started. I believe Stu will continue to grow — and has the potential to grow — into one of the greats, one of the guys that will go down in metal history. If he stays on this course, with the attitude that he has, his willingness to learn, and his passion, he's destined for really great things. I firmly believe that."

Metal Mind Productions will release Doogie White's solo album, "As Yet Untitled", on October 24 in Europe and November 7 in the U.S. (via MVD).

This Scottish vocalist came to the attention of the worldwide audience when Ritchie Blackmore asked him to be the lead singer in his reformed RAINBOW. They recorded one album together — "Stranger in Us All". Doogie would go on to sing with Swedish neo-classical guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen for over a six-and-a-half-year period, record two albums and tour the world. He also recorded four albums and toured with CORNERSTONE and is currently the lead singer of TANK, who embark on selected European dates starting this August.

According to a press release, "As Yet Untitled" is a collection of 10 dramatic and hard-hitting rock songs co-written by White and some good friends he has made over the years on the rock scene.

Commented White: "I always thought my first solo album should be called this. The journalists at Sounds and Kerrang! always had a line that so and so are in the studio recording an album, as yet untitled… Well, now I have actually done that.

"I always like to be part of a band but I found myself isolated for a short while and decided to record some of the songs that I had been working on, while either on the road or back at home.

"I won't sit around and wait for the phone to ring. A bored Doogie is a dangerous thing!

"I gathered the good and the great, companions who had travelled the world with me at various times. Friends who I knew were outstanding players and to a man and one beautiful woman they gave freely of their talents and time. I am forever in their debt."

The list of guest musicians involved in the recording of "As Yet Untitled" looks impressive:

* Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Drums
* Thomas Broman (GLENN HUGHES) - Drums
* Derek Sherinian (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) - Keyboards
* Tony Carey (RAINBOW) - Keyboards
* Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE) - Bass
* Greg Smith (TED NUGENT) - Bass
* Paul Logue (EDEN'S CURSE) - Bass
* Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL) - Guitar
* Marcus Jidell (ROYAL HUNT) - Guitar
* Phil Hilborne (QUEEN Musical) - Guitar
* Mick Tucker (TANK) - Guitar
* Patti Russo (MEATLOAF, CHER) - Guest vocals.

The album was recorded at various studios in Florida, Germany, and Scotland but most of the production was handled in Sweden with Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL) at the helm.

Added White: "Pontus and I became great friends through our time with Yngwie. He shone a bright light on the songs with his production. He brought a certain calmness to the madness and made sure that everything that was in the song had to be there for a reason. Even when the hard drive with the initial mixes was stolen, I knew that Pontus could sort it out."

GWAR bassist Casey Orr (a.k.a. Beefcake The Mighty) has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"After much soul searching and consideration, and with a heavy heart, I am announcing my departure from GWAR (yes, again). I simply can no longer devote the time and effort required to maintain my position within the group. I have so many projects going on now in Texas, including a new RIGOR MORTIS record in the works, that it just wouldn't be fair to everyone involved for me to stay and not be able to give 100%. I'll miss the insanity and playing with my brothers, but I have to do what's right for me right now.

"I wish GWAR and all my brothers the best, and if I can ever be of any help to the group, they know they have only to ask. I appreciate their understanding, and certainly hope the fans will understand as well. I truly appreciate the opportunity I was given to return to the band and record the last two albums and to tour with them over the last several years, but it's time to aim my creative energies in other directions and embrace the opportunities that have been laid before me. I promise you have not heard the last of me. Not by a long shot!"

The Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain will be re-releasing all of their 6 studio albums which they released between 1985 and 1998. Out by this Fall they will each see a 2CD/1DVD package treatment including B-sides, live sessions, promo videos, feature films, TV appearances and rare material. That 'rare' material includes a rejected early B-side, "Jesus Fuck", and a recording of "Darklands" which includes an added string section. The reissues are out via the Edsel label which is part of the UK-based Demon Music Group.

You can order the sets here on Amazon US and Amazon UK.

The Jesus and Mary Chain were formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid. They released a string of albums, singles and EPs between their 1983 formation and their 1999 breakup, and gained notoriety in their early days for short sets and violence that became common at their live shows. In 2007, the band reunited.

Brandon Smith, Apoptygma Berzerk's guitarist since 2009, has a new album in the pipeline for his electro-metal project The Anix. Expected for a September 9 release via Cleopatra Records is the "Sleepwalker" album. Noone else but Jürgen Engler from Die Krupps has produced the gem. The album is a double disc, featuring the full length, and a second disc of remixes plus a cover of The Cure's "Burn" (taken from "The Crow" soundtrack).

The band's first offering, "Demolition City", was released in June of 2008. Soundwise the band says they are influenced by The Police, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Queen and Rush. That's a nice lot resulting in a mix of elements of grungy electronics and hard hitting alternative rock. Judge for yourself right here, or after the jump. Check out the band's website at www.theanix.com .

Tracklisting:
Disc 1
Enemy Eyes
Warning Signs
Cry Little Sister (Lost Boys Theme)
Take My Future
Sleepwalker
Glass
Resident One
In The End
Endlessly
Long Way Out
In The Dark
The Passenger

Disc 2
Burn (Cure cover from The Crow Soundtrack)
Glass (Tommie Sunshine Remix)
Enemy Eyes (Powerman 5000 Remix)
Long Way Out (Mozart Remix)
Resident One (Mozart Remix)
Sleepwalker (Invader! Remix)
Glass (Physcopomps Remix)
In The Dark (Anglespit Remix)
Cry Little Sister (Mozart Remix)

Out as download on August 12th and on CD and vinyl on August 19th is Ljungblut's "Over skyene skinner alltid solen" album; Ljungblut being the project by the Norwegian musician Kim Ljung, best known as the bassist in Norwegian alternative rock band Seigmen and industrial band Zeromancer. Note though that the album will only be printed as limited editions, both for the CD and the vinyl (all numbered and signed by Ljung himself).

"Over skyene skinner alltid solen" was mixed by Alex Møklebust while Erik Ljunggren (the man who recently maneuvered A-ha during their farewell tour) did the programming of the album track "Adelsten".

Several of the songs on the album were recorded live in Athletic Sound in Norway, the same studio that Seigmen recorded their first album 20 years ago.

Jean-Luc De Meyer (Front 242), Len Lemeire (Implant) and Jan D'Hooghe aka 32CRASH will be back with a new album, "Y2112Y", this Autumn. The regular CD is said to hold no less than 20 tracks bringing what the band describes as 'new school retro'. A limited edition version is also in the making with some 18 additional reinterpretations by the band themselves. Further details are missing, but Alfa Matrix informed us that we can expect some extra details in the next weeks.

32CRASH was started in 2007 and the same year signed to the Alfa Matrix label. Their debut CD "Weird news from an uncertain future" was released in October of the same year after the release of the EP "Humanity".

Guitarist Kim Thayil of reunited grunge legends SOUNDGARDEN spoke to Hannah Levin of SeattleWeekly.com about the progress of the band's new CD, its first since 1996's "Down On The Upside" and since reuniting last year.

When asked what the timeline on the new record is, Thayil replied, "There's no timeline, except that our target — roughly — is early 2012. We are focused on this tour and these shows and we have a few dates in October, but in the interim, we'll do some studio work. We have a few more guitars to do and some vocals. And some of the songs are still being arranged. We want to make sure it's absolutely the most satisfying for us, and put the best foot forward that we can put. I would assume our fans will also get into it then."

Regarding whether SOUNDGARDEN's approach to writing together has changed, Thayil said, "It's actually not much different, because we really didn't have a set way we wrote in the past. The only thing that might have been consistent is a band member being a complete author — meaning words and music — which Chris [Cornell, vocals/guitar] did a lot of. But even if Chris writes a complete song, or Ben [Shepherd, bass] writes a complete song . . . sometimes we wrote a song as a jam. All the different combinations were always there; there was never a set thing like 'Jagger/Richards,' you know?"

On the topic of why SOUNDGARDEN chose to get back together, Thayil said, "I have nooooo idea. I ask myself that question. I think it's one of those things that just fell back into our laps. We initially were attending to shared properties, both financial and legal, and from mainly there we realized there was an absence of online presence in terms of a web site or Facebook . . . we kind of had neglected our merchandise over the last decade. Our catalog had been neglected. I was constantly meeting people who now had junior-high-aged kids who had learned instruments and learned [to play via SOUNDGARDEN]. We agreed to start a web site and have Ten Club handle it — Tim Bierman who handles PEARL JAM's stuff. So it started from that. Then Internet gossip led to promoters inquiring about our status and offering us shows and pretty good billings that we considered. So we got into a room together and jammed and enjoyed each other's company. Eventually we decided to start playing live and to release [greatest-hits and rarities compilation] 'Telephantasm' and the live record ['Live on I-5']. Putting out an unreleased SOUNDGARDEN song was a thrill for us, and we started thinking about going back into the studio again. Every time we got together to rehearse, it was good."

The members of MEGADETH made a brief stop to visit the Los Angeles–class attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) at the Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia yesterday (Monday, August 1). Check out photos of their appearance below.

USS Helena arrived in its new homeport at Naval Station in Norfolk on June 15.

According to the official United States Navy web site. Helena, commanded by Cmdr. Paul L. Dinius, was previously homeported in San Diego. On Sept. 2, 2009 the submarine arrived at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery, Maine for extended maintenance, which included several system upgrades. Helena left the shipyard May 20 after completing the engineering overhaul.

Fast-attack submarines like Helena have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.

Helena is the 38th Los Angeles-class attach submarine and fourth ship to bear the name of the capital city, Helena, Montana. The submarine was built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned July 11, 1987. The 360-foot ship has a current crew compilment of 16 officers and 134 enlisted Sailors, and displaces more than 7,100 tons of water.

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Todd A. Schaffer / Released

A previously unreleased remix of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's song "Black Bubblegum" by Sergio Vega (DEFTONES) is available for free download at the band's new web platform. The web site will act as the new dashboard for all current and upcoming activity and shows, collecting media shared on social platforms (Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo), media feeds, as well as by blog and media entries from the band itself. It will also host exclusive offers and media through a new partnership with TopSpin.

When talking about the origins of heathen Metal from Germany, one name invariably is mentioned: Falkenbach. Going for over twenty years, this project by Vratyas Vakyas is considered as a trailblazer and prime mover of a musical style that perfectly combines epic heroism and Germanic mythology, Norse-tinged folklore and metallic aggression – and all that far beyond the well-worn clichés of the so-called "Pagan Metal scene."

Albums such as "... en their medh riki fara ..." and "... magni blandinn ok megintiri ..." are considered classics of pagan Metal, but Vratyas Vakyas' later records – e.g. "Tiurida" which was released early this year – just as much proved the strength and conviction behind his musical vision.

Hence, we are very proud to announce that Prophecy Productions and Falkenbach agreed upon a long-term partnership and that from now on, Prophecy are going to lend Vratyas Vakyas their support in the realisation of his vision. The musician has this to say about the signing of the contract: "As a label, Prophecy stands for qualities and ideals that are very important for me personally and for Falkenbach. After being in touch with Martin Koller for more than 15 years, I am particularly happy that Prophecy and Falkenbach are going to travel together from now on. At the moment, we are busy preparing the next album, and I am really looking forward to our co-operation."

Coming up on August 22nd is the regular album "Have you seen this Ghost?", the second chapter of the Sopor Aeternus trilogy "A Triptychon Of Ghosts - or: El Sexorcismo de Anna-Varney Cantodea". The 11 track album will be out on the German Apocalyptic Vision label (Trisol). For those who ordered the limited edition a while back (and which is already out since April), here's a video of what was in it. You can watch it after the jump as well for webvisitors.

Track listing:
I don't believe in Ghost
One Day my Prince will come
Cornucopia d'Amour (Füllhorn der Liebe)
Sleep, Hello, at the Stroke of Midnight gently
Starlight seen through Veils of Tears
Powder
Angel of the Golden Fountain
Where the ancient Laurel grows
I Fell for One (who loved me not)
Holding out for a Hero
The Hours of Sadness

Video footage of Florida metallers TRIVIUM performing a brand new song, "Built To Fall", live without an audience can be viewed below. The track comes off the band's new album, "In Waves", which will be released on August 9 via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2008's "Shogun" was recorded primarily at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida (with only the drums having been tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida) with the production/mixing team of Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY) and Martin "Ginge" Ford, along with engineer Carl Bown.

AVANTASIA — the project led by EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet — will close out this year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival on Saturday, August 6 in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany. The concert will be broadcast live on German TV station ZDFkultur at 8:00 p.m. local time. This way all fans will have the chance to witness the only AVANTASIA show of the year, despite the event having been sold out for months.